Digital Commons Network^™

Spectrum Of Complications And Mortality Of Bacterial Meningitis: An Experience From A Developing Country, M. A. Rabbani, A. A. Khan, S. S. Ali, B. Ahmad, Mohammad Asim Beg, M. A. Khan, Mohammad Wasay

Department of Medicine

Objective:

The aim of this study was to obtain data on predisposing factors, causative organisms and their associated mortality and complications related to acute bacterial meningitis.

Methods:

The chart review of all patients in whom acute bacterial meningitis was diagnosed at The Aga Khan University Hospital from January 1995 through December 2001.

Results:

One hundred ninety-four patients were included in study. There were 146 males and 48 females. The mean age of our study population was 41±12.3 years. One hundred and ninety (97.9%) patients had community acquired meningitis; only 4 (2.0%) patients developed meningitis nosocomially. The two most common predisposing …

Neurological Care In Pakistan: Actions Are Needed, M. Wasay

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Studies Of The Effects Of Pancreatic Beta Cell Antioxidant Transgenes On Experimental Models Of Diabetes., Hainan Chen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pancreatic beta cells are extremely vulnerable to the destruction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). In both type 1 and type 2 diabetes ROS are involved in the loss of U+000DF-cells. We hypothesized that the deficiency in ROS detoxifying system of U+000DF-cells resulted in U+000DF-cell vulnerability and enhanced ROS protection would protect from diabetes. To test this hypothesis, transgenic mice with overexpression of U+000DF-cell antioxidant protein metallothionein (MT), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase were produced on an FVB background. Initial studies demonstrated that these transgenes did not affect U+000DF-cell normal function and morphology. But those transgenes significantly protected pancreatic islets …

Pyridoxamine Traps Intermediates In Lipid Peroxidation Reactions In Vivo: Evidence On The Role Of Lipids In Chemical Modification Of Protein And Development Of Diabetic Complications, Thomas O. Metz, Nathan L. Alderson, Mark E. Chachich, Suzanne R. Thorpe, John W. Baynes

Faculty Publications

Maillard or browning reactions between reducing sugars and protein lead to formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. AGE inhibitors such as aminoguanidine and pyridoxamine (PM) inhibit both the formation of AGEs and development of complications in animal models of diabetes. PM also inhibits the chemical modification of protein by advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) during lipid peroxidation reactions in vitro. We show here that several PM adducts, formed in incubations of PM with linoleate and arachidonate in vitro, are also excreted in the urine of PM-treated animals. The …

Perceptions Of Parental Differential Treatment: Correlates In Chronically Ill And Non-Ill Samples Of Children, Julie A. Reich

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

We studied perceptions parental differential treatment as reported by parents and children in two different settings. Perceptions of differential affection and control were examined in healthy families and in families that include a child diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Parental differential treatment was assessed using questionnaires that measured perceptions of absolute parenting for children and their siblings. Difference scores were subsequently utilized to generate perceived parental differential treatment scores. Participants were 61 parents (half with healthy children, half with one child who has diabetes) and 62 children (half comprising sibling pairs unaffected by any medical problems, half including one child …

Reactive Oxygen Species Modulate Coronary Wall Shear Stress And Endothelial Function During Hyperglycemia, Eric R. Gross, John F. Ladisa, Dorothee Weihrauch, Lars E. Olson, Tobias T. Kress, Douglas Anthony Hettrick, Paul S. Pagel, David C. Warltier, Judy R. Kersten

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Hyperglycemia is associated with generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and this action may contribute to accelerated atherogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that hyperglycemia produces alterations in left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) wall shear stress concomitant with endothelial dysfunction and ROS production in dogs (n = 12) instrumented for measurement of LAD blood flow, velocity, and diameter. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive vehicle (0.9% saline) or the superoxide dismutase mimetic 4- hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (tempol) and were administered intravenous infusions of d-glucose to achieve target blood glucose concentrations of 350 and 600 mg/dl (moderate and severe hyperglycemia, respectively). Endothelial …

