bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients’ lived experiences of excisional breast biopsy: a phenomenological study1
Authors: Demir Fatma , Donmez Yelda Candan , Ozsaker Esma , Diramali Alev 
Published: February 2008

Aims.  The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of patients undergoing an excisional breast biopsy.Background.  It has been determined that women who feel a lump or a lesion in their breast delay seeking medical treatment because it could be cancer and they might need a mastectomy and/or the cancer may not be treatable. After women go to a health‐care facility and are told that they need to have a biopsy to make a clear diagnosis they want to have the biopsy performed as soon as possible.Method.  A phenomenological approach from a Heideggerian hermeneutical perspective was used. Participants were 20 patients who had an excisional breast biopsy in the day surgery of a university research and training hospital general surgery division under general anaesthesia between the dates of 1 December 2004–30 June 2005 and who returned one week later for monitoring, who were over 18 years old and who volunteered to participate in the research. Data were collected using in‐depth interviewing and analysed using the principles of Heideggerian hermeneutics.Results.  Three themes were identified: need for information, fear, spiritual needs.Conclusion.  It was determined that patients undergoing excisional breast biopsy had significant information and spiritual needs and experienced a fear of having cancer, losing their breasts and dying in surgery.Relevance to clinical practice.  Although there are many studies about breast cancer and day surgery patients’ experiences in the literature, no studies were found about patients’ experiences with day surgery excisional breast biopsy procedures. The results provide a possible framework for patient care.
Facilitating transitions. Nursing support for parents during the transfer of preterm infants between neonatal nurseries
Authors: Rowe Jennifer , Jones Liz 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objectives.  Transfers between neonatal units are significant transitional experiences for parents of preterm infants. The study aimed to investigate practices that nurses identify as supportive to parents during preterm infants’ transfers. It explored the influence of organisational context on practice and what strategies nurses perceive would help them to provide supportive care.Background.  Parents’ experiences of neonatal nurseries, their stressors and needs have been well documented. The powerful position of nurses in influencing parenting experience is also recognised. However, nurses’ understanding of the transfer process, their roles in supporting parents through this and the organisational context influencing practice have not been explored.Design and methods.  A focus group design was used composed of registered nurses from two neonatal units who met for a series of group interviews. Eleven registered nurses participated. They explored and critiqued their current practices and then established aims and strategies for practice development. A qualitative content analysis was conducted.Results.  Participants identified validation, empowerment and communication as critical to effective practice. They identified a range of organisational dynamics, from logistical issues to nursing authority and scope of practice, as these influenced practice. They presented strategies for practice development, including staff education and the development of nurse practitioner roles.Relevance to clinical practice.  This study explores nurses’ understanding and insights into transitions for parents of preterm infants. It shows a congruence between nurses’ perceptions of parents’ experiences and needs and those reported by parents in previous studies. It articulates the way nurses practice in response to these perceptions, and the manner in which organisational dynamics influence their ability to facilitate transitions. The need to invest in transitions and invest in nurses to facilitate transitions is proposed, ultimately by increasing their clinical authority and autonomy.
The coping experiences of carers who live with someone who has schizophrenia
Authors: Huang Xuan‐Yi , Sun Fan‐Ko , Yen Wen‐Jiuan , Fu Chou‐Mei 
Published: February 2008

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of this study was to understand the coping experiences of carers living with a schizophrenic family member. Our research may be a valuable reference for mental health professionals seeking to improve the quality of care for people with schizophrenia and their carers.Design.  We employed a qualitative descriptive phenomenological research methodology to understand the coping experiences of carers living with a schizophrenic family member.Methods.  Purposive sampling and in‐depth, face‐to‐face interviews were used to collect data. When data saturation was reached, the sample size comprised 10 carers (five men and five women). The interview focused on the carer's coping experience. During the process of data collection and data analyis we established epoches (bracketing) and returned to the reality of the carers’ experience to keep the data objective. Narratives were analysed according to Colaizzi's seven steps method.Results.  The two most commonly used coping mechanisms that emerged from this study were psychological coping strategies (cognitive, behavioural and emotional) and social coping strategies (religious, social and professional support). Furthermore, three factors were found in the study, including low social status, traditional help‐seeking behaviours and feelings of shame.Conclusion.  Findings from this study demonstrate the importance of understanding the coping experiences of carers who have a family member with schizophrenia. Further research is needed to identify more important detailed factors that affect the coping strategies of carers.Relevance to clinical practice.  Community mental health care professionals need to improve the quality of care for helping carers living with a family member who has schizophrenia. It is important to develop effective coping intervention strategies that help carers cope with the stress and strain of caring for a family member with schizophrenia.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of amikacin in Greyhound and Beagle dogs
Authors: KUKANICH B. , COETZEE J. F. 
