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Biomedical subjects

C Pollock

Publications and source records attributed to C Pollock.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The impact of computer display height and desk design on 3D posture during information technology work by young adults.

Computer display height and desk design to allow forearm support are two critical design features of workstations for information technology tasks. However there is currently no 3D description of head and neck posture with different computer display heights and no direct comparison to paper based information technology tasks. There is also inconsistent evidence on the effect of forearm support on posture and no evidence on whether these features interact. This study compared the 3D head, neck and upper limb postures of 18 male and 18 female young adults whilst working with different display and desk design conditions. There was no substantial interaction between display height and desk design. Lower display heights increased head and neck flexion with more spinal asymmetry when working with paper. The curved desk, designed to provide forearm support, increased scapula elevation/protraction and shoulder flexion/abduction.

Adolescent↗

Optimizing the interaction of children with information and communication technologies.

This paper outlines the major changes in the lives of children in industrially advanced countries associated with the increased interaction with information and communication technologies. The potential opportunities and threats to the cognitive, social, physical and visual development of children are reviewed to emphasize the importance of optimizing the interaction. The change in children's use of technology also poses opportunities and threats for ergonomics that should be noted if the profession is to continue being relevant and useful into this century. The paper ends with a pathway to the development and implementation of guidelines about child information and communication technology use for different groups of guideline users.

Child↗

Pathogenesis of peritoneal sclerosis.

Peritoneal sclerosis is an almost invariable consequence of peritoneal dialysis. In most circumstances it is "simple" sclerosis, manifesting clinically with an increasing peritoneal transport rate and loss of ultrafiltration capacity. In contrast, encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is a life threatening and usually irreversible condition, associated with bowel obstruction, malnutrition and death. It is unknown whether common etiological factors underlie the development of these 2 clinically and pathologically distinct forms of peritoneal sclerosis. The majority of studies to date have investigated factors that contribute to "simple" sclerosis, although it remains possible that similar mechanisms are amplified in patients who develop encapsulated peritoneal sclerosis. The cellular elements that promote peritoneal sclerosis include the mesothelial cells, peritoneal fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. Factors that stimulate these cells to promote peritoneal fibrosis and neoangiogenesis, both inherent in the development of peritoneal sclerosis, include cytokines that are induced by exposure of the peritoneal membrane to high concentrations of glucose, advanced glycation of the peritoneal membrane and oxidative stress. The cumulative exposure to bioincompatible dialysate is likely to have an etiological role as the duration of dialysis correlates with the likelihood of developing peritoneal sclerosis. Indeed peritoneal dialysis using more biocompatible fluids has been shown to reduce the development of peritoneal sclerosis. The individual contribution of the factors implicated in the development of peritoneal sclerosis will only be determined by large scale peritoneal biopsy registries, which will be able to prospectively incorporate clinical and histological data and support clinical decision making.

Animals↗

A randomized and controlled trial of a participative ergonomics intervention to reduce injuries associated with manual tasks: physical risk and legislative compliance.

A participative ergonomics approach to reducing injuries associated with manual tasks is widely promoted; however only limited evidence from uncontrolled trials has been available to support the efficacy of such an approach. This paper reports on a randomized and controlled trial of PErforM, a participative ergonomics intervention designed to reduce the risks of injury associated with manual tasks. One hundred and seventeen small to medium sized food, construction, and health workplaces were audited by government inspectors using a manual tasks risk assessment tool (ManTRA). Forty-eight volunteer workplaces were then randomly assigned to Experimental and Control groups with the Experimental group receiving the PErforM program. Inspectors audited the workplaces again, 9 months following the intervention. The results showed a significant decrease in estimates of manual task risk and suggested better legal compliance in the Experimental group.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Sucrose and the integration of metabolism in vascular plants.

We consider the hypothesis that sucrose is a signal as well as a substrate. We suggest that the significance of sugar sensing in plants is the integration of whole-plant carbon flux so that the capacity of sources to produce sucrose matches the capacity of sinks to consume it. We pay particular attention to difficulties with this hypothesis and the areas where further or better evidence is needed. We conclude that there is strong correlative evidence for a link between sucrose metabolism and the level of expression of key genes, but that a number of different mechanisms may be involved.

Journal Article↗

Cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of medetomidine-ketamine-butorphanol and antagonism with atipamezole in servals (Felis serval).

