Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ten-Year (2001-2011) Trends In The Incidence Rates And Short-Term Outcomes Of Early Versus Late Onset Cardiogenic Shock After Hospitalization For Acute Myocardial Infarction, Hoa L. Nguyen, Jorge L. Yarzebski, Darleen M. Lessard, Joel M. Gore, David D. Mcmanus, Robert J. Goldberg

Jorge L. Yarzebski

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction, and the time of onset of CS has a potential role in influencing its prognosis. Limited contemporary data exist on this complication, however, especially from a population-based perspective. Our study objectives were to describe decade-long trends in the incidence, in-hospital mortality, and factors associated with the development of CS in 3 temporal contexts: (1) before hospital arrival for acute myocardial infarction (prehospital CS); (2) within 24 hours of hospitalization (early CS); and (3) > /=24 hours after hospitalization (late CS). METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 5782 …

Epidemiology News, Georgia Southern University

Epidemiology News (2012-2018)

• Georgia Southern Examines Cervical Screening Interventions for Rural Latina Immigrant Women

Metabolic Dysregulation And Cancer Mortality In A National Cohort Of Blacks And Whites, Tomi Akinyemiju, Justin Xavier Moore, Suzanne Judd, Susan Lakoski, Michael Goodman, Monika M. Safford, Maria Pisu

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: We examined the association between metabolic dysregulation and cancer mortality in a prospective cohort of Black and White adults.

Methods: A total of 25,038 Black and White adults were included in the analysis. Metabolic dysregulation was defined in two ways: 1) using the joint harmonized criteria for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 2) based on factor analysis of 15 variables characterizing metabolic dysregulation. We estimated hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of MetS and metabolic dysregulation with cancer mortality during follow-up using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results: About 46% of Black and 39% of White …

A Novel Model Of “Remedy And Elimination Of Tuberculosis”, Akanksha Mishra

Master's Theses

Tuberculosis (TB), is one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. TB is commonly linked to poverty and creates poverty as it is the single largest cause of death in the 15-49-year-old age group in South-East Asia (WHO, 2017). It is also linked to the HIV population, and its leading cause of death. TB is effected by socio-economic factors, cultural factors, and health policy. My goal of this dissertation is to identify systematic approaches that shall support the mission set by World Health Organization (WHO): to eliminate TB globally by the year 2050. Measures might include addressing social barriers …

Relationships Between Complex Pediatric Health Conditions And The Built, Physical And Social Environments, Brittany Corley

Theses & Dissertations

The relationship between human health and the environment is complex and overall poorly understood. The environment has a lasting impact on health, and the processes appear to start at conception. Thus, this dissertation examines the potential relationship between pediatric health and the environment.

The first relationship examined was between the built environment and comorbid Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many publications have reported the relationship between socioeconomic disadvantage, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, the link between the built environment and Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder symptom severity is poorly understood. …

Prevalence Of And Trends In Diabetes Among Veterans, United States, 2005–2014, Ying Liu, Sonica Sayam, Xiaonan Shao, Kesheng Wang, Shimin Zheng, Ying Li, Liang Wang

ETSU Faculty Works

Diabetes is a highly prevalent chronic disease among US adults, and its prevalence among US veterans is even higher. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of and trends in diabetes in US veterans by using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 through 2014. The overall prevalence of diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes was 20.5% and 3.4%, respectively, and increased from 15.5% in 2005–2006 to 20.5% in 2013–2014 (P = .04). Effective prevention and intervention approaches are needed to lower diabetes prevalence among US veterans and ultimately improve their health status.

Antibiotic Resistance In Escherichia Coli Iron Transport Mutants, Madeline Brandt

Honors Projects

Studies previously completed on Escherichia coli mutants suggested the possibility of iron uptake as an influence on the antibiotic resistance seen in different strains. The research focused on the TonB energy transduction system and its contributions to efflux-mediated antibiotic resistance. To test the hypothesis that iron uptake has an influence on antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli, the sensitivity to a variety of antibiotics was evaluated in strains of E. coli lacking genes that relate to the uptake of iron or the efflux system that is necessary for the uptake of iron. To test the efflux systems TolC and TonB …

Chronic Disease Risk Prediction Models And Their Impacts On Behavioural And Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Patrick Kim

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Risk prediction models are tools that predict an individual’s risk of developing a health outcome. They were developed to influence patient management by guiding preventive interventions, with the goal of reducing the incidence of new diseases. Studies examining their impacts are uncommon, and no consensus regarding their effects has been reached. This systematic review sought to determine the impact of risk prediction models for chronic diseases on physician behaviour, patient behaviour, and patient health outcomes. Twenty-two studies were found to be eligible for review. The results demonstrated that: 1) physician behaviour may be positively influenced, though a statistically significant result …

Predictors Of Compliance And Predictive Values Of The Breast Cancer Screening Program Of The Oman Cancer Association (2009-2016), Sultan Al Balushi

Capstone Experience

Background: Most breast cancers in Oman are diagnosed at advanced stages and therefore early detection is important. The Oman Cancer Association (OCA) initiated a mobile mammography program in 2009 but no studies have evaluated the impact of the program. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of OCA-screened women who had repeated mammography (compliance) and the associated predictors. The sensitivity and specificity of the program were also evaluated.

