Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Denervation Supersensitivity Of The Rat Vas Deferens: A Role For Protein Kinase C, Sonny T. Abraham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A role for protein kinase C (PKC) in the denervation-induced supersensitivity of the rat vas deferens was investigated. Chronic, surgical denervation of the rat vas deferens (up to 8 days) resulted in tissues that produced enhanced contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE) in isolated organ baths. Single challenges of NE (10 $\mu$M) produced 0.6 $\pm$ 0.1 g of maximal tension in the control vas whereas in the paired, denervated tissue 2.2 $\pm$ 0.3 g of tension was recorded (n = 6). Cumulative concentration-effect curves to NE produced in the denervated vas deferens were shifted 18-fold to the left of the control …

Differential Role Of The Endothelium In Regulating Microvascular Blood Flow, Tao Tang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The vascular endothelial cell (EC) plays an important role in regulating vascular tone and local blood flow by sensing chemical and mechanical stimuli on the vascular wall and releasing a host of vasoactive substances upon activations of endogenous or exogenous vasoactive substances. The central hypothesis is that local control of blood now and autoregulatory behavior in the microcirculation is distinctive at different levels of the vasculature and is dependent on the cellular activities of the EC and its interaction with the local environment. The in vivo as well as the ex vivo, flow-controlled preparations of the hamster cheek pouch were …

Characterization Of The Vasoactivity Of Tachykinins In Isolated Rat Kidney: Functional Studies And In Vitro Receptor Autoradiography, Yuejin Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although tachykinins have potent vascular actions, their effect on renal resistance blood vessels is currently unknown. The vasoactive properties of tachykinins and related analogs were assessed in isolated perfused rat kidney. At a basal perfusion pressure (PP) of 75 $\pm$ 6 mm Hg (n = 5), bolus injections of substance P (SP) had no significant vasoactive effect. Following a sustained increase in baseline PP (134 $\pm$ 10 mm Hg) produced by phenylephrine (1 $\mu$M), SP evoked a dose-dependent increase in PP. The largest dose of SP increased PP by 60 $\pm$ 5 mm Hg. The vasoconstrictor response to SP was …

Co-Sensitization Of Dopamine And Serotonin Receptors Occurs In The Absence Of A Change In The Dopamine D1 Receptor Complex After A Neonatal 6-Ohda Lesion, Li Gong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To test whether SKF 38393 could ontogenetically sensitize dopamine (DA) D$\sb1$ receptors and whether this sensitization would be associated with biochemical changes, intact and neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats (200 $\mu$g i.c.v.) were treated daily from birth with SKF 38393 (3.0 mg/kg i.p. x 28 days) or its vehicle. In DA D$\sb1$ neonatally sensitized 6-OHDA rats, enhanced locomotor responses were observed with the first SKF 38393 challenge dose (3.0 mg/kg i.p.) at 6 weeks. This response increased further with weekly SKF 38393 treatments. Enhanced stereotyped behaviors were seen in both lesioned and sensitized rats at 8 weeks. There was no change …

Enhanced Renal Sympathetic And Cardiovascular Responses To Substance P In Hypertension, Gregory W. Lindsay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Blood pressure, heart rate, and renal sympathetic nerve responses were measured in 9-13 week old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and compared to those in age and sex-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats following intravenous injection of the neuropeptide substance P (SP), the nicotinic stimulant 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP), and the adrenoceptor stimulant norepinephrine (NE). Charles River Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats were used in some studies to develop methodologies. Measurements were made in control rats and also following sinoaortic denervation, pithing, ganglion blockade, or adrenoceptor blockade. Responses were evaluated in order to determine if ganglion stimulation by SP was enhanced in SHR compared to WKY …

