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Biomedical subjects

B Kelly

Publications and source records attributed to B Kelly.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

The evaluation of teaching in undergraduate psychiatric education: students' attitudes to psychiatry and the evaluation of clinical competency.

There is an increasing demand for improved skills by medical graduates in the psychosocial aspects of medical care. Psychiatrists as educators need to play an important role in the development and evaluation of education in many areas of the undergraduate curriculum in addition to the continuing education of graduates. In this review approaches to the evaluation of undergraduate psychiatric education are discussed with particular emphasis on students' attitudes to psychiatry. Key issues that remain to be addressed include the clarification of the most appropriate goals for undergraduate education in psychiatry, the most valid means of evaluating such educational programmes, particularly clinical competency and, finally, the many tasks in improving the status of the psychosocial aspects of medical care for students and their clinical teachers.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1991

Job satisfaction among British and American hospital staff nurses.

The basic research design was descriptive, correlational, and non-experimental. Sampling was nonprobability; a convenience sample was obtained after subjects gave informed consent. A Likert-type attitude scale was used to collect data on job satisfaction. The population was full-time hospital staff nurses and a total sample of 146 participated in the project. The settings were four hospitals, two in the north of England and two in the midwest United States. The British study was done three years after the American. Data were collected by questionnaire, which was distributed by hand and collected personally. Results revealed British nurses were very dissatisfied with pay. If it were not for the pay component, the British nurses would have scored significantly higher than Americans on overall satisfaction. American nurses perceived greater satisfaction with their nursing colleagues than the British but were less satisfied with administration. However, British nurses perceived a more cooperative relationship with physicians. British nurses, despite their complete dissatisfaction with pay, would overwhelmingly choose nursing again.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1990

The use of biomarkers in the prediction of survival in patients with pulmonary carcinoma.

Data on ten variables and 16 biomarkers were obtained on 119 patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary cancer. The prognostic value of 16 biomarkers (alpha-1-antitrypsin [AAT], adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH], alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG], immune complexes, immunoglobulins, N-terminal peptide of proopiomelanocortin [NTERM], and tumor-associated antibody [TAA]) was tested by adding these to the model of age, gender, stage, morphology, Feinstein's classification of symptoms, Karnofsky scale, leukocyte count, recent weight loss, and liver enzymes. Using Cox's regression method and a forward stepwise procedure, seven biomarkers (ACTH, AAT, AFP, calcitonin, HCG, TAA, and prolactin) entered the model. Elevated levels of cortisol and TAA were associated with longer survival. The selection of biomarkers by stepwise regression needs to be interpreted with caution, especially since the Z scores were found to be dependent on the particular variables included in the model. Furthermore, when dichotomized on maximum of the normal laboratory values, HCG and AFP were infrequently (2%) elevated. The lack of correlation among the biomarkers supports the hypothesis of random derepression of the genome of cancer cells. Further studies in improved modeling and the formulation of a biomarker index could enhance our understanding of the biology of cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Student error patterns as a function of curriculum design: teaching fractions to remedial high school students and high school students with learning disabilities.

This study evaluated the relative effectiveness of a curriculum that incorporated three empirically derived principles of curriculum design with a basal approach in teaching basic fractions concepts to students with learning disabilities and other low performing students in high school remedial math classes. The components of effective mathematics instruction articulated by Good and Grouws (1979) were implemented in both conditions. Thus, the curriculum design variables were isolated by keeping all other aspects of instruction constant. Results indicated that, although both programs were reasonably successful in teaching the material, the curriculum program utilizing sophisticated principles of curriculum design was significantly more effective. Mean scores on a curriculum-referenced test were 96.5% for that group and 82.3% for the basal group. Secondary analyses of item clusters revealed that areas of weakness in the performance of the basal group could be directly linked to hypothesized flaws in its curriculum design.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The impact of parental loss on adolescents' psychosocial characteristics.

This study examined ten measures of personality, self-image, and emotional and family problems in a sample of 2,158 Australian adolescents, some of whom had suffered parental loss. The data reveal a pattern of poorer adjustment in adolescents who have lost a parent, but clearly demonstrate that type of loss and family reconstitution have no differential effects on psychosocial development. Implications for future research are discussed.

Achievement↗
PubMed1989

Oxygen radicals and antioxidant enzymes alter pulmonary vascular reactivity in the rat lung.

