bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pituitary disease – perspectives of patients and partners
Authors: Dunning Trisha , Alford Frank 
Published: May 2009

Aim. To explore experiences of pituitary disease of people with pituitary disease (PD) and their partners (PT).Background. Pituitary disease encompasses a range of hormonal abnormalities that produce a variety of signs and symptoms depending on the underlying cause.Design. A triangulated exploratory study.Methods. The study was conducted in three phases: (a) non‐participant monitoring of an Internet pituitary chat room over four months; (b) in‐depth structured interviews with PD attending a pituitary outpatient clinic (n = 8) and PT (n = 6), (c) focus groups (n = 12). Data were collected in 2005.Results. Four themes emerged from the discussion in each phase: ‘need to be normal’, ‘emotional merry‐go‐round’, ‘damage to the self’, and ‘doctor ignorance’. Symptoms of pituitary disease were often mistaken for sinusitis, ‘getting old before my time’, hypochondria, stress, and ‘something sinister changing the way I look’. Time to diagnosis varied from four weeks to 15 years. PD felt included in decision‐making but partners relied on PD for information. Body image changes were significant making PD feel like a ‘freak show for medical students’ and the emotional distress persisted after treatment and ‘cure’. The word ‘tumour’ caused significant stress and anxiety and depression was common. PD and PT felt general practitioners (GP) lacked information about pituitary disease.Conclusions. Pituitary disease has a major impact on psychological well‐being. PD but not PT felt involved in decisions about their management. GPs may need more education about pituitary disease. The study adds important information about the emotional effects of pituitary disease and its treatment.Relevance to clinical practice. Pituitary disease is a generic term encompassing a range of underlying disease processes that often produce vague symptoms, often attributed to other causes, which delays diagnosis and treatment. Pituitary disease has a significant under recognised impact on people’s mental and physical wellbeing and self‐concept. Although the underlying hormonal imbalances associated with pituitary disease are largely reversible (cured), emotional distress persists. Regular monitoring of emotional wellbeing as well as medical and hormone status is warranted.
The prevalence and correlates of the use of restraint and force on hospitalised older people
Authors: Yan Elsie , Kwok Timothy , Lee Diana , Tang Catherine 
Published: May 2009

Aims. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of the use of restraint and force in care for older people in the hospital setting in Hong Kong.Background. The use of restraint and force is common in care for older people. Although some knowledge exists on the potential consequences and characteristics of patients where restraint is used, little is known about the profiles of the nursing staff administering restraint.Design. Descriptive cross‐sectional study.Method. Data were collected in 2006. A total of 187 nursing staff provided information on their demographic characteristics, coworker emotional support, burnout symptoms, attitudes toward patients with dementia, as well as their perceptions of the use of restraint and force in care for older people and their experiences with it.Results. More than two‐thirds (73·8%) of the participants reported using restraint or force in the past three months, with physical restraint endorsed by 69%, the use of force in examination or treatment endorsed by 48·1% and the use of force in activities of daily living endorsed by 46·5% of the participants. Pearson correlation analysis results show that use of physical restraint was negatively correlated with the age of participants (r = −0·44, p<0·01) and coworker emotional support (r = −0·20, p<0·05), but positively correlated with emotional exhaustion (r = 0·21, p<0·01). Use of force in examination or treatment and in relation to activities of daily living was negatively correlated with the age of participants (r = −0·32 & −0·18, p<0·01 & 0·05), but positively correlated with emotional exhaustion (r = 0·16 & 0·15, p<0·05) and lack of personal achievement (r = 0·18 & 0·19, p<0·05). Years of experience in dementia care, training in dementia care, attitudes toward people with dementia and perception of the use of restraint were not related to the use of physical restraint or force (p > 0·05).Conclusion. The use of restraint and force is common among nurses in hospital medical wards in Hong Kong. To reduce restraint use in patient care, steps need to be taken to mitigate feelings of burnout and to foster sense of social support among nurses.Relevance to clinical practice. The hospital administration can take a leading role in restraint reduction by setting standards of care and by formulating institutional policy regarding the use of restraint or force.
Psychosocial support as a counselling in improving health‐related quality of life in patients with recent multiple sclerosis in Finland
Authors: Heiskanen Satu , Pietilä Anna‐Maija 
Published: May 2009

