Ringelmann rediscovered: The original article.

Argues that theory and research on individual vs group performance (social loafing, or the decrease in individual effort that occurs when the individual works within a cooperative group rather than alone) have been strongly influenced by results reported in W. Moede (1927) and attributed to M. Ringelmann (1913). Despite the importance and frequent citation of Ringelmann's study, the location of his original report has been a mystery. The present authors discuss and describe in detail Ringelmann's original article. Ringelmann interpreted the obtained decrement in group performance in terms of coordination loss, although he was also aware of motivational factors. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The newly developed sulfonylurea glimepiride: a new ingredient, an old recipe

Disturbances in insulin secretion and insulin action are both involved in the pathophysiology of type 2 (or non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. The newly developed sulfonylurea (SU) derivative glimepiride has a marked insulin secretory effect both in vitro and in vivo, and is capable of increasing plasma insulin levels with approximately 50% in type 2 diabetes subjects. Glimepiride improves metabolic control comparable but not superior to other (second generation) SU derivatives. Although it has been advocated for once-daily use, maximum effect is presumably achieved by twice-daily dosing. One of the most important side-effects of SU remains hypoglycemia in some patients, which may last for several hours. Although there is some indication that the use of glimepiride leads to fewer hypoglycemic episodes than glibenclamide, the differences reported sofar are not statistically significant.     

正确处理产程防止产程延长的体会

目的:探讨产程延长的处理方法及效果.方法:选取2009年6月至2010年6月我院收治的70例的产程延长的产妇为研究对象,总结该组产妇出现产程延长的原因和采取的处理措施,分析该组很产妇的母婴结局.结果:该组产妇出现的产程延长的主要原因有:继发性宫缩乏力、轻度头盆不称、胎膜早破等.采取的措施主要有:会阴侧切、胎头吸引、臀位分娩等.该组孕妇的剖宫产率为8.6%(6/70),主要并发症为产后出血率为8.6%(6/70)、胎儿宫内窘迫14.3%(10/70)、新生儿窒息10.0%(7/70).结论:正确处理产程延长有利于降低围生儿病残率,预防并发症,保证母婴健康.     

Nutrition screening: an essential assessment parameter

Nutrition plays a significant role in preventing the incidence and prevalence of disease and more importantly, promoting health. Nutrition screening is an important tool used by nurses and dietitians to identify and assess clients at risk for nutritional compromise.     

The disappearance of birth: language versus reality in modern childbirth

Knowledge and technology for cardiovascular disease are growing at a rapid rate. Interventional cardiology offers patients several options of therapy, including percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, directional coronary atherectomy, and percutaneous transluminal coronary rotoblator angioplasty procedures. Patients with these procedures require femoral intra-arterial sheath insertion and postprocedure management of these sheaths. The best practice for sheath removal is a controversial issue. This article describes a study conducted at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, comparing the use of manual/mechanical versus mechanical compression technique for sheath removal. Subjects included patients who had one of the previous procedures performed. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two study groups: manual/ mechanical or mechanical compression. Variables such as size of sheath, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and flat time after sheath removal were examined. The outcome measure reported was the development of a groin complication. Results indicated no significant difference in groin complication. As a result, practice at Presbyterian Hospital changed to mechanical compression for removing sheaths.     

Risk assessment and research: an essential link

Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, use health risk assessment information in developing pollution control regulations and for setting regulatory and research priorities. The risk assessment process, however, is hampered by limitations in test methods, in models for exposure and dose-response, and by chemical-specific data gaps. The research/risk assessment/risk management framework provides opportunities for targeting and coordinating research to address these limitations. Enhanced communication among researchers, risk assessors and risk managers to foster better development and use of scientific information in decision making, and incentives for interdisciplinary research efforts, are needed.     

