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Biomedical subjects

M Bass

Publications and source records attributed to M Bass.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Cyclin E2, a novel G1 cyclin that binds Cdk2 and is aberrantly expressed in human cancers.

A novel cyclin gene was discovered by searching an expressed sequence tag database with a cyclin box profile. The human cyclin E2 gene encodes a 404-amino-acid protein that is most closely related to cyclin E. Cyclin E2 associates with Cdk2 in a functional kinase complex that is inhibited by both p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1). The catalytic activity associated with cyclin E2 complexes is cell cycle regulated and peaks at the G1/S transition. Overexpression of cyclin E2 in mammalian cells accelerates G1, demonstrating that cyclin E2 may be rate limiting for G1 progression. Unlike cyclin E1, which is expressed in most proliferating normal and tumor cells, cyclin E2 levels were low to undetectable in nontransformed cells and increased significantly in tumor-derived cells. The discovery of a novel second cyclin E family member suggests that multiple unique cyclin E-CDK complexes regulate cell cycle progression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

[Closure of a persistent ductus arteriosus of Botallo in two dogs using transarterial coil embolization].

Non-surgical occlusion of persistent ductus arteriosus (PDA) by catheter guided coil embolisation was performed in two dogs. In both dogs the procedure was performed through the femoral artery. The exact location and the narrowest diameter of the PDA were evaluated angiographically after contrast medium injection into the ascending aorta. Based on shunt diameter measurements of 4 mm in dog no. 1 and 2.4 mm in dog no. 2, a coil of 8 mm diameter was chosen for dog no. 1, and of 5 mm diameter for dog no. 2. The coils were placed within the shunt vessel under fluoroscopic guidance using the Cook delivery-system for detachable PDA coil. The success of the intervention was documented angiographically 10 minutes after coil release. The shunt vessel was completely occluded in dog no. 1, while minimal blood flow was detected in dog no. 2 at that time. The technique of transvascular PDA closure compares favorably with the traditional surgical technique due to minimal invasiveness and hence excellent postinterventional comfort to the patient.

Angiography↗
PubMed1999

A diversified patient education program for transplant recipients.

Patients who receive a solid organ transplant not only have many learning needs, but also lifestyle changes related to the transplant. Previous experiences with health care, beliefs about health, language and reading skills, cultural influences, education preparation, and disabilities are a few of the factors that influence how each patient learns posttransplantation, and adjusts to a new lifestyle. Staff nurses on our transplant unit have taken these factors into consideration when developing various concrete teaching tools that include a book, medication card, color-coded medication guide, audiocassette, computer printouts, and clinical pathways. Because each patient comes with a unique story, approaches for patient learning are individualized by the nursing staff. The use of the tools, combined with an individualized and nonjudgmental approach, has created a caring environment for patient learning.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of a cold/flu self-care public education campaign.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate an Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) cold/flu self-care public education campaign to reduce unnecessary patient visits to doctors. The MOH campaign consisted of an information booklet delivered to every household in an Ontario city, newspaper ads and radio spots. The program ran during January-March 1994. The evaluation consisted of: (1) 2x2 telephone survey in London (experimental area) and Windsor (comparison area), before and during the campaign; and (2) a telephone survey of London family practitioners during the campaign. In addition, data on the incidence of cold/flu visits to three hospital emergency departments and a sample of family physicians' offices were gathered. The data suggest that program rationale may have been questionable because the majority of the surveyed public were knowledgeable and self-reported appropriate doctor visits for cold/flu. Campaign evaluation showed limited impact. Message penetration was low; only one-third of London residents knew of the campaign or read the booklet. Only two of 10 questions showed increases in knowledge in London and no changes were found for beliefs, attitudes, acquisition of new health practices or self-reported visits to the doctor. The physician survey, emergency room and family physician office visit data were consistent with the public survey findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Fluid and electrolyte management of ascites in patients with cirrhosis.

In the patient with cirrhotic ascites, the best treatment is strict medical and nursing management to prevent complications such as renal failure, fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, infection, and encephalopathy. In all but 10% of patients, medical management is successful. In the other 10% of patients, there are various treatment options available. Most of these treatments--LVP, PVS, TIPS, or liver transplantation--are somewhat effective, but none are curative for the patient with cirrhotic ascites.

Ascites↗
PubMed1998

Randomized controlled study of customized preventive medicine reminder letters in a community practice.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of customized, family-oriented reminder letters in activating patients to seek appropriate preventive services. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. One group received computer-generated, customized letters explaining recommended preventive procedures for each family member. A second group received a form letter listing recommendations for all preventive procedures for all age and sex groups. A third group (control group) received no letters. SETTING: A private medical centre, without university affiliation, in rural Quebec. PARTICIPANTS: From 8770 patients who met study criteria, 719 families were randomly selected. Data were available for 1971 of 1998 patients in these families. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Family Received Index is the proportion of all procedures for which a family was overdue that they received. The Family End-of-study Up-to-date Index is the proportion of procedures for which the family was eligible and for which they were up-to-date at the end of the study. RESULTS: The Family Received Index for families mailed customized letters was more than double the index for patients not mailed letters (Kruskal-Wallis P = .0139). Comparison of the Family End-of-study Up-to-date indices also demonstrated that families of patients sent customized letters were more likely to be up-to-date than families not sent letters (Kruskal-Wallis P = .0054). No statistically significant difference appeared between the number of preventive measures received by the control group and the form-letter group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a clinically small but statistically significant value to customizing reminder letters.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Call 1-888-NOT-2-LATE: promoting emergency contraception in the United States.

In 1997, the nonprofit Reproductive Health Technologies Project and the Office of Population Research at Princeton University, together with the communications firm Elgin DDB, planned and executed a mass media campaign to advertise the Emergency Contraception Hotline and more generally to further awareness of emergency contraception as a last chance means of pregnancy prevention in the United State. We produced a variety of public service announcements (PSAs) including television and radio spots in English and Spanish and several print versions adaptable for newspapers and magazines as well as outdoor settings such as billboards, transit shelters, and the sides of buses. Working with local coalitions, we succeeded in placing the PSAs free of charge in six pilot cities. We also generated coverage about the campaign in local and national news outlets. We chronicle the development of the media campaign, discuss the challenges and obstacles faced, and conclude with a review of the principal lessons learned.

Advertising↗
PubMed1996

Postoperative care of the lung transplant recipient.

This article reviews the nursing care of the patient who receives a lung transplant, starting with preparation for admission to the ICU. Issues of oxygenation, airway clearance, hemodynamic and fluid assessment, infection control, incisional assessment, and pain are addressed throughout the hospitalization. Emotional support, discharge and medication teaching, and changes in lifestyle are all important aspects of the rehabilitation phase before discharge.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Professional development: factors that motivate staff.

Although many studies identify theories on learning motivation, few analyze motivating factors and barriers from the staff nurse perspective. A study involving RNs from a pediatric and an intensive care nursing service reveals factors that influence or restrain nurses from participating in professional activities.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗
PubMed1995

'What I said' versus 'what you heard': a comparison of physicians' and parents' reporting of anticipatory guidance on child safety issues.

OBJECTIVE: Unintentional injuries are the number one cause of death for infants. Many of these injuries could be prevented if parents took additional safety precautions. In this study physicians' and parents' perspectives regarding the part that physicians play in educating first time parents about child safety issues were compared. METHODS: All pediatricians and family physicians in London, Ontario were surveyed by mail (68% return rate) regarding their practices, attitudes, and beliefs related to parent education about child safety issues. A sample of 114 first time mothers, including 38 each with 6, 12, and 18 month old infants, completed a telephone interview. All parents had physicians who had returned questionnaires. RESULTS: There was good correspondence between parents' and physicians' judgments about the safety issues most often covered, and what role physicians should adopt regarding parent education about child safety issues. In addition, they both agreed that parents seldom seek out safety information by asking questions. Relative to parent reports, however, physicians significantly overestimated the time they spent on safety issues and the degree of their direct involvement in communicating this information. The best predictor of time spent by physicians on safety issues was their rating of the importance of assuming the role of parent educator. The best predictor of parents asking questions about child safety was their rating of the adequacy of physicians' responses to previously asked questions. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that both physicians and parents contribute to undermine communication about child safety during well-baby visits.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1995

Self-measurement of blood pressure: benefits, risks and interpretation of readings. The Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control.

