Digital Commons Network^™

Evidence-Based Hazmat Medical Surveillance, Michael D. Jacobson

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) teams are tasked with neutralizing substances that pose a dire threat to human health. As a result, communities invest substantially in medical surveillance to protect first responders. Yet, little is known as to the actual exposures, consequent injuries, and cost-effectiveness of medical surveillance.

Objective: The purposes of this study were: 1) Determine actual HAZMAT threats. 2) In light of these threats, evaluate current regulatory requirements, recommendations and practices for their basis in evidence.

Methods: National HAZMAT data was analyzed for trends and compared with local response records from 2008 through 2011. Regulations applicable to medical surveillance …

The Efficacy Of Abstinence Only Education, Jennie Watt Mcadams

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and unplanned teen pregnancies cost the United States billions of dollars every year in various forms of government aid. Why are the numbers of teenage incidences of these health indicators higher than almost every other industrialized nation? Why are the youth in the United States so far behind their peers in sexual health? This paper proposes that one cause is that government funding goes to abstinence only education curriculum which is taught in many schools across the nation. These curricula many times do not teach youth about sexual protection or health and other times contain false information. If …

Chronic Disease Prevalence Of A Refugee Population In Dayton, Oh, Sandeep Palakodeti

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Introduction: This study aimed to understand the chronic disease burden of anemia, cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, overweight/obesity, stroke, and tobacco use in the domestic as well as a refugee population. It also aimed to examine the current literature on appropriate screening for those conditions.

Methods: 348 refugee screening intake exams from Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County were analyzed for presence of the conditions stated. Screening intake recommendations from the CDC, the Minnesota Public Health Department, the Canadian Collaboration for Immigrant and Refugee Health, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services were examined and compared in order …

Pubh 510.50: Introduction To Epidemiology, Curtis W. Noonan

University of Montana Course Syllabi

No abstract provided.

A Generalized Cholera Model And Epidemic-Endemic Analysis, Jin Wang, Shu Liao

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The transmission of cholera involves both human-to-human and environment-to-human pathways that complicate its dynamics. In this paper, we present a new and unified deterministic model that incorporates a general incidence rate and a general formulation of the pathogen concentration to analyse the dynamics of cholera. Particularly, this work unifies many existing cholera models proposed by different authors. We conduct equilibrium analysis to carefully study the complex epidemic and endemic behaviour of the disease. Our results show that despite the incorporation of the environmental component, there exists a forward transcritical bifurcation at R₀ = 1 for the combined human-environment epidemiological …

Circulation And Water Properties And Their Relationship To The Oyster Disease Msx In Delaware Bay, Zhiren Wang, Dale B. Haidvogel, David Bushek, Susan E. Ford, Eileen E. Hofmann, Eric N. Powell, John Wilkin

CCPO Publications

We apply a high-resolution hydro-dynamical model to investigate the role of physical factors influencing infection prevalence of Haplosporidium nelsoni, causative agent of MSX disease in the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), in Delaware Bay, USA. Validation studies conducted for the years 2000 and 2010-2011 confirm that the model, based upon the Regional Ocean Modeling System, has significant skill in the recovery of observed water level, temperature, salinity, and velocity. Multi-year simulations are performed for periods representing temporal and spatial variations in H. nelsoni infection prevalence (1974-76, 1979-81, 1984-86, 1990-92, and 2006-09) to assess the degree to which the …

Modeling The Dispersal Of Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) Larvae In Delaware Bay, Diego A. Narvaez, John M. Klinck, Eric N. Powell, Eileen E. Hofmann, John Wilkin, Dale B. Haidvogel

CCPO Publications

The interactions of circulation and growth processes in determining the horizontal distribution of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae in the Delaware Bay estuary were investigated with a coupled circulation-individual-based larvae model that used environmental conditions from the spawning seasons (mid-June to mid-September) of 1984, 1985, 1986, 2000, and 2001. Particles, representing oyster larvae, were released at five-day intervals from areas in Delaware Bay that correspond to natural oyster reefs. The simulated larval development time was used to estimate potential larval success, determined by the percent of larvae that successfully reached settlement size (330 µm) within the planktonic larval …

