Abstracts. Meeting of the Virginia Society of Hematology in Virginia Beach on June 15-16, 1979.
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In streptomyces, low molecular weight compounds termed "autoregulators" have been isolated as primary signal molecules for triggering secondary metabolism and/or cytodifferentiation. Streptomyces virginiae produces a set of autoregulators termed virginiae butanolide A-E which trigger virginiamycin production, and possesses a high-affinity virginiae butanolide receptor (Kim, H.S., Nihira, T., Tada, H., Yanagimoto, M., and Yamada, Y. (1989) J. Antibiot. (Tokyo) 42, 769-778). The virginiae butanolide receptor has now been purified to apparent homogeneity with 14,000-fold purification and an 8.6% activity yield. The purified receptor showed a Mr of 36,000 on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and a maximum ligand binding of 33.0 nmol/mg protein, indicating a 1:1 binding stoichiometry (1.18 mol of virginiae butanolide/36 kDa of protein) between virginiae butanolides and the receptor. Due to a blockage at the amino terminus, fragment peptides were generated by lysyl endopeptidase and five partial amino acid sequences were determined. The gene (vbrA) encoding the virginiae butanolide receptor was identified on a 5.0-kbp BamHI fragment by hybridization to synthetic oligonucleotide probes, cloned, and sequenced. Nucleotide-sequence analysis predicted a 319-amino acid open reading frame (vbrA) in which all the partial amino acid sequences of the receptor appeared, and 166 bp downstream from it another open reading frame for a 144-amino acid protein which was designated as a ribosomal protein L11 from its high homology (62-64%) to the amino acid sequences of ribosomal protein L11 of several origins, and thus denoted as rplK. The C-terminal half of VbrA showed 36% overall homology to the amino acid sequence of an essential protein (NusG) of Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the gene assembly of vbrA-rplk of S. virginiae closely resembled that of nusG-rplK of E. coli, suggesting that vbrA may constitute a part of an essential gene cluster encoding components of transcriptional and translational apparatuses.
There has been much concern recently about possible adverse health effects related to exposure to toxic chemicals among residents of Kanawha County in southern West Virginia. An epidemiological study of trends in cancer mortality from 1950-1984 among the general population of Kanawha County in southern West Virginia was mounted. Cabell County, West Virginia was chosen to be a comparison county for Kanawha in addition to West Virginia and the total United States. The cancer mortality rates for white males and females were calculated using NCHS mortality data and Census Bureau population data available on the Mortality and Population Data System (MPDS) at the University of Pittsburgh. Mortality rates for cancer in Kanawha and Cabell Counties were evaluated over the time period 1950-1984 with an age-period-cohort (APC) analysis. In this analysis, poisson regression models were fit using the statistical program GLIM (Generalized Linear Models) to determine the separate effects of age, period of death, and birth cohort on the specific cancers of interest (lung, liver, bladder, CNS, leukemia, lympho-reticulosarcoma, all cancers). There were no significant county differences for cancer death rates between Kanawha and Cabell Counties except for leukemia among white males [O.R. = 1.27, 95% (C.I. = 1.03-1.6)], and for lympho-reticulosarcoma [O.R. = 1.66(1.24-2.07)], suggesting a possible occupational exposure. For leukemia, aleukemia, the effect observed seems to have declined. In contrast, the elevation of lympho-reticulosarcoma rates has remained in recent years (1970-1984).
