Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Bactericidal Effects Of Low Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma On Porphyromonas Gingivalis, Arwa Mahasneh

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The biomedical application of low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP) is a collaborative interest for engineering, medical, dental and biological researchers. This laboratory study tested whether LTAPP can limit growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen strongly associated with periodontal disease, disease progression, and refractory periodontitis. Methods: After extensive pilot trials, the study consisted of 24 agar plate samples of P. gingivalis- 20 samples were exposed to LTAPP at 5, 7, 9 and 10 minutes and 4 control samples were exposed to helium gas only. Immediately after exposures, the samples were incubated anaerobically for 72 hour at …

The Role Of Human Endogenous Retroviruses In Renal Cell Carcinoma, Michele D. Tisdale

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Human endogenous retroviruses make up approximately 8-9% of the human genome. A number of expressed HERVs, those that are actively transcribing, have been associated with various cancers. Suppression mechanisms that control HERV expression often fail or become more permissive in tissues where expression should be restricted. Previous studies have identified HERV expression in breast cancer tissues, whereas normal tissue HERV expression remained suppressed. In addition, studies of DNA hypermethylation have correlated with the ability to contribute to cancer development. Hypermethylation of several tumor suppressor genes occurs frequently in cancers and alterations in promoter regions could contribute to the development of …

Effects Of Non-Equilibrium Plasma On Eukaryotic Cells (Final Report: Grant Fa9550-06-1-0004), Mounir Laroussi, Fred C. Dobbs, Old Dominion University

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This document is our final report describing the research activities carried out under AFOSR Grant FA9550-06-1-0004. First, descriptions of our cold plasma generation systems are presented. Two systems, developed with past and present AFOSR support, are available in our laboratory. The first is a pulsed device capable of emitting a cold plasma plume in room air. The second is an air plasma generator the core of which is a dielectric barrier discharge excited by a high AC voltage. Following these brief descriptions we first present the effects of an atmospheric pressure air plasma on four different types of eukaryotic microalgae. …

Section Abstracts: Medical Sciences

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Medical Science Section for the 87th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 27-29, 2009, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.

Effects Of Low-Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma On Streptococcus Mutans, Margaret Farrer Lemaster

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The recent emergence of low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP) technology has led researchers to explore biomedical applications. The present study set out to determine if LTAPP has the ability to inactivate dental caries causing bacteria, specifically Streptococcus mutans. Methods: A total of 90 samples were processed. Seventy-two samples of S. mutans at 1: 100 dilution in BHI broth were exposed to LTAPP for various time intervals (60, 120, 180, 300 seconds). Eighteen control samples were plated but not exposed to LTAPP. Samples were plated on Mi tis salivarius (MS) agar and incubated 48 hours at 37° C. Colony …

Inhibition Of Yeast Hexokinase By The Antimalarial Drug Artemisinin: Probing Mechanism Of Action With A Model Enzyme, Jennifer S. Spence

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A leading infectious cause of death, malaria threatens approximately half of the world's population, and drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum have created immense difficulty in chemotherapy of the disease. The artemisinin (ART) class of antimalarials may represent a powerful solution. In addition to their safety, effectiveness, and moderate cost, they are the only drugs in use for which there has been no widespread evidence of clinical resistance. The exact parasiticidal mechanism of ART is highly contested, but evidence suggests that protein alkylation may play a role in cytotoxicity. in vitro essays were performed using yeast hexokinase (HK) to demonstrate a …

Reflective Visual Journaling During Art Therapy And Counseling Internships, Sarah P. Deaver

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Visual journaling is thought to promote students' critical reflection upon their previous learning, their current experiences, and their ongoing professional growth. Research supports the value of written journals as educational tools that encourage reflection, but the potential for visual journaling to facilitate reflection has not been explored through systematic inquiry until now.

