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Biomedical subjects

M E Kurtz

Publications and source records attributed to M E Kurtz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Additional mapping of mouse chromosome 2 genes.

The purpose of this work was to elucidate the genetic fine structure of the central portion of mouse chromosome (Chr) 2. Seven Chr 2 congenic mouse strains [B10.PA(L)-pa we un at, B10.PA(L)-pa Aw, B10.PA(L)-we un at, B10.PA(J)-pa a, B10.FS-we Aw, B10.C-we Aw, and B10.YBR-a] were produced. Breeding studies were carried out using strains B10.PA(L)-pa we un at and B10.LP-H-13b to accurately determine the recombination frequencies between marker genes pa and we (1.9% +/- 0.3), we and un (8.8% +/- 0.5), and un and at (4.5% +/- 0.4) of strain B10.PA(L)-pa we un at. These strains and other Chr 2 congenic strains were typed for immunologically defined loci using monoclonal antibody (mAb) C23 reactive with the gene product of B2mb T-lymphocyte clone C1 reactive with the gene product of H-3a and H-3c, and lymphocyte clone H1.8 reactive with the gene product of Hd-1a. B2m and H-3 typing located a recombinational event separating [pa B2m H-3] from we (the order of bracketed genes is not known). Hd-1 typing indicated that Hd-1 maps distal to [H-42, H-44] and proximal to un. The gene order [pa, B2m, H-3], we, [H-42, H-45], Hd-1, un, H-13, at, with H-44 mapping centromeric to Hd-1, is indicated by the data.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Knowledge and attitudes regarding smoking: a health education experiment with Malay college students.

This study investigated whether knowledge and attitudes of Malay college students regarding smoking can be positively influenced by educational intervention. The experiment included a pretest to assess the students knowledge and attitudes regarding smoking, a lecture on the health risks associated with smoking, and a posttest given six weeks later to assess whether any changes had occurred. A profile of the typical Malay student smoker was also elicited. Twenty-seven percent of the study population were smokers. Of the men in the sample, 44% were smokers, while less than 4% of the women were smokers. T-tests indicated that knowledge of the health risks associated with smoking was significantly improved for most groups, while attitudes towards smoking were essentially unchanged.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

How effectively are osteopathic medical students coping with a stressful life-style?

Medical education has been described as an extremely intense and stressful experience. First- and second-year osteopathic medical students (N = 225) were surveyed to assess their perceptions of their own physical and psychological well-being, mechanisms they use to combat daily stress, their leisure activities, and the health-promoting behaviors in which they engage. This study found perceived physical and psychological well-being to be quite good, with more than 82% of respondents reporting "good" or "excellent" in both areas. Only 11% of students reported using tobacco, and the mean number of alcoholic drinks consumed per day was less than one. Most of the students reported that they exercised regularly and that they did not view sleep deprivation as a significant problem; however, the students did perceive the stress attributed to the demands of medical school as quite high. The primary coping behaviors they used in response to stress included humor, leisure, exercise, and social activity. Smoking, using medication, and using illicit drugs were infrequently indicated as coping strategies. From a comprehensive perspective, student perceptions indicate that they are effectively coping with the stresses of medical education.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

An integrated osteopathic treatment approach in acute otitis media.

Ear pain is a common patient complaint in the practice of the primary care physician. Acute otitis media can affect a person of any age, although it is more often seen in children than in adults. The disease is usually caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (Diplococcus pneumoniae) or Haemophilus influenzae. The differential diagnosis and subsequent treatment of otitis media is approximately the same for children and adults. First-line therapy usually consists of an antibiotic regimen of amoxicillin in combination with autoinflation exercises. In the case presented, a pharmacologic regimen was combined with osteopathic manipulation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

Time-response studies of the cellular immune response to cell membrane antigens.

