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J Provan

Publications and source records attributed to J Provan.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Polymerase chain reaction-based assays for the characterisation of plant genetic resources.

Plant genetic resources are an important component of biodiversity and provide the basic genetic variability that allow new and improved cultivars to be developed. Numerous germplasm collections have been established and it is important to established that such collections are representative and accessible to breeders and biotechnologists. Molecular markers provide the best estimate of genetic diversity since they are independent of the confounding effects of environmental factors. Assays based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are considered to meet both the technical and genetical requirements for the characterisation of plant and animal genetic resources. Two main approaches are described, based on anonymous and defined primers. The use of both randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSR) for the characterisation of perennial tree species, and distribution of variability within gene pools is reported. The detection of interspecific gene introgression between coffee species with RAPD markers is described together with the use of microsatellites to genotype potato. The use of PCR-based assays will facilitate the evaluation and utilisation of plant genetic resources.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Reliability and validity of the objective structured clinical examination in assessing surgical residents.

The purpose of this research was to assess reliability and construct validity of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for evaluating the clinical skills of surgical residents. Reliability refers to precision of the examination and construct validity to the degree to which the examination can discriminate between different levels of training. Twenty-seven second postgraduate year surgical residents took a 38-station OSCE representing seven surgical specialties and that tested history-taking, physical examination, problem-solving, technical skills, and attitudes. A couplet methodology was used wherein a patient encounter was followed by written questions aimed at testing problem-solving and patient management capabilities. Thirty-six standardized patients were trained and 36 surgeons served as examiners marking from structured checklists. Overall reliability, Cronbach's alpha, was 0.89. Construct validity was examined by comparing the scores of the residents with those of a group of graduates of foreign medical schools applying for a "pre-internship" program. For 17 of 19 stations that both groups took, the residents performed significantly better (p less than 0.01). Individual station validity was significant for 32 of 38 stations (r = 0.36 to 0.82, p less than 0.05). The examinations took 3.83 hours at a cost of $5,293 (Canadian dollars). The OSCE has been shown to be a reliable method of assessing clinical skills of surgical residents, construct validity has been established, and inter-item validity confirmed. Reliabilities achieved exceed those traditionally required for both acceptance and promotion decisions.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1976

Circular indurated lymphangitis of the penis.

Circular lymphangitis of the penis has been seen in three of our patients, two of whom complained of mild discomfort. A patient with syphilis was initially misdiagnosed because of similar clinical findings. A serologic test for syphilis should be performed in all patients with this disorder.

Adult↗