Self-appraisal of problem-solving ability as a predictor of academic outcomes in allied health programs

Wilson, Jane Endsley The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

Background and purpose. With estimated growth of the elderly population and access to care issues, much has been written about health care provider shortages. As a result, educators have been challenged to graduate individuals who will excel as autonomous practitioners. Authors have suggested that cognitive and non-cognitive factors are crucial for success in healthcare education and clinical practice but studies have mainly focused on cognitive variables. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of the cognitive variables of pre-professional GPA, science GPA, ACT scores, and the non-cognitive variable of Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI) scores in prediction of licensure scores and professional GPA of allied health graduates. Subjects. Participants included 33 dental hygiene, 26 nursing, and 40 radiation science students enrolled at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Methods. The PSI, which measures self-perception of problem solving abilities, was administered in fall, 2003. A retrospective analysis of academic records provided pre-professional GPA, science GPA, ACT scores, and professional GPA. Administrators provided licensure scores. Variables were evaluated using the Pearson Product correlation and multiple regression analysis with a predetermined level of significance at .05. Results. Results revealed moderate correlations between pre-professional GPA, science GPA, and ACT and the dependent variable of professional GPA. Moderate to high correlations existed between ACT scores and licensure scores. PSI scores were not correlated with either of the academic outcomes. Multiple regression analysis indicated that pre-professional GPA, ACT composite score, PSI problem-solving confidence, and PSI approach-avoidance were significant predictors of professional GPA and accounted for 48.7% of variance. Multiple regression analysis indicated that ACT composite score and PSI approach-avoidance were significant predictors of licensure scores and accounted for 49.1% of the variance. Conclusion. This study supported the continued use of cognitive measures as indicators of academic success. The non-cognitive variable of PSI increased the magnitude of the variance of the academic outcomes, but may not be feasible for use. Based on these findings, further investigation of the role of non-cognitive attributes should be considered.

Evaluating statistical appropriateness of alternative regression techniques for estimating ambient nitrogen dioxide concentrations

Gunter, James Thomas The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2011 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

In order to protect public health, the US Congress passed the CAA which requires estimating ambient air pollutant concentrations using models. The current regulatory model can be difficult to use when estimating air pollution exposures in large urban population centers. Land Use Regression (LUR) models offer a reasonable alternative. The central research question of this study is "Are LUR models that consider correlation among observations statistically more appropriate than are LUR models that assume independence?" Information is obtained from the US EPA, Oklahoma Departments of Transportation and Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Mesonet, National Climatic Data Center, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. AREMET is used to determine boundary layer conditions. The analytical dataset is generated from this information that includes meteorological, point and mobile source, and temporal measures. LUR models are specified that use mixing height, stability, hourly traffic count, count of major point sources, and season to estimated hourly NO 2 concentrations at three state and local air monitoring stations. Identical models are estimated using OLS and mixed model regression. OLS estimates only population effects and assumes independence among observations. Mixed models estimate fixed and random effects and consider correlation among observations. Using mixed models, the first order autoregressive covariance structure best fits the data. The results of this study lead indicate that autocorrelation should be accounted for when estimating LUR models so that the significance of predictive values can be accurately assessed. The mixed LUR model was more precise and had more predictive power than the OLS LUR model while both provided unbiased coefficients estimates.

Exploring the relationship between ingestion of inorganic arsenic and incidence of urinary tract cancers in central Oklahoma

Pate, Anne Elizabeth The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2011 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

