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Παρασκευή 20 Νοεμβρίου 2015

Methane attenuates myocardial ischemia injury in rats through anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory actions

Publication date: January 2016
Source:Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 90
Author(s): Ouyang Chen, Zhouheng Ye, Zhiyong Cao, Anatol Manaenko, Ke Ning, Xiao Zhai, Rongjia Zhang, Ting Zhang, Xiao Chen, Wenwu Liu, Xuejun Sun
Myocardial infarction (MI) remains the most frequent cardiovascular disease with high mortality. Recently, methane has been shown protective effects on small intestinal ischemia–reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that methane-rich saline (MS) could protect the myocardium again MI via its anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. In experiment 1, tetrazolium chloride staining and detection of myocardial enzymes and oxidative and inflammatory parameters were performed at 12h after MI to determine the optimal dose at which intraperitoneal MS exerted the best protective effects on MI. In experiment 2, rats were treated with 10ml/kg MS. Myocyte apoptosis was detected 72h after MI, and cardiac function and myocardial remodeling were evaluated 4 weeks after MI. Results showed different dose of MS reduced infarct area, decreased myocardial enzymes, inhibited inflammation and oxidative stress following MI. The optimal dose of MS was 10mg/kg. Moreover, treatment with 10mg/kg MS for 3 days significantly reduced myocyte apoptosis, improved cardiac function and inhibited myocardial remodeling (reduced anterior wall thickness, attenuated myocyte hypertrophy, and decreased myocardial collagen). MS protects the myocardium of MI rats via its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-remodeling activities. Thus, MS provides a novel and promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic heart diseases.



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A Cancer Cell Spheroid Assay to Assess Invasion in a 3D Setting

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This method evaluates cancer cell invasion from spheroids into a surrounding 3D matrix. Spheroids are generated via the hanging drop culture method and then embedded in a matrix comprised of basement membrane materials and type I collagen. Invasion out of the spheroids is subsequently monitored.

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Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats

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Encephalopathy of prematurity encompasses the central nervous system abnormalities associated with injury from preterm birth. This report describes a clinically relevant rat model of in utero transient systemic hypoxia-ischemia and intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide administration (LPS) that mimics chorioamnionitis, and the related impact of infectious stimuli and placental underperfusion on CNS development.

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Nanosensors for neurotransmitters

Abstract

Neurotransmitters are an important class of messenger molecules. They govern chemical communication between cells for example in the brain. The spatiotemporal propagation of these chemical signals is a crucial part of communication between cells. Thus, the spatial aspect of neurotransmitter release is equally important as the mere time-resolved measurement of these substances. In conclusion, without tools that provide the necessary spatiotemporal resolution, chemical signaling via neurotransmitters cannot be studied in greater detail. In this review article we provide a critical overview about sensors/probes that are able to monitor neurotransmitters. Our focus are sensing concepts that provide or could in the future provide the spatiotemporal resolution that is necessary to 'image' dynamic changes of neurotransmitter concentrations around cells. These requirements set the bar for the type of sensors we discuss. The sensor must be small enough (if possible on the nanoscale) to provide the envisioned spatial resolution and it should allow parallel (spatial) detection. In this article we discuss both optical and electrochemical concepts that meet these criteria. We cover techniques that are based on fluorescent building blocks such as nanomaterials, proteins and organic dyes. Additionally, we review electrochemical array techniques and assess limitations and possible future directions.



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β-Conglutin dual aptamers binding distinct aptatopes

Abstract

An aptamer was previously selected against the anaphylactic allergen β-conglutin (β-CBA I), which was subsequently truncated to an 11-mer and the affinity improved by two orders of magnitude. The work reported here details the selection and characterisation of a second aptamer (β-CBA II) selected against a second aptatope on the β-conglutin target. The affinity of this second aptamer was similar to that of the 11-mer, and its affinity was confirmed by three different techniques at three independent laboratories. This β-CBA II aptamer in combination with the previously selected β-CBA I was then exploited to a dual-aptamer approach. The specific and simultaneous binding of the dual aptamer (β-CBA I and β-CBA II) to different sites of β-conglutin was confirmed using both microscale thermophoresis and surface plasmon resonance where β-CBA II serves as the primary capturing aptamer and β-CBA I or the truncated β-CBA I (11-mer) as the secondary signalling aptamer, which can be further exploited in enzyme-linked aptamer assays and aptasensors.



