Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Identifying And Describing The Network Of Health, Education, And Social Service Non-Profit Organizations In Southern Nevada, Shannon M. Monnat, Anna Smedley

Lincy Institute Reports and Briefs

Many of the economic, social, and demographic issues facing southern Nevada are dynamic and interrelated, requiring a coordinated approach on the part of southern Nevada’s non‐profit community. The coordination of services, skills, and talents enables community needs to be addressed in ways that exceed the scope and capacity of any single organization. With the increasing desire of funding organizations to support collaborative efforts, maintaining sustainable connections between southern Nevada’s non‐profit organizations is needed now more than ever before.

This is the first comprehensive study of southern Nevada’s health, education, and social service non‐profit network. Via a web‐based survey of nearly …

Physiological And Pharmacokinetic Effects Of Oral 1,3-Dimethylamylamine Administration In Men, Brian Schilling, Kelley Hammond, Richard Bloomer, Chaela Presley, Charles Yates

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

How Are The Children: Challenges And Opportunities In Improving Children's Mental Health, Ramona W. Denby, Sandra D. Owens, Sarah Kern

Lincy Institute Reports and Briefs

The mental health of children is critical to their growth and development, but when their well-being is considered, discussions more often gravitate toward physical health, nutrition, education, parental influences, and living conditions. While these all represent important indicators of well-being, discussions also need to consider the importance of children’s mental and behavioral health. In this brief we explore the status of Southern Nevada’s children as it relates to mental health outcomes. Like physical health, good mental health is paramount to children’s overall functioning and maturation. Frequently when a child experiences mental and behavioral health challenges, signs and symptoms manifest in …

Prevention Of Type 2 Diabetes In Urban American Indian/Alaskan Native Communities: The Life In Balance Pilot Study, Daniel C. Benyshek, Michelle Chino, Carolee Dodge-Francis, Toricellas O. Begay, Hongbin Jin, Celeste Giordano

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Objective: The Life in BALANCE (LIB) study is a pilot translational study modeling the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) intensive lifestyle coaching intervention among an underserved, high-risk population: American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) living in a large urban setting (Las Vegas, Nevada). Research Design and Methods: A total of 22 overweight/obese AI/ANs (age, 39.6 ± 10.4 years; BMI, 34.1 ± 6.3 kg/m2) at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes (HbA1c > 5.4 (36 mmol/mol) < 6.4 percent (46 mmol/mol) participated in the program between April and December, 2011. Study participants completed a 16 week intensive lifestyle coaching intervention. In addition to obtaining qualitative data regarding opportunities and challenges of applying the lifestyle intervention for AI/AN participants in an urban setting, clinical data, including BMI, waist circumference, blood pres- sure, fasting blood glucose, and blood lipids (HDL, LDL and Triglycerides), were collected. Results: Only 12 of the 22 participants remained in the LIB program at the final post-program follow-up. Participants demonstrated significant decreased waist circumference and elevated HDL cholesterol. Triglycerides manifested the highest percentage change without statistical significance. No significant change was ob- served in blood pressure or fasting blood glucose. Conclusions: LIB participants’ improvements in BMI, waist circumference, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides suggests type 2 diabetes prevention programs aimed at urban AI/ANs show significant potential for reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among this underserved and high risk community. Qualitative data suggest the main challenge for type 2 diabetes prevention specific to this population is a need for improved community outreach strategies.

Do Life Style Factors And Socioeconomic Variables Explain Why Black Women Have A Remarkably Higher Body Mass Index (Bmi) Than White Women In The United States? Findings From The 2010 National Health Interview Survey, Mohammad Siahpush, Courtney A. Pinard, Gopal K. Singh, Melissa Tibbits, Raees A. Shaikh, Amy Yaroch

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Objective: There are marked inequalities in body mass index (BMI), overweight, and obesity across ethnic groups. We sought to examine the extent to which lifestyle factors and socioeconomic variables explain the higher BMI in Black women compared to White women in the United States.

