Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Vigabatrin-Induced Peripheral Visual Field Defects In Patients With Refractory Partial Epilepsy, Robert C. Sergott, Richard M. Bittman, Erin M. Christen, Stephen M. Sagar

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

Purpose:

Vigabatrin can cause retinopathy, resulting in bilateral visual field constriction. Previous analyses of results from a prospective, observational study assessing vigabatrin-induced visual field constriction (described below) employed a partially subjective interpretation of static perimetery. In an effort to affirm these previous findings through more objective, quantitative methodology, we now report data from a subset analysis of refractory partial epilepsy patients in the study who underwent Goldmann kinetic perimetry.

Methods:

Patients aged ≥8 years with refractory partial seizures were enrolled and grouped: those receiving vigabatrin for ≥6 months (Group I); those who had received vigabatrin for ≥6 months and then …

Impact Of Information Sources On The Knowledge Of Adolescents About Hepatitis B, Ali Minhal Thaver, Ameera Kamal

Section of Internal Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of various sources of information on school going adolescents (belonging to higher social strata between ages 14-19 years) regarding Hepatitis B; its various types, importance, symptoms and cures.METHODS: A self-administered survey was conducted among the secondary school students (9-12 grades) of a private school for this purpose.RESULTS: A total of 160 students were approached from which 158 (98%) agreed to take part in the survey. Overall 98% students claimed to know something about Hepatitis B. But only 52% of all had comprehensive and correct knowledge about symptoms, causes and measures for prevention of Hepatitis B. …

The Relationship Of Snowmobile Year, Track Length, And Riding Terrain To The Occurrence Of Musculosketetal Symptoms In Recreational Snowmobile Drivers, Erica L. Heisler

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms in recreational snowmobile drivers and relate them to the manufacture year of the snowmobile, the length of the track, and/or the riding terrain. Participants included 186 males and 57 females (n=243), aged 18 years and older, and were all snowmobile drivers. Subjects were asked to complete either an online survey or a paper survey to gather information about the year of snowmobile they drove, the track length of that snowmobile, the typical riding terrain they drove on, and any musculoskeletal symptoms they developed from driving snowmobile. …

Levo-Tetrahydropalmatine Attenuates Cocaine Self-Administration Under A Progressive-Ratio Schedule And Cocaine Discrimination In Rats, John R. Mantsch, Samantha Wisniewski, Oliver Vranjkovic, Corey Peters, Amanda Becker, Abbey Valentine, Shi-Jiang Li, David A. Baker, Zheng Yang

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) is an alkaloid found in many traditional Chinese herbal preparations and has a unique pharmacological profile that includes dopamine receptor antagonism. Previously we demonstrated that l-THP attenuates fixed-ratio (FR) cocaine self-administration (SA) and cocaine-induced reinstatement in rats at doses that do not alter food-reinforced responding. This study examined the effects of l-THP on cocaine and food SA under progressive-ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement and the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine. In adult male Sprague–Dawley rats self-administering cocaine (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg/inf), l-THP significantly reduced breaking points at the 1.875, 3.75 and 7.5 mg/kg …

Is The Quality Of Neurosurgical Literature Improving?, James Harrop, Md, Mitchell Maltenfort, Phd

JHN Journal

Introduction:

The advent of evidence-based medicine has resulted in higher quality journal manuscripts in numerous medical disciplines. However, the impact in the neurosurgical literature has not been reported.

Objective:

To quantify the impact of evidence-based medicine on the quality of articles published in the Neurosurgery literature.

Methods:

Articles published in the journal Neurosurgery (founded in 1977) were reviewed for 1978, 1988, 1998, and 2008. Each decade’s sample was classified as therapeutic, diagnostic and prognostic based on a published system for determining level of evidence.

Results:

438 articles were reviewed. Articles not considered included any published under the heading “Case Report” …

How I Became A Scientist: Activity Book For 3rd Graders, Jessica Schneider, Kauline Davis, Thad Blossom

College of Veterinary Medicine eBooks

This activity book highlights how eight people became scientists from all over the world who work with animals. These scientists work hard to make sure that people and their animals stay healthy. Activities in the book cover topics related to each scientist's area of study.

Published in full color, the book features fun activities relevant to the different scientific specialties represented for children to complete. The publication of the book has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Center for Research Resources, and a Scientific Education Partnership Award.

