Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Reducing Emergency Births By Modification In Oxytocin Utilization, Gary Ventolini, Michael L. Galloway, Sheela M. Barhan, Marc R. Belcastro

Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background: The purpose of our study was to explore the correlation between the amount of oxytocin use and emergency vacuum, forceps, cesarean births and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) response to fetal distress. In 2004, we restricted the criteria for oxytocin utilization for labor induction and augmentation.

Methods: This retrospective study was carried out at a large private university tertiary care hospital- affiliated, and included data from the years 2005 to 2007. We utilized hospital data from vital statistics, labor and delivery, central pharmacy and NICU. Information obtained included maternal characteristics, annual birth data, indication and numbers of emergency vacuum, …

Time Of Day Regulates Subcellular Trafficking, Tripartite Synaptic Localization, And Polyadenylation Of The Astrocytic Fabp7 Mrna, Jason R. Gerstner, William M. Vanderheyden, Timothy Lavaute, Cara J. Westmark, Labib Rouhana, Allan I. Pack, Marvin Wickens, Charles F. Landry

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The astrocyte brain fatty acid binding protein (Fabp7) has previously been shown to have a coordinated diurnal regulation of mRNA and protein throughout mouse brain, and an age-dependent decline in protein expression within synaptoneurosomal fractions. Mechanisms that control time-of-day changes in expression and trafficking Fabp7 to the perisynaptic process are not known. In this study, we confirmed an enrichment of Fabp7 mRNA and protein in the astrocytic perisynaptic compartment, and observed a diurnal change in the intracellular distribution of Fabp7 mRNA in molecular layers of hippocampus. Northern blotting revealed a coordinated time-of-day-dependent oscillation for the Fabp7 mRNA poly(A) tail throughout …

Analyzing Healthy Lifestyle Initiatives For Seniors: A Descriptive Study Of Senior Centers In Montgomery County, Ohio, Abhinav Rajpal

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The population of the elderly is expected to rise due to an increase in life expectancy and the aging baby boomer population. This increase in the elderly population will likely cause a burden on the health care system. This burden can be mitigated by promoting healthy lifestyles such as increased physical activity, healthy eating, and tobacco cessation in the elderly. Additionally, by participating in healthy behaviors, seniors can significantly improve their quality of life. Senior centers are at the forefront of promoting healthy lifestyles for the elderly. By promoting physical, social, and mental well-being, senior centers act as a focal …

Health Enhancing Policies And Environments In Select Montgomery County Senior Centers, Stacey L. Gardner

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

As the baby boomer generation reaches elderly status, healthcare expenditures in the United States continue to rise. Contributing to healthcare costs is the high prevalence of chronic diseases caused by unhealthy habits of Americans such as tobacco use, lack of physical activity, and consumption of a poor diet. Many chronic diseases can be prevented by engaging in healthier behaviors. Communities and organizations can shift social norms and affect behaviors through policy intervention and environmental strategies. The purpose of this study was to describe policies and environments that foster healthy lifestyles in select senior centers in Montgomery County, Ohio. Specifically, this …

Review Of Civil-Military Coordination In Local Disaster Response, Wilfredo J. Nieves

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Globally, disasters affect over 200 million people annually. Governments at all levels attempt to mitigate the effects of disasters by providing training and resources to responders in the event of a disaster. When the disaster is of sufficient magnitude, those that respond will require additional resources to adequately attend to disaster victims. County emergency managers assist in making needed additional resources available. Department of Defense (DoD) installations are sources where emergency management agency (EMA) directors may request assistance. The purpose of this research is to understand the resources legal authority available to civilian emergency managers of Ohio Counties in …

Flight Physician - January, 2012, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

Correlation Of Discharge Diagnostic Codes With Laboratory-Confirmed Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bloodstream Infections At A Large Pediatric Hospital, Andrew J. Kreppel

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-specific hospital discharge codes were introduced in October 2008. The purpose of this project is to study the correlation of these codes with laboratory-proven pediatric MRSA bloodstream infections.

Methods: Laboratory and discharge databases were used to identify patientsChildren’s Hospital Medical Center from October 2008 through December 2010 with MRSA bloodstream infections. The laboratory database identified patients with a positive blood culture for MRSA, and the discharge database identified patients with an MRSA bloodstream discharge code (038.12 for MRSA sepsis or 041.12 for MRSA infection with either 790.7 for bacteremia or 771.81 for newborn sepsis or 771.83 …

Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid And Acellular Pertussis Vaccination And Influenza Vaccination Of Pregnant And Postpartum Women, Colleen M. Mccormick

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Introduction: Infants ≤2 months are at greatest risk for morbidity/mortality from pertussis. Tdap vaccines given in late pregnancy or postpartum can protect infants from pertussis. Pregnancy increases risks for maternal and perinatal complications. Influenza vaccine (FLUV) given in pregnancy can protect women and newborns.

