Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Antimicrobial Drug Restrictions On Doctors? Behaviors, Oğuz Karabay, Sali̇h Hoşoğlu, Ertuğrul Güçlü, Şeri̇fe Akalin, Fatma Aybala Altay, Emsal Aydin, Bahadir Ceylan, Aygül Çeli̇k, İlhami̇ Çeli̇k, Tuna Demi̇rdal, Kezi̇ban Demi̇rli̇, Nuretti̇n Erben, Ünal Erkorkmaz, Serpi̇l Erol, Ömer Evi̇rgen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Broad-spectrum antibiotics have become available for use only with the approval of infectious disease specialists (IDSs) since 2003 in Turkey. This study aimed to analyze the tendencies of doctors who are not disease specialists (non-IDSs) towards the restriction of antibiotics. Materials and methods: A questionnaire form was prepared, which included a total of 22 questions about the impact of antibiotic restriction (AR) policy, the role of IDSs in the restriction, and the perception of this change in antibiotic consumption. The questionnaire was completed by each participating physician. Results: A total of 1906 specialists from 20 cities in Turkey participated …

Cost Analysis And Evaluation Of Nosocomial Infections In Intensive Care Units, Uğur Kostakoğlu, Sedat Saylan, Mevlüt Karataş, Serap İskender, Fi̇rdevs Aksoy, Gürdal Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate nosocomial infections occurring in our hospital intensive care units (ICUs) and the risk factors for these, and to determine the effect of these infections on mortality and cost. Materials and methods: This retrospective study was performed via infection control committee surveillance data, ICU records, and information processing data between 1 January and 31 December 2013 at the Kanuni Education and Research Hospital. Results: A total of 309 nosocomial infections were observed in 205 out of 566 patients. The density of nosocomial infections was 25.4 in 1000 patient days. Hospitalization was prolonged, …

The Common Genetic Variants Of Toll-Like Receptor And Susceptibilityto Adenoid Hypertrophy: A Hospital-Based Cohort Study, Mehmet Ali̇ Babademez, Tali̇h Özdaş, Si̇bel Özdaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is one of the most frequent pediatric disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TLR2-R753Q, TLR4-T399I, and TLR4-D299G polymorphisms in children with AH. Materials and methods: The variants of the TLR gene were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in 60 patients with AH and in 50 healthy children. Data were analyzed with SNPStats and multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) software. Results: We found that the presence of the G allele, the AG+GG and AG genotypes at TLR4-D299G, and the GGT haplotype were associated with AH in children (P = …

Isolation Of Virulent Rhodococcus Equi From Arabian Horses In Şanlıurfa, Turkey, Osman Yaşar Tel, Oktay Keski̇n, Sevi̇l Erdenli̇ğ Gürbi̇lek

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The purposes of this study were to investigate plasmid profiles of the isolated virulent (VapA positive) agents by RFLP and to determine the quantitative aspects of Rhodococcus equi in the feces of adult horses and foals, as well as in soil. The frequency of detection of R. equi and virulent R. equi in fecal samples and soil was studied from 20 farms in the Şanlıurfa region. A total of 315 samples were examined. Nasal swabs from 25 foals with pneumonia were also analyzed. R. equi was isolated and identified from 263 (83.4%) samples originating from 15 out of 20 farms. …

The Role Of Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome Virus As A Risk Factor In The Outbreak Of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea In Immunized Swine Herds, Mei-Zhou Huang, Hui Wang, Sheng-Yi Wang, Dong-An Cui, Xin Tuo, Yong-Ming Liu

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of the study was to investigate the relation between porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Here, we constructed a dynamic clinical experimental model in which sows were infected with PRRSV. The stability of the experimental model was surveyed by detecting the levels of antibodies against classical swine fever virus (CSFV) or PRRSV, respectively. In both group A (infected group) and group B (healthy group), the CSFV antibody level was not significantly different (P > 0.05). In group B, the PRRSV antibody level was also not significantly different (P > 0.05) at the three times …

Supporting Healthy Futures For East Africa: Celebrating 15 Years Of Partnership In Nursing Education. School Of Nursing And Midwifery In East Africa, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya, Sharon Brownie, Walter Robb, Lyndal Hunter, Cliff Aliga, Isabel Kambo, Atem Machar, Joseph Mwizerwa, Judith Mutyabule, M. Namuguzi, Carolyne Namukwaya, Esther Nderitu, Leah Sande, Victor Skrzypczynski, Muneerah Vastani, Mariana Xavier

Books

This impact evaluation study was designed on the basis of quality and accountability. It focused on sourcing evidence regarding the impact and achievements of a 15-year investment in nursing education and workforce capacity building. The study was also designed to enhance alumni connection and establish sustainable models for monitoring and evaluation.

