bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Docosahexaenoic Acid in Red Blood Cells of Term Infants Receiving Two Levels of Long‐Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Authors: Hoffman Dennis R. , Wheaton Dianna K. H. , James Kathy J. , Tuazon Myla , Diersen‐Schade Deborah A. , Harris Cheryl L. , Stolz Suzanne , Berseth Carol Lynn 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTObjectives:A randomized, double‐blind, prospective trial assessed effects of different formula levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood phospholipid docosahexaenoic (DHA; 22:6ω3) and arachidonic acids (ARA; 20:4ω6) in term infants at 120 days of age.Methods:Healthy, formula‐fed term infants (n = 78) were randomized to 1) routine milk‐based formula with 8 mg DHA, 21 mg ARA, 110 mg α‐linolenic (ALA; 18:3ω3), and 1,000 mg linoleic acids (LA; 18:2ω6) per 100 kcal (Lower‐long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [LCPUFA]; n = 39) or 2) routine milk‐based formula with 17 mg DHA, 34 mg ARA, 85 mg ALA, and 860 mg LA per 100 kcal (Higher‐LCPUFA; n = 39). Fatty acid methyl esters from red blood cell (RBC) and plasma phospholipid fractions were assessed using capillary column gas chromatography.Results:Compared with infants fed Lower‐LCPUFA formula, the Higher‐LCPUFA group had significantly greater percentages of fatty acids as DHA in RBC phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), RBC phosphatidylcholine (PC), total RBC, and plasma phospholipids (P < 0.001). Infants fed Lower‐LCPUFA formula had higher percentages of precursor ω6 fatty acids in the desaturation/elongation pathway but lower percentages of ARA (RBC PE, RBC PC, and plasma phospholipid, P < 0.001; total RBC, P = 0.017) compared with the Higher‐LCPUFA group.Conclusions:Greater amounts of dietary ALA do not produce as great an increase in DHA in blood lipids as preformed dietary DHA. Infants fed DHA at levels similar to human milk had significantly greater percentage of DHAat 120 days of age compared with the Lower‐LCPUFA group despite higher precursor levels of ALA.
Electrogastrography in Pediatric Functional Dyspepsia
Authors: Friesen Craig A. , Lin Zhiyue , Hyman Paul E. , Andre Linda , Welchert Elly , Schurman Jennifer Verril , Cocjin Jose T. , Burchell Nanci , Pulliam Shelia , Moore Anne , Lavenbarg Teri , McCallum Richard W. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aims of this study were to determine the electrogastrographic patterns in children with functional dyspepsia and to investigate the correlations among electrogastrogram (EGG), gastric emptying (GE), and pain severity.Methods:We studied 30 children (19 F; mean age 11.4 years) with functional dyspepsia. Electrogastrography was performed for 30 minutes fasting and for 1 hour during a GE test after ingestion of an isotope‐labeled solid meal. The percent emptying was measured every 10 minutes for 1 hour after the meal. The dominant frequency of the EGG, the change in the postprandial peak power (δP), and percent dysrhythmia during each recording session were calculated. Specific symptoms were graded from 0 (none) to 4 (severe) by the patient.Results:Of 30 patients, 14 (47%) had slow GE, and 15 (50%) had abnormal EGG (dysrhythmia ≥ 30% or δP < 0). GE was slow in 73% of patients with an abnormal EGG but was slow in only 20% of patients with normal EGG (P = 0.009). GE was negatively correlated with fasting bradygastria (r = −0.383, P = 0.04). Abdominal pain was the most severe dyspeptic symptom, both during fasting and after the meal. Patients with an abnormal EGG had an increased mean pain severity score (3.5 ± 0.2 vs. 2.5 ± 0.2, P = 0.002).Conclusions:Sixty percent of functional dyspepsia subjects had either slow GE or abnormal EGG. Patients with abnormal EGG were more likely to have slow GE. EGG abnormalities were associated with more severe postprandial pain and should be considered a possible mechanism for dyspeptic symptoms.
