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Biomedical subjects

A Reid

Publications and source records attributed to A Reid.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Collegial networking and faculty vitality.

BACKGROUND: This research explored the relationship between collegial networking and faculty "vitality" among graduates of the family medicine faculty development fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Faculty vitality was defined by retention in full-time teaching, job satisfaction, academic activity, and contributions to the discipline. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to 170 family physician graduates of the 1980-1992 fellowship classes. After a mail and telephone follow-up, the response rate was 85%. Data were collected on career history, professional interests, professional relationships, assessment of fellowship, and professional activities. RESULTS: Respondents with collegial networks were more likely to participate in several academic activities and were more likely to remain in full-time teaching. No association was found between collegial networks and satisfaction or contributions to the discipline. There were only small differences in effect between intra-departmental and extra-departmental collegial networks. Stratification by program type and gender revealed no evidence of effect modification or confounding. CONCLUSIONS: Collegial networks influence some aspects of faculty vitality, particularly retention in full-time teaching. Further research is needed to fully understand its impact.

Communication↗
PubMed1997

Outcomes of three part-time faculty development fellowship programs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Part-time faculty development fellowship programs have trained large numbers of new physician faculty for family medicine education programs. This study reviews data from three part-time fellowship programs to determine how well the programs train new faculty and the academic success of fellowship graduates. METHODS: Part-time fellowship programs at Michigan State University, the University of North Carolina, and the Faculty Development Center in Waco, Tex, sent written surveys to graduates as part of routine follow-up studies. Graduates were asked to report their current status in academic medicine, how they spend their time, measures of academic productivity, and assessments of how well their training prepared them for their current academic positions. Data were complied at each institution and sent to Michigan State University for analysis. RESULTS: The majority of graduates (76%) have remained in their academic positions, and half (49%) teach in medically underserved settings. Graduates report high levels of satisfaction with the training they received. Thirty-two percent of graduates have published peer-reviewed articles, and almost 50% have presented at peer-reviewed meetings. CONCLUSIONS: Part-time fellowship programs have been successful at training and retaining large numbers of new faculty for family medicine.

Faculty, Medical↗
PubMed1997

Assessment of faculty development program outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: More and better research is needed about the effectiveness of faculty development programs. Increasingly, government leaders in Congress and the Administration expect comprehensive outcome and impact evaluation as justification for federal finding. This paper summarizes outcomes reported and methods used in published studies of faculty development programs since 1980.

Education↗
PubMed1996

Epitope analysis of the murine p53 tumour suppressor protein.

The identification and characterisation of the p53 tumour suppressor has relied extensively on the use of immunological reagents. To facilitate further characterisation of the murine p53 protein (Mp53), and its interaction with other proteins, we have characterised the antigenic sites of Mp53 in fine detail. Using an overlapping Mp53 peptide library we report the identification by Pepscan ELISA of the epitopes of nine antibodies. We have also used this technique to determine whether corresponding epitopes were present in a human p53 (Hp53) peptide library. This comparison was extended to include polyclonal sera of mice immunized with either Mp53 or Hp53, to compare the overall range of antigenic sites. The range of antigenic sites identified by polyclonal sera is very similar, although the N-terminus of Mp53 is clearly not an immunodominant region, in contrast to the N-terminus of Hp53. However, the N-terminus of Mp53 is immunogenic in rabbits as demonstrated by the Pepscan ELISA of CM5 serum (a rabbit anti-Mp53 serum used in analysing p53 expression in mice). Since, very few new antigenic sites were identified in either Mp53 or Hp53, new approaches will have to be employed to identify novel immunological reagents against human and murine p53.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Amino-terminal protein-protein interaction motif (POZ-domain) is responsible for activities of the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger-retinoic acid receptor-alpha fusion protein.

Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger-retinoic acid receptor a (PLZF-RARalpha), a fusion receptor generated as a result of a variant t(11;17) chromosomal translocation that occurs in a small subset of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients, has been shown to display a dominant-negative effect against the wild-type RARalpha/retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha). We now show that its N-terminal region (called the POZ-domain), which mediates protein-protein interaction as well as specific nuclear localization of the wild-type PLZF and chimeric PLZF-RARalpha proteins, is primarily responsible for this activity. To further investigate the mechanisms of PLZF-RARalpha action, we have also studied its ligand-receptor, protein-protein, and protein-DNA interaction properties and compared them with those of the promyelocytic leukemia gene (PML)-RARalpha, which is expressed in the majority of APLs as a result of t(15;17) translocation. PLZF-RARalpha and PML-RARalpha have essentially the same ligand-binding affinities and can bind in vitro to retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) as homodimers or heterodimers with RXRalpha. PLZF-RARalpha homodimerization and heterodimerization with RXRalpha were primarily mediated by the POZ-domain and RARalpha sequence, respectively. Despite having identical RARalpha sequences, PLZF-RARalpha and PML-RARalpha homodimers recognized with different affinities distinct RAREs. Furthermore, PLZF-RARalpha could heterodimerize in vitro with the wild-type PLZF, suggesting that it may play a role in leukemogenesis by antagonizing actions of not only the retinoid receptors but also the wild-type PLZF and possibly other POZ-domain-containing regulators. These different protein-protein interactions and the target gene specificities of PLZF-RARalpha and PML-RARalpha may underlie, at least in part, the apparent resistance of APL with t(11;17) to differentiation effects of all-trans-retinoic acid.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Caffeine antinociception: role of formalin concentration and adenosine A1 and A2 receptors.

Caffeine produces antinociception in the formalin test at lower doses than in thermal threshold tests. In this study, we examined (a) the effect of formalin concentration on the action of caffeine, and (b) the relative involvement of adenosine A1 and A2 receptors in the action of caffeine. Formalin 1%, 2% and 5% produces a concentration-dependent increase in flinching behaviour in rats. At 5% formalin, the EC50 for caffeine in reducing phase 2 responses (16-60 min following formalin injection) is 40 mg/kg, but at 2%, this is reduced to 5 mg/kg. There is no further shift using 1% formalin. Caffeine has a more pronounced effect on phase 2A (16-36 min) than on phase 2, with significant effects being observed at lower doses. Both 8-cyclopentyltheophylline (A1 selective) and 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (A2 selective) produce a dose-related inhibition of 1.5% formalin flinching behaviours between 1-10 mg/kg. Both agents also produce locomotor stimulation over this dose range, but significant effects occur only at 10 mg/kg. These results indicate that antinociception by caffeine shows a high dependence on stimulus intensity. At 1-2% formalin, doses of caffeine that produce antinociception are now in the range that corresponds to normal human dietary and therapeutic intake levels. Both antinociception and locomotor stimulation appear to be dependent on activation of adenosine A1 receptors, as effects of 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine are observed only at a dose which blocks adenosine A1 receptors in addition to A2 receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Interactions of descending serotonergic systems with other neurotransmitters in the modulation of nociception.

The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and ligands selective for particular 5-HT receptor subtypes on the transmission of nociceptive information in the spinal cord are complex. In these studies, we have focused on their interactions with two endogenous mediators of pain suppression, noradrenaline (NA) and adenosine. Spinal antinociception by 5-HT is blocked by alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonists and depletion of endogenous NA by 6-hydroxydopamine, while it is potentiated by blockade of NA reuptake with desipramine. These observations provide evidence for a 5-HT receptor-mediated increase in the release of NA from the spinal cord. This action appears to be due to activation of a 5-HT1-like receptor as it is mimicked by some 5-HT1 receptor ligands (mCPP, TFMPP and 5-Me-O-DMT), but not by DOI (5-HT2) or 2-Me-5-HT (5-HT3). An additional component of 5-HT action is via release of adenosine. Antinociception by 5-HT is blocked by the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline, and 5-HT has been shown to release adenosine from the spinal cord in in vitro and in vivo paradigms. Methylxanthine-sensitive antinociception is seen with some 5-HT1 receptor ligands (CGS 12066B, mCPP), but not with others or with DOI or 2-Me-5-HT. Further characterization of the 5-HT receptor subtype involved in adenosine release will require the use of additional approaches.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

DNA fingerprinting of benign and malignant breast lesions.

