Congenital dyserythropoiesis and dyskeratosis in a polled Hereford calf.
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Anemia, Dyserythropoietic, Congenital↗
Biomedical subjects
L M Miller
Publications and source records attributed to L M Miller.
Clostridium ljungdahlii sp. nov., an acetogenic species in clostridial rRNA homology group I.
Clostridium ljungdahlii sp. nov. strain ATCC 49587T (T = type strain) was isolated from chicken yard waste for its ability to produce ethanol from synthesis gas. This gram-positive, motile, sporeforming rod's metabolism was primarily acetogenic. C. ljungdahlii grew with carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, ethanol, pyruvate, arabinose, xylose, fructose, or glucose. Methanol, ferulic acid, lactate, galactose, and mannose did not support growth. The G+C content was 22 to 23 mol%. C. ljungdahlii is the first acetogen in clostridial 23S rRNA homology group I.
Animals↗
lin-31, a Caenorhabditis elegans HNF-3/fork head transcription factor homolog, specifies three alternative cell fates in vulval development.
Cell-cell signaling controls the specification of vulval cell fates in Caenorhabditis elegans. Although previous studies have identified genes that function at early steps in the signaling pathway, the late steps are not well understood. Here, we begin to characterize those late events by showing that the lin-31 gene acts near the end of the vulval signaling pathway. We show that lin-31 acts downstream of the ras homolog let-60 and that lin-31 encodes a member of the HNF-3/fork head family of DNA-binding transcription factors. lin-31 regulates how vulval precursor cells choose their fate; in lin-31 mutants, these cells do not properly choose which fate to express and therefore adopt any one of the three possible vulval cell fates in a deregulated fashion. This interesting mutant phenotype suggests mechanisms for how vulval cell fates become determined.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Vasospastic disorders. Etiology, recognition, and treatment.
This article discusses a group of disorders commonly unappreciated by physicians. The distinction between Raynaud's disease and Raynaud's phenomenon is reviewed. The classification, pathophysiology, and recognition of the vasospastic diseases is reviewed to lay the foundation for understanding the treatment modalities presented.
Biofeedback, Psychology↗
Results of a summer academy to increase minority student access to allied health and other health professions.
To promote interest among incoming ninth grade students at two specialized high schools for health professions, and to help these students prepare for the upcoming high school experience and for pursuit of education and careers in allied health and other health professions, a three-week Summer Health Professions Academy was established. Students, 82.8% of whom were African American or Hispanic, participated in relevant didactic and experiential activities, with emphasis on allied health. Science, problem solving, communications, health career counseling, and allied health career exploration activities are described. Results of instruments administered both prior to and following the Academy indicated that students improved their abilities to analyze and solve science problems, and increased their knowledge of the nine primarily allied health professions emphasized during the program. Students also demonstrated heightened awareness of the factors that could impede their pursuit of allied health professions and other health careers.
Adolescent↗
Baylor's program to attract minority students and others to science and medicine.
To attract minority students and others to careers in medical practice and biomedical research and to prepare them for such careers, Baylor College of Medicine conducts a variety of summer enrichment programs and other programs to improve how science is presented to students in their preprofessional years from elementary grades through college. These efforts aim to increase the number of competitive candidates for medical school, particularly those from minority groups underrepresented in medicine. They entail close collaboration between the Baylor administration and faculty from Texas public schools and two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The authors discuss the rationale for these programs and comment about the need for institutional commitments of faculty and financial support. They note that these programs are an investment in the future and that longitudinal assessment is needed to determine their ultimate success.
Advertising↗
Survey of 1975-1987 graduates of Houston's High School for Health Professions.
Baylor College of Medicine and the Houston Independent School District created in 1972 the Houston High School for Health Professions (HSHP). Fifteen years later, Baylor conducted a follow-up study of HSHP graduates to determine whether the high school has been successful in encouraging and supporting young people to pursue health professional careers. Of the 2,033 students who graduated from the HSHP between 1975 and 1987, 951 (46.8%) returned usable responses to the survey. The results raised some concerns about the value of the high school's counseling services and showed that financial barriers posed problems for many students in their pursuit of health-related careers. Also, the results suggest that gender stereotyping may influence the students' career choices. Overall, however, the results of the survey were clearly favorable and provide evidence that the HSHP has been successful in fostering its students' pursuit of careers in the health professions and related careers.
Career Choice↗
A follow-up study of allied health educational and career interests of graduates of a high school for health professions.
