Studies of bioelectric resistance in overweight, middle-aged subjects.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M S Micozzi.
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It is useful to develop indices of weight and stature, or body mass indices (BMIs), that are highly correlated with weight, are independent of stature, and accurately reflect body composition. The anthropometric data collected in the NHANES I (1971-74) and NHANES II (1976-80) US population samples were used to test the statistical characteristics and biologic correlations of various BMIs reported in the literature. BMIs that are independent of stature and still highly correlated to weight (r = 0.89-0.98) over all ages and distributions of fatness and leanness are W/S2 in men and both W/S and W/S1.5 in women. These BMIs are also highly correlated to measured and calculated estimates of body composition including subscapular skinfold thickness (r = 0.78-0.80), arm circumference (r = 0.83-0.89), and arm fat area (r = 0.71-0.83).
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Understanding the processes of postmortem change in biologic systems is important to the forensic sciences. Previous experimental studies of postmortem change in animals under field conditions made use of animal carcasses that had been incidentally exposed to the effects of freezing and thawing or mechanical damage, or both, and were limited to gross observations. The current study was designed to document intrinsic processes of postmortem change, and the effects of freezing-thawing and mechanical injury, under controlled conditions in the field, using histologic and microbiologic techniques, as well as gross observation. Insect and microbiologic succession sequences, and patterns of decomposition and disarticulation, were observable over time. Previously frozen-thawed animals showed predominantly decay (aerobic decomposition) in the field, while freshly killed animals showed predominantly putrefaction (anaerobic decomposition). Previously frozen animals showed the same sequence, but accelerated rates, of disarticulation. Mechanically injured tissues showed accelerated rates of decomposition. These findings have implications for the interpretation of results of previous studies, as well as the interpretation of human and animal remains subjected to freezing and thawing.
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Two intravenous amphetamine abusers had fatal, rapidly progressive cerebral mucormycosis with abscess formation in the presence of absolute lymphopenia. Postmortem examination confirmed the primary nature of the fungal cerebritis, documented by postmortem culture and histology. The clinical and pathologic features of these cases are compared to previously reported occurrences of primary fungal cerebritis (and abscess) among intravenous drug abusers, including cocaine users. Primary fungal cerebritis associated with intravenous abuse of stimulant drugs is discussed as a possible variant of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
The diagnosis of skeletal tuberculosis in human remains has traditionally been based upon the detection of secondary skeletal lesions which result from hemotogenous dissemination of tubercle bacilli (e.g., Pott's disease). Since such lesions develop in less than 7% of cases of human tuberculosis, the paleodemography and paleoepidemiology of this disease have been difficult to assess from skeletal remains. This study presents a new diagnostic approach to tuberculosis, focusing on the skeletal manifestations of chronic pulmonary disease (which comprises approximately 90% of human-form tuberculosis). Four hundred forty-five skeletal remains from persons dying of tuberculosis during the first half of the 20th century were examined. A total of 70/445 (16%) exhibited skeletal lesions in one or more locations as a response to infection. Of these 70, 39 (56%) were found to display a specific set of lesions restricted to the internal aspect of the ribs. These lesions take one of two forms: (1) diffuse periostitis or (2) localized abscess, and appear to correspond to areas of chronic pulmonary infection. The diffuse type of rib lesion is more commonly observed than the localized type. In our observations (and according to the natural history of tuberculosis) the occurrence of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis is usually mutually exclusive with hematogenous dissemination to secondary bone locations. Thus, the detection of rib lesions in cases of chronic pulmonary disease increases the absolute sample size of skeletal tuberculosis by a factor of two in this study.
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Obliquely contracted pelvis was observed in association with tuberculosis and dystocia (difficult parturition) in four out of 762 childbearing women in a Southeast Asian population. It is hypothesized that the pelvic contracture results from tuberculosis of the sacro-iliac joint with destruction of the sacral ala. This gross morphologic deformity, as observed in living populations, may be a useful marker for skeletal tuberculosis in prehistoric and historic populations as well. The occurrence of obliquely contracted pelvis with consequent dystocia as a specific complication of systemic tuberculosis may have direct implications for differential reproductivity.
A blood pressure study on 1,078 school children, grades one through six, conducted in Mindanao, Philippines, showed an inverse association between the prevalence of systolic hypertension and the level of academic achievement, significant at p less than 0.05 in grades 4--6, and p = 0.06 in grades 1--3.
A case of pulmonary paragonmiasis was diagnosed in a woman of the Manobo tribe in Marilog, Calinan, in the Davao region of Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Phillippine Archipelago. She had the first case of this disease reported in Mindanao. The patient was initially mis-diagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis, but failure of the standard triad regimen led to microscopic identification of Paragonimus westermani eggs in sputum. Therapy with Bithionol was successful in this case. One additional case was confirmed, and several more suspected, among members of this population group. From an epidemiologic standpoint, careful examination of chest x-rays will allow early differentiation between pulmonary paragonimiasis and tuberculosis, in areas where both conditions are endemic.
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Acute arterial occlusion secondary to embolization from aneurysms located upstream occurred in 16% in 277 aneurysms involving subclavian, abdominal aortic, femoral, and popliteal vessels. This association should be suspected in those instances when the occlusive symptoms are severe and sudden in onset. The study emphasizes the importance of aortic outlining, as well as arteriographic mapping of both lower extremities, when occlusive disease of one or both legs is present. An aneurysm upstream should be suspected when there is failure of a previously implanted graft peripherally. Asymptomatic, small abdominal aortic aneurysms should be resected.
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Tumorigenesis in eukaryotic organisms is based on the deregulation of normal cell growth and development. This deregulation may be elicited by external as well as endogenous factors. We distinguish between benign and malignant growths depending on the inducing tumorigenic agents and on the genetic make-up of the affected organism. This review discusses similarities of neoplasmatic (epigenetic) and neoplastic transformations in plants and animals as well as inherent differences in the growth parameters between the two kingdoms. Examples given for neoplasmatic tissues are the hyperplasias and insect galls (zoocecidia) in plants and hypoplasia, aplasia and agenesis in animals (and man). Neoplastic transformation in plants is the result of either the incorporation of foreign nuclear material into the plant genome or an imbalance of inherited chromosomes (in hybrids). Examples for neoplasias are the crown gall disease and Kostoff's genetic tumors in plants, and the carcinomas and leukemias in animals. The more than 80 year old, but neglected, concept of a correlation between tumorigenesis in animals and plants has been revived through advances in molecular and cell biology and molecular genetics which will stimulate a new form of biological reasoning and thought, fueled by new insights into cellular regulatory processes.