Digital Commons Network^™

Infection Risk Along U.S. Highways? The Case Of A ‘Truckchaser’ Cruising For Truckers, Mona Shattell, Yorghos Apostolopoulos, Sevil Sönmez, Richard Rothenberg, Rose Weitz, John Smith

Mona Shattell

This article explores potential infection risks linked with trucker cruising along U.S. highways. Specifically, the article delineates the settings and social organization of trucker cruising, examines the structure of sex partnerships of truckers and cruisers, and delves into the unique database of one truckchaser who recorded 4,162 sex interactions with 2,499 different truckers during a 13-year period. Concurrent sexual partnerships of bisexual and particularly straight-identified truckers hold increased potential for amplifying infection risk as they enable pathogens to operate as bridges along disparate geographies, demographies, and epidemiologies.

Seguridad, Salud Y Percepción De Factores Personales Y Organizacionales En La Industria Manufacturera, José G. Salazar-Estrada, Carolina Aranda-Beltran, Manuel Pando-Moreno, Luis G. Gómez-Azpeitia, Raquel González-Baltazar

José G. Salazar Estrada

The aim of this study is to examine working conditions of manufacturing industry workers in order to identify factors such as safety, organizational risk and workers’ perception of their employment relationship, and organizational matters. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by two questionnaires. First questionnaire was circulated to 24 small, medium and large sized industries, and the second one was filled out by a sample of 329 workers having at least six months of seniority and pertaining to these 24 industries. Only 25% of the small industries was identified to have health personnel for their employees. 8,3% has a committee …

Laparoscopic Transanal Abdominal Transanal Resection With Sphincter Preservation For Rectal Cancer In The Distal 3 Cm Of The Rectum After Neoadjuvant Therapy., Dr. John Marks, B. Mizrahi, S. Dalane, I. Nweze, Dr. Gerald Marks

Dr. John Marks

BACKGROUND: This study reports the short- and long-term results for a prospective rectal cancer management program using laparoscopic radical transanal abdominal transanal proctosigmoidectomy with coloanal anastomosis (TATA) after neoadjuvant therapy.

METHODS: A prospective database included 102 rectal cancer patients treated with laparoscopic TATA from 1998 to 2008. Patients with distant metastasis at presentation, patients with a tumor more than 3 cm from the anorectal ring, and patients not undergoing neoadjuvant therapy were excluded, leaving 79 patients (54 men and 25 women) with a mean age of 59.2 years (range, 22-85 years) for this study. 13 patients completed neoadjuvant therapy before …

Health Benefits Of Increased Walking For Sedentary, Generally Healthy Older Adults: Using Longitudinal Data To Approximate An Intervention Trial, Paula Diehr

Paula Diehr

BACKGROUND: Older adults are often advised to walk more, but randomized trials have not conclusively established the benefits of walking in this age group. Typical analyses based on observational data may have biased results. Here, we propose a "limited-bias," more interpretable estimate of the health benefits to sedentary healthy older adults of walking more, using longitudinal data from the Cardiovascular Health Study. METHODS: The number of city blocks walked per week, collected annually, was classified as sedentary (<7 blocks per>week), somewhat active, or active (>or=28). Analysis was restricted to persons sedentary and healthy in the first 2 years. In Year …

“Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing” Or “Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing”?, Mona Shattell

Mona Shattell

No abstract provided.

A Stepwise Approach To Stroke Surveillance In Brazil: The Emma (Estudo De Mortalidade E Morbidade Do Acidente Vascular Cerebral) Study, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

Background: Stroke mortality rates in Brazil are the highest in the Americas. Deaths from cerebrovascular disease surpass coronary heart disease. Aim: To verify stroke mortality rates and morbidity in an area of Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil, using the World Health Organization Stepwise Approach to Stroke Surveillance. Methods: We used the World Health Organization Stepwise Approach to Stroke Surveillance structure of stroke surveillance. The hospital-based data comprised fatal and nonfatal stroke (Step 1). We gathered stroke-related mortality data in the community using World Health Organization questionnaires (Step 2). The questionnaire determining stroke prevalence was activated door to door in a family-healthprogramme neighbourhood …

