Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Dirigo Health, Sharon Anglin Treat, Michael Brennan, Ann Woloson

Maine Policy Review

Maine’s pioneering Dirigo Health program aims at reducing health care costs, improving quality, and increasing access by providing health insurance coverage to all of Maine’s currently uninsured population. State senators Sharon Treat and Michael Brennan and co-author Ann Woloson provide an overview of the components, structure and financing of the program. They discuss some of the challenges and opportunities posed in Dirigo Health’s implementation, and give an insider’s perspective on the process by which the program was enacted.

Developing Risk Assessment Maps For Schistosoma Haematobium In Kenya Based On Climate Grids And Remotely Sensed Data, Kelsey Lee Mcnally

LSU Master's Theses

It is important to be able to predict the potential spread of water borne diseases when building dams or redirecting rivers. This study was designed to test whether the use of a growing degree day (GDD) climate model and remotely sensed data (RS) within a geographic information system (GIS), could be used to predict both the distribution and severity of Schistosoma haematobium. Growing degree days are defined as the number of degrees centigrade over the minimum temperature required for development. The base temperature and the number of GDD required to complete one generation varies for each species. A monthly climate …

The Therapeutic Value Of The Equine-Human Relationship In Recovery From Trauma: A Qualitative Analysis, Janet Yorke

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The purpose of this research was to explore the nature of equine-human bonding and its therapeutic value in recovery from trauma. The study sample consisted of six participants who identified that their pre-existing relationships with horses were therapeutic in recovering from various types of trauma (i.e. car accidents, horse-related accidents, work accidents and health trauma). Using a phenomenological perspective and an emotionalist lens, though the use of semi-structured interviews and video-tapes of horse-rider interaction, the study sought to describe the nature of the equine human bond and how it is useful in trauma recovery. The research results show that equine-human …

The Bond Strength Of Adhesive Resin Cement: Time Differential Between Cementation And Finishing Of Cast Dowel-Cores, Purnima Joan Shahani

Theses and Dissertations

THE BOND STREGTH OF ADHESIVE RESIN CEMENT: TIME DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN CEMENTATION AND FINISHING OF CAST DOWEL-CORES By Purnima Joan Shahani, D.D.S., M.S.A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University.Virginia Commonwealth University, 2003Major Director: Peter C. Moon, M.S., PhDDirector of VCU Dental Biomaterials LaboratoryThis study compared the retention of cast dowel-cores cemented with Panavia® 21 subjected to immediate versus delayed high-speed finishing. Conventionally, finishing is delayed for 24 hours to one week to allow for optimal setting and ultimate strength of the cement. Forty-five recently extracted human …

Lip Profile Preferences In Varying Sagittal Mandibular Positions, Grant Gordon Coleman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sagittal mandibular position on preferred lip position in profile. Five androgynous silhouette profiles differing only in the degree of mandibular retro- or prognathism (-25º, -18º, -11º, -4º, & +3º facial contour angles) were created. Using a computer animation program, evaluators moved the lips independently into the position deemed to be the most esthetic for each profile. Evaluators included adolescent orthodontic patients, parents of patients, and orthodontists. In general, no differences in preferred lip position were found between the –11º & -4º profiles or between the –18º & +3º profiles, …

Family Connectedness And Sexual Risk-Taking Among Urban Youth Attending Alternative High Schools., Christine M Markham, Susan R Tortolero, S Liliana Escobar-Chaves, Guy S Parcel, Ronald Harrist, Robert C Addy

Journal Articles

CONTEXT: Youth in alternative high schools engage in risky sexual behavior at higher rates than do their peers in regular schools, placing themselves at an increased risk of sexually transmitted disease and unintended pregnancy. Family connectedness is associated with reduced adolescent sexual risk-taking, although this association has not been tested among alternative school youth.

METHODS: A sample of 976 urban, predominantly minority alternative high school students in Houston, Texas, were surveyed in 2000-2002. Survey data were analyzed using logistic regression to determine whether family connectedness is related to sexual risk-taking.

