Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Superparamagnetic Nanoparticle Capture Of Prions For Amplification, Michael B. Miller, Surachai Supattapone

Dartmouth Scholarship

Prion diseases are associated with the presence of PrP(Sc), a disease-associated misfolded conformer of the prion protein. We report that superparamagnetic nanoparticles bind PrP(Sc) molecules efficiently and specifically, permitting magnetic separation of prions from a sample mixture. Captured PrP(Sc) molecules retain the activity to seed protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) reactions, enabling the rapid concentration of dilute prions to improve detection. Furthermore, superparamagnetic nanoparticles clear contaminated solutions of PrP(Sc). Our findings suggest that coupling magnetic nanoparticle capture with PMCA could accelerate and improve prion detection. Magnetic nanoparticles may also be useful for developing a nontoxic prion decontamination method for biologically …

Land Surveyor Struck And Killed By Passenger Vehicle, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

One late fall day in 2009, at approximately 3:30 PM, two land surveyors had completed surveying tasks for the day and were walking north, on opposites sides of a two-lane rural state highway. They were returning surveying equipment to the company truck. Surveyor 1, company owner, was walking with traffic on the east side of the road, in the grass, a few feet to the right of the pavement. Surveyor 2 was walking on the edge of the pavement on the west side of the road. Both men were on the road on the blind side of a hill and …

2011 January 11 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Municipal Solid Waste Collector Dies After Falling From Solid Waste Vehicle Hopper Area, Kentucky Injury Prevention And Research Center

Fatality Case Reports--Motor Vehicle

On a spring day in 2010, a 41 year-old male, solid waste collector, was riding in the hopper area of a solid waste truck when he fell out and struck his head on the pavement. He was riding in the hopper area because the step he usually rode, located at the rear driver side, was broken. Another worker rode the rear step on the passenger side of the vehicle, and a third worker, the driver, drove. After approaching a stop, the driver looked into the rearview mirror and saw the decedent on the pavement. The driver stopped the truck, and …

Augmented Control Of A Hands-Free Electrolarynx, Brian Madden, James Condron, Eugene Coyle

Conference Papers

During voiced speech, the larynx acts as the sound source, providing a quasi-periodic excitation of the vocal tract. Following a total laryngectomy, some people speak using an electrolarynx which employs an electromechanical actuator to perform the excitatory function of the absent larynx. Drawbacks of conventional electrolarynx designs include the monotonic sound emitted, the need for a free-hand to operate the device, and the difficulty experienced by many laryngectomees in adapting to its use. One improvement to the electrolarynx, which clinicians and users frequently suggest, is the provision of a convenient hands-free control facility. This would allow more natural use of …

Threlkeld, Matthew Kohl, B. 1985 (Fa 538), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Folklife Archives Finding Aids

Finding aid and full-text (click on "Additional File" below) for Folklife Archives Project 538. Matthew Kohl Threlkeld records an urban legend told by Daniel Houghton about running a marijuana operation from a fast food restaurant. This project was a requirement for a folk studies class at Western Kentucky University.

Identification Of Differential Pharyngeal Cytokine Profiles During Hiv Infection, R. A. P. M. Perera, P. C. S. Tsang, Craig S. Miller, P. Li, M. P. Lee, L. P. Samaranayake

Center for Oral Health Research Presentations

Significantly higher pharyngeal shedding of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is observed during HIV infection. Increased EBV shedding in pharynx is not affected even during highly active antiretroviral theyrapy (HAART). EBV positive monocyte populations have been shown to carry EBV to pharyngeal mucosa. Human cytokine profiles are often altered to facilitate herpes virus infection. Thus pharyngeal cytokine profiles may influence EBV reactivation and shedding during HIV infection. Our objective was to compare 37 pharyngeal cytokine profiles of HIV-seropositive patients who were or were not receiving HAART therapy.

Memories Of The Dna Car, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - January 9, 2011, Lindsey Lyle

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the January 9, 2011 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's newsletter - Watercooler

Contents Include:

• Kimberly Bryan Second Recipient of Regan Robinson Scholarship

• Dr. Wensheng Lin Awarded Research Grant

• Retirement Reception Held For Gloria Deakle

• Next Week's DSS - Dr. Nader G. Abraham

Body Mass, Frequency Of Eating And Breakfast Consumption In 9-13 Year Olds, Tara Coppinger, Y. M. Jeanes, J. Hardwick, S. Reeves

Pre-prints

Background: Unhealthy eating patterns in childhood can lead to adverse health conditions, particularly obesity. However, debate remains around the precise eating behaviours that lead to these conditions. The present study aimed to address this lack of evidence by reporting on the eating frequency, breakfast consumption and body mass index (BMI, kg m–2) of youth in the UK.

Methods: A total of 264 (133 boys and 131 girls) participants, aged 10–13 years, completed self-report measures of dietary intake via 3-day food/drink diaries (Friday to Sunday). Trained researchers recorded height and weight to calculate the BMI. Diaries were analysed using …

Ready, Set...Pitch: Marketing Yourself Like An Entrepreneur (Powerpoint Pdf), Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

Great elevator pitches are created to sell your idea, business, product or service in 30 seconds or less (the time it takes to go from the first floor to the top of the building in an elevator). It’s important to develop and practice an effective pitch so you are ready to use it under fire. When you step onto an elevator with Warren Buffett or Bill Gates, you want to be prepared! This worksheet will help you create an amazing pitch!!

Beyond Communication Skills, Loreli Lingard Phd

Interprofessional Education Initiative Conference

No abstract provided.

Crossing The Boundaries: Achieving Interprofessional Collaboration And Care, Karen Frush Md, Bsn

Interprofessional Education Initiative Conference

No abstract provided.

Call For Interdisciplinary Integration At The Point Of Care, Bonnie Wesorick Rn, Mn, Faan, Dpnap, Clinical Practice Model

Interprofessional Education Initiative Conference

No abstract provided.

Population-Wide Model-Free Quantification Of Blood-Brain-Barrier Dynamics In Multiple Sclerosis, Russell T. Shinohara, Ciprian Crainiceanu, Brian Caffo, María Inés Gaitán, Daniel Reich

Johns Hopkins University, Dept. of Biostatistics Working Papers

The processes by which new white matter lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS) develop are only partially understood. Much of this understanding has come through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human brain. One of the hallmarks of new lesion development in MS is enhancement on T1-weighted MRI scans following the intravenous administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent that shortens the longitudinal relaxation time of the tissue. This visible enhancement in the MRI results from the opening of the blood-brain barrier and reveals areas of active inflammation. The incidence and number of existing enhancing lesions are common outcome measures used in …

Role Of Interprofessional Teams In High Reliability Systems, Matthew Denenberg Md, Faap, Facep, Medical Director And Division Chief, Pediatric Emergency Department, Richard Hackbarth Md, Pediatric Clinical Care (Helen Devos Children's Hospital), Assistant Professor In The Department Of Pediatrics And Human Development (Michigan State University College Of Human Medicine), Stephen Rechner Md, Medical Director, Women's Health Services, Carlos Rodriguez Md, Facs, Medical Director Of Perioperative Services (Spectrum Health), Assistant Professor Of Surgery (Michigan State University College Of Human Medicine)

Interprofessional Education Initiative Conference

No abstract provided.

Create A Safe Day To Teach Patient Safety Behaviors, Susan Teman Bsn, Rn, Patient Safety And Quality Manager, Amy Alters Rn, Ccrn, Patient Safety Consultant

Interprofessional Education Initiative Conference

No abstract provided.

Safety Culture Transformation: A Success Story, Tom Peterson Md, Faap, Executive Director Of Safety, Quality Community Health

Interprofessional Education Initiative Conference

No abstract provided.

