Matching Items (253)
Description
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults and is linked to poor survival in affected patients due to its invasive and aggressive nature. The potential role of sexual dimorphism in GBM outcomes has long been overlooked. Notably, males and females differ in tumor behavior across many cancers1, which may be attributable to differences in genetic makeup and physiology, and in GBM there is a difference in incidence rate between males and females. The aim of the study was to investigate sex differences in GBM patients and compare median survival outcomes (OS) and progression-free survival outcomes (PFS) between sexes based on tumor location, laterality, age, tumor volume, and extent of resection. Patients who received standard-of-care (Stupp protocol) consisting of surgical intervention, concomitant chemoradiation, and 6 cycles of adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) were included in this study to investigate sex differences in tumor characteristics (n = 216; males: n = 129, females: n = 87). Pre-surgical MRIs, specifically T1Gd sequences, were analyzed to determine tumor laterality and location. The patient cohort was divided into two groups indicating the extent of resection (EOR) they received: Gross Total Resection (GTR) and Subtotal Resection (STR). Additionally, the patient cohort was split into three age groups (Group I: 18-29, Group II: 30-49, and Group III: >50). Analyses were done using independent t-test and Cox proportional hazard modeling to determine which variables affect patient survival. The log-rank test was utilized to compare differences in survival rate in Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Overall, our results suggest that female patients receiving standard-of-care may have a better prognosis than male patients. There was a significant difference in OS and PFS in females showing an increase in survival. Additionally, survival was significantly different between sexes following resection, with female patients receiving STR or GTR having longer OS and PFS than males. The difference in median OS between sexes is more pronounced among younger patients. Among five different brain locations, female patients who possess a frontal lobe tumor may live longer than male patients. The apparent difference in OS for patients living >1000 days in the Kaplan-Meier plot warrants further investigation in a larger cohort. Following tumor resection, female patients with a frontal lobe tumor may survive longer in comparison to male patients. Comparing brain hemispheres, patients who possessed a tumor on the left may survive longer. Investigating tumor location and tumor laterality, our results suggests that female patients with a left frontal lobe tumor show a significant survival advantage in comparison to females who possess a right frontal lobe tumor.
ContributorsLorence, Julia (Author) / Swanson, Kristin (Thesis director) / Massey, Susan Christine (Committee member) / Rubin, Joshua (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The purpose of the study was to explore students' writing abilities throughout the online RN-BSN program at a large urban university in the Southwest. The aims of the study were: 1) explore how students' writing abilities, confidence in writing, and ability to locate resources change throughout the online RN-BSN program, 2) identify which aspects of writing students consider to be their strengths and/or challenges, and 3) explore which factors predict how well students write, their confidence in writing, and their ability to locate resources. After obtaining IRB approval, an invitation to participate in the study was sent to students enrolled in four different courses within the RN-BSN program. Students who chose to participate completed a 16-item questionnaire in which they rated their writing abilities, confidences, and skills, indicated strengths and challenges in their writing, and skills in locating evidence-based resources. An improvement was noted in students' self-rated academic writing confidence, professional writing confidence, internet reference skills, and library reference skills. The number of years as a registered nurse predicted overall writing ability and academic writing confidence.
ContributorsCoons, Janae (Author) / Stevens, Carol (Thesis director) / Sanborn, Heidi (Committee member) / Todd, Michael (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
This project modifies an existing theory-based culturally responsive nutrition and physical activity curriculum designed for early adolescent Hispanic children. Modifications to the Salud con Sabor Latino para los Ninos (SSLN) curriculum, originally designed for adolescents, include didactic content and activities which are evidence-based and age appropriate for younger children (second to fourth grade). Using a community based participatory research approach, culturally responsive and developmentally cognizant modifications were made based on child development theories, social behavior theory, and evidence of successful obesity interventions among this age group. The end goal is to assist the community partner, Esperança, and provide an opportunity to impact obesity rates in this high risk population.
The goal of the updated eight session SSLN program is to decrease BMI, increase nutritional knowledge, and improve attitude and behavior towards nutrition and physical activity in Hispanic school-aged children. After meeting with Esperança to identify which elements of the curriculum needed modification, an extensive literature review was conducted to identify new and relevant research appropriate to the modifications. Integrating child development theories, social behavior theory, and results from earlier successful obesity intervention programs, curriculum sessions will be condensed and modified using a community base participatory research approach. Once edits to the curriculum are completed and approved, Esperança will implement the newly modified curriculum, and evaluate the success of the curriculum changes.
The final project is composed of a condensed, theory-based, culturally responsive, and developmentally age appropriate eight session curricula that will educate Hispanic school-aged children on nutrition and physical activity.
