bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The concept of nursing*
Authors: Henderson Virginia
Published: December 2006

The author contends that with the acceptance of health care as a universal human right has come a variety of national, provincial, state, and local systems for providing health care. An international network of rapid communications makes peoples everywhere aware of the variety of systems and the fact that some systems other than their own show better results, as measured by, for example, the infant mortality rate, or the incidence of venereal disease. Traditional roles for doctors, nurses, health educators, social workers and others are in question.

To meet the needs of the people, health educators, physicians, social workers, nurses and all other categories of health personnel must constantly evaluate their roles and be ready to modify them for the common good and modify the programmes that prepare them for their work. While the roles of doctors, nurses and others are, necessarily, in these rapidly changing times, in · a fluid state, some health workers must provide a 24‐hour service that helps human beings with their essential daily activities when they lack the strength, knowledge, or will, to carry them out unaided and to work towards the development of a healthy independence. This intimate and essential service is, in the author's opinion, the universal element in the concept of nursing.

The most successful preparation of nurses will, the author argues, always include whatever gives them the broadest possible understanding of humanity and the world in which they live. It will also provide an opportunity to see expert nursing care given and to have the satisfaction of seeing the care they themselves give, hasten a person's recovery, help a person cope with a handicap, or die in peace when death is inevitable.
Changing foci in American nursing education: primary and transcultural nursing care*
Authors: Leininger Madeleine
Published: December 2006

Two major movements in the USA–transcultural nursing and primary care nursing–are discussed. They are considered to be exciting, challenging and promising developments to advance nursing education and practice. These movements are placing new and heavy responsibilities on nurse educators.

The author argues that both transcultural nursing and primary care nursing movements need to be part of local, national and international health education and care systems.
The selection interview in the assessment of suitability for nurse training
Authors: Reeve Peter E.
Published: December 2006

The interview has, for a long time, been the central method for the assessment of applicants for nurse training in the United Kingdom. The lack of a clear person specification, and, in particular, training in the skills involved in assessing personality, have been excused on the grounds of the universality of types required in nursing. This paper outlines some initial work that has been done on identifying a ‘personality mix or constellation’ and ways of exploring and assessing it in face‐to‐face interviews.
Nigerian patient'perception of their nursing care needs
Authors: Leke Joe Timbir
Published: December 2006

This study, conducted in three hospitals in the Western State of Nigeria, focused on Nigerian patients' perception of their nursing care needs. The basic hypothesis that‘patients determine patient care' was supported by respondents' verbalization in the interviews. Sixty‐five patients were interviewed and the findings are presented to indicate patients' perceptions of their nursing care needs, which are considered to be a contribution to the nursing process.
Nursing care in labour and patient satisfaction: a descriptive study
Authors: Shields Donna
Published: December 2006

This study examined the subjective needs of labouring patients. A convenience sample of 80 postpartum patients was interviewed. They described the nursing care they had received, indicated the most helpful nursing measure received, and rated their satisfaction with their nursing care. These answers were categorized into types of nursing care. These were supportive care nursing, physical care nursing, medications and combinations of these three, χ2 calculations done between these categories and satisfaction scores indicated a significant relationship between the type of care a patient received and her satisfaction scores. Patients found combined care very satisfying, but supportive care was the decisive factor in the way patients viewed their nursing care. The most frequently mentioned element in supportive care was the ability of the nurse to be a sustaining presence. The nurse's ability to assess and to meet the patient's need or non‐need for her presence was a major factor in patient satisfaction with nursing care in this sample. The relationship between congruency (agreement between time wanted and time spent by the nurse at the bedside) and satisfaction scores was highly significant. Thus the ability to recognize and respond to the patient's need or non‐need for her presence was a crucial factor in patient satisfaction and in the way in which a nurse allocated her time. The relationships between numbers of nurses caring for a patient, parity, length of labour, presence of visitors, worries about the baby and patient satisfaction scores were examined. All were non‐significant. However numbers of nurses caring for a pacient was defined as a contributing factor to the delivery of supportive care nursing. More nurses contributed to more supportive care nursing being given, but was not the major factor in the delivery of supportive care nursing. Finally it was shown that the administration of syntocinon to patients in this sample decreased patient satisfaction with nursing care. Implications and possible reasons for these results are discussed.
The effects of the referral process on hospital in‐patients
Authors: Cass Sue
Published: December 2006

Decisions relating to the preparation for hospital discharge of medical patients can take place at any time after admission to hospital. Referrals to the hospital departments of social work, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, and to community nursing, health visiting and social services are a key factor in this preparation. The referral process is complex and multifaceted and can be analyzed in terms of the questions of who initiates the referral, for what reasons, and at what point in the patient's career. The variant views of role of those professionals involved in the referral process and their perceptions of the situation affect what subsequently takes place and can be examined in relation to each other and to the referral process itself The complexity may be increased further by the intervention of a patient's relatives

