Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Free L-Glutamate-Induced Modulation In Oxidative And Neurochemical Profile Contributes To Enhancement In Locomotor And Memory Performance In Male Rats, Saiqa Tabassum, Saara Ahmad, Syeda Madiha, Sidrah Shahzad, Zehra Batool, Sadia Sadir, Saida Haider

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Glutamate (Glu), the key excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, is considered essential for brain functioning and has a vital role in learning and memory formation. Earlier it was considered as a harmful agent but later found to be useful for many body functions. However, studies regarding the effects of free L-Glu administration on CNS function are limited. Therefore, current experiment is aimed to monitor the neurobiological effects of free L-Glu in male rats. L-Glu was orally administered to rats for 5-weeks and changes in behavioral performance were monitored. Thereafter, brain and hippocampus were collected for oxidative and neurochemical …

Lower Practice Effects As A Marker Of Cognitive Performance And Dementia Risk: A Literature Review, Roos J. Jutten, Evan Grandoit, Nancy S. Foldi, Sietske A. M. Sikkes, Richard N. Jones, Seo-Eun Choi, Melissa L. Lamar, Diana K. N. Louden, Joanne Rich, Douglas Tommet, Paul K. Crane, Laura A. Rabin

Publications and Research

Background: Practice effects (PEs) are improvements in performance after repeated exposure to test materials, and typically viewed as a source of bias in repeated cogni- tive assessments. We aimed to determine whether characterizing PEs could also pro- vide a useful marker of early cognitive decline.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature, searching PsycInfo (Ebsco) and PubMed databases for articles studying PEs in aging and dementia pop- ulations. Articles published between 1920 and 2019 were included.

Result: We identified 259 articles, of which 27 studied PEs as markers of cognitive performance. These studies consistently showed that smaller, less-robust …

Using A Timed Motor Task To Predict One-Year Functional Decline In Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, Sydney Y. Schaefer, Andrew Hooyman, Kevin Duff

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Affordable, noninvasive methods of predicting functional decline are needed for individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease. This study tested whether a timed upper-extremity motor task predicted functional decline over one year in 79 adults diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Participants completed subjective and objective measures of daily functioning at baseline and one year later. Motor task performance and delayed memory were also evaluated at baseline. Motor task performance was a significant predictor of one-year follow-up daily functioning, improving model fits by 18– 35%. Thus, motor behavior has potential to be an affordable enrichment strategy that is sensitive to functional …

Metformin Enhances Autophagy And Normalizes Mitochondrial Function To Alleviate Aging-Associated Inflammation, Leena P Bharath, Madhur Agrawal, Grace Mccambridge, Dequina A Nicholas, Hatice Hasturk, Jing Liu, Kai Jiang, Rui Liu, Zhenheng Guo, Jude Deeney, Caroline M Apovian, Jennifer Snyder-Cappione, Gregory S Hawk, Rebecca M Fleeman, Riley M F Pihl, Katherine Thompson, Anna C Belkina, Licong Cui, Elizabeth A Proctor, Philip A Kern, Barbara S Nikolajczyk

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Age is a non-modifiable risk factor for the inflammation that underlies age-associated diseases; thus, anti-inflammaging drugs hold promise for increasing health span. Cytokine profiling and bioinformatic analyses showed that Th17 cytokine production differentiates CD4+ T cells from lean, normoglycemic older and younger subjects, and mimics a diabetes-associated Th17 profile. T cells from older compared to younger subjects also had defects in autophagy and mitochondrial bioenergetics that associate with redox imbalance. Metformin ameliorated the Th17 inflammaging profile by increasing autophagy and improving mitochondrial bioenergetics. By contrast, autophagy-targeting siRNA disrupted redox balance in T cells from young subjects and activated the Th17 …

Foundational Research And Nih Funding Enabling Emergency Use Authorization Of Remdesivir For Covid-19, Ekaterina Galkina Cleary, Matthew J. Jackson, Zoë Folchman-Wagner, Fred D. Ledley

Natural & Applied Sciences Faculty Publications

Emergency Use Authorization for remdesivir months after discovery of COVID-19 is unprecedented. Typically, decades of research and public-sector funding are required to establish the mature body of foundational research requisite for efficient, targeted drug discovery and development. This work quantifies the body of research related to remdesivir’s biological target, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), or parent chemical structure, nucleoside analogs (NcAn), through 2019, as well as NIH funding for this research 2000–2019. There were 6,567 RdRp-related publications in PubMed, including 1,263 with NIH support, and 11,073 NcAn-related publications, including 2,319 with NIH support. NIH support for RdRp research comprised 2,203 Project …

