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Biomedical subjects

S Moore

Publications and source records attributed to S Moore.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Prospective study of how students' humanism and psychosocial beliefs relate to specialty matching.

PURPOSE: To determine whether students who match to different specialties are different in their humanistic behaviors and attitudes about the psychosocial aspects of medicine. METHOD: From May 1992 to February 1995 data were collected from 405 students at the Baylor College of Medicine who participated in a required six-week family medicine clerkship. Two instruments were used to collect data: the Humanism Scale and the Physician Belief Scale. The students' humanism was rated by standardized patients (SPs) during the clerkship's objective structured clinical examination; the SPs used an abbreviated scale, consisting of eight items rated on a seven-point scale. The Physician Belief Scale, consisting of 32 items rated on a five-point scale, measures beliefs about the psychosocial aspects of patient care; it was completed by each student prior to the beginning of the clerkship. Specialty match data were based on National Resident Matching Program results at graduation. For statistical analysis, specialties were divided into four groups: primary care, medical, surgical, and support. RESULTS: The students who matched to primary care specialties had significantly higher mean humanism scores than did the students who matched to support specialties. Also, the students who matched to primary care specialties had significantly higher belief-scale scores than did the students who matched to surgery or support specialties. CONCLUSION: The differences between the students matching to various specialties found in this study were only partly consistent with the differences found in another study of resident physicians in the same specialties. The postgraduate residency experience may thus be an important factor accounting for this difference between students and physicians.

Career Choice↗
PubMed1997

Isoprostanes: free radical-generated prostaglandins with constrictor effects on cerebral arterioles.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Isoprostanes are generated by cyclooxygenase-independent free radical attack of arachidonic acid and are potent constrictors of the peripheral vasculature. Traumatic brain injury stimulates oxygen radical production and is associated with cerebral blood flow reduction. However, no specific vasoconstrictor has been identified as the cause of posttraumatic blood flow reduction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether isoprostanes constrict cerebral arterioles. METHODS: The effects of 10(-9) to 10(-5) mol/L 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 alpha (8-iso-PGF2 alpha), 8-iso-prostaglandin E2 (8-iso-PGE2), and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on pial arteriolar diameter were measured in anesthetized rats using a closed cranial window and in vivo microscopy. RESULTS: All prostanoids produced vasoconstriction. Of these, 8-iso-PGF2 alpha produced the greatest vasoconstriction (34% +/- 2), followed by 8-iso-PGE2 (25% +/- 4) and PGF2 alpha (20% +/- 2). After six cerebrospinal fluid washouts of the cranial window, both 8-iso-PGF2 alpha- and 8-iso-PGE2-treated vessels remained slightly constricted, whereas the PGF2 alpha-treated vessels returned to control diameter. Coapplication of the semiselective thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist SQ29548 completely blocked the vasoconstriction induced by 8-iso-PGF2 alpha and 8-iso-PGE2. CONCLUSIONS: Isoprostanes are potent constrictors of cerebral arterioles and appear to act at a receptor that is similar to the thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor. Isoprostanes may play a role in the reduction of cerebral blood flow that occurs after brain injury and subsequent oxygen radical production.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cognitive test performance and background music.

This study examined the effects of background music on test performance. In a repeated-measures design 30 undergraduates completed two cognitive tests, one in silence and the other with background music. Analysis suggested that music facilitated cognitive performance compared with the control condition of no music: more questions were completed and more answers were correct. There was no difference in heart rate under the two conditions. The improved performance under the music condition might be directly related to the type of music used.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1996

Synthesis of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in rabbit aortic neointima after selective de-endothelialization.

Altered TIMP-1 synthesis in the arterial wall may be important for the balance between metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, and thus contribute to dysregulated extracellular matrix metabolism in atherosclerotic lesions. To examine this, we cloned the rabbit TIMP-1 gene from aortic neointima, developed in response to a balloon-catheter induced de-endothelialization. The apparent homology of cDNA with TIMP-1 genes from several sources suggested that it is a rabbit form of TIMP-1. We examined the recombinant rabbit TIMP-1 expression in Escherichia coli using the pTrxFus expression system and the synthesis of the resulting soluble protein was confirmed by immunostaining with anti-TIMP-1. The TIMP-1 concentration in normal and de-endothelialized rabbit aortas was compared using Northern blot, Western blot and mRNA in situ hybridization techniques. We observed a significant increase of TIMP-1 expression in neointimal SMCs at both nucleic acid and protein levels, suggesting a role of TIMP-1 in injury-induced atherogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Differential increases in rat retinal ganglion cell size with various methods of optic nerve lesion.

