Take care! The evaluation of a team-based burnout intervention program for oncology care providers.

In this quasi-experimental study among staff of 29 oncology wards, the authors evaluated the effects of a team-based burnout intervention program combining a staff support group with a participatory action research approach. Nine wards were randomly selected to participate in the program. Before the program started (Time 1), directly after the program ended (Time 2), and 6 months later (Time 3), study participants filled out a questionnaire on their work situation and well-being. Results of multilevel analyses showed that staff in the experimental wards experienced significantly less emotional exhaustion at both Time 2 and Time 3 and less depersonalization at Time 2, compared with the control wards. Moreover, changes in burnout levels were significantly related to changes in the perception of job characteristics over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Carbon nanotubes in macrophages: imaging and chemical analysis by X-ray fluorescence microscopy

X-ray fluorescence microscopy (microXRF) is applied for the first time to study macrophages exposed to unpurified and purified single-walled (SW) and multiwalled (MW) carbon nanotubes (CNT). Investigating chemical elemental distributions allows one to (i) image nanotube localization within a cell and (ii) detect chemical modification of the cell after CNT internalization. An excess of calcium is detected for cells exposed to unpurified SWCNT and MWCNT and related toxicological assays are discussed.     

In vitro evaluation of S-(+)-ibuprofen as drug candidate for intra-articular drug delivery system

Intra-articular drug delivery systems (DDSs) are envisaged as interesting alternative to locally release non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen to reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis. The present study examines the efficacy of S-(+)-ibuprofen on cartilage degradation as drug candidate for DDS loading. Humeral cartilage and joint capsule explants were collected from healthy sheep shoulder joints and they were cultured in mono- or in co-culture for 13?days with LPS in combination with S-(+)-ibuprofen at 50?µM and 1?mM. S-(+)-ibuprofen (50?µM) blocked prostaglandins production in LPS-activated explants but did not reduce cartilage degradation. By contrast, 1?mM S-(+)-ibuprofen treatment of cartilage explants reduced nitric oxide synthesis by 51% (p?=?0.0072), proteoglycans degradation by 35% (p?=?0.0114) and expression of serum amyloid protein – the main protein induced upon LPS challenge – by 44% (p?相似文献   

Molecular Orientational Ordering in Solid C60

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the orientational ordering in solid C₆₀ are reviewed. The temperature dependence of selected Bragg reflections was carefully examined, allowing to obtain original information on the first-order orientational ordering transition at T_o = 259K, the unusual behavior of both fundamental and superstructure reflections below T_o and the freezing in of the C₆₀ reorientations at T_g ≈ 85K. The diffuse intensity due to orientational disorder of the C₆₀ molecules at room temperature is found to be strongly modulated, both radially and azimuthally. showing that the molecular orientations are indeed correlated. The corresponding intensity distribution has been calculated within a mean-field theory for different microscopic models of inter molecular interactions. It should allow a better understanding of these interactions.     

Characterization of multilayer anti-fog coatings

Fog formation on transparent substrates constitutes a major challenge in several optical applications requiring excellent light transmission characteristics. Anti-fog coatings are hydrophilic, enabling water to spread uniformly on the surface rather than form dispersed droplets. Despite the development of several anti-fog coating strategies, the long-term stability, adherence to the underlying substrate, and resistance to cleaning procedures are not yet optimal. We report on a polymer-based anti-fog coating covalently grafted onto glass surfaces by means of a multistep process. Glass substrates were first activated by plasma functionalization to provide amino groups on the surface, resulting in the subsequent covalent bonding of the polymeric layers. The anti-fog coating was then created by the successive spin coating of (poly(ethylene-maleic anhydride) (PEMA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) layers. PEMA acted as an interface by covalently reacting with both the glass surface amino functionalities and the PVA hydroxyl groups, while PVA added the necessary surface hydrophilicity to provide anti-fog properties. Each step of the procedure was monitored by XPS, which confirmed the successful grafting of the coating. Coating thickness was evaluated by profilometry, nanoindentation, and UV visible light transmission. The hydrophilic nature of the anti-fog coating was assessed by water contact angle (CA), and its anti-fog efficiency was determined visually and tested quantitatively for the first time using an ASTM standard protocol. Results show that the PEMA/PVA coating not only delayed the initial period required for fog formation but also decreased the rate of light transmission decay. Finally, following a 24 hour immersion in water, these PEMA/PVA coatings remained stable and preserved their anti-fog properties.     

Knowledge and beliefs regarding the consequences of cigarette smoking and their relationships to smoking status in a biracial sample.

198 men and 413 women responded to random telephone surveys in Fargo, North Dakota and Memphis, Tennessee. Each S was given the Smoking Attitudes Survey, which assesses generalized health beliefs and health-related problems associated with smoking. Ss' knowledge of smoking-associated diseases and diseases not associated with smoking was also assessed. Stepwise regression analysis of composite knowledge scores revealed 4 predictors of the health consequences of smoking: education, race, smoking status, and income. Smokers reported less knowledge and less concern about health consequences of smoking, were more likely to be male, and were more concerned about health consequences of cholesterol. The best predictor of smokers who had never attempted cessation was their greater concern over weight control, compared with smokers with a history of smoking-cessation attempts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Bioretention System Research and Design: Past, Present, and Future

This paper reviews the evolution of bioretention systems, a promising at-source storm-water best management practice. The introduction of bioretention systems in the 1990s by Prince George’s County, Md. is examined along with the motivations behind the development of the systems. A summary of the research findings on the performance of bioretention systems is provided including proposed design modifications to improve the field performance. Also included is an overview of past and current bioretention design guidelines in North America, as well as a discussion of issues surrounding the public adoption and implementation of bioretention systems. Potential alternative uses for the systems are highlighted and a review of bioretention modeling work is provided. Finally, the paper outlines research needs and anticipated future work necessary to bring about the widespread use of bioretention systems.     

Electrochemical reduction of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine in aqueous solutions

Electrochemical reduction of RDX, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, a commercial and military explosive, was examined as a possible remediation technology for treating RDX-contaminated groundwater. A cascade of divided flow-through cells was used, with reticulated vitreous carbon cathodes and IrO2/Ti dimensionally stable anodes, initially using acetonitrile/water solutions to increase the solubility of RDX. The major degradation pathway involved reduction of RDX to the corresponding mononitroso compound, followed by ring cleavage to yield formaldehyde and methylenedinitramine. The reaction intermediates underwent further reduction and/or hydrolysis, the net result being the complete transformation of RDX to small molecules. The rate of degradation increased with current density, but the current efficiency was highest at low current densities. The technique was extended successfully both to 100% aqueous solutions of RDX and to an undivided electrochemical cell.     

Epoxide-diol pathway in the metabolism of 5H-dibenzo[b,f]-azepine (iminostilbene)

5H-Dibenzol[b,f]azepine-10,11-epoxide and 10,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxy-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in rat urine as the main biotransformation products in the metabolism of 5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine (iminostilbene). The presence of these metabolites was confirmed in vitro by incubating iminostilbene with rat liver microsomal enzymes.