Effective Leaders Are Trained—Not Born!

In this study, we reviewed the relevant literature on leadership training programs. The used secondary research analyses as our method; from which we synthesized relevant literature on leadership training programs. We used Google Scholar, university libraries, scholarly books, and recently published peerreviewed articles to gather information. As a result, we came to the determination that recurring leadership training programs are essential to competitiveness. We concluded that effective leaders are trained—and yes, not born. The literature revealed that managers value leadership training programs. Leadership training programs are essential to maintaining profits by formula. Therefore, based on our findings, we present four simple, easy to implement, recommendations for recurring leadership training programs

Complex I dysfunction underlies the glycolytic switch in pulmonary hypertensive smooth muscle cells.

ATP is essential for cellular function and is usually produced through oxidative phosphorylation. However, mitochondrial dysfunction is now being recognized as an important contributing factor in the development cardiovascular diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension (PH). In PH there is a metabolic change from oxidative phosphorylation to mainly glycolysis for energy production. However, the mechanisms underlying this glycolytic switch are only poorly understood. In particular the role of the respiratory Complexes in the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with PH is unresolved and was the focus of our investigations. We report that smooth muscle cells isolated from the pulmonary vessels of rats with PH (PH-PASMC), induced by a single injection of monocrotaline, have attenuated mitochondrial function and enhanced glycolysis. Further, utilizing a novel live cell assay, we were able to demonstrate that the mitochondrial dysfunction in PH-PASMC correlates with deficiencies in the activities of Complexes I-III. Further, we observed that there was an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and mitochondrial membrane potential in the PASMC isolated from rats with PH. We further found that the defect in Complex I activity was due to a loss of Complex I assembly, although the assembly of Complexes II and III were both maintained. Thus, we conclude that loss of Complex I assembly may be involved in the switch of energy metabolism in smooth muscle cells to glycolysis and that maintaining Complex I activity may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of PH

Connexin 43 plays a role in pulmonary vascular reactivity in mice

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic condition characterized by vascular remodeling and increased vaso-reactivity. PAH is more common in females than in males (~3:1). Connexin (Cx)43 has been shown to be involved in cellular communication within the pulmonary vasculature. Therefore, we investigated the role of Cx43 in pulmonary vascular reactivity using Cx43 heterozygous (Cx43+/−) mice and 37,43Gap27, which is a pharmacological inhibitor of Cx37 and Cx43. Contraction and relaxation responses were studied in intra-lobar pulmonary arteries (IPAs) derived from normoxic mice and hypoxic mice using wire myography. IPAs from male Cx43+/− mice displayed a small but significant increase in the contractile response to endothelin-1 (but not 5-hydroxytryptamine) under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. There was no difference in the contractile response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in IPAs derived from female Cx43+/−mice compared to wildtype mice. Relaxation responses to methacholine (MCh) were attenuated in IPAs from male and female Cx43+/− mice or by pre-incubation of IPAs with 37,43Gap27. Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) fully inhibited MCh-induced relaxation. In conclusion, Cx43 is involved in nitric oxide (NO)-induced pulmonary vascular relaxation and plays a gender-specific and agonist-specific role in pulmonary vascular contractility. Therefore, reduced Cx43 signaling may contribute to pulmonary vascular dysfunction

Analogies, Metaphors, and Similes for HIV/AIDS Among Ugandan Grade 11 Students

This article looks at the importance of student-generated analogies, metaphors, and similes as an entry point into their understandings of HIV/AIDS. In addition, it argues that analogies, metaphors, and similes are good tools for eliciting students’ prior understandings of HIV/AIDS, especially matters relating to sexuality that are often figuratively communicated in many Ugandan cultures. It posits that students’ prior knowledge determines how they respond to messages about HIV/AIDS. The article suggests that in order to prevent vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among Ugandan youth, learning should be viewed as a process of conceptual change so that students become active participants in their own learning process.Cet article se penche sur l’importance des analogies, des métaphores et des comparaisons produites par des élèves et les prend comme point de départ pour étudier leurs connaissances sur le VIH/sida. De plus, on affirme que les analogies, métaphores et comparaisons constituent de bons outils pour obtenir des données sur ce que savent les élèves sur le VIH/sida, notamment en ce qui concerne des éléments de la sexualité qui sont souvent communiqués au sens figuré dans plusieurs cultures ougandaises. On maintient que les connaissances préalables des élèves déterminent leurs réactions aux messages portant sur le VIH/sida. L’article propose que pour rendre les jeunes ougandais moins vulnérables au VIH/sida, il faudrait concevoir l’apprentissage comme un changement conceptuel, ce qui permettrait aux élèves de participer activement à leur propre apprentissage