Establishing Winter Origins Of Migrating Lesser Snow Geese Using Stable Isotopes, Viviane Hénaux, Larkin A. Powell, Mark P. Vrtiska, Keith A. Hobson

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Increases in Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) populations and large-scale habitat changes in North America have contributed to the concentration of migratory waterfowl on fewer wetlands, reducing resource availability, and enhancing risks of disease transmission. Predicting wintering locations of migratory individuals is critical to guide wildlife population management and habitat restoration. We used stable carbon (δ¹³C), nitrogen (δ ¹⁵N), and hydrogen (δ²H) isotope ratios in muscle tissue of wintering Snow Geese to discriminate four major wintering areas, the Playa Lake Region, Texas Gulf Coast, Louisiana Gulf Coast, and Arkansas, and infer the wintering locations …

Risk Factors For Homelessness Among Community Mental Health Patients With Severe Mental Illness, Rupert Talmage Van Wormer

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with homelessness, assess the relationship between housing status and consumption of costly publicly funded resources, to identify characteristics associated with service retention, and to evaluate whether length of treatment is associated with better outcomes. The target population was homeless and formerly homeless adults with SMI enrolled in community mental health services at the Downtown Emergency Service Center SAGE mental health program located in Seattle. The sample consisted of 380 SAGE patients who had continuous enrollment in 2005. These patients formed the cohort for the study. Agency records for these …

Examining Health Information Technology Implementations: Case Of The Patient-Centered Medical Home, Nima A. Behkami

Dissertations and Theses

It has been shown that the use of Health Information Technology (HIT) is associated with reduced cost and increased quality of care. This dissertation examined the use of registries in Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) practices. A survey questionnaire was sent to a nationwide group of clinics certified for being a PCMH. They were asked to provide information about their payer mix, implementation barriers, registry implementation, registry use, and clinic satisfaction. The survey instrument was validated by an expert panel which included practitioners and researchers. Statistical methods including Structural Equation Modeling were used for analysis and to test the research …

Exploring The Role Of Wolbachia Endobacteria In The Biology Of Filarial Nematode Parasites, Samantha Mcnulty

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Filarial nematodes are vector borne parasitic worms that cause a variety of disfiguring and disabling diseases, including lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Many filarial species require Wolbachia endobacteria: family: Rickettsiaceae) to carry out their life cycle. Studies using antibiotics to target the endobacteria, thereby interfering with worm fertility and viability, have generated interest in using Wolbachia as an antifilarial drug target. However, the exact mechanisms underpinning this interesting mutualistic interaction are poorly understood. Wolbachia-dependence is not ubiquitous in the filarial family. Some species are able to survive in the absence of an endosymbiont. The inconsistent patterns of Wolbachia-dependence and independence seen …

An Interdisciplinary Ethics And Health Disparities Journal Club For Responsible Conduct Of Research Training, William Olmstadt, Douglas Brown, Linda Ball, Michael Montana, Luther S. Williams, Monique Williams

Becker Library Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Drinking Water Is A Significant Predictor Of Blastocystis Infection Among Rural Malaysian Primary Schoolchildren, Awatif Mohamed Abdulsalam, Init Ithoi, Hesham Mahyoub Al-Mekhlafi, Abdulhamid Ahmed, Johari Surin, Joon Wah Mak

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

Blastocystis infection has a worldwide distribution especially among the disadvantaged population and immunocompromised subjects. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the association of Blastocystis infection with the socio-economic characteristics among 300 primary schoolchildren, living in rural communities in Lipis and Raub districts of Pahang state, Malaysia. Stool samples were collected and examined for the presence of Blastocystis using direct smear microscopy after in vitro cultivation in Jones' medium. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was found to be as high as 25·7%. The prevalence was significantly higher among children with gastrointestinal symptoms as compared to asymptomatic …

Risks To Early Childhood Health And Development In The Postconflict Transition Of Northern Uganda, Theresa A. Mcelroy, Stella Atim, Charles P. Larson, Robert Armstrong