The goal of the updated eight session SSLN program is to decrease BMI, increase nutritional knowledge, and improve attitude and behavior towards nutrition and physical activity in Hispanic school-aged children. After meeting with Esperança to identify which elements of the curriculum needed modification, an extensive literature review was conducted to identify new and relevant research appropriate to the modifications. Integrating child development theories, social behavior theory, and results from earlier successful obesity intervention programs, curriculum sessions will be condensed and modified using a community base participatory research approach. Once edits to the curriculum are completed and approved, Esperança will implement the newly modified curriculum, and evaluate the success of the curriculum changes.
The final project is composed of a condensed, theory-based, culturally responsive, and developmentally age appropriate eight session curricula that will educate Hispanic school-aged children on nutrition and physical activity.
ContributorsTooms, Allison Jayce (Author) / Stevens, Carol (Thesis director) / Beals, Jacqueline (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
Procedural guidelines are used to teach nursing students the hands-on skills needed to care for patients in the clinical setting. These guidelines are presented to nursing students during their experiential lab courses throughout their education. This thesis paper describes the development of two procedural guidelines: one for administering intravenous medication through a primary line, and one for administering intravenous medication through a secondary line. These guidelines specifically state the required steps necessary to complete the respective tasks. They are written to promote safety and represent the best evidence-based practices. The goals of these guidelines are to function as teaching tools for faculty and study tools for students. They were provided to Arizona State University nursing students, currently in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation bachelors program, who had previously learned how to administer intravenous medication through a primary and secondary line without the help of any written procedure. After the summer break of 2017, an entire cohort of students refreshed their skills with the help of the procedural guidelines and found them to be user friendly and helpful in performing the skills safely and accurately. As a result, these guidelines will be used as an educational tool for future nursing students. While procedural guidelines are effective at teaching a skill for the first time, other forms of guides should be available as a reference for nurses who have already mastered the skill. The concept of checklists and their viability to promote safety and adherence to facility policies in various healthcare institutions are also discussed in this paper. Research shows that checklists have the capability to improve safety and work well for nurses who have fallen into complacency (Wiener, 1981).
ContributorsCole, Grace (Author) / Peterson, Katherine (Thesis director) / Markiewicz, Katherine (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The period of time between birth and 24 months of age is a sensitive period for infant growth, and adequate nutrition is vitally important. In this study, 150 Mexican-American mother-and-child pairs (N = 300) were periodically surveyed over the course of 36 months for demographics, financial status, and feeding practices to understand the feeding methods of Mexican-American families and any relations they may have to the weight and growth of developing infants. Results found that formula feeding had higher rates of usage and duration than breastfeeding, while solid foods were largely introduced at the recommended ages. At one year of age, the infants were predisposed towards overweight and obesity with a high maternal BMI, suggesting that breastfeeding practices were not fully utilized. However, the data did not differentiate between formula and breast milk when both were used at any specific age, making it difficult to determine how long infants were exclusively breastfed and how that would impact their growth.
ContributorsCorsi, Marisa Kalani Nicole (Author) / Reifsnider, Elizabeth (Thesis director) / Thatcher, Craig (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
This paper investigates how stress in parents is affected by their child's Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The purpose of this paper is to identify common stressors for parents of children with ADHD, as well as to determine what parents need from healthcare providers to mediate this stress. A survey was developed to identify sources of stress, consequences of parental stress, parental coping methods, resources provided by their healthcare provider that have been helpful, along with what they feel that they need from their healthcare providers in order to better support themselves and their family. Participants were composed of members of Facebook support groups for parents of children with ADHD. Major findings of this study include: parents experience the most stress when dealing with their child's oppositional and aggressive behaviors; parents frequently experience disruption in their marital relationship; and parents perceive that they receive little health care resources that are helpful for themselves, their child, and their family overall.
ContributorsHui, Natasha Faith (Author) / Sayles, Judy (Thesis director) / Beals, Jacqueline (Committee member) / Caterino, Linda (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The objective of the present study was to investigate differences in traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors between Asian and non-Hispanic White young adults. The burden of CVD varies by racial/ethnic group. Traditional risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing CVD include smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Suboptimal sleep is known to be a non-traditional risk factor for poor overall health, CVD risk factors, and CVD. The present study was an investigation of a cross-sectional, screening survey used for a larger community-based study on sleep and cardiovascular health. The unadjusted results examining differences in traditional CVD risk factors indicated that Asian participants were less likely to report alcohol use compared to non-Hispanic White participants. For non-traditional CVD risk factors, Asians were less likely to report experiencing sleep-related fatigue or malaise, attention impairment, daytime sleepiness, reduced motivation or energy, or concerns about their sleep compared to non-Hispanic White participants. Multivariate-analyses were conducted adjusting for sex and age. The adjusted results indicated that the Asian participants were less likely to report alcohol consumption, regular engagement in exercise, engagement in hard intensity exercise, concerns with sleep quality, and sleep difficulty-related fatigue, attention impairment, daytime sleepiness, reduced motivation, and were more likely to be obese compared to non-Hispanic White participants. The results may help guide cardiovascular prevention education provided to these groups. The data indicate the need for further longitudinal research studies on non-traditional CVD risk factors like sleep by ethnicity/race.
