Richard R. Lanese

The applicability of the theory of planned behavior to the intention to quit smoking across workplaces in southern taiwan

An examination of the applicability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to the intention to quit smoking across workplaces was conducted. Subjects were randomly selected from three workplaces in southern Taiwan. Those from a large public steel-manufacturing company were used for model building, and those from two private auto-parts-manufacturing companies served to cross-validate the model. Eligible subjects were divided into three study samples: a learning sample and two test samples. Three predictors--priority of quitting, past behavior (measured as previous quit attempt), and habit (measured as nicotine dependence)--were added to the TPB model. The results of this study show that TPB based on the learning sample fit well in another sample from the same workplace but poorly in other workplaces. When priority of quitting and past behavior were added to the TPB model, prediction to other workplaces significantly improved. Habit had no significant contribution to the intention to quit in the TPB model. Detailed discussions of the results are provided.

Respiratory illness in households using gas and electricity for cooking. I. Survey of incidence.

Abstract A 12-month study was undertaken to determine the incidence of respiratory illness in households in a midwest upper-middle-class community. The sample included 441 families, divided into two groups; those utilizing gas and those utilizing electricity in cooking. Family health and demographic data were obtained from the participants. Reports of acute respiratory illness were obtained through biweekly telephone calls to each household. Respondents were asked to report respiratory illness in any member of the household, and to indicate the presence or absence of a set of signs and symptoms. Ambient air was analyzed indoors and outdoors in a sample of the households, and pulmonary function tests were conducted on a subsample of the participants representing both types of households. AID analysis and multiple regression were carried out to determine the predictors of respiratory illness incidence. Comparison was made with data obtained in a similar study in Long Island, New York. There was no evidence to suggest that cooking with gas is associated with an increase in respiratory disease or a decrease in pulmonary function (FVC and FEV-75).

Reduction of mortality from prehospital myocardial infarction by prudent patient activation of mobile coronary care system

Numerous recent studies have documented the fact that lives are saved by prehospital mobile coronary care units (MCCU).lm6 As a result, such units, of various designs and types, have proliferated in the United States and in Europe.7v8 In spite of this development in emergency medical services (EMS), there is still some uncertainty regarding its impact on death from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and sudden death in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Furthermore, arguments have been raised that MCCU often serve patients at low risk of death, who could well be treated by other means? This presentation is concerned with our S-year experience with a mobile coronary care system in Columbus, Ohio. A single advanced life support (ALS) vehicle manned by a physician and paramedics (Heartmobile) was added to a long-standing and well-utilized EMS system in April, 1969. Over the next 8 years the ALS system as well as the entire EMS system grew dramatically.‘O With respect to cardiac emergencies, it had been our impression that persons served by the ALS units were predominantly those with high risk of death. This was clearly true of an original cohort of 214 consecutive cases analyzed in 1970 when the Heartmobile was in use. However, we had no data concerning those patients with AM1 not seen by the EMS system. As a result, factors influencing patient decisions to use the

Differences in pulmonary function tests among whites, blacks, and American Indians in a textile company.

Normal standards for pulmonary function in nonwhite populations are not presently available to occupational health workers. The present study examined differences in %FVC, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF 200-1200 and FEF 25-75% among whites, blacks, and American Indians. The sample consisted of 4209 job applicants to a textile company in southeastern United States. Multiple regression and analyses of covariance were employed to control differences in age, height, weight, and smoking status. Blacks were significantly lower in five of the six comparisons but higher in FEV1/FVC%. The pulmonary function measures of Indians fell generally between those of whites and blacks. Differences were observed between blacks and whites of both sexes regarding the effects of cigarette smoking. The need for race specific stardards was confirmed and the question of using smokers in the acquisition of normative data was raised.

Respiratory illness in households using gas and electricity for cooking. II. Symptoms and objective findings.

