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Biomedical subjects

R Cooper

Publications and source records attributed to R Cooper.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Recent trends in coronary risk factors in the USSR.

The soviet Union has experienced an increase in the incidence of coronary heart disease over the last 15 years sufficient to result in an overall deterioration in the health of adults. The distribution of coronary risk factors, and the secular trends in diet and cigarette consumption, provide a potential explanation for the upsurge in death rates. The animal fat content of the Soviet diet has been steadily enriched since the 1950s and cigarette production increased 72 per cent from 1959 to 1980. The post-Stalin orientation of the Soviet economy toward a policy of motivating the work force primarily through the provision of consumer goods, in a pattern comparable to western capitalist countries, appear to have laid the basis for these developments. Given the central control of Soviet society, the negative impact of current economic policy on the public health could be viewed as paradoxical. Our analysis suggests that the paradox is only apparent, however, and that the basis for the widespread occurrence of coronary heart disease is similar in the Soviet Union and western societies.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The pattern of mass disease in the U.S.S.R.: a product of socialist or capitalist development?

The mortality structure of a society is determined primarily by the nature of the social organization. Although this general principle, which forms the basis of the Marxist approach to public health, has been well demonstrated in the classical model of capitalist society, there has been little attempt to apply this theory to countries that have experienced socialist revolutions. This paper examines the mortality structure of the U.S.S.R. Given the high degree of similarity between mass disease in the U.S.S.R. and Western capitalist countries, fundamental questions must be raised about the political and economic system currently operating in the U.S.S.R. It is suggested that the health experience in the Soviet Union over the last two decades has been determined primarily by the nature of the antagonistic class relations that have resulted from the restoration on capitalism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Rising lung cancer death rates among black men: the importance of occupation and social class.

From 1950 to 1977 the age-adjusted cancer death rates for nonwhite men in the United States rose an astonishing 63.2 percent, while rates for white men increased 22.2 percent and fell slightly for women of both races. The bulk of this increase can be accounted for by cancer of the lung. As a serious health problem that is increasing in severity, cancer in black men deserves close attention and definitive action. This discussion focuses on basic epidemiological relationships in the origins of this epidemic, particularly in regard to the relative importance of occupation, cigarette smoking, and social class.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1982

Smoking cessation in the Chicago Coronary Prevention Evaluation Program.

Quit-rates for cigarette smokers in a lifestyle intervention program aimed at reducing coronary risk were 24 percent for all participants and 34 percent for non-dropouts. Recidivism remained very low during participation in the program. Half of the smokers who quit did so after being in the program more than two years. These data suggest that while engaging in an effort to make other changes in lifestyle, many smokers can be helped to quit. Sustained antismoking efforts in the clinical practice of medicine can be expected to share these same positive aspects. While mass public health programs to eliminate smoking and prevent young people from taking up the habit are being developed, health practitioners can make a significant contribution by including vigorous efforts at smoking cessation as part of routine practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Methodological assessment of assays for red cell sodium concentration and sodium-dependent lithium efflux.

Assays for red cell sodium concentration and sodium-dependent lithium efflux were studied from a methodological point of view. The technical errors for sodium concentration--based on concurrent analysis of randomized blind duplicate samples--was 2.5% and for lithium efflux 6.4%. Based on repeated measures in the same individual, the assays were stable over time and reproducible; individual differences at a mean interval of 16 days were not significantly different. A wait of two hours from time of phlebotomy to analysis yielded a slight (3.8%) but significant fall in the sodium concentration; no further change was found at four hours. No change occurred in the lithium efflux over time. A standardized breakfast containing 664 mg sodium did not affect the measurements when fasting and three-hour postprandial levels were compared. The ratios of intra- to inter-individual variance were small--0.04 for red cell sodium concentration and 0.09 for sodium-stimulated lithium efflux. These assays appear to be reproducible and stable and can be applied in large scale field trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Sleep apnoea.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Endocrine System Diseases↗
PubMed1981

Rising death rates in the Soviet Union: the impact of coronary heart disease.

Age-adjusted overall death rates in men and women in the Soviet Union began to rise in the mid-1960s; an 18 per cent increase occurred in the entire population from 1964 to 1975. The epidemic of coronary heart disease (CHD) appears to be the primary cause of this trend and has been particularly widespread among middle-aged men. Prospective epidemiologic studies and autopsy reports confirm the high prevalence rates of atherosclerosis and its complications. The major risk factors for CHD occur frequently in the Soviet population. The epidemic nature of the modern chronic diseases is dramatically apparent in the secular trends in Soviet vital statistics. A similar pattern of life style as related to risk of CHD in the Soviet Union and in Western capitalist countries further suggests a similar social basis for this epidemic in both areas.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Experience with left ventricular apicoaortic conduits for complicated left ventricular outflow obstruction in children and young adults.

