Digital Commons Network^™

Dentistry And Media Workshop, Linda C. Niessen

Linda Niessen

No abstract provided.

Commencement Address, Linda C. Niessen

Linda Niessen

No abstract provided.

Commencement Address, Linda C. Niessen

Linda Niessen

No abstract provided.

Aging & Oral Health: Implications For Restorative Dentistry, Linda C. Niessen

Linda Niessen

No abstract provided.

Safety Evaluation Of Licorice Consumption From Dietary And Phytotherapeutic Sources, Hans Wohlmuth, P Medeiros, R Lee, Don J. Brushett, Jacinta M. Arellano

Dr Hans Wohlmuth

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabraL.) contains the triterpenoid glycoside glycyrrhizic acid (GA), which has an intensely sweet taste and is used as a flavouring agent, mostly in confectionary products and tobacco. Licorice also has a long history of medicinal use and is listed in current editions of the British, European and Chinese pharmacopoeias. GA and its aglycone, glycyrrhetinic acid, competitively inhibit 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2, which converts active glucocorticoids to their inactive metabolites. Mineral corticoid-like effects can result, giving rise to pseudoaldosteronism characterised by hypokalemia, sodium retention, oedema and suppression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system with resulting hypertension.1,2

Licorice-induced pseudoaldosteronism is …

Psychological Capital, Adaptability, Coping With Change, And Employee Engagement In A Multinational Company, Richard E. Hicks, Eva-Maria Knies

Richard Hicks

The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) affected many organizations across the world. There are numerous studies that have examined the financial impacts on organizations and employees but few that have investigated the human capabilities and qualities of employees who survived the crisis. The current study examined the relationships among Psychological Capital (PsyCap: involving self-efficacy, optimism, hope and resilience), individual and organizational adaptability in handling change, and employee engagement after the GFC of 2009, in a multinational organization with headquarters in Europe. The sample totaled 183 employees from across Europe, the US, and Asia. The Psychological Capital Questionnaire, the Utrecht Work Engagement …

Making Wikipedia Work: Authentic Assessment And Research Skills In The Classroom, Kathleen Delaurenti, Christopher Delaurenti

Christopher DeLaurenti

Authentic Assessment aims to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of skills and ideas through real-world projects. This session will describe a faculty-librarian partnership to develop a semester-long Authentic Assessment project using Wikipedia to increase accessible information about women composers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Delayed Antibiotic Prescribing Strategies—Time To Implement?, Amanda Mccullough, P. Glasziou

Amanda McCullough

EXTRACT Despite growing concern over antibiotic resistance, global antibiotic use continues to rise.1 Outpatients in the United States used more than 30 million antibiotics for acute respiratory infections in 2010,2 yet those prescriptions offered minimal or no benefits for most patients. Since antibiotic use drives the development of antibiotic resistance, simple and effective interventions to curb antibiotic use and slow the development of resistance are urgently needed. A delayed prescription strategy is an intervention that may offer an acceptable compromise between immediate and no antibiotic prescription.

Suture Cruroplasty Versus Prosthetic Hiatal Herniorrhaphy For Large Hiatal Hernia: A Meta-Analys Is And Syste Matic Review Of Randomiz Ed Controlled Trials, Muhammed Ashraf Memon, Breda Memon, Rossita Mohamad Yunus, Shahjahan Khan

Muhammed Ashraf Memon

Objective:

The aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing 2 methods of hiatal closure for large hiatal hernia and to evaluate their strengths and flaws.

Methods:

Prospective RCTs comparing suture cruroplasty versus prosthetic hiatal herniorrhaphy for large hiatal hernia were selected by searching PubMed, Medline, Embase, Science Citation Index, Current Contents, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials published between January 1991 and October 2014. The outcome variables analyzed included operating time, complications, recurrence of hiatal hernia or wrap migration, and reoperation. These outcomes were unanimously decided to be important because they influence the …

Relative Cytotoxic Potencies And Cell Death Mechanisms Of Α1-Adrenoceptor Antagonists In Prostate Cancer Cell Lines, Amanda Forbes, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie, Russ Chess-Williams, Catherine M. Mcdermott

Catherine M. McDermott

Background:

Some α1-adrenoceptor antagonists possess anti-cancer actions that are independent of α1-adrenoceptors and the aim of these studies was to assess the relative cytotoxic potencies of α1-adrenoceptor antagonists and the mechanisms involved in these actions.

Methods:

PC-3 and LNCap human prostate cancer cells were exposed to α1-adrenoceptor antagonists (0.01-100μM) and cell survival assessed after 24-72hr. The levels of apoptosis, autophagy and stress related proteins were also determined.