Abstract An earlier study examined the incidence of reported respiratory illness in members of households cooking with gas or electricity. The present investigation extends that study in order to confirm and validate the reports of illness, and to determine the frequency distribution of reported symptoms among parents and children in the two settings. One hundred twenty households with school-age children were selected from the gas and electric cohorts. Reports of respiratory illness and symptoms were obtained by telephone interview every 2 weeks for a period of 13 months by a nurse—epidemiologist. Where the onset of respiratory illness occurred within 3 days of the call, a household visit was arranged to examine the person reported ill and to obtain a throat culture. In addition, two sets of “well” controls were examined. The results validate the reporting method and replicate earlier findings of no significant difference in acute respiratory illness incidence between gas- and electric-cooking households.

Diurnal variation of prolactin secretion differentiates pituitary tumors from the primary empty sella syndrome

In an attempt to find an endocrine function test that might be useful in differentiating the primary empty sella syndrome from a pituitary tumor, we evaluated 24-hour prolactin levels in seven patients with the primary empty sella syndrome, 16 patients with pituitary tumors and 37 normal subjects. All eight patients with the primary empty sella syndrome had normal 24-hour mean prolactin levels and normal diurnal variation of prolactin release whereas in each patient with a pituitary tumor nocturnal prolactin secretion was blunted. In light of these findings and those of other investigators, we do not perform routine invasive study of the pituitary in patients with (1) a typical clinical presentation of the empty sella syndrome, (2) no endocrinopathies, (3) a normal computerized axial tomography scan, when indicated, and (4) normal serum prolactin levels with intact diurnal variation.

Illness and absence among wrestlers, swimmers, and gymnasts at a large university

The object of this study was to document the preva lence of illness and absence in members of three mens intercollegiate athletic teams: varsity wrestling, swim ming, and gymnastics. Team members (N = 87) were interviewed weekly in January and February during 8 weeks of their competitive season. Symptoms, signs, and their duration were recorded on a standard form, as well as the number of days of absence from at least one class or team practice or competition. Mean prev alence of illness was 54 per 100 persons during the first 5 weeks of the study and 30 per 100 persons during the last 3 weeks. Eighty-six percent of the athletes had at least one respiratory illness during the 8 week period and 40% reported skin problems. There were no significant differences among teams for respi ratory or skin problems. Gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly more frequent among swimmers than among wrestlers or gymnasts (χ2 = 16.1, df = 2, P < 0.001). During an illness, an athlete was less likely to miss class than practice or competition (χ2 = 5.33, df = 1, P < 0.05). We conclude that there were no significant differences in the prevalence of illness among the three teams except that swimmers had more gastrointestinal problems as well as a transient syndrome associated with abnormal water quality (pH) in the swimming pool.

Decreased testosterone and libido with severe weight loss

In brief A college wrestlers weight, body brief fat, and hormone levels were measured during 2 years of competition. Marked weight loss during the initial season was associated with lower serum levels of testosterone and several other hormones, as well as a decrease in reported sexual activity. All values returned to normal after the season. The following year, with less weight loss, the wrestler had only a transient decrease in testosterone and prolactin and reported no decline in sexual activity. Body fat greater than 5% seemed essential to maintaining normal endocrine function.

Association Between Salicylates and Reye's Syndrome-Reply

In Reply.— Soller and Stander, on the basis of an unpublished analysis of our data, raise the issue of two potential biases: protopathic and product confusion bias. The existence of protopathic bias, or bias caused by the disease preceding the risk factor, depends on how the onset of RS is defined. We defined the onset of RS as the first day of severe vomiting. In the second year of our study, aspirin was classified as a positive exposure for cases only if ingested before the first day of severe vomiting. Thus, this bias regarding the temporal association of aspirin and RS should not be a problem if the onset of vomiting properly identifies the onset of RS. Even if clinical RS can precede severe vomiting, a retrospective determination of the exact onset on the basis of a complex of nonspecific symptoms, eg, headache, fever, or sore throat, symptoms all compatible