Methods: We used data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and limited the sample to non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White women (n = 9,491). We employed normal regression and compared the association of race with BMI before and after adjusting for lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, smoking, and drinking) and socioeconomic variables (education, ratio …

Health Disparities In Colorectal Cancer Screening In United States: Race/Ethnicity Or Shifting Paradigms?, Adina Williams, Kirk Dabney, Holmes Laurens Jr

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The incidence, mortality, and screening vary by race/ethnicity, with African Americans and Hispanics being disproportionately represented. Early detection through screening prolongs survival and decreases mortality. CRC screening (CRCS) varies by race/ethnicity, with lower prevalence rates observed among minorities, but the factors associated with such disparities remain to be fully understood. The current study aimed to examine the ethnic/racial disparities in the prevalence of CRCS, and the explanatory factors therein in a large sample of U.S. residents, using the National Health Interview Survey, 2003. …

A Systematic Review Of Pregnancy Prevention Programs For Minority Youth In The U.S.: A Critical Analysis And Recommendations For Improvement, Sarah B. Maness, E R. Buhi

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

African American and Latino youth experience disproportionate rates of both intended and unintended pregnancy in the United States. A public health priority to ameliorate the high rates among this population has been the creation and proposed expansion of pregnancy prevention programs designed specifically for minority youth. However, little is known about the role of incorporating cultural components into program curricula. To better understand the components and outcomes of existing programs for this population, this systematic review analyzed published outcome evaluations of adolescent pregnancy prevention programs for minority youth. This review of literature published from January 2002 to June 2012 and …

Up North They’Re Talking Sex: A Collaborative And Community Driven Model For Sexual Health Knowledge Mobilization, Karen Edwards, Steve Mitchell Phd, Nancy Gibson Phd, Cecilia Zoe-Martin, Anita Daniels, Jim Martin, Patrick Wansbrough Rn

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

To address high STI rates in their aboriginal communities, the Tłı̨chǫ of the Northwest Territories adopted a collaborative participatory research approach to sexual health based on four key stages of development. First was community initiation and engagement, where local leaders identified a priority need and began community discussions around sexual health. Secondly, identifying that existing government statistics did not provide them with adequate information, the Tlicho Community Services Agency partnered with the University of Alberta and CIETcanda to conduct a baseline study in all four Tlicho communities, designed and administered by community-based researchers. Third, a community action research team (CART) …

Variance In Patient Access To Support Persons By Race/Ethnicity And Language Preference: An Analysis Of Patient Survey Data, Andrew J. Jager, Matthew K. Wynia

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Regulatory and accreditation organizations have advocated open visitation policies and allowance of support persons of patients’ choosing, but it is unknown if support is allowed equitably. Data from hospitalized patients were analyzed to determine access to support persons, stratified by patient-reported race/ethnicity, language, sex, age, and education. A multivariate regression model was constructed using race and language, controlling for site and patient sex, education and age. Additionally, sites’ policies explicitly allowing support persons were correlated to reports of allowance of support persons. Among 1,196 respondents, 17% reported not being allowed a support person or being unsure. African American patients had …

Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Infectious Disease Hospitalizations In Arizona, Laura Callinan, Robert Holman, Douglas Esposito, Marian Mcdonald

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Infectious disease (ID) hospitalizations in Arizona, a diverse population with nearly complete race/ethnicity data, were analyzed using the State Inpatient Database for 2005-2008. ID hospitalizations rates were calculated and compared by ID group, race/ethnicity, age, and sex. During 2005-2008, there were 383,597 ID hospitalizations reported in Arizona, resulting in an age-adjusted rate of 1498.1 per 100,000 persons. A range of racial/ethnic disparities in ID hospitalization rates were noted. Persons of Native American and black race/ethnicity had overall ID hospitalization rates higher than the rate for persons of white race/ethnicity; persons of Asian or Pacific Islander race/ethnicity had a lower rate. …

