Digital Commons Network^™

Interactive Health Literacy And Self-Management Of Lung Cancer Symptoms, Julie Kieffer Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Patients with lung cancer experience multiple symptoms requiring self-management. Health literacy skills are necessary for obtaining and processing information related to symptom self-management. Interactive health literacy involves communicating with healthcare providers regarding health-related information, but the role of interactive health literacy in self-management is not clear. This study used a critical realist approach to address these specific aims: 1) explore interactive health literacy and how it relates to symptom self-management for patients with lung cancer; and 2) describe patients’ experiences of interactive with healthcare providers regarding symptom self-management for lung cancer. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional mixed methods …

An Evaluation Of The Healthfulness Of The Hospital Food Environment, Cynthia Elaine Horton Dias

Theses and Dissertations

Though nurses may have knowledge about the health promoting benefits of a healthy diet, many do not consume enough fruits or vegetables. For hospital shift nurses to achieve healthy eating while at work, environmental barriers were reportedly the most challenging to overcome. To better understand the hospital food environment from the nurses’ perspective, two mechanisms for workplace food acquisition were studied: 1.) hospital consumer food environment, which includes cafeterias, vending machines, and gift shops; and 2.) free food at work.

Through observations of 31 South Carolina hospitals using the Hospital Nutrition Environment Scan (HNES), descriptive data was collected to illuminate …

Maternal Preventive Dental Services Utilization: The Role Of Preconception Oral Health Counseling In And The Association With Birth Outcomes: Evidence From South Carolina Prams, Monique Johnette Williams

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to examine maternal preventive dental services utilization by analyzing the role of preconception oral health counseling in utilization of dental cleaning services before or during pregnancy and the association of utilization with preterm birth (<37 weeks) and small for gestational age (SGA) (same sex newborns having birth weight for gestational age below the 10th percentile of the reference population as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)). Studies suggest that unfavorable maternal oral conditions have significance in birth outcomes, specifically periodontal disease (periodontitis), an oral inflammatory condition which is shown to be a risk factor for preterm birth and low birth weight (Dortbudak et al., 2005; Guimarães et al., 2012; Tejada et al., 2012). Dental cleaning before and during pregnancy is effective in the prevention of oral disease including gingivitis and periodontitis (Johnson et al., 2006; Kurien et al., 2013; Steinberg et al., 2013).

Cross-sectional 2012-2015 data from the South Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (SC PRAMS) survey, a population-based surveillance system on prenatal, perinatal and postpartum experiences of resident mothers who recently delivered a live-born infant, were analyzed using weighted analyses in SAS. Analyses included demographic univariate analyses, Rao-Scott Chi-squared tests of significance to study differences between groups, and multivariate logistic …

Aging With Hiv In The United States: Trends And Impact Of Hospital Stays On Inpatient Resource Utilization, And Costs Of Care, 2003-2015, Khairul Alam Siddiqi

Theses and Dissertations

Background:

Due to advances in Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWH) live longer in the United States. Aging prolongs exposure to HIV and antiretroviral drugs, which could lead to an elevated risk of developing multiple age-related comorbidities [HIV Associated Non-AIDS (HANA) conditions], earlier for PLWH. Higher comorbidity burdens among older PLWH may require greater use of inpatient care, i.e., higher hospitalization, inpatient resource utilization, and costs. This study examined the trends and characteristics of comorbidities, resource utilization, and costs of hospital stays with HIV (HSWH) compared to hospital stays without HIV (HSWOH). We also assessed trends for resource …

Effectiveness Among Community Health Center Governing Boards: An Assessment Of The Different Governing Board Members’ Perspectives, Brandi L. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Governing boards of Community Health Centers were created with the anticipation that majority of its members be patients (users) of the Community Health Center they served. This study assessed South Carolina Community Health Center governing board members’ perception and understanding of what they believe their roles and responsibilities are, and their perceived overall effectiveness. It provides a framework for understanding the governance structure of Community Health Centers, based on examining three characteristic areas (Board Function, Board Performance and Board Development) of Community Health Centers located in South Carolina.

This study invited 234 governing board members to obtain members perceptions. Key …

Determinants Of Nutrition Agenda Setting In The Context Of The Double Burden Of Malnutrition In Tamil Nadu, India, Shilpa Vimalananda Constantinides

Theses and Dissertations

The double burden of malnutrition is increasing in low- and middleincome countries, with economic, social, and health consequences. Policies and programs to address malnutrition at the national and subnational levels reflect the priorities and framing of the problem by the stakeholder community. Previous studies have examined if and how nutrition-related NCDs have been included into national nutrition policy agendas that have historically focused on reduction of undernutrition, but little is known about if or how this process occurs at the subnational level where policies are translated and implemented according to local contexts, priorities, and frames of nutrition-related NCDs.

