Results for “SPECIALISM” — Page 88

PubMed1999

Special-interest subgroups at the ASCB: Tau protein in neurodegenerative disease.

The annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) is a large and diverse gathering. At last year's meeting**The American Society for Cell Biology 38th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, USA; 12-16 December, 1998. Program chair: Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz., there were over 8000 attendees, and the topics discussed covered many areas of cell biology. It would be impossible to cover the entire meeting within a trends in CELL BIOLOGY report, so instead we are focusing on an aspect of it that provided some of the most interesting and fruitful discussions. On Saturday afternoon, before the main symposia began, there were 11 special-interest subgroup meetings. The atmosphere at these meetings was informal, and they encouraged open and frank discussion of data and issues. This report provides a brief summary of the discussions at seven of the special-interest subgroup meetings.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Special-interest subgroups at the ASCB: Proteoglycans and cell adhesion.

The annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) is a large and diverse gathering. At last year's meeting**The American Society for Cell Biology 38th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, USA; 12-16 December, 1998. Program chair: Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz., there were over 8000 attendees, and the topics discussed covered many areas of cell biology. It would be impossible to cover the entire meeting within a trends in CELL BIOLOGY report, so instead we are focusing on an aspect of it that provided some of the most interesting and fruitful discussions. On Saturday afternoon, before the main symposia began, there were 11 special-interest subgroup meetings. The atmosphere at these meetings was informal, and they encouraged open and frank discussion of data and issues. This report provides a brief summary of the discussions at seven of the special-interest subgroup meetings.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Special-interest subgroups at the ASCB: gamma-Tubulin: questions outstanding.

The annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) is a large and diverse gathering. At last year's meeting**The American Society for Cell Biology 38th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, USA; 12-16 December, 1998. Program chair: Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz., there were over 8000 attendees, and the topics discussed covered many areas of cell biology. It would be impossible to cover the entire meeting within a trends in CELL BIOLOGY report, so instead we are focusing on an aspect of it that provided some of the most interesting and fruitful discussions. On Saturday afternoon, before the main symposia began, there were 11 special-interest subgroup meetings. The atmosphere at these meetings was informal, and they encouraged open and frank discussion of data and issues. This report provides a brief summary of the discussions at seven of the special-interest subgroup meetings.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Special-interest subgroups at the ASCB: Nuclear dynamics at mitosis.

The annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) is a large and diverse gathering. At last year's meeting**The American Society for Cell Biology 38th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, USA; 12-16 December, 1998. Program chair: Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz., there were over 8000 attendees, and the topics discussed covered many areas of cell biology. It would be impossible to cover the entire meeting within a trends in CELL BIOLOGY report, so instead we are focusing on an aspect of it that provided some of the most interesting and fruitful discussions. On Saturday afternoon, before the main symposia began, there were 11 special-interest subgroup meetings. The atmosphere at these meetings was informal, and they encouraged open and frank discussion of data and issues. This report provides a brief summary of the discussions at seven of the special-interest subgroup meetings.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Membrane specializations in the spermatozoa of collembolan insects.

Here we describe the membrane specializations displayed by "dormant" collembolan spermatozoa, during the period when they are temporarily stored in the male genital ducts before being laid in the soil as a spermatophore, which is then picked up by the female. In the male deferent ducts and in the spermatophore, these "dormant" spermatozoa are rolled up into flattened ellipsoids that surround a central extracellular cavity filled with dense material. In this condition, the plasma membranes that surround the central extracellular cavity contain two types of membrane specializations. One consists of parallel rows of intramembrane particles on the E-face of the membrane facing the outside of the spermatozoa. The other consists of small orthogonal plaques of intramembrane particles intermingled with these rows. These plaques associate with the P-face of the membrane, and are therefore likely to represent preferential sites for receiving and transmuting environmental signals, especially whatever signal(s) induce these spermatozoa to transform into filiform and motile cells upon reaching the female spermatheca.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

HIV drug adherence: special situations.

Among the highly diverse population of persons living with HIV/AIDS are individuals with particularly challenging life circumstances that can be called "special situations." Substance abuse and homelessness are examples of special situations that require additional consideration when attempting to determine the appropriateness of prescribing complex antiretroviral regimens. When individual cases are examined in the context of relevant models of care and the principles of those models applied, such clinical decisions can be made with the patient. Withholding protease inhibitors from an entire population group, it is argued, is the epitome of practicing bad medicine.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2003

Improving W-band pulsed ENDOR sensitivity--random acquisition and pulsed special TRIPLE.

