Digital Commons Network^™

Lifestyle Factors, Medication Use And Risk For Ischaemic Heart Disease Hospitalisation: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study, Anthony S. Gunnell, K Einarsdottir, Daniel A. Galvao, S Joyce, S Tomlin, Vicki J. Graham, Caroline Mcintyre, Robert U. Newton, T Briffa

Research outputs 2013

Background:Lifestyle factors have been implicated in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) development however a limited number of longitudinal studies report results stratified by cardio-protective medication use.Purpose:This study investigated the influence of self-reported lifestyle factors on hospitalisation for IHD, stratified by blood pressure and/or lipid-lowering therapy.Methods:A population-based cohort of 14,890 participants aged 45+ years and IHD-free was identified from the Western Australian Health and wellbeing Surveillance System (2004 to 2010 inclusive), and linked with hospital administrative data. Adjusted hazard ratios for future IHD-hospitalisation were estimated using Cox regression.Results:Current smokers remained at higher risk for IHD-hospitalisation (adjusted HR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.22-2.03) after adjustment …

Review Of Ear Health And Hearing Among Indigenous Australians, Jane F. Burns, Neil J. Thomson

Research outputs 2013

Indigenous Australians experience some of the highest levels of ear disease and hearing loss in the world, with rates up to ten times more than those for non-Indigenous Australians [4]. Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to ear infections. The most common ear disease among Indigenous children is otitis media (OM), which is inflammation/infection of the middle ear typically caused by bacterial and viral pathogens. Indigenous children living in urban, rural and, particularly, remote areas, are more likely than their non-Indigenous counterparts to have OM at younger ages, more often, at a greater level of severity, and with more likelihood …

Is Electrical Muscle Stimulation Effective In The Progression Of Oral Feeding, For Patients With Dysphagia, Caused By A Stroke?, Kristen Iaconelli

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not electrical muscle stimulation is effective in the progression of oral feeding, for patients with dysphagia, caused by a stroke.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of 3 randomized controlled trials, published between 2008-2009.

DATA SOURCES: All 3 randomized controlled trials were found using the Cochrane database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: All 3 studies measured subjective swallowing function pre- and post-treatment, however, each trial differed in the way they measured this. Permsirivanich et al used a functional oral intake scale (FOIS), or a 7-point scale reflecting the patient’s report of …

Does Daily Intake Of Glucosamine Supplements Prevent The Need For Knee Replacements Later In Life For Adult Patients Predisposed To Osteoarthritis?, Nancy Helmy

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not daily intake of glucosamine supplements prevents the need for knee replacements later in life for adults predisposed to osteoarthritis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trial studies published between 2001 and 2008

DATA SOURCES: Three double blind randomized control trials comparing glucosamine supplements to placebo were found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes were measured using radiographic studies of the knees, joint space measurements, and symptoms were evaluated using Lequesne and WOMAC indexes.

RESULTS: The Reginster (2001) and Pavelka (2002) studies demonstrated no …

Does Yoga Aid In The Reduction Of Short-Term Anxiety In Adult Female Breast Cancer Patients?, Lora K. Brown

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not yoga aids in the reduction of short-term anxiety in adult female breast cancer patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, published between 2007 and 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one before and after comparison study were found using PubMed, Medline, and OVID. These studies analyzed yoga intervention in adult female breast cancer patients suffering from anxiolytic effects.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main outcomes measured were anxiety state level and symptom severity and distress experienced by patients through use of the …

A Novel Selective Lipid Uptake Pathway Contributing To Ldl-Induced Macrophage Foam Cell Formation, Jason M. Meyer

Theses and Dissertations--Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by cholesterol-rich plaques within the intima of medium and large arteries. Cholesterol deposition is thought to occur by infiltration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) into lesions followed by uptake into macrophages, generating lipid-loaded “foam cells.” Foam cells can also be generated in vitro by treatment of macrophages with LDL or oxidized LDL (oxLDL). The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the contribution of selective cholesteryl ester (CE) uptake versus whole-particle uptake during LDL-induced foam cell formation in cultured macrophages. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) exhibited significant cholesterol accumulation when treated with LDL as indicated …

Arkansas Animal Science Department Report 2012, David L. Kreider

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

No abstract provided.

