Biomedical subjects

R Lo

Publications and source records attributed to R Lo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

The effects of Healing Touch on the coping ability, self esteem and general health of undergraduate nursing students.

The study used a mixed methodology to investigate the effects of HealingTouch (HT) on the coping ability, self esteem and general health of undergraduate nursing students to: check the veracity of claims made by HT practitioners that the therapy is effective in reducing stress; monitor the effects of HTon participants' scores using instruments which measure coping, self esteem and general health; and compare objective data with subjective accounts relating to coping, self esteem and general health. Quantitative findings showed no effects of HT on the coping ability, self esteem and general health of first year students, but there were some slight effects for the third year students who were in the experimental group. Qualitative findings showed that all participants in the experimental group found the experience positive. However, conclusions may be drawn tentatively that HT is effective while acknowledging that this project's design may have been ineffective in measuring the effects of HT, as the questionnaire may not have tested the actual effects of the therapy, and objective measures may be inadequate for exploring subjective experiences such as HT.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

Cross-cultural validation of the London Handicap Scale in Hong Kong Chinese.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cross-cultural validity of London Handicap Scale in Hong Kong Chinese. DESIGN: Ratings of the utility of 10 hypothetical health scenarios were given by groups of HK Chinese subjects. Measured scores were compared with calculated scores from published scale weights of London Handicap Scale, which were based on utility ratings made by UK subjects. SETTING: A rehabilitation hospital in Hong Kong. SUBJECTS: A total of 164 HK Chinese, comprising doctors, medical students, nonmedical hospital staff, geriatric day hospital stroke and nonstroke patients, community day-care centre elderly, old age hostel elderly, young disabled inpatients and young community-dwelling disabled citizens. MAIN RESULTS: There was a close correlation between the mean scores of HK subjects and the calculated scores derived from the published UK scale weights, apart from one scenario (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.87 p = 0.001). The correlations were high for all subgroups, between which there was good consensus. Measured utilities were significantly different between subgroups for only one scenario. For this scenario of moderate to severe handicap in mobility, physical dependence, occupation and social integration, but with excellent orientation and economic self sufficiency: (1) older age groups gave better scores than younger age groups (p < 0.0005); (2) subjects with poor subjective health status gave better scores than those with good subjective health status (p = 0.002); (3) subjects related to the medical or hospital field, i.e. doctors, medical students and nonmedical hospital staff, gave worse scores than other subject groups (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: The concept of handicap applies across cultures. Perception of severity of selected real life handicap scenarios by HK Chinese were well estimated using scale weights from UK populations developed for the London Handicap Scale. Significant differences in perception of certain handicap scenarios by different population subgroups deserve further study.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2001

The dynamics of coping and adaptating to the impact when diagnosed with diabetes.

The coping trajectory of a group of people who were insulin dependent (Type 1 diabetes n = 109) was compared with that of a group people who were non-insulin dependent (Type 2 diabetes n = 241). The experience of the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) was different for both groups. Type 1 people were more likely to feel the impact of the diagnosis more severely than Type 2 people and were more likely to use avoidance, denial and fantasy strategies in their attempts to cope with the diagnosis and its implications. The residual effects of not being ill were more likely to be felt by Type 2 group. Those who showed determination not to be beaten by the disease tended to use more positive coping techniques in making the adjustment. Illustrative path diagrams for both the Type 1 and Type 2 groups are presented. Health professionals need to recognise the likely differences in order to provide the most appropriate care.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

Geriatric pharmacotherapy: problems with adherence.

Because of their many health problems, older people are likely to receive a greater quantity and variety of medications. Every new drug added to a medication schedule will compound the risk of adverse reactions for the older population, who manage drugs less efficiently due to their altered body status, drug therapy becomes further complicated. To minimise the risks associated with drug therapy and ensure that medications do not create more problems than they solve, close supervision, education and adherence of drug usage in older adults are essential.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

The mammalian basic helix loop helix protein HES-1 binds to and modulates the transactivating function of the runt-related factor Cbfa1.

