Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Analysis And Evaluation On Printed Materials Used In Genetic Counseling, Janet L. Macarthur

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine printed educational materials on five specific genetic disabilities and evaluate them for appropriateness of reading level and for inclusion of several specific issues related to the adequacy of the literature. Publicly available literature was analyzed using the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Formula and content analysis to estimate readability and to test for the presence of a definition of the disorder, a description of the basic genetics of the disorder and its symptomology, references to support groups and references for further information.

The data indicate that a definition of the disorder was included in 85% …

A Social Exchange Approach To Explaining Satisfaction With Therapy, Brenda B. Counts

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study examined the effect of Reward, Cost, Comparison Level, Comparison Level of Alternative, and Investment on Satisfaction and Commitment in therapy from the perspective of social exchange theory and the investment model. Relationship variables were assessed by 114 subjects for the beginning of therapy, the first few sessions: middle of therapy, when therapy was clearly underway and issues were being dealt with; and the end or last few sessions. Results confirmed that Satisfaction and Commitment were significantly predicted by greater Reward, lower Cost, and Comparison Level. Investment was consistently positively related to Commitment and not to Satisfaction. However, …

Hypoxanthine-Induced Differentiation Of Cultured Human Leukemia Cells, Gayle Jennette Singleton

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Human cultured leukemia cells appear to have a decreased amount of inosine in their tRNA. When cells with inosine deficient tRNA are placed in a hypoxanthine fortified media, they incorporate hypoxanthine into their tRNA by the action of the enzyme tRNA-hypoxanthine ribosyl transferase. This generates the nucleoside inosine in the tRNA. The cultured human leukemia cell lines, CCRF-CEM, HL-60, and HGPRT(-) HL- 60, incorporate hypoxanthine into their tRNA, as determined by tRNA isolation, hydrolysis, and HPLC analysis. Hypoxanthine treatment dramatically inhibited cell growth in conjunction with partial induction of differentiation in the CCRF-CEM, HL-60, and HGPRT ( - ) HL-60 …

Isolation And Partial Characterization Of Basic, Sperm-Specific, Nuclear Proteins In The Dog And Hampster, Richard William Hall

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The purpose was to determine whether dogs and hamsters contain the same sperm-specific protamine and testis specific proteins (TP) as other eutherian mammals previously studied. The proteins (protamine and TPs) were isolated from spermatids and mature spermatozoa, and were subjected to electrophoresis in an acid-urea, polyacrylamide gel system according to the procedure of Panyim and Chalkley (1962). The results indicated that, regardless of the anatomical location of sperm acquisition, acid precipitation technique, or denaturing agents used, epididymal and testicular samples from both the dog and hamster contained protamine in elongated spermatids and mature spermatozoa. The protamines from dogs and hamsters …

House Bill 1024: A Chronology, Clare Houseman, Leslie Hurt, Lucy Smith, Michele Zimmerman

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

In speaking to those assembled for Legislative Day, Tim Oksman, lobbyist for HB1024 stated that the bill's passage against all odds was a tribute to the respect that the legislators have for the Nursing Profession. For persons interested in the political process surrounding HB1024 this chronology is written. If at times it seems repetitive, it's because the process was. The same core group of people, give or take a couple, said the same things to different people over and over again. Perhaps it is important to emphasize both the frustration and necessity of this repetition and that patience is needed …

Patients' Perceived Benefits Of Home Health Services, Rita M. Holley

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

Home care can be described as the provision of health and related social support services to physically and mentally impaired persons in the places of residence considered to be their homes. The purpose of the study was to examine the patients' self perceived benefits of home health care services delivered in Chesapeake, Virginia. This investigation sought to study client satisfaction as it applies to area specific delivery of services, professional competence, and personal qualities. The target population were residents of Chesapeake, Virginia, who were currently or had recently received home care services from ComfortCare Home Health Services.

The Synthesis And Evaluation Of 5-Phenyloxazolidines As Potential Cardiovascular Drugs, Tammy C. Wang

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Drugs such as adrenoceptor antagonists and certain centrally acting agents are known to lower blood pressure and thus serve as clinically useful antihypertensive agents. Norepinephrine 4, a natural ∝-adrenoceptor agonist, is the major agent associated with increased blood pressure in the periphery. Based on a careful structure-activity comparison, a series of substituted oxazolidines, 20, 21, 22 and 23, have been designed as possible antihypertensive candidates. Specifically, 22 and 23 have been synthesized to serve as potential norepinephrine antagonists.

Preliminary evaluation of these compounds indicated that they were not antihypertensive in nature. The more active compound, 23, …

A Method For The Large Scale Purification Of Hcg (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) From The Urine Of Pregnant Women, Chun-Shyan Kuo

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

A large scale preparation of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) from the urine of pregnant women was accomplished by using kaolin adsorption, NH₄OH extraction and DEAE-cellulose ion exchange. A recovery about 81% of HCG and a specific activity in the 2,000-3,000 IU/mg range was achieved using this purification method.