Objectives: To determine Tdap and FLUV rates in pregnant and postpartum patients and identify factors associated with vaccination.

Methods: Miami Valley Hospital delivery records from 01/2009-12/2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Data reviewed included age, insurance, race/ethnicity, and county of residence. Descriptive statistics analyzed prevalence of immunization, timing, and demographics. Chi-square and odds ratios detected differences between characteristics. …

Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Decisions In Nursing Home Residents, Melissa S. Bennett

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Projects

Objective: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed on nursing home residents, consistently demonstrates poor outcomes with less than 5% survival rate (AMDA, January 30, 2011). Study participants overestimate CPR survival based on television and lack of accurate information (Adams & Snedden, 2006; van Mil et al., 2000). This project evaluated use of a video decision tool on CPR choices in nursing home residents over three months.

Methods: A CPR video decision tool was added to advance care planning discussions as an audiovisual component to educate nursing home residents and their decision makers. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) documented the resident’s choices in the electronic …

Needs Assessment For The Mobile Health Clinic Of The Sukhdev Raj Soin Hospital, Luke Rothermel

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

India has an established system of medical and public health services to provide care to all citizens through a government‐run network of providers and infrastructure. That system, though, is constrained by socio‐economic limitations, a booming population, and the cultural variations of its population. In addition to the public efforts to provide health care, the private sector has grown to serve a large portion of the population. Many of these private initiatives are found in urban areas where the potential for financial gain are great, but others have spread into semi‐urban areas and villages to serve the more rural populations. The …

Development Of A Best Evidence Statement (Best) For Confirmation Of Nasogastric (Ngt) Or Orogastric Tube (Ogt) Placement, Sherri A. Sievers

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Projects

The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a Best Evidence Statement (BESt) for the confirmation of nasogastric or orogastric tube placement in hospitalized children. The nose-ear-xiphoid (NEX) method of measurement and auscultatory method of tube verification is commonly used but is unreliable and has resulted in misplaced tubes as well as poor patient outcomes. Radiography is considered the gold standard however the risks outweigh the benefits due to excessive radiation exposure, increases in healthcare costs and delay in delivery of care. Methods which utilize bedside testing and proper tube measurement have been shown to be effective in nasogastric …

Best Practice For Casualty Simulation - Role-Playing Actor, High Fidelity Mannequin Simulation, Or Virtual Reality?, Robert Sarlay

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objective: The purpose of this systemic review of the literature is to determine the best practice with regards to simulating casualties during a disaster response exercise.

Methods: MEDLINE was searched from 1950 till present for the key terms of disaster, simulation, and emergency preparedness. Articles were included which met the following criteria: English language, human subjects, original research using any research design (with or without intervention), and primary focus of disaster preparedness using simulation, virtual reality, or role playing actors.

Results: Of the 386 articles reviewed only 18 met inclusion criteria. The literature is primarily descriptive in nature with regards …

A Guide To Acquiring Healthy Nutrition And Fitness Habits For College Students: Preventing Diabetes, Hypertension, Coronary Heart Disease, And Stroke, Darin P. Dillinger

Master of Humanities Capstone Projects

For the past three decades, obesity has been cited as a growing epidemic in the United States, according to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Obesity is a major contributing problem to a number of medical conditions. Studies in the NEJM have “correlated obesity with myriad cancers, coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and stroke,” and other health-related problems (Fumento). Healthcare experts, doctors, and practitioners estimate it will cost billions of dollars a year to bring this problem under control and it is a major contributing factor in the rising cost of healthcare (Oliver 1). Luppold, Violette, and other practitioners …

Trends In Maternal And Infant Health: An Analysis Of Births In Montgomery County, Ohio, 2000-2010, Abby Burns

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The demographic characteristics of women who give birth are continually changing. Age, education, use of assisted reproductive technology, BMI before pregnancy, and weight gain during pregnancy are maternal factors that play a role in maternal and fetal health. Other factors including induction, route of delivery, calculated gestational age, and birthweight help determine and identify complications of pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to analyze trends of maternal demographics, risk factors, and birth outcomes associated with poor health outcomes. This research is a secondary analysis of Ohio Natality Statistical Files collected by the Ohio Department of Health, Center for Vital …

State Policies For Health Education In Public Schools, Lynda K. Vu

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Federal and state governmental activities have significantly influenced schools’ health education practices over the past 50 years. Evaluation of these initiatives in the scientific literature has enhanced development of health education and influenced the creation of the National Health Education Standards (NHES). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts periodic surveys to evaluate the impact of state and local policies on school health education programs and practices.

