Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M West

Publications and source records attributed to M West.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Classification of 1H MR spectra of human brain neoplasms: the influence of preprocessing and computerized consensus diagnosis on classification accuracy.

We study how classification accuracy can be improved when both different data preprocessing methods and computerized consensus diagnosis (CCD) are applied to 1H magnetic resonance (MR) spectra of astrocytomas, meningiomas, and epileptic brain tissue. The MR spectra (360 MHz, 37 degrees C) of tissue specimens (biopsies) from subjects with meningiomas (95; 26 cases), astrocytomas (74; 26 cases), and epilepsy (37; 8 cases) were preprocessed by several methods. Each data set was partitioned into training and validation sets. Robust classification was carried out via linear discriminant analysis (LDA), artificial neural nets (NN), and CCD, and the results were compared with histopathological diagnosis of the MR specimens. Normalization of the relevant spectral regions affects classification accuracy significantly. The spectra-based average three-class classification accuracies of LDA and NN increased from 81.7% (unnormalized data sets) to 89.9% (normalized). CCD increased the classification accuracy of the normalized sets to an average of 91.8%. CCD invariably decreases the fraction of unclassifiable spectra. The same trends prevail, with improved results, for case-based classification. Preprocessing the 1H MR spectra is essential for accurate and reliable classification of astrocytomas, meningiomas, and nontumorous epileptic brain tissue. CCD improves classification accuracy, with an attendant decrease in the fraction of unclassifiable spectra or cases.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The cast-6: development of a short-form of the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test.

The 30-item Children of Alcoholics Screening Test (CAST) is shortened to a 6-item scale (CAST-6) using Principal Components Analysis of CAST responses for three distinct samples: outpatient substance abusers, outpatient psychiatric patients, and medical students. The face validity, internal consistency, and discriminatory ability of the CAST-6 are examined. The CAST-6 is judged to compare favorably with the full CAST and to provide a more efficient way to identify adult children of alcoholics.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Alternative cut-point scores for the CAST-6.

Alternative cut-point scores for the CAST-6, a shortened version of the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, are examined in three samples: outpatient substance abusers, outpatient psychiatric patients, and medical students. Hit rates for identification are maximized with a lower cut-point for medical students and a higher cut-point for a sample of individuals seeking outpatient treatment for substance abuse. Either cut-point yields equivalent results in an outpatient psychiatric sample.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Midwives and maternal and child health: building resource capacity.

With dramatic changes in health, social services, and welfare systems and escalating pressure to increase clinical productivity, midwives need to enhance their capacity to work with federal, regional, and state partners to promote and protect comprehensive, culturally competent, and community-based quality health care for pregnant women and their families. Information about maternal and child health (MCH) regional and state resources is provided, and strategies for obtaining additional MCH resources are suggested, so that midwives and other women's health care providers can more effectively improve health care programs and systems that benefit women and their families. In addition, ways to work with MCH programs at the regional and state levels are described.

Community Health Planning↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Isolation of an HTLV-III-related retrovirus from macaques with simian AIDS and its possible origin in asymptomatic mangabeys.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has become a worldwide epidemic, so the development of vaccines and antiviral agents effective against the causative agent, human T-lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III), is vital. This work would be greatly simplified if a suitable animal model could be developed. Here we report the isolation of an HTLV-III-related retrovirus, STLV-III/Delta, from rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) with transmissible simian AIDS (SAIDS) and from asymptomatic sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys). SAIDS was initially diagnosed in several macaques previously inoculated with tissue homogenates of mangabey origin. Western blot analysis of both the mangabey and macaque sera demonstrated the presence of antibody cross-reactive primarily with the HTLV-III proteins p24 and p61. In a related experiment, analysis of these same sera revealed simian antibody to STLV-III/Delta proteins similar, but not identical, to those of HTLV-III with estimated relative molecular masses (Mrs) of 16,000 (16K), 26K, 35K, 45K, 60K and 110K. Infection of the mangabey, an African primate, with an HTLV-III-related virus may provide a clue to the origin of HTLV-III in humans. The apparent difference in susceptibility to SAIDS-like disease between infected macaques and mangabeys suggests that these species may respond differently to STLV-III infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Return to work for patients with traumatic brain injury. Analysis of costs.

This brief report describes staff time commitment and program cost outcomes for a return to work program of supported employment for persons with brain injuries. The mean cost of providing services was $10,198 for the first year of service (median, $6,942). Clients achieved job stabilization after an average of 18 wk of time-limited job coaching services, during which they received mean intervention time of 245.7 h (median, 219) at a cost of $7,789. A mean of 2.24 h/wk of extended services intervention was required to maintain clients in employment for the remainder of the first year of service, at a mean weekly cost of $71.01. Results are compared with findings reported in a previous study using a smaller sample.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The preschool medical: an evaluation of this examination and its role in child health surveillance.

