Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Can Erbb2 Overexpression Protect Against Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity?, Petra Rocic

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Blinatumomab: A Bispecific T Cell Engager (Bite) Antibody Against Cd19/Cd3 For Refractory Acute Lymphoid Leukemia, Jingjing Wu, Jiaping Fu, Mingzhi Zhang, Delong Liu

NYMC Faculty Publications

Targeted therapy has been the forefront of cancer treatment. Cancer immunotherapy is the most recent focus. In addition, novel immunotherapeutics targeting B cell receptor signaling (e.g., ibrutinib), T cell receptor ( e.g., CART19), and NK cells (e.g., AFM13) are being developed. This review summarized the new development in blinatumomab (MT103/MEDI-538), a first-in-class bispecific T engager (BiTE) antibody against CD19/CD3 in patients with relapsed/refractory precursor B cell acute lymphoid leukemia.

Clostridium Difficile Infections Before And During Use Of Ultraviolet Disinfection, Aarathi Nagaraja, Paul Visintainer, Janet P. Haas, Jonathan Menz, Gary P. Wormser, Marisa A. Montecalvo

NYMC Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: We previously reported a significant decrease in hospital-acquired (HA) Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) coincident with the introduction of pulsed xenon ultraviolet light for room disinfection (UVD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate CDI cases in greater detail to understand the effect of UVD. METHODS: CDI rates (HA and community acquired [CA]), CDI patient length of stay, room occupancy, and number of days between a CDI case in a room and an HA CDI case in the same room were studied for the first year of UVD compared with the 1-year period pre-UVD. RESULTS: Compared with pre-UVD, during …

Reduced Toxicity Conditioning And Allogeneic Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Transplantation For Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, Mark B. Geyer, Kavita Radhakrishnan, Roger Giller, Noriko Umegaki, Sivan Harel, Maija Kiuru, Kimberly D. Morel, Nicole Leboeuf, Jessica Kandel, Anna Bruckner, Sandra Fabricatore, Mei Chen, David Woodley, John Mcgrath, Leeann Baxter-Lowe, Jouni Uitto, Angela M. Christiano, Mitchell S. Cairo

NYMC Faculty Publications

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a severe, incurable, inherited blistering disease caused by COL7A1 mutations. Emerging evidence suggests hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) can be reprogrammed into skin; HPC-derived cells can restore COL7 expression in COL7-deficient mice. We report two children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa treated with reduced-toxicity conditioning and HLA-matched HPC transplantation.

Afm13: A First-In-Class Tetravalent Bispecific Anti-Cd30/Cd16a Antibody For Nk Cell-Mediated Immunotherapy, Jingjing Wu, Jiaping Fu, Mingzhi Zhang, Delong Liu

NYMC Faculty Publications

Monoclonal antibodies against CD20 molecule have been leading the revolution of lymphoma treatment. In addition to monoclonal antibodies against CD20 and CD30, novel agents of immunotherapeutics in clinical development are being developed and are rapidly migrating to clinical application. One area of active development is NK cell activators, such as AFM13. This review will highlight the latest development of AFM13 as the first-in-class tetravalent bispecific anti-CD30/CD16A antibody for NK cell-mediated immunotherapy.

'Space Surgeon' Learns To Perform Procedures In Near-Zero Gravity, Jonathan Sher

Data and Test Instruments

Vivian McAlister’s experience as a small-town doctor, key member of a legendary London transplant team and a soldier who enlisted at age 52 — and went through basic training — caught the eye of researchers looking for a surgeon who was resourceful and willing to push the limits. McAlister is exploring a new frontier in medicine — operating in near-zero gravity.

