Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Hiv Treatment Outcome Disparities: Using Web-Based Technology To Promote Adherence And Engagement With Care Among African American Patients, Eric Houston, Brenda Wolfe, Alexander K. Tatum, Monique Rucker, Norma Rolfsen, Maryanne Williams, Nancy Glick

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Ethnic minorities continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic and those individuals living with the virus experience differential outcomes in treatment. Technology-based approaches have been used to address a variety of health problems, but few studies have focused on the application of these approaches in addressing HIV treatment disparities. Using a sample of African-American patients identified as lost to follow-up for HIV treatment (n=33), this study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based program designed to assess and improve treatment engagement. Participants were randomly assigned to either the web-based assessment program or the control group. Measures of …

Overcoming Recruitment Challenges: A Pilot Study In Arab Americans, Nawar M. Shara, Sayf A. Yassin, Soleman H. Abu-Bader, Asqual Getaneh, Shaunagh Browning, Alexander Zeymo, Barbara V. Howard, Zeid Abudiab, Anas Shahrour, Jason G. Umans

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

While diabetes prevalence and cardiovascular risk factors have been increasing among Arab populations worldwide, few studies of Arab Americans have been conducted because of the difficulty in recruiting Arab American participants. Cultural sensitivity and social awareness of different immigrant groups could ensure successful recruitment and retention in clinical studies. While the primary objective of our overall research project was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Arab Americans, the focus of this article is to describe the methodology used to overcome challenges in recruiting and enrolling Arab Americans for a community-based study. We used novel methods, including open houses, …

Relationship Of Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors And Chronic Kidney Disease With Participants Enrolled In The National Kidney Foundation Of Hawai'i Kidney Early Detection Screening (Keds) Program, Merle R. Kataoka-Yahiro, Victoria Page, Dongmei Li

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective The objective of this study was to further examine the relationship of associated cardiovascular risk factors and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with a large cross-sectional sample of Native Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and White participants who were enrolled in the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai'i Kidney Early Detection Screening (KEDS) program.

Methods Data for this cross-sectional study was collected between 2006 and 2009 from the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii (NKFH). Nine hundred and fifteen participants who attended the NKFH KEDS program were 18 years and older, and residents of the State of Hawaii. Data included demographic information, clinical …

Race, Age, And Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status In Low Birth Weight Disparities Among Adolescent Mothers: An Intersectional Inquiry, Sheryl L. Coley, Tracy R. Nichols

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Introduction: Few studies examined socioeconomic contributors to racial disparities in low birth weight outcomes between African-American and Caucasian adolescent mothers. This cross-sectional study examined the intersections of maternal racial status, age, and neighborhood socioeconomic status in explaining these disparities in low birth weight outcomes across a statewide sample of adolescent mothers.

Methods: Using data from the North Carolina State Center of Health Statistics for 2010-2011, birth cases for 16,472 adolescents were geocoded by street address and linked to census-tract information from the 2010 United States Census. Multilevel models with interaction terms were used to identify significant associations between maternal racial …

Care Coordination In Bone Health Screening Between Individual Behaviors And Health Care Services Among Korean-American Women Across Three Age Groups, Young-Shin Lee

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

Integrated continuous care is important to prevent and treat brittle bone status in the aging process; however, minority groups often have limited access to health services. The purpose of this study was to identify the care coordination among women’s perceptions about their bone health, information from health care providers, and the results of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tests across three age groups. The study was a cross-sectional comparative design. A total of 63 Korean American women completed both the assessment of BMD of the femoral neck and an interview survey. One’s own risks of osteoporosis, screening behaviors, and health care …

The Effect Of Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivations On Health Behavior In College Students: A Systematic Review, Kristen Melendez, Sharon Jalene

AANAPISI Poster Presentations

When measuring the weight of individuals to create healthy lifestyle plans with proper diet and exercise it is alarming how many people follow even the MINIMUM requirement to live a long healthy life. Research has proven that even people who are aware that they are overweight will likely only have a short-lived maintenance of healthy behaviors. Therefore, both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations were examined in order to better understand the difference between the population who maintains healthy lifestyles and those whose healthy habits are not sustained. Methods: A systematic review process was used to filter and screen for applicable studies …

Emergency Department Use Among Asian Adults Living In The United States: Results From The National Health Interview Survey (2006 – 2013), Kathleen M. Sullivan, James Davis, Angela Sy

