Digital Commons Network^™

Outbreak Severity Index: The International Response To The Global Outbreaks, Mohamed A. Abofaye

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Outbreaks are emergency situations that carry hazards of death, disability, loss of home and property, and variety of other calamities. With technological advancement, not only people and commodities are easy to transfer but also disease outbreaks. However, outbreaks are dealt with by different countries based on the differences in their healthcare systems and their ability to achieve effective control of the outbreak. SARS, MERS, and Ebola are example of such outbreaks that traveled around the globe and successful control was different according to the virulence of outbreak agent and to the effectiveness of local health system control measures. This capstone …

Policy Analysis Of Kentucky Senate Bill 192, Sierra Nicole Dantzler

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Needle sharing has become an important factor in the prevalence of HIV and viral hepatitis rates as injection drug use of illicit substances, such as heroin and prescription opioids, has increased across the United States. Kentucky, much like the rest of the nation, has also been devastated by the recent surge of injection drug use. In 2010, drug overdose rates ranked Kentucky as the third highest state in the nation. Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) rates within Kentucky have been consistently higher than the national rate since 2007 and 2003, respectively. Hospital discharge costs related to HCV infections …

The Use Of Local Tax Dollars In Kentucky Local Health Departments To Sustain Programs From 2009-2013, Crystal A. Miller

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

This is a descriptive “case” study of public health finance in Kentucky, no data from other states were examined. The data used in this study were provided by the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH). The data used in this study are longitudinal (2009-2013) and the core focus of this study is on: 1) changes in funding from the state to the 57-61 local health departments (single county and multi-county district departments) 2009-13, 2) changes in restricted and un-restricted fund reserves among local health departments, and 3) an examination of the local taxing districts and greater reliance on use of …

"I See Their Purpose": Looking At The Role Of Family Advocates In Partnering With Families And Advocating For Children In Guatemala City, Sierra K. Leonard

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The purpose of this study was to get an in-depth, complete picture of a social worker and child/family advocate in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The intent was to study the participant’s work and responsibilities in order to examine how she processed and completed her dual role as social worker/advocate and mother to a group of children in a children’s home. A focus on responsibility, the effect of her dual role, and the influence of her personal and religious convictions emerged throughout the study. The participant’s unique position in a dual role offered insight into the various aspects of advocacy and intervention …

Antibodies To Pseudogymnoascus Destructans Are Not Sufficient For Protection Against White-Nose Syndrome, Joseph S. Johnson, Deeann M. Reeder, Thomas M. Lilley, Ken Field

Faculty Journal Articles

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) that affects bats during hibernation. Although millions of bats have died from WNS in North America, mass mortality has not been observed among European bats infected by the fungus, leading to the suggestion that bats in Europe are immune. We tested the hypothesis that an antibody-mediated immune response can provide protection against WNS by quantifying antibod- ies reactive to Pd in blood samples from seven species of free-ranging bats in North America and two free-ranging species in Europe. We also quantified antibodies in blood samples from little brown …

Identification Of The Domain(S) In Protein Disulfide Isomerase Required For Binding And Disassembly Of The Cholera Holotoxin, Laura Herndon

HIM 1990-2015

Cholera, caused by the secretion of cholera toxin (CT) by Vibrio cholerae within the intestinal lumen, triggers massive secretory diarrhea which may lead to life-threatening dehydration. CT is an AB5-type protein toxin that is comprised of an enzymatically active A1 chain, an A2 linker, and a cell-binding B pentamer. Once secreted, the CT holotoxin moves from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of a host target cell. To cause intoxication, CTA1 must be displaced from CTA2/CTB5 in the ER and is then transferred to the cytosol where it induces a diarrheal response by stimulating the efflux of chloride …

Development Of Novel Fluorescent Tools For Investigating Virulence Factors And Drug Susceptibility In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Kaley Wilburn

HIM 1990-2015

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of Tuberculosis (TB), a life-threatening disease primarily affecting the lungs that infects about one third of the world's population and causes 1.3 million deaths annually. It is estimated that TB has been infecting humans for around 70,000 years and has killed more people than any other infectious disease. The highly effective, persistent, and multifaceted virulence strategies that have allowed Mtb to continue to spread and thrive for so long are still poorly understood at the molecular level. This lack of knowledge contributes to ongoing challenges to curing TB. Although drugs capable of killing …

Detection Of Drug-Resistance Conferring Snps In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Using Binary Dnazymes, Marina Addario