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Pentavalent antimony uptake pathway through erythrocyte membranes: molecular and atomic fluorescence approaches

Abstract

Previous studies by our group have shown that Sb(V) is able to enter red blood cells in a dynamic process and is reduced to Sb(III) by glutathione. The present study aims to investigate a possible entry pathway for Sb(V) through the erythrocyte membrane. Applying fluorescence spectroscopy studies with Laurdan and diphenylhexatriene (DPH) probes, it was found that there was no interaction between Sb(V) and membrane lipids. By comparing the Sb(V) entry percentages through lipid vesicles and sealed erythrocyte membranes, it was found that Sb(V) required protein channels to pass through the membrane. The competitive inhibition results using HCO3 and Cl showed that the Sb(V) uptake rate through the membrane fell approximately 50–70 % until full inhibition was reached, which was possibly due to the inhibition of the anion exchanger 1 (AE1) channel. Finally, the fluorescence measurements with the 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein (5-IAF) probe showed that Sb(V) interacted with membrane protein SH groups during this process.



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Passive Suicide Ideation: An Indicator of Risk Among Older Adults Seeking Aging Services?

Objectives:

This study examines patterns of endorsements of active suicide ideation (SI), passive SI (synonymous with death ideation), and psychological distress (i.e., depressive and anxious symptomatology) in a sample of vulnerable older adults.

Methods:

Data were collected via in-home interviews with aging services care management clients aged 60 years and older (n = 377). The Paykel scale for suicide measured the most severe level of suicidality over the past year, and the ninth item of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) measured current passive/active SI. The remaining items from the PHQ (i.e., PHQ-8) and the Goldberg Anxiety scale measured distress.

Results:

Latent class analysis revealed a four-class model: a group with mild distress and no active SI, a group with high distress and no ideation, a group with mild distress and both passive and active SI, and a group with high distress and both passive and active SI.

Discussion:

Results indicate that passive SI rarely presents in vulnerable older adults in the absence of significant risk factors for suicide (i.e., psychological distress or active SI). Thus, the desire for death and the belief that life is not worth living do not appear to be normative in late life.



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Compassionate Love in Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease and Their Spousal Caregivers: Associations With Caregivers' Psychological Health

Purpose of the Study:

To examine whether compassionate love in both individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their spousal caregivers related to less caregiving burden, more positive caregiving appraisals, and less depressive symptoms for caregivers.

Design and Methods:

Fifty-eight individuals with AD and their spousal caregivers participated in interviews in which both partners reported their compassionate love for their partner, and caregivers self-reported burden, positive appraisals of caregiving, and depressive symptoms.

Results:

As hypothesized, both AD individuals' and caregivers' compassionate love were associated with less burden and more positive appraisals of caregiving. Also, care givers' compassionate love mediated the association between AD individuals' compassionate love and caregivers' burden as well as the association between AD individuals' compassionate love and caregivers' positive appraisals of caregiving. Finally, there was a marginally significant association between caregivers' compassionate love and less caregiver depressive symptoms.

Implications:

Results suggest that AD individuals' compassionate love is related to compassionate love in caregivers, which in turn relates to reduced burden but not significantly less depressive symptoms for caregivers. Assessing caregivers' and AD individuals' feelings of compassionate love may be useful in identifying caregivers who are resilient and those who are at a heightened risk for caregiving burden. Also, interventions that enhance both partners' compassionate love may benefit caregivers.



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Measuring Driving-Related Attitudes Among Older Adults: Psychometric Evidence for the Decisional Balance Scale Across Time and Gender

Purpose of the study:

The Decisional Balance Scale (DBS) was developed to assess older adults' attitudes related to driving and includes both intrapersonal and interpersonal motivations for driving. This study examined the psychometric properties of the DBS ratings across 3 time points in a sample of 928 older drivers who participated in the Canadian Driving Research Initiative for Vehicular Safety in the Elderly (Candrive).

Design and Methods:

Measurement invariance of the DBS was assessed longitudinally and across gender.

Results:

Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that a two-factor model (positive and negative attitudes) for both driving beliefs related to the self and other provided a good fit to the data at each time point. Measurement invariance was supported across time and gender. Significant associations between the DBS factor scores and other driving measures (e.g., perceived driving ability and self-regulatory driving practices) provided evidence of convergent validity.

Implications:

The DBS appears to be a robust instrument for measuring attitudes toward driving and is recommended for continued use in future research on driving behaviors with older adults.



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Erratum



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Sir James Reid and the Death of Queen Victoria: An Early Model for End-of-Life Care

Purpose of the Study:

An appraisal of the last ten days of Queen Victoria's life, viewed primarily from the perspective of her personal physician, Sir James Reid, is presented.

Design and Methods:

Sir James' clinical encounters with his patient and the Royal Family are examined to reveal his strategic and medical thinking and gauge his level of success in basic palliative aims.

Results:

It was found that the lack of effective medical interventions, tensions within the Royal Family, the importance of his post to Sir James' professional career, and the political ramifications unavoidably connected with the illness of a head of state, all presented challenges to Reid's efforts to ease the physical and emotional pain of Queen Victoria's dying. Key features of Sir James' approach included reliance on physician–patient and physician–family relationships, emphasis on emotional support for the patient, and the careful selection of interventions for the family.

