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P Moore

Publications and source records attributed to P Moore.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Strategies for teaching nursing research online.

BACKGROUND: Nursing, like many disciplines in university settings, is experiencing increasing demand for online courses. Development and implementation of online courses with the quality of education nursing students experience in traditional classroom settings, is essential to maintaining integrity of the educational process. Nursing research has been offered in the online format in the RN-BSN programme for 2 years. This course has an average enrolment of 80 to 90 students each semester. PURPOSE: This article presents strategies used in teaching an RN-BSN nursing research course online. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback from faculty and students indicates that these strategies have been successful in facilitating this writing intensive course through distance learning.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

An EST survey of the sugarcane transcriptome.

Its large genome and high polyploidy makes sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) a singularly challenging crop to study and improve using genetic approaches. To provide large numbers of functionally characterized candidate genes that might be tested for direct association (rather than distant linkage) with economically important traits, we sequenced the 5' ends of 9,216 clones from three cDNA libraries (apex, leaf and mature internode), representing 3,401 non-redundant sequences. About 57% of these sequences could be assigned a tentative function based on statistically significant similarity to previously characterized proteins or DNA sequences. Another 28% corresponded to previously identified, but uncharacterized, sequences. Some of the remaining unidentified sequences were predicted to be genes which could potentially be new to plants or unique to sugarcane. Comparisons of the sugarcane ESTs to a large sorghum EST database revealed similar compositions of expressed genes between some different tissues. Comparison to a detailed Arabidopsis protein database showed some highly conserved sequences, which might be useful DNA markers for pan-angiosperm comparative mapping. These EST sequences provide a foundation for many new studies to accelerate isolation of agronomically important genes from the cumbersome sugarcane genome.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Pulmonary venous wedge pressures accurately predict pulmonary arterial pressures in children with single ventricle physiology.

We investigated the relationship between pulmonary venous wedge and pulmonary arterial pressures in patients with single ventricle physiology. This relationship has been studied in other cardiac conditions but not in this unique group of patients. We made 60 paired measurements from one or both lungs in 40 patients, and divided the patients into three groups. Group 1 consisted of patients whose pulmonary blood supply was via an aortopulmonary shunt (n = 14), group 2 included patients with a bi-directional Glenn anastomosis (n = 20), and group 3 included patients with a pulmonary arterial band (n = 6). Venous wedge pressure estimated arterial pressure within 3 mmHg in 59 of 60 paired measurements. Plots of the difference between pulmonary artery and pulmonary venous wedge pressures versus the mean showed excellent correlation, with a mean difference of approximately 1 for group 1 (mean difference, -0.15 +/- 1.3 mmHg) and group 2 (mean difference, 0.52 +/- 1.12 mmHg). The relationship was poor in group 3 (mean difference, -2.00 +/- 4.80 mmHg) but was much better with the exclusion of the one outlying patient in whom pulmonary venous wedge pressure significantly overestimated pulmonary arterial pressure (mean difference, -0.33 +/- 2.07 mmHg). We conclude that pulmonary venous wedge pressure accurately estimates pulmonary arterial pressure in patients palliated for single ventricle physiology, but care must be taken in patients with a pulmonary arterial band.

Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical↗
PubMed2003

Communication skills training for health care professionals working with cancer patients, their families and/or carers.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests communication skills do not reliably improve with experience and considerable effort is dedicated to courses improving communication skills for health professionals. The evaluation of such courses is of importance to enable evidence-based teaching and practice. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether communication skills training is effective in changing behaviour of health professionals in cancer care with regard to communication/interaction with patients. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched CENTRAL (Cochrane Library Issue 3 2001), MEDLINE (1966 to November 2001), EMBASE (1980 to November 2001), PsycInfo (1887 to November 2001), CINAHL (1982 to November 2001), AMED (1985 - October 2001), Dissertation Abstracts International (1861 to March 2002) and EBM Reviews (1991 to March/April 2001). Reference lists of relevant articles were searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials or controlled before and after studies of communication skills training in cancer health professionals, measuring changes in behaviour/skills using objective and validated scales. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: Although 2822 references were considered, only two trials involving 232 health professionals were included. One provided an intensive three-day course then assessed oncology doctors interacting with a total of 640 patients; the other provided a modular course then used role plays with oncology nurses for skill assessment. In one trial, course attendees used more focused questions (34% increase, probability < 0.005), focused and open questions (27% increase, p = 0.005), expressions of empathy (69% increase, p < 0.005) and appropriate responses to cues (38% increase, p < 0.05) at follow up than non-attendees. No significant differences were found between attendees and non-attendees in use of leading questions. From baseline to follow up in the same study, attendees had significantly different changes in rates of leading questions (relative risk 0.72, p < 0.05), focused questions (Relative Risk 1.25, p < 0.005), open questions (RR 1.17, p < 0.05) and empathy (RR 1.50, p = 0.005). The only significant difference in observed communication skills in the second trial was that the trained group were more in control of the follow-up interview than the untrained group (p < 0.05). Both studies investigated differences in summarising, interrupting and checking but found none. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The training programmes assessed by these trials appear to be effective in improving cancer care professionals communication skills. It is not known whether the training would be effective if taught by other educators, nor has any trial compared the efficacy of both programmes.

Caregivers↗
PubMed2002

Opioids, sleep, and cancer-related fatigue.

Oddly enough, little is known about the effects on sleep of commonly administered analgesic medications. Even less is known about their effect on next-day fatigue, mood, and cognitive functioning. We speculate that part of the fatigue typically experienced by cancer patients can be attributed to disruption of sleep by opioid medications they are taking. Fatigue and sleep are critical to the quality of life of cancer patients. Research is needed to assess the sleep and next-day consequences that can be expected from typical doses of different types of pain medications.

Fatigue↗
PubMed2002

Identification of a haplosufficient 3.6-Mb region in human chromosome 11q14.3-->q21.

Cytogenetic deletions are almost always associated with phenotypic abnormality and are very rarely transmitted. We have located a hitherto undescribed, familial deletion involving the region 11q14.3-->q21 in five individuals in a three-generation kindred. Four of the deletion carriers show no phenotypic abnormality; the other, who is the proband, was investigated for short stature and poor academic progress. In view of the apparent innocuous nature of this genetic imbalance, the deletion was investigated in detail to determine its size (3.6 Mb) and location with reference to molecular markers and genetic content. The deleted region is described by a contig of 37 BACS including the flanking regions, which we have assembled. Several possible contributory factors are considered, which might explain the lack of clinical significance of this large deletion. It is notable that there are few genes in this region and none have known functions. All most likely have copies elsewhere in the genome and a number of other hypothetical genes appear to be members of certain gene families, i.e. none is unique. Part of the region (1 Mb) is also duplicated at the pericentromeric region 11p11. Given the very low proportion of the genome occupied by single copy genes and their uneven distribution, regions such as this, which appear to be functionally haplosufficient, may be more common than hitherto recognised.

Chromosome Banding↗
PubMed2001

Partial protection and intrathecal invasion of CD8(+) T cells in acute canine distemper virus infection.

Initial non-inflammatory demyelination in canine distemper virus infection (CDV) develops against a background of severe immunosuppression and is therefore, thought to be virus-induced. However, recently we found a marked invasion of T cells throughout the central nervous system (CNS) in dogs with acute distemper despite drastic damage to the immune system. In the present study, this apparent paradox was further investigated by immunophenotyping of lymphocytes, following experimental CDV challenge in vaccinated and non-vaccinated dogs. In contrast to CDV infected, unprotected dogs, vaccinated dogs did not become immunosuppressed and exhibited a strong antiviral immune response following challenge with virulent CDV. In unprotected dogs rapid and drastic lymphopenia was initially due to depletion of T cells. In peripheral blood, CD4(+) T cells were more sensitive and depleted earlier and for a longer time than CD8(+) cells which recovered soon. In the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) we could observe an increase in the T cell to B cell and CD8(+) to CD4(+) ratios. Thus, partial protection of the CD8(+) cell population could explain why part of the immune function in acute distemper is preserved. As found earlier, T cells invaded the CNS parenchyma in these dogs but also in the protected challenged dogs, which did not develop any CNS disease at all. Since markers of T cell activation were upregulated in both groups of animals, this phenomenon could in part be related to non-specific penetration of activated T cells through the blood brain barrier. However, in diseased animals much larger numbers of T cells were found in the CNS than in the protected dogs, suggesting that massive invasion of T cells in the brain requires CDV expression in the CNS.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Sequential magnetic resonance monitoring of pulmonary flow with endovascular stents placed across the pulmonary valve in growing Swine.

