Fertility Associated Antigen (FAA) produced by the accessory sex glands and contained within the seminal fluid binds heparin and facilitates capacitation in ejaculated sperm, resulting in improved fertility in bulls capable of producing the protein. In this study, a total of 206 bulls derived from three populations were evaluated for the presence or absence of FAA through utilization of the Repro Test at three semen collections over a 60-d period. Across all collections, the percentage of FAA Negative bulls ranged from 13.64 to 36.11%. Within the three populations, 32, 33, and 67 bulls were observed at three different collections, of which 3.03, 9.09 and 4.48% were FAA Negative at all three collections, respectively. Furthermore, 27.27, 33.33, and 20.90% of bulls were observed to have variations within their FAA status after providing an initial FAA Positive result, respectively. Bull age, sperm concentration, progressive forward motility, percent normal sperm, ejaculate volume, and scrotal circumference were determined to be significantly different between FAA Negative and FAA Positive bulls in at least one collection. However, no consistent trend was observed across populations, or collections within a population, with regard to a relationship between these variables and FAA. Furthermore, of fourteen bulls that produced an ejaculate in which no sperm was detected, 78.57% (n=11) were FAA Positive despite the lack of sperm within the ejaculate. No single variable commonly measured to determine bull fertility was consistent in predicting the FAA status of bulls. The ability to produce FAA precedes puberty and the Repro Test can be used to identify FAA in prepuberal bulls. However, a large percentage of bulls, both prepuberal and peripuberal, are capable of displaying variation in their FAA status (as determined by the Repro Test) over time.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-156). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-103).

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a serious complication in critically ill patients; it can prolong intubation, increase intensive care unit and hospital length of stay, and increase mortality to twice the level of patients who do not develop VAP. The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of an evidence-based educational program to prevent VAP on ICU nurses' actual and documented practices for preventing VAP. The research questions addressed whether an educational program focused on VAP prevention will affect critical care nurses' compliance with a VAP prevention bundle, and whether the education will result in maintenance of a rate of zero cases of VAP per 1000 ventilator days. Data will be collected from all ICU patients intubated more than 24 hours and will include: (a) the frequency of oral care, (b) head-of-bed elevation of 30â??45 degrees, (c) daily sedation vacation, (d) assessment of readiness for extubation, and (e) whether prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis and for peptic ulcer disease was ordered. Observations of care will verify the accuracy of nurses' documentation in the medical record. A survey will assess nurse satisfaction with the educational program. Paired t tests will be used to compare the compliance of the nurses with each element of oral care and hygiene practices before and after the intervention. Analysis of variance will be calculated on the mean duration of ventilation, mean ICU and hospital length of stay, mortality before discharge, patient acuity, and rates of VAP per 1000 ventilator days. The goal of this project is a compliance rate of 90% or greater with the elements of the VAP prevention bundle, leading to decreased ventilator and ICU days, decreased morbidity, decreased mortality, and lower emotional distress. Positive social change will be accomplished through an immediate improvement in the lives of VAP-prone individuals.

Not available / text

The transfer of a desired gene to several types of target tissues has been accomplished successfully in the past using existing Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). Also, it has recently been shown that AAV can stimulate robust antibody responses due to long-term transgene expression or abolishment of transgene product by cell-mediated immune responses, suggesting the potential use of AAVs as vaccines. Most humans already have pre-existing immunity to common AAV serotypes making novel AAVs of low seroprevalence attractive as gene transfer or vaccine vehicles. This thesis describes my primary research objectives that included the isolation of novel AAV serotypes based on AAV DNA sequences from porcine tissues, novel AAV vector production, and biological characterization of porcine AAVs in vitro and in vivo. This was followed by evaluating immune responses in mice vaccinated with porcine AAV vectors expressing the hemagglutinin (HA) from the avian influenza A/Hanoi/30408/2005 (H5N1) strain. These findings show that low seroprevalence porcine AAV vectors were able to efficiently transduce a wide range of cells and tissues. The porcine vectors also performed well as vaccine candidates and were efficient at stimulating host immune responses. Although porcine vectors were successful as vaccines, further studies involving long term gene expression by porcine AAVs is still necessary to confirm their role as gene therapy vehicles.

Bakgrund Förlust av förmågan att utföra självständig ADL är ett vanligt problem hos äldre i slutenvården. Detta leder till lidande och förlängda vårdtider. För att kunna utveckla omvårdnaden och för att motverka detta behövs ökad insikt om patienternas upplevelser vid minskad ADL-förmåga. Syfte Att beskriva äldre patienter med försämrad ADL-förmågas upplevelser av sin vård gällande utförande av ADL inom slutenvården. Metod Kvalitativ intervjustudie med åtta äldre patienter inneliggande på ett svenskt universitetssjukhus. Resultat Studiedeltagarna upplevde överlag att vården och personalen fungerade bra och att detta förbättrade deras upplevelse av att ha minskat i ADL-förmåga. Studiedeltagarna tyckte det var jobbigt att vara beroende av andra och få hjälp med personlig hygien. Vårdavdelningarnas rutiner och upplevelsen av att personalen var stressad gjorde att studiedeltagarna inte ville vara till besvär och ställa krav. Slutsats Resultaten visar att det finns ett behov av att utveckla ett mer personcentrerat förhållningsätt där riskpatienter identifieras och får möjlighet att vara delaktiga i arbetet för att stärka förmågan till självständigt utförande av ADL. / Background Loss of the ability to independently perform tasks of basic ADL is a common problem in the care of institutionalized elderly. Loss of ADL function is a source of suffering and prolonged institutionalization. It is necessary to effectively counter the risks and develop the care a deeper insight of the experiences from patients with losses in their ADL function. Purpose To describe experiences of performing of ADL in hospital as described by institutionalized elderly with a loss of ADL function. Methods Qualitative interviews with eight elderly patients institutionalized at a Swedish university hospital. Results The participants had in general a positive opinion of the care they received and they felt that it improved the feeling of having lost some ADL function. They felt troubled about being dependent of someone else and getting help with private hygiene on the basis of its personal nature. The routines and the experience of stressed staff made the participants reluctant to make demands or ask for help. Conclusion The results of the study showed that there is a need to develop a person centered approach where patients at risk are identified and given opportunity to participate in the work to strengthen their ability to perform ADL independently.

The transfer of a desired gene to several types of target tissues has been accomplished successfully in the past using existing Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). Also, it has recently been shown that AAV can stimulate robust antibody responses due to long-term transgene expression or abolishment of transgene product by cell-mediated immune responses, suggesting the potential use of AAVs as vaccines. Most humans already have pre-existing immunity to common AAV serotypes making novel AAVs of low seroprevalence attractive as gene transfer or vaccine vehicles. This thesis describes my primary research objectives that included the isolation of novel AAV serotypes based on AAV DNA sequences from porcine tissues, novel AAV vector production, and biological characterization of porcine AAVs in vitro and in vivo. This was followed by evaluating immune responses in mice vaccinated with porcine AAV vectors expressing the hemagglutinin (HA) from the avian influenza A/Hanoi/30408/2005 (H5N1) strain. These findings show that low seroprevalence porcine AAV vectors were able to efficiently transduce a wide range of cells and tissues. The porcine vectors also performed well as vaccine candidates and were efficient at stimulating host immune responses. Although porcine vectors were successful as vaccines, further studies involving long term gene expression by porcine AAVs is still necessary to confirm their role as gene therapy vehicles.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, 1986. / Offprints of author's four journal articles in pocket. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-147).