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Biomedical subjects

M Smith

Publications and source records attributed to M Smith.

At least 541 records · Page 30Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Stressful nurses: the effect on patient outcomes.

The article describes a study that measured, over a 3-month period, staffing problems, including turnover rates; nurse incidents, including absenteeism, back injuries, and needle sticks; and patient incidents, including falls and medication errors. The self-reported stress of the nurses caring for these patients was recorded over the same 3-month period. Data showed that a relatively strong relationship exists between a hospital unit's Stress Continuum Scale (SCS) and the occurrence of patient incidents. The relationship between the SCS and personal incidents and nurse injuries appears weak, as does the relationship between staff turnover and stress. Lagging staff turnover by 1 month resulted in a moderate association with the SCS, however.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMed1996

Nurse abuse.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Ethics, Nursing↗
PubMed1996

Relative optic cup depth assessments using three stereo photograph viewing methods.

PURPOSE: A consistent stereoscopic (stereo) effect in disc photographs is important to be certain that apparent depth changes are real and are not the result of artifact caused by a variable stereo angle. The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy of relative depth assessments using three different stereo photo viewing methods. METHODS: We evaluated the ability of 12 observers to arrange sets of simultaneous stereo photographs (Nidek 3-Dx split-frame slides, Lentec transparencies) and sequential stereo photographs (Zeiss full-frame slides) according to apparent cup depth. Observer arrangements of each set of 10 photographs were compared to a "reference standard" sequence determined from cup depth measurements made by the Imagenet optic nerve analyzer. RESULTS: The median number of sequence errors (n = 6) made by all examiners in arranging the Nidek 3-Dx simultaneous stereo slides was significantly lower than the median number of errors (n = 12) with the Zeiss sequential stereo slides. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous stereo slides provide significantly more interobserver consistency for judgements of cup depth than sequential stereo slides.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1996

Lack of effect of calcium channel blockers on open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers (CCB) on the clinical course of glaucoma. METHODS: Open-angle glaucoma patients receiving oral CCB for nonophthalmic diseases were sequentially selected from the private practice of the Glaucoma Service of Wills Eye Hospital. The course of visual fields and optic discs and serial intraocular pressures were analyzed in subsequent follow-ups. The findings in these 83 cases were compared with a control group of patients with the same ocular diagnosis, but who were not on CCB. A subset of 43 cases of the study group was compared with an age-matched subset of the control group. RESULTS: There was no apparent difference in the absolute intraocular pressure, stability/change of visual fields or optic discs when we compared patients using CCB with the control group. Among patients with the diagnosis of "low-tension glaucoma," we also could not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, neither a beneficial nor a detrimental effect of CCB on the course of the patients glaucomatous disease was apparent.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

MR in children with L-carnitine deficiency.

PURPOSE: To describe the MR imaging findings in five children with proved L-carnitine deficiency. METHODS: MR imaging studies (five without contrast, two with contrast) were obtained in five children (mean age, 9 years) who presented with stroke symptoms and who proved to have L-carnitine deficiency as established by serum levels. RESULTS: In three of five patients, infarctions were confined to arterial distributions; one patient had a hemorrhagic infarction in one frontoparietal region; and one patient had only nonspecific periventricular white matter T2 hyper-intensities. Serum L-carnitine levels normalized after correction; sequelae included seizures in two patients, hemiparesis in one patient, normal outcome in one patient, and death in one patient. CONCLUSION: L-Carnitine deficiency is a rare metabolic disorder leading to cerebral infarctions, as seen in our five patients, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children who have had a stroke, particularly when associated with hypoglycemia and myopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Oximeter reliability in a subzero environment.

BACKGROUND: Pulse oximeters optimize care in the pre-hospital setting. As British Columbia ambulance teams often provide care in subzero temperatures, we conducted a study to determine the reliability of 3 commercially-available portable oximeters in a subzero environment. NULL HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that there is no significant difference between SaO2 readings obtained using a pulse oximeter at room temperature and a pulse oximeter operating at sub-zero temperatures. METHODS: Subjects were stable normothermic children in intensive care on Hewlett Packard monitors (control unit) at room temperature. The test units were packed in dry ice in an insulated bin (temperature - 15 degrees C to -30 degrees C) and their sensors placed on the subjects, contralateral to the control sensors. Data were collected simultaneously from test and control units immediately following validation of control unit values by co-oximetry (blood gas). RESULTS: No data were unacceptable. Two units (Propaq 106EC and Nonin 8500N) functioned well to < -15 degrees C, providing data comparable to those obtained from the control unit (p < 0.001). The Siemens Micro O2 did not function at the temperatures tested. CONCLUSIONS: Monitor users who require equipment to function in subzero environments (military, Coast Guard, Mountain Rescue) should ensure that function is reliable, and could test units using this method.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of hollow fibre membranes for hepatocyte immobilisation in bioreactors.

