Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Effectiveness Of Improving Performance With The Bigger Faster Stronger In-Season Training Program, Alicia D. Crelinsten

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effectiveness of improving performance of adolescents with the in-season Bigger Faster Stronger (BFS) program. Thirty seven high school athletes were divided into three groups; BFS (n=l4 ), traditional weight training (n= l0), and control (n= 13 ). Each participant went through a battery of seven performance pre-tests and post-tests ( estimated 1 ORM incline bench, broad jump, one minute sit-up test, t-test, line drill, 40 yard sprint, 1.5 mile run). Following the pre-testing, the control group continued to participate in their sport. The BFS group participated in the in-season BFS program (30 minute supervised session consisting …

Usefulness Of Baseline Lipids And C-Reactive Protein In Women Receiving Menopausal Hormone Therapy As Predictors Of Treatment-Related Coronary Events., Paul Bray, Joseph C Larson, Andrea Z Lacroix, Joann Manson, Marian C Limacher, Jacques E Rossouw, Norman L Lasser, William E Lawson, Marcia L Stefanick, Robert D Langer, Karen L Margolis

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Blood lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are altered by hormone therapy. The goal of the present study was to determine whether lipids and hs-CRP have predictive value for hormone therapy benefit or risk for coronary heart disease events in postmenopausal women without previous cardiovascular disease. A nested case-control study was performed in the Women's Health Initiative hormone trials. Baseline lipids and hs-CRP were obtained from 271 incident patients with coronary heart disease (cases) and 707 controls. In a combined trial analysis, favorable lipid status at baseline tended to predict better coronary heart disease outcomes when using conjugated equine estrogen …

Radioactive Seed Immobilization Techniques For Interstitial Brachytherapy, K. Yan, T. Podder, I. Buzurovic, Y. Hu, E. Messing, D. Rubens, A. Dicker, R. Valicenti, N. Sarkar, W. Ng, Y. Yu

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

Purpose In prostate brachytherapy, seeds can detach from their deposited sites and move locally in the pelvis or migrate to distant sites including the pulmonary and cardiac regions. Undesirable consequences of seed migration include inadequate dose coverage of the prostate and tissue irradiation effects at the site of migration. Thus, it is clinically important to develop seed immobilization techniques.

Methods We first analyze the possible causes for seed movement, and propose three potential techniques for seed immobilization: (1) surgical glue, (2) laser coagulation and (3) diathermy coagulation. The feasibility of each method is explored. Experiments were carried out using fresh …

Enzymatic Synthesis Of Structure-Free Dna With Pseudo-Complementary Properties., Georges Lahoud, Victor Timoshchuk, Alexandre Lebedev, Miguel De Vega, Margarita Salas, Khalil Arar, Ya-Ming Hou, Howard Gamper

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Long single-stranded DNAs and RNAs possess considerable secondary structure under conditions that support stable hybrid formation with oligonucleotides. Consequently, different oligomeric probes can hybridize to the same target with efficiencies that vary by several orders of magnitude. The ability to enzymatically generate structure-free single-stranded copies of any nucleic acid without impairing Watson-Crick base pairing to short probes would eliminate this problem and significantly improve the performance of many oligonucleotide-based applications. Synthetic nucleic acids that exhibit these properties are defined as pseudo-complementary. Previously, we described a pseudo-complementary A-T couple consisting of 2-aminoadenine (nA) and 2-thiothymine (sT) bases. The nA-sT couple is …

Rtr1 Is The Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Homolog Of A Novel Family Of Rna Polymerase Ii-Binding Proteins, Patrick A Gibney, Thomas Fries, Susanne M Bailer, Kevin A Morano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cells must rapidly sense and respond to a wide variety of potentially cytotoxic external stressors to survive in a constantly changing environment. In a search for novel genes required for stress tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we identified the uncharacterized open reading frame YER139C as a gene required for growth at 37 degrees C in the presence of the heat shock mimetic formamide. YER139C encodes the closest yeast homolog of the human RPAP2 protein, recently identified as a novel RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)-associated factor. Multiple lines of evidence support a role for this gene family in transcription, prompting us to rename …

A New Model For Hemoglobin Ingestion And Transport By The Human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium Falciparum., Michelle D Lazarus, Timothy G Schneider, Theodore F Taraschi