BACKGROUND: Patients with endovascular stent implantation for the treatment of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction are often left with incomplete relief of the obstruction and significant pulmonary regurgitation. A noninvasive and reproducible method for monitoring such patients is desirable. MRI in the presence of a stent, however, has to overcome the problem of potential metallic artifacts. METHODS AND RESULTS: Under x-ray fluoroscopic guidance, endovascular nitinol stents were placed across the pulmonary valve in 6 young pigs to induce pulmonary regurgitation. Five additional pigs served as controls. Initial MRI was performed after 2 days (13.5+/-1.8 kg) and follow-up after 3 months (32+/-2.9 kg). Pulmonary flow volumes and regurgitant fraction were quantified by velocity-encoded cine (VEC) MRI through (VEC-TS) and distal to (VEC-DS) the stent. VEC-TS was compared with VEC-DS and volumetric measurements of left and right ventricular stroke volumes provided by cine MRI ("gold standard"). Antegrade and retrograde pulmonary flow volumes by VEC-TS were slightly but significantly less than those with VEC-DS and cine MRI. Excellent correlations (r>0.97) for phasic pulmonary flow volumes as measured by VEC-TS and VEC-DS were shown. Pulmonary regurgitant fraction increased from 32.8+/-15% to 49.6+/-17% (P<0.05) over the course of 3 months with VEC-TS. CONCLUSIONS: MRI demonstrates the progression of pulmonary regurgitation in growing swine. VEC MRI has the ability to quantify pulmonary blood flow inside the lumen of nitinol stents. MRI appears to be ideally suited for monitoring patients with endovascular nitinol stents in the pulmonary artery or pulmonary valve position.

Alloys↗
PubMed2001

Expression pattern of sigma receptor 1 mRNA and protein in mammalian retina.

Sigma receptors are nonopiate and nonphencyclidine binding sites that are thought to be neuroprotective due to modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Sigma receptor 1 expression has been demonstrated in numerous tissues including brain. Recently, studies using binding assays have demonstrated sigma receptor 1 in neural retina, however these studies did not demonstrate in which retinal cell type(s) sigma receptor 1 was present nor did they establish unequivocally the molecular identity of the receptor. The present study was designed to address these issues. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis amplified sigma receptor 1 in neural retina, RPE-choroid complex, and lens isolated from mice. A similar RT-PCR product was amplified also in three cultured cell lines, rat Müller cells, rat ganglion cells and human ARPE-19 cells. In situ hybridization analysis revealed abundant sigma receptor 1 expression in ganglion cells, cells of the inner nuclear layer, inner segments of photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Immunohistochemical studies detected the sigma receptor 1 protein in retinal ganglion, photoreceptor, RPE cells and surrounding the soma of cells in the inner nuclear layer. These data provide the first cellular localization of sigma receptor 1 in neural retina and establish the molecular identity of sigma receptor 1 in retinal cells. The demonstration that sigma receptor 1 is present in ganglion cells is particularly noteworthy given the well-documented susceptibility of these cells to glutamate toxicity. Our findings suggest that retinal ganglion cells may be amenable to the neuroprotective effects of sigma ligands under conditions of neurotoxicity such as occurs in diabetes.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

High-efficiency gene transfer into rhesus macaque primary T lymphocytes by combining 32 degrees C centrifugation and CH-296-coated plates: effect of gene transfer protocol on T cell homing receptor expression.

