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This qualitative study investigates the views of clients with low vision and vision rehabilitation professionals on the involvement of family and friends in group-based rehabilitation programs. Both groups outlined advantages and disadvantages to involving significant others, and it is essential that clients are given the choice. Future work is needed to examine the uptake, process and outcomes of rehabilitation programs in which clients are able to invite family and friends. (Contains 3 tables.)

Purpose. This article describes a new low vision-specific self-management (SM) program for older adults with vision impairment, and provides preliminary data on program evaluation from two small pilot groups. Method. The SM program was an 8-week, structured group program aiming to enhance participants' skills to manage the practical and emotional consequences of vision impairment. The pilot evaluation was a single group post-test design. Participants took part in a structured interview to obtain their views on the content, format and delivery of the program. Results. The program was perceived as useful and the duration and level of information provided were deemed appropriate. Participants reported the program to have a positive impact on their mood, understanding of low vision and services available and their ability to manage the challenges of low vision. Conclusions. The content and delivery of the program is appropriate for older individuals with vision impairment. Further work is required to provide a methodologically sound evaluation of this program and contribute to the evidence-base regarding the effectiveness of approaches to vision rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The risk of medication errors with vincristine administration is well documented. Our objective was to ascertain how vincristine is administered worldwide and determine what strategies for preventing the accidental intrathecal administration of vincristine are in place., Methods: A survey, comprising 28 questions, was distributed to 363 International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners members from 42 countries via email. Questions were asked on methods of vincristine administration, intrathecal drug administration and strategies used to prevent medication errors. A reminder was sent and the survey was available on the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners website. Only one survey per institution was requested., Results: In all, 62 responses from 15 countries were received, with the majority from Australia. Vincristine was dispensed in mini-bags in 77.4% of centres, though some also used syringes. Syringes were used in 31.1% of centres, with half these doses prepared undiluted. Administration took 5 to 15 minutes in most centres (78.8%). The most common reasons for still using syringes were perceived risk of extravasation and faster infusion time. Despite numerous vincristine administrations, extravasation was very rare. Other recommended strategies for error prevention were in use in the majority of centres., Conclusion: Comparisons with three previous surveys are difficult as the majority of respondents in those studies were from the USA. A number of areas appear to have improved, particularly the preparation of vincristine in mini-bags, but they are far from perfect. Deaths continue to occur following accidental intrathecal administration of vincristine. International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioner members are urged to lead the way in incorporating strategies for prevention into institutions worldwide., (© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

In mammalian cells the nuclear-encoded subunits of complex I are imported into mitochondria, where they are assembled with mt-DNA encoded subunits in the complex, or exchanged with pre-existing copies in the complex. The present work shows that in fibroblast cultures inhibition by KH7 of cAMP production in the mitochondrial matrix by soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) results in decreased amounts of free non-incorporated nuclear-encoded NDUFS4, NDUFV2 and NDUFA9 subunits of the catalytic moiety and inhibition of the activity of complex I. Addition of permeant 8-Br-cAMP prevents this effect of KH7. KH7 inhibits accumulation in isolated rat-liver mitochondria and incorporation in complex I of "in vitro" produced, radiolabeled NDUFS4 and NDUFV2 subunits. 8-Br-cAMP prevents also this effect of KH7. Use of protease inhibitors shows that intramitochondrial cAMP exerts this positive effect on complex I by preventing digestion of nuclear-encoded subunits by mitochondrial protease(s), whose activity is promoted by KH7 and H89, an inhibitor of PKA., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The Diabetes Management Project is investigating the clinical, behavioural and psychosocial barriers to optimal diabetes care in individuals with and without diabetic retinopathy., Design: Prospective cohort., Participants: Two hundred and twenty-three and 374 patients without and with diabetic retinopathy, respectively., Methods: All individuals underwent a comprehensive dilated eye test, anthropometric measurements, blood and urine samples, and psychosocial questionnaires., Main Outcome Measures: Good glycaemic control was defined as glycosylated haemoglobin < 7%, good blood pressure control as systolic and diastolic values ≤130 and 80 mmHg, respectively, and good diabetes control as glycosylated haemoglobin < 7% and blood pressure values ≤130 and 80 mmHg., Results: Four hundred and one males (65.4%) and 212 females (34.6%) aged 26-90 years (mean age ± standard deviation = 64.6 ± 11.6) were examined. The median glycosylated haemoglobin for all participants was 7.5% (interquartile range = 1.7%). Average systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were 139.7 mmHg (standard deviation = 18.8) and 92.7 mmHg (standard deviation = 30.9), respectively. Initial data analyses indicate that over two-thirds of participants with diabetes have poor glycaemic control, which was worse in those with diabetic retinopathy compared with those without (76.3% vs. 49.3%; P < 0.001). Blood pressure control was similar for those with and without diabetic retinopathy, with almost a third (28.5%) of the total sample having poor blood pressure control. Overall, those with diabetic retinopathy had poorer diabetes control than those without (24.3% vs. 13.7%; P = 0.002)., Conclusions: Our findings substantiate the implementation of the Diabetes Management Project, developed to assess factors associated with suboptimal diabetes care., (© 2011 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology © 2011 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.)

A study is presented on the effect of the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol on mitochondrial oxygen metabolism in fibroblast and heart myoblast cultures. Isoproterenol treatment of serum-limited fibroblasts and proliferating myoblasts results in the promotion of mitochondrial complex I activity and decrease of the cellular level of reactive oxygen species. These effects of isoproterenol are associated with cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of complex I subunit(s). Addition of okadaic acid, inhibitor of protein phosphatase(s), reverses the decline of complex I activity in serum-limited fibroblast cultures and activates the complex in proliferating myoblast cultures. The effects of isoproterenol on complex I activity and reactive oxygen species balance can contribute to the therapeutic effect of the drug., (2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Work is presented on the role of cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation in post-translational processing and biosynthesis of complex I subunits in mammalian cell cultures. PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the NDUFS4 subunit of complex I promotes in cell cultures in vivo import/maturation in mitochondria of the precursor of this protein. The import promotion appears to be associated with the observed cAMP-dependent stimulation of the catalytic activity of complex I. These effects of PKA are counteracted by activation of protein phosphatase(s). PKA and the transcription factor CREB play a critical role in the biosynthesis of complex I subunits. CREB phosphorylation, by PKA and/or CaMKs, activates at nuclear and mitochondrial level a transcriptional regulatory cascade which promotes the concerted expression of nuclear and mitochondrial encoded subunits of complex I and other respiratory chain proteins., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)