It was the objective of these experiments to study the time-related changes in the responsiveness of the cellular elements of the immune system following contact with single non-H-2 or multiple H-2 histocompatibility antigens. The reactivity of spleen cells from mice that received injections of spleen cells bearing H-1c, H-3c, H-13a, or H-2b cell membrane alloantigens was characterized at intervals following antigen contact. Spleen cells taken from mice not receiving injections showed no in vitro proliferative or cytolytic responsiveness to cells bearing individual non-H-2 antigens; after in vivo antigen contact with single non-H-2 antigens there was an interval of specific cellular unresponsiveness followed by alternating periods of responsiveness and unresponsiveness. The duration of the unresponsiveness immediately following injection correlated with the strength of the injected antigen--specifically, the stronger the antigen, the shorter the period of unresponsiveness. The data indicate fluctuation in the level of helper T lymphocyte activity, as well as cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity. In contrast, in vitro responsiveness elicited by H-2b antigens with and without prior in vivo antigen contact was of a similar magnitude, and both persisted at a relatively constant level. Suppressor mechanisms were not studied. Of particular interest was the observation that in vivo contact with non-H-2 antigens resulted in suppression of spleen cell production of IL-2 in response to lectin stimulation and fluctuation in the magnitude of the primary response of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to H-2 antigens.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Recognition of the beta-2 microglobulin-B molecule by a CTL clone.

In this report we offer evidence that the beta-2 microglobulin-B (beta 2M-B) molecule is recognized by a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL). Production of GA5, a CTL clone reactive against a membrane antigen with the same strain distribution pattern as beta 2M-B, is described. This clone lysed syngeneic target cells in which native beta 2M-A molecules had been exchanged with beta 2M-B molecules by incubating the cells in serum from beta 2M-B-positive mouse strains. Conversely, the CTL clone GA5 failed to lyse its specific target when beta 2M-B molecules had been exchanged with beta 2M-A molecules by incubating the cells in serum from beta 2M-A-positive, beta 2M-B-negative mouse strains. Strain combinations were chosen so as to limit reactivity to beta 2M and to preclude reactivity to H-3 antigens, thus indicating CTL clone GA5 to be reacting specifically with beta 2M-B.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Students' stereotypes of patients as barriers to clinical decision-making.

The ability to formulate quick, accurate clinical judgments is stressed in medical training. Speed is usually an asset when a physician sorts through his biomedical knowledge, but it is often a liability when the physician assesses the sociocultural context of a clinical encounter. At the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, a study was designed which graphically illustrated to beginning students that unconscious sociocultural stereotypes may influence clinical decision-making. Three entering classes of students were shown a videotape depicting five simulated patients (attractive black woman, attractive white woman, professional man, middle-aged housewife, and elderly man), each presenting with the same physical complaint. Elements of positive and negative stereotypes were incorporated into each of the portrayals, and the students rated these patients on positive and negative characteristics. The results suggested that the students attributed both positive and negative characteristics to patients on the basis of irrelevant characteristics, such as attractiveness, and with little further justification for their attributions. Such stereotypic generalizations held by students may become barriers to the students' objective clinical decision-making.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1985

Teaching medical students the effects of values and stereotyping on the doctor/patient relationship.

As part of an introductory course on the doctor/patient relationship, a teaching unit was designed which emphasized to students that values, biases and prejudices may affect their behaviors when interacting with patients. The unit included lectures on values, specific readings and a survey component which challenged students' value systems and provided them with the opportunity for exploration of hidden biases and prejudices. The survey component involved a series of trigger vignettes depicting five patients interacting with the same (actor) physician. On a rating instrument, students were asked to rate each patient on ten positive and ten negative characteristics, identify the characteristic which best described each patient and select the patient they would most like to treat. The survey was administered to an incoming class of medical students at the orientation session to a course on the doctor/patient relationship. Students were asked to keep a copy of their ratings and bring it to the small group discussion session on physician values. The data were collected, and a class composite developed and submitted to the course instructors prior to the discussion and processing sessions on values. Specific instructions on how to utilize the materials were provided. The class composite, which revealed that students have biases, served as a focus for discussion and facilitated students awareness that unconscious stereotypes exist in their value systems. This teaching approach provided students with a beginning insight that biases and prejudices affect the doctor/patient relationship and the quality of care patients receive.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

CTL and serologically defined antigens of B2m,H-3 region.

The antigens of the B2m,H-3 region of 13 chromosome 2 congenic strains and seven inbred strains have been studied by using CML and serologic techniques. Nine patterns of cross-reactivity have been defined by CML assays. These results are in agreement with an extend previously described cross-reactivity studies. The reactivities of three monoclonal antibodies previously thought to be reacting with B2M-B are shown to differ: Ly-m11 and J-5 react with cells of strain B10-pa,at and clone 23 does not. Two H-3 region loci are hypothesized on the basis of CML and serologic activity: B2m and H-3. The CTL responses to the B2M antigens are H-2K restricted; the CTL responses to H-3 antigens are H-2D restricted. The restriction of the response to the H-3 antigen requires effector-target identity of the H-2D molecule but not the B2M molecule of the class I antigen. These loci have been separated by recombination from H-42 in the production of the congenic strain B10.FS-a. A gene order of B2m, H-3, H-42 is suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Allograft rejection-defined antigens of the B2m,H-3 region.

