Evidence-based practice for the use of N-acetylcysteine.

The use of N-acetylcysteine has increased in the prevention of radiographic contrast induced nephrotoxicity. Many nurses need to be aware of the proper administration and action of this prophylactic agent. This article discusses the research behind the use of N-acetylcysteine and the protocol for administration to prevent radiographic contrast-induced nephrotoxicity.     

Mutations in SOX2 cause anophthalmia-esophageal-genital (AEG) syndrome

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Ischemia independent lesion evolution during focal stroke in rats

Lesion evolution during focal cerebral ischemia may depend on flow restrictions or on accumulation of toxic mediators within the infarct and expansion of these factors to the periinfarct region. So far, the precise contribution of flow dependent versus spreading-mediated impairment of viable periinfarct tissue has not been determined. Therefore, we measured lesion expansion, flow restrictions and glutamate distribution on serial brain sections at different time points after experimental focal ischemia.Permanent focal ischemia was induced by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery in male rats and the flow reduction was subsequently measured at 1, 12 and 24 h using iodo[¹⁴C]antipyrine autoradiography. Additionally, the necrotic volume was determined on serial brain sections and the glutamate content was measured in tissue samples from adjacent microdissections.Twelve hours after focal ischemia no noteworthy viable areas with blood flow restrictions of 20-40 ml 100 g^− 1 min^− 1 existed but at 24 h the necrotic tissue exceeded the hemodynamically compromised region by 40 ± 21 mm³ (24%). Furthermore, at 12 and 24 h the glutamate content was elevated in areas surrounding the infarct.Relevant flow restrictions are detectable only during early stages of infarct maturation, whereas the propagation of secondary factors may be the predominant mechanism for delayed infarct evolution.     

West Nile virus quantification in feces of experimentally infected American and fish crows.

To better understand the potential environmental health risk presented by West Nile virus (WNV)-contaminated feces, we quantified the amount of WNV present in the feces of experimentally infected American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and fish crows (Corvus ossifragus). Peak fecal titers ranged from 10(3.5) to 10(8.8) plaque-forming units (PFU)/g for 10 American crows and from 10(2.3) to 10(6.4) PFU/g for 10 fish crows. The presence of infectious WNV in bird feces indicates a potential for direct transmission of WNV. Thus, handlers of sick or dead birds should take appropriate precautions to avoid exposure to fecal material.     

Job characteristics and satisfaction of pharmacy technicians

Perceptions of job characteristics and job satisfaction of central-area technicians and drug-administration technicians at The Ohio State University Hospitals were analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to 79 pharmacy drug-administration technicians; 44 central-area technicians; 10 pharmacy residents, who served as objective raters (5 in the central area and 5 in the decentral area); 13 central-area pharmacists; and 17 decentral-area pharmacists. Perceived job characteristics were measured with the Job Characteristics Inventory; job satisfaction was measured by the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. The two groups of technicians differed significantly in their perceptions of task identity, task significance, and dealing with others. Significantly greater autonomy in technicians' jobs was perceived to exist by pharmacists and raters in both areas than by technicians. Significantly greater task identity was perceived by the central-area technicians than by their raters, and significantly greater task importance was perceived by both groups of technicians than by their pharmacists and raters. Friendship opportunities were perceived to exist to a significantly greater degree by decentral pharmacists and raters than by the drug-administration technicians. In the institution studied, both central-area and drug-administration technicians tended to be dissatisfied with their jobs. Central-area technicians' satisfaction was influenced most by the technicians' relationships with their supervisors and the feelings of accomplishment they gained. Drug-administration technicians were most satisfied if they believed they had opportunities to use their abilities. Efforts to increase job satisfaction among pharmacy technicians should focus on increasing feedback and task identity.     

Alternaria alternata NADP-dependent mannitol dehydrogenase is an important fungal allergen.

BACKGROUND: Alternaria alternata is one of the most important allergenic fungi worldwide. Mannitol dehydrogenase (MtDH) has previously been shown to be a major allergen of Cladosporium herbarum and cross-reactivity has been demonstrated for several fungal allergens. OBJECTIVE: The present study's objective was to clone the MtDH from an A. alternata cDNA library, express and purify the recombinant non-fusion protein and test its IgE-binding properties. Methods A cDNA library prepared from A. alternata hyphae and spores was screened for mannitol dehydrogenase by DNA hybridization with the radioactively labelled C. herbarum homologue as a probe. The resulting clone was sequenced and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli as a recombinant non-fusion protein, which was purified to homogeneity and analysed for its IgE-binding capacity. RESULTS: The coding sequence of the full-length cDNA clone comprises 798 bp encoding a protein with a molecular mass of 28.6 kDa and a predicted pI of 5.88. Protein sequence analysis revealed an identity of 75% and a homology of 86% between the MtDHs of A. alternata and C. herbarum. The functional mannitol dehydrogenase was expressed in the E. coli strain BL21(DE3) transformed with the vector pMW172 and purified to homogeneity. The enzyme catalyses the NADPH-dependent conversion of d-fructose to d-mannitol. In IgE-ELISA and immunoblots, MtDH is recognized by 41% of A. alternata-allergic patients. In vivo immunoreactivity of the recombinant MtDH was verified by skin prick testing. Finally, inhibition-ELISA experiments confirmed cross-reactivity between the MtDHs of A. alternata and C. herbarum. CONCLUSION: Mannitol dehydrogenase (Alt a 8) represents an important new allergen of the ascomycete A. alternata that might be suitable for improving diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.