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Seely JM, Payant L, Zhang C, Aslanova R, Chothia S, MacIntyre A, Trop I, Yang Q, Garber G, Patlas M. Medico-Legal Cases in Breast Imaging in Canada: A Trend Analysis. Can Assoc Radiol J 2024; 75:369-376. [PMID: 37542396 DOI: 10.1177/08465371231193366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Breast imaging accounts for a large proportion of medico-legal cases involving radiologists in several countries and may be a disincentive to breast imaging. As this has not been well studied in Canada, we evaluated the key medico-legal issues of breast imaging in Canada and their implications for health care providers and patient safety. Methods: In collaboration with Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA), we obtained information from the medico-legal repository, including civil-legal, medical regulatory authority (College) and hospital complaints occurring between 2002-2021. Canadian Classification of Health Interventions (CCI) codes were used for breast imaging and biopsy. Trend analysis was done comparing cases involving breast imaging/biopsy to all cases where a radiologist was named. Results: Radiologists were named in 3108 medico-legal cases, 188 (6%, 188/3108) of which were CCI coded for breast imaging or biopsy. Factors related to radiologists were most frequent (64%, 120/188), followed by team (23.4%, 44/188) and system (6.9%, 13/188). Equal representation of male and female radiologists was found (IRR = 1.22; 95% CI: .89, 1.56). In a 10-year test window from 2006 - 2015 we identified an increasing trend for all cases involving radiologists (P = 0,0128) but a decreasing trend for cases coded with breast imaging or biopsy (P = 0,0099). Conclusions: A significant decrease in cases involving breast imaging were found from 2006-2015, accounting for 6% of the medico-legal cases. The lower risk of breast imaging medico-legal issues may encourage more radiologists in breast imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Seely
- Division of Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Laura Payant
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Cathy Zhang
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rana Aslanova
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon Chothia
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anna MacIntyre
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Isabelle Trop
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Radiology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gary Garber
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Patlas
- Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Casey G, Lemay K, Ji J, Yang Q, MacIntyre A, Heroux D, Garber G. Medico-legal cases associated with older physicians' cognitive ability to practice medicine. J Healthc Risk Manag 2024; 43:14-17. [PMID: 37994380 DOI: 10.1002/jhrm.21562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dementia increases as individuals age. Aging physicians represent a growing population. Studies have demonstrated there are physicians with cognitive impairments practicing medicine. The medico-legal consequences of physicians with cognitive impairments have not been investigated. METHODS The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) is a national medical association with 108,000 members who advise and assist doctors with medico-legal matters. They maintain a national repository of legal actions and complaints to regulatory bodies and hospitals. We looked at civil-legal and regulatory college cases closed over a 10-year period associated with physicians aged ≥55. A word search of the cases was conducted using "Dementia, Alzheimer, Cognitive impairment, Cognitive decline, Memory loss, Memory issues, Fit for/to practice." RESULTS The CMPA closed 67,566 cases between 2012 and 2021 and 16% (10,599) involved members ≥55. A mixed methodology approach identified 65 cases associated with physician's cognitive ability to practice medicine. Of these 65 cases, the average age of physician was 71.3 (56.1-88.5). The proportion of cases where concern was associated with a physician's cognitive ability to practice medicine increased, from 0.2% of cases in 55-60-year-olds, to 7.7% in physicians over 80. INTERPRETATION As physicians age, concerns about cognitive impairment are more likely to contribute to medico-legal matters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve Casey
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen Lemay
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jun Ji
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna MacIntyre
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dianne Heroux
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary Garber
- Department of Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Medicine and the School of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Kwan JL, Calder LA, Bowman CL, MacIntyre A, Mimeault R, Honey L, Dunn C, Garber G, Singh H. Characteristics and contributing factors of diagnostic error in surgery: analysis of closed medico-legal cases and complaints in Canada. Can J Surg 2024; 67:E58-E65. [PMID: 38320779 PMCID: PMC10852193 DOI: 10.1503/cjs.003523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnostic errors lead to patient harm; however, most research has been conducted in nonsurgical disciplines. We sought to characterize diagnostic error in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative surgical phases, describe their contributing factors, and quantify their impact related to patient harm. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of closed medico-legal cases and complaints using a database representing more than 95% of all Canadian physicians. We included cases if they involved a legal action or complaint that closed between 2014 and 2018 and involved a diagnostic error assigned by peer expert review to a surgeon. RESULTS We identified 387 surgical cases that involved a diagnostic error. The surgical specialties most often associated with diagnostic error were general surgery (n = 151, 39.0%), gynecology (n = 71, 18.3%), and orthopedic surgery (n = 48, 12.4%), but most surgical specialties were represented. Errors occurred more often in the postoperative phase (n = 171, 44.2%) than in the pre- (n = 127, 32.8%) or intra-operative (n = 120, 31.0%) phases of surgical care. More than 80% of the contributing factors for diagnostic errors were related to providers, with clinical decision-making being the principal contributing factor. Half of the contributing factors were related to the health care team (n = 194, 50.1%), the most common of which was communication breakdown. More than half of patients involved in a surgical diagnostic error experienced at least moderate harm, with 1 in 7 cases resulting in death. CONCLUSION In our cohort, diagnostic errors occurred in most surgical disciplines and across all surgical phases of care; contributing factors were commonly attributed to provider clinical decision-making and communication breakdown. Surgical patient safety efforts should include diagnostic errors with a focus on understanding and reducing errors in surgical clinical decision-making and improving communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice L Kwan
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh).
