Biomedical subjects

C Miles

Publications and source records attributed to C Miles.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Peptide sequences of T-cell receptor delta and gamma chains are identical to predicted X and gamma proteins.

Although most mature peripheral T lymphocytes express a major histocompatibility complex restricted, CD3-associated, antigen receptor (TCR) which has been well characterized, some T cells carry a different CD3-associated heterodimer on their surface. One of the two disulphide-linked chains of this putative second receptor, which in mice has relative molecular mass (Mr) 35,000 (35K), has been identified as a product of the group of gamma genes. The other chain, termed delta (Mr 45K in mice), is not as well characterized. Although gamma/delta-bearing cells are a minor subset among peripheral T lymphocytes, they are the only CD3+ cells in the thymus early in ontogeny. Taking advantage of these kinetics, we have generated gamma/delta-bearing hybridomas, using a new TCR alpha chain-negative variant of the AKR thymoma BW5147 as tumour parent, fetal thymocytes as normal cell partners, and an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) as screening reagent. Gamma and delta chains from one of these hybrids have been purified and partially sequenced. The sequences obtained indicate that delta is indeed identical to the polypeptide encoded by the recently described gene X, as suggested by Chien et al.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of the physician as an information source on mammography.

PURPOSE: The value of mammography for asymptomatic women younger than 50 years of age has been under debate, and it had been suggested that each woman should decide for herself whether to start having mammograms in her 40s. This decision-making process requires women to have knowledge of screening guidelines. This study reported key determining informational factors that led women age 40 and older to obtain a mammogram. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: To examine the relationship between sources of information and utilization of mammography, the authors conducted a communitywide telephone survey, in English and Spanish, of a stratified random sample of 999 white, black, and Hispanic women in Dade County, Florida. The survey was designed to measure knowledge, attitudes, practices, and beliefs about breast cancer, its prevention, and its early detection. Data for 784 women 40 years and older are analyzed and reported here. RESULTS: The most commonly cited source of information was the media (90.2%). In a logistic regression, having had a checkup in the past year was the strongest predictor of having had a recent mammogram as opposed to a distant one (OR 4.17; 95% CI 2.92-5.95). Women who named their physician as an important source of information about health and prevention were also more likely to have had a recent examination (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.27-2.69). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This analysis of the relationship between the source of information and utilization of mammography suggests that physicians, as sources of information, serve to motivate women to obtain a mammogram. This is true even after taking into account the patient's age and utilization of the healthcare system for preventive care in general. For this reason, it is imperative that clinicians be aware of national guidelines for breast cancer screening; of the risks and benefits of screening measures; and of the implications of a positive and negative test result. In addition, clinicians must realize the importance of follow-up to remind the patient to obtain a mammogram or other screening test and should develop strategies to provide this service.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A gender comparison of health status among users of crack cocaine.

This study examines a population of inner-city crack cocaine users in Miami, Florida. Many study participants were also injection drug users; others were the sexual partners of injection drug users. In general, the self-reported health status of the study population was good, but men perceived their health in a more positive light than did women. HIV-seronegative men were most likely to report excellent or good health, and seropositive women reported the greatest incidence of poor health, regardless of the amount of crack use. Serostatus was statistically significant for women but not for men. Pneumonia was reported more frequently by women, while hepatitis and tuberculosis were reported more frequently by men. There was a significant gender difference in reported endocarditis among light users of crack, with more women that men reporting a history of endocarditis. Among sexually transmitted diseases, men reported more gonorrhea and women reported more syphilis. These gender differences were statistically significant only for heavy users of crack. A gender difference was evident in the HIV seropositivity rates, with 25.7% of men and 32.2% of women testing positive for antibodies to HIV. While this difference held true when frequency of crack use was controlled, the difference was not statistically significant. Women were significantly more likely than men to trade sex for drugs and/or money. Women who were heavy crack users traded most often and would be expected to be at correspondingly increased risk for HIV infection or transmission.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Drug use and barriers to use of health care services.

This paper examines barriers to health care utilization and the correlates associated with these barriers. As part of a larger study of health services utilization, the study sample of 1085 including injection drug users, other chronic users of heroin or cocaine, and a demographically similar group who had used neither heroin nor cocaine, was selected based on the criterion of not having received health care for at least one health problem within the previous 12 months. Both categories of chronic drug users were more likely than non-users not to want health care treatment and to put off seeking needed health care.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Management ... working day of a health services manager.

A varied day for one of the NHS's first marketing managers is in store for Christine Miles, Middlesex Hospital. A key message to get across is that marketing is not just promotion or selling: it is matching the strengths of the organisation to the unmet needs of 'customers'.

Appointments and Schedules↗