Relationship Of Global Dna Methylation With Cardiovascular Fitness And Body Composition, Mihaela A. Ciulei, Michael Jarrett, James Navalta

McNair Poster Presentations

Global DNA Methylation (GDM), an epigenomic modification has been linked to the development of Cardiovascular Disease and its risk factors. The research focus is to identify the relationship between cardiovascular fitness measurements and epigen­etic alterations specific to chronic disease states in adult subjects. Twenty-six adult human subjects were required to complete a physical activity and diet questionnaire. Each individual donated a small blood sample (600 μL) in order for us to analyze the Global DNA Methylation (GMD). Then, their body composition was evaluated by us­ing the Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA Scan) machinery. The Pearson’s “r” value was used to reveal …

Practitioners' Use Of Clinical Practice Guidelines: An Evidence-Based Approach, Sondra Michelle Phipps Santana

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pre-diabetes is a serious health problem in the United States. Distinguished by plasma glucose levels that are above the normal threshold, patients with pre-diabetes are 10 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Patients with pre-diabetes suffer the same complications as patients with diabetes including diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and microalbuminuria.

There is considerable evidence to support the idea that early identification and aggressive treatment of pre-diabetes has the potential to delay disease progression. The American Diabetes Association’s clinical practice guideline recommends management of with lifestyle modification and metformin for patients who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. …

Plain Language Review Of Cardiovascular Health Among Indigenous Australians, Caitlin Gray

Research outputs 2013

This document summarises, in plain language, information about the cardiovascular health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It provides information about :

• the various cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors
• the extent of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including prevalence, hospitalisation and death rates
• types and levels of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CVD patients
• strategies and programs that aim to improve the cardiovascular health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The publication is a plain language summary of the Review of cardiovascular health among Indigenous Australians (2013) by …

Epidemiology Of Hospital Acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus In A Veterans Affairs Medical Center Spinal Cord Injury Unit: Fiscal Years 2008-2011, Rebecca B. Stone

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this retrospective case-control study was to assess risk factors contributing to hospital acquired methicillin Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) and gain a better understanding of the burden of HA-MRSA infection in patients with spinal cord injuries. The study was also conducted to see if new information would be found on HA-MRSA infections and validate or refute current research for patients in a dedicated spinal cord injury unit at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. During the study period, the infection control department identified 95 cases of HA-MRSA. Additional data retrospectively collected were basic demographics, admitting diagnosis, presence of varying comorbidities, …

Formative Development Of A Culturally Appropriate Mammography Screening Campaign For Low-Income African-American Women., Kimberly D. Leeks, Ingrid J. Hall, C. Ashani Johnson-Turbes, Ngozi Kamalu, Yasmine Zavahir

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The purpose of this qualitative study was to conduct a formative evaluation of messages and materials to inform the development of a promotional, health campaign designed to increase breast cancer screening awareness and utilization among low-income, uninsured African American women through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) in Savannah and Macon, Georgia (GA). A priority of CDC is to understand why women eligible for screening through the NBCCEDP do not participate in NBCCEDP screening services as well as to identify effective strategies for increasing enrollment among NBCCEDP-eligible women who have never received breast cancer screening. As …

Household Food Access And Child Malnutrition: Results From The Eight-Country Mal-Ed Study, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Maled Network Investigators, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Ali Turab, Didar Alam, Shahida Qureshi, Aisha Khizar Yousafzai, Syed Asad Ali, Imran Ahmed, Sajad Memon, Muneera Rasheed

Woman and Child Health

Background: Stunting results from decreased food intake, poor diet quality, and a high burden of early childhood infections, and contributes to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although food insecurity is an important determinant of child nutrition, including stunting, development of universal measures has been challenging due to cumbersome nutritional questionnaires and concerns about lack of comparability across populations. We investigate the relationship between household food access, one component of food security, and indicators of nutritional status in early childhood across eight country sites.
Methods: We administered a socioeconomic survey to 800 households in research sites in eight countries, including a …

The Impact Of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Bse) On World Protein Supply, Jarrod Kersey

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As world population, per capita income and urbanization increase, consumption of meat, poultry, milk and eggs will continue to rise to meet the needs of approximately nine billion people in 2050. Global beef, pig and chicken production and per capita consumption increased between 2000 and 2010, with growth in broiler production and consumption outpacing both beef and swine. The increased production and consumption requires readily available feed ingredients in regions where animal production is rapidly developing. Animal-based protein feed ingredients are often difficult to move from country to country due to real or perceived risk of animal disease. Zoosanitary standards …

Behavioral Changes For African Americans To Improve Health, Embrace Culture, And Minimize Disparities, Dashiel J. Geyen Ed.D., M.P.H.

The Bridge: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Legal & Social Policy

In spite of significant advances in the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of most chronic diseases, there is evidence that racial and ethnic people of color tend to receive lower quality of care and less preventive interventions than the majority members of a community. While our health system should improve its efforts at addressing and reducing disproportionality in health care, African Americans can make behavioral changes through diet and exercise that will reduce their susceptibility to chronic illnesses. This article first reviews the prevalence, disparities, and characteristics of chronic diseases impacting the African American population. Second, it discusses culturally connected practices …

Visual Performance, And It's Response To Intervention, In Subjects With Age-Related Macular Degeneration., Sarah Sabour-Pickett

Doctoral

Abstract Objectives: 1. To explore visual performance status through a range of psychophysical methods beyond corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), in subjects with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 2. To investigate the effects on these visual performance parameters in subjects with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nv-AMD) and in subjects with early AMD undergoing anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) therapy and macular carotenoid supplementation, respectively. 3. To understand the role of a supplement containing meso-zeaxanthin (MZ; the third, and currently least explored, macular carotenoid) on the augmentation of macular pigment (MP), on visual performance and on disease progression (graded according to the …

Eating Behaviors Of Older Adults Participating In Government-Sponsored Programs With Different Demographic Backgrounds, Yeon Bai, Shahla M. Wunderlich, Joseph Brusca, Johnson-Austin Marti, Michelle O'Malley

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

The purpose of this study was to determine the food behaviors of nutritionally high-risk seniors as a function of their racial background, gender, marital status, and education level. A total of 69 seniors were identified to be at high nutritional risk using the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) checklist. A supplemental questionnaire (SQ) was created to examine the risk factors in relation to the participant’s demographic background. Key results indicated that Asians practiced healthy food behaviors and women were more likely to eat alone (p≤0.05). Married participants (90.9%) were most likely to consume 2 meals or more each day. College educated …

Storytelling And Healing: The Influence Of Narrative On Identity Construction Among Hiv Positive Individuals In Kisumu, Kenya, Kimberly Leon

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The principle objective of this Independent Study Project is to investigate the influence of storytelling as a counseling method on conceptions of HIV among HIV positive individuals in the city of Kisumu. Interviews with counselors, community health workers, and HIV support group members were used to determine the role of storytelling in the counseling process. Stories and life experiences were gathered and analyzed in order to extract themes and draw a relationship between the act of storytelling and a person’s perception of their HIV status. Data was collected at various support groups in the Kisumu area and through the help …

We Are… Bridging Medicine And Science Vol. 1, Issue 2, Fall 2012, Marshall University Biomedical Sciences

We Are... Bridging Medicine Science

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Dental Hygienists In Conducting Rapid Hiv Testing, Anthony J. Santella, Susan H. Davide, Marilyn Cortell, Winnie Furnari, Janet Tuthill

Publications and Research

Expanding rapid HIV testing in the dental setting may increase the number of individuals who are aware of their HIV status and can begin medical care and social support services if seropositive and appropriate.