Drosophila Runt is the founding member of a family of related transcription factors involved in the regulation of a variety of cell-differentiation events in invertebrates and vertebrates. Runt-related proteins act as both transactivators and transcriptional repressors, suggesting that context-dependent mechanisms modulate their transcriptional properties. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the regulation of the functions of the mammalian Runt-related protein, Cbfa1. Here we provide the first demonstration that Cbfa1 (as well as the related protein, Cbfa2/AML1) physically interacts with the basic helix loop helix transcription factor, HES-1, a mammalian counterpart of the Drosophila Hairy and Enhancer of split proteins. This interaction is mediated by the carboxyl-terminal domains of Cbfa1 and HES-1, but does not require their respective tetrapeptide motifs, WRPY and WRPW. Our studies also show that HES-1 can antagonize the binding of Cbfa1 to mammalian transcriptional corepressors of the Groucho family. Moreover, HES-1 can potentiate Cbfa1-mediated transactivation in transfected cells. Taken together, these findings implicate HES-1 in the transcriptional functions of Cbfa1 and suggest that the concerted activities of Groucho and HES proteins modulate the functions of mammalian Runt-related proteins.

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins↗

PubMed2000

Exploitation of host cell signaling machinery: activation of macrophage phosphotyrosine phosphatases as a novel mechanism of molecular microbial pathogenesis.

Intracellular pathogens, particularly those that target host mononuclear phagocytes, have evolved strategies to either evade or inhibit cellular mechanisms of host defense. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Leishmania donovani exemplify a diverse group of microorganisms that have developed the ability to invade and replicate within host macrophages, leading to disease expression. Recent studies have suggested that the pathogenesis of intracellular infection may involve interference with host cell signaling. Drawing upon examples from in vitro models that focused on M. tuberculosis and L. donovani, we review evidence that activation of host cell phosphotyrosine phosphatases may contribute to pathogenesis. A leading candidate appears to be the Src homology 2 domain containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, the activation of which may contribute to the development of infection and disease progression.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Disrupted development of the cerebral hemispheres in transgenic mice expressing the mammalian Groucho homologue transducin-like-enhancer of split 1 in postmitotic neurons.

Transducin-like Enhancer of split (TLE) 1 is a mammalian transcriptional corepressor homologous to Drosophila Groucho. In Drosophila, Groucho acts together with bHLH proteins of the Hairy/Enhancer of split (HES) family to negatively regulate neuronal differentiation. Loss of the functions of Groucho or HES proteins results in supernumerary central and peripheral neurons. This suggests that mammalian TLE/Groucho family members may also be involved in the regulation of neuronal differentiation. Consistent with this possibility, TLE1 is expressed in proliferating neural progenitor cells of the central nervous system, but its expression is transiently down-regulated in newly generated postmitotic neurons. Based on these observations, we investigated whether persistent TLE1 expression in postmitotic neurons would perturb the normal course of neuronal development. Transgenic mice were derived in which the human TLE1 gene is regulated by the promoter of the Talpha1 alpha-tubulin gene, which is exclusively expressed in postmitotic neurons. In these mice, constitutive expression of TLE1 inhibits neuronal development in the embryonic forebrain leading to increased apoptosis and neuronal loss in the ventral and dorsal telencephalon. These results provide the first direct evidence that TLE1 is an important negative regulator of postmitotic neuronal differentiation in the mammalian central nervous system.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

A clinical teaching project. Evaluation of the mentor-arranged clinical practice by RN mentors.

This paper explores the relationship between nursing students and mentors and its influence on nursing students' development of professional knowledge during their clinical practice. The paper is based on an evaluation of a new initiative supplementing other clinical experiences for students of nursing, Mentor-Arranged Clinical Practice (MACP), by registered nurse mentors. Sixty-five (95.6%) mentors returned their questionnaires in a self-addressed envelope. Results of the study indicated that there were benefits and rewards for both students and mentors. The mentors felt that students gained more practicum time, confidence and independence in their practice, time management skills, rapport between staff and student, and better integration into the hospital environment. Mentors indicated that the most compelling reasons for becoming mentors were the opportunity to assist mentees to integrate into the nursing unit, to teach, share knowledge, promoting and improving the professional image of nurses, and gain job satisfaction from mentoring. The findings in this study suggest that there is a need for development of mentor relationships in the clinical setting of undergraduate nursing courses.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2000

The physical and psychosocial consequences of opioid addiction: an overview of changes in opioid treatment.

This paper examines a selection of the current literature to gain information concerning opioids, addiction profiles, public opinion, legal issues and withdrawal protocols. Hundreds of Australians have died at a young age due to the complications of their own opioid misuse. This paper outlines what has been achieved in recent times in the management of people withdrawing from opioid misuse, as well as reviewing the new evidence that offers hope for faster opioid withdrawal and rehabilitation.

