The G-series of naturally occurring compounds from Eucalyptus species contain representatives that are endoperoxides and Mannich bases. Mannich bases have been shown to be effective in killing protozoa in vitro. Previous studies of the role of cells of the immune system reveal that helminth parasites are susceptible to free radical attack. A 3-year research project studied the anthelmintic potential of endoperoxides and/or Mannich bases derived from G-compounds. Results from 1 series of synthetic analogues which show a positive relationship between chemical structure and anthelmintic activity are reported here. A G-Mannich base with an aromatic ring side chain as well as a long aliphatic side chain was the most active analogue in the series with an LD 50 < 0.1 mM in an in vitro larval motility assay. This work showed that Mannich bases are a potential source of compounds for parasite control. More work on formulation and pharmacokinetics is required to advance these compounds to the threshold of commercial production.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Advances in segmentation modeling for health communication and social marketing campaigns.

Large-scale communication campaigns for health promotion and disease prevention involve analysis of audience demographic and psychographic factors for effective message targeting. A variety of segmentation modeling techniques, including tree-based methods such as Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection and logistic regression, are used to identify meaningful target groups within a large sample or population (N = 750-1,000+). Such groups are based on statistically significant combinations of factors (e.g., gender, marital status, and personality predispositions). The identification of groups or clusters facilitates message design in order to address the particular needs, attention patterns, and concerns of audience members within each group. We review current segmentation techniques, their contributions to conceptual development, and cost-effective decision making. Examples from a major study in which these strategies were used are provided from the Texas Women, Infants and Children Program's Comprehensive Social Marketing Program.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role clarification: a quality improvement survey of hospital chaplain customers.

The following article describes a quality improvement survey that examined the role nurses, patients, and patients' families expect the hospital chaplain to play when they use the chaplain's services. The results of the questionnaire suggest that patients and nurses sometimes see the role of the chaplain differently. There are times when nurses readily call a chaplain to help with a problem on a unit. There are other times when nurses are reluctant to ask for the chaplain, but patients would be most appreciative of the chaplain's presence. This article explores these situations and gives suggestions for ways to use a chaplain's expertise more effectively.

Alberta↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The relative influence of personal and workplace descriptors on stress.

A survey canvassing self-reported workplace stress levels and personal/workplace demographics was conducted among a sample of Australian nurses. Stress ratings and demographics were cross-sectionally analysed. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of survey responses suggest that excessive workload is the likely dominant predictor of workplace stress. Personal and workplace demographics are shown to be relatively unimportant in comparison with workload-related factors. Regular exercise habit was shown to be correlated with reduced workplace stress ratings. The findings support a previously unreported view that nurses are unlikely to bring their personal stress with them to the workplace--rather the workload characteristics of the workplace itself are the principle stress determinants.

Adaptation, Psychological↗