HIM 1990-2015

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the pathogen that causes Tuberculosis (TB) and is responsible for an average of 1.5 million deaths annually. Although a treatment regimen does exist, Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR-TB) and eXtremely Drug Resistant (XDR-TB) TB strains are becoming a more prevalent concern partly due to failure of patient compliance with the current six to nine month drug treatment regimen. The current diagnostic methods are not able to identify these MDR and XDR-TB strains efficiently therefore more effective point-of-care (POC) diagnostics and drug susceptibility testing (DST) are urgently needed to detect drug resistance and facilitate prompt, appropriate treatment plans. In …

College Of American Pathologists' Laboratory Standards For Next-Generation Sequencing Clinical Tests, Nazneed Aziz, Qin Zhao, Lynn Bry, Denise K. Driscoll, Birgit Funke, Jane S. Gibson, Wayne W. Grody, Madhuri R. Hegde, Gerald A. Hoeltge, Debra G. B. Leonard, Jason D. Merker, Rakesh Nagarajan, Linda A. Palicki, Ryan S. Robetorye, Iris Schrijver, Karen E. Weck, Karl V. Voelkerding

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Context.-The higher throughput and lower per-base cost of next-generation sequencing (NGS) as compared to Sanger sequencing has led to its rapid adoption in clinical testing. The number of laboratories offering NGS-based tests has also grown considerably in the past few years, despite the fact that specific Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988/College of American Pathologists (CAP) laboratory standards had not yet been developed to regulate this technology. Objective.-To develop a checklist for clinical testing using NGS technology that sets standards for the analytic wet bench process and for bioinformatics or '' dry bench'' analyses. As NGS-based clinical tests are new …

Optimization Of Molecular Beacon-Based Multicomponent Probes For Analysis Of Nucleic Acids, Maria Stancescu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Detection of single nucleotide substitutions (SNS) in DNA and RNA has a growing importance in biology and medicine. One traditional approach for recognition of SNS takes advantage of hybridization probes that bind target nucleic acids followed by measuring ?Tm, the difference in melting temperatures of matched and mismatched hybrids. The approach enables SNS differentiation at elevated temperatures (usually 40-65oC) often only in a narrow range of < 10oC and requires high-resolution melting devices. Here we demonstrate that a specially designed DNA probe (X sensor) can broaden ?Tm from ~10oC to ~16oC and distinguish SNS in the interval of ~5-40oC. Therefore, there is no need for heating or measuring Tm for accurate SNS differentiation. Our data indicate that this wide differentiation range is in part due to the non-equilibrium hybridization conditions. Further we explored the idea that it is possible to improve the performance of an X sensor operable in close to equilibrium conditions by shifting its operability to non-equilibrium conditions. One way to achieve this is to introduce as many as possible structured ligands in analyte's dissociated state. Here we show that by introducing the maximum possible conformational constraints in X probe it is possible to shift its operation to non-equilibrium conditions and to improve its selectivity at temperatures < 15oC. Thus, this work points towards a new strategy for the design of highly selective hybridization sensors which operate in non-equilibrium conditions at close to room temperature. The X sensors could be utilized in qPCR, microarrays, as well as RNA analysis in living cells and for ambient temperature point-of-care diagnostics. In the last part of this work, X sensors were used in real time detection of PCR products. The sensors were optimized to operate in PCR buffer with optimal Mg2+ concentration. They were able to detect the target amplicon together with nonspecific products. The results presented here suggest that X sensors might be adopted for real time PCR format.

A Binary Approach For Selective Recognition Of Nucleic Acids And Proteins, Evan Cornett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The design of probes for the selective recognition of biopolymers (nucleic acids and proteins) is a fundamental task for studying, diagnosing, and treating diseases. Traditional methods utilize a single component (small molecule or oligonucleotide) that binds directly to the target biopolymer. However, many biopolymers are unable to be targeted with this approach. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to explore a new, binary approach for designing probes. The binary approach requires two components that cooperatively bind to the target, triggering a recognition event. The requisite binding of two-components allows the probes to have excellent selectivity and modularity. The binary …

The Effect Of Precipitation On The Spread Of Mosquito-Borne Diseases: A Case Study Of Florida Counties, Marvin Osbourne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The state of Florida is the third most populous state in the United States of America, with six (6) of its metropolitan areas dubbed as the fastest growing in the entire country. A mosquito bite may mean the transmission of a virus or disease which might be fatal. Hence, there is a need for the state to control mosquitoes through the various Departments of Mosquito Control in each of its sixty-seven (67) counties. Six locally acquired mosquito-borne viruses which affect humans and animals in the state of Florida were considered. This thesis used statistical methods to examine data for rainfall, …

Biom 402.01: Medical Bacteriology And Mycology, Michael F. Minnick

University of Montana Course Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biom 227.01: Vectors And Parasites, Willard O. Granath, Tom G. Schwan

University of Montana Course Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Spatial Distribution And Sociodemographic Composition Of High Grade Cervical Lesion Clusters In Connecticut 2008-2013, Aref Senno

Public Health Theses

Introduction: HPV is necessary for the development of invasive cervical cancer. There were 530,000 cases and 275,000 deaths attributable to cervical cancer in 2008. Since the introduction of HPV vaccines in 2006, the incidence of high grade cervical lesions (HGCL)—precancerous lesions which may develop into cervical cancer—has decreased significantly. Some changing sociodemographic trends in disease burden have been previously reported since 2008.

