Digital Commons Network^™

Supply, Demand, And Quality: A Three-Pronged Approach To Blood Product Management In Developing Countries, Kyle L. Gress, Karina Charipova, Ivan Urits, Omar Viswanath, Alan D. Kaye

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

While transfusion of blood and blood products is instinctively linked to the provision of emergent care, blood and blood products are also routinely used for the treatment of subacute and chronic conditions. Despite the efforts of the World Health Organization and others, developing countries are faced with a three-part problem when it comes to access to and delivery of transfusions: insufficient supply, excessive demand, and inadequate quality of available supply. Developing countries rely heavily on replacement and remunerated donors rather than voluntary nonremunerated donors due to concerns regarding donation- and transfusion-transmitted infection as well as local and cultural beliefs. While …

Correlation Of Severity Of Covid-19 Disease With Gastrointestinal Manifestations And Liver Injury - A North Brooklyn Community Hospital Experience: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Kitson Deane, Ajay Singh, Azza Sarfraz, Zouina Sarfraz, Lyam Ciccone, Beishi Zheng, Arslan Afzal, Gulam Khan, Giovanna Rodriguez, Gul Bahtiyar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: The primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), is expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and liver parenchyma. The involvement of the gastrointestinal tract with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has remained unclear. The following study retrospectively reviews gastrointestinal symptoms and liver function tests at the time of hospital admission to identify patient outcomes including prolonged hospital stay, the requirement for intensive care, and all-cause in-hospital 30-day mortality.
Methods: A retrospective review of patient charts at the Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center (WMC) was conducted at the time of hospital admission, using a pre-determined selection criterion. …

Adolescent Undernutrition In South Asia: A Scoping Review, Sara Estecha Querol, Paramjit Gill, Romaina Iqbal, Maartje Kletter, Neslihan Ozdemir, Lena Al-Khudairy

Community Health Sciences

Undernutrition is a growing public health challenge affecting growth and development during adolescence in many low- and middle-income countries. This scoping review maps the evidence on adolescent undernutrition (stunting, thinness and micronutrient deficiencies) in South Asia and highlights gaps in knowledge. Using Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers' Manual, the search included electronic bibliographic databases (Medline (OVID), Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Scopus) as well as various grey literature sources published up to March 2019. In total, 131 publications met the inclusion criteria of this review. All the included evidence used quantitative …

Are Underprivileged And Less Empowered Women Deprived Of Respectful Maternity Care: Inequities In Childbirth Experiences In Public Health Facilities In Pakistan, Waqas Hameed, Mudassir Uddin, Bilal Iqbal Avan

Community Health Sciences

Background: Attainment of healthcare in respectful and dignified manner is a fundamental right for every woman regardless of the individual status. However, social exclusion, poor psychosocial support, and demeaning care during childbirth at health facilities are common worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We concurrently examined how women with varying socio-demographic characteristics are treated during childbirth, the effect of women's empowerment on mistreatment, and health services factors that contribute to mistreatment in secondary-level public health facilities in Pakistan.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during August-November 2016 among 783 women who gave birth in six secondary-care public health facilities …

Multiple-Micronutrient Supplementation In Pregnant Adolescents In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review And A Meta-Analysis Of Individual Participant Data, Emily C. Keats, Nadia Akseer, Pravheen Thurairajah, Simon Cousens, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Global Young Women’S Nutrition Investigators’ Group

Woman and Child Health

Context: Approximately 7.3 million births occur annually among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. Pregnant adolescents constitute a nutritionally vulnerable group that could benefit from intervention to mitigate the mortality and adverse birth outcomes associated with adolescent pregnancy.
Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the following: (1) the effect of multiple-micronutrient (MMN) supplementation vs iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation among adolescents on maternal morbidity, birth outcomes, and mortality outcomes, (2) the effects of MMN supplementation in adolescents compared with the effects in adult women, and (3) the effect modification, if any, of MMN …