Introduction And Utilization Of High Priced Hcv Medicines Across Europe; Implications For The Future, Winnie De Bruijn, Cristina Ibáñez, Pia Frisk, Hanne Bak Pedersen, Ali Alkan, Patricia Vella Bonanno, Ljiljana S. Brkicic, Anna Bucsics, Guillaume Dedet, Jaran Eriksen, Joseph O. Fadare, Jurij Fürst, Gisselle Gallego Dr, Isabella P. Godói, Augusto A. Guerra Júnior, Hakki Gürsöz, Saira Jan, Jan Jones, Roberta Joppi, Saim Kerman, Ott Laius, Newma Madzikwa, Einar Magnússon, Mojca Maticic, Vanda Markovic-Pekovic, Amos Massele, Olayinka Ogunleye, Aisling O’Leary, Jutta Piessnegger, Catherine Sermet, Steven Simoens, Celda Tiroyakgosi, Ilse Truter, Magnus Thyberg, Kristina Tomekova, Magdalena Wladysiuk, Sotiris Vandoros, Elif H. Vural, Corinne Zara, Brian Godman

Health Sciences Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Infection with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a widespread transmittable disease with a diagnosed prevalence of 2.0%. Fortunately, it is now curable in most patients. Sales of medicines to treat HCV infection grew 2.7% per year between 2004 and 2011, enhanced by the launch of the protease inhibitors (PIs) boceprevir (BCV) and telaprevir (TVR) in addition to ribavirin and pegylated interferon (pegIFN). Costs will continue to rise with new treatments including sofosbuvir, which now include interferon free regimens. de Bruijn et al. HCV Medicines Objective: Assess the uptake of BCV and TVR across Europe from a health authority …

Comparison Of Body Temperature Of Elderly With Adult In South India, Anu Baby Ms, Sulochana B Ms, Latha T Ms

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Background: Ageing is a gradual process, characterized by continued development and maturation. Every year there is an increase in the elderly population. Body temperature is an indicator of health status. However, thermoregulatory function is thought to decline with ageing. Therefore, it is significant to know the normal body temperature in elderly. Objective: Compare the normal body temperature among adults and elderly using Omron MC-510 tympanic thermometer. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Elderly (n=360) and adults (n=360) were screened for the presence of factors affecting core body temperature. Readings were recorded using Omron MC-510 …

Wildlife Crime And Degradation In Africa: An Analysis Of The Current Crisis And Prospects For A Secure Future, Kofi Ernest Abotsi, Paolo Galizzi, Alena Herklotz

Fordham Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Diminished Quality Of Life Among Women Affected By Ebola, Jessi Hanson, Alexis Decosimo, Megan Quinn

ETSU Faculty Works

This article analyzes data collected from Liberian women afflicted by the Ebola virus disease, survivors of the virus and noninfected persons living in Ebola-affected homes. This research is one of the first statistical analyses examining factors diminishing quality of life: negative experiences, stigma, and psychosocial symptoms among females affected by the virus after the outbreak. The research presents a thorough literature review, including research related to other infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS, to inform the gap in studies on Ebola’s effects on quality of life. Women who are Ebola virus disease survivors demonstrate significant differences in stigma and psychosocial stress when …

2016 Faculty Accomplishments Reception, University Of Richmond

Faculty Accomplishments Reception Programs

Program for the 2016 Faculty Accomplishments Reception

In Honor of University of Richmond Faculty Contributions to Scholarship, Research and Creative Work, January 2015 - December 2015

February 19, 2016, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Boatwright Memorial Library, Research & Collaborative Study Area, First Floor

Impact Of Vector Range Expansion On Pathogen Transmission Dynamics Of Lyme Disease In Southwestern Virginia, Bishan Bhattarai