The Utility Of Early Warning Score In Adults Presenting With Sepsis In The Emergency Department Of A Low Resource Setting, Emaduddin Siddiqui, Abdul A. Jokhio, Ahmed Raheem, Shahan Waheed, Syed Hashmatullah

Department of Emergency Medicine

Background: Sepsis is a condition with high mortality and morbidity. Delay in early recognition and prompt management results in higher mortality. There are many clinical scores to identify early sepsis; however, Early Warning Score (EWS) has clinical/physiological parameters that are easy to apply in the ED for timely diagnosis and management. In the present study, we collected information regarding the utilization of EWS in timely identifying the sick patients at triage of a tertiary care center.
Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional investigation conducted in the ED of Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, the largest metropolitan city in …

Trichosporon Species And Fusarium Species As A Cause Of Empyema Thoracis In A Diabetic Patient, Nousheen Iqbal, Muhammad Ammar, Muhammad Irfan, Kauser Jabeen

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

Of late, fungal infections are increasingly being recognized in diabetic patients. Here we present a case of polymicrobial fungal empyema due to Trichosporon species and Fusarium species developed after community-acquired pneumonia in a diabetic patient. Trichosporon species are basidiomycetous yeast and Fusarium species are soil saprophytes with a worldwide distribution. Fungal empyema cases are rare and are mostly caused by Aspergillus and Candida species. Polymicrobial fungal empyema with Trichosporon species and Fusarium species has not been reported previously. Our patient was successfully treated with antifungal therapy. This case highlights that fungal empyema should be considered in diabetic patients especially if …

Convalescent Plasma In Covid-19, Ranjit S. Banwait, Joshua K. Salabei, Troy J. Fishman, Uma G. Iyer

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

The recent pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, which causes novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), has had devastating impact on a global and national scale. In order to overcome this outbreak it is imperative we find treatments that are safe and effective. To date, no definitive treatment is available that can curtail the spread of this viral syndrome. Convalescent plasma (CP) is one such option that has repeatedly served as an important tool in treatment of various bacterial and viral infections, especially in the setting of no specific antimicrobial or vaccination against an infectious disease. Herein, we review the history of CP, prior …

Geriatrics In Clinical Practice And Beyond: Brain Health, The Sixth Vital Sign?, Nannette Hoffman

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Brain health in middle age and geriatric patients will take on greater importance for health care practitioners in our aging society. This article discusses various approaches clinicians can use for their patients to promote and improve brain health. These are generally the same lifestyle adoptions for cerebrovascular disease and cardiovascular disease prevention: weight management, exercise, and blood pressure and cholesterol lowering. Social stimulation and cognitive activities may also be important for the elderly.

A Fatal Rectus Sheath Hematoma After A Myasthenia Crisis Case Report, Robert G. Michaud, Lesley B. Gordon

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction: Rectus sheath hematomas (RSH) generally occur due to damage to the inferior epigastric artery. They are rare causes of abdominal pain or acute blood loss anemia, but are an important diagnostic consideration because they can be cryptic and are potentially fatal.

Clinical Findings: An 85-year-old female who had been admitted to the hospital for 10 days with a myasthenia crisis was found to be abruptly hypotensive with a tender abdominal mass in the left lower quadrant subtly crossing midline. She was on prophylactic anticoagulation during her hospitalization.

Main diagnosis, therapeutics, interventions, and outcomes: The patient was initially stabilized with …

A Case Of Disseminated Nocardia Beijingensis In An Immunocompetent Patient, Manifesting As Subcutaneous And Cns Nocardiosis., Scott Cathcart, Patricia Stogsdill, Rebecca Bell

Journal of Maine Medical Center

Introduction

Nocardiosis is an uncommon infection, typically encountered in immunocompromised patients. With only 5 cases reported thus far in the United States, we present a case of disseminated Nocardia beijingensis in an immunocompetent patient, involving the lung, subcutaneous tissue, and CNS.

Clinical Findings

A 60-year-old immunocompetent male with no significant medical history presents to our institution after a complicated medical course, beginning with vague respiratory complaints. Initial work-up revealed a large right upper lung mass of unclear etiology. A month later he had a syncopal episode followed by the development of focal neurologic deficits.