The literature on the benefits and risks of self-measurement of blood pressure and interpretation of the readings was reviewed. Self-measurement of blood pressure is useful in selected patients with high blood pressure, can be used to monitor blood pressure closely outside health care facilities, and can determine whether patients have white coat hypertension. The involvement of patients in their own blood pressure management is increased and self measurement may result in more rapid achievement of target blood pressure readings, improvement in adherence to antihypertensive therapy and decreased health care utilization. However, some patients may not be suited to monitor their own blood pressure and some may experience an increase in anxiety regarding their health. With careful training and selection of patients, most can accurately assess their blood pressure. Self-measured readings are generally lower than readings in a physician's clinic (or office) and this must be accounted for in assessing response to therapy and usual levels of blood pressure. Self-measured readings are a valuable supplement to clinic readings in many patients.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1995

Self-measurement of blood pressure: recommendations of the Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control.

OBJECTIVE: To provide health care professionals with guidelines on the use of blood pressure self-measurement. METHODS: Recommendations were devised after consideration of expert reviews and guidelines, personal files, international standards documents, personal communication with investigators and the results of a MEDLINE search (1966-94) using the term 'blood pressure determination'. BENEFITS, HARMS, COSTS: Self-measurement of blood pressure can be used to detect white coat hypertension, monitor changes in blood pressure closely, more rapidly achieve desired blood pressure goals, increase adherence to antihypertensive therapy and improve patient self-reliance. However, self-measured blood pressure readings may be misleading because there is insufficient normative, prognostic and outcome data and because some patients may not take accurate measurements. The use of self-measurement of blood pressure has a relatively small direct cost and may result in an overall reduction in treatment costs. RECOMMENDATIONS: Self-measured blood pressure readings can be a valuable supplement to clinic (or office) blood pressure readings. However, self-measurement is appropriate neither for patients who are physically or mentally incapable of accurate assessment and interpretation of readings nor for those who do not want to participate. Patients who self-monitor blood pressure require careful training in blood pressure measurement and instruction on the recording and interpretation of blood pressure readings. Advice to patients using monitoring equipment must take into account the needs and abilities of the patient. Although only a few electronic devices for the self-measurement of blood pressure have met recommended performance standards, their use may be more appropriate for some patients and the training requirements fewer than if manual devices are used. VALIDATION: The guidelines of several expert groups were examined in the preparation of these recommendations. The recommendations were presented at the World Conference on Hypertension Control in 1995 and were reviewed by the parent societies of the Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control.

Blood Pressure Determination↗
PubMed1995

Identifying patients with hypercholesterolemia. More than one blood sample is needed.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of one and two blood samples for diagnosing hypercholesterolemia DESIGN: A test-retest substudy conducted as part of a randomized control trial designed to compare the effectiveness of different counseling strategies for lowering serum cholesterol, dietary fat, and dietary cholesterol in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia. SETTING: Thirty urban family practices. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-two patients provided two blood samples for total cholesterol (TC) level determination at two different times (test results were being used as an eligibility criterion for enrollment in the main trial). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of subjects correctly classified to cholesterol risk category (normal < 6.2 mmol/L; moderate 6.2 to 6.9 mmol/L; high > 6.9 mmol/L) on the basis of one TC value and on the average of two TC values. RESULTS: Overall misclassification rate on initial TC level was 22.5%. Overall false-positive rate was 19.0%, but false-positive rate for those initially assigned to the high category was 50%. Overall false-negative rate was 3.5%. Misclassification rates did not differ statistically on the basis of age, sex, blood pressure, smoking status, family history of coronary heart disease, presence of diabetes, obesity, the laboratory used, or whether the patient had fasted before giving blood. CONCLUSIONS: Single TC levels are too unreliable for diagnostic purposes, even if the subjects fast before testing. Family physicians should base their treatment decisions on the average of two cholesterol readings taken at different times 1 to 8 weeks apart.

Adult↗