Exploring Older Peoples' Experiences Of Nocturia: A Poorly Recognised Urinary Condition That Limits Participation, Jo Booth, Maggie Lawrence, Kenneth O'Neill, Laura Mcmillan

Dr. Maggie Lawrence

This study sought to understand the experience of living and coping with nocturia, from the perspective of community-living older men and women. Individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 32 older people with self-reported nocturia of twice nightly or more. Four key characteristics of nocturia were identified. Nocturia was described as simultaneously debilitating, frustrating, distressing and puzzling. It impacted on sleep patterns and quality, personal relationships and increased the fear of falling among older people when rising to use the toilet at night. Previously unrecognised variability and unpredictability in the condition were highlighted features.

Validation Of A Stroke Symptom Questionnaire For Epidemiological Surveys., Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:Stroke is a relevant issue within public health and requires epidemiological surveillance tools. The aim here was to validate a questionnaire for evaluating individuals with stroke symptoms in the Stroke Morbidity and Mortality Study (Estudo de Mortalidade e Morbidade do Acidente Vascular Cerebral, EMMA), São Paulo, Brazil.DESIGN AND SETTING:This was a cross-sectional study performed among a sample of the inhabitants of Butantã, an area in the western zone of the city of São Paulo.METHODS:For all households in the coverage area of a primary healthcare unit, household members over the age of 35 years answered a stroke symptom questionnaire …

“An Existential Place Of Pain:” The Essence Of Despair In Women, Nancy Scroggs, Mona Shattell, W. Richard Cowling

Mona Shattell

While there is a substantive body of knowledge on depression, little is known about the experience of despair. This phenomenological study explored women’s experience of despair through qualitative interviews with 14 women ages 28 to 55 (M= 45) who self-identified as experiencing despair. Three themes emerged: “crippling and debilitating,” “there’s nothing you can do”, and “it’ll never end.” The findings suggest that women desire to have their experiences recognized and validated while simultaneously receiving acknowledgement of their ability to overcome the past and to shape their own destinies.

Worksite-Induced Morbidities Of Truck Drivers In The United States, Yorghos Apostolopoulos, Sevil Sönmez, Mona Shattell, Michael Belzer

Mona Shattell

A critical review was conducted of social, psychological, and health science literature on the array of health risks and morbidities of truckers. Multilevel worksite-induced strains (e.g., long work hours and fatigue, shift work and sleep deprivation, postural fatigue and exposure to noise and vibration, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet, exposure to diesel exhaust fumes, and other occupational stressors) were categorized into six primary morbidities for truckers: (1) psychological and psychiatric disorders; (2) detriments resulting from disrupted biological cycles; (3) musculoskeletal disorders; (4) cancer and respiratory morbidities; (5) cardiovascular disease; and (6) risk-laden substance use and sexual practices. Elevated morbidity risks …

Training Of Occupational Safety And Health: Knowledge Among Healthcare Professionals In Malaysia, Retneswari Masilamani

Retneswari Masilamani

Introduction: Awareness of occupational safety and health (OSH) plays an important role in the prevention of occupational injuries and diseases. Following the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in 1994, various programmes have been implemented by different agencies to increase awareness and knowledge of OSH in the workplace, including among healthcare workers. The objective of this study was to determine the level of OSH awareness and knowledge among healthcare professionals in Malaysia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 21-item self-administered questionnaire addressing information on demographics, general OSH issues, OSH legislations, occupational hazards in the healthcare …

Plasma Prekallikrein Levels Are Positively Associated With Circulating Lipid Levels And The Metabolic Syndrome In Children., James A. Mackenzie, Kristen A. Roosa, Brooks B. Gump, Amy K. Dumas, Kestutis G. Bendinskas

