Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

High Fat Diet Enhances Cardiac Abnormalities In Shr Rats: Protective Role Of Heme Oxygenaseadiponectin Axis, Jian Cao, Komal Sodhi, Nitin Puri, Sumit R. Monu, Rita Rezzani, Nader G. Abraham

Pharmaceutical Science and Research

Background

High dietary fat intake is a major risk factor for development of cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction including obesity, cardiomyopathy and hypertension.

Methods

The present study was designed to examine effect of high fat (HF) diet on cardio-vascular structure and function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), fed HF diet for 15 weeks, a phenotype designed to mimic metabolic syndrome.

Results

Development of metabolic syndrome like phenotype was confirmed using parameters, including body weight, total cholesterol and blood pressure levels. High fat diet impaired vascular relaxation by acetylcholine and exacerbated cardiac dysfunction in SHRs as evidenced by lower left ventricular function, …

Triterpenoid Modulation Of Il-17 And Nrf-2 Expression Ameliorates Neuroinflammation And Promotes Remyelination In Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, Tej K. Pareek, Abdelmadjid Belkadi, Sashi Kesavapany, Anita Zaremba, Sook L. Loh, Lianhua Bai, Mark L. Cohen, Colin Meyer, Karen T. Liby, Robert H. Miller, Michael B. Sporn, John J. Letterio

Dartmouth Scholarship

Inflammatory cytokines and endogenous anti-oxidants are variables affecting disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we demonstrate the dual capacity of triterpenoids to simultaneously repress production of IL-17 and other pro-inflammatory mediators while exerting neuroprotective effects directly through Nrf2-dependent induction of anti-oxidant genes. Derivatives of the natural triterpene oleanolic acid, namely CDDO-trifluoroethyl-amide (CDDO-TFEA), completely suppressed disease in a murine model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), by inhibiting Th1 and Th17 mRNA and cytokine production. Encephalitogenic T cells recovered from treated mice were hypo-responsive to myelin antigen and failed to adoptively transfer the disease. Microarray analyses showed significant suppression of …

Kate's Untested Baby (Huntington’S Disease And Abortion - Part Ii), Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Male Circumcision For Hiv Prevention: Current Evidence And Implementation In Sub-Saharan Africa, Richard G. Wamai, Brian J. Morris, Stefan A. Bailis, David Sokal, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Ross Appleton, Nelson Sewankambo, David A. Cooper, John Bongaarts, Guy De Bruyn, Alex D. Wodak, Joya Banerjee

Richard G. Wamai

Heterosexual exposure accounts for most HIV transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, and this mode, as a proportion of new infections, is escalating globally. The scientific evidence accumulated over more than 20 years shows that among the strategies advocated during this period for HIV prevention, male circumcision is one of, if not, the most efficacious epidemiologically, as well as cost-wise. Despite this, and recommendation of the procedure by global policy makers, national implementation has been slow. Additionally, some are not convinced of the protective effect of male circumcision and there are also reports, unsupported by evidence, that non-sex-related drivers play a major …

An Angel Fighting For The Cure (Huntington’S Disease And Abortion - Part I), Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Interferon Alpha For Chronic Hepatitis D, Zaigham Abbas, Muhammad Arsalan Khan, Mohammad Salih, Wasim Jafri

Department of Medicine

Background:

Hepatitis D virus is a small defective RNA virus that requires the presence of hepatitis B virus infection to infect a person. Hepatitis D is a difficult-to-treat infection. Several clinical trials have been published on the efficacy of interferon alpha for hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection. However, there are few randomised trials evaluating the effects of interferon alpha, and it is difficult to judge any benefit of this intervention from the individual trials.

Objectives:

To evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of interferon alpha for Patients with chronic hepatitis D.

Search methods:

We identified relevant for the review randomised …

Geographic Disparities Associated With Stroke And Myocardial Infarction In East Tennessee, Ashley Pedigo Golden

Doctoral Dissertations

Stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) are serious conditions whose burdens vary by socio-demographic and geographic factors. Although several studies have investigated and identified disparities in burdens of these conditions at the county and state levels, little is known regarding their geographic epidemiology at the neighborhood level. Both conditions require emergency treatments and therefore timely geographic accessibility to appropriate care is critical. Investigation of disparities in geographic accessibility to stroke and MI care and the role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in reducing treatment delays are vital in improving health outcomes. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to: (i) classify …

