Digital Commons Network^™

Skinning The Surface Of Bone Abnormalities In Trichothiodystrophy, Rina Allawh, Michael Xiong, Deborah Tamura, John J. Digiovanna, Michael T. Collins, Kenneth H. Kraemer, Suvimol Hill

GW Research Days 2013

Objective(s): The purpose of the study conducted is to characterize the qualitative and quantitative features of the bone abnormalities present in patients diagnosed with Trichothiodystrophy (TTD), a DNA repair and transcription disorder. An additional goal of the study is to identify TTD patients at risk for rapidly progressive bone abnormalities in order to improve diagnosis and treatment for TTD patients.

Study Design: A retrospective study conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) examining the bone abnormalities present in a study population comprised of 32 patients between the ages of 1 and 29 years of age diagnosed with TTD. Radiographic …

Intensive Goal-Directed Treatments In Enriched Environments Augments Patient Outcomes Post-Stroke, Blake A. Kandah, Michael A. Klonowski, Ryan M. Pelo, Nicole M. Williams, Raquel V. Santiago, Christopher K. Thompson, Kristan A. Leech, Carey L. Holleran, Abigail L. Leddy, T. George Hornby

GW Research Days 2013

Objective: Previous research indicates that patients post-stroke, average 400-800 steps within physical therapy sessions and demonstrate heart rate values of 24-35% of HR Max. This dosage and intensity is inadequate to promote neuroplastic changes and maximize recovery. The goal of this study was to quantify and examine the amount of high-intensity stepping practice that was delivered within an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation (AIR) setting for individuals with sub-acute stroke.

Methods: 14 patients with a diagnosis of sub-acute stroke were admitted to AIR. Standardized outcomes included the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the …

Brazil’S Big Place On The Huntington’S Disease Map, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Norepinephrine Involvement In The Intermittent Swim Stress-Induced Deficit In Spatial Learning And Memory, Emily Elgert

Honors Theses and Capstones

Learning and memory impairments are often caused by stress disorders including depression. The present study investigated the involvement of norepinephrine in the swim stress-induced deficits of spatial learning and memory. Exposure to intermittent swim stress (ISS) followed by learning and memory tests in the Morris water maze (MWM) were used to investigate this relationship. The ISS paradigm consists of intermittent exposure to cold water, producing stress responses in rats. Reboxetine, a norepinephrine selective reuptake inhibitor (NSRI), was employed to investigate whether this compound reverses the ISS-induced deficit. In other words, rats exposed to the ISS, were hypothesized to experience impaired …

Age-Period-Cohort Projections Of Ischaemic Heart Disease Mortality By Socio-Economic Position In A Rapidly Transitioning Chinese Population, Irene O.L. Won, Benjamin J. Cowling, Gabriel M. Leung, Mary Schooling

Publications and Research

Background
With economic development and population aging, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is becoming a leading cause of mortality with widening inequalities in China. To forewarn the trends in China we projected IHD trends in the most economically developed part of China, i.e., Hong Kong.

Methods
Based on sex-specific IHD mortality rates from 1976 to 2005, we projected mortality rates by neighborhood-level socio-economic position (i.e., low- or high-income groups) to 2020 in Hong Kong using Poisson age-period-cohort models with autoregressive priors.

Results
In the low-income group, age-standardized IHD mortality rates among women declined from 33.3 deaths in 1976–1980 to 19.7 per …

Interventions To Reduce Neonatal Mortality From Neonatal Tetanus In Low And Middle Income Countries - A Systematic Review, Adeel Ahmed Khan, Aysha Zahidie, F. Rabbani

Community Health Sciences

Background

In 1988, WHO estimated around 787,000 newborns deaths due to neonatal tetanus. Despite few success stories majority of the Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) are still struggling to reduce neonatal mortality due to neonatal tetanus. We conducted a systematic review to understand the interventions that have had a substantial effect on reducing neonatal mortality rate due to neonatal tetanus in LMICs and come up with feasible recommendations for decreasing neonatal tetanus in the Pakistani setting.

