Digital Commons Network^™

Evolution Of The Air Toxics Under The Big Sky Program, Nancy Marra, Diana Vanek, Carolyn Hester, Andrij Holian, Tony Ward, Earle Adams, Randy Knuth

Public and Community Health Sciences Faculty Publications

As a yearlong exploration of air quality and its relation to respiratory health, the “Air Toxics Under the Big Sky” program offers opportunities for students to learn and apply science process skills through self-designed inquiry-based research projects conducted within their communities. The program follows a systematic scope and sequence designed to first lay a strong foundation, followed by activities intended to expand understanding, and ending with a final step aimed at achieving retention of content and principles learned. The foundation consists of content regarding environmental health sciences and human health. The next level guides students during their independent study projects …

Influence Of Sexual Education On Sexual Behavior And Contraceptive Use Among 15 To 19 Year-Olds At Colégio Azevêdo Fernandes In Salvador, Brazil, Julia Still

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Although sexual health education provided by the government through schools has shown positive results, such as those distributed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, it is not the only source, nor the most implemented source, in which adolescents are exposed to and gain knowledge on the subjects of sexual behavior and sexual health. Just as Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child details, parents, schools and communities play important roles in the process of sexual education and are required to provide guidance and direction to youth (Pan American Health Organization, 2010). In addition to sexual health …

Uptake Of Nanoparticles Of Cerium Oxide And Yttrium Oxide By Acanthamoeba Castellanii (Protozoa) And Daphnia Magna (Crustacea), James R. Palmieri, Geneva Gehring, Catherine Minichino, Shaadi F. Elswaifi

Virginia Journal of Science

Currently, nanoparticles are synthesized and used at an unprecedented rate for industrial, medical, and research applications. The use of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONP) and yttrium oxide nanoparticles (YtONP) results in their spread as contaminants into the environment. Once in the environment, CeONP and YtONP can be taken up by organisms in the food chain where they may pose a public health risk. In this study we determine whether Acanthamoeba castellanii and Daphnia magna uptake CeONP or YtONP from their environment and thereby play a role in the transmission of the nanoparticles. Using electron microscopy, orgranisms exposed to the nanoparticles were …

Role Of Breastfeeding And Current Lifestyle On Maternal Long-Term Weight Change, Denise R. Hinds

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Evidence suggests that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding is associated with health benefits to children and nursing mothers beyond the period of breastfeeding. Studies that support the role of breastfeeding in postpartum weight change primarily focused on short-term weight change (within 12 to 24 months postpartum) (Binns et al. 2003; Lederman 2004; Johnson et al. 2006), while few focused on the association between breastfeeding and long-term weight change (5 years or more postpartum) (Rooney, Schauberger et al. 2005).

Purpose: This study investigated the role of breastfeeding in long-term weight change, specifically 1) whether breastfeeding protects against weight gain, and 2) …

Can Water Professionals Transform Pharmaceutical Disposal Practices Of Hospice Nurses?, Jennifer L. Mccoy, Kimberly P. Holland

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects (Full IR Collection)

This project is an explanatory case study that illustrates the problems associated with pharmaceutical disposal in regard to water quality. The purpose of the study is to investigate the current pharmaceutical disposal practices of hospice nurses, the attitudes of hospice nurses regarding current pharmaceutical disposal practices, and explore ways to educate the hospice community about the concerns associated with flushing pharmaceuticals. The study consisted of reviewing secondary research, completing a survey, forming a focus group, implementing a pilot study, and developing an education plan and outreach materials.

The researchers partnered with two local nonprofit organizations, Georgia Association of Water Professionals …

An Observation Of Immunological Effect, A Diet Enhanced With Spirulina And Treatment With Fractalkine In Models Of Parkinson's Disease, Mibel M. Pabón

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In my dissertation research we used use human wild type α-synuclein gene expression using an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV9) that induced a slowly progressive loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the Substantia nigra (SN) as one of our animal model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is our hypothesis that neuroinflammation predisposes the brain to susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. Thus we examined the progression of a PD lesion and examined the manipulations of the immune system to understand further the inflammatory role when we administered exogenous soluble fractalkine.

