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Laboratory Setting (laboratory + setting)
Selected AbstractsGelatin "Shots" as a New Method for Alcohol Administration in a Laboratory SettingALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2006Elizabeth Ralevski Background: This experiment was designed to compare gelatin "shots",a new procedure for administering alcohol in a laboratory setting,to the alcohol beverage method. We proceeded to test whether the two methods were comparable in terms of alcohol absorption, metabolism, and effects on mood and whether gelatin "shots" were better than the beverage in disguising alcohol in a blind, placebo comparison. Methods: Healthy volunteers participated in a two-phase trial. In the first phase they completed 2 days of testing during which the effects of alcohol,delivered in beverage (1 day) or gelatin "shots" (alternative day),on blood and breathalyzer concentrations and mood were assessed. In the second phase participants completed 2 days of testing and were asked to identify if samples contained alcohol or placebo. The presentation of alcohol and placebo and the presentation of beverage or gelatin "shots" were random. Results: In the first phase there was a significant time-by-condition interaction in the blood alcohol concentration. Two-and-a-half hours after the alcohol was administered, those given gelatin "shots" had slightly lower but statistically significant blood alcohol concentrations. There was a significant time effect for breathalyzer alcohol levels but no condition or condition-by-time interaction. There were no differences between the two methods on any of the subjective mood measures. In the second phase of the study there were differences in the ability to differentiate alcohol from placebo between the two conditions with significantly more participants making errors in the gelatin "shots" than in the beverage condition. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that gelatin "shots" are an effective method for delivering alcohol to humans in a laboratory setting. This method may be superior to the alcohol beverage mixture in a placebo-controlled design because gelatin "shots" mask the alcohol much better than a beverage and are easier to administer. [source] Alcohol and Cognitive Function: Assessment in Everyday Life and Laboratory Settings Using Mobile PhonesALCOHOLISM, Issue 12 2009Brian Tiplady Background:, Mobile phone (cellphone) technology makes it practicable to assess cognitive function in a natural setting. We assessed this method and compared impairment of performance due to alcohol in everyday life with measurements made in the laboratory. Methods:, Thirty-eight volunteers (20 male, aged 18,54 years) took part in the everyday study, completing assessments twice a day for 14 days following requests sent by text messages to the mobile phone. Twenty-six of them (12 male, aged 19,54) took part in a subsequent two-period crossover lab study comparing alcohol with no alcohol (placebo). Results:, Everyday entries with 5 or more units of alcohol consumed in the past 6 hours (inferred mean blood alcohol concentration 95 ml/100 ml) showed higher scores for errors in tests of attention and working memory compared with entries with no alcohol consumed that day. Response times were impaired for only 1 test, sustained attention to response. The laboratory comparison of alcohol (mean blood alcohol concentration 124 mg/100 ml) with placebo showed impairment to both reaction time and error scores for all tests. A similar degree of subjective drunkenness was reported in both settings. Conclusions:, We found that mobile phones allowed practical research on cognitive performance in an everyday life setting. Alcohol impaired function in both laboratory and everyday life settings at relevant doses of alcohol. [source] Comparative study: conventional cervical and ThinPrep® Pap tests in a routine clinical settingCYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2002A. Grace The conventional Papanicolaou smear is associated with variable false positive and false negative rates, difficulties with interpretation and high unsatisfactory and suboptimal rates. Newer fluid-based methods such as the ThinPrep® 2000 system (Cytyc Corp., Boxborough, MA) are said to overcome these difficulties. The aim of this study was to compare the conventional smear with the ThinPrep® method in a busy, routine cytology screening laboratory setting. One thousand split samples were evaluated. Using ThinPrep®, the results showed an increased sensitivity and a dramatic improvement in specimen adequacy, with a combined 17.2% reduction in ,unsatisfactory' and ,suboptimal' reports. Screening time per slide was also reduced to 3,4 min. In conclusion, we report an increase in sensitivity, a reduction in screening time and a dramatic improvement in specimen adequacy with the ThinPrep® method. [source] MHC and Preferences for Male Odour in the Bank VoleETHOLOGY, Issue 9 2008Jacek Radwan Highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are thought to play a central role in the choice of genetically compatible sexual partners in some vertebrates, although the evidence is variable across species. Here, we investigate the association between similarity in the MHC region and sexual preferences in the bank vole Myodes (=Clethrionomys) glareolus (Arvicollinae) in a laboratory setting. Females in post-partum oestrus were given the choice between the scents of two males in a Y-maze. Both males were unrelated to the female, but differed in their MHC similarity to the female. We found that females spent more time near the scent of MHC dissimilar males than those, with whom they shared MHC alleles. This suggests that bank voles use MHC-related cues to choose compatible mates. [source] The relationship of GMA to counterproductive work behavior revisitedEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 6 2009Bernd Marcus Abstract Recent research reported that general mental ability (GMA) predicted counterproductive work behavior (CWB), whereas some previous studies failed to find such a relationship. We tested occupational homogeneity of the sample and criterion measurement as two potential explanations for these inconsistencies. Study 1 replicated major design features of one previous study, which found no GMA,CWB relation in a heterogeneous sample, with occupationally homogeneous groups. Results confirmed previous null findings, indicating no effect of sample homogeneity. In Study 2, using a controlled laboratory setting, GMA was again unrelated to self-reported CWB, but partially predicted observed CWB negatively. Combined findings suggest that GMA is consistently unrelated to CWB self-reports but may predict objectively measured CWB independently of the likelihood of being caught. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Two-thumb vs Two-finger Chest Compression in an Infant Model of Prolonged Cardiopulmonary ResuscitationACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 10 2000Michele L. Dorfsman MD Abstract. Objective: Previous experiments in the authors swine lab have shown that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using two-thumb chest compression with a thoracic squeeze (TT) produces higher blood and perfusion pressures when compared with the American Heart Association (AHA)-recommended two-finger (TF) technique. Previous studies were of short duration (1-2 minutes). The hypothesis was that TT would be superior to TF during prolonged CPR in an infant model. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized crossover experiment in a laboratory setting. Twenty-one AHA-certified rescuers performed basic CPR for two 10-minute periods, one with TT and the other with TF. Trials were separated by 2-14 days, and the order was randomly assigned. The experimental circuit consisted of a modified manikin with a fixed-volume arterial system attached to a neonatal monitor via an arterial pressure transducer. The arterial circuit was composed of a 50-mL bag of normal saline solution (air removed) attached to the manikin chest plate and connected to the transducer with a 20-gauge intravenous catheter and tubing. Rescuers were blinded to the arterial pressure tracing. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded in mm Hg, and pulse pressures (PPs) were calculated. Data were analyzed with two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Sphericity assumed modeling, with Greenhouse-Geisser and Huynh-Feldt adjustments, was applied. Results: Marginal means for TT SBP (68.9), DBP (17.6), MAP (35.3), and PP (51.4) were higher than for TF SBP (44.8), DBP (12.5), MAP (23.3), and PP (32.2). All four pressures were significantly different between the two techniques (p , 0.001). Conclusion: In this infant CPR model, TT chest compression produced higher MAP, SBP, DBP, and PP when compared with TF chest compression during a clinically relevant duration of prolonged CPR. [source] Experimental hearths and the thermal alteration of Caliche on the Southern High PlainsGEOARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 7 2005Paul N. Backhouse Throughout the Holocene, caliche has been a ubiquitous technological resource for the people of the Southern High Plains. Archaeological sites on the Southern High Plains often contain thermal features that appear to utilize caliche nodules in various cultural processes. These processes usually involve some degree of thermal dynamic alteration to the caliche, identified in the archaeological record as fire-scorched or blackened nodules. Previous studies of the pyrodynamic properties of caliche have focused on quantification of color and fracture patterns within a laboratory setting, without direct involvement of cultural processes or problems associated with thermal features. Thermal alteration variables of caliche are examined from an actualistic perspective, utilizing previously excavated basin feature geometry and local caliche outcrops. Results indicate that sustained, intense heating of caliche (above 204°C) causes significant, but variable, structural transformations at the specimen level. The experimental use of shallow basin hearths demonstrates that hearth structures were easily capable of achieving and sustaining temperatures that would result in the physical alteration of individual caliche nodules, defined here as hearthstones. The broader implications of this study suggest that the interpretation of archaeological hearthstone assemblages should reflect variability, as observed during this experiment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Block Copolymer Nanolithography: Translation of Molecular Level Control to Nanoscale PatternsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 47 2009Joona Bang Abstract The self-asembly of block copolymers is a promising platform for the "bottom-up" fabrication of nanostructured materials and devices. This review covers some of the advances made in this field from the laboratory setting to applications where block copolymers are in use. [source] Pyrosequencing for detection of mutations in the connexin 26 (GJB2) and mitochondrial 12S RNA (MTRNR1) genes associated with hereditary hearing loss,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 4 2002Alessandro Ferraris Abstract Hereditary hearing loss (HHL) is one of the most common congenital disorders and is highly heterogeneous. Mutations in the connexin 26 (CX26) gene (GJB2) account for about 20% of all cases of childhood deafness, and approach 50% in documented recessive cases of non-syndromic hearing loss. In addition, a single mitochondrial DNA mutation, mt1555A>G, in the 12S rRNA gene (MTRNR1), is associated with familial cases of progressive deafness. Effective screening of populations for HHL necessitates rapid assessment of several of these potential mutation sites. Pyrosequencing links a DNA synthesis protocol for determining sequence to an enzyme cascade that generates light whenever