Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Resource Manual For Occupational Therapists: Providing Transportation Related Resources To The Elderly Living In Poverty In North Dakota, Amanda Ralston, Lukas Wavra

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Between the ages of 65 and 74, 9% of elderly individuals live in poverty in the United States (Forum, 2010). This poverty rate increases to 11% in elderly individuals who are 75 years of age or older (Forum, 2010). In rural areas, the effects of poverty may be even more pronounced than in urban areas secondary to the societal limitations that exist within some small rural communities; rural areas in North Dakota routinely face both the effects of poverty and the societal limitations. These limitations may include a lack of public transportation or services available to the general public. Due …

Hela Cells And Unjust Enrichment In The Human Body, Deleso A. Alford

Journal Publications

Henrietta Lacks achieved fame and immortality in the world of science. In 1951, Johns Hopkins Hospital harvested the tissue of Ms. Lacks, a 31-year-old African American woman diagnosed with cervical cancer to mass produce "HeLa cells."' The money derived from her cell line produced wonders and scientific breakthroughs in technology, biology and medicine which "far exceeds that reflected in the published literature, because it is the reference cell in so many research laboratories.”

In this essay, I place Ms. Lacks' parts (tissue cells) back into her body to raise a claim of unjust enrichment. I discuss the ongoing debate as …

Bnnt- Mediated Irreversible Electroporation: It's Potential On Cancer Cells, V. Raffa, C. Riggio, M. W. Smith, K. C. Jordon, W. Cao, A. Cuschieri

Applied Research Center Publications

Irreversible lethal electroporation (IRE) is a new non-thermal ablation modality that uses short pulses of high amplitude static electric fields (up 1000V/cm) to create irreversible pores in the cell membrane, thus, causing cell death. Recently, IRE has emerged as a promising clinical modality for cancer disease treatment. Here, we investigated the responses of tumour human He La cells when subjected to IRE in the presence of BNNTs. These consist of tiny tubes of B and N atoms (arranged in hexagons) with diameters ranging from a 1 to 3 nanometres and lengths <2 μm. BNNTs have attracted wide attention because of their unique electrical properties. We speculate that BNNTs, when interacting with cells exposed to static electrical fields, amplify locally the electric field, leading to cell death. In this work, electroporation assays were performed with a commercial electroporator using the cell-specific protocol suggested by the supplier (exponential decay wave, time constant 20ms) with the specific aim to compare IRE in absence and in presence of BNNTs. We observed that BNNTs have the capacity to decrease substantially the voltage required for IRE. When cells were pulsed at 800V/cm, we observed a 2,2-fold reduction in cell survival in the presence of BNNTs compared to controls. We conclude that the death of the tumour cells exposed to IRE is strongly enhanced in the presence of BNNTs, indicating their potential therapeutic application.

The Effect Of Obtaining Chest Pain Center Accreditation On The Compliance With Current Practice Standards, Lisa Stephenson

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) has created a holistic model focused on providing best care to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. The SCPC uses the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines to define best practice for treating ACS patients. The objective of this evidence-based practice project was to obtain SCPC accreditation at a rural hospital in Northwest Indiana and improve adherence with the ACC/AHA standards of care. In the literature, eighteen articles were reviewed and found to be level II or higher using Polit & Beck’s hierarchy of evidence. The literature review revealed that hospitals demonstrated …

Identifying Psychological Contract Breaches To Guide Improvements In Faculty Recruitment, Retention, And Development, Gretchen L. Peirce, Shane P. Desselle, Jolaine R. Draugalis, Alan R. Spies, Tamra S. Davis, Mark Bolino

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

Objective. To identify pharmacy faculty members’ perceptions of psychological contract breaches that can be used to guide improvements in faculty recruitment, retention, and development.

Methods. A list of psychological contract breaches was developed using a Delphi procedure involving a panel of experts assembled through purposive sampling. The Delphi consisted of 4 rounds, the first of which elicited examples of psychological contract breaches in an open-ended format. The ensuing 3 rounds consisting of a survey and anonymous feedback on aggregated group responses.

