PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR ACETYLHYDROLASE (PAF-AH) IN HUMAN KIDNEY

1. PAF-AH activity in human kidney (cortex and medulla) has been demonstrated and shares the following properties. 2. Does not require the presence of Ca2+ and appears to be different from phospholipase A(2). 3. The pH optimum shows a peak at 7-7.4. 4. It is stable for 4 days at -30 degrees C. 5. It is mainly distributed in the microsomal fraction. 6. The apparent K-m, values of the enzymes of cortex and medulla are 0.553 and 0.207 mu M, respectively and distinct from serum PAF-AH (1.439 mu M). 7. The apparent molecular weight values are 60,000 and 25,000 for medulla and cortex, respectively and distinct from serum PAF-AH (94,000)

Job-related stress among nursing personnel in Greek dialysis units

The purpose of this study was to describe specific work-related factors that contribute to increased levels of stress experienced by nursing personnel, and to compare their impact on nurses and assistant nurses who work in Dialysis Units (DU) to those who work in Peritoneal Dialysis Units (PDU) in Greece. The sample of the study consisted of 682 members of nursing personnel working in DU and in PDU in Greek Hospitals. The collection of data was done by means of a questionnaire. The latter included questions about the motivation of nursing personnel for having chosen to work in these units along with questions about the stress factors related to the patients and their care, the role of the nurse in the unit, and the working conditions. According to the results of the study, the percentage of nursing personnel working in DU or PDU by their own choice was 71% and 8.3% respectively, whereas the rest of the staff were placed there irrespective of their preferences, by the Administrators. Among nursing personnel who had chosen to work in DU, the reported motives that contributed to their decision were the absence of a night shift (27.8%), and working in a closed unit. The main motive that incited nursing personnel to work in PDU was the acquisition and the application of specialized knowledge. The percentage of nursing personnel working in DU that expected high levels of job satisfaction was 77%, whereas the corresponding percentage for nursing personnel working in PDU was 65%. However, only 44% and 37% of the nursing personnel working in DU and PDU reported high levels of job satisfaction. The most important stressors related: 1) To the patient: were the risk of contamination (79% DU, 84% PDU) and the death of a patient (77% DU, 80% PDU). 2) To the role of nursing personnel in the unit: were increased responsibilities (65% DU, 37% PDU), low involvement of the nursing personnel in decision making (58% DU, 54% PDU), and low professional status of nursing personnel. 3) To the working conditions: were the shortage of nursing personnel (74% DU, 99% PDU), limited material (74% DU, 57% PDU), the closed environment (75% DU, 64% PDU) and the daily work routine (78% DU, 61% PDU). In conclusion, we can say that working in DU and PDU provokes increased stress in nursing personnel, even though the implicated stress factors differ between these units

PAINLESS MYOCARDIAL-ISCHEMIA IN CHRONIC HEMODIALYZED PATIENTS - A REAL EVENT

We investigated the incidence of painless (silent) myocardial ischemia, manifested as S-T segment deviation, by Holter ECG monitoring in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing regular hemodialysis. Forty-five patients underwent Holter ECG monitoring for a continuous 48-hour period covering dialysis and the intermediate period of everyday activity at home. ECG criteria for ischemia were found in 15.5% of patients mainly during and immediately after dialysis with a simultaneous increase of R, S, R + S amplitude. There was no correlation of S-T segment deviation with the existence of cardiac dysfunction and coronary artery disease proved by hemodynamic and angiographic studies. It is concluded that hemodialysis itself seems to play an important role in the genesis of the above ECG findings, possibly by means of serum K and Mg changes