Digital Commons Network^™

Gender Differences In Presenting Symptoms, Treatment, And Outcome In Myocardial Infarction, Alona Dalusung-Angosta

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purposes of this study were to compare the presenting symptoms, treatment, and outcome between men and women with MI. The study sample consisted of 300 patients (N = 300) who were diagnosed with MI in a county hospital in the Southwest area of the United States.

Chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and left arm pain were the most common symptoms reported by both genders. Men had more chest pain than their women counterparts (p = .022). No significant difference was found in the cardiac enzyme levels between both genders. Men had more Q wave changes during MI than …

Unlv Magazine, Barbara Cloud, Donna Mcaleer

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

The Rural Hospital Dilema: Will Nevada’S Rural Hospital System Survive?, Nancy L. Anderson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study, prepared for the Department of Public Administration, will review and discuss the rural hospitals in the State of Nevada. By virtue of its size and population distribution, Nevada has a need for rural hospitals. These hospitals, which are of critical importance for Nevada residents, are constantly struggling with how to build and support their limited health system capacity and infrastructure. To survive, rural hospitals must offset the losses they have sustained as a result of decreased federal funding. Some ways these losses have been offset is by employing some of the programs created by the Balanced Budget Act …

Officer Involved Shooting: The Emotional Impact And The Effective Coping Strategies, Patrick P. Charoen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The emotional impact of a shooting incident on the individual police officer has been recognized and detailed by both police and mental health professionals (Lippert & Ferrara, 1984). The human cost and financial costs to Police Departments as a result of "post shooting" trauma has sensitized many departments to the need for professional support for officers involved in shootings. Recent survey research has provided information about the percentage of officers who experienced great, moderate, or no emotional impact after being involved in shootings (Stratton, 1982). However, information about the degree to which police departments have responded to this need has …

Patient Preference For The Management Of Mildly Abnormal Papanicolau Smears, Marta Meana, Donna E. Stewart, Gordon M. Lickrish, Joan Murphy, Barry Rosen

Psychology Faculty Research

The article provides information on a study that investigated management preference and desire for decision-making involvement in women who have received a first mildly abnormal Papanicolaou smear. The majority of women in this highly educated sample preferred active management of their mildly abnormal Pap smears, although a substantial minority either opted for the surveillance strategy or reported no strong preference. Furthermore, management preference in this sample was not related to knowledge but rather to level of state anxiety. This indicates that these decisions may be guided more by emotions than by facts. Research has shown repeatedly that abnormal Pap smears …

Induction Of Integral Membrane Pam Expression In Att-20 Cells Alters The Storage And Trafficking Of Pomc And Pc1, Giuseppe D. Ciccotosto, Martin R. Schiller, Betty A. Eipper, Richard E. Mains

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the COOH-terminal amidation of many neuroendocrine peptides. The bifunctional PAM protein contains an NH2-terminal monooxygenase (PHM) domain followed by a lyase (PAL) domain and a transmembrane domain. The cytosolic tail of PAM interacts with proteins that can affect cytoskeletal organization. A reverse tetracycline-regulated inducible expression system was used to construct an AtT-20 corticotrope cell line capable of inducible PAM-1 expression. Upon induction, cells displayed a time- and dose-dependent increase in enzyme activity, PAM mRNA, and protein. Induction of increased PAM-1 expression produced graded changes in PAM-1 metabolism. Increased expression of …

The Meeting Of Pain And Depression: Comorbidity In Women, Marta Meana

Psychology Faculty Research

The higher prevalence of depression in women is coupled with a higher prevalence of pain complaints. Growing evidence suggests that the comorbidity of these conditions is also proportionately higher in women than men. This paper critically reviews the empirical findings relating to gender differences in comorbid pain and depression as well as findings in support of hypothesized etiologic factors that could explain why women may be more susceptible than men to comorbidity. The empirical evidence for biogenic, psychogenic, and sociogenic explanatory models is presented, and an integration of these models is proposed as a guideline to both research and clinical …