Two approaches for improving the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of W-band pulsed electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectra are presented. One eliminates base-line problems while the other enhances the ENDOR effect. High field ENDOR spectra measured at low temperatures often suffer from highly distorted base-lines due to the heating effect of the RF pulses that causes some detuning of the cavity and therefore leads to a reduction in the echo intensity. This is a severe problem because it often masks broad and weak ENDOR signals. We show that it can be eliminated by recording the ENDOR spectrum in a random, rather than the standard sequential variation of the RF frequency. The S/N of the ENDOR spectrum can be significantly enhanced by the application of the pulse analog of the continuous wave (CW) special TRIPLE experiment. While this experiment is not applicable in the solid state at conventional X-band frequencies, at W-band it is most efficient. We demonstrate the efficiency of the special TRIPLE Davies and Mims experiments on single crystals and orientationally disordered systems.

Copper↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Knowledge and application level of the Ramsay Scale by Mexican nurses specialized in intensive care].

INTRODUCTION: Among the intensive care specialized nursing staff, knowing the sedation level of the patient under their responsibility is of crucial importance. The present study evaluated the knowledge that nurses specialized in intensive care (NSIC) have on the Ramsay Scale (RS) and the way in which they apply it. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Those personnel who were developing their activity in the intensive care units (ICU) of four public hospitals of the cities of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico were enrolled during May 2003. The information was obtained by applying an expressly designed questionnaire that contained both demographic endpoints (age, years of experience as NSIC and type of ICU) and those related with the RS (clinical components that it evaluates, operative definitions, frequency of use per week or day). 95% (95% CI) confidence intervals were applied and odds ratio (OR) was used to determined the likelihood of the event. RESULTS: Of the 60 nurses interviewed, 75% did not know the RS. Age was a significant factor associated with its knowledge, since 11 of 23 with an age equal to or less than 38 years (47.8%) and 4 of 37 over 38 years (10.8%) knew what it evaluated (OR of 4 for the group of lower age, 95% CI 1.5 to 12.3, p = 0.002). Of 15 NSIC who knew what it evaluated, 9 (60%) also knew its operative definitions, and stated that they applied it adequately per day. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, there is an elevated percentage of NSIC who did not know the RS. Age was the factor associated with lack of knowledge.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

[Effectiveness of an intervention to improve medical prescription quality in specialized care].

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to research whether providing doctors with customized reports on prescription indicators,plus a presentation of the project to clinical departments and hospital boards, would improve prescription quality in specialized care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quasi experimental intervention study. During three periods of time we observed whether any differences between physicians receiving said reports (intervention group) and physicians not receiving said reports (control group)occurred in three overall quality markers (94 physicians)--generic drugs, low therapeutic value drugs, and irrelevant novel drugs-and two specific indicators--angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (109 physicians) and omeprazole (169 physicians). Indicators were assessed using mean values (95% Cl) and differences between groups with the z test. RESULTS: Prior to the intervention, indicators had no significant differences. At 4-6 months after delivering the report, generic drug prescription improved in the intervention group - 3.13%(1.79-4.47) versus 1.81% (1.08-2.54) in the control group,p = 0.041. After 10-12 months the intervention group had significantly improved versus the control group regarding: generic drugs, 4.01% (2.28-5.73) versus 2.22% (1.56-2.87), p = 0.025;ACE inhibitors, 58.89% (47.56-70.21) versus 45.91% (36.03-55.79), p = 0.042; and low therapeutic utility drugs, 8.57%(5.56-11.6) versus 12.35% (8.96-15.74), p = 0.047. Improvement regarding omeprazole did not reach statistical significance,and novel medications remained virtually unchanged. CONCLUSION: The intervention proved effective for the improvement of qualitative prescription indicators in specialized care.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed1998

Twenty five years of medical informatics education at Heidelberg/Heilbronn: discussion of a specialized curriculum for medical informatics.

The specialized university curriculum for medical informatics (MI) at the University of Heidelberg/School of Technology Heilbronn is one of the oldest educational approaches in the field of MI and has been successful now for 25 years with about 1000 graduates (Diplom-Informatikerin der Medizin or Diplom-Informatiker der Medizin). It belongs to the category of dedicated master's programs for MI and is based on the concept of MI as a medical discipline of its own. It is oriented towards the total spectrum of MI ranging from health care economics, biosignal and medical image processing, medical documentation, to information and knowledge processing in medicine. It is a 4.5 years program with a strong emphasis on the methodological foundations of MI and on practical education in a number of specific laboratories. A total of 35 students are admitted each semester and in total about 440 students are enrolled. The faculty consists of 17 full-time members and about 25 part-time lecturers. The authors report on characteristics, structure and contents of the new fifth version of the curriculum and discuss the features of a specialized curriculum for MI with respect to the challenges for MI in the 21st century.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMed2001

Possible ramifications of the identification of ovarian follicular granulosa cells as specialized endothelial-like cells: a speculative treatise.

