SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ALABAMA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

PubMed1982

A survey of the graduates of the University of Alabama School of Optometry. Screening for hypertension.

Systemic hypertension is a major health problem in the United States. Almost 16 million people with this disease are estimated to be untreated or inadequately treated. Optometry graduates of the University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Optometry have always received clinical and didactic training in the routine assessment of blood pressure. This study reports the results of a survey of these graduates to determine the number who screened for high blood pressure following graduation, their criteria for referral, their management of hypertensive patients, and their patient characteristics. Over 90% of the optometrists surveyed screened for high blood pressure, and they screened 57% of their patients. Twenty percent of these patients were found to have high blood pressure. These results indicate that optometrists are an important and significant resource in the detection of hypertension in many high risk groups.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1980

Influence of a local source of DDT pollution on statewide DDT residues in waterfowl wings, northern Alabama, 1978-79.

Heavy DDT contamination resulting from a former DDT manufacturing plant in northern Alabama has influenced statewide averages of DDT, DDE, and TDE residues in duck wings tested in the National Pesticide Monitoring Program. In states where contaminant levels in duck wings are high, residue analyses of wings categorized by finer geographic subdivision may be useful in defining the areas of heaviest contamination.

Alabama↗

PubMed1995

Human rabies--Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, 1994.

In October and November 1994, three persons (one each in Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas) died from rabies. This report summarizes the investigations of these cases by state and local health departments and CDC.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1995

Fatal post-cesarean endometritis: report of two Alabama cases.

Postpartum endometritis remains a major cause of morbidity in the puerperium with a fatal outcome on occasion. We present two cases of fatal, post-cesarean endometritis which occurred within a fifteen month period in Alabama. We discuss the features of endometritis including pathophysiology, causative organisms, risk factors and complications.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Incidence of campylobacters in the intestine of avian species in Alabama.

Avian species necropsied at the C. S. Roberts Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Auburn, Alabama, from December 1993 until May 1994 were examined for the incidence of intestinal campylobacters. Ninety-one intestinal swabs, representing 66 separate cases and 17 different avian species, were collected and placed into Cary-Blair transport medium. Selective enrichment and culture media were used for initial isolation of Campylobacter spp. Presumptive colonies were identified as Campylobacter spp. by phase-contrast microscopy and Gram stain, and they were confirmed by serological latex agglutination. Campylobacter spp. were isolated in 18 (19.7%) of the 66 cases. From the remainder of the cases, 13 (15%) yielded presumptive colonies on Campy-Cefex agar; however, they were not confirmed serologically as Campylobacter spp. Use of Cary-Blair transport medium held in refrigeration for up to 24 days did not hinder the determination of campylobacters in intestinal samples. A variety of avian species, including chicken, emu, hawk, ostrich, and parrot, harbored commensal campylobacters and therefore should be considered potential reservoirs.

Alabama↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The revised standard certificate of live birth: analysis of medical risk factor data from birth certificates in Alabama, 1988-92.

The latest revision of the birth certificate features a new checkbox format designed to collect more effectively information for public health research. One of the new checkbox items, medical risk factors for this pregnancy, is designed to collect information on risk factors which result in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Data from 308,573 birth certificates filed in Alabama between 1988 and 1992 were analyzed. Although problems exist with the data collected for this item, useful information can be obtained to investigate important public health issues. First, the data can be used to determine the prevalence of medical risk factors in the population. Second, differences between subpopulations with these conditions can be examined. For example, some differences between racial groups in adverse pregnancy outcomes may be explained by the fact that black mothers are more likely to have a medical risk factor than whites. Third, some medical factors are associated with elevated risks for low birth weight, while others are associated with reduced probability of low birth weight. Although useful data can be obtained from the medical risk factor item, it and other checkbox items would be more useful if efforts were made to improve reporting. Improvements in training persons who complete the birth certificate are especially needed. Reporting of checkbox items also needs to be validated by comparing results with other sources. In future revisions of the birth certificate, new items need to be examined carefully to determine if that instrument is the appropriate medium for collecting the information.

Alabama↗

PubMed1993

Pediatric renal transplantation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1968 to 1993.

From May 5, 1968 through January 31, 1993, 272 renal allografts were performed in 233 children at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Graft survival has improved since 1983 with the addition of cyclosporine. Acute and chronic rejections continue to be the major causes of graft failure. The use of living-related donor renal allografts optimizes long-term graft function, allows early transplantation, and minimizes potential long-term dialysis complications in children.