Aim. The aim of the study was to describe and explain psychosocial support provided by nursing personnel as experienced by people with multiple sclerosis.Background. The goal of providing psychosocial support is to understand and improve patients’ health, self‐care, initiative, commitment to care, resources, deal with emotions, social interaction and circumstances.Design and methods. Informants were individuals (n = 204) diagnosed using multiple sclerosis between the years 2003–2005 in Finland. Data were collected in 2005 by a posted questionnaire. The data were analysed with cross‐tabulations, correlation coefficients, mean tests, a factor analysis and multiple regression analysis.Results. People with multiple sclerosis need psychosocial support from nursing personnel to promote health and self‐care, strengthen emotional and mental resources and maintain social relationships. The support was to include information on multiple sclerosis and related treatment options, as well as discussion, listening to the patient and supporting them in the new situation in life caused by the illness.Conclusion. The psychosocial support received by the patients was sufficient and corresponded to their needs. Nursing personnel have the skills to improve the health‐related quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis.Relevance to clinical practice. The results of this research may be applied in practical nursing, such as in planning of program of neuropsychosocial rehabilitation, in developing of home care and institutional care and in planning of content of nursing education.
Needs for social support among parents of adolescents with diabetes
Authors: Paterson Barbara , Brewer Joan 
Published: May 2009

Aims and objectives.  The purpose of the research was to investigate the perspectives of parents of adolescents with type 1 diabetes about their needs for social support during their child’s adolescence related to diabetes management. The objective was to explore and describe these perspectives.Background.  One of the most significant issues resulting in the need for social support among parents whose adolescent lives with type 1 diabetes is the parental stress inherent in supporting the adolescent’s increasing autonomy as a self‐manager of diabetes, while at the same time protecting the child’s well‐being.Design.  The research approach was interpretive description.Methods.  Data were collected in single in‐person interviews with nine parents of adolescents or young adults with type 1 diabetes. The interviews focused on the parents’ needs for social support related to diabetes management during their child’s adolescence.Conclusions.  The findings were that the parents’ needs for social support revolved around letting go of their role as primary decision maker in their child’s diabetes management; mediating the conflict they experienced between themselves and the adolescent and/or their spouse; and the inadequate information they received about the adolescent’s diabetes management. Online forms of social support were their preference.Relevance to clinical practice.  Health care practitioners should be aware that parents of adolescents with diabetes may have needs for social support that are often overlooked when the adolescent and his or her diabetes is the only focus of health care interactions.
Acute phase protein concentrations in retired racing Greyhounds
Authors: Couto C. Guillermo , Cerón José J. , Parra MD , Martínez‐Subiela Silvi , Lazbik M. Cristina 
Published: May 2009

