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Biomedical subjects

Catherine M Walsh

Publications and source records attributed to Catherine M Walsh.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Immunomodulatory effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing small molecule probes on mammalian macrophages.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces the quorum sensing signalling molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OdDHL). This natural product not only coordinates production of virulence factors by the bacterium, but also has immunomodulatory effects on the host organism. Immunomodulatory small molecules are valuable for immunology research and are potential therapeutics for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and immunosuppressive drugs following organ transplants. We describe the total synthesis of OdDHL using solid-supported reagents and scavengers, which has the potential to be used for automated analogue synthesis. OdDHL and four analogues were tested for their ability to activate or inhibit release of the pro-inflammatory mediators tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and nitric oxide (NO) from equine or murine macrophages (immune cells). Two of the analogues showed substantial immunomodulatory activity with these macrophages. One analogue showed differing species selectivity, being a potent antagonist in mouse cells, but a partial agonist in horse-derived macrophages. These compounds have the therapeutic potential to be used for protecting animals from bacterial septic shock.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed2006

Evaluating student performance in undergraduate preceptorships.

This article explores the challenges in evaluating student performance in preceptorships based on data collected during academic years 1999-2002, which revealed an unusually large number of high grades and relatively few average grades. Multiple perspectives are explored, including preceptor issues of selection, orientation, recognition, role conflict, and experience with giving grades; faculty issues of role confusion and unclear expectations for student performance; and environmental issues of lack of control of the learning environment and differences in the values of education and workplace. Solutions are proposed, including an orientation for preceptors and faculty, ongoing faculty mentoring of preceptors, official preceptor recognition, clear articulation of expectations for student performance and faculty site visits, and creation of grading rubrics for various aspects of the course to be used by preceptors, faculty, and students.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Critical thinking: back to square two.

Tracking the development of critical thinking in students presents challenges for nursing programs. After 8 years of measuring critical thinking with mixed results, faculty at one school analyzed current beliefs and practices with a focus on the type of thinking that is reinforced in both classroom and clinical settings and the effects of classroom technology on critical thinking. Recommendations for the conceptualization of critical thinking and its measurement, as well as teaching strategies to emphasize principles over "coverage," are proposed.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Clinical grades: upward bound.

This study examined the relationship of grades earned in paired theory and clinical courses. Data collected during academic years 1997 to 2002 confirmed that grade inflation exists in clinical nursing courses. Problems involved in awarding grades for clinical performance are discussed (e.g., standards of clinical performance, methods used in evaluation of clinical performance, the impossibility of faculty omnipresence, the influence of student effort in grading, the effect of recency, the challenges of keeping good anecdotal records). Solutions to grading problems are proposed, including dividing up performance into agreed-on elements, measurement of these elements on a grading scale that allows for more differentiation of quality in evaluating clinical performance, assigning grades from the beginning of a clinical course, emphasizing all three domains of clinical practice, and evaluating student performance in both laboratory and, clinical settings.

Affect↗
PubMed2004

A clinical evaluation of the 'mini parallel Lack' breathing system in cats and comparison with a modified Ayre's T-piece.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the suitability of a 'mini parallel Lack' (MPL) breathing system for use in spontaneously breathing cats and to compare the fresh gas flow requirement with that of a modified Ayre's T-piece (MATP). ANIMALS: Twenty client-owned cats, ASA I and II, presented for elective procedures requiring anaesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-anaesthetic medication and induction of anaesthesia were carried out using several techniques commonly used in our teaching hospital. Anaesthesia was maintained with halothane or isoflurane vaporized in either oxygen or with a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Both breathing systems were evaluated in each cat, with the order of use randomized. Initial fresh gas flows were 300 mL kg(-1) minute(-1) for the MPL and 500 mL kg(- 1) minute(-1) for the MATP. After a 20-minute stabilization period, fresh gas flow was reduced by 200 mL minute(-1) every 5 minutes until re-breathing--defined as an increase in the inspired partial pressure of carbon dioxide to 0.3 kPa (2 mm Hg)--was detected. The fresh gas flow was then increased in 100 mL minute(-1) increments until re-breathing was no longer detectable, and this value was recorded as the minimum fresh gas flow requirement for the breathing system in use. The procedure was then repeated for the second breathing system. Minimum fresh gas flow requirements were compared using a paired Students t-test. Cardiopulmonary variables were compared using anova. Valve opening pressure was measured in the MPL using a manometer. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) fresh gas flow that prevented re-breathing with the MPL (510 +/- 170 mL minute(-1); equivalent to 142 +/- 47 mL kg(-1) minute(-1)) was significantly lower than that required for the MATP (1430 +/- 560 mL minute(-1); equivalent to 397 +/-155 mL kg(-1) minute(-1)). There were no significant differences in cardiopulmonary variables attributable to the use of the two breathing systems. The MPL valve opening pressure was 1.1 cm H2O. CONCLUSIONS: The MPL breathing system used lower gas flows than the MATP without affecting cardiovascular or respiratory function. Clinical relevance In spontaneously breathing cats, the MPL offers the advantages of a reduction in cost and atmospheric pollution because less volatile agent is vaporized.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring critical thinking in graduate education: what do we know?

Accrediting and specialty organizations agree that a master's education expands critical thinking skills gained during undergraduate study, yet a review of literature revealed a lack of research measuring critical thinking of students enrolled in postbaccalaureate education in nursing and other fields. Of 35 studies retrieved, 17 were conducted on undergraduate nursing students, with the remainder spread across practicing RNs, and master's level students in physical therapy, business, medicine, and nursing. A critique of this research and recommendations for future study are presented.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measuring critical thinking: one step forward, one step back.

When critical thinking was identified as an explicit program outcome by the National League for Nursing in 1991, nursing programs were thrust into frenzied activity defining critical thinking and selecting instruments to evaluate it. This drove research on the measurement of critical thinking among nursing programs and the concomitant search for reliable and valid methodologies to systematically assess changes in critical thinking in their students. Although the ultimate goal of this process was curricular improvement, nearly 15 years later, faculty struggle to make sense of the data they have.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