Methods

We systemically reviewed the published literature (Pubmed and Pubget databases) to identify appropriate interventions for reducing tetanus related neonatal mortality. A total …

Intra-Tumoral Heterogeneity In Metastatic Potential And Survival Signaling Between Iso-Clonal Hct116 And Hct116b Human Colon Carcinoma Cell Lines., Sanjib Chowdhury, Melanie Ongchin, Elizabeth Sharratt, Ivan Dominguez, J. Wang, Michael G. Brattain, Ashwani Rajput

Journal Articles: Eppley Institute

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The molecular mechanisms underlying this complex, multi-step pathway are yet to be completely elucidated. Recent reports have stressed the importance of intra-tumoral heterogeneity in the development of a metastatic phenotype. The purpose of this study was to characterize the intra-tumoral phenotypic heterogeneity between two iso-clonal human colon cancer sublines HCT116 and HCT116b on their ability to undergo metastatic colonization and survive under growth factor deprivation stress (GFDS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: HCT116 and HCT116b cells were transfected with green fluorescence protein and subcutaneously injected into …

Effects Of Hemodialysis Therapy On Sit-To-Walk Characteristics In End Stage Renal Disease Patients, Rahul Soangra, Thurmon Lockhart, John Lach, Emaad M. Abdel-Rahman

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Patients with end stage renal diseases (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have high morbidity and mortality due to multiple causes; one of which is dramatically higher fall rates than the general population. In spite of the multiple efforts aiming to decrease the high mortality and improve quality of life in ESRD patients, limited success has been achieved. If adequate interventions for fall prevention are to be achieved, the functional and mobility mechanisms consistent with falls in this population must be understood. Human movements such as sit-to-walk (STW) tasks are clinically significant, and analysis of these movements provides a meaningful evaluation of …

Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Pathoneurological Basis Of Disease, Alex D. Hamilton

Senior Honors Theses

Fibromyalgia (also known as fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS) is a condition which causes its victims to suffer a wide range of symptoms, most notably chronic musculoskeletal pain. Although the causes of fibromyalgia remain unknown, recent advances help elucidate the underlying pathophysiologies of this condition, and show that it is likely not a musculoskeletal condition, but rather a pathoneurological condition.

Tackling The Global Ncd Crisis: Innovations In Law And Governance, Bryan P. Thomas, Lawrence O. Gostin

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

35 million people die annually of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), 80% of them in low- and middle-income countries—representing a marked epidemiological transition from infectious to chronic diseases and from richer to poorer countries. The total number of NCDs is projected to rise by 17% over the coming decade, absent significant interventions. The NCD epidemic poses unique governance challenges: the causes are multifactorial, the affected populations diffuse, and effective responses require sustained multi-sectorial cooperation. The authors propose a range of regulatory options available at the domestic level, including stricter food labeling laws, regulation of food advertisements, tax incentives for healthy lifestyle choices, …

Ncaa Division I Head Coaches' Experiences With Eating Disorders And Disordered Eating In Female Athletes: A Qualitative Analysis, Caitlyn Pecinovsky

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In today's sport, NCAA Division I female athletes are under a constant pressure to reach an elite level of perfection in athletic performance, frequently adhering to the assumption that there is an inverse relationship between body size and performance level (Petrie & Sherman, 2007). Additionally, coaches have unrealistic expectations about weight and body image, which adds pressure on athletes to conform to certain weight or image driven standards. Perceptions that coaches hold about eating disorders and disordered eating present a set of risk factors that may increase the likelihood of female athletes developing maladaptive eating patterns (Scoffier, Maiano, & d'Arripe-Longueville, …

Patterns Of Gene Expression From Human Costal Cartilage In Relation To The Chest Wall Deformity Pectus Carinatum, Janna E. Grubbs

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Cartilage deformities within the human chest wall, specifically pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC) are common (1/400-1/1000) and yet, despite their clinical significance, are some of the least studied disorders pertaining to cartilage [1]. The costal cartilage connecting "false ribs" 8-10 to the sternum is often abnormally grown and can lead to formation of a severely sunken "funnel" chest (PE) or push outwards to form a "pigeon" chest (PC). Both conditions can have impact on the diaphragm, heart, lungs, and psychological function. An established ratio of PE and PC in males to females is 4:1, indicating a sex-linked male …

Novel Architecture Of Costal Cartilage And Implications In Chest Wall Deformities, Anthony J. Asmar

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Costal cartilage is a type of hyaline cartilage that forms rod-like structures that connect the ribs to the sternum. Deformation of costal cartilage is observed in the chest wall deformities, pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum. Pectus excavatum involves a sternal displacement causing a depression of the chest while pectus carinatum causes a protrusion of the chest. As costal cartilage is not a widely studied tissue, this leaves little knowledge into possible factors involved in the pathogenesis of pectus deformities. Costal cartilage in these deformities has been described as being weakened and may implicate proteoglycans which play an important role in …

Anti-Helicobacter Pylori Activity And Inhibition Of Helicobacter Pylori-Induced Release Of Il-8 In Ags Cells By Plant Extracts, Javed Yakoob, Zaigham Abbas, Rustam Khan, Muhammad Waqas Usman, Saeed Hamid, Safia Awan, Kanza Shamim, Syed Faisal Zaidi, Toshiro Sugiyama, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