Estimates of Body Fat in Children by Hologic QDR‐2000 and QDR‐4500A Dual‐Energy X‐ray Absorptiometers Compared With Deuterium Dilution
Authors: Robotham Delphine R. , Schoeller Dale A. , Mercado Arlene B. , Mirch Margaret C. , Theim Kelly R. , Reynolds James C. , Yanovski Jack A. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTWe evaluated the accuracy with which the Hologic QDR‐4500A and QDR‐2000 densitometers measure fat mass (FM) in 95 children. FM was derived from total body water measured by deuterium dilution (DD) in all children, by QDR‐4500A in 50, and by QDR‐2000 in 45 children. Compared with DD, both instruments underestimated FM (QDR‐4500A: 3.35 ± 2.5 kg, P < 0.0001; QDR‐2000: 1.05 ± 1.5 kg, P < 0.0001). Both absorptiometers showed magnitude biases relative to DD (QDR‐4500: r = +0.70, P < 0.001; QDR‐2000: r = −0.51, P < 0.001). We conclude that neither densitometer is equivalent to DD for estimation of children's FM. The QDR‐4500A's current calibration seems to provide an even greater underestimate of FM than the QDR‐2000.
Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection Presenting as Acute Liver Failure
Authors: Verma Anita , Dhawan Anil , Zuckerman Mark , Hadzic Nedim , Baker Alastair J. , Mieli‐Vergani Giorgina 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTBackground:Acute liver failure (ALF) in neonates is rare but carries a high mortality without liver transplantation. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the microbes that more commonly causes ALF and is potentially treatable; hence, early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid progression to liver failure.Patients and Results:We have analysed retrospectively the case notes of 11 patients with HSV‐induced ALF. A history of possible herpes infection was elicited in 5 parents, but HSV had not been suspected clinically. All patients were asymptomatic when discharged from postnatal units and were presented with nonspecific symptoms of poor feeding and lethargy within 2 weeks from birth. Seven of the 11 patients had HSV‐1 infection, 4 HSV‐2. Only 2 patients who received early treatment with intravenous acyclovir survived.Conclusions:HSV‐related ALF in the neonatal period carries high morbidity and mortality and needs a high index of suspicion so that life‐saving treatment can be started promptly. Both HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 can cause severe neonatal infection. It is important to recognise HSV infection in women of childbearing age and their sexual partners.
Collusion in Differentiated Duopolies with Quadratic Costs
Authors: Collie David R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe analysis of collusion in infinitely repeated duopoly games has generally assumed that marginal cost is constant, but this note uses quadratic costs (linear marginal costs) to compare the sustainability of collusion under Bertrand and Cournot duopoly with differentiated products. It is shown that when marginal costs are sufficiently increasing in output, then it is always easier to sustain collusion under Cournot duopoly than under Bertrand duopoly for any degree of product substitutability.
Locality Matters: Ethnic Segregation and Community Conflict—the Experience of Protestant Girls in Belfast
Authors: Healy Julie 
Published: March 2006

Research continues to illustrate the resonance and intensity of feeling that attachment to a locality can generate, within this highlighting the gender‐specific impacts created by the intersection of ethnicity and locality. Within the ethnically segregated working class communities of Belfast, the importance of locality takes on added significance.By focusing on a case study of Protestant girls aged 7–8 and 10–11 years living in a predominantly Loyalist community in Belfast, the study demonstrates the significance of locality and the girls’ experience of sectarian residential segregation and community conflict in Belfast. The findings highlight the importance of engaging with children to increase our understanding of their lived experiences and to inform policy and decision‐making on matters of importance to their lives. Copyright © 2006 Barnardo's Northern Ireland.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 – implications for anaesthesia and critical care
Authors: White S. M. , Baldwin T. J. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe Mental Capacity Act 2005 is due to come into force in April 2007. The Act provides a protective statutory framework for decision‐making on behalf of incompetent adults, representing, in the main, a codification of the common law that had already developed in this area. For example, ‘advance decisions’ are now given formal statutory recognition. Importantly, the Act creates a new specialist ‘Court of Protection’ to manage the Act's enforcement, and an office of ‘Public Guardian’ to act as registering authority for new ‘Lasting Powers of Attorney’ and ‘court‐appointed deputies’, both of which will be able to make proxy decisions about medical treatment for adult patients without capacity. There is also considerable regulation concerning the participation of adults without capacity in research. Given that their practice routinely involves the medical treatment of adults who lack legal capacity, anaesthetists and intensivists should familiarise themselves with the Act's key precepts.