We aimed …

Kinematic And Acoustic Adaptation To A Bite Block During Syllable Production, Allison Marie Barney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to gain a better understanding of speech adaptation by examining kinematic and acoustic adaptation to bite block perturbation over time. Fifteen native American English speakers (7 female, 8 male) with no history of speech, language, or hearing deficits participated in the study. Custom bite blocks were created for speakers which created a 10mm interincisal gap when inserted. Speakers produced five repetitions of the sentence, I say ahraw /ərɑ/ (as part of a larger set) prior to bite block insertion, immediately following bite block insertion, 2-mintues post insertion, 4-minutes post insertion, 6-minutes post insertion, …

Leukemia Dhe Rëndësia E Kujdesit Infermieror Në Kualitetin E Trajtimit Të Pacientëve Me Këtë Sëmundje, Leonora Muhaxheri

Theses and Dissertations

Leukemia është sëmundje e kancerit që prek rruazat e bardha të gjakut, të cilat, për shkak të uljes së numrit, janë të paafta të kryejnë funksionin e tyre. Me shfaqjen e kësaj sëmundjeje përballemi me ulje të numrit të rruazave të kuqe, të hemoglobinës dhe të pllakëzave të gjakut. Sëmundja fillon me dobësi, lodhje të shpejtë, dhembje në muskuj dhe kocka, humbje oreksi, ngritje të vogla të temperaturës. Pas kësaj faze, sëmundja fillon vrullshëm. Tema e marrë në studim është një çështje shumë e rëndësishme për të kuptuar rolin dhe rëndësinë e kujdesit infermieror tek pacientët. Prandaj, leukemia si sëmundje …

Kujdesi Infermieror Në Menaxhimin E Infeksioneve Intrahospitalore, Sidorela Pulaj

Theses and Dissertations

Infeksionet intrahospitalore (brenda spitalit) ose të quajtura ndryshe infeksione nozokomiale përkufizohen si infeksione që nuk kanë qënë të pranishme apo nuk janë në fazën e inkubimit në momentin e pranimit te pacientit në spitale. Termi nozokomial ka origjinë nga greqishtja nozos (sëmundje) dhe komein (përkujdesje) dhe nënkupton infeksionet që janë marrë si rrjed- hojë e përkujdesjes mjekësore. Infeksionet intrahospitalore janë të gjitha infeksionet që mer- ren 48 orë deri në 72 orë pas shtrimit të pacjentit në spital, pra infeksionet spitalore janë marrja e një infeksioni tjetër plus gjatë qëndrimit në spital. (Misini, et.al, 2012).

Qëllimi i këtijë punimi ka …

The Impact Of Financial Incentives On Urban-Rural Disparities In Dental Supply: Evidence From Thailand, Rakchanok Noochpoung

Theses and Dissertations

Financial incentive is one of the common strategies used to attract healthcare workers in rural and remote areas. Both high-income and low-income countries extensively use financial strategy to tackle the disparity distribution of healthcare workers. However, most studies were conducted in developed countries and assessed positive incentives programs. Previous studies showed the effectiveness of financial incentives on recruitment and retention of healthcare workers. Current studies show that most of the financial incentives supported for education such as scholarships and loan repayment programs are effective. A few studies assessed the effectiveness of direct payment incentive programs, especially in low-middle income countries. …

Kujdesi Infermieror Tek Të Sëmurët Me Sëmundje Të Refluksit Gastroezofagial, Shkurte Sherifi

Theses and Dissertations

Ky punim është realizuar me qëllim të zgjerimit të njohurive të infermierëve të ardhshëm lidhur me kujdesin infermieror tek të sëmurët me refluks gastroezofagial, ku përmes këtij punimi synohet që të shtjellohet diagnostifikimi, preventiva, zhvillimi dhe mjekimi i Refluksit Gastroezofageal.

Lexuesit mundë të informohen rreth sëmundjes së refluksit gastroezofageal.Ky punim është bërë në kolegjin UBT Programi Infermieri si dhe në bashkpunim me Qendren Klinike Universitare të Kosovës QKUK në Prishtinë,ku të dhënat për numrin e pacientëve janë marrë nga Klinika e Gastroenterologjisë.

Mentori i temës është Prof.Dr.Zaim Gashi.

Punimi përfshinë: 43 faqe, 3 tabela, dhe 7 figura.

A Comparison Of Three-Dimensional Printing Technologies On The Precision, Trueness, And Accuracy Of Printed Retainers, Owais A. Naeem

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the precision, trueness, and accuracy of 3D printed orthodontic clear retainers produced using printer systems with various printing technologies.

