Lung Paraquat Content and Effects on the Lung Glutathione Antioxidant System, Nadph, and Polyamines Resulting From Intravenous Coinfusion of Paraquat and Putrescine to Rats

Paraquat was administered to male, Sprague-Dawley rats via continous infusion, at dosage rates of 250 (LoPQ) or 500 (HiPQ) nmoles/hr for seven days. The purpose was to characterize the effects of prolonged, low blood levels of the herbicide on selected lung biochemical parameters. The efficacy of putrescine as an inhibitor of pulmonary paraquat accumulation, in vivo, was assessed in these animals by I.V. coinfusion of 2500 or 5000 nmoles putrescine/hr. Dose-dependent levels of both paraquat and putrescine were achieved by 18 hours and were maintained throughout the exposure period. Terminal lung paraquat content was also dose-dependent and up to 18-fold greater than corresponding blood levels, indicative of pulmonary accumulation of the herbicide. Despite relatively high putrescine dosage rates, resulting blood levels of this diamine were low and did not significantly alter terminal lung paraquat content. No evidence of paraquat toxicity was seen in LoPQ animals while frank toxicity was observed in the HiPQ animals beginning between the fourth and fifth day. Qualitative histopathological examination of the lungs revealed changes typical of paraquat toxicity (e.g., interstitial edema, increase in type II cells) resulting from HiPQ. Significant increases were found in levels of lung glutathione and activities of the GSH peroxidase system enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and GSSG reductase. These changes were probably the result of paraquat-induced oxidant stress and increased NADPH requirements. Elevations in lung putrescine, spermidine, and ornithine decarboxylase activity were detected in HiPQ animals only, and reflected the observed lung damage and/or resulting proliferative state of the tissue rather than a direct response to paraquat. As in the case of pulmonary oxygen toxicity, the increased levels of lung polyamines may serve to mediate a reparative response to paraquat-induced lung damage. The results demonstrate only a narrow difference between a paraquat dose which produces no apparent lung damage but stimulates components of the GSH peroxidase antioxidant system and one which causes characteristic, paraquat-induced lung damage. The experimental model employed here represents a useful means to study subtle, paraquat-induced biochemical and morphological alterations in lung by avoiding paraquat doses which rapidly produce lung damage or are directly toxic to extrapulmonary tissues

Review Of The Scourge Of Neoliberalism By Jack Rasmus

In approximately the last four decades, neoliberalism has reigned as the structure of Western economies, chiefly the United States. However, neoliberal capitalism and an environment synonymous with deregulation, “free” markets, and limited government intervention in economic matters has repeatedly led to crises and crashes in history. The Scourge of Neoliberalism examines the actions of past presidential administrations since 1980, and explains how neoliberalism’s allure has kept it afloat for so many years

Nurse Engagement and Contributions to the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Initiative

CTSAs are mandated to follow a multidisciplinary model. Requests for applications direct responsive applications to “integrate clinical and translational science across multiple departments, schools,” listing disciplines in addition to medicine such as engineering, nursing, and public health. This inventory of nurse engagement in CTSAs describes the extent of nursing's CTSA engagement from the perspective of participating nurse scientists within individual CTSAs, including institutional/national contributions and best practices that foster a multidisciplinary model. Of the 50 CTSAs affiliated with a nursing school, 44 responded (88% response rate). Of the ten CTSAs not affiliated with a nursing school, four responded (40% response rate). Overall funding success rates of nurse applicants are: TL1 fellowships 81%, KL2 fellowships 54%, and nurse‐led pilots 58%. At most CTSAs nursing is contributing to the accomplishment of the CTSA mandate. The strongest categories of contribution are community engagement, implementation science, and training. Best practices to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration are: (1) inclusion of multiple disciplines on key committees who meet regularly to guide individual core and overall CTSA strategic planning and implementation; (2) required multidisciplinary co‐mentors (ideally from different schools within the CTSA) on training grants and as co‐investigators on pilot projects; and (3) documentation of multidisciplinary activity in annual reports.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/98323/1/cts12020.pd

Integrating Emerging Areas of Nursing Science into PhD Programs

The Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science aims to “facilitate and recognize life-long nursing science career development” as an important part of its mission. In light of fast-paced advances in science and technology that are inspiring new questions and methods of investigation in the health sciences, the Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science convened the Idea Festival for Nursing Science Education and appointed the Idea Festival Advisory Committee to stimulate dialogue about linking PhD education with a renewed vision for preparation of the next generation of nursing scientists. Building on the 2010 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Position Statement “The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence,” Idea Festival Advisory Committee members focused on emerging areas of science and technology that impact the ability of research-focused doctoral programs to prepare graduates for competitive and sustained programs of nursing research using scientific advances in emerging areas of science and technology. The purpose of this article is to describe the educational and scientific contexts for the Idea Festival, which will serve as the foundation for recommendations for incorporating emerging areas of science and technology into research-focused doctoral programs in nursing

