Digital Commons Network^™

Chloroplast-Derived Vaccine Antigens Confer Dual Immunity Against Cholera And Malaria By Oral Or Injectable Delivery, Abdoreza Davoodi-Semiromi, Melissa Schreiber, Samson Nalapalli, Dheeraj Verma, Nameirakpam D. Singh, Robert K. Banks, Debopam Chakrabarti, Hnery Daniell

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Cholera and malaria are major diseases causing high mortality The only licensed cholera vaccine is expensive, immunity is lost in children within 3 years and adults are not fully protected No vaccine is yet available for malaria Therefore, in this study, the cholera toxin-B subunit (CTB) of Vibrio cholerae fused to malarial vaccine antigens apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA1) and merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1) was expressed in lettuce and tobacco chloroplasts Southern blot analysis confirmed homoplasmy and stable integration of transgenes CTB-AMA1 and CTB-MSP1 fusion proteins accumulated up to 13 17% and 10 11% (total soluble protein, TSP) in tobacco and …

Colistin Dosing And Nephrotoxicity In A Large Community Teaching Hospital, C. Andrew Deryke, Amanda J. Crawford, Nizam Uddin, Mark R. Wallace

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Thirty adult patients who received intravenous colistin (5.1 +/- 2.4 mg/kg/day) were reviewed to evaluate dosing with respect to nephrotoxicity, which occurred in 10 (33%) patients within the first 5 days of treatment. Excessive colistin dosing was frequent (47%), often (71%) resulted from the use of actual body weight in obese patients, and was associated with higher rates of nephrotoxicity (80% versus 30%, P = 0.019).

South Sudan: A Fledgling Nation, Alka Jauhari

Political Science & Global Affairs Faculty Publications

The citizens of south Sudan are rejoicing in the hope of building a new nation after the referendum next year. They are hoping to finally gain independence from the north and thus create an independent and a prosperous south Sudan. However, prosperity of a nation depends on a number of factors which are conspicuously absent in the case of south Sudan. These include existence of a socially cohesive society and a basic social and economic infrastructure. A socially cohesive society is essential to pave the way for a genuine democracy, while the presence of basic infrastructure provides the institutional base …

A History Of Abuse And Lack Of Protection: The Need To Update California's Quarantine Powers In Light Of The H1n1 Influenza Outbreak, Arsen Kourinian

Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review

No abstract provided.

Viral Gastroenteritis In Charleston, West Virginia, In 2007: From Birth To 99 Years Of Age, Carolyn M. Wilhelm, Samantha L. Hanna, Christine A. Welch, Haider Shahid, Linda L. Minnich, Shane B. Daly, John N. Udall

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Suitable Empiric Antibiotic Therapy Saves Life In Nosocomial Pneumonia Caused By Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia, Gürdal Yilmaz, Savaş Özsu, İfti̇har Köksal, Tevfi̇k Özlü

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a nosocomial pathogen of increasing importance. Empiric antibiotic therapy for S. maltophilia infection is difficult because the microorganism is resistant to a number of agents typically used for health care associated infections, thus potentially increasing mortality. This study investigates 23 nosocomial pneumonia cases caused by S. maltophilia, the antibacterial sensitivity of the bacterium and the effect on mortality of suitable empiric therapy. Materials and methods: Twenty-three patients with nosocomial pneumonia caused by S. maltophilia between January 2000 and December 2006 at the Karadeniz Technical University Hospital were retrospectively investigated. Results: Suitable empiric therapy was used with 12 …

Tetanus In An Intensive Care Unit Of A Turkish Hospital: Patient Analysis Of A 6-Year Period, Behi̇ce Kurtaran, Emre Karakoç, Aslihan Candevi̇r, Süheyla Kömür, Ayşe Seza İnal, Fi̇li̇z Ki̇bar, Yeşi̇m Taşova, Neşe Saltoğlu, Hasan Sali̇h Zeki̇ Aksu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To retrospectively evaluate the clinical features of patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) of our hospital between January 2001 and May 2007 due to tetanus. Materials and methods: Patient vaccination history, incubation period, nosocomial infections, noninfectious conditions, mortality, and length of stay in the ICU and hospital were documented. Results: Fifteen tetanus patients were admitted during the 6-year period. Mean age of the patients (9 male, 6 female) was 60 ± 13 years. Median length of stay was 42 days (range: 30-77 days) for survivors and 7 days (range: 1-59 days) for non-survivors. Mortality was consequent to …