The specific etiology of neurodegeneration in PD is unknown, but the inflammatory mechanisms …

Engineered Nanomaterials: Exposures, Hazards, And Risk Prevention, Robert A. Yokel, Robert C. Macphail

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Nanotechnology presents the possibility of revolutionizing many aspects of our lives. People in many settings (academic, small and large industrial, and the general public in industrialized nations) are either developing or using engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) or ENM-containing products. However, our understanding of the occupational, health and safety aspects of ENMs is still in its formative stage. A survey of the literature indicates the available information is incomplete, many of the early findings have not been independently verified, and some may have been over-interpreted. This review describes ENMs briefly, their application, the ENM workforce, the major routes of human exposure, some …

Threshold Regression Models Adapted To Case-Control Studies, And The Risk Of Lung Cancer Due To Occupational Exposure To Asbestos In France, Antoine Chambaz, Dominique Choudat, Catherine Huber, Jean-Claude Pairon, Mark J. Van Der Laan

U.C. Berkeley Division of Biostatistics Working Paper Series

Asbestos has been known for many years as a powerful carcinogen. Our purpose is quantify the relationship between an occupational exposure to asbestos and an increase of the risk of lung cancer. Furthermore, we wish to tackle the very delicate question of the evaluation, in subjects suffering from a lung cancer, of how much the amount of exposure to asbestos explains the occurrence of the cancer. For this purpose, we rely on a recent French case-control study. We build a large collection of threshold regression models, data-adaptively select a better model in it by multi-fold likelihood-based cross-validation, then fit the …

An Exercise In Molecular Epidemiology: Human Rhinovirus Prevalence And Genitics, Catherine J. Albright, David J. Hall

Chemistry Department Faculty Publications

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is one of the most common human respiratory pathogens and is responsible for the majority of upper respiratory illnesses. Recently, a phylogeny was constructed from all known Ameri- can Type Culture Collection (ATCC) HRV sequences. From this study, three HRV classifications (HRVA, HRVB, and HRVC) were determined and techniques for classifying new isolates of HRV were reported. The genetic change of this virus in specific populations over time is of great interest to understand the evolution and epidemiology of viruses. To facilitate the collections of HRV sequences over a number of years, a virology experiment was designed …

Developing Countries, Vaccine Access And Influenza Outbreaks: Ethics And Global Health Governance When Facing A Pandemic, Shawn Smallman

International & Global Studies Faculty Publications and Presentations

The threat posed by influenza pandemics raises serious ethical issues, as well as questions of global health governance. In order to create pre-pandemic vaccines, global health authorities need access to virus from regional outbreaks. But because the countries where these outbreaks occur are unlikely to benefit from the vaccine, they are sometimes reluctant to share this seed stock, and may try to make proprietary arrangements with pharmaceutical companies, as briefly occurred in Indonesia. Although these arrangements may increase developing countries' access to vaccine, they hamper the global cooperation necessary to prepare for influenza outbreaks. Developing countries, in contrast, point to …

Evaluation Of Xmx/2l-Mil Virtual Impactor Performance And Capture And Retention Of Aerosol Particles In Two Different Collection Media, Jon E. Black

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force uses the XMX/2L-MIL (XMX) high volume air sampler to collect samples for biological analysis. The XMX uses a virtual impactor to concentrate particles 1.0 to 10 μm in size into a secondary flow prior to sample collection using a liquid impinger in a collection tube. There are no known published studies regarding virtual impactor inter-instrument variability, effect of reducing the secondary flow on particle concentration, or capture and retention efficiency (CRE) of particles in the collection media performance characteristics when using the XMX. These performance characteristics were evaluated by lofting test aerosols of Arizona Road …

Characterization Of Graphite Composite Material Particulates From Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Operations, Richard E. Yon

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the benefits of their material properties, advanced composite materials (ACM) are increasingly being used as structural components on aircraft, especially within the United States Air Force. As a result, the potential exists for occupational exposures to structural maintenance employees while repairing and fabricating aircraft components. Two field studies were conducted for this thesis in order to characterize ACM aerosol size distribution, determine the feasibility of utilizing direct reading instruments (DRIs) in the field, and ensure workers are protected with adequate controls. In order to characterize exposure, traditional integrated air sampling and DRIs were positioned together near an ACM …

Combating Biological Terrorism From Imported Food, Jeffrey S. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