Pediatric Pharmacogenomics: A Systematic Assessment Of Ontogeny And Genetic Variation To Guide The Design Of Statin Studies In Children., Jonathan B. Wagner, J Steven Leeder

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The dose-exposure-response relationship for drugs may differ in pediatric patients compared with adults. Many clinical studies have established drug dose-exposure relationships across the pediatric age spectrum; however, genetic variation was seldom included. This article applies a systematic approach to determine the relative contribution of development and genetic variation on drug disposition and response using HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors as a model. Application of the approach drives the collection of information relevant to understanding the potential contribution of ontogeny and genetic variation to statin dose-exposure-response in children, and identifies important knowledge deficits to be addressed through the design of future studies.

Nutrition And Diabetic Management In Urban Kenya, Madeline Jackson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This Independent Study project sought to identify the changes in nutrition from the traditional Luo culture to the new urban setting and explore the management, perceptions and prevalence of Type II diabetes in an increasingly urban area. The focus was on Type II diabetes since the majority of disease burden stems from this acquired form of the diabetes. Through speaking with elderly community members and shadowing the first line diabetic treatment centers in Kisumu, an assessment of the relationship between changing nutrition and diabetic management showed numerous gaps in the system that will continue to increase unless something is done. …

Interstage Mortality After The Norwood Procedure: Results Of The Multicenter Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial., Nancy S. Ghanayem, Kerstin R. Allen, Sarah Tabbutt, Andrew M. Atz, Martha L. Clabby, David S. Cooper, Pirooz Eghtesady, Peter C. Frommelt, Peter J. Gruber, Kevin D. Hill, Jonathan R. Kaltman, Peter C. Laussen, Alan B. Lewis, Karen J. Lurito, L Luann Minich, Richard G. Ohye, Julie V. Schonbeck, Steven M. Schwartz, Rakesh K. Singh, Caren S. Goldberg, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: For infants with single ventricle malformations undergoing staged repair, interstage mortality is reported at 2% to 20%. The Single Ventricle Reconstruction trial randomized subjects with a single morphologic right ventricle undergoing a Norwood procedure to a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (MBTS) or a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery shunt (RVPAS). The aim of this analysis was to explore the associations of interstage mortality and shunt type, and demographic, anatomic, and perioperative factors.

METHODS: Participants in the Single Ventricle Reconstruction trial who survived to discharge after the Norwood procedure were included (n = 426). Interstage mortality was defined as death postdischarge after the …

Situation Analysis Of Child Labour In Karachi, Pakistan: A Qualitative Study, Asaad Ahmed Nafees, Kausar S. Khan, Zafar Fatmi, Mubashir Aslam

Community Health Sciences

In Karachi, large employment opportunities, burgeoning population and the availability of cheap labour might be the contributing factors for the increasing prevalence of child labour. A literature review was conducted in 2007 that included published and unpublished literature since 2000. Various organizations working in the field were also covered, while the perception of the child labourers was covered through three focus group discussions. Common health issues among the child labourers in Karachi included respiratory illnesses, fever and generalised pains, as well as drug and sexual abuse. Organisations working for child labour could be broadly categorised into those working for legal …

Optimizing Network Connectivity For Mobile Health Technologies In Sub-Saharan Africa, Mark J. Siedner, Alexander J. Lankowski, Derrick Musinga, Jonathan Jackson, Conrad Muzoora, Peter W. Hunt, Jeffrey N. Martin, David Bangsberg, Jessica E. Haberer

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) technologies hold incredible promise to improve healthcare delivery in resourcelimited settings. Network reliability across large catchment areas can be a major challenge. We performed an analysis of network failure frequency as part of a study of real-time adherence monitoring in rural Uganda. We hypothesized that the addition of short messaging service (SMS+GPRS) to the standard cellular network modality (GPRS) would reduce network disruptions and improve transmission of data.