Potentiation Of Tonic Gabaergic Inhibition By Activation Of Postsynaptic Kainate Receptors, L Jiang, D Kang, J Kang

NYMC Faculty Publications

Presynaptic kainate-type glutamate ionotropic receptors (KARs) that mediate either the depression or the facilitation of GABA release have been intensively studied. Little attention has been given to the modulation of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) by postsynaptic KARs. Recent studies suggest that two GABAAR populations, synaptic (sGABAAR) and extrasynaptic (eGABAAR) GABAARs, mediate phasic and tonic forms of inhibition, respectively. Tonic inhibition plays an important role in the excitability of neuronal circuits and the occurrence of epileptic seizures. For this study, we are the first to report that the activation of postsynaptic KARs by the KAR agonist, Kainic acid (KA, 5 μM), enhanced …

Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Null Mice Exhibit Female And Male Differences In Regulation Of Vascular Homeostasis, Luca Vanella, Martina Canestraro, Craig R. Lee, Jian Cao, Darryl C. Zeldin, Michal L. Schwartzman, Nader G. Abraham

NYMC Faculty Publications

Increased CYP epoxygenase activity and consequently up regulation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) levels provides protection against metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Conversion of arachidonic acid epoxides to diols by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) diminishes the beneficial cardiovascular properties of these epoxyeicosanoids. We therefore examined the possible biochemical consequences of sEH deletion on vascular responses in male and female mice. Through the use of the sEH KO mouse, we provide evidence of differences in the compensatory response in the balance between nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), EETs and the vasoconstrictor 20-HETE in male and female KO mice. Serum levels of …

Molecular Epidemiology And Genomics Of Group A Streptococcus, Debra E. Bessen, W Michael Mcshan, Scott V. Nguyen, Amol Shetty, Sonia Agrawal, Hervé Tettelin

NYMC Faculty Publications

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS) is a strict human pathogen with a very high prevalence worldwide. This review highlights the genetic organization of the species and the important ecological considerations that impact its evolution. Recent advances are presented on the topics of molecular epidemiology, population biology, molecular basis for genetic change, genome structure and genetic flux, phylogenomics and closely related streptococcal species, and the long- and short-term evolution of GAS. The application of whole genome sequence data to addressing key biological questions is discussed.

Is The Stethoscope Becoming An Outdated Diagnostic Tool?, William H. Frishman

NYMC Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Cell Secretome, A Mediator Of Cell-To-Cell Communication, Joseph Zullo, Kei Matsumoto, Sandhya Xavier, Brian Ratliff, Michael S. Goligorsky

NYMC Faculty Publications

We are witnessing the emergence of a novel type of biological regulation, namely, the communication between cells via their secreted substances, the secretome. This brief overview is based on the available published data and our own experience. We discuss three vignettes illustrating the importance of communication via the secretome: (1) the secretome of stem cells and its effects in sepsis and systemic inflammatory response; (2) the profibrotic secretomes partially responsible for development of fibrotic complications; and (3) the contribution of senescence-associated secretory products to the propagation of the senescence phenotype. Considering the richness of secretomes of different cells under diverse …

Neutropenia In Congenital And Adult Babesiosis, Gary P. Wormser, Patrick Villafuerte, Sheila M. Nolan, Guiqing Wang, Robert G. Lerner, Kirsten L. Saetre, Mazen H. Maria, John A. Branda

NYMC Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: Anemia and thrombocytopenia are expected hematologic abnormalities in patients with acute babesiosis, whereas neutropenia (defined as an absolute neutrophil count of ≤1,800 neutrophils/μL for adults and <1,200 neutrophils/μL for infants) is not usually considered a feature of this infection. We studied the frequency with which neutropenia occurs in congenital and adult cases of babesiosis. METHODS: The frequency of neutropenia in cases of congenital babesiosis was determined based on a literature review and on the findings in an unreported case. The frequency of neutropenia in adult patients was assessed based on a review of the medical records of 51 patients who were diagnosed with babesiosis between 2010 and 2013 at two medical centers in the Northeastern United States. RESULTS: Four (80%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 36%-98%) of five infants with congenital babesiosis whose neutrophil count was reported were neutropenic. Among 51 adult cases with babesiosis, 11 (22%; 95% CI, 12%-35%) were neutropenic on clinical presentation, and seven others developed neutropenia over the next 1 to 21 days. Thus, a total of 18 (35%; 95% CI, 24%-49%) of the adult patients with babesiosis had neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: Neutropenia appears to be a common finding in infants with congenital babesiosis and is also observed not infrequently in adults with this infection.

