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Biomedical subjects

Mark Robinson

Publications and source records attributed to Mark Robinson.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Transcription binding site prediction using Markov models.

One of the main goals of analysing DNA sequences is to understand the temporal and positional information that specifies gene expression. An important step in this process is the recognition of gene expression regulatory elements. Experimental procedures for this are slow and costly. In this paper we present a computational non-supervised algorithm that facilitates the process by statistically identifying the most likely regions within a putative regulatory sequence. A probabilistic technique is presented, based on the approximation of regulatory DNA with a Markov chain, for the location of putative transcription factor binding sites in a single stretch of DNA. Hereto we developed a procedure to approximate the order of Markov model for a given DNA sequence that circumvents some of the prohibitive assumptions underlying Markov modeling. Application of the algorithm to data from 55 genes in five species shows the high sensitivity of this Markov search algorithm. Our algorithm does not require any prior knowledge in the form of description or cross-genomic comparison; it is context sensitive and takes DNA heterogeneity into account.

Artificial Intelligence↗
PubMed2006

Improving computational predictions of cis-regulatory binding sites.

The location of cis-regulatory binding sites determine the connectivity of genetic regulatory networks and therefore constitute a natural focal point for research into the many biological systems controlled by such regulatory networks. Accurate computational prediction of these binding sites would facilitate research into a multitude of key areas, including embryonic development, evolution, pharmacogenemics, cancer and many other transcriptional diseases, and is likely to be an important precursor for the reverse engineering of genome wide, genetic regulatory networks. Many algorithmic strategies have been developed for the computational prediction of cis-regulatory binding sites but currently all approaches are prone to high rates of false positive predictions, and many are highly dependent on additional information, limiting their usefulness as research tools. In this paper we present an approach for improving the accuracy of a selection of established prediction algorithms. Firstly, it is shown that species specific optimization of algorithmic parameters can, in some cases, significantly improve the accuracy of algorithmic predictions. Secondly, it is demonstrated that the use of non-linear classification algorithms to integrate predictions from multiple sources can result in more accurate predictions. Finally, it is shown that further improvements in prediction accuracy can be gained with the use of biologically inspired post-processing of predictions.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of the ACRRM national radiology program for Australian rural and remote medical practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: In 2000, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) developed a national radiology quality assurance (QA) and continuing medical education (CME) program for rural and remote non-specialist Australian doctors. The program commenced on 1 January 2001. It required rural doctors to obtain 30 radiology QA/CME points over a 4 year period. At least 15-20 of these points had to be obtained by one of two mandatory options of the program, either: (1) film interpretation, report and review clinical audit activity; or (2) a radiology clinical attachment. METHOD: Doctors submitted their completed film review forms and clinical attachment logbooks to the program manager as confirmation of their educational activity to receive their professional development points. Data from film review forms and clinical attachment logbooks were de-identified and entered into two Microsoft EXCEL spreadsheets. The data were categorised and analysed in EXCEL. RESULTS: From 1 January 2001 to September 2004, 823 rural and remote doctors enrolled in the ACRRM radiology program. This included 281 locums who enrolled in the short-term locum option of the program and 563 doctors who enrolled in the full program. In September 2004, 419 doctors had completed a radiology film review with a radiologist and 41 doctors completed a radiology clinical attachment in 31 different public and private radiology practices. One hundred and ninety-five doctors completed the short-term locum activity. Ninety-two different specialist radiologists participated in the program and assisted rural and remote doctors to enhance their radiology knowledge, confidence and skills. This article describes results from the two mandatory activities. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of the ACRRM radiology program after its first 3 years and 9 months shows there are a large number of rural and remote Australian doctors undertaking professional development and quality assurance activities in radiology.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

High-throughput mapping of a dynamic signaling network in mammalian cells.

Signaling pathways transmit information through protein interaction networks that are dynamically regulated by complex extracellular cues. We developed LUMIER (for luminescence-based mammalian interactome mapping), an automated high-throughput technology, to map protein-protein interaction networks systematically in mammalian cells and applied it to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) pathway. Analysis using self-organizing maps and k-means clustering identified links of the TGFbeta pathway to the p21-activated kinase (PAK) network, to the polarity complex, and to Occludin, a structural component of tight junctions. We show that Occludin regulates TGFbeta type I receptor localization for efficient TGFbeta-dependent dissolution of tight junctions during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗
PubMed2005

Health professionals in multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams: changing professional practice.

