Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Investigation Of The Interest For A Nurse Re-Entry Program In Southeastern Ohio, Marsha K. Rodgers

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

In the United States and throughout the world there is a serious concern in the growing nursing shortage. Many recruitment and retention techniques are currently being used to ease the nursing shortage. One such avenue is a nurse re-entry program. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the interest for a RN re-entry program in southeastern Ohio.

The data collected during the investigation used both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Information was received through two survey questionnaires and two focus groups. The instruments were designed with the purpose of determining how many registered nurses were not working in …

A Study Of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid And Its Methyl Ester Used In In Vitro And In Vivo Systems Of Human Bladder Cancer, Vanaja Manivasager, Paul Wan Sia Heng, Jinsong Hao, Wei Zheng, Khee Chee Soo, Malini Olivo

Pharmaceutical Science and Research

The use of 5-aminolevulinic acid and its esters to induce endogenous porphyrins for the purpose of detection of epithelial cancers is being studied extensively in many centres around the world. The challenge is to prepare an efficacious formulation for the purpose of cancer detection. Photodynamic diagnosis of cancer using 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and its ester derivatives is being actively investigated. In this study, we compared ALA with ALA methyl ester (AME) derivative in terms of PpIX fluorescence intensity in in vitro and in vivo systems of bladder carcinoma. For the in vivo system consisting of RT112 xenografts, the modes of …

The Accelerated Residency Program: The Marshall University Family Practice 9-Year Experience, Stephen M. Petrany, Richard Crespo

Family and Community Health

Background: In 1989, the American Board of Family Practice (ABFP) approved the first of 12 accelerated residency programs in family practice. These experimental programs provide a 1-year experience for select medical students that combines the requirements of the fourth year of medical school with those of the first year of residency, reducing the total training time by 1 year. This paper reports on the achievements and limitations of the Marshall University accelerated residency program over a 9-year period that began in 1992.Methods: Several parameters have been monitored since the inception of the accelerated program and provide the basis for comparison …

Macro-Microscopic Fluorescence Imaging Of Human Npc Xenografts In A Murine Model Using Topical Vs. Intravenous Administration Of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid, Vanaja Manivasager, Paul Wan Sia Heng, Jinsong Hao, Wei Zheng, Khee Chee Soo, Malini Olivo

Pharmaceutical Science and Research

The use of 5-aminolevulinic acid to induce endogenous porphyrins for the purpose of detection of epithelial cancers is being studied extensively in many centres around the world. The challenge is to prepare an efficacious formulation of 5-ALA for the purpose of cancer detection. In this study, we compared two formulations of topical 5-ALA applications with intravenous administration in NPC/CNE-2 xenografts on balb/c nude mice. One of the formulations was a gantrez muco-adhesive patch and the other was a polyvinyl-pyrolidone muco-adhesive patch. The Karl Storz fluorescence endoscopy system was used to obtain macroscopic fluorescence images. Microscopic fluorescence imaging was done by …

Regulation Of Retinoic Acid Receptor Α By Protein Kinase C In B16 Mouse Melanoma Cells, Goran Boskovic, Dinakar Desai, Richard M. Niles

Biochemistry and Microbiology

We have previously found that retinoic acid stimulates the expression of protein kinase Cα (PKC) in B16 mouse melanoma cells. Because it has been reported that PKC can phosphorylate retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and alter its function, we determined whether changes in the level and/or activity of PKC could affect the expression or function of the RAR in B16 melanoma. Using in vivophosphorylation and band shift techniques, we could not demonstrate that altering PKC activity and/or protein level changed thein vivo phosphorylation of RARα. However activation of PKC resulted in increased RARα protein. Increased receptor protein correlated with …

Role Of Lipid Peroxidation And Antioxidant Enzymes In Omega 3 Fatty Acids Induced Suppression Of Breast Cancer Xenograft Growth In Mice, W. Elaine Hardman, Jesus Munoz Jr., Ivan L. Cameron

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Background:

Supplementing mice with high levels of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) increases the n-3 PUFAs in cell membranes, increases the susceptibility of the cells for lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreases the growth rate of mammary and other tumors. However, the results of an earlier study indicated that a factor in addition to LPO was involved in the reduction in tumor growth in n-3 PUFAs fed mice. Athymic mice bearing MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma xenografts, were fed fish oil concentrate (FOC) or control diets, with and without supplemental Vitamin E (2000 IU /kg diet) and were sacrificed both before …

Effect Of Student Involvement On Patient Perceptions Of Ambulatory Care Visits, Todd W. Gress, John A. Flynn, Haya R. Rubin, Lisa Simonson, Stephen Sisson, Traci Thompson, Frederick L. Brancati

Internal Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To determine if patient satisfaction with ambulatory care visits differs when medical students participate in the visit.

DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING: Academic general internal medicine practice.

PARTICIPANTS: Outpatients randomly assigned to see an attending physician only (N = 66) or an attending physician plus medical student (N = 68).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patient perceptions of the office visit were determined by telephone survey. Overall office visit satisfaction was higher for the “attending physician only” group (61% vs 48% excellent), although this was not statistically significant (P = .16). There was no difference between the …

Serotyping Group B Streptococci In A Small Community Hospital: An Analysis Of Distribution And Site Of Isolation, Jennifer M. Smith, Jason A. Rexroth, David G. Chaffin, Susan H. Jackman

Biochemistry and Microbiology

Objective: To determine the prevalence and site of isolation of different serotypes of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization or infection at a small community hospital.

Methods: GBS isolates were obtained from a small community hospital and were then serotyped as la, Ib, II, III, IV, V or non-typeable. Hospital records were reviewed for patient sex, age and pregnancy status as well as the site of GBS isolation.

Results: GBS serotypes Ia, III and V were most common and accounted for over 60% of the total number of isolates. Serotype Ia was most prevalent in reproductive-age females, while serotypes V and …

Murine Epidermal Cell Antigen (Skn)-Directed Autoimmunity Induced By Transfer Of Cd4+ T Cells, Susan H. Jackman, Shivaleela Keerthy, Giselle Perry

Biochemistry and Microbiology

While pathogenic T cells have been identified for several diseases with epithelial cell damage, an autoimmune T cell-mediated response targeted against a known keratinocyte antigen has not been reported. Previously we described an autoimmune response directed to the mouse epidermal cell antigens, Skn. For our murine model, primed Skn-immune lymphocytes are adoptively transferred to recipients, which develop lesions at the site of mild skin trauma. In this study we investigated the nature of the autoimmune component of the Skn response. A time-course study demonstrated a relationship between the number of primed Sknimmune cells injected and the severity of skin lesions …

Siva-1 Binds To And Inhibits Bcl-Xl-Mediated Protection Against Uv Radiation-Induced Apoptosis, Li Xue, Fei Chu, Yuan Cheng, Xiangjie Sun, Alip Borthakur, Manjunath Ramarao, Pramod Pandey, Mei Wu, Stuart F. Schlossman, Kanteti V. S. Prasad

Clinical & Translational Sciences

We previously cloned Siva-1 by using the cytoplasmic tail of CD27, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, as the bait in the yeast two-hybrid system. The Siva gene is organized into four exons that code for the predominant full-length Siva-1 transcript, whereas its alternate splice form, Siva-2, lacks exon 2 coding sequence. Various groups have demonstrated a role for Siva-1 in several apoptotic pathways. Interestingly, the proapoptotic properties of Siva-1 are lacking in Siva-2. The fact that Siva-1 is partly localized to mitochondria despite the absence of any mitochondrial targeting signal, it harbors a 20-aa-long putative amphipathic …

West Virginia Registered Dietitians' Knowledge And Attitudes Of Diabetes Care, Marie R. Gravely

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study addresses diabetes knowledge and attitudes of West Virginia dietitians as they relate to Medicare certified provider guidelines. A questionnaire was developed using the Diabetes Attitude Scale, questions from A CORE Curriculum for Diabetes Education, and demographic questions addressing length and type of practice, route to registration, and specialty credentials. Responses were analyzed to determine overall knowledge and attitude as well as how demographic information affects knowledge and attitude. Results indicated demographic information (except for specialty credentials and hours working with diabetes) did not have a significant effect on the dietitian’s diabetes knowledge and attitude. Specialty credentials did have …

