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Effective Treatment Of Tumors And Cancer With Triciribine And Related Compounds, Jin Q. Cheng, Said M. Sebti

USF Patents

The inventors have determined, contrary to the prior art and experience, how to successfully use triciribine to treat tumors and cancer by one or a combination of (i) administering triciribine only to patients which according to a diagnostic test described below, exhibit enhanced sensitivity to the drug; (ii) use of a described dosage level that minimizes the toxicity of the drug but yet still exhibits efficacy; or (iii) use of a described dosage regimen that minimizes the toxicity of the drug.

Trends In Citations To Books On Epidemiological And Statistical Methods In The Biomedical Literature, Miquel Porta, Jan P. Vandenbroucke, John P. A. Ioannidis, Sergio Sanz, Esteve Fernandez, Raj Bhopal, Alfredo Morabia, Cesar Victora, Tomàs Lopez

Publications and Research

Background There are no analyses of citations to books on epidemiological and statistical methods in the biomedical literature. Such analyses may shed light on how concepts and methods changed while biomedical research evolved. Our aim was to analyze the number and time trends of citations received from biomedical articles by books on epidemiological and statistical methods, and related disciplines. Methods and Findings The data source was the Web of Science. The study books were published between 1957 and 2010. The first year of publication of the citing articles was 1945. We identified 125 books that received at least 25 citations. …

Developing Virus-Like Particles As High-Density Photoreporting Platforms Using Noncanonical Amino Acids And Click Chemistry, Mark T. Smith, Bradley C. Bundty

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Light-based imaging and microscopy techniques are compelling diagnostic tools that provide straightforward data. Furthermore, single-particle targeting and tracking has the potential to provide new insight on myriad phenomenon, such as small particle diffusion, particle-membrane interaction, single-particle microfluidics, and many aspects of microbiology and physiology. However, limitations exist in current technologies’ ability to achieve tracking of individual nanoparticles due to inability to sufficiently label or stain single targets with traditional probes. This work proposes a method to overcome probe density by creating individual probes based on virus-based nanoparticles densely decorated with many reporter probes. We present the steps to produce such …

A Risk Score For Identifying Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus In Patients Presenting To The Hospital With Pneumonia., Andrew F. Shorr, Daniela E. Myers, David B. Huang, Brian H. Nathanson, Matthew F. Emons, Marin H. Kollef

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents an important pathogen in healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). The concept of HCAP, though, may not perform well as a screening test for MRSA and can lead to overuse of antibiotics. We developed a risk score to identify patients presenting to the hospital with pneumonia unlikely to have MRSA.

Methods

We identified patients admitted with pneumonia (Apr 2005 – Mar 2009) at 62 hospitals in the US. We only included patients with lab evidence of bacterial infection (e.g., positive respiratory secretions, blood, or pleural cultures or urinary antigen testing). We determined variables independently associated with the …

Ability And Willingness To Change Among African Immigrant Patients At Akwaaba, Marianne Sarkis, Temitayo Akinbola, Charise Canales, Hana Chamoun, Jacqueline Leaf, Elisabeth Nebie

Local Knowledge: Worcester Area Community-Based Research

What are the challenges faced in treating Hypertension in the Worcester African Immigrant Community?

This study investigates the relationship between the understanding of high blood pressure, and the ability and willingness to modify behavior among African patients at Akwaaba, a free health clinic in Worcester, Massachusetts. In this research, our team specifically explores how the understanding of lifestyle risk factors of hypertension, such as diet, exercise, and levels of stress, influence the willingness and ability to modify behavior among African born patients at Akwaaba. What become clear was that language barriers, cultural differences, and approach to health care within the …

Oral Transmission Of Listeria Monocytogenes In Mice Via Ingestion Of Contaminated Food, Elsa N. Bou Ghanem, Tanya Myers-Morales, Grant S. Jones, Sarah E. F. D'Orazio

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

L. monocytogenes are facultative intracellular bacterial pathogens that cause food borne infections in humans. Very little is known about the gastrointestinal phase of listeriosis due to the lack of a small animal model that closely mimics human disease. This paper describes a novel mouse model for oral transmission of L. monocytogenes. Using this model, mice fed L. monocytogenes-contaminated bread have a discrete phase of gastrointestinal infection, followed by varying degrees of systemic spread in susceptible (BALB/c/By/J) or resistant (C57BL/6) mouse strains. During the later stages of the infection, dissemination to the gall bladder and brain is observed. The …

