Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Case Study: Sick On A South American Sugarcane Plantation, Kevin M. Bonney

Publications and Research

A case study is presented that was designed to be used in high school and college level courses to familiarize students with chagas disease, its transmission, and effects in Central and South America. Noted objectives of the lesson include evaluating disease symptoms, examining socioeconomic factors related to the epidemiology, and creating visual aids with public health information. Questions are provided for discussing the a case of chagas disease at a Brazilian sugarcane plantation.

Cancer Trends And Risk Factors In Cyprus, Evi A. Farazi

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Cyprus, a European Union member state, is a small island in the Mediterranean with a population approaching 900,000 people. Cancer is the second leading cause of death; more therapeutic options for any patient with the disease are available in a central oncology centre in the capital of the island (Nicosia) and fewer therapeutic options (e.g. chemotherapy and hormone therapy only) in a few other public hospitals. Palliative care is offered in several hospices and hospitals, although the field needs improvement. With regards to screening, a national breast cancer screening programme has been in place countrywide since 2007 and is offered …

Community Awareness Of Intestinal Parasites And The Prevalence Of Infection Among Community Members Of Rural Abaye Deneba Area, Ethiopia, Liza Nyantekyi, Mengistu Legesse, Girmay Medhin, Abebe Animut, Konjit Tadesse, Chanda Macias, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of Abaye Deneba community members regarding intestinal parasites and prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections.

METHODS: Knowledge about intestinal parasites was assessed by administering a questionnaire to 345 randomly selected household heads. Parasitological stool examination of 491 randomly selected individuals was done using the formol ether concentration technique.

RESULTS: Knowledge of the Abaye Deneba community about parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, amoebiasis, ascariasis and taeniasis was very low. However, 204 (59.3%) members correctly responded that the cause of giardiasis is related to contaminated water and 176 (51.2%) knew how to prevent it. In some cases, respondents …

Implementation Of A Pharmacy-Based Adult Vaccine Benefit: Recommendations For A Commercial Health Plan Benefit, Jeffery A. Goad, Kelly J. Ko, Rolin L. Wade, Hsing-Ting Yu, Ross M. Miller, Bruce Sherman

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

BACKGROUND: Although vaccination rates in children exceed 90% in the United States, adults are vaccinated at far lower rates. In order to address this issue, additional community immunizers are needed, and pharmacists are in an ideal position to fill this void.

OBJECTIVES: To explore issues and barriers related to implementation of a pharmacy-based adult vaccine benefit and develop recommendations supporting a pathway for benefit expansion.

METHODS: A literature review on the current environment surrounding pharmacy-based adult vaccinations and structured interviews were conducted to inform an expert panel meeting using a modified Delphi process (pre/post survey). The goal …

Sensing A Sensor: Identifying The Mechanosensory Function Of Primary Cilia, Rahul M. Prasad, Xingjian Jin, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Over the past decade, primary cilia have emerged as the premier means by which cells sense and transduce mechanical stimuli. Primary cilia are sensory organelles that have been shown to be vitally involved in the mechanosensation of urine in the renal nephron, bile in the hepatic biliary system, digestive fluid in the pancreatic duct, dentin in dental pulp, lacunocanalicular fluid in bone and cartilage, and blood in vasculature. The prevalence of primary cilia among mammalian cell types is matched by the tremendously varied disease states caused by both structural and functional defects in cilia. In the process of delineating the …

Facile, Regio-And Diastereoselective Synthesis Of Spiro-Pyrrolidine And Pyrrolizine Derivatives And Evaluation Of Their Antiproliferative Activities, Abdulrahman I. Almansour, Raju Suresh Kumar, Farzana Beevi, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Hasnah Osman, Rusli Ismail, Tan Soo Chen, Brian Sullivan, Kellen Mccaffrey, Alaa Nahhas, Keykavous Parang, Mohamed Ashraf Ali