Optic nerve injury is a well established paradigm for studying a variety of neuronal responses, although the actual method of nerve severance is rarely taken into account. This study assessed changes to ganglion cell size in three different methods of optic nerve lesions. Adult rats underwent either one of two types of mechanical nerve crush, or an axotomy. Ganglion cells were visualised by retrograde labelling from the optic nerve with 4Di-10ASP, and soma size measured. Two weeks after lesion, mean soma size was increased in all groups. However, at 4 weeks, the crush groups continued to show an increase (60.5% larger than normal), while the mean cell size in the axotomy group was almost at normal levels (0.2% smaller than normal). This study supports the hypothesis that axotomy, and not simple crush, deprives ganglion cells of substances beneficial to cell survival.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The expression and characterization of five recombinant murine alpha 1-protease inhibitor proteins.

The Mus musculus alpha 1-protease inhibitor gene cluster encodes five highly related proteins. The most significant amino acid polymorphisms lie within the reactive-site loop which is important in determining serpin substrate specificity. All five genes are transcribed in M. musculus adult liver and presumably secreted into plasma. In an attempt to characterize their protein products all five cDNAs were expressed in recombinant mammalian cells and the protease inhibition activity of each determined. Only two of the proteins were efficient inhibitors of neutrophil elastase, the major physiological target of the sole human alpha 1-protease inhibitor (antitrypsin). Four of the proteins were active against chymotrypsin, while no substrate could be identified for the fifth.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Surgical treatment of patients with open tibial fractures.

Open tibial fractures are true surgical emergencies because of the risk of extensive infection to bone and devitalized soft tissue. The most serious consequence of open tibial fractures is osteomyelitis, which usually can be prevented by prompt surgical intervention within six to eight hours after injuries occur. Open tibial fractures often are the result of trauma from motor vehicle collisions, farm accidents, falls from heights, or gunshot wounds. Initial management of patients with multiple trauma injuries focuses on their life-threatening injuries before or during orthopedic surgical intervention for open tibial fractures. Orthopedic surgeons often work in collaboration with general, vascular, and plastic surgeons and perform multiple surgical procedures (eg, fasciotomy procedures for compartment syndromes, irrigation and debridement of wounds, application of external fixation devices, placement of intramedullary nails, possible limb amputations). The type and extent of open tibial fractures and soft tissue injuries determine the best treatment options for patients. Perioperative nurses should help patients focus on treatment choices for their open tibial fractures that ensure optimal surgical outcomes and maintain their quality of life.

Accidents↗
PubMed1996

Colonization with antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in children with sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVE: Because of susceptibility to severe pneumococcal infection, children with sickle cell disease (SCD) routinely receive penicillin prophylaxis. Increasing rates of penicillin resistance have been reported throughout the world. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization with Streptococcus pneumoniae and to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of the organisms in children with SCD. STUDY DESIGN: Nasopharyngeal cultures for S. pneumoniae were obtained from all children with SCD attending clinics in a statewide university-based network. Background colonization rates were determined in children attending day care centers in some of the same locations. All recovered S. pneumoniae organisms were tested for susceptibility to penicillin, and all resistant strains were examined for susceptibility to other antibiotics. RESULTS: Overall nasopharyngeal pneumococcal colonization rates among children with SCD were 12%. Colonization was associated with age less than 2 years (p <0.001) and day care attendance for more than 20 hr/wk (p = 0.00005). More than half of these strains (62%) were resistant to penicillin, 33% having intermediate resistance (minimal inhibitory concentration 0.06 to 1 microgram/ml) and 29%, high level resistance (minimal inhibitory concentration > or = 2.0 microgram/ml). Penicillin resistance was associated with penicillin prophylaxis (p <0.01). Many of these organisms were also resistant to other classes of antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Although penicillin prophylaxis and pneumococcal vaccine for patients with SCD have reduced overall nasopharyngeal colonization and disease caused by S. pneumoniae (p <0.001), a higher percentage of colonizing strains are now resistant both to penicillin and to other antimicrobial agents (p <0.01). Newer strategies for preventing disease and early management of suspected pneumococcal infection in these children must be developed.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1996

The heterosexual singles scene: putting danger into pleasure.

