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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

2013

Epidemiology

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Association Of Individual And Combined Metabolic Risk Factors With Cancer, Ruchi Bhandari Dec 2013

Association Of Individual And Combined Metabolic Risk Factors With Cancer, Ruchi Bhandari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Introduction: The prevalence of metabolic risk factors (MRFs), individually and in the aggregate, is growing rapidly. There is limited biologic and epidemiologic evidence indicating an association between MRFs and cancer. The goal of this dissertation was to examine the association between individual and combined MRFs with subsequent risk of overall and site-specific cancers of the breast, digestive system, and lung.;Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis on the association between metabolic syndrome (a cluster of MRFs) and breast cancer was conducted. In addition, associations between MRFs and risk of overall and site-specific cancers were assessed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression …


Occupational Risk Factors In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Bent C. Doney Jan 2013

Occupational Risk Factors In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Bent C. Doney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes increased disability and mortality in the U.S. population. Approximately 15% of cases of COPD can be attributed to occupational exposure. There are gaps in the knowledge of the relationships between occupational exposure and COPD and further investigation can provide information helpful in improving COPD preventive strategies in the workplace. The objective of this project was to assess COPD prevalence in population based studies and characterize the relationship between COPD and occupational exposure.;Methods/Results: Three separate U.S. population-based cross-sectional studies of COPD were conducted. In the first study, a COPD job exposure matrix (JEM) was …


A Study Of Determinants Of Coping In Childhood Cancer Survivors, Lea Helene Mallett Jan 2013

A Study Of Determinants Of Coping In Childhood Cancer Survivors, Lea Helene Mallett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this research were to (1) determine the association between time since the completion of cancer treatment and the type of stressor (cancer-related versus non-cancer-related) identified; (2) determine whether the stressor identified (cancer-related or non-cancer-related) and strategies utilized to cope with that stressor change over time; (3) determine whether type of cancer and treatment are associated with specific coping strategies, and (4) determine if family characteristics (household structure, median household income, and presence of siblings) impact the endorsement and efficacy of coping strategies utilized to cope with a stressor.;BACKGROUND: Cancer alters children's lives in many ways, beginning …


The Association Of Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Biomarkers And Markers Of Inflammation, Diabetes Mellitus And Cardiovascular Disease, Omayma Alshaarawy Jan 2013

The Association Of Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Biomarkers And Markers Of Inflammation, Diabetes Mellitus And Cardiovascular Disease, Omayma Alshaarawy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are potent atmospheric pollutants, released into air during incomplete combustion of fuel, industrial or domestic coal, wood, cigarette smoke and other organic materials. In addition to being carcinogenic, several animal studies have reported positive associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and inflammation, oxidative stress and the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Occupational studies have reported positive associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Moreover, there is evidence that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons may cause disruption of the endocrine system. It is still not clear if lower background exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, independent of the adverse …