bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congenital Pulmonary Lymphangiectasia in a Newborn: A Response to Autologous Blood Therapy
Authors: Akcakus Mustafa , Koklu Esad , Bilgin Mehmet , Kurtoglu Selim , Altunay Levent , Canpolat Mehmet , Budak Nurten
Published: December 2006

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is a rare condition that may present antenatally with pleural effusions and hydrops, and the prognosis is reported to be very poor. Treatments for lymphangiectasia have included corticosteroids for patients with primary inflammatory conditions, dietary modifications, surgical resection for isolated lesions, octreotide, antiplasmin therapy and fibrin glue pleurodesis. However, there is no experience with pleurodesis by autologous blood therapy in the literature. We present a newborn with primary pulmonary lymphangiectasis who developed progressively profuse chylous pleural effusions after enteral full feeding from the 8th day of life and improved with pleurodesis by autologous blood therapy.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Müller-Nordhorn J. , Roll S. , Böhmig M. , Nocon M. , Reich A. , Braun C. , Noesselt L. , Wiedenmann B. , Willich S.N. , Brüggenjürgen B.
Published: December 2006

Background: Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer with low survival time, with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) being of major importance. The aim of our study was to assess both generic and disease-specific HRQoL in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods: Patients with pancreatic cancer were consecutively included at admission to hospital. HRQoL was determined with the disease-specific European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and generic EuroQoL (EQ-5D) health status instruments. Scores of patients were compared to those of norm populations. The association of symptoms with overall HRQoL was analysed using linear regression. Results: A total of 45 patients with pancreatic cancer were included. The mean age was 64 years, 53% were females. Of all patients, 44% had metastases at the time of admission. HRQoL was significantly impaired for most EORTC and EQ-5D scales in comparison to norm populations. Symptoms of fatigue (–0.34 regression coefficient; 95% CI –0.63, –0.11) and pain (–0.21; 95% CI –0.39, –0.02) were significantly associated with impaired overall HRQoL. Conclusions: HRQoL was severely impaired in patients with pancreatic cancer. Symptom control and palliative care appear to be of particular importance.
Effects of Triterpenoid-Rich Extracts of Ganoderma tsugae on Airway Hyperreactivity and Th2 Responses in vivo
Authors: Chen Miaw-Ling , Lin Bi-Fong
Published: December 2006

Background: Airway inflammation and Th2 responses play central roles in allergic asthma. We have previously reported that Ganoderma tsugae supplementation could attenuate airway inflammation in the murine model. Since it remains unclear which part of the G. tsugae exerts this effect on allergic asthma in vivo, this study was meant to investigate if triterpenoid extracts have anti-inflammatory effects on airway responses and regulatory effects on Th2 responses. Methods: BALB/c mice sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) were treated with either triterpenoid-rich extracts (TRE) of G. tsugae or prednisolone for 2 weeks. The effects of TRE on bronchial airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway inflammation, serum antigen-specific antibody levels, and cytokine secretions from splenocytes were evaluated. Results: TRE supplementation significantly decreased AHR and reduced the total infiltrating leukocytes and eosinophils, as well as the levels of inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and eotaxin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid when compared with those of the control group. Lung histology also showed less cell recruitment and lung damage. TRE supplements suppressed IL-5 secretions from OVA-stimulated splenocytes, but did not affect the cell number of splenocytes, which was also reduced by prednisolone. Although OVA-specific immunoglobulin E levels were not significantly different among the groups, a lower level of OVA-specific immunoglobulin G1, another Th2-related antibody, was found in TRE and prednisolone treatment. Conclusions: TRE of G. tsugae exert anti-inflammatory effects on airway responses and attenuate Th2 responses without the overall immunosuppression effects in allergic murine models of asthma.
Early Violence Prevention Programs
Authors: GUTTMAN MICHELLE , MOWDER BARBARA , YASIK ANASTASIA
Published: December 2006

Abstract:  This chapter considers violence prevention programs in light of aggression and violence directed toward girls and women. More specifically, current violence prevention programs, directed toward young children and/or their caregivers, are discussed with a special consideration for the Adults and Children Together (ACT) Against Violence Training Program developed by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Data supporting ACT is presented, with implications for further program development and evaluation. Finally, parent education, theory and research, and professional services related to violence prevention are discussed.
A Protoscientific Master Metaphor for Framing Violence
Authors: KRAUSS HERBERT H.
Published: December 2006

