Discusses the discovery, physiological function and the three roles (the bridge, the gate, and the fence) of the junctions between epithelial cells. Experimental usefulness of epithelia in studying basic questions common to all cell membranes, such as extraction of channels and carriers, or origin of ion or nonelectrolyte selectivity, is…

Discusses the use and impact of electronic diagnostic, monitoring, and prosthetic instruments in health care. (MLH)

Uses diffusion of innovations theory to contrast three different preventive health interventions (undertaken by the contractual network of the Cancer Information Service) by their innovation attributes. Shows that innovation attributes were rated differentially by organizational members, depending on the nature of the specific intervention,…

Presents an experiment that provides students with an opportunity to investigate folk medicine and herbal cures and their accompanying claims. Involves isolating some active compounds from plant materials and demonstrating their antibacterial activity. (JRH)

Comments on the changed expectations of what it means to be a professional given the discursive and self-reflective turn in professional practice and the mistrust between the hard medical sciences and the soft social sciences. Discusses the necessary but difficult collaboration between observer and observed, researcher and researched, and the…

Discusses the use of performance-enhancing substances in athletics, focusing on the use-detection race, burgeoning new products and off-label uses, and ways to combat the problem. The article suggests drug education programs, particularly those for adolescent athletes, have the potential to change behavior and be more cost-effective than further…

Briefly discusses the work of physician and physical educator Delphine Hanna, examining the philosophy of medicine and explaining how physical education, kinesiology, and sport and exercise science in the United States are all rooted in medical tradition. The paper also discusses the subjective and objective understanding of human body movement.…

Preventing infectious disease in sports is fundamental to maintaining team effectiveness and helping athletes avoid the adverse effects of illness. Good hygiene, immunization, minimal exposure to specific diseases, and certain prophylactic measures are essential. Teammates, coaches, trainers, officials, healthcare providers, and community public…

Discusses user profiles and the performance of information filtering systems used especially with the Web and describes experiments that were conducted to investigate factors that can impact the profile acquisition process, using a medical literature collection. Examines differences between user-provided profiles, machine-built profiles,…

Examines why people of ethnic minority groups tend to be less likely to take medication for HIV. Respondents viewed HIV/AIDS and medication in terms of other illnesses and drugs, including colds, cancer, and street drugs. Some also thought antiretroviral medications were toxic. Others thought they should wait to take medication to prevent…

This article reviews the medical literature on head injuries in soccer and concludes that protective headgear to reduce these injuries may not be as effective as rule changes and other measures, such as padding goal posts. (IAH)

Nutrition plays an important role in immunity both among the elderly and among persons with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Appropriate nutritional intake and counseling may improve immune status and enable both prevention and progression of AIDS and the susceptibility of the elderly to infectious diseases. (SK)

The composition, ojbectives, and perceptions of the medical care team which has evolved over the last 10 years to provide acute care for injured persons at the finish line of the Boston Marathon are described, as well as as an ancillary group which maintains medical records and defines injury patterns. (Author/CB)

Describes the physics of Doppler ultrasound used in measuring the velocity of blood flow. Discusses medical applications of this technique. (Author/MKR)

This study examined the effects of resistance exercise and anabolic steroids on lipoprotein profiles of female weightlifters. The study found that women who participate in resistance training have better lipoprotein profiles than their sedentary counterparts, but these changes do not offset the deleterious effects of steroid use. (SM)