Results:

The relative cytotoxic potency order was prazosin=doxazosin>terazosin=silodosin=alfuzosin>tamsulosin on both cell types, but LNCaP cells were significantly more sensitive to these effects than PC-3 cells. Prazosin and doxazosin increased levels of …

Autism In Toddlers Born Very Preterm, Margo A. Pritchard, Therese De Dassel, Elaine Beller, Fiona Bogossian, Linda Johnston, Jessica Paynter, Santo Russo, James Scott

Elaine Beller

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G) classifications in children born very preterm during their toddler years.

METHODS:

Two birth cohorts of toddlers (2 and 4 years old) each recruited over 12 months and born at <29 weeks' gestation were administered the Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers-Follow-up Interview (M-CHAT-FI) screen, the ADOS-G, and developmental assessments. The ADOS-G was conducted on toddlers with M-CHAT-FI-positive screens.

RESULTS:

Data were available on 88% (169/192) of children. In total, 22 (13%) toddlers screened positive and 3 (1.8%) were confirmed diagnostically with ASD. These 3 cases reached the highest ADOS-G threshold classification of autism. All but 1 child who scored below the ADOS-G thresholds (11/12) demonstrated some difficulty with …

Walking The Tightrope: Communicating Overdiagnosis In Modern Healthcare, Kirsten Mccaffery, Jesse Jansen, Laura D. Scherer, Hazel Thornton, Jolyn Hersch, Stacy L. Carter, Alexandra Barratt, Stacey Sheridan, Ray Moynihan, Jo Waller, John Brodersen, Kristen Pickles, Adrian Edwards

Ray Moynihan

Overdiagnosis and overtreatment have serious implications for individuals, healthcare systems, and society,1 2 and effective strategies are urgently needed to help the public, clinicians, and policy makers address this problem. Communication about overdiagnosis has been highlighted as essential for moving forward but presents several challenges, such as the potential to confuse the public, undermine trust, and adversely affect people who already have a diagnosis. Various communication based strategies offer real promise; we describe what is known and what we need to know to communicate effectively and safely about overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Validity Of A Food Frequency Questionnaire To Assess Nutritional Intake Among Sri Lankan Adults, Ranil Jayawardena, Nuala Byrne, Mario Soares, Prasad Katulanda, Andrew P. Hills

Nuala Byrne

Sri Lanka is undergoing nutritional transition and diet-related chronic diseases are emerging as an important health problem. Currently, no validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) exists to measure habitual dietary intake of Sri Lankan adults. The purpose of the study is to assess the validity of a semi-quantitative FFQ and 7-day weighed-intake dietary records (7DWR), designed to assess dietary intake among Sri Lankan adults. Dietary intake was measured using both a FFQ and 7DWR. The FFQ consisted of 8 food groups containing the main foods comprising the diet of Sri Lankan adults, a total of 85 items and 12 color photographs …

Functional And Radioligand Binding Characterization Of The A1l-Adrenoceptor Subtype Of The Human Vas Deferens, B Davis, M Wiener, Christopher R. Chapple, Donna Sellers, R. Chess-Williams

Russ Chess-Williams

Summary: Alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists can cause ejaculatory dysfunction as an adverse effect. Contractions of the human vas deferens are mediated via α1A-adrenoceptors, and this study investigated whether the low affinity state of this receptor (α1L-adrenoceptor) is involved in mediating contractions of this tissue. The potency of agonists and the affinity of receptor subtype selective antagonists were determined in functional experiments and in [3H]tamsulosin binding experiments to identify the α1-adrenoceptor subtype population present in the human vas deferens. The α1A-adrenoceptor selective agonist A61603 was a full agonist and was 250-fold more potent than noradrenaline. Prazosin antagonized contractile responses to phenylephrine with a …

A Review Of The Bioactivity Of Coffee, Caffeine And Key Coffee Constituents On Inflammatory Responses Linked To Depression, Susan Hall, Ben Desbrow, Shailendra Anoopkumar-Dukie, Andrew K. Davey, Devindar Arora, Catherine M. Mcdermott, Matthew Schubert, Anthony V. Perkins, Milton Kiefel, Gary D. Grant

Catherine M. McDermott

Coffee is a widely consumed beverage containing numerous biologically active constituents predominantly belonging to the polyphenol and alkaloid classes. It has been established that coffee has a beneficial effect on numerous disease states including depression. A number of prospective and retrospective cohort studies have assessed the effects of coffee consumption on the relative risk of developing major depressive disorder in humans. These studies have identified an inverse relationship between the consumption of caffeinated coffee and the risk of developing depression. Caffeine, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid, all important constituents of coffee, have been shown to possess biological activities …

Interventions For Enhancing Adherence To Treatment In Adults With Bronchiectasis (Review), Amanda Mccullough, Elizabeth T. Thomas, Cristin Ryan, Judy Bradley, Brenda O'Neill, Stuart Elborn, Carmel Hughes

Amanda McCullough

Background

Bronchiectasis is characterised by a widening of the airways, leading to excess mucus production and recurrent infection. It is more prevalent in women and those in middle age. Many patients with bronchiectasis do not adhere to treatments (medications, exercise and airway clearance) prescribed for their condition. The best methods to change these adherence behaviours have not been identified.

