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Biomedical subjects

M A Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to M A Anderson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Using heat to reduce blood collection time in pediatric clients.

Several states now require that all children attending day care, nursery schools, and kindergarten have evidence of a blood lead screening. Obtaining the requisite blood sample can be difficult because of inherent problems with pediatric clients. The purpose of this research was to explore if the application of heat to promote vasodilation affected finger stick collection time in pediatric clients. Subjects, ages 2 through 6 years, were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group (N = 63). For the intervention group, heat was applied for 1 min by placement of an infant heel warmer on the hand selected for the finger stick. A stopwatch was used to measure the time of blood collection in both the control and intervention groups. A two-tailed t test revealed statistical significance between the two groups (p = .008). Findings suggest the application of heat to promote vasodilation does reduce collection time in pediatric clients. Nurse practitioners may use this intervention to facilitate collection of blood samples in pediatric clients.

Blood Specimen Collection↗
PubMed1996

Hospital readmissions during home care: a pilot study.

The health care delivery system has undergone dramatic shifts in care settings during the past decade. More patients are receiving professional home care following discharge from hospitals, skilled-care facilities and rehabilitation centers. Home care is considered to be an integral part of patient recovery. Skilled nursing care delivered in the patient's home may prevent, forestall, or limit costly readmissions to an inpatient setting. Home care professionals have long questioned whether the unplanned returns of their clients to hospitals are preventable. The literature is replete with information from the acute-care and medical or physician's perspective concerning readmission. However, clients' unplanned returns to an inpatient setting while receiving home care services has not received much attention. The purpose of this pilot study is to describe clients who have unplanned returns to an inpatient setting during the first 31 days of home care service delivery. Using the Hospital Readmission Inventory (HRI), an audit tool with established validity and reliability, medical records for 68 clients from 8 midwestern home care agencies were reviewed. Readmitted patients were elderly, married females with cardiovascular or respiratory problems who were not independent in health care decision making or in self-care. Clients were readmitted to the hospital after approximately 2 weeks of home care service. The characterization of home care clients who are readmitted to the hospital may assist in targeting high-risk patients who could benefit from interventions aimed at minimizing unplanned returns to the acute-care setting.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Structures of a series of 6-kDa trypsin inhibitors isolated from the stigma of Nicotiana alata.

The three-dimensional structures of a series of 6-kDa trypsin inhibitors isolated from the stigma of the ornamental tobacco Nicotiana alata have been determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy combined with simulated annealing calculations. The proteins, T1-T4, are proteolytically cleaved from a 40.3-kDa precursor protein, NA-proPI, together with a chymotrypsin inhibitor, C1, the structure of which was reported recently [Nielsen, K.J., Heath, R.L., Anderson, M.A., & Craik, D.J. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 242, 231-243]. Each of the proteinase inhibitors comprises 53 amino acids, including 8 cysteine residues which are linked to form 4 disulfide bridges. The proteins have a high degree of sequence identity and differ mainly in residues around the putative reactive sites. The structure of T1 was determined using a set of 533 interproton distance restraints derived from NOESY spectra, combined with 33 dihedral restraints derived from 3JNH-H alpha coupling constants and 16 hydrogen bonds. The structures of the remaining inhibitors (T2-T4) were deduced to be almost identical to T1, on the basis of their similar chemical shifts and 2D spectra. The current study demonstrates that the structures of the trypsin inhibitors (T1-T4) are similar to that previously found for the chymotrypsin inhibitor, C1. Despite differences in sequence, there is conservation in backbone geometry between the reactive site loops of the two classes of inhibitors. From this, it is clear that the nature of the side chain on the primary binding residue, rather than the backbone fold, is the main determinant of the enzyme specificities of these proteinase inhibitors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of the protease processing sites in a multidomain proteinase inhibitor precursor from Nicotiana alata.

A gene encoding a 40.3-kDa serine proteinase inhibitor (PI) precursor is expressed at high levels in the stigma of the ornamental tobacco, Nicotiana alata. The precursor is processed proteolytically in vivo to release five homologous proteinase inhibitors of approximately 6 kDa, as well as two flanking peptides. The five PIs have been purified from stigmas and identified by N-terminal sequencing, electrospray mass spectrometry and inhibition activity against chymotrypsin or trypsin. One of the PIs inhibits chymotrypsin and the other four are most active on trypsin. Cleavage occurs in a linker region (EEKKND) that is repeated six times in the precursor molecule. In the plant, the initial cleavage probably occurs between asparagine and the aspartate residues and ragged ends are formed by subsequent trimming. In vitro, the protease-sensitive linker region is selectively cleaved by the endoproteinases Asp-N, Glu-C and Lys-C to release fully active approximately 6-kDa PIs that are resistant to further proteolytic digestion. The precursor, produced by a recombinant baculovirus, inhibits chymotrypsin more effectively than trypsin. The stoichiometry of 2.6 trypsin molecules/1 precursor molecule indicates that processing is required to activate or expose all of the four trypsin inhibitory sites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Communication between continuing care organizations.

