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National Meeting (national + meeting)
Selected AbstractsCritical issues series: Summaries from climate change presentationsENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 3 2002Article first published online: 20 APR 200 The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) debuted its Critical Issues Series, which is "designed to establish dialogue between and among people and organizations with differing views," at the Spring National Meeting in New Orleans last March. The initial installment was entitled "Energy and a Sustainable Planet," and featured presentations on Climate Change, Alternative Energy Options, and the Viability of Nuclear Power. Below are brief summaries from three other talks given at the session on climate change. You can view a Webcast of these presentations at http://aiche.digiscript.com/. [source] Towards a predictive understanding of belowground process responses to climate change: have we moved any closer?FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Elise Pendall Summary 1Belowground processes, including root production and exudation, microbial activity and community dynamics, and biogeochemical cycling interact to help regulate climate change. Feedbacks associated with these processes, such as warming-enhanced decomposition rates, give rise to major uncertainties in predictions of future climate. 2Uncertainties associated with these processes are more likely to be reduced if two key challenges can be met: increasing interdisciplinarity among researchers, and measuring belowground ecosystem structure and function at relevant spatial and temporal scales. For instance, recognizing the relationship between belowground primary production and soil respiration enhances modelling of global-scale C cycle temperature responses. At the opposite end of the spectrum, applying genomic techniques at the scale of microns improves mechanistic understanding of root,microbe interactions. 3Progress has been made in understanding interactions of belowground processes with climate change, although challenges remain. We highlight some of these advances and provide directions for key research needs in this Special Feature of Functional Ecology, which results from a symposium that was convened at the Soil Science Society of America National Meeting in November, 2006. [source] Using computers to teach biochemistryBIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 3 2002Joyce P. Whitehead Abstract This paper describes a symposium entitled "Using Computers to Teach Biochemistry," which was presented at the fall, 2001 National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Chicago, IL. The use of computers has increased in all areas of chemical education; however, the visualization capabilities needed to convey some aspects of biochemistry are quite complex, so the upward trend in the use of computers for this purpose has been especially significant. The various speakers in this symposium discussed the use of a wide range of instructional technologies, including presentation software, Chime, online data exercises, interactive visualization tools, self-designed tutorial programs, and bioinformatics. [source] Advances in Cell Culture Process Development: Tools and Techniques for Improving Cell Line Development and Process OptimizationBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2008Susan T. Sharfstein At the 234th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, held in Boston, MA, August 19,23, 2007, the ACS BIOT division held two oral sessions on Cell Culture Process Development. In addition, a number of posters were presented in this area. The critical issues facing cell culture process development today are how to effectively respond to the increase in product demands and decreased process timelines while maintaining robust process performance and product quality and responding to the Quality by Design initiative promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration. Two main areas were addressed in the presentations: first, to understand the effects of process conditions on productivity and product quality, and second, to achieve improved production cell lines. A variety of techniques to achieve these goals were presented, including automated flow cytometric analysis, a high-throughput cell analysis and selection method, transcriptional and epigenetic techniques for analysis of cell lines and cell culture systems, and novel techniques for glycoform analysis. [source] Review article: the treatment of hepatitis C virus recurrence after liver transplantationALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2007R. R. ARJAL Summary Background Recurrent hepatitis C represents a major challenge for the liver transplant community. Given the potentially significant impact that hepatitis C recurrence has on graft and patient survival, several treatment strategies have been utilized to prevent/slow the progression to hepatitis C-related graft failure. Aim To review the efficacy and applicability of treatment strategies for managing recurrent hepatitis C. Methods Search of MEDLINE (1990 to December 2006) and national meeting