Digital Commons Network^™

Killer-Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor (Kir) Gene Profiles Modify Hiv Disease Course, Not Hiv Acquisition In South African Women, V. Naranbhai, D. De Assis Rosa, L. Werner, R. Moodley, H. Hong, A. Kharsany, K. Mlisana, S. Sibeko, N. Garrett, D. Chopera, William H. Carr, Q. Abdool Karim, A. V. S. Hill, S. S. Abdool Karim, M. Altfeld, C. M. Gray, T. Ndung’U

Publications and Research

Background: Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors(KIR) interact with Human Leukocyte Antigen(HLA) to modify natural killer- and T-cell function. KIR are implicated in HIV acquisition by small studies that have not been widely replicated. A role for KIR in HIV disease progression is more widely replicated and supported by functional studies.

Methods: To assess the role of KIR and KIR ligands in HIV acquisition and disease course, we studied at-risk women in South Africa between 2004–2010. Logistic regression was used for nested case–control analysis of 154 women who acquired vs. 155 who did not acquire HIV, despite high exposure. Linear mixed-effects models were …

Structure Function Studies Of Hiv-1 Protease, Bradley James Keusch

Wayne State University Theses

HIV-1 is the causative agent of the devastating human disease Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndome (AIDS). While much progress has been made over the past two decades, HIV-1 remains a major global health concern. HIV-1 protease is 99-amino acid homodimer aspartyl protease that is essential to the life cycle of HIV. This has rendered it an attractive and very successful drug target. However, due to the high error rate of the HIV -1 reverse transcriptase, drug resistance mutations in the protease can develop very rapidly in some patients, rendering current protease inhibitors (one of the main classes of drug in common antiretroviral …

“For The Safety Of Our Health”: A Qualitative Analysis Of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Acceptability Among Female Sex Workers In Malaysia, Shaylen Susalla Foley

Public Health Theses

Female sex workers (FSW) in Malaysia are at substantially increased risk of acquiring HIV compared to the general female population. Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers a novel way to prevent HIV transmission in this population. This research aims to inform culturally relevant implementation of PrEP through a qualitative exploration of the factors that determine FSW willingness to use PrEP. In-depth, semi-structured interviews (n=30) were conducted with FSW in English, Malay, or Tamil. Transcribed and translated interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. FSW expressed positive interest in PrEP but preferred it as a supplement to condoms, not a …

Community Mental Health Workers And Capacity Building: A Qualitative Evaluation From Ghana, Jurema Gobena

Public Health Theses

Background: Ghana is among countries facing human resource shortages for mental healthcare. Since 2011, the country has shifted to a community-based model of mental healthcare and has used task-shifting to fill the mental health professional gap.

Methods and Results: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with 17 community mental health workers (16 psychology college graduates and 1 community psychiatric nurse) employed through the publically funded health system to explore their experiences in mental health promotion and service delivery on the ground. Several findings characterize the CMHWs experiences: limited mental health literacy, overwhelming stigma, performing duties outside of their …

Broad Activation Of Latent Hiv-1 In Vivo, Kirston Barton, Bonnie Hiener, Anni Winckelmann, Thomas Aagaard Rasmussen, Wei Shao, Karen Byth, Robert Lanfear, Ajantha Solomon, James Mcmahon, Sean Harrington, Maria Buzon, Mathias Lichterfeld, Paul W. Denton, Rikke Olesen, Lars Østergaard, Martin Tolstrup, Sharon R. Lewin, Ole Schmeltz Søgaard, Sarah Palmer

Biology Faculty Publications

The ‘shock and kill’ approach to cure human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) includes transcriptional induction of latent HIV-1 proviruses using latency-reversing agents (LRAs) with targeted immunotherapy to purge infected cells. The administration of LRAs (panobinostat or vorinostat) to HIV-1-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy induces a significant increase in cell-associated unspliced (CA-US) HIV-1 RNA from CD4+ T cells. However, it is important to discern whether the increases in CA-US HIV-1 RNA are due to limited or broad activation of HIV-1 proviruses. Here we use single-genome sequencing to find that the RNA transcripts observed following LRA administration are genetically diverse, indicating activation of …

Using Animal Models To Overcome Temporal, Spatial And Combinatorial Challenges In Hiv Persistence Research, Paul W. Denton, Ole S. Søgaard, Martin Tolstrup

Biology Faculty Publications

Research challenges associated with understanding HIV persistence during antiretroviral therapy can be categorized as temporal, spatial and combinatorial. Temporal research challenges relate to the timing of events during establishment and maintenance of HIV persistence. Spatial research challenges regard the anatomical locations and cell subsets that harbor persistent HIV. Combinatorial research challenges pertain to the order of administration, timing of administration and specific combinations of compounds to be administered during HIV eradication therapy. Overcoming these challenges will improve our understanding of HIV persistence and move the field closer to achieving eradication of persistent HIV. Given that humanized mice and non-human primate …