An Evaluation Of Germ City : Finding A Suitable Design, Suzanne Cherie Lusher

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Evaluations are used to determine a program’s merit. “Germ City” utilizes experiential learning of adequate hand washing skills. An elementary school in southwestern West Virginia served to determine if the evaluation design for “Germ City” would prove to be an effective assessment for the hand-washing program. Four hundred and eighty-four participants completed an eight-question pre/post test; one hundred and forty-nine students underwent a hand quadrant evaluation. In addition, a soap and paper towel usage log was recorded. Fifty-four percent of the participants were male, forty-six percent female (n=483) with a mean grade level of 3.6 (n=484). Post test results indicated …

The Relationship Between Leadership Styles Of Nurse Managers And Staff Nurse Job Satisfaction In Hospital Settings, Jan Warner Ramey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between leadership styles of nurse managers and job satisfaction of registered staff nurses in hospital settings in an Appalachian state. Names and addresses of 7,190 registered staff nurses were obtained from the state Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses and 200 subjects were selected using simple random sampling. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire was used to measure leadership style of nurse managers as perceived by staff nurses. The Work Quality Index was used to measure job satisfaction of registered staff nurses. A positive, moderate correlation was found between job satisfaction …

Comparison Of Domestic Violence Outcomes Among Emergency Department Nurses, Pamela S. Neal

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between domestic violence education, organizational support, screening, danger assessment, safety planning, and referral practices among professional registered nurses in two ED settings.

Sample & Setting: A convenience sample of 63 professional registered nurses provided data from two EDs. An ED located in Kentucky where state mandated continuing education in domestic violence was required (n = 33) and an ED in West Virginia (n = 30) where mandated continuing education in domestic violence was not required was the setting for the study. The samples were separated based on nurses who …

Average Beverage Intake And Average Bmi In 2-5 Year Old Wic Children, Jenna Lynn Matthews

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Average Body Mass Index (BMI) and beverage intake were examined to determine if children who drank excessive amounts of beverages had a higher BMI than children who drank average amounts of beverages. Ninety-six WIC charts were reviewed. Average total fluid intake was 32.5 oz/day. For juice and total milk, the average intakes were 11.9 oz/day and 15.6 oz/day, respectively. The average intake of other drinks was 2.4 oz/day. Average BMI of children who drank excessive amounts and average amounts of total fluids was 16.143+1.60 and 16.457+1.90, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between BMI and the consumption of total …

A Mechanistic Study Of Myoglobin Nephrotoxicity, Jennifer L. Minigh

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Myoglobin is an endogenous protein that can become nephrotoxic under certain conditions such as crush injuries, drug overdose, and seizures where prolonged contraction of muscle leads to cell death and leakage of myoglobin. The mechanism of myoglobin-induced nephrotoxicity is not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to characterize the sequence and mechanistic events associated with the in vitro toxicity of myoglobin in renal cortical slices. Renal tissue was isolated from Fischer 344 rats. Slices of renal cortex were prepared by freehand. These slices were then incubated for 60-180 minutes with myoglobin (0-12 mg/mL) pretreated with 4 mM ascorbic …

Pkcα Translocation And Actin Remodeling In Contracting A7r5 Smooth Muscle Cells, Chenwei Li

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Recent research indicates that protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in smooth muscle contraction. Because PKC activation and specificity of substrate phosphorylation is believed to be associated with the relocalization of the enzyme to specific cell sites, we first investigated the subcellular translocation of PKCα in A7r5 smooth muscle cells by confocal microscopy through use of standard immunohistologic staining and PKCα - enhanced green fluorescent protein (PKCα -EGFP) fusion protein expression. PKCα was diffusely distributed throughout the cytosol in the unstimulated A7r5 cell. Upon stimulation with phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PDBu), PKCα was translocated primarily to either the …

Gender Differences In Gross And Fine Motor Abilities In Preschool Aged Children In West Virginia, Kelly R. Pennington

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in gross and fine motor abilities in preschool aged children in West Virginia. Subjects consisted of 21 males and 16 females. Data was collected via the West Virginia Educare Initiative using the Carolina Curriculum for Preschoolers with Special Needs. Results of this study indicate that there are no significant gender differences in either gross motor or fine motor abilities in preschool aged children.