Asymptomatic Carriage Of Bacteria In Food Workers In Nilüfer District, Bursa, Turkey*, Kayihan Pala, Cüneyt Özakin, Nalan Akiş, Melda Sinirtaş, Suna Gedi̇koğlu, Hamdi̇ Ayteki̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

This study was carried out in order to determine the nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and the faecal carriage of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in food industry workers. Materials and methods: During the study, face to face interviews were conducted with the workers and 9-item questionnaires regarding demographic information, working time, and periodical medical examinations were administered. In the study nasal swab specimens of 1115 individuals and faecal specimens of 1061 individuals were bacteriologically investigated. Results: The nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was found to be significantly more common in …

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia In Nonintensive Care Unit Wards, Meltem Avci, Onur Özgenç, Ayten Coşkuner, Berna Bozca, Levent Kidak, Gülşen Mermut, Mehmet Sezai̇ Taşbakan, Nesli̇han Genç, Gülşen Güloğlu, Alpay Ari

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the incidence, risk factors, etiology, and antibiotic susceptibility of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) in nonintensive care units (non-ICU) and nonintubated adult patients. Materials and methods: A prospective surveillance study was performed from January 2006 through December 2007 in the medical and surgical wards of the İzmir Teaching and Research Hospital. Results: During the study period, data on 57,133 patients with a total of 413,515 patient-days were analyzed. A total of 106 HAP episodes occurred in 99 patients. The infection rate per 100 patients and per 1000 patient-days was found to be 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. HAP episodes were detected …

Genotyping Of Trichosporon Asahii Strains Isolated From Urinary Tract Infections In A Turkish University Hospital, Zeynep Ceren Karahan, Esra Koyuncu, Istar Dolapçi, Özay Arikan Akan, Füsun Can, Alper Tekeli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Trichosporon infections are associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Trichosporon asahii is the most important species in the genus. Our aim was to evaluate the genotypic relatedness of urinary T. asahii strains isolated from immunocompetent patients during a hospital outbreak. Materials and methods: Twenty-three T. asahii isolates obtained from 15 patients hospitalized in different wards of Ankara University Ibn-i Sina Hospital between July 2004 and April 2005 were studied. T. asahii was identified by API 20C AUX (BioMérieux Vitek, Hazelwood, USA) system and confirmed by genus and species specific polymerase chain reactions. Genetic relatedness of the isolates was …

The Effect Of Microorganisms On Cytokine Secretion From Bone Marrow Dendritic Cells, Işil Fi̇dan, Ayşe Kalkanci, Emi̇ne Yeşi̇lyurt, Berna Erdal, Semra Kuşti̇mur, Turgut İmi̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells crucial for initiation of cell-mediated immune responses to foreign antigens. They also contribute to the innate resistance against microbial pathogens. The present study examined the effect of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS), and Candida albicans (C. albicans) on cytokine secretion in bone marrow-dendritic cells (BM-DCs). Materials and methods: The levels of cytokines in culture supernatants of the BM-DC were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: DCs stimulated by microorganisms produced large amounts of TNF-\alpha, IL-1\beta, IL-6, and IL-10. The …

Absence Of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (Vre) Despite The Presence Of Risk Factors: A Survey Of Rectal Carriage Of Vre*, Zeli̇ha Koçak Tufan, Selcan Arslan, Sali̇h Cesur, Cemal Bulut, Hasan Irmak, Sami̇ Kinikli, Ferah Ergi̇n, Ali̇ Kutta Çeli̇k, Ali̇ Pekcan Demi̇röz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The resistant organisms from patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) first colonized the gastrointestinal tract before causing infections in patients. In this study, presence of risk factors for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization and the prevalence of rectal carriage of VRE among HCWs and hospitalized patients in the absence of an outbreak were investigated. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A 600-bed training and research hospital. Materials and methods: A total of 508 intensive-care unit (ICU) patients and HCWs in these units were included. Risk factors such as previous antibiotic use, especially vancomycin and cephalosporin, the presence of invasive devices like catheters, and co-morbid …