Referrals are made on the basis of a social diagnosis, the sources of information for which are diverse, with the result that the referral process is unstandardized and unpredictable.
Professionalism and the nature of nursing reward
Authors: Austin Rita
Published: December 2006

This paper examines the relationship between the rewards that feature in the ideology of professionalism and those that inspire nurses. A core feature of a wider thesis, which examined the congruence between the status aspirations held by nurses and the aspirations to status recognized and rewarded by nursing's professional leaders, this paper reveals both that professionalism is not all of a piece and that nurses’ expectations of work rewards are characterized by segmentation. No association was found between the expectation of the reward of professional membership and other intrinsic and extrinsic work rewards associated with professionalism. It was found that nurses, for the most part, desired intrinsic rewards for their work and that the high appeal of intrinsic rewards had not been translated into a high desirability for extrinsic rewards‐a dynamic common to many professional groups. Finally, this examination of expected work rewards reveals the segmentary nature of nursing. Not only do factors of biography, mobility, work context and dominant work orientation profoundly influence the expectation of given rewards, only very minimally are the extrinsic rewards currently promulgated as legitimate for the profession as a whole by nursing's professional leaders, reflected in the work reward expectations of this sample of nurses.
Trainability tests and the recruitment of student nurses
Authors: Belbin R. Meredith , Toye Janet
Published: December 2006

A trainability test is a means of estimating the suitability of a candidate for a course of training. Grounds for assessment are provided by the construction of a learning task which replicates some key aspects of the skill to be learned and the procedure by which they must be aquired. Such a test, based on the learning of medical terms, was given to 129 student nurses at five London general hospitals. Lower test scores were found to be associated with high drop‐out for UK nurses and it is assumed that for them the test was measuring a capacity relevant to performing satisfactorily on the course. Low‐scoring overseas nurses, however, were less likely to leave than their UK counterparts. Discussion of the reasons for this includes reference to the general phenomenon of lower wastage rates among overseas nurses, evidence about overseas nurses' attitudes towards completing the course and the possibility that this test, like others, somewhat underestimated the potential of overseas candidates. Methods are considered for making the test as valid for overseas as for UK candidates.
Effect of hospitallzation on weight of psychiatric patients
Authors: Dwyer Michael , Fricker Raymond , Johnson Anthony L
Published: December 2006

The hypothesis that patients hospitaUzed for long periods and receiving psychotrophic drugs increase in weight is tested, and it was discovered that women patients were somewhat heavier than their ‘standard’ weights. This, however, was not due to hospitalization or drug effects. Contrary to expectation, the ratio of observed/‘standard’ weight decreased in men suffering from chronic schizophrenia. In view of the loss of weight frequently observed in affective disorder patients, we discovered puzzling higher mean ratios in men with this illness.

This paper shows that small research projects can be carried out by nurses ·who are actively involved in patient care. It also demonstrates that small scale investigations, replicating locally some other research, testing its vahdity in a different setting are eminently worthwhile.
The development of a conceptually based nursing curriculum: an international experiment
Authors: Meleis Afaf Ibrahim
Published: December 2006

Nursing programmes in the United States of America are based on a conceptual framework. Not only do faculty and students ascribe to the necessity of such programmes but the national accreditation agency also provides its accreditation approval for the institution only after all criteria are met, including the requirement of a well‐defined, operationalized and implemented framework.

Can a nursing programme be developed in other nations utilizing the esoteric, American‐based idea of the necessity for a conceptually based curriculum? The author answers this question. The manuscript presents both the process utilized in selecting a conceptual framework for a new junior college programme in Kuwait and discusses the selected framework.

The idea of a conceptual framework to guide the curriculum was as foreign in Kuwait as it was to nursing curricula in the United States 15 years ago. Though initially rejected by the faculty in Kuwait, the idea of a conceptual framework was reintroduced after much faculty discussion and questions related to nursing knowledge vis‐a‐vis medical knowledge, and what should be included in and excluded from the programme.

By the end of the second year, a definite framework had been operationalized into courses and content. The selection of the framework evolved from faculty participation in the operationalization of the framework. This point is quite significant particularly in an international assignment, as it is the faculty who are left with the monumental task of supporting and continuing the work which has been done.

