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Biomedical subjects

D B Louria

Publications and source records attributed to D B Louria.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

An unusual case of false-positive serology for the human immunodeficiency virus: report from the heterosexual HIV transmission study.

A man was found to have a repeatedly positive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) that was confirmed by a western blot with six positive bands. He was told that he was seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but subsequent EIAs were negative and western blots were either negative or indeterminant. All other HIV-related studies were unrevealing, and no explanation for the false-positive result was found. We have not absolutely eliminated the possibility of mislabeled specimens, but we believe this to be unlikely. The possibility, albeit infrequent, of concomitant false-positive EIAs and western blots should be kept in mind when formulating public policy with regard to HIV testing.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1991

New Jersey high school students' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding AIDS.

In 1988 a questionnaire was administered to 1,793 urban and suburban New Jersey high school students to survey their knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to the acquisition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Knowledge about the disease was high, but exaggeration of risk from social contacts was common. Although fear was associated with misperceptions, it was not always dispelled by knowledge. Nearly half (49%) of all participants reported having used condoms, indicating that condom use is somewhat familiar and acceptable to them. Over 80% thought that condoms offer some protection against AIDS. However, knowledge did not always result in recognition or practice of risk-reduction behaviors. Student suggestions for slowing the spread of AIDS stressed personal responsibility and education. Follow-up assemblies that used survey results to address gaps in knowledge appeared necessary to counter misperceptions that might have arisen from the survey.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Garlic (Allium sativum) in the treatment of experimental cryptococcosis.

An extract of garlic was studied for its efficacy in treatment experimental cryptococcosis in mice. The garlic, given by mouth, appeared to reduce brain cryptococcal populations, although the results obtained were generally inconsistent. Complete eradication of the cryptococci was not achieved and the early beneficial results observed diminished over time.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The perceptions of one department of preventive medicine about its obligations to the larger community.

We believe that Department of Preventive Medicine must be actively involved in important societal issues. We have attempted to meet our commitments by: (I) developing position papers for distribution to our state legislators and Congressional delegation; (2) a focus on problems plaguing the community (cancer care, drug abuse, lead poisoning); (3) developing and implementing a health promotion program that is inexpensive, adequately documented, and effective; (4) being involved in various international medicine activities; and (5) starting a chapter of the World Future Society as part of an attempt to introduce futurism into universities, colleges and high schools in New Jersey.

Community-Institutional Relations↗
PubMed1988

Adolescents and nuclear arms issues.

Concerned about adolescents' reactions to the ever present nuclear threat, we surveyed 10,720 high school students in New Jersey, U.S.A. Half felt anxious about an accidental war and expected a major nuclear blast. One-quarter expected a nuclear war involving the United States, and one-fifth expected to die in a nuclear blast. Most expected the United States to be destroyed if a major nuclear war occurred, did not believe that long term survival after the initial exchanges is possible, or that civil defense preparations can be effective. Responses were similar across economic background, time period and type of high school.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

In situ/invasive cervical cancer ratios: impact of cancer education and screening.

A study of cancer incidence rates in Newark, NJ showed an increase in invasive cervical cancer among black women between 1970 and 1976. The incidence was substantially higher than that found in the Third National Cancer Survey and the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results Program. The ratio of in situ/invasive cervical cancer incidence among black women was 1:1, far below the national ratio of about 3:1. It seemed that the high-risk population in Newark might not be having regular Papanicolaou smears. From 1976 through 1981, intensive educational and cervical cancer screening programs were carried out in the city of Newark. A review was made of cervical cancer cases (1976-1981) reported to the tumor registries or recorded on discharge diagnoses in hospitals where Newark residents are known to have sought care. The findings showed that the ratio of in situ to invasive cervical cancer had increased dramatically: the overwhelming majority of cancers were found to be in situ carcinomas. The improvement was far more impressive among black women than among white women. Since the intervention campaign had been directed primarily toward the black female population, a group at extremely high risk, this suggested that efficacy of the intervention program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid with clindamycin and gentamicin in the treatment of postcesarean endomyometritis.

The efficacy of a single antibiotic--Timentin (ticarcillin with clavulanic acid)--was compared with a standard two antibiotic regimen (clindamycin and gentamicin) for the treatment of endomyometritis after cesarean delivery. The regimens were 3 grams of ticarcillin plus 100 milligrams of clavulanic acid given intravenously every four hours, or 600 milligrams of clindamycin given intravenously every six hours plus 3 to 5 milligrams per kilogram per day of gentamicin given intramuscularly. The diagnosis of endomyometritis was based upon an oral temperature of 100.4 degrees F. or higher on any two occasions, excluding the first 24 hours post partum, uterine tenderness and the absence of another focus of infection. Ninety-one patients were treated. Treatment failure rates were three of 49 in the clindamycin and gentamicin group and four of 42 of the ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid group. Treatment failures did not appear to be different from successes demographically or in risk factors for endomyometritis. The results of this study suggest that ticarcillin with clavulanic acid is as effective in the treatment of postcesarean endomyometritis as the standard regimen of clindamycin and gentamicin.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Zinc and immunocompetence in the elderly: baseline data on zinc nutriture and immunity in unsupplemented subjects.

