Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ultrasound Diagnosis, Phiwipha Kamonrat

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

No abstract provided.

City Tumour Board Karachi: An Innovative Step In Multidisciplinary Consensus Meeting And Its Two Years Audit., Asghar Hussain Asghar, Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi, Abid Jamal, Ghulam H, Sadia Rizvi

Department of Medicine

Management of cancer patients is a team work which usually comprises of surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, psychiatrist, nutritionist and a nurse. Any patient who is suffering from any tumour needs a multimodality meeting as cancer treatment is not a single persons job. Most of the time, it is difficult to get the whole team together for a plan discussion due to their busy schedule. This problem was overcome by starting a tumour board meeting early morning of Sunday in Karachi which was named "City Tumour Board (CTB) Karachi". Its first meeting was held on Sunday March 28, 2010 and since …

Clinically Significant Contrast Induced Acute Kidney Injury After Non-Emergent Cardiac Catheterization--Risk Factors And Impact On Length Of Hospital Stay., Waqar Kashif, Ali Khawaja, Syed Ather Hussain

Department of Medicine

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and risk factors associated with clinically significant contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN) in patients undergoing non-emergent coronary angiography.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2005 to December 2007.

Methodology: Case records of patients who underwent coronary angiography with a serum creatinine of ≥ 1.5 mg/dl atthe time of procedure were evaluated. Clinically significant contrast induced nephropathy (CSCIN) was defined as either doubling of serum creatinine from baseline value within a week following the procedure or need for emergency hemodialysis after the procedure.Results: One hundred …

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Ten Year Experience At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan., Abid Laghari, Aamir Hameed, K. Kazmi

Department of Medicine

Background: There is very little literature regarding peripartum cardiomyopathy from the Asian countries. We conducted this study to determine demographic details, clinical presentations, complications and recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic function in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCMP) patients of Pakistani origin.

Method: A ten year retrospective case series of PPCMP was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital. Patients were also followed up for six months after presentation, with special regard to improvement in the LV function.

Results: Total 45 patients were included, 25 (55.5%) primigravida and 8 (17.7%) gravida 2 and the remaining 12 (26.6%) were multigravida. Fourteen patients (31.1%) …

Tumor Necrosis Factor -Α, Interleukin-10, Intercellular And Vascular Adhesion Molecules Are Possible Biomarkers Of Disease Severity In Complicated Plasmodium Vivax Isolates From Pakistan., Afsheen Raza, Najia K. Ghanchi, Ali Bin Sarwar Zubairi, Ahmed Raheem, Sobia Nizami, Mohammad Asim Beg

Department of Medicine

Background: Cytokine-mediated endothelial activation pathway is a known mechanism of pathogenesis employed by Plasmodium falciparum to induce severe disease symptoms in human host. Though considered benign, complicated cases of Plasmodium vivax are being reported worldwide and from Pakistan. It has been hypothesized that P.vivax utilizes similar mechanism of pathogenesis, as that of P.falciparum for manifestations of severe malaria. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to characterize the role of cytokines and endothelial activation markers in complicated Plasmodium vivax isolates from Pakistan.

Methods and Principle Findings: A case control study using plasma samples from well-characterized groups suffering from P.vivax …

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor For Mobilizing Bone Marrow Stem Cells In The Sub Acute Stroke. How Safe Is The Use Of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor In Sub-Acute Stroke? Is This Stem Cell Trial Of Recovery Enhancement Beneficial?, Fauzia Nomani, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Characterizing The Genetic Bases Of Autosomal Recessive Disorders, Nadia Awni Akawi

Dissertations

Autosomal recessive disorders have devastating effects on patients and their families. Elucidating the genetic bases of such disorders is essential to improve their clinical outcome and for implementing effective prevention programs. In this dissertation, the genetic bases of seven autosomal recessive disorders in consanguineous families were investigated using homozygosity mapping followed by candidate genes or whole-exome sequencing. Consequently, novel genomic loci and novel mutations have been revealed. The mutations underlying Silver-Russell syndrome in three families were found in OBSL1 and CUL7 genes, known to cause 3-M syndrome. In addition, the mutations identified in COL11A1 in two families were the first …

The Influence Of Family Dynamics On Contraceptive Use In Madagascar And The Ensuing Impact On Family Well-Being, Joel Zafitandra Hajason, Kayla Piña, Joel L. Raveloharimisy

Faculty Publications

While studies have shown a relationship between family dynamics and contraceptive use and between contraceptive use and family well-being, no empirical study has been conducted to test whether a relationship exists between family influence on contraceptive use and family wellbeing. The objective of this study is to explore whether there is such a relationship between family influence on contraceptive use and family well-being.

