Effects of Potential Agonist-Replacement Therapies for Stimulant Dependence on Inhibitory Control in Cocaine Abusers

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether methylphenidate or modafinil, two potential pharmacotherapies for stimulant dependence, would impair inhibitory behavior in cocaine users. Eleven cocaine abusers were administered methylphenidate (0, 15, 30, and 45 mg) or modafinil (0, 150, 300, and 450 mg) across four experimental sessions. A cued go–no-go task was used to measure response execution and inhibition. Subjective and cardiovascular measures were collected. Neither methylphenidate nor modafinil impaired inhibitory control, but produced prototypical subject-rated and cardiovascular effects. The results of these studies may have implications for the use of these drugs as agonist-replacement therapies for stimulant dependence.     

Influences of context, process and individual differences on nurses' readiness for change to Magnet status

Title.  Influences of context, process and individual differences on nurses' readiness for change to Magnet status.
Aim.  The aim of this study was to test hypotheses associated with a model which explains individuals' readiness in early stages of a change.
Background.  In an effort to improve the quality of nursing care, hospitals in the United States of America seek to obtain Magnet recognition. While it is commonly known that Magnet hospitals provide higher quality patient care, little is known about the variability in nurses' attitudes and behaviour within Magnet hospitals.
Method.  We collected data in 2006 from 310 Registered Nurses to investigate the factors that influence their willingness to embrace the changes necessary for the high levels of excellence accompanying Magnet status. Hierarchical linear modelling was used because the data were multi-level.
Results.  Both change-specific context, such as a culture of research exhibited by the manager, and formal education of the nurse moderated the positive influences of the organization's procedural justice actions. Specifically, procedural justice was stronger when the nurse manager demonstrated a culture of research, and negative effects of low justice were mitigated when nurses had a higher level of formal education.
Conclusion.  Preparing managers beforehand to appreciate and adopt new behaviours associated with a forthcoming organizational change should enhance the success of change practices as new changes are initiated. Moreover, education that exposes employees to the pending realities of their industry, such as nursing research, can play an important role in the development of positive beliefs about changes facing their organizations.     

Human sex differences in d‐amphetamine self‐administration

Women and men may respond differently to the effects of stimulants such as amphetamine and cocaine. Aim In order to assess potential sex differences in the reinforcing effects of d‐amphetamine, a retrospective‐analysis was conducted on data collected from three studies that employed similar d‐amphetamine self‐administration procedures and used identical subject‐rated drug‐effect measures. Methods Data from 10 women and 15 men were included in the analysis. In all studies, participants sampled placebo, low (8–10 mg) or high (16–20 mg) dose oral d‐amphetamine. Following sampling sessions, participants worked for capsules containing one eighth of the previously sampled dose on a modified progressive‐ratio schedule of reinforcement. We hypothesized that women and men would be differentially sensitive to the reinforcing effects of d‐amphetamine. A two‐way mixed‐model analysis of variance (sex and dose) and planned comparisons were used in the statistical analyses. Results The low dose of d‐amphetamine functioned as a reinforcer in women, but not men, whereas the high dose of d‐amphetamine functioned as a reinforcer in men, but not women. Men self‐administered significantly more capsules under the high dose condition than women. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that men are more sensitive to the reinforcing effects of a high dose of d‐amphetamine than women. Future research is needed that determines prospectively the reinforcing effects of weight‐adjusted doses of d‐amphetamine in women and men while controlling for menstrual cycle phase.     

International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and New Zealand Physical Activity Questionnaire (NZPAQ): A doubly labelled water validation

Background  

Accurate measurement of physical activity is a pre-requisite for monitoring population health and for evaluating effective interventions. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) is used as a comparable and standardised self-report measure of habitual physical activity of populations from different countries and socio-cultural contexts. The IPAQ has been modified to produce a New Zealand physical activity questionnaire (NZPAQ). The aim of this study was to validate the IPAQ and NZPAQ against doubly labelled water (DLW). Method: Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured over a 15-day period using DLW. Activity-related energy expenditure (AEE) was estimated by subtracting the energy expenditure from resting metabolic rate and thermic effect of feeding from TEE. The IPAQ (long form) and NZPAQ (short form) were completed at the end of each 7-day period. Activity-related energy expenditure (IPAQ_AEE and NZPAQ_AEE) was calculated from each questionnaire and compared to DLW_AEE.     

