Evaluation of oxidative stress parameters and metabolic activities of nurses working day and night shifts

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress and metabolic activities of nurses working day and night shifts. Intensive care unit (ICU) (n=70) and ordinary service (OS) nurses (n=70) were enrolled in the study. Just before and the end of the shifts, blood samples were obtained to measure the participants' oxidative stress parameters. Metabolic activities were analyzed using the SenseWear Armband. Oxidative stress parameters were increased at the end of the shifts for all OS and ICU nurses compared to the beginning of the shifts. Compared to the OS nurses, the ICU nurses' TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were not significantly different at the end of the day and night shifts. The metabolic activities of the OS and ICU nurses were found to be similar. As a result, the OS and ICU nurses' oxidative stress parameters and metabolic activities were not different, and all of the nurses experienced similar effects from both the day and night shifts.

Report Letter for Iowa State University of Science and Technologies various bond and note agreements, September 29, 2006

State University Audit Report - Report Letter

Academic Building Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Dormitory and Dining Services Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Hilton Coliseum Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Recreational Facility Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statement and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Student Health Facility Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statement and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Utility System Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Telecommunications Facilities Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Parking System Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Reports, Basic Financial Statements and Supplemental Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Indoor Multipurpose Use and Training Facility Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Regulated Materials Facility Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statement and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Memorial Union Revenue Bond Funds, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Independent Auditor's Report, Basic Financial Statements and Supplementary Information, June 30, 2006

State University Audit Report

Evaluation of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 as diagnostic parameters in sepsis-related fatalities.

The aims of this study were to investigate the usefulness of serum C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 as postmortem markers of sepsis and to compare C-reactive protein and procalcitonin values in serum, vitreous humor, and cerebrospinal fluid in a series of sepsis cases and control subjects, in order to determine whether these measurements may be employed for the postmortem diagnosis of sepsis. Two study groups were formed, a sepsis group (eight subjects coming from the intensive care unit of two university hospitals, with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis in vivo) and control group (ten autopsy cases admitted to two university medicolegal centers, deceased from natural and unnatural causes, without elements to presume an underlying sepsis as the cause of death). Serum C-reactive protein and procalcitonin concentrations were significantly different between sepsis cases and control cases, whereas serum tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 values were not significantly different between the two groups, suggesting that measurement of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha is non-optimal for postmortem discrimination of cases with sepsis. In the sepsis group, vitreous procalcitonin was detectable in seven out of eight cases. In the control group, vitreous procalcitonin was clearly detectable only in one case, which also showed an increase of all markers in serum and for which the cause of death was myocardial infarction associated with multi-organic failure. According to the results of this study, the determination of vitreous procalcitonin may be an alternative to the serum procalcitonin for the postmortem diagnosis of sepsis.

Parameters for successful monthly extended dosing of darbepoetin-alpha in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

AIM: To document the feasibility and report the results of dosing darbepoetin-alpha at extended intervals up to once monthly (QM) in a large dialysis patient population. MATERIAL: 175 adult patients treated, at 23 Swiss hemodialysis centres, with stable doses of any erythropoiesis-stimulating agent who were switched by their physicians to darbepoetin-alpha treatment at prolonged dosing intervals (every 2 weeks [Q2W] or QM). METHOD: Multicentre, prospective, observational study. Patients' hemoglobin (Hb) levels and other data were recorded 1 month before conversion (baseline) to an extended darbepoetin-alpha dosing interval, at the time of conversion, and once monthly thereafter up to the evaluation point (maximum of 12 months or until loss to follow-up). RESULTS: Data for 161 evaluable patients from 23 sites were included in the final analysis. At 1 month prior to conversion, 73% of these patients were receiving darbepoetin-alpha weekly (QW) and 27% of the patients biweekly (Q2W). After a mean follow-up of 9.5 months, 34% received a monthly (QM) dosing regimen, 52% of the patients were receiving darbepoetin-alpha Q2W, and 14% QW. The mean (SD) Hb concentration at baseline was 12.3 +/- 1.2 g/dl, compared to 11.9 +/- 1.2 g/dl at the evaluation point. The corresponding mean weekly darbepoetin-alpha dose was 44.3 +/- 33.4 microg at baseline and 37.7 +/- 30.8 microg at the evaluation point. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion to extended darbepoetin-alpha dosing intervals of up to QM, with maintenance of initial Hb concentrations, was successful for the majority of stable dialysis patients.