Digital Commons Network^™

Random Sample Community-Based Health Surveys: Does The Effort To Reach Participants Matter?, Antoine Messiah, Grettel Castro, Pura Rodríguez De La Vega, Juan M. Acuna

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Objectives Conducting health surveys with community-based random samples are essential to capture an otherwise unreachable population, but these surveys can be biased if the effort to reach participants is insufficient. This study determines the desirable amount of effort to minimise such bias.

Design A household-based health survey with random sampling and face-to-face interviews. Up to 11 visits, organised by canvassing rounds, were made to obtain an interview.

Setting Single-family homes in an underserved and understudied population in North Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA.

Participants Of a probabilistic sample of 2200 household addresses, 30 corresponded to empty lots, 74 were abandoned houses, …

Biosensors For Inorganic And Organic Arsenicals, Jian Chen, Barry P. Rosen

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Arsenic is a natural environmental contaminant to which humans are routinely exposed and is strongly associated with human health problems, including cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. To date, a number of biosensors for the detection of arsenic involving the coupling of biological engineering and electrochemical techniques has been developed. The properties of whole-cell bacterial or cell-free biosensors are summarized in the present review with emphasis on their sensitivity and selectivity. Their limitations and future challenges are highlighted.

Β-Amyloid1-42, Hiv-1ba-L (Clade B) Infection And Drugs Of Abuse Induced Degeneration In Human Neuronal Cells And Protective Effects Of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) And Its Constituent Withanolide A, Kesava Rao Venkata Kurapati, Thangavel Samikkannu, Venkata Atluri, Elena Kaftanovskaya, Adriana Yndart, Madhavan Nair

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive dysfunction of memory and higher cognitive functions with abnormal accumulation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles throughout cortical and limbic brain regions. Withania somnifera (WS) also known as ‘ashwagandha’ (ASH) is used widely in Ayurvedic medicine as a nerve tonic and memory enhancer. However, there is paucity of data on potential neuroprotective effects of ASH against β-Amyloid (1–42) (Aβ) induced neuropathogenesis. In the present study, we have tested the neuroprotective effects of Methanol: Chloroform (3:1) extract of ASH and its constituent Withanolide A (WA) against Aβ induced toxicity, HIV-1_Ba-L (clade …

The Prevalence Of The Metabolically Healthy Obese Phenotype In An Aging Population And Its Association With Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease: The Brazilian Study On Healthy Aging, Lara Roberson, Sameer Shaharyar, Ehimen Aneni, Wladimir Freitas, Michael Blaha, Arthur Agatston, Roger Blumenthal, Raul D. Santos, Hamid Feiz, Khurram Nasir, Andrei Sposito

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Background

Current literature has elucidated a new phenotype, metabolically healthy obese (MHO), with risks of cardiovascular disease similar to that of normal weight individuals. Few studies have examined the MHO phenotype in an aging population, especially in association with subclinical CVD.

Research design and methods

This cross sectional study population consisted of 208 octogenarians and older. Anthropometrics, biochemical, and radiological parameters were measured to assess obesity, metabolic health (assessed by the National Cholesterol Education Program –Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP III) criteria), and subclinical measures of CVD.

Results

The prevalence of MHO was 13.5% (N = 28). No significant association with …

Random Sample Community-Based Health Surveys: Does The Effort To Reach Participants Matter?, Antoine Messiah, Grettel Castro, Pura Rodríguez De La Vega, Juan M. Acuna

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Objectives: Conducting health surveys with community-based random samples are essential to capture an otherwise unreachable population, but these surveys can be biased if the effort to reach participants is insufficient. This study determines the desirable amount of effort to minimise such bias.

Design: A household-based health survey with random sampling and face-to-face interviews. Up to 11 visits, organised by canvassing rounds, were made to obtain an interview. Setting: Single-family homes in an underserved and understudied population in North Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA.

Participants: Of a probabilistic sample of 2200 household addresses, 30 corresponded to empty lots, 74 were abandoned houses, …

Uphill Battle: The Saga Of Hcg Research That Led To A Paradigm Shift, C. V. Rao

HWCOM Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Role Of Innate Immunity In The Pathogenesis Of Otitis Media, Rahul Mittal, Joyson Kodiyan, Robert Gerring, Kalai Mathee, Jiang-Dong Li, M'Hamed Grati, Xue Zhong Liu

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Otitis media (OM) is a public health problem in both developed and developing countries. It is the leading cause of hearing loss and represents a significant healthcare burden. In some cases, acute OM progresses to chronic suppurative OM (CSOM), characterized by effusion and discharge, despite antimicrobial therapy. The emergence of antibiotic resistance and potential ototoxicity of antibiotics has created an urgent need to design non-conventional therapeutic strategies against OM based on modern insights into its pathophysiology. In this article, we review the role of innate immunity as it pertains to OM and discuss recent advances in understanding the role of …