Methods: Data for 13,079 women screened in the mammography clinic of OCA from 2009-2016 and medical records of all breast cancer patients seen at Royal and Sultan Qaboos University hospitals during the …

Effect Of Total Body Iron On Metabolic Dysfunction Among U.S. Females In The Nhanes 2003-2010, Aged 12-49., Joseph Michael Carhart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Experimental and epidemiological studies have reported positive associations between iron parameters and metabolic dysfunction including: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (1-6), metabolic syndrome (7-15), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (16-22) and insulin resistance (23,24) with a number of studies showing that reductions in total body iron via dietary modification (e.g., reducing red meat intake) or phlebotomy lead to increases in insulin sensitivity (25), decreases in insulin resistance (26), and reductions in the prevalence of complications associated with T2DM (5, 27), metabolic syndrome (28) and NAFLD (22, 29). Moreover, the risk associated with these outcomes and total body iron differ between …

The Role Of Pre-Existing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Colorectal Cancer Stage And Survival In Elderly Americans: A Seer-Medicare Population-Based Study 2002-~2011, Sanae El Ibrahimi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Diabetes is a common comorbid condition among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, yet its effects in CRC outcomes, particularly stage at diagnosis, risk of death and variations by diabetes severity (complications vs no complications) and Hispanic ethnicity have not been adequately studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between pre-existing T2DM and advanced stage at diagnosis in elderly patients with CRC; to examine whether diabetes is an independent predictor of poor survival from all-cause and CRC-specific mortality; to assess whether variations exist by diabetes severity and to analyze the outcomes for the Hispanic group.

The Surveillance Epidemiology …

The Impact Of Economic Recession On The Health Of Adult Nevadans, Ariana Goertz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Recessions are generally considered to cause negative consequences, but recent studies have provided evidence that some health outcomes improve as the economy deteriorates. The relationship between economic downfalls and health is not straightforward; it is important to look at how health has been impacted in one of the areas hit hardest by the recession. Las Vegas, Nevada was previously considered recession-proof, seemingly unaffected by previous economic downturns exhibited by the rest of the country. However, during the Great Recession of 2007-2009, Las Vegas led the country in highest rates of unemployment and foreclosures. This was quite a collapse for a …

Moving Mountains : A Study Examining Long-Term Impacts Of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining On Mortality In The Appalachian Region Using Geographic Information Sciences Techniques., James Howard Kent Pugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the last hundred years, the Appalachian region has been dominated by the coal industry. It has also been and currently is one of the unhealthiest regions in the United States. Recent scholarship has examined the relationship between coal mining and health and mortality rates in the Appalachian region. The first study incorporates air quality and pollution data to examine if coal mining counties have higher levels of pollution and if this pollution contributes to mortality disadvantage. In the second study, I construct a population-based coal-exposure measure to better evaluate the relationship between coal mining and health I find that …

Quality Of Life: Socio-Demographic And Genetic Determinants As Well As Links With Cancer Outcomes, Jeanne Pierzynski

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Quality of life (QOL) is an independent prognostic factor for cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Breast cancer is the most diagnosed. Bladder cancer is the most expensive cancer to treat because of its high recurrence rate. We set to perform comprehensive analyses of predictors of QOL in these cancer sites with the future goal of improving QOL and outcomes.

In 6,456 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients, we investigated the relationship between baseline patient characteristics and QOL to identify determinants of QOL. A QOL questionnaire (SF-12v1) measured patients’ physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary …

Seasonal Forcing In Stochastic Epidemiology Models, Lora Billings, Eric Forgoston

Lora Billings

Seasonal Forcing In Stochastic Epidemiology Models, Lora Billings, Eric Forgoston

Eric Forgoston

Substitution Of Formal And Informal Home Care Service Use And Nursing Home Service Use: Health Outcomes, Decision-Making Preferences, And Implications For A Public Health Policy, Chia-Ching Chen, T Yamada, T Nakashima, I Chiu

NYMC Faculty Publications

Objectives: The purposes of this study are: (1) to empirically identify decision-making preferences of long-term health-care use, especially informal and formal home care (FHC) service use; (2) to evaluate outcomes vs. costs based on substitutability of informal and FHC service use; and (3) to investigate health outcome disparity based on substitutability. Methodology and data: The methods of ordinary least squares, a logit model, and a bivariate probit model are used by controlling for socioeconomic, demographic, and physical/mental health factors to investigate outcomes and costs based substitutability of informal and formal health-care use. The data come from the 2013 Japanese Study …

