Effects of pulsed fluid lens capsule washing following phacoemulsification on lens epithelial cells and posterior capsule opacification formation ex vivo.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate ex vivo the effects of using a custom tip to direct a pulsed stream of fluid to remove residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) and reduce posterior capsule opacification (PCO) formation following phacoemulsification.

Methods: Twenty-four canine cadaver eyes were assigned to one of three treatment groups. Six eyes (Control Group) had standard phacoemulsification only, nine eyes (Group 1) had standard phacoemulsification followed by capsular washing using intermediate settings (power = 40%, pulses per second [PPS] = 50, 30 s washing per capsule hemisphere), and nine eyes (Group 2) had standard phacoemulsification followed by aggressive capsular washing (power = 60%, PPS = 50, 60 s washing per capsule hemisphere).

Evidence for the existing American Nurses Association-recognized standardized nursing terminologies: a systematic review.

Objective: To determine the state of the science for the five standardized nursing terminology sets in terms of level of evidence and study focus.

Design: Systematic review.

Data Sources: Keyword search of PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases from 1960s to March 19, 2012 revealed 1257 publications.

Advance care treatment plan (ACT-Plan) for African American family caregivers: a pilot study.

Research is limited on end-of-life treatment decisions made by African American family caregivers. In a pilot study, we examined the feasibility of implementing an advance care treatment plan (ACT-Plan), a group-based education intervention, with African American dementia caregivers. Theoretically based, the ACT-Plan included strategies to enhance knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavioral skills to make end-of-life treatment plans in advance.

Oral health conditions affect functional and social activities of terminally ill cancer patients.

Purpose: Oral conditions are established complications in terminally ill cancer patients. Yet despite significant morbidity,the characteristics and impact of oral conditions in these patients are poorly documented. The study objective was to characterize oral conditions in terminally ill cancer patients to determine the presence, severity, and the functional and social impact of these oral conditions.

Mechanism-driven phase I translational study of trifluoperazine in adults with sickle cell disease.

Recent evidence of neuropathic pain among adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) reveals a need for adjuvant analgesic treatments for these patients. Ca(2+)/calmodulin protein kinase IIα (CaMKIIα) has a known role in neuropathic pain and trifluoperazine is a potent CaMKIIα inhibitor. The study aim was to determine trifluoperazine's acute effects, primarily on adverse effects and secondarily on pain intensity reduction, in adults with SCD.

Evaluation of potential topical and systemic neuroprotective agents for ocular hypertension-induced retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective: To evaluate for drugs with superior neuroprotective efficacy and investigate their underlying mechanisms related to antioxidation.

Procedures: Brinzolamide (1%), timolol (0.5%), minocycline (22 mg/kg), lidocaine (1.

BAY 80-6946 is a highly selective intravenous PI3K inhibitor with potent p110α and p110δ activities in tumor cell lines and xenograft models.

Because of the complexity derived from the existence of various phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) isoforms and their differential roles in cancers, development of PI3K inhibitors with differential pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic profiles would allow best exploration in different indications, combinations, and dosing regimens. Here, we report BAY 80-6946, a highly selective and potent pan-class I PI3K inhibitor with sub-nanomolar IC50s against PI3Kα and PI3Kδ. BAY 80-6946 exhibited preferential inhibition (about 10-fold) of AKT phosphorylation by PI3Kα compared with PI3Kβ in cells.

Reproductive health choices for young adults with sickle cell disease or trait: randomized controlled trial immediate posttest effects.

Background: People with sickle cell disease (SCD) or sickle cell trait (SCT) may not have information about genetic inheritance needed for making informed reproductive health decisions. CHOICES is a Web-based, multimedia educational intervention that provides information about reproductive options and consequences to help those with SCD or SCT identify and implement an informed parenting plan. Efficacy of CHOICES compared with usual care must be evaluated.

Treatment of immune-mediated keratitis in horses with episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine delivery devices.

Purpose: To describe the use of episcleral silicone matrix cyclosporine (ESMC) drug delivery devices in horses with immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK) with evaluation of tolerability and efficacy in long-term control of inflammation.

Methods: Retrospective study. ESMC implants (1.

Adolescent pediatric pain tool for multidimensional measurement of pain in children and adolescents.

Very few multidimensional tools are available for measurement of pain in children and adolescents. We critically reviewed the scientific literature to examine the psychometrics and utility of the Adolescent Pediatric Pain Tool (APPT), a multidimensional self-report tool that evaluates the intensity, location, and quality (including affective, evaluative, sensory, and temporal) dimensions of pain. The APPT is available in English and Spanish for children and adolescents, and was modeled after the McGill Pain Questionnaire in adults.