abstracts. Search terms included hepatitis C, liver transplantation, treatment, sustained virological response (SVR), and end of treatment virological response. An emphasis was placed on randomized trials. Results The largest study of treatment prior to liver transplantation (n = 124) achieved SVR in 24%. Eight randomized trials (n = 383) examined the efficacy of preemptive therapy with SVR ranging from 0,33%. Eligibility for treatment was low and dose reduction common. Four randomized trials (n = 245; all abstracts) have reported SVR from 33,42% for treating those with histological evidence of recurrent disease. Conclusions Therapies for treating hepatitis C recurrence have limited applicability and tolerability, and they have a low SVR. Based on available results, preemptive therapy is not recommended. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin is currently the preferred choice for treating established recurrence. There is an urgent need for safer and more effective anti-viral therapy in this situation. [source] Increasing the pool of academically oriented African-American medical and surgical oncologists,,§CANCER, Issue S1 2003Lisa A. Newman M.D., M.P.H. Abstract BACKGROUND In the United States, breast cancer mortality rates are significantly higher among African-American women than among women of other ethnic backgrounds. Research efforts to evaluate the socioeconomic, environmental, biologic, and genetic mechanisms explaining this disparity are needed. METHODS Data regarding patterns in the ethnic distribution of physicians and oncologists were accumulated from a review of the literature and by contacting cancer-oriented professional societies. This information was evaluated by participants in a national meeting, "Summit Meeting Evaluating Research on Breast Cancer in African American Women." Results of the data collection and the conference discussion are summarized. RESULTS Ethnic minority specialists are underrepresented in academic medicine in general, and in the field of oncology in particular. This fact is unfortunate because ethnic minority students are more likely to express a commitment to providing care to medically underserved communities and, thus, they need to be better represented in these professions. Correcting these patterns of underrepresentation may favorably influence the design and implementation of culturally and ethnically sensitive research. CONCLUSIONS Efforts to improve the ethnic diversity of oncology specialists should begin at the level of recruiting an ethnically diverse premed and medical student population. These recruitment efforts should place an emphasis on the value of mentoring. Cancer 2003;97(1 Suppl):329,34. Published 2003 by the American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11027 [source] The 2005 national meeting at Ponte Vedra: A great meeting and a very good sign for the futureCATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 1 2005Barry F. Uretsky MD, FSCAI First page of article [source] Characteristics of Emergency Medicine Program DirectorsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2 2006Michael S. Beeson MD Objectives: To characterize emergency medicine (EM) program directors (PDs) and compare the data, where possible, with those from other related published studies. Methods: An online survey was e-mailed in 2002 to all EM PDs of programs that were approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education. The survey included questions concerning demographics, work hours, support staff, potential problems and solutions, salary and expenses, and satisfaction. Results: One hundred nine of 124 (88%) PDs (69.7% university, 27.5% community, and 2.8% military) completed the survey; 85.3% were male. Mean age was 43.6 years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 42.6 to 44.7 yr). The mean time as a PD was 5.7 years (95% CI = 4.9 to 6.5 yr), with 56% serving five years or less. The mean time expected to remain as PD is an additional 6.0 years (95% CI = 5.2 to 6.8). A 1995 study noted that 50% of EM PDs had been in the position for less than three years, and 68% anticipated continuing in their position for less than five years. On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), the mean satisfaction with the position of PD was 8.0 (95% CI = 7.2 to 8.3). Those PDs who stated that the previous PD had mentored them planned to stay a mean of 2.0 years longer than did those who were not mentored (95% CI of difference of means = 0.53 to 3.53). Sixty-five percent of PDs had served previously as an associate PD. Most PDs (92%) have an associate or assistant PD, with 54% reporting one; 25%, two; and 9%, three associate or assistant PDs. A 1995 study noted that 62% had an associate PD. Ninety-two percent have a program coordinator, and 35% stated that they have both a residency secretary and a program coordinator. Program directors worked a median of 195 hours per month: clinical, 75 hours; scholarly activity, 20 hours; administrative, 80 hours; and teaching and residency conferences, 20 hours; compared with a median total hours of 220 previously reported. Lack of adequate time to do the job required, career needs interfering with