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Biomedical subjects

A Baxter

Publications and source records attributed to A Baxter.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

The application of a simple, sensitive disc assay for sialyltransferase activity to particulate and soluble enzyme preparations and its use in measuring enzymatic activity in human plasma samples.

A simple assay for the determination of sialyltransferase activity is described. The method involves the isolation of the radioactive reaction product on cellulose paper discs washed with trichloroacetic acid, thereby greatly facilitating the handling of large numbers of assays. This procedure is both more accurate and more sensitive than that involving precipitation with protein denaturants and separation by centrifugation, and is applicable to both soluble and particulate enzyme preparations. The application of the method to the determination of sialytransferase in human plasma is detailed. Enzyme activity is elevated two-fold in both cancer patients and patients with non-malignant disease. This suggests that the diagnostic use of determinations of sialyltransferase activity may be limited by its non-specificity.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

A comparison of multiple-choice tests and free-response tests in examinations of clinical competence.

This paper reports a study which compared the performance of different groups of students and doctors on identical and equivalent tests set in an objective-type format and in a free-response format. The tests were designed to ensure that the content was relevant to clinical practice at the hospital intern level. In all test situations candidates' scores were significantly higher in the objective tests than in the free-response tests. This difference was greater for the more junior and less competent students than for the more competent doctors. The cueing effect of the options was thought to be the main factor responsible for the difference in performance. The results of a questionnaire survey demonstrated that students were aware of the deficiencies in multiple-choice tests. A large majority of the students believed that the free-response tests gave a more accurate assessment of their clinical ability. It was found that in these tests, aimed at measuring aspects of clinical competence, multiple-choice questions appeared to overestimate the candidate's ability to an extent that made them less suitable than free-response questions for this purpose. It was also found that free-response tests, of the type used in this study, provide a suitable alternative to multiple-choice tests for use in the written section of clinical examinations. It was concluded that the written component of the final examination in the medical course should have a preponderance of free-response items over multiple-choice items.

Australia↗
PubMed1978

A general method for purification of deoxycytidine kinase.

Deoxycytidine kinase from a variety of animal tissues binds to Cibacron Blue 3G-A coupled to Sepharose CL-6B. The enzyme can be selectively eluted with ATP to yield single-step purifications of 17-89-fold. The affinity adsorbent is re-usable.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

A problem-based criterion-referenced examination of clinical competence.

A model has been developed for a problem-based criterion-referenced test of clinical competence. The model, designed to increase the reliability and validity of traditional final year examinations for medical students, aims to provide a profile of student performance over a range of defined competence categories. The level of competence has been referenced to that expected of an intern. Both the content of the examination and the selection of test methods are based on patient problem blueprints which identify key areas that require testing. The content and test methods were incorporated, as appropriate, into either th;e written section or the practical section of the examination. The approach was found to be feasible and acceptable to staff and students.

Australia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

LISS--an effective way to increase blood utilization.

The low ionic strength solution (LISS) of Low and Messeter was compared with both the automated low ionic strength Polybrene and the manual IDAT techniques. A five minute incubation with the LISS was sufficient to detect all significant antibodies. By extending the incubation period to 15 minutes it was possible to increase the sensitivity of the reaction (as measured by titer) beyond that of either of the other methods. This LISS procedure has enabled us to greatly extend the applications of a "standby procedure" for elective surgery. In this procedure routine crossmatching is not done. Rather, the blood is placed on standby and if required, transfusion is provided by using the LISS. In one general hospital this resulted in the reduction by 1,600 units of unneccessary crossmatches and an increase of 10% in the total blood utilization rate over a nine-month period.

Antibodies↗