pyrophosphate is released during primer strand elongation. We assessed the ability of Pyrosequencing to detect common mutations causing HHL. Detection of the most common CX26 mutations in individuals of Caucasian (35delG), Ashkenazi (167delT), and Asian (235delC, V37I) descent was confirmed by Pyrosequencing. A total of 41 different mutations in the CX26 gene and the mitochondrial mt1555A>G mutation were confirmed. Genotyping of up to six different adjacent mutations was achieved, including simultaneous detection of 35delG and 167delT. Accurate and reproducible results were achieved taking advantage of assay flexibility and experimental conditions easily optimized for a high degree of standardization and cost-effectiveness. The standardized sample preparation steps, including target amplification by PCR and preparation of single-stranded template combined with automated sequence reaction and automated genotype scoring, positions this approach as a potentially high throughput platform for SNP/mutation genotyping in a clinical laboratory setting. Hum Mutat 20:312,320, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Infants' Behavioral Strategies for Emotion Regulation With Fathers and Mothers: Associations With Emotional Expressions and Attachment QualityINFANCY, Issue 2 2002Marissa L. Diener This study examined 12- and 13-month-old infants' behavioral strategies for emotion regulation, emotional expressions, regulatory styles, and attachment quality with fathers and mothers. Eighty-five infants participated in the Strange Situation procedure to assess attachment quality with mothers and fathers. Infants' behavioral strategies for emotion regulation were examined with each parent during a competing demands task. Emotion regulation styles were meaningfully related to infant-father attachment quality. Although expressions of distress and positive affect were not consistent across mothers and fathers, there was consistency in infant strategy use, emotion regulation style, and attachment quality with mothers and fathers. Furthermore, infants who were securely attached to both parents showed greater consistency in parent-oriented strategies than infants who were insecurely attached to one or both parents. Limitations of this study include the constrained laboratory setting, potential carryover effects, and a homogeneous, middle-class sample. [source] Simulation of two-dimensional turbulent flows in a rotating annulusINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 3 2004Brian D. Storey Abstract Rotating water tank experiments have been used to study fundamental processes of atmospheric and geophysical turbulence in a controlled laboratory setting. When these tanks are undergoing strong rotation the forced turbulent flow becomes highly two dimensional along the axis of rotation. An efficient numerical method has been developed for simulating the forced quasi-geostrophic equations in an annular geometry to model current laboratory experiments. The algorithm employs a spectral method with Fourier series and Chebyshev polynomials as basis functions. The algorithm has been implemented on a parallel architecture to allow modelling of a wide range of spatial scales over long integration times. This paper describes the derivation of the model equations, numerical method, testing and performance of the algorithm. Results provide reasonable agreement with the experimental data, indicating that such computations can be used as a predictive tool to design future experiments. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Laboratory studies of binge eating disorderINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue S1 2003B. Timothy Walsh Abstract Introduction Because of questions about the accuracy of reported food intake, and in order to study psychological and environmental factors which might affect eating, a number of investigators have examined the eating behavior of individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) under controlled conditions that permit food consumption to be measured. Methods Published studies that evaluated the eating behavior of individuals with BED in a laboratory were reviewed. Results In laboratory meals, individuals with BED consumed more kilocalories than individuals of similar weight who did not meet criteria for BED. These differences are observed consistently when subjects are asked to binge eat and when they are not. Conclusions In a laboratory setting, individuals with BED exhibit objectively abnormal eating behavior. These data support, but do not prove, the validity of BED as a diagnostic entity. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 34: S30,S38, 2003. [source] Performance evaluation of the PENTRA 60C+ automated hematology analyzer and comparison with the ADVIA 2120INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2009K. GUERTI Summary The PENTRA 60C+ hematology analyzer provides a complete blood cell (CBC) count, including a five-part differential (5-DIFF) count and two leukocyte subpopulations, i.e. large immature cells (LIC's) and atypical lymphocytes (ALY's). We evaluated its analytical performance and assessed agreement with the ADVIA 2120, in order to install the analyzer in a small satellite hematology laboratory. First we assessed repeatability, reproducibility and carry-over to evaluate the analytical performance. Then we used Pearson correlation coefficients, Passing and Bablok regression analysis and a graphical approach (n = 209) to evaluate agreement with the ADVIA 2120. Repeatability and reproducibility were excellent for the majority of CBC and 5-DIFF count parameters. Carry-over was negligible. Our data showed very good correlation for most CBC count parameters. Lower correlation coefficients were observed for red cell distribution width, mean corpuscular volume and mean platelet volume. As compared to the ADVIA 2120, the 5-DIFF count performed very well. Agreement was poorer for low-level eosinophils and basophils. Furthermore, the