Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Association Between Eating Habits And Hypertension Among African American Women Compared To Other Women, Anike N. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Hypertension is a major public health concern for African American women. Many studies have shown a greater prevalence of hypertension, as well as physical inactivity, excess weight, and diabetes, in African Americans. Objective: To determine if differences in eating patterns, as measured by Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores, between African American women and other women in the United States are associated with hypertension. Methods: Data were extracted from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANESIII). The sample included 31,189,534 women aged 45 years or greater after survey weights were applied. The majority was White (86.1 %); minority …

Help-Seeking For Depression In Rural Women: A Community Portrait, Vicky Mitchell Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted with fourteen participants who lived in a rural Virginia community. The focus of the study was exploration of the nature of the experience of depression and of help-seeking for depression in one rural woman and in her community social network. The need for exploration of the community social network was influenced by the DeFacto Services Model of Rural Mental Health, which emphasized the influence of community factors in making decisions to seek mental health care. Findings of the study included the following themes, which related to the nature of depression: 1) linkage of experiential depression to …

Interobserver Reliability In The Diagnosis Of Pulpal And Periradicular Disease, Todd Peter Mellin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was evaluate the interobserver reliability of endodontists in the diagnosis the presence or absence of pulpal and/or periradicular disease. The study used 47 patients presenting to the VCU School of Dentistry for screening appointments as a test population under the rules and regulations of the VCU IRB. The patients were examined separately by two endodontists, using a thorough patient history, clinical exam, and radiographs. The answer to the question was then answered, does the patient have pulpal and/or periradicular disease, and compared. The data was analyzed using Kappa and the standard error was determined to …

Oral Health Needs Of Virginia Schoolchildren By Hmo Regions, Holly Christel Hall

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study examined differences in oral health status and dental treatment needs by HMO regions in Virginia. Methods: The Division of Dental Health (DDH), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), completed the 1999 Virginia Oral Health Needs Assessment (VSOHNA) with the cooperation of the Virginia Department of Education. The survey used a probability proportional to size (PPS) sample design in selecting school children from public schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Surface (DMFS/dfs) and tooth-level (DMFT/dft) data were collected as indicators of dental disease on all children. Child-level data was also recorded for each student consisting of age, race, gender, …

Dual Mechanism Analgesia-Enhancing Agents, Shawquia Elithia Young

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, there is an increasing need for novel analgesics that are potent but lack undesired side effects. Recent studies have shown that both 5-HT3 receptors and α2B- adrenoceptors play a role in antinociception. MD-354, N-(3-chlorophenyl)guanidine, has a high-affinity both for 5-HT3 and α2B- adrenoceptors and could be viewed as the first example of a rather selective 5-HT3/α2B- adrenoceptor ligand. MD-354, inactive by itself, potentiates the antinociceptive effects of an inactive dose of clonidine in the mouse tail- flick assay. An attempt to determine the underlying mechanism of this potentiating effect was the purpose of the present investigation. The studies focused …

The Incidence And Prevalance Of Cervical Cancer In Vietnamese Women (1993-1995): A Analysis Of Seer Reported Cases, Thuy Do

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Cervical cancer is the third most common reproductive cancer in the U.S. To date, one report concluded that U.S. Vietnamese women had the highest incidence rate (43.0/100,000). The current study examines whether U.S. Vietnamese women are more likely to have cervical cancer in comparison to Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, and other Asian subgroups. Methods: SEER data of cervical cancers diagnosed from 1993-1995 (n = 37,790) was utilized. Using SPSS, chi-square statistics assessed whether Vietnamese women were older and more likely to be married or diagnosed at a later stage. Logistic regression assessed the amount of risk race/ethnicity contributes …

Importance Of Pumice Prophylaxis For Orthodontic Bonding With Self-Etch Primer: An In Vivo Study, Daniel J. Lill

Theses and Dissertations

Self-etching primers (SEP) have recently simplified the orthodontic bonding process and questions have arisen regarding their reliability and efficiency. The goal of this study was to assess the importance of a pumice prophylaxis prior to bonding with SEP (Transbond Plus, 3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA) in reducing bond failures. Thirty orthodontic patients volunteered to participate in this split-mouth prospective clinical trial. A pumice prophylaxis experimental group and a non-pumice control group of teeth were randomly assigned in a contralateral quadrant pattern within each patient. A total of 508 teeth were bonded and monitored over 3 months for bond failures. There were …

