Digital Commons Network^™

Comparing The 2013 Acc/Aha & 2014 Nla Dyslipidemia Guidelines And Their Impact On Clinical Decision Making, Alexander Forbes, Kevin Grimes, Jocelyn York, Laura Tsu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This home-study CPE activity has been developed to educate pharmacists on the similarities and differences between the 2014 NLA Recommendations for Dyslipidemia Management and the 2013 ACC/AHA Guidelines for Treatment of Blood Cholesterol.

Dopaminergic Signaling Within The Primary Cilia In The Renovascular System, Kimberly F. Atkinson, Samred H. Kathem, Xingjian Jin, Brian S. Muntean, Wissam A. Aboualaiwi, Andromeda M. Nauli, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Activation of dopamine receptor type-5 (DR5) has been known to reduce systemic blood pressure, most likely by increasing renal vasodilation and enhancing natriuresis in the kidney. However, the mechanism of DR5 in natriuresis and vasodilation was not clearly known. We have previously shown that DR5 is localized to primary cilia of proximal renal epithelial and vascular endothelial cells. We here show that selective activation of DR5 specifically induces calcium influx only in the primary cilia, whereas non-selective activation of dopamine receptor induces calcium fluxes in both cilioplasm and cytoplasm. Cilia-independent signaling induced by thrombin only shows calcium signaling within cytoplasm. …

Outcomes Of Asymmetric Selection Pressure And Larval Dispersal On Evolution Of Disease Resistance: A Metapopulation Modeling Study With Oysters, Daphne M. Munroe, Eric N. Powell, Susan E. Ford, Eileen E. Hofmann, John M. Klinck

CCPO Publications

Marine diseases are a strong selective force that can have important economic and ecological consequences. Larval dispersal patterns, selective mortality and individual growth rates can modulate metapopulation responses to disease pressure. Here, we use a modeling framework that includes distinct populations, connected via larval transport, with varying disease selection pressure and connectivity to examine how these dynamics enhance or inhibit the evolution of disease resistance in metapopulations. Our system, oysters and MSX disease, is one in which disease resistance is highly and demonstrably heritable. Simulations show that under conditions of population isolation (i.e. local retention of larvae) and strong disease …

Impact Of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Signaling On Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells In Systemic Lupus Erythematous, Jennifer L. Scott

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Female lupus prone NZM2410 estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) functionally deficient (ERαKO) mice are protected from renal disease and have prolonged survival compared to wild type (WT) littermates, however the mechanism of protection is unknown. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and type I interferon (IFN) drive lupus pathogenesis and estrogen acting via ERα enhances both pDC development and IFN production. The objectives for this work were to determine if ERα modulates pDC number, maturation, or function in pre-disease NZM2410 mice as a possible protective mechanism of ERα functional deficiency in lupus prone mice. We measured the effect of ERα functional deficiency on …

The Significance Of Crispr/Cas9-Directed Cul3 Knockout On Human Colorectal Cancer Cells, Zoe A. Lautz

Departmental Honors Projects

Cancer, the second leading cause of death in the US, is caused by mutations in select genes that alter cellular function leading to uncontrolled proliferation. Understanding the specific genes that drive cancer can lead to the generation of novel cancer therapies. To identify novel genes that drive cancer in the colon (CRC), lungs, and ovaries in mice, Starr et al. employed a transposon-based insertional mutagenesis system. One of the genes identified, APC, is mutated in 70-80% of human CRCs. CUL3, suspected to be a general driver gene, was discovered in the lung cancer screen. CUL3 was analyzed for its role …

Killing Adherent And Nonadherent Cancer Cells With The Plasma Pencil, Mounir Laroussi, Soheila Mohades, Nazir Barekzi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The application of low temperature plasmas in biology and medicine may lead to a paradigm shift in the way various diseases can be treated without serious side effects. Low temperature plasmas generated in gas mixtures that contain oxygen or air produce several chemically reactive species that have important biological implications when they interact with eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. Here, a review of the effects of low temperature plasma generated by the plasma pencil on different cancerous cells is presented. Results indicate that plasma consistently shows a delayed killing effect that is dose dependent. In addition, there is some evidence that …

