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Biomedical subjects

J Rudd

Publications and source records attributed to J Rudd.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Inflammatory mechanisms.

Traditional concepts of the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes have changed over the last few years. In particular it has been demonstrated that high-risk lesions are not necessarily angiographically severe. Rather, unstable high risk lesions are the ones composed of large lipid cores and thin fibrous caps. It is now widely accepted that plaque instability is related to the development of inflammation within the intima. A consequence of this is that stabilization of lesions provides a new therapeutic target. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that statins may stabilize lesions by altering the inflammatory response. A brief overview of these developments and their impact on clinical practice is presented.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗
PubMed1990

Predictability of repeated challenge: effects on cardiovascular activity in the type A (coronary prone) behavior pattern.

Fifty-two healthy young adults classified either as Type A (coronary prone) or Type B were randomly assigned to a vigilance task during which observing responses produced targets according to either a predictable (i.e., fixed-interval 90-sec) or a nonpredictable (i.e., random-interval 90-sec) reinforcement schedule. During the task, blood volume pulse, interbeat interval, masseter (EMG) activity, and blood pressure were monitored. Transient peripheral vasomotor constriction and heart rate increases were initiated within an 8- to 12-sec period following target detection with the predictable schedule, with subjects evincing greater responsivity than their nonpredictable schedule counterparts. Type A subjects assigned to the random-schedule evinced significantly shorter heart rate and blood volume pulse response durations than did Type B subjects. Longer postevent EMG elevations were evidenced by subjects assigned to the predictable schedule. No significant blood pressure differences were found among the groups. The impact of challenge-contingent behavior on cardiovascular responsivity and the relevance of attentional processes to this relationship and to cardiovascular risk are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Readability and content analysis of print cholesterol education materials.

This article reports the results of an analysis of the readability levels and content of 38 print cholesterol education materials available from government, health agency, professional association, university and industry sources. Each item was characterized according to the primary intended audience (general public, public and screening participants, or those identified with elevated cholesterol and patients in treatment), size, length and appearance. Readability analysis was done using the SMOG and Fog Grading formulas and content analysis examined the presence of messages in each of nine key areas. The readability assessment revealed that the average reading grade level was close to Grade 11, which is too difficult for many adults. Content analysis suggested a need to better address other heart disease risk factors, portion size and the use of brand name food recommendations. Further practice and research needs are identified.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of newspaper coverage of HCFA hospital mortality data.

A study that assessed newspaper coverage of the 1986 Hospital Mortality Data for Medicare Patients released by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is described. Media interpretation of Federal information about the quality of hospital medical care is also discussed. A sample of 68 articles from newspapers serving urban areas of various sizes in all regions of the United States was analyzed. Articles were coded into classifications according to how the news was played, headline bias (positive-negative-neutral), hospital mentions, quote sources, explanations for excessively high mortality rates, urban area population, and geographic region. The findings indicated that HCFA's release of the 1986 hospital mortality data received heavy news coverage. There were twice as many negative headlines as positive ones, although nearly 95 percent of the hospitals had mortality rates within expected ranges. Quotes from representatives of hospitals predominated in the newspaper articles, and they often blamed some aspect of the HCFA data for higher-than-expected mortality rates. Newspaper attention to the quality of hospital care clearly raised consumer awareness of the idea that health care quality can vary. The newspaper articles, however, provided no guidance on obtaining valid data or on using it to make health care choices.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.↗