Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Advancing Drug Delivery Systems For The Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis, I. Tabansky, M. D. Messina, C. Bangeranye, J. Goldstein, K. M. Blitz-Shabbir, S. Machado, V. Jeganathan, P. Wright, S. Najjar, J. N. Stern

Joel N.H. Stern

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. It is characterized by demyelination of neurons and loss of neuronal axons and oligodendrocytes. In MS, auto-reactive T cells and B cells cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), causing perivenous demyelinating lesions that form multiple discrete inflammatory demyelinated plaques located primarily in the white matter. In chronic MS, cortical demyelination and progressive axonal transections develop. Treatment for MS can be stratified into disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and symptomatic therapy. DMTs aim to decrease circulating immune cells or to prevent these cells from crossing the BBB and reduce the …

A Pilot Study Of Deaf Trauma Survivors’ Experiences: Early Traumas Unique To Being Deaf In A Hearing World, Melissa L. Anderson, Kelly S. Wolf Craig, Wyatte C. Hall, Douglas M. Ziedonis

Melissa L. Anderson

Conducting semi-structured American Sign Language interviews with 17 Deaf trauma survivors, this pilot study explored Deaf individuals’ trauma experiences and whether these experiences generally align with trauma in the hearing population. Most commonly reported traumas were physical assault, sudden unexpected deaths, and “other” very stressful events. Although some “other” events overlap with traumas in the general population, many are unique to Deaf people (e.g., corporal punishment at oral/aural school if caught using sign language, utter lack of communication with hearing parents). These findings suggest that Deaf individuals may experience developmental traumas distinct to being raised in a hearing world. Such …

Bilateral Renal Artery Thrombosis Secondary To Blunt Trauma: Case Report And Review Of The Literature., P Frassinelli, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, C Reckard, J Goodreau, G Sherwin

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

No abstract provided.

Gender Differences In Cognitive Deficits In Schizophrenia With And Without Diabetes, Bao Hua J. Zhang, Mei Han, Xiang Yang Zhang, Li Hui, Shu Rong Jiang, Fu-De Yang, Yun Long Tan, Zhi-Ren Wang, Juan Li, Xu-Feng Huang

Xu-Feng Huang

This study investigated gender differences in cognition in schizophrenia with and without diabetes. Cognition was assessed in 263 individuals with schizophrenia with age range (40-68): 67 males and 34 females with schizophrenia with diabetes; and 125 males and 37 females with schizophrenia without diabetes according to the repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS). Fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lipid levels were measured. Results showed that male individuals performed worse on most cognitive tasks, especially attention, in schizophrenia with than without diabetes. This result was not observed in female individuals. Also, individuals of both genders showed higher …

Central Administrations Of Palmitic Acid And Arachidonic Acid Decrease Central Leptin Sensitivity In Mice, L Cheng, Xu-Feng Huang, Y Yu

Xu-Feng Huang

Purpose: Leptin inhibits feeding and increases energy expenditure through the central nervous system. High-fat diet with saturated fatty acids (SFA) or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) has been reported to induce central leptin resistance and obesity. However, little is known if central administration of SFA or n-6 PUFA can reduce central leptin sensitivity. This study examined the central leptin sensitivity in response to intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of SFA, palmitic acid (PA) and n-6 PUFA, arachidonic acid (ARA) in mice. Methods: After overnight fasting, C57BL/6J male mice (n=24/group) were i.c.v. injected with either PA (50pmol/2ul), ARA (50pmol/2ul) or vehicle (saline, …

Arcuate Npy Controls Sympathetic Output And Bat Function Via A Relay Of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Neurons In The Pvn, Yan-Chuan Shi, Jackie Lau, Zhou Lin, Hui Zhang, Lei Zhai, Guenther Sperk, Regine Heilbronn, Mario Mietzsch, Stefan Weger, Xu-Feng Huang, Ronaldo F. Enriquez, Lesley Castillo, Paul A. Baldock, Lei Zhang, Amanda Sainsbury, Herbert Herzog, Shu Lin

