Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Role Of Gastrointestinal Multidrug Resistance (Mdr1) Gene And P-Glycoprotein (P-Gp) In The Oral Absorption Of Methadone In Horses, Renata Lehn Linardi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Methadone is a mu-opioid receptor agonist which is a very effective analgesic used to treat moderate to severe acute and chronic pain in humans. Due to methadone’s minimal undesirable side-effects in people, we believed it could be of use in horses as an analgesic agent. As found with the majority of lipophilic drugs, absorption of methadone occurs primarily in the small intestine via transcellular transport and its absorption is regulated by P-glycoprotein. P-glycoprotein is a transmembrane transporter protein encoded by the multidrug resistance gene, which is constitutively expressed in the apical membrane of enterocytes of various species. This protein may …

Behaviors And Beliefs Of African American Caregivers As Related To Their Children's Language-Literacy Development, Lekeitha Renee' Morris

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined African American (AA) caregivers’ beliefs about their children’s language-literacy development and their book reading behaviors with their children as a function of socioeconomic status (SES). Caregivers’ behaviors were examined before, during, and after a three-day caregiver training program that targeted four behaviors (i.e., tracking print, reference to print, text to life, and interpretations). Participants were 20 caregiver-child dyads classified as Low-SES (LSES) or Middle-SES (MSES) based on the caregivers’ level of education. Children were typically developing girls between the ages of four and five years. At pre-test, the two groups of caregivers differed in some of their …

Evaluating And Regulating Lead In Artificial Turf, Gregory Van Ulirsch, Kevin Gleason, Shawn Gerstenberger, Deaphne B. Moffett, Glenn Pulliam, Tariq Ahmed, Jerald Fagliano

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Background: In 2007, a synthetic turf recreational field in Newark, New Jersey, was closed because lead was found in synthetic turf fibers and in surface dust at concentrations exceeding hazard criteria. Consequently, public health professionals across the country began testing synthetic turf to determine whether it represented a lead hazard. Currently, no standardized methods exist to test for lead in synthetic turf or to assess lead hazards.

Objectives: Our objectives were to increase awareness of potential lead exposure from synthetic turf by presenting data showing elevated lead in fibers and turf-derived dust; identify risk assessment uncertainties; recommend that federal and/or …

Prospects And Pits On The Path Of Biomimetics: The Case Of Tooth Enamel, Vuk Uskoković

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This review presents a discourse on challenges in understanding and imitating the process of amelogenesis in vitro on the molecular scale. In light of the analysis of imitation of the growth of dental enamel, it also impends on the prospects and potential drawbacks of the biomimetic approach in general. As the formation of enamel proceeds with the protein matrix guiding the crystal growth, while at the same time conducting its own degradation and removal, it is argued that three aspects of amelogenesis need to be induced in parallel: a) crystal growth; b) protein assembly; c) proteolytic degradation. A particular emphasis …

Localization Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme In Rabbit Cornea And Its Role In Controlling Corneal Angiogenesis In Vivo, Ajay Sharma, Daniel I. Bettis, John W. Cowden, Rajiv R. Mohan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose: The renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been shown to modulate vascular endothelial growth factor and angiogenesis. In this study we investigated (i) the existence of the RAS components angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II receptors (AT1 and AT2) in the rabbit cornea using in vitro and ex vivo models and (ii) the effect of enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, to inhibit angiogenesis in rabbit cornea in vivo.

Methods: New Zealand White rabbits were used. Cultured corneal fibroblasts and corneal epithelial cells were used for RNA isolation and cDNA preparation using standard molecular biology techniques. PCR was performed to …

Aav Serotype Influences Gene Transfer In Corneal Stroma In Vivo, Ajay Sharma, Jonathan C. K. Tovey, Arkasubhra Ghosh, Rajiv R. Mohan

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This study evaluated the cellular tropism and relative transduction efficiency of three AAV serotypes, AAV6, AAV8 and AAV9, for corneal gene delivery using mouse cornea in vivo and donor human cornea ex vivo. The AAV6, AAV8 and AAV9 serotypes having AAV2 plasmid encoding for alkaline phosphatase (AP) gene were generated by transfecting HEK293 cell line with pHelper, pARAP4 and pRep/Cap plasmids. Viral vectors (109 vg/μl) were topically applied onto mouse cornea in vivo and human cornea ex vivo after removing the epithelium. Human corneas were processed for transgene delivery at day 5 after viral vector application. Mouse corneas were harvested …

Intravenous Artesunate For Severe Malaria, Karl M. Hess, Jeffery A. Goad, Paul M. Arguin

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutic use of intravenous artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria.