The Effect Of Trimethyltin On The Cholinergic System Of The Rat Hippocampus, Richard L. Cannon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Trimethyltin (TMT) is a neurotoxin occurring in the environment. Exposure to (TMT) is known to destroy specific neuronal components of the hippocampus in the rat and to cause clinical symptoms in exposed humans, including mnemonic deficits, that indicate hippocampal involvement. In addition to hippocampal cell loss TMT causes significant increases in cholinergic markers such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) stain density and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the hippocampus of rats. However, despite these observations the effect of TMT on hippocampal cholinergic system has not been investigated in detail. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate more fully the consequences …

Changes In Intracellular Chloride During Osmotic Stress And L-Alanine Uptake In Mouse Hepatocytes, Kening Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A stable intracellular ionic environment is necessary for hepatocytes to function normally. Thus, during hypotonic shock or L-alanine uptake, hepatocytes swell and then exhibit a regulatory volume decrease (RVD), which comprises an increase in K$\sp+$ conductance (G$\sb{\rm K}$), an increased K$\sp+$ efflux, and a hyperpolarization of transmembrane potential (V$\sb{\rm m}$). Since hepatocyte intracellular Cl$\sp-$ has been demonstrated to distribute passively with V$\sb{\rm m}$, this study is designed to test the hypothesis that the hypotonic shock- or L-alanine uptake-induced hyperpolarization of V$\sb{\rm m}$ might provide an electromotive force for the efflux of hepatocyte intracellular Cl$\sp-$, which in turn would contribute osmotically …

Molecular And Cellular Analysis Of Chlamydia Trachomatis: Persistence And Reactivation, Kimberly R. Tau

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most prevalent sexually-transmitted infection in the United States. It has been suggested that CT infections can become latent. This has not been substantiated. CT persistence was examined at the molecular and cellular level in vitro and in vivo. Penicillin treatment of CT in vitro results in abnormal inclusions and reduced recovery of infectious CT. Penicillin did not inhibit initial stages of infection, but did downregulate CT rRNA levels after 25 hours post-inoculation (p.i.). DNA amplification was employed to differentiate between a resolved infection and a persistent one. Utilizing a primer pair that amplified a 144 …

Occupational Stress Among Nurse Administrators In General Hospitals In Tennessee, Ruby T. Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of occupational stress among nurse administrators and to identify the types of strategies used by nurse administrators to deal with or manage occupational stress. The study examined the relationship between selected demographic variables, occupational stress, and strategies. The research design included five research questions along with seven null hypotheses testing the relationship between occupational stress and demographic variables--age, gender, marital status, years of professional nursing experience, years as a nurse administrator, educational attainment, and hospital bed capacity. There were seven additional hypotheses testing the relationship between the same demographic variables …

Preliminary Epidemiological Interpretation Of The Intrinsic And Extrinsic Factors Contributing To The Coverage And Participation Rates Of The Vaccination Program In Arssi, Ethiopia, Muchie Kidanu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many immunization programs in developing countries arr now undergoing a period of rapid utilization. Innovative strategies, such as immunization holidays, are being tried. Political commitment and enthusiasm are high. There is a strong desire by health professionals to protect the lives of many children from the untimely death and/or disability resulting from infectious diseases preventable by vaccination.

Evaluation of an immunization program can benefit other elements of the health system, particularly those that are not amenable to objective evaluation as immunization. In this case, immunization can serve as an indicator of the overall performance of the health system. The problems …

A Comparative Analysis Of Registered Nurse Demand In Tennessee Rural And Urban Hospitals And Nursing Homes, Carol H. Pullen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare Registered Nurse (RN) current and future demand between Tennessee rural and urban licensed hospitals and nursing homes. Comparisons of Registered Nurse demand by principal duty or position and by educational level were also undertaken. The educational level of RNs was examined using the proportion of RNs at each of five educational levels: diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate. The variables examined were 1988 and 1989 vacancy rates and proportion of budgeted positions, change in vacancy rates and proportions from 1988 to 1989, projected changes in positions and proportions from 1988 to 1992 …

