Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Simvastatin Enhances Immune Responses To Aβ Vaccination And Attenuates Vaccination-Induced Behavioral Alterations, Jinghong Kou, Hong-Duck Kim, Jingji Jin, Dongfeng Cao, Ling Li, Robert Lalonde, Ken-Ichiro Fukuchi

NYMC Faculty Publications

Statins are widely used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis. Some evidence has indicated that statins might have therapeutic and preventive benefits for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We and others also have shown the beneficial effect of statin treatment in reversing learning and memory deficits in animal models of AD. However, data from clinical trials are inconclusive. We previously documented that the adenovirus vector encoding 11 tandem repeats of Aβ1-6 fused to the receptor-binding domain (Ia) of Pseudomonas exotoxin A, AdPEDI-(Aβ1-6)(11), is effective in inducing an immune response against amyloid-β protein (Aβ) and reducing brain Aβ load in Alzheimer's …

Chironian Fall/Winter 2010, New York Medical College

The Chironian

No abstract provided.

Mechanisms Of Oxidant Generation By Catalase, Diane E. Heck, Michael Shakarjian, Hong-Duck Kim, Jeffrey Laskin, Anna M. Vetrano

NYMC Faculty Publications

The enzyme catalase converts solar radiation into reactive oxidant species (ROS). In this study, we report that several bacterial catalases (hydroperoxidases, HP), including Escherichia coli HP-I and HP-II also generate reactive oxidants in response to ultraviolet B light (UVB). HP-I and HP-II are identical except for the presence of NADPH. We found that only one of the catalases, HPI, produces oxidants in response to UVB light, indicating a potential role for the nucleotide in ROS production. This prompts us to speculate that NADPH may act as a cofactor regulating ROS generation by mammalian catalases. Structural analysis of the NADPH domains …

Bmpa Is A Surface-Exposed Outer-Membrane Protein Of Borrelia Burgdorferi, Anton V. Bryksin, Alexandra Tomova, Henry P. Godfrey, Felipe C. Cabello

NYMC Faculty Publications

BmpA is an immunodominant protein of Borrelia burgdorferi as well as an arthritogenic factor. Rabbit antirecombinant BmpA (rBmpA) antibodies were raised, characterized by assaying their cross reactivity with rBmpB, rBmpC and rBmpD, and then rendered monospecific by absorption with rBmpB. This monospecific reagent reacted only with rBmpA in dot immunobinding and detected a single 39 kDa, pI 5.0, spot on two-dimensional immunoblots. It was used to assess the BmpA cellular location. BmpA was present in both detergent-soluble and -insoluble fractions of Triton X-114 phase-partitioned borrelial cells, suggesting that it was a membrane lipoprotein. Immunoblots of proteinase K-treated intact and Triton …

Chironian Spring/Summer 2010, New York Medical College

The Chironian

No abstract provided.

Diagnosis: Recurrent Ascites And Lower Extremity Edema In A 67-Year Old Female, Lea Alfi

Quill & Scope

In this clinical vignette, a third year medical student explores what may be ailing a 67-year old woman with ascites and lower extremity edema.

Can Cycles Of Neddylation And Deneddylation Provide Points For Possible Therapeutic Intervention?, Nadia Nocera

Quill & Scope

Neddylation plays a critical role in proteosomal degradation and the progression of the cell cycle. Inter- fering with the process of neddylation and deneddylation could provide points of therapy by promoting cell death or cell cycle arrest in cells that are undergoing rapid proliferation, such as in tumors. The cy- cle of neddylation and deneddylation is essential for cellular processes, and if it is inhibited or amplified in some way, this may disturb the proliferation of tumor and with further research, it may be used as a target for cancer therapy.

Life Fuel, Alanna Chait

Quill & Scope

No abstract provided.

Aspartame: A Sweet Toxin?, Atara Rena Degani

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanyl-methyl ester, commonly known as aspartame, is one of the most widely used and controversial sweeteners. Many have questioned the safety of this chemical, concerned that it may be neurotoxic and carcinogenic. Numerous studies have been conducted on the three basic constituents of aspartame: aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol; scientists have tried to determine whether the ingestion of aspartame will cause a significant increase in blood plasma levels of these chemicals, and whether such an increase is dangerous. This review analyzes various studies conducted on the health effects of these metabolitic byproducts of aspartame.