This article presents several possible extensions and considerations stemming from the putative identification of cells of the ovarian follicular granulosa as specialized endothelial-like cells. The epithelial assignment for cells of the follicular granulosa is of limited value and potentially confusing. Phenotypic and biological evidence suggests some follicle cells may represent a 'primitive', or quasi-differentiated, cell population. Other evidence suggests that cells of the follicular granulosa produce a range of molecules whose synthesis may be affected by hypoxia; some of these molecules may play strategic roles during follicular maturation, ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum. Just as follicle cells appear capable of endothelial cell-like behaviour(s), endothelial cells appear capable of engaging in some activities essential to follicular function, including steroid hormone receptivity, hyaluronic acid synthesis and steroidogenesis. A consideration of the cells of the follicle as a specialized endothelial-like cell population may have important clinical applications with respect to the anomalies and pathologies associated with human infertility. In addition, the cells of the follicular granulosa may represent an unusual and potentially powerful model system with which to study and extend the scope of our current understanding of basic endothelial cell biology.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1990

Genetic and environmental influences on special mental abilities in a sample of twins reared apart.

The Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart has conducted comprehensive medical and psychological assessments of monozygotic (N = 49) and dizygotic (N = 25) twin pairs, separated early in life (average age of separation = 0.3 and 1.1 years, respectively) and reared apart during the formative years (average age of reunion = 30.3 and 37.2 years, respectively). The twins are administered two special mental ability batteries. The Hawaii Battery (H-B), supplemented by several Educational Testing Service tests, is administered toward the beginning of the assessment week. The Comprehensive Ability Battery (CAB) is administered toward the end of the assessment week. All data are age- and sex-corrected. The average MZA and DZA intraclass correlations for the 15 H-B subtests were 0.45 and 0.34, respectively, and the average MZA and DZA intraclass correlations for the 13 subtests of the CAB were 0.48 and 0.35, respectively. Biometric model-fitting of these data indicate an average heritability of about 0.50. Data for groups of subtests in the Verbal, Spatial, Perceptual Speed and Accuracy and Memory domains were compared to a meta-analysis of the special mental ability findings in the ordinary twin literature. The Spatial domain appears to yield the highest and the Memory domain the lowest heritabilities.

Biometry↗

PubMed2004

A rapid molecular method for differentiating two special forms (lycopersici and radicis-lycopersici) of Fusarium oxysporum.

Two pathogenic special forms (f. sp.) of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex f. sp. lycopersici (Fol) and f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (Forl) are morphologically indistinguishable. Although they are pathogenic to the same host genus Lycopersicon (tomato), and infect the same tomato cultivar, they form distinct diseases; Fol causes wilt and Forl causes crown rot and root rot. These two special forms apparently exist as genetically isolated populations, based on vegetative compatibility and molecular variation at the DNA level. In seeking efficient diagnostic tools for differentiating Fol and Forl isolates, we examined three techniques: isozyme analysis, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) RFLP by HaeIII-digestion of total genomic DNA, and an osmotic method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to detect fungal pigments. The isolates were collected from geographically widespread locations. Distinct HPLC-profile differences were found between an endophytic non-pathogenic isolate and the other pathogenic isolates. However, the direct mtDNA RFLP technique proved to be an efficient diagnostic tool for routine differentiation of Fol and Forl isolates.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed1998

Maintenance of mobility in residents of an Alzheimer special care facility.

The cognitive and functional decline of demented residents in a specialized Alzheimer's facility was compared to that of demented residents living in a traditional nursing home. All residents met DSM-III-R criteria for dementia. The evaluation consisted of a clinical interview with patients and collateral assessments of cognition, general health, problem behaviors, depression, and a broad range of activities of daily living (ADLs) including mobility. Residents were evaluated at baseline and 6-month intervals over 18 months. Similar rates of decline were found in cognition and overall ADLs in both groups. However, the most striking finding was preserved mobility in residents of the Alzheimer's facility. This finding suggests that specialized facilities do not halt or slow the overall progression of cognitive and functional decline seen in Alzheimer's disease; however, residents of such facilities may show slower decline in mobility.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed2004

Bipolar disorders: special diagnostic and treatment considerations in women.

