DEVELOPMENT OF INDICATORS TO MEASURE

This paper describes a study to capture the key roles and activities of nephrology nurses across different countries in Europe. The concept of the study and the need to clarify the activities of the nephrology nurse arose as part of a larger study to develop the European Practice Database (EPD) (1). The Research Board (EDTNA/ERCA) needed to identify key questions that would detect significant differences in the role and responsibilities of nephrology nurses in different countries and monitor the evolution over time of nephrology nursing practice in Europe. It was therefore appropriate to devise a separate small study to generate evidence based questions for the EPD and confirm the reliability and usefulness of the information captured.     

Optimal SPECT processing and display: Making bad studies look good to get the right answer

Conclusion  Several quality-control measures take place before (patient and camera preparation) and during SPECT acquisition to achieve high-quality images. Not uncommonly, technologists and physicians are left with suboptimal images that have to be addressed to reach the “right answer” for patient diagnosis and hence management. In many cases patients may be reimaged, especially if the problem is detected early, but in other cases either the patient has left the nuclear laboratory or there is an inevitable problem that, even with reimaging, will not be resolved. In these situations the technologist and physician have to seek the available techniques to obtain the best images possible. These resources are discussed in this issue as an aid in quality control to obtain the best possible images.     

Dexamethasone treatment attenuates early seawater instillation-induced acute lung injury in rabbits.

There is very little evidence on the value of giving corticoids in cases of seawater drowning induced acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether dexamethasone treatment can attenuate seawater instillation-induced acute lung injury in rabbits. Seawater (4 ml/kg body weight) was instilled into the lower trachea of ventilated, anesthetized rabbits. Then these rabbits were assigned randomly 20 min later to receive intravenous injection of 1mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone (dissolving in 2 ml of normal saline) or 2 ml of normal saline. All animals demonstrated immediate drops in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and the total thoracic compliance, which were significantly improved after 2 h of dexamethasone treatment. Histopathological study also indicated that dexamethasone treatment markedly attenuated lung histopathological changes, alveolar hemorrhage and inflammatory cells infiltration with evidence of decreasing of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentration in lung tissue. In addition, dexamethasone treatment reduced extravascular lung water and lung epithelial-endothelial barrier permeability, up-regulated the expression of surfactant protein-A (SP-A) and alpha-epithelial Na+ channel, and increased Na+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+-ATPase) activity and Na+/K+-ATPase-alpha1 protein abundance. Thus, these data indicate that dexamethasone treatment might be of benefit in patients with seawater aspiration-induced ALI.     

Salvage of a failed valgus osteotomy for non-union of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture

Salvage of a failed valgus osteotomy for nonunion of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture is reported. A valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy was performed for a failed sliding hip screw fixation of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture at another institution. Four months following osteotomy, the fracture was still un-united with two distal screws of the hip plate broken and a coxa vara deformity. Reconstruction was performed with a nine-hole 95° angle blade plate and cancellous bone graft, because the insufficient fixation of the distal fragment was considered to be the main reason for failure. The osteotomy was healed at six months post-surgery and the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms. Intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy is an effective procedure for mal-union and non-union of pertrochanteric fracture but stable fixation is required for a good result. The blade of the angle plate offers good purchase of the proximal fragment and secures it under rotational and bending stresses. We recommend that distal fragments should be fixed with at least seven cortices for this type of osteotomy.     

Zinc sulfate addition to glass-ionomer-based cements: influence on physical and antibacterial properties, zinc and fluoride release.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ZnSO(4) addition to a conventional glass ionomer and a resin-modified glass ionomer on solubility, flexural strength, zinc and fluoride (F) release, and Streptococcus mutans growth inhibition. METHODS: 5 or 10% ZnSO(4) was added to Vitremer and Ketac-Fil powders. Solubility test was performed based on ISO 7489. Flexural strength was determined by 3-point bending test based on ISO 4049. Zn release/uptake was determined by atomic emission spectrometry; F release/uptake was measured using a F-specific electrode. Both release measurements were performed for 15 d before and 15 d after recharging. Antibacterial test was conducted according to agar plate methods against S. mutans, by measuring the inhibition halos in 1-h and 15-d specimens. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: Solubility increased with higher ZnSO(4) content, but remained below the ISO 7489 limit. Flexural strength was not affected by ZnSO(4) addition, and Vitremer performed better than Ketac-Fil. The control materials released no zinc. Vitremer with 10% ZnSO(4) released the highest amount of zinc. Fluoride release was similar for Ketac-Fil and Vitremer. In both cases, the highest amounts were released in the first 24 h. The growth inhibition halo of S. mutans was similar for both materials with highest content of ZnSO(4) and occurred only with 1-h specimens. SIGNIFICANCE: Zinc addition decreased microorganisms growth and improved fluoride release, without significantly affecting the materials' flexural strength and solubility.     

小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白氧化特性及对血管内皮细胞脂质过氧化的影响

了解小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白中抗氧化维生素含量、氧化特性 ,探讨其对血管内皮细胞脂质过氧化的影响。采用二次密度梯度超速离心的方法分离制备小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白 ,高压液相色谱测定其抗氧化物质维生素A、E和 β 胡萝卜素 ;连续监测小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白在 2 34nm的吸光度以测定其氧化敏感曲线 ;在血管内皮培养液中分别加入不同浓度的小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白 ,培养后测定培养液丙二醛的浓度。实验成功分离小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白 ,与大而轻低密度脂蛋白相比 ,维生素A、E和 β 胡萝卜素等抗氧化物质及总抗氧化能力明显减少 ,只有大而轻低密度脂蛋白的 6 5 %、39%和 2 4 % ,故小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白氧化的延迟时间只有大而轻低密度脂蛋白的 37.5 % ,但硫代巴比妥酸反应物质值及氧化速率分别是大而轻低密度脂蛋白的 1 .7倍和 1 .2 8倍 ;培养液中丙二醛含量随加入脂蛋白的浓度和作用时间而增高 ,2 4h时小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白 5 0mg组、1 0 0mg组、1 5 0mg组与相同剂量大而轻低密度脂蛋白组比较丙二醛显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 )。上述结果提示 :小颗粒致密低密度脂蛋白中抗氧化物质及抗氧化能力下降 ,氧化敏感性增高 ,并促进内皮细胞过氧化损伤     

The Influence of Academic Support on Latino Adolescents’ Academic Motivation

Abstract: The current study examined the extent to which mothers, fathers, teachers, and teenage friends influenced Latino adolescents’ academic motivation. Using path analysis, separate models were tested for 154 Latino boys and 156 Latina girls. Findings indicated that mothers’ and teachers’ academic support were positively related to adolescent girls’ academic motivation, and fathers’ and teachers’ academic support were positively related to adolescent boys’ academic motivation. The salience of teachers’ support, possible reasons for gender differences, and implications for future research are discussed.