There is a threat that a terrorist or terrorist organization will use access to the US food supply to kill or sicken Americans by contaminating imported food products from Mexico. The food that Americans eat is coming more and more often from foreign countries such as Mexico. Foodborne diseases infect nearly fifty million people in the US each year, resulting in over three thousand deaths. There are many terrorist organizations that would like to deliberately contaminate American food. Drug cartels and terrorist organizations currently operate in Mexico, one of the leading food importers into the US. The purpose of this …

Development Of Optimized Guidelines For Therapeutic Strategies For Organophosphate Poisoning, Craig A. Holder

Theses and Dissertations

Organophosphates such as nerve agents have been used on several occasions in the past to inflict harm upon military and civilian populations in various parts of the world. The threat of these chemicals use against the military and civilians continues today, and the suggested treatment guidelines available may be ineffective or possibly cause harm. The guidelines investigated during the research presented here all included the use of two antidotes, atropine and oxime. The efficacy of oximes has been questioned and it has been suggested that they may cause harm to the patient. Both atropine and oxime are issued to military …

The Epidemiology Of Human Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis In Virginia, 2002 And 2003, Marilyn Goss Haskell

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To describe a sample that received human rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) in Virginia as a result of animal exposures in 2002 and 2003 and to determine the extent to which PEP decisions were appropriate.Methods: PEP surveillance data were requested from 35 Virginia health districts within 5 regions. Retrospective chart review was used to gather demographic, exposure and source animal data from patient records and animal exposure reports. Descriptive statistics are presented. True exposures and appropriateness of PEP were defined using the 2004 Virginia Rabies Control Guidelines and the Recommendations of the 1999 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The 2003 …

Second-Hand Smoke In A University Campus: Attitudes And Perceptions Of Faculty, Staff And Students, Cecilia M. Watkins, Sandeep Mishra, Herpreet Kaur Thind, Srinivasa B. Gokarakonda, Grace Lartey, Monia Chahal

Public Health Faculty Publications

Purpose: To examine the attitudes and perceptions of faculty, staff and students concerning tobacco policies at a university campus in a tobacco producing state. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to faculty, staff and students to assess knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke on campus. A 3-wave e-mailing was used to send the questionnaire. Results: A total of 2,914 individuals responded to the questionnaire. Majority (60%) of the participants believed a smoke free policy would be a positive move and could possibly improve the quality of life for the campus community, while not negatively affecting …

Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Survival Among Men Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer In Texas, Arica L. White, Ann L. Coker, Xianglin L. Du, Katherine S. Eggleston, Melanie Williams

CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles

BACKGROUND:

To the authors' knowledge, few studies to date have examined racial differences in prostate cancer survival while controlling for socioeconomic status (SES). No such studies have examined this association in Texas, a large state with significant ethnic and racial diversity. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether racial disparities in survival for men diagnosed with prostate cancer in Texas from 1995 through 2002 remained after adjusting for SES, rural residence, and stage of disease.

METHODS:

A cohort of 87,449 men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer was identified from the Texas Cancer Registry. The SES measure was …

The Impact Of Bisphenol A And Triclosan On Immune Parameters In The U.S. Population, Nhanes 2003–2006, Erin M. Rees Clayton, Megan Todd, Jennifer B. Dowd, Allison E. Aiello

Publications and Research

Background: Exposure to environmental toxicants is associated with numerous disease outcomes, many of which involve underlying immune and inflammatory dysfunction.

Objectives: To address the gap between environmental exposures and immune dysfunction, we investigated the association of two endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) with markers of immune function.

Methods: Using data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we compared urinary bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan levels with serum cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody levels and diagnosis of allergies or hay fever in U.S. adults and children ≥ 6 years of age. We used multivariate ordinary least squares linear regression models to examine …

Maternal Health Behaviours During Pregnancy In An Irish Obstetric Population And Their Assocations With Socio-Demographic And Infant Characteristics, Roslyn Tarrant, Katherine Younger, Margaret Sheridan-Pereira, John Kearney

Articles

Objectives: To examine the prevalence and combined occurrence of peri-conceptional folic acid (FA) supplement use, smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy in a sample of women in Dublin, and determine the factors associated with these health behaviours.

