Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Moving Mountains : A Study Examining Long-Term Impacts Of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining On Mortality In The Appalachian Region Using Geographic Information Sciences Techniques., James Howard Kent Pugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the last hundred years, the Appalachian region has been dominated by the coal industry. It has also been and currently is one of the unhealthiest regions in the United States. Recent scholarship has examined the relationship between coal mining and health and mortality rates in the Appalachian region. The first study incorporates air quality and pollution data to examine if coal mining counties have higher levels of pollution and if this pollution contributes to mortality disadvantage. In the second study, I construct a population-based coal-exposure measure to better evaluate the relationship between coal mining and health I find that …

Self-Management As A Mediator Of The Relationship Between Social Support And Health Outcomes Of African American Adults With Type 2 Diabetes., Tariq N. Al-Dwaikat

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is often associated with serious complications. African American adults have higher rates of diabetes-related complications than other ethnicities. Diabetes self-management reduces the risk of developing biological and psychological symptoms. Social support promotes positive behavior change and self-management that leads to improved biobehavioral and psychosocial outcomes. Few studies explored the relationship between social support dimensions and self-management behaviors, diabetes biomarkers, and psychosocial outcomes of African American adults with T2D. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relationships of various dimensions of social support with self-management behaviors and diabetes biomarkers and psychosocial outcomes of African American …

Spirituality Among Black Americans: A Hierarchical Classification Of The Family Strengths Model, Genese Clark

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

There is a need for disaggregate data pertaining to the perceived strengths of Black American families. This study identified which traits are salient and dominant among African-American families according to the Family Strengths Model. Utilizing this model, a mixed methods study was conducted among Black Americans living in Connecticut who identify with belonging to a family (N=59) to investigate the importance of six family strength domains. Results found the hierarchical rank (from most important to least important) to be commitment, spirituality/ spiritual wellbeing, appreciation and affection, positive communication, time together, and the ability to manage stress and crisis effectively. Additionally, …

Whole Grain Processing And Effects On Carbohydrate Digestion And Fermentation, Sandrayee Brahma

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Whole grains are a major source of dietary fibers in the human diet that provide specific nutrients to the gut microbiota and thereby plays a major role in modulating microbiota composition and increasing diversity of the gut ecosystem. A common approach of consuming whole grains is in the form of ready-to-eat extruded breakfast cereals. Studies reported herein established that extrusion conditions not only affected the physicochemical properties but also in vitro starch digestibility, β-glucan extractability and in vitro fermentation characteristics of whole grain oats. Moderate screw speed (300 rpm) led to higher slowly digestible starch (SDS) with an accompanying decrease …

Effects Of Vagotomy And Fenugreek On Hyperlipidemia And Insulin Resistance, Rituraj Khound

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Hyperlipidemia is the impairment of lipid metabolism marked by abnormally high levels of lipid in circulation. This has been implicated in a number of metabolic diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Insulin resistance is the impairment of insulin action, which leads to several diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. New clinical and therapeutic approaches are warranted for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. In our study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the effect of complete disruption of the sub-diaphragmatic vagus nerve (vagotomy) on hyperlipidemia and insulin sensitivity. We observed that vagotomy …

Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy, Maximal Strength, And Rate Of Force Development: Effects Of Resistance Training Loading Strategy, Kevin M. Carroll, Jake R. Bernard, Michael H. Stone

ETSU Faculty Works

Abstract available in the Annual Coaches and Sport Science College.

Antidepressant-Like Actions Of Inhibitors Of Poly(Adp-Ribose) Polymerase In Rodent Models, Gregory A. Ordway, Attila Szebeni, Liza J. Hernandez, Jessica D. Crawford, Katalin Szebeni, Michelle J. Chandley, Katherine C. Burgess, Corwin Miller, Erol Bakkalbasi, Russell W. Brown

ETSU Faculty Works

Many patients suffering from depressive disorders are refractory to treatment with currently available antidepressant medications, while many more exhibit only a partial response. These factors drive research to discover new pharmacological approaches to treat depression. Numerous studies demonstrate evidence of inflammation and elevated oxidative stress in major depression. Recently, major depression has been shown to be associated with elevated levels of DNA oxidation in brain cells, accompanied by increased gene expression of the nuclear base excision repair enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. Given these findings and evidence that drugs that inhibit poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activity have antiinflammatory and neuroprotective properties, the present study …

How We Close The Gaps: Our Interprofessional Team Approach To Meeting Quality Measures, Peter Blockhurst, William Buselmeier, Mckenzie Calhoun, Paige Gilbert-Green, Jesse Gilbreath, Erin Harris, Amy Lawrence

ETSU Faculty Works

• Define the role/function of an interprofessional team in the management of complex outpatients.
• Identify the types of patients that would benefit most from a team-based approach.
• Implement elements of our team-based patient care model into individual practices.

