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Biomedical subjects

C G Green

Publications and source records attributed to C G Green.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Geographical variations in the epidemiology of bacterial sexually transmitted infections in Manitoba, Canada.

Feasible epidemiological approaches are required to make a better assessment of the stage of an epidemic and to monitor its transition through various phases. Application of the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient to summarise the inequality in STD incidence rates between jurisdictions in Manitoba, Canada, was found to provide useful insights into the concentration of these epidemics over time and thus their transition through epidemic phases. Further exploration of the statistical properties of these and other indices of inequality and their potential application to STD epidemiology is warranted. New epidemiological tools are also required for better monitoring of the impact of prevention and control activities and to inform the content of these activities.

Chlamydia Infections↗
PubMed2001

Acceleration of lung disease in children with cystic fibrosis after Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisition.

As part of the ongoing Wisconsin Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Neonatal Screening Project, we had the unique opportunity to study the longitudinal relationship between Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) acquisition and infection and developing lung disease in children with CF. The primary objective was to determine whether acquisition of Pa was associated with a measurable change in the progression of lung disease. Two outcome measures were used to study 56 patients who were diagnosed through newborn screening: 1) Wisconsin additive chest radiograph score (WCXR), based on the average of scores from a pulmonologist and a radiologist, and 2) the highest forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV(1))/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio. We used two measures of Pa acquisition: 1) time of first positive protocol-determined oropharyngeal (with cough) culture, and 2) the magnitude of antibody titer detected by ELISA assays, using as antigen a crude cell lysate, purified exotoxin A, or an elastase toxoid prepared from three Pa strains. Other predictor variables included age, pancreatic status, height-for age, and weight-for-age-percentiles. The best regression model for predicting changes in the WCXR included time to first positive culture and antibody titer for Pa elastase. Prior to Pa acquisition, WCXR worsened by 0.45 points/year (P > 0.25); after Pa acquisition, the rate of worsening increased significantly (P < 0.001) to 1.40 points/year. Each antibody titer level (log base 2) increased the score by 0.48 points (P < 0.001). The best regression model for predicting change in the FEV(1)/FVC included only time to first positive culture. Prior to Pa acquisition, the FEV(1)/FVC ratio declined by 1.29%/year; after Pa infection, the rate of decrease significantly accelerated to 1.81%/year (P = 0.001). Our data show that Pa acquisition is associated with declining pulmonary status in children with CF, and that this effect is probably gradual rather than precipitous. Because these patients were diagnosed and treated aggressively, our estimates of the effects of Pa acquisition may be conservative. We also conclude that the WCXR appears to be more sensitive than FEV(1)/FVC in detecting early changes in lung disease associated with CF.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2001

The impact of customer focus on program participation rates in the Virginia WIC Program (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children).

It has been shown in the for-profit sector (business, service, and manufacturing) that the success of an organization depends on its ability to satisfy customer requirements while eliminating waste and reducing costs. The purpose of this article was to examine the impact of current practices in customer focus on program participation rates in the Virginia WIC Program. The results of this study showed that the use of customer-focused strategies was correlated to program participation rates in the WIC Program. The mean data showed that teamwork and accessibility were at unsatisfactory levels in Virginia.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

The effect of employee job satisfaction on program participation rates in the Virginia WIC Program (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children).

Many researchers have shown a link between employee job satisfaction and customer satisfaction in the private sector. Customer satisfaction is the end result of whether the particular service and/or a product meet the customer's needs. The purpose of this research project was to assess the level of employee job satisfaction in the Virginia WIC Program and to determine whether a correlation exists between the level of employee job satisfaction and program participation rates. The results of this study showed that high levels of employee job satisfaction were positively correlated to high program participation rates in the Virginia WIC Program.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Wisconsin cystic fibrosis chest radiograph scoring system: validation and standardization for application to longitudinal studies.

This study was designed to achieve a final modeling, validation, and standardization plan for the Wisconsin cystic fibrosis (CF) chest radiographic scoring system. Sixty chest radiographs were selected to reflect a range of severity of lung pathology in children with CF. Seven experienced volunteer raters (three radiologists and four pediatric pulmonologists) from five institutions were recruited to evaluate and score the films. Analysis of scores revealed that the subcomponents of the Wisconsin system showed considerable variation from rater to rater, but reliability assessment indicated satisfactory Cronbach's alpha coefficients (0.83-0.90) among the seven raters. It was found that an additive method of total score computation is significantly more reliable (P < 0.05) than either the original multiplicative model or the traditional Brasfield scoring system. Comparison of radiologists and pulmonologists revealed a marked, systematic difference in scoring with the former group being more conservative in interpretation of abnormalities than the pulmonologists, and some of the raters showing very limited sensitivity. Quantitative chest radiology applied to children with cystic fibrosis studied long-term in longitudinal research projects requires the careful use of sensitive scoring methods and careful selection and training of multiple raters. This is particularly important since pulmonologists and radiologists can differ systematically in interpreting/scoring abnormalities.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Sodium tetraborate effects on mortality and reproduction of Anastrepha suspensa (Diptera: Tephritidae).

