Diseases Commons^™

Does Unemployment Decrease Cancer Mortality?, Benjamin Torres Galick

Economics Honors Projects

Recent research indicates that healthier lifestyles during recessions decrease the most common U.S. mortalities, but not cancer. However, they combine specific cancer mortalities with different progressions into one, possibly obscuring cancer’s link to unemployment. This paper estimates a fixed-effects regression model on unemployment and the nine most prevalent cancers between 1988 and 2002 using state-level panel data. Five cancers and total cancer are procyclical, and suggest that unemployment affects both incidence and gestation for some cancers. Consistent with the medical literature, this paper contradicts previous economic research and suggests that behavioral factors significantly impact cancer mortality.

The Role Of Inflammation In The Early Radiation Response, Christy Marie Wilson

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Radiation is one of the principal treatments for adults and children with brain tumors, and is one of the oldest established treatments for tumors of all types. Currently, the limiting factor for the use of radiation is the effect on normal tissue adjacent to the tumor. Toxicity, including early and late effects from radiation, limits the dose administered to the tumor and reduces the probability of cure. This work has three aims in its attempt to understand and limit early radiation damage: characterize the role of the inflammatory molecules tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in …

Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue Management, Becca Gillis

Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy Theses and Projects

The purpose of this Master’s Project was to research Multiple Sclerosis and to gather a significant amount of knowledge to thoroughly understand this disease and the effects it may have on an individual diagnosed with MS. More specifically and as previously stated, fatigue is a very common and often debilitating symptom of MS. As a result, this project was directed toward helping us, as students and future occupational therapists, to become fatigue management experts by learning how to intervene and teach fatigue management/energy conservation courses to a population of individuals largely impacted by this disease. In addition, it was our …

The Role Of Interferon Gamma In The Regulation Of Il-18 Binding Protein And The Development Of Autoimmune Arthritis In A Genetically Non-Susceptible Mouse Strain, Timothy Daniel Kayes

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The etiology of the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unknown, but the role of cytokines, including IFN-g, as effectors of immune cell function has been established by the examination of cytokine production in RA patients and through the use of animal models. C57BL/6 (B6) mice that express MHC class II molecules of the b haplotype (I-A^b) are not typically susceptible to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), the most widely studied animal model of RA. When the gene encoding IFN-g is removed by genetic deletion, however, susceptibility to CIA is conferred. In addition, T cell responses against the immunogen that …

Modeling On-Farm Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Population Dynamics, P Ayscue, Cristina Lanzas, R Ivanek, Y T. Grohn

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a potentially fatal foodborne pathogen with a putative reservoir for human infection in feedlot cattle. In order to more effectively identify targets for intervention strategies, we aimed to (1) assess the role of various feedlot habitats in E. coli O157:H7 propagation and (2) provide a framework for examining the relative contributions of animals and the surrounding environment to observed pathogen dynamics. To meet these goals we developed a mathematical model based on an ecological metapopulation framework to track bacterial population dynamics inside and outside the host. We used E. coli O157:H7 microbiological and epidemiological literature to …

Effect Of Obesity On The Traditional And Emerging Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors In African American Women, Queen Obiageli Henry-Okafor

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Obesity is a growing health care concern with cardiovascular disease (CVD) implications. African American women (AAW) have the highest prevalence rate of obesity and highest CVD morbidity and mortality rate of all ethnic groups. The traditional CVD risk factors have not been sufficient to explain this disparity in disease prevalence and outcomes. Current knowledge is limited regarding the interaction between various levels of adiposity and both traditional and emerging CVD risk factors, particularly in AAW. This study sought to explore these interactions.

Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational analysis of 48 AAW ages 18 to 45 …

Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, Heart Rate Variability, And Fitness In Obese African American Youth, Belinda J. Fleming

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose. The purposes of this dissertation were to (1) explore the relationships among fitness, heart rate variability (HRV), inflammation and components of the Metabolic Syndrome in obese African American youth participating in a supervised weight management program, (2) examine the effect of change in severity of obesity on these variables, and (3) identify predictors of weight loss.