Strategies used to develop and implement a conceptual framework included confrontation of faculty of the existing situation, lectures, seminars, workshops, and the identification of a critical review board.
The problems and the values of objective nursing observations in psychiatric nursing care
Authors: Wilkinson Teresa
Published: December 2006

This paper describes a drug trial which illustrates the problems involved in objective nursing recordings to assess response to a specific treatment. It also highlights some difficulties in recording results. The paper briefly describes the history and diagnosis of a patient and the choice of treatment. The method of formulation of a checklist and the difficulties in completing a study are discussed. The results of the study and their value in planning future work are outlined. Conclusions are drawn about the feasibility of carrying out a controlled drug trial with a patient on a ward but the most important aspects are the ability of nurses to perform objective assessments and the value of this approach when assessing a patient and his response to treatment.
Trace elements: implications for nursing
Authors: Hayter Jean
Published: December 2006

Although most were unknown a few years ago, present evidence indicates that at least 25 trace elements have some pertinence to health. Unlike vitamins, they cannot be synthesized. Some trace elements are now considered important only because of their harmful effects but traces of them may be essential. Zinc is especially important during puberty, pregnancy and menopause and is related to protein metabolism. Both fluoride and cadmium accumulate in the body year after year. Cadmium is positively correlated with several chronic diseases, especially hypertension. It is obtained from smoking and drinking soft water. Silicon, generally associated with silicosis, may be necessary for healthy bone and connective tissue. Chromium, believed to be the glucose tolerance factor, is obtained from brewer's yeast, spices, and whole wheat products. Copper deficiency may be implicated in a wide range of cardiovascular and blood related disorders. Either marginal deficiencies or slight excesses of most trace elements are harmful. Nurses should instruct patients to avoid highly refined foods, fad diets, or synthetic and fabricated foods. A well balanced and varied diet is the best safeguard against trace element excesses or deficiencies.
One meter stick‐the nursing audit*
Authors: Martin Pat J.
Published: December 2006

In this very critical evaluation of the value and effectiveness of nursing audits, the author shares information about the state of nursing in Australia, gleaned from a recent study. Some myths about nursing practice are debunked.

The stark reality is discussed and analysed and a direction for the future is suggested. Although the paper relates exclusively to Australia, its contents will undoubtedly ring true in many other countries.

The dichotomy between nursing education and nursing service is considered at length. As are the resulting conflicts of nursing students, clinical instructors and nurse tutors. Teachers of nursing appear to decry the need for them to be clinically involved, as a result nursing education is less meaningful.

A particularly strong plea is made for adequate inservice education programmes and a more flexible and thorough approach to change, free from undue commitment to the past.
Keeping up with‘Mrs Chase’: an analysis of nursing skill‐learning
Authors: Hardy Leslie K.
Published: December 2006

Psychomotor skill‐learning is a basic aspect of nursing education. Students are expected to perform skills in relation to patient care. How can nursing instructors optimize skill learning and how can they analyse where a student is going wrong? The critical components of the psychomotor‐skill learning process are identified and listed under the control of the instructor or the student. A checklist provides for mutual examination of the process to see if a problem area can be isolated. The article provides a review of a process which tends to become second nature to experienced nurses, but it remains one of which nursing instructors must be conscious, in order to understand why some students do not learn nursing skills easily or safely.
Self directed learning and student selected goals in nurse education
Authors: Jones Wendy J.
Published: December 2006

This paper is a consideration of the philosophy of, and research into, general education. It examines some of the approaches to education and a small part of the research into discovery learning, self‐directed study and student‐selected goals of learning. Proposals are made for a single module of nurse training for admission to the register of general nurses which incorporate the philosophy and research‐based ideals of self‐directed learning. Finally, problems which may be anticipated in its implementation are discussed but no firm conclusions are drawn until these can be based on fact rather than conjecture.
Cleansing incontinent patients: an evaluation of the use of non‐ionic detergents compared with soap
Authors: Willington F.L , Yarnell J.W.G. , Sweetman P.M.
Published: December 2006

A trial of cleansing faecally incontinent patients using non‐ionic detergents was undertaken and compared with traditional cleansing with soap in three hospitals with continuing‐care patients. The results show a reduced cleansing time, and evidence that the marked degree of alkalinity encountered in cleansing with soap is avoided. In addition the trial shows that the skin condition of the cleansed area, and odour control, are improved. There was a greatly reduced need to apply conditioning or barrier creams, and nursing appeal in the procedure was greatly improved.
The nursing process: application of current thinking in clinical problem solving
Authors: McCarthy Mavis M.
Published: December 2006

This paper explores some of the ideas emanating from recent literature in clinical problem solving and applies it to the nursing process. The aim is to demonstrate that there is congruence between ideas developed in the medical educational literature that support and expand the somewhat‘looser’nursing process model. The conclusion is that the nursing process is further validated by the current literature, particularly the work of Elstein et al. (1978).
Attitudes of psychiatric hospital staff towards mental illness
Authors: Shanley Eamon
Published: December 2006

SHANLEY E. (1981)Attitudes of psychiatric hospital staff towards mental illness

The use of the social model of psychiatry as a form of treatment is increasingly accepted as a legitimate therapy. This is expressed in the continued growth of the‘therapeutic community’regimes. However, investigations into components of the social model, i.e. attitudes of nursing staff in psychiatric hospitals, have not accompanied this growth. A cross‐section of research over the past 25 years has shown an omission of behavioural correlations in attempting to measure staff attitudes. Research into attitudes expressed indicate a correlation between age, education, regime in hospital and occupation and the responses to attitude questionnaires. Without behavioural correlations however, the value of this research is very questionable. A few studies have included behavioural correlations such as perception of staff, discharge rates and length of stay in the community. An example of an area in nursing that attitude studies with behavioural correlations could usefully be employed is in examining the effectiveness of using staff from different cultures in therapeutic communities.
Negotiating the discharge of medical patients
Authors: Armitage Sue K.
Published: December 2006

