bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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

AbstractObjective: 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.
Pharmacokinetics of desloratadine in children between 2 and 11 years of age
Authors: Gupta Samir , Khalilieh Sauzanne , Kantesaria Bhavna , Banfield Christopher 
Published: December 2006

AimsThe 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.MethodsTwo 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.ResultsPlasma 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.ConclusionsSingle 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.
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.
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.
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.
The concept of nursing*
Authors: Henderson Virginia 
Published: December 2006

The author contends that with the acceptance of health care as a universal human right has come a variety of national, provincial, state, and local systems for providing health care. An international network of rapid communications makes peoples everywhere aware of the variety of systems and the fact that some systems other than their own show better results, as measured by, for example, the infant mortality rate, or the incidence of venereal disease. Traditional roles for doctors, nurses, health educators, social workers and others are in question.To meet the needs of the people, health educators, physicians, social workers, nurses and all other categories of health personnel must constantly evaluate their roles and be ready to modify them for the common good and modify the programmes that prepare them for their work. While the roles of doctors, nurses and others are, necessarily, in these rapidly changing times, in · a fluid state, some health workers must provide a 24‐hour service that helps human beings with their essential daily activities when they lack the strength, knowledge, or will, to carry them out unaided and to work towards the development of a healthy independence. This intimate and essential service is, in the author's opinion, the universal element in the concept of nursing.The most successful preparation of nurses will, the author argues, always include whatever gives them the broadest possible understanding of humanity and the world in which they live. It will also provide an opportunity to see expert nursing care given and to have the satisfaction of seeing the care they themselves give, hasten a person's recovery, help a person cope with a handicap, or die in peace when death is inevitable.
Changing foci in American nursing education: primary and transcultural nursing care*
Authors: Leininger Madeleine 
Published: December 2006

Two major movements in the USA–transcultural nursing and primary care nursing–are discussed. They are considered to be exciting, challenging and promising developments to advance nursing education and practice. These movements are placing new and heavy responsibilities on nurse educators.The author argues that both transcultural nursing and primary care nursing movements need to be part of local, national and international health education and care systems.
The effects of the referral process on hospital in‐patients
Authors: Cass Sue 
Published: December 2006

Decisions relating to the preparation for hospital discharge of medical patients can take place at any time after admission to hospital. Referrals to the hospital departments of social work, occupational therapy and physiotherapy, and to community nursing, health visiting and social services are a key factor in this preparation. The referral process is complex and multifaceted and can be analyzed in terms of the questions of who initiates the referral, for what reasons, and at what point in the patient's career. The variant views of role of those professionals involved in the referral process and their perceptions of the situation affect what subsequently takes place and can be examined in relation to each other and to the referral process itself The complexity may be increased further by the intervention of a patient's relativesReferrals are made on the basis of a social diagnosis, the sources of information for which are diverse, with the result that the referral process is unstandardized and unpredictable.
Effect of hospitallzation on weight of psychiatric patients
Authors: Dwyer Michael , Fricker Raymond , Johnson Anthony L 
Published: December 2006

The hypothesis that patients hospitaUzed for long periods and receiving psychotrophic drugs increase in weight is tested, and it was discovered that women patients were somewhat heavier than their ‘standard’ weights. This, however, was not due to hospitalization or drug effects. Contrary to expectation, the ratio of observed/‘standard’ weight decreased in men suffering from chronic schizophrenia. In view of the loss of weight frequently observed in affective disorder patients, we discovered puzzling higher mean ratios in men with this illness.This paper shows that small research projects can be carried out by nurses ·who are actively involved in patient care. It also demonstrates that small scale investigations, replicating locally some other research, testing its vahdity in a different setting are eminently worthwhile.
The development of a conceptually based nursing curriculum: an international experiment
Authors: Meleis Afaf Ibrahim 
Published: December 2006

