Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

2019 Hrs/Ehra/Aphrs/Lahrs Expert Consensus Statement On Catheter Ablation Of Ventricular Arrhythmias, Edmond M Cronin, Phillip Cuculich, Et Al.

2010-2019 OA Pubs

Ventricular arrhythmias are an important cause of morbidity and mortality and come in a variety of forms, from single premature ventricular complexes to sustained ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. Rapid developments have taken place over the past decade in our understanding of these arrhythmias and in our ability to diagnose and treat them. The field of catheter ablation has progressed with the development of new methods and tools, and with the publication of large clinical trials. Therefore, global cardiac electrophysiology professional societies undertook to outline recommendations and best practices for these procedures in a document that will update and replace the …

The Implementation Of The Teach-Back Method In Dash Diet Education To Improve Blood Pressure Control In Patients With Hypertension And Low Health Literacy, Patrice Helen Spencer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Low health literacy is closely correlated with poorly-managed chronic disease conditions. Hypertension is a common chronic disease condition which can be better controlled through compliance with the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet; however, patients with low health literacy may have difficulty understanding the DASH diet without proper education. The teach-back method is an evidence-based education tool which can empower patients with low health literacy to better control the management of hypertension through adherence to the DASH diet. This is an evidence-based project which purposes to reveal the effectiveness of the teach-back method in providing DASH diet education in …

An Educational Intervention To Raise Obesity Awareness, The Importance Of Follow-Up, And The Need To Utilize Recommended Strategies And Interventions Among Advanced Care Practitioners In A Sleep Center Setting, Cindy L. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Obesity is a national epidemic that affects approximately 40% of adult Americans. A lack of advanced practitioner (AP) knowledge about obesity and follow-up may contribute to the obesity epidemic. Diagnosing obesity and beginning prompt weight loss (WL) management with the aim to prevent the development or progression of chronic illnesses associated with obesity is imperative. Research has shown that WL of 5% to 10% of initial body weight can reverse or reduce the onset of chronic illnesses. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) scholarly project was to raise the awareness of weight management resources among APs caring for patients …

Evaluation Of Patient Education To Facilitate Advance Directives Completion With Dialysis Patients, Xuesi Liu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Completion of advance directives (ADs) is an important part of identifying a patient’s treatment preferences. Lack of patient understanding regarding the scope and importance of advance directives is a common barrier to AD completion. This project reports on the effectiveness of a patient education intervention in facilitating patient understanding in an outpatient dialysis facility in rural Virginia. Thirty patients were selected by convenience sampling to participate in a 10-minute verbal presentation based on a brochure entitled “Advance Care Planning: Tips from the National Institute on Aging” and completed two short questionnaires, one before and one after the education session. Patients …

Early Life Child Micronutrient Status, Maternal Reasoning, And A Nurturing Household Environment Have Persistent Influences On Child Cognitive Development At Age 5 Years: Results From Mal-Ed, Benjamin J J. Mccormick, Stephanie A. Richard, Laura E. Caulfield, Laura L. Pendergast, Jessica C. Seidman, Beena Koshy, Reeba Roshan, Rita Shrestha, Erling Svensen, Muneera Rasheed

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Child cognitive development is influenced by early-life insults and protective factors. To what extent these factors have a long-term legacy on child development and hence fulfillment of cognitive potential is unknown.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between early-life factors (birth to 2 y) and cognitive development at 5 y.
Methods: Observational follow-up visits were made of children at 5 y, previously enrolled in the community-based MAL-ED longitudinal cohort. The burden of enteropathogens, prevalence of illness, complementary diet intake, micronutrient status, and household and maternal factors from birth to 2 y were extensively measured …

Assisted Dying For Prison Populations - Lessons From And For Abroad, Jocelyn Downie, Adelina Iftene, Megan Steeves

Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Prescribed Burning On Wood-Decay Fungi In The Forests Of Northwest Arkansas, Nawaf Ibrahim Alshammari

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Prescribed burning is defined as the process of the planned application of fire to a predetermined area under specific environmental conditions in order to achieve a desired outcome such as land management. This project used both morphological and molecular methods to identify and characterize the wood-decay fungi associated with the forests of northwest Arkansas—Pea Ridge National Military Park, Devil’s Den State Park, and the Buffalo National River—through frequent visits made between February 2018 and February 2019. In addition, in order to assess the effects of prescribed burning, incubation chambers were used to compare the growth of fungi from both unburned …

Investigation Of Microbiota In Health And Disease Of Poultry, Bishnu Adhikari

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The microbiotas play vital roles in health and diseases of both humans and animals. 16S rRNA genes sequence analysis is one of the most popular and commonly used methods in the analysis of microbiotas associated with hosts. In this dissertation, the microbiotas of chickens (broilers, breeders, and layers) and turkeys were evaluated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Characterization of the culturable subpopulations of Lactobacillus in the chicken gut can serve as a valuable resource for probiotic development. In Chapter 2, Lactobacillus subpopulations recovered on MRS from chicken gut were defined comprehensively for the first time using 16S rRNA gene profiling, …

