Measurement of the Spin Correlation Parameters all and Asl for the Reaction Pp-]D-Pi+ in the Energy Region 500-800 Mev

Journals published by the American Physical Society can be found at http://publish.aps.org

Burning out physical and emotional fatigue : evaluating the effects of a progamme aimed at reducing burnout amongst mental health nurses

Burnout is a common problem among mental health nurses. High levels of burnout result in job dissatisfaction, rapid turnover of staff, physical and psychological discomfort, and a reduction in the quality of patient care. While there is an abundance of research relating to burnout per se, research regarding the impact of burnout prevention programmes is lacking. This study aimed to measure the effects of a burnout prevention programme on mental health nurses working in Saudi Arabia (SA). A quasi-experimental design was used to test the effectiveness of a two-day burnout prevention workshop. The sample consisted of an intervention group (n=154) and a control group (n=142). Data collected using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) measured the effects of the workshop at one, three and six month intervals after completion of the programme. Data were analysed using the latest version of SPSS. Means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages were used to describe the sample and levels of burnout. A t-test, ANOVA, Multiple linear regression and chi squared were used to measure the effect of the workshop before and at the three time points after exposure. Findings indicate the program was effective with a significant reduction being reported one month after the intervention. However, although not returning to baseline scores, burnout scores had increased at six months. In conclusion, while the overall efficacy of the burnout reduction program is evident, mental health nurses would benefit from having opportunity to use some of the strategies on a regular basis

Developing core sets for persons following amputation based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a way to specify functioning

Amputation is a common late stage sequel of peripheral vascular disease and diabetes or a sequel of accidental trauma, civil unrest and landmines. The functional impairments affect many facets of life including but not limited to: Mobility; activities of daily living; body image and sexuality. Classification, measurement and comparison of the consequences of amputations has been impeded by the limited availability of internationally, multiculturally standardized instruments in the amputee setting. The introduction of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) by the World Health Assembly in May 2001 provides a globally accepted framework and classification system to describe, assess and compare function and disability. In order to facilitate the use of the ICF in everyday clinical practice and research, ICF core sets have been developed that focus on specific aspects of function typically associated with a particular disability. The objective of this paper is to outline the development process for the ICF core sets for persons following amputation. The ICF core sets are designed to translate the benefits of the ICF into clinical routine. The ICF core sets will be defined at a Consensus conference which will integrate evidence from preparatory studies, namely: (a) a systematic literature review regarding the outcome measures of clinical trails and observational studies, (b) semi-structured patient interviews, (c) international experts participating in an internet-based survey, and (d) cross-sectional, multi-center studies for clinical applicability. To validate the ICF core sets field-testing will follow. Invitation for participation: The development of ICF Core Sets is an inclusive and open process. Anyone who wishes to actively participate in this process is invited to do so

Unveiling Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Promoters: Sequence Definition and Genomic Distribution

Several Mycoplasma species have had their genome completely sequenced, including four strains of the swine pathogen Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Nevertheless, little is known about the nucleotide sequences that control transcriptional initiation in these microorganisms. Therefore, with the objective of investigating the promoter sequences of M. hyopneumoniae, 23 transcriptional start sites (TSSs) of distinct genes were mapped. A pattern that resembles the σ70 promoter −10 element was found upstream of the TSSs. However, no −35 element was distinguished. Instead, an AT-rich periodic signal was identified. About half of the experimentally defined promoters contained the motif 5′-TRTGn-3′, which was identical to the −16 element usually found in Gram-positive bacteria. The defined promoters were utilized to build position-specific scoring matrices in order to scan putative promoters upstream of all coding sequences (CDSs) in the M. hyopneumoniae genome. Two hundred and one signals were found associated with 169 CDSs. Most of these sequences were located within 100 nucleotides of the start codons. This study has shown that the number of promoter-like sequences in the M. hyopneumoniae genome is more frequent than expected by chance, indicating that most of the sequences detected are probably biologically functional