Objectives

To assess the effects of interventions to enhance adherence to any aspect of treatment in adults with bronchiectasis in terms of adherence and health outcomes, such as pulmonary exacerbations, health-related quality of life and healthcare costs.

Search methods

We searched …

Evaluating The Message Communication Strategies In Dementia Training For Use With Community-Based Aged Care Staff Working With People With Dementia: A Controlled Pretest-Post-Test Study, Erin R. Conway, Helen Chenery

Helen Chenery

Aims and Objectives:

The study aims to evaluate the effects of a communication skills training programme on community aged care staff's knowledge of communication support in dementia and on staff's care experience.

Background:

Dementia can lead to impairments in communication. Therefore, quality community-based dementia care requires that staff be skilled communicators, equipped to facilitate interactions with people with dementia. The current investigation evaluated the effectiveness of the MESSAGE Communication Strategies in Dementia for Care Staff training programme with respect to knowledge of communication support and the staff/caregiver experience.

Design:

A multi-centre controlled pretest/post-test design with randomised cohort allocation was used. …

Common Harms From Amoxicillin: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials For Any Indication, Malcolm Gillies, Anggi Ranakusuma, Tammy Hoffmann, Sarah Thorning, Treasure Mcguire, Chris Del Mar

Sarah Thorning

Background: When prescribing antibiotics for common indications, clinicians need information about both harms and benefits, information that is currently available only from observational studies. We quantified the common harms of the most frequently prescribed antibiotic, amoxicillin, from randomized placebo-controlled trials. Methods: For this systematic review, we searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, without language restriction, for any randomized, participant-blinded, placebo-controlled trials of amoxicillin or amoxicillin–clavulanic acid for any indication, in any setting. Our main outcome was any reported adverse event. Results: Of 730 studies identified, we included 45 trials: 27 involving amoxicillin, 17 involving amoxicillin–clavulanic …

Scatter Of Orthopaedic Research: Can Orthopods Stay Up‐To‐Date With Research?, Lahann Wijenayake, Sophie Conroy, Douglas Turner, Sarah Thorning, Paul Glasziou

Sarah Thorning

Background: The volume of orthopaedic literature is increasing exponentially, becoming more widely scattered among journals. The rate of increase in orthopaedics is greater than other specialties.We aimed to identify the number of different journals an orthopaedic surgeon would need to read to stay up-to-date with current evidence. Method: We searched PubMed for all orthopaedic-related systematic reviews (SR) and randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in 2011 using MESH (Medical Subject Headings) terms. The search was based on the Australian Orthopaedic Association syllabus of March 2011. The results of the search were exported to EndNote, then Microsoft Excel. We then calculated the …

Adverse Events In Patients Taking Macrolide Antibiotics Versus Placebo For Any Indication (Protocol), Malene Hansen, Sarah Thorning, Jeffrey K. Aronson, Elaine Beller, Paul Glasziou, Tammy Hoffmann, Chris Del Mar

Sarah Thorning

Our primary objective is to quantify the incidence of any reported adverse event in patients taking macrolide antibiotics compared to placebo for any indication. The adverse events will be handled separately as adverse reactions, adverse effects, serious adverse events or subsequent carriage of resistant bacteria. Our secondary objective is to quantify the overall incidence of any reported adverse events in patients taking macrolide antibiotics compared to placebo.

Citation Enrichment Improves Deduplication Of Primary Evidence, Miew Keen Choong, Sarah Thorning, Guy Tsafnat

Sarah Thorning

Objective:

To automatically detect duplicate citations in a bibliographical database.

Background:

Citations retrieved from multiple search databases have different forms making manual and automatic detection of duplicates difficult. Existing methods rely on fuzzy-similarity measures which are error-prone.

Methods:

We analysed four pairs of original search results from MEDLINE and EMBASE that were used to create systematic reviews. An automatic tool deduplicated citations by first enriching citations with Digital Object Identifiers (DOI), and/or other unique identifiers. Duplication of records was then determined by comparing these unique identifiers. We compared our method with the duplicate detection function of a popular citation management …

Reliability Of 2 Different Positioning Protocols For Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Measurement Of Body Composition In Healthy Adults, Ava Kerr, Gary Slater, Nuala Byrne, Alisa Nana

Nuala Byrne

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an accepted time-efficient method of body composition assessment for total body and regional fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and bone mineral content (BMC), but for longitudinal monitoring the measurements must be sufficiently reliable. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability of a new positioning protocol (Nana et al) with the current reference (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES]) protocol and investigate their within-protocol precision. Thirty healthy adults (16 females and 14 males) underwent 4 whole-body DXA scans in succession with full repositioning between scans. The scan order was randomized, with …