Stachybotrys: Is Nevada At Risk?, Terrylynn C. Foley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) is a toxigenic fungus that is known to adversely impact the health of animals. Until recently, there have only been a few documented clinical reports linking Stachybotrys chartarum to human health effects. Scientists are increasingly convinced that Stachybotrys and its metabolites are responsible for several adverse health effects experienced by people all over the world, although conclusive proof has yet to be established. All the physical requirements needed for indoor Stachybotrys sporulation and growth is provided through water leaks (plumbing, roof or ceiling), flood events, nutrient sources (cellulose and nitrogen), pH, and temperature(23° - 28°C). Stachybotrys has …

Cardiac Rehabilitation: Gender Differences In Factors Influencing Participation, Lani Lieberman, Marta Meana, Donna E. Stewart

Psychology Faculty Research

This study investigates gender differences in the barriers and incentives that are most influential in the coronary patient's decision to participate in cardiac rehabilitation (CRPs) and suggests strategies to counter these barriers. Patient surveys were administered to consecutive English-speaking attenders and referred nonattenders to a cardiac rehabilitation center at a university healthcare system in Toronto, Canada. A survey questionnaire, constructed from a literature review and advice from key informants, examined potential factors affecting decisions to engage in CRPs. One129 attenders at a CRP and 61 referred nonattenders completed the questionnaire. Physician recommendation was reported to be the most important factor …

Affect And Marital Adjustment In Women’S Rating Of Dyspareunic Pain, Marta Meana, Irv Binik, Sainir Khalife, Deborah Cohen

Psychology Faculty Research

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the extent to which depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and marital adjustment mediate pain ratings in women suffering from dyspareunia.

METHOD: Seventy-six women with dyspareunia were administered the depression and anxiety scales of Derogatis's Brief Symptom Inventory and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. They also underwent a manual-visual gynecological examination, an ultrasound, and a colposcopy in an attempt to identify potential evidence and type of organicity.

RESULTS: Depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and marital adjustment together accounted for a significant amount of the variance in pain ratings, although only anxiety and marital adjustment were independent predictors of pain ratings in the entire …

Unlv Magazine, Barbara Cloud, Laurie Fruth

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Counseling And Testing For Hiv Prevention: Costs, Effects, And Cost-Effectiveness Of More Rapid Screening Tests, P. G. Farnham, Robin D. Gorsky, D. R. Holtgrave, Wanda K. Jones, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

New rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody tests permit many individuals to receive test results and appropriate counseling at one clinic visit. Because currently used tests require significant time for processing, all individuals must return for a second visit for test results and counseling. Since return rates for the second visit are low, the more rapid tests present an opportunity to improve the efficiency of HIV counseling and testing.

The authors compared the costs and effectiveness of the currently used counseling and testing procedure and a streamlined procedure made possible by the new, more rapid screening tests. When test-positive clients …

Behavioral Science And Public Health: A Necessary Partnership For Hiv Prevention, Martin Fishbein, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

We are now in the second decade of the AIDS epidemic in the United States. As of October 31, 1995, a total of 311,381 U.S. citizens had t died from AIDS, another 189,929 had been diagnosed with AIDS (1), and it is estimated that nearly l million persons are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS (CDC). Despite the best efforts of biomedical researchers, we still have neither a cure nor a vaccine to prevent this deadly disease. Yet AIDS is a preventable disease; AIDS is first and foremost a consequence of behavior. It is not who you are, …

Preventing Perinatal Transmission Of Hiv Costs And Effectiveness Of A Recommended Intervention, Robin D. Gorsky, P G. Farnham, Walter L. Straus, Blake Caldwell, D R. Holtgrave, R. J. Simonds, M F. Rogers, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

In the United States, nearly all new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in children are acquired through perinatal (mother-to-infant) transmission. Each year, approximately 7000 infants are born to HIV-infected women in the United States.¹ Without intervention, an estimated 15-30% of these infants would become infected.² In 1994, results of the AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) Protocol 076 showed that treatment of infected pregnant women and their infants with zidovudine (ZDV) reduced the rate of perinatal HIV transmission from 25% to 8%.^3,4 Following these findings, the Public Health Service (PHS) issued recommendations for ZDV therapy to prevent perinatal …

