Digital Commons Network^™

The Obesity Prevalence Of The Students Between The Ages Of 5-19 In Kütahya, Mehmet Kaya, Ayli̇n Sayan, Mustafa Bi̇ri̇nci̇, Mevlüt Yildiz, Kami̇l Türkmen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the prevalence of obesity among students between the ages of 5 and 19 in Kütahya, and to determine the factors associated with obesity prevalence. Materials and methods: The population in the survey was formed of students between the ages of 5 and 19 in the schools of Kütahya. Within the scope of this survey, obesity was evaluated in accordance with the percentile values indicated in a study on the body weight and height, head circumference, and body mass index reference values of Turkish children that was published in 2008. Results: It was determined that 6.5% of the students …

Increasing Resistance Of Nosocomial Acinetobacter Baumannii: Are We Going To Be Defeated?, Tümer Güven, Gülruhsar Yilmaz, Hati̇ce Rahmet Güner, Ayşe Kaya Kalem, Fatma Eser, Mehmet Akin Taşyaran

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the change of the antibiotic resistance profiles of the nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in intensive care units (ICUs) between the years 2008 and 2011. Materials and methods: A. baumannii isolates that were responsible for ICU-acquired nosocomial infections between 2008 and 2011 were included in the study. The susceptibility rates of the antibiotics that are mainly used in the treatment of Acinetobacter infections were compared by years. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute criteria were used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: There were 252 infection episodes detected in 229 hospitalized patients in the ICU that were caused by A. baumannii. …

Puva Phototherapy-Induced Secondary Amyloidosis In Patients With Mycosis Fungoides: A Rare Adverse Effect Of Phototherapy, Itir Ebru Zemheri̇, Sidika Şeyma Özkanli, İlki̇n Zi̇ndanci, Serkan Şenol, Özge Akbulak, Fi̇li̇z Topaloğlu Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Amyloidosis is a common disorder in adults. Secondary amyloidosis in patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) after photochemotherapy with 8-methoxypsoralen followed by ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment has not been reported. Our aim is to describe the clinical and histological features of PUVA phototherapy-induced secondary amyloidosis. Materials and methods: Sixty-one patients with MF treated with PUVA phototherapy were analyzed clinically and pathologically and by staining with Congo red and crystal violet. Results: Of 61 patients, 5 met the study criteria. Secondary amyloidosis was detected in 5 patients treated with PUVA. The secondary amyloidosis appeared after a mean of 56 exposures (range: 30-81) …

Factors Associated With The Pain Catastrophizing Scale And Validation In A Sample Of The Turkish Population, Mustafa Süren, İsmai̇l Okan, Azi̇z Mehmet Gökbakan, Zi̇ya Kaya, Ünal Erkorkmaz, Semi̇h Arici, Serkan Karaman, Mürsel Kahveci̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to validate the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) in the Turkish population and to investigate its correlation with the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients. Materials and methods: Volunteer patients, who were scheduled for elective surgery and who applied to the Outpatient Clinic of Anesthesiology for preoperative evaluation, were asked to complete a PCS form. The patient's age, sex, educational level, marital status, presence of chronic pain, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were recorded, and PCS scores and demographic variables were compared statistically. Results: Of the 257 patients enrolled in the study, 136 were …

An Investigation Of Pulmonary Findings Of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Patients, Gülden Bi̇lgi̇n, Çi̇ğdem Ataman Hati̇poğlu, Şeri̇fe Altun, Cemal Bulut, Sami̇ Kinikli, Ali̇ Pekcan Demi̇röz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) generally affects many organs. In this study a retrospective evaluation of the pulmonary findings of CCHF patients was made. Materials and methods: The records of patients were retrospectively analysed. For each patient an evaluation was made of age, sex, occupation, place of residence, contact with ticks, smoking history, and pulmonary radiological and laboratory findings. A confirmed diagnosis of CCHF was made on determination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of the 128 patients, 48.4% were female. Symptoms of coughing were determined in 18% of patients, sputum in 4.7%, chest pain in 3.9%, dyspnoea …

