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Biomedical subjects

A Handler

Publications and source records attributed to A Handler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Taurine-induced synaptic potentiation and the late phase of long-term potentiation are related mechanistically.

The application of taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) induces a long-lasting increase of synaptic efficacy and axon excitability (LLP-TAU) in rat hippocampal CA1 area. After taurine withdrawal, LLP-TAU lasted at least 3 h. This fact prompted us to assess whether the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of this particular potentiation were similar to those implicated in the late phase of long-term potentiation (L-LTP). In the presence of KN-62, an inhibitor of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, taurine perfusion (10 mM, 30 min) did not affect the induction of LLP-TAU. However, LLP-TAU maintenance was completely suppressed by KT5720, an inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Moreover, the late phase of LLP-TAU was blocked by inhibiting protein synthesis with anisomycin. In addition, taurine perfusion increased the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), although did not affect cAMP levels. These features of LLP-TAU do not appear to be caused by the activation of D1/D5 dopamine receptors, as taurine also induced synaptic potentiation in the presence of SCH23390, an antagonist of this type of receptors. Finally, the late phase of both L-LTP and LLP-TAU occluded mutually. These results suggest that taurine triggers the sequence of some of the molecular events involved in the induction of L-LTP.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

L-DOPA and glia-conditioned medium have additive effects on tyrosine hydroxylase expression in human catecholamine-rich neuroblastoma NB69 cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of L-DOPA and glia-conditioned medium (GCM) on cell viability, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression, dopamine (DA) metabolism and glutathione (GSH) levels of NB69 cells. L-DOPA (200 microM) induced differentiation of NB69 cells of more than 4 weeks in vitro, as shown by phase-contrast microscopy and TH immunocytochemistry, and decreased replication, as shown by 5-bromodeoxyuridine immunostaining. L-DOPA did not increase the number of necrotic or apoptotic cells, as shown by morphological features, Trypan Blue, lactate dehydrogenase activity, bis-benzimide staining and TUNEL assay. Furthermore, L-DOPA (200 microM) increased Bcl-xL protein expression. Incubation of cells with L-DOPA (50, 100, 200 microM) for 24 h resulted in an increase in TH protein levels (174, 196 and 212% versus control). Neither carbidopa, an inhibitor of L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzyme, nor L-buthionine sulfoximine, which inhibits GSH synthesis, or ascorbic acid, an antioxidant, blocked the L-DOPA-induced effect on TH protein expression. L-DOPA (0, 50, 100 and 200 microM) plus GCM further increased the amount of TH protein (346, 446, 472 and 424%). L-DOPA (200 microM) increased TH protein levels to 132, 191 and 245% of controls after incubation for 24, 48 and 72 h. DA metabolism in NB69 cells was increased in cultures treated with either L-DOPA (200-300 microM) or GCM and these two agents had a synergistic effect on DA metabolism. In addition, L-DOPA (200 microM) or/and GCM-treated cells increased their GSH extracellular levels (223, 257, 300% of controls) after 48 h of treatment. The L-DOPA-induced increase of TH protein expression in NB69 cells was independent of DA production, free radicals and GSH up-regulation.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2001

Building the analytic capacity of the State Maternal and Child Health workforce--a history of the HRSA/MCHB Academic Partnership.

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in conjunction with Schools of Public Health has sponsored a variety of graduate education and continuing education initiatives during the last 15 years aimed at enhancing the analytic capacity of the maternal and child health (MCH) workforce. These initiatives are described, with lessons learned as well as recommendations for future efforts provided.

Child↗
PubMed2001

A conceptual framework to measure performance of the public health system.

OBJECTIVES: This article describes a unifying conceptual framework for the public health system as a way to facilitate the measurement of public health system performance. METHODS: A conceptual framework for the public health system was developed on the basis of the work of Donabedian and a conceptual model previously developed by Bernard Turnock and Arden Handler. RESULTS: The conceptual framework consists of 5 components that can be considered in relationship to each other: macro context, mission, structural capacity, processes, and outcomes. Although the availability of measures for each of these components varies, the framework can be used to examine the performance of public health systems as well as that of agencies and programs. CONCLUSIONS: A conceptual framework that explicates the relationships among the various components of the public health system is an essential step toward providing a science base for the study of public health system performance.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed2000

Functional implications of the noradrenergic-cholinergic switch induced by retinoic acid in NB69 neuroblastoma cells.