When flies were treated with 0- 0.5% sodium tetraborate by feeding for 24 h, mortality in treatments was not different from controls. Fecundity and fertility were reduced by 0.5% sodium tetraborate. When flies were fed for 48 h, mortality of both males and females increased in the 0.5% sodium tetraborate treatment; oviposition was eliminated for 20 d after treatment. When treatment was extended to 168 h, 0.1% sodium tetraborate caused increased mortality and decreased fecundity and fertility. Fed for 168 h, 0.2 and 0.5% sodium tetraborate killed almost all flies within the 7-d treatment. Oviposition of survivors in 0.1 and 0.2% sodium tetraborate treatments was arrested for 20 d after treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Growth status in children with cystic fibrosis based on the National Cystic Fibrosis Patient Registry data: evaluation of various criteria used to identify malnutrition.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine growth status and to identify malnutrition with various anthropometric indicators in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) based on cross-sectional analysis of the 1993 National CF Patient Registry data. METHODS: Heights and weights of 13,116 children with CF were evaluated with percentile, percent of reference median, Z-score, and percent ideal weight-for-height based on National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease Control growth references. Malnutrition was defined by four criteria: (1) height-for-age <5th percentile ("stunting") or weight-for-age <5th percentile ("wasting") (2) height-for-age <90% of reference median or weight-for-age <80% of reference median, (3) height-for-age <5th percentile or percent ideal weight-for-height <85%, and (4) height-for-age <90% of reference median or weight-for-height <85% of reference median. RESULTS: Mean and median height- and weight-for-age were found to be at the 30th and 20th percentiles in children with CF. Malnutrition (height- or weight-for-age <5th percentile) was particularly pronounced in infants (47%) and adolescents (34%) and patients with newly diagnosed CF (44%). A significant sex difference (p < 0.01) in the occurrence of stunting (height-for-age <5th percentile) was observed during adolescence: boys 11 to 14 years of age showed lower occurrence of stunting (19%) compared with girls (29%), whereas the opposite trend was observed at 15 to 18 years (34% in male patients vs 28% in female patients). CONCLUSION: Twenty percent of all children in the 1993 National CF Patient Registry were <5th percentile for height- or weight-for-age. A significant discrepancy was found when different criteria were used to distinguish "stunting" versus "wasting" in malnourished children with CF.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Total quality management in the delivery of public health services: a focus on North Carolina WIC programs.

Principles of quality improvement have been successfully implemented in the for-profit sector of the United States economy. The purpose of this study is to test the use of quality improvement strategies including development of leadership skills, a focus on internal quality, ongoing training and staff development, and efficient use of resources in the delivery of services in the public sector. The emphasis of this study is strategies for improving the delivery of nutrition education and supplemental foods to high-risk women, infants, and children through a federally funded program called WIC.

Child Health Services↗
PubMed1997

The bridging bronchus. Successful diagnosis and repair.

Anomalies of bronchial branching are infrequent and may be difficult to diagnose. The bridging bronchus is a rarely reported anomaly that may not be as sporadic as once thought. We describe an infant with respiratory distress whose right middle and lower lobes were supplied by a bridging bronchus arising from the left main bronchus. The airway anatomy was defined using flexible and rigid bronchoscopy and helical computed tomographic scanning, enabling successful surgical repair. We review current literature on the bridging bronchus as well as the possible embryological basis for this defect.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1994

Differential effects of interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 on immunomodulatory role of platelet-activating factor in human B cells.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a naturally occurring phospholipid cytokine, is a potent mediator of allergic and inflammatory reactions, as well as a modulator of immune responses. In the present study we showed that PAF is involved in early B-cell activation, as demonstrated by the increased cyclic AMP (cAMP) generation by PAF in a time- and dose-dependent manner in anti-mu antibody- plus B-cell growth factor-activated normal human peripheral blood B lymphocytes. PAF also regulated differentiation by causing a biphasic response on immunoglobulin M (IgM) production with an inhibitory signal generated at 10(-6) M and a stimulatory signal generated at 10(-8) to 10(-10) M. PAF enhanced IgA secretion. The regulation exerted by PAF was shown to be specific because the addition of the PAR antagonist CV-3988 abrogated these effects and the inactive form of PAF, lyso-PAF, induced neither cAMP generation nor immunoglobulin secretion in normal human B cells. Other cytokines, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4, potent mediators of the immune response, were unable to elicit a cAMP response in B cells. However, the addition of PAF (10(-6) M) with wither IL-2 or IL-4 enhanced cAMP production above the levels enhanced by the addition of PAF alone. IL-2 or IL-4, individually, stimulated IgM production, yet costimulation with PAF resulted in a differential effect between IL-2 and IL-4. PAF down-regulated the IL-4-induced IgM secretion, whereas the IL-2-induced IgM secretion was enhanced. The presence of CV-3988 returned all valued to those obtained with IL-2 or IL-4 alone, demonstrating the specificity of PAF. These data suggest that PAF is an important B-cell immunomodulator which can interact with other leukocyte cell mediators.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1993

Wisconsin cystic fibrosis chest radiograph scoring system.

