How Patients Follow Hospital Discharge Instructions in an Urban Family Practice

A total of 23 patients from an urban general practice were given instructions either verbally or verbally and in writing at the time of discharge from hospital. The patients were visited two to ten days after discharge and an assessment made as to how well they followed discharge instructions. Only 43.5 percent of patients given instructions followed them completely. Five patients (23 percent) deviated seriously from the instructions.     

Spinal arteriovenous malformation presenting as spastic monoplegic cerebral palsy in a child

A case of spinal arterio‐venous malformation (AVM) initially diagnosed as unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) is reported. The presentation was of a long‐standing spastic monoparesis of the left leg, with initial response to Botulinum toxin injections to the calf and tibialis posterior muscles. This was followed by progressive deterioration occurring over a 3‐month period before further investigation and definitive diagnosis at 7 years. Imaging demonstrated a large extra‐medullary spinal AVM compressing the mid‐thoracic cord. This was successfully managed by embolisation with a non‐adhesive polymer: ethylene‐vinyl alcohol copolymer injected into the dominant feeding vessel. This case highlights the need to consider alternative diagnoses when a child with a diagnosis of CP presents with atypical clinical features such as monoparesis and has worsening or altered clinical signs. Moreover, a normal magnetic resonance imaging brain scan and the absence of ipsilateral upper limb neurological signs or functional impairment should raise suspicion even in the context of static lower limb signs. A literature review was performed on the management of spinal AVM in children and this will be is discussed.     

Severe mental disorders in complex emergencies

People with severe mental disorders are a neglected and vulnerable group in complex emergencies. Here, we describe field experiences in establishing mental health services in five humanitarian settings. We show data to quantify the issue, and suggest reasons for this neglect. We then outline the actions needed to establish services in these settings, including the provision of practical training, medication, psychosocial supports, and, when appropriate, work with traditional healers. We have identified some persisting problems locally, nationally, and internationally, and suggest some solutions. Protection and care of people with severe mental disorders in complex emergencies is a humanitarian responsibility.     

Home visits for frail older people: a qualitative study on the needs and preferences of frail older people and their informal caregivers

Background

A number of studies have examined the effects of home visits and showed inconsistent results on physical functioning, institutionalisation, and mortality. Despite continuing interest from professionals in home visits for older people, reports on older people’s needs and preferences for such visits are scarce.

Aim

This qualitative study aims to explore the views and needs of community-dwelling frail older people concerning home visits.

Design and setting

A qualitative study including interviews with frail older persons and their informal caregivers living in the area of Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with frail older people and informal caregivers. A grounded theory approach was used for data-analysis.

Results

Eleven frail older people and 11 informal caregivers were included. Most participants emphasised the importance of home visits for frail older people. They felt that it would give older people the personal attention they used to receive from GPs but miss nowadays. Most stated that this would give them more trust in GPs. Participants stated that trust is one of the most important factors in a good patient–professional relationship. Further, participants preferred home visits to focus on the psychosocial context of the patient. They stated that more knowledge of the psychosocial context and a good patient–professional relationship would enable the professional to provide better and more patient-centred care.

Conclusion

Patients’ expectations of home visits are quite different from the actual purpose of home visiting programmes; that is, care and wellbeing versus cure and prevention. This difference may partly explain why the effectiveness of home visits remains controversial. Future studies on home visits should involve patients in the development of home visiting programmes.     

The effect of the Fanconi anemia polypeptide, FAC, upon p53 induction and G2 checkpoint regulation

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disease marked by developmental defects, bone marrow failure, and cancer susceptibility. FA cells are hypersensitive to DNA cross-linking and alkylating agents and accumulate in the G2 phase of the cell cycle in response to these agents. FA cells also display genomic instability, suggesting a possible defect in the p53 pathway. To test the effect of heterologous expression of FAC cDNA on drug-induced cytotoxicity, G2 accumulation, and p53 induction in FA cells, we compared two isogenic FA cell lines: HSC536N (mock), a FA type C cell line sensitive to mitomycin C (MMC), and the same cell line transfected (corrected) with wild-type FAC cDNA (HSC536N [+FAC]). HSC536N (+FAC) cells showed a 30-fold increase in resistance to MMC concentration. Similarly, increases in resistance were observed following exposure to cisplatin, carboplatin, and cyclophosphamide. In addition, HSC536N (+FAC) cells showed a twofold lower G2 accumulation following MMC treatment. To analyze the possible interaction of FAC with the p53 pathway, we analyzed p53 induction in mock and corrected cell lines following exposure to MMC. HSC536N (mock) cells induced p53 at lower MMC concentrations than HSC536N (corrected). Caffeine, a known G2 checkpoint inhibitor, not only inhibited G2 accumulation seen in both cell lines but also caused the resistant HSC536N (+FAC) to become as sensitive to MMC as HSC536N (mock) cell line. We conclude that the FAC protein has a specific cytoprotective effect and may function as a cell cycle regulator of the G2 phase of the cell cycle.     

Coping and academic problem-solving ability in test anxiety.

The present study examined coping tendencies and perceptions of problem-solving ability in test anxiety. A sample of 125 students completed the revised Ways of Coping Questionnaire, the Academic Problem-Solving Inventory, and measures of state and trait test anxiety. Correlational analyses confirmed that emotion-focused coping (i.e., avoidant and confrontive coping) was associated positively with test anxiety. Also, test-anxious individuals reported poorer ability to solve academic problems. Finally, regression analyses revealed that coping tendencies and perceived problem-solving ability predicted unique variance in test-anxiety scores. The results are discussed in terms of the need for a multidimensional model of test anxiety that includes coping processes and self-evaluations of problem-solving ability.     

Diversity and distribution of Maize-associated totivirus strains from Tanzania

Virus Genes - Typically associated with fungal species, members of the viral family Totiviridae have recently been shown to be associated with plants, including important crop species, such as...     

Emerging trends in the management of the impalpable testis.

BACKGROUND: The management of the impalpable undescended testis is controversial. The study examines emerging trends in the management of this problem. METHODS: Two groups of boys were treated consecutively and recorded prospectively from 1974 to 1984 and from 1990 to 1998 inclusive. A consistent policy of using the preperitoneal approach for impalpable testis was adopted during both time intervals but during the second study period examination under anaesthesia and diagnostic laparoscopy were introduced to ascertain testicular presence and location. RESULTS: Some 919 boys were treated for cryptorchidism during the study period. Ninety boys in the first group (23 per cent) underwent preperitoneal explorations for impalpable testes. Anorchia was present in 18 and orchidectomy was performed in two boys. Thirty boys in the later group (5 per cent) were diagnosed as having impalpable testes. Fifteen boys underwent successful preperitoneal orchidopexy, anorchia was present in 11 and four underwent orchidectomy, carried out for high intra-abdominal testes. CONCLUSION: Examination under anaesthesia and subsequent laparoscopic assessment for all impalpable testes has reduced the need for preperitoneal exploration for the impalpable undescended testis. In this large series, division of the testicular vessels in order to secure scrotal placement of the testis was required in one instance only.