Clinical Manifestations, Complications, And Treatment Of Brucellosis: Evaluation Of 72 Cases, Şükran Köse, Süheyla Seri̇n Senger, Gülgün Akkoçlu, Lütfi̇ye Kuzucu, Yildiz Ulu, Gürsel Ersan, Fi̇li̇z Oğuz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Brucellosis is an important disease in developing countries. We aimed to determine the epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of brucellosis, which still has a high morbidity in Turkey. Materials and methods: Seventy-two patients with brucellosis, monitored at our clinic from January 2004 to July 2010, were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The average age was determined to be 44.8 ± 18 years, and 40 of the patients were female (55.6%). The most frequent transmission route was the use of raw milk and dairy products, in 45 of the patients (62.5%). The most frequent complaints were joint pain, high fever, weakness, low back …

Epidemiology Of Organophosphate Intoxication And Predictors Of Intermediate Syndrome, Şahi̇n Çolak, Mehmet Özgür Erdoğan, Ahmet Baydin, Mustafa Ahmet Afacan, Celal Kati, Lati̇f Duran

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the usefulness of plasma glucose and serum cholinesterase levels as predictors of organophosphate-induced intermediate syndrome. Materials and methods: Seventy-one organophosphate poisoning patients who were admitted to our emergency department during a 4-year period were evaluated retrospectively. Four patients were excluded from the study due to a lack of medical records. Categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test and nonparametric variables were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Thirty-five (52.2%) patients were male and 32(47.8%) were female. Patients had a mean age of 39.4 ± 15.9 years and 70.1% of the patients were married. Oral intake (68.7%) …

Efficacy Of Resuscitation With Intralipid In A Levobupivacaine-Induced Cardiac Arrest Model, Murat Karcioğlu, Kasim Tuzcu, Fati̇h Sefi̇l, Işil Davarci, Suzan Aydin, Ali̇ Sari, Akin Aydoğan, Rai̇f Özden

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Cardiac toxicity due to the administration of local anesthetics may be fatal. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a 20% lipid solution combined with epinephrine in a levobupivacaine-induced cardiac arrest model. Materials and methods: A total of 14 New Zealand rabbits were sedated and mechanically ventilated. Asystole was induced with intravenous levobupivacaine injection. The rabbits were randomized into groups receiving the same volume of either 0.9% saline (CR group) or a 20% lipid solution (LE group) along with a 100 µg/kg epinephrine bolus, which were administered immediately upon asystole. Standard advanced cardiac life support protocols were performed. Results: …

The Expression Of Egfr, Cerbb2, P16, And P53 And Their Relationship With Conventional Parameters In Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Larynx, Hülya Şi̇mşek, Ünsal Han, Bi̇nnur Önal, Gülçi̇n Şi̇mşek

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor¬-HER1 (EGFR), cerbB2 (HER2), p16, and p53, as well as the relationship of the expression of these genes with conventional parameters in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx. Materials and methods: Samples from 92 cases of diagnosed laryngeal SCC between 2001 and 2011 from the Pathology Department of Ministry of Health Ankara Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Teaching & Research Hospital were studied by immunohistochemistry using EGFR, cerbB2, p16, and p53 antibodies. Results: An increase in the TNM stage and pathological tumor size status correlated with an increase in EGFR and cerbB2 expression. …

Comparison Of Cutaneous Mastocytosis With Onset In Children And Adults, Serap Güneş Bi̇lgi̇li̇, Ayşe Serap Karadağ, Zennure Takci, Ömer Çalka, Mustafa Kösem

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the abnormal infiltration of mast cells in the skin and sometimes other organs. This study aimed to compare the demographic, clinical, and histopathological findings of cutaneous mastocytosis with onset in children and in adults. Materials and methods: Patients diagnosed with cutaneous mastocytosis in 2 different dermatology clinics between 2007 and 2011 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of the patients as well as localization and type of the cutaneous lesions, presence of symptoms, Darier's sign, family history, systemic involvement, and histopathological evaluations were retrospectively examined. Results: Out of the 30 …

The Validity And Reliability Of The Turkish Version Of The University Of Toronto Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale, Ni̇han Kahya Eren, Selcen Yakar Tülüce, Bariş Kiliçaslan, Cem Nazli, Asim Oktay Ergene

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

There are various instruments to assess quality of life (QoL) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study is to determine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the University of Toronto Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale (AFSS). Materials and methods: The AFSS and Short Form-36 (SF-36) were completed by 130 patients with documented AF. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society Severity in Atrial Fibrillation (SAF) scale and European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) scale were also utilized by the attending physicians. To assess test-retest reliability, the AFSS was readministered to 47 clinically stable patients at a 1-month follow-up …