Main Diagnoses, Therapeutics Interventions, and Outcomes …

Assessment Of The Effects Of Malaria And Anemia In Pregnant Malawian Women Before And After Treatment Of Moderate Malnutrition, William Shipley

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Assessment of the Effects of Malaria and Anemia in Pregnant Malawian Women Before and After Treatment of Moderate Malnutrition

William Shipley

Background: Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) can lead to adverse maternal and infant outcomes and possibly further complications. Supplementary foods or treatments with high quality nutrients should be administered to those with MAM in hopes to increase the chance of healthy maternal and infant outcomes. Sometimes supplementary food is not enough to overcome MAM and disease may play a role, particularly in pregnant malnourished women.

Objective: To determine if the effects of malaria and anemia moderated the effect of …

Acute Kidney Injury, Mary Boadu

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

This poster presents up to date information regarding acute kidney injury (AKI) which often presents in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Most patients may not have identifiable symptoms therefore, advanced practice clinicians are charged with a great responsibility to diagnose, treat and follow-up with such patients. It is pertinent that clinicians recognize AKI early in an effort to prevent adverse consequences as seen in the progression of AKI to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Schizophrenia And Genomics, Tiffini Lasch

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

There are several advancements in genomics under specific categories, such as cancer and autism. Mental health is one of the leading diseases to cause a significant debt burden in today's society. However, genomics has not translated well into mental health treatment. One area of focus is schizophrenia. Those with schizophrenia suffer from severe and devastating symptoms. The symptoms can lead to harsh complications. Which can make it impossible to function in everyday life. Many believe it is not just genetics alone, but also environmental factors that contribute to schizophrenia. Through large genome-wide associated studies, discoveries are being made. There have …

Return To Work Guidelines, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

"Return to Work" employee transition timeline, guidelines and requirements.

How Can Econometrics Help Fight The Covid'19 Pandemic?, Kevin Alvarez, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

The current pandemic is difficult to model -- and thus, difficult to control. In contrast to the previous epidemics whose dynamics was smooth and well described by the existing models, the statistics of the current pandemic is highly oscillating. In this paper, we show that these oscillations can be explained if we take into account the disease's long incubation period -- as a result of which our control measures are determined by outdated data, showing number of infected people two weeks ago. To better control the pandemic, we propose to use the experience of economics, where also the effect of …

Multi-Omics: Differential Expression Of Ifn-Γ Results In Distinctive Mechanistic Features Linking Chronic Inflammation, Gut Dysbiosis, And Autoimmune Diseases, Heekyong R. Bae, Patrick S. C. Leung, Deborah L. Hodge, John M. Fenimore, Seon Min Jeon, Vishal Thovarai, Amiran Dzutsev, Andrew A. Welcher, Michael Boedigheimer, Michael A. Damore, Myung Sook Choi, Richard A. Fravell, Giorgio Trinchieri, M. Eric Gershwin, Howard A. Young

United States Public Health Resources

Low grade, chronic inflammation is a critical risk factor for immunologic dysfunction including autoimmune diseases. However, the multiplicity of complex mechanisms and lack of relevant murine models limit our understanding of the precise role of chronic inflammation. To address these hurdles, we took advantage of multi-omics data and a unique murine model with a low but chronic expression of IFN-γ, generated by replacement of the AU-rich element (ARE) in the 3’ UTR region of IFN-γ mRNA with random nucleotides. Herein, we demonstrate that low but differential expression of IFN-γ in mice by homozygous or heterozygous ARE replacement triggers distinctive gut …

Switching Warfarin To Direct Oral Anticoagulants In Atrial Fibrillation: Insights From The Ncdr Pinnacle Registry, Christopher T. Sciria, Thomas M. Maddox, Lucas Marzec, Benjamin Rodwin, Salim S. Virani, Amarnath Annapureddy, James V. Freeman, Ali O'Hare, Yuyin Liu

Office of the Provost

Background: Previous studies examining the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in atrial fibrillation (AF) have largely focused on patients newly initiating therapy. Little is known about the prevalence/patterns of switching to DOACs among AF patients initially treated with warfarin.
Hypothesis: To examine patterns of anticoagulation among patients chronically managed with warfarin upon the availability of DOACs and identify patient/practice-level factors associated with switching from chronic warfarin therapy to a DOAC.
Methods: Prospective cohort study of AF patients in the NCDR PINNACLE registry prescribed warfarin between May 1, 2008 and May 1, 2015. Patients were followed at least 1 year …

