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An Investigation Into The Possibility Of Transmission Of Tick-Borne Pathogens Via Blood Transfusion, P. M. Arguin, J. Singleton, L. D. Rotz, E. Marston, T. A. Treadwell, K. Slater, M. Chamberland, A. Schwartz, L. Tengelsen, J. G. Olson, J. E. Childs

United States Public Health Resources

BACKGROUND: Tick-borne illnesses were diagnosed in a group of National Guard members, including some who had donated blood a few days before the onset of symptoms. A voluntary recall of those blood components was issued and a multistate investigation was conducted to determine if transfusion-transmitted illness had occurred.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donors and recipients were asked to complete questionnaires regarding symptoms and risk factors for infection and to provide blood samples for laboratory analysis.

RESULTS: Among National Guard personnel who donated blood, 12 individuals were found to have a confirmed or probable case of Rocky Mountain …

An Investigation Into The Possibility Of Transmission Of Tick-Borne Pathogens Via Blood Transfusion, P. M. Arguin, J. Singleton, L. D. Rotz, E. Marston, T. A. Treadwell, K. Slater, M. Chamberland, A. Schwartz, L. Tengelsen, J. G. Olson, J. E. Childs, Transfusion-Associated Tick-Borne Illness Task Force

United States Public Health Resources

BACKGROUND: Tick-borne illnesses were diagnosed in a group of National Guard members, including some who had donated blood a few days before the onset of symptoms. A voluntary recall of those blood components was issued and a multistate investigation was conducted to determine if transfusion-transmitted illness had occurred.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donors and recipients were asked to complete questionnaires regarding symptoms and risk factors for infection and to provide blood samples for laboratory analysis.
RESULTS: Among National Guard personnel who donated blood, 12 individuals were found to have a confirmed or probable case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever or …

Effects Of Plasma Hiv Rna, Cd4+ T Lymphocytes, And The Chemokine Receptors Ccr5 And Ccr2b On Hiv Disease Progression In Hemophiliacs, Eric S. Daar, Sharyne Donfield, Edward Gomperts, Margaret Hilgartner, Keith Hoots, David Chernoff, Cheryl Winkler, Stephen J. O'Brien, Hemophilia Growth And Development Study

Biology Faculty Articles

We have investigated the effects of plasma HIV RNA, CD4⁺ T lymphocytes and chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR2b on HIV disease progression in hemophiliacs. We prospectively observed during follow-up 207 HIV-infected hemophiliacs in the Hemophilia Growth and Development Study. Plasma HIV RNA was measured on cryopreserved plasma from enrollment using the Chiron Corporation bDNA (version 2.0) assay. Genotype variants CCR2b-641 and CCR5-Δ32 were detected using standard molecular techniques. Those with the mutant allele for CCR2b, and to a lesser extent CCR5, had lower plasma HIV RNA, and higher CD4⁺ T lymphocytes than did those without these …

Genetic And Structural Analyses Of Cytoplasmic Filaments Of Wild-Type Treponema Phagedenis And A Flagellar Filament-Deficient Mutant, Jacques Izard, William A. Samsonoff, Mary Beth Kinoshita, Ronald J. Limberger

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Unique cytoplasmic filaments are found in the treponeme genus of spirochete bacteria. Their function is unknown, but their location underneath the periplasmic flagellar filaments (PFF) suggests a role in motility and/or cell structure. To better understand these unique structures, the gene coding for the cytoplasmic filaments, cfpA, was identified in various treponemal species. Treponema phagedenis cfpA was 2,037 nucleotides long, and the encoded polypeptide showed 78 to 100% amino acid sequence identity with the partial sequence of CfpA from T. denticola, T. vincentii, and T. pallidum subsp. pertenue. Wild-type T. phagedenis and a …

Global Cns Gene Transfer For A Childhood Neurogenetic Enzyme Deficiency: Canavan Disease., Paola Leone, Christopher G Janson, Scott J Mcphee, Matthew J During