Serum Adenosine Deaminase Activity And The Total Antioxidant Capacity Of Plasma In Pulmonary Tuberculosis And Non-Tuberculosis Pulmonary Disease, Mohammad Naderi, Mohammad Hashemi, Ali Mehdizadeh, Hamid Mehrabifar, Hamid Reza Kouhpayeh, Hossein Ansari, Gholamreza Bahari, Saeid Ghavami

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), non-tuberculosis pulmonary disease (non-PTB) and healthy subjects. Materials and methods: Serum ADA activity was measured using the Giusti and Galanti method, and the total antioxidant capacity of plasma was determined by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) test. Results: The serum ADA levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in pulmonary TB (PTB, 19.78 ± 7.09 U/L), as well as in non-PTB patients (14.78 ± 4.65 U/L) when compared to healthy controls (10.02 ± 1.99 U/L). The sensitivity and specificity were found to be 71.7% and 63.3%, respectively, in distinguishing PTB from non-PTB. In distinguishing PTB from healthy subjects, the sensitivity and specificity were 87% and 93.3%, respectively. The TAC was significantly lower in PTB (485.2 ± 190.0 µM) and non-PTB patients (588.3 ± 195.8 µM), when compared to the controls (784.3 ± 190.0 µM; P < 0.001). Plasma antioxidative activity decreased in PTB and non-PTB patients when compared to the controls. Conclusion: We concluded that serum ADA activity is not a useful test to differentiate pulmonary TB from other respiratory diseases. The TAC is low in pulmonary TB, therefore supplementation with a suitable anti-oxidant may be useful.

Effects Of Vitamin A And C And Melatonin On 3-Nitrotyrosine Formation In Guinea Pig Heart Under Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Stress, Hali̇l Yaman, Tuncer Çayci, Meli̇k Seyrek, Emi̇n Özgür Akgül, Yasemi̇n Gülcan Kurt, İbrahi̇m Aydin, Hakan Yaren, Erdi̇nç Çakir, Ömer Özcan, Behzat Çi̇men, Nurten Türközkan, Mehmet Kemal Erbi̇l

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O_2^{.-}). O_2^{.-} can react with NO to produce the powerful oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO-). The presence of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) in tissues is often used as a marker of ONOO- production. Vitamin A, vitamin C, and melatonin are potent antioxidant molecules. We sought to clarify this issue by examining the effects of vitamin A (15,000 IU/kg/day), vitamin C (600 mg/kg/day), and melatonin (25 mg/kg) on 3-NT formation in heart tissue in a guinea pig model of LPS-induced endotoxemia. Materials and methods: A total of 75 animals were randomly divided into 5 …

Prevalence Of Anaemia In Women Of Reproductive Age In Meghalaya: A Logistic Regression Analysis, Sanku Dey, Sankar Goswami, Madhuchhanda Goswami

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To examine the prevalence of anaemia in Meghalaya, India, by exploring the 2005-2006 National Family Health Survey (NFHS -3) data. Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 3934 ever-married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) from the state Meghalaya, India, which were taken from the NFHS-3 survey, to explore the predictors responsible for the prevalence of anaemia by using different background characteristics such as age, place of residence, nutritional status, number of children ever born, pregnancy status, educational achievement, and economic status. As a response variable, anaemia levels were categorised as a dichotomous variable, and the predicted probabilities were …

Two Siblings With Netherton Syndrome, Selma Emre, Ahmet Meti̇n, D. Deni̇z Demi̇rseren, Ahu Yorulmaz, Aykut Onursever, Burçi̇n Kaftan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, unknown etiology, ichthyosiform cutaneous changes, atopic diathesis, and alterations in the hair shaft. As a result of aging coupled with immune deficiency, clinical symptoms may vary. Herein, we present 2 siblings with the characteristic cutaneous symptoms of NS, albeit with some differences between the siblings. Materials and methods: Two sisters presented to our clinic with sparse and brittle hair along with pruritic, erythematous, and scaling cutaneous lesions. Both patients underwent a clinical examination and laboratory analyses. Results: Based on the clinical and laboratory findings, both patients were …

