Digital Commons Network^™

Clinico-Morphological Correlations In The Categorization Of Holes Between The Ventricles., Brad A. Friedman, Anthony Hlavacek, Karen Chessa, Girish S. Shirali, Eowyn Corcrain, Diane Spicer, Robert H. Anderson, Sinai Zyblewski

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Controversy still exists in the categorization of holes between the ventricles, although they are the most common congenital cardiac malformation. Advanced imaging techniques such as three-dimensional echocardiography and computed tomographic angiography offer superb anatomical details of these defects. In this review, we have sought to collate the features highlighted in different categorizations and identify their similarities, but also emphasize their differences. We hope that an analysis of this type, now achievable during life, using advanced imaging, might lead to the appearance of a unified system for diagnosis and description of holes between the ventricles.

Marine Algae As A Source Of Photosensitisers For Photodynamic Therapy Of Cancer., Tang Yee Voon

Student Works (2010-2019)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the intravenous administration of a photosensitiser that preferentially localises in cancerous tissues more than the surrounding normal tissues. Subsequent illumination of photosensitiser generates reactive oxygen species that cause irreversible photo-damage to the cancer cells. To date, most photosensitisers that have been approved for clinical use or are currently in clinical trials are cyclic tetrapyrroles which are derived or inspired by naturally occurring chlorophyll and its degradation products. Some non-tetrapyrrolic photosensitisers have also been found in nature suggesting that there are potential photosensitisers with interesting structures in nature. To this end, this thesis outlines the collection of …

Cytotoxic And Anti-Human Papillomavirus Activites In Selected Vegetables., Maizatul Azmah Ab. Latiff

Student Works (2010-2019)

An appropriate way to control cancer is chemoprevention as a large number of compounds have been observed to prevent the occurrence of cancer and variety of mechanisms exists for producing such protective effects. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that diets rich in vegetables are associated with a decreased risk of cancer. Chemoprevention involves the use of natural or laboratory made substances to prevent cancer or reduce risk cancer.The E6 oncoprotein from oncogenic Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) has exhibit functions in tumorigenesis, regulation of transcriptions and apoptosis. E6 product from oncogenic viral type like HPV 16 can bind the tumor suppressor p53 …

Successful Use Of Rituximab In Evans Syndrome And Refractory Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Muhammad Kashif, Adnan Qureshi, Salman Naseem Adil, Mohammad Khurshid

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Immune cytopenias are mediated by auto-antibodies produced by B-lymphocytes. Conventional treatment of immune-mediated haematological disorders includes immunosuppression with steroids and other immune modulating therapies and in some refractory cases, splenectomy. Response rates to conventional and second-line agents are variable and a proportion of patients require lifelong immunosuppression to maintain the disease in remission. Rituximab, an anti- CD 20 monoclonal antibody has gained widespread acceptance in the management of B-cell malignancies. Additionally, it has been used to treat the disorders associated with autoantibody production. We report herein the successful use of Rituximab in the treatment of two patients with autoimmune cytopenias …

Cyclin D1 Amplification In Tongue And Buccal Mucosa Squamous Cell Carcinoma., Haydar M. Mahdey

Student Works (2010-2019)

Introduction Oral cancer is a significant health problem worldwide with almost 300,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Despite the numerous studies done, and even with the best treatment option utilized, more than 50% of patients with oral cancer will experience relapse. In search for better options for prognostication, researches are now focusing on the molecular biology of cancer, for instance in search of reliable tumor markers. Among the markers reported in the literatures, Cyclin D1 is actively studied protein. Cyclin D1 regulates the cell cycle progression by forming a complex with different cyclin dependant kinase. Dysregulation of cyclin D1 …

Community Mobilization For Postabortion Care In Kenya: Baseline Evaluation Report, Chi-Chi Undie, Saumya Ramarao

Reproductive Health

Maternal health complications, including those arising from unsafe abortion and miscarriage, are a leading cause of morbidity among women in Kenya. These realities necessitate interventions to prevent unintended or unwanted pregnancies and to ensure access to quality care for women with postabortion complications. In response to this need, the RESPOND Project designed an intervention package aimed at increasing awareness and use of postabortion care (PAC) services and improving family planning, reproductive health, and maternal health outcomes. As part of the intervention, RESPOND works with districts and communities to: strengthen service delivery points to provide PAC services; conduct community mobilization to …

