Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Is Bisphenol-A Exposure During Pregnancy Associated With Blood Glucose Levels Or Diagnosis Of Gestational Diabetes?, Candace A. Robledo, Jennifer D. Peck, Julie A. Stoner, Hélène Carabin, Linda Cowan, Holger M. Koch, Jean R. Goodman

School of Medicine Publications

Recent epidemiological studies indicate bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic chemical used in production of epoxy, polycarbonate, and plastic may increase risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Exposure to BPA during pregnancy may contribute to development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a precursor to type 2 diabetes in women. This pilot study examined the association between BPA exposure, fasting blood glucose levels (FBG), and GDM diagnosis during pregnancy. Banked urine samples from 22 cases of GDM and 72 controls were analyzed for total (free BPA + conjugates) urinary BPA concentrations (μg/L). FBG levels (mg/dl) were obtained from 1-h 50-g …

Aberrant Proliferation In Cxcr7+ Endothelial Cells Via Degradation Of The Retinoblastoma Protein, Jennifer Totonchy, Jessica M. Osborn, Sara Botto, Lisa Clepper, Ashlee V. Moses

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Angiogenesis is a critical factor in the growth and dissemination of solid tumors. Indeed, tumor vasculature is abnormal and contributes to the development and spread of malignancies by creating a hostile microenvironment. The alternative SDF-1/CXCL12 receptor, CXCR7, is frequently and specifically expressed in tumor-associated vessels. In this study, we examine the role of endothelium-expressed CXCR7 in tumor vascular dysfunction by specifically examining the contribution of CXCR7 to endothelial cell (EC) proliferation. We demonstrate that CXCR7 expression is sufficient to drive post-confluent growth in EC cultures. Further, we provide a novel mechanism for CXCR7-mediated proliferation via proteasomal degradation of the tumor …

Identification Of Pleiotropic Genetic Effects On Obesity And Brain Anatomy, Joanne E. Curran, D Reese Mckay, Anderson M. Winkler, Rene L. Olvera, Thomas D. Dyer, Peter T. Fox, Laura Almasy, Ravi Duggirala, John Blangero, David C. Glahn

School of Medicine Publications

Background/aims: Obesity is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability, though current knowledge of causal biologic underpinnings is lacking. Through the regulation of energy homeostasis and interactions with adiposity and gut signals, the brain is thought to play a significant role in the development of this disorder. While neuroanatomical variation has been associated with obesity, it is unclear if this relationship is influenced by common genetic mechanisms. In this study, we sought genetic components that influence both brain anatomy and body mass index (BMI) to provide further insight into the role of the brain in …

Variceal Bleeding From Cirrhosis: A Clinical Review Of Causes And Pharmacotherapy Options, Hillary Aphaisuwan, Ibrahim Lala, Laura Tsu

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This home-study CPE activity has been developed to educate pharmacists on the prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic esophageal varices resulting from cirrhosis.

Phase Composition Control Of Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles For Tunable Drug Delivery Kinetics And Treatment Of Osteomyelitis. Part 1: Preparation And Drug Release, Vuk Uskoković, Tejal A. Dasai

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Developed in this study is a multifunctional material for simultaneous osseoinduction and drug delivery, potentially applicable in the treatment of osteomyelitis. It is composed of agglomerates of nanoparticles of calcium phosphate (CAP) with different monophasic contents. The drug loading capacity and the release kinetics were investigated on two model drug compounds with different chemical structures, sizes and adsorption propensities: bovine serum albumin and fluorescein. Loading of CAP powders with small molecule drugs was achieved by physisorption and desiccation-induced agglomeration of nanoparticulate subunits into microscopic blocks. The material dissolution rate and the drug release rate depended on the nature of the …

Multifunctional Hydroxyapatite And Poly(D,L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Nanoparticles For The Local Delivery Of Cholecalciferol, Nenad Ignjatović, Vuk Uskoković, Zorica Ajduković, Dragan Uskoković