Inpp4b Suppresses Prostate Cancer Cell Invasion, Myles C. Hodgson, Elena I. Deryugina, Egla Suarez, Sandra M. Lopez, Dong Lin, Hui Xue, Ivan P. Gorlov, Yuzhuo Wang, Irina U. Agoulnik

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Background

INPP4B and PTEN dual specificity phosphatases are frequently lost during progression of prostate cancer to metastatic disease. We and others have previously shown that loss of INPP4B expression correlates with poor prognosis in multiple malignancies and with metastatic spread in prostate cancer.

Results

We demonstrate that de novo expression of INPP4B in highly invasive human prostate carcinoma PC-3 cells suppresses their invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Using global gene expression analysis, we found that INPP4B regulates a number of genes associated with cell adhesion, the extracellular matrix, and the cytoskeleton. Importantly, de novo expressed INPP4B suppressed …

Depression And Anxiety And Their Association With Healthcare Utilization In Pediatric Lupus And Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study, Andrea Knight, Pamela Wise, Knashawn Morales, Marsha Gerdes, Allyson Gutstein, Michelle Vickery, Ron Keren

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Background

Depression and anxiety adversely affects outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthcare utilization is high for pediatric SLE. We aimed to characterize the prevalence of depression and anxiety in pediatric SLE, and their association with healthcare utilization.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of pediatric SLE and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) subjects and healthy controls aged 8 years and above. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and the Screen for Childhood Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) to identify depression, suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms, respectively. We compared symptom prevalence in SLE/MCTD and healthy subjects using logistic …

Immunopathogenesis Of Hiv Infection In Cocaine Users: Role Of Arachidonic Acid, Thangavel Samikkannu, Kesava Rao Venkata Kurapati, Hong Ding, Marisela Agudelo, Andrea Raymond, Changwon Yoo, Madhavan Nair

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Arachidonic acid (AA) is known to be increased in HIV infected patients and illicit drug users are linked with severity of viral replication, disease progression, and impaired immune functions. Studies have shown that cocaine accelerates HIV infection and disease progression mediated by immune cells. Dendritic cells (DC) are the first line of antigen presentation and defense against immune dysfunction. However, the role of cocaine use in HIV associated acceleration of AA secretion and its metabolites on immature dendritic cells (IDC) has not been elucidated yet. The aim of this study is to elucidate the mechanism of AA metabolites cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), …

Loss Of Central Inhibition: Implications For Behavioral Hypersensitivity After Contusive Spinal Cord Injury In Rats, Yerko A. Berrocal, Vania W. Almeida, Rocio Puentes, Eric P. Knott, Jaclyn F. Hechtman, Mary Garland, Damien D. Pearse

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Behavioral hypersensitivity is common following spinal cord injury (SCI), producing significant discomfort and often developing into chronic pain syndromes.While the mechanisms underlying the development of behavioral hypersensitivity after SCI are poorly understood, previous studies of SCI contusion have shown an increase in amino acids, namely, aspartate and glutamate, along with a decrease in GABA and glycine, particularly below the injury.The current study sought to identify alterations in key enzymes and receptors involved in mediating central inhibition via GABA and glycine after a clinically-relevant contusion SCImodel. Following thoracic (T8) 25.0mmNYUcontusion SCI in rodents, significant and persistent behavioral hypersensitivity developed as evidenced …

Cyclic Amp Signaling: A Molecular Determinant Of Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, Eric Knott, Mazen Assi, Damien D. Pearse

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Disruption of axonal integrity during injury to the peripheral nerve system (PNS) sets into motion a cascade of responses that includes inflammation, Schwann cell mobilization, and the degeneration of the nerve fibers distal to the injury site. Yet, the injured PNS differentiates itself from the injured central nervous system (CNS) in its remarkable capacity for self-recovery, which, depending upon the length and type of nerve injury, involves a series of molecular events in both the injured neuron and associated Schwann cells that leads to axon regeneration, remyelination repair, and functional restitution. Herein we discuss the essential function of the second …

Pediatric Neurocysticercosis: Usefulness Of Antibody Response In Cysticidal Treatment Follow-Up, Venkata Alturi, Venkateswara Reddy Gogulamudi, Pratibha Singhi, Niranjan Khandelwal, Lakshmana Swamy Parasa, Nancy Malla