Implications:

In the first years of the 20th century, an era when the contemporary concepts of palliative care, hospice, and family dynamics did not exist, Sir James' management of the Queen's final illness suggested an early model for end-of-life care. By the end of Queen Victoria's life, Sir James was seen to have preserved his patient's comfort and dignity, at the same time advancing family and societal acceptance of the death of this matriarchal figure.



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Is Gerontology in Crisis?



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Unmet Assistance Need Among Older American Indians: The Native Elder Care Study

Purpose:

We examined the prevalence and correlates of unmet assistance need with respect to activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) among older American Indians.

Design and Methods:

Data for our analyses were collected in 2006–2008 as part of the Native Elder Care Study, a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling American Indians aged ≥55 years. In-person interviewer-administered surveys were used to collect data on demographic characteristics, physical functioning, mental and physical health, personal assistance needs, and psychosocial resources.

Results:

Among those with an assistance need, 47.8% reported an unmet need with one or more ADLs or IADLs. Significant adjusted correlates of unmet assistance need included greater number of ADL and IADL difficulties and lower levels of social support.

Implications:

Initiatives and programs aimed at increasing social support and augmenting informal care networks can support efforts to meet American Indian adults' personal assistance needs.



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Gerontology in India

India, with a population of 1.22 billion, has a predominantly agriculture-based economy. Its 90 million elderly population heavily depend on their children for financial support and caregiving. Research on aging in India today is focused on the medical, biological, behavioral, and social sciences. Aging as an independent subject is only taught at a few institutions. Several national and state agencies and many nongovernmental organizations offer housing, day care, and health care services. The 1999 National Policy on Older Persons is being revised, 2 National Institutes on Aging have been designated, and a pilot health program targeting seniors has been implemented. India's greatest concern is how to provide adequate health care and income security for its huge elderly population, especially the uneducated rural poor.



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Listening to Religious Music and Mental Health in Later Life

Purpose of the Study:

Research has linked several aspects of religion—including service attendance, prayer, meditation, religious coping strategies, congregational support systems, and relations with God, among others—with positive mental health outcomes among older U.S. adults. This study examines a neglected dimension of religious life: listening to religious music.

Design and Methods:

Two waves of nationally representative data on older U.S. adults were analyzed (n = 1,024).

Results:

Findings suggest that the frequency of listening to religious music is associated with a decrease in death anxiety and increases in life satisfaction, self-esteem, and a sense of control across the 2 waves of data. In addition, the frequency of listening to gospel music (a specific type of religious music) is associated with a decrease in death anxiety and an increase in a sense of control. These associations are similar for blacks and whites, women and men, and low- and high-socioeconomic status individuals.

Implications:

Religion is an important socioemotional resource that has been linked with desirable mental health outcomes among older U.S. adults. This study shows that listening to religious music may promote psychological well-being in later life. Given that religious music is available to most individuals—even those with health problems or physical limitations that might preclude participation in more formal aspects of religious life—it might be a valuable resource for promoting mental health later in the life course.



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Lifespan and Healthspan: Past, Present, and Promise

The past century was a period of increasing life expectancy throughout the age range. This resulted in more people living to old age and to spending more years at the older ages. It is likely that increases in life expectancy at older ages will continue, but life expectancy at birth is unlikely to reach levels above 95 unless there is a fundamental change in our ability to delay the aging process. We have yet to experience much compression of morbidity as the age of onset of most health problems has not increased markedly. In recent decades, there have been some reductions in the prevalence of physical disability and dementia. At the same time, the prevalence of disease has increased markedly, in large part due to treatment which extends life for those with disease. Compressing morbidity or increasing the relative healthspan will require "delaying aging" or delaying the physiological change that results in disease and disability. While moving to life expectancies above age 95 and compressing morbidity substantially may require significant scientific breakthroughs; significant improvement in health and increases in life expectancy in the United States could be achieved with behavioral, life style, and policy changes that reduce socioeconomic disparities and allow us to reach the levels of health and life expectancy achieved in peer societies.



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Older Adults' Perceptions of Mobility: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies

Purpose of the Study:

Optimal mobility is an important element of healthy aging. Yet, older adults' perceptions of mobility and mobility preservation are not well understood. The purposes of our study were to (a) identify studies that report older adults' perceptions of mobility, (b) conduct a standardized methodological quality assessment, and (c) conduct a metasynthesis of the identified studies.

Design and Methods:

We included studies with community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years, focused on perceptions of mobility pertaining to everyday functioning, used qualitative methods, and were cited in PubMed, Embase, CINAHLPlus, or Geobase databases. Study quality was appraised using the McMaster University Tool.

