Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Use Of Monoclonal ∆-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Antibodies Chemically Bound To A Polystyrene Surface Using Glutaraldehyde For The Purpose Of Extracting ∆-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol And ∆-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid From Postmortem Whole Blood Samples For Analysis By Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, Thomas Sidney Pittman

Dissertations

Quantitations of drugs and their respective metabolites in postmortem blood samples using gas chromatographic instrumentation is a primary analytical practice used to determine if drugs played a role in or were the cause of a victim's death. Postmortem blood samples often prove difficult to work with due to interfering substances formed during the putrefaction process. Attempts to eliminate interfering substances with present day extraction methods can be time-consuming, costly and often ineffective when dealing with drugs that exhibit toxicity or impairment at very low concentrations. This study was conducted using monoclonal antibodies chemically bound to a polystyrene surface to extract …

The Effects Of Flaxseed Sdg On Perimenopausal Women With Mild Hyperlipidemia, Bonnie Marblestone Phd

Dissertations

In 2001, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) expanded their guidelines for evaluation and treatment of hyperlipidemia which includes not only a low cholesterol diet and exercise, but also the use of plant stanols such as Flaxseed and Soluble fiber. According to the NCEP III guidelines, women with mild hyperlipidemia and low risk cardiac factors would not qualify for drug therapy to control their cholesterol. However, the use of plant stanols could be used as an alternative. As there are limited studies involving postmenopausal women in regards to treatment of heart disease, there is virtually no information or research on …

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 …

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 …

Pragmatic Assessment In Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Comparison Of A Standard Measure With Parent Report, Brian Reichow, Shawn Salamack, Rhea Paul, Fred Volkmar, Ami Klin

Communication Disorders Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of subtests on the Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language (CASL) by comparing them with the assessment of communication and social skills on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland). The participants were 35 children and adolescents with higher functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who had received both the CASL and the Vineland. Results of the study suggest that the Pragmatic Judgment and Inferences subtests of the CASL appeared to document the difficulties that individuals with ASD had in adaptive use of language for communication.

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.

Clozapine And Olanzapine Exhibit An Intrinsic Anxiolytic Property In Two Conditioned Fear Paradigms: Contrast With Haloperidol And Chlordiazepoxide, Alexa Mead, Ming Li, Shitij Kapur

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Psychotic fear and anxiety disturbances are seen at a relatively high frequency in patients with schizophrenia. Atypical anti-psychotics are believed to show superior efficacy in reducing these symptoms. However, clinical and preclinical evidence regarding their anxiolytic efficacy has been mixed. In this study, we evaluated the possible anxiolytic property of two atypicals, clozapine and olanzapine, and compared them with typical haloperidol and chlordiazepoxide (a prototype of sedative-anxiolytic drug) in two preclinical models of fear. In Experiment 1, we used a fear-induced passive avoidance and conditioned place aversion paradigm and examined the effects of clozapine (20 mg/kg, sc), haloperidol (0.05 mg/kg, …

Laboratory Safety, V. Wiwanitkit

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

The Efficacy Of Percutaneous A1 Pulley Release For Trigger Finger Treatment, W. Lairungruang, K. Chuepool, S. Kuptniratsaikul

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Dna Microarrays In Infectious Diseases, K. Patarakul

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Prevalence And Distribution Of Hpv Type In King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, M. Lertworapreecha, L. Thammachotruja, P. Bhattarakosol

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Medical Importance Of Probiotics, P. Hemarajata

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Is Anesthetic Gel Necessary In Outpatient Flexible Cystoscopy ?, K. Panumatrassamee, J. Opanuraks

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Quality Of Life And Depression In Breast Cancer Patients After Surgery In King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, P. Malarat, N. Pityaratstian

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Targeted Drug Delivery Systems For Cancer Therapy, Antonio Clementi, Christine O'Connor, Mary Mcnamara, A. Mazzaglia, M. C. Aversa, A. Giuffrida

Conference Papers

The role of cyclodextrin’s (CD) in drug delivery has advanced in recent years and this may be attributed to its biocompatibility and well established synthesis. Chemical modification of CDs has shown to extend the physicochemical properties and the host capacity for a variety of drugs. β-CD has been widely used in the early stages of pharmaceutical applications because of its ready availability and its cavity size suitability for a wide range of drugs. Chemical modification of β-CD has proven to enhance aqueous solubilisation, microbiological stability and reduced toxicity in previous studies.1 Folate Receptors are over-expressed in several human cancers including …

Synthesis Of Novel Targeted Drug Delivery Systems For Cancer Therapy, Antonio Clementi

Masters

One of the most important goals of pharmaceutical science is local izing the pharmacological activity of the drug at the site of action. Drug delivery systems - are. molecular tools which without undesired interaction at other sites target a specific drug receptor. In this work a· novel folate-cyclodextrin conjugate was synthesised for potential use as a drug delivery system in cancer therapy. Folate was directly covalently bound to an amino derivative of p-Cyclodextrin with a view to decreasing the polydispersity of the carrier system. Ultimately the cyclodextrin cavity will be used to transport drugs to the site of action. This …

Protoporphyrin Ix Fluorescence Photobleaching Increases With The Use Of Fractionated Irradiation In The Esophagus, Brian W.Q. Pogue, Chao Sheng, Juan Benevides, David Forcione, Bill Puricelli, Norman S. Nishioka, Tayyaba Hasan

Dartmouth Scholarship

Fluorescence measurements have been used to track the dosimetry of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for many years, and this approach can be especially important for treatments with aminolevulinic-acid-induced protoporphyrin IX (ALA-PpIX). PpIX photobleaches rapidly, and the bleaching is known to be oxygen dependent, and at the same time, fractionation or reduced irradiance treatments have been shown to significantly increase efficacy. Thus, in vivo measurement of either the bleaching rate and/or the total bleaching yield could be used to track the deposited dose in tissue and determine the optimal treatment plans. Fluorescence in rat esophagus and human Barrett's esophagus are measured during …

Evaluating The March Of Dimes Nicu Family Support Program: Parent Support For Neonatal Transport, Kimberly J. Morrone

Honors Scholar Theses

The purpose of the pilot study was to work in collaboration with the March of Dimes Family Support Team and the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) to develop an evaluation instrument for the assessment of the Transport Module implemented by The March of Dimes Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Family Support Program initiative at the UConn Health Center. A literature review of the topic illustrated the need for continuing research of successful family support interventions for parents experiencing the transport of their high-risk infant to a tertiary care NICU immediately after delivery. NICU staff members and the March of …

Potential Role Of Adenosine Signaling In Acetic Acid Activation Of Murine Sensory Neurons, Ryan Vaughan

Honors Scholar Theses

Chronic respiratory illnesses are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and acute changes in respiratory function often lead to hospitalization. Air pollution is known to exacerbate asthma, but the molecular mechanisms of this are poorly understood. The current studies were aimed at clarifying the roles of nerve subtypes and purinergic receptors in respiratory reflex responses following exposure to irritants. In C57Bl/6J female mice, inspired adenosine produced sensory irritation, shown to be mediated mostly by A-delta fibers. Secondly, the response to inhaled acetic acid was discovered to be dually influenced by C and A-delta fibers, as indicated by the observed …

Evaluation Of The March Of Dimes Family Support Program With Focus On Parent To Parent Support, Lynn O'Connor

Honors Scholar Theses

The March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program provides families with support specialists, educational materials, and community resources to aide in the emotional and physical adaptation to a new life with a premature infant. Parent-to-parent support has been shown to more effective than group support because the new NICU parent is able to connect on a more personal level with an experienced NICU parent.

The purpose of the research was to develop and implement an evaluation instrument to assess the effectiveness of the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program (MODFSP) in the NICU at the UConn Health Center, specifically …

Comparison Of Chronic Wound Care Products, S. Hester, Joseph A. Woelfel

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

Using Cultural-Historical Activity To Study Clinical Reasoning In Context, Susan Toth-Cohen

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

The aim of this paper is to describe sources of conflict and congruence in critical areas of practice with caregivers of persons with dementia, using cultural-historical activity theory as an analytic framework. Findings are drawn from an ethnographic study that described the context of occupational therapists’ (OTs’) clinical reasoning in a funded, home-based environmental skill-building program designed to help caregivers manage the daily care of a family member with dementia. Data were gathered through observation of intervention sessions, debriefing sessions, semi-structured interviews with therapists, and review of intervention documentation. Primary sources of conflict and congruence within the identified practice context …

Influence Of Tooth Crown Size On Malocclusion, Michael Kelly Agenter

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Malocclusion is an increasingly common, multifactorial problem in industrialized countries. Although the causes of dental malocclusion are obscure in most instances, one contributing factor may be tooth size. While several researchers have studied whether tooth size contributes to malocclusion, there still is no consensus. Some have found that the mesiodistal widths of the mandibular incisor teeth are significantly larger in subjects with anterior crowding, while others have been unable to support this conclusion. Study designs often have been confounded by combining the sexes, which confuses sexual dimorphism with the supposed effect of tooth size on crowding. The present study tested …

An Analysis Of The Differences In Preemptive Kidney Transplantation Between Blacks And Whites, Kennard D. Brown

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background. This cohort study investigates whether there are inequities in the allocation of cadaver kidneys for preemptive kidney transplants (PKT) between blacks and whites.