Equine glaucoma: a histopathologic retrospective study (1999-2012).

Purpose: To characterize and describe the histopathologic findings in equine globes enucleated due to glaucoma.

Methods: Medical records at The Ohio State University from 1999 to 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Signalment, history, and treatment data were collected, and histologic slides of enucleated globes were examined and lesions recorded.

Evaluation of the SCKnowIQ tool and reproductive CHOICES intervention among young adults with sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait.

The study purpose was to evaluate a computer-based questionnaire (SCKnowIQ) and CHOICES educational intervention using cognitive interviewing with childbearing-aged people with sickle cell disease (SCD) or trait (SCT). Ten control group participants completed the SCKnowIQ twice. Ten intervention group participants completed the SCKnowIQ before and after the CHOICES intervention.

Challenges and solutions for using informatics in research.

Computer technology provides innovations for research but not without concomitant challenges. Herein, we present our experiences with technology challenges and solutions across 16 nursing research studies. Issues included intervention integrity, software updates and compatibility, web accessibility and implementation, hardware and equipment, computer literacy of participants, and programming.

Data mining nursing care plans of end-of-life patients: a study to improve healthcare decision making.

Purpose: To reveal hidden patterns and knowledge present in nursing care information documented with standardized nursing terminologies on end-of-life (EOL) hospitalized patients.

Method: 596 episodes of care that included pain as a problem on a patient's care plan were examined using statistical and data mining tools. The data were extracted from the Hands-On Automated Nursing Data System database of nursing care plan episodes (n = 40,747) coded with NANDA-I, Nursing Outcomes Classification, and Nursing Intervention Classification (NNN) terminologies.

A Component-Based Evaluation Protocol for Clinical Decision Support Interfaces.

In this paper we present our experience in designing and applying an evaluation protocol for assessing usability of a clinical decision support (CDS) system. The protocol is based on component-based usability testing, cognitive interviewing, and a rigorous coding scheme cross-referenced to a component library. We applied this protocol to evaluate alternate designs of a CDS interface for a nursing plan of care tool.

Actinomyces bowdenii ulcerative keratitis in a dog.

A 5-year-old spayed female diabetic mixed-breed dog underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation to correct bilateral hypermature cataracts. Two months postsurgery, the patient presented with ulcerative keratitis and multifocal stromal abscessation OD, which was controlled, but never resolved, with topical fluoroquinolone therapy. The patient re-presented 2 months later with a new, raised, white gritty corneal opacity associated with hyperemia, chemosis, and blepharospasm OD.

ResearchTracking: Monitoring gender and ethnic minority recruitment and retention in cancer symptom studies.

Background: Recruiting and retaining participants for clinical trials, particularly women and ethnic minorities, are challenging. Few studies, however, examine gender and ethnic differences in research processes. Such information is important for findings to adequately represent the available population.

Pain and symptom management in palliative care and at end of life.

The purpose of this review is to provide a literature update of the research published since 2004 on pain and symptom management in palliative care and at end of life. Findings suggest that pain and symptoms are inadequately assessed and managed, even at the end of life. Although not pervasive, there is evidence of racial/ethnic disparities in symptom management in palliative care and at end of life.

JAK inhibition with tofacitinib suppresses arthritic joint structural damage through decreased RANKL production.

Objective: The mechanistic link between Janus kinase (JAK) signaling and structural damage to arthritic joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to investigate how selective inhibition of JAK with tofacitinib (CP-690,550) affects osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model, as well as human T lymphocyte RANKL production and human osteoclast differentiation and function.

Methods: Hind paw edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in rat AIA were assessed using plethysmography, histopathologic analysis, and immunohistochemistry; plasma and hind paw tissue levels of cytokines and chemokines (including RANKL) were also assessed.

A topical aqueous calcineurin inhibitor for the treatment of naturally occurring keratoconjunctivitis sicca in dogs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an aqueous calcineurin inhibitor, SCY-641, in the treatment of naturally occurring canine immune-mediated keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).

Methods: A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical study of 56-day duration was performed in dogs with naturally occurring immune-mediated KCS assigned to treatment with either topical twice-daily aqueous calcineurin inhibitor solution (SCY-641) or artificial tears (placebo) by the study administrator. Clinical examination and Schirmer tear tests (STT) were performed prior to therapy and at days 7, 14, 28, and 56 after initiation of treatment.

Averting biodiversity collapse in tropical forest protected areas.

The rapid disruption of tropical forests probably imperils global biodiversity more than any other contemporary phenomenon. With deforestation advancing quickly, protected areas are increasingly becoming final refuges for threatened species and natural ecosystem processes. However, many protected areas in the tropics are themselves vulnerable to human encroachment and other environmental stresses.