Comparison of computer integrated patient controlled epidural analgesia vs. conventional patient controlled epidural analgesia for pain relief in labour
Authors: Lim Y. , Sia A. T. , Ocampo C. E. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryComputer integrated‐patient controlled epidural analgesia (CI‐PCEA) is a novel drug delivery system. It automatically titrates the background infusion rate based on the individual parturient's need. In this randomised trial, we compared the local anaesthetic consumption by parturients using CI‐PCEA with demand only patient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for labour analgesia. We recruited 40 parturients after approval by the ethics committee. Group PCEA (n = 20) received demand only PCEA. Group CI‐PCEA (n = 20) received a similar PCEA regimen but the computer integration titrated the background infusion to 5, 10 or 15 ml.h−1 if the patient required one, two or three demand boluses, respectively, in the previous hour. The background infusion decreased by 5 ml.h−1 if there was no demand bolus in the previous hour. The sample size was calculated to show equivalence in local anaesthetic used. The time weighted consumption of local anaesthetic was similar in both groups (mean difference 0.7 mg.h−1, 95% confidence interval [CI: −2.5, 1.1]; p = 0.425). The CI‐PCEA group had higher maternal satisfaction scores: mean (SD) 93 (7) vs. 86 (11), p = 0.042. CI‐PCEA does not increase the use of local anaesthetic when compared with demand only PCEA but does increase patient satisfaction.
Pseudohypoparathyroidism: a series of three cases and an unusual presentation of ocular tetany
Authors: Sunder R. A. , Singh M. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryPseudohypoparathyroidism is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterised by hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia, increased serum parathormone and insensitivity to the biological activity of parathormone. These patients may present for incidental surgery, procedures related to kidney stones, cataract removals and renal transplants. No particular anaesthetic agent or technique is indicated except that respiratory alkalosis should be avoided as it may further decrease ionised calcium levels and thereby precipitate tetany. In this report, we present the peri‐operative management of three patients with this rare condition and describe an unusual presentation of hypocalcaemic extra‐ocular muscle spasm.
Urinary catecholamine excretion in tetanus
Authors: Thwaites C. L. , Yen L. M. , Cordon S. M. , Binh N. T. , T. N. , Nga Ngoc , White N. J. , Soni N. , MacDonald I. A. , Farrar J. J. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryImperfect understanding of the pathophysiology of tetanus has limited therapeutic advances. Autonomic disturbance is a major cause of mortality and is believed to be associated with catecholamine release, predominantly norepinephrine. We measured epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations in 24‐h urine collections from tetanus and critically ill patients suffering from other severe diseases. In patients with severe tetanus, mean (SD) epinephrine was 164.18 (129.37) nmol.day−1 compared with 45.18 (37.74) nmol.day−1 in mild‐moderate disease (p = 0.008). In the severe group, mean (SD) norepinephrine was 411.64 (208.5), and 121.00 (81.81) nmol.day−1 in moderately ill patients (p < 0.001). Compared with critically ill control patients, median epinephrine was 331.77 in tetanus patients and 89.70 nmol.day−1 in controls (p < 0.001). Median norepinephrine concentration was 788.02 nmol.day−1 in tetanus and 300.05 nmol.day−1 in control patients, p = 0.006. The study finds a novel result of increased epinephrine excretion in tetanus and confirms that catecholamine excretion in tetanus exceeds that in other critically ill patients. These results should be considered in designing more effective therapeutic strategies.