Formulation Development Of A Polymer-Drug Matrix With A Controlled Release Profile For The Treatment Of Glaucoma, Eric W. Tsoi

Master's Theses

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States accounting for 9-12% of all cases of blindness. Currently, the front line treatment for glaucoma are prostaglandins that may have to be taken up to several times a day. Even with proper treatment, roughly 11% of the patients using the treatment are non-compliant and lose their vision. In this project, ForSight Laboratories has developed a pharmaceutical drug delivering implant with the capability of sustaining long-term release of a prostaglandin as a new way to treat the condition. This project reports the product development of a polymer drug matrix with …

Tibial Tubercle Transfer To Correct Bilateral Patellar Tendinopathy In A Collegiate Football Player, Andrew D. Hamstra

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To present a case of a competitive football player with chronic patellar tendinopathy and the associated bilateral tibial tubercle transfer surgeries performed leading to the reduction of pain and return to participation.

Background: A 19 year-old male football athlete (height= 187.96 cm, mass= 112.037 kg) presented with chronic patellar tendinopathy that began in his high school career and continued to worsen with the increased physical demands associated with participation in collegiate sport.

Differential Diagnosis: Chondromalacia patella and Osgood Schlatters disease.

Treatment: After nonsurgical intervention resulted in no decrease of pain, bilateral tibial tubercle transfer surgery was conducted to correct …

Dopaminergic Modulation Of Memory And Affective Processing In Parkinson Depression, Lee X. Blonder, John T. Slevin, Richard J. Kryscio, Catherine A. Martin, Anders H. Andersen, Charles D Smith, Frederick A. Schmitt

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center Faculty Publications

Depression is common in Parkinson's disease and is associated with cognitive impairment. Dopaminergic medications are effective in treating the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease; however, little is known regarding the effects of dopaminergic pharmacotherapy on cognitive function in depressed Parkinson patients. This study examines the neuropsychological effects of dopaminergic pharmacotherapy in Parkinsonian depression. We compared cognitive function in depressed and non-depressed Parkinson patients at two time-points: following overnight withdrawal and after the usual morning regimen of dopaminergic medications. A total of 28 non-demented, right-handed patients with mild to moderate idiopathic Parkinson's disease participated. Ten of these patients were depressed according …

The Cell And Molecular Biology Of Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Overview, Heather L. Montie, Thomas M. Durcan

PCOM Scholarly Works

There is no abstract for this article.

Delivering Patient Decision Aids On The Internet: Definitions, Theories, Current Evidence, And Emerging Research Areas, Aubri S. Hoffman, Robert J. Volk, Anton Saarimaki, Christine Stirling, Linda C. Li, Martin Härter, Geetanjali R. Kamath, Hilary Llewellyn-Thomas

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: In 2005, the International Patient Decision Aids Standards Collaboration identified twelve quality dimensions to guide assessment of patient decision aids. One dimension — the delivery of patient decision aids on the Internet — is relevant when the Internet is used to provide some or all components of a patient decision aid. Building on the original background chapter, this paper provides an updated definition for this dimension, outlines a theoretical rationale, describes current evidence, and discusses emerging research areas. Methods: An international, multidisciplinary panel of authors examined the relevant theoretical literature and empirical evidence through 2012. Results: The updated definition …

“Many Miles To Go …”: A Systematic Review Of The Implementation Of Patient Decision Support Interventions Into Routine Clinical Practice, Glyn Elwyn, Isabelle Scholl, Caroline Tietbohl, Mala Mann, Adrian G. K. Edwards, Catharine Clay

Dartmouth Scholarship

Two decades of research has established the positive effect of using patient-targeted decision support interventions: patients gain knowledge, greater understanding of probabilities and increased confidence in decisions. Yet, despite their efficacy, the effectiveness of these decision support interventions in routine practice has yet to be established; widespread adoption has not occurred. The aim of this review was to search for and analyze the findings of published peer-reviewed studies that investigated the success levels of strategies or methods where attempts were made to implement patient-targeted decision support interventions into routine clinical settings.

