Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Development And Evaluation Of The Assessment Of Opioid Taking Behaviors And Adherence Scale (Aotba) In Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, Abdulkhaliq Jassem Alsalman

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid growth in opioid therapy for non-cancer pain has occurred without an adequate appreciation of the consequences of this growth. Few studies provide patient-centered evidence that can be used to inform the current proposed standards for efficacious (safe and effective) opioid prescribing in non-cancer pain. Furthermore, different terms may be used interchangeably in the literature to refer to opioid-taking behaviors, resulting in imprecise or vague interpretation of existing evidence. We therefore sought to explore patterns of opioid-taking behavior and their biopsychosocial-spiritual determinants in African-American adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Many questions surround opioid use for non-cancer pain, but …

Predictors Of Agitation In The Critically Ill, Ruth Burk

Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Agitation is a common complication in the intensive care unit (ICU) manifested in behavior and actions that range from simple apprehension or anxiety to frankly combative behavior.5 Agitation is associated with significant adverse outcomes.1-3 Studies report up to 71% of ICU patients have some degree of agitation during their ICU stay and that agitation is observed 32% of the time.3;4 Potential causes of agitation in critically ill patients are numerous; however, data about factors that predict agitation are limited. OBJECTIVE: The specific aim of this study was to identify predictors of agitation on admission to the ICU as well …

A Tale Of Two Health Sciences Libraries Working To Improve Health Literacy, Margot G. Malachowski Mls, Kate Saylor Msi

All Scholarly Works

Our presentation demonstrates two health sciences libraries performing outreach in public libraries to achieve these community goals: increased awareness of high-quality online resources for health information; improved confidence in finding and evaluating good health information; and increased knowledge of the resources and benefits to be gained from partnering with a health sciences library.

Perception, Expression And Management Of The Pain Of Childbirth, Mary H. Christenson

Senior Honors Theses

In order to be a competent nurse on an American labor and delivery unit it is important to have an understanding of the pain of childbirth. This includes a thorough understanding of pain as a sensation and its manifestation during the birthing experience. An understanding of pain is useless, however, unless standardized pain assessment practices are used. The most accurate pain assessment is associated with a general understanding of cultural trends in pain perception and expression. Along with culture, other factors also influence how a woman senses and copes with the pain of labor. Anxiety is one of these influential …

The Effects Of Various Modes Of Feedback On Preferred Ipod Listening Levels, Justine A. Mcdermott

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The current study was conducted in an effort to promote safe listening habits of personal media player device users. Devices such as the iPod are known to have high output capacities well within the range of potentially hazardous sound levels, thus there is a concern that personal listening may pose a risk to hearing. Intuitive and real-time feedback representing the risk of hearing damage based on selected Preferred Listening Levels (PLLs) was provided to subjects they listened to an iPod. Objective: To provide listeners with tools to judge ‘what is too loud’ (and potentially damaging to hearing) so that they …

The Effect Of Early Hearing Loss On Bobwhites’ Responses To Pure Tones: A Possible Animal Model Of Prelingual Deafness, Bethany Leanne Magee

Dissertations, 2014-2019

This study aimed to look at the behavioral responses of Bobwhite quail to pure tone stimuli by measuring peep suppression. We also considered if a duration of early hearing loss would affect Bobwhite’s responsiveness to the tones. Bobwhites were tested individually at all different ages post hatch day. The pure tones were presented at several different intensity levels and peep suppression was calculated as a measure of responsiveness to the stimuli. Mock trials were conducted as a measure of control to determine the birds’ typical peep rate. Some of the Bobwhite quail were injected with gentamicin 0-1 post-hatch day in …

The Acute Effects Of Gentamycin Ototoxicity On Bobwhite Quail Basilar Papilla And Auditory Brainstem Responses, Kristie Wilson

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a single dose of gentamycin in elevating Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) thresholds and causing inner ear hair cell loss or damage. A total of twenty-two Bobwhite quail were used (n=7 control, n=15 experimental); experimental group quail were injected with a 200 mg/kg dose of gentamycin within 24 hours of hatch (P0). Three to four days post-hatch or injection the quail underwent ABR testing. Thresholds were measured using a 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, and 4,000 Hz tone pip and a click beginning at 90 dB nominalSPL. Resulting waveforms were analyzed using MATLAB …