| | - Lisa A Calder
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh)
| | - Cara L Bowman
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh)
| | - Anna MacIntyre
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh)
| | - Richard Mimeault
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh)
| | - Liisa Honey
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh)
| | - Cynthia Dunn
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh)
| | - Gary Garber
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh)
| | - Hardeep Singh
- From the Department of Medicine, Sinai Health and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. (Kwan); Safe Medical Care Research, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder, Bowman, MacIntyre, Mimeault, Honey, Dunn, Garber); the Department of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Calder); the Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Kanata, Ont. (Mimeault); the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ont. (Honey); the Department of Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ont. (Garber); Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Singh); and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA (Singh)
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Creswell L, Lindow BJ, Lindow SW, MacIntyre A, O'Gorman N, Hehir M, O'Connell MP. A retrospective observational study of labour ward work Intensity: The challenge of maternity staffing. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2023; 286:90-94. [PMID: 37229963 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The UK and Ireland are facing significant challenges in the recruitment and retention of midwifery staff. Deficiencies in staffing, training and leadership have been cited as contributory factors to substandard care in both regional and global independent maternity safety reports. Locally, workforce planning is critical to maintaining 'one to one' care for all women in labor and to meet the peaks of daily birthing suite activity. OBJECTIVES Analyze the variation in work intensity, defined by the mean number and range of births per midwifery working hours. METHODS Retrospective observational study of birthing suite activity between 2017 and 2020. 30,550 singleton births were reported during the study period; however, 6529 elective Cesarean sections were excluded as these were performed during normal working hours by a separate operating theatre team. The times of 24,021 singleton births were organized into five proposed midwifery working rosters lasting eight or 12 h; A (00.00-07.59), B (08.00-15.59), C (16.00-23.59), D (20.00-0.759) and E (0.800-19.59). RESULTS The number of births was comparable between the eight-hour and 12-hour work periods with a mean of five to six babies born per roster (range zero to 15). Work periods D and E lasting 12-hours both recorded a mean of eight births (range zero to 18). Hourly births ranged from a minimum of zero to a maximum of five births per hour (greater than seven times the mean), a number that was achieved 14 times during the study period. CONCLUSIONS The mean number of births is consistent between normal working hours and unsociable 'on-call' periods, however there is an extreme range of activity within each midwifery roster. Prompt escalation plans remain essential for maternity services to manage unexpected increases in demand and complexity. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC Shortfalls in staffing and inadequate workforce planning have been frequently cited in recent maternity safety reports as barriers to sustainable and safe maternity care. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS Our study shows that the mean number of births in a large tertiary center are consistent across day and night rosters. However, there are large fluctuations in activity during which births can exceed the number of available midwives. HOW THIS STUDY MIGHT AFFECT RESEARCH, PRACTICE OR POLICY Our study reflects the sentiments of the Ockenden review and APPG report on safe maternity staffing. Investment in services and the workforce to aid recruitment and reduce attrition is essential to establish robust escalation plans, including the deployment of additional staff in the event of extreme service pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - B J Lindow
- Actuary, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - M Hehir
- The Coombe Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Honey L, Kwan J, Calder L, Bowman C, MacIntyre A, Mimeault R, Dunn C, Singh H. Diagnostic Error in Surgery: Analysis of a Comprehensive National Database of Closed Medicolegal Cases. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2022.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Ivimey C, Cybulski K, MacIntyre A, Truong L, Sanderson T. Evaluation of chemically-defined cell culture media for suspension production of lentiviral vectors. Cytotherapy 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1465324921005326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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McCleery A, Devenny K, Ogilby C, Dunn C, Steen A, Whyte E, Darling R, VanderHoek R, MacIntyre A, Carpenter S, Wallace G, Calder L. Using medicolegal data to support safe medical care: A contributing factor coding framework. J Healthc Risk Manag 2018; 38:11-18. [PMID: 30074677 DOI: 10.1002/jhrm.21348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Traditional medicolegal data analysis focuses on physician care, without a full acknowledgment of the effects of team, organizational, and system factors. We developed a patient safety-informed contributing factor framework to strengthen the coding and analysis of medicolegal data. MATERIALS AND METHODS We incorporated patient safety theory and human factors science into our medicolegal case coding practices to improve our understanding of the many factors that contribute to medicolegal events. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A new framework was developed that has at its core, patients and their experience, and looks beyond the provider factors that are often the focus of medicolegal analysis to give greater consideration to the influence of team, organizational, and system factors. We anticipate that this substantial shift will strengthen our knowledge translation efforts to help improve the safety of medical care. CONCLUSION We believe that reframing medicolegal case coding systems to better identify the influence of team, organizational, and system factors will increase the utility of this analysis in patient safety research, and health care quality improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Cynthia Dunn
- Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottowa, Canada
| | - Anne Steen
- Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottowa, Canada
| | - Eileen Whyte
- Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottowa, Canada
| | - Renee Darling
- Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottowa, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Lisa Calder
- Canadian Medical Protective Association, Ottowa, Canada
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Meier W, Abbott R, Beach R, Blink J, Caird J, Erlandson A, Farmer J, Halsey W, Ladran T, Latkowski J, MacIntyre A, Miles R, Storm E. Systems Modeling for the Laser Fusion-Fission Energy (LIFE) Power Plant. Fusion Science and Technology 2017. [DOI: 10.13182/fst18-p2.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- W.R. Meier
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - R. Abbott
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - R. Beach
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - J. Blink
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - J. Caird
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - A. Erlandson
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - J. Farmer
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - W. Halsey
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - T. Ladran
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - J. Latkowski
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - A. MacIntyre
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - R. Miles
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
| | - E. Storm
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94551
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MacIntyre A, Brouilette SW, Lamb K, Radhakrishnan K, McGlynn L, Chee MM, Parkinson EK, Freeman D, Madhok R, Shiels PG. Association of increased telomere lengths in limited scleroderma, with a lack of age-related telomere erosion. Ann Rheum Dis 2008; 67:1780-2. [PMID: 18662931 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2007.086652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Telomere erosion, a feature of biological ageing, is implicated in a wide range of diseases. Its impact on autoimmune diseases remains unclear although autoantibodies against many telomere nucleoprotein components are prevalent in these diseases. We aimed to assess if telomere biology was abnormal in a cohort of patients with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc). METHODS Telomere lengths in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) were determined using Southern blotting methods in a cohort of lcSSc subjects (n=43; age range 37-80 years) and a control population (n=107; age range 21-65 years). RESULTS Telomere lengths in lcSSc subjects were longer than controls (p<0.001), did not show age-related telomere erosion and differed significantly from age-matched controls only after 50 years of age (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of maintenance of telomere lengths in an autoimmune disease state. These data indicate aberrant telomere biology and irregular biological ageing from the fifth decade of life. These findings provide insight into compromised DNA damage repair in lcSSc. Whether these observations indicate a causal or consequential relationship requires further investigation. This in turn, may provide potential novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- A MacIntyre
- Division of Cancer Sciences and Molecular Pathology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, UK
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Ashraf N, Zino S, MacIntyre A, Kingsmore D, Payne AP, George WD, Shiels PG. Altered sirtuin expression is associated with node-positive breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2006; 95:1056-61. [PMID: 17003781 PMCID: PMC2360714 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 180] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sirtuins are genes implicated in cellular and organismal ageing. Consequently, they are speculated to be involved in diseases of ageing including cancer. Various cancers with widely differing prognosis have been shown to have differing and characteristic expression of these genes; however, the relationship between sirtuin expression and cancer progression is unclear. In order to correlate cancer progression and sirtuin expression, we have assessed sirtuin expression as a function of primary cell ageing and compared sirtuin expression in normal, ‘nonmalignant’ breast biopsies to breast cancer biopsies using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Levels of SIRT7 expression were significantly increased in breast cancer (P<0.0001). Increased levels of SIRT3 and SIRT7 transcription were also associated with node-positive breast cancer (P<0.05 and P<0.0001, respectively). This study has demonstrated differential sirtuin expression between nonmalignant and malignant breast tissue, with consequent diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Ashraf