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

This paper presents secondary analyses of the National Health Interview Survey data focused on emergency department (ED) utilization among Asian adults residing in the United States. National Health Interview Survey data provided from survey years 2006-2013 was pooled and disaggregated by single-race Asian ethnic subgroups (Filipino, Chinese, Asian Indian, other Asian). We explored trends in reports of an ED visit over the survey years for the purpose of determining whether reports of an ED visit increased or decreased over survey years. We also explored background/biologic, environment, access to care, and behavior factors and their associations with having an ED visit. …

E2f Transcription Factor 1 And Its Role In The Cell Cycle And Tumor Suppressor Proteins, Thea Hisuler, Yu Kuang

AANAPISI Poster Presentations

E2F Transcription Factor 1 (E2F1) E2F1 is a transcription factor, in which its expression is increased in human cancers. “Transcription factor E2F1 binds to and activates transcription,” in return leading to increased transcription at the G1 and S phase of the cell cycle (Slansky). The E2F transcription factor family “plays a crucial role in the control of cell cycle and action of tumor suppressor proteins and is also a target of the transforming proteins of small DNA tumor viruses” (NCBI).

Utilization Of Waist Circumference To Determine Type 2 Diabetes Risk Among Normal And Overweight Individuals, Mary Angela M. Terencio, Brian Schilling, Hayley Esdaile, Grace Mcdonald

AANAPISI Poster Presentations

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether noninvasive measurements such as waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) are effective for people who have a normal to overweight BMI in determining risk for type 2 diabetes. 29 million US adults have diabetes and 86 million have prediabetes. Numerous studies have indicated waist circumference as a strong predictor of type 2 diabetes in obese individuals. However there are few that research the effects of these anthropometric measurements with individuals who look lean but are potentially metabolically obese.

Regulation Of Cancer Stem Cells: Lysine Methylation Of P53, William Holliday, Yu Kuang

AANAPISI Poster Presentations

The highly studied p53 protein regulates multiple transitions through the cell cycle effectively halting the growth of tumorlike masses.[1] This gene was primitively identified an oncogene; however, it was later derived that p53 functions as a tumor suppressor.[1] Named due to its mass in kDa, p53 is a phosphoprotein comprised of 393 amino acids.[1] Normal cells contain controlled, small quantities of p53 in order to facilitate the regulation of normal cell activities such as growth arrest, senescence,DNArepair, and apoptosis.[1,2] These features are pivotal the continuation of healthy cell production. Constructively, the functions of p53 work together to pause the cell …

Secondary Data Analysis: A Non-Pharmacology Treatment For Individuals Living With Hiv/Aids, Joseph Jean, Carolee Dodge-Francis Ed.D

McNair Poster Presentations

At the end of 2015, 36.7 million people were living with HIV/AIDS world wide (WHO, 2017). Living with this disease puts individuals at increased risk for mental and physical health complications. Opportunistic infections and increased serious mental health conductions are common (NIH, 2016). Advances in antiretroviral therapies have been made to increase life expectancy but often times can adversely affect the individuals quality of life. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is one way to help improve quality of life. One form of CAM, massage therapy may offer benefits to PLWHA in terms of ability to cope with stress.

Moving Public Health Learners To The Skeptical Edge With Information Creation As A Process, Xan Goodman

Library Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Problem Gambling And Treatment In Nevada, Sarah A. St. John, Andrea Dassopoulos, Bo Bernhard

Social Health of Nevada Reports

This chapter defines problem gambling and provides a history and overview of community and state-led initiatives to address the harms associated with problem gambling. We outline research conducted in the state of Nevada in the past two decades, with both adults and teens, and with the general population and the treatment population, specifically. After presenting a demographic snapshot of the population that has received state-subsidized treatment, we discuss some common challenges they face.