Some neuroblastoma cell lines change their neurotransmitter phenotype from noradrenergic to cholinergic under retinoic acid treatment. Such "neurotransmitter switch" seems to be a consequence of changes in the expression and activity of the biosynthetic machinery for both neurotransmitters. In this study, we have characterized this "neurotransmitter switch" induced by retinoic acid in a human neuroblastoma cell line (NB69) showing catecholaminergic characteristics. Retinoic acid treatment reduced tyrosine hydroxylase activity and noradrenaline levels in NB69 cells but did not modify the expression of this enzyme. Moreover, the calcium-dependent release of [(3)H]noradrenaline in control cells was highly reduced by retinoic acid treatment. On the other hand, NB69 cells treated with retinoic acid enhanced the expression of choline acetyltransferase and acquired the capability to release [(3)H]acetylcholine in a calcium-dependent way. In addition, we found that the expression of the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) was increased in those cells treated with retinoic acid. Immunostaining revealed that retinoic acid treatment changed the cellular distribution of both vesicular monoamine transporter 2 and vesicular acetylcholine transporter. In conclusion, retinoic acid induces a noradrenergic to cholinergic switch in NB69 cells by acting at several levels of the neurotransmitter phenotypic expression.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2000

Low-income African-American mothers' perception of exposure to racial discrimination and infant birth weight.

We performed a hospital-based case-control study of African-American mothers to explore the relation between a mother's perception of exposure to racial discrimination during pregnancy and very low birth weight. We administered a structured questionnaire to low-income mothers of very low birth weight (<1500 gm; N = 25) and non-low birth weight (>2500 gm; N = 60) infants. The unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio of very low birth weight for maternal exposure to racial discrimination were 1.9 (0.5-6.6) and 3.2 (0.9-11.3), respectively. We conclude that maternal perception of exposure to racial discrimination during pregnancy may be associated with very low birth weight in their infants.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1999

Effective MCH epidemiology in state health agencies: lessons from an evaluation of the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program (MCHEP).

OBJECTIVES: The Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Program (MCHEP), jointly sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), was evaluated in 1996-1997. As part of this evaluation, an effort was undertaken to identify components of effective MCH epidemiology, to examine their prevalence across participating states, and to assess differences with respect to these components between MCHEP and non-MCHEP states. METHODS: A case-study evaluation was undertaken in which nine states (five MCHEP and four non-MCHEP) rated themselves on a benchmark questionnaire and participated in interviews conducted during site visits. At the completion of the evaluation, 16 components of effective MCH epidemiology in state health agencies were identified. The nine states were rated by the evaluation team on each component. Ratings across all states and between MCHEP and non-MCHEP states were compared. RESULTS: There was a great deal of variability among the nine states with respect to the presence of the components of effective MCH epidemiology. Components on which the states appeared weakest overall were the presence of adequately trained personnel, the presence of adequate management information systems to support MCH programs, and whether the state health agency's epidemiologic unit understands the MCH planning cycle. States with an MCHEP assignee had a higher overall mean score than non-MCHEP states across all components. There were seven components on which the two groups of states differed. These include whether the MCH director is empowered in the state health agency, whether the state health agency has identified internal epidemiologic capacity building as a priority, and whether analytic leadership is available for MCH epidemiologic activities. CONCLUSIONS: Building and maintaining MCH epidemiologic capacity in state health agencies requires attention to a variety of factors. While the presence of an MCH epidemiologist is important, this is only one of many components that must be considered as both the federal and state governments seek to promote and institutionalize effective MCH epidemiology in state health agencies.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed1999

Final report on public health practice linkages between schools of public health and state health agencies: 1992-1996.

Since 1988 there has been a call for enhanced linkages between schools of public health and public health agencies that has prompted schools of public health to develop public health practice initiatives. The University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health conducted surveys of schools of public health and of state public health agencies in 1992 to collect baseline data on practice initiatives undertaken by academe and governmental public health agencies to enhance collaboration; follow-up surveys were undertaken in 1993, 1994 and 1996. This article describes the trends and implications of this survey of practice linkages involving schools of public health and state health agencies.

Cooperative Behavior↗
PubMed1999

Assessing prenatal hepatitis B screening in Illinois with an inexpensive study design adaptable to other jurisdictions.

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated, using an economical survey design adaptable to other jurisdictions, the proportion of birth admissions in Illinois hospitals in which mothers were not screened for hepatitis B surface antigen prior to delivery. It also identified factors associated with lack of screening. METHODS: Based on a cluster sampling design, 1372 birth records were sampled, and data were abstracted by local personnel at 56 hospitals. Selected data elements were reabstracted on a subsample to evaluate recording errors. RESULTS: Reabstracted data demonstrated 95% agreement among reviewers. Hepatitis B surface antigen screening was documented for 90.7% of mothers; 11% of responding hospitals accounted for 45% of nonscreened mothers. Risk factors for not being screened included no prenatal care, Medicaid or no insurance, and delivery at a hospital lacking a written hepatitis B surface antigen policy. CONCLUSIONS: In Illinois, prenatal hepatitis B surface antigen screening rates were high and similar to those in other states. Births without screening or transferred information clustered in a few hospitals. The methods used here can economically identify underscreened populations by sampling a large number of hospitals within designated areas.

