Information technology in maternal/child nursing: past, present, and future.

This issue commemorates the remarkable 25-year span of MCN, a journal born at the dawn of the microcomputer revolution. Key events in computer history and nursing informatics are chronicled, followed with visions of future technologies. A review of the technology literature published in MCN is summarized. Clinical implications include four nursing strategies for integrating electronic technology into practice and a list of online information resources.

Computer analysis of the fetal heart rate.

Computer analysis of the fetal heart rate is a technology of the Information Age commercially available for research and clinical practice. Intelligent systems are engineered with algorithms or neural networks designed to simulate expert knowledge. Automated analysis has provided objective, standardized, and reproducible data used to research fetal heart rate responses in the antepartum and intrapartum setting. Perinatal information systems can integrate FHR analysis and data management.

History and development of fetal heart assessment: a composite.

Methods of assessing the fetal heart remained unchanged for approximately 150 years until the first commercial monitor suitable for clinical practice was sold in 1968. The impact and events of the last 30 to 40 years surrounding fetal heart assessment are revealed in perspectives of the past, present, and near future. Assessment practices have been shaped by the development of biotechnology, unrealistic expectations, interpretation disagreement, consumer response, and the practice and educational resources written by nursing and medicine.

Internet communication and discussion lists for perinatal nurses.

The article describes how electronic connectivity facilitates professional communication. A brief background in computer communication networks, telecommunications and Internet access, email, and electronic discussion lists prepares the reader to participate in this technology. Directions for subscribing to an online discussion list and guidelines for professional behavior on the Internet are outlined. The article concludes with a description of the Perinatal Nursing Discussion List, an established networking tool. Printed and electronic resources for locating additional lists and a glossary of online abbreviations and terms are included.

The pattern of loci on Drosophila chromosomes.

In this study, we have attempted to detect and describe patterns in the arrangement of gene loci within chromosomes of a metazoon. Known loci (842 of them) on the first three chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster have been characterised according to a list of 45 properties and the distributions of these properties have been examined systematically. For all these properties, there is little, if any, evidence of clustering between known loci that are not close enough to belong to the same 10-locus group. Our analysis has, however, revealed evidence confirming that some properties show a tendency to cluster within a 10-locus group. Even this tendency is not strong, except for some of the morphological properties. However, it is apparently at variance with the findings of Elston and Glassman (1967), based on fewer data.

Biochemical characteristics of different forms of protein-energy malnutrition: an experimental model using young rats.

I. In three separate experiments, four groups of five to eight young male rats were fed either (i) a high-protein diet, for which the net dietary protein:total metabolizable energy ratio (NDp:E) was 0-1 (HP diet); or (ii) a low-protein diet, for which NDp:E was 0-04 (LP diet). In both these groups, food intake was ad lib. In group (iii) the HP diet was given in an amount approximately equal to that taken by the LP group fed ad lib. (HP-restricted). In group (iv) rats were fasted for 48 h after receiving the HP diet (HP-fasted). Each experiment lasted 4 weeks. 2. In the LP and HP-restricted groups, food intake was about 50% of that of the HP rats, while body-weight, after 4 weeks on diet was about 35% and 55% of that of HP rats, for LP and HP-restricted respectively. Both groups of malnourished rats gained some weight during the experiment. 3. Measurements of oral glucose tolerance and plasma insulin levels were made in the fourth week. LP and HP-restricted rats both showed low fasting insulin levels and low insulin to glucose ratios during the glucose tolerance tests; the LP rats were more seriously affected. 4. At the end of the fourth week the rats were killed and blood, liver and gastrocnemius muscle were analysed. LP rats showed specifically and consistently low values for haemoglobin and plasma protein concentration, and low activities of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3-1-3-9) and of alanine aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2) in liver and muscle. The activity of hepatic aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) was, if anything, increased. The plasma amino acid concentrations and ratios showed a specific fall in branched-chain amino acids. Liver fat concentration was consistently elevated. The HP-restricted rats had normal values for haemoglobin, plasma protein andliver fat, and near-normal values for plasma amino acids. Hepatic alanine aminotransferase showed increased activity compared with HP rats, but muscle alanine aminotransferase showed reduced activity. The HP-fasted rats had increased haemoglobin, plasma protein and liver fat concentration, and very low liver glycogen concentrations. Hepatic alanine aminotransferase activity was elevated. Plasma alanine concentration was specifically reduced. 5. The results are consistent with suppression of gluconeogenesis, liver dysfunction and essential amino acid deprivation in LP rats. These biochemical changes found in rats on a low intake of a diet of low protein and high carbohydrate value are similar to those found in kwashiorkor. An equally low intake of a diet of good protein value (HP-restricted) led to marginally better growth, accompanied by biochemical signs of increased gluconeogenesis, analogous to those reported for nutritional marasmus. This nutritional state was not biochemically identical with that of acute fasting. 6. The results are discussed in terms of the consistency of the rat model, and its contribution to understanding biochemical changes found in infant malnutrition.