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J T English

Publications and source records attributed to J T English.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

PCR amplification of species-specific DNA sequences can distinguish among Phytophthora species.

We used PCR to differentiate species in the genus Phytophthora, which contains a group of devastating plant pathogenic fungi. We focused on Phytophthora parasitica, a species that can infect solanaceous plants such as tomato, and on Phytophthora citrophthora, which is primarily a citrus pathogen. Oligonucleotide primers were derived from sequences of a 1,300-bp P. parasitica-specific DNA segment and of an 800-bp P. citrophthora-specific segment. Under optimal conditions, the primers developed for P. parasitica specifically amplified a 1,000-bp sequence of DNA from isolates of P. parasitica. Primers for P. citrophthora similarly and specifically amplified a 650-bp sequence of DNA from isolates of P. citrophthora. Detectable amplification of these specific DNA sequences required picogram quantities of chromosomal DNA. Neither pair of primers amplified these sequences with DNAs from other species of Phytophthora or from the related genus Pythium. DNAs from P. parasitica and P. citrophthora growing in infected tomato stem tissue were amplified as distinctly as DNAs from axenic cultures of each fungal species. This is the first report on PCR-driven amplification with Phytophthora species-specific primers.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1987

Survey of attitudes among three specialties in a teaching hospital toward alcoholics.

Although physicians are typically "gatekeepers" for the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism, a lack of specific alcoholism training and negative attitudes toward alcoholics can establish formidable barriers to recognition and treatment of the condition. In the study reported here, the authors examined differences in attitudes toward and knowledge and treatment of alcoholism among physicians in three specialties. A questionnaire pertaining to alcoholism and alcoholics was mailed to 385 internists, surgeons, and psychiatrists at a teaching hospital. Half received a version concerning male alcoholics, and half received one concerning female alcoholics; the versions were identical except for the gender of the alcoholic referred to in the questionnaire. Fifty-three percent returned the questionnaire, and their responses showed that these physicians viewed male and female alcoholics similarly. Overall, the respondents considered them treatable but maintained negative perceptions of their personalities. The psychiatrists held the most positive views of the treatability of alcoholism and the most negative views of alcoholics' personalities, whereas the surgeons held the most positive views of alcoholics' personalities and the most negative views of treatability. The internists, surgeons, and psychiatrists reported significant differences in the adequacy of their education on alcoholism, in their methods of handling alcoholics, and in their desire to learn about alcoholism. These findings are discussed in terms of continuing education in alcoholism treatment for physicians.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1986

DRGs: an overview of the issues.

The prospective payment system based on diagnostic related groups adopted by Medicare in 1983 has many deficiencies with respect to psychiatric care. Due to the efforts of the American Psychiatric Association, psychiatric units in general hospitals have been temporarily exempted from this system of per-care payment. A number of problematic issues need to be addressed in the design of any modified or alternative system of financing psychiatric care. These issues include the problems of premature discharge, code manipulation, cost-shifting, and equitable patient access to psychiatric services. The potential effects of a DRG system of payment on clinical practice are reviewed. The reasons for the shortcomings of the DRG system in predicting utilization of services are discussed, and areas for future research are suggested.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1986

Diagnosis-related groups and general hospital psychiatry: the APA Study.

Psychiatric units in general hospitals are exempt from diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), a system of per case prospective payment that is used for the majority of patients covered by Medicare. The American Psychiatric Association purchased a large hospital discharge data base and studied the potential impact of DRGs on psychiatric patients and inpatient psychiatric units in general hospitals. There was substantial inaccuracy in the psychiatric DRGs' prediction of resource use, which could lead to inappropriate discharge of patients and financial risk to hospitals that treat more severe cases. The authors advocate further research because psychiatry must anticipate prospective payment in the future.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