Reconnecting with relational values in highly conflicted separating couples: A narrative therapy-informed relational interviewing teamwork-based supervision approach

This article outlines a new supervision practice of narrative therapy-informed reflecting team-based relational interviewing for a high-conflict stuck case of a separated middle-aged couple. The article demonstrates the supervision method consisting in five parts. First, the supervisor interviews the couples' relationship while the team watches from behind the one-way mirror. Second, the team responds to the interview while the couple and the supervisor witness their conversation. The couple is then invited to respond back to the team. Furthermore, there is a meta-conversation about the supervision in collaboration with the couple. The intervention ends with therapeutic letter writing to the relationship. The couple showed a meaningful shift in their positioning towards a more relational awareness and found valuable ways for continuing their therapy. The theoretical elements of the approach underpinning practice to tackle high conflict are considered through the illustration of the case.     

Agmatine co‐treatment attenuates allodynia and structural abnormalities in cisplatin‐induced neuropathy in rats

Cisplatin is a widely used antineoplastic agent in the treatment of various cancers. Peripheral neuropathy is a well‐known side effect of cisplatin and has potential to result in limiting and/or reducing the dose, decreasing the quality of life. Thus, effective treatments are needed. Agmatine is an endogenous neuromodulator that has been shown to exert antiallodynic effects in various animal studies. The first aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of agmatine on cisplatin‐induced neurotoxicity. Primary cultures of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) which are the primary target of drug injury were prepared. DRG cells were incubated with cisplatin (100, 200, 500 μm ). Then, agmatine (10, 100, 500 μm ) was administered with the submaximal concentration of cisplatin. Cisplatin caused concentration‐dependent neurotoxicity, and agmatine did not alter this effect. The second aim was to investigate the effects of agmatine on cisplatin‐induced peripheral neuropathy in rats and the influence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L‐NAME, in this effect. Female Sprague Dawley rats received intraperitoneal saline (control), cisplatin (3 mg/kg), cisplatin+agmatine (100 mg/kg), or cisplatin+agmatine+L‐NAME (10 mg/kg) once a week for 5 weeks. The mechanical allodynia, hot plate, and tail clip tests were performed, and DRG cells and sciatic nerves were analyzed. Agmatine and agmatine+L‐NAME combination attenuated CIS‐induced mechanical allodynia and degeneration in DRG cells and sciatic nerves. However, L‐NAME did not potentiate the antiallodynic or neuroprotective effect of agmatine. These findings indicate that agmatine co‐administration ameliorates cisplatin‐induced neuropathy and may be a therapeutic alternative.     

Patent Foramen Ovale among Patients with Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Unexplained Hypoxia

Purpose: To evaluate whether patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a contributing factor to hypoxia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Twenty‐one patients over 40 years of age with mild COPD (Forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): > 50%) who had hypoxia (PO₂ < 80 mmHg, SaO₂ < 95%) that could not be explained by COPD alone were included in this study. Arterial oxygen pressures (PO₂) and arterial oxygen saturations (SaO₂) were recorded from laboratory evaluations of arterial blood gases. Respiratory function tests were performed to analyze the degree of COPD. Standard and contrast echocardiography was used to calculate pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) levels and to determine patients with a PFO. Results: The mean age of the patients was 64 ± 12 years. Four patients (19%) had a PFO. The mean PO₂, mean SaO₂, and mean PAP levels were 57.4 ± 6.8 mmHg, 90 ± 3.2%, and 33.8 ± 5.4 mmHg, respectively, in patients without PFO. The mean PO₂, mean SaO₂, and mean PAP levels were 46.5 ± 13.7 mmHg, 79.3 ± 12.8%, and 42.5 ± 6.5 mmHg, respectively, in patients with PFO. There were no statistically significant differences noted between the two groups in the PO₂ levels (P = 0.172) and SaO₂ levels (P = 0.065). A comparison of the PAP levels revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups, with values that were more elevated in the PFO group than in the non‐PFO group (P = 0.031). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PFO is not a contributing factor to deep hypoxia in COPD patients with lower PO₂ and SaO₂ levels; however, higher PAP levels were detected in patients with a PFO. Further studies involving a larger number of patients are needed to be conclusive. (Echocardiography 2010;27:687‐690)     

Some pyridazinone and phthalazinone derivatives and their vasodilator activities

In this study, 6-[(4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5-oxoimidazolin-1-yl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-pyridazinone and 4-[(4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5-oxoimidazolin-1-yl)phenyl]-1(2H)-phthalazinone derivatives were synthesized by reacting 6-(4-aminophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-pyridazinone or 4-(4-aminophenyl)-1(2H)-phthalazinone compound with different 4-arylidene-2-phenyl-5(4H)-oxazolone derivatives. The vasodilator activities of the compounds were examined both in vitro and in vivo. Some pyridazinone derivatives showed appreciable activity.