New Direct and Indirect Ophthalmoscopy Teaching Methodology for Veterinary Doctors.

Ophthalmic diseases can reflect the presence of systemic disease in animals. Thus, specialists in veterinary medicine must master the technique of fundus examination. To aid in the acquisition of this skill, we developed a teaching methodology using a low-cost model that students can build themselves and a device that allow for the examination of the animal's retina to teach the techniques of direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy in veterinary medicine.

Knowledge and Fears of Parents of Children Diagnosed with Epilepsy.

PURPOSE: Describe the knowledge and fears of parents of children diagnosed with epilepsy in the hospital and clinic settings. DESIGN AND METHODS: Descriptive, comparative study design. Knowledge was measured with the 16-item Epilepsy Knowledge Scale and epilepsy-related fears was operationalized by the Epilepsy-related Fears in Parents Questionnaire (EFPQ) addressing short and long-term fears. The sample included 40 parents of children diagnosed with epilepsy who were cared for on a pediatric ortho/neuro hospital unit (N = 27) or pediatric neurology clinic (N = 13). RESULTS: Parents were middle aged adults (mean 39 years), mostly mothers with 80% college education. Their children ranged in ages from less than one to 18 years of age (Mean = 8.5) across a variety of ethnic backgrounds who were most often diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age (<1 year to 3 years). Percentage of correct answers ranged from 31% (5 correct) to 100% (16 correct); mean 12 correct or 75%. Subjects/parents were afraid! They had many fears: Short-term (possible range 8-40) with responses ranging from 9 to 40 (mean 28); Future/long-term (possible range 9-45) ranging from 9 to 45 (mean 32). They were afraid when their child is in the care of others - something might happen, and their child could die during a seizure. There was no statistically significant difference in responses between hospital or clinic parents. DISCUSSION: Parents who participated in this study were knowledgeable but fearful with immediate and long term concerns. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses need to provide verbal and written education materials. Address triggers. Talk to parents about their fears related to epilepsy. Identify parental support. Validate parents' skills in knowing what to do when their child has a seizure.

Family perceptions related to isolation during COVID-19 hospitalization.

ABSTRACT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor limitations were implemented in hospitals and long-term-care facilities to prevent transmission of the virus from patients to family members. It is unknown how the context of visitor limitations due to COVID-19 influenced the state of emotions and experiences in family members unable to physically visit their loved ones in person during hospitalization. This article details a study of the perceptions of family members related to being isolated from patients who are hospitalized with confirmed positive COVID-19.

The voice of adolescents: Perceptions of isolation during hospitalization.

ABSTRACT: There is a lack of understanding of the pediatric patient experience in isolation. This qualitative, descriptive study interviewed adolescent patients during their hospital stay about their perception of isolation. This article analyzes the themes gleaned from the interviews as well as nursing practice implications and strategies in caring for young patients in isolation.

Novel Use of a Nurse-Led Telemedicine Team in Acute Stroke: A Retrospective Review of the Impact on a Regional Health Care System.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the increasing incidence of acute ischemic stroke in the United States, many health care facilities remain unprepared to manage patients with acute stroke, including the administration of intravenous alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator [rTPA]). This has led to an opportunity for telemedicine systems to facilitate these evaluations and acute medical stroke treatment decisions. However, even telemedicine systems can fail to provide timely evaluation and management of the patient with acute stroke. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare stroke outcome metrics pre- and postimplementation of a hybrid, local nurse-led "stroke-responder" telemedicine system. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 21 patients at a regional community hospital between the years of 2014 and 2016. Data were collected pre- and postimplementation of a local stroke-responder system. Outcomes obtained included door-to-alert time, door-to-computerized tomography (CT) time, door-to-rtPA order time, and door-to-rtPA bolus dose administration time. Outcomes were compared among years. RESULTS: Between 2014 and 2016, 21 charts were reviewed. Decreased mean times were observed for all metrics. The mean time for door-to-alert decreased from 21.19 to 5.84 minutes (P = 0.021), door-to-CT from 29.9 to 12.2 minutes (P = 0.022), door-to-rtPA order 88.4 to 53 minutes (P = 0.021), and door-to-rtPA administration from 106.94 to 64.65 minutes (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In an acute stroke telemedicine system, implementation of a local nurse-led "stroke responder" system resulted in significantly decreased acute stroke metrics for a community hospital within a regional hospital system.