Molecular Mechanism By Which The Nucleoid Occlusion Factor, Slma, Keeps Cytokinesis In Check, Nam Ky Tonthat, Stefan T Arold, Brian F Pickering, Michael W Van Dyke, Shoudan Liang, Yue Lu, Tushar K Beuria, William Margolin, Maria A Schumacher

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In Escherichia coli, cytokinesis is orchestrated by FtsZ, which forms a Z-ring to drive septation. Spatial and temporal control of Z-ring formation is achieved by the Min and nucleoid occlusion (NO) systems. Unlike the well-studied Min system, less is known about the anti-DNA guillotining NO process. Here, we describe studies addressing the molecular mechanism of SlmA (synthetic lethal with a defective Min system)-mediated NO. SlmA contains a TetR-like DNA-binding fold, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses show that SlmA-binding sites are dispersed on the chromosome except the Ter region, which segregates immediately before septation. SlmA binds DNA and FtsZ simultaneously, and the …

Fluorine Substitutions In An Antigenic Peptide Selectively Modulate T Cell Receptor Binding In A Minimally Perturbing Manner, Kurt H. Piepenbrink, Oleg Y. Borbulevych, Ruth F. Sommese, John Clemens, Kathrynq M. Armstrong, Clare Desmond, Priscilla Do, Brian M. Baker

Food for Health: Publications

T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of antigenic peptides bound and presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules forms the basis of the cellular immune response to pathogens and cancer. TCRs bind peptide/MHC molecules weakly and with fast kinetics, features which have hindered detailed biophysical studies of these interactions. Modified peptides resulting in enhanced TCR binding could help overcome these challenges. Further, there is considerable interest in using modified peptides with enhanced TCR binding as the basis for clinical vaccines. Here, we studied how fluorine substitutions in an antigenic peptide can selectively impact TCR recognition. Using a structure-guided design approach, we …

Noncoronary Cardiac Abnormalities Are Associated With Coronary Artery Dilation And With Laboratory Inflammatory Markers In Acute Kawasaki Disease., Beth F. Printz, Lynn A. Sleeper, Jane W. Newburger, L Luann Minich, Timothy Bradley, Meryl S. Cohen, Deborah Frank, Jennifer S. Li, Renee Margossian, Girish S. Shirali, Masato Takahashi, Steven D. Colan, Pediatric Heart Network Investigators

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: We explored the association of noncoronary cardiac abnormalities with coronary artery dilation and with laboratory inflammatory markers early after Kawasaki disease (KD) diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, mitral regurgitation (MR), and aortic root dilation occur early after diagnosis; their associations with coronary artery dilation and inflammatory markers have not been well-described.

METHODS: Centrally interpreted echocardiograms were obtained at KD diagnosis and 1 and 5 weeks after diagnosis on 198 subjects in the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Pediatric Heart Network KD pulsed steroid trial. Regression models were constructed to investigate the relationships among early LV dysfunction, MR, and aortic …

Apoptosis In Displaced Temporomandibular Joint Disc With And Without Reduction: An Immunohistochemical Study, Carla Loreto, Luis Eduardo Almeida, Paula C. Trevilatto, Rosalia Leonardi

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Internal derangement (ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is due to an abnormal relationship of the articular disc to the mandibular condyle, glenoid fossa and articular eminence. The two most common types of internal derangement are anterior disc displacement with (ADDwR) and without reduction (ADDwoR). Disc displacement is associated with degenerative tissue changes. The histological features of discs from patients with TMJ ID reflect a general remodelling caused by abnormal loading. A correlation has been demonstrated between TMJ ID and apoptosis. Few investigations have addressed the role of apoptosis or caspase activity in TMJ ID. The apoptosis activation process was …

Ada News - 01/03/2011, American Dental Association, Publishing Division

ADA News

Established in 1970 as the official newspaper of the American Dental Association, the ADA News serves practicing dentists and others allied to the dental profession in the U.S. and internationally. It is the No. 1 source of news and information about the many benefits and services the ADA delivers to members daily as well as timely information on scientific, social, political and economic developments affecting dentistry and health care.

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - January 2, 2011, Lindsey Lyle

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the January 2, 2011 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's newsletter - Watercooler

Contents Include:

• 'Miracle Baby' Medical Student Featured in Press- Register

• USA Medical Honor Society Organizes Free Health Fair in South Mobile County

• 'Standing for the Silenced' - Press-Register Article Featuring USA Biomedical Librarian

• January Med School Café - “Modern Management of Crohn’s Disease”

• 'Making Spirits Bright' - Press-Register Features USA Family Specialty Clinic Donation

