Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Employment Status, Work Disruption, Leisure, And Resources In The Mental Health Of Demenita Caregiving Daughters, Lisa Jones Ficker

Wayne State University Dissertations

Employment has been consistently identified as a role strain among dementia caregivers. This study sought to examine the patterns and context of employment and work disruption among dementia caregiving daughters and learn the extent to which work disruption influences mental health through hypothesized reductions in financial resources and leisure activities. This study was a cross-sectional design that extracted data of 486 daughter caregivers from a dataset that gathered information from Caucasian, African American, and Latina dementia caregivers at six research sites across the nation.

Results indicated that caregiving daughters who were employed reported the lowest number of depressive symptoms and …

Spirituality And Spiritual Self-Care: Expanding Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, Mary Louise White

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to extend the theory of self-care deficit nursing by including specific constructs of religion, spirituality, and spiritual self-care practices within the structure suggested by Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory. Based on an extensive literature review, practice experience, and a discovery theory-building approach, a new mid-range theory called White's theory of spirituality and spiritual self-care (WTSSSC) was developed. To begin to test this mid-range theory, empirical indices of many of the main concepts were identified from prior studies and one new instrument (the Spiritual Self-Care Practice Scale) was developed. Hypothesized relationships among the main concepts …

Regulation Of Neuronal Excitability: New Mechanisms For Slow Afterhyperpolarization Activation And Modulation, Claudio Alberto Villalobos

Wayne State University Dissertations

One of the most characteristic features of pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is that they present a slow afterhyperpolarizing current (I_sAHP) that plays a critical role in the regulation of neuronal excitability. This current is modulated by receptors acting via GΑ_q/11 G proteins, thus it is thought that neurotransmitters regulate neuronal excitability through the inhibition of this current. I_sAHP is known to be mediated by calcium-activated potassium channels, however, neither the identity of the channel underlying this current nor its mechanism of activation are yet well understood. Recent reports have questioned a direct role …

Adaptive Radiation Therapy Of Prostate Cancer, Ning Wen

Wayne State University Dissertations

ART is a close-loop feedback algorithm which evaluates the organ deformation and motion right before the treatment and takes into account dose delivery variation daily to compensate for the difference between planned and delivered dose. It also has potential to allow further dose escalation and margin reduction to improve the clinical outcome. This retrospective study evaluated ART for prostate cancer treatment and radiobiological consequences. An IRB approved protocol has been used to evaluate actual dose delivery of patients with prostate cancer undergoing treatment with daily CBCT.

The dose from CBCT was measured in phantom using TLD and ion chamber techniques …

Beyond The Dvh - Spatial And Biological Radiotherapy Treatment Planning, Bo Zhao

Wayne State University Dissertations

Purpose: Both spatial and biological information are necessary in order to perform true optimization of a treatment plan and for predicting clinical outcome. The goal of this work is to develop an enhanced treatment plan evaluation tool which incorporates biological parameters and retains spatial dose information.

Methods: A software system named SABER (Spatial And Biological Evaluation for Radiotherapy) is developed which provides biological plan evaluation with a novel combination of features. It incorporates hyperradiosensitivity using the induced-repair model and applies the new concept of Dose Convolution Filter (DCF) to simulate dose wash-out …

Examining The Relationship Between Spiritual Resources, Self-Efficacy, Life Attidues, Cognition, And Personal Characteristics Of Homeless African American Women, Jean Gash

Wayne State University Dissertations

African Americans comprise 12% of the American population and 45% of the homeless sheltered population (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD], 2007). The fastest growing segment is African American women and African American women with children. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between spiritual resources, self-efficacy, life attitudes, cognition, and personal characteristics (e.g., physical and mental health, age, marital status, number of children, number and length of times homeless and perceptions of being at risk for serious illness) of homeless African American women from 30 years of age and older who were trying …

Raman Spectroscopic Modeling Of T- Lymphocyte Activation And Detection Of Acute Renal Allograft Rejection, Kristian L. Brown