Humans↗

PubMed2000

Do pain and disability differ in depressed cancer patients?

Seventy consecutively admitted Chinese patients with advanced cancer and pain (mean age 62 years) were evaluated with the Chinese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) Short Form (for patients 65 years old or over) in a prospective study. The HADS and GDS had good concordance (kappa = 0.53). By these depression screening tests, the prevalence of probable depression was 41-49%, and the prevalence of definite depression (HADS > or = 11) was 29%. There was no difference in age, gender and educational level; no difference in nature and severity of pain; and no difference in the level of disability between depressed (using HADS > or = 11) and nondepressed patients with advanced cancer. The study suggests that depression does not correlate with the severity of pain in patients with advanced cancer. It also suggests that impaired activity of daily living (ADL) in these patients is not related to depression.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1999

Groucho/transducin-like enhancer of split (TLE) family members interact with the yeast transcriptional co-repressor SSN6 and mammalian SSN6-related proteins: implications for evolutionary conservation of transcription repression mechanisms.

The yeast proteins TUP1 and SSN6 form a transcription repressor complex that is recruited to different promoters via pathway-specific DNA-binding proteins and regulates the expression of a variety of genes. TUP1 is functionally related to invertebrate and vertebrate transcriptional repressors of the Groucho/transducin-like Enhancer of split (TLE) family. The aim was to examine whether similar mechanisms underlie the transcription repression functions of TUP1 and Groucho/TLEs by determining whether TLE family members can interact with yeast SSN6 and mammalian SSN6-like proteins. It is shown in the present work that SSN6 binds to TLE1 and mediates transcriptional repression when expressed in mammalian cells. Moreover, TLE1 and TLE2 interact with two mammalian proteins related to SSN6, designated as the products of the ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide-repeat genes on the Y (or X) chromosomes (UTY/X). These findings suggest that mammalian TLE and UTY/X proteins may mediate repression mechanisms similar to those performed by TUP1-SSN6 in yeast.

Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins↗

PubMed1999

Fish oil decreases macrophage tumor necrosis factor gene transcription by altering the NF kappa B activity.

BACKGROUND: Fish oil-supplemented diets have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects, though the exact mechanism(s) are unknown. This study investigated the effects of eicosapentanenoic acid (EPA), a major component of fish oil, on transcriptional regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages (MO). METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells, a mouse MO cell line, were grown in EPA-rich media for 24-48 h. MO were washed and exposed to Escherichia coli LPS (1 microg/ml) for 2 h. TNF mRNA expression was measured by Northern blot assays. Total nuclear extracts were harvested for the measurement of NF kappa B with electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Supershift assays were performed with anti-P50 or anti-P65 antibodies to show components of NF kappa B dimers. TNF production was determined by L929 bioassays. RESULTS: LPS stimulated RAW cell TNF mRNA expression and NF kappa B activity. In contrast, RAW cells grown in EPA-rich media had less TNF mRNA expression and an altered composition of the NF kappa B subunits (P65/P50 dimers) in the presence of LPS. TNF production by LPS-stimulated MO was reduced by EPA. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory effect of EPA on LPS-stimulated MO TNF gene transcription and protein elaboration is, in part, mediated through altering NF kappa B activation by reducing the P65/P50 dimers.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Fish oil augments macrophage cyclooxygenase II (COX-2) gene expression induced by endotoxin.

BACKGROUND: Fish oil-supplemented diets have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. Although fish oil is readily incorporated into the cell membrane and influences the production of eicosanoids, the exact mechanism is not clear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a major component of fish oil, on macrophage (Mphi) cyclooxygenase (COX) gene expression induced by LPS. METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells, a mouse Mphi cell line, were grown in EPA-rich media for 24 h. Mphi were washed and exposed to Escherichia coli LPS (10 microg/ml). Membrane lipid profile was determined by gas chromatographic analysis. COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA expressions were determined by Northern blot assays with mouse-specific cDNA probes. PGE(2) production of Mphi was measured by ELISA. Mphi production of COX-2 protein was determined by Western blot assays with an anti-COX-2 antibody. RESULTS: Incubation in EPA-rich media increased membrane EPA and decreased arachidonic acid (AA) composition. COX-2 mRNA expression was induced by EPA and further augmented by LPS stimulation. EPA also augmented Mphi production of COX-2 protein. In comparison, COX-1 mRNA expression was not affected by either LPS stimulation or EPA incubation. EPA reduced PGE(2) production by LPS-stimulated Mphi. To further support that COX-2 mRNA was regulated by COX product, exogenous PGE(2) was added to Mphi prior to LPS stimulation. PGE(2) reduced COX-2 mRNA of LPS-stimulated Mphi. CONCLUSION: EPA displaces AA and reduces PGE(2) production by LPS-stimulated Mphi. Fish oil inhibition of Mphi PGE(2) production induces COX-2 mRNA expression through a COX-2 product-mediated feedback mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Correlates of expected success at adherence to health regimen of people with IDDM.