Background:Retired racing Greyhounds are popular as pets. Greyhounds have several differences in physiological values compared with other breeds, including lower serum α‐ and β‐globulin concentrations. We hypothesized that lower acute phase protein (APP) concentrations could contribute to lower α‐ and β‐globulin concentrations in this breed.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to compare serum concentrations of several APPs in Greyhounds with those of other dog breeds.Methods:We measured the serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), acid‐soluble glycoprotein (ASG), ceruloplasmin (CP), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in 15 clinically healthy retired racing Greyhounds and 11 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy nonGreyhound controls using previously validated methods. Results were compared by Student'st‐tests.Results:The concentration of Hp by both colorimetric and immunoturbidimetric methods was significantly lower in Greyhounds than in nonGreyhound dogs (P=.0009 and .019, respectively). The concentration of ASG was also significantly (P=.007) lower in Greyhounds, but CRP and CP concentrations were not significantly different between groups. SAA concentration was below the detection limit of the method in all dogs.Conclusions:The low serum concentrations of Hp and ASG should be taken into consideration when interpreting APP results in Greyhounds. Because both Hp and some ASG migrate in the α‐globulin fraction, these results may explain the low α‐globulin concentrations in Greyhounds.
Detection and Quantification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A by a Novel Rapid In Vitro Fluorimetric Assay
Authors: Poras Hervé , Ouimet Tanja , Orng Sou-Vinh , Fournié-Zaluski Marie-Claude , Popoff Michel R. , Roques Bernard P. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTBotulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A), the most poisonous substance known to humans, is a potential bioterrorism agent. The light-chain protein induces a flaccid paralysis through cleavage of the 25-kDa synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25), involved in acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction. BoNT/A is widely used as a therapeutic agent and to reduce wrinkles. The toxin is used at very low doses, which have to be accurately quantified. With this aim, internally quenched fluorescent substrates containing the fluorophore/repressor pair pyrenylalanine (Pya)/4-nitrophenylalanine (Nop) were developed. Nop and Pya were, respectively, introduced at positions 197 and 200 of the cleavable fragment (amino acids 187 to 203) of SNAP-25 (with norleucine at position 202 [Nle202]), which is acetylated at its N terminus and amidated at its C terminus. Cleavage of this peptide occurred between positions 197 and 198, as in SNAP-25, and was easily quantified by the strong fluorescence emission of the metabolite. To increase the assay sensitivity, the peptide sequence of the previous substrate was lengthened to account for exosite binding to BoNT/A. We synthesized the peptide PL50 (SNAP-25-NH2acetylated at positions 156 to 203 [Nop197, Pya200, Nle202]) and its analogue PL51, in which all methionines were replaced by nonoxidizable Nle. Consistent with a large increase in affinity for BoNT/A, PL50 and PL51 exhibit catalytic efficiencies of 2.6 × 106M−1s−1and 8.85 × 106M−1s−1, respectively, and behave as the best fluorigenic substrates of BoNT/A reported to date. Under optimized assay conditions, they allow simple quantification of as little as 100 and 60 pg of BoNT/A, respectively, within 2 h with a classical fluorimeter. Calibration of the method against the mouse 50% lethal dose assay unequivocally validates the enzymatic assay.
“
Dehalococcoides
” sp. Strain CBDB1 Extensively Dechlorinates the Commercial Polychlorinated Biphenyl Mixture Aroclor 1260
Authors: Adrian Lorenz , Dudková Vlasta , Demnerová Katařina , Bedard Donna L. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

