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Biomedical subjects

D Blumenthal

Publications and source records attributed to D Blumenthal.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Growing pains for new academic/industry relationships.

Five decades of almost unwavering federal support of university research in biomedicine have spawned a biotechnology revolution that holds dramatic promise for the public health and the U.S. economy. To make that promise a reality, the federal government now strongly encourages universities to facilitate the practical application of research results by by participating in academic/industry relationships. These relationships are yielding important health and economic benefits, but the new economic entanglements of U.S. universities also could undermine the public trust that has sustained federal support of biomedical research. Thus, efforts to speed the transfer of technologies through academic/industry relationships may have enormous effects on the government/university partnership that gave birth to those technologies.

Ethics, Institutional↗
PubMed1993

Identification of a cDNA for a human high-molecular-weight B-cell growth factor.

Proliferation is necessary for many of the phenotypic changes that occur during B-cell maturation. Further differentiation of mature B cells into plasma cells or memory B cells requires additional rounds of proliferation. In this manuscript, we describe a cDNA for a human B-cell growth factor we call high-molecular-weight B-cell growth factor (HMW-BCGF). Purified HMW-BCGF has been shown to induce B-cell proliferation, inhibit immunoglobulin secretion, and selectively expand certain B-cell subpopulations. Studies using antibodies to HMW-BCGF and its receptor have suggested that HMW-BCGF, while produced by T cells and some malignant B cells, acts predominantly on normal and malignant B cells. The HMW-BCGF cDNA was identified by expression cloning using a monoclonal antibody and polyclonal antisera to HMW-BCGF. Protein produced from the cDNA induced B-cell proliferation, inhibited immunoglobulin secretion, and was recognized in immunoblots by anti-HMW-BCGF antibodies. The amino acid sequence of HMW-BCGF deduced from the cDNA predicts a secreted protein of 53 kDa with three potential N-linked glycosylation sites. The identification of this cDNA will allow further studies examining physiologic roles of this cytokine. We propose to call it interleukin 14.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

A rare inherited euchromatic heteromorphism on chromosome 1.

Extra genetic material that is euchromatic is generally regarded to be associated with phenotypic abnormalities. However, recent studies suggest that this is not always the case. Chromosome analysis was performed on amniotic fluid cells from a 37-year-old phenotypically normal patient referred for advanced maternal age. All the cells analysed showed a karyotype of 46,XY,1p+. The 1p+ chromosome had extra genetic material of uncertain origin in chromosome band region 1p21-->31. Chromosome analysis on the father revealed a normal 46,XY male karyotype. The mother's karyotype showed the same 1p+ chromosome. C and Q banding, as well as silver staining studies, in both the mother and the fetus support the interpretation that the extra chromosomal material was euchromatic in nature. This 1p+ chromosome may be characterized as a euchromatic heteromorphism. Euchromatic heteromorphisms not associated with phenotypic abnormalities have been reported for chromosomes 9 and 16. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report involving this type of cytogenetic anomaly on chromosome number 1 in a phenotypically normal mother and infant.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Childhood meningioma associated with meningio-angiomatosis. Case report.

This paper reports childhood meningioma in association with meningioangiomatosis. The patient was an 11-month-old baby boy who presented with a left focal seizure. He had no stigmata of neurofibromatosis. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extra-axial, contrast-enhancing mass in the interhemispheric fissure which indented the right frontal lobe. The tumor was totally removed. Microscopically, the lesion was a fibrous and transitional meningioma with foci of necrosis and scattered mitotic figures. The adherent neural parenchyma showed the histological features of meningioangiomatosis. It is concluded that meningioangiomatosis may accompany childhood meningiomas more often than is generally appreciated.

Angiomatosis↗
PubMed1993

Physician payment reform: past and future.

Medicare's decision to compensate physicians using a fee schedule based on the relative value of their services was an attempt to rationalize fee-for-service payment of physicians. Reformers hoped also to control the costs of care, improve its quality, and protect access to health services among Medicare beneficiaries. A close examination of the system's provisions indicates, however, that the reform does not address many fundamental problems that have plagued physician payment under Medicare in the past. In the cost area, for example, the new fee schedule does not affect such factors as the basic incentives built into fee-for-service medicine and the explosion of new medical technologies. The failure of the program to achieve its goals in cost containment and other areas could result in abandonment of fee-for-service compensation of physicians under Medicare.

Cost Control↗
PubMed1992

Academic-industry relationships in the life sciences. Extent, consequences, and management.

Academic-industry relationships in the life sciences remain controversial. The available evidence suggests that such relationships have both benefits and risks for involved parties. Benefits include additional support of academic research, income for academic health centers, the potential for increased scientific and commercial productivity in both industries and universities, and enhancement of the educational experiences of students and fellows. Risks include an increase in secrecy in academic environments and damage to public support for the life science enterprise. The balance of known benefits and risks suggests that academic-industry relationships should be permitted and even selectively promoted. However, there is also a need for enhanced vigilance on the part of academic institutions and government to reduce risks posed by certain types of arrangements, especially those involving human subjects. Enhanced vigilance should include disclosure of all academic-industry relationships by life science faculty.

Biological Science Disciplines↗
PubMed1991

Factors affecting the availability and use of hemodialysis facilities.

This article describes factors related to the geographic distribution of hemodialysis facilities and the relationship between availability and use. Such facilities tend to be concentrated in the same types of areas as other medical resources, and the number of medical specialists in an area is related to the rate of treatment for renal diseases. The proportion of treatment stations in an area owned by for-profit organizations is not related to the total treatment rate, but the market share of for-profit facilities is positively related to in-center treatment and negatively related to home treatment.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1991

Who cares for uninsured persons? A study of physicians and their patients who lack health insurance.

Physician involvement with uninsured patients is a topic of increasing policy interest. In the past, data limitations have hindered analysis of factors influencing physician contact with uninsured patients. This article attempts to bridge this gap in the health services research literature. Using a nationally representative sample of nonfederal patient care physicians, the study revealed marked variations in physician involvement with uninsured patients by specialty class, employment status, and other practice characteristics. Pediatricians and general practitioners had roughly comparable involvement with uninsured patients, while internists and surgeons were significantly less involved. Self-employed physicians generally participated less in caring for uninsured patients than did employed physicians. While definitive evidence that people without coverage face serious access problems is not provided, such a conclusion is certainly consistent with the results of this study. Indeed, the proportion of the average physician's patients who are uninsured is substantially below current estimates of the proportion of the general population that is uninsured.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1990

Prenatal choice.

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Female↗