Nicotine-Induced Effects On Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (Nachrs), Ca2+ And Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf) In Stc-1 Cells, Jie Qian, Shobha K. Mummalaneni, Reem M. Alkahtan, Sunila Mahavadi, Karnam S. Murthy, John R. Grider, Vijay Lyall

Physiology and Biophysics Publications

In addition to the T2R bitter taste receptors, neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have recently been shown to be involved in the bitter taste transduction of nicotine, acetylcholine and ethanol. However, at present it is not clear if nAChRs are expressed in enteroendocrine cells other than beta cells of the pancreas and enterochromaffin cells, and if they play a role in the synthesis and release of neurohumoral peptides. Accordingly, we investigated the expression and functional role of nAChRs in enteroendocrine STC-1 cells. Our studies using RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemical and Western blotting techniques demonstrate that STC-1 cells express several α and …

Rapamycin Rescues Vascular, Metabolic And Learning Deficits In Apolipoprotein E4 Transgenic Mice With Pre-Symptomatic Alzheimer’S Disease, Ai-Ling Lin, Jordan B. Jahrling, Wei Zhang, Nicholas Derosa, Vikas Bakshi, Peter Romero, Veronica Galvan, Arlan Richardson

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele is a common susceptibility gene for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Brain vascular and metabolic deficits can occur in cognitively normal apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers decades before the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this study was to determine whether early intervention using rapamycin could restore neurovascular and neurometabolic functions, and thus impede pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms in pre-symptomatic Apolipoprotein E ɛ4 transgenic mice. Using in vivo, multimodal neuroimaging, we found that apolipoprotein E ɛ4 mice treated with rapamycin had restored cerebral blood flow, blood–brain barrier integrity and glucose metabolism, compared …

Organizational Behavior Of Rehabilitation Residents In Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Correlation Study, Kuancheng Chen, Yujen Chen, Chiayi Shen, Chengming Chiu, Yitien Su

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Most studies on organizational behavior in Taiwan have focused on nurses and general medical staff; however, few studies have focused on rehabilitation residents. We conducted a cross-sectional correlation study on the organizational behavior of 30 rehabilitation residents in Taiwan by administering anonymous questionnaires through mail. The results revealed low continuance commitment scores (p＜.05) among female residents, whereas senior residents showed a high tendency to quit their current jobs. In addition, 19 residents presented type A personality and 11 residents presented type B personality.

Relationship Between Perioperative Risk And Cardio-Respiratory Fitness After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Cheng-Ming Chiu, Kuan-Cheng Chen, Chia-To Wang, Chen-Liang Chou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Introduction and objectives: The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II (euroSCORE II) is a validated model for predicting perioperative mortality after cardiac surgery. The role of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF), expressed as peak metabolic equivalents (METs), as a predictor of long-term survival in patients who have previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is well established. However, the correlation between perioperative risk and CRF has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perioperative risk and CRF in patients after CABG. Methods: Patients who underwent CABG from January 2012 through December 2013 at …

The Effect Of Outpatient Physiotherapy After Stroke On Cardiopulmonary Training Goals: The Current Situation In A Single Medical Center, Yichun Lu, Chiachi Huang, Chenliang Chou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Study background and objectives: Reduced cardiopulmonary function after stroke has drawn increasing attention. Cardiovascular function and muscle fiber composition change after stroke, leading to a decline in physical fitness. Some studies have also reported decreased maximum oxygen uptake after stroke, which would further reduce patient ability to perform daily life functions, inducing a circle of disability and reduced mobility. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation after early or late strokes has been found to improve cardiopulmonary function; these improvements are especially noticeable in patients with lower levels of physical activity before their stroke onset. However, traditional rehabilitation programs mostly focus on recovery of limb …

Developed An Interactive Visual Dashboard To Assess The Fall Risk Among Community-Dwelling Elderly, Weichiao Lu, Shuchuan Wu, Hsihsun Su, Chingjen Cang, Tienlung Sun, Chienhua Huang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