Abstract: Every new field of investigation requires a guiding scheme or frame. Its purpose is to provide a heuristic for discovery and a structure for organizing information. Neither the World Health Organization's public health nor a biosocial model of violence are adequate for providing a protoscientific frame for conceptualizing violent acts. This essay suggests a master metaphor—Burke's Dramatism—through which to deepen and expand our knowledge of violence and what must be done to reduce its toll. An illustrative example is presented.
Role of Hypothalamic Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase in the Impaired Counterregulatory Response Induced by Repetitive Neuroglucopenia
Authors: Alquier Thierry , Kawashima Junji , Tsuji Youki , Kahn Barbara B.
Published: December 2006

Antecedent hypoglycemia blunts counterregulatory responses that normally restore glycemia, a phenomenon known as hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF). The mechanisms leading to impaired counterregulatory responses are largely unknown. Hypothalamic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acts as a glucose sensor. To determine whether failure to activate AMPK could be involved in the etiology of HAAF, we developed a model of HAAF using repetitive intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) resulting in transient neuroglucopenia in normal rats. Ten minutes after a single icv injection of 2DG, both α1- and α2-AMPK activities were increased 30–50% in arcuate and ventromedial/dorsomedial hypothalamus but not in other hypothalamic regions, hindbrain, or cortex. Increased AMPK activity persisted in arcuate hypothalamus at 60 min after 2DG injection when serum glucagon and corticosterone levels were increased 2.5- to 3.4-fold. When 2DG was injected icv daily for 4 d, hypothalamic α1- and α2-AMPK responses were markedly blunted in arcuate hypothalamus, and α1-AMPK was also blunted in mediobasal hypothalamus 10 min after 2DG on d 4. Both AMPK isoforms were activated normally in arcuate hypothalamus at 60 min. Counterregulatory hormone responses were impaired by recurrent neuroglucopenia and were partially restored by icv injection of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-d-ribofuranoside, an AMPK activator, before 2DG. Glycogen content increased 2-fold in hypothalamus after recurrent neuroglucopenia, suggesting that glycogen supercompensation could be involved in down-regulating the AMPK glucose-sensing pathway in HAAF. Thus, activation of hypothalamic AMPK may be important for the full counterregulatory hormone response to neuroglucopenia. Furthermore, impaired or delayed AMPK activation in specific hypothalamic regions may play a critical role in the etiology of HAAF.
New insights into the nucleophosmin/nucleoplasmin family of nuclear chaperones
Authors: Frehlick Lindsay J. , Eirín‐López José María , Ausió Juan
Published: December 2006

Basic proteins and nucleic acids are assembled into complexes in a reaction that must be facilitated by nuclear chaperones in order to prevent protein aggregation and formation of non‐specific nucleoprotein complexes. The nucleophosmin/nucleoplasmin (NPM) family of chaperones [NPM1 (nucleophosmin), NPM2 (nucleoplasmin) and NPM3] have diverse functions in the cell and are ubiquitously represented throughout the animal kingdom. The importance of this family in cellular processes such as chromatin remodeling, genome stability, ribosome biogenesis, DNA duplication and transcriptional regulation has led to the rapid growth of information available on their structure and function. The present review covers different aspects related to the structure, evolution and function of the NPM family. Emphasis is placed on the long‐term evolutionary mechanisms leading to the functional diversification of the family members, their role as chaperones (particularly as it pertains to their ability to aid in the reprogramming of chromatin), and the importance of NPM2 as an essential component of the amphibian chromatin remodeling machinery during fertilization and early embryonic development. BioEssays 29: 49–59, 2007. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Packing with Stamped Horizontal Lamellas Operating at Extremely Low Liquid Loads I. Hydrodynamics of a Single Plate
Authors: Kolev N. , Kralev B.
Published: December 2006

In the case of equilibrium absorption with low initial concentrations of very soluble absorbed gas, it can be seen from the material balance of the packed columns that the liquid superficial velocity must be very low to carry out the process in a counter current manner. Preceding investigations have shown that a packing made of separate short horizontal lamellas of very wettable sintered PVC is especially effective for mass transfer under these conditions. The construction of the packing of single lamellas is a difficult and expensive task. The aim of the present work is to investigate a new type of packing composed of many lamellas stamped in sheets of sintered PVC. The construction of the new more easily generated packing is described. It is shown that the irrigated packing is almost fully covered with a moving liquid film at extremely low liquid flow rates, ensuring very high radial spreading and uniform distribution of the liquid phase.
Mean Droplet Size and Local Velocity in Horizontal Isothermal Free Jets of Air and Water, respectively, Viscous Liquid in Quiescent Ambient Air
Authors: Al Rabadi S. , Friedel L. , Al Salaymeh A.
Published: December 2006

