Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Impact Of Co-Active Coaching On Physically Inactive 12 To 14 Year Olds In Ontario, Paul Gorczynski, Jennifer Irwin, Don Morrow

Donald Morrow

No abstract provided.

Life Coaching As An Intervention For Individuals With Obesity, Courtney Newnham-Kanas, Jennifer Irwin, Don Morrow

Donald Morrow

No abstract provided.

Ssrn As An Initial Revolution In Academic Knowledge Aggregation And Dissemination, David Bray, Sascha Vitzthum, Benn Konsynski

Sascha Vitzthum

Within this paper we consider our results of using the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) over a period of 18 months to distribute our working papers to the research community. Our experiences have been quite positive, with SSRN serving as a platform both to inform our colleagues about our research as well as inform us about related research (through email and telephoned conversations of colleagues who discovered our paper on SSRN). We then discuss potential future directions for SSRN to consider, and how SSRN might well represent an initial revolution in 21st century academic knowledge aggregation and dissemination. Our paper …

Health Policy Newsletter Goes On-Line!, Anthony J. Frisby

Anthony J Frisby, PhD

No abstract available.

Incentives For Orphan Drug Research And Development In The United States, Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio, Enrique Seoane-Vazquez, Sheryl Szeinbach, Jay Visaria

Rosa Rodriguez-Monguio

Background The Orphan Drug Act (1983) established several incentives to encourage the development of orphan drugs (ODs) to treat rare diseases and conditions. This study analyzed the characteristics of OD designations, approvals, sponsors, and evaluated the effective patent and market exclusivity life of orphan new molecular entities (NMEs) approved in the US between 1983 and 2007. Methods Primary data sources were the FDA Orange Book, the FDA Office of Orphan Drugs Development, and the US Patent and Trademark Office. Data included all orphan designations and approvals listed by the FDA and all NMEs approved by the FDA during the study …

Physicians' Experiences With Brca1/2 Testing In Community Settings., Nancy L. Keating, Kathryn A. Stoeckert, Meredith M. Regan, Lisa Digianni, Judy E. Garber

Kathryn Sabella

Gender Specific Differences In The Pros And Cons Of Smoking Among Current Smokers In Eastern Kentucky: Implications For Future Smoking Cessation Interventions, Dana A. Hazen, David M. Mannino, Richard Clayton

David M. Mannino

This study investigated gender differences in the perceived “pros” and “cons” of smoking using the constructs of decisional balance (DB) and stage of change from the Transtheoretical Model. The population distribution for stage of change among a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 155 current smokers over 40 years was: precontemplation (22.6%), contemplation (41.9%), preparation (35.5%). Results of stepwise regression models indicated significant gender differences in DB were in the preparation stage of change; scores on the DB measure increased 3.94 points (95% CI: 1.94, 5.93) for male smokers. Interventions targeting the “pros” and “cons” of smoking may need to be gender …

Obstructive Lung Disease Models: What Is Valid, Jill M. Ferdinands, David M. Mannino

David M. Mannino

Use of disease simulation models has led to scrutiny of model methods and demand for evidence that models credibly simulate health outcomes. We sought to describe recent obstructive lung disease simulation models and their validation. Medline and EMBASE were used to identify obstructive lung disease simulation models published from January 2000 to June 2006. Publications were reviewed to assess model attributes and four types of validation: first-order (verification/debugging), second-order (comparison with studies used in model development), third-order (comparison with studies not used in model development), and predictive validity. Six asthma and seven chronic obstructive pulmonary disease models were identified. Seven …

Individuals' Use Of Care While Uninsured: Effects Of Time Since Episode Inception And Episode Length, Carole Gresenz, J. Rogowski, Jose Escarce

Carole Roan Gresenz

No abstract provided.

Towards Self-Organizing, Smart Business Networks: Let’S Create ‘Life’ From Inert Information, David Bray, Benn Konsynski

David A. Bray

We review three different theories that can inform how researchers can determine the performance of smart business networks, to include: (1) the Theory of Evolution, (2) the Knowledge-Based Theory of the Firm, and (3) research insights into computers and cognition. We suggest that each of these theories demonstrate that to be generally perceived as smart, an organism needs to be self-organizing, communicative, and tool-making. Consequentially, to determine the performance of a smart business network, we suggest that researchers need to determine the degree to which it is self-organizing, communicative, and tool-making. We then relate these findings to the Internet and …