The discharge of medical patients consists often not of a single event but of a lengthy process of negotiation involving professional staff, patients and their relatives. Despite the fact that negotiation by patients to leave or to stay in hospital a few days longer is recognized by nurses and doctors, the extent to which this takes place is not understood. In this paper the process of both overt and covert negotation are examined together with the implications for patient care.
A critique of Bendall's So you passed, Nurse
Authors: HutchingS M. J.
Published: December 2006

Dr Bendall is criticized for the calculation of statistics inappropriate to her purpose of establishing a lack of connection between examination results and practical performance, for incomprehension of basic statistical principles and for failure to obtain information through fragmentation of the evidence.
Models of nursing as the basis for curriculum development: some rationales and implications
Authors: Smith Lorraine
Published: December 2006

Within this paper the notion of a model of nursing as a basis for curriculum development is explored. Firstly the factors which a curriculum developer in nursing might take under initial consideration are discussed. It is then argued that a nursing faculty must identify and define its conceptualization of nursing and what it is to be a nurse. The process of conceptualizing nursing itself is examined. The paper goes onto argue that once a nursing faculty has reached a consensus view as to what constitutes nursing, then it either designs or selects a model of nursing which supports their particular conceptualization. Educational literature is cited to support the view that curriculum design, process and content are interrelated and that student learning is facilitated when the relationship between these three factors is coordinated. It is suggested that a nursing curriculum can achieve such an integration if a model of nursing is used as the conceptual framework. Finally some of the implications of adopting a model of nursing are stated.
Evaluation of care for the aged: a multipurpose guide*
Authors: Bergman Rebecca , Golander Hava
Published: December 2006

There is a growing recognition of the need to evaluate quality of care. As the aged are a particularly vulnerable group, often dependent on care‐givers for their remaining years, it is important to control related services. An interdisciplinary workgroup prepared a tool which lists cues to be considered in determining the quality of care for the aged in ambulatory services, home care programmes, short‐and long‐term institutions. The cues fall into six domains: physical environment, psychosocial environment, basic personal care, health care, family involvement and manpower. The tool can be used by clients and families for selecting placement for care; by caregivers in choosing or remaining in a place of work; by those administratively responsible for care, such as supervisors, or licensing bodies for controlling performance and policy; and by other involved persons, such as educators, researchers, volunteers or funding agencies for their specific purposes.
Clinical teaching: an evaluation of a problem orientated approach to psychiatric nurse education
Authors: Reynolds William , Cormack Desmond F. S.
Published: December 2006

In a recent paper by one of the authors (Cormack 1980) the use of the problem orientated approach to nursing, and a proposed framework for assessing nursing needs, were discussed. Subsequently one of the writers (W.R.) utilized the problem orientated approach during the psychiatric nursing experience made available to student nurses undergoing the comprehensive modular training at the Highland College of Nursing and Midwifery, Scotland. This paper presents an evaluation of the problem orientated approach which has now been developing for 2 years.

This paper describes the experience of W.R. in using a problem orientated approach to nursing diagnosis and nursing care prescriptions. It is argued that such an approach, combined with patient‐centred rather than classroom based nurse education, is essential to enable psychiatric nurse teachers to teach effectively. Such a patient‐centred approach is also necessary to clarify the psychiatric nurses’ role and to shift the emphasis of psychiatric nurse education away from psychomotor skills to interpersonal skills.

While it is recognized that this evaluation does not comply with the scientific criteria of a formal research based project, it is suggested that the experience of the authors and the comments of the many students involved in the exercise accurately reflect the problems encountered and the progress achieved.
Problems in teaching ethnic minority nursing students
Authors: Wong Shirley , Wong Julia
Published: December 2006

Ethnic minority nursing students are different from the majority of white students, and approaches that nursing faculties use in teaching them must also be different. Teaching these students is sometimes viewed by many faculties as a threat. However, if difficulties are recognized early and handled efficiently, educating the ethnic minority students can instead become a challenge to the nurse educators.

