Arrogance in the Workplace: Implications for Mental Health Nurses

Cultures of performativity may contribute to organizational and individual arrogance. Workplace organizations have individuals who at various times will display arrogance, which may manifest in behaviours, such as an exaggerated sense of self-importance, dismissiveness of others, condescending behaviors and an impatient manner. Arrogance is not a flattering label and irrespective of the reason or the position of power, in the context of organizational behaviors, may not be useful and may even be detrimental to the work environment. Thus, it is timely to reflect on the implications of arrogance in the workplace. Advocacy and empowerment can be undermined and relationships adversely impacted, including the achievement of positive consumer outcomes. This paper provides an introduction to arrogance, and then discusses arrogance to promote awareness of the potential consequences of arrogance and its constituent behaviors.     

Characterization of “plasma proteins” secreted by cultured rat macroglial cells

The brain is isolated behind a blood-tissue barrier that restricts the access of circulating proteins to neural cells. There is evidence that some of these proteins are synthesized within the central nervous system. The present study examines the synthesis and secretion of such proteins by cultured macroglial cells. Primary glial cultures were derived from cortical and subcortical regions of neonatal rat brains, and subsequent secondary cultures were enriched in type-1 astrocytes, type-2 astrocytes, or oligodendrocytes. Newly synthesized proteins were immunoprecipitated from the culture media using antisera directed against whole rat serum. All three types of glial cells secreted a range of plasma proteins. In general, type-1 astrocytes secreted more of these proteins than did type-2 astrocytes or oligodendrocytes, although the one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) profiles were specific for each cell type. Antisera directed against specific plasma proteins identified three of the most abundant proteins secreted by type-1 astrocytes as transferrin, α-2-macroglobulin, and ceruloplasmin. Northern blot analysis of cellular RNA confirmed that type-1 astrocytes contained transferrin mRNA, and that it was more abundant in cultures derived from subcortical regions than from cortical regions. In situ hybridization studies revealed that virtually all type-1 and type-2 astrocytes contained transferrin mRNA. Since the proteins identified in this study have been proposed to have a variety of neurotrophic roles in the central nervous system, these data further extend the range of possible functions that glial cells may serve in the CNS.     

The immunological significance of histological changes in the spleen and liver in mouse malaria

The spleens and livers of mice were investigated histologically on various days subsequent to infection with Plasmodium berghei yoelii using immunofluorescence and autoradiography. At the height of the parasitaemia, at a time when nonspecific immunosuppression is known to occur, the `thymus-dependent area' round the central arteriole of the spleen was replaced by proliferating lymphoid cells many of which were IgG containing plasmablasts. There was also at this time a considerable decrease in small lymphocytes in this area. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the non-specific immunosuppression. In addition evidence for immune complex deposition was obtained in a number of tissues.     

Increased expression and release of functional tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) by T cells from lupus patients with active disease

Increased expression of TRAIL in membrane-bound and soluble form in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been previously reported. In this study, we characterized the upregulation of T-cell-associated and soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) in vivo and the modulation of TRAIL expression and soluble protein release in vitro following T cell activation and IFNalpha exposure. The expression of membrane-bound TRAIL as determined by flow cytometry was higher on CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells from lupus patients compared to controls, particularly on activated CD69(+)CD8(+) T cells. Similarly, sTRAIL levels determined by ELISA were significantly elevated in serum from patients with active SLE and correlated with levels of IFNalpha. In vitro, both T-cell-associated and sTRAIL were maximally induced by T cell activation plus IFNalpha in patients and controls. By Western blot analysis, sTRAIL was detected in sera in both the monomeric and multimeric, functional form. Both forms of TRAIL were functional in vitro as determined by Annexin V staining and (51)Cr release assay but the apoptotic activity of membrane TRAIL was 2.5-fold higher compared to that of sTRAIL. These results indicate that IFNalpha-induced enhancement of TRAIL expression and of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis may amplify the abnormal apoptotic process in SLE.     

Cross-Sectional Associations between Mothers and Children’s Breakfast Routine—The Feel4Diabetes-Study

Positive influences of family members have been associated with a high probability of children’s daily breakfast consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to scrutinize the association of breakfast routines between mothers and their children. The baseline data of the Feel4Diabetes-study was obtained in 9760 children (49.05% boys)–mother pairs in six European countries. A parental self-reported questionnaire gauging the frequency of breakfast consumption and of breakfast´ foods and beverages consumption was used. Agreement in routines of mothers and their children’s breakfast consumption was analyzed in sex-specific crosstabs. The relationship of breakfast routine and food groups’ consumption between mothers and their children was assessed with analysis of covariance. The highest proportion of children who always consumed breakfast were those whose mothers always consumed it. Children consuming breakfast regularly had a higher intake of milk or unsweetened dairy products and all kind of cereal products (low fiber and whole-grain) than occasional breakfast consumers (p < 0.05). The strong similarity between mothers and children suggests a transfer of breakfast routine from mothers to their children, as a high proportion of children who usually consume breakfast were from mothers also consuming breakfast. All breakfast foods and beverages consumption frequencies were similar between children and their mothers.     