Cluster Analysis↗
PubMed1998

Measuring satisfaction among low-income women: a prenatal care questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and construct validity of a prenatal care satisfaction scale. METHOD: A prenatal care satisfaction scale that included six dimensions of care based on the literature was tested during a telephone interview with 101 first-time African-American and Mexican-American mothers 18 and over who receive Medicaid. RESULTS: The scale exhibited high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.95), as well as good construct validity. The correlation between the scale and rating of the quality of care overall was 0.74 (p < 0.001); the correlation between the scale and whether the women would recommend this provider to a friend was 0.67 (p < 0.001). Results from correlation and factor analysis suggested a different set of dimensions than those described in the literature. CONCLUSION: The 22-question satisfaction with prenatal care scale has excellent reliability and construct validity and taps six established dimensions of satisfaction, including the art of care, technical quality, access, physical environment, availability, and efficacy. The multidimensional scale allows for alternative groupings of the domains of satisfaction as our understanding of prenatal care satisfaction increases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Health care characteristics associated with women's satisfaction with prenatal care.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore the relation between prenatal care characteristics and satisfaction among Medicaid recipients. METHODS: African-American (n = 75) and Mexican-American (n = 26) nonadolescent primiparous pregnant women who had at least three prenatal care visits participated in a 25-minute telephone survey that asked them about satisfaction with prenatal care (art of care, technical quality, physical environment, access, availability and efficacy); prenatal care characteristics (practitioner attributes, service availability, and features of the delivery of care); and, personal characteristics (sociodemographics, health status and behaviors, and pregnancy-related variables). Univariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to explore the relations between personal characteristics and satisfaction and between care characteristics and satisfaction. RESULTS: For the overall sample, the following prenatal care characteristics were associated with increased satisfaction: having procedures explained by the provider, short waiting times at the prenatal care site, the availability of ancillary services, and reporting that the prenatal care practitioner was male. When examining the data by ethnicity, whether the provider explained procedures was the most important determinant of satisfaction for both African-American and Mexican-American women. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the care characteristics that impact low-income pregnant women's satisfaction can be utilized to alter service delivery to increase use of prenatal care and ultimately to improve perinatal outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

African-American mothers' perception of their residential environment, stressful life events, and very low birthweight.

We performed a hospital-based case-control study of African-American mothers to explore the relation between a mother's perception of her own residential environment and very low birthweight. We administered a structured questionnaire to mothers of very-low-birthweight (<1,500 gm; N = 28) and critically ill non-low-birthweight (>2,500 gm; N = 52) infants. The groups had similar sociodemographic characteristics. The vast majority of participants were unmarried and had no private medical insurance. The odds ratios of very low birthweight fluctuated between 1.7 and 3.2 for African-American mothers who rated their neighborhoods (in terms of police protection, protection of property, personal safety, friendliness, delivery of municipal services, cleanliness, quietness, and schools) unfavorably. Additionally, the odds ratio of very low birthweight for mothers exposed to three or more stressful life events during pregnancy was 3.1 (95% confidence interval = 1.2-8.2). We conclude that African-American mothers' perception of their residential environment and frequency of stressful life events are associated with very low birthweight in their infants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Prospective recruitment of women receiving prenatal care from diverse provider arrangements: a potential strategy.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the use of a Medicaid managed care list to prospectively recruit into a research project pregnant women receiving care from a variety of providers. METHOD: A list of women enrolled in Medicaid managed care was used to recruit pregnant African-American and Latina women into a study of prenatal care satisfaction. Due to privacy concerns, the researchers were not able to directly access names from the list. Instead, a managed care contract agency sent recruitment letters to 1009 pregnant African-American and Latina Medicaid recipients. Response rates by ethnicity and several other key variables are calculated. The biases associated with this method of recruiting pregnant women from a variety of providers are discussed. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of the women contacted returned consent forms and agreed to have researchers approach them; the response rate for African-American women was 43% and for Latinas was 29% (p < 0.0001). Respondents were younger and later in their pregnancies than nonrespondents, but did not differ from them by zip code of residence. The women recruited into the study obtained prenatal care from a diverse group of providers. CONCLUSIONS: While the use of a prospectively generated list of pregnant Medicaid recipients to recruit low-income pregnant women into a research study may be associated with some selection bias, the potential cost savings, decreased effort, and diminished recall bias may make their use a feasible sampling alternative, particularly when the researcher desires to recruit women seeking care from a variety of provider arrangements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Public health practice linkages between schools of public health and state health agencies: results from a three-year survey.

