Implantable microencapsulated dopamine (DA): a new approach for slow-release DA delivery into brain tissue.

Biodegradable controlled-release systems constitute an exciting new technology for drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). The present study describes functional and histochemical observations, indicating that implantation of DA microcapsules into striatal tissue assures a prolonged release of the transmitter in situ. This technology has considerable potential for basic and possibly also clinical research.

The psychosocial and physiological experiences of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

This article describes the relationships between anxiety, self-efficacy, as well as the psychosocial and physiological experiences of patients with an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Although survival rates with ICDs are impressive, patients experience psychological and physiological responses to their lifesaving devices. Thirty-nine patients completed questionnaires during outpatient clinic visits. Patients' anxiety levels were correlated with fears about ICD malfunction, fear of death, fear of being shocked, loss of control, trouble related to sleeping, inability to concentrate, overprotective family members, and depression. Patients with physical symptoms had higher anxiety levels than those without physical symptoms. There was not a significant relationship between anxiety and discomfort associated with discharge, the number of discharges, or ejection fractions. Low self-efficacy was significantly related to fears about ICD malfunction as well as patients' inability to work, engage in hobbies, and drive a car. Patients with low self-efficacy had more physical symptoms and lower ejection fractions. There were no significant relationships between self-efficacy and frequency of ICD discharge or patients' discomfort during ICD discharge.

Designing a successful health fair to promote individual, family, and community health.

A health fair is a community health strategy used to meet community members' needs for health promotion, education, and prevention. In this article we focus on the importance of partnerships in designing a health fair; essential components; and steps in planning, implementing, and evaluating a health fair. The Healthy People 2000 framework can be used to guide the development of objectives and content for a health fair. We present a list of topics for exhibits and a Health Fair Evaluation Questionnaire used to measure outcomes of a health fair on participants' health beliefs and practices. Implications for nursing practice, education, and research include increasing nurses' awareness of community problems, health beliefs, and practices; networking opportunities that provide knowledge of new resources; service learning experiences for students; and opportunities for research on how health fairs meet health care needs and promote changes in health knowledge, beliefs, and practices.