Its main sources are rodents, particularly rats, which excrete th

Its main sources are rodents, particularly rats, which excrete the spirochete (Leptospira spp) in urine. Humans are infected by direct contact with urine of infected animals or by contact with an infected environment such as surface water. The disease is increasingly reported in travelers, particularly those travelling to tropical areas, due to the development of fresh-water sports Alvelestat mouse and leisure activities such as fishing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, scrambling, etc. However, leptospirosis remains an uncommon

cause of illness in travelers. Even when focusing on the causes of fever in travelers returning from a tropical area, only 0% to 1.2% of cases were diagnosed with leptospirosis.[1-3] In these three series, 5.5% to 24% of the febrile travelers were considered as having fever of unknown origin. It is therefore possible that leptospirosis was underdiagnosed. A few sporadic check details cases of leptospirosis in returning travelers have been reported.[4, 5] Two case series were found at a national level, reporting leptospirosis in returning travelers.[6,

7] Leshem et al. reviewed 48 cases of travel-related leptospirosis seen in Israel between 2002 and 2008, while Van Crevel et al. reported 32 such cases in the Netherlands between 1987 and 1991. The goals of our study were to better evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of the patients diagnosed with travel-related leptospirosis. All consecutive travel-related cases Inositol monophosphatase 1 of leptospirosis that were diagnosed in the Department of Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris between January 2008 and September 2011 were included. The diagnosis of leptospirosis relied on the

following criteria: (1) a clinical picture compatible with the disease occurring within 21 days after return, (2) the presence of a thermoresistant antigen[8] or IgM antibodies, Elisa ≥ 1/400[9], and (3) a positive microagglutination test (MAT) ≥ 1/100.[10] When possible, serogroups were confirmed by MAT. All serology testing except one (done at Biomnis) was carried out at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, National Reference Centre for Leptospirosis, using MAT (Table 1). Patient files were retrospectively analyzed to collect demographic, epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics, as well as data concerning the at-risk exposure. At-risk activities included bathing in fresh water; fresh-water sports (canoeing, rafting, kayaking, etc.); contact with animals or their urine; and activities such as gardening, hunting, and fishing. Leukocytosis was defined as white blood cells (WBCs) > 12 × 109/L, lymphocytopenia as lymphocytes < 1,500 × 109/L, and thrombocytopenia by platelet count < 150 × 109/L. Impaired liver function tests (LFTs) were defined by the rise of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) up to twice the normal values.

Also, at the latter preconditioning duration, focal adhesion kina

Also, at the latter preconditioning duration, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), an important actin-associated kinase, and its

Y397-phosphorylated form (p-FAK) were elevated, along with parallel increases in HSP27, S85p-HSP27 and HSP70. Furthermore, while confirming increased HSP27 and HSP70 in HEC slices ethanol-preconditioned for 6 days, we detected elevations in PKC isoforms, FAK, p-FAK and p-HSP27 in these organotypic cultures. Importantly, PKC inhibition with GF109203X suppressed FAK, HSP70 and HSP27 amplification/activation in ethanol-preconditioned cerebellar cultures, indicating that PKC is an upstream transducer of FAK and the HSP effectors. Neuroprotection associated with increases in HSP27/HSP70 from ethanol preconditioning entails upregulation/activation of PKC isoforms and FAK, the latter kinase implicating Alpelisib molecular weight actin cytoskeletal prosurvival pathways in brain preconditioning. “
“Converging lines of evidence point to the occipitotemporal cortex (OTC) as a critical structure in visual perception. For instance, human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has revealed a modular organisation of object-selective, face-selective, body-selective and scene-selective visual areas in the OTC, and disruptions to the processing within these regions, either in neuropsychological

patients or through transcranial magnetic stimulation, can produce category-specific deficits in visual recognition. Here we show, using fMRI and pattern classification methods, that the activity in the OTC also represents how stimuli will be interacted with by the body – a level of processing more traditionally associated with the preparatory Sirolimus concentration activity in sensorimotor circuits of the brain. Combining functional mapping of different OTC areas with a real object-directed delayed movement task, we found that the pre-movement spatial activity Ponatinib price patterns across the OTC could be used to predict both the action of an upcoming hand movement (grasping vs. reaching) and the effector (left hand vs. right hand) to be used. Interestingly, we were able to extract this wide range of predictive

