Effects of furosemide on the racing times of Thoroughbreds

The effects of furosemide on the racing times of 79 horses without exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) and 52 horses with EIPH were investigated. Racing times were adjusted to 1-mile equivalent racing times by 2 speed handicapping methods, and analysis of covariance was used to adjust actual racing times by winning time and distance for each race. All 3 methods of determining racing time indicated that geldings without EIPH had significantly faster racing times (P less than 0.05) when given furosemide before racing than when furosemide was not given before racing. Females and colts without EIPH were determined to have faster racing times when furosemide was given before racing, but the difference was not significant. Geldings with EIPH had significantly faster racing times (P = 0.0231) when given furosemide before racing, as determined by one of the speed handicapping methods. There was a strong correlation (range 0.9314 to 0.9751) between the 1-mile equivalent racing times, as determined by the 2 speed handicapping methods for horses with and without EIPH. Furosemide failed to prevent the development of EIPH in many horses that were previously considered to be EIPH-negative. When given furosemide, 62 (25.3%) of 235 EIPH-negative horses were EIPH-positive after racing. Furosemide had questionable efficacy for prevention of EIPH in known EIPH-positive horses. Thirty-two (61.5%) of 52 EIPH-positive horses given furosemide before a race remained EIPH-positive after that race.

Sources of moral authority: what is right?

This variety of rightness--the end, the means, personal moral development--is a reminder of the need for tolerance of several "right" actions. Again, it is a balance between viewpoints, between concern for the individual and the rights of society. Tolerance is a major aspect of American history--tolerance for a variety of religious traditions, tolerance for a variety of ethnic and cultural traditions, tolerance for a variety of interpretations (values) of life and its meaning. We grow up with variety in religious beliefs, values, ethical principles, or theories (ethical pluralism). We also function at varying levels of moral development at different times, which influences our choice of what is right or good in nursing care. The variety of "right" actions can be confusing. We know firsthand the complexity of trying to choose among several morally right actions, one of which is in the best interests of the neonate and his family. This is the challenge of modern neonatal care. This is the challenge of bioethical decision making. This is the challenge for ethical nursing practice.

Cloned manganese superoxide dismutase reduces oxidative stress in Escherichia coli and Anacystis nidulans

The Mn superoxide dismutase gene of Escherichia coli was subcloned into the E. coli-Anacystis nidulans shuttle vector pSG111 to make the plasmid pMYG1. Transformation of E. coli HB101 with pMYG1 resulted in a 6-fold increase in superoxide dismutase activity. There was also induction of Mn superoxide dismutase in the transformants upon exposure to paraquat, as evidenced by dramatically increased levels of the Mn superoxide dismutase polypeptide in cytoplasmic extracts and a 16-fold further increase in superoxide dismutase activity. As well, the E. coli transformants showed resistance to paraquat-mediated inhibition of growth. Anacystis nidulans, a cyanobacterium that has no detectable Mn superoxide dismutase and is, consequently, very sensitive to oxidative stress, was also transformed with pMYG1. The transformants had detectable levels of Mn superoxide dismutase protein and showed resistance to paraquat-mediated inhibition of growth and photobleaching of pigments. Paraquat is known to promote formation of the superoxide radical anion, O2-., and thus the data have been interpreted as indicating that the cloned Mn superoxide dismutase provides protection in both E. coli and A. nidulans against damage attributable to O2-..

Predictive factors for bactibilia in acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis is well established as one of the high-risk factors bactibilla and wound infection. However, many patients with acute cholecystitis do not have bactibillia. Therefore, we analyzed 20 clinical and laboratory parameters in 49 patients with acute cholecystitis to determine which factor(s) predicted bactibilla. Twenty-one (42.9%) of 49 patients with pathologically proved acute cholecystitis had positive bile and/or gallbladder wall cultures. Univariate analysis suggested that a preoperative temperature greater than 37.3 degrees C, a total serum bilirubin level greater than 8.6 mumol/L, and a white blood cell count greater than 14.1 x 10(9)/L were the best predictors of bactibilia. Multifactorial analysis demonstrated that the 17 patients with zero or one predictive factor had a significantly lower chance of having bactibilia than the 32 patients with two or three predictive factors (6% vs 63%). We concluded that the culture status of patients with acute cholecystitis can be predicted preoperatively. We propose that patients with acute cholecystitis and zero or one of the predictive factors receive a single preoperative antibiotic dose. In patients with two or three predictive factors, antibiotics should be continued until culture data are available.

Finding the borderline's border: can Martha Rogers help?

The psychodynamics of the client with a borderline personality disorder are reviewed within the context of Martha Rogers' Model of Unitary Human Beings. Emphasis is placed on the phenomena of transference and countertransference, which are viewed as resulting from the continual mutual interaction of human and environmental energy fields. Nursing interventions are postulated based on recognition of the fact that the nurse constitutes a significant part of the borderline client's environmental energy field.

