Three strains of the Columbia SK (Col-SK) group of viruses [Mengo, Maus Elberfeld (ME), and Col-SK viruses] have been studied in the airborne state. All three strains were found to give identical aerosol decay patterns at 16 or 26 C, when held at the same relative humidity (RH). During the first 5 min of aerosol storage time at 16 C, virus inactivation was RH-dependent, with survival maximal at either high (greater than 80%) or low (less than 5%) RH. After 5 min at 16 C, further inactivation, regardless of RH, was insignificant. At 26 C, the effect on survival of RH between 40 and 60% was even more pronounced than at 16 C, and continued after 5 min through 6 hr. Results of this study indicated that the inactivation of airborne Col-SK group viruses was similar to that of other ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, particularly poliovirus. Since members of the Col-SK group are picornaviruses, they may well serve as an aerosol model representative of small, ether-resistant, single-stranded RNA viruses.

Aerosols↗

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Six-year results of annual colonoscopy after resection of colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool that may also be useful in the surveillance of patients after curative resection of colorectal cancer. The yield of colonoscopy and the frequency with which it should be performed after operation, however, have not been clearly defined. Over the past 10 years, we have examined these patients annually with colonoscopy or barium enema. This study evaluates the results of a specifically designed protocol that followed 174 patients. Counting all sites, colorectal cancer recurred in 57 of 174 patients, three-quarters within the first 24 months. Nine anastomotic recurrences were detected in the 12-30 month interval; none was reoperated for cure; however, 4 metachronous colon cancers were found and resected for cure. In addition, 30 polyps larger than 1 cm in size and 7 villous adenomas were removed in 30 patients. Combined, these findings represent an interval yield of 3-5% per year. Based on these results and other reports, we recommend that patients undergo colonoscopy annually at least for the first 6 years postresection of colorectal cancer. The detection of new primary tumors and possibly predisposing lesions becomes more important in these patients than detection and cure of recurrent disease.

Colonoscopy↗

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Patients' and nurses' knowledge of cardiac-related symptoms and cardiac misconceptions.

OBJECTIVE: To compare knowledge and reported incidence of cardiac-related symptoms among patients with nurses' knowledge and estimated incidence of symptoms in this patient group. DESIGN: Retrospective collection of patient data by means of postal questionnaire and postal survey of hospital nurses. SETTING: Five non-randomly selected hospitals in northeast England. SUBJECTS: One hundred seventy-five male patients with a first uncomplicated myocardial infarction (MI), cared for by 168 registered nurses working in coronary care or medical wards. OUTCOME MEASURES: Reported and estimated occurrence of 11 common cardiac symptoms in the 3 weeks after MI and 15-item knowledge and 10-item misconception scales about cause of and recovery from MI. RESULTS: The percentage of nurses who correctly estimated the incidence of symptoms was low, 25% of nurses did not make any correct estimates, and the mean number of correct estimates was not associated with nurses' experience or qualifications. The overall mean score for the knowledge scale was 9.6 (SD 1.9) for nurses, which was significantly higher (t=7.5, p<0.001) than that for patients (mean 7.9, SD 2.3); the nurses' score was not significantly associated with experience or place of work. For the misconception scale the mean score for nurses was 6.8 (SD 1.5), which was significantly higher (t=6.85, p<0.001) than the mean score for patients (5.5; SD 2.6); nurses working in specialized cardiac wards and more experienced nurses had significantly higher scores. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should be provided with sound knowledge on cardiac symptoms and risks so that they can educate patients accordingly and, in particular, can correct misconceptions about the condition, prognosis, and appropriate lifestyle changes. Advanced-training personnel should recognize the need to enhance nurses' skills in patient education and rehabilitation; the importance of these skills also should be recognized in first-level training.

Clinical Competence↗

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Ketanserin accelerates wound epithelialization and neovascularization.

We investigated the acute effects of topical ketanserin, a 5-HT(2) (serotonin) receptor blocker, on wound epithelialization and vascularization with the use of the hairless mouse ear model. Varying concentrations of Ketanserin (0%, 0.2%, 2.0%, 20% weight/volume) were administered to standardized full-thickness skin wounds on the dorsum of the hairless mouse ear immediately after surgery and daily thereafter. With the use of video microscopy and computer-assisted planimetry, vascularization and epithelialization were traced every third day until the wounds were fully healed. Arteriole diameters at selected sites near the skin wound were measured before wound creation and after wounding. It was concluded that topically administered ketanserin significantly accelerates both the vascular (p < 0.001 at 2% and 20% concentrations) and epithelial (p < 0.001 at 20% concentration) rates of wound healing in full-thickness nonpathologic skin wounds. Vasodilation of terminal arterioles was not a major response to Ketanserin. Faster epithelialization was possibly due to direct effect of ketanserin on epithelial cells.

Journal Article↗

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Reevaluating positions for labor--lateral vs supine.

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Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena↗

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The experience of women during their partners' hospital stay after MI.

Structured interviews were undertaken with 159 women following their partner's myocardial infarction (MI) and 129 of these women completed a further postal questionnaire approximately three weeks later. While in hospital, only a quarter of women were spoken to by nurses about possible dietary change for their partners, 24 percent were advised about exercise and 11 percent about work. Thirty one percent were spoken to about general lifestyle of their partners. When asked to rate the usefulness of information from all sources about various topics, those women who had been spoken to by nurses had significantly higher scores three weeks post-MI than women who had not. Nurses were frequently not proactive in offering information to women who showed high levels of anxiety and depression at both time points. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of hospital nurses in secondary prevention strategies.

Female↗

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Eating matters--improving dietary care in hospitals.

Eating Matters is a resource pack and practical guide to help hospital staff meet patients' dietary needs while they are in hospital. The resource pack was commissioned by the Department of Health from the University of Newcastle and published late last year. In this article, the main features of the pack are presented and its practical implications reviewed.

Dietary Supplements↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Why eating matters.

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Food Service, Hospital↗