Relationships Between Jump Characteristics Of Collegiate Female Athletes Competing In Different Disciplines, Christopher J. Macdonalds, Hugh S. Lamont, John C. Garner, Jeremy A. Gentles, Ashley A. Kavanaugh, Michael H. Stone

ETSU Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Hormone And Adpokine Alterations Across Eleven Weeks Of Training In Division I Collegiate Throwers: An Exploratory Study, W. Guy Hornsby, Christian R. Carter, Guy Gregory Haff, Micheal R. Ramsey, Andy R. Dotterweich, N. Travis Triplett, Charles A. Stuart, Margaret E. Stone, Michael H. Stone

ETSU Faculty Works

Conceptually, it is important to understand the underlying physiological mechanisms of any training program model. This understanding aids the coach/sport scientist in making better choices in manipulating variables in formulating the training model. These underlying mechanisms can be associated with training variable manipulation and fatigue management aspects as well as the overall health of the athlete. Hormone and cytokine concentrations can be linked to alterations resulting from the manipulation of training variables and to subsequent alterations in performance (Haff et al., 2008; Ishigaki et al., 2005; Jurimae et al., 2010; Stone et al., 2007). For example, alterations in the testosterone: …

Mast Cells And Hypoxia Drive Tissue Metaplasia And Heterotopic Ossification In Idiopathic Arthrofibrosis After Total Knee Arthroplasty., Theresa A Freeman, Javad Parvizi, Craig J Dela Valle, Marla J Steinbeck

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Idiopathic arthrofibrosis occurs in 3-4% of patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, little is known about the cellular or molecular changes involved in the onset or progression of this condition. To classify the histomorphologic changes and evaluate potential contributing factors, periarticular tissues from the knees of patients with arthrofibrosis were analyzed for fibroblast and mast cell proliferation, heterotopic ossification, cellular apoptosis, hypoxia and oxidative stress. RESULTS: The arthrofibrotic tissue was composed of dense fibroblastic regions, with limited vascularity along the outer edges. Within the fibrotic regions, elevated numbers of chymase/fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-expressing mast cells were …

Quantification Of Circulating Melanoma Cells, Jamie Freeman

Theses : Honours

Current prognostic techniques for Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma (CMM), a highly aggressive and drug resistant skin cancer, are inadequate at managing the disease and identifying early stage patients requiring treatment. It is thought that Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs), which circulate in patient blood after being shed from solid tumours, may be useful in enhancing prognostic techniques and it has previously been shown in other malignancies that the presence of CTCs in patient blood is associated with poor prognosis. In CMM, CTCs can be detected through RT-PCR for melanoma associated markers, although this technique does not allow CTCs to be quantified. In …

Behavioral Health Self-Efficacy Of Nurses In A Rural Emergency Department, Alyssa Schlager

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This project aims to provide a resource manual for the Waseca area which will be utilized by the emergency department‟s nursing staff. As described above, the need for nursing staff to know how to work with, handle, and appropriately refer behavioral health patients is an essential piece of emergency department nursing. After receiving an orientation on the composition of the new resource manual, emergency department nursing staff will have a better understanding of what to do when the social worker is not present as well as feel more comfortable with their knowledge related to behavioral health patients.

This project has …

Activation Of Tumor Cell Death Program By Targeting The Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway: Significance In Cancer Treatment And Prevention, Michael Joseph Frezza

Wayne State University Dissertations

ACTIVATION OF TUMOR CELL DEATH PROGRAM BY TARGETING THE UBIQUITIN-PROTEASOME PATHWAY: SIGNIFICANCE IN CANCER TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

by

MICHAEL FREZZA

August 2010

Advisor: Dr. Q. Ping Dou

Major: Cancer Biology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway serves as a quality control mechanism to regulate the degradation of intracellular proteins involved in a wide array of cellular processes including tumorigeneis. Thus targeting key features of protein turnover responsible for the growth and proliferation of cancer have emerged as a favorable approach in cancer therapy. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental and clinical results have demonstrated the potential use of …