RESULTS: Overall, 68% of students reported ever having had sex. …

Fludarabine Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia In A Patient With Cd5 Positive B Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, M. Usman, Salman Adil, R. Sajid, Mohammad Khurshid

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Fludarabine is a purine nucleoside analogue, which inhibits DNA synthesis by inhibiting DNA polymerase and ribonucleoside reductase.1 It affects both dividing and non- dividing cells.2 Fludarabine possesses proven efficacy in the treatment of a variety of indolent B cell lymphoproliferative disorders including chronic lymphocytic leukemia3, low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma4 and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.5 It is also a part of conditioning regimes in non-myeloablative bone marrow transplantation.6 The common side effects include myelosuppression, immunosuppression, and neurologic toxicity.7 The rare side effects are immune mediated hemolytic anemia8 and thrombocytopenia.9 Here we describe a case of a middle-aged lady who was diagnosed as B cell …

Cyclosporin Induced Fatal Rhabdomyolysis In A Young Patient With Acquired Aplastic Anemia: A Case Report, M. Usman, S. N. Adil, G. N. Kakepoto, Mohammad Khurshid

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Cyclosporin is used as an immunosuppressive agent in the management of a variety of autoimmune disorders1 and in patients of organ transplant to suppress host immunity and prevent rejection.2 It is now well established that acquired aplastic anemia is secondary to immune mediated destruction of stem cells in the bone marrow3 and hence Cyclosporin is used as a first line immunosuppressive drug alone or in combination with anti lymphocyte globulin in the management of aplastic anemia.1 Rhabdomyolysis is a rare side effect of Cyclosporin.4 Here we describe a case of fatal rhabdomyolysis in a young patient who received cyclosporin for …

Determination Of The Substrate-Docking Site Of Protein Tyrosine Kinase C-Terminal Src Kinase, Sungsoo Lee, Xiaofeng Lin, Nguyen Hai Nam, Keykavous Parang, Gongqin Sun

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) are key enzymes of mammalian signal transduction. For the fidelity of signal transduction, each PTK phosphorylates only one or a few proteins on specific Tyr residues. Substrate specificity is thought to be mediated by PTK–substrate docking interactions and recognition of the phosphorylation site sequence by the kinase active site. However, a substrate-docking site has not been determined on any PTK. C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) is a PTK that specifically phosphorylates Src family kinases on a C-terminal Tyr. In this study, by sequence alignment and site-specific mutagenesis, we located a substrate-docking site on Csk. Mutations in the …

Angiotensin Ii Enhances Adenylyl Cyclase Signaling Via Ca2+/Calmodulin. Gq-Gs Cross-Talk Regulates Collagen Production In Cardiac Fibroblasts, Rennolds S. Ostrom, Jennifer E. Naugle, Miki Hase, Caroline Gregorian, James S. Swaney, Paul A. Insel, Laurence L. Brunton, J. Gary Meszaros

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Cardiac fibroblasts regulate formation of extracellular matrix in the heart, playing key roles in cardiac remodeling and hypertrophy. In this study, we sought to characterize cross-talk between Gq and Gs signaling pathways and its impact on modulating collagen synthesis by cardiac fibroblasts. Angiotensin II (ANG II) activates cell proliferation and collagen synthesis but also potentiates cyclic AMP (cAMP) production stimulated by β-adrenergic receptors (β-AR). The potentiation of β-AR-stimulated cAMP production by ANG II is reduced by phospholipase C inhibition and enhanced by overexpression of Gq. Ionomycin and thapsigargin increased intracellular Ca2+ levels and potentiated isoproterenol- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production, whereas …

Hypertonic Stress Co-Stimulates T Cell Il-2 Expression Through A Feedback Mechanism Involving Atp Release And P2 Receptor Activation Of P38 Map Kinase, William H. Loomis, Sachiko Namiki, Rennolds S. Ostrom, Paul A. Insel, Wolfgang G. Junger

