Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Neuropathological Responses To Chronic Nmda In Rats Are Worsened By Dietary N-3 Pufa Deprivation But Are Not Ameliorated By Fish Oil Supplementation, Vasken L. Keleshian, Matthew Kellom, Hyung-Wook Kim, Ameer Y. Taha, Yewon Cheon, Miki Igarashi, Stanley I. Rapoport, Jagadeesh S. Rao

Anatomy and Neurobiology Publications

Background

Dietary long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation may be beneficial for chronic brain illnesses, but the issue is not agreed on. We examined effects of dietary n-3 PUFA deprivation or supplementation, compared with an n-3 PUFA adequate diet (containing alpha-linolenic acid [18:3 n-3] but not docosahexaenoic acid [DHA, 22:6n-3]), on brain markers of lipid metabolism and excitotoxicity, in rats treated chronically with NMDA or saline.

Methods

Male rats after weaning were maintained on one of three diets for 15 weeks. After 12 weeks, each diet group was injected i.p. daily with saline (1 ml/kg) or a subconvulsive dose …

Facilitating Lewin's Change Model With Collaborative Evaluation In Promoting Evidence Based Practices Of Health Professionals, Julianne Manchester, Deanna L. Gray-Miceli, Judith A. Metcalf, Charlotte A. Paolini, Anne H. Napier, Constance L. Coogle, Myra G. Owens

Virginia Center on Aging Publications

Evidence based practices (EBPs) in clinical settings interact with and adapt to host organizational characteristics. The contextual factors themselves, surrounding health professions’ practices, also adapt as practices become sustained. The authors assert the need for better planning models toward these contextual factors, the influence of which undergird a well-documented science to practice gap in literature on EBPs. The mechanism for EBP planners to anticipate contextual effects as programs Unfreeze their host settings, create Movement, and become Refrozen (Lewin, 1951) is present in Lewin's 3-step change model. Planning for contextual change appears equally important as planning for the actual practice outcomes …

Older Prisoners, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

The impact of an aging prison population is causing concern among different stakeholders, including prison officials, legislative bodies, clergy, and some gerontologists. Prison officials are scrambling to accommodate the numbers and needs of older inmates, but they are confounded by constrained budgets, inappropriate prison architecture, lack of gerontologically and geriatrically trained staff members, indifferent legislative bodies, and a general lack of awareness among the public of these problems. Our states need not only retrofitted and newly designed physical facilities but also staffs and providers with gerontological and geriatric training, from corrections personnel to health care providers to clergy and mental …

The Healthy Brain Initiative, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

Cognitive health is being recognized increasingly as a vital part of overall health and central to aging well. The CDC and Alzheimer's Association have published a revised framework for translating science to practice in public health, with particular focus on the role that state and local public health agencies can play to improve cognitive health and to recognize and report cognitive impairment.

Calorie Labeling, Edward F. Ansello

Director's Editorials from Age in Action

As required by the Affordable Care Act, chain restaurants with 20 or more locations in the US will soon have to display calorie information on their menus. Does knowing this information translate to changing our eating behavior and improving our nutritional intake? Will this change affect older adults in a meaningful way? Menu labeling should be viewed as an early approach in governmental policy to address the obesity epidemic.

The Lifelong Learning Institute In Chesterfield: Ten Years Of Growing, Edward F. Ansello, Monica Hughes

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. To review changes in patterns of continuing learning and non-traditional education.

2. To profile membership and their interests in lifelong learning.

3. To highlight the development of the Lifelong Learning Institute of Chesterfield as a possible model for replication.

Protecting The Vulnerable: Free Ways To Prevent Financial Exploitation, Christopher Desimone

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Relate recurring patterns of perpetrators who exploit older adults.

2. Describe no-cost actions to protect assets from financial exploitation.

3. Explain differences among types of power of attorney.

Remembering Through Music: Music Therapy And Dementia, Melissa Owens

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives

1. Define music therapy and its benefits with older adults with dementia and related disorders/ diseases.

2. Describe active and passive music therapy interventions and strategies for older adult populations.

3. Identify the ways a non-musician can use music to engage older adults and mitigate some symptoms of dementia.

Correction: The Role Of Tumor-Associated Macrophages In Tumor Vascularization, Chunqing Guo, Annicole Buranych, Devanand Sarkar, Paul B. Fisher, Xiang-Yang Wang

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

This is a correction to a previously published article.

