Biomedical subjects

Thomas M Scott

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas M Scott.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

The Supplemental Instruction Project: peer-devised and delivered tutorials.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether student devised and delivered supplemental instruction is beneficial and acceptable to first-year medical students. A student-run Supplemental Instruction Project (SIP) was developed and delivered by second-year medical students and offered free of charge to all first-year medical students at Memorial University of Newfoundland taking the Integrated Study of Disease I course in 1999 and again in 2000. Small-group tutorials focused on subject material that second-year medical students identified as 'difficult'. Five 60- to 90-minute sessions covering topics in cardiology, nephrology and respirology were offered. Student and tutor perceptions about the project were collected using anonymous questionnaires. Students were quizzed before and after each tutorial session. Post-tutorial quiz scores were significantly greater than pre-tutorial scores. Student and tutor perceptions of SIP were positive. It is concluded that the SIP is an acceptable, practical and effective method to supplement delivery of challenging material to first-year medical students.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2003

Ex vivo evaluation of a novel polyiodinated compound for early detection of atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of heart disease and stroke; it is the underlying cause of about 50% of all deaths in Western countries. It is known that early detection of atherosclerotic lesions would significantly reduce the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to develop a radioimaging method for early detection of atherosclerotic plaques. A novel polyiodinated cholesterol analog, cholesteryl 1,3-diiopanoate glyceryl ether (C2I, patent pending), was synthesized and radiolabeled with 125I. 125I-C2I was incorporated into acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL), which is considered to be an atherosclerotic plaque-seeking carrier. 125I-C2I was also prepared as a chylomicron-like emulsion. Transgenic mice deficient in apoE and low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR), known as apoE/LDLR double knockout, were used as an animal model of early atherosclerosis. 125I-C2I/AcLDL or 125I-C2I emulsion was injected into the apoE/LDLR knockout mice via the tail vein, and the mice were killed humanely 24 h after injection. Various tissues including aorta were removed and radioactivity was determined. The aorta samples were also imaged to determine the accumulation of radioactivity from C2I. The images were compared to the atherosclerotic lesions revealed by histological studies. It was found that both 125I-C2I/AcLDL and 125I-C2I emulsion resulted in accumulation of radioactivity at the site of early atherosclerotic lesions, and they therefore may be useful for early detection of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Acetylated low-density lipoprotein-encapsulated cholesteryl 1,3-diiopanoate glyceryl ether for the detection of atherosclerosis in rabbits.

UNLABELLED: A cholesteryl ester analog, cholesteryl 1,3-diiopanoate glyceryl ether (C2I), was synthesized and investigated for its potential use for the detection of atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits. METHODS: (125)I-labeled C2I was incorporated into acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL). The resultant complex, (125)I-C2I-AcLDL, was injected intravenously into 2 groups of rabbits, fed cholesterol and normal chow, at a dose of 555 kBq/kg. Tissue samples were taken 24 h after injection for the biodistribution study. Atherosclerotic lesions and C2I deposition in aortic samples were examined by Sudan IV staining and autoradiography, respectively. RESULTS: The levels of C2I in blood and aortic samples in cholesterol-fed animals were 2- to 3-fold higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The autoradiography results correlated well with the Sudan IV staining results, indicating sites of C2I deposition superimposed on lesion sites. CONCLUSION: C2I was preferentially taken up and retained at atherosclerotic lesion sites, suggesting its potential use for the detection of early atherosclerosis.

Animals↗