Ultrasonic Vocalizations In Eph/Ephrin Mutant Mice, Bryna Rickenbach-Cline

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Purpose: Murine mammals, more commonly known as mice, emit ultrasonic vocalizations or “yelps” to communicate. It has been found that adult mice use these vocalizations to communicate with each other, and infant mice utilize ultrasonic vocalizations to communicate with their mother. It is known that a relationship exists between hearing ability and vocalization (Bass-Ringdahl, 2010). This study aims to record yelps/ vocalizations of four strains of mouse pups to determine how the development of hearing relates to the vocalizations that are emitted. It is thought that mice with compromised genes that encode for signaling proteins that are essential to the …

The Effects Of Musical Training On Perception And Neural Representation Of Temporal Fine Structure, Verleyne Andrews-Rodgers

Dissertations, 2014-2019

One of the most common complaints of persons with sensorineural hearing loss is difficulty hearing in background noise. Temporal fine structure (TFS) is one of the factors that contributes to understanding speech in the presence of background noise. TFS refers to the periodic information in speech which helps us to identify which speech sound we are listening to. TFS is also negatively affected by hearing loss, as well as age. In a quest to discover how TFS processing and thus speech-in-noise understanding can be improved, this study examined the effects of musical training on behavioral and physiological measures of temporal …

Quantifying Head Acceleration During Vestibular Rehabilitation, Anne Hogan

Dissertations, 2014-2019

Dizziness can often be a serious and confounding condition that ranges in severity from annoying to debilitating and affects many people. The most common and effective treatment for persistent dizziness is vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which falls into three categories: adaptation, sensory substitution, and habituation. While more is known about adaptation and sensory substitution, questions remain regarding the exact mechanisms of recovery for habituation. Precisely, the optimal stimulation to the vestibular system, as measured in intensity of head accelerations, is unknown for habituation treatment. In this dissertation are drafts of two manuscripts. The first explores the average intensity of linear and …

System Dynamics Modeling Study Of The Possibility Of Endemic Measles In The State Of Virginia, Ivan W. Gowe

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

After an effective vaccine was widely available, measles incidence fell by 98%. Immunization programs and surveillance systems in the United States (US) are so successful there has been no endemic spread since 2000. The threat from measles lies in its high infectivity, an asymptomatic infectious state that lasts an average of four days and the decreasing popularity of vaccination. The lack of first-hand experience with the infection (due to immunization) has caused some to wonder if the vaccine is necessary. Herd immunity threshold is a measure of the fraction of immune individuals present in a population to keep disease reproduction …

Minutes Of 05/03/2013 Hsc Board Of Directors Mtg, Patrice Martin

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

No abstract provided.

Teenage Pregnancy: Team-Based Learning Exercise, Sabrina M. Neeley, Brenda J. Roman, Dean Parmelee

Medical Education Faculty Publications

Abstract Introduction: This team-based learning (TBL) session is used in a first-year medical curriculum and contains a video case presentation of a pregnant teen, her issues and concerns, and her decisions about her pregnancy and the baby. It is well suited to the first-year medical student curriculum. It is one of seven modules featured in our Human Development: Health Across the Lifespan course: Introduction to Population Health, Normal Child Development, Child Abuse, Adolescence (the current resource), Adulthood, Middle Age, and Aging. Methods: Learning involves preclass reading and completion of a tutorial by students, in-class viewing of the video case, analysis …

Social Media And Medical Students: What Are They Thinking?, Alexandra Gomes, Gisela Butera, Terry Kind, Katherine C. Chretien

Himmelfarb Library Faculty Posters and Presentations

This poster provides a review of interim results from a qualitative study on first year medical students' attitudes and perceptions of their definition of medical professionalism in social media. Included in the study is an evaluation of changes in perspective since becoming a medical student and after participating in an E-Professionalism and Social Media instructional session.

Agenda Of 05/03/2013 Hsc Board Of Directors Mtg, Patrice Martin

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

No abstract provided.

Notice Of 05/03/2013 Hsc Board Of Directors Mtg, Patrice Martin

HSC Committee (A subcommittee of the UNM Board of Regents)

No abstract provided.

