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Biomedical subjects

C Love

Publications and source records attributed to C Love.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Use of prostaglandin E2 to ripen the cervix of the mare prior to induction of parturition.

Eleven light-breed pregnant mares (335 to 347 d gestaton) were used to evaluate the use of prostaglandin E2 as a cervical ripening agent prior to induction of parturition during the months of April and May. Six hours prior to induction, each mare's cervix was examined per vagina for softness and dilation. Each mare was then assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: Group PGE mares (n = 7) received 2.0 to 2.5 mg prostaglandin E2 deposited intracervically; Group SAL mares (n = 4) received 0.5 mL of sterile NaCl deposited intracervically. Six hours later, the mares were readied for parturition by wrapping the tail, scrubbing and rinsing the perineum and udder, and examining the cervix as previously described. Each mare was then administered 15 U, i.v. oxytocin at 15-min intervals until the chorioallantois ruptured. Intervals from initial oxytocin injection until rupture of the chorioallantois, from initial oxytocin injection until delivery of the foal, from delivery of the foal until the foal stood unassisted, and from delivery of the foal until the foal suckled were recorded. Mean cervical dilation immediately prior to induction of parturition tended to be greater in Group PGE mares (3.9 +/- 1.7 cm) than in Group SAL mares (1.9 +/- 1.9 cm; P = 0.10). Mean change in cervical dilation over the 6-h period prior to induction (3.4 +/- 1.9 cm vs 1.5 +/- 2.1 cm), mean number of injections of oxytocin required until the chorioallantois ruptured (1.9 +/- 0.7 vs 2.5 +/- 1.0), and mean intervals from initial injection of oxytocin to rupture of the chorioallantois (20 +/- 10 min vs 28 +/- 19 min) and delivery of the foal (28 +/- 7 min vs 34 +/- 22 min) were not different between Group PGE and SAL mares, respectively (P > 0.10). The proportion of foals that stood within 1 h of birth also did not differ between Group PGE foals (6/7; 86%) and Group SAL foals (3/4; 75%; Chi-square = 0.17; P > 0.10). The proportion of foals that nursed within 2 h of birth was higher in Group PGE foals (6/7; 86%) than in Group SAL foals (1/4; 25%; Chi-square = 4.02; P < 0.05). Premature separation requiring manual rupture of the chorioallantois at the vulvar labia occurred in 1 Group PGE mare (cervical dilation of 1.5 cm at time of induction) and 1 Group SAL mare (cervix closed and firm at time of induction). Foals born from the 2 mares with premature placental separation had the longest intervals from initial oxytocin injection to delivery, delivery to ability to stand unassisted, and delivery to suckling within their respective treatment groups. In summary, it appears that cervical ripening prior to induction of parturition favors shorter deliveries and foal vigor. Intracervical administration of prostaglandin E2 may prove useful for ripening the cervix of the mare prior to induction of parturition. Further studies are indicated to determine optimal dosage and method of administration of prostaglandin E2.

Allantois↗
PubMed1998

A study of the antigenicity and immunogenicity of a new hepatitis B vaccine using a panel of monoclonal antibodies.

The successful prevention of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been achieved by vaccination with purified hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The ability of a novel synthetic HBV envelope antigen vaccine (Hep B-3, Hepagene; Medeva), which contains part of the pre-S1 and the complete pre-S2 regions and the whole of the S region and was produced in a mammalian cell line, to induce antibodies required for a protective immune response is of importance. In this study, the use of a panel of monoclonal antibodies known to bind to epitopes within the common "a" determinant has demonstrated that the epitopes present on this new vaccine are comparable to those found with plasma-derived HBsAg. In addition, the epitope specificity of the antibodies induced by this vaccine was examined and shown to accord well with previous results obtained using both a plasma-derived vaccine and a recombinant vaccine prepared in yeast.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1997

A Delphi study examining standards for patient handling.

This article presents the findings of a local initiative to develop practice standards for patient handling in a specialist orthopaedic hospital. The changes in practice needed were first, to implement the statutory minimum standards for load handling (HSE 1992a); second, to minimise the high risk of injury, particularly to the back, faced by nurses mobilising patients; and third to meet the need for an instrument which could be used in developing and evaluating better clinical conditions for patients and working conditions for nursing staff. Participants reached a level of consensus over a broad range of standards, but even after three rounds, consensus on four standards was not reached. The author suggests this type of study can be used to develop standards applicable on a local level.

Delphi Technique↗
PubMed1997

Lifting injury: a study of the occupational health perspective.

This article reports the results of a national questionnaire survey of 66 occupational health staff regarding the circumstances of nurse injury. Eight causative factors were identified as either a frequent direct cause or major contributory factor. Three circumstances were identified when nurses are most at risk of injury. The most frequently cited effect of the introduction of Manual Handling Operations Regulations (HSE 1992a) was more training and updating. Having an increased complement of lifting aids and more widespread use was the second most common.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Injury caused by lifting: a study of the nurse's viewpoint.