Nursing programmes in the United States of America are based on a conceptual framework. Not only do faculty and students ascribe to the necessity of such programmes but the national accreditation agency also provides its accreditation approval for the institution only after all criteria are met, including the requirement of a well‐defined, operationalized and implemented framework.Can a nursing programme be developed in other nations utilizing the esoteric, American‐based idea of the necessity for a conceptually based curriculum? The author answers this question. The manuscript presents both the process utilized in selecting a conceptual framework for a new junior college programme in Kuwait and discusses the selected framework.The idea of a conceptual framework to guide the curriculum was as foreign in Kuwait as it was to nursing curricula in the United States 15 years ago. Though initially rejected by the faculty in Kuwait, the idea of a conceptual framework was reintroduced after much faculty discussion and questions related to nursing knowledge vis‐a‐vis medical knowledge, and what should be included in and excluded from the programme.By the end of the second year, a definite framework had been operationalized into courses and content. The selection of the framework evolved from faculty participation in the operationalization of the framework. This point is quite significant particularly in an international assignment, as it is the faculty who are left with the monumental task of supporting and continuing the work which has been done.Strategies used to develop and implement a conceptual framework included confrontation of faculty of the existing situation, lectures, seminars, workshops, and the identification of a critical review board.
One meter stick‐the nursing audit*
Authors: Martin Pat J. 
Published: December 2006

In this very critical evaluation of the value and effectiveness of nursing audits, the author shares information about the state of nursing in Australia, gleaned from a recent study. Some myths about nursing practice are debunked.The stark reality is discussed and analysed and a direction for the future is suggested. Although the paper relates exclusively to Australia, its contents will undoubtedly ring true in many other countries.The dichotomy between nursing education and nursing service is considered at length. As are the resulting conflicts of nursing students, clinical instructors and nurse tutors. Teachers of nursing appear to decry the need for them to be clinically involved, as a result nursing education is less meaningful.A particularly strong plea is made for adequate inservice education programmes and a more flexible and thorough approach to change, free from undue commitment to the past.
Attitudes of psychiatric hospital staff towards mental illness
Authors: Shanley Eamon 
Published: December 2006

SHANLEY E. (1981)Attitudes of psychiatric hospital staff towards mental illnessThe use of the social model of psychiatry as a form of treatment is increasingly accepted as a legitimate therapy. This is expressed in the continued growth of the‘therapeutic community’regimes. However, investigations into components of the social model, i.e. attitudes of nursing staff in psychiatric hospitals, have not accompanied this growth. A cross‐section of research over the past 25 years has shown an omission of behavioural correlations in attempting to measure staff attitudes. Research into attitudes expressed indicate a correlation between age, education, regime in hospital and occupation and the responses to attitude questionnaires. Without behavioural correlations however, the value of this research is very questionable. A few studies have included behavioural correlations such as perception of staff, discharge rates and length of stay in the community. An example of an area in nursing that attitude studies with behavioural correlations could usefully be employed is in examining the effectiveness of using staff from different cultures in therapeutic communities.
Clinical teaching: an evaluation of a problem orientated approach to psychiatric nurse education
Authors: Reynolds William , Cormack Desmond F. S. 
Published: December 2006

In a recent paper by one of the authors (Cormack 1980) the use of the problem orientated approach to nursing, and a proposed framework for assessing nursing needs, were discussed. Subsequently one of the writers (W.R.) utilized the problem orientated approach during the psychiatric nursing experience made available to student nurses undergoing the comprehensive modular training at the Highland College of Nursing and Midwifery, Scotland. This paper presents an evaluation of the problem orientated approach which has now been developing for 2 years.This paper describes the experience of W.R. in using a problem orientated approach to nursing diagnosis and nursing care prescriptions. It is argued that such an approach, combined with patient‐centred rather than classroom based nurse education, is essential to enable psychiatric nurse teachers to teach effectively. Such a patient‐centred approach is also necessary to clarify the psychiatric nurses’ role and to shift the emphasis of psychiatric nurse education away from psychomotor skills to interpersonal skills.While it is recognized that this evaluation does not comply with the scientific criteria of a formal research based project, it is suggested that the experience of the authors and the comments of the many students involved in the exercise accurately reflect the problems encountered and the progress achieved.
Problems in teaching ethnic minority nursing students
Authors: Wong Shirley , Wong Julia 
Published: December 2006