Several recent examinations of the state of public health have called for enhanced linkages between schools of public health and public health agencies, prompting federal health agencies and schools of public health to develop practice initiatives. Surveys of schools of public health and of state public health agencies were conducted in 1992 to collect baseline data on practice links between the two agencies; follow-up surveys were undertaken in 1993 and 1994. Responses reveal that a substantial amount of interaction between schools and agencies has been occurring for some time, but that until recently much of the interaction has been informal and between individuals or departments rather than institution-wide. Both frequency and formalization of such collaborations have increased, reflecting a growing emphasis on public health practice activities at schools of public health together with public health agencies.

Government Agencies↗
PubMed1997

Wantedness of pregnancy and prenatal health behaviors.

This study examined the relationships between wantedness of pregnancy and the initiation of prenatal care as well as smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Three hundred and eighty post-partum women were interviewed in a randomly selected sample of Chicago area hospitals. Approximately half of the women said that they had wanted their recently completed pregnancy. Unadjusted analyses revealed that women who wanted their pregnancies were more likely to begin prenatal care in the first trimester and were less likely to smoke while there was no relationship between wantedness and alcohol use during pregnancy. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, women who wanted their pregnancies were less likely to have smoked cigarettes or drunk alcohol during pregnancy, but were not more likely to have initiated prenatal care in the first trimester. These results suggest that positive health behaviors during pregnancy are influenced by wantedness of pregnancy as well as sociodemographic characteristics. Therefore, efforts to reduce unwanted pregnancies are an important strategy to improve the health of women and children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of internal alpha-particle radiation exposure and subsequent fertility among a cohort of women formerly employed in the radium dial industry.

This study examined the effect of internal exposure to alpha-particle radiation on subsequent fertility among women employed in the radium dial industry prior to 1930, when appreciable amounts of radium were often ingested through the practice of pointing the paint brush with the lips. The analysis was limited to women for whom a radium body burden measurement had been obtained and who were married prior to age 45 (n = 603). Internal radiation dose to the ovary was calculated based on initial intakes of radium-226 and radium-228, average ovarian mass, number and energy of alpha particles emitted, fraction of energy absorbed within the ovary, effective retention integrals and estimated photon irradiation. Time between marriage and pregnancy, number of pregnancies and number of live births served as surrogates for fertility. Radiation appeared to have no effect on fertility at estimated cumulative ovarian dose equivalents below 5 Sv; above this dose, however, statistically significant declines in both number of pregnancies and live births were observed. These trends persisted after multivariable adjustment for potential confounding variables and after exclusion of subjects contributing a potential classification or selection bias to the study. Additionally, the high-dose group experienced fewer live births than would have been expected based on population rates. There were no differences in time to first pregnancy between high- and low-dose groups. These results are consistent with earlier studies of gamma-ray exposures and suggest that exposure to high doses of radiation from internally deposited radium reduces fertility rather than inducing sterility.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1997

Does parental involvement make a difference? The impact of parent interactive activities on students in a school-based AIDS prevention program.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we test the effectiveness of involving parents in school-based AIDS education with respect to altering AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, behavioral intentions, communications patterns, and behavior of students. METHODS: Fifteen high risk school districts (pre-test N = 2,392) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: parent-interactive (classroom curricula + parent-interactive component); parent non-interactive (classroom curricula only); control (basic AIDS education ordinarily provided by the school). Students were tested over time in grades 7, 8 and 9. RESULTS: Results indicate that both treatment conditions (parent-interactive and non-interactive) had a strong positive impact in enhancing student's knowledge, attitudes, communication patterns and behavioral intentions. Further, results indicate that there were no behavioral outcome differences between the treatment groups and the control condition. Results demonstrate few outcome differences between the two experimental conditions. CONCLUSIONS: In the two treatment groups (parent-interactive and parent non-interactive), the program effects appear to be the result of school-based curricula and of student self-determined intentions and behaviors, rather than the presence or absence of planned parental involvement. Whether or not structured or planned parental involvement becomes part of a school-based educational activity should perhaps be determined by (a) the existing level of parent-school interaction based on the nature of the community, (b) the amount of money readily available to follow through on a program of parent involvement without compromising on student programs, (c) the age of the child and the sensitivity of the issue, and (d) the ability of the parent/family to be involved effectively without extraordinary expense or sacrifice by either parent or school. Our findings speak to the positive role of the school regardless of parent participation.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