Evaluation of a mass dispensing exercise in a Cities Readiness Initiative setting.

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of a point of dispensing (POD) used in a mass dispensing exercise was evaluated. METHODS: Public Health-Seattle & King County (PHSKC), in conjunction with the University of Washington, conducted a functional exercise of mass dispensing plans to test the effectiveness of a POD. Specifically, the organization and maintenance of patient flow, staffing model, signage, and dissemination of public information were evaluated. A data collection application using cellular telephones was used to record time and patient flow data to evaluate patient flow. Questionnaires distributed to staff and volunteer patients at the end of the exercise obtained feedback regarding the setup, organization, and operations of the POD. RESULTS: The POD was operational for approximately 68 minutes. The majority of POD staff reported feeling comfortable with their specific job tasks and duties within 15 minutes of opening the doors to the POD to the public. Staff questionnaires also revealed a high level of self-reported confidence in their ability and in the ability of their colleagues to perform the job-specific responsibilities required of them or respond to this hypothetical event. The majority of volunteer patients found the signs helpful and easy to follow and the check-in form easy to complete. Despite efforts to provide patients with oral and written information about the medications being dispensed, only 80% indicated that they knew how to take the medication, and only 73% reported understanding the medication instructions for all the individuals for whom they picked up medication. CONCLUSION: The majority of volunteer patients and staff who participated in a functional exercise of mass dispensing plans found the POD to be effective. Time-flow analysis provided preliminary estimates of the total amount of time needed to complete the dispensing process for each head of household.     

Translocation t(6;14) as the Sole Chromosomal Abnormality in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Base of Tongue

We present an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the base of tongue in a 48-year-old male with a restricted chromosomal alteration by cytogenetic and spectral karyotypic analysis (SKY). SKY and G-banding analyses identified the t(6;14)(q25;q13) as the sole structural aberration in all metaphases analyzed. This finding supports a critical role for this event in the development of this tumor. The implications of chromosome 6q translocation in this case and in previously reported adenoid cystic carcinomas are highlighted and discussed.     

Retinal dehydrogenase-2 is inhibited by compounds that induce congenital diaphragmatic hernias in rodents

Currently, the etiology of the serious developmental anomaly congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is unknown. We have used an animal model of CDH to address this issue. We characterized four separate teratogens that produced diaphragmatic defects in embryonic rats that are similar to those in infants with CDH. We then tested the hypothesis that all these agents share the common mechanism of perturbing the retinoid-signaling pathway. Specifically, inhibition of retinal dehydrogenase-2 (RALDH2), a key enzyme necessary for the production of retinoic acid and that is expressed in the developing diaphragm, was assayed by measuring retinoic acid production in cytosolic extracts from an oligodendrocyte cell line. The following compounds all induce posterolateral defects in the rat diaphragm; nitrofen, 4-biphenyl carboxylic acid, bisdiamine, and SB-210661. Importantly, we demonstrate that they all share the common mechanism of inhibiting RALDH2. These data provide an important component of mounting evidence suggesting that the retinoid system warrants consideration in future studies of the etiology of CDH.