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Cholecalciferol, vitamin D3, plays an important role in bone metabolism by regulating extracellular levels of calcium. Presented here is a study on the effects of the local delivery of cholecalciferol (D3) using nanoparticulate carriers composed of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Multifunctional nanoparticulate HAp-based powders were prepared for the purpose of: (a) either fast or sustained, local delivery of cholecalciferol, and (b) the secondary, osteoconductive and defect-filling effect of the carrier itself. Two types of HAp-based powders with particles of narrowly dispersed sizes in the nano range were prepared and tested in this study: HAp nanoparticles as direct cholecalciferol delivery …

Revisiting The Fundamentals In The Design And Control Of Nanoparticulate Colloids In The Frame Of Soft Chemistry, Vuk Uskoković

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This review presents thoughts on some of the fundamental features of conceptual models applied in the design of fine particles in the frames of colloid and soft chemistry. A special emphasis is placed on the limitations of these models, an acknowledgment of which is vital in improving their intricacy and effectiveness in predicting the outcomes of the corresponding experimental settings. Thermodynamics of self-assembly phenomena illustrated on the examples of protein assembly and micellization is analyzed in relation to the previously elaborated thesis that each self-assembly in reality presents a co-assembly, since it implies a mutual reorganization of the assembling system …

Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles: A Future Therapeutic Platform For The Treatment Of Osteomyelitis?, Tejal A. Dasai, Vuk Uskoković

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

No abstract provided.

Test-Retest Reliability And Construct Validity Of The Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment In People With Stroke, Jennifer Canbek, George Fulk, John Echternach

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Background and Purpose: The Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) is commonly used to measure balance ability in older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the POMA and explore its cross-sectional and longitudinal construct validity for use in people early after stroke.

Methods: Participants were recruited if they had a first documented stroke and were receiving physical therapy during inpatient rehabilitation. The POMA, gait speed, and motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were collected at admission and at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. A second trial of the POMA was …

Commentary On "The Motor Learning Strategy Instrument: Interrater Reliability Within Usual And Virtual Reality Physical Therapy Interventions", Karen M. Kott, Sharon Held

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Comparing Responsiveness Of Six Common Patient-Reported Outcomes To Changes Following Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Prospective Studies, Jennifer S. Howard, Christian Lattermann, Johanna M. Hoch, Carl G. Mattacola, Jennifer M. Medina Mckeon

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Objective: To compare the responsiveness of six common patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Design: A systematic search was conducted to identify reports of PROs following ACI. Study quality was evaluated using the modified Coleman Methodology Score (mCMS). For each outcome score, pre- to postoperative paired Hedge's g effect sizes were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Random effects meta-analyses were performed to provide a summary response for each PRO at time points (TP) I (<1 year), II (1 year to <2 years), III (2 years to <4 years), IV (>= 4 years), and overall. Results: The mean mCMS for the 42 articles included was 50.9 +/- 9.2. For all evaluated instruments, …

Effectiveness Of Low-Level Laser Therapy Combined With An Exercise Program To Reduce Pain And Increase Function In Adults With Shoulder Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic, Aimee L. Thornton, Cailee W. Mccarty, Mollie-Jean Burgess

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Clinical Scenario: Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects up to 25% of the general population. Shoulder pain can be caused by any number of underlying conditions including subacromial impingement syndrome, rotator-cuff tendinitis, and biceps tendinitis. Regardless of the specific pathology, pain is generally the number 1 symptom associated with shoulder injuries and can severely affect daily activities and quality of life of patients with these conditions. Two of the primary goals in the treatment of these conditions are reducing pain and increasing shoulder range of motion (ROM).(3) Conservative treatment has traditionally included a therapeutic exercise program targeted …

The Lived Experiences Of Transition To Adult Healthcare In Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy, Ellen Mclaughlin Carroll

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: Health Care Transition (HCT) describes the purposeful, planned movement of adolescents from child to adult-orientated care. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to uncover the meaning of transition to adult centered care as experienced by Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy (YA-CP) through the research question: What are the lived experiences of young adults with cerebral palsy transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare?

Method: 6 females and 3 males, aged 19 -25 years of age, who identified as carrying the diagnosis of cerebral palsy without cognitive impairment were interviewed. Giorgi's (1985) method for analysis of phenomenology was the framework …

Premaxillary Characteristics In Complete Bilateral Cleft Lip And Palate: A Predictor For Treatment Outcome, Noha Ibrahim Abdelrahman Professor, Islam Tarek Hassan Professor

Dentistry

Objectives:

The aim of the current study was to investigate how bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) cases responded differently to presurgical orthopedics (PSO) and primary lip repair (LR) based on premaxillary characteristics. We suggest a clinically oriented descriptive classification for BCLP based on premaxillary characteristics.

