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Women's perspectives on cervical screening and treatment in developing countries: experiences with new technologies and service delivery strategies.

This review of studies conducted by partners in the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP) examines women's perspectives on, and acceptability of, new cervical cancer screening and treatment approaches, management by mid-level staff, single-visit strategies, treatment side effects, and post-treatment abstinence requirements in low-resource settings. All screening, managed by female nurses and irrespective of method or constellation of methods, appeared to be highly acceptable. Similarly, cryotherapy treatment, including cryotherapy managed by nurses immediately after screening, was well-received by women in the studies. Minor side effects, although rather prevalent, and difficulties with post-treatment abstinence, did not appear to significantly deter women from recommending the procedure to friends. Rather, a sense of relief was evident, a feeling that it was better to be treated than not treated, and better to be treated sooner rather than later. While full replication may not be possible, this does not lessen the fact that screening and treatment in developing countries, even with new technologies, immediate treatment and even using mid-level providers, can be very acceptable to women if provided in a safe, caring and preferably all-female environment.

Adult↗

Radiobiology of breast cancer.

Advances in molecular and cellular biology are transforming our understanding of breast cancer and promise the same for radiotherapy over the next few years. At the clinical level, the molecular basis of fractionation dependency and other tumour and normal tissue responses are likely to become clearer. More importantly, they will become useful in the clinic, where molecular characterisation of the patient and tumour will start to determine therapeutic options. Although many of the fundamental processes are only amenable to study in laboratory systems, the power of array-based technologies makes it possibly to address highly relevant questions in the clinic, using functional imaging and/or tissue biopsies. To help clinical oncologists exploit these opportunities in translational research, some aspects of the molecular and cellular basis of radiotherapy are described below in their relation to breast cancer.

Biomedical Technology↗

The commodification of the body and its parts.

The human body--and its parts--has long been a target for commodification within myriad cultural settings. A discussion of commodification requires that one consider, first, the significance of the body within anthropology and, second, what defines a body "part." After exploring these initial questions, this article outlines dominant theoretical approaches to commodification within anthropology, with Mauss and Marx figuring prominently. The discussion then turns to historically well-documented forms of body commodification: These include slavery and other oppressive labor practices; female reproduction; and the realms of sorcery and endocannibalism. An analysis here uncovers dominant established approaches that continue to drive current studies. The remainder of this article concerns emergent biotechnologies, whose application in clinical and other related scientific arenas marks a paradigmatic shift in anthropological understandings of the commodified, fragmented body. The following contexts are explored with care: reproductive technologies; organ transplantation; cosmetic and transsexual surgeries; genetics and immunology; and, finally, the category of the cyborg. The article concludes with suggestions for an integrated theoretical vision, advocating greater cross-fertilization of analytical approaches and the inclusion of an ethics of body commodification within anthropology.

Anthropology, Cultural↗

Trajectory of end-stage heart failure: the influence of technology and implications for policy change.

Patients with end-stage heart failure have a trajectory of illness characterized by an overall gradual decline in function punctuated by periods of symptom exacerbation followed by a return nearly to their baseline. These exacerbations are not predictable. Death may come suddenly and unexpectedly for each patient, even though predictive models can draw an accurate survival curve by averaging the experience of a substantial number of people with heart failure. Heart failure patients often have treatable symptoms, such as dyspnea, fatigue, and generalized pain. In this article, we explain the trajectory of patients with heart failure, illustrate the importance of advance care planning for these patients, discuss the impact of choices to use or forgo new technologies, and suggest ways to improve the care system. Only by reexamining our health care spending priorities can we create a sustainable care system that allows patients to live both long and comfortably, reaching a balance that serves them and their communities well.

Advance Care Planning↗

Glutaric aciduria type 1 and neonatal screening: time to proceed--with caution.

The new technology of tandem mass spectrometry is having a significant impact on the diagnostics of inborn metabolic errors. One of the most important aspects of this new technology is the possibility of recognising a whole class of disorders within a single analytical step. Shall this powerful technology be applied to the screening of newborn babies? Careful evaluation of every single disorder that could potentially be identified is needed. In the following, I will present some considerations that concern glutaric aciduria type 1 (MIM 231670; glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency).

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

Evolution of neuroendovascular intervention: a review of advancement in device technology.

Neuroendovascular surgery is a rapidly evolving field. Each year, numerous improvements are made in the endovascular surgeon's armamentarium. This evolution in technology, which is occurring at a dizzying pace, addresses many of the current limitations of neuroendovascular approaches. The potential to improve the outcomes of our patients is tremendous, particularly because one of the most common and most devastating neurological disorders, ischemic stroke, remains largely untreated. This article presents several of the new technologies that are currently being investigated or are under development and have the potential to lead to major advances in endovascular approaches for the treatment of intracranial and extracranial diseases.

Angioplasty↗

Health, technology, and medical care spending.

The RAND Future Elderly Model illustrates important principles about the relation among medical technologies, health spending, and health. New technologies add to spending because the costs of the new technologies and the health care costs during the added years of life they bring outweigh reductions in annual spending from better health. Many technologies with a low cost per patient per year result in high aggregate costs because of an expanded population being treated. However, the jury is still out on whether a better health-risk profile among future sixty-five-year-olds could moderate health spending for the elderly.