“
Dehalococcoides
” sp. strain CBDB1 in pure culture dechlorinates a wide range of PCB congeners with three to eight chlorine substituents. Congener-specific high-resolution gas chromatography revealed that CBDB1 extensively dechlorinated both Aroclor 1248 and Aroclor 1260 after four months of incubation. For example, 16 congeners comprising 67.3% of the total PCBs in Aroclor 1260 were decreased by 64%. We confirmed the dechlorination of 43 different PCB congeners. The most prominent dechlorination products were 2,3′,5-chlorinated biphenyl (25-3-CB) and 24-3-CB from Aroclor 1248 and 235-25-CB, 25-25-CB, 24-25-CB, and 235-236-CB from Aroclor 1260. Strain CBDB1 removed flanked
para
chlorines from 3,4-, 2,4,5-, and 3,4,5-chlorophenyl rings, primarily
para
chlorines from 2,3,4,5-chlorophenyl rings, primarily
meta
chlorines from 2,3,4- and 2,3,4,6-chlorophenyl rings, and either
meta
or
para
chlorines from 2,3,4,5,6-chlorophenyl rings. The site of attack on the 2,3,4-chorophenyl ring was heavily influenced by the chlorine configuration on the opposite ring. This dechlorination pattern matches PCB Process H dechlorination, which was previously observed in situ both in the Acushnet Estuary (New Bedford, MA) and in parts of the Hudson River (New York). Accordingly, we propose that
Dehalococcoides
bacteria similar to CBDB1 are potential agents of Process H PCB dechlorination in the environment. This is the first time that a complex naturally occurring PCB dechlorination pattern has been reproduced in the laboratory using a single bacterial strain.
Zoosporic Tolerance to pH Stress and Its Implications for
Phytophthora
Species in Aquatic Ecosystems
Authors: Kong Ping , Moorman Gary W. , Lea-Cox John D. , Ross David S. , Richardson Patricia A. , Hong Chuanxue 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Phytophthora
species, a group of destructive plant pathogens, are commonly referred to as water molds, but little is known about their aquatic ecology. Here we show the effect of pH on zoospore survival of seven
Phytophthora
species commonly isolated from irrigation reservoirs and natural waterways and dissect zoospore survival strategy. Zoospores were incubated in a basal salt liquid medium at pH 3 to 11 for up to 7 days and then plated on a selective medium to determine their survival. The optimal pHs differed among
Phytophthora
species, with the optimal pH for
P. citricola
at pH 9, the optimal pH for
P. tropicalis
at pH 5, and the optimal pH for the five other species,
P. citrophthora
,
P. insolita
,
P. irrigata
,
P. megasperma
, and
P. nicotianae
, at pH 7. The greatest number of colonies was recovered from zoospores of all species plated immediately after being exposed to different levels of pH. At pH 5 to 11, the recovery rate decreased sharply (
P
≤ 0.0472) after 1-day exposure for five of the seven species. In contrast, no change occurred (
P
≥ 0.1125) in the recovery of any species even after a 7-day exposure at pH 3. Overall,
P. megasperma
and
P. citricola
survived longer at higher rates in a wider range of pHs than other species did. These results are generally applicable to field conditions as indicated by additional examination of
P. citrophthora
and
P. megasperma
in irrigation water at different levels of pH. These results challenge the notion that all
Phytophthora
species inhabit aquatic environments as water molds and have significant implications in the management of plant diseases resulting from waterborne microbial contamination.
Quantification of the Influence of Extracellular Laccase and Intracellular Reactions on the Isomer-Specific Biotransformation of the Xenoestrogen Technical Nonylphenol by the Aquatic HyphomyceteClavariopsis aquatica
Authors: Martin Claudia , Corvini Philippe F. X. , Vinken Ralph , Junghanns Charles , Krauss Gudrun , Schlosser Dietmar 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe aquatic hyphomyceteClavariopsis aquaticawas used to quantify the effects of extracellular laccase and intracellular reactions on the isomer-specific biotransformation of technical nonylphenol (t-NP). In laccase-producing cultures, maximal removal rates of t-NP and the isomer 4-(1-ethyl-1,4-dimethylpentyl)phenol (NP112) were about 1.6- and 2.4-fold higher, respectively, than in laccase-lacking cultures. The selective suppression of either laccase or intracellular reactions resulted in essentially comparable maximal removal rates for both compounds. Evidence for an unspecific oxidation of t-NP isomers was consistently obtained from laccase-expressing fungal cultures when intracellular biotransformation was suppressed and from reaction mixtures containing isolated laccase. This observation contrasts with the selective degradation of t-NP isomers by bacteria and should prevent the enrichment of highly estrogenic isomers in remaining t-NP. In contrast with laccase reactions, intracellular fungal biotransformation caused a significant shift in the isomeric composition of remaining t-NP. As a result, certain t-NP constituents related to more estrogenic isomers were less efficiently degraded than others. In contrast to bacterial degradation viaipso-hydroxylation, the substitution pattern of the quaternary α-carbon of t-NP isomers does not seem to be very important for intracellular transformation inC. aquatica. As-yet-unknown intracellular enzymes are obviously induced by nonylphenols. Mass spectral data of the metabolites resulting from the intracellular oxidation of t-NP, NP112, and 4-(1-ethyl-1,3-dimethylpentyl)phenol indicate nonyl chain hydroxylation, further oxidation into keto or aldehyde compounds, and the subsequent formation of carboxylic acid derivatives. Further metabolites suggest nonyl chain desaturation and methylation of carboxylic acids. The phenolic moieties of the nonylphenols remained unchanged.
Detection of Noroviruses in Ready-To-Eat Foods by Using Carbohydrate-Coated Magnetic Beads
Authors: Morton Vanessa , Jean Julie , Farber Jeffrey , Mattison Kirsten 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT
This study used histo-blood group antigen-conjugated beads to detect norovirus (NoV) in contaminated strawberries, green onions, lettuce, and deli ham. In addition, multiple strains of NoV from genogroups I and II were recovered. This provides an effective protocol for food testing in the investigation of suspected NoV outbreaks.
PirAB Toxin from
Photorhabdus asymbiotica
as a Larvicide against Dengue Vectors
Authors: Ahantarig Arunee , Chantawat Nantarat , Waterfield Nicholas R. , ffrench-Constant Richard , Kittayapong Pattamaporn 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