movement information even though nearly all OTC areas showed either baseline-level or below baseline-level activity prior to action onset. Our characterisation of different OTC areas according to the features of upcoming movements that they could predict also revealed a general gradient of effector-to-action-dependent movement representations along the posterior–anterior OTC axis. These findings suggest that the ventral visual pathway, which is well known to be involved in object recognition and perceptual processing, plays a larger than previously expected role in preparing object-directed hand actions. “
“Neurotransmitters such as glutamate are potential regulators of neurogenesis. Interference with defined glutamate receptor subtypes affects proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural progenitor cells.

The conference is an important forum for exchange in scientific i

The conference is an important forum for exchange in scientific ideas and knowledge among participants through interactive workshops, oral and poster sessions and invited lectures. Professor Josef Smolen was invited to Hong Kong selleck kinase inhibitor and delivered a talk on ‘New Aspects in EULAR Recommendations in the Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis’ on 24 February 2014. Other than updating the audience of the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology on the EULAR guideline, his talk raised critical thoughts on issues including the choice between triple therapy and biologic agents and the use of biologic monotherapy

in RA patients refractory to methotrexate monotherapy. The Iraqi Society of Rheumatic Diseases Conferences was held in Erbil, Iraq during 10–12 April. This was a landmark conference as it was the first in the country after the United States occupation of Iraq in 2003. Malaysia Society of Rheumatology is celebrating its silver jubilee this year. In conjunction this website with this, the 15th Rheumatology Workshop organized by Malaysian

Society of Rheumatology and Singapore Society of Rheumatology will be held in Kuala Lumpur on 22–24 August 2014 with the theme of Rheumatology Across Ages. “
“Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by immune abnormalities, progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, and microvascular injury and damage. Interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R) is expressed in the epidermis from patients with SSc. However, information describing the role of IL-21 in SSc is limited. We established a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced fibrosis. The frequency of CD4+IL-21+T, CD4+IL-21R+T and IL-21+Th17 cells in peripheral blood, skin and lungs of BLM-induced mice were detected by flow cytometry; IL-21 levels in the peripheral blood were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CD4+T

cells were isolated from the spleen of BLM-induced and control mice and cultured in vitro alone or in the presence of mrIL-21 or mrIL-21 plus transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. The frequency of Th17 cells was detected by flow next cytometry; levels of IL-17 were evaluated by ELISA, and the expression of IL-17A and retinoic-acid-receptor-related orphan receptors gamma t (RORγt) messenger RNA were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared to control mice, the frequency of CD4+IL-21+T, CD4+21R+T and IL-21+Th17 cells and the levels of IL-21 were significantly increased in BLM-induced mice. The frequency of CD4+IL-21+T, CD4+21R+T and IL-21+Th17 cells and the levels of IL-21 were correlated with dermal and pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. In vitro analyses indicate that IL-21 promoted the differentiation of Th17 cells from CD4+ cells isolated from the spleen of BLM-induced mice. IL-21 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SSc as a Th17 effector cytokine, and IL-21 may induce the differentiation of Th17 cells in the BLM-induced SSc mouse model.

Interviews were transcribed verbatim and content analysed Thirty

Interviews were transcribed verbatim and content analysed. Thirty seven of the forty five pharmacies who delivered PAMS returned the PCRW checklist (82% response rate) and participants from 29 pharmacies were interviewed (29 pharmacists and six additional staff). Perception of readiness for change before service delivery was remarkably high. From the interviews conducted after service delivery it was evident that systematic management of the practice change using theoretical concepts had not really been undertaken and that many challenges were faced in the implementation of practice change (PAMS). The results of the content analysis

from the interviews revealed that factors external or internal to the pharmacy or those related to the individual pharmacist could affect implementation of practice change. Change is not as straightforward Selleckchem Y 27632 as it may appear and is a multi-step process

over time. Pharmacists were unaware of this. A change-management framework should Olaparib be applied to specific services with enough flexibility so that pharmacists can individualise them for their pharmacies. “
“Objectives  The objective of this research was to gain deeper understanding of the expectations, experiences and perceptions of Australian general medication practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists around collaboration in chronic illness (asthma) management in the primary care setting. Methods  A qualitative research methodology utilising a semi-structured interview guide, based on theory and an empirical approach, was used to fulfill the objectives of this study. Face-to-face interviews with