Collection And Utilization Of Child Abuse Statistics In American Indian Communities, Michelle Chino

Public Health Faculty Publications

Public health research in American Indian communities involves many complex issues that may both help and hinder the development of an effective research methodology and the collection, analysis, and utilization of data. These issues include: 1) the unique strengths and diversity of Indian cultures; 2) the complicated relationships that exist between federal, state, and tribal agencies; 3) the vast distances between communities and services that exist in rural areas; 4) extremely limited human and financial resources; 5) overlapping and often conflicting legal and jurisdictional authorities; and 6) an array of social issues including poverty, substance abuse, modernization, and assimilation. Defining …

Pcr For Bioaerosol Monitoring: Sensitivity And Environmental Interference, Aj Alvarez, Mark P. Buttner, Linda Stetzenbach

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

The PCR technique has potential for use in detection of low concentrations of airborne microorganisms. In this study, the sensitivity of PCR and its susceptibility to environmental interference were assessed with Escherichia coli DH1 as the target organism. Air samples, containing environmental bioaerosols, were collected with AGI-30 samplers and seeded with E. coli DH1 cells. Parallel studies were performed with cells seeded into the sampler prior to collection of air samples to determine the effects of environmental inhibition and sampling stress on the PCR assay. Baseline studies were also performed without environmental challenge or sampling stress to compare two protocols …

An Overview Of The Effectiveness And Efficiency Of Hiv Prevention Programs, D. R. Holtgrave, Noreen L. Qualls, J. W. Curran, Ronald O. Valdiserri, Mary Guinan, William C. Parra

Public Health Faculty Publications

Because of the enormity of the HIV-AIDS epidemic and the urgency for preventing transmission, HIV prevention programs are a high priority for careful and timely evaluations. Information on program effectiveness and efficiency is needed for decision-making about future HIV prevention priorities. General characteristics of successful HIV prevention programs, programs empirically evaluated and found to change (or not change) high-risk behaviors or in need of further empirical study, and economic evaluations of certain programs are described and summarized with attention limited to programs that have a behavioral basis. HIV prevention programs have an impact on averting or reducing risk behaviors, particularly …

Menopausal Hormone Replacement: Not Necessarily Routine, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Analysis And Evaluation Of The Workplace Exposure Assessment Workbook Developed By Keith Tait Including Some Recommended Revisions, Lisa Hebberd

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Some risk due to the contamination of workplace environments is an inevitable part of human lives. These risks can often be reduced by improving the control of environmental pollution in the workplace. An extremely important challenge for any industry is to develop a mechanism to identify acceptable levels of safety, or "acceptable risk" in the workplace for specific situations, and to assure adequate quality control over measured or calculated exposure concentrations and their possible contributions to adverse health effects.

War Crimes Of The 90s: Rape As A Strategy, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

Historically, only men went to war. The winners took the losers' women and could rape, enslave, or kill them. As we moved into a more modern civilization, the rights of the winner over the women of the loser became less clear and were only vaguely documented. Even for modern war historians, what happens to the men on and off the battlefield is the main preoccupation. After all, women do not face combat and what happens to them seems unimportant. The rape of women by conquering armies has continued through all wars, but has rarely been considered a war crime, especially …

Monitoring Of Fungal Spores In An Experimental Indoor Environment To Evaluate Sampling Methods And The Effects Of Human Activity On Air Sampling, Mark P. Buttner, Linda Stetzenbach

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

Aerobiological monitoring was conducted in an experimental room to aid in the development of standardized sampling protocols for airborne microorganisms in the indoor environment. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the relative efficiencies of selected sampling methods for the retrieval of airborne fungal spores and to determine the effect of human activity on air sampling. Dry aerosols containing known concentrations of Penicillium chrysogenum spores were generated, and air samples were taken by using Andersen six-stage, Surface Air System, Burkard, and depositional samplers. The Andersen and Burkard samplers retrieved the highest numbers of spores compared with the measurement standard, …

A Dream For The Future Of Public Health, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

The following is a commencement address Dr. Guinan delivered at the Emory University School of Public Health in May 1992, just weeks after riots erupted in response to the Rodney King verdict. Her remarks were very timely, but her message is timeless. It is just as relevant today, more than a year later, as it was that day.

