BS, Kent State University, 2018, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is a developmental disorder found in canines (i.e., dogs) that may affect the hip joints bilaterally or unilaterally. It is an orthopedic abnormality impacting the formation of the acetabulum and the femoral head and their fit and is often associated with joint laxity and arthritis (Schachner & Lopez, 2015). It has become so common in the canine population that it is estimated to comprise 30% of all orthopedic cases examined in veterinary practice (Fries & Remedios, 1995). Though it is a genetic condition, it is not present at birth and its expression or lack thereof may be largely influenced by environmental factors (Ginja, Silvestre, Gonzalo-Orden, & Ferreira, 2010). Additionally, CHD has the potential to be extremely debilitating depending on its severity for the affected individual (Ginja et al., 2010). This review seeks to delineate CHD in stages as it progresses through the lifetime of an afflicted dog, including discussing prediction and prevention, modes of diagnosis, and conservative and surgical treatment options.

Committee: Mark Kershner (Advisor) Subjects: Biology; Veterinary Services; Zoology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2017, Psychology

Poorer disease knowledge and greater illness uncertainty are related to poorer health- related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased psychological distress among patients with chronic illness. This cross-sectional study examined the association of disease knowledge (including future health risk and general health information) and uncertainty related to illness events with psychological distress and HRQoL ( as measured with mental component (MCS) and physical component scales (PCS)) among patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). CHD patients (N = 169, ages 15-39; 56% female; 30% simple, 40% moderate, 30% complex lesions) were recruited during routine medical visits and completed measures of general disease knowledge, disease-related risk knowledge, illness uncertainty, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, MCS, and PCS. A series of mediation analyses were conducted to assess the influence of disease knowledge on MCS and PCS via psychological distress; moderation analyses were conducted to test the conditional effect of illness uncertainty in the relationship of disease knowledge and HRQoL (MCS and PCS), and moderated mediation analyses were conducted to test the conditional effect of illness uncertainty in the relationship of disease knowledge and HRQoL (MCS and PCS) via psychological distress. Results demonstrated that greater knowledge of risk in the context of greater illness uncertainty was associated with lower MCS (b = -.57, p = .02, 95% CI = [-1.05, -.09]). Furthermore, greater knowledge of risk interacted with greater illness uncertainty to predict anxiety symptoms, which predicted lower MCS (b = -5.33, 95% CI = [-10.43, -.63]. Patients with CHD exhibiting poorer risk knowledge in the presence of greater illness uncertainty may be at elevated risk of anxiety and lower mental quality of life.

Committee: Charles Emery (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2017, Comparative and Veterinary Medicine

Congenital heart disease represents the most common form of birth defect and is present in up to 1% of all live births. Of particular interest to our group is the treatment of single ventricle disease, specifically hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in which left-sided heart structures including the left ventricle, aorta, and mitral valve are malformed. We utilize tissue engineering principles to provide palliative treatment with Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts (TEVG) that allow for growth of the child's own tissues. The TEVG overcomes limitations present in other composite grafts including thrombogenicity and lack of growth capacity. One limitation of our TEVG is that a small percentage of children develop critical stenosis requiring the utilization of interventional cardiovascular techniques. Developing both large and small animal models of TEVG stenosis will allow us to better understand clinical data sets as well as provide models to better characterize the development of neotissue formation and stenosis. The long-term goal of this project is to develop a second-generation composite vascular graft for use in children. The objective of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of TEVG neotissue formation in immunocompetent mice (Mus musculus) and characterize neotissue formation in a sheep (Ovis aries) model. Echocardiography, angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging are routinely used to evaluate children that have received the TEVG to treat HLHS. While angiography remains the clinical gold standard for evaluation of the lumen it only indirectly evaluates the vessel wall. Therefore, we sought to evaluate intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to characterize neotissue formation in an in vivo ovine surgical model. IVUS demonstrated close correlation to angiographic and histologic changes. Additionally, IVUS measurement of graft lumen morphometry correlates with angiography measurements. This provides further data to support the use of IVUS in a clinical se (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Christopher Breuer MD (Advisor); Keith Gooch PhD (Committee Member); Krista La Perle DVM, PhD (Committee Member); Joy Lincoln PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology; Biomedical Engineering; Biomedical Research; Medical Imaging; Medicine; Pathology