The Effects Of Hand Holding On Cancer Patients Level Of Anxiety: A Single-Case Study, West Loveland

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore how the anxiety levels of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy are affected while holding hands with a secure attachment. This study utilized three experimental single-case designs: participant one measured under a B-design, participant two measured under a B-A design, and participant three measured under an A-B design. Each participant’s anxiety was assessed during six chemotherapy treatments and one meeting with their primary oncologist to discuss the prognosis of their cancerous disease. Results visually indicate a greater effect on anxiety reduction during treatment when the intervention is utilized compared to only having a …

Selectivity Of Infrared Heat Treatment On Inactivation Of Mycotoxigenic Fungi On Stored Grain, Shantae A. Wilson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Selective Infrared (IR) heating holds great potential to decontaminate spores of unsafe fungi in corn. The objectives for this study were to investigate the impact of exposing corn to infrared energy at selected peak wavelengths (λ), infrared intensities and treatment durations, followed by tempering for further inactivation of microbes on the grain and explore a method for decontaminating Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) spores on corn. Freshly harvested corn with initial moisture contents (IMCs) of 16%, 20%, and 24% wet basis (w.b.) were used. The corn samples were treated at different infrared wavelengths (3.2, 4.5, and 5.8 μm) for 20, 40 …

The Impact Of Mother And Adolescent Offspring Distress Reduction Training On Maternal Anxiety And Alcohol Related Behaviors Following Conflict, Sarah Ann Bilsky

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nearly half of people suffering from psychopathology meet criteria for more than one disorder. Scholars have focused on understanding factors that may simultaneously maintain multiple psychiatric problems. Elevated distress during interpersonal conflict is likely to maintain both alcohol use and anxiety psychopathology. Reducing distress elicited by normative mother-adolescent conflict holds particular promise. Conflict is common in families with problematic drinking and anxiety disorders and the affective impact of parent-offspring conflict is malleable. Distress reduction skills, such as cognitive reappraisal, are effective in reducing distress during conflict. The current study examined the unique and combined effects of training mothers and adolescents …

Older Adults’ Expectations, And Knowledge Of Oral Health Issues: A Study Of Arkansas Seniors, Virginia Marie Hardgraves

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The life expectancy of the U. S. population is increasing. The advantages of fluoridated water, dental insurance, greater awareness of preventive oral healthcare measures, and more restorative dental services, have helped this generation of adults maintain their teeth into their advanced years. The demand for oral health care services will be greater and more complex that of previous generations. Challenges for the older adult, and the healthcare system providing for them, are complex. Increasing evidence of a link between oral health and overall health underscores the need to promote public health awareness of the need for dental care to be …

Visualizing Ischemic Skin Flap Necrosis Through Phasor Analysis Of Autofluorescence Lifetime Images, Hallie Ramser Toomer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Necrotic skin flaps are difficult to predict and treat due to the lack of quantitative biomarkers. Label-free multiphoton microscopy is well suited for non-invasively monitoring skin metabolism through NAD(P)H and other intrinsic fluorophores, and offers immediate future directions for assessing necrosis in the clinic. The objective of this study was to assess whether phasor FLIM could be used to evaluate skin flap status and treatment efficacy in ex vivo skin sections. Phasor maps revealed differences in growth factor treatment and region, but changes in skin flap autofluorescence at 755nm excitation and 460nm emission were not just related to NAD(P)H. A …

Effects Of Multivitamin-Mineral Supplementation On Mental Health Among Young Adults, Ya-Hsuan Chang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The percentage of young adults who had mental illnesses has increased from 2008 to 2015. However, few existing studies investigating the potential benefits of multivitamin-mineral (MVM) supplementation on mental health focused on young adults (18-24 years of age), whose eating behaviors are often unhealthy. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a MVM supplement on mental health in young adults. One hundred and thirty-three college students (Mage=20.59, SD=1.77; 80.15% female) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants consumed either a MVM supplement or a placebo for 30 days. The supplement contained B Vitamins, Vitamin C, …

Barriers Of African American Football Student-Athletes In Seeking Mental Health Services, Todd Andrew Wilkerson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nearly half (48%) of collegiate football student-athletes are African American (NCAA, 2018). African American student-athletes face adversity at their respective institutions in the forms of racism and unfair treatment (Hill, Hall & Appleton, 2010). African American male student-athletes face educational stressors, campus stressors and athletic stressors. These stressors consist of academics, family, athletics and social relationships (Miller & Hoffman, 2009). Many African American student-athletes do not seek mental health treatment due to their status on campus (Watson, 2006). However, few studies have examined mental health and barriers for African American male student-athletes when seeking mental health services. As such, the …