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Hypertonic stress (HS) can alter the function of mammalian cells. We have reported that HS enhances differentiated responses of T cells by increasing their ability to produce interleukin (IL)-2, a finding of clinical interest because hypertonic infusions may modulate immune function in patients. HS shrinks cells and mechanically deforms membranes, which results in ATP release from many cell types. Here we investigate if ATP release is an underlying mechanism through which HS augments T cell function. We found that mechanical stress and HS induced rapid ATP release from Jurkat T cells. HS and exogenous ATP mobilized intracellular Ca2+, activated p38 …

Human Cytomegalovirus Chemokine Receptor Us28-Induced Smooth Muscle Cell Migration Is Mediated By Focal Adhesion Kinase And Src, Daniel N. Streblow, Jennifer Totonchy, Patsy Smith, Ryan Melnychuk, Laurel Hall, Dora Pancheva, Martine Smit, Paola Casarosa, David D. Schlaepfer, Jay A. Nelson

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The human cytomegalovirus-encoded chemokine receptor US28 induces arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration; however, the underlying mechanisms involved in this process are unclear. We have previously shown that US28-mediated SMC migration occurs by a ligand-dependent process that is sensitive to proteintyrosine kinase inhibitors. We demonstrate here that US28 signals through the non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinases Src and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and that this activity is necessary for US28-mediated SMC migration. In the presence of RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted), US28 stimulates the production of a FAK Src kinase complex. Interestingly, Src co-immunoprecipitates with US28 in …

Diagnostic Value Of Ki-67li In Hepatocellular Carcinoma Ki-67 Antigen Expression In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Metastatic Adenocarcinoma And Normal Hepatocytes, Işin Soyuer, Cemi̇l Eki̇nci̇, Muhsi̇n Kaya, Yasemi̇n Genç, Kadi̇r Bahar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

One hundred liver fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) specimens obtained from 42 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), 38 patients with metastatic adenocarcinomas (MAC) and 20 patients with non-malignant liver disease (control group) were studied. Liver specimens were stained with an immunoperoxidase method using a monoclonal antibody to Ki-67 (MIB1). Ki-67 antigen was visualised in cold acetone, and a fresh liver needle aspiration cytology specimen using antibodies was used to identify proliferating hepatocytes. In this study it was examined that; if there is a difference between the groups in terms of Ki-67 positivity and degree of differentiation of tumor and the relationship …

Quantification Of The Fli1 Gene Expression By Real-Time Quantitative Rt-Pcr, Hakan Savli, Sema Sirma, Uğur Özbek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

In this study, quantification levels were investigated to define alterations in the expression of the FLI1 gene on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), which is characterized by a reciprocal t(15,17) translocation of fusing the PML gene to the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR alpha) gene. The FLI1 gene plays an important role in several signal transduction pathways, and is involved in the normal regulation of myeloid hematopoiesis and leukomogenesis. We used the real-time quantitative RT-PCR (LightCycler) with SYBR Green I dye method for the labeling and analysis of the quantification of FLI1 gene RT-PCR products. Ribosomal protein S9 (RPS9) was used …

Prevalence Of Oral Precancerous Lesions In A Selected Turkish Population, Çağri Deli̇lbaşi, Hakan Akman, Eni̇s Redzep, Ümi̇t K. Akal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Oral cancers are malignancies that have high metastasis potential and thus survival rate of the patients is low. Today, epidemiological studies are being widely conducted on precancerous lesions, defined as predecessor lesions. In order to investigate the prevalence of oral precancerous lesions among Turkish people, 2000 consecutive outpatients who referred to our clinic for routine dental treatment, were examined. The proportion of lesions with potential to transform into cancer was 4.0%. It was concluded that leukoplakia and lichen planus were the most commonly observed precancerous lesions. All lesions had male propensity and the most affected site was the buccal mucosa. …

Are The Sequence And Level Of The Branches Of The Popliteal Artery Different In The Fetus Than In The Adult?: Two Fetuses With Popliteal Arterial Variation, Zeli̇ha Kurtoğlu, Mustafa Akteki̇n, Ahmet Hakan Öztürk, Cem Kara

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

URTOĞLU Mustafa AKTEKİN Ahmet Hakan ÖZTÜRK Cem KARA Department of Anatomy Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin - Turkey

