Diseases Commons^™

Cd43 Modulates Severity And Onset Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis., Thandi M. Onami, M. L. Ford, A. Sperling, R. Ahmed, B. D. Evavold

Microbiology Publications and Other Works

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model of multiple sclerosis characterized by infiltration of activated CD4(+) T lymphocytes into tissues of the CNS. This study investigated the role of CD43 in the induction and progression of EAE. Results demonstrate that CD43-deficient mice have reduced and delayed clinical and histological disease severity relative to CD43(+/+) mice. This reduction was characterized by decreased CD4(+) T cell infiltration of the CNS of CD43(-/-) mice but similar numbers of Ag-specific T cells in the periphery, suggesting a defect in T cell trafficking to the CNS. The absence of CD43 also affected cytokine production, …

Optimization Of Breast Cancer Screening Modalities, Yu Shen, Giovanni Parmigiani

Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Biostatistics Working Papers

Mathematical models and decision analyses based on microsimulations have been shown to be useful in evaluating relative merits of various screening strategies in terms of cost and mortality reduction. Most investigations regarding the balance between mortality reduction and costs have focused on a single modality, mammography. A systematic evaluation of the relative expenses and projected benefit of combining clinical breast examination and mammography is not at present available. The purpose of this report is to provide methodologic details including assumptions and data used in the process of modeling for complex decision analyses, when searching for optimal breast cancer screening strategies …

Modeling The Incubation Period Of Anthrax, Ron Brookmeyer, Elizabeth Johnson, Sarah Barry

Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Biostatistics Working Papers

Models of the incubation period of anthrax are important to public health planners because they can be used to predict the delay before outbreaks are detected, the size of an outbreak and the duration of time that persons should remain on antibiotics to prevent disease. The difficulty is that there is little direct data about the incubation period in humans. The objective of this paper is to develop and apply models for the incubation period of anthrax. Mechanistic models that account for the biology of spore clearance and germination are developed based on a competing risks formulation. The models predict …

Cd43 Modulates Severity And Onset Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis., Thandi M. Onami, M. L. Ford, A. Sperling, R. Ahmed, B. D. Evavold

Thandi M. Onami

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model of multiple sclerosis characterized by infiltration of activated CD4(+) T lymphocytes into tissues of the CNS. This study investigated the role of CD43 in the induction and progression of EAE. Results demonstrate that CD43-deficient mice have reduced and delayed clinical and histological disease severity relative to CD43(+/+) mice. This reduction was characterized by decreased CD4(+) T cell infiltration of the CNS of CD43(-/-) mice but similar numbers of Ag-specific T cells in the periphery, suggesting a defect in T cell trafficking to the CNS. The absence of CD43 also affected cytokine production, …

Should Carotid Endarterectomy Be Performed For Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis Pakistan?, N. A. Syed, A. Zakaria, B. A. Khealani, M. Wasay, S. M. Baig, Z. Sophie

Department of Medicine

Objective: The risk of stroke and death associated with carotid endarterctomy is operator dependant. Data regarding risks of this procedure are not available in Pakistan and therefore it is difficult to make accurate risk benefit analysis for individual patients. Our objective was to determine safety of carotid endarterectomy at an academic tertiary care center in Pakistan.

Methods: Patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) at our hospital during a ten-year period were identified through ICD-9 coding system of the hospital medical records. Demographic features. associated medical problems and immediate postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed.

Results: Sixty-three carotid endarterectomies were performed …

Neurological Care In Pakistan: Actions Are Needed, M. Wasay

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Spectrum Of Complications And Mortality Of Bacterial Meningitis: An Experience From A Developing Country, M. A. Rabbani, A. A. Khan, S. S. Ali, B. Ahmad, Mohammad Asim Beg, M. A. Khan, Mohammad Wasay

Department of Medicine

Objective:

The aim of this study was to obtain data on predisposing factors, causative organisms and their associated mortality and complications related to acute bacterial meningitis.