The juxtaposition of pleasure and danger has engaged many feminist theorists and researchers in the field of sexuality. This article presents a theoretical analysis of the ambiguous and complex relationship between 'pleasure', 'danger' and contemporary feminist theory. In doing so, it offers an understanding of the ways in which the categories of pleasure and danger operate within the discourses of heterosexuality to construct perceptions of risk in the context of HIV/AIDS. Data were collected from a study of the sexual attitudes and practices of 112 sexually-active, single, heterosexual adults (58 men and 54 women), aged 20 to 40 years (mean = 27 years) who agreed to be interviewed when approached at night-clubs and public "singles' bars around Melbourne, Australia. The qualitative analysis presented here is consistent with a poststructuralist feminism. First, we discuss how sexuality cannot be cast solely as pleasurable or dangerous. Second, we demonstrate how heterosexualized notions of pleasure and danger operate to provide misperceptions of risk from HIV/AIDS transmission. Third, we identify the ways in which the logic of identity functions to obscure risk within the discourse of heterosexuality, and finally we attempt to forge new ways of practising pleasure which disrupt heterosexist discourses and allow for pleasures which incorporate danger.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Postural sensitivity to visual flow in aging adults with and without balance problems.

BACKGROUND: This study tested balance behavior of young adults and aging adults with and without balance problems in response to visual flow from a moving visual surround. METHODS: Balance behavior was indexed by force plate measures of maximum anterior/posterior displacement of the center of foot pressure and horizontal shear forces. The sample included normal young adults (n = 13; mean age 23 years, +/- 7.5), normal aging adults (n = 13; mean age 76 years, +/- 6.5), and aging adults with balance problems not directly attributable to a diagnosable neurological disease or dysfunction (n = 13; mean age 79 years, +/- 5.8). RESULTS: The balance-affected aging group had statistically greater sway responses than the young group when the stimulus was unexpected (as in the first trial; p < .05). Some individuals in each group had large responses that were statistical outliers from the group median. The balance-affected group had significantly greater shear forces than the young group. CONCLUSIONS: Greater sway responses suggest over-reliance on visual cues for posture control in the balance-affected aging group, which may be related to underlying, borderline somatosensory deficits, as indicated by the patterns of subclinical indications for somatosensory impairments on neurological exams in this group. Visually sensitive postural control, however, may issue from several different underlying processes. Elevated shear forces during balance responses in the balance-affected group suggest a greater use of hip movements in addition to ankle movements for postural adjustments.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Home health nurses: stress, self-esteem, social intimacy, and job satisfaction.

A survey of 67 home healthcare nurses' perception of work-related stress, self-esteem, social intimacy, and job satisfaction during corporate merging compared with a prior study of acute care surgical nurses (n = 71) during a merger of two hospitals found no difference between stress levels of home health nurses compared with acute care surgical nurses, which is contrary to popular belief.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Changes in heterosexual university undergraduates' HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour: Melbourne, 1989-1994.

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in the AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of first year university undergraduates in 1989 and 1994. DESIGN: Comparisons were made between cross-sectional surveys, conducted in 1989 and 1994, of first year undergraduates at three Melbourne universities. RESULTS: The 1994 cohort reported more positive attitudes toward, and better knowledge of, safe sex practices and less discrimination against perceived risk groups than did the 1989 cohort; however, this was due primarily to improvement among female undergraduates. Male undergraduates either demonstrated no improvement or a decline in pro-safe sex attitudes. A general increase was found in the proportion of respondents always using condoms for vaginal sex with casual and regular partners and for oral sex with casual and regular partners. CONCLUSIONS: While the extent of sexual behaviour among these young people has remained essentially unchanged over the past five years, the extent of self-reported condom use has increased markedly. The general decline in attitudinal measures among young men contrasts with a marked improvement among young women and suggests the need for education programs targeted specifically at this group.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Mapping 638 STSs to regions of human chromosome 3.

The initial step of mapping STSs to chromosome 3 has been by mapping to a reference panel of 21 somatic cell hybrids containing fragments of chromosome 3. In this study we map 638 STSs to 23 bins on chromosome 3. The bin information greatly facilitates further mapping by radiation hybrids and YAC clones.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1996

Coping with downsizing: stress, self-esteem and social intimacy.

As health care system continue to downsize, nurses will experience organizational changes, change in positions or sudden terminations. Acute care surgical nurses were surveyed to determine their perceptions of work-related stress, self-esteem and social intimacy during downsizing.

Adaptation, Psychological↗