A Novel Indication For Oocyte Cryopreservation Prior To Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation For Refractory Multiple Sclerosis, Neal R. Trulock, Luke Ying, Edward Zbella, Mark Sanchez

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune mediated inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system characterized by focal ovoid like lesions of demyelination seen on MRI(1,2). The etiology of MS is unknown, however inflammation followed by CNS demyelination and axonal degeneration are known to be part of the pathologic processes that lead to the disease (1). The mean age of onset of MS is 28-31 years old and tends to affect women more often then men with a ratio of 2.3:1 (3,4) . Other risk factors associated with MS include vitamin D deficiency, smoking, and certain viruses (5). The pattern of …

Acute Syphilitic Posterior Placoid Chorioretinopathy: A Case Report, Rehman Siddiqui, Syed Zohaib Maroof Hussain, Irfan Jeeva, Raeefuddin Ahmed

Section of Ophthalmology

A 25-year-old male presented with a complaint of acute visual loss in his right eye for two days. There was a history of visual loss in the left eye six months ago. Comprehensive eye examination showed evidence of posterior uveitis, and a placoid lesion on the right fundus. Further physical examination showed maculopapular rashes on the upper back which was highly suggestive of syphilis. Blood tests for venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test and fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) test were ordered, which were both positive. Ocular syphilis should be suspected in all cases of uveitis. Early diagnosis and prompt …

Association Of Circulatory Kisspeptin Levels And Hormonal Interplay With Male Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study In Karachi, Pakistan, Rehana Rehman, Kaleem Ahmed, Nida Zahid, Faiza Alam, Syeda Sadia Fatima

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objectives: To determine the impact of Kisspeptin on male reproductive axis in a selected urban population.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sindh Institute of Reproductive Medicine in collaboration with Aga Khan University, Karachi, from July, 2017, to February, 2018, and comprised infertile males with abnormal sperm parameters who were placed in Group A and fertile males with normal sperm parameters placed in Group B. Serum samples were estimated for Kisspeptin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
Results: Of the 313 male subjects, 178(57%) …

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension, Alyssa Curry

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Chronic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare and underdiagnosed complication of unresolved acute pulmonary embolism (PE). A chronic fibrotic thrombus replaces the unresolved emboli in the pulmonary vascular bed causing pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (Mahmud et al., 2018). Symptoms rang from mild nonspecific such as exercise intolerance and dyspnea. As the disease progresses, symptoms present similarly to right ventricular heart failure (Gopalan et al., 2016). Although the pathophysiology and etiology of CTEPH is still not fully understood, risk factors include increased size of the PE, right ventricular strain, chronic inflammation, and defects in fibrinolysis among others (Fernandes et al., 2016). Treatment …

Identification Of Microscopy Cell Images By Using Convolutional Neural Network Application, Ajis Norfatin Farisya

Student Works (2020-2029)

Breast cancer has been the major factor of cancer death and the second main cause of women’s deaths in the world. The false positive results of this cancer cell detection during the screening test leads to false treatment and emotional disturbance of the patients. Thus, breast cancer cell lines (MCF7) is used as the microscopy image samples together with the Human Bone Osteosarcoma Epithelial Cells (U2OS), and Human Hepatocyte as control to study the effectiveness of convolutional neural network (CNN) as a method of image recognition. The objectives of this study are to determine the ability of convolutional neural network …

A School-Based Sexual Health Education Program, Tracy L. Kendall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A small rural community has high incidence rates of chlamydia (4,751 per 100,000) and gonorrhea (970 per 100,000) in females 15–24 years old. Data obtained from Texas Health and Human Services showed that incidence rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in females 15–24 years old were higher in Navarro County, Texas, than the state of Texas. Texas schools do not mandate sex health education. There is a gap in school-based sexual health education available to 18- and 19-year-old females residing in this rural community in Texas. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate the impact of school-based sexual health …

A Case Of Systemic Sclerosis Sine Scleroderma, Adrian Lugo, Andrew Cappiello, Nemer Dabage, Guruswamy Ramamurthy

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

• Scleroderma and systemic sclerosis are autoimmune phenomena that can cause progressive and permanent damage to the organs of the human body.
• They can cause fibrosis of various internal organs, including the kidneys, lungs, GI tract, and heart
• Rarely, the only manifestation of systemic sclerosis is severe hypertension with renal failure, a subset known as systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma.