Increasing Diabetes Awareness In Adolescents Through Educational Programs., Sandra J. Reese

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to increase knowledge of diabetes and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors to reduce diabetes onset in a community with a relatively high incidence of type 2 diabetes. Three hundred eighty seven students grades 7 – 12 participated in the program and taste test. Changes in knowledge before and after an educational program focusing on diabetes prevention were measured by comparison of identical pre, post, and retention tests. Students were also asked to name specific behaviors they could use to decrease the risk of diabetes. Responses were analyzed using Chi square analysis and content analysis. Overall, …

Effects Of Diabetes And Aging On Posture And Acceleration Thresholds During Lateral Translations, Samantha Jean Richerson

Doctoral Dissertations

Research objectives. One source of falls in the elderly may be an inability to sufficiently adjust to transient postural perturbations or slips. Identifying useful predictors of fall potential, as well as factors that affect the ability of an individual to detect a movement of the standing support surface may provide insight into postural stability and methods to increase stability in elders. To do this, acceleration thresholds to short, precise, lateral platform translations and the resultant psychophysical responses of adults with early Type 2 diabetes to age-matched controls and young adults were measured.

Methods. Using an innovative SLIP-FALLS platform, …

Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, Muhammad Irfan, Javed Hussain, Riaz Lakdawala, Fayyaz Hussain, Javaid Khan

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

No abstract provided.

Chronic Disease Coverage In Canadian Aboriginal Newspapers, Laurie Hoffman-Goetz

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

Purpose: To determine the volume and focus of articles on four chronic diseases in newspapers targeting First Nations, Me ́tis, and Inuit in Canada. Methods: From a sampling frame of 31 Aboriginal newspapers published in English from 1996–2000, 14 newspapers were randomly selected allowing for national and regional representation. Newspaper archives were searched at the National Library of Canada and articles selected if the disease terms cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or HIV/AIDS appeared in the headline, or in the first or last paragraph of the article. Articles were coded for inclusion of mobilizing information (local, distant, unrestricted, not specified, none) …

Comparison Of Some Kinetic Properties Of Pyruvate Kinase In Liver Tissue Of Normal And Diabetic Rats, Seval Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Diabetes mellitus was induced in Wistar-Albino type male rats with a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg intraperitoneally). The kinetic properties of pyruvate kinase were investigated in normal and diabetic rat liver tissue. In normal rat liver tissue, the incubation period of pyruvate kinase was 15 min and the optimum pH was 8. In diabetic rat liver tissue, the incubation period of pyruvate kinase was 10 min and the optimum pH was 7. Activation was found in normal and diabetic rat liver tissues with magnesium chloride and potassium chloride. Phospho(enol)pyruvate is an enzyme substrate; in the absence of the fructose-1,6-diphosphate …

Effects Of Ramadan Fasting On Stroke, Selçuk Çomoğlu, Ahmet Temi̇zhan, Emel Peşi̇nci̇, İzzet Tandoğan, Şenay Özbakir

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The effects of fasting on humans have not been adequately investigated. Ramadan fasting is a great opportunity for scientific research due to its peculiar nature. With this in mind, we conducted research on the effects of Ramadan on stroke, which is one of the most common causes of death in adults. Patients hospitalized solely for ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage were evaluated retrospectively. The ratio of these cases to other patients hospitalized in the neurology department was determined. The in-hospital clinical course and mortality rates of the patients with stroke were evaluated. Within the entire cohort, the most frequently encountered …

Lecithin:Cholesterol Acyltransferase Activity And Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Rate In Patients With Diabetes Mellitus, Melahat Di̇ri̇can, Zehra Serdar, Emre Sarandöl, Esma Sürmen Gür

