Genome-wide imaging screen uncovers molecular determinants of arsenite-induced protein aggregation and toxicity.

The toxic metalloid arsenic causes widespread misfolding and aggregation of cellular proteins. How these protein aggregates are formed in vivo, the mechanisms by which they affect cells and how cells prevent their accumulation is not fully understood. To find components involved in these processes, we performed a genome-wide imaging screen and identified Saccharomyces cerevisiae deletion mutants with either enhanced or reduced protein aggregation levels during arsenite exposure.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and fluorine mass balance in cosmetic products from the Swedish market: implications for environmental emissions and human exposure.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a diverse class of >4700 chemicals used in commercial products and industrial processes. Concerns surrounding PFASs are principally due to their widespread occurrence in humans and the environment and links to adverse health effects. One of the lesser known uses for PFASs is in cosmetic products (CPs) which come into contact with the skin (e.

Cadmium Causes Misfolding and Aggregation of Cytosolic Proteins in Yeast.

Cadmium is a highly poisonous metal and is classified as a human carcinogen. While its toxicity is undisputed, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that cadmium induces aggregation of cytosolic proteins in living cells.

Enhancing Documentation of Pressure Ulcer Prevention Interventions: A Quality Improvement Strategy to Reduce Pressure Ulcers.

Prevention of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers requires the implementation of evidence-based interventions. A quality improvement project was conducted to provide nurses with data on the frequency with which pressure ulcer prevention interventions were performed as measured by documentation. Documentation reports provided feedback to stakeholders, triggering reminders and reeducation.

Improving Quality by Taking Aim at Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis in Hospitalized Adults.

A practice-improvement project was launched to implement an evidence-based intervention bundle for incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and evaluate its impact on the identification, prevention, and management of IAD in hospitalized adults.

Comparison of Cervical Range-of-Motion Restriction and Craniofacial Tissue-Interface Pressure With 2 Adjustable and 2 Standard Cervical Collars.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare and contrast the restrictiveness and tissue-interface pressure (TIP) characteristics of 2 standard and 2 adjustable cervical collars.

Summary Of Background Data: This study compared the restrictiveness and TIP of 4 commercially available cervical collars (2 standard and 2 adjustable).

Improving Quality by Taking Aim at Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis in Hospitalized Adults.

A practice-improvement project was launched to implement an evidence-based intervention bundle for incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and evaluate its impact on the identification, prevention, and management of IAD in hospitalized adults.

Heavy metals and metalloids as a cause for protein misfolding and aggregation.

While the toxicity of metals and metalloids, like arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and chromium, is undisputed, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not entirely clear. General consensus holds that proteins are the prime targets; heavy metals interfere with the physiological activity of specific, particularly susceptible proteins, either by forming a complex with functional side chain groups or by displacing essential metal ions in metalloproteins. Recent studies have revealed an additional mode of metal action targeted at proteins in a non-native state; certain heavy metals and metalloids have been found to inhibit the in vitro refolding of chemically denatured proteins, to interfere with protein folding in vivo and to cause aggregation of nascent proteins in living cells.

Mathematical modelling of arsenic transport, distribution and detoxification processes in yeast.

Arsenic has a dual role as causative and curative agent of human disease. Therefore, there is considerable interest in elucidating arsenic toxicity and detoxification mechanisms. By an ensemble modelling approach, we identified a best parsimonious mathematical model which recapitulates and predicts intracellular arsenic dynamics for different conditions and mutants, thereby providing novel insights into arsenic toxicity and detoxification mechanisms in yeast, which could partly be confirmed experimentally by dedicated experiments.

Patient safety improvement through in situ simulation interdisciplinary team training.

In situ simulation is an education strategy that promotes patient safety and enhances interdisciplinary teamwork. When a patient is experiencing an acute health status change or a rapidly emerging condition, teamwork is necessary to adequately and appropriately provide treatment. A unit-based quality improvement project was designed to enhance these skills.

Effects of urinary catheter education for patients undergoing prostatectomy.

In a nonrandomized prospective study, significant decreases in patient anxiety with home urinary catheter management and in length of stay were reported when patients attended the preoperative prostatectomy class with standard postoperative education versus standard postoperative education.

Quantitative analysis of glycerol accumulation, glycolysis and growth under hyper osmotic stress.

We provide an integrated dynamic view on a eukaryotic osmolyte system, linking signaling with regulation of gene expression, metabolic control and growth. Adaptation to osmotic changes enables cells to adjust cellular activity and turgor pressure to an altered environment. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae adapts to hyperosmotic stress by activating the HOG signaling cascade, which controls glycerol accumulation.