Characterizing Micronutrient Status And Risk Factors Among Late Adolescent And Young Women In Rural Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Assessment Of The Mapps Trial, Jo-Anna B. Baxter, Yaqub Wasan, Amjad Hussain, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Imran Ahmed, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Woman and Child Health

Nutritional deficiencies are a leading underlying risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease. In Pakistan, late adolescence is considered a nutritionally vulnerable period, as micronutrient requirements are increased to support maturation, and dietary staples are nutrient poor. However, there has been limited evaluation of micronutrient status beyond anemia and its determinants. Using cross-sectional data from late adolescent and young women (15-23 years) at enrolment in the Matiari emPowerment and Preconception Supplementation (MaPPS) Trial, we aimed to describe the prevalence of key micronutrient deficiencies of public health concern, and generate hierarchical models to examine associations with proxies for social …

Positive Psychological Well‐Being And Cardiovascular Disease: Exploring Mechanistic And Developmental Pathways, Julia K. Boehm

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Empirical research regarding the health benefits of positive psychological well‐being (e.g., positive emotions, life satisfaction, purpose in life, and optimism) has flourished in recent years, particularly with regard to cardiovascular disease. This paper reviews the state of evidence for well‐being's association with cardiovascular disease in both healthy individuals and those diagnosed with a disease. Prospective studies consistently indicate well‐being reduces cardiovascular events in healthy and, to a lesser extent, patient populations. Potential pathways that link well‐being with cardiovascular disease are discussed (including health behaviors, physiological processes, and stress buffering), although the existing evidence is mostly cross‐sectional which limits conclusions about …

A High-Throughput Approach To Characterizing Arv1 On The Regulation Of Lipid Homeostasis Uncovers A Novel Interaction With Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, Nicholas Anthony Wachowski

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyl transferase related enzyme-2 required for viability 1 (ARV1) was first recognized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a study done in 2000 by Tinkelenberg et al. In yeast, the deletion of ARV1 results in numerous defects including abnormal sterol trafficking [1], the reduction of sphingolipid metabolism [2], synthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor [3], ER stress [4], and hypersensitivity of fatty acids leading to lipoapoptosis [5]. Arv1 germline deletion in mice displayed a lean phenotype with increased energy [6]. In humans, ARV1 mutations lead to epileptic encephalopathy [7].

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) consists of simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis …

Effects Of Strong Oxidants Present In Acer Spp. On Hemolysis Methemoglobin Production In Equine Erythrocytes, Gabrielle Mcgeorge, Jeffrey Lehman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Maple toxicosis is a deadly condition affecting equines after they have ingested wilted leaves of the genus Acer (i.e., maple species). It is characterized by hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia. Although the toxins responsible for causing toxicosis have not been identified, they are thought to be strong oxidants. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of eight compounds (galloyl derivatives) found in Acer spp. on hemolysis and methemoglobin production in bioassays with equine erythrocytes. Seven of the compounds are known constituents of Acer spp. that are commercially available. One of the compounds--acertannin--was isolated and characterized from leaf extracts …

Delivering Nutrition Interventions To Women And Children In Conflict Settings: A Systematic Review, Shailja Shah, Zahra Ali Padhani, Daina Als, Mariella Munyuzangabo, Michelle F. Gaffey, Wardah Ahmed, Fahad J. Siddiqui, Sarah Meteke, Jai K. Das, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Woman and Child Health

Background: Low/middle-income countries (LMICs) face triple burden of malnutrition associated with infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases. This review aims to synthesise the available data on the delivery, coverage, and effectiveness of the nutrition programmes for conflict affected women and children living in LMICs.
Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases and grey literature using terms related to conflict, population, and nutrition. We searched studies on women and children receiving nutrition-specific interventions during or within five years of a conflict in LMICs. We extracted information on population, intervention, and delivery characteristics, as well as delivery barriers and facilitators. Data …

Intestinal Dysbiosis Disguised As A Rectal Fistula Treated With Autologous Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, Nicolina Scibelli, Pratishtha Singh, Kathleen Raynor

South Atlantic Division GME Research Day 2021

No abstract provided.

