Inhibition of calmodulin and protein kinase C by amiodarone and other class III antiarrhythmic agents.

Class III antiarrhythmic agents may prolong refractoriness via modulation of ion channels, which may be sensitive to Ca2+ regulatory proteins or enzymes. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to quantitate the effects of several structurally diverse class III antiarrhythmic agents on calmodulin-regulated enzymes and protein kinase C activity, and to evaluate the ability of these agents and known calmodulin antagonists to prolong cardiac refractoriness in vivo. The rank order of potency (IC50;microM) of selected class III antiarrhythmic agents and reference calmodulin antagonists as inhibitors of calmodulin-regulated phosphodiesterase activity were: calmidazolium (0.

Overestimating clinical functions of distributive staff pharmacists.

An unexpected outcome was obtained when an evaluation of the clinical functions performed by distributive staff pharmacists was completed. A random survey of clinical functions was completed by using a pharmacist activity log sheet. Direct observations made by pharmacy administration and information received through discussions with the staff pharmacists, over-estimated the actual amount of time being spent on clinical functions.

Patient-side immunoassay system with a single-use cartridge for measuring analytes in blood.

We describe an immunoassay system suited to patient-side assay of therapeutic drugs and blood proteins. The system consists of an electronic monitor and single-use plastic cartridges containing dry reagents and liquid diluents. The monitor is turned on by insertion of a cartridge.

Psychological factors, immunocompetence, and health of breast-feeding mothers and their infants.

We investigated whether the use of humor as a coping device and psychological hardiness were related to IgA levels in the saliva and breast milk of mothers, and if these factors were related to the incidence of upper respiratory infection (URI) in the mothers and their newborns. Nineteen mothers volunteered to participate and met the qualifications; however, only 17 completed all phases of the study. Prior to the birth of their child, mothers filled out demographic questionnaires and the psychological inventories.

The Clinical Pharmacology Consultation Service: results of a physician survey before and after implementation.

A total of 175 physicians were surveyed by questionnaire before a Clinical Pharmacology Consult Service was started. Of those that responded, 72% thought the service would be helpful, although 40% said they would use the service no more than once a month. Most physicians (75%) preferred self-initiated consultations to automatic surveillance.

Short-term nursing therapy: a conceptual model for inpatient psychiatric care.

As a result of changing perspectives in psychiatric practice and increasing fiscal limits imposed by legislative and economic issues, psychiatric nurses have found their traditional models of practice challenged by shortened lengths of stay and the need for more efficient assessment and treatment. Short-term nursing therapy, which draws on the principles of crisis intervention and brief psychotherapy, was developed to provide psychiatric nurses with a cohesive, comprehensive nursing philosophy for practical application in changing inpatient settings. The authors review the development of the short-term nursing therapy concept from the perspective of the changing inpatient milieu and nurse-patient relationship.

Echogenicity of fetal lung: relation to fetal age and maturity.

Reports of echogenicity of the fetal lung as it relates to maturity of that organ are scant and at variance. A study was undertaken to determine if any correlation between fetal age and/or lung maturity and echogenicity could be determined in a clinical setting. Studies were performed with either linear array or mechanical sector real-time devices.

Sex roles, gender, and fear.

Male and female college students classified as masculine, feminine, androgynous, or undifferentiated on the Bem (1974) Sex Role Inventory (N = 199) were given the Wolpe (1969) Fear Inventory. Significant differences in average fear scores were seen between men and women and between the four sex-role categories, with sex role and gender contributing equally to the variability. The argument is raised here that excessive fearfulness or fearlessness might be as much a product of sex-role conditioning as a product of gender.

Implementing clinical pharmacy services in an outpatient oncology clinic.

The implementation of clinical pharmacy services in an outpatient oncology clinic is described. An oncologist hired by the department of internal medicine and the director of the department of pharmacy designed the program. Both departments agreed that the pharmacists should have central responsibility for the antineoplastic agents.

Positive emotional states and enhancement of the immune system.

Salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration increased significantly after subjects viewed a humorous videotape and did not change significantly after they viewed a didactic videotape. Scores on a questionnaire measuring the perceived use of humor as a coping skill were positively related to initial IgA concentration and inversely related to changes in IgA concentration after subjects' viewing of the humorous videotape, which implies a ceiling effect. Enhancement of the immune system may be one link between anecdotal claims of relationships between an individual's being in a positive emotional state and healing.

Attitudes toward aging portrayed by birthday cards.

In this article, contemporary attitudes toward the aged inferred from an analysis of birthday greeting cards which are divided into six thematic categories. Overall, the attitudes appear to be negative supporting previous studies that analyzed attitudes toward the aged found in joke anthologies. The question is raised whether this kind of humor is being used defensively to counteract age anxiety by exaggerating age-related deficits to create a psychological distance, or whether, in fact, it reflects a healthy adaptation to a difficult truth.