Results. Usable responses were obtained from 11 of 12 faculty members who completed the Delphi procedure. The final list …

In Memoria: Art Fry, 1921-2011, Collis Geren

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Retrospective Epidemiologic Analysis Of Influenza Pandemics In Arkansas, A, A. J. Gray, D. Nguyen, B. M. Rowley

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

This study compares influenza mortality in Arkansas during the pandemics of: 1918 (aka Spanish flu), 1957, 1968, and 2009 (H1N1, aka Swine flu). Death certificate and U.S. census data were gathered and analyzed for statistical differences in mortalities based on sex, age, and geographic regions of Arkansas for each pandemic. The geographic regions were defined by the five Public Health Units classified by the Arkansas Department of Health. Regional mortalities were also analyzed across all pandemics to investigate how the different pandemics affected each individual region. Chi-square analyses for each pandemic showed only the 1918 pandemic had statistical differences between …

Treating Mentoring Programs As A Scholarly Endeavor, Shane P. Desselle

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

The author discusses mentoring programs for pharmacy school faculty and the research literature around forming these programs.

The Integration Of An Online Module On Student Learning, Karen S. Yehle, Karen Chang

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Heart failure is a prevalent and costly condition. Patients with better self-management are less likely to be rehospitalized. An online interactive heart failure module was developed and integrated into a medical-surgical nursing course to assist students in learning how to care for patients with heart failure. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the integration of an online heart failure module improved baccalaureate nursing students' heart failure self-management knowledge. A pretest/posttest design was used to examine the effects of student knowledge of heart failure self-management following implementation of an online module. Among 235 students, significant improvement of heart …

Aadej Comm 43 3&4 2012

AADEJ - The Communicator

The Communicator is the official journal of the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ). It is published quarterly, distributed digitally via email to members, and posted on the Association's website, AADEJ.org. Each issue includes regular updates from the editorial team and AADEJ board, as well as feature articles on current issues in the field.

This is a combined issue for 2012, issue 3 and 4.

An Epidemiological Model Of Rift Valley Fever With Spatial Dynamics, Tianchan Niu, Holly D. Gaff, Yiannis E. Papelis, David M. Hartley

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

As a category A agent in the Center for Disease Control bioterrorism list, Rift Valley fever (RVF) is considered a major threat to the United States (USA). Should the pathogen be intentionally or unintentionally introduced to the continental USA, there is tremendous potential for economic damages due to loss of livestock, trade restrictions, and subsequent food supply chain disruptions. We have incorporated the effects of space into a mathematical model of RVF in order to study the dynamics of the pathogen spread as affected by the movement of humans, livestock, and mosquitoes. The model accounts for the horizontal transmission of …

Assessments Of Dual Degree Programs At University Of Kentucky College Of Pharmacy, Adebayo Ogunniyi

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

Information about dual degree programs offered by colleges and schools of pharmacy is scarce. Factors that motivate a pharmacy student to pursue a dual degree have not been formally assessed. Furthermore, whether dual degree graduates pursue non-traditional career paths more often than single degree graduates (i.e. PharmD degree alone) is unknown. The research questions are: 1.) Why do PharmD students pursue dual degree programs at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy? and 2.) Does obtaining a dual degree increase the likelihood of a “non-traditional” pharmacy jobs upon graduation?

There are three main parts of this capstone project. The first …

High Dimensional Endophenotype Ranking In The Search For Major Depression Risk Genes, David C. Glahn, Joanne E. Curran, Anderson M. Winkler, Melanie A. Carless, Matthew P. Johnson, Harald H. H. Goring, Thomas D. Dyer, Ravi Duggirala, Laura Almasy, John Blangero

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Despite overwhelming evidence that major depression is highly heritable, recent studies have localized only a single depression-related locus reaching genome-wide significance and have yet to identify a causal gene. Focusing on family-based studies of quantitative intermediate phenotypes or endophenotypes, in tandem with studies of unrelated individuals using categorical diagnoses, should improve the likelihood of identifying major depression genes. However, there is currently no empirically derived statistically rigorous method for selecting optimal endophentypes for mental illnesses. Here, we describe the endophenotype ranking value, a new objective index of the genetic utility of endophenotypes for any heritable illness.