Although steady progress has been made in transducing human T lymphocytes by Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MuLV)-based vectors, few studies have been done to define ex vivo gene transfer protocols to transduce rhesus macaque primary T lymphocytes. Given the fact that simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in rhesus macaque is a well-characterized model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), it is of great interest to develop an efficient protocol to transduce rhesus macaque primary T cells. In this study, we have used MuLV-10A1-pseudotyped retrovirus expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) to evaluate a number of ex vivo gene transfer protocols in rhesus macaque primary T lymphocytes. Our objectives in designing these protocols were (1) to test whether higher efficiency gene transfer could be obtained by combining two previously defined protocols, centrifugation at 32 degrees C and the CH-296-coated plate; and (2) to study the effect of an ex vivo gene transfer protocol on the expression of lymphocyte homing receptors L-selectin and alpha 4 beta 7 and alpha 4 beta 1 integrins. From seven independent experiments we demonstrate by flow cytometry analyses of EGFP expression that whereas centrifugation at 32 degrees C or the fibronectin fragment CH-296-coated plate protocol alone yielded 10-14% transduction efficiency, combining these two protocols resulted in 28.1-51.2% transduction efficiency. EGFP in transduced cells was expressed highly throughout the 14 days of posttransduction expansion. Our results also demonstrate that whereas the transduction procedure per se did not significantly alter the expression of lymphocyte homing receptors, anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibody stimulation profoundly reduced the expression of L-selectin. The selective reduction of L-selectin may result in significant in vivo consequences if transduced cells are infused.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Cardiac function during laparoscopic vs open gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Hypercarbia and increased intraabdominal pressure during prolonged pneumoperitoneum can adversely affect cardiac function. This study compared the intraoperative hemodynamics of morbidly obese patients during laparoscopic and open gastric bypass (GBP). METHODS: Fifty-one patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40-60 kg/m2 were randomly allocated to undergo laparoscopic (n = 25) or open (n = 26) GBP. Cardiac output (CO), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), central venous pressure (CVP), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded at baseline, intraoperatively at 30-min intervals, and in the recovery room. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and stroke volume (SV) were also calculated. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of age, weight, and BMI. Operative time was longer in the laparoscopic than in the open group (p < 0.05). The HR and MAP increased significantly from baseline intraoperatively, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. In the laparoscopic group, CO was unchanged after insufflation, but it increased by 5.3% at 2.5 h compared to baseline and by 43% compared to baseline in the recovery room. In contrast, during open GBP, CO increased significantly by 25% after surgical incision and remained elevated throughout the operation. CO was higher during open GBP than during laparoscopic GBP at 0.5 h and at 1 h after surgical incision (p < 0.05). During laparoscopic GBP, CVP, MPAP, and SVR increased transiently and PAWP remained unchanged. During open GBP, CVP, MPAP, and PAWP decreased transiently and SVR remained unchanged. There was no significant difference in the amount of intraoperative fluid administered during laparoscopic (5.5 +/- 1.6 L) and open (5.6 +/- 1.7 L) GBP. CONCLUSION: Prolonged pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic gastric bypass does not impair cardiac function and is well tolerated by morbidly obese patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cardiac catheterization of low birth weight infants.

The increased survival of low birth weight infants means that more of these infants may be candidates for catheter interventions. There are few data on the results of cardiac catheterization in this group. This study aimed to analyze, retrospectively, cardiac catheterization of infants weighing < or =2.5 kg, with emphasis on the results of interventions. The complication rates of interventional and diagnostic procedures were compared. One hundred eleven catheterizations were performed in 107 patients between 1985 and 1998. Thirty-one procedures were interventional. Balloon atrial septostomy (n = 16), balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (n = 10), balloon pulmonary angioplasty (n = 1), and coil occlusion of collateral vessels (n = 3) were all performed successfully. One infant (3%) died while undergoing myocardial biopsy. The reintervention rate for isolated pulmonary valve stenosis was 25% (2 of 8) at 1 month, 57% (4 of 7) at 6 months, and 71% (5 of 7) at 1 year. Complications were significantly more frequent during interventional (13 of 31, 42%) than during diagnostic (13 of 80, 16%) procedures. The most common complications during interventions were arrhythmias (3 of 31, 10%) and respiratory deterioration (3 of 31, 10%). Cardiac catheterization was technically feasible in all patients. Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty and atrial septostomy provided good palliation in this patient group. The mortality of interventional procedures was low. The high incidence of respiratory complications suggests that low birth weight infants should undergo elective ventilation for interventional cardiac catheterization.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed2001

Identification, characterization and leucocyte expression of Siglec-10, a novel human sialic acid-binding receptor.