A novel type II membrane receptor up‐regulated by IFN‐α in fibroblasts functions in cell proliferation through the JAK‐STAT signalling pathway
Authors: Liu L.‐D. , Dong C.‐H. , Shi H.‐J. , Zhao H.‐L. , Wang L.‐C. , Ma S.‐H. , Li Q.‐H. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  A type II membrane protein similar to CD69 (TIIMPSC) has been isolated in human embryo fibroblasts treated with IFN‐α. Structural analysis and immunofluorescence detection has suggested that this protein is located on the surface of fibroblasts, generally considered, a receptor. Cell proliferation assay has revealed that activation of TIIMPSC elevates the level of fibroblast proliferation. Further, examination of signal transduction has indicated that expression of this protein is up‐regulated by IFN‐α stimulation, and that it is involved in the regulation of fibroblast growth through the JAK‐STAT signalling pathway.
Effects of rapamycin on number activity and eNOS of endothelial progenitor cells from peripheral blood
Authors: Chen T.‐G. , Chen J. Z. , Wang X.‐X. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  The aim of this investigation is to determine whether rapamycin treatment has any effect on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Total mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and then the cells were plated on fibronectin‐coated culture dishes. After 7 days in culture, attached cells were stimulated with rapamycin (in a series of final concentrations: 0.1, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 g/ml) for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. EPCs were characterized as adherent cells, double positive for DiLDL uptake and lectin binding by direct fluorescence staining. EPC proliferation and migration were determined using the MTT assay and a modified version of the Boyden chamber assay, respectively. An EPC adhesion assay was performed by replating the cells on fibronectin‐coated dishes; adherent cells were then counted. Tube formation activity was assayed by using a tube formation assay kit and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was assayed by Western blot analysis. Incubation of isolated human MNCs with rapamycin decreased the number of EPCs present; rapamycin also decreased EPCs proliferative, migratory, adhesive, tube formation capacity and eNOS production in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Rapamycin was found to decrease the number, proliferative, migratory, adhesive and tube formation capacities of the EPCs, and also was found to decreases eNOS in the EPCs.
Subcutaneous tissue thickness in children with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Shin Hyunsook , Kim Mi Ja 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a study to measure the thickness of subcutaneous tissue at three major injection sites and to identify frequently used injection sites and injection methods.Background.  Glycaemic control is the key factor in the management of children with type 1 diabetes, and subcutaneous injection of insulin plays a major role in glycaemic control. However, only limited studies have examined the thickness of subcutaneous tissue at various injection sites.Methods.  The subcutaneous thickness in a convenience sample of 65 children aged 8–16 years attending a diabetes camp in 2002 was measured once per child at the outer arm, anterior thigh, and abdomen by one investigator using a Lange caliper. Injection sites and the method of injection were observed daily for four days by a trained investigator using a checklist.Results.  Median values of subcutaneous thicknesses at the outer arm, anterior thigh, and anterior abdomen for girls were respectively 18·00, 18·00 and 19·75 mm, and for boys were 17·00, 12·50 and 17·00 mm. In 40% of participants, the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen was <12·5 mm. Boys over 14 years old had statistically significantly thinner subcutaneous tissue at all injection sites than that of age‐matched girls. The anterior abdomen was the most common injection site in boys, and the anterior thigh in girls. Perpendicular injection without skin‐folding was the most frequently used injection method. Body Mass Index was statistically significantly correlated with subcutaneous tissue thickness at all sites.Conclusion.  A needle shorter than a 12·5‐mm needle should be used, particularly for boys. Injection with skin‐folding may decrease the possibility of intramuscular injection.
Collaboration and control: nurses’ constructions of the role of family in nursing home care
Authors: Bauer Michael 
Published: March 2006

Aim. This paper reports a study examining how nursing home staff experienced working with residents’ families.Background. Working collaboratively with the family in residential aged care to provide care is consistent with nursing philosophy. The quality of the experience, however, is frequently fraught with problems for both the family and staff involved. Little research has focused on the nature of family involvement in nursing homes from the perspective of nursing home staff.Methods. The study adopted a naturalistic paradigm. Data were collected from 30 nursing home staff members drawn from a range of metropolitan and rural facilities in Victoria, Australia by means of conversational in‐depth interviews. Issues concerned with how participants constructed the role of the family in the nursing home were explored. The data were collected in 2001–2002.Results. Four key elements are presented in this paper: (1)Making the transition; (2)Forming ties; (3)Keeping them at a distanceand (4)Unacceptable behaviour. Some nursing home staff have developed a substantive family orientation and had adopted practices which were inclusive of the family. Equally, many attitudes which cast the family into an adversarial and competitive role were noted, and many staff members outlined practices which were indicative of a need to control the family.Conclusion. A rhetoric of family partnerships is prevalent in some nursing homes. The activities of staff in these homes are still primarily geared towards provision of physical care, and families’ needs become secondary to getting the work done. A new model of practice is needed that sees working collaboratively with families as a legitimate and necessary part of the staff role.
