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Biomedical subjects

M L Dembert

Publications and source records attributed to M L Dembert.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

The accident injury matrix and its use in diving injury investigations.

A conceptual matrix is proposed for the comprehensive investigation and analysis of injuries resulting from diving accidents. Its use allows for the identification of factors which contribute to the occurrence of the injury, factors which directly cause the specific injury, and factors which affect the extent of injury as well as the return of the diver to health. Strategies may be developed from the use of this matrix to prevent the recurrence of specific injuries as well as to lessen individual morbidity or mortality, damage to equipment, and socioeconomic losses which ensue from these accidents.

Accidents↗
PubMed1984

Health risk factors for the development of decompression sickness among U.S. Navy divers.

The relationship between the health status and physical characteristics of 185 U.S. Navy divers and their risk for experiencing decompression sickness was examined utilizing historical cohort design. Data on multiphasic medical examinations performed on these men between 1972-1978 were obtained. Cases of decompression sickness before and after examination were identified. Divers who did experience decompression sickness either before or after examination had significantly higher measures of skinfold thickness and weight when compared to those who remained free of decompression sickness. Those divers in the highest quartile of each of three significant skinfold thicknesses measured had risks for decompression sickness that were generally 9 to 10 times as great as those calculated for the combined lower 3 quartiles and 5 to 6 times as great as the average crude risk calculated for all Navy divers over the past 5 yr. These findings suggest that obesity may be a contributory factor to the occurrence of decompression sickness.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1984

'Pizza palate'.

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Adult↗
PubMed1984

Weight-height indices and percent body fat among U.S. Navy divers.

Weight, height, and other anthropometric measurements were obtained on a cohort of 194 U.S. Navy divers 20-42 years old. Percent body fat was computed for each man using an established prediction equation derived from a population of U.S. Marine Corps personnel whose age, height, and weight characteristics were comparable to those of the divers. Among the divers, weight, weight-height indices, and percent body fat increased across age strata. The body mass index (W/H2) was the best predictor of adiposity, as it had the highest correlation with percent body fat and the lowest correlation with height. Regression analysis quantified this relationship. The relative obesity of the divers (18.2% body fat) and the implications for using the body mass index as a measure of adiposity in the medical examination of divers are discussed.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1983

Prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects.

Neural tube defects are relatively common congenital malformations. An assay is available which permits prenatal screening of maternal serum for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Elevated AFP levels are associated with neural tube defects and other developmental abnormalities. Two positive blood tests indicate the need for ultrasonography. Further diagnostic testing of amniotic fluid for AFP and acetylcholinesterase levels may be necessary to confirm a neural tube defect.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1983

Laboratory diagnosis of viral infections.

When a suspected viral agent requires laboratory confirmation, specimens must be properly collected and stored, and appropriately transported to a virology laboratory. Viruses can be isolated from a variety of specimens in tissue cultures, and characteristic cell changes may be seen in Papanicolaou smears and scrapings of vesicles. Serologic, immunofluorescent and immunoradiologic techniques are useful in identifying both antigens and antibodies.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗
PubMed1983

Multiphasic health profiles of Navy divers.

A multiphasic medical screening program was conducted on 197 qualified U.S. Navy divers. For this cross-sectional study each individual passed through several phases of examination: personal background and history, personal medical history, psychological testing, physical examination, anthropometry, audiometry, blood chemistry and hematology, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiography, roentgenography, and vision testing. The data are presented in a descriptive format. The results of most of the examinations were normal. However, decrements in auditory function were observed at low and high frequencies. Values for several pulmonary function tests were high in comparison to those reported in the general population. Obesity was prevalent as determined by clinical examination and anthropometric measurements. These findings suggest the feasibility of incorporating data from comprehensive periodic medical surveillance of occupational diving populations into longitudinal investigations of diver health.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Medical problems from cold exposure.

Problems resulting from cold exposure can be successfully treated when a coordinated emergency medical transport system and appropriate equipment are available, as well as medical personnel knowledgeable in the management of frostbite and hypothermia. Clinical suspicion of these disorders is essential. Profoundly hypothermic individuals with no recordable vital signs have been resuscitated after controlled, rapid rewarming measures and the use of emergency life-support systems.

Central Venous Pressure↗
PubMed1982

Lyme disease.

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Arthritis, Infectious↗
PubMed1981

Validity of self-reported work experience among U.S. Navy divers.

The validity of self-reported diving experience was assessed among 49 U.S. Navy divers. They were asked to provide frequency estimates for the following four diving categories: total dives, dives to more than 31 m, night dives, and dives at surface temperatures of less than 10 degrees C. These estimates were then correlated with official Navy diving records. The resulting correlations ranged from nonsignificant to moderate across the four diving categories. The sample was then divided into three groups according to the extent to which they overestimated diving experience-Low, Medium, and High. The Low group made more total dives and more dives greater than 31 m than either the Medium or High groups. The High and Medium groups did not differ from each other. The groups were similar in overall health status (as indicated but sick call visits) but varied in previous diving accidents. The High and Medium groups incurred substantially more diving accidents per number of total dives made than the Low group. These results indicate that self-reported diving experience information should not be used for purposes in which accuracy is required. Determining discrepancies between estimated and actual experience may also be useful in diver selection and assignment.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Diseases from fish and shellfish ingestion.

Fish- and shellfish-acquired diseases are a common but often unrecognized group of food-borne illnesses with considerable epidemiologic importance. They present with a spectrum of gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms, but the history of pertinent ingestion establishes the diagnosis. Treatment is generally supportive, and recovery with minimal or no residua is the rule. State and local health authorities should be notified of all suspected cases because of the frequent occurrence of multiple cases from one source.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Giardiasis.

The protozoan Giardia lamblia has frequently been identified as the cause of epidemic gastrointestinal disease. Overseas travel (to both Third-World and industrialized countries), contaminated mountain streams and malfunctioning city water-supply systems are often cited as contributing factors. Giardiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent diarrhea and other abdominal pain syndromes of unknown etiology. Aggressive diagnostic testing is required to identify the parasite. Appropriate treatment is highly successful.

Furazolidone↗
PubMed1980

Comparisons of performance effectiveness among divers.

Using a criterion of performance effectiveness derived from actual dives made under operational conditions, comparisons were made between U.S. Navy divers identified as high and low in performance effectiveness. Comparison measures included intelligence, anxiety, disciplinary problems, and incidence of decompression sickness (DCS). As expected, the most effective divers made more frequent and more hazardous dives than the least effective divers. In addition they had fewer diving accidents and a lower incidence of DCS. While the most effective divers had lower intelligence scores than the least effective group, both groups were substantially above the Navy average. These findings indicate that intelligence appears to be a critical variable in the career retention of divers, as well as the frequency and types of dives to which divers are exposed. The higher incidence of diving accidents and complications, especially DCS, found among the least effective divers may also have been involved in the lower frequency of diving observed among the members of this group.

Accident Proneness↗