We have evaluated
Photorhabdus
insect-related protein (Pir) from
Photorhabdus asymbiotica
against dengue vectors. PirAB shows larvicidal activity against both
Aedes aegypti
and
Aedes albopictus
larvae but did not affect the
Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides
predator. PirAB expressed the strongest toxicity compared to PirA, PirB, or the mixture of PirA plus PirB. Whether the presence of an enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence in PirAB, but not in PirA, PirB, or the mixture of PirA plus PirB, has any impact on biological control efficacy needs further investigation.
Influence of Ca
2+
Ions on the Activity of Lantibiotics Containing a Mersacidin-Like Lipid II Binding Motif
Authors: Böttiger T. , Schneider T. , Martínez B. , Sahl H.-G. , Wiedemann I. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Mersacidin binds to lipid II and thus blocks the transglycosylation step of the cell wall biosynthesis. Binding of lipid II involves a special motif, the so-called mersacidin-lipid II binding motif, which is conserved in a major subgroup of lantibiotics. We analyzed the role of Ca
2+
ions in the mode of action of mersacidin and some related peptides containing a mersacidin-like lipid II binding motif. We found that the stimulating effect of Ca
2+
ions on the antimicrobial activity known for mersacidin also applies to plantaricin C and lacticin 3147. Ca
2+
ions appear to facilitate the interaction of the lantibiotics with the bacterial membrane and with lipid II rather than being an essential part of a peptide-lipid II complex. In the case of lacticin 481, both the interaction with lipid II and the antimicrobial activity were Ca
2+
independent.
Recombination between Homoeologous Chromosomes of Lager Yeasts Leads to Loss of Function of the Hybrid
GPH1
Gene
Authors: Usher Jane , Bond Ursula 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Yeasts used in the production of lagers contain complex allopolyploid genomes, resulting from the fusion of two different yeast species closely related to
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and
Saccharomyces bayanus
. Recombination between the homoeologous chromosomes has generated a number of hybrid chromosomes. These recombination events provide potential for adaptive evolution through the loss or gain of gene function. We have examined the genotypic and phenotypic effects of one of the conserved recombination events that occurred on chromosome XVI in the region of YPR159W and YPR160W. Our analysis shows that the recombination event occurred within the YPR160W gene, which encodes the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase and generates a hybrid gene that does not produce mature mRNA and is nonfunctional due to frameshifts in the coding region. The loss of function of the hybrid gene leads to glycogen levels similar to those found in haploid yeast strains. The implications for the control of glycogen levels in fermentative yeasts are discussed.
High-Level Biosynthesis of the Anteiso-C
17
Isoform of the Antibiotic Mycosubtilin in
Bacillus subtilis
and Characterization of Its Candidacidal Activity
Authors: Fickers Patrick , Guez Jean-Sébastien , Damblon Christian , Leclère Valérie , Béchet Max , Jacques Philippe , Joris Bernard 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

High-level production (880 mg liter
−1
) and isolation of the anteiso-C
17
isoform of the lipopeptide mycosubtilin produced by a genetically engineered
Bacillus subtilis
strain are reported. Antifungal activity of this isoform, as determined via culture and fluorometric and cell leakage assays, suggests its potential therapeutic use as an antifungal agent, in particular against
Candida
spp.
[FeFe] Hydrogenase Genetic Diversity Provides Insight into Molecular Adaptation in a Saline Microbial Mat Community
Authors: Boyd Eric S. , Spear John R. , Peters John W. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT

Degenerate primers for the [FeFe] hydrogenase (
hydA
) were developed and used in PCRs to examine
hydA
in microbial mats that inhabit saltern evaporative ponds in Guerrero Negro (GN), Mexico. A diversity of deduced HydA was discovered that revealed unique variants, which may reflect adaptation to the environmental conditions present in GN.