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Biomedical subjects

C Dillon

Publications and source records attributed to C Dillon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Tables for the selection of correct blood pressure cuff size based on self-reported height and weight and estimating equations for mid-arm circumference: data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The purpose of this study was to develop practical prediction equations for estimating adult mid-arm circumference (AC) using self-reported height and weight data from NHANES III 1988-1994 and NHANES 1999-2000. Both surveys used a complex sample design to obtain nationally representative data for the US civilian noninstitutionalized population. The analytic sample consisted of 4801 men and 4854 women in NHANES III and 1960 men and 2180 women from NHANES 1999-2000. Self-reported weight, height, and age data from NHANES III were used for model building, and similar data from NHANES 1999-2000 were used for validation. An all-possible regressions procedure by gender was used to derive the mid-AC prediction equations. The final prediction equations for adult mid-AC are (for self-reported weight in pounds and height in inches) for men: AC (cm) = 32.52145 + 0.10975 x (wt)-0.26057 x (ht)-0.03028 x (age), R2 = 0.76; and for women: AC (cm) = 30.22126 + 0.13534 x (wt)-0.34121 x (ht) + 0.09014 x (age)-0.00082565 x (age2), R2 = 0.81. Based on these equations, tables were created to predict mid-AC using self-reported height and weight. Clinicians can refer to our prediction equations and reference tables to determine mid-AC and proper BP cuff sizes.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Trends in work-related musculoskeletal disorder reports by year, type, and industrial sector: a capture-recapture analysis.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are thought to be declining based on Bureau of Labor Statistics survey data, but there is also evidence of MSD under-reporting, raising the possibility of contrary trends. The magnitude of MSD under-reporting over time, and its industry distribution have not been adequately described. METHODS: Capture-recapture analysis of 7 years of Connecticut MSD (1995-2001), utilizing Workers' Compensation and physician reporting data was performed. RESULTS: Only 5.5%-7.9% of MSD cases appear to be reported to Workers Compensation annually. The capture-recapture estimated average annual rate for upper-extremity MSD was 133.1 per 10,000 employed persons, far above BLS rates. By industry, Manufacturing, State Government, and the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate sectors all had significantly higher MSD rates than Wholesale/Retail Trade. CONCLUSIONS: Upper-extremity MSD appears to be significantly under-reported, and rates are not decreasing over time. Capture-recapture methods provide an improved surveillance method for monitoring temporal trends in injury rates.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

US demographic trends in mid-arm circumference and recommended blood pressure cuffs: 1988-2002.

Mid-arm circumference (AC) measurement is a prerequisite for the selection of properly sized blood pressure (BP) cuffs and accurate BP readings. This study examined trends in the frequency distribution of mid-AC and corresponding recommended BP cuff sizes using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (1988-1994) and NHANES 1999-2002 data. Both surveys used a complex sample design to obtain nationally representative samples of the civilian noninstitutionalized US population. The sample consisted of 7453 men and 8372 women from NHANES III and 4295 men and 4838 women from NHANES 1999-2002. Mean mid-AC (cm) and associated American Heart Association-defined cuff sizes were assessed. Variables were analysed by gender, age, race/ethnicity, and by hypertension or diabetic co-morbidity. Mid-AC increased significantly between surveys for all age groups; the greatest increase in mid-AC occurred in the 20-39 year age group. Data from NHANES 1992-2002 show that among nonHispanic white and nonHispanic black men aged 20-59 years, the mean mid-AC was >34 cm. Among NHB women aged 40 years and above, the mean mid-AC was greater than or equal to 34 cm. In all, 42% of all men and 26% of all women aged 40-59 years required large BP cuffs. In all, 39% of individuals classified as hypertensive and 47% of self-reported diabetics required a BP cuff greater than the standard adult size. In conclusion, mean mid-AC has increased across many demographic subgroups in the US with implications for the accuracy of BP measurement in clinical practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Capture-recapture estimation of unreported work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Connecticut.

BACKGROUND: Estimates of the extent of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are usually based upon workers' compensation reports, although recent reports indicate that there may be widespread under-reporting of MSD. METHODS: An estimate of the incidence of arm and hand work-related MSD was made using capture-recapture analysis of the overlap between state workers' compensation reports and physician reports in Connecticut for 1995. The resulting estimate was compared to a population-based survey of MSD. RESULTS: There was very small overlap between the two state injury reporting systems: 6.7% of 793 reported workers' compensation cases, or 8% of 661 physician's reports. The estimate for MSD not captured by either system was 13,285, resulting in 14,686 (95% CI: 9,733-18,453) total reported and non-reported cases. This compares to an estimate of 13,775 cases (95% CI: 8,800-18,800) based on a phone survey. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis points to substantial under-reporting of MSD in Connecticut: estimates of unreported cases exceed those officially reported by a factor of 11:1. The findings have an important bearing on injury prevention programs and policy making.

Connecticut↗
PubMed2001

Fibroblast growth factor signalling in mouse mammary gland development.

Fibroblast growth factors (Fgfs) and their receptors are important intercellular signalling molecules involved in many aspects of animal development. The aberrant expression of the Fgfs or the inappropriate activation of their cell surface receptors have been implicated in tumorigenesis. Here, we describe the evidence that as well as playing a critical role in the formation of the mammary primordia during embryogenesis, signalling by Fgfs is necessary for optimal lobuloalveolar development of the mouse mammary gland during pregnancy.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Tyrosine kinase signalling in breast cancer: fibroblast growth factors and their receptors.