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2006, Biological Sciences

Streng, Vicki. M.S. College of Science and Mathematics, Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, 2006. Coronary Heart Disease Risk Stratification in Full-time Miami Valley Hospital Employees. Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States (American Heart Association, 2005). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the results of a twelve-week exercise program on coronary heart disease risk factors in full-time hospital employees. Methods: The participants were given cardiovascular, weight training, and flexibility recommendations to follow during a twelve-week period. The main heart disease risk factors measured before and after the completion of the exercise program were blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and body mass index. The information was put into the Framingham Heart Score to estimate the participants' 10-year risk of developing heart disease. Other factors measured to show the benefits of exercise included resting heart rate, weight, body fat percentage, waist and hip ratio, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2), and flexibility. Results: There were no significant results from any measurements taken.

Committee: Roberta Pohlman (Advisor) Subjects: Biology, General

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2009, Allied Health Sciences : Genetic Counseling

Successful treatment of children with congenital heart disease has led to anew age in the management of adults with congenital heart disease, who are now much more likely to survive and reproduce. Comprehensive treatment of the adult with congenital heart disease requires a thorough consideration of genetics by Cardiology professionals. In this thesis we examine clinical and laboratory aspects of genetics evaluation in the treatment of congenital heart disease. Research studies provide evident that congenital heart disease can be inherited in both syndromic and non-syndromic forms. A clinical examination, along with close medical, developmental, and family history can provide clues to testing for such inherited conditions. Resources such as Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and Genetests are available to aid in the identification of appropriate genetic tests. Once a test is identified it is important to pre-counsel a patient for all of the possible results since genetic testing can have implications for their management as well as for their family members. Current technologies for genetic testing can be grouped into traditional cytogenetic, molecular cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques. The choice of the correct test depends on the physician's level of suspicion for a specific causative genetic change. Genetics has already been integrated into the field of Cardiology and will only increase as the technology and understanding of genes and development improves. The incorporation of these new findings will ensure optimal treatment for patients and their families

Committee: Nancy Steinberg Warren MS (Committee Chair); Katherine Yutzey PhD (Committee Member); D. Woodrow Benson M.D.,Ph.D. (Other) Subjects: Genetics

Master of Science (MS), University of Toledo, 2006, Nurse Educator

Ongoing medical advances contribute to the increasing number of patient's today living with congenital heart disease CHD). Adolescents and young adults with CHD must have knowledge and ability to take charge of their health care decisions as they begin transition from pediatric-centered health care to adult-centered health care. The purpose of this study was to investigate the self care ability and perceived needs of adolescents with CHD. Multiple self care variables were examined and the Roy adaptation model was used to direct the study. Analysis of domains by education found statistically significant findings in the areas of maintaining health records and managing special health care needs. Also, though not statistically significant, results implied concerns with some aspects of self care ability by the adolescent Nursing implications are that the nurse can better assist the adolescent with CHD when they have more specific knowledge of their self care abilities.

Committee: Dianne Smolen, Ph.D. (Advisor) Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2007, Sociology/Population Studies

Using data from the 2005 BRFSS and 2005 ACS, this study analyzes the impact of race on the likelihood of developing hypertension and coronary heart disease (CHD). The focus on race is relevant: African-Americans are more likely to die with CHD than Whites, even though African-Americans are less likely to be diagnosed with CHD. To date, there is no empirical explanation on why this racial disparity exists. However, there are emerging biosocial and community context explanations that help situate why the racial disparity persists. Multivariate results indicate that race is and remains a significant predictor of both hypertension and CHD after controlling for demographic factors. Living in a segregated, hypersegregated or extremely hypersegregated community is also associated with increased odds of developing hypertension and CHD. These and other results document that community socioeconomic status may be more important for better health than individual SES. Policy implications are then discussed.

Committee: Franklin Goza (Advisor) Subjects: