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Biomedical subjects

J Hecht

Publications and source records attributed to J Hecht.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Eradication of Legionella from warm water systems--documentation of our own experiences with thermal disinfection].

A nosocomial case of Legionellosis in a recently built hospital was the reason for an investigation and thermal disinfection of the complete warm water distribution system. Furthermore weak points in the tubing of the warm water system, which promoted the contamination of potable water, were eliminated as far as technically possible. A lasting reduction of the numbers of Legionella spp. isolated could be measured (factor 10-1000), but a complete decontamination of the warm water distribution system was not possible. As Legionella spp. may cause serious infections in immunodeficient patients, additional measures for the disinfection of the hospital water distribution system must be taken into consideration.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1993

Self-efficacy and health behavior among older adults.

Self-efficacy has a well-established, beneficial effect on health behavior and health status in young and middle-aged adults, but little is known about these relationships in older populations. We examined this issue as part of a randomized trial to determine the cost savings and changes in health-related quality of life associated with the provision and reimbursement of a preventive services package to 2,524 Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound. Baseline self-efficacy data were collected for all participants in five behavioral areas: exercise, dietary fat intake, weight control, alcohol intake, and smoking. Results reveal that efficacy and outcome expectations for these health behaviors are not independent. Correlational and factor analyses indicate two dimensions of efficacy expectations, one consisting of exercise, dietary fat, and weight control, and another consisting of smoking and alcohol consumption. Outcome expectations of the five behaviors form a single dimension. Older adults with high self-efficacy had lower health risk in all behaviors and better health. Regression analyses detected a positive association between socioeconomic status and health-related quality of life (p < .02), but the strength of the association declined (p < .11) after the self-efficacy measures entered the model, indicating that self-efficacy explains part of the association between socioeconomic status and health status. Interventions aimed at improving self-efficacy also may improve health status.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Tubal sterilization and risk of subsequent hospital admission for menstrual disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate tubal sterilization and subsequent hospitalization for menstrual disorders. STUDY DESIGN: Automated discharge data were used in a population-based cohort study of 7253 women aged 20 to 49 years with tubal sterilization (1968 through 1983) at Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound. Comparisons were with an age-matched cohort of 25,448 nonsterilized women and a nonmatched cohort of 5283 spouses of men with vasectomies. RESULTS: In the sterilization cohort, 282 had hospitalization for menstrual disorders (curettage, n = 191; hysterectomy, n = 66; nonsurgical, n = 25). Risk of hospitalization for menstrual disorders was 2.4 times greater after tubal sterilization (95% confidence interval 2.0 to 2.9). This risk was 6.1 times greater for sterilized women aged 20 to 24 years (95% confidence interval 0.72 to 3.2). Compared with the risk for nonsterilized women whose spouses had a vasectomy, the risk was 1.6 times greater (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 2.1). Hospitalization for menstrual disorders was not more common after unipolar sterilization than after other methods, as might have been expected if the menstrual disorder was related to impaired uteroovarian circulation. CONCLUSIONS: Tubal sterilization is associated with a greater risk of hospitalization for menstrual disorders. A biologic association is not supported by these results.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1988

Influence of captopril on the arterial baroreceptor reflex in patients with heart failure.

In 16 male patients with heart failure (NYHA II-III), the influence of a single dose of 25 mg captopril on the carotid sinus baroreceptor reflex was examined. Blood pressure fell significantly by 11 +/- 1.7 mm Hg (P less than 0.001), whereas heart rate remained unchanged (85 +/- 3 vs. 83 +/- 3 beats min-1). Carotid sinus baroreceptors were stimulated by means of an airtight neck chamber. Two indices of baroreflex sensitivity were calculated. (1) The sensitivity to reflex heart rate slowing was increased by captopril from -2.9 +/- 0.7 to -5.0 +/- 1.3 ms mmHg-1 (P less than 0.02). The higher the initial sensitivity the more pronounced was the change after captopril with an increase of sensitivity by 46% (y = 1.46x -0.17, P less than 0.01). This increase in sensitivity cannot be explained by haemodynamic changes induced by captopril. (2) In eight patients the sensitivity of the baroreflex to increased transmural pressure gradients of the carotid sinus was evaluated by registration of the blood pressure response to neck suction; this demonstrated an unchanged responsiveness following captopril administration. From these data it can be concluded that captopril selectively augments a reflex bradycardia which is mediated by an increase in vagal efferent tone. The change in the reflex response depends on the initial reflex sensitivity and cannot be explained by haemodynamic changes caused by captopril.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Soviet fertility as viewed by Soviet authors: the Franco-Soviet demographic meeting of Suzdal (USSR).

The author reports on the Franco-Soviet Seminar of Demography, held in Suzdal, USSR, in 1986. She examines "how the problem of fertility is viewed by Soviet authors, why and when they began to study its theoretical aspects, and what means they propose to raise fertility." Topics considered include sources of information on fertility in the USSR; analysis of fertility and reproductive behavior; the study of selected determinants of fertility, including geographical and ethnic differences, female labor force participation, and the relationships among family planning, health, and reproductive behavior; and means of developing an effective population policy.

Congresses as Topic↗
PubMed1987

[Testing the regulation mechanism in inserting an artificial heart by model simulation].

The problems of controlling the cardiac output and the balance of the blood volumes in the circulatory system were discussed for the natural heart as well as for an implanted artificial heart by means of a mathematical function model of the human organism. The control by the Starling mechanism (right atrial pressure) can adapt sufficiently the cardiac output according to the demands of the body, in case the loading steps do not exceed a fixed limit. The false regulation by a strong load of the organism is evidently caused by the limited capacity of the artificial heart and not by the strategy of the control.

Cardiac Output↗
PubMed1987

[Validity of the arteriovenous oxygen difference as guidance for controlling the output of an artificial heart].

The possibility of controlling an artificial heart by the arteriovenous oxygen difference is discussed by means of the model simulation of the human organism. The simulation results are compared with these of the control by the Starling mechanism. No improvement of the results was obtainable because the behaviour of the arteriovenous oxygen difference is very dependent on the kind and the ascent of the load. The control of the artificial heart by the Starling mechanism appeared more favourable also on changed conditions in the atrium.

Blood Volume↗
PubMed1987

[Simulation of a regulation mechanism in inserting an artificial heart, by which the left and right pumps require the same output volume].

The problems of balance of the blood volume in the circulatory system are demonstrated in the application of an artificial heart by means of a mathematical function model of the human organism. The lung is endangered specially in case the right pump brings more than the left pumps away. Therefore a suitable controller was selected: it guarantees the equal output of the right and left pump. A PI-controller was used, because the complete abolition of the control deviation is more important than the dynamics. Variants were discussed about the arrangement of this controller in the total control of the artificial heart.

Blood Volume↗
PubMed1986

[Population policies and intervention on natality in Eastern Europe (Part 1)].

This is an overview of population policies and their underlying doctrines in Eastern European countries since World War II. The author describes three chronological stages: "an orthodox populationist stage, from 1945 to 1955...; a phase of liberalization of abortion and at times of contraception from 1955 to 1965; and from this latter date, as a reaction against the accelerated decline of fertility, a phase of abortion and divorce restriction and of growing aid to family, likewise [marked] by the creation of National Population Committees and Institutes of Demographic Research." The countries of Eastern Europe are divided into three classifications: those with no population policy (Albania only); those with indirect measures, including Poland, Yugoslavia, and the USSR; and those with explicit, quantitative demographic goals, including Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, and Romania. The effectiveness of selected population policies is assessed. (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1982

[Not Available].

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Demography↗
PubMed1979

[Not Available].

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Demography↗