PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

J A Henderson

Publications and source records attributed to J A Henderson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Meeting the needs of special populations: a formative evaluation of a school-based smoking prevention program.

The National Cancer Institute has recommended three minimum components for school-based smoking prevention programs: short-term physiological effects, social consequences, and refusal skills. This investigation compares these minimum components with participant evaluations of the usefulness of content areas of a prevention program. Three hundred 9th grade students participated in the study. Results indicate that Health Hazards, Nonsmokers' Rights, Decision-Making Skills, and Peer Influences were most often rated as "Very Helpful" in resisting pressures to smoke. Assessment of initial knowledge of the health hazards and consequences associated with tobacco use indicate that 77% of the students received a "D" or lower. Results suggest that this group of adolescents, who are at risk for becoming adult smokers, may not be adequately served by public information sources and may therefore benefit from the inclusion of an additional minimum component: information about the long term health consequences associated with smoking.

Adolescent

Assessment of attitudes toward school-based health promotion programs.

Teachers from Orleans Parish public junior and senior high schools completed a survey designed to assess their health-related behaviors and their attitudes toward school-based health promotion programs. Findings suggest that teachers' behaviors and attitudes, as well as school policies toward smoking, are not optimal to creating a pro-health promotion environment. While teachers recognize the value of preventive programs for adolescents and many feel well qualified to implement such programs, few actually do. Resolution of these discrepancies are necessary early steps in increasing primary efforts needed for cancer control in Louisiana.

Adolescent

Boerhaave revisited: spontaneous esophageal perforation as a diagnostic masquerader.

Spontaneous perforation of the esophagus (Boerhaave syndrome) is an emergency that requires early diagnosis if death or serious prolonged illness is to be averted. The cases of three patients with spontaneous esophageal perforation simulating other primary diagnoses are described. The respective referral diagnoses were pericarditis, lung abscess, and pancreatitis. Each case was characterized by severe illness, and by delay in diagnosis despite multiple consultations. Two patients died. The literature is reviewed and the causes of delay in diagnosis are analyzed. More than 40 years after the first report of successful surgical repair, spontaneous esophageal perforation is insufficiently considered in diagnostic hypotheses, yet may be confirmed or excluded by simple methods. All clinicians need to be alert to this lethal disease, and to be aware of its frequent atypical presentations.

Aged

The effect of unilateral testicular torsion on the contralateral testicle in prepubertal Chinese hamsters.

Recent studies of experimental testicular torsion in rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs have demonstrated conflicting evidence regarding contralateral testicular damage. Those studies in which cellular damage has been found are postulated to result from an immunological mechanism whereby the blood-testis barrier is disrupted with subsequent autoantibody formation. In this study, the histologic and immunologic effects of testicular torsion on the contralateral testicle were investigated in prepubertal Chinese hamsters. Four study groups were established; (1) Left orchiectomy only, (2) sham surgery (scrotal incision), (3) 720 degrees left testicular torsion with left orchiectomy 24 hours later, (4) 720 degrees torsion of left testicle with detorsion after 24 hours. The initial procedure was performed at 1 month of age with subsequent biopsies of the contralateral testicle at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after the initial procedure. Testicular tissue was examined for immunofluorescent activity using fluorescent labeled goat anti-hamster IgG. Positive controls were established by rabbit immunization (rabbit anti-hamster immunoglobulin) which was subsequently combined with fluorescent labeled goat antirabbit IgG. There was no appreciable difference in immunologic activity between control and experimental animals. Representative sections were examined histologically and no tubular damage was demonstrated and active spermatogenesis was noted at 6 months in all groups. We believe that our results support the premise that testicular torsion in the prepubertal period has no effect on the contralateral testicle.

Age Factors

Gas plant (Dictamnus albus) phytophotodermatitis simulating poison ivy.

A 48-year-old man presented with an itchy rash that resembled superficial burns or cane marks on his left forearm; similar lesions had appeared every summer for 5 years. Poison ivy dermatitis had been the initial diagnosis, but the patient knew that this plant was absent from his well tended garden. A visit to the garden revealed the gas plant Dictamnus albus, and occlusive patch testing with leaf cuttings produced a reaction after the skin was exposed to sunlight. Gas plant phytophotodermatitis was diagnosed.

Canada

Xeroradiography and otolaryngology.

As a diagnostic tool, a new horizon in otolaryngology has become apparent in the past several years. It is known as xeroradiography and is a convenient technique requiring minimal patient cooperation and enjoying excellent acceptability for both patients and physicians. Speed, efficiency and consistently high image quality make xeroradiography suitable for otolaryngologic applications in the office, as well as in operating and emergency rooms. All tissue densities are represented in a single image, eliminating the need for taking two films of different densities, while radiation exposure in the same. Now popular for use in mammography, the technique is especially useful for detailed studies of the areas of interest to otolaryngologists. Certain inherent disadvantages in the technique are mentioned and guidelines are given to make these disadvantages an acceptable trade-off in actual application.

Humans