Game Change: What Have We Learned? Pt. 2, Robert E. Lang, Sonya D. Horsford, Marya L. Shegog, Ramona Denby-Brinson, Fatma Nasoz

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

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Our Mission: The Lincy Institute at UNLV conducts and supports research that focuses on improving Nevada's health, education, and social services.

Our Research Areas: Education, Health, Social Services, Information Technology

Determinants Of Abuse-Related Effects Of Monoamine Releasers In Rats, Clayton T. Bauer

Theses and Dissertations

Monoamine releasers constitute a class of compounds that promote release of dopamine, serotonin, and/or norepinephrine. These compounds have a range of different uses in the medical setting, including treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and obesity. A major limitation of many of these compounds (i.e. amphetamine, methamphetamine, phenmetrazine) is their propensity for abuse; however, not all monoamine releasers are abused (i.e. fenfluramine). The goal of this dissertation was to examine pharmacological determinants of abuse-related effects produced by monoamine releasers in two preclinical assays in rats: intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) and drug discrimination. First, this work confirmed and expanded upon previous …

The Effects Of Auditory And Visual Distracters On The Toleration Of Background Noise In Normal Hearing Listeners, Lauren Shastany

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of auditory and visual cognitive loads on the preferred background noise levels in normal-hearing listeners. This study investigated the preferable background noise levels (primary task) when normal hearing listeners were presented with auditory and/or visual cognitive distractions (secondary task). It was hypothesized that normal hearing listeners’ preferable background noise level would decrease in the presence of either distracter and that the synergistic effect of the two distracters would result in even lower preferable background noise level. Preferable background noise levels were measured on 24 normal-hearing listeners under four conditions. …

Oral Contraceptives, Stephenie G. Fortier

Senior Honors Theses

Cyclic oral contraceptive and continuous oral contraceptives have many similarities yet a few distinct differences. One of the major differences between cyclic and continuous oral contraceptives is that cyclic oral contraceptive pills have twenty one active pills and seven inactive pills versus the new continuous oral contraceptive pills which have 28 active pills and no inactive pills. However, though cyclic and continuous oral contraceptives do have a few differences, both types of oral contraceptives affect a woman’s body in similar ways. When choosing between cyclic and continuous oral contraceptives, it is important for women to be informed about the advantages …

Oxygen Tomography By Čerenkov-Excited Phosphorescence During External Beam Irradiation, Rongxiao Zhang, Scott C. Davis, Jennifer-Lynn H. Demers, Adam K. Glaser, David J. Gladstone, Tatiana V. Esipova, Sergei A. Vinogradov, Brian W. Pogue

Dartmouth Scholarship

The efficacy of radiation therapy depends strongly on tumor oxygenation during irradiation. However, current techniques to measure this parameter in vivo do not facilitate routine monitoring in patients. Herein, we demonstrate a noninvasive method for tomographic imaging of oxygen partial pressure (pO₂ ) in deep tissue using the phosphorescence decay of an oxygen-sensitive probe excited by Čerenkov radiation induced by external beam radiotherapy. Tissue-simulating scattering phantoms (60 mm diameter with a 20 mm anomaly) containing platinum(II)-G4 (PtG4), a dendritic porphyrin-based phosphor, whose phosphorescence is quenched in the presence of oxygen, were irradiated with a clinical linear accelerator. The …

Reverse-Phase Ion-Pairing Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry In Characterization And Fingerprinting Of Diverse Sulfated Glycosaminoglycan Mimetics, Pooja Ponnusamy

Theses and Dissertations

Heparin is a highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan with potent anticoagulant, antimetastatic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Polymeric and polyanionic nature of heparin makes dosing and side effects a nightmare for healthcare professionals. Our laboratory has proposed appropriately designed, small, highly sulfated aromatic molecules as potential mimetics of heparin. These easier-to-synthesize small molecules have been shown to possess interesting pharmacological and improved toxicological profiles. However, the detection and characterization of these highly sulfated molecules is challenging. A robust RP-IP UPLC-MS method was developed to successfully retain, resolve and quantify sulfated non-saccharide GAG mimetics without the requirement of pre- or post- column derivatization. Comparative analysis …

Research Brief: "Partnering With Communities To Address The Mental Health Needs Of Rural Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research focuses on veterans in rural communities who have less access to mental health providers. The Yellow Ribbon Task Force program promoted and encouraged engagement in mental health care for veterans in rural communities, although future policies should enhance already existing clinical practices to increase standards for care. For further study, researchers should focus on evaluating initial program implementation and pilot testing in a variety of states and rural populations.