A Dramaturgical Analysis Of The Miracle Worker, Abby Butzer

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Arts degree in theatre. It is a dramaturgical analysis for William Gibson's play The Miracle Worker, providing a reference for directors and actors. The thesis explores the play's medical and pedagogical history in six chapters: the physiology and psychology of language acquisition as it pertains to sight and/or hearing impaired children, a pedagogical comparison of Samuel G. Howe and Annie Sullivan, a modern diagnosis of the fever that destroyed Helen Keller's vision and hearing, the 19th century pathology and treatment options for the disease of the eye …

The Grapes Of Wrath: On The Health Of Immigration Detainees, Stacey A. Tovino

Faculty Articles

This Article challenges the lack of health care provided to individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) custody. As background, many immigration detainees are physically and emotionally vulnerable at the time of initial confinement due to a history of torture and trauma, which may include human trafficking, sexual violence, political oppression, psychosocial trauma, and acculturative stress. Detention can exacerbate preexisting vulnerabilities and contribute to severe physical and mental illness as well as death. Between October 2003 and October 2015, 153 individuals died while in ICE custody. Although most proposals for detainee health reform borrow heavily from constitutional law, international …

The Role Of Capillaries In The Lesser Ailments Of Old Age And In Alzheimer's Disease And Vascular Dementia: The Potential Of Pro-Therapeutic Angiogenesis, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Apart from chronic diseases (arthritis, diabetes, etc.), old age is generally characterized by three lesser ailments: muscle weakness, minor memory lapses, and cold intolerance. This trio of complaints may have a common, underlying cause, namely, the age-associated reduced microcirculation in muscles, brain, skin, and elsewhere in the body. The Angiogenesis Hypothesis proposes that old age is in part a deficiency disease due to the decline in angiogenic (AG) factors, resulting in a reduced capillary density (CD) throughout the body. Over fifty published papers document waning levels of AG factors and/or decreased CD in various organ systems of aged animals and …

2016 Symposium Brochure

Programs

No abstract provided.

Association Between Incarceration History And Hepatitis C Virus In People Who Inject Drugs In Five Regions Of Ukraine, Anna Meteliuk

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract

How Do Students Appraise And Cope With Episodic Stressors : A Four-Wave Study, Jingyi Huang

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Stress is a dynamic process. For episodic task-related stressors, four stages – the anticipatory stage, the confronting stage, the waiting stage, and the outcome stage – can be defined. Using a student sample, in this study I employed a longitudinal design to examine how exam-related coping unfolds across these stages, how perceived control predicts the use of coping strategies, and how personality moderates the relations between perceived control and the selection of coping strategies. The results show that across time behavioral disengagement and substance use had a convex trajectory, and that seeking of emotional social support and positive reinterpretation had …

Hurricane Sandy : Public Health Staff Perceptions Of Impact And Recommendations For Future Preparedness, New York State, Asante Shipp Hilts

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract

The Patient Experience At Hiv/Aids Outpatient Clinics In New York State, Terence Meehan

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

People with chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS become experts through their extensive experience with healthcare organizations and so have valuable patient-centered insight into the organization of healthcare delivery services. The AIDS model of care, largely funded by the federal Ryan White Care Act, is a long-standing, yet understudied innovation with many similarities to “new” models such as the PCMH. This dissertation is designed to uncover the voices of patients on the patient experience at three HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics in New York State and to offer lessons for policymakers and healthcare leaders. Data was collected through in depth, semi-structured interviews of …

Antibody-Mediated Immunity To Vibrio Cholerae At Epithelial Surfaces, Kara Jeanette Levinson

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the severe diarrheal disease cholera, has an estimated worldwide disease burden in the millions and remains a significant public health threat. Immunity to V. cholerae is primarily antibody-mediated and though V. cholerae colonization evokes a mucosal immune response, it is the secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies produced against bacterial surface antigens, specifically lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that confer protective immunity. SIgA antibodies are thought to function by inhibiting colonization by cross-linking and agglutination of pathogens, thereby limiting access to the epithelium, a process known as immune exclusion. Recent studies in other enteric pathogens have demonstrated that SIgA …

Extracellular And Intracellular Neutralization Of Ricin Toxin By Engineered Bispecific Antibodies, Cristina Herrera

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Engineering anti-toxin antibodies (Ab) is of public health interest for biodefense counter measurements. Ricin toxin is one example of a major biothreat agent that has currently no antidote. Ricin is a glycoprotein from the castor bean plant, Ricinus communis, and belongs to the medically important A-B toxin family that also includes Shiga, anthrax and cholera toxins. Ricin’s enzymatic subunit (RTA) is an RNA N-glycosidase that inhibits protein synthesis by irreversibly depurinating the 28S rRNA of the eukaryotic 60S ribosomal subunit. RTB is a galactose-/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectin that has two important functions. First, RTB promotes binding and endocytosis of ricin into mammalian …