Various hollow fibre membranes of polyamide, cellulose and polypropylene were investigated as potential substrata for hepatocyte immobilisation in bioreactors for hybrid liver support systems. Membranes were subjected to a cytocompatibility test in which the attachment and morphology of primary hepatocytes were evaluated. The effect of coating with collagen and fibronectin was also studied. Adequate cell immobilisation was possible on polypropylene and polyamide membranes even without coating. The flattening process of the cells was dependent on the material and the coating. The incorporation of porous polypropylene hollow fibres in hybrid liver cell bioreactors and their specific permeability properties could also offer means for cell oxygenation, metabolite distribution and immuno-isolation purposes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Latex allergy and the student with spina bifida.

This article discusses the potential problem of latex allergy in the school, particularly among students with spina bifida. The origin of the problem, its symptoms, and prevention and management of latex allergy in the school environment are described. The individual roles of school administrator, school nurse, parent, student and other service providers are listed within an Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP). The IHP is proposed as a guide to schools to assist with identification of latex allergy reactions as well as response procedures if an allergic reaction is identified.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Association between eye and hand dominance and hitting, fielding and pitching skill among players of the Southern Baseball League.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between eye dominance and batting skill in baseball has been investigated, but conflicting results have been obtained. In addition, little attention has been given to the relationship, if any, between eye dominance and fielding and pitching skill. METHODS: A vision screening of 215 professional baseball players in the Southern Baseball League was performed and the eye dominance of these players was determined by a sighting test. Handedness for batting, fielding, and pitching was determined by history. RESULTS: The screening revealed that 66 percent of players were right-eye dominant and that, of 92 players who met the criteria established to qualify for the league batting championship, 60 percent had matched dominance of eye and hand. When official league batting averages were obtained for these 92 players, it was found that there was no statistically significant difference between batters with matched dominance (.278 mean batting average). For the 149 fielders in the league, no statistically significant differences based on eye dominance were found for fielding average (.893 matched dominance, .864 crossed dominance); for the 89 pitchers, a similar result was obtained. Pitchers were also evaluated with respect to eye dominance and earned run average, but no significant difference was found (3.91 matched dominance, 4.03 crossed dominance). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that there is no association between eye dominance, and hitting, fielding, or pitching skill in baseball.

Baseball↗
PubMed1996

Working with Mexican midwives.

Mavis Smith is a midwife and a Ph. D. (Nursing) student at the University of Wollongong. She was the recipient of a Lions Nurses Scholarship Award for an overseas project, which was an internship in a freestanding Mexican Birthing Clinic on the Texas-Mexico border. Here Mavis shares her experience at the clinic which challenged and enhanced her midwifery skills.

Education, Nursing, Graduate↗
PubMed1995

Rat PPAR delta contains a CGG triplet repeat and is prominently expressed in the thalamic nuclei.

We have isolated a new rat sequence containing motifs of a nuclear hormone receptor from a brain cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone showed a strong homology to the human NUCI and the mouse peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta (PPAR delta). We therefore refer to this new clone as rat PPAR delta (rPPAR delta). The new feature of rPPAR delta is a 14 CGG triplet repeat on the 5' untranslated region, not previously reported in either NUCI or mPPAR delta. We found that rPPAR delta was expressed as a 3.5-kb transcript which showed a wide distribution in adult rat tissues. Abundant expression was detected in brain, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney and lung. Weaker expression was noted in the liver, spleen and testis. To determine the specific brain localization of rPPAR delta we performed in situ hybridization analysis. Prominent expression was observed in the thalamus, particularly in the posterior part of the ventral medial nucleus, a site responsive to pain and cold stress. These results raise the possibility that PPAR delta might play a role in modulating response to thermal and pain sensations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer: what are the facts?

Selective quotation in the popular press of studies showing a potential association between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer has fuelled women's concern. However, the increase in detected breast cancer among long term HRT users that was seen in some studies is compatible with surveillance bias and confounding caused by increased risk factors among HRT users (e.g., higher socioeconomic class, alcohol intake and body mass index). Until adequate data are available from randomised controlled trials, the evidence-based conclusion is that HRT has no effect on breast cancer rates. HRT may reduce mortality and morbidity from other diseases and the overall risk-benefit ratio should be considered for each woman.

Adult↗