Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Difference Between Male And Female Workers Lifting The Same Relative Load When Palletizing Boxes, André Plamondon, Christian Larivière, Denys Denis, Hakim Mecheri, Iuliana Nastasia

Études primaires

A few biomechanical studies have contrasted the work techniques of female and male workers during manual material handling (MMH). A recent study showed that female workers differed from males mostly in the strategy they used to lift 15-kg boxes from the ground, especially regarding task duration, knee and back postures and interjoint coordination. However, the lifting technique difference observed in females compared to males was perhaps due to a strength differences. The objective of this study was to test whether female workers would repeat the same lifting technique with a load adjusted to their overall strength (females: 10 kg; males: …

Effect Of Local Magnetic Field Disturbances On Inertial Measurement Units Accuracy, Xavier Robert-Lachaine, Hakim Mecheri, Christian Larue, André Plamondon

Études primaires

Inertial measurement units (IMUs), a practical motion analysis technology for field acquisition, have magnetometers to improve segment orientation estimation. However, sensitivity to magnetic disturbances can affect their accuracy. The objective of this study was to determine the joint angles accuracy of IMUs under different timing of magnetic disturbances of various durations and to evaluate a few correction methods. Kinematics from 12 individuals were obtained simultaneously with an Xsens system where an Optotrak cluster acting as the reference system was affixed to each IMU. A handling task was executed under normal laboratory conditions and imposed magnetic disturbances. Joint angle RMSE was …

The Effect Of An 8-Week Stabilization Exercise Program On The Lumbopelvic Rhythm And Flexion-Relaxation Phenomenon, Ali Shahvarpour, Sharon M. Henry, Richard Preuss, Hakim Mecheri, Christian Larivière

Études primaires

Background

Lumbar stabilization exercise programs should normalize the aberrant movements patterns often observed in patients with low back pain. This study aimed to determine the effect of an 8-week lumbar stabilization program on EMG/kinematics measures of the aberrant movement patterns in such patients. A secondary goal was to assess the 8-week test-retest reliability of these measures.

Methods

The patients followed an 8-week lumbar stabilization program while no intervention was carried out on the controls. Before and after this period, kinematics of the spine along with the EMG of paraspinal muscles were recorded during trunk maximal flexion-extension. ANOVAs tested the effect …

Validation Of Inertial Measurement Units With An Optoelectronic System For Whole-Body Motion Analysis, Xavier Robert-Lachaine, Hakim Mecheri, Christian Larue, André Plamondon

Études primaires

The potential of inertial measurement units (IMUs) for ergonomics applications appears promising. However, previous IMUs validation studies have been incomplete regarding aspects of joints analysed, complexity of movements and duration of trials. The objective was to determine the technological error and biomechanical model differences between IMUs and an optoelectronic system and evaluate the effect of task complexity and duration. Whole-body kinematics from 12 participants was recorded simultaneously with a full-body Xsens system where an Optotrak cluster was fixed on every IMU. Short functional movements and long manual material handling tasks were performed and joint angles were compared between the two …

Pharmacists' Perceptions Of Rapid Diagnostic Testing In Community Pharmacies In Mississippi: A Diffusion Of Innovations Approach, Erin Ann Hoevelmann

Honors Theses

Objectives: The broad purpose of this study is to describe community pharmacists' perceptions of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in community pharmacies in Mississippi. The focused goal of this study is to determine the correlation between Everett M. Rogers' attributes of the diffusion of innovations (including relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability) and the willingness of community pharmacists to offer RDTs in community pharmacies in Mississippi. Methods: This study was approved by the University of Mississippi IRB. A list of licensed pharmacists was obtained from the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. An email with study details and a link to the …

525,600 Minutes: A Study On The Knowledge And Perceptions Of College Students About Hiv/Aids, Olivia Griffis

Honors Theses

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which subsequently leads to the disease Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is a highly prevalent virus throughout the world, yet it is a commonly misunderstood disease. HIV/AIDS comes with a stigma that can hinder the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. This study evaluated the knowledge and perceptions of the students at the University of Mississippi. A sample of University of Mississippi students was randomly selected and asked through email to participate in a 26-item survey assessing their knowledge, awareness, and empathy towards people with HIV/AIDS through true/false, multiple choice, and Likert scale questions. The …

