Perceptions of senior baccalaureate nursing students and nurse leaders. A look at elements of success in the workplace

This article compares the perceptions of senior baccalaureate students and nurse leaders (administrators, managers, academic leaders, and advanced practice nurses) regarding the qualities that are needed to be successful in the current nursing shortage. The congruence between the two groups' responses validates the importance of valuing practice-oriented-education as well as the power within and between the education and practice arenas to strategize and solve problems together at a highly tumultuous time.     

Usefulness of gamma intracoronary radiation for totally occluded in-stent restenotic coronary narrowing

This is the first study to demonstrate the appearance of the Fibonacci Cascade within the distribution of coronary artery lesions in the human heart. The propensity for this ratio to appear in nature may also be because this ratio optimizes the efficiency of packing structures in a limited space in such a way that wasted space is minimized and the supply of energy or nutrients is optimized.     

PCR assay to detect Bacillus anthracis spores in heat-treated specimens

Recent interest in anthrax is due to its potential use in bioterrorism and as a biowarfare agent against civilian populations. The development of rapid and sensitive techniques to detect anthrax spores in suspicious specimens is the most important aim for public health. With a view to preventing exposure of laboratory workers to viable Bacillus anthracis spores, this study evaluated the suitability of PCR assays for detecting anthrax spores previously inactivated at 121 degrees C for 45 min. The results indicate that heat treatment ensures the complete inactivation of B. anthracis spores without significantly affecting the efficiency of PCR assays.     

Relaxin induces mast cell inhibition and reduces ventricular arrhythmias in a swine model of acute myocardial infarction.

Resident cardiac mast cells, located mainly around coronary vessels and in the right atrium close to the sinoatrial node, are the main repository of cardiac histamine. Inflammatory activation of cardiac mast cells, as occurs upon acute myocardial infarction, causes the release of histamine and prostanoids. These substances lead to severe tachyarrhythmias, cardiodepressive effects and coronary spasm, thus contributing to myocardial damage and early, lethal outcome. Relaxin, known to inhibit mast cell activation, has been recently validated as a cardiotropic hormone, being produced by the heart and acting on specific heart receptors. In this study, we report on a swine model of heart ischemia/reperfusion, currently used to test cardiotropic drugs, in which human recombinant relaxin (2.5 and 5 microg/kg b.w.), given at reperfusion upon a 30-min ischemia, markedly reduced cardiac injury as compared with the vehicle-treated animals. Evidence is provided that relaxin, at both the assayed doses, causes a clear-cut, significant reduction of plasma histamine, increase in cardiac histamine content and decrease in cardiac mast cell degranulation. This is accompanied by a reduction of oxidative cardiac tissue injury (assessed as tissue malondialdehyde) and of the occurrence of severe ventricular arrhythmias. In conclusion, this study provides further insight into the cardioprotective effects of relaxin, which also involve mast cell inhibition, and confirms the relevance of histamine in the pathophysiology of ischemia-reperfusion-induced cardiac injury and dysfunction. It also offers additional evidence for the potential therapeutic effects of relaxin in animal models of disease involving mast cell activation.     

Standard and alternative regimens of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (polyribosylribitol phosphate-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine) elicit comparable antibody avidities in infants

BACKGROUND: Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines are relatively expensive in the developing world. Previous study of the type b conjugate vaccine polyribosylribitol phosphate-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine showed that two dose and fractional three dose schedules elicit protective antibody concentrations equivalent to three full doses. METHODS: Antibody avidity was measured in 73 of these vaccinees with a modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using NH(4) SCN as the chaotrope. Avidity index (AI) is the molarity causing a 50% reduction in OD(405). RESULTS: The postprimary series AI was similar for all dosing regimens. Preboost AI was highest in those receiving three half-doses, although there was no statistical difference among groups. Rises in avidity from age 8 to 12 months were also similar among regimens. Our data support the equivalence of anti-polyribosylribitol phosphate IgG avidity in infants primed with these alternative regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Given the known correlation of avidity with assays of bacterial killing and memory priming, these potentially more economical alternative schedules should be studied in the developing world.     

A novel atypical retinoid endowed with proapoptotic and antitumor activity

The novel atypical retinoid E-3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-adamantylbiphenyl-4-yl)acrylic acid (ST1926, 4) exhibited a potent antiproliferative activity on a large panel of human tumor cells. Despite almost complete loss of ability to activate RARs, the compound was an effective apoptosis inducer and surprisingly produced DNA damage, that likely contributes to the proapoptotic activity. Following oral administration, 4 was well tolerated and caused tumor growth inhibition in the ovarian carcinoma, A2780/DX, and in the human melanoma, MeWo, growing in nude mice, thus supporting the therapeutic interest of the novel agent.     

Virginia Cleland: an oral history by her colleagues and mentorees

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study, an oral history, was to create a documented account of how Virginia Cleland was experienced by her colleagues and those she mentored. DESIGN: Data were collected for 8 months by snowball sampling of colleagues and mentorees. Nineteen individuals from across the United States were contacted and interviewed via telephone. METHODS: An oral history method was used to allow selected colleagues and mentorees of Cleland to talk about their experiences with her as a nurse scholar, academic, advocate for women, and visionary. The following 5 predominant themes were identified: (1) keeping boundaries clear; (2) "outspoken" leadership; (3) intense commitment to potential growth of others; (4) pragmatic, creative ideas, and action; and (5) equal rights for women. CONCLUSIONS: The oral history method is an effective way to demonstrate the characteristics of nurse leaders who contribute to successes in their careers. Nurses are given the opportunity to evaluate the qualities of leadership, especially in turbulent and challenging times.