The main purpose of data visualization is to provide an overview of data characteristics. In this study, a data visualization-based interactive exploration environment was developed to assess the risk of falling among community-dwelling elderly adults. The research goal was to enable clinicians to apply their expert knowledge to quickly derive information from the data and analyze the risk of falling. By visualizing the data to derive information, the clinicians were able to analyze preliminary screening results to identify elderly adults at a high risk of falling and subsequently advise them to return to hospital for a comprehensive geriatric assessment. In …

Effect Of Individualized Bladder Rehabilitation Program In Patients With Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction, A Pilot Study, Peir-Renn Wang, Wei-Che Wang, Sung-Lang Chen, Yu-Hui Huang, Yu-Fen Lai, Hsiu-Chun Yang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objectives: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) is one of the major sequelae after spinal cord injury (SCI) and a cause of increased morbidity and mortality in SCI patients. Current treatment strategies for NLUTD include medication, non-invasive conservative management, minimally invasive therapy, and surgical intervention. However, there are no studies regarding non-invasive conservative management that combines pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercises and electrical stimulation (ES). This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of individualized bladder rehabilitation programs, which included education on voiding behavior, PFM exercise training combined with electromyography (EMG) biofeedback, and ES (for bladder inhibition or PFM strengthening), …

Neuropsychological Rehabilitation With Prospective Memory Process Training In A Patient With Severe Amnesia After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Casereport, Pin-Hsiu Chen, Ya-Fang Hsu, Wen-Chih Lin, Tai-Ching Wu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Patients with severe amnesia frequently experience difficulty in storing and retrieving new information, resulting in prospective memory impairment, one of the main reasons for sustained loss of functioning in daily life. Currently, little literature on the neuropsychological interventions for severe amnesia patients has been published. The present study applied prospective memory process training (PROMPT) in neuropsychological intervention to a patient with severe amnesia caused by traumatic brain injury, and investigated the efficacy of this method. The intervention was administered for 12 months long to a 23-year-old male participant with severe amnesia caused by traumatic brain injury. The intervention was administered …

Deep Vein Thrombosis In An Ambulatory Hemiparetic Stroke Patient Probably Due To Exercise-Related Repetitive Impact: A Casereport, Kun-Chang Lee, Chien-Ting Liu, Pi-Wei Wang, An-Fang Hsiao, Yi-Shiung Horng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity is a multifactorial and potentially fatal complication following stroke. However, repetitive impact on the lower extremity is a relatively uncommon risk factor for DVT. We report an ambulatory hemiparetic stroke patient who, without classic DVT risk factors, developed a lower extremity DVT probably due to repetitive impact on the popliteal fossa after the inappropriate use of a seated leg flexion machine. This case can remind physiatrists and therapists of the importance of preventing patients from using non-ergonomic postures during training sessions.

Factors Associated With Nasogastric Tube Removal In Patients With Post-Stroke Dysphagia Following Acute/Subacute Stroke, Hsin-Chiao Wen, Hao-Wei Tang, Chang-Ren Peng, Kuan-Lin Chen, Ching-Min Hsiao, Chung-Che Lin

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Purpose: Stroke is a common cause of dysphagia, and persistent post-stroke dysphagia is associated with a poor outcome and an increased mortality rate. Nasogastric tubes (NGTs) are frequently the recommended method for the safe administration of nutrition and hydration in stroke patients. However, prolonged use of NGTs can lead to complications, such as gastro-esophageal reflux and aspiration pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with NGT removal in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Method: This was a retrospective study. We recruited patients with post-stroke dysphagia who had received feeding either partially or totally via NGT and …

Correlation Between Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Stiffness After Radiation Therapy And Quality Of Life In Patients With Head And Neck Cancer, Shih-Chung Chang, Peir-Renn Wang, Hsien-Chun Tseng, Su-Ju Tsai, Yu-Li Cheng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: Radiation-induced fibrosis after radiation treatment frequently results in neck and shoulder pain/dysfunction, trismus, dysphagia, muscle stiffness and lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer. Here, we access the correlation between neck muscle stiffness after radiation therapy and HRQOL, and the effect of rehabilitation on muscle stiffness and HRQOL. Method: We used real-time sonoelastography to evaluate sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) stiffness after radiation therapy. We used the EORTC QLQ-30 and EORTCQLQ H&N35 to evaluate the HRQOL of H&N cancer patients. Each participant received real-time sonoelastography and an HRQOL evaluation twice with the course of …