DATA SOURCES: Literature was retrieved through PubMed (1999 March 2010), MEDLINE (1996 March 2010), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using the search terms artemisinin, artesunate, malaria, and severe malaria. In addition, reference citations from publications identified were reviewed.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles in English that were identified from the data sources were reviewed. Focus was placed on post-marketing trials examining the safety and efficacy of artesunate in comparison with other regimens.

DATA SYNTHESIS …

Synthesis Of Nucleoside 5′-O-Α,Β-Methylene-Β-Triphosphates And Evaluation Of Their Potency Towards Inhibition Of Hiv-1 Reverse Transcriptase, Yousef Ahmadibeni, Chandravanu Dash, M. J. Hanley, S. F. J. Le Grice, Hitesh K. Agarwal, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

A polymer-bound α,β-methylene-β-triphosphitylating reagent was synthesized and subjected to reactions with unprotected nucleosides, followed by oxidation, deprotection of cyanoethoxy groups, and acidic cleavage to afford nucleoside 5′-O-α,β-methylene-β-triphosphates. Among all the compounds, cytidine 5′-O-α,β-methylene-β-triphosphate inhibited RNase H activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase with a Ki value of 225 μM.

Development Of Cytarabine Prodrugs And Delivery Systems For Leukemia Treatment, Bhupender S. Chhikara, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Importance of the field: Cytarabine is a polar nucleoside drug used for the treatment of myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The drug has a short plasma half-life, low stability, and limited bioavailability. Overdosing of patients with continuous infusions may lead to side effects. Thus, various prodrug strategies and delivery systems have been extensively explored to enhance the half-life, stability, and delivery of cytarabine. Among the recent cytarabine prodrugs, amino acid conjugate ValCytarabine and fatty acid derivative CP-4055 (in phase 3 trials) have been investigated for the treatment of leukemia and solid tumors, respectively. Alternatively, delivery systems of cytarabine have …

Synthesis, Antiviral And Contraceptive Activities Of Nucleoside-Sodium Cellulose Sulfate Acetate And Succinate Conjugates, Hitesh K. Agarwal, Anil Kumar, Gustavo F. Doncel, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Chemical conjugates between sodium cellulose sulfate (CS), displaying contraceptive and HIV-entry inhibiting properties, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (AZT), 3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxythymidine (FLT), or 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC)) were designed to simultaneously provide contraceptive and anti-HIV activity. Two linkers, acetate and succinate, were used to conjugate the nucleoside analogs with CS. The conjugates containing cellulose sulfate-acetate (CSA) (e.g., AZT-CSA and FLT-CSA) were found to be more potent than CS and other conjugates (e.g., AZT-succinate-CS, and FLT-succinate-CS). The presence of both sulfate and the acetate groups on cellulose were critical for generating maximum anti-HIV activity. In addition to showing equal potency against wild-type …

Dr. Cezanne And The Art Of Re(Peat)Search: Competing Interests And Obligations In Clinical Research, Robyn L. Bluhm, Jocelyn Downie, Jeff Nisker

Philosophy Faculty Publications

Clinician researchers have a number of roles, each of which carries specific obligations. There are times when these obligations may be in competition (up to and including conflict) with each other. Using a narrative case study that describes a group of colleagues discussing their clinical department's participation in an industry-sponsored research protocol, we illustrate a number of the obligations faced by clinician researchers, and discuss how competing interests and obligations can lead to ethical problems. The case study is followed by a discussion of the effect of university-industry relations on competing interests and obligations in both clinical research and the …

The Application Of Social Marketing In Increasing Blood Donation Among Donors And Non Donors: The Case Of Third Level Students., John Healy

Theses

In today’s society, blood donation is dependent on the goodwill of people to voluntarily donate blood without financial reward. There is a continuous need for new blood donors, because the demand for donor blood is increasing, whereas the supply of blood is declining. Three thousand blood donations are needed in Ireland every week. Maintaining an adequate supply is the biggest challenge. Only 3.6% of the population in the Republic of Ireland donate blood. This leaves an enormous potential blood donor base, which if tapped into and maintained could lead to an adequate reserve of donations to meet the transfusion needs …

A Critical Analyses Of How The Hse’S Communications And Public Relations Department Responded To The Swine Flu Pandemic In The Southern Region Of Ireland., Suzanne Mccarthy

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to analyse how the HSE South handled the Swine Flu pandemic. This was largely focused on how the HSE communicated with their publics as well as how they carried out such a large public information campaign. It is also important to understand how the public felt about the management of this pandemic. This thesis was dependant on interviewing various individuals from relevant backgrounds. This included PR and communication personnel employed by the HSE, representative of the media and health care professionals who deal directly with different communities within the general public. The objectives of …

The Relationship Between Obesity And Skin And Soft Tissue Infections, Juliana Swiney

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The Problem:

It is well known that our country is experiencing an obesity epidemic: 33.9% of all adults are obese (BMI>30) and 67% of adults are either overweight or obese (BMI>25). Obesity is a risk factor for several serious disease states such as, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, heart disease and some types of cancer. It also has a less well defined relationship with skin and soft tissue infections.