Measurements using two‐dimensional Phase Doppler Anemometry as well as high speed cinematography in free jets at several nozzle exit pressures and mass flow rates, show that the Sauter mean droplet diameter decreases with increasing air and liquid‐phase mass flow ratio due to the increase of the air stream impact on the liquid phase. This leads to substantial liquid fragmentation, respectively primary droplet breakup, and hence, satellite droplet formation with small sizes. This trend is also significant in the case of a liquid viscosity higher than that of water. The increased liquid viscosity stabilizes the droplet formation and breakup by reducing the rate of surface perturbations and consequently droplet distortions, ultimately also leading, in total, to the formation of smaller droplets. The droplet velocity decreases with the nozzle downstream distance, basically due to the continual air entrainment and due to the collisions between the droplets. The droplet collisions may induce further liquid fragmentation and, hence, formation of a number of relatively smaller droplets respectively secondary breakup, or may induce agglomeration to comparatively larger liquid fragments that may rain out of the free jet.
Memory for the color of non‐monochromatic lights
Authors: D'Ath Penny J. , David Thomson W. , Wilkins Arnold J.
Published: December 2006

The aim of this work was to explore the limits of memory for the hue of coloured illumination using nonspectral colours. Eighty‐four undergraduate optometry students with normal colour vision as assessed by the Ishihara 38 plate test, were given 10 s to memorize the hue of a luminous surface (luminance 120 cd m−2), subtending 22 by 18 degrees in an otherwise unlit room. The sample hue was one of 12 samples with chromaticity spaced evenly every 30 degrees around a hue circle in the CIE UCS diagram. The circle, radius 0.06, was centered at the chromaticity of D65 (u′ = 0.198, v′ = 0.468). The hue was displaced randomly by between 40 and 100 degrees, and the participants were required to use one of two keys to return the hue to its original appearance. The keys changed CIE 1976 hue angle (huv) by 1 degree, one in a clockwise and the other in a counterclockwise direction, but left the CIE 1976 saturation (suv) and the luminance unchanged. Each participant saw the to‐be‐memorized hue once only and made subsequent adjustments without seeing it again. Four adjustments were made immediately, four after 1 h, and a further four after 1 week. The second and the fourth in each set of four were preceded by a clockwise displacement of hue angle and the remaining two by an anticlockwise displacement. The CIE 1976 UCS chromaticity of the standard and the chromaticity of the very first adjustment performed immediately after the presentation of the standard were separated by 0.0210 (s.d. 0.0178) averaged across hues. One hue (purple) was more readily nameable than the others and was more accurately reproduced. There was no evidence of stable individual differences in observers' memory: observers' accuracy in reproducing one colour was not significantly correlated with their accuracy in reproducing another. Adjustments made after an interval of 1 h were worse than those undertaken immediately, but no better than those performed after 1 week. The variability of hue memory under these conditions was similar to the variability of coloured surfaces under common sources of illumination. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 11–15, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20281
Influence of learning effects on the results of the cap‐sorting test Roth 28‐hue (E) desaturated: Influence of learning effects on colour‐arrangement tests
Authors: Schröder Anke , Kreutz Michael , Meyer Michael , Erb Carl
Published: December 2006

The results obtained in colour vision tests can be influenced by many factors. It is possible that a learning effect disguises the fact that an acquired colour vision disturbance has progressively either deteriorated or been successfully treated. Therefore, the primary object of this study was to examine whether a possible learning effect occurred if screening by the colour vision test Roth 28‐hue (E) desaturated was repeated several times, and if this learning effect was age dependent. Sixty‐five ocularly and generally healthy subjects participated in the study and were divided into two age groups: group A: 20–39 years, n = 35; group B: 40–59 years, n = 30. Besides their ophthalmological status (visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure, cup/disk ratio, central fundus), the cap‐sorting test Roth 28‐hue (E) desaturated was performed under standardized test conditions. The measurements were repeated after 5 ± 1.72 days (T1), 15 ± 3.53 days (T2), 32 ± 6.97 days (T3), and 189 ± 16.85 days (T4). The ophthalmological parameters of all subjects were inconspicuous. The individual evaluation of the error scores in the cap‐sorting test Roth 28‐hue (E) desaturated showed large‐scale variations. For both age groups there was no statistically significant difference between the right and left eye at any time. The mean values of the younger group remained relatively constant after the first measurement. This age group showed a quick, clearly visible learning effect that persisted over the whole test period. With regard to the older age group the average values deteriorated, remained solid for one month increasing again after 6 months. The results showed an age‐related learning effect. Therefore, it is important to repeat the colour vision test within 5 days for the age group 20–39 years. This second test result will then serve as a stable basis for further comparative examinations within a period of 6 months. The subjects of the age group 40–59 years ought to repeat a first colour vision test after 5 and again after 15 days. The result of the second repetition will then offer stable basic values for subsequent tests. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 16–21, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20282
Preprocessing to CIECAM02 input color with chromatic background
Authors: Chai Binghua , Zhao Dazun , Liao Ningfang , Shao Yubo
Published: December 2006