Development Of A Multivalent Subunit Vaccine Against Tularemia Using Tobacco Mosaic Virus (Tmv) Based Delivery System, Sukalyani Banik, Ahd Ahmed Mansour, Ragavan Varadharajan Suresh, Sherri Wykoff-Clary, Meenakshi Malik, Alison A. Mccormick, Chandra Shekhar Bakshi

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

Francisella tularensisis a facultative intracellular pathogen, and is the causative agent of a fatal human disease known as tularemia. F. tularensis is classified as a Category A Biothreat agent by the CDC based on its use in bioweapon programs by several countries in the past and its potential to be used as an agent of bioterrorism. No licensed vaccine is currently available for prevention of tularemia. In this study, we used a novel approach for development of a multivalent subunit vaccine against tularemia by using an efficient tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) based delivery platform. The multivalent subunit vaccine was formulated …

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa-Induced Bleb-Niche Formation In Epithelial Cells Is Independent Of Actinomyosin Contraction And Enhanced By Loss Of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane-Conductance Regulator Osmoregulatory Function, Amber L. Jolly, Desire Takawira, Olufolarin O. Oke, Sarah A. Whiteside, Stephanie W. Chang, Emily R. Wen, David J. Evans

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can infect almost any site in the body but most often targets epithelial cell-lined tissues such as the airways, skin, and the cornea of the eye. A common predisposing factor is cystic fibrosis (CF), caused by defects in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane-conductance regulator (CFTR). Previously, we showed that when P. aeruginosa enters epithelial cells it replicates intracellularly and occupies plasma membrane blebs. This phenotype is dependent on the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) effector ExoS, shown by others to induce host cell apoptosis. Here, we examined mechanisms for P. aeruginosa-induced bleb formation, focusing on its …

Association Of Abc (Hba1c, Blood Pressure, Ldl-Cholesterol) Goal Attainment With Depression And Health-Related Quality Of Life Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Bijal M. Shah, Dylan J. Mezzio, Jackie Ho, Eric J. Ip

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

Aims: To determine the relationship between ABC goal attainment, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among a national sample of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis was performed examining 808 non-pregnant patients ≥ 20 years old with T2DM from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2012. ABC goals were defined as HbA1c < 7%, BP < 130/80mmHg, and LDL-C < 100mg/dL. Patient characteristics associated with ABC goal attainment were examined.

Results: Overall, 23.7% of participants achieved simultaneous ABC goals. Severe depression was significantly associated with lower rates of ABC goal attainment compared to those with no depression (5.0% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.048). ABC goal attainment rates …

Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) Of Three-Toed Box Turtles, Terrapene Carolina Triunguis (Reptilia: Testudines), From Arkansas And Oklahoma, C. T. Mcallister, D. Motriuk-Smith, R. S. Seville, C. Hudson, M. B. Connior, H. W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We collected 50 three-toed box turtles (Terrapene carolina triunguis) from 9 counties of Arkansas and 4 counties of Oklahoma, and examined their feces for coccidial parasites. Nine of 24 (38%) turtles from Arkansas and 8 of 26 (31%) from Oklahoma were found to be passing oocysts of Eimeria ornata. This represents two new geographic distributional records for this coccidian. Measurements of individual isolates of E. ornate as well as morphological characteristics are provided with comparison to its original description and to another Terrapene coccidian, Eimeria carri. In addition, we noted an adelid pseudoparasite being passed by a single T. c. …

Sodium Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors In The Treatment Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Eden Miller, Jay H. Shubrook

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Osteopathic Medicine

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, progressive disease, control of which typically requires multiple therapies. Current guidelines suggest that, in addition to improving glycemic control, antihyperglycemic therapy should be chosen on the basis of its effects on body weight and the risk of hypoglycemia. The newest class of oral antihyperglycemic agents, the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, reduces renal glucose reabsorption and increases urinary glucose excretion via an insulin-independent mechanism of action. SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to improve glycemic control and to reduce body weight and systolic blood pressure, and their use is associated with a …