Purification And Functional Characterization Of The Iron-Responsive Transcription Factor Aft1 From C. Glabrata, Jade Ikahihifo-Bender

Senior Theses

Due to its unique ability to serve as both an electron donor and acceptor, iron is utilized as a co-factor for many biological processes, including electron transfer, oxygen binding, and vitamin synthesis. Iron is also a key factor during fungal infections as the human host and invading pathogens battle over limited iron pools. The primary iron-responsive transcription factor Aft1 in the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata responds to iron deficiency by activating expression of iron acquisition genes. However, the mechanisms for sensing intracellular iron levels and regulating Aft1 activity in response to iron are unknown. The C. glabrata iron regulation …

Defining Septicemia Incidence And Mortality In South Carolina Through Access To Health Care, Behavioral Health, And Low Socio-Economic Status, Raeann Vossberg

Senior Theses

This study aims to provide an in-depth view of septicemia mortality and incidence in the state of South Carolina through the lenses of socio-economic factors, access to healthcare, and behavioral health factors. This study was conducted using data from the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office, utilizing their Hospitalization, Inpatient, Emergency Department, and Outpatient data both separately and combined depending on the data point, along with additional data sources for support (see works cited). We hypothesize that the higher rates of septicemia mortality and incidence in the southeastern United States, as well as in South Carolina in particular, could …

The Benefits Of A More Physically Active Workforce In The Corporate World, Dillon M. Billingham-Hemminger, Jacob D. Locke

Senior Theses

With the ever-expanding knowledge of the benefits of physical activity and good general health for all aspects of our lives, it should be quite surprising that activity levels are declining at accelerating rates. After taking a deeper look into the probable cause for this phenomenon, it becomes clearer that the increasing pressures of workplace culture are leading to more sedentary lifestyles.

This paper looks at the benefits of physical activity on people and on corporations, specifically workplace disease prevention and wellness programs, to see if there exists a mutualistic relationship between the two. For people, physical activity was consistently found …

Implementation And Evaluation Of Employee Health And Wellness Program Using Re-Aim Framework, Unab I. Khan, Asra Qureshi, Karishma Lal, Shehreen Ali, Arshnoor Barkatalia, Shamim Nayani

Department of Family Medicine

Purpose: To describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of an employer-sponsored health screening program [Employee Health and Wellness Program (EHWP)] in an academic healthcare system in Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach: One-year after implementation, we use the RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) to evaluate and report participant- and organizational-level indicators of success.
Findings: Of 5286 invited employees, 4523 (86%) completed blood work and 1809 (34%) completed health risk assessment (Reach). Of the 915 (51%) who required referrals, 3% were referred for new diagnoses of diabetes, hepatitis C or severe anemia; 63% for elevated 10- year risk of cardiometabolic diseases (cardiovascular …

Performance And Determinants Of Serum Creatinine And Cystatin C-Based Gfr Estimating Equations In South Asians, Yeli Wang, Andrew S. Levey, Lesley A. Inker, Saleem Jessani, Rasool Bux, Zainab Samad, Ali Raza Khan, Amy B. Karger, John C. Allen, Tazeen H. Jafar

Community Health Sciences

Introduction: The creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation was calibrated for the general Pakistan population (eGFRcr-PK) to eliminate bias and improve accuracy. Cystatin C-based CKD-EPI equations (eGFRcys and eGFRcr-cys) have not been assessed in this population, and non-GFR determinants of cystatin C are unknown.
Methods: We assessed eGFRcys, eGFRcr-cys, and non-GFR determinants of cystatin C in a cross-sectional study of 557 participants (≥40 years of age) from Pakistan. We compared bias (median difference in measured GFR [mGFR] and eGFR), precision (interquartile range [IQR] of differences), accuracy (percentage of eGFR within 30% of mGFR), …