family needs, and lack of adequate faculty help with residency matters were identified as the most important problems (means of 3.5 [95% CI = 3.2 to 3.7], 3.4 [95% CI = 3.2 to 3.6], and 3.1 [95% CI = 2.9 to 3.3], respectively, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as maximum). This study identified multiple resources that were found to be useful by >50% of PDs, including national meetings, lectures, advice from others, and self-study. Conclusions: Emergency medicine PDs generally are very satisfied with the position of PD, perhaps because of increased support and resources. Although PD turnover remains an issue, PDs intend to remain in the position for a longer period of time than noted before this study. This may reflect the overall satisfaction with the position as well as the increased resources and support now available to the PD. PDs have greater satisfaction if they have been mentored for the position. [source] Review article: medical management of the liver transplant recipient , a primer for non-transplant doctorsALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2007A. SETHI Summary Background Survival 10 years after orthotopic liver transplantation now approaches 65%. Consequently, community doctors must manage the metabolic and neoplastic complications of orthotopic liver transplantation in an ageing population. Aims To review common sources of morbidity and mortality in long-term orthotopic liver transplantation recipients, and to make evidence-based recommendations regarding their management. Methods Pertinent studies and reviews were identified by literature search through PubMed. Where evidence-based recommendations could not be gleaned from the literature, expert opinion was obtained from syllabi of national meetings. Results The two most common causes of morbidity and mortality in orthotopic liver transplantation recipients are atherosclerotic vascular disease and de novo malignancy. The pathogenesis of many complications begins before orthotopic liver transplantation, and many are potentially modifiable. Most complications, however, can be directly ascribed to immunosuppressive agents. Despite improvements in our understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the metabolic and neoplastic complications of orthotopic liver transplantation, remarkably few randomized-controlled studies exist to define their optimal management. Conclusions Orthotopic liver transplantation recipients experience and succumb to the same afflictions of old age as non-transplant patients, but with greater frequency and at an earlier age. Most recommendations regarding surveillance for, and treatment of, medical complications of orthotopic liver transplantation remain based upon expert opinion rather than evidence-based medicine. [source] A brief history of the Human Biology Association: 1974,2004AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Michael A. Little Originally incorporated as the Human Biology Council in 1974, the Human Biology Association, as it has been known since 1994, has matured in the intervening 30 years to become a society that represents broadly the interests of human biologists in the U.S. and throughout the world. The purpose of this paper is to trace the development of the Association from its foundation to the present in the context of changes in the organization of the Association and in its By-Laws, officers, committees, and membership; the history of the two journals that served as the Association's official organs (Human Biology and American Journal of Human Biology); and how the annual meetings have evolved from a modest one-day plenary session to meetings that last more than two days and include a variety of scientific contributions. Highlights of the national meetings include the Raymond Pearl Memorial Lecture, the Franz Boas Distinguished Achievement Award, and the Edward E. Hunt, Jr. Student Prize. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 17:141,154, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Toward Vocabulary Control for Chief ComplaintACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008Stephanie W. Haas PhD Abstract The chief complaint (CC) is the data element that documents the patient's reason for visiting the emergency department (ED). The need for a CC vocabulary has been acknowledged at national meetings and in multiple publications, but to our knowledge no groups have specifically focused on the requirements and development plans for a CC vocabulary. The national consensus meeting "Towards Vocabulary Control for Chief Complaint" was convened to identify the potential uses for ED CC and to develop the framework for CC vocabulary control. The 10-point consensus recommendations for action were 1) begin to develop a controlled vocabulary for CC, 2) obtain funding, 3) establish an infrastructure, 4) work with standards organizations, 5) address CC vocabulary characteristics for all user communities, 6) create a collection of CC for research, 7) identify the best candidate vocabulary for ED CCs, 8) conduct vocabulary validation studies, 9) establish beta test sites, and 10) plan publicity and marketing for the vocabulary. [source] | |||||||||||||