It has been postulated that changes in the availability of partially reduced O2 species, such as O2 radicals, could serve as a link between PO2 in the alveolus and pulmonary vascular tone (Herz 11: 127-141, 1986). To assess this hypothesis, the hemodynamic effects of acute changes in the balance between the production of O2 radicals and availability of antioxidant enzymes were studied in the isolated perfused rat lung. Intravascular generation of O2 radicals, by administration of xanthine-xanthine oxidase, decreased the pulmonary vascular pressor response to alveolar hypoxia (-55 +/- 5%) and angiotensin II (-58 +/- 10%, P less than 0.01 for each) in isolated perfused rat lungs without increasing the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio. Decreases in pulmonary vascular reactivity were inhibited by pretreatment of the lung with desferrioxamine or a mixture of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Catalase and superoxide dismutase preserved the hypoxic pressor response whether given in liposomes or in dissolved form. Superoxide dismutase administered free in solution, or combined with catalase in liposomes, increased the normoxic pulmonary arterial pressure and enhanced vascular reactivity to angiotensin II and hypoxia. Lungs treated with antioxidant enzymes in liposomes had 50% higher lung catalase levels than control lungs (P less than 0.05). These findings demonstrate that exogenous partially reduced O2 species can decrease pulmonary vascular reactivity and suggest that endogenous radicals, superoxide radical in particular, might be important in modulating pulmonary vascular tone.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Prostaglandins as reducing agents: a model of adenylate cyclase activation?

It has been suggested that adenylate cyclase activation involves reduction of a disulfide linkage. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) were tested for their ability to act as reducing agents with either cytochrome c, or the disulfide 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), the latter with a catalytic amount of ferric chloride. PGE1, PGE2, and PGI2 significantly reduced cytochrome c while PGF2 alpha did not. PGE1, PGE2 and PGI2 reduced DTNB while PGF2 alpha did not. The results are consistent with the postulate that prostaglandins which are effective in activating adenylate cyclase can act as reducing agents and might be involved in reductive activation of adenylate cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1988

Phosphorylation of tyrosine enhances its electron transfer capability: a model of redox modulation as oncogene expression?

The influence of tyrosine and o-phosphotyrosine on the transfer of electrons to nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT) was studied. Tyrosine phosphate was found to strongly promote the transfer of electrons from ferrous iron to NBT, while tyrosine was inhibitory. The enhancement of NBT reduction by tyrosine phosphate was blocked by superoxide dismutase (SOD). The results suggest a role for phosphorylated tyrosine residues to promote intracellular redox reactions. We suggest that the role of tyrosine protein kinases in cell proliferation and transformation may be to regulate electron transport in as yet undefined cellular systems. Consistent with a unique role for phosphotyrosine, the other commonly occurring phosphoamino acids, o-phosphoserine and o-phosphothreonine were not effective electron transfer agents.

Electron Transport↗
PubMed1987

Preliminary studies on a more effective phototoxic agent than hematoporphyrin.

Phototoxicity of benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) has been tested in vitro and compared with that of hematoporphyrin (HP). After 1-hour activation with visible light, BPD was 10 times more cytotoxic than HP toward human adherent cell lines: A549 lung cancer, Calu-1 lung carcinoma, and CCD-19Lu normal lung, killing 100% of cells at the concentration of 70 ng/ml. Under the same conditions, BPD was 10-70 times more cytotoxic than HP toward nonadherent cells and cell lines. Tested were human leukemia cell lines HL60, K562, and KG1, normal human lymphocytes, and mouse mastocytoma cell line P815. The concentrations required to kill 100% of cells varied between 10 and 500 ng BPD/ml and between 0.2 and 10 micrograms HP/ml. The difference between the nonadherent cell lines in respect to their sensitivity to phototoxicity of both BPD and HP seemed to be related to the cell sizes, with the smallest cells being the most vulnerable. The most attractive characteristic of BPD in addition to its powerful phototoxicity is its maximum absorption around 700 nm, which is in the range of wavelengths penetrating tissues the best. This characteristic alone could make BPD a drug of choice in cancer photodynamic therapy when the safety of its use is ensured. Preliminary tests in vivo have shown that DBA/2J mice can tolerate a single ip injection of 20-60 micrograms BPD as well as the same dose of HP. The biodistribution and toxicity studies of BPD are under way in our laboratory.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Safety education in a pediatric primary care setting.

Parents of 171 children coming to the Yale-New Haven Hospital Primary Care Center for their 6-month checkup were randomized into an intervention group (n = 85) and a control group (n = 86). Parents in the intervention group received a three-part individualized course in child safety that required active parental participation. Parts 1, 2, and 3 were given at the 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month well-child visits, respectively. Parents in the control group received routine safety education as provided at well-child visits. The educational phase of the study was completed by 129 families, 65 in the intervention group and 64 in the control group. Safety knowledge, number of hazards in the home, and reported accidents were assessed by a "blinded" community health worker approximately 1 month after the 12-month well-child visit. A total of 109 home visits were made, 55 for the intervention group and 54 for the control group. Parental safety knowledge was assessed based upon pictorial hazard recognition. Of 13 possible hazards, the mean number of hazards recognized by the intervention group parents was 9.4 (n = 55) v 8.4 (n = 50) by the control group parents (t = 2.1, P less than .05, two-tailed). A hazard score was determined for each family based on nine possible hazards observed at the home visit. The mean hazard score for the intervention group was 2.4 (n = 55 v 3.0 (n = 54) for the control group (t = 2.4, P less than .02, two-tailed). Parentally reported accidents and accidents reported in hospital records were similar for both groups. Results of this study suggest that age-appropriate safety education that is repetitive and individualized and that requires active parental participation results in an increase in parental knowledge and an improvement in certain safety practices.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1986

Allopurinol can act as an electron transfer agent. Is this relevant during reperfusion injury?

The xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol markedly enhances myocardial function and decreases ventricular irritability during myocardial reperfusion. In the present report, we have evaluated the molecular mechanism of allopurinol action. First, allopurinol was shown to be a weak radical scavenger. Second, allopurinol was found to act as an electron transfer agent from ferrous iron to ferric cytochrome c. The results suggest that the beneficial effect of allopurinol might partially result from its facilitated electron transport during reperfusion when the lipid components of the chain can be expected to be disordered.

Allopurinol↗
PubMed1986

Internalization of transforming growth factor-beta and its receptor in BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts.

The fate of 125I-labeled transforming growth factor-beta (125I-TGF beta) after binding to its cells surface receptor has been investigated in BALB/c 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Binding of 125I-TGF beta to cellular receptors at 4 degrees C is pH-sensitive, being markedly decreased at pH less than 6. Most (approximately 90%) of the 125I-TGF beta bound to cells at 4 degrees C can be removed by a brief treatment with acidic medium but is converted into an acid-resistant state rapidly after shifting the cells to 37 degrees C. Cell-bound 125I-TGF beta is degraded at 37 degrees C and the degradation products are released into the medium. The lysosomotropic bases chloroquine, methylamine, and ammonium and the carboxylic ionophore monensin inhibit the degradation and release of 125I-TGF beta from the cells. Cells allowed to accumulate 125I-TGF beta intracellularly by the action of chloroquine or monensin were treated with the bifunctional agent disuccinimidyl suberate in the presence of detergent Triton X-100; this treatment caused the cross-linking of internalized 125I-TGF beta with the 280-kilodalton TGF beta receptor component. Under conditions in which sustained binding and degradation of saturating 125I-TGF beta concentrations occurs, there is no marked decrease in the binding capacity of the cells even when protein synthesis is blocked with cycloheximide. These results indicate that after TGF beta binding the TGF beta:receptor complex becomes rapidly internalized and that TGF beta is directed towards lysosomes where it is degraded and released. However, the cell surface is replenished with TGF beta receptors recycled after internalization or supplied by a large intracellular pool.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Biologically active precursor for transforming growth factor type alpha, released by retrovirally transformed cells.

Retrovirus-transformed rat cells that actively express transforming growth factor type alpha (TGF-alpha) release into the medium a soluble protein of 17-19 kDa that has been identified as a precursor for TGF-alpha. The identification of this protein as a TGF-alpha precursor is based on its recognition by specific antibodies and by the ability of elastase to convert this protein into a 6-kDa polypeptide with the properties of mature TGF-alpha. This TGF-alpha precursor binds to epidermal growth factor/TGF-alpha receptors and activates the receptor-associated tyrosine kinase activity in intact cells. The biological potency of this precursor is not markedly increased by conversion into mature TGF-alpha in vitro. These studies demonstrate the ability of transformed cells to release a TGF-alpha precursor capable of strong mitogenic action in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Stimulation by insulin-like growth factors is required for cellular transformation by type beta transforming growth factor.

Medium conditioned by BRL-3A cells, a known source of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), induced phenotypic transformation (anchorage-independent proliferation) of mouse BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts but not rat NRK-49F fibroblasts, in the presence of 10% calf serum. A specific radioreceptor assay and a bioassay indicated that BRL-3A conditioned medium contained 0.5-1 ng/ml of type beta transforming growth factor (beta TGF). Purified IGF-II and beta TGF acting together reconstituted the transforming activity of BRL-3A conditioned medium on BALB/c 3T3 cells. Insulin was 5-10% as potent as IGF-II in supporting the transforming action of beta TGF on BALB/c 3T3 cells. NRK-49F cells were phenotypically transformed by beta TGF in the presence of EGF and 10% calf serum as the sole source of IGFs. However, transformation of NRK-49F cells under these conditions was inhibited by addition of purified IGF-binding protein. Addition of an excess of IGF-II prevented the inhibitory action of IGF-binding protein. The different sensitivity of the two cell lines to IGFs was correlated with lower levels of type I IGF receptor and higher levels of type II IGF receptor in NRK-49F cells as compared with BALB/c 3T3 cells. The results suggest that cellular stimulation by IGFs is a prerequisite for transformation of rodent fibroblasts by beta TGF. We propose that transformation of fibroblasts by beta TGF requires concomitant stimulation by the set of growth factors that support normal cell proliferation.

Animals↗