Device Related Pressure Ulcers Pre and Post Identification and Intervention.

PROBLEM: From 2014 to 2016, device related pressure injuries accounted for 62-81% of all hospital acquired pressure injuries. From January to June 2014, there were 5 BiPAP/CPAP pressure injuries noted, accounting for 3.579 injuries per 1000 ventilator days. In 2015, hospital data revealed that 26.5% of all hospital acquired pressure injuries occurred to prone surgical spine patients. METHODS: Collaborative teams including respiratory therapists and operating room staff were convened and crafted new strategies. INTERVENTIONS: Adhesive foam dressings on patient faces with BiPAP/CPAP masks and prior to orthopedic spinal surgery were used to prevent device and operating room positioning pressure injuries. RESULTS: From July to December 2014 there were 0 BiPAP/CPAP pressure injuries. After interventions in March of 2016 through the remainder of 2016, zero pressure injuries occurred when the adhesive foam dressings were applied to the potential pressure injury areas pre-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: We used real time patient data to drive efforts and create a new culture in the pediatric setting that honors critical airway maintenance, operative room positioning, and preventative skin protection.

Nova Metodologia de Ensino de Oftalmoscopia Direta e Indireta para Médicos.

As doenças oftalmológicas podem refletir a presença de doenças sistêmicas em animais. Assim, os especialistas em medicina veterinária devem dominar a técnica do exame de fundoscopia. Para auxiliar na aquisição dessa habilidade, desenvolvemos uma metodologia de ensino utilizando um modelo de baixo custo que permite o exame da retina para ensinar as técnicas de oftalmoscopia direta e indireta em medicina veterinária.

Sustained peripheral depletion of amyloid-ß with a novel form of neprilysin does not affect central levels of amyloid-ß.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid deposits in the brain and the progressive loss of cognitive functions. Although the precise role of amyloid-ß in disease progression remains somewhat controversial, many efforts to halt or reverse disease progression have focussed on reducing its synthesis or enhancing its removal. It is believed that brain and peripheral soluble amyloid-ß are in equilibrium and it has previously been hypothesized that a reduction in peripheral amyloid-ß can lower brain amyloid-ß, thereby reducing formation of plaques predominantly composed of insoluble amyloid-ß; the so-called peripheral sink hypothesis. Here we describe the use of an amyloid-ß degrading enzyme, the endogenous metallopeptidase neprilysin, which is fused to albumin to extend plasma half-life and has been engineered to confer increased amyloid-ß degradation activity. We used this molecule to investigate the effect of degradation of peripheral amyloid-ß on amyloid-ß levels in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid after repeated intravenous dosing for up to 4 months in Tg2576 transgenic mice, and 1 month in rats and monkeys. This molecule proved highly effective at degradation of amyloid-ß in the periphery but did not alter brain or cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-ß levels, suggesting that the peripheral sink hypothesis is not valid and is the first time that this has been demonstrated in non-human primates.

A review of best evidence for dry eye.

As practice continues to be guided by evidence, best evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs can be limited. Four Cochrane documents addressing treatments for dry eye were obtained from the Cochran Database, but two are still in the protocol phase and two reviews offer limited evidence for the efficacy and safety for punctal occlusion and AS serum eye drops.

Teaching research: strategies for a successful learning equation.

Educators who teach or facilitate understanding of research need to overcome the barrier that nurses may not value research for practice, as identified by Pravikoff, Tanner, and Pierce (2005), with innovative, interactive strategies to align with requirements for the 21st century. Educators need to generate a perception that research is useful, rewarding, fun, and worthwhile. Educators of research need to extend beyond academic learning and continue to develop and implement innovative strategies in clinical education programs (Berman, 2013). Research is a skill that requires a foundation of knowledge and its applicability to practice or 'real life'.

Evidence-based practice readiness of ASORN members.