Methods: Participants were enrolled in a study of real-time adherence monitoring in southwest Uganda. In June 2011, we began using Wisepill devices that transmit data each time the …

Carrs Surveillance Study: Design And Methods To Assess Burdens From Multiple Perspectives, Manisha Nair, Mohammed K. Ali, Vamadevan S. Ajay, Roopa Shivashankar, Viswanathan Mohan, Rajendra Pradeepa, Hassan Mehmood Khan, Muhammad Masood Kadir, Zafar Fatmi, K Srinath Reddy, Nikhil Tandon, Km Venkat Narayan, Dorairaj Prabhakaran

Community Health Sciences

Background: Cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) are a growing public health problem, but data on incidence, trends, and costs in developing countries is scarce. Comprehensive and standardised surveillance for non-communicable diseases was recommended at the United Nations High-level meeting in 2011.
Aims: To develop a model surveillance system for CMDs and risk factors that could be adopted for continued assessment of burdens from multiple perspectives in South-Asian countries.
Design: Hybrid model with two cross-sectional serial surveys three years apart to monitor trend, with a three-year prospective follow-up of the first cohort.Sites: Three urban settings (Chennai and New Delhi in India; Karachi in …

Serial Analysis Of The Gut And Respiratory Microbiome In Cystic Fibrosis In Infancy: Interaction Between Intestinal And Respiratory Tracts And Impact Of Nutritional Exposures, J. C. Madan, D. C. Koestler, B. A. Stanton, L. Davidson, L. A. Moulton, M. L. Housman, J. H. Moore, M. F. Guill, H. G. Morrison, M. L. Sogin, T. H. Hampton, M. R. Karagas, P. E. Palumbo, J. A. Foster, P. L. Hibberd, G. A. O’Toole

Dartmouth Scholarship

Pulmonary damage caused by chronic colonization of the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung by microbial communities is the proximal cause of respiratory failure. While there has been an effort to document the microbiome of the CF lung in pediatric and adult patients, little is known regarding the developing microflora in infants. We examined the respiratory and intestinal microbiota development in infants with CF from birth to 21 months. Distinct genera dominated in the gut compared to those in the respiratory tract, yet some bacteria overlapped, demonstrating a core microbiota dominated by Veillonella and Streptococcus. Bacterial diversity increased significantly over time, …

Green Tea Extract Protects Against Fibrogenesis Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Diet-Induced Obese Rats, Allyson M. Bower

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Frequency Of Poor Quality Of Life And Predictors Of Health Related Quality Of Life In Cirrhosis At A Tertiary Care Hospital Pakistan, Om Parkash, Romaina Iqbal, Fatima Jafri, Iqbal Azam, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

Background

Cirrhosis produces variety of symptoms which eventually lead to a negative impact on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). The general aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of poor HRQOL and to assess factors related with HRQOL in patients with CLD in Pakistan.

Findings

This was a cross sectional study conducted in gastroenterology outpatient clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi on adult patients with cirrhosis. In this study chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) was used to assess HRQOL of these patients and CLDQ score was used as an outcome measure to determine factors related with …

Utilization Of A Metabolic Syndrome Index In Evaluating The Life In Balance Lifestyle Intervention For Prevention Of Type 2 Diabetes Among Urban American Indians And Alaska Natives, Hongbin Jin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: A myriad of diabetes prevention programs modeled on the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) are carried out worldwide to fight against the current diabetes pandemic. The percentage of weight reduction is a widely used indicator to evaluate diabetes prevention programs. However, weight change alone may not fully reflect the efficacy of lifestyle intervention. A metabolic syndrome index is a promising novel scale for evaluation of diabetes prevention programs because it is a systematic, comprehensive, and stable indicator that reflects the metabolic risk reduction for diabetes and its complications at multiple levels and dimensions.

Methods: A total of 22 overweight and …