The chapter provides data on treatment effectiveness as measured by improvements in the lives and wellbeing of problem gamblers and reduction of their gambling behaviors. Finally, we …

Behavioral And Mental Health In Nevada, Ruth Condray, Kyle Devine

Social Health of Nevada Reports

The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health is responsible for providing public and mental health services to people living in or visiting the State. The Division is organized into four branches: Community Services Branch, Regulatory and Planning Services Branch, Clinical Services Branch and Administrative Services Branch. The Clinical Services Branch provides statewide inpatient, outpatient, and community-based public and mental health services. State employees provide mental health services, and contract providers deliver substance use services. Mental health services are additionally organized by age and geography. Adults with mental disorders are treated statewide through the Division of Public and Behavioral Health. …

Accuracy Of Full-Arch Scans Using Intraoral And Extraoral Scanners: An In Vitro Study Using A New Method Of Evaluation, Jonas Muallah, Christian Wesemann, Roxana Nowak, Jan Robben, James Mah, Peter Pospiech, Axel Bumann

Dental Medicine Faculty Research

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of six intraoral scanners as regards clinically relevant distances using a new method of evaluation. An additional objective was to compare intraoral scanners with the indirect digitization of model scanners. A resin master model was created by 3D printing and drilled in five places to reflect the following distances: intermolar width (IMW), intercanine width (ICW), and arch length (AL). To determine a gold standard, the distances were measured with a coordinate measuring instrument (Zeiss O-Inspect 422). The master model was scanned 37 times with the following intraoral scanners: Apollo DI …

Emotion Learning And Memory In Schizophrenia, M. N. Strong, D. N. Allen

McNair Poster Presentations

• Prior research indicates that processing of emotional information is particularly problematic for individuals with schizophrenia. • An important component of emotional processing is the accurate encoding and recall of emotionally valenced information. • The current study addresses this matter by investigating performance on a task assessing learning, recall, and recognition in patients with schizophrenia. • In this manner, recall of emotionally valenced information may be investigated

Insula Activation And What It May Tell Us About Food Motivation In Anorexia Nervosa: A Systematic Literature Review, Roxana K. Vazquez, Kristen Culbert

McNair Poster Presentations

• Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent refusal of caloric intake, resulting in emaciation. • Identifying whether neural networks that process food-related stimuli are affected in AN is important for understanding the biological basis of this illness, particularly severe food restriction. • The insular cortex is a key area that has been implicated; this brain region is associated with interoceptive awareness and gustation.

Differential Effects Of Child Maltreatment Type And Chronicity Variables On Ptsd Symptoms, Valerie Velasco, Amanda Howard, Christopher Kearney Ph.D

McNair Poster Presentations

Our interests:The current investigation studied the effect of maltreatment type and chronicity of trauma on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of school-aged children aged 6-18 years old. Why we’re interested:PTSD has been associated with serious developmental deficits in children that can lead to struggles with mental health and other adverse outcomes in adulthood (Dunn et al., 2017; Milot et al., 2010; Giaconia R. M. et al., 1995; Gwadz, Nish, Leonard, & Strauss, 2007). The current literature: • Children with exposure to child maltreatment traumas are at a significantly higher risk of developing PTSD than those with other trauma …

Mental Health Needs & Barriers: Assessment Of Latinos In Las Vegas, Vanessa L. Diaz, Janice C. Mcmurray Ph.D

McNair Poster Presentations

• Research suggests that the prevalence of mental illness in Latinos is not necessarily uncommon and that economic concerns may be an important factor in determining the type of services Latinos are likely to seek (Kouyoumdjian, 2003).
• For Latinos, mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety have higher rates than the general population but the rate at which Latinos seek treatment is strikingly lower (Barrio, 2008).
• Observations regarding treatment engagement rates conclude that Latinos also have significantly higher probability of terminating treatments prematurely (Kouyoumdjian, 2003).
• Aim: to examine the mental health needs and barriers to treatment present in the Latino …

Unlv Title Iii Aanapisi & Mcnair Scholars Institute Research Journal, Nir Herscovici, Joyce Hsu, Matthew Khumnark, Joy Lamug, Jeong Lim Lee, Kendall Lyons, Andrea Mandril, Niroshini Moodley, Eric Ng, Timothy Ogburn, Andrew A. Ortiz, Emily Khanh Pham, Nha Trang Vivian Sam, Devlynn Scarpati, Olivia Tsang, Termaine Antonio Turner Ii, Pang Kou Vang, Kanisha Wilson, Shannon Zayas, Claudia Chiang-Lopez, Victoria Copeland, Andrea Darby, Bridgett Giordmaina, Briceida Hernandez-Toledo, Mark Larubio, Ana Lesquives, Yessenia Madrigal, Summer Millwood, Angel Mims, Blaine Pennock, Katie Randolph, Amber K. Stephens, Sarah Werman, Eben-Ezer Arias-Garcia, Ernesto H. Bedoy, Royale Cannon, Irma De Santiago, Lorraine Louise K. Francisco, Imani A. Gayden, Jeffrey Gonzalez, Isaiah Shornell Henry, Ashley C. Lee, Marielle Leo, Elizabeth Ochoa, Bernajane Palisoc, Sean Tanzey, Howard Yanxon

