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Biomedical subjects

B L Green

Publications and source records attributed to B L Green.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Detection of magnetism in the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) using magnetic resonance imaging.

Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) workers, queens, and alates were analyzed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the presence of natural magnetism. Images of ants showed distortion patterns similar to those of honey bees and monarch butterflies, both of which possess ferromagnetic material. The bipolar ring patterns of MRI indicated the presence in fire ants of small amounts of internal magnetic material, which may be used in orientation behaviors, as in the honey bees.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Functioning and well-being of patients in a consultation-liaison psychiatry clinic.

Outpatient consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry clinics are valuable settings for research and teaching endeavors. However, little is known about psychiatric symptoms and health status of persons treated in such settings. In this study, 80 persons seen in an outpatient C-L psychiatry clinic were compared with 100 persons seen in a mood disorder clinic on a variety of self-report instruments. Outpatient C-L clinic patients were found to have significantly poorer health status than mood clinic patients on the following domains as measured by the RAND instrument: general health perception, pain, physical functioning, and role functioning due to physical problems. Both groups had poor role functioning due to emotional problems and poor social functioning. The groups did not differ in depressive symptoms but C-L patients were significantly less anxious. Thus, it appears that patients in an outpatient C-L setting not only have significant medical comorbidity, as expected, but have levels of psychiatric distress comparable to that seen in a traditional psychiatry outpatient setting. These findings indicate that such a clinic is a fertile area for research and training in the diagnosis and treatment of persons with comorbid physical and mental disorders.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1996

Post-traumatic stress disorder among World War II mustard gas test participants.

Open-minded and structured interviews were conducted to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychosocial outcomes among 24 men who had participated in the military's mustard gas testing program during World War II. Most men had volunteered (92%) and had participated in chamber tests (96%). During the tests, few (22%) understood the danger involved. The majority (67%) were ordered to refrain from discussing their participation with anyone. Most men (83%) experienced physical symptoms subsequent to the test. At present, the men were less psychologically and physically healthy than expected for men of similar age. The current prevalence of PTSD due to the mustard gas was 17%. The current prevalence of subdiagnostic mustard-gas-related PTSD was 25%. Lifetime estimates for full and subdiagnostic PTSD was 17 and 33%, respectively. The only mustard gas experience that predicted lifetime full or subdiagnostic PTSD was the number of exposures to the gas.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Psychosocial research in traumatic stress: an update.

This report presents an update of psychosocial research in the traumatic stress field, presenting an overview of recent studies in several areas: the epidemiology of traumatic events and of PTSD in the general adult population, other diagnoses associated with trauma exposure and PTSD, the course and longevity of PTSD symptomatology, and risk factors for the diagnosis. Other areas of increasing interest and focus are briefly noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Children of disaster in the second decade: a 17-year follow-up of Buffalo Creek survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a long-term follow-up of child survivors of a devastating human-caused disaster. METHOD: Child survivors (2-15) of the Buffalo Creek dam collapse, first evaluated in 1974, 2 years postdisaster, were reevaluated 17 years postdisaster when they were adults. Of the original 207 children, 99 were located and reevaluated using ratings on the Psychiatric Evaluation Form, the Impact of Event Scale, and the SCL-90 and lifetime and current diagnoses from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R. RESULTS: Ratings of psychiatric symptoms at the two points in time showed significant decreases in overall severity ratings and in anxiety, belligerence, somatic concerns, and agitation. A few symptoms, not present in the child sample, increased over time (substance abuse, suicidal ideation). The current rate of disaster-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was 7%, down from a postflood rate of 32%. There were no differences by age group in current psychological status; however, women evidenced more PTSD-related symptoms than did men. All current PTSD cases were women. Comparisons with similar subjects from a nonexposed community showed no differences. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that the children studied, although having shown earlier effects, had "recovered" from the event by the time of long-term follow-up.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Post-traumatic stress disorder in victims of disasters.

Disasters can produce significant, lasting psychological sequelae. Much of the disaster work that mental health professionals can do falls outside of the more traditional roles usually taken by mental health professionals. These roles include reaching out to survivors through a variety of modes and rarely waiting for them to seek traditional forms of help. Much of what can be done does not require labeling individuals as disordered but may be done within the overall response of the community to the survivors on a variety of levels. To be most effective, we need to be involved in planning efforts that can be activated when disaster strikes, rather than being reactive to the situation after it has occurred. The potential range of responses can challenge the professional who wants to help his or her community when it has been affected.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

The comorbidity of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidality in Vietnam veterans.

Vietnam veterans (N = 232) recruited from three sources were assessed for suicidal thinking and behaviors, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Findings support the notion that suicidal thoughts are prevalent in this group, with veterans in psychotherapy reporting a greater likelihood of such symptoms (82.6%) than veterans in the community (35.7%) or those seeking assistance through a veteran's outreach center (66.7%). Thoughts of ending one's life and a previous suicide attempt were significantly correlated with a diagnosis of PTSD (r = .53, p < .001; and r = .33, p < .001, respectively). Veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD and depression or dysthymia were also more likely to report suicidal thinking and behaviors than veterans with only one of the diagnoses.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and diagnostic comorbidity in a disaster sample.

Research has indicated significant comorbid psychopathology with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in samples of war veterans. The present paper examines the issue of comorbidity in a disaster sample to learn whether findings from veterans generalized to this event. A total of 193 subjects exposed to the Buffalo Creek dam collapse of 1972 were examined 14 years later using diagnoses derived from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III (SCID). Past and present PTSD was found in a significant portion of the sample. Major depression was the next most common diagnosis and was highly related to PTSD. Anxiety disorders were also common. The overlap with other diagnoses was quite similar to that found in a sample of Vietnam veterans we studied earlier, except that the disaster sample had fewer dysthymic disorders, substance abusers, and antisocial personality disorders. Possible explanations for comorbidity in chronic PTSD were discussed and it was suggested that the morphology of PTSD may be quite stable in at least some other nonveteran trauma populations.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1992

Somatic reenactment in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.

