Effects of Active Participation and Education of Caregivers on Peripheral Intravenous Injections for Their Child

This study was to determine the effects of active participation and education of caregivers on the pain experienced by their hospitalized children, the anxiety of the caregivers, and the working efficiency of nurses when administering peripheral intravenous (IV) injections to their children. It was found IV injections were the most feared procedures experienced by inpatient pediatric patients. A quasi-experimental design used in which different types of treatment were given to subjects in three groups. All caregivers received brief verbal information about the peripheral IV injection procedure for their child. Those in the control group then stayed outside the treatment room, those in the first experimental group observed the procedure, and those in the second experimental group participated actively in the procedure for their child after additionally receiving written information about it. Hospitalized children’s pain level did not differ among the three study groups (F=1.18, p=.323) while caregivers’ anxiety level differed being lowest in the second experimental group (F=5.98, p=.001). The nursing action duration of performing the intravenous injection was longest and shortest in the first and control group, respectively (F=5.07, p=.003). This study shows that active participation and education of caregivers decreased the caregiver’s anxiety during peripheral IV injections for their children, while the absence of caregivers shortened the duration of performing the IV injection. The outcomes of caregiver anxiety and the duration of the IV injection were worse for caregivers who observed their child without receiving additional education about or participating in the injection

Imiquimod enhances excitability of dorsal root ganglion neurons by inhibiting background (K2P) and voltage-gated (Kv1.1 and Kv1.2) potassium channels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Imiquimod (IQ) is known as an agonist of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and is widely used to treat various infectious skin diseases. However, it causes severe itching sensation as its side effect. The precise mechanism of how IQ causes itching sensation is unknown. A recent report suggested a molecular target of IQ as TLR7 expressed in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. However, we recently proposed a TLR7-independent mechanism, in which the activation of TLR7 is not required for the action of IQ in DRG neurons. To resolve this controversy regarding the involvement of TLR7 and to address the exact molecular identity of itching sensation by IQ, we investigated the possible molecular target of IQ in DRG neurons.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>When IQ was applied to DRG neurons, we observed an increase in action potential (AP) duration and membrane resistance both in wild type and TLR7-deficient mice. Based on these results, we tested whether the treatment of IQ has an effect on the activity of K⁺channels, K_v1.1 and K_v1.2 (voltage-gated K⁺channels) and TREK1 and TRAAK (K_2Pchannels). IQ effectively reduced the currents mediated by both K⁺channels in a dose-dependent manner, acting as an antagonist at TREK1 and TRAAK and as a partial antagonist at K_v1.1 and K_v1.2.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that IQ blocks the voltage-gated K⁺channels to increase AP duration and K_2Pchannels to increase membrane resistance, which are critical for the membrane excitability of DRG neurons. Therefore, we propose that IQ enhances the excitability of DRG neurons by blocking multiple potassium channels and causing pruritus.</p

Group 11 Metal Compounds with Tripodal Bis(imidazole) Thioether Ligands. Applications as Catalysts in the Oxidation of Alkenes and as Antimicrobial Agents

New group 11 metal complexes have been prepared using the previously described tripodal bis(imidazole) thioether ligand (N-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-2- imidazolyl)2C(OMe)C(CH3)2S(tert-Bu) ({BITOMe,StBu}, 2). The pincer ligand offers a N2S donor atom set that can be used to coordinate the group 11 metals in different oxidation states [AuI , AuIII, AgI , CuI and CuII]. Thus the new compounds [Au{BITOMe,StBu}Cl][AuCl4]2 (3), [Au{BITOMe,StBu}Cl] (4), [Ag{BITOMe,StBu}X] (X = OSO2CF3 - 5, PF6 - 6) and [Cu{BITOMe,StBu}Cl2] (7) have been synthesized from reaction of 2 with the appropriate metal precursors, and characterized in solution. While attempting characterization in the solid state of 3, single crystals of the neutral dinuclear mixed AuIIIAuI species [Au2{BITOMe,S}Cl3] (8) were obtained and its crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The structure shows a AuIII center coordinated to the pincer ligand through one N and the S atom. The soft AuI center coordinates to the ligand through the same S atom that has lost the tert-butyl group, thus becoming a thiolate ligand. The short distance between the AuI -AuIII atoms (3.383 Å) may indicate a weak metal-metal interaction. Complexes 2-7 and the previously described CuI compound [Cu{BITOMe,StBu}]PF6 (9) have been evaluated in the oxidation of biphenyl ethylene with tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. Results have shown that the AuI and AgI complexes 4 and 6 (at 10 mol % loading) are the more active catalysts in this oxidative cleavage. The antimicrobial activity of compounds 2-5, 7 and 9 against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeast has also been evaluated. The new gold and silver compounds display moderate to high antibacterial activity, while the copper derivatives are mostly inactive. The gold and silver complexes were also potent against fungi. Their cytotoxic properties have been analyzed in vitro utilizing HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells. The compounds displayed a very low cytotoxicity on this cell line (5 to 10 times lower than cisplatin) and on normal primary cells derived from C57B6 mouse muscle explants, which may make them promising candidates as potential antimicrobial agents and safer catalysts due to low toxicity in human and other mammalian tissues

