Gap Junction Contributions to the Goldfish Electroretinogram at the Photopic Illumination Level

Understanding how the b-wave of the electroretinogram (ERG) is generated by full-field light stimulation is still a challenge in visual neuroscience. To understand more about the origin of the b-wave, we studied the contributions of gap junctions to the ERG b-wave. Many types of retinal neurons are connected to similar and different neighboring neurons through gap junctions. The photopic (cone-dominated) ERG, stimulated by a small light beam, was recorded from goldfish (Carassius auratus) using a corneal electrode. Data were obtained before and after intravitreal injection of agents into the eye under a photopic illumination level. Several agents were used to affect gap junctions, such as dopamine D1 and D2 receptor agonists and antagonists, a nitric oxide (NO) donor, a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, the gap junction blocker meclofenamic acid (MFA), and mixtures of these agents. The ERG b-waves, which were enhanced by MFA, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), SKF 38393, and sulpiride, remained following application of a further injection of a mixture with MFA. The ERG b-waves decreased following NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), SCH 23390, and quinpirole administration but were enhanced by further injection of a mixture with MFA. These results indicate that gap junction activity influences b-waves of the ERG related to NO and dopamine actions.

Analysis of Nursing Activity in General Hospital Using Hospital Information System / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study intended to identify the staff nurse's activity in general hospital, where its Hospital Information System is well established and Electronic Nursing Record System was being used for 2 years. METHODS: Procedure was done with the following steps; In the first step, nursing activity time was analysed by checklist, which 28 nurses filled out by themselves. The group interview was followed. RESULTS: During the day shift, the direct nursing activities took 37.04%, indirect nursing 40.74%, ward management 18.52% and personal time 3.70% respectively. In evening shift, nurses used 29.41% on direct nursing, 45.10% on indirect nursing, 19.61% on ward management and 5.88% on personal time. In night shift, direct nursing took 17.91%, indirect nursing 46.27%, ward management 17.91% and personal time 11.98%. The group interview reported the differences in nursing activities which recognized by the included staff nurses after the introduction of ENR; speed and convenience in working, the correctness and speed of recording, reduction of indirect nursing time including recording time and increase of direct nursing time and patient education. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of HIS including ENR system was verified to be effective on improvement of nursing quality, by bringing reduction of indirect nursing time and increase of direct nursing time.