Balancing The Presentation Of Information And Options In Patient Decision Aids: An Updated Review, Purva Abhyankar, Robert J. Volk, Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby, Paulina Bravo, Angela Buchholz, Elissa Ozanne, Dale C. Vidal, Nananda Col, Peep Stalmeier

Dartmouth Scholarship

Standards for patient decision aids require that information and options be presented in a balanced manner; this requirement is based on the argument that balanced presentation is essential to foster informed decision making. If information is presented in an incomplete/non-neutral manner, it can stimulate cognitive biases that can unduly affect individuals’ knowledge, perceptions of risks and benefits, and, ultimately, preferences. However, there is little clarity about what constitutes balance, and how it can be determined and enhanced. We conducted a literature review to examine the theoretical and empirical evidence related to balancing the presentation of information and options.

Occupational Injuries On Thoroughbred Horse Farms: A Description Of Latino And Non-Latino Workers' Experiences, Jennifer E. Swanberg, Jessica M. Clouser, Susan C. Westneat, Mary W. Marsh, Deborah B. Reed

Health, Behavior & Society Faculty Publications

Animal production is a dangerous industry and increasingly reliant on a Latino workforce. Within animal production, little is known about the risks or the occupational hazards of working on farms involved in various aspects of thoroughbred horse breeding. Extant research suggests that horse workers are at risk of musculoskeletal and respiratory symptoms, kicks, and other injuries. However, limited known research has examined the experiences of the industry's workers, including immigrant workers, despite their prominence and increased vulnerability. Using data collected from thoroughbred farm representatives via a phone-administered survey, a 2-hour face-to-face semi-structured interview, and farm injury logs, this article identifies …

Targeting Cell Cycle And Hormone Receptor Pathways In Cancer., C E S Comstock, M A Augello, J F Goodwin, R De Leeuw, M J Schiewer, W F Ostrander, R A Burkhart, A K Mcclendon, Peter Mccue, Edouard J. Trabulsi, Costas D. Lallas, Leonard G Gomella, Md, M M Centenera, Jonathan Brody, Md, L M Butler, W D Tilley, K E Knudsen, Phd

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

The cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)/retinoblastoma (RB)-axis is a critical modulator of cell cycle entry and is aberrant in many human cancers. New nodes of therapeutic intervention are needed that can delay or combat the onset of malignancies. The antitumor properties and mechanistic functions of PD-0332991 (PD; a potent and selective CDK4/6 inhibitor) were investigated using human prostate cancer (PCa) models and primary tumors. PD significantly impaired the capacity of PCa cells to proliferate by promoting a robust G1-arrest. Accordingly, key regulators of the G1-S cell cycle transition were modulated including G1 cyclins D, E and A. Subsequent investigation demonstrated the ability …

Serine/Threonine Kinase 17a Is A Novel Candidate For Therapeutic Targeting In Glioblastoma, Pingping Mao, Mary P. Hever-Jardine, Gilbert J. Rahme, Eric Yang, Janice Tam, Anita Kodali, Bijesh Biswal, Camilo E. Fadul, Arti Gaur, Mark A. Israel, Michael J. Spinella

Dartmouth Scholarship

STK17A is a relatively uncharacterized member of the death-associated protein family of serine/threonine kinases which have previously been associated with cell death and apoptosis. Our prior work established that STK17A is a novel p53 target gene that is induced by a variety of DNA damaging agents in a p53-dependent manner. In this study we have uncovered an additional, unanticipated role for STK17A as a candidate promoter of cell proliferation and survival in glioblastoma (GBM). Unexpectedly, it was found that STK17A is highly overexpressed in a grade-dependent manner in gliomas compared to normal brain and other cancer cell types with the …

Revealing The Ubiquitous Effects Of Quantum Entanglement-Toward A Notion Of God Logic, Wen-Ran Zhang, Karl E. Peace

Biostatistics: Faculty Publications

Following Spinoza-Einstein’s interpretation of God or nature, the notion “God Logic” is proposed. This notion is to serve as an elicitation for a consistent set of necessary criteria for: 1) developing the logical foundation of quantum gravity as envisaged by Einstein, 2) revealing the ubiquitous effects of quantum entanglement as suggested by Roger Penrose, and 3) programming the universe as proposed by Seth Lloyd. An evolving set of eleven criteria is proposed for the notion. The possibility of inventing such a logical system is analyzed. A supersymmetrical candidate logic of negative-positive energy dynamic equilibrium is introduced and assessed against the …

Comparing Papanicolau Smear, Visual Inspection With Acetic Acid And Human Papillomavirus Cervical Cancer Screening Methods Among Hiv-Positive Women By Immune Status And Antiretroviral Therapy, Michael Chung, K. P. Mckenzie, H. D. Vuyst, B. A. Richardson, Farzana Rana, R. Pamnani, J. W. Njoroge, E. Nyongesa-Malava, S. R. Sakr, G. C. John-Stewart, N. R. Mugo

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: A rigorous comparison of cervical cancer screening methods utilizing data on immune status, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and colposcopy-directed biopsy has not been performed among HIV-positive women.