Direct Capture Of Plasmids Conferring Resistance To Beta-Lactam Antibiotics From Agriculturally-Impacted Stream Sediment, Elena Emilova Balkanska

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Streams harbor large numbers of native and introduced bacteria, which can be both recipients and donors of antibiotic resistance genes on mobile elements. Transmissible, plasmid- borne resistance to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones is of increasing concern in clinical settings, but is rare in natural environments, such as streams and soils. Using a method developed in our laboratory, a rifampicin-resistant strain of Escherichia coli was used to capture, without culturing, two plasmids allowing growth on trypticase soy agar supplemented with the beta lactam antibiotics ampicillin and ceftazadime. Plasmids were captured directly from stream sediment taken from Muddy Creek, a stream heavily …

Hand Hygiene: Behavior Changes In College Students, Claire Evelyn Ballweg

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

No abstract provided.

The Acute Effects Of Gentamycin Ototoxicity On Bobwhite Quail Basilar Papilla And Auditory Brainstem Responses, Kristie Wilson

Dissertations, 2014-2019

The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a single dose of gentamycin in elevating Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) thresholds and causing inner ear hair cell loss or damage. A total of twenty-two Bobwhite quail were used (n=7 control, n=15 experimental); experimental group quail were injected with a 200 mg/kg dose of gentamycin within 24 hours of hatch (P0). Three to four days post-hatch or injection the quail underwent ABR testing. Thresholds were measured using a 1,000 Hz, 2,000 Hz, and 4,000 Hz tone pip and a click beginning at 90 dB nominalSPL. Resulting waveforms were analyzed using MATLAB …

Microbial Dynamics And Core Microbiome Of Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon Cinereus), Andrew Howard Loudon

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Beneficial cutaneous bacteria on amphibians can protect against the lethal fungal disease chytridiomycosis, which has decimated many amphibian species. The stability of these bacterial communities likely influences health outcomes, and is investigated here for the first time. We describe the diversity of bacteria on red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) in the wild, and the stability of these communities over time in captivity using culture-independent Illumina sequencing. In the field, there was no correlation between the diversity of salamanders’ microbial communities and the diversity of their substrates’ microbial communities. Salamanders were brought into the laboratory to test for the effect of an …

System Dynamics Modeling Study Of The Possibility Of Endemic Measles In The State Of Virginia, Ivan W. Gowe

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

After an effective vaccine was widely available, measles incidence fell by 98%. Immunization programs and surveillance systems in the United States (US) are so successful there has been no endemic spread since 2000. The threat from measles lies in its high infectivity, an asymptomatic infectious state that lasts an average of four days and the decreasing popularity of vaccination. The lack of first-hand experience with the infection (due to immunization) has caused some to wonder if the vaccine is necessary. Herd immunity threshold is a measure of the fraction of immune individuals present in a population to keep disease reproduction …

Predictors For An Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: A Risk Modeling Endeavor, Cristy S. Phillips

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to derive one or more single indicators or sets of correlated indicators that could predict a heightened probability for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, a critical first step in the development of a risk-model. Educators need a risk-model that will identify infants and young children with ASD before their symptoms are fully manifested. Such a model would help educators to fulfill their federal mandate to provide timely identification and early-intervention services, improving long-term outcomes for affected children. Fortunately, advanced statistical modeling techniques and extant early-intervention data suggest a solution: Exploratory latent class factor …

Probiotic Bioaugmentation Of An Anti-Bd Bacteria, Janthinobacterium Lividum, On The Amphibian, Notophthalmus Viridescens: Transmission Efficacy And Persistence Of The Probiotic On The Host And Non-Target Effects Of Probiotic Addition On Ecosystem Components, Molly Bletz

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Amphibians worldwide are threatened by the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, caused by the skin pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Mutualistic skin bacteria are a critical element in amphibians’ defenses against chytridiomycosis. Probiotic bioaugmentation of beneficial, anti-Bd bacteria on amphibians is a potential conservation strategies. Outdoor experimental ponds were used to investigate transmission efficacy and persistence of the anti-Bd bacteria, Janthinobacterium lividum, on the amphibian, Notophthalmus viridescens. More specifically, this research investigated whether a short-term individual bath, environmental bioaugmentation, or both are necessary to afford transmission and persistence of J. lividum on N. viridescens. Additionally, this research investigated the effectiveness of these different probiotic …