PENTRA 60C+ was equally able to identify pathological blood samples through the determination of LIC's and ALY's. Therefore, the PENTRA 60C+ is an eligible blood cell counter to be operational in a satellite laboratory setting. [source] Molecular genetic analysis of haematological malignancies: I. Acute leukaemias and myeloproliferative disordersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A. J. BENCH Summary Molecular genetic techniques are now routinely applied to haematological malignancies within a clinical laboratory setting. The detection of genetic rearrangements not only assists with diagnosis and treatment decisions, but also adds important prognostic information. In addition, genetic rearrangements associated with leukaemia can be used as molecular markers allowing the detection of low levels of residual disease. This review will concentrate on the application of molecular genetic techniques to the acute leukaemias and myeloprolferative disorders. [source] Use of NANDA, NIC, and NOC in a Baccalaureate CurriculumINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 2003Cynthia Finesilver BACKGROUND For the last 8 years, NANDA, NIC, and NOC have been successfully introduced to students in fundamentals courses at Bellin College of Nursing. As students progress through the curriculum, the classifications are expanded and applied to various client populations in all settings. The faculty expect students to use NANDA, NIC, and NOC in a variety of ways: during preparation for care of clients, documentation of client care, discussion of clients in postconference; in formal nursing process papers; and in the college laboratory setting. MAIN CONTENT POINTS Through the use of standardized languages, which address all steps of the nursing process, students have been able to plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care in all settings, from primary care to specialty care areas. Application of the NANDA, NOC, and NIC frameworks into a baccalaureate curriculum is desirable because the classifications are research based, comprehensive, and based on current nursing practice. NOC and NIC include physiologic, psychosocial, illness prevention and treatment, health promotion, and alternative therapies. Because of the universal and clinically meaningful language, students are able to communicate and document nursing activities in diverse settings and better define the unique actions and value of nursing. Feedback from students and faculty has been positive. Faculty members are encouraged to refine and alter course expectations related to NANDA, NOC, and NIC as needed. Students in the fundamentals courses adapt easily to NANDA, NOC and NIC during small group work and during discussion of common client problems, such as constipation. CONCLUSIONS Although the frameworks are not used as part of the organizing framework, they are used to teach nursing process and increase students' critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities. [source] Hearing Impairment Affects Older People's Ability to Drive in the Presence of DistractersJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 6 2010Louise Hickson PhD OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of hearing impairment and distractibility on older people's driving ability, assessed under real-world conditions. DESIGN: Experimental cross-sectional study. SETTING: University laboratory setting and an on-road driving test. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seven community-living adults aged 62 to 88. Fifty-five percent had normal hearing, 26% had a mild hearing impairment, and 19% had a moderate or greater impairment. MEASUREMENTS: Hearing was assessed using objective impairment measures (pure-tone audiometry, speech perception testing) and a self-report measure (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly). Driving was assessed on a closed road circuit under three conditions: no distracters, auditory distracters, and visual distracters. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction between hearing impairment and distracters, such that people with moderate to severe hearing impairment had significantly poorer driving performance in the presence of distracters than those with normal or mild hearing impairment. CONCLUSION: Older adults with poor hearing have greater difficulty with driving in the presence of distracters than older adults with good hearing. [source] Determination of cut-off titers and agreement between immunofluorescence and immunoblotting methods for detecting antinuclear antibodies in childrenJOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 4 2010G. Aksu Abstract Detection of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is a diagnostic adjunct in patients with suspected autoimmune connective tissue diseases, and various detection methods are in use. The aim of this study was to analyze the agreement between the ANA immunoflourescence (IF) and immunoblotting (IB) methods and determine cut-off for children subjects in a laboratory setting. We evaluated 729 serum samples that were analyzed by both ANA IF and IB. The results were evaluated by ,2 test and, for agreement, , index was used. Frequencies determined for both 1:40,1:100 cut-off titers of ANA IF in relation to IB testing supported the idea that 1:100 starting dilution should be recommended in children subjects for ANA IF method and antigen specific immunoblot testing was needed, especially for some of the ANA IF negative samples. Agreement between the two methods, especially with homogenous, granular, and nucleolar ANA IF patterns, was statistically significant. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 24:230,236, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Adaptation and evaluation of the Randox full-range CRP assay on the Olympus AU2700®JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2007A.M. Dupuy Abstract The implementation of a high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) assay as a routine laboratory parameter may be necessary. A single CRP method that could yield reliable results for the whole concentration range (0.1,200 mg/L) would be the most practical solution for the laboratory setting. The aim of this study was to assess the Randox full-range CRP assay on the Olympus AU2700® biochemistry analyzer and evaluate its analytical performance on serum and heparin plasma samples. The Randox CRP turbidimetric assay was compared with the existing CRP assay used routinely on the Olympus AU2700®. The analytical performance of the Randox CRP with both Olympus CRP reagents (CRP for normal application andhs-CRP) was good. We found that the Randox CRP method in the range of 0.5,160 mg/L was closely correlated to the Olympus CRP and hs-CRP for serum samples. According to a Bland-Altman analysis, the serum and heparinized samples showed an excellent agreement in CRP concentrations throughout the entire range (mean difference = ,0.035 ± 1.806 mg/L) as well as in CRP levels <10 mg/L. Our data indicate that Randox full-range CRP measurements using an immunoturbidimetry assay on Olympus systems perform as well for routine diagnostics as other high-sensitivity applications using serum or heparin plasma. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 21:34,39, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The modality effect tested in children in a user-paced multimedia environmentJOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 2 2010M.J. Witteman Abstract The modality learning effect proposes that learning is enhanced when information is presented in both the visual and the auditory domains (e.g. pictures and spoken information) compared with presenting information solely in the visual channel (e.g. pictures and written text). Most of the evidence for this effect comes from adults in a laboratory setting. Therefore, we tested the modality effect with 80 children in the highest grade of elementary school in a naturalistic setting. In a between-subjects design, the children either saw representational pictures with speech or representational pictures with text. Retention and transfer knowledge was tested at three moments: immediately after the intervention, one day after and after one week. The present study did not find any evidence for a modality effect in children when the lesson was learner-paced. Instead, we found a reversed modality effect directly after the intervention for retention. A reversed modality effect was also found for the transfer questions one day later. This effect was robust, even when controlling for individual differences. [source] Sunscreen application at the beachJOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2004J Lademann Summary Background, The sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens is determined after application of a standard amount. The European Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association (COLIPA) standard amount is 2 mg/cm2. Real-life application of sunscreen is probably less than this. Aim, To determine the amount of sunscreen present on the skin of people at the beach. Methods, Volunteers at the beach were selected randomly and were not aware of being tested for the adequacy of their sunscreen application. All volunteers had applied sunscreen. Application had been more than 30 min before testing (sometimes up to 4 h earlier). The amounts of sunscreen applied to different body sites were determined quantitatively by tape stripping. Actual amounts of sunscreen applied were compared with the COLIPA standard. Also, sunscreen containing a fluorescent dye was applied to the skin of volunteers in a laboratory setting. The distribution of sunscreen application was visualized by UVA photography in a darkened room. Results, Sixty volunteers, 33 males and 27 females, aged 17,68 years (median 32 years), were recruited at the beach. Sunscreen coverage was inadequate at all body sites. Coverage at various body sites differed greatly. Most volunteers had applied 10% or less of the COLIPA standard amount to all body sites assessed. The best protected areas were the upper arm and décolleté but, even in these areas, most volunteers had only applied 10% of the COLIPA standard amount. The worst protected areas were the ears and top of the feet. The back was typically badly protected if treated by the volunteers themselves. The back was better protected if another person had applied the sunscreen. In the laboratory, the fluorescent dye-containing sunscreen showed the same pattern of sunscreen application as at the beach. Conclusions, In real life, at the beach, very little sunscreen remains present on the skin. [source] Effects of levosimendan on indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate and the gastric mucosal,arterial pCO2 gradient in abdominal aortic aneurysm surgeryACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2008H. LEPPIKANGAS Background: Levosimendan has a dual mechanism of action: it improves myocardial contractility and causes vasodilatation without increasing myocardial oxygen demand. In a laboratory setting, it selectively increases gastric mucosal oxygenation in particular and splanchnic perfusion in general. The aim of our study was to describe the effects of levosimendan on systemic and splanchnic circulation during and after abdominal aortic surgery. Methods: Twenty abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery patients were randomized to receive either levosimendan (n=10) or placebo (n=10) in a double-blinded manner. Both the mode of anaesthesia and the surgical procedures were performed according to the local guidelines. Automatic gas tonometry was used to measure the gastric mucosal partial pressure of carbon dioxide. Systemic indocyanine green clearance plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR) was used to estimate the total splanchnic blood flow. Results: The immediate post-operative recovery was uneventful in the two groups with a