Rev-Erb In Gabaergic Neurons Controls Diurnal Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity, Guolian Ding, Xin Li, Xinguo Hou, Wenjun Zhou, Yingyun Gong, Fuqiang Liu, Yanlin He, Jia Song, Jing Wang, Paul Basil, Wenbo Li, Sichong Qian, Pradip Saha, Jinbang Wang, Chen Cui, Tingting Yang, Kexin Zou, Younghun Han, Christopher I Amos, Yong Xu, Li Chen, Zheng Sun

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Systemic insulin sensitivity shows diurnal rhythm with a peak at wakening1,2. The molecular mechanism underlying such a temporal pattern is unclear. Here we demonstrate that nuclear receptors Rev-erbα/β in the GABAergic neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCNGABA) control the diurnal rhythm of insulin-mediated suppression of hepatic glucose production in mice, without affecting diurnal eating or locomotor behaviors under the regular light-dark cycles. Rev-erb regulates the rhythmic expression of genes involved in neurotransmission in the SCN and modulates the oscillatory firing activity of SCNGABA neurons. Chemogenetic stimulation of SCNGABA neurons at wakening causes glucose intolerance, while restoration …

Gastric Antral Diverticula: A Rare Diverticula With A Unique Presentation, Pratishtha Singh, Kathleen Raynor, Chadley Froes

Gastroenterology

Gastric diverticula are the least common gastrointestinal diverticula. Patients can be diagnosed incidentally on EGD or present with variable symptoms such as abdominal fullness, anorexia, and perforation. Gastric diverticula can be acquired from malignancy, peptic ulcer disease, or prior surgery or be congenital. Treatment varies based on symptomatology ranging from conservative medical management with proton pump inhibitors to surgical treatment with open or laparoscopic resection. We present a case of a 73-year-old female with acquired gastric diverticulum presenting as a gastric outlet obstruction who was successfully treated with conservative medical therapy.

An Inactivated Bacterium (Paraprobiotic) Expressing Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry5b As A Therapeutic For Ascaris And Parascaris Spp. Infections In Large Animals, Joseph F. Urban, Martin K. Nielsen, David Gazzola, Yue Xie, Ethiopia Beshah, Yan Hu, Hanchen Li, Florentina Rus, Kelly Flanagan, Austin Draper, Sridhar Vakalapudi, Robert W. Li, Gary R. Ostroff, Raffi V. Aroian

Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center Faculty Publications

Ascaris and Parascaris are important parasites in the family Ascarididae, large, ubiquitous intestinal-dwelling nematodes infecting all classes of vertebrates. Parasitic nematode drug resistance in veterinary medicine and drug recalcitrance in human medicine are increasing worldwide, with few if any new therapeutic classes on the horizon. Some of these parasites are zoonotic, e.g., Ascaris is passed from humans to pigs and vice versa. The development of new therapies against this family of parasites would have major implications for both human and livestock health. Here we tested the therapeutic ability of a paraprobiotic or dead probiotic that expresses the Bacillus …

Metabolism And Oncology: The Role Of Nutrition In Improving Cancer Outcomes, Michael A. Chapek

University Honors Theses

Despite significant advances in oncologic treatment, underlying cancer-associated metabolic derangements and nutritional needs remain largely neglected in cancer care. Cancer cachexia and protective metabolic changes exhibited by cancerous cells continue to pose formidable barriers to improving therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for patients. Cancer has traditionally been viewed as a proliferative disease caused by genetic mutations, but newer perspectives suggest that it is primarily a metabolic disease. The present paper discusses the etiology of cachexia and sarcopenia, and nutritional interventions that can be offered to patients suffering from these wasting disorders. The role of inflammation in cancer and the …

Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (Sbf-Sem) Of Biological Tissue Samples, Justin A Courson, Paul T Landry, Thao Do, Eric Spehlmann, Pascal J Lafontant, Nimesh Patel, Rolando E Rumbaut, Alan R Burns

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) allows for the collection of hundreds to thousands of serially-registered ultrastructural images, offering an unprecedented three-dimensional view of tissue microanatomy. While SBF-SEM has seen an exponential increase in use in recent years, technical aspects such as proper tissue preparation and imaging parameters are paramount for the success of this imaging modality. This imaging system benefits from the automated nature of the device, allowing one to leave the microscope unattended during the imaging process, with the automated collection of hundreds of images possible in a single day. However, without appropriate tissue preparation cellular ultrastructure can …

