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Biomedical subjects

C A Herrick

Publications and source records attributed to C A Herrick.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Th2 responses induced by epicutaneous or inhalational protein exposure are differentially dependent on IL-4.

Atopic individuals are predisposed to mounting vigorous Th2-type immune responses to environmental allergens. To determine the factors responsible, animal models that closely mimic natural modes of allergen exposure should prove most informative. Therefore, we investigated the role of IL-4, a known Th2-promoting cytokine, in generation of Th2 responses after exposure of either the skin or airway to soluble protein. Compared with wild-type (WT) mice, IL-4-deficient (IL-4(-/-)) mice showed markedly impaired Th2 activation after primary exposure to inhaled ovalbumin (OVA), with decreased OVA-specific IgG1 and IgE, and significantly fewer eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid after airway challenge. In contrast, IL-4(-/-) mice initially exposed to epicutaneous (e.c.) OVA mounted Th2 responses equivalent to responses in WT mice, with high numbers of eosinophils in BAL fluid. Because Th2 responses were not induced by e.c. OVA exposure in Stat6(-/-) mice (mice lacking signal transducer and activator of transcription 6), the role of IL-13 was tested. In vivo depletion of IL-13 prevented Th2 responses induced by e.c. OVA exposure in IL-4(-/-) mice. These data demonstrate a marked difference in the IL-4 dependence of Th2 responses generated at two anatomic sites of natural allergen encounter and identify the skin as a particularly potent site for Th2 sensitization.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1995

Neuropeptide-mediated regulation of hapten-specific IgE responses in mice. I. Substance P-mediated isotype-specific suppression of BPO-specific IgE antibody-forming cell responses induced in vivo and in vitro.

The ability of substance P (SP) to regulate peak benzyl-penicilloyl (BPO)-specific IgE antibody-forming cell (AFC) responses in vivo and the ability of SP and other neuropeptides to regulate BPO-specific memory IgE AFC responses induced in vitro was determined. SP injected subcutaneously into BPO-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (BPO-KLH)-sensitized mice at the time of peak IgE responses suppressed these responses within 48 h (> 90%). The suppression obtained was IgE isotype-specific, dose-dependent, and transient. When spleen cells from immunized mice were cultured for 5 days with BPO-KLH, peak memory IgE AFC responses were induced in vitro. Inclusion of either SP or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), but not neurotensin, serotonin, somatostatin, or gastrin, in cultures suppressed these responses in isotype-specific, dose-dependent fashion (approximately 70%). SP-, but not VIP-mediated suppression of IgE responses was abrogated by inclusion of anti-IFN gamma culture.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Neuropeptide-mediated regulation of hapten-specific IgE responses in mice. II. Mechanisms of substance P-mediated isotype-specific suppression of BPO-specific IgE antibody-forming cell responses induced in vitro.

Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that substance P (SP), injected into benzylpenicilloyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (BPO-KLH) sensitized mice at the peak of the benzylpenicilloyl (BPO)-specific IgE response, suppressed these responses in isotype-specific fashion within 48 h. These studies also showed that SP, but not neurotensin (NT), serotonin (5-HT), somatostatin (SOM) or gastrin, suppressed BPO-specific memory IgE antibody-forming cell (AFC) responses induced in vitro, also in isotype-specific fashion. To investigate the mechanisms by which SP suppressed BPO-specific IgE AFC responses were induced in vitro, these responses were induced by culturing spleen cells from BPO-KLH sensitized mice for 5 days with BPO-KLH with or without whole SP, amino terminal SP (SP 1-4: Arg-Lys-Pro-Lys), or carboxy terminal SP (SP 8-11: Phe-Gly-Leu-Met). In some experiments, the SP receptor antagonist (D-Pro2, D-Phe7, D-Trp9)-SP (D-SP) was included in culture. In other experiments anti-interferon monoclonal antibody (anti-IFN gamma mAb) was in culture. Whole SP and SP 8-11, but not SP 1-4, suppressed BPO-specific IgE AFC responses induced in vitro. The suppression obtained was IgE isotype-specific and dose-dependent. Inclusion of SP receptor antagonist (D-Pro2, D-Phe7, D-Trp9)-SP inhibited suppression of BPO-specific memory IgE AFC responses by SP or SP 8-11. The SP-mediated suppression of BPO-specific memory IgE responses appeared to involve interferon gamma (IFN gamma).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Regulation of hapten-specific memory IgE responses induced in vitro. Requirement for both Thy-1+ AsGM1+ and Thy-1+ AsGM1- cells and for IFN-alpha and IL-4.

