Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Cd21 And Cd24 Co-Expression: A Translational Model Between Mouse And Human, Abigail Benitez

Abigail Benitez, PhD

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis are B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases that afflict millions of people worldwide. B cell-targeted therapies for these diseases result in variable clinical outcomes. Thus, a need exists to better understand the dynamics of human B cell production and function. The mouse model has provided a foundation for understanding the mechanisms involved in human B cell development and autoimmune disease. However, differences in mouse and human B cells are not fully understood. Our work shows that the co-expression of CD21 and CD24, determined by 7-color flow cytometry, can be used to demarcate developmental subsets of B …

Iiv-6 Inhibits Nf-Kappab Responses In Drosophila, Cara C. West, Florentina Rus, Ying Chen, Anni Kleino, Monique Gangloff, Don B. Gammon, Neal S. Silverman

Neal Silverman

The host immune response and virus-encoded immune evasion proteins pose constant, mutual selective pressure on each other. Virally encoded immune evasion proteins also indicate which host pathways must be inhibited to allow for viral replication. Here, we show that IIV-6 is capable of inhibiting the two Drosophila NF-kappaB signaling pathways, Imd and Toll. Antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene induction downstream of either pathway is suppressed when cells infected with IIV-6 are also stimulated with Toll or Imd ligands. We find that cleavage of both Imd and Relish, as well as Relish nuclear translocation, three key points in Imd signal transduction, occur …

Comparison Study Of The Averaged Sediment Microbial Enzyme Activities In Four Fecally-Contaminated Streams In The Same Watershed In Northeast Tennessee To Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate Concentration, And Phosphate Concentration, Brian G. Evanshen, Kurt J. Maier, Phillip R. Scheuerman

Phillip R. Scheuerman

Microbial enzyme activities (MEA’s) are measurements of microbial metabolism. These activities are dependent on the need for nutrients and respiration. This extended study evaluated four streams in the same watershed that had an approved fecal coliform Total Maximum Daily Load. Sediment and water samples were collected monthly for the first year of each specific stream study, and then quarterly to the end of 2006. Dehydrogenase, a measure of microbial respiration, along with acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, galactosidase and glucosidase activities were measured using colorimetric assays. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was determined using the standard 5-day test (BOD₅). Nitrate …

Comparison Of Microbial Water Quality Parameters Of Four Geographically Similar Creeks In Northeast Tennessee, Kimberlee K. Hall, L. K. Gallagher, Brian G. Evanshen, Kurt J. Maier, Phillip R. Scheuerman

Phillip R. Scheuerman

Four creeks within the Watauga River watershed in Northeast Tennessee are routinely monitored for water quality assessments. To identify sources and monitor remediation, Sinking Creek, Cash Hollow Creek, Buffalo Creek and Boones Creek are monitored for chemical and microbial parameters. These parameters include phosphates, nitrates, BOD and fecal coliforms. Sinking Creek is a tributary of the Watauga River with 10 miles of impaired water. Cash Hollow Creek enters the Watauga River at river mile 11.4 with 3.4 miles of impaired water. Boones Creek contains 18.6 impaired miles while the status of water quality in Buffalo Creek is not yet determined. …

Comparison Study Of Sediment Microbial Enzyme Activities To Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrate Concentration, Phosphate Concentration In The Sediments Of A Fecally-Contaminated Stream In Northeast Tennessee Relative To Season And Land Use, Brian G. Evanshen, Kurt J. Maier, Phillip R. Scheuerman

Phillip R. Scheuerman

Microbial metabolism reacts quickly to environmental conditions. These reactions are dependent on the need for nutrients and respiration and can be measured using an assay of individual microbial enzyme activities (MEA’s). In this study, we measured MEA’s in the sediments of a stream in northeast Tennessee that had an approved fecal coliform Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). These values were compared to biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), phosphate concentration and nitrate concentration in the water column of this stream. Comparisons were grouped by season and land use. Stream sediments and water were collected monthly for one year and then quarterly for …

Molecular Evolution Of Dengue Type 2 Virus In Thailand, Rebeca Rico-Hesse, Lisa M. Harrison, Ananda Nisalak, David W. Vaughn, Siripen Kalayanarooj, Sharone Green, Alan L. Rothman, Francis A. Ennis

Sharone Green

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that in recent years has become a major international public health concern. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), first recognized in Southeast Asia in the 1950s, is today a leading cause of childhood death in many countries. The pathogenesis of this illness is poorly understood, mainly because there are no laboratory or animal models of disease. We have studied the genetic relationships of dengue viruses of serotype 2, one of four antigenically distinct dengue virus groups, to determine if viruses obtained from cases of less severe dengue fever (DF) have distinct evolutionary origins from those obtained …

Suggested Reference Ranges In Clinical Chemistry For Apparently Healthy Males And Females Of Pakistan., Ayesha Molla, Mohammad Khurshid, William T. Manser, Rukhsana Lalani, Anis Alam, Zubaida Mohammad

Mohammad Khurshid

Abstract Seven hundred and eighty six apparently healthy males (418) and females (368) aged 0-69 years were randomly selected for estimation of reference ranges of 24 serum analytes at the clinical chemistry laboratory of The Ago Khon University Hospital (AKUH). Of the total study samples, 56% (439/786) were in the poediatric age group (0-14 years) and 44% (347/786) in the adult (1 5_60 years) group. Beckman Astra Ideal Autoanalyzer was used for all the estimations. Moon and standard deviations (SD) were calculated for each of the age groups. Reference ranges were calculated following standard methods of the International Federation of …

Frequency Of Hereditary Thrombophilia: An Akuh Experience., Safoorah Khalid, Raihan Sajid, Salman Adil, Mohammad Khurshid

Mohammad Khurshid

Abstract Objective: To determine the frequency of various causes of hereditary thrombophilia at a referral laboratory and the age and gender distribution. Methods: This is a descriptive study incorporating a retrospective analysis of requests for thrombophilia screening sent to Clinical laboratory, Aga Khan University Hospital from November 1995 to May 2002.Patients were screened for hereditary causes of thrombophilia including Protein C, Protein S, antithrombin III, Factor V Leiden and homocysteine. Frequency of each disorder; and age and sex distribution was determined. Results: All the patients suspected clinically for thrombophilia were screened. Of the 2825 patients, 70 were diagnosed to have …

Does Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (Rdw) Improve Evaluation Of Microcytic Anaemias?, Muhammad Sajjad Baqar, Mohammad Khurshid, A Molla

Mohammad Khurshid

Abstract The red cell distribution width (RDW) is an index of the variation in red cells size (anisocytosis). A study was conducted to examine the validity of using RDW in improving classification of microcytic anaemias. A total of 300 blood samples collected from a patient population aged 3 months to 55 years who were referred for haemoglobin electrophoresis were examined at The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). On complete blood count, initially 200 patients (66.6%) were found to have hypochromic microcytic anaemia. Following haemoglobin electrophoresis 41% (821200) patients were diagnosed to have thalassemia minor and 59% (1181200) had hypochromic microcytic …

Chromosomal Abnormalities In Primary Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Anila Rashid, Mohammad Khurshid, Usman Shaikh, Salman Adil

Mohammad Khurshid

Objective: To determine the frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities in patients diagnosed as primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) using conventional karyotyping. Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: The Clinical Laboratory, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, between January 2006 - June 2012. Methodology: Patients of all ages and either gender who fulfilled WHO criteria for MDS were included. Cytogenetic analysis was conducted at the time of diagnosis. Patients who had secondary MDS were excluded from analysis. Chromosome identification and karyotype description was done according to the International System for Chromosome Nomenclature (ISCN, 1995) and described as frequency percentage. Results: …

Dengue Virus Ns2b/Ns3 Protease Inhibitors Exploiting The Prime Side, Kuan-Hung Lin, Akbar Ali, Linah Rusere, Djade I. Soumana, Nese Kurt Yilmaz, Celia A. Schiffer

Celia A. Schiffer

The mosquito-transmitted dengue virus (DENV) infects millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions. Maturation of DENV particles requires proper cleavage of the viral polyprotein, including processing of 8 of the 13 substrate cleavage sites by dengue virus NS2B/NS3 protease. With no available direct-acting antiviral targeting DENV, NS2/NS3 protease is a promising target for inhibitor design. Current design efforts focus on the nonprime side of the DENV protease active site, resulting in highly hydrophilic and nonspecific scaffolds. However, the prime side also significantly modulates DENV protease binding affinity, as revealed by engineering the binding loop of aprotinin, a small protein …

Freshwater Fungal Infections, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Dennis J. Baumgardner, MD