Climate, Environmental And Socio-Economic Change: Weighing Up The Balance In Vector-Borne Disease Transmission, Paul E. Parham, Joanna Waldock, George K. Christophides, Deborah Hemming, Folashade Agusto, Katherine J. Evans, Nina Fefferman, Holly Gaff, Abba Gumel, Shannon Ladeau

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Arguably one of the most important effects of climate change is the potential impact on human health. While this is likely to take many forms, the implications for future transmission of vector-borne diseases (VBDs), given their ongoing contribution to global disease burden, are both extremely important and highly uncertain. In part, this is owing not only to data limitations and methodological challenges when integrating climate-driven VBD models and climate change projections, but also, perhaps most crucially, to the multitude of epidemiological, ecological and socio-economic factors that drive VBD transmission, and this complexity has generated considerable debate over the past 10-15 …

The Efficacy Of Electrocardiograms As A Screening Tool To Detect Cardiac Abnormalities In Young Athletes, Cody William

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Sudden cardiac death (SCD) among athletes can be attributed to increased cardiovascular demands associated with vigorous exercise.

• The majority of athletes who experience sudden cardiac death are asymptomatic.

• Pre-participation history and physicals, (H&P) help to identify underlying cardiovascular disorders with the potential to increase the risk of SCD in an athlete.

• The efficacy of pre-participation H&Ps to identify underlying cardiac etiology has been debated.

• The purpose of this research is to:

---Determine incidence and cause of SCD among athletes (Table 1).

---Determine the efficacy and evidenced-based criteria for the interpretation of ECGs in athletes.

---Evaluate …

Information Maximizing Component Analysis Of Left Ventricular Remodeling Due To Myocardial Infarction, Xingyu Zhang, Bharath Ambale-Venkatesh, David A. Bluemke, Brett R. Cowan, J. Paul Finn, Alan H. Kadish, Pau Medrano-Gracia

Office of the President Publications and Research

Background: Although adverse left ventricular shape changes (remodeling) after myocardial infarction (MI) are predictive of morbidity and mortality, current clinical assessment is limited to simple mass and volume measures, or dimension ratios such as length to width ratio. We hypothesized that information maximizing component analysis (IMCA), a supervised feature extraction method, can provide more efficient and sensitive indices of overall remodeling.

Methods: IMCA was compared to linear discriminant analysis (LDA), both supervised methods, to extract the most discriminatory global shape changes associated with remodeling after MI. Finite element shape models from 300 patients with myocardial infarction from the …

The Effectiveness Of A Computer-Assisted, Cognitive-Behavior Program For Treating Anxiety Symptoms In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jennifer A. Zabel

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex and multifaceted, neurodevelopmental disorder that severely impacts children and families across a variety of settings. Prevalence rates of ASD are continuing to increase rapidly, with sizeable intervention and treatment costs placed on families and society. Further complicating the matter, many individuals with ASD also evidence co-occurring anxiety symptoms or disorders and tend to be at a higher risk for developing such problems when compared to other clinical populations or typically developing children. This study investigated the effectiveness of a computer-assisted CBT program, Camp Cope-A-Lot (CCAL), in regards to reducing anxiety symptoms in four …

Histological And Immunohistochemical Analyses Used To Study Craniosynostosis In Pediatric Patients, Palvir Kaur Baadh

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the sutures of the skull grow together (fuse) earlier than normal in infants. Sutures are large gaps located at the bony plates or joints of the head. Craniosynostosis causes the skull to expand and grow in the direction of any normal open suture, creating craniofacial complications, such as drooping eyelids and abnormal intracranial pressure, head shape, or brain morphology. This premature fusion or ossification of sutures affects approximately 300-500 live births in 1,000,000 (Kolpakova-Hart et al., 2008) with considerable variation in phenotype, depending on which suture(s) is involved. Corrective …

Morphometric Analysis Of Left & Right Tonsils In Adult Symptomatic Type 1 Chiari Patients And Healthy Controls, Louis J. Konstan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Historically, CMI has been radiographically defined by cerebellar tonsillar descent below the foramen magnum (FM) more than 5 mm (2). This measurement is typically made with a single sagittal plane T1-or T2-weighted MR image. Studies have obtained additional morphometric measurements to help diagnose CMI, and establish normal values (3,4). These studies were somewhat These studies were somewhat successful in differentiating CMI patients from healthy subjects. However, results from these studies have shown that the standard TD measurement does not necessarily correlate with neurological symptom severity as patients with CMI-like symptoms have been found with a TD of less than 5 …

