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Constrictive Pericarditis Treated By Surgery, Alireza A Ghavidel, Maziar Gholampour, Majid Kyavar, Yalda Mirmesdagh, Mohammad-Bagher Tabatabaie

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

We reviewed the records of 45 patients (mean age, 46.6 ± 14.9 yr; range, 21–84 yr) with a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis who had undergone pericardiectomy from 1994 through 2006. Preoperatively, 2 of the patients (4.4%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I, 20 (44.4%) in class II, 22 (48.9%) in class III, and 1 (2.2%) in class IV. Pericardial calcification was detected in 20% of plain chest radiographs. Constrictive pericarditis was caused by tuberculosis in 22.2%, chronic renal failure in 8.9%, a history of sternotomy in 4.4%, and malignancy in 4.4%. The cause was idiopathic in …

False Scents, False Sense, And False Cents: Why Physicians Should Read Sherlock Holmes, Ira Martin Grais

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

No abstract provided.

Potential Role Of Plasma Myeloperoxidase Level In Predicting Long-Term Outcome Of Acute Myocardial Infarction, Mehmet Gungor Kaya, Ridvan Yalcin, Kaan Okyay, Fatih Poyraz, Nilufer Bayraktar, Hatice Pasaoglu, Bulent Boyaci, Atiye Cengel

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

We investigated the prognostic importance of plasma myeloperoxidase levels in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at long-term follow-up, and we analyzed the correlations between plasma myeloperoxidase levels and other biochemical values.

We evaluated 73 consecutive patients (56 men; mean age, 56 ±11 yr) diagnosed with acute STEMI and 46 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median myeloperoxidase level (Group 1: plasma myeloperoxidase ≤68 ng/mL; and Group 2: plasma myeloperoxidase >68 ng/mL). Patients were monitored for the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which were defined as cardiac death; reinfarction; …

Nitinol Thermoreactive Clips For Secondary Sternal Closure In Cases Of Noninfective Sternal Dehiscence, Arif Gucu, Faruk Toktas, Cuneyt Eris, Yusuf Ata, Tamer Turk

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Postoperative sternal dehiscence is a potentially catastrophic sequela to median sternotomy that can cause not only chest-wall discomfort and pulmonary dysfunction but infection, both superficial and mediastinal. Nitinol thermoreactive clips use a novel material in the treatment of sternal dehiscence. We sought to determine whether the use of these clips is an effective remedy for noninfective sternal dehiscence.

From January 2008 through December 2011, we retrospectively studied the data on 10 patients whose sternums had been closed with nitinol thermoreactive clips after the development of noninfective sternal dehiscence. Diagnosis was made on the bases of clinical criteria, chest radiography, and …

Mid-Aortic Syndrome In A 3-Year-Old Girl Successfully Treated By Aorto-Aortic Grafting And Renal Artery Implantation Into The Graft, Tanja Kersnik Levart, Tomislav Klokocovnik

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Mid-aortic syndrome, an uncommon acquired or congenital condition characterized by segmental narrowing of the abdominal or distal descending thoracic aorta, is frequently accompanied by ostial stenosis of the aorta's branches. If left untreated, it can result in life-threatening complications secondary to severe hypertension.

We report the case of a 3-year-old girl with congenital mid-aortic syndrome, who was diagnosed by chance in the course of a viral illness, and whose high blood pressure values were first dismissed as inaccurate. Attempts to achieve medical or endovascular control of her hypertension were unsuccessful. She was thereafter successfully treated by aorto–aortic bypass grafting, resection …

Age Before Stage: Insulin Resistance Rises Before The Onset Of Puberty: A 9-Year Longitudinal Study (Earlybird 26)., An Jeffery, Bs Metcalf, J Hosking, Aj Streeter, Ld Voss, Tj Wilkin

Peninsula Medical School

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with diabetes. IR is higher during puberty in both sexes, with some studies showing the increase to be independent of changes in adiposity. Few longitudinal studies have reported on children, and it remains unclear when the rise in IR that is often attributed to puberty really begins. We sought to establish from longitudinal data its relationship to pubertal onset, and interactions with age, sex, adiposity, and IGF-1. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The EarlyBird Diabetes study is a longitudinal prospective cohort study of healthy children aged 5-14 years. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), skinfolds (SSF), adiposity …

