The development and evaluation of Student Training, Education and Practice for Dietetics CD-ROM: a computer-assisted instruction programme for dietetic students

The Student Training, Education and Practice for Dietetics (STEP‐DIET) CD‐ROM was developed at the University of Surrey to prepare dietetic students for the practical dietetic training component of their Nutrition/Dietetics degree. This study aimed to evaluate student response to the programme and its effectiveness as a teaching tool, based on the evaluation framework of D.L. Kirkpatrick (Evaluating a Course, 2nd edn. London, Kogan Page). Quantitative and qualitative methodologies were employed, with 41 dietetic students, separated by year group, completing questionnaires and taking part in six focus groups, at the University of Surrey. Student attitudes towards the instruction method and the STEP‐DIET programme itself were investigated, in conjunction with their perceived learning achievements. Students rated the programme highly in terms of design and content, however, there was a reluctance to accept computer‐assisted instruction (CAI) as a sole teaching method. A number of learning achievements relevant to dietetic practice were reported including a perceived increase in ability to conduct a dietetic interview and an increased understanding of the management of Type 2 diabetes. In general students reacted positively to the STEP‐DIET programme and it was perceived by students to be effective in preparing them for the practical component of their dietetic training.     

间歇性低氧训练对男子赛艇运动员大负荷训练期间生理机能的影响

目的:探讨在大负荷训练期间进行间歇性低氧训练对男子赛艇运动员生理机能的影响。方法:12名男子赛艇运动员分成低氧组和对照组,低氧组在赛前大负荷训练期间进行为期4周、每周5天、每天1小时的间歇性低氧训练,其余日常训练两组相同。实验期间每周测试运动员的睡眠质量、耐缺氧能力以及血红蛋白、血尿素、肌酸激酶等指标。结果:4周间歇性低氧训练后,低氧组运动员血红蛋白含量显著高于对照组,血尿素水平和肌酸激酶活性显著低于对照组;低氧组在耐缺氧实验中血氧饱和度显著高于对照组,心率显著低于对照组;低氧组睡眠质量指标得分显著低于对照组。结论:间歇性低氧训练可以提高男子赛艇运动员大负荷训练期间的耐缺氧能力,改善睡眠质量,间接促进机体在承受大负荷训练负荷时的恢复能力。     

不同强度运动后大鼠心肌细胞热休克蛋白72mRNA的表达

目的 :探讨不同运动强度和持续时间运动对大鼠心肌细胞热休克蛋白 72mRNA表达的影响。方法 :分别使SD大鼠进行低强度 (6 0 %VO2 max)、中等强度 (75 %VO2 max)和高强度 (85 %VO2 max)跑台运动 1天、2天和 3天 ,在末次运动结束后 2 4小时以RT -PCR法检测大鼠心肌细胞热休克蛋白 72mRNA的表达。结果 :在安静情况下大鼠心肌细胞存在HSP72mRNA的基础结构性表达 ;低强度运动 1天后心肌细胞HSP72mRNA表达与对照组相比无显著性差异 ,但随着运动时间的延长 ,HSP72mRNA表达逐渐增加 ;中等强度运动后心肌细胞HSP72mRNA表达随运动持续时间的延长显著增加 ,但运动 2天和 3天组表达量无显著性差异 ;大强度运动后心肌细胞HSP72mRNA表达随运动持续时间的延长显著增加。结论 :运动可以造成心肌细胞HSP72mRNA的表达增加 ,不同强度运动诱导心肌细胞HSP 72mRNA表达程度不同 ,且与运动持续时间存在内在关系。     

Changes in muscle morphology in dialysis patients after 6 months of aerobic exercise training.

BACKGROUND: In the present study we investigated the effect of a 6-month aerobic exercise programme on the morphology of the gastrocnemius muscle of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHODS: Twenty-four ESRD patients volunteered to participate in the training programme and underwent muscle biopsy before training. Eighteen patients completed the training programme of whom nine agreed to a post-training biopsy (one woman and eight men, mean age 56 +/- 15 years). Data are presented for the nine subjects who were biopsied before (PRE) and after training (POST) and separately for the 15 subjects for whom we only have a biopsy before training (cross-sectional group). RESULTS: There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in fibre type distribution or myosin heavy chain (MyHC) expression between the cross-sectional and PRE/POST groups. The mean cross-section fibre area after training (POST) increased by 46% compared with the PRE training status (P < 0.01). The proportion of atrophic fibres decreased significantly after training in type I, IIa and IIx fibre populations (from 51 to 15%, 58 to 21% and 62 to 32%, respectively). Significant differences were also found in capillary contact per fibre (CC/F), with the muscle having 24% (P < 0.05) more CC/F compared with the PRE training status. No significant differences in cytochrome c oxidase concentration were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, exercise appeared to be beneficial in renal rehabilitation by correcting the fibre atrophy, increasing the cross-section fibre area and improving the capillarization in the skeletal muscle of renal failure patients.     