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the AANAPISI and McNair Scholars Programs

Table of Contents

About AANAPISI

Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair

Statements

Dr. Len Jessup, UNLV President

Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach

Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach

Title III AANAPISI and McNair Scholars Institute Staff

Ms. Terri Bernstein, Director for College Programs

Dr. Matthew Della Sala, Assistant Director for Undergraduate Research

The Effect Of A Culturally Tailored Web-Based Physical Activity Promotion Program On Asian American Midlife Women’S Depressive Symptoms, Wonshik Chee, Sangmi Kim, Xiaopeng Ji, Sooyoung Park, Eunice Chee, Hsiu-Min Tsai, Eun-Ok Im

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

The benefits of physical activities on depressive symptoms have increasingly been reported in the literature, but the effect through which a Web-based physical activity promotion program alleviates depressive symptoms is not clearly known, especially among ethnic minority midlife women. The purpose of this pilot randomized control study is to examine the preliminary efficacy of the Web-based physical activity promotion program in enhancing the depressive symptoms of Asian American midlife women through increasing physical activity. This study adopted a randomized repeated measures pretest/posttest control group design. This study consisted of two groups of research participants: 18 in an intervention group and …

Asian/White Differences In The Relationship Of Maternal Age To Low Birth Weight: Analysis Of The Prams Survey, 2004–2011, Sangmi Kim

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

This study aimed to examine (a) maternal age patterns of low birth weight (LBW; birth weight < 2,500 g) for non-Hispanic (N-H) Asian and N-H White women, and (b) Asian–White gaps in LBW risk by maternal age and their mechanisms. Logistic regression analyses were performed on the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data of N-H Asian and N-H White women who delivered their first singleton birth without birth defects in 13 states between 2004 and 2011. Age- and race/ethnicity-specific LBW risk was estimated, unadjusted and adjusted for maternal risk factors (e.g., marital status, maternal education, pregnancy intention, stress, maternal morbidities, smoking, and prenatal care) and their interactions with maternal age or race/ethnicity. The interaction between maternal age and race/ethnicity was statistically significant (p < .0001) with covariates and interactions held constant. N-H Asian women showed a reverse W-shaped maternal-age pattern of LBW with the highest risk in their late 30s (OR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.26, 1.94]) whereas N-H White women experienced a maternal age-related increase in LBW. N-H Asian women were more likely to deliver LBW infant than their N-H White counterparts between their late 20s and late 30s, with the greatest racial/ethnic gap in their late 20s (OR = 4.19, 95% CI [3.33, 5.29]). Preventive strategies should be developed targeting N-H Asian women aged 25 to 39 years to reduce the Asian–White disparities in LBW. Considering the known maternal risk …

Connecting Culturally And Spiritually To Healthy Eating: A Community Assessment With Native Hawaiians, Mary Frances Oneha, Joan Dodgson, Mabel Ho`Oipo Decambra, Carol Titcomb, Rachelle Enos, Sandie Morimoto-Ching

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

Many of the chronic illnesses disproportionately experienced by Native Hawaiians are directly related to poor diets and long-standing obesity beginning in childhood. We report on the findings of in-depth key informant interviews (N = 14) that took place in two Native Hawaiian communities as part of a larger, community-based participatory research study that included a community assessment through individual interviews and focused group discussions, and a pilot intervention targeting pregnant women, their infants, and families. Four categories emerged from the qualitative analysis of interview transcripts that described an understanding of “healthy eating”: family roles and responsibilities, aspects of community …

Asian American Women's Resilience: An Integrative Review, Andrew Thomas Reyes, Rose E. Constantino

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

Asian American women face unique stressors that threaten their overall health and well-being. However, resilience is a phenomenon that allows individuals to develop positive adaptation despite adversities and challenges. This integrative review is conducted in order to explore the current state of knowledge regarding the resilience of Asian American women. Twelve databases were used to identify related articles: Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, ERIC, Ethnic NewsWatch, GenderWatch, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, ProQuest Sociological Abstracts, PsycINFO, PubMed, SAGE (Psychology and Sociology collections), Scopus, and Web of Science. Twenty-one research studies met the inclusion criteria of the integrative review. Five common themes …