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

A number of novel spiro-pyrrolidines/pyrrolizines derivatives were synthesized through [3+2]-cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with 3,5-bis[(E)-arylmethylidene] tetrahydro-4(1H)-pyridinones 2a-n. Azomethine ylides were generated in situ from the reaction of 1H-indole-2,3-dione (isatin, 3) with N-methylglycine (sarcosine), phenylglycine, or proline. All compounds (50 M) were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against human breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231), leukemia lymphoblastic (CCRF-CEM), and ovarian carcinoma (SK-OV-3) cells. N-alpha-Phenyl substituted spiro-pyrrolidine derivatives (5a-n) showed higher antiproliferative activity in MDA-MB-231 than other cancer cell lines. Among spiro-pyrrolizines 6a-n, a number of derivatives including 6a-c and 6i-m showed a comparable activity with doxorubicin in all three cell lines. Among all compounds …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Antiproliferative Activity Of Substituted N-(9-Oxo-9h-Xanthen-4-Yl)Benzenesulfonamides, Somayeh Motavallizadeh, Asal Fallah-Tafti, Saeedeh Maleki, Amir Nasrolahi Shirazi, Mahboobeh Pordeli, Maliheh Safavi, Sussan Kabudanian Ardestani, Shaaban Asd, Rakesh Tiwari, Donghoon Oh, Abbas Shafiee, Alireza Foroumadi, Keykavous Parang, Tahmineh Akbarzadeh

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Several novel N-(9-oxo-9H-xanthen-4-yl)benzenesulfonamides derivatives were prepared as potential antiproliferative agents. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of the synthesized compounds was investigated against a panel of tumor cell lines including breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, T-47D) and neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-MC) using MTT colorimetric assay. Etoposide, a well-known anticancer drug, was used as a positive standard drug. Among synthesized compounds, 4-methoxy-N-(9-oxo-9H-xanthen-4-yl)benzenesulfonamide (5i) showed the highest antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231, T-47D, and SK-N-MC cells. Furthermore, pentafluoro derivatives 5a and 6a exhibited higher antiproliferative activity than doxorubicin against human leukemia cell line (CCRF-CEM) and breast adenocarcinoma (MDAMB- 468) cells. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed …

Effects Of Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury On The P-Glycoprotein Activity At The Liver Canalicular Membrane And Blood-Brain Barrier Determined By In Vivo Administration Of Rhodamine 123 In Rats, M. K. Miah, Imam H. Shaik, Ulrich Bickel, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose To investigate the effects of normothermic hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury on the activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the liver and at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of rats using rhodamine 123 (RH-123) as an in vivo marker.

Methods Rats were subjected to 90 min of partial ischemia or sham surgery, followed by 12 or 24 h of reperfusion. Following intravenous injection, the concentrations of RH-123 in blood, bile, brain, and liver were used for pharmacokinetic calculations. The protein levels of P-gp and some other transporters in the liver and brain were also determined by Western blot analysis.

Results P-gp protein …

Bipolar Disorder: A Pharmacotherapy Management Overview, Huong Le, Tina Pham, Laura Tsu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This home-study CPE activity has been developed to educate pharmacists on bipolar disorder and its management using non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies.

An International Validation Study Of Two Achievement Goal Measures On Pharmacy Education Context, Saleh Alrakaf, Ahmed Abdelmageed, Mary Kiersma, Sion A. Coulman, Dai N. John, June Tordoff, Claire Anderson, Ayman M. Noreddin, Erica Sainsbury, Grenville Rose, Lorraine Smith

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Achievement goal theory helps us understand what motivates students to participate in educational activities. However, measuring achievement goals in a precise manner is problematic. Elliot and McGregor’s Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ) and Elliot and Murayama’s revised Achievement Goal Questionnaire (AGQ-R) are widely used to assess students’ achievement goals. Both instruments were developed and validated using undergraduate psychology students in the USA.

Methods: In this study, our aims were to first of all, assess the construct validity of both questionnaires using a cohort of Australian pharmacy students and, subsequently, to test the generalizability and replicability of these tools …

Non-Raft Ac2 Defines A Camp Signaling Compartment That Selectively Regulates Il-6 Expression In Airway Smooth Muscle Cells, Amy S. Bogard, Anna V. Birg, Rennolds S. Ostrom

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoforms differ in their tissue distribution, cellular localization, regulation, and protein interactions. Most cell types express multiple AC isoforms. We hypothesized that cAMP produced by different AC isoforms regulates unique cellular responses in human bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMC). Overexpression of AC2, AC3, or AC6 had distinct effects on forskolin (Fsk)-induced expression of a number of known cAMP-responsive genes. These data show that different AC isoforms can differentially regulate gene expression. Most notable, overexpression and activation of AC2 enhanced interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression, but overexpression of AC3 or AC6 had no effect. IL-6 production by BSMC was …

Assessing Provider Adherence To An Emergency Contraception Guideline In Reproductive Age Women, Amber E. Davis

DNP Projects

Purpose: To determine current provider adherence to the 2010 ACOG Emergency Contraception (EC) guidelines, specifically by assessing provider EC counseling with patients at well-woman annual exam visits or during contraceptive counseling visits. A second aim of this study is to identify provider facilitators and barriers of EC discussion with patients.