Communication between health care providing organizations is fundamental to discharge planning and continuity of care, but has been reported to be inadequate. Using a classic communication model, the content of communication between hospitals and home health agencies was examined in 300 closed home care records and compared to referral content desired by practitioners. Discharge planners sent about half of the referral information recommended by the literature. Referrals consisted primarily of background data, some medical data, even less nursing care data, and almost no psychosocial data. No referral form was used by the hospital in over one third of the cases. Discrepancies existed between what client care data practitioners identified as important or desirable and the data they actually received. As responsibility for providing health care is decentralized and shared by multiple organizations, communication between providers will play a greater role in ensuring continuity of care. The findings suggest that adoption of standardized, written referral forms might facilitate clear and complete communication.

Communication↗
PubMed1995

Women's nutritional status, iron consumption and weight gain during pregnancy in relation to neonatal weight and length in West Java, Indonesia.

Pregnant and non-pregnant women in Indramayu, West Java were examined for nutritional status, using anthropometric indicators. For the pregnant women, longitudinal data on nutritional status, iron consumption and weight gain were examined in relation to neonatal weight and length. Comparing the non-pregnant women's average nutritional status with reference tables for height, weight and MUAC, they placed at the 25th percentile or less on all indicators. Using original formulae to estimate pre-pregnancy weight and pregnancy weight gain, the study showed that 18% of pregnant women had a pre-pregnancy weight of under 40 kg and the average pregnancy weight gain was under 9 kg. Comparing estimated pregnancy weight gain with the amount of weight gain needed to compensate for generally low pre-pregnancy weight, only about 9% of women gained adequately. In multiple regression models that controlled for other maternal and neonatal factors, iron consumption during pregnancy was a significant predictor of full-term (37 weeks or more) neonatal weight (P = 0.01) and length (P = 0.01). Consumption of one or more tablets (200 mg ferrous sulfate and 0.25 mg folic acid) per week by women during pregnancy was associated with increased neonatal weight (by 172 g on average) and length (by 1 cm on average). Adequate weight gain during pregnancy and maternal height also contributed to the specification of the neonatal weight model (P = 0.07 for both). In the neonatal length model, maternal height was also nearly significant (P = 0.03). The same models did not explain the variability in neonatal weight and length in the pre-term group (< 37 weeks gestation).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

First-line nurse managers in rural hospitals: perceptions of career success.

First-line nurse managers in small rural hospitals are essential to organizational survival, yet little is known about such individuals. A pilot study comparing demographic characteristics and career success perceptions of first-line nurse managers from rural settings with doctorally prepared nurses found that despite age and educational differences, personal characteristics identified as contributing to career success were remarkably similar in both groups. First-line nurse managers generally credited family members with greater degrees of career influence than did their more educated colleagues. However, both groups saw themselves as primarily responsible for their own career success. This information may assist rural hospitals and nursing personnel to enhance their strategic position in the unstable environment of health care reform.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Chemical dependency and adolescent self-esteem.

The purpose of this descriptive study is to determine whether self-esteem differs between chemically dependent adolescents and adolescents from the general high school population. The Self-Esteem Inventory (Coopersmith, 1987) was completed by 119 adolescents (31 inpatient, 31 aftercare, and 57 general high school students) aged 13 to 18. Findings suggest that inpatient, chemically dependent adolescents have lower self-esteem than the other two groups. For the chemically dependent adolescent, nursing case management with communication among and between health care providers, school professionals, and family may facilitate successful, long-term recovery. For adolescents at risk for development of chemical dependence, nursing health promotion behaviors, such as early assessment and implementation of self-esteem-building activities, may assist in prevention of chemical dependency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Effects of temperature and storage time on pin pull-out testing in harvested canine femurs.

Effects of temperature and storage time on canine bone-transfixation pin specimens were tested by comparing pin pull-out forces. A total of 16 femurs from 8 mature dogs were tested. Five nonthreaded Steinmann pins were placed through both cortices in the diaphysis of each femur. The femurs were then sectioned transversely between each pin, with a bone-pin specimen placed evenly into each of 5 groups prior to biomechanical testing. Four bone-pin specimen groups were stored at -20 or -70 C for 14 or 28 days, while 1 specimen group was immediately tested. Pull-out forces for frozen groups were compared with pull-out forces for the fresh group. Using two-way ANOVA, there was no statistical difference in mean axial-extraction forces among bone-pin specimens in any of the tested groups. It is concluded that acute pin pull-out forces are not significantly affected by freezing temperature or time. However, specimens stored at -20 C for as few as 14 days had a trend for increased pull-out forces, compared with freshly harvested specimens. Therefore, the authors recommend storage of bone-pin specimens at -70 C when possible.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Theory M: A restructuring process.

Through the Nursing Incentive Reimbursement Award (NIRA) Program initiated by the New Jersey Department of Health, a medical center tested, over a two-year time frame, the impact of a staff-developed "Theory M" nursing model. Three nursing units served as control groups and one as the experimental group that incorporated the following features: restructuring of a nursing unit through the redefinition of roles; modifying nurse staffing patterns to change existing ratio of RNs to NAs; incorporating matrix management principles; developing, implementing and evaluating training and educational programs; and renovating a nursing unit.