Arsenic has long been established as a human carcinogen. When ingested in its inorganic form it can be a causal factor in the development of multiple types of internal cancers including those of the urinary tract. Health effects resulting from ingestion of water contaminated with high concentrations of arsenic have been extensively studied in other parts of the world; however, health effects resulting from exposure to the lower concentrations that are typical in the continental United States are not as well defined. It has been established that the Garber-Wellington aquifer, which is a source of drinking water for central Oklahoma, has elevated concentrations of naturally occurring arsenic. While concentrations of arsenic are regulated and allowed to be no higher than 10 microg/L in public water supply (PWS) systems, there are no regulations protecting individuals who obtain their drinking water from wells. Due to this potential exposure to elevated levels of arsenic being ingested from well water, and the known evidence that this exposure may result in cancer, there is sufficient need to determine if there is a measurable effect on the population of the five counties in central Oklahoma where the Garber-Wellington aquifer is the primary source of drinking water. Data from the Oklahoma Central Cancer Registry (OCCR) was used to calculate the Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs) for urinary bladder, kidney, and renal pelvis cancers by census tract. Exposure was determined by combining estimated arsenic concentrations with the proportion of the census tract that was covered by a PWS system. These variables were assessed in a multiple linear regression model to characterize the relationship between the census tract SIRs and arsenic exposure. A statistically significant association was found with female bladder cancer and arsenic concentrations. Borderline statistically significant associations were found with male urinary tract and specifically bladder cancer incidence and arsenic concentrations. Attempts to measure smoking status at a smaller geographic level would be beneficial for future studies. Overall, the findings of the current study suggested that further investigation into the issue is warranted.

An evaluation of the influence of local anti-smoking ordinances

Mullens, Jennifer K The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2011 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships between the presence or absence of local indoor smoking ordinances, the strength of state laws regulating indoor smoking, the prevalence of smoking at the state level, and lung cancer incidence measured at the state level. METHODS: Repeated measures multiple regression analysis was used as the primary source of statistical analysis. Data used in analyses included data on state smoking laws from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's State System, data on local smoking ordinances from the Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation database, data on smoking prevalence from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, data on age-adjusted lung cancer incidence from the National Program of Cancer Registries, and data on state indoor smoking preemption laws from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's State System. Data on potential confounding influences were included in the analyses as appropriate and included data on state cigarette excise taxes and state tobacco production from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's State System along with data on state funding for tobacco prevention programs from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. RESULTS: There is no evidence to support the supposition that the presence of local smoking ordinances is associated with stronger state indoor smoking laws. Further, there is no evidence indicating that the association of local smokefree ordinances with state smoking law strength, smoking prevalence, or lung cancer incidence has diminished over time as social norms have shifted toward smokefree policies and away from smoking in public places. The findings also indicate that state indoor smoking preemption laws are not associated with a statistically higher smoking prevalence or lung cancer incidence when compared to states without indoor smoking preemption laws, although there is evidence to suggest that the absence of preemption laws is associated with stronger state indoor smoking laws when state tobacco prevention funding or state tobacco production are taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Although there was no evidence to conclude that the presence of local smoking ordinances is associated with stronger state indoor smoking laws, local policymakers and advocates should be viewed as an integral part of the Clean Indoor Air Movement by continuing to advance numerous and stringent smoking restrictions at the local level which, when combined with restrictions enacted at the state level, cover the majority of the United States population under a smokefree policy. The results of this study suggest that state policymakers and advocates might find success in strengthening a state's indoor smoking law by increasing the state's cigarette excise tax, increasing state funding for tobacco prevention programs in states without an indoor smoking preemption law, and repealing indoor smoking preemption laws in tobacco producing states. Smokefree policies, regardless of their level of implementation, have been shown to be associated with improved health outcomes. State and local policymakers and advocates should work together to direct their resources to the most viable smokefree policy options that have the greatest potential to protect the largest number of people.

A self-organizing map investigation of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Oklahoma

Pate, Derek Stephen The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2011 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

Abstract not available.

A comparison of the influence of self-assessment as a curriculum component and clinical experience on ability to assess dental hygiene instrumentation error

