Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Fitch

Publications and source records attributed to K Fitch.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Prevalence of HIV-1 and other sexually transmitted diseases among Spanish prostitutes].

BACKGROUND: Many studies in Western countries point to the high prevalence of HIV infection in groups of prostitutes especially among those using intravenous drugs (IVDA). Furthermore, there appears to be a low but increasing number of heterosexually infected prostitutes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 374 prostitutes selected by collaborating groups in 11 provinces with the aim of studying the prevalence of HIV and its associated risk factors in Spanish prostitutes. Furthermore, the prevalence of other sexually transmitted diseases (HIV-2, HTLV-I/II, hepatitis B and syphilis), the frequency of different sexual activities and the use of condoms were investigated in this group. The data were collected by interview using a previously tested questionnaire. RESULTS: Serological analysis demonstrated that 54 persons were positive for HIV-1 (16%), none for HIV-2, 1 for HTLV-I/II, 113 for hepatitis B (46%) and 84 for syphilis (25%). The main risk factor for HIV infection was IVDA; 60% of this group was positive vs 3% of the non IVDA (OR = 47.6; confidence interval 18.4-128.0). Consistent condom use in this population is low, although it varies according to the type of relation and sexual partner. Forty-nine percent of the women having vaginal relations with their customers reported using condoms at all times or almost all times vs 36% for anal relations and 22% for oral relations. These percentages were reduced to 10%, 6% and 3%, respectively with private sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: Studies concerning HIV prevalence and its associated risk factors in Spanish prostitutes should be continued in order to monitor trends in HIV infection and the use of protective measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Back injuries to fast bowlers in cricket: a prospective study.

Eighty-two high performance young male fast bowlers (mean age 16.8 years) were tested immediately prior to the season for selected kinanthropometric and physiological data. Subjects were also filmed both laterally (200 Hz) and from above (100 Hz) while bowling so that their front foot impacted a force platform during the delivery stride. The players then completed a log book over the ensuing season that detailed their training and playing programmes. All cricket related injuries over this season were assessed by a sports physician who used computerized tomography to assist in the diagnosis of spinal injuries. At the completion of this season the players were grouped according to their injury status (Group 1--bony injury to a vertebra; Group 2--soft tissue injury to the back that caused the player to miss at least one game, and Group 3--no injuries). A one-way analysis of variance was used to identify if any variables were significantly (P less than 0.05) different between the three groups, and a Scheffe post hoc comparison was used to determine which groups were significantly different. Eleven per cent of the players sustained a stress fracture to a vertebra(e) (L4 to S1), while 27 per cent sustained a soft tissue injury to the back. Bowlers with a low longitudinal foot arch were more likely to develop a stress fracture than those with a high arch. Shoulder depression and horizontal flexion strength for the preferred limb and quadriceps power in the non-preferred limb were also significantly related to back injuries. Results suggest that bowlers with the above physical characteristics, who bowl with these biomechanical techniques for extended periods, are predisposed to back injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Anterior optic nerve blood flow decreases in clinical neurogenic optic atrophy.

Anterior optic nerve blood flow was studied in nine patients with unilateral neurogenic optic atrophy using noninvasive techniques. Disk reflectometry measurements from temporal sites demonstrated a significant reduction in the index of blood volume in atrophic optic nerves as compared with the contralateral optic nerves (P less than 0.00001). Laser Doppler measurements from the same temporal sites detected a significant reduction in the speed of blood (P less than 0.002). On average, blood volume was decreased by 49% +/- 11% and blood speed by 30% +/- 17%. Combining the results of these two techniques yielded a relative index of blood flow that showed a significant reduction in the atrophic nerves (P less than 0.0001), averaging 64% +/- 14% temporally. Nasally there was less reduction in blood flow. The results correlated well with clinical assessment of the degree of optic nerve damage (rho = 0.92, P less than 0.002). This study demonstrates that clinical neurogenic optic atrophy induces significant reductions in overall anterior optic nerve blood flow that are detected by these noninvasive techniques.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Oral alpha-tocopherol supplements decrease plasma gamma-tocopherol levels in humans.

In a cross-sectional survey of 86 elderly persons, it was observed that subjects with elevated plasma alpha-tocopherol levels had depressed plasma gamma-tocopherol. Tocopherols were measured by both reverse-phase and normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). When eight human volunteers (age range 30-60) were given 1200 IU of all-rac-alpha-tocopherol daily for 8 wk, plasma gamma-tocopherol and beta-tocopherol decreased in all subjects. After supplementation, gamma-tocopherol values were typically 30-50% of initial values, and alpha-tocopherol values were typically 200-400% of initial values. These results suggest that intestinal uptake and/or plasma transport make more efficient use of alpha-tocopherol than of gamma- or beta-tocopherol. Moreover, the results indicate that the ratio of gamma- to alpha-tocopherol in plasma would be a more satisfactory index to measure compliance in trials involving supplementation with alpha-tocopherol.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1975

Lumbrical muscles and contracted toes.

Dissection of fifty feet revealed a lack of correlation between absence of lumbrical muscles and the presence of contracted toe. This is at variance with assertions commonly encountered in textbooks of anatomy. Contracted toes were found in association with well developed lumbricals. Absence of lumbricals was not found to be associated with toe anomalies. These findings leave in doubt the function of lumbrical muscles of the foot.

Congenital Abnormalities↗