Evidence-Based Reviews: Trends in Nephrology Nursing.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is one of the essential components of nephrology nursing. Reviews of such evidence are important as a means to synthesize research findings into one meaningful form of data. Publication trends of evidence reviews in nephrology nursing are unknown. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify trends in publications of evidence reviews in the Nephrology Nursing Journal. Titles of all publications in the Nephrology Nursing Journal from January 2003 to September/October 2018 were reviewed. A total of 23 evidence reviews were identified and formed the basis of this systematic review. Narrative analysis and concept mapping were used to synthesize data. There was a trend toward systematic reviews of quantitative studies, as well as evidence reviews that focused on the topics of quality of life and access to health services. The need for systematic rigorous reporting is recommended for EBP, as well as future reviews on identified priority areas of research.

Identification and characterization of proteins involved in nuclear organization using Drosophila GFP protein trap lines.

BACKGROUND: Strains from a collection of Drosophila GFP protein trap lines express GFP in the normal tissues where the endogenous protein is present. This collection can be used to screen for proteins distributed in the nucleus in a non-uniform pattern. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We analyzed four lines that show peripheral or punctate nuclear staining. One of these lines affects an uncharacterized gene named CG11138. The CG11138 protein shows a punctate distribution in the nuclear periphery similar to that of Drosophila insulator proteins but does not co-localize with known insulators. Interestingly, mutations in Lamin proteins result in alterations in CG11138 localization, suggesting that this protein may be a novel component of the nuclear lamina. A second line affects the Decondensation factor 31 (Df31) gene, which encodes a protein with a unique nuclear distribution that appears to segment the nucleus into four different compartments. The X-chromosome of males is confined to one of these compartments. We also find that Drosophila Nucleoplasmin (dNlp) is present in regions of active transcription. Heat shock leads to loss of dNlp from previously transcribed regions of polytene chromosome without redistribution to the heat shock genes. Analysis of Stonewall (Stwl), a protein previously found to be necessary for the maintenance of germline stem cells, shows that Stwl is present in a punctate pattern in the nucleus that partially overlaps with that of known insulator proteins. Finally we show that Stwl, dNlp, and Df31 form part of a highly interactive network. The properties of other components of this network may help understand the role of these proteins in nuclear biology. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results establish screening of GFP protein trap alleles as a strategy to identify factors with novel cellular functions. Information gained from the analysis of CG11138 Stwl, dNlp, and Df31 sets the stage for future studies of these proteins.

The perceived benefits and barriers to exercise participation in persons with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived benefits and barriers to exercise participation in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHOD: A cross-sectional postal survey comprised of 93 adults with MS was conducted. Participants completed the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS), Spinal Cord Injury Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (EXSE), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale, Disease Steps Scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of the participants were classified as exercising individuals (EX group) as compared with non-exercising individuals (non-EX group). Participants in the EX group reported significantly higher scores on the EBBS and EXSE. Items related to physical performance and personal accomplishment were cited as the greatest perceived benefits to exercise participation and those items related to physical exertion as the greatest perceived barriers to both the EX and non-EX groups. CONCLUSION: When compared with previous studies conducted in the general population, the participants in the present study reported different perceived barriers to exercise participation. Furthermore, awareness of the benefits of physical activity is not sufficient to promote exercise participation in persons with MS. Perceived exercise self-efficacy is shown to play an important role in promoting exercise participation in persons with MS.

The impact of regular physical activity on fatigue, depression and quality of life in persons with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare fatigue, depression and quality of life scores in persons with multiple sclerosis who do (Exercisers) and do not (Non-exercisers) regularly participate in physical activity. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study of 121 patients with MS (age 25-65 yr) living in Queensland, Australia was conducted. Physical activity level, depression, fatigue and quality of life were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Health Status Questionnaire Short Form 36, Becks Depression Inventory and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale. RESULTS: 52 participants performed at least two 30-min exercise sessions x wk-1 (Exercisers) and 69 did not participate in regular physical activity (Non-exercisers). Exercisers reported favourable fatigue, depression and quality of life scores when compared to Non-exercisers. Significant weak correlations were found between both leisure-time and overall reported physical activity levels and some subscales of the quality of life and fatigue questionnaires. Additionally, some quality of life subscale scores indicated that regular physical activity had a greater benefit in subjects with moderate MS. CONCLUSION: Favourable fatigue, depression and quality of life scores were reported by persons with MS who regularly participated in physical activity, when compared to persons with MS who were classified as Non-exercisers.

Preliminary studies of cytokine secretion patterns associated with pregnancy in MS patients.

Multiple sclerosis has a tendency to remit during pregnancy, followed by an increase in the risk for disease relapses in the postpartum period. In this communication, preliminary data are presented to indicate that activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the postpartum period secrete elevated levels of gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) relative to those collected during the third trimester. In addition, myelin antigen-specific T cell lines established from the third trimester of pregnancy secrete elevated levels of interleukin-10. The data suggest that the study of the mechanisms underlying natural fluctuations in disease activity during pregnancy and the postpartum period holds promise for a better understanding of factors capable of initiating and regulating remission and exacerbation in MS.