High colonisation by probiotic Escherichia coli A0 34/86 strain is associated with a less diverse microbiome related to children's age.

Probiotic supplementation in childhood serves as an additional source of bacterial colonisers and represents an opportunity to beneficially manipulate the intestinal microbiome. Differences in the ability of probiotic strains to colonise the gut may be related to the variously diversified gut microbiome. We report the results of the association between composition of the gut microbiome and the colonisation capacity of the probiotic strain Escherichia coli A0 34/86 (CNB - Colinfant New Born supplement) in the cases of three healthy children in different development stages (infant, toddler, and pre-school), as a preliminary insight to possible future prospective studies of this subject. Microbiome composition was estimated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of 55 stool samples collected during approximately 3.5-13 months long periods. Detailed characterisation of the E. coli population was performed using colony PCR to detect 33 E. coli genetic determinants. In all children, genetic determinants typical for the probiotic E. coli A0 34/86 strain were detected immediately after administration of the probiotics. Analysis of the initial sample composition (the last sample taken before the probiotic administration) showed that the gut microbiome of infant and toddler with lower bacterial diversity was more successfully colonised by the probiotic strain. In our case report of three children, we showed for the first that supplementation with CNB probiotics in early infancy and toddlerhood was associated with high E. coli A0 34/86 colonisation and a significant change in the composition of the gut microbiome. Our results indicate that administration of CNB for its recommended duration might be efficient only in very early childhood.

"They just looked at me like I was human": The experiences of parenting women and providers with substance use disorder treatment.

BACKGROUND: The current US addiction treatment system does not effectively meet the needs of pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorder (SUD). The aim of this research was to identify barriers and facilitators to engagement and retention in SUD residential treatment for pregnant and parenting women. This research was part of a co-design process to collaboratively create a more patient-centered long-term residential program. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study conducted semi-structured individual interviews with both parenting women with lived experience (WWLE) in residential SUD treatment and SUD treatment providers. Interviews aimed to elicit participants' experiences either receiving or providing care. The study team analyzed data in NVivo-12 using a deductive codebook based on the six principles of trauma informed care (TIC). RESULTS: We conducted a total of 32 interviews (WWLE =13, SUD providers =19). The study identified four major themes: 1) peer relationships provide inspiration and diminish shame; 2) providing individuals safe space to stumble in recovery creates opportunities for growth and builds self-efficacy; 3) reasonable, clear boundaries create a structured, protective environment for early recovery; 4) nonjudgmental connections facilitate engagement and build trust. We identified small pivotal moments along the continuum of care that showed how the elements in the four themes enhanced engagement and retention in treatment. These interactions, along the care continuum, are either structural (workflow process) or relational (interpersonal). CONCLUSION: This research increases understanding of the interplay of the structural and relational barriers and facilitators to engagement and retention in treatment. These seemingly minor positive or negative interactions along the care continuum are pivotal to fully operationalizing TIC and optimizing women's engagement in treatment. Improvement strategies that integrate the voices of WWLE and collaboratively co-design a more patient-centered system are critical steps to improving engagement in SUD treatment and more equitable SUD treatment services.

An ELISA test for the binding of von Willebrand antigen to collagen.

Collagen (soluble bovine tendon type I) coated onto microtiter plates binds von Willebrand antigen (vW:Ag) in a dose-dependent manner. An ELISA test was set up with both antibody and collagen coated microtiter plates. Test specimens assayed were: 1) normal plasmas, 2) type I vW plasmas, 3) type IIa vW plasmas, and 4) factor VIII concentrates (KoateR, Cutter; Conco-VIII, Green Cross). Normal and type I vW plasmas exhibited comparable values for vW:Ag in binding studies to both collagen and antibody-coated plates. Type IIa vW plasmas demonstrated decreased (less than 1/2) collagen to antibody-binding ratios. Ristocetin cofactor (VIII:RCO) levels in type IIa vW plasmas correlated with quantified collagen-binding levels. Factor VIII concentrates show variable results when comparing collagen and antibody-binding levels. A comparison of vW:Ag ELISA (antibody) with VIII:RCO shows ratios of 2:1 (KoatR) or 20:1 (Conco-VIII). Collagen-binding ELISA levels in concentrates show parallel decreases, reflecting presumed binding to collagen of only the high M.W. multimers. The vW:Ag collagen binding ELISA represents a possible replacement assay for the laborious and imprecise VIII:RCO method of measurement of in vitro vWf functional activity.

A study of mental health administrators and systems utilizing a four-part rural/urban taxonomy.

A study of administrators working in public-sector community-level mental health systems was undertaken. Three hundred and fourteen managers representing 109 systems in both urban and rural settings were interviewed, with 91 percent providing completed questionnaires. Multiple discriminant analyses indicated significant differences in perception of ruralness; personal, job, and system characteristics; and nonwork dimensions. Administrators differed in what they did on the job, not in responses (e.g., turnover, stress) to their work. The rural manager seems more a generalist, but other stereotypes of the nature of rural mental health management and managers were contraindicated. Implications of the data and further research are discussed.

Single-isotope enzymatic derivative method for measuring catecholamines in human plasma.

The radioenzymatic determination of plasma catecholamines with a modification of the method of da Prada & Zürcher ((1976), Life Sci 19, 1161-1174) is described. The several reaction steps were optimized with respect to the quantities of substrate and enzyme, and reaction time. There were particular methodological difficulties concerning the blanks, which were determined by using sodium metaperiodate-oxidized plasma. The reliability criteria of the method were determined. Coefficients of variation between 3.4 and 8.6% were found for the intra-assay variability of 10 pg of norepinephrine and 3 pg of epinephrine or dopamine, resp. The recoveries o the three catecholamines ranged from 88-93%. The detection limits were calculated from the standard deviation of the blanks and amounted to 12 ng/l (norepinephrine), 6 ng/l (dopamine) and 3 ng/l (epinephrine). The method was used for the analysis of plasma samples from patients. In a further investigation we examined the stability of plasma catecholamines stored at different temperatures. It was found that samples can be stored for 1-2 hours at room temperature and for several weeks at -27 degrees C without losses in catecholamine content.

Platelet turnover studies associated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation.

Calves given LVADs have been studied to determine changes in platelet turnover induced by the device and modified by time and anticoagulants. Passivation with time occurs but is surprisingly incomplete even one month later and despite coumadin, aspirin and dipyridamole. Without these drugs, enhanced platelet turnover and local thrombus formation on the device is exaggerated. Sequential platelet turnover studies may be useful to quantitate, monitor and/or predict thromboembolic events.