Mentally ill mothers of young children. Analysis of in-patient chart reviews

When a mother is hospitalized for psychiatric treatment, nurses are presented with an opportunity to assess parenting disorders and identify early parent-child disturbances. The purpose of this article is to discuss the parenting issues recorded in 21 charts of hospitalized, mentally ill mothers who had a child less than 6 years old. Based on this chart review, three themes related to parenting young children emerged: (1) how psychiatric symptoms affected the mother's ability to parent her children; (2) the difficulty the mother had finding the energy to care for her children; and (3) the mother's need to be with her children in spite of her difficulty caring for them. None of the charts contained assessments of the quality of the mother-child relationship or the mother's ability to resume her maternal role following discharge. The implications of these findings for nursing practice, education and research are discussed.

Changing the public image of nursing: development of a community nurses network

Gross, Frost, and Vance give new meaning to community health nursing. They describe a nursing network that engages in the processes of politics, power, and innovation to bring about community change while enhancing the status of the profession. The community project described here demonstrates to others the expertise and autonomy of professional nurses.

Quantitative imaging of free and total intracellular calcium in cultured cells

Techniques of fluorescence and ion microscopies were combined to study the free [Ca2+] and total Ca in NIH 3T3 fibroblast and L6 rat myoblast cells. Free Ca2+ measurements with the Ca2+ indicator fura-2 and digital imaging reveal an inhomogeneous distribution of free cytoplasmic Ca2+ in both cell lines. Fura-2 also reveals a difference in free Ca2+ activity between the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells. Ion microscopic observations on sister cells show that total Ca in the cytoplasm is also inhomogeneously distributed and that mean cytoplasmic levels of total Ca are higher than levels in the nuclei. In the nuclei of NIH 3T3 cells, the mean free [Ca2+] and total [Ca] were 110 +/- 30 nM and 225 +/- 43 microM, respectively, while regions in the cell cytoplasm contained up to 490 +/- 270 nM free [Ca2+] and 559 +/- 184 microM mean total [Ca]. Intracellular total Ca was greater than 3 orders of magnitude higher than intracellular free Ca2+ in either nuclear or cytoplasmic compartments. Perinuclear cytoplasmic regions in 3T3 cells contained higher free and total Ca than the cell nucleus. Loading of cells with fura-2 did not modify the subcellular distribution of total K, Na, Ca, or Mg. This combination of two powerful ion imaging techniques provides a comparison between free and total calcium in cells and introduces a different approach for examining the role of this important element in cell physiology.

Maternal confidence during toddlerhood: comparing preterm and fullterm groups

The purposes of this study were to explore predictors of maternal confidence during toddlerhood among mothers of children born preterm and fullterm and to determine if mothers of toddlers born preterm were less confident in parenting than mothers of toddlers born fullterm. Mothers of children born preterm (n = 62) and fullterm (n = 70) aged 12 months through 36 months (postnatal age) completed a measure of maternal confidence during toddlerhood, the Toddler Care Questionnaire (TCQ), and a family background form. Major predictor variables included the extent of the mother's prior childcare experience, toddler birth order, and maternal report of toddler handicaps and major health problems. Data on neonatal condition were collected from hospital records. There was no difference in mean TCQ score between the preterm and fullterm groups. In the preterm group, prior childcare experience, birth order, and maternal report of the toddler having cerebral palsy explained 33% of the variance. In the fullterm group, prior childcare experience, maternal age and toddler's birthweight explained 38% of the variance. The findings are discussed in light of Bandura's theory of self-efficacy (1982).

Quantitative measurement of bleeding following hypertonic saline therapy in 'uncontrolled' hemorrhagic shock

The effect of small volume hypertonic saline in "uncontrolled" hemorrhagic shock (UCHS) induced by partial resection of the tail was studied in rats. The rats were divided into three groups: in group 1 (n = 15) 10% of the terminal portion of the animal's tail was resected to induce UCHS. In group 2 (n = 14) UCHS was induced as in group 1 and after 5 min 5 ml/kg NaCl 0.9% (NS) was infused intravenously. In group 3 (n = 22) UCHS was induced as in group 1 and after 5 min, 5 ml/kg NaCl 7.5% (HTS) was infused intravenously. Resection of the animal's tail was followed by bleeding of 3.5 +/- 0.3 ml within 5 min, fall in MAP to 63 +/- 4 torr (p less than 0.001) and pulse to 300 +/- 18 per min (p less than 0.05). The amount of bleeding, fall in MAP, and pulse after 5 min were similar in the three groups. Further blood loss after 60 min in group 1 was 3.7 +/- 0.8 ml, in group 2, 2.9 +/- 0.5 ml, and in group 3, 6.5 +/- 0.8 (p less than 0.01). Increased bleeding in group 3 showed two peaks: an early peak of 1.3 +/- 0.2 ml after 15 min (p less than 0.05) and a late peak of 1.2 +/- 0.4 ml at 45 min (p less than 0.05) and 1.7 +/- 0.5 ml at 60 min (p less than 0.01). MAP fell after 60 min to 54 +/- 7 torr in group 1 (p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Oxidation of rat insulin II, but not I, leads to anomalous elution profiles upon HPLC analysis of insulin-related peptides

