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Biomedical subjects

M Engelberg

Publications and source records attributed to M Engelberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Promoting sun safety among zoo visitors.

BACKGROUND: Each year, millions of children visit zoological parks, where they are exposed to long bouts of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We conducted a study in the winter and replicated it in the summer to evaluate an intervention for reducing UVR exposure during the zoo visit. METHODS: Each study used a nonequivalent control group design: one zoological site received the intervention and a second received evaluation only. Key outcome measures consisted of observed prevalence of hat use by exiting children (N = 8,721 and 8,524, respectively, in winter and summer studies) and purchase rates of sunscreen and hats in zoo gift shops. Intervention consisted of tip sheets for parents, children's activities, prompts, and discounts off the price of sunscreen and sun-protective hats. RESULTS: In the summer study, sales of both sunscreen and target hats increased significantly at the intervention site relative to the control site, whereas in the winter study, only sunscreen sales at the intervention site had a significant (relative) increase. Children's hat use increased significantly at the intervention site, but only in the winter study. CONCLUSIONS: The multicomponent program was effective in promoting purchases of sun-safe items, but its impact on children's hat use was inconclusive.

California↗
PubMed2001

Nutrition communication for a Latino community: formative research foundations.

Formative research techniques were used to develop a tailored health communication nutrition intervention for Latinas and their families. Members of the target community were recruited to participate in focus groups, depth interviews, and participant observations. Women, in particular, were observed preparing meals in their homes and purchasing groceries. The objective was to identify variables that could be used for targeting, segmenting, and tailoring the intervention. Results from these efforts were used to develop a theory-based intervention, which is described at the conclusion of the article.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Beneficiary decisionmaking: the impact of labeling health plan choices.

One critical health plan decision concerns choosing an original Medicare plan or a Medicare managed care plan. Evidence suggests that people are confused by the phrase "Original Medicare plan." Using focus group and Q-sort methodology, the authors sought to identify a name for the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) product. Two key insights were gained. First, participants used the word "Medicare" to name the FFS product. Second, participants did not choose between two plans. Rather, they decided between supplemental insurance and a managed care product. These factors should influence how CMS "brands" not only the FFS product but also the overall Medicare program.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

A national survey of sun safety activities at U.S. zoos.

Skin cancer incidence in the United States has increased. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Every year, millions of children with their families visit outdoor leisure facilities such as zoos where overexposure to UVR may occur. This study was conducted to assess the proportion of U.S. zoos that provided sun safety activities during the summer of 1998 and their willingness to incorporate skin cancer prevention strategies at their facility in the future. A 56 item self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 140 zoos accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association. A follow-up telephone survey was also conducted with 33 mail non-respondents. The response rate was 97% (N = 136). Results revealed that in the summer of 1998, only 5% of zoos provided sun safety recommendations to visitors and 25% of zoos provided recommendations to their employees. The recommendations made most often to visitors and employees were to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing. Eighty-five percent of zoos indicated interest in providing sun safety activities at their facilities in the future. The next step will be to design environmentally appropriate sun safety programs for zoos and to encourage zoos to implement these programs.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the Hasson trocar].

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard operation for symptomatic gallstone disease. There is general agreement that the advantages of this procedure in selected patients outweigh those of conventional open cholecystectomy. However, technical aspects of the procedure may expose the patient to severe and even lethal complications, such as bowel or bladder perforation or injury to major blood vessels. In our opinion these complications are avoided by the routine use of the blunt-tipped Hasson trocar, introduced through a 2 cm infra-umbilical incision in an open laparoscopic technique. We have used it successfully in 120 consecutive patients and believe it to be the procedure of choice for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗
PubMed1987

Procuring incentives for community health promotion programs.