Comparison Of Chlamydia Antigen And Ad-Like Pathology In The Brains Of Balb/C Mice Following Intranasal Infection With Chlamydia Muridarum Or Chlamydia Pneumoniae, Lindsey V. Weidmann, Brian J. Balin Phd, Denah M. Appelt, Justin H. Schripsema, Christopher L. Smith, Kyle Ramsey, Christopher Scott Little

Research Day

Previous research indicates BALB/c mice inoculated with Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) demonstrated AD-like pathology which suggests that this mouse model is valid for studying the pathogenesis implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Studies have demonstrated that Chlamydia trachomatis (Ctr) can disseminate from its primary site of infection and plays a major role in the induction of reactive arthritis. The objectives of this lab are: (1) to identify and localize Chlamydia antigens in the brains of BALB/c mice infected with C. muridarum and (2) to determine if infection with C. muridarum induces AD-like pathology comparable to Cpn. Using mouse adapted respiratory isolates …

Healthy You, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Healthy You

No abstract provided.

Problems Of Sample-Selection Bias In The Historical Heights Literature: A Theoretical And Econometric Analysis, Howard Bodenhorn, Timothy Guinnane, Thomas A. Mroz

Discussion Papers

No abstract provided.

Healthy Horizons, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Healthy Horizons

No abstract provided.

Progress Notes, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Progress Notes

No abstract provided.

Rapid 13(C) Urea Breath Test To Identify Helicobacter Pylori Infection In Emergency Department Patients With Upper Abdominal Pain, Andrew C. Meltzer, Rebecca Pierce, Derek A.T. Cummings, Jesse M. Pines, Larissa May, Meaghan A. Smith, Joseph Marcotte, Melissa L. Mccarthy

Emergency Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: In emergency department (ED) patients with upper abdominal pain, management includes ruling out serious diseases and providing symptomatic relief. One of the major causes of upper abdominal pain is an ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which can be treated and cured with antibiotics. We sought to estimate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in symptomatic patients using a convenience sample at a single urban academic ED and demonstrate the feasibility of ED-based testing.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with a chief complaint of pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen for 1 year from February …

Human Cytomegalovirus Inhibits Apoptosis By Proteasome-Mediated Degradation Of Bax At Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondrion Contacts, Aiping Zhang, Richard L. Hildreth, Anamaris M. Colberg-Poley

Genomics and Precision Medicine Faculty Publications

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes the UL37 exon 1 protein (pUL37x1), which is the potent viral mitochondrion-localized inhibitor of apoptosis (vMIA), to increase survival of infected cells. HCMV vMIA traffics from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to ER subdomains, which are physically linked to mitochondria known as mitochondrion-associated membranes (MAM), and to mitochondria. The antiapoptotic function of vMIA is thought to primarily result from its ability to inhibit Bax-mediated permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). Here, we establish that vMIA retargets Bax to the MAM as well as to the OMM from immediate early through late times of infection. However, MAM …

History And Hope: The International Humanitarian Reader, Kevin M. Cahill, M.D.

Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs

History and Hope: The International Humanitarian Reader provides a better understanding—both within and outside academia—of the multifaceted demands posed by humanitarian assistance programs. The Reader is a compilation of the most important chapters in the twelve-volume International Humanitarian Affairs book series published by Fordham University Press. Each selected chapter has been edited and updated. In addition, the series editor, Kevin M. Cahill, M.D., has written, among other chapters, an introductory essay explaining the academic evolution of the discipline of humanitarian assistance. It focuses on the “Fordham Experience”: its Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) has developed practical programs for training …

Section Abstracts: Medical Science

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Medical Science Section for the 91st Annual Virginia Journal of Science Meeting, May 2013

Section Abstracts: Statistics

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Statistics Section for the 91st Annual Virginia Journal of Science Meeting, May 2013

Section Abstracts: Psychology

Virginia Journal of Science

Abstracts of the Psychology Section for the 91st Annual Virginia Journal of Science Meeting, May 2013

Assessment Of Introduction Pathway For Novel Avian Influenza Virus Into North America By Wild Birds From Eurasia, Ryan S. Miller, Steven J. Sweeney, Judy E. Akkina, Emi K. Saito