Loss Of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-Binding Endothelial Regulator Causes Insulin Resistance, Hua Mao, Luge Li, Qiying Fan, Aude Angelini, Pradip K Saha, Huaizhu Wu, Christie M Ballantyne, Sean M Hartig, Liang Xie, Xinchun Pi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Accumulating evidence suggests that chronic inflammation of metabolic tissues plays a causal role in obesity-induced insulin resistance. Yet, how specific endothelial factors impact metabolic tissues remains undefined. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)–binding endothelial regulator (BMPER) adapts endothelial cells to inflammatory stress in diverse organ microenvironments. Here, we demonstrate that BMPER is a driver of insulin sensitivity. Both global and endothelial cell-specific inducible knockout of BMPER cause hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance without increasing inflammation in metabolic tissues in mice. BMPER can directly activate insulin signaling, which requires its internalization and interaction with Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1), an integral membrane protein that …

Levels And Predictors Of Self-Care Among Patients With Hypertension In Pakistan, Khairulnissa Ajani, Ambreen Gowani, Raisa B. Gul, Pammla Petrucka

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Globally, hypertension is the leading non-communicable disease and strongest predictor of cardiovascular diseases. To mitigate and prevent hypertension-related complications, self-care behavior adaptation has proven to be vital. In this study, we examined the six clinically prescribed levels of self-care as prescribed by the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure and its predictors among a select sample of hypertensive individuals in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: This study reports the cross-sectional survey of a sequential mixed method study which assessed the levels of self-care of hypertensive individuals residing in an urban …

“It’S Pretty Hard To Make Friends Over A Zoom Meeting Room”: Understanding The Recreational Experiences Of Youth With Type 1 Diabetes During Covid-19, Ryan Malpaya, Rowan Williams

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Youth with diabetes frequently have limited access to traditional camps because of the need for accessible medical staff (Hill, E., 2019). COVID-19 has made it even more difficult for youth with type 1 diabetes to participate in any youth development programs due to the pandemic restrictions. During the pandemic, it is unknown if youth with T1D are able to engage in any recreational activities that may teach them resilience and independence in managing their medical condition. The purpose of this study was to see how youth with T1D cope in an altered recreation environment as a result of COVID-19

Using …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 96, No. 21, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

• Bunton, Gabrielle. Local Family Helps the Homeless Through Donations – Warming Tree, Doyle Family
• Burris, Lily. Reflection: How Things Have Changed One Year Into COVID
• Gaskin, Loren. Burmese Residents Arrive for Vaccination
• Meyer-Thornton, Zane. Showing the Ropes – Zhock Mason, Boxing
• Murray, Debra. New House Bill Potentially Removes Pink Tax
• Stryker, Shane. How COVID-19 Has Impacted Student Organizations
• Lamb, Cassady. Lady Toppers Remain Undefeated, 4 Road Matches Left – Volleyball
• Gaylord, Kaden. WKU Loses C-USA Championship, Set to Play in NIT – Basketball
• Sparkman, Wyatt. …

Serial Population-Based Serosurveys For Covid-19 In Two Neighbourhoods Of Karachi, Pakistan, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Nadia Ansari, Farah Khalid, Mashal Amin, Hamna Shahbaz, Aneeta Hotwani, Najeeb Rehman, Usma Mehmood, Arjumand Rizvi, Junaid Iqbal, Ali Faisal Saleem, Fyezah Jehan

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: To determine population-based estimates of COVID-19 in a densely populated urban community of Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: Three cross-sectional surveys were conducted in April, June and August in low- and high-transmission neighborhoods. Participants were randomly selected to provide blood for Elecsys® immunoassay for detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Bayesian regression model was used to estimate seroprevalence after adjusting for the demographic characteristics of each district RESULTS: We enrolled 3005 participants from 623 households. In Phase 2, adjusted seroprevalence was estimated as 8.7% (95% CI 5.1-13.1) and 15.1% (95% CI 9.4 -21.7) in low and high transmission areas respectively, compared to 0.2% …