Methods: Applying endophenotype …

Curcumin Nanoformulations: A Future Nanomedicine For Cancer, Murali M. Yallapu, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Curcumin, a natural diphenolic compound derived from turmeric Curcuma longa, has proven to be a modulator of intracellular signaling pathways that control cancer cell growth, inflammation, invasion, apoptosis and cell death, revealing its anticancer potential. In this review, we focus on the design and development of nanoparticles, self-assemblies, nanogels, liposomes and complex fabrication for sustained and efficient curcumin delivery. We also discuss the anticancer applications and clinical benefits of nanocurcumin formulations. Only a few novel multifunctional and composite nanosystem strategies offer simultaneous therapy as well as imaging characteristics. We also summarize the challenges to developing curcumin delivery platforms and …

Pain Relief In Older Adults Following Static Contractions Is Not Task-Dependent, Kathy J. Lemley, Breanna Drewek, Lauren Miller, Sandra K. Hunter, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Pain complaints increase with age. Exercise is frequently utilized for pain relief but the optimal exercise prescription to relieve pain is not clear. Following static contractions, young adults experience the greatest pain relief with low intensity, long duration contractions. The pain response to static contractions in older adults however is unknown.

PURPOSE : To compare pain reports in healthy older adults before and after static contractions of varying intensity and duration.

METHODS: Pain perception was assessed in 23 healthy older adults (11 men, 12 women; 72.0 ± 6.3 yrs) using a pressure pain device consisting of a 10 N force …

A Systematic Review Of Physical Activity Interventions In Hispanic Adults, Melinda J. Ickes, Manoj Sharma

Kinesiology and Health Promotion Faculty Publications

Healthy People 2020 aims to achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups. Regular physical activity (PA) improves overall health and fitness and has the capability to reduce risk for chronic diseases. Identifying barriers which relate to the Hispanic population is important when designing PA interventions. Therefore, the purpose was to review existing PA interventions targeting Hispanic adults published between 1988 and 2011. This paper was limited to interventions which included more than 35% Hispanic adults (n = 20). Most of the interventions were community based (n = 16), although clinical, family-based, and faith-based …

Ring Maps For Spatial Visualization Of Multivariate Epidemiological Data, Sarah E. Battersby, John E. Stewart, Ana Lopez-De Fede, Kevin C. Remington

Publications

Epidemiological research often involves the visual exploration of numerous attributes to help discern patterns between health and characteristics of the physical, socioeconomic, or built environment. Unfortunately, many of the multivariate mapping techniques discussed throughout the cartographic literature can be challenging to create or interpret—particularly for individuals without a cartographic background. In this paper, we present a new style of multivariate map—the ring map—to aid in basic visualization of multivariate datasets. For purposes of example, we focus on the use of the ring map style for exploring county-level epidemiological data for the state of South Carolina to examine patterns of age, …

Health Insurance Coverage Among Diabetic Adults From Three Major Ethnic Groups In The Us, Linda I. Ekperi, Shamola Greene, Ahmed Dehal, Ana Lopez-De Fede

Publications

Objective: The lack of adequate health insurance may result in a downward spiral of the diabetic condition, imposing an increased financial strain on family and the society as a whole. The objective of our study was to assess the insurance type and coverage among diabetic adults from three major ethnic groups. Design and setting: We used data of two cross-sectional national surveys to estimate insurance coverage among diabetic adults aged 20-64 years, 1988-1994 and 2003-2008. Results: The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed diabetes has increased by 120%, 178% and 135% respectively among non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs), and Mexicans & other …

A Mathematical Model For Cell Cycle-Specific Cancer Virotherapy, Joanna R. Wares, Joseph J. Crivelli, Juraj Földes, Peter S. Kim

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Oncolytic viruses preferentially infect and replicate in cancerous cells, leading to elimination of tumour populations, while sparing most healthy cells. Here, we study the cell cycle-specific activity of viruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). In spite of its capacity as a robust cytolytic agent,VSVcannot effectively attack certain tumour cell types during the quiescent, or resting, phase of the cell cycle. In an effort to understand the interplay between the time course of the cell cycle and the specificity of VSV, we develop a mathematical model for cycle-specific virus therapeutics. We incorporate the minimum biologically required time spent in the …