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Serum and urine samples were collected from 33 NCC patients before the albendazole treatment, 3–6 and 12 months PT. At 3 months PT, 24 (72.7%) patients had no detectable CT/MRI lesions and 9 (27.2%) patients had persistent lesions. Antibody response to crude soluble extract (CSE), excretory secretory (ES), and lower molecular mass (LMM) (10–30 KDa) antigenic fraction of T. solium cysticerci was detected in serum and urine samples by ELISA. Before the treatment, out of 33 NCC children, 14 (42.4%), 22 (66.6%), and 11 (33.3%) serum samples were found positive with the use of CSE, ES, and LMM antigen, respectively. …

Fmr1 Premutation Is An Uncommon Explanation For Premature Ovarian Failure In Han Chinese, Ting Guo, Yingying Qin, Xue Jiao, Guangyu Li, Joe Leigh Simpson, Zi-Jiang Chen

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Background

In premature ovarian failure (POF), cessation of menstruation occurs before the expected age of menopause. Approximately 1% of women are affected. FMR1 premutation was reported to be responsible for up to 3.3%–6.7% of sporadic POF and 13% of familial cases in Caucasians, while the data was absent in Chinese population. Therefore, the impact of FMR1 CGG repeat on ovarian reserve is needed to be investigated in large Chinese cohort.

Methods

The number of FMR1 CGG repeat was determined in 379 Han Chinese women with well-defined 46, XX non-syndromic sporadic POF and 402 controls. The age of menopause onset in …

Cigarette Smoking Worsens Systemic Inflammation In Persons With Metabolic Syndrome, Omar Jamal, Ehimen C. Aneni, Sameer Shaharyar, Shozab S. Ali, Don Parris, John W. Mcevoy, Emir Veledar, Michael J. Blaha, Roger S. Blumenthal, Arthur Agatston, Raquel D. Conceicao, Theodore Feldman, Jose A. Carvalho, Raul D. Santos, Khurram Nasir

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Background

Emerging data suggests that the combination of smoking and metabolic syndrome (MetS) markedly increases cardiovascular disease risk well beyond that of either condition. In this study we assess if this interaction can be explained by an additive increase in the risk of systemic inflammation by MetS and cigarette smoking.

Methods

We evaluated 5,503 healthy non-diabetic Brazilian subjects (mean age of 43 ± 10 years, 79% males). Participants were divided into sub-groups of smokers and non-smokers with or without MetS. High-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured to assess degree of underlying inflammation.

Results

Overall (19%) had hs-CRP > 3 mg/L. …

Protective Effect Of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Agonist In Bacterial Toxin-Induced Pulmonary Barrier Dysfunction, Istavan Czikora, Supriya Sridhar, Boris Gorshkov, Irina B. Alieva, Anita Kasa, Joyce Gonzales, Olena Patapenko, Nagavedi S. Umapathy, Helena Pilich, Ferenc G. Rick, Norman L. Block, Alexander D. Verin, Trinidad Chakraborty, Michael A. Matthay, Andrew V. Schally, Rudolf Lucas

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Rationale: Antibiotic treatment of patients infected with G⁻ or G⁺ bacteria promotes release of the toxins lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and pneumolysin (PLY) in their lungs. Growth Hormone-releasing Hormone (GHRH) agonist JI-34 protects human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HL-MVEC), expressing splice variant 1 (SV-1) of the receptor, from PLY-induced barrier dysfunction. We investigated whether JI-34 also blunts LPS-induced hyperpermeability. Since GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) signaling can potentially stimulate both cAMP-dependent barrier-protective pathways as well as barrier-disruptive protein kinase C pathways, we studied their interaction in GHRH agonist-treated HL-MVEC, in the presence of PLY, by means of siRNA-mediated protein kinase A (PKA) …

In Vitro Evaluation Of Fluorescence Glucose Biosensor Response, Mamdouh Aloraefy, T. Joshua Pfefer, Jessica C. Ramella-Roman, Kim E. Sapsford

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Rapid, accurate, and minimally-invasive glucose biosensors based on Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) for glucose measurement have the potential to enhance diabetes control. However, a standard set of in vitro approaches for evaluating optical glucose biosensor response under controlled conditions would facilitate technological innovation and clinical translation. Towards this end, we have identified key characteristics and response test methods, fabricated FRET-based glucose biosensors, and characterized biosensor performance using these test methods. The biosensors were based on competitive binding between dextran and glucose to concanavalin A and incorporated long-wavelength fluorescence dye pairs. Testing characteristics included spectral response, linearity, sensitivity, limit of …

Targeted Therapy In Advanced Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Current Concepts And Perspectives, Florian Hohla, Thomas Winder, Richard Greil, Ferenc G. Rick, Norman L. Block, Andrew V. Schally