Validation Of The Short Recovery Stress Scale Questionnaire During Women’S Volleyball In-Season Training, Asher Flynn, Joseph Walters, Henry Lang, Alec Perkins, Jacob Goodin, Caleb D. Bazyler

ETSU Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Utilization Of Care By Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome In Delaware, Michele K. Savin, Dnp, Aprn, Nnp-Bc

College of Nursing Posters

Introduction: There is little information regarding use of expected well care by infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) post initial discharge. We describe expected and unexpected utilization of care by infants with NAS in the first year of life.

Methods: A de-identified State of Delaware Medicaid data set was obtained. Included were all infants with an ICD-9 code for NAS from 01/01/2012-12/31/2014. All associated medical claims were extracted for one year after birth. Utilization rates of primary care, immunizations, urgent or emergency care, and re-hospitalization were quantified.

Results: 499 of 522 babies were able to be fully analyzed. The …

Sustained Sensitizing Effects Of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha On Sensory Nerves In Lung And Airways, Ruei-Lung Lin, Qihai Gu, Mehdi Khosravi, Lu-Yuan Lee

Physiology Faculty Publications

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammatory diseases. Inhalation of aerosolized TNFα induced airway hyperresponsiveness accompanied by airway inflammation in healthy human subjects, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. We recently reported a series of studies aimed to investigate if TNFα elevates the sensitivity of vagal bronchopulmonary sensory nerves in a mouse model; these studies are summarized in this mini-review. Our results showed that intratracheal instillation of TNFα induced pronounced airway inflammation 24 hours later, as illustrated by infiltration of eosinophils and neutrophils and the release of inflammatory mediators and …

High-Volume Forced Diuresis With Matched Hydration Using The Renalguard System To Prevent Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Trials, Rahman Shah, Sarah J. Wood, Sajjad A. Khan, Amina Chaudhry, M. Rehan Khan, Mohamed S. Morsy

Section of Internal Medicine

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a well-recognized complication of coronary angiography that is associated with poor outcomes. Several small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have recently shown that in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), furosemide-induced forced diuresis with matched hydration using the RenalGuard system can prevent its occurrence. However, individual studies have been underpowered and thus cannot show significant differences in major clinical endpoints.
Hypothesis: Forced diuresis with matched hydration using the RenalGuard system improves clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
Methods: Scientific databases and websites were searched for relevant RCTs. The pooled risk ratios were calculated using random-effects …

Enriching The Science Of Homoeopathy, Raj Manchanda

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Antifungal Activity Of Different Homoeopathic Mother Tinctures Against Candida Albicans, Suneel Prajapati, Mahima Sharma, Pankaj Gupta, Manoj Kumar, Binit Dwivedi, Bhopal Arya

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antifungal activity of different homoeopathic mother tinctures against the growth of Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: Homoeopathic mother tinctures (ф) Syzygium jambolanum, Ficus religiosa, Ocimum sanctum, Allium cepa, Thuja occidentalis, Holarrhena antidysenterica and Eucalyptus globulus were evaluated for their antifungal activity against the growth of human pathogenic fungi C. albicans using paper disc agar diffusion method as per guidelines of clinical and laboratory standard (M44-A) with slight modification. The diameters of zone (mm) of inhibition were measured, and the obtained results were compared with that of the vehicle control. Ketoconazole …

Prevention Of Anthrax Epidemic In Sheep And Goats With Anthracinum 200, Balakrishna Dabbir

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Objective: To study the effect of Anthracinum CH 200 to prevent anthrax in sheep and goats in less and highly endemic villages of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India was studied. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 159,250 sheep and goats, in anthrax-endemic Kadapa district in India, from 2003 to 2008, consecutively covering 1 endemic and 17 less endemic villages. Fifteen millilitres of Anthracinum 200 dilution was mixed thoroughly with 1 L of 2.5% albendazole suspension and drenched orally either with a drenching gun or with a 10-ml syringe, in a single bolus of 10 ml for adults and …