Bacillus subtilis spores as adjuvants against avian influenza H9N2 induce antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses in White Leghorn chickens

Low-pathogenicity avian influenza H9N2 remains an endemic disease worldwide despite continuous vaccination, indicating the need for an improved vaccine strategy. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), a gram-positive and endospore-forming bacterium, is a non-pathogenic species that has been used in probiotic formulations for both animals and humans. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the effect of B. subtilis spores as adjuvants in chickens administered inactivated avian influenza virus H9N2. Herein, the adjuvanticity of B. subtilis spores in chickens was demonstrated by enhancement of H9N2 virus-specific IgG responses. B. subtilis spores enhanced the proportion of B cells and the innate cell population in splenocytes from chickens administered both inactivated H9N2 and B. subtilis spores (Spore + H9N2). Furthermore, the H9N2 and spore administration induced significantly increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 compared to that in the H9N2 only group. Additionally, total splenocytes from chickens immunized with inactivated H9N2 in the presence or absence of B. subtilis spores were re-stimulated with inactivated H9N2. The subsequent results showed that the extent of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation was higher in the Spore + H9N2 group than in the group administered only H9N2. Taken together, these data demonstrate that B. subtilis spores, as adjuvants, enhance not only H9N2 virus-specific IgG but also CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This approach to vaccination with inactivated H9N2 together with a B. subtilis spore adjuvant in chickens produces a significant effect on antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses against avian influenza virus.This study and medical writing support were funded by Sanofi Genzyme and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Association between Exposure to Diesel Exhaust Particles and Glutathione in Epithelial Lining Fluid of the Lung in Glutathione-Deficient Mice

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2014Inhalation of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) has been associated with adverse health effects. An important and abundant antioxidant in the lungs is glutathione (GSH), which can attenuate oxidative stress induced by DEP exposure. Glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) carries out the rate-determining step in GSH synthesis. GCL consists of modifier (Gclm) and catalytic (Gclc) subunits. In a previous study investigating the effects of DEP on lung inflammation, it was shown that Gclm knock-out (KO) (-/-) mice were not more sensitive to DEP exposure than Gclm wild type (WT) (+/+) mice. Thus, it was hypothesized that Gclm KO (-/-) mice have likely adapted by up-regulating other genes involved in protecting the lungs from DEP-induced oxidative stress. While the exact mechanisms are not known, one possible explanation is that GSH transporters might be exporting GSH into the epithelial lining fluid (ELF). Four candidate GSH transporters include ATP-binding cassette (ABC) subfamily C protein 2 (ABCC2, also known as multidrug-associated resistance protein), ABCC12, ABC subfamily G protein (ABCG2, also known as breast cancer-related protein), and ABCC7 (also known as cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator). This study was aimed to measure ELF GSH levels in mice with different GCLM genotypes (Gclm wild-type (+/+), Gclm heterozygous (+/-), and Gclm knock-out (-/-) mice) following DEP exposure and to measure candidate GSH transporter mRNA expression levels in these mice. The mice were exposed to DEPs via intranasal instillation and sacrificed after 6 hours. Total GSH levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured using a plate assay in which GSH reacts with naphthalene-2, 3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA), forming a fluorescent derivative compound. The mRNA levels of the candidate GSH transporter genes were analyzed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that the total ELF GSH found in BALF increased in response to DEP exposure in Gclm-/- mice. It was observed that ABCC2 mRNA and ABCC12 mRNA in the lungs were statistically significantly upregulated following exposure to DEP in Gclm+/+ and Gclm+/- mice, but they had low expression. Furthermore, it was shown that among PBS-treated controls, CFTR expression was higher in Gclm-/- mice than in Gclm+/+ or Gclm+/- mice, suggesting that CFTR is likely responsible for maintaining ELF GSH levels in the lungs in Gclm-/- mice. In summary, exposure to DEP can increase levels of ELF GSH in Gclm-/- mice and this may be the basis for an adaptive response that can oppose oxidative stress and inflammation