Efficacy Of Infection Control Interventions In Reducing The Spread Of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms In The Hospital Setting, Joanna R. Wares, Erika M.C. D'Agata, Mary Ann Horn, Shigui Ruan, Glenn F. Webb

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) continue to spread in hospitals globally, but the population-level impact of recommended preventive strategies and the relative benefit of individual strategies targeting all MDRO in the hospital setting are unclear. To explore the dynamics of MDRO transmission in the hospital, we develop a model extending data from clinical individual-level studies to quantify the impact of hand hygiene, contact precautions, reducing antimicrobial exposure and screening surveillance cultures in decreasing the prevalence of MDRO colonization and infection. The effect of an ongoing increase in the influx of patients colonized with MDRO into the hospital setting is also quantified. We …

Psychological Consultation In Rehabilitation, Jihong Park, Alan Nasypany

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Patients’ emotional well-being highly affects the outcomes of rehabilitation. Psychological interventions enhance the rehabilitation process. We describe a normal rehabilitation curve in which injured patients experience a cycle of emotional highs and lows. We also suggest a four-step consulting strategy to address these emotional changes during the rehabilitation process: (1) In which stage of change is the patient? (2) Does the clinician know the patient’s personality? (3) What are the goals of the patients and the clinicians? and (4) Does the patient adhere and stay motivated? Clinicians should explain the rehabilitation curve and use the four step strategy, so that …

Promoting Mitochondrial Biogenesis With The Sirti Activator Srt1720 To Improve Mitochondrial And Renal Function After Acute Kidney Injury, Jason Allen Funk

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a primary pathological consequence of acute kidney injury (AKI). Induction of mitochondrial biogenesis via the nuclear coactivator of transcription PPARγ-coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, rescues mitochondrial function in renal cells after oxidant injury. The primary goal of this project was to evaluate the recovery of mitochondrial function after in vivo AKI, and to determine the influence of mitochondrial biogenesis during the repair process. Deacetylation of PGC-1α by the class III HDAC SIRT1 produces a more active form of the protein and stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis. The potent SIRT1 activator SRT1720 induced deacetylation of PGC-1α, increased …

The Effects Of Dehydration On Cognitive Functioning, Mood, And Physical Performance, Molly Hodges

The Corinthian

It is no surprise to most everyone that the human life depends tremendously on a compound composed of two Hydrogen atoms and an Oxygen atom: water. Water is such a huge component of the human life; it comprises 75% of the body weight in infants, 55% in the elderly and is crucial for cellular homeostasis. In fact without water humans can only survive two to four days. In a moderately brief period of time, failure to consume enough water will lead to deteriorating neurologic function, organ failure, and ultimately death. Failure to consume a proper amount of fluid has always …

Clinical Preceptors' Perspectives On Clinical Education In Post-Professional Athletic Training Education Programs, Kelvin Phan, Cailee W. Mccarty, Jessica M. Mutchler, Bonnie Van Lunen

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Context: Clinical education is the interaction between a clinical preceptor and student within the clinical setting to help the student progress as a clinician. Post-professional athletic training clinical education is especially important to improve these students' clinical knowledge and skills. However, little research has been conducted to assess the pedagogical principles for clinical education at this level or what factors are necessary to enhance the clinical skills and decision-making abilities of post-professional students. Therefore, exploring the perspectives of clinical preceptors involved in post-professional education will help educators understand what strategies are necessary to improve post-professional athletic training education programs (PPATEPs). …

Enhancing The Application And Evaluation Of A Discrete Trial Intervention Package For Eliciting First Words In Preverbal Preschoolers With Asd, Ioanna Tsiouri, Elizabeth Schoen Simmons, Rhea Paul

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention package including a discrete trial program (Rapid Motor Imitation Antecedent Training (Tsiouri and Greer, J Behav Educat 12:185–206, 2003) combined with parent education for eliciting first words in children with ASD who had little or no spoken language. Evaluation of the approach includes specific intervention targets and functional spoken language outcomes (Tager-Flusberg et al., J Speech Lang Hear Res 52:643–652, 2009). Results suggest that RMIA, with parent training, catalyzes development of verbal imitation and production for some children. Three of five participants acquired word production within the DTT framework and achieved milestones …