Role of nurses in institutional ethics policies on euthanasia
Authors: Gastmans Chris , Lemiengre Joke , de Casterlé Bernadette Dierckx 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  This paper reports the findings of a survey that investigated whether Flemish Catholic hospitals and nursing homes had developed written ethics policies on euthanasia and how the role of nurses was described in these policies.Background.  International research shows undeniably that nurses are confronted with patients requesting euthanasia. Euthanasia has been legal in Belgium since 2002 and in Holland since 2001. Because of the vagueness in formal documents and policies on the role of nurses in euthanasia, there is an increasing need to establish institutional ethics policies that clearly describe the role of nurses in the euthanasia process.Methods.  We used a cross‐sectional descriptive mail questionnaire to survey the general directors of Catholic hospitals and nursing homes in Belgium (Flanders). Data were collected between October 2003 and February 2004.Results.  Of the 298 institutions targeted for survey, 81% of hospitals, 62% of nursing homes returned completed questionnaires. Of these, 79% of the hospitals and 30% of the nursing homes had a written ethics policy on euthanasia. The ethics policies of 87% of the hospitals and 77% of the nursing homes explicitly addressed the role of nurses in the euthanasia process. In the majority of hospitals and nursing homes, the ethics policies addressed the conscientious objections of nurses to euthanasia. Most hospitals and nursing homes voluntarily communicated their ethics policies to the nurses they employed.Conclusion.  The written ethics policies of most Catholic healthcare institutions give explicit attention to the role of nurses in the euthanasia process. However, the meaning and content of the role of nurses, as indicated in these ethics policies, continue to be an issue. Further research is needed to verify how these policies are actually implemented within the institutions and whether they contribute to better support for nurses and to ethical care for patients.
Discourse analysis: theoretical and historical overview and review of papers in the Journal of Advanced Nursing 1996–2004
Authors: Traynor Michael 
Published: March 2006

Aim.  The aim of the paper is (1) to offer an overview of different theoretical approaches to discourse analysis and (2) to review papers published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing from 1996–2004 in which discourse analysis is identified as a method of data analysis.Background.  Discourse analysis offers rigorous approaches to analysing naturally occurring talk and texts. Forms of discourse analysis have developed across broad theoretical bases. Such development has created challenges for researchers wishing to adopt this methodology and readers wishing to evaluate the quality of discourse analytic work.Methods.  First, key documents which describe the theoretical range of discourse analysis are used to provide (i) a comprehensive overview of the approach, (ii) the identification of categories of discourse analysis and (iii) minimum criteria for determining if an individual paper can realistically claim to be adopting discourse analysis. Secondly, an electronic search followed by hand search of the Journal of Advanced Nursing full‐ contents between 1996 and 2004 was undertaken. The papers were grouped into the types of approach identified in i, and evaluated to see whether they met the ‘minimum criteria’ also identified in i.Findings.  The search of Journal of Advanced Nursing revealed 24 papers where the authors stated that discourse analysis was among the methods or was the sole method of data analysis. The majority of the papers cluster around critical approaches to discourse analysis. Only a few approach discourse analysis primarily as analysis of conversation. Some papers are excellent, while others offer analysis that bears little resemblance to any form of discourse analysis.Conclusions.  A strategy for improvement could include more rigorous attention on the part of those practising discourse analysis to methodology and the key features that differentiate the different approaches to discourse analysis from other qualitative methods. Authors should include sufficient detail of their approach.