Utilization of a Stroke Escape Room to Enforce Best Practice Standards for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Nursing educators continue to look for innovative ways to educate staff, students, and new nursing graduates. Simulation is a current, common practice. Recently, a new, interactive activity has been utilized: escape rooms.

Thyroid: nuclear medicine update.

Nuclear medicine has been used in the evaluation and treatment of benign and malignant thyroid disease since the discovery of iodine 131 ((131)I) in the 1930s. Although traditional methods of imaging are routinely used, recent advancements such as SPECT/CT and PET/CT have greatly enhanced the ability of nuclear medicine to accurately detect and localize. Guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer continue to evolve, treatment regimens selected should balance the long-term risk of disease recurrence and cumulative risks of radiation exposure, and physicians should be aware of these updates and guidelines when caring for patients with thyroid disease.

Loss of ethanol conditioned taste aversion and motor stimulation in knockin mice with ethanol-insensitive α2-containing GABA(A) receptors.

GABA type A receptors (GABA(A)-Rs) are potential targets of ethanol. However, there are multiple subtypes of this receptor, and, thus far, individual subunits have not been definitively linked with specific ethanol behavioral actions. Interestingly, though, a chromosomal cluster of four GABA(A)-R subunit genes, including α2 (Gabra2), was associated with human alcoholism (Am J Hum Genet 74:705-714, 2004; Pharmacol Biochem Behav 90:95-104, 2008; J Psychiatr Res 42:184-191, 2008).

Inhaled anesthetic responses of recombinant receptors and knockin mice harboring α2(S270H/L277A) GABA(A) receptor subunits that are resistant to isoflurane.

The mechanism by which the inhaled anesthetic isoflurane produces amnesia and immobility is not understood. Isoflurane modulates GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)-Rs) in a manner that makes them plausible targets. We asked whether GABA(A)-R α2 subunits contribute to a site of anesthetic action in vivo.

Alcohol-induced tolerance and physical dependence in mice with ethanol insensitive alpha1 GABA A receptors.

Background: Although many people consume alcohol (ethanol), it remains unknown why some become addicted. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of tolerance and physical dependence (withdrawal) may provide insight into alcohol addiction. While the exact molecular mechanisms of ethanol action are unclear, gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA(A)-Rs) have been extensively implicated in ethanol action.