Dietary Regimens Modify Early Onset Of Obesity In Mice Haploinsufficient For Rai1, Joseph T. Alaimo, Natalie H. Hahn, Sureni V. Mullegama, Sarah H. Elsea

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

Smith-Magenis syndrome is a complex genomic disorder in which a majority of individuals are obese by adolescence. While an interstitial deletion of chromosome 17p11.2 is the leading cause, mutation or deletion of the RAI1 gene alone results in most features of the disorder. Previous studies have shown that heterozygous knockout of Rai1 results in an obese phenotype in mice and that Smith-Magenis syndrome mouse models have a significantly reduced fecundity and an altered transmission pattern of the mutant Rai1 allele, complicating large, extended studies in these models. In this study, we show that breeding C57Bl/6J Rai1+/−mice with FVB/NJ to …

A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized, Multicenter Study To Assess The Effects Of Dronedarone 400 Mg Twice Daily For 12 Weeks On Atrial Fibrillation Burden In Subjects With Permanent Pacemakers, Michael D. Ezekowitz, Kenneth Ellenbogen , M.D., John P. Dimarco, Karoly Kaszala, Alexander Boddy, Gregory Geba P., Andrew Koren

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

Purpose

Dronedarone is a benzofuran derivative with a pharmacological profile similar to amiodarone but has a more rapid onset of action and a much shorter half-life (13–19 h). Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of dronedarone in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients using dual-chamber pacemakers capable of quantifying atrial fibrillation burden.

Methods

Pacemakers were adjusted to optimize AF detection. Patients with AF burden >1 % were randomized to dronedarone 400 mg twice daily (BID) or placebo. Pacemakers were interrogated after 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint was the change in AF burden from baseline over the 12-week …

Electronic Health Record Functionality Needed To Better Support Primary Care, Alex H. Krist, John W . Beasley, Jesse C. Crosson, David C. Kibbe, Michael S. Klinkman, Christoph U. Lehmann, Chester H. Fox, Jason M. Mitchell, James W. Mold, Wilson D. Pace, Kevin A. Peterson, Robert L. Phillips, Robert Post, Jon Puro, Michael Raddock, Ray Simkus, Steven E. Waldren

Family Medicine and Population Health Publications

Electronic health records (EHRs) must support primary care clinicians and patients, yet many clinicians remain dissatisfied with their system. This manuscript presents a consensus statement about gaps in current EHR functionality and needed enhancements to support primary care. The Institute of Medicine primary care attributes were used to define needs and Meaningful Use (MU) objectives to define EHR functionality. Current objectives remain disease- rather than whole-person focused, ignoring factors like personal risks, behaviors, family structure, and occupational and environmental influences. Primary care needs EHRs to move beyond documentation to interpreting and tracking information over time as well as patient partnering …

Sjl Mice Infected With Acanthamoeba Castellanii Develop Central Nervous System Autoimmunity Through The Generation Of Cross-Reactive T Cells For Myelin Antigens, Chandirasegaran Massilamany, Francine Marciano-Cabral, Bruno Da Rocha-Azevedo, Melissa Jamerson, Arunakumar Gangaplara, David Steffen, Rana Zabad, Zsolt Illes, Raymond A. Sobel, Jay Reddy

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

We recently reported that Acanthamoeba castellanii (ACA), an opportunistic pathogen of the central nervous system (CNS) possesses mimicry epitopes for proteolipid protein (PLP) 139–151 and myelin basic protein 89–101, and that the epitopes induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL mice reminiscent of the diseases induced with their corresponding cognate peptides. We now demonstrate that mice infected with ACA also show the generation of cross-reactive T cells, predominantly for PLP 139–151, as evaluated by T cell proliferation and IAs/dextramer staining. We verified that PLP 139–151-sensitized lymphocytes generated in infected mice contained a high proportion of T helper 1 cytokine-producing cells, …

Reduction Of The Hiv Protease Inhibitor-Induced Er Stress And Inflammatory Response By Raltegravir In Macrophages, Xiaoxuan Zhang, Risheng Cao, Ruping Liu, Renping Zhao, Yi Huang, Emily C. Gurley, Phillip B. Hylemon, William M. Pandak, Guangji Wang, Luyong Zhang, Xiaokun Li, Huiping Zhou

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Background

HIV protease inhibitor (PI), the core component of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) for HIV infection, has been implicated in HAART-associated cardiovascular complications. Our previous studies have demonstrated that activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is linked to HIV PI-induced inflammation and foam cell formation in macrophages. Raltegravir is a first-in-its-class HIV integrase inhibitor, the newest class of anti-HIV agents. We have recently reported that raltegravir has less hepatic toxicity and could prevent HIV PI-induced dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism by inhibiting ER stress. However, little information is available as to whether raltegravir would also prevent HIV PI-induced inflammatory …

Phase Variation Of Poly-N-Acetylglucosamine Expression In Staphylococcus Aureus, Jamie L. Brooks, Kimberly K. Jefferson

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), also known as poly-N-acetyl-β-(1–6)-glucosamine (PIA/PNAG) is an important component of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and also contributes to resistance to phagocytosis. The proteins IcaA, IcaD, IcaB, and IcaC are encoded within the intercellular adhesin (ica) operon and synthesize PIA/PNAG. We discovered a mechanism of phase variