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Biomedical subjects

J K Barr

Publications and source records attributed to J K Barr.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Knowledge and attitudes about AIDS among corporate and public service employees.

BACKGROUND: We examined the relationship between workplace AIDS education efforts and workers' knowledge about HIV transmission and their attitudes toward coworkers with AIDS. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to corporate and public service workers at 12 work sites to ascertain the extent of their knowledge about AIDS and their attitudes toward coworkers with AIDS. Each work site had offered an AIDS education program. The average response rate was 40%; 3460 workers returned questionnaires. RESULTS: Respondents' knowledge was largely consistent with available scientific evidence. However, a substantial minority still believe HIV infection can be transmitted through casual contact. Over 30% endorse the screening of new employees for AIDS, and 23% would fear contagion from an infected coworker. Thirty percent of the respondents expressed skepticism about the veracity of information from government sources and the scientific community. Work site comparisons show that where educational programs are minimal, employees know less about HIV transmission and hold more negative attitudes. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive workplace AIDS education programs can reinforce workers' knowledge about HIV transmission, thereby fostering more favorable views toward coworkers with AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Supporting the elderly: workplace programs for employed caregivers.

An aging population and extended longevity are increasing the number of older people needing informal and family support. At the same time, women, the traditional caregivers, have entered the work force in record numbers. Consequently, concerns about how to care for dependent family members have become workplace issues. In response to the needs of employees who care for family members, employers have produced an array of policies, benefits, and programs, including flexible work schedules and information and referral services. Although these programs are a valuable complement to community services and government initiatives, relatively few employers have recognized the potential effects of caregiving on absenteeism, productivity, and turnover; even fewer have responded with workplace programs directed to the needs of their caregiving employees. To fill the gap, the government is considering mandating employee benefits, such as leave time for family illness. Community services are increasingly being directed to the needs of older people and their caregivers.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1991

Employees' sources of AIDS information: the workplace as a promising educational setting.

Employees' evaluations of AIDS education in the workplace are related to the nature of the program sponsored by employers. A survey of 3460 employees in eight corporate work sites and four public agencies indicated that workplace programs are more highly valued by employees than are other sources of AIDS information where the programs are extensive. The findings suggest conditions under which employers can be valued as AIDS educators and credible sources of AIDS information.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Procedure-specific costs and savings in a mandatory program for second opinion on surgery.

Initial examination of the surgery experience of participants in a large employer-sponsored second opinion program revealed minimal savings in medical resource costs. But closer examination of relative savings for specific procedure categories showed that the greatest savings are for high-cost procedures: hysterectomy, prostatectomy, back surgery, and hip replacement. Furthermore, a nonconfirming second opinion does not dissuade patients from some procedures. Decisions about which procedures to include in a mandatory program should consider volume, costs, and effects of nonconfirmation, as well as the advantages of a mandatory second opinion for skeptical patients, or for patients for whom a controversial procedure has been recommended.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans↗
PubMed1989

Protection of rat spinal cord against contusion injury by new prostaglandin derivatives.

Two prostaglandin oligomeric compounds, an acid-form compound and an ester-form compound, were synthesized from alprostadil (prostaglandin E1). They were found to provide significant protection to the rat spinal cord against contusion injury. After laminectomy at the T-11 segment of the spinal cord, a weight drop (10 g x 5 cm) caused a "dynamic" injury. The degree of recovery was estimated by several neurologic deficit indices; the Tarlov score, inclined plane test and hot plate test. In the control group (no drug), animals were still paralyzed 4 weeks after injury (Tarlov score 1 to 2). By administering these prostaglandin oligomers, either pre-injury (30 min before injury; one dose of 6 mg/kg i.p.) or post-injury (3 doses, each of 6 mg/kg i.p. at 30 min, 6 h, and 12 h after injury), the Tarlov scores recovered to 3.5 to 4.5 by 4 weeks, and animals were able to either support body weight or to walk with a slight deficit. Although both acid- and ester-forms of the compound demonstrated efficacy, the ester-form provided greater protection to the spinal cord. Other neurologic deficit indices also supported these observations.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Charybdotoxin improves motor recovery of the rat after spinal cord injury.

Charybdotoxin, a highly specific inhibitor of calcium-activated potassium efflux, was found to protect rat spinal cord against dynamic impact injury. In a control (nontreated) group, a weight drop of 10 gram X 5 cm on the T-11 segment of the rat spinal cord paralyzed hindlimbs, and recovery was slow. After 4 weeks, Tarlov scores (a behavioral index) were 1 to 2; the hind legs could not support body weight. In contrast, with animals pretreated 30 minutes prior to the injury by 0.12 mg charybdotoxin/kg (IP), Tarlov scores increased to 3.5-4.5 by three weeks after injury; animals could walk with some deficit. A possible mechanism for the protective effect of this drug is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Care givers in the workplace: employer support for employees with elderly and chronically disabled dependents.

With increasing demands for dependent care, and more women in the work force, employees may be required to balance work and care giving responsibilities. The New York Business Group on Health survey examines the role of business and industry concerning this issue: employer awareness about problems of employees responsible for the care of elderly or chronically disabled dependent family members, and company programs and policies to deal with employee care giver problems. Findings from this exploratory study of 69 companies in the greater New York area indicate that approximately half are aware of care giver needs, and many have identified employee problems in the workplace (lateness, absenteeism, etc). Few have programs designed specifically for care givers. However, larger companies and those with a predominantly female work force have more policies and programs that can accommodate care giver needs. Various strategies currently being tried by companies to support care givers are described.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Preparation and storage of control slides for fetal hemoglobin determination by acid elution.

To simplify the reading of acid eluted blood smears for fetal hemoglobin, positive and negative controls are placed side by side on a single slide. Red blood cells having high Hb F content are stained a bright pink in contrast to cells devoid of Hb F which appear as ghost cells with a faint pink outline. A method for preparing, fixing, and short-term storing of control slides with their subsequent room temperature acid elution and staining is given.

Acids↗