The Potential Of The Angle Of The First Rib, Head To Tubercle, In Sexing Adult Individuals In Forensic Contexts, Paige Whitney Elrod

LSU Master's Theses

Accurately assessing the sex of an adult human skeleton is fundamental in forming the biological profile used in forensic anthropology (Patil and Mody, 2005). The first rib was chosen due to its distinct shape, compact size and increased sustainability to the taphonomic processes encountered in forensic and bioarchaeological situations. The first rib has been examined in previous studies; however, these studies have focused mainly on the sternal end of the rib. This study looks at the angle created between the tubercle and head and its potential use as an indication of the sex of an individual. This angle, created by …

Associations Of Cardiorespiratory Fitness And Fatness With Metabolic Syndrome In Rural Women With Prehypertension., Patricia A. Hageman, Carol H. Pullen, Melody A. Hertzog, Linda S. Boeckner, Susan Noble Walker

Journal Articles: Physical Therapy

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the associations of fitness and fatness with metabolic syndrome in rural women, part of a recognized US health disparities group.

METHODS: Fitness, percentage body fat, BMI, and metabolic syndrome criteria were assessed at baseline in 289 rural women with prehypertension, ages 40-69, enrolled in a healthy eating and activity community-based clinical trial for reducing blood pressure.

RESULTS: Ninety (31%) women had metabolic syndrome, of which 70% were obese by BMI (≥30 kg/m²), 100% by percentage body fat (≥30%), and 100% by revised BMI standards (≥25 kg/m²) cited in current literature. Hierarchical logistic regression models, adjusted for …

The Impact Of Participation In A Secondary School-Based Mentoring Program On Urban Females After High School Graduation, Sandra Lee Wesolowski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As thoughts of the future weigh heavily on many adolescents' minds, the at-risk urban adolescent female are at an especially critical point; every decision she makes on a daily basis has the potential to affect the rest of her life (Way, 1995). However, secondary school-based mentoring programs can provide the modality to intervene with at-risk urban adolescent females to increase the likelihood of success both while in high school and after high school graduation.

This study is a phenomonologically-oriented qualitative study that asks the question: What is the impact of participation in a secondary school-based mentoring program on the lives …

Lymph Node Ratio Is An Important And Independent Prognostic Factor For Patients With Stage Iii Melanoma, Adam C. Berger, Michael Fierro, John C. Kairys, David Berd, Takami Sato, Jocelyn Andrel, Terry Hyslop, Michael J. Mastrangelo

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION:

The incidence of melanoma is dramatically increasing worldwide. We hypothesized that the ratio of metastatic to examined lymph node ratio (LNR) would be the most important prognostic factor for stage III patients.

METHODS:

We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database of melanoma patients and identified 168 patients who underwent lymph node dissection (LND) for stage III disease between 1993 and 2007. Patients were divided into three groups based on LNR (≤10%, n = 93; 10-≤25%, n = 45; and >25%, n = 30). Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS:

The median survival time of …

Improving Performance: Examining The Link Between Self-Efficacy And Support For Secondary Female Math Teachers, Veronique Demetria Zimmerman-Brown

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to explore the possible relationship between teacher self-efficacy among secondary math teachers in Alabama and administrative support, teacher/colleague support, and support through resources. The study also examined whether gender or race related to teachers' sense of self-efficacy. Examining self-efficacy for secondary math teachers is an important step in the strategic support of these individuals and improving student achievement in mathematics. Indeed, a closer look at district and school level support factors related to the self-efficacy of teachers is warranted, given continuing concerns over student math performance. A quantitative study of 105 Alabama secondary math …

Staying Power: A Multiple Case Study Of Spirituality As A Factor Of Resiliencey In Female Public School Superintendents In The Southeastern Region Of The United States, Kimberly Williams

All ETDs from UAB

This qualitative multiple case study explored female superintendents' experiences with spirituality as a factor of resiliency. A wide gap exists between the number of females and the number of males leading public school systems in America, and a high turnover rate exists for those leaders filling the superintendency. In an effort to increase the number of female superintendents and to equip them with the resources needed to have sustained leadership, focus needs to be placed on factors contributing to resiliency in leadership. Research has revealed spirituality as one factor impacting resilience in leadership. This study explored three female superintendents' perceptions …