Multiple Sclerosis Is Not A Disease Of The Immune System, Angelique Corthals

Publications and Research

Multiple sclerosis is a complex neurodegenerative disease, thought to arise through autoimmunity against antigens of the central nervous system. The autoimmunity hypothesis fails to explain why genetic and environmental risk factors linked to the disease in one population tend to be unimportant in other populations. Despite great advances in documenting the cell and molecular mechanisms underlying MS pathophysiology, the autoimmunity framework has also been unable to develop a comprehensive explanation of the etiology of the disease. I propose a new framework for understanding MS as a dysfunction of the metabolism of lipids. Specifically, the homeostasis of lipid metabolism collapses during …

Spatial Distribution Of Obesity Among West Virginia 5th Grade Children: Analysis Of The Socioeconomic, Physical, And Personal Environment, Sherry Roper

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Childhood obesity defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex, is considered an epidemic in the United States. Biology and lifestyle behaviors have been identified as important factors in the development of childhood obesity; however, researchers are beginning to place more emphasis upon the impact that continual environmental exposures have upon obesity development. Environmental risk factors associated with obesity are distributed continuously over space, yet evidence suggests that burden of risk may not be evenly dispersed across a community. West Virginia (WV), a rural Appalachian community has …

Phaseolus Beans: Impact On Glycaemic Response And Chronic Disease Risk In Human Subjects, Andrea M. Hutchins, Donna M. Winham, Sharon V. Thompson

Donna Winham

Consumption of Phaseolus vulgaris bean species such as pinto, black, navy or kidney may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. In particular, conditions that are promoted by increased glycaemic stress (hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia) including diabetes, CVD and cancer seem to be reduced in individuals who eat more of these beans. The present paper discusses the influence of P. vulgaris species on glycaemic response and the impact that relationship may have on the risk of developing diabetes, CVD and cancer.

Methodological Quality Of Quantitative Nursing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Research From 2000 To 2010, Michael Johnson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people constitute one of the largest underserved populations in any nursing setting. Despite the large LGBT populations, very little nursing research has been conducted on these populations. Nurse researchers have recommended that nursing researchers end the silence on LGBT research. To accomplish this, the methodological rigor of LGBT nursing research must be evaluated and improved upon. Currently, no literature examines the methodological quality of quantitative nursing LGBT research. Using a cross-sectional design, it was the purpose of this study to evaluate the methodological quality of quantitative nursing LGBT research from 2000 to 2010 using …

The Role Of Cell Sterilization In Population Based Studies Of Radiogenic Second Cancers Following Radiation Therapy, Annelise Giebeler

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Advances in radiotherapy have generated increased interest in comparative studies of treatment techniques and their effectiveness. In this respect, pediatric patients are of specific interest because of their sensitivity to radiation induced second cancers. However, due to the rarity of childhood cancers and the long latency of second cancers, large sample sizes are unavailable for the epidemiological study of contemporary radiotherapy treatments. Additionally, when specific treatments are considered, such as proton therapy, sample sizes are further reduced due to the rareness of such treatments. We propose a method to improve statistical power in micro clinical trials. Specifically, we use a …

Autoimmune Consequences Of Histone Deimination During Neutrophil Activation, Nishant Dwivedi

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Tolerance blocks the expression of autoantibodies, whereas autoimmunity promotes it. How tolerance breaks and autoantibody production begins, thus, are crucial questions for the understanding and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Evidence implicates cell death and autoantigen modifications in the initiation of autoimmune reactions. One form of neutrophil cell death deserves attention because it occurs as a consequence of neutrophil activation, requires the post-translational modification of histones and results in the extracellular release of chromatin. The extracellular chromatin incorporates histones in which arginines have been converted to citrullines by peptidylarginine deiminase IV (PAD4) creating structures that capture or "trap" bacterial pathogens. Neutrophil …

Assessing Two Spirometric Criteria Of Pre-Bronchodilator And Post-Bronchodilator Fev1/Fvc Ratio In Detecting Air Flow Obstruction, Zeeshan Waheed, Muhammad Irfan, Ahmed Suleman Haque, Najmul Hasan Siddiqui, Safia Awan, Beenish Syed, Javaid Khan

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

OBJECTIVES: To assess the Pre-bronchodilator criteria and the Post-bronchodilator criteria of FEV1/FVC ratio in diagnosing Airflow obstruction.

METHODS: An observational study was conducted from 1988 to 2006 at the Aga Khan University Hospital Patients referred to the pulmonary function test laboratory for spirometry with bronchodilator reversibility at the hospital during the above said period were enrolled. Forced spirometry was performed according to ATS guidelines. All patients who had pre-bronchodilator criteria of airflow obstruction were analyzed and compared with the post bronchodilator criteria.

