Identifying nursing research priorities: a first step in program development

This study determined nursing research priorities and focused on the development of a nursing research program within a single institution. Of the 715 nurses within the Department of Nursing, 286 (40%) responded to the first round of a two-round Delphi technique, and 137 (48%) responded to the second. The following clinical priorities were determined: prevention and treatment of pressure sores, pain management, treatment of nosocomial infections, and patient education. Nonclinical priorities included staffing and its effects on turnover and patient care, job satisfaction, and factors influencing the quality of nursing care. Serendipitous findings underscored the relevance of the Department of Nursing's conceptual framework to nursing practice and research, revealed the need for dissemination of current research results, and suggested that nurses want to participate in research without assuming responsibility beyond their expertise.     

Cognitive estimation in traumatic brain injury.

The present study explores the construct and ecological validity of the Biber Cognitive Estimation Test (BCET) in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) sample. Participants completed the BCET in the course of a neuropsychological evaluation at 1-15 years after injury. BCET scores correlated moderately with other standard measures of executive functioning, and contrary to our hypotheses, at least as high with neuropsychological tests with minimal demands on executive functioning. Moreover, partialing out the portion of BCET variance not attributable to executive functioning markedly attenuated the former correlations. With respect to ecological validity, BCET scores did not predict concurrent functional status, as measured by the Disability Rating Scale. By comparison, standard measures of executive functioning strongly correlated with each other, correlated less strongly with nonexecutive functioning measures, and predicted functional status. In conclusion, unlike standard measures of executive functioning, the BCET demonstrated poor construct and ecological validity in TBI patients.     

Public health capacity building in southeastern Europe: a partnership between the Open Society Institute and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The political disintegration of former Yugoslavia inaugurated in 1991 resulted in the decentralization of health systems in the federation's successor nation-states. Efforts by the Open Society Institute improved public health planning and management needs consequent to health sector changes. Beginning in Croatia in 2001, the Institute developed ongoing collaborations between Andrija Stampar School of Public Health and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2003 and 2004, it expanded its project to include the republics of Macedonia and of Serbia and Montenegro.     

GLUT1 and GLUT8 in endometrium and endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Glucose is provided to cells by a family of glucose transport facilitators known as GLUTs. These transporters are expressed in a tissue specific manner and are overexpressed in many primary tumors of these tissues. Regulation of glucose transport facilitator expression has been demonstrated in endometrial tissue and endometrial adenocarcinoma. The following experiments were conducted to quantify and localize the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT8 in benign endometrium and compare this expression to endometrial cancer. Endometrial tissue samples were obtained from random hysterectomy specimens of patients with benign indications for surgery and endometrial cancer. Immunoblot and immunolocatization studies were performed using GLUT1 and GLUT8 specific antisera. Endometrial samples from 65 women who had undergone hysterectomy were examined (n=38 benign, n=27 malignant). A 44 and a 35.4 kDa immunoreacive species was demonstrated in endometrium and endometrial cancer for GLUT1 and GLUT8, respectively. Upregulation of GLUT1 expression was demonstrated with increasing grade of tumors (P<0.002). GLUT8 expression was increased in all tumor subtypes compared to atrophic endometrium (P<0.001). Apical localization by GLUT1 and GLUT8 was demonstrated in endometrial glands. GLUT1 and GLUT8 demonstrated diffuse intracellular localization in the cancer subtypes. GLUT1 and GLUT8 are expressed in both human endometrium and endometrial cancer. There appears to be a step-wise progression in GLUT1 and GLUT8 expression as tumor histopathology worsens. GLUT1 and GLUT8 may be important markers in tumor differentiation, as well as providing energy to rapidly dividing tumor cells.     

Annular erythema with eosinophilia: A subset of Wells' syndrome

We present a 52-year-old lady with a 5-year history of a persistent, widespread, annular erythema associated with lethargy, arthralgias, and an inflammatory synovitis. Skin biopsies have shown mild lichenoid change at the dermoepidermal junction; and oedema, mucin, and a diffuse lymphocytic and eosinophilic infiltrate without flame figures in the dermis. A full blood count including an eosinophil count; liver, renal and thyroid function; rheumatoid factor, ANA, ENA, dsDNA, complement studies, immunoglobulins, and serum protein elecrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis; flow cytometry of peripheral blood for lymphocyte markers; stool examination for ova, cysts and parasites; and a CT scan of the chest and abdomen have shown no significant abnormality. Hydroxychloroquine has stabilised but not cleared her condition.
Cases presenting clinically with annular erythema and histologically with eosinophilic cellulitis are difficult to classify. We discuss the classification of this case in the context of the literature.     

The effects of implementing a professional practice model.

Professional practice is a reasonable and viable alternative to the traditional nursing practice models used in many hospitals. The authors describe the implementation of a professional practice model and its effects on cost per patient day, sick time, turnover rates, and job satisfaction indicators.     

SELECTIVE LASER TRABECULOPLASTY: A NEW APPROACH TO OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA MANAGEMENT

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a new treatment modality for lowering Intra-ocular pressure (IOP). It targets the pig-mented cells of the trabecular meshwork (TM) with minimal damage to TM architecture. It is safe, effective & warrants consideration as a primary treatment. Purpose: 1 .To investigate the safety & efficacy of new laser procedure using q-switched