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Biomedical subjects

M Sheldon

Publications and source records attributed to M Sheldon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

HIV and the obligation to treat.

The paper is an attempt to review the basis for the claim that physicians have a professional obligation to treat AIDS patients. Considered are the historical record, two professional codes of ethics, and several recent articles. The paper concludes that the arguments considered, which attempt to support the claim that physicians have an obligation to treat, fail. It is suggested, rather, that common humanity, which physicians share with those who suffer from AIDS, ought to be the basis for engaging in the care of AIDS patients.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

The HIV-1 long terminal repeat contains an unusual element that induces the synthesis of short RNAs from various mRNA and snRNA promoters.

We describe an unusual element that activates the synthesis of short transcripts from a wide variety of mRNA and small nuclear RNA (snRNA) promoters, including the U6 RNA polymerase III promoter. This inducer of short transcripts (IST) is located between positions -5 and +82 relative to the cap site in the HIV-1 LTR. In the presence of IST, the total transcriptional activity of the different promoters is greatly increased, but the resulting additional RNA molecules are short, ending around position +60. IST is not the RNA target (TAR) for Tat trans-activation; however, because it relies entirely on cellular factors for activity, IST may serve to provide abundant RNA targets for Tat trans-activation without a requirement for full-length viral mRNA expression.

Base Sequence↗

Cytogenetic and molecular studies of trisomy 13.

Chromosome heteromorphisms, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, or both were used to study the parental origin of 33 cases of simple trisomy 13 and eight cases of translocation trisomy 13. The most common origin for the simple trisomies was non-disjunction at maternal meiosis I, while for the translocations an equal number of paternally and maternally derived cases was observed. In seven of the simple trisomies, information was obtained from both the cytogenetic and molecular markers, making it possible to study recombination between the two non-disjoined chromosomes. Five of the seven cases involved errors at meiosis I, with crossing over being detected in two of three cases of maternal origin and in one of two cases of paternal origin. This indicates that absence of recombination because of pairing failure is unlikely to be of major importance in the genesis of trisomy 13.

Chromosome Mapping↗

A new anti-p53 monoclonal antibody, previously reported to be directed against the large T antigen of simian virus 40.

The PAb1620 antibody belongs to a group of monoclonal antibodies reported to recognize nuclear large T antigen of simian virus 40 (SV40). In the case of PAb1620 there was some indication that the antibody reacted preferentially with large T when it was complexed with p53, the cellular transformation-related antigen. However, we found that PAb1620 does not appear to react with SV40 large T, either free or in complex with p53. In this paper we demonstrate that PAb1620 is, in fact, directed against the p53 protein and recognizes a conformation-dependent epitope. In addition, PAb1620 recognises human p53 from SV80 cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Opportunities for anticipatory care with the elderly.

Contacts made by the elderly in a group general practice were monitored over seven months to describe how the elderly use services and to consider how a program of anticipatory care might be instituted. Eighty-four percent (1,562) of the patients aged over 65 years were seen during this period, and there were 4,315 contacts logged. Contact rates and the proportion of home visits were higher for patients aged over 75 years. More than three quarters of contacts were with a physician, one fifth with a nurse, and only 11 (0.3 percent) were with a health visitor. Referral and investigation rates were very low. Almost three quarters of elderly patients contacted were functionally independent. The most common diagnoses were osteoarthritis, hypertension, heart failure, and depression. Prescribing levels were relatively high, but people aged over 75 years were given fewer medicines than those aged 65 to 74 years. There is great scope for case finding by general practitioners provided good use is made of each contact. Health visitor case finding or screening would require either a major change in existing work patterns or recruitment of extra staff.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Low levels of ill health among elderly non-consulters in general practice.

The characteristics of random samples of elderly patients (over 65 years of age), designated as consulters (n = 200) and non-consulters (n = 196), in a group general practice were compared using a postal questionnaire that was validated by comparison with findings by general practitioners in a random sample of 58 responders. A response rate of 90% was obtained, and all non-responders were visited by their general practitioner. The questionnaire had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 82% when compared with general practitioner findings. The use of hospital and social services by non-consulters was low in this practice. Measures of disability and state of health showed that non-consulters were a fit group of the aged. Case finding for problems among elderly people should initially be confined to consulters, who have a high prevalence of problems. Non-consulters are a low risk group that can be assessed only with special effort and extra resources. Once an effective case finding system has been developed it might then be reasonable to consider ways of finding the few patients who have problems but do not consult their doctor.

Aged↗

Psychiatric benefits and insurance regulation in Massachusetts: a national model?

The Massachusetts Mandatory Mental Health Insurance Act requires all health insurance plans in the state to cover mental illness. Because of their concerns that this law might be taken as a national model, the authors describe the problems encountered in implementing it and the conflicts between the insurance carriers and psychiatry. The authors attribute the problems to some insurance carriers' failure to deal directly with organized psychiatry in obtaining screening guidelines, the absence of psychiatrists on the carriers' central committees, and psychiatrists' generally indifferent and hostile attitudes toward the carriers. The authors describe recent improvements and recommendations based on 10 years of experience.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