Newbery Award Winning Books 1975–2009: How Do They Portray Disabilities?, Melissa Leininger, Tina Taylor, Mary Anne Prater, Melissa Allen Heath

Faculty Publications

Newbery books represent quality literature that has a profound social-emotional impact on its readers, yet these books have not been systematically evaluated for their portrayal of characters with disabilities. Thirty-one Newbery Award and Honor books from 1975–2009 were identified and portrayed 41 main or supporting characters with disabilities. These books were evaluated using the Rating Scale for Quality Characterizations of Individuals with Disabilities in Children’s Literature. Results indicate the representation of Newbery characters with disabilities is not proportionate to the current U.S. population of students with disabilities. Further, racial representation portrayed in these books is not representative of the diverse …

Student Persistence In Associate Degree Nursing Programs At Mississippi Community Colleges, Kathryn Lee Fleming

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine factors of student persistence and attrition in addition to strategies that may help students persist in associate degree nursing programs at community colleges. Data were collected from nursing students enrolled in first-year associate degree nursing programs at participating Mississippi community colleges and analyzed using multiple regression and repeated measures ANOVAs. Tinto’s Classic Model and Bean & Metzner’s Nontraditional Model of Student Attrition were utilized in this study. This mixed methods convenience sample yielded 564 participants, and the results were as follows: environmental factors and demographic factors of student persistence were found to …

Editorial, C Nayak

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.

Tylophora Indica- A Multicentric Clinical Verification Study, C Nayak, Vikram Singh, Krishna Singh, P Chakraborty, Subhash Kaushik, R Ray, R Yadav, M Rai, Darshan Singh

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.

An Approach To Acute Diarrhoeal Disorders Through Sector And Constitutional Homoeopathic Treatment In Tribal Children Attending Balwadis, Patel Manoj, Navin Pawaskar, Pradeep Mundra, Prashant Tamboli, Gandhali Kothare

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.

Evidence Based Clinical Study To Assess The Usefulness Of Homoeopathic Medicines In Patients Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Girish Gupta, J Singh, Salil Tandon, Santosh Singh, C Nayak, Hari Singh, Ch Raveendar, K.R.J Nair, Praveen Oberai

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.

Role Of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (Erk) In Regulation Of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junctions, Sudhir Aggarwal

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Evidence indicates that MAP kinase (ERK1/2) is involved in regulation of epithelial tight junctions. There are different opinions expressed by investigators as to whether ERK disrupts the junctions or protects them. ERK has also been demonstrated to mediate the EGF-caused protection of the intestinal epithelial tight junctions (TJ) from hydrogen peroxide. Studies using pharmacological inhibitors have shown that EGF increases Thr-phosphorylation of occludin by a MAP kinase-dependent mechanism. This study aimed at looking at the role of ERK in regulation of tight junctions using pharmacological and molecular techniques.

Hypothesis: ERK protects tight junctions in differentiated Caco-2 cells, while it is …

Interactions Of Francisella Tularensis With Components Of The Host Fibrinolytic System, Shawn Russell Clinton

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Francisella tularensis (FT) is a Gram-negative coccobacillus and causative agent of a life-threatening disease commonly referred to as tularemia. Due to the highly infectious nature of the organism, its previous development as a biowarfare agent and its potential use in acts of bioterrorism, this bacterium is listed as a Category A select agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Efforts to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of FT within the host environment are vital for the development of safe and effective vaccines, as well as treatments, against tularemia. Though considered an intracellular pathogen, FT research of late has …

Characterizing Dietary Intake And Physical Activity Affecting Weight Gain In Kidney Transplant Recipients, Connie Klopfenstein Cupples

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Weight gain following kidney transplant is a significant problem with 50 to 90% of kidney transplant recipients gaining weight. Potential factors leading to weight gain following kidney transplantation have been thought to include a change in lifestyle such asdietary intake and physical activity, along with the use of immunosuppressant medications to preserve the newly implanted organ. Other influences affecting weight gain include genetic determinates such as age, gender and race. There is little data to confirm which of these factors may indeed lead to weight gain and obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine dietary intake and physical …

Effect Of Fixation Using Locked Compression Plate Versus Lag Screws On Biomechanics Of Talonavicular Joint: A Human Cadaveric Foot Model, Rahul Sudheer Ghotge

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction: Talonavicular fusion is a surgery used for treating many hind foot pathologies. A problem associated with the procedure is non-union which may be due to inadequate stabilization. The objective of our study was to compare the effect of two surgical fixation techniques on the motion and biomechanics of the talonavicular joint in a human cadaveric foot model.

Materials and Methods: Thirteen human cadaveric foot specimens were prepared, mounted in a multi-axis programmable robot, and loaded using four loading scenarios. Each of the four loading scenarios consisted of a constant Achilles tendon load of 350N followed by either internal or …

D2r Dopamine Receptor Mediates Changes In Dual Specificity Phosphatase Expression In A Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Line, Scott Lemar Lattimer

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Bromocriptine, a D2 dopamine receptor (D2R) agonist, is used clinically as a treatment for pituitary tumors of a lactotroph origin. Many questions remain unanswered about the mechanism of this effect. The antiproliferative effect has not been demonstrated in DMS 53 cell line, a Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). In this thesis, we have shown that treatment with NPA (N‑propylnorapomorphine), a dopamine receptor agonist inhibits ERK phosphorylation and proliferation in DMS 53 cells. NPA treatment causes significant increases in DUSP‑1 (MKP‑1), DUSP‑4 (MKP‑2) and DUSP5 mRNA. NPA treatment also correlates with increases in DUSP5 (hVHR3) protein visualized using Western Blot. These …

The Mglur2/3 Agonist Ly397268 Improves Morphometric And Behavioral Outcomes In R6/2 Huntington's Disease Mice, Dennis Craig Lafferty

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

A prominent theory for the pathology of Huntington's Disease (HD) is the excitotoxic injury to the striatum. Continual exposure of ionotropic NMDA receptors to glutamate from the cortex can be excitotoxic in HD and leave striatal neurons vulnerable to damage. Activation of presynaptic mGluR2/3 by an agonist dampens glutamate release from corticostriatal terminals. Treatments that target excitoxicity and oxidative stress thus may improve some of the symptoms in HD patients and it is therefore logical to pursue therapies aimed in this direction. LY379268 is an inviting mGluR2/3 agonist that has been shown to be neuroprotective in hypoxic and ischemic injuries …

Mitochondrial Regulation Of Arterial Contractility, Damodaran Narayanan

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Rationale: Physiological functions of mitochondria in contractile arterial smooth muscle cells are poorly understood. Mitochondria can uptake calcium (Ca²⁺), but intracellular Ca²⁺ signals that regulate mitochondrial Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_mito) and physiological functions of changes in [Ca²⁺]_mito in arterial smooth muscle cells are unclear.

Objective: Identify Ca²⁺ signals that regulate [Ca²⁺]_mito, examine the significance of changes in [Ca²⁺]_mito, and test the hypothesis that [Ca²⁺]_mito controls functional ion channel transcription in smooth muscle cells of resistance–size cerebral arteries.

Methods …

Therapeutic Gene Delivery To Human Pancreatic Islets For Treatment Of Diabetes And The Effect Of Tfo On Liver Fibrosis Induced By Bile Duct Ligation, Ravikiran Panakanti

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Ex vivo gene transfer can improve the outcome of islet transplantation for treating Type I diabetes. Earlier we have shown co‑expression of human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF) and human interleukin‑1 receptor antagonist (hI‑1Ra) after transfection of plasmid DNA encoding these two genes. Due to poor transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA and the better known islet transduction efficiency of adenoviral (Adv) vectors, in this study, we constructed Adv‑hVEGF‑hIL‑1Ra by cloning hVEGF and hIL‑1Ra coding sequences and polyA signal under separate cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoters in Adenoquick plasmid (Ad 13.1). There was dose and time dependent expression of these genes after transduction …

The Role Of Pkd1 In Mouse Inner Ear Hair Cells, Katherine Ann Steigelman

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The polycystic kidney disease-1 (Pkd1) gene encodes a large transmembrane protein (polycystin-1 or PC-1) that is reported to function as a fluid flow-sensor in the kidney. As a member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family, PC-1 has also been hypothesized to play a role in the elusive mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) channel in inner ear hair cells based on PC-1 role of fluid flow sensing and calcium uptake into renal epithelial cells. However, two independent mouse lines with PC-1 mutations exhibit normal MET channel function despite hearing loss and ultra-structural abnormalities of stereocilia that remain properly polarized at …

Development And Evaluation Of Therapeutics In The Setting Of Radiation Injury, Karin Emmons Thompson

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The possibility of an incident involving radiation exposure is at the forefront of public attention in the current global environment. With a greater number of entities possessing nuclear weapons and increased demand for nuclear power, the concern for uncontained exposure to radiation is increasing. In light of these developments, the need for treatments that may be easily stored and administered to large numbers of people who have been exposed to high doses of total body irradiation (TBI) is more urgent than ever before.

Our goal was to identify and develop novel, drug-like small molecules that would exhibit radiomitigating activity for …

Coping Style And Blood Pressure In African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study, Sandra Henley Williams

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Objective: To explore the relationship between coping style and blood pressure in African American men and women.

Participants: This descriptive correlational study consisted of 4354 adult men (n = 1557) and women (n = 2797) enrolled in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) who completed the Coping Strategies Short-Form (CSI-SF).