Honors Theses

Blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis is the primary vector of Lyme disease in eastern United States. Borrelia Burgdorfei, the etiological agent of Lyme disease is transferred by ticks of Ixodes species. In recent years, its congener, Ixodes affinis has been expanding its range northwards from its southern population. We were interested in studying how the introduction of this new vector affected the interaction between the pathogen genotype and the host. We hypothesized that differential host use by I. affinis and I. scapularis would partly explain observed differences in B. burgdorferi infection prevalence and genotypic structure in southeastern Virginia. The result …

Effects Of Simulated Removal Activities On Movements And Space Use Of Feral Swine, Justin W. Fischer, Dan Mcmurty, Chad R. Blass, W. David Walter, Jeff Beringer, Kurt C. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Abundance and distribution of feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the USA have increased dramatically during the last 30 years. Effective measures are needed to control and eradicate feral swine populations without displacing animals over wider areas. Our objective was to investigate effects of repeated simulated removal activities on feral swine movements and space use.We analyzed location data from 21 feral swine that we fitted with Global Positioning System harnesses in southern MO, USA. Various removal activities were applied over time to eight feral swine before lethal removal, including trapped-and-released, chased with dogs, chased with hunter, and chased with …

Widespread Detection Of Highly Pathogenic H5 Influenza Viruses In Wild Birds From The Pacific Flyway Of The United States, S. N. Bevins, R. J. Dusek, C. L. White, T. Gidlewski, B. Bodenstein, K. G, Mansfield, P. Debruyn, D. Kraege, E. Rowan, C. Gillin, B. Thomas, S. Chandler, J. A. Baroch, B. S. Schmit, M. J. Grady, R. S. Miller, M. L. Drew, S. Stopak, B. Zscheile, J. Bennett, J. Sengl, Caroline Brady, H. S. Ip, E. Spackman, M. L. Killian, M. K. Torchetti, J. M. Sleeman, T. J. Deliberto

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A novel highly pathogenic avian influenza virus belonging to the H5 clade 2.3.4.4 variant viruses was detected in North America in late 2014. Motivated by the identification of these viruses in domestic poultry in Canada, an intensive study was initiated to conduct highly pathogenic avian influenza surveillance in wild birds in the Pacific Flyway of the United States. A total of 4,729 hunter-harvested wild birds were sampled and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in 1.3% (n = 63). Three H5 clade 2.3.4.4 subtypes were isolated from wild birds, H5N2, H5N8, and H5N1, representing the wholly Eurasian lineage H5N8 …

Vertebrate Host Susceptibility To Heartland Virus, Angela M. Bosco-Lauth, Amanda E. Calvert, J. Jeffrey Root, Tom Gidlewski, Brian H. Bird, Richard A. Bowen, Atis Muehlenbachs, Sherif R. Zaki, Aaron C. Brault

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Heartland virus (HRTV) is a recently described phlebovirus initially isolated in 2009 from 2 humans who had leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Serologic assessment of domestic and wild animal populations near the residence of 1 of these persons showed high exposure rates to raccoons, white-tailed deer, and horses. To our knowledge, no laboratory-based assessments of viremic potential of animals infected with HRTV have been performed. We experimentally inoculated several vertebrates (raccoons, goats, chickens, rabbits, hamsters, C57BL/6 mice, and interferon-α/β/γ receptor–deficient [Ag129]) mice with this virus. All animals showed immune responses against HRTV after primary or secondary exposure. However, neutralizing antibody responses were …

Pathogen Emergence In The Age Of Pandemics, Sarah N. Bevins

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The emergence of novel or previously rare pathogens is not new. Throughout recorded history, catastrophic mortality has followed the arrival of new infectious diseases to areas that had no previous experience with the offending agent. The second plague pandemic, more commonly known as the Black Death, was caused by a bacterium that originated in China but then spread throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa via the Silk Road and other routes of commerce. The emergence of rinderpest in Africa, associated with Asian cattle imported by European colonists, killed millions of domestic livestock and wild animal species in the 1890s. The result …

Total Value Of Phosphorus Recovery, Brooke K. Mayer, Lawrence A. Baker, Treavor H. Boyer, Pay Drechsel, Mac Gifford, Munir A. Hanjra, Prathap Parameswaran, Jared Stoltzfus, Paul Westerhoff, Bruce E. Rittmann