Physical Activity And Health: “What Is Old Is New Again”, Andrew P. Hills, Steven J. Street, Nuala Byrne

Nuala Byrne

Much recent interest has focused on the relationship between physical activity and health and supported with an abundance of scientific evidence. However, the concept of Exercise is Medicine™copromoted by the American College of Sports Medicine and American Medical Association and similar august bodies worldwide is far from new— the importance of exercise for health has been reported for centuries. Participation in regular physical activity and exercise provides numerous benefits for health with such benefits typically varying according to the volume completed as reflected by intensity, duration, and frequency. Evidence suggests a dose–response relationship such that being active, even to a …

Averting Hiv Infections In New York City: A Modeling Approach Estimating The Future Impact Of Additional Behavioral And Biomedical Hiv Prevention Strategies, Jason Kessler, Julie E. Myers, Kimberly A. Nucifora, Nana Mensah, Alexis Kowalski, Monica Sweeney, Christopher Toohey, Amin Khademi, Colin Shepard, Blayne Cutler, R. Scott Braithwaite

Amin Khademi

Background: New York City (NYC) remains an epicenter of the HIV epidemic in the United States. Given the variety of evidence-based HIV prevention strategies available and the significant resources required to implement each of them, comparative studies are needed to identify how to maximize the number of HIV cases prevented most economically.

Methods: A new model of HIV disease transmission was developed integrating information from a previously validated micro-simulation HIV disease progression model. Specification and parameterization of the model and its inputs, including the intervention portfolio, intervention effects and costs were conducted through a collaborative process between the academic modeling …

A Role For A Rab4-Like Gtpase In Endocytosis And In Regulation Of Contractile Vacuole Structure And Function In Dictyostelium Discoideum, John Bush, Lesly A. Temesvari, Juan Rodriguez-Paris, Greg Buczynski, James Cardelli

Lesly Temesvari

The small Mr Rab4-like GTPase, RabD, localizes to the endosomal pathway and the contractile vacuole membrane system in Dictyostelium discoideum. Stably transformed cell lines overexpressing a dominant negative functioning RabD internalized fluid phase marker at 50% of the rate of wild-type cells. Mutant cells were also slower at recycling internalized fluid. Microscopic and biochemical approaches indicated that the transport of fluid to large postlysosome vacuoles was delayed in mutant cells, resulting in an accumulation in acidic smaller vesicles, probably lysosomes. Also, RabD N121I-expressing cell lines missorted a small but significant percentage of newly synthesized lysosomal alpha-mannosidase precursor polypeptides. However, the …

A Clustered Repeated-Sprint Running Protocol For Team-Sport Athletes Performed In Normobaric Hypoxia, Jaime Morrison, Chris Mclellan, Clare Minahan

Chris McLellan

The present study compared the performance (peak speed, distance, and acceleration) of ten amateur team-sport athletes during a clustered (i.e., multiple sets) repeated-sprint protocol, (4 sets of 4, 4-s running sprints; i.e., RSR444) in normobaric normoxia (FiO2 = 0.209; i.e., RSN) with normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 = 0.140; i.e., RSH). Subjects completed two separate trials (i. RSN, ii. RSH; randomised order) between 48 h and 72 h apart on a non-motorized treadmill. In addition to performance, we examined blood lactate concentration [La-] and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) before, during, and after the RSR444. While there were no differences in peak speed …

Herbal And Nutrient Complementary Medicines For Weight Loss: Community Pharmacists’ Practices, Attitudes, Recommendations, Information And Education Needs, Meng-Wong Taing, Eunice Tze Xin Tan, Gail Williams, Alexandra Clavarino, Treasure Mcguire

Treasure McGuire

Objectives To investigate pharmacists’ herbal/nutrient weight loss complementary medicine (WLCM)practices in the context of other pharmacistweight management support practices (provision of lifestyle advice, orlistat and meal replacement treatments); and gain insight into their attitudes, recommendations, information and education needs. Methods Pharmacists from a randomly selected sample of 214 community pharmacies fromdifferent socioeconomic areas in the Greater Brisbane region, Australia, were invited to complete a survey to explore their weight management practices, with a specific focus on herbal/nutrient WLCM practices. Data collected from the sample group represented pharmacist practices within the metropolitan Greater Brisbane region. Key findings This survey achieved a …

Social, Cultural, Spiritual, And Psychological Barriers To Pain Management, Kenneth J. Doka

Kenneth J. Doka

No abstract provided.

Grief: A Companion On An Uncertain Journey, Kenneth J. Doka

Kenneth J. Doka

No abstract provided.

Christian Evangelicals: The Challenge For Hospice And Palliative Care, Kenneth J. Doka

Kenneth J. Doka

No abstract provided.