Zoonotics and Wildlife Disease: Publications

A critical question surrounding emergence of novel strains of avian influenza viruses (AIV) is the ability for wild migratory birds to translocate a complete (unreassorted whole genome) AIV intercontinentally. Virus translocation via migratory birds is suspected in outbreaks of highly pathogenic strain A(H5N1) in Asia, Africa, and Europe. As a result, the potential intercontinental translocation of newly emerging AIV (e.g. A(H7N9) from Eurasia to North America via migratory movements of birds) remains a concern. An estimated 1.48 to 2.91 million aquatic birds, principally Anseriformes (ducks, geese, and swans) and Charadriiformes (gulls, terns, and shorebirds) move annually between Eurasia and North …

Biopiracy And Vaccines: Indonesia And The World Health Organization’S New Pandemic Influenza Plan, Shawn C. Smallman Ph.D.

Journal of International and Global Studies

Viral samples of avian influenza are essential to preparing pre-pandemic vaccines. In 2007, the conflicting interests of the developed and developing nations led Indonesia to briefly stop sharing viral samples. The result was a struggle in which the two blocs argued for different paradigms for viral sample sharing. The first paradigm, articulated by the developed world, depicted the issue as one of health security, in which international law mandated the sharing of viral samples. The second paradigm, advanced by the developing world, depicted viral sample sharing as a form of biopiracy, which violated countries’ sovereign control of their biological resources. …

Efficacies Of Fenbendazole And Albendazole In The Treatment Of Commercial Turkeys Artificially Infected With Ascaridiadissimilis, Jessica Perkins

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The goal of this research was to determine the extent of anthelmintic resistance that turkey roundworms, Ascaridiadissimilis, have developed to anti-parasitic chemicals used in commercial turkey operations. Roundworm infections in turkeys have resulted in monetary losses for the poultry industry for years, generally due to poor feed conversion. The infection itself is generally subclinical and many turkeys have a light to moderate worm burden. Since parasitisms are light, this leads to the infections being noticed only during processing.A. dissimilis infections consist of adult worms and developing larvae with the latter comprising most of the worm burden and causing the most …

Molecular Diversity Of Hiv-1 Among People Who Inject Drugs In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Massive Expansion Of Circulating Recombinant Form (Crf) 33_01b And Emergence Of Multiple Unique Recombinant Clusters, W.W. Chow, L.Y. Ong, S.H. Razak, Y.M. Lee, K.T. Ng, Y.K. Yong, A. Azmel, Y. Takebe, H.A.A. Al-Daraji, A. Kamarulzaman

Research Publications (2011 to 2015)

Since the discovery of HIV-1 circulating recombinant form (CRF) 33_01B in Malaysia in the early 2000 s, continuous genetic diversification and active recombination involving CRF33_01B and other circulating genotypes in the region including CRF01_AE and subtype B9 of Thai origin, have led to the emergence of novel CRFs and unique recombinant forms. The history and magnitude of CRF33_01B transmission among various risk groups including people who inject drugs (PWID) however have not been investigated despite the high epidemiological impact of CRF33_01B in the region. We update the most recent molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 among PWIDs recruited in Malaysia between 2010 …

Essays On Health And Medical Care, Yin-Fang Yen

Economics - Dissertations

This dissertation consists of two essays that explain health outcomes and medical care in the United States. Health care has been a major concern of economists and policy makers. Policy intervention is one of the key factors that affect health outcomes, especially among low-income families. Welfare programs such as Medicaid and cash assistance are conventionally implemented to assist low-income families. The effectiveness of these efforts to improve health outcomes and medical utilization among low-income families is not entirely clear. As to the supply side of health care, the results of previous studies on how hospitals provide the services are mixed. …

Cigarette Smoke Promotes Genomic Evolution In The Periodontal Pathogen Porphyromonas Gingivalis., Josh George

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

P. gingivalis is an opportunistic, anaerobic, Gram-negative oral pathogen strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Clinical isolates of P. gingivalis exhibit great genetic diversity. Tobacco smoking greatly increases the risk of P. gingivalis infection. Furthermore, cigarette smoke extract (CSE) is an environmental stressor for P. gingivalis, differentially regulating multiple genes including ones that encode proteins involved in DNA translocation, replication and repair. Therefore, we hypothesized that CSE exposure would promote genomic instability in this important periodontal and systemic pathogen, which may contribute to increased virulence. P. gingivalis W83 was passaged 50 times in CSE-conditioned medium after which, genomic …