The Effects of Eliminating Idiomatic American English From High-Stakes Nursing Examinations.

Background: In the United States, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) health care providers are important to the nursing workforce but often face challenges when taking the NCLEX-RN examination. This study evaluated the effects of removing slang and words with multiple meanings from high-stakes examination questions.

Method: This study used a quantitative, experimental posttest-only control group design and included a convenience sample of 169 nursing students from a college in southern Florida.

Effect of NaCl on the exothermic and endothermic components of the inverse temperature transition of a model elastin-like polymer.

TMDSC data have been employed to observe the effect of NaCl on the inverse temperature transition of the model elastin-like polymer (GVGVP)251. NaCl causes a decrease in Tt and an increase in DeltaH. The increase in enthalpy appears both in the enthalpy related with the folding of the polymer and in the contribution associated with disruption of the structured water of hydrophobic hydration.

Human amniotic cell sheet harvest using a novel temperature-responsive culture surface coated with protein-based polymer.

Human amniotic epithelial (hAE) and mesenchymal (hAM) cells are believed to have the potential to differentiate into various functional cells, such as neurons, hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, and pancreatic beta cells. However, cell transplantation has been performed by injection of cell suspensions, and thus it is difficult to control shape, size, location, and functions of differentiated cells. To overcome these problems, we developed a novel temperature-responsive culture surface coated with elastic protein-based polymer.

Prevention of postlaminectomy epidural fibrosis using bioelastic materials.

Study Design: The use of elastic protein-based polymers for the prevention of epidural fibrosis following lumbar spine laminectomy was investigated in a rabbit model.

Objectives: To determine the safety and efficacy of two bioelastic polymers in matrix and gel forms as interpositional materials in preventing postlaminectomy epidural fibrosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Postlaminectomy epidural fibrosis complicates revision spine surgery and is implicated in cases of "failed back syndrome.