PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B W Martin

Publications and source records attributed to B W Martin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Patterns and risks in spinal trauma.

BACKGROUND: Spinal injury in children is rare, and poses many difficulties in management. AIMS: To ascertain the prevalence of spinal injury within the paediatric trauma population, and to assess relative risks of spinal injury according to age, conscious level, injury severity score (ISS), and associated injuries. METHODS: Spine injured children were identified from the UK Trauma Audit & Research Network Database from 1989 to 2000. Relative risks of injury were calculated against the denominator paediatric trauma population. RESULTS: Of 19 538 on the database, 527 (2.7%) suffered spinal column fracture/dislocation without cord injury and 109 had cord injury (0.56% of all children; 16.5% of spine injured children). Thirty children (0.15% of all children; 4.5% of spine injured children) sustained spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality (SCIWORA). Cord injury and SCIWORA occurred more commonly in children aged < or =8. The risk of spine fracture/dislocation without cord injury was increased with an ISS >25 and with chest injuries. The risk of cord injury was increased with reduced GCS, head injury, and chest injury. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal cord injury and SCIWORA occur more frequently in young children. Multiple injuries and chest injuries increase the risk of fracture/dislocation and of cord injury. Reduced GCS and head injuries increase the risk of cord injury.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2001

A worksite intervention module encouraging the use of stairs: results and evaluation issues.

OBJECTIVES: Recent recommendations suggest that health benefits can also be derived from regular daily activities of moderate intensity which accelerate breathing, such as climbing stairs. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an intervention programme on behaviour change in stair use in a working environment. METHODS: Intervention field workers were instructed to offer attractive or pull actions. 338 employees of four offices of the Swiss federal government were involved in the evaluation. Two methods were used to assess stair and lift use both before and after the four month intervention period: a non-covered personal observation and an automatic measurement. RESULTS: Taking all four offices together, a significant increase in stair use, from 61.8% to 67.1% (p = 0.028), was found between the baseline and the follow-up observation. The automatic measurement during observation time reveals a change in stair use from 68.8% to 71.4% (p = 0.268). The pattern of stair use examined for 24 hours by automatic means, however, was not so consistent. Due to the proportion of stair use in each office it is assumed that environmental factors influences the behaviour. The highest percentage of stair use at baseline (86.2%) was identified in an office with a bright stairwell and a small number of steps between floors. The lowest proportion (31.4%) was observed in an office with a dark stairwell, a large number of steps between floors and a stairwell accessible only with a key. CONCLUSIONS: However, our findings indicate that intervention with "rewarding" elements encourage individuals to use stairs.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

[Athletic training or daily movement activities for optimal health and quality of life].

During the 70ies and 80ies, it was mainly endurance training that was recommended for disease prevention and health promotion. During the 90ies, the health-enhancing value of moderate-intensity exercise, including daily lifestyle activities, has been recognized. Considering two lines of evidence--epidemiological findings from observational studies and 'physiological' results from experimental training studies to alter specific disease risk factors--it becomes clear that physical activity and exercise of different intensities and durations will produce different biological outcomes. Therefore, both vigorous exercise and moderate-intensity lifestyle activities have their specific advantages and disadvantages which may help to optimize individual choices for physical activity. Two years ago, the Swiss Federal Office of Sports and the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health have published their joint recommendation for health-enhancing physical activity; these guidelines try to combine the advantages of daily activities of moderate intensity, cardiorespiratory fitness training and strength/flexibility exercises as well as further sports activities.

Exercise↗
PubMed2001

[Promotion of exercise among the physically inactive: a challenge also in Switzerland].

The scientific evidence for the importance of regular physical activity for health is beyond any doubt. This association is widely known and physical activity promotion activities are generally appreciated by the general population. Nevertheless the prevalence of physical inactivity in Switzerland is still rising. A growing number of large scale physical activity promotion projects like << Allez Hop! >>, Vita Parcours and the 'Feel Your Power' campaign of the Swiss Foundation for Health Promotion have begun to target physically inactive individuals. Intervention studies have given first indications of both the possibilities and the limitations of behavioural change. The 'Office in Motion' study used the ecological or settings approach in a white collar worksite intervention and has shown encouraging changes in previously inactive individuals. A number of ongoing studies based on the transtheoretical model in the primary care setting ('Active upon Advice'), in a military context ('Fitcheckplus') and on the Internet ('Active online') have shown positive preliminary results. A tourist region pilot study ('Heidiland aktiv') is used to illustrate the potential limitations of intervention projects: though a promising counselling system was developed and put in place it was not possible to develop an effective approach to the tourists and to generate sufficient interest in the issue to justify a full scale outcome study. These experiences from Switzerland show that behavioural change in previously inactive individuals is possible and that the general practitioner in particular can play an important role in this process. Expectations concerning the size of the intervention effect have to be realistic. Promotion of health enhancing physical activity remains a challenge.

Exercise↗
PubMed2000

Project Hope: changing care delivery for the substance abuse patient.