An Attentional Control Task Reduces Intrusive Thoughts About Smoking., Jon May, Jackie Andrade, Kimberley Willoughby, Chris Brown

School of Psychology

INTRODUCTION: Attentional control tasks such as body scanning and following isometric exercise instructions have been shown to reduce smoking cravings, apparently by reducing stress (Ussher, M., Cropley, M., Playle, S., Mohidin, R., & West, R. [2009]. Effect of isometric exercise and body scanning on cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction, 104, 1251-1257. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02605.x). Related work based upon elaborated intrusion theory (Kavanagh, D. J., Andrade, J., & May, J. [2005]. Imaginary relish and exquisite torture: The elaborated intrusion theory of desire. Psychological Review, 112, 446-467. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.112.2.446) has shown that similar tasks can reduce hungry participants' involuntary food-related thoughts (May, J., Andrade, …

Use Of A Clay Modeling Task To Reduce Chocolate Craving., Jackie Andrade, Sally Pears, Jon May, David J. Kavanagh

School of Psychology

Elaborated Intrusion theory (EI theory; Kavanagh, Andrade, & May, 2005) posits two main cognitive components in craving: associative processes that lead to intrusive thoughts about the craved substance or activity, and elaborative processes supporting mental imagery of the substance or activity. We used a novel visuospatial task to test the hypothesis that visual imagery plays a key role in craving. Experiment 1 showed that spending 10 min constructing shapes from modeling clay (plasticine) reduced participants' craving for chocolate compared with spending 10 min 'letting your mind wander'. Increasing the load on verbal working memory using a mental arithmetic task (counting …

Cracking The Coven: Shakespeare, The Supernatural, And The Female Power Base, Doll (Heather) Elizabeth Piccotto

Master's Theses

There has been extensive writing and research into the fairy magic and witchcraft practices of the Early Modern Period in the 400-plus years between when Shakespeare's plays were performed and now--even including a tome on demonology by King James I himself. However, as witchcraft and fairy magic are distinctively female realms, with women making up 90% of accused witches and fairy magic being mainly related to domestic duties, one cannot accurately discuss these phenomena in the plays without addressing how they affect the female characters. This project examines the role of the supernatural in three of Shakespeare's plays, A Midsummer …

Extreme Thrombocytosis And Cardiovascular Surgery: Risks And Management, Ethan A Natelson

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Extreme thrombocytosis is a major risk factor for excessive bleeding and for thrombosis, either of which can complicate cardiovascular surgical and interventional procedures. Extreme thrombocytosis can also cause an unusual syndrome, erythromelalgia, that results in a type of chronic microvascular occlusive arterial disease. We present the differential diagnosis of conditions that may lead to extreme thrombocytosis, 3 cases (each of which illustrates a different potential complication), and a review of the pertinent medical literature. Correcting excessive thrombocytosis is typically not difficult, whether electively or acutely, and effective therapy usually controls thrombosis and excessive hemorrhage post-procedurally.

Early Cardiac Metastasis From Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Tongue In 2 Patients, Jean Onwuchekwa, Jose Banchs

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Cardiac metastasis from primary tumors is rare. Cardiac metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is rare; in the English-language medical literature, we read of only 4 patients with this condition. Here, we discuss the cases of 2 such patients who presented at our institution only a few months apart. In both, with the use of 2-dimensional echocardiography, we incidentally found cardiac metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Resection of the cardiac masses was precluded. These cases illustrate the usefulness of early cardiac evaluation with 2-dimensional echocardiography in patients with head and neck cancer and known metastatic …

Malaria And Related Outcomes In Patients With Intestinal Helminths: A Cross-Sectional Study, Abraham Degarege, Mengistu Legesse, Girmay Medhin, Abebe Animut, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: The effects of helminth co-infection on malaria in humans remain uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the nature of association of intestinal helminths with prevalence and clinical outcomes of Plasmodium infection.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 1,065 malaria suspected febrile patients was conducted at Dore Bafeno Health Center, Southern Ethiopia, from December 2010 to February 2011. Plasmodium and intestinal helminth infections were diagnosed using Giemsa-stained blood films and Kato-Katz technique, respectively. Haemoglobin level was determined using a haemocue machine.

