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Biomedical subjects

A Meyers

Publications and source records attributed to A Meyers.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Economic barriers to the use of oral rehydration therapy. A case report.

Diarrheal dehydration is a highly prevalent condition among young children and is readily prevented and treated with oral rehydration therapy. We report a death due to hypernatremic dehydration caused by rotavirus diarrhea of a 9-month-old infant whose mother attempted to purchase oral glucose-electrolyte solution in a pharmacy but was unable to afford it. While efforts such as the National ORT Project should help to promote the proper at-home treatment of this condition, we conclude that oral rehydration therapy will not be used optimally by the parents of children living in poverty until the economic barriers to its use are removed.

Dehydration↗

Pediatric HIV disease. The newest chronic illness of childhood.

HIV disease has emerged as a major chronic illness of childhood. Children with HIV infection and children with other chronic health impairments have much in common, including the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary, coordinated care that includes special attention to the psychosocial effects on the child and family. However, because the mother and often the father and siblings share this lethal viral infection, the impact of HIV disease upon the family surpasses that of virtually all other chronic conditions. This is compounded by the association of the disease with drug use, its preponderance among the most disenfranchised populations in the United States, and the persistent public fear and discrimination surrounding AIDS. We have made substantial progress already in the medical management of this infection, and while we await the development of more effective therapies, we already have the tools and knowledge in hand to help these families.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Delayed onset of cardiac arrhythmias from sustained-release verapamil.

Sustained-release products in overdose are known to produce prolonged effects as well as delayed onset. The availability of sustained-release calcium channel blockers may produce an initial misleading picture for patients who are at risk for serious toxicity. We report the cases of two adults who had delayed onset of arrhythmias after ingestion of sustained-release verapamil. In both cases, a single dose of activated charcoal was administered, but the patients still developed toxicity. Some of the unique problems encountered with sustained-release formulations are discussed, and 24-hour cardiac monitoring for sustained-release calcium channel blocker overdoses, despite a possible early asymptomatic period, is suggested.

Adult↗

Bottle-feeding and malocclusion: is there an association?

To determine whether there is an association between bottle-feeding and malocclusion, a case control study was conducted by means of a questionnaire sent to the parents of 737 patients aged 10 to 12 years from a large private pediatric dental practice. Questions included method and duration of infant feeding, type of nipple used, pacifier use, sucking habits, history of orthodontic treatment, and parental orthodontic history. Analysis of valid responses (N = 454) showed need for treatment to be associated only with history of parental orthodontic treatment (P less than 0.05). A trend toward association of bottle-feeding with need for orthodontic treatment was found in the increasing need for treatment with increasing exposure to bottle, but was of marginal significance (P = 0.058).

Bottle Feeding↗

Poverty and child health.

Poverty is now more heavily concentrated in children than at any other time in U.S. history. Poverty's influence on child health is pervasive and creates a variety of clinical challenges. This discussion reviews the clinical expression of poverty in childhood and assesses our clinical and political capacity to reduce its tragic impact.

Child↗

Effects of Maine's 1981 and Massachusetts' 1982 driving-under-the-influence legislation.

In 1981, Maine passed a drunk driving law with mandatory penalties and a new civil charge to increase the conviction rate. One year later, Massachusetts increased drunk driving penalties, particularly for repeat offenders and intoxicated drivers involved in fatal crashes. In Maine, single-vehicle nighttime fatal crashes declined 22 per cent the year before passage of the law, and 33 per cent the year after. Maine's rates returned to pre-law levels by the third post-law year. Prior to Massachusetts' new law, single-vehicle nighttime and overall fatal crashes there also declined 20% and 22%, whereas after this law fatal crash rates did not decline further compared with the pre-law year or other New England states. Pre- and post-law surveys indicate that both laws were followed by some increases in public perceptions that drunk drivers stopped by police would be arrested, convicted, and receive automatic penalties. But, few believed it was very likely that drunk drivers would be stopped. For only two of three years studied after Maine's law did more people there report decisions not to drive because they had drunk too much. In Massachusetts, reported driving after heavy drinking declined as much the year before as the three years after its law.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Rapid method for the measurement of differential renal function: validation.