In this report we delineate the production and histocompatibility characteristics of two new B2m, H-3 region congenic strains, B10.SM-a and B10.FS-a, and further characterize previously described strains. Strains C57BL/10 and B10-we are shown to be histocompatible by the exchange of skin grafts, as are strains B10.UW-we,un at, B10.UW we un a, B10.UW-we + a, B10.UW-+ + a and B10.LP-a. (The latter group will be called B10-H-3b when referred to collectively). C57BL/10, B10-H-3b, B10.C-a, B10.KR-a, B10-pa at, B10.SM-a, and B10.FS-a are shown to be histoincompatible by the rejection of exchanged skin grafts, and histoincompatibility between these strains has been localized to the B2m, H-3 region. The histoincompatibility between C57BL/10 and B10.FS-a is of particular significance because of the identity of these strains at the B2m, H-3 region loci B2m and H-3. Thus the B2m, H-3 region histoincompatibility herein described defines a new locus, which we have called H-42, the a allele being assigned to C57BL/10 and the b allele to B10.FS-a. By using cross-immunization techniques, four allograft rejection-defined reactivity patterns (ADR) have been defined that show concordant strain distribution patterns with the CTL-defined reactivity patterns described elsewhere. On the basis of data presented in this report indicating C57BL/10 and B10.FS-a to differ by a histocompatibility gene in the B2m, H-3 region, and data presented by Kurtz et al. elsewhere indicating C57BL/10 and B10.FS-a to possess the same alleles at the B2m and H-3 loci, the presence of at least three B2m, H-3 region loci-defining cell membrane antigens is established.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of depressive symptomatology of geriatric patients with lung cancer-a longitudinal analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is a major health problem throughout the world. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women in the USA, with a 5-year survival rate of only 14%. It has been hypothesized that variables such as physical and social functioning, cancer-related symptomatology, comorbid conditions, cell type, and treatment are valid predictors of the psychological response to a diagnosis of lung cancer. METHODS: As part of a larger longitudinal study, 211 patients, 65 years of age or older, with an incident diagnosis of lung cancer, were recruited from 23 sites within a midwestern state. Repeated measures analysis of variance techniques were used to analyse how age, gender, comorbid conditions, stage of disease, cell type, as well as the time-dependent variables symptoms, physical functioning, social functioning, and treatment predict depressive symptomatology at four assessments over the first year following diagnosis. RESULTS: Social functioning (p<0.0001), symptoms severity (p<0.0001) and radiation treatment (p=0.017) were significant predictors of depressive symptomatology, with more symptoms and more restricted social functioning generally corresponding to higher levels of depressive symptomatology. Patients who had not received radiation treatment were more depressed than those who had received treatment at least 40 days prior to the interview. CONCLUSIONS: At a clinical level of patient care, these findings mandate early identification of psychosocial difficulties experienced, an individualized symptom management plan and the application of other interventions, such as information giving, reassurance and referral to other resources.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke--perceptions of African American children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: A study was designed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts with regard to exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among a sample of urban African American children and adolescents. METHODS: A sample of 675 students enrolled in grades 5 through 12 in an urban public school district located in the greater metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan, was surveyed. RESULTS: Smoking rates among students were higher if someone else in the home was a smoker and lower if there were no other smokers in the home. Forty-eight percent of the students reported that their fathers smoked, while 46% reported mothers who smoked. In each of the areas knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts, elementary students scored highest and middle school students scored lowest. Attitude scores were higher if the mother or father was a nonsmoker, and nonsmokers scored higher than smokers on knowledge, attitudes, and preventive efforts. Students' preventive efforts were significantly predicted by their knowledge, attitudes, and gender, while their attitudes were in turn predicted by their knowledge, gender, school level, and smoking status and by the proportion of their friends who were smokers. Students' knowledge was significantly predicted by their gender and school level and by the proportion of their siblings who were smokers. CONCLUSIONS: It is apparent that many of the African American students surveyed in this study experience significant exposure to ETS, particularly in the home. As is evident from the literature, this has implications for the long term health of these youngsters. Health education and promotion efforts should be directed not only toward the students themselves, but should also address the smoking behavior of parents and others in the home environment.

Adolescent↗