Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Mir-15/107 Group Of Microrna Genes: Evolutionary Biology, Cellular Functions, And Roles In Human Diseases, John R. Finnerty, Wang-Xia Wang, Sébastien S. Hébert, Bernard R. Wilfred, Guogen Mao, Peter T. Nelson

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Faculty Publications

The miR-15/107 group of microRNA (miRNA) gene is increasingly appreciated to serve key functions in humans. These miRNAs regulate gene expression involved in cell division, metabolism, stress response, and angiogenesis in vertebrate species. The miR-15/107 group has also been implicated in human cancers, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease. Here we provide an overview of the following: (1) the evolution of miR-15/107 group member genes; (2) the expression levels of miRNAs in mammalian tissues; (3) evidence for overlapping gene-regulatory functions by different miRNAs; (4) the normal biochemical pathways regulated by miR-15/107 group miRNAs; and (5) the roles played …

Alteration Of Micrornas Regulated By C-Myc In Burkitt Lymphoma, Anna Onnis1, Giulia De Falco, Giuseppina Antonicelli, Monica Onorati, Cristiana Bellan, Omar Sherman, Shahin Sayed, Lorenzo Leoncini

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma, with a characteristic clinical presentation, morphology and immunophenotype. Over the past years, the typical translocation t(8;14) and its variants have been considered the molecular hallmark of this tumor. However, BL cases with no detectable MYC rearrangement have been identified. Intriguingly, these cases express MYC at levels comparable with cases carrying the translocation. In normal cells c-Myc expression is tightly regulated through a complex feedback loop mechanism. In cancer, MYC is often dysregulated, commonly due to genomic abnormalities. It has recently emerged that this phenomenon may rely on an alteration of post-transcriptional …

Factors Influencing The One- And Two-Year Growth Response In Children Treated With Growth Hormone: Analysis From An Observational Study., Judith Ross, Peter A Lee, Robert Gut, John Germak

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

To assess gender-, pubertal-, age-related differences in change from baseline height standard deviation score (ΔHSDS), data from 5,797 growth hormone (GH) naïve pediatric patients (<18 >years) with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (MPHD), Turner syndrome (TS), small for gestational age (SGA), Noonan syndrome (NS), and idiopathic short stature (ISS) were obtained from the ANSWER (American Norditropin Studies: Web-enabled Research) Program registry. For patients with SGA, ΔHSDS at year 1 was significantly greater for males versus females (P = .016), but no other gender differences were observed. For patients with GHD, ΔHSDS was greater in prepubertal than in …

Using Hospital Discharge Abstract Data To Identify Incident Breast Cancer Cases And Assess Quality Of Care, Elaine J. Yuen, Daniel Z. Louis, Carol Rabinowitz, Vittorio Maio, L. Cisbani, R. Depalma, R. Grilli

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Research Priorities In Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Report Of A Working Group Of The National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute., Thomas Force, Robert O Bonow, Steven R Houser, R John Solaro, Ray E Hershberger, Bishow Adhikari, Mark E Anderson, Robin Boineau, Barry J Byrne, Thomas P Cappola, Raghu Kalluri, Martin M Lewinter, Martin S Maron, Jeffery D Molkentin, Steve R Ommen, Michael Regnier, W H Wilson Tang, Rong Tian, Marvin A Konstam, Barry J Maron, Christine E Seidman

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a myocardial disorder characterized by left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy without dilatation and without apparent cause (ie, it occurs in the absence of severe hypertension, aortic stenosis, or other cardiac or systemic diseases that might cause LV hypertrophy). Numerous excellent reviews and consensus documents provide a wealth of additional background.1–8 HCM is the leading cause of sudden death in young people and leads to significant disability in survivors. It is caused by mutations in genes that encode components of the sarcomere. Cardiomyocyte and cardiac hypertrophy, myocyte disarray, interstitial and replacement fibrosis, and dysplastic intramyocardial arterioles characterize the …

