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PubMedDate not supplied

Focus on Communications: Communicating the Message: Clarifying the Controversies About Caffeine.

Today's "coffee culture" and the widespread availability of caffeine-containing foods and beverages fuel the ongoing study of caffeine and its subsequent coverage by the media. Although the media has become influential in communicating health and nutrition information to the public, coverage of emerging science, such as the study of caffeine, does not necessarily bring clarity or improved understanding for consumers. This article highlights the current knowledge of caffeine's effects on health, with emphasis on the most common areas of interest and confusion. To address persistent misperceptions about caffeine, this article also accentuates the need for nutrition professionals to help put the findings of caffeine research into perspective and suggests practical ways to do this.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Natural and traditional medicine in Cuba: lessons for U.S. medical education.

The Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Academy of Science has recommended that medical schools incorporate information on CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) into required medical school curricula so that graduates will be able to competently advise their patients in the use of CAM. The report states a need to study models of systems that integrate CAM and allopathic medicine. The authors present Cuba's health care system as one such model and describe how CAM (or natural and traditional medicine) is integrated into all levels of clinical care and medical education in Cuba. The authors examine the Cuban medical school curriculum in which students, residents, and practicing physicians are oriented in the two paradigms of CAM and allopathic medicine. Only health professionals are permitted to practice CAM in Cuba; therefore, Cuba's medical education curriculum incorporates not only teaching about CAM, but it also teaches basic CAM approaches and clinical skills. Both the theory and practice of CAM are integrated into courses throughout the six-year curriculum. Similarities and differences between the U.S. and Cuban approaches to CAM are examined, including issues of access and cost, and levels of acceptance by the medical profession and by the public at large in both countries. The authors conclude that there is potentially much to learn from the Cuban experience to inform U.S. medical educators and institutions in their endeavors to comply with the IOM recommendations and to incorporate CAM into medical school curricula.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2006

The IclR family of transcriptional activators and repressors can be defined by a single profile.

In the last decade enormous advances in life sciences have been possible due to the information obtained from DNA sequencing projects. The optimal interpretation and analysis of genome sequence data requires the precise annotation and classification of proteins deduced from open reading frames, which is usually done with the help of family-specific signatures. Here we report a novel profile for the IclR type of transcriptional activators and repressors. In contrast to profiles for other families of transcriptional regulators, the new IclR profile is located outside the helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif. We provide evidence that the new profile is more specific than any of the existing signatures for this family of regulators. More than 500 representatives of this family were identified with this profile. A database on bacterial regulators (http://www.bactregulators.org) was built to compile and regroup the sequences with the aid of the new profile.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Risks of allergic reactions to biotech proteins in foods: perception and reality.

In recent years, significant attention has been paid to the use of biotechnology to improve the quality and quantity of the food supply due in part to the projected growth in the world population, plus limited options available for increasing the amount of land under cultivation. Alterations in the food supply induced by classical breeding and selection methods typically involve the movement of large portions of genomic DNA between different plant varieties to obtain the desired trait. This is in contrast to techniques of genetic engineering which allows the selection and transfers specific genes from one species to another. The primary allergy risk to consumers from genetically modified crops may be placed into one of three categories. The first represents the highest risk to the allergic consumer is the transfer of known allergen or cross-reacting allergen into a food crop. The second category, representing an intermediate risk to the consumer, is the potential for replacing the endogenous allergenicity of a genetically-modified crop. The last category involves expression of novel proteins that may become allergens in man and generally represents a relatively low risk to the consumer, although this possibility has received attention of late. In order to mitigate the three categories of potential allergy risk associated with biotech crops, all genes introduced into food crops undergo a series of tests designed to determine if the biotech protein exhibits properties of known food allergens. The result of this risk assessment process to date is that no biotech proteins in foods have been documented to cause allergic reactions. These results indicate that the current assessment process is robust, although as science of allergy and allergens evolves, new information and new technology should help further the assessment process for potential allergenicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Personal and family backgrounds of first-year veterinary science students at the University of Queensland.