A preprocessing to CIECAM02 input color for color appearance prediction was proposed. In this study, 8640 color appearance matching pairs (NCS color charts with red, green, yellow, and blue backgrounds in a light booth and their reproductions with gray background on a CRT screen) were obtained by psychophysical experiment using the simultaneous‐binocular technique. Because only the lightness of background is included in CIECAM02, a color inducing vector based on opponent‐colors theory was introduced to preprocess CIECAM02 inputs, so that CIECAM02 may predict the corresponding color of an input color with chromatic background as well. By data fitting, a color preprocessing formula describing a relationship between the color inducing vector and the NCS chromaticness was conducted. Furthermore, the formula's performance was tested and the results showed that it was good for implementing the color appearance prediction of input colors with different chromatic backgrounds.© 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 40–46, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.20287
Serotonin decreases generation of dopaminergic neurons from mesencephalic precursors via serotonin type 7 and type 4 receptors
Authors: Parga J. , Rodriguez‐Pallares J. , Muñoz A. , Guerra M. J. , Labandeira‐Garcia J.L.
Published: December 2006

Inductive signals mediating the differentiation of neural precursors into serotonergic (5‐HT) or dopaminergic neurons have not been clarified. We have recently shown that in cell aggregates obtained from rat mesencephalic precursors, reduction of serotonin levels induces a marked increase in generation of dopaminergic neurons. In the present study we treated rat neurospheres with antagonists of the main subtypes of 5‐HT receptors, 5‐HT transport inhibitors, or 5‐HT receptor agonists, and studied the effects on generation of dopaminergic neurons. Cultures treated with Methiothepin (5‐HT1,2,5,6,7 receptor antagonist), the 5‐HT4 receptor antagonist GR113808;67:00–.or the 5‐HT7 receptor antagonist SB 269970 showed a significant increase in generation of dopaminergic cells. Treatment with the 5‐HT1B/1D antagonist GR 127935, the 5‐HT2 antagonist Ritanserin, the 5‐HT transporter inhibitor Fluoxetine, the dopamine and norepinephrine transport inhibitor GBR 12935, or with both inhibitors together, or 5‐HT4 or 5‐HT7 receptor agonists induced significant decreases in generation of dopaminergic cells. Cultures treated with WAY100635 (5‐HT1A receptor antagonist), the 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist Ondasetron, or the 5‐HT6 receptor antagonist SB 258585 did not show any significant changes. Therefore, 5‐HT4 and 5‐HT7 receptors are involved in the observed serotonin‐induced decrease in generation of dopaminergic neurons from proliferating neurospheres of mesencephalic precursors. 5‐HT4 and 5‐HT7 receptors were found in astrocytes and serotonergic cells using double immunolabeling and laser confocal microscopy, and the glial receptors appeared to play a major role. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 67: 10–22, 2007
Summary of ‘Holding chambers (spacers) versus nebulisers for beta‐agonist treatment of acute asthma’
Authors: Milne Andrea
Published: December 2006

This is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Cates CJ, Crilly JA, Rowe BH. Holding chambers (spacers) versus nebulisers for beta‐agonist treatment of acute asthma. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD000052. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000052.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Expert Commentary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Summary of ‘Corticosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children’
Authors: Milne Andrea
Published: December 2006

This is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Hodson EM, Knight JF, Willis NS, Craig JC. Corticosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001533. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001533.pub3.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Expert Commentary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Summary of ‘Antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia in children’
Authors: Milne Andrea
Published: December 2006

This is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Kabra SK, Lodha R, Pandey RM. Antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD004874. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004874.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Expert Commentary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Commentary on ‘Antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia in children’
Authors: Sánchez‐Mendiola Melchor
Published: December 2006

This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Kabra SK, Lodha R, Pandey RM. Antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD004874. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004874.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying EBCH Summary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tips and tricks for understanding and using SR results—no. 4: inclusion of studies into a Cochrane review
Authors: van Dalen Elvira C. , Kremer Leontien C. M.
Published: December 2006