Results:

Out of 748 studies identified, 12 met inclusion criteria. Overall quality of the studies was variable. Metasynthesis produced 3 overarching themes: (a) mobility is part of sense of self and feeling whole, (b) assisted mobility is fundamental to living, and (c) adaptability is key to moving forward.

Implications:

Older adults' perceptions of mobility can inform interventions that would involve actively planning for future mobility needs and enhance the acceptance of the changes, both to the older adult and the perceived response to changes by those around them.



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Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Elders: What Gerontologists Should Know

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders (NHOPI) experience significant health disparities compared with other racial groups in the United States. Lower life expectancy has resulted in small proportions of elders in the population distribution of NHOPI, yet the number of NHOPI elders is growing. This article presents data on NHOPI elders and discusses possible reasons for continuing health disparities, including historical trauma, discrimination, changing lifestyle, and cultural values. We outline promising interventions with NHOPI and make suggestions for future research.



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Does End-of-Life Planning Help Partners Become Better Surrogates?

Purpose of the Study:

This study investigates the role of surrogates' involvement in their partners' end-of-life care planning, focusing on the relationship between the extent and type of end-of-life planning in which surrogates have been involved and the accuracy of their substituted judgments.

Design and Methods:

The data come from an internet survey collected by Knowledge Networks and the National Center for Family and Marriage Research. The national sample is comprised of 1,075 opposite-sex American couples aged 18–64. A series of multilevel negative binomial regression analyses were conducted.

Results:

Surrogates' involvement in multiple types of planning helped them to make accurate substituted judgments, whereas surrogates' involvement in informal discussions helped them to make accurate estimations primarily when they wanted limited care for themselves.

Implications:

This study highlights the importance of engaging in both advance directives and informal discussion. The findings also suggest that surrogates who want extensive care for themselves may need extra attention when practitioners assist them in making a substituted judgment.



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Delirium Screening: A Systematic Review of Delirium Screening Tools in Hospitalized Patients

Background:

Delirium occurs commonly in hospitalized older patients but is poorly recognized. Although there are a plethora of validated delirium screening tools, it is unclear which tool best suits particular populations.

Purpose:

To evaluate validation studies of delirium screening tools in non–critically ill hospital inpatients and provide guidance on the choice of screening tool.

Methods:

The MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsychInfo databases were searched for studies comparing delirium bedside screening tools with either the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual or International Classification of Diseases defined diagnosis of delirium in hospital inpatients. Information was also drawn from conference proceedings and discussion with delirium researchers.

Results:

Thirty-one studies describing 21 delirium screening tools were included in the systematic review. The majority of studies were conducted across a broad range of inpatient settings internationally in elderly inpatients, including patients with dementia but most excluded nonnative language speakers.

Implications:

The Confusion Assessment Method was the most widely used instrument to identify delirium, however, specific training is required to ensure optimum performance. The Delirium Rating Scale and its revised version performed best in the psychogeriatric population but requires an operator with psychiatric training. The Nurses' Delirium Screening Checklist appears best suited to the surgical and recovery room setting. The Single Question in Delirium shows promise in oncology patients. The Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale, while demonstrating good measures of validity in the surgical and palliative care setting, may be better used a measure of delirium severity. The 4As Test performed well when delirium was superimposed on dementia, but it requires further study.



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Experience Corps Baltimore: Exploring the Stressors and Rewards of High-intensity Civic Engagement

Purpose:

Experience Corps (EC) represents a high-intensity, intergenerational civic engagement activity where older adults serve as mentors and tutors in elementary schools. Although high-intensity volunteer opportunities are designed to enhance the health and well being of older adult volunteers, little is known about the negative and positive aspects of volunteering unique to intergenerational programs from the volunteer's perspective.

Design and Methods:

Stressors and rewards associated with volunteering in EC were explored in 8 focus group discussions with 46 volunteers from EC Baltimore. Transcripts were coded for frequently expressed themes.

Results:

Participants reported stressors and rewards within 5 key domains: intergenerational (children's problem behavior, working with and helping children, observing/facilitating improvement or transformation in a child, and developing a special connection with a child); external to EC (poor parenting and children's social stressors); interpersonal (challenges in working with teachers and bonding/making social connections); personal (enjoyment, self-enhancement/achievement, and being/feeling more active); and structural (satisfaction with the structural elements of the EC program).

Implications:

Volunteers experienced unique intergenerational stressors related to children's problem behavior and societal factors external to the EC program. Overall, intergenerational, interpersonal, and personal rewards from volunteering, as well as program structure may have balanced the stress associated with volunteering. A better understanding of stressors and rewards from high-intensity volunteer programs may enhance our understanding of how intergenerational civic engagement volunteering affects well being in later life and may inform project modifications to maximize such benefits for future volunteers and those they serve.