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Phosphorus (P) is a critical, geographically concentrated, nonrenewable resource necessary to support global food production. In excess (e.g., due to runoff or wastewater discharges), P is also a primary cause of eutrophication. To reconcile the simultaneous shortage and overabundance of P, lost P flows must be recovered and reused, alongside improvements in P-use efficiency. While this motivation is increasingly being recognized, little P recovery is practiced today, as recovered P generally cannot compete with the relatively low cost of mined P. Therefore, P is often captured to prevent its release into the environment without beneficial recovery and reuse. However, additional …

Frequency And Etiology Of Community-Acquired Bloodstream Infection In Hospitalized Febrile Children, Tufail Soomro, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Sumera Aziz Ali

Community Health Sciences

Background: Blood stream infection is a serious problem that needs immediate attention and treatment. We aim to identify the frequency of common organisms in blood culture of febrile pediatric patients so that empirical antibiotic therapy can be started timely.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in pediatric ward Civil Hospital Sukkur from 1st May 2013 to 31st October 2014. Children of both genders who are between the age of one month to 15 years admitted to the pediatric ward with a fever of > 38.0 c and with a history of fever ˃ two days and whose blood culture has been …

Vaccination Situation: A History Of Vaccine Refusal In The United States And Vaccine Beliefs At The University Of Mississippi, Austin Vitale

Honors Theses

The goals of this research were to trace a narrative of vaccine refusal in the United States from the nation's inception to the present day and identify any impact or influence from refusal ideology on vaccine beliefs of University of Mississippi undergraduates. A review of historical literature regarding vaccine refusal in the United States developed a historical narrative, and a quantitative survey was utilized to identify the vaccine beliefs of a University of Mississippi sample. Three distinct eras of vaccine refusal were detailed, with the third (present) era distinguished by the use of the internet to spread anti-vaccine ideologies. The …

Improving Quality Of Care For Mechanically Ventilated Patients In Long Term Care Through Full Compliance With The Ventilator Bundle Protocol, Tedgardo Pacal Mercene

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One of the most common methods used by healthcare professionals in the ventilator unit to reduce morbidity and mortality due to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a group of best practices known as the ventilator bundle. However, evidence from the literature shows that all its components must be in compliance if the bundle is to be effective. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to investigate the level of compliance with the different components of the ventilator bundle protocol at the study site's nursing home and rehabilitation center, as well as to improve compliance with the bundle protocol at the …

Impact Of Medicare And Medicaid Beneficiaries With Selected Conditions On Emergency Department Utilization, John K. Amoh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) are conditions that represent significant and ongoing medical costs, including frequent emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, work absences, and disability. This retrospective cross-sectional study, examined the effects of the frequent ED visits due to COPD and CHF on the beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid in Maryland. The goal was to identify the factors that led these patients to visit the ED, the impact of these visits on Medicare utilization and costs across Maryland, and preventative intervention strategies to control this population's costs of care. Secondary data were analyzed from 2010-2012 …

Risk Factors For Measles Among Hiv-Infected Children In Uganda, Miriam Nanyunja

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Measles remains a major global public health problem. Attainment of high population immunity to measles through vaccination is necessary to control this disease. Children infected with HIV infection often experience secondary measles vaccine failure by 2 years of age, making them susceptible to measles. It is not clear whether HIV-infected children on Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART), older than 2 years, have a higher risk of measles than HIV-uninfected children. This retrospective cohort study, guided by the proximate determinants framework, was conducted to compare the risk of measles between HIV-infected children on HAART (exposed) and HIV-uninfected peers (unexposed). The age …

Risk Factors Associated With Severe Acute Respiratory Infections Cases, Ryan Gatdula Ortiguerra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The close proximity of the United States to the Mexican border poses a concern for communicable diseases because of the high flow of population movement. The purpose of this retrospective, quantitative study was to identify risks associated with respiratory diseases using an analysis of archived data from the Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance program. Based on the epidemiologic triangle theory, demographic and etiologic factors were analyzed to examine any associations with SARI in this population. Between 2010 and 2012, 798 subjects enrolled in this program, with 336 (42.1%) testing positive for respiratory pathogens. Chi square analysis determined that age …

