Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Doppler-Based Evaluation Of Peripheral Lower Limb Arterial Insufficiency In Diabetes Mellitus, Riffat Shaheen, Saba Sohail

Department of Radiology

Objective: To determine the frequency, level and flow patterns of lower limb arterial insufficiency in diabetic patients on Doppler ultrasound study.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Radiology Department, Civil Hospital, Karachi, from February 2007 to September 2008.
Methodology: One hundred adult diabetic patients with suspected peripheral vascular insufficiency irrespective of gender were included. Demographic data, presenting complaints, treatment history, and level of HbA1c were recorded. Doppler evaluated arterial status and ankle brachial index (ABI) were recorded on proforma. Statical analysis were done on SPSS version 12.
Results: The mean HbA1c was 8.4 ± 1.4gm/dl, a majority …

Monitoring And Evaluation Of The Emergency Plan Progress (Meepp): End-Of-Project Evaluation, Sam Kalibala

HIV and AIDS

This report evaluates the scope of the Monitoring and Evaluation of the Emergency Plan Progress (MEEPP) and the lessons learned from the project in Uganda, which aims to improve availability and quality of PEPFAR data.

The Mozambique Eyecare Project: Implementing A Model That Addresses Uncorrected Refractive Error In Lusophone Africa., Stephen Thompson, Diane Wallace

Conference Papers

BACKGROUND

Optometric education and resources are drastically deficient in most of Africa, more so in Lusophone Africa where the problem is compounded by language barriers which isolate these countries from related developments in Africa and/or the developed world.

The Mozambique Eyecare Programme is a multi-partner collaboration between The International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE), Universidade Lúrio in Mozambique, Technological University Dublin, and the University of Ulster in Ireland, designed to address the need for optometric education in Lusophone Africa.

AIM

This paper aims to document the current situation with regards to human resource development in eyecare in Mozambique and offer …

Characterisation Of Copd Heterogeneity In The Eclipse Cohort, Alvar Agusti, Peter M.A. Calverley, Bartolome Celli, Harvey O. Coxson, Lisa D. Edwards, David A. Lomas, William Macnee, Bruce E. Miller, Steve I. Rennard, Edwin K. Silverman, Ruth Tal-Singer, Emiel Wouters, Julie C. Yates, Jørgen Vestbo, The Evaluation Of Copd Longitudinally To Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints (Eclipse) Investigators

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex condition with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary manifestations. This study describes the heterogeneity of COPD in a large and well characterised and controlled COPD cohort (ECLIPSE).

METHODS: We studied 2164 clinically stable COPD patients, 337 smokers with normal lung function and 245 never smokers. In these individuals, we measured clinical parameters, nutritional status, spirometry, exercise tolerance, and amount of emphysema by computed tomography.

RESULTS: COPD patients were slightly older than controls and had more pack years of smoking than smokers with normal lung function. Co-morbidities were more prevalent in COPD patients than in …

Plasma Pharmacokinetics And Tissue Disposition Of Novel Dextran- Methylprednisolone Conjugates With Peptide Linkers In Rats, Suman Penugonda, Hitesh K. Agarwal, Keykavous Parang, Reza Mehvar

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The plasma and tissue disposition of two novel dextran prodrugs of methylprednisolone (MP) containing one (DMP-1) or five (DMP-5) amino acids as linkers were studied in rats. Single 5-mg/kg doses (MP equivalent) of each prodrug or MP were administered intravenously, and blood and tissue samples were collected. Prodrug and drug concentrations were quantitated using HPLC, and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. Whereas conjugation of MP with dextran in both prodrugs substantially decreased the clearance of the drug by ∼200-fold, the accumulations of the drug in the liver, spleen, and kidneys were significantly increased by conjugation. However, the extent of accumulation …

Hcmv Pus28 Initiates Pro-Migratory Signaling Via Activation Of Pyk2 Kinase, Jennifer Totonchy, Susan Varnum, Ryan Melnychuk, Patricia Smith, Ljiliana Pasa-Tolic, Janani I. Shutthanadan, Daniel N. Streblow

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been implicated in the acceleration of vascular disease and chronic allograft rejection. Recently, the virus has been associated with glioblastoma and other tumors. We have previously shown that the HCMV-encoded chemokine receptor pUS28 mediates smooth muscle cell (SMC) and macrophage motility and this activity has been implicated in the acceleration of vascular disease. pUS28 induced SMC migration involves the activation of the protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) Src and Focal adhesion kinase as well as the small GTPase RhoA. The PTK Pyk2 has been shown to play a role in cellular migration and formation of cancer, …