This qualitative multiple case study explored four art therapy students' and four counseling students' responses to visual journaling during their internships. They maintained their journals throughout one 15-week academic semester, and were interviewed four times over the course of the study. Data consisted of transcribed interviews and photographs …

Mechanisms Of Regulation Of Proximal Tubule Sodium Transporters In Obesity-Induced Hypertension, Marta A. Ambrozewicz

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Hypertension is one of the common complications of obesity. Using a rat model of diet induced obesity and hypertension we investigated some of the mechanisms that are involved in regulation of blood pressure in obesity. The first aim of this study was to determine the role of proximal tubule transporters on the renal sodium handling in obese hypertensive (OP) and lean normotensive (OR) rats. An acute increase in renal perfusion pressure resulted in a blunted natriuretic response in OP vs. OR rats and indicated that increased sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule is casual, at least in part, for hypertension …

The Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner At The Master's-Degree Level: Is It Necessary?, Michele Leonardi Darby

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

The article reflects on the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) curriculum proposed by the American Dental Hygienists' Association at the master's degree level. It is stated that dental hygienists and ADHPs can collaborate with other health care professionals for contributing towards the advancement of quality health care to the most vulnerable populations. It is mentioned that preparation at the master's degree is a logical pathway to the expanded scope of practice.

Immediate Effect Of Heel-Pain Orthosis And An Augmented Low-Dye Taping On Plantar Pressures And Pain In Subjects With Plantar Fasciitis, Tracy Andus

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

Research has been done investigating plantar pressures and pain in subjects with pathologies after the application of orthoses and arch taping. To date, however, no study has been conducted investigating plantar pressures and pain in subjects with plantar fasciitis after the application of the augmented low-dye taping (ALD) in comparison to a heel-pain orthosis (HPO). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the ALD in comparison to a HPO on pain, peak plantar pressure (PPP), and mean plantar pressure (MPP) under multiple areas of the foot in subjects with plantar fasciitis while walking and jogging. …

The Effects Of Isolated Hamstring Fatigue On Jump Landing In Healthy Recreational Athletes, Kristen Anne Phillips

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The musculature of the lower extremity provides dynamic stability during daily and athletic tasks. In landing tasks, the lower extremity absorbs forces and reduces excessive stresses and motions that are placed upon the body. Neuromuscular fatigue has been linked to an increase in injury and altered kinematics during jump landing tasks. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of hamstring fatigue on knee and hip kinematics pre and post hamstrings fatigue while landing from a box drop of 30cm height, during the stop-jump phase. The study aimed to quantify the kinematic data of the hip and knee …

Oral Healthcare In Kenya: Implications For Dental Hygiene Care, Grace Kogi

Dental Hygiene Master's Papers and Projects

This paper is a review of literature describing the educational, healthcare delivery and healthcare finance systems in Kenya. The document discusses the unmet oral health needs of the Kenyan population and how implementing the role of the dental hygienist would positively impact oral health promotion throughout the country. Kenyan communities experience all of the major environmental determinants of oral disease, e.g., widespread poverty, underdevelopment, outdated dental equipment, insufficient supply and distribution of qualified dental care professionals and lack of preventive oral health services. About six in ten Kenyans are unable to afford healthcare, clothing, or food; therefore, oral healthcare has …

Direct-To-Consumer Advertising For Erectile Dysfunction Drugs, Karen A. Karlowicz

Nursing Faculty Publications

The author reflects on direct to consumer advertising which is concerned with erectile dysfunction drugs. She suggests that many people have problems with open discussions of sexual health problems. She argues that urologic nurses should have discussions with pharmaceutical representatives about ways to responsibly educate the public about erectile dysfunction drugs in a manner that is not offensive.

Taking Be Proud! Be Responsible! To The Suburbs: A Replication Study, Elaine A. Borawski, Erika S. Trapl, Kimberly Adams-Tufts, Laura L. Hayman, Merdith A. Goodwin, Loren D. Lovegreen

Nursing Faculty Publications

CONTEXT: An important phase of HIV prevention research is replicating successful interventions with different groups and in different settings.