Xu-Feng Huang

Neuropepetide Y (NPY) is best known for its powerful stimulation of food intake and its effects on reducing energy expenditure. However, the pathways involved and the regulatory mechanisms behind this are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that NPY derived from the arcuate nucleus (Arc) is critical for the control of sympathetic outflow and brown adipose tissue (BAT) function. Mechanistically, a key change induced by Arc NPY signaling is a marked Y1 receptor-mediated reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which is also associated with a reduction in TH expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) …

A Neuregulin 1 Transmembrane Domain Mutation Causes Imbalanced Glutamatergic And Dopaminergic Receptor Expression In Mice, K A. Newell, T Karl, Xu-Feng Huang

Xu-Feng Huang

The neuregulin 1 gene has repeatedly been identified as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, thus mice with genetic mutations in this gene offer a valuable tool for studying the role of neuregulin 1 in schizophrenia-related neurotransmission. In this study, slide-based receptor autoradiography was used to quantify glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), dopaminergic D2, cannabinoid CB1 and acetylcholine M1/4 receptor levels in the brains of male heterozygous transmembrane domain neuregulin 1 mutant (Nrg1+/−) mice at two ages. Mutant mice expressed small but significant increases in NMDA receptor levels in the cingulate cortex (7%, p = 0.044), sensory cortex (8%, p = 0.024), and …

Ameliorating Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain By Betahistine: Mechanisms And Clinical Implications, Jiamei Lian, Xu-Feng Huang, Nagesh B. Pai, Chao Deng

Xu-Feng Huang

Second generation antipsychotic drugs (SGAs) cause substantial body weight gain/obesity and other metabolic side-effects such as dyslipidaemia. Their antagonistic affinity to the histaminergic H1 receptor (H1R) has been identified as one of the main contributors to weight gain/obesity side-effects. The effects and mechanisms of betahistine (a histaminergic H1R agonist and H3 receptor antagonist) have been investigated for ameliorating SGA-induced weight gain/obesity in both animal models and clinical trials. It has been demonstrated that co-treatment with betahistine is effective in reducing weight gain, associated with olanzapine in drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia, as well as in the animal models of both drug-naïve …

Altered Il-2, Il-6 And Il-8 Serum Levels In Schizophrenia Patients With Tardive Dyskinesia, Hui-Mei An, Yun Long Tan, Jing Shi, Zhi-Ren Wang, Jair C. Soars, Jing Qin Wu, Fu-De Yang, Xu-Feng Huang, Xiang Yang Zhang

Xu-Feng Huang

Immune deregulation has been postulated to be one of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of tardive dyskinesia (TD). We hypothesized that interleukins would have a link with TD in schizophrenia patients. In this study, the serum IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in schizophrenia patients with TD (n = 48) and without TD (n = 45), and healthy controls (n = 44). The psychopathological symptoms of schizophrenia were assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The severity of TD was evaluated using Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). The results showed that serum …

Arcuate Npy Controls Sympathetic Output And Bat Function Via A Relay Of Tyrosine Hydroxylase Neurons In The Pvn, Yan-Chuan Shi, Jackie Lau, Zhou Lin, Hui Zhang, Lei Zhai, Guenther Sperk, Regine Heilbronn, Mario Mietzsch, Stefan Weger, Xu-Feng Huang, Ronaldo F. Enriquez, Lesley Castillo, Paul A. Baldock, Lei Zhang, Amanda Sainsbury, Herbert Herzog, Shu Lin

Xu-Feng Huang

Neuropepetide Y (NPY) is best known for its powerful stimulation of food intake and its effects on reducing energy expenditure. However, the pathways involved and the regulatory mechanisms behind this are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that NPY derived from the arcuate nucleus (Arc) is critical for the control of sympathetic outflow and brown adipose tissue (BAT) function. Mechanistically, a key change induced by Arc NPY signaling is a marked Y1 receptor-mediated reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which is also associated with a reduction in TH expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) …