- Division of Cancer Sciences and Molecular Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Glasgow, Western Infirmary Glasgow, 44 Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK
| | - S Zino
- Division of Cancer Sciences and Molecular Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Glasgow, Western Infirmary Glasgow, 44 Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK
| | - A MacIntyre
- Division of Cancer Sciences and Molecular Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Glasgow, Western Infirmary Glasgow, 44 Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK
| | - D Kingsmore
- Renal Transplant Unit, Western Infirmary Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - A P Payne
- IBLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - W D George
- Division of Cancer Sciences and Molecular Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Glasgow, Western Infirmary Glasgow, 44 Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK
| | - P G Shiels
- Division of Cancer Sciences and Molecular Pathology, Department of Surgery, University of Glasgow, Western Infirmary Glasgow, 44 Church Street, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK
- E-mail:
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MacIntyre A, Abramov R, Hammond CJ, Hudson AP, Arking EJ, Little CS, Appelt DM, Balin BJ. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection promotes the transmigration of monocytes through human brain endothelial cells. J Neurosci Res 2003; 71:740-50. [PMID: 12584732 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.10519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We have investigated the effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae on human brain endothelial cells (HBMECs) and human monocytes as a mechanism for breaching the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). HBMECs and peripheral blood monocytes may be key components in controlling the entry of C. pneumoniae into the human brain. Our results indicate that C. pneumoniae infects blood vessels and monocytes in AD brain tissues compared with normal brain tissue. C. pneumoniae infection stimulates transendothelial entry of monocytes through HBMECs. This entry is facilitated by the up-regulation of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 on HBMECs and a corresponding increase of LFA-1, VLA-4, and MAC-1 on monocytes. C. pneumoniae infection in HBMECs and THP-1 monocytes up-regulates monocyte transmigration threefold in an in vitro brain endothelial monolayer. In this way, C. pneumoniae infection in these cell types may contribute to increased monocyte migration and promote inflammation within the CNS resulting from infection at the level of the vasculature. Thus, infection at the level of the vasculature may be a key initiating factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as sporadic AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A MacIntyre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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MacIntyre A. Clinical examination for carpal tunnel syndrome. CMAJ 2001; 164:1279. [PMID: 11341135 PMCID: PMC81011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
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13
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Litvan I, MacIntyre A, Goetz CG, Wenning GK, Jellinger K, Verny M, Bartko JJ, Jankovic J, McKee A, Brandel JP, Chaudhuri KR, Lai EC, D'Olhaberriague L, Pearce RK, Agid Y. Accuracy of the clinical diagnoses of Lewy body disease, Parkinson disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies: a clinicopathologic study. Arch Neurol 1998; 55:969-78. [PMID: 9678315 DOI: 10.1001/archneur.55.7.969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether Parkinson disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) represent 2 distinct nosologic entities or are diverse phenotypes of Lewy body disease is subject to debate. OBJECTIVES To determine the accuracy of the diagnoses of Lewy body disease, PD, and DLB by validating the clinical diagnoses of 6 neurologists with the neuropathologic findings and to identify early predictors of the diagnoses. METHODS Six raters who were unaware of the neuropathologic diagnoses analyzed 105 clinical vignettes corresponding to 29 cases of Lewy body disease (post hoc analysis of 15 patients with PD and 14 with DLB) and 76 patients without PD or DLB whose cases were confirmed through autopsy findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) were chosen as validity measures and the K statistic as a reliability measure. RESULTS Interrater reliability for the diagnoses of Lewy body disease and PD was moderate for the first visit and substantial for the last, whereas agreement for diagnosis of DLB was fair for the first visit and slight for the last. Median sensitivity for diagnosis of Lewy body disease was 56.9% for the first visit and 67.2% for the last; median PPV was 60.0% and 77.4%, respectively. Median sensitivity for the diagnosis of PD was 73.3% for the first visit and 80.0% for the last; median PPV was 45.9% and 64.1%, respectively. Median sensitivity for the diagnosis of DLB was 17.8% for the first visit and 28.6% for the last; median PPV was 75.0% for the first visit and 55.8% for the last. The raters' results were similar to those of the primary neurologists. Several features differentiated PD from DLB, predicted each disorder, and could be used as clinical pointers. CONCLUSIONS The low PPV with relatively high sensitivity for the diagnosis of PD suggests overdiagnosis. Conversely, the extremely low sensitivity for the diagnosis of DLB suggests underdiagnosis. Although the case mix included in the study may not reflect the frequency of these disorders in practice, limiting the clinical applicability of the validity measures, the raters' results were similar to those of the primary neurologists who were not exposed to such limitations. Overall, our study confirms features suggested to predict these disorders, except for the early presence of postural imbalance, which is not indicative of either disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Litvan
