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Continuing Research (continuing + research)
Selected AbstractsHaematological toxicity of drugs used in psychiatry,HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue S1 2008Robert J. Flanagan Abstract Almost all classes of psychotropic agents have been reported to cause blood dyscrasias. Mechanisms include direct toxic effects upon the bone marrow, the formation of antibodies against haematopoietic precursors or involve peripheral destruction of cells. Agranulocytosis is probably the most important drug-related blood dyscrasia. The mortality from drug-induced agranulocytosis is 5,10% in Western countries. The manifestations of agranulocytosis are secondary to infection. Aggressive treatment with intravenous broad-spectrum antimicrobials and bone marrow stimulants may be required. Of drugs encountered in psychiatry, antipsychotics including clozapine (risk of agranulocytosis approximately 0.8%, predominantly in the first year of treatment) and phenothiazines (chlorpromazine agranulocytosis risk approximately 0.13%), and antiepileptics (notably carbamazepine, neutropenia risk approximately 0.5%) are the most common causes of drug-related neutropenia/agranulocytosis. Drugs known to cause neutropenia should not be used concomitantly with other drugs known to cause this problem. High temperature and other indicators of possible infection should be looked for routinely during treatment. Clozapine is well known as a drug that can cause blood dyscrasias, but olanzapine and other atypicals may also cause similar problems. In addition to genetic factors, there are likely to be dose-related and immunological components to these phenomena. Important lessons have been learnt from the haematological monitoring that is necessary with clozapine and the monitoring has been very successful in preventing deaths related to clozapine-induced agranulocytosis. Continuing research into the mechanisms of drug-induced neutropenia and agranulocytosis may serve to further enhance the safe use not only of clozapine, but also of other agents. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Skin Care of the Diaper AreaPEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Ralf Adam Ph.D. These needs include products such as diapers that absorb the excreta, as well as products for cleansing and conditioning the skin. A number of factors play a role in development of diaper dermatitis, including prolonged exposure to excreta, alterations in skin pH or increased hydration, and changes in skin microbial flora. Recent decades have seen great improvements in our understanding of these factors and our ability to develop new and better products to protect baby skin. Better diaper designs and the development of pH-buffered baby wipes have improved the care of skin in the diaper area. Continuing research offers the promise of new products with additional benefits for caregivers and infants. [source] Advancing E-Government at the Grassroots: Tortoise or Hare?PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW, Issue 1 2005Donald F. Morris American grassroots governments have rushed to join the e-government revolution. Although there is a growing body of e-government literature, little of it is empirical. Using data from two nationwide surveys, we conduct a longitudinal examination of local government adoption of e-government, Web site sophistication, the perceived impacts of e-government, and barriers to the adoption and sophistication of e-government. We also discuss correlates of e-government adoption and sophistication with selected institutional factors. We find that e-government adoption at the grassroots is progressing rapidly (if measured solely by deployment of Web sites). However, the movement toward integrated and transactional e-government is progressing much more slowly. Continuing research, particularly longitudinal study, is needed to monitor the evolution of e-government among U.S. local governments, especially to keep pace with the practice and to ascertain the actual impacts of e-government. [source] Treating acute mental illness in rural general hospitals: Necessity or choice?AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2006Catherine Hungerford Abstract Objective:,To identify reasons why rural general practitioners (GPs) treat a large proportion of patients with a primary psychiatric diagnosis in general beds of their local hospitals, and the barriers encountered when providing this treatment. Design:,A postal questionnaire was developed and distributed to a sample of rural GPs, asking about the treatment of patients with an acute mental illness in their local hospital. Results:,The majority of GPs agreed that they treat the acutely mentally ill in general beds of their local hospital due to lack of availability of, and inability to gain access to, mental health beds in the larger centres; and also to enable ongoing family involvement and continuity of care. Distance factors were identified as least significant. Barriers to providing care to this group of patients included a perceived lack of support by consultant psychiatrists, confidentiality issues, lack of community mental health workers to provide assistance, aggression levels of patients, inappropriate local hospital setting, and lack of confidence of GPs and general hospital nursing staff. Conclusion:,Addressing these barriers is necessary if rural Australians are to receive a quality of care that is equal to that received by those located in metropolitan Australia. Continuing research in this area is crucial. [source] Regulation of cell death during infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and other coronavirusesCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 11 2007Yee-Joo Tan Summary Both apoptosis and necrosis have been observed in cells infected by various coronaviruses, suggesting that the regulation of cell death is important for viral replication and/or pathogenesis. Expeditious research on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, one of the latest discovered