Method. This study consisted of a post-hoc analysis of existing pre and post-intervention data obtained from 50 African-American youth (70% female, aged 7-18 years). Anthropometric assessment of height, weight, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, body mass index percentile …

Modeling On-Farm Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Population Dynamics, P Ayscue, Cristina Lanzas, R Ivanek, Y T. Grohn

Cristina Lanzas

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a potentially fatal foodborne pathogen with a putative reservoir for human infection in feedlot cattle. In order to more effectively identify targets for intervention strategies, we aimed to (1) assess the role of various feedlot habitats in E. coli O157:H7 propagation and (2) provide a framework for examining the relative contributions of animals and the surrounding environment to observed pathogen dynamics. To meet these goals we developed a mathematical model based on an ecological metapopulation framework to track bacterial population dynamics inside and outside the host. We used E. coli O157:H7 microbiological and epidemiological literature to …

Feasibility Study Of Liquid-Based Cytology For Post-Treatment Surveillance Of Patients With Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Wendy Likes

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction: Colposcopy and tissue biopsy remain the gold standard for diagnosing vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Vulvar colposcopy is fairly nonspecific. As a result, many women undergo unwarranted painful biopsies. Vulvar cytology, which is relatively painless, inexpensive and allows a larger area to be sampled, may likely reduce false negative diagnoses. However, previous cytological studies that used conventional methodologies were largely unsuccessful in diagnosing VIN. In this study, liquid based cytology and HPV typing by PCR have been assessed as possible alternatives to biopsy for follow-up surveillance of women treated for VIN.

Methods: Women with a history of VIN and a …

The Combined Effect Of In-Situ Tumor And Irradiation On Peritumoral Brain Vasculature, Janice Ann Zawaski

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

In the USA, 200,000 brain tumors are diagnosed each year with glioma representing 8.4% of the 200,000. The standard treatment for glioma consists of surgical resection, when possible, followed by radiation therapy (RT) and/or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is one of the most effective treatments of brain tumors; however, the therapeutic ratio of RT is limited by damage to the normal tissue. We hypothesize that tumor growth has an adverse effect on the peritumoral tissue through the angiogenic/inflammatory environment it creates rendering it susceptible to further damage by RT which may be prevented by using anti-angiogenic/anti-inflammatory agents. We have developed a …

Does Admission Hyperglycemia Predict Intracranial And Extracranial Vasculopathy, Ather Mohammed Taqui, Ayeesha Kamral Kamal, Saqib Ali Gowani, Bhojo Asumal Khealani, Shafquat Rozi

Community Health Sciences

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between admission hyperglycaemia and the presence and pattern of intracranial and extracranial vascular disease.METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at a major tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Patients who had presented with acute stroke and had undergone a carotid ultrasound Doppler of the carotids and/or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the brain were included in the study. A multiple logistic regression analysis of variables was done for an abnormal finding on each investigation.RESULTS: Out of the total of 216 patients, the age of majority of the patients (83.3%) was > 50 years and 134 (62%) …

Associations Among Health Literacy Levels And Health Outcomes In Pregnant Women With Pregestational And Gestational Diabetes In An Urban Setting, Rosemary Ann Mclaughlin

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose/Objectives: Poor health literacy is a problem for over 45% of American adults and is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes. Low health literacy has been associated with poor prenatal care utilization and a higher likelihood of poorer glycemic control. Poor glycemic control can lead to poor birth outcomes for both the mother and infant. Health literacy levels of pregnant women with diabetes can influence these outcomes and need to be known early in the pregnancy. Interventions can influence tighter glycemic control and lessen the impact of diabetes for the mother and infant. Therefore, the purpose of this …

Pax5 Haploinsufficiency Cooperates With Bcr-Abl1 To Induce Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Christopher B. Miller

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the commonest pediatric malignancy and comprises several distinct subtypes each with its own unique pathogenesis, clinical behavior, and response to therapy. Chromosomal aberrations are a hallmark of ALL but alone fail to induce leukemia. Pediatric ALLs can be divided into several categories based on the expression of several genetically conserved chromosomal translocations including the t(9,22)[BCR-ABL1], t(1,19)[TCF3-PBX1], t(12,21)[ETV6-RUNX1], MLLrearranged leukemia’s, hyperdiploid and hypodiploid karyotypes, and T-lineage leukemia. Each translocation confers a characteristic transforming phenotype within the cell in which it originates but is alone insufficient to induce overt leukemia. …