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

The neurogenetic prototypic disease on which we chose to test our gene therapy strategy is Canavan disease (CD). CD is an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy associated with spongiform degeneration of the brain. At present the disease is uniformly fatal in affected probands. CD is characterized by mutations in the aspartoacylase (ASPA) gene, resulting in loss of enzyme activity. In this review, recent evidence is summarized on the etiology and possible treatments for CD. In particular, we discuss two gene delivery systems representing recent advances in both viral and liposome technology: a novel cationic liposome-polymer-DNA (LPD) complex, DCChol/DOPE-protamine, as well as recombinant …

Signaling Mechanisms For Muscarinic Receptor-Mediated Coronary Vasoconstriction In Isolated Rat Hearts, Yi Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The signaling mechanisms for muscarinic receptor-mediated vasoconstriction in coronary resistance arteries were studied in KCl-arrested isolated rat hearts perfused at a constant flow rate. The cholinergic agonists acetylcholine and bethanechol were given by bolus injection or constant infusion. The coronary vascular resistance was monitored by measuring the changes in perfusion pressure. The selective muscarinic agonist bethanechol caused a similar vasoconstrictor response as ACh, but with less potency and efficacy. Bolus injection of bethanechol evoked a phasic vasoconstriction in a dose-dependent manner, while infusion of bethanechol evoked a tonic vasoconstriction without producing tachyphylaxis. Coronary vascular responses to bethanechol were further examined …

Nurse Pracitioners' Assessment Of Sexuality Among Elders, Michelle Banks

MSN Research Projects

As older adults age, they are presented with a perplexity of lifestyle adaptations. Primary care providers often view physiologic losses elders have as inevitable. Sexuality accounts for one example of these losses that elders feel are important, but have difficulty discussing with health care providers. Thus, the purpose of this descriptive/exploratory research study was to explore the nurse practitioner's assessment of sexuality among elders. The theoretical framework used in this study is Shippee-Rice’s Conceptual Model of Sexuality. The model focuses on four elements: the self, the components of sexuality, significant others, and environmental variables. The research questions were: 1) How …

Outcomes Of A Teaching Intervention On College Cigarette Smokers, Jeanne Benson

MSN Research Projects

Even though there has been a significant decrease in the number of adults who smoke in recent years, adolescents are initiating the habit at an alarming rate. Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of death and illness in the United States. The purpose of this quasi­ experiment al pretest/posttest study was to explore the knowledge levels and attitudes of college students in Northeast Mississippi regarding cigarette smoking. The study was guided by two null hypotheses. The convenience sample consisted of 53 college students enrolled in a public community college in Northeast Mississippi. The Cigarette Smoking Questionnaire was utilized …

Demographics At Diagnosis Of Children With Type 2 Diabetes, Marcia Fleming Hammett

MSN Research Projects

Since 1991 the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes in children has increased at an alarming rate. Researchers have identified some common descriptors which may be predictive of early assessment and intervention for this population. Further validation of established descriptors and identification of other descriptors are needed. In this retrospective descriptive study, one research question guided the study: What are the demographic characteristics of children with Type 2 diabetes at the time of diagnosis? The Neuman Systems Model (198 9) provided the theoretical framework. Data were collected using the Hammett Chart Survey with 3 9 review variables. Charts from three endocrinology …

Comparison Of Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Devices For Accuracy And Ease Of Use, Kelly Kitabchi Pfrommer

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this comparative study was to evaluate several self-monitoring blood glucose devices with regard to accuracy and ease of use.

Current Sexual Behaviors Of Hiv-Positive Women, Nina Sublette

MSN Research Projects

The incidence of HIV among women of childbearing age in the United States continues to rise. Literature and statistics show that the number of new HIV infections continue to increase, despite the fact that the transmission of the disease is preventable. The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe the current sexual practices on HIV-positive women and to determine whether these behaviors had changed since the diagnosis of HIV. A convenience sample (N = 13) of HIV-positive women was obtained from a support group for HIV-positive women in a metropolitan city in the Southeastern United States. Albert Bandura's Social …

The Relationship Between Homicidal Fantasies And Dangerousness, James C. Peterson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aggressive behavior is a serious problem in the United States and has been studied from a variety of perspectives. Psychologists in many different settings are frequently asked to assess the risk of future dangerous behavior by individuals. Due to their important role, research into the prediction of dangerousness has dramatically increased in the past ten years. However, to date, research has offered few reliable predictors that can be used in such assessments. This exploratory study was designed to examine whether homicidal fantasies can be used to reliably discriminate between violent and non-violent individuals. Undergraduate male students (N=l42) completed a questionnaire …