Atherosclerosis And Antioxidants, Yehoshua Lewis

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Cellular lipid oxidation is a known cause for the cascade leading to the formation of lipid laden foam cells, which can cause of atherosclerosis. While statins and antioxidants have recently come under question in the amelioration of atherosclerosis, Flavonoids have recently been touted as a powerful antioxidant and suppresser of atherosclerosis. This paper will attempt to show why statins and vitamin E have come under scrutiny, and how the desired effects of Flavonoids can be attributed to the role it plays in increased paraoxonase-1 activity (a known anti inflammatory associated with HDL), decreased C- Reactive protein activity, and increased nitric …

Cardiac Tissue Regeneration - The Use Of Stem Cells, Chavy Friedlander

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction to the article: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of illness and fatality. Diseases such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and subsequent congestive heart failure pose a serious problem to much of the population in the Unites States and all over the world. The heart’s compromised function that results from the above conditions is so influential as the heart has little capacity to repair its lost tissue; once the cardiac myocytes are destroyed its effects are amplified by a drastic decrease in cardiac function. Until recently with the advent of stem cell technology, researchers …

Cardiac Regeneration, Sara Leah Abraham

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the introduction to this article: Cardiovascular disease is a generic term that refers to any illness or disorder that involves the heart and its vessels or the blood vessels of the body. Cardiovascular disease has been accepted as the leading cause of death worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Vital Statistics Reports, twenty six percent of deaths in 2006, 631,636 in total, were caused by diseases of the heart (Heron et al. 2009).

One of the most common of all cardiovascular diseases is Ischaemic Heart Disease. This coronary artery disease often …

Telemedicine Management Of Diabetics In An Underserved Community, J. Paul Nielsen, Pranav Mehta

Quill & Scope

Information technology via telemedicine offers the potential for cost-effective and active management of type 2 diabetes mellitus for people in high-risk underserved communities such as Harlem, NY and the Bronx, NY. Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology for medical diagnostic, monitor- ing, and therapeutic purposes to communicate information instantaneously from one location to another, such as from a patients’ home to a hospital. We compared the baseline Hemoglobin A1C levels to the levels recorded after the patient was enrolled in the Housecalls telemedicine program for at least 3 months. The initial results indicate that the Housecalls program is effective …

A Lesson From Iran: Improving Rural Primary Health Care In The United States, Navid Shams

Quill & Scope

In 1979, about a third of Iran’s population was living in rural areas that were mostly out of contact with health services. In the times of change that followed the revolution, primitive infrastructure and lack of resources challenged the development of a rural primary health care program. Successful implementa- tion of novel techniques, such as the use of front line health workers, led to political commitment, the program’s expansion, and much improved health status indicators. The program is now considered the foremost example among rural primary care systems. Consequently, Iranian experts have recently begun aiding in the development of a …

Clostridium Difficile Associated Disease (Cdad), Rivka H. Borger

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Clostridium difficile bacteria (C. difficile) are a spore-forming species of bacteria that lies dormant in the colon, in the presence of normal intestinal flora. Due to overuse of certain antibiotics, normal intestinal bacteria may be depleted, and combined with other possible risk factors, allow C. difficile bacterial spores to develop into active, infectious, and extremely resistant toxin-producing bacteria. The toxins cause severe damage and inflammation to the intestinal wall that can result in gastrointestinal discomfort and severe pseudomembranous enterocolitis that must be treated with a low-risk C. difficile targeting defense.

Cholera: An Overview Of A Disease, Ezriel Leifer

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Although the disease, cholera, has been recognized since antiquity, the bacteria responsible for causing it was only discovered in the mid-19th century. Since 1817, cholera has spread on a global basis to cause seven pandemics. According to information reported to the World Health Organization in 1999, almost 8,500 people died and another 223,000 became sick with cholera worldwide. During the period between full outbreaks, the cholera organism, Vibrio cholerae, thrives in brackish waters, in harmless as well as disease-causing forms. Vibrio cholerae is just one of a variety of ocean-borne microbes that can sicken humans via seafood, drinking water, and …

Pompe’S Disease And The Effects Of Alpha-Glucosidase Deficiency, Aaron Richler

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the introduction of this article: The energy that the body needs in order to function is obtained from carbohydrates that we get through our diet. These carbohydrates are monosacharides, disaccharides and polysacharides. The polysaccharides and disaccharides are hydrolyzed to monosaccharide’s such glucose (which comprises roughly 80%) fructose and galactose. Most cells convert the fructose and galactose to glucose. The body can use the glucose or store it. If energy is needed, glucose can be oxidized through the many reactions of glycolysis which gives a net production of 2 ATP and 2 NADH from one …

Social Networking Tools In The Modern Era Of Human Rights Protection, Odessa Balumbu, Richard Fazio, Mera Geis, Michael Karsy

Quill & Scope

Human rights are fundamental liberties that should be guaranteed to all human beings. These include things such as access to education and health care, food security, freedom from persecution and access to shelter, safety and security. Human rights promotion and international development have become popular philanthropic efforts and new technology is helping younger generations participate more easily. Whether through activism, fundraising or volunteering, there are many ways to make a difference. Pro- moting the awareness of and access to human rights is a job everyone can and should be a part of.

It's Gonna Be All Right, Linda Demello

Quill & Scope

No abstract provided.

Planck Versus Poe: Scientific And Poetic Approaches, Anita Kelkar

Quill & Scope

P A M Dirac wrote that "In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by every- one, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it’s the exact opposite." Dirac's quote con- fronts us with the question: Do both the scientific and poetic approaches ultimately enjoy equal success in expanding human knowledge?

