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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Antibiotics induce apoptosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells.

The peritoneal mesothelial cell is a critical component of the peritoneal membrane. The intraperitoneal use of several antibiotics to treat bacterial peritonitis is current clinical practice. Our previous study showed that cephalothin (CPL) and cefotaxime (CFT) have cytotoxic effects on human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC), however, the exact mechanism of cytotoxicity has not been elucidated. In the present study, flow cytometry, TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) staining and electron microscopy were used to detect the apoptosis of HPMCs. Immunofluorescent staining was used to evaluate the cytochrome c distribution pattern. Western blotting was used to assess apoptotic signalling proteins. We found that CPL (0.5 mg/mL) and CFT (1 mg/mL) induced apoptosis of HPMCs, whereas cefazolin (0.5 mg/mL) and ceftriaxone (0.5 mg/mL) failed to induce apoptosis of HPMCs. While the DNA content of CFT- or CPL-treated cells was reduced, as determined by flow cytometry, cefazolin and ceftriaxone had no such effect. The CFT- or CPL-treated cells displayed the features of apoptosis both under the electron microscope and by using TUNEL staining. However, cefazolin and ceftriaxone produced the same result as the medium controls. Furthermore, CFT and CPL increased the expression of Bax and p53, and caused the translocation of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. The HPMC treated by CFT but not by CPL induced the cleavage of procaspase-3 to form active caspase-3. In conclusion, cefotaxime and cephalothin induce apoptosis of HPMCs in vitro. Signal transduction may be through the mitochondrial pathway.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2002

Routine MRI evaluation of low imperforate anus reveals unexpected high incidence of tethered spinal cord.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Previous clinical practice has included evaluation for the presence of tethered cord in those children who have imperforate anus with a high lesion. To define the incidence in children with low lesions, the authors reviewed their experience with a protocol employing routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), regardless of the level of the lesion, to determine the presence of a tethered cord in all children with imperforate anus. METHODS: A retrospective review of children with imperforate anus was conducted over the last 13 years at our institution. Lesions were categorized as high versus low based on the supralevator or infralevator position of the fistula. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients completed evaluation for a tethered cord. Twenty-two (34.9%) of these 63 patients had a tethered cord: 11 of 41 (26.8%) patients with high lesions and 11 of 22 (50.0%) of those with low lesions. Of those children with a low lesion, 83% of the boys had a tethered cord, whereas 38% of the girls had a tethered cord. Forty-five percent of the patients with low lesions and a tethered cord did not have any other lumbosacral anomalies. All 22 children with a tethered cord underwent surgical release. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of tethered cord in children with low lesions of imperforate anus is not lower than those with high lesions. The authors advocate early evaluation of all children with imperforate anus for a tethered cord.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2001

[Pelvic organ prolapse].

Pelvic organ prolapse of the female is a common disease with age dependent increase in incidence. The committee for standardisation of the International Continence Society recently suggested to avoid classical terms such as cystocele, rectocele or enterocele for the description of prolapse and to replace them by defined landmarks. The "Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification" (POPQ) was developed and five different grades of prolapse were defined. This is a true gain for scientific documentation but needs some effort to be implemented in routine practical work. Previous normal vaginal delivery is statistically highly correlated with prolapse, followed by climacteric involution, constitutional factors, physical work, chronic bronchitis, and overweight respectively. The diagnosis is confirmed by clinical examination. Defects of the supportive structures can be precisely assessed with dynamic magnetic resonance imaging. Time will show whether this costly method will become part of routine diagnostic procedures. A patient with moderate prolapse or few complaints may be treated conservatively with pelvic floor training or electrotherapy. Modern pessaries are tried as first line therapy or for patients unwilling to undergo surgery. Local estrogen application should routinely be prescribed for perimenopausal patients. In the last decade laparoscopic techniques have been established in addition to standard methods of pelvic floor reconstruction. These techniques do not follow a new surgical strategy but realise the minimal invasive approach to established methods of pelvic floor reconstruction. Of note, laparoscopic fixation is very convenient for young women who want to preserve their uterus. Long time follow up is not available for most techniques.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Effects of pulse strength, width, and sample spinning speed on the spectral spin diffusion of multiquantum coherences of spin-3/2 quadrupolar nuclei.