Pcr Analysis Of Hsv-Negative Erythema Multiforme For The Expression Of Other Herpesviruses, Mukadder Koçak, Emel Erkek, Özgül Kisa, Çakir Güney, Ahu Bi̇rol

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the primary herpesvirus implicated to have a causal role in erythema multiforme (EM), both in cases with an antecedent herpetic infection and in idiopathic EM. However, the association of EM with several other viral infections has been clearly documented. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate a hypothetical role for the remaining members of the herpesvirus family in HSV-negative cases of EM. Methods: Fresh, unfixed lesional skin biopsies from 25 patients with HSV-negative EM were studied for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus-7 …

Comparison Of Indirect Methods For Lactose Malabsorption, İsmai̇l Kurt, Mohammed Wael Abou Ghoush, Adnan Haşi̇mi̇, A. Muhi̇tti̇n Serdar, Türker Kutluay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Although direct determination of the lactase activity of the small intestinal mucosa is considered a "gold standard" for the diagnosis of hypolactasia leading to lactose malabsorption, less invasive and simpler indirect techniques like the "plasma glucose response test" and "breath hydrogen test" are preferred in daily practice to diagnose the disorder. The aim of this study was to compare the different indirect diagnostic methods for lactose malabsorption. The following tests were performed in 54 adults: plasma glucose response test, breath hydrogen test and urine galactose/creatinine ratio. The diagnostic variables were as follows: increased plasma glucose £ 20 mg/dl; increased exhalation …

Paratesticular Solitary Fibrous Tumour: Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Nusret Akpolat, Arslan Ardiçoğlu, Seyfetti̇n Yahşi̇, A.Rahmi̇ Onur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

KPOLAT^1 Arslan ARDIÇOĞLU^2 Seyfettin YAHŞİ^1 A. Rahmi ONUR^2 Departments of ^1Pathology and ^2Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Fırat University, Elazığ - TURKEY

Echinococcus Infestation Of Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Misdiagnosed As A Soft Tissue Tumor (A Case Report), Kaan Erler, Mahmut Kömürcü, M.Taner Özdemi̇r, Uğur Bariş Özkal, Mustafa Başbozkurt, Ömer Günhan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

ER^1 Mahmut KÖMÜRCÜ^1 M.Taner ÖZDEMİR^1 U. Barış ÖZKAL^1 Mustafa BAŞBOZKURT^1 Ömer GÜNHAN^2 Departments of ^1Orthopedics and Traumatology, ^2Pathology Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara - TURKEY

Bacterial Translocation After Partial Hepatic Resection Under Ischemia And Reperfusion In Rats: Incidence And Time Course, Abdulkadi̇r Bedi̇rli̇, Selma Gökahmetoğlu, Kadi̇r Can Küçük, Işin Soyuer, İlkay Güler, Ömer Şakrak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Infectious complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality following major hepatic resection. We investigated in rats the incidence and time course of bacterial translocation after partial hepatectomy during ischemia and reperfusion. Forty-eight male Wistar rats weighing 230 to 280 g were studied. Partial liver warm ischemia was performed for 15 min followed by reperfusion for 15 min. During a second 15 min of ischemia, 70% hepatectomy was performed. The animals were divided into six groups of eight animals each. Animals were sacrificed 8, 16, 24, 48, 72, and 120 h after the hepatectomy. At each time point blood was …

Secondary Malignancies After Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, H.Joachim Deeg, Jeffrey L. Schwartz, Debbie Friedman, Wendy Leisenring

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Hemopoietic stem cell transplantation is being carried out for rapidly increasing numbers of patients. Survival probabilities have increased progressively, and most patients return to productive lives. However, delayed complications do occur. Here, we review the incidence and spectrum of post-transplant malignancies, discuss risk factors and mechanisms, and assess the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.

