Catheter-associated UTIs in patients after major gynaecological surgery

A group of nurses undertook an audit across two hospitals comparing the incidence of catheter-related urinary tract infections in patients who had catheters inserted during major gynaecological surgery. The data suggests that using an anaesthetic lubricating gel for catheterisation reduces urinary tract infection rates for these patients.     

Optimize migraine management in primary care

Migraine attacks vary in frequency, severity, symptomatology, and degree of disability. The episodic, heterogeneous nature of migraine can be a barrier to the assessment of impact and optimal management. Migraine is often under-diagnosed and undertreated. Optimizing migraine management requires a systematic assessment of symptoms, including the degree of disability and development of an individualized plan of care.     

Novel therapies

OBJECTIVE: To highlight selected research directed to new drug and device technologies to manage mucositis in cancer patients and to illustrate potential impact of successful therapies. DATA SOURCES: Published research articles and abstracts, clinical experience. CONCLUSION: Advances in molecular modeling of mucosal injury in cancer patients have created new opportunities for therapy. Research is analyzing the impact of single-agent interventions; varying degrees of efficacy are being reported. Once optimal dosing strategies for single-agent management are defined, the opportunity for multi-agent therapies will emerge. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The oncology nurse plays a pivotal role in assessing and managing mucositis in cancer patients.     

Pleiotropic effects of genes for insulin resistance on adiposity in baboons

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has suggested a genetic contribution to the development of insulin resistance and obesity. We hypothesized that the same genes influencing insulin resistance might also contribute to the variation in adiposity. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A total of 601 (200 male, 401 female) adult baboons (Papio hamadryas) from nine families with pedigrees ranging in size from 43 to 121 were used in this study. Plasma insulin, glucose, C-peptide, and adiponectin were analyzed, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR) was calculated. Fat biopsies were collected from omental fat tissue, and triglyceride concentration per gram of fat tissue was determined. Body weight and length were measured, and BMI was derived. Univariate and bivariate quantitative genetic analyses were performed using SOLAR. RESULTS: Insulin, glucose, C-peptide, and adiponectin levels, HOMA IR, triglyceride concentration of fat tissue, body weight, and BMI were all found to be significantly heritable, with heritabilities ranging from 0.15 to 0.80. Positive genetic correlations (r(G)s) were observed for HOMA IR with C-peptide (r(G) = 0.88 +/- 0.10, p = 0.01), triglyceride concentration in fat tissue (r(G) = 0.86 +/- 0.33, p = 0.02), weight (r(G) = 0.50 +/- 0.20, p = 0.03), and BMI (r(G) = 0.64 +/- 0.22, p = 0.02). DISCUSSION: These results suggest that a set of genes contributing to insulin resistance also influence general and central adiposity phenotypes. Further genetic research in a larger sample size is needed to identify the common genes that constitute the genetic basis for the development of insulin resistance and obesity.     

The association between work performance and physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and obesity

The purpose of this study was to test the association between lifestyle-related modifiable health risks (physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and obesity) and work performance. Data were obtained from 683 workers. Dependent variables included number of work loss days, quantity and quality of work performed, overall job performance, extra effort exerted, and interpersonal relationships. Results indicated that higher levels of physical activity related to reduced decrements in quality of work performed and overall job performance; higher cardiorespiratory fitness related to reduced decrements in quantity of work performed, and a reduction in extra effort exerted to perform the work; obesity related to more difficulty in getting along with coworkers; severe obesity related to a higher number of work loss days. It is concluded that lifestyle-related modifiable health risk factors significantly impact employee work performance.     

Domestic poultry and SARS coronavirus, southern China

SARS coronavirus injected intratracheally into chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and quail, or into the allantoic sac of their embryonating eggs, failed to cause disease or replicate. This finding suggests that domestic poultry were unlikely to have been the reservoir, or associated with dissemination, of SARS coronavirus in the animal markets of southern China.     

Risk factors for osteoporosis among middle-aged women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for osteoporosis among a sample of middle-aged women. METHODS: Adipose tissue and bone mineral density levels at the left femur, lumbar spine, and total body were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Subjects (n=342) were surveyed regarding a variety of osteoporosis-related risk factors. Forward stepwise multiple regression procedures were utilized. RESULTS: Menstrual status, hormone replacement therapy, adipose tissue, and dairy product intake were retained in the regression models. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis prevention programs need to emphasize the importance of hormonal status and body composition in addition to obtaining adequate calcium intake.