Two HCG activity fractions, HCG I & HCG II, were isolated from DEAE-cellulose chromatography by a stepwise sodium chloride gradient elution. HCG I was eluted at 0.01-0.02 M NaCl while HCG II was eluted at 0.12-0.02 M NaCl.

The differences between HCG I and HCG II have been studied. The …

Interactions Between Aquatic Chromogenic Bacteria And Pathogenic Vibrio Spp., John Louis Harris

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Interactions between populations inhabiting an ecosys­tem are responsible, in large part, for determining which species coexist in that ecosystem. In this study, interac­tions between selected Vibrio species, V. alginolyticus and V. anguillarum, and marine heterotrophic, chromogenic bac­teria in aquatic microcosms were investigated. The ultimate goal of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of ex­ ploiting competitive interactions as a means to biologically control growth of the pathogenic marine bacteria, V. alginolyticus and V. anguillarum. In the majority of ex­periments (14/16), if chromogenic species were allowed to develop stable populations before a Vibrio spp. was intro­duced into a …

The Application Of The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales Administered To 20 Developmentally Delayed Children, Jan H. Henderson

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to provide physical and occupational therapists with empirical data and clinical information that will enable them to better understand and utilize the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS) in the assessment of children who potentially may need physical and/or occupational therapy. The PDMS was administered to 20 developmentally delayed children between the ages of 24 and 83 months, who were receiving both physical and occupational therapy in the Chesapeake Public School System. The PDMS was also administered to 20 normal subjects between the ages of 24 and 77 months that were volunteers from the PTA …

Survey Of Attitudes Of Licensed Dental Hygienists Toward Continuing Education In A State With Mandatory Continuing Education Versus A State Without Mandatory Continuing Education, Katharine Reeves Behroozi

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to compare attitudes of licensed dental hygienists toward continuing education (CE) in two states: Kentucky, a state with mandatory continuing education (MCE) as a requirement for dental hygiene re-licensure and Virginia, a state without MCE for dental hygiene re-licensure. A self-designed, 28-item instrument, Continuing Education Attitudinal Questionnaire, was mailed to a stratified and random sample of 400 licensed dental hygienists in Kentucky and Virginia. Employing the chi-square test for independence, analysis of results revealed that Kentucky participants responded more affirmatively than Virginia participants to attitudinal statements regarding CE, particularly in areas of MCE, benefits …

Job Satisfaction Among Three Different Dental Hygiene Occupational Settings, Ruth Halstead Hull

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

A survey was conducted to determine differences in job satisfaction which may exist among dental hygienists employed in private practice positions, public health positions, and dental hygiene education positions. A modified version of the questionnaire developed by the Washington State Dental Auxiliaries Project was mailed to all public health dental hygienists, all dental hygiene educators, and a randomized sample containing ten percent of private practice employed dental hygienists residing in North Carolina for a total of 334 participants. From a 76 percent response rate, results indicated that dental hygiene educators feel more satisfied overall than private practice dental hygienists and …

Development And Testing Of The Stress Adaptation Scale For Parents With Chronically Ill Children (Sasp), Carolyn M. Rutledge

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This research study consisted of four phases used to develop and test the Stress Adaptation Scale for Parents with Chronically Ill Children (ASP). The first phase dealt with developing the items on the SASP from a review of the literature and the researcher's professional experience. The SASP was then divided into the six categories of health care, social, personal, familial, financial, and spiritual. In phase II, content validity was evaluated by a panel of experts. In phase III, stability over time and face validity was demonstrated using 26 parents of chronically ill children. The SASP achieved a Pearson's r=.85 with …

An Evaluation Of Injury Incidence And Typology In Industry, Shirlee Ann Brooks

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

In a retrospective study, 84 subjects treated for industrial injuries at one urgent care center during one calendar year were analyzed. The parameters evaluated were type of industry engaged in, type of injury sustained, and body part affected by the injury. All subjects were categorized within these parameters. Statistical analysis was performed by frequency distribution and Chi Square. Results obtained showed a statistically significant difference in distribution of various types of injuries that affected different body parts. It also revealed a significant difference in the distribution of types of injuries incurred by workers in different types of industry. It failed, …

The Influence Of Nursing Experience And Education On Nurses Inferences Of Patients' Suffering, Patricia A. Coots

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

A primary dimension of nursing is caring tor patients who suffer. This study examined the inferences made about patients' suffering oy 65 registered nurses employed in acute care health facilities. Utilizing The standard Measure of Inferences of Suffering Questionnaire. the purpose of the study was to explore the influence of nursing education and experience on the degree of pain and psychological distress inferred by the nurses. Analysis of Covariance was used to test for group differences on the basis of nursing education when number of months of nursing experience was controlled. Although nursing education did not influence nurses' inferences of …

The Relationship Between Multiple Health Factors, Demographics, And Body Weight, Glenda J. Potter

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between regular aerobic exercise and body weight. It was the intent of this study to determine if a person who regularly exercises at either high or moderate levels can maintain their body weight at desired levels as specified by the Body Mass Index (BMI). The participants in this study were selected from hospital employees, class members of aerobic classes and/or adult walkers/joggers. There were 38 participants-- 13 males and 25 females.