- Neuroepidemiology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-9130, USA
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Nicosia R, Guo X, Zhu W, MacIntyre A. Regulation of microvessel assembly and survival by fibroblasts during angiogenesis. Pathophysiology 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s0928-4680(98)80952-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Garnett RL, MacIntyre A, Lindsay P, Barber GG, Cole CW, Hajjar G, McPhail NV, Ruddy TD, Stark R, Boisvert D. Perioperative ischaemia in aortic surgery: combined epidural/general anaesthesia and epidural analgesia vs general anaesthesia and i.v. analgesia. Can J Anaesth 1996; 43:769-77. [PMID: 8840054 DOI: 10.1007/bf03013027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The goal of this randomized study was to determine whether combined general and epidural anaesthesia with postoperative epidural analgesia, compared with general anaesthesia and postoperative intravenous analgesia, reduced the incidence of perioperative myocardial ischaemia in patients undergoing elective aortic surgery. METHOD Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group (EPI, n = 48) received combined general and epidural anaesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia for 48 hrs. The other group (GA, n = 51) received general anaesthesia followed by postoperative intravenous analgesia. Anaesthetic goals were to maintain haemodynamic stability (+/- 20% of preoperative values), and a stroke volume > 1 ml.kg-1. A Holter monitor was attached to each patient the day before surgery. Leads 11, V2, and V5 were monitored. Myocardial ischaemia was defined as ST segment depression > 1 mm measured at 80 millisec beyond the J point or an elevation of 2 mm 60 millisec beyond the J point which lasted > 60 sec. An event that lasted > 60 sec but returned to the baseline for > 60 sec and then recurred, was counted as two separate events. The Holter tapes were reviewed by a cardiologist blind to the patient's group. RESULTS There were no demographic differences between the two groups. Myocardial ischaemia was common; it occurred in 55% of patients. In hospital, preoperative ischaemia was uncommon (GA = 3, EPI = 8). Intraoperative ischaemia was common (GA = 18, EPI = 25). Mesenteric traction produced the largest number of ischaemic (GA = 11, EPI = 11) events. Postoperative ischaemia was most common on the day of surgery. Termination of epidural analgesia produced a burst of ischaemia (60 events in 9 patients). CONCLUSION Combined general and epidural anaesthesia and postoperative epidural analgesia do not reduce the incidence of myocardial ischaemia or morbidity compared with general anaesthesia and postoperative intravenous analgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Garnett
- Department of Anaesthesia, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell activity and the capacity to generate lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell activity were studied in 43 patients with operable breast cancer before and after surgery. Results were compared with those from ten healthy subjects. Patients with breast cancer had normal LAK and NK cell activity before surgery. A subgroup of patients with stage III disease had depressed LAK cell activity (P < 0.013). NK cell activity decreased by over 50 per cent on the first day after surgery and did not return to preoperative levels by day 7 (P < 0.0005). Generation of LAK cell activity was unaffected by surgery. The addition of 10 per cent autologous plasma to the culture medium during the induction of LAK cell activity in vitro did not suppress LAK cell activity in patients with breast cancer. These results suggest that perioperative adjuvant immunotherapy based on interleukin 2 and LAK cells is not ruled out by systemic suppressive effects from either cancer or surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G McCulloch
- University Department of Surgery, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
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Abstract
We describe successful elective abdominal aneurysm repair in a patient with a cardiac transplant. In light of the unique physiology and pharmacology of the denervated heart, this presented an unusual combination of complex problems. Whereas the normally innervated heart increases cardiac output via neural stimuli, the denervated heart relies primarily on the Frank Starling mechanism which is dependent on preload and myocardial contractility. Thus, rapidly changing haemodynamic variables associated with aortic cross-clamping require scrupulous attention to the maintenance of adequate preload as well as myocardial function which can only be manipulated by direct-acting agents. We conclude that the denervated heart will readily compensate for the haemodynamic changes brought about by infrarenal aortic crossclamping if a high-normal preload is maintained and if the transplanted donor heart is free of pathology with good inherent myocardial contractility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A MacIntyre
- Department of Anesthesia, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ontario