Electrophysiology, Cell Calcium, And Mechanisms Of Hepatocyte Volume Regulation, Walid E. Khalbuss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The electrophysiologic technique (Reuss, L., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:6014, 1985) was modified to measure changes in steady-state hepatocyte volume during osmotic stress. Hepatocytes in mouse liver slices were loaded with tetramethylammonium ion (TMA$\sp{+}$) during transient exposure of cells to nystatin. Intracellular TMA$\sp{+}$ activity (a$\sp{\rm i}\sb{\rm TMA}$) was measured with TMA$\sp{+}$-sensitive, double-barreled microelectrodes. Loading hepatocytes with TMA$\sp{+}$ did not change their membrane potential (V$\sb{\rm m}$), and under steady-state conditions a$\sp{\rm i}\sb{\rm TMA}$ remained constant over 4 min in single impalements. Hyperosmotic solutions (50, 100, & 150 mM sucrose added to media) and hyposmotic solutions (sucrose in media reduced by …

A Comparison Of Nurses' Attitudes Concerning Therapeutic Ward Atmosphere With Those Of Other Members Of The Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Team, Barbara Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The atmosphere of a psychiatric hospital ward has been found to have an influence on patient behavior and on treatment outcome. The ward atmosphere is affected by the patients, the multi—disciplinary team and the nurse who is the team member who spends the greatest amount of time on the ward. A multi-disciplinary team which shares similar attitudes concerning ward atmosphere is more likely to create a therapeutic ward atmosphere.
The multi-disciplinary teams of three adult psychiatric units at a midwestem psychiatric hospital were subject of a research study regarding their attitudes concerning therapeutic ward atmosphere. The scores, of team members …

Learning Needs Of Ostomy Patients: A Comparison Of Nurse And Patient Perceptions, Linda K. Burdette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study will attempt to identify areas of agreement and disagreement between the ostomy patient's perception and the nurse's perception of learning needs. In order to achieve this purpose, the objectives of the study were:
,1. Determine the different perceptions regarding the importance of content items offered in an ostomy patient education program when comparing:
a. Medical-surgical nurses and ostomy patients;
b. E.T. nurses and ostomy patients;
c. Medical-surgical nurses and E.T. nurses.
2. Determine the different perceptions regarding time placement of patient education content items when comparing:
a. Medical-surgical nurses and ostomy patients;
b. E.T. nurses and ostomy patients; …

Impact Of Perceived Mandatory Continued Formal Education On Professional Attitudes Of Licensed Practical Nurse Associate Degree Upward Mobility Students, Kathy Hankel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the effects of perceived mandatory continued education on professional attitudes of Licensed Practical Nurse Associate Degree Upward Mobility Students. The results indicate a statistically significant difference in the professional attitude of self-regulation. Those Licensed Practical Nurse Associate Degree Upward Mobility Students who perceived continued education as mandatory had a more positive attitude regarding self-regulation than those who chose to continue their education. Age and size of city were variables that also influenced professional attitudes.

Perceptions Of Health Status Of Rural Elderly, Colleen Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Questionnaires were designed and administered to a nonrandom sample of 18 rural elderly residents in a midwestern state. The questionnaires obtained information which attempted to describe perceptions of current health status and self-care capability, to determine the relationship between perceptions of health status and type of residence or senior citizen center attendance. The dependent variables were definitions of perceived health status as derived from the Health Perceptions Questionnaire. Health status included factors of current health, prior health, health outlook, resistance to illness, health worry/concern and sickness orientation. The independent variables were selected personal factors, self-care capability, desire for self-care and …