Defensins In Ocular Immunity, Minhao Wu

Wayne State University Dissertations

Corneal infection with P. aeruginosa results in corneal perforation in susceptible

B6, but not resistant BALB/c mice. This study explored their role mBD 1-4 in corneal

infection, and their potential synergy. Immunostaining and real-time RT-PCR data

demonstrated that their expression was either constitutive (mBD1 and mBD2) or

inducible (mBD3 and mBD4) in normal BALB/c and B6 corneas, and disparately

regulated in BALB/c vs B6 corneas after infection. Knock down studies using siRNA

treatment indicated that mBD2 and mBD3, but neither mBD1 nor mBD4, is required in

ocular defense. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated individual and combined effects

of mBD2 and …

Psychosocial Correlates Of Insomnia Severity In Primary Care, Daniel Bluestein, Carolyn M. Rutledge, Amanda C. Healey

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Purpose: Insomnia is a substantive primary care issue that leads to adverse outcomes. These can be improved by addressing factors that accentuate insomnia severity. Accordingly, this study identifies correlates of insomnia severity and determines whether these relationships vary with sociodemographic attributes.

Methods: This correlational cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital-sponsored primary care clinic and 2 urban, academic family practice centers. Participants consisted of 236 patients 18 years old or older with clinically significant insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index scores of 7 or more). Surveys instruments included the Insomnia Severity Index, SF-8 (Medical Outcomes Study SF-8 global health status measure), CES-D …

The Effect Of Culture On Urinary Incontinence: Do We Really Understand?, Karen A. Karlowicz

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Care Manager Role In Primary Care, Malaika Stoll Md, Mpa, Lynn M. Deitrick Rn, Phd, Nancy Gratz Mpa, Pam Marcks, Kathleen Moser

Administration & Leadership

No abstract provided.

Inadequate Health Numeracy Affects Cancer Screening Practices In Vulnerable Populations, Sherrine Eid Mph, Dorothy Faulkner Phd

Administration & Leadership

No abstract provided.

Autoimmunity In Transfusion Babesiosis: A Spectrum Of Clinical Presentations., Jay H Herman, Saleh Ayache, Danuta Olkowska

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Transfusion-acquired babesiosis can be an asymptomatic or self-limited febrile hemolytic illness in a healthy host. A persistent, relapsing, and/or fulminant course with the development of life-threatening complications may be seen in immunocompromised or splenectomized patients. As in malaria, erythrocyte parasitemia is often associated with nonimmune hemolysis, and can be treated with erythrocytapheresis. Just as warm autoantibodies have been reported in malaria infection, the development of autoantibody-mediated immune hemolysis has been reported in babesiosis. We treated a previously healthy male with multiple injuries from a motor vehicle accident necessitating massive transfusion. Late in the hospitalization, his blood smear revealed Babesia microti, …

The Development And Implementation Of A Curriculum Using Simulation To Teach Interns Basic Invasive Clinical Skills, C. Sultana, K. Berg, J. Kairys, J. Majdan, M. Vergare, D. Berg

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

The ACGME requires that all residents are competent in performing basic invasive clinical procedures. Although simulation models have been used in other programs to teach these skills to interns with the intent to provide training and skills attainment before learning and performing on real patients, a large scale, mandatory simulation training, in which every incoming intern must satisfactorily complete training in a simulation center, prior to starting their intern year, has yet to be described. We describe such a curricular intervention produced in our Simulation Center.