Status Epilepticus Results In A Duration-Dependent Increased Protein Kinase A Activity In The Rat Pilocarpine Model, James M. Bracey

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to characterize cellular changes occurring during the progression of status epilepticus (SE) that could lead to the maintenance of increased membrane excitability. SE was induced by injection of pilocarpine after which rats were monitored both electrographically and behaviorally. After various lengths of time in SE, specific brain regions were isolated for biochemical study. SE resulted in an early maintenance of PKA activity in both cortical homogenate and crude synaptoplasmic membrane (crude SPM) fractions. At subsequent stages of SE there was a significant increase in PKA activity in both homogenate and crude SPM fractions. Wester blot analysis …

The Mechanism Of T Cell Dysfunction Induced By Diethylstilbestrol, Nicole Chantae Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Estrogens have the ability to alter the immune system. Diethylstilbestrol (DES), asynthetic estrogen, is known to have estrogenic activity and induce thymic alterations.We investigated the mechanism by which DES is able to alter T cells and thus theimmune system. First, we studied the effect of DES on mature T cells by using the T cellleukemia cell line, Jurkat. We found that DES treatment reduced cell viability andincreased apoptosis. Additionally, apoptosis was found to involve both death receptorand mitochondria1 pathways. Furthermore, estrogen receptor beta was found to beexpressed in these cells and increased following DES treatment. Secondly, we studiedthe effect of …

Infant Oral Health: A Survey Of General Dentists, Pediatric Dentists, And Pediatricians In Virginia, Rhea Delcastillo Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences related to infant oral health for both dental and medical providers.Methods: A survey of infant oral health care was sent to 300 randomly selected general dentists, 300 randomly selected pediatricians, and all pediatric dentists in Virginia. The survey contained questions regarding the providers' routine infant oral health care regimen. In addition demographic data from the provider was collected. Responses to the questionnaire were tabulated and percent frequency distributions for responses to each item computed. Percents for all items were based on the total number of respondents …

Demographic Variables Affecting Patient Referrals From General Practice Dentists To Periodontists, Mark Roy Zemanovich

Theses and Dissertations

BackgroundWithin dentistry, a limited body of literature exists regarding the referral relationships between general practitioners (GPs) and specialists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the referral relationship between GPs and periodontists within the state of Virginia. MethodsA survey focused on the demographic variables in the referral relationship between GPs and periodontists was developed. The survey was mailed to 800 dentists throughout the state of Virginia. Descriptive statistics was completed along with multivariate logistic regression analysis comparing the responses with the number of patients referred per month to a periodontist. ResultsFemale respondents were more likely to refer three or …

Assessing The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Variables And Risk Of Overweight Among Children 6 Years Of Age, Marilyn Cochon Batan

Theses and Dissertations

Background: The percentage of overweight children has tripled in the last thirty years. Inconsistent findings are published regarding the relationship between socioeconomic variables and being overweight in childhood.Objective: To determine whether socioeconomic variables are associated with risk of being overweight among six year olds. Methods: Six year olds with BMI data were selected from the National Survey of Children's Health (n=4,362). Variables were coded and a low socioeconomic index was created. Using population weights, descriptive statistics were generated and regression was utilized to assess the relationship between socioeconomic variables and being 'at risk' for overweight. Socioeconomic variables were also compared …

Predictors Of Induced Abortion Among Female Youth Center Users In Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, Rachel Barker

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Induced abortions occur in every country in the world. However sixty percent of the world's women live in countries where abortion is illegal. 19 million pregnancies end in unsafe and/or illegal abortions. Annually, 68,000 women die from unsafe abortions. Legal or not, unsafe abortion is one of the great neglected problems of health care in developing countries like Haiti and is a serious concern to women during their reproductive lives. Methods: The data for this study was collected from youth centers (ages 15-24) and used to estimate percentage distributions of abortion ratios by selected characteristics of women, particularly age …

Overbite Correction And Smile Esthetics, Sherif Nabil Elhady

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to investigate differences in outcomes from two common treatment modalities used to reduce deep overbite: maxillary incisor intrusion using an intrusion arch and posterior tooth eruption using an anterior bite plate and to assess their influence on smile esthetics. Pre-treatment and post-overbite correction records were gathered from 40 patients with deep overbite malocclusions at the Virginia Commonwealth University orthodontic clinic. Intrusion arch patients displayed significant reductions in maxillary incisor display accompanying documented incisor intrusion. Bite plate patients showed significant lower incisor intrusion and increases in the mandibular plane angle. When compared to …