Beliefs Concerning Role Of The Nursing Service Administrator In Hospitals As Expressed By Chief Executive Officers, Nursing Service Administrators, And Nurse Educators, Jimmie R. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was undertaken to determine the degree of relationship in perceptions held by three health care administrative groups between the desirable and actual role functions of the hospital nursing service administrator. This descriptive study surveyed hospital Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), and Nursing Service Administrators (NSAs) in 100 randomly selected general hospitals, and chairpersons of graduate programs in nursing service administration. The instrument for this study was the Beliefs Concerning Role of Hospital Nursing Service Administrator, a 12-item instrument designed to determine some of the desirable (optimal) and actual (currently performed) role functions of the hospital Nursing Service Administrator (NSA), …

Quantitation Of Teratogenic Effects Of 5-Fluorouracil Administered To Mice In Vivo Or In Submerged Limb Culture, Theresa A. Sanders

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study demonstrates the use of submerged limb culture in teratologic testing. Pregnant mice were treated on day 11 of gestation (E11, plug date = E0) with 10, 20 or 40 mg of 5-fluorouracil (FU) per kg body weight. On E17, treated and untreated fetuses were examined for gross malformations and were fixed in 95% ethanol. Reduction of limb size and digital defects, including ectrodactyly (ED), syndactyly (SD), microdactyly and polydactyly were dose-dependent. In parallel studies, pregnant mice were treated on the morning of E11 and embryos were removed either 7h (E11) or 24h (E12) later for submerged limb culture. …

Adaptation Of Striped Bass To Sea Water Following Direct Transfer From Freshwater: Morphological, Biochemical, And Physiological Parameters, Judy A. King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been heightened interest in the biology of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) because of increased pollution in their native spawning grounds and because of their extensive use in landlocked sport fisheries. Their euryhalinity makes them an excellent species for osmoregulation studies. The objective of this research was to study the rate of adaptation of striped bass gills to sea water (3% salt) after direct transfer from freshwater using biochemical (ion transport enzyme levels), physiological (chloride efflux), and ultrastructural methods. Striped bass have specialized osmoregulatory cells located on the interlamellar and afferent surfaces of their gill filaments as shown by …

A Comparative Study Of Traditional Nursing Schedules Vs. Extended Nursing Schedules On Patient Satisfaction, Cheryl J. Erler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study compared patient satisfaction with nursing care given by nurses working traditional eight-hour shifts versus the satisfaction of patients being cared for by nurses working twelve-hour shifts.
The conceptual framework was derived from Systems Theory incorporating the interrelated subsystems within the organization that contribute to patient satisfaction as identified by Johnson, Kast, and Rosenzweig (1973).
The Patient Satisfaction Instrument designed by Risser(1975) and adapted by Hinshaw and Atwood (1979) for in-patient use was utilized for data collection. One medical-surgical unit in a Veterans Administration Hospital constituted the experimental group where patients were surveyed before and after the staffing change. …

Bodybuilders' Knowledge And Perceptions Of The Use Of Anabolic Steroids, James P. Combs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the following questions:
1. What knowledge do bodybuilders have regarding the positive and negative effects of anabolic steroids?
2. What is the perception of bodybuilders regarding the positive and negative effects of anabolic steroids?

Validation Of The Defining Characteristics Of Disturbance In Self-Esteem In Patients With Anorexia Nervosa, June C. Peterson Larson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A low self-esteem is a critical, pervasive problem in the lives of clients with eating disorders. The purpose of this study was to validate the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis, Disturbance in Self-Esteem, in a specific population group. The purposive, nonprobability sample consisted of 26 females between the ages of 13 and 24 who had a medical diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa. This study addressed the following question: Does the cluster of defining characteristics for Disturbance in Self-Esteem, as defined by NANDA, occur in clients diagnosed as having Anorexia Nervosa; clients in whom a disturbed self-esteem is manifest.
The Tennessee …

The Differences In Learning Styles Between Generic And Adult Nursing Students, Dianne L. Clemens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were:
1. To identify the learning style of generic nursing students enrolled in a midwestern Associate Degree Nursing Program,
2. To identify the learning style of adult nursing students enrolled in a midwestern Associate Degree Nursing Program,
3. To identify differences in learning styles between generic and adult nursing students enrolled in a midwestern Associate Degree Nursing Program,
4. To identify variables associated with learning style in generic and adult nursing students enrolled in a midwestern Associate Degree Nursing Program.