Development Of A Macromolecular Prodrug For The Treatment Of Inflammatory Arthritis: Mechanisms Involved In Arthrotropism And Sustained Therapeutic Efficacy., Ling-Dong Quan, P. Edward Purdue, Xin-Ming Liu, Michael D. Boska, Subodh M. Lele, Geoffrey M. Thiele, Ted R. Mikuls, Huanyu Dou, Steven R. Goldring, Dong Wang

Journal Articles: Radiology

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present manuscript is to test the hypothesis that arthrotropic localization and synovial cell internalization account for the unique capacity of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-dexamethasone conjugate (P-Dex, a macromolecular prodrug of dexamethasone) to induce sustained amelioration of joint inflammation and inhibition of tissue damage in an animal model of inflammatory arthritis.

METHODS: Rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) were treated with P-Dex, free dexamethasone, saline or HPMA homopolymer. To define the biodistribution of P-Dex, conjugates with different imaging labels were given to AA rats and analyzed. Isolated joint tissues were evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and immunohistochemical …

Demographic And Clinical Features Of Dengue Fever In Pakistan From 2003-2007: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study., Erum Khan, Mehreen Kisat, Nabil Khan, Amna Nasir, Salma Ayub, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Demographic features of dengue fever have changed tremendously in Pakistan over the past two decades. Small scale studies from all over the country have reported different aspects of individual outbreaks during this time. However, there is scarcity of data looking at the overall trend of dengue virus infection in the country. In this study, we examined annual trends, seasonality, and clinical features of dengue fever in the Pakistani population.
Methods: Demographic information and dengue IgM status of all patients tested for dengue IgM antibody at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2003 to December 2007 were analyzed to look …

The Importance Of Examining Movements Within The Us Health Caresystem: Sequential Logit Modeling, Chioun Lee, Stephanie L L. Ayers, Jennie Jacobs Kronenfeld, Jemima A. Frimpong, Patrick A. Rivers, Sam S. Kim

Dartmouth Scholarship

Utilization of specialty care may not be a discrete, isolated behavior but rather, a behavior of sequential movements within the health care system. Although patients may often visit their primary care physician and receive a referral before utilizing specialty care, prior studies have underestimated the importance of accounting for these sequential movements. The sample included 6,772 adults aged 18 years and older who participated in the 2001 Survey on Disparities in Quality of Care, sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund. A sequential logit model was used to account for movement in all stages of utilization: use of any health services (i.e., …

Deficient Liver Biosynthesis Of Docosahexaenoic Acid Correlates With Cognitive Impairment In Alzheimer's Disease, Giuseppe Astarita, Kwang-Mook Jung, Nicole C. Berchtold, Vinh Q. Nguyen, Daniel L. Gillen, Elizabeth Head, Carl W. Cotman, Daniele Piomelli

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Reduced brain levels of docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3), a neurotrophic and neuroprotective fatty acid, may contribute to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Here, we investigated whether the liver enzyme system that provides docosahexaenoic acid to the brain is dysfunctional in this disease. Docosahexaenoic acid levels were reduced in temporal cortex, mid-frontal cortex and cerebellum of subjects with Alzheimer's disease, compared to control subjects (P = 0.007). Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores positively correlated with docosahexaenoic/α-linolenic ratios in temporal cortex (P = 0.005) and mid-frontal cortex (P = 0.018), but not cerebellum. Similarly, liver docosahexaenoic acid content was lower in Alzheimer's …

18F-Fallypride Binding Potential In Patients With Schizophrenia Compared To Healthy Controls, Douglas S. Lehrer, Bradley T. Christian, Cemil Kirbas, Meicheng Chiang, Shawn Sidhu, Holly Short, Binquan Wang, Bingzhi Shi, King Wai Chu, Brian Merrill, Monte S. Buchsbaum

Psychiatry Faculty Publications

Background: Molecular imaging of dopaminergic parameters has contributed to the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia, expanding our understanding of pathophysiology, clinical phenomenology and treatment. Our aim in this study was to compare 18F-fallypride binding potential BPND in a group of patients with schizophrenia-spectrum illness vs. controls, with a particular focus on the cortex and thalamus. Methods: We acquired 18F-fallypride positron emission tomography images on 33 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (28 with schizophrenia; 5 with schizoaffective disorder) and 18 normal controls. Twenty-four patients were absolutely neuroleptic naïve and nine were previously medicated, although only four had a lifetime neuroleptic exposure of …

Medical Education Digest, Vol. 12 No. 5 (September/October 2010), Nova Southeastern University

Medical Education Digest

No abstract provided.

