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UIC - University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of Nursing
 
   
   
 

Resources

Biobehavioral Methods Core Resources

Biobehavioral Methods Core:
Director: Eileen Collins, PhD, RN
Program faculty: Dorie Schwertz, PhD, RN, FAAN, Peg Covey, PhD, RN, Sam Zong, PhD and Ed Wang, PhD.
Program Co-coordinator: Linda Graham, MS, RN

The following CRRVP Biobehavioral Core resources are available:

Core Biological Laboratory

The Center for Reducing Risks in Vulnerable Populations (CRRVP) Core Biological Laboratory (CBL) can process biological samples for research studies:

  • CBL is located in the College of Nursing.
  • CBL uses immunoassays to quantify biomarkers and signaling molecules that mediate metabolism, inflammation, endocrine regulation, etc.
  • This service is available to faculty, graduate students and fellows in the College of Nursing.
  • Funded Pilot Study Investigators pay only for the cost of assay kits and supplies. Technical support is paid for by the CRRVP. (Funded P.I.s receive individualized quotes.)
  • Cost of analysis is lower than commercial labs.
  • Rigorous quality control is maintained.
  • Reliability and validity are established for all measures.
  • Example Immunoassays:

    Reproductive Hormones
    Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone, Free Testosterone, Androstenedione, DHEA, DHEA-S, 17ß Estradiol, Estrone, Free Estriol, Progesterone, 17α-OH ProgesteroneSHBG, LH, Prolactin, Oxytocin, FSH
    Hypothalmic/Pituitary/Adrenal Axis
    ACTH, Cortis
    Renin/Angiotensin/Aldosterone
    Renin, Aldosterone, Arginine, Vasopression
    Bone Mineral Density
    Calcitonin, PTH
    Growth Factors
    IGF-I, II, Free IGF-I, II, Human Growth Hormone hGH, hGH binding Protein, Erythropoietin
    Metabolism
    Leptin, Total T3, Free T3, Total T4, Free T4, Thyroid stimulating hormone, C-Peptide Inflammation/Infection
    IL1ß, L1a, IL2, IL2R, IL4,5,6,8,10,13,14,15, VEGF, Prostaglandins D2, E1, E2, F2a, Leukotrienes B4
    Endocrine/Other
    B-endorphin, Substance P, Somatostatin

For more detailed information on the CBL and available immunoassays and consultations, please contact Linda Graham, lgraham@uic.edu, 312-413-3695.

CRRVP DataBANK

The CRRVP DataBANK is developed as a semi-automated web-based system. The DataBANK contains donated data sets from faculty or affiliate members’ completed research studies. These data sets are available for secondary analysis, teaching purposes and classroom demonstration by faculty, doctoral students and CRRVP affiliate members. Please contact Linda Graham, lgraham@uic.edu, 312-413-3695 if you would like additional information on accessing the DataBANK as it is currently in the final development stage. In addition, if you have a data set that you are interested in donating to the DataBANK, please contact Linda Graham.

CRRVP Instrument Bank

The CRRVP maintains a compendium of biobehavioral measures appropriate for use in research. This is an Instrument Bank of several hundred questionnaires along with supporting articles for each measure. The instruments are housed in room 619 and are organized according to the framework for the CRRVP as: biological & physiological, symptoms, functional status, perceived health status, overall quality of life, person factors and environmental factors. They are also available in alphabetical order. The List of Instruments is found on the CRRVP website as well as bulletin boards on the 6th and 7th floors. Many of the measures also have a web-based link found on the List of Instruments. Please see either Linda Graham, lgraham@uic.edu, room 612 for assistance with these measures.

Human Performance Laboratory

The Human Performance Laboratory has the following resources available:

Pulmonary Function Testing (instruction, consultation, use of equipment):

  • Spirometry
  • Lung volumes (Nitrogen washout and body plethysmography methods)
  • Diffusion capacity (single breath carbon monoxide diffusion)

Metabolic measurements (instruction, consultation, use of equipment):

  • Resting energy expenditure
  • Exercise testing (oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation)

Body Composition (instruction, consultation, use of equipment):

  • Instruction in measuring body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA Scanner) and skinfold thicknesses
  • Use of DXA Scanner to measure body composition or bone density

Functional Performance (instruction, consultation, use of equipment):

  • Data collection services of an exercise specialist
  • Functional Capacity (6 minute walk, exercise testing, 1 repetition maximum, isokinetic dynamometry (knee flexion/extension), handgrip strength, inspiratory/expiratory muscle strength and endurance)
  • Heart rate monitoring
  • Activity monitoring

Consultations/ Collaborations:

  • Collaboration with investigators to design and implement appropriate exercise training interventions and/or refer to other investigators with the relevant expertise
  • Safety Precautions for Exercise/Body Composition Variables.

