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Biomedical subjects

M E Cameron

Publications and source records attributed to M E Cameron.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A pilot study using synthetic feline facial pheromone for the management of feline idiopathic cystitis.

Synthetic feline facial pheromone (FFP) (Feliway; Ceva Animal Health) was assessed for the management of cats with recurrent feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). Nine of 12 cats completed the randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study. They had their environment treated daily with either FFP or placebo for 2 months, after which time the treatment groups were reversed. Owners used visual analogue scales to define the severity of their cat's clinical signs and behavioural changes. Five (56%) of the owners stated that their cat's overall health was better when they were using FFP. Four (44%) of the owners noticed no difference between when using the FFP and when using the placebo. While there were no statistical differences between the two treatment groups there was a trend for the cats exposed to FFP to show fewer days with clinical signs of cystitis (FFP total, mean per cat+/-standard deviation, 30, 4.3+/-6.7; placebo 69, 9.9+/-19.1), a lower overall clinical score (1667, 238+/-476; 2009, 287+/-425), a reduced number of episodes of cystitis (9, 1.3+/-2.0; 10, 1.4+/-2.1) and reduced negative behavioural traits (e.g., less aggression and fear) (-128, -18.3+/-65.8; -73, -10.4+/-35.1).

Animal Husbandry↗

A study of environmental and behavioural factors that may be associated with feline idiopathic cystitis.

The cause of cystitis in many cats remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not any environmental or behavioural factors, particularly those that could be considered potentially stressful, were associated with feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC). The questionnaire-based study involved comparing 31 cats with FIC to 24 cats in the same households that did not have cystitis. They were also compared with a control population of 125 clinically healthy cats. Compared with the live-in controls and the control population, the cats with FIC were significantly more likely to be male, overweight and pedigree. Several stress factors were found to be associated with FIC. The factor that stood out most prominently was living with another cat with which there was conflict. The findings support the hypothesis that stress may be implicated in some cases of FIC.

Animal Husbandry↗

Nursing students' experience of ethical problems and use of ethical decision-making models.

Using a conceptual framework and method combining ethical enquiry and phenomenology, we asked 73 senior baccalaureate nursing students to answer two questions: (1) What is nursing students' experience of an ethical problem involving nursing practice? and (2) What is nursing students' experience of using an ethical decision-making model? Each student described one ethical problem, from which emerged five content categories, the largest being that involving health professionals (44%). The basic nature of the ethical problems consisted of the nursing students' experience of conflict, resolution and rationale; 85% of the students stated that using an ethical decision-making model was helpful. Although additional research is needed, these findings have important implications for nursing ethics education and practice.

Adult↗

The value, be, do ethical decision-making model: balancing students' needs in school nursing.

How should school nurses balance the needs of students with complex health problems and the needs of all the other students under their care? School nurses experience this and many other stressful ethical problems. The ethical decision-making model, "Value, Be, Do: Guidelines for Resolving Ethical Conflict," provides a philosophical tool for effective resolutions and ethical nursing practice.

Child, Preschool↗

The effect of weight loss intervention on antihypertensive medication requirements in the hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) study.

Obesity is a significant risk factor for hypertension and the cardiovascular sequelae of hypertension. Weight loss has been shown to be effective in lowering blood pressure in overweight individuals. The purpose of this study was to show the impact of a weight loss intervention on overall medication requirements for obese, hypertensive patients. This was a substudy of the Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) study. HOT study patients who had a body mass index > or =27 kg/m2 were randomized to receive either the weight loss intervention, which included dietary counseling and group support, or to serve as the control group. Patients' weights and number of medication steps (per HOT protocol) required to achieve target diastolic blood pressure were measured at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months. Patients in the weight loss group lost significantly more weight than the control group only at 6 months (-3.2+/-4.3 v. -1.8+/-2.7 kg [mean +/- SD] for weight loss group versus control, respectively, P = .05). The weight loss group tended to regain weight after the first 6 months of the study. However, patients in the weight loss group used a significantly fewer number of medication steps than the control group at all time intervals except 3 months. Weight loss appears to be a useful tool in blood pressure management in patients who require medication to control their blood pressure.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Psychosocial status of children with diabetes in the first 2 years after diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of adjustment over time of a cohort of children with newly diagnosed diabetes compared with a cohort of peer-selected children without diabetes over the first 2 years after the diagnosis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Children (n = 89 with IDDM, n = 53 without IDDM) ages 8-14 years were studied with the Children's Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, Child and Adolescent Adjustment Profile, Self-Perception Profile for Children, and a general health scale. Initial data were collected within 6 weeks of the diagnosis of IDDM and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months thereafter. RESULTS: There were no demographic differences between the two groups. Initially, children with diabetes were more depressed, more dependent, and more withdrawn than their peers. By 1 year postdiagnosis, there were no significant differences in psychosocial status between the two groups. By 2 years postdiagnosis, depression, dependency, and withdrawal were significantly higher in children with diabetes than in their peers without IDDM. Self-perceived competence remained similar between the two groups at all time points. CONCLUSIONS: After an initial period of adjustment, children with IDDM have equivalent psychosocial status to children without IDDM, but by 2 years after diagnosis, they have experienced twice the amount of depression and adjustment problems as their peers. Interventions should be aimed at this critical period between 1 and 2 years postdiagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Effects of high cholesterol and n-3 polyunsaturated fish oil diets on tissue and serum lipid composition in male rats.

The correlation between dietary cholesterol, high plasma lipids and cardiovascular disease is well recognized in many species. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of high cholesterol and moderately high fat intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fish oil diets on serum lipids in male rats. Male rats were fed either 21% menhaden oil (Control) or 21% menhaden oil with high (2%) cholesterol (MOC) for eight weeks. Whole blood was collected, and analyzed spectrophotometrically for serum cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins. The selected tissues were carefully removed, weighed and analyzed for lipid profiles. The aortas were removed and lipogenesis determined. The results showed that except for spleen the total percent lipid content of heart, lung, liver, adrenal, kidney and brain was not affected in the MOC group. The percent fat content of spleen but not the weight was elevated by 4 fold compared to control. The hematocrit values in the MOC group were unaltered. Serum cholesterol was elevated by 62%, whereas the serum triglycerides and HDL cholesterol were unaltered in MOC group when compared to the MO control. High cholesterol feeding did not affect aortic lipogenesis in the MOC group compared to the control. These results suggest that cholesterol feeding along with n-3 polyunsaturated fish oil diet did not attenuate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of fish oil with the exception of serum cholesterol.

Animals↗

High school students' perceptions of nursing as a career: a pilot study.

A pilot survey of 300 high school junior students was implemented to elicit their perceptions of nursing and to explore the relationship between the experience of having a nursing role model and the decision to consider nursing as a career. The results indicated that the majority of students in the sample were aware of the caring and helping aspects of nursing, but there seemed to be a lack of knowledge about expanded roles and opportunities for advancement. High school students had significantly different mean opinion scores according to their sex (F = 17.03, p less than 0001) and the decision to consider nursing as a career (F = 10.00, p less than 002). There appeared to be a significant relationship between the experience of having a nurse role model and consideration of nursing as a career option (chi 2 = 8.23, p less than .0041). These findings have important implications for recruitment of young people into the nursing profession.

Adolescent↗