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The INTERACT Institute: Observations on Dissemination of the INTERACT Quality Improvement Program Using Certified INTERACT Trainers

Unnecessary hospitalizations of vulnerable nursing home (NH) residents can lead to hospital-acquired conditions, morbidity, mortality, and excess health care expenditures. Previous research has shown that a substantial percentage of these hospitalizations are preventable. Interventions to reduce acute care transfers (INTERACT) is a quality improvement program that has been adopted by many NHs throughout the United States. The original INTERACT toolkit was first created in a project supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The toolkit was further refined and tested in a collaborative quality improvement project involving 30 NHs in 3 states, which resulted in a 17% reduction in all-cause hospitalizations. This study was limited because it was not randomized or controlled. Nevertheless, the data provide evidence that the program, even in the absence of strong regulatory oversight or financial incentives, is feasible to implement and that more active program engagement is associated with higher reductions in hospitalization. This paper describes dissemination of the INTERACT program using a pragmatic and relatively low cost model to prepare certified INTERACT Trainers in collaboration with several professional organizations.



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What to do for Medicare and Medicaid's 50th Birthday?



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Older Chinese Immigrants' Relationships With Their Children: A Literature Review From a Solidarity-Conflict Perspective

Purpose of the Study:

Older Chinese immigrants are one of the largest and fastest growing groups in Western societies. This article used the solidarity–conflict model to synthesize current research examining parent–child relationships in this group.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed databases to identify relevant articles. A narrative approach was used to review the literature.

Results:

Thirty-six articles were identified. Compared with Caucasians, older Chinese immigrants are more likely to live with children and have higher filial expectations. However, considerable numbers live independently. Of these, most live in public housing and rely on the community rather than their children for instrumental help. Many older Chinese immigrants have adjusted their filial expectations and valued being independent. They also provide extensive household help to their children. There are indications of intergenerational conflict, probably due to generational differences in attitudes toward life and limited intergenerational contact.

Implications:

This review suggests that although filial piety continues to influence older parent–child relationship in Chinese immigrant families, many changes have occurred. These findings have important implications for service planning and delivery for this cultural group. This review also provides evidence for the utility of the solidarity–conflict model.



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Grand-Love within the Spaces of Loss



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As Long as They Keep Away From Me: Attitudes Toward Non-heterosexual Sexual Orientation Among Residents Living in Spanish Residential Aged Care Facilities

Purpose of the Study:

The purpose of this article is to shed light on the attitudes of older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) toward non-heterosexual sexual orientation.

Design and Methods:

Forty-seven residents living in 5 RACFs located in Catalonia (Spain) were interviewed in relation to the way they would think and react if another resident told them he/she felt sexually attracted to people of the same gender and that he/she had maintained sexual relationships with another man/woman in the home, and whether they would have any problem in sharing common spaces or a room with this resident.

Results:

Most residents expressed some kind of negative reaction ranging from staying away from the resident in question to extreme rejection, although positive and neutral reactions also emerged. Participants were far more reluctant to share a room with that resident than to share common spaces.

Implications:

The prevalence of homophobic attitudes among older people living in RACFs seems to be high. This may be a barrier for LGB residents, making the expression of their sexual identity more difficult and leading to discriminatory practices.



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Creating Sustainable Balance Amongst Your Team - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Educational video describing how to create balance in an organization with your team members.


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Gas Chromatography Coupled to Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry for Improvement of Data Reliability

TOC Graphic

Analytical Chemistry
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02114
ancham?d=yIl2AUoC8zA


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A Cathodic “Signal-off” Photoelectrochemical Aptasensor for Ultrasensitive and Selective Detection of Oxytetracycline

TOC Graphic

Analytical Chemistry
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b03139
ancham?d=yIl2AUoC8zA


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Erratum to: Non-surgical periodontal treatment of peri-implant diseases with the adjunctive use of diode laser: preliminary clinical study



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Respiratory syncytial virus shedding by children hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infection

Abstract

Children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection shed virus for variable periods. The aim of this study was to quantify the viral load in nasopharyngeal aspirates of children with RSV throughout their hospitalization. This study included 37 children who were admitted with a diagnosis of RSV infection based on a positive rapid diagnostic test. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from patients every day, from admission to discharge. Viral detection and quantification were performed using quantitative real-time PCR.

Of the 37 patients, RSV-A was detected in 29 and RSV-B in 6. Two patients were PCR-negative for any type of RSV. RSV-A was detected in 12 of 16 patients (75%) 6 days after admission. These patients shed detectable virus from days 1 to 12, and for a significantly longer period (mean 5.7 days) than RSV-B (mean 3.8 days) patients. Half of the RSV-A patients were also positive on day 14 following onset. RSV-A was detected in patients < 12 months of age for significantly longer periods after onset than in patients ≥ 12 months of age. RSV-A viral load was negatively correlated with days from admission and days from onset.