Combining Eldercare Technology With Interactive Arts Environment, Alice M. K. Wong, Chung-Chih Lin, Su-Chu Hsu, Chia-Ying Chung, Yin-Chou Lin, Pei-Chi Huang, Chih-Kuang Chen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background and Purpose: People who age successfully should exhibit healthy function in physiological, psychological, and social domains. They should demonstrate independence in daily living, proper cognitive function without depression, and the ability to participate in community activities, as well as maintain favorable interpersonal relationships with others to enjoy living. Material and Methods: In this study, for promoting the successful aging of elderly residents of Chang Gung Silver Village, we developed six smart devices that involve combining an interactive art environment with exergames and health administration: ＂Interactive Wall with Life Memories＂, ＂Interactive Floor Kick and Play＂, ＂Interactive Table with Musical Pots＂, …

Developing And Validating A Screening Scale For Assessing Preschool Children's Motor Development: A Preliminary Study, Chia-Chi Wang, Chien-Ju Chang, Po-Hsi Chen, Wen-Yu Liu, Chia-Ling Chen, Chih-Chien Tsai, Ren-Huei Fu, Li-Tuan Chou, Shih-Ming Chu

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background: Questionnaires available for screening the motor development of preschool children in Taiwan are few. Therefore, this study developed a Developmental Motor Screening Scale for Preschool Children (DMSSPC), and it exhibits high reliability and validity. Methods: The DMSSPC was developed on the basis of an expert meeting and a literature reviewarticle of assessment tools and questionnaires for screening motor development. After the meeting, subscales of the fine and gross motor scales of the DMSSPC were determined. The fine motor scale comprised grasp, manipulation, and visual motor integration subscales, whereas the gross motor scale contained stationary, locomotion, and body coordination subscales. …

The Effect Of Low Level Laser Therapy With Cluster Probe On Myofascial Trigger Spots In A Rabbit Model: A Case-Controlled Trial, Yi-Hsuan Lai, He-Yu Tsai, Shih-Yang Huang, Wei-Chi Hsieh, Chien-Min Chen, Chang-Zern Hong, Hung-Chih Hsu, Kai-Hua Chen

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: This study investigated the effect of cluster probe low level laser therapy (LLLT) with a continuous wavelength of 830 nm or 980 nm on the myofascial trigger spot (MTrS) in rabbit skeletal muscle, an animal model of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Methods: Thirty-seven New Zealand rabbits with MTrSs in the thigh muscle were divided into three groups and were given placebo treatment (0 J/leg/day), 830 nm LLLT (6 J/leg/day), and 980 nm LLLT (6 J/leg/day), respectively, for 5 days. Electromyographic studies were used to evaluate the endplate noise (EPN) prevalence in each MTrS before treatment, on the first and …

Simultaneous Bilateral Intracerebral Hemorrhage In A Case Of Wegener's Granulomatosis: A Casereport And Literature Reviewarticle, Yu-Jen Chen, Ho-Fai Wong, Chih-Chi Chen, Chia-Ling Chen, Chia-Ying Chung

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background: Simultaneous multiple intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) are rare and their underlying mechanisms are unknown. Reported etiologies include hypertension, vasculitis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, venous sinus thrombosis, coagulopathy, and intracranial vascular anomalies. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA; Wegener's granulomatosis) is a necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis affecting small- and medium-sized vessels of the respiratory tract and kidneys. The reported frequency of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in GPA is 0%-16.4%. Case presentation: A 34-year-old man with hypertension presented with a sudden loss of consciousness and weakness in the right limbs. Brain computed tomography (CT) showed a left basal ganglion hemorrhage and right basal ganglion infarction …

Cystic Fibrosis Lung Infections: Polymicrobial, Complex, And Hard To Treat, Laura M. Filkins, George A. O’Toole

Dartmouth Scholarship

No abstract provided.