Zinc nutriture and immune function were studied in 100 subjects, age 60-89 yr. Mean (+/- SD) zinc concentrations found were 84.8 +/- 15.5 micrograms/dL (13.0 +/- 2.4 microM) for plasma, 1.04 +/- 0.24 micrograms (0.016 +/- 0.004 mumol)/10(9) cells for erythrocytes, 4.06 +/- 1.85 micrograms (0.062 +/- 0.028 mumol)/10(9) cells for mononuclear cells, 3.91 +/- 1.77 micrograms (0.060 +/- 0.027 mumol)/10(9) cells for polymorphonuclear leukocytes, 0.53 +/- 0.39 micrograms (0.0081 +/- 0.0060 mumol)/10(9) cells for platelets, and 222 +/- 101 micrograms (3.39 +/- 1.54 mumol)/g for hair. Zinc ingestion was below the RDA in more than 90% of study subjects. The incidence of anergy to a panel of seven skin test antigens was 41%; responses to these antigens were significantly associated with the plasma zinc concentration. Subjects with depressed lymphocyte responses to mitogens had significantly lower platelet and significantly higher mononuclear cell zinc concentrations than those with normal responses.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Single-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis for cesarean section.

Single-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis after clamping of the umbilical cord decreased the rate of endomyometritis in high-risk patients by 50% when compared with placebo. This drug combination may affect the normal flora of the cervix the least so that superinfections should be rare.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Staphylococcal infections in aging mice.

Aging (17 to 22 months old) and young (1 1/2 to 2 months old) mice were infected with 5 X 10(7) staphylococci. Twenty-eight-day mortality was 70% in senescent mice and 14.3% in young mice. Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of staphylococci by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells and leukocyte mobilization were studied after intraperitoneal infection. Intracellular killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes was slightly more effective in young mice but older mice mobilized about twice as many polymorphonuclear leukocytes in a 4-hour period. In older mice the lethality of intraperitoneally-administered staphylococcal toxins and salmonella endotoxin was markedly increased, the mortality rates in old and young mice being virtually identical to those found after intravenous infection with living staphylococci.

Aging↗
PubMed1985

Comparative clinical evaluation of ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid versus clindamycin plus gentamicin in treatment of post-cesarean endomyometritis.

A new single-antibiotic combination of ticarcillin and clavulanic acid was compared with the standard two-drug regimen of clindamycin and gentamicin in the treatment of post-cesarean endomyometritis. The regimens were as follows: 3 g of ticarcillin plus 100 mg of clavulanic acid intravenously every four hours; or 600 mg of clindamycin intravenously every six hours plus 3 to 5 mg/kg per day of gentamicin intramuscularly. The prospective randomized schedule was calculated such that half the patients were assigned to each treatment group. The diagnosis of endomyometritis was based upon an elevated oral temperature of 100.4 degrees F or higher on any two occasions, excluding the first 24 hours after delivery, uterine tenderness, and the absence of other foci of infection. Lochial discharge was foul in most cases. Forty-seven patients were treated. Treatment was successful in all patients who received clindamycin and gentamicin; ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid failed in two of 23 (9 percent) patients. Patients in whom treatment failed did not appear to be different from those in whom treatment was successful on demographic variables or in terms of risk factors for endomyometritis. The difference between the treatment failure rates was not statistically significant. This study suggests that the single-drug combination of ticarcillin plus clavulanic acid is effective in the treatment of post-cesarean endomyometritis when compared with the standard regimen of clindamycin and gentamicin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Clusters of cancer mortality in New Jersey municipalities; with special reference to chemical toxic waste disposal sites and per capita income.

The state of New Jersey (NJ), USA, has been thought to have an unusually high cancer mortality rate; this assumption has been based on 1950-1969 mortality data for NJ counties. This study presents an analysis of mortality from major cancers for NJ municipalities during 1968-1977, and correlates cancer mortality rates with several potentially relevant variables. Age-adjusted mortality rates for 13 major cancer sites for 194 municipalities of 10 000 or more people in 21 NJ counties were compared with cancer mortality in the US. Municipality rates were correlated with: distribution of chemical toxic waste disposal sites (CTWDS); annual per capita income; the rates of low birth weight, birth defects and infant mortality of NJ municipalities. Clusters of cancer mortality were observed in 23 municipalities in 10 counties in which a total of 98 age-adjusted cancer death rates were at least 50% above the national rate, and each of these municipalities had at least two race-sex-specific cancers in which the observed number of cancer deaths was greater than the expected number of deaths at the p less than 0.0005 level. Of these 98 excessive cancer death rates, 72% involved the gastrointestinal tract. Most of the municipalities are located in the highly industrialized densely populated northeastern part of the State. Correlation analyses showed a consistent and significant (p less than 0.05) negative correlation between income and cancer mortality in 11 of 12 cancers studied. These analyses also showed a significant positive association between 8 of 12 cancers studied and CTWDS in one or more subgroup populations and lesser associations with birth defects, low birth weight and infant mortality.

Breast Neoplasms↗