Comparative Characteristics of the Expression of Inducible NO Synthase in the Hippocampus of Humans and Experimental Animals

Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology - Objective: To study the characteristics of the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in hippocampal fields CA1 and CA3 in adult male humans and adult...     

Vanillylmandelic acid protects against reperfusion injury in an experimental animal model of myocardial infarction

Vanillylmandelic acid, a catecholamine end-metabolite, has been shown to have several biological properties in previous studies, despite considered biologically inactive. We examined the potential effects of vanillylmandelic acid on the ischemic heart following myocardial infarction and reperfusion on a rat model. Thirty-four female Wistar rats were randomized into two groups, control and experimental. They were anesthetized and subjected to myocardial infarction through left anterior descending artery ligation. A previously studied dose of vanillylmandelic acid (10 mg/kg) was administered and the following parameters were studied during ischemia and reperfusion: a) mortality b) severity of ventricular tachyarrhythmias c) premature ventricular contractions and d) heart rate. Administration of vanillymandelic acid significantly reduced the severity of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and mortality rate during reperfusion, while it did not affect any other of the parameters studied. In conclusion, reperfusion injury was blunted through vanillylmandelic acid administration, which seems to be mediated by parasympathetic activation.     

Novel compounds targeting InhA for TB therapy

Tuberculosis (TB) is described as lethal disease in the world. Resistant to TB drugs is the main reason to have unfavourable outcomes in the treatment of TB. Therefore, new agents to replace existing drugs are urgently needed. Previous reports suggested that InhA inhibitors, an enoyl-ACP-reductase, might provide auspicious candidates which can be developed into novel antitubercular agents. In this review, we explain the role of InhA in the resistance of isoniazid. Furthermore, five classes of InhA inhibitors, which display novel binding modes and deliver evidence of their prosperous target engagement, have been debated.     

Moral dilemmas of community pharmacists: a narrative study

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background Pharmacists are increasingly involved in patient care. This new role in a complex healthcare system with demanding patients may lead to moral...     

Effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients with cat scratch disease

Background Appropriate antibiotic treatment of cat scratch disease (CSD) in pediatrics is not well established. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response rates of antibiotic therapy in pediatrics with CSD. Methods The electronic medical records of a cohort of pediatric patients with confirmed diagnosis of CSD (2006–2016) were reviewed, retrospectively. Data collection included patient demographics, clinical and laboratory results, antibiotic treatment and follow-up evaluations. Results One hundred and seventy-five patients (aged 7.4?±?4.4 years) had confirmed CSD. Azithromycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) were the largest groups with documented effectiveness at follow-up visits. Resolution and improvement of CSD was observed in 51.4% and 61.5% of patients with azithromycin and TMP/SMX, respectively among those with follow-up assessment. The effectiveness of azithromycin and TMP/SMX was comparable (p?=?0.56). Conclusion Azithromycin and TMP/SMX were most frequently prescribed antibiotics. Azithromycin appeared to be an appropriate option for the treatment of CSD. TMP/SMX may be considered as an alternative antibiotic when azithromycin cannot be used.     

Mental health cost of terrorism: Study of the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris

This study examines whether a terrorist attack in a developed country, which does not cause major damage to its capital stocks, affects the mental health of its residents. By exploiting variations in survey dates of the European Social Survey, we use a difference‐in‐differences strategy to show that the attack adversely affects subjective well‐being and mental health measures of French respondents. These negative effects are stronger for immigrants and low‐income individuals. The impact is less dramatic for politically extreme right‐wing supporters. The distance from origin has little impact on these measures.     

General Population Norms for the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue Scale

Background

The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue Scale is an internationally used validated measure. General population–based age- and sex-specific percentile norms are, however, not published to date, although these are needed as reference for the interpretation of clinical research data.

How do Swedish day center attendees with psychiatric disabilities view their worker role? A structural equation modeling study

Abstract

Aim: To investigate how day center attendees with psychiatric disabilities perceived their worker role and the importance of current work situation and personal factors in that respect.

Methods: Two-hundred attendees completed the Worker Role Self-assessment and questionnaires addressing possible predictors of the worker role: current employment situation, satisfaction with that situation, and a personal factor (encompassing self-esteem, self-mastery and engagement). Structural equation modeling was used.

Results: A model indicated two worker role factors; belief in a future worker role (WR1) and current capacities and routines (WR2). WR1 was positively influenced by having a job, younger age and the personal factor. Satisfaction with current work situation (usually unemployment) was negatively associated with WR1. The personal factor was single predictor of WR2. The attendees rated WR2 more positively than WR1.

Conclusions: The personal factor was crucial for both WR1 and WR2. Work-related factors were only important for WR1. The more negative rating of belief in a future worker role may be interpreted as mistrust in the services. The attendees’ positive ratings of capacities indicate, however, that they had a rehabilitation potential to develop. Enhancing self-esteem, mastery and engagement may be an avenue for staff in efforts to support the attendee’s worker role.