The authors propose some ways to deal with the existing or potential difficulties that arise from teaching these students. These suggestions are made with major emphasis on the student, the teaching process, and the curriculum. Ethnic minority students need to be helped to develop a positive self‐esteem, a sense of worthiness and a feeling of equality and acceptance. Nursing faculties are charged with this responsibility and must be committed to it. Furthermore, nursing curricula need to take into account cultural diversity, to increase students’ understanding of the impact of cultural diversities on health care. This paper presents a viewpoint from which important questions related to problems associated with teaching minority students, could be raised.
Nursing models and research ‐ a restricting view?
Authors: Hardy Leslie K.
Published: December 2006

The question is asked, Do some nursing models present a restricting view? If so, then the type of research in nursing may be restricted also. The author examines the writings of several nurse theorists to demonstrate the development of a singular focus, the patient. This consideration is followed by an introduction to the thoughts of critics on the narrow perspective embraced by some nurses. Blind acceptance of any nursing model is questioned. The use of a model must be accompanied by discussion, exploration and adaptation. No one model provides a true picture for all nursing situations.
Technology and nursing education: a scenario for 1990
Authors: Ackerman Winona B.
Published: December 2006

An examination of predictions concerning the future of American society provides a basis for building a scenario for nursing education in the USA. Trends influencing the future of society and professional nursing education include the tendency towards a planet‐wide society, changing orientations towards individual towns and cities, changes in the occupational structure and in use of energy, and technological breakthroughs in electronics and genetics.

Central to new technologies is the computer. Computerized systems of education and networks of such systems are now technically possible. Although capital resources for such systems may be scarce, eventually the substitution of capital for the even more expensive human labour may force the use of greater technology in education. Teacher acceptance is the greatest challenge to increased use of technology in education. Increased use of technology may force better instruction. Increased technology does not presuppose a less humanistic education.
Nursology of mouth care: preventing, comforting and seeking activities related to mouth care
Authors: Speedie G.
Published: December 2006

Mouth care across age groups, whether independently carried out or with assistance from a nurse, is frequently not considered in relation to the health of the mouth before commencement. This need for assessment and a schema as a baseline should dictate the most appropriate tools and the method of intervention. With a nursing model by Roper based on a model of living, nursing interventions are indicated across three age groups.
Stresses of hospitalization in the elderly: nurses' and patients' perceptions
Authors: Davies Ann D. M. , Peters Maureen
Published: December 2006

A study of stress in hospital is reported. Twenty‐five patients (aged 70–93 years) and their nurses were interviewed about the patient's perceived stresses during the first and third weeks of hospitalization. The ward was modern in design and a ‘patient allocation’ system of nursing care was in operation in which one nurse had primary responsibility for each patient. Patients differed significantly from nurses in their use of a 16 — item stress scale, using low scale values rather than high (stressful) values. Although as groups, patients and nurses showed significant correlations between stress ratings over the items, this was interpreted as their sharing common stereotypes about the hospital situation. There was no significant relation between nurses' and patients' ratings of the overall stress being experienced by the patients. An analysis of stress items showed there to be significant differences between type of stress. There was least discrepancy between nurses and patients concerning aspects of physical illness and most on the stressful impact of the hospital environment and routine. While patients rated items within this group (e.g. toiletting) to increase in stress during their stay in hospital, nurses rated the stress value as decreasing.
The Subtle Temptations of State Sponsored Theological Education: A New Zealand Perspective
Authors: Meadowcroft Tim
Published: December 2006

Abstract.  Over the past fifteen years in New Zealand, theology has come in from the tertiary educational cold in various ways. One of the results or reasons for this has been willingness on the part of the state to accredit and provide funding for theological education and research. This has taken place largely through a compliance system of accreditation and resource allocation. The result has been academic recognition and a precarious financial boon for theology and some theological institutions and their students. But little attention has been paid to the epistemological and pedagogical temptations of compliance. Drawing on the recent experience of the writer, this article seeks to identify a number of the subtle temptations posed by state sponsored theological education and research.
Na+entry via glutamate transporter activates the reverse Na+/Ca2+exchange and triggers ‐induced Ca2+release in rat cerebellar Type‐1 astrocytes
Authors: Rojas Héctor , Colina Claudia , Ramos Magaly , Benaim Gustavo , Jaffe Erica H. , Caputo Carlo , DiPolo Reinaldo
Published: December 2006

We have previously demonstrated that rat cerebellar Type‐1 astrocytes express a very active genistein sensitive Na+/Ca2+exchanger, which accounts for most of the total plasma membrane Ca2+fluxes and for the clearance ofloads induced by physiological agonists. In this work, we have explored the mechanism by which the reverse Na+/Ca2+exchange is involved in agonist‐induced Ca2+signaling in rat cerebellar astrocytes. Microspectrofluorometric measurements ofwith Fluo‐3 demonstrate that thesignals associated long (> 20 s) periods of reverse operation of the Na+/Ca2+exchange are amplified by a mechanism compatible with calcium‐calcium release, while those associated with short (< 20 s) pulses are not amplified. This was confirmed by pharmacological experiments using ryanodine receptors agonist (4‐chloro‐m‐cresol) and the endoplasmic reticulum ATPase inhibitor (thapsigargin). Confocal microscopy demonstrates a high co‐localization of immunofluorescent labeled Na+/Ca2+exchanger and RyRs. Low (< 50 μmol/L) or high (> 500 μmol/L) concentrations ofl‐glutamate (l‐Glu) orl‐aspartate causes a rise inwhich is completely blocked by the Na+/Ca2+exchange inhibitors KB‐R7943 and SEA0400. The most important novel finding presented in this work is thatl‐Glu activates the reverse mode of the Na+/Ca2+exchange by inducing Na+entry through the electrogenic Na+–Glu‐co‐transporter and not through the ionophoricl‐Glu receptors, as confirmed by pharmacological experiments with specific blockers of the ionophoricl‐Glu receptors and the electrogenic Glu transporter.
Topical atropine sulfate for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis
Authors: Grimalt Ramon , Tordera Patricia Domínguez , Callejas Marco A
Published: December 2006