The effects of radio-frequency pulse strength, width, and sample spinning speed on the spin-diffusion spectrum of half-integer quadrupolar spins in solids have been studied by theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigations. It is revealed that the line shape of the cross peaks changes nonmonotonically with respect to the change of pulse strength, pulse width, or sample spinning speed. It is also found that the sample spinning speed has much more pronounced influence on the spin diffusion spectral line shape. In many cases of practical importance, the effect of sample spinning must be included in spectral analysis, in contrast to the practice of previous studies. Moreover, this effect can be exploited to further improve the precision in the determination of relative orientation of the electric-field gradient tensors of the exchange partners.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Handwashing among female college students.

Handwashing has been recognized as a critical factor in infection control policies. Whereas handwashing compliance among health care workers and school-aged students has been previously documented, practices among college students remain relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to determine handwashing compliance of female college students after using the bathroom. A researcher situated in a toilet stall unobtrusively observed handwashing compliance among 100 female students. Most students (63%) washed their hands, 38% used soap, 32% washed with soap for 5 or more seconds, but only 2% washed their hands with soap for 10 or more seconds. Fewer students left without handwashing when someone else was present in the sink area (9%) than when they were alone (45%) (P =.002). Substantial bacterial colony counts were found on a female bathroom sink faucet and toilet seat confirming the need for programs to increase handwashing compliance. Potential strategies to optimize infection control include harnessing the influence of peer pressure on handwashing and the installation of motion-activated faucets, disposable seat covers, and exit doors that can be pushed open. These results should be confirmed in a larger study that includes both male and female college students.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Oral rehydration salts and diarrhoeal diseases: effects of changing inpatient management in Tonga.

Methods of inpatient management of children with diarrhoeal diseases (DD) in 1978 and in 1980 were compared to assess the use of oral rehydration salts (ORS) and a national antidiarrhoeal programme (NAP). Inpatient notes of 369 children admitted with DD were reviewed. The management of DD differed significantly but the clinical outcome was similar, with the exception of the case-fatality rate. All deaths occurred within the first 24 h of admission, indicating that this difference was attributable to improved management of DD in the community rather than changes in the inpatient treatment regime.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Standard gentamicin dosage regimen in neonates.

A standard gentamicin dosage regimen intended to result in fewer trough concentrations of >2 microg/mL was studied. At a neonatal intensive care unit, gentamicin dosage guidelines of 2.5 mg/kg (as the sulfate) administered i.v. over 30 minutes every 12, 18, or 24 hours to neonates with a gestational age (GA) of > or =30 weeks were resulting in some relatively high trough serum concentrations (>2 microg/mL). Pharmacokinetic values derived for this baseline group were used to predict the gentamicin concentrations that would result from a standard regimen of gentamicin 3.5 mg/kg i.v. over 30 minutes every 24 hours. No patient in the baseline group was predicted to have a trough of >2 microg/mL with the new regimen, which was then approved for routine use. The new regimen was used for every neonate with a GA of > or =30 weeks who was admitted and treated with gentamicin (the protocol group). One set of concentrations was collected for each infant. Compared with the baseline group, the protocol group had significantly lower trough and significantly higher peak gentamicin concentrations. The total frequency of high troughs in the baseline group (23 [33%] of 69 patients) differed significantly from that in the protocol group (3 [4%] of 74 patients). No patient had or developed renal impairment. A gentamicin dosage protocol of 3.5 mg/kg every 24 hours for neonates with a GA of > or =30 weeks resulted in higher gentamicin peaks, lower troughs, and a lower frequency of troughs of >2 microg/mL, compared with previous dosage practice.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

Infant-feeding practices of mothers of known HIV status in Lusaka, Zambia.