Health Disparity And Structural Violence: How Fear Undermines Health Among Immigrants At Risk For Diabetes, Janet Page-Reeves, Joshua D. Niforatos, Shiraz Mishra, Lidia Regino, Andrew Gingerich, Robert Bulten

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Diabetes is a national health problem, and the burden of the disease and its consequences particularly affect Hispanics. While social determinants of health models have improved our conceptualization of how certain contexts and environments influence an individual's ability to make healthy choices, a structural violence framework transcends traditional uni-dimensional analysis. Thus, a structural violence approach is capable of revealing dynamics of social practices that operate across multiple dimensions of people’s lives in ways that may not immediately appear related to health. Working with a Hispanic immigrant community in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we demonstrate how structural forces simultaneously directly inhibit access …

Development, Implementation, And Assessment Of Health Equity Action Training (Heat): Implications For Local Health Departments, Karen A. D'Angelo, Carmen Chaparro, Rita Kornblum, Grace Damio, Rafael Pérez-Escamilla

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

As inequities in health persistently plague our nation, rates of chronic disease continue to escalate, and increasing health care costs further debilitate our economy, the profession of public health is faced with monumental challenges. As a central community health institution, the local public health department plays an essential role in eliminating health inequities and preventing chronic disease. With the objective of preparing the local public health workforce to address the root factors associated with health, the Health Equity Action Training project trained 85 staff of the Hartford Department of Health & Human Services in the social determinants of health, social …

Physical Activity And Social Cognitive Theory Outcomes Of An Internet-Enhanced Physical Activity Intervention For African American Female College Students, Rodney P. Joseph, Dorothy W. Pekmezi, Terri Lewis, Gareth R. Dutton, Lori W. Turner, Nefertiti H. Durant

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background. African American women report low levels of physical activity (PA) and are disproportionately burdened by related chronic diseases. This pilot study tested a 6-month theory-based (Social Cognitive Theory, SCT) culturally-relevant website intervention to promote PA among African American female college students.

Materials and Methods. A single group pre-post test design (n=34) was used. PA and associated SCT constructs (outcome expectations, enjoyment, self-regulation, social support) were assessed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months.

Results. The sample was comprised of mostly obese (M BMI= 35.4, SD=6.82) young adults (M age= 21.21 years, SD=2.31). Fifty percent …

2012 Annual Report Of Child Deaths In Clark County, Nevada, Nevada Institute For Children’S Research And Policy, Tara Phebus

Nevada Institute for Children's Research and Policy Reports

The primary goal of all Child Death Review Teams is to prevent future child deaths. The child death review process enables jurisdictions to come together in a collaborative, multidisciplinary forum to openly discuss detailed circumstances in an effort to gain a better understanding of child deaths. The team provides a venue for representatives from a variety of both public and private agencies as well as community organizations to share information in a confidential and non-threatening environment. The National Center for Child Death Review (hereinafter, National Center), which is supported by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the U.S. Department …

The Lived Experience Of The Novice Nursing Dean: Exploring The Meaning And Significance, Melissa Rae Bouws

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Deans of nursing hold a unique position for the future of the profession. Few others have the potential to bring about change within the academic setting, or hold such a strong influence on the future of nursing and on our students. Current statistics reveal multiple vacancies in nursing dean positions. Further understanding of how nursing deans begin their role, attain their identity as dean, and successfully execute this important position is needed to recruit and retain strong leaders who have the methods and skills to develop and support the advancement of the nursing profession. Understanding the process of becoming nursing …

Examining The Inner Experience Of Three Individuals With Major Depressive Disorder And Three Individuals With Bipolar Disorder, Janell Marie Mihelic

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) provide a description of expected experiences of individuals diagnosed with those disorders (e.g., sadness, expansive mood, difficulty concentrating). However, much remains unknown about the inner experience of individuals with these disorders which may prove crucial in understanding and treating these disorders. The present study examined the inner experience of three individuals with MDD and three individuals with BD using the Descriptive Experience Sampling (DES) method (Hurlburt 1990, 1993, 2011). Results were not suggestive of any clear, consistent patterns of inner experience either within the MDD or BD groups …

