CSU Research Development Office News

Abstract: The third most common cancer in African-American women is colorectal cancer. They lack participation in colorectal cancer screening, therefore delay in seeking treatment. It contributes to this population having the highest colorectal cancer mortality rate. This proposal study will identify the knowledge and beliefs about colorectal cancer for American-American women 50 years and older, utilization of prevention strategies, and educational needs regarding colorectal cancer. The goal of this proposed study is to design a culturally sensitive educational strategy that will promote increased participating in the screening process and empower these women to access health care services.

Methodology: A convenience sample of 15 African American women between the ages o 50-65 was recruited from a community church in the south east side of Chicago, which serves high African-American population. A structured questionnaire was administered to the subjects in a focus group for a pilot study to establish the test-retest reliability and to refine the instrument to be more sensitive to the African-American women. The questionnaire contains 5 major categories: 1) knowledge of the problem, 2) health beliefs about cancer screening, 3) perceived barriers to action, 4) perceived benefits of action and 5) belief about efficacy of health care services.

Data Analysis: To identify the differences between the independent factors (race and colorectal cancer, sex and colorectal cancer, education and colorectal cancer, age and colorectal cancer and a two way analysis of variance will be used. Data Analysis: To identify the differences between the independent factors (race and colorectal cancer, sex and colorectal cancer, education and colorectal cancer, age and colorectal cancer and a two way analysis of variance will be used. To assess the combined and relative contributions of predictor variables toward participating in cancer screening programs. This study will also use multiple regression models. Audiotapes of the focus group sessions will be transcribed verbatim.

Using “Grounded Theory” the comments made by the subjects will be classified into units of text as themes. The themes will be inductively coded and analyzed. The final refinement of the tool will be based on the consensus received through review of the transcripts by two research scholars in the department. Once consensus taxonomy has been developed, new themes can be integrated into the tool to address each issue.

Significance of Study: The result of this study will help to design a culture sensitive educational strategy to encourage participation in the colorectal screening process and encourage them to seek health care.

Additional Funding Applied For: Based on the review of literature, there is mounting evidence that detection and treatment of early state colorectal cancer can reduce mortality. Agency for health care policy and research has recommended screening for average risk persons over the age of 50 years for colorectal cancer. Since it is the policy of NIH and the American Cancer Society that women and members of these minority groups have to be involved in these research studies, the division of cancer prevention of NIH is providing small grants to support these studies.

My research project has focused on gaining an understanding of what factor prevent African American women from engaging in safe sex practices. Particularly what is examined is how these women feel empowered or disempowered in their intimate relationships and how this may impact their abilities to negotiate safer sex.

To date three focus groups were conducted to address or understand the following issues:
1) When do you request condom use from your partners?
2) What prevents you from using condoms every time you engage
in sexual intercourse with a partner?
3) Who do you perceive as having the power in your intimate
relationships?

Common themes among the three groups were fear of losing a mate prevents use of condoms, implying they or their partners are unfaithful by condom use and fearing some type of abuse as a result. Many of the women only discussed condom use with partners if there was a proven infidelity but would only continue use for short periods, usually one month.

Presently, three focus groups are scheduled to look at AIDS knowledge
and further explore empowerment issues and abuse issues.

In addition, quantitative data from the three prior groups is in process of being input and analyzed using SPSS. The results will be written up and submitted to journals for future publication and presentations.

Polymers are large molecules made up of simple repeating units. Plastics, fibers, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, rubber, protein and cellulose are all examples of polymers that complement our daily lives. This research project explored the design and synthesis of late transition metal (LTM) catalysts for polymer processes. The objective of this project was two-fold: 1) utilize LTM catalysts to gain a better understanding of the electronic and structural properties that influence the behavior of catalysts in polymerization reactions, and 2) provide meaningful research experiences for undergraduate students interested in working in this area of research.

Recently, novel olefin polymerization catalysts based on iron was reported. This new family of olefin polymerization catalysts is derived from iron complexes bearing 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl ligands (see below). In this study, two undergraduate students, Eboni Perkins and LaDeia Dunlap, and I prepared an iron catalyst to test its activity in olefin polymerization reactions.

We used commercially available 2,6-diacetylpyridine and 2,6-diisopropylaniline to afford 77% of the desired ligand as a yellow crystalline solid. Treatment of the aforementioned ligand with iron (II) chloride afforded 81% of the desired catalyst as a dark blue crystalline powder. The overall yield for the reaction sequence was 62%.

The catalyst is stable to air and moisture and was characterized by thin-layer chromatography, infrared spectroscopy and 1H & 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The catalyst will be tested to determine its viability in various polymerization processes.

During the summer of 2002, LaDeia presented her research findings to CLIMB faculty, students and staff at CSU. In October 2002, Eboni presented her research findings at the Annual Argonne National Laboratory Undergraduate Symposium in Argonne, IL.

I recently submitted a proposal as a co-PI to the NSF Collaborative Research in Chemistry Program. If funded, colleagues from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and I will investigate novel polymerization catalysts for autonomous materials. I also plan to submit a proposal to the NIH MBRS Score program.