The Impact Of Transportation Infrastructure On Nigeria's Economic Developmeny, William A. Agbigbe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described Nigeria's road networks as one of the poorest and deadliest transportation infrastructural systems in the world. Data from the UNDP and the World Bank (WB) show that Nigeria has suffered transportation infrastructure deficits; these data also illustrate Nigeria as one of the lowest indices in economic development in the last decade. This qualitative case study addressed the impact of a lack of investment in transportation infrastructure in the form of road networks on Nigeria's economic development. The purpose of the study was to understand the relationship between the investment in road networks and …

Association Between Haart And Metabolic Syndrome Components Among Hiv-Positive Adults In Southeastern Nigeria, Bridget Okiemute Amechi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) contributes to metabolic disorders and the growing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Hypertension, obesity, and hyperglycemia (components of MetS) are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that HIV patients on HAART have a 2-fold risk of dying from MetS. There are no such studies in Umuahia; hence the need for this study to fill this gap. Using a sample size of 192 medical records of HIV-infected patients in Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, and applying metabolic syndrome theory, this study examined the relationships among types of HAART regimen, …

The Association Of Cancer Development In Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rose Michelle Coley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Association of Cancer Development in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by

Rose Michelle Coley

MPH, Walden University, 2011

BS, University of Mount Olive, 2008

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree of

Doctor of Philosophy

Public Health

Walden University

March 2016

Both cancer and autoimmune diseases have been associated with numerous factors that may independently lead to the development of either disease. When these factors overlap the difficulty in assessing association is compounded. The numerous factors that are thought to cause systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which leads to the development of cancer, makes the study …

Behaviors Related To Hiv Infections In Rural Versus Urban Regions Of Nigeria, Michael Ifeanyi Okeke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Efforts by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and international nongovernmental agencies to reduce the impact of HIV in Nigeria have not yielded the anticipated results. This study focused on the association between attitude, religious beliefs, knowledge of HIV, sexual risk behavior, and HIV epidemiology in rural and urban Nigeria. This quantitative study used social-cognitive theory and problem theory. The study was based on the Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2013 data including a sample of 33,006 participants. Specific covariates including gender, sexual partners over the past years, age at first sexual encounter, socioeconomic status, and literacy level were obtained …

Risk Factors And Outcomes For Bloodstream Infections Among Patients With Skin Infections, Michael Rybak Rybak

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) are common infections within the local community, and they result in higher morbidity and health care costs. While risk factors for skin and soft tissue infections have been previously evaluated, risk factors associated with secondary bloodstream infections (BSI) has not been investigated, especially in an intercity patient population with limited health care resources. In this case control investigation, 392 patients consisting of 196 cases (ABSSSI + BSI) and 196 controls (ABSSSI) were investigated to determine risk for BSI. Both sociodemographic and underlying conditions were evaluated. According to bivariate analysis of cases and …

Lack Of Human Awareness And The Need For Increased Public Education Regarding The Zoonotic Parasite, Baylisascaris Procyonis, Jacob L. Ogdee, Scott E. Henke, David B. Wester

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Baylisascaris procyonis is a large parasitic nematode found in the small intestines of raccoons (Procyon lotor), the definitive host, and causes larva migrans in humans and other animals. Humans can become infected by ingesting B. procyonis eggs, which can remain viable in the environment for years and adhere to vegetation, soil, water, raccoon feces, or hands. Parasitic infections manifest in humans with neural and ocular larva migrans, characterized by clinical symptoms of head and body tilt, circling, recumbency, ataxia, blindness, nervous behavior, paralysis, and coma, leading to death. Prevalence of B. procyonis in humans is unknown. However, human …

Primary Healthcare Policy Implementation In South Asia, Chris Van Weel, Ryuki Kassai, Waris Qidwai, Raman Kumar, Kanu Bala, Pramendra Prasad Gupta, Ruvaiz Haniffa Haniffa, Neelamani Rajapaksa Hewageegana, Thusara Ranasinghe, Michael Kidd, Amanda Howe

Department of Family Medicine

Primary healthcare is considered an essential feature of health systems to secure population health and contain costs of healthcare while universal health coverage forms a key to secure access to care. This paper is based on a workshop at the 2016 World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) South Asia regional conference, where the health systems of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were presented in relation to their provision of primary healthcare. The five countries have in recent years improved the health of their populations, but currently face the challenges of non-communicable diseases and ageing populations. Primary healthcare should …