Paired blood and breast tissue samples from 96 patients undergoing surgical excision of a breast lesion were subjected to DNA fingerprint analysis using the minisatellite probes 33.6 and 33.15. The 'fingerprints' of the blood and breast DNA were compared. DNA fingerprint changes seen were classified as band additions, band deletions or changes in band intensity. Significantly more DNA fingerprint changes were seen in malignant than in benign lesions (probe 33.6, P<0.01; probe 33.15, P=0.01; both probes, P = 0.04). The frequency of the changes detected in the breast cancers was unrelated to tumour grade or the presence of invasion. DNA ploidy was measured in 70 of the breast carcinomas. DNA fingerprint changes were seen in 41 of these, but flow cytometry detected aneuploidy in only 29 tumours (P=0.04). The DNA fingerprinting technique is unlikely to be useful in differentiating between benign and malignant breast lesions as changes were detected in one of the fibroadenomas studied. However, it may be a useful technique in screening tumour DNA for abnormalities suitable for more detailed analysis.

Breast Diseases↗
PubMed1996

Knowledge of cancer risk reduction practices in rural towns of New South Wales.

The Australian Cancer Society has published guidelines for recommended risk reduction strategies for breast, cervical, smoking-related and skin cancer. While knowledge may not be sufficient for change, it is argued to be necessary for change to occur. A measure of the level of health knowledge in the community can be useful for health promotion practitioners, identifying where health messages are not reaching their proposed targets. Our aims were to examine the level of knowledge about risk reduction practices for breast, cervical, smoking-related and skin cancers, for a rural New South Wales sample, and to examine sex and age effects on knowledge levels. A survey of 2846 women and 1732 men from rural New South Wales, which used an unprompted recall strategy, revealed some notable deficits in recall of cancer risk reduction practices: only 26 per cent of women identified mammograms as a risk reduction strategy for breast cancer; only 5 per cent of women knew at which ages mammograms should start and stop; only 6 per cent of women could identify when Pap tests should be discontinued; less than half of the sample could identify common solar protection strategies; and less than one-third of people identified passive smoking as a lung cancer risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Linear growth of very young asthmatic children treated with high-dose nebulized budesonide.

The aim of this open study was to observe linear growth in young children with asthma treated with nebulized budesonide. Infants and young children (< 3 years old) with severe uncontrolled asthma were studied. They were treated with nebulized budesonide (1-4 mg day-1) and treated for at least 6 months. Height standard deviation scores (HtSDS) were measured before ("pre-measurements") immediately prior to commencing nebulized budesonide therapy (baseline) and after at least 6 months of therapy ("post-measurements"). The mean HtSDS score at pretreatment was -0.21 and at baseline had fallen further to -0.46. The mean HtSDS increased to -0.17 when the post-measurements were made (p = 0.035) after at least 6 months of nebulized budesonide therapy. Treatment with nebulized budesonide for longer than 6 months in very young children with severe asthma was not associated with reduced linear growth.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1996

Neurotoxin-induced lesions to central serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems modify caffeine-induced antinociception in the formalin test and locomotor stimulation in rats.

Our study examined the effects of neurotoxin-induced lesions to central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) systems on antinociception by caffeine in the formalin test and on locomotor stimulation by caffeine. Locomotor activity was determined simultaneously with responses to formalin, although in some studies, scores were derived in the absence of formalin. Rats were tested 10 to 12 days after toxin administration, and amine levels in brain regions and the spinal cord determined at the end of the experiment. Intracerebroventricular 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (+/- desipramine) (which depleted central 5-HT systems) inhibited antinociception by caffeine but had no effect on locomotor stimulation. Intracerebroventricular 6-hydroxydopamine (which depleted NA in brain and spinal cord and DA in brain) augmented both antinociception and locomotor stimulation by caffeine. Both effects were due to NA depletion as they were mimicked by microinjection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the locus ceruleus that selectively depleted NA, not by intracerebroventricular 6-hydroxydopamine with desipramine that selectively depleted DA. In the absence of formalin, locus ceruleus lesions no longer had a significant effect on locomotor stimulation. Phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, inhibited caffeine-induced locomotor stimulation in the absence of formalin. These neurotoxin-induced lesions reveal an involvement of central 5-HT and NA (but not DA) systems in antinociception, and an involvement of central NA (but not 5-HT or DA) systems in locomotor stimulation. There appears to be an interrelationship between noxious stimulation and the expression of locomotor activity.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗
PubMed1996

Consent form readability in university-sponsored research.