comparable, overnight length of stay in the intensive care unit. Cumulative doses of additional vasoactive drugs were comparable between the groups, with a tendency towards a higher cumulative dose of noradrenaline in the levosimendan group. After aortic clamping, the cardiac index was higher [4(3.8,4.7) l/min/m2 vs. 2.6(2.3,3.6) l/min/m2; P<0.05] and the gastric mucosal,arterial pCO2 gradient was lower in levosimendan-treated patients [0.9(0.6,1.2) kPa vs. 1.7(1.2,2.1) kPa; (P<0.05)]. However, the total splanchnic blood flow, estimated by ICG-PDR, was comparable [29(21,29)% vs. 20(19,25)%; NS]. Organ dysfunction scores (sequential organ dysfunction assessment) were similar between the groups on the fifth post-operative day. Conclusion: Levosimendan favours gastric perfusion but appears not to have a major effect on total splanchnic perfusion in patients undergoing an elective aortic aneurysm operation. [source] He Said, She Said: Gender Differences in Mother , Adolescent Conversations about SexualityJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 2 2002Eva S. Lefkowitz This study examined gender differences in self-reported and observed conversations about sexual issues. Fifty mother ,adolescent dyads reported on their conversations about sexual issues and participated in videotaped conversations about dating and sexuality in a laboratory setting. Gender differences (more mother , daughter than mother ,son) were found in the extent of sexual communication based on adolescents' reports, but no gender differences were found based on mothers' reports, or on observations of conversations. Aspects of laboratory interactions, however, did distinguish mother, daughter and mother , son dyads, and related to self-report measures. Girls' reported sexuality communication frequency related to behavior in the laboratory setting. During mother , son conversations, one person usually took on the role of questioner, whereas the other did not. In contrast, there was evidence for mutuality of positive emotions for mother , daughter dyads, but not for mother , son dyads. [source] Gelatin "Shots" as a New Method for Alcohol Administration in a Laboratory SettingALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2006Elizabeth Ralevski Background: This experiment was designed to compare gelatin "shots",a new procedure for administering alcohol in a laboratory setting,to the alcohol beverage method. We proceeded to test whether the two methods were comparable in terms of alcohol absorption, metabolism, and effects on mood and whether gelatin "shots" were better than the beverage in disguising alcohol in a blind, placebo comparison. Methods: Healthy volunteers participated in a two-phase trial. In the first phase they completed 2 days of testing during which the effects of alcohol,delivered in beverage (1 day) or gelatin "shots" (alternative day),on blood and breathalyzer concentrations and mood were assessed. In the second phase participants completed 2 days of testing and were asked to identify if samples contained alcohol or placebo. The presentation of alcohol and placebo and the presentation of beverage or gelatin "shots" were random. Results: In the first phase there was a significant time-by-condition interaction in the blood alcohol concentration. Two-and-a-half hours after the alcohol was administered, those given gelatin "shots" had slightly lower but statistically significant blood alcohol concentrations. There was a significant time effect for breathalyzer alcohol levels but no condition or condition-by-time interaction. There were no differences between the two methods on any of the subjective mood measures. In the second phase of the study there were differences in the ability to differentiate alcohol from placebo between the two conditions with significantly more participants making errors in the gelatin "shots" than in the beverage condition. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that gelatin "shots" are an effective method for delivering alcohol to humans in a laboratory setting. This method may be superior to the alcohol beverage mixture in a placebo-controlled design because gelatin "shots" mask the alcohol much better than a beverage and are easier to administer. [source] The Influence of Experimenter Gender and Race on Pain Reporting: Does Racial or Gender Concordance Matter?PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 1 2005Carol S. Weisse PhD ABSTRACT Background., Research on disparities in the treatment of pain has shown that minorities receive less aggressive pain management than nonminorities. While reasons include physician bias, the focus of this study was to examine whether differences in pain reporting behavior might occur when pain is reported to individuals of a different race or gender. Objective., To test whether gender and racial concordance might influence pain reporting and pain behavior in a laboratory setting. Design/Setting., By using a two (subject race)-by-two (subject gender)-by-two (experimenter race)-by two (experimenter gender) quasi-experimental design, pain was assessed in a laboratory through a standard cold pressor task administered by someone whose gender and/or race was similar or dissimilar. Subjects., Subjects were 343 (156 men; 187 women) undergraduates whose ages ranged from 17 to 43 years (mean 20.27 years). Outcome Measures., Pain tolerance was assessed by total immersion time in the ice bath. Pain ratings were obtained by using Gracely scales, which rate the intensity and unpleasantness of the task. Results., Total immersion time was shorter for both blacks and women, and both blacks and women reported higher pain intensity and unpleasantness. Racial and gender concordance did not influence pain reporting or pain tolerance, but interactions between subject race and experimenter gender, as well as subject gender and experimenter race, were revealed. Conclusions., Racial and gender concordance did not influence pain reporting; however, pain reporting