A simple, cost-effective method for operative cholangiography

A simple, cost-effective technique for anchoring the catheter during cystic duct cholangiography is described. High-quality cholangiograms are consistently obtained with minimal prolongation of the procedure and without cumbersome instrumentation.

The surgical management of impacted common bile duct stones without sphincter ablation

Thirty-two consecutive patients with impacted ampullary or distal common bile duct stones were managed prospectively. Preoperative indications for surgery were obstructive jaundice in 13 patients (40.6%), acute cholangitis in 7 patients (21.9%), biliary pancreatitis in 6 patients (18.8%), acute cholecystitis in 5 patients (15.6%), and chronic cholecystitis in 1 patient (3.1%). No patient had a prior cholecystectomy, and all stones were removed retrograde during cholecystectomy and open-duct exploration. There were no deaths, one retained stone in the biliary radicals, two episodes of mild pancreatitis, one superficial wound infection, and one minor bile leak. All patients have done well on follow-up. This study demonstrated that impacted biliary stones can be consistently and successfully extracted by the supraduodenal approach with minimal morbidity and no mortality, without resorting to duodenotomy and sphincter ablation.

Inhibition of Photosystem II Precedes Thylakoid Membrane Lipid Peroxidation in Bisulfite-Treated Leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris

Exposure of leaves to SO(2) or bisulfite is known to induce peroxidation of thylakoid lipids and to inhibit photosynthetic electron transport. In the present study, we have examined the temporal relationship between bisulfite-induced thylakoid lipid peroxidation and inhibition of electron transport in an attempt to clarify the primary mechanism of SO(2) phytotoxicity. Primary leaves of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Kinghorn) were floated on a solution of NaHSO(3), and the effects of this treatment on photosynthetic electron transport were determined in vivo by measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence induction and in vitro by biochemical measurements of the light reactions using isolated thylakoids. Lipid peroxidation in treated leaves was followed by monitoring ethane emission from leaf segments and by measuring changes in fatty acid composition and lipid fluidity in isolated thylakoids. A 1 hour treatment with bisulfite inhibited photosystem II (PSII) activity by 70% without modifying Photosystem I, and this inhibitory effect was not light-dependent. By contrast, lipid peroxidation was not detectable until after the inhibition of PSII and was strongly light dependent. This temporal separation of events together with the differential effect of light suggests that bisulfite-induced inhibition of PSII is not a secondary effect of lipid peroxidation and that bisulfite acts directly on one or more components of PSII.

Comparison of a sidestream and mainstream capnometer in infants

This study was designed to compare capnograms obtained from a sidestream and mainstream capnometer during rapid mechanical ventilation in infants. Ten infants were studied during elective anesthesia and surgery. Simultaneous recordings of exhaled CO2 were made with a sidestream and a mainstream machine; arterial blood gases were measured for comparison. The mean arterial to end-tidal CO2 difference (PaCO2-PetCO2) was approximately 5 torr with either technique; the correlation of PetCO2 with PaCO2 was slightly better with the mainstream analyzer (r2 = .895 vs. .654). The recordings obtained with the sidestream machine were grossly distorted, with flattening of the ascending limb (slope 37.3 vs. 153.3 torr/sec, sidestream vs. mainstream, p less than .001) and absence of the alveolar plateau. The mainstream analyzer gives a more accurate representation of the expired CO2 waveform in small children at rapid respiratory rates.

Theory building in nurse-midwifery. The care process

Identifying what it is about the way nurse-midwives care for women that might contribute to healthy outcomes for women and infants requires clear definition of that care process. This article describes our efforts to define the theoretical construct of the nurse-midwifery care process. These efforts culminated in the development of a middle range descriptive theory of nurse-midwifery care. We share those efforts with others in the hopes of encouraging dialogue and the testing of this theory in a variety of clinical settings.

Identification of a naturally occurring inhibitor of the conversion of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic Acid to ethylene by carnation microsomes

