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Biomedical subjects

Mary O'Connor

Publications and source records attributed to Mary O'Connor.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Stimulants, neuroleptics, and children's friendship training for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Peer relationship problems are a significant part of the clinical presentation of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Many of these children have been prescribed psychotropic medications by community practitioners. The present study reports on the interaction between medication status and parent and teacher-reported outcomes for parent-assisted Children's Friendship Training (CFT). METHODS: Seventy seven children (40 boys and 37 girls, age range was 71-139 months) diagnosed with FASD were given 12 sessions of CFT. Parent- and teacher-reported social outcomes were compared across four subgroups of children who were prescribed either stimulant or neuroleptic medication, neither or both types of medications. RESULTS: According to parent and teacher reports, children prescribed neuroleptic medication showed greater improvement on all outcome measures when compared to children not prescribed neuroleptics. In contrast, children prescribed stimulant medication either failed to show improvement or showed poorer outcomes when compared to children not prescribed stimulants. IMPLICATIONS: Children with FASD frequently present with symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity. The present results suggest physicians routinely ask about prenatal alcohol exposure as part of history taking to treat children more effectively who appear to be displaying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology but who may have FASD.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed2006

Pediatricians' knowledge, training, and experience in the care of children with fetal alcohol syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Prenatal exposure to alcohol interferes with fetal development and is the leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study was to identify current knowledge, diagnosis, prevention, and intervention practices related to fetal alcohol syndrome and related conditions by members of the American Academy of Pediatrics. METHODS: This study was developed collaboratively by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Questionnaires were mailed to a 3% random sample (n = 1600) of American Academy of Pediatrics members in the United States. General pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists, and pediatric residents were included. RESULTS: Participation rate was 55% (n = 879). Respondents almost universally knew the teratology and clinical presentation of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. However, they were less likely to report comfort with routine pediatric care of these children. Whereas 62% felt prepared to identify and 50% felt prepared to diagnose, only 34% felt prepared to manage and coordinate the treatment of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Even fewer (n = 114 [13%]) reported that they routinely counsel adolescent patients about the risks of drinking and pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The survey confirms that pediatricians are knowledgeable about fetal alcohol syndrome but do not feel adequately trained to integrate the management of this diagnosis or prevention efforts into everyday practice. Furthermore, the respondents were not active in routine anticipatory guidance with adolescents for prevention of alcohol-affected pregnancies. The development, dissemination, and implementation of best practice tools for prevention, diagnosis, and referral of fetal alcohol syndrome that are specific for general and subspecialist pediatricians are recommended.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Effects of phenobarbital and multiple-dose corticosteroids on developmental outcome at age 7 years.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of phenobarbital and repeated antenatal steroid use on the primary outcome (intelligence and achievement) and secondary outcomes (behavior and head circumference) at age 7 years. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of a double-blind clinical trial (phenobarbital-vitamin K versus placebo). Intelligence (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, third edition), achievement (Wide Range Achievement Test, third edition), and behavioral (Achenbach Teacher's Report Form and the Child Behavioral Check List) testing and head circumference measurement were performed on 7-year-old children whose mothers participated in a trial to determine if antenatal phenobarbital and vitamin K prevented severe intracranial hemorrhage. Antenatal steroid therapy in these women was repeated weekly. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-nine of 372 newborns (80%) whose mothers participated in the trial were followed up at age 7 years. Comparing mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children scores in the placebo versus treatment groups, there were no differences (P >.4) in Full Scale IQ (100.3 +/- 14.2 versus 100.6 +/- 14.2), Performance IQ (100.3 +/- 14.6 versus 101.5 +/- 15.6), and Verbal IQ (100.2 +/- 14.9 versus 99.6 +/- 13.7). Comparing mean (+/- SD) Wide Range Achievement Test standardized scores in the placebo versus treatment groups, there were no differences (P >.4) in Reading (97.3 +/- 13.9 versus 98.0 +/- 14.9), Spelling (95.8 +/- 12.7 versus 95.3 +/- 13.3), Mathematics (95.9 +/- 13.8 versus 94.5 +/- 14.5), or head circumference measurements (20.3 +/- 0.6 cm versus 20.4 +/- 0.6, P >.2). Similarly, there were no differences in the mean Achenbach Teacher's Report Form and Child Behavioral Check List scores between the placebo and treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Antenatal phenobarbital and repetitive antenatal corticosteroid therapy was not associated with adverse effects on intelligence, achievement, behavior, or head circumference at age 7 years.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed2003

Stand and deliver.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMed2002

The human homolog of yeast SEP1 is a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene in osteogenic sarcoma.

The hSEP1 gene is the human homolog of yeast SEP1. Yeast SEP1 is a multifunctional gene that regulates a variety of nuclear and cytoplasmic functions including homologous recombination, meiosis, telomere maintenance, RNA metabolism and microtubule assembly. The function of hSEP1 is not known. We show loss or reduced expression of hSEP1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in three of four primary osteogenic sarcoma (OGS)-derived cell lines and in eight of nine OGS biopsy specimen. In addition, we find a heterozygous missense mutation (Valine(1484)>Alanine) at a conserved amino acid in the primary OGS-derived cell line U2OS. Importantly, we identified a homozygous missense mutation involving a CG-dinucleotide leading to a change in a conserved amino acid, aspartic acid(1137) >asparagine, in the primary OGS-derived cell line, TE85. hSEP1 mRNA expression was nearly undetectable in TE85 and low in U2OS cell lines. None of these mutations were identified in 20 normal samples consisting of bone, cartilage and fibroblast. The hSEP1 gene is located in chromosome 3 at 3q25-26.1 between markers D3S1309 and D3S1569. An adjacent locus defined by the polymorphic markers D3S1212 and D3S1245 has previously been reported to undergo loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at a >70% frequency in OGS and claimed to harbor an important tumor suppressor gene in osteosarcoma. The homozygous mutation in the hSEP1 mRNA in TE85 cell line suggest that this gene itself is subject to LOH. Taken together, these results suggest that hSEP1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in OGS.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Using the Roper, Logan and Tierney model in a neonatal ICU.

The Roper, Logan and Tierney nursing model is one of the most well-known in the UK and Ireland and is used in many other countries. This paper examines nurses' views on the model as described in the literature. It examines the model's usefulness in a neonatal care unit and focuses on the care of a premature baby, using the model as a basis for assessment and care.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The dynamics of curriculum design, evaluation, and revision. Quality improvement in leadership development.

The nursing shortage and specifically the shortage of new nursing leaders has fueled heightened recognition of the need for leadership development. This article considers the application of the quality improvement process to leadership curriculum development for the Center for Nursing Leadership's (CNL) Journey Toward Mastery program. Both the postmodernist approach and a commitment to scholarship are used as a framework to develop, evaluate, and revise the program. Further, the importance of symmetry between philosophical perspective and curriculum design are illustrated.

Curriculum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A look at nursing leadership through the lens of a dancer.

TOPIC: Using the world of dance to describe leadership dimensions. PURPOSE: To explore the art of nursing leadership from the perspective of dance, a form of artistry through movement. SOURCES: Published literature and the author's own experience. CONCLUSIONS: The metaphors of dance bring the concept to life in a new way.

Dancing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pain management: improving documentation of assessment and intensity.

As a result of standards published by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, there is new emphasis in the area of pain management. This pilot study was conducted to assess the visibility of pain management through documentation; the effect of implementing new tools (forms) was measured to determine whether they improve documentation of pain management assessment and intensity. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine presence of this documentation. This study found that it is possible to improve the quality of information related to pain assessment through the development of explicit documentation tools.

Adolescent↗