A Novel Curriculum Using Simulation To Teach And Assess Indications And Technique Of Handwashing To Gme Learners, K. Berg, C. Sultana, R. Sorokin, J. Kairys, M. Vergare, D. Berg

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Proficiency in the clinical skill of effective hand washing is integral to high quality health care. Studies at our hospital revealed that in 2008, of 1215 direct, anonymous, observations of residents and attendings, only 53.3% washed their hands correctly during clinical activities. Medical students in fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008-June 30 2009) had a 52% compliance rate from 109 observations. This data prompted our hospital to work with the faculty of the University Clinical Skills and Simulation Center (UCSSC) to develop a module on the indications and technique of effective handwashing. This intervention, using multimedia simulation was introduced to …

Reduced Mortality And Increased Bpd With Histological Chorioamnionitis And Leukocytosis In Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants., David A. Paul, Md, Kelly Zook, Md, Amy Mackley, Rnc, Robert G. Locke, Do

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between leukocytosis, mortality and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBW) born to mothers with histological chorioamnionitis.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study from a single level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. The study sample included infants born to mothers with histological chorioamnionitis (n=252). Total white blood cells (WBCs) after birth were measured. Leukocytosis was defined as a total WBC count >30 000 per mm(3) in the first 2 days of life. Outcomes investigated included BPD and death. Both unadjusted and multivariable analyses were carried out.

RESULT: After controlling for potential confounding variables, infants who …

Prostate Cancer Region Prediction Using Maldi Mass Spectra, Ayyappa Vadlamudi, Shao-Hui Chuang, Xiaoyan Sun, Lisa Cazares, Julius Nyalwidhe, Dean Troyer, O. John Semmes, Jiang Li, Frederic D. Mckenzie

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

For the early detection of prostate cancer, the analysis of the Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in serum is currently the most popular approach. However, previous studies show that 15% of men have prostate cancer even their PSA concentrations are low. MALDI Mass Spectrometry (MS) proves to be a better technology to discover molecular tools for early cancer detection. The molecular tools or peptides are termed as biomarkers. Using MALDI MS data from prostate tissue samples, prostate cancer biomarkers can be identified by searching for molecular or molecular combination that can differentiate cancer tissue regions from normal ones. Cancer tissue regions are …

Prenatal Beta-Endorphin As An Early Predictor Of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms In Euthymic Women, Ilona S. Yim, Laura M. Glynn, Christine Dunkel Schetter, Calvin J. Hobel, Aleksandra Chicz-Demet, Curt A. Sandman

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

After delivery, many women experience symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD), and early identification of women at risk is therefore important. The opioid peptide [beta]-endorphin has been implicated in non-puerperal depression but its role in the development of PPD is unknown.

Vertical Facial And Dental Arch Dimensional Changes In Extraction Vs. Non-Extraction Orthodontic Treatment, Meena Kumari, Mubassar Fida

Section of Dental-Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To compare the vertical facial and dental arch dimensional changes occurring with extraction and nonextraction orthodontic treatments.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi during the period 2003 to 2005.

METHODOLOGY: Data were collected using records of patients who visited the study setting during the study period. Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalographs and study casts of 81 orthodontic patients (41=non-extraction and 40=premolar extractions) were taken. Variables used for evaluating vertical dimension were Frankfort mandibular plane angle (FMA), facial height (N-Me), facial height ratio (N-ANS/ANS-Me), soft tissue facial height (G' to …

Interaction Of The Mu-Opioid Receptor With Gpr177 (Wntless) Inhibits Wnt Secretion: Potential Implications For Opioid Dependence., Jay Jin, Saranya Kittanakom, Victoria Wong, Beverly A S Reyes, Elisabeth J Van Bockstaele, Igor Stagljar, Wade Berrettini, Robert Levenson

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Opioid agonist drugs produce analgesia. However, long-term exposure to opioid agonists may lead to opioid dependence. The analgesic and addictive properties of opioid agonist drugs are mediated primarily via the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Opioid agonists appear to alter neuronal morphology in key brain regions implicated in the development of opioid dependence. However, the precise role of the MOR in the development of these neuronal alterations remains elusive. We hypothesize that identifying and characterizing novel MOR interacting proteins (MORIPs) may help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in the development of opioid dependence. RESULTS: GPR177, the mammalian ortholog of Drosophila …