HWCOM Faculty Publications

The introduction of new cytotoxic substances as well as agents that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling has improved clinical outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In this review we summarize the most relevant clinical data on VEGF and EGFR targeting regimens in mCRC. The effects of available treatment strategies for mCRC are often temporary, with resistance and disease progression developing in most patients. Thus, new treatment strategies are urgently needed. Some GI peptides including gastrin and gastrin releasing peptide, certain growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-I and II and …

Vorinostat Positively Regulates Synaptic Plasticity Genes Expression And Spine Density In Hiv Infected Neurons: Role Of Nicotine In Progression Of Hiv-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder, Venkata Atluri, Sudheesh Pilakka-Kanthikeel, Thangavel Samikkannu, Vidya Sagar, Kesava Rao Venkata Kurapati, Shailendra K. Saxena, Adriana Yndart, Andrea Raymond, Hong Ding, Oscar Hernandez, Madhavan Nair

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Background

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is characterized by development of cognitive, behavioral and motor abnormalities, and occurs in approximately 50% of HIV infected individuals. In the United States, the prevalence of cigarette smoking ranges from 35-70% in HIV-infected individuals compared to 20% in general population. Cognitive impairment in heavy cigarette smokers has been well reported. However, the synergistic effects of nicotine and HIV infection and the underlying mechanisms in the development of HAND are unknown.

Results

In this study, we explored the role of nicotine in the progression of HAND using SK-N-MC, a neuronal cell line. SK-N-MC cells were infected …

Physician Tracking In Sub-Saharan Africa: Current Initiatives And Opportunities, Candice Chen, Sarag Baird, Katumba Ssentongo, Sinit Mehtsun, Emiola Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa, Jim Scott, Nelson Sewankambo, Zohray Talib, Melissa Ward-Peterson, Damen Haile Mariam, Paschalis Rugarabamu

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Background

Physician tracking systems are critical for health workforce planning as well as for activities to ensure quality health care - such as physician regulation, education, and emergency response. However, information on current systems for physician tracking in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. The objective of this study is to provide information on the current state of physician tracking systems in the region, highlighting emerging themes and innovative practices.

Methods

This study included a review of the literature, an online search for physician licensing systems, and a document review of publicly available physician registration forms for sub-Saharan African countries. Primary data …

An Adult Case Of Paratesticular Spindle Cell Rhabdomyosarcoma, Joan C. Delto, George F. Wayne, Sofia Garces, Ana M. Medina, Alan M. Nieder

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) occurs more frequently in children and is rare in adults. Embryonal RMS is the most common subtype of paratesticular RMS. Spindle cell is a rare variant of embryonal RMS and is associated with a favorable prognosis in children. Data in adults is lacking. We present a case of paratesticular RMS in a 24-year-old man.

90y-Dota-Chs Microspheres For Live Radiomicrosphere Therapy: Preliminary In Vivo Lung Radiochemical Stability Studies, Alejandro Amor-Coarasa, Andrew Milera, Denny Carvajal, Seza Gulec, Anthony J. Mcgoron

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Chitosan (CHS) is used to prepare microspheres of 31 ± 8 µm size. Surface modification with p-SCN-Bn-DOTA was performed. A maximum 90Y capacity was found to be 12.1 ± 4.4 µCi/particle. The best obtained labeling yield was 87.7 ± 0.6%. More than 90% in vitro stability was found. Particle in vitro degradation half-life in PBS was found to be greater than 21 days. In vivo studies with 90Y-DOTA-CHS showed more than 95% of the injected activity (decay corrected) in the lungs 24 hours after tail vein administration. 90Y-DOTA-CHS in vivo label stability was superior to resin microspheres. The addition of …

Beyond Bmi: The “Metabolically Healthy Obese” Phenotype & Its Association With Clinical/Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease And All-Cause Mortality -- A Systematic Review, Lara L. Roberson, Ehimen C. Aneni, Wasim Maziak, Arthur Agatston, Theodore Feldman, Maribeth Rouseff, Thinh Tran, Michael J. Blaha, Raul D. Santos, Andrei Sposito, Mouaz H. Al-Mallah, Ron Blankenstein, Matthew J. Budoff, Khurram Nasir

HWCOM Faculty Publications

Background

A subgroup has emerged within the obese that do not display the typical metabolic disorders associated with obesity and are hypothesized to have lower risk of complications. The purpose of this review was to analyze the literature which has examined the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in the metabolically healthy obese (MHO) population.

Methods

Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from their inception until December 2012. Studies were included which clearly defined the MHO group (using either insulin sensitivity and/or components of metabolic syndrome AND obesity) and its association with either all cause …

The Food Environment Is A Complex Social Network, David R. Brown, Luther Brewster

HWCOM Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.