Ameliorating Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain By Betahistine: Mechanisms And Clinical Implications, Jiamei Lian, Xu-Feng Huang, Nagesh B. Pai, Chao Deng

Xu-Feng Huang

Second generation antipsychotic drugs (SGAs) cause substantial body weight gain/obesity and other metabolic side-effects such as dyslipidaemia. Their antagonistic affinity to the histaminergic H1 receptor (H1R) has been identified as one of the main contributors to weight gain/obesity side-effects. The effects and mechanisms of betahistine (a histaminergic H1R agonist and H3 receptor antagonist) have been investigated for ameliorating SGA-induced weight gain/obesity in both animal models and clinical trials. It has been demonstrated that co-treatment with betahistine is effective in reducing weight gain, associated with olanzapine in drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia, as well as in the animal models of both drug-naïve …

An Analysis Of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors 2/3 And 5 In Schizophrenia, Major Depression And Bipolar Disorder From The Stanley Neuropathology Consortium, N Matosin, E Frank, F Fernandez, C Deng, J Wong, Xu-Feng Huang, K A. Newell

Xu-Feng Huang

Purpose: Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are proposed novel therapeutic targets for a variety of brain disorders such as schizophrenia (SZ), bipolar disorder (BP) and major depression (MD). Despite their potential, the involvement of these receptors in these pathological processes is uncertain. This information is crucial to understand the efficiency of drugs that target these receptors. Methods: Using post-mortem human brains, mGluR2/3 and mGluR5 binding densities were measured in the anterior cingulate cortex of SZ, BP, MD and matched controls (CT) (n=15/group) by receptor autoradiography. Results: Whilst preliminary analyses indicated no diagnostic effect in mGluR2/3 or mGluR5 binding densities, mGluR2/3 binding …

A Neuregulin 1 Transmembrane Domain Mutation Causes Imbalanced Glutamatergic And Dopaminergic Receptor Expression In Mice, K A. Newell, T Karl, Xu-Feng Huang

Xu-Feng Huang

The neuregulin 1 gene has repeatedly been identified as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia, thus mice with genetic mutations in this gene offer a valuable tool for studying the role of neuregulin 1 in schizophrenia-related neurotransmission. In this study, slide-based receptor autoradiography was used to quantify glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), dopaminergic D2, cannabinoid CB1 and acetylcholine M1/4 receptor levels in the brains of male heterozygous transmembrane domain neuregulin 1 mutant (Nrg1+/−) mice at two ages. Mutant mice expressed small but significant increases in NMDA receptor levels in the cingulate cortex (7%, p = 0.044), sensory cortex (8%, p = 0.024), and …

Ameliorating Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain By Betahistine: Mechanisms And Clinical Implications, Jiamei Lian, Xu-Feng Huang, Nagesh B. Pai, Chao Deng

Xu-Feng Huang

Second generation antipsychotic drugs (SGAs) cause substantial body weight gain/obesity and other metabolic side-effects such as dyslipidaemia. Their antagonistic affinity to the histaminergic H1 receptor (H1R) has been identified as one of the main contributors to weight gain/obesity side-effects. The effects and mechanisms of betahistine (a histaminergic H1R agonist and H3 receptor antagonist) have been investigated for ameliorating SGA-induced weight gain/obesity in both animal models and clinical trials. It has been demonstrated that co-treatment with betahistine is effective in reducing weight gain, associated with olanzapine in drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia, as well as in the animal models of both drug-naïve …

Regional Campuses And Long Distance Relationships: Making Them Work, Robert D. Barraco Md, Mph, Margaret A. Hadinger Edd, Ms, M. Edwyn Harrison Md, Joseph M. Kaczmarczyk Do, Mph

Margaret A. Hadinger, EdD, MS

No abstract provided.