Fluoranthene, But Not Benzo[A]Pyrene, Interacts With Hypoxia Resulting In Pericardial Effusion And Lordosis In Developing Zebrafish, Cole W. Matson, Alicia R. Timme-Laragy, Richard T. Di Giulio

Alicia R. Timme-Laragy

Previous research has documented several PAHs that interact synergistically, causing severe teratogenicity in developing fish embryos. The coexposure of CYP1A inhibitors (e.g. FL or ANF) with AHR agonists (e.g. BaP or BNF) results in a synergistic increase in toxicity. As with chemical CYP1A inhibitors, it has also been shown that CYP1A morpholinos exacerbate BNF-induced embryotoxicity. We hypothesized that a hypoxia-induced reduction in CYP1A activity in BNF or BaP-exposed zebrafish embryos would similarly enhance pericardial effusion and other developmental abnormalities. BaP, BNF, ANF, and FL exposures, both individually and as BaP+FL or BNF+ANF combinations, were performed under hypoxia and normoxia. CYP1A …

Application Of Two Machine Learning Algorithms To Genetic Association Studies In The Presence Of Covariates, Bareng As Nonyane, Andrea S. Foulkes

Andrea S Foulkes

Background - Population-based investigations aimed at uncovering genotype-trait associations often involve high-dimensional genetic polymorphism data as well as information on multiple environmental and clinical parameters. Machine learning (ML) algorithms offer a straightforward analytic approach for selecting subsets of these inputs that are most predictive of a pre-defined trait. The performance of these algorithms, however, in the presence of covariates is not well characterized. Methods and Results - In this manuscript, we investigate two approaches: Random Forests (RFs) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS). Through multiple simulation studies, the performance under several underlying models is evaluated. An application to a cohort …

Gene Set Enrichment Analysis For Non-Monotone Association And Multiple Experimental Categories, Rongheng Lin, Shuangshuang Dai, Richard D. Irwin, Alexandra N. Heinloth, Gary A. Boorman, Leping Li

Rongheng Lin

Background Recently, microarray data analyses using functional pathway information, e.g., gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and significance analysis of function and expression (SAFE), have gained recognition as a way to identify biological pathways/processes associated with a phenotypic endpoint. In these analyses, a local statistic is used to assess the association between the expression level of a gene and the value of a phenotypic endpoint. Then these gene-specific local statistics are combined to evaluate association for pre-selected sets of genes. Commonly used local statistics include t-statistics for binary phenotypes and correlation coefficients that assume a linear or monotone relationship between a …

Facing The Challenge Of Data Transfer From Animal Models To Humans: The Case Of Persistent Organohalogens, Alexander Suvorov, Larissa Takser

Alexander Suvorov

A well-documented fact for a group of persistent, bioaccumulating organohalogens contaminants, namely polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), is that appropriate regulation was delayed, on average, up to 50 years. Some of the delay may be attributed to the fact that the science of toxicology was in its infancy when PCBs were introduced in 1920's. Nevertheless, even following the development of modern toxicology this story repeats itself 45 years later with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) another compound of concern for public health. The question is why? One possible explanation may be the low coherence between experimental studies of toxic effects in animal models …

Incorporating Home Demands Into Models Of Job Strain: Findings From The Work, Family & Health Network, Karen Ertel, K. Koenen, L. Berkman

Karen A. Ertel

Objective—To integrate home demands with the Demand-Control-Support model to test if home demands interact with job strain to increase depressive symptoms. Methods—Data were from 431 employees in four extended care facilities. Presence of a child under age 18 in the household signified home demands. The outcome was depressive symptoms based on a shortened version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results—The association between job strain and depressive symptoms was moderated by social support (SS) and presence of a child in the household (child). There was no association among participants with high SS and no child, but a positive …

A New Application Of Spatiotemporal Analysis For Detecting Demographic Variations In Aids Mortality: An Example From Florida, Yuwen Chiu, Chiehwen Ed Hsu

Chiehwen Ed Hsu

The purpose of the present study was to characterize, geographically and temporally, the patterns of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) death disparity in 67 Florida jurisdictions, and to determine if the detected trends varied according to age, race, and sex. The space-time scan statistic proposed by Kulldorff et al was used to examine the excess AIDS deaths that occurred between 1987 and 2004. Results were geographically referenced in maps using EpiInfo and EpiMap made available by the Centers for Disease Control. Miami-Dade and the nearby counties including Broward, Martin, and Palm Beach are the most likely clusters (observed/expected: 1505.16) with …