This fourth article on ‘tips and tricks for understanding and using SR results’ in Evidence‐Based Child Health is, like the previous ones, aimed at helping readers to understand the results of systematic reviews and to use the results in clinical practice. This time, we focus on the methods of identification and selection of relevant studies for a Cochrane systematic review. However, the development of appropriate search strategies is beyond the scope of this ‘Tips and Tricks’. The information in this article is based on earlier papers, the Cochrane Handbook, and the collective experience of the authors in teaching evidence‐based medicine (1–5). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ein tiefer Blick in die Aachener Unterwelt
Authors: Kukla Peter , Trautwein‐Bruns Ute
Published: December 2006

Mithilfe von Bohrkernen und geophysikalischen Messungen haben Geologen das vielschichtige Zusammenwirken von Spannungen in der Erdkruste und zirkulierenden Gewässern studiert. Dabei werden wichtige Einsichten über verborgene Prozesse im Fundament einer Stadt gewonnen
Zonal decompositions for spherical monogenics
Authors: Eelbode D.
Published: December 2006

In this paper, a specific type of eigenfunctions for the Gamma operator Γ on the unit sphere Sm−1 in ℝm is constructed within the context of Clifford analysis, by means of a recursive argument. This leads to zonal decompositions for the spherical monogenics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of sulfotransferase 1E1 in human prostate as studied by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry
Authors: Takase Y. , Luu‐The V. , Poisson‐Paré D. , Labrie F. , Pelletier G.
Published: December 2006

BACKGROUND

Estrogen is recognized to play a role in the development and function of the prostate. Estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) 1E1 catalyzes the sulfoconjugation of estrogen and is thus involved in the metabolism of estrogen. We have recently shown that EST 1E1 is highly expressed in male mouse reproductive organs, including prostate. It appeared of interest to study the expression of EST 1E1 in human prostate.

METHODS

EST 1E1 mRNA and protein expression was evaluated in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, respectively.

RESULTS

EST 1E1 mRNA and protein were found to be expressed in epithelial cells bordering alveola lumen (luminal cells) as well as stroma cells.

CONCLUSION

The enzyme EST may play a physiological role in regulating local estrogen levels in human prostate. Prostate 67: 405–409, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Semiempirical LUC‐INDO calculations on the effect of pressure on the electronic structure of diamond
Authors: Radi Ibtesam O. , Abdulsattar Mudar A. , Abdul‐Lettif Ahmed M.
Published: December 2006

A self‐consistent LUC (large unit cell) formalism on the basis of semiempirical INDO (intermediate neglect of differential overlap) Hamiltonians has been used to study the electronic properties of diamond and to investigate the pressure dependence of these properties. The calculated properties are in good agreement with the experiments except the conduction‐band width. The increase of pressure on diamond is predicted to cause the following effects; an increase of the valence and conduction‐band widths with a decrease of the direct bandgap, an increase of the electronic occupation probability for the p‐orbital with a decrease of this probability for the s‐orbital, and a decrease of the X‐ray scattering factor. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
DOE genomics: Applications to in situ subsurface bioremediation
Authors: Anderson Robert T.
Published: December 2006

Microbial communities can greatly affect the mobility and fate of subsurface contaminants, yet relatively little is known about the functioning of microorganisms in subsurface environments. Major advances in DNA sequencing capability and the advent of genome‐enabled studies have produced key insights into how microorganisms adapt to environmental conditions and/or biotransform subsurface contaminants starting from analyses of genome content. These techniques enable the researcher to detect how an organism responds to its environment and, potentially, to devise better methods to promote specific microbial activity in subsurface environments. The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors genome research through the Genomics:GTL program. One of the applications of this research is to better understand and control biological processes influencing the mobility of contaminants of concern to DOE such as metals and radionuclides. Genome and gene expression techniques have led to new insights into the functioning of subsurface microbial communities, but the true potential of these techniques is still to be revealed. As genome‐enabled science progresses, techniques for evaluating gene expression patterns of whole communities will advance the understanding and development of optimized in situ bioremediation and more realistic simulations of microbial contaminant biotransformation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.*
Cesarean births in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Chin‐Yuan , Lo J.C. , Chang Jui‐Hsing , Chen Chie‐Pein , Yu Suchuan , Huang Fu‐Yuan
Published: December 2006

Objective: To evaluate the use of cesarean delivery in Taiwan by comparing local clinical indications with those in international cohorts. Methods: In‐patient claims from the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Taiwan were analyzed. Indications for cesarean delivery were evaluated with primary diagnosis codes and procedure codes from the NHI dataset. To produce a stable numerator for cesarean section, 3 years (1998–2000) of claims for cesarean delivery were abstracted and annualized. Results: Rates ranged between 27.3% and 28.7% for primary cesarean delivery and were below 5% for vaginal birth after a cesarean section (VBAC). Compared with rates in other countries, rates for overall and primary cesarean section as well as for VBAC were significantly higher in medical centers in Taiwan (P < 0.001). However, the clinics contributed the most to the difference in both overall and primary cesarean rates. The most common indication for cesarean section was prior cesarean section (43.3%–45.5%), followed by malpresentation (19.6%–23.4%). The proportion of fetuses with malpresentation delivered by cesarean section in Taiwan was 7.9%, almost twice the upper limit expected for all pregnancies as indicated in international studies. Conclusion: It is important to use appropriately documented data and to compare them with international data when monitoring local obstetric practices. The disproportionately high cesarean delivery rates in Taiwan may hold major lessons for the many countries contemplating or having universal health insurance coverage with a similar mix of providers.
Cercidospora alpina sp. nov. and a key to the known species in Fennoscandia
Authors: IHLEN Per G. , WEDIN Mats
Published: December 2006

The new fungus Cercidospora alpina is described from Sweden where it grows on the thallus of the crustose lichen Stereocaulon cumulatum. The ecology and distribution of the new species as well as its morphological similarities to related species are discussed. A key to the known species of Cercidospora occurring in Fennoscandia is provided.
Pharmacokinetics of desloratadine in children between 2 and 11 years of age
Authors: Gupta Samir , Khalilieh Sauzanne , Kantesaria Bhavna , Banfield Christopher
Published: December 2006

Aims

The aim of the studies was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of desloratadine in healthy children and to determine the appropriate dose for paediatric patients 2–11 years old.

Methods

Two open‐label, single‐dose studies were carried out in healthy children between 2–5 (n = 18) and 6–11 years old (n = 18). On day 1, subjects received a single oral dose of desloratadine syrup (1.25 mg for 2–5 year olds or 2.5 mg for 6–11 year olds). Subjects were followed for an additional 4 days during which vital signs were measured daily and blood samples were collected periodically.

Results

Plasma desloratadine Cmax occurred at a median of 2.0 h after dosing in both age groups. Median values for the younger (2–5 years old) and older (6–11 years old) groups were 2.28 and 2.05 ng ml−1, respectively. Arithmetic (and harmonic) mean t1/2 (h) values for each group, respectively, were 16.4 (13.9) and 19.4 (15.8). Exposure to desloratadine was similar in both the younger and older age groups, with a median AUC(last) of 38.8 and 38.2 ng ml−1 h, respectively. These data were similar to values in adults, who received 5 mg doses of desloratadine. No adverse events or clinically significant abnormal laboratory values were noted in either group.

Conclusions

Single doses of desloratadine syrup (1.25 and 2.5 mg) were well tolerated in children 2–5 and 6–11 years old. Desloratadine exposure in children appears to be similar to that observed in adults, in whom efficacy has been established.
The role of the health visitor: a study conducted in Berkshire, England
Authors: Clark June
Published: December 2006

A study of 1057 home visits undertaken by health visitors in Berkshire shows that the range of the health visitor's work is much wider than the stereotype, which portrays health visiting as an activity limited to maternity and child welfare and concerned primarily with physical care. Seventy per cent of the visits were to households containing a young child, 18% were to the elderly, and 12% to other households. The content of the visits was recorded in terms of the topics discussed. Some topics were essentially medical and some were within the scope of the stereotype, but many were topics not traditionally associated with health visiting and there was a considerable psychosocial content. Differences were found between visits recorded by younger and recently qualified health visitors and visits recorded by other health visitors.
Nursing personnel systems
Authors: Hall Dorothy C.
Published: December 2006

In this paper it is argued that the best way to cope with ‘the identity crisis’ in nursing is to develop a nursing personnel system. This should be on a planned basis rather than on an expediency basis which is usually the case and which has resulted in nursing being largely hospital‐ and illness‐oriented.

A number of health personnel systems are described and illustrated and the dilemmas of the cure/care dichotomy in nursing are debated. The role of nursing in care is considered to be a major one, even though it is conceded that nursing has done nothing positive to demonstrate the differences or interrelationships between cure and care.

A rational nursing personnel system, consisting of two or more levels will, it is argued, be a useful tool which will assist health services to provide effective nursing care and also promote nursing leadership.
Nursing in the year AD 2000*
Authors: Nuttall Peggy
Published: December 2006

Factors affecting the place and nature of nursing—demographic, economic and epidemiological —are examined in the context of the next 25 years. Two predictions are made. The first suggests that the present trend could result in the disappearance of the clinical nurse, arising from undue emphasis being placed on the managerial role of the nurse and undue reliance on the untrained worker. The second suggests an alteration of direction of the profession, by the recognition and identification of the nursing process with stress being laid on the performance of the clinical task.
Teachers of nursing in the United Kingdom: some characteristics of teachers and their jobs
Authors: Sims Alan
Published: December 2006

