Climate Change: Effects on the Older Adult

The effects of climate change include floods, hurricanes, heat waves, and fires; these natural disasters can result in respiratory, cardiovascular, and psychological harm in older adults, who experience the highest morbidity and mortality during heat waves. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) need education on preparing, assessing, and treating older adults for climate-change disasters, especially heat waves. This article will help APRNs understand the effects of climate-change events on the vulnerable older adults and advocates for the need to integrate health effects of climate change into curricula, practicums, policy, and research agendas.     

Bidirectional relationships between future time perspective and alcohol use: an exploratory study in a clinical setting

Abstract

Gaining a better grasp on factors related to changes in alcohol use is of particular interest for clinicians. Past research has highlighted a negative link between future time perspective (i.e. a disposition guiding how individuals consider and act regarding their future) and alcohol misuse. However, much remains at stake in the understanding of this association. The objective of this research was to explore bidirectional relationships between future time perspective and severity of alcohol-related problems, in a clinical setting. The sample includes 79 patients followed up in an outpatient alcohol treatment centre. Two measurement times were planned: at entry into care and 6 months later. Multiple linear regression analyses were carried out, controlling for sociodemographic variables. We found that baseline future time perspective predicted level of alcohol-related problems after 6 months in treatment, even when effects of baseline alcohol-related problems and sociodemographic variables were controlled. This study shows that the way patients see and position themselves regarding their future can affect level of alcohol-related problems. It may be useful for clinicians to identify patients with low future time perspective to offer tailored interventions and consider this dimension as a resource for change.     

Implementation strategies for the first licensed dengue vaccine: A meeting report

Dengue vaccination would enhance the control of dengue, one of the most frequent vector-borne viral diseases globally. CYD-TDV is the first dengue vaccine to be licensed, but global uptake has been hampered due to its use being limited to seropositive persons aged 9 years and above, and the need for a 3-dose schedule. The Partnership for Dengue Control (PDC) organized a meeting with key opinion leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on implementation strategies for the use of CYD-TDV. New data have emerged that support the shortening of the primary schedule from a 3 to 2 dose schedule, extending the age range below 9 to 6 years of age, and expanding the indication from endemic populations to also include travelers to endemic areas. Cost-effectiveness may improve with the modified 2-dose regimen and with multiple testing. Strategies to implement a dengue vaccination program have been developed, in particular school-based strategies. A range of delivery scenarios can then be considered, using various settings for each step of the intervention. However, several challenges remain, including communication about limiting the use of this vaccine to seropositive individuals only. Affordability will vary from country to country, as will government commitment and community acceptance. Well-tailored communication strategies that target key stakeholders are expected to make up a significant part of any future dengue vaccination program.     

Transient left bundle branch block after posture change to the prone position during general anesthesia: A case report

Rationale:The prone position is commonly used in spinal surgery. There have been many studies on hemodynamic changes in the prone position during general anesthesia. We report a rare case of transient left bundle branch block (LBBB) in a prone position.Patient concern:Electrocardiogram (ECG) of a 64-year-old man scheduled for spinal surgery showed normal sinus rhythm change to LBBB after posture change to the prone position.Diagnosis:Twelve lead ECG revealed LBBB. His coronary angio-computed tomography results showed right coronary artery with 30% to 40% stenosis and left circumflex artery with 40% to 50% stenosis. The patient was diagnosed with stable angina and second-degree atrioventricular block of Mobitz type II.Intervention:Nitroglycerin was administered intravenously during surgery. Adequate oxygen was supplied to the patient. After surgery, the patient was prescribed clopidogrel, statins, angiotensin II receptor blocker, and a permanent pacemaker was inserted.Outcome:Surgery was completed without complications. After surgery, the transient LBBB changed to a normal sinus rhythm. The patient did not complain of chest pain or dyspnea.Lesson:The prone position causes significant hemodynamic changes. A high risk of cardiovascular disease may cause ischemic heart disease and ECG changes. Therefore, careful management is necessary.     

缺血再灌注脑组织病理形态及脂质过氧化的动态观察

目的:探讨缺血再灌注脑组织病理形态及丙二醛含量变化的关系.方法:阻断双侧颈总动脉和椎动脉结合低血压法复制兔脑完全性缺血再灌注模型,观察心脉龙对脑组织病理形态变化及脂质过氧化的影响.结果:心脉龙能抑制膜脂质过氧化作用,且缺血再灌注脑组织丙二醛含量变化与其病理形态改变具有一致性.结论:动态观察血液丙二醛,可作为评价脑缺血性疾病治疗和预后的检测指标.     

Examination of the effects of hemodynamic and pharmacologic interventions on coronary collateral flow in a patient during cardiac catheterization

The vasomotor response of native human collateral vessels to pharmacologic or hemodynamic vasodilatory stimuli is not well known. We describe a case where retrograde collateral flow velocity was measured both at baseline and following selected hemodynamic and pharmacologic interventions. This index case represents the first in a series of potential human physiologic studies designed to address questions pertaining to control of collateral blood supply in humans. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The effects of dietary modification as denned by NACNE on the eating habits of 28 people

Twenty-eight members of the general public, with little nutritional knowledge and no previous commitment to dietary change, completed 7-day-weighed dietary diaries. They then attempted to change their diets, where appropriate, in line with current nutritional guidelines.
The panel achieved changes in diet that were consistent with the recent recommendations but several problems arose. In particular, although fat levels were reduced, energy levels fell and fibre goals were not reached; in addition, certain of the initial vitamin and mineral intakes gave cause for concern. These results emphasize the importance of giving advice not only about foods that might be reduced in the diet, but also about food that might be used as alternatives. They also illustrate the difficulty of persuading people to make radical changes to their eating habits even when given personal advice from a nutritionist.
The panel was small and not necessarily representative, but the results illustrate the need for more dietary analysis studies. It is not enough simply to formulate appropriate guidelines from a nutritional point of view; it is also important to ensure that the public understands them and that people make sensible decisions about their diet.     

犬梭形动脉瘤生物膜包裹的远期血流动力学对照研究Ⅱ——组织形态学观察

目的分析犬梭形动脉瘤（FFA）模型在采用生物膜包裹后1年期的血流动力学与组织学变化，探讨生物膜包裹的远期效果。方法对10只犬采用显微手术制作双侧梭形动脉瘤模型20枚。左侧用生物膜完全匹配包裹。右侧未包裹以作为对照，行DSA、彩色多普勒超声动态检测，对照观察两组的血流动力学变化特征。术后1年时行活体解剖取标本。对照观察组织学变化。结果所有模型均制作成功。FFA腔内为涡流，多普勒超声具有特征性的双相涡流频谱，造影剂滞留明显；对照侧术后1年膨胀性增大，并具有自发破裂的趋势。手术侧包裹后瘤腔消失。血流恢复为层流，超声频谱与颈总动脉一致，未见造影剂滞留，血管顺应性、弹性及舒缩状态与颈总动脉基本匹配；瘤腔与吻合口处的血流动力学参数差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。组织学改变与血流动力学变化相符。结论犬FFA模型是研究包裹治疗的理想动脉模型，采用生物膜完全匹配包裹，远期效果良好。