ESPACOMP Medication Adherence Reporting Guideline (EMERGE)

Research on assessing or managing medication adherence applies approaches from observational, interventional, and implementation science that spans many disciplines and demands coherent conceptualization, valid methods, appropriate analyses, and complete and accurate reporting. To ensure such reporting, the European Society for Patient Adherence, COMpliance, and Persistence (ESPACOMP) Medication Adherence Reporting Guideline (EMERGE) recommends standard reporting approaches based on an accepted taxonomy. This guideline is derived from a literature review, a reactive Delphi study with 26 medication adherence experts from many countries and disciplines, and feedback from ESPACOMP members. It is designed to supplement existing guidelines for health research reporting and is structured around 4 minimum reporting criteria and 17 items reflecting best reporting practice. By enhancing and harmonizing research reporting, EMERGE aims to advance research and, ultimately, patient outcomes

Mantle to surface degassing of alkalic magmas at Erebus volcano, Antarctica

International audienceContinental intraplate volcanoes, such as Erebus volcano, Antarctica, are associated with extensional tectonics, mantle upwelling and high heat flow. Typically, erupted magmas are alkaline and rich in volatiles (especially CO2), inherited from low degrees of partial melting of mantle sources. We examine the degassing of the magmatic system at Erebus volcano using melt inclusion data and high temporal resolution open-path Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic measurements of gas emissions from the active lava lake. Remarkably different gas signatures are associated with passive and explosive gas emissions, representative of volatile contents and redox conditions that reveal contrasting shallow and deep degassing sources. We show that this unexpected degassing signature provides a unique probe for magma differentiation and transfer of CO2-rich oxidised fluids from the mantle to the surface, and evaluate how these processes operate in time and space. Extensive crystallisation driven by CO2 fluxing is responsible for isobaric fractionation of parental basanite magmas close to their source depth. Magma deeper than 4 kbar equilibrates under vapour-buffered conditions. At shallower depths, CO2-rich fluids accumulate and are then released either via convection-driven, open-system gas loss or as closed-system slugs that ascend and result in Strombolian eruptions in the lava lake. The open-system gases have a reduced state (below the QFM buffer) whereas the closed-system gases preserve their deep oxidised signatures (close to the NNO buffer)

Emerging Areas of Nursing Science and PhD Education for The 21\u3csup\u3est\u3c/sup\u3e Century: Response to Commentaries

We respond to commentaries from the American Academy of Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the National Institute of Nursing Research on our thoughts about integrating emerging areas of science into nursing PhD programs. We identify areas of agreement and focus our response on cross-cutting issues arising from cautions about the unique focus of nursing science and how best to proceed with incorporation of emerging areas of science into nursing PhD programs

Mapping Geographic Areas of High and Low Drug Adherence in Patients Prescribed Continuing Treatment for Acute Coronary Syndrome After Discharge

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90283/1/phco.31.10.927.pd

Older people and medication taking behaviour: A review of the literature

Background: Older people represent a sizeable population of the UK. Many older people receive drug treatment for long term conditions. Adherence with medication is therefore an important clinical, financial and resource intensive concern. Objectives: This review aimed to examine patient’s beliefs, perceptions and views in relation to adherence with medication. Design: A comprehensive search of the literature was undertaken using numerous approaches. The search of revealed 30 research papers. Findings: Articles were initially evaluated using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme principles to identify those relevant to the review. Relevant studies were then subjected to a narrative analysis to assist the development of relevant themes. Four themes were identified; experience of adherence; perceptions and attitudes to medication adherence and non-adherence; patients acceptance of their illness and impact on medication taking behaviour and shared decision making. Conclusions: The findings of this review imply that there is a need for more emphasis on shared decision making between the older patient and the prescriber. Using this approach adherence with medication may improve. There is also a need to develop a standardized measure of medication adherence

Improving Physical Activity and Function in Overweight and Obese Older Adults with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Feasibility Study

Osteoarthritis of the knee, a prevalent condition in older adults, can impact physical function and ability to perform physical activity. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of a 6-month self-efficacy-based, individually delivered, lower-extremity exercise and fitness walking intervention with 6-month follow-up on physical activity and function. The 26 subjects were mostly older (M = 63.2 years, SD = 9.8), White (83%), obese (BMI M = 33.3, SD = 6.0) women (96%). Physical activity was measured by diaries. Physical function was measured by the 6-minute walk, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and WOMAC Physical Function subscale. Exercise self-efficacy was assessed by a questionnaire. Results showed significant increases in self-reported performance of lower-extremity exercise and participation in fitness walking, distance in the 6-minute walk, and SPPB scores from baseline to 6-month follow-up with a trend for improvement in self-efficacy. Results suggest that the intervention was feasible, acceptable, and improved physical activity and function