Biomedical subjects
K Carlin
Publications and source records attributed to K Carlin.
Competency assessments: perceptions at follow-up.
OBJECTIVES: To report on the perceptions of assessment of competency and its consequences on a group of clients and significant others at follow-up. METHODS: Ninety-five interviews were conducted using a carefully developed semistructured telephone interview of 24 clients and 71 family/caregivers, representing the perceptions of about 80 clients. RESULTS: There was general satisfaction in the competency assessment process. There was a perception that interests and rights were protected. Clients were seen to be less involved in all spheres of decision making regardless of capacity outcome. Clients and families were satisfied with how decisions were made. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up study of competency assessment does not support the conclusions previously drawn based on court record studies that assessments are deleterious and frequently result in violations of rights.
Genesis and acid/base.
Perhaps the enigmatic etiology of cell specialization ultimately leading to organogenesis can be explained by the unusual combine application of some common mechanisms. Perhaps the combination of control of variable pH through compartmentalization, dialysis/diffusion gradients, and an electrophoresis plane impacts cells in zones causing the developmental patterns. Possibly pH is even manipulated at times to change the charge on molecules in order that attraction of opposite charges can be utilized.
Diseased cells and pH.
Diseased cells may alter their intracellular pH. This could explain such diverse activities as resistance to hormones, resistance to medications, and preferential metastasis to the same locations.
Could the defect in type II diabetes mellitus be the absence of a postprandial alkalosis?
Perhaps the liver following a meal has a significant change in pH. Insulin binding and several enzymes important in the postprandial state for processing lipids, proteins and carbohydrates all appear to have alkaline optimal pH levels. Diabetes mellitus type II could be due to the liver failing to obtain the optimum pH for insulin binding.
A possible explanation for growth hormone resistance in chronic renal failure.
Perhaps the liver in renal failure significantly alters its pH in order to attempt to maintain homeostasis. This alteration might explain the growth hormone resistance found in children with chronic renal failure.
A study of diet and breast cancer prevention in Canada: why healthy women participate in controlled trials.
Little research has been undertaken to determine why healthy people agree to enroll in randomized controlled trials of cancer prevention. This study describes the beliefs of Canadian women participating in a trial designed to determine the effect of reducing dietary fat on the development of breast cancer. Healthier eating, nutritional counseling, contributing to science, and helping others were the most frequently cited advantages of participation. Weight control and general better health were specifically associated with the dietary regimens. Attending appointments and difficulties when eating out were the main disadvantages of participation. Suggestions that would promote adherence to the trial protocol also were elicited. Responses cited most often included opportunities to meet other participants, more nutritional counseling (particularly psychological tips), updates about the trial, and more recipes. Attention should be paid to these suggestions as they characterize some of the major determinants of adherence behavior.
Acid/base may be more variable than previously thought.
Organ systems in the human body may not be homogeneous in regard to pH. Possibly specific organ systems under certain conditions maintain a pH level significantly different than the systemic pH.
Possible etiology for euthyroid sick syndrome.
Euthyroid sick syndrome is possibly due to an increase in Triac (a T3 analogue) and/or Tetrac (a T4 analogue). Triac and/or Tetrac possibly feed back on the pituitary/hypothalamus region and cause a secondary hypothyroidism. This is possibly analogous to such diverse conditions as fetal thyroid function and black bear hibernation.
Hypothyroid induced hypometabolic state as a possible diagnostic and therapeutic maneuver.
Diseased cells possibly function autonomously without as much dependence upon metabolic cues such as thyroid hormone by comparison to normal cells. Therefore if reversible hypothyroidism can be induced briefly in euthyroid patients, conceivably normal cells can be induced into a hypometabolic state while the diseased cells continue at their baseline or near baseline metabolic level. This induced difference could be utilized to isolate and target abnormal cells better.