RESULTS: Among 1,065 malaria suspected febrile patients, 28.8% were positive for Plasmodium parasites (P. falciparum =13.0%, P. vivax =14.5%, P. …

Characterization Of The Behavioral, Biochemical And Molecular Indices Of Stress Produced By Nicotine Exposure And Withdrawal In Male And Female Rats, Oscar Valentin Torres

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Tobacco use is a major economic and health problem. Particularly concerning is that women consume more tobacco products, have a more difficult time quitting, and are less likely to benefit from cessation therapies than men. As a result, women are at higher risk of developing tobacco-related diseases. Women are generally more susceptible to stress and are more likely to cope with stress by smoking as compared to men. During abstinence, women also experience intense anxiety as compared to men and report that the anxiety-reducing effects of smoking are the main reason for continued use and relapse. Thus, stress produced …

Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Major Depressive Disorder In Hiv/Aids As Seen In Semi-Urban Entebbe District, Uganda, Eugene Kinyanda, Susan Hoskins, Juliet Nakku, Saira Nawaz, Vikram Patel

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background:

Not much is known about the risk factors of major depressive disorder (MDD) in HIV/AIDS in the African socio-cultural context. Therefore a study was undertaken to examine the prevalence and risk factors of MDD in HIV/AIDS in semi-urban Uganda.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 618 respondents attending two HIV clinics in Uganda.

Results:

Prevalence of MDD was 8.1%. Factors associated with MDD at univariate analysis only were female gender, family history of mental illness, negative coping style, alcohol dependency disorder, food insecurity and stress; not associated with MDD were social support, neurocognitive impairment, CD4 counts and BMI. …

A Perceptual Metric For Photo Retouching, Eric Kee, Hany Farid

Dartmouth Scholarship

In recent years, advertisers and magazine editors have been widely criticized for taking digital photo retouching to an extreme. Impossibly thin, tall, and wrinkle- and blemish-free models are routinely splashed onto billboards, advertisements, and magazine covers. The ubiquity of these unrealistic and highly idealized images has been linked to eating disorders and body image dissatisfaction in men, women, and children. In response, several countries have considered legislating the labeling of retouched photos. We describe a quantitative and perceptually meaningful metric of photo retouching. Photographs are rated on the degree to which they have been digitally altered by explicitly modeling and …

Effects Of Prenatal Food And Micronutrient Supplementation On Child Growth From Birth To 54 Months Of Age: A Randomized Trial In Bangladesh, Ashraful Islam Khan, Iqbal Kabir, Eva-Charlotte Ekström, Kajsa Åsling-Monemi, Dewan Shamsul Alam, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Md Yunus, Shams Arifeen, Lars-Åke Persson

Faculty Publications

Background: There is a lack of information on the optimal timing of food supplementation to malnourished pregnant women and possible combined effects of food and multiple micronutrient supplementations (MMS) on their offspring's growth. We evaluated the effects of prenatal food and micronutrient interventions on postnatal child growth. The hypothesis was that prenatal MMS and early invitation to food supplementation would increase physical growth in the offspring during 0-54 months and a combination of these interventions would further improve these outcomes.

Methods: In the large, randomized MINIMat trial (Maternal and Infant Nutrition Interventions in Matlab), Bangladesh, 4436 pregnant women were enrolled …

Changes In Spirituality Partly Explain Health-Related Quality Of Life Outcomes After Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction., Jeffrey M Greeson, Daniel M Webber, Moria J Smoski, Jeffrey G Brantley, Andrew G Ekblad, Edward C Suarez, Ruth Quillian Wolever

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is a secular behavioral medicine program that has roots in meditative spiritual practices. Thus, spirituality may partly explain Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction outcomes. Participants (N = 279; M (SD) age = 45(12); 75% women) completed an online survey before and after an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis that, following Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, the relationship between enhanced mindfulness and improved health-related quality of life is mediated by increased daily spiritual experiences. Changes in both spirituality and mindfulness were significantly related to improvement in mental health. Although the initial mediation hypothesis …

A Brief Overview Of Adolescent Developmental Problems In Hong Kong, Daniel T. L. Shek, Hing Keung Ma, Rachel C. F. Sun

