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Biomedical subjects

P Barker

Publications and source records attributed to P Barker.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

The need for psychiatric nursing: towards a multidimensional theory of caring.

Contemporary developments in health care have encouraged a review of the professional status of psychiatric nursing. Although research has documented psychiatric nursing activity, little study has been made of the 'need' for psychiatric nursing within a multidisciplinary service. Employing adapted grounded theory methodology, substantive theory was developed concerning the expressed need for psychiatric nursing, by patients, their carers and mental health professionals. The study was based on six sites from England, Eire and Northern Ireland. The study found some consensus across both recipients and providers of mental health care, that the essential feature of nursing (the core category) involved a complex of relationships: 'knowing you, knowing me'. Within that complex, nurses either elected, or were required, to move--or 'toggle'--between three discrete domains of relating: the Ordinary Me (OM); the Pseudo-ordinary or Engineered Me (POEM); and the Professional Me (PM). Four internal dimensions involving the nurses' depth of knowing, power, use of time and use of translation distinguished these domains. The emergent theory extends current awareness of the importance of interpersonal relations in nursing. To what extent current health care policy, which emphasizes the promotion of alternative roles for nurses, will challenge this essential focus remains unclear.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1999

The use of GAFchromic film to determine the absolute activity of beta emitters.

A method of using GAFchromic film to determine the absolute activity of beta emitters by immersing the film in a bath of activity is described. This includes calculations of the effect of part of the radioactive solution being displaced by the film that is performing the measurement. Calculations have been performed for 90Y, 32P and 188Re. It is shown that for the film used in this study, this effect will cause a correction of the order of 15-20% for the three radionuclides studied. The results of the GAFchromic film measurement are compared with results obtained from liquid scintillation counting and from a commercial dose calibrator. It is shown that for 32P all methods were in reasonable agreement, but for 188Re, although the GAFchromic film and the liquid scintillation counting methods give similar results, the dose calibrator measurement differed by more than 20%. The GAFchromic film was also used to perform a direct measurement of the radiation dose at a distance of 0.5 mm from the surface of a cylindrical source of 188Re activity. This gave good agreement with the value of the dose predicted from theoretical calculations.

Beta Particles↗
PubMed1999

Ganglion of the hip joint--we present a logical approach to the exploration of a mass in the femoral triangle.

Hip joint ganglion is a rare cause of a mass in the femoral triangle. Our patient presented with a swelling in the groin and a history of femoral hernia repair 5 years previously. Pre-operative assessment with ultrasound suggested a possible femoral artery aneurysm. We propose that safe exploration of a mass closely related to the femoral vessels must include vascular control.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Children with congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia: after infancy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this original report is to describe the characteristic chest imaging findings in children with primary congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia who survive infancy. CONCLUSION: In children with primary congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia, increased interstitial markings decrease over time and increased hyperinflation is associated with persistent patchy areas of ground-glass opacity.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Editorial.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Trans-axillary first rib excision for thoracic outlet syndrome.

AIM: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a clinical diagnosis treatable by excision of the first rib. This study was undertaken to assess the alleviation of symptoms following trans-axillary rib excision in patients with a diagnosis of TOS suggested by a positive Elevated Arm Stress Test and, by inference, to estimate the prevalence of the syndrome. METHOD: A retrospective review of trans-axillary first rib excision was performed. No referrals were accepted from outwith the catchment area of our hospital. Post-operative symptomatic improvement was accepted as a confirmation of correct pre-operative diagnosis. RESULTS: Over six years, 52 rib resections were performed in 46 patients, mean age (+/- S.D.) 38.8 (+/- 10.6) years. The indications for surgery were principally neurological symptoms (n = 42 excisions), arterial compromise (n = 5) and venous compromise (n = 5). Symptoms had been present for a mean of 15.8 months prior to surgery. The median follow-up after surgery was 33 months. 42 patients (48 resections) showed immediate improvement in symptoms following surgery, although symptoms recurred in three patients (4 resections) between 6 and 8 months post-operatively. In the final two years of this study, 20 resections resulting in symptomatic improvement were performed, suggesting a prevalence for TOS of at least 10 per 100,000 per year. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic outlet decompression was performed more frequently in this series than many previous reports, suggesting that TOS may be under-diagnosed.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A MAP kinase is activated late in plant mitosis and becomes localized to the plane of cell division.