Objectives: This research project reviews and analyzes state health education policies for the 50 states plus the District of Columbia with regard to the recommendations of the NHES. It also …

Factors That Influence Food Access In The United States: A Snapshot Of Food Access In Ohio And Kentucky, Maimouna Falls

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: The United States is one the richest countries in the world with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of $48,442, yet many communities lack access to affordable nutritious food. Access to food impacts health outcomes such as obesity and diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between food access and rates of obesity and diabetes in the states of Ohio and Kentucky.

Methods: County level food access data from 120 counties in Kentucky and 88 counties in Ohio were obtained from the USDA website. The dataset included demographic variables and poverty rates. Food access …

Improving Childhood Nutrition In Rural Dominican Republic, Christine L. North

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This nutrition education intervention seeks to decrease malnutrition and increase overall health status of rural Dominican Republic children in the village of El Cercado, Dominican Republic. Working with the Child Nutrition Program run by Solid Rock International, this educational intervention will target caregivers of children enrolled in the nutrition program. Using a multi-level strategy, this intervention focuses on hygiene practices and safe food preparation, formalized nutrition education, food access and introduction of new foods. Caregivers will take part in five interactive lesson sessions where they will engage in hands-on learning and skill development associated with the target areas. Additionally, clinic …

Loss Of Renal Allografts Secondary To Candida Vascular Complications In Two Recipients From The Same Donor, Govardhana R. Yannam, Lucile E. Wrenshall, R. Brian Stevens

Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Physiology Faculty Publications

Infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant patients. Organ recipients are also susceptible to donor-derived pathogens and the majority of donor infections are easily treatable. Rarely, some pathogens have produced life-threatening complications by compromising the vascular anastomosis. In this case series we report loss of two kidney allografts secondary to vascular complications due to Candida albicans. Both recipients received grafts from a common donor, in whom Candida bacteremia in the donor was not apparent at the time of organ acceptance but became apparent on delayed cultures.

The Role Of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor In The Behavior And Proinflammatory Activity Of Separated Guinea Pig Pups, Vincent Rasahd Alexander

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Isolation of guinea pig pups in a novel environment first produces active behaviors such as vocalizing and movement; over time, these behaviors wane and pups show characteristic passive responses similar to those produced by increased proinflammatory activity. Further, isolation of pups on two consecutive days has recently been shown to enhance those passive responses on the second day. Endogenous proinflammatory activity is thought to mediate the enhancement (sensitization). An injection of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been shown to increase passive behavior, possibly by increasing proinflammatory activity. The present study further investigated the role of CRF on proinflammatory activity and behavior …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Lung Cancer In Montgomery County, Ohio, Catherine Klose

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Lung cancer statistics are alarming, especially when it is considered by many to largely be a preventable disease. Lung cancers are the leading cause of all cancer deaths, more than breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer combined. Cancers of the bronchus and lung make up the greatest percentage of the newly diagnosed cancers reported to the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System (OCISS). The stage of diagnosis of lung and bronchus cancers is an important determinant of survival. Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer. Race and gender disparities also exist with lung cancer, and socioeconomic factors have …

Montgomery County Prostate Cancer Study: A Descriptive Study Of Prostate Cancer Incidence & Mortality In Montgomery County, Ohio, 2000-2009, Anthony F. Greaves

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among adult males in the United States. The prognosis of prostate cancer is related to the stage, with a five year relative survival rate of 100% among men diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer. Modifiable risk factors associated with the disease include lifestyle, marital status, tobacco and alcohol history, physical activity, weight, diet, and geographic location. Non-modifiable risk factors include family history and genetic factors, race/ethnicity and nationality, age, and hormonal factors.

Methods: A descriptive study of prostate cancer primary prevention and early detection factors was conducted on men living in …

Influence Of The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act On The Development Of The Patient Centered Medical Home, Anjali Rao

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model of care incorporates many public health concepts. Some supporters of PCMH regard the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as legislation that will invigorate PCMH progress across the country. This policy analysis intends to understand the influence of the ACA on the development of PCMH. The policy analysis compares relevant sections of the ACA with core PCMH concepts agreed upon by major medical professional organizations. The evaluative framework uses a “traffic light” system to rate each section of the ACA based on the accuracy of the section as compared to PCMH criteria, and denotes whether …

The Evaluation Of Coaching As An Evidence-Based Intervention For Nurse Managers, Marie A. Bashaw

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Projects

Nurse managers are a vital link between hospital administration, senior nursing leadership and staff nurses. Understanding and facilitating nurse managers’ job satisfaction is important for retention of current nurse managers and creating organizational success. Retaining nurse managers is not only important in terms of savings in turnover costs but for providing quality patient care. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement a coaching intervention with nurse managers to decrease stress and improve job satisfaction.

Frameworks guiding this project were Watson’s Theory of Human Caring and Larrabee’s Model for Evidence-based Practice Change. A review of the literature …

Understanding Underinsurance In Ohio, Meaghan Ebetino

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, predictors, and consequences of underinsurance in the state of Ohio.