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

The current model for hemoglobin ingestion and transport by intraerythrocytic Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites shares similarities with endocytosis. However, the model is largely hypothetical, and the mechanisms responsible for the ingestion and transport of host cell hemoglobin to the lysosome-like food vacuole (FV) of the parasite are poorly understood. Because actin dynamics play key roles in vesicle formation and transport in endocytosis, we used the actin-perturbing agents jasplakinolide and cytochalasin D to investigate the role of parasite actin in hemoglobin ingestion and transport to the FV. In addition, we tested the current hemoglobin trafficking model through extensive analysis of serial …

Feedback From Horizontal Cells To Rod Photoreceptors In Vertebrate Retina., Wallace B. Thoreson, Norbert Babai, Theodore M M. Bartoletti

Journal Articles: Ophthalmology

Retinal horizontal cells (HCs) provide negative feedback to cones, but, largely because annular illumination fails to evoke a depolarizing response in rods, it is widely believed that there is no feedback from HCs to rods. However, feedback from HCs to cones involves small changes in the calcium current (I(Ca)) that do not always generate detectable depolarizing responses. We therefore recorded I(Ca) directly from rods to test whether they were modulated by feedback from HCs. To circumvent problems presented by overlapping receptive fields of HCs and rods, we manipulated the membrane potential of voltage-clamped HCs while simultaneously recording from rods in …

Connexin Expression And Gap Junctional Coupling In Human Cumulus Cells: Contribution To Embryo Quality, Hong-Xing Wang, Dan Tong, Faraj El-Gehani, Francis R. Tekpetey, Gerald M. Kidder

Physiology and Pharmacology Publications

Gap junctional coupling among cumulus cells is important for oogenesis since its deficiency in mice leads to impaired folliculogenesis. Multiple connexins (Cx), the subunits of gap junction channels, have been found within ovarian follicles in several species but little is known about the connexins in human follicles. The aim of this study was to determine which connexins contribute to gap junctions in human cumulus cells and to explore the possible relationship between connexin expression and pregnancy outcome from in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cumulus cells were obtained from IVF patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Connexin expression was examined by RT-PCR …

Increasing Tumor Volume Is Predictive Of Poor Overall And Progression-Free Survival: Secondary Analysis Of The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 93-11 Phase I-Ii Radiation Dose-Escalation Study In Patients With Inoperable Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Maria Werner-Wasik, R. Suzanne Swann, Jeffrey Bradley, Mary Graham, Bahman Emami, James Purdy, William Sause

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 93-11 trial received radiation doses of 70.9, 77.4, 83.8, or 90.3 Gy. The locoregional control and survival rates were similar among the various dose levels. We investigated the effect of the gross tumor volume (GTV) on the outcome.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: The GTV was defined as the sum of the volumes of the primary tumor and involved lymph nodes. The tumor response, median survival time (MST), and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed separately for smaller (< or =45 cm(3)) vs. larger (>45 cm(3)) tumors.

RESULTS: The distribution of …

388 A Structure Of Cytoplasmic Polyhedrosis Virus By Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Xuekui Yu, Lei Jin, Z Hong Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (CPV) is unique within the Reoviridae family in having a turreted single-layer capsid contained within polyhedrin inclusion bodies, yet being fully capable of cell entry and endogenous RNA transcription. Biochemical data have shown that the amino-terminal 79 residues of the CPV turret protein (TP) is sufficient to bring CPV or engineered proteins into the polyhedrin matrix for micro-encapsulation. Here we report the three-dimensional structure of CPV at 3.88 A resolution using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. Our map clearly shows the turns and deep grooves of alpha-helices, the strand separation in beta-sheets, and densities for loops and many bulky …

A New Age In Dementia Care: Turning Evidence Into Practice

Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health Conferences

A New Age in Dementia Care: Turning Evidence into Practice Come celebrate the opening of the new Living Laboratory for Elder Care.