Background  Axillary hyperhidrosis does not have a low‐cost, free of secondary effects, satisfactory treatment. Eccrine hidrocystomas have been successfully treated with topical atropine solution.

Hypothesis  Axillary hyperhidrosis could respond to the topical application of atropine solution.

Methods  Ten patients were selected. Eight with mild pure primary axillary hyperhidrosis and two with compensatory sweating after sympacthectomy. One milliliter of a water solution of atropine sulfate at 1% was applied twice a day over the affected area and massaged for 30 s. Treatment was maintained for 15 days. The results were rated using a scale from 1 to 10 of satisfaction.

Results  Only 2 of the 10 treated patients responded partially to the topical application of atropine sulfate. No local or systemic secondary effects were observed.

Conclusions  The results of the study demonstrated that focal hyperhidrosis does not improve after the local application of anticholinergic drugs such as atropine sulfate.
Expression of fetal cytokeratins in epidermai cells and colloid bodies in lichen planus*
Authors: Biermann Heike , Rauterberg Ernst W.
Published: December 2006

Clusters of immunoglobulin (Ig)‐coated colloid bodies (CBs) in the dermo‐epidermal zone are a typical immunohistochemical feature in lichen planus (LP)‐lesions. They are considered to represent dyskeratotic basal keratinocytes, yet their composition has not been completely elucidated. In the present study, skin biopsies of 10 LP‐lesions, 3 other dermatoses, and 10 biopsies of normal skin were studied immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against fetal and differentiated epidermal antigens. CBs were identified by FITC‐anti‐Ig. Binding of MAb was visualized by double staining technique. Cytokeratin (CK) 10/11, a marker of epidermal differentiation, was consistently detected in suprabasal keratinocytes and also in up to 95% of Ig‐positive CBs in LP. CK10/11 was additionally detected in basal keratinocytes in 9 LP‐lesions, but not in normal skin. The basal cell‐specific MAb BL7 stained basal layer keratinocytes in all biopsies. In contrast to normal skin, in LP scattered suprabasal keratinocytes and CBs were also positive for BL7 in 10 and 7 cases, respectively. While fetal cytokeratins (CK13 and CK8/18) were completely absent in control skin specimens, both cytokeratins were detected in various numbers of keratinocytes and CBs in all LP‐lesions. Our results support the hypothesis of an epidermal origin of CBs. The cytokeratin profile seems to be severely disturbed in LP. This includes both accelerated differentiation by the expression of suprabasal CK10/11 in basal keratinocytes and dedifferentiation by the expression of fetal epidermal antigens (CK13 and CK8/18). It is tempting to speculate that the observed alterations may trigger T‐cell activation and inflammatory onset in LP.
Stimulation of folliculo‐sebaceous proliferations by neurofibromas: a report of two cases
Authors: del Rio Emilio , Yus Evaristo Sánchez , Simón Pilar , Veiga Hugo A. Vázquez
Published: December 2006

Two unrelated patients, a woman aged 44 and a man aged 56, with a type I neurofibromatosis, showed comedo‐like formations at the top of some neurofibromas. One of them was excised in each case and they were studied histopathologically. The comedo‐like formation of the first case mimicked the epithelial component of a fibrofolliculoma, and that of the second case had the structure of a primary late microcomedo and showed also anagen hair differentiation in the form of a follicular bulb and papilla. Both events are considered to be the result of a stimulation phenomenon and to reflect the essential role of the stroma in many cutaneous epithelial hyperplasias, hamartomas and possibly in some neoplasms.
IMAGING FINDINGS IN PANCREATIC NEOPLASIA AND NODULAR HYPERPLASIA IN 19 CATS
Authors: HECHT SILKE , PENNINCK DOMINIQUE G. , KEATING JOHN H.
Published: December 2006

