94 research outputs found

    Response of Itchgrass and Johnsongrass to Asulam/Dalapon Combinations (Sugarcane, Absorption, Translocation).

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    A series of studies were conducted from 1983-1985 under greenhouse, field, and laboratory conditions. Activities of asulam methyl (4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl carbamate , dalapon (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) and asulam/dalapon combinations on itchgrass (Rottboellia exaltata L.f.) and johnsongrass Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. were examined. Combinations consisted of tank mixes and sequential applications. Visual evaluations were taken 3 and 6 weeks after treatment (WAT) in 1983 and 4 and 8 WAT in 1984. Twelve WAT plant height, stem number, seedhead number and biomass were measured. Visual evaluation results paralleled quantitative measurements. Itchgrass and johnsongrass control equivalent to or greater than control obtained with 3.7 kg/ha asulam was observed with a tank mix of 2.2 kg/ha asulam plus 3.4 or 4.5 kg/ha dalapon. Sequential treatments which consisted of initial dalapon application followed 0, 1, 2, or 3 weeks later with asulam provided equivalent control to tank mixes. When metabolism of (\u2714)C-asulam was monitored, seven days after application, 97-100% of recovered (\u2714)C co-chromatographed with (\u2714)C-asulam. Itchgrass exhibited rapid uptake of (\u2714)C-asulam within 8 hr after application. Asulam concentrations remained constant in the plant between 8 and 72 hr. Johnsongrass plants showed a differential response to asulam and asulam/dalapon treatments. Asulam-treated johnsongrass absorbed 26-34% (\u2714)C (of total recovered) within 2 hr with no future significant increase in absorption through 72 hr. Treatment of johnsongrass with asulam/dalapon enhanced (\u2714)C absorption with time. At 24 and 72 hr (\u2714)C levels were double that absorbed from treatment of asulam alone. Movement of (\u2714)C-asulam in the apoplast and symplast of both itchgrass and johnsongrass was noted. The highest radiolabel accumulated in the lower leaves of itchgrass and remained in the treated leaf of johnsongrass

    The Tyranny of Distance: Clinical Legal Education in ‘The Bush’

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    This paper analyses the challenges faced by clients, students and teachers involved in a clinical program which uses new technology to deliver legal services in remote areas of Southern Queensland, Australia. A range of novel issues were addressed by Griffith University Law School, Learning Network Queensland and Caxton Legal Centre in their partnership development and delivery of this clinical program which involves the use of audio-graphics conferencing to enable students to provide legal advice and assistance to people hundreds of kilometres away. The ‘Advanced Family Law-Clinic’ program commenced in July 1999 with financial support from the Federal Attorney-General’s Department. The paper considers the range of issues which arose in development of the program

    Utilization of the Cepheid XpertÂź CT/NG Sample Adequacy Control to Determine the Influence of the Urethral Swab on Cellular Content in Post-Swab versus Pre-Swab Urine

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    Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae assay performance in males is typically determined using post-swab urine, though pre-swab urine is used in practice. We collected swabs and urine from men and used the Cepheid XpertÂź CT/NG sample adequacy control to determine the effect of swab collection on urine cellular content. No difference was observed

    Meatal Swabs Contain Less Cellular Material and Are Associated with a Decrease in Gram Stain Smear Quality Compared to Urethral Swabs in Men

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    Urethral swabs are the samples of choice for point-of-care Gram stain testing to diagnose Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) in men. As an alternative to urethral swabs, meatal swabs have been recommended for the collection of urethral discharge to diagnose N. gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infection in certain populations by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT), as they involve a less invasive collection method. However, as meatal swabs could be sampling a reduced surface area and result in fewer collected epithelial cells compared to urethral swabs, the adequacy of meatal swab specimens to collect sufficient cellular material for Gram stain testing remains unknown. We enrolled 66 men who underwent either urethral or meatal swabbing and compared the cellular content and Gram stain failure rate. We measured the difference in swab cellular content using the Cepheid Xpert CT/NG sample adequacy control crossing threshold (SACCT) and determined the failure rate of Gram stain smears (GSS) due to insufficient cellular material. In the absence of discharge, meatal smears were associated with a significant reduction in cellular content (P = 0.0118), which corresponded with a GSS failure rate significantly higher than that for urethral swabs (45% versus 3%, respectively; P < 0.0001). When discharge was present, there was no difference among results from urethral and meatal swabs. Therefore, if GSS testing is being considered for point-of-care diagnosis of N. gonorrhoeae infection or NGU in men, meatal swabs should be avoided in the absence of a visible discharge

    Defining the Urethritis Syndrome in Men Using Patient Reported Symptoms

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    To evaluate self-reported symptoms to guide urethritis diagnosis, symptomatic men being evaluated for urethritis were asked about seven symptoms captured during history-taking. Discharge and dysuria were significantly associated with urethritis and, when combined with genital irritation and itching, identified 95% of urethritis cases; odor and urinary frequency performed poorly

    Delay in Seeking Healthcare Services Following Onset of Urethritis Symptoms in Men