Because RSV shedding was frequently prolonged, the hospitalized children may have contracted RSV as a nosocomial infection. To prevent nosocomial RSV infections in hospital wards, healthcare workers must take appropriate infection control measures and provide adequate guidance on hand washing to the family of the patient. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved



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Erratum



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Mercy’s Lynn Britton Once Again a “CEO to Know”

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For the fifth year in a row, Mercy's president and CEO is among "130 Nonprofit Hospital and Health System CEOs to Know."

Becker's Hospital Review chose Lynn Britton and other leaders who have "overseen financial turnarounds, shown commitment to their community … and helped advance the health care industry as a whole through their advocacy and professional efforts."

The ranking comes just days after Britton received the highest honor from the Missouri Hospital Association. 

Britton has been with Mercy for 18-plus years, serving as president and chief executive officer since January 2009. Before that, he served various roles, including senior vice president and vice president of Mercy's supply chain operating division, Resource Optimization and Innovation (ROi).

Click here to read Becker's full article.

Show EMS Sitewide: 
Yes!


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Assessing Cortical Cerebral Microinfarcts on High Resolution MR Images

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A high resolution ex vivo 7T MR imaging protocol is presented, to perform MR-guided histopathological validation of microvascular pathology in post-mortem human brain tissue. Furthermore, guidelines are provided for the assessment of cortical microinfarcts on in vivo 7T as well as 3T MR images.

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Circulating Histone Concentrations Differentially Affect the Predominance of Left or Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Critical Illness.

Objectives: Cardiac complications are common in critical illness and associated with grave consequences. In this setting, elevated circulating histone levels have been linked to cardiac injury and dysfunction in experimental models and patients with sepsis. The mechanisms underlying histone-induced cardiotoxicity and the functional consequences on left ventricle and right ventricle remain unclear. This study aims to examine dose-dependent effects of circulating histones on left ventricle and right ventricle function at clinically relevant concentrations. Design: Prospective laboratory study with in vitro and in vivo investigations. Setting: University research laboratory. Subjects: Twelve-week old male C57BL/6N mice. Interventions: Cultured cardiomyocytes were incubated with clinically relevant histone concentrations, and a histone infusion mouse model was also used with hemodynamic changes characterized by echocardiography and left ventricle/right ventricle catheter-derived variables. Circulating histones and cardiac troponin levels were obtained from serial blood samples. Measurements and Main Results: IV histone infusion caused time-dependent cardiac troponin elevation to indicate cardiac injury. At moderate sublethal histone doses (30 mg/kg), left ventricular contractile dysfunction was the prominent abnormality with reduced ejection fraction and prolonged relaxation time. At high doses (>= 60 mg/kg), pulmonary vascular obstruction induced right ventricular pressure increase and dilatation, but left ventricular end-diastolic volume improved because of reduced blood return from the lungs. Mechanistically, histones induced profound calcium influx and overload in cultured cardiomyocytes with dose-dependent detrimental effects on intracellular calcium transient amplitude, contractility, and rhythm, suggesting that histones directly affect cardiomyocyte function adversely. However, increasing histone-induced neutrophil congestion, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and thrombosis in the pulmonary microvasculature culminated in right ventricular dysfunction. Antihistone antibody treatment abrogated histone cardiotoxicity. Conclusions: Circulating histones significantly compromise left ventricular and right ventricular function through different mechanisms that are dependent on histone concentrations. This provides a translational basis to explain and target the spectral manifestations of cardiac dysfunction in critical illness. Copyright (C) by 2015 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Effects of Hyperoxia and Mild Therapeutic Hypothermia During Resuscitation From Porcine Hemorrhagic Shock.