Establishing Methodology For Occupational Injury Surveillance In Agriculture And Logging, Erika Elisabeth Scott

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Developing a low-cost surveillance system for occupational injury in agriculture and logging has long been a challenge. These data are needed to prioritize public health interventions in the agriculture and logging industries, and are crucial to evaluating changes in injury rates, as well as the effectiveness of safety interventions. Recently, the transition to electronic data reporting created new opportunities for the development of sustainable, low-cost surveillance systems. Pre-hospital care reports (PCR) and hospital data (emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient) are datasets of particular interest.

Mandatory School Vaccinations: The Road To Reform, Jessica Magliette

Student Works

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Of Sexual Health Education And Sexual Health Risk Behavioral Outcomes Among Florida Teens, Brandon Moton, Rima Tawk

Florida Public Health Review

We examined the relationship between sexual health education and sexual health risk behavioral outcomes among adolescents in Florida using Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 2001 to 2013. Sexual health risk behavioral outcomes (reported condom use and alcohol and/or drug use during last intercourse) were first examined as a function of sexual health education. Multiple logistic regression analysis was then used to adjust for individual characteristics and behavioral risk factors when associating sexual health education with sexual health risk behavioral outcomes. Reported condom use was strongly associated with sexual education. However, the impact of sexual education was attenuated after adjusting …

A Persistently Low Hbv Dna Level Is A Predictor Of Spontaneous Hbsag Clearance In Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B, Alpay Ari, Şebnem Çalik, Selma Tosun, Si̇bel Özsu Caymaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

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The Utility Of Ebus-Tbna In Mediastinal Or Hilar Lymph Node Evaluation In Extrapulmonary Malignancy, Onur Fevzi̇ Erer, Ceyda Anar, Serhat Erol, Seri̇r Özkan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with known extrapulmonary malignancy. Materials and methods: Between March 2011 and August 2013, 378 EBUS-TBNA procedures were performed. Sixty-three (16.6%) of these were performed on known extrapulmonary malignancy patients. Results: There were 28 male and 35 female patients, with median ages of 65 years (min-max: 53-87) and 57 years (min-max: 39-76), respectively. From the 63 cases, 138 lymph nodes (LNs) were sampled with EBUS-TBNA (median: 2 LNs/patient; min-max: 1-4). …

An Analysis Of The Incidence Of Measles In Turkey Since 1960, Deni̇z Çalişkan, Bi̇rgül Pi̇yal, Recep Akdur, Mi̇ne Esi̇n Ocaktan, Ceylan Yozgatligi̇l

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aims of this study were to evaluate measles incidence and the effect of elimination strategy interventions on the disease from 1960 to 2014 in Turkey. The administration of measles vaccine started in the rural regions in 1970; it was carried out as a campaign along with the National Vaccine Campaign in 1985, and it has been employed as combined measles, mumps, and rubella under the scope of the Measles Elimination Program (MEP) since 2006 in Turkey. While a dramatic decrease in the reporting of measles was observed between 2000 and 2010, the number of the cases has increased …

The Clinical And Laboratory Characteristics, Treatments, And Outcomes Of Patients With Brucella Epididymo-Orchitis (Beo) Compared To Those Without Beo*, Hasan Naz, Pinar Korkmaz, Fi̇gen Çevi̇k, Nevi̇l Aykin

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: We aim to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of 21 patients with Brucella epididymo-orchitis (BEO) from Eskişehir Yunus Emre State Hospital, Turkey. Materials and methods: A total of 21 patients with BEO who were diagnosed and followed in the Infectious Diseases Clinic between June 2001 and June 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: One hundred and twenty-eight of 192 patients evaluated throughout the study were male and BEO was determined in 21 (16.4%) patients. A total of 18 (85.7%) patients had a titer of ≥1:160 in standard agglutination test (STA). Three patients with STA

An Investigation On The Prevalence And Efficiency Of Immunochromatographic Testing In Suspected Malarial Patients Of Rawalpindi And Islamabad, Pakistan, Saima Jabeen, Sobia Kanwal, Mazhar Qayyum, Umair Farrukh, Shahzad Abdul Hameed

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The prevalences of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are increasing rapidly in Pakistan, but recent data on the epidemiology of malaria are not properly reported with scarce diagnostic methods for quick diagnosis. This study was designed to determine the current prevalence and distribution of Plasmodium species in the vicinity of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and report on the validity of the immunochromatographic test (ICT) in diagnosing malarial infections. Materials and methods: A total of 1500 blood samples obtained from a local hospital were screened during the course of this study via microscopic examination and ICT. Results: It was seen that …