Fungal infections as a result of freshwater exposure or trauma are fortunately rare. Etiologic agents are varied, but commonly include filamentous fungi and Candida. This narrative review describes various sources of potential freshwater fungal exposure and the diseases that may result, including fungal keratitis, acute otitis externa and tinea pedis, as well as rare deep soft tissue or bone infections and pulmonary or central nervous system infections following traumatic freshwater exposure during natural disasters or near-drowning episodes. Fungal etiology should be suspected in appropriate scenarios when bacterial cultures or molecular tests are normal or when the infection worsens or fails …

Symptomatic Surgically Treated Non-Neoplastic Cysts Of The Central Nervous System: A Clinicopathological Study From Pakistan, Nasir Ud Din, Huma Arshad, Zubair Ahmad, Sheema H Hasan, Mohammad Ehsan Bar

Zubair Ahmad

Objective: To report clinicopathologic features of symptomatic surgically removed non-neoplastic cysts of the central nervous system (CNS). Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 2003 to 2012. Methodology: All non-neoplastic CNS cysts reported during the study period were retrieved and reviewed. Age, gender, location, histologic type and clinical features were noted. Results: A total of 124 cysts were diagnosed in the study period. These included 44 epidermoid cysts (mean age 30.5 ± 13.8 years), 35 colloid cysts (mean age 31 ± 13.2 years), 32 arachnoid cysts (mean age 24.8 ± 20.2 …

Histological Pattern Of Ovarian Neoplasma., Zubair Ahmad, Naila Kayani, Sheema H. Hasan, Suhail Muzaffar, Muhammad Shafiq Gill

Zubair Ahmad

Abstract Objective: To see the morphological pattern of benign and malignant ovarian neoplasms. Method: Retrospective study of all consecutive cases of ovarian neoplasms diagnosed at Aga Khan University Hospital between 1st January 1993 and 30th September 1998. Setting: The Section of Histopathology, AKUH, Karachi. Observation: Of 855 ovarian tumours 506 (59.18%) were benign and 349(40.81%) malignant. Surface epithelial - stromal tumours comprised 63.50% of all tumours. Benign cystic teratoma was the commonest benign tumour (35.17% of all benign tumours) and serous cystadenocarcinoma was the commonest malignant tumour (33.33% of all malignant tumours). Mucinous cystadenocarcinomas are more common in our population …

Frequency Of Hereditary Thrombophilia: An Akuh Experience., Safoorah Khalid, Raihan Sajid, Salman Adil, Mohammad Khurshid

Salman Naseem Adil

Abstract Objective: To determine the frequency of various causes of hereditary thrombophilia at a referral laboratory and the age and gender distribution. Methods: This is a descriptive study incorporating a retrospective analysis of requests for thrombophilia screening sent to Clinical laboratory, Aga Khan University Hospital from November 1995 to May 2002.Patients were screened for hereditary causes of thrombophilia including Protein C, Protein S, antithrombin III, Factor V Leiden and homocysteine. Frequency of each disorder; and age and sex distribution was determined. Results: All the patients suspected clinically for thrombophilia were screened. Of the 2825 patients, 70 were diagnosed to have …

Emergence Of Carbapenem Resistant Gram Negative And Vancomycin Resistant Gram Positive Organisms In Bacteremic Isolates Of Febrile Neutropenic Patients: A Descriptive Study., Seema Irfan, Faiza Idrees, Vikram Mehraj, Faizah Habib, Salman Adil, Rumina Hasan

Salman Naseem Adil

Background:This study was conducted to evaluate drug resistance amongst bacteremic isolates of febrile neutropenic Patients with particular emphasis on emergence of carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacteria and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus species. Methods: A descriptive study was performed by reviewing the blood culture reports from febrile neutropenic Patients during the two study periods i.e., 1999-00 and 2001-06. Blood cultures were performed using BACTEC 9240 automated system. Isolates were identified and antibiotic sensitivities were done using standard microbiological procedures. Results: Seven twenty six febrile neutropenic Patients were admitted during the study period. A total of 5840 blood cultures were received, off these …

Chromosomal Abnormalities In Primary Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Anila Rashid, Mohammad Khurshid, Usman Shaikh, Salman Adil