Design and Setting:

A retrospective longitudinal comparative study where available records of all non-syndromic patients with complete BCLP attending the Cleft Clinic, affiliated to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt were assessed.

Sample Population and Methodology:

Twenty-two cases were collected over a 4-years period from 2008 to 2011 (15 boys …

Evaluating Patients’ Attitudes Towards Being Assessed And Treated By Undergraduate Physiotherapy Students In A Rehabilitation Centre, Kathy Stiller, Marissa Sorich, Kate Roberts

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Clinical placements are an important component in the education of students who are training in the healthcare professions. The degree of patient satisfaction with being assessed and treated by healthcare students is also important as part of the overall evaluation of healthcare and student outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate inpatients’ attitudes towards being assessed and treated by undergraduate physiotherapy students at one rehabilitation centre in Australia. Method: Sixty-one of 69 eligible inpatients completed a purpose-designed survey. Analyses were descriptive in nature. Results: Overall, high levels of satisfaction were demonstrated, including the process of consent, the …

Has Speech-Language Pathology Changed? Personality Types Of Contemporary Students, Terry W. Baggs

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The influence of personality on therapy outcomes is largely unknown. However, clinical success in a broad sense may be influenced appreciably by personality, as persons with differing personalities comprise a therapy team. Purpose: This study assessed the personality traits of a large number of graduate students in speech-language pathology and compared the results to those of a generation ago. This information is valuable in preparing students for both educational and workplace success. Method: A total of 320 graduate students in speech-language pathology at six universities completed the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II. Frequency and proportional data of personality type and temperament and …

Allied Health Evaluation Review: Practice And Education Infrastructure, Mardi Lowe-Heistad, Sandra Lowe

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

The Allied Health Evaluation Review: Practice and Education Infrastructure was a detailed review of the practice progress of twenty-seven allied health professions. The key objectives of the evaluation review were to determine each profession’s practice status, measured on a common set of parameters that could be compared to one another at a given point in time, and to identify what variables, if any, were correlated with the practice progress of a given profession. Practice benchmarks were established and tools were developed to measure the practice progress of each profession relative to the others at a given point in time. The …

Attitudes And Barriers Towards Engaging In Continuing Professional Development Among Clinical Physiotherapists In Ghana, Ajediran I. Bello, Ivy G. Lawson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes are important components of professional training to maintain competence. There is insufficient information regarding physiotherapists’ participation in CPD activities in Ghana. This study aimed to provide insight into the engagement, attitude, and barriers towards CPD activities among Ghanaian physiotherapists. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study involved 50 clinical physiotherapists who were registered with the Ghana Association of Physiotherapists. A validated questionnaire that contained 34 open and closed-ended items was adapted from an existing tool to gather information from the participants. The questionnaire sought information on biodata, clinical practice issues, engagement, attitudes, and barriers regarding CPD. …

Examination Of Changes In Youth Diet And Physical Activity Over The Summer Vacation Period, Meghan C. Mccue, Kara L. Marlatt, John Sirard

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine weight, diet, and physical activity (PA) changes in youth over summer vacation. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects (19 male, 11 female; mean age + SEM 10.0+0.1 yrs) were assessed before the end of the 2009/2010 school year (baseline), and prior to the start of the 2010/2011 school year (post-test).Results: Significant (p< 0.05) increases in height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and BMI percentile-for-age were observed. Percent time spent in light (p=0.002) and moderate (p=0.014) PA intensities both decreased, while time spent being sedentary significantly (p=0.006) increased. No significant diet changes were reported. Conclusion: This healthy youth population increased time spent being sedentary at the expense of light and moderate PA over summer vacation. The result was an increase in BMI and BMI percentile-for-age. Future studies are needed to examine ways to prevent this decline in PA in youth over summer vacation.

