http://hdl.handle.net/1903/7129 2013-05-18T07:49:41Z http://hdl.handle.net/1903/13549 Title: Analysis of Factors Associated With Tuberculosis Outcomes in District Kullu, India Authors: Stone, Heather Abstract: India is the country with the largest number of tuberculosis (TB) cases, contributing 20% of the global burden of infection (1) and 2 million cases annually (2). However, few if any studies have examined the epidemiology of TB in the Northern state of Himachal Pradesh. This study is a retrospective review of medical records of all tuberculosis patients (N=1086) seen at the two hospitals in Manali, District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India between 2008-2011. The analysis determined that being younger, female, living in a town, and/or a patient at Mission Hospital, were factors significantly associated with having extrapulmonary versus pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). Being older was associated with an increased likelihood of previous/complex treatment compared to new patients. Being female, from a town, and/or older were associated with receiving a non-standard regimen. Finally, patients who were previously treated/complex were significantly more likely to receive a non-standard regimen than new patients. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1903/12998 Title: DOUBLY PENALIZED LOGISTIC REGRESSION FOR GENOMEWIDE ASSOCIATION STUDIES WITH LINEARLY STRUCTURED GENETIC NETWORKS Authors: Li, Xia Abstract: This research aims to integrate linear structures of genetic networks into genomewide analysis studies (GWAS). Lasso penalized logistic regression is ideally suited for continuous model selection in case-control disease gene mapping, especially when the number of predictor variables far exceeds the number of observations. But it fails to consider the structure of genetic networks. Imposing an additional weighted fused lasso can further remove irrelevant predictors. Nesterov's method is employed to handle the high dimensionality and complexity of genetic data. It also resolves the non-differentiability problem of the lasso and fused lasso penalties. In simulation studies, this proposed method shows advantages in some cases compared with lasso and fused lasso. We apply this method to the coeliac data on chromosome 8. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1903/12798 Title: Measuring Allostatic Load in a Nationally Representative Sample of Pregnant Women Authors: Selmer, Stephanie Abstract: Allostatic load (AL) is a measure of cumulative "wear and tear" on the body resulting from exposure to chronic stress. Recently, a potential link between AL and poor birth outcomes was proposed, although it is unknown whether AL can be measured in a meaningful way during pregnancy. To determine this, an AL index was created using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2006. The distribution of AL scores were significantly different in pregnant and non-pregnant women (p<0.01). AL scores were associated with race, age, income, and education level in the sample of non-pregnant women, but similar associations were not seen in pregnant women. Overall, the results of this study suggest that AL does not have the same attributes in pregnant women as it does in non-pregnant women. However, the findings suggest directions for future study of AL as a risk factor for poor birth outcomes. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1903/12796 Title: Independent and joint effects of parental attitudes and special health care needs on physical activity and screen time among chlldren and adolescents in the United States Authors: Gingold, Janet Ann Abstract: Sedentary lifestyles pose a threat to the health of children, especially those with special health care needs (SHCN). Using data from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, this study examined relationships between parental attitudes and low physical activity and high screen time among 6- to 17-year-olds with and without SHCN. Perceived limitation was associated with increased likelihood of low physical activity (AOR, 1.339; 95%CI, 1.079-1.662). Parenting stress (AOR, 1.189; 95%CI, 1.052-1.344) and lack of trust (AOR, 1.243; 95%CI, 1.104-1.399) were associated with increased likelihood of high screen time. Perceived limitation modified the effect of special health care needs status on high screen time. The likelihood of combined low physical activity and high screen time was greatest among children with SHCN whose parents reported both functional limitations in the child and parenting stress (AOR, 2.659; 95%CI, 1.741-4.060). Parental attitudes and SHCN should be addressed in interventions to promote active lifestyles. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z