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Biomedical subjects

D McGee

Publications and source records attributed to D McGee.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Use of a mobile health van by a vulnerable population: homeless sheltered women.

Little is known about the health status of homeless women. In this study, we examined the health problems of and services provided to sheltered, homeless, Midwestern women who used a mobile health van. Our objectives were to document these women's ages, self-reported past medical histories, self-reported histories of addictions and hospitalizations, presenting concerns, diagnoses, and visit patterns. To this end, we performed a retrospective review of the 689 records of 408 women who had sought care during a 3-year period. The data were divided into three groups, representing women ages 15-25 (n = 111), 26-40 (n = 211), and 41-70 (n = 86). In all three age groups, respiratory disorders were most frequently treated. Preventive health maintenance concerns were also major concerns of all age groups. Recommendations for improving the quality, continuity, and follow-up of care are offered.

Adolescent↗

Alprazolam reduces stress hyperglycemia in ob/ob mice.

We have shown that the C57BL/6J ob/ob (obese) mouse, a commonly used model of type II diabetes mellitus, is not in fact consistently hyperglycemic except when exposed to environmental stress. In an attempt to modify stress hyperglycemia in this animal, we administered either a 5 mg/kg dose of the benzodiazepine alprazolam or vehicle (propylene glycol) intraperitoneally to both obese mice and their lean littermates prior to a rest and a stress period. Alprazolam modified the hyperglycemic effect of stress only in the obese mice. Alprazolam significantly reduced plasma corticosterone in obese animals at rest and following stress. In addition, alprazolam significantly increased plasma insulin in all animals at rest and following stress. These data suggest a possible role for benzodiazepines in the modification of stress hyperglycemia in type II diabetes mellitus.

Alprazolam↗

Biological and social correlates of blood pressure among Japanese men in Hawaii.

A cohort of more than 8,000 Japanese men living in Hawaii was studied for factors associated with blood pressure levels, with an emphasis on biological and sociocultural variables. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of more than 50 variables indicated that obesity, age, hematocrit, heart rate, forced vital capacity, serum triglyceride, serum uric acid, cigarette consumption, and family history of hypertension were independently associated with both cross-sectional levels and longitudinal changes in blood pressure. Serum glucose and alcohol consumption were associated with cross-sectional levels only. There was little evidence of association for specific dietary items, type of diet, diet changes, or use of salt. Furthermore, there was no support for the psychosocial hypotheses of elevated blood pressure from the stress of migration, acculturation, or status incongruity.

Acculturation↗

Diet, blood pressure, and multicollinearity.

Recent reports of an inverse association between dietary calcium intake and hypertension stimulated this analysis of the relationship of blood pressure to more than 20 dietary factors among a group of 8000 Japanese men in Hawaii. Reported intakes of potassium, calcium, protein, and milk were all inversely associated with blood pressure levels when examined one at a time while controlling for other risk factors. Alcohol intake was directly associated with blood pressure, and was treated as a confounding variable in the analysis. The association of potassium intake with blood pressure was relatively stronger than the associations for other nutrients, but the intake of potassium was so highly correlated with intakes of calcium, milk, and protein that it was not statistically possible to identify the independent association of potassium and blood pressure. Calcium intake was strongly correlated with milk and potassium intakes, and only calcium from dairy sources was associated with blood pressure. These data thus indicate that several dietary factors are inversely related to blood pressure levels independently of other risk factors such as age, body mass, and alcohol intake. The high degree of intercorrelation (multicollinearity) among these dietary factors, however, indicates that the independent role of any specific nutrient cannot be conclusively separated from the possible effects of other nutrients in this type of study.

Adult↗