Neural Tube Defects: A Primary Prevention Role for Nurses

Neural tube defects are among the most common and serious birth defects. Most of these defects are caused by multifactorial inheritance. Research over the past decade has led to advances in understanding the etiology of these congenital anomalies. Folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of first-time occurrence of neural tube defects as well as recurrent risk. Other genetic and environmental factors are under investigation. In this article, the nurse's role in the primary prevention of these birth defects is described.     

The effects of race, household income, and parental education on nutrient intakes of 9- and 10-year-old girls NHLBI growth and health study

Nutrient intakes of 2149 black and white, 9- and 10-year-old girls varied by race, household income, and parental education. Of the three variables, higher education was most consistently associated with more desirable levels of nutrient intakes, that is, lower percentage of dietary fat and higher levels of vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. Higher income was related to higher intakes of vitamin C, but lower intakes of calcium and iron. Higher income was associated with lower percentage of dietary fat. After adjustment for income and education, race was associated with intakes of calcium, vitamin C, and to a lesser extent, percentages of kilocalories from total fat and polyunsaturated fat, and potassium. Black girls had a significantly lower intake of calcium (720 versus 889 mg) and a higher intake of vitamin C (91 versus 83 mg).Proportions of the cohort with inadequate or excessive intakes of micronutrients and macronutrients were also estimated. A high proportion of girls exceeded the recommended intake level of 30% of kilocalories from total fat (90% of black girls; 84% of white girls) and 10% of kilocalories from saturated fat (92 and 93%, respectively). Low intakes of calcium (40% of black girls and 20% of white girls) and zinc (36 and 38%, respectively) commonly were found for girls of both races.     

Children's Explanations of Aggressive Incidents at School Within an Attribution Framework

Background:  Previous research suggests children use different types of attribution to explain bullying. The research, however, has not explored links between children's attributions.
Method:  This study explores the types of, and links between, attributions made by children about bullying situations. Seventeen 9- and 10-year-olds were interviewed at school. Types of attributions and links between attributions were categorised using content analysis.
Results:  The results suggest that children make a range of linked attributions that can be coded into characterological and behavioural and a new category named 'feelings'.
Conclusions:  The findings are linked to previous research, and implications for clinical and school interventions are discussed.     

A robotics-assisted procedure for large scale cystic fibrosis mutation analysis

We describe a convenient, efficient, semiautomated protocol for assaying large numbers of DNA samples for over 20 mutations causing cystic fibrosis. The protocol uses the following: (1) a programmable robotic workstation to perform rapid pipetting and dot-blotting operations, (2) an allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization in a single water bath without correcting for G + C content of oligonucleotides, and (3) a combinatorial system that allows direct determination of the genotype for more frequent mutations. We have used this system routinely for 16 months for carrier detection and for diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. The method can be readily applied to any combination of allele-specific oligonucleotide assays whether for multiple alleles at one locus or for a few alleles at multiple loci. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Expression of thrombospondin in the adult nervous system

Thrombospondin (TSP) is an extracellular matrix molecule that has been previously associated with neural development and neurite outgrowth in vitro. Little is known, however, about the expression of TSP in the adult nervous system. In this study, TSP localization was examined in nervous tissue from adult mouse, goldfish, newt, and adult and juvenile Xenopus. TSP was associated with neurons in the brains of all species examined. TSP was present in central nerve tracts capable of regeneration, such as the goldfish, Xenopus, and newt optic nerves, but was absent from tracts not capable of regeneration, such as the mouse optic nerve. TSP was also present in the neuropil of goldfish and newt spinal cord, but was restricted to motor neurons in mice and adult Xenopus. In addition, TSP was observed in sciatic nerves of mice, Xenopus, and newt. These results indicate a correlation between the presence of TSP and the potential for successful nerve regeneration across a wide range of animal classes. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Trans-obturator surgery for stress urinary incontinence: 1-year follow-up of a cohort of 52 women

This study was a 1-year follow-up of a cohort of 52 women who underwent trans-obturator tape (TOT) procedures using Obtape. Follow-up information was available for 45/52 (87%) women. The rate of erosions was 8/52 (15%). Among 34 women examined, 26% experienced tenderness on palpation of operative site, and 72% were objectively cured on pad test. Forty women completed questionnaires (median Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7, 0; median Urogenital Distress Inventory-6, 17) and of those, 93% would recommend TOT to a friend. We found a high rate of erosions among our cohort. Our high rate of erosions may be a result of our review of the majority of the cohort, and it is likely related to the specific device used (Obtape). The majority of women were satisfied with the outcome. Before introducing new procedures into widespread clinical practice, it is important to rigorously investigate their outcomes.