Saint Louis University

About: Saint Louis University is a education organization based out in St Louis, Missouri, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 18927 authors who have published 34895 publications receiving 1267475 citations. The organization is also known as: SLU & St. Louis University.

Reliability and validity of the SF-12v2 in the medical expenditure panel survey.

Abstract: Evaluate the reliability and validity of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form version 2 (SF-12v2) in the 2003–2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Data were collected in the self-administered mail-out questionnaire and face-to-face interviews of the MEPS (n = 20,661). Internal consistency and test–retest reliability and construct, discriminate, predictive and concurrent validity were tested. The EQ-5D, perceived health and mental health questions were used to test construct and discriminate validity. Self-reported work, physical and cognitive limits tested predictive validity and number of chronic conditions assessed concurrent validity. Both Mental Component Summary Scores (MCS) and Physical Component Summary Scores (PCS) were shown to have high internal consistency reliability (α > .80). PCS showed high test–retest reliability (ICC = .78) while MCS demonstrated moderate reliability (ICC = .60). PCS had high convergent validity for EQ-5D items (except self-care) and physical health status (r > .56). MCS demonstrated moderate convergent validity on EQ-5D and mental health items (r > .38). PCS distinguish between groups with different physical and work limitations. Similarly, MCS distinguished between groups with and without cognitive limitations. The MCS and PCS showed perfect dose response when variations in scores were examined by participant’s chronic condition status. Both component scores showed adequate reliability and validity with the 2003–2004 MEPS and should be suitable for use in a variety of proposes within this database.

Identification of a Recombinant Live Attenuated Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Candidate That Is Highly Attenuated in Infants

Abstract: Background Recombination technology can be used to create live attenuated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines that contain combinations of known attenuating mutations. Methods Two live attenuated, recombinantly derived RSV vaccine candidates, rA2cp248/404 Delta SH and rA2cp248/404/1030 Delta SH, were evaluated in 31 adults and in 95 children >/=6 months old. rA2cp248/404/1030 Delta SH was subsequently evaluated in 44 infants 1-2 months old. These vaccine candidates share 4 attenuating genetic elements and differ only in a missense mutation (1030) in the polymerase gene. Results Both vaccines were highly attenuated in adults and RSV-seropositive children and were well tolerated and immunogenic in RSV-seronegative children. Compared with that of rA2cp248/404 Delta SH, replication of rA2cp248/404/1030 Delta SH was restricted in RSV-seronegative children (mean peak titer, 10(4.3) vs. 10(2.5) plaque-forming units [pfu]/mL), indicating that the 1030 mutation had a potent attenuating effect. Although rA2cp248/404/1030 Delta SH was well tolerated in infants, only 44% of infants who received two 10(5.3)-pfu doses of vaccine had detectable antibody responses. However, replication after administration of the second dose was highly restricted, indicating that protective immunity was induced. At least 4 of 5 attenuating genetic elements were retained in recovered vaccine viruses. Conclusions rA2cp248/404/1030 Delta SH is the first RSV vaccine candidate to be sufficiently attenuated in young infants. Additional studies are needed to determine whether rA2cp248/404/1030 Delta SH can induce protective immunity against wild-type RSV.

Nutritional issues in nursing home care.

Abstract: The most common nutritional problems in nursing home residents are weight loss and concomitant protein energy undernutrition Although the causes of weight loss in these patients can usually be tre