Mixed Bag

Toxin from brain cells triggers neuron loss in human ALS model
In most cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, a toxin released by cells that normally nurture neurons in the brain and spinal cord can trigger loss of the nerve cells affected in the disease, Columbia researchers reported today in the online edition of the journal Neuron.

The toxin is produced by star-shaped cells called astrocytes and kills nearby motor neurons. In ALS, the death of motor neurons causes a loss of control over muscles required for movement, breathing, and swallowing. Paralysis and death usually occur within 3 years of the appearance of first symptoms. Eurekalert!

Efforts to lower health care-associated infections are having success, study finds
Efforts to lower the incidence of dangerous infections acquired by patients in the hospital or other care settings and a federal strategy to improve those activities are the subject of a series of articles published by the journal Medical Care.

Researchers found that a federally sponsored plan to lower health care-acquired infections was successful in addressing the challenges of prioritizing and coordinating strategies. In addition, the plan has been associated with reductions in the rates of health care-associated infection rates, with progress made toward most targets where data are available. Eurekalert!

Columbia study finds hospitals don't follow infection prevention rules
While most hospitals have polices in place to prevent health care-associated infections, clinicians often fail to follow evidence-based guidelines established to prevent these infections, according to new research from Columbia University School of Nursing published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study, the most comprehensive review of infection control efforts at U.S. hospitals in more than three decades, found lax compliance even in intensive care units where patients are more likely to be treated with devices linked to preventable infections – such as central lines, urinary catheters and ventilators. Eurekalert!