Here we characterize Siglec-10 as a new member of the Siglec family of sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins. A full-length cDNA was isolated from a human spleen library and the corresponding gene identified. Siglec-10 is predicted to contain five extracellular Ig-like domains and a cytoplasmic tail containing three putative tyrosine-based signalling motifs. Siglec-10 exhibited a high degree of sequence similarity to CD33-related Siglecs and mapped to the same region, on chromosome 19q13.3. The expressed protein was able to mediate sialic acid-dependent binding to human erythrocytes and soluble sialoglycoconjugates. Using specific antibodies, Siglec-10 was detected on subsets of human leucocytes including eosinophils, monocytes and a minor population of natural killer-like cells. The molecular properties and expression pattern suggest that Siglec-10 may function as an inhibitory receptor within the innate immune system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Inhaled nitric oxide in neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension.

To investigate the oxygenation and haemodynamic dose response to inhaled nitric oxide in neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN), we gave seven neonates nitric oxide and measured directly pulmonary arterial pressure. Inhaled nitric oxide produced peak improvement in oxygenation at 5 parts per million (ppm) whereas peak improvement in the pulmonary-to-systemic arterial pressure ratio did not occur until a nitric oxide dose of 20 ppm, which suggests that an Initial dose of 20 ppm is optimum for the treatment of PPHN.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2001

Apoptotic cell death in the mouse retinal ganglion cell layer is induced in vivo by the excitatory amino acid homocysteine.

Homocysteine, an excitatory amino acid and a homolog of cysteine, induces neuronal cell death in brain via stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. It also selectively activates NMDA receptors of retinal ganglion cells, but it is not known if high levels of homocysteine are toxic to these cells. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased levels of homocysteine caused death of neurons in the ganglion cell layer; if so whether this death occurred via an apoptotic mechanism and to determine the consequences of simultaneous elevation of homocysteine and glutamate, a known retinal excitotoxin, on the viability of neurons of the ganglion cell layer. C57BL/6 mice were injected intravitreally with either homocysteine or glutamate/homocysteine combined (final concentrations: 25, 75, and 200 microM); injection of glutamate (25 and 200 microM) served as a positive control. Eyes were harvested and cryosections prepared 5-6 days post-injection. Systematic morphometric analysis of retinas of mice injected with homocysteine indicated that the total number of cells in the ganglion cell layer decreased by about 23% following exposure to 200 microM homocysteine. To determine whether the neurons of the ganglion cell layer were dying by apoptosis, the TUNEL method was used and was confirmed by immunohistochemical studies of caspase-3, known to be expressed at high levels during retinal ganglion cell apoptosis. Microscopic analysis revealed significantly more TUNEL-positive cells in the ganglion cell layer in homocysteine-injected eyes than in contralateral PBS-injected eyes. Retinas injected with 75 and 200 microM homocysteine displayed significantly more TUNEL-positive neurons in the ganglion cell layer (2 and 2.9, respectively) than PBS-injected retinas (0.25). In eyes injected simultaneously with homocysteine/glutamate, the number of apoptotic cells in the ganglion cell layer almost doubled that for homocysteine or glutamate injections alone. Immunohistochemical analysis of activated caspase-3 revealed numerous positively labelled neurons in the ganglion cell layer in homocysteine and homocysteine/glutamate-injected eyes, but not in PBS-injected eyes. Quantification of this data revealed a significantly greater number of caspase-3-positive neurons in the ganglion cell layer of retinas injected with 75 and 200 microM homocysteine (2.9 and 4.4, respectively) than for PBS-injected retinas (0.5). This confirms that death of neurons in the ganglion cell layer is occurring by apoptosis. The present study provides the first evidence that homocysteine is toxic to neurons of the ganglion cell layer. In addition, it provides evidence that these retinal neurons are dying by apoptosis and it demonstrates for the first time that excitotoxic damage to neurons of the ganglion cell layer is potentiated by simultaneous elevation of homocysteine and glutamate. These findings are relevant to retinal ganglion cell death characteristic of diabetic retinopathy, which is thought to be mediated by overstimulation of the NMDA receptor.

Analysis of Variance↗