Objective: Hemorrhagic shock-induced tissue hypoxia induces hyperinflammation, ultimately causing multiple organ failure. Hyperoxia and hypothermia can attenuate tissue hypoxia due to increased oxygen supply and decreased demand, respectively. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis whether mild therapeutic hypothermia and hyperoxia would attenuate postshock hyperinflammation and thereby organ dysfunction. Design: Prospective, controlled, randomized study. Setting: University animal research laboratory. Subjects: Thirty-six Bretoncelles-Meishan-Willebrand pigs of either gender. Interventions: After 4 hours of hemorrhagic shock (removal of 30% of the blood volume, subsequent titration of mean arterial pressure at 35 mm Hg), anesthetized and instrumented pigs were randomly assigned to "control" (standard resuscitation: retransfusion of shed blood, fluid resuscitation, norepinephrine titrated to maintain mean arterial pressure at preshock values, mechanical ventilation titrated to maintain arterial oxygen saturation > 90%), "hyperoxia" (standard resuscitation, but FIO2, 1.0), "hypothermia" (standard resuscitation, but core temperature 34[degrees]C), or "combi" (hyperoxia plus hypothermia) (n = 9 each). Measurements and Main Results: Before, immediately at the end of and 12 and 22 hours after hemorrhagic shock, we measured hemodynamics, blood gases, acid-base status, metabolism, organ function, cytokine production, and coagulation. Postmortem kidney specimen were taken for histological evaluation, immunohistochemistry (nitrotyrosine, cystathionine [gamma]-lyase, activated caspase-3, and extravascular albumin), and immunoblotting (nuclear factor-[kappa]B, hypoxia-inducible factor-1[alpha], heme oxygenase-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, B-cell lymphoma-extra large, and protein expression of the endogenous nuclear factor-[kappa]B inhibitor). Although hyperoxia alone attenuated the postshock hyperinflammation and thereby tended to improve visceral organ function, hypothermia and combi treatment had no beneficial effect. Conclusions: During resuscitation from near-lethal hemorrhagic shock, hyperoxia attenuated hyperinflammation, and thereby showed a favorable trend toward improved organ function. The lacking efficacy of hypothermia was most likely due to more pronounced barrier dysfunction with vascular leakage-induced circulatory failure. Copyright (C) by 2015 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Sympathetic Vasoconstrictor Responsiveness of the Leg Vasculature During Experimental Endotoxemia and Hypoxia in Humans.

Objective: Sympathetic vasoconstriction regulates peripheral circulation and controls blood pressure, but sepsis is associated with hypotension. We evaluated whether apparent loss of sympathetic vasoconstrictor responsiveness relates to distended smooth muscles or to endotoxemia and/or hypoxia. Design: Prospective descriptive study. Setting: Hospital research laboratory. Subjects: Ten healthy young men (age [mean +/- SD], 31 +/- 8 yr; body weight, 83 +/- 10 kg) participated in the study. Interventions: Leg blood flow and mean arterial pressure were determined, whereas leg vascular conductance was calculated during 1) adenosine infusion (vasodilator control), 2) hypoxia (FIO2 = 10%), 3) endotoxemia, and 4) endotoxemia + hypoxia. Leg sympathetic vasoconstrictor responsiveness (reduction in leg vascular conductance) was evaluated by femoral artery tyramine infusion. Measurements and Main Results: Endotoxemia increased body temperature from 36.9 +/- 0.4[degrees]C to 38.6 +/- 0.5[degrees]C (p

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Glucose Meters: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?.

Objective: This special article will review the history of blood glucose meter hospital use and current issues surrounding their use in this patient population. Study Selection: Secondary to accuracy concerns that have been known, but likely underappreciated for many years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are moving toward eliminating current blood glucose meters for use with critically ill patients. Data Sources: Recent guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services along with several recent publications will be used as the primary data sources. Data Extraction: U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services communications combined with recent interpretation of this guidance were used to provide this overview. Data Synthesis: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have issued a temporary moratorium on the prohibition of the use of blood glucose meters in the critically ill. They have not given a deadline for the moratorium or solicited comments. Conclusions: Physicians who care for critically ill patients need to be cognizant of the accuracy and interference limitations of blood glucose meters and aware of the current regulatory situation. Copyright (C) by 2015 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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ICU Attending Handoff Practices: Results From a National Survey of Academic Intensivists.

Objectives: To characterize intensivist handoff practices and expectations and to explore perceptions of the patient safety implications of attending handoffs. Design: Cross-sectional electronic survey administered in 2014. Setting: One hundred sixty-nine U.S. hospitals with critical care training programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Subjects: Academic intensivists were recruited via e-mail invitation from a database of 1,712 eligible academic intensivists. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Six hundred sixty-one intensivists completed the survey (completion rate, 38.6%). Responses were received from at least one individual at 147 of 169 unique hospitals (87.0%) represented in the study database. Five hundred seventy-three (87%) respondents reported participating in handoffs at the end of each ICU rotation. A variety of communication methods were used for end-of-rotation handoffs, including in-person discussion (92.9%), telephone calls (83.9%), e-mail messages (69.0%), computer-generated documents (64.6%), and text messages (23.6%). Mean satisfaction with current handoff process was rated as 68.4 on a scale from 0 to 100 (SD, 22.6). Respondents (55.4%) said that attending handoffs should be standardized, but only 13.3% (76/572) of those participating in end-of-rotation handoffs reported using a standardized process. Specific handoff topics, including active clinical issues and resuscitation status, were reportedly discussed less frequently than would be ideal (p

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A Retrospective Study to Examine Healthcare Costs Related to Cardiovascular Events in Individuals with Hyperlipidemia

Abstract

Introduction

Few studies have demonstrated the cost burden of cardiovascular events (CVEs) among patients with hyperlipidemia. The primary objective of this study was to determine the mean costs associated with CVEs among patients with hyperlipidemia by follow-up time period. Secondary objectives of this study included characterizing costs by CVE type and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used longitudinal claims to calculate payer costs according to CHD risk level and type of CVE, during several follow-up periods (acute and short-term, comprising year 1; plus years 2 and 3).