Due to the importance of evidence-based practice and its impact on patient outcomes, a research study was conducted in early 2013 soliciting participation of ASORN members. Findings indicate the collegiality and curiosity of nurses, who identify a gap in practice due to lack of knowledge/skills and organizational barriers. Since nurses value EBP and research, as noted in study findings and ASORN Board of Directors support, efforts to advance the art and science of ophthalmic nursing will continue in the future.

Veterans Affairs Nurses' Perception of a Dignified Death.

A dignified death is described as a good death or dying with dignity. Nurses caring for veterans are aware of the honor veterans can receive at the time of death. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare perceptions of a dignified death in nurses who care for veterans in Veterans Affairs settings. This descriptive, exploratory design used an online survey including scales of dying with dignity and a good death. Subjects were nurses who worked at Veterans Affairs facilities. Dying with dignity scores were high and moderately high for a good death. Good death items of wishes, peace, spirituality, and pain free were considered essential by most nurses. There was no difference in scores based on age or end-of-life experiences. Veterans Affairs nurses had a good perception of a dignified death providing a foundation for veteran support before, during, and after death.

A Concept Analysis of Cultural Appreciation in Addressing the Wholistic Health Needs of Indigenous People.

Aim: Cultural appreciation is found within the arts, psychology, counseling, health disciplines, and education. Currently, in the literature, there is not a strong link between cultural appreciation, nursing, and Indigenous people. The aim of this concept analysis is to analyze the concept of cultural appreciation for nurse educators, nurse researchers, and nurse leaders to apply to culturally appreciate Indigenous people within their geographical areas which can result in meeting their wholistic care needs. Design: This concept analysis of cultural appreciation uses Walker & Avant's (2019) approach to define cultural appreciation, antecedents, empirical referents, and consequences. Results: The antecedents of cultural appreciation are cultural appropriation, oppression, cultural prejudice, privilege, and lack of knowledge to integrate the wholistic health of Indigenous people into practice, education, and research. The defining attributes of cultural appreciation are awareness, knowledge acquisition, and desire. The consequence of cultural appreciation is wholistic care of Indigenous people as defined by their ways of knowing and being. Conclusion: The concept analysis of cultural appreciation integrates Indigenous wholistic health beliefs and ways of knowing and being that can advance holistic nursing knowledge for nurses, educators, and researchers.

Carbogen in the management of a central retinal artery occlusion.

Carbogen therapy is a promising treatment aimed at improving retinal oxygenation and subsequent vision. Nurses play a key role in patient education, administration, emotional support, and monitoring of potential side effects and effectiveness of carbogen as patients hope to regain lost vision.

Bioinformatic Design of Dendritic Cell-Specific Synthetic Promoters.

Next-generation DNA vectors for cancer immunotherapies and vaccine development require promoters eliciting predefined transcriptional activities specific to target cell types, such as dendritic cells (DCs), which underpin immune response. In this study, we describe the de novo design of DC-specific synthetic promoters via in silico assembly of cis-transcription factor response elements (TFREs) that harness the DC transcriptional landscape. Using computational genome mining approaches, candidate TFREs were identified within promoter sequences of highly expressed DC-specific genes or those exhibiting an upregulated expression during DC maturation. Individual TFREs were then screened in vitro in a target DC line and off-target cell lines derived from skeletal muscle, fibroblast, epithelial, and endothelial cells using homotypic (TFRE repeats in series) reporter constructs. Based on these data, a library of heterotypic promoter assemblies varying in the TFRE composition, copy number, and sequential arrangement was constructed and tested in vitro to identify DC-specific promoters. Analysis of the transcriptional activity and specificity of these promoters unraveled underlying design rules, primarily TFRE composition, which govern the DC-specific synthetic promoter activity. Using these design rules, a second library of exclusively DC-specific promoters exhibiting varied transcriptional activities was generated. All DC-specific synthetic promoter assemblies exhibited >5-fold activity in the target DC line relative to off-target cell lines, with transcriptional activities ranging from 8 to 67% of the nonspecific human cytomegalovirus (hCMV-IE1) promoter. We show that bioinformatic analysis of a mammalian cell transcriptional landscape is an effective strategy for de novo design of cell-type-specific synthetic promoters with precisely controllable transcriptional activities.