Methods: Between June and November 2009, 500 HIV-positive women were enrolled at an HIV treatment clinic in Nairobi, Kenya, and underwent Papanicolau (Pap) smear, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), human papillomavirus (HPV) and colposcopydirected biopsy (gold standard). Positive Pap smear (ASCUS, LSIL, HSIL), VIA, HPV and their combinations were compared with CIN2/3+. Sensitivity, specificity and AUC (sensitivity and 1-specificity) were compared using pairwise tests and multivariate logistic regression models that included age, …

Stress And Reproductive Hormones In Grizzly Bears Reflect Nutritional Benefits And Social Consequences Of A Salmon Foraging Niche, Heather M. Bryan, Chris T. Darimont, Paul C. Paquet, Katherine E. Wynne-Edwards, Judit E. G. Smits

Physiology Collection

Physiological indicators of social and nutritional stress can provide insight into the responses of species to changes in food availability. In coastal British Columbia, Canada, grizzly bears evolved with spawning salmon as an abundant but spatially and temporally constrained food source. Recent and dramatic declines in salmon might have negative consequences on bear health and ultimately fitness. To examine broadly the chronic endocrine effects of a salmon niche, we compared cortisol, progesterone, and testosterone levels in hair from salmon-eating bears from coastal BC (n = 75) with the levels in a reference population from interior BC lacking access to salmon …

A Cell Permeable Peptide Targeting The Intracellular Loop 2 Of Endothelin B Receptor Reduces Pulmonary Hypertension In A Hypoxic Rat Model, Daniel S. Green, Chamila Rupasinghe, Rod Warburton, Jamie L. Wilson, Christine O. Sallum, Linda Taylor, Achan Yatawara, Dale Mierke, Peter Polgar, Nicholas Hill

Dartmouth Scholarship

Cell permeable peptides (CPP) aid cellular uptake of targeted cargo across the hydrophobic plasma membrane. CPP-mediated cargo delivery of receptor signaling motifs provides an opportunity to regulate specific receptor initiated signaling cascades. Both endothelin-1 receptors, ETA and ETB, have been targets of antagonist therapies for individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These therapies have had success but have been accompanied by adverse reactions. Also, unlike the CPP which target specific signaling cascades, the antagonists target the entire function of the receptor. Using the CPP strategy of biased antagonism of the ETB receptor’s intracellular loop 2 (ICB2), we demonstrate blunting of …

Correction: Association Of Pol Diversity With Antiretroviral Atment Outcomes Among Hiv-Infected African Children, Iris Chen, Leila Khaki, Jane C. Lindsey, Carrie Fry, Matthew M. Cousins, Robert F. Siliciano, Avy Violari, Paul Palumbo, Susan H. Eshleman

Dartmouth Scholarship

Background: In HIV-infected children, viral diversity tends to increase with age in the absence of antiretroviral treatment (ART). We measured HIV diversity in African children (ages 6–36 months) enrolled in a randomized clinical trial comparing two ART regimens (Cohort I of the P1060 trial). Children in this cohort were exposed to single dose nevirapine (sdNVP) at birth. Methods: HIV diversity was measured retrospectively using a high resolution melting (HRM) diversity assay. Samples were obtained from 139 children at the enrollment visit prior to ART initiation. Six regions of the HIV genome were analyzed: two in gag , one in pol …

Develop A Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids) Education Package In Jordan: Using Participatory Action Research Approach To Create Ripple Of Change, Shereen Hamadneh, Jehan Hamadneh

eCULTURE

IInfant mortality is high in Jordan, a developing country in the Middle East, at 19 per 1000 live births. Most mortality risk factors are preventable. The SIDS incidence rate has also been extrapolated as 11.22 per 1000 live births [1]. This is much higher than the United State of America (USA), a developed country (0.54 per 1000 live births) [2]. Most of modifiable SIDS risk factors can be reduced by increasing knowledge, change behaviors and practices regarding SIDS risks and prevention measures.