The Incidence Of Falls In Intensive Care Survivors, Shane M. Patman, Diane Dennis, Kylie Hill

Shane Patman

Background: Falling among adults in acute care is an important problem with falls rates in tertiary hospitals ranging from 2% to 5%. Factors that increase the risk of falling, such as advanced age, altered mental status, medications that act on the central nervous system and poor mobility, often characterise individuals who survive a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Purpose: To measure the incidence of falls and describe the characteristics of fallers among intensive care survivors.

Methods: A comprehensive retrospective chart review was undertaken of 190 adults who were intubated and ventilated for ≥168 h and survived their acute care …

Intensive Care Unit Mobility Practices In Australia And New Zealand: A Point Prevalence Study, Susan C. Berney, Megan Harrold, Steven A. Webb, Ian Seppelt, Shane Patman, Peter J. Thomas, Linda Denehy

Shane Patman

Objectives:

To develop a comprehensive set of items describing physiotherapy mobilisation practices for critically ill patients, and to document current practices in intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand, focusing on patients having > 48 hours of mechanical ventilation.

Design:

Prospective, observational, multicentre, single-day, point prevalence study.

Participants and Setting:

All patients in 38 Australian and New Zealand ICUs at 10 am on one of three designated days in 2009 and 2010.

Main Outcome Measures:

Demographic data, admission diagnosis and mobilisation practices that had occurred in the previous 24 hours.

Results:

514 patients were enrolled, with 498 complete datasets. Mean …

Seeing It Helps: Movement-Related Back Pain Is Reduced By Visualization Of The Back During Movement, Benedict M. Wand, Verity M. Tulloch, Pamela J. George, Anne J. Smith, Roger Goucke, Neil E. O'Connell, G Lorimer Moseley

Pamela George

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether visualization of the back influenced parameters of movement-related pain in people with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Methods: We used a randomized cross-over experiment in which 25 participants performed repeated lumbar spine movements under 2 conditions. In the visual feedback condition, patients were able to visualize their back as it moved by the use of mirrors. In the control condition, the mirror was covered so no visualization of the back was possible. Results: The average postmovement pain intensity after participants had moved with visual feedback was less (35.5+/-22.8 mm) than …

Eccentric Fatigue Modulates Stretch-Shortening Cycle Effectiveness - A Possible Role In Lower Limb Overuse Injuries, James R. Debenham, M Travers, William Gibson, A Campbell, G Allison

William Gibson

The role of fatigue in injury development is an important consideration for clinicians. In particular, the role of eccentric fatigue in stretch shortening cycle (SSC) activities may be linked to lower limb overuse conditions. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of ankle plantarflexor eccentric fatigue on SSC effectiveness during a hopping task in healthy volunteers. 11 healthy volunteers (23.2 ± 6.7 years) performed a sub-maximal hopping task on a custom- built sledge system. 3D motion capture and surface EMG were utilised to measure lower limb stiffness, temporal kinematic measures and muscle timing measures at baseline and …

Chronic Mid Portion Achilles Tendinopathy Is Not Associated With Central Sensitisation, Ian W. Skinner, James R. Debenham, Sarah Krumenachera, Max K. Bulsara, Benedict M. Wand

James Debenham

Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is a common painful and disabling condition and current understanding of its pathophysiology is incomplete. Widespread hyperalgesia as a clinical manifestation of central sensitisation has emerged as a possible contributor to the pain state in chronic musculoskeletal injuries. Eight AT participants and eight healthy, gender, age and activity matched participants were recruited to participate in a case-controlled repeated measures study. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured with a manual electronic algometer at four sites bilaterally; tibialis anterior (TA), patella tendon (PT), common wrist extensor tendon (CWET), and first dorsal interosseous (1DI). We hypothesised a reduction in PPT …

Are There Associations Among Physical Activity, Fatigue, Sleep Quality And Pain In People With Mental Illness? A Pilot Study, Joanne Connaughton, Shane Patman, C Pardoe

Joanne Connaughton

Accessible summary

• Many people with mental health disorders experience fatigue, pain and poor sleep. In other patient groups, physical exercise has been shown to have positive effects on these symptoms.