Methods: Retainers (n=15) were printed using four different 3D printers: a stereolithography (SLA) printer, two different digital light processing (DLP and cDLP) printers, and a polyjet photopolymer (PPP) printer. The 3D printed retainers were transformed into a digital file through a cone-beam computed tomography scan that was compared to the original image using a 3D superimposition analysis software. At previously chosen landmarks (R6, L6, R3, L3, R1, L1) retainers …

Comparison Of Endodontic Treatment Planning Decisions Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography Versus Periapical Radiography In Previously Endodontically Treated Molars, Sarah Alkanderi

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if treatment plans differ when evaluating previously endodontically treated molars using periapical images (PA’s) alone versus PA’s and CBCT.

Methods: A retrospective cohort chart review was conducted including 67 previously treated molars that had a CBCT taken. Two calibrated board-certified endodontists evaluated standard PA’s. A data sheet questionnaire regarding radiographic findings and treatment plan decisions was completed. Two weeks later, the same steps were repeated but the examiners evaluated both PA’s and CBCT images and again arrived at a recommended treatment plan.

Results: Agreement between raters was assessed with Cohen’s Kappa …

“It’S Supposed To Be Super Easy And It’S Not”: Black And Latinx Student Experiences In The Doctor Of Physical Therapy Admissions Process, Melissa Yeung

Theses and Dissertations

Data provided by the Physical Therapy Central Application System (PTCAS) suggests that despite the large numbers of applicants to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs on an annual basis, a gap remains between the number of White and Black and Latinx applicants who are offered admission to DPT programs. Efforts made by DPT programs to increase the diversity of their incoming cohorts include the use of holistic review processes and enrichment programs to recruit more diverse classes. However, research suggests that the undergraduate experiences of students of color have an impact on their aspirations to graduate and professional schools, and …

Characteristics Of Alveolar Bone Marrow Cells From Patients Undergoing Dental Extractions Or Dental Implant Therapy, Meng H. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Alveolar bone marrow stromal cells (aBMSCs) play important roles in craniofacial wound healing. To establish an easy, efficient and reliable method to harvest aBMSCs, we compared three different methods: extraction socket aspiration, osteotomy aspiration and bone core digestion. Samples of aBMSC were collected from two groups of subjects. Group 1 (dental extraction): after dental extraction, 22.5-gauge needles were used to collect 0.5-1cc marrow aspirate. Group 2 (dental implant): during implant surgeries, bone core and 0.5-1cc marrow aspirate were obtained from the osteotomy. Samples were cultured in petri dishes and attached cells were expanded. The population doubling time (PDT), surface markers, …

Exploring The Use Of Pulsed Erbium Lasers To Retrieve A Zirconia Crown From A Zirconia Implant Abutment, Ahmed Elkharashi

Theses and Dissertations

Removal of zirconia crowns, commonly used as cement-retained implant fixed restorations, can be challenging. Conventional methods of crown removal are time consuming and often leave irreparable damage to the crown, which can be costly to patients and practitioners. This research explored the use of two different types of pulsed erbium lasers, erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser (Er:YAG) and erbium, chromium-doped yttrium, scandium, gallium and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG), as non-invasive tools to retrieve cemented zirconia crowns from zirconia implant abutments. Times needed to remove the crowns were recorded and analyzed using ANOVA (��=0.05). No statistical differences between the debond times of each …

Non-Invasive Retrieval Of Prefabricated Zirconia Crowns With Er,Cr:Ysgg Laser From Primary And Permanent Teeth, Connor W. Mccall Dds

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Compromised tooth structure on permanent and deciduous teeth in the pediatric population is increasingly being restored with tooth-colored prefabricated zirconia crowns. These restorations may need to be removed or replaced with permanent crowns. The purpose of this in vitro study was to explore the use of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser for removal of prefabricated zirconia crowns cemented with RMGI as a non-invasive alternative to rotary instruments.

Methods: Thirteen permanent and 12 primary molars were prepared to dentin and prefabricated zirconia crowns were passively fitted and cemented with two resin modified glass ionomer cements. The irradiation parameters for ErCR:YSGG were 4.5 …

Current Trends In The Management Of Invasive Cervical Resorption, Erik J. Foisy

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To determine how endodontic practitioners are currently managing cases of invasive cervical resorption. Also, to analyze how invasive cervical resorption (ICR) has been managed at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) over the past ten years.