Using Modeling And Simulation To Evaluate Disease Control Measures, Tracy Atkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation introduced several issues concerning the analysis of diseases by showing how modeling and simulation could be used to assist in creating health policy by estimating the effects of such policies. The first question posed was how would education, vaccination and a combination of these two programs effect the possible outbreak of meningitis on a college campus. After creating a model representative of the transmission dynamics of meningitis and establishing parameter values characteristic of the University of Central Florida main campus, the results of a deterministic model were presented in several forms. The result of this model was the …

Genetic Connections Between Neurological Disorders And Cholesterol Metabolism, Ingemar Bjorkhem, Valerio Leoni, Steve Meaney

Articles

Cholesterol is an essential component of both the peripheral and central nervous systems of mammals. Over the last decade, evidence has accumulated that disturbances in cholesterol metabolism are associated with the development of various neurological conditions. In addition to genetically defined defects in cholesterol synthesis, which will be covered in another review in this Thematic Series, defects in cholesterol metabolism (cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis) and intracellular transport (Niemann Pick Syndrome) lead to neurological disease. A subform of hereditary spastic paresis (type SPG5) and Huntington's disease are neurological diseases with mutations in genes that are of importance for cholesterol metabolism. Neurodegeneration is generally …

Intravenous Artesunate For Severe Malaria, Karl M. Hess, Jeffery A. Goad, Paul M. Arguin

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutic use of intravenous artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria.

DATA SOURCES: Literature was retrieved through PubMed (1999 March 2010), MEDLINE (1996 March 2010), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using the search terms artemisinin, artesunate, malaria, and severe malaria. In addition, reference citations from publications identified were reviewed.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles in English that were identified from the data sources were reviewed. Focus was placed on post-marketing trials examining the safety and efficacy of artesunate in comparison with other regimens.

DATA SYNTHESIS …

Synthesis, Antiviral And Contraceptive Activities Of Nucleoside-Sodium Cellulose Sulfate Acetate And Succinate Conjugates, Hitesh K. Agarwal, Anil Kumar, Gustavo F. Doncel, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Chemical conjugates between sodium cellulose sulfate (CS), displaying contraceptive and HIV-entry inhibiting properties, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (AZT), 3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (FLT), or 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC)) were designed to simultaneously provide contraceptive and anti-HIV activity. Two linkers, acetate and succinate, were used to conjugate the nucleoside analogs with CS. The conjugates containing cellulose sulfate-acetate (CSA) (e.g., AZT-CSA and FLT-CSA) were found to be more potent than CS and other conjugates (e.g., AZT-succinate-CS, and FLT-succinate-CS). The presence of both sulfate and the acetate groups on cellulose were critical for generating maximum anti-HIV activity. In addition to showing equal potency against wild-type …

The Relationship Between Obesity And Skin And Soft Tissue Infections, Juliana Swiney

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The Problem:

It is well known that our country is experiencing an obesity epidemic: 33.9% of all adults are obese (BMI>30) and 67% of adults are either overweight or obese (BMI>25). Obesity is a risk factor for several serious disease states such as, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, heart disease and some types of cancer. It also has a less well defined relationship with skin and soft tissue infections.

Although it is known that excessive weight increases the opportunity for harmful skin conditions, this relationship has not been as well studied. Some of the mechanisms that predispose obese people to …

Spirituality And Organised Religion In Supporting Parents Of Children With Down Syndrome And Intellectual Disability, Divia Pillay

Theses : Honours

Background: Raising a child with an intellectual disability can present parents with many challenges. Factors that have been demonstrated to positively impact on the mental and physical health of parents of children with an intellectual disability include greater clinical, family and social supports. One avenue of support that has been rarely explored is the role of spirituality and organised religion in supporting parents of children with an intellectual disability. Aim: The aim of this literature review was to investigate the role of spirituality and organised religion in the lives of parents of children with intellectual disability, specifically Down syndrome. Methods: …

Regulation Of Apoptotic Effects Of Erythrocarpine E, A New Cytotoxic Limonoid Extracted From Chisocheton Erythrocarpus., Norliza Shah Jehan Muttiah

Student Works (2010-2019)

The aim of this study is to determine the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of erythrocarpine E (CEB4), a new limonoid extracted from Chisocheton erythrocarpus. MTT assay, Live/Dead® Viability/Cytotoxicity assay, cell cycle analysis, annexin V analysis, PARP cleavage analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, sandwich ELISA assay and Western blot analysis were performed on five CEB4 treated cancer cell lines; HSC4COX2- and HSC2 (oral), CaSki (cervical), HepG2 (liver), MCF7 (breast) and NHBE (normal human bronchial epithelial cell line). CEB4 treated HSC4COX2-, HSC2, CaSki, HepG2 and MCF7 cells demonstrated a cytotoxic effect and inhibited cell proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner. CEB4 …

Rapid Emergence Of Co-Colonization With Community-Acquired And Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains In The Hospital Setting, Joanna R. Wares, Erika M.C. D'Agata, Glenn F. Webb

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Background: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CAMRSA), a novel strain of MRSA, has recently emerged and rapidly spread in the community. Invasion into the hospital setting with replacement of the hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) has also been documented. Co-colonization with both CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA would have important clinical implications given differences in antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and the potential for exchange of genetic information.