September 17, 2008 7:30 am - 4:30 pm Thomas Jefferson University, Dorrance H. Hamilton Building 1001 Locust St., Philadelphia, PA 19107

Speakers Include:
Christine Arenson, MD Associate Professor Director, Division of Geriatric Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine Jefferson Medical College Director, Eastern-Pennsylvania Delaware Geriatric Education Center Co-Director Jefferson InterProfessional Education Center Thomas Jefferson University

Louis D. Burgio, PhD Harold R. Johnson Endowed Chair in Gerontology, Professor of Social Work Research Professor, Institute of Gerontology School …

Cif Is Negatively Regulated By The Tetr Family Repressor Cifr, Daniel P. Maceachran, Bruce A. Stanton, George A. O'Toole

Dartmouth Scholarship

We previously reported that the novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa toxin Cif is capable of decreasing apical membrane expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). We further demonstrated that Cif is capable of degrading the synthetic epoxide hydrolase (EH) substrate S-NEPC [(2S,3S)-trans-3-phenyl-2-oxiranylmethyl 4-nitrophenol carbonate], suggesting that Cif may be reducing apical membrane expression of CFTR via its EH activity. Here we report that Cif is capable of degrading the xenobiotic epoxide epibromohydrin (EBH) to its vicinal diol 3-bromo-1,2-propanediol. We also demonstrate that this epoxide is a potent inducer of cif gene expression. We show that the predicted TetR family transcriptional …

Medical Education Digest, Vol. 10 No. 3 (May/June 2008), Nova Southeastern University

Medical Education Digest

No abstract provided.

Bovine Oocytes And Early Embryos Express Staufen And Elavl Rna-Binding Proteins., M D Calder, P Madan, A J Watson

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Publications

RNA-binding proteins (RBP) influence RNA editing, localization, stability and translation and may contribute to oocyte developmental competence by regulating the stability and turnover of oogenetic mRNAs. The expression of Staufen 1 and 2 and ELAVL1, ELAVL2 RNA-binding proteins during cow early development was characterized. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from slaughterhouse ovaries, matured, inseminated and subjected to embryo culture in vitro. Oocyte or preimplantation embryo pools were processed for RT-PCR and whole-mount immunofluorescence analysis of mRNA expression and protein distribution. STAU1 and STAU2 and ELAVL1 mRNAs and proteins were detected throughout cow preimplantation development from the germinal vesicle (GV) oocyte to …

Quality Assurance Of Radiation Therapy Planning Systems: Current Status And Remaining Challenges., Jacob Van Dyk

Oncology Publications

Computerized radiation therapy planning systems (RTPSs) are pivotal for treatment planning. The acceptance, commissioning, and quality control of RTPSs are uniquely complex and are described in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group Report 53 (1998) and International Atomic Energy Agency Technical Report Series No. 430 (2004). The International Atomic Energy Agency also developed a document and data package for use by vendors and purchasers to aid with acceptance testing of RTPSs. This document is based on International Electrotechnical Commission standard 62083 (2000) and describes both "type" tests to be performed in the factory and "site" tests to …

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Common In Primary Hypothyroidism, Abdul Jabbar, Aasma Yawar, Sabiha Waseem, Najmul Islam, Naeem Ul Haque, Lubna Zuberi, Ataullah Khan, J. Akhter

Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and clinical features of B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients and to evaluate clinical response in symptoms to B12 replacement therapy.

METHODS: One hundred and sixteen hypothyroid patients from our endocrine clinic were evaluated for signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. Laboratory parameters including Haemoglobin (Hb), MCV, Vitamin B12 levels and presence of anti thyroid antibodies were analyzed. Patients with low B12 levels were treated with parenteral intramuscular vitamin B12 monthly, and monitored for improvement of symptoms.

RESULTS: A total of 116 patients (95 females and 21 males) were evaluated. Forty six (39.6%) hypothyroid patients …

St Segment Resolution Post Mi--A Predictor Of Better Outcomes, Shuja-Ur-Rehman, Sidrah Sheikh, Mohsin Nazeer

Section of Cardiology

OBJECTIVE: To compare, the post Myocardial Infarction in-patient outcome of patients with early ST resolution to those without ST resolution on ECG, in a South Asian population.METHODS: This was a prospective study done at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Consecutive patients of ST elevation myocardial infarction, who were not treated with primary angioplasty but were thrombolysed were recruited at the time of arrival in the emergency department. Streptokinase was administered to all patients as the agent of thrombolysis. ECG was acquired at baseline and at 60 minutes post streptokinase administration. Patients were subsequently divided into two groups (A) Patients …

The Unifying Dilemma Of The Pakistani Science Journals, Saba Sohail

Department of Radiology

No abstract provided.

