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Biomedical subjects

R Shearer

Publications and source records attributed to R Shearer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Relationship between glutathione S-transferase M1, P1 and T1 polymorphisms and early onset prostate cancer.

There is evidence suggesting that polymorphic variations in the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are associated with cancer susceptibility. Inter-individual differences in cancer susceptibility may be mediated in part through polymorphic variability in the bioactivation and detoxification of carcinogens. The GSTs have been consistently implicated as cancer susceptibility genes in this context. The GST supergene family includes several loci with well characterized polymorphisms. Approximately 50% of the Caucasian population are homozygous for deletions in GSTM1 and approximately 20% are homozygous for deletions in GSTT1, resulting in conjugation deficiency of mutagenic electrophiles to glutathione. The GSTP1 gene has a polymorphism at codon 105 resulting in an Ile to Val substitution which consequently alters the enzymatic activity of the protein and this has been suggested as a putative high-risk genotype in various cancers. We investigated the relationship between GST polymorphisms and young onset prostate cancer in a case-control study. GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotypes were determined for 275 prostate cancer patients and for 280 geographically matched control subjects. We found no significant difference in the frequency of GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotypes between cases and controls. GSTP1 genotype was, however, significantly associated with prostate cancer risk: the Ile/Ile homozygotes had the lowest risk and there was a trend in increasing the risk with the number of 105 Val alleles: Ile/Val odds ratio (OR)= 1.30 (95% FCI 0.99-1.69), Val/Val OR = 1.80 (95% FCI 1.11-2.91); Ptrend = 0.026. These results suggest that the GSTP1 polymorphism may be a risk factor for developing young onset prostate cancer. We also found that carrying more than one putative high-risk allele in the carcinogen metabolizing GST family was associated with an elevated risk for early onset prostate cancer (OR 2.48, 95% FCI 1.22-5.04, Ptrend = 0.017).

Adult↗
PubMed2001

E-mail triage.

This article describes how hospital managers can use principles of triage when sending and receiving e-mail. It also discusses when e-mail should not be used, and when personal communication should occur.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed2001

When your client has had an accident.

Accident victims often experience difficulty finding meaning and logic in their accident. Confusion and depression are frequently emotions that will be felt until resolution occurs. In many cases other individuals assist in this struggle for resolution. The nurse often has opportunity to provide suggestions and support as the client struggles to find meaning.

Accidents↗
PubMed2000

High risk genes predisposing to prostate cancer development-do they exist?

There is evidence for genetic predisposition to prostate cancer. However, prostate cancer genes have been more difficult to find than genes for some of the other common cancers, such as breast and colon cancer. The reasons for this are discussed in this article and it is now becoming clear that prostate cancer is probably due to multiple genes, many of which are moderate or low penetrance. The advances in the Human Genome Project and technology, especially that of robotics, will help to overcome these problems. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2000) 3, 241-247

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Luck: what the nurse should know about it and how it affects nursing situations.

Luck permeates every aspect of human behaviour. Thus, luck is an aspect of nursing care and client belief of which the nurse should be aware. Beliefs about luck will influence client compliance with recommendations for actions as well as influence actions the client selects in relation to health. Beliefs about luck will also influence actions the nurse may take when responding to clients.

Assertiveness↗
PubMed2000

Your best preparation for a good day's work: a good night's sleep.

Contrary to the manner in which a great many people seem to regard sleep, sleep is not a waste of time. Inadequate sleep, let alone chronic sleep deprivation and actual sleep disorders, leads to diminished quality of work and loss of productivity. As far as caregivers are concerned, inadequate sleep can affect dangerously their ability to function in critical situations. On the other hand, adequate sleep is needed if one is to function at one's potential best and sufficient sleep is also an effective hedge against the encroachment of job stresses. For one who is occasionally unable to get sufficient sleep, there are steps to be taken to improve the ability to rest. A good night's sleep invariably precedes a good day's work.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMed2000

Getting your nursing program in the "news".

Getting in the news usually needs to be a planned event with intentional actions and strategies. In most cases, news from the nursing program needs to be an administrative or faculty goal with a strategy for how this will occur. There must be a commitment to ensure that timely information is provided so that a news item can actually become reality. Most importantly, when newspapers and the media are provided with this information in a news release it must be written in a style that piques the interest of the editor and causes it to be selected as news (Perloff, 1997). If time is taken to interact with reporters and to understand how the media works, it can provide support to achieve the goals and outcomes of a nursing program.

Community-Institutional Relations↗
PubMed2000

A dilemma of modern technology: managing e-mail overload.

In an amazingly short time, electronic mail (e-mail) has become one of the most powerful and useful communication mediums in the health care workplace. However, while e-mail has added new dimensions to the communication system, which are advantageous, a concomitant effect is e-mail overload. By implementing e-mail management technique, strategies information overload can be controlled and effective productivity promoted.

Communication↗
PubMed2000

The effective voice mail message.

When used effectively, voice mail is an indispensable and powerful tool for the busy health services manager. On the other hand, misused or abused, voice mail can handicap the manager and cause frustration to all individuals involved in the communication interaction. By following guidelines for effective use of voice mail, the manager can maximize this important communication modality and enhance business finesse.

