Purpose: Cardiac patients frequently report sexual concerns after an acute or chronic cardiac problem. While sexual problems have been generally reported, our study examined demographic variables, co-morbid conditions, and sexual activities as predictive factors of sexual concerns. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional survey of patients with CAD, ACS, angina, MI, HF, or CABG. Participants (N=205) responded to demographic questions, a Sexual Concerns Inventory (12 items rated "never" to "frequently", with 3 subscales). Two items on ED were analyzed as one item to measure patient or male partner's ED; thus, concerns were scored with 11 items (R=0-33). Participants chose from 20 cardiac/noncardiac co-morbidities. Sexual activity score was an index of whether or not the respondents participated in 8 possible activities ranging from kissing/hugging to intercourse. Data were analyzed using t-tests, correlations, and OLS regression. Results: Non-Whites, those not employed, and those who smoked had significantly more sexual concerns; men and those not employed reported more sexual dysfunction, non-Whites reported more fears and symptoms, and smokers reported more symptoms and sexual dysfunction. The number of cardiac and noncardiac comorbidities significantly predicted sexual concerns (R2=0.213; Table). For those sexually active, specific sexual activities yielded significantly greater concerns. Predictors of Sexual Concerns OLS Regression Analysis: *p=0.058, **p<0.001, ***p<0.0001. Conclusions: Comorbidities, sexual activities, and demographic factors contributed to sexual concerns, fears, symptoms, and dysfunction. Thorough sexual assessment by providers is critical to understand individual concerns and to tailor sexual counseling.

Patients with heart failure often suffer from depression. However, little is known about the influence of depression on sexual activity and satisfaction. This secondary analysis of descriptive cross-sectional data study examines the role of depression on sexual activity and sexual satisfaction in heart failure. Results highlight the need for acute care nurses to routinely screen for depression and sexual concerns in HF.

Patients with heart failure (HF) face significant challenges in maintaining quality of life (QOL), particularly for sexual intimacy. Although recommended for all cardiac patients, it has been suggested that few HF patients receive sexual counseling. This study explored sexual counseling needs, sexual concerns, and sexual activity using a descriptive survey with HF patients (n = 45), recruited from a HF clinic or cardiology office. Most (77%) had not discussed sexual concerns with a health care professional (HCP). Sexual concerns that were rated as occurring 'occasionally/frequently' included partner overprotectiveness (63%), partner fear of sex (36%), lack of sexual interest (42%), erectile problems (74%), orgasmic difficulties (51%). Frequency of sexual intercourse before HF to present was striking, with 53% reporting no sexual activity in the last 2 months compared with 11% before diagnosis of HF. HCPs must provide sexual counseling to HF patients and partners to enhance QOL and to assist in any adaptations to sexual activity.

Oxidative DNA damage is emerging as an biomarker of effect in studies assessing the health risks of occupational chemicals. Trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC) are used in the dry cleaning industry and their metabolism can produce reactive oxygen compounds. The present study examined the potential for TCE and PERC to induce oxidative DNA damage in rats that was detectable as increased urinary excretion of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG). Thiobarbaturic acid reactive substances (TBARS) and 8-epiprostaglandin F2alpha (8epiPGF) were also measured as biomarkers of increased oxidative stress. Male Fischer rats were administered a single i.p. injection of 0, 100, 500, or 1000 mg/kg of PERC or TCE. Control rats received only vehicle (1:4 v/v of Alkamuls/water). A positive control group received 100 mg/kg 2-nitropropane (2NP). Rats were sacrificed 24 h after dosing. In rats receiving 2NP or TCE but not PERC, TBARS and the 8OHdG/dG ratios were significantly elevated in liver. Lymphocyte 8OHdG/dG was not affected significantly by 2NP, TCE or PERC. In rats receiving 2NP, urinary excretion of 8OHdG and 8epiPGF2 were significantly increased. In rats receiving TCE or PERC, significant increases in 8epiPGF2 or 8OHdG were not evident. Results indicate that a single high dose of TCE, but not PERC, can induce an increase in oxidative DNA damage in rat liver. However, the usefulness of 8OHdG as a biomarker of TCE-induced oxidative DNA damage is questionable.

Operant response rate and average response duration were recorded for two groups of six rats each responding under a FR 10 schedule of food reinforcement. Using a chronic dosing regime, the effects of haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg) on operant performance were evaluated in one group 2.5, 50.0, 7.5 and 10.0 h after drug tretment. The other group received clozapine (5.0 mg/kg) 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 h before data collection. For both drugs time since injection produced significant effects on both rate and duration: rat increased and duration decreased as a function of time after injection. Haloperidol tended to have a greater lengthening effect upon response duration than did clozapine. In addition, changes in behavior as a function of time after haloperidol injection were observed to approximate previously published pharmacokinetic data for haloperidol administered according to dosing regimes similar to those used here.