Neurological Health Problems Research Articles

Effect of simulation modules on Jordanian nursing student knowledge and confidence in performing critical care skills: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundSimulation is known to have a significant effect as a teaching strategy in nursing education. However, no studies have been conducted to examine the effect of simulation on nursing students’ knowledge and confidence in performing critical care skills in Jordan. PurposeThis study aimed to test the effect of simulation on university nursing students' knowledge and confidence in performing critical care skills for patients with cardiac, respiratory and neurological health problems. MethodA randomized controlled (pre-test-post-test) design was implemented. The experimental group (n = 38) attended 9 simulation scenarios, theoretical lectures and clinical training in hospital about cardiac, respiratory and neurological health problems, while the control group (n = 38) attended only the theoretical lectures and clinical training in hospital. Knowledge and confidence were measured using knowledge exam and self-confidence scale respectively. ResultsA paired t-test indicated that mean knowledge and confidence regarding implementing critical care skills were significantly higher P < 0.001 in the post-test than that in the pre-test, in both the experimental and the control group. However, independent t test revealed that the students in the experimental group scored significantly higher P < 0.001 than control group in both knowledge and confidence regarding performing critical care skills. ConclusionTheoretical and clinical training is valuable teaching strategies that help enhance knowledge and confidence in applying critical care skills. However, adding simulation has a more significant effect than theoretical and clinical training in improving nursing students' knowledge and confidence in performing critical care nursing skills. Author strongly recommended considering simulation as alternative effective educational approach for clinical training especially during COVID-pandemic.

The computerized version of the Hong Kong Oxford Cognitive Screen for dementia (HK-OCSd): Estimates of concurrent validity and reliability

The computerized version of the Hong Kong Oxford Cognitive Screen for dementia (HK-OCSd): Estimates of concurrent validity and reliability

HEAPS STUDY RESULTS: HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION IN ANTWERP SCHOOLS

Background: Air pollution exposure has been associated with respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological health problems. It is hypothesized that health effects mainly occur through the induction of oxidative stress. Aims: Our goal was to investigate the relation between air pollutants and biomarkers for oxidative stress and airway inflammation in primary school children. Methods: The study design is described in detail in the abstract “HEAPS study design: health effects of air pollution in Antwerp schools”. In short, 130 children from 2 schools were examined in spring and autumn of 2011. Air quality was monitored at school (UFP, PM, BC, NOx and O3 measurements) and at home (BC and NO2 based on LUR) for several short and long term exposures. Noninvasive markers for oxidative stress (8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and 8-oxodG in urine) and inflammation (FeNO, EBC pH, IL-? in EBC and IL-8, ECP, tryptase and allergic IgE responses in the nose) were analyzed. ISAAC-type questionnaires were used to assess allergic symptoms. Results: NOx, O3, PM10, PM2.5 and UFP at school the day before or the day of medical exam were associated with FeNO, EBC markers (pH and IL-1?), and 8-oxodG in urine. Exposure to NO2 and BC (modeled with LUR) up to 10 days before medical exam was related with FeNO, EBC pH and 8-oxodG in urine. Seasonal and yearly average NO2 concentrations at the home location significantly influenced nasal tryptase. GIS data were linked with EBC markers (pH and IL-?) and nasal tryptase. No associations with 8-isoprostane in EBC and nasal ECP were observed. Itchy rash during the last 12 months and familial asthma were linked with yearly average BC at the home. Conclusion: This study adds to existing evidence that air pollution affects respiratory health in children, and that these effects might be mediated by oxidative stress. The study was financed by the Flemish Administration of Environment, Nature and Energy (LNE), Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), and Flemish Agency for Care and Health (VAZG).

Papaya epicarp extract protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in human SH-SY5Y neuronal cells

Recent studies indicated that regular consumption of antioxidant-rich foods reduces cellular oxidative stress and protects against health-related problems. This study aimed to assess the in vitro antioxidant properties of the papaya epicarp extract against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced oxidative stress in human SH-SY5Y neuronal cells. Our study revealed that papaya epicarp extract acted as a potent free radical scavenger and provided neuroprotection against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress. Papaya epicarp extract ameliorated glutathione depletion, restored total antioxidant capacity and augmented the inhibition of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidases and superoxide dismutase). In conclusion, papaya epicarp extract can be used as a functional dietary ingredient that might help in reducing the neurological health problems associated with various oxidative stress insults.