Needs Assessment Of Healthcare Services For Transitioning College Students, Victoria M. Miller

Honors Theses

Investigators measured students' needs for healthcare services during their transition from pediatric to adult healthcare at The University of Mississippi. Also, investigators examined chronically ill students' adherence to their conditions needs and measured a baseline of college freshman's knowledge about healthcare. Data was collected using a self-administered cross-sectional survey online through Qualtrics. This study was divided into four focuses in order to assess the subject's health status, health knowledge, healthcare practices, and barriers to transitioning. The investigator found that most of the students' health status compares to the national average with minor differences, a number of students have little knowledge …

Alcohol Use And Immune Reconstitution Among Hiv-Infected Patients On Antiretroviral Therapy In Nairobi, Kenya, Anthony Cagle, Christine Mcgrath, Barbra A. Richardson, Dennis Donovan, Sameh Sakr, Nelly Yatich, Richard Ngomoa, Agnes Chepngeno Langat, Grace John-Stewart, Michael Chung

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Studies on the effects of alcohol use on HIV disease progression have been contradictory, with at least one study finding a positive effect of low alcohol consumption on CD4 count. In addition, most such studies have taken place in the developed West. We investigated the association between alcohol use and immune reconstitution through CD4 count response among HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at an urban sub-Saharan African clinic. This was a retrospective cohort study of treatment-naïve HIV-infected adults initiating ART in Nairobi, Kenya and followed for 12 months between January 2009 and December 2012. At enrollment, a standardized questionnaire …

Mhealth In Palliative Care For Cancer Patients & Care Givers, Newton Andebe, Peter Waiganjo, John Weru

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Patients and caregivers in palliative care experience multidimensional pain. In current practice, information about a cancer patient progress is known when they visit a clinic or make a distress call when their conditions worsen. This strategy is not efficient for systematic monitoring of symptoms, which is key in improving palliative care. Mobile phones have helped to transform healthcare through diagnosis, health education and symptoms management of chronic illnesses. In this study, a mobile phone assessment tool was implemented at an outpatient palliative care clinic for cancer patients in Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. The usefulness of the mobile phone application …

Knowledge Of Epilepsy In Students Attending The University Of Mississippi Oxford Campus, Alyssa Reid

Honors Theses

Epilepsy is thought to be a very rare condition, and therefore many people do not know how to react or what to do when a person has a seizure. Epilepsy is in fact twice as common as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined. Furthermore, there is not a cure to stop the seizures for many people. Attending college is a challenging experience, but managing epilepsy while in college can be even more difficult. Hence it is important for all students to learn the basics of epilepsy and especially how to help a person having a seizure. …

Mississippi Pharmacists' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Adhd In Children, Anna Crider

Honors Theses

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that has garnered more attention in the profession of pharmacy in recent years as a result of being more commonly diagnosed in both adult and pediatric populations. With new medications available, pharmacists need to be knowledgeable about how these products may affect patients, especially children. It is crucial to understand pharmacists' perceptions and knowledge of ADHD and its treatments to optimize their provision of treatment for these patients. Due to the lack of literature dedicated to pharmacists' knowledge, familiarity, confidence, and perceptions as it relates the condition of ADHD and its treatments, the objectives …

The Effects Of Stimulus Rate On Abr Morphology And Its Relationship To P1 Caep Responses And Auditory Speech Perception Outcomes In Children With Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder Evidence From Case Reports, Garrett Cardon, Rosemary J. Mcknight, Hannah Glick, Anu Sharma

Faculty Publications

Objective: Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) affects approximately 5–15% of children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). ANSD is characterized by the presence of otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and an absent or abnormal auditory brainstem response (ABR). The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of slow-rate ABR in predicting the auditory cortical development and auditory speech perception outcomes in case studies of children with ANSD. Design: ABR waveform characteristics were collected at slow stimulation rates (5.1 clicks/second) and a fast stimulation rates (>11–31.1 clicks/second, rates typically used in a clinical setting) in three case reports of children …

Development And Pilot Testing Of A Behavioral Intervention For Chronic Pain Tailored To Individuals With Hiv, Jessica Merlin