Alternative Therapy For Sickle Cell Disease, Huda Alsultan

Graduate Research Papers

Sickle cell disease can lead to serious complications, such as stroke, acute chest syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, organ damage, blindness, skin ulcers, gallstones and priapism. Additionally, patients with sickle cell disease usually have several pain crises during the year, which means they have to be admitted to the hospital a couple days or weeks in order to treat these crises by pain relievers through IV line or veins. This necessitates quite often that the patient would be absent from their jobs or schools. Frequent absences may cause people with sickle cell disease to experience stress which in turn leads to a …

Is Regenerative Injection Therapy (Prolotherapy) Effective At Reducing Pain Associated With Knee Osteoarthritis?, Ashley Aloi

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is regenerative injection therapy (prolotherapy) effective at reducing pain associated with knee osteoarthritis?”

Study Design: Review of all English language primary studies published in 2012 and 2013.

Data Sources: One randomized control trial, one randomized crossover study and one single-arm uncontrolled study were found using PubMed and Ebscohost.

Outcomes Measured: Clinical outcome for all three articles was measured using the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); which specifically focuses on quality of life, function, and pain reduction after the use of prolotherapy versus the saline …

Is Rabeprazole A Safe Treatment For Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease In Children Ages 1-16 Years?, Sarah Applegarth

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of the selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Rabeprazole is a safe treatment for GERD in children less than sixteen years old.

Study Design: Review of three randomized controlled studies. All three studies were published in English between 2007-2013.

Data Sources: Three randomized, un-blinded, controlled studies found using Medline and PubMed

Outcomes Measured: Each trial measured the adverse events that occurred with the use of Rabeprazole for the treatment of GERD in children less than sixteen years of age. This was done by using subjective reporting of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE’s). Differences in the …

Is Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum A Safe And Effective Treatment For Adult Patients With Dupuytren’S Contracture?, Heather N. Bailey

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not collagenase clostridium histolyticum is a safe and effective treatment for adult patients with Dupuytren’s contracture.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials and one cross-sectional study. All of these studies are published in English between 2009-2013.

DATA SOURCES: Two double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials and one cross-sectional study found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each randomized controlled trial measured the ability to meet the primary end point and all secondary endpoints, percent decrease in degree of contracture, increase in range of motion, patient satisfaction, …

How Safe And Effective Is Tryptophan In Improving Sleep In Healthy Individuals With Mild Sleep Disorders?, Genevieve Asante-Odame

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not tryptophan is effective in improving sleep in healthy individuals with mild sleep disorders.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three published, randomized controlled trials (double-blind, placebo-controlled) between 2005-2010, all English language.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials published between 2005 and 2010 were found using PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Improved sleep quality and duration of sleep, which were measured using sleep diaries and sleep study questionnaires.

RESULTS: The first study, Cubero et al showed that administration of diet containing high levels of tryptophan reflected more …

Is Yoga Effective In Reducing Fibromyalgia-­Related Symptoms In Women With Fibromyalgia?, Molly R. Beckmann

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not yoga is effective in reducing fibromyalgia-related symptoms in women with fibromyalgia.

Study Design: Review of two published double blind, randomized controlled trials published in 2010 and one before-after study published in 2012 were used for this review and selected based on their relevance to the clinical question

Data Source: Studies were found using PubMed, AMED, and CINAHL Plus.

Outcomes Measured: All three studies measured improvement of fibromyalgia symptoms based on a variety of well-validated measures, most notably the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the Quality of Life Profile …

Does Far Infrared Therapy Reduce The Incidence Of Arteriovenous Fistula Malfunction In Patients With Renal Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis?, Parker Barrett

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine review is to determine whether or not far infrared therapy reduces the incidence of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) malfunction in patients with renal disease undergoing hemodialysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three primary randomized controlled trial studies published from 2007-2013.