Methods: Both domestic and international endodontists were invited to participate in a 14-question survey developed and administered via REDCap. Survey invitations were sent via email to currently practicing endodontists. Electronic dental records were queried for patients diagnosed with ICR at VCU in the preceding ten years. Results of both were summarized using descriptive statistics (counts and percentages). Fisher’s exact test was used to compare survey …

A Comparison In Pediatric Dental Website Design From A Guardian And Pediatric Dentists’ Perspective., David M. Voth

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This project aims to determine which aspects of pediatric dental practice websites are preferable to the guardians of pediatric dental patients and which of these aspects are currently available to guardians on the websites of pediatric dental practices across the United States. The comparison will reveal if practice websites are meeting the needs of the guardians of pediatric dental patients. Our hope is to provide meaningful guidance to pediatric dentists designing new practice websites and to provide the guardians of pediatric dental patients with an appealing online experience during their use of the aforementioned websites. Methods: A survey with …

Recovery From Visual Dysfunction Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Is Associated With Adaptive Reorganization Of Retinal Inputs To Lateral Geniculate Nucleus In The Mouse Model Utilizing Central Fluid Percussion Injury., Vishal C. Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality nationwide. Prevalence of mild TBI (mTBI) vastly outnumbers more severe forms however the associated morbidity has only recently gained public attention. Visual dysfunction is a significant component of mTBI associated morbidity with recovery of function linked with improvement in global outcomes. Examination of sensory and motor pathways in other brain injury paradigms support that recovery is largely dependent on adaptive plasticity of remaining connections. Current examinations of visual function recovery following mTBI is limited to identifying evidence for recovery and objective evidence for adaptive plasticity is limited. Therefore, …

Selenomonas Sputigena: Growth Conditions And Projected Virulence Factors Of An Emerging Oral Pathogen, Kayla A. Keller

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal diseases are ubiquitous diseases. They can affect people through a chronic infection that happens over a lifetime, but also as an aggressive infection that afflicts the younger population. It not only results in tooth loss and a lower quality of life, but it can also lead to fatal secondary infections like cervical cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. This study looks at Selenomonas sputigena, an emerging oral pathogen, that has been hypothesized to contribute to periodontal disease. It has been linked to fatal septicemia and has been found in increased abundance within the oral biofilm during peak infection. …

The Effect Of Print Angulation On The Accuracy And Precision Of 3d-Printed Orthodontic Retainers, Allison Williams

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The aims of this study were: 1) to compare the accuracy and precision of 3-

dimensional (3D) printed retainers at various angulations, 2) to evaluate the effect of angulation

on printing time and the amount of resin consumed.

Methods: Using a stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer, a total of 60 clear retainers were printed at five angulations (n=12, each): 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 degrees. Six retainers were printed each cycle at a random order for all print angulations as print 1 and print 2. Digital images of the original and printed retainers were superimposed. Discrepancies on eight landmarks …

Achieving Dentin Conservation Using Dynamic Navigation Technology For Locating Calcified Canals, Madison W. Saunders

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Pulp canal obliteration (PCO) is a common sequela of dental trauma, caries, restorations and vital pulp therapy procedures. Despite the application of high magnification and CBCT imaging, access cavity preparation for such cases is prone to procedural errors that may lead to substantial loss of dentin structure thereby reducing the long-term prognosis. This study aimed to achieve dentin conservation using a novel computer assisted dynamic navigation system (Navident) in comparison to freehand access preparation for locating calcified canals.

Methods: Forty maxillary and mandibular central incisors (tooth #9 and tooth #25) were 3-D printed to simulate PCO. They were randomly …

Amixicile As A Novel Antimicrobial Treatment For Periodontitis: A Pilot Study In The Non-Human Primate, Macaca Mulatta, Denver J. Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with a bacterial etiology in a susceptible host. Given the bacterial etiology, a selective antimicrobial agent with minimal side effects could be a useful adjunct to traditional therapy. Amixicile is a novel antimicrobial that targets the pyruvate: ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR) which is an enzyme that is critical for anaerobic bacterial metabolism. It has been found to have no effect on commensal, aerobic microbes and has little to no side-effects thus far in animal models. In this study, two nonhuman primates of the Macaca mulatta species with naturally occurring mild chronic periodontitis were studied before and …

Repeat Full Mouth Dental Rehabilitation Under General Anesthesia For Medicaid Eligible Healthy Children Who Are High Caries Risk, Lajoi E. Wiggins

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment of healthy children who are high caries risk and of low socioeconomic status and who require repeat full mouth dental rehabilitation (FMDR) under general anesthesia (GA).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on healthy Medicaid eligible patients who were initially between 18 months - 6 years of age who underwent FMDR under GA in the OR more than once at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry from January 2008 to December 2018. Biographical information for each patient was gathered into a REDCap™ Survey. Statistical analysis, chi-squared test with …