Biomedical subjects
B A Fowler
Publications and source records attributed to B A Fowler.
Mercury uptake by renal lysosomes of rats ingesting methyl mercury hydroxide. Ultrastructural observations and energy dispersive x-ray analysis.
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Ultrastructural changes in rat liver cells following a single oral dose of TCDD.
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TCDD-induced changes in rat liver microsomal enzymes.
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Observations on the preparation of epoxy embedded tissue samples for energy-dispersive x-ray analysis.
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Ultrastructural evidence for nephropathy induced by long-term exposure tosmall amounts of methyl mercury.
A low dose of methyl mercuric chloride fed to female rats for 12 weeks caused extrusion of numerous cytoplasmic masses from kidney proximal tubule cells of the pars recta segment. These masses were characterized ultrastructurally by the presence of a smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregate. The in vivo metabolism of methyl mercury to inorganic mercury may produce this effect and account for the proteinuria observed in persons occupationally exposed to organic mercury compounds.
The morphologic effects of dieldrin and methyl mercuric chloride on pars recta segments of rat kidney proximal tubules.
This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the morphologic effects in rat kidney resulting from chronic exposure to low doses of the pesticide dieldrin, methyl mercuric chloride (CH(3)HgCl) and the combination of dieldrin plus CH(3)HgCl. Histologic and ultrastructural changes were confined to the proximal tubules. Alterations in these tubules were consistent and reproducible for each regimen and did not become more severe with duration of exposure. The straight segment of the proximal tubule (pars recta) was more severely affected by dieldrin and CH(3)HgCl than the convoluted portion. Female rats were more markedly affected than males. Pars recta tubule cells of male and female rats exposed to dieldrin showed an increase of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Male rats displayed a greater increase in SER than females. Pars recta tubule cells of animals given CH(3)HgCl also exhibited increased amounts of SER, degenerating mitochondria and cell death. Pars recta tubules of females were dilated and contained within the lumens many spherical, hematoxylin-positive staining, cytoplasmic masses, which were visible by light microscopy. These masses were characterized ultrastructurally by the presence of an SER aggregate in an area of material similar to cell matrix. In addition, cells of the pars recta of female animals contained electron-dense membranous cytosomes not present in control animals. Pars recta cells of males showed an increase in SER, but the dense membranous cytosomes observed in the pars recta cells of female rats were not seen. Rats exposed to dieldrin plus CH(3)CgCl showed less morphologic alteration of the pars recta tubules than animals given methyl mercuric chloride; however, increased amounts of SER and more degeneration in tubule cells were observed in these animals when compared to control animals. The findings are discussed in relation to the conversion of CH(3)HgCl to inorganic mercury in vivo and the known toxicity of inorganic mercury to the pars recta. Decreased tubular alteration in males and dieldrin-treated animals may be explained by sexual differences in renal enzyme levels or activities and the induction of microsomal enzyme systems by dieldrin.
Effects of the herbicide paraquat on the ultrastructure of mouse kidney.
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Ruthenium red staining of rat glomerulus. Perfusion of ruthenium red into normal and nephrotic rat kidney.
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Combining traditional and RN students in a senior capstone experience: the student perspective.
BACKGROUND: This study explored the students' perspective related to combining traditional and RN student populations in a senior capstone course. METHOD: In the final semester in a senior baccalaureate program, nursing students (N = 340) completed an investigator-designed 5-item survey. Data were reviewed independently by three investigators for emergent themes. RESULTS: While the course content was applied differently by two student populations, both appreciated a seminar format that allowed increased creativity, autonomy, and flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Merits of an integrated course were more explicitly stated by traditional students, who viewed the RNs as a source of reality-based learning. Faculty sensitivity to the unique learning needs of each student population is recommended.
Correlation of human hepatotoxicants with hepatic damage in animals.
Substances that cause liver damage in humans were identified through a literature search conducted on Toxline and Medline. Using the same search strategy, species other than man were selected, in whom hepatic injury could be attributed to exposure to the identified substances. A total of 38 substances were identified as producing liver damage, manifested by either clinical chemistry or histopathology. The substances included 24 drugs, 9 industrial chemicals, 3 environmental agents, 1 pesticide, and ethanol. Twelve of the 36 compounds have been toxicologically evaluated in man, rodent, and non-rodent. Histopathologic liver damage was reported in all three species for 11 of these compounds. Only carbencillin produced histopathologic damage in man but not in either the rodent or non-rodent. Where clinical chemistry changes were reported for all three species categories, only eight substances induced similar reactions in all three species. Only with two substances did man and rodent react similarly (both positive), while the non-rodent was negative. The two substances were polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and tetrachlorethane. In the majority of the cases in which either or both histopathologic or clinical chemistry changes were reported for man or for the rodent or non-rodent, the changes that occurred were qualitatively similar. The rodent was as sensitive a predictor for hepatic effects as the non-rodent. Although it is impossible to predict how liver damage observed in a laboratory animal is correlated with human liver damage, hepatotoxicity in the rodent must be considered as indicative of potential hepatic damage in man.