West Virginia family physicians feel that they are able to assess the health care needs of their communities. There is a need for more physicians in all of the major specialties in West Virginia, but the largest numbers of physicians are needed in family practice and obstetrics. More registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are needed than any other health care professionals. Twenty-five percent of the respondents are actively recruiting associates, and 48 percent have seriously considered leaving, or are leaving West Virginia. The most commonly cited reasons for leaving are inadequate reimbursement, the state's economy, SB-576, lack of tort reform, and state government in general. The greatest advantage given to practicing in the state are its people, the quality of life, and home and family. In addition, the greatest problems are reimbursement, state government, the malpractice climate and the state economy. The survey shows that state government needs to show a good faith effort to enact tort reform to improve relations with physicians. The threat of losing more physicians is real and must be addressed. Improving the climate for the practice of medicine is a viable solution to West Virginia's manpower problems. There is also a need to continue all present health care professional training programs. More emphasis should be placed on recruitment and retention of nursing students. There is expressed support for nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and physicians' assistants all working under the supervision of physicians. The finding that home and family are frequently listed as advantages to practicing here indicates recruitment and nurturing of students from underserved areas should be increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
To better understand the frequency and characteristics of occupational confined space fatalities in Virginia, we reviewed death certificates, workers' compensation files, a Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Administration listing, and medical examiner records for all 50 fatalities (41 accidents) reported during 1979 to 1986. All fatalities were identified in medical examiner records (50), more than in any other source. The majority of decedents were male craftsmen, operators, or laborers less than 50 years old (mean 38). Drug screens of the 43 decedents tested were negative, with the exception of 2 cases where blood alcohol was detected (greater than or equal to 0.06%). Approximately 5% of "at work" civilian deaths (excluding plane, train, and motor vehicle fatalities) were confined space related. Virginia resident death rates per million employees were highest for shipbuilding and repair facilities (23.2), local government (8.9), and manufacturing other than shipbuilding (5.4%). Multiple fatalities occurred in 4 (10%) of the accidents, with 3 involving 2 fatalities each, and 1 accident involving 7 fatalities. Three fatalities (6%) were rescuers. Fifty nonfatal injuries of rescuers were known to have occurred in these accidents, 15 of co-workers and 35 of community rescue personnel (firefighters and rescue squad members). Approximately half the accidents occurred during the fourth quarter of the year and on a Thursday or Friday, and about one third occurred at night. The leading accident type was atmospheric condition, most commonly oxygen deficiency (33%) or the presence of carbon monoxide (20%). In 6 (40%) of the 15 accidents involving atmospheric condition, the toxic gas or oxygen deficiency was absent in the confined space at the time of entry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ixodid ticks removed from hosts and from vegetation during March-November 1987 at sites in coastal Virginia and North Carolina were examined for Borrelia burgdorferi. B. burgdorferi was evident in nine (22%) Ixodes cookei Packard removed from rice rats (Oryzomys palustris), a white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), and raccoons (Procyon lotor); four (6%) Amblyomma americanum (L.) removed from raccoons; and two (3%) Dermacentor variabilis (Say) removed from a raccoon and a rice rat. B. burgdorferi was also detected in Ixodes dentatus Marx removed from a brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), a Carolina wren (Thryothoros ludovicianus), and a towhee (Piplio erythrophthalamus); and in Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard) removed from a brown thrasher and a white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) netted at Kiptopeke Beach, Va. Two Ixodes dammini Spielman, Clifford, Piesman & Corwin were collected on Parramore Island; one specimen was examined for spirochetes, and it was infected with B. burgdorferi. No spirochetes were detected in host-seeking A. americanum and Amblyomma maculatum Koch removed from vegetation. The plasma of one P. leucopus and sera obtained from two P. lotor contained antibodies to B. burgdorferi. All infected ticks and the seroreactive hosts were collected from the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
A microteaching project, designed to increase the teaching effectiveness of nurses in Virginia, is described. The vehicle for the project is Teaching Strategies, a graduate credit course offered at the University of Virginia School of Nursing and in other state locations through the university's regional centers. The course uses microteaching techniques and videotape recordings of student teaching performances. The teaching behavior of 57 students who attended the course was rated using the project's rating scales. All students showed significant positive increases in teaching behavior on pre-, mid-, and postcourse measures in lecture discussion and group discussion teaching modes. Additional measures of students' teaching indicate retention of the learned behaviors six months after course completion.