This article reports the findings of a questionnaire survey of work-injured nurses. Thirty nurses reported back injury caused by lifting and nine causative factors were identified in significantly more than 20 per cent of accidents. The threshold of reported weight at which accidents began to happen was 50.9kg. Nurses were found to be particularly at risk when mobilising patients because walking accidents are not preventable by using non-lifting techniques. The findings suggest that nurses should be equipped with the appropriate levels of expertise in assisting patients with mobilising.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed1996

How nurse teachers keep up-to-date: their methods and practices.

A total of 316 nurse teachers completed a self-administered questionnaire in an investigation of the methods and practices they use to keep up-to-date. The study was in two stages. In the first stage, 240 respondents were asked to rate 13 activities as indispensable, useful or of minimal value for updating. Responses were not found to depend significantly on qualifications or years of experience (P < 0.05). Reading journals was most frequently rated as indispensable and in a separate question most indispensable of all. In the second stage, studying for a degree or diploma was added, giving a total of 14 activities. These were rated for four different purposes: topping up; restoring fluency; increasing depth; or adding to range of knowledge/skills. Most discrimination was observed for the category restoring fluency. The time nurse teachers spend on updating, the updating activities they spend most time on and set time aside for, and how they keep clinical skills up-to-date, were also assessed.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗
PubMed1996

Using a diary to learn the patient's perspective.

Comparing a patient's diary with a nurse's diary can illustrate the impact of care from the patient's perspective. This is a useful way of introducing experimental learning to students.

Autobiographies as Topic↗
PubMed1995

The effectiveness of alternative planned durations of residential drug abuse treatment.

Randomized controlled trials were conducted at two residential drug abuse treatment facilities to compare programs that differed in planned duration. One trial compared a 6-month and a 12-month therapeutic community program (n = 184), and the second compared a 3-month and a 6-month relapse prevention program (n = 444). Retention rates over comparable time periods differed minimally by planned treatment duration, and the longer programs had lower completion rates. There was no effect in either trial of planned treatment duration on changes in psychosocial variables between admission and exit or on rates or patterns of drug use at follow-up between 2 and 6 months after exit.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1994

The management of bilateral ureteric obstruction and renal failure in advanced prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of upper tract decompression on the prognosis of uraemia secondary to bilateral ureteric obstruction in prostate cancer, with particular reference to the hormone dependency of the tumour. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospectively collected data, over the period 1978-1993, were selected from the departmental database and from hospital case code data. Inclusion criteria were: blood urea > or = 15 mM, radiological evidence of bilateral ureteric obstruction, a histological diagnosis of prostate cancer, and the exclusion of out-flow tract obstruction. Of the 820 patients recorded in the departmental database, 27 (3.3%) fulfilled the criteria. Thirty-six patients were identified in total. Statistical analysis was by the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test. RESULTS: Of the 36 patients with bilateral ureteric obstruction and renal failure, in those in whom androgen depletion had been undertaken after ureteric obstruction (i.e. androgen depletion was a treatment option), the mean survival was 646 days (n = 12, SD = 786). Among these patients upper tract decompression improved survival and reduced the amount of time patients spent in hospital. In those in whom androgen depletion had been carried out before obstruction (i.e. the tumour had escaped from hormonal control), survival was significantly worse (80 days, n = 24, SD = 86.8, P < 0.01). In this group the use of decompression improved survival little. Percutaneous nephrostomy was the commonest means of decompression (nephrostomy, 9; stent, 5; ureteroneocystostomy, 2). DISCUSSION: In patients for whom hormonal therapy remains an option, upper tract decompression offers a worthwhile improvement in terms of increased survival and reduced in-patient time. However, if ureteric obstruction is diagnosed after hormone manipulation has been used, upper tract decompression has little effect on survival and should only be used in exceptional circumstances.

Cyproterone Acetate↗
PubMed1994

Rolling or lifting following hip replacement?

1. New minimum standards for manual load handling require nurses to rethink lifting strategies for patients. 2. The pelvic lift, used for skin inspection following hip replacement surgery, is particularly hazardous. 3. Safe methods of moving these patients are needed to protect the newly inserted hip from dislocation. 4. Rolling can be achieved without breaching the safe position range needed for protection against dislocation, and is safer for nurses.

Hip Prosthesis↗
PubMed1991

Drug and alcohol prevention project for sixth graders: first-year findings.

Data gathered in this study are the first-year results of a three-year program evaluation for a drug and alcohol prevention project. One hundred fifty-two 6th graders made up the target group which received instruction using Botvin's life skills training curriculum. Sixty-four additional subjects made up a control group which received no treatment. Both groups were pre- and posttested on the following variables: knowledge about and attitudes toward substances, self-concept, passivity, and locus of control. Results indicated that the program had a significant positive impact on the target subjects' passivity, knowledge about drugs and alcohol, and self-image.

Alcohol Drinking↗