Objectives: The objectives of this analysis were to identify regions of Connecticut with high rates of HGCLs and to describe how trends of disease changed over time in the post-vaccine era.

Methods: This is a descriptive analysis of …

The Impact Of Hurricane Sandy On Healthcare Workers In Nyc, Grace Barlet

Public Health Theses

There is a gap in the literature regarding whether training in emergency preparedness and response makes a difference in the overall health outcomes of healthcare workers who are responding to and working during a natural disaster. The objective of this study was to investigate whether emergency preparedness training lowers the risk of poor health outcomes as reported by healthcare workers in New York City responding to Hurricane Sandy. A survey created by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East was conducted between July and August 2014 to capture the health and safety experience of workers during and after Hurricane Sandy. The …

Effects On Quinolone Resistance Due To The Biofilm Formation Activity In Ureaplasma Urealyticum, Chunyan Feng, Ya Huang, Yunsong Yu, Guorong Duan, Yuying Dai, Ke Dong, Qingtian Li

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To detect the effects on quinolone resistance due to biofilm formation activity in Ureaplasma urealyticum. Materials and methods: An improved checkerboard dilution susceptibility test was used to analyze the quinolone resistance of clinical Ureaplasma isolates and a postbiofilm formation susceptibility assay was used to compare the effects on the quinolone susceptibility between pre- and postbiofilm formations. Several important functional gene expressions were detected to evaluate their roles in the process of the quinolone resistance mechanism. Results: The quinolone-resistant isolates produced more biofilms than the sensitive isolates. In both the quinolone-resistant and -sensitive groups, the minimal inhibitory concentrations after biofilm formation …

Distribution Of Viral Genotypes And Extrahepatic Manifestations In Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C In Eastern Turkey, Si̇bel İba Yilmaz, Serpi̇l Erol, Ahmet Özbek, Mehmet Parlak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the distribution of viral genotypes, the extrahepatic manifestations, and the relationship between genotypes and extrahepatic manifestations in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Materials and methods: The study included 62 treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Genotype determination was performed by DNA sequencing analysis. To investigate extrahepatic manifestations, the patients' data, recorded prospectively during the pretreatment period, were analyzed. Results: Genotype determination was successful in 74.2% of the cases. All patients were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b. At least 1 extrahepatic manifestation was identified in 37.1% of the patients. The most frequent clinical manifestations were …

Prognostic Value Of Hemostasis-Related Parameters For Prediction Of Organ Dysfunction And Mortality In Sepsis, Dunja Mihajlovic, Dajana Lendak, Gorana Mitic, Tatjana Cebovic, Biljana Draskovic, Aleksandra Novakov, Snezana Brkic

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Clinical manifestations of sepsis are not caused directly by the invading pathogens, but rather mostly by systemic inflammation that leads to activation of the coagulation system. The aim of this study was to determine whether levels of hemostasis-related parameters measured in intensive care unit admissions are associated with mortality and severity in patients with sepsis. Materials and methods: Eighty-five patients who fulfilled criteria for a diagnosis of sepsis were included in our study. Platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time, D-dimer, and fibrinogen levels were determined within the first 24 h from sepsis onset. Differences …

The Relationship Between Hepatitis Serology Of Ambulance Attendants Andduration Of Education, Ertuğrul Güçlü, Azi̇z Öğütlü, Oğuz Karabay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Healthcare workers (HCWs) run the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Studies investigating the HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serology of HCWs have been generally conducted in secondary or tertiary hospitals. In this study we aimed to determine the relationships between education level and HBV and HCV serology and HBV vaccination status of ambulance attendants. Materials and methods: The data of this study were obtained by retrospective review of ambulance personnel files in Sakarya Province, Turkey. Results: Out of 314 ambulance attendants, 216 (68.7%; 78 males, 138 females) were enrolled in this study. The mean length of …

Clinical Characteristics Of 75 Pandemic H1n1 Influenza Patientsfrom Turkey; Risk Factors For Fatality, Hati̇ce Kiliç, Asi̇ye Kanbay, Ayşegül Karalezli̇, Hati̇ce Canan Hasanoğlu, Can Ateş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic caused mild to severe illnesses and led to death in some cases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the serum D-dimer levels, CURB-65 scores, and the severity of pneumonia among patients with H1N1 infections. Materials and methods: Sixty-eight patients who had probable H1N1 infections were evaluated by clinical, radiological, and laboratory methods. The H1N1 strain was specified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Of 55 patients diagnosed with pneumonia, 18 exhibited H1N1 positivity and 37 patients did not. Results: CURB-65 scores of pneumonia patients with H1N1 (group 1) were higher …