Efficiency, Organizational↗
PubMed2000

Self-talk for the licensed practical/vocational nurse.

There are varied opinions on the commonness of self-talk. Some feel self-talk is engaged in more by persons who feel insecure and question their performance (Cauchon, 1994). Others feel self talk is a process people use continually to describe and interpret the world, accurate or inadequate as the case may be. (Hansen, Rhode, and Wolf-Wilets, 1991; Braiker, 1989). Regardless of how much self-talk the Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse is aware of in interactions with clients, staff, and intraphysically, it is important to assess thoughts for their logic or illogic. Illogical thoughts should be replaced by positive words of encouragement which will in turn raise the client's, staff members or Licensed Practical Nurse's feeling of self concept and level of self-confidence. Making self-talk positive is always good professional practice.

Communication↗
PubMed1999

Androgen receptor polymorphisms: association with prostate cancer risk, relapse and overall survival.

Several reports have suggested that one or both of the trinucleotide repeat polymorphisms in the human androgen receptor (hAR) gene, (CAG)n coding for polyglutamine and (GGC)n coding for polyglycine, may be associated with prostate cancer risk; but no study has investigated their association with disease progression. We present here a study of both hAR trinucleotide repeat polymorphisms not only as they relate to the initial diagnosis but also as they are associated with disease progression after therapy. Lymphocyte DNA samples from 178 British Caucasian prostate cancer patients and 195 control individuals were genotyped by PCR for the (CAG)n and (GGC)n polymorphisms in hAR. Univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis indicated that stage, grade and GGC repeat length were individually significant factors associated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The relative risk (RR) of relapse for men with more than 16 GGC repeats was 1.74 (95% CI 1. 08-2.79) and of dying from any cause, 1.98 (1.13-3.45). Adjusting for stage and grade, GGC effects remained but were not significant (RR(DFS)= 1.60, p = 0.052; RR(OS)= 1.65, p = 0.088). The greatest effects were in stage T1-T2 (RR(DFS)= 3.56, 95% CI 1.13-11.21) and grade 1 (RR(DFS)= 6.47, 95% CI 0.57-72.8) tumours. No differences between patient and control allele distributions were found by odds-ratio analysis, nor were trends with stage or grade evident in the proportion of short CAG alleles. Non-significant trends with stage and grade were found in the proportion of short GGC alleles. The (GGC)n polymorphism in this population is a significant predictor of disease outcome. Since the (GGC)(n) effect is strongest in early-stage tumours, this marker may help forecast aggressive behaviour and could be used to identify those patients meriting more radical treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

What every health care professional should know about AIDS.

As more and more clients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are encountered in health care agencies, it is important that the health care professional be well informed with current facts and information on treatment. Supportive care by the health professional is essential to assist the client in maintaining maximum quality of life and a sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy. It is important for the professional to be aware not only of the supportive care needed by clients but also of the safeguards necessary in such a high-risk profession.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1999

Moving from Illness to wellness: an important goal of home care.

For many clients in home care with chronic illness the real work of getting well involves learning to adjust to chronic illness and to disability. Learning to adjust to disability by maximizing the abilities and qualities that are present can mean overcoming otherwise very significant problems while still maintaining a high quality of life. Home care providers play an important role in helping clients and their families optimize functioning to do the real work of getting "well."

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Conquering loneliness.

It is important to identify signs of clinical depression such as pessimism, refusal to eat, diminished concern about personal appearance, and reluctance to make decisions. Medical referral for clinical depression is imperative because there are medications and other interventions that can effectively alleviate the feelings of sadness and despair that accompany clinical depression. One must determine if loneliness is a symptom of depression or an emotional state that can be changed by one's own efforts. Whether the lonely person is the health care giver or a health care receiver, the ability to use creative strategies for coping with loneliness can turn loneliness into a more comfortable experience.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

The 'super nurse' syndrome.

The authors describe the dynamics of the "super nurse" syndrome and provide nurse managers experiencing this syndrome with strategies to assist them. The article discusses the roles of nurse educators, hospital development staff, mentors, and social support networks. The authors hope to prevent the "super nurse" syndrome from affecting new graduates, through proper education of nurse educators, mentors, and nurse managers who assist the new graduates in problem solving and adjusting to being a "real nurse."

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

When the nurse manager must help staff cope with change.

The authors describe the dynamics of change, barriers and resistance to change, and provide techniques for assisting staff cope with change. The nurse manager should provide support during change, intervene when change is a surprise, help staff find challenge in change, encourage staff to have courage and stamina while coping with change, and foster teamwork. Using these techniques enables the manager and staff to view change as a challenge and an opportunity rather than a threat.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Praise that matters.

The authors provide strategies for nurse managers to reward with dignity, thus giving praise that matters. These strategies include treating employees with respect, focusing on the positive, designing recognition systems, expressing confidence in employees, providing opportunity for participative management, and promoting career development and advancement. Job satisfaction and personal worth of employees can be increased with use of these techniques.

Communication↗