A self administered questionnaire and a 3-day, 24-hour dietary log were identified to comprise the instrument as well as …

Laminin Receptors For Neurite Formation, H. K. Kleinman, Roy C. Ogle, F. B. Cannon, C. D. Little, T. M. Sweeney, L. Luckenbill-Edds

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

Laminin, a basement membrane glycoprotein promotes both cell attachment and neurite outgrowth. Separate domains on laminin elicit these responses, suggesting that distinct receptors occur on the surface of cells. NG108-15 neuroblastoma-glioma cells rapidly extend long processes in the presence of laminin. We report here that 125I-labeled laminin specifically binds to these cells and to three membrane proteins of 67, 110, and 180 kDa. These proteins were isolated by affinity chromatography on laminin-Sepharose. The 67-kDa protein reacted with antibody to the previously characterized receptor for cell attachment to laminin. Antibodies to the 110-kDa and 180-kDa bands demonstrated that the 110-kDa protein …

Synthesis And Characterization Of N-Alkyl-Adenosine-5'-Diphosphates, Han-Ping Huang

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

n-Alkylphosphates and adenosine derivatives have been observed to be competitive inhibitors of coenzyme molecules in many NAD⁺ requiring enzymes. In earlier studies, adenosine derivatives such as AMP, ADP and ADP-ribose were found to be coenzyme competitive inhibitors of the Lactate Dehydrogenase catalyzed reaction. However, n-alkylphosphates, to the contrary, + were found to be noncompetitive inhibitors of NAD⁺.

Furthermore, it was observed previously in Dr. Yuan's laboratory that the effect of n-octylphosphate on the LDH catalyzed reaction was changed from noncompetitive to competitive in the presence of low concentration of AMP. Rossmann et al. reported that the binding …

Investigation Of Complex Formation By Oligomers Of Cytosine And Guanosine, Steven Roberts Davis

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Duplex formation between oligo(C:G) _n where n=3 to 4 was shown not to occur under conditions favorable for duplex formation between poly G and poly C. Instead, a stable guano sine self-structure was found to form which a T_m of 50°C for (Gp)₃ and 80°C for (Gp)₄ at strand concentrations of 10^-5M in 1M NaCl. Neither a duplex nor a self-structure formed in the absence of salt.

Oligomers of guanosine and cytosine were obtained by basic hydrolysis and separated according to chain length using DEAE Sephadex column chromatography. Separation of cytosine oligomers with chain lengths …

Tardive Dyskinesia: A Prevalence Study In An Outpatient Population, Virginia J. Ravizza

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this prevalence study was to assess the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia among a chronically mentally ill sample of a suburban mental health clinic. The participants in this study were selected from clients of a suburban mental health clinic who agreed to participate in this prevalence study. There were 45 participants--17 males and 28 females.

The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) was selected as the instrument to measure the abnormal involuntary movements exhibited by the participants of the study on the day of testing. The testing occurred during a specific time period, June 8, 1987 to July 2, …

Perceived Job Stress In Critical Care Nursing In A Military Setting, Jeannette Theriault

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purposes of this study. were: to explore job-related perceptions of stress in a group of military critical care nurses; and to determine if differences in anxiety and stress levels existed between nurses working in coronary care (CCCU) and medical/surgical intensive care (ICU) settings using the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Questionnaire of Stressful Factors in Intensive Care. A free response question and a force-response checklist were also used to identify and rank work-related stressors. The sample of Navy nurses (n=105) consisted of 39 CCU nurses, 62 medical/surgical ICU nurses and 4 critical care supervisors. The results of the mailed …

Implications Of A Family Systems Orientation For Preventing Psychiatric Hospitalization, James Howard Bullock

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study evaluated the implications of a family systems approach for preventing psychiatric hospitalization by comparing the behavior of field clinicians who professed a systems view versus clinicians who held more traditional nonsystems views. The focus of the investigation was the clinical assessments and decisions of 31 clinicians who worked at five Virginia public mental health centers as they prescreened (i.e., evaluated need for inpatient treatment) 171 candidates for hospitalization. Q-technique was employed to determine theoretical orientation.

