Process and impact evaluation of a cancer screening education program.
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Aged↗
Biomedical subjects
L Fleisher
Publications and source records attributed to L Fleisher.
The synthesis of cyclooxygenase products in ocular tissues of various species.
In the present study we compared the synthesis of various cyclooxygenase products in albino rabbit, dog (puppy and adult), cat, cow and human ocular tissues from 14C-arachidonic acid (AA). Albino rabbit conjunctiva synthesized a substantial amount (47%) of cyclooxygenase products, while cat and dog (puppy as well as adult) conjunctival tissues synthesized lesser but significant amounts of cyclooxygenase products from 14C-AA. Cyclooxygenase activity in the anterior uvea of different species tested was in the following order of potency: cat greater than albino rabbit greater than dog greater than human greater than cow. Furthermore, human and cow anterior uvea synthesized significantly lesser amount of cyclooxygenase products from 14C-AA than amounts from an intermediate substrate, 14C-PGH2. Interestingly, cow anterior uvea synthesized PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (a stable metabolite of PGI2) while human anterior uvea synthesized all cyclooxygenase products from 14-C-PGH2.
Animals↗
Neurological disease in a child with carnosinase deficiency.
Carnosinase deficiency presented as a progressive neurological problem with sensory polyneuropathy in a 12-year-old male. Carnosinuria was present, even on a meat-free diet, although carnosinemia was not observed. An increased amount of unmetabolized carnosine was found in the urine after a carnosine load. Serum and tissue (liver and nerve) from the patient showed deficient carnosinase activity (Fleisher et al. 1978, 1980). Morphometric and fine structural studies on the nerve and skin biopsies are presented, as is a review of the literature on carnosinase deficiency in mentally retarded patients.
Carnosine↗
Effects of cadmium of the hydro-osmotic and natriferic responses to the toad bladder to vasopressin.
Cadmium, 10(-3) mol/l on the mucosal or 10(-5) mol/l on the serosal side of the toad urinary bladder, inhibits the hydro-osmotic effect of vasopressin. This inhibition is irreversible. The osmotic transfer of water in the absence of vasopressin was unaffected by the presence of the Cd2+. The hydro-osmotic response to cyclic AMP was also reduced by the Cd2+, but the response due to hypertonicity of the serosal bathing solution was unaffected. The short-circuit current (reflecting active transmural Na+ transport) was inhibited by 10(-3) mol Cd2+/l on the serosa, but was increased by 10(-3) mol/l at the mucosa or 10(-4) mol/l at the serosa. The natriferic response of the bladder to vasopressin was unaffected when Cd2+ was present under conditions that inhibited the hydro-osmotic response, further emphasizing that separate effector mechamisms may be involved for each effect.
Animals↗
Balancing research and service: the experience of the cancer information service.
BACKGROUND: The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS), the nation's foremost resource for cancer information, has supported cancer control research throughout its 22-year history. The Cancer Information Service Research Consortium (CISRC) is a consortium established to fully involve the CIS in theory-based cancer control research. METHODS: This paper focuses on the experiences of the CIS Project Directors in the development and implementation of three research projects within the CIS program. Conclusions are drawn from discussions that have taken place over time in such venues as conference calls, CISRC Members Council meetings, and project advisory meetings. RESULTS: Overall, the CISRC/CIS collaboration has been successful. A number of factors have contributed to this success, including the perceived value of the research within the CIS and the mechanisms and structures established to foster collaboration. The lessons learned, based on the challenges and opportunities of implementing these intervention research projects within the operations of the regional CIS offices, are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of research within a service program requires careful planning and preparation. Mutual benefit, shared ownership, consistency with current practice, staff training, and the value of research to each partner were essential ingredients to the success of this collaboration.
Communication↗
Quit Today! A targeted communications campaign to increase use of the cancer information service by African American smokers.
BACKGROUND: African Americans have traditionally made little use of the Cancer Information Service (CIS), an information and education program of the National Cancer Institute, for smoking cessation assistance. This study evaluated whether a targeted communications campaign utilizing strategically placed radio and television advertisements in combination with community outreach could lead more adult African American smokers to call the CIS for smoking cessation information and materials. METHODS: Fourteen communities, served by four CIS regional offices, were carefully matched on demographic variables and then randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Six radio advertisements targeting African American smokers to call the CIS for help in quitting smoking were developed and pretested for three different black-oriented formats. One television spot also was produced and pretested. The audio portion of the television ad was utilized as a seventh radio spot for the general programming formats. These advertisements were placed on selected radio and television stations reaching predominantly African American adult audiences. Also, copies of a videotape designed to motivate African American smokers to quit and to call the CIS for help in quitting were widely disseminated through community-based organizations in each experimental market. The aim was to increase the number and proportion of quitting-related calls to the CIS from African Americans within experimental communities. RESULTS: The call volume from African American smokers was significantly higher in the experimental communities than in the control communities (P < 0.008). The call rate from African American men was higher than typically observed. Overall, African Americans in the experimental communities reported radio more often than television as the way they heard about the CIS. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that paid targeted advertising, using radio as a primary channel, is an effective method of reaching an underserved population at risk. Future research directions are discussed.
Adult↗
A self-help intervention for African American smokers: tailoring cancer information service counseling for a special population.
BACKGROUND: African Americans remain a critically underserved group for smoking cessation interventions. This study tested the effectiveness of a tailored, culturally sensitive intervention for African American smokers who called the NCI Cancer Information Service (CIS) for help to quit smoking. METHODS: This paper presents results of a 2-year study of tailored counseling strategies among African American smokers (n = 1,422) who called four regional CIS offices in response to a radio-based media campaign in 14 communities. Callers were randomly assigned to receive either the standard CIS quit smoking counseling and guide (Clearing the Air) or counseling and a guide (Pathways to Freedom) tailored to the quitting needs and barriers of African American smokers. Callers were predominantly female (63.6%). ages 20-49 (88%), with a high school education or more (84%). Median smoking history was 17 years; median smoking rate was 20 cigarettes/day. Standard (n = 689) and Tailored (n = 733) group subjects did not differ on most baseline measures. RESULTS: On most measures, Standard and Tailored counseling/guides received similar ratings, but the Tailored guide was rated as having more appealing photos (P = 0.001) and as being more appropriate for family members (P = 0.003). Six-month follow-up with 893 subjects (response rates were 63% Standard, 62% Tailored, ns) showed significantly more quit attempts (P = 0.002) and greater use of prequitting strategies (P < 0.05) among Tailored than among Standard subjects, but no differences in self-reported 1-week abstinence (14.4% Standard, 16.2% Tailored) (ns). An opportunistic 12-month follow-up of subjects recruited in the last year of the study (n = 445) (response rates were 57% Standard, 60% Tailored, ns) showed a significantly higher quit rate (15.4% Standard, 25.0% Tailored) for Tailored subjects (P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Results show promise for tailored approaches to boost quit attempts and success rates among African American smokers.
Adult↗