Removal of legal barriers to the practice of advanced practice registered nurses

A recent report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM) calls for states to amend regulations on the practice of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). This article reviews the roles of APRNs, the IOM recommendations, and efforts by national and state stakeholders to remove legal barriers to APRN practice.     

Wheel running alters serotonin (5-HT) transporter, 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and alpha 1b-adrenergic receptor mRNA in the rat raphe nuclei.

BACKGROUND: Altered serotonergic (5-HT) neurotransmission is implicated in the antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of physical activity. In the current study, we investigated whether physical activity alters factors involved in the regulation of central 5-HT neural activity. METHODS: In situ hybridization was used to quantify levels of 5-HT transporter (5-HTT), 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B), and alpha(1b)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1b) ADR) messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) in the dorsal (DRN) and median raphe (MR) nuclei of male Fischer rats after either sedentary housing or 3 days, 3 weeks, or 6 weeks of wheel running. RESULTS: Wheel running produced a rapid and lasting reduction of 5-HT(1B) mRNA in the ventral DRN. Three weeks of wheel running decreased 5-HTT mRNA in the DRN and MR and increased alpha(1b) ADR mRNA in the DRN. After 6 weeks of wheel running, 5-HTT mRNA remained reduced, but alpha(1b) ADR mRNA returned to sedentary levels. Serotonin(1A) mRNA was increased in the MR and certain DRN subregions after 6 weeks only. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that the central 5-HT system is sensitive to wheel running in a time-dependent manner. The observed changes in mRNA regulation in a subset of raphe nuclei might contribute to the stress resistance produced by wheel running and the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of physical activity.     

Maternal hyperphenylalaninaemia as a cause of microcephaly and mental retardation

We attempted to evaluate the role of maternal hyperphenylalaninaemia (HPA) as an isolated cause of mental retardation and microcephaly in children. This transversal study observed the plasma phenylalanine from mothers of 161 children with mental retardation and/or microcephaly of unknown origin. In this sample, we found two women with previously undiagnosed HPA, a frequency (2/161) higher than expected for our general population (1:12 500) ( p < 0.001). We concluded that the plasma phenylalanine levels should be determined during preconceptional evaluation of every woman of reproductive age that already has had a child affected either by mental retardation or microcephaly of unknown cause. It is particularly significant where women currently having their pregnancies have not been screened for phenylketonuria as newborns, as happens in most developing countries.     

The embryo versus endometrium controversy revisited as it relates to predicting pregnancy outcome in in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycles

To evaluate embryonic and endometrial factors for their value in predicting pregnancy outcome in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer, a retrospective data collection and prospective uterine artery colour Doppler imaging study was performed in a university-based IVF-embryo transfer programme setting. A total of 210 patients were included and grouped as follows: (I) IVF with controlled ovarian stimulation (214 cycles); (II) frozen-thaw cycle of autologous embryos (30 cycles); (III) oocyte donation, no cryopreservation (12 cycles); (IV) frozen-thaw cycle with embryos from donated oocytes (10 cycles). Embryo quality was significantly better in pregnant than non-pregnant cycles (group I, P = 0.0104; groups II-IV, P = 0.0418). The endometrial echo was significantly thicker in pregnant versus non-pregnant patients in group I (P = 0.0059), but not in groups II-IV (P = 0.741). Past uterine surgery or abnormalities had no effect on pregnancy outcome. There were no significant differences in mean uterine artery resistance index or peak systolic velocity in pregnant versus non-pregnant patients in groups II-IV. Thus, embryo quality is the most reliable predictor of pregnancy outcome. Endometrial measurements were significantly thicker in subsequently pregnant patients only in group I, where the endometrium reflects the hormonal environment. Doppler parameters were not useful in predicting pregnancy outcome.      

亮菌甲素速溶片剂的研制及其利胆作用研究

试制出亮菌甲素速溶片剂(A),并以市售品亮菌甲素片剂(B)、亮菌甲素粉针(C)等作对照,考察了它们对大鼠体内胆汁分泌作用的影响,并测定了A和B的体外溶出速率。结果表明,A片剂比B片剂明显地增强了利胆作用,A片的体外溶出速率也较B片为快。     

番荔枝种子化学成分研究

从番荔枝Annona squamosa L.种子的乙醇提取物分得三个polyketide类化合物:squamostatin-8(Ⅰ),annonin-vl(Ⅱ)和desacetyluvaricin(Ⅲ)以及胡萝卜甙(daucosterol,IV)。其中Ⅰ是一种新的polyketide,经光谱解析方法,测定了Ⅰ的化学结构式和部分碳原子的立体化学.     

Lack of a co-promoting effect of a 60 Hz magnetic field on skin tumorigenesis in SENCAR mice

It has been proposed that extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields may enhance tumorigenesis through a co-promotional mechanism. This hypothesis has been further tested using the two-stage model of mouse skin carcinogenesis, i.e. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)- induced promotion of skin tumors in mice initiated by a single subcarcinogenic dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene. Experimentation described herein utilized the SENCAR mouse and examined the effect of a magnetic field on skin tumor promotion induced by three different doses of TPA within its dose-response range, i.e. 0.85, 1.70 or 3.40 nmol, administered twice per week. SENCAR mice (56/treatment group) were exposed to a 60 Hz magnetic field having a flux density of 2 mT for 6 h/day for 5 days/week and compared with mice exposed to the ambient magnetic field. Tumor incidence and multiplicity were monitored weekly for 23 weeks of TPA promotion. Statistical evaluation of the effects of the magnetic field on tumor incidence and multiplicity did not reveal any statistically significant effects; thus, within the sensitivity limits imposed by the animal model and the exposure parameters employed, no promotional or co-promotional effect of a 2 mT magnetic field on skin tumor development in SENCAR mice could be demonstrated.      

Silibinin prevents amyloid β peptide-induced memory impairment and oxidative stress in mice

Background and purpose:

Accumulated evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in amyloid β (Aβ)-induced cognitive dysfunction. Silibinin (silybin), a flavonoid derived from the herb milk thistle (Silybum marianum), has been shown to have antioxidative properties; however, it remains unclear whether silibinin improves Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. In the present study, we examined the effect of silibinin on the memory impairment and accumulation of oxidative stress induced by Aβ_25–35 in mice.

Experimental approach:

Aggregated Aβ_25–35 (3 nmol) was intracerebroventricularly administered to mice. Treatment with silibinin (2, 20 and 200 mg·kg⁻¹, once a day, p.o.) was started immediately after the injection of Aβ_25–35. Locomotor activity was evaluated 6 days after the Aβ_25–35 treatment, and cognitive function was evaluated in a Y-maze and novel object recognition tests 6–11 days after the Aβ_25–35 treatment. The levels of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and antioxidant (glutathione) in the hippocampus were measured 7 days after the Aβ_25–35 injection.

Key results:

Silibinin prevented the memory impairment induced by Aβ_25–35 in the Y-maze and novel object recognition tests. Repeated treatment with silibinin attenuated the Aβ_25–35-induced accumulation of malondialdehyde and depletion of glutathione in the hippocampus.

Conclusions and implications:

Silibinin prevents memory impairment and oxidative damage induced by Aβ_25–35 and may be a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer''s disease.