Concurrent Sexual Partnerships Do Not Explain The Hiv Epidemics In Africa: A Systematic Review Of The Evidence, Larry Sawers, Eileen Stillwaggon

Economics Faculty Publications

The notion that concurrent sexual partnerships are especially common in sub-Saharan Africa and explain the region’s high HIV prevalence is accepted by many as conventional wisdom. In this paper, we evaluate the quantitative and qualitative evidence offered by the principal proponents of the concurrency hypothesis and analyze the mathematical model they use to establish the plausibility of the hypothesis.

We find that research seeking to establish a statistical correlation between concurrency and HIV prevalence either finds no correlation or has important limitations. Furthermore, in order to simulate rapid spread of HIV, mathematical models require unrealistic assumptions about frequency of sexual …

Medical Ethics: A Slow But Sustained Revolution In Pakistan’S Healthcare, Muhammad Shahid Shamim, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

No abstract provided.

Granuloma Annulare: Not As Simple As It Seems., Lawrence Charles Parish, Joseph A. Witkowski

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Study Of Cardiac Autonomic Function In Drug-Naive, Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy Patients, Peter Mativo, Javad Anjum, Cauchy Pradhan, Talakad N. Sathyaprabha, Trichur R. Raju, Parthasarathy Satishchandra

Section of Cardiology

Background: Epilepsy is associated with ictal autonomic dysfunction which may extend into the inter-ictal period. Antiepileptic drugs have often been blamed for cardiac autonomic dysfunction in epilepsy patients. In this study we have investigated cardiac autonomic parameters in order to evaluate autonomic functions of drug-naive epilepsy patients.

METHOD: Twenty drug-naive patients (15 males and 5 females) with epilepsy, and an equal number of age and gender matched controls, were evaluated for short-term resting heart rate variability and conventional cardiovascular autonomic measurements.

Results: The mean age of patients was 29.30 +/- 9.80 yrs (17-55 yrs), mean age at seizure onset …

Central Nervous System Involvement In Multiple Myeloma, Rohana Naqi, Muhammad Azeemuddin, Humera Ahsan

Department of Radiology

Involvement of the central nervous system by multiple myeloma (MM) is considered to be extremely rare. Magnetic Resonauce Imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice to detect and differentiate myeloma at unusual sites. We present the case of a sixty-year-old man who was a known case of MM. In this case report MRI findings of central nervous system in myeloma lesions are reported. The purpose is to increase the awareness of the clinical presentation, neuroradiological findings and follow-up of multiple myeloma with intracranial growth. There are only a few reported cases found concerning MM with intracranial involvement in the …

Emergency Airway Management Of A Patient With Tracheal Stenosis, Anwar-Ul-Huda, Muhammad Qamar-Ul-Hoda, Mohammad Sohail Awan

Department of Anaesthesia

We are presenting a case of a 26 year old healthy male, who came with gradual worsening of dyspnoea following prolonged intubation and ventilation, after a road traffic accident five months back. On arrival in ER, he was hypoxaemic with severe respiratory distress. He was transferred to the operation room (OR) for emergency tracheostomy. During the transfer, he was placed in an upright position with oxygen at 15 L/M. In the OR, anaesthesia was induced with sevoflurane gradually. Direct laryngoscopy was done which revealed normal vocal cords. A size 4.00 mm ID endotracheal tube was impossible to pass more than …

