Digital Commons Network^™

Relationship Between Perioperative Risk And Cardio-Respiratory Fitness After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Cheng-Ming Chiu, Kuan-Cheng Chen, Chia-To Wang, Chen-Liang Chou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Introduction and objectives: The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (euroSCORE II) is a validated model for predicting perioperative mortality after cardiac surgery. The role of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF), expressed as peak metabolic equivalents (METs), as a predictor of long-term survival in patients who have previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is well established. However, the correlation between perioperative risk and CRF has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perioperative risk and CRF in patients after CABG. Methods: Patients who underwent CABG from January 2012 through December 2013 at …

Developed An Interactive Visual Dashboard To Assess The Fall Risk Among Community-Dwelling Elderly, Weichiao Lu, Shuchuan Wu, Hsihsun Su, Chingjen Cang, Tienlung Sun, Chienhua Huang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

The main purpose of data visualization is to provide an overview of data characteristics. In this study, a data visualization-based interactive exploration environment was developed to assess the risk of falling among community-dwelling elderly adults. The research goal was to enable clinicians to apply their expert knowledge to quickly derive information from the data and analyze the risk of falling. By visualizing the data to derive information, the clinicians were able to analyze preliminary screening results to identify elderly adults at a high risk of falling and subsequently advise them to return to hospital for a comprehensive geriatric assessment. In …

Effect Of Individualized Bladder Rehabilitation Program In Patients With Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction, A Pilot Study, Peir-Renn Wang, Wei-Che Wang, Sung-Lang Chen, Yu-Hui Huang, Yu-Fen Lai, Hsiu-Chun Yang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objectives: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) is one of the major sequelae after spinal cord injury (SCI) and a cause of increased morbidity and mortality in SCI patients. Current treatment strategies for NLUTD include medication, non-invasive conservative management, minimally invasive therapy, and surgical intervention. However, there are no studies regarding non-invasive conservative management that combines pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises and electrical stimulation (ES). This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of individualized bladder rehabilitation programs, which included education on voiding behavior, PFM exercise training combined with electromyography (EMG) biofeedback, and ES (for bladder inhibition or PFM strengthening), …

Correlation Between Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Stiffness After Radiation Therapy And Quality Of Life In Patients With Head And Neck Cancer, Shih-Chung Chang, Peir-Renn Wang, Hsien-Chun Tseng, Su-Ju Tsai, Yu-Li Cheng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: Radiation-induced fibrosis after radiation treatment frequently results in neck and shoulder pain/dysfunction, trismus, dysphagia, muscle stiffness and lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer. Here, we access the correlation between neck muscle stiffness after radiation therapy and HRQOL, and the effect of rehabilitation on muscle stiffness and HRQOL. Method: We used real-time sonoelastography to evaluate sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) stiffness after radiation therapy. We used the EORTC QLQ-30 and EORTCQLQ H&N35 to evaluate the HRQOL of H&N cancer patients. Each participant received real-time sonoelastography and an HRQOL evaluation twice with the course of …

Faktor-Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kenaikan Cd4 Pada Pasien Hiv Yang Mendapat Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Dalam 6 Bulan Pertama, Indria Yogani, Teguh Harjono Karyadi, Anna Uyainah, Sukamto Koesnoe

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Pendahuluan: HIV adalah infeksi yang menyerang sistem kekebalan tubuh dengan CD4 sebagai sel targetnya. Ditemukannya Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) diharapkan mampu menurunkan angka morbiditas dan mortalitas HIV. Namun, kenaikan CD4 tidak sama untuk setiap pasien serta terdapat faktor lain yang berhubungan dengan kenaikan CD4 pada pasien HIV.

