Spectral analysis of the electroencephalogram in neonatal rats chronically treated with the NMDA antagonist MK-801.

In order to study the involvement of NMDA-receptor activation in brain development, rat pups were chronically treated with the non-competitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 during the neonatal period. We recorded the cortical EEG at various vigilance states throughout the treatment period. Spectral analysis of the EEG showed reduced power in the delta (delta) frequency range (1.5-4 Hz) during quiet sleep and less power in the theta (theta) range (4-7 Hz) during REM-sleep in MK-801 animals than in controls. No significant differences were found for the total time spent in each of the different vigilance states. We conclude that chronic MK-801 treatment probably causes a developmental retardation in state-related brain activities.     

Development of a new Adolescent Patient-Provider Interaction Scale (APPIS) for youth at risk for STDs/HIV

PurposeAlthough an adult model of patient-provider mutual exchange of information has been proposed, there is no guiding model for adolescents or measurement methodology. Our purpose was to develop a new scale of patient-provider interaction for adolescents accessing reproductive health care and at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and assess the reliability and validity of the scale.MethodsThe Adolescent Patient-Provider Interaction Scale (APPIS) was developed from the Roter and Hall theory of doctor-patient relationships, previously validated adolescent satisfaction and communication scales, and focus group and individual elicitation interviews. To assess construct validity, the new nine-item APPIS was compared with the satisfaction scale used by the Young Adult Health Care Survey (YAHCS), and Kahn’s Provider Communication Scale. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine convergence across scales, and factor analysis of the APPIS was performed.ResultsThe study recruited 192 African American girls aged 17.9 ± 1.7 years (range 15–21 years) from three sites: a county STD clinic (n = 51), urban adolescent clinic (n = 99), and a family planning clinic (n = 42). Most participants (85%) rated their overall health care highly (≥ 7 on a 10-point scale); 49% felt that both the provider and patient were “in charge” of the visit, and 88% “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that there was an equal “exchange of information” during the visit. The APPIS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = .75), and moderate convergence with the six-item YAHCS scale (r = .57, p < .001) and seven-item Kahn scale (r = .48, p < .001). Three factors emerged from exploratory factor analyses, supporting our conceptualization of patient-provider interaction as being multi-dimensional.ConclusionsA new theory-based scale of adolescent patient-provider interaction compares favorably with previous scales of health care satisfaction and communication. The new APPIS may be useful for evaluating approaches to improve health care outcomes for adolescents at-risk for STDs and HIV.     

The newly registered nurse and the cancer patient: an educational evaluation.

This paper reports a study which aimed to develop an understanding of newly registered nurses' attitudes, knowledge, confidence and educational needs in relation to cancer care. An educational intervention designed to meet these nurses' needs was then developed and evaluated with 127 newly registered nurses from two general hospitals. Nurses attended two different educational interventions; one group of nurses completing a 3 day experiential workshop; and a second group attended a more formal seminar programme. A third group of nurses who were unable to obtain study leave were followed up as a control group. A triangulation strategy was used to collect data from different sources, and included a baseline study, and a study of nurses before, after and 3 months following the educational interventions. Data from the study revealed the perceived need and desire for more education on cancer care, and the strong association of cancer with death amongst newly registered nurses. Significant benefits to those nurses attending the workshop were demonstrated. These differences were however less obvious at 3 months follow-up.     

Why do some overweight children experience psychological problems? The role of weight and shape concern.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between weight status, weight and shape concern, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and depression in children. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 7- to 13-year-old overweight (n = 89) and healthy weight (n = 118) children, using the Child Eating Disorder Examination, Self-Perception Profile for Children, Children's Body Image Scale and Child Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Overweight children were more concerned about weight and shape than healthy weight children. After controlling for BMI z-score, children with high weight and shape concern reported lower self-esteem, higher body dissatisfaction and higher depression than children with low weight and shape concern. Concern about weight and shape mediated the relationships between BMI z-score and low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the hypothesis that differences in weight and shape concern, within samples of overweight and healthy weight children, can account for differences in degree of psychological distress. Findings have implications for the prevention and treatment of psychological problems in overweight children.     

A phase II study of sulofenur,a novel sulfonylurea,in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

Summary A total of 16 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with sulofenur (LY 186641), a novel oral sulfonylurea. All subjects had received previous chemotherapy. Anaemia occurred in all 16 patients, 14 of whom required a blood transfusion, and 2/16 patients received methylene blue for breathlessness due to methaemaglobinaemia. Treatment was discontinued in 2/16 cases due to rising liver enzyme values, which reverted to normal on cessation of the drug. There was no nausea or alopecia. Only two minor responses were seen. Plasma drug levels were insufficient to result in antitumour activity as extrapolated from animal data. Further studies that attempt to increase the bioavailability and improve the therapeutic index are warranted.