Labrad : Vol 33, Issue 2 - May 2008, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

LABRAD - Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Radiology Archives

• Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase (TRAP): An Important Diagnostic Tool for Hairy Cell Leukaemia
• Heterotopic Pregnancy: A Case Report
• Biochemical Markers of Excessive Alcohol Use
• Osmotic Fragility
• Pattern of Drug Abuse in Patients Presenting at a Referral Lab
• Achondrogenesis
• Molecular Diagnosis of Human Papilloma Virus
• Diagnosis of Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhoea
• Pakistan Association of Pathologists – Meeting Report

Diviva Is Required For Polar Growth In The Mreb-Lacking Rod-Shaped Actinomycete Corynebacterium Glutamicum, Michal Letek, Efrén Ordóñez, José Vaquera, William Margolin, Klas Flärdh, Luis M Mateos, José A Gil

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The actinomycete Corynebacterium glutamicum grows as rod-shaped cells by zonal peptidoglycan synthesis at the cell poles. In this bacterium, experimental depletion of the polar DivIVA protein (DivIVA(Cg)) resulted in the inhibition of polar growth; consequently, these cells exhibited a coccoid morphology. This result demonstrated that DivIVA is required for cell elongation and the acquisition of a rod shape. DivIVA from Streptomyces or Mycobacterium localized to the cell poles of DivIVA(Cg)-depleted C. glutamicum and restored polar peptidoglycan synthesis, in contrast to DivIVA proteins from Bacillus subtilis or Streptococcus pneumoniae, which localized at the septum of C. glutamicum. This confirmed that DivIVAs …

Lead-Associated Endocarditis: The Important Role Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus., Arnold J. Greenspon, Eugene S. Rhim, George Mark, Joseph Desimone, Reginald T. Ho

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Infection is a potentially life-threatening complication of cardiac device implantation. Lead-associated endocarditis (LAE) may be the most serious complication since it is associated with a high mortality. METHODS: The medical records of patients referred to our institution for the treatment of LAE between 1999 and 2007 were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 51 of 107 patients referred for device-related infections met the criteria for LAE. Of these, 19 occurred within 6 months of their most recent procedure (early), while the remaining 32 occurred more than 6 months later (mean = 31.9 months post procedure). Devices included pacemakers in 33 …

Cleaning Methods For Ultrasound Probes, Waseem Akhtar Mirza, Syed Hadi Imam, Kharal Mohd Salim, Mubashir Aslam, Syed Arif Ali, I. Masroor, M. Nadeem Ahmad

Department of Radiology

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of three different methods of ultrasound probe cleaning for the prevention of nosocomial infections.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Radiology Department, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi and Microbiology Department, JPMC, Karachi, from December 2006 to April 2007.

Patients and Methods: A total of 75 culture swabs from ultrasound probes used for sonographic examinations of different body parts of patients were included in the study. Probes were prospectively randomized into three equal groups with 25 probes in each group. Culture was sent before and after using three different techniques of cleaning …

Chest Radiograph After Central Line Placement Under Fluoroscopy: Utility Or Futility?, Scott J. Keckler, Troy L. Spilde, Brian Ho, Kuojen Tsao, Daniel J. Ostlie, G W. Holcomb Iii, Shawn D. St Peter

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Postoperative portable chest films are routinely performed after fluoroscopic placement of central venous catheters to evaluate positioning and to rule out significant complications (eg, pneumothorax). Emerging evidence in the literature has called this practice into question suggesting that routine postoperative chest x-ray is unnecessary. Therefore, we investigated our recent experience to examine the utility of these films, to examine the development of symptoms relative to therapeutic intervention, and to report a cost-benefit analysis.

