PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T E Aldrich

Publications and source records attributed to T E Aldrich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Statistical approach to combining the results of similar experiments, with application to the hematologic effects of extremely-low-frequency electric field exposures.

A large proportion of scientific effort in investigating the possible biological effects of exposure to extremely-low-frequency (ELF) fields consists of laboratory studies on experimental animals. Most experiments in which hematologic properties are measured show no statistically significant effect due to exposure. However, some studies show significant effects which, in general, are not clearly reproducible. A difficult question must then be addressed: Are these relatively few indications of ELF effects statistical artifacts due to the increased risk of a type I error in multiple studies, or is there a real biological effect that is undetected in most studies due to the relatively small sample sizes commonly used? A statistical approach for examining the accumulated results of multiple experiments which results in a single test for treatment effect is presented. The technique requires very mild assumptions, and is valid for experiments that vary widely in specific characteristics such as exposure level, duration, and laboratory. The method is applied to the results of a collection of hematologic and serum chemistry experiments, and the combined results indicate the existence of experimental effects on some end points.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of noise and electromagnetic fields on reproductive outcomes.

Much public health research has been directed to studies of cancer risks due to chemical agents. Recently, increasing attention has been given to adverse reproductive outcomes as another, shorter-term biologic indicator of public health impact. Further, several low-level ubiquitous physical agents have been implicated recently as possibly affecting human health. These physical factors (noise and electromagnetic fields) represent difficult topics for research with epidemiologic study methods. This paper provides a brief review of the published data related to the risk of adverse reproductive outcomes and exposure to noise or electromagnetic fields. The discussion includes ideas for possible biologic mechanisms, considerations for exposure assessment, and suggestions for epidemiologic research.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1988

The status of cancer cluster investigations undertaken by state health departments.

A survey of state health departments indicates the number of cancer cluster reports received is associated with the size of the state, the presence of a population-based tumor registry, and the existence of a centralized system for response. Cancer cluster investigations, have generally been unproductive in terms of etiologic discoveries yet they may have important benefits in terms of public education, allaying public anxiety about environmental concerns and engendering good will toward government agencies.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Relationship between Russian roulette deaths and risk-taking behavior: a controlled study.

A review of medical examiner records yielded data on 19 men and one woman who died playing Russian roulette. The men differed significantly from 95 male suicide victims who died of gunshot wounds to the head on several variables including age, race, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, marital status, living situation, health, and the likelihood of the death being witnessed. The Russian roulette victims were significantly less likely to die in the bedroom, die in the morning, leave a suicide note, and be depressed but were significantly more likely to have alcohol or drugs in their body fluids and to have a previous history of drug and alcohol abuse.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Electromagnetic fields and public health.

A review of the literature is provided for the topic of health-related research and power frequency electromagnetic fields. Minimal evidence for concern is present on the basis of animal and plant research. General observation would accord with the implication that there is no single and manifest health effect as the result of exposure to these fields. There are persistent indications, however, that these fields have biologic activity, and consequently, there may be a deleterious component to their action, possibly in the presence of other factors. Power frequency electromagnetic field exposures are essentially ubiquitous in modern society, and their implications in the larger perspective of public health are unclear at this time. Electromagnetic fields represent a methodological obstacle for epidemiologic studies and a quandary for risk assessment; there is need for more data.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Suicide pacts: international comparisons.

Twenty suicide pacts (double suicides) from the Florida Dade County Medical Examiner's Office were identified. These data were compared using a standardized instrument to published suicide pact data from England, Japan, and Bangalore City, India. Results were analyzed using simple statistical methods. Major differences were found between Western suicide pacts and Eastern suicide pacts. In this study, the frequency of suicide pacts was found to be greatest for Japan; lover pacts were found to be typical for Japan; spouse pacts were typical for Dade County and England; and friend pact frequency was greatest for Bangalore City. In addition, it was found that suicide pact victims, in general, choose nonviolent suicide methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Female homicide-suicide perpetrators: a controlled study.

The record files of the Dade County Medical Examiner Department were reviewed and 133 homicide-suicides were identified. Of these, ten (or 7.5%) were female perpetrated. The chart data of these 10 female homicide-suicide perpetrators, chart data of 50 female homicide-suicide victims, and 50 female individual suicides systematically selected as controls were tabulated using a standardized instrument. The results were analyzed for differences using simple statistical methods. The comparisons revealed that female homicide-suicide perpetrators were more likely than female homicide-suicide victims to live in mobile homes, kill their lover or ex-lover, have their crime accidentally discovered, leave a suicide note, kill on a weekend, and be depressed, but are less likely than female homicide-suicide victims to live with a spouse. Additionally, female homicide-suicide perpetrators were more likely than individual female suicides to live in mobile homes but less likely to live alone and to be depressed.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1984

Recovery of Staphylococcus aureus from multiple body sites in menstruating women.