METHODS: Be Proud! Be Responsible!, a successful intervention originally targeting black urban males and carried out in nonschool settings, was presented in health classes at urban and suburban schools with diverse student bodies. A group-randomized intervention study, which included 1,357 ninth and 10th graders from 10 paired schools in a Midwestern metropolitan area, was conducted in 2000-2002. Half the schools received the intervention, and half received a general health promotion program. Students' reports of their sexual behavior and selected cognitive mediators …

Resting State Default-Mode Network Connectivity In Early Depression Using A Seed Region-Of-Interest Analysis: Decreased Connectivity With Caudate Nucleus, Robyn Bluhm, Peter Williamson, Ruth Lanius, Jean Théberge, Maria Densmore, Robert Bartha, Richard Neufeld, Elizabeth Osuch

Philosophy Faculty Publications

Aim: Reports on resting brain activity in healthy controls have described a default-mode network (DMN) and important differences in DMN connectivity have emerged for several psychiatric conditions. No study to date, however, has investigated resting-state DMN in relatively early depression before years of medication treatment. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to investigate the DMN in patients seeking help from specialized mental health services for the first time for symptoms of depression.

Methods: Fourteen depressed subjects and 15 matched controls were scanned using 4-T functional magnetic resonance imaging while resting with eyes closed. All but one subject was …

Test Of A Multidisciplinary Health Behavior Model Of Medicare Elders' Antihypertensive Acquisitions, Ann Marie Kopitzke

Health Services Research Dissertations

This study examined the relative utility of the enhanced Health Belief Model as compared to the proposed Pharmaceutical Acquisition Model for Medicare Elders (PAMME) in describing antihypertensive acquisition with usage intentions for Medicare elders (65 years or older) in Southeastern Virginia. Data collection included record reviews to identify hypertensive Medicare elders. Consenting Medicare elders were randomly selected for invitation, with consenting Medicare elders contacted by telephone or in-person interviews. The survey instrument utilized open and closed ended questions. The target population for this study is Southeastern Virginia Medicare elders enrolled in a Part D plan and prescribed at least one …

Results From A Mathematical Model For Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis, H. Gaff, L. Gross, E. Schaefer

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia chaffeensis), HME, is a tick-transmitted, rickettsial disease that has recently increased substantially in the USA from 142 reported cases in 2001 to 506 reported cases in 2005 [1,2]. There have been increasing surveys of tick populations over the past 10 years that have in turn supported the development of models for tick-borne disease transmission. Resulting HME models [3] suggest the importance of metapopulation structures, landscape environment parameters and periodic climatic effects in predicting the dynamics of HME transmission and the efficacy of control efforts, such as the reduction of the tick population through acaricide …

Temporal And Spatial Stability Of Anopheles Gambiae Larval Habitat Distribution In Western Kenya Highlands, Li Li, Ling Bian, Laith Yakob, Guofa Zhou, Guiyun Yan

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Background: Localized mosquito larval habitat management and the use of larvicides have been proposed as important control tools in integrated malaria vector management programs. In order to optimize the utility of these tools, detailed knowledge of the spatial distribution patterns of mosquito larval habitats is crucial. However, the spatial and temporal changes of habitat distribution patterns under different climatic conditions are rarely quantified and their implications to larval control are unknown.

Results: Using larval habitat data collected in western Kenya highlands during both dry and rainy seasons of 2003-2005, this study analyzed the seasonal and inter-annual changes in the spatial …

Contribution Of A Portable Air Plasma Torch To Rapid Blood Coagulation As A Method Of Preventing Bleeding, S. P. Kuo, O. Tarasenko, J. Chang, S. Popovic, C. Y. Chen, H. W. Fan, A. Scott, M. Lahiani, P. Alusta, J. D. Drake, M. Nikolic