Glucagon Blockade Restores Functional Β-Cell Mass In Type 1 Diabetic Mice And Enhances Function Of Human Islets, May-Yun Wang, E Danielle Dean, Ezekiel Quittner-Strom, Yi Zhu, Kamrul H Chowdhury, Zhuzhen Zhang, Shangang Zhao, Na Li, Reshing Ye, Young Lee, Yiyi Zhang, Shiuhwei Chen, Xinxin Yu, Derek C Leonard, Greg Poffenberger, Alison Von Deylen, S Kay Mccorkle, Amnon Schlegel, Kyle W Sloop, Alexander M Efanov, Ruth E Gimeno, Philipp E Scherer, Alvin C Powers, Roger H Unger, William L Holland

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

We evaluated the potential for a monoclonal antibody antagonist of the glucagon receptor (Ab-4) to maintain glucose homeostasis in type 1 diabetic rodents. We noted durable and sustained improvements in glycemia which persist long after treatment withdrawal. Ab-4 promoted β-cell survival and enhanced the recovery of insulin+ islet mass with concomitant increases in circulating insulin and C peptide. In PANIC-ATTAC mice, an inducible model of β-cell apoptosis which allows for robust assessment of β-cell regeneration following caspase-8–induced diabetes, Ab-4 drove a 6.7-fold increase in β-cell mass. Lineage tracing suggests that this restoration of functional insulin-producing cells was at least partially …

Impact Of Social Isolation On Mortality And Morbidity In 20 High-Income, Middle-Income And Low-Income Countries In Five Continents, Ryo Naito, Darryl P. Leong, Shrikant Ishve Bangdiwala, Martin Mckee, S V. Subramanian, Sumathy Rangarajan, Shofiqul Islam, Alvaro Avezum, Karen E. Yeates, Syed Iqbal Azam

Community Health Sciences

Objective: To examine the association between social isolation and mortality and incident diseases in middle-aged adults in urban and rural communities from high-income, middle-income and low-income countries.
Design: Population-based prospective observational study.
Setting: Urban and rural communities in 20 high income, middle income and low income.
Participants: 119 894 community-dwelling middle-aged adults.
Main outcome measures: Associations of social isolation with mortality, cardiovascular death, non-cardiovascular death and incident diseases.
Results: Social isolation was more common in middle-income and high-income countries compared with low-income countries, in urban areas than rural areas, in older individuals and among women, those with less education and …

Testosterone Therapy And Bone Quality In Men With Diabetes And Hypogonadism: Study Design And Protocol, Vittoria Russo, Georgia Colleluori, Rui Chen, Sanjay Mediwala, Clifford Qualls, Michael Liebschner, Dennis T Villareal, Reina Armamento-Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

CONTEXT: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is often accompanied by male hypogonadism and both conditions are associated with increased risk for fractures. Testosterone (T) has been shown to improve the bone health of hypogonadal men but has not been tested in patients who also have T2D in addition to low T. To date, there is no treatment that is specifically recommended for bone disease among patients with T2D. This study will evaluate the effect of T therapy on the bone health of male veterans with low T who also have T2D.

METHODS: This is a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of …

Pegylated Arginine Deiminase Depletes Plasma Arginine But Maintains Tissue Arginine Availability In Young Pigs, Mahmoud A Mohammad, Inka C Didelija, Barbara Stoll, Trung C Nguyen, Juan C Marini

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG20) results in the depletion of arginine with the production of isomolar amounts of citrulline. This citrulline has the potential to be utilized by the citrulline recycling pathway regenerating arginine and sustaining tissue arginine availability. The goal of this research was to test the hypothesis that ADI-PEG20 depletes circulating arginine in pigs but maintains tissue arginine concentration and function, and to characterize the kinetics of citrulline and arginine. Two multitracer approaches (bolus dose and primed-continuous infusion) were used to investigate the metabolism of arginine and citrulline in Control (