Molecular Epidemiology Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa), Ilene Bautista

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent cause of a myriad of infections in hospitals, healthcare facilities and community settings. It is often related to skin and soft tissue infection, but it can also cause other diseases varying from food poisoning to endocarditis and toxic shock syndrome. According to a study by Kuehnert et al. (2006) there has been a strong association between Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) carriage and risk factors for subsequent infections. Subsequent infection from S. aureus , including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection, can be projected by looking at the presence of S. aureus nasal colonization. The purpose of …

Women's Health And Fitness Magazines: An Accurate Portrayal?, Jennifer M. Shymansky

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study is a content analysis examining the representation of health information, particularly the leading causes of death, in cover story headlines of one year of the top women's health and fitness magazines: Prevention , Shape , Fitness , Self , Health and Women's Health. The study is grounded in social responsibility theory, a normative media theory. The findings show that women's health and fitness magazines' cover story headlines predominately discuss diet and exercise for weight loss, rather than the leading causes of death facing women. This under representation of actual societal health concerns can limit the vast readerships' health …

Defining An Emerging Epidemic: Hcv Seroprevalence In A Large, Tertiary-Care Health Network In Pennsylvania, Margaret Hoffman-Terry Md, Facp, Joseph L. Yozviak Do, Facp, K Nadeem Ahmed Md, Sherrine Eid Mph, Timothy J. Friel Md, Kimberly A. Pacella, Luther Rhodes Iii Md

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Risk Factors For Persistent Problems Following Whiplash Injury: Results Of A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, David Walton

David Walton

No abstract provided.

A Huntington's Warrior Lays Down His Shield, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Our Economic Comeback And The Cure Industry, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

A Holiday Message: Hope For The Forsaken Of Huntington's, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

An Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model For Short-Term Prediction Of Hepatitis C Virus Seropositivity Among Male Volunteer Blood Donors In Karachi, Pakistan, Saeed Akhtar, Shafquat Rozi

Community Health Sciences

Aim: To identify the stochastic autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model for short term forecasting of hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity among volunteer blood donors in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: Ninety-six months (1998-2005) data on HCV seropositive cases (1000(-1) x month(-1)) among male volunteer blood donors tested at four major blood banks in Karachi, Pakistan were subjected to ARIMA modeling. Subsequently, a fitted ARIMA model was used to forecast HCV seropositive donors for 91-96 mo to contrast with observed series of the same months. To assess the forecast accuracy, the mean absolute error rate (%) between the observed and predicted HCV …

In A Time Of Crisis, The Best Investment Of All, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

The Generation Of Influenza-Specific Humoral Responses Is Impaired In St6gal I-Deficient Mice., Thandi M. Onami, J Zeng, H. M. Joo, B. Rajini, J. P. Wrammert, M. Y. Sangster

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

Posttranslational modification of proteins, such as glycosylation, can impact cell signaling and function. ST6Gal I, a glycosyltransferase expressed by B cells, catalyzes the addition of alpha-2,6 sialic acid to galactose, a modification found on N-linked glycoproteins such as CD22, a negative regulator of B cell activation. We show that SNA lectin, which binds alpha-2,6 sialic acid linked to galactose, shows high binding on plasma blasts and germinal center B cells following viral infection, suggesting ST6Gal I expression remains high on activated B cells in vivo. To understand the relevance of this modification on the antiviral B cell immune response, we …

Revisiting The Regulation Debate: The Effect Of Food Marketing On Childhood Obesity, Nicole E. Hunter

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

[Excerpt] “Despite the widespread concern regarding childhood obesity, there is broad divergence of opinion regarding responsibility for the crisis. Whether the government, food industry, or parents are accountable has become the focus of much debate. Public health groups have attempted various strategies to confront childhood obesity, such as litigation, legislation, and government regulation. While many researchers and advocates agree that government should play an affirmative role with respect to childhood obesity, they are very much divided over what that role should be. For example, although none of these acts has become law, eighty-six bills have been proposed regarding obesity since …

