Publications by authors named "Elizabeth Colvin"

Sinus bradycardia is defined as a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute and can occur as an adaptive response but can also be pathologic. Sinus bradycardia can be a normal finding in children, individuals who exercise often, and as a physiologic response during sleep. Pathologic causes of sinus bradycardia include sinus node dysfunction, medications, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, exaggerated vagal activity, increased intracranial hypertension, infection, hypothyroidism, hypothermia, anorexia nervosa, and prolonged hypoxia.

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Proteasomes are the central proteolytic machines that are critical for breaking down most of the damaged and abnormal proteins in human cells. Although universally applicable drugs are not yet available, the stimulation of proteasomal activity is being analyzed as a proof-of-principle strategy to increase cellular resistance to a broad range of proteotoxic stressors. These approaches have included the stimulation of proteasomes through the overexpression of individual proteasome subunits, phosphorylation, or conformational changes induced by small molecules or peptides.

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As frontline clinicians, occupational and environmental health nurses play an important role in educating workers and the public about the dangers and toxic effects of environmental contaminants. One of these contaminants is methylmercury, which enters the body through the consumption of contaminated fish and seafood. Methylmercury affects the central nervous system where it may cause psychiatric disturbances, ataxia, neuropathy, and visual and hearing loss.

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