Is Routine Prophylaxis Against Pneumocystis jirovecii Needed in Liver Transplantation? A Retrospective Single-Centre Experience and Current Prophylaxis Strategies in Spain

In liver transplant (LT) recipients, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is most frequently reported before 1992 when immunosuppressive regimens were more intense. It is uncertain whether universal PJP prophylaxis is still applicable in the contemporary LT setting. We aimed to examine the incidence of PJP in LT recipients followed at our institution where routine prophylaxis has never been practiced and to define the prophylaxis strategies currently employed among LT units in Spain. All LT performed from 1990 to October 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and Spanish LT units were queried via email to specify their current prophylaxis strategy. During the study period, 662 LT procedures were carried out on 610 patients. Five cases of PJP were identified, with only one occurring within the first 6 months. The cumulative incidence and incidence rate were 0.82% and 0.99 cases per 1000 person transplant years. All LT units responded, the majority of which provide prophylaxis (80%). Duration of prophylaxis, however, varied significantly. The low incidence of PJP in our unprophylaxed cohort, with most cases occurring beyond the usual recommended period of prophylaxis, questions a one-size-fits-all approach to PJP prophylaxis. A significant heterogeneity in prophylaxis strategies exists among Spanish LT centres.Funding: This study was supported by the Health Research Institute Marqués de Valdecilla. IDIVAL. Santander. NEXT VAL17/07 grant to José Ignacio Fortea Ormaechea

L-arginine Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Regulates the Inflammatory Actions of Tumor Necrosis Factor and Interleukin-10 in a Rat Model of Pre-eclampsia

Maternal endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation are parts of the theories associated with preeclampsia. Larginineis the natural substrate for NO synthase and responsible for the production of NO, This study investigated the effect ofL-arginine on blood pressure, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in pregnant rats administered N-nitro-arginine methylester (L-NAME). Thirty-six nulliparous female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 150-170 g were divided into 4 groupsas follows: control (normal saline), L-NAME (50mg/kg b.w. intraperitoneal injection from days 13-18 of pregnancy), L-NAME+ L-arginine (50mg/kg b.w. and 1g/kg b.w. of L-arginine from days 13-18 of pregnancy) and L-arginine (1g/kg b.w. administeredorally from days 13-18 of pregnancy). Fetal outcome and blood pressure were measured on day 19 of pregnancy. The placentawas homogenized for oxidative enzyme assay and serum nitric oxide metabolite (NOx), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were measured. L-arginine reduced blood pressure increaseby L-NAME. It also reduced placenta malondialdehyde level and increased glutathione peroxidase level thereby countering theeffects of L-NAME. It increased eNOS and NOx levels and decreased TNF-α level compared with L-NAME. L-argininesupplementation in rat pregnancy prevents increase in blood pressure by improving eNOS and NOx levels thereby reducingoxidative stress and reducing proinflamatorry actions of TNF-α

Airway and Respiratory Devices in the Prevention of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common ICU-acquired infection among patients under mechanical ventilation (MV). It may occur in up to 50% of mechanically ventilated patients and is associated with an increased duration of MV, antibiotic consumption, increased morbidity, and mortality. VAP prevention is a multifaceted priority of the intensive care team. The use of specialized artificial airways and other devices can have an impact on the prevention of VAP. However, these devices can also have adverse effects, and aspects of their efficacy in the prevention of VAP are still a matter of debate. This article provides a narrative review of how different airway and respiratory devices may help to reduce the incidence of VAP.publishersversionpublishe