Elevated Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 And -9 And Their Correlationswith Severity Of Disease In Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Haci Ahmet Bi̇rcan, Müni̇re Çakir, İlkay Yilmazer Kapulu, Recep Sütcü, Selçuk Kaya, Önder Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To determine the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their relationship with the clinical course of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Materials and methods: Sixty-two consecutively hospitalized patients with CAP were enrolled and their pneumonia severity index (PSI), time to clinical stability (TCS), treatment response, and complications were recorded. The pre- and posttreatment serum concentrations of MMPs and their inhibitors were analyzed by ELISA. The activities of MMPs were evaluated by gelatin zymography. Results: MMP-2 and -9 serum levels and their activities were higher in CAP patients than controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Low-risk patients had lower levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 than high-risk patients (P = 0.044, P = 0.001, respectively). Pretreatment serum TIMP-1 level was higher in patients with TCS of >3 days (P = 0.004) and was correlated with oxygenation and …

Distribution And Antifungal Resistance Of Candida Speciesisolated From Intensive Care Units, Pinar Korkmaz, Yeşi̇m Alpay, Fi̇gen Çevi̇k, Nevi̇l Aykin, Ayşe Koygun, Hakki Mustafa Güldüren

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Acute Tuberculosis In The Intensive Care Unit, Kazim Rollas, Ati̇la Kara, Nazmi̇ye Ebru Ortaç Ersoy, Kezban Özmen Süner, Mehmet Nezi̇r Güllü, Serpi̇l Öcal, Arzu Topeli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine mortality rates and to evaluate clinical features of patients with active tuberculosis (TB) requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Materials and methods: The medical records of active TB patients requiring ICU admission were retrospectively reviewed over a 5-year period. Results: Sixteen patients with active TB admitted to the ICU were included in the study. Seven (43.8%) patients died in the ICU. The cause of mortality was septic shock in 5 patients and respiratory failure in 2 patients. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Sequential Organ Failure …

Role Of Autophagy In The Pathogenesis Of Alzheimer Disease, Muhammet Cemal Kizilarslanoğlu, Zekeri̇ya Ülger

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing increased morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by accumulation of amyloid-β in neurons. As there is no known definitive treatment of this disorder, studies trying to determine its exact pathogenetic pathways and target therapies for these specific pathways are being rapidly conducted. Autophagy is one of the areas of interest in studies on the pathogenesis of AD. It is a process of self-digestion that is thought to be a response to stressors and allows cells to adapt to environmental changes. There is accumulating evidence showing an association between autophagy …

Assessment Of Bloodstream Infections And Risk Factors In An Intensive Care Unit, Aynur Süner, İlkay Karaoğlan, Ayşe Özlem Mete, Mustafa Namiduru, Vuslat Boşnak, İbrahi̇m Baydar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Nosocomial bloodstream infection (BSI) increases mortality rates, duration of stay in hospital, and treatment costs. This study was conducted to determine the rate and the risk factors of BSIs among intensive care unit patients. Materials and methods: Sixty-four patients with BSIs (patient group) and 79 patients without a nosocomial infection (control group) were enrolled in the study. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria were used for diagnosing BSIs. Potential risk factors were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The BSI development rate was 15.7% (64/407), with an incidence rate of 18.2/1000 patient days. Distribution of pathogens among …

Applicability Of Xpert Mtb/Rif Assay For Routine Diagnosis Of Tuberculosis: A Four-Year Single-Center Experience, Cem Çeli̇k, Mustafa Gökhan Gözel, Mustafa Zahi̇r Bakici, Serdar Berk, Sefa Levent Özşahi̇n, Esra Gültürk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study is to assess the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for diagnosis of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in clinical samples and to compare the results by reference to the diagnostic method, Bactec MGIT 960. Materials and methods: A total of 7407 samples were included from patients not primarily suggesting pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB), collected from patients required to be screened for TB and excluding TB diagnoses since it was a differential diagnosis. Also included were a total of 411 samples from patients primarily suggesting pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB. Results: In the first group, 152 of 7407 …

Kinesiology 181-003 Health Education Spring 2015, Dorie Geissler

Kinesiology Courses

No abstract provided.

Kinesiology 181 Health Education Fall 2015, Joe Bails

Kinesiology Courses

No abstract provided.

Kinesiology 181 Fall 2015 Online, Joe Bails

Kinesiology Courses

No abstract provided.