The roles of Thy-1+ and AsGM1+ spleen cells and cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IFN-alpha, and IFN-gamma) in regulation of hapten-specific memory IgE antibody-forming cell (AFC) responses induced in vitro were examined. BALB/c mice, injected i.p. with benzylpenicilloyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (BPO-KLH) (10 micrograms) on days 0 and 21, were killed on day 60 or day 120. Numbers of BPO-specific IgGI, IgE, and IgA AFC in spleen were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay after 0 to 6 days of culture +/- BPO-KLH. BPO-specific AFC of all isotypes were detected in spleen on day 60, but not on day 120. Day 60 AFC responses did not persist in culture in that no AFC were detected by day 2 of culture +/- BPO-KLH. When either day 60 or day 120 cells were cultured for 3 days with BPO-KLH, BPO-specific AFC responses were induced, and peaked on day 5, with similar numbers of AFC of each isotype induced with day 60 and day 120 cells. On day 60, spleen contained two subsets of Thy-1+ cells: AsGM1- (approximately 32% of total cells) and AsGM1+ (approximately 4%). Depletion and reconstitution experiments established that both subsets were required for induction of BPO-specific IgE AFC responses. Cytokines could not substitute for the Thy-1(+)-depleted cells. However, when unfractionated day 60 cells were cultured with cytokines or anti-cytokine antibodies, BPO-specific IgE AFC responses induced were both IFN-alpha and IL-4 dependent; either increased or decreased by IFN-gamma, depending on its concentration, and unaffected by IL-5 or IL-6.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Ethical dilemmas and AIDS: nursing issues regarding rights and obligations.

Nurses and other health professionals deal with many ethical dilemmas daily. The AIDS epidemic has generated enormous controversy affecting the care and treatment of persons with HIV infections. As the epidemic spreads, the ethical issues become more apparent. The AIDS situation highlights the precarious balance between individual rights and the public welfare, patients' rights, and the rights of nurses and their professional obligations. Ethical questions have also been raised concerning equal rights to healthcare resources. The AIDS epidemic has caused hysteria among members of our society, including some people in the nursing profession. Implications for nursing practice and education are outlined to help nurses to make ethical rather than emotional decisions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A prearranged mentorship program: can it work long distance?

Mentoring is a supportive and nurturing relationship between an expert and a novice. A formal mentorship program was embarked on by the Southern Council on Collegiate Education in Nursing during the early 1990s. The purpose of this article is to share the unique experience of two faculty who were assigned as mentors through a written inventory process and who were able to establish a successful mentorship, overcoming the barriers of time, distance, and an apparent mismatch of interests and clinical skills. The authors recommend mentoring as an important professional endeavor. Everyone-mentor, protégé, and the nursing profession as a whole-gains during the mentoring process.

Education, Nursing, Graduate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Underutilization of mental health services by Asian-Americans residing in the United States.

Asian-Americans are the fastest-growing minority in the United States, and they are a culturally diverse group. Knowledge about this growing minority population is important for the purposes of planning appropriate mental health care. Asian-Americans living in the United States rarely use mental health services. The reasons for this, along with suggestions for developing more culturally sensitive mental health services, are presented. A model for cultural competence can provide a framework for psychiatric nurses and other mental health professionals (MHPs) to become more aware of Asian-American values and beliefs and provide more culturally sensitive care. Awareness tools are included to guide MHPs in determining whether culturally competent care is available locally to meet the needs of this underserved population.

Asian↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enhancing the coping skills of mothers with developmentally delayed children.