Metode: Studi kohort retrospektif dilakukan pada pasien HIV rawat jalan di Unit Pelayanan Terpadu HIV Rumah Sakit dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM) Jakarta selama Mei- Juni 2014.. Data penelitian didapatkan dari rekam medis selama Januari 2004-Desember 2013. Analisis data menggunakan program SPSS dengan uji Mann Whitney, uji Chi Square atau Fisher …

The Utility Of Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test In Detecting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Clinical Stage, Nerve Conduction Study, And Sonography Correlations, Lin-Yi Wang, Jyun-Ying Li, Yu-Chi Huang, Mei-Yun Liaw, Tsung-Hsun Yang, Yi-Jung Hsin, Willie Lee, Jui-Kun Chang, Ya-Ping Pong

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background and purpose: Nerve conduction study (NCS) and ultrasonography (US) are used to support the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The ability of the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT), a sensibility threshold test, to detect CTS, and its relationship to clinical severity, NCS, and US, remain controversial. We conducted this study to address this controversy. Method: Thirty-three patients presenting with typical symptoms and signs of CTS and 20 normal subjects were enrolled. SWMT on the index finger, NCS, and US of the cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the pisiform level (PCSA) were performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves …

Association Between Depression And Aggression In Rural Women, Laetitia Meyrueix, Gabriel Durham, Jasmine Miller, K. Bryant Smalley Phd, Psyd, Jacob C. Warren Phd

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Rural women represent approximately 20% of women living in the United States, yet research on the specific mental health needs of rural women is limited. Given the well-recognized gender-linked disparity in depression, its correlated symptoms in women still need much investigation. While emerging notions of depression in men embrace potential symptoms related to irritability and aggression, less research has focused on the potential role of aggression in depressed women. This connection may be particularly relevant for rural women who face unique mental health stressors in comparison to their urban counterparts. The purpose of this study was to examine if aggression …

"There’S More To Us Than This:" A Qualitative Study Of Black Young Adults’ Perceptions Of Media Portrayals Of Hiv, Maya Corneille, Anna Lee, Roseina Britton, Judith C. Barker

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The extent to which the targeted group attends to and is engaged by HIV/STI prevention messages is one component of effective health communication. Through an empirical examination of the cumulative perceptions of HIV/STI prevention media messages targeted to Black youth and young adults, this qualitative study privileges the voices of Black/ African American young adults as a group that is frequently targeted in HIV prevention campaigns. Semi-structured interviews with 23 Black/African American young adults yielded key themes that suggest barriers to effective health communication. Traditionally, health promotion has advocated for targeted messages as a means to increase risk perception and …

Community Based Participatory Research: The Application And Lessons Learned From A Study With Lgb College Students, Caitlin M. Stover

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals are members of a vulnerable group where health disparities have been identified. To gain a better understanding of the LGB college student healthcare experience and its contribution to the healthcare disparities found in LGB population, a community based participatory research (CBPR) approach was used to fill the gap. This paper will outline the CBPR process with an emphasis on how the principle investigator applied the tenets of CBPR when working with a local LGB college community. Several lessons learned from the research process are also shared in this paper.

Social Determinants Of Late Stage Hiv Diagnosis And Its Distributions Among African Americans And Latinos: A Critical Literature Review, Alison M. Chopel, Meredith Minkler, Amani Nuru-Jeter, Megan Dunbar

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

ABSTRACT

This critical literature review was conducted to identify both individual- and environmental-level social determinants of health using an ecological framework as a way to contextualize risk for, and distributions of, late HIV diagnosis among African Americans and Latinos in the United States.

Background: Late diagnosis, defined as a diagnosis of AIDS simultaneously with or within one year of an initial HIV diagnosis,¹ disproportionately affects African American and Latino communities;^2,3 disparities in this health problem thus represent a preventable inequity. Such disparities affect not only late diagnosed individuals but also population levels of HIV incidence, as transmission is …

Furthering Nursing Scholarship In Today's Postsecondary Institutions: The Legacy Of Ernest Boyer, Lois E. Berry

Quality Advancement in Nursing Education - Avancées en formation infirmière

Nursing faculty members are often frustrated with, resentful of, or intimidated by the research and scholarship requirements expected of them today. The discussion in this paper is intended to aid nursing faculty members’ understanding of their work in the context of the current trends in research and scholarship in North American post-secondary institutions. Nursing faculty members require a clear understanding of Boyer’s four domains of scholarship, as they form the basis of quality indicators in both Canadian and United States accreditation programs for baccalaureate programs. Boyer’s domains of scholarship must be understood in the historical context in which they were …

Nursing Students Critical Thinking And Research Utilization, Salima Moez Meherali, Joanne Profetto-Mcgrath, Pauline Paul