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIC MODELING OF T-LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION AND DETECTION OF ACUTE RENAL ALLOGRAFT REJECTION

By

KRISTIAN L. BROWN

2010

Advisor: Gregory Auner, PhD

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Despite the advances made in the area of kidney transplantation, the disparity between the demand and available donated organs remains a dominant and unresolved issue. Given the paucity of available renal allografts the preservation of existing grafts is vital. One factor that has negatively impacted renal allograft survival is acute rejection (AR). Traditionally, kidney transplant centers have used elevations in serum creatinine as a screening tool for detecting AR. However, …

Perceptions Of Sexuality By African American Patients On Hemodialysis, Merry Ann Stewart

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

PERCEPTIONS OF SEXUALITY BY AFRICAN AMERCIAN PATIENTS ON HEMODIALYSIS

by

MERRY STEWART

May 2010

Advisor: Dr. Ramona Benkert

Major: Nursing

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Sexuality is central to who we are as sentient beings and transcends physical sex acts. Sexuality concerns are reported as common for individuals receiving hemodialysis; yet, sexuality-related research for this population has been limited to a focus on altered physical sexuality. Little is known about the effects of hemodialysis on perceptions of personal identity, family-social roles as men or women, and intimate relationships. African Americans make up a disproportionate percentage of chronic hemodialysis patients and …

Jordanian Adolescent Cannabis Use: Patterns, Risks, And Protective Factors, Sukaina A. Alzyoud

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

JORDANIAN ADOLESCENT CANNABIS USE:

PATTERNS, RISKS, AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS

by

SUKAINA ALZYOUD

Month, 2010

Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Schim

Major: Nursing

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Background: Cannabis is considered to be the most commonly used substances worldwide. Its use is not only common among adolescents but is increasing in developing countries such as Jordan. Cannabis use among adolescents has been linked to unintentional injuries, physical fights, academic problems, and illegal behavior such as driving under the influence. Studies of cannabis use patterns, risks, and protective factors are limited in developing countries. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine …

Identification Of Neuroblastoma And Its Prognostic Markers Using Raman Spectroscopy, Rachel Kast

Wayne State University Dissertations

Introduction: Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer of infancy. It is one of several peripheral nervous system tumors, including ganglioneuroma, peripheral nerve sheath tumor, and pheochromocytoma. It is commonly situated on the adrenal gland. It displays similar histology to other small round blue cell tumors, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. One method of judging neuroblastoma aggressiveness uses tumor histology factors, including mitosis-karyorrhexis index, Schwannian stromal development, degree of differentiation, and patient age. Tumor aggressiveness can also be judged based on the amplification of certain genes, including MYCN. Raman spectroscopy is a physics-based method which identifies the biochemical …

Computerized Provider Order Entry Implementation: Provider And Hospital Leadership Impacts On Success, Elizabeth J. Walker

Theses and Graduate Projects

Healthcare organizations are consistently exhausting efforts to improve their patient safety standards and outcomes, especially those that are regulated by federal and state agencies. Many healthcare organizations have chosen to implement an Electronic Health Record (EHR) to facilitate better decision-making and faster tumaround for providers, thus improving patient safety. The EHR allows providers to manage patient care with the help of decision support functions, and with greater accessibility to the patient's information. One of the components of an EHR is the application of Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE). Although the benefits to both providers and patients have shown to be …

Predicting Adolescent Risk-Taking And Goal-Oriented Behaviors: An Ecological Perspective, Joshua Jon Tynan

Wayne State University Dissertations

An important aspect of human development is adolescence. It has been well documented that adolescence is a time during which individuals partake in the greatest amount of risk-taking behaviors. These behaviors often include having unsafe sex, drug and alcohol use, smoking and recklessness. On the other hand, goal oriented behaviors are also developing, although these have been less well studied. The current study explored several key contexts that adolescents are concurrently exposed to, including parenting behaviors, peer relationships, religion, and media. The outcomes of interest were risk-taking behaviors and goal-oriented behaviors. Ultimately the purpose of this study was to compile, …