A Case Of Radiation-Induced Mucositis, R Shaji Kumar, Jyoti Sachdeva, Chetna Lamba

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Oral mucositis is a common morbidity induced by radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy for head and neck malignancies. This often results in treatment delays, premature treatment cessation and increased cost. New treatments for oral mucositis are emerging but their success is variable. This is a case report of oral mucositis in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) reported after 11th fraction of radiotherapy. Chief complaints were ulceration of mouth with painful swallowing. Clinical diagnosis as per the World Health Organization Grading Scale was Grade 3 oral mucositis. Phytolacca 30C was prescribed on the basis of acute totality of symptoms. Ulcers were reduced considerably within …

Confirmation And Confirmation Bias: The Role Of Prognostic Factor Research, Lex Rutten

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: Some homoeopathic practitioners fear that prognostic factor research (PFR) of homoeopathic symptoms neglects the context of these symptoms. Materials and Methods: The function of repertory and materia medica in the homoeopathic method is discussed. Previous research shows how the repertory can be improved. Outcome and Discussion: The homoeopathic procedure can be divided into two stages: an open mind stage to make an inventory of all possible medicines and a confirmatory stage to select the medicine that fits the totality. Closing the open mind stage too soon will cause confirmation bias. PFR is meant to improve the repertory in several …

Research Highlights (October- December 2017), Meenakshi Bhatia

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Age And Sex On Ocular Surface Microbiota In Healthy Adults, Paul W. Bible, Xiaofeng Wen, Li Miao, Yuhua Deng, Xiao Hu, Et Al.

Computer Science Faculty publications

Purpose: A growing body of evidence suggests that the microbiome of the ocular surface confers potent immunoregulatory functions and has a key role in the physiologic maintenance of healthy eyes and in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. Although the microbiome is known to be affected by age and sex, the influence of these factors on ocular surface microbiota in healthy adults remains largely unknown.

Methods: Ocular surface microbiome samples were obtained from the inferior bulbar conjunctiva of 48 young and 42 old adults at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center. Using metagenomic shotgun sequencing, we characterized the sex- and age-differences in conjunctival microbiome …

Suicide Prevention: Do San Francisco Afsp Community Walks Reduce Hopelessness?, Tyson Peltz

Master's Projects

Community-based outreach programs have been found to be effective, helping to educate people, and reduce suicide through outreach and peer group support. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has been at the forefront of the battle to reduce suicide through education, fund raising, lobbing, and support efforts to those in need of suicide prevention services, as well as those who have lost someone. One of the ways they have done this is through community walks and fundraising throughout the nation for anyone affected by suicide. These events are called Out of the Darkness Walks, which allow the community to …

Improving Service Delivery Through Provider Training: A Process Evaluation Of The Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System “Commitment To Serve” Workshop, Ismael Barrera

Master's Projects

As the customer-focused management strategies gradually advances into all of the VISNs [Veterans Integrated Service Networks], the Veterans Health Administration in Palo Alto, California implemented a customer service training program for employees to meet the diverse and complex needs of its customers. This research will analyze whether participants in this training, known as Commitment to SERVE, believe that it is achieving its goal. In other words, does the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) staff perceive the Commitment to SERVE workshop as a beneficial customer service training program?

Consult Management At The Va Palo Alto Health Care System: Has The Implementation Of Business Rules Improved Consult Management, And Did It Help Measure Performance For Select Services?, Christine Poblete

Master's Projects

This research project was developed to determine whether the new business rules implemented at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System have resulted in an improvement in the delivery of critical health care services through consults; and whether this process can be used as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for measuring performance of clinical services by health care administrators.

Successful Reversal Of Furosemide-Induced Secondary Hyperparathyroidism With Cinacalcet., Tarak Srivastava, Shahryar Jafri, William E. Truog, Judith Sebestyen Vansickle, Winston M. Manimtim, Uri S. Alon

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a rare complication of furosemide therapy that can occur in patients treated with the loop diuretic for a long period of time. We report a 6-month-old 28-weeks premature infant treated chronically with furosemide for his bronchopulmonary dysplasia, who developed hypocalcemia and severe SHPT, adversely affecting his bones. Discontinuation of the loop diuretic and the addition of supplemental calcium and calcitriol only partially reversed the SHPT, bringing serum parathyroid hormone level down from 553 to 238 pg/mL. After introduction of the calcimimetic Cinacalcet, we observed a sustained normalization of parathyroid hormone concentration at 27 to 63 pg/mL …