Pancreatic neoplasia in cats is rare and associated with a poor prognosis, but pancreatic nodular hyperplasia is a common incidental finding. The purpose of this study was to describe radiographic and ultrasonographic findings in cats with pancreatic neoplasia or nodular hyperplasia. Fourteen cats (age 3–18 years) were diagnosed with malignant pancreatic tumors: carcinoma/adenocarcinoma (n=11), lymphoma (n=1), squamous cell carcinoma (n=1), and lymphangiosarcoma (n=1). The most common radiographic findings were an abdominal mass or mass effect (6/6) and lack of serosal margin detail (4/6). On ultrasound, the most common finding was a focal pancreatic mass or nodule, with a size range from 0.4 cm to more than 7.0 cm (8/14). Lymphadenopathy (7/14) and abdominal effusion (7/14) were frequently seen. Five cats (age 10–16 years) with adenomatous/nodular hyperplasia had an abdominal mass or mass effect as the most common radiographic finding (3/3). On ultrasound, all cats had multiple hypoechoic nodules between 0.3 and 1.0 cm associated with the pancreas. Other common findings were pancreatic thickening (2/5), lymphadenopathy (2/5), and abdominal effusion (2/5). The only imaging finding unique to malignant pancreatic tumors was the presence of a single pancreatic nodule or mass exceeding 2 cm in at least one dimension (4/14). Although there was a tendency for neoplastic lesions to manifest as single larger lesions and for nodular hyperplasia to manifest as multiple smaller lesions, there was overlap of the imaging findings in both entities. Radiographs and ultrasound can complement but not replace cytology and histopathology in the diagnosis of feline pancreatic neoplasia.
Metabolic Drug Interactions with Newer Antipsychotics: A Comparative Review
Authors: Spina Edoardo , De Leon Jose
Published: December 2006

Abstract: Newer antipsychotics introduced in clinical practice in recent years include clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, sertindole, ziprasidone, aripiprazole and amisulpride. These agents are subject to drug–drug interactions with other psychotropic agents or with medications used in the treatment of concomitant physical illnesses. Most pharmacokinetic interactions with newer antipsychotics occur at the metabolic level and usually involve changes in the activity of the major drug‐metabolizing enzymes involved in their biotransformation, i.e. the cytochrome P450 (CYP) monooxygenases and/or uridine diphosphate‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGT). Clozapine is metabolized primarily by CYP1A2, with additional contribution by other CYP isoforms. Risperidone is metabolized primarily by CYP2D6 and, to a lesser extent, CYP3A4. Olanzapine undergoes both direct conjugation and CYP1A2‐mediated oxidation. Quetiapine is metabolized by CYP3A4, while sertindole and aripiprazole are metabolized by CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. Ziprasidone pathways include aldehyde oxidase‐mediated reduction and CYP3A4‐mediated oxidation. Amisulpride is primarily excreted in the urine and undergoes relatively little metabolism. While novel antipsychotics are unlikely to interfere with the elimination of other drugs, co‐administration of inhibitors or inducers of the major enzymes responsible for their metabolism may modify their plasma concentrations, leading to potentially significant effects. Most documented metabolic interactions involve antidepressant and anti‐epileptic drugs. Of a particular clinical significance is the interaction between fluvoxamine, a potent CYP1A2 inhibitor, and clozapine. Differences in the interaction potential among the novel antipsychotics currently available may be predicted based on their metabolic pathways. The clinical relevance of these interactions should be interpreted in relation to the relative width of their therapeutic index. Avoidance of unnecessary polypharmacy, knowledge of the interaction profiles of individual agents, and careful individualization of dosage based on close evaluation of clinical response and, possibly, plasma drug concentrations are essential to prevent and minimize potentially adverse drug interactions in patients receiving newer antipsychotics.
Genioglossus premotoneurons and the negative pressure reflex in rats
Authors: Chamberlin Nancy L. , Eikermann Matthias , Fassbender Philipp , White David P. , Malhotra Atul
Published: December 2006

Reflex increases in genioglossus (GG) muscle activity in response to negative pharyngeal pressure are important for maintenance of upper airway patency in humans. However, little is known of the central circuitry that mediates this negative pressure reflex (NPR). We used two approaches to determine which GG premotoneurons relay negative pressure‐related information to the hypoglossal motor nucleus. First, to identify GG premotoneurons, we injected pseudorabies virus (PRV152) into the GG muscle. We found that medullary GG premotoneurons were concentrated mainly in the reticular formation adjacent to the hypoglossal motor nucleus. Second, in order to determine whether these perihypoglossal neurons were involved in the NPR, we quantified GG EMG responses to negative pressure applied to the isolated upper airway in anaesthetized rats before and after microinjection of muscimol (9 nl; 0.25 mm), a GABA‐A receptor agonist, into the perihypoglossal premotor field. Pressures as low as −4 cmH2O increased inspiratory phase‐related GG activity. The NPR was abolished following bilateral injections of muscimol into the perihypoglossal premotor field at and up to 500 μm rostral to the obex. Muscimol in this location also increased the amplitude of basal, unstimulated phasic GG activity. By contrast, inhibition of neurons caudal to the obex decreased phasic GG activity but had no impact on the NPR. These results suggest that perihypoglossal GG premotoneurons near the obex mediate the NPR and those caudal to the obex are important mediators of respiratory‐related GG activity but are not involved in the NPR.
ASYMPTOTIC INFRARED FRACTAL STRUCTURE OF THE PROPAGATOR FOR A CHARGED FERMION
Authors: GULZARI S. , SWAIN J. , WIDOM A.
Published: December 2006

