Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L E Miller

Publications and source records attributed to L E Miller.

58 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

CLS advanced degrees and career enhancement. Part 1--Comparison of career data.

OBJECTIVE: Determine whether recipients of clinical laboratory science (CLS) advanced degrees (MS) experience greater career achievements than their baccalaureate level (BS) colleagues. DESIGN: Two similar questionnaires were used-one for certified or licensed CLS professionals who had earned advanced CLS degrees (MS); the other for matched BS CLS colleagues. SETTING: Five academic programs that conduct both National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences accredited CLS education and CLS MS degree programs participated. PARTICIPANTS: The number of survey respondents was 220, 117 with advanced CLS degrees and 103 BS level controls. There were 99 matched pairs, i.e., 198 individuals were matched for gender, residence region, and years of experience. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Careers of BS vs. MS respondents were statistically compared, e.g., fractions with managerial level jobs, relative earnings increases per year, numbers of publications and reports, and other professional contributions. RESULTS: Compared to their BS degree controls, MS degree respondents had more managerial level jobs (62% MS; 36% BS), a higher frequency of job change (once per 4.3 years MS; once per 5.9 years BS), and a higher increase per year of earnings (9.1% MS; 8.1% BS). A greater percentage of the MS degree graduates (77%) than the BS level controls (33%) had authored external publications; the responses related to authorship of institutional reports and procedures were less different-84% MS and 64% BS. Professional contributions to their institutions or profession were cited slightly more frequently by the MS graduates (65%) than by the BS level controls (55%). CONCLUSION: Compared to their matched BS level CLS colleagues, CLS MS degree recipients had greater job mobility, greater management authority, higher salary, and more numerous professional contributions.

Career Mobility↗

CLS advanced degrees and career enhancement. Part 2--A comparison of perceptions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether recipients of clinical laboratory science (CLS) advanced degrees (MS) perceive greater career enhancement value related to earning an advanced degree than is perceived by their baccalaureate level (BS) colleagues. DESIGN: Two questionnaires were used-one for certified or licensed CLS professionals who had earned MS CLS degrees; the other for matched BS CLS colleagues. SETTING: Five academic programs that conduct both National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences accredited CLS education and CLS MS degree programs participated. PARTICIPANTS: The number of survey respondents was 220 (117-MS; 103-BS level controls). The groups were matched for gender, residence region, and years of experience. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measurements were the perceived benefits of having a CLS MS degree, the reasons for and against obtaining a CLS MS degree, and the overall evaluation of CLS degree programs at both levels. RESULTS: The highest perceived benefit of having a CLS MS degree was the same in both groups, "enhanced self esteem and confidence". The highest priority motivation of MS degree recipients for obtaining a CLS advanced degree was "personal satisfaction". The highest priority reason of the BS group for not obtaining a CLS advanced degree was "family obligation". In both levels of degree programs the subject most commonly cited as needing modification was laboratory management. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that CLS professionals who have CLS MS degrees perceive a greater career enhancement value of advanced CLS degrees than their BS level colleagues.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Low density of CD1+ cells in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: CD1 molecules present microbial and self glycolipid antigens to a defined T cell subset with features of natural killer cells. CD1 molecules are up-regulated by inflammatory stimuli such as GM-CSF, and we would expect to find increased CD1 expression in the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as compared to osteoarthritis (OA). This study was initiated to compare the density of CD1a+, CD1b+, and CD1c+ synovial cells in RA and OA patients. METHODS: Expression of CD1a+, CD1b+, and CD1c+ molecules in synovial tissue was assessed by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry. For comparison, serological, functional, and typical immunohistochemical markers of inflammation were detected. RESULTS: Although patients with RA as compared to OA had highly significantly increased signs of inflammation, the density of CD1a+, CD1b+, and CD1c+ synovial cells was similar This was also true for the density of CD1+ cells in relation to that of activated CD163+ macrophages. There was a high correlation between the densities of CD1a,b,c positive cells, which suggests the existence of similar regulatory pathways. In a combined analysis of RA and OA patients, there existed a negative association between prior NSAID therapy and the density of CD1a+, CD1b+, and CD1c+ synoviocytes in relation to CD163+ macrophages. This is interesting because a similar immunosuppressive aspect of NSAID has never been shown before and this might represent a hitherto unrecognized immunosuppressive aspect of NSAID. CONCLUSION: Considering the high synovial inflammation in patients with RA, the densities of CD1a+, CD1b+, and CD1c+ synovial cells were low compared to patients with OA. Further studies in RA patients are needed to clarify whether a defect in CD1 regulation may exist. Such a defect may lead to an insufficient immune response against microbial glycolipids, which would support smoldering or repeated inadequately responded infection.

Adult↗