Incidence And Risk Factors For Bloodstream Infections Stemming From Temporary Hemodialysis Catheters, Hati̇ce Rahmet Çaylan, Gürdal Yilmaz, Ebru Emel Sözen, Kemaletti̇n Aydin, İftahar Köksal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) is considered as an important complication of hemodialysis catheters. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of temporary hemodialysis catheter-related bloodstream infection. Materials and methods: Prospective data related to temporary hemodialysis catheters inserted in our institution were collected for duration of three years. The risk factors of CR-BSI of patients between the CR-BSI group and the control group were compared. Results: A total of 248 temporary hemodialysis catheters were inserted in 201 patients and remained in situ for a cumulative total of 5192 catheter days. There were 3254 dialysis …

Levels Of Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) Antibody In Turkey Before Routine Immunization, Cemi̇le Sönmez, Ni̇lay Çöplü, Demet Kurtoğlu, Berri̇n Esen, Annette Crowley Luke, Lorraine Ransley, Ayşegül Gözalan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine was introduced into the routine immunization schedule in Turkey on January 1, 2007. This study investigates the immunity to Hib prior to the introduction of the vaccine. Materials and methods: Serum samples were collected from healthy volunteers between the ages of 6 months and 50 + years of age, living in the area of 26 health centers in the Samsun, Antalya, and Diyarbakir provinces during 2000-2001. In total, 1713 sera were selected for this study, and the younger age groups were given priority (range 0-82). A commercial ELISA test was used to measure …

Preventing The Spread Of Hiv After Exposure, Jordan Gebil

A with Honors Projects

A biological breakdown and explanation of what could be done to stop the spread of HIV in the body.

Trapping Mammals In A Cautious World: The Effect Of Disinfectants On Trap Success, James Wilson, K. E. Mabry

Biology Faculty Publications

Disinfecting traps that have captured small mammals is one recommendation for preventing occurrence of hantavirus infection; however, the potential effects of disinfection on small mammal trappability have not been investigated thoroughly. We conducted an experiment to compare the effects of 2 disinfectants (Lysol® and household bleach) on the trappability of 4 small mammal species (Peromyscus maniculatus, Neotamias spp., and Spermophilus lateralis). We established triplicate trap grids in 2 forest types (red fir and mixed conifer), each consisting of a 6 × 6 array of Sherman live-traps placed at 10-m intervals. Traps were given 1 of 3 treatments: control (water), Lysol, …

Vegetarians And Vegans In Kentucky, Danita Martha Hines

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Kentucky has a health crisis and most of the causes can be linked to diet, smoking and physical activity. Vegetarian and vegan diets have numerous benefits for many diet related health problems such as obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. There has been limited research on vegetarians and vegans in the United States and none in Kentucky. This study used an anonymous electronic survey to examine the different characteristics, behaviors, experiences and opinions of adult vegetarians and vegans in Kentucky. Results were compared to statistical data reported on the general population of Kentucky. Calculated body mass index …

Dietitians’ Use And Perceptions Of Nutrition Screening Tools For The Older Adult, Sarah Ross Small

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Malnutrition is a significant issue affecting the health of many adults over the age of 65. Screening for malnutrition in this population can help identify those in need of a complete nutritional assessment. Many screening tools have been developed to aid healthcare team members in identifying those at risk for malnutrition. A population of dietitians with a focus in older adult nutrition was surveyed to determine dietitians’ perceptions and use of screening tools for the older adult. The results of the study showed many dietitians did not use validated screening tools at their place of work and were not confident …

Toward A Real-Time Celestial Body Information System, Brian Mitchell Guise

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration maintains a challenging schedule of planned and on-going space exploration missions that extend to the outer reaches of our galaxy. New missions represent a huge investment, in terms of actual costs for equipment and support infrastructure, and personnel training. The success of a mission is critical considering both the monetary investment, and for manned missions, the lives which are put at risk. Tragedies involving Challenger, Columbia, Apollo 7, and the near tragedy of Apollo 13 exemplify that space exploration is a dangerous endeavor, posing extreme environmental conditions on both equipment and personnel. NASA, the …

Is A Communication Event Stressful For Individuals With Expressive Aphasia?, Emily E. Warner

Master's Theses and Capstones

Objective. This study presents an effort to understand both stress perception and physiologic responses related to expressive communication in individuals with expressive aphasia, acquired as the result of a stroke.