Potential Antimicrobials For Controlling Listeria Monocytogenes In Frankfurters, Aaron Rashad Bodie

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic microorganism that causes Listeriosis. Listeriosis is a highly mortal disease with approximately 20% mortality rate. Listeria is psychrophilic, therefore it is able to survive in the refrigerator. This affects foods at cool storage such as fresh produce and RTE meats. To ensure the safety of RTE meat, post processing treatments are used such as vacuum packing, edible films, dip and treatment. One-way RTE can be treated is with the use of antimicrobials. However, in the past chemical substances were used. Currently, consumers want more natural and organic preservatives to combat health problems from toxic components …

J Mich Dent Assoc August 2019

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA’s 6,200+ members across the state. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists! This month's issue features articles on the top 10 financial mistakes dentists make, a new classification scheme for periodontal diseases and conditions, and a look into evidence-based clinical decision-making.

Characterization Of The Swine Gut Microbiome Dynamics, Culturomics And Probiotics, Xiaofan Wang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The gastrointestinal tract is a critical place where the immune system concentrates many of its protective functions. It exerts both physical and biochemical defenses against invading foodborne pathogens and other hazards. In pigs, the gut microbiota community assembled postnatal plays a very important role in the development of multiple physiologic aspects, such as development of the gastrointestinal tract, nutrient exchange, immune defense against foreign pathogens and growth performance. Microbiome-host communication changes with age. Despite recent advances in understanding the swine gut microbiome at different growth stages, a comprehensive longitudinal study of the lifelong dynamics of the swine gut microbiome is …

Introduction Of Auricular Acupuncture, Monica Lyons

Doctoral Projects

The overall purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess if there was an interest to add auricular acupuncture to a substance abuse program. The two guiding questions of the Doctor of Nursing Project were (a) how can auricular acupuncture be helpful when treating patients with substance abuse in a selected organization? (b) what information is needed for both staff and patients to make an informed decision regarding auricular acupuncture? The Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) framework was used as the theory framework for implementation of evidence-based research into an organization. The facilitator in the …

A Quality Improvement Project To Enact Evidence-Based Guidelines To Improve Documentation Of Hemoglobin A1c For Inpatient Diabetes Populations, Karyn C. Kinney

Master's Projects

The purpose of this paper is to describe a quality improvement project aimed to improve the documentation of hemoglobin A1c in the discharge instructions for patients with a diagnosis of diabetes prior to a transition from the acute care setting. Clinical practice guidelines from the American Diabetes Association and patient education recommendations from The Joint Commission are the impetus for this process improvement. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model was utilized to identify, design, and implement the process change in collaboration with an interprofessional team. The documentation rate of hemoglobin A1c was measured on two medical-surgical inpatient hospital units both pre- and …

Developing An Evidence-Based Discharge Process For Patients On A Cardiac/Renal Acuity-Adaptable Inpatient Unit, Tami Gallagher

Master's Projects

Introduction: Readmissions continue to negatively impact patient outcomes and create a significant financial burden. Regardless of efforts to reduce readmission rates, the cost of readmission continues to increase.

Clinical Problem: All-cause, 30-day readmission rates on a cardiac/renal acuity-adaptable inpatient nursing unit ranged from 11% to 33% from July to December 2018 for patients diagnosed with COPD, AMI, HF, and sepsis. The readmission rate for the organization was 16.2% in September 2018 with a target goal of 14.8%.

Project Aim: To use quality improvement tools and an interdisciplinary team to implement the teach-back method during discharge education and a discharge preparedness …

Incorporating Technology Into The Icook 4-H Program, A Cooking Intervention For Adults And Children: Randomized Controlled Trial, Sarah Colby, Lauren Moret, Melissa D. Olfert, Kendra Kattelmann, Lisa Franzen-Castle, Kristin Riggsbee, Magen Payne, Ainsley Ellington, Cary Springer, Chelsea Allison, Sanearlda Wiggens, Rochelle Butler, Douglas Mathews, Adrienne A. White

Health and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Families who cook, eat, and play together have been found to have more positive health outcomes. Interventions are needed that effectively increase these health-related behaviors. Technology is often incorporated in health-related interventions but is not always independently assessed.
Objective: The objective of this study was to describe challenges and facilitators to incorporating technology into the iCook 4-H intervention program.
Methods: Dyads (n=228) composed of children (mean 9.4, SD 0.7 years old) and an adult primary meal preparer (mean 39.0, SD 8 years) were randomly assigned to a control (n=77) or treatment group (n=151). All treatment group dyads participated in …