Prevalence Of Pulpal And/Or Periradicular Disease In The Vcu School Of Dentistry Screening Patient Population, Ellen Rives Oertel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and demographic predictors of pulpal and/or periradicular disease in an urban population. A total of 210 subjects were recruited from a population of patients that were screened for acceptance to the dental school clinics. The diagnosis of pulpal and/or periradicular disease was made using the following data: radiographic interpretation, patient's history of previous pain and chief complaint, and objective pulpal testing. Objective pulpal testing included percussion, palpation, electric pulp test, and cold. The unit of observation was the individual, not the tooth. The overall prevalence of endodontic disease among the …

The Effect Of Traumatic Brain Injury On Expression Levels Of Ankyrin-G In The Corpus Callosum And Cerebral Cortex, Andrew S. Vanderveer

Theses and Dissertations

The ankyrins comprise a family of proteins serving as components of the membrane cytoskeleton, and participate in a diverse set of associations with multiple binding partners including the cytoplasmic domains of transporters, ion channels, some classes of receptors, and cell adhesion proteins. Moreover, evidence is accumulating that ankyrin participates in defining functionally distinct subcellular regions. The complex functional and structural roles of ankyrins indicate they are likely to play essential roles in the pathology of traumatic axonal injury. The current study examined changes in ankyrin-G expression following a moderate central fluid percussion injury administered to adult rats. At 1d, 3d, …

The Effects Of Footshock On The Reinforcing Efficacy Of Cocaine In Male Long-Evans Rats, Elizabeth S. Hendrick

Theses and Dissertations

Many links exist between cocaine abuse and stress. The literature and laboratory studies in rats suggest that this could be because stress increases the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine. Using male Long-Evans rats, experiments in this thesis tested effects of footshock on the reinforcing efficacy of cocaine using a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement. They also examined effects of footshock on the reinforcing efficacy of a half-maximal dose of cocaine. Finally, they tested the effects of footshock on cocaine self-administration in rats initially resistant to acquisition of cocaine self-administration. Footshock did not increase reinforcing efficacy of cocaine on a PR schedule …

The Relationship Between Breastfeeding And The Development Of Asthma In Early Childhood, River Anne Pugsley

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Asthma can have significant adverse effects on the health and quality of life of children, and the prevalence of this condition continues to rise. Breastfeeding may protect against asthma, but some uncertainty remains. The purpose of this study was to further examine the relationship between breastfeeding and the risk of developing asthma in early childhood. Methods: Data were collected from the State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey: National Survey of Children's Health, 2003. The study population consisted of 33,315 children ages 0 to 5 years. Prevalence rates of asthma and breastfeeding ,were calculated, as were crude and Mantel-Haenszel …

The Challenge Of Health Care Delivery In Connecticut, Joanne M. Bortone, Michael Emery, Patricia W. Walker

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

The challenge of health care is explored by Jody Bortone, Michael J. Emery, and Patricia W. Walker in chapter six of Public Policy in Connecticut. They focus particularly on the shortage of health care professionals in the Connecticut workforce, the increasing difficulty Connecticut residents face with respect to accessing and receiving appropriate health care services, and the rising costs associated with the many dimensions of health care. The authors conclude their essay with a very specific set of remedial measures designed to resolve the disturbing trends in the state's health care system.

Étude De La Problématique Santé Et Sécurité Du Travail Des Opérateurs Du Métro Et Des Possibilités De Réaménagement Des Loges De Conduite, Marie Bellemare, Sylvie Beaugrand, Danièle Champoux, Christian Larue, Paul Massicotte, Maud Gonella

Rapports de recherche scientifique

À la suite d’une demande des partenaires sociaux d’une grande entreprise de transport public, préoccupés par les niveaux vibratoires auxquels sont exposés les opérateurs de métro et par le siège inadéquat installé dans l’espace restreint de la loge de conduite, deux études ont été menées en parallèle. La première étude¹, objet du présent rapport, est une recherche exploratoire en deux volets : le premier vise à mieux définir la problématique de santé et de sécurité des opérateurs du métro alors que le second se concentre sur les possibilités d’améliorer le poste de conduite des trains construits il y …

Commerce De Détail. Phase Ii : Analyse Ergonomique Des Activités De Manutention Et De Service À La Clientèle Dans Des Magasins-Entrepôts De Grande Surface, Marie St-Vincent, Denys Denis, Roselyne Trudeau, Daniel Imbeau

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Cette étude constitue la suite d’une première recherche visant à mieux comprendre le travail et les risques qui en découlent de même que les avenues de solutions possibles dans les magasins-entrepôts de grande surface.

