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M Puczynski

Publications and source records attributed to M Puczynski.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Helmets! All the pros wear them.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of a multidisciplinary community campaign to increase helmet use and determine the success of a school education and helmet distribution program. DESIGN: Survey research. SETTING: Large metropolitan area and two elementary schools. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred representative families in a metropolitan area and students enrolled in two elementary schools. INTERVENTIONS: A 1-year-long regional media campaign and a helmet distribution program in one elementary school after 4 weeks of safety instruction. RESULTS: Evaluation of the community component 1 year after initiation of the campaign revealed a 23% awareness of the promotion. Factors associated with wearing a helmet in the community included higher income levels, higher level of education, and male sex. The school component survey revealed that 73% of the children in school A reported helmet use vs 23% in school B. This multifaceted approach to affect helmet use demonstrated variable success in our community. CONCLUSION: This campaign effort achieved its greatest success in promoting community awareness of the importance of helmet use. However, further studies need to be performed to determine the success of the school education and helmet distribution program.

Bicycling↗

Mild hypoglycemia associated with deterioration of mental efficiency in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

To assess the effects of mild hypoglycemia on cognitive functioning in diabetic children, we used an insulin glucose clamp technique to induce and maintain a hypoglycemic state. Eleven patients, 11 to 18 years of age, completed a series of cognitive tests during a baseline euglycemic state (100 mg/dl (5.5 mmol/L] and repeated those measures at the beginning and end of a hypoglycemic plateau (55 to 65 mg/dl (3.1 to 3.6 mmol/L], and again at restoration of euglycemia. At plasma glucose levels of 60 to 65 mg/dl (3.3 to 3.6 mmol/L), a significant decline in mental efficiency was found. This was most apparent on measures of mental "flexibility" (Trial Making Test) and on measures that required planning and decision making, attention to detail, and rapid responding. Moreover, complete recovery of cognitive function was not contemporaneous with restoration of euglycemia, particularly on those tests requiring rapid responding and decision making (choice reaction time). Not all subjects showed evidence of cognitive impairment during hypoglycemia. The very high degree of intersubject variability suggests that, in addition to plasma glucose values, unknown physiologic variables are responsible for triggering cognitive impairments in school-aged youngsters with diabetes during an episode of mild hypoglycemia.

Adolescent↗

Mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome.

A 3-year-old child presented with a short clinical history of fever and diffuse cervical lymphadenopathy, and the diagnosis of mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome was reached. We include a discussion of the case history and a brief review of this disorder.

Child, Preschool↗