Bowers, Jane A The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

Purpose. In January 2000, The Commission on Dental Accreditation required that dental hygiene curricula include self-assessment. This study compared the influence of self-assessment curriculum to the effect of clinical experience by comparing the ability to accurately assess instrumentation error among three groups. A correlation between years of clinical experience and ability to assess instrumentation error between graduates with and without the self-assessment curriculum was included. Participants. Groups consisted of dental hygiene students (N = 72), graduates trained with the curriculum (1--3 years experience, N = 93) and graduates trained without the curriculum (4--7 years experience, N = 65). Methods. A survey consisting of four clinical cases containing a dental hygiene instrumentation error was administered. Participants ranked eight factors from most likely to least likely cause of error. Data . Correct responses were determined by frequency analysis of responses by a panel of experts [dental hygiene members of the American Dental Education Association (N = 381)] and compared answers among the three study groups using Chi Square (X2). Pearson's r compared the percentage of correct responses by years of experience of graduate groups. Results. One of the four cases had marginally conclusive expert responses and was not included in the study. All cases illustrated no significant difference between graduates trained with self-assessment (1--3 years experience) and graduates trained without the self-assessment curriculum (4--7 years experience). Two of three cases showed a significant difference between students and graduates with the curriculum, while one of three cases showed a statistical difference between students and graduates trained without the self-assessment curriculum. Bivariate correlation showed no significant difference between years of clinical experience and percent of correct responses. Conclusions/discussion. Clinical experience is an important contributor to the ability to assess clinical dental hygiene instrumentation error. The self-assessment curriculum equalizes the effect of clinical experience in the graduate population. Clinical experience combined with the curriculum enhances error assessment ability.

Defining the cellular specificity of the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins

Giddings, Kara Sue The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

The cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) constitute one of the largest families of pore-forming toxins known. The CDCs exhibit several defining features that include an absolute dependence of their cytolytic mechanism on the presence of membrane cholesterol, a highly conserved undecapeptide motif near the carboxy terminus of each protein, and the formation of an exceptionally large pore. The CDCs function exclusively on cholesterol-containing membranes, and therefore, it has been the long-held belief that cholesterol serves as the common receptor for all CDCs. However, one member of this toxin family, Streptotoccus intermedius intermedilysin (ILY), exhibits a restricted cellular specificity that is seemingly inconsistent with this premise. ILY also contains nonconservative substitutions within the conserved undedcapeptide region. Based on these two lines of evidence, a detailed analysis of the various stages in the cytolytic mechanism of the CDCs has been undertaken to establish the basis of their cellular specificity. Specifically, ILY has been used as tool to investigate the role of cholesterol and the conserved undecapeptide in the CDC mechanism. The study of ILY has revealed several novel features that contribute to a better understanding of the structure and function of these toxins.

Mechanisms of zinc finger interactions with metal ions and redox molecules

Larabee, Jason Lee The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

Elucidating interaction mechanisms between small molecules and proteins are central to understanding many aspects of molecular and cell biology including disease processes. The present studies will focus on understanding regulatory mechanisms between proteins and small molecules that include metal ions and redox molecules. These small molecules alter the cell phenotype through normal cell signaling pathways and/or toxicity mechanisms. The following studies will begin to address the following question: what are the molecular mechanisms by which metal ions and redox molecules interact with protein structures and how do these mechanisms ultimately affect cell phenotype? Chemical reactions with protein cysteine (Cys) residues (e.g. in zinc finger proteins) and resultant structural and functional effects are hypothesized to be general mechanisms for the induction and/or alteration of gene expression. Elucidating mechanisms of zinc (Zn2+) binding and release from zinc fingers will lead to a greater understanding of many physiological processes and could help lead to therapies to help protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. In the present studies, a number of metal ions and redox molecules including therapeutic gold (I) and selenium compounds are shown to inhibit DNA binding abilities of Cys2His2 zinc finger proteins at micromolar concentrations. These agents are also shown by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to result in Zn2+ release, which is hypothesized to alter Zn2+ homeostasis and thus the cell phenotype. ESI-MS indicates that a thiol-metal ion-thiolate bond exists in Cys2His2 zinc fingers. A selenotrisulfide bond is also observed in Cys2His2 zinc fingers exposed to selenite. Altering the beta-hairpin structure of Cys2His2 zinc fingers effects the formation of selenite-induced selenotrisulfide bonds and effects Zn2+ release thus providing evidence of structural specificity for these reactions. Conformational differences in zinc fingers resulting from interactions with these various ligands are elucidated by circular dichroism (CD). Also in these studies, levels of stress proteins are found to increase in an in vivo animal model exposed a hydrocarbon fuel mixture. This fuel mixture was previously shown to generate oxidative stress and inflammation in cells. Zn2+ release in a number of cellular systems is hypothesized to be associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.