Methods: A deterministic mathematical model was developed to characterize the transmission dynamics of HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA in the hospital setting and to quantify the emergence of co-colonization with both strains Results: The model analysis shows that the …

The Effect Of Co-Colonization With Community-Acquired And Hospital-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains On Competitive Exclusion, Joanna R. Wares, Erika M.C. D'Agata, Glenn F. Webb

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

We investigate the in-hospital transmission dynamics of two methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) strains: hospital-acquired methicillin resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA) and community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA). Under the assumption that patients can only be colonized with one strain of MRSA at a time, global results show that competitive exclusion occurs between HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA strains; the strain with the larger basic reproduction ratio will become endemic while the other is extinguished due to competition. Because new studies suggest that patients can be concurrently colonized with multiple strains of MRSA, we extend the model to allow patients to be co-colonized with HA-MRSA …

Cyclin D1 Amplification In Tongue And Buccal Mucosa Squamous Cell Carcinoma., Haydar M. Mahdey

Student Works (2010-2019)

Introduction Oral cancer is a significant health problem worldwide with almost 300,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Despite the numerous studies done, and even with the best treatment option utilized, more than 50% of patients with oral cancer will experience relapse. In search for better options for prognostication, researches are now focusing on the molecular biology of cancer, for instance in search of reliable tumor markers. Among the markers reported in the literatures, Cyclin D1 is actively studied protein. Cyclin D1 regulates the cell cycle progression by forming a complex with different cyclin dependant kinase. Dysregulation of cyclin D1 …

Balance Training Reduces Falls Risk In Older Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes, Steven Morrison, Sheri R. Colberg, Mita Mariano, Henri K. Parson, Arthur I. Vinik

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE - This study assessed the effects of balance/strength training on falls risk and posture in older individuals with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Sixteen individuals with type 2 diabetes and 21 age-matched control subjects (aged 50-75 years) participated. Postural stability and falls risk was assessed before and after a 6-week exercise program.

RESULTS - Diabetic individuals had significantly higher falls risk score compared with control subjects. The diabetic group also exhibited evidence of mild-to-moderate neuropathy, slower reaction times, and increased postural sway. Following exercise, the diabetic group showed significant improvements in leg strength, faster reaction times, …

Hereditary 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-Resistant Rickets With Alopecia Resulting From A Novel Missense Mutation In The Dna-Binding Domain Of The Vitamin D Receptor., Peter J. Malloy, Jining Wang, Tarak Srivastava, David Feldman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The rare genetic recessive disease, hereditary vitamin D resistant rickets (HVDRR), is caused by mutations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) that result in resistance to the active hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3) or calcitriol). In this study, we examined the VDR from a young boy with clinical features of HVDRR including severe rickets, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia and partial alopecia. The pattern of alopecia was very unusual with areas of total baldness, adjacent to normal hair and regions of scant hair. The child failed to improve on oral calcium and vitamin D therapy but his abnormal chemistries and his bone X-rays normalized …

Portable, Non-Invasive Fall Risk Assessment In End Stage Renal Disease Patients On Hemodialysis, Thurmon Lockhart, Adam T. Barth, Xiaoyue Zhang, Rahul Soangra, Emaad Abdel-Rahman, John Lach

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Patients with end stage renal diseases (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD) have high morbidity and mortality due to multiple causes, one of which is dramatically higher fall rates than the general population. The mobility mechanisms that contribute to falls in this population must be understood if adequate interventions for fall prevention are to be achieved. This study utilizes emerging noninvasive, portable gait, posture, strength, and stability assessment technologies to extract various mobility parameters that research has shown to be predictive of fall risk in the general population. As part of an ongoing human subjects study, mobility measures such as postural and …

The Role Of Fat Mass Index In Determining Obesity, Gerson Peltz, Maria Teresa Aguirre, Maureen Sanderson, Mary K. Fadden

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), and fat mass index (FMI) and to investigate the accuracy of FMI as a convenient tool for assessing obesity.

Design: Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analyses were performed on 538 Mexican Americans (373 women and 165 men). Correlations between BMI and PBF and between FMI and PBF were investigated. The percentage of persons misclassified as obese using different classifications was calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to generate predictive models of FMI for males and females separately.