Cross-Reactive Epitopes In Borrelia Burgdorferi P66, Paul M. Arnaboldi, Raymond J. Dattwyler

NYMC Faculty Publications

Epitope mapping of the p66 outer membrane protein of Borrelia burgdorferi revealed that the protein contains numerous cross-reactive linear epitopes recognized by serum antibody in the majority of individuals tested, regardless of Lyme disease history, limiting the usefulness of this antigen in Lyme disease serodiagnostic assays.

Angiotensin Ii Receptor Blockade Or Deletion Of Vascular Endothelial Ace Does Not Prevent Vascular Dysfunction And Remodeling In 20-Hete-Dependent Hypertension, Victor Garcia, Gregory Joseph, Brian Shkolnik, Yan Ding, Frank Fan Zhang, Katherine Gotlinger, John R. Falck, Rambabu Dakarapu, Jorge H. Capdevila, Kenneth E. Bernstein, Michal Laniado Schwartzman

NYMC Faculty Publications

Increased vascular 20-HETE is associated with hypertension and activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) through induction of vascular angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) expression. Cyp4a12tg mice, whose Cyp4a12-20-HETE synthase expression is under the control of a tetracycline (doxycycline, DOX) promoter, were used to assess the contribution of ACE/RAS to microvascular remodeling in 20-HETE-dependent hypertension. Treatment of Cyp4a12tg mice with DOX increased systolic blood pressure (SBP; 136 ± 2 vs. 102 ± 1 mmHg; P < 0.05), and this increase was prevented by administration of 20-HEDGE, lisinopril, or losartan. DOX-induced hypertension was associated with microvascular dysfunction and remodeling of preglomerular microvessels, which was prevented by 20-HEDGE, a 20-HETE antagonist, yet only lessened, but not prevented, by lisinopril or losartan. In ACE 3/3 mice, which lack vascular endothelial ACE, administration of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a known inducer of 20-HETE production, increased SBP; however, the increase was about 50% of that in wild-type (WT) mice (151 ± 1 vs. 126 ± 1 mmHg). Losartan and 20-HEDGE prevented the DHT-induced increase in SBP in WT and ACE 3/3 mice. DHT treatment increased 20-HETE production and microvascular remodeling in WT and ACE 3/3 mice; however, remodeling was attenuated in the ACE 3/3 mice as opposed to WT mice (15.83 ± 1.11 vs. 22.17 ± 0.92 μm; P < 0.05). 20-HEDGE prevented microvascular remodeling in WT and ACE 3/3 mice, while losartan had no effect on microvascular remodeling in ACE 3/3. Taken together, these results suggest that RAS contributes to 20-HETE-mediated microvascular remodeling in hypertension and that 20-HETE-driven microvascular remodeling independent of blood pressure elevation does not fully rely on ACE activity in the vascular endothelium.

‘What About The Mother?’ Women׳S And Caregivers׳ Perspectives On Caesarean Birth In A Low-Resource Setting With Rising Caesarean Section Rates, Helena Litorp, Andrew Mgaya, Hussein Kidanto, Sara Johnsdotter, Birgitta Essén

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Objective in light of the rising caesarean section rates in many developing countries, we sought to explore women׳s and caregivers׳ experiences, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs in relation to caesarean section.

Design qualitative study using semi-structured individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations. The study relied on a framework of naturalistic inquiry and data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting a public university hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Participants we conducted a total of 29 individual interviews, 13 with women and 16 with caregivers, and two focus group discussions comprising five to six caregivers each. Women had undergone …

Language Barriers Impact Prehospital Care, Ramsey Tate

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Emergency medical services (EMS) rely on accurate and efficient communication. The impact of language discordance between EMS providers and their patients on EMS decision-making has not been well-studied, nor have the strategies that EMS providers use to overcome language barriers. This thesis presents a body of scholarly work investigating the prior research on language barriers in the prehospital setting, the application of mixed methods to prehospital research, and the results of an international, multi-site, mixed methods study of the impact of language barriers on prehospital care. EMS providers struggle with a lack of language assistance resources that are appropriate for …

Revised International Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Staging System, Angelo Rosolen, Sherrie L. Perkins, C Ross Pinkerton, R Paul Guillerman, John T. Sandlund, Catherine Patte, Alfred Reiter, Mitchell S. Cairo