Published: February 2008

The purpose of the study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of amikacin administered i.v., to Greyhound and Beagle dogs and determine amikacin pharmacokinetics administered subcutaneously to Greyhounds. Amikacin was administered i.v. at 10 mg/kg to six healthy Greyhounds and six healthy Beagles. The Greyhounds also received amikacin, 10 mg/kg s.c. Plasma was sampled at predetermined time points and amikacin concentrations determined by a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA).The volume of distribution was significantly smaller in Greyhounds (mean = 176.5 mL/kg) compared to Beagles (234.0 mL/kg). The C0 and AUC were significantly larger in Greyhounds (86.03 μg/mL and 79.97 h·μg/mL) compared to Beagles (69.97 μg/mL and 50.04 h·μg/mL). The plasma clearance was significantly lower in Greyhounds (2.08 mL/min/kg) compared to Beagles (3.33 mL/min/kg). The fraction of the dose absorbed after s.c. administration to Greyhounds was 0.91, the mean absorption time was 0.87 h, and the mean maximum plasma concentration was 27.40 μg/mL at 0.64 h.Significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of amikacin in Greyhounds indicate it should be administered at a lower dose compared to Beagles. The dose in Greyhounds to achieve a Cmax:AUC ≥ 8 for bacteria (with an MIC ≤ 4 μg/mL) is 12 mg/kg q24 h compared to 22 mg/kg q24 in Beagles.
Evolutionary Origin of the Immune System: A Dialogue with Rod Langman
Authors: Nagy Z. A. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe need of a specific defence mechanism against intracellular pathogens is proposed to have arisen very early in evolution, perhaps already in protozoa, e.g. amoebae. The phagocytic machinery of amoebae lends itself as a possible starting point for the evolution of such a mechanism. The hypothetical evolutionary pathway described here has been constructed to demonstrate the feasibility of developing a defence system against pathogens in the amoeba, which bears resemblances to contemporary cell‐mediated immunity, and can thus be considered as its ancestor.
Modulation of neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor expression in nasal mucosa after nasal allergen provocation in allergic rhinitis
Authors: Raap U. , Fokkens W. , Bruder M. , Hoogsteden H. , Kapp A. , Braunstahl G.‐J. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) feature both allergic airway inflammation and a hyperresponsiveness to nonspecific stimuli which is partly neuronally controlled. Still, it is unclear whether or not neurotrophins are involved in airway pathophysiology of AR and in nasobronchial interaction.Methods:  Nine AR patients with mono‐allergy to grass pollen and nine healthy controls underwent nasal allergen provocation (NP). Serum samples, nasal and bronchial biopsies were taken before (T0) and 24 h after (T24) NP. Pan‐neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, tyrosine kinase A (trkA), trkB, nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were assessed with immunohistochemistry, and NGF and BDNF levels with ELISA.Results:  At T24, BDNF and NGF were upregulated in nasal mucosa (P < 0.05) and increased in the peripheral blood of AR compared with T0. The increase in nasal BDNF expression correlated positively with the maximum increase in total nasal symptom score in AR (P = 0.02). p75NTR was expressed on peripheral nerves and epithelial layer, trkA on endothelial cells, and trkB on mast cells. trkB + mast cells significantly decreased after NP in AR (P < 0.01). NP did not modulate p75NTR and trkA expression in nasal mucosa and had no effect on the expression of neurotrophins and receptors in bronchial mucosa.Conclusion:  This study shows that neurotrophins and their receptors are expressed in human airways. Allergic rhinitis was characterized by a modulation of BDNF, NGF, and trkB in nasal mucosa after NP and a correlation of nasal BDNF with the maximal increase of total nasal symptom score. Therefore, our data suggest that neurotrophins participate in upper‐airway pathophysiology in AR, whereas their role in nasobronchial interaction remains unclear.
Relation of ferritin levels with symptom ratings and cognitive performance in children with attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Oner Ozgur , Alkar Ozden Yalcinkaya , Oner Pinar 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: The aim of the present paper was to investigate the relationship between behavioral symptoms and attentional and executive functions and hematological variables related to iron deficiency and anemia, ferritin, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and red cell distribution width (RDW) in children and adolescents with attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods: The sample consisted of 52 ADHD children (42 boys, 10 girls; age 7–13 years; mean ± SD, 9.9 ± 2.1 years). Conners Parent and Teacher Rating Scales were obtained. The neuropsychological test battery included Wisconsin Card‐Sorting Test (WCST), Stroop, Continuous Performance Test, Digit Symbol and Digit Span subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC‐R), and Trail Making Test A and B, which taps abstraction–flexilibity (WCST), sustained attention (CPT), mental tracking and complex attention (WISC‐R Digit Span, Digit Symbol, Trail Making A and B) and interference control (Stroop). Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relation of ferritin, hemoglobin, MCV, RDW, age, gender, and presence of comorbidity.Results: While seven children had iron deficiency, none of them was anemic. Lower ferritin levels were associated with higher hyperactivity scores in parental ratings. While performance increased with age for most of the neuropsychological tests utilized, ferritin, hemoglobin, MCV and RDW and gender were not significantly related with cognitive performance in this sample.Conclusions: At least for the present clinical sample, ferritin levels might be related with behavioral but not cognitive measures in ADHD cases.