Effects Of Community Structure On The Seagrass Thalassia Testudinum, Craig D. Rose, Clinton J. Dawes

Integrative Biology Faculty and Staff Publications

The influence of community structure on the seagrass Thalassia testudinum was studied in 3 distinct communities: low and high density monocultures, and patches intermixed with Halodule wrightii, in Cockroach Bay, Tampa, Florida. T. testudinum shoot-specific leaf mass and growth were significantly higher in low density monocultures, and both variables were negatively correlated with short-shoot density. Intraspecific, competition-density effects in high-density seagrass beds may be responsible for the relatively lower shoot-specific leaf mass and growth rates, possibly due to the reduction of available light from dense leaf canopies. These observations are supported by significantly higher T. testudinum leaf C:N and …

Mental Health Coverage Parity: Separating Wheat From Chaff, Karl Polzer

National Health Policy Forum

This paper examines the issue of mandating parity in coverage of mental health services in the context of the growing use by private-sector employers of managed behavioral health care providers. Existing parity laws are reviewed, along with estimates of the costs of parity. The tools used by behavioral health care firms to manage care and costs are also discussed.

Protein Adducts Of Iso[4]Levuglandin E2, A Product Of The Isoprostane Pathway, In Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein, Robert G. Salomon, Wei Sha, Cynthia Brame, Kamaljit Kaur, Ganesamoorthy Subbanagounder, June O'Neil, Henry F. Hoff, L. Jackson Roberts Ii

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Levuglandin (LG) E₂, a cytotoxic seco prostanoic acid co-generated with prostaglandins by nonenzymatic rearrangements of the cyclooxygenase-derived endoperoxide, prostaglandin H₂, avidly binds to proteins. That LGE₂-protein adducts can also be generated nonenzymatically is demonstrated by their production during free radical-induced oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Like oxidized LDL, LGE₂-LDL, but not native LDL, undergoes receptor-mediated uptake and impaired processing by macrophage cells. Since radical-induced lipid oxidation produces isomers of prostaglandins, isoprostanes (isoPs), via endoperoxide intermediates, we postulated previously that a similar family of LG isomers, isoLGs, is cogenerated with isoPs. Now …

Methods Of Treating Eye Conditions With Human Leukocyte Elastase (Hle) Inhibitory Agents, George A. Digenis, Charles Khouri

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

A method of reducing corneal scarring or fibroblast proliferation comprises applying to an area of a subject's eye afflicted with the condition a corneal scar-fibroblast proliferation-reducing amount of a free or polymer-bound HLE inhibitory agent under conditions and for a period of time effective to attain the desired effect. A method of reducing neovascularization of corneal scar tissue comprises applying to an area of a subject's eye afflicted with the condition a neovascularization-inhibitory amount of a free or polymer-bound HLE inhibitory agent under conditions and for a period of time effective to attain the desired effect.

Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate The Linkage Of Na+/K+-Atpase To Hypertrophy And Its Marker Genes In Cardiac Myocytes, Joseph I. Shapiro, Amir Askari, Zijian Xie, Peter Kometiani, Jie Li, Jiang Liu

Pharmaceutical Science and Research

We showed before that in cardiac myocytes partial inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase by nontoxic concentrations of ouabain causes hypertrophy and transcriptional regulations of growth-related marker genes through multiple Ca²⁺-dependent signal pathways many of which involve Ras and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinases. The aim of this work was to explore the roles of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these ouabain-initiated pathways. Ouabain caused a rapid generation of ROS within the myocytes that was prevented by preexposure of cells to N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or vitamin E. These antioxidants also blocked or attenuated the following actions of …

K-Cl Cotransport: Membrane Immunofluorescence Localization By Confocal Microscopy Of The Kcc1 Protein, Before And After Truncation Of The Cooh-Terminal Domain, In Human Embryonic Kidney (Hek293) Cells, Peter K. Lauf, Kenneth B.E. Gagnon, Jin Zhang, Eric Delpire, Robert E.W. Fyffe, Norma C. Adragna