NYMC Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Treatment and prognosis of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have improved dramatically in the last 30 years. However, the St Jude NHL staging classification for pediatric NHL was developed more than 35 years ago. The most recent Lugano lymphoma staging classification focused on adult lymphoma. Furthermore, major limitations of the current pediatric NHL staging classification include lack of consideration of new distinct pediatric NHL histologic entities; absence of recognition of frequent skin, bone, kidney, ovarian, and other organ involvement; and lack of newer precise methods to detect bone marrow and CNS involvement, minimal disease quantification, and highly sensitive imaging technologies. …

International Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Response Criteria, John T. Sandlund, R Paul Guillerman, Sherrie L. Perkins, C Ross Pinkerton, Angelo Rosolen, Catherine Patte, Alfred Reiter, Mitchell S. Cairo

NYMC Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: Response criteria are well established for adult patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). A revised set of response criteria in adults with NHL was recently published. However, NHL in children and adolescents involves different histologies, primary sites of disease, patterns of metastatic spread, approaches to therapy, and responses to treatment compared with adult NHL. However, there are no standardized response criteria specific to pediatric NHL. Therefore, we developed international standardized methods for assessing response to therapy in children and adolescents with NHL. METHODS: An international multidisciplinary group of pediatric oncologists, pathologists, biologists, and radiologists convened during and after the Third …

High Multiple Carriage And Emergence Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Vaccine Serotype Variants In Malawian Children, Arox W. Kamng'ona, Jason Hinds, Naor Bar-Zeev, Katherine A. Gould, Chrispin Chaguza, Chisomo Msefula, Jennifer E. Cornick, Benard W. Kulohoma, Katherine Gray, Stephen D. Bentley, Neil French, Robert S. Heyderman, Dean B. Everett

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Carriage of either single or multiple pneumococcal serotypes (multiple carriage) is a prerequisite for developing invasive pneumococcal disease. However, despite the reported high rates of pneumococcal carriage in Malawi, no data on carriage of multiple serotypes has been reported previously. Our study provides the first description of the prevalence of multiple pneumococcal carriage in Malawi. Methods: The study was conducted in Blantyre and Karonga districts in Malawi, from 2008 to 2012. We recruited 116 children aged 0-13 years. These children were either HIV-infected (N = 44) or uninfected (N = 72). Nasopharyngeal samples were collected using sterile swabs. Pneumococcal …

Inhibition Of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Increases Coronary Perfusion In Mice, Jun Qin, Dong Sun, Houli Jiang, Sharath Kandhi, Ghezal Froogh, Sung Hee Hwang, Bruce D. Hammock, Michael S. Wolin, Carl I. Thompson, Thomas H. Hintze, An Huang

NYMC Faculty Publications

Roles of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), the enzyme responsible for hydrolysis of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to their diols (DHETs), in the coronary circulation and cardiac function remain unknown. We tested the hypothesis that compromising EET hydrolysis/degradation, via sEH deficiency, lowers the coronary resistance to promote cardiac perfusion and function. Hearts were isolated from wild type (WT), sEH knockout (KO) mice and WT mice chronically treated with t-TUCB (sEH inhibitor), and perfused with constant flow at different pre-loads. Compared to WT controls, sEH-deficient hearts required significantly greater basal coronary flow to maintain the perfusion pressure at 100 mmHg and exhibited a …

Erythema Migrans, Robert B. Nadelman

NYMC Faculty Publications

Erythema migrans (EM) is the most common objective manifestation of Borrelia burgdorferi infection. Systemic symptoms are usually present. Most patients do not recall a preceding tick bite. Despite a characteristic appearance, EM is not pathognomonic for Lyme disease and must be distinguished from other similar appearing skin lesions. EM is a clinical diagnosis; serologic and PCR assays are unnecessary. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are indicative of either an alternative diagnosis, or coinfection with another tick-borne pathogen. When EM is promptly treated with appropriate antimicrobial agents, the prognosis is excellent. Persons in endemic areas should take measures to prevent tick bites.