Methods:

The chart review of all patients in whom acute bacterial meningitis was diagnosed at The Aga Khan University Hospital from January 1995 through December 2001.

Results:

One hundred ninety-four patients were included in study. There were 146 males and 48 females. The mean age of our study population was 41±12.3 years. One hundred and ninety (97.9%) patients had community acquired meningitis; only 4 (2.0%) patients developed meningitis nosocomially. The two most common predisposing …

Socio-Economic And Diagnostic Aspects Of Tuberculosis In Pakistan, Saba Sohail

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

Arkansas Animal Science Department Report 2003, Zelpha B. Johnson, D. Wayne Kellogg

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The faculty and staff of the Animal Science Program are pleased to present the sixth edition of the Arkansas Animal Science Report. As with virtually all programs in the country, budget constraints presented serious challenges to teaching, research, and extension programming. However, the faculty and staff responded with innovation, good management, and hard work to maintain a productive program designed to benefit the students of the University and the citizens of the state. We are committed to remaining faithful to our Land-Grant mission. A sincere thank you is owed to Dr. Zelpha Johnson and Dr. Wayne Kellogg for editing this …

Ischemic Stroke Subtypes In Pakistan: The Aga Khan University Stroke Data Bank, N. A. Syed, B. A. Khealani, S. Ali, A. Hasan, H. Brohi, T. Mozaffar, N. Ahmed, A. Hameed, S. M. Baig, M. Wasay

Department of Medicine

Objective: Frequency of ischemic stroke subtypes is influenced by ethnic and geographic variables. Our objective was to identify various stroke subtypes and its determinants at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: We prospectively collected data on ischemic stroke subtypes admitted to The Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi.

Results: A total of 596 patients were enrolled in 22 months in the Aga Khan Universtiy Stroke Registry. These included 393 patients with Ischemic stroke, 126 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, 50 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and others. The ischemic stroke group was classified according to the TOAST criteria and comprised of lacunar 168/393 …

Inside Unlv, Cate Weeks, Diane Russell, Carol C. Harter, Martin Watson

Inside UNLV

No abstract provided.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection And Micronutrient Deficiencies., Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Shahab Abid

Section of Gastroenterology

It is known that deficiencies of micronutrients due to infections increase morbidity and mortality. This phenomenon depicts itself conspicuously in developing countries. Deficiencies of iron, vitamins A, E, C, B12, etc are widely prevalent among populations living in the third world countries. Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection has a high prevalence throughout the world. Deficiencies of several micronutrients due to H pylori infection may be concomitantly present and vary from subtle sub-clinical states to severe clinical disorders. These essential trace elements/micronutrients are involved in host defense mechanisms, maintaining epithelial cell integrity, glycoprotein synthesis, transport mechanisms, myocardial contractility, brain development, cholesterol …

Ua61/6 Newsletter, Issue 2, Wku Institute For Rural Health Development & Research

WKU Archives Records

Newsletter created by and about the Institute for Rural Health Development & Research. This issue contains:

• College of Health & Human Services Has New Dean – John Bonaguro
• Simpson, Staci. Institute Aims to Improve Oral Health of Children
• Whitfield, Beth. WKU Mobile Unit KICS Off Dental Event with Webster County – Kentucky Interdisciplinary Community Screening
• Stone, Glynda. TEACH KY: Teachers Exploring & Advocating Careers in Health in Kentucky
• Institute Sponsors Hispanic Health Fair
• HIV Prevention Counseling & Testing Training Program Initiated at WKU
• New Web-based Course Offered Through Communications Disorders Department at WKU
• Lashley, Donita. Child Passenger Safety Training
• Handy, …

Candida Esophagitis: Risk Factors In Non-Hiv Population In Pakistan, Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Shahab Abid, Nadim Jafri, Muhammad Islam, Saeed Hamid, Hasnain Ali Shah, Akbar S. Hussainy

Section of Gastroenterology

AIM:

Candida esophagitis is a frequent infection in immunocompromised patients. This study was designed to determine its characteristics in non- human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infected patients attending a teaching hospital.