Methods: Using a retrospective design, 90 medical records of patients presenting to a university clinic within the previous year were reviewed for the discussion of EC during annual exams or contraceptive counseling. Forty-five medical records were reviewed prior to implementation of the Ambulatory Electronic Health Record (AEHR) and forty-five medical …

Over-Expressed Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Localizes To Mitochondria In Neurons Inhibiting The Angiotensin Ii-Mediated Increase In Mitochondrial Superoxide, Shumin Li, Adam J. Case, Rui-Fang Yang, Harold D. Schultz, Matthew C. Zimmerman

Journal Articles: Cellular & Integrative Physiology

Angiotensin II (AngII) is the main effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease by exerting its effects on an array of different cell types, including central neurons. AngII intra-neuronal signaling is mediated, at least in part, by reactive oxygen species, particularly superoxide (O2 (•-)). Recently, it has been discovered that mitochondria are a major subcellular source of AngII-induced O2 (•-). We have previously reported that over-expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a mitochondrial matrix-localized O2 (•-) scavenging enzyme, inhibits AngII intra-neuronal signaling. Interestingly, over-expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), which is believed …

Urinary Tract Infection In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease, Chih-Yen Hsiao, Hsing-Lin Lin, Yen-Ko Lin, Chao-Wen Chen, Yuan-Chia Cheng, Wei-Che Lee, Tzu-Chin Wu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a burden of health care globally. However, data on epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of urinary tract infection (UTI) in this population are scarce. This study aims to retrospectively review such data. Materials and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2011 in patients with CKD requiring hospitalization. Patients who had upper and lower UTIs were compared for demography and clinical data. Logistic regression was used to assess which variables were associated with upper UTI. Results: A total of 276 bacteriuria patients were admitted to our ward …

Effect Of Enac Modulators On Rat Neural Responses To Nacl, Shobha Mummalaneni, Jie Qian, Tam-Hao T. Phan, Mee-Ra Rhyu, Gerard L. Heck, John A. Desimone, Vijay Lyall

Physiology and Biophysics Publications and Presentations

The effects of small molecule ENaC activators N,N,N-trimethyl-2-((4-methyl-2-((4-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)thio)pentanoyl)oxy)ethanaminiumiodide (Compound 1) and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-2-((4-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)thio)pentanamide(Compound 2), were tested on the benzamil (Bz)-sensitive NaCl chorda tympani (CT) taste nerve response under open-circuit conditions and under ±60 mV applied lingual voltage-clamp, and compared with the effects of known physiological activators (8-CPT-cAMP, BAPTA-AM, and alkaline pH), and an inhibitor (ionomycin+Ca2+) of ENaC. The NaCl CT response was enhanced at −60 mV and suppressed at +60 mV. In every case the CT response (r) versus voltage (V) curve was linear. All ENaC activators increased the open-circuit response (ro) and the voltage …

A Model Of The Effect Of Uncertainty On The C Elegans L2/L2d Decision, Leon Avery

Physiology and Biophysics Publications and Presentations

Abstract

At the end of the first larval stage, the C elegans larva chooses between two developmental pathways, an L2 committed to reproductive development and an L2d, which has the option of undergoing reproductive development or entering the dauer diapause. I develop a quantitative model of this choice using mathematical tools developed for pricing financial options. The model predicts that the optimal decision must take into account not only the expected potential for reproductive growth, but also the uncertainty in that expected potential. Because the L2d has more flexibility than the L2, it is favored in unpredictable environments. I estimate …

Recognition Of And Attitudes Toward, Intimate Partner Violence Among Sampled University Students, Samantha Maureen Wobschall

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research was to further explore university students' recognition of instances of intimate partner violence and their attitudes toward this issue. A total of 382 male and female university students from a mid-sized public university participated in the survey. Findings show that 97% of participants were able to accurately identify the scenario that did not depict intimate partner violence, however rates of recognition ranged from 51% to 90% for scenarios that did depict IPV. Through an independent t-test, this research found that there was a significant difference when comparing male and female students' ability to accurately recognize …

Breastfeeding Knowledge, Practice, Attitudes, And Influencing Factors: Findings From A Selected Sample Of Breastfeeding Mothers In Bemidji, Minnesota, Hadeel Adnan Tanash

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Breastfeeding is generally considered by health professionals as the ideal feeding practice for infants. It is the first communication pathway between the mother and her infant. This study was designed to describe breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, practice and influencing factors among breastfeeding mothers in Bemidji, MN. This cross-sectional study allowed the researcher to determine trends and other information about the sample in the Bemidji area. The participants for this study were breastfeeding mothers who gave a birth at Sanford Health located in Bemidji, MN. A written data collection instrument containing forty nine questions was used to collect data. The findings of …

Zinc Sulfide: Manganese Doped Quantum Rods For Detection Of Metal Ions And A Business Model For Future Sales, Andrew Teblum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hexavalent chromium is an extremely carcinogenic chemical that has been widely produced in the United States. This has led to major waste contamination and pollution throughout the country. According to the Environmental Working Group Hexavalent chromium has been found in 89% of city tap water. Most people believe they are safe using regular home filter systems however that is not true. A more expensive ion exchange water treatment unit is required. Therefore to protect yourselves from this carcinogenic metal a reliable test is required. In this study we have developed a Zinc Sulfide Manganese doped Quantum Rod technology to detect …

The Cross Education Of Neuromuscular Economy, Kyle Beyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cross education is the phenomenon by which the untrained limb will experience a gain in strength following a unilateral resistance training program. However, little is known as to the underlying adaptation occurring in the untrained limb. Purpose: To examine the effect of dynamic unilateral resistance training on the strength and neuromuscular adaptations of both the trained and untrained legs. Methods: Eight previously untrained males (22.38±2.92 y, 1.73±0.08 m, 75.26±14.53 kg) completed a four-week unilateral resistance training program, while another eight untrained males (24.00±4.57 y, 1.84±0.05 m, 94.21±16.14 kg) served as controls. Isometric leg extension strength, leg press 1 repetition maximum …

Miscellaneous Fish Helminth Parasite (Trematoda, Cestoidea, Nematoda, Acanthocephala) Records From Arkansas, C. T. Mcallister, C. R. Bursey, H. W. Robison, D. A. Neely, M. B. Connior, M. A. Barger

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Between June 2012 and January 2014, 147 fishes (10 species) within five families were collected from watersheds in 8 counties of Arkansas and examined for helminth parasites. Almost every fish species examined harbored at least one or more helminth parasite, including 5 trematodes (Alloglossidium sp., Plagioporus sp., Crepidostomum sp., Clinostomum marginatum and unknown metacercaria), 2 cestodes (unknown cyclophyllidean cysticerci and Corallotaenia parva), 3 nematodes (Spiroxys sp., Capillaria catostomi, and Eustrongylides sp.), and 3 acanthocephalans (unknown cystacanths, Neoechinorhynchus sp., and Leptorhynchoides sp.). We document 16 new host and 2 new distributional records for these helminths. In addition, this is the first …

Measuring Pain Withdrawal Threshold Using A Novel Device In "Pseudo-Continuous" Mode, A. H. Walker, S. Thurman, N. Martinez, S. Burns, M. Dobretsov

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The study of pain and analgesia is an important area of biomedical research that has led to a significant number of advances in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. This study introduces a novel approach to mechanical testing of pain withdrawal of a rat hind paw to a stimulus. This systematic method involves a modified electronic esthesiometer controlled by an IDEA drive that allows for consistency in experiments. The device gives the experimenter computer control of the step size and velocity of approach of the probe stimulus. We discuss here some of the limitations in the current techniques used …

New Host Records For Mesocestoides Sp. Tetrathyridia (Cestoidea: Cyclophyllidea) In Anurans (Bufonidae, Ranidae) From Arkansas, With A Summary Of North American Amphibian Hosts, C. T. Mcallister, M. B. Connior, S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Routine Versus Ad Hoc Screening For Acute Stress Following Injury: Who Would Benefit And What Are The Opportunities For Prevention, Nathaniel Bell, Boris Sobolev, Stephen Anderson, Robert Hewko, Richard K. Simons

Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND:

Screening for acute stress is not part of routine trauma care owing in part to high variability of acute stress symptoms in identifying later onset of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of this pilot study was to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and power to predict onset of PTSD symptoms at 1 and 4 months using a routine screening program in comparison to current ad hoc referral practice.