Ethnic minority nursing students are different from the majority of white students, and approaches that nursing faculties use in teaching them must also be different. Teaching these students is sometimes viewed by many faculties as a threat. However, if difficulties are recognized early and handled efficiently, educating the ethnic minority students can instead become a challenge to the nurse educators.The authors propose some ways to deal with the existing or potential difficulties that arise from teaching these students. These suggestions are made with major emphasis on the student, the teaching process, and the curriculum. Ethnic minority students need to be helped to develop a positive self‐esteem, a sense of worthiness and a feeling of equality and acceptance. Nursing faculties are charged with this responsibility and must be committed to it. Furthermore, nursing curricula need to take into account cultural diversity, to increase students’ understanding of the impact of cultural diversities on health care. This paper presents a viewpoint from which important questions related to problems associated with teaching minority students, could be raised.
Technology and nursing education: a scenario for 1990
Authors: Ackerman Winona B. 
Published: December 2006

An examination of predictions concerning the future of American society provides a basis for building a scenario for nursing education in the USA. Trends influencing the future of society and professional nursing education include the tendency towards a planet‐wide society, changing orientations towards individual towns and cities, changes in the occupational structure and in use of energy, and technological breakthroughs in electronics and genetics.Central to new technologies is the computer. Computerized systems of education and networks of such systems are now technically possible. Although capital resources for such systems may be scarce, eventually the substitution of capital for the even more expensive human labour may force the use of greater technology in education. Teacher acceptance is the greatest challenge to increased use of technology in education. Increased use of technology may force better instruction. Increased technology does not presuppose a less humanistic education.
Na+entry via glutamate transporter activates the reverse Na+/Ca2+exchange and triggers ‐induced Ca2+release in rat cerebellar Type‐1 astrocytes
Authors: Rojas Héctor , Colina Claudia , Ramos Magaly , Benaim Gustavo , Jaffe Erica H. , Caputo Carlo , DiPolo Reinaldo 
Published: December 2006

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

SummaryBackground  Axillary hyperhidrosis does not have a low‐cost, free of secondary effects, satisfactory treatment. Eccrine hidrocystomas have been successfully treated with topical atropine solution.Hypothesis  Axillary hyperhidrosis could respond to the topical application of atropine solution.Methods  Ten patients were selected. Eight with mild pure primary axillary hyperhidrosis and two with compensatory sweating after sympacthectomy. One milliliter of a water solution of atropine sulfate at 1% was applied twice a day over the affected area and massaged for 30 s. Treatment was maintained for 15 days. The results were rated using a scale from 1 to 10 of satisfaction.Results  Only 2 of the 10 treated patients responded partially to the topical application of atropine sulfate. No local or systemic secondary effects were observed.Conclusions  The results of the study demonstrated that focal hyperhidrosis does not improve after the local application of anticholinergic drugs such as atropine sulfate.
Maspin: The New Frontier
Authors: Khalkhali-Ellis Zhila 
Published: December 2006

Abstract
Maspin (mammary serine protease inhibitor) was identified in 1994 by subtractive hybridization analysis of normal mammary tissue and breast cancer cell lines. Subsequently, emerging evidence portrays maspin as a multifaceted protein, interacting with diverse group of intercellular and extracellular proteins, regulating cell adhesion, motility, apoptosis, and angiogenesis and critically involved in mammary gland development. The tissue-specific expression of maspin is epigenetically controlled, and aberrant methylation of maspin promoter is closely associated with maspin gene silencing. Identification of new tissue sites expressing maspin and novel maspin-binding partners has expanded the horizon for maspin research and promises maspin-based therapeutic approaches for combating cancer. This perspective briefly outlines the past and present strides in deciphering this unique molecule and speculates on new frontiers in maspin research and prospects of maspin as a diagnostic/prognostic indicator in cancer.