Academic Medical Centers↗

PubMed1994

Lead poisoning among battery reclamation workers in Alabama.

Lead exposures were evaluated at a battery reclamation facility in Alabama. A questionnaire obtained work and health information. Medical tests included blood lead, zinc protoporphyrin, hematocrit, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and uric acid. An investigation of workers' family members and neighborhood residents was conducted. Fourteen of 15 workers had blood lead levels greater than 50 micrograms/dL. Zinc protoporphyrin was > 79 micrograms/dL in 14 workers. Four workers had hematocrit < 40%; six had elevated serum creatinine (> 1.3 mg/dL). Workers' blood lead levels increased significantly over 2 years (beta = 1.004 micrograms/dL per month). Ten workers had elevated air lead levels. Twelve of 16 employee children had blood lead levels > 10 micrograms/dL; 3 were greater than 40 micrograms/dL. Workers' children had significantly higher blood lead levels than did neighborhood comparison children. Reclamation of lead batteries unaccompanied by smelting poses a health hazard to workers and their children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Results of community-based vision screenings of older adults in the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area.

BACKGROUND: Two-hundred one adults age 65 and older underwent vision screening at community senior centers and nutrition sites in the Birmingham, Alabama metropolitan area. METHODS: Using a multiple-test format recommended by the American Optometric Association, 89 percent of those screened failed. Reduction in visual acuity associated with anterior segment abnormalities was the most common reason for failure. Almost half (48 percent) of the overall population had less than 20/50 distance acuity in both eyes. Median visual acuity for the population was 20/50. Median visual acuity decreased with age from 20/40 at age 65 to 20/80 for those over the age of 85, while only 8 percent were legally blind. RESULTS: Results show that a large percentage of older adults have reduced vision without being legally blind and will fail vision screening. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high failure rate, the value of this type of vision screening is questionable.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Public health core functions--Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, 1993.

The three core functions of public health are assessment, policy development, and assurance. Within these core functions, CDC has identified 10 basic public health practices that are integral to the operation of state and local health agencies (Table 1). As a part of assessing the core functions of public health, public health officials at local health departments in six states (Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Wisconsin) were surveyed in 1993 by the state local liaison affiliates of the Association of State and Territorial Local Health Liaison Officials, the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and CDC. This report summarizes the findings from this survey.

Alabama↗

PubMed1993

Prevalence of encysted Toxoplasma gondii in raptors from Alabama.

Little is known about the prevalence of encysted Toxoplasma gondii in wild birds. We examined the hearts and breast muscles from 101 raptors for encysted T. gondii. All of the raptors had been submitted for necropsy to the State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Auburn, Alabama. Tissues were digested in acid-pepsin solution and inoculated into groups of 3-5 laboratory mice. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from 27 of 101 (26.7%) raptors: 8 of 12 (66.7%) red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus), 13 of 27 (41.1%) red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), 1 of 4 (25%) Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperi), 1 of 5 (20%) great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), 4 of 15 (26.7%) barred owls (Strix varia), and 1 of 3 (33.3%) kestrels (Falco sparverius). Toxoplasma gondii was not isolated from 3 broad-winged hawks (Buteo platypterus), 3 sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus), 6 barn owls (Tyto alba), 9 screech owls (Asio otus), a Mississippi kite (Ictinia misisippiensis), 2 golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), 4 ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), 4 turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), or 2 black vultures (Coragyps atratus). No significant difference (P > 0.05) in prevalence was detected based on sex using chi-square analysis. Chi-square analysis of the data demonstrated that adult raptors had encysted stages of T. gondii significantly (P < 0.05) more often than did immature raptors.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1995

Childhood tuberculosis in Alabama: epidemiology of disease and indicators of program effectiveness, 1983 to 1993.

An 11-year review of childhood tuberculosis in Alabama was made in order to define indicators of program effectiveness in interrupting community transmission. Minority (nonwhite) children, 96% of whom were black, had the highest risk of disease (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 3.9, 7.7). Of 171 cases, 71% (n = 122) occurred in blacks and 2% (n = 3) occurred in Asian-Pacific islanders. Age 0 to 4 years (107 of 171) compared with age 5 to 14 years (64 of 171) was an additional risk factor for the development of tuberculosis (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval 2.5, 4.7)), whereas gender was not. Males accounted for 49% of cases (83 of 171). During the period 1983 to 1993 there was no trend of increasing or decreasing numbers among child cases (trend test P = 0.94) despite significant changes by year. The purified protein derivative test had a 9% (8 of 89) false negative rate and was significantly more likely to be negative in children younger than 1 year (4 of 12 vs. 4 of 77; P = 0.01). During the 2-year interval 1992 to 1993, 19% of cases were thought to be preventable. We believe that the PPD skin test is useful and an improved contact investigation is essential to preventing childhood tuberculosis. Miniepidemics of transmission of tuberculosis from adults to a large group of children partially explain the observed disease pattern.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Trace element concentrations in tissues of goats from Alabama.

Liver, kidney and muscle tissues of goats slaughtered in Alabama were analyzed for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. The Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations were significantly higher in livers than in kidneys and muscles. The Zn was significantly higher in livers and muscles than in kidneys. The concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in muscle were not significantly different between male and female goats. However, the Cu, Fe and Mn in livers and Fe in kidneys were significantly different between males and females. The concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn in livers, Fe and Zn in muscles, and Fe in kidneys were significantly different between young and old goats. The Cu, Mn and Zn in kidneys were not significantly different between the young and old.

Alabama↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alabama Regional Medical Program.

The story that follows attempts to chronicle the history of one state's involvement with the Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke Amendments of 1965, subsequently known as Regional Medical Programs. It is a history of an enterprise fraught with problems, but energized by the will, skill and imagination of scores of public officials and citizens who, over the decade of the program's formal existence, bent every effort to insure the realization of its fundamental purpose: putting the best, most advanced medical knowledge within the reach of the greatest number of citizens. The following is a chronicle of the Alabama Regional Medical Program.

Alabama↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alabama laws on drug testing in the work place.

Alabama law related to employee work place drug testing consists of the newly enacted drug free work place program, the workers' compensation law and the unemployment compensation law. These laws contain specific requirements relating to the performance of employee drug testing. Physicians will play a key role in the management, supervision and implementation of employer drug testing programs and should become familiar with state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of those programs.

Alabama↗

PubMed1997

Plasmodium vivax infection in a child residing in Mobile, Alabama.

A previously healthy 4-year old male, born in India and residing in Mobile, Alabama since October 1996 came to the emergency department in April 1997 because of general malaise, fever and vomits of 5 days duration. A peripheral smear of the complete blood count revealed the presence of malarial parasites within the erythrocytes. Plasmodium vivax was later identified in serial thin peripheral smears. He defervesced after initial treatment with oral quinine and pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine, followed by primaquine for 14 days.

Alabama↗

PubMed1998

The Alabama Age-Related Macular Degeneration Grading System for donor eyes.

PURPOSE: To develop a systematic method for identifying and grading age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) in human donor eyes, postmortem fundus appearance was compared with histopathologic assessment in eyes with a spectrum of age-related macular change. METHODS: Eyes without grossly visible, late ARMD were obtained from 8 cancer patients and 26 donors older than 50 years. Postmortem fundus appearance was graded for drusen and pigmentary change, using stereo color photographs. Eyes were processed and sectioned at 1 microm for histopathologic evaluation of macular retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch's membrane complex. The histologic diagnosis was compared with gross fundus appearance, clinical ophthalmic histories (n = 25), and clinical fundus photographs that were graded using the Wisconsin Age-related Maculopathy Grading System (n = 5). RESULTS: Ten eyes met histopathologic criteria for early ARMD. A similar proportion of eyes (27%-32%) was identified as affected by ARMD by other published histopathologic criteria. By choosing eyes with at least one druse larger than 125 microm in diameter or an area of pigment-clumping 500 microm in diameter that was visible in the postmortem fundus, ARMD cases were identified with 90% sensitivity and 95% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The Alabama ARMD Grading System permits rational and standardized use of donor eyes in studies that are directed toward understanding the pathogenesis of ARMD.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Combination of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A survey of Alabama rheumatologists.

Combinations of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been recently advocated. Efficacy and toxicity data are scant. We conducted a survey of Alabama rheumatologists to determine actual practice patterns regarding combined DMARD treatment for their patients with RA. No differences were found between academic and nonacademic rheumatologists nor between users and nonusers of combination DMARDs in demographics or practice pattern profiles. The majority did report use of combination DMARD treatment, though only in a small proportion of their patients for whom the pyramid approach had failed. The combination most often employed was gold salts and antimalarials. Users, as compared to nonusers, did favor changing the classic pyramid approach for the treatment of RA, but the differences did not reach statistical significance.

Antirheumatic Agents↗