Although it is known that excessive weight increases the opportunity for harmful skin conditions, this relationship has not been as well studied. Some of the mechanisms that predispose obese people to …

Diagnosis: Recurrent Ascites And Lower Extremity Edema In A 67-Year Old Female, Lea Alfi

Quill & Scope

In this clinical vignette, a third year medical student explores what may be ailing a 67-year old woman with ascites and lower extremity edema.

Social Networking Tools In The Modern Era Of Human Rights Protection, Odessa Balumbu, Richard Fazio, Mera Geis, Michael Karsy

Quill & Scope

Human rights are fundamental liberties that should be guaranteed to all human beings. These include things such as access to education and health care, food security, freedom from persecution and access to shelter, safety and security. Human rights promotion and international development have become popular philanthropic efforts and new technology is helping younger generations participate more easily. Whether through activism, fundraising or volunteering, there are many ways to make a difference. Pro- moting the awareness of and access to human rights is a job everyone can and should be a part of.

Women In Medicine, Marissa Friedman

Quill & Scope

The 150th Anniversary of New York Medical College inspires a reflective look into the journey of women in medicine. In a time when women did not receive the same rights as men, a few courageous women pushed to open the field of medicine for all to study. One of these women, Dr. Clemence Sophia Lozier, founded the first women’s medical school in New York City, New York Medical College for Women. In 1918 this school became incorporated into the original New York Medical College, to be- come the co-ed school known today. Despite small growth in the numbers of women …

Can Cycles Of Neddylation And Deneddylation Provide Points For Possible Therapeutic Intervention?, Nadia Nocera

Quill & Scope

Neddylation plays a critical role in proteosomal degradation and the progression of the cell cycle. Inter- fering with the process of neddylation and deneddylation could provide points of therapy by promoting cell death or cell cycle arrest in cells that are undergoing rapid proliferation, such as in tumors. The cy- cle of neddylation and deneddylation is essential for cellular processes, and if it is inhibited or amplified in some way, this may disturb the proliferation of tumor and with further research, it may be used as a target for cancer therapy.

Antidepressants Misrepresented, Steve Rockoff

Quill & Scope

In a January 2010 study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, investigators determined that for patients who had less than “very severe depression”, antidepressants have no measurable effect on de- pressive symptoms when compared to placebo. This resounding statement was widely circulated by every major national media outlet. If true, it has powerful implications for the millions of Americans who are currently prescribed antidepressants. The commentary at hand highlights several glaring flaws in the design and conclusions of these researchers’ meta-analysis, in an attempt to portray their findings in a less alarming and more realistic light.

Homeopathy, Charles Volk

Quill & Scope

For the first 50 years of NYMC's history, the school taught a form of medicine called 'homeopathy'. What is this form of medicine and what would it be like to go to a homeopathic medical school? The author shares his experiences in the world of alternative medicine and the time he spent in a homeo- pathic academy learning about energy medicine, impossibly diluted compounds, how the germ theory is wrong, how science is incorrect, and how miasms are at the core of all human suffering.

Different Training Volumes Yield Equivalent Increases In Bmd, R. A. Pierce, L. C. Lee, C. P. Ahles, S. M. Shdo, S. V. Jaque, Ken D. Sumida

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The purpose of this study was to determine if an exercise threshold existed in stimulating an elevation in bone mineral density (BMD), via resistance training, during the growth period in male rats. 27 male rats were randomly divided into Control (Con, n = 9), 3 ladder climb resistance trained group (3LC, n = 9), and 6 ladder climb resistance trained group (6LC, n = 9). The 3LC and 6LC groups were conditioned to climb a vertical ladder with weights appended to their tail 3 days/wk for a total of 6 wks, but the 6LC group performed significantly more work than …

Adapting To Aging In Place: An Assessment Of Residential Living Facility Resident's Frequency Of Physical Activity, Maggie L. Roe