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    Background: Symptom awareness, behavioral factors, and other barriers associated with timely sexually transmitted infection (STI) health care provision in men is not well studied. Methods: Men attending an STI clinic answered a questionnaire regarding their symptoms, sexual behavior, and sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Characteristics of symptomatic men were compared between those who did and did not delay seeking health care services. Delayed care seeking was defined as clinic attendance longer than 7 days after symptoms, whereas early care seeking was defined as clinic attendance of 7 days or less. Results: Over a quarter (n = 43 [27.7%]) of men with urethritis symptoms (urethral discharge or dysuria) delayed seeking care for more than 7 days. Compared with men who sought treatment within 7 days, those that delayed care worried for longer periods that their symptoms were STI-related, were more likely to attempt self-treatment of STI symptoms, were more likely to continue engaging in sexual activity, and were less likely to use a condom during their last sexual encounter. Conversely, men that delayed care seeking were less likely to have urethral discharge on physical examination, to have 5 or more polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and to test positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. When compared with men that sought care earlier, men that delayed care seeking had fewer overall and new partners in the past 30 days. Conclusions: Our data suggest that over a quarter of men aware of STI symptoms delay seeking health services. Interventions that promote better patient understanding of the importance of symptom recognition and that facilitate timely access to care may provide new opportunities to reduce STI transmission

    High sensitivity analysis of nanogram quantities of glycosaminoglycans using ToF-SIMS

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    Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are important biopolymers that differ in the sequence of saccharide units and in post polymerization alterations at various positions, making these complex molecules challenging to analyse. Here we describe an approach that enables small quantities (< 200 ng) of over 400 different GAGs to be analysed within a short time frame (3-4 hours). Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) together with multivariate analysis is used to analyse the entire set of GAG samples. Resultant spectra are derived from the whole molecules and do not require pre-digestion. All 6 possible GAG types are successfully discriminated, both alone and in the presence of fibronectin. We also distinguish between pharmaceutical grade heparin, derived from different animal species and from different suppliers, to a sensitivity as low as 0.001 wt%. This approach is likely to be highly beneficial in the quality control of GAGs produced for therapeutic applications and for characterising GAGs within biomaterials or from in vitro cell culture

    Gambling disorder in the UK : key research priorities and the urgent need for independent research funding

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    Gambling in the modern era is pervasive owing to the variety of gambling opportunities available, including those that use technology (eg, online applications on smartphones). Although many people gamble recreationally without undue negative effects, a sizeable subset of individuals develop disordered gambling, which is associated with marked functional impairment including other mental health problems, relationship problems, bankruptcy, suicidality, and criminality. The National UK Research Network for Behavioural Addictions (NUK-BA) was established to promote understanding of, research into, and treatments for behavioural addictions including gambling disorder, which is the only formally recognised behavioural addiction. In this Health Policy paper, we outline the status of research and treatment for disordered gambling in the UK (including funding issues) and key research that should be conducted to establish the magnitude of the problem, vulnerability and resilience factors, the underlying neurobiology, long-term consequences, and treatment opportunities. In particular, we emphasise the need to: (1) conduct independent longitudinal research into the prevalence of disordered gambling (including gambling disorder and at-risk gambling), and gambling harms, including in vulnerable and minoritised groups; (2) select and refine the most suitable pragmatic measurement tools; (3) identify predictors (eg, vulnerability and resilience markers) of disordered gambling in people who gamble recreationally, including in vulnerable and minoritised groups; (4) conduct randomised controlled trials on psychological interventions and pharmacotherapy for gambling disorder; (5) improve understanding of the neurobiological basis of gambling disorder, including impulsivity and compulsivity, genetics, and biomarkers; and (6) develop clinical guidelines based on the best contemporary research evidence to guide effective clinical interventions. We also highlight the need to consider what can be learnt from approaches towards mitigating gambling-related harm in other countries. © 2022 Elsevier Lt

    Psychosocial impact of undergoing prostate cancer screening for men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

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    OBJECTIVES: To report the baseline results of a longitudinal psychosocial study that forms part of the IMPACT study, a multi-national investigation of targeted prostate cancer (PCa) screening among men with a known pathogenic germline mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. PARTICPANTS AND METHODS: Men enrolled in the IMPACT study were invited to complete a questionnaire at collaborating sites prior to each annual screening visit. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and the following measures: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Impact of Event Scale (IES), 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36), Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer, Cancer Worry Scale-Revised, risk perception and knowledge. The results of the baseline questionnaire are presented. RESULTS: A total of 432 men completed questionnaires: 98 and 160 had mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, respectively, and 174 were controls (familial mutation negative). Participants' perception of PCa risk was influenced by genetic status. Knowledge levels were high and unrelated to genetic status. Mean scores for the HADS and SF-36 were within reported general population norms and mean IES scores were within normal range. IES mean intrusion and avoidance scores were significantly higher in BRCA1/BRCA2 carriers than in controls and were higher in men with increased PCa risk perception. At the multivariate level, risk perception contributed more significantly to variance in IES scores than genetic status. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to report the psychosocial profile of men with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations undergoing PCa screening. No clinically concerning levels of general or cancer-specific distress or poor quality of life were detected in the cohort as a whole. A small subset of participants reported higher levels of distress, suggesting the need for healthcare professionals offering PCa screening to identify these risk factors and offer additional information and support to men seeking PCa screening
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