Three‐Dimensional Brain Mri For Dbs Patients Within Ultra‐Low Radiofrequency Power Limits, Subhendra N. Sarkar, Efstathios Papavassiliou, David Hackney, David Alsop, Ananth Madhuranthakam, Ludy Shih, Reed Busse, Susan Laruche, Rafeeque Bhadelia

Publications and Research

Background: For patients with deep brain stimulators (DBS), local absorbed radiofrequency (RF) power is unknown and is much higher than what the system estimates. We developed a comprehensive, highquality brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for DBS patients utilizing three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance sequences at very low RF power. Methods: Six patients with DBS were imaged (10 sessions) using a transmit/receive head coil at 1.5 Tesla with modified 3D sequences within ultra-low specific absorption rate (SAR) limits (0.1 W/kg) using T2, fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1- weighted image contrast. Tissue signal and tissue contrast from the low-SAR images …

Gender Differences In High Sensitivity C - Reactive Protein And Self-Reported Muscle Strengthening Activity Among U.S. Adults, Michael R. Richardson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: We sought to examine the gender differences between C - reactive protein (CRP) and muscle strengthening activity (MSA) in U.S. adults (≥20 years of age)

Background: Elevated levels of CRP have been shown to be associated with an increase in risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies analyzing the relationship between physical activity (PA) and CRP by gender have produced mixed results.

Methods: The sample (n=9,135) included participants in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Three categories of reported MSA participation were created: no MSA (referent group), some MSA (≥1 to/wk), and meeting the …

Ksrp Ablation Enhances Lipolysis In White Adipose Tissue Through Reduced Mir-145 Expression, Yi-Yu Lin

All ETDs from UAB

White adipose tissue (WAT) releases fatty acids from stored triacylglycerol (TAG) for energy source. Here, we report that null mice for KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KSRP), an RNA-binding protein, resisted high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity. Target of deletion of KSRP regulates gene expression at multiple levels and enhances lipolysis in epididymal WAT (eWAT) due to up-regulation of genes promoting lipolytic activity. Expression of miR-145 is decreased due to impaired pri-miR-145 processing in Ksrp-/- eWAT. We show that miR-145 directly targets and represses Foxo1 and Cgi58, activators of lipolytic activity, and forced expression of miR-145 attenuates lipolysis. This study reveals …

Synaptic Organization Of Noradrenergic And Opioid Circuitry In The Basolateral Amygdala: Anatomical Correlates Of Memory Consolidation, Jingyi Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

The studies comprising this dissertation were designed to investigate the synaptic organization of norepinephrine and opioid system in the anterior subdivision of the basolateral nucleus of amygdala (BLa) in rat. Light and electron microscopy were combined with immunohistochemistry to determine the synaptic incidence and postsynaptic targets of noradrenergic axon terminals, to localize mu opioid receptor at the ultrastructural level and to determine whether there is convergence of norepinephrine inputs and enkephalin inputs in the BLa. It was determined that about half of the norepinephrine inputs formed synapses in the BLa and the main postsynaptic targets were small caliber CAMK+ dendritic …

Effects Of Cpla-2 On The Migration And Proliferation Of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells And The 2-D Migratory Patterns Of Tropomyosin In Femoral And Abdominal Aorta Tissue, Jaimeson Thomas Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract 1: Platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF BB) has an important influence on smooth muscle cell proliferation in restenosis and atherosclerosis. Our understanding of different signal transduction pathways involved in the response of smooth muscle cells to PDGF BB is potentially significant for understanding and manipulating these processes. Prior studies have demonstrated a crucial activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in smooth muscle cells to PDGF BB with the production of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2. In these studies we investigated the role for another PLA2, calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) in comparison to cPLA2 on smooth muscle cell migration and …

Meta-Analysis Of Herbal Cannabis Therapy For Chronic Pain, Michael J. Seneca

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since the first so-called “medical marijuana” legislation was passed in California in 1996, a total of twenty states and the District of Columbia have passed laws permitting limited use of cannabis. Despite the changes in state laws, cannabis remains illegal for any purpose under federal law. Changes in state laws have coincided with a renewed interest in the substance for the treatment of a variety of conditions. There has been a significant increase in published data over the past twenty years examining the efficacy of cannabis as an appetite stimulant, antiemetic agent, and analgesic adjuvant. The purpose of this meta-analysis …