Comprehensive management including interstitial brachytherapy for locally advanced or recurrent gynecologic malignancies

Radical therapy for locally advanced or recurrent gynecologic malignancies (LARGM) may include interstitial brachytherapy (IB) when intracavitary brachytherapy is impossible or inadequate and external beam teletherapy would be limited by surrounding normal tissue tolerance. Sixteen women received IB as all or part of their treatment at North Shore University Hospital for the treatment of locally advanced primary or recurrent tumors of gynecologic origin from May 1988 through September 1990. Primary sites included the vulva (3), vagina (2), cervix (7), and endometrium (4). Radiosensitizing chemotherapy was used in 8 patients. With a median follow-up of 23 months (range, 12-44 months), 11 patients (69%) have experienced continuous local control of their tumor and 4 patients (25%) have experienced severe complications. While significant risks may attend the use of IB, IB is an integral part of management for select patients with LARGM.     

Arthritis associated with Haemophilus influenzae meningitis: septic or reactive?

We reviewed 165 pediatric cases of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis and found 11 (6.7%) with associated arthritis. Synovial fluid culture and Gram stain suggested that only three of these 11 cases were caused by a septic process. In all three children with septic arthritis, joint symptoms were present on admission or within 24 hours. In contrast, of the eight who had reactive arthritis, arthritis did not appear in six until after 1 week of antibiotic therapy. Patients with septic arthritis were older than patients with reactive arthritis (mean 31 months vs 17 months), had a longer duration of symptoms before the start of antibiotic therapy (mean 6.0 days vs 2.5 days), and were more likely to have a positive blood culture (67% vs 18%). It is probable that the majority of episodes of synovitis occurring after H. influenzae meningitis occur as a result of a reactive rather than a septic process. Treatment of reactive arthritis should be with anti-inflammatory agents rather than with multiple joint aspirations and prolonged antibiotic therapy.     

Broad-spectrum antiviral activity of PNU-183792, a 4-oxo-dihydroquinoline, against human and animal herpesviruses

We identified a novel class of 4-oxo-dihydroquinolines represented by PNU-183792 which specifically inhibit herpesvirus polymerases. PNU-183792 was highly active against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV, IC(50) value 0.69 microM), varicella zoster virus (VZV, IC(50) value 0.37 microM) and herpes simplex virus (HSV, IC(50) value 0.58 microM) polymerases but was inactive (IC(50) value >40 microM) against human alpha (alpha), gamma (gamma), or delta (delta) polymerases. In vitro antiviral activity against HCMV was determined using cytopathic effect, plaque reduction and virus yield reduction assays (IC(50) ranging from 0.3 to 2.4 microM). PNU-183792 antiviral activity against both VZV (IC(50) value 0.1 microM) and HSV (IC(50) ranging from 3 to 5 microM) was analyzed using plaque reduction assays. PNU-183792 was also active (IC(50) ranging 0.1-0.7 microM) in cell culture assays against simian varicella virus (SVV), murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV). Cell culture activity was compared with the appropriate licensed drugs ganciclovir (GCV), cidofovir (CDV) and acyclovir (ACV). PNU-183792 was also active against both GCV-resistant and CDV-resistant HCMV and against ACV-resistant HSV. Toxicity assays using four different species of proliferating mammalian cells indicated PNU-183792 was not cytotoxic at relevant drug concentrations (CC(50) value >100 microM). PNU-183792 was inactive against unrelated DNA and RNA viruses indicating specificity for herpesviruses. In animals, PNU-183792 was orally bioavailable and was efficacious in a model of lethal MCMV infection.