Maternal exposure of rats to nicotine via infusion during gestation produces neurobehavioral deficits and elevated expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the cerebellum and CA1 subfield in the offspring at puberty

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is known to be a significant contributor to developmental neurological health problems in the offspring. In animal studies, nicotine treatment via injection during gestation has been shown to produce episodic hypoxia in the developing fetus. Nicotine delivery via mini osmotic pump, while avoiding effects due to hypoxia-ischemia, it also provides a steady level of nicotine in the plasma. In the present study timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (300–350 g) were treated with nicotine (3.3 mg/kg, in bacteriostatic water via s.c. implantation of mini osmotic pump) from gestational days (GD) 4–20. Control animals were treated with bacteriostatic water via s.c. implantation of mini osmotic pump. Offspring on postnatal day (PND) 30 and 60, were evaluated for changes in the ligand binding for various types of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and neuropathological alterations. Neurobehavioral evaluations for sensorimotor functions, beam-walk score, beam-walk time, incline plane and grip time response were carried out on PND 60 offspring. Beam-walk time and forepaw grip time showed significant impairments in both male and female offspring. Ligand binding densities for [ 3H]epibatidine, [ 3H]cytisine and [ 3H]α-bungarotoxin did not show any significant changes in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors subtypes in the cortex at PND 30 and 60. Histopathological evaluation using cresyl violet staining showed significant decrease in surviving Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum and a decrease in surviving neurons in the CA1 subfield of hippocampus on PND 30 and 60. An increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immuno-staining was observed in cerebellum white matter as well as granular cell layer of cerebellum and the CA1 subfield of hippocampus on PND 30 and 60 of both male and female offspring. These results indicate that maternal exposure to nicotine produces significant neurobehavioral deficits, a decrease in the surviving neurons and an increased expression of GFAP in cerebellum and CA1 subfield of hippocampus of the offspring on PND 30 and 60. The results show that although 60-day-old male and female rat offspring of mothers exposed to nicotine during gestation did not differ from control in body weight gain or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors ligand binding, they exhibited significant sensorimotor deficits that were consistent with the neuropathological alterations seen in the brain. These neurobehavioral and pathological deficits indicate that maternal nicotine exposure may produce long-term adverse health effects in the offspring.

Health effects on nearby residents of a wood treatment plant

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the health status of nearby residents of a wood treatment plant who had sustained prolonged low-level environmental exposure to wood processing waste chemicals. Methods: A population of 1269 exposed residents who were plaintiffs or potential plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the wood treatment plant were evaluated by questionnaire for a health history and symptoms. A representative sample of 214 exposed subjects was included in the analysis. One hundred thirty-nine controls were selected from 479 unexposed volunteers and matched to the exposed subjects as closely as possible by gender and age. Subjects and controls completed additional questionnaires and were evaluated by a physician for medical history and physical examination, blood and urine testing, neurophysiological and neuropsychological studies, and respiratory testing. Environmental sampling for wood processing waste chemicals was carried out on soil and drainage ditch sediment in the exposed neighborhood. Results: The exposed subjects had significantly more cancer, respiratory, skin, and neurological health problems than the controls. The subjective responses on questionnaires and by physician histories revealed that the residents had a significantly greater prevalence of mucous membrane irritation, and skin and neurological symptoms, as well as cancer. (Exposed versus unexposed, cancer 10.0% versus 2.08%, bronchitis 17.8% versus 5.8%, and asthma by history 40.5% versus 11.0%) There were significantly more neurophysiologic abnormalities in adults of reaction time, trails A and B, and visual field defects. Conclusions: Adverse health effects were significantly more prevalent in long-term residents near a wood treatment plant than in controls. The results of this study suggest that plant emissions from wood treatment facilities should be reduced.