Study Design: The investigators created the dependent variables Underinsured, Financial Stress, and Harder to get Health Care using the 2008 Ohio Family Health Survey (OFHS). The sample used for this study included 29,778 respondents, who were adults less than 65 years old and who were continuously insured for the past 12 months.

Results: The study categorized twenty-two percent of the sample respondents as underinsured because they were not able to obtain or delayed needed medical care because of an inability to pay in …

Correlation Of Air Displacement Plethysmography With Alternative Body Fat Measurement Techniques In Men And Women, Brittany L. Reinert, Roberta L. Pohlman, Lynn K. Hartzler

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions with serious health consequences. Techniques used to measure body fat (BF) yield variable BF estimates, and this variability may lead to underestimation or overestimation of BF and subsequent treatment options. The measurements that are most accurate (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP)) are expensive and often unavailable. The purpose of this study is to find the commonly available BF measurement that is the most accurate and practical for individual body types in the general population and compare these measurements to ADP (BOD POD^®) as the standard. Field measurements include skinfolds …

Prmt5 And The Role Of Symmetrical Dimethylarginine In Chromatoid Bodies Of Planarian Stem Cells, Labib Rouhana, Ana P. Vieira, Rachel H. Roberts-Galbraith, Phillip A. Newmark

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Planarian flatworms contain a population of adult stem cells (neoblasts) that proliferate and generate cells of all tissues during growth, regeneration and tissue homeostasis. A characteristic feature of neoblasts is the presence of chromatoid bodies, large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules morphologically similar to structures present in the germline of many organisms. This study aims to reveal the function, and identify additional components, of planarian chromatoid bodies. We uncover the presence of symmetrical dimethylarginine (sDMA) on chromatoid body components and identify the ortholog of protein arginine methyltransferase PRMT5 as the enzyme responsible for sDMA modification in these proteins. RNA interference-mediated depletion …

Pregnancy Management Strategies And Childbirth Experiences Of Internally Displaced Women In Barranquilla, Colombia, Bre Bolivar

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

This ethnographic study aims to illuminate the experiences of pregnant and new mothers in poor areas of Colombia with respect to pregnancy and childbirth. Ethnographic observations including key informant qualitative interviews were performed by the primary investigator in four different neighborhoods in and around the city of Barranquilla, Colombia, over the course of 3 months. A total of 24 women were interviewed, and additional interviews were held with Colombian medical students, religious workers and not-for-profit healthcare leaders. I seek to better understand the perspectives of these internally displaced women in terms of contraception use including the sense of necessity of …

Electronic Nose Based On Independent Component Analysis Combined With Partial Least Squares And Artificial Neural Networks For Wine Prediction, Teodoro Aguilera, Jesús Lozano, José A. Paredes, Francisco J. Alvarez, José I. Suárez

Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Physiology Faculty Publications

The aim of this work is to propose an alternative way for wine classification and prediction based on an electronic nose (e-nose) combined with Independent Component Analysis (ICA) as a dimensionality reduction technique, Partial Least Squares (PLS) to predict sensorial descriptors and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) for classification purpose. A total of 26 wines from different regions, varieties and elaboration processes have been analyzed with an e-nose and tasted by a sensory panel. Successful results have been obtained in most cases for prediction and classification.

Electrophysiological Abnormalities In Sod1 Transgenic Models In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: The Commonalities And Differences, Sherif M. Elbasiouny, Katharina Quinlan, Tahra L. Eissa, Charles J. Heckman

Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Physiology Faculty Publications

Since its first description in 1874 by Charcot, the hallmark feature of ALS is the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motoneurons (Charcot, 1874). In the spinal cord, motoneuron degeneration starts long before symptom onset and advances in a size-related fashion, in which large-size alpha-motoneurons degenerate first followed by small-size alpha-motoneurons (Pun et al., 2006; Hegedus et al., 2007; Hegedus et al., 2008). There are conflicting reports regarding the survival of the smallest-sized spinal motoneurons, the gamma-motoneurons (Swash and Fox, 1974; Sobue et al., 1981). Despite its original description, the neuronal degeneration in ALS is not limited to motoneurons. Recent …

Morphological Variation Of Rusty Crayfish Orconectes Rusticus (Cambaridae) With Gender And Local Scale Spatial Gradients, Luke Etchison, Stephen J. Jacquemin, Michael Allen, Mark Pyron

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

We tested for the influence of gender, stream, and urbanization on morphological variation in rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in an east-central Indiana, US watershed. We used geometric morphometrics to characterize shape and tested for differences among and within sites. Males had shallower rostrum, increased head width and length, decreased abdomen and cephalothorax width and length, and increased telson length compared to females. Morphology of males did not vary with stream or along an urban gradient. The morphology of females varied with stream and along an urban gradient. Female shapes from small creek sites were stouter and less fusiform …