Six patients, ranging in age from 8 to 20 years, underwent left ventricular apicoaortic construction for treatment of complicated left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. All patients had severe left ventricular hypertrophy as determined by echocardiography and electrocardiography. The preoperative gradient across the left ventricular outflow tract was 84 +/- 17 mm Hg (mean +/- standard deviation) (range, 65 to 110 mm Hg), and the preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was 20 +/- 7 mm Hg (range, 12 to 28 mm Hg). Conduits were placed retroperitoneally with the distal anastomosis to the infrarenal aorta; the porcine valve was positioned in the left upper quadrant. Relief of left ventricular hypertension was complete; the minimal gradient measured intraoperatively was 13 +/- 8 mm Hg (range, 0 to 20 mm Hg). With an average follow-up of 18 months (range, 6 to 24 months), all patients have improved and are in Functional Class I. Four patients were catheterized 12 months postoperatively. They all showed excellent relief of left ventricular hypertension; the conduit was effectively decompressing the left ventricle. This experience suggests that this approach is effective in relieving complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with good early results, and that it deserves more frequent application in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Dietary sodium, erythrocyte sodium concentration, sodium-stimulated lithium efflux and blood pressure.

1. There was a significant positive relationship between sodium-stimulated lithium efflux and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.512) in erythrocytes of black school children. Weight was also positively and significantly correlated with blood pressure. Although erythrocyte sodium concentration did not bear any significant relationship with blood pressure, it did bear significant inverse relationship with urinary sodium excretion. 2. High-school students were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. In the former a reduction of about 70% in salt intake was achieved. After 24 days, the erythrocyte sodium concentration was significantly reduced in the experimental group. A non-significant decline in systolic blood pressure was observed in the experimental group; no change was detectable in the control group for either erythrocyte sodium concentration or systolic blood pressure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Bronchial carcinoma presenting as autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

A 68-year-old man presented with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. Investigation revealed underlying bronchial carcinoma. A positive direct Coombs' test failed to revert to negative after removal of the primary tumour. This suggested the presence of metastases which was subsequently shown. The possible significance and origin of the autoantibody is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Calcified portal vein thromboemboli in infants: radiography and ultrasonography.

Calcified portal vein thromboemboli (CPVT) in six neonates are reported. Three of the infants had multiple chromosomal abnormalities. Ultrasonography was performed in one patient to confirm the intrahepatic location of the calcification. CPVT, which are usually incidental observations on abdominal radiographs in neonates, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of calcifications limited to the hepatic area. These lesions are usually peripheral, and seem to be associated with multiple anomalies in infants. Ultrasonography is useful in demonstrating the intrahepatic and peripheral location of these calcifications.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1981

Cursive and gelastic epilepsy: case report.

A child with cursive and gelastic epilepsy is reported. This particular case in unique in that the patient had no underlying neurological disease, his running and laughing seizures represented his only seizure type; and recorded ictal episodes originated bilaterally and anteriorly.

Child↗
PubMed1981

Racism, society, and disease: an exploration of the social and biological mechanisms of differential mortality.

Racial differentials in mortality provide important insight into the nature of mass disease in capitalist society. Not only are the differentials sizable in magnitude, they are consistent for multiple causes of death and appear to evolve in response to social development. The relationships among social factors and the biological and physical agents of disease can be identified through racial contrasts and a pattern of causation which applies to both the minority and majority populations described. Furthermore, the impact of exploitation as the primary disease-mediating factor under capitalist social relations can be estimated. This paper attempts to combine an analysis of bio-medical mechanisms with Marxist social theory in a comprehensive framework for the study of the social origins of racial differentials.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1981

Improved mortality among U.S. Blacks, 1968-1978: the role of antiracist struggle.

A marked improvement in health status for black adults took place over the last decade in the United States. Life expectancy for black men increased 4.6 years between 1968 and 1978, while for black women the increase was 5.7 years. Death rates for the age group 35-74 decreased approximately 25 percent for blacks over the same period. The largest contribution to this improvement was made by cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease and stroke). Although similar improvement was observed in the white population, on both a percentage and absolute basis the change was greater for blacks. For the first time in the U.S., important progress was made in the effort to narrow the gap in mortality rates between black and white adults. Hypertension detection and control appears to have played the key role in this positive public health trend. The community-based demand for greater access to medical care, which emerged from the social struggle of the 1960s, also can be accorded a major social role. The current policies of the Reagan Administration pose a serious threat to these antiracist programs, as well as to the effort to close the gap in black-white mortality.

Adult↗