OBJECTIVE: To provide information on changes in the social and educational backgrounds of veterinary students over a 10 year period in an effort to determine the extent to which they are representative of the community. METHODS: Questionnaires were completed by first-year veterinary students at The University of Queensland in 1985 and 1986 (152 students), and 1995 and 1996 (154), and the data were analysed using the SAS System for Windows. RESULTS: The gender ratio of first-year veterinary students was 50:50 (male:female) in 1985 and 1986 but 10 years later it had changed to 38:62. In 1985 and 1986 77% had come directly from school, with 43% of the total coming from government schools, 17% from Catholic schools and 34% from other private (independent) schools. A decade later the percentage coming directly from school had decreased to 40%, that from Independent schools increased to 45% and that from cities increased from 53% to 64%. The educational backgrounds of parents varied widely though a high percentage had university degrees; mothers had received less formal education than fathers, and the educational attainments of both parents were higher at the beginning than at the end of the study. More than half (57% initially; 67% 10 years later) the fathers were in professional or managerial occupations, and a similar number (50% initially; 48% 10 years later) of mothers were teachers, nurses or clerks. The number of males from country areas decreased from 26 to 16 over this period. CONCLUSION: These veterinary students differed from the community generally in that progressively more were female, more were from Independent schools, their parents had more formal education and more of their parents were in professional, managerial or clerical occupations.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Definition and treatment of dyslexia: a report by the Committee on Dyslexia of the Health Council of The Netherlands.

A committee of the Health Council of the Netherlands prepared a report on the definition and treatment of dyslexia at the request of the Minister of Health, Welfare, and Sport (see Note). The Health Council, as charged by the Health Act, is to inform the government on the state of science with respect to public health issues. The Council is entirely funded by the government but otherwise completely independent (an independence guaranteed by law). The committee was formed to answer questions regarding the provisions and funds needed for the treatment of persons with dyslexia, neuropsychological treatment modalities, in particular, and the role of speech and language therapists. Definitive decision making about reimbursement by the Dutch National Health Service for treatment by speech and language therapists in cases of dyslexia was on hold, pending the committee's report. Specific attention was requested for the following aspects: the definition of dyslexia (the characteristic symptoms of this category of developmental language disabilities); the consequences of the proposed definition for indication and treatment; the appropriate methods of treatment; the involvement of several possible professionals (e.g., neuropsychologist, remedial teacher, speech and language therapist), as well as the role of the neurologist during and in relation to the treatment process; and those situations in which treatment should be the responsibility of the health care system. This article summarizes the committee's considerations and conclusions on these different aspects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The Molecular Biology Toolkit (MBT): a modular platform for developing molecular visualization applications.

BACKGROUND: The large amount of data that are currently produced in the biological sciences can no longer be explored and visualized efficiently with traditional, specialized software. Instead, new capabilities are needed that offer flexibility, rapid application development and deployment as standalone applications or available through the Web. RESULTS: We describe a new software toolkit--the Molecular Biology Toolkit (MBT; http://mbt.sdsc.edu)--that enables fast development of applications for protein analysis and visualization. The toolkit is written in Java, thus offering platform-independence and Internet delivery capabilities. Several applications of the toolkit are introduced to illustrate the functionality that can be achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The MBT provides a well-organized assortment of core classes that provide a uniform data model for the description of biological structures and automate most common tasks associated with the development of applications in the molecular sciences (data loading, derivation of typical structural information, visualization of sequence and standard structural entities).

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

[Introduction of proteomic approach to environmental medicine].

Recent progress in life science technology and the availability of much information on genes obtained by genome analysis has enabled us to analyze the changes of proteins on a large scale. Sets of proteins are called proteomes, and proteomics is the scientific field of proteome analysis including differential, post translational modification and interaction analyses. Various proteomic techniques, particularly two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), mass spectrometry, protein chip methods, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR), are very useful for acquiring proteomes in cells, tissues and body fluid, and for analyzing interactions between a protein and other biofactors including proteins. A proteomic approach is also useful for determining biomarkers of diseases and key proteins involved in various stages of metabolism such as differentiation, cell cycle and apoptosis. Environmental pollutants including endocrine disruptors inhibit activities of various organs in wild animals and humans. Proteomic approaches could be very useful tools for elucidating the mechanisms of damage caused by environmental pollutants. In this review, we describe the application of a proteomic approach to the field of environmental medicine.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Prevention: delivering the goods.