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Henrich VC, Sliter TJ, Lubahn DB, MacIntyre A, Gilbert LI. A steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily member in Drosophila melanogaster that shares extensive sequence similarity with a mammalian homologue. Nucleic Acids Res 1990; 18:4143-8. [PMID: 2165589 PMCID: PMC331171 DOI: 10.1093/nar/18.14.4143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A gene in Drosophila melanogaster that maps cytologically to 2C1-3 on the distal portion of the X-chromosome encodes a member of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. The gene was isolated from an embryonic cDNA library using an oligonucleotide probe that specifies the consensus amino acid sequence in the DNA-binding domain of several human receptors. The conceptual amino acid sequence of 2C reveals at least four regions of homology that are shared with all identified vertebrate receptors. Region I includes the two cysteine-cysteine zinc fingers that comprise a DNA-binding domain which typifies all members of the superfamily. In addition, three regions (Regions II-IV) in the carboxy-terminal portion of the protein that encode the putative hormone-binding domain of the 2C gene product resemble similar sequences in vertebrate steroid/thyroid hormone receptors. The similarity suggests that this Drosophila receptor possesses many of the regulatory functions attributed to these regions in vertebrate counterparts. A portion of Region II also resembles part of the human c-jun oncoprotein's leucine zipper, which in turn, has been demonstrated to be the heterodimerization site between the jun and fos oncoproteins. The 2C receptor-like protein most resembles the mouse H2RII binding protein, a member of the superfamily which has been implicated in the regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I gene expression. These two gene products are 83% identical in the DNA-binding domain and 50% identical in the putative hormone-binding domain, although no ligand has been identified for either protein. The high degree of similarity in the hormone-binding domain between the 2C protein and the H2RII binding protein outside regions II-IV suggests specific functional roles which are not shared by other members of the superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- V C Henrich
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-3280
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Fuller M, Hulman G, MacIntyre A. Fat agglutination slide test for increased concentrations of C-reactive protein in serum compared with results by laser nephelometry. Clin Chem 1987. [DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/33.12.2301a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Fuller
- Dept. of Immunology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, U.K
| | - G Hulman
- Dept. of Immunology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, U.K
| | - A MacIntyre
- Dept. of Immunology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, U.K
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Fuller M, Hulman G, MacIntyre A. Fat agglutination slide test for increased concentrations of C-reactive protein in serum compared with results by laser nephelometry. Clin Chem 1987; 33:2301-2. [PMID: 3690851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Fuller
- Dept. of Immunology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, U.K
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MacIntyre A, Gray JD, Gorelick M, Renton K. Salicylate and acetaminophen in donated blood. CMAJ 1986; 135:215-6. [PMID: 3730981 PMCID: PMC1491169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood donors in Canada are asked to volunteer their history of drug ingestion within the previous 24 hours. The authors analysed 400 serum samples from blood donors for acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and acetaminophen, two commonly used nonprescription drugs. Although 16 of the samples contained ASA and 10 acetaminophen (2 contained both drugs), none of the donors had volunteered that they had ingested those medications before donating blood. The possible role of these drugs in some of the unexplained reactions to transfusions is considered.
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MacIntyre A. From Homer to Benjamin Franklin: the nature of the virtues. Hastings Cent Rep 1981; 11:27-34. [PMID: 7239887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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MacIntyre A. Regulation: a substitute for morality. Hastings Cent Rep 1980; 10:31-3. [PMID: 7372457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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MacIntyre A. Theology, ethics, and the ethics of medicine and health care: comments on papers by Novak, Mouw, Roach, Cahill, and Hartt. J Med Philos 1979; 4:435-43. [PMID: 549953 DOI: 10.1093/jmp/4.4.435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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MacIntyre A. Why is the search for the foundations of ethics so frustrating? Hastings Cent Rep 1979; 9:16-22. [PMID: 385551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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MacIntyre A. Designing our descendants. Seven traits for the future. Hastings Cent Rep 1979; 9:5-7. [PMID: 429065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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MacIntyre A. Ethical issues in attending physician-resident relations: a philosopher's view. Bull N Y Acad Med 1979; 55:57-61. [PMID: 283846 PMCID: PMC1807580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Gorovitz S, MacIntyre A. Toward a theory of medical fallibility. Hastings Cent Rep 1975; 5:13-23. [PMID: 126962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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