Lipid mixtures (from a liposome kit) and melatonin improve post-thawed Angora goat sperm parameters.

Semen freezing and storing has been widely used in reproductive biotechnology, being applied to certain males of livestock breeds or animal species with economic value such as the Angora goat. The development of a semen extender with the cryoprotective agents can prevent the deterioration of sperm parameters after thawing. This study aimed to investigate lipid mixtures (from a liposome kit, Lps) and melatonin (Mel) at different doses to prevent the deterioration of sperm parameters and to provide the cryoprotective effects on sperm DNA. The Angora goat ejaculates were collected and pooled. They were divided into seven equal volumes, and each of them was diluted with the extenders of the experimental groups with additives (Lps 321.99 µg/mL, Lps 841.33 µg/mL, Mel 0.25 mM, Mel 1 mM, Lps 321.99 µg/mL + Mel 1 mM, Lps 841.33 µg/mL + Mel 0.25 mM) and no additives (control group). After the freeze-thawing process, motility, viability, acrosome integrity, DNA double-strand breaks, and abnormal DNA integrity were assessed for different extender groups. It was determined that the use of Lps alone at low dose or the combination of Lps and Mel had significant cryoprotective effects on motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and DNA damage in Angora goat sperm. This study will help us to understand the effects of Lps and Mel used alone or in combination at different doses and which doses give the optimum spermatological parameter rates following the freeze-thawing process, and hence it will shed light on further studies.

Barriers to Cooperation With Family Members in Psychiatric Care in Turkey: Perspectives of Health Professionals and Family Caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Cooperation between families of individuals with mental illnesses and mental health professionals is very important for the quality of mental health care, and there are many barriers to the establishment of cooperation between mental health professionals and families. It is highly important to identify/define barriers to cooperation between families and health professionals from a cultural perspective. AIM: The present study was aimed at identifying barriers to cooperation between mental health professionals and families from the perspectives of mental health professionals and family caregivers in Turkey. METHOD: In the sample of this descriptive qualitative study, 12 family caregivers and 11 health professionals were included. RESULTS: The results of the study indicated seven themes regarding the perceptions of family caregivers and mental health professionals. The themes related to perceptions of family caregivers about barriers are as follows: "learning the process by living," the perception of "my patient comes first," and the perception of "being neglected." The themes related to perceptions of mental health professionals about barriers are as follows: "lack of collaboration within the team," "family itself as a barrier," and "lack of education about working with families." The common theme mentioned by both groups included the "patient-oriented service understanding." CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from this study are believed to be a guide for planning and implementing interventions to eliminate the barriers defined from the perspectives of both mental health professionals and family caregivers. Both mental health professionals and family caregivers need psychosocial interventions for strengthening "family cooperation."

Effects of the family support and psychoeducation program based on the Calgary Family Intervention Model on the coping, psychological distress and psychological resilience levels of the family caregivers of chronic psychiatric patients.

AIMS: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of family support and psychoeducation program based on Calgary Family Intervention Model on coping, psychological distress and psychological resilience levels of families of chronic psychiatric patients. METHODS: The sample of this quasi-experimental study consisted of the caregivers of chronic psychiatric patients who were admitted to the adult psychiatry inpatient and outpatient unit of a university hospital and the caregivers of chronic psychiatric patients registered with the Schizophrenia Solidarity Association. Nonparametric analysis was used in the analysis of the data. RESULTS: It was found that there was a significant decrease between the mean distress scores the caregivers participating in the Calgary Family Intervention-Based Family Support and Psychoeducation Program obtained from the measurements before, right after, and 3 and 6 months after the intervention (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the coping scores and psychological resilience scores the caregivers obtained from the measurements before, right after, and 3 and 6 months after the intervention (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the family support and psychoeducation program based on the Calgary Family Intervention Model applied to family members giving care to individuals with chronic mental illnesses had positive effects on the general health status of the caregivers.

Calgary Family Intervention Model-Based Family Support and Psychoeducation Related Intervention Experiences of Family Members Caring for Patients with a Chronic Mental Illness: "We Are All in the Same Boat".

In the study, it was aimed to investigate the Calgary Family Intervention Model-based Family Support and Psychoeducation Intervention experiences of family members who cared for patients with a chronic mental illness. The sample of this study consisted of 15 caregivers of chronic psychiatric patients who participated in the Calgary Family Intervention Model-based family support and psychoeducation intervention and met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through semi-structured questions and individual interviews. The interviews were recorded on a voice recorder. In the analysis of the data, content analysis was used. At the end of the study, the following four main themes were obtained: "we are all in the same boat," "shared feelings and mutual learning," "awareness and hope" and "suggestions." The results obtained from the study indicate that cognitive and emotional support need of those who provide care for family members with a chronic mental illness is an important issue that should not be ignored. Creating environments where individuals with similar experiences can share their experiences and providing the support, they need are an important tool that reinforces their hope and awareness.

Activation of GPR75 Signaling Pathway Contributes to the Effect of a 20-HETE Mimetic, 5,14-HEDGE, to Prevent Hypotensive and Tachycardic Responses to Lipopolysaccharide in a Rat Model of Septic Shock.

ABSTRACT: The orphan receptor, G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 75, which has been shown to mediate various effects of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), is considered as a therapeutic target in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in which changes in the production of 20-HETE play a key role in their pathogenesis. Our previous studies showed that 20-HETE mimetic, N -(20-hydroxyeicosa-5[Z],14[Z]-dienoyl)glycine (5,14-HEDGE), protects against vascular hyporeactivity, hypotension, tachycardia, and arterial inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. This study tested the hypothesis that the GPR75 signaling pathway mediates these effects of 5,14-HEDGE in response to systemic exposure to LPS. Mean arterial pressure reduced by 33 mm Hg, and heart rate increased by 102 beats/min at 4 hours following LPS injection. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that (1) the dissociation of GPR75/Gα q/11 and GPR kinase interactor 1 (GIT1)/protein kinase C (PKC) α, the association of GPR75/GIT1, large conductance voltage and calcium-activated potassium subunit ß (MaxiKß)/PKCα, MaxiKß/proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase (c-Src), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/c-Src, MaxiKß, and EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation were decreased, and (2) the association of GIT1/c-Src was increased in the arterial tissues of rats treated with LPS. The LPS-induced changes were prevented by 5,14-HEDGE. N -[20-Hydroxyeicosa-6( Z ),15( Z )-dienoyl]glycine, a 20-HETE antagonist, reversed the effects of 5,14-HEDGE in the arterial tissues of LPS-treated rats. Thus, similar to 20-HETE, by binding to GPR75 and activating the Gα q/11 /PKCα/MaxiKß, GIT1/PKCα/MaxiKß, GIT1/c-Src/MaxiKß, and GIT1/c-Src/EGFR signaling pathways, 5,14-HEDGE may exert its protective effects against LPS-induced hypotension and tachycardia associated with vascular hyporeactivity and arterial inflammation.

Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl)urea prevents hyperalgesia through regulating NLRC4 inflammasome-related pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways in the lipopolysaccharide-induced pain mouse model.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have anti-inflammatory effects and soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibition might be a useful therapeutic approach to manage inflammatory disorders. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLR) C4 inflammasome-related pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways in the central nervous system (CNS) participates in the effect of trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl)urea (TPPU), a potent sEH inhibitor, to prevent hyperalgesia in the LPS-induced pain mouse model. The latency of pain within 30 s was measured by the hot plate test in male mice injected with saline, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 mg/kg), and/or TPPU (0.3, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg) after 6 h. Hyperalgesia induced by LPS was associated with decreased 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid and interleukin (IL)-1ß levels and enhanced expression of NLRC4, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC), caspase-1 p20, IL-1ß, and caspase-11 p20 in the brains and spinal cords of the animals. Besides the increased expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) subunits (gp91phox and p47phox ) and nitrotyrosine, a decrease in NLRC3, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) expression was also observed in the tissues of LPS-treated mice. TPPU at 0.5 mg/kg dose prevented the changes induced by LPS. Likely, decreased activity of pro-inflammatory NLRC4/ASC/pro-caspase-1 and caspase-11 inflammasomes and NOX in addition to enhanced levels of anti-inflammatory EETs and expression of NLRC3, iNOS, and nNOS in the CNS of mice participates in the protective effect of TPPU against LPS-induced hyperalgesia.

Suppression of TLR4/MyD88/TAK1/NF-κB/COX-2 Signaling Pathway in the Central Nervous System by Bexarotene, a Selective RXR Agonist, Prevents Hyperalgesia in the Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Pain Mouse Model.

A selective RXR agonist, bexarotene, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and neuroprotective effects in several models of numerous neurological diseases characterized by systemic inflammation. The mechanisms underlying these effects remains unknown. To elucidate these mechanisms, we investigated whether the TLR4/MyD88/TAK1/NF-κB/COX-2 signaling pathway in the CNS mediates the effect of bexarotene to prevent hyperalgesia in the LPS-induced inflammatory pain mouse model. The reaction time to thermal stimuli within 30 s was evaluated by the hot plate test in male mice treated with saline, LPS (10 mg/kg), DMSO, and/or bexarotene (0.1, 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg) after 6 h. The latency to the thermal stimulus (18.11 ± 1.36 s) in the LPS-treated mice was significantly decreased by 30% compared with saline-treated mice (25.84 ± 1.99 s). Treatment with bexarotene only at a dose of 10 mg/kg showed a significant increase in the latency by 22.49 ± 1.00 s compared with LPS-treated mice. Bexarotene also prevented the reduction in RXRα protein expression associated with a rise in the expression of TLR4, MyD88, phosphorylated TAK1, NF-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65, COX-2, and IL-1ß proteins, in addition to COX-2 activity and levels of PGE2 and IL-1ß in the brains and spinal cords of the LPS-treated animals. Likely, decreased activity of TLR4/MyD88/TAK1/NF-κB/COX-2 signaling pathway in addition to increased pro-inflammatory cytokine formation in the CNS of mice participates in the protective effect of bexarotene against hyperalgesia induced by LPS.

Strategies used by families to cope with chronic mental illnesses: Psychometric properties of the family crisis oriented personal evaluation scale.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed at investigating the psychometric properties of the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale (F-COPES) for Turkish society, which assesses the coping skills of caregivers of individuals with chronic mental illnesses. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 153 family caregivers of patients with a chronic mental illness admitted to the inpatient and outpatient units of two university hospitals and Izmir Schizophrenia Solidarity Association. For the language validity, the translation-back translation method was performed, for the content validity, expert opinions were obtained, for the construct validity, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed. For the reliability analysis, Cronbach α reliability coefficient was calculated and the test-retest reliability analysis was performed. FINDINGS: The content validity index of the scale was 0.96. The Cronbach's α reliability coefficient for the overall scale was .80. Factor loadings of the subscales ranged between 0.56 and 0.69 for the Acquiring Social Support subscale, between 0.43 and 0.74 for the Reframing subscale, between 0.53 and 0.74 for the Seeking Spiritual Support subscale. The model fit indexes were as follows: χ2 = 176.369, df = 116, χ2 /df = 1.52, RMSEA = 0.059, CFI = 0.90, IFI = 0.91, GFI = 0.88. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The results of the present study show that the levels of psychometric properties of F-COPES in Turkish society are acceptable. It is thought that it would be useful to use the F-COPES in the assessment of coping behaviors of individuals who give care to patients with a chronic mental illness and that it can be used as measurement tool in studies to be conducted with caregivers of patients with a chronic mental illness to assess their coping skills.

Experiences of Family Caregivers of Individuals With Chronic Psychiatric Illness in Turkey: A Qualitative Study.

The purpose of the current descriptive qualitative study was to reveal experiences of family caregivers of individuals with chronic psychiatric illness. Family caregivers who provided care to 16 individuals with chronic mental illness were interviewed. Three themes emerged from the interviews: Illness Management, The Caregiver's World: Changes and Effects, and Coping From the Caregiver's Point of View. Understanding the experiences of family caregivers contributes to content development of family intervention programs. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(3), 38-46.].

NF-κB activation mediates LPS-or zymosan-induced hypotension and inflammation reversed by BAY61-3606, a selective Syk inhibitor, in rat models of septic and non-septic shock.

We have previously demonstrated that the activation of the spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk)/inhibitory-κB (IκB)-α/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 signalling pathway contributes to hypotension and inflammatory response in a rat models of zymosan (ZYM)-induced non-septic shock. The purpose of this study was to further examine the possible mechanism underlying the effect of inhibition of Syk by BAY61-3606 via NF-κB activity at the level of nuclear translocation regarding the production of vasodilator and proinflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (septic)- and ZYM (non-septic)-induced shock. Administration of LPS (10 mg/kg, ip) or ZYM (500 mg/kg, ip) to male Wistar rats decreased mean arterial pressure and increased heart rate that was associated with an increase in the activities of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase, tumour necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-8 levels, and NF-κB activation and nuclear translocation in sera and/or cardiovascular and renal tissues. BAY61-3606 (3 mg/kg, ip), the selective Syk inhibitor, given 1 hour after LPS- or ZYM injection reversed all the above-mentioned effects. These results suggest that Syk contributes to the LPS- or ZYM-induced hypotension and inflammation associated with transactivation of NF-κB in septic and non-septic shock.

The role of Syk/IĸB-α/NF-ĸB pathway activation in the reversal effect of BAY 61-3606, a selective Syk inhibitor, on hypotension and inflammation in a rat model of zymosan-induced non-septic shock.

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, plays an important role in allergic diseases and inflammation. Syk triggers several intracellular signalling cascades including Toll-like receptor signalling to activate inflammatory responses following fungal infection but the role of this enzyme in zymosan (ZYM)-induced non-septic shock and its impacts on hypotension and inflammation in rats is not well understood. This study was conducted to determine the effects of Syk inhibition on ZYM-induced alterations in the expression and/or activities of Syk, inhibitor ĸB (IĸB)-α, and nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-ĸB) p65. We also examined the effect of Syk inhibition on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) that contribute to hypotension and inflammation. Administration of ZYM (500 mg/kg, ip) to male Wistar rats decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate. These changes were associated with increased expression and/or activities of Syk, NF-κB p65, iNOS and COX-2 and decreased expression of IκB-α with enhanced levels of nitrite, nitrotyrosine, 6-keto-PGF1α , and TNF-α and activity of MPO in renal, cardiac and vascular tissues. ZYM administration also elevated serum and tissue nitrite levels. The selective Syk inhibitor BAY 61-3606 (3 mg/kg, ip) given 1 hour after ZYM injection reversed all of these changes induced by ZYM. These results suggest that Syk/IĸB-α/NF-ĸB pathway activation contributes to hypotension and inflammation caused by the production of vasodilator and proinflammatory mediators in the zymosan-induced non-septic shock model.

Changes in lifestyle upon diagnosis of cancer or other chronic illnesses: A Turkish Oncology Group study.

Cancer, like other chronic illnesses, changes the patients' way of living significantly. Although some may think, for instance, that religiousness would increase with the diagnosis of cancer, no previous studies have been performed in the Turkish society to confirm this. We, as the Turkish Oncology Group, conducted a survey in seven different oncology centres, representing a large majority of Turkey, to investigate how patients' lifestyles changed following a cancer diagnosis; we used dialysis patients as a chronic illness control group. The study findings showed how changes in spiritual practices are completely in line with what is observed in other chronic illnesses. These findings may help to address cancer patients' needs and facilitate resource allocation accordingly.

Bexarotene, a Selective RXRα Agonist, Reverses Hypotension Associated with Inflammation and Tissue Injury in a Rat Model of Septic Shock.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors that can activate or inhibit the expression of many target genes by forming a heterodimer complex with the retinoid X receptor (RXR). The aim of this study was to investigate effects of bexarotene, a selective RXRα agonist, on the changes in renal, cardiac, hepatic, and pulmonary expression/activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4F6 in relation to PPARα/ß/γ-RXRα heterodimer formation in a rat model of septic shock. Rats were injected with dimethyl sulfoxide or bexarotene 1 h after administration of saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded from rats, which had received either saline or LPS before and after 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. Serum iNOS, LTB4, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels as well as tissue iNOS and CYP4F6 mRNA expression in addition to PPARα/ß/γ and RXRα proteins were measured. LPS-induced decrease in MAP and increase in HR were associated with a decrease in PPARα/ß/γ-RXRα heterodimer formation and CYP4F6 mRNA expression. LPS also caused an increase in systemic iNOS, LTB4, MPO, and LDH levels as well as iNOS mRNA expression. Bexarotene at 0.1 mg/kg (i.p.) prevented the LPS-induced changes, except tachycardia. The results suggest that increased formation of PPARα/ß/γ-RXRα heterodimers and CYP4F6 expression/activity in addition to decreased iNOS expression contributes to the beneficial effect of bexarotene to prevent the hypotension associated with inflammation and tissue injury during rat endotoxemia.

Protection by mTOR Inhibition on Zymosan-Induced Systemic Inflammatory Response and Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress: Contribution of mTOR/MEK1/ERK1/2/IKKß/IκB-α/NF-κB Signalling Pathway.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine kinase regulate variety of cellular functions including cell growth, differentiation, cell survival, metabolism, and stress response, is now appreciated to be a central regulator of immune responses. Because mTOR inhibitors enhanced the anti-inflammatory activities of regulatory T cells and decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages, mTOR has been a pharmacological target for inflammatory diseases. In this study, we examined the role of mTOR in the production of proinflammatory and vasodilator mediators in zymosan-induced non-septic shock model in rats. To elucidate the mechanism by which mTOR contributes to non-septic shock, we have examined the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system caused by mTOR/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2)/inhibitor κB kinase (IKKß)/inhibitor of κB (IκB-α)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway activation. After 1 h of zymosan (500 mg/kg, i.p.) administration to rats, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was decreased and heart rate (HR) was increased. These changes were associated with increased expression and/or activities of ribosomal protein S6, MEK1, ERK1/2, IKKß, IκB-α and NF-κB p65, and NADPH oxidase system activity in cardiovascular and renal tissues. Rapamycin (1 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective mTOR inhibitor, reversed these zymosan-induced changes in these tissues. These observations suggest that activation of mTOR/MEK1/ERK1/2/IKKß/IκB-α/NF-κB signalling pathway with proinflammatory and vasodilator mediator formation and NADPH oxidase system activity contributes to systemic inflammation in zymosan-induced non-septic shock. Thus, mTOR may be an optimal target for the treatment of the diseases characterized by the severe systemic inflammatory response.

Effects of two different psychiatric nursing courses on nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness, perceptions of psychiatric nursing, and career choices.

This quasi-experimental study was carried out to compare the attitudes towards psychiatry patients of students educated with problem-based learning and students educated with a traditional method in western Turkey. The students' perceptions of psychiatric nursing and their career choices were also evaluated. The sample consisted of 202 students; 130 were educated with a problem-based learning model and 72 were educated with a traditional method. Students educated with the problem-based learning method developed more positive attitudes towards mental illness after the psychiatric nursing course in comparison with students educated with the traditional method. Students educated with the traditional method preferred psychiatric nursing in comparison with nursing students educated with problem-based learning. It is important that the psychiatric nursing curriculum includes topics and programs that will create awareness in students regarding stigmatization of mental illness and its effects. In addition, we suggest that studies are performed to determine the perceptions of students towards psychiatric nursing and the factors that affect their career choices.

[Results of a multicenter study investigating plasmid mediated colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 and mcr-2) in clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Turkey]. / Ülkemizde klinik Enterobacteriaceae izolatlarinda plazmit aracili kolistin direnç genlerini (mcr-1 ve mcr-2) arastiran çok merkezli çalismaya ait sonuçlar.

Colistin is a polymyxin antibiotic which is considered as one of the last line agents against infections due to multidrug resistant or carbapenem resistant gram-negative pathogens. Colistin resistance is associated with chromosomal alterations which can usually cause mutations in genes coding specific two component regulator systems. The first plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr-1 was described in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in December 2015 and followed by another plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene mcr-2 in 2016. The rapid and interspecies dissemination of plasmid-mediated resistance mechanisms through horizontal gene transfer, have made these genes considerably threatening. After the first reports, although mcr-1/mcr-2 producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates have been reported from many countries, there have been no reports from Turkey. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mcr-1/mcr-2 in clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates from different parts of our country. A total of 329 Enterobacteriaceae isolates from 22 laboratories were collected which were isolated between March, 2015 and February, 2016. mcr-1/mcr-2 were investigated by polymerase chain reaction during February-March, 2016. Two hundred and seventeen of Klebsiella pneumoniae (66%), 75 of Salmonella spp. (22.8%), 31 of Esherichia coli (9.4%), 3 of Enterobacter cloacae (0.9%), 2 of Klebsiella oxytoca (0.6%) and 1 of Enterobacter aerogenes (0.3%) isolates were included to the study. Agarose gel electrophoresis results of PCR studies have shown expected band sizes for positive control isolates as 309 bp for mcr-1 and 567 bp for mcr-2. However, the presence of mcr-1/mcr-2 genes was not detected among the tested study isolates of Enterobacteriaceae. Although mcr-1/mcr-2 were not detected in our study isolates, it is highly important to understand the mechanism of resistance dissemination and determine the resistant isolates by considering that colistin is a last-line antibiotic against infections of multidrug or carbapenem resistant gram-negative bacteria. Thus, it is suggested that these mechanisms should be followed-up in both clinical and non-clinical (e.g. isolates from food animals, raw meats and environment) isolates of special populations.

Exploration of the Factors Affecting the Choices of Nursing Students Who Choose Psychiatric Nursing as the First and Last Choice.

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the factors that affect the choices of nursing students who chose a psychiatric nursing internship. The sample group of the study consisted of 13 students who listed psychiatric nursing as their first choice and 11 students who listed psychiatric nursing as their last choice. Four themes were determined: personal reasons, stigmatization, experiences related to psychiatric nursing, and perception of care. Providing activities in nursing education to reduce stigmatization and increasing the time allocated for psychiatric nursing theory and practice are recommended.

Activation of mTOR/IκB-α/NF-κB pathway contributes to LPS-induced hypotension and inflammation in rats.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a serine/threonine kinase plays an important role in various pathophysiological processes including cancer, metabolic diseases, and inflammation. Although mTOR participates in Toll-like receptor 4 signalling in different cell types, the role of this enzyme in sepsis pathogenesis and its effects on hypotension and inflammation in endotoxemic rats remains unclear. In this study we investigated the effects of mTOR inhibition on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes on expressions and/or activities of ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6), an mTOR substrate, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65, inhibitor κB (IκB)-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 with production of nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, prostacyclin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), which results in hypotension and inflammation. Injection of LPS (10mg/kg, i.p.) to male Wistar rats decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate that were associated with elevated nitrotyrosine, 6-keto-PGF1α, and TNF-α levels and MPO activity, and increased expressions and/or activities of rpS6, NF-κB p65, iNOS, and COX-2 and decreased expression of IκB-α in renal, cardiac, and vascular tissues. LPS also increased serum and tissue nitrite levels. Rapamycin (1mg/kg, i.p.) given one h after injection of LPS reversed these effects of LPS. These data suggest that the activation of mTOR/IκB-α/NF-κB pathway associated with vasodilator and proinflammatory mediator formation contributes to LPS-induced hypotension and inflammation.

Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome Prevents LPS-Induced Inflammatory Hyperalgesia in Mice: Contribution of NF-κB, Caspase-1/11, ASC, NOX, and NOS Isoforms.

The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3), an intracellular signaling molecule that senses many environmental- and pathogen/host-derived factors, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases associated with inflammation. It has been suggested that NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of NLRP3-related inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome prevents inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice as well as changes in expression/activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), caspase-1/11, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX), and endothelial/neuronal/inducible nitric oxide synthase (eNOS/nNOS/iNOS) that may regulate NLRP3/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC)/pro-caspase-1 inflammasome formation and activity by using a selective NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor, MCC950. Male mice received saline (10 ml/kg; i.p.), LPS (10 mg/kg; i.p.), and/or MCC950 (3 mg/kg; i.p.). Reaction time to thermal stimuli within 1 min was evaluated after 6 h. The mice were killed and the brains, hearts, and lungs were collected for measurement of NF-κB, caspase-1, caspase-11, NLRP3, ASC, NOX subunits (gp91phox; NOX2), and p47phox; NOXO2), nitrotyrosine, eNOS, nNOS, iNOS, and ß-actin protein expression, NOS activity, and interleukin (IL)-1ß levels. LPS-induced hyperalgesia was associated with a decrease in eNOS, nNOS, and iNOS protein expression and activity as well as an increase in expression of NF-κB p65, caspase-1 p20, caspase-11 p20, NLRP3, ASC, gp91phox, p47phox, and nitrotyrosine proteins in addition to elevated IL-1ß levels. The LPS-induced changes were prevented by MCC950. The results suggest that inhibition of NLRP3/ASC/pro-caspase-1 inflammasome formation and activity prevents inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by LPS in mice as well as changes in NF-κB, caspase-11, NOX2, NOXO2, and eNOS/nNOS/iNOS expression/activity.