Salman Naseem Adil

Objective: To determine the frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities in patients diagnosed as primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) using conventional karyotyping. Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: The Clinical Laboratory, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, between January 2006 - June 2012. Methodology: Patients of all ages and either gender who fulfilled WHO criteria for MDS were included. Cytogenetic analysis was conducted at the time of diagnosis. Patients who had secondary MDS were excluded from analysis. Chromosome identification and karyotype description was done according to the International System for Chromosome Nomenclature (ISCN, 1995) and described as frequency percentage. Results: …

Type I Interferon Induction By Neisseria Gonorrhoeae: Dual Requirement Of Cyclic Gmp-Amp Synthase And Toll-Like Receptor 4, Warrison A. Andrade, Sarika Agarwal, Shunyan Mo, Scott A. Shaffer, Joseph P. Dillard, Tobias Schmidt, Veit Hornung, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Evelyn A. Kurt-Jones, Douglas T. Golenbock

Katherine A. Fitzgerald

The innate immune system is the first line of defense against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC). Exposure of cells to GC lipooligosaccharides induces a strong immune response, leading to type I interferon (IFN) production via TLR4/MD-2. In addition to living freely in the extracellular space, GC can invade the cytoplasm to evade detection and elimination. Double-stranded DNA introduced into the cytosol binds and activates the enzyme cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), which produces 2'3'-cGAMP and triggers STING/TBK-1/IRF3 activation, resulting in type I IFN expression. Here, we reveal a cytosolic response to GC DNA that also contributes to type I IFN induction. We demonstrate that …

Blastomyces: Why Be Dimorphic?, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Dennis J. Baumgardner, MD

In introducing the infectious disease focus for this edition of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, the author describes the unsolved mysteries surrounding the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces and the related pathogenesis of pulmonary blastomycosis.

Disease-Causing Fungi In Homes And Yards In The Midwestern United States, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Dennis J. Baumgardner, MD

A number of fungal pathogens that may result in a variety of human diseases are found in residential homes and yards. The growth of these microscopic fungi is often favored by particular characteristics of the dwelling and nearby outdoor environment. Evolved virulence factors or increased ability of specific fungi to grow in diverse, and sometimes harsh, microenvironments presented by the domestic environment may promote growth and pathogenesis. Infection may occur by inhalation or direct inoculation and include endemic fungi in addition to opportunistic or emerging species. Systemic or locally aggressive fungal infections are particularly likely and may be life-threatening in …

Changes In Gut And Plasma Microbiome Following Exercise Challenge In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Me/Cfs), Sanjay K. Shukla, Dane B. Cook, Jacob Meyer, Suzanne D. Vernon, Thảo Lê, Derek Clevidence, Charles E. Robertson, Steven J. Schrodi, Steven Yale, Daniel N. Frank

Jacob Meyer

Use Of Energy Healing Medicine Against Escherichia Coli For Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Biochemical Reaction And Biotyping, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Gopal Nayak, Mayank Gangwar, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Antibiogram, Biochemical Reactions And Biotyping Of Biofield Treated Providencia Rettgeri, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Gopal Nayak, Sambhu Charan Mondal, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Antibiogram Of Biofield-Treated Shigella Boydii: Global Burden Of Infections, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Gopal Nayak, Sambhu Charan Mondal, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

In Vitro Evaluation Of Antifungal Sensitivity Assay Of Biofield Energy Treated Fungi, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Gopal Nayak, Khemraj Bairwa, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Assessment Of Antibiogram Of Multidrug-Resistant Isolates Of Enterobacter Aerogenes After Biofield Energy Treatment, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Harish Shettigar, Gopal Nayak, Mayank Gangwar, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Antibiogram Typing Of Biofield Treated Multidrug Resistant Strains Of Staphylococcus Species, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Gopal Nayak, Mayank Gangwar, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Antimicrobial Sensitivity, Biochemical Characteristics And Biotyping Of Staphylococcus Saprophyticus: An Impact Of Biofield Energy Treatment, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Gopal Nayak, Sambhu Charan Mondal, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

Effect Of Biofield Energy Treatment On Streptococcus Group B: A Postpartum Pathogen, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Alice Branton, Dahryn Trivedi, Gopal Nayak, Harish Shettigar, Sambhu Charan Mondal, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi

In Vitro Evaluation Of Biofield Treatment On Cancer Biomarkers Involved In Endometrial And Prostate Cancer Cell Lines, Mahendra Kumar Trivedi, Shrikant Patil, Harish Shettigar, Mayank Gangwar, Snehasis Jana

Mahendra Kumar Trivedi