Seven (three male and four female) 4-7-yr old captive servals (Felis serval) weighing 13.7 +/- 2.3 kg were used to evaluate the cardiopulmonary and anesthetic effects of combined intramuscular injections of medetomidine (47.4 +/- 10.3 microg/kg), ketamine (1.0 +/- 0.2 mg/kg), and butorphanol (0.2 +/- 0.03 mg/kg). Inductions were smooth and rapid (11.7 +/- 4.3 min) and resulted in good muscle relaxation. Significant decreases in heart rate (85 +/- 12 beats/min) at 10 min after injection and respiratory rate (27 +/- 10 breaths/min) at 5 min after injection continued throughout the immobilization period. Rectal temperature and arterial blood pressure did not change significantly. The PaO2 decreased significantly, and PaCO2 increased significantly during immobilization but remained within clinically acceptable limits. Hypoxemia (PaO2 < 60 mm Hg) was not noted, and arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) was greater than 90% at all times. Relative arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) values, indicated by pulse oximetry, were lower than SaO2 values. All animals could be safely handled while sedated. Administration of atipamezole (236.8 +/- 51.2 microg/kg half i.v. and half s.c.), an alpha2 antagonist, resulted in rapid (4.1 +/- 3 min to standing) and smooth recoveries.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Tyzzer's disease in a red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens).

A debilitated 9-yr-old female red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) with a recent history of corticosteroid administration displayed anorexia, depression, and diarrhea for 2 days. Blood work revealed a moderate nonregenerative anemia, leukocytosis, hypokalemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Serology was negative for occult heartworm, Toxoplasma gondii, feline leukemia virus, feline infectious peritonitis, feline immunodeficiency virus, and canine distemper virus. Electron microscopy of the feces demonstrated corona-like virus particles. The panda died 3 days after initial presentation. Histologic findings included multifocal, acute, hepatic necrosis and diffuse, necrotizing colitis. Liver and colon lesions contained intracellular, curved, spore-forming, gram-negative, silver-positive rods morphologically consistent with Clostridium piliforme. This panda most likely contracted Tyzzer's disease subsequent to having a compromised immune system after corticosteroid administration and concurrent disease.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Can general practice provide useful information?--evaluation of a primary health care information project in northern England.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a computerised primary care information gathering network capable of producing reliable risk factor and morbidity data from a wide diversity of general practice software systems. METHOD: Fourteen practices from the Wakefield and Pontefract district collaborated in sharing information and solving technical difficulties associated with collecting data on coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, diabetes, and asthma. Practices also participated in rheumatology and mental health needs assessment projects. RESULTS: Data could be transferred by diskette in only five of the systems and paper reports had to be used to post process the data into a standard format. Not all data were complete or comparable. Crude estimates only of smoking prevalence and smoking cessation interventions were possible, as well as of age and sex specific prevalences for asthma and diabetes. The rheumatology health needs assessment, using the prospective collection of consultation based data, highlighted an unmet need for rheumatology services in the community. CONCLUSIONS: Although practices have been willing to devote considerable time and effort to the project, the diversity of software has precluded a simple methodology for data collection and analysis. The amount of useful information retrieved so far, has been limited but a number of important lessons have been learned which have implications for similar information projects and the use of primary care information in service planning.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Comparison of simultaneous renal clearances of true endogenous creatinine and subcutaneously administered iothalamate in man.

125I-iothalamate and true endogenous creatinine clearances, measured over two short collections periods of 1 and 2 h, were compared simultaneously in 70 patients with a variety of renal diseases and a wide range of renal function. Reproducibility of the iothalamate clearance was 18.5% and that of the creatinine clearance 12.2%. The slope of the regression was not significantly different from 1 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.964-1.155) for the whole group, nor in any subgroup chosen. The intercept at 12.6 ml/min (CI = 5.0-20.2) indicates that there is some creatinine secretion, but this was constant at all levels of GFR. It is concluded that although the clearance of true creatinine obtained during short collection periods consistently overestimates GFR by a constant proportion, it is a reproducible and accurate measure of GFR suitable for use in the clinical setting.

Adult↗

Effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on cellular element concentrations in rat proximal tubules: evidence for inhibition of the sodium pump.

1. In order to further define the action of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on proximal tubular (PT) transport, combined clearance and electron microprobe X-ray (EMPX) experiments were performed on five male Wistar rats infused with ANP (0.16 nmol/kg per h) and nine control animals. 2. Electron microprobe X-ray analysis of PT cell electrolytes (mmol/kg wet weight) revealed a similar [Na]i in both the control and ANP treated groups (16.4 +/- 0.4 vs 16.5 +/- 0.4; P = 0.894). [Cl]i was lower in the ANP treated animals (14.8 +/- 0.3 vs 12.0 +/- 0.3; P < 0.0001) as was [K]i (131.4 +/- 1.4 vs 114 +/- 1.7; P < 0.0001). The PT cells in the ANP treated group had a significant reduction in dry weight (20.1 +/- 0.3 g% vs 19.0 +/- 0.3 g%; P < 0.024), indicating significant cell swelling. Thus, despite a normal [Na]i, there was net accumulation of Nai following ANP treatment. 3. These results are consistent with accumulation of Nai due to inhibition of the Na pump followed by cell swelling and subsequent regulatory volume decrease with exit of K and Cl. These results are the first to show the effect of ANP on PT intracellular electrolytes.

Animals↗

Public health heresy.

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Public Health Administration↗