A qualitative study of Korean music therapist's turnover experiences

Nine Korean music therapists’ turnover experiences were examined using consensual qualitative research. Five domains and 24 categories were created from the cross-analysis of the data. The domains of this study were: (a) factors contributing to turnover; (b) burnout; (c) turnover procedure; (d) changes after turnover; and (e) factors contributing to retention. Based on the frequency label of each category, three types of categories were generated: general (8–9 cases), typical (5–7 cases), and variant (2–3 cases). The result showed that the lack of recognition for music therapy among administrators, supervisors, and peer therapists contributed to music therapists’ turnover decision. However, it was found that these participants had a strong sense of professionalism, which was expressed through their work, regardless of the various challenges posed by environmental conditions. In fact, financial sources such as work conditions and salary were only categorized as variant whereas the professional incentives were identified generally across participants in this study.     

Long‐lasting intrinsic persistent firing in rat CA1 pyramidal cells: A possible mechanism for active maintenance of memory

The hippocampus is critical for memory tasks which require an active maintenance of memory for a short period of time; however, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unknown. Most theoretical and computational models, which date back to the classic proposals by Donald Hebb in 1949 , have been self‐constrained by anatomy, as most models rely on the recurrent connectivity in region CA3 to support “reverberating activity” capable of memory maintenance. However, several physiological and behavioral studies have specifically implicated region CA1 in tasks which require an active maintenance of memory. Here, we demonstrate that despite limited recurrent connectivity, CA1 contains a robust cellular mechanism for active memory maintenance in the form of self‐sustained persistent firing. Using in vitro whole‐cell recordings, we demonstrate that brief stimulation (0.2–2 s) reliably elicits long‐lasting (> 30 s) persistent firing that is supported by the calcium‐activated non‐selective cationic current. In contrast to more traditional ideas, these data suggest that the hippocampal region CA1 is capable of active maintenance of memory. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

膜技术富集脉络宁注射液生产废水中小分子药效成分的工艺优化研究

目的利用聚醚砜中空纤维膜对脉络宁注射液生产废水的小分子药效物质进行富集。方法以共性高分子(蛋白质、鞣质、淀粉、果胶)截留率和小分子药效物质绿原酸的渗透率为考察指标,优选出超滤膜过程停止时间和膜型号,进而采用Box-Behnken中心组合设计建立数学模型,优化出超滤膜过程的最佳工艺参数。结果在共性高分子截留率中,影响因素A(温度)B(错流压差)C(进料速率),并且与温度呈负相关性;在绿原酸透过率中,影响因素A(温度)B(错流压差)C(进料速率),并且在温度与速率一定时,绿原酸透过率与错流压差存在"∩"型关系。优化工艺结果为药液温度35℃,进料体积流量为262 mL/min,错流压差15.0 psi(1 psi=6.895 kPa),工艺验证绿原酸透过率为(91.470±0.988)%,高分子截留率为(80.080±2.296)%,综合评分为(85.780±1.641)%,RSD为0.46%,与预测工艺偏差较小。结论中空纤维膜对于生产废水中的小分子药效物质有良好的渗透率,并对共性大分子有优良的截留效果,是一种可持续的、绿色资源化利用方式。     

生物黏附性三七总皂苷-白及多糖-海藻酸钠复合微球的制备及表征

目的利用白及多糖(BSP)的生物黏附性,与海藻酸钠(SA)混合作为复合载体,以具有缓释特性的三七总皂苷(PNS)分散体作为包封药物,制备具有生物黏附性的PNS-BSP-SA复合微球。方法采用离子交联法制备微球,通过单因素试验和正交设计考察并优化处方工艺。通过扫描电镜(SEM)、粒径分布、差示扫描量热法(DSC)分析、溶胀性能测定、体外黏附性能评价、体外释放研究对微球进行表征。结果 PNS-BSP-SA复合微球圆整度较好,表面粗糙不平有褶皱,粒径分布较窄,PNS原料药以无定形状态均匀分散于微球中。最佳处方工艺制备的微球工艺稳定,重现性较好,与直接加入PNS原料药制备的微球相比,PNS分散体微球的载药量、包封率和得率均明显增加,分别为10.34%、51.25%、82.21%,而PNS原料药微球的载药量、包封率、得率分别为4.04%、12.16%、61.35%。BSP的加入增加了SA微球的溶胀性能,明显增加了其在大鼠胃部的滞留率。PNS-BSP-SA复合微球中人参皂苷Rg1的释放较PNS原料药缓慢。结论 BSP增加了微球的生物黏附性,将PNS制备为分散体,提高了微球的载药量、包封率和得率,并使微球具有一定的缓释性能。     

Risk factors for acute postpartum urinary retention after vaginal delivery: focus on episiotomy direction

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the independent factors for acute postpartum urinary retention (APUR) after vaginal delivery.

Methods: From January 2008 to December 2013, 98 patients with APUR after vaginal delivery without instrument use were compared with 108 control patients matched by age and medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for APUR. Predictive accuracy for the multivariate model was assessed using the derived area under a receiver operating characteristics curve.

Results: Among maternal previous partial history, mean live birth history was lower in the APUR group (0.12 versus 0.31, p?=?0.017). Regional anesthesia use (76.5% versus 60.2%, p?=?0.036), mediolateral episiotomy (63.3% versus 31.5%, p?<?0.001) and labor time were significantly higher in the APUR group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that mediolateral episiotomy, labor time and the presence of regional anesthesia were independent contributing factors for the development of APUR. This model’s predictive accuracy for APUR was 73.1%.

Conclusion: Prolonged labor time, regional anesthesia and mediolateral episiotomy were independent factors for APUR. Therefore, we considered median episiotomy to be the best approach during vaginal delivery avoiding APUR.     