It was hypothesized that clinicians who held a systems view would be more likely than nonsystems therapists to evaluate and attempt to …

Reactions Of Organic N-Chloramines In The Gastric Fluid Of The Rat, Kathryn E. Mazina

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Using chlorine as a drinking water disinfectant may have potential health effects due to its reactivity with organic amino nitrogen compounds found in the stomach. Organic N-chloramines have been shown to form in the stomachs of laboratory rats. The possible reactions of N-chloramines in the stomach fluid were examined in this study using a model radiolabeled N-chloramine. ³⁶Cl-N-Chloropiperidine, was synthesized and purified to remove ³⁶Cl-chloride. Stomach fluid was obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats which had been first fasted for 24 or 48 hours and then administered 3 mL of deionized water. Different concentrations of radiolabeled chloramine were reacted with …

Psychologists' Volunteering: Attitudes, Beliefs, And Behaviors Toward Psychotherapy Research, James Perry Howell

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Psychologists' volunteering behavior and attitudes toward psychotherapy research were studied using a mail survey. A random sample of 248 male and 248 female doctoral-level members of Division 29 (Psychotherapy) of the American Psychological Association served as subjects. The cover letter requesting their participation in this study contained the systematic manipulation of variables believed to affect volunteering behavior: recruiter gender, normative nature of volunteering for the study, and perceived social importance of the study. The therapist variables of gender, age, and years of experience were also studied in order to determine if volunteerism might result in biased sampling across these variables. …

A Comparison Of Nursing Role Conceptions Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Their Nursing Faculty, And Clinical Nurse Mentors, Michele Lynn Musella

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This descriptive study focused on the bureaucratic, professional, and service role conceptions of nurses. It was hypothesized that there are significant differences in the ideal and actual perceptions of these role orientations among baccalaureate nursing students, their nursing faculty, and their clinical nurse mentors. The three subscales of Pieta's 1976 Nursing Role Conception Scale (NRC) were used. The results of a discriminant analysis indicated significant differences in professional and service nursing role conceptions among students and both their nursing faculty and clinical mentors (p

Pre-Natal Learning Needs Perceptions Of Expectant Parents And Childhood Educators, Cynthia Divens Sweeney

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences between the unique learning needs of expectant parents and those perceived by childbirth educators. A purposive sample of 40 expectant parents and ten childbirth educators completed the Expectant Parents Learning Needs Tool (EPLNT) and a demographic inventory developed by the researcher. Subjects were classified into five groups based on their status as first-time fathers, repeat fathers, first-time mothers, repeat mothers, and childbirth educators. Data were analyzed using t-tests for independent samples and an ANOVA for group differences. The results showed significant differences in the learning needs between the expectant parents …

The Antimicrobial Effectiveness Of Isopropyl Alcohol, Phenylphenol, And Nonphenal Oxyethylene Iodine Complex On Dental Operatory Surfaces, Maureen Anne Lawless

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Short Term Temporal And Spatial Variability Of Phytoplankton In The Elizabeth River, Robert L. O'Reilly

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

This study was designed to evaluate short-term temporal and spatial components of phytoplankton variability within a tidal estuarine system, in reference to natural changes in the local environment.

Multiple water samples were collected weekly from October to December 1984 at 4 stations in different branches, or sections, of the Elizabeth River. Collection of chlorophyll~ data was structured to fit an analysis of variance, while the phytoplankton species and their environmental relationships were analyzed using multivariate techniques.

Lower chlorophyll a concentrations from 0.75 to 2.87 ug/1 were characteristic of the Main Stem and Southern Branch, while higher values of 1.27 …

Clinical Effects Of Daily Rotary Electric Toothbrushing On The Presence Of Gingivitis And Supragingival Dental Plaque, Laura Jean Mueller

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if statistically significant differences existed in the gingival health of subjects who brushed with a rotary electric toothbrush (Rota-dent^R when compared to a conventional toothbrush (Oral B-35^R). A randomized, two group research design was employed using forty subjects. At baseline and at two week intervals for six weeks, gingivitis and supragingival dental plaque were measured by the Loe and Silness Gingival Index and the O'Leary Plaque Index, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the Rota-dent^R was superior to the conventional toothbrush in reducing dental plaque accumulation and equally effective …

The Effectiveness Of Oral Health Computer Assisted Instruction On Increasing The Oral Hygiene Status Of Children, Claudia Ann Michalak

Dental Hygiene Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the effectiveness of computer assisted instruction on the oral hygiene status of children. Over a one month period, as measured by the Personal Hygiene Performance Index, sixty-five fifth grade students participated in one of three intact groups: oral health computer assisted instruction, traditional oral health instruction, or no oral health instructions. Oral health instructions were identical in content for computer assisted and traditional lecture formats. During pretest evaluations, students were presented with a dental kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and an oral health instruction pamphlet. The Personal Hygiene Performance Index was performed on each student prior …