METHODS:

Clinical records of all patients coded by international classification of diseases 9th revision with clinical modifications' (ICD-9-CM), with candida esophagitis diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and histopathology over a period of 5 years were studied.

RESULTS:

Fifty-one patients (27 males, 24 females, range 21-77 years old and mean age 52.9 years) fulfilled the criteria (0.34% of the EGD). The common predisposing factors were carcinoma (OR 3.87, CI 1.00-14.99) and …

Multiple Psychosocial Factors As Predictors In The Progression Of Hiv-1 To Aids, Robert Louis Dutile

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nearly 3.1 million individuals have died of AIDS as of December 2002 and more than 38.6 million individuals were identified as being infected with HIV (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AEDS (UNAIDS) and World Health Organization (WHO) 2002). Psychoneuroimmunology is a discipline that increases our understanding of the relationships between psychosocial factors, the central nervous system, the immune system, and disease. From this perspective, this study reviews the biopsychosocial medical model and components of the stress-immunity-health (SET) model. The constructs of stress and social support are discussed and defined referencing current theory and research. In addition, physiological mechanisms of stress …

Irritable Bowel Syndrome In Health Care Professionals In Pakistan, Wasim Jafri, Javed Yakoob, Nadim Jafri, Mahesh Maloni, Saeed Hamid, Hasnain Ali Shah, Shahab Abid

Section of Gastroenterology

Objective: To evaluate the symptomatology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among health care professionals attending an IBS symposium in a tertiary care university hospital. Method: A questionnaire designed to incorporate Manning and Rome II criteria was distributed among participants of an IBS symposium, most of them were health care professionals. A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed, 41 had symptoms fulfilling criteria of IBS. In these patients male: female ratio was 28:13 with age range 18-68. Results: The predominant symptom was abdominal pain 87.8 % (36/41) which was aggravated post-prandially 72.2% (29/41), relieved following defecation in 87 % (35/41) with …

Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease In School Children--A Pilot Study., A. K. Khuwaja, Zafar Fatmi, W. B. Soomro, N. K. Khuwaja

Community Health Sciences

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the frequencies of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in school children. The information may help in designing interventions aimed at modifying unhealthy lifestyle in children, which may reduce the later incidence of cardiovascular disease in adults.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 206 students (ages 14-18 years), enrolled in higher secondary school. Students were interviewed about their lifestyles, family history of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. Moreover, they were assessed for height, weight and blood pressure.

RESULTS:

Twenty nine percent of the children were physically inactive, 31% were taking unhealthy diet daily, 21% were overweight …

Validation Of A Serotonin Checklist In A Parkinson’S Disease Population, Kelly Diane Darby-Holder

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although the distinctive pathological marker of Parkinson’s Disease is the progressive death of neurons that produce dopamine, there are also alterations in the production of quantities of other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin that contribute to the disease. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can be divided into two distinct classes based on the manifestation of motor symptoms, Type A and Type B Parkinson’s Disease. Type B PD patients often manifest symptoms in which serotonin deficiency plays an important role, which often includes a history of depression. Within the brain and spinal cord serotonin has wide spread projections, acting as an important …

Cross-Calibration Of Stroke Disability Measures: Bayesian Analysis Of Longitudinal Ordinal Categorical Data Using Negative Dependence, Giovanni Parmigiani, Heidi W. Ashih, Gregory P. Samsa, Pamela W. Duncan, Sue Min Lai, David B. Matchar

Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Biostatistics Working Papers

It is common to assess disability of stroke patients using standardized scales, such as the Rankin Stroke Outcome Scale (RS) and the Barthel Index (BI). The Rankin Scale, which was designed for applications to stroke, is based on assessing directly the global conditions of a patient. The Barthel Index, which was designed for general applications, is based on a series of questions about the patient’s ability to carry out 10 basis activities of daily living. As both scales are commonly used, but few studies use both, translating between scales is important in gaining an overall understanding of the efficacy of …