Aged↗

Information mastery and the 21st century doctor: change management for general practitioners.

The Internet and computers have brought immense change in how society deals with information. Uptake of these technologies has been disjointed and has occurred in a non-uniform way among general practitioners, compared with other professionals. Information mastery is a key 21st century skill that GPs should acquire. Applying "change management" concepts may help improve uptake of information mastery skills in general practice.

Biomedical Technology↗

What the future holds for continence care.

Change related to increased public awareness and health-seeking behavior for continence care is fueling the demand for innovation in technology and products. The National Association for Continence (NAFC) has been working to demystify the subject of continence by supporting credible consumer research, networking with other organizations to construct and broadcast its goals for change, and enlisting the help of the media in giving women and men back their lives.

Biomedical Technology↗

Development of a virtual reality system for the rehabilitation of the upper limb after stroke.

Virtual reality (VR) provides a three-dimensional computer representation of a real world or imaginary space through which a person can navigate and interact with objects to carry out specific tasks. One novel application of VR technology is in rehabilitation following stroke, particularly of the upper limb. This paper describes the development of a VR system for use in this field. This system gives the user the ability to interact with objects by touching, grasping and moving their upper limb.

Biomedical Technology↗

Pursuing a peaceful death.

To gain a better way of thinking about medical technology and our human mortality, we should begin backward. Death should be seen as the necessary and inevitable end point of medical care.... We as a society remain uncertain about the status of patients who manage to combine, in a bewildering way, elements of both life and death.

Aged↗

Bioengineering in the millennium.

This symposium identified the major challenges in biomedical research that will benefit from bioengineering applications. Attention was focused on the important role that bioengineers will play in future advances in biomedical research. There was considerable discussion about how to integrate bioengineering with biological research in meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century. Symposium presenters showcased the accomplishments of NIH-funded bioengineering researches and increased the visibility of bioengineering to NIH leaders, staff, and members of the intramural and extramural research community. Recommendations were also made for future NIH-funded research projects. Attention was also placed on how basic bioengineering research can lead to commercialization of new health care technology and therefore maintain the nation's leadership in this important area. New products, from biotechnology and novel devices for diagnosis and treatment, are marketed through interactions between universities, medical centers, small start-up firms, and larger, more established companies. In the United States the gross revenue of the bioengineering private sector industry involved in the manufacture of health care products already exceeds $40 billion. More then 750 persons attended this bioengineering symposium. Over 110 scientific posters and exhibits relating to biology and medicine were presented. They provided a forum for showcasing NIH-funded bioengineering projects and fostered future collaboration among academic investigators, industry, and members of the small business community. The contributions of Pugwash bioengineer, Maciej Natecz, a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, was recognized by the Conference Planning Committee. He was honored for his work in nuclear disarmament. Indian medical scientists should note that this symposium provided a framework for the development of technology in biomedical sciences during the Twenty-First Century. Major concentrations in interdisciplinary research should occur at all of the premier research institutions in India.

Animals↗

Case vignette: inside information.

A research team at International Genetic Products (IGP) has been working quietly on a new product with significant market potential. Initial laboratory trials yielded significantly favorable results. A careful replication has now confirmed these findings, and both studies were described in a manuscript that has been accepted for publication in the prestigious journal Genome Today. The article will appear in print next month, and the staff at IGP are certain that it will attract considerable favorable attention to their company. The publication requirements of Genome Today included a pledge from all authors not to leak information on the study prior to the publication date press releases normally issued by the journal. Meanwhile, Dr. Phil T. Lucre, who was used as a reviewer of the manuscript by the editor of Genome Today, has learned that the article is to be published by routine editorial feedback. Based on this "inside information," Dr. Lucre plans to make a substantial investment in IGP stock before the embargo on information in the forthcoming article is lifted. He reasons that, although he may indeed have access to special information, he should not be limited in his investment options simply because he happened to be assigned to review this manuscript. What ethical issues are raised by Dr. Lucre's plans? Can/should journal editors take any steps to preclude problems of this sort from arising?

Behavioral Research↗

Human genetic enhancement: is it really a matter of perfection? A dialog with Hanson, Keenan, and Shuman.

The author reviews the arguments made by Mark Hanson, James Keenan, S.J., and Joel Shuman in this issue. In the first section, she argues that they offer a significant contribution toward an understanding of the inner logic of a new trend in contemporary medicine, genetic engineering. However, she criticizes the authors for relying excessively on procedural guidelines and for failing to bring the practical realities of medicine and technology to bear on theory. She argues that more concrete guidelines, which are ultimately grounded in a Christian conception of the person and on the commandment to love, are necessary. Writing from the Roman Catholic perspective, the author argues that the distinction between genetic enhancement and gene therapy is essential, despite the criticisms which have been offered of this distinction. Understanding this distinction will be critical for identifying as licit only those forms of genetic manipulation which respect the dignity of the human person.

Anthropology↗

Technical support assistants--a new concept in the OR.

INCREASINGLY COMPLEX TECHNOLOGY, a shortage of surgical first assistants, and the growth of surgical services provided the impetus for expanding the technical support assistant role in one facility. AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM was developed based on the job description and the participants' learning needs. PROGRAM EVALUATIONS were positive and reinforced the success of the educational program.

Biomedical Technology↗