Are Adolescents Smoking Identities Valid Descriptors Of Their Smoking Behaviour? (2008), Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Chris G. Richardson, Pamela A. Ratner, Joy L. Johnson

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Background

•Smoking identities represent psychosocial constructions of how adolescents who smoke perceive themselves in relation to their smoking behaviour

•These smoking identities converge (or diverge) with established taxonomies used to describe youth smoking behaviour

•The purpose of this study is to examine the validity of adolescents’ ‘smoking identities’ by comparing them to established smoking behaviour categorizations and perceived addiction to tobacco

Action Required: Revisiting Better Practices In Smoking Cessation Interventions For Pregnant Girls And Women (2008), Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli, Lorraine Greaves, Joan Bottorff, Lenora Marcellus, Charmaine Enns, Richard Stanwick

Chizimuzo T.C. Okoli

Background

•Despite considerable efforts by health care professionals, and an overall reduction in smoking prevalence, it is estimated that approximately 20% to 30% of pregnant women still smoke during pregnancy

•To date, smoking cessation interventions to reduce smoking during pregnancy and postpartum have been relatively unsuccessful. Despite the influx of research examining smoking and pregnancy over the last five years, the prevalence of smoking among pregnant and postpartum women has only slightly decreased

•Advice to quit smoking by health care providers, is associated with increased smoking cessation attempts in the general population. Also, studies have shown that smoking cessation interventions …

Personality Traits And Mental Health Treatment Utilization, Christopher J. Hopwood, Brian D. Quigley, Carlos M. Grilo, Charles A. Sanislow, Thomas H. Mcglashan, Shirley Yen, M. Tracie Shea, Mary C. Zanarini, John G. Gunderson, Andrew E. Skodol, John C. Markowitz, Leslie C. Morey

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

Recent theory and research suggest a relation between five-factor model personality traits and mental health treatment utilization, even after controlling for psychiatric disorders and global functioning. The current report further tests this hypothesis in a large clinical sample, using a wider array of treatment modalities than has been previously studied. Overall, results were limited and inconsistent. Although neuroticism was related to utilization across treatment modalities, many of these relationships resulted from its association with psychiatric diagnoses. Other traits showed limited and inconsistent relations to the use of psychosocial and psychiatric treatments.

Book Review 17 Me, Myself, And Why? The Secrets To Navigating Change By Lisa A. Mininni, William C. Mcpeck

William C. McPeck

This is my personal review of Me, Myself, and Why? The Secrets to Navigating Change by Lisa A. Mininni which was published in 2007 by PM Publishing.

Book Review 18 Make Room For Happiness By Steven Melemis, William C. Mcpeck

William C. McPeck

This is my review of Make Room for Happiness: 12 Ways to Improve Your Life By Letting Go of Tension. Better Health, Self-Esteem and Relationships by Steven Melemis, published by Modern Therapies in 2008.

Rules Of Engagement: Residents' Perceptions Of The In-Training Evaluation Process, Christopher Watling, Cynthia Kenyon, Elaine Zibrowski, Valerie Schulz, Mark Goldszmidt, Indu Singh, Heather Maddocks, Lorelei Lingard

Lorelei Lingard

BACKGROUND: In-training evaluation reports (ITERs) often fall short of their goals of promoting resident learning and development. Efforts to address this problem through faculty development and assessment-instrument modification have been disappointing. The authors explored residents' experiences and perceptions of the ITER process to gain insight into why the process succeeds or fails.

METHOD: Using a grounded theory approach, semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 residents. Constant comparative analysis for emergent themes was conducted.

RESULTS: All residents identified aspects of "engagement" in the ITER process as the dominant influence on the success of ITERs. Both external (evaluator-driven, such as evaluator credibility) …

Associations Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Folate Uptake And Metabolizing Genes With Blood Folate, Homocysteine, And Dna Uracil Concentrations, Lauren Devos, Aurelie Chanson, Zhenhua Liu, Eric Ciappio, Laurence Parnell, Joel Mason, Katherine Tucker, Jimmy Crott

Zhenhua Liu

Background—Folate is an essential nutrient that supports nucleotide synthesis and biological methylation reactions. Diminished folate status results in chromosome breakage and is associated with several diseases, including colorectal cancer. Folate status is also inversely related to plasma homocysteine concentrations—a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Objective—We sought to gain further understanding of the genetic determinants of plasma folate and homocysteine concentrations. Because folate is required for the synthesis of thymidine from uracil, the latter accumulating and being misincorporated into DNA during folate depletion, the DNA uracil content was also measured. Design—Thirteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in folate uptake …