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Research from numerous fields of science has documented the critical importance of nurturing environments in shaping young children’s future health and development. We studied the environments of early childhood (birth to 3 years) during postconflict, post displacement transition in northern Uganda. The aim was to better understand perceived needs and risks in order to recommend targeted policy and interventions. Methods. Applied ethnography (interview, focus group discussion, case study, observational methods, document review) in 3 sites over 1 year. Results. Transition was a prolonged and deeply challenging phase for families. Young children were exposed to a myriad of risk factors. Participants …

Exposure Of Breastfeeding Education To Ob/Gyns Currently Practicing In The State Of Mississippi And Its Effect On Confidence In Providing Breastfeeding Support To Expectant Mothers, Brandi Lee Pigg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There are several well documented benefits of breastfeeding for the mother and child, however, Mississippi breastfeeding rates are lacking when compared to the rest of the United States. It is believed that breastfeeding encouragement and support from prenatal healthcare providers can play a major role in mothers choosing to initiate breastfeeding. OB/GYNs should be at the forefront of this initiative because they have repeat prenatal contact with many mothers. In order to provide breastfeeding encouragement and support to expectant mothers, OB/GYNs must have adequate breastfeeding education and the confidence to support these mothers. This study analyzed the amount of breastfeeding …

Subjective Quality Of Life In Dialysis Patients, Cindy Schaumberg

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

With the ever increasing ability of medical technology to prolong life, quality of life is an increasingly legitimate medical outcome. This is an ethnographic study on the perceived quality of life of hemodialysis dependent end stage renal disease patients. The study used participant observations and in-depth patient interviews to elicit the perspective of hemodialysis dependent end stage renal disease patients. Findings addressed the utility of dialysis for patients of, patient values leading to renal replacement therapy, and issues that might make patients perceive treatment as futile.

Phylogenetic Relationships Among Staphylococcus Species And Refinement Of Cluster Groups Based On Multilocus Data, Ryan P. Lamers, Gowrishankar Muthukrishnan, Todd A. Castoe, Sergio Tafur, Alexander M. Cole, Christopher L. Parkinson

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: Estimates of relationships among Staphylococcus species have been hampered by poor and inconsistent resolution of phylogenies based largely on single gene analyses incorporating only a limited taxon sample. As such, the evolutionary relationships and hierarchical classification schemes among species have not been confidently established. Here, we address these points through analyses of DNA sequence data from multiple loci (16S rRNA gene, dnaJ, rpoB, and tuf gene fragments) using multiple Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic approaches that incorporate nearly all recognized Staphylococcus taxa. Results: We estimated the phylogeny of fifty-seven Staphylococcus taxa using partitioned-model Bayesian and maximum likelihood analysis, as …

Hiv-Neutralizing Activity Of Cationic Polypeptides In Cervicovaginal Secretions Of Women In Hiv-Serodiscordant Relationships, Pauline Levinson, Robert Y. Choi, Amy L. Cole, Taha Hirbod, Samuel Rhedin, Barbara Payne, Brandon L. Guthrie, Rose Bosire, Alexander M. Cole, Carey Farquhar, Kristina Broliden

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: HIV exposed seronegative (HESN) women represent the population most in need of a prophylactic antiviral strategy. Mucosal cationic polypeptides can potentially be regulated for this purpose and we here aimed to determine their endogenous expression and HIV neutralizing activity in genital secretions of women at risk of HIV infection. Methodology/Principal Findings: Cervicovaginal secretions (CVS) of Kenyan women in HIV-serodiscordant relationships (HESN, n = 164; HIV seropositive, n = 60) and low-risk controls (n = 72) were assessed for the cationic polypeptides HNP1-3, LL-37 and SLPI by ELISA and for HIV neutralizing activity by a PBMC-based assay using an HIV …

Jund/Ap-1-Mediated Gene Expression Promotes Lymphocyte Growth Dependent On Interleukin-7 Signal Transduction, Shannon M. Ruppert, Mounir Chehtane, Ge Zhang, Haiyan Hu, Xiaoman Li, Annette R. Khaled