A new clinical scoring system for patients with cystic fibrosis is needed because of recent advances in diagnosis and treatment which have changed the course of this disease. Chest radiograph scoring is the best objective measure of pulmonary disease for longitudinal studies beginning with infants; however, based on pilot studies, previous scoring systems are not sensitive enough in discriminating between degrees of mild lung disease. Therefore, a new radiographic scoring system was developed with the goal of achieving both sensitivity and reproducibility. This objective was pursued by applying multiattribute utility theory, using a panel of interpreters with expertise in cystic fibrosis radiology, and employing mathematical modeling techniques to weight the various components. The system was developed and validated in three phases including comparison to the Brasfield method of quantitative radiology. The data demonstrate that the new system can be applied reliably and conveniently to generate reproducible scores of pulmonary disease severity. Evaluation of the scores by four independent raters using chest radiographs from 61 patients at an average age of 8.37 years revealed good agreement with a .714 Kendall coefficient of concordance. Assessment of serial changes over time was performed using a group of 176 chest radiographs from 25 patients ranging from 4 weeks to 6 years old; this showed that the Wisconsin system generates score differences that are greater in magnitude with disease progression compared with the Brasfield method. Therefore, the new method is more sensitive to progression of mild disease and should be superior to prior radiographic scoring systems for evaluating therapies designed to modify the early course of disease. The Wisconsin system is designed to be useful in longitudinal clinical studies involving young children with cystic fibrosis and is capable to detecting progression from normality to mild lung disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Respiratory complications in children with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita.

Mild respiratory distress at birth is a common occurrence in infants with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDC) while severe respiratory insufficiency and death have been reported only rarely. We describe three infants with SEDC who experienced severe respiratory complications and required tracheostomies. Two of these infants have also needed long-term continuous positive airway pressure to maintain adequate ventilation. The features and clinical course of these children are described, previous reports of respiratory complications in SEDC are summarized, mechanisms resulting in respiratory problems in SEDC are postulated, and comparison is made with mechanisms giving rise to respiratory risks in other skeletal dysplasias.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Obstructive sleep apnea in Apert's and Pfeiffer's syndromes: more than a craniofacial abnormality.

Nine acrocephalosyndactyly type I patients (Apert's syndrome) and three acrocephalosyndactyly type V patients (Pfeiffer's syndrome) were evaluated for the relative importance of upper and lower airway abnormalities in the generation of obstructive sleep apnea. All patients were found to have a combination of upper and lower abnormalities. The influence of lower pathology was greater in the infants, and the influence of upper airway, specifically pharyngeal, was greater in the adults. A comparison between preoperative and postoperative polysomnography revealed little improvement with standard craniofacial advancements. Furthermore, three patients are described who succumbed to pulmonary death despite tracheostomy. Conservative treatment with prone or lateral positioning and medical pulmonary regimens is advocated. Finally, the pathogenesis of this diffuse airway pathology is discussed.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗
PubMed1988

Tracheomalacia and bronchomalacia associated with Larsen syndrome.

Bronchomalacia has not previously been described in association with Larsen syndrome. In this article, three children with Larsen syndrome are reported. All three patients have tracheomalacia, and one of them has diffuse bronchomalacia diagnosed at flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The patients' symptoms of airway obstruction include stridor, cyanosis, apnea, and recurrent pneumonias. Recognition of these abnormalities may allow the institution of supportive therapy.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1988

Rapid methylprednisolone clearance in a patient with cystic fibrosis.

A pharmacokinetic investigation of administered corticosteroids was conducted in a 16-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis (CF). Equivalent doses of methylprednisolone were given orally and intravenously on consecutive days. Oral bioavailability was essentially 100 percent, ruling out impaired absorption. Drug half-life was shorter and both clearance and volume of distribution were greater in this patient than in normal young adults. From one patient it is impossible to conclude that this unusual disposition of corticosteroids is characteristic of CF. Given the interest in use of corticosteroids in this population, and the examples of other drugs with altered pharmacokinetics in patients with CF, further investigation is warranted.

Adolescent↗