Search

Patrick Tam's research is focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of body patterning during mouse development. He agreed to be interviewed by Development to talk about his interest in mouse development, new concepts in gastrulation, X-linked diseases and his dream of an African safari. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the shortage of nurses in developing countries and in India in particular. It notes that developing countries are unable to offer competitive employment packages to nurses who accept jobs in developed countries. A World Bank report on nursing shortages in Caribbean countries and Latin America indicates that nurse-patient ratios are 10 times less there than they are in the U.S. and the European Union. International Council of Nurses Nurse Delegation Programme director Deena Nardi is cited regarding migration of nurses from Caribbean countries to developed countries.

The article discusses the relationship between poor sanitation and the spread of disease and cultural obstacles to providing subsidized toilets in areas of developing countries that need them. The United Nations millennium goals for improved sanitation are noted. Founder Jack Sim of the World Toilet Organization is cited regarding his perception of a lack of demand for toilets within developing countries, despite demands for clean drinking water. World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) targets for introducing improved sanitation methods are compared with achievements realized to date.

The article discusses research on the role of activated protein C in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It references the study "Activated Protein C Therapy Slows ALS-Like Disease in Mice by Transcriptionally Inhibiting SOD1 in Motor Neurons and Microglia Cells," by Berislave Zlokovic et al published in a 2009 issue of "Journal of Clinical Investigation." It has found that APC crosses blood-spinal cord barrier and postpone microglial activation. It also downregulates SOD1 gene in microglial cells, microvessels and motor neurons.

The article discusses so-called supported self-care for patients with chronic conditions in Great Britain. It describes a telemedicine programme that assists patients in making decisions about seeing or asking questions of their general practitioners. The system is designed to help patients with illnesses including diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. It notes assistance given to patient Beryl Keating and it cites Pfizer Health Solutions division head John Proctor regarding care management provided by Birmingham OwnHealth.

The article discusses research on pesticides as environmental factor in Parkinson disease (PD). It references the study "Elevated Serum Pesticide Levels and Risk of Parkinson Disease," by Jason Richardson et al published in a 2009 issue of "Archives of Neurology." They found that exposure to pesticide β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) increases the risk of PD based on measurement of organochlorine pesticide levels in the blood of PD patients. They add that some of the 50 PD patients had very high exposure to multiple persistent pesticides.

The article discusses research on the effectiveness of test your memory (TYM) in detecting Alzheimer disease (AD) and other dementia. It references the study "Self Administered Cognitive Screening Test (TYM) for Detection of Alzheimer's Disease: Cross-Sectional Study," by Jeremy Brown et al, published in the 2009 issue of "British Medical Journal." The implementation of TYM requires minimum supervision and it tests 10 cognitive skills. The study showed that TYM has many advantages compared with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

The article discusses the improved patient outcome associated with statin therapy for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). It references a study by Ronen R. Leker et al published in the periodical "Stroke." The study focused on information obtained the National Acute Stroke Israeli Surveys (NASIS). Patients receiving statins at the time of ICH were found to have lower severity of stroke, reduced mortality and fewer systemic complications compared to those who were not given statins.

The article discusses an innovative technique to measure the density of autonomic nerve fibers that innervate sweat glands. It references a study by C. H. Gibbons et al. published in a 2009 issue of "Neurology." Researcher Roy Freeman explains that such nerve fibers is significant in the predisposition to foot ulceration and impaired wound healing in diabetic neuropathy. According to Freeman, quantification of sweat gland nerve fiber density (SGNFD) will complement the intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) technique.

The article discusses research on the ability of spinal cord stimulation as alternative to electrical deep-brain stimulation (DBS) to restore movements in mice and rats with Parkinson disease. It references a study by Romulo Fuentes et al published in the 2009 issue of "Science." It has found that patterns in the primary motor complex and dorsolateral striatum were restored in animals that received spinal cord stimulation and DBS. The study revealed that spinal cord stimulation combined with lower doses of levodopa renew motor functions.

The article discusses the aims of the James Lind Library to provide information via the Internet on clinical trials and results in accessible, simple terminology in multiple languages. To introduce the need for fair and understandable clinical trials, the article notes statistics on cot deaths of babies that later research attributed to Dr. Benjamin Spock's unfounded advice to put babies to sleep on their stomachs. It notes the 100-page book "Testing Treatments" that contains essays on clinical tests and that can be downloaded in Arabic, English, Spanish, and Chinese.

The article refers to Great Britain's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It notes that the health care needs of people with mental health disorders need added attention. It describes cases where the existing medical system failed in its treatment of mentally disabled patients. It notes the possible role that patient discrimination plays in treating mentally-disturbed patients. It also speaks of the changes that are needed in doctor-patient communication to ensure proper medical treatment.