Sharing The Burden, Robert Livingston

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Family caregivers of hospice patients experience an increased burden due to providing ongoing care. Research on the issue produces no consensus on evidence-based programs to alleviate the burden. Respite or relief services continue to be the primary solution applied to the problem. Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice supported a project to address caregiver burden. Hospice provides volunteers to families to reduce the caregiver burden. The project consists of outreach and recruitment to obtain new volunteers that continue to deliver respite within the community. Project duration lasted for approximately three months and was implemented by completing six tabling activities …

Healthy Teeth: Building Dental Health Awareness Among Head Start Parents, Marisol Cruz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In the U.S and state of California, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease and concerning health issue among children. The Head Start program in Monterey County serves about 1, 245 children annually from birth to five years of age. One requirement is that children obtain dental health checkups every six months, and receive dental treatment, if needed, as part of adhering to California's dental periodicity schedule. Over the past years, an increase of failed dental health assessments was observed among many children enrolled in the program. Obtaining and following through with treatment was an obstacle. The purpose of …

Healthy Lifestyle At Headstart In Monterey County, Leticia Manriquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In Monterey County, the rate of childhood obesity is too high among the Latino/Hispanic community. The Head Start program in Monterey County serves more than 1,245 children each year with the majority of them being Latino/Hispanic. The causes of childhood obesity are a lack of physical activities, cultural beliefs, and financial issues among families. It leads to serious health problems that impact children academically and psychologically. This capstone project is to increase knowledge and awareness on how to live a Healthy Lifestyle among Head Start parents so that they can apply that to their lives and their children. The project …

Teenagers Who Have Been Diagnosed With Cancer Are Fighting For A Better Future, Rocio Enriquez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services is a non-profit organization that “exists to support and improve the quality of life for children with cancer and supports their families in the challenges they face” (“jacobheart.org,” 2017). Kirchhoff (2010) points out, “Young adult survivors of childhood cancer have been reported to be six times more likely than a healthy sibling to report health-related unemployment and almost twice as likely to be unemployed but seeking work.”Together, Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services would like to introduce a service that would help our teens flourish in life, by helping them to develop life coping …

Role Of Membrane Gm1 On Early Neuronal Membrane Actions Of Aβ During Onset Of Alzheimer's Disease, E. J. Fernandez-Perez, Fernando Sepulveda, Robert W. Peoples, Luis G. Aguayo

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The ability of beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) to disrupt the plasma membrane through formation of pores and membrane breakage has been previously described. However, the molecular determinants for these effects are largely unknown. In this study, we examined if the association and subsequent membrane perforation induced by Aβ was dependent on GM1levels. Pretreatment of hippocampal neurons with D-PDMP decreased GM1 and Aβ clustering at the membrane (Aβ fluorescent-punctas/20 μm, control = 16.2 ± 1.1 vs. D-PDMP = 6.4 ± 0.4, p < 0.001). Interestingly, membrane perforation with Aβ occurred with a slower time course when the GM1 content was diminished (time to establish perforated configuration (TEPC) (min): control = 7.8 ± 2 vs. low GM1 = 12.1 ± 0.5, p < 0.01), suggesting that the presence of GM1 in the membrane can modulate the distribution and the membrane perforation by Aβ. On the other hand, increasing GM1 facilitated the membrane perforation (TEPC: control = 7.8 ± 2 vs. GM1 = 6.2 ± 1 min, p < 0.05). Additionally, using Cholera Toxin Subunit-B (CTB) to block the interaction of Aβ with GM1 attenuated membrane perforation significantly. Furthermore, …

Are Hylan Injections More Effective In Reducing Stiffness In Primary Knee Osteoarthritis Compared To Hyaluronic Acid Derivative Injections?, Jordan S. Hood

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Is Oral Aloe Vera Effective In Reducing Symptoms In Adults With Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Ibs)?, Chelsey J. Gebhardt

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is oral aloe vera effective in reducing symptoms in adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms?”

Study Design: Systematic review of three English, randomized, controlled, double-blind studies, including one cross-over study, were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question. The studies were published in 2006, 2011, and 2015.

Data Sources: Three RCTs analyzing the effects on IBS symptoms of drinking aloe vera daily compared to a placebo drink were found using PubMed.

Outcomes Measured: Various patient-reported IBS symptom questionnaires were utilized …