Interprofessional Communication And Medical Error: A Reframing Of Research Questions And Approaches, Lara Varpio, Pippa Hall, Lorelei Lingard, Catherine Schryer

Lorelei Lingard

Progress toward understanding the links between interprofessional communication and issues of medical error has been slow. Recent research proposes that this delay may result from overlooking the complexities involved in interprofessional care. Medical education initiatives in this domain tend to simplify the complexities of team membership fluidity, rotation, and use of communication tools. A new theoretically informed research approach is required to take into account these complexities. To generate such an approach, we review two theories from the social sciences: Activity Theory and Knotworking. Using these perspectives, we propose that research into interprofessional communication and medical error can develop better …

Point-Of-Care Assessment Of Medical Trainee Competence For Independent Clinical Work, Tara Kennedy, Glenn Regehr, G. Baker, Lorelei Lingard

Lorelei Lingard

BACKGROUND: Clinical supervisors make frequent assessments of medical trainees' competence so they can provide appropriate opportunities for trainees to experience clinical independence. This study explored context-specific assessments of trainees' competence for independent clinical work.

METHOD: In Phase One, 88 teaching team members from internal and emergency medicine were observed during clinical activities (216 hours), and 65 participants completed brief interviews. In Phase Two, 36 in-depth interviews were conducted using video vignettes. Data collection and analysis employed grounded theory methodology.

RESULTS: Supervisors' assessments of trainee trustworthiness for independent clinical work involved consideration of four dimensions: knowledge/skill, discernment of limitations, truthfulness, and …

Childhood Sexual Abuse In Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: Results From Three Qualitative Studies., Sheldon Fields

Sheldon D. Fields

This report describes the high prevalence and context of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) across 3 independent qualitative studies. Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 87 Black MSM across 3 cities (Rochester, NY, n = 28; Lexington, KY /Atlanta, GA, n = 30; and Atlanta, GA, n = 29). A combined CSA prevalence of 32% (28/87) was found among the 3 samples, despite variation in geographic location, mean age, and sexual identification. Common themes emerging across the 3 samples included prolonged and repeated abuse by a close male relative; blaming of same-sex …

Chinese Journals: A Guide For Epidemiologists, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Chinese journals in epidemiology, preventive medicine and public health contain much that is of potential international interest. However, few non-Chinese speakers are acquainted with this literature. This article therefore provides an overview of the contemporary scene in Chinese biomedical journal publication, Chinese bibliographic databases and Chinese journals in epidemiology, preventive medicine and public health. The challenge of switching to English as the medium of publication, the development of publishing bibliometric data from Chinese databases, the prospect of an Open Access publication model in China, the issue of language bias in literature reviews and the quality of Chinese journals are discussed. …

Citation Of Non-English Peer Review Publications – Some Chinese Examples, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Articles published in English language journals with citations of non-English peer reviewed materials are not very common today. However, as epidemiologists are becoming more aware of data and information being readily available and accessible in the non-English literature, the question of whether non-English materials can be cited in English language journals and if so, how should they be cited, has become an increasingly important issue. Bringing together personal insights from the author's familiarity with both the English and Chinese language epidemiological literature and results from a survey on the use of citations of non-English peer reviewed materials across a sample …

Seek, And Ye Shall Find: Accessing The Global Epidemiological Literature In Different Languages, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

The thematic series 'Beyond English: Accessing the global epidemiological literature' in Emerging Themes in Epidemiology highlights the wealth of epidemiological and public health literature in the major languages of the world, and the bibliographic databases through which they can be searched and accessed. This editorial suggests that all systematic reviews in epidemiology and public health should include literature published in the major languages of the world and that the use of regional and non-English bibliographic databases should become routine.

Does Language Matter? A Case Study Of Epidemiological And Public Health Journals, Databases And Professional Education In French, German And Italian, Iacopo Baussano, Patrick Brzoska, Ugo Fedeli, Claudia Larouche, Oliver Razum, Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Isaac Chun-Hai Fung

Epidemiology and public health are usually context-specific. Journals published in different languages and countries play a role both as sources of data and as channels through which evidence is incorporated into local public health practice. Databases in these languages facilitate access to relevant journals, and professional education in these languages facilitates the growth of native expertise in epidemiology and public health. However, as English has become the lingua franca of scientific communication in the era of globalisation, many journals published in non-English languages face the difficult dilemma of either switching to English and competing internationally, or sticking to the native …