Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

W C Bailey

Publications and source records attributed to W C Bailey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Influence of aphid species and barley yellow dwarf virus on soft red winter wheat yield.

Yield loss in soft red winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., caused by aphid-transmitted barley yellow dwarf virus (family Luteoviridae, genus Luteovirus, BYDV) was measured over a 2-yr period in central Missouri. Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) was the most common and economically important species, accounting for > 90% of the total aphids. Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), and Sitobion avenae (F.) made up the remainder of the aphids. Aphid numbers peaked at wheat stem elongation in 2003 with 771 R. padi per meter-row. In the 2003-2004 growing season, aphid numbers averaged seven aphids per meter-row in the fall and peaked at 18 aphids per meter-row at jointing. Wheat grain yield was reduced 17 and 13% in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Thousand kernel weights were reduced 10 and 5% in the untreated plots compared with the treated control in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Padi avenae virus was the predominate strain, accounting for 81 and 84% of the symptomatic plots that tested positive for BYDV in 2003 and 2004. Our results indicate that economic thresholds for R. padi are 16 aphids per meter-row in the fall and 164 aphids per meter-row at jointing.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Standardizing contact investigation protocols.

SETTING: The State of Alabama Department of Public Health Division of Tuberculosis Control. OBJECTIVE: To standardize contact investigation protocols and implement an intervention to increase TB field worker adherence to the protocols with the goal of promoting efficiency and effectiveness in contact investigations. DESIGN: A process evaluation of existing data collection and management systems and protocols was performed. Standardized protocols and an intervention to increase TB field worker adherence to the protocols were created and pilot tested. These were then implemented and formative evaluation data were collected. RESULTS: The process evaluation revealed considerable variance among field workers with regard to protocols and definitions of variables related to contact investigations. Protocols were standardized and an intervention targeted at TB field workers was developed. The intervention consisted of a training workshop and the development of a computer-based contact investigation module. This was successfully implemented throughout the state. CONCLUSIONS: To perform effective contact investigations and conduct studies to improve the effectiveness of these investigations, TB control programs must pay careful attention to precisely defining variables and concepts related to the contact investigation. Furthermore, protocols must be standardized and resources devoted to training of TB field workers to ensure adherence to protocols.

Alabama↗
PubMed2002

The FEV1/FEV6 predicts lung function decline in adult smokers.

The use of FEV1/FEV6 in place of the traditional FEV1/FVC to detect airways obstruction during spirometry testing performed by primary care providers would reduce time and patient effort. We hypothesized that the FEV1/FEV6, would predict the subsequent decline in FEV1 in adult cigarette smokers who enrolled in the multicenter Lung Health Study. Ten clinical centers in the U.S. and Canada recruited 5887 male and female smokers, aged 35-60 years, with borderline to mild airways obstruction by spirometry. Those who successfully stopped smoking during the 5-yr study (usually as the result of the smoking cessation intervention) were excluded from this analysis. In those continuing to smoke, the relative strength of spirometric predictors of the change in FEV1 during 5 years of follow-up (DFEV1) was determined using a linear regression model. The following covariates were significant independent predictors of DFEV1: the baseline degree of airways obstruction, age, gender, cigarettes per day, years of education, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The FEV1/FEV6 was nearly as strong an independent predictor as was the FEV1/FVC (a traditional index of airways obstruction). The degree of airways obstruction, as determined by the FEV1/FEV6 from spirometry, is an independent predictor of subsequent decline in lung function; and therefore, may be used to detect smokers at higher risk of developing COPD.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Smoking cessation and lung function in mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Lung Health Study.