BACKGROUND: Consent forms are required in most biomedical research involving human subjects. In recent years, a number of studies from different disciplines have reported problems related to consent form readability. METHODS: We analyzed 284 consent forms submitted to and approved by five institutional review boards (IRBs) (schools of Medicine, Nursing, Academic Affairs, Dentistry, and Public Health) at one university and one IRB at another. We examined consent form readability scores and factors that might relate to readability. RESULTS: The average reading level of all consent forms was high: 12.2, which corresponds roughly to a 12th-grade reading level. Less than 10% of all consent forms were written at a 10th grade reading level or below. Thirty-two percent of all consent forms had no evidence of revisions, and less than 2% of consent forms were revised more than once. Readability scores were not related to consent form revisions, the type of IRB, the year of study, or the university where the research was conducted. CONCLUSIONS: Poor readability of consent forms probably occurs in all university-related research. We recommend that IRBs require readability checks for research consent forms before researchers submit their proposals to an IRB.

Comprehension↗
PubMed1996

How family influences practice of obstetrics. Do married women family physicians make different choices?

PURPOSE: To examine the influence of family, past and current, on married women family physicians' and to understand why and how some women continue to practise obstetrics. PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sample of nine married women family physicians who currently practise obstetrics. METHOD: Qualitative in-depth interviews. FINDINGS: Analysis identified four main influences of family on participants' practice of obstetrics: family of origin, transitions in the life cycle, children, and the marital relationship. CONCLUSIONS: These women described how they combined the roles of wife, mother, daughter, sister, and doctor. Family was a powerful influence throughout their practice lives. Finding a balance between the demands of practice, particularly obstetrics, and family relationships was an ongoing process. The process was also influenced by transitions in the life cycle.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Developments on the Internet: a practical guide for primary care physicians.

Recent developments have made the Internet a helpful professional resource for primary care practitioners. The introduction of the World Wide Web has overcome many of the barriers that previously made it difficult to access useful information on the Internet. For teachers of primary care, the capability of combining graphic, sound, and video files is particularly exciting. User-friendly search strategies help users find needed information quickly. This article provides practical steps for accessing the Internet, introduces the concept of the World Wide Web, and provides a list of specific resources useful to primary care teachers, clinicians, and researchers.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1995

Leukemia translocation gene, PLZF, is expressed with a speckled nuclear pattern in early hematopoietic progenitors.

The PLZF gene was discovered by studying a rearrangement of the RAR alpha locus in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia and a t(11;17) chromosomal translocation. To understand further the potential role(s) of the PLZF gene product in hematopoiesis, we have examined its expression levels in a variety of murine tissues and in established cell lines that are representative of various stages of myeloid and lymphoid development. We show that murine PLZF(mPLZF) is expressed at the highest levels in undifferentiated, multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cells and that its expression declines as cells become more mature and committed to various hematopoietic lineages. Data obtained with established cell lines are corroborated by results showing the lack of human PLZF protein expression in mature peripheral blood mononuclear cells and high PLZF levels in the nuclei of CD34+ human bone marrow progenitor cells. Interestingly, unlike many transcription factors, PLZF protein in these cells possesses distinct punctate nuclear distribution, suggesting its compartmentalization in the nucleus. Taken together, our data suggest a role for PLZF protein in early hematopoiesis and the requirement of downregulation of its expression for proper differentiation of most hematopoietic lineages.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Thinking of England and taking care: family building strategies and infant mortality in England and Wales, 1891-1911.

"Debates concerning the origins and development of the late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century declines in marital fertility and infant mortality in England and Wales have been centred largely on the material provided by answers to the ¿special' questions in the 1911 census. In their published form these figures have restricted researchers to an examination of large scale geographic and social class differences in the levels and rates of decline of the two phenomena. This paper outlines research conducted on a sample of individual census returns from the 1911 census. From this data it becomes clear that for Victorian and Edwardian England ¿where one lived' was rather more important than ¿who one was' in determining both family building strategies and the survival of those children born."

Birth Rate↗