All ETDs from UAB

Background. Chronic pain is a common and disabling comorbidity in individuals living with HIV. Behavioral interventions are among the most effective and safe nonpharmacologic treatments for chronic pain. However, the success of a behavioral intervention is influenced by how well it is tailored to the target population’s biological, psychological, and social context. Given well-documented psychosocial vulnerabilities among persons with HIV, it is critical to develop a behavioral intervention for chronic pain tailored to this population. Objective. To use qualitative methods to investigate patient preferences for the structure and delivery of a behavioral intervention for chronic pain in individuals with HIV. …

Characterization Of Spinal Cord Injury And Spinal Cord Injury Induced Neuropathic Pain, Amanda Mohaimany-Aponte

All ETDs from UAB

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects between 40 and 80 million people globally. Within the United States over 400,000 individuals live with SCI, and annually over 17,000 individu-als are added to this population. SCI patients are afflicted with a myriad of issues, one of which being SCI induced neuropathic pain (SCI-NP). Up to 80% of SCI patients go on to develop SCI-NP, which has been shown to last chronically and present itself as evoked pain, spontaneous pain, or a combination of both. SCI-NP is a top concern for SCI pa-tients, often listed before functional recovery. SCI-NP has been shown to greatly …

Retention Of Resin Composite Cam Crowns Following Different Bonding Protocols, Amir Hossein Nejat

All ETDs from UAB

Objectives: Resin composite CAM materials offer more efficient milling, however, there is a high incidence of clinical debonding when this material is used for full-coverage crowns. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of different surface treat-ments and primers on the crown retention of a new resin composite CAM material. Methods: 120 molars were prepared with a 24 degree taper, 1.5mm height, and axial walls in dentin. Surface area was measured by digital microscopy and preparations were scanned with an intraoral scanner. Crowns were milled from an experimental com-posite material with 4mm occlusal height. Teeth were …

N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine-Reactive Natural Antibodies: Roles In Suppression Of Autoimmune Diabetes And Environmental Factors Influencing Their Development, James Stewart New

All ETDs from UAB

Type 1 Diabetes suppression in diabetes prone mice following immunization with Group A Streptococcus correlates with the B lymphocyte response to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) present in the Group A Carbohydrate cell wall polysaccharide. GlcNAc-specific B cells recognize cryptic GlcNAc-epitopes in beta cells. Following exposure of GlcNAc-modified antigens on beta cells during cellular apoptosis, GlcNAc-specific IgM antibodies opsonize these epitopes and mediate classical complement pathway activation. In vitro, opsonization of apoptotic beta cells with GlcNAc-specific IgM increases their uptake by dendritic cells, while suppressing the subsequent presentation of beta cell-derived antigens to diabetogenic T lymphocytes. Passive administration of Group A Streptococcus antisera …

Associations Of Food Environment, Mediterranean Diet And Obesity In United States: A Geographic Information System (Gis) Analysis, Meifang Chen

All ETDs from UAB

Given the growing obesity epidemic in the U.S., modifying current obesogenic food environment, and identifying and promoting an obesity-modifying dietary approach that fits in the food environment context are urgent. Emerging evidence indicates that Mediterranean diet (MD) could be a beneficial dietary pattern to protect against overweight/obesity. However, as a relatively new dietary pattern in the U.S., how the unique food environment influences MD adherence, and whether consuming a MD can mediate the relationship between food environment and obesity among the population remain unknown. This dissertation, applying Geographic Information System (GIS) and path analytical methods using data from the REasons …

Bayesian Cox Proportional Hazards Model In Survival Analysis Of Hace1 Gene With Age At Onset Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Ke-Sheng Wang, Ying Liu, Shaoqing Gong, Chun Xu, Xin Xie, Liang Wang, Xingguang Luo

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease. The HECT domain and ankyrin repeat containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (HACE1) gene is expressed in human brain and may play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Till now, no previous study has reported the association of the HACE1 gene with the risk and Age at Onset (AAO) of AD; while few studies have checked the proportional hazards assumption in the survival analysis of AAO of AD using Cox proportional hazards model. In this study, we examined the associations of 14 Single Nucleotide …