Recent studies have shown that mothers of developmentally delayed children are at risk for depression. During weekly psychoeducational group meetings, Roy's adaptation model was used to identify the focal, contextual, and residual stimuli that contributed to the mothers' depression. Nursing interventions that encouraged adaptation in the four modes were implemented by group facilitators providing parent education and emotional support. Implications for nurses in a variety of settings are given.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Planning a continuum of care in child psychiatric nursing. A collaborative effort.

A guide for providing a continuum of care for children in need of psychiatric services from the least restrictive services (outpatient care), to a moderately restrictive setting (partial hospitalization), to the most restrictive setting (inpatient care) is described. Movement along the continuum is facilitated by the nurse case manager. Concepts from three theoretical frameworks are integrated to define goals, criteria, and expected outcomes for each level of care along the continuum. They are Neuman's (1982) systems model for nursing practice and education, Caplan's (1961) model for primary prevention of mental disorders in children, and Frances, Clarken and Perry's (1984) differential therapeutics. The continuum provides a guide for nurses and other health care providers to achieve high quality care as economically as possible. It also enhances self-care and self-responsibility for families of disturbed children by offering a sequential graded system of care along the health-illness continuum.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Codependency: characteristics, risks, progression, and strategies for healing.

Codependency and caring are issues concerning nurses practicing in the 1990s. Questions about "caring" and "caring too much" at one's own expense are examined. Characteristics, roles, and risk factors for codependency are identified. Strategies for healing are suggested for nurses who "care too much."

Birth Order↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stigma and ageism: compounding influences in making an accurate mental health assessment.

Stigma and ageism are two phenomena that greatly affect the accurate assessment of mentally ill elderly and, ultimately, their health care. Healthcare providers, doctors, nurses and others, including mental-healthcare providers, would benefit from awareness of stigma and ageism and their impact on psychiatric care for the elderly, many of whom also have physical problems. Understanding these influences may assist providers to make more accurate diagnoses and a more appropriate plan of care. This paper defines stigma and ageism and their potential and actual influences on assessment and interventions for the mentally ill elderly. Strategies for overcoming the impact of stigma and ageism are presented to assist healthcare providers to advocate for geropsychiatric clients.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Menopause and hormone replacement therapy from holistic and medical perspectives.

Myths and other issues surrounding menopause are examined on the basis of historical and current literature from medicine, psychiatry, and psychiatric nursing, and on current research. Changes in the psychiatric view of menopause and mental illness reflect a more holistic view of menopause. Some effects of menopause during this normal transitional phase of a woman's life are explored with respect to the developmental, physiological, and cognitive/psychosocial domains. Concepts of menopause as disease or as normal development are discussed as well as issues related to "care or cure" interventions for menopausal women. Evidence supports the need for systematic longitudinal research studies on the use of hormone therapies to provide information on their long-term effects on the menopausal woman. The use of hormone therapies alone or in conjunction with other holistic interventions is discussed. Nurses have a professional responsibility to come to terms with the continuing conflict related to hormone therapies so that they may provide appropriate nursing interventions to celebrate this passage rather than deny it.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of an inservice education program regarding aggressive behavior on a psychiatric unit.

A four-part inservice program on dealing with aggressive behavior on a psychiatric unit was developed, presented, and evaluated. The program was aimed at meeting staff members' cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor needs. Twenty-seven staff members participated. The program was successful in reducing extreme levels of burnout among staff members, and occurrences of patient aggressive behavior resulting in incidents declined after the program. Staff members reported that they felt more confident in dealing with aggression. Protocols and nursing care plans were developed, and ongoing support groups to examine staff members' feelings were established.

Aggression↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using self-directed learning modules. A literature review.

The impetus for cost containment may necessitate using teaching strategies different from traditional classroom models used in staff development. Educators can design self-directed learning modules to educate staff to work more effectively with special populations, such as children and elderly patients. Encompassing more than 40 years of literature, this review identifies the best modular designs, the cost benefits, and various studies about the effectiveness of self-directed learning modules.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Developing self-directed learning modules.

The authors present a practical, step-by-step process for developing, implementing, and evaluating self-directed learning modules for staff development and continuing education. The process is described in detail and includes specific examples for those who want to develop self-directed learning modules that are unique to a particular target population.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