In 1986 legislation established the Virginia Congenital Anomalies Reporting and Education System (VaCARES). The system has three goals: to collect data that can be used to evaluate possible causes of congenital anomalies, to improve diagnosis and treatment, and to let parents and physicians know what resources are available to aid children born with anomalies. All children (from birth to age 2) with congenital anomalies admitted to Virginia hospitals after January 1, 1987, are being reported to VaCARES; VaCARES then contacts their families and physicians. Before the system was implemented statewide, its procedures were thoroughly tested through two pilot projects in selected hospitals. During the pilots, it was concluded that birth certificates alone are inadequate for case ascertainment. According to hospital reports, the incidence of all congenital anomalies during Pilot II was 562 out of 10,034 births (5.6%); birth certificates showed an incidence of only 83 out of 10,034 births (0.8%). During Pilot I, 3,466 (73.8%) of the diagnoses reported were perinatal conditions; the list of reportable conditions was accordingly altered, reducing perinatal conditions reported in Pilot II to 5 diagnoses (0.4%). It was estimated that there will be about 5000 to 7000 reports submitted to VaCARES each year. It was also shown that parents should be sent general rather than specific information about their child's birth defect and that quality control and close contact with reporting hospitals are essential to maintain the integrity of the registry data.
A venereal disease educational programme entitled Venereal Disease Education in West Virginia was constructed. It consisted of a preliminary test to assess the level of general knowledge of venereal diseases, a value survey list, a lecture illustrated by colour slides, and a final test. The programme was presented to 3210 students in Northcentral West Virginia who ranged in age from 12 to 20 years (7th to 12th grade). The mean score in the preliminary test was 7.97 (53%) correct answers out of 15, and the mean score for the final test was 11.55 (77%) correct answers out of 15. The ability of students to retain the information given to them was measured by testing the same class of 53 students one year later. These students obtained a mean score of 11.41 (76%) correct answers out of 15 in the later test which demonstrates that the students had retained much of the information.
The distribution of mammography machines and related resources in West Virginia, along with the distribution of breast cancer screen-eligible women, are examined using county-specific data. This data placed on a state map shows that it is not necessary to cross more than one county line anywhere within West Virginia in order to visit a mammography facility. The overall density of these machines is 20 per 100,000 women over 45, almost double the capacity needed for screening mammography. After taking into account the projected demand for mammography, the current average cost per exam is around $65-$100. If mammography machines were placed in all the counties without machines, the cost in those countries would be around $140 per exam. It would be cheaper to provide a travel allowance to women in rural counties than to install machines in these areas. Machines that are accredited by the American College of Radiologists, the most available indicator of quality mammography, are located only in densely populated areas of the state.
In the first year of practice two family physicians recorded 8,795 new problems. The problems were ranked in order of decreasing frequency and compared to the results of the Virginia study. The results support the concept that a curriculum for family practice residency training based on results of the Virginia study is a valuable concept. The study also sheds light on the patterns of disease in a new practive as well as suggesting applications for the use of the disease index in practice management.
This article describes the new Health Sciences Library at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. The library was under construction for about two years and opened in August 1975. It comprises an area of 66,250 sq. ft. gross, almost 44,000 sq. ft. net, and provides space for approximately 190,000 volumes, 500 readers, and a staff of 35. The cost of construction was $2,350,000, plus approximately $400,000 for furnishings and equipment. A portion of the library is located on a bridge spanning a four-lane highway. Special features include a 6,000 net sq. ft. audiovisual information center, Elecompack (TM) motorized shelves for little-used materials, and a closed-circuit television surveillance system.
Drug addiction among physicians appears to be an occupational hazard, with chronic pain, depression, and the easy availability of drugs major factors leading to addiction. In this study of 46 cases of physician addicts handled by the Virginia State Board of Medicine, meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol) was the most frequent addictive agent. The Virginia disciplinary and therapeutic plan for addicted physicians was effective in successfully rehabilitating and returning to medical practice 72% of the 46 physician addicts reported to the board from 1949 to 1974.