Studies on Toxicity,Anti—stress and Hepato—Protective properties of Kombucha Tea

Objective :The objective of the study was to evaluate toxicity,anti-stress activity and hepatoprotective properties of Kombucha tea.Method :Kombucha tea was fed orally for 15 days using three different doses i.e.normal dose,five and ten times the dose,Rats were then sacrficed and various biochemical,and histological parameters were estimated.Anti-stress activity was evaluated either by 1)by exposing animals to cold and hypoxia and estimating the levels of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione in plasma/blood or 2) by subjecting the animals to restraint stress and recording faecal output.Hepato-toxicity was induced by challenging the animals to an acute dose of paracetamol(1gm/kg)orally and determining the plasma levels of SGPT,SGOT and MDA.REsults:The effect of oral administration of different doses of K-tea to albion rats was examined and the results indicate that K-tea has no significant toxicity as revealed by various biochemical and histopathological parameters.K-tea has been found to prevent lipid peroxidation and fall in reduced glutathione level when rats were exposed to cold and hypoxia in simulated chamber.Further,K-tea has also been found to decrease the Wrap-restraint faecal pellet output in rats.K-tea has also been found to decrease paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity significantly.Conclusion:The study shows that K-tea has anti-stress and hepato-protective activities.     

The Last Word Meeting the Challenge of Eating Disorders

Abstract

We have included prevention as well as treatment in the title of this new journal because prevention has become a passion for many of us on the editorial board. We hope our readers share this passion.     

Emotions at work: what is the link to patient and staff safety? Implications for nurse managers in the NHS

Aims  This paper sets the discussion of emotions at work within the modern NHS and the current prioritisation of creating a safety culture within the service.
Background  The paper focuses on the work of students, frontline nurses and their managers drawing on recent studies of patient safety in the curriculum, and governance and incentives in the care of patients with complex long term conditions.
Methods  The primary research featured in the paper combined a case study design with focus groups, interviews and observation.
Results  In the patient safety research the importance of physical and emotional safety emerged as a key finding both for users and professionals. In the governance and incentives research, risk emerged as a key concern for managers, frontline workers and users.
Conclusion  The recognition of emotions and the importance of emotional labour at an individual and organizational level managed by emotionally intelligent leaders played an important role in promoting worker and patient safety and reducing workplace risk.
Implications for nurse managers  Nurse managers need to be aware of the emotional complexities of their organizations in order to set up systems to support the emotional wellbeing of professionals and users which in turn ensures safety and reduces risk.     

Rodent nutritional model of steatohepatitis: Effects of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) and tumor necrosis factor alpha deficiency

Background and Aims: Intestinal endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) is thought to contribute to liver injury in both alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is an important mediator of this process and is considered central to the inflammatory response in NASH. This study aimed to investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide on liver injury in the methionine choline deficient (MCD) nutritional model of NASH, and to determine if TNFα is required for the development of steatohepatitis in this model. Method: Male C57/BL6 mice received a MCD diet for 4 weeks, whilst a control group received an identical diet supplemented with 0.2% choline bitartrate and 0.3% methionine. At 4 weeks, mice received either an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (0.5 µg/g body mass) or sterile saline, and were killed 24 h thereafter. In a separate study, TNFα knockout and wild type C57BL/6 mice received either MCD or control diets for 4 weeks. Serum transaminase levels, liver histology (steatosis, inflammation and apoptosis), hepatic triglyceride concentration and hepatic lipid peroxidation products (conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric reactive substances, free and total) were evaluated. Results: Intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide augmented serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (P < 0.02), hepatic inflammation (P < 0.025), apoptosis (P < 0.01) and free thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (P < 0.025) in MCD mice. TNFα knockout mice fed the MCD diet developed steatohepatitis with histological and biochemical changes similar to those seen in wild type counterparts. Conclusions: Lipopolysaccharide augments liver injury in MCD mice, and TNFα is not required for the development of steatohepatitis in MCD mice.     

主题式教学方法在卫生管理教学中的应用

简要介绍了主题式教学方法及其在卫生管理教学中的应用，并总结了存在的问题与经验。     

Action learning: a tool for the development of strategic skills for Nurse Consultants?

young s., nixon e., hinge d., mcfadyen j., wright v., lambert p., pilkington c. & newsome c. (2010) Journal of Nursing Management 18 , 105–110
Action learning: a tool for the development of strategic skills for Nurse Consultants? Aim This paper will discuss the process of action learning and the outcomes of using action learning as a tool to achieve a more strategic function from Nurse Consultant posts. Background It is documented that one of the most challenging aspect of Nurse Consultant roles, in terms of leadership, is the strategic contribution they make at a senior corporate Trust level, often across organizations and local health economies. A facilitated action learning set was established in Brighton, England, to support the strategic leadership development of eight nurse consultant posts across two NHS Trusts. Evaluation Benefits to patient care, with regard to patient pathways and cross-organizational working, have been evident outcomes associated with the nurse consultant posts involved in the action learning set. Key issues Commitment by organizational nurse leaders is essential to address the challenges facing nurse consultants to implement change at strategic levels. Conclusions The use of facilitated action learning had been a successful tool in developing the strategic skills of Nurse Consultant posts within this setting. Implications for nursing management Action learning sets may be successfully applied to a range of senior nursing posts with a strategic remit and may assist post holders in achieving better outcomes pertinent to their roles.     

Psychosocial support and malignant melanoma

The holistic care of patients with malignant melanoma requires psychosocial intervention. This paper provides an argument in support of this, based on research findings, clinical experience, demand and implications for the future. Strategies for providing psychosocial support are outlined with emphasis on a coordinated multidisciplinary approach, specialist nursing contributions and self-help. Recent innovations are described with recommendations for similar strategies to be employed in the prevention of disease and associated morbidity.     

Evidence for an association between Chlamydia trachomatis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Summary. Attempts were made to isolate Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum from women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), from those with microinvasive or invasive cervical cancer, and from a control group of similar women with other gynaecological problems. C. trachomatis was found in a significantly greater proportion of women with CIN (8%) or cervical cancer (18%) than in the control group (1%), whereas M. hominis and U. urealyticum were approximately as common in each group. Histological examination of the cervix in cone biopsies or hysterectomy specimens from 26 women with CIN and from 39 women of similar age with no evidence of CIN showed lymphoid follicles, previously reported to be associated with chlamydial infection, in nine of the specimens with CIN, but in none of the specimens without CIN.