Quality Advancement in Nursing Education - Avancées en formation infirmière

Background: In the nursing profession critical thinking (CT) has increasingly been the focus of investigation for the past several years. CT dispositions and skills are valuable in nursing practice. Nurses need complex thinking skills to effectively manage the fast-paced and constantly changing health care environments in which they work. CT is also vital in developing evidence-based nursing practice. Nurses who are disposed to think critically are more likely to critically interpret the available evidence, and able to make high quality judgments and draw valid inferences. Currently, no published studies could be located that specifically examined the relationship between Critical …

The Relationship Of Grade Span In 9th Grade To Math Achievement In High School, John West, Mary Lou Miller, Jim Myers, Timothy Norton

Administrative Issues Journal

Purpose, Scope, and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between grade span for ninth grade and gains in math achievement test scores in 10th grade and 12th grade. A quantitative, longitudinal, correlational research design was employed to investigate the research questions. The population was high school students in the United States from public and private schools who were in the ninth grade for the first time during the 1989-1990 school year. The data collection instrument was the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88). Further sampling and data analysis was conducted …

Women In Business: Influences On The Undergraduate Major Choices, Victoria Geyfman, Christina M. Force, Laura M. Davis

Administrative Issues Journal

This study employs a survey of undergraduate business school freshmen to examine factors that influence their decision to study business and whether these factors differ by gender. Specifically, the study examines internal factors, such as students’ perceived aptitudes and interests in the subject; external factors, such as compensation and job availability; and social/interpersonal influences, such as input of teachers, school counselors, parents, and friends. This paper follows up on the authors’ earlier work, which found that despite an increase in the number of male students enrolled in business programs across the nation during the period between 2003 and 2011, female …

Prevalance Of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking Among University Student Athletes In The United States, Liza Raymond, Cheryl Riley-Doucet

DNP Forum

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the 30-day, previous year, and lifetime usage of waterpipe tobacco use among athletes within a Midwestern university. The prevalence of waterpipe smoking suggests that this form of tobacco use is becoming an epidemic in the United States.

Data Sources: This study used a convenience sample of 59 college students who were English-speaking and 18 years or older. These students were enrolled in the Winter 2013 semester athletic program. The athletes completed a survey that was previously used and created by Brian Primack and reprinted with the author's written consent. The following …

The Epigenetics Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Women And Ptsd In Women Veterans: Implications For Health Policy, Cheryl R. Brubaker Msn, Sdnp, Fnp-Bc, Judith Milner Psyd

DNP Forum

Women have long served in the military during war whether recognized or unrecognized, whether praised or unpraised, whether there by choice or not there by choice. Men and women both feel the wounds of war. So many times those wounds are very hard to ignore, and often those wounds are not so visible yet take their toll. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly associated with combat, with war, and with being a veteran (Fischer, 2014). Our understanding of women formally deployed as soldiers into combat and the consequences for these women is less well defined. Through a meta-synthesis of published …

Risk Assessment Strategy For Late Preterm Infants, Nisha Nair, Constance Hill

DNP Forum

Late preterm infants (LPIs), born between 34 and 36 6/7 weeks gestation, face many challenges. These infants comprise 71% of preterm births and 8.7% of all births in the United States (Hamilton, Martin, & Ventura, 2010). They have a higher incidence of medical complications than their full-term counterparts leading to longer hospital stays or readmissions (Consortium on Safe Labor, 2010; Khashu, Narayanan, Bhargava, & Osiovich, 2009; Pulver et al., 2010). The nurse’s role in educating parents of LPIs is pertinent as these babies are at heightened risk for a number of significant complications. The purpose of this project is to …

Introducing Telehealth To Pre-Licensure Nursing Students, Dwayne F. More

DNP Forum

Background

Telehealth has emerged as an important tool for healthcare providers. Telehealth concepts are not currently taught in many nursing courses.

Purpose

Introduce telehealth concepts to pre-licensure nursing students via a learning module and to test its effectiveness using pre and post-tests.

Method

A two-tailed t test used to analyze the difference between the pre and post-test scores supported the research question: “Is the use of a new telehealth learning module effective in teaching pre-licensure nursing students about telehealth?”

Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that demographic variables had no influence on the outcome of either test.