Percepción de profesionales de la salud sobre la intervención grupal socioeducativa con mujeres que presentan síntomas somáticos sin causa orgánica

ObjectiveTo know the perception and opinion of primary care health professionals on the impact of non-medicalizing group educational intervention (GRUSE) with women who present somatic symptoms without organic cause.DesignQualitative phenomenological study.SettingPrimary care health centers in Andalusia, during 2017 and 2018.Participants and/or contextsTwenty-four health professionals, selected according to their level of involvement in the GRUSE strategy (socio-educational groups).MethodA qualitative methodology is applied, through the phenomenological method. The technique used to collect the information is the discussion group, and a content analysis is carried out on it. The software Atlas.ti 8.0 is used as a support resource for the analysis.ResultsHealth professionals highlight group work as a means of achieving change, and point to the importance of intervention as a non-medicalizing strategy. They perceive that the participants obtain some benefits: the improvement of their personal well-being, the increase of their self-esteem and self-determination, and the generation of social networks, benefits that also affect their immediate surroundings.ConclusionsIn the opinion of the professionals, the strategy has positive effects on women and does not mean an increase in resources for the health system. In addition, they express the importance of provide women with tools to cope with daily life problems derivates mostly from gender mandates of a patriarchal society.     

Is it necessary to shave the pubic and genital regions of patients undergoing endoscopic urological surgery?

To determine whether postoperative urinary infections were related to shaving before undergoing endoscopic urological surgery, 90 patients were randomly assigned to shaving or not shaving. Urinary cultures revealed infection in 10 patients. Half of them had been shaved, suggesting that this practice does not affect the incidence of urinary infections.     

Corneal esthesiometry and sub-basal nerves morphological changes in herpes simplex virus keratitis/uveitis patients

AIM: To describe and compare corneal sensation and morphological changes of sub-basal corneal nerves by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) in herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis/uveitis and contralateral, clinically unaffected eyes. METHODS: A prospective clinical study included 30 HSV eyes and 30 contralateral eyes of 30 patients, diagnosed with unilateral HSV keratitis/uveitis. Both eyes underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry and LSCM of the central cornea, using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph III Rostock Cornea Module. After 6mo, the same examination of the HSV affected and contralateral, clinically unaffected eyes was performed. RESULTS: HSV eyes, as compared to contralateral eyes, demonstrated a significant decrease in mean corneal sensation (3.1±1.6 vs 5.3±0.8 cm), total nerve fibres number (5.7±4.4 vs 15.1±5.4), nerve branches (3.4±3.0 vs 8.4±4.7), main nerve trunks (2.3±1.6 vs 5.8±2.2), and nerve fibres density (7.5±5.6 vs 18.1±5.3 mm/mm2, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between keratitis and uveitis eyes in mean corneal sensation and nerve fibres parameters. After 6mo, corneal sensation and sub-basal nerve fibres parameters were increased significantly, but did not reach the parameters of contralateral, clinically unaffected eyes. CONCLUSION: Corneal aesthesiometry and LSCM in HSV affected eyes reveals a significant decrease of corneal sensation and sub-basal nerve fibres which recovers at 6mo but does not reach the normal level.     

Relevance of O-acetyl and phosphoglycerol groups for the antigenicity of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 18C capsular polysaccharide

Capsular polysaccharides are important virulence factors of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The polysaccharide has been used as a component of vaccines against pneumococcal diseases either as plain polysaccharide or better conjugated to a protein. The last one is the vaccine of choice to target child protection. The immune responses depend on several polysaccharide physicochemical properties that can be affected during either purification or modification in the case of conjugate vaccines. In serotype 18C, the repeating unit has a complex structure having a branched pentasaccharide with two apparently labile subtituents: glycerol-phosphate and O-acetyl group. The loss of these groups may potentially reduce the ability of the 18C polysaccharide to induce the desired immune response. Therefore, the relationship of both groups with the antigenicity and immunogenicity of 18C capsular polysaccharide is explored. It is shown that glycerol-phosphate must be preserved for conserving adequate antigenicity of the 18C capsular polysaccharide. At the same time, it was proved that O-acetyl groups do not play any role for the antigenicity and immunogenicity.     

Taking the pressure off in the Emergency Department: evaluation of the prophylactic application of a low shear,soft silicon sacral dressing on high risk medical patients

Pressure injuries are key clinical indicators of care standard. In Australia, pressure injuries increase length of hospital stay by 4·31 and cost $285 million annually. This pilot study examined the effectiveness of sacral dressing in reducing the prevalence of pressure injuries in older, high‐risk patients. A non randomised one‐sample experimental design was used in this study comprising of four phases. Of the 51 patients recruited to the study, one patient developed a sacral pressure injury compared to six patients identified in a known group with similar demographics who were not approached to participate in the study. The results indicated that patients in the known group were 5·4 times more likely to develop a pressure injury than the intervention group. Findings suggest that applying a protective sacral dressing with a low shear backing as part of a simple standardised prevention injury prevention regime commencing in the Emergency Department was beneficial in the prevention of pressure injury in older ‘at high risk’ medical patients.