Another Look: Medical Cooperation And The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Danielle Masor

Quill & Scope

No abstract provided.

Cancer Education And Awareness Program: Education And Its Role In The Prevention Of Cancer, Sukhpreet Singh

Quill & Scope

As U.S. healthcare accelerates into an era of science fiction, we find that most diseases are treatable via technological intervention. This has, unfortunately, reduced the role of the physician as the patient’s teacher and advocate in the clinical setting. The Cancer Education and Awareness Program attempts to tackle one of the worst diagnoses a patient can receive, and dispel the misconceptions the general popu- lation has about the prevention of disease. We do this by reaching out to high school students in the local community, and through the method of storytelling, we teach them the science behind the disease. This …

An Examination Of Three Model Healthcare Delivery Systems, Gavin Stern

Quill & Scope

The United States is just now beginning its journey into a universal healthcare delivery system. On March 30, 2010, President Obama signed into law the “Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010” (H.R. 4872), which completed the work of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (H.R. 3590) signed on March 23, 2010. The effects of this legislation are phased in over the course of this new decade, but the final product is far from certain. Implementation could be legislated away with one election cycle. This article examines three model healthcare delivery systems that the United States could look …

Our Valhalla: Thirty-Eight Years Of The ’New’ Nymc, Gavin Stern

Quill & Scope

“Our Valhalla” describes the history of the New York Medical College Valhalla campus, now nearly 40 years old. The article details how the campus evolved into its present form, including events leading to the closing of Flower & Fifth Avenue Hospital. Research for this article included consultation with fac- ulty, articles from the New York Times, and archived yearbooks. Photographs were collected from the Health Sciences Library and are interspersed throughout the issue.

Excitoxicity In Retinal Ischemia And Treatment Using Non-Competitive Receptor Antagonists, Jacob Rube

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the article: Ischemia is defined as an inadequacy of blood flow to tissue. Ischemia can deprive tissue of oxygen and metabolic substrates and it can also prevent the removal of waste products. If the ischemia is maintained over enough time the tissue will lose its homeostasis and eventually die causing an infarct. Retinal ischemia occurs when the blood supply to the retina does not meet the metabolic needs that are required to sustain the retina. This can lead to retinal damage and severe vision loss. Ischemia is caused by occluded blood vessels.

Folic Acid And Neural Tube Defects, Rachel Leah Feinstein

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt of this article: Neural tube defects (NTD) are the most common types of birth defects. Research shows that folic acid taken periconceptionally greatly reduces the risk of having a NTD affected child. This paper will explain the role that folate plays in the metabolism, specifically in synthesizing methionine. It will bring evidence to show that methionine is crucial for normal neural tube development. In addition, it will explore the genetic factor involved in folate metabolism and possible folate deficiency.

Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer: An Analysis Of Fetal Treatment Risk, Melissa Barnett

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

There are several viable treatment options for patients with PABC considered un-harmful to fetal development. Trastusumab, or Herceptin, targets HER2 protein and successfully combats aggressive breast cancer. In standard doses, it appears to be safe to the fetus even when administered during the first trimester. A likely side effect of Herceptin is anhydramnios, which can be monitored for throughout the stages of a pregnancy (Shrim et al. 2008). Anthracyclines, commonly used in chemotherapy, appear to be non-toxic, and have been used to successfully cure PABC patients in their second and third trimester. However, first trimester spontaneous abortions are documented to …

The Nerve Cells Of The Retina, Penina Winkler

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The visual pathway in the retina consists of a chain of different nerve cells. Light first travels through all the layers until it reaches the photoreceptor layer, the rod and cone layer. Rods and cones use photopigments, which contain opsin and a chromophore, to help them convert light into energy. This energy is then passed on to the horizontal and bipolar cells. Horizontal cells prevent the hyperpolarization of peripheral rods and cones if needed, and they receive color-coded signals from cones that they then continue along the optic pathway. Bipolar cells can be divided into rod bipolar cells and cone …

Benefits Of Breastfeeding, Renee Chill

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

When a child is born, a mother can choose to breastfeed her infant or to use an alternative source of nutrition such as formula. To choose properly, the mother must be informed about the pros and cons of each method of feeding. This paper will elaborate on the process of breastfeeding and present some of the benefits that are conferred to both infant and mother through the act of breastfeeding, benefits that formula does not provide. Breastfeeding positively affects infants in both the short- and long-term by providing protection from infectious diseases, fostering the psychological bond with their mothers, and …

Vitamin D3, Aryeh Grossman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction of this article: Vitamin D is the only vitamin that is free. It can be easily obtained from exposure to sunlight and yet more than 60% of Americans are Vitamin D deficient (Ginde et al., 2009; Bones, Vitamin D, and Calcium, n.d). The significance of Vitamin D can’t be emphasized enough and is often overlooked. Some its profound effects are apparent in the prevention of various diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease et cetera. Many lives can be spared each year just by taking Vitamin D. From cancer alone, 23,000 deaths can …