Digital Commons Network^™

Toxoplasma Gondii Induces Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor And Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Secretion By Human Fibroblasts: Implications For Neutrophil Apoptosis, Jacqueline Y. Channon, Kristin A. Miselis, Laurie A. Minns, Chaitali Dutta, Lloyd H. Kasper

Dartmouth Scholarship

Human neutrophils are rescued from apoptosis following incubation with once-washed, fibroblast-derived Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. Both infected and uninfected neutrophils are rescued, implicating a soluble mediator. In this study we investigated the origin and identity of this soluble mediator. Neutrophils were incubated either with purified tachyzoites or with conditioned medium derived from T. gondii-infected human fibroblasts. Conditioned medium was found to be a potent stimulus that delayed neutrophil apoptosis up to 72 h, whereas purified and extensively washed tachyzoites had no effect. Delayed apoptosis correlated with up-regulation of the neutrophil antiapoptotic protein, Mcl-1, and the neutrophil interleukin 3 receptor alpha subunit …

Com Outlook Fall 2002, College Of Osteopathic Medicine

COM Outlook

No abstract provided.

Morbidity And Outcome Of Low Birthweight Babies Of Adolescent Mothers At Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, A. Wasunna, K. Mohammed

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Objective: To compare the morbidity and outcome of low birthweight babies (birthweight < 2000gm) of adolescent (age < 20 years) and older mothers.

Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.

Setting: The newborn Unit of the Kenyatta National Hospital. Main outcome measures: All babies weighing less than 2000gm at birth whose mothers consented to the study had their gestational age verified using the Dubowitz scoring system. They were then followed up by daily clinical assessment untill discharge, death or up to one month in the ward. The babies were divided into two groups according to their mother's age and then compared with respect to episodes of illness, duration of hospital stay, and overall …

Thalidomide Prevents Donor Corneal Graft Neovascularization In An Alkali Burn Model Of Corneal Angiogenesis, A. Abbas, Aga Hassan Feroze, G. F. Hyman, B. Khan

Section of Ophthalmology

Objective: Thalidomide is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. We evaluated the effects of Thalidomide on corneal angiogenesis and on tissue survival of grafts in rabbit eyes with pre-existing neovascularization secondary to alkali burn.
Methods: Sixteen rabbits received alkali burns to one cornea. One month post-injury, assessments of corneal neovascularization were performed followed by corneal transplantation. Four rabbits received oral Thalidomide and ten got placebo (powdered sugar) for thirty days. Total corneal neovascularization (NV), clock hours (CH) involved in (NV), longest (NV) pedicle length (NVP) and the duration of time required for NV to develop were assessed.
Results: Thalidomide significantly decreased …

Clinical And Demographic Characteristics Of Psychiatric Inpatients Admitted Via Emergency And Non-Emergency Routes At A University Hospital In Pakistan, E U. Syed, S Mehmud, R Atiq

Department of Psychiatry

Objective: To examine the differences in the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients admitted through emergency versus non-emergency routes and see if these two groups of patients were significantly different from each other with respect to criteria mentioned in the title.Methods: Retrospective data was analysed in all 2576 patient records were reviewed and these patients were divided in two groups with respect to their mode of admission (emergency vs non emergency). These groups were then compared with respect to sex, age, length of stay, discharge status and diagnostic categories. Statistical package for social sciences version 8.0 (SPSS 8.0) was used …

Electric Field Enhanced Plasmid Delivery To Liver Hepatocellular Carcinomas, Richard Gilbert, Mark J. Jaroszeski, Loree Heller, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

Electric field enhanced molecular delivery for cancer research and treatment is a new technology that has demonstrated its effectiveness in clinical trials using bleomycin or cisplatin (Heller, R., Gilbert, R., Jaroszeski, M. J. Clinical applications of electrochemotherapy, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 35,119-129, 1999), as chemotherapeutic agents. The technology is being investigated in research applications for applicability as a method to enhance gene expression in a target tumor. Success is predicated on an appropriate effective electric field mediated delivery protocol that triggers significant appropriate gene expression duration and levels. An electric field mediated delivery protocol includes a set of conditions …

Low Birthweight Babies: Socio-Demographic And Obstetric Characteristics Of Adolescent Mothers At Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, A. Wasunna, K. Mohammed

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Objective: To compare some socio-demographic and obstetric factors between adolescent mothers (aged below 20 years) and older mothers of low birthweight (birthweight <2000gm) babies.

Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.

Setting: The Newborn Unit of the Kenyatta National Hospital.

Results: Sixty nine adolescent mothers and 73 older mothers were studied. Adolescent mothers were more likely to be unmarried (p 0.0001) have less formal education (p

Oncolog, Volume 47, Number 10, October 2002, Sunni Hosemann, Mariann Crapanzano, Stephen P. Tomasovic Phd

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues) Archives

• A Natural Progression: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Promotes the Study and Integration of Complementary Therapies
• New AJCC Staging System for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Reflects Patient Prognosis After Surgical Resection
• DiaLog: Complementary Medicine: Research, Education, and Communication, by Stephen P. Tomasovic, PhD, Professor of Molecular and Cellular Oncology and Vice President for Educational Programs
• House Call: Making the Cancer Journey Easier

Is Dynamic Atrial Overdrive Pacing Anti-Arrhythmic Or Proarrhythmic: A Case Report, Ngai-Yin Chan, Miu-Fong Kwok, Chi-Chung Choy

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Fentanyl And Nalbuphine In Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (Tiva), F A. Khan, Hameedullah

Department of Anaesthesia

Objective: To compare Nalbuphine and fentanyl as total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol infusion in laproscopic cholecystectomy cases.STUDY Design: Double blind randomised.Methods: Changes in haemodynamic variables greater than twenty percent above or below the baseline and recovery profile were observed.Results: Blood pressure remained within 20% of baseline in either group. Nine patients in fentanyl and fifteen in nalbuphine group required an additional bolus of propofol intraoperatively. Heart rate response after tracheal intubation was significantly higher in the nalbuphine group (25%). No difference was observed in the incidence of nausea and vomiting in the recovery room. Twenty-seven percent patients in the nalbuphine …

Electrically Mediated Delivery Of Vector Plasmid Dna Elicits An Antitumor Effect, L. Heller, D. Coppola

Bioelectrics Publications

In vivo electroporation is an efficient means of increasing plasmid DNA delivery to normal tissues, such as skin and muscle, as well as directly to tumors. In the experiments described here, plasmid DNA was delivered by in vivo electroporation to B16 mouse melanomas using two very different pulsing protocols. Reporter expression increased 21- or 42-fold, respectively with electroporation over injection alone. The growth of experimental melanomas with an approximate diameter of 4 mm on the day of treatment was monitored after electroporation delivery of reporter plasmid DNA. Remarkably, short-term complete regressions using one of these pulsing protocols occurred in up …

Respiratory Arrest In A Child After Flushing Of Pancuronium From The Dead Space Of Intravenous Cannula, Robyna Irshad Khan, Fazal Hameed Khan, Hamid Iqil Naqvi

Department of Anaesthesia

It is common practice for patients admitted to Intensive Care Units to have indwelling intravenous cannulae. Sometimes these cannulae are used only for the administration of drugs and are closed otherwise. Residual drugs in the deadspace of these intravenous cannulae as well as connected stoppers or 3-way stopcocks can later be flushed unknowingly. We would like to report a case in which inadvertent flushing of residual pancuronium caused complete muscle paralysis and respiratory arrest in a young child.

Drug Eluting Stent: A Major Advance In Fighting Coronary Artery Restenosis, Yuk-Kong Lau

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Since the first use of coronary angioplasty in 1977, there have been major growth and development in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Due to the advances in techniques, experiences, devices, and newer potent antiplatelet and antithrombotic medications, PCI is increasingly performed in highly complex and high risk patients with a reasonably low complication rate. Coupled with reduced discomfort, shorter hospital stay and recovery time, it has far outnumbered the volume of coronary artery bypass surgery. Currently, 1.7 million PCI procedures are performed annually worldwide with increases by 15-20% per year the last decade.

Supervised Treatment Interruption (Sti) In An Urban Hiv Clinical Practice: A Prospective Analysis, Joseph L. Yozviak Do, Facp, Peter Kouvatos Do, R Eric Doerfler Np, Cch, William C. Woodward Do

Department of Medicine

Background: In acute HIV-1 infection, STI may induce immunologic control of HIV-1 replication. Several prospective trials of STI in chronic HIV-1 infection have been less encouraging. A previously presented retrospective analysis of our patients showed that in those with a significant CD4 increase (>200 cells) on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 2 or more interruptions may significantly lower viral set point. This prospective study describes STI in a cohort of patients.

Methods: 10 patients with either a positive response to therapy interruption retrospectively or those expressing interest in the strategy who met inclusion criteria (VL BLQ on ART, good adherence, robust …

Medical Education Digest, Vol. 4 No. 5 (September 15, 2002), Nova Southeastern University

Medical Education Digest

No abstract provided.

The Gamma-Subunit Of The Na-K-Atpase As A Potential Regulator Of Apical And Basolateral Na+-Pump Isozymes During Development Of Bovine Pre-Attachment Embryos., L C Barcroft, S E Gill, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

Expression and activity of the Na-K-ATPase within the basolateral membrane domains of the trophectoderm epithelium provide the driving force for accumulation of Na(+) and Cl(-) across the nascent epithelium, mediating fluid movement into the forming blastocoel. Within the trophectoderm of the bovine blastocyst, multiple isozymes of the Na-K-ATPase are expressed. Immunolocalization has demonstrated that the alpha1-isozyme localizes within the basolateral membrane, whereas the alpha 3-isozyme localizes to the apical cell margins. Gene-specific RT-PCR and wholemount indirect immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to examine expression of the Na-K-ATPase gamma-subunit (a regulatory subunit of the Na-K-ATPase) throughout development of bovine …

Physician Empathy: Definition, Components, Measurement, And Relationship To Gender And Specialty, Mohammadreza Hojat, Joseph S. Gonnella, Thomas J. Nasca, Salvatore Mangione Md, Michael Vergare, Michael Magee

CRMEHC Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: There is a dearth of empirical research on physician empathy despite its mediating role in patient-physician relationships and clinical outcomes. This study was designed to investigate the components of physician empathy, its measurement properties, and group differences in empathy scores.

METHOD: A revised version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (with 20 Likert-type items) was mailed to 1,007 physicians affiliated with the Jefferson Health System in the greater Philadelphia region; 704 (70%) responded. Construct validity, reliability of the empathy scale, and the differences on mean empathy scores by physicians’ gender and specialty were examined.

RESULTS: Three meaningful factors …

Comparative Study--Efficacy, Safety And Compliance Of Intravenous Iron Sucrose And Intramuscular Iron Sorbitol In Iron Deficiency Anemia Of Pregnancy, A Wali, A Mushtaq, Nilofer

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objective: (1) To determine an alternative iron supplementation with better efficacy, compliance & safety in treatment of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, (2) to reduce blood transfusion during pregnancy, labor and puerperium.
Material and Method: A prospective comparative study. A total number of 60 pregnant women with the gestational age of 12 - 34 weeks were included in the study who were suffering from iron deficiency anemia. They were divided in 3 groups (A, B and C). Group A (n15) received intravenous iron sucrose according to recommended dose containing 500 mg of iron sucrose for storage, in group B (n=20) …

Role Of Imaging In The Evaluation Of Renal Trauma, M H. Ather, M A. Noor

Section of Urology

No abstract provided.

Oncolog, Volume 47, Number 09, September 2002, Kerry L. Wright, Dawn Chalaire, Karyn Hede, Martin L. Smith Std, Anne J. Flamm Jd

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues) Archives

• Is Hormone Replacement Therapy an Option for Women with a History of Breast Cancer?
• Breast Cancer Survivor Devotes Life to Helping Those at High Risk for Hereditary Cancers
• "I Have Something to Tell You." Counselors Support Family Communication about Genetic Susceptibility to Cancer
• DiaLog: Bigger than a Blood Test: Ethical Cautions about Genetic Testing, by Martin L. Smith, STD, and Anne J. Flamm, JD
• House Call: Just a Phase: Understanding Clinical Trials
• Discovery Sheds Light on How Breast Cancer Cells Progress to More Aggressive Forms

Informed Consent For Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials: A Survey Of Clinical Investigators, Peter J. Whitehouse

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Histiocytosis X Of The Vulva, R M. Rizvi, C Nasreen, N Jafri

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

No abstract provided.