Pharmacists' Rating Of Relevance Of Available Information In Deciding The Validity Of Opioid Medication Prescriptions, Leonardo Roberto Torres

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pharmacists are tasked with making decisions regarding the validity of prescriptions. Some have proposed factors that should be considered when evaluating a prescription's validity. Yet, there is little known about the decision process that pharmacists employ at the time of dispensing and what information pharmacists deem relevant in that decision-making process. Using an online survey instrument, a sample of community pharmacists were divided into three groups and presented with a prescription scenario. They were asked to rate the relevance of information, which is proposed to be appropriate and inappropriate, available at the time of dispensing. They were asked to consider …

Comparison Of Affective Analgesia And Conditioned Place Preference Following Cholinergic Activation Of, Elena Schifirnet

Wayne State University Dissertations

Activation of the dopaminergic mesolimbic reward circuitry that originates in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is postulated to preferentially suppress affective reactions to noxious stimuli (affective analgesia, AA). VTA dopamine neurons are activated via cholinergic inputs, and we have observed that microinjections of the acetylcholine agonist carbachol suppressed vocalizations of rats that occur following administration of brief (1 sec) tail-shocks (vocalization afterdischarges = VAD). VADs are a validated rodent model of pain affect. In addition, the capacity of carbachol to support reinforcement appears to be regionally dependent within VTA. Ikemoto and Wise (2002) reported that carbachol was self-administered in the …

Physical Activity Levels In Obese And Non-Obese Women And Their Relationship With Body Mass Index, Perceived Self-Efficacy, Perceived Benefits And Barriers Of Exercise, And Commitment To A Plan Of Action, Rose Lange

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine relationships among selected variables and concepts within the Health Promotion Model (perceived benefits, perceived barriers to exercise, self-efficacy, commitment to plan of action) in non-obese and obese women with a focus on the behavioral outcome of physical activity (leisure & lifestyle). A group of 137 women, aged 18-50 participated in this study. BMI was found to be positively correlated to an individual's perceived barriers to action. Findings did not support the hypothesis that as BMI increases perceived benefits, self-efficacy, commitment to a plan of action and physical activity levels would …

Stigma Reduction Techniques/Campaigns For Practitioners In A Rural Community Mental Health Practice, Becky Mensing

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this project was to systematically review the literature on the negative effects of stigma on the therapy seeking clients of rural mental health centers. Also to provide information on anti-stigma campaign efforts. The goal of anti-stigma programs are to create awareness about how stigma affects people with mental illnesses, and to have participants develop a sense of what it means to walk in the shoes of a person with mental illness (Corrigan, 2004, p. 19). The research question was how do we help people from being victimized by the prejudice and discrimination that arises from stigma?

A "Pawsitive" Influence Of Animals In Long-Term Care Facilities: Animal-Assisted Therapy At St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, Hannah L. Winkler

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The St. Peter Regional Treatment Center (SPRTC) provides secure, residential, multi-disciplinary treatment services, including psychosocial rehabilitation and skill enhancement, to individuals civilly committed as Mental Ill and Dangerous by the State of Minnesota. Since the treatment process is so comprehensive at SPRTC, patients may spend several years receiving in-patient treatment.

Since SPRTC does not currently have an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program, the purpose of this project was to research existing AAT programs being implemented with similar patient populations as a way to inform SPRTC staff of possible programs they could implement on their campus. The overall goal of this project …

The Pursuit Of Language Appropriate Care: Remote Simultaneous Medical Interpretation Use, Debra M. Logan

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Background. The U.S. government mandates nurses to deliver linguistically appropriate care to hospital patients. It is difficult for nurses to implement the language mandates because there are 6,912 active living languages spoken in the world. Language barriers appear to place limited English proficient (LEP) patients at increased risk for harm when compared to non-LEP patients. Hospitals, a primary nurse employer, are responsible for supplying language services to support accessible, quality care to linguistically diverse populations. This descriptive study explored relationships among the use of remote simultaneous medical interpretation (RSMI) in hospital settings, hospital size as an indicator of organizational resources …

