The mouse retina in 3D: quantification of vascular growth and remodeling.

The mouse retina has become a prominent model for studying angiogenesis. The easy access and well-known developmental progression have significantly propelled our ability to examine and manipulate blood vessels in vivo. Nonetheless, most studies have restricted their evaluations to the superficial plexus (an upper vascular layer in contact with the vitreous).

Accelerated endothelial wound healing on microstructured substrates under flow.

Understanding and accelerating the mechanisms of endothelial wound healing is of fundamental interest for biotechnology and of significant medical utility in repairing pathologic changes to the vasculature induced by invasive medical interventions. We report the fundamental mechanisms that determine the influence of substrate topography and flow on the efficiency of endothelial regeneration. We exposed endothelial monolayers, grown on topographically engineered substrates (gratings), to controlled levels of flow-induced shear stress.

Cell Image Velocimetry (CIV): boosting the automated quantification of cell migration in wound healing assays.

Cell migration is commonly quantified by tracking the speed of the cell layer interface in wound healing assays. This quantification is often hampered by low signal to noise ratio, in particular when complex substrates are employed to emulate in vivo cell migration in geometrically complex environments. Moreover, information about the cell motion, readily available inside the migrating cell layers, is not usually harvested.

A hybrid model for three-dimensional simulations of sprouting angiogenesis.

Recent advances in cancer research have identified critical angiogenic signaling pathways and the influence of the extracellular matrix on endothelial cell migration. These findings provide us with insight into the process of angiogenesis that can facilitate the development of effective computational models of sprouting angiogenesis. In this work, we present the first three-dimensional model of sprouting angiogenesis that considers explicitly the effect of the extracellular matrix and of the soluble as well as matrix-bound growth factors on capillary growth.

Phonon-wave-induced resonance fluorescence in semiconductor nanostructures: acoustoluminescence in the terahertz range.

Acoustic wave excitation of semiconductor quantum dots generates resonance fluorescence of electronic intersublevel excitations. Our theoretical analysis predicts acoustoluminescence, in particular, a conversion of acoustic into electromagnetic THz waves over a broad spectral range.

Survey of sexual concerns among organ transplant recipients.

This study identified frequency of sexual dysfunction, degree of satisfaction with sexual relationship, differences in sexual function, overall satisfaction and life quality, and desire for and receipt of instruction regarding sexual dysfunction in kidney, pancreas/kidney, and liver transplant recipients. Of the 768 adult recipients surveyed by mailed questionnaire, 39% responded. Intimate relationships were reported by 69.

Sexuality and fertility concerns of dialysis patients.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to identify the frequency of sexual and fertility dysfunctions and satisfactions experienced by patients on dialysis therapy and their relationships to life quality variables, and whether patients desired to or received instruction regarding possible sexuality and fertility problems.

Design: The study used a descriptive, survey design.

Sample/setting: A convenience sample was obtained from 7 hospital-based dialysis centers in the state of Iowa.

Pancreatic transplantation. Impact on the quality of life of diabetic renal transplant recipients.

Objective: To determine the impact of pancreas transplantation on the quality of life of renal transplant recipients with diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: In this quasi-experimental comparative study of 41 successful pancreas transplant (SP) recipients, 13 failed pancreas transplant (FP) recipients, and 28 kidney alone (KA) transplant recipients, we collected data from individuals who had their pancreas/kidney or kidney alone transplants > or = 6 months before at a university tertiary care center. This study was an extension of a 1992 study of SP and FP recipients.

Quality of life of pancreatic transplant recipients.

Objective: To comprehensively assess and compare pancreas/kidney transplant recipients' quality of life.

Research Design And Methods: This quasi-experimental comparative study of 31 successful and 13 failed pancreas transplant recipients collected data from persons who had received pancreas and kidney transplants > or = 6 mo prior at a university tertiary care center. Physical and social function, symptoms, mental state, and sense of well-being of the recipients were assessed.

Competence to provide health education: perception of nursing students and faculty.

A survey study was conducted to examine perceptions about health education competence. Faculty and students from two baccalaureate nursing programs completed a 41-item questionnaire rating both present and desired competence to provide health education. The results indicated that: (1) students had a higher expectation of performance for the role of health educator than did the faculty, (2) the present performance level for all groups was at a lower level than the desired performance for the future, (3) faculty and students perceived less competence for application of the teaching process with groups than with individuals, (4) students currently perceive themselves at the same level that faculty identifies as the desired level of competence, and (5) the desired performance level for graduates was defined as ability to perform without supervision and with reasonable efficiency.

Pancreas transplantation: assessing secondary complications and life quality.

Two sequential studies of life quality among pancreas transplant recipients are reported. The first study (n = 32) investigated symptoms of neuropathy, enteropathy and retinopathy, along with well-being post successful transplantation. Patients noted improvement in secondary complications, were satisfied with the procedure and expressed hope for the future.

Fatigue.

Fatigue is a pervasive, protective phenomenon affecting the totality of the individual. Assessment and management involve a wide range of activities to address the total human being's physical, psychological, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions. When elimination or neutralization of the effect of an antecedent condition is not an option, redesigning one's life-style may be the primary avenue of fatigue management.