Oasis, Barbara Cloud, Lisa Story

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Finding Hiv-Infected Women - The Clinician's Role, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

An estimated 100,000 women are currently infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, and a great majority of them are unaware of their condition. Approximately 20,000 HIV-infected women were identified through publicly funded HIV screening programs in 1989 and 1990, and an unknown number through private screening. Because most HIV-infected women are believed to be in the lower socioeconomic strata, it is unlikely that a significant number were identified in the private sector. Therefore, up to 80% of HIV-positive women may not know they are infected.

Female Condoms, An Urgent Need, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

As of February 1991, more than 16,000 cases of AIDS in women had been reported in the United States, but the ". tidal wave of cases in women is yet to come. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates of the number of women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) range from 1.5 million in Africa to I 00,000 in the United States. Within the next ten years, the majority of these women will develop AIDS and die. Some will live a bit longer, but all are eventually doomed to die prematurely. Most will not live to see their 40th year.

Evaluation Of Four Aerobiological Sampling Methods For The Retrieval Of Aerosolized Pseudomonas Syringae, Mark P. Buttner, Linda Stetzenbach

Environmental & Occupational Health Faculty Publications

The Andersen six-stage impactor, the SAS (Surface Air System) impactor, the AGI-30 impinger, and gravity plates were evaluated for the retrieval of aerosol-releasedPseudomonas syringae. The upper limits of the impactor samplers were exceeded at a spray concentration of 10^7 CFU/ml, indicating that these samplers are not appropriate for monitoring high airborne concentrations. Decreased cell concentrations were retrieved with increased sampling time for the Andersen and AGI samplers, indicating that a minimum sampling time is preferable for monitoring aerosolized vegetative cells.

The Right To Die: An Old Woman's Formula, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

On December 26, 1990, Nancy Cruzan died, 12 days after her feeding tube was removed. She had been in an irreversible coma for seven years and her parents had sued for the right to remove the feeding tube that was keeping her alive. The pain and suffering of her family in coming to this decision was certainly compounded by those who disagreed with them and tried to prevent the extubation. Whether one agrees with this particular decision or not, most of us will not be faced with such clear alternatives, ie, leave the tube in or take it out in …

Pms And Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Sodium Intake, Furosemide, And Infusion Of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide On The Urinary And Metabolic Clearances Of Arginine Vasopressin In Normal Subjects, Arnold M. Moses, Carol Jones, Carolyn B. Yucha

Nursing Faculty Publications

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have important influences on water and electrolyte metabolism, and studies on the interactions between these hormones may have important implications. We have investigated the effects of sodium intake, furosemide, and infusion of ANP on the urinary and metabolic (nonurinary) clearances of AVP in hydrated normal subjects. On a high sodium diet there was an increase in urine volume, sodium excretion, osmolal clearance, plasma ANP concentration, and urinary clearance and fractional excretion of AVP, with a decrease in PRA. The infusion of furosemide increased urine volume, sodium excretion, osmolal clearance, and PRA, but …

Amwa Endorses Uniform Mammography Screening, Mary Guinan

Public Health Faculty Publications

Breast cancer is gaining on us at an increasing rate each year. In 1990 in the United States alone we expect about 145,000 new cases and 45,000 breast cancer deaths in women. What are we doing about it? What is AMWA doing, and what are women physicians doing- for themselves and their patients? Can we do anything? The answer is yes, we can. We can reduce mortality considerably if the cancer is detected early. The five-year survival rate for women with breast cancer diagnosed in its early (localized) stages is 90%, but for women with cancer diagnosed after it has …