RESULTS: A total of 4222 individuals underwent spirometry out of which 4072 individuals were studied. Using the pre …

Factors Affecting Growth In Infants With Single Ventricle Physiology: A Report From The Pediatric Heart Network Infant Single Ventricle Trial., Richard V. Williams, Victor Zak, Chitra Ravishankar, Karen Altmann, Jeffrey Anderson, Andrew M. Atz, Carolyn Dunbar-Masterson, Nancy Ghanayem, Linda Lambert, Karen Lurito, Barbara Medoff-Cooper, Renee Margossian, Victoria L. Pemberton, Jennifer Russell, Mario Stylianou, Daphne Hsu, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: To describe growth patterns in infants with single ventricle physiology and determine factors influencing growth.

STUDY DESIGN: Data from 230 subjects enrolled in the Pediatric Heart Network Infant Single Ventricle Enalapril Trial were used to assess factors influencing change in weight-for-age z-score (z) from study enrollment (0.7 ± 0.4 months) to pre-superior cavopulmonary connection (SCPC; 5.1 ± 1.8 months, period 1) and pre-SCPC to final study visit (14.1 ± 0.9 months, period 2). Predictor variables included patient characteristics, feeding regimen, clinical center, and medical factors during neonatal (period 1) and SCPC hospitalizations (period 2). Univariate regression analysis was performed, …

Can Antioxidant-Rich Berries Improve Risk Factors Associated With Cardiovascular Disease In Postmenopausal Smokers?, Jordan Alaine Teeple

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of smoking on risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and determine the efficacy of antioxidant-rich berries in ameliorating these risk factors in postmenopausal smokers. Menopause and cigarette smoking have been identified as major risk factors for CVD due to a decrease in antioxidant protection, increase in inflammation and oxidative stress, and adverse changes in serum lipids. Antioxidants, specifically flavonoid compounds found in blackberries and blueberries, have been shown to prevent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation and thus prevent downstream inflammation and oxidative stress. Healthy, postmenopausal nonsmokers (n=14) and smokers (n=31) …

The Incidence Of Plexiform Lesion Formation In Lines Divergently Selected For Ascites, James Mason

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Complex Vascular Lesions, (CVL) are a common vascular change associated with idiopathicpulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). CVL have been characterized in studies using animal models involving, but not limited to, Sprague-Dawley rats and poultry (Abe et al., 2010; Wideman et al., 2011).IPAH has been documented in poultry although no connection has been made with CVLs. The current study characterizes CVL in the lungs from broilers derived from lines divergently selected for 15 generations for ascites susceptibility under conditions of simulated high altitude. The ascites RES and SUS lines were sampled for CVL incidence over time. Both lines were reared in a …

Detection Of Two Pathogens Of High Importance To The National Poultry Improvement Plan: Salmonella Spp. And Mycoplasma Spp., Robin Levi Jarquin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 1935, the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) was created to control Salmonella gallinarum and Salmonella pullorum . These two pathogens were devastating economically for poultry producers. Through cooperative efforts using vaccination and strict biosecurity, these two pathogens were eradicated from the United States. Currently, the NPIP program is targeting two other poultry pathogens, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Mycoplasma . In the broiler industry it targets 2 specific Mycoplasma species (synoviae, gallisepticum). Vaccinations for these bacteria are available, but are not fully effective at controlling all strains and serovars. Thus, constant monitoring systems and strict biosecurity measures are necessary …

Characterization Of The Mechanism Of Pparγ-Mediated Neointima Formation In Rodents, Ryoko Tsukahara

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and its ether analog alkyl glycerophosphate (AGP) elicit arterial wall remodeling when applied intralumenally into the uninjured carotid artery. LPA is the ligand of eight GPCRs and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). We pursued a gene knockout strategy to identify the LPA receptor subtypes necessary for the neointimal response in a non-injury model of carotid remodeling and also compared the effects of AGP and the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (ROSI) on balloon injury-elicited neointima development. In the balloon injury model AGP significantly increased neointima; however, rosiglitazone application attenuated it. AGP and ROSI were also applied intralumenally for …

Compound 49b: A Novel Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist In The Treatment Of Diabetic Retinopathy, Kimberly Williams-Guy

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working Americans. While there are therapeutic regimens for the disease, more effective methods are needed. We have previously shown that a non-specific beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, isoproterenol, was effective in preventing functional and morphological changes associated with diabetic retinopathy in the rat. Isoproterenol also produced left ventricle remodeling suggesting it entered the systemic circulation. We therefore synthesized various novel beta-adrenergic receptor compounds and screened these compounds in vitro for their ability to reduce markers of inflammation and apoptosis. Of the various compounds tested, Compound 49b was able to reduce both inflammation and …