Characterizing The Role Of Extracellular Matrix In Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Metastasis Using A 3d Microenvironment Mimetic In-Vitro Culture System., Douglas John Owulaku Saforo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death in the United States and worldwide. Five-year survival rates for non-small cell lung carcinoma patients have not improved in decades, and a majority of patients succumb to metastasis. Identification of therapeutic targets for metastatic disease is essential for the development of novel therapies. However, current 2-dimensional (2D) in vitro models are not reflective of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and are inadequate in identifying therapeutic targets. We adapted a 3-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro model to a hypoxic incubator to approximate physiological hypoxia of the TME in a microenvironment …

A Distinct Pattern Of Sterile Inflammation Induced By Zinc Oxide Nanowires., Ruqaih Salem Alghsham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in nanotechnology. Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) become an increasingly important area in nanotechnology. Recent developments in ENMs have drawn commercial and research attention in many areas such as agriculture, medicine, and Industry. High-aspect ratio zinc oxide nanowires (ZnONWs) have become one of the most significant ENMs due to their remarkable physical properties which makes them useful in a wide-range of applications. However, questions have been raised about ZnONW safety uses and biological consequences. In this dissertation, we investigated the inflammatory potential of ZnONWs in mouse models. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to ZnONW …

Probability Of Conception After Fertility Counseling And The Association Of Sexually Transmitted Infections With Pregnancy In The Loussi Study., Lindsey Adelle Wood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study interrogated predictors of pregnancy and the effect of a history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) on probability of conception among a cohort of women seeking fertility counseling (N=170), using multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. There were 76 (44.7%) total pregnancies. 32 (39.0%) were achieved spontaneously by women who never received ART (N=82). Among women who did receive ART (N=88), 35 (39.7%) were achieved by ART and 9 (10.2%) achieved spontaneously. Among the full cohort (N=170), obesity was a significant negative predictor of pregnancy while history of human papilloma virus was a significant negative predictor of …

The Effect Of Spinal Cord Injury On Sexual Function., Casey J. Steadman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes severe neurological impairment with widespread motor, autonomic and sensory deficits, leading to a substantial quality of life impairment. The number of individuals with SCI increases by approximately 12,500 annually, and over 80% of individuals with SCI are males. SCI individuals rate sexual function as a top priority quality of life issue, and men with SCI likely suffer from sexual dysfunction, such as erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction, as well as infertility. Regardless of the high status of importance of sexual function, limited numbers of experimental studies in SCI animal models have focused on sexual function after …

Determining The Effect Of An Educational Intervention On Medical Support Personnel's Knowledge To Administer A Standardized Developmental Screening Tool., Leslie Chiaventone Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early treatment of developmental delays leads to improved outcomes for children (Yeung et al., 2014). In order to benefit from early intervention, children with developmental delays must be identified and referred at a young age. Although the use of validated developmental screening tools is supported by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, these instruments are used variably by general physicians in pediatric practice (King et al., 2010). Because of the expanding work roles of medical support personnel, it is worthwhile to determine if this group can administer and score a developmental screening tool after completing an educational intervention to assist …

Exploring The Match Demands Of Division I Women’S Collegiate Soccer, Robert W. Sausaman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to shed light on the physical demands of women’s soccer at the NCAA division I college level. Though research does exists describing the physical demands of women’s soccer, the vast majority seeks to explain the physical demands association with the professional and international level. This dissertation sought to: 1) examine the physical demands of NCAA division I women’s soccer and 2) observe changes in physical demands of two NCAA division I women’s soccer players over a four-year career using a case study approach.

Study 1 examined the physical demands of twenty-three athlete from a …

An Overview Of Dyslexia: Definition, Characteristics, Assessment, Identification, And Intervention, Jane Roitsch, Silvana M. Watson

Communication Disorders & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background: Dyslexia is a developmental brain-based type of learning disability that affects a person's ability to read and spell words. Best estimates place 5 percent to 10 percent of the population with the condition, but the incidence of dyslexia is challenging to pinpoint, as the definition of dyslexia varies throughout research. Objective: The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of dyslexia, its characteristics, assessment and identification, and intervention techniques for the condition. Results: Although the disorder varies from person to person, common characteristics among people with dyslexia include difficulty with phonological skills, low accuracy and fluency of …

Environmental Sampling Techniques For Herd-Level Surveillance Of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Jaden Carlson

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Control of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) relies on resource-intensive individual animal sampling to detect and remove persistently infected (PI) cattle. Herd-level surveillance tools would be useful for herds with unknown BVDV status and for monitoring herds with BVDV-free status. The overall objective of this thesis is to explore the viability of BVDV surveillance at a herd-level using samples collected without handling individual animals. The first objective was to determine the feasibility of using stable flies as a sampling tool to detect BVDV. The second objective was to determine the feasibility of using drinking water to detect BVDV. To accomplish …