A Risk Stratification Model For Antihypertensive Medication Non-Adherence Among Chinese Immigrants, Wen-Wen Li, Chih-Ling Huang

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

The purpose of this study was to establish a risk stratification model for identifying Chinese immigrants at risk for non-adherence to antihypertensive medications. Questionnaires were self-administered to 200 Chinese immigrants in San Francisco, USA. Questionnaires included demographics, culture factors (e.g., Perceived Susceptibility in General, Perceived Benefits of Western Medication, Perceived Benefits of Chinese Herbs, and Health-Related Social Support), and medications adherence. Participants' mean age was 70.6 (±10.3) years. Three stratification factors were identified for non-adherence: Lower Perceived Susceptibility in General, lower Perceived Benefit of Western Medications, and longer Length of Stay in the United States. The probability of non-adherence was …

Phase I Dose-Escalation Trial Of Intravaginal Curcumin In Women For Cervical Dysplasia, Leda Gattoc, Paula M. Frew, Shontell N. Thomas, Kirk A. Easley, Laura Ward, H-H Sherry Chow, Chiemi A. Ura, Lisa Flowers

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Background: This is a Phase I trial demonstrating safety and tolerability of intravaginal curcumin for future use in women with cervical neoplasia. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of intravaginal curcumin in healthy women. Study design: We conducted a 3+3 dose-escalation Phase I trial in a group of women aged 18–45 years. Thirteen subjects were given one of four doses of curcumin powder (500 mg, 1,000 mg, 1,500 mg, and 2,000 mg) packed in gelatin capsules, which was administered intravaginally daily for 14 days. The primary end point for this study was …

Assessing The Impact Of The Sunwise Program On Youth Sun Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, And Behaviors In Clark County, Nevada, Sabina Malik

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Skin Cancer rates in Nevada continue to increase and remain above the

national average. One important method to combat rising rates is education related to the

prevention of sunburns, the main risk factor for developing skin cancer. This study aimed

to assess the impact of the SunWise Program, a sun safety education program developed

by the Environmental Protection Agency, to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and

change behaviors of participants based on constructs of the Health Belief Model.

Methods: Participants included youth from ages 7-18 years old who attended 6 Boys and

Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. Boys and Girls …

The Relationship Between Pediatric Asthma And Obesity In Nevada, Jennifer Anne Lucas

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Asthma and obesity are two of the most common comorbid health problems in the U.S. Currently nearly 8% of Nevada youth are affected by asthma and more than 30% are overweight or obese. Obesity is a risk factor for asthma, yet asthma-related factors such as decreased physical activity and use of oral corticosteroids for asthma control can lead to obesity. This study examined the relationship between asthma and obesity in two pediatric populations in Nevada. It was hypothesized that children with asthma and elevated BMI would have more severe asthma symptoms, decreased lung function, poorer quality-of-life measures, and different atopic …

Nursing Students’ Nonacademic Barriers To Success On High Stakes Exams, Jennifer Bussen Bussen

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Every nursing program wants its graduates to pass the NCLEX-RN licensure examination the first time they take it. For those who fail, entry into practice is delayed until they can pass the NCLEX-RN. The nursing programs that graduated students who fail may experience a loss of reputation, decreased numbers of potential applicants, and, ultimately, state board of nursing sanctions. In an effort to determine which students are likely to be successful in taking the NCLEX-RN, many programs have turned to end-of-program predictor exams such as the Health Education System Inc. (HESI) exit examination (E2) (Lauer & Yoho, 2013; Nibert & …

Structuring A Risk-Based Bioassay Program For Uranium Usage In University Laboratories, Johnne' Talia Dawson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Bioassay programs are integral in a radiation safety program. They are used as a method of determining whether individuals working with radioactive material have been exposed and have received a resulting dose. For radionuclides that are not found in nature, determining an exposure is straightforward. However, for a naturally occurring radionuclide like uranium, it is not as straightforward to determine whether a dose is the result of an occupational exposure. The purpose of this project is to address this issue within the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’s (UNLV) bioassay program. This project consisted of two components that studied the effectiveness …