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Biomedical subjects

J H Davis

Publications and source records attributed to J H Davis.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Preventable trauma deaths: Dade County, Florida.

We reviewed 1,201 trauma deaths that occurred in Dade County, Florida, in 1982 in order to evaluate the need for an organized trauma network. There were 715 deaths (59.5%) at the scene. Of the remaining 486 patients who were transported to hospitals for treatment there were 240 central nervous system (CNS) deaths and 246 non-CNS deaths. Fifty-two (21.1%) preventable non-CNS trauma deaths were identified out of the 246 non-CNS deaths. The lack of an appropriate surgical procedure or a delay to surgery accounted for 82.7% of the preventable deaths. The preventable non-CNS death rate was 12.1% at the then functional Level I hospital and 26.4% at the other 22 hospitals (p less than 0.01). The ISS scores were similar for both the functional Level I hospital and the other hospitals. A trauma network involving seven hospitals is currently being established in Dade County, Florida. Applying the 1982 data to these hospitals reveals a preventable non-CNS death rate of 12.1% for the Level I hospital, 21.5% for the six planned Level II hospitals, and 30.0% for the other 16 hospitals. We conclude that: the severely injured should be triaged directly to trauma centers, and there is a need in Dade County, Florida, for an organized trauma system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Simultaneous modeling of phase and calorimetric behavior in an amphiphilic peptide/phospholipid model membrane.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments have been performed on the amphiphilic peptide/1,2-bis(perdeuteriopalmitoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine system for which partial phase diagrams have been measured by deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance. The solute concentration dependence of the transition enthalpy in such systems is often interpreted in terms of an annulus of lipid withdrawn, by the solvent, from participation in the transition while the bulk lipid melts with its fully enthalpy. This idea is equivalent to postulating ideal mixing between the lipid and the peptide/lipid complex, and there is little justification for such an assumption. Adaptation of regular solution theory to this system demonstrates that the peptide concentration dependence of the transition enthalpies can be incorporated into a thermodynamic model which reproduces the observed phase behavior fairly well without postulating that a complexing annulus of lipid around the peptide be withdrawn from participating in the chain-melting transition. The model parameters determined by simultaneous fitting of the phase behavior and transition enthalpies are used to simulate the DSC scan shapes. The asymmetry of the calorimetric scans for chi 2 less than or equal to 0.02 is reproduced by the model, but a broad component observed for higher concentration is not. In light of the results presented here, previous analyses of the calorimetric behavior of two-component systems in terms of symmetric transitions which do not account for the possible extent of a region of two-phase equilibrium must be questioned.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗
PubMed1984

A forensic science approach to a starved child.

A 19-month-old, 3.6-kg (8-lb) female child dies after a protracted course. The child was premature and suffered a stormy perinatal and postnatal period. When there is underlying disease or a condition potentially sufficient in and of itself to result in a "starved child," isolation of the results of potential neglect presents particular difficulties. The approach to the resolution of this question will be addressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Service volume and other factors affecting the costs of immunizations in the Gambia.

The total cost of the Expanded Programme on Immunization and of its various components in the Gambia over a period of one year (from July 1980 to June 1981) was investigated, and the costs per immunization dose and per fully immunized child were calculated. The total costs were to a large extent (45%) due to the cost of personnel and fixed costs. Where there was efficient delivery of immunizations, the average cost per dose was about one-fifth of that in the most costly facilities (range: US$2.32 to $0.41). The lower costs were related to more intensive use of the facilities. The national average cost was $1.09. The implications of the results of this study for policies to reduce costs are discussed, and further areas of research are suggested that will provide improved information to guide decision-makers in the use of scarce immunization programme resources for better health in the world.

Child↗
PubMed1984

Artificial insemination by donor (AID) and the use of surrogate mothers.

Today families are being created by such procedures as test tube fertilization, artificial insemination and surrogate parenting. In addition to traditional couples, moreover, single persons, gay couples and others are seeking to form family units. In the eagerness to produce an offspring there is often little thought given to the needs or the feelings of the child so produced. There is a need for sociomedical data as well as a more open approach in these situations.