DATA SOURCES: Three peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials studying the effectiveness of far infrared therapy in the preservation of native arteriovenous fistula function in patients with chronic kidney disease requiring hemodialysis. Data searches done in PubMed, CINAHL Plus and EBSCOhost.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Primary outcome measured was episodes of AVF malfunction due to stenotic complication. …

Is Treatment With Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate Effective In Reducing Elbow Pain In Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis?, Benjamin Chartier

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not treatment with topical glyceryl trinitrate is effective in reducing elbow pain in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Study Design: Review of two English language randomized controlled trials and one primary study published 2003, 2009, 2011.

Data Sources: Two double blind randomized controlled and one prospective comparison study comparing the effectiveness of gylceryl trinitrate to placebo in the treatment of pain related to lateral epicondylitis, found using PubMed, EBSCOhost, and CINAHL Plus.

Outcome(s) Measured: The outcome studied was patient self-rated elbow pain at rest, pain with activity, pain …

Will The Addition Of Oxaliplatin To 5-Fluorouracil (5fu), And Leucovorin Improve Disease Free Survival Of Patients With Stage Iii Colon Cancer Who Had Surgical Resection Of The Tumor?, Sarah Cotter

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the addition of oxaliplatin to 5FU and leucovorin will improve disease free survival of patients with stage III colon cancer who had surgical resection of the tumor.

Study Design: Review of three published, double blind randomized control trials in the English language in 2004, 2007, and 2009.

Outcomes Measured: The outcome is disease free survival of colon cancer. It is measured using periodic patient follow-up. History and PE, neuro assessment, liver and kidney function tests, CEA test, CBC, and imaging studies such as colonoscopy or barium …

Is Bevacizumab Effective In Inhibiting The Growth Of Recurrent Pterygium?, Sharon L. De La Cruz

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Bevacizumab is an effective treatment in inhibiting the growth of recurrent pterygium.

Study Design: Review of three published, English language randomized controlled trials published in 2010, 2012, and 2013.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials measuring the efficacy of Bevacizumab to inhibit the growth of recurrent pterygium were found using PubMed and OVID databases.

Outcome(s) Measured: The severity and progression of pterygium recurrence as well as corneal neovascularization were the main outcomes measured. Conjunctival injection, thickness, and size of the fibrovascular tissue were examined in subjects …

Is Ginger An Effective Treatment For Moderate Or Severe Dysmenorrhea In Females Over The Age Of 18?, Katy N. Degraw

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not ginger is a safe and effective treatment for moderate or severe dysmenorrhea in females over the age of 18.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled studies. All three studies are published in English between 2009-2013.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized placebo controlled studies found using PubMed and Medline.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes that were measured were severity of pain, duration of pain, change in symptoms, and change in severity. This was done by using a visual analogue scale, 5-point Likert scale, Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test, and verbal …

In Adult Patients With Pc-Bppv, Is The Semont Maneuver Effective In Reducing Symptoms Of Vertigo?, Gabriel D. Frampton

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not in adult patients with PC-BPPV, is the Semont Maneuver effective in reducing symptoms of vertigo?

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three published, randomized controlled trials (two double-blind and one single blinded), all English language.

DATA SOURCES: The three randomized controlled trials that were used for this review were found using PubMed and Medline. Articles were selected based on relevance and that the outcomes were patient oriented.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: Dix-Hallpike Test performed before and after the Semont Maneuver to asses nystagmus and questionnaires/self reported symptom status after the …

Is Tamoxifen Prophylaxis Effective In Reducing The Incidence Of Breast Cancer In Women Who Are At High Risk?, Maria Deveau

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this EBM review is to determine whether or not Tamoxifen prophylaxis is effective in reducing the incidence of breast cancer in woman who are at high risk.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies published from 2005 to 2007.

DATA SOURCE: Three double-blind randomized control trials found using the PubMed and Cochrane database.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The primary outcome by all three studies included incidence of breast cancer.

RESULTS: Three double- blind randomized controlled trials were included in this review. Study by Powles et al showed statistically significant reduction in the incidents of breast cancer …