Please contact Peg Covey, PhD, RN, mkcovey@uic.edu, 312-996-9543, room 226 for assistance and additional information.

Methodology/ Statistical Consultation Services

  1. Study design
  2. Consultation for Biobehavioral research methods, including biological, behavioral and experiential measures of health and function
  3. Consultation services and support for the use of the behavioral and experiential measures
  4. Evaluation and adaptation of questionnaires to be used with specific ethnic groups
  5. Statistical consultation related to complex and advanced statistics
  6. Consultation and support for the use of biological measures
  7. Support for qualitative research
  8. Consultation and support services for data collection (interviewer training), management (TELEform data entry program), analysis, and sharing
  9. Programs for the development of investigators and project staff with respect to methodological issues
  10. Quantification and measurement issues
  11. Mathematical Modeling
  12. Simulation Studies
  13. Assistance with interim data analysis
  14. Assistance with final data analysis

Please contact Linda Graham, MS, RN, lgraham@uic.edu, 312-413-3695, room 612 for additional information and/or a referral to the appropriate faculty member.

Computer Programming Consultation and Services

Computer programming consultation and services are available to a limited extent by the CRRVP as this component of the CRRVP is continuing to develop.

Please contact Linda Graham, MS, RN, lgraham@uic.edu, 312-413-3695, room 612 for additional information and/or a referral to the appropriate faculty member.

IRB Consultation

Julie Zerwic, PhD, RN, juljohns@uic.edu, 312-996-8431 and Linda Graham, MS, RN, lgraham@uic.edu, 312-413-3695 are available for Institutional Review Board (IRB) questions. Dr. Zerwic is a member and Co-Director of UIC IRB #1 (Biomedical and Biological Science Research) and Ms. Graham is a member of UIC IRB #2 (Behavioral and Social Science Research).

Newspaper Advertising Information

Click to link to information on newspapers and contact information for placing subject recruitment advertisements.

Reference Library

Books

Gubrium, J.F. & Holstein, J.A. (eds) (2002). Handbook of Interview Research. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA.

The Handbook of Interview Research offers a comprehensive examination of the interview in the current context of a challenging postmodern environment. Encyclopedic in breadth, the Handbook provides expert discussions of the conceptual and methodological issues surrounding interview practice in relation to forms of interviewing, new technology, diverse data-gathering and analytic strategies, and the various ways interviewing relates to distinctive respondents. This engaging presentation guides the reader from an understanding of the interview as an instrument for gathering data to reflections on the process at the cutting edge of information technology, to how it will shape the information we gather about individuals and society. (From jacket cover)

Videotapes

Building a Research Program in Evidence-Based Practice
Marita Titler PhD, RN, FAAN University of Iowa
March 25, 2002

The Older Adult and Issues of Consent.
Julie Zerwic PhD, RN College of Nursing University of Illinois at Chicago
September 20, 2004

Longitudinal changes in symptoms, functional capacity and functional performance in people with COPD.
Janet L. Larson, PhD, RN, FAAN, College of Nursing University of Illinois at Chicago
November 10, 2004.

Polypharmacy is More Than Taking A Lot of Medications.
Todd Semla, MS, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP Associate Professor Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University.
February 28, 2005

Neuropsychologcal Testing and Diagnosis of Memory Disorders in Dementia.
Neil Pliskin, PhD, ABPP Neuropsychologist, University of Illinois at Chicago
November 21, 2005

Research Interest Groups

The CRRVP plans programs and advertises speakers for the ongoing research interest groups. These research interest groups are evaluated yearly and are planned according to the needs of the faculty members within the College of Nursing. Examples of previous and current groups are:


Exercise Research Interest Group
Gerontology Research Interest Group
Fatigue Research Interest Group
Tailored interventions Research Interest Group