Cleaning urinary drainage bags with vinegar following radical prostatectomy surgery: is it necessary?

Following a radical prostatectomy in the authors' institution, patients are sent home with an indwelling urinary catheter. Nurses on the urology unit questioned the standard practice of teaching patients to clean their urinary drainage bags daily with a vinegar solution after discharge and the impact, if any, in reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Using the Mayo Clinic Nursing Framework for Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM), the literature was searched and evaluated, and the evidence was compared to current practice.

Arsenite interferes with protein folding and triggers formation of protein aggregates in yeast.

Several metals and metalloids profoundly affect biological systems, but their impact on the proteome and mechanisms of toxicity are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that arsenite causes protein aggregation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Various molecular chaperones were found to be associated with arsenite-induced aggregates indicating that this metalloid promotes protein misfolding.

Glutathione serves an extracellular defence function to decrease arsenite accumulation and toxicity in yeast.

Arsenic is an environmental toxin and a worldwide health hazard. Since this metalloid is ubiquitous in nature, virtually all living organisms require systems for detoxification and tolerance acquisition. Here, we show that during chronic exposure to arsenite [As(III)], Saccharomyces cerevisiae (budding yeast) exports and accumulates the low-molecular-weight thiol molecule glutathione (GSH) outside of cells.

Gene expression analysis using long-term preserved formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue of non-small cell lung cancer.

This study was performed to evaluate RNA extraction and gene expression analysis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens stored for more than 20 years by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and DNA microarrays. Long-term preserved FFPE materials enable large retrospective studies correlating molecular features with therapeutic response and clinical outcome. qPCR was used to evaluate RNA extraction methods and to compare DNA microarray gene expression profiles of FFPE and fresh frozen (FF) tissue.

Radical nephrectomy with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombectomy: implications for post-operative nursing care.

The surgery required to remove a renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus is complex. IVC tumor thrombus is a complicating factor that occurs in 4% to 10% of patients with renal cell carcinoma. Nurses need to understand this surgical procedure and its inherent risks to proactively and successfully manage the patient's post-operative care and discharge plan.

Expression of neutrophil SOD2 is reduced after lipopolysaccharide stimulation: a potential cause of neutrophil dysfunction in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Neutrophils from patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are dysfunctional and thus a contributing factor to the risk of infections. The mechanisms for leucocyte dysfunction in CKD are not fully understood. It is known that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates transcription of several genes encoding proinflammatory cytokines.

Low dose TBT exposure decreases amphipod immunocompetence and reproductive fitness.

The antifouling agent tributyltin (TBT) is a highly toxic pollutant present in many aquatic ecosystems. Despite of regulations on the usage of TBT, it remains in high concentrations in sediments both in harbors and in off-shore sites. The toxicity of TBT in mollusks is well documented.

Clinical scenarios: enhancing the skill set of the nurse as a vigilant guardian.

Patient safety is enhanced when nursing staff recognize and respond to subtle changes in a patient's condition. In this quality improvement project, simulated clinical scenarios were conducted with staff nurses on a multi-specialty surgical unit. Scenarios were developed from actual patient situations as well as from calls to the rapid response team.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate accumulation and parasite infestation in a field population of the amphipod Monoporeia affinis after microcosm exposure.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is the focus of intense toxicity research due to its persistence and widespread occurrence in biota. Studies on benthic invertebrates have shown them to be subjects of high PFOS exposure. However, effects on benthic invertebrates exposed to PFOS in the field are still far from elucidated.

Improving practice: efforts to reduce occipital pressure ulcers.

Cervical collars are necessary to stabilize the cervical spine of trauma patients but are known to contribute to the development of occipital pressure ulcers. A quality improvement project that began on one nursing unit stimulated the development of evidence-based practice guidelines and a multidisciplinary research study. As a result, a standardized plan of care and cervical collar recommendations were implemented, resulting in a sharp decline in the incidence of occipital pressure ulcers.

Range-of-motion restriction and craniofacial tissue-interface pressure from four cervical collars.

Background: Occipital pressure ulcers are well-known complications for trauma patients wearing cervical collars. We assessed the effects of four commercial cervical collars (Aspen, Philadelphia, Miami J, and Miami J with Occian back [Miami J/Occian]) on cervical range of motion (CROM) and mandibular and occipital tissue-interface pressure (TIP).

Methods: Forty-eight healthy volunteers (24 men, 24 women; mean age, 38.