PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

James R Roberts

Publications and source records attributed to James R Roberts.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Does anything beat DEET?

In comparison trials, DEET is more effective than any other insect repellent. Despite some reports of serious adverse events, when comparing the thousands of other reports of exposure and millions of past users, DEET has a good safety record. The appropriate and safest concentration to use on children remains unclear, however. Due to potential absorption through the skin, prudence would dictate that the lowest effective concentration for the time period of exposure be used. Because research has shown that solvents with less skin permeation may be used as an alternative to the ethanol used in some commercial DEET preparations, manufacturers could develop products that are less likely to be absorbed. Pediatricians should be familiar with the duration of action of various formulations of DEET and the efficacy (and in some cases lack of efficacy) of other products in order to advise patients on safe but effective methods of insect control.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Modulation of alpha-thrombin function by distinct interactions with platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha.

Thrombin bound to platelets contributes to stop bleeding and, in pathological conditions, may cause vascular thrombosis. We have determined the structure of platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha (GpIbalpha) bound to thrombin at 2.3 angstrom resolution and defined two sites in GpIbalpha that bind to exosite II and exosite I of two distinct alpha-thrombin molecules, respectively. GpIbalpha occupancy may be sequential, as the site binding to alpha-thrombin exosite I appears to be cryptic in the unoccupied receptor but exposed when a first thrombin molecule is bound through exosite II. These interactions may modulate alpha-thrombin function by mediating GpIbalpha clustering and cleavage of protease-activated receptors, which promote platelet activation, while limiting fibrinogen clotting through blockade of exosite I.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2003

Inaccuracy in parental reporting of the age of their home for lead-screening purposes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of children living in pre-1950 housing who are correctly identified by parental report as being at risk for lead poisoning. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of parents. Parents' answers about the age of their home were compared with the age of the home found in tax assessor records. SETTING: The resident continuity clinic at an urban medical center and 4 private pediatric practices. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 199 parents accompanying children to their 9-month to 2-year well-child care visits. All parents agreed to participate. Twenty-six were excluded because they lived outside the predetermined geographic area or because the age of their home could not be confirmed, leaving 173 in the sample. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We calculated the sensitivity of asking parents the age of their home in determining which children were at risk for lead poisoning because of residence in pre-1950 housing. RESULTS: According to tax assessor records, 42 children lived in or spent time in homes built before 1950. Of these 42 children, 22 of their parents reported this exposure when asked, for a sensitivity of 52% (95% confidence interval, 37%-67%). If a questionnaire was used to determine whether the child should be tested for lead poisoning, 20 of the 42 children who lived in older homes would not have been tested. CONCLUSION: Asking parents about the age of their home is no better than chance at determining which children are at risk for lead poisoning because of residence in older housing.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using geographic information systems to assess risk for elevated blood lead levels in children.

OBJECTIVES: Targeted screening for childhood lead poisoning depends on assessment of risk factors including housing age. Using a geographic information system (GIS), we aim to determine high-risk regions in Charleston County, South Carolina, to assist public health officials in developing targeted lead-screening. METHODS: Properties built before 1978 were geocoded (assigned latitude and longitude coordinates) from tax assessor data. Addresses of Charleston County children who have been screened for lead poisoning were also geocoded. Locations of all housing, lead poisoning cases, and negative screens were created as separate map layers. Prevalence ratios of lead poisoning cases were calculated, as were relative risks for each category of housing. RESULTS: Maps of Charleston County were produced showing the location of old housing, where screening took place, and where cases were found. One thousand forty-four cases were identified. Twenty percent of children living in pre-1950 homes had elevated blood lead levels (EBLL). Children living in pre-1950 housing were 3.9 times more likely to have an EBLL than children living in post-1977 housing. There was no difference in risk of living in a 1950-1977 home vs. a post-1977 home. A large number of cases were also found in an area of newer houses, but near a potential point source. Eighty-two percent of all screens were from children in post-1977 homes. CONCLUSIONS: Children living in pre-1950 housing were at higher risk for lead poisoning. GIS is useful in identifying areas of risk and unexpected clustering from potential point sources and may be useful for public health officials in developing targeted screening programs.

Child↗