METHODS: After obtaining institutional review board approval, all charts of patients undergoing central venous catheter placement from January 2004 to December 2005 at our institution were …

Current Significance Of Meconium Plug Syndrome., Scott J. Keckler, Shawn D. St Peter, Troy L. Spilde, Kuojen Tsao, Daniel J. Ostlie, G W. Holcomb Iii, Charles L. Snyder

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: The significance of meconium plug syndrome is dependent on the underlying diagnosis. The incidence of pathologic finding, particularly Hirschsprung's disease, contributing to the presence of these plugs, has been debated. However, there are little recent data in the literature. Therefore, we reviewed our experience with meconium plugs as a cause of abdominal distension to evaluate the associated conditions and incidence of Hirschsprung's disease.

METHODS: We reviewed the records of newborns with meconium plugs found in the distal colon on contrast enema from 1994 to 2007. Demographics, radiologic findings, histologic findings, operative findings, and clinical courses were reviewed.

RESULTS: During …

Rhinosporidiosis Presenting As An Urethral Polyp, Najamul Sahar Azad, Zubairali Ahmad, Naila Kayani

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Rhinosporidiosis is an inflammatory disease caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, a protoctistan mesomycetozoa, member of a group of novel aquatic parasites, characterized by hyperplastic polypoid lesions of the nasal cavity and rarely other mucous membranes. We report an unusual presentation of rhinosporidiosis as an urethral polyp, which is only the second case of rhinosporidiosis reported from Pakistan.

Practices Regarding Diagnosis And Management Of Third And Fourth Degree Perineal Tears, Raheela Mohsin Rizvi, Nasreen Chaudhury

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objective: To review our practice of diagnosing and managing third and fourth degree perineal tears.

Method: Retrospective case series conducted by reviewing medical records of all women having singleton, full term vaginal delivery at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from November 1990 to October 2005.

Results: The frequency of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) in our department was 0.5% (135) out of a total of 26,844 vaginal deliveries. Seventy five percent were nulliparous (102). Forceps delivery was performed in 86 patients out of 135 (63.7%). In only 28 patients (20.7%), the diagnostic criterion for classification of third degree tears was …

Extensive Primary Malignant Thymoma Involving Pericardium, Pleura, Diaphragm And Lungs--A Case Report, Rubina Abuali Sajwani, Saqib Ali Gowani, Ameer Ali Khowaja, Asmatullah Khan, Saulat H Fatimi

Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Malignant thymoma is an extremely rare entity. According to a study, the annual incidence of malignant thymoma was estimated to be 0.15 per 100,000 person-years. We present the case of a 42-year-old female who came to us with a Type AB, Masaoka stage III malignant (invasive) thymoma with widespread involvement of the mediastinum.

Cardiac Tamponade After Removal Of Temporary Pace Maker In Multidiscipinary Intensive Care Unit, Muhammad Faisal Khan, Ali Bin Sarwar Zubairi

Department of Anaesthesia

Cardiac tamponade is a medical and surgical emergency, which needs early recognition and treatment. Myocardial perforation leading to cardiac tamponade is a rare complication after pace maker insertion. We are reporting a case of cardiac tamponade after removal of temporary pace maker in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit.

Unusual Presentation Of Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis: Case Report, N. Twahirwa, J. Rees

Imaging & Diagnostic Radiology, East Africa

Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF) is an uncommon entity described as progressive proliferation of connective tissues leading to a fibrous plaque-like lesions that encases the aorta and inferior vena cava inferior to the level of the renal arteries. Mass forming retroperitoneal fibrosis is rare. We present a rare case of a unilateral focal retroperitoneal mass simulating a tumour encasing the middle third of the left ureter, with involvement of the ipsilateral scrotum.

De Novo Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Ovary: A Case Of A Rare Malignancy With An Aggressive Clinical Course, Ali Imran Amjad, Khawaja Muhammad Inam Pal

Section of General Surgery

Ovarian squamous cell carcinoma is a rare malignancy and the occurrence is attributable to malignant transformation of an existing ovarian dermoid cyst. The de novo occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the ovary, in the absence of an antecedent ovarian dermoid, is extremely rare. The case of a 31 year old Asian woman, evaluated for abdominal distension and discomfort is presented. Abdominal CT was suggestive of a malignant neoplastic process. Laparotomy confirmed a malignant tumour with involvement of the right adnexa and extension into the omentum and bowel. Surgical debulking, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy and total omentectomy and bowel resection was …