Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link), a non-native perennial bunchgrass, invades ecologically intact areas of the Sonoran Desert. It competitively excludes native plants and increases fire frequency and intensity. Since the 1990s, whole buffelgrass plants have been manually uprooted and removed to control the invasion in southern Arizona. Uprooting plants results in bare, disturbed soil which promotes buffelgrass seed germination. This study examined whether leaving entire uprooted buffelgrass plants (thatch) on a field site reduces future buffelgrass establishment compared to removing uprooted plants from the site. A secondary goal was to determine whether light reduction and autoallelopathy were major factors in the negative effect of thatch on buffelgrass seedling density. Field plots with an average of 8,095 kg/ha thatch had 1.9 buffelgrass seedlings/m(2) which was significantly fewer than the 2.9 seedlings/m(2) in plots without thatch. Thatched portions of thatch plots (50% of their total area) had only 0.7 seedlings/m(2). In the greenhouse, which reduced outdoor light intensity by 35.2%, buffelgrass seeds sown in bare soil resulted in significantly higher seedling density than beneath buffelgrass thatch. Potential autoallelopathic chemicals leached from partially decomposed buffelgrass thatch and leached thatch had an intermediate but not significant (p = 0.09) effect on seedling numbers. Results suggest that leaving uprooted buffelgrass plants has the benefit of reducing seedling establishment in the area disturbed by uprooting.

Class of 2007 Abstract / Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the direct costs of scorpion envenomation events in the acute care setting for patients treated in a southern Arizona hospital. Methods: A chart review analysis of documented treatment of scorpion envenomations at a university hospital was conducted to compile demographic, drug use, and resource utilization information. Patients were selected based on an ICD-9 code diagnosis of scorpion envenomation within the years 1993 to 2001. Results: 103 patient charts were reviewed. The average length of stay was 1.21 days (range 0.5-6.5 days), the average age was 4.7 years (range 0.2-53 years old). Males comprised 54% of the patients, 51.9% Caucasian, 41.6% Hispanic, and 60.2% were from an urban setting. The average drug cost was $51.82 (SD=53.22). The total average cost in the entire population was $6,764.54, (SD= $3,866.55). The average cost of rural versus urban was $7,535.74 and $6,254.55, respectively (p=0.100). The average cost for male versus female was $6,949.64 and $6,520.90 (p= 0.581), and the average cost for the 0-3 years group was $6,721.10, the >3 years to 14 years group’s average cost was $6,643.33, and the >14 years of age group’s average cost was $8,578.42. None of the comparisons between age groups were statistically significant, with p values ranging from 0.274 to 0.922. Conclusions: Although scorpion envenomations were costly, there were no statistically significant differences noted between any of the comparison groups. Transportation, including air transport in the rural setting, did not account for a significant change in cost. Many of the patients that were envenomated in the rural setting were seen at a regional hospital and then transported as necessary.

Class of 2016 Abstract / Objectives: To describe the prices of brand versus generic OTC drug products in a variety of pharmacies and to compare the differences in lower income areas. Subjects: Over-the-counter products available in both brand and house generic forms in all pharmacies. House generic was defined as a line of products sold strictly by a company and its affiliates. Methods: Prices were collected across one week from all stores and locations, in each identical product. Once all the data was collected for the brand and generic medications, the data was evaluated using t tests. Results: The house generic brands (mean = $6.21) were significantly cheaper (p=2.14 x 10^-23) than the brand products (mean = $10.84 ). Also, generic drug prices are significantly cheaper at grocery stores (p=2.19 x 10^-11). Lastly, The price differences in all four areas were not significantly different in each of the brand and generic calculations (p=0.837 and p=0.910, respectively). Conclusions: House generic brands are significantly cheaper than brand products in all pharmacies in Arizona. In addition, all four areas of Arizona had similar brand and generic OTC prices.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: The purpose of this study is to assess rural community members in Cochise County, Arizona, to determine if healthcare screenings and informational sessions are desired by the community members for chronic disease states, and from which healthcare providers the community members prefer to obtain these services. Identify which health professional rural members are most likely to seek for healthcare screening. Identify which health professional rural members are most likely to seek for healthcare informational sessions. Determine if rural community members are willing to pay for healthcare screening and informational sessions. Methods: This descriptive study obtained data through 350 questionnaires distributed during selected Cochise County community events in late 2011. Main Results: 341 surveys were completed. The majority of results favored physicians with 47.7% of the people stating they would very likely attend a health care screening conducted by a physician. 34.5% responded they would very likely attend an informational session conducted by a physician. Of the respondents willing to pay for health screenings, 63.9% would pay $30 or less. 70.9% stated they would not be willing to pay for an informational session. However, the majority of participants, 61.3%, indicated they would utilize pharmacists for OTC questions. Regarding questions about prescription medications, 43.4% would go to pharmacists, and similarly, 44% indicated they use physicians. Conclusions: As seen from the results, pharmacists are underutilized by rural community members; except for OTC questions. Respondents with higher levels of education were also more likely to prefer and attend events held by pharmacists.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: Determine the difference in venom potency among Mohave Rattlesnakes in Cochise in Pima Counties and determine if those differences correlate to changes in clinical outcomes. Methods: Twenty-one Mohave rattlesnakes, C. s. scutulatus were collected from Arizona and New Mexico. Venom proteomes were analyzed using RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE. The toxicity of venoms was analyzed using LD50. Health severity outcomes between two Arizona counties, Pima and Cochise, were determined by retrospective chart review of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center database between 2002-2009. Main Results: Six phenotypes were identified based on three venom proteins; Mojave toxin, SVMP PI and PIII, and myotoxin. Venom changed geographically from SVMP-rich to Mojave toxin-rich phenotypes from south central to southeastern Arizona. Phenotypes containing myotoxins were only found in the transitional zone between the SVMP and Mojave toxin phenotypes. Venom samples containing the largest amounts of SVMP or Mojave toxin had highest and lowest LD50s, respectively. Conclusions: There was a significant difference when comparing the presence of CNS affects between Pima and Cochise counties (p = 0.001). No significant difference was found when comparing severity number of antivenom vials administered, days spent in a health care facility or envenomation per 100,000 population. Although not part of the original data to be collected, death and intubations, were also noted. There is a 10x and 50x increased risk of death or intubations if envenomated in Cochise County.