Improving Cognitive Predictors And Everyday Outcomes In Adults With Hiv, Shameka L. Cody

All ETDs from UAB

As adults age with HIV, they may encounter challenges with cognitive impairments. Perhaps, the neurobiological effects of HIV, subtle lifestyle changes, and the aging process may negatively influence cognitive functioning. Some cognitive impairments may interfere with everyday functioning and even compromise quality of life. In this dissertation, three articles were presented which focused on the overall theme of HIV and cognition. Article 1, a review of literature published in the Neurobiology of Disease, focused on how HIV affects the brain independently and the synergistic effects of HIV and aging on cognitive health. Also, the article closed with a section on …

Identification Of The Microrna Mir-101a And Its Target Ezh2 As Contributors To Rodent Anxiety-Like Behavior, Joshua Cohen

All ETDs from UAB

Anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in the United States. Yet current treatment options are of limited efficacy, resulting in chronic disability for many patients. A greater mechanistic understanding of the neural states that cause anxiety behavior is necessary to develop better treatments for anxiety disorders. Since rodent models provide greater opportunity for investigating cellular and molecular under-pinnings of anxiety-like behavior, the present studies utilized rats bred for High Response to novelty (High Responders, HRs) and Low Response to novelty (Low Responders, LRs) which naturally exhibit low and high levels of anxiety respectively. Because the HR/LR anxiety …

Tgf-Β Regulates The Stability Of Sox9 In Cartilage, George Coricor

All ETDs from UAB

One out of two people in the U.S. will experience some form of Osteoarthritis (OA) in their lifetime. Members of the Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily are important factors that stimulate chondrocyte matrix biosynthesis. Mice with a dominant-negative mutation of the TGF-βIIR develop a degenerative joint disease resembling OA. Another key chondrogenic factor, SOX9, is important for maintaining chondrocyte function. SOX9 and TGF-β receptors are decreased in OA patients. Our overall hypothesis is that TGF-β regulates SOX9 to maintain articular cartilage. We utilized two cell culture models for these experiments, ATDC5 cells, and primary bovine articular chondrocytes. We showed that …

Elucidating The Cellular Function Of The N-Terminal Domain Of Tyrosyl-Dna Phosphodiesterase I, Selma Marcela Cuya

All ETDs from UAB

Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase I (Tdp1) is a conserved eukaryotic DNA repair enzyme that removes adducts from DNA-ends. This includes DNA topoisomerase I (Top1)-DNA covalent complexes reversibly stabilized by camptothecins (CPTs). Tdp1s two-step catalytic cycle requires the action of its nucleophilic histidine (Hisnuc) that detaches the adduct by forming a Tdp1-DNA adduct, and its general acid/base histidine (Hisgab) to activate water, thereby releasing Tdp1 from the DNA-end. Tdp1 expression is associated with genomic instability, cancer etiology, chemotherapeutic resistance, and SCAN1-neurodegeneration, via Tdp1HisgabArg catalytic mutant. Our lab has characterized substitutions of the catalytic histidines in both yeast and human cell models. These substitutions …

Effects Of Maternal And Child Depressive Symptoms And Child’S Perceived Stress On Glycemic Control As Mediated By Cortisol In Prepubertal Children With Type 1 Diabetes, Sara Laubinger Davis

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common diseases of childhood affecting over 167,000 children under the age of 20. Despite adequate insulin regimens and concurrent treatments, many children still have trouble achieving glycemic control as evidenced by elevated HbA1c levels. Previous research indicates that parent-child interactions and parental involvement in diabetic care influence glycemic control. However, these relationships may be impaired in mothers with depressive symptoms or in children who have high levels of depressive symptoms or perceived stress. Moreover, cortisol, a stress hormone, may mediate the proposed relationships. Therefore, the purpose of this study was …

An Analysis Of The Relevance Of U.S. News And World Report Rankings On Admissions Outcomes And Student Placement Of Graduate Programs In Healthcare Management, William Alburn Tuttle

All ETDs from UAB

Social, economic and political influences are exerting considerable pressure on the development of universities and colleges. Such forces coupled with the growing influence of rankings are exerting a formidable impact upon higher education. The conceptual framework guiding this study was derived from the work of Spence and Signaling Theory (ST). This theory plays a vital role in societal interaction of individuals as well as how certain organizations carry out their mission. ST offers an opportunity and perspective to explore the relevance of signals associated with U.S. News and World Report (USNWR) rankings of graduate programs in healthcare management. Graduate programs …

