Morphine Enhances Pharmacological Preconditioning by Isoflurane: Role of Mitochondrial KATP Channels and Opioid Receptors

Background: Adenosine triphosphate-regulated potassium channels mediate protection against myocardial infarction produced by volatile anesthetics and opioids. We tested the hypothesis that morphine enhances the protective effect of isoflurane by activating mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-regulated potassium channels and opioid receptors.

Methods: Barbiturate-anesthetized rats (n = 131) were instrumented for measurement of hemodynamics and subjected to a 30 min coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Myocardial infarct size was determined using triphenyltetrazolium staining. Rats were randomly assigned to receive 0.9% saline, isoflurane (0.5 and 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration [MAC]), morphine (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg), or morphine (0.3 mg/kg) plus isoflurane (1.0 MAC). Isoflurane was administered for 30 min and discontinued 15 min before coronary occlusion. In eight additional groups of experiments, rats received 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5-HD; 10 mg/kg) or naloxone (6 mg/kg) in the presence or absence of isoflurane, morphine, and morphine plus isoflurane.

Results: Isoflurane (1.0 MAC) and morphine (0.3 mg/kg) reduced infarct size (41 +/- 3%; n = 13 and 38 +/- 2% of the area at risk; n = 10, respectively) as compared to control experiments (59 +/- 2%; n = 10). Morphine plus isoflurane further decreased infarct size to 26 +/- 3% (n = 11). 5-HD and naloxone alone did not affect infarct size, but abolished cardioprotection produced by isoflurane, morphine, and morphine plus isoflurane.     

Radioimmunoassay of paralytic shellfish toxins in clams and mussels

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology -     

Burnout in nursing.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has suggested that organisational change can contribute to stress-related outcomes for workers. Burnout, one such stress-related outcome, has been conceptualised as a multidimensional construct consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment. Many health care organisations have undergone substantial organisational change over the last decade. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of burnout in nurses and to ascertain if there were individual or work characteristics that were associated with this syndrome. DESIGN: Randomised survey methodology. SETTING: Registered nurses (Division 1) in Victoria who were ANF members. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 574 Victorian ANF nurse members. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The assessment of levels of burnout in Victorian ANF nurse members and the identification of individual or work characteristics that may be associated with it. RESULTS: Victorian ANF nurse members exhibited lower depersonalisation and higher personal accomplishment compared to medical and overall normative data. Increasing age and fewer working hours were associated with lower levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Working overtime was positively associated with emotional exhaustion however further analyses demonstrated that those who worked overtime voluntarily did not differ from workers not working overtime. However feeling pressured/expected to work overtime was positively associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. CONCLUSION: Victorian ANF nurse members were not experiencing high levels of burnout. However the study highlighted the need for health care management to recognise the importance of working reasonable hours and in particular, to understand the potential detrimental effect that having to work pressured or unexpected overtime has on staff.     

Factors predictive of alcohol use during pregnancy in three rural states

Background  

A substance use screening instrument was used to determine factors predictive of drinking during pregnancy. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can lead to negative birth outcomes.     

Wound matrix attachment regulates actin content and organization in cells of the granulation tissue

Actin cytoskeletal polymerization is associated with a pro-proliferative, pro-survival state. We hypothesized that the actin polymerization of wound cells is increased in the presence of wound matrix attachment and is decreased after disruption of this attachment. Musculocutaneous flap and wound splinting models were used to investigate the effect of wound matrix attachment on the actin cytoskeleton. Disruption of wound matrix attachment was accomplished by incision of the wound matrix/dermis interface (wound matrix release) and/or desplinting. Polymerized actin was assayed with phalloidin labeling of wound specimens 24 hours after disruption of attachment and a method to quantify the content and organization of polymerized actin in granulation tissue was used. Disruption of wound matrix attachment decreased the content of polymerized actin, the actin staining intensity, and the actin fiber organization in the granulation tissue of both the flap and splint models. Disruption of wound matrix attachment decreased actin polymerization and fiber organization in the granulation tissue. Our data support the concept that the state of wound matrix attachment regulates the actin cytoskeleton of wound cells.