Interlukine-17 And Tgf-Ss Levels In Patients With Acute Brucellosisbefore And After Treatment, Masoomeh Sofian, Amitis Ramezani, Alia Mousavi, Mohammad Banifazl, Shima Cherei, Ali Cherei, Arezoo Aghakhani

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: T-helper cell type 1 (Th1)/Th2 cytokine balance is involved in the resistance or susceptibility to Brucella infection. The analysis of cytokine levels is valuable to determine the role of the immune system in Brucella prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and their alterations with treatment in patients with acute brucellosis. Materials and methods: TGF-β was tested in 33 acute brucellosis patients and 19 controls and IL-17 was analyzed in 40 patients and 12 controls. Cytokine levels were tested in controls and patients before and …

The Efficacy Of Oral Ribavirin On Clinical And Laboratory Parameters Incrimean?Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: An Observational Study From Turkey*, Günay Ertem, Meli̇ha Çağla Sönmezer, Fati̇h Temoçi̇n, Çi̇ğdem Ataman Hati̇poğlu, Necla Tülek, Behi̇ç Oral

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: In this observational study, the effects of oral ribavirin on clinical and laboratory parameters and blood products use in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) were evaluated. Materials and methods: CCHF patients (n = 100) who were hospitalized between 2007 and 2010 were included. Oral ribavirin was administered to 56 patients with symptom duration less than 5 days. Forty-four patients did not receive ribavirin (control group). The patients that received ribavirin in the first 3 days following the initiation of symptoms were designated as Group 1 (n = 29) and the others were designated as Group 2. Results: Ribavirin-treated …

Factors Affecting Treatment Success In Community-Acquired Pneumonia, Canan Gündüz, Mehmet Sezai̇ Taşbakan, Abdullah Sayiner, Aykut Çi̇lli̇, Oğuz Kilinç, Ayşin Şakar Coşkun

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Treatment failure in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia is a major cause of mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting treatment success in community-acquired pneumonia. Materials and methods: A total of 537 patients (mean age: 66.1 ± 15.8 years, 365 males) registered to the Turkish Thoracic Society Pneumonia Database were analyzed. Of these, clinical improvement or cure, defined as treatment success, was achieved in 477, whereas 60 patients had treatment failure and/or died. Results: Lower numbers of neutrophils (5989.9 ± 6237.3 vs. 8495.6 ± 7279.5/mm3), higher blood urea levels (66.1 ± 42.1 vs. 51.2 …

Genotypic Analysis Of Escherichia Coli Strains That Cause Urosepsis In The Aegean Region, Betül Gi̇ray, Füsun Bahri̇ye Uçar, Sabi̇re Şöhret Aydemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to characterize strains genotypically, to determine their phylogenetic relationships, to investigate the presence of the papG gene, and to compare their antibiotic susceptibility test results. Materials and methods: Seventy pathogenic E. coli strains were isolated from both urine and blood cultures of patients with the preliminary diagnosis of urosepsis who were referred to the Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Bacteriology Laboratory of Medical Microbiology Department in İzmir. All of these strains were examined for the papG gene and phylogenetic groups with the multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence …

Treatment Of A Periodontic-Endodontic Lesion In A Patient With Aggressive Periodontitis, Mina D. Fahmy, Paul G. Luepke, Mohamed Ibrahim, Arndt Guentsch

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Case Description: This case report describes the successful management of a left mandibular first molar with a combined periodontic-endodontic lesion in a 35-year-old Caucasian woman with aggressive periodontitis using a concerted approach including endodontic treatment, periodontal therapy, and a periodontal regenerative procedure using an enamel matrix derivate. In spite of anticipated poor prognosis, the tooth lesion healed. This case report also discusses the rationale behind different treatment interventions. Practical Implication. Periodontic-endodontic lesions can be successfully treated if dental professionals follow a concerted treatment protocol that integrates endodontic and periodontic specialties. General dentists can be the gatekeepers in managing …

Ten-Year Status Of The Eastern Migratory Whooping Crane Reintroduction, Richard P. Urbanek, Sara E. Zimorski, Eva K. Szyskoski, Marianne M. Wellington

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

From 2001 to 2010, 132 costume-reared juvenile whooping cranes (Grus americana) were led by ultralight aircraft from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in central Wisconsin to the Gulf Coast of Florida on their first autumn migration (ultralight-led or UL), and 46 juveniles were released directly on Necedah NWR during autumn of the hatch year (direct autumn release or DAR). Return rate in spring was 90.5% for UL and 69.2% for DAR, the lower value of the latter attributable to 1 cohort with migration problems. Overall population survival 1 year and from 1 to 3 years post-release was 81% and 84%, …