The fibroblast growth factors [Fgfs (murine), FGFs (human)] constitute a large family of ligands that signal through a class of cell-surface tyrosine kinase receptors. Fgf signalling has been associated in vitro with cellular differentiation as well as mitogenic and motogenic responses. In vivo, Fgfs are critical for animal development, and some have potent angiogenic properties. Several Fgfs have been identified as oncogenes in murine mammary cancer, where their deregulation is associated with proviral insertions of the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV). Thus, in some mammary tumours of MMTV-infected mouse strains, integration of viral genomic DNA into the somatic DNA of mammary epithelial cells was found to have caused the inappropriate expression of members of this family of growth factors. Although examination of human breast cancers has shown an altered expression of FGFs or of their receptors in some tumours, their role in the causation of breast disease is unclear and remains controversial.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Fibroblast growth factor signalling and cyclin D1 function are necessary for normal mammary gland development during pregnancy. A transgenic mouse approach.

A number of growth factors, growth factor receptors and cell cycle regulatory proteins have been implicated in the genesis of mammary carcinomas both in animal models as well as in human breast tumour samples. Studies on the development of the mammary gland has revealed that several of the proto-oncogenes, or their closely related gene-family members, have a function in the normal growth and differentiation of the gland. In this review the role of fibroblast growth factor signalling and the critical requirement for the cell cycle regulator, cyclin D1 is discussed with respect to their normal function in mammary gland development and abnormal role in mammary carcinogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Biomechanical, psychosocial, and organizational risk factors for WRMSD: population-based estimates from the Connecticut upper-extremity surveillance project (CUSP).

In a case-control study of a population-based telephone survey of 3,798 working adults, symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD) were associated with biomechanical, psychosocial, and organizational factors. In several models, biomechanical exposures with strong associations were static postures (odds ratios [ORs] = 2.00-5.45); repeated pushing, pulling, lifting (ORs = 1.86-12.75); and repeated neck bending (ORs = 1.07-12.8). Psychosocial and organizational factors consistently retained in these models were demands (ORs = 1.26-1.59) and organizational support (ORs = 0.53-0.79). Decision latitude entered less frequently (ORs = 0.30-0.49). This research may have implications for intervention strategies. First, reducing both biomechanical and psychosocial risk may be more effective than focusing solely on engineering controls. Second, organizational culture and policy may have strong implications for WRMSD prevalence and control.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Reporting of work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) to workers compensation.

In contrast to theories of moral hazard, it appears that workers under-report cases to Workers' Compensation. In a population-based phone survey of work-related MSDs, it was found that cases were more likely to be reported if they were called work-related by a doctor, had surgery, or took time off from work. Higher rates of filing were found for lower education, having a union at the workplace, working in manufacturing, and for blue-collar occupations. Fear of the consequences of filing was significantly related to filing, but was not a strong association. A lack of perceived management support and lower decision latitude was associated with a higher rate of filing. Perceived knowledge of the Workers' Compensation system was not associated with filing. In general, a broader perspective of looking not just at reported claims but also unreported work-related illnesses is important for understanding both the magnitude of the problem as well as the impact of changes in Workers' Compensation laws.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

The IPRS Image Processing and Pattern Recognition System.

IPRS is a freely available software system which consists of about 250 library functions in C, and a set of application programs. It is designed to run under UNIX and comes with full source code, system manual pages, and a comprehensive user's and programmer's guide. It is intended for use by researchers in human vision, pattern recognition, image processing, machine vision and machine learning.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Adolescent Children of Alcoholics.

Children from families with an alcoholic member are at increased risk of emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social, medical, and substance abuse problems. The authors review the characteristics of such children and the factors that increase their vulnerability; discuss the problems of codependency and enabling; and explore clinical presentations and treatment issues for both adolescent children of alcoholics and their families.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Attitudes toward minorities: a comparison of homosexuals and the general population.

As a prelude to a media campaign to improve the public image of gays, a gay rights organization in Columbus, Ohio, constructed a questionnaire to assess perceptions of and attitudes toward gays and various other minority groups including blacks, Jews, women, communists, and recovering alcoholics. The questionnaire was administered to two samples in the central Ohio area: a sample of the greater Columbus population at large, and a sample of gays and lesbians. This article reports on the comparative findings from these two samples.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Laparoscopic removal of a large colonic lipoma. Report of a case.

A 72-year-old white male was found to have a 6-cm submucosal mass at 35 cm on screening sigmoidoscopy. The lesion had all the characteristics of a submucosal lipoma. Instead of performing a laparotomy with its potential morbidity, the lesion was removed laparoscopically in its entirety without untoward operative sequelae. Laparoscopic techniques have had a profound impact on the treatment of patients with surgical disorders. This new technology can be applied to selected patients with colorectal diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Managing stress in health social work roles today.

Stress on social workers in health settings is of increasing professional interest and concern. This article suggests individual and system sources of such stress and outlines pathways for nurture of the authentic and creative self in health careers. Replenishing measures include empowerment through teamwork, stress management techniques, consciousness raising to alter self defeating cognitions, and activities within and outside the setting to enrich definition and use of self.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1985

Families, transitions, and health: another look.

This paper critically reviews the Caroff-Mailick classification of families seen around health care crises, and of reciprocal roles suggested for health social workers depending on severity and trajectory of illness and on family's functioning levels. As balance, transitional crisis theory, holistic health concepts, and team approaches to the mobilized family as the unit of caregiver attention are discussed. Newer alternative family styles are reviewed which challenge middle class caregiver mores and practices. Family forces which may prejudice worker assessment are reviewed, and the need to mitigate unhealthy and constricting environmental conditions is stressed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