Adoption↗
PubMed1984

Spontaneous births into toilets.

Since inception of the Dade County Medical Examiner Department in 1956 and the end of 1982 a total of 18 spontaneous births into toilets were investigated. A retrospective review of these cases revealed a high degree of maternal denial of pregnancy and refusal of responsibility for the fetus by primiparous mothers of term births, the instances of most questionable manner of death. A consideration in the examination of these natal deaths should be investigation of maternal postnatal behavior along with the circumstances of birth and autopsy findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Electrocution by street lighting.

Four lethal and one nonlethal electrocutions from street lighting equipment are described. These cases have in common old installations, metal light poles, wet environment, 480-V power sources, and intact fuses. Identification of causative factors may permit future accommodation in design to reduce risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Improved survival after pneumococcus in splenectomized and nonsplenectomized mice with Corynebacterium parvum.

Splenectomy increases the susceptibility to infections with certain bacteria, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae. Because the immunomodulator Corynebacterium parvum expands the phagocytic cell compartment and enhances reticuloendothelial function, we tested the effect of C parvum in mice challenged with aerosolized pneumococci. Mice splenectomized seven days before pneumococcal challenge and treated intraperitoneally with 700 micrograms of C parvum immediately after exposure were protected when compared with splenectomized or sham-operated saline-injected controls. Analysis of proportional hazards showed the risk of dying in order of greatest to least as follows: splenectomy/saline, sham/saline, splenectomy/C parvum and sham/C parvum. The benefits of an intact spleen and C parvum seemed to be additive in their protective effects after aerosol pneumococcal challenge. After intravenous challenge, bloodstream clearance was improved in sham-operated mice at three days after C parvum injection compared with saline-injected sham-operated controls and C parvum-injected splenectomized mice. A significant improvement in bacterial clearance did not occur until seven days after C parvum treatment in splenectomized mice. The results demonstrate the value of a nonspecific immunomodulator for enhancing the defense mechanisms of both normal and splenectomized animals.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1983

Need for measles revaccination in adolescents: correlation with birth date prior to 1972.

Measles hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers of less than 1:4 were significantly (P less than 0.05) more prevalent among subjects born from 1962 through 1971 and vaccinated with a single dose of live measles virus vaccine at 12 months of age (14.5%) than among subjects born during the same years but vaccinated at 13 months or older (2.3%). For subjects born in 1972 through 1976, however, this difference was not statistically significant; titers of less than 1:4 occurred in 6.2% of those vaccinated at 12 months, compared to 0% in those vaccinated at 13 months or older. A decline in maternally derived measles HI antibody may be related to the increased rate of HI antibody titers of 1:4 or greater following vaccination of more recently born subjects. Following revaccination of subjects whose measles HI antibody titers were less than 1:4, measles HI titers were lower than would be expected after successful primary vaccination. Nevertheless, measles HI antibody persisted at a level of 1:4 or more until the latest titer measurement of this study (one to two years after revaccination) in 87.5% of those whose initial vaccination had been at 11 or 12 months of age. No adverse reactions to revaccination occurred. Revaccination programs should be considered for adolescents and young adults born before 1972 who received live measles virus vaccine at or before 12 months. Children born from 1972 through 1976 who were vaccinated at 12 months or later are not in need of revaccination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

A study of the high school principal's role in health education.

The role of the principal in secondary school health education is explored in this paper. Using the social process theory, the ideal role is developed through a review of current literature and the actual role through a survey of high school principals and health education teachers in Chicago. A consensus regarding the role functions of the principal related to school health education as perceived by principals, health education teachers and authorities in school administration was revealed. The principal's role is one of leadership related to curriculum and instruction. The physical education teacher was responsible for health education in all the schools. No consensus emerged regarding the priority of health education within the school.

Administrative Personnel↗