Subjects/Methods: A prospective observational study (2004-2006) involving the recruitment of 491 pregnant women from antenatal clinics in a Dublin maternity hospital, with postpartum follow-up of 450 eligible mothers. Data on FA use, maternal smoking and alcohol consumption patterns during pregnancy were collected from the antenatal patient-administered questionnaire, which was completed by participants, and returned to the investigator on the day of recruitment. …

The Effects Of Consumption Of California Dried Mission Figs On Serum Lipid Concentrations In Hyperlipidemic Adults, Joycelyn M. Peterson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: The National Cholesterol Education Program and American Heart Association have recommended the use of functional or cholesterol-reducing foods, some categories of which include viscous or soluble fibers, soy protein, plant sterols, and nuts, as aids to reduce serum cholesterol concentrations. Figs are a rich source of viscous fiber and antioxidants. Fig consumption has not been studied in regard to effects in reducing serum lipid concentrations. In previous pilot data, increasing fig consumption for six weeks among volunteers was found to be feasible.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the consumption of California dried mission figs on serum lipid …

Circadian Rhythm Of Cortisol And Neighborhood Characteristics In A Population-Based Sample: The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, D. Phuong Do, Ana V. Diez Roux, Anjum Hajat, Amy Auchincloss, Sharon Merkin, Nalini Ranjit, Steven Shea, Teresa Seeman

Faculty Publications

Although stress is often hypothesized to contribute to the effects of neighborhoods on health, very few studies have investigated associations of neighborhood characteristics with stress biomarkers. This study helps address the gap in the literature by examining whether neighborhood characteristics are associated with cortisol profiles. Analyses were based on data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Stress study which collected multiple measures of salivary cortisol over three days on a population based sample of approximately 800 adults. Multilevel models with splines were used to examine associations of cortisol with neighborhood poverty, violence, disorder, and social cohesion. Neighborhood violence was significantly …

Effet Des Contaminants Sur La Résistance Mécanique Des Gants De Protection : Analyse Préliminaire, Patricia Dolez, Toan Vu-Khanh, Chantal Gauvin, Jaime Lara

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Dans de nombreux milieux de travail, comme par exemple l'usinage du métal, la mécanique automobile et la transformation alimentaire, la présence de risques mécaniques se produit souvent de manière simultanée avec celle de divers contaminants industriels, en particulier des huiles et des graisses. Ces composés peuvent éventuellement affecter la résistance des gants aux agresseurs mécaniques. Par ailleurs, certains modèles de gants peuvent subir des traitements de nettoyage afin de prolonger leur durée d'utilisation. Or, ceux-ci peuvent éventuellement provoquer une modification de leurs propriétés.

Cette étude avait pour objectif d'analyser de manière exploratoire trois aspects relatifs à l'effet des conditions réelles …

Seropositivity To Cytomegalovirus, Inflammation, All-Cause And Cardiovascular Disease-Related Mortality In The United States, Amanda M. Simanek, Jennifer Beam Dowd, Graham Pawelec, David Melzer, Ambarish Dutta, Allison E. Aiello

Publications and Research

Background: Studies have suggested that CMV infection may influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality. However, there have been no large-scale examinations of these relationships among demographically diverse populations. The inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) is also linked with CVD outcomes and mortality and may play an important role in the pathway between CMV and mortality. We utilized a U.S. nationally representative study to examine whether CMV infection is associated with all-cause and CVD-related mortality. We also assessed whether CRP level mediated or modified these relationships.

Methodology/Principal Findings: Data come from subjects $25 years of age who were tested for …

The Association Between Blood Pressure And Years Of Schooling Versus Educational Credentials: Test Of The Sheepskin Effect, Sze Yan Liu, Stephen L. Buka, Crystal D. Linkletter, Ichiro Kawachi, Laura Kubzansky, Eric B. Loucks

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Purpose

Attaining a degree may offer greater opportunities for health than years of schooling alone. This study examines whether there is a degree, or “sheepskin”, effect on the association between education and blood pressure.

Methods

Multivariable-adjusted ordinal and linear regression models assessed associations of years of schooling and degree attainment with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a sample of 552 adults aged 38–47 years.

Results

Years of schooling was inversely associated with systolic blood pressure adjusting for age, gender and race (β=−0.4, 95% CL:−0.7,−0.1 mmHg systolic blood pressure/year of schooling). Additional adjustment for mother’s education, childhood verbal intelligence quotient, …

Education And Levels Of Salivary Cortisol Over The Day In Us Adults, Jennifer B. Dowd, Nalini Ranjit, D. Phuong Do, Elizabeth A. Young, James S. House, George A. Kaplan

Faculty Publications

Background - Dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is hypothesized to be an important pathway linking socioeconomic position and chronic disease.