Evaluation Of A Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Pcr Assay For Detection Of Enterovirus D68 In Clinical Samples From An Outbreak In New York State In 2014, Jian Zhuge, Eric Vail, Jeffrey L. Bush, Lauren Singelakis, Weihua Huang, Sheila M. Nolan, Janet P. Haas, Helen Engel, Millicent Della Posta, Esther C. Yoon, John T. Fallon, Guiqing Wang

NYMC Faculty Publications

An outbreak of severe respiratory illness associated with enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infection was reported in mid-August 2014 in the United States. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of an EV-D68-specific real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) that was recently developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in clinical samples. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab specimens from patients in a recent outbreak of respiratory illness in the lower Hudson Valley, New York State, were collected and examined for the presence of human rhinovirus or enterovirus using the FilmArray Respiratory Panel (RP) assay. Samples positive by RP were assessed using EV-D68 rRT-PCR, …

Mir-21-Mediated Decreased Neutrophil Apoptosis Is A Determinant Of Impaired Coronary Collateral Growth In Metabolic Syndrome, Rebecca Hutcheson, Russell Terry, Brenda Hutcheson, Rashmi Jadhav, Jennifer Chaplin, Erika Smith, Robert Barrington, Spencer D. Proctor, Petra Rocic

NYMC Faculty Publications

Coronary collateral growth (CCG) is impaired in metabolic syndrome. microRNA-21 (miR-21) is a proproliferative and antiapoptotic miR, which we showed to be elevated in metabolic syndrome. Here we investigate whether impaired CCG in metabolic syndrome involved miR-21-mediated aberrant apoptosis. Normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) and metabolic syndrome [J. C. Russel (JCR)] rats underwent transient, repetitive coronary artery occlusion [repetitive ischemia (RI)]. Antiapoptotic Bcl-2, phospho-Bad, and Bcl-2/Bax dimers were increased on days 6 and 9 RI, and proapoptotic Bax and Bax/Bax dimers and cytochrome-c release concurrently decreased in JCR versus SD rats. Active caspases were decreased in JCR versus SD rats (~50%). Neutrophils …

A Computer-Based Automated Reminder Increases The Percentage Of Urinary Catheters Justified By An Order And Increases Urinary Catheter Discontinuation Orders, Rebecca V. Nadelman, Daniel A. Nadelman, Marisa A. Montecalvo

NYMC Faculty Publications

Use of an automated reminder for an order to continue or to discontinue a urinary catheter resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of urinary catheters justified by an order and the percentage of urinary catheter discontinuation orders increased. This is an essential first step toward reducing inappropriate urinary catheter use.

Kcnj10 (Kir4.1) Is Expressed In The Basolateral Membrane Of The Cortical Thick Ascending Limb, Chengbiao Zhang, Lijun Wang, Xiao-Tong Su, Dao-Hong Lin, Wen-Hui Wang

NYMC Faculty Publications

The aim of the present study is to examine the role of Kcnj10 (Kir.4.1) in contributing to the basolateral K conductance in the cortical thick ascending limb (cTAL) using Kcnj10(+/+) wild-type (WT) and Kcnj10(-/-) knockout (KO) mice. The patch-clamp experiments detected a 40- and an 80-pS K channel in the basolateral membrane of the cTAL. Moreover, the probability of finding the 40-pS K was significantly higher in the late part of the cTAL close to the distal convoluted tubule than those in the initial part. Immunostaining showed that Kcnj10 staining was detected in the basolateral membrane of the cTAL but …

Update And Commentary On Four Emerging Tick-Borne Infections: Ehrlichia Muris-Like Agent, Borrelia Miyamotoi, Deer Tick Virus, Heartland Virus, And Whether Ticks Play A Role In Transmission Of Bartonella Henselae, Gary P. Wormser, Bobbi Pritt

NYMC Faculty Publications

Emerging tick-borne infections continue to be observed in the United States and elsewhere. Current information on the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory features, and treatment of infections due to Ehrlichia muris-like agent, deer tick virus, Borrelia miyamotoi sensu lato, and Heartland virus was provided and critically reviewed. More research is needed to define the incidence and to understand the clinical and the laboratory features of these infections. There is also a growing need for the development of sensitive and specific serologic and molecular assays for these infections that are easily accessible to clinicians.