Kinetics of serum S100B in newborns with intracranial lesions
Authors: Murabayashi Masao , Minato Michiyoshi , Okuhata Yoshitaka , Makimoto Masami , Hosono Shigeharu , Masaoka Naoki , Okada Tomoo , Yamamoto Tatsuo , Mugishima Hideo , Takahashi Shigeru , Harada Kensuke 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of serum S100B as a clinical marker of intracranial lesions in newborns.Methods: The study involved 22 normal and 40 diseased newborns. Serum S100B level was measured on days 1 and 6 in normal newborns. Diseased newborns were classified into four groups: birth asphyxia with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE); birth asphyxia without HIE; intracranial hemorrhage (mainly subarachnoid); and brain malformation. In each group the serum S100B level was measured on days 1, 2 and 6. Development was also assessed to investigate the relation between serum S100B level and prognosis at 18 months after birth.Results: In normal newborns, serum S100B level was significantly higher in those with liquor to meconium stain than in those without. In diseased newborns, serum S100B level on day 1 was significantly higher in the HIE group than in all other groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum S100B level between control and intracranial hemorrhage, or brain malformation. In newborns with birth asphyxia, serum S100B level was significantly higher in severe birth asphyxia than in mild or moderate birth asphyxia; two newborns with serum S100B level ≥10 μg/L on days 1 and 2 developed cerebral palsy, others with no increase of S100B were all developing normally.Conclusions: Serum S100B level is a useful marker of acute perinatal brain damage, and is particularly valuable for fetal distress. In newborns with birth asphyxia, serum S100B levels serve as a biochemical marker of HIE.
Asthma, lung function and sensitization in school children with a history of bronchiolitis
Authors: Cassimos Dimitrios C. , Tsalkidis Aggelos , Tripsianis Gregorios A. , Stogiannidou Anastasia , Anthracopoulos Michael , Ktenidou‐Kartali Sofia , Aivazis Victor , Gardikis Stefanos , Chatzimichael Athanasios 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present retrospective study was to investigate the association of school‐age asthma with acute‐bronchiolitis and examine the influence of potential risk factors.Methods: One hundred and eighty‐nine children aged 7.5 ± 2.2 years consecutively hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)‐positive acute bronchiolitis during infancy were evaluated by clinical examination and measurement of peak expiratory flow (PEFR), spirometry, IgE and skin‐prick testing. Their pulmonary function was compared with that of 60 non‐asthmatic matched controls.Results: Of the entire cohort 57.1% were diagnosed as asthmatic. PEFR, the 1‐second forced expiratory volume and forced expiratory flow of 50% vital capacity of children with a history of acute bronchiolitis were statistically significantly lower than in the control group (all P < 0.001). All the aforementioned measurements of children with/without asthma were also significantly lower than controls, while values of asthmatics were significantly lower than those of non‐asthmatics. The incidence of asthma in childhood was independently associated with breast‐feeding <3 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1–22.4), at least one positive skin prick test (aOR, 7.1; 95%CI: 2.8–18.1), male gender (aOR, 5.0; 95%CI: 2.2–11.5), evidence of moisture in the home environment (aOR, 2.9; 95%CI: 1.3–6.3) and presence of more than one house‐resident smoking indoors (aOR, 4.9; 95%CI: 1.8–9.2).Conclusion: Children with a history of RSV‐bronchiolitis during infancy have an increased risk for developing asthma in childhood, which was independently associated with male gender, breast‐feeding <3 months, living in a home environment with moisture damage and/or tobacco smoke by two or more residents and sensitization to at least one aeroallergen. Children with a history of RSV bronchiolitis in infancy had lower spirometry in comparison to matched control group. The difference was more marked for asthmatic ones but remained significant even for non‐asthmatic children.
