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Biomedical subjects

J J Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to J J Thomas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Community education for stroke awareness: An efficacy study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study examined the effectiveness of a slide/audio community education program aimed at increasing knowledge of stroke risk factors, stroke warning signs, and action needed when stroke warning signs occur. The program targets audiences at higher risk for stroke, especially individuals who are black or >50 years of age. METHODS: Subjects were 657 adults living in the community or in senior independent-living settings. The study examined the effectiveness of the program when presented alone and when accompanied by discussion (facilitation) led by a trained individual. Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs was assessed using parallel pretests and posttests developed and validated specifically for the study. RESULTS: ANCOVA indicated that neither pretesting nor facilitation had a significant effect on posttest measures of knowledge. Paired t tests of groups receiving both the pretest and posttest demonstrated significant increase in knowledge (mean increase, 10.87%; P<0.001). ANCOVA indicated that these gains in knowledge were similar across subjects of different sex, race, age, and educational level. No significant differences could be ascribed to facilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the slide/audio program is effective in increasing knowledge of stroke risk factors, warning signs, and necessary action in subjects of varying ages, races, and education. Pretesting and facilitation did not significantly affect the short-term acquisition of information. The slide/audio program appears to offer a short, easily used educational experience for diverse communities, whether as a stand-alone program or with facilitated discussion.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Viral characterization by direct analysis of capsid proteins.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry has enabled viral coat proteins to be characterized directly from the virus. This analysis, demonstrated here with tobacco mosaic virus U2, a bacteriophage MS2, and equine encephalitis TRD, is achieved with a combination of organic acid, UV-absorbing matrix, and high-energy desorption with a nitrogen laser. The molecular weights of these proteins are determined with sufficient accuracy to allow differentiation among viral species and strains. The abundant hydrophobic MS2 coat protein was analyzed in aliquots of culture medium and of the tobacco mosaic virus coat protein in infected leaves. This method provides rapid detection of coat protein in the low-femtomole range, as estimated by titering plaque-forming units of MS2.

Capsid↗
PubMed1998

Inhibition of gene expression by the Ggamma 5' flanking region of the Bantu beta(s) chromosome.

Beta(s)-chromosome haplotypes are peculiar to specific regions of Africa and Asia and are associated with the occurrence of different fetal hemoglobin (Hb) levels in sickle cell patients. Among these haplotypes, beta(s)-chromosomes found in the Senegal and the Arab-India regions are associated with relatively high levels of HbF expression, whereas those around the Benin, Bantu, and the Cameroon regions show low levels of HbF expression. The roles of 5'HS2 and the 5' flanking (promoter region) region in the expression of globin genes are well documented. Haplotype specific variations are found in these regions and have been postulated to be involved in the regulation of HbF expression. In this study, we have analyzed the effect of sequence variations in regulatory regions of the Bantu 5'HS2 and 5' flanking region of the Ggamma gene on CAT expression. A diminution was observed in K562 cells when the promoter originated from the Bantu beta(s) chromosome. The decreased expression was independent of the origin of the 5'HS2 sequence--combinations of the Bantu promoter were measured with the Benin, Bantu, or Senegal 5'HS2 sequences in K562 cells. However, expression of the same plasmids in murine erythroleukemic (MEL) cells showed no difference in CAT expression among the various sequence combinations studied.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Reducing anxiety during phase I cardiac rehabilitation.

Anxiety can produce undesired effects in patients recovering from cardiac conditions including coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Pharmacological, psychological and educational interventions are used to reduce patient anxiety. This study compared the effects on state anxiety of participation in one of two Phase I (in-patient) educational interventions for patients undergoing their first coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Subjects (n = 96) were randomly assigned to either a traditional, staff-directed intervention or an intervention based on a collaborative approach. Eighty subjects were included in the data analyses. Results demonstrated that subjects in the collaborative-based intervention had significantly less state anxiety at hospital discharge than those in the traditional intervention. The collaborative approach offered patients opportunities to address individually identified concerns regarding recovery and future functioning and to exert control over facets of their hospitalization experience.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Using rubber dam.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Deglutition↗
PubMed1988

Color graphics representations of large sequences in the GEM environment.

The analytical and descriptive color graphics capabilities (the GEM environment) of the CAGE/GEM(a) software system are described using bacteriophage lambda (48,502 base pairs) and Epstein Barr virus (172,282 base pairs) as examples. Genetics and features, as graphic drawings, and the results of sequence analysis as pseudo-colored representations, are simultaneously displayed at all zooming levels. The present upper limit on sequence size is 5 x 10(5) bases. The overlay editor utility which provides the capability to structure complex sequence associated data and knowledge bases into a manageable color graphics format is also described. Holistic correlations that can be made by the display of bacteriophage lambda and Epstein Barr virus in the GEM environment are also discussed.

Bacteriophage lambda↗
PubMed1986

Cloning simulation in the cage environment.

The CAGE/GEM(TM) software toolkit for genetic engineering is briefly described. The system functionally uses color graphics and is menu driven. It integrates genetics and features information ("Overlays") with information based on sequence analysis ("Representations"). The system is structured around CAD (Computer Aided Design) principles. The CAGE (Computer Aided Genetic Engineering) aspects of the software are emphasized and illustrated by a simulated cloning of the hepatitis B core antigen gene into the BAMHI site of plasmid pBR322.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1976

Growth and subculture of pathogenic T. pallidum (Nichols strain) in BHK-21 cultured tissue cells.

The growth and nine subcultivations of the experimental Nichols strain of pathogenic Treponema pallidum were successfully accomplished in cultured baby hamster kidney tissue cells (BHK-21) using serum-free media. The number (motile and non-motile cells occurring extracellulary) of cell generations generally increased with each subcultivation, the largest increases (greater than 3-0) occurring in subcultures 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. Also, the number of motile cells decreased with each subcultivation. Virulent organisms were demonstrated in subcultures 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8, and their numbers estimated with the use of standards established by the animal inoculation titration of counted numbers of organisms freshly harvested from experimental infections; the estimated number of virulent organisms was higher than or equal to the counted cultivated treponemes injected, which may be attributable to uncounted virulent spirochaetes occurring intracellularly.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

The effects of glucosamine derivatives on the growth of cultivable Treponema.

The effects of glucosamine and its derivatives on the growth of Treponema phagedenis biotypes reiter and kazan 5 were studied to determine if these agents could act as growth stimulants for organisms of the genus Treptonema. Growth studies on the cultivable treponemes were conducted in culture tubes containing glucosamine, glucosamine derivatives, and (or) glucose and galactose in serum-based media. Glucosamine and N-phenylacetylglucosamine were definitely inhibitory to growth at the concentrations studied. N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) produced mixed effects.

Acetylglucosamine↗
PubMed1975

Complete Klüver-Bucy syndrome in man.

A 22 year old right-handed man suffered a viral meningoencephalitis, possibly herpetic, resulting in bilateral damage to the temporal lobes as confirmed by appropriate clinical, electrophysiological and neuroradiological studies. Extended clinical neuropsychological evaluation documented all the characteristic features of the syndrome described by Klüver and Bucy following bilateral ablation of the temporal lobes in adult Rhesus monkeys, including "psychic blindness," oral exploration, hypermetamorphic impulse to action," lack of emotional responsiveness, aberrant sexual behavior, and an insatiable appetite. Additionally, a severe Wernicke's aphasia and a profound memory disorder were evident. The significance of these features as regards limbic function in the human is discussed.

Adult↗