A baboon model for the study of gamma-herpesvirus biology and pathogenesis

Papin, James Frederick The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

The gamma-herpesviruses, Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), comprise a unique class within the herpesviridae with the ability to infect and persist in a latent state within the lymphocyte population of primates and other animals. They are also unique in their association with malignant phenotypes including Hairy leukoplakia, Burkitt's lymphoma and post-transplant lymphoma for EBV; and Kaposi's sarcoma, Primary effusion lymphoma, and Multicentric Castleman's disease for KSHV. Reactivation of these viruses and their associated malignancies cause significant morbidity and mortality in HIV infected individuals and immunosuppressed transplant recipients. To understand gamma-herpesvirus biology it is useful to investigate closely related gamma-herpesviruses of non-human primates. It is known that baboons carry the EBV homologue Herpesvirus papio. Here I report evidence for a novel KSHV homologue in captive baboon species. Using degenerate PCR a novel rhadinovirus, PapRV2, was identified having substantial sequence identity to two essential KSHV genes, the viral polymerase and thymidylate synthase. A subset of animals exhibit detectable PapRV2 viral load in PBMCs. Extensive serological analysis of nearly 200 animals demonstrated that the majority carried cross-reacting antibodies that recognize KSHV or macaque rhadinovirus antigens. Seroreactivity increased with age similar to the age specific prevalence of KSHV in the human population. This establishes baboons as a novel resource to investigate gamma-herpesvirus biology. I employed the baboon model to investigate the reactivation patterns of two herpesvirus lineages, beta and gamma, simultaneously in vivo . Systemic viral loads oscillated rather than increasing monotonously during constant iatrogenic immunosuppression. The viral loads for PapRV2 and HVP changed synchronously, while the viral loads for the baboon beta herpesvirus BaCMV oscillated independently, suggesting that the physiological reactivation triggers are different for each virus. I observed maximal BaCMV viral loads in salivary gland, consistent with the biology of human CMV. PapRV2 was found in circulating B-cells and associated with lymphoproliferative disease. I also encountered post-transplant lymphoma disease (PTLD) and, for the first time, oral hairy leukoplakia, a signature complication of EBV reactivation in AIDS patients. This study validates baboons as an appropriate non-human primate model in which to study poly-microbial interactions during immunodeficiency.

Analysis of the iron response regulon of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Ducey, Thomas Francis The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center 2005 해외박사(DDOD)

소속기관이 구독 중이 아닌 경우 오후 4시부터 익일 오전 9시까지 원문보기가 가능합니다.

To ensure survival, pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, must acquire iron. This element is sequestered by the human host in a number of iron-binding ligands. Intracellularly, iron is bound by hemoglobin and ferritin, while transferrin and lactoferrin bind iron extracellularly. This reduces iron levels to a degree that they cannot support bacterial growth, and is termed nutritional immunity. Pathogens however have evolved systems to wrest iron from these human iron-binding ligands. Further, pathogens have evolved complex regulatory systems for responding to changes in iron availability to control iron transport and other functions supporting metabolism and pathogenesis. N. gonorrhoeae expresses a number of receptors which bind directly to, and remove the iron from, these ligands. Expression of these genes have also been demonstrated to be iron repressed, such that when environmental iron levels iron are high, transcription of the genes encoding these receptors is decreased. This repression is controlled by the ferric uptake regulator, which binds to operator sequences in the promoters of these genes termed "Fur boxes". Except for these receptors, information on the gonococcal iron response and the role Fur plays in controlling this response is limited. We have conducted several studies to expand our understanding of the gonococcal iron response. Microarray analysis has determined that roughly 10% of the gonococcal genome (203 genes) is regulated in response to iron availability, and in silico analysis predicted that ∼30% of these genes are directly regulated by Fur. These data also suggest a transcriptional cascade where Fur indirectly controls gene expression by affecting the transcription of three secondary regulators. We also employed a Fur titration assay (FurTA) to specifically examine the role of Fur in the iron response regulon. FurTA identified 26 regions of DNA which interact with the Fur protein via Fur boxes, which correspond to the regulation of 35 genes in response to iron availability. Two FurTA positive clones corresponded to genes containing intragenic Fur boxes, and an additional clone corresponds to a region of DNA which encodes a small RNA which we have designated iasA (iron associated sRNA A) which we hypothesize functions in a manner similar to the iron repressible sRNA of E. coli, ryhB.