Razvoj i fizikokemijsko vrednovanje farmakosoma diklofenaka

Pharmacosomes are amphiphilic lipid vesicular systems that have shown their potential in improving the bioavailability of poorly water soluble as well as poorly lipophilic drugs. Diclofenac is a poorly water soluble drug and also causes gastrointestinal toxicity. To improve the water solublity of diclofenac, its pharmacosomes (phospholipid complex) have been prepared and evaluated for physicochemical analysis. Diclofenac was complexed with phosphatidylcholine (80 %) in equimolar ratio, in the presence of dichloromethane, by the conventional solvent evaporation technique. Pharmacosomes thus prepared were evaluated for drug solubility, drug content, surface morphology (by scanning electron microscopy), phase transition behaviour (by differential scanning calorimetry), crystallinity (by X-ray powder diffraction) and in vitro dissolution. Pharmacosomes of diclofenac were found to be irregular or disc shaped with rough surfaces in SEM. Drug content was found to be 96.2 1.1 %. DSC thermograms and XRPD data confirmed the formation of the phospholipid complex. Water solubility of the prepared complex was found to be 22.1 µg mL1 as compared to 10.5 µg mL1 of diclofenac. This improvement in water solubility in prepared pharmacosomes may result in improved dissolution and lower gastrointestinal toxicity. Pharmacosomes showed 87.8 % while the free diclofenac acid showed a total of only 60.4 % drug release at the end of 10 h of the dissolution study.Farmakosomi su amfifilni lipidni vezikularni sustavi sa sposobnošću poboljšanja bioraspoloživosti lijekova slabo topljivih u vodi i organskim otapalima. U svrhu povećanja topljivosti diklofenaka (ljekovite tvari koja je slabo vodotopljiva, a uzrokuje i gastrointestinalnu toksičnost) pripravljeni su i evaluirani njegovi farmakosomi (fosfolipidni kompleksi). Diklofenak je kompleksiran s fosfatidilkolinom (80 %) u ekvimolarnom omjeru, u prisutnosti diklormetana, konvencionalnom metodom evaporacije. Tako pripravljenim farmakosomima ispitivana je topljivost, sadržaj ljekovite tvari, morfologija površine (pomoću pretražne elektronske mikroskopije), ponašanje pri prijelazu faza (pomoću diferencijalne pretražne kalorimetrije), kristaliničnost (rendgenskom analizom praha) i in vitro oslobađanje. Farmakosomi diklofenaka su nepravilnog oblika ili u obliku diska te imaju neravnu površinu u SEM-u. Sadržaj ljekovite tvari je 96,2 1,1 %. DSC termogrami i XRPD podaci potvrdili su nastajanje fosfolipidnog kompleksa. Topljivost u vodi dobivenih kompleksa bila je 22,1 µg mL1, a topljivost samog diklofenaka 10,5 µg mL1. Postignuto poboljšanje topljivosti može imati za posljedicu povećano oslobađanje i manju gastrointestinalnu toksičnost. Tijekom 10 h iz farmakosoma se oslobodilo 87,8 %, a iz slobodnog diklofenaka samo 60,4 % ljekovite tvari

Bifidobacterium bifidum Actively Changes the Gene Expression Profile Induced by Lactobacillus acidophilus in Murine Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells (DC) play a pivotal regulatory role in activation of both the innate as well as the adaptive immune system by responding to environmental microorganisms. We have previously shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus induces a strong production of the pro-inflammatory and Th1 polarizing cytokine IL-12 in DC, whereas bifidobacteria do not induce IL-12 but inhibit the IL-12 production induced by lactobacilli. In the present study, genome-wide microarrays were used to investigate the gene expression pattern of murine DC stimulated with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium bifidum Z9. L. acidophilus NCFM strongly induced expression of interferon (IFN)-β, other virus defence genes, and cytokine and chemokine genes related to the innate and the adaptive immune response. By contrast, B. bifidum Z9 up-regulated genes encoding cytokines and chemokines related to the innate immune response. Moreover, B. bifidum Z9 inhibited the expression of the Th1-promoting genes induced by L. acidophilus NCFM and had an additive effect on genes of the innate immune response and Th2 skewing genes. The gene encoding Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2), a transcription factor regulating the activation of JNK, was one of the few genes only induced by B. bifidum Z9. Neutralization of IFN-β abrogated L. acidophilus NCFM-induced expression of Th1-skewing genes, and blocking of the JNK pathway completely inhibited the expression of IFN-β. Our results indicate that B. bifidum Z9 actively inhibits the expression of genes related to the adaptive immune system in murine dendritic cells and that JPD2 via blocking of IFN-β plays a central role in this regulatory mechanism

Neutron-Proton Analyzing Power Measurements from 375 to 775 Mev

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Measurements of Spin-Correlation Parameters all and Asl for P-]P-]-]Pid between 500 and 800 Mev

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Identification of ICF categories relevant for nursing in the situation of acute and early post-acute rehabilitation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The recovery of patients after an acute episode of illness or injury depends both on adequate medical treatment and on the early identification of needs for rehabilitation care. The process of early beginning rehabilitation requires efficient communication both between health professionals and the patient in order to effectively address all rehabilitation goals. The currently used nursing taxonomies, however, are not intended for interdisciplinary use and thus may not contribute to efficient rehabilitation management and an optimal patient outcome. The ICF might be the missing link in this communication process. The objective of this study was to identify the categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) categories relevant for nursing care in the situation of acute and early post-acute rehabilitation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>First, in a consensus process, "Leistungserfassung in der Pflege" (LEP) nursing interventions relevant for the situation of acute and early post-acute rehabilitation were selected. Second, in an integrated two-step linking process, two nursing experts derived goals of LEP nursing interventions from their practical knowledge and selected corresponding ICF categories most relevant for patients in acute and post-acute rehabilitation (ICF Core Sets).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eighty-seven percent of ICF Core Set categories could be linked to goals of at least one nursing intervention variable of LEP. The ICF categories most frequently linked with LEP nursing interventions were respiration functions, experience of self and time functions and focusing attention. Thirteen percent of ICF Core Set categories could not be linked with LEP nursing interventions. The LEP nursing interventions which were linked with the highest number of different ICF-categories of all were "therapeutic intervention", "patient-nurse communication/information giving" and "mobilising".</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ICF Core Sets for the acute hospital and early post-acute rehabilitation facilities are highly relevant for rehabilitation nursing. Linking nursing interventions with ICF Core Set categories is a feasible way to analyse nursing. Using the ICF Core Sets to describe goals of nursing interventions both facilitates inter-professional communication and respects patient's needs. The ICF may thus be a useful framework to set nursing intervention goals.</p