Biomedical subjects
W Brennan
Publications and source records attributed to W Brennan.
Elevated blood serotonin in autistic probands and their first-degree relatives.
Whole blood serotonin levels and platelet counts were studied in 14 families, representing 57 family members and 15 probands who met DSM III criteria for infantile autism. High serotonin appeared to segregate in families. When two parents had high serotonin, the serotonin level in their offspring was twice the parental level. When one parent had high serotonin, the serotonin level in the offspring approximated the level of serotonin in either the high serotonin parent or the low serotonin parent. For the case where both parents had low serotonin, in one family the children had low serotonin and in a second family, high serotonin levels were present in the autistic proband, and a sibling with severe mental retardation. Mean serotonin levels were higher for both male and female, autistics and family members, in the four black families than in the 10 Caucasian families.
Bully off!
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Psychiatric nursing: alone again, naturally.
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Nurses' attire in a special hospital: perceptions of patients and staff.
Nurses' uniforms have been the subject of ongoing debate in many areas. Following the Ashworth Hospital inquiry, two wards at the hospital piloted the wearing of casual clothes by nurses. Patients and nurses in these wards completed questionnaires to evaluate the effects of the change. The results showed that the patients felt casual clothes helped remove a 'them and us' distinction and enhanced nurse/patient relationships. Nurses found casual clothes to be more comfortable and practical. Although concern was expressed that, without uniform, nurses might not be readily identifiable in an emergency situation, the change to casual clothing was generally viewed positively by both patients and nurses.
Aggression and violence: examining the theories.
Theories of aggressive and violent behaviour fall into a confusing range of categories. In this review, the author attempts to make sense of the different concepts and describes the theory that underpins each of them.