Des questionnaires visant à décrire les symptômes de stress et de TMS ont d’abord été adressés aux travailleurs (n=116) et aux directeurs (n=28) de six succursales d’une importante chaîne de magasins-entrepôts d’articles de bureau. La population de travailleurs présente les caractéristiques suivantes : 88 % sont des hommes, 64 % ont moins de 25 ans, 65 % sont à temps partiel et 50 % ont moins …

Prise En Charge Du Manganisme D’Origine Professionnelle : Consensus D’Un Groupe International D’Experts, Claude Ostiguy, Paul Asselin, Sylvain Malo, Daniel Nadeau, Philippe Dewals

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Click here for the English version of this report

Contexte

Au cours des dernières années, plusieurs travailleurs exposés aux fumées de manganèse ont développé des symptômes évoquant un manganisme d’origine professionnelle. La CSST (la Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail), qui est l’organisme d’indemnisation de la province de Québec, faisait face à une situation dans laquelle elle ne disposait pas de techniques normalisées pour la prévention primaire, secondaire et tertiaire du manganisme, menant à la possibilité d’un différend médico-légal, de même qu’à la possibilité d’iniquité pour les travailleurs et les employeurs.

Objectif

Grâce à la définition …

Caractérisation Des Bioaérosols En Cabinets Dentaires, Caroline Duchaine, Steve Dutil, Anne Mériaux, Marie-Chantale De Latrémoille, Annie Leduc, Louis Lazure, Jean Barbeau

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Introduction : La présence d’un biofilm dans la tubulure des unités dentaires a souvent été documentée. Ce biofilm assure la croissance et le maintien d’une forte population bactérienne planctonique (environ 1 million de bactéries/ml) incluant plusieurs pathogènes. En cabinet, les instruments de dentisterie tels le pistolet air/eau et le détartreur ultrasonique sont responsables de la génération d’aérosols. Ces aérosols peuvent contenir des bactéries provenant de la bouche des patients mais aussi de l’eau des unités dentaires. Une caractérisation adéquate des bioaérosols générés lors de traitements dentaires permettra d’estimer les risques réels d’infection ou de sensibilisation.

Méthode : L’échantillonnage des bactéries …

Conception D’Un Intensimètre Économique Et Évaluation Préliminaire D’Un Nouveau Concept De Repérage Spatial Pour La Réalisation De Cartographie D’Intensité Acoustique, Michel Pearson, André L'Espérance

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Le défi proposé dans ce projet de recherche est de rendre l'intensimétrie acoustique accessible pour les intervenants en acoustique. Cet instrument permet de quantifier la puissance acoustique des sources pour parvenir à un plan d'intervention en acoustique efficace. Les contraintes majeures qui limitent l'utilisation de ce type d'appareil se situent au niveau du coût (plus de 30 000 $) et de la complexité d'utilisation. L'appareil développé dans le cadre de ce projet utilise des technologies moins onéreuses combinées à des corrections physiques et logicielles. Le niveau de performance obtenue est amplement suffisant pour le diagnostic acoustique en industrie. De plus, …

Importance De L’Organisation Du Travail Comme Soutien Aux Stratégies Protectrices Des Auxiliaires Familiales Et Sociales Et Des Infirmières Des Services De Soins Et De Maintien À Domicile. Annexe 4 : Rapport De L’Étude Du Clsc 4, Élise Ledoux, Esther Cloutier, Hélène David, François Ouellet, Madeleine Bourdouxhe, Catherine Teiger, Isabelle Gagnon

Rapports de recherche scientifique

No abstract provided.