Study Of The Egfr, Src And Stat3 Pathway In Pancreatic Cancer, Soumya Jaganathan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cancer is associated with many molecular aberrations that support the malignant phenotype. In that regard, aberrant activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Src, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) occur concurrently in pancreatic cancer and are implicated in the disease phenotype. Notwithstanding, increasing evidence indicates that therapies that target only EGFR or Src are rather ineffective in modulating the cancer phenotype. The poor therapeutic outcome of the monotherapies targeting EGFR or Src may in part be due to the increased incidence of signaling cross-talks among aberrant signaling pathways in cancer. Molecular details of the signaling integration …

In-Frame Mutagenesis Of Genes Encoding A Selenium-Dependent Molybdenum Hydroxylase And Putative Accessory Proteins In Enterococcus Faecalis, Christopher J. Mallard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Enterococcus faecalis is a well known nosocomial drug resistant pathogen that is responsible for urinary tract infections, bacteremia, wound infections and endocarditis through the formation of biofilms. It has been shown that 68 genes present within the core genome of E. faecalis are upregulated in biofilm formation. One of those 68 genes is a putative seleniumdependent molybdenum hydroxylase (SDMH). Adjacent to this gene are a series of open reading frames that have been postulated to play a role in the maturation of a labile selenium cofactor. The biosynthesis of this labile cofactor has yet to be studied at either the …

A New Measure Of Parental Self-Efficacy For Enacting Healthy Lifestyles In Their Children, Jonathan W. Decker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The issue of childhood obesity has become a pandemic of increasing prevalence and concern. Many behaviors contributing to overweight and obesity, such as dietary intake and physical activity, are learned in childhood. It is known that parents are key agents for change in their children. Therefore, interventions aimed at decreasing childhood overweight and obesity should be targeted at parents. Many parents state that they know the healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors they should adopt for their children, but lack the confidence, or self-efficacy, to enact these behaviors. A review of the literature for self-efficacy for behaviors in these domains …

Effectiveness Of Probiotics In Preventing Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea And Clostridium Difficile In Long Term Care, Marva Edwards-Marshall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Problem/Purpose: Antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) and clostridium-difficile diarrhea (CDAD) are the most common forms of infectious diarrhea in long-term care facilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of probiotics in preventing AAD and CDAD in the long term care geriatric population, and to identify interventions that can be used to improve clinical practice. Background/Significance: Prophylactic use of probiotics have been purported to decrease the incidences of AAD and CDAD. Previous studies have yielded contradictory results on the efficacy of probiotics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of administration of probiotics on the …

A Phenomenological Description Of The Lived Experience Of Creating Art For Women With Breast Cancer, Laurie Stark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conventional approaches to cancer treatment typically do not address the personal experiences of the women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to develop a structural description of the lived experience of women with breast cancer who create art, specifically through painting, sketching or drawing. A phenomenological approach was employed to explore the meaning of creating art for four women with a diagnosis of breast cancer. The philosophical underpinnings for this study were based on the phenomenological method of bracketing which allows the researcher and subjects to focus on lived experience. This qualitative methodology provided a means to …

Synergistic Effects Of Garcinol And Gemcitabine In Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy In Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells And Its Effect On Microrna Profile, Mansi Anand Parasramka

Wayne State University Dissertations

SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF GARCINOL AND GEMCITABINE IN ENHANCING THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY IN PANCREATIC ADENOCARCINOMA CELLS AND ITS EFFECT ON MICRORNA PROFILE

By

MANSI PARASRAMKA

ADVISOR: DR. SMITI V. GUPTA

MAJOR: NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCE

DEGREE: DOCTOR OF PHILOSPHY

Human Pancreatic Cancer (PaCa) is one of the most hostile and fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Current standard chemotherapeutic agent for advanced PaCa is gemcitabine, a cytotoxic nucleoside analogue which results in modest response due to high degree of inherent and acquired chemo resistance. Forthcoming evidence strongly supports that non-nutritive food components have therapeutic benefits attributable to pleiotropic …

