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Biomedical subjects

J Crossman

Publications and source records attributed to J Crossman.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A multidisciplinary team approach to skull base chordomas.

OBJECT: A multidisciplinary team devised a protocol for long-term care of patients with skull base chordomas. In this study they describe their approach. METHODS: Forty-two patients presented between 1986 and 1998 and were treated by maximum surgical cytoreduction and photon radiation therapy. Tumor volume-doubling time determined on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging, immunostaining, and cell proliferation (Ki67 labeling index [LI]) studies indicated growth rates of individual chordomas. The best outlook was associated with the greatest extent of tumor removal achieved during the first operation. There were no deaths associated with patients who underwent first-time surgery, but there was a 7.1% mortality rate associated with those who underwent subsequent operations. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks, additional cranial nerve palsies, and pharyngeal wound problems were the most difficult management problems encountered after second and subsequent surgeries. The time interval between operations was usually between 2 years and 3 years after the first surgery; very few patients required a second surgery, with a quiescent period in excess of 5 years. Life-table 5- and 10-year survival rates were 77% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The authors believe that this series of skull base chordomas provides new insights into the management of these lesions, particularly with regard to techniques that increase survival times and studies that aid in formulating prognoses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

A multidisciplinary team approach to skull base chondrosarcomas.

OBJECT: The authors review their experience with treating skull base chondrosarcomas, which are much rarer than skull base chordomas and differ from them in prognosis and treatment. METHODS: Seventeen patients (12 male and five female patients) with histologically verified chondrosarcomas were followed up prospectively over a 12-year period. The mean age at presentation was 35.9 years. Most patients presented with cranial nerve palsies. Seven had undergone surgery prior to referral to the authors' unit. All underwent maximum surgical cytoreduction by the most direct surgical approach; only the two patients harboring the mesenchymal variant underwent radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: One patient died of a pulmonary embolus; the patients harboring mesenchymal chondrosarcomas died at 20 and 36 months, respectively, after treatment. Of the remaining patients, 93% were alive 5 years postsurgery and had a projected 10-year survival rate of 84% (mean survival time 9.3 years). These data emphasize the very slow progression of this tumor compared with skull base chordoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The Glasgow Coma Score: reliable evidence?

The Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) is an important factor in the management and prognosis of a patient with neurosurgical pathology. We have found that there is often a disparity between the quoted and actual GCS of patients referred to this unit. We performed a prospective observational study to determine the proportion of patients referred with a correct GCS. Forty-two (51%) out of a total of 82 patients had a correct GCS on referral. The proportion of patients referred with a correct GCS did not vary with either the grade or speciality of the referring doctor.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1997

Psychological rehabilitation from sports injuries.

Medical professionals realise the importance of incorporating psychological strategies into rehabilitation from athletic injury, but often feel they lack the knowledge to do so. This paper explores the role which psychology can play when injured athletes are rehabilitating. Rehabilitation from sport injury involves not only physical, but psychological considerations. Topics include: the post-injury emotional and cognitive reactions of athletes, the importance of social support, the athlete's attitude toward recovery, the therapist's, physician's and coach's roles during rehabilitation, strategies to increase adherence, and effective communication between client and medical professionals. Considerations for returning to practice and competition are also discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Musical reinforcement of practice behaviors among competitive swimmers.

This study determined whether music could be used as a reinforcer for increasing productive and decreasing nonproductive behavior of 6 competitive swimmers during the dry-land portion of practice session. The swimmers were randomly assigned to either the contingent reinforcement group, who received music for productive behavior, or the noncontingent group, who received music regardless of their training productivity. An ABAB design showed that a large and immediate increase in productive practice behavior and decrease in nonproductive practice behavior occurred during the contingent phase compared to the baseline phase. Subjects rated the musical reinforcement favorably and elected to have the procedure continued.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Effects of a cognitive intervention package on the free-throw performance of varsity basketball players during practice and competition.

To examine the effects of a cognitive intervention package on the free-throw shooting performance of basketball players, with 3 Canadian male university caliber basketball players ages 20, 22, and 24 years, during practice and in competition single-subject multiple-baseline design was implemented. Each subject was introduced to the imagery-rehearsal intervention at different times during the 14-week competitive basketball season. Free-throw data were collected during 50 practice sessions and 32 games. Data from both practice and competitive situations were examined using a comparison of graphed means. In the practice condition an increase in free-throw performance for all three subjects occurred during the posttreatment intervention. In the game condition, Subjects A and B showed posttreatment improvement. The cognitive intervention package consisting of visualization and relaxation can be an effective strategy for improving free-throw performance of some basketball players. Further research should involve control-group examination using a larger sample across a variety of tasks.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A community survey of cardiac emergency skills: symptom recognition and CPR.