The article draws on an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded research project that aimed to investigate the reality behind the rhetoric of "joined up thinking". The research project was a qualitative, multi-method study involving three phases, including observation and documentary analysis; interviews; and focus groups around decision making and knowledge sharing. The article reflects on the perspectives and experiences of health professionals and their colleagues in multi-agency teams about the impact of multi-agency teamwork on their professional knowledge and learning, and on their ways of working. Actual and potential conflicts between professionals are explored about models of understanding, about roles, identities, status and power, about information sharing, and around links with other agencies. Dilemmas of team building and of conflicting values and knowledge are exemplified from health professionals' accounts, using theoretical models of "communities of practice" and "activity theory". The article presents groups of strategies that health professionals and their colleagues in multi-agency, multi-professional teams use to overcome barriers and to strengthen team cohesion. The conclusion reflects on some implications of our findings in theory and practice for professionalism within integrated, multi-professional teams that are building new ways of working.

Allied Health Occupations↗
PubMed2005

Mucin-secreting papillary adenocarcinoma of the hyoid bone: a unique case.

We present a unique case of a mucin-secreting papillary adenocarcinoma of intestinal type which has invaded and completely destroyed the hyoid bone and metastasized to the cervical lymph nodes bilaterally. The tumour is believed to have originated from a malignant thyroglossal duct remnant, and was managed with surgery and radiotherapy. We describe the case and discuss the literature regarding hyoid bone tumours.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed2004

The lanceolate hair rat phenotype results from a missense mutation in a calcium coordinating site of the desmoglein 4 gene.

Desmosomal cadherins are essential cell adhesion molecules present throughout the epidermis and other organs, whose major function is to provide mechanical integrity and stability to epithelial cells in a wide variety of tissues. We recently identified a novel desmoglein family member, Desmoglein 4 (Dsg4), using a positional cloning approach in two families with localized autosomal recessive hypotrichosis (LAH) and in the lanceolate hair (lah) mouse. In this study, we report cloning and identification of the rat Dsg4 gene, in which we discovered a missense mutation in a naturally occurring lanceolate hair (lah) rat mutant. Phenotypic analysis of lah/lah mutant rats revealed a striking hair shaft defect with the appearance of a lance head within defective hair shafts. The mutation disrupts a critical calcium binding site bridging the second and third extracellular domains of Dsg4, likely disrupting extracellular interactions of the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

An investigation into the perceptions of primary care practitioners of their education and development needs for communicating with patients who may not be fluent in English.

This paper reports on an empirical research project that assessed educational needs of primary care practitioners for communicating with minority ethnic patients who are not fluent in English. The qualitative study was carried out in general practice settings in a northern inner city locality. Discrepancies are highlighted between patient and practitioner understandings, and between educational models and practitioner views. Educational needs are identified to enhance practitioners' specific skills, knowledge of patient perspectives, and self-awareness. Organisational influences on communication are explored. Key arguments are that "transcultural" educational models should be used critically, and education should enable practitioners to integrate their personal coping strategies with structured practice development planning.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2003

A strategy for teaching students concepts of population-based health care for older persons.

The authors present a strategy for organizing and teaching the concepts of population-based health care for patients over the age of 65. The key ingredients are a case study based on a representative sample of 5,000 Medicare recipients and a student guide containing the sample group's demographics, clinical characteristics, and utilization patterns. As part of the case study, three subgroups within the sample are described: the basically healthy 50% that consume only 3% of medical resources, the most severely ill 10% that consume 70% of medical resources, and the moderately ill 40% that consume the remaining 27% of medical resources. These categories introduce the concepts of severity of illness, highlight the clinical challenges facing providers of care to the elderly, and contrast the divergent needs of individual health care consumers in an aging population. Armed with this succinct and manageable information packet, students are asked to play the role of an interdisciplinary team that is responsible for effectively managing the care of this population of 5,000 lives. Included in this article is a description of learning resources provided; sample group discussion questions; one strategy for caring for the population developed by a faculty-student group; and a brief description of the educational implications of the model. At the end of the article the reader is provided a Web address containing a description of the case and supporting materials (http://healthyaging.ucdavis.edu/education/continuing/ManagedMedicareTeachingCase.pdf). Readers are invited to view, print, and/or utilize the case in their own academic settings.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Bushfires, 2003. A rural GP's perspective.

BACKGROUND: Extensive bushfires in January and February of 2003 had a major impact on many communities in northeast Victoria, East Gippsland, southern New South Wales and Canberra. These fires eventually engulfed an area roughly equivalent to the entire area of Germany. OBJECTIVE: This article describes the impact of the fires and the role of the general practitioner in the emergency response, and presents recommendations for the role of general practice in future disaster planning. DISCUSSION: General practitioners have critical roles in the provision of round the clock general medical services to their communities in times of bushfire or natural disaster. They also act as gatekeepers to mental health services, psychiatric referral and counselling alongside other community based programs. Divisions of general practice have a pivotal role to play in disaster plans, particularly in coordinating the maintenance of ongoing medical services, facilitating communication between GPs and essential services, and integrating general practice into postdisaster recovery.