Discussion

The results of the …

Despite Best Intentions: A Critical Analysis Of Social Justice Leadership And Decision Making, David E. Dematthews, Angus Shiva Mungal, Paul A. Carrola

Administrative Issues Journal

The purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between social justice leadership and organizational decision making in order to make recommendations for how principals can make more socially just decisions in difficult school contexts. This article begins with a discussion of social justice leadership, facets and theories associated with social justice, and how facets can be contradictory and problematic in practice. Then, rational choice theory is presented to detail key assumptions and criticisms that are associated with decision-making in complex organizations. Next, rational choice theory is utilized as a straw man for analyzing principal decision-making in complex organizations …

Molecular Prevalence Of Zoonotic Pathogens In Pet And Stray Dogs In Southern Taiwan, Tsung-Hung Feng, Chi-Chung Chou, Tsung-Ming Yeh, Yao-Chi Su, Yi-Ping Lu, Wen-Ling Shih, Chiang-Hua Chiang, Ching-Dong Chang, Shyh-Shyan Liu, Hung-Yi Wu, Han Hsiang Huang, Ming-Hui Liao

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The prevalence of important zoonotic diseases including Lyme disease, Q fever, heartworm disease, leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis in pet and stray dogs in southern Taiwan (Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County) was assessed using nested, semi-nested or traditional polymerase chain reaction. The correlations between the prevalence and regional demiographic data were also analyzed. Blood samples were randomly collected from pet and stray dogs monthly from September 2009 to August 2011. The PCR sensitivity for Borrelia burgdorferi was 10 pg, 100 fg for Coxiella burnetii, 1 pg for Dirofilaria immitis, 100 pg for Leptospira spp. and 10 fg for Toxoplasma gondii, respectively, in …

Factors Affecting Treatment Outcome Of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor: A Retrospective Study, Pansawut Sudjaidee, Suppawiwat Ponglowhapan, Padet Tummaruk, Kaywalee Chatdarong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Canine transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) is a contagious neoplastic disease commonly seen in tropical and subtropical areas in the countries where the control of stray dog population is poor. This study aimed to summarize the current disease status and evaluate factors affecting treatment outcome to vincristine sulfate, which is the chemotherapeutic drug of choice. Studied factors were divided into three categories; general background (i.e. age, gender, breed), specific descriptions (i.e. tumor diameter, tumor site, season of the year), and treatment details (number of vincristine shots, meteorological parameters). One hundred and fifty-seven medical records were included with 100 achieved complete treatments …

Effect Of Physical Therapy Program After Surgical Correction Of Medial Patellar Luxation In Small Breed Dogs, Anchalida Wiputhanuphongs, Kumpanart Soontornvipart, Prawit Janwantanakul

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Physical therapy, especially after surgery, is very important to improve or maintain the quality of patient’s life. Nowadays, it still have limited knowledge about physical therapy, especially post-surgical correction of patellar luxation which common seen in small breed dogs. This study aimed to compare the effects of physical therapy program in small breed dogs after surgical correction of patellar luxation. 20-MPL-Chihuahua (n=15) and Pomeranian (n=5) dogs were enrolled in this study with both genders, age 1 to 7 years old and body condition score of 3/5. Post-operative period the patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Ten animals were in …

Misconceptional Views About Epilepsy Exist Across Social Class System Of Society, Shoaib Rao, Bakhtyar Ali Shah, Nimra Altaf, Fazal M. Arain

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Epilepsy affects over 1% of population worldwide. Studies have shown that although our understanding about epilepsy has come a long way, misconceptions about its etiology and treatment exist in rural slums. However, no study has been conducted to see whether such misconceptions exist in middle and upper socio-economic class. This study aims to explore the existence of misconceptions and social stigma in the middle and upper socio-economic class. Materials and Methods: We conducted a survey-based study about epilepsy on 227 participants, belonging to middle and upper socio-economic class. Results: The symptoms of generalized tonic-clonic seizures were correctly described by participants. …

Frequency Of Depression In Patients With Stroke, Muhammad Adnan Aslam, Ahsan Numan, Muhammad Arif, Abubaker Siddueiq

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Stroke is a common neurological problem and the third leading cause of death in developed countries of the world. Among survivors, over 50% develop significant disabilities including neuro-psychiatric disabilities. Post stroke depression (PSD) is a common but less reported condition among survivors. Objectives: To determine the frequency of depression in patients with stroke. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Neurology, Services Hospital, Lahore from January, 2014 to December, 2014 over a period of 1 year. A total of 100 cases having stroke minimum 1 month ago, were recruited in the study. For evidence of …

Vascular Cognitive Impairment In First Ever Ischemic Stroke Survivors, Sarfraz Ahmed Mahesar, Raheel Ahmed Channa, Alam Ibrahim Siddiqui

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are highly prevalent in Pakistan. Post stroke dementia (PSD) is one of the main causes of dependency in survivors and includes any dementia after a stroke, irrespective of its cause, which includes vascular, degenerative, or mixed. Many Independent survivors have residual physical or cognitive deficits, or behavioral changes which can affect family life and have professional consequences. Study design: Cross sectional study at Department of Neurology CMC Hospital Larkana from Aug-2014 to Jan-2015 to find out frequency of dementia in first ever ischemic stroke patients, its severity and outcome. Methods: Study approved from ethical …

Audit Of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy In The Treatment Of Obstructive Hydrocephalus, Hayat Mohammad Khan, Naeemul Haq, Muhammad Usman, Ramzan Hussain

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

To analyze various aspects of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus. Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from September 2010 to April 2011. All patients who underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy were included in the study. Data was analyzed on SPSS version sixteen. Results: Total of 59 patients were included in the study. Thirty two patients were male and 27 were female. Most of the patients presented with headache, vomiting and loss of consciousness. The procedure was successful in 69 percent of cases. Common operative complication was …

Therapeutic Efficacy Of L-Ornithine L-Aspartate In Patients With Hepatic Encephalopathy, Fadieleh Aidrus, Salma Razzaque, Afshan Siddiqui, Ajeet Kumar, M. Ishaq Ghaur

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

To determine the efficacy of ornithine-aspartate in reducing blood ammonia levels and clinical improvement, as a part of treatment in hepatic encephalopathy. Material & method: A randomized placebo controlled trial was conducted in 2013 in Jinnah medical and dental college hospital Korangi Karachi. One hundred patients with hepatic encephalopathy due to underlying chronic liver disease were randomly assigned into two groups with 50 patients each. One group received three days of ornithine-aspartate infusions (trial-treatment group) and the other group received three days of infusion of placebo (placebo group). Serum ammonia was measured in both groups on day 1 and day …

Serum Calcium And Magnesium Abnormalities In Patients With Status Epilepticus: A Single Centre Tertiary Care Experience, Uzma Jamil, Mazhar Badshah, Ali Zohair Nomani, Muhammad Irshad, Jamal Janjua

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Electrolyte imbalances frequently cause seizures, and these seizures may be the sole presenting symptom. Seizures are especially common in patients with sodium disorders, hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Successful management of patient seizures begins with the establishment of an accurate diagnosis of the underlying electrolyte disturbance, because rapid identification and correction of the disturbance is necessary to control seizures and prevent permanent brain damage. Objectives: To delineate the percentage of people with status epilepticus having calcium and magnesium deficiencies at admission. Methods: The study was carried out from April 2013 to October 2013 at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, Pakistan. …

Efficacy Of Memantine In Treating Patients With Fibromyalgia, Sameen Khalid, Bashir A. Soomro, Zahida Mahmood

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

To evaluate the efficacy of Memantine as a therapeutic intervention for fibromyalgia. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted between October 2014 and December 2014. A total of 30 subjects with diagnosed fibromyalgia presenting to a private neurology clinic in Karachi, Pakistan were selected through purposive sampling technique. Adult patients belonging to both genders were included in the study. Patients were treated with incremental doses of Memantine. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and associations were made using Chi square test with p-value of less than 0.05 taken as significant. Results: Out of 30 patients, 2 (6.7%) were males and …

Movement Disorders Care In Pakistan, Nadir A. Syed

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Earlier discussions about a professional society relating to movement disorders took place about a decade ago and were felt to be a little premature. However PSN nominated Dr Nadir Ali Syed to promote movement disorders related activities. Dr Nadir worked with patients to form a patient centered body, the Pakistan Parkinson's Society which has been quite active in the last several years.