This descriptive study assessed recognition of symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) by community members and their ability to respond to emergency situations with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. One thousand questionnaires were randomly mailed to residents with a response rate of 48.1%. Results indicated that residents have limited awareness of symptoms of MI other than demonstrated chest pain and that 20.6% of the respondents had taken a CPR course. CPR courses were taken by 9.6% of respondents who had one or more relatives diagnosed with heart disease. The lack of awareness of symptoms of MI and limited ability to perform CPR skills in emergency situations by community residents may contribute to the high mortality rates due to heart disease. Results of the study suggest that educational campaigns be instituted in the community under study to promote recognition of and response to cardiac emergencies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Cardiac risk factors of smoking, hypertension, obesity and family history: a review of the literature.

This review of the literature focuses on risk factors of smoking, hypertension, obesity, and family history that are associated with the development of coronary heart disease. The prevalence of these cardiac risk factors are incorporated from several Canadian health surveys. Health professionals in cardiovascular settings can use the information to develop cardiac teaching programs to promote awareness and healthy cardiac practices in the Canadian population.

Canada↗
PubMed1990

Perceptions of athletic injuries by athletes, coaches, and medical professionals.

35 athletes, their coaches, and medical professionals independently assessed the disruption, seriousness, and short-term effects of the athletes' athletic injuries. Athletes underestimated the disruption and short-term effects of the injury when compared to medical professionals. 25 lower level athletes and those with no previous serious athletic injury overestimated the short-term effects of their injuries. Coaches overestimated the disrupting effects of the injury for 10 higher level athletes and 25 athletes with no previous injury.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1985

Differences in perceptions of seriousness and disrupting effects of athletic injury as viewed by athletes and their trainer.

Discrepancies between athletes' ratings of the seriousness and disruptive impact of an athletic injury and ratings by one experienced Sports Medicine Trainer were examined for 30 male and 13 female athletes undergoing treatment at a Sports Medicine Clinic. Overestimation of the seriousness or disruptive impact of the injury was significantly correlated with reports of more pain, higher state anxiety, and greater feelings of anger, apathy, loneliness, and inadequacy, and was more common among athletes competing at lower levels. These findings indicate need for psychological support for those athletes who overreact to injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Validation of an MRI/PET landmark registration method using 3D simulated PET images and point simulations.

Three-dimensional (3D) simulated PET images generated from MRI were used to validate a multimodality registration technique based on the identification of internal anatomical landmarks. In addition, point-based simulations were compared with registration datasets acquired over 3 yr of routine use of the technique. Registration errors were found to range from 1.0 mm at the brain centre to 2.8 mm in each dimension at the brain surface.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modifiable cardiac risk factors of smoking, elevated serum cholesterol and hypertension: a community survey.

This descriptive study assessed the prevalence, perceptions and practices of community residents concerning three risk factors most commonly associated with coronary heart disease: smoking behaviour, hypertension and elevated blood cholesterol/dietary factors. One thousand questionnaires were randomly mailed to residents with a response rate of 48.1%. Results indicated that residents identify smoking and dietary factors as major risks for the development of heart disease. Although the prevalence of hypertension and the frequency of blood pressure screening was similar to other provincial and community surveys that investigated cardiac behaviours, differences were found with the prevalence of smoking behaviour, the frequency of blood cholesterol screening, and knowledge and practices of dietary behaviour. As a result of the study, target groups have been identified and programs have been recommended to meet community needs.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Modifiable cardiac risk factors of obesity, inactivity, and stress: a community survey.

In this descriptive study the perceptions and practices of community residents concerning three risk factors associated with coronary heart disease (obesity, inactivity, and stress) and their prevalence were assessed. One thousand questionnaires were randomly mailed to residents of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada with a response rate of 48.1%. The results suggest that all three risk factors under study could be contributing to the significantly higher mortality rates in Thunder Bay due to coronary heart disease (when compared to provincial norms). Programs should be developed in the community under study to promote awareness of cardiac risk factors and strategies developed to reduce these risk factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Motivations of professionals for involvement in the delivery of a heart disease education and support program.

This paper describes the motivations of individuals (N = 101) assisting in the delivery of a program of information and support for heart attack and heart surgery patients and their partners. The majority of those surveyed were recruited through association with charitable foundations or through a professional colleague and are motivated by the personal satisfaction derived from providing education and support to those recovering from heart disease.

Adult↗