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Biomedical subjects

T Malik

Publications and source records attributed to T Malik.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Medical students' contribution to the development of a smoke-free hospital policy in a university medical centre: a relevant learning experience.

In a research methodology course, second-year medical students conducted a survey on 'Enforcing a Smoking Ban in the Soroka Medical Center: a Survey of Hospital Employees on Facilitating Factors and Obstacles'. They defined the study objectives and design, developed the study instrument, carried out the survey, coded and entered the data into mainframe computers, analysed the computer output, and prepared oral and written reports. The aims of the project were twofold: to survey employees' attitudes to a hospital smoking ban and to train medical students in the planning and conduct of a research project on public health or preventive medicine. Twelve students conducted a cross-sectional survey of 208 hospital employees (10% of the hospital staff). Employees were surveyed regarding smoking status, interest in quitting smoking, knowledge of the law banning smoking in public places, knowledge of the health effects of passive smoking, attitudes towards a hospital smoking ban and potential obstacles to its implementation. The students rated the course as excellent. They gained important research skills, as well as practical medical and public health experience through active participation in the design and execution of a study project with public health implications. At the first meeting of the hospital committee appointed to enforce a smoke-free hospital, the students' findings were reported in full, and their recommendations have guided policy decisions.

Health Policy↗

Violence against physicians.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the incidence of violence against internists. SETTING: A county-operated tertiary care center in Nassau County, New York. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Questionnaires were distributed to 100 internal medicine residents and attending physicians. They were asked to report: whether they had ever been assaulted or battered either by patients or by relatives of patients; the point in their medical training at which such episodes had occurred; the nature and severity of the violent episodes; and the circumstances surrounding such episodes. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned by 63 physicians (response rate, 63%). Ten physicians (16% of the respondents) reported that they had been battered, three (5%) on multiple occasions. Twenty-six physicians (41%) reported that they had been assaulted, 15 (24%) on multiple occasions. The majority (54%) of violent episodes had been instigated either by intoxicated patients or by patients with psychiatric histories. In this small sample, no injury was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Violence against medical residents and attending physicians exists and is most commonly associated with patients who are intoxicated or who have psychiatric histories.

Adult↗

Ca(2+)- and ATP-dependent reversible inactivation of pancreatic islet phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity.

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) activity in whole homogenates of mouse pancreatic islets decreased 60-85% when the homogenates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 h in the presence of down to micromolar concentrations of Ca2+. Ca(2+)-induced inactivation was augmented by calmodulin, the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in the presence of ATP-Mg, and by Mg2+. Inactivation was inhibited when ATP was removed and completely abolished by trifluoperazine and EGTA. Inactivation was not affected by the non-phosphorylating ATP analogue, AMP-PCP, GMP-PNP, glucose, Zn2+ or a series of protease inhibitors. These observations suggest that PI-PLC in broken cell preparations of pancreatic islets may be inactivated via phosphorylation by Ca(2+)-calmodulin-stimulated protein kinase and/or protein kinase C. Inactivation of PI-PLC was reversible. Reactivation started after approx. 2 h incubation, when the concentration of ATP in the homogenate was below 0.15 x 10(-6) M. PI-PLC activity returned to values approx. 25% higher than the initial values. PI-PLC inactivation via phosphorylation by the mentioned protein kinases may constitute a feedback control on the phosphoinositide response, attenuating subsequent diacylglycerol formation and/or Ca2+ mobilization by inositol trisphosphate.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Characteristics of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity from mouse pancreatic islets.

In pancreatic islets the bulk of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) activity was cytosolic. The soluble enzyme was activated by submicromolar concentrations of Ca2+, independent of calmodulin. It was unaffected by glucose and a series of glycolytic intermediates, including glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. These observations lend support to the hypothesis that glucose-stimulated inositol triphosphate production in islets may be secondary to and provoked by glucose-mediated Ca2+ influx. All four pyridine nucleotides stimulated PI-PLC. Phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis was also stimulated by dioleine and arachidonic acid, and by the polyamines, putrescine and spermine. Phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis was inhibited by chlorpromazine, tetracaine, ATP, 5'-AMP, inorganic pyrophosphate and by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine--but not affected by phosphatidylethanolamine. The cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP had no effect on the enzyme, and GTP-gamma-S did not activate the enzyme event at very low Ca2+ concentrations. The diglyceride lipase inhibitor, RHC 80267, and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, had no effect on PI-PLC activity.

Animals↗

Appendicitis in premature babies.

From 1st January, 1973, to 30th September, 1977, 11 cases of appendicitis were observed in premature babies. All patients were subjected to operation. One patient was lost. For the diagnosis, anamnestic data concerning infections, the general and localized symptoms, laboratory data and X-ray findings should be taken into consideration. Close observation of the patient is necessary for determining the optimum time for surgery. This and rational antibiotic and postoperative therapy are essential in the treatment of the condition.

Appendectomy↗

Acid-base changes of mature and premature neonates following exchange transfusion.

The changes of acid-base values of 60 mature and premature neonates treated by exchange transfusion were followed. It could be shown that the blood conserves having acidic pH values caused no acidosis if the acid-base balance of the patients had been normal before transfusion. An existing acidosis frequently increased significantly in the first day of life of the mature but also in the later days in premature neonates. Thus, the determination of acid-base state prior and after transfusion of such patients seems to be important. In the case of pronounced acidosis its correction and also the control of the acid-base values after the exchange transfusion are necessary.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Teaching clinician-patient communication in the treatment of breast diseases.

In 1998, some 179,000 women in the United States were newly diagnosed with breast cancer, and 48,500 women died from it. Early detection by mammography, physical examination, and breast self-examination improves survival rates and can decrease mortality. The clinician's level of comfort with discussing education and prevention with patients can influence patients' adherence to preventive measures. Improved clinician-patient interpersonal communication has a demonstrated positive impact on adherence and health outcomes. We developed and pilot tested a core curriculum on breast health aimed at primary care community physicians and resident house staff. The goal was to improve interpersonal communication between clinician and patient. Two groups of participants attended either a week-long or a 2-week-long training program consisting of four components: a brief demonstration of an interview and breast examination, interviews and breast examinations with a standardized patient, and two separate workshops of varying length. This pilot program had a significant impact on clinician behavior and knowledge. We recommend further investigation of this area with larger sample sizes.

Breast Diseases↗