pharmacists (n = 18) and GPs (n = 7) were recorded, transcribed and coded for concepts and themes. Relationships between concepts and themes were examined and used to describe the nature of collaborative relationships in the primary care setting. Key findings  A relationship between GPs and pharmacists currently exists although 6-phosphogluconolactonase there is minimal collaboration and there are several areas of practice and patient care in which the two professional groups are mismatched. At the same time, this research uncovered key aspects of the GP–pharmacist relationship, which could be used to develop more collaborative relationships in the future. The findings from this study were evaluated in light of the Collaborative Working Relationships model and published literature. Conclusions  A model for the development of GP–pharmacist relationship has been postulated which articulates the dynamic nature of professional relationship in primary care and highlights a pathway to more collaborative practice. Future research should focus on further developing this model.

These metrics depend on the number of citations each paper gets,

These metrics depend on the number of citations each paper gets, and given the small size of our combined community of researchers, practitioners and educationalists, we are limited to some extent by this glass ceiling. One option is to ensure the wider relevance of our research and practice. Pharmacy must be seen as a mainstream player in researching new ways of making health care safer and more efficient and in the delivery of health buy Belnacasan care. Patient safety is now, more than ever, of paramount importance. Given the large proportion of events which are linked to medication, this is an excellent example of

an area where we can really say that pharmacists are one of the core professions. We have known this for many years, but others now also realise

this because of the good research and the Ku-0059436 in vitro exemplary practice. Many medication errors are avoidable, and studies have quantified the contribution of the pharmacy workforce to averting such events. Yet current pressures on that workforce are challenging the ability to provide input to every patient on medication. We, therefore, need to find more efficient ways of helping pharmacists support the safe prescribing, supply and use of medicines. An unintended consequence of success in both research and extended practice has been the diverging agendas that have been inadvertently created. Colleagues in practice while focusing on delivering new services, and enjoying the associated challenges and professional satisfaction, are finding it increasingly difficult to protect time for research; survey results and participation rates are probably at an all-time low and we need to work better together to ensure that the successes of the last 20 years are sustained. Time does not stand still and continued research, pushing IKBKE back the boundaries of practice, must continue. Indeed, there is a whole research agenda here in terms of trying to understand what it needs to get people involved in research, and how to nurture and harness ideas for research which is of relevance to the health of the population and to the colleagues delivering services. My two 2014 resolutions therefore are (1) to work better with

our colleagues in practice to ensure research can continue to be delivered, and (2) to make sure we present findings in formats which are of relevance to the wider community of healthcare providers, policy makers and researchers. “
“Using a validated tool, the study aimed to explore pharmacists’ experiences of maintaining work/life balance in a large, nationally representative sample of pharmacists in Great Britain (GB). A two-page postal questionnaire was sent in 2008 to all GB-domiciled pharmacists who were registered with the regulatory body for pharmacy in GB (just over 44 000 pharmacists). Demographic information, work patterns and other employment data were collected and analysed using regression techniques to explore the link between these characteristics and a validated measure of work/life balance.

3%) VFs in the DRV/r group and seven (123%) in the LPV/r group

3%) VFs in the DRV/r group and seven (12.3%) in the LPV/r group. Paired baseline/endpoint phenotype data were available for 39 patients in the DRV/r arm and 52 patients in the LPV/r arm. All samples from these patients remained susceptible to DRV, PFT�� in vivo LPV, amprenavir, atazanavir, indinavir, saquinavir and tipranavir at endpoint. Of these VFs, four patients in the DRV/r arm (10.5%) and five patients in the LPV/r arm