Somatic reenactments, like other intrusive symptoms in post-traumatic stress disorder, such as flashbacks and nightmares, reproduce the mental content of traumatic events. Four cases are presented from survivors of military trauma and civilian catastrophes. The patients were part of larger research projects carried out by the University of Cincinnati Traumatic Stress Study Center. Understanding such symptoms as repetitions of the trauma itself proved useful therapeutically, especially in consolidating the working alliance.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Autoclave inactivation of infectious radioactive laboratory waste contained within a charcoal filtration system.

A model system was developed previously for disposal of solid laboratory waste that is both radioactive and heat sensitive, e.g., HIV. A double polypropylene bag with charcoal vent filter and absorbent was designed to meet requirements for both steam sterilization and disposal as solid radioactive waste. Earlier work demonstrated the effective containment of radioactive gases by the filter and inactivation of organisms as heat sensitive as HIV. We sought to broaden the application of this model to ensure inactivation of microorganisms that are more heat resistant than HIV. The efficacy of steam sterilization using water or solutions of iodophor, hypochlorite, or hydrogen peroxide was studied under constant temperature and time conditions. The systems were monitored with internal probes, physical, chemical, and biological indicators. Biological indicators documented inactivation when bags containing hydrogen peroxide (3%) were autoclaved for 60 min at 121 degrees C. Synergistic activity between hydrogen peroxide and autoclave conditions significantly reduced processing time.

Charcoal↗
PubMed1991

Children and disaster: age, gender, and parental effects on PTSD symptoms.

Psychiatric reports of 179 children aged 2 to 15 who were exposed to the Buffalo Creek dam collapse in 1972 were rated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms 2 years after the disaster. Age and gender effects and the impact of the level of exposure and parental functioning were examined according to a conceptual model addressing factors contributing to adaptation to a traumatic event. Results showed fewer PTSD symptoms in the youngest age group and higher symptom levels for girls than boys. Approximately 37% of the children were given a "probable" diagnosis of PTSD. Multiple regression analysis showed that life threat, gender, parental psychopathology, and an irritable and/or depressed family atmosphere all contributed to the prediction of PTSD symptomatology in the children.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Buffalo Creek survivors in the second decade: stability of stress symptoms.

A follow-up study of 120 adult survivors of the Buffalo Creek dam collapse of 1972 showed group changes 14 years after the event. Decreased symptoms were noted in all areas, although significant psychopathology remained in about one-quarter of the survivors. A small group with delayed onset of symptoms was identified.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Risk factors for PTSD and other diagnoses in a general sample of Vietnam veterans.

This study examined the contribution of premilitary, military, and postmilitary risk factors to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other postwar diagnoses in a sample of Vietnam veterans. PTSD was explained primarily by war stressors, including threat to life and exposure to grotesque death, but premilitary and postmilitary factors also contributed to the likelihood of a current diagnosis of PTSD. Panic disorder was also highly predicted by war experiences, whereas prewar functioning played a stronger role in several non-PTSD diagnoses. The study supported the notion that PTSD is specifically linked to intense stressors. Mechanisms for interactions among risk factors are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Multiple diagnosis in posttraumatic stress disorder. The role of war stressors.

Prior studies have shown that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Vietnam veterans is associated with various aspects of war stressors and that other diagnoses often co-occur with PTSD in this population. The present report examines the prediction of other diagnoses, in combination with PTSD, from a variety of war stressor experiences in a broad sample of veterans recruited from clinical and nonclinical sources. The results show that PTSD with panic disorder is better explained by war stressors than other diagnostic combinations and that high-risk assignments and exposure to grotesque deaths were more salient than other stressor experiences in accounting for different diagnostic combinations. Implications of the findings for PTSD's placement in the DSM-III-R and for psychological and pharmacological treatments were discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A rating scale for alcoholic denial.

Denial of alcoholism is a serious obstacle to the successful treatment of an alcoholic. If clinicians can conceptualize and focus on this denial, they may be able to make more effective interventions with alcoholics. Denial in alcoholism, as in other illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, may encompass denial of the entire illness or only denial of some aspect, such as the loss of control over alcohol consumption. The Denial Rating Scale (DRS) has been developed to aid in the identification of denial of alcoholism, as well as to help specify which aspect of alcoholism is being denied. The present report describes the DRS and presents early reliability and validity data in support of its use. Preliminary interrater reliability is adequate, and construct and predictive validity appear promising. Several case studies were included to demonstrate the use of the scale.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Group art therapy as an adjunct to treatment for chronic outpatients.

Art therapy has lagged behind other therapeutic modalities in being subjected to rigorous evaluation of its effectiveness. This study examines psychosocial outcome for a group of chronic psychiatric outpatients. Half the patients were randomly assigned to a ten-week supportive art therapy group as an adjunct to treatment; the other patients served as a control group. Patients who remained in the art therapy group for the full ten weeks reported a significant improvement in their attitudes toward themselves as measured by the Progress Evaluation Scales, and their therapists rated them as significantly better able to get along with others. The authors believe the study demonstrates the potential of supportive art therapy to enhance functioning of chronic psychiatric patients in the short run. Empirical attention to long-term gains and to the efficacy of specific forms of art therapy is needed in the future.

Adult↗