The Santa Clara, 2013-05-02, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Biological Evaluation Of Novel Folic Acid Receptor-Targeted, Β-Cyclodextrin-Based Drug Complexes For Cancer Treatment, Juan-Juan Yin, Sonali Sharma, Stepan P. Shumyak, Zhi-Xin Wang, Zhi-Wei Zhou, Yangde Zhang, Peixuan Guo, Chen-Zhong Li, Jagat R. Kanwar, Tianxin Yang, Shyam S. Mohapatra, Wanqing Liu, Wei Duan, Jian-Cheng Wang, Qi Li, Xueji Zhang, Jun Tan, Lee Jia, Jun Liang, Ming Q. Wei, Xiaotian Li, Shu-Feng Zhou

Nanobiotechnology Center Faculty Publications

Drug targeting is an active area of research and nano-scaled drug delivery systems hold tremendous potential for the treatment of neoplasms. In this study, a novel cyclodextrin (CD)-based nanoparticle drug delivery system has been assembled and characterized for the therapy of folate receptor-positive [FR(+)] cancer. Water-soluble folic acid (FA)-conjugated CD carriers (FACDs) were successfully synthesized and their structures were confirmed by 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and circular dichroism. Drug complexes of adamatane (Ada) and cytotoxic doxorubicin (Dox) with FACD were readily …

Effects Of Mu Opioid Receptor Agonists On Intracranial Self-Stimulation In The Absence And Presence Of “Pain” In Rats, Ahmad Altarifi

Theses and Dissertations

Pain is a significant health problem. Mu opioid receptor agonists are used clinically as analgesics, but their use is constrained by high abuse liability. Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) is a preclinical behavioral procedure that has been used to assess abuse potential of opioids, and drug-induced facilitation of ICSS is interpreted as an abuse-related effect. ICSS can also be used as a behavioral baseline to detect affective dimensions of pain. Specifically, pain-related depression of ICSS can model pain-related depression of behavior and mood, and drug-induced blockade of pain-related ICSS depression can serve as a measure of affective analgesia. This dissertation used mu …

A Comparison Of Rectangular Vs. Circular Radiographic Collimation During Simulated Endodontic Therapy, Tareq Alali

Theses and Dissertations

Rectangular collimation is used in dentistry to reduce radiation by restricting the x-ray beam to approximately the size of a number 2 intraoral film (3.2X4.1 cm). However, this restricted beam size can lead to exposure errors. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the number of radiographs exposed and the presence of technical errors by the use of traditional circular or rectangular collimators during endodontic therapy on simulated teeth in manikins. A total of 1475 digital radiographs of 84 teeth exposed by 60 dental students were evaluated. Evaluation was done by a board certified endodontist, an endodontic resident, …

Accuracy Of Limited Field Cone Beam Computed Tomography In The Detection Of Buccal Cortical Plate Perforations Due To Periapical Lesions, Dan-Linh Ha

Theses and Dissertations

Pre-surgical planning for endodontic microsurgery is facilitated by the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The purpose of this study was to determine whether limited field CBCT accurately predicts buccal cortical plate perforations due to endodontic lesions. Thirty-five roots that underwent microsurgical root end resection were included in this study. Prior to the surgery, 90 voxel CBCTs were taken with a Carestream 9300. The scans were analyzed by an endodontic resident and oral radiologist to determine the presence of a perforation in the buccal plate. These findings were compared to the clinical appearance of the bone. There was a …

Microbial Evaluation Of The Calamus Heated Gutta-Percha Delivery System, Christopher Smart Dds

Theses and Dissertations

If gutta-percha cartridges are contaminated with bacteria prior to obturation then contamination of the root canal system may result. Successful treatment not only depends on bacterial elimination but also depends on prevention of recontamination. This study was motivated by the observation that endodontists frequently use single use gutta-percha cartridges on multiple patients. The goal of this study was to determine if cross contamination occurred when a single gutta-percha cartridge in the Calamus™ Flow System was used on multiple patients. An effective recovery method was established during a pilot study using Enterococcus faecalis as a sample bacterium. Microbial recovery was obtained …

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