ContributorsSpoehr, Natalie Jane (Author) / Petrov, Megan (Thesis director) / Shin, Chanam (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12
Description
Since its discovery in 1524, many people have characterized the vermiform appendix. Charles Darwin considered the human appendix to be a vestige and a useless structure. Others at the time opposed this hypothesis. However, Darwin's hypothesis became prevalent one until recently when there became a renewed interest in the appendix because of advancements in microscopes, knowledge of the immune system, and phylogenetics. In this review, I will argue that the vermiform appendix, although still not completely understood, has important functions. First, I will give the anatomy of the appendix. I will discuss the comparative anatomy between different animals and also primates. I will address the effects of appendicitis and appendectomy. I will give background on vestigial structures and will discuss if the appendix is a vestige. Following, I will review the evolution of the appendix. Finally, I will argue that the function of the appendix is as an immune organ, including discussion of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), development of lymphoid follicles in GALT and their comparison within different organs, Immunoglobulin A (IgA) function in the gut, biofilms as evidence that the appendix is a safe-house for beneficial bacteria, re-inoculation of the bowel, and protection against recurring infection. I will conclude with future studies that should be conducted to further our understanding of the vermiform appendix.
ContributorsPrestwich, Shelby Elizabeth (Author) / Cartwright, Reed (Thesis director) / Lynch, John (Committee member) / Furstenau, Tara (Committee member) / School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The number of individuals born with the neural tube defect, spina bifida, is still widespread here in the United States. To briefly explain, spina bifida is a birth defect where the baby's vertebrae does not fully enclose the spinal cord. There are specifically four types of spina bifida, with varying degrees of severity. This severity can range from no symptoms to complete paralysis below the cleft area. To put this issue into perspective, approximately 166,000 individuals in the United States, today, are affected by spina bifida (National Health Institute, 2017). The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a knowledge discrepancy of health care needs between individuals who have Spina Bifida and ASU students studying a health profession. This will determine if there is a need to improve health care education of students, professionals, and members of a spina bifida association in respect to spina bifida. Not only that, this study will also identify if there is a need to increase awareness and prevention of spina bifida in the community to improve health outcomes for those affected by spina bifida. A total of 136 participants were studied with the 32-question survey. It was found, through the survey, that there was a knowledge mismatch between spina bifida members and ASU students who were studying a health profession. This knowledge mismatch was also compared with how well they answered the various questions as a group.
ContributorsLerias, Antoni Capacio (Author) / Lalley, Cathy (Thesis director) / Milowski, Meredith (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
Description
The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a four-week martial arts program implemented once a week on children diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) between the ages of four and seven. This was a single group, pre- and post-intervention assessment pilot study. The total sample of the study was four children (n=4) and the martial arts classes were based on the Duke Kenpo Little Tiger Program by Jonathan Duke of Mesa, Arizona. Change was measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, 2nd edition (BRIEF-2) parental form and participants were encouraged to record at-home practice. Data were collected pre-intervention and four weeks afterwards. Limitations included small sample size, measurement limitation (e.g., ceiling effect), data based on parental report, a short intervention period, potential instructor bias, and uneven gender distribution. Given the small sample size (n=4), this study did not complete statistical analysis and alternatively described the changing patterns of the participant's ADHD symptoms from BRIEF-2 measures pre and post intervention. The results of this study could not generate the power to detect significance to state significant implications. However, the trends suggested that some participants declined in executive function in certain areas (e.g., task-monitoring and planning) and improved in other areas (e.g., working memory and organization of materials). All participants demonstrated improvement within the cognitive (CRI) scale of the BRIEF-2 and future studies may explore the potential for martial arts interventions in children under seven as a means to improve the cognitive aspect of executive function development. In addition, future studies may consider exploring the role of frequency versus time for at-home martial arts practice for children with ADHD under the age of seven.
ContributorsNaylor, Takara (Author) / Larkey, Linda (Thesis director) / Noah, Aggie (Committee member) / Arizona State University. College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-12