(9.8%) lost susceptibility to FTC; this was associated with the development of the M184I and/or V mutation. In addition, a loss of susceptibility to TDF was observed in two patients in the DRV/r arm; this was not correlated with the development of NRTI RAMs and may have been a result of assay variation (the endpoint fold-change value was just above the biological cut-off). Table 2 gives an overview of the resistance analysis (including their further genotypic and phenotypic CDK inhibitor details). 4 (9.3) L10V (n=1); V11I† (n=1); I13V (n=1); I13V + G16E‡ (n=1) 9 (15.8) I13V (n=1); L33V (n=1); M36I (n=1); I62V (n=1); A71V (n=1); A71T + V77I (n=1); V77I (n=1); I93L (n=1) 4 (9.3) M184I/V‡ (n=1); M184V (n=2); M184V + K70E (n=1) 7 (12.3) M184I/V (n=1); M184I (n=2); M184V (n=4) Table 3 summarizes the safety and tolerability findings. At week 192, permanent discontinuation of treatment because of AEs (including pregnancies; nine in the DRV/r group

and six in the LPV/r group) was significantly less frequent in the DRV/r arm (7.6%) than in the LPV/r arm (14.5%) (P = 0.005). Serious AEs regardless of causality were reported in 16.0% of patients in the DRV/r group and 20.8% of patients in the LPV/r group. At week 192, four patients (1.2%) in the DRV/r arm and seven patients (2.0%) in the LPV/r arm died during treatment. Deaths were as a result of: cardiorespiratory arrest; cerebrovascular accident; dehydration and hepatorenal syndrome; lymphoma; road traffic accident; disseminated tuberculosis; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; drug toxicity;

myocardial infarction and pneumonia; meningococcal meningitis; and one death where the reason was not reported. None of these deaths was considered by the investigator to be treatment related. By week 192, one patient in each treatment arm had reported a serious renal AE (recorded by the investigator as renal impairment), and one patient in the LPV/r arm had discontinued treatment because of a renal AE (decreased Lenvatinib creatinine clearance). As TDF was included in the background regimen, changes in calculated creatinine clearance were monitored throughout the trial. A similar mean decrease in creatinine clearance was observed for both treatment groups at week 192 [–9.3 mL/min (95% CI –7.6; 28.1 mL/min) and –7.0 mL/min (95% CI −9.30; 4.63 mL/min) for DRV/r and LPV/r, respectively]. The incidence of grade 2–4 abnormalities for creatinine was 1.2% for DRV/r vs. 0.6% for LPV/r. There were 12 reported cases of kidney stones: six in the DRV/r arm and six in the LPV/r arm.

In this assay, amino acid sequence of a fragment completely coinc

In this assay, amino acid sequence of a fragment completely coincides with the sequences (sequence of 153 amino acid deduced from an incomplete cDNA) of Sorogena stoianovitchae ribosomal P0 protein (matched Talazoparib in vitro sequence, IGNSESALLQK; UniprotKB accession number, B1B3R2). The phosphorylated proteins contained in encystment-induced cells were isolated with Phos-tag agarose phosphate-affinity chromatography and subsequently analyzed by SDS-PAGE/Western blotting. Prior to CBB staining (Fig. 4, ‘CBB’), the blots were analyzed by

biotinylated Phos-tag/ECL (Fig. 4, ‘P-tag’), because isolated proteins may contain nonspecifically bound proteins to agarose beads. Thereby, several proteins [p21, p23, p24, p27, p29, p31, p33, and p37 (corresponding to 21–37 kDa)] were detected as phosphoproteins by biotinylated Phos-tag/ECL (Fig. 4, ‘P-tag’). CBB-stained protein bands on the transfer membrane corresponding to the Phos-tag signal (Fig. 4, ‘P-tag’) were analyzed by LC-MS/MS, followed

by a database search. In these assays, amino acid sequences of a lysyl endopeptidase-digested fragments LDE225 purchase of p29, p31, and p33 completely coincided with the sequence of S. stoianovitchae ribosomal P0 protein (Table 1). In addition, the protease-digested fragments of p24 completely coincided with the sequence of Babesia bovis ribosomal protein S5 (Table 1). Unfortunately, we failed to find the fragments obtained from other Montelukast Sodium bands whose amino acid sequences were matched with those of Alveolata protein. In many organisms, the ribosomal P0 protein consists of 320–330 amino