Clinical Evaluation Of The Cepheid Xpert® Tv Assay For Detection Of Trichomonas Vaginalis With Prospectively Collected Female And Male Specimens., Jane R Schwebke, C A Gaydos, T Davis, J Marrazzo, D Furgerson, S N Taylor, B Smith, L H Bachmann, R Ackerman, T Spurrell, D Ferris, C A Burnham, H Reno, J Lebed, D Eisenberg, P Kerndt, S Philip, J Jordan, N Quigley

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

Trichomoniasis is the most prevalent curable sexually transmitted disease (STD). It has been associated with preterm birth and acquisition/transmission of HIV. Recently, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) have been FDA-cleared in the United States for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) in specimens from both women and men. This current study reports the results of a multicenter study recently conducted using the Xpert TV Assay to test specimens from both men and women. On-demand results were available in as little as 40 minutes for positive specimens. A total of 1867 women and 4791 men were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. …

Teaching For Epidemiological Literacy: Description, Prescription, And Critical Thinking, Peter J. Taylor

Working Papers on Science in a Changing World

This working paper describes contrasting ideas for a sequence of topics as presented to students in a graduate course on epidemiological literacy. The premise of the pedagogical approach is that researchers develop their epidemiological thinking and practice over time through interactions with other researchers who have a variety of in-practice commitments, such as to kinds of cases and methods of analysis, and not simply to a philosophical framework for explanation. In descriptively teasing out what epidemiologists do in practice through a topic-by-topic presentation, I am prescriptively encouraging discussants to draw purposefully from across the range of topics and contrasting …

Sleep And Alzheimer’S Disease: A Critical Examination Of The Risk That Sleep Problems Or Disorders Particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea Pose Towards Developing Alzheimer’S Disease, Omonigho A. Michael Bubu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a critical examination of the relationship between sleep problems and/or disorders, particularly Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Alzheimer Disease (AD). First, I conducted an exhaustive systematic review of existing literature, and identified gaps in research that led to specific research aims. For the first aim, I conducted the first ever-published meta-analysis examining sleep, cognitive decline and AD, providing an aggregate effect of sleep on AD. Second, focusing on OSA, I conducted a study examining OSA’s effect on longitudinal changes on AD biomarkers in cognitive normal, MCI and AD subjects, using data from the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative …

Associations Of Hiv Risk Behaviors Among Older Latinas And Their Adult Daughters, Gira J. Ravelo

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the associations between adult Latina daughters’ HIV risk behaviors and that of their older Latina mothers’ HIV risk behaviors. The central hypothesis of the study is that adult Latina daughters’ influence their older mothers’ behaviors and that such behaviors interact with the level of their attachment.

Older Latinas are a vulnerable population that face cultural risk factors, health care provider bias, and engage in low rates of HIV testing. The primary mode of HIV infection for Latinas is through heterosexual contact. Yet, traditional gender norms such as marianismo belief place pressure on Latina women to be submissive …

Ambient Ozone And Cadmium As Risk Factors For Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Rema Ramakrishnan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) results from a defect in the diaphragm through which abdominal contents enter the thorax displacing the heart and the lungs. This causes lung hypoplasia and varying degrees of pulmonary hypertension resulting in high rates of morbidity and mortality. Though CDH has a prevalence rate of 2.61 per 10,000 live births it is an expensive birth defect with an estimated annual cost of nearly $250 million for all CDH survivors. Maternal exposure to air pollutants have not been studied as risk factors for CDH in humans. Ambient ozone has been found to be risk factors for certain …

Advancing Stroke Genomic Research In The Age Of Trans-Omics Big Data Science: Emerging Priorities And Opportunities, Mayowa Owolabi, Emmanuel Peprah, Huichun Xu, Rufus Akinyemi, Hemant K. Tiwari, Marguerite R. Irvin, Kolawole Wasiu Wahab, Donna K. Arnett, Bruce Ovbiagele

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background—We systematically reviewed the genetic variants associated with stroke in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and examined the emerging priorities and opportunities for rapidly advancing stroke research in the era of Trans-Omics science.

Methods—Using the PRISMA guideline, we searched PubMed and NHGRI- EBI GWAS catalog for stroke studies from 2007 till May 2017.

Results—We included 31 studies. The major challenge is that the few validated variants could not account for the full genetic risk of stroke and have not been translated for clinical use. None of the studies included continental Africans. Genomic study of stroke among Africans presents …

The Path To Health Equity Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration, Cynthia Haq

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The author, a guest editor for this special issue of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews dedicated to health disparities and inequities, comments on recent studies demonstrating poorer health outcomes among various patient populations in the United States despite its having higher spending per capita than any other nation. Noting that health inequities are defined as avoidable differences, the author encourages health professionals to work to narrow these gaps.