Many community health promotion programs have used incentives to encourage participation and to reward health behavior change. To minimize expenses and to enhance a sense of shared responsibility, a number of projects have turned to community merchants as a source of incentives. This study investigated the relative effectiveness of solicitation methods used to procure incentives from local merchants for community health promotion programs. The effect of setting, i.e. level of urban development, and type of business were also analyzed in terms of procurement rates. Two hundred and eighteen merchants were solicited to gain incentives for two programs. Twenty-four incentives were procured at a total value of $480. Telemarketing and face-to-face contact had similar procurement rates, restaurants were by far the type of business most likely to donate, and rural merchants provided incentives significantly more often than urban merchants, while developing urban area merchants' donation rates were midway in between. Telemarketing was the solicitation method clearly most cost effective.

California↗
PubMed1985

Bile composition and bile acid pool size. Comparison after truncal, selective, and highly selective vagotomy.

We studied biliary lipid composition and bile acid pool size in 29 patients surgically treated for duodenal ulcer. Fourteen were examined both before and after surgery, the rest postsurgically only. They were divided into three groups according to type of vagotomy. With duodenal fluid obtained via nasogastric tube, we determined bile acid pool size, bile concentrations, and lithogenic index. We found no significant differences in bile composition and bile acid pool size among the three types of vagotomy, postsurgically. However, patients studied before surgery, compared with the entire post-vagotomy group, had a significant increase in relative cholesterol content and lithogenic index, most pronounced in the truncal vagotomy group. Bile acid pool size was also increased postsurgically. Vagotomy may predispose to gallstone development by increasing the bile's relative cholesterol concentration and thus the lithogenic index. However, the slightly expanded bile acid pool size may improve cholesterol solubility in certain patients.

Bile↗
PubMed1985

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation for tinnitus.

The use of electrical stimulation to treat tinnitus was evaluated in a two-experiment study. The stimulus was a low amperage, low frequency variable square wave applied to 13 sites on the auricle of the ear with tinnitus. The sites were selected for their increased electrical conductivity as measured by low electrical resistance readings. Experiment 1 results defined improvement as either a complete remission of the tinnitus or a decrease in the frequency of the tinnitus. Experiment 2 utilized a single blind protocol with 20 subjects comprising 33 ears with tinnitus. Eighty-two percent of the 33 ears showed improvement by either of the two criteria. The permanence of the improvement ranged from 20 minutes to at least six months. The variables associated with this procedure were discussed. The adverse effects from the stimulation were minimal.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Systemic prophylactic antibiotics in elective biliary surgery.

We tested the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics in elective cholecystectomy in 105 patients in a single-blind, controlled randomized trial. Fifty-six patients received prophylactic antibiotics and 49 patients entered the control group. Of the patients who received prophylactic antibiotics, 3.6% had wound infections, v24.5% in the control group. The rate of wound infection in patients with positive bile cultures, diabetes, appendectomies, and choledochotomies was 24.4%, v 3.4% in the group who had cholecystectomies only, with negative bile cultures and no diabetes. We concluded that prophylactic antibiotics are effective in patients with high-risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, exploration of the choledochus, and appendectomy, and in patients with positive bile cultures.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Bile duct tumours: prolonged survival by radiological management of T-tubes.

Carcinoma of the common bile duct is generally a slow-growing tumour which causes death by hepatic failure and ascending cholangitis secondary to obstruction. Internal drainage by surgical placement of a T-tube bypassing the tumour is widely employed, but survival times are generally short, averaging 9.9 months. The interventional radiologist can offer considerable prolongation of life with reduced hospitalization by means of percutaneous tube cleaning and catheter replacement. A case is presented where survival has been prolonged to 37 months by routine radiological catheter care.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1984

Seeding of cholangiocarcinoma along T-tube tracts.

A fungating cutaneous tumor arising at the site of exit of a T-tube is described. The tube had been inserted to bypass an adenocarcinoma of the common bile duct. The tumor arose 30 months after operation and is the first such case recorded. Multiple percutaneous changes of the T-tube may be the causative factors.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1983

Fecal peritonitis. An approach to its management.

During the first 8 mo of 1978, 10 patients with fecal peritonitis were admitted to our Intensive Care Unit. An attempt was made to standardize the management of these patients, the emphasis being on intraoperative peritoneal lavage, anaerobic-sensitive antibiotics, and the early introduction of artificial ventilation (intermittent mandatory ventilation).

Aged↗