Staffing shortfall plagues radiation oncology.

Canada's radiation oncologists say a staffing crisis looms within their specialty. A growing number of cancer patients means resources are being stretched, doctors are facing additional stress and waiting lists are becoming longer. "I see no way that we can conceive of meeting our needs by 2000," says Dr.

Elucidation of structural abnormalities of the X chromosome using fluorescence in situ hybridisation with a Y chromosome painting probe.

Particular regions of the X and Y chromosomes share DNA sequence homology to the extent that cross hybridisation occurs. Thus, chromosome painting with a whole Y chromosome probe consistently results in fluorescence on specific regions of the X chromosome as well as the complete Y chromosome. This phenomenon has been exploited to elucidate the structure of unusual X chromosome rearrangements, without Y involvement, in two females.

Health belief systems in perspective.

The author adopts a critical stance toward the assumptions, beliefs and behaviours underlying western biomedical tradition as it is enacted within the health care arena, in this paper. On the basis of a cross-cultural comparison of how health belief systems depict the nature of health, the nature of illness and the role of healers, this paper will analyse the degree to which traditions other than western biomedicine seem to influence much of our decision making and behaviour as practitioners and recipients of health care. Thus, locating our relationship to biomedical thought within the context of non-dominant belief systems provides an unusual angle from which to evaluate critically the way we think and behave.

A nursing model in action: the University of British Columbia experience.

At the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Nursing, a model building challenge in the early 1970s launched 2 decades of model development and application projects. In this paper, selected creative applications will illustrate the utility of a nursing model beyond its explicit direction for clinical practice decision-making. The UBC Model for Nursing had been applied as a basis for curriculum development and teaching strategies in a baccalaureate programme as well as a foundation for nursing administrative decisions in a variety of clinical agencies.

The experience of dyspnea in late-stage cancer. Patients' and nurses' perspectives.

We examined the phenomenon of dyspnea during the last weeks of life as it is experienced by patients with cancer and understood by the nurses providing their care. The literature on late-stage cancer suggests a discrepancy between the prevalence of this symptom and the degree to which it is considered clinically significant. Using a range of descriptive and interpretive approaches, we sought to interpret that discrepancy through an understanding of how patients and nurses interpret the nature and meaning of this serious and distressing symptom.

Effects of pressure on glucose transport in human erythrocytes.

The operation of the human red cell glucose transporter has been studied at normal and high hydrostatic pressure to identify the step(s) which involve a volume change. Pressure inhibited zero-trans and equilibrium exchange influx to similar extents, by decreasing the Vmax but not significantly changing the Km. The Bmax and Kd of specific [3H]cytochalasin B binding were unaffected by pressure indicating no change to the number or affinity of functional transporters at pressure.

Malignant clear cell hidradenoma: a case report and literature review.

Malignant clear cell hidradenoma is an uncommon variant of sweat gland tumors. Histological sections show lobulated masses and anastomising cords of cells which were polygonal to slightly fusiform in appearance. Most of the cells have bland appearing ovoid nuclei with slightly eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm.

Atypical chondroid syringoma.

In summary, chondroid syringoma is a rare sweat gland neoplasm characterized by its slow growth and unpredictable growth phase. When malignant, it has a significant potential for recurrence, metastases, and even death. Due to the rarity of this tumor, an accurate preoperative diagnosis is difficult.

Mothers with chronic illness: a predicament of social construction.

In the context of a larger qualitative study, a database including extensive interviews with a subset of sixteen chronically ill mothers was obtained. Secondary analysis revealed that the women's concerns about themselves and their children included issues of performance, availability, dependency, and socialization. Further, these women reported that the health care system seemed incapable of recognizing or accounting for the profound interrelationship between their mothering and their illness.

Emerging from the chrysalis. Older widows in transition.

Widowhood is not a similarly negative transition for all women. For some, it may represent a release from significant stressors and obligations. Some older widows have spent many years attending to the needs of others to the extent that their identities prior to caregiving have been submerged or forgotten.