New Jersey Coaches’ Knowledge In Recognizing And Managing Concussion, Phil Hossler, Kerry-Ann Phang, Marian Passannante

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

High school coaches’ knowledge regarding the recognition and management of concussive injuries in adolescent athletes has not been assessed in New Jersey. The purpose of this study was to assess high school coaches’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding recognition and management of concussive injuries in athletes. A cross-sectional anonymous 15-item web-based survey of high school coaches in New Jersey was performed between May 2010 and June 2010. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare proportions, and t-tests and analysis of variance were used to analyze group differences for normally distributed continuous data. When data were missing, these responses …

A Genome-Wide Methylation Study On Essential Hypertension In Young African American Males., Xiaoling Wang, Bonita Falkner, Haidong Zhu, Huidong Shi, Shaoyong Su, Xiaojing Xu, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Yanbin Dong, Frank Treiber, Bernard Gutin, Gregory Harshfield, Harold Snieder

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: There is emerging evidence from animal studies suggesting a key role for methylation in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. However, to date, very few studies have investigated the role of methylation in the development of human hypertension, and none has taken a genome-wide approach. Based on the recent studies that highlight the involvement of inflammation in the development of hypertension, we hypothesize that changes in DNA methylation of leukocytes are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

METHOD & RESULTS: We conducted a genome-wide methylation analysis on 8 hypertensive cases and 8 normotensive age-matched controls aged 14-23 years and performed …

Nuclear Translocation Of Cardiac G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 5 Downstream Of Select Gq-Activating Hypertrophic Ligands Is A Calmodulin-Dependent Process., Jessica I Gold, Jeffrey S Martini, Jonathan Hullmann, Erhe Gao, J Kurt Chuprun, Linda Lee, Douglas G Tilley, Joseph E Rabinowitz, Julie Bossuyt, Donald M Bers, Walter J. Koch

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

G protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) kinases (GRKs) play a crucial role in regulating cardiac hypertrophy. Recent data from our lab has shown that, following ventricular pressure overload, GRK5, a primary cardiac GRK, facilitates maladaptive myocyte growth via novel nuclear localization. In the nucleus, GRK5's newly discovered kinase activity on histone deacetylase 5 induces hypertrophic gene transcription. The mechanisms governing the nuclear targeting of GRK5 are unknown. We report here that GRK5 nuclear accumulation is dependent on Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM) binding to a specific site within the amino terminus of GRK5 and this interaction occurs after selective activation of hypertrophic Gq-coupled receptors. Stimulation …

Xiaoqinglong Granules As Add-On Therapy For Asthma: Latent Class Analysis Of Symptom Predictors Of Response., Qinglin Zha, Seqi Lin, Chi Zhang, Christopher Chang, Hanrong Xue, Cheng Lu, Miao Jiang, Yan Liu, Zuke Xiao, Weiyou Liu, Yunfei Shang, Jianjian Chen, Minyong Wen, Aiping Lu

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Xiaoqinglong granules (XQLG) has been shown to be an effective therapy in asthma animal models. We reviewed the literature and conducted this study to assess the impact of XQLG as an add-on therapy to treatment with fluticasone/salmeterol (seretide) in adult patients with mild-to-moderate, persistent asthma. A total of 178 patients were randomly assigned to receive XQLG and seretide or seretide plus placebo for 90 days. Asthma control was assessed by asthma control test (ACT), symptoms scores, FEV(1), and PEF. Baseline patient-reported Chinese medicine (CM)-specific symptoms were analyzed to determine whether the symptoms may be possible indicators of treatment response by …

De Novo Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis (Fgn) In A Renal Transplant With Chronic Hepatitis C., E J Filippone, Christine Chmielewski, Rakesh Gulati, Eric Newman, John Farber

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Chronic hepatitis C viremia (HepC) has been associated with numerous renal manifestations both in native kidneys and in the setting of renal transplantation. Glomerulonephritis (GN) of the renal allograft in the setting of HepC most commonly manifests as type 1 membranoproliferative GN (MPGN), either representing recurrence of the original disease or arising de novo. Other GNs were reported after transplantation in the patient with HepC including membranous nephropathy and thrombotic microangiopathy, as well as an enhanced susceptibility to transplant glomerulopathy. We describe the first case of de novo fibrillary GN in a renal transplant patient with HepC where the primary …

