Biomedical subjects
J Merriam
Publications and source records attributed to J Merriam.
A Drosophila Minute gene encodes a ribosomal protein.
Minute genes have long constituted a special problem in Drosophila genetics. For at least 50-60 different genes scattered throughout the genome, dominant mutations and/or deficiencies have been recognized which result in a common phenotype consisting of short thin bristles, slow development, reduced viability, rough eyes, small body size and etched tergites. Schultz proposed that the Minute loci encode similar but separate functions involved in growth and division common to all cells. Atwood and Ritossa suggested that Minute loci encode components of the protein synthetic machinery, specifically the transfer RNA genes; this now seems unlikely on grounds of both mapping and mutability studies. More recently, we and others suggested that the Minute loci are ribosomal protein genes. We report here that transformation with a cloned 3.3-kilobase (kb) region containing the gene encoding the large subunit ribosomal protein 49 (rp49) suppresses the dominant phenotypes of Minute (3)99D, a previously undescribed Minute associated with a chromosomal deficiency of the 99D interval. This activity is specific to the 99D Minute as it does not suppress other Minute loci elsewhere in the genome. This result provides direct evidence that the Minute locus at the 99D interval encodes the ribosomal protein 49.
Diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration biopsy in neoplasms of the head and neck.
In this paper, the cytologic findings of 90 aspirates obtained by the fine needle aspiration technique from head and neck masses are compared with the histology of the permanent section. The overall concurrence rate between cytologic and histologic findings for benign and malignant tumors is 80%. There is a 6.6% false negative rate. There are no false positive results. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is found to be safe, complication free, and most helpful in treatment planning.
Managing an imaging department with a business perspective. A view from the other side.
I came to the position of director of radiology at Winchester Hospital with two advanced degrees, in business administration and in health-care administration, to replace a director of 35 years, who had come from a technical background. That this community hospital outside Boston nourishes the entrepreneurial spirit is one of the premises underlying its success. I was supported from the beginning both by the radiologists, who supported the concept of a business-person running the department, and by the manager, whose acceptance of my role helped set the tone for the department. My goal was to create a vision for the department, which I could do only by establishing a relationship with the supervisory staff. Communication became my greatest challenge: to listen and learn from my staff and to articulate how we could move to a new level of performance. My management philosophy included giving budget responsibility to the supervisors, to teach how revenue and expense directly impact the department's business. We learned together the importance of customer service and how it, too, could impact our business. Finally, I helped supervisors offer their own ideas to solve department problems. Joining the AHRA, reading its publications and attending its conferences have helped me gain a broader perspective of the industry. Now, I see my role as a facilitator who sets a vision for the department and provides the proper support, tools and guidance for the staff to achieve results. Together, we have created a successful balance between the business and the patient care components.
Antimicrobial activity of synthetic bactenecin.
Bactenecin is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from bovine neutrophils. Bactenecin was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis and renatured to a fully disulfide bonded form. The peptide inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at the same concentration reported for the peptide purified from bovine neutrophils. Bactenecin inhibits the growth of other medically important bacteria and yeast, and it kills the fungus Trichophyton rubrum. Acetylation and amidation of the amino- and carboxy-termini of bactenecin do not change its potency, while replacement of its two cysteine residues with serine decreases the potency.