Weight Gain In Pregnancy And Pre-Menopausal Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study, Arash Ardalan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: The risk of breast cancer increases transiently after pregnancy and then falls to a lower level than for age-matched nulliparous women. Higher levels of estrogen are known as the primary reason. Several pregnancy characteristics are thought to be confounding the above link; however, except for the age at first pregnancy no other pregnancy-related factor has been proved to be significant. Specifically, it has not been established that an excessive weight gain in pregnancy is linked to the maternal risk of breast cancer.

Objectives: To identify independent influence of weight gain in pregnancy on the risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer …

Efficacy Of Gold Silica Nanoshells And Gold Nanorods For Photothermal Therapy Of Human Glioma Spheroids, Suyog Jung Chhetri

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Gold-based nanoparticles including gold-silica nano-spheres and gold nano-rods have been investigated for a number of therapeutic and diagnostic applications. The ability of these nanoparticles to convert light into heat energy makes them particularly appealing for photothermal therapy in which cancer cells are destroyed via light-induced heat generation. The overall objective of the study is to compare the efficacy of gold-silica nano-spheres and gold nano-rods in an in vitro system consisting of human brain tumor (glioma) spheroids.

Delivery of the nanoparticles to the spheroids was accomplished using murine macrophages. Nanoparticles (spheres or rods) were incubated with macrophages for 24 hours. Thereafter, …

Adult Permanent (Extracted) Teeth As A Source Of Dental Pulp-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Dpsc): A Pilot Study, Charles Hill

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) may be derived from a variety of adult human tissues, including dental pulp from extracted or exfoliated teeth. Evidence suggests differences in both the quality and quantity of the dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DPSC) obtained from different sources, such as primary or "baby teeth" and adult, permanent teeth. This study aimed to evaluate the potential to obtain DPSC from intact, vital permanent teeth, and characterize the potential isolates using a randomized selection of active dental patients from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine (UNLVSODM). DPSC were extracted, isolated, cultured and characterized …

Alternations Of Nmda And Gabab Receptor Function In Development: A Potential Animal Model Of Schizophrenia, Monica Bolton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder that affects up to 3% of the world population. The behavioral symptoms are categorized into positive and negative symptoms, which appear during late adolescence/early adulthood. Unfortunately, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of the disease are poorly understood. Several hypotheses exist to explain mechanisms contributing to these behavioral alterations. One model proposes that a reduced function of the NMDA glutamate receptor on specific GABAergic interneurons may be responsible for deficits in schizophrenia. Post-mortem investigations provide evidence of reductions in both glutamate and GABA-related proteins in patients with schizophrenia. Further, GABAergic interneurons that are activated …

Relationship Of Global Dna Methylation With Cardiovascular Fitness And Body Composition, Michael Steele Jarrett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Global DNA Methylation (GDM), an epigenomic modification has been linked to the development of Cardiovascular Disease and its risk factors. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant correlation between GDM and cardiovascular fitness, as well as, measures of body composition. Methodology: 26 apparently healthy, adults (11 males) completed a physical activity and diet questionnaire, as well as, had a small blood sample (600μL) collected via finger prick for the determination of GDM. Body composition was assessed by means of a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, while cardiovascular fitness was evaluated by the …

The Meaning Of Visual Thinking Strategies For Nursing Students, Margaret M. Moorman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nurse educators are called upon to provide creative, innovative experiences for students in order to prepare nurses to work in complex healthcare settings. As part of this preparation, teaching observational and communication skills is critical for nurses and can directly affect patient outcomes. Visual thinking strategies (VTS) are a teaching method that has been studied in primary education to develop communication and observational skills. VTS holds the possibility to improve these same skills in nursing students, but it has only been studied once with nursing students in a quantitative study. Therefore, this qualitative research study sought to explore how nursing …

