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Original Research Articles (original + research_article)
Selected AbstractsA case-based review of a simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysisJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 5 2008DACVECC, Kate Hopper BVSc Abstract Objective , To present a simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysis and to demonstrate its clinical utility. Data Sources , Original research articles and textbooks. Data Synthesis , A simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysis is presented, which is derived from the Fencl-Stewart approach and calculates the magnitude of the effect on the standardized base excess (SBE) of 5 separate variables: (1) a free water effect (marked by sodium concentration), (2) an effect marked by the chloride concentration, (3) an albumin effect, (4) a lactate effect, and (5) a phosphate effect. Six clinical cases with acid-base abnormalities are presented in which the quantitative approach provides information that is not apparent from the traditional approach. Conclusion , This simplified quantitative approach provides a comprehensive evaluation of complex acid-base disorders, identifies individual processes and their relative influence on SBE, and aids in the development of an appropriate therapeutic plan. [source] Use of dopamine in acute renal failureJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 2 2007DACVECC, Nadja E. Sigrist DrMedVet Abstract Objective: To review the current understanding of dopamine and its use in the prevention and treatment of acute renal failure (ARF). Data sources: Original research articles and scientific reviews. Human data synthesis: Low-dose dopamine administration has been shown to increase natriuresis and urinary output in both healthy individuals and in a few small studies in human patients with renal insufficiency. However, in several large meta-analyses, dopamine treatment did not change mortality or the need for dialysis. Due to the potential side effects, the use of dopamine for prevention and treatment of ARF is no longer recommended in human medicine. Veterinary data synthesis: Low-dose dopamine increases urinary output in healthy animals and animal models of ARF if given before the insult. There are no available studies looking at the effect of low-dose dopamine therapy in naturally occurring ARF in dogs or cats. Conclusion: Due to the potential side effects of low-dose dopamine therapy, the results from large human trials, and the lack of information in veterinary medicine, the use of dopamine for treatment of ARF in veterinary patients should be further evaluated. [source] An updated view of hemostasis: mechanisms of hemostatic dysfuntion associated with sepsisJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 2 2005DACVECC, Kate Hopper BVSc Abstract Objective: To review the current understanding of mechanisms involved in normal hemostasis and to describe the changes associated with pro-inflammatory disease processes such as sepsis. Data sources: Original research articles and scientific reviews. Human data synthesis: Organ damage caused by sepsis is created in part by the interdependent relationship between hemostasis and inflammation. Markers of coagulation have been found to have prognostic value in human patients with sepsis and there are both experimental and clinical investigations of the therapeutic potential of modulating the hemostatic system in sepsis. Improvement of 28-day all-cause mortality in severe sepsis by treatment with recombinant human activated Protein C strongly supports the interdependence of hemostasis and inflammation in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Veterinary data synthesis: Publications reporting clinical evaluation of the hemostatic changes occurring in septic dogs or cats are minimal. Experimental animal models of sepsis reveal significant similarity between human and animal sepsis and may provide relevance to clinical veterinary medicine until prospective clinical evaluations are published. Conclusions: It is now apparent that inflammation and the coagulation system are intimately connected. Understanding this relationship provides some insight into the pathogenesis of the hemostatic changes associated with sepsis. This new updated view of hemostasis may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation in veterinary medicine. [source] Genetic aspects of pathological gambling: a complex disorder with shared genetic vulnerabilitiesADDICTION, Issue 9 2009Daniela S. S. Lobo ABSTRACT Aims To summarize and discuss findings from genetic studies conducted on pathological gambling (PG). Methods Searches were conducted on PubMed and PsychInfo databases using the keywords: ,gambling and genes', ,gambling and family' and ,gambling and genetics', yielding 18 original research articles investigating the genetics of PG. Results Twin studies using the Vietnam Era Twin Registry have found that: (i) the heritability of PG is estimated to be 50,60%; (ii) PG and subclinical PG are a continuum of the same disorder; (iii) PG shares genetic vulnerability factors with antisocial behaviours, alcohol dependence and major depressive disorder; (iv) genetic factors underlie the association between exposure to traumatic life-events and PG. Molecular genetic investigations on PG are at an early stage and published studies have reported associations with genes involved in the brain's reward and impulse control systems. Conclusions Despite the paucity of studies in this area, published studies have provided considerable evidence of the influence of genetic factors on PG and its complex interaction with other psychiatric disorders and environmental factors. The next step would be to investigate the association and interaction of these variables in larger molecular genetic studies with subphenotypes that underlie PG. Results from family and genetic investigations corroborate further the importance of understanding the biological underpinnings of PG in the development of more specific treatment and prevention strategies. [source] Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 12/2008ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 12 2008Article first published online: 23 JUN 200 This special issue on bioanalysis is aimed for compiling major trends in the development and application of electrophoretic techniques to the analysis of peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and other biologically interesting compounds. This issue features a total of 30 contributions, containing six reviews and 23 original research articles. [source] A critical evaluation of current views regarding eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Clarifying points of confusionJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Byron R. Perkins EMDR is an active psychological treatment for PTSD that has received widely divergent reactions from the scientific and professional community. This article examines points of confusion in the published literature on EMDR, including the theoretical, empirical, and historical issues around EMDR and placebo effects, exposure procedures, the eye movement component, treatment fidelity issues, and outcome studies. It also examines historical information relevant to the scientific process and charges of "pseudoscience" regarding EMDR. We conclude that the confusion in the literature is due to (a) the lack of an empirically validated model capable of convincingly explaining the effects of the EMDR method, (b) inaccurate and selective reporting of research, (c) some poorly designed empirical studies, (d) inadequate treatment fidelity in some outcome research, and (e) multiple biased or inaccurate reviews by a relatively small group of authors. Reading the original research articles frequently helps to reduce the confusion arising from the research review literature. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 58: 77,97, 2002. [source] Control Yourself: Alcohol and ImpulsivityALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2010Marc N. Potenza Impulsivity represents a complex, multifaceted construct with relevance to alcohol use, abuse, and dependence. Researchers are refining the definitions and assessment of different subtypes of impulsive behavior and relating these to the causes and consequences of alcohol-related behaviors and disorders. A satellite symposium on alcohol and impulsivity was held at the 2009 convention of the Research Society on Alcoholism. This article provides an overview of the rationale for the symposium, a synopsis of review and original research articles emanating from the symposium, and a description of the implications of the work and possible future research directions. [source] Adult weight management: Translating research and guidelines into practiceJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 4 2009Laura E. Shay CRNP (PhD Candidate) Abstract Purpose: To provide a practical approach to managing overweight and obese adult patients based on data from research and recommendations from established guidelines. Data sources: Comprehensive review articles and original research articles identified through Medline and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Conclusions: There is a great deal of research being conducted on new ways to treat obesity; however, despite all this new information, many primary care providers continue to report that they do not address weight or weight control strategies with their patients. Reasons include too little time, not enough training, lack of financial incentive, and failure to believe that patients can be successful. Implications for practice: Weight management essentially comes down to one key concept: negative energy balance (fewer calories in and/or more calories out). Patients can be taught how to achieve a negative energy balance by using a food/exercise diary to track their daily caloric goal to achieve a 1,2 pound weight loss per week. Nurse practitioners (NPs) can implement safe and effective weight management plans for their patients by teaching them how to self-monitor, eat healthy, and exercise. This method is similar to what NPs commonly use for patients with diabetes mellitus. [source] Successful teaching in evidence-based medicineMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 1 2000William A Ghali Objectives Several published articles have described the importance of exposing medical trainees to the ,new paradigm' of evidence-based medicine (EBM). Recognizing this, we sought to develop and objectively evaluate a mini-course in EBM for third-year medical students. Design We developed a mini-course consisting of four sessions in which students learn to derive sequentially focused questions, search MEDLINE, review articles critically and apply information from the literature to specific clinical questions. To evaluate the teaching intervention, we performed a controlled educational study. Students at the intervention site (n=34) attended the EBM mini-course, while students at the control site (n=26) received more ,traditional' didactic teaching on various clinical topics. Intervention and control students were surveyed immediately before and after the mini-course to assess changes in reading and literature searching skills, as well as a tendency to use the literature to answer clinical questions. Setting Boston University School of Medicine. Subjects Third-year medical students. Results The intervention was associated with significant changes in students' self-assessed skills and attitudes. MEDLINE and critical appraisal skills increased significantly in the intervention group relative to the control group (significance of between group differences: P=0·002 for MEDLINE and P=0·0002 for critical appraisal), as did students' tendency to use MEDLINE and original research articles to solve clinical problems (significance of between group differences: P=0·002 and P=0·0008, respectively). Conclusions We conclude that this brief teaching intervention in EBM has had a positive impact on student skills and attitudes at our medical school. We believe that the key elements of this intervention are (1) active student involvement, (2), clinical relevance of exercises and (3) integrated teaching targeting each of the component skills of EBM. [source] Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI)NMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 8 2004Alan P. Koretsky Abstract Manganese ion (Mn2+) is an essential metal that participates as a cofactor in a number of critical biological functions, such as electron transport, detoxification of free radicals and synthesis of neurotransmitters. Mn2+ can enter excitable cells using some of the same transport systems as Ca2+ and it can bind to a number of intracellular sites because it has high affinity for Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding sites on proteins and nucleic acids. Paramagnetic forms of manganese ions are potent MRI relaxation agents. Indeed, Mn2+ was the first contrast agent proposed for use in MRI. Recently, there has been renewed interest in combining the strong MRI relaxation effects of Mn2+ with its unique biology, in order to further expand the already broad assortment of useful information that can be measured by MRI. Such an approach has been continuously developed in the past several years to provide unique tissue contrast, to assess tissue viability, to act as a surrogate marker of calcium influx into cells and to trace neuronal connections. This special issue of NMR in Biomedicine on manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) is aimed at providing the readers of this journal with an extensive review of some of the most prominent applications of MEMRI in biological systems. Written by several of the leaders in the field, the reviews and original research articles featured in this special issue are likely to offer an exciting and inspiring view of the broad range of applications of MEMRI. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||