Pharmacology and Toxicology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Transfer Of Lacz Marker Gene To The Meniscus, Hideyuki Goto Md, Franklin D. Shuler Md, Phd, Chanin Lamsam Md, Hans D. Moller Md, Christopher Niyibizi Phd, Freddie H. Fu Md, Paul D. Robbins Phd, Christopher H. Evans Phd

Orthopaedics

Background: Lesions in the avascular two-thirds of the meniscus do not heal well and are of concern clinically. Various growth factors promote the synthesis of matrix by meniscal cells and thus have the potential to augment healing. However, their clinical application is severely hindered by problems with delivery. An attractive approach to overcoming such problems is to transfer genes that encode the growth factors in question to the site of the injury. As a prelude to this, we evaluated methods for delivering genes to the meniscus.

Methods: Gene transfer was evaluated in vitro and in vivo with a lacZ marker …

Street-Based Female Adolescent Puerto Rican Sex Workers: Contextual Issues And Health Needs, Margarita Burgos, Donna L. Richter, Belinda Reininger, Ann L. Coker, Ruth Saunders, Margarita Alegria, Mildred Vera

CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles

Adolescent sex workers potentially have many health needs but are included rarely in health assessments; therefore, little is known about their needs or how to reach them. This study examines the motivations, social context, and health needs of street-based adolescent sex workers. The results show these youths are more likely to experience negative health outcomes, such as unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, when they are using drugs or are depressed. These findings suggest the need for comprehensive programming to include individual, interpersonal, and greater environmental interventions. Examples for reaching adolescent sex workers are discussed.

Oncolog, Volume 44, Number 07/08, July/August 1999, Dawn Chalaire, Kimberly Jt Herrick, Robert C. Bast, Jr. Md

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

• New MRI Techniques Pinpoint Brain Tumors, Reveal Brain Functions in Real Time
• Upcoming Conferences Explore Many Topics
• Protocols: Liver Cancer Clinical Trials
• DiaLog: CA 125: The Past and the Future, by Robert C. Bast Jr., MD, Head, Division of Medicine
• House Call: Hormone Replacement Therapy: End to Hot Flashes or Fuse for New Cancers?
• Aggressive Regional Therapies Offer Some Promising Results for Patients with Liver Tumors

Standardization Of An Immunoassay For The Detection Of Antibodies To B2 Glycoprotein-I, Eric N. Erickson Jr.

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) is an evolving autoimmune disease with numerous clinical manifestations. APS occurs in two forms: Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome (PAPS) and secondarily in association with other autoimmune disorders such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE). In the brief period since its discovery as a cofactor for anticardiolipin antibodies, p1-glycoprotein I (�GPI; apolipoprotein H) has been recognized as the autoantigen in the absence of anionic phospholipid when appropriately presented to human autoantibodies. Recent studies suggest that this presentation requires the surface-dependent unmasking of a cryptic epitope. Immunoassays of autoantibodies directed against p1GPI, developed through the application of suitable polymeric matrices, may …

Dietary Assimilation Of Cadmium Associated With Bacterial Exopolymer Sediment Coatings By The Estuarine Amphipod Leptocheirus Plumulosus: Effects Of Cd Concentration And Salinity, Christian E. Schlekat, Alan W. Decho, G. Thomas Chandler

Faculty Publications

Bacterial extracellular substances (also known as exopolysaccharides, or EPS) may serve as vectors for trophic transfer of metals in benthic systems because these ubiquitous sediment coatings can sorb high concentrations of toxic metals, and because many benthic invertebrates assimilate EPS sediment coatings upon ingestion. We conducted 3 sets of experiments to determine the assimilative bioavailability of EPS-associated Cd to the benthic amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus as a function of Cd concentration and salinity. Bioavailability was measured as L. plumulosus Cd assimilation efficiency (AE) from EPS-coated silica (EPS●Si) and from uncoated silica (NC●Si) using modified pulse-chase methods with the gamma-emitting radioisotope ^{109 …}

Optimal Replication Activity Of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Rna Polymerase Requires Phosphorylation Of A Residue(S) At Carboxy-Terminal Domain Ii Of Its Accessory Subunit, Phosphoprotein P, Leroy N. Hwang, Nathan Englund, Tapas Das, Amiya K. Florida, Asit K. Pattnaik