was influenced by interactions between gender and race in the subject,experimenter dyads. [source] The relationship between women's subjective and physiological sexual arousalPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Alessandra H. Rellini Abstract Previous literature presents discordant results on the relationship between physiological and subjective sexual arousal in women. In this study, the use of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed a significant concordance between continuous measures of physiological and subjective sexual arousal as assessed during exposure to erotic stimuli in a laboratory setting. We propose that past studies that have found little or no association between the two measures may have been in part limited by the methodology and statistical analyses employed. [source] Testing extraction and storage parameters for a fecal hormone methodAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2010David J. Pappano Abstract Four experiments were conducted to test different aspects of a "field-friendly" fecal hormone extraction method that utilizes methanol extraction in the field followed by storage on C18 solid-phase extraction cartridges. Fecal samples were collected from geladas (Theropithecus gelada) housed at the Bronx Zoo, and the experiments were conducted in a laboratory setting to ensure maximum control. The experiments were designed to either simulate the conditions to which fecal samples are subjected during fieldwork or improve on an existing protocol. The experiments tested the relationship between fecal hormone metabolite preservation/recovery and: (1) the amount of time a sample is stored at ambient temperature; (2) the number of freeze/thaw cycles a sample undergoes; (3) the effectiveness of different extraction solutions; and (4) the effectiveness of different cartridge washes. For each experiment, samples were assayed by radioimmunoassay for fecal glucocorticoid (GC) and testosterone (T) metabolites. Results for each of the experiments were as follows. First, storage at ambient temperature did not affect hormone levels until 4 weeks of storage, with significant increases for both GC and T metabolites at 4 weeks. Second, hormone levels significantly decreased in samples after two freeze/thaw cycles for GCs and six freeze/thaws cycles for T. Third, for both GCs and T, hormone extraction using various methanol solutions was significantly higher than using 100% ethanol. Finally, using a 20% methanol solution to wash cartridges significantly increased GC levels but had no effect on T levels. These results suggest that, when utilizing C18 cartridges for fecal steroid storage, researchers should consider several methodological options to optimize hormone preservation and recovery from fecal samples. Am. J. Primatol. 72:934,941, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] No simple fix for fixation errors: cognitive processes and their clinical applicationsANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2010E. Fioratou Summary Fixation errors occur when the practitioner concentrates solely upon a single aspect of a case to the detriment of other more relevant aspects. These are well recognised in anaesthetic practice and can contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Improvement in patient safety may be assisted by development and application of countermeasures to fixation errors. Cognitive psychologists use ,insight problems' in a laboratory setting, both to induce fixation and to explore strategies to escape from fixation. We present some results from a series of experiments on one such insight problem and consider applications that may have relevance to anaesthetic practice. [source] Let them fly or light them up: matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH),APMIS, Issue 11-12 2004BIRGITTA SCHWEICKERT This review focuses on clinical bacteriology and by and large does not cover the detection of fungi, viruses or parasites. It discusses two completely different but complementary approaches that may either supplement or replace classic culture-based bacteriology. The latter view may appear provocative in the light of the actual market penetration of molecular genetic testing in clinical bacteriology. Despite its elegance, high specificity and sensitivity, molecular genetic diagnostics has not yet reached the majority of clinical laboratories. The reasons for this are manifold: Many microbiologists and medical technologists are more familiar with classical microbiological methods than with molecular biology techniques. Culture-based methods still represent the work horse of everyday routine. The number of available FDA-approved molecular genetic tests is limited and external quality control is still under development. Finally, it appears difficult to incorporate genetic testing in the routine laboratory setting due to the limited number of samples received or the lack of appropriate resources. However, financial and time constraints, particularly in hospitals as a consequence of budget cuts and reduced length of stay, lead to a demand for significantly shorter turnaround times that cannot be met by culture-dependent diagnosis. As a consequence, smaller laboratories that do not have the technical and personal equipment required for molecular genetic amplification techniques may adopt alternative methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) that combines easy-to-perform molecular hybridization with microscopy, a technique familiar to every microbiologist. FISH is hence one of the technologies presented here. For large hospital or reference laboratories with a high sample volume requiring massive parallel high-throughput testing we discuss matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) of nucleic acids, a technology that has evolved from the post-genome sequencing era, for high-throughput sequence variation analysis (1, 2). [source] Relations between fatigue, neuropsychological functioning, and