acid residues (blast Search), and it is a phosphoprotein (Krokowski et al., 2002). This supports that p29 kDa, p31, and p33 may be ribosomal P0 phosphoprotein. Judging from the results that the p29 and p31 are detected even in the presence of protease inhibitors (Fig. 1b), they may not be the fragments produced by proteolysis of p33. It is possible that these proteins may be isoforms. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the ribosomal P0 protein is reported to be assembled with preribosomal particles in the cytoplasm, not in the nucleoli (Rodríguez-Mateos et al., 2009). The present result showed that the phosphorylation fluorescence signal was not localized in nucleoli, but distributed throughout the nucleus (Fig. 2b-4). Probably, in C. cucullus, the localization of p33 in the macronucleus may not be correlated with the ribosome assembly that is carried out in nucleoli, but may play important roles other than a primary function as a component of ribosome. In Drosophila, ribosomal P0 protein is easily transported from the ribosome to the nucleus (Yacoub et al., 1996), and it plays a multifunctional role such as DNA repair through endonuclease and DNase activities (Yacoub et al., 1996) and regulation of gene expression (Frolov & Birchler, 1998). In the early stage of C.

, 1998) All E coli strains were grown overnight in LB broth at

, 1998). All E. coli strains were grown overnight in LB broth at 37 °C with aeration. Twenty microliters of cultures were mixed with or without 0.5% BE. The mixtures were then spread onto nematode growth media

agar plates (Hope et al., 1998). The plates were dried at 25 °C and immediately utilized for the assays. Twenty nematodes previously synchronized on the L4 stage were transferred to each plate and incubated at 25 °C. After every 24 h, live worms were scored. When the worms did not respond to being touched by a platinum wire pick, they were considered dead. Data are expressed as mean±SD. An unpaired Student’s this website t-test was used to analyze the data. To compare differences among more than three groups, one way anova was used. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. All the experiments were repeated for reproducibility. AI-2-mediated QS plays a major role in the virulence of E. coli O157:H7 (Sperandio et al., 2001; Sircili et al., 2004). To investigate the specific effect of the

BE on QS, we measured the level of AI-2 secreted by E. coli O157:H7 in response to the treatment with BE. When assayed using V. harveyi AI-2 reporter strain BB170, a decreasing level of AI-2 was detected in culture supernatants of E. coli O157:H7 Trichostatin A chemical structure grown with increasing concentrations of BE. Figure 1a shows a dose-dependent decrease in AI-2 level upon treatment with BE. It is of note that AI-2 level was almost undetectable in the presence of 5% BE. AI-2 level at each treatment normalized to that obtained from growth with no BE (Fig. 1a). We then tested C. violaceum strain CV026, which produces violacein, a violet pigment, as a result of QS through its autoinducer N-hexanoyl homoserine lactone (McClean et al., 1997). Violacein production in the presence of BE was also gradually decreased in a dose-dependent manner (Fig. 1b), suggesting that BE is also capable of inhibiting QS of C. violaceum CV026. To rule out the possibility that reduced production of AI-2 is a consequence of decreased bacterial growth, we examined whether or not BE exhibited any adverse effects on bacterial growth. Figure 1c compares

the growth curves of E. coli O157:H7 during 8 h cultures in LB without or with 5% BE. In our experiments, stationary phase was achieved after ∼6 h of culture. Pyruvate dehydrogenase lipoamide kinase isozyme 1 Growth of E. coli O157:H7 was elevated by the addition of BE (Fig. 1c). The bacterial culture reached OD600 nm of ∼5.0 after 6 h of growth in plain LB, whereas bacterial cell density reached OD600 nm of ∼5.7 in LB media amended with BE. Taken together, these results demonstrate that suppressed AI-2 production was not due to any secondary effects associated with retarded bacterial growth and occurred rather efficiently even at higher cell density. It has been reported that swarming motility is dependent on AI-2 signaling in E. coli O157:H7 (Sperandio et al., 2002). To test whether the reduced AI-2 synthesis by BE treatment is reflected in bacterial motility, a swarming motility assay was performed.

