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Biomedical subjects

P J Leonard

Publications and source records attributed to P J Leonard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Consciousness-raising groups as a multicultural awareness approach: an experience with counselor trainees.

This article discusses the usefulness of consciousness-raising (CR) groups in the training of multiculturally aware counselors, and provides a description of their use in a graduate course on multicultural and gender issues in counseling. The conceptual framework for this training experience is built on Young's (1992) analysis of oppression, Freire's (1971, 1973) theory of liberating pedagogy, and social constructionist philosophy. Course procedures and several CR activities are described; the training experience is evaluated in terms of student reactions to it and potential dilemmas an instructor might face in using this format for teaching.

Counseling↗

Loss of function mutation in the yeast multiple drug resistance gene PDR5 causes a reduction in chloramphenicol efflux.

The yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) PDR5 gene product encodes a 160-kDa protein related to the large ABC family of transporters, including the human MDR1 multidrug resistance p-glycoprotein. Loss of function mutations in PDR5 result in chloramphenicol hypersensitivity. A pdr5::Tn5 loss of function mutant exhibits a markedly impaired efflux of chloramphenicol compared with that of an isogenic PDR5 (wild-type) control.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

D2O induced alterations of mitosis in PtK1 cells.

Deuterium oxide (D2O) was applied to PtK1 cells to assess its effect on mammalian mitosis. Cells exposed to culture medium containing up to 50% D2O were able to enter and complete mitosis, but the duration of mitosis was increased proportionally to the concentration of D2O applied. Cells exposed to 50% D2O showed increases of more than 300% for the interval between nuclear envelope breakdown and anaphase onset, and approximately 65% for the interval between anaphase onset and initial furrowing. At a concentration of 80%, D2O acted as an inhibitor of mitosis; after 8 h exposure to this concentration, cultures showed an increase in the proportion of mulinucleate cells and an absence of mitotic figures. When applied early in anaphase, 80% D2O effectively slowed chromosome separation, prolonging anaphase for more than 60 min. Normal chromosome motion was restored when medium containing D2O was replaced with control medium. Mitotic chromosomes remained condensed throughout prolonged anaphase intervals. Immunofluoresence examination of spindles stained using a monoclonal anti-tubulin revealed no pronounced increase in microtubule polymerization after exposure of cells to 20-80% D2O.

Anaphase↗

Ratio of urinary 6beta-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in patients with liver disease.

The ratio of 6beta-hydroxycortisol to 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the urine of 73 patients with liver disease, and 53 controls has been measured. The mean ratio was significantly greater in the liver disease group (p less than 0.001), this elevation being most marked among patients with liver metastases and patients with acute hepatitis. We feel that the use of the ratio as a test of early liver cell dysfunction requires further evaluation, in particular in the early recognition of metastatic liver disease.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗

Plasma and urinary luteinizing hormone levels in the diagnosis of endocrine disease.

The diagnostic value of measurements of plasma and urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) has been studied in 209 patients with endocrine disease. In 44 patients puberty was either delayed or had failed to occur. In those with chromosomal abnormalities the LH levels were often within the normal range, whereas those with a pituitary cause usually had low levels. In boys with delayed puberty plasma LH levels rose before physical changes occurred and had prognostic value. In patients with later gonadal failure, men with impotence or infertility, and women with secondary amenorrhoea LH assays proved of little value, although in one case a premature menopause was suspected and six patients with anorexia nervosa had low LH levels.Sixty patients with disorders of the hypothalamicpituitary area were studied. Levels of LH were measured and considered in relation to the other anterior pituitary hormones. Impairment of LH secretion was one of the first effects on hormone production of disease affecting this area, and this was, of course, most readily detected in postmenopausal women.The normal ranges of both plasma and urine LH are wide and there seems to be considerable day-to-day variation, especially of urinary output. Several samples should, therefore, be measured if therapeutic decisions are involved.

Adolescent↗