Project Hope is a program designed to assist healthcare providers in the assessment, care, referral, and follow-up of the hospitalized substance abuse patient. First implemented in 1990 at what is now called University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, the program has influenced care in a positive way through change in the attitude and knowledge of personnel, administrators, and community. In this paper, the authors provide an overview of the approaches utilized, improvement process, and outcomes obtained from this project. To formally evaluate the effectiveness of Project Hope, a quasi-experimental, Solomon-Four design study was conducted. Eighty nurses from various educational backgrounds and experience with alcohol were divided into groups by nursing unit. A normative-reeducative intervention was applied as described by Chin and Benne. Test of cognition showed significant change (p < .01) in the experimental group; no significance was found for attitudes change. Reasons for these findings and lessons learned from the process are described.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1998

[Exercise and sports: an undervalued health resource].

The importance of physical activity for health is internationally recognised. The physiological and the epidemiological evidence for health effects of both moderate and vigorous intensity exercise is demonstrated and a "Physical Activity Pyramid" is recommended: Half an hour of moderate intensity activities a day at the base level are already promising substantial health effects. On the second step, additional benefits can be derived from cardiorespiratory fitness training, strength training and stretching exercises. The top of the pyramid can be reached by further sports activities.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

SAPALDIA: methods and participation in the cross-sectional part of the Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults.

SAPALDIA--the Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults--focuses on the long term health effects of low to moderate levels of air pollutants as typically seen in different parts of Switzerland. The aim of the SAPALDIA cross-sectional study carried out in 1991 was to determine the prevalence of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and allergic conditions in the adult population of Switzerland and to identify and to determine the respective importance of potentially influencing factors. These could be both personal (smoking habits, allergy status, family history, occupation) and environmental (outdoor and indoor pollution, aeroallergens, climate). A further aim of the cross-sectional study consisted in the identification of individuals susceptible to present symptoms during a two year observation period and to be included in the SAPALDIA follow-up study. This technical report represents the methodological documentation for the cross-sectional study of SAPALDIA. The instruments and the methods of standardisation are presented and discussed. The medical examination consisted of a computerised interview using a standardised questionnaire, the taking of a blood sample for serological tests, allergy skin testing, the measurement of end expiratory CO and body height, and pulmonary function testing followed by methacholine challenge testing or bronchodilatation testing. The pattern of participation and the 9651 participants of the study, representing 59.3% of the sample, are described. Based on information on non-participants gained by telephone interviews and mailed short questionnaires, possible selection biases are quantified and discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Lung function and long term exposure to air pollutants in Switzerland. Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA) Team.

The effect of long-term exposure to air pollutants was studied in a cross-sectional population-based sample of adults (aged 18 to 60 yr; n = 9,651) residing in eight different areas in Switzerland. Standardized medical examination included questionnaire data, lung function tests, skin-prick testing, and end-expiratory CO concentration. The impact of annual means of air pollutants on FVC and FEV1 was tested (controlling for age and age squared, sex, height, weight, educational level, nationality, and workplace exposure). Analyses were done separately for healthy never-smokers, ex-smokers (controlling for pack-yr), for current smokers (controlling for cigarettes per day and pack-yr smoked), and for the whole population. Significant and consistent effects on FVC and FEV1 were found for NO2, SO2, and particulate matter < 10 microm (PM10) in all subgroups and in the total population, with PM10 showing the most consistent effect of a 3.4% change in FVC per 10 microg/m3. Results for ozone were less consistent. Atopy did not influence this relationship. The limited number of study areas and high intercorrelation between the pollutants make it difficult to assess the effect of one single pollutant. Our conclusion is that air pollution from fossil fuel combustion, which is the main source of air pollution with SO2, NO2, and PM10 in Switzerland, is associated with decrements in lung function parameters in this study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Zoonotic Brugia infection in western Michigan.

A case of zoonotic lymphatic filariasis is reported from a resident of Michigan. Numerous sections of a small, nongravid female worm, measuring approximately 65 microns in diameter, were identified in histological preparations of an excised inguinal lymph node. Based on its location, small size, thin cuticle, small number of muscle cells, and paired uterine tubes, the worm was identified as a Brugia species, undoubtedly of zoonotic origin from the local animal population. The pathological response of the host to the parasite was one of hyperplastic lymph nodes with a focal granulomatous reaction. This is the first such case to be reported from Michigan and further expands the geographical range of states in which zoonotic Brugia infection have been reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Development of an oral health survey: Columbus, Ohio.

This article describes the method used to develop and implement a local oral health survey (Columbus, Ohio) conducted in 1986. With the shift in the national dental disease pattern in the past decade, local oral health information is essential for program planning purposes. A collaborative effort by a city health department, a state health department, a dental school, and a school of public health demonstrated how this group worked harmoniously in a relatively inexpensive venture to determine the oral status of various age groups (grades 1-2, grades 6-7, age 35-44, and age 65+). This information provided part of the framework for a five-year dental plan at the Columbus Health Department. The survey design will serve as a basis for conducting a similar survey statewide. Modifications of existing oral health survey instruments are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Estrogenic potencies of resorcylic acid lactones and 17 beta-estradiol in female rats.