Ischemic Stroke In Young Adults Of South Asia, A A. Razzaq, B A. Khan, S M. Baig

Section of Neurology

Objective: To study the risk factors, etiology and management of ischemic stroke in young adults in a South Asian population.

Methods: Retrospective study conducted at a large tertiary hospital in Karachi. One hundred and eighteen patients between fifteen and forty-five years admitted over a five year period with a diagnosis of ischemic infarct constituted the study population. The study variables included the full clinical spectrum, spanning historical, laboratory, radiological and outcome parameters.

Results: Forty-three percent of patients were hypertensive and 30% were diabetic. The combination of diabetes and hypertension was found in 19.5% of patients, intra-cranial and carotid …

View Box Case--9 Bronchiectasis, I Masroor, R Hashmi

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

Clinical And Epidemiological Correlates Of Genotypes Within The Mycobacterium Avium Complex Defined By Restriction And Sequence Analysis Of Hsp65, Sandra C. Smole, Fionnuala Mcaleese, Jutamas Ngampasutadol, C. Fordham Von Reyn, Robert D. Arbeit

Dartmouth Scholarship

Species identification of isolates of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) remains a difficult task. Although M. avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare can be identified with expensive, commercially available probes, many MAC isolates remain unresolved, including those representing Mycobacterium lentiflavum as well as other potentially undefined species. PCR restriction analysis (PRA) of the hsp65 gene has been proposed as a rapid and inexpensive approach. We applied PRA to 278 MAC isolates, including 126 from blood of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, 59 from sputum of HIV-negative patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 88 from environmental sources, and 5 pulmonary isolates from …

Transitional Cell Carcinomas Of The Urinary Bladder. A Histopathological Study, Z. Ahmed, S. Muzaffer, M. Khan, N. Kayani, Shahid Pervez, A. S. Husseini, S H. Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective:

To determine the histological grading and muscle invasion in Transitional Cell Carcinomas of the Urinary Bladder; and to evaluate whether any correlation exists between tumour grade and muscle invasion.

Method:

A Retrospective study of all consecutive cases of Transitional Cell Carcinomas of the Urinary Bladder diagnosed at Aga Khan University Hospital between 1st Jan 1997 and 31st Dec 2000.

Results:

This study included 495 cases of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder. M: F ratio was 4:1. Ages of patients ranged from 30 years to 87 years. Mean age in males was 59.1 years and in females 58.8 …

View Box Case-8 Ilio-Cecal Tuberculosis, I Masroor, R Hashmi

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

Csf Oligoclonal Bands In Multiple Sclerosis, I Siddiqui, S Aleem, N Kayani, S Baig

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective:
To study the significance of oligoclonal bands in neurological disorders, specifically in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Methods:
The study was designed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the test methodology of CSF electrophoresis by performing the retrospective analysis of CSF samples sent for oligoclonal bands (OCB). A total of 603 samples were received by the Clinical Laboratories, Department of Pathology of The Aga Khan University, during a period of 54 months (January 1993-June 1997). All of these samples were analyzed by performing CSF protein electrophoresis. One hundred thirty three out of 603 samples showed evidence of OCB. Out …

Digest Of The Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine (Fall 2002), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Digest

The Fall 2002 Digest of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine includes the following articles:

• Opening Remarks
• PCOM Updates
• Alumnus Marks 100th Birthday
• Cover Story: College Moves Forward with Strategic Plan
• Aging and the Immune Response
• Class Notes
• In Memoriam
• My Turn
• 2003 Annual Fund
• PCOM Events

Vital Signs, Fall 2002, Boonshoft School Of Medicine

Vital Signs

A twenty-seven page newsletter created by the Boonshoft School of Medicine to document the current affairs of the school. This issue includes a variety of feature articles, class notes, a calendar of events, and more.