In eukaryotes, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are part of signaling modules that transmit diverse stimuli, such as mitogens, developmental cues, or various stresses. Here, we report a novel alfalfa MAPK, Medicago MAP kinase 3 (MMK3). Using an MMK3-specific antibody, we detected the MMK3 protein and its associated activity only in dividing cells. The MMK3 protein could be found during all stages of the cell cycle, but its protein kinase activity was transient in mitosis and correlated with the timing of phragmoplast formation. Depolymerization of microtubules by short treatments with the drug amiprophosmethyl during anaphase and telophase abolished MMK3 activity, indicating that intact microtubules are required for MMK3 activation. During anaphase, MMK3 was found to be concentrated in between the segregating chromosomes; later, it localized at the midplane of cell division in the phragmoplast. As the phragmoplast microtubules were redistributed from the center to the periphery during telophase, MMK3 still localized to the whole plane of division; thus, phragmoplast microtubules are not required to keep MMK3 at this location. Together, these data strongly support a role for MMK3 in the regulation of plant cytokinesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Creativity and psychic distress in artists, writers and scientists: implications for emergent models of psychiatric nursing practice.

Many of the great discoveries and developments in the sciences and the arts were made by people who were 'mentally different'. Some such pioneers or innovators had experiences that were indistinguishable from the phenomena defined as mental illness (or madness). It has been argued that such experiences are a necessary constituent of the creative process, and that this may apply to the sciences as much as to the arts. Increasingly, scientists propose a means by which it may be possible to identify (and eliminate) the factors that influence the altered states associated with mental illness. This may be an appropriate time to review the cultural and social significance of all forms of 'madness', especially in the light of emerging models of psychiatric nursing practice.

Art↗
PubMed1998

The future of the theory of interpersonal relations? A personal reflection on Peplau's legacy.

The work of Hildegard Peplau represents the most significant influence, worldwide, on the development of psychiatric nursing practice. Her use of the Theory of Interpersonal Relations created the basis for defining the potential significance of the psychiatric nurse's role as a therapeutic agent. Forty years later she has indicated the means by which nurses might sharpen their focus on the person often overshadowed by the 'patient' label. Peplau's writings have, over this 40-year period, helped clarify the broad range of roles required of the nurse in general and in particular, within psychotherapeutic nursing.

Forecasting↗
PubMed1998

Role of human neurobehavioural tests in regulatory activity on chemicals.

Psychological performance tests have been used since the mid-1960s in occupational and environmental health toxicology. The interpretation of significantly different test scores in neurobehavioural studies is not straightforward in the regulation of chemicals. This paper sets out some issues which emerged from discussions at an international workshop, organised by the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE), to discuss differences in interpretation of human neurobehavioural test data in regulatory risk assessments. The difficulties encountered by regulators confronted with neurobehavioural studies seem to be twofold; some studies lack scientific rigor; other studies, although scientifically sound, are problematic because it is not clear what interpretation to place on the results. Issues relating to each of these points are discussed. Next, scenarios within which to consider the outcomes of neurobehavioural studies are presented. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for further work are put forward.

Environmental Health↗
PubMed1998

Regionalization of health services in Canada: a critical perspective.

Since the introduction of universal health insurance in Canada in the late 1960s, the federal and provincial governments have been concerned with cost savings, efficiency of service delivery, equity in service provision, enhanced citizen participation, and increased accountability of decision-makers. A plethora of government royal commissions and task forces have recommended a similar range of options for addressing these concerns. Central to the reforms has been a proposed regionalized health system with an intermediary body responsible for functions previously assigned to local or central structures. For its supporters, regionalization offers a means of better coordinating and integrating health care delivery and controlling expenditures, and promises a more effective provision of services and an avenue for citizen participation in health care decision-making. All provincial governments except Ontario have introduced regional structures for health care, with the hope that these changes will increase efficiency, equity, and responsiveness. However, despite the alleged benefits, regionalization presents significant challenges. It faces obstacles to integrating and coordinating services in a manner that produces economies of scale; it requires an enhanced level of information that may be difficult to achieve; it is unlikely to involve citizens in health care decision-making; and it may actually lead to increased costs.

Budgets↗
PubMed1997

Impact of lower atmospheric carbon dioxide on tropical mountain ecosystems

Carbon-isotope values of bulk organic matter from high-altitude lakes on Mount Kenya and Mount Elgon, East Africa, were 10 to 14 per mil higher during glacial times than they are today. Compound-specific isotope analyses of leaf waxes and algal biomarkers show that organisms possessing CO2-concentrating mechanisms, including C4 grasses and freshwater algae, were primarily responsible for this large increase. Carbon limitation due to lower ambient CO2 partial pressures had a significant impact on the distribution of forest on the tropical mountains, in addition to climate. Hence, tree line elevation should not be used to infer palaeotemperatures.

Journal Article↗