Physics Faculty Publications

The effectiveness and mechanism of a low temperature air plasma torch in clotting blood are explored. Both blood droplets and smeared blood samples were used in the tests. The treated droplet samples reveal how blood clotting depends on the distance at which the torch operated, and for how long the droplets have been exposed to the torch. Microscopy and cell count of smeared blood samples shed light on dependencies of erythrocyte and platelet counts on torch distance and exposure time. With an increase of torch distance, the platelet count of treated blood samples increases but is less than that of …

Alterations In Default Network Connectivity In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Related To Early Life Trauma, Robyn L. Bluhm, Peter C. Williamson, Elizabeth A. Osuch, Paul A. Frewen, Todd K. Stevens, Kristine Boksman, Richard W.J. Neufeld, Jean Théberge, Ruth A. Lanius

Philosophy Faculty Publications

Background: The "default network" consists of a number of brain regions that exhibit correlated low-frequency activity at rest and that have been suggested to be involved in the processing of self-relevant stimuli. Activity in many of these areas has also been shown to be altered in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We hypothesized that the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus, part of the default network, would exhibit altered connectivity at rest with other areas of the default network and regions associated with PTSD.

Methods: Seventeen medicated and unmedicated female patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to early-life trauma …

Curricular Satisfaction Levels Of National Athletic Trainers' Association- Accredited Postprofessional Athletic Training Graduates, Kevin J. Henry, Bonnie Van Lunen, Brian Udermann, James A. Onate

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Academic programs rely on outcomes assessments to determine if changes in the curriculum are necessary.

Objective: To examine the overall satisfaction levels of graduates (2005-2006) of National Athletic Trainers' Association-accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs as related to the 2002 Standards and Guidelines for Development and Implementation of NATA-Accredited PostProfessional Graduate Athletic Training Education Programs.

Design: Original survey instrument and demographic questionnaire.

Setting: Online survey instrument.

Patients or Other Participants: Of 211 survey recipients, 123 returned surveys (58.29% response rate).

Main Outcome Measure(s): Demographic information and satisfaction levels in 10 standard areas (depth of learning, breadth of learning, critical …

Culture And The Social Context Of Health Inequalities, Carol Leler Mansyur, Benjamin C. Amick Iii, Luisa Franzini, Robert E. Roberts

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

There is a great deal of recent interest and debate concerning the linkages between inequality and health cross-nationally. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommended in 2001 that any new research on health disparities should include social and cultural systems as units of analysis. Nevertheless, many public health interventions and policies continue to decontextualize risk factors from the social environment. Exposures to social and health inequalities probably vary as a consequence of different cultural contexts. To identify the processes that cause social and health inequalities, it is important to understand culture's influence. Navarro's research on political institutions and inequality illustrates …

Socioeconomic Disparity In Healthcare-Seeking Behavior Among Chinese Women With Genitourinary Symptoms, Qi Zhang, Diane Lauderdale, Shanshan Mou, William I. Parish, Edward O. Laumann, John Schneider

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are of growing concern in China. Understanding the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and healthcare-seeking (HCS) behavior will help design effective policies to contain the epidemic of STIs across SES.

Methods: We used the Chinese Health and Family Life Survey, a nationally representative survey of 3813 adults from 48 Chinese cities and counties during 1999-2000. We studied the 730 women with at least one genito-urinary (GU) symptom. HCS was measured by whether respondents visited a hospital or an unrecognized clinic, self-treatment, or doing nothing. Formal treatment was defined as visiting a hospital. SES was measured …

The Cultural Production Of Health Inequalities: A Cross-Sectional, Multilevel Examination Of 52 Countries, Carol L. Mansyur, Benjamin C. Amick Iii, Ronald B. Harrist, Luisa Franzini, Robert E. Roberts

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

In a 2001 report, the U.S. National Institutes of Health called for more integration of the social sciences into health-related research, including research guided by theories and methods that take social and cultural systems into consideration. Based on a theoretical framework that integrates Hofstede's cultural dimensions with sociological theory, the authors used multilevel modeling to explore the association of culture with structural inequality and health disparities. Their results support the idea that cultural dimensions and social structure, along with economic development, may account for much of the cross-national variation in the distribution of health inequalities. Sensitivity tests also suggest that …

Behavioral Couple Therapy: Partner-Involved Treatment For Substance-Abusing Women, William Fals-Stewart, Wendy K.K. Lam, Michelle L. Kelley

Psychology Faculty Publications

Among the various psychosocial interventions presently available to treat alcohol and drug abuse, it could be argued that partner-involved treatments are the most broadly efficacious. There is not only substantial empirical support for the use of couple-based treatments in terms of improvements in primary targeted outcomes, such as substance use and relationship adjustment, but also in other areas that are of clear public health significance, including intimate partner violence (IPV), children's adjustment, and cost-benefit ratio and cost-effectiveness. During the last few decades, programmatic research on the application of partner-involved therapies for substance abuse has been among the most active and …

Evaluation Of The Urinary Incontinence Scales© To Measure Change After Experiential Learning: A Pilot Study, Karen A. Karlowicz

Nursing Faculty Publications

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Urinary Incontinence Scales© to measure change after student participation in a disability-incontinence experiential learning activity was the focus of this pilot study. A comparison between pretest and posttest scores showed a significant increase in Belief and Practice subscale scores after participation in the experience. However, positive correlations between the variables measured could not be established.

Traumatic Stress As A Predictor Of Suicidality, Sherry Malana Todd

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Suicide is a deliberate act of annihilation against one's self due to a crisis of problem solving. Far too many youth are dying by their own hands resulting in suicide being the third leading cause of death for 10-19 year olds (CDC, 2005). Suicide is particularly problematic for adolescents due to the impulsivity inherent in adolescent development. Since 1980, the national suicide rate of African American youth has increased by 114 percent (CDC). Suicidality has been positively correlated with depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Kessler et al., 1999). Suicidality is more prevalent when a person experiences a tragic or …

An Assessment Of Burnout In Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Program Directors, Jessica M. Walter, Bonnie L. Van Lunen, Stacy E. Walker, Zahra C. Ismaeli

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Athletic training education program directors (ATEPDs) often manage their time among students, program administration, and patient care.

Objective: To assess the level of burnout in ATEPDs and to determine the relationship between burnout and various demographics of ATEPDs.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Public and private colleges and universities nationwide.

Patients or Other Participants: Two hundred forty-nine ATEPDs of undergraduate athletic training education programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

Intervention(s): We administered the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to all participants.

Main Outcome Measure(s): The MBI consisted of 21 items assessing 3 characteristics of burnout: emotional …

Test-Retest Reliability And Minimal Detectable Change Scores For The Timed "Up & Go" Test, The Six-Minute Walk Test, And Gait Speed In People With Alzheimer Disease, Julie D. Ries, John L. Echternach, Leah Nof, Michelle Gagnon Blodgett

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background. With the increasing incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD), determining the validity and reliability Of Outcome measures for people with this disease is necessary.

Objective. The goals of this study were to assess test-retest reliability of data for the Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG), the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and gait speed and to calculate minimal detectable change (MDC) scores for each outcome measure. Performance differences between groups With mild to moderate AD and moderately severe to severe AD (as determined by the Functional Assessment Staging [FAST] scale) were Studied.

Design. This was a prospective, nonexperimental, descriptive methodological study. …

Rapid Sensor Technology: A Risk And System Complexity Analyses Of Early Detection Of Influenza-Like-Illnesses, Cesar Ariel Pinto, Ipek Bozkurt

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The development of effective and reliable methods to defend the nation against biological terrorism remains an urgent challenge to researchers in the areas of risk, bio-defense, public health, and emergency medicine. The emerging threat of the avian flu pandemic also highlights the unpreparedness of our nation's health care system to meet a highly contagious and infectious disease outbreak. The implementation of a rapid sensor technology for early detection of influenza-like-illness provides possible opportunities, as well as problems. Bounding and defining such a complex problem is one of the first challenges this research addresses. Approaching this problem from various perspectives such …