Rat insulin II, unlike rat insulin I and other non-rodent insulins, contains a unique methionine residue at position B29. Reversed-phase HPLC allows for separation of the two rat insulins, with insulin I typically eluting faster than insulin II. An anomalous peak of insulin immunoreactive material was found eluting even faster than insulin I following acid extraction of rat insulin-producing cells. This early peak co-eluted with [Met-OB29]insulin II suggesting that during cell extraction and subsequent purification steps, rat insulin II is subject to selective oxidation at MetB29. Such oxidation of rat proinsulin II affords improved separation from rat proinsulin I compared to the native form.

Imaging the effects of an ectopic spleen on the urinary tract

A 75-year-old woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who presented clinically with urinary frequency was found on physical examination to have a pelvic mass. Ultrasound and computed tomography showed it to be due to a large ectopic spleen lying in the pelvis behind the bladder and compressing it anteriorly. The spleen became smaller and the symptoms regressed with chemotherapy. We review the features of an ectopic spleen as seen on diagnostic imaging studies.

Effect of the leukotriene receptor antagonist LY-171883 on endotoxemia in awake sheep

The effect of the leukotriene D4, leukotriene E4 (LTD4/E4) receptor antagonist LY-171883 was studied in endotoxemia. Eighteen awake sheep were divided into three groups. In Group (n = 4) 4 mg/kg LY-171883 was twice injected intravenously. In Group II (n = 9) 1 microgram/kg E. coli endotoxin was administered intravenously. In Group III (n = 5) 4 mg/kg LY-171883 was given 15 min before, and 30 min after endotoxin. Infusion of LY-171883 in Group I did not alter baseline hemodynamic and pulmonary measurements. Infusion of endotoxin in Group II was followed by an initial rise of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) to 51 torr (P less than 0.001), pulmonary microvascular pressure (Pmv) to 25 torr (P less than 0.005), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) to 1,019 dynes sec. cm-5 (P less than 0.001), systemic vascular resistance (SVR) to 2,830 dynes sec. cm-5 (P less than 0.001), plasma thromboxane B2 (TXB2) to 4,971 pg/ml (P less than 0.001), lymph TXB2 to 5,500 pg/ml (P less than 0.001), plasma 6-Keto PGF1 alpha to 1,469 pg/ml (P less than 0.005), and lymph 6-Keto PGF1 alpha to 2,518 pg/ml (P less than 0.005). The cardiac index (CI) fell to 100 ml/min. kg (P less than 0.01), PaO2 to 61 torr (P less than 0.01), and circulating WBC to 2,800 microliter (P less than 0.001). This was followed by a rise in pulmonary lymph flow (QL) to 35 ml/h (P less than 0.01) and lymph protein clearance (L/P.QL) to 23 ml/h (P less than 0.01). Pretreatment with LY-171883 in Group III resulted in rise of PAP to 35 torr (P less than 0.005), PmV to 18 torr (P less than 0.05), PVR to 398 dynes sec. cm-5 (P less than 0.01), SVR to 1,732 dynes sec. cm-5 (P less than 0.05), and CI increased to 170 ml/min.kg (P less than 0.005). L/P.QL, QL, Hgb, WBC, PaO2, PaCO2, Qs/QT, plasma and lymph TXB2, and plasma and lymph 6-Keto PGF1 alpha were not significantly changed by LY-171883. It is concluded that LY-171883 inhibited the smooth muscle effects of endotoxin, namely reduced PAP, Pmv, PVR, and SVR and increased cardiac output. Hypoxemia and increased pulmonary vascular permeability were unaffected by this leukotriene receptor antagonist.

Electromobile surface charge alters membrane potential changes induced by applied electric fields

The relation between extracellular electric fields and changes in membrane potential that such fields directly induce has previously been described both theoretically and experimentally. It is clearly established that extracellular electric-field-induced membrane potential changes are well described by Poisson's equation of electrostatics. A modification of this simple theory to include effects of the electric-field-induced redistribution of charged cell surface components is introduced and is shown to produce major alterations in calculated membrane potential changes over times of the order of minutes to hours. Implications for biological systems which respond to extracellular electric fields are discussed.

Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana: identification of proanthocyanidins and hamamelitannin quantification in leaf, bark, and stem extracts

The tannins in leaf, bark, and stem extracts of HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA were analyzed. Four proanthocyanidins were isolated by HPLC. One was a procyanidin polymer containing only one type of flavanol unit; the other three were polymers of procyanidin and prodelphinidin containing two types of flavanol units. A method of assay of hamamelitannin showed the bark extract to be 31 times richer in hamamelitannin than the leaf extract and 87 times richer than the stem extract.

[Special treatment measures in patients with a stoma]

Psychological, social and technical problems in the management of patients with stomata are discussed. The success of treatment depends on the skill of the doctors and nurses to handle personal problems of the patient, to help him to find his way into the community, to his work, to his hobbies. Problems such as love, sexual life and death have also to be taken into consideration. Each such patient should get detailed and written information in order to have enough time to prepare himself for his new situation. Doctors and nurses must offer time for sufficient discussions with the patient.

Decreased neutrophil thromboxane A2 and endothelial PGI2 production in the postoperative period. An in vitro assay for detection of neutrophil and plasma dysfunction

Severe trauma results in reversible abnormalities in neutrophil function, but the specific role in the pathogenesis of postoperative sepsis is undetermined. Twenty adult patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were studied. Blood samples were obtained prior to and 24 hours after operation. Blood neutrophils were isolated and incubated (10(7) cells/mL) on bovine vascular endothelial cell monolayers. Untreated plasma or zymosan-activated plasma (ZAP) or 65 C inactivated plasma was added, and TxB2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha production measured after 2 hours. Endothelial damage was detected by light and scanning electron microscopy beginning 2 and 4 hours after treatment. Preoperatively, neutrophil TxB2 release was less than 200 pg/mL; following ZAP it was 2153 pg/mL (p less than 0.001), with untreated plasma 1055 pg/mL (p less than 0.005) and inactivated plasma 764 pg/mL (p less than 0.01). Neutrophil TxB2 release on a plastic dish was not different from incubation on endothelium. Endothelial 6-keto PGF1 alpha release following addition of untreated plasma preoperatively was 1308 pg/mL (p less than 0.01), and with ZAP 1305 pg/mL (p less than 0.01). Activated neutrophils did not alter 6-keto PGF1 alpha production. Postoperatively, neutrophil TxB2 production in response to ZAP was 1092 pg/mL, which was significantly reduced compared to the preoperative response (p less than 0.01). Endothelial damage by activated neutrophils in the postoperative period demonstrated on scanning electron microscopy was also reduced; 6-keto PGF1 alpha release in the postoperative period inducted by ZAP was 569 pg/mL and by untreated plasma 549 pg/mL, which was significantly lower than in the preoperative period (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.05, respectively). No difference in chemotaxis was demonstrated. It is concluded that operative trauma is followed by lowered neutrophil TxB2 release, appearance of a plasmatic factor that depresses endothelial 6-keto PGF1 alpha production, as well as decreased neutrophil-induced endothelial damage. The neutrophil-endothelial monolayer system is a sensitive method for detection of neutrophil and plasmatic dysfunction.

Is hypertonic saline resuscitation safe in 'uncontrolled' hemorrhagic shock?

Hypertonic saline treatment of hemorrhagic shock (HS) results in increased systemic blood pressure, cardiac output, and splanchnic blood flow. To determine whether this elevation in blood pressure and flow would augment blood loss from injured intra-abdominal vessels and thus enhance mortality rate, "controlled" HS was induced by bleeding of 20 ml/kg from an arterial cannula that was immediately occluded after hemorrhage, and "uncontrolled" HS was induced by incision of three major radicals of the ileocolic artery leading to continuous intra-abdominal blood loss. Seventy rats were divided into eight groups: Group I (n = 5) underwent carotid artery and jugular vein cannulation and was observed for 3 hr; in Group II (n = 10) "controlled" HS was induced by arterial hemorrhage of 20 ml/kg; in Group III (n = 7) "controlled" HS was treated by 5 ml/kg NaCl 0.9%; in Group IV (n = 8) "controlled" HS was treated by 5 ml/kg NaCl 7.5%; in Group V (n = 4) midline laparotomy and identification of the ileocolic artery was performed; in Group VI (n = 9) "uncontrolled" HS was induced by incision of three major branches of the ileocolic artery; in Group VII (n = 9) "uncontrolled" HS was treated by 5 ml/kg NaCl 0.9%, and in Group VIII (n = 18) "uncontrolled" HS was treated by 5 ml/kg NaCl 7.5%. In untreated "controlled" HS (Group II), mean arterial pressure (MAP) fell to 35 torr followed by a spontaneous rise to 62 torr (p less than 0.001) after 3 hr with a survival of 80% of the animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Imaging asynchronous changes in intracellular Ca2+ in individual stimulated tumor mast cells