Evaluation Of An Educational Intervention On Perceptions Of A Patient Safety Culture Among Staff In Acute Care Nursing Units, Cynthia Ann Parkman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Patient safety has always been a central focus of nursing practice. Current research makes it increasingly clear that what occurs in the surrounding health care environment impacts patient safety. The protracted nursing shortage and nurse turnover may adversely affect patient outcomes and are exacerbated by an environment of disruptive behavior, conflict, and poor communication in the nursing workplace. The Joint Commission has identified these behaviors as key elements that jeopardize the "culture of safety" necessary to assure safe, quality patient outcomes. A culture of safety includes the attributes of teamwork, communication openness, collaboration, and a manager's positive focus on prevention …

The Effect Of Balance Training With An Innovative Approach Compared To Traditional Balance Exercises, Brian Curtis Waite

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of an X Box 360 KinectTM game as a modality for improving balance. Specifically, this study explores the use of the Target Kick mini game on Kinect SportsTM as a tool for VR rehabilitation. Subjects (N=18, age 23.3 ±2.87 yrs, mass 71.83 ±15.25 kg, height 168.4 ±7.79 cm) with no lower extremity injury were randomly placed into three groups (X Box n = 6, Traditional n = 6, and Control n = 6). The X Box (XBOX) group performed ten minutes of balance training by playing an X Box game …

Coping With Pediatric Cancer: Conversational Methods Utilized By Parents And Children When Dealing With Pediatric Cancer, Chelsi Morgan Walls

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study analyzed how people perceived parents should communicate with their child regarding pediatric cancer treatments. When dealing with pediatric cancer, it is vital that parents and their child communicate about the illness in order to effectively cope with the cancer. Using Uncertainty Management Theory, appraisals, inferences, and illusions, are examined in this study to discover how much affect-management and buffering would be used to manage the illness. Under UMT, the coping mechanisms of affect-management (i.e., religious coping and behavioral disengagement), and buffering (avoidance and child distraction) depend upon how individuals appraise the uncertain situation (positive vs. negative), the inferences …

Testing A Reflection Education Intervention On Baccalaureate Nursing Students' Level Of Reflection During Online Clinical Post Conference, Jaime Alicia Hannans

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background

The majority of faculty-student interactions are at low cognitive levels during nursing clinical post conference (CPC), a time often utilized for reflective thinking. Strategies have been implemented to promote or even teach reflection, but the level of reflection or impact of the intervention in nursing, such as the relationship to student attributes or clinical reasoning, is often not evaluated.

Specific Aims

The specific aims of this study are to (a) test the effect of a reflection education intervention on the baccalaureate students' level of reflection during online CPC, (b) examine the relationship between student attributes and level of reflection, …

Session 4-2-A: Taking The Disorder Out Of Gambling Disorder, Denise F. Quirk, Colin M. Hodgen

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

DSM‐5 Gambling Disorder

A. Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by four (or more) of the following in a 12‐month period:

A. Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

Session 4-2-C: Does Non-Problem Gaming Have Any Negative Impact On Gamblers?, Samuel Huang

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Outline

Background

Literature Review

Data and Methodology

Analysis and Discussion

Session 4-1-D: The Experience Of Lotto 6/49 And The Capacity To Trust: Elements For An Anthropology Of Gambling, Jocelyn Gadbois

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Anthropologists study Lotto 6/49 as an experience.

Lévy-Bruhl tries to compare the magical beliefs of serious gamblers with the magical beliefs of individuals he refers to as the ‘‘primitives’’ (1924).

After that, Henslin studied the superstitions of St.Louis taxi drivers who play craps during their work breaks and compared them to Skinner’s pigeon (1967).

I wanted in my thesis to help anthropology to reconstruct lost knowledge regarding gambling and beliefs about magic in capitalist society.

Session 4-1-C: Social Gaming: Problems, Policies And Predictions, Keith Whyte

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Discusses key issues with social gaming.