physical activity after treatment for breast carcinomaCANCER, Issue 9 2002Daily self-report, objective behavior Abstract BACKGROUND Previous research indicates that disease free breast carcinoma survivors who experienced severe fatigue also had many problems with regard to neuropsychological functioning and physical activity, measured with general self-report questionnaires. Both neuropsychological functioning and physical activity can be measured with daily self-report measures in addition to measures of objective behavior. The main objective of this study was to examine the relations between 1) fatigue and 2) daily self-reported and objective measures of neuropsychological functioning and physical activity. METHODS Disease free breast carcinoma survivors and age-matched women with no history of breast carcinoma filled out a daily self-observation list and wore an actometer during a period of 12 days. Furthermore, they performed two standardized tests to assess neuropsychological functioning. RESULTS No differences were found between severely fatigued disease free breast carcinoma survivors, nonseverely fatigued disease free breast carcinoma survivors, and women in a control group with regard to daily self-reported and objective physical activity. The severely fatigued disease free patients reported more impairment in neuropsychological functioning on daily questionnaires compared with nonseverely fatigued disease free patients and women in the control group. However, no differences were found between these three groups on a standardized concentration task. On a standardized reaction time task, no significant differences were found between the two groups of disease free breast carcinoma survivors: However, women in the severely fatigued group had a significantly longer reaction time compared with women in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Fatigue is correlated strongly with daily self-reported neuropsychological functioning, but not with objective neuropsychological functioning, in a laboratory setting. In the current study, fatigue was not correlated with daily self-reported and objective physical activity. Cancer 2002;95:2017,26. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10891 [source] Comparison of EML 105 and Advantage analysers measuring capillary versus venous whole blood glucose in neonatesACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 9 2001PJ McNamara Aim: Near-patient blood glucose monitoring is an essential component of neonatal intensive care but the analysers currently used are unreliable and inaccurate. The aim of this study was to compare a new glucose electrode-based analyser (EML 105) and a non-wipe reflectance photometry method (Advantage) as opposed to a recognized laboratory reference method (Hexokinase). We also investigated the effect of sample route and haematocrit on the accuracy of the glucose readings obtained by each method of analysis. Methods: Whole blood glucose concentrations ranging from 0 to 3.5mmol/l were carefully prepared in a laboratory setting and blood samples from each respective solution were then measured by EML 105 and Advantage analysers. The results obtained were then compared with the corresponding plasma glucose reading obtained by the Hexokinase method, using linear regression analysis. An in vivo study was subsequently performed on 103 neonates, over a 1-y period, using capillary and venous whole blood samples. Whole blood glucose concentration was estimated from each sample using both analysers and compared with the corresponding plasma glucose concentration estimated by the Hexokinase method. Venous blood was centrifuged and haematocrit was estimated using standardized curves. The effect of haematocrit on the agreement between whole blood and plasma glucose was investigated, estimating the degree of correlation on a scatterplot of the results and linear regression analysis. Results: Both the EML 105 and Hexokinase methods were highly accurate, in vitro, with small proportional biases of 2% and 5%, respectively. However, in vivo, both study analysers overestimated neonatal plasma glucose, ranging from at best 0.45 mmol/l (EML 105 venous) to 0.69 mmol/l (EML capillary). There was no significant difference in the agreement of capillary (GD = 0.12, 95% CI. {-0.32,0.08}, p= 0.2) or venous samples (GD = 0.05, 95% CI. {0.09, 0.19}, p= 0.49) with plasma glucose when analysed by either study method (GD = glucose difference between study analyser and reference method) However, the venous samples analysed by EML 105 estimated plasma glucose significantly better than capillary samples using the same method of analysis (GD = 0.24, 95% CI. {0.09, 0.38}, p < 0.01). The relationship between haematocrit and the resultant glucose differences was non-linear with correlation coefficients of r= -0.057 (EML 105 capillary), r= 0.145 (EML 105 venous), r= -0.127 (Advantage capillary) and r= -0.275 (Advantage venous). There was no significant difference in the effect of haematocrit on the performance of EML 105 versus Advantage, regardless of the sample route. Conclusion: Both EML 105 and Advantage overestimated plasma glucose, with no significant difference in the performance of either analyser, regardless of the route of analysis. Agreement with plasma glucose was better for venous samples but this was only statistically significant when EML 105 capillary and venous results were compared. Haematocrit is not a significant confounding factor towards the performance of either EML 105 or Advantage in neonates, regardless of the route of sampling. The margin of overestimation of blood glucose prohibits the recommendation of both EML 105 and Advantage for routine neonatal glucose screening. The consequences include failure accurately to diagnose hypoglycaemia and delays in the instigation of therapeutic measures, both of which may potentially result in an adverse, long-term, neurodevelopmental outcome. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||