Comparison Of A Quantitative Pcr Assay With Peripheral Blood Smear Examination For Detection And Quantitation Of Babesia Microti Infection In Humans, Guiqing Wang, Patrick Villafuerte, Jian Zhuge, Paul Visintainer, Gary P. Wormser

NYMC Faculty Publications

Using a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), we determined the number of DNA copies/mL of blood of a Babesia microti gene in infected patients. Thirty-six patients (whose median age was 62.5years and 75.0% were male) with at least 1 qPCR-positive blood sample were included in this analysis, including 16 with serial blood samples. Based on testing of serial blood samples, it could be demonstrated that the smear became negative while the qPCR remained positive. A moderate to strong correlation was found between the DNA copy number and the number of infected erythrocytes per milliliter of blood (Pearson's r=0.68, P<0.001). Based on limited data, the DNA copy number fell by a mean of 4.1-12.9% per day on active treatment and by 3.5-7.1% per day off therapy. qPCR methodology may permit systematic evaluations of the relative efficacy of various antiparasitic drug regimens and other therapeutic modalities, although a limitation of such testing is that DNA detection per se does not establish the presence of viable parasites.

The Effect Of Dose On The Antimalarial Efficacy Of Artemether-Lumefantrine: A Systematic Review And Pooled Analysis Of Individual Patient Data, N. M. Anstey, R. N. Price, T. M.E. Davis, H. A. Karunajeewa, I. Mueller, U. D'Alessandro, A. Massougbodji, F. Nikiema, J. B. Ouédraogo, H. Tinto, I. Zongo, A. Same-Ekobo, M. Koné, H. Menan, W. Yavo, A. O. Touré, P. E. Kofoed, B. H. Alemayehu, D. Jima, E. Baudin, E. Espié, C. Nabasumba, L. Pinoges, B. Schramm, M. Cot, P. Deloron, J. F. Faucher, J. P. Guthmann

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Artemether-lumefantrine is the most widely used artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria, although treatment failures occur in some regions. We investigated the effect of dosing strategy on efficacy in a pooled analysis from trials done in a wide range of malaria-endemic settings. Methods: We searched PubMed for clinical trials that enrolled and treated patients with artemether-lumefantrine and were published from 1960 to December, 2012. We merged individual patient data from these trials by use of standardised methods. The primary endpoint was the PCR-adjusted risk of Plasmodium falciparum recrudescence by day 28. Secondary endpoints consisted of the PCR-adjusted risk of P …

Distribution And Diversity Of The Vectors Of Rift Valley Fever Along The Livestock Movement Routes In The Northeastern And Coastal Regions Of Kenya, Samwel O. Arum, Christopher W. Weldon, Benedict Orindi, Tobias Landmann, David P. Tchouassi, Hippolyte D. Affognon, Rosemary Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Knowledge of vector ecology is important in understanding the transmission dynamics of vector borne disease. In this study, we determined the distribution and diversity of mosquitoes along the major nomadic livestock movement routes (LMR) in the traditional pastoral ecozone of northeastern Kenya. We focused on the vectors of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFv) with the aim of understanding their ecology and how they can potentially influence the circulation of RVFv. Methods: Mosquito surveys were conducted during the short and long rainy seasons from November 2012 to August 2014 using CO2-baited CDC light traps at seven sites selected for their …

Long-Term Methionine-Diet Induced Mild Hyperhomocysteinemia Associated Cardiac Metabolic Dysfunction In Multiparous Rats, Su Song, Elizabeth Kertowidjojo, Caroline Ojaimi, Beatriz Martin-Fernandez, Sharath Kandhi, Michael Wolin, Thomas H. Hintze

NYMC Faculty Publications

Mild hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy, clinically defined as less than 30 μmol/L) is an independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, and is associated with many complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia (PE). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long-term mild HHcy on cardiac metabolic function of multiparous rats. Female rats were mated 3 to 4 times and were fed with methionine in drinking water to increase plasma Hcy (2.9 ± 0.3 to 10.5 ± 2.3 μmol/L) until termination. This caused significant increase of heart weight/body weight (0.24 ± 0.01 to 0.27 ± 0.01 g/100 g) and left …