When Birth Control Hurts You: An Essure Investigation, Mia A. Garchitorena

Capstones

Thousands of women report having suffered from injuries and malfunctions related to Essure permanent birth control, including chronic pain, heavy bleeding, migration, or perforation. Many of these women also claim that Essure has caused nickel allergies, hair loss, bloating, rashes, unintended pregnancies, and death. What was promised to be an easy solution has become a life-altering problem.

As patient complaints have increased, experts have gone back and studied the science behind the approval of the Essure device. Their findings are startling: There were flaws with the studies that supported the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the device, the experts …

Neurologists Look At Causes Of Baffling Brain Condition, Maggie Freleng

Capstones

It can be hard getting help for someone with mental illness, but almost impossible when that person doesn't think they are sick. At at least half of people with schizophrenia, for example, insist that the voices they hear are real. People who do not know they are ill often refuse therapy and medication -- and their symptoms can spiral out of control. Doctors call this lack of awareness anosognosia. Neurologists are trying to discover what causes this baffling condition--and how to treat it.

Byrd, Maya Dangerfield

Capstones

In April 2015, William Byrd Wilkins or ‘Byrd’, 50, a theatre and television actor, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In August, his friends crowd-funded an all expense paid trip to New York for Byrd who wasundergoing chemotherapy in his rural hometown of Louisburg, North Carolina. Originally described as ‘an opportunity to reconnect’ the trip soon developed into a ‘living funeral’ as Byrd and his friends grappled with Byrd’s terminal prognosis. As he visited his favorite New York haunts and met with friends, Byrd wrestled with the decision to end his chemotherapy upon his return home.

She's Having A Baby And Cancer, Ashley Lewis

Capstones

In October 2011, Megan Harris, a 38-year-old high school teacher from Atlanta, Georgia, found out she was pregnant with a new addition to her happy family of three. But she didn’t know until three months later that she’d be planning a funeral rather than a nursery.

Suppression Of F1 Male-Specific Lethality In Caenorhabditis Hybrids By Cbr-Him-8, Vaishnavi Ragavapuram, Emily Elaine King, Scott Everet Baird

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Haldane's Rule and Darwin's Corollary to Haldane's Rule are the observations that heterogametic F1 hybrids frequently are less fit than their homogametic siblings and that asymmetric results often are obtained from reciprocal hybrid crosses. In Caenorhabditis, Haldane's Rule and Darwin's Corollary have been observed in several hybrid crosses, including crosses of Caenorhabditis briggsae and Caenorhabditis nigoni. Fertile F1 females are obtained from reciprocal crosses. However, F1 males obtained from C. nigoni mothers are sterile and F1 males obtained from C. briggsae die during embryogenesis. We have identified cbr-him-8 as a recessive maternal-effect suppressor of F1 hybrid male-specific lethality …

The Utility Of Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test In Detecting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Clinical Stage, Nerve Conduction Study, And Sonography Correlations, Lin-Yi Wang, Jyun-Ying Li, Yu-Chi Huang, Mei-Yun Liaw, Tsung-Hsun Yang, Yi-Jung Hsin, Willie Lee, Jui-Kun Chang, Ya-Ping Pong

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background and purpose: Nerve conduction study (NCS) and ultrasonography (US) are used to support the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The ability of the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT), a sensibility threshold test, to detect CTS, and its relationship to clinical severity, NCS, and US, remain controversial. We conducted this study to address this controversy. Method: Thirty-three patients presenting with typical symptoms and signs of CTS and 20 normal subjects were enrolled. SWMT on the index finger, NCS, and US of the cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the pisiform level (PCSA) were performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves …

Early Intervention For A Baby With Syndactyly: A Casereport, Chi-Min Yang, Shu-Yu Yang, Yu-Pei Tsai, Yu-Tin Tseng, Yu-Tin Tseng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Syndactyly is the most common congenital malformation of the limbs. Syndactyly refers to the clinical appearance of fingers or toes that have not undergone the normal process of separation and can be classified as simple, complex, complete or incomplete according to clinical severity and involvement. Clinically, syndactyly has primarily been treated with surgery. However, few studies have investigated relevant postsurgical rehabilitation interventions. This study reported a case involving an infant with severe syndactyly. After surgery, the infant received early rehabilitation intervention. We provided health education to caregivers to instruct them scar treatment on the hands, joint range of motion exercise, …