Family planning: an essential component of prenatal care

This nation's traditional approach to improving maternal and infant health has been prenatal care. But evidence is mounting that additional progress in reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality will depend, at least in part, on the care that a woman receives before she conceives. The studies reviewed in this paper indicate that increasing the interval between deliveries and preventing or delaying pregnancies among women at high risk could lower the rate of low birthweight (LBW). Since reducing the rate of unintended pregnancies would also reduce the number of pregnancies in women at high risk of LBW because of race, age, late or no prenatal care, and unhealthy behaviors, the prevention of unintended pregnancies would also reduce LBW. Unfortunately, prenatal care, as experienced by many women, devotes little attention to these family planning issues. Many women do not realize the importance of family planning to their own health and that of their children. Prenatal care providers should include instruction about the importance of pregnancy planning and encourage women to continue receiving health care between pregnancies. If the health of women and infants is to be improved, society must be willing to provide health services to women of reproductive age even when they are not pregnant.     

Cyclooxygenase-2: an essential regulator of NO-mediated apoptosis

Lipopolysaccharide/interferon gamma up-regulated inducible nitric oxide synthase and caused nitric oxide generation and concomitant apoptotic cell death in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Exogenously supplied nitric oxide donors such as S-nitrosoglutathione produced equivalent alterations. Preactivation of macrophages with a combination of lipopolysaccharide/interferon gamma under conditions of blocked NO synthase--N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine addition--or stimulation with a low, nondestructive dose of S-nitrosoglutathione conferred protection against high and thus apoptotic NO concentrations. Here we report that induction of cyclooxygenase-2 during the preactivation period is a critical regulator of macrophage apoptosis. Under resting conditions, macrophages do not express cyclooxygenase-2, whereas lipopolysaccharide/interferon gamma/N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine prestimulation for 12-15 h caused protein expression. In parallel, preactivation of RAW cells with a low, nontoxic dose of S-nitrosoglutathione promoted protection and cyclooxygenase-2 up-regulation. To prove cyclooxygenase-2 involvement during protection, we stably transfected RAW 264.7 macrophages with a rat cyclooxygenase-2 expression vector. Cyclooxygenase-2 overexpressing macrophages, preactivated with the calcium liberating and thus phopholipase A2-activating agent A23187, revealed protection against exogenously supplied NO. Protection afforded by lipopolysaccharide/interferon gamma/N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine prestimulation was completely reversed by the addition of the cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor NS-398 or in macrophages stably transfected with an antisense cyclooxygenase-2 expression vector. Our results point to cyclooxygenase-2 induction by lipopolysaccharide/interferon gamma/N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine or low-dose nitric oxide pretreatment conferring macrophage protection to the apoptotic action of nitric oxide.     

Preoperative information-giving: an essential element of perioperative practice

The aim of this article is to review the literature pertaining to the perioperative nursing activity of information-giving. The relationship between anxiety, coping strategies and information giving will be discussed, with further consideration of how informational care is affected by the nurse-patient relationship. Inter-related concepts of information giving will be explored as the article develops.     

The endoplasmic reticulum plays an essential role in peroxisome biogenesis

During a meeting between anaesthetists and allergists, skin tests were presented to show their value and the difficulties to which they give rise when they are weak. General principles, techniques and readings are described first. As usual, it is sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value that are at the centre of attention. Selected clinical cases are given as examples. The high prevalence of cases who show a latent sensitisation to curare indicates an increase in allergological tests to patients who present risk factors.     

