Biomedical subjects

Heather Graham

Publications and source records attributed to Heather Graham.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Activin receptor-like kinases: structure, function and clinical implications.

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily regulates a multitude of cellular processes from fertilization to adulthood in vertebrates. Signaling by the TGF-beta superfamily occurs via formation of heteromeric complexes consisting of type I and type II receptors. The type I receptors, referred to as activin receptor-like kinases (ALK), lie at the epicenter of the signaling cascade as they transduce TGF-beta signals to intracellular regulators of transcription known as Smad proteins. Currently, seven ALKs have been identified in mammals. Structurally, ALKs possess an extracellular binding domain, a transmembrane domain, a GS domain that serves as the site of activation by type II receptors, and a kinase domain that activates downstream signaling molecules. ALKs mediate the effect of TGF-beta superfamily on a variety of cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion and migration, and therefore play important roles in many biological processes. Some ALKs have been implicated in several disorders, including tumorigenesis, hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), immune and renal diseases, and skeletal malfunctions, suggesting that these receptors can be used as drug targets.

Activin Receptors↗

PubMed2005

California teachers perceive school gardens as an effective nutritional tool to promote healthful eating habits.

This study assessed elementary school teachers' perceived attitudes and barriers associated with school gardens, as well as the purpose and use of gardens in schools, specifically in relation to the link between gardens and nutrition. The questionnaire was mailed to California fourth-grade teachers at schools with gardens (N = 1,665). The response rate was 36% (n = 592). Teachers perceived the garden to be somewhat to very effective at enhancing academic performance, physical activity, language arts, and healthful eating habits. Nutrition was taught with the use of the garden by 47% of responding teachers. This research provides evidence for needed standards-based curricula materials and teacher training in relation to gardening and nutrition. The results from this study will contribute to development of needed resources and methods by which to encourage the use of gardens and nutrition education in schools.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

'Working at the margins' or 'leading from behind'? A Canadian study of hospital-community collaboration.

Collaboration between hospitals and community organisations has been promoted over the past 20 years by various levels of government, hospital associations, health promotion advocates, and others at the state/province, national and international levels as a way to improve the 'efficiency of the system', reduce duplication, enhance effectiveness and service coordination, improve continuity of care, and enhance community capacity to address complex issues. Nevertheless, and despite a growing literature on interagency collaboration, systematic documentation and empirical analysis of hospital-community collaboration (HCC) is almost completely lacking in the literature, particularly as regards collaborations that address the determinants of health beyond the hospital walls. In this paper, we describe the methodology and key findings from a research study of HCC. The Hospital Involvement in Community Action (HICA) study undertook detailed qualitative case studies (in four urban, suburban, rural and northern locations) and a telephone survey (of 139 community organisations in a large urban centre) in order to learn about the range of collaborations and working relationships that exist between hospitals and community agencies in the province of Ontario (Canada), and the factors that influenced (enabled and/or hindered) HCC. Particular attention was paid to barriers and enablers at three nested levels of context (policy, hospital and community) and, drawing primarily on the qualitative case studies, it is this aspect that is the focus of this paper. That such collaborations continue to be widespread despite a generally unfavourable policy environment and hospital institutional culture that poses significant barriers, suggests that the extent to which HCC flourishes (or exists at all) crucially depends on the presence and ongoing enthusiasm/commitment of one or more 'champions' within the hospital, and the commitment of both parties to overcome the marked cultural differences between hospital and community. We conclude with a discussion of implications for policy and practice.

Canada↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Use of school gardens in academic instruction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the status of gardens in California schools. DESIGN: A self-administered Internet and mailed survey was sent to all California principals (N = 9805). PARTICIPANTS: 4194 California school principals. VARIABLES MEASURED: School garden practices, attitudes associated with the use of gardens in schools, and perceptions of barriers to having and using school gardens in academic instruction. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and chi-square; P < .05. RESULTS: A 43% response rate was achieved. The most frequent reason for having a garden was for enhancement of academic instruction. Gardens were most commonly used for teaching science, environmental studies, and nutrition. Principals strongly agreed that resources such as curriculum materials linked to academic instruction and lessons on teaching nutrition in the garden would assist in the school garden being used for academic instruction. Principals deemed the garden as being not to slightly effective at enhancing the school meal program. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: School gardens appear to be predominantly used by most schools to enhance academic instruction. There is a need for curriculum materials and teacher training for gardening and nutrition. The link between the garden and the school meal program is an area that clearly requires attention. School lunch would be a logical setting for provision of edible produce, in addition to taste-testing of fresh produce in the garden or classroom setting.

Administrative Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Adolescents with anorexia nervosa: multiple perspectives of discharge readiness.

PROBLEM: Little is known about the conditions that must be in place to help adolescent patients and their families gain the confidence needed to continue recovery at home, following the adolescents' hospitalization for anorexia nervosa. METHODS: Beliefs about discharge readiness were obtained through an open-ended questionnaire following the patients' first weekend pass home from an in-patient unit. The perceptions of patients, parents, and registered nurses were obtained using parallel versions of a questionnaire. FINDINGS: An examination of the responses revealed four themes; medical stability, education, psychological changes, and community resource planning, that were common to all respondents, as well as themes specific to adolescents and to nurses. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that each group of respondents has unique discharge readiness needs and that registered nurses have an important role to play in helping patients and families make the transition home as successful as possible. Implications for nursing practice are highlighted.

Adolescent↗