In response to reports and trends suggesting a national shortage of health professionals, a survey was administered to graduates from Houston's High School for Health Professions, in part to measure their interests in pursuing higher education and careers in the allied health fields. Project administrators were concerned that only 82 of 1,028 survey respondents indicating a career choice (8.0%) expressed interests in allied health. The career choices, educational pursuits, perceptions regarding likelihood of career attainment, and factors influencing career attainment of these 82 respondents were examined. Ultimately, it is believed that many students are unaware of allied health professions, and that others simply do not perceive allied health disciplines as attractive career options. Results of this study are consistent with other reports suggesting that new strategies must be employed nationally to promote greater participation in allied health, especially by groups previously underrepresented in these professions.
Adolescent↗
Patient tolerance study of topical chlorhexidine diphosphanilate: a new topical agent for burns.
Effective topical antimicrobial agents decrease infection and mortality in burn patients. Chlorhexidine phosphanilate (CHP), a new broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, has been evaluated as a topical burn wound dressing in cream form, but preliminary clinical trials reported that it was painful upon application. This study compared various concentrations of CHP to determine if a tolerable concentration could be identified with retention of antimicrobial efficacy. Twenty-nine burn patients, each with two similar burns which could be separately treated, were given pairs of treatments at successive 12-h intervals over a 3-day period. One burn site was treated with each of four different CHP concentrations, from 0.25 per cent to 2 per cent, their vehicle, and 1 per cent silver sulphadiazine (AgSD) cream, an antimicrobial agent frequently used for topical treatment of burn wounds. The other site was always treated with AgSD cream. There was a direct relationship between CHP concentration and patients' ratings of pain on an analogue scale. The 0.25 per cent CHP cream was closest to AgSD in pain tolerance; however, none of the treatments differed statistically from AgSD or from each other. In addition, ease of application of CHP creams was less satisfactory than that of AgSD. It was concluded that formulations at or below 0.5 per cent CHP may prove acceptable for wound care, but the vehicle system needs pharmaceutical improvement to render it more tolerable and easier to use.
Administration, Topical↗
Social influences approach to smoking prevention: the effects of videotape delivery with and without same-age peer leader participation.
This study tested the hypothesis that cigarette smoking adoption among adolescents could be suppressed by providing school-based videotape instruction for resisting social influences to smoke. The utilization of same-age peer leaders was also varied to test whether their participation in the classroom would enhance program effects. Seventh grade students (N = 540) from one junior high school in Southern California were randomly assigned by classrooms (N = 15) to: (a) videotape instruction, (b) videotape instruction plus peer leader involvement, or (c) survey-only. Seventh grade students (N = 234) in a second junior high school served as a measurement-only control. Assessments were conducted at the beginning and end of the academic year. Results revealed a marked suppression in the onset of both experimental and regular smoking among those students exposed to the pressure resistance training with peer leader involvement. Pressure resistance training without peer leader involvement produced a more variable and less powerful effect on students' smoking behavior. Data collected on students' use of alcohol and marijuana revealed a generalized suppression effect, albeit weaker than for tobacco, among those students exposed to the social resistance training with peer leader involvement. Results provide further encouraging support for the use of peer-led pressure resistance training in preventing adolescent drug use.
Adolescent↗
Repression of P element-mediated hybrid dysgenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.
Inbred lines derived from a strain called Sexi were analyzed for their abilities to repress P element-mediated gonadal dysgenesis. One line had high repression ability, four had intermediate ability and two had very low ability. The four intermediate lines also exhibited considerable within-line variation for this trait; furthermore, in at least two cases, this variation could not be attributed to recurring P element movement. Repression of gonadal dysgenesis in the hybrid offspring of all seven lines was due primarily to a maternal effect; there was no evidence for repression arising de novo in the hybrids themselves. In one of the lines, repression ability was inherited maternally, indicating the involvement of cytoplasmic factors. In three other lines, repression ability appeared to be determined by partially dominant or additive chromosomal factors; however, there was also evidence for a maternal effect that reduced the expression of these factors in at least two of the lines. In another line, repression ability seemed to be due to recessive chromosomal factors. All seven lines possessed numerous copies of a particular P element, called KP, which has been hypothesized to produce a polypeptide repressor of gonadal dysgenesis. This hypothesis, however, does not explain why the inbred Sexi lines varied so much in their repression abilities. It is suggested that some of this variation may be due to differences in the chromosomal position of the KP elements, or that other nonautonomous P elements are involved in the repression of hybrid dysgenesis in these lines.
Animals↗
Revitalizing the undergraduate college--medical school linkage.
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Educational Measurement↗
Lack of autologous tissue transmission of eosinophilic plaques in cats.
Autologous tissue transmission of spontaneously developing feline eosinophilic plaques was attempted in 5 cats. Macerated tissue from the plaque was vigorously rubbed onto 2 scarified skin sites in each cat. The inoculated areas were observed daily for 30 days. During that time, no clinical or histologic evidence of transmission was found.
