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Biomedical subjects

R J Walker

Publications and source records attributed to R J Walker.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

The action of substance P on mesencephalic reticular and substantia nigral neurones of the rat.

Extracellular recordings were made from neurones in the mesencephalic reticular formation and substantianigra of the rat which was anaesthetized with urethane 1.5-2 g/kg i.p. Out of 44 cells tested 42 were excited by Substance P applied iontophoretically and in some cases this excitation was rapid. Evidence is presented for Substance P as a putative excitatory transmitter onto reticular and nigral neurones possibly released from primary sensory afferents.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1975

A study of the heights and weights of different groups of disturbed children.

Mean centile heights and weights of 346 children referred to a child psychiatric clinic were recorded and compared with the psychiatric diagnoses of the children. Neurotic boys were found to have significantly greater mean centile heights than boys with (a) conduct disorders and (b) specific developmental disorders. No significant difference was found in the girls. The difference in boys' heights was not associated with any significant difference in social class, family size, or position in the family. No significant weight differences were found. The results are discussed, and it is concluded that the relationship between physical growth and psychiatric disorder in children merits further investigation.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1975

The validity of preemployment medical evaluations.

A protocol is described to determine whether a medical preemployment evaluation can be predictive for attendance or work performance. In addition, the dollar benefit and the cost of such a program is assessed. The present analysis is based on 4,936 men and women, who were processed as prospective hires into non-hazardous job assignments. A medical preemployment evaluation was performed on all applicants, identifying factors which could influence attendance or work performance. Sixty-nine per cent of the examined applicants were hired. During the employment process, all applicants were randomly assigned to a control or trial group. Those in the trial group were hired by the employment office without knowledge of the results of the medical preemployment evaluation, whereas these results were fully disclosed for applicants in the control group. Three months after hire, supervisors answered a detailed questionnaire relating to absence and work performance for each hire. No differences were identified between control and trial groups for overall job performance, appropriateness of the job match and work force losses. A small but significant difference, on the other hand, was identified for sickness absence in the trial group between medical evaluation category A (normal risk) and category R (increased risk identified). Omission of a preemployment medical evaluation, as simulated by the trial group, increased the absence cost for the company by $2.30 per year for each new hire. Compared to a $17.50 cost per preemployment health evaluation, the average length of service of new hires would have to exceed 7.6 years to realize a dollar benefit from the medical examination. Examinations performed on applicants who were never hired further increases the cost of a medical preemployment examination program.

Absenteeism↗