Plants used in popular diet were studied for anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and their effect on the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) from H. pylori infected gastric epithelial cells. Extracts were prepared of Allium sativum (A. sativum), Cuminum cyminum (C. cyminum),Piper nigrum (P. nigrum) and their mix in two different dilutions. AGS cell line and H. pyloristrains were used for co-culture experiments. Extracts bactericidal activity was determined by a viable colony count. ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) was used to determine IL-8 expression. DNA extracted from bacterial cells was used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) …

Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Native South Asian Pakistani Population; Trends, Clinico-Pathological Characteristics & Differences In Viral Marker Negative & Viral-Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Amna Subhan Butt1, Saeed Hamid, Ashfaq Ahmad Wadalawala, Mariam Ghufran, Ammar Asrar Javed, Omer Farooq, Bilal Ahmed, Tanveer Ul Haq, Wasim Jafri

Section of Gastroenterology

Background

HCC is the fifth most common cancer globally. Our study was conducted to (1)investigate the trends and clinico-pathological characteristics of Hepatocellular carcinoma among native South Asian patients in Pakistan, (2)to estimate the prevalence as well as the trends of viral marker negative HCC and (3) to compare the clinico-pathological, radiological characteristics, applicability of treatment at diagnosis and prognostic factors among patients with both viral marker negative and viral marker positive-HCC being consulted at Aga Khan University Hospital(AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan.

Method

Patients ≥18 years, already diagnosed to have HCC and visiting AKUH during 1999–2009 were identified using ICD code 1550. …

Expansion Of Breast Cancer Stem Cells With Fibrous Scaffolds, Sheng Feng, Pang-Kuo Lo, Shou Liu, Xinfeng Liu, Hexin Chen, Qian Wang

Faculty Publications

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are hypothesized as tumor-initiating cells within tumors and main contributors of tumor growth, metastasis and recurrence. Mammary cancer cells, MCF-7 cells, were cultured on 3D polycaprolactone (PCL) fibrous scaffolds, showing an increased proportion of CSCs. The expression of stem cell markers, including OCT3/4 and SOX2, and breast CSC-specific markers, SOX4 and CD49f, was significantly upregulated, and the mammosphere-forming capability in cells cultured on PCL fibrous scaffolds increased. The fibrous scaffolds also induced the elongation of MCF-7 cells and extended cell proliferation. The increase of CSC properties after being cultured on fibrous scaffolds was further confirmed with …

Tgf-Beta Suppresses Vegfa-Mediated Angiogenesis In Colon Cancer Metastasis., Liying Geng, Anathbandhu Chaudhuri, G. Talmon, James L. Wisecarver, J. Wang

Journal Articles: Eppley Institute

The FET cell line, derived from an early stage colon carcinoma, is non-tumorigenic in athymic nude mice. Engineered FET cells that express TGF-α (FETα) display constitutively active EGFR/ErbB signaling. These cells readily formed xenograft tumors in athymic nude mice. Importantly, FETα cells retained their response to TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition, and, like the parental FET cells, expression of a dominant negative TGF-beta type II receptor (DNRII) in FETα cells (FETα/DNRII) abrogated responsiveness to TGF-beta-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis under stress conditions in vitro and increased metastatic potential in an orthotopic model in vivo, which indicates metastasis suppressor activity of TGF-beta signaling …

Aids: An Overview, Loretta Mclaughlin

New England Journal of Public Policy

"We stand nakedly in front of a very serious pandemic, as mortal as any pandemic there ever has been," said Halfdan Mahler, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). "I don't know of any greater killer than AIDS, not to speak of its psychological, social and economic maiming. Everything is getting worse and worse with AIDS and all of us have been underestimating it, and I in particular. We're running scared. I cannot imagine a worse health problem in this century." When asked to compare AIDS to other epidemics, such as smallpox, that have infected and killed over the course …

De-Branching Of The Aortic Arch During Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair, James K. Wu Md, Caitlin O'Connor Bs, Timothy S. Misselbeck, Theodore G. Phillips Md

Department of Surgery

No abstract provided.

Cd4 And Cd8 T Cells Directly Recognize Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68-Immortalized Cells And Prevent Tumor Outgrowth, Xiaozhan Liang, Rebecca L. Crepeau, Weijun Zhang, Samuel H. Speck, Edward J. Usherwood

Dartmouth Scholarship

There has been extensive research regarding T cell recognition of Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cells; however, less is known regarding the recognition of B cells immortalized by gamma-2 herpesviruses. Here we show that B cells immortalized by murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68, γHV-68) can be controlled by either CD4 or CD8 T cells in vivo. We present evidence for the direct recognition of infected B cells by CD4 and CD8 T cells. These data will help in the development of immunotherapeutic approaches combating gamma-2 herpesvirus-related disease.

