Factors associated with the practice of nursing staff sharing information about patients' nutritional status with their colleagues in hospitals.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nursing staff have an important role in patients' nutritional care. The aim of this study was to demonstrate how the practice of sharing a patient's nutritional status with colleagues was affected by the nursing staff's attitude, knowledge and their priority to provide nutritional care. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were 492 nursing staff. We obtained participants' demographic data, the practice of sharing patients' nutritional information and information about participants' knowledge, attitude and priority of providing nutritional care by the questionnaire. We performed partial correlation analyses and linear regression analyses to describe the relationship between the total scores of the practice of sharing patients' nutritional information based on their knowledge, attitude and priority to provide nutritional care. RESULTS: Among the 492 participants, 396 nursing staff (80.5%) completed the questionnaire and were included in analyses. Mean±s.d. of total score of the 396 participants was 8.4±3.1. Nursing staff shared information when they had a high nutritional knowledge (r=0.36, P<0.01) and attitude (r=0.13, P<0.05); however, their correlation coefficients were low. In the linear regression analyses, job categories (ß=-0.28, P<0.01), knowledge (ß=0.33, P<0.01) and attitude (ß=0.10, P<0.05) were independently associated with the practice of sharing information. Nursing staff's priority to provide nutritional care practice was not significantly associated with the practice of sharing information. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and attitude were independently associated with the practice of sharing patients' nutrition information with colleagues, regardless of their priority to provide nutritional care. An effective approach should be taken to improve the practice of providing nutritional care practice.

Reconstituted high density lipoprotein reduces the capacity of oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein to accumulate cholesteryl esters in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) was incubated with discoidal complexes of apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) (DMPC/apo A-I) in a cell-free system and re-isolated on Sephacryl S-400 gel filtration chromatography. Analyses of re-isolated ox-LDL showed that apo A-I was transferred from DMPC/apo A-I to ox-LDL, which accounted for 10% of the total protein of ox-LDL. Re-isolated ox-LDL also showed a 2.2-fold increase in phospholipid and a 14% decrease in cholesterol content on an apo B basis. The electrophoretic mobility of re-isolated ox-LDL was markedly reduced almost to that of native LDL. Moreover, the amounts of re-isolated ox-LDL to be degraded by mouse peritoneal macrophages as well as the capacity of re-isolated ox-LDL to accumulate cholesteryl esters (CE) in these cells were markedly reduced (60% and 80% reduction, respectively), suggesting that the ligand activity of ox-LDL for the scavenger receptor was significantly reduced upon treatment with DMPC/apo A-I. Parallel incubation of ox-LDL with free apo A-I led to a similar incorporation of apo A-I into ox-LDL. However, it had no effects on the ligand activity of ox-LDL. Thus, it is likely that the reduction in the ligand activity of ox-LDL by DMPC/apo A-I is explained by the change in the lipid moiety (mainly phospholipid) of ox-LDL. Since discoidal high density lipoprotein (HDL) is known to occur in vivo, this phenomenon might explain one of the anti-atherogenic functions of HDL.

Mechanism of inhibitory effect of dextran sulfate and heparin on human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-induced syncytium formation in vitro: role of cell-to-cell contact.

Cell-to-cell contact is usually essential for syncytium formation by HTLV-I-infected cell lines. The present study was undertaken to determine the inhibitory effect of polyanionic compounds, dextran sulfate and heparin, on HTLV-I-induced syncytium formation, as demonstrated by the fusion of HTLV-I-infected cells with target cells. These two compounds almost completely blocked syncytium formation in the early phase of the reaction at a concentration of 125 micrograms/ml, but dextran, as a control, did not inhibit it at concentrations up to 625 micrograms/ml. 50% inhibition of syncytium formation was detected at a concentration of 2 micrograms/ml of dextran sulfate 5000, 3 micrograms/ml of dextran sulfate 8000 and 8 micrograms/ml of heparin. The binding of radiolabeled HTLV-I-infected cells (HCT-1) to the target cells was inhibited by addition of dextran sulfate and heparin, and the inhibitory effects were concentration-dependent. No marked changes were detected in the expression of adhesion molecules on the virus-infected cells and target cells, and in the expression of envelope proteins on the virus-infected cells after exposing them to the polyanionic compounds. These results suggest that the blocking of cell-to-cell contact by polyanionic compounds, probably independent of surface adhesion molecules, is important for their inhibitory effect on HTLV-I-induced syncytium formation.

