Characterization and screening for mutations of the growth arrest-specific 11 (GAS11) and C16orf3 genes at 16q24.3 in breast cancer

Loss of heterozygosity involving the long arm of chromosome 16 is a frequent event seen in a number of human carcinomas, including breast, prostate, hepatocellular, and ovarian cancers. A region found to be commonly deleted in breast and prostate carcinomas is located at 16q24.3, which suggests the presence of a tumor suppressor gene that may be altered in these two malignancies. A detailed physical and transcription map of this region that includes the loci defining the smallest region of deletion has been constructed. This report describes the characterization of a transcript located in this region, the growth arrest-specific 11 (GAS11) gene, which was viewed as a potential tumor suppressor gene due to the expression of its mouse homolog specifically during growth arrest. The gene consists of 11 exons spanning approximately 25 kb. Northern blot analysis identified two ubiquitously expressed mRNAs of 3.4 and 1.8 kb produced by the use of alternative polyadenylation sites. Another gene, C16orf3 (chromosome 16 open reading frame 3), was found to lie within intron 2 of GAS11. This gene appears intronless, is transcribed in the orientation opposite to that of GAS11, and is expressed at low levels. These genes were examined for mutations in breast tumor DNA, and both were excluded as tumor suppressor genes involved in breast cancer.

Changing nursing practice--trisectoral collaboration in decision making

In an age of cost containment, agency partnerships have become an essential element for future planning and program implementation. This paper describes a trisectoral collaboration of a hospital, health department, university and school of nursing to compare the efficacy and efficiency of referral decisions of hospital staff nurses to those of the public health liaison nurses (LNs). A process to identify decision criteria was undertaken and an educational programme was designed to assist the staff nurses with the referral process and to assure consistency of decision making. The two groups were then compared. The results of the study found staff nurses, using the decision criteria, identified more patients who required public health nursing visits than did the liaison nurses, refusal rate of the patients to participate was no different, staff nurses cost less than LNs and job satisfaction was not significantly altered for either group. In addition to providing information to guide administrative and clinical decision making, the project also provided a learning experience for the staff of three agencies in conducting research and in using evidence-based practice to change traditional practice.

Transforming people: creating a superteam

The participative management literature, particularly that which focuses on self-managing teams or Superteams has much to offer to the changing scene in health care today. These concepts and their value to health care and nursing are illustrated through describing an emerging Superteam formed by the authors for a specific project. This transformation has the potential to yield many important benefits for both staff and management.

Comparison of liaison and staff nurses in discharge referrals of postpartum patients for public health nursing follow-up

The purpose of this study was to compare hospital staff nurses to public health liaison nurses in the accuracy and cost of postpartum referrals for public health nursing follow-up in the community. In the before phase of the study, public health liaison nurses assessed 304 mothers to determine the need for a follow-up visit by the public health nurse. In the after phase, staff nurses assessed 326 mothers. Public health nurses, unaware of the identity of the referring nurse and the referral decision, judged whether their visit had been required. Staff nurses correctly identified a higher proportion of referrals requiring public health nurse follow-up than liaison nurses. Although they referred more clients who did not require a public health nurse visit, costs of referrals by staff nurses remained lower.

2D Image Sensing Arrays with NIP Diodes

2D image sensor arrays made with a-Si devices on glass over large area are of considerable interest as document scanners and in medical applications. We have made a test array containing a-Si NIP diodes for both the sensors and the active matrix switching devices. The issues of vertical crosstalk and image lag are discussed in relation to the device performance of the switching diode. The vertical crosstalk is controlled by the diode capacitance and the image lag by the high transient current in the device. We speculate that the transient current is a trap filling current in the deep states of the switching diode.

Evaluation of the reorganization of a public health nursing division

From 1986 to 1988, the Nursing Division of the Hamilton-Wentworth Department of Public Health Services undertook an analysis of our present organizational structure, incorporating knowledge from current literature, community trends and staff perceptions. From this analysis, a division-wide reorganization was implemented from the current practice in which the Public Health Nurse (PHN) delivered nursing care across all ages and stages (generalist role) to one organized by target populations. These events were described in an earlier article. As part of the plan for reorganization, the nurse management team implemented an evaluation process which included five components: 1) an internal staff survey; 2) an external agency survey; 3) a program-specific activity analysis; 4) a program-specific measure of knowledge change and; 5) a longitudinal job satisfaction survey. This article describes this evaluation and presents implications for the future.

Organizing public health nursing for the 1990s: generalist or specialist

Since the 1930s, Public Health Nurses (PHNs) have been deployed in most health units in Canada to provide community-based care for all people living in defined geographical areas. PHNs have provided nursing services for all ages and stages for a variety of health and illness states. A literature review and a systematic analysis of the internal and external factors affecting Public Health Nursing practice in this community led to a recommendation to assign nurses to specific target populations (e.g. parent-child, school, adolescent, adult, seniors) instead of assigning responsibility for all health problems in a geographic location. We describe the processes of assessment, analysis, planning and implementation of the change from geographic assignment to target population assignment for Public Health Nurses.

Community health nursing audit: issues encountered during the selection and application of an audit instrument

Several issues were encountered by nurse-managers in a community agency while implementing an audit of community health nursing charts. They included the following: (1) what is the purpose of the audit? (2) are the required resources available to implement the audit process? (3) what is the selection process for charts to be audited? (4) how many charts have to be audited? (5) is the audit tool based on relevant and measurable criteria and standards? (6) have the measurement properties of the audit tool been determined, including validity and reliability? The validity, reliability, and weighting of scores of the Craig audit tool are explored. Results of an assessment of this tool's reliability are presented.

Criteria map: potential for skin breakdown--a quality assurance tool for use in any setting

An interagency group of nurses from five Hamilton, Ontario-area hospitals and community agencies developed a criteria map with a branching format to evaluate the potential for skin breakdown and to link patient characteristics to care decisions and outcomes of care. An existing criteria map originally intended for use solely in long term care settings was modified and tested by the group for additional use in acute care and community settings. The criteria map includes a reviewer's instruction manual and data collection summary forms. The map was tested for feasibility and interrater reliability and was proven to be a versatile, easy-to-use QA tool that can stimulate change in clinical and organizational practices.