Attitudes Of Medical Students Towards Incentives Offered By Pharmaceutical Companies -- Perspective From A Developing Nation -- A Cross-Sectional Study, Usman Tariq Siddiqui, Amarah Shakoor, Sarah Kiani, Farwa Ali, Maryam Sharif, Arun Kumar, Qasim Raza, Naseer Khan, Sardar Mohammed Alamzaib, Syed Farid-Ul-Husnain

Medical College Documents

Background: A training physician has his first interaction with a pharmaceutical representative during medical school. Medical students are often provided with small gifts such as pens, calendars and books, as well as free lunches as part of drug promotion offers. Ethical impact of these transactions as perceived by young medical students has not been investigated in Pakistan before. This study aimed to assess the association of socio-demographic variables with the attitudes of medical students towards pharmaceutical companies and their incentives.Methods: As part of a cross-sectional survey, a validated questionnaire previously used for assessing attitude of medical students towards pharmaceutical industry, …

The Impact Of Implementing A Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Education Package In Jordan, Shereen Hamadneh

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Background: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a problem worldwide. In North Jordan, SIDS rate was high as 1.32 per 1,000 live births and contributed 6% to the infant mortality rate (Bataineh, Shawagfeh, & Twalbeh, 2008). However, SIDS risk factors are preventable and can be reduced by improving knowledge and changing relevant behaviours of parents and healthcare providers (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2013; American SIDS Institute, 2011; Bataineh, Hussein Shawagfeh, & Twalbeh, 2008; Bredemeyer, 2004; Grazel, Phalen, & Polomano, 2010b; Moon, Oden, & Grady, 2004; NICHD, 2010). Still educating Jordanians about SIDS has not been a national health policy priority. …

Conformational Changes And Translocation Of Tissue-Transglutaminase To The Plasma Membranes: Role In Cancer Cell Migration, Ambrish Kumar, Jianjun Hu, Holly A. Lavoie, Kenneth B. Walsh, Donald J. Dipette, Ugra S. Singh

Faculty Publications

Background

Tissue-transglutaminase (TG2), a dual function G-protein, plays key roles in cell differentiation and migration. In our previous studies we reported the mechanism of TG2-induced cell differentiation. In present study, we explored the mechanism of how TG2 may be involved in cell migration.

Methods

To study the mechanism of TG2-mediated cell migration, we used neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) which do not express TG2, neuroblastoma cells expressing exogenous TG2 (SHY_TG2), and pancreatic cancer cells which express high levels of endogenous TG2. Resveratrol, a natural compound previously shown to inhibit neuroblastoma and pancreatic cancer in the animal models, was utilized to …

Determinants Of Upper Genital Tract Complications In A Chlamydial Urogenital Mouse Model, Enitra N. Jones

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a major public health concern. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported infection in the United States and the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Unrecognized infection endangers female reproductive health by serious complications such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, ectopic pregnancy, and involuntary infertility. Widespread Chlamydia control programs were implemented more than two decades ago to improve women's reproductive health but, despite initial success, the number of chlamydial infections reported have increased.

One of the hypotheses put forth to explain increased chlamydial reporting suggests that a longterm caveat of control initiatives is interference with the …

Sympathetic Nerve Modulation Of Joint Pathology In Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis, Carlo Anthony Wood

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: There is increasing data suggesting a net increase in sympathetic tone plays an important role in rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies have reported altered distribution and density of autonomic nerves in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and animal models for the disease. This provides anatomical evidence that supports a neurally-mediated drive in inflammation and joint destruction. Methods: Adult rats were injected with complete Freund’s adjuvant. At 12 days post immunization, animals were randomly placed into a drug treatment group (SH1293, which interacts with - and ß2-ARs), an adjuvant arthritic group, or a control group. These animals were sacrificed at 14, 21, …

Expression And Function Of Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels In Uterine Arteries, Ronghui Zhu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Chronic hypoxia during pregnancy is one of the most common insults to the maternal cardiovascular system and fetal development, and is associated with increased uterine vascular tone and heightened risk of preeclampsia and fetal intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The present study tested the hypothesis that calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels play an essential role in uterine vascular adaptation to pregnancy, which is inhibited by chronic hypoxia during gestation. Uterine arteries (UAs) were isolated from nonpregnant ewes (NPUAs) and near-term pregnant ewes (PUAs) that had been maintained at sea level (~300 m) or exposed to high altitude (3,801 m) for 110 days. …