Although these features were all seen in Δsahh

strain, a

Although these features were all seen in Δsahh

strain, a seemingly contradictory observation is that sahh transcript level is elevated in the hypovirus-infected strain. In a plant system, it has been reported that methylation pathway is targeted by geminivirus to Gefitinib in vivo inhibit host antiviral defense of transcriptional gene silencing (Buchmann et al., 2009). Very recently SAHH was shown to be targeted by a geminivirus batasatellite-encoded protein to inhibit the SAHH activity and methylation-mediated transcriptional gene silencing (Yang et al., 2011). Should a hypovirus also regulate sahh at posttranslational level to inhibit its enzymatic function, one can hypothesize that elevated

sahh transcription and inhibition of SAHH activity can be two separate events incited by hypovirus infection. In this regard, actually measuring the in vivo SAHH activity by quantification of the SAH/SAM in hypovirus-infected strain will be vitally necessary. As SAHH regulation of the expression selleck of genes involved in key process of the cell is likely through its effects on intracellular methylation, further analysis of the genome methylation and global gene expression in Δsahh strain and testing the direct interaction of SAHH and hypovirus-encoded protein(s) will help to reveal the precise mechanisms by which SAHH regulates traits of chestnut blight fungus. This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China grants 31170137, 30130020, and 39925003 and the International Collaboration Key Project 2001CB711104. S.L. and R.L. contributed equally to this work. Please note: Wiley-Blackwell is not responsible for the content DOK2 or functionality of any supporting materials supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing material) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. “
“The xnp1 remnant P2-type prophage of Xenorhabdus nematophila produces

xenorhabdicin that is active against closely related species. Xenorhabdicin had not been characterized previously in other Xenorhabdus species. Here, we show xenorhabdicin production in six different strains of Xenorhabdus bovienii. The sequenced genome of X. bovienii SS-2004 was found to possess a highly conserved remnant P2-type cluster (xbp1). Inactivation of the xbpS1 sheath gene resulted in loss of bacteriocin activity, indicating that the xbp1 locus was required for xenorhabdicin production. xbp1 and xnp1 contain a CI-type repressor, a dinI gene involved in stabilization of ssDNA-RecA complexes and are inducible with mitomycin C, suggesting that both loci are regulated by cleavage of the CI repressor.

7% expressing need

for education in the current 12 months

7% expressing need

for education in the current 12 months.[9] Remarkably, these UK nurse prescribers also expressed the need for an update on prescribing policy (42.5% within 12 months). In our study among travel health nurses, no such need was mentioned, perhaps because Dutch travel medicine is highly protocolized and the LCR provides updated guidelines twice each year. The content of training programs for nurse prescribing seems to be fairly similar across the Western European/Anglo-Saxon countries, and pharmacology is generally an important component.[6, 8] In the Netherlands, an educational program including special attention to pharmacology is one of the requirements Selleckchem Lumacaftor for the designation of supplementary nurse prescribing. For travel medicine, the nation’s foremost

travel health nursing organization will collaborate with the Dutch Nurses’ Association to create such a program. In addition, the LCR will formulate quality criteria specific to nurse prescribing. Travel health nurses will obtain prescriptive privileges only if they meet both criteria. For a successful implementation of nurse prescribing more is needed, eg, patient acceptance of the nurse as prescriber, organization of a well-equipped working environment, and the opportunity for travel health nurses to become and remain experienced in prescribing. The questionnaire did not incorporate questions toward these topics: currently, most travel health advice in the Netherlands is already performed by travel health nurses. Therefore patient acceptance will be an unlikely barrier. This is also supported by a UK-based review which HIF inhibitor found two studies that investigated patients’ perception of nurse prescribing. Both studies reported that the majority of the patients were in favor of nurse prescribing.[10] Insufficient

GNA12 organizational readiness toward nurse prescribing, for example, lack of prescription pads or inadequate formulary as found in another UK study,[11] is also not likely to cause any implementation problems, as Dutch travel health nurses are already permitted to provide pre-signed prescriptions. Lastly, current LCR quality criteria demand that travel health nurses perform at least 200 travel health consults under supervision per year for registration and at least 250 travel health consults per year for re-registration. Unsafe prescribing due to poor experience will therefore not arise. Our study has some other limitations, such as possible selection bias. Respondents to our questionnaire may feel more strongly about prescribing rights than non-respondents, resulting in overestimation of their aspiration and competence to prescribe. Finally, we attempted to reach all Dutch travel health nurses, but a few LCR-registered travel health nurses may lack an email account. Moreover, the number of unregistered travel health nurses without a subscription to LCR services is unknown.