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is an essential cytokine for lymphocyte growth that has the potential for promoting immune reconstitution. This feature makes IL-7 an ideal candidate for therapeutic development. As with other cytokines, signaling through the IL-7 receptor induces the JAK/STAT pathway. However, the broad scope of IL-7 regulatory targets likely necessitates the use of other signaling components whose identities remain poorly defined. To this end, we used an IL-7 dependent T-cell line to examine how expression of the glycolytic enzyme, Hexokinase II (HXKII) was regulated by IL-7 in a STAT5-independent manner. Our studies revealed that IL-7 promoted the activity of JNK …

Identification And Characterization Of Bacterial Vaginosis-Associated Pathogens Using A Comprehensive Cervical-Vaginal Epithelial Coculture Assay, Colleen R. Eade, Camila Diaz, Matthew P. Wood, Kathryn Anastos, Bruce K. Patterson, Phalguni Gupta, Amy L. Cole, Alexander M. Cole

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most commonly treated female reproductive tract affliction, characterized by the displacement of healthy lactobacilli by an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. BV can contribute to pathogenic inflammation, preterm birth, and susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections. As the bacteria responsible for BV pathogenicity and their interactions with host immunity are not understood, we sought to evaluate the effects of BV-associated bacteria on reproductive epithelia. Here we have characterized the interaction between BV-associated bacteria and the female reproductive tract by measuring cytokine and defensin induction in three types of FRT epithelial cells following bacterial inoculation. Four BV-associated bacteria …

Borrelia Burgdorferi Harbors A Transport System Essential For Purine Salvage And Mammalian Infection, Sunny Jain, Selina Sutchu, Patricia A. Rosa, Rebecca Bryam, Mollie W. Jewett

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Borrelia burgdorferi is the tick-borne bacterium that causes the multistage inflammatory disease Lyme disease. B. burgdorferi has a reduced genome and lacks the enzymes required for de novo synthesis of purines for synthesis of RNA and DNA. Therefore, this obligate pathogen is dependent upon the tick vector and mammalian host environments for salvage of purine bases for nucleic acid biosynthesis. This pathway is vital for B. burgdorferi survival throughout its infectious cycle, as key enzymes in the purine salvage pathway are essential for the ability of the spirochete to infect mice and critical for spirochete replication in the tick. The …

Identification Of Components Of The Host Type Ia Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Pathway That Promote Internalization Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Shahanawaz Jiwani, Yi Wang, Georgina C. Dowd, Antonella Gianfelice, Phannipha Pichestapong, Balramakrishna Gavicherla, Neyda Vanbennekom, Keith Ireton

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes causes food-borne illnesses resulting in gastroenteritis, meningitis, or abortion. Listeria promotes its internalization into some human cells through binding of the bacterial surface protein InlB to the host receptor tyrosine kinase Met. The interaction of InlB with the Met receptor stimulates host signaling pathways that promote cell surface changes driving bacterial uptake. One human signaling protein that plays a critical role in Listeria entry is type IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). The molecular mechanism by which PI 3-kinase promotes bacterial internalization is not understood. Here we perform an RNA interference (RNAi)-based screen to identify components …

Rapid And Sensitive Detection Of An Intracellular Pathogen In Human Peripheral Leukocytes With Hybridizing Magnetic Relaxation Nanosensors, Charalambos Kaittanis, Hamza Boukhriss, Santimukul Santra, Saleh A. Naser, J. Manuel Perez

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Bacterial infections are still a major global healthcare problem. The quick and sensitive detection of pathogens responsible for these infections would facilitate correct diagnosis of the disease and expedite treatment. Of major importance are intracellular slow-growing pathogens that reside within peripheral leukocytes, evading recognition by the immune system and detection by traditional culture methods. Herein, we report the use of hybridizing magnetic nanosensors (hMRS) for the detection of an intracellular pathogen, Mycobacterium avium spp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The hMRS are designed to bind to a unique genomic sequence found in the MAP genome, causing significant changes in the sample's magnetic resonance …

Infectious Disease Risks In Developing Countries: A Non-Market Valuation Exercise, Shreejata Samajpati

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the non-market valuation of health-risks of malaria, an infectious disease that imposes a substantive public health burden across the globe, hitting particularly hard the tropical developing nations of Africa and Asia. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals include malaria control as a priority and large investments are underway to promote effective prevention and treatment. Despite such concerted supply-side efforts, malaria-related mortality and morbidity still abound due to a complex interface of factors like climate-change, poverty, inadequate control behavior, infection and prevention externalities, parasite resistance etc. This research project digs into the demand-side of the health problem, …

Food Safety And Risk Governance In Globalized Markets, Sandra Hoffmann, William Harder

Health Matrix: The Journal of Law-Medicine

No abstract provided.