The Effects Of Gestalt And Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group Interventions On The Assertiveness And Self-Esteem Of Women With Physical Disabilities Facing Abuse, Cilene Susan Adam Rita

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differential effects of Gestalt and Cognitive-Behavioral group therapy interventions on assertiveness and self-esteem among women with physical disabilities facing abuse. The eleven women, who met the study criteria, were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions, Gestalt Therapy (GT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) group interventions. The Demographic Questionnaire (Adam Rita, 2009) documented personal characteristics of the participants. The criterion instruments were: a) RAS (Rathus, 1973), and b) CFSEI-2 (Form AD, Battle, 1992) measuring assertiveness and self-esteem respectively and were administered pre-and-post treatment. The research was conducted over a period of …

Effect Of Dietary Folate Restriction On Colon Carcinogenesis In Dna Polymerase Β Haploinsufficient Mice, Lisa F. Ventrella Lucente

Wayne State University Dissertations

The data presented in this research is central to establishing the role that the base excision repair pathway (BER) plays in the development and progression of colon cancer when dietary folate is deficient. Both cellular folate restriction and BER deficiencies have been shown to result in the accumulation of endogenous damage and lesions that could eventually develop into carcinogenesis. In this study, a dietary folate deficiency (FD) resulted in a significant increase in aberrant crypt foci (ACF) formation and triggered liver tumorogenesis in wildtype (WT) animals, as did a BER deficiency in DNA polymerase Β haploinsufficient (Β-pol+/-) mice exposed to …

Conservative Management Of An Adult With Chronic Low Back Pain, Crystal Braun

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this case study is to describe the conservative management of a male patient with chronic low back pain. This report will provide an insight to the benefits of an individualized treatment program combining therapeutic exercises, the McKenzie Method along with a Lumbar Extension MedX strengthening program.

Case Description: This case study describes the treatment of a 34 year old male computer programmer suffering from low back pain.

Intervention: The patient was treated using directional preference~ segmental stabilization, lumbar extension MedX strengthening, and other physiotherapy exercises. He received treatment twice a week for …

Effects Of A Physical Therapy Program For A Patient With Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis, Renee Aune

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background & Purpose: Adhesive capsulitis is a musculoskeletal condition that has a disabling capability. The physiological changes that occur within the relevant connective tissue drive the intervention for functional improvement. There is often recovery, but it is not known whether a targeted intervention aimed at this type of patient is better than another regarding recovery. The purpose of this case report is to examine the multiple effects of a physical therapy intervention program with emphasis on improved function and quality of life.

Case Description: A single-case study of a 56-year-old female demonstrating the effects of a physical therapy program in …

Skin Care Management In Outpatient Setting Of Lower Extremity Venous Ulcers, Stacy L. Roush

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. This report will discuss the treatment options selected during eight weeks of therapy for a patient with chronic venous ulcers (CVUs) located on bilateral lower extremities. Venous ulcers can be very painful and are typically difficult to heal as a result of venous inefficiency. In many instances they inhibit the patient’s lifestyle depending on their location and severity.

Case Description. The patient seen was referred to physical therapy as his wounds had not shown any improvement since they were initially evaluated in April, 2008. Patient has history of lower extremity edema which was controlled by the use …

The Benefits Of Traditional Physical Therapy And Primal Reflex Release Technique In Treating Chronic Low Back Pain, Kenneth Worlanyo Wutoh

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is very prevalent in the general population. It is estimated that 79% of the population will experience low back pain during a lifetime. The purpose of this case report is to elaborate on the importance of traditional physical therapy interventions and to introduce the use of a new technique: primal reflex release technique (PRRT) in the treatment of LBP.

Case Description: The client was a 74-year-old female with history of multiple falls resulting in a vertebral fracture that was reduced by a kyphoplasty. Her chief complaints were pain in the T12 - L1 …