BACKGROUND: Between 25 and 44% of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs through breastfeeding. As a result, feeding guidelines for infants of HIV-infected mothers are being formulated in many resource-poor countries. The impact of introducing these guidelines on mothers' actual feeding practices has not previously been examined. Infant-feeding practices of mothers of known HIV status who should have received advice during pre- and post-test HIV counselling were assessed and compared with those of uninfected mothers. METHODS: Mothers of infants aged 2-12 months, 55 HIV-infected and 85 HIV-uninfected, were recruited from the HIV Family Support Unit in Lusaka, Zambia. HIV status was known to 121 of these mothers, who had all received pre- and post-test HIV counselling. Feeding practices were determined by verbal questionnaire. RESULTS: All mothers breastfed but only 35% of infants below 4 months were exclusively breastfed (received breast milk only). HIV-infected mothers introduced fluids and weaned their infants significantly earlier than HIV-uninfected mothers (p = 0.03 and p = 0.002, respectively). Infants of HIV-infected mothers had significantly lower weight for age Z (WAZ) scores indicating poorer nutritional or health status (p = 0.004). Commercial formula milk and cow's milk were used by 36 mothers as breast milk substitutes, and were introduced at a median age of 2.5 months. Thirteen mothers gave cow's milk, and no mother added water to cow's milk (as recommended), with two adding sugar and four adding salt. CONCLUSION: Infant-feeding practices of HIV-infected mothers differed significantly from HIV-uninfected mothers, and this may contribute to their poorer growth. Paradoxically these mothers feeding practice could be putting these infants at greater risk of both non-HIV-related morbidity and HIV transmission, as early introduction of foods other than breast milk may increase MTCT.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Abortions among Israeli women after interruption in contraceptive use.

Seventy-two Israeli women who underwent abortions were interviewed. Most of those interviewed had used modern contraceptives previously, but not before their most recent pregnancy. The interruption in contraceptive use resulted from adverse side effects of the contraceptives and instability in partner relationships.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1981

Twinning following oral contraceptive discontinuation.

The characteristics of 673 mothers of twins were compared to those of a matched sample of mothers of singletons. Both groups of mothers were interviewed just after delivery, and births in each group were matched for time and place. Of the characteristics studied, the use of oral contraceptives (OC) displayed a significant negative association with dizygotic twinning, with an estimated relative risk of 0.55 (95% confidence limits: 0.39/0.78). Among other maternal trails significantly associated with dizygotic twinning, ony age, parity and weight were possible confounders as far as the relationship between OC use and dizygotic twinning was concerned. Adjustment for these 3 characteristics left this relationship unaltered. These findings are compatible with the existence of the a direct relationship between OC use and a reduction in dizygotic twinning. Review of the available evidence concerning reproductive capacities following OC discontinuation suggests that the higher incidence of chromosomic abnormalities among spontaneous abortuses of OC users or their lower fertility could explain a reduction of dizygotic twinning rate after OC discontinuation. It is concluded that examination of te time and place variations in OC use and dizygotic twinning would help to clarify the nature of their relationship.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The effect of luteal support with human chorionic gonadotrophin or progesterone on the daily progesterone profile after different types of ovarian stimulation.

Attempts have been made to increase the low pregnancy rate in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles by luteal phase support with progesterone or human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Previously, this practice has been inconsistent and the results unclear. The detailed effect of support on the progesterone profile in the luteal phase was assessed by daily salivary progesterone measurements in non-conception IVF cycles. The comparison of HCG and progesterone support in two different stimulation protocols showed that the profile of luteal progesterone concentrations was similar in control cycles and those supported with a vaginal progesterone suppository, showing an early decrease by the fourth luteal day. In cycles supported with multiple doses of HCG, the progesterone profile was normal but slightly increased up to the 9th luteal day subsequently falling to basal levels by the fourteenth luteal day.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1994

Accident risks for suburban preschool Jordanian children.

This exploratory investigation of child accidents in suburban Jordan 1988-1991 indicated that children were daily exposed to fire, drugs, and chemical agents, and played in dangerous places. Children under 2 years of age were frequently burned, and those slightly older injured through falls and cuts. Boys were more accident-prone than girls in accordance with practically all previous world-wide studies. The overall accident picture was similar to European reports from 50 years ago. Many environmental hazards could be explained as being a consequence of relative poverty, but parent's awareness of accident risks for children was low, even among well educated people. Strategies to diminish accident risks for pre-school children are suggested.

Accidents↗
PubMed1997

Relactation: an effective intervention to promote exclusive breastfeeding.