Results

There were 193,385 patients with hyperlipidemia with a CVE. Costs in the acute (30-day) period were highest ($22,404) driven by inpatient care (77%). Costs remained high ($15,133 in year 3) with ambulatory care (from 14% in acute to 37% in year 3) and pharmaceutical costs (from 2% in acute to 24% in year 3) representing a greater proportion. After second and third CVEs, acute costs were lower than for the first CVE. But in the post-acute periods, costs were higher after second and third CVEs than after first CVEs. Acute costs varied considerably by type of CVE ($9149 for transient ischemic attack to $54,251 for coronary artery bypass graft; P < 0.001), but post-acute costs were more similar across types. Costs differed by baseline CHD risk for all follow-up periods (P < 0.001), but less than by CVE type. As expected, patients without CVEs had significantly lower costs.

Conclusion

Among patients with hyperlipidemia, the economic burden of CVEs is substantial up to 3 years after a CVE. Costs remain high after subsequent CVEs and actually increase for non-inpatient utilization.

Funding

Amgen Inc.



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Impact of Water-Depletion Layer on Transport in Hydrophobic Nanochannels

TOC Graphic

Analytical Chemistry
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b03061
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Sol–Gel-Based Titania–Silica Thin Film Overlay for Long Period Fiber Grating-Based Biosensors

TOC Graphic

Analytical Chemistry
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b01841
ancham?d=yIl2AUoC8zA


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Erratum to: What value is the CINAHL database when searching for systematic reviews of qualitative studies?

No description available

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Prenatal diagnosis of single gene disorders using amniotic fluid as the starting material for PCR

GA?id=C5AN01840D

Analyst, 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5AN01840D, Paper
Huan Huang, Shuo Li, Shuolian Lu, Hongshan Ge, Lizhou Sun
A rapid and inexpensive method for fetal genetic diagnosis using amniotic fluid (AF) as the starting material was demonstrated in this study.
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Automated analysis of single cells using Laser Tweezers Raman Spectroscopy

GA?id=C5AN01851J

Analyst, 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5AN01851J, Paper
S. Casabella, P. Scully, N. Goddard, P. Gardner
In recent years, significant progress has been made into the label-free detection and discrimination of individual cancer cells using Laser Tweezers Raman Spectroscopy (LTRS).
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Isolation and enrichment of circulating biomarkers for cancer screening, detection, and diagnostics

GA?id=C5AN01762A

Analyst, 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5AN01762A, Minireview
Kyung-A Hyun, Junmoo Kim, Hogyeong Gwak, Hyo-Il Jung
A liquid biopsy is more practical for real-time monitoring of disease progression than tissue biopsy.
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Direct-growth carbon nanotubes on 3D structural microelectrodes for electrophysiological recording

GA?id=C5AN01750E

Analyst, 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5AN01750E, Paper
Alice Ian Pan, Min-Hsuan Lin, Hui-Wen Chung, Hsin Chen, Shih-Rung Yeh, Yung-Jen Chuang, Yen-Chung Chang, Tri-Rung Yew
Direct growth of CNTs on 3D microelectrodes could detect distinguished zebrafish ECG resulting from the interfacial improvement analyzed by EIS.
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Hg2+ detection using a phosphorothioate RNA probe adsorbed on graphene oxide and a comparison with thymine-rich DNA

GA?id=C5AN02031J

Analyst, 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5AN02031J, Paper
Po-Jung Jimmy Huang, Courtney van Ballegooie, Juewen Liu
Using phosphorothioate modified RNA probes adsorbed by graphene oxide, Hg2+ is detected sensitively with less interference.
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Polymer-coated micro-optofluidic ring resonator detector for a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic microsystem: [small mu ]GC [times] [small mu ]GC-[small mu ]OFRR

GA?id=C5AN01570G

Analyst, 2016, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5AN01570G, Paper
William R. Collin, Kee W. Scholten, Xudong Fan, Dibyadeep Paul, Katsuo Kurabayashi, Edward T. Zellers
Modulated peak widths ranged from 120 to 690 ms and were inversely proportional to analyte vapor pressure; LODs as low as 7 ng were achieved.
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Rv3369 Induces Cytokine Interleukin-1β Production and Enhances Mycobacterium smegmatis Intracellular Survival

Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research , Vol. 0, No. 0.


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