[Prevention and control of nosocomial infection caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in premature infant ward--prevention effect of "povidone iodine solution" wipe of neonatal skin].

In January 1983, a number of premature infants under management in the premature infants' unit of our hospital were found to have bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus. By the end of February of the same year, 4 of these infants, who had been treated in the same unit, developed impetigo. The S. aureus responsible for this condition was classified as type IV by a coagulase typing. In a subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disk diffusion method, this microorganism was found to be resistant to methicillin, erythromycin and lincomycin, and to be susceptible to tetracycline, chloramphenicol and cefmetazole, indicating that it was a methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Because the result from the coagulase typing agreed with the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in all cases, we concluded that these cases represented nosocomial infection with MRSA. The source and route of the infection were investigated, and measures taken to prevent bacterial spread from carriers and to keep instruments and environments clean. Although the source of infection was not identified. Then, we tried wiping the body surface of the premature infants with an Isodine solution (10% PVP-I, 1:100 dilution) in order to prevent colonization of the microorganism on the body surface. With this application+, MRSA was no longer detected from the body surface of the premature infants, and no additional MRSA infection occurred in the premature infants' unit. Data collected for premature infants' managed at our hospital in the subsequent 6 years allows us to conclude that MRSA infection can be almost completely controlled by frequent surveys of carriers and appropriate body surface wiping with Isodine solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Study on fluidized melt-granulation. I. Examination of the factors on the granulation].

The purpose of this study is to develop a new granulation method by using a fluidized-bed granulator, which requires a nucleus with a low melting point as a binder. This method was named as fluidized melt-granulation. The technique is very simple and useful. In this paper, the granulation mechanism and the effect of the physico-chemical properties of raw materials on the growth of the granules were investigated. The results were as follows: (1) The mixture of the nucleus and the other powder particles was heated up to the melting point of the nucleus by hot inlet air, immediately resulting in the generation of the adhesion of the powders on the melted nucleus. The granules grew as the melted material immersed into the void space among the adhered particles. (2) The lower the viscosity of the melted nucleus was, the faster the granule grew. (3) The shape and the size of the nucleus affected those of the products. (4) The optimum mixing ratio between the nucleus and the granulated materials existed and it depended on the ratio between the surface areas of these materials.

Genitalic autogrooming: a self-filling trash collection system in crickets.

Insects groom almost all parts of the body surface with their legs and mouth parts. However, some body regions are difficult to reach and keep clean. One is the genital chamber located in the last abdominal segment in males which houses the phallic complex for copulation and production of the spermatophore. In the male cricket, foreign substances can enter the genital chamber when it is opened during copulation and spermatophore formation. Moreover, the dorsal pouch and ventral lobes of the phallic complex, which mould the attachment plate, tube, and ampulla of the spermatophore, are inevitably soiled as a result of spermatophore production. We found a unique cleaning system in which foreign substances accumulated during copulation and spermatophore debris left in the dorsal pouch after copulation are quickly removed and collected in special pockets in the genital chamber. This trash is collected by undulation of the genital chamber's membranous floor which is entirely covered by small scales ( approximately 10 microm) similar to those in the ovipositor of female crickets. This self-filling trash collecting system may be used in some other insects which produce the spermatophore in a similar manner to that of crickets.

[Studies on application of pure titanium for cast plate].

