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Biomedical subjects

D A Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to D A Anderson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Use of a fractional factorial design to evaluate interactions of environmental factors affecting biodegradation rates.

For investigation of main and interactive effects of six experimentally controlled environmental factors on phenol biodegradation in a shake-flask system, a largely neglected statistical procedure was applied. A major benefit resulting from the application of the orthogonal, fractional factorial design is that the number of experiments necessary to evaluate multifactor interactions is limited. In our investigation, the required number of experiments was reduced to 81 from the 324 necessary with conventional factorial designs; information was sacrificed for only 3 of 15 possible two-factor interactions. Six experimentally controlled factors were investigated at two or three treatment levels each; the six factors were (1) amount of phenol substrate, (2) amount of bacterial inoculum, (3) filtration of inoculum, (4) type of basal salts medium, (5) initial pH of basal salts medium, and (6) flask closure. Significant main effects were found for factors 1, 2, and 4; whereas significant interactive effects were found only for factor 2 with factor 3 and for factor 2 with factor 5. Our results suggest that the application of these statistical designs will greatly reduce the number of experiments necessary to evaluate multifactor effects on degradation rates during optimization of both hazard screening systems and waste treatment systems.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1981

Decreased medication costs in a skilled nursing facility by clinical pharmacy services.

After 1 month of monitoring the drug regimens of 25 randomly selected skilled nursing facility patients, clinically trained pharmacists were able to decrease the total number of medications from an average of 6.0 medications per patient to 4.2 medications per patient. Not only was the number of prescribed medications decreased, but also the total number of administered doses was decreased by 18.6%. The potential additive savings to the state of Washington through decreases in the number of state-funded medications, and to the skilled nursing facilities through decreases in nursing medication administration time, amount to $0.40 per patient per day or approximately $1.7 million annually.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1976

Effects of dianabol and high-intensity sprint training on body composition of rats.

The effects on body composition and organ weights of anabolic steroid administration and of high-intensity sprint running, separately and in combination, were studied in young adult male rats. Dianabol (methandrostenolone) 1 mg/day for 8 weeks had no significant effects on muscle weight or lean body mass in either the trained or the sedentary animals. The program of sprint training resulted in a lower body weight, a lesser percentage of body fat (Runners, 8.5%, vs. sedentary, 13.5% P less than 0.01) and a greater relative lean body mass (runners, 91.5% vs. sedentry, 86.5%, P less than 0.01). We conclude from these results that (a) normal androgen levels in young, healthy male animals are sufficiently high so that the addition of a large dose of anabolic steroid does not result in stimulation of additional muscle growth, and (b) the changes in body composition induced by high-intensity, short-duration sprint training are qualitatively similar to those seen with endurance exercise training.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1970

Growth responses of Escherichia coli to the surfactant dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

When strains of Escherichia coli are grown in broth cultures containing the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (NaDDBS), they exhibit unique growth responses. After 20 to 24 hr of incubation, they become slimy and viscous, and an addition of ethanol to the supernatant liquid yields a distinctive white, fibrous precipitate. The production of this material was shown to be dependent on the presence of NaDDBS in the medium. This precipitate from E. coli ATCC 11303 was found to contain 41 to 53% protein, 10 to 11% deoxyribonucleic acid, 6.8 to 7.4% ribonucleic acid, 15 to 25% carbohydrate, and 9% lipid. It is distinctive from naturally occurring E. coli slimes in several respects. Our data suggest that its formation is the primary result of the leakage of intracellular components into the medium. However, the rate of cell proliferation indicates a partial but not complete or lethal lysis. A limited utilization of NaDDBS as a carbon source was also shown.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treating the obese patient. Suggestions for primary care practice.

Obesity is a major health problem in America. Weight loss is associated with improvements in obesity-related health complications, but patients and practitioners are frequently disappointed by the long-term results of weight control efforts. Recent research has yielded new findings concerning the causes of obesity, as well as new goals for obesity treatment. Traditionally, the goal of therapy has been reduction to ideal weight. Several scientific bodies, however, now recommend a more modest 5% to 15% reduction in initial weight. Current options for weight loss include behavioral or pharmacological management provided during primary care visits, self-help and commercial programs, hospital-based interventions, and bariatric surgery. Regardless of the approach selected, long-term care usually is required to facilitate the maintenance of weight loss.