Patient non-adherence is a well-recognized although poorly understood phenomenon that affects patients in all areas of health care. Failure to comply with health regimens is extremely costly both in economic terms and the health status of individuals. This study assesses factors which correlate with the expected success of health regimen adherence in 146 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) subjects. The results indicate that success in complying with a health regimen is associated with good family support and rapport with health professionals, an absence of chronic stress and the capacity to take up the challenges posed by the disease. Health professionals have a role in engendering optimism, in maintaining enthusiasm, and facilitating and encouraging maintenance in health behaviours.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1999

Stress and adaptation: preparation for successful retirement.

Retirement from work can present a significant adjustment challenge for the older population financially, socially and emotionally. Retirement has been identified as a significantly stressful event. Work provides both a structured activity within a regular time frame and a sense of purpose and daily meaning. Energy is channelled into intellectual, creative, and/or physical tasks that offer a sense of satisfaction when they are completed. The planning for retirement is associated with successful adaptation. A realization of the potential and rewards of retirement will also facilitate this adaptation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1999

Activation of phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity attenuates mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and inhibits c-FOS and nitric oxide synthase expression in macrophages infected with Leishmania donovani.

Intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania antagonize host defense mechanisms by interfering with cell signaling in macrophages. In this report, the impact of Leishmania donovani on mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression in the macrophage cell line RAW 264 was investigated. Overnight infection of cells with leishmania led to a significant decrease in phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated MAP kinase activity and inhibited PMA-induced phosphorylation of the MAP kinase substrate and transcription factor Elk-1. Simultaneously, leishmania infection markedly attenuated the induction of c-FOS and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in response to PMA and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), respectively. These effects correlated with decreased phosphorylation of p44 and p42 MAP kinases on tyrosine residues. Consistent with the latter finding, lysates prepared from leishmania-infected cells contained an activity that dephosphorylated MAP kinase in vitro, suggesting the possibility of a phosphatase acting in vivo. Attenuation of both MAP kinase activity and c-FOS and iNOS expression was reversed by treatment of macrophages with sodium orthovanadate prior to infection. It was also found that the specific activity of the Src homology 2 domain containing tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-1) toward MAP kinase was markedly increased in leishmania-infected cells. These findings indicate that infection with L. donovani attenuates MAP kinase signaling and c-FOS and iNOS expression in macrophages by activating cellular phosphotyrosine phosphatases. This may represent a novel mechanism of macrophage deactivation during intracellular infection.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The importance of theory in student nurses' psychiatric practicum.

This study aims to evaluate the importance of theory in enhancing student nurses' experiences in a rural psychiatric practicum and also identify positive, negative and potentially helpful factors which could be used to improve student nurses' psychiatric practicum. A pilot study of sixty-five undergraduate nursing students were given a questionnaire after their psychiatric practicum. Positive, negative and potentially helpful factors were derived from themes of their responses. Results indicated that theory played an important role in enhancing students' learning in their clinical practicum. Positive factors included interaction with clients; improvement of knowledge and understanding of mental health, thus dispelling myths; staff's professionalism, enthusiasm and acceptance of students; direct involvement with clients; diversity of learning opportunities and shift work. Negative factors related to nursing staff performance. Potentially helpful factors were those promoting goodness of fit between theory and practicum and characteristics of the clinical setting.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed1999

Holistic care and spirituality: potential for increasing spiritual dimensions of nursing.

Holistic care addresses the physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of the client. Health care providers, however, frequently overlook the spiritual dimension. Spiritual care is inseparable from physical, social and psychological care because together they form the whole. Promoting spiritual well-being supports clients in their journey to find meaning and hope in life and peace in death. The preparation of nurses for the spiritual aspects of care deserves much more attention.

Adaptation, Psychological↗