Because we suspected the number of women harboring Staphylococcus aureus perivaginally to be higher than previously reported, we undertook an examination of normal, healthy volunteers. Of 97 young women, 26% yielded S. aureus from the external labia at the time of menstruation. Toxin associated with toxic shock syndrome was recovered from 5 of 25 subjects with positive genital cultures. Approximately one-half of the women with positive genital cultures yielded positive cultures from the posterior cervical fornix. These 12 women with positive vaginal cultures formed a distinct subgroup that was characterized by positive labial and tampon cultures, higher incidence of previous streptococcal infections, and more frequent vaginal insertion of their own fingers or those of a partner. Tampons were used by all but one woman in the group with positive labial cultures and all but one woman in the group with positive vaginal cultures. We concluded that the presence of S. aureus in the vagina involves mechanisms other than the use of tampons. Insertion of fingers and perhaps some aspect of immunological status appear to play a role.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Florida cluster of five children with endodermal sinus tumors. Possible environmental risk.

An unusual case clustering of endodermal sinus tumors in Jacksonville, Fla., is described, together with a variety of local environmental risk factors. Proximity to high-tension electrical power lines was observed, but chance aggregation of familially disposed persons or coincidental environmental factors not identified could also be responsible. However, this cluster is too remarkable to go unreported and is presented here as a preliminary report for those interested in the epidemiology of rare tumors, in an attempt to probe this peculiar episode of cancer. Further investigation of cancer clusters is encouraged, with suggestions to maintain surveillance for these types of clusters in comparably affected areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

A controlled study of suicide pacts.

The records of the Dade County Medical Examiner's Office were reviewed and 20 suicide pacts (double suicides) were identified. These 40 suicide pact victims were compared using a standardized instrument to 120 randomly selected single Dade County suicides, from the same time period and area. Suicide pacts were also compared based on their composition (spouses, other intrafamilial pairs, and lovers). Suicide pact victims differed significantly from single suicides on several variables, including the tendency to use guns, leave suicide notes, have alcohol-positive blood, be older, be less depressed, and to suicide in the morning hours.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1983

Cancer clusters: a myth or a method.

Historically, cluster reports have been considered to be only marginally productive and generally discouraged as statistical artifacts. This report presents the results of a three year study involving in excess of 100 cancer cluster reports. The majority of these investigations represented statistical events; there were, however, some exceptions. Several of these reports were the basis for larger and more productive studies. A survey of the types of reports received, their sources and outcomes is presented. Examples of productive and nonproductive studies are highlighted to indicate decision points for selecting the most promising reports. Investigators are encouraged to consider cancer cluster reports from lay individuals as well as from more authoritative sources (i.e., tumor registries, physicians, medical-social workers). Investigators are also urged to perform actual field investigations of those reports choosing statistically promising and/or provocative circumstances for the greatest likelihood of identifying new environmental risk factors for cancer.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1983

A descriptive study of Kaposi's sarcoma in south Florida.

A larger-than-expected incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma in women is observed in south Florida. The possibility of a shift in cancer experience to groups previously considered at low risk (eg, women and blacks) or tumors (eg, Kaposi's sarcoma) is suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

A procedure for investigating cancer cluster reports.

Cancer clusters are described as epidemiologic leads to environmental determinants of cancer. A historical perspective of cancer cluster reports is offered with comments on the various investigative methods. A specific, systematic protocol for responding to cancer cluster reports is offered with a detailed example. Suggestions for decision making and comments on statistical analysis are also offered. Emphasis is placed on the participant interview and on the use of non-case data.

Demography↗
PubMed1981

Statistical analysis of potential cancer clusters.

Cluster analysis of disease occurrence has a long history in acute models' it has only recently begun to be used for chronic models. This extrapolation of methods has resulted in severe limitations and several modifications. Two cluster reports from Florida are given as examples for a review of the prevalent statistical techniques available for cancer cluster analysis. The methods are described and discussed. The significance of the two clusters is left unsolved.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1981

Pattern of melanoma incidence in Miami, Florida.

Although melanoma causes only 1.4 percent of cancers nationally, it accounts for 3.6 percent of cancers in southern Flordia. The authors conducted an incidence survey to determine if the distribution of melanoma was a function of population density, an outdoors lifestyle, or the presence of an older population.

Florida↗