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The complications of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are widespread, unpredictable and variable and each person’s experience of this disorder is unique. However, few studies have addressed the impact of NF1 from an individual’s perspective. This qualitative study aims to identify the ways in which NF1 impacts upon affected Australian adults. Sixty adults with NF1, with a range of disease severity and visibility participated in a semi-structured interview about the ways in which NF1 impacted upon their life and health. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Results indicated that NF1 impacts upon affected adults in five major ways: 1) cosmetic burden of disease 2) learning difficulties 3) concerns about the risk of passing NF1 to offspring 4) uncertain disease progression, and 5) pain. Participants identified the aspects of NF1 that bothered them the most, creating a hierarchy of NF1 concerns within the cohort. Importantly, mildly affected adults shared many of the same concerns as those more severely affected. This study enhances our current understanding of the impact of NF1 in adulthood, and augments existing recommendations for the care of these patients.

Two forms of Fragilaria crotonensis Kitton, one with flared ends to the cells, the other with ends that taper to a narrow rod-like tip, were previously distinguished by light microscopy and by their contrasting relationships with the parasitic chytrids Rhizophydium fragilariae Canter and one referred to as species 3. Examples of the above diatom types, taken from a number of geographically widely separated lakes, have been examined by electron microscopy. Additional morphological differences are described. The ocellus in flared-type cells consists of 4–5 rows of pores while in rod-type cells fewer (2–3) rows of pores are present. Valve thickenings on the mantle at the apex of rod-type cells are rarely visible whereas in flared-type cells they are usually very prominent. A rimoportula was present in both cell types. In flared cells its external aperture lies immediately behind the apex usually in line with the striae and the internal aperture is often orientated with its long axis oblique to that of the diatom cell. The rimoportula in rod-type cells opens at the centre of the valve face and the internal aperture is orientated at 90° to the apical axis of the valve. Comparison made with type material suggests that the rod-form should be recognized as F. crotonensis var. crotonensis and the flared-form as var. prolongata Grunow ex van Heurck.