Granzyme B: an essential protease for the inflammatory response

BACKGROUND: The study reported here was performed to investigate morphologic intraocular reactions on the surface of metallic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) with scanning electron microscopy. METHODS: Twenty-seven extracted IOFB were investigated. Of these, 22 were situated in the vitreous body; 19 had contact with the retina. Five IOFB had been removed from the anterior segment (control group). The duration of intraocular retention was 6 h to 24 days. Immediately after microsurgical removal the IOFB were fixed, dehydrated, dried, sputter-coated and investigated with a scanning electron microscope. Two IOFB from the vitreous were treated for collagen preservation. RESULTS: Eighteen of 20 intravitreal IOFB showed fibers of fibrin on its surface; 11 of 20 were covered with a homogeneous layer. Within this layer a net of collagen fibers was detectable. A major cellular reaction was observed only on IOFB that injured the retina, pigment epithelium and choroid. CONCLUSIONS: This morphologic study shows that: (1) a fibrin net develops in the vitreous around intravitreal IOFB; (2) depositions of amorphous material into the spaces of this net lead to dense coverage of the IOFB; (3) cellular reactions are not condition for the development of this coverage; (4) laceration of the retina induces a fibrocellular response.     

Liver transplantation: dentistry is an essential part of the team

Liver transplantation has become a commonplace procedure, with more than 3,000 livers being transplanted annually. Patient demand remains much greater than availability of donor organs, resulting in many deaths per year. Due to the nature of hepatic function, unique concern exists regarding susceptibility to infection and rejection during the post-transplant period, placing great importance on vigilant oral health maintenance. Patients are severely immunocompromised and must be well educated and treated pretransplant and for the rest of their post-transplant lives; however, even though patients are on waiting lists for matching donor livers for an adequate amount of time to provide definitive dental treatment, this is not a major priority on the protocols of some transplant centers. This paper addresses these concerns and illustrates a patient who presented shortly post-transplant with severe dental problems requiring immediate definitive treatment. As these patients may present in any office, general dentists should be aware of the unique concerns involving their assessment, education, treatment and maintenance.     

The role of psychological mechanisms in preparation for childbirth.

Presents a brief history of the development of the Lamaze childbirth preparation training regimen and critically examines the few empirical studies that have been conducted. Because explanations for the efficacy of the preparation, if it exists, are equivocable, literature on the explicit components of the training (e.g., respiration techniques, conditioned relaxation, cognitive restructuring) in situations other than child delivery are reviewed and their implications for the Lamaze method discussed. However, because there exist several, more implicit factors that may affect the type of child delivery a prepared woman experiences, the literature concerning social comparison, the effects of commitment and conformity, perceived control, and endorphin secretion are also discussed as they may apply to psychoprophylactic preparation. (113 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of labor induction on the progress of childbirth

Labour induction has become a common practice. Given the significant number of induced deliveries carried out each year, it is important to know the consequences of this induction policy. The effects of labour induction on the childbirth are still the subject of considerable controversy. The increase of the caesarean and instrumental extraction rates has already been emphasized in previous studies. This article is based on an analysis of 10,045 deliveries carried out in the CHR Obstetrical Clinic of La Citadelle, between 1991 and 1997. The conclusions are instructive. Thus a departmental policy of setting an induction level of 35% will allocate 2/3 of the workload between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM during the week, with a preponderance on Friday. The Caesarean rate is not increased but peridurals and recourse to instrumental extraction are more frequent.     

In search of childbirth knowledge

My purpose in writing this article is to describe the various ways expectant women acquire childbirth knowledge. The data presented here form a small section of a bigger study that examined how expectant women from two cultures prepare for childbirth. The aims of the study were to explore the reasons why some expectant women choose to attend preparation classes run by non-health-care professionals and to describe the ways childbirth knowledge was disseminated to women at the preparation classes. Interviews containing structured and open-ended questions were used to obtain data. The first interview followed completion of a series of eight preparation classes and the second was conducted one month after delivery. Observation techniques were used to collect data on the teaching strategies and the content of classes. Ninety-five expectant women participated in the study. Data analysis included frequency counts and percentages on all structured questions. The open-ended questions were analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify major categories and themes. These were reviewed by a panel of childbirth educators for reliability. Frequencies were calculated for the number of responses in each category. Findings show that women acquire childbirth knowledge in various ways at the classes. They used this information to negotiate their care with health care professionals.