Previous studies of lung function in relation to smoking cessation have not adequately quantified the long-term benefit of smoking cessation, nor established the predictive value of characteristics such as airway hyperresponsiveness. In a prospective randomized clinical trial at 10 North American medical centers, we studied 3, 926 smokers with mild-to-moderate airway obstruction (3,818 with analyzable results; mean age at entry, 48.5 yr; 36% women) randomized to one of two smoking cessation groups or to a nonintervention group. We measured lung function annually for 5 yr. Participants who stopped smoking experienced an improvement in FEV(1) in the year after quitting (an average of 47 ml or 2%). The subsequent rate of decline in FEV(1) among sustained quitters was half the rate among continuing smokers, 31 +/- 48 versus 62 +/- 55 ml (mean +/- SD), comparable to that of never-smokers. Predictors of change in lung function included responsiveness to beta-agonist, baseline FEV(1), methacholine reactivity, age, sex, race, and baseline smoking rate. Respiratory symptoms were not predictive of changes in lung function. Smokers with airflow obstruction benefit from quitting despite previous heavy smoking, advanced age, poor baseline lung function, or airway hyperresponsiveness.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Asthma self-management: do patient education programs always have an impact?

BACKGROUND: During the past 15 years, programs to improve self-management practices in adults with asthma have reported improvement in functional status and reduction of inappropriate use of health care services. However, these programs usually represent an ideal approach, applying multiple patient education methods. Consequently, when these programs are found to be efficacious, it is important to replicate the programs as well as to evaluate less complex methods that may be more appropriate for nonacademic health care settings. METHODS: We compared the following 3 standardized self-management treatments in a randomized, controlled trial: (1) a replication of the self-management program developed at a university medical center that was previously shown to be efficacious; (2) a modified version of this program including only the core elements; and (3) a usual-care program. Outcome measures included medication and inhaler regimen adherence, asthma symptoms, respiratory illness, functional status, and use of health care resources. RESULTS: All 3 groups improved on measures of respiratory illnesses, use of health care services, and functional status. Patients in both education groups did no better than the usual-care group. CONCLUSIONS: The results are inconsistent with the results of the first asthma self-management study at this institution and with those of efficacy studies of similar programs. Two factors, selection of the patient population and historical changes in asthma treatment, most likely contributed to the lack of impact of the self-management programs. As a result of the improved standards for usual care due to both factors, the opportunity to effect patient outcomes was substantially reduced.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1998

Dietitians employed by health care facilities preferred a HACCP system over irradiation or chemical rinses for reducing risk of foodborne disease.

OBJECTIVE: To survey dietitians in health care facilities about the acceptability of alternative meat and poultry processing methods designed to reduce the risk of foodborne disease and their willingness to pay for these processes. SUBJECTS: A geographically representative sample of 600 members of The American Dietetic Association who work in health care facilities. The response rate was 250 completed questionnaires from 592 eligible subjects (42%). DESIGN: A mail survey was used to gather information on the acceptability of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, chemical rinses, and irradiation for increasing the safety of food. Discrete choice contingent valuation was used to determine the acceptability at current prices and at 5, 10, and 25 cents per pound above current prices. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Logistic regression was used to estimate mean willingness to pay (the maximum amount respondents are willing to pay) for each process. A simultaneous equations regression model was used to estimate the effects of other variables on acceptability. RESULTS: Respondents expressed a high level of concern for food safety in health care facilities. The estimated mean willingness to pay was highest for a HACCP system and lowest for chemical rinses. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS: The successful adoption of alternative methods to increase food safety depends on their acceptance by foodservice professionals. The professionals sampled were most accepting of a HACCP system, somewhat less accepting of irradiation, and least accepting of new chemical rinses. Poultry and beef processors and government agencies concerned with food safety may want to take into account the attitudes of foodservice professionals.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Safety of nicotine polacrilex gum used by 3,094 participants in the Lung Health Study. Lung Health Study Research Group.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess cardiovascular conditions and other side effects associated with the use of nicotine polacrilex (NP), 2 mg. DESIGN: A multicentered randomized control trial of early intervention for the prevention of COPD. SETTING: Ten university medical centers in the United States and Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Adult smoking volunteers with evidence of early COPD; 3,923 in intervention and 1,964 controls. INTERVENTION: Smoking cessation program, including NP. MEASUREMENTS: Data on hospitalizations were collected annually. Data on reported NP side effects were collected at 4-month intervals for intervention participants. RESULTS: The rates of hospitalization for cardiovascular conditions and cardiovascular deaths during the 5 years of the study were not related to use of NP, to dose of NP, or to concomitant use of NP and cigarettes. About 25% of NP users reported at least one side effect, but most were very minor and transient. Side effects associated with discontinuance of NP in 5% or more of users included headache, indigestion, mouth irritation, mouth ulcers, and nausea. There was no evidence that concomitant use of NP and cigarettes was associated with elevated rates of reported side effects. Participants in the smoking cessation intervention who received intensive levels of instruction and monitoring of NP use (initially at 12 meetings during 3 months) appeared to report significantly lower rates of side effects (dizziness, headache, and throat irritation) than control participants, presumed to have less instruction and monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: NP, as used in the Lung Health Study, appears to be safe and unrelated to any cardiovascular illnesses or other serous side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Self-management and other behavioral aspects of asthma.