It is well known that the long-range nature of the Coulomb interaction makes the definition of asymptotic "in" and "out" states of charged particles problematic in quantum field theory. In particular, the notion of a simple particle pole in the vacuum charged particle propagator is untenable and should be replaced by a more complicated branch cut structure describing an electron interacting with a possibly infinite number of soft photons. Previous work suggests a Dirac propagator raised to a fractional power dependent upon the fine structure constant, however the exponent has not been calculated in a unique gauge-invariant manner. It has even been suggested that the fractal "anomalous dimension" can be removed by a gauge transformation. Here, a gauge-invariant non-perturbative calculation will be discussed yielding an unambiguous fractional exponent. The closely analogous case of soft graviton exponents is also briefly explored.
U(N) GAUGED ${\mathcal N} = 2$ SUPERGRAVITY AND PARTIAL BREAKING OF LOCAL ${\mathcal N} = 2$ SUPERSYMMETRY
Authors: ITOYAMA H. , MARUYOSHI K.
Published: December 2006

We study a U (N) gauged [Formula: see text] supergravity model with one hypermultiplet parametrizing SO (4, 1)/ SO (4) quaternionic manifold. Local [Formula: see text] supersymmetry is known to be spontaneously broken to [Formula: see text] in the Higgs phase of U (1) graviphoton × U (1). Several properties are obtained of this model in the vacuum of unbroken SU (N) gauge group. In particular, we derive mass spectrum analogous to the rigid counterpart and put the entire resulting potential on this vacuum in the standard superpotential form of [Formula: see text] supergravity.
COMPARISON OF PROPERTIES OF PLZT SYSTEM WITH DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS
Authors: PANDEY S. K. , THAKUR O. P. , GOYAL ANSHU , RAWAL D. S. , PRAKASH CHANDRA , CHATTERJEE RATNAMALA , GOEL T. C.
Published: December 2006

We report the comparison of structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics with the substitution of 7 and 8 mol% La 3+ content in PZT (65/35) by three different formulations. The three formulations are (i) cation compensated at A-site, (ii) valency compensated at A-site and (iii) all sites (A and B) compensated. Samples were prepared by solid-state reaction route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study shows single-phase formation with rhombohedral structure in all the samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study shows variation in grain size with different formulations. Dielectric studies for all the PLZT samples have been carried out as a function of temperature (room temperature to 350°C) at few selected frequencies (0.1, 1, 10 and 100 kHz) showing characteristics of diffuse phase transition (DPT). Dielectric properties of the poled and unpoled samples at room temperature have also been compared. All these compositions show well-defined ferroelectric behavior with significant change in the coercive field (Ec). Maximum piezoelectric properties have been obtained for the PLZT system with 8 mol% La 3+ prepared by formulation (i).
IMPACT OF Co AND Mo SUBSTITUTION AT Ru-SITE IN RuSr2Eu1.5Ce0.5Cu2O10-δ MAGNETO-SUPERCONDUCTOR
Authors: AWANA V. P. S. , KISHAN H. , TAKAYAMA-MUROMACHI E. , NARLIKAR A. V.
Published: December 2006

Substitution of both Co and Mo at Ru -site in RuSr 2 Eu 1.5 Ce 0.5 Cu 2 O 10-δ system takes place iso-structurally in tetragonal structure (space group I4/mmm) with full solubility. The resistance versus temperature (R versus T) behavior of the pristine sample confirmed superconductivity [Formula: see text] around 25 K. The DC magnetization data (M versus T) for the same sample revealed magnetic transition (T mag ) at 140 K followed by superconducting transition [Formula: see text] at 32 K. With progressive Co substitution at Ru -site both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] decrease monotonically and superconductivity is not observed for x ≥ 0.10 (10 at%). The magnetic behavior of materials with Co up to x = 0.2 preserves the magnetic structure of the parent RuSr 2 Eu 1.5 Ce 0.5 Cu 2 O 10-δ compound. For 0.8 ≥ x ≥ 0.2 a clear antiferromagnetic transition at TN=31 K is observed regardless of Co content. In the case of Mo -doped ruthenocuprates Ru 1-x Mo x Sr 2 Eu 1.5 Ce 0.5 Cu 2 O 10-δ, it has been found that the magnetic transition temperature decreases with x. The samples of x = 0.8 and 1.0 are found to have no magnetic or superconducting effects. The values of the superconducting transition temperature obtained from the resistivity versus temperature data increase by 4.5 and 7.0 K for x = 0.2 and 0.4 respectively, and then decrease by 17 K for x = 0.6. The observed variation of Tc with x in case of Mo has been explained in terms of a theory which combines the effects of weakening magnetic behavior and reducing carrier concentration in a phenomenological manner.