Sheep Updates 2003 - Husbandry, Paul Barrett, Kevin Bell, J Greeff, L. Butler, S. Brown, K. Hart, A. Gray, John Karlsson, Paula Coombe, Ron Mctarrart, David Scobie, Sandy White

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors:1. Setting up a successful, low input feedlot Paul Barrett, ‘Bimberdong’ Jerramungup 2. Effective mineral supplementation of sheep Kevin Bell, Sheep Management and Production Consultants, Kojonup, WA 3. Genetic benchmarking for WA sheep producers J. Greeff, L. Butler, S. Brown, K. Hart and A. Gray Department of Agriculture Western Australia 4. Does selecting sheep for low WEC reduce scouring? John Karlsson, Johan Greeff and Paula Coombe, Department of Agriculture Western Australia 5. Summer quarters for sheep - stubbles Ron McTaggart, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Albany 6. Thinking about breeding Easy Care Sheep? …

Sheep Updates 2003 - Plenaries, Ashley Mercy, David Scobie, Neil Buchanan, Kevin Bell, John Milton, Graeme Martin, Bob Hall, Maurie Stephen, Rob Woodgate

Sheep Updates

This session covers eight papers from different authors:1. Biosecurity in the sheep industry will improve production and profits Ashley Mercy, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia 2. Easy care sheep David Scobie, AgResearch, PO Box 60 Lincoln, 8152, New Zealand 3. Targeting the market’s requirements - live sheep exports Neil Buchanan, Manager Animal Health Operations, Primary Industries & Resources, South Australia 4. Setting flock breeding objectives Kevin Bell, Sheep Management and Production Consultants, Kojonup WA 5. Future feeding of sheep in Western Australia John Milton and Graeme Martin, The University of Western Australia 6. Recipe for getting back into Sheep Bob …

Ccr5 Mediates Specific Migration Of Toxoplasma Gondii—Primed Cd8+ Lymphocytes To Inflammatory Intestinal Epithelial Cells, Souphalone Luangsay, Lloyd H. Kasper, Nicolas Rachinel, Laurie A. Minns

Dartmouth Scholarship

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular parasite, can invade intestinal epithelial cells and elicit a robust Th1 immune response. In this model of intestinal inflammation, CD8⁺ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) secrete transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, which appears necessary for the maintenance of homeostasis in the intestine. However, the mechanism responsible for the IEL migration to the inflamed intestine is still unclear.An in vitro coculture cell system was used to quantify the IEL attraction by an infected intestinal epithelial cell line (m-IC_cl2). We used CCR5-deficient mice to determine which chemokine receptor—chemokine interaction could be responsible for the recruitment of …

Requirement For The Betai And Betaiv Tubulin Isotypes In Mammalian Cilia., Heather C Jensen-Smith, Richard F Ludueña, Richard Hallworth

Journal Articles: Eppley Institute

Nielsen et al., [2001: Curr Biol 11:529-533], based on studies in Drosophila, have proposed that beta tubulin in axonemal microtubules must contain a specific acidic seven amino acid sequence in its carboxyl terminus. In mammals, the two betaIV isotypes (betaIVa and betaIVb) contain that sequence. In order to test the application of this hypothesis to mammals, we have examined the expression of beta tubulin isotypes in four different ciliated tissues (trachea, ependyma, uterine tube, and testis) using isotype-specific antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence. We find that betaIV tubulin is present in all ciliated cell types examined, but so is betaI tubulin. …

Temporal Stability And Geographic Variation In Cumulative Case Fatality Rates And Average Doubling Times Of Sars Epidemics, Alison P. Galvani, Xiudong Lei, Nicholas P. Jewell

U.C. Berkeley Division of Biostatistics Working Paper Series

We analyze temporal stability and geographic trends in cumulative case fatality rates and average doubling times of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). In part, we account for correlations between case fatality rates and doubling times through differences in control measures. We discuss factors that may alter future estimates of case fatality rates. We also discuss reasons for heterogeneity in doubling times among countries and the implications for the control of SARS in different countries and parameterization of epidemic models.