METHODS:

Prospective cross-sectional observational study of a sample of hospitalized trauma patients over a four-month period from a level-I hospital in Canada. Baseline assessments of acute stress (ASD) and subsyndromal ASD …

Same-Sex Couples' Lived Experiences Of The Repeal Of The Defense Of Marriage Act's (Doma) Section Three, Alicia Anne Bosley

Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Same-sex couples are affected by the social and political climates in which they live, as these create the difference between acceptance and legalization, and discrimination and prohibition, of their relationships. This contingence is made increasingly impactful by the privileges and protections afforded to married couples by the federal government; same-sex couples, along with other couples that choose not to, or cannot, marry, are excluded from these benefits. Following the June 26, 2013 ruling that Section Three of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage as between a man and a woman, was unconstitutional, same-sex couples were given access …

Investigating The Effects Of Endurance Training On Heart Rate Variability In Female Swimmer Athletes, Joshua G. Beck

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

It is important for elite endurance athletes to have practical and reliable means of measuring fatigue throughout their training. Variations in Autonomic Nervous System activity (ANS) may provide an effective marker of fatigue and of recovery. ANS control of heart rate is well known to be affected by exercise training, and those adaptations can be determined using measures of heart rate variability (HRV). Previous research has examined the effect of training on HRV and ANS control of heart rate in males, there is a lack of any comprehensive studies that address adaptations in female athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this …

Preventing Childhood Obesity: A Mixed Methods Study Into The Perceptions Of African Americans In A Rural Community, Dayna S. Alexander

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Preventing childhood obesity is a global priority due to adverse health risks and financial burdens. With childhood obesity rates stabilizing it is difficult to determine which factors alone (i.e., genetic, environmental, behavioral, or demographic) increase susceptibility to childhood obesity. Parents influence childhood obesity risk factors through their parenting styles and behaviors. Social behavioral theories and public health evidence demonstrate including parents in childhood obesity efforts could assist in reducing childhood obesity rates. The objective of this study was to assess perceptions of childhood obesity among African Americans with children enrolled in a rural elementary school in the Deep South. The …

Does The Preparticipation Examination Aid In Identifying Future Risk Of Concussion?, Kassandra E. Johns

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Context: A pre-participation examination (PPE) has become standard practice among the athletic community. This examination commonly includes a multifaceted baseline concussion assessment and an injury history survey. Recent evidence suggests that neuropsychological testing can aid in predicting individuals at an increased risk of lower extremity injury. However, no known previous study has investigated the relationship between neuropsychological function and potential risk of sustaining a concussion.

Objective: This study sought to identify a relationship between components of a standard PPE and an elevated risk of concussion.

Design: All data was extracted from the institution concussion database.

Setting: A large university in …

The Use Of A Visual Motor Test To Identify Lingering Deficits In Concussed Collegiate Athletes, Erik W. Sanders

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Context: 1.6 to 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur annually. Athletes who have suffered a concussion but are symptom free and have returned to baseline on conventional tests may not necessarily be recovered from the effects of the concussion. The premature return to play of an unrecovered athlete may increase the risk of a subsequent concussion. Measurement of upper-limb visual motor coordination has identified lingering deficits following concussion and so it may provide clinicians with a more sensitive means of tracking recovery. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if a visual motor coordination test would identify lingering deficits …

Comparing Hyperhydration Ability Between A Glycerol Solution And A Sodium Solution On Dehydration And Performance In Runners, Stephanie L. Marz

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how inducing hyperhydration with a glycerol solution and a sodium solution prior to exercise influenced performance and hydration status during a moderate set-intensity exercise bout followed by a time-to-exhaustion bout when compared to a control solution containing water only. Six well-trained runners ages 21 to 38 with an average relative VO₂ peak of 57 ml/kg/min participated in three trials. Each trial included a 2.5 hour hyperhydration phase where participants ingested a solution containing water, glycerol, or sodium. Following hyperhydration, participants ran for 90 minutes at 65% of their HRR followed by …