Brooks B. Gump

Plasma prekallikrein (PK) has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors, but these associations have not been investigated in children. The present study examined PK activity in relation to well-established cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of children aged 9–11 years (N = 97). We found a significant and positive association between PK and fasting levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.01), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.01), and triglycerides (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant association between PK activity and the metabolic syndrome, a clustering of risk factors considered to have an impact on atherosclerosis and CVD mortality. Finally, we found that children with a family history of CVD had significantly elevated PK activity. These novel findings warrant further investigations into the relationship between circulating PK levels and CVD risk factors because PK may be involved in the progression of the disease state. Il est bien connu que la pre´kallicre´ine (PK) est associe´e a` la maladie cardiovasculaire (CVD) et a` ses facteurs de risque, mais ces associations n’ont pas e´te´ ve´rifie´es chez les enfants. Cette e´tude se propose de ve´rifier l’association entre l’activite´ de la PK et les facteurs de risque de CVD aupre`s d’une cohorte d’enfants aˆge´s de 9 a` 11 ans (N = 97). On observe une corre´lation positive significative entre la PK et les variables suivantes : la concentration totale de choleste´rol a` jeun (p < 0,01), les concentrations des lipoprote´ines non a` haute densite´ (p < 0,01) et la concentration des triglyce´rides (p < 0,001). De plus, on observe une corre´lation significative entre l’activite´ de la PK et le syndrome me´tabolique constitue par un ensemble de facteurs ayant un effet sur l’athe´roscle´rose et la mortalite´ due a` la CVD. En dernier lieu, les enfants avec des ante´ce´dents familiaux de CVD pre´sentent une plus importante activite´ de la PK, et ce, de fac¸on significative. Ces premie`res observations sugge`rent d’autres e´tudes sur la relation entre la concentration sanguine de PK et les facteurs de risque de CVD, car la PK pourrait eˆtre implique´e dans la progression de la maladi

Job Strain Among Malaysian Office Workers Of A Multinational Company, Awang Bulgiba

Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud

Aims To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with high job strain among office workers of a multinational company in Malaysia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2007 among 470 eligible workers. Respondents self-administered the Job Content Questionnaire downloaded from the company's intranet. A median-split procedure was applied to create four groups according to the Job Demand-Control Model: active, passive, high and low job strain. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between socio-demographic, occupational and psychosocial factors and high job strain. Results A total of 356 questionnaires were received (response rate 76%). Twenty-one per cent …

Job Strain Among Malaysian Office Workers Of A Multinational Company, Retneswari Masilamani, Husna Maizura

Retneswari Masilamani

Aims To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with high job strain among office workers of a multinational company in Malaysia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2007 among 470 eligible workers. Respondents self-administered the Job Content Questionnaire downloaded from the company's intranet. A median-split procedure was applied to create four groups according to the Job Demand-Control Model: active, passive, high and low job strain. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations between socio-demographic, occupational and psychosocial factors and high job strain. Results A total of 356 questionnaires were received (response rate 76%). Twenty-one per cent …

The Isleño Décima: Media And Memory In Spanish-Speaking South Louisiana, Jeanne Gillespie

JEANNE GILLESPIE

From the early fifteenth century to the end of the eighteenth century, the Spanish colonial process involved the settling of vast tracks of land. From their first colonial experiment in the Canary Islands in 1402, the Spanish administration learned that it was sometimes more effective to import assimilated settlers from already established colonial possessions than to attempt massive conversion and cultural assimilation. To shore up the vast spaces of the northern Gulf Coast, particularly "West Florida" and eastern Texas, the Spanish governors sent for colonists including groups of Canary Islanders who settled outposts along the Red River, as well as …

Effects Of Leas And Mecury On The Blood Proteome Of Children, Robert E. Birsall, Michael P. Kiley, Zaneer M. Segu, Christopher D. Palmer, Milan Madera, Brooks B. Gump