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Village Manor is medium sized independent retirement community in rural Kentucky. When the community was built in 1995, designers did not anticipate residents’ long term physical activity needs. In order to meet the needs of current and future residents, both resident physical activity levels and their expectations were examined. The Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE) was administered (n = 23) to develop a profile of current physical activity. One focus group was held to develop themes relating to residents’ current physical activity program desires. Results showed that compared to the theoretical physical activity recommendations for this age group (mean …

Subcellular Localization Of The Non-Structural Proteins 3c And 3cd Of The Honeybee Virus Deformed Wing Virus, Cierra Nichole Danko

Honors Theses

Apis mellifera L., the European honeybee, is a crucial pollinator of many important agricultural crops in the United States. Recently, honeybee colonies have been affected by Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a disorder in which the colony fails due to the disappearance of a key functional group of worker bees. Though no direct causalrelationship has been confirmed, hives that experience CCD have been shown to have a high incidence of Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), a common honeybee virus. While the genome sequence and gene-order of DWV has been analyzed fairly recently, few other studies have been performed to understand the molecular …

Youth In India: Situation And Needs 2006-2007, Andhra Pradesh, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This report is the result of a sub-national study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India, including those related to education, work force participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation; the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within and outside of marriage as well as related knowledge, decision-making and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

Données Démographiques Pour Développement Ii—De La Recherche À L'Intervention: Améliorer L'Accès Et L'Utilsation Des Données Par Les Médias, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This policy brief describes the Population Council’s project to improve access and use of demographic, health, and other public sector data that are essential evidence for development policy planning and evaluation. In many countries, access to data is limited and, when data are available, the format is rarely user-friendly for nonprofessionals, limiting their potential applications. In recent years, the Population Council has examined access to and sharing of data through case studies in Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, and Uganda. In phase II of the project, the Council will strive to promote domestic demand for data by working with key intermediaries—the media.

Romance And Sex Before Marriage Among Young Women And Men In Andhra Pradesh, International Institute For Population Sciences (Iips), Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This policy brief documents the extent of pre-marital romantic and sexual relations experienced by young men and women in Andhra Pradesh, India and the extent to which pre-marital sexual experiences among young people are informed, safe, and wanted. Findings clearly highlight that many young men and a small minority of young women in Andhra Pradesh had engaged in sex before marriage and that many of them had initiated sexual activities uninformed, had engaged in unsafe relations, and/or had experienced unwanted relations. Findings that relatively few youth had been exposed to family life or sex education emphasize the need for increased …

Assessing Abortion-Related Experiences And Needs In Four Districts Of Maharashtra And Rajasthan, 2006, Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, A.J. Francis Zavier, Shveta Kalyanwala

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

Recognizing the urgent need to enable rural women to acquire accessible and high-quality abortion services in India, a consortium of organizations—including the Population Council—has come together with the goal of increasing access to legal, safe, and comprehensive abortion services, including postabortion family planning, in the public health system, especially among the rural poor. One of its key activities was to develop a comprehensive and evidence-based abortion care model suitable for rural women. The aim of this report is to shed light on community-level perspectives about abortion services and probe the experiences of women who had undergone abortion, to better understand …

The Causes Of Educational Differences In Fertility In Sub-Saharan Africa, John Bongaarts

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

This working paper presents an analytic framework that describes the chain of causation linking fertility to its multiple layers of determinants, then analyzes the causes of educational fertility differences in 30 sub-Saharan African countries using data from DHS surveys. The results demonstrate that education levels are positively associated with demand for and use of contraception and negatively associated with fertility and desired family size. In addition, there are differences by level of education in the relationships between indicators. As education rises, fertility is lower at a given level of contraceptive use, contraceptive use is higher at a given level of …

Kishor-Kishorider Jonno Ortho Sikkha: Shikkhok Shahayika [Financial Education For Adolescents: Teacher's Manual], Sigma Ainul, Marzina Khatun, Najneen Mahbooba

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

No abstract provided.

The Adolescent Experience In-Depth: Using Data To Identify And Reach The Most Vulnerable Young People—Ghana 2008, Population Council

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

“The Adolescent Experience In-Depth: Using Data to Identify and Reach the Most Vulnerable Young People: Ghana 2008” is part of a series of Population Council guides that draw principally on data from the Demographic and Health Surveys to provide decisionmakers at all levels—from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and advocacy groups—with evidence on the situation of adolescent girls and boys and young women aged 10–24 years. The data are presented in graphs, tables, and maps (wherever possible), providing multiple formats to make the information accessible to a range of audiences. Section I is the Foreword. Section II offers brief technical notes specific …