Acsl6 Is Associated With The Number Of Cigarettes Smoked And Its Expression Is Altered By Chronic Nicotine Exposure, Jingchun Chen, Darlene H. Brunzell, Kia J. Jackson, Andrew Van Der Vaart, Jennie Z. Ma, Thomas J. Payne, Richard Sherva, Lindsay A. Farrer, Pablo Gejman, Douglas F. Levinson, Peter Holmans, Steven H. Aggen, Imad Damaj, Po-Hsiu Kuo, Bradley T. Webb, Raymond Anton, Henry R. Kranzler, Joel Gelemter, Minf D. Li, Kenneth S. Kendler, Xiangning Chen

Psychiatry Publications

Individuals with schizophrenia tend to be heavy smokers and are at high risk for tobacco dependence. However, the nature of the comorbidity is not entirely clear. We previously reported evidence for association of schizophrenia with SNPs and SNP haplotypes in a region of chromosome 5q containing the SPEC2, PDZ-GEF2 and ACSL6 genes. In this current study, analysis of the control subjects of the Molecular Genetics of Schizophrenia (MGS) sample showed similar pattern of association with number of cigarettes smoked per day (numCIG) for the same region. To further test if this locus is associated with tobacco smoking as measured …

Minimal Art: Or Why Small Viral K+ Channels Are Good Tools For Understanding Basic Structure And Function Relations, Gerhard Thiel, Dirk Baumeister, Indra Schroeder, Stefan M. Kast, James L. Van Etten, Anna Moroni

James Van Etten Publications

Some algal viruses contain genes that encode proteins with the hallmarks of K+ channels. One feature of these proteins is that they are less than 100 amino acids in size, which make them truly minimal for a K+ channel protein. That is, they consist of only the pore module present in more complex K+ channels. The combination of miniature size and the functional robustness of the viral K+ channels make them ideal model systems for studying how K+ channels work. Here we summarize recent structure/function correlates from these channels, which provide insight into functional properties such as gating, pharmacology and …

Tactile Thresholds Are Preserved Yet Complex Sensory Function Is Impaired Over The Lumbar Spine Of Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain Patients: A Preliminary Investigation, Benedict M. Wand, Flavia Di Pietro, Pamela George, Neil E. O'Connell

Physiotherapy Conference Papers

Evidence indicates that chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is associated with alteration in the brain’s cortical representation of the back, resulting in body perception disturbance and contributing to the condition [1,2]. This study investigated perception via ‘cortical’ sensory tests, in this case two-point discrimination and graphaesthesia—whose results partly depend on the integrity of cortical representation [2]. The hypothesis was dysfunction in these higher-order tasks, with simple tactile thresholds remaining unchanged. Furthermore a relationship between cortical sensation and severity of the condition was predicted.

Keeping Current With Electronic Resources And Libraries, Mary Moore Phd

Faculty Research, Publications, and Presentations

Those seeking to understand current trends in serials and collection development often gather at established conferences such as the Charleston Conference and the North American Serials Interest Group. A relative newcomer, Electronic Resources & Libraries, brings together technical services personnel, public services personnel, Web developers, systems librarians, vendors, policy makers, and standards experts, forming lively communities of professionals working together to develop, deliver and evaluate eresources.

Isabel, A Clinical Decision Support System, Emily J. Vardell, Mary Moore Phd

Faculty Research, Publications, and Presentations

A Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) is an interactive tool designed to assist clinicians in making decisions, such as determining a diagnosis. The Isabel Database is a CDSS featuring a clinical checklist and topic-specific knowledge components. This column contains an overview of the database, provides searching tips, and places Isabel within the context of the CDSS field.

An Introduction To Clinical Decision Support Systems, Mary Moore Phd, Kimberly A. Loper

Faculty Research, Publications, and Presentations

Library support of clinical decision-making ranges from passive (traditional library collections of books and journals) to highly active (professional services, such as clinical medical librarians, LATCH, and informationists). Support of mobile computing resources and subscriptions to services, such as UpToDate and DynaMed, moves libraries toward interactive resources to aid healthcare providers in their decisions about specific patient questions. Librarians seeking to add robust clinical decision support systems should partner with clinicians and medical educators to weigh usability, ability to integrate with electronic health records and other systems, accuracy, reliability, depth of knowledge base, and improvements to process and patient outcomes, …