A survey of registered nurse teachers in the United Kingdom was carried out in order to (1) describe the general characteristics of the group, (2) discover if and where teachers were currently working and (3) to elicit and describe their opinions as to the satisfactions and dissatisfactions of their jobs. A total of 2923 completed questionnaires was returned representing a 69% response rate. The report describes the characteristics of the two main groups of respondent; those working in schools of nursing and those working elsewhere. It also describes factors linked to satisfaction/dissatisfaction and leaving/intending to leave.
Temperature taking with glass thermometers: a review
Authors: Sims‐Williams Alice J.
Published: December 2006

This paper gives a review of the pertinent literature related to the use of clinical glass thermometers in body temperature recordings, historically and up to the present day. An attempt is made to give this commonly practised nursing procedure a scientific basis. Aspects of methods involved are discussed, particularly from the viewpoints of accuracy and safety. Some of the discrepancies inherent in current practice are pointed out and, where relevant, suggestions are made on the revision of this in the light of research findings and scientific data.
Teachers of nursing in the United Kingdom: a description of their attitudes*
Authors: House Vivienne , Sims Alan
Published: December 2006

A survey in which 2923 registered teachers of nursing completed questionnaires produced 956 questionnaires on which teachers provided additional comment about their jobs. Whilst the attitudes of the different types and grades of teacher varied somewhat, there appeared to be a common core of dissatisfaction or concern. All groups in their way expressed concern about a perceived decline in the status of nurse teaching. This decline reduced the amount of control that teachers had over the educational process—reducing numbers of teachers and hence the ability to provide adequate direct teacher‐learner contact; the chance to plan and carry out an ordered sequence of educational experiences and the ability to control the total educational function. Possible changes in the future educational structure were viewed with caution as such changes were seen as needing increased resources.
Some political influences surrounding the Nurses Registration Act 1919 in the United Kingdom
Authors: White Rosemary
Published: December 2006

Recent research into the Development of the British Poor Law Nursing Service has thrown up interesting attitudes towards the registration of nurses and the delay in achieving this until 1919. These allow a wider understanding of the political considerations surrounding the setting up of the General Nursing Council and the factors which influenced the acceptance of the Syllabus of Examinations and the rejection of the Syllabus of Training as a mandatory instrument. The Poor Law Nursing Service is described as the major section of British nursing during the 1920s which out‐numbered the voluntary nursing sector by about 2 : 1 and cared for 75% of the hospital patients at that period.
A model for nursing and nursology
Authors: Roper Nancy
Published: December 2006

Wilson (1972) believes that disciplines are forms of thought that have a characteristic approach to appropriate questions related to the subject. An attempt has been made to interpret nursing accordingly. The ‘subject’ of nursing is the patient. Because there are periods in life when a person cannot yet or can no longer perform one or more of the activities of daily living, each person could be said to have a dependent/independent continuum for each activity along which he can move in either direction according to circumstance. Appropriate questions concerning each patient or client would be: Where is he on each continuum? Why is he at that point? Where could or should he be? How can he be helped to move along any continuum? How can any movement be evaluated or measured? Use of the model could help to produce research‐minded nurses; could give value and prestige to helping patients with their activities of daily living; might help the profession to portray its relevant image; could reduce discrepancy between theory and practice, a common complaint made by today's vocal students; could help the profession to make overt its characteristic approach to its subject and thus help nursing to develop as a discipline.
Recent advances in human genetics‐implications for nursing education curricuium
Authors: Maclean Doreen E.
Published: December 2006

In recent years much more has been learnt about human genetics through chromosomal analysis and biochemical studies and, because of this, facilities for genetic counselling are assuming important dimensions in preventive medicine. As the general public become increasingly aware of the prospects and possibilities of advance in this area of medicine it is likely that the nurse will be approached by patients seeking help and support concerning matters related to genetics. The nurse should be capable of clearing misunderstandings perhaps by redefining or rephrasing terms in more easily understood language. Patients are very often loath to ask a doctor for clarification because they see him as being too busy to spare any more time with them than is really necessary. Consequently the nurse is the person patients look to for the provision of subsequent information. It is apparent that to enable her to function adequately in this respect she will require to be given the knowledge to do so and that education will be required to ensure that the nurse is aware of her limitations and does not give inaccurate information or attempt to help patients regarding matters that she knows little about. It is on the assumption that nurses are going to be increasingly involved in human genetics that this paper is written, with a view to prompting nurse educators to examine their educational programmes in relation to the study of human genetics.
Programme evaluation in health services: the use of experimental designs
Authors: Overton P. , Stinson S. M.
Published: December 2006

With increasing costs of Health Care Delivery Systems, there is a growing need to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, preventive and promotional health services. While there is considerable concern by programme administrators and evaluation researchers for such assessment, appropriate techniques and methodologies for this purpose have not been well developed. The use of experimental research designs is recommended by many researchers as an ideal mechanism for measuring the attainment of programme objectives. In practice, however, there are few examples of health services evaluation studies where this technique has been applied.