The precise measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (ERPF) usually requires continuous intravenous administration of adequate substances, with multiple blood and urine analysis, and does not allow measurement of separate renal function. Schlegel et al. and Gates described isotopic methods for the measurement of global and unilateral GFR and ERPF based on the determination by scintillation camera of the fraction of the injected dose ([99mTc]DTPA-[131I]hippuran) present in the kidneys 1-3 min after its administration. These methods require counting of the injected dose and correction for attenuation, but no blood or urine sampling. We have validated these techniques by simultaneous infusion of inulin and PAH in patients with various levels of global renal function (anuric to normal). To better define unilateral renal function we have also studied nine kidneys in patients either nephrectomized or with a nephrostomy enabling unilateral function measurement. A good correlation between inulin or PAH clearances and fractional uptake of [99mTc]DTPA or [131I]hippuran by the kidney was observed. Very good reproducibility of both isotopic techniques was shown. We conclude that determination of the fractional uptake of [99mTc]DTPA and [131I]hippuran between 1 and 3 min allows good and reproducible prediction of global and especially of unilateral kidney function with great rapidity and simplicity, rendering this technique suitable for clinical practice.

Adult↗

Severe deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin associated with cutaneous vasculitis, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and colitis.

The association of vasculitis with severe deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin is rare. This report describes a 44-year-old man with severe deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin associated with diffuse vasculitis involving skin, kidney (rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis), and colon (colitis). Colitis has not previously been reported in association with deficiency of alpha 1-antitrypsin. Other reported cases are reviewed and the possible immunologic mechanisms underlying the association are discussed.

Adult↗

Hunger debate.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Child↗

Impact of legislation raising the legal drinking age in Massachusetts from 18 to 20.

On April 16, 1979, Massachusetts raised its legal drinking age from 18 to 20 years. Massachusetts was compared with New York State, exclusive of New York City and Nassau County. New York State retained an 18-year-old drinking age. Random telephone surveys with approximately 1,000 16-19 year olds in each state were undertaken prior to the law's enactment and twice at yearly intervals after the law to assess the law's impact on teenage drinking, driving after drinking, and non-fatal accident involvement. Fatal crash data reported to the US Department of Transportation by each state from April 16, 1976-April 15, 1981 were also analyzed. After the law, although the modes of procuring alcohol changed. No significant changes were observed in Massachusetts relative to New York in the proportion of surveyed teenagers who reported that they drank or in the volume of their consumption. The proportion of teenagers who drove after drinking heavily (six or more drinks at one time) did not decline in Massachusetts relative to New York. However, the frequency that teenagers reported driving after any drinking declined significantly in Massachusetts. Frequency of teenage driving after marijuana use and non-fatal teenage accidents declined at comparable rates in both states. The numbers of teenage nighttime single vehicle fatal accidents declined more in Massachusetts than New York, in the 18-19 year age group. Overall fatal accident trends among 16-19 year olds in the two states were similar.

Accidents, Traffic↗

The role of community volunteers in health interventions: a hypertension screening and follow-up program.

Volunteers from a resident health committee in an apartment complex community carried out door-to-door blood pressure screening of residents. Their results were compared with those from a community where a resident health committee conducted central site screenings and with those of a community where nonresident researchers manned a central screening site. Door-to-door screening by community volunteers was significantly more effective than the two central site screening methods which did not differ from each other. Follow-up measures increased the number of hypertensives who reported seeking treatment by 100 per cent.

Community Health Workers↗

Community change agents and health interventions: hypertension screening.

This study explores a community-based approach to health care. Community volunteers were trained and then conducted door-to-door screening for hypertension. Three large apartment complexes were selected for screening. In the two experimental communities, a letter was sent to each household soliciting volunteers who were then trained to measure blood pressure, complete data sheets, gain admittance to houses, and make appropriate recommendations for medical consultation. The residents in the control community received letters informing them of the hours during which they could have their blood pressure checked free of charge in the apartment complex rental office. Chi-square tests on number of apartments screened indicated the experimental door-to-door screening methods was significantly more effective than the control central site method. These results demonstrate that the experimental screening project was a highly effective and inexpensive technique for hypertension screening.

Community Health Services↗