Regional hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) concentrations were compared between cp/cp JCR:LA corpulent rats, which were grossly obese, hyperphagic, and hyperinsulinemic, and lean (+/+) controls. In freely fed cp/cp rats, NPY levels in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) were 31% higher than in lean rats (p less than 0.001). In lean rats, chronic food restriction significantly raised NPY levels by 22% in the ARC (p less than 0.05) and by 44% in the dorsomedial nucleus (DMH; p less than 0.05). By contrast, food-restricted cp/cp rats showed no change in the ARC, but NPY levels rose in the DMH (by 36%; p less than 0.05) and ventromedial nucleus (31%; p less than 0.05). Increased NPY levels in the ARC, the major site of hypothalamic NPY synthesis, suggests increased NPYergic activity in cp/cp rats; given the central actions of NPY, this could contribute to hyperphagia, obesity, and hyperinsulinemia in this syndrome. Abnormal NPY responses to food deprivation further suggest dysregulation of NPY in cp/cp rats.

Animals↗

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The basic nature of ethical problems experienced by persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: implications for nursing ethics education and practice.

The purpose of this research was to describe and examine the basic nature of ethical problems that are experienced by persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The participants were 25 persons with AIDS and 5 significant persons, not infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, who provided contextual understanding. The conceptual framework and method combined ethical inquiry and phenomenology. During an in-depth audiotaped interview, each participant answered the question, "What situation involving AIDS has caused you the most conflict about the right thing to do?" To assure scientific adequacy, the participant validated the analysis of the first interview in a second interview 2 weeks later, and five experts and two independent judges validated the combined analyses. From 117 ethical problems emerged a basic nature consisting of (1) conflict of values about what to believe, who to be, and what to do; (2) resolutions based on intuitive beliefs, desire to be a good person, and rational choice; and (3) rationale revolving around a desire for integrity and meaning. The findings suggest strategies for improving nursing ethics education and, ultimately, nursing practice: (1) base content on ethics research and philosophical analysis, (2) address real-life ethical problems, (3) discuss virtue ethics in addition to principled thinking and ethical caring, and (4) teach ethical listening.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

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Endemic infectious diseases of the Middle East.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Diarrhea↗

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Serious infections involving the CDC group Ve bacteria Chryseomonas luteola and Flavimonas oryzihabitans.

Chryseomonas luteola and Flavimonas oryzihabitans are phenotypically similar gram-negative bacilli and are also referred to as CDC groups Ve-1 and Ve-2, respectively. These bacteria are rarely reported as pathogens in humans. Infections described in the literature include primarily bacteremia in critically ill patients and peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We describe three cases of polymicrobial infection secondary to infection with group Ve organisms, including the first reported case (to our knowledge) of CNS infection due to F. oryzihabitans. These three cases and a review of literature suggest an association between the presence of indwelling catheters and polymicrobial infections with CDC group Ve organisms. F. oryzihabitans and C. luteola should be added to the expanding list of nosocomial pathogens with a propensity to infect critically ill patients who have undergone surgical procedures and/or had indwelling catheters placed. The isolation of either of these organisms from clinical specimens should prompt a search for a device-related source.

Adolescent↗

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Meconium analysis for cocaine: a validation study and comparison with paired urine analysis.

We established the validity of a drug-screening method to detect the presence of cocaine or benzoylecgonine or both in meconium and then undertook an analysis of results from urine and meconium specimens obtained concurrently from neonates within 3 days of birth. Meconium specimens from 82 consecutive newborns were analyzed using fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), Kinetic Interaction of Microparticles in Solution (KIMS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Each meconium specimen was analyzed by all three methods. Fifty-four paired urine and meconium specimens were obtained over a 13-month period from a neonatal intensive care unit. Urine drug testing was performed by immunoassay (enzyme multiplied immunoassay [EMIT] technique), whereas meconium specimens utilized FPIA with GC-MS confirmation on all but one specimen (due to insufficient quantity). Ten true positives were found by GC-MS, 10 positives were found by FPIA, and 70 positives were found by KIMS. Of the 54 paired samples, 39 samples tested negative for cocaine in both urine and meconium; four specimens were positive by both routes; 10 specimens were negative in urine but positive in the meconium; and one specimen tested positive in urine but negative in the meconium. Thus, 9.3% of the urine specimens tested positive, and 25.9% of meconium samples tested positive (p = .011; McNemar's Test). We conclude that screening meconium specimens by FPIA followed by GC-MS confirmation of screened positives yields highly accurate determinations of the presence of cocaine or benzoylecgonine or both in meconium and that testing of meconium for cocaine and its metabolites is more sensitive than testing of urine.

Cocaine↗

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Feasibility of hepatocellular transplantation via the umbilical vein in prenatal and perinatal lambs.

Hepatocellular transplantation has previously been performed in experimental animals by infusion of hepatocyte suspensions into the spleen or portal venous system. Cells injected into these sites flow to the liver and engraft within the hepatic parenchyma. We designed this study to evaluate the feasibility of hepatocellular transplantation through the umbilical vein in the prenatal or perinatal periods. Allogeneic sheep hepatocytes were harvested, stained with the vital fluorescent dye DiI, and injected into the umbilical vein of fetal lambs at 85% gestation and term. Hemodynamic studies performed to assess the physiological impact of transplantation on the recipient animal demonstrated that the procedure was well tolerated. No significant short-term complications were encountered and no lesions were found by conventional histological examination at necropsy 1-17 days after transplantation. Engrafted cells were identified within the liver by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry in 4/7 animals constituting 1.2-5% of the hepatocyte population. Fluorescent cellular material with the morphology of hepatocytes, noncellular material, and fluorescent phagocytic cells were seen occasionally in other organs including lung, brain, adrenal, and placenta. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of performing hepatocellular transplantation in the fetus via the umbilical vein in experimental animals.

Amniotic Fluid↗

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[Detection of fetal cells in maternal blood: towards a noninvasive prenatal diagnosis].

Fetal cells exist in maternal blood and can be utilized for prenatal genetic diagnosis. These cells are present during the first and second trimesters, with frequency increasing as gestation advances. Enrichment of erythroblasts by various density gradient techniques and either magnetic activated or flow sorting techniques can be followed by FISH with chromosome-specific DNA probes. This approach has allowed detection of trisomy 21, trisomy 18, Klinefelter syndrome 47,XXY and 47,XYY. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of maternal blood has enabled the detection of fetal sex, certain Mendelian disorders (e.g. beta-globin mutations), HLA polymorphisms, and fetal Rhesus (D) blood type. The fetal cell types receiving the most attention has been nucleated erythrocyte (erythroblast) and the trophoblast. Lymphocytes and granulocytes are also present in maternal blood; however, lymphocytes are considered the cell type most likely to persist after pregnancy. A large scale collaborative is now underway in the U.S. that will allow determine whether sensitivity and specificity of this technique provide a noninvasive alternative to conventional methods of prenatal cytogenetic diagnosis.

Cell Separation↗

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The content of ethical problems experienced by persons with AIDS.

The purpose of this research was to describe and examine the basic nature (essences) and content (subject-matter) of ethical problems involving AIDS that are experienced by persons with AIDS (PWAs). The participants were 25 PWAs and 5 significant others, the latter included to provide contextual understanding. During audiotaped interviews, the PWAs described 45 different ethical problems from which emerged a three-component basic nature and 10 content categories. This paper reports the content categories. The findings provide understanding of the content of PWAs' ethical problems and suggest the importance of ethical listening as an independent nursing intervention.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