Class of 2011 Abstract / OBJECTIVES: To determine if knowledge and confidence of third year pharmacy students would increase after an education session presented by the Poison Control Center about scorpions, snakes, Gila Monsters and spiders of the southwest. METHODS: A pre-test/post-test study design was implemented around the presentation from the Poison Control Center utilizing third year pharmacy students at The University of Arizona as the study population. The two tests were than analyzed to determine if there was any statistically significant improvement in quantifiable knowledge and comfort level associated with imparting knowledge regarding venomous stings and bites. RESULTS: Out of an available 95 students, 67 completed the pre and post-tests. Overall, the pharmacy student’s knowledge increased with statistical significance (p<0.05) by 10% with a corresponding statistically significant (p<0.05) increase in comfort level in talking to patients about bites and stings. CONCLUSION: Both knowledge and confidence increased in third year pharmacy students after an education session about scorpions, snakes, Gila monsters and spiders.

Class of 2005 Abstract / Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate if rosiglitazone was being used in full compliance with the SAVA consensus criteria for appropriate use of thiazolinediones. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 50 SAVA patients selected at random from a list of patients that were on rosiglitazone treatment as of March 15, 2005. Results: The percent of patients who met all of the criteria set forth by the SAVA when initiating therapy was 44%. Rosiglitazone treatment should not have been started in 28 out of the 50 patients. Once initiated on rosiglitazone, patients’ follow-up ALT was only obtained in 16% of patients. Once rosiglitazone has been prescribed for 3 months, HbA1c should decrease. Twenty percent of the patients showed an increase in HbA1c from baseline and were continued on the medication despite the criteria. Implications: Once therapy was initiated, the majority of patients studied failed to meet the SAVA guidelines for the appropriate use of rosiglitazone. In addition, a majority failed to follow the aspects of the guideline regarding initiation of rosiglitazone therapy.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: Determine the difference in venom potency among Mohave Rattlesnakes in Cochise in Pima Counties and determine if those differences correlate to changes in clinical outcomes. Methods: Twenty-one Mohave rattlesnakes, C. s. scutulatus were collected from Arizona and New Mexico. Venom proteomes were analyzed using RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE. The toxicity of venoms was analyzed using LD50. Health severity outcomes between two Arizona counties, Pima and Cochise, were determined by retrospective chart review of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center database between 2002-2009. Main Results: Six phenotypes were identified based on three venom proteins; Mojave toxin, SVMP PI and PIII, and myotoxin. Venom changed geographically from SVMP-rich to Mojave toxin-rich phenotypes from south central to southeastern Arizona. Phenotypes containing myotoxins were only found in the transitional zone between the SVMP and Mojave toxin phenotypes. Venom samples containing the largest amounts of SVMP or Mojave toxin had highest and lowest LD50s, respectively. Conclusions: There was a significant difference when comparing the presence of CNS affects between Pima and Cochise counties (p = 0.001). No significant difference was found when comparing severity number of antivenom vials administered, days spent in a health care facility or envenomation per 100,000 population. Although not part of the original data to be collected, death and intubations, were also noted. There is a 10x and 50x increased risk of death or intubations if envenomated in Cochise County.

Class of 2006 Abstract / Objectives: To assess predictors of systolic blood pressure control in the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System. Methods: 6185 patients were followed over a 2 year period and predictors of blood pressure control were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Primary independent variables assessed were age, gender, race, antihypertensive medication class, and comorbidities. The primary dependent variable was systolic blood pressure. Results: Sixty percent of patients studied had controlled hypertension. Significant predictors of better blood pressure control were the presence of coronary artery disease, use of loop diuretics, not using miscellaneous antihypertensive agents, lower age, and not of Hispanic descent or not an African-American. Conclusions: Frequency of systolic blood pressure control was found to be higher than previously reported. In contrast, age, sex, and race were significant predictors of control as reported elsewhere. Lastly, coronary artery disease, loop diuretics, and miscellaneous antihypertensive agents were found to be the only other significant predictors of systolic blood pressure control. These results suggest that there is largely no difference between the major antihypertensive medications class with respect to blood pressure control.

No description available.