Methods. This analysis uses descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors associated with the determination of whether a patient receives a PKT or a conventional, post dialysis kidney transplant. The sample includes patients identified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as having end stage renal disease (ESRD), >19 years of age, either black or white, and receiving either a PKT (0-<6 months dialysis) or conventional transplant between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2003 (n = 10,067) from any of the 11 organ procurement regions in the United States.

Results. Whites were more likely to receive a PKT …

Predictors Of African American Women's Perceived Health Status In The Context Of Caring For A Relative With End Stage Renal Disease, Dina Jo Byers

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purposes of this study of African American women who were family caregivers of persons with end stage renal disease (ESRD) were to: (1) identify their perceived health status and changes in perceived health status since assuming the caregiver role, (2) document the association between objective health status and caregiver age, (3) document the relationship between age and perceived health status, (4) identify demographic and subjective and objective health factors that predict perceived health status, and (5) identify their health promotion behaviors. The design for this study was a cross-sectional, descriptive correlational secondary analysis of data obtained from 75 African …

A Mechanical And Histological Study Of Functionally Graded Hydroxyapatite Implant Coatings, Suzanne Kemp Coco

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Ever since Dr. Brånemark discovered that titanium was biocompatible with bone, extensive research has been done to improve the osseointegration of dental implants. As advances in medicine continue, the average life span of the population is ever increasing. Today, people of all ages are investing more money and time into dental treatment than ever before. Patients are becoming more educated on dental treatment options and expect the best treatment possible. As a result, the replacement of missing teeth with implants is becoming more and more commonplace in dental practices.

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate bone-implant interaction …

Time-Related Centile Ranges For Quality Of Life Outcomes In Renal Transplantation, Katy Garth

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to create time-related centile ranges that could be
used as benchmarks for evaluating and monitoring quality of life (QoL) following kidney transplantation. QoL is commonly viewed as an important indicator of successful outcomes in chronic disease including kidney transplantation. Despite extensive research documenting the value of QoL, routine measurement of QoL outcomes in clinical practice as a means of patient evaluation to augment clinical care has not been widely accepted. Lack of benchmarks for interpreting QoL scores may contribute to the reluctance to incorporate QoL measures into clinical care. The research question and study …

Maxillary Incisor Crown Form And Crowding In Adolescent Orthodontic Patients, Kortne King Frederick

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Dental crowding occurs when the mesiodistal tooth crown widths exceed the space available in the dental arch for proper alignment. Previous research dealing with this common orthodontic problem has measured mesiodistal (MD) tooth widths or clinical tooth height-to-width ratios from dental casts. The present study used full mouth periapical series of dental radiographs, which provided an opportunity to study anatomical crown form of the maxillary incisors, as measured from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), in relation to crowding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the statistical association between maxillary incisor crown form and the extent of crowding in adolescent …

Design, Synthesis, And Evaluation Of Small Molecules In The Discovery Of Novel Antimicrobial Agents, Kimberly D. Grimes

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis, pushes us to discover new antibacterial agents to maintain adequate patient coverage. This body of work highlights the use of medicinal chemistry methodologies that encompass cross-disciplinary fields of study. Chapter 1 gives an introduction to the antibacterial drug targets, resistance, and how scientists are working to overcome obstacles encountered with drug-resistant bacteria. It also details modern medicinal chemistry applications in antimicrobial drug discovery. Chapter 2 details the use of a structure-guided library approach to drug design, in which large virtual libraries against the target …

The N-Terminal Domain Of The Y-Box Binding Protein Yb-1 Plays A Major Role In Cell Proliferation And Apoptosis, Payal Khandelwal

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Y-box binding protein, YB-1, is a member of the cold shock domain superfamily of proteins. It is involved in a plethora of cellular functions, including cell proliferation. The molecular mechanisms governing the involvement of YB-1 in cell proliferation are still unclear. Earlier studies done in chicken pre-B lymphocyte DT-40 cells in our laboratory have shown that a targeted disruption in one allele of chicken YB-1

(Chk-Yb-1b) gene at its N-terminal domain resulted in multiple abnormalities in the heterozygous mutants, including slower growth rate, abnormal cell morphology, increased cell size, increased genomic DNA content and significant changes in levels of cell …