Evaluation Of The Pilot Program, Pediatric Early Warning Sentinel Surveillance Program (Pewss), And Its Efficacy In Monitoring Pediatric Illness In Clark County, Nevada, Michelle Lee Lutman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The influenza outbreak that occurred during 2009 stimulated the formation of several surveillance programs throughout the country. The majority monitor only influenza; however, there are several other circulating respiratory pathogens, especially within the pediatric community. These other respiratory pathogens cause a variety of illnesses, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, croup, etc. Prior research has provided the medical community with valuable information about respiratory illnesses, especially those which afflict pediatric patients. Areas of knowledge including seasonality, demographics, signs and symptoms, prevention measures, and pathogenicity, have been greatly expanded over the years. This information has been of tremendous help to the medical community …

A Brief Content Analysis Of Attachment And Sexual Relationships In Sex Therapy And Research Journals, Kathryn Zambrano Devis

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A surge of scholarly publications on attachment within couple relationships prompted this content analysis of attachment articles published in six sex therapy and sex research journals. This study investigates the extent to which these journals attend to attachment in the context of adult sexual relationships. The researcher found 2257 articles published within these journals; 64 of which attend to attachment and 9 of which attend to attachment and sex. Implications for couples therapy in the field of sex therapy and future directions are discussed.

Role Of The Gcn5 Histone Acetyltransferase In Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 And In Immature Neurons, Yi Chun Chen

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by expansion of a CAG repeat encoding a polyglutamine tract in ATXN7, a component of the SAGA histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex. Previous studies provided conflicting evidence regarding the effects of polyQ-ATXN7 on the activity of Gcn5, the HAT catalytic subunit of SAGA. Here I showed that reducing Gcn5 expression accelerates both cerebellar and retinal degeneration in a mouse model of SCA7. Deletion of Gcn5 in Purkinje cells in mice expressing wild type Atxn7, however, causes only mild ataxia and does not lead to the early lethality observed in SCA7 mice. …

The Holy Grail Of Huntington's Disease Research: The Gene-Positive, Drug Trials, And Treatments, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Role Of The Solvent In The Denaturation Of A Protein: A Molecular Dynamics Study Of The Dna Binding Domain Of The 434 Repressor, Celia Schiffer, Volker Dötsch, Kurt Wuthrich, Wilfred Van Gunsteren

Celia A. Schiffer

Molecular dynamics simulations of the DNA binding domain of 434 repressor are presented which aim at unraveling the role of solvent in protein denaturation. Four altered solvent models, each mimicking various possible aspects of the addition of a denaturant to the aqueous solvent, were used in the simulations to analyze their effects on the stability of the protein. The solvent was altered by selectively changing the Coulombic interaction between water and protein atoms and between different water molecules. The use of a modified solvent model has the advantage of mimicking the presence of denaturant without having denaturant molecules present in …

An Hd Thanksgiving Toast, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Adherence To The European Society Of Cardiology (Esc) Guidelines For Chronic Heart Failure - A National Survey Of The Cardiologists In Pakistan, Sana Shoukat, Saqib A. Gowani, Ather M. Taqui, Rameez Ul Hassan, Zain A. Bhutta, Anum I. Malik, Sajjad A. Sherjeel, Quratulanne Sheheryar, Sajid H. Dhakam

Section of Neurosurgery

Background:The aims of this study were to evaluate the awareness of and attitudes towards the 2005 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for Heart Failure (HF) of the cardiologists in Pakistan and assess barriers to adherence to guidelines.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in person from March to July 2009 to all cardiologists practicing in 4 major cities in Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore, Quetta and Peshawar). A validated, semi-structured questionnaire assessing ESC 2005 Guidelines for HF was used to obtain information from cardiologists. It included questions about awareness and relevance of HF guidelines (See Additional File 1). Respondents' management …

Percutaneous Implantation Of The Edwards Sapien Transcatheter Heart Valve For Conduit Failure In The Pulmonary Position: Early Phase 1 Results From An International Multicenter Clinical Trial., Damien Kenny, Ziyad M. Hijazi, Saibal Kar, John Rhodes, Michael Mullen, Raj Makkar, Girish S. Shirali, Mark Fogel, John Fahey, Mary G. Heitschmidt, Christopher Cain

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, California) in the pulmonary position in patients with moderate to severe pulmonary regurgitation with or without stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is evolving, but to date, experience has been limited to the Melody valve (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota).

METHODS: Eligible patients with dysfunctional right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits were screened if body weight was ≥35 kg and the in situ conduit diameter was ≥16 mm and ≤24 mm. Standardized implantation and follow-up protocols were used.

RESULTS: …

Elsa-Brasil: Historico [In Portuguese], Paulo A. Lotufo

Paulo A Lotufo

No abstract provided.

Finding America’S Passion: The Nfl And Huntington’S Disease, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.