Real hypersurfaces in complex hyperbolic two-plane Grassmannians with commuting restricted normal Jacobi operators

summary:We give a classification of Hopf real hypersurfaces in complex hyperbolic two-plane Grassmannians ${\rm SU}_{2,m}/S(U_{2}{\cdot }U_{m})$ with commuting conditions between the restricted normal Jacobi operator $\overline {R}_{N}\phi$ and the shape operator $A$ (or the Ricci tensor $S$)

Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (CETP) Evaluation, 2001-2002

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has played a major role in the attempts to improve science and mathematics education. According to the NSF, the Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (CETP) program was designed to significantly improve the science, mathematics, and technology preparation of future K-12 teachers and their effectiveness in these areas. The NSF funded the Core Evaluation Project to design and develop a data collection and reporting system for the CETP program. The CETP Core Evaluation developed surveys, a classroom observation protocol, and a teacher artifact scoring rubric to gather information on the impact of the CETP program. The Core Evaluation collected a variety of data in 2001-2002 derived from open ended and scaled survey items and classroom observations and artifacts. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were necessary to provide a complete picture of the CETP collaboratives

Novel potential NOX2 inhibitors, Dudleya brittonii water extract and polygalatenoside A inhibit intracellular ROS generation and growth of melanoma

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are key regulators of the proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance of mela-noma, which accounts for 60% of skin cancer deaths. In a previous study, we developed Dudleya brittonii water extract (DBWE) with antioxidant activity, but the mechanism of action and bioactive substances of DBWE have not been fully identified. This study showed altered NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) expression and selective inhibition of cytosolic ROS but not mitochondrial ROS in B16-F10 melanoma cells, suggesting the NOX2 inhibitory po-tential of DBWE. In addition, DBWE inhibited mitochondrial activity, lipid metabolism, and cell cycle in B16-F10 cells. The anti-melanoma effect of DBWE was abrogated by the addition of ROS, and there was no significant change in the melanogenesis pathway. Polygalatenoside A was identified as a candidate bioactive substance in the DBWE aqueous fraction through mass spectrometry, and the DBWE-like anti-melanoma effect was confirmed. These data suggest that DBWE and polygalatenoside A have the potential to prevent and treat melanoma.N

Optimizing PET Glycolysis with an Oyster Shell-Derived Catalyst Using Response Surface Methodology

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste was depolymerized into bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) through glycolysis with the aid of oyster shell-derived catalysts. The equilibrium yield of BHET was as high as 68.6% under the reaction conditions of mass ratios (EG to PET = 5, catalyst to PET = 0.01) at 195 °C for 1 h. Although biomass-derived Ca-based catalysts were used for PET glycolysis to obtain BHET monomers, no statistical analysis was performed to optimize the reaction conditions. Thus, in this study, we applied response surface methodology (RSM) based on three-factor Box–Behnken design (BBD) to investigate the optimal conditions for glycolysis by analyzing the independent and interactive effects of the factors, respectively. Three independent factors of interest include reaction time, temperature, and mass ratio of catalyst to PET under a fixed amount of ethylene glycol (mass ratio of EG to PET = 5) due to the saturation of the yield above the mass ratio. The quadratic regression equation was calculated for predicting the yield of BHET, which was in good agreement with the experimental data (R2 = 0.989). The contour and response surface plots showed the interaction effect between three variables and the BHET yield with the maximum average yield of monomer (64.98%) under reaction conditions of 1 wt% of mass ratio (catalyst to PET), 195 °C, and 45 min. Both the experimental results and the analyses of the response surfaces revealed that the interaction effects of reaction temperature vs. time and temperature vs. mass ratio of the catalyst to the PET were more prominent in comparison to reaction time vs. mass ratio of the catalyst to the PET

Organization of Purkinje cell development by neuronal MEGF11 in cerebellar granule cells

Summary: As cerebellar granule cells (GCs) coordinate the formation of regular cerebellar networks during postnatal development, molecules in GCs are expected to be involved. Here, we test the effects of the knockdown (KD) of multiple epidermal growth factor-like domains protein 11 (MEGF11), which is a homolog of proteins mediating astrocytic phagocytosis but is substantially increased at the later developmental stages of GCs on cerebellar development. MEGF11-KD in GCs of developing mice results in abnormal cerebellar structures, including extensively ectopic Purkinje cell (PC) somas, and in impaired motor functions. MEGF11-KD also causes abnormally asynchronous synaptic release from GC axons, parallel fibers, before the appearance of abnormal cerebellar structures. Interestingly, blockade of this abnormal synaptic release restores most of the cerebellar structures. Thus, apart from phagocytic functions of its related homologs in astrocytes, MEGF11 in GCs promotes proper PC development and cerebellar network formation by regulating immature synaptic transmission