Health Care Reform↗
PubMed1995

Normal and expanded Huntington's disease gene alleles produce distinguishable proteins due to translation across the CAG repeat.

BACKGROUND: An expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat is the genetic trigger of neuronal degeneration in Huntington's disease (HD), but its mode of action has yet to be discovered. The sequence of the HD gene places the CAG repeat near the 5' end in a region where it may be translated as a variable polyglutamine segment in the protein product, huntingtin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antisera directed at amino acid stretches predicted by the DNA sequence upstream and downstream of the CAG repeat were used in Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses to examine huntingtin expression from the normal and the HD allele in lymphoblastoid cells and postmortem brain tissue. RESULTS: CAG repeat segments of both normal and expanded HD alleles are indeed translated, as part of a discrete approximately 350-kD protein that is found primarily in the cytosol. The difference in the length of the N-terminal polyglutamine segment is sufficient to distinguish normal and HD huntingtin in a Western blot assay. CONCLUSIONS: The HD mutation does not eliminate expression of the HD gene but instead produces an altered protein with an expanded polyglutamine stretch near the N terminus. Thus, HD pathogenesis is probably triggered by an effect at the level of huntingtin protein.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Examining the impact of Validation Therapy on the elderly.

With the growing number of elderly people in this country, there is a concomitant growth in demented old, old people being admitted to nursing homes. This research examined the impact of their use of Validation Therapy in a group setting on eight such people. The findings of the project generated four common themes that were exhibited across the 10 sessions and all eight participants. The incorporation of social behaviors, family roles, music and the opportunity to socialize with peers into the daily care of demented old, old people could have a positive impact on the quality of life for each individual. Interventions or approaches based on these four themes could be considered as approaches to teach to individuals caring for old people with Alzheimer's-like dementia. The foundation of the profession of nursing is that of caring (Watson, 1988). Based on the concept of caring, the common themes identified through this project become important for nursing to recognize. With these new clients (the old, old), new approaches to care need to be defined. It is the premise of these nurse researchers that understanding and applying the interventions used with VT in a caring way will enhance the lives of the demented elderly in nursing homes in this country.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

The three-dimensional solution structure by 1H NMR of a 6-kDa proteinase inhibitor isolated from the stigma of Nicotiana alata.

The three-dimensional structure and disulfide connectivities of a 6-kDa protein isolated from the stigma of the ornamental tobacco Nicotiana alata has been determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy combined with simulated annealing calculations. The protein, termed C1, is a chymotrypsin inhibitor and is one of five homologous proteinase inhibitors that are proteolytically cleaved from a 40.3-kDa precursor protein. The other four proteinase inhibitors (T1 to T4) contain reactive sites for trypsin. The three-dimensional structure of C1 is generally well defined and contains a triple stranded beta-sheet as the dominant secondary structural feature. Several turns and a short region of 3(10) helix are also present. The putative chymotrypsin reactive site is present on an exposed loop which is less defined than the rest of the protein. The overall shape of C1 is disc-like and the N and C termini are exposed, supporting the proposal that this protein results from post-translational processing of the 40.3-kDa precursor protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Use of an ultrasonic Doppler flow detector for determining tissue viability in a dog.

An 8-month-old sexually intact female Boxer was examined because of an almost complete disarticulation of the right thoracic limb at the level of the proximal phalanges. Viability of the tissue distal to the injury was considered questionable. An ultrasonic Doppler flow detector was used to determine that circulation to the portion of the digits distal to the injury had been preserved on the palmar aspect of the foot. Orthopedic repair of the fractures of the third and fourth digits and primary skin closure of the wound was performed. Infection and instability at the fracture sites resulted in pseudoarthrosis and a valgus deformity of the digits distal to the injury. The ultrasonic Doppler flow detector provided a simple noninvasive method for determining tissue viability in the severely traumatized foot of this dog.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A style-specific hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein with properties of both extensins and arabinogalactan proteins.

A basic, hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (molecular mass 120 kDa) has been purified from the styles of Nicotiana alata. An antibody, specific for the protein backbone (molecular mass 78 kDa) of the glycoprotein, was used to demonstrate that the glycoprotein is a soluble, style-specific component and that related molecules are present in the styles of other solanaceous species. Linkage analysis of the carbohydrate portion of the glycoprotein, together with antibody binding studies, indicates that the glycoprotein contains both extensin-like and arabinogalactan-protein (AGP)-like side chains. Furthermore, the AGP-like side-chains contain a style-specific epitope that is also present on AGPs from N. alata styles and glycoconjugates from the styles of other members of the Solanaceae. The abundance of this 120 kDa glycoprotein, its location in the extracellular matrix of the transmitting tract and its conservation in several species within the Solanaceae suggests a role in pistil function.

Antibodies↗