Purpose - This paper tests the association between education and the diurnal rhythm of salivary control.

Methods - Up to 8 measures of cortisol (mean of 5.38 per respondent) over two days were obtained from 311 respondents aged 18-70, drawn from 2001-2002 Chicago Community Adult Health Study. Multi-level models with linear splines were used to estimate waking level, rates of cortisol decline, and area-under-the-curve over the day, by categories of education.

Results - Lower education (0-11 years) was associated …

Child Work And Labour Among Orphaned And Abandoned Children In Five Low And Middle Income Countries, Rachel Whetten, Lynne Messer, Jan Ostermann, Kathryn Whetten, Brian Wells Pence, Megan Buckner, Nathan Thielman, Karen O’Donnell, The Positive Outcomes For Orphans (Pofo) Research Team

Faculty Publications

Background

The care and protection of the estimated 143,000,000 orphaned and abandoned children (OAC) worldwide is of great importance to global policy makers and child service providers in low and middle income countries (LMICs), yet little is known about rates of child labour among OAC, what child and caregiver characteristics predict child engagement in work and labour, or when such work infers with schooling. This study examines rates and correlates of child labour among OAC and associations of child labour with schooling in a cohort of OAC in 5 LMICs.

Methods

The Positive Outcomes for Orphans (POFO) study employed a …

2011 Report Of The Director Of Public Health - Social Inequalities In Health In Montreal. Progess To Date, Dr. Margaret Chan, World Health Organization

Mickey Leland Center Information Portal

In 1998, the Direction de santé publique de Montréal’s first annual report noted a 10-year difference between the average life expectancy of men living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods and of those in wealthy areas. Over a decade has gone by since this first portrait of Montrealers’ state of health was published and it is now time to measure the progress we have made. Therefore, the Director’s 2011 report is focused on social inequalities in health.

Fetal Erap2 Variation Is Associated With Preeclampsia In African Americans In A Case-Control Study, Lori D. Hill, Dashaunda D. Hilliard, Timothy P. York, Sindhu Srinivas, Juan P. Kusanovic, Ricardo Gomez, Michal A. Elovitz, Roberto Romero, Jerome F. Strauss Iii

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Preeclampsia affects 3-8% of pregnancies and is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. This complex disorder is characterized by alterations in the immune and vascular systems and involves multiple organs. There is strong evidence for a genetic contribution to preeclampsia. Two different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2) gene were recently reported to be associated with increased risk for preeclampsia in two different populations. ERAP2 is expressed in placental tissue and it is involved in immune responses, inflammation, and blood pressure regulation; making it is an attractive preeclampsia …

Cytogenetic Analysis Of An Exposed-Referent Study: Perchloroethylene-Exposed Dry Cleaners Compared To Unexposed Laundry Workers, James D. Tucker, Karen J. Sorensen, Avima M. Ruder, Lauralynn Mckernan, Christy L. Forrester, Mary Butler

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Significant numbers of people are exposed to tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, PCE) every year, including workers in the dry cleaning industry. Adverse health effects have been associated with PCE exposure. However, investigations of possible cumulative cytogenetic damage resulting from PCE exposure are lacking.

Methods

Eighteen dry cleaning workers and 18 laundry workers (unexposed controls) provided a peripheral blood sample for cytogenetic analysis by whole chromosome painting. Pre-shift exhaled air on these same participants was collected and analyzed for PCE levels. The laundry workers were matched to the dry cleaners on race, age, and smoking status. The relationships between levels of …

Evaluation Of Toxicological Effects Of Intra Tracheal Instilled Ceo2 Nanoparticles On The Heart Of Male Sprague-Dawley Rats, Radhakrishna Para

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The growing application of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NP) in several industrial products is likely to be associated with increased risk of inhalation and exposure. How the inhalation of CeO2 NP may affect cardiac structure and function has to our knowledge, not been examined. To examine whether inhalation of CeO2 NP affects cardiac structure and function, male Sprague Dawley rats underwent a single intra tracheal instillation of nanoparticles (7 mg/kg body weight). Animals were sacrificed 1, 3, 14, and 28 days after instillation and protein isolates from the hearts were examined for the presence of oxidative stress, autophagy and apoptosis. …