A health promotion program evaluation in a minority industry.
Wellness or health promotion programs (HPP) in the worksite are beneficial to both employer and employee. Companies report reduced absenteeism and improved job performance and productivity (O'Donnell & Ainsworth, 1984; Glantz & Orr, 1986). These programs are vital for Black Americans who experience distressing disparity in the leading causes of mortality and morbidity when compared to White Americans. Black Americans also experience poorer health as a result of racism, prejudice, discrimination, economic issues, and social ills such as poverty and lack of access to health care. The major purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a nurse-delivered six-month pilot HPP on the health awareness and reported health behaviors of Black Americans in the workplace. Approximately 50 employees participated in the HPP. The overall health screening and evaluation survey results indicated that the HPP was effective in increasing health awareness and in changing health behaviors. Nurses can play an important leadership role in improving the health of Black Americans in the workplace.
Ideological shifts needed in primary care delivery: removing barriers through reform.
Black Americans is one of the fastest growing segments of the population, yet the incidence of illness and mortality are higher and survival from the leading causes of death is poorer than for White Americans (Jaynes & Williams, 1989; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 1990). In achieving the Year 2000 national health promotion and disease prevention objectives, health care systems must provide universal access to high quality, affordable, comprehensive, and coordinated primary health care services. It is crucial to initiate new approaches to health care delivery, including linking primary care providers (PCPs) in communities where people live and work to eliminate barriers and improve access to culturally-sensitive primary health care in Black communities. Nursing can play an important leadership role in redirecting the education of PCPs and shaping public policy to reflect the primary health care philosophy.
Prenatal outreach: an approach to reduce infant mortality of African American infants.
Infant mortality is a pernicious and disturbing problem in the African American community. Research and public health reports clearly demonstrate the importance of early and ongoing prenatal care in reducing the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) infants, especially for indigent and racial/ethnic minority groups (American Nurses Association 1987, Hogue & Yip, 1989; McCormick, 1985, National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality 1988, Institute of Medicine 1985, 1989; United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 1990). LBW is a known risk factor for perinatal morbidity and mortality in the first year of life (USDHHS, 1993). Prenatal outreach and home visiting programs have shown effectiveness in assisting African American pregnant women and other racial/ethnic minority groups to access and participate in needed prenatal care. Brooten, Gennaro, Knapp, Jovene, Brown, and York's (1991) research also confirmed the importance of early discharge and home followup of very low birthweight infants. Nurses are challenged to participate in grass-roots initiatives and community-based approaches to improve the prenatal outcomes of African American teens.
Adolescent health care concerns: challenges for nurses.
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Biological indicators for monitoring exposure/toxicity from III-V semiconductors.
These studies were conducted to assess alterations in renal tubule cell gene expression following in vivo exposure to the semiconductor elements indium (In), arsenic (As) or indium arsenide (InAs). Alterations in proximal tubule cell gene expression were monitored at similar tissue concentrations of In or As at various time-points following single subcutaneous (sc) injections of In, As or InAs at 0, 10 and 30 days (In: 1.5 mg/kg; As, 3 mg/kg or 0.3 mg/k; and InAs: 1000 mg/kg). Protein synthesis as monitored by incorporation of 35S methionine was not statistically increased over the 30-day period following sc injection of As, In or InAs relative to controls. Two dimensional--SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that exposure to InAs stimulated the synthesis of a number of proteins with molecular masses of < 10, 18, 28, 32, 38, 42, 58, 70, 98 KDa. Exposure to As produced an increase in the expression of thirteen gene products. Indium produced similar changes at the 10-day time-point, but increased tissue accumulation of this element at 30 days markedly suppressed the stress protein response. These data indicate that induction of these specific gene expression patterns may be useful as early indicators for assessing exposure to InAs, or inorganic As, while suppression of these responses by In suggests a compromise in this basic protective mechanism.
Implications of lead binding proteins for risk assessment of lead exposure.
Lead-binding proteins have previously been isolated from rat and human target tissues. These molecules have shown to possess molecular masses in the general range of 10,000-30,000 daltons. The proteins are acidic in nature and rich in aspartic and glutamic amino acid residues. The molecules in rodents appear to play several important roles in mediating the low dose toxicity of lead in the kidney and brain. Preliminary studies presented in this report indicate that monkeys also possess similar proteins in the kidney and brain, thus providing a biochemical "bridge" in a non-human primate between rodent models and humans. Further, the excretion of these molecules into the urine of rodents increases with lead exposure, suggesting that may also prove useful as biomarkers of lead exposure in humans and monkeys once the dose-range and mechanism(s) of this phenomenon are further defined. Such studies should provide valuable risk assessment information for determining why individuals vary in their susceptibility to lead toxicity.