Acoustic Differences In The Imitation Of Prosodic Patterns In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Joshua J. Diehl, Rhea Paul

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

In research, it has been difficult to characterize the prosodic production differences that have been observed clinically in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Moreover, the nature of these differences has been particularly hard to identify. This study examined one possible contributor to these perceived differences: motor planning. We examined the ability of children and adolescents with ASD to imitate prosodic patterns in comparison to a group with learning disabilities (LD) and a typically developing (TD) comparison group. Overall, we found that both the ASD and LD groups were significantly worse at perceiving and imitating prosodic patterns than the TD comparison group. …

Bridging The Research Gap: Making Hri Useful To Individuals With Autism, Elizabeth Kim, Rhea Paul, Frederick Shic, Brian Scassellati

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

While there is a rich history of studies involving robots and individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), few of these studies have made substantial impact in the clinical research community. In this paper we first examine how differences in approach, study design, evaluation, and publication practices have hindered uptake of these research results. Based on ten years of collaboration, we suggest a set of design principles that satisfy the needs (both academic and cultural) of both the robotics and clinical autism research communities. Using these principles, we present a study that demonstrates a quantitatively measured improvement in human-human social interaction …

Overt Cleft Palate Phenotype And Tbx1 Genotype Correlations In Velo-Cardio-Facial/Digeorge/22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Patients, Sean Herman, Tingwei Guo, Donna M. Mcdonald Mcginn, Anna Blonska, Alan L. Shanske, Anne S. Bassett, Eva Chow, Mark Bowser, Molly Sheridan, Frits Beemer, Koen Devriendt, Ann Swillen, Jeroen Breckpot, Maria Christina Digilio, Bruno Marino, Bruno Dallapiccola, Courtney Carpenter, Xin Zheng, Jacob Johnson, Jonathan Chung, Anne Marie Higgins, Nicole Philip, Tony J. Simon, Karlene Coleman, Damian Heine Suñer, Jordi Rosell, Wendy R. Kates, Marcella Devoto, Elaine Zackai, Tao Wang, Robert J. Shprintzen, Beverly Emanuel, Bernice Morrow, International Chromosome 22q11.2 Consortium

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

Velo-cardio-facial syndrome/DiGeorge syndrome, also known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is the most common microdeletion syndrome, with an estimated incidence of 1/2,000 – 1/4,000 live births. Approximately 9–11% of patients with this disorder have an overt cleft palate (CP), but the genetic factors responsible for CP in the 22q11DS subset are unknown. The TBX1 gene, a member of the T-box transcription factor gene family, lies within the 22q11.2 region that is hemizygous in patients with 22q11DS. Inactivation of one allele of Tbx1 in the mouse does not result in CP, but inactivation of both alleles does. Based on these data, …

Morphological Characterization Of The Immune Organs In Ostrich Chicks, Hui Song, Ke-Mei Peng, Sheng-He Li, Yan Wang, Lan Wei, Li Tang

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study describes the anatomical, light microscopic, and ultrastructural characterization of the immune organs in ostrich chicks. In this study 6 healthy 8-week-old ostrich chicks were processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. Hematoxylin and eosin as well as improved Weigert staining were used for light microscopy. The small thymus, which clustered caudally along both sides of the neck, contained Hassall's corpuscles in the medulla. The cloacal bursa, which formed the hanging and lateral walls of the cloaca, enveloped the cloaca but did not form a truly independent bursa. Inside the bursa convex papillae were densely distributed on the surface …

Optimum Temperature And Growth Performance Of Hatchery Reared Black Sea Flounder (Platichthys Flesus Luscus Pallas, 1814), İlhan Aydin, Orhan Ak, Ercan Küçük, Hamza Polat, Bi̇nnur Ceylan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The present study focused on the effect of water temperature on growth and feed conversion ratio of juvenile Black Sea flounder (Platichthys flesus luscus; initial weight: 2.0 g ± 0.01 g). The experiment was carried out for 84 days with the following range of water temperatures: 13, 17, 21, and 25 °C. Growth, food consumption, and feed conversion ratio were the highest at 21 °C and the lowest at 13 °C. The growth rate of the fish increased with water temperatures up to 21 °C and it decreased significantly with a further increase in temperature. The conclusion of this study …