Uterotrophic response in sexually immature female rats has been used to rank the relative estrogenic potencies of six resorcylic acid lactones (RALs) and to compare their activities with that of 17 beta-estradiol. On oral administration, the estrogenic potency relative to 17 beta-estradiol is as follows: 7 alpha-zearalenol, 10 times less; zeranol, 150 times less; taleranol, 350 times less; zearalanone, 400 times less; zearalenone, 650 times less; 7 beta-zearalenol, 3500 times less. On subcutaneous administration, zeranol is 500 times less estrogenic than 17 beta-estradiol.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

Effects of temperature on the transport of nucleosides in guinea pig erythrocytes.

The initial rate of [14C]uridine transport by guinea pig erythrocytes was investigated at different temperatures. At 37, 22, and 10 degrees C the concentration dependence of uridine zero-trans influx and equilibrium exchange influx was resolved into two components; (a) a saturable component which followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics and which was inhibited by nitrobenzylthioinosine, and (b) a linear component of low magnitude and insensitive to nitrobenzylthioinosine inhibition. The maximum velocity, Vmax, of zero-trans uridine influx for the saturable transport system was 70-fold higher at 37 than 10 degrees C (1.24, 0.20, and 0.018 mmol/L of cells per hour at 37, 22, and 10 degrees C, respectively). Similarly, the apparent affinity, Km, for zero-trans influx decreased as the temperature was lowered (0.27, 0.066, and 0.038 mM at 37, 22, and 10 degrees C, respectively). In contrast, uridine equilibrium exchange influx was less temperature dependent (Vmax, 2.80, 0.89, and 0.14 mmol/L of cells per hour; apparent Km 0.61, 0.36, and 0.24 mM at 37, 22, and 10 degrees C, respectively). These results demonstrate that the mobility of the empty carrier is impaired to a greater extent than the mobility of the loaded carrier temperature decreased. However, the kinetic constants for zero-trans uridine influx and efflux at 37 degrees C were similar, indicating that the nucleoside transporter exhibited directional symmetry at 37 degrees C. Arrhenius plots of the maximum velocity for equilibrium exchange and zero-trans uridine influx were discontinuous above 25 degrees C, but between 20 and 5 degrees C the plots were linear (Ea = 22 and 30 kcal/mol for equilibrium exchange and zero-trans influx, respectively.

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1985

2-Chloroadenosine, a permeant for the nucleoside transporter.

Human erythrocytes were shown to possess a saturable uptake mechanism for 2-chloroadenosine (apparent Km 23 microM, 22 degrees). Uptake by this route was inhibited by nitrobenzylthioinosine, uridine and adenosine, but adenine had no effect. In addition, uridine caused the countertransport of 2-chloroadenosine and vice versa. 2-Chloroadenosine was also shown to be an apparent competitive inhibitor of uridine influx (apparent Ki value of 33 microM) and high-affinity nitrobenzylthioinosine binding (apparent Ki 0.18 mM). The apparent Ki value for inhibition of uridine influx was close to the apparent Km value for 2-chloroadenosine uptake. Previous studies [Jarvis et al., Biochem. J. 208, 83 (1982)] have demonstrated that dog erythrocytes do not possess a saturable transport system for uridine and adenosine. Similarly, in the present study, the entry of 2-chloroadenosine into dog erythrocytes was slow and linear with concentration. Nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) had no effect on the uptake of 2-chloroadenosine into dog erythrocytes. These results demonstrate that 2-chloroadenosine enters human erythrocytes by the same nucleoside carrier as other nucleosides. It is suggested from these data that the previous explanation that the inability of nucleoside transport inhibitors to potentiate the pharmacological effects of 2-chloroadenosine was due to the failure of the nucleoside carrier to accept 2-chloroadenosine as a permeant may have to be reassessed.

2-Chloroadenosine↗
PubMed1984

Effects of bursectomy and splenectomy of white Leghorn roosters on subsequent northern fowl mite populations.

White Leghorn roosters bursectomized at one day of age, splenectomized at 21 days of age, or bursectomized at one day of age and splenectomized at 21 days of age were infested with the northern fowl mite (NFM) at 22 to 23 weeks of age. No significant differences in NFM populations were observed in the bursectomized, splenectomized, bursectomized and splenectomized, or control roosters during the 24-week infestation period.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Factors affecting northern fowl mite populations on chickens: effect of age of pullet at time of infestation and effect of caponizing roosters.

Pullets were infested with northern fowl mites (NFM), Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago), at 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 weeks of age to determine the best age for infesting hens to obtain uniform heavy NFM populations and to determine if NFM infestations affected initial egg production. Populations of NFM were significantly heavier, developed faster, and declined faster when pullets were infested at 24 or 28 weeks of age than when infested at younger ages. The time of mean initial egg laying was not affected by infestation with NFM at any of the different ages. Cockerels caponized at 4 weeks of age carried significantly fewer NFM than did control males. Feather development appeared to play a significant role in the population levels of NFM on both the hens infested at the earlier ages and in the capons.

Age Factors↗