Bipolar disorder in women presents special diagnostic and treatment challenges to the clinician. The presentation of female bipolar may resemble depressive disorders, comorbid Axis I disorders, Axis II personality disorders, behavioral dysregulation, or general medical disorders; thus, it is critically important for clinicians to assess for a history of hypomania or mania when determining diagnosis in any woman presenting with psychological symptoms. Several gender differences may exist in the epidemiology and symptomatology of bipolar disorder, and each must be kept in mind during assessment. Rapid cycling and mixed states have been associated with female gender and may present diagnostic challenges as each often presents as major depression. Symptoms of postpartum psychosis tend to differ from the symptoms typically seen in bipolar mania; therefore, if postpartum psychosis is actually a manifestation of bipolar disorder, accurate diagnosis depends upon a knowledge of these differences. Special treatment considerations for bipolar disorder in women involve interactions between the illness and the female reproductive cycle. A risk of fetal malformation exists when some mood-stabilizing agents are used during conception and/or during the first trimester of pregnancy. Neurobehavioral teratogenicity and neonatal toxicity is also possible. Careful treatment management is necessary to reduce the risks to the fetus/infant and to effectively manage bipolar disorder in the mother. In treating women with bipolar disorder, clinicians should discuss the issue of pregnancy and associated risks of treatment versus no treatment with every patient of reproductive age. Further studies are needed on gestational timing and exposure to mood-stabilizing agents, especially newer agents recently approved or currently being considered for the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

PubMed2002

Introduction to the special section.

This Special Section of the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology presents papers which review the current status of the relationship between the inflammatory response system (IRS) and major 'endogenous' and 'organic' (due to a medical condition) depression. Studies published over the last 11 years and reviewed in this Special Section begin to test the necessary conditions which are needed to accept the hypothesis that an activation of the IRS is involved in the pathophysiology and aetiology of 'endogenous' and 'organic' depression. This hypothesis suggests that some types of 'endogenous' and 'organic' depression may be related to IRS activation, such as an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN)-gamma. These cytokines are stress-sensitive, may cause depression, they have specific effects on brain systems involved in the pathogenesis of major depression, such as the serotonergic system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and their production may be suppressed by antidepressants. Future research should examine whether anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in the treatment of depression and whether naturally occurring variants of the 'IRS' genes confer susceptibility to the development of the depressive phenotype through altered function of the respective gene products.

Cytokines↗

PubMed2003

Introduction to the Special Section. New advances in the understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder.

The current renewed interest in the field of bipolar disorders can be attributed to various factors which are reviewed in this Special Section of the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. Bipolar disorders are one of the most frequent disorders in psychiatry and this Special Section presents papers on recent advances in the clinical course, epidemiology, biological models and neurobiology of bipolar disorders. Novel therapeutic approaches will be covered in a second part in Volume 6, Number 3 (September 2003).

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Electron transfer from the tetraheme cytochrome to the special pair in the Rhodopseudomonas viridis reaction center: effect of mutations of tyrosine L162.

The structure of the photosynthetic reaction center (RC) from Rhodopseudomonas viridis is known to high resolution. It contains a firmly bound tetraheme cytochrome from which electrons are donated to a special pair (P) of bacteriochlorophylls, which is photooxidized upon absorption of light. Tyrosine at position 162 of the L-subunit of the reaction center (L 162 Y) is a highly conserved residue positioned halfway between P and the proximal heme group (c-559) of the cytochrome. By specific mutagenesis this residue was exchanged against the amino acids phenylalanine (F), glycine (G), methionine (M), leucine (L), tryptophan (W), threonine (T), and histidine (H). All mutants were expressed in Rps. viridis using a recently established transformation system [Laussermair & Oesterhelt (1992) EMBO J. 11, 777-783]. They were shown biochemically to synthesize all four subunits of the RC (cytochrome, subunits L, M, and H) and to assemble them correctly into the membrane. The structures of two mutants (L 162 F and L 162 T) were determined and found not to differ significantly from the wild-type structure. All mutants grew photosynthetically. The absorption spectrum of all the mutants is the same as in WT, but the redox potential of P and of c-559 was changed by the mutations. The kinetics of electron transfer from the heme group to the special pair were measured in chromatophores by flash absorption. As found earlier in the wild type (Y) several exponential components were needed to fit the data.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Circular Dichroism↗