In this paper, the authors outline some of the central issues health services personnel should keep in mind in attempting to apply experimental designs to programme evaluation. Some of the conditions facilitating the use of experimental designs are identified, along with some of the steps that might be taken to improve the application of such methodologies.
The future of British nurse education*
Authors: Bendall Eve
Published: December 2006

This paper considers the present position of British nurse education on seven continua. The most critical parameter is the contractual position of the learner, and the real or assumed position on this continuum affects the position on several other continua. It is argued that there is no possible midpoint between the extreme positions of student and employee and the false assumption that such a mid‐point is possible has influenced and still influences much of the thinking about nurse education.

The changes which would follow full acceptance of the learner as employee are discussed and a specific theory of learning described. It is argued that if this theory were used, nurse education in the present real service context would be considerably more effective.

The paper was read on 5 November 1976 as The Second Battersea Memorial Lecture.
The Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom 1916–1976: roie and action in a changing health service
Authors: Simpson H. Marjorie
Published: December 2006

This paper is based on the nursing lecture delivered on the occasion of the Royal College of Nursing's Diamond Jubilee Year Annual General Meeting, 24 November 1976. The history of the first sixty years of the college is recorded and discussed and its national and international contributions to the nursing profession and the art and science of nursing are documented. The College's pioneering role in nursing research and post‐basic nursing education are also considered as are its influences on the development of the National Health Service and its significant role in representing nurses.
Community psychiatric nursing: an appraisal of its impact on community psychiatry in Manchester, England
Authors: Corrigan Jim , Soni Som D.
Published: December 2006

This communication describes a commmunity nursing service for the central districts of Manchester. Some functions of community nurses are suggested and the impact of such a service on the community psychiatric care is assessed. The authors suggest that the potential for utilization of community nurses for progressive care of patients away from hospital is almost infinite but it requires an outlook which favours community care and is at least quasi‐democratic in its machinery for delivering patient care.
A 6 year suryey of community care courses for basic nursing students
Authors: Davies M. Joan
Published: December 2006

The establishment and development of 3 new university hospital and medical school has obviously affected nursing and nurse training in Nottingham. One result has been that the school of nursing has been able to appoint a community care tutor to specifically teach community aspects within the basic general, psychiatric and paediatric nurse training programmes. This article describes the development of various courses to meet the General Nursing Council for England and Wales (GNC) syllabus objectives. The various community services involved in the course programme are identified and their contributions in time and expertise evaluated. Some discussion is included on the complex relationships between theory and practice and the attempts which are being made to include teaching and learning objectives related to the nursing process within the curriculum. Finally, it is hypothesized that comments from a group of students on their attitude change as a result of the course and, on the value of their new knowledge and skills when they return to hospital, could form the basis of future research.
The history, philosophy and evaluation of the work of the Joint Board of Clinical Nursing Studies
Authors: Gardener Marjorie G.
Published: December 2006

This paper describes the establishment and organization of the Joint Board of Clinical Nursing Studies. It outlines the philosophy which has developed since 1970 and which has formed the basis of the Board's work. The belief that ongoing clinical education should contribute to the quality of patient care, and to the personal and professional development of the nurse and midwife, has been fundamental to the formation of the Board's policies. Factual information is given on various aspects of the work of the Board. The difficulty of assessing the value of the work is recognized, but the importance of this activity is stressed. Formative evaluation is required as an integral part of every course. An attempt is made to assess the value of the Board's work to the patients, the nurses taking the courses, and to the nursing service.
On political consciousness in nurses
Authors: Schröck Ruth A.
Published: December 2006

On political consciousness in nurses The argument presented in this paper centres around the proposition that all nurses need to develop their critical abilities in the understanding and analysis of the socio‐economic and political background to the services of which they are a part as a potentially powerful group of health care workers.

The topics under examination in this paper, The Welfare State, Social Thought and Social Planning and Politics of Health Care, are used as examples to demonstrate the kind of critical understanding which nurses need to acquire in order to deal with some of the fundamental assumptions that influence their work either directly or indirectly.

From the argument follows the conclusion that it is an illusion, and possibly a dangerous one, if nurses continue to believe in the unpolitical nature of nursing as a professional activity.