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Several factors may be responsible for the high prevalence of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus, including alterations in reverse cholesterol transport. In the present study, the activity of plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and the cholesteryl ester transfer rate, and concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins were measured in 11 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1), 42 patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2) and compared with those in age-matched control groups (Control I, n = 14; and Control II, n = 29, respectively). No statistically significant differences were observed in plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, ester cholesterol or very low density lipoprotein …

Determination Of Alkaline Phosphatase Activity In Patients With Different Zinc Metabolic Disorders, Zine Kechrid, Rabah Kenouz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Our purpose was to investigate the effect of different zinc metabolic disorders on alkaline phosphatase activity. Serum zinc, glucose and alkaline phosphatase activity were studied in 32 patients with liver cirrhosis, 30 with chronic renal failure and 42 with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) compared to 42 healthy volunteers. Serum glucose concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in IDDM and liver cirrhosis patients (P < 0.05) compared to the controls. Serum zinc concentrations tended to be lower in all different diseases but did not reach statistical significance. Alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in IDDM (P < 0.05) and liver cirrhosis patients (P < 0.01) compared with the controls. No positive correlation between serum zinc and alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded in any disease. In conclusion, the investigated diseases did not affect the level of serum zinc; however, there was an alteration in alkaline phosphatase activity in patients suffering from diabetes and liver cirrhosis. Consequently, this may be attributed to the functional disturbance that occurred in these patients. Finally, zinc concentration did not follow alkaline phosphatase activity as indicated by the weak correlation obtained.

Adherence To Medical Regimens In Low-Income Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: The Influence Of Perceived Control Constructs, Erin L. O'Hea

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes often do not adhere to their treatment regimens (e.g., exercise, diet, medication, glucose monitoring). Non-adherence results in poor metabolic control, further morbidity and mortality, and increased health care utilization and costs. One common thread among many health-behavior-theories that attempt to explain non-adherence behaviors is the importance of perceived control. This psychosocial variable has most often been conceptualized as ‘health locus of control,’ which refers to the belief that one has the ability to influence or change one’s health outcomes. Inconsistent findings have been reported regarding the relationship of health locus of control and medical regimen …

A Cell Protective Mechanism In A Murine Model Of Parkinson's Disease, Emi̇n Öztaş, Turgut Topal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Parkinson's disease is characterized by progressive degeneration of the dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). However, the mechanism underlying DA cell death remains unclear. While apoptotic cell death has been implicated in DA cell death in Parkinson's disease, autophagy - a regulated cellular process for degrading intracellular proteins and organelles under stress - in Parkinson's disease is not known. Here, we report evidence of autophagy in DA neurons of the SN in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of Parkinson's disease. Mice were treated with saline or MPTP (40 mg/kg) and sacrificed after 7 days, and brain tissue samples were …

Describing Support: A Qualitative Study Of Couples Living With Diabetes, Paula M. Trief, Jonathan G. Sandberg, Roger P. Greenberg, Keri Graff, Nina Castronova, Miyoung Yoon, Ruth S. Weinstock

Faculty Publications

Family and marital support have been shown to be associated with better treatment adherence, illness adaptation, and blood sugar control in studies of individuals with diabetes. However, the behaviors and attitudes that describe appropriate support have not been defined. This is a qualitative study which asked couples who live with diabetes to define support. Seventy-four individuals (patients and spouses) participated in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts of these interviews were rigorously coded and analyzed by a team of researchers. A sampling of quotes is provided. Helpful behavior was particularly evident in the areas of dietary control and regimen specific support, general relational …

Assessment Of Outpatient Knowledge, Attitudes, And Satisfaction With Service In Diabetic Clinic At King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital(การประเมินความรู้ทัศนคติและความพึงพอใจต..., Supakit Wongwiwatthananukit, Rathaporn Lohavisavapanich

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to assess outpatient knowledge, attitudes, and satisfaction with service in diabetic clinic at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The study was conducted between May 9 and June 10, 2003. A sample of...