Importance De L’Organisation Du Travail Comme Soutien Aux Stratégies Protectrices Des Afs Et Des Infirmières Des Services De Soins Et De Maintien À Domicile, Esther Cloutier, Hélène David, Élise Ledoux, Madeleine Bourdouxhe, Catherine Teiger, Isabelle Gagnon, François Ouellet

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Comme l’a montré une étude exploratoire en 1998, les emplois d’auxiliaires (AFS) et d’infirmières sont les deux emplois les plus nombreux en termes d’effectifs dans les CLSC au Québec et ils présentent des risques importants pour la santé et la sécurité (SST). Cette étude exploratoire avait montré que l’organisation du travail peut soutenir de manière plus ou moins efficace les travailleuses par différentes mesures. Le secteur de la santé est en croissance, la main-d’œuvre y est vieillissante; plusieurs recrues devront être engagées et conservées. Une nouvelle recherche a donc été réalisée afin d’étudier le rôle de l’organisation du travail des …

Développement Et Validation D'Une Méthode D'Évaluation Des Garde-Corps Fabriqués Et Installés À Pied D'Oeuvre Sur Les Chantiers, André Lan, Jean Arteau, Renaud Daigle

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Le travail en hauteur comporte des risques importants de chute contre lesquels il faut protéger les travailleurs. En 1998, le taux moyen de cotisation à la Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec (CSST) était environ 2,50 $, alors que le taux moyen des entreprises œuvrant dans le travail en hauteur avoisinait les 30 $. Ce taux élevé illustre bien l’incidence des accidents graves et mortels dans ce secteur d’activité. Les réglementations québécoise et internationale sont très claires; il faut protéger les travailleurs exposés à un risque de chute de 1.8 mètre ou plus. Le …

Étude Des Horaires De Travail Des Auxiliaires Familiales Et Sociales Des Services De Soins À Domicile Dans Un Clsc - Suivi D’Implantation Du Logiciel De Gestion Des Horaires. Annexe 5 : Rapport D’Intervention Du Clsc 1, Madeleine Bourdouxhe, Esther Cloutier, Élise Ledoux, Catherine Teiger, Hélène David, Isabelle Gagnon, François Ouellet

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les contraintes de temps sont un élément de l’organisation du travail qui peut influencer les stratégies protectrices chez les auxiliaires familiales et sociales travaillant au maintien à domicile des patients de CLSC. Dans un des quatre CLSC participant à une recherche en cours, le milieu avait signalé un besoin spécifique concernant l’étude des horaires de travail et des heures supplémentaires chez les AFS. Les horaires de travail étaient donc un aspect organisationnel important dans ce CLSC en particulier, d’autant plus qu’on s’apprêtait à y implanter un logiciel de gestion des horaires qui se répand dans les établissements analogues, publics comme …

Développement D'Une Méthode D'Analyse D'Isocyanates À Très Haute Sensibilité, Claude Ostiguy, Sébastien Gagné, Jacques Lesage, Huu Van Tra, Yves Cloutier

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les isocyanates demeurent la principale cause d’asthme professionnel au Québec. La présente activité de recherche vise à répondre à un besoin exprimé par les inspecteurs de la CSST et à les soutenir dans le cadre de leur mandat en développant une approche globale qui permette le dosage des monomères d’isocyanates à de très faibles concentrations. En effet, le travailleur atteint peut réagir à de très faibles concentrations d’isocyanates et les méthodes analytiques actuelles ne permettent pas d’évaluer adéquatement la qualité du milieu de travail afin de pouvoir réintégrer le travailleur sensibilisé de façon sécuritaire.

Au niveau analytique, le couplage de …

Les Aspects Éthiques De L'Utilisation Des Bioindicateurs En Santé Au Travail, Chantal Caux, Claude Viau, Louise Guilbert, David J. Roy

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les bioindicateurs et la santé au travail…

Certains travailleurs, dans le cadre de leurs activités professionnelles, sont exposés à des produits potentiellement néfastes pour leur santé. Afin de nous aider à comprendre le lien entre les expositions à ces produits et les maladies qui peuvent apparaître, il peut être utile et même nécessaire d’utiliser des bioindicateurs d’exposition, d’effets, ou encore de susceptibilité. Les premiers (bioindicateurs d’exposition) sont la mesure, dans le sang, l’urine ou l’air expiré dans un premier cas, du produit auquel les travailleurs sont exposés ou encore, dans un deuxième cas, de sous-produits résultant de la transformation de …