Biomedical subjects
P Earle
Publications and source records attributed to P Earle.
Direct in situ reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for detection of measles virus.
New methods are described for combined intracellular reverse transcription (RT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using single primer pairs, with direct incorporation of digoxigenin-11-dUTP into amplificants (direct in situ RT/PCR). Routinely used fixatives and minimal pre-treatments were employed. Target sequences of measles virus nucleocapsid (N) and phosphoprotein genes were detected within measles virus infected Vero cells, both in suspension and in formalin-fixed sections, that had been treated by in situ reverse transcription and 30 cycles of direct in situ PCR. Uninfected cells, omission of Taq polymerase, and irrelevant primers were used as controls. Distribution of measles virus within infected cells was determined by in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemistry for measles virus N gene and protein, respectively. Confirmation of amplification within sections was by gel electrophoresis, Southern blotting and sequencing of extracted amplicons. In the majority of cases, measles-infected cells exhibited intense cytoplasmic signal after direct in situ PCR; this was not seen in uninfected cells or infected cells reacted either with irrelevant primers or without Taq polymerase. Unfixed cells in suspension required nested reaction. Measles-specific in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemistry gave an identical signal distribution in sections. Nuclear artifact occurred in some sections and was unpredictable, although it was greatest either in areas of cellular damage, following DNase predigestion, or with vigorous protease pre-treatment. In situ RT-PCR is feasible for measles virus in acutely infected cells both in sections and in suspension. Further work is required to improve the procedure and to eliminate artefactual nuclear signal.
The curability of insanity. A statistical study. 1885.
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Research considerations: nursing home quality perceptions.
1. One of our nation's most challenging health care problems is providing quality care for nursing home residents. Those of us who desire to evaluate and to improve the quality of care provided in a nursing home must attempt to define quality in specific terms, even though it is a product of many factors. 2. Ideally, there should be congruence between resident and staff perceptions of the importance and occurrence of indicators of quality in a nursing home setting. However, minimal to moderate congruence of perceptions was found in this study. 3. The fact that the majority of 30 residents in two nursing homes considered these 17 quality indicators to be important further validates them as markers of the quality of care in nursing homes. Use of a comprehensive quality assurance process that includes some or all of these indicators for evaluating and improving care in nursing homes could demonstrate a real commitment to quality that would go beyond only responding to the requirements of consumers and external regulators.
Profile of hospital governance: a report from the nation's hospitals.
During the 1980s, hospital governing boards struggled to solve a host of new and difficult problems while attempting to meet the needs of their communities. As we enter the last decade of the 20th century, different challenges lie ahead. To meet these challenges, hospital boards must first understand their various responsibilities. The results of this survey will provide a starting point to understand how hospitals are currently dealing with issues such as governing board composition and organization, board/CEO relations, and governing board operations. (Future articles in Trustee will focus on individual aspects of the survey.) In so doing, readers may begin to unlock the key to increased effectiveness.