A computer model for the clearance of insoluble particles from the tracheobronchial tree of the human lung

A multi-compartment model for the clearance of insoluble particles from the tracheobronchial tree of the human lung was created. As a significant innovation, the model considers specific mass transfer paths that may play an important role for slow bronchial clearance. These include the accumulation of particulate mass in the periciliary sol layer, an uptake of stored particles by airway macrophages, and the endocytosis of deposited mass by epithelial cells. Besides the gel layer representing fast mucociliary clearance, all cellular and extracellular units involved into the slow clearance process are described by respective compartments which are connected by specific transfer paths. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT), lymph nodes (LN), and blood capillaries are included into the model as final accumulation compartments, to which mass is transferred via the airway route and the transepithelial path. Besides a basic version of the model describing the whole tracheobronchial region by one set of compartments, also an advanced approach is introduced which, in accordance with the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP), subdivides the conducting airways into a bronchial (BB) and bronchiolar (bb) part. Preliminary results were generated with MS-Excel from deposition data of 1-mummass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) particles, calculating local slow clearance fractions according to mathematical procedures introduced in previous publications. While mucociliary clearance is completely finished within 24h after exposure, slow clearance takes place in distinct phases and needs several days to weeks. This multi-stage event is also reflected in the respective retention curves which correspond well to previously published graphs.     

Clean intermittent catheterization rates after initial and subsequent treatments with onabotulinumtoxinA for non-neurogenic overactive bladder in real-world clinical settings

Objective: Previous randomized controlled trials have reported a 6.1–6.9% incidence of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) following treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA in non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) patients who were inadequately managed by ≥1 anticholinergic. A multi-center retrospective chart review assessed the real-world rate of voiding dysfunction requiring catheterization.

Methods: Patients received onabotulinumtoxinA 100?U (approved dose) administered by experienced injectors between January 2013 and June 2015. Patients using CIC or an indwelling catheter for ≥24?hours for voiding dysfunction prior to onabotulinumtoxinA injections were excluded. The primary outcome was post-treatment CIC (lasting >24?hours; per individual physician’s clinical judgment considering patient’s voiding symptoms, post-void residual [PVR] urine volumes and patient bother). Potential baseline predictors of CIC (history of pelvic prolapse, cystocele, diabetes, PVR urine volume and age) were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Overall, 299 patients received their first treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA 100?U. Mean age was 66.4 years; 98.3% were female. The incidence of CIC was 2.7% in the total study population after the first treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA. The de novo CIC rate in treatments 2 and 3 combined was similarly low (3.2%). None of the evaluated baseline characteristics were significant predictors of CIC initiation due to the low CIC incidence.

Conclusions: This real-world study of non-neurogenic OAB patients treated with onabotulinumtoxinA suggests that the CIC rate is lower than the rates reported in previous studies. There were no significant correlations between baseline predictors and CIC initiation, although statistical significance may not have been reached because of the low incidence of CIC.     

Multiseed liposomal drug delivery system using micelle gradient as driving force to improve amphiphilic drug retention and its anti-tumor efficacy

To improve drug retention in carriers for amphiphilic asulacrine (ASL), a novel active loading method using micelle gradient was developed to fabricate the ASL-loaded multiseed liposomes (ASL-ML). The empty ML were prepared by hydrating a thin film with empty micelles. Then the micelles in liposomal compartment acting as ‘micelle pool’ drove the drug to be loaded after the outer micelles were removed. Some reasoning studies including critical micelle concentration (CMC) determination, influencing factors tests on entrapment efficiency (EE), structure visualization, and drug release were carried out to explore the mechanism of active loading, ASL location, and the structure of ASL-ML. Comparisons were made between pre-loading and active loading method. Finally, the extended drug retention capacity of ML was evaluated through pharmacokinetic, drug tissue irritancy, and in vivo anti-tumor activity studies. Comprehensive results from fluorescent and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation, encapsulation efficiency (EE) comparison, and release studies demonstrated the formation of ML-shell structure for ASL-ML without inter-carrier fusion. The location of drug mainly in inner micelles as well as the superiority of post-loading to the pre-loading method , in which drug in micelles shifted onto the bilayer membrane was an additional positive of this delivery system. It was observed that the drug amphiphilicity and interaction of micelles with drug were the two prerequisites for this active loading method. The extended retention capacity of ML has been verified through the prolonged half-life, reduced paw-lick responses in rats, and enhanced tumor inhibition in model mice. In conclusion, ASL-ML prepared by active loading method can effectively load drug into micelles with expected structure and improve drug retention.     

Indocyanine green loaded hyaluronan-derived nanoparticles for fluorescence-enhanced surgical imaging of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is highly lethal and surgical resection is the only potential curative treatment for the disease. In this study, hyaluronic acid derived nanoparticles with physico-chemically entrapped indocyanine green, termed NanoICG, were utilized for intraoperative near infrared fluorescence detection of pancreatic cancer. NanoICG was not cytotoxic to healthy pancreatic epithelial cells and did not induce chemotaxis or phagocytosis, it accumulated significantly within the pancreas in an orthotopic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma model, and demonstrated contrast-enhancement for pancreatic lesions relative to non-diseased portions of the pancreas. Fluorescence microscopy showed higher fluorescence intensity in pancreatic lesions and splenic metastases due to NanoICG compared to ICG alone. The in vivo safety profile of NanoICG, including, biochemical, hematological, and pathological analysis of NanoICG-treated healthy mice, indicates negligible toxicity. These results suggest that NanoICG is a promising contrast agent for intraoperative detection of pancreatic tumors.