Changes in the level of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) are associated with the secretion of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity by rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells, a mast cell line. Digital fluorescence ratio imaging of fura-2 was used to measure [Ca2+]i in individual RBL cells. Changes in [Ca2+]i that occurred in response to crosslinking of IgE receptors on the cell surface or to application of the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin were studied. Stimulation of RBL cells with antigen resulted in rapid increases in [Ca2+]i following lag times that varied widely from cell to cell. Simple averaging of the Ca2+ responses of many cells yielded a gradual response profile that closely resembled that of suspensions of cells measured in the fluorometer. The results show that single cells can respond much more rapidly to antigen than has previously been suggested by studies on populations of cells. The lag time between addition of antigen and initiation of the increase in [Ca2+]i varied considerably between cells in the same field of view. Both the rise time and the variability and average duration of the lag time increased with decreasing antigen concentration.

Effect of prostaglandin and leukotriene antagonists in acute mesenteric artery occlusion

Superior mesenteric artery occlusion leads to mesenteric ischemia, activation of arachidonic acid metabolism and release of endotoxins into the systemic circulation. The effect of leukotriene and prostaglandin antagonists on hemodynamic response and survival of rats after superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion was investigated. The animals were divided into five groups: in group 1 (n = 105) the SMA was clamped for 2 h and mortality assessed after 24 h. Group 2 animals (n = 20) were pretreated with 5 mg/kg indomethacin and the SMA clamped similarly to group 1, group 3 animals (n = 15) were pretreated with 5 mg/kg Voltaren, group 4 animals (n = 20) received 20 mg/kg BW 755C before mesenteric artery occlusion, and group 5 animals (n = 50) were pretreated with 100 mg diethylcarbamazine. The blood pressure and pulse response as well as histologic appearance of the bowel 1 h after declamping was similar in all five groups. The mortality rate after 24 h was 34% in the control group, 36% with indomethacin treatment, 36% with voltaren, 47% with BW 755C and 40% with diethylcarbamazine. The mortality rate in all the treated groups was not significantly different from the control group. Plasma thromboxane B2 levels were inhibited significantly by indomethacin and Voltaren and to a lesser extent by BW 755C. There was a paradoxical rise in thromboxane B2 following diethylcarbamazine treatment. It is concluded that inhibition of the cyclooxygenase and/or the lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid did not alter the hemodynamic response and mortality following 2 h of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion.

[Concepts in the prevention and treatment of liver metastases of colorectal cancer by regional chemotherapy]

Three different treatments of regional chemotherapy in colo-rectal malignancies and their results are presented. 1. Prophylactic chemotherapy with 5-FU--via the recanalized umbilical vein in patients without liver metastases (randomized study since 10/1980). 2. Intraportal adjuvant chemotherapy after resection of liver metastases. 3. Intraarterial chemotherapy in patients with unresectable liver metastases. The regional chemotherapy of the liver in colo-rectal diseases seems to increase the survival rate and the quality of life. The Port-A-Cath-system can be used repeatedly, however, there is a certain rate of complications to be expected.

Should gastric carcinoid tumors associated with pernicious anemia be treated aggressively?

Two patients with pernicious anemia developed gastric carcinoid, one 20 years and the other 1 year after diagnosis of pernicious anemia. One of the patients underwent successful resection of the tumor, while the second, with diffuse gastric carcinoid, was managed conservatively. She is well and asymptomatic 32 months after the diagnosis. We discuss the dilemma in management of gastric carcinoid associated with pernicious anemia.

Desipramine-, not tartrazine-, induced drug eruption

A 46-year-old woman's antidepressant therapy was changed from doxepin to desipramine because of sedative side effects. Within ten days of initiation of desipramine, a pruritic, morbilliform rash developed. The rash extended despite attempts to continue therapy with a tartrazine-free desipramine as well as antihistamines and prednisone. The rash promptly improved when desipramine was discontinued. Classic drug eruptions are quite uncommon with tricyclic antidepressants. Tartrazine, a common additive in the food and drug industry, is implicated in a number of hypersensitivity reactions. Our report presents an apparent case of desipramine-induced drug rash independent of tartrazine, and discusses the nonassociation of tartrazine.