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Biomedical subjects

R J Fuchs

Publications and source records attributed to R J Fuchs.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Population maldistribution: a global perspective on issues and policies.

Some of the problems posed by the maldistribution of the world's population, particularly in developing countries, are reviewed. "The relationship between spatial demographic issues and national and regional economic development planning is discussed and a set of recommendations regarding needed measures [is] laid out."

Demography↗

Three-pool analysis for quality control: a method for daily differentiation of analytic error from random variability.

Using the Z statistic we have devised a novel, mathematically simple concept for daily quality control of laboratory procedures. The method allows rapid identification and differentiation of systematic errors from random variability on a daily basis, increases confidence in the accuracy of reported results, reduces the number of repeat analyses, and allows the analyst to detect a deteriorating quality control pool. Using three controls instead of one or two increases the chance of detecting out-of-control situations and uses simplified statistical calculations summarized on a single graphic wall chart to monitor the daily accuracy and precision of analytic procedures. The method is adaptable to any type of specimen quantitatively analyzed and can be used in large or small laboratories with light or heavy workloads. This paper reflects what happens in a small laboratory with only one run each day, but, the system has been tested in a large community hospital with a heavy workload and multiple runs each day. Although this procedure is presented for the clinical laboratory, the method would be equally useful in industry.

Laboratories↗

Incidence of complications from coronary angiography in 463 USAF aviators.

Over 600 fliers have had coronary angiography at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine since 1971. This paper concerns the incidence of complications, long- and short-term, on the first 463. Information on short-term complications was compiled from computerized data storage and included all 463 patients. Mean age of patients was 40.5 with a range of 22-57 years. Information about long-term complications was obtained from 357 respondents to a three-page questionnaire (77% return rate). Most frequent indication for angiography was an abnormal treadmill stress test, and more than 90% of the patients were asymptomatic. There was no short-term mortality. Nine individuals reported some residual complaints involving the hand, but had no job or physical activity limitation from the procedure. The local arterial complications were more frequent with brachial cutdown than with the femoral percutaneous approach, but the difference in frequency was not statistically significant.

Adult↗

Glucose-insulin response to oral glucose in a healthy obese population.

The characteristics of the glucose and insulin responses during the glucose tolerance test (GTT) in obese people as a group have not been established. We analyzed glucose and insulin levels during GTT in 160 healthy obese patients who averaged 42% over ideal body weight. Statistical upper limit of normal for 2-h glucose was 260 mg/dl in women and 206 mg/dl in men. Although there was a significant correlation between insulin and glucose levels in both sexes and between insulin and degree of obesity in women, r values were relatively low (r less than 0.4 for all). High insulin levels and delayed peak insulin were present in the majority of patients with normal GTT and absent in many of the most obese patients. Results indicate that upper limits of normal glucose for GTT in the obese are much higher than currently accepted criteria.

Adult↗

A nomogram to predict lean body mass in men.

A simple three scale nomogram is presented to predict lean body mass in men from two anthropometric measurements: height and the circumference of the flexed biceps. The prediction equation used in constructing the nomogram was established from data collected on 198 USAF aircrewmen. Lean body mass was determined on these men by a standard tritium dilution technique. The equation was validated on a total of 65 additional flyers, comparing measurements obtained by tritium dilution (r = 0.91), 40K wholebody counter techniques (r = 0.90), and water-displacement techniques (r = 0.86). A second nomogram demonstrates the flexibility in using this anthropometric-type prediction of body composition to arrive at personalized weight standards.

Adult↗

Chorionic gonadotropin in weight control. A double-blind crossover study.

Two hundred two patients participated in a double-blind random cross-over study of the effectiveness of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) vs placebo in a wieght reduction program. Serial measurements were made of weight, skin-fold thickness, dropout rates, reasons for dropping out, and patient subjective response. There was no statistically significant difference between those receiving HCG vs placebo during any phase of this study (P greater than .1).

Adult↗

Body fat: its relationship to coronary heart disease, blood pressure, lipids and other risk factors measured in a large male population.

Obesity is variably considered to be a major contributor to hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and its treatment is recommended in the management of coronary heart disease. Total body fat was measured by tritium dilution in a large male population and its relationship to age, blood pressure, serum lipids, uric acid and the diagnoses of coronary heart disease, hypertension and glucose intolerance was examined. In addition, three commonly used weight: height indices of obesity were correlated with each of these parameters. The correlation of body fat with blood pressure, serum cholesterol and triglycerides, although statistically significant, was of only small magnitude. Mean levels of body fat were not significantly different between patients with coronary disease and control subjects, whereas serum cholesterol and, to a lesser extent, systolic blood pressure were potent risk factors for the disease. It is concluded that obesity is only a minor determinant of blood pressure and lipid level, and that its contribution to coronary heart disease is small or nonexistent.

Adipose Tissue↗