Utilization of care in haemophilia: a resource-based method for cost analysis from the Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS)

Summary.  The Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS) was created 10 years ago to examine the annual utilization and cost of haemophilia-related healthcare services. Retrospective chart reviews for 336 patients with haemophilia A receiving treatment in one of five comprehensive haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) during 1995 were completed through interview of the provider. This method provided adequate collection of data from patient charts without the abstractor having direct access to patient health information. Utilization data were used to impute the costs of different components of care (e.g. physician visits, factor VIII concentrate, emergency room, hospitalization). The total annual cost of care was $139 102 (SD $304 033). Factor VIII concentrate costs comprised the largest proportion of these costs; mean factor VIII concentrate use was 128 517 units per patient per year. Unbilled physician utilization accounted for 7.8% of the mean total physician costs per annum, while mean allied healthcare costs accounted for 33.5% of the total annual allied healthcare costs per patient. In the ordinary least-squares regression model, higher costs were associated with severe factor VIII deficiency, arthropathy, more comorbid conditions, an inhibitor to factor VIII concentrate, infusing through a port and prophylaxis. Although factor VIII concentrate is the most costly component, the treatment of haemophilia uses many healthcare resources. HUGS has demonstrated that patient clinical characteristics and physician practices predominantly drive the costs of haemophilia care. Specifically, patients with more severe arthropathy had greater healthcare costs. As future funding decisions are made, it is important to provide for all components of care.     

Allergic contact dermatitis from grasses

This study attempts to demonstrate the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from grass, and to develop a patch test series to screen patients with grass intolerance. 6 common grass species from lawns and military training areas were collected. Solvent extracts of polar. non-polar and volatile fractions were prepared and used for patch testing in 20 control subjects and 46 patients with a history of grass intolerance. The 20 control had negative responses to patch testing. 5 out of 46 patients had positive patch tests to Axonopus compressus (carpet grass). Ischaenmum muticum (sea-shore centipede grass). Imperata evlindrica (lalang). Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) and Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass). Reactions to the non-polar fraction for all 5 species were noted. This study demonstrates the existence of allergic contact dermatitis from various common species of grass. In our series, this is seen in 11% of those with a history of grass intolerance.     

The Hampshire Depression Project: development and piloting of clinical practice guidelines and education about depression in primary health care

This paper describes the development and piloting of a comprehensive educational programme about recognition and management of depressive illness in primary care. Full evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme is currently underway in a randomized controlled trial, the Hampshire Depression Project (HDP), involving 56 general practices. The programme consists of clinical practice guidelines, practice-based seminars and follow-up sessions. Each part of the programme has been designed to be flexible, clinically oriented and relevant to all members of the multidisciplinary primary care team. The pilot study established the need for a systematic approach to the access of practices and practice teams, and the organization and process of the seminars. Application of this approach was associated with excellent attendance in the main programme.     

Introducing expert systems to medical students using esta, Expert System Teaching Aid

Medical students are allocated little curriculum time for exposure to expert systems. ESTA, a computer model of an expert system, was developed to make best use of this time. The nature of the students' interaction with ESTA is described, and their reactions to the expert system concepts and the place of expert systems in medicine are presented. A discussion of these reactions draws some conclusions about teaching expert systems in particular, and computers in general, in the basic medical course.     

Eight years'' experience with a structured clinical examination

A structured clinical examination has been an integral component of the final-year examinations conducted by the Departments of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Adelaide for the last 8 years. It has been used as an alternative to the traditional clinical examination. This paper describes the results of ongoing student and examiner surveys carried out to determine their views and satisfaction with this new approach. It also briefly discusses the feasibility of introducing such an examination into a conventional medical school environment. The surveys showed a remarkable level of acceptance and support by both students and examiners. This positive reaction has been maintained over the 8-year period. The main reasons seem to be its perceived relevance and fairness. Students also appear to be directing their learning in a direction thought desirable by teachers. No significant problems have been encountered with the practical implementation of the method.     

新兵基础训练期间过劳性损伤的前瞻性研究

目的：查明我军基础训练中过劳性损伤的发病情况及分布特征。