Neuroaids In Africa, Kevin Robertson, Jeff Liner, James Hakim, Jean-Louis Sankalé, Igor Grant, Scott Letendre, David Clifford, Amadou Gallo Diop, Assan Jaye, Georgette Kanmogne, Alfred Njamnshi, T. Dianne Langford, Tufa Gemechu Weyessa, Charles Wood, Mwanza Banda, Mina Hosseinipour, Ned Sacktor, Noeline Nakasuja, Paul Bangirana, Robert Paul, John Joska, Joseph Wong, Michael Boivin, Penny Holding, Betsy Kammerer, Annelies Van Rie, Prudence Ive, Avindra Nath, Kathy Lawler, Clement Adebamowo, Walter Royal Iii, Jeymohan Joseph

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

In July 2009, the Center for Mental Health Research on AIDS at the National Institute of Mental Health organized and supported the meeting “NeuroAIDS in Africa.” This meeting was held in Cape Town, South Africa, and was affiliated with the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention. Presentations began with an overview of the epidemiology of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, the molecular epidemiology of HIV, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs), and HAND treatment. These introductory talks were followed by presentations on HAND research and clinical care in Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, …

Functional Properties Of The Hiv-1 Subtype C Envelope Glycoprotein Associated With Mother-To-Child Transmission, Hong Zhang, Marzena Rola, John T. West, Damien C. Tully, Piotr Kubis, Jun He, Chipepo Kankasa, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Understanding the properties of viruses capable of establishing infection during perinatal transmission of HIV-1 is critical for designing effective means of limiting transmission. We previously demonstrated that the newly transmitted viruses (in infant) were more fit in growth, as imparted by their envelope glycoproteins, than those in their corresponding mothers. Here, we further characterized the viral envelope glycoproteins from six mother-infant transmission pairs and determined whether any specific envelope functions correlate with HIV-1 subtype C perinatal transmission. We found that most newly transmitted viruses were less susceptible to neutralization by their maternal plasma compared to contemporaneous maternal viruses. However, the …

Chronology And Evolution Of The Hiv-1 Subtype C Epidemic In Ethiopia, Damien C. Tully, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Objective—To reconstruct the onset date and evolutionary history of the HIV-1 subtype C epidemic in Ethiopia - one of the earliest recorded subtype C epidemics in the world.

Design—HIV-1 C env sequences with a known sampling year isolated from HIV-1 positive patients from Ethiopia between 1984 and 2003.

Methods—Evolutionary parameters including origin and demographic growth patterns were estimated using a Bayesian coalescent-based approach under either strict or relaxed molecular clock models.

Results—Bayesian evolutionary analysis indicated a most recent common ancestor date of 1965 with three distinct epidemic growth phases. Regression analysis of root-to-tip distances revealed a highly similar estimate for …

Enhancement Of Autophagy During Lytic Replication By The Kaposi’S Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Replication And Transcription Activator, Hui-Ju Wen, Zhilong Yang, You Zhou, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Autophagy is one of two major degradation systems in eukaryotic cells. The degradation mechanism of autophagy is required to maintain the balance between the biosynthetic and catabolic processes and also contributes to defense against invading pathogens. Recent studies suggest that a number of viruses can evade or subvert the host cell autophagic pathway to enhance their own replication. Here, we investigated the effect of autophagy on the KSHV (Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) life cycle. We found that the inhibition of autophagy reduces KSHV lytic reactivation from latency, and an enhancement of autophagy can be detected during KSHV lytic replication. In addition, …

Increased Dendrite Branching In Aβpp/Ps1 Mice And Elongation Of Dendrite Arbors By Fasudil Administration, Brian A. Couch, George J. Demarco, Shannon L. Gourley, Anthony J. Koleske

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Amyloid-β (Aβ) overproduction and dendrite arbor atrophy are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. The RhoA GTPase (Rho) signals through Rho kinase (ROCK) to control cytoskeletal dynamics and regulate neuron structure. Hyperactive Rho signaling destabilizes neurons leading to dendritic regression that can be rescued by genetic or pharmacological reduction of ROCK signaling. To understand what effect reduced ROCK signaling has on the dendrite arbors of mice that overproduce Aβ, we administered the ROCK inhibitor fasudil to AβPP/PS1 transgenic mice. We report that increased dendrite branching occurs in AβPP/PS1 mice and that fasudil promotes …