We review recently published literature on behavioral aspects of asthma, including program descriptions, reviews, and original research reports. Most of the literature on behavioral aspects of asthma has been in the area of self-management, including education, medication use, and peak flow monitoring. Recent studies of these factors have shown promising trends in reducing morbidity and in improving health care utilization outcomes. Medication adherence continues to be problematic, and its complexity is increased when comparing inhaled with oral medications and bronchodilators with anti-inflammatory agents. Psychobiologic factors that have been recently studied include perceptions of airway changes and the role of emotional responses in asthma self-management. Because the behavioral aspects of asthma play such a significant role in asthma treatment, further study is needed to determine how changes in patient behavior can improve patient quality of life.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1995

How to implement an asthma education program.

Given that poor asthma management leads to such devastating rates of morbidity and mortality in this country, efforts must be made to increase the knowledge, skills, and behaviors of persons with asthma. The suggestions and recommendations provided here represent a blend of academic opinion and practical advice on methods to implement an asthma education program. In developing an asthma education program, consideration must be given to what content should be included, how and by whom that content should be taught, and when education should take place. The identification of a key clinical staff member to take the lead in translating these and other asthma education guidelines will be a critical next step for clinicians committed to developing an effective asthma education program.

Asthma↗
PubMed1994

Effects of smoking intervention and the use of an inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator on the rate of decline of FEV1. The Lung Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a program incorporating smoking intervention and use of an inhaled bronchodilator can slow the rate of decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) in smokers aged 35 to 60 years who have mild obstructive pulmonary disease. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. Participants randomized with equal probability to one of the following groups: (1) smoking intervention plus bronchodilator, (2) smoking intervention plus placebo, or (3) no intervention. SETTING: Ten clinical centers in the United States and Canada. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5887 male and female smokers, aged 35 to 60 years, with spirometric signs of early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. INTERVENTIONS: Smoking intervention: intensive 12-session smoking cessation program combining behavior modification and use of nicotine gum, with continuing 5-year maintenance program to minimize relapse. Bronchodilator: ipratropium bromide prescribed three times daily (two puffs per time) from a metered-dose inhaler. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of change and cumulative change in FEV1 over a 5-year period. RESULTS: Participants in the two smoking intervention groups showed significantly smaller declines in FEV1 than did those in the control group. Most of this difference occurred during the first year following entry into the study and was attributable to smoking cessation, with those who achieved sustained smoking cessation experiencing the largest benefit. The small noncumulative benefit associated with use of the active bronchodilator vanished after the bronchodilator was discontinued at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: An aggressive smoking intervention program significantly reduces the age-related decline in FEV1 in middle-aged smokers with mild airways obstruction. Use of an inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator results in a relatively small improvement in FEV1 that appears to be reversed after the drug is discontinued. Use of the bronchodilator did not influence the long-term decline of FEV1.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1994

Assessing adherence to asthma medication and inhaler regimens: a psychometric analysis of adult self-report scales.

Poor adherence to recommended regimens is a substantial problem in the clinical management of adults with asthma and other chronic diseases. Research on adherence assessment is complicated by methodological difficulties including limitations associated with the use of self-report measures. In this study, psychometric techniques were used to analyze two self-report scales for assessing adherence to recommended medication and inhaler use regimens in adults with asthma. Results indicated that the two scales had standard deviations large enough to detect variation adherence, had adequate reliability, and reflected the impact of an intervention designed to improve adherence. The results supported the usefulness of these scales for research on adherence. Additional analyses indicated that the two scales could be combined if the research goal required an overall measure of adherence.

Administration, Inhalation↗