Effects Of Acute Hypoxia On Body Substrate Utilisation During Progressively Increasing Work Rate Exercise Tests, Oğuz Özçeli̇k, Hali̇l Doğan, Haluk Keleşti̇mur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Respiratory quotient (RQ) was used to assess the effectiveness of exercise interventions in shifting substrate utilisation. The body's RQ can be estimated non-invasively from the ratio of CO_2 production to O_2 consumption. In the present study, we examined the effects of acute hypoxia on the substrate utilisation of the body and its non-invasive estimation from ventilatory and pulmonary gas exchange variables during exercise. Eight male subjects performed two progressively increasing work rate exercise tests (15 W/min) until the limit of tolerance: in one test they were breathing room air (normoxia) and in the other 12% O_2 (hypoxia). Ventilatory and pulmonary …

Trichorhinophalangeal Syndrome Type I: A Turkish Case, Mustafa Kendi̇rci̇, Mehmet Keski̇n, Duran Aslan, Abdülhaki̇m Coşkun, Yusuf Özkul

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

KENDİRCİ^1, Mehmet KESKİN^1, Duran ARSLAN^1, Abdülhakim COŞKUN^2, Yusuf ÖZKUL^3 ^1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri - Turkey ^2Department of Radiodiagnostics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri - Turkey ^3Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri - Turkey

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars): The First Pandemic Of The New Century, Murat Akova

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Morphometric Evaluation Of The Foramen Magnum And Variations In Its Shape: A Study On Computerized Tomographic Images Of Normal Adults, Khalil Awadh Murshed, Aynur Emi̇ne Çi̇çekci̇başi, Işik Tuncer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological measurements of the foramen magnum (FM) and their relation to sex as well as to note variations in the shape of the FM. Cranial computerized tomographic images (CT) of 110 normal subjects (57 males - 53 females) between the ages of 18 and 80 years were examined in this study. The sagittal and transverse diameters of the FM were measured with a millimetric sliding caliper. Additionally, the area of the FM was also estimated. The statistical analysis for sex comparison was made using Student's t test. To determine the relationships …

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 …

The Effects Of Epidural Anesthesia And General Anesthesia On Newborns At Cesarean Section, Ari̇f Yegi̇n, Zeki̇ Ertuğ, Murat Yilmaz, Meli̇ha Erman

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

We compared Apgar scores and umblical arterial and venous blood gas samples of infants following the application of general anesthesia or lumbar epidural anesthesia during cesarean section. Sixty-two pregnant women whose babies were to be delivered at term by cesarean section were recruited for this study and randomized to receive either general anesthesia (GA) (n = 31), or lumbar epidural anesthesia (EA) (n = 31). Following delivery, a segment of the umbilical cord was doubly clamped, and arterial and venous blood gas samples were taken. In both groups, Apgar scores were recorded at 1 and 5 min. There were no …

Frequency Of Enuresis, Constipation And Enuresis Association With Constipation In A Group Of School Children Aged 5-9 Years In Malatya, Turkey, Sema Uğuralp, Leyla Karaoğlu, Abdurrahman Karaman, Mehmet Demi̇rcan, Cengi̇z Yakinci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of enuresis, constipation and enuresis associated with constipation in school children aged 5-9 years living in Malatya Municipality, Turkey. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. All elementary schools in Malatya Municipality with kindergarten and preparatory classes took part in the study. All parents of the children aged 5-9 years enrolled in these schools were given a questionnaire. Completion of the questionnaire was voluntary. Of the parents, 1377 completed the questionnaire and these were evaluated. Overall enuresis frequency was 9.5%. Enuresis frequency was significantly higher among boys (11.2%) compared to girls …

The Prevalence Of Chronic Diseases And Quality Of Life In Elderly People In Samsun, Sevgi̇ Canbaz, Ahmet Tevfi̇k Sünter, Sennur Dabak, Yildiz Pekşen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The increasing aged population has recently become a focus of interest in developing countries. The aims of our study were to evaluate chronic diseases and measure the quality of life of elderly people in Samsun. A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 1 and April 30,2001. There were 8350 elderly people in the study area. The study group consisted of 835 elderly people, calculated by using the sample size formula. Except for 98 (11.7%) individuals, 737 of 835 elderly people participated in this study. In the first step of the study, the data of 737 elderly people were used, and …