Behavior Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Obese women's perceptions of their physicians' weight management attitudes and practices.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. Primary care physicians will see increasing numbers of patients with long-term weight management problems. OBJECTIVE: To examine obese women's perceptions of their physicians' weight management attitudes and practices. DESIGN AND SETTING: Women who participated in obesity trials at a university clinic completed a questionnaire that assessed their views of weight control provided by their primary care physician. PARTICIPANTS: The patients were 259 women whose age was 44.0 +/- 10.0 years; weight, 96.7 +/- 13.2 kg; and body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), 35.2 +/- 4.5 (all data given as mean +/- SD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Using 7-point scales (1 indicates low; and 7, high), patients rated their satisfaction with care provided for their general health and that for their obesity. They also identified methods their physician recommended for weight management and the frequency of negative interactions with their physician concerning weight control. RESULTS: Participants were generally satisfied with the care they received for their general health and with their physicians' medical expertise (mean scores, 6. 1 and 6.2, respectively). They were significantly (P<.001) less satisfied with care for their obesity and with their physicians' expertise in this area (mean scores, 4.1 and 4.3, respectively). Almost 50% reported that their physician had not recommended any of 10 common weight loss methods, and 75% indicated they looked to their physician a "slight amount" or "not at all" for help with weight control. Only a small minority of patients (0.4%-8.0%) reported frequent, negative interactions with physicians concerning their weight. CONCLUSIONS: The last finding helps allay concerns that obese patients are routinely treated disrespectfully by physicians when discussing weight. The challenge, however, for primary care physicians appears to be providing patients better assistance with weight management.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Structured group therapy and fluoxetine to treat depression in HIV-positive persons.

In 1990, 20 asymptomatic persons diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-positive) and mild-to-moderate depression were divided into 2 comparison groups. One group received structured group therapy plus fluoxetine, while the other received the same therapy plus a placebo. Affective, neurocognitive, and immune variables were measured before and after the intervention. In the patients receiving group therapy and fluoxetine, its administration did not improve treatment outcome compared to the therapy and placebo group. No significant differences between the two groups were noted on immune variables. However, symptoms of depression decreased in both groups, and both groups showed significant incorporation of the skills in active behavioral coping taught in therapy.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The cost-effectiveness of home birth.

As health care costs increase and a growing number of women are without insurance, the one health service that every family needs deserves further attention. Even for the 40% of births covered by Medicaid, safe birthing alternatives that permit a reduction in the $150 billion Medicaid burden would allow the United States to devote more resources to other urgent priorities. Informed birthing decisions cannot be made without information on costs, success rates, and any necessary tradeoffs between the two. This article provides the relevant information for hospital, home, and birth center births. The average uncomplicated vaginal birth costs 68% less in a home than in a hospital, and births initiated in the home offer a lower combined rate of intrapartum and neonatal mortality and a lower incidence of cesarean delivery.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of a mental status examination in a chemical dependence treatment program.

Current chemical dependence treatment programs place significant cognitive demands on patients early in abstinence. Unfortunately, many chemically dependent persons have significant cognitive deficits in the acute and post-acute stages of withdrawal. Constraints on resources often make thorough evaluation of cognitive status impractical. We examined the utility of a brief structured mental status examination, the Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination (CCSE), to identify cognitive deficits within the first week of admission to an inpatient chemical dependence treatment program. Although both age and educational level influenced CCSE total score to a statistically significant degree, the magnitude of their influence was of doubtful clinical importance. Findings suggest that the CCSE total score is not sufficiently sensitive to detect the deficits seen in chemically dependent individuals. However, a more detailed item analysis can provide useful information to the clinician. Normative data and recommendations for use of the CCSE with chemically dependent populations are provided.

Adult↗