Risk Associated With E-Cigarette Use And Marketing Messages On Other Tobacco Products Use And Dependence Symptoms Among Adolescents, Rehab Auf

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

E-cigarettes became available in the United States during 2007. Studies using national data have found an increase in e- cigarette use among adolescents as early as 2011. In 2014, e-cigarettes became the most commonly used tobacco product among adolescents; however, little is known about its association with other tobacco products use. Therefore, the present study aimed to: 1) Examine the association between initiating tobacco use via e-cigarettes and subsequent use of other tobacco products; 2) Examine the association between the exposure to e-cigarettes marketing messages and tobacco use; 3) Describe symptoms of nicotine dependence associated with e-cigarette use, compared with …

A Rural/Urban Comparison Of Privacy And Confidentiality Concerns Associated With Providing Sensitive Location Information In Epidemiologic Research Involving Persons Who Use Drugs, Abby E. Rudolph, April M. Young, Jennifer R. Havens

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background—Analyses that link contextual factors with individual-level data can improve our understanding of the "risk environment"; however, the accuracy of information provided by participants about locations where illegal/stigmatized behaviors occur may be influenced by privacy/confidentiality concerns that may vary by setting and/or data collection approach.

Methods—We recruited thirty-five persons who use drugs from a rural Appalachian town and a Mid-Atlantic city to participate in in-depth interviews. Through thematic analyses, we identified and compared privacy/confidentiality concerns associated with two survey methods that (1) collect self-reported addresses/cross-streets and (2) use an interactive web-based map to find/confirm locations in rural and …

Organic Solvent Exposure And Depressive Symptoms Among Licensed Pesticide Applicators In The Agricultural Health Study, Miriam Siegel, Sarah E. Starks, Wayne T. Sanderson, Freya Kamel, Jane A. Hoppin, Fred Gerr

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Purpose

Although organic solvents are often used in agricultural operations, neurotoxic effects of solvent exposure have not been extensively studied among farmers. The current analysis examined associations between questionnaire-based metrics of organic solvent exposure and depressive symptoms among farmers.

Methods

Results from 692 male Agricultural Health Study participants were analyzed. Solvent type and exposure duration were assessed by questionnaire. An “ever-use” variable and years of use categories were constructed for exposure to gasoline, paint/lacquer thinner, petroleum distillates, and any solvent. Depressive symptoms were ascertained with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); scores were analyzed separately as continuous (0–60) …

Factors Associated With Hiv Testing Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men In Myanmar: A Cross-Sectional Study, Minh D. Pham, Poe Poe Aung, Aye Kyawt Paing, Naanki Pasricha, Paul A. Agius, Waimar Tun, Ashish Bajracharya, Stanley Luchters

Population Health, East Africa

Introduction: In Myanmar, men who have sex with men (MSM) experience high risk of HIV infection. However, access to HIV testing and prevention services remains a challenge among this marginalized population. The objective of this study was to estimate population prevalence and correlates of prior HIV testing among young MSM (YMSM) and informs the development of HIV testing and intervention programmes that respond to the specific needs of this population.

Methods: Five hundred and eighty-five YMSM aged 18 to 24 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) in a cross-sectional survey conducted in six townships of Myanmar. RDS-adjusted population estimates …

Distributing Data And Analysis Software Containers For Better Data Sharing In Clinical Research, William A. Mattingly Phd, Stephen Furmanek, Christopher M. Sinclair, Timothy L. Wiemken Phd

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Introduction: Data sharing in clinical research is critical for increasing knowledge discovery. Data and software tools should be FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Inter-operable and Re-usable. Many bottlenecks exist in the process of a clinical investigator using shared data including data acquisition and statistical analysis. The objective of this project is to develop a structure for sharing data and providing rapid automated statistical analysis through creation of a pre-packaged, open-source software container.

Methods: We use the open source software container technologies VirtualBox and Vagrant to create a template for sharing clinical data and analysis scripts as a single container. We use …

Streptococcus Pneumoniae Antigen, Missing Opportunities Of A Promising Point Of Care Diagnostic Test, Magdelina Słomka, Ruby Gupta, Baltej Singh, Venkatesh Gondhi, Siddartha Bhandary, Ekezie Francis, Jose Bordon

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background: The etiologic diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and community-acquired meningitis (CAM) are still far from optimal accuracy and turnaround time. The most common bacterial pathogen identified in both CAP and CAM is Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Methods: We reviewed the literature on S. pneumoniae antigen to highlight opportunities to optimize its use as a point of care diagnostic test to maximize quality of patient care, antimicrobial stewardship outcomes and cost saving. A PubMed search was performed using key words “S. pneumoniae antigen; rapid diagnostic tests for S. pneumoniae”. We selected articles in English and sorted into randomized …