Association Between Chronic Liver And Colon Inflammation During The Development Of Murine Syngeneic Graft-Versus-Host Disease, Jason Anthony Brandon, Jacqueline Perez-Rodriguez, C. Darrell Jennings, Donald A. Cohen, Vishal J. Sindhava, Subbarao Bondada, Alan M. Kaplan, J. Scott Bryson

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

The murine model of cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced syngeneic graft-versus-host disease (SGVHD) is a bone marrow (BM) transplantation model that develops chronic colon inflammation identical to other murine models of CD4⁺ T cell-mediated colitis. Interestingly, SGVHD animals develop chronic liver lesions that are similar to the early peribiliary inflammatory stages of clinical chronic liver disease, which is frequently associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, studies were initiated to investigate the chronic liver inflammation that develops in the SGVHD model. To induce SGVHD, mice were lethally irradiated, reconstituted with syngeneic BM, and treated with CsA. All of the SGVHD animals …

Oncolog Volume 55, Number 09, September 2010, Sunita Patterson, John Lebas

OncoLog MD Anderson's Report to Physicians (All issues) Archives

• Tiny Particales, vast Potential-Coming soon to the clinic: nanoparticles that deliver therapy straight to tumor cells, bypassing normal cells and many toxic effects
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: Targeted Therapies Leading Treatment Advances
• HOUSE CALL: Writing for Wellness: Keeping a Journal
• INBRIEF: Study Shows Abnormal Cells in Blood Increase with Lung Cancer Stage

Impact Of Pre-Hospital Myocardial Infarction Alert Process Education On Door To Balloon Times At Sites Within A Regional Heart Center, Gerald Coleman Do, Andrew C. Miller Do, David Richardson Md, David Cox Md, Nainesh C. Patel Md, J Patrick Kleaveland Md, Bruce Feldman Do, Ron Freudenberger Md, Richard S. Mackenzie Md

Department of Emergency Medicine

No abstract provided.

Prediction And Testing Of Biological Networks Underlying Intestinal Cancer, Vishal N. Patel, Gurkan Bebek, Mark R. Chance

Faculty Scholarship

Colorectal cancer progresses through an accumulation of somatic mutations, some of which reside in so-called "driver" genes that provide a growth advantage to the tumor. To identify points of intersection between driver gene pathways, we implemented a network analysis framework using protein interactions to predict likely connections - both precedented and novel - between key driver genes in cancer. We applied the framework to find significant connections between two genes, Apc and Cdkn1a (p21), known to be synergistic in tumorigenesis in mouse models. We then assessed the functional coherence of the resulting Apc-Cdkn1a network by engineering in vivo single node …

Training For Equipment Maintenance And Repair, Sam Powdrill, Ismael Cordero, V Srinivasan

Health and Clinical Sciences Faculty Publications

In order to ensure the that equipment functions well, both equipment users and the equipment maintenance and repair team must be trained. Users must be trained in basic care and maintenance of equipment, and the equipment team must be trained to undertake repairs and more complex maintenance tasks.

Percutaneous Cholecystostomy (Pc) In The Management Of Acute Cholecystitis In High Risk Patients, Shaista Afzal Saeed, Imrana Masroor

Department of Radiology

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) regarding complications and outcome in the management of acute cholecystitis in patients high risk for surgery and anaesthesia and not responding to conservative management.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational case series.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was carried out at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2003 to December 2007.

METHODOLOGY: The study included patients admitted with acute cholecystitis considered unfit for immediate surgery but not responding to conservative management. Percutaneous cholecystostomy was conducted under ultrasound guidance. The studied variables included patients' demographics, co-morbid, ultrasound findings of biliary …

Body Image Satisfaction In Infant And Pediatric Cardiac Transplant Recipients As Adolescents, Danusia Nedilskyj

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

With the long-term survival rate of infant and pediatric heart transplant recipients reaching as high as 85%, there is now a significant number of these youths entering adolescence. Although psychological factors thought to be associated with pediatric heart transplant have reached clearer delineation in the literature, few studies have been conducted. Given the emphasis on development typically seen in adolescence combined with the unique experience of receiving a heart transplant, factors such as body image, self-perception, stress and mood have emerged from the literature. As such, this study assessed psychosocial variables of body image satisfaction, self-concept, depression, and social stress …

Facial Type Analysis Comparison Between Mri, Cbct, And Lateral Cephalometrics, Matthew A. Sanders

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Single Cephalometric measurements are comparable between Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRl) and Conventional Lateral Cephalometric (LC) imaging methods. This study evaluated the agreement between the three imaging methods in facial type analysis (using a composite of 5 cephalometric measures).