Pure titanium produced by a commercial pure titanium casting system was studied for use as a cast plate for clinical application. The mechanical properties, elemental analysis, castability, adaptability of pure titanium and adhesion to denture base resin were investigated. The interfacial zone of the pure titanium castings was composed of a layered structure obtained by reaction with phosphate bonded Al2O3/SiO2 investment material. Vicher's hardness at 100 microns thick from the surface was higher than that in the inner part by oxidation. Cast pure titanium showed tensile strength, elongation and hardness close to those of the type III or IV dental gold alloy. The castability of pure titanium was lower than that of Co-Cr alloy and pure titanium castings also had large casting defects. Adaptability between pure titanium cast plate and the working model was satisfactory when reversible hydrocolloid impression material was used with heating-bath treatment in the refractory model. The tensile and compressive shear bonding strength of pure titanium to heat-curing or self-curing resin were similar to that of the Co-Cr alloy, and surface treatment using a solution containing 2-vol% 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane produced a higher bonding strength than non-treatment, MKV treatment and 4-META treatment. These findings suggest that pure titanium castings produced by this system have suitable mechanical properties, adaptability and adhesion to denture base resin, and is available for cast plate in clinical application.

The epithelial neoplasm observed in the cultured coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch.

The epithelial neoplasms were observed on the mouth of the cultured coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. Histopathologically, the tumors were formed to be proliferative epithelial cells, but no change was observed in other organs. The virus from this tumor was isolated in RTG-2 and CHSE-214 cells and developed the cytopathic effect which characterized to be the formation of syncytia and the migration of chromatin. This virus was neutralized with anti-Oncorhynchus masou virus (OMV) rabbit serum.

Comparative bond strengths of plastic teeth to microwave-curing, heat-curing and 4-META containing denture base resins.

Bond strength of hardened plastic teeth or acrylic resin teeth to microwave-curing, conventional heat-curing and 4-META-containing denture base resins were comparatively investigated in this study. Effects of grinding and monomer coating of the tooth ridge lap were also studied. Bond strength of plastic denture teeth to microwave-curing denture base resin was slightly higher than the other two resins. With all denture base resins used, an increased bond strength was obtained with hardened plastic teeth by treatment of tooth ridge lap but not with acrylic resin teeth. However, scattering of the bond strength was reduced by treatment of tooth ridge lap in acrylic resin teeth specimens. With hardened plastic teeth specimens, fracture in the base resin was increased by monomer coating. With acrylic resin teeth specimens, no specific fracture patterns were demonstrated by treatment of tooth ridge lap. Fracture occurred mostly in the acrylic resin teeth. These results suggest that bond strength of both denture teeth to microwave-curing or 4-META-containing denture base resin was increased or solidified by grinding or monomer coating of tooth ridge lap.

Abrasion resistance of microwave-curing denture base resin.

This study was designed to test the abrasion resistance of microwave-curing denture base resin. We also studies the effects of surface smoothing treatment on abrasion resistance. Test resin was allowed to polymerize, and then buff polished or treated by surface smoothing. Knoop hardness was measured both prior to and following surface treatment. Then, the test material was subjected to brushing using a newly developed toothbrushing machine. Volume and surface roughness of the material were measured before and after brushing, and the surface structure of the material was examined with SEM. Microwave-curing denture base resin is equal in Knoop hardness and abrasion resistance to its conventional heat-curing counterpart, although it is smoother at the surface. The resin improved both in hardness and abrasion resistance when it underwent surface smoothing treatment regardless of whether it was heat-cured or microwave-cured. As was evident from SEM observations that both types of resins suffered superficial chipping following severe brushing, which is in accordance with our previous clinical findings.

[New reconstruction method for defect of chest wall using composite graft].

In the case of a 64-year-old man squamous cell carcinoma in the left lung with metastasis to the rib, we excised the affected portion of the chest wall and used a composite graft, a combination hydroxyapatite (HAP) filler, for reconstruction with good results. HAP filler is a ceramic that combines the calcium phosphate apatite hydroxide with 3-calcium phosphate. The Dacron fabric used was made of polyethylene terephthalate fiber. Two layers of Dacron fabric were laid together, stitched to the rib with nylon thread, and the resulting tubular cavity packed with HAP filler to create an artificial rib. The intercostal muscle was sandwiched between the layers of Dacron fabric and the ends of the natural rib laid across those of the artificial one. We used the periosteum and intercostal muscle to integrate the graft and complete reconstruction. Postoperative recovery was good, and there was no visible sign of deformation at the graft site. Even in palpation we were unable to tell that the rib was artificial.