Blood from ten young adult male humans, exposed to 1 ppm or 2 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for 2.5--3.0 hr, was examined for evidence of biochemical changes. The experiments lasted three days. The subjects entered an environmental chamber, performed mild exercise, and completed a series of measurements of pulmonary physiology while breathing filtered air. Blood samples were then taken and analyzed. This regimen was repeated on the second and third day, except that the chamber atmosphere now contained 1 ppm or 2 ppm NO2. Paired group analyses were performed on the data. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the activity of the erythrocyte membrane enzyme acetylcholinesterase at both NO2 levels. Levels of peroxidized red blood cell lipids showed statistically significant elevations after inhalation of 2 ppm NO2 but not 1 ppm. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was significantly elevated only after the second 2-ppm NO2 exposure. Small but statistically significant decreases were observed in both hemoglobin and hematocrit values after exposure to both NO2 levels. The experiment was repeated with NO2, (i.e., three days of filtered air) to detect possible effects of the experimental procedure. Decreases were again seen in hemoglobin and hematocrit, and acetyecholinesterase, although of smaller magnitude than when NO2 was inhaled. Other data showed random variations that were not additive over the three-day sham exposure period. It was concluded that significant blood biochemical changes resulted from NO2 inhalation, although the three-day experimental regimen independently produced changes that account for some of the apparent response.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Major depressive disorder predicts cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease.

Fifty-two patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and subsequently found to have significant coronary artery disease (CAD) were given structured psychiatric interviews before catheterization. Nine of these patients met criteria for major depressive disorder. All 52 patients were contacted 12 months after catheterization, and the occurrence of myocardial infarction, angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery and death was determined. Results of the study show that major depressive disorder was the best predictor of these major cardiac events during the 12 months following catheterization. The predictive effect was independent of the severity of CAD, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the presence of smoking. Furthermore, with the exception of smoking, there were no statistically significant differences between those patients with major depressive disorder and the remaining patients on any variable studied. The possible mechanisms relating major depressive disorder to subsequent cardiac events are discussed. It is concluded that major depressive disorder is an important independent risk factor for the occurrence of major cardiac events in patients with CAD.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Gender effects on blood pressures obtained during an on-campus screening.

In a blood pressure screening of 167 male and female college students, we varied the gender of the screener to evaluate gender effects on blood pressure. Four repeated determinations of resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure were obtained with an automated oscillometric device in a quiet semi-darkened room. Analysis of systolic blood pressure indicated a significant interaction between screener gender, subject gender, and repeated determinations. Screener/subject gender concordance produced relatively stable systolic blood pressures across four repeated determinations. Gender discordance resulted in larger changes in systolic pressures across the four determinations. This pattern was not obtained with diastolic pressures. Measures of recent stress and somatic anxiety interacted with gender effects on blood pressure. These gender effects on systolic blood pressure may explain, in part, higher reported incidence of "white coat hypertension" in females.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ongoing controversies in the pharmacological management of cancer pain.

Pain management remains a problem in advanced cancer. Despite the ready availability of effective analgesia and good evidence to support the prescription of medications, concerns continue over the safety of this practice. The aim of the present paper was to review often-raised questions when considering the use of opioids, especially in cancer pain, to ascertain the levels of evidence that already exist to support opioid-prescribing practice and to identify areas where further research is needed.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

What nurses should know about natural family planning.

Two common natural family planning (NFP) methods are the ovulation method based on characteristics of cervical mucus and the symptothermal method based on changes in cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and the cervix. Both methods are effective when used correctly. Nurses should understand the principles of NFP and introduce these methods in discussions of family planning options. Interested clients should be referred to a certified NFP instructor for education and supervision.

Body Temperature↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of five proofreading conditions on the spelling performance of college students with learning disabilities.

This study investigated the effect of five proofreading conditions on the spelling performance of 12 college students with learning disabilities on a composition activity. The proofreading conditions investigated were handwriting with no additional assistance, handwriting with a conventional print dictionary, handwriting with a handheld spelling checker, word processing with no additional assistance, and word processing with an integrated spelling checker. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the results, with proofreading condition used as a within-participants factor. Except for handwriting alone, all of the techniques resulted in significant reductions in the number of spelling errors in the students' written work; however, none of the techniques enabled the students to produce compositions with a mean level of spelling accuracy comparable to that of their nondisabled peers.

Achievement↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neurosurgery in the United States: The American Board of Neurological Surgery.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Certification↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnosis of pulmonary embolus by spiral CT: a case study.

A thirty-eight-year old immunosuppressed woman presented with respiratory distress and was diagnosed with Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia. Pulmonary embolism was also suspected on clinical grounds. A Ventilation-Perfusion Scan was indeterminate. Contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography of the chest confirmed the presence of a central pulmonary embolus and helped to avoid pulmonary angiography in this critically ill patient.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bringing up bold babies.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Altruism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

How to develop and validate a total organic carbon method for cleaning applications.

Good Manufacturing Practices require that the cleaning of drug manufacturing equipment be validated. Common analytical techniques used in the validation process include HPLC, UV/Vis, and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). HPLC and UV/Vis are classified as specific methods that identify and measure appropriate active substances. TOC is classified as a non-specific method and can detect all carbon-containing compounds, including active substances, excipients, and cleaning agents. The disadvantage of specific methods is that a new procedure must be developed for every active drug substance that is manufactured. This development process can be very time consuming and tedious. In contrast, one TOC method can potentially be used for all products. A TOC method is sensitive to the ppb range and is less time consuming than HPLC or UV/Vis. USP TOC methods are standard for Water for Injection and Purified Water, and simple modifications of these methods can be used for cleaning validation. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how to develop and validate a TOC method for cleaning applications. Performance parameters evaluated in this study include linearity, MDL, LOQ, accuracy, precision, and swab recovery.

Carbon↗