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Biomedical subjects

J Lourie

Publications and source records attributed to J Lourie.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

One in the eye for an orthopaedic surgeon.

Despite many reports of injuries to surgeons during operative procedures, there is no record of an eye injury caused by a foreign body. Orthopaedic surgeons are particularly vulnerable to such injury. An instance in which a penetrating eye injury occurred while hammering a rasp into the femur during a hip replacement is described. There is a potential oblique trajectory for a foreign body to reach the eye from the operative field despite the use of a visor for eye protection.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Trace metals in the hair of habitants of the Ok Tedi region, Papua New Guinea.

It has long been known that mining activity can markedly change the level and distribution of certain heavy metals in the adjacent environment. This pollution can be quite widespread and long lasting and often has deleterious effects on the health of local populations. In the present study scalp hair was used as the biopsy material because of its ease of collection and long history of use in this connection. Hair was collected from all the local villages in the vicinity of the mine site, as well as from Papua New Guinean nationals from other provinces, and European expatriates who were employed by the mining company and who were resident in the area. Hair from local people showed a remarkably high iron content by comparison with previously studied populations. The extreme variations in hair iron levels were reflected in the differential distribution of levels according to location, age and sex. Hair cadmium was also high in the population studied. Hair copper, lead, zinc and mercury all appeared to be within 'normal' limits by comparison with other general populations. These results are discussed in the context of the environmental and social impact of the mining operations on the local people.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1983

Malaria and filariasis in the Ok Tedi Region of the Star Mountains, Papua New Guinea.

Malaria and filariasis surveys were carried out as part of a broader general health survey between December, 1982 and May, 1983 in the Ok Tedi region of the Star Mountains, Western Province. Malaria, tropical splenomegaly syndrome (TSS) and anaemia were identified as significant health problems. Malaria slide positivity rates of 64.9% in children 2 to 9 years of age and 19.5% in adults 15 years and older indicate high levels of stable malaria transmission. Infections with Plasmodium falciparum were the most common (75.2%), but P. vivax (17.4%) and P. malariae (7.4%) were also encountered. Palpable splenomegaly occurred in 79.2% of adults and children over two years of age with more than 50% of the enlarged spleens grade III or greater (Hackett). Microfilariae (Wuchereria bancrofti) were present in 34.3% of night blood films, and estimated haemoglobin values were considerably below WHO standards. Data from the surveys provide a baseline against which to monitor changes in health status which might be expected to occur in conjunction with the development of a major mining project in the area.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Port Moresby road traffic accident survey.

Road Traffic Accidents (RTA's) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Papua New Guinea today. A survey of casualties from RTA's attending Port Moresby General Hospital over a seven-month period from November 1982 to June 1983 showed that of 209 patients seen, one-third were in cars and one-quarter were in utilities. The most dangerous positions in vehicles were (1) in the open back of a utility or truck, and (2) in the front seat (driver or passenger) of a car or utility. Only 13% of injured front-seat occupants of cars or utilities were wearing a seat-belt; in one-third of vehicles no seat belts were fitted. A plea is made for the strengthening of legislation to ensure the safety of passengers travelling in the open back of trucks or utilities, and for the introduction of legislation for fitting and wearing of seat-belts by front-seat occupants.

Accidents, Traffic↗