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Biomedical subjects

M J McDowell

Publications and source records attributed to M J McDowell.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Principle of organization: a dynamic-systems view of the archetype-as-such.

The personality is a dynamic system. Like all other dynamic systems, it must be self-organized. In this paper I focus upon the archetype-as-such, that is, upon the essential core around which both an archetypical image and a complex are organized. I argue that an archetype-as-such is a pre-existing principle of organization. Within the personality that principle manifests itself as a psychological vortex (a complex) into which we are drawn. The vortex is impersonal. We mediate it through myths and rituals or through consciousness. In this paper I show that Jung's intuition about the archetype-as-such is supported by recent science. I evaluate other concepts of the archetype. My concept is different from that proposed recently by Saunders and Skar. My concept allows each archetype-as-such to be defined precisely in mathematical terms. It suggests a new interpretation of mythology. It also addresses our spiritual experience of an archetype. Because the archetypes-as-such are fundamental to the personality, the better we understand them the better we understand our patients. The paper is grounded with clinical examples.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Factors associated with medium-term response to psychostimulant medication.

OBJECTIVE: To determine, in a sample of children first prescribed psychostimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) between 1992 and 1994, which child and family factors, components of assessment, and aspects of management, were associated with a favourable treatment response, and with parental satisfaction with management. METHODOLOGY: Data were obtained by mail survey in March 1995. Factors considered potentially significant to treatment response and parental satisfaction were entered in a three-step hierarchical multiple regression equation. RESULTS: Responses were received from 788 (59.7%) of a possible 1319 parents. Items making a significant individual contribution to both improvement and parental satisfaction were: younger age of the child; amount of information provided by the clinician; shorter interval between review appointments; continued use of medication; and fewer treatment side effects. items contributing only to treatment response were: longer time taken over establishing the diagnosis; and the use of parent and teacher checklists in assessment. CONCLUSIONS: These data support early intervention for ADHD. A considered approach to assessment which includes the use of parent and teacher checklists is recommended. Providing adequate information to parents and children is essential. Review intervals of less than 6 months appear to foster better outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Developmental-behavioural problems in general paediatrics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current role of private general paediatrics in the care of children with problems of development and behaviour. METHODS: We surveyed all general paediatricians registered with the Australian College of Paediatrics to assess their current role in developmental-behavioural (DB) problems--their rate of referrals, their role in the continuing management, and opinions regarding duration of training in this area. RESULTS: Of 394 questionnaires sent, 284 replies were received (72%). From these 284 we analysed results for all 172 who spent more than 25% of their time in private general paediatric practice. On average, 32% of new referrals were for DB problems. With 10 DB clinical vignettes presented, paediatricians chose to continue to manage in conjunction with allied health services in 65% of cases. Other management choices included referral to a multidisciplinary team (16%), referral elsewhere (10%) and manage alone (7%). For training to be a general paediatrician, they indicated 3 months should be spent during basic training in each of the three areas of; DB paediatrics, developmental disabilities and child psychiatry (separately or concurrently); and 6 months of each during advanced training. Free comments highlighted lack of public allied health and psychosocial services. CONCLUSION: Private community-based general paediatricians are deeply involved in this area of work. The results raise questions about services for training and for clinical collaboration between public and private child health providers.

Australia↗
PubMed1996

Management of children prescribed psychostimulant medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the Hunter region of NSW.

OBJECTIVE: To examine local procedures for assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its management with psychostimulant medication and to compare these with published practice guidelines. DESIGN: Retrospective postal survey. PARTICIPANTS: Parents of children living in the Hunter region of New South Wales first prescribed psychostimulants between 1992 and 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Procedures for diagnostic assessment, treatment monitoring and continuing management. RESULTS: 788 parents (60%) responded. Diagnostic assessment procedures complied with published guidelines for about 70%, and detection of comorbid conditions was consistent with community prevalence estimates. There was systematic assessment of treatment response with questionnaires in only a third. Some children with academic or behavioural problems (19%-24% and 32%, respectively), almost 50% with emotional problems and 63% with motor problems were not receiving treatment for these difficulties. Modal interval for review was six months. Trials off medication were most commonly during school holidays, contrary to recommendations of the New South Wales Health Department. Most parents reported considerable improvement in their children's quality of life with medication. CONCLUSIONS: Problems comorbid with ADHD are detected often. Areas of deficiency in management of ADHD include the low rate of contact with schools for diagnostic assessment and determining treatment efficacy, poor support for comorbid problems, infrequent review, and inadequate methods for determining need to continue treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1972

Translation of reovirus messenger RNAs synthetesized in vitro into reovirus polypeptides by several mammalian cell-free extracts.

Single-stranded reovirus RNA, synthesized in vitro by reovirus cores, functioned as messenger RNA in cell-free extracts prepared from several mammalian cells: Krebs II mouse ascites cells, mouse L cells, Chinese hamster ovary cells, HeLa cells, and rabbit reticulocytes. As shown by acrylamide gel electrophoresis, all eight polypeptides known to be specified by reovirus were synthesized in the reticulocyte system. In the other extracts, from 5 to 7 complete virus proteins were made.

Animals↗