Radiosensitization Of Head & Neck Carcinoma Cells By Linifanib, A Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Heng-Wei Hsu

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tumor angiogenesis is a hallmark of advanced cancers and promotes invasion and metastasis. Over 90% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) express angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Since radiotherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for HNSCC, it is imperative to identify the interactions between antiangiogenic therapy and radiotherapy, and to develop combination therapy to improve clinical outcome. The mechanisms between antiangiogenic agents and ionizing radiation are complicated and involve many interactions between the vasculature, tumor stroma and tumor cells. The proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells rely on angiogenesis/blood vessel formation. …

A Novel Mechanism Of Enhanced Susceptibility To Bacterial Pneumonia In Influenza-Infected Hosts, Hazem Elsayed Ghoneim

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Viruses such as influenza suppress host immune function by a variety of methods. This may result in a significant morbidity through several pathways, including facilitation of secondary bacterial pneumonia from pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Lungresident alveolar macrophages (AMs) act as the first line of innate cellular immunity against respiratory bacterial pathogens, including pneumococcus. Therefore, they represent an attractive target for study Before investigating the impact of influenza infection on resident AMs, we first characterized different subsets of lung-resident macrophages in naïve mice using a novel in vivo labeling approach in conjunction with multicolor flow cytometric analysis and confocal microscopic …

Attenuation Of Parenteral Nutritionassociated Liver Disease By Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Emma Monique Tillman

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Caveolins And Njks Influence Brain Endothelial Permeability After Juvenile Tbi, David Olufemi Ajao

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a key secondary event that exacerbates brain damage following traumatic brain injury (TBI). BBB disruption is particularly damaging to the developing brain – which is highly vulnerable to various stress stimuli, resulting in increased brain swelling, disrupted cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation, long-term disabilities and death following TBI in young demographic. Unsurprisingly, BBB disruption and the resultant cerebral edema have emerged as therapeutic targets in juvenile TBI. It is therefore important to understand the molecular players and mechanisms involved in TBI-induced BBB disruption in the juvenile brain. To this end, the endothelial caveolins and …

Contrast Adaptation In The Lateral Eye Of Limulus Polyphemus, Tchoudomira Valtcheva

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Luminance and contrast adaptation are neuronal mechanisms that the retina applies for continuous adjustment to light sensitivity though a collection of cellular and synaptic mechanisms distributed across the retinal network, thus accommodating the wide input range of the visual system within the constricted output range of retinal ganglion cells. Luminance mean adaptation has been demonstrated in the output neurons of the invertebrate eye (eccentric cells), and the aim of the study was to investigate whether the homology in visual processing extends to luminance variance (contrast) adaptation as well. The spike trains of individual eccentric cells were recorded from live horseshoe …

Amlodipine Reduces Angii-Induced Aortic Aneurysms And Atherosclerosis In Hypercholesterolemic Mice, Xiaofeng Chen, Debra L. Rateri, Deborah A. Howatt, Anju Balakrishnan, Jessica J. Moorleghen, Andrew J. Morris, Richard Charnigo, Lisa A. Cassis, Alan Daugherty

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine effects of amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, on development of angiotensin II (AngII)-induced vascular pathologies.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Male LDL receptor -/- mice were infused with vehicle, amlodipine (5 mg/kg/d), AngII (1,000 ng/kg/min), or AngII + amlodipine for 4 weeks through osmotic pumps (n=10/group). Mice were fed a saturated fat-enriched diet for 1 week prior to pump implantation and during 4 weeks of infusion. Infusion of amlodipine resulted in plasma concentrations of 32 ± 2 ng/ml and 27 ± 2 ng/ml for mice in saline + amlodipine and AngII + …

Mycological Study For A Management Plan Of A Neotropical Show Cave (Brazil), Erika Linzi Silva Taylor, Maria Aparecida De Resende Stoianoff, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira

International Journal of Speleology

Caves are stable environments with characteristics favoring the development of microorganisms. The allocthonous input of organic matter and microbes into the warm Neotropical caves may favor the development of filamentous fungi, including pathogenic species. Histoplasma capsulatum is a pathogenic species commonly found in caves and associated with bat and bird guano. Many Brazilian caves have been historically visited due to scenic and religious tourism. The objective of this study was to perform a microbiology study for a management plan of a show cave in Brazil, focusing on the presence and distribution of pathogenic and opportunistic fungi in the cave. Statistics …