Hopelessness In The Institutionalized Elderly, Joanne Hansen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The losses and stresses of the elderly make them susceptible to powerlessness which ultimately may lead to hopelessness and death. The use of client initiated interventions designed to increase the individual's control of the environment may interrupt the powerlessness, hopelessness and death cycle. The research question for this study addressed the influence of client-initiated interventions on the hopelessness score among the institutionalized elderly.
The specific research questions were:
I. To what extent do the use of client-initiated interventions affect the level of hopelessness in the institutionalized client on a short- and long-term basis?
2. Which of the client-initiated interventions have …

The Application Of A Falls Risk Index, Marcelline R. Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the prospective use of a falls risk index. The research question was: To what extent do the intrinsic factors identified in the Tinetti et al. falls risk index predict which patients are likely to experience a fall. Hogue's ecological model of falls in late life provided a conceptual framework for the study.
Direct observation was used to collect baseline data from a convenience/purposive sample of 26 male patients in a midwest nursing home care unit with a rehabilitation focus. Patients were then assigned to one of three risk groups: yes-fall, 30% chance of fall, no-fall. Reports of …

Support Group Effects On Perceived Ease Of Transition Of The Lpn To Ad Student, Illa H. Reeve

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were: 1. To determine the expectations of the members entering a support group developed for the purpose of easing the transition from LPN to AD student.
2. To determine the extent those expectations are met by participation in the support group.
3. To determine the extent of perceived stressors change after participation in the support group as related to:
a. type of identified stressor
b. degree to which an identified stressor is a source of stress.

The Effect Of Nutritional Education Programs On Serum Cholesterol Values, Josephine A. Kahler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The three objectives of this study were: 1. To test a simplified nutritional education program and it's effectiveness on lowering serum cholesterol values.
2. To compare the effectiveness of two (partial vs. intense) nutritional education programs on the post serum cholesterol values.
3. To determine which demographic data influences a change in serum cholesterol values in response to a simplified nutritional program.

The Effect Of Nocturnal Noise Levels In Upper Midwestern Longterm Care Facilities On Sleep Interference In Selected Residents' Well-Being, Jane C. Walgenbach

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were:
1. To determine noise levels in selected upper Midwestern longterm care facilities at night during August and September.
2. To determine to what extent noise levels interfered with residents' nocturnal sleep.
3. To determine to what extent sleep interference affected residents' well-being.
4. To determine to what extent noise levels interfered with residents' well-being.

The Effects Of A Clinical Enrichment Rotation On The Students' Ability To Perform Nursing Functions Indicative Of A Registered Nurse, Cynthia L. G. Senger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of the study were:
1. To describe to what extent the Clinical Enrichment Rotation facilitated the perceived ease of transition from the role of the student to the role of Registered Nurse.
2. To determine to what extent the Clinical Enrichment Rotation affected the graduate's perceived ability to perform selected nursing functions indicative of the role of a Registered Nurse.
3. To determine to what extent students perceived the objectives of the Clinical Enrichment Rotation in an associate degree program were accomplished. The above objectives reflect the order in which each objective will be analyzed.

Utilization Of Selected Characteristics In The Labeling Of Elderly Nursing Home Patients As Confused, Patriciann F. Brady

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The term confusion is often used as a nursing diagnosis. Yet, there is no consistent definition that indicates a systematic process is used in the labeling of elderly patients as confused. The research question for this descriptive association study was: "To what extent are selected characteristics utilized among nursing home staff in the labeling of elderly as confused?"
The objectives of this study were as follows:
1) Identify the frequency of use of each of the selected characteristics in the clinical determination of confusion in the elderly by nursing home staff.
2) Determine the relationship between nursing home staffs' identification …