A Program Evaluation Of A Mobile Clinic In New Haven, Connecticut, Britton Ashley Gibson

Public Health Theses

Background: Barriers to health care typically exist amongst poor and marginalized communities that are burdened by a number of factors, such as unemployment, lack of insurance, and homeless. These groups also hold a disproportionate disease burden due to increased risk of exposure. Thus, they are likely to go without care for treatable conditions because they are unable to access traditional health care settings. One way of overcoming these barriers to care is through the use of mobile clinics. These clinics are able to offer a variety of services within disadvantaged communities to both prevent the spread of disease and alleviate …

Reducing Hospital Infection Rates In The Burn Unit By Adherence To Infection Control Measures: A Six-Year Experience, Zülal Özkurt, Ülkü Altoparlak, Si̇bel İba Yilmaz, Serpi̇l Erol, Kemaletti̇n Özden, Müfi̇de Nuran Akçay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To show the effect of infection control measures (ICMs) on nosocomial infections (NIs) in a burn unit. Materials and methods: This study was conducted retrospectively at a 15-bed pediatric and adult burn unit, and 1329 hospitalized patients from 2003 to 2008 were enrolled. Detection and surveillance of NIs was performed by the infection control team (ICT), actively and prospectively, and was patient and laboratory based. Pan-resistant P. aeruginosa strains were seen in the unit in 2003. A periodical education program was applied by the ICT, and some changes were recommended. The hydrotherapy tank was abandoned, antimicrobials were used by the …

Investigation Of The In Vitro Activities Of Various Antibiotics Against Brucella Melitensis Strains, Onur Kaya, Füsun Zeynep Akçam, Güler Yayli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of Brucella melitensis strains in our region. Brucellosis is a common disease in Turkey. Moreover, difficulties are encountered in the treatment process, such as long-lasting therapy, relapses, and side effects of drugs. Hence, novel treatment approaches and the susceptibility of current antibiotics are vital. Materials and methods: Thirty-four Brucella spp. isolated from blood samples of patients with brucellosis were included. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for tetracycline, rifampicin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin were detected by broth microdilution. Results: Tetracycline had the lowest and streptomycin the highest MIC_{50} and MIC_{90} values, respectively. A total of 5 …

A Study On Molecular Characterization Of Macrolide Resistance Mechanism Among Isolates Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae From The Southern Marmara Region Of Turkey, As Well As Resistance To Macrolides And Penicillin In These Isolates, Cüneyt Özakin, Hi̇cran Güler, Emel Gürcüoğlu, Sali̇ha Bakir Özbey, Esra Kazak, Ayşe Melda Sinirtaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the distribution of macrolide resistance genes as well as resistance rates in isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae strains from the southern Marmara region of Turkey. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial resistance rates and MIC values were determined by the E-test method in 300 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates that were isolated from clinical samples. Resistance genes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in erythromycin-resistant strains. Results: It was found that 11.4% of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were resistant to macrolides. The penicillin MIC value was >=0.12 µg/mL in 23% of the strains and 2 µg/mL in 2% of the strains. The …

Integron-Associated Resistance Genes Among Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Clinical Specimens, Fatma Budak, Murat Kasap, Feti̇ye Kolayli, Aynur Karadeni̇zli̇, Mustafa Haluk Vahaboğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To characterize common beta-lactamase genes and the role of integrons in beta-lactam antibiotic resistance among multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa strains isolated from intensive care units in Turkey. Materials and methods: After the examination of 67 P. aeruginosa isolates, 14 were found to be resistant to all of the tested beta-lactams and aminoglycosides. These 14 strains were studied to characterize the beta-lactamases and related integrons. Evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentrations, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening, isoelectric focusing, outer membrane isolation and analysis, and cloning and sequencing were performed according to published protocols. Results: PCR screening for common beta-lactamases detected PER-1 and …