During cell-free experiments with membranes isolated from carnation petals (Dianthus caryophillus L. cv White Sim), the conversion of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid into ethylene was blocked by a factor derived from the cytosol. Subsequent characterization of the inhibitor revealed that its effect was concentration dependent, that it was water soluble, and that it could be removed from solution by dialysis and addition of polyvinyl-polypyrrolidone. Activity profiles obtained after solvent partitioning over a range of pH values and after chromatography on silica gel, size exclusion gel, and ion exchange resins revealed that the inhibitor was a highly polar, low molecular weight species that was nonionic at low pH and anionic at pH values above 8. Use of selected solvent systems during paper and thin layer chromatography combined with specific spray reagents tentatively identified the compound as a hydroxycinnamic acid derivative. Base hydrolysis and subsequent comparison with known standards by high performance liquid chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and ultraviolet light spectroscopy established that the inhibitor was a conjugate with a ferulic acid moiety. Release of ferulic acid following treatment with beta-glucosidase also indicated the presence of a glucose moiety, and unequivocal identification of the inhibitor as 1-O-feruloyl-beta-d-glucose was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and by ultraviolet light, (1)H-, and (13)C- nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Feruloylglucose constituted about 0.1% of the dry weight of stage III (preclimacteric) carnation petals, but concentrations fell sharply during stage IV (climacteric), when ethylene production peaks and the flowers senesce. In a reaction mixture containing microsome-bound ethylene forming enzyme system, 98% of all ethylene production was abolished in the presence of 50 mum concentrations of the inhibitor.

Teaching ethics to nursing students

Ethical practice is the responsibility of all nurses. But if they are to understand the principles of ethics and carry them out in their work, nursing curricula must incorporate ethics into course content. Such content requires faculty who understand both ethical theories and their application to nursing. Appropriate methods of evaluating student learning are also needed. The growing complexity of our health care system demands that nurses assume increasing responsibility for ethical decision making. We can no longer ignore the link between ethics and nursing. Ethics education for nurses is mandatory, not elective.

The distribution of lipids and sterols in cell types from the marine sponge Pseudaxinyssa sp

The sponge Pseudaxinyssa sp., unique in sterol and fatty acid composition, was cellularly dissected into fractions enriched in each of the major cell types present in the sponge: microbial symbionts (cyanobacteria), small sponge cells (pinacocytes and choanocytes), and large sponge cells (archeocytes and cyanophytes). Three phototrophic microbial symbionts were also isolated from the cell fractions and grown in culture. An unsymmetrical distribution of fatty acids and sterols was observed for the sponge cells: small cells contained larger quantities of long chain fatty acids (greater than C24) and smaller quantities of sterols than were present in the larger sponge cells. Moreover, the rare sterols 24-isopropylcholesterol predominated in the smaller sponge cells, whereas its 22-dehydro analog predominated in the larger sponge cells. Long chain fatty acids and sterols were not detected in the cultured microbial symbionts. This constitutes the first report of lipid variability according to cell type for this most primitive group of Metazoa.

Fatty acids as biological markers for bacterial symbionts in sponges

Analyses of fatty acids with carbon numbers between C12 and C22 are reported for five Great Barrier Reef sponges. These analyses indicate that phototrophic cyanobacterial symbionts (blue-green algae) present in three of the sponges are chemically distinct, whereas the other two sponges do not contain cyanobacterial symbionts. All the sponges contain other, nonphototrophic bacteria. The fatty acid analyses indicate that the non-phototrophic bacterial populations present in the different sponges are distinct in both their chemical compositions and their abundances. Nonphototrophic bacteria are estimated to account for between 60 and 350 micrograms/g (extractable fatty acids:tissue wet weight), whereas cyanobacteria account for between 10 and 910 micrograms/g. One sponge (Pseudaxinyssa sp.) contains a relatively large amount of the isoprenoid acid, 4, 8, 12-trimethyltridecanoic acid; this acid is presumed to be derived from phytol, a degradation product of chlorophyll. This sponge also contains relatively large amounts of the nonmethylene interrupted fatty acid, octadeca-5,9-dienoic acid. Analyses of interior and cyanobacteria-rich surface tissues of this sponge indicate that these two acids are probably not associated with the symbiotic cyanobacteria.

Localization of long-chain fatty acids and unconventional sterols in spherulous cells of a marine sponge

The first direct evidence is provided for the presence of unconventional lipids in a particular subcellular membrane system of a sponge. Spherulous cells were isolated from the variety of cell types present in the marine sponge Aplysina fistularis by density gradient centrifugation. Spherulous cell plasma membrane was subsequently isolated by cell rupture followed by differential centrifugation and sucrose, or Percoll, density gradient ultracentrifugation. Plasma membrane isolates were identified and assessed for purity using [3H]concanavalin A plasma membrane marker, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and ratios of protein, sterol and phosphate. Plasma membrane isolates could not be assessed for purity by traditional enzymatic means. Spherulous cell plasma membrane was found to contain unusual lipids, including long-chain (C24-C30) fatty acids (16.8-27.2%) and unconventional 26-alkylated sterols (66.4-72.6%), in addition to more conventional fatty acids and sterols. Spherulous cell intracellular membranes were also found to contain long-chain fatty acids and unconventional sterols, although the relative importance of these unusual lipids apparently varies between intracellular membranes, with some containing approximately 50% long-chain acids.