There has not been a major investment in educating Jordanians about SIDS. Heath care providers are identified …

Contrast Adaptation In The Lateral Eye Of Limulus Polyphemus, Tchoudomira Valtcheva

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Luminance and contrast adaptation are neuronal mechanisms that the retina applies for continuous adjustment to light sensitivity though a collection of cellular and synaptic mechanisms distributed across the retinal network, thus accommodating the wide input range of the visual system within the constricted output range of retinal ganglion cells. Luminance mean adaptation has been demonstrated in the output neurons of the invertebrate eye (eccentric cells), and the aim of the study was to investigate whether the homology in visual processing extends to luminance variance (contrast) adaptation as well. The spike trains of individual eccentric cells were recorded from live horseshoe …

Ccr3 Inhibition For Ocular Angiogenesis And Macular Degeneration, Jayakrishna Ambati

Ophthalmology and Visual Science Faculty Patents

Provided are methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of ocular angiogenesis and neovascularization. Administration of inhibitors of the CCR3 receptor or its ligands eotaxin (CCL11), eotaxin-2 (CCL24) or eotaxin-3 (CCL26) inhibits ocular angiogenesis.

Mice With Deficient Bk Channel Function Show Impaired Prepulse Inhibition And Spatial Learning, But Normal Working And Spatial Reference Memory, Marei Typlt, Magdalena Mirkowski, Erin Azzopardi, Lukas Ruettiger, Peter Ruth, Susanne Schmid

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Genetic variations in the large-conductance, voltage- and calcium activated potassium channels (BK channels) have been recently implicated in mental retardation, autism and schizophrenia which all come along with severe cognitive impairments. In the present study we investigate the effects of functional BK channel deletion on cognition using a genetic mouse model with a knock-out of the gene for the pore forming α-subunit of the channel. We tested the F1 generation of a hybrid SV129/C57BL6 mouse line in which the slo1 gene was deleted in both parent strains.

We first evaluated hearing and motor function to establish the suitability of this …

Functional And Structural Changes Throughout The Auditory System Following Congenital And Early-Onset Deafness: Implications For Hearing Restoration, Blake E. Butler, Stephen G. Lombar

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

The absence of auditory input, particularly during development, causes widespread changes in the structure and function of the auditory system, extending from peripheral structures into auditory cortex. In humans, the consequences of these changes are far-reaching and often include detriments to language acquisition, and associated psychosocial issues.Much of what is currently known about the nature of deafness-related changes to auditory structures comes from studies of congenitally deaf or early-deafened animal models. Fortunately, the mammalian auditory system shows a high degree of preservation among species, allowing for generalization from these models to the human auditory system. This review begins with a …

Global Mortality Estimates For The 2009 Influenza Pandemic From The Glamor Project: A Modeling Study, Lone Simonsen, Peter Spreeuwenberg, Roger Lustig, Robert J. Taylor, Douglas M. Fleming, Madelon Kroneman, Maria D. Van Kerkhove, Anthony D. Mounts, W. John Paget

Global Health Faculty Publications

Background

Assessing the mortality impact of the 2009 influenza A H1N1 virus (H1N1pdm09) is essential for optimizing public health responses to future pandemics. The World Health Organization reported 18,631 laboratory-confirmed pandemic deaths, but the total pandemic mortality burden was substantially higher. We estimated the 2009 pandemic mortality burden through statistical modeling of mortality data from multiple countries.

Methods and Findings

We obtained weekly virology and underlying cause-of-death mortality time series for 2005–2009 for 20 countries covering ~35% of the world population. We applied a multivariate linear regression model to estimate pandemic respiratory mortality in each collaborating country. We then used …

High Activity Mutants Of Butyrylcholinesterase For Cocaine Hydrolysis, Chang-Guo Zhan, Fang Zheng, Wenchao Yang, Lin Xue, Shurong Hou

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) polypeptide variants of the presently-disclosed subject matter have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (−)-cocaine, as compared to wild-type BChE. Pharmaceutical compositions of the presently-disclosed subject matter include a BChE polypeptide variant having an enhanced catalytic efficiency for (−)-cocaine. A method of the presently-disclosed subject matter for treating a cocaine-induced condition includes administering to an individual an effective amount of a BChE polypeptide variant, as disclosed herein, to lower blood cocaine concentration.