The whole story: towards an ethical research methodology

In this paper Alex Carson and Gavin Fairbairn argue that closer links between nursing education, research and practice may be developed through the use of a narrative methodology. The debate is cited in the wider practical and political context of a more democratic model of healthcare delivery. The authors provide a rationale for the use of stories in both nursing research and nursing practice by suggesting that each rests upon an ethic of helping whole people, rather than simply amounting to a technical undertaking. They suggest that the relationship between the ethical and the technical should be a more explicit feature in discussions of methodological issues in nursing research. They locate ideas about narrative research outside both qualitative and quantitative paradigms. Finally, they offer a philosophical and methodological argument for the use of narratives as an approach to research in which respect for people is central.     

Spontaneous ambulatory activity as a quantifiable outcome measure for osteoarthritis of the knee

OBJECTIVE: Quantifiable outcome measures for disabling diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee are necessary in order to compare the impact of different interventions competing for financial resources. Current subjective and questionnaire data are not satisfactory for such study. In this study, we examine the potential of the direct measurement of ambulatory activity as such a measure. POPULATION: Patients with X-ray evidence of OA of the knee recruited to studies of anti-inflammatory agents (n = 29). Patients with OA of the knee awaiting knee replacement surgery (n = 28). METHODS: Comparison of various standard measures with total energy output data from an activity monitor. RESULTS: Spearman rho correlations of ambulatory energy output (number of steps x average amplitude of steps) correlated with other measures. Correlation with physician's opinion was greater than with patient's opinion (r = 0.4 and 0.2, respectively). There was no correlation with visual analogue pain scale or OA severity index. Correlation with scales of the Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire were not significant either for mobility (r = - 0.15) or for pain (r = - 0.13). There was, however, a significant correlation between poor sleep and increased activity (r = 0.34, P < 0.05). Correlation with Kellgren X-ray grade was significant (r = - 0.45, P = 0.01). Patients recruited to anti-inflammatory studies were 69% more active than those awaiting replacement surgery. CONCLUSION: The monitoring of ambulatory activity shows some construct and discriminant validity, and is worthy of further study.      

3条硫代寡核苷酸的亲和性与内皮细胞吸收的比较研究

目的研究硫代寡核苷酸的亲和性及其在内皮细胞株的吸收与亚细胞分布。方法 利用电泳迁移分析法检测硫代寡核苷酸的亲和性;将同位素标记的硫代寡核苷酸与ECV304细胞直接孵化,24 F后测定内皮细胞的吸收率及亚细胞分布。结果3条硫代寡核苷酸(T21GTa、T14Gta及T15Gta)的亲和性(Kd值)分别为2.3×10-9、3.8×10-9及1.5×10-8(M).细胞吸收率分别为11.9％、10.8％、11.1％,核沉淀放射活性分别为77.25％、76.75％、69.32％。结论3条硫代寡核苷酸能够与内皮细胞TF基因SSRE的3个Egr-1/Spl位点结合,具有较好的透膜性、耐酶性及稳定性,能够透过内皮细胞膜和核膜,抵达核内靶基因部位。     

仙鹤草根芽中新二氢黄酮醇甙的结构研究

从仙鹤草根芽的苯提取物和丙酮提取物中分得三个化合物。通过理化性质,波谱数据(UV,IR,NMR,MS,GD,GC),化学降解和衍生物制备,两个已知化合物分别鉴定为软脂酸(Ⅷ)和胡萝卜甙(Ⅸ),一个新化合物确定为(2S,3S)-(一)-花旗松素-3-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖甙(Ⅹ)。     

Quantitative evaluation of photophobia and phonophobia in cluster headache

In order to evaluate photophobia and phonophobia in cluster headache (CH), light and sound-induced discomfort and pain thresholds were measured quantitatively in 50 patients and 50 sex-matched and age-matched headache-free controls. During bout (i.e., during the active period with attacks), CH patients were more sensitive to light and sound than controls ( p <0.00l). Outside bout they did not differ significantly from controls except for binaural stimulation. Patients were more photophobic and phonophobic during bout than in the remission period ( p 0.05). However, for those tested during bout, the sensitivity to light and sound was not related to the presence of pain during test, usual pain intensity, or pain laterality. In response to a questionnaire about their sensitivity, a significantly higher proportion of patients considered themselves sensitive during bout than outside (91% vs 46% for light [χ²=5.9, p <0.05] and 89%, vs 49% for sound [χ²=4.7, p <0.05]). These results indicate that photophobia and phonophobia are important accompanying phenomena of cluster bouts.