Brooks B. Gump

Heavy metal exposure in children has been associated with a variety of physiological and neurological problems. The goal of this study was to utilize proteomics to enhance the understanding of biochemical interactions responsible for the health problems related to lead and mercury exposure at concentrations well below CDC guidelines. Blood plasma and serum samples from 34 children were depleted of their most abundant proteins using antibody-based affinity columns and analyzed using two different methods, LC-MS/MS and 2-D electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-TOF/MS and tandem mass spectrometry. Apolipoprotein E demonstrated an inverse significant association with lead concentrations (average being one microgram/deciliter) as …

Young Adults’ Experience Of Stroke: A Qualitative Review Of The Literature, Maggie Lawrence

Dr. Maggie Lawrence

Stroke is a life-threatening event that has a devastating impact on young adults and their families. The author conducted a systematic review of the qualitative literature to explore the experience of stroke from the perspective of young adults. Four primary research 'papers' were analyzed using the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument; 60 findings were extracted from the papers and merged into 13 categories, from which three synthesized findings were developed - disorientation, disrupted sense of self, and roles and relationships.

Gender Differences Of Case-Fatality Rate In A Brazilian Stroke Registry, Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

Manifest Greatness The Final Original Version By Emmanuel Mario B Santos Aka Marc Guerrero, Emmanuel Mario B. Santos Aka Marc Guerrero

Emmanuel Mario B Santos aka Marc Guerrero

MANIFEST GREATNESS vf24jan2010 WE COME TOGETHER THERE OUGHT TO BE NO POOR WE TAKE CHARGE.

Schizophrenia, Substance Use And Aggressions: What Are The Relationships?, Rusdi Abd. Rashid, Noorzurani Robson Associate Prof. Dr., Ahmad Hatim Sulaiman, Rabaiah Salleh, Nor Zuraida Zainal, Mas Ayu Said, Mohammad Hussain Habil

Associate Prof. Dr. Noorzurani Robson

Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of substance abuse for alcohol, cannabis, opiates, stimulants, solvent and other substances among patients with schizophrenia in Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta (HBUK), Perak , Central Peninsular of Malaysia. This study also aims to determine the association of substance abuse with aggression, the demographic characteristics and total duration of hospitalization. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study whereby the first 194 subjects diagnosed to have schizophrenia based on International Classification of Disease, 10th edition (ICD-10) criteria were taken from data registry of patients admitted to HBUK from January until February …

Nih Proposal: Public Health Financing Policy And Preventable Health Disparities, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

No abstract provided.

Acs Proposal: State Insurance Mandates And Cancer Prevention, Glen Mays

Glen Mays

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Precipitant Stressor And Timing Of Clinical Diagnosis In Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy., C Neil, Angela M. Kucia, H Nguyen, A Sverdlov, A Chan, D Dautov, I Mohasseb, J Selvanayagam, M Arstall, C Zeitz, J Beltrame, J Horowitz

Angela Kucia

In practice, TTC is diagnosed almost exclusively either via (1) emergency cardiac catheterisation, primarily for apparent 'STEMI', or (2) recognition of a potentially precipating stress, primarily in patients with a non-ST-elevation (N-STE) ECG pattern. We therefore hypothesized that the greatest delays in diagnosis would occur in the subgroup with N-STE and no known stressor. A seasonality analysis was also undertaken, to test a possible association between heat stress and TTC.

Evolution Of Ecg Changes In Tako Tsubo Cardiomyopathy: Arrhythmias First, Qt Prolongation Later?, Angela M. Kucia, C Neil, T Nguyen, J Beltrame, M Arstall, J Horowitz

Angela Kucia

Electrocardiographic changes previously described in Tako Tsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) include T-wave inversion with QTc prolongation, but the relationship of these changes to the evolution of TTC is uncertain. Furthermore, torsade de pointes (TdP) has been reported to occur, but its relationship to QT prolongation in TTC is unclear.