Fifty mothers of hospitalized infants less than 4 months old with partial or complete lactation failure (LF) were randomly assigned to two groups of 25 each for relactation. Majority of enrolled mothers (86 per cent) had complete LF and 14 per cent had partial LF. Relactation was attempted in both the groups with motivation, support, and repeated suckling. Group II mothers, in addition, were given metoclopramide. The characteristics of mothers and babies, and socio-economic background were comparable in both groups (P > 0.05). The primary outcome variables measured included the time of appearance of first breast milk secretion (in complete LF), time for partial and complete relactation. Relactation attempt was successful in 49 mothers (98 per cent), with complete relactation in 46 (92 per cent) and only partial relactation in three mothers (6 per cent). Nipple confusion and frustration of the baby (4 per cent) in complete LF, small/retracted nipples (8 per cent), and sore/fissured nipples (4 per cent), which influenced the initiation of relactation, were overcome with drop and drip method, lact-aid support and proper positioning of the baby. All the outcome variables of the two groups were comparable (P > 0.05). The pattern of weight gain, the rate of reduction in the amount of top milk and subsequent weight gain in the follow-up was also comparable in both the groups (P > 0.05). Maternal factors like breast conditions, nutrition, parity, feeding practices in previous babies, lactation gap, and infants' initial refusal to suck at the breast did not influence the outcome variables as long as repeated suckling was ensured. We conclude that relactation is possible in most of the mothers without the help of lactagogues. Apart from educating and motivating the mother for exclusive breastfeeding during first 4-6 months, a strong professional support by a skilled health worker is needed to overcome the initial problems during relactation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Anesthetic complications of gross obesity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The number of obese patients undergoing anesthesia and surgery is increasing. This article aims to present recent achievements in the management of gross and morbidly obese patients in order to improve safety. RECENT FINDINGS: Current investigations have demonstrated that the type of anesthesia (total intravenous anesthesia or volatile) and the anesthetics used have an important influence on the perioperative period, especially on postanesthesia recovery and respiratory failure during the postoperative period. These findings were compared with previous publications. Practical advice is also presented for performing successful intubation and mechanical ventilation in the morbidly obese patient, as well as describing drug dosage and administration. SUMMARY: The progress in anesthesia techniques and modern drugs allows for safe management of obese patients, with mortality decreasing in this group of patients.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1995

Derivation and implementation of an annual limit on intake and a derived air concentration value for uranium mill tailings.

Monitoring workers and work areas at the Department of Energy Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Project sites is complex because all radionuclides in the 238U and 235U decay chains may be present in an airborne uranium mill tailings matrix. Previous monitoring practices involved isotopic analysis of the air filter to determine the activity of each radionuclide of concern and comparing the results to the specified derived air concentration. The annual limit on intake and derived air concentration values have been derived here for the uranium mill tailings matrix to simplify the procedure for evaluation of air monitoring results and assessment of the need for individual monitoring. Implementation of the derived air concentration for uranium mill tailings involves analyzing air samples for long-lived gross alpha activity and comparing the activity concentration to the derived air concentration. Health physics decisions regarding assessment of airborne concentrations is more cost-effective because isotopic analysis of air samples is not necessary.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1993

Parental attitudes to out-of-home placement of young children with developmental disabilities.

The study tested the research construct that parental inclination to apply for out-of-home placement for their young children with developmental disabilities (up to 5 years) was a function of their stress levels, sense of coherence, and social support received from formal and informal resources. Sixty-one parents (out of 80) of children diagnosed as developmentally disabled in the central western part of Israel participated in the study. The construct above was confirmed, as the sense of coherence and informal social support moderated the levels of stress and parental consideration of out-of-home placement for the young child. In brief, parents that favoured raising their developmentally disabled children at home had high levels of sense of coherence and a strong informal support system. Findings are interpreted with respect to practice and previous research.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of plagiocephaly in infancy.

Plagiocephaly is commonly attributed to the synostosis of a single coronal suture. Esthetic deformities associated with plagiocephaly range from mild to severe. Because the deformities are progressive, and more difficult to correct in older children and adults, early diagnosis and correction are important. Linear craniectomies, previously widely practiced, have not yielded good results. Current craniofacial techniques allow extensive orbitocranial reconstruction, which can be done safely in infants and in older children as well. These techniques have produced excellent cosmetic results and are routinely used in craniofacial centers.

Craniotomy↗
PubMed1985

Contraceptive behavior in college-age males related to Fishbein model.

Fishbein's Belief-Attitude-Intention-Behavior model states that behavior is predicted on intention, intention is predicated on attitudes, and attitudes are predicated on beliefs. Path analysis was used to test the model with respect to the contraceptive behaviors of 54 college males. In spite of the heterogeneity of the sample, the data supported the model, suggesting that nursing interventions may need to be directed toward beliefs rather than behaviors.

Adolescent↗