Patient Safety: Organizations, Culture, And Information Technology, Soumya Upadhyay

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore factors that influence patient safety culture and patient safety outcomes, and whether patient safety culture affects hospital performance. The findings of these studies have important implications to hospital managers in the context of macro environmental changes regarding quality and safety. As managers look for ways to improve patient safety, results from this dissertation suggest strategies (for example, RN staffing; EHR presence) that may help improve safety culture and hospital performance. Specifically, having at least basic EHR as compared to not having any EHR supports safety culture to positively influence quality and financial …

Resin Infiltration Of Incipient Interproximal Caries: A 6-Month Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial, Purvi Vaghela

All ETDs from UAB

Dental caries is the most widespread of all diseases. It causes destruction of tooth structure by dissolving the enamel first, then progressing to the dentin. While it is possible to replace carious tooth structure with invasive restorations, it is highly desirable to arrest or reverse the disease process so that the restorations can be avoided. One of the most difficult areas to clean or use preventive, non-surgical treatment is the contact area between teeth. Recently treatment with resin polymers to infiltrate enamel and dentin affected by caries has been in-troduced. The infiltration technique arrests the lesion progression by penetrating and …

Cd8+ T Lymphocyte Responses To Persistent Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection Of The Central Nervous System, Kristine Valenteros

All ETDs from UAB

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital brain abnormalities and can lead to lifelong neurological sequalae. Although the brain is a major target in congenital CMV infection, little is known about the long-term effects of infection of the central nervous system (CNS) following acute infection and the resulting neuroimmune responses involved. Due to species-specificity of HCMV, we use a mouse model to study the pathogenesis of HCMV infection of the developing CNS. Newborn mice peripherally infected with murine CMV (MCMV) develop high levels of viremia and subsequent productive infection in the brain parenchyma. CD8+ T lymphocytes are essential …

The Functional Role Of Toll-Like Receptor 4 In The Renal Microcirculation., Justin Pieter Van Beusecum

All ETDs from UAB

Renal autoregulation is an intrinsic property of afferent arterioles that maintains a stable RBF, glomerular capillary pressure, and GFR, while protecting the glomeruli against fluctuations in arterial pressure. Recently it has been reported that immune system activation and inflammation have been linked to impairment of renal autoregulatory behavior. Evidence suggests that activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays an important role in the progression of AKI and CKD. The contributions of innate immune system activation, TLR4 and renal autoregulatory dysfunction remain unknown. This dissertation explores the novel concept that both acute and chronic TLR4 activation leads to the attenuation of …

Characterization Of Molecular Pathways Involved In The Production Of Class-Switched Antibodies, Arthur James Vanvalkenburg

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation research describes two independent characterizations of molecular pathways involved in the manufacture of class-switched antibodies and differentiation of B cells involving the adaptor protein Hematopoietic SRC Homology 2 Domain-containing protein (HSH2) and the surface molecule CD19. HSH2 is dynamically expressed in different subsets of B cells, showing high expression in B1 and MZ B cells and low expression in GC B cells. Experiments involving HSH2 transgenic mice have determined that HSH2 may act as a rheostat regulating the production of class-switched antibodies. Various factors that stimulate B cell activation and differentiation induce HSH2 expression, although regulation of HSH2 …

The Effect Of Hospitalists On Hospital Length Of Stay, Khanhuyen Vinh

All ETDs from UAB

Environmental pressures in the healthcare industry force hospitals to seek new innovations to become more efficient. Hospitals have entered into a partnership hospitalists in an effort to reduce their ALOS. The purposes of this study are to determine the impact of ALOS by hospitals using hospitalists, the sustainability of impact on ALOS over time, and whether hospitals that adopted the hospitalist innovation in the last five years experienced an impact on ALOS. The study investigated 26,527 observations of hospital-years of nonprofit and investor-owned hospitals from 2007-2015 that responded to the AHA Annual Survey and primarily provided general medical/surgical services. Case …