The Utility Of The Perceived Environmental Barriers In Community For The Community-Dwelling Elderly In Taiwan, Weichih Lien, Tashen Kuan, Jerhao Chang, Naiwen Guo

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the cut-off point of the Perceived Environmental Barriers in Community according to basic activity of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) independence in community-dwelling elderly in Taiwan. Methods: In this study, 200 community-dwelling elderly were sampled and administered with the Perceived Environmental Barriers in Community and Hierarchy of the Care Required (HCR). Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to find out the cut-off points of the Perceived Environmental Barriers in Community. Results: We found that the Physical/Structural domain and total score of the Perceived …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Prolotherapy And Traditional Physical Therapy In Low Back Pain Patients With Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra, Weihan Chang, Shihwei Chou, Chienhung Chen, Chihkuan Wu, Katie P. Wu, Yinchou Lin

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

A lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) is a congenital musculoskeletal abnormality with a higher incidence in patients with low back pain as to the normal population. Such finding implicates that an altered mechanics caused by a transitional vertebra may contribute to pain generation. In cadavers with an LSTV, the iliolumbar ligament at the level immediately above the transitional vertebra was thinner and weaker than it was for cadavers without an LSTV. This ligament of LSTV is vulnerable to sprains in terms of structural and biomechanical alterations and may be the target of treatment. Twenty-two patients with chronic low back pain in …

Battle Echoes Never Fade: Soldiers' Trauma At The End Of Life, John E. Eller

Capstones

Soldiers suffer moral injuries when wartime experiences go against their own moral compass, such as killing innocent civilians or mutilating the bodies of enemies. Many soldiers bury the shame and guilt leftover from battle for years or decades, but these memories can surface unbidden as veterans near death.

The Sixty-Six Percent, Natalie Abruzzo

Capstones

The Sixty-Six Percent represent the percentage of women in the U.S. who are overweight. They are regarded as full-figured or “plus” size in the world of women’s apparel. Even though more than half of American women wear a “plus” size - size 14 and up - designs for these women account for a fraction of women’s apparel - Only 37% of women's wear is plus-size.

The Sixty-Six Percent is coming at an important time in a broader conversation about de-stigmatizing what it means to be a plus-size woman in America. Fat shaming has become taboo and mainstream media as well …

How N.Y.’S Biggest For-Profit Nursing Home Group Flourishes Despite A Record Of Patient Harm, Jennifer Lehman

Capstones

How N.Y.'s Biggest For-Profit Nursing Home Group Flourishes Despite a Record of Patient Harm

The state’s “character-and-competence” reviews are supposed to weed out operators with histories of violations and fines— but regulators don’t always act on the full story.

The Fight For Zadroga, Naeisha Rose

Capstones

The attack on the World Trade Center cost many first responders and volunteers, like Ken George, a retired highway crewmember who was part of the search and rescue, to lose their health. Ken had needs a respirator for his restricted airway disease, he is o n 33 medications and five years ago he had a heart attack. Bi- =weekly or monthly, he visits a doctor for his PTSD, his heart, his lungs and general healthcare. After seeing the devastating conditions that the responders like Ken worked in, Congresswoman C arolyn Maloney (D-12) worked tirelessly with many politicians, both Democrats and …

Beyond The Ring: Vegan Fighter, Bianca Silva

Capstones

Omowale Adewale, an amateur MMA fighter and boxer, spends his time outside the ring as director of Grassroots Artists MovEment (G.A.ME), an organization in the Bronx dedicated to provide resources to low-income residents like healthcare, access to healthy foods via means of gardening and youth incarceration prevention programs. He has been the director of G.A.ME since 2001 and routinely visits classrooms where he provides lectures on how to eat healthy foods-even incorporating vegan foods and implement after school physical programs like boxing where he occasionally serves as a trainer.