Results: Coping style mean score comparisons showed that JHS participants used engagement coping styles more than disengagement coping styles. The PFE subscale had the highest mean score (15.10 ± 2.63) with 75% of the PFE scores under 17.00 and 75% of EFE scores were below 15.00. Comparatively, 75% of PFD scores …

Cd151 Reinforces Vascular Stability By Balancing Endothelial Cell Adhesion And Cytoskeletal Tension, Feng Zhang

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Tetraspanin CD151 is highly expressed in endothelial cells and regulates pathological angiogenesis. However, the mechanism by which CD151 promotes vascular morphogenesis and whether CD151 engages other vascular functions are unclear. We observed that CD151 is required for the maintenance of endothelial capillary-like structures formed in vitro and the integrity of lung endothelial cell-cell contacts in vivo. As a master regulator of endothelial cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesions, CD151 is needed for the optimal functions of various cell adhesion proteins such as integrin, cadherin, and CD44. The loss of CD151 elevates the cellular intrinsic contraction by upregulating RhoA signaling and downregulating of …

Design Of Lipid And Polymeric Carriers For Nucleic Acid Delivery, Lin Zhu

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The objectives of the study were to investigate and develop lipid and polymeric carriers for nucleic acid delivery. These included: i) to develop novel cationic lipids for plasmid, oligonucleotide, and siRNA delivery; ii) to develop a novel polymeric delivery system, polyethylene glycol (PEG) based bio–conjugate, for oligonucleotide delivery; iii) to develop a novel bio–conjugate delivery system for siRNA delivery.

In Chapter 2, we discussed the barriers and strategies of nucleic acid delivery, as well as summarized the commonly used lipids, polymers, and the corresponding carriers in terms of their characteristics, applications, advantages and limitations.

Cationic lipids are most commonly used …

Disseminated Tuberculosis In Captive Malayan Tapir (Tapirus Indicus), Theerayuth Kaewamatawong, Wijit Banlunara, Anudep Rungsipipat, Nopadon Pirarat, Suphasawatt Puranaveja, Angkana Sommanustweechai

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an important zoonotic disease that concerns the survival of endangered species and public health aspects. A 17-year-old, female Malayan tapir from a zoo in Thailand died with a sign of panting after anesthesia for the treatment of her oral problems. Grossly, multiple caseous white nodules were scattered throughout the parenchyma and bulged from the capsular surface in affected organs such as lung, lymph node and liver. Histologic examination revealed multifocal to coalescing granulomas characterized by caseous necrotic center, loosely organized inflammatory zone with low numbers of Langhans’s giant cells and thin fibrotic zone. A …

Tetranucleotide Microsatellite Markers For Molecular Testing In Thai Domestic Elephants (Elephas Maximus Indicus), Duangsmorn Suwattana, Jutarat Jirasupphachok, Sumolya Kanchanapangka, Weerapong Koykul

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Eleven microsatellite loci were evaluated for genetic profiles of Thai domestic elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) and their suitability as genetic markers for molecular testing. A total of 66 animals were tested. 10 out of 11 loci could be amplified and they demonstrated polymorphism with allelic numbers per locus ranging from 7 (LaT06) to 39 (LaT18). Values of expected heterozygosity (He) and Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) were between 0.6449 (LaT17) – 0.9593 (LaT05) and 0.5934 (LaT17) – 0.9578 (LaT05), respectively. Analysis of the ten microsatellite markers revealed Combined Exclusion Probability (CEP) of 99.99998783% or 1.2167 x 10-7 and 99.91% confident for …

An Outbreak Of Avibacterium Paragallinarum Serovar B In A Thai Layer Farm, Kridda Chukiatsiri, Suwit Chotinun, Niwat Chansiripornchai

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Avibacterium paragallinarum serovar B was diagnosed and revealed in a layer farm. The infected chickens showed mucous nasal discharge, facial edema and conjunctivitis. Egg production also decreased dramatically. Necropsy findings showed lesions of conjunctivitis and edematous tissue around the eyes. The infraorbital sinuses were filled with a caseopurulent mass and tracheitis. Bacterial isolation and identification was performed and confirmed by PCR technic. A hemagglutination inhibition test using specific antibodies against serovar B revealed the Avibacterium paragallinarum serovar B infection. A pathogenicity test done in 10 layer chickens, showed clinical signs of nasal discharge, facial edema and conjunctivitis. This is the …

Ophthalmology Snapshot, Nalinee Tuntivanich

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

No abstract provided.

What Is Your Diagnosis?, Pranee Tuntivanich, Suwicha Chuthateph

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

No abstract provided.