A Survey Of Neonatal Suction Techniques Performed By Registered Nurses, Craig H. Register

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the suction practices of the registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Design. A descriptive research design was used to describe the suctioning practices of the registered nurse providing care to the neonatal patient.

Method. Data were collected through the use of demographic and knowledge questionnaires. Frequency and percentages of responses were determined. The independent samples t test was used to determine what, if any, differences in practice existed based upon nursing education, nursing experience, or NICU experience.

Findings. The results of this study demonstrated that the current practices were …

Characterization Of Host-Bacteria Interactions Contributing To Group B Streptococcus Colonization, Jennifer Marie Smith

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of life-threatening bacterial infections during the first three months of life. GBS is also a frequent cause of maternal postpartum infections. Both types of infections stem from maternal vaginal and/or rectal colonization with GBS in the perinatal period. Limited information is available concerning how the colonization process occurs and what role the host immune system may play in the establishment of persistent colonization by GBS. The complex interactions between the immune system and GBS normally should end in clearance of the bacteria. However, since colonization by GBS occurs in a large number …

A Comparison Of Perceived Stress Levels And Coping Styles Of Junior And Senior Students In Nursing And Social Work Programs, Robin L. Walton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in the perceived stress levels and the coping styles of junior and senior students in nursing and social work programs. The study used a descriptive comparative approach and was non[1]experimental. Research questions were developed to guide this research. The population for this research included all junior and senior nursing and social work students preparing for or in clinical courses at a selected university. The sample consisted of 89 nursing students and 33 social work students. Data was obtained through self-reported survey procedures. The researcher visited appropriate classrooms …

Ritalin And The Child, Valerie Vickers

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study focuses on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) the history of the disease, sufferers, individual accounts from sufferers, and both positive outcomes and negative repercussions of its treatment. Extensive secondary research and the collection of a personal account form the body of the work. The information focuses attention on key points regarding the historical background of ADHD, including: the discovery of the disease, change in categories of drugs used to control it, and the rate of evolution in thoughts on and treatment of the disease. Also researched are the various guidelines as well as ignored factors in the diagnosing …

Comparison Of Hydrostatic Weighing And Plethysmography Techniques For The Development Of Skinfold Prediction Equations For Children, Tomoko Tozuka

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Regression equations between skinfold (SKF) measurements and air displacement plethysmography (ADP) were determined 6 to 18 year old athletes (80 males / 34 females) using Pearson r correlation coefficients. Triceps and mid-calf SKF and percent body fat (%BF) by ADP were measured during an Athletic Ability Assessment at The HIT Center (Huntington, WV). A high relationship was found between SKF and %BF by ADP (males; r² = .76, females; r² = .74, all; r² = .77). Data from the subjects were compared with similar correlations determined between SKF and %BF by hydrostatic weighing (HW) from another study …

The Effects Of Regular Aerobic Exercise On Tension Headache, Brittany E. Canady

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A substantial portion of the population will suffer from headache at some point in their lives. This study examines the effect of a simple behavioral treatment for one of the two most common forms of headache, tension headache. Participants selected for the study were drawn from introductory psychology and exercise courses at Marshall University, reported having at least one tension headache per week, and exercised two or fewer times per week. Participants enrolled in an eight-week physical education aerobic exercise course through the university, and monitored their headache activity both during the class and through an eight-week baseline period. Participants …

Gravistimulation Of Pisum Sativum And Expression Of The Cell Membrane Expansin Proteins, Sherrine A. Ibrahim

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This thesis research investigates the regulation of gene expression in pea stems (Pisum sativum) after changes in orientation to gravity (gravistimulation). Specifically, this project examines the changes in extracellular soluble proteins due to gravistimulation in pea seedlings. This change in gravity alters the cellular growth pattern, which can be directly linked to enzymatic activity resulting in the expression of cell wall loosening proteins called expansins. This loosening of the cell wall matrix subsequently increases elasticity in growing cells, thus leading to an upward curvature of the stems. These changes in enzymatic activity and gene expression are crucial for …

Health Care Organization Managers Beware-Understand Your Ethical Constraints, Ashish Chandra, Andrew Sikula Sr.

Management Faculty Research

Review of the book Business Ethics in Healthcare: Beyond Compliance.(2001). Leonard J. Weber. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. 196 pp.