Predictors and correlates of prevention research careers: a national study of residency graduates.

BACKGROUND: Factors associated with research productivity among residency graduates are not well understood. The objectives of this study are to describe research productivity among preventive medicine residency (PMR) graduates and to identify factors that are correlated with high levels of productivity. METHODS: A detailed survey was mailed to all (n = 1,070) graduates from U.S. PMRs between 1979 and 1989. Main outcome measures for this analysis were (1) 25% of the workweek or more research time and (2) 20 or more publications since training completion. RESULTS: A total of 797 completed surveys were received for a response rate of 75%. Among respondents, 33% devoted at least 25% of their time to research and 13% had 20 or more publications. Independent positive predictors (P < 0.05) based on education and training of high research productivity as measured by both outcomes included research self-motivation, training at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and clinical board certification. Concurrent correlates of current high research productivity by both outcomes included employment by the federal government or academia and academic appointment. CONCLUSIONS: Factors associated with high research productivity could be utilized to improve the resident selection process and promote research careers. This could enhance research programs and education and promote the overall prevention research agenda.

Immunogenicity of two doses of yeast recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in healthy older adults.

To determine the immunogenicity of two doses of yeast recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine containing surface (S) protein, an open-label, multicenter trial was conducted in 199 healthy HBV-seronegative adults > or = 40 years old. Volunteers were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups to receive a total of three 10-microg doses, at 0, 1, and 6 months, or a total of two doses of 20 microg and 10 microg, 20 microg and 20 microg, 40 microg and 10 microg, or 40 microg and 20 microg at 0 and 6 months. The 40-microg/20-microg regimen elicited the highest rate of seroprotection (96.2%), with a geometric mean titer of antibody against the S protein of 369 mIU/mL, not significantly different from the 536 mIU/mL achieved with three doses. These results suggest that a two-dose regimen can achieve seroprotection similar to that of the three-dose regimen. Whether a shorter interval can be used or a booster dose will be needed later to confer durable immunity are unknown.

Adequacy of training in preventive medicine and public health: a national survey of residency graduates.

PURPOSE: To evaluate training in general preventive medicine and public health, determining which experiences and institutional sponsors best prepare residents for practice and where improvements are most needed. METHOD: A 1991 survey of the 1,070 graduates of preventive medicine residencies from 1979 through 1989 asked the graduates to measure the adequacy of their training in preventive medicine topic areas by using a Likert-type scale of 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent). Adequacy was analyzed for variation against practice emphasis during training, training program sponsor, and other variables. The statistical methods included Student's t-test, analysis of variance and linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 797 graduates (74.5%) responded. The overall mean ratings of adequacy of training were 3.1 (SD, 0.9) for epidemiology, 2.5 (SD, 1.0) for clinical preventive medicine, 2.4 (SD, 0.9) for environmental health, 2.3 (SD, 0.9) for health administration, 2.3 (SD, 0.9) for health education and behavioral sciences, and 2.2 (SD, 0.9) for occupational medicine. Training was rated highest for topics emphasized during practice experiences. Adequacy varied by type of institution sponsoring the residency. Women rated their training as being less adequate than did men in all areas except clinical preventive medicine. The graduates tended ultimately to practice in topic areas emphasized during training. CONCLUSION: The graduates' ratings suggest that improvements are most needed in health administration, environment health, health education, and occupational medicine. Potential improvement strategies include highly focused practice experiences and increased emphasis on training in actual practice settings and community sites.

Intraepidermal type VII collagen. Evidence for abnormal intracytoplasmic processing of a major basement membrane protein in rare patients with dominant and possibly localized recessive forms of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Of 84 patients with dystrophic forms of epidermolysis bullosa consecutively enrolled in the National Epidermolysis Bullosa Registry, four were noted by indirect immunofluorescence with the LH 7:2 monoclonal antibody to have granular basilar keratinocyte intracytoplasmic deposits, rather than exclusively linear basement membrane deposits, of type VII collagen. Indirect immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that these deposits were primarily perinuclear, although lesser amounts were also detectable between tonofibril bundles, within hemidesmosomes, and within and beneath the lamina densa. In two patients the mode of transmission was autosomal dominant; in two others the inheritance pattern was unknown. Whereas widespread lesions were present at birth, in each case blistering ceased within the first year of life, reminiscent of the findings in transient bullous dermolysis of the newborn. We interpret these laboratory findings as indicative of the presence of a defect in the intracytoplasmic packaging or in the transport of type VII collagen within basilar keratinocytes.

Mastocytosis: a review.

Mastocytosis refers to a spectrum of clinical and laboratory abnormalities attributable to tissue infiltration by large numbers of mast cells and to the discharge of various biologically active substances by these cells. It most commonly results in cutaneous manifestations during childhood but may develop at any age or involve almost any organ system. The treatment of mastocytosis has become considerably more practicable in recent years with the availability of agents that directly inhibit mast cells or temporarily reduce their quantity in the skin.