Big Decisions While Facing The Threat Of Huntington's Disease, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Obesity Interventions: Comparing Two Theoretical Approaches, Maria M. Ojeda

All Publications

Comparison of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the theory of Health as Expanding Consciousness, based upon their use in obesity intervention studies.

See link.

Feasibility Of Tomotherapy-Based Image-Guided Radiotherapy To Reduce Aspiration Risk In Patients With Non-Laryngeal And Non-Pharyngeal Head And Neck Cancer, Nam P. Nguyen, Lexie Smith-Raymond, Vincent Vinh-Hung, Paul Vos, Rick Davis, Anand Desai, Thomas Sroka

Dartmouth Scholarship

Purpose: The study aims to assess the feasibility of Tomotherapy-based image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) to reduce the aspiration risk in patients with non-laryngeal and non-hypopharyngeal cancer. A retrospective review of 48 patients undergoing radiation for non-laryngeal and non-hypopharyngeal head and neck cancers was conducted. All patients had a modified barium swallow (MBS) prior to treatment, which was repeated one month following radiotherapy. Mean middle and inferior pharyngeal dose was recorded and correlated with the MBS results to determine aspiration risk.

The Brain Activity Map Project: Short- And Long-Term Prospects For Huntington's Disease Research, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Differential Effects Of Micrornas On Glioblastoma Growth And Migration, Duane Jeansonne, Marco Pacifici, Adam Lassak, Krzysztof Reiss, Giuseppe Russo, Jovanny Zabaleta, Francesca Peruzzi

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Glioblastoma multiforme is characterized by rapid proliferation, aggressive metastatic potential, and resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. The matricellular protein CYR61 regulates cellular proliferation and migration and is highly expressed in Glioblastomas. MicroRNAs are 22-nucleotides long RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Here, we utilized the LN229 glioblastoma cell line and found that CYR61 is a target of miR-136, miR-155, and miR-634. Over-expression of miR-136 and miR-634 miRNAs negatively affected proliferation, but not migration, while expression of miR-155 reduced migration but did not affect the proliferation of LN229 cells. Investigation of the molecular mechanisms affected by expression of miR-634 revealed an …

Break Out: Urogenital Schistosomiasis And Schistosoma Haematobium Infection In The Post-Genomic Era, Paul J. Brindley, Peter J. Hotez

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Locus Coeruleus And Hippocampal Tyrosine Hydroxylase Levels In A Pressure-Overload Model Of Heart Disease, Luke A. Johnson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Studies have indicated that approximately 30% of people with heart disease experience major depressive disorder (MDD). Despite strong clinical evidence of a link between the two diseases, the neurobiological processes involved in the relationship are poorly understood. A growing number of studies are revealing similar neuroanatomical and neurochemical abnormalities resulting from both depression and heart disease. The locus coeruleus (LC) is a group of neurons in the pons that synthesize and release norepinephrine, and that is known to play a significant role in depression pathobiology. For example, there is evidence that tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is elevated in the LC in …

Nitric Oxide And Its Metabolites In The Critical Phase Of Illness: Rapid Biomarkers In The Making, Asad Mian, Mayank Aranke, Nathan S. Bryan

Department of Emergency Medicine

The potential of nitric oxide (NO) as a rapid assay biomarker, one that could provide a quantum leap in acute care, remains largely untapped. NO plays a crucial role as bronchodilator, vasodilator and inflammatory mediator. The main objective of this review is to demonstrate how NO is a molecule of heavy interest in various acute disease states along the emergency department and critical care spectrum: respiratory infections, central nervous system infections, asthma, acute kidney injury, sepsis, septic shock, and myocardial ischemia, to name just a few. We discuss how NO and its oxidative metabolites, nitrite and nitrate, are readily detectable …

The Effect Of Statins On Testosterone In Men And Women, A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials, Mary Schooling, Shiu Lun Au Yeung, Guy Freeman, Benjamin J. Cowling

Publications and Research

Background
Statins are extensively used for cardiovascular disease prevention. Statins reduce mortality rates morethan other lipid-modulating drugs, although evidence from randomized controlled trials also suggests that statinsunexpectedly increase the risk of diabetes and improve immune function. Physiologically, statins would beexpected to lower androgens because statins inhibit production of the substrate for the local synthesis of androgens and statins’ pleiotropic effects are somewhat similar to the physiological effects of lowering testosterone, so we hypothesized that statins lower testosterone.

Methods
A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized trials of statins to test the a priori hypothesis that statins lower testosterone. We searched the PubMed, …

The Return Of The Huntington’S Whirlwind, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.