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The phosphoprotein, P, of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a key subunit of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex. The protein is phosphorylated at multiple sites in two different domains. We recently showed that specific serine and threonine residues within the amino-terminal acidic domain I of P protein must be phosphorylated for in vivo transcription activity, but not for replication activity, of the polymerase complex. To examine the role of phosphorylation of the carboxy-terminal domain II residues of the P protein in transcription and replication, we have used a panel of mutant P proteins in which the phosphate acceptor sites …

Core-Binding Factor Influences The Disease Specificity Of Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus, Amy F. Lewis, Terryl Stacy, William R. Green, Lekidelu Taddesse-Heath, Janet W. Hartley, Nancy A. Speck

Dartmouth Scholarship

The core site in the Moloney murine leukemia virus (Moloney MLV) enhancer was previously shown to be an important determinant of the T-cell disease specificity of the virus. Mutation of the core site resulted in a significant shift in disease specificity of the Moloney virus from T-cell leukemia to erythroleukemia. We and others have since determined that a protein that binds the core site, one of the core-binding factors (CBF) is highly expressed in thymus and is essential for hematopoiesis. Here we test the hypothesis that CBF plays a critical role in mediating pathogenesis of Moloney MLV in vivo. We …

Clinical Trials In Alzheimer Disease: Debate On The Use Of Placebo Controls, Peter J. Whitehouse

Faculty Scholarship

During the past 10 years, there has been a rapidly growing number of pharmaceutical industry-sponsored drug trials for treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. As public awareness and concerns about AD have grown, so has interest in developing drug therapies for retarding symptom progression, delaying onset, and ultimately curing the disease. Ethical debate on the use of placebo control trials in AD research has come of age in the United States with the availability of treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The experts and the public agree that more effective therapies are necessary, and new …

Factors Which Affect Post-Hospital Resource Use And Patient Health Outcomes Among Taiwanese Older Adults, Chouh-Jiaun Lin

Health Services Research Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore relationships among population characteristics, patient post-hospital resource use and patient health outcomes in terms of the Andersen health behavioral model. An additional purpose of this study was to examine a discharge planning screening instrument used in a large urban hospital in Taiwan to determine if it predicts resource use and patient outcomes. A longitudinal research design was adopted for this study. Data were collected from the general medicine departments of an 800-bed university teaching hospital. Out of 109 patients who were interviewed, 78 participants qualified (participation rate = 71.6%).

The majority of …

Identification And Characterization Of Determinants Of Head And Neck Tumor Cell Invasion, Yangguan Wu

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignant disease with poor prognosis. The majority of patients die from local invasion or lymphatic metastasis. The mechanism(s) underlining the invasiveness of HNSCC are poorly understood. Utilizing a panel of HNSCC cell lines previously established in our laboratory, we tested the application and relevance of the three-step hypothesis of tumor invasion to HNSCC and investigated the mechanism(s) pertaining to the regulation of each step in the invasive process. Data presented in this thesis demonstrated that tumor cell invasion in HNSCC is a complex process involving three repeated sequential steps: adhesion, …

Generation Of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Beta Subunit Specific Monoclonal Antibody Using A Synthetic Peptide, Zhe Huang

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is well known for early immunological and bioassay tests for early detection of pregnancy. Since the hormone specific beta subunit confers unique biological and immunological specificity to hCG, immunochemical measurement of hCG has achieved greater specificity and sensitivity in recent years by using either the beta subunit as an immunogen or a partially reduced beta subunit polypeptide chain. However, antiserum raised against the entire hCG beta subunit usually cross-reacts to some extent with human luteinizing hormone (hLH). hCG has been found to be present in the extract of tumors and minute quantities of hCG are synthesized …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Considering The Impact Of Educational Institutions And Teacher Perceptions, Cynthia S. Glass

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

This research examines teacher perceptions about the nature of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ("ADHD") and the teaching strategies used to work with students who display ADHD behaviors. It also examines the relationship between classroom size and perception of incidence of ADHD within the classroom.

Results indicate that older and more experienced teachers are more flexible than younger, less experienced teachers in their teaching strategies when working with students who display ADHD behaviors. Teachers who received information about ADHD from their school administration utilized flexible methods more often than those who did not receive information. The proportion of students identified as …