Probucol Prevents Early Coronary Heart Disease And Death In The High-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Sr-Bi/Apolipoprotein E Double Knockout Mouse, Anne Braun, Songwen Zhang, Helena E. Miettinen, Shamsah Ebrahim, Teresa M. Holm, Eliza Vasile, Mark J. Post

Dartmouth Scholarship

Mice with homozygous null mutations in the high-density lipoprotein receptor SR-BI (scavenger receptor class B, type I) and apolipoprotein E genes fed a low-fat diet exhibit a constellation of pathologies shared with human atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD): hypercholesterolemia, occlusive coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial infarctions, cardiac dysfunction (heart enlargement, reduced systolic function and ejection fraction, and ECG abnormalities), and premature death (mean age 6 weeks). They also exhibit a block in RBC maturation and abnormally high plasma unesterified-to-total cholesterol ratio (0.8) with associated abnormal lipoprotein morphology (lamellar/vesicular and stacked discoidal particles reminiscent of those in lecithin/cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency and cholestasis). Treatment …

If Due Process Is A Big Tent, Why Do Some Feel Excluded From The Big Top, William S. Mattingly

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Abortion Legalization On Sexual Behavior: Evidence From Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Jonathan Klick, Thomas Stratmann

All Faculty Scholarship

Unwanted pregnancy represents a major cost of sexual activity. When abortion was legalized in a number of states in 1969 and 1970 (and nationally in 1973), this cost was reduced. We predict that abortion legalization generated incentives leading to an increase in sexual activity, accompanied by an increase in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Using Centers for Disease Control data on the incidence of gonorrhea and syphilis by state, we test the hypothesis that abortion legalization led to an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. We find that gonorrhea and syphilis incidences are significantly and positively correlated with abortion legalization. Further, we …

Potential Mechanisms Explaining The Antitumor Effect Of Total-Body Irradiation, Glen Michael Miller

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

While numerous reports have documented that radiation exposure increases the risk for malignancy and suppresses immune mechanisms, increasing evidence has suggested that low-dose total-body irradiation (TBI) may alter leukocyte composition and function leading to heightened immune responsiveness and long-term remission of certain cancers. Having observed that moderate-dose TBI produces an antitumor effect in the Lewis lung carcinoma (EEC) model, the major goal of this study was to determine whether changes in tumor growth could be correlated with radiation-induced alterations of immune system parameters. The governing hypothesis was that selective immune augmentation, i.e. upregulation of specific leukocyte subsets, is primarily responsible …

Regulation And Localization Of Endogenous Human Tristetraprolin, Anna-Marie Fairhurst, John E. Connolly, Katharine A Hintz, Nicolas J Goulding

Dartmouth Scholarship

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been implicated in the development and pathogenicity of infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders, such as septic shock and arthritis. The zinc-finger protein tristetraprolin (TTP) has been identified as a major regulator of TNF biosynthesis. To define its intracellular location and examine its regulation of TNF, a quantitive intracellular staining assay specific for TTP was developed. We establish for the first time that in peripheral blood leukocytes, express

Photodynamic Therapy, Ashley Thomas

McCabe Thesis Collection

Photodynamic therapy is a new treatment that is being introduced into the veterinary community. Photodynamic therapy is the use of light activated chemotherapy to kill cancer cells (Dougherty, 1998). It has already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to be used as a form of cancer treatment in humans, but has not been carried over to the veterinary community. That is until now. Photodynamic therapy is now being tested in the veterinary community in hopes to find the same results that the human medical community has when dealing with certain types of cancer. They also hope to …