Animals↗
Effects of corticosteroid treatment on survival time in dogs with chronic hepatitis: 151 cases (1977-1985)
Medical records of 151 dogs with chronic hepatitis were reviewed. Corticosteroid treatment had a statistically significant (P less than 0.005) effect on improving survival time when corticosteroid-treated dogs were compared with untreated dogs. Dogs dying within 1 week of examination represented 37.1% of the cases, and when compared with those living more than 1 week, serum glucose concentration was significantly lower (P less than 0.001); prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were significantly longer (P less than 0.001); blood ammonia concentration after oral administration of ammonium chloride was significantly higher (P less than 0.05); and necrosis severity and fibrosis severity were significantly greater (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.022, respectively). The best predictors of early death were low normal serum glucose concentration (P less than 0.001) and prolonged prothrombin time (P less than 0.030), which was abnormal in 60.0% of dogs dying early. Partial thromboplastin time, which was increased in 92.0% of dogs dying early and in 42.6% of dogs living more than 1 week, was a less reliable predictor. Plasma ammonia concentration after oral administration of NH4Cl was least reliable in predicting early death. In dogs living more than 1 week, hypoalbuminemia was a predictor of shorter survival time (P less than 0.003). Of all the histologic features evaluated, only necrosis severity and fibrosis severity were accurate predictors of early death. The presence of bridging fibrosis was a predictor of shorter survival time in dogs living more than 1 week (P less than 0.0002).
Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
Prognostic factors for radiation treatment of mast cell tumor in 85 dogs.
Ninety-five mast cell tumors in 85 dogs were therapeutically irradiated. Median and mean tumor-free times for dogs were 17 and 62.7 months, respectively. Percentages of dogs tumor-free at 1 and 2 years were 78.8 and 77%, respectively. Factors significantly affecting tumor-free time were clinical stage (P less than 0.001) and neoplasm location (P = 0.019). Median and mean survival times were 19 and 61.2 months, respectively. Survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 76.2 and 73.2%, respectively. Prognostic factors that significantly affected survival rates were clinical stage (P less than 0.001), neoplasm grade (P = 0.006), and neoplasm location (P = 0.034). Radiation therapy was an effective treatment of mast cell tumor in dogs.
Animals↗
xol-1: a gene that controls the male modes of both sex determination and X chromosome dosage compensation in C. elegans.
Loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked gene xol-1 cause the feminization and death of XO animals (normally males) by shifting the sex determination and dosage compensation pathways toward their hermaphrodite modes. XO-specific lethality most likely results from the reduction in X chromosome expression caused by xol-1 mutations. Mutations in genes required for the hermaphrodite mode of dosage compensation suppress lethality but not feminization, and restore X chromosome expression to nearly wild-type levels. Mutations in genes that control the hermaphrodite modes of both sex determination and dosage compensation fully suppress both defects. These interactions suggest that xol-1 is the earliest-acting gene in the known hierarchy controlling the male/hermaphrodite decision and is perhaps the gene nearest the primary sex-determining signal. We propose that the wild-type xol-1 gene product promotes male development by ensuring that genes (or gene products) directing hermaphrodite sex determination and dosage compensation are inactive in XO animals. Interestingly, in addition to feminizing XO animals, xol-1 mutations further masculinize XX animals already partially masculinized.
Alleles↗
Health behavior and beliefs of students in traditional and health-oriented high schools.
Based in part on the national health objectives, a survey of health behavior and beliefs was administered to ninth and 12th grade students at a traditional and a health-oriented high school. Responses indicated a high level of awareness among both groups for the importance of widely acknowledged health practices, but the health-oriented high school students consistently rated the behaviors and beliefs as "more important" than their counterparts. Both groups, however, indicated the practice of beliefs and behavior was yet to be fully realized. These findings suggest the need for continued effort to encourage behavioral practices consistent with the knowledge already present in this school-age population.
Adolescent↗
High dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in burn patients: pharmacokinetics and effects on microbial opsonization and phagocytosis.
Depressed serum immunoglobulin levels following severe burns may lead to subsequent infectious complications following such injuries. In a randomized study we administered multiple doses of Sandoglobulin (500 mg/kg) or albumin intravenously to patients with severe burn injuries and closely monitored serum IgG levels. Patients who received IgG therapy had earlier return of normal serum IgG levels compared to control patients; however, control patients attained normal IgG levels during the second postburn week. Serum half-lives of IgG following infusions were remarkably short (means, 47 hours for infusions within 3 days of injury and 154 hours for infusions in the third postburn week); Sandoglobulin has been reported to have approximately a 21-day half-life in normal individuals. We also measured the opsonic capacity of postburn serum, using fluorescein-labeled microbes and flow cytometry; we identified postburn opsonic defects with certain of the organisms as late as 15 days postinjury, even though serum IgG levels had normalized. These defects were corrected by the in vitro addition of Sandoglobulin to the incubation mixture.
Adolescent↗