In this brief primer on prevention, the authors raise some of the scientific, social, behavioural, political and practical issues that must be addressed to integrate effective preventive initiatives into our health system (which includes public health practice). They begin by reviewing the contributions science has and has not made to inform our prevention efforts. The authors further examine what it is we know about changing human behaviour in health-promoting ways. The article closes with a review of the practical challenges for prevention-oriented policies and programs in the health system and in society as a whole. The authors call for increased emphasis on strategies that encourage the creation of supportive environments. Moreover, they identify that we need to try for fewer, but better-thought-out and more sustained, multi-level health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Community-led interventions that identify, address and change local cultural norms that contribute to these health concerns are especially key. Finally, the authors identify the need for rigorous evaluation to ensure that all effects, good and bad, of preventive interventions are fully captured and addressed.

Canada↗
PubMed2005

Codes, classifications, terminologies and nomenclatures: definition, development and application in practice.

The Primary Care Informatics Working Group of EFMI is working to help develop the core theory of primary care informatics (PCI). Codes, classifications, terminologies and nomenclatures form an important part of the science of PCI, as they allow clinical information to be readily stored and processed in information systems. This article provides definitions and a history of the International Classification for Primary Care (ICPC), and of the Read code and the Systematized Nomenclature for Medicine (SNOMED). The Working Group wishes to encourage shared definitions and an understanding of the practical application of structured data to improve quality in clinical practice.

Ambulatory Care Information Systems↗
PubMed2004

From pharmacogenetics to personalized medicine: a vital need for educating health professionals and the community.

The field of pharmacogenetics will soon celebrate its 50th anniversary. Although science has delivered an impressive amount of information in these 50 years, pharmacogenetics has suffered from lack of integration into clinical practice. There are several reasons for this, including the unmet need for education at medical schools and the lack of awareness about the impact of genetic medicine on healthcare in the community. Recently, the FDA announced that it considers pharmacogenomics one of three major opportunities on the critical path to new medical products. This notion by the FDA is filling the regulatory void that existed between drug developers and drug users. However, in order to bring pharmacogenetic testing to the prescription pad successfully, healthcare professionals and policy makers, as well as patients, need to have the necessary background knowledge for making educated treatment decisions. To effectively move pharmacogenetics into everyday medicine, it is therefore imperative for scientists and teachers in the field to take on the challenge of disseminating pharmacogenetic insights to a broader audience.

Health Personnel↗
PubMed2006

Count data in psychological applied research.

As some authors have noticed in fields other than psychology, level of measurement and distributional characteristics of count data are commonly not taken into account, so that they are analysed as normally distributed continuous variables, and therefore some general linear model is applied. In this work, we review a random sample of 457 articles published in the last four years in journals with the highest impact factor in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR Social Sciences Edition) of the Institute for Scientific Information. The goals are to know how often count variables appear in psychological applied research and which data analyses are used when dealing with count response variables. Examination showed that there is a notable presence of count variables, especially in some topics in psychology and a remarkable misapplication of the general linear model. One deals with causes and consequences of this approach to data analysis and suggests the use of specific models to analyse count data.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hygienic-sanitary conditions in school lunch rooms in the municipality of Oviedo].

BACKGROUND: To ascertain the health and hygiene-related conditions of school lunchrooms within the municipality of Oviedo by means of conducting a health and hygiene inspection of these facilities. METHOD: A descriptive epidemiological cross-sectional study was made of 24 schools in the municipality of Oviedo, 9 of which were government-subsidized private schools and another 15 of which were public schools, according to information from the Ministry of Education and Science. An inspection was conducted entailing a protocol based on the Public Lunchroom Health and Hygiene Regulations. The variables are the health and hygiene-related conditions of the premises (kitchens, lunchrooms and lavatories), of the utensils, the health of the employees and the conditions of the raw materials and foods. These conditions have been considered to be inadequate or deficient whenever they failed to met the criteria of the protocol in question. RESULTS: The deficiencies found n most of the school lunchrooms inspected were the lack of protection of the lighting components, of window screens to prevent the entry of insects and of soap dispensers which are not hand-operated, disposable paper towels and liquid soap both in kitchens as well as in lavatories. The variables entailed in this study have been compared among public schools and government-subsidized private schools, for which purpose a Student T Test was employed, significant differences having been found to exist between these two types of schools solely in the condition of the kitchens and in the total of the items. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the irregularities found in both the public schools and in the government-subsidized private schools are of an organizational nature and with regard to the facilities stemming from a lack of knowledge of the laws in force. It is deemed advantageous for training in Hygiene to be provided, given the positive attitude shown by those in charge of the schools in question.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Health informatics education for undergraduates: teaching experiences with multi media.