• It is unknown whether day-to-day physical activity (not necessarily exercise) affects sleep quality or severity of pain or fatigue in those with mental illness.

• This study observed physical activity, sleep quality, pain and fatigue in four people hospitalized with severe mental illness.

• Significant associations were found between pain and fatigue severity in the morning, but not in the evening. A significant association was found between physical activity and morning and …

Differential Metabolomic Profiling Of Skov3 Ovarian Cancer Cells In 3-Dimensional Suspension And 2d Monolayers, Greg Tan

Greg Tan

No abstract provided.

Inhibition And Dis-Inhibition In Human Motor Cortex Studied With Magnetic Brain Stimulation, A Heaton, B Silbert, R Cash, Greg Tan, G Thickbroom

Greg Tan

No abstract provided.

Pbl And Learning Objectives In Physiology: A Layer Of Complexity Or A Conundrum?, Greg Tan

Greg Tan

No abstract provided.

Cd1e Polymorphisms And Function Relationship In Africans, Brazilians And Caucasians, Felipe S. Duque, Greg Tan

Greg Tan

No abstract provided.

A Level Of Discomfort! Exploring The Relationship Between Maternal Sexual Health Knowledge, Religiosity And Comfort Discussing Sexual Health Issues With Adolescents, Fiona Farringdon, Courtney Holgate, Fleur Mcintyre, Max Bulsara

Fleur McIntyre

This pilot study explored if a relationship existed between maternal sexual health knowledge, religiosity and comfort discussing sexual health issues with adolescents. Seventy-six mothers with adolescent children aged between 10 and 19 completed a combined survey addressing religiosity, sexual health knowledge and comfort discussing sexual health issues. Mann–Whitney U tests were performed to compare the median scores, Spearman’s rho tests were performed to determine correlations between the median scores, Fisher’s exact tests were computed to test for significant differences between proportions and a logistic regression model was used to investigate significant factors. No significant differences or relationships between maternal total …

An Interdisciplinary Approach In Identifying The Legitimate Regulator Of Anti-Doping In Sport: The Case Of The Australian Football League, Lisa Gowthorp, Annette Greenhow, Danny O'Brien

Lisa Gowthorp

The regulation of anti-doping practices in Australian sport is overseen by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), which is a statutory authority funded by the Australian Commonwealth Government (ACG). The 2013 ASADA investigation into the Essendon Football Club (EFC) uncovered the alleged use of performance and image enhancing drugs by a number of players and support personnel. However, despite the call for sanctions to be placed on those taking banned substances, ASADA itself became the central focus of enquiry with the EFC questioning the legitimacy of ASADA's authority in their management of the investigation. Using content analysis and Bourdieu's conceptual …

Elite Sport Culture And Policy Interrelationships: The Case Of Sprint Canoe In Australia, Popi Sotiriadou, Lisa Gowthorp, Veerle De Bosscher

Lisa Gowthorp

In recent years, elite sport policy has received considerable research attention. However, to date the emphasis of such studies has been the examination of policies as stand-alone entities and the ways each policy may impact athlete performance rather than how policies influence each other. This study explores the elite sport policy interrelationships of Sprint Canoe in order to explain the dynamic links between policies and how they may affect performance. To explore these links in depth, interviews with coaches, high performance managers and athletes from Sprint Canoe in Australia were conducted. The findings of this study offer a contribution to …

Science And Pre-Health Networking Event: Invited Lecturer, Raymond L. Singer Md

Raymond L Singer MD

No abstract provided.

Value-Based Medicine: The Financial Impact Of A Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program On A Trauma Population, Jayme D. Lieberman Md, Patrick S. Duffy Md, Kai L. Bortz Rn, Rovinder S. Sandhu Md, Michael D. Pasquale Md, Facs, Fccm, Michael M. Badellino Md

Michael D Pasquale MD, FACS, FCCM

No abstract provided.