Wavelet-Based Functional Linear Mixed Models: An Application To Measurement Error–Corrected Distributed Lag Models, Elizabeth J. Malloy, Jeffrey S. Morris, Sara D. Adar, Helen Suh, Diane R. Gold, Brent A. Coull

Jeffrey S. Morris

Frequently, exposure data are measured over time on a grid of discrete values that collectively define a functional observation. In many applications, researchers are interested in using these measurements as covariates to predict a scalar response in a regression setting, with interest focusing on the most biologically relevant time window of exposure. One example is in panel studies of the health effects of particulate matter (PM), where particle levels are measured over time. In such studies, there are many more values of the functional data than observations in the data set so that regularization of the corresponding functional regression coefficient …

The Modified Ncep Atp Iii Criteria Maybe Better Than The Idf Criteria In Diagnosing Metabolic Syndrome Among Malays In Kuala Lumpur, Awang Bulgiba

Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud

Background: Metabolic Syndrome is associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, different diagnostic criteria have been recommended by different expert groups. In Malaysia, there is a lack of research comparing these different diagnostic criteria. Therefore, it is our aim to study the concordance between the IDF and the modified NCEP ATP III definitions of Metabolic Syndrome among a Malay cohort in Kuala Lumpur; and to demonstrate if all participants have the same cardiometabolic risks. Methods: This was an analytical cross sectional study. Ethics approval was obtained and informed consent was given by all participants. Anthropometric …

Tuberculosis: An Eight Year (2000-2007) Retrospective Study At The University Of Malaya Medical Centre (Ummc), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jamaiah Ibrahim

Jamaiah Ibrahim

This was an eight year (2000-2007) retrospective study of tuberculosis in patients admitted to the UMMC. A total of 131 cases were analyzed. Malays constituted the most cases, (43%), followed by Chinese (22%), Indians (17%) and others (18%). The majority of cases were within the 21-60 year old age group, which constituted 69.5% of the total. Males were more commonly affected (65%). Most cases were reported among Malaysians (83%). The majority of patients were unemployed (39%), followed by housewives (10%), laborers (9%), students (8%), shop assistants (7%), and other occupations (27%) The most common presenting complaints were prolonged productive cough, …

Alcohol Use And Psychosocial Correlates Among Aborigines In Central Penisular Malaysia, R. Abd Rashid, W.A. Irnee, M.M.A. Zahari, A.S.A. Nordin, Noorzurani Robson Associate Prof. Dr., A.H. Sulaiman, R.A. Kadir, D. A. A. Rahim, H. Peters, M. A. Said, H. Habil

Associate Prof. Dr. Noorzurani Robson

To determine the prevalence of alcohol abuse/dependence, psychiatric morbidity and psychosocial correlates among Malaysian aborigines.

Subclinical Hyperthyroidism And Dementia: The Sao Paulo Ageing & Health Study (Spah), Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

Background: Several epidemiologic studies have shown a possible association between thyroid function and cognitive decline. Our aim was to evaluate the association of subclinical hyperthyroidism and dementia in a population sample of older people. Methods: A cross-sectional study - São Paulo Ageing & Health Study (SPAH) - in a population sample of low-income elderly people ≥ 65 years-old to evaluate presence of subclinical thyroid disease as a risk factor for dementia. Thyroid function was assessed using thyrotropic hormone and free-thyroxine as well as routine use of thyroid hormones or antithyroid medications. Cases of dementia were assessed using a harmonized one-phase …

Digital Gods: The Making Of A Medical Fact For Rural Diagnostic Software, Payal Arora

Payal Arora

The chronic shortage of doctors in rural India seriously impacts the quality of health care available to villagers. In recent years, there has been considerable excitement in digital diagnostics as a possible answer to this situation by allowing non-doctors to diagnose and treat patients. In this article, the author focuses on one such diagnostic tool that has gained serious traction among transnational health foundations and state governments alike. The focus is on the customization and localization of this software through a pilot study in central Himalayas. A baseline survey and extensive interviews are conducted for categorization and population of health …