In a global information society all students regardless of discipline need to have or acquire basic computing and information literacy skills. The Faculty of Health Science at the Central Queensland University now includes a compulsory and introductory course in Health Informatics at the undergraduate level for all its first year students to meet these educational needs for the future health industry workforce. This paper describes the teacher and student lived experiences encountered throughout the concurrent use of a variety of delivery modes to teach an introductory unit of health informatics to this varied student population. It will include a discussion about the unit itself, educational philosophy adopted, strengths and weaknesses of the technologies and delivery methods adopted and the results of the student evaluation.

Computer User Training↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Results of the studies on radiation ecology and radiation biology at the Institute of Biology of Komi Science Center of Ural division of Russian Academy of Science (on 40th anniversary of the Department of Radiation Ecology)].

Information about the foundation and history of the Radiation Ecology Department and results of the researches on the effect of increased background radiation level on plant and animal populations, migration of radionuclides in natural biocoenosies with increased radiation level are presented.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Genetics of colorectal cancer.

The multistep nature of cancer has been well-documented through molecular genetic studies of colorectal cancer. The information provided by basic, translational and clinical science highlighted several genes associated with different hereditary syndromes predisposing to colorectal cancer. Due to these and other findings, the molecular pathogenesis of this cancer has been clarified also with respect to genetic pathways which can lead to an otherwise undistinguishable disease. As a result of both the available and continuously added data, our knowledge and understanding of colorectal cancer is subject to constant changes. Ultimately, these are expected to result in multiple and strategical managements based on molecular genetics which will likely change our approach to this cancer in the incoming millennium.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bibliometric analysis of publications by the Mexican Social Security Institute staff].

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the general characteristics and methodology of indexed publications by the health staff of the Mexican Social Security Institute in 1997. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Original articles were evaluated. The primary sources included Index Medicus, Current Contents and the Mexican National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) index. The following information was gathered for each article: affiliation and chief activity of the first author; impact factor of the journal; research type; field of study; topic of study, and methodological conduction. This latter point included congruence between design and objective, reproducibility of methods, applicability of the analysis, and pertinence of the conclusions. RESULTS: A total of 300 original articles was published of which 212 (71%) were available for the present study: full-time investigators (FTI) generated 109 articles and investigators with clinical activities (CAI) wrote 103 articles. The median impact factor of the journals in which FTI published was 1.337 (0.341 to 37.297) and for CAI publications, 0.707 (0.400 to 4.237). Biomedical research predominated in the first group (41%) and clinical investigation in the second (66%). Statistically significant differences were identified for the methodological conduction between groups of investigators. CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive studies and publications in journals without impact factor predominated. The FTI group had the highest bibliographic production of original articles in indexed journals with an impact factor.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMed2001

Current understanding of methotrexate pharmacology and efficacy in acute leukemias. Use of newer antifolates in clinical trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Methotrexate (MTX) is a key drug in the curative regimen of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia. This drug is widely used not only in the treatment of neoplastic diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, head and neck cancer and osteogenic sarcoma, but also for various autoimmune diseases, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, and for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease after transplantation. The development of drug resistance is the limiting factor in the use of MTX. This review will outline the mechanisms of acquired and natural resistance to MTX that have been studied in patients affected by acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myelocytic leukemia and the cell cycle genes involved in MTX resistance. This information may improve the use of MTX or could lead to the development of better drugs. Moreover a short description of newer antifolates with their mechanisms of action is presented. EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION SOURCES: The authors of this review have a long-standing interest in the mechanism of action of and resistance to MTX and other antifolates. Information from journal articles covered by the Science Citation Index and Medline has been reviewed together with work performed by the authors. PERSPECTIVES: Antifolates continue to be an extremely important class of drugs for the treatment of non-neoplastic as well as neoplastic diseases. New inhibitors that target dihydrofolate reductase as well as other folate-dependent enzymes are being evaluated in the clinic, and show promise.

Acute Disease↗

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