Does (124)Iodo-deoxyuridine measure cell proliferation in NSCLC? Initial investigations with PET imaging and radio-metabolite analysis.
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
Biomedical subjects
Heather Williams
Publications and source records attributed to Heather Williams.
High levels of new neuron addition persist when the sensitive period for song learning is experimentally prolonged.
Socially reared zebra finch males imitate a song they hear during posthatching days 30-65; during this time, many new neurons are added to the high vocal center (HVC), a forebrain nucleus necessary for the production of learned song. New neuron addition drops sharply after day 65, and no new songs are imitated. In contrast, male zebra finches reared in isolation from other males have more variable songs at day 65 and thereafter can still imitate new sounds (Eales, 1985). We show that, in isolate birds, a greater number of new neurons continues to be added to HVC during the next 85 d, and this number correlates with syllable variability. We suggest that new neuron addition and turnover facilitate song change and that this effect lingers when an expected learning event is delayed.
Animals↗
Birdsong and singing behavior.
Birdsong provides neuroscientists with a uniquely powerful model for studying imitative vocal learning in a system where the brain structures responsible for song learning and production are well known. The 4,500+ species of songbirds provide a remarkable diversity of songs with a variety of tonal, structural, and learning characteristics, but most studies of the neural bases of learning have concentrated on two domesticated species, the canary and the zebra finch. Important differences in the songs of these two species provide useful properties for comparative studies, which could be expanded by using other species that demonstrate mimicry or action-based learning. Although the primary goal of most studies of the neural bases of song has been to define the mechanisms responsible for imitative learning during development, studies of adult crystallized song are important for two reasons. First, they define the endpoint of learning, and second, adult song shows interesting forms of variability in its performance. The degree of adult song variability itself varies among individuals and is influenced by the sources from which the song was learned, how the song was assembled during learning, behavioral responses of adult listeners, and levels of circulating sex steroids. In addition, song may be associated with coordinated visual displays, which also contribute to its communicative function. Thus the study of crystallized adult song is likely to provide insights into the neural control of facultative behavior as well as into the important question of how imitative learning takes place.
Aging↗
The effectiveness of pin site care for patients with external fixators.
The aim of this mini-review was to establish if cleaning, dressing and removing crusts from external fixator or skeletal pin sites affected the risk of infection. A systematic search was conducted using Cochrane, Medline, CINAHL and Embase databases. Inclusion criteria were orthopaedic patients with skeletal pins or external fixator devices applied to either upper or lower limbs. The databases were searched for controlled studies comparing at least one aspect of pin site care (cleansing, dressing or crust removal) with a control group of 'observation only'. Only one study met the inclusion criteria. It focused on cleansing external fixator pin sites. The study included two treatment groups, one using 0.9% normal saline and one using 70% alcohol, and a control group which had no cleansing. While the control group had a more favourable outcome than the treatment groups, there is still insufficient evidence from this one study to recommend no cleansing. It is also important to note that the most frequently recommended solution for cleansing pin sites in UK protocols (0.9% normal saline) had the worst outcome, therefore its efficacy in this population may need to be challenged.
Bandages↗
Testosterone decreases the potential for song plasticity in adult male zebra finches.
Zebra finches are age-limited learners; males crystallize their songs at 90 days and do not subsequently alter those songs. However, a variety of interventions, including deafening and syringeal denervation, result in long-term changes to the crystallized song. These changes can be prevented by lesioning nucleus LMAN. As different social contexts for song production result in differential activation of LMAN, we asked whether the social context experienced by adult males would affect their ability to alter their songs in response to syringeal denervation. Males able to see and direct their songs to females made fewer changes to their songs than did males that could hear but not see females, but this trend was not significant. The volume of a male's HVc, a forebrain song control nucleus, also failed to predict the degree to which a male would change his song. However, testis mass was significantly correlated with the number of changes made to the song, indicating that variations in testosterone modulate adult song plasticity. We directly tested the effect of circulating testosterone on adult song plasticity by implanting adult males with either testosterone or flutamide, a testosterone receptor blocker, and tracking song changes triggered by ts nerve injury. As predicted, males implanted with testosterone changed their songs less than did males that received flutamide implants. These results suggest that the high testosterone concentrations associated with sexual maturity and song crystallization in zebra finches continue to act in adult males to reduce the potential for vocal plasticity.
Animals↗
Use of an integrated care pathway: a third round audit of the management of shoulder pain in neurological conditions.
OBJECTIVES: To complete a third round audit of management of shoulder pain using an integrated care pathway, to evaluate pro forma documentation and to determine outcome. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Thirty-four patients with upper limb paresis admitted to a rehabilitation unit during a 22-month period had shoulder pain and were included in the integrated care pathway. METHODS: Retrospective review of pro forma documentation against pre-determined standards. RESULTS: Compared with the second round audit, performance against 5 out of 9 standards for initial assessment and documentation had improved, and ranged from 56% to 94%. Achievement of 9 further standards relating to continued management ranged from 44% to 97%. Variance was not always well recorded. Shoulder pain resolved or improved in 18/34 (53%) of patients. CONCLUSION: Introducing the pro forma improved standards of documentation and demonstrated a positive outcome in over half the patients. Some problems with developing and maintaining integrated care pathways in the context of rehabilitation are discussed.
Adult↗
Perioperative nursing and acute pain management.
This article explores the broader aspects and opportunities available to perioperative nurses in the field of pain management. It will help to develop nurses' insight into how perioperative nurses can develop their role in pain management. In turn this will benefit patients' service provision and enhance nurses' career pathways.
Acute Disease↗
Life after shingles: the management of postherpetic neuralgia.
Chronic pain may have devastating effects on the physical and psychological well being of many patients (Harden, 1999). Most community nurses are in contact with a number of patients with chronic pain and will be asked for advice and recommendations with regards to its management. Chronic neuropathic pain is a complex and sometimes intractable condition that patients will seek help for, from either GPs or from the community nursing teams. This article will examine one neuropathic pain syndrome - post-herpetic neuralgia - and review the evidence base in relation to treatment strategies, in an attempt to support community staff in the management of this difficult to treat pain syndrome.
Analgesics↗
Making a difference in chronic pain management.
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Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Assessing, diagnosing and managing neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain and its co-morbidities can be detrimental to a patient's quality of life, affecting both physical and psychological well-being. Diagnosing neuropathic pain can be difficult and some patients may have to wait up to 12 months to see a pain specialist. The nursing contribution to recognising and managing neuropathic pain is vital if patient care is to be improved. It is therefore necessary for nurses to understand the assessment, diagnosis and management of neuropathic pain.
Analgesia↗