Methods and Materials: Twenty-two subjects participated in this study. Cranial images were generated via three modalities: LC, CBCT and MRl. Cephalometric landmarks were identified on the three images per subject and a facial type analysis performed. An equally weighted facial type calculation composed of 5 cephalometric measurements (facial axis, facial depth, mandibular plane, lower face height, …

Correlating The Slope Of The Vomer With Cephalometric Vectors Of Facial Growth, Ryan Michael Pulfer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

It is important for orthodontists to have a basic understanding of the growth and development of the face. Scott's nasal septal cartilage theory proposes that the cartilage of the nasal septum proliferates along the anterior slope of the vomer bone by interstitial growth, simultaneously pulling and displacing the maxilla downward and forward. It is therefore logical to conclude that the vector of nasomaxillary growth has a geometric correlation with the anterior slope of the vomer bone.

There are no published studies comparing either the anterior or posterior slope of the vomer with any lateral cephalometric landmarks, the vectors of nasomaxillary …

Creating Prediction Models For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Based On Gender, Jeffrey Hwang

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic disorder that is characterized by repetitive episodes of airflow cessation or reduction occurring during sleep as a result of partial or complete upper airway obstruction. These recurrent events have a tremendous impact on the cardiovascular system with a multitude of dangerous consequences. Numerous studies have been conducted determining etiological risk factors for OSA including anatomical predictors which have been observed with multiple imaging techniques. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a low-radiation mode of imaging that can be used to accurately identify anatomical landmarks and measure craniofacial relationships and airway dimensions. …

Microct Study Of Critical-Sized Defects Restored With A New Rhbmp-2 Carrier, Joanne S. Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Introduction: Regenerating bone in critical-sized maxillofacial osseous defects remains a challenge. The utilization of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to form new bone has been shown to be a promising alternative to autogenous bone grafts, and the development of a carrier matrix to effectively deliver the rhBMP-2 has been identified as the critical factor necessary for the successful clinical application of rhBMP-2. The objective of this study was to perform a microCT analysis to examine the density of reconstructed bone using different rhBMP-2 carriers in critical-sized defects.

Material and Methods: Critical-sized defects (approximately 2.5 cm) were created in the …

Imminent Epidemic Of Diabetes Mellitus In Pakistan: Issues And Challenges For Health Care Providers, Waris Qidwai, Tabinda Ashfaq

Department of Family Medicine

No abstract provided.

Efficacy Of Morning-Only Compared With Split-Dose Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution For Afternoon Colonoscopy: A Randomized Controlled Single-Blind Study., Rebecca Matro, Md, Anastasia Shnitser, Md, Maya Spodik, Md, Constantine Daskalakis, Sc.D, Leo Katz, Md, Alexandra Murtha, Ba, David Kastenberg, Md

Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations

OBJECTIVES: Administering a purgative close to the time of colonoscopy is optimal for cleansing. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of morning-only (AM-only) polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (PEG-ELS) to split-dose (PM/AM) PEG-ELS for afternoon colonoscopy.

METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded, non-inferiority study comparing AM-only to PM/AM PEG-ELS for afternoon outpatient colonoscopy. The primary end point was whole colon prep adequacy. Tolerance and polyp detection were secondary outcomes.

RESULTS: Overall, 125 patients were randomized and 9 withdrew without taking any prep. Of 116 analyzed, 62 received AM-only prep and 54 received PM/AM …