Lidocaine treatment in pediatric convulsive status epilepticus
Authors: Yildiz Bilal , Çitak Agop , Uçsel Raif , Karaböcüoğlu Metin , Aydinli Nur , Uzel Nedret 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: Convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) may end fatally or leave serious sequelae. CSE treatment, invariably an emergency case, is based upon i.v. benzodiazepines as well as phenytoin, barbiturates or both. The present paper reports efficiency of lidocaine in CSE.Methods: The effects of lidocaine on patients with CSE due to infectious and non‐infectious reasons were compared. Lidocaine was given in 29 episodes of CSE to 49 patients having failed to respond to first‐line anticonvulsive drugs, such as diazepam, phenobarbital and phenytoin therapy. Lidocaine was given in doses of 2 mg/kg bolus i.v., and then in 4 mg/kg per h infusion.Results: Mean duration of lidocaine infusion was 14.6 ± 7.8 h. Effectiveness of lidocaine in patients with CSE was found to be 44.4%. Also, 11 patients responded to a single dose of lidocaine (37.9%), while another two (6.9%) required another dose to suppress their seizures. Patients with seizures attributable to infections were observed to have responded favorably to lidocaine when compared to those with seizures due to epilepsy (37.9% vs 6.8%; P < 0.05). Subsequent epilepsy was found to occur more frequently in patients with a poor response to lidocaine than in patients with a good response (P < 0.05). Adverse reactions to lidocaine were observed in three patients (10.3%), two of them having ventricular arrhythmia. As for the other patient, the focal seizure developed into a generalized one.Conclusions: Lidocaine seems to be useful for the management of CSE as a rapid‐acting anticonvulsant, particularly in patients with CSE due to infections. But further studies with larger number of patients are needed.
Hepatitis C virus infection and interferon therapy in patients with Down syndrome
Authors: Miyoshi Yoko , Tajiri Hitoshi , Okaniwa Mariko , Terasawa Sousuke , Fujisawa Tomoo , Iizuka Toshiyuki , Ozono Keiichi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground:The clinical features of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐associated liver diseases, or the efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy in children with Down syndrome (DS) remain to be elucidated. The purpose of the present paper was to survey the features of liver diseases in this subset of children and evaluate the efficacy of IFN treatment in those patients.Methods:A questionnaire was sent to 41 members of the Japan Society of Pediatric Hepatology. Ten of them reported on 11 patients with DS who had concomitant chronic HCV infection, providing information on liver disease and the response to IFN treatment.Results:Interferon therapy of 24 weeks duration using natural IFN‐α was instituted in six of the 11 patients with DS, but none of the six patients cleared HCV‐RNA from their serum. Among 12 age‐ and sex‐matched control children who were treated with IFN using the same regimen against chronic HCV infection, half of them had a favorable response to IFN therapy with a sustained clearance of HCV‐RNA from their serum. The major baseline features including alanine aminotransferase levels, HCV genotype and viral load were not apparently different between the six patients with DS and the 12 controls.Conclusions:IFN therapy for HCV infection in patients with DS may be unfavorable as compared with non‐DS children.
Developmental characteristics of very low‐birthweight infants at 18 months’ corrected age according to birthweight
Authors: Kono Yumi , Mishina Jun , Sato Noriko , Watanabe Toyoko , Honma Yoko 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: The objective of the present study was to describe developmental profiles of very low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants compared by birthweight, because those of infants with birthweight <750 g might be different from other VLBW infants.Methods: VLBW infants from four medical centers were followed at each site with the same protocol at 18 months’ corrected age. The protocol by the Society for the Study of Follow up for High‐Risk Infants, which includes a standardized developmental test, the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development (KSPD), was used. Five hundred and sixty‐four VLBW infants without neurological or neurosensory impairment were divided into four groups using 250 g birthweight intervals and outcomes were compared between the four groups.Results: Developmental characteristics of extremely low‐birthweight infants (birthweight <750 g) in comparison with other VLBW infants were as follows: (i) more infants were judged clumsy in their fine motor skills; (ii) fewer were able to speak meaningful words although they were able to understand oral simple orders; (iii) developmental quotients (DQ) of KSPD was significantly lower; and (iv) more infants were judged as hyperactive.Conclusion: Developmental profiles of VLBW infants without major handicaps at 18 months’ corrected age correlated significantly with their birthweight sequence. These results provide useful information on developmental outcomes of VLBW infants.
Transient tachypnea of the newborn: Predictive factor for prolonged tachypnea
Authors: Kasap Belde , Duman Nuray , Özer Esra , Tatli Mansur , Kumral Abdullah , Özkan Hasan 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: Because there is a lack of well‐established criteria, the aim of the present paper was to determine risk factors to predict the duration of tachypnea in transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).Methods: Data from 95 newborns with TTN were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical and laboratory findings were compared between patients in whom tachypnea lasted <72 h (group 1) or >72 h (group 2).Results: Male gender, prematurity and delivery by cesarean section were the major risk factors for TTN. Parenteral furosemide had no effect on the clinical course. Peak respiratory rate (RRpeak) at the first 36 h was significantly higher in group 2 (P > 0.000). The cut‐off for RRpeak during the first 36 h (RRpeak36) was 90/min and RRpeak36 > 90/min caused a 7.04‐fold risk of prolonged tachypnea. White blood cell count and hematocrit levels were lower whereas duration of hospitalization and antibiotic treatment were longer in group 2.Conclusions: Assessment of RRpeak36 may be useful in predicting clinical course of TTN.