Neighborhood: A Conceptual Analysis

Researchers interested in measuring neighborhood‐level effects should understand how “neighborhood” is defined within nursing sciences and other sciences, and the inherent strengths and weaknesses of current research methodologies. This concept analysis provides clarity around the concept of neighborhood within the context of health, analyzes the current state of development of the neighborhood concept, and proposes areas for future nursing research. Using the Rodger's Method of analysis, the concept of neighborhood within nursing and public health research is described based on existing literature. The concept's attributes, related concepts, antecedents, and consequences are given from the literature. Comparisons of the use of neighborhood are made between nursing, public health, sociology, and other sciences. The evolution of the concept of neighborhood throughout history is described, and important implications for future research are discussed.     

No association between the Pro197Leu polymorphism in the glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) gene and schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress such as free radical-mediated neuronal dysfunction may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The human glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) is a selenium-dependent enzyme, which plays an important role in the detoxification of free radicals. We therefore hypothesized that the GPX1 gene, which is located on chromosome 3p21.3, may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to examine whether a potentially functional polymorphism, a proline (Pro) to leucine (Leu) substitution at codon 197 (Pro197Leu) of the human GPX1 gene, is associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia. METHODS: We genotyped the Pro197Leu polymorphism in a total of 113 nuclear families that had a proband with schizophrenia. Genetic association was tested using the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), the sib transmission disequilibrium test (STDT), and the family-based association test (FBAT). RESULTS: The minor allele (Leu) frequency was calculated to be 0.282. We could not find significant transmission disequilibrium of the alleles for the Pro197Leu polymorphism in the GPX1 gene in association with the presence of schizophrenia in our family sample (TDT, chi2=0.03, degrees of freedom=1, P=0.86; combined TDT-STDT, Z'=-0.052, P=0.47; FBAT, Z=0.000, P=1.000). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the GPX1 polymorphism is unlikely to be associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia.     

Heterogeneous enzyme immunoassay with electrochemical detection: competitive and "sandwich"-type immunoassays

In these competitive and "sandwich"-type heterogeneous enzyme immunoassays, based on liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, rabbit immunoglobulin G is used as a model compound. Alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), the labeling enzyme, catalyzes conversion of phenyl phosphate to phenol. After separation on an octyldecylsilane column, the enzyme-generated phenol is detected in a thin-layer cell at a carbon-paste working electrode. The detection limit for phenol is 5.0 nmol/L. The electrode response varies linearly with concentration over a range of three orders of magnitude. For the sandwich-type assay procedure the detection limit is 10 ng/L; the linearity ranges over four orders of magnitude. The detection limit of the competitive immunoassay is 5 micrograms/L. The dynamic range spans two orders of magnitude.     

Managing depression in patients with vision impairment: A descriptive study of practitioners' beliefs and confidence

Aim: Depression is common in older adults with vision impairment yet it often remains unidentified and untreated. Eye health professionals (EHPs) and rehabilitation workers (RWs) may be able to assist in detecting depression. This study identified EHPs' and RWs' beliefs about depression and confidence in working with patients with vision impairment and depression. Methods: A self‐administered cross‐sectional survey of 94 EHPs and RWs assessed beliefs about the symptoms and treatment for depression, and confidence in working with depressed people with vision impairment. Results: Participants showed awareness of both the symptoms and treatment options for depression. However, some important misconceptions were identified and many symptoms of depression were commonly attributed to vision loss. Participants lacked confidence in communicating about depression with patients and their families. Conclusions: Training programs are needed to enable EHPs and RWs to confidently identify depression and discuss appropriate treatment and referral options with their patients.     

Therapy by written communication

A case of marital and sexual therapy using behavioural techniques was concluded using written communication. It was a successful and cost-effective intervention.     

Comparison of biodegradable and newer generation durable polymer drug-eluting stents with short-term dual antiplatelet therapy: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized trials comprising of 43,875 patients

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Newer generation durable polymer drug-eluting stents (DP-DES) and biodegradable polymer DES (BP-DES) have similar efficacy with dual-antiplatelet therapy...