coronaviruses that infect humans, has provided valuable insights into the molecular aspects of cell-death regulation during infection. Apoptosis was observed in vitro, while both apoptosis and necrosis were observed in tissues obtained from SARS patients. Viral proteins that can regulate apoptosis have been identified, and many of these also have the abilities to interfere with cellular functions. Occurrence of cell death in host cells during infection by other coronaviruses, such as the mouse hepatitis virus and transmissible porcine gastroenteritis virus, has also being extensively studied. The diverse cellular responses to infection revealed the complex manner by which coronaviruses affect cellular homeostasis and modulate cell death. As a result of the complex interplay between virus and host, infection of different cell types by the same virus does not necessarily activate the same cell-death pathway. Continuing research will lead to a better understanding of the regulation of cell death during viral infection and the identification of novel antiviral targets. [source] A historical overview of enhanced external counterpulsationCLINICAL CARDIOLOGY, Issue S2 2002Anthony N. Demaria M.D., MACC Chief Abstract Angina remains a significant health problem in the United States and the world. Although there are a variety of pharmacologic and interventional therapies to treat angina, many patients are not adequately helped by these treatments. Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is an effective, noninvasive technique designed to decrease the frequency and duration of anginal episodes, as well as increase exercise duration in patients with acute angina. Since the early 1960s, the technology of EECP has been thoroughly refined. In addition, a number of important clinical trials have provided evidence for its effectiveness. Continuing research is needed to determine the best patients for EECP and its appropriate clinical application. [source] A brief review of the past, present and future of wood preservationPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 8 2007Tor P Schultz Abstract Wood products used in exterior applications must be protected against biodeterioration by decay fungi, insects such as termites, and other organisms. Traditionally, wood products for residential or industrial applications have been protected by treatment with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) or older inexpensive organic biocides, but environmental and disposal concerns and governmental regulations have resulted in a rapid and dramatic worldwide shift to copper-based systems. The current development trend is towards employing totally organic biocides based on relatively benign and expensive agrochemicals, with continuing research directed towards developing non-biocidal methods to protect wood. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Practitioner Review: Use of antiepileptic drugs in childrenTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 2 2006Renzo Guerrini Background:, The aim in treating epilepsy is to minimise or control seizures with full respect of quality-of-life issues, especially of cognitive functions. Optimal treatment first demands a correct recognition of the major type of seizures, followed by a correct diagnosis of the type of epilepsy or of the specific syndrome. Methods:, Review of data from literature and personal clinical experience in treating children with epilepsy. Results:, After summarising the general aspects on the diagnosis and treatment of the main forms of childhood epilepsy, we review key issues about management of seizure disorders, including when to start treatment, how to proceed when the first treatment fails, and how to set the targets of treatment. A special section is devoted to the new concept of epileptic encephalopathy and to the influence of ,interictal' EEG abnormalities on cognition, behaviour, and motor abilities in children, providing some suggestions on why and how to treat these conditions. A second section approaches the choice of treatment according to the specific syndromes including infantile spasms, focal epilepsies, syndromes with typical absence seizures, the myoclonic epilepsies and the Lennox,Gastaut syndrome. Conclusions:, Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can efficiently control seizures in most children. However, the specificity of AEDs is relatively limited, although continuing research is leading to a better understanding of the relationship between pathogenesis and the mechanism(s) and site(s) of drug action. [source] Open evaluation of science: can we simply say "no, thank you?"ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2008G STEFANO In today's world of information doubling at faster rates because of rapid technological and biomedical advances nations must pay closer attention to the productivity and creativity that can be obtained from their universities. A professor's intellectual property may have important patent consequences. Thus, universities must foster lines of communication that aid the professor in making critical decisions not only about the advance but its potential to generate a revenue stream. In the same light, universities must also be able to evaluate the contribution and the potential of a lab to make future contributions in an objective manner since all laboratories and projects cannot be funded in a nation/university due to the high cost of doing so. In the past, this evaluation has taken the form of a grant, which depends on peer evaluations. Now however, due to ever increasing flow of information, which generates new technologies, additional evaluation processes must be in place so the funding can be prioritized and revenue not wasted. This calls for a rapid evaluation process, taking advantage of the increase in informational flow. This process must be as objective as possible, providing documentation of the ability to generate successful projects without damaging continuing research and hurting the ability of high risk projects to reach fruition. [source] | ||||||||||