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Biomedical subjects

M Chambers

Publications and source records attributed to M Chambers.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Psychological aspects of renal transplantation.

Renal transplantation offers the patient with end stage renal disease an alternative treatment to dialysis. A successful graft can lead to a greatly improved quality of life. Physicians, staff and patients often do not anticipate the adverse post-operative psychological reactions. At some stage, practically all patients experience episodes of anxiety, depression and anger secondary to complications, painful treatments, drug therapy, fear of death, etc. This article explores the psychological stages a renal transplantee goes through in the first few months post-operatively. Additionally, the role of the mental health consultant is examined.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Elastin and granulation tissue.

The contraction of granulation tissue is an important factor in wound healing. The tract of an abdominal drainage tube closes at the rate of 1 mm/h once the tube is removed. Specialized myofibroblasts are generally believed to be responsible for this process and the presence of elastin in granulation tissue has been debated for many years. A 3-mm polyethylene tube was inserted through the left lobe of the liver in 41 rats. A tube of granulation tissue formed around the plastic. This granulation tissue was isolated, after periods ranging from 8 to 20 days, by removing the left lobe of the liver and scraping away the surrounding liver tissue. Biochemical assay for elastin revealed that normal hepatic tissue does not contain any detectable amount of elastin. All 41 samples of granulation tissue contained elastin with a mean value of 8.5 X 10(-6) g of elastin per milligram of tissue. Normal rat aorta contains 31.4 X 10(-6) g of elastin per milligram of tissue. These tubes of granulation tissue were histologically normal and the presence of elastin was recognized using elastin stains. The exact role of elastin in granulation tissue is uncertain but this experiment clearly demonstrates its generation and presence there.

Animals↗

Role of pituitary hormones in the growth of human breast cancer.

Hypophysectomy was performed in 28 women with Stage IV breast cancer who were treated initially with antiestrogens. Six of 13 patients who responded to tamoxifen and 2 of 12 who failed to benefit from tamoxifen obtained remissions from hypophysectomy. The remissions average 11+ months. Three of 8 patients treated initially with antiestrogens have responded to androgen therapy. The results suggest that hormones other than estrogen, which appears to play a major role, may be involved in stimulating the growth of some human breast cancers. Prolactin receptors were detectable in 51% of human breast cancers and were detected in both estrogen receptor-positive and -negative tumors. Preliminary clinical correlations suggest that prolactin receptors will not be useful in predicting response to antiestrogen therapy.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Rickettsial antibodies in multiple sclerosis.

The serum of subjects with multiple sclerosis or other degenerative neurological diseases and that of normal controls does not differ significantly in its content of antibodies to several rickettsial antigens. There is no evidence for a rickettsial aetiology of multiple sclerosis, and no grounds for an extended clinical trial of Le Gac's full method of treatment with antibiotics.

Adult↗

Developing a system of student nurse profiling through action research.

This article concerns the early stages of a research study which attempted to improve the assessment of student nurses' clinical competence by means of profiling. During the course of the paper the reasons for undertaking assessment will be considered, the existing assessment approach will be briefly reviewed, the use of action research as the method of inquiry will be addressed, and the initial findings from the study described.

Clinical Competence↗

Preservation of skin by refrigeration for autogenous grafting in the horse.

Eighteen stored split thickness meshed skin grafts were applied to surgically created lesions on the metacarpal and metatarsal regions of six horses. Donor skin was harvested from the sternal region, meshed and stored at 4 degrees C in a cell culture medium containing 10% serum. Stored grafts were applied to the wounds at 1, 2, and 3 week intervals. Acceptance of the grafts stored for 1 week was generally poor (1 of 6 grafts), whereas that of the 2 and 3 week old grafts was generally excellent (10 of 12 grafts). Poor acceptance of the 1 week old grafts was attributed to streptococcal infection of the recipient wounds. Using the storage medium and grafting technique described, excellent acceptance can be expected after graft storage of up to 3 weeks.

Animals↗

The dynamics and processes of 'ending' in clinical supervision.

While there is a growing number of papers in academic and professional nursing journals that focus on clinical supervision, there remain unanswered questions and unresolved issues. One such issue where there is a distinct paucity of theoretical or empirical work is that of 'ending' within clinical supervision. Accordingly, this article examines key issues and dynamics of ending within clinical supervision. These key issues are summarized as: ending when the supervisor is reluctant to let go; parallel processes in ending in clinical supervision and ending in clinical relationships; the different ending dynamics of different approaches to clinical supervision; endings in group supervision; ending as a form of bereavement; healthy endings in clinical supervision; and endings as a opportunity for growth and celebration. The authors posit that an understanding of these processes can help facilitate a 'healthy' ending in clinical supervision. Furthermore, there may be particular merit in considering dynamics that, when present, create the best chance of all parties experiencing a health ending, namely: the ending is negotiated; the ending is gradual rather than sudden and all parties work towards the ending; the supervisee retains (wherever possible) a degree of control over the timing of the ending; and both supervisor and supervisee achieve a sense of closure.

Adaptation, Psychological↗