Australia↗
PubMed2002

Accuracy of thoracic pedicle screws in patients with and without coronal plane spinal deformities.

STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective observational study evaluated 399 transpedicular thoracic screws using postoperative computed tomography (CT). OBJECTIVES: To examine the in vivo accuracy of transpedicular thoracic screws in patients with and without coronal plane spinal deformities. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are no comparative studies regarding the safety and accuracy of thoracic pedicle screws in patients with and without coronal plane spinal deformities. METHODS: Curve magnitude and segmental vertebral rotation were determined from preoperative radiographs. Postoperative CT was used to assess the placement accuracy of titanium thoracic pedicle screws. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients underwent instrumented posterior spinal fusion using 399 titanium thoracic pedicle screws. Fully contained screw accuracy in patients with coronal plane spinal deformities was less than in patients without coronal plane spinal deformities at T9-T12 (59% vs. 73%, P = 0.04) and overall (42% vs. 62%, P = 0.001). There was no difference between the overall percentages of acceptably positioned screws (< or = 2 mm of medial or < or = 6 mm of lateral pedicle perforation) in patients with coronal plane spinal deformities (98%) versus patients without coronal plane spinal deformities (99%) (P = 0.69). Penetration of the anterior vertebral cortex was more frequent in patients with coronal plane spinal deformities than in those without coronal plane spinal deformities (8.0% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.008). There was no correlation between the accuracy of screw placement and the degree of segmental rotation, screw proximity to the curve apex, or screw position relative to the curve concavity or convexity (P > 0.12). There were no neurologic or vascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: The overall percentage of acceptably positioned screws was 98% in patients with coronal plane spinal deformities and 99% in patients without coronal plane spinal deformities. In patients with coronal plane spinal deformities, penetration of the pedicle wall and the anterior vertebral cortex was increased at T9-T12 and overall.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Barriers to communication between health practitioners and service users who are not fluent in English.

This paper reviews the main barriers to effective communication between practitioners and those service users of minority ethnic backgrounds who may not be fluent in English. Barriers are reviewed at an interpersonal level, concerning discrepancies of attitudes and beliefs, and communication skills. Consideration is given to the impact of organisational factors on practitioner-client communication, focusing on provision of bilingual health workers. A key argument is that practitioner education should enhance the ability of health professionals to reflect on both the individual and organisational aspects of transcultural communication competence.

Communication Barriers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electromyographic investigation of abdominal exercises and the effects of fatigue.

Abdominal exercises are widely used to develop the anterior muscles of the trunk. These exercises can be undertaken without the aid of equipment, but increasingly manufacturers are developing equipment which purportedly enhances the training effect for abdominal muscles. As there are many different products and exercises used for abdominal muscle development, it is likely that some are more effective than others. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of five commonly performed abdominal exercises. A second aim was to investigate the effects of fatigue on these exercises. Five different types of abdominal exercise [standard crunch (sit-up) with bent knees, gym ball crunch, crunch with 5 kg weight held behind the head, legs raised crunch and a commercially manufactured roller crunch] were examined using integrated surface electromyography (IEMG). The lower rectus abdominis (LRA), upper rectus abdominis (URA) and obliquus externus abdominis (EO) of 15 healthy male participants [age (mean +/- SD) 22.2 +/- 6.8 years; height 1.77 +/- 0.06 m; mass 79.3 +/- 10.7 kg] were monitored using a four-channel special purpose EMG data logger. Three trials of each exercise were performed in random order and normalized to enable comparisons between muscles and exercises. At a later date, ten participants were then re-tested when fresh and after a 30 min whole-body fatigue protocol that specifically targeted the abdominal muscles. Two exercises were evaluated, the abdominal roller crunch and legs raised crunch, which were judged to be the least and most effective, respectively, of the five exercises previously used. The normalized IEMG showed significant (p < 0.001) differences between exercises (gym ball crunch = 86.0 +/- 7.5%; legs raised crunch = 79.9 +/- 5.1%; 5 kg weight crunch = 65.1 +/- 13.4%; standard crunch = 56.2 +/- 3.2%; and roller crunch = 45.0 +/- 11.4%). Post-fatigue, the normalized mean IEMG for both exercises increased significantly (p < 0.05) for LRA and URA muscles but not for the EO (p > 0.05). It was concluded that exercises can be constructed to provide a greater challenge to abdominal muscles, commercially available roller-type equipment appears to be little different from the standard abdominal crunch with bent knees, and fatiguing exercise results in the LRA and URA being more highly activated. These findings provide more detailed knowledge and understanding of the effects of different forms of abdominal exercise.

Abdominal Muscles↗