Method. Eight individuals with aphasia and five age-matched, healthy controls participated in a public communication task. Salivary cortisol and perception of stress and mood was measured on one day at home as well as during the ordering task.

Results. A significant difference between groups was found in diurnal cortisol levels in the evening, as well as a non-significant trend in the afternoon measure. Individuals in the aphasia group perceived higher …

What’S In The Water? Climate Change, Waterborne Pathogens, And The Safety Of The Rural Alaskan Water Supply, Deborah P. Furth

UC Law Environmental Journal

No abstract provided.

Association Of Hiv Infection With Distribution And Viral Load Of Hpv Types In Kenya: A Survey With 820 Female Sex Workers, Stanley Mf Luchters, Davy Vanden Broeck, Matthew F. Chersich, Annalene Nel, Wim Delva, Kishor Mandaliya, Christophe E. Depuydt, Patricia Claeys, John-Paul Bogers, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) and HIV are each responsible for a considerable burden of disease. Interactions between these infections pose substantial public health challenges, especially where HIV prevalence is high and HPV vaccine coverage low.

Methods: Between July 2005 and January 2006, a cross-sectional community-based survey in Mombasa, Kenya, enrolled female sex workers using snowball sampling. After interview and a gynaecological examination, blood and cervical cytology samples were taken. Quantitative real-time PCR detected HPV types and viral load measures. Prevalence of high-risk HPV was compared between HIV-infected and -uninfected women, and in women with abnormal cervical cytology, measured using conventional …

Building Bridges Of God During Calamity: Lessons Learned From India, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

The Church Growth Movement has historically placed a priority on evangelism over that of social action. From a church growth perspective, if social action takes priority, evangelism is eventually lost amid the numerous good things that a church can do. In contrast the thinking of the missional church declares it is possible keep evangelism and social action in balance with neither gaining a priority edge. Using a real story from the missionary life of Donald McGavran’s father, John G. McGavran, this article illustrates that when social action does, as it often must, take first place over evangelism, effectiveness in evangelism …

Influence Of Prion Protein Expression On Function Of Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters In Mouse Primary Astrocytes, Melissa Selvy Pathmajeyan

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Prion protein (PrP) is expressed on a wide variety of cells and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. However, its normal function remains unclear. Mice that do not express PrP exhibit deficits in spatial memory and abnormalities in excitatory neurotransmission suggestive that PrP may function in the glutamatergic synapse. Here we show that transport of D-aspartate, a non-metabolized L-glutamate analog, through excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) was faster in astrocytes from PrP knockout (PrP KO) mice than in astrocytes from C57BL/10 SnJ wildtype (WT) mice. Experiments using EAAT subtype-specific inhibitors demonstrated that in both WT …

Environmental Correlates Of Abundances Of Mosquito Species And Stages In Discarded Vehicle Tires, Donald A. Yee, Jamie M. Kneitel, Steven A. Juliano

Faculty Publications

Discarded vehicle tires are a common habitat for container mosquito larvae, although the environmental factors that may control their presence or abundance within a tire are largely unknown. We sampled discarded vehicle tires in six sites located within four counties of central Illinois during the spring and summer of 2006 to determine associations between a suite of environmental factors and community composition of container mosquitoes. Our goal was to find patterns of association between environmental factors and abundances of early and late instars. We hypothesized that environmental factors correlated with early instars would be indicative of oviposition cues, whereas environmental …

Comparative Studies Of Innate Host Defense Mechanisms Against Virulent And Avirulent Species Of Microsporidia, Amber Lynn Mathews

LSU Master's Theses

Microsporidia are ubiquitous, obligate intracellular eukaryotes that cause chronic diarrhea and disseminated diseases in humans, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Macrophages, cellular components of the innate immune system, are believed to be the source of dissemination of this pathogen throughout the body. Little is known about the innate immune response to microsporidia. Macrophages are a source of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 and play an essential role in the link between innate and adaptive immunity. The focus of this thesis is the investigation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling mechanisms and IL-12 and IL-23 production regulated by Toll-like receptor (TLR) …