Indomethacin promotes germinal matrix microvessel maturation in the newborn beagle pup.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although indomethacin has been demonstrated to prevent germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage in clinical and animal studies, the mechanism of action of this agent to prevent hemorrhage remains unclear. Previous studies have demonstrated both that the microvessels in the germinal matrix of newborn beagle pups undergo basement membrane maturation during the first 4 postnatal days and that indomethacin may promote laminin deposition in tumor cell culture systems. METHODS: We employed the newborn beagle pup model to test the hypothesis that indomethacin may stimulate laminin deposition in germinal matrix microvessels. Newborn pups were randomized to receive either 0.1 mg/kg/dose i.p. indomethacin or an equal volume of saline diluent. Pups received doses of study medication once a day for 1, 2, or 3 days and were studied on postnatal days 1, 2, 3, or 4. Pups were anesthetized and systemically perfused with buffered formalin; the brains were removed and prepared for immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: Sections stained with Bandeiraea lectin demonstrated that there was no difference in germinal matrix vessel density among the postnatal ages studied; similarly, there were no differences in vessel density between saline- and indomethacin-treated animals at any postnatal age. Quantification of germinal matrix stained intensity by confocal microscopy demonstrated significant increases in indomethacin-treated pups for both laminin staining at postnatal days 2 (p = 0.05) and 3 (p = 0.0009) and type V collagen staining at postnatal day 2 (p = 0.011). Although staining for beta 1 integrins increased across postnatal ages, there were no differences between saline- and indomethacin-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that indomethacin may stimulate basement membrane deposition in the germinal matrix microvessels of newborn beagle pups to prevent germinal matrix and/or intraventricular hemorrhage.     

The use of 5-fluorouracil in patients following combined trabeculectomy and cataract extraction

We studied the effect of postoperative administration of subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil in maintaining postoperative filtration following combined trabeculectomy and extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation. Three months postoperatively, the mean intraocular pressure in 15 patients who had received 5-fluorouracil was 13.1 +/- 3.2 mm Hg; in 17 control patients, it was 13.0 +/- 3.0 mm Hg (P greater than .05). The mean number of postoperative medicines in the study patients was 0.7; in the control patients, 0.8 (P greater than .05). Bleb appearance and improvement in visual acuity were similar in the two groups. This study does not support the routine use of 5-fluorouracil in patients who have undergone combined trabeculectomy and extracapsular cataract extraction.     

The internal mammary artery binds more 125I-albumin than the aorta]

The internal mammary artery is currently the arterial replacement of choice for coronary artery bypass grafts. The authors studied the permeability of the vessel wall of the internal mammary artery and the ascending aorta in 12 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafts by comparing the 125I-albumin binding profiles. Their results suggest that albumin crosses the internal mammary artery more easily than in the aorta.     

Measurement of faecal ammonia.

A modified end-point enzymatic method for the measurement of ammonia in stool water is presented. A protein precipitation step was included in order to inactivate urease and faecal enzymes, which oxidise NADH. The modified method is reliable, with acceptable precision and accuracy, and is linear up to a concentration of 1.5 mmol/l.     

Differences in the hypothermic response to ethanol in rats selectively bred for oral ethanol preference and nonpreference

The duration of retention of tolerance to ethanol was tested in the alcohol-preferring (P) and alcohol-nonpreferring (NP) rats lines, using ethanol-induced hypothermia as a measure of tolerance. Rats received two injections of ethanol (3.5 g/kg) body wt, IP) and the time between the injections was 1, 2, or 3 days. When one day separated the two injections, tolerance to the hypothermic effect of a second “test” injection was found in both lines. When 2 or 3 days separated the two injections, the P line showed a loss of tolerance and the NP line showed sensitization to ethanol. Sensitization in the NP line grew stronger when the interval between injections was increased from 2 to 3 days. The duration of retention of tolerance to ethanol-induced hypothermia in the P line was shorter than has previously been reported for motor impairment in this line. It appears that the duration of tolerance retention in the P line depends on the test used to measure tolerance. Sensitization to ethanol in the NP line may be associated with low oral ethanol intake. This research was supported, in part, by grants AA08312, AA03243, and AA07611 from the PHS     

Developing the future nurse leaders of Fiji.

BACKGROUND: Nurse leaders in Fiji are currently involved in meeting the challenges of being at the forefront of an AusAID supported Health Sector Improvement process. Fiji is experiencing the same shortages of health professionals (including nurses) as is occurring internationally, while simultaneously striving to improve the quality of its health services. PRIMARY ARGUMENT: This paper provides information about the current situation in relation to health services in Fiji, and describes strategies being undertaken by the nurse leaders of Fiji to meet the challenge of leading an exciting reform process. James Cook University, School of Nursing Sciences, has been privileged to support the provision of contemporary leadership and management education for current and future nurse leaders in the Fiji Health Sector as a component of a current education program to educate registered nurses to bachelor level. This paper will provide an overview of the current Fiji Health Sector Improvement Program, with a particular focus on the preparation of nurse leaders. CONCLUSION: There is an ongoing need to understand beliefs and values, and styles of interaction and communication, and indeed, ideas about time. With collaboration between Australian academics and Fiji tutors from the Fiji School of Nursing, the program appears to be remarkably successful.     

Delayed cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea: a case report.

Post-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea is a well recognized complication of closed head injury. Most cases occur soon after injury and a delay in presentation of more than 1 month is unusual. A case is reported of CSF rhinorrhoea presenting 15 years after initial trauma which was complicated by meningitis after 12 months. The management of this condition is reviewed.