Ddx5 Facilitates Hiv-1 Replication As A Cellular Co-Factor Of Rev., Xiuxia Zhou, Juan Luo, Lisa Mills, Shuangxin Wu, Ting Pan, Guannan Geng, Jim Zhang, Haihua Luo, Chao Liu, Hui Zhang

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

HIV-1 Rev plays an important role in the late phase of HIV-1 replication, which facilitates export of unspliced viral mRNAs from the nucleus to cytoplasm in infected cells. Recent studies have shown that DDX1 and DDX3 are co-factors of Rev for the export of HIV-1 transcripts. In this report, we have demonstrated that DDX5 (p68), which is a multifunctional DEAD-box RNA helicase, functions as a new cellular co-factor of HIV-1 Rev. We found that DDX5 affects Rev function through the Rev-RRE axis and subsequently enhances HIV-1 replication. Confocal microscopy and co-immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that DDX5 binds to Rev and this …

Long-Term Persistency And Costs Associated With The Use Of Iron Chelation Therapies In The Treatment Of Sickle Cell Disease Within Medicaid Programs., Edward P Armstrong, Grant H Skrepnek, Medha Sasane, Susan M Snodgrass, Samir K. Ballas

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluated iron chelating therapy (ICT) discontinuation and costs in Sickle cell disease (SCD) Medicaid recipients using healthcare claims from 2006-2010.

METHODS: Patients with ≥1 SCD diagnosis claim, ≥2 claims for deferoxamine (DFO) or deferosirox (DFX), and continuous enrollment ≥6 months prior to and 18 months following ICT initiation were included. Outcomes included treatment discontinuation, persistence (i.e., refill gaps ≥6 weeks), and total healthcare costs.

RESULTS: The average age among 404 SCD patients meeting study inclusion criteria was 18.7 (±11.0) years, with 45.8% being males and 66.7% being Blacks. Switches or combinations from DFO at index occurred …

Writing Supports For Older Students With Significant Disabilities: Examining Two Students' Journeys Towards Becoming Writers, Emily Helen Freeman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study describes the changes in linguistic and social communicative competencies that occurred when two older students with significant disabilities where provided with writing opportunities, instruction, and supports over a semester of the academic year. The goals of the study were to identify themes and patterns in the skills associated with linguistic and social communicative competence as evidenced in writing over time. A second aim of this study was to identify instruction methods and assistive technology supports being used in the classroom and describes the themes and patterns that emerged in the students’ writing given the presence of these curriculum …

The Impact Of Imprecision In Hcv Viral Load Test Results On Clinicians’ Therapeutic Management Decisions And On The Economic Value Of The Test, Roberta M. Madej

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical laboratory test results are integral to patient management. Important aspects of laboratory tests’ contributions are the use of the test information and the role they have in facilitating efficient and effective use of healthcare resources. Methods of measuring those contributions were examined using quantitative HCV RNA test results (HCV VL) in therapeutic management decisions as a model. Test precision is important in those decisions; therefore, the clinical use was evaluated by studying the impact that knowledge of inherent assay imprecision had on clinicians’ decisions. A survey describing a simulated patient at a decision point for HCV triple-combination therapy management …

Development And Validation Of A Predictive Model Of Return-To-Work Outcomes Of Injured Employees In Minnesota, A. Bentley Hankins

Theses and Dissertations

In Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system, injured employees at risk for sustaining permanent disability may be eligible for receipt of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services if they are determined to be capable of benefitting from such services. VR services can be a valuable resource to injured employees who need assistance minimizing their work disability and maximizing their residual wage-earning capacity. However, for VR services to be effective at a system level, it is necessary to precisely and accurately identify an injured employee’s rehabilitation potential. Failure to do so is likely to result in the misallocation of a scarce and costly resource. Given …

The Role Of Is Infrastructure And Organizational Context On Implementation Of Electronic Health Records Systems, Pilar Pazos, Anjee Gorkhali, Rolando Delaguila

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

This research explores the role that Information System (IS) infrastructure and organizational context play on the implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems. A number of indicators can be used as a proxy for IS infrastructure such as: Information System (IS) Department Budget allocation, percentage of full time IS staff and the number of technical trainings provided by the IS department to the clinical staff. Data was obtained from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) database, a non-for profit organization that evaluates the use of information technology in the health care industry. This paper reports on the development …