Results: BMI and PBF were …

Studies Into Cytauxzoon And Helminth Infections Of Bobcats (Lynx Rufus) Of Northwest Arkansas, Emily Hickman, David Kreider, Chris Tucker, Jana Reynolds, Jeremy Powell, Tom Yazwinski

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cytauxzoon felis and gastrointestinal helminth infections in bobcats (Lynx rufus) of Northwest Arkansas, an area known to have numerous cases of cytaux in domestic cats. Sixty bobcat carcasses were collected from trappers located in Mulberry and Decatur, Arkansas. Blood samples from the hearts were used to isolate Cytauxzoon DNA. Next, a polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) procedure coupled with gel-electrophoresis assay for the 18s region of extracted DNA were used to determine the presence of the protozoan in the bobcats at the time of harvest. Out of the 60 …

Evaluating Children With Otitis Media For Bacteremia Or Urinary Tract Infection., Daniel Yawman, Patrick Mahar, Aaron Blumkin, Gregory P. Conners

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background. It is unclear if clinicians evaluate for concurrent bacteremia or UTI in young patients diagnosed with acute otitis media (AOM). Objectives. To describe how often, and under which circumstances, emergency providers investigate for bacteremia or UTI in 2-36 month olds with AOM. Methods. Cases of AOM were analyzed from the 2001-2004 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)-Emergency Department dataset. Results. AOM was diagnosed in 17% of the 10,847 recorded visits of 2-36 month olds. Of these visits, laboratory testing included: CBC: 7%, Blood culture: 4%, urinalysis or urine culture: 5%, and any of these tests: 9%. Rates of …

Clinico-Morphological Correlations In The Categorization Of Holes Between The Ventricles., Brad A. Friedman, Anthony Hlavacek, Karen Chessa, Girish S. Shirali, Eowyn Corcrain, Diane Spicer, Robert H. Anderson, Sinai Zyblewski

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Controversy still exists in the categorization of holes between the ventricles, although they are the most common congenital cardiac malformation. Advanced imaging techniques such as three-dimensional echocardiography and computed tomographic angiography offer superb anatomical details of these defects. In this review, we have sought to collate the features highlighted in different categorizations and identify their similarities, but also emphasize their differences. We hope that an analysis of this type, now achievable during life, using advanced imaging, might lead to the appearance of a unified system for diagnosis and description of holes between the ventricles.

Adjacent Slice Prostate Cancer Prediction To Inform Maldi Imaging Biomarker Analysis, Shao-Hui Chuang, Xiaoyan Sun, Lisa Cazares, Julius Nyalwidhe, Dean Troyer, O. John Semmes, Jiang Li, Frederic D. Mckenzie, Nico Karssemeijer (Ed.), Ronald M. Summers (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in US [1]. Traditionally, prostate cancer diagnosis is made by the analysis of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and histopathological images of biopsy samples under microscopes. Proteomic biomarkers can improve upon these methods. MALDI molecular spectra imaging is used to visualize protein/peptide concentrations across biopsy samples to search for biomarker candidates. Unfortunately, traditional processing methods require histopathological examination on one slice of a biopsy sample while the adjacent slice is subjected to the tissue destroying desorption and ionization processes of MALDI. The highest confidence tumor regions gained from the …

Ischemic Stroke Care - Official Guidelines From The Pakistan Society Of Neurology, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal, Ahmed Itrat, Imama Naqvi, Maria Khan, Roomasa Channa, Ismail Khatri, Mohammad Wasay

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Fas Behavioral Survey Of Traits: Screening For Effects Of Prenatal Exposure To Alcohol, Glena Andrews, C. Joe Robins

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

The FAS BeST was developed by parents and educators of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome rating behaviors characteristic of FASD including; easily influenced by others, difficulty learning from experience, appearing and declaring innocence even when confronted with evidence to the contrary, and experiencing difficulties in other domains. The FAS BeST differentiates between children with PEA, dysgenesis of the corpus callosum (DCC), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; Porter & Andrews, 2004). The sample included 294 participants. Using the cutoff score suggested by Porter and Andrews (2004) the accuracy rates were 78% for FAS/E, 100% for controls, 85% for DCC, and …

When You Hear Hoof Beats, It Might Be A Zebra: Lupus Patient With Fever And Leukopenia, Erica Peart Do, James Ross Md, Facp

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

World Of Viruses: The Frozen Horror, Martin Powell, Tom Floyd, Angie Fox, Anisa Angeletti, Peter Angeletti, Judy Diamond, Kristin Watkins, Charles Wood

Books: College of Public Health

No abstract provided.

The Neighborhood Cancer Center, Gregory R. Harper Md, Phd, Debbie Salas-Lopez Md, Mph, Keith J. Weinhold Mha, Elliot J. Sussman Md, Mba

Administration & Leadership

No abstract provided.

Inadequate Health Numeracy Affects Cancer Screening Practices In Vulnerable Populations, Sherrine Eid Mph, Dorothy Faulkner Phd

Administration & Leadership

No abstract provided.