The Generation Of Influenza-Specific Humoral Responses Is Impaired In St6gal I-Deficient Mice., Thandi M. Onami, J Zeng, H. M. Joo, B. Rajini, J. P. Wrammert, M. Y. Sangster

Thandi M. Onami

Posttranslational modification of proteins, such as glycosylation, can impact cell signaling and function. ST6Gal I, a glycosyltransferase expressed by B cells, catalyzes the addition of alpha-2,6 sialic acid to galactose, a modification found on N-linked glycoproteins such as CD22, a negative regulator of B cell activation. We show that SNA lectin, which binds alpha-2,6 sialic acid linked to galactose, shows high binding on plasma blasts and germinal center B cells following viral infection, suggesting ST6Gal I expression remains high on activated B cells in vivo. To understand the relevance of this modification on the antiviral B cell immune response, we …

Associated Symptoms In The Ten Days Before Diagnosis Of Kawasaki Disease., Annette L. Baker, Minmin Lu, L Luann Minich, Andrew M. Atz, Gloria L. Klein, Rosalind Korsin, Linda Lambert, Jennifer S. Li, Wilbert Mason, Elizabeth Radojewski, Victoria L. Vetter, Jane W. Newburger, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: To describe common associated symptoms within the 10 days before diagnosis in subjects enrolled in the Pediatric Heart Network's trial of steroid therapy in Kawasaki disease (KD).

STUDY DESIGN: Patients with acute KD were enrolled between days 4 and 10 of illness at 8 centers between 2002 and 2004. We defined common associated symptoms as those occurring in >or=10% of patients. Principal clinical criteria for KD were not included in this analysis.

RESULTS: Among 198 patients, irritability was reported in 98 (50%), vomiting in 88 (44%), decreased food/fluid intake in 73 (37%), cough in 55 (28%), diarrhea in 52 …

Asian Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Registry: Study Protocolv, Mohammad Wasay, Ayeesha Kamal, Bhojo Khealani

Department of Medicine

Introduction:

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a well known but poorly reported entity. Most of the studies and registries related to CVT are reported from European countries. No large multi-center or multi- national data base or registry has been reported from Asian countries. CVT is not uncommon in Asia especially in south Asian subcontinent including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. One study reported from India that CVT accounted for half of all strokes in the young and 40% of strokes in women. Review of CVT cases from Asian countries is suggestive of differences in risk factors profile and outcome in these …

Fight Against Chronic Diseases (High Blood Pressure, Stroke, Diabetes And Cancer) In Pakistan; Cost-Effective Interventions, Mohammad Wasay, Abdul Jabbar

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Universal Screening For Extracardiac Abnormalities In Neonates With Congenital Heart Disease., Javier H. Gonzalez, Girish S. Shirali, Andrew M. Atz, Sarah N. Taylor, Geoffrey A. Forbus, Sinai C. Zyblewski, Anthony M. Hlavacek

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Extracardiac or genetic abnormalities (EGA) represent a factor in the morbidity of patients with congenital heart disease. We evaluated the way neonates with CHD are screened at our institution and determined the yield for the screening tests. We reviewed the charts of 223 neonates with structural CHD. Subjects were categorized into 6 groups: univentricular, left-sided obstructive lesions, right-sided obstructive lesions, septal defects, conotruncal defects (CTD), and other. We reviewed which patients underwent cranial ultrasonogram (CUS), abdominal ultrasonogram (AUS), and/or genetic studies (GS) as well as their results. There was a high prevalence of EGA in each group by CUS (32% …

Mechanisms Of Regulation Of Proximal Tubule Sodium Transporters In Obesity-Induced Hypertension, Marta A. Ambrozewicz

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Hypertension is one of the common complications of obesity. Using a rat model of diet induced obesity and hypertension we investigated some of the mechanisms that are involved in regulation of blood pressure in obesity. The first aim of this study was to determine the role of proximal tubule transporters on the renal sodium handling in obese hypertensive (OP) and lean normotensive (OR) rats. An acute increase in renal perfusion pressure resulted in a blunted natriuretic response in OP vs. OR rats and indicated that increased sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule is casual, at least in part, for hypertension …