A Rare Case Of Leprosy In West Florida, Adrian Lugo, Taylor Studsrud, Nemer Dabage, James Demaio

West Florida Division GME Research Day 2020

• Leprosy is caused by acid-fast bacilli of the M. leprae complex, which includes M. leprae and M. lepromatosis.
• Transmission in the U.S. is rare, but has been documented in hunters who handle wild ninebanded armadillo.
• The origins of M. leprae infection among armadillos, the geographic range of the infected animals, and the potential risks infected armadillos present to people have been topics of concern.
• The infection originated amongst armadillos decades before they were ever used in leprosy research, and numerous surveys have confirmed that armadillos in the southern United States are a large natural reservoir for M. leprae; its prevalence …

Initial And Repeated Point Prevalence Surveys To Inform Sars-Cov-2 Infection Prevention In 26 Skilled Nursing Facilities - Detroit, Michigan, March-May 2020, Guillermo V. Sanchez, Caitlin Bierdon, Lauren R. Fink, Kelly M. Hatfield, Jordan Micah F. Polistico, Monica P. Meyers, Rebecca S. Noe, Casey E. Copen, Amanda K. Lyons, Gonzalo Gonzalez, Keith Kiama, Mark Lebednick, Bonnie K. Caander, Amen Agbonze, Aimee R. Surma, Avnish Sandhu, Valerie H. Mika, Tyler Prentiss, John Zervos, Donia A. Dalal, Amber M. Vasquez, Sujan C. Reddy, John Jernigan, Paul E. Kilgore, Marcus J. Zervos, Teena Chopra, Carla P. Bezold, Najibah K. Rehman

Department of Pharmacy Practice

No abstract provided.

Challenges Of Doing Alzheimer’S Research In Costa Rica And Some Possible Solutions, Felipe Mejias

International Programs

Alzheimer's disease is a public health priority which has been researched for many years in the hope of finding a cure soon. Costa Rica has made significant progress in many areas of research; however, the research carried out in the country on Alzheimer's disease is very scarce. The present poster presents the challenges of developing scientific Alzheimer’s research in Costa Rica by reviewing current scientific research on Alzheimer's in Costa Rica and by conducting interviews with Costa Rican professionals who have conducted Alzheimer's research. The lack of investigative training of doctors, the difficulties in accessing patient data, and the lack …

Nighttime Blood Pressure Interacts With Apoe Genotype To Increase The Risk Of Incident Dementia Of The Alzheimer’S Type In Hispanics, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Daniel C. Aguirre-Acevedo, Ciro Gaona, Carlos A. Chavez, Gustavo E. Calmon, Egle R. Silva, Gabriel A. De Erausquin, Mario Gil, Luis J. Mena, Joseph D. Terwilliger, Humberto Arboleda, Nikolaos Scarmeas, Joseph H. Lee, Gladys E. Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT) impacts Hispanics disproportionately, with almost a twofold elevated risk of developing DAT, as well as earlier onset of the disease, than in non-Hispanic Whites. However, the role of main risk factors for DAT, such as APOE ɛ4 and blood pressure (BP) levels, remains uncertain among Hispanics.

Objective: To investigate the association of APOE ɛ4 and BP levels, measures with 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring, with incidence of DAT in an elderly cohort of Hispanics.

Methods:1,320 participants from the Maracaibo Aging Study, free of dementia at the baseline, and with ambulatory BP …

Major Septal Defects: Comparative Study Of Down Syndrome And Non-Down Syndrome Infants, Before And After Surgery, Saleha Aziz, Maaha Ayub, Laiba Masood, Muneer Amanullah, Rukhsana Hameed, Shiraz Hashmi, Waris Ahmad

Medical College Documents

Objective: To compare pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative parameters in Down syndrome (DS) and non-DS patients with atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD) and inlet ventricular septal defects (VSD) in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at Aga Khan University, Pakistan. All complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD), partial atrioventricular septal defect (PAVSD), and VSD with inlet extension surgical cases from January 2007 to January 2019 were included. Patients with congenital heart diseases other than those listed above were excluded.
Results: In 61 cases, 18 had DS. Median age, mean body surface area (BSA), and height were lower …