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Several adolescent developmental problems in Hong Kong are briefly reviewed in this paper. First, rising adolescent substance abuse trends are described. Second, Internet use problems and Internet addiction among young people are examined. Third, worrying trends in adolescent sexuality are identified. Fourth, phenomena on bullying among young people are reviewed. Finally, phenomena related to adolescent materialistic orientation are focused upon. With reference to these adolescent developmental problems, possible solutions are briefly discussed particularly with reference to the ecological perspective. It is argued that the related scientific literature provides useful pointers for designing the curriculum in the extension phase of the …

Functional Recovery Of Untreated Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Case Report, Adam L. Schreiber, John W. Norbury Iii, Eduardo A. De Sousa

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Faculty Papers

HIV-associated Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a well-documented phenomenon, typically occurring at seroconversion. GBS may result in functional impairment treated with a combination of medications, plasmapheresis, and rehabilitation. The quantified functional recovery of HIV-associated GBS with or without HIV treatment is not well-described. Utilizing serial FIM scoring, we describe a patient’s recovery from HIV-associated GBS after treatment with IVIg and acute inpatient rehabilitation without HIV treatment.

Postenucleation Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Vincristine, Etoposide, And Carboplatin For The Treatment Of High-Risk Retinoblastoma., Swathi Kaliki, Carol L Shields, Sanket U Shah, Ralph C Eagle, Jerry A Shields, Ann Leahey

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

BACKGROUND: Analysis of 52 eyes with high-risk retinoblastoma managed with postenucleation adjuvant chemotherapy using vincristine sulfate, etoposide phosphate, and carboplatin showed no evidence of systemic metastasis in any case during a mean (range) follow-up of 66 (12-202) months.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of postenucleation adjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin in the prevention of metastasis for patients with high-risk retinoblastoma.

METHODS: Retrospective, nonrandomized, interventional case series of 52 eyes in 51 patients with high-risk retinoblastoma consisting of tumor invasion into the anterior segment, posterior uvea 3 mm or greater, postlaminar optic nerve, or any combination of posterior uvea …

Margaret Mitchell's Lost Letter To A Kansas Horse Buggy Doctor., Jane F. Knapp, Robert Schremmer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Street Food Consumption In Palermo: Possible Effects On Health, Silvio Buscemi, Annamaria Barile, Vincenza Maniaci, John A. Batsis

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: Street Food (SF) consists of out-of-home food consumption and has old, historical roots with complex social-economic and cultural implications. Despite the emergence of modern fast food, traditional SF persists worldwide, but the relationship of SF consumption with overall health, well-being, and obesity is unknown.

Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional study. The study was performed in Palermo, the largest town of Sicily, Italy. Two groups were identified: consumers of SF (n = 687) and conventional restaurant food (RES) consumers (n = 315). Study subjects answered a questionnaire concerning their health conditions, nutritional preferences, frequency of consumption of SF and …

Reversal Of Glial And Neurovascular Markers Of Unhealthy Brain Aging By Exercise In Middle-Aged Female Mice, Caitlin S. Latimer, James L. Searcy, Michael T. Bridges, Lawrence D. Brewer, Jelena Popović, Eric M. Blalock, Philip W. Landfield, Olivier Thibault, Nada M. Porter

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Healthy brain aging and cognitive function are promoted by exercise. The benefits of exercise are attributed to several mechanisms, many which highlight its neuroprotective role via actions that enhance neurogenesis, neuronal morphology and/or neurotrophin release. However, the brain is also composed of glial and vascular elements, and comparatively less is known regarding the effects of exercise on these components in the aging brain. Here, we show that aerobic exercise at mid-age decreased markers of unhealthy brain aging including astrocyte hypertrophy, a hallmark of brain aging. Middle-aged female mice were assigned to a sedentary group or provided a running wheel for …

Duration Of Symptoms Resulting From Lumbar Disc Herniation: Effect On Treatment Outcomes: Analysis Of The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (Sport)., Jeffrey A Rihn, Alan Hilibrand, Kristen Radcliff, Mark Kurd, Jon Lurie, Emily Blood, Todd J Albert, James N Weinstein

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to determine if the duration of symptoms affects outcomes following the treatment of intervertebral lumbar disc herniation.

METHODS: An as-treated analysis was performed on patients enrolled in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) for the treatment of intervertebral lumbar disc herniation. Randomized and observational cohorts were combined. A comparison was made between patients who had had symptoms for six months or less (n = 927) and those who had had symptoms for more than six months (n = 265). Primary and secondary outcomes were measured at baseline and at regular follow-up …