Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Stimmel

Publications and source records attributed to B Stimmel.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody. A prospective study in asymptomatic drug abusers.

The course of reactivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) in 238 asymptomatic heroin addicts entering methadone maintenance was followed up for periods of one to four years. On initial determination, HBsAg was seen in 39.1%, anti-HBs in 10.5%, and HBsAg and anti-HBs in 9.2%; only 41.2% of persons tested had no detectable titers of either antigen or antibody. Abnormal liver function was found initially in 83% with no significant difference between those with or without HBsAg and anti-HBs. At the conclusion of each study year, 50% to 60% of persons initially HBsAg-positive reverted to negative with HBsAg absent in all persons followed up through the fourth year of treatment. Anti-HBs persisted in two thirds of persons during the entire study. These results suggest that the HBsAg carrier state in addicts is not maintained if exposure is eliminated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

The congress and health manpower: a legislative morass.

To correct deficiencies in physicians' services, chiefly related to geographic maldistribution and overspecialization, numerous bills have been introduced in both the House and the Senate. These bills would increase the annual number of medical graduates, would mandate service in areas defined as lacking in physicians, and would promote the training of primary-care physicians as opposed to more specialized training. The number of foreign medical graduates would also be restricted. Almost all this legislation potentially may diminish the quality of medical education without substantially affecting the provision of health service. Recently introduced legislation (HR 3279), however, seems to deal more rationally with the problems of health manpower.

Education, Medical↗
PubMed1975

The use of pass/fail grades to assess academic achievement and house staff performance.

The advantages of a formal grading system in assessing a student's capability to practice medicine remain controversial. Students prefer the pass/fail method, while faculty lean toward the traditional approach. The efficacy of a modified pass/fail grading system in detecting superior academic achievement, as well as in predicting house staff performance, was evaluated. Mean scores on the examinations of the National Board of Medical Examiners of students selected fo Alpha Omega Alpha were significantly higher than those of other students, although the faculty was unaware of these results when selecting candidates. Chairmen in institutions where 125 students had served their first graduate year of training felt that 85 percent of the dean's letters summarizing the student's academic performance over a three-year period accurately indicated subsequent performance on the house staff. These results suggest that a modified pass/fail grading system can detect superior students as well as provide relevant information with respect to subsequent performance as a physician.

Achievement↗
PubMed1975

Abnormal liver function and elevated hemoglobins in heroin addicts.

Reports dealing with medical problems of heroin dependency contain conflicting data regarding hemoglobin concentration. Medical evaluation of a large group of asymptomatic heroin users undergoing screening for participation in a methadone maintenance treatment program revealed a significant number of patients with elevated hemoglobin levels. The presence of increased hemoglobin concentrations in the addict population was highly correlated with the presence of abnormalities in liver function. In a preliminary serial study, a diminution of elevated hemoglobin values toward normal was observed in heroin users undergoing methadone maintenance therapy. These findings suggest the presence of deranged mechanisms responsible for the regulation of plasma volume and/or erythropiesis which may have pathophysiologic consequences of importance in the medical management of the heroin addict.

Adult↗