Records of 244 preschool medicals were studied retrospectively. The value of the examination to the children, their parents and teachers, and the use of clinical medical officer time was considered. Fifty-seven per cent had previously undetected problems deemed to require follow-up. This number was subsequently corrected to 50% in the light of current practice. Fourteen per cent warranted referral to other professionals and 4.5% received treatment. The high number of vision defects noted suggests further study. Fifteen per cent of the parents wished to discuss concerns about their children with the clinical medical officer. Clinical medical officer practice varied, but showed the incidence of follow-up to be inversely proportional to the referral rate. The number of previously undetected problems recorded in the survey supports medical examination of all children at this age. However, review of criteria and further study is indicated to make the best use of resources.

Child Health Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Identification of genes associated with ovarian cancer metastasis using microarray expression analysis.

Although the transition from early- to advanced-stage ovarian cancer is a critical determinant of survival, little is known about the molecular underpinnings of ovarian metastasis. We hypothesize that microarray analysis of global gene expression patterns in primary ovarian cancer and metastatic omental implants can identify genes that underlie the metastatic process in epithelial ovarian cancer. We utilized Affymetrix U95Av2 microarrays to characterize the molecular alterations that underlie omental metastasis from 47 epithelial ovarian cancer samples collected from multiple sites in 20 patients undergoing primary surgical cytoreduction for advanced-stage (IIIC/IV) serous ovarian cancer. Fifty-six genes demonstrated differential expression between ovarian and omental samples (P < 0.01), and twenty of these 56 differentially expressed genes have previously been implicated in metastasis, cell motility, or cytoskeletal function. Ten of the 56 genes are involved in p53 gene pathways. A Bayesian statistical tree analysis was used to identify a 27-gene expression pattern that could accurately predict the site of tumor (ovary versus omentum). This predictive model was evaluated using an external data set. Nine of the 27 predictive genes have previously been shown to be involved in oncogenesis and/or metastasis, and 10/27 genes have been implicated in p53 pathways. Microarray findings were validated by real-time quantitative PCR. We conclude that gene expression patterns that distinguish omental metastasis from primary epithelial ovarian cancer can be identified and that many of the genes have functions that are biologically consistent with a role in oncogenesis, metastasis, and p53 gene networks.

Bayes Theorem↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Beyond Section 504: satisfaction and empowerment of students with disabilities in higher education.

College and university students with disabilities were surveyed to determine their levels of satisfaction with accessibility, special services, and accommodations at their schools. In addition, students were requested to identify barriers to postsecondary education, improvements in services, and other concerns. Respondents generally expressed satisfaction with the services that they had received. However, the majority indicated that they had encountered barriers to their education, including a lack of understanding and cooperation from administrators, faculty, staff, and other students; lack of adaptive aids and other resources; and inaccessibility of buildings and grounds. Recommendations were made for improving the delivery of services and self-advocacy of students with disabilities.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concussion: comparison of humans and rats.

Concussion is the most primitive and probably the most simple central nervous system response to an outside agent. Although millions of neurons undergo a very rapid reversal with loss and restoration of function, many physicians argue that every knockout blow leaves some residual damage, i.e., some or all of these neurons stop short of recovery. Clinical experience shows a wide discrepancy in the appearance or persistence of certain signs and symptoms after all types of head injury, but particularly after concussing blows, when third party or grievance cases are involved. Using slow motion filmstrips of boxing ring knockouts, we established a grading system for concussion and duplicated these grades in nonanesthetized rats. When we compared the performance, learning, and memory of concussed rats with their preconcussion performance and with the performance of nonconcussed controls, we were unable to find any differences.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Employment outcomes of persons following traumatic brain injury: pre-injury, post-injury, and supported employment.

This paper provides a prospective analysis of the pre-injury, post-injury and supported employment work histories of 20 persons who survived a severe head injury. All persons had a very limited or inconsistent work history post-injury, due to the severity of the injury. Data are presented on the placement outcomes and include factors such as wages, hours worked, months of employment and type of occupation. The supported employment model is described and the job coach approach is presented in some detail. The most significant finding of this preliminary report is that, as an aggregate group, supported employment was able to facilitate restoration of vocational capacity from pre-injury levels based on total months worked.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Extraction of an hyperglycaemic principle from the annatto (Bixa orellana), a medicinal plant in the West Indies.

The red powdery extract from the seeds of the annatto, Bixa orellana, is a well known food colouring. In an oil suspension it is used as a folk remedy (bush tea) in the West Indies, for diabetes mellitus. Detailed investigations on this extract, yielded a methyl ester, trans-bixin, molecular weight 394 and molecular formula C24H30O4. This purified substance was demonstrated, in anaesthetised mongrel dogs, to cause hyperglycaemia. Concomitant electron microscopy of tissue biopsies, revealed damage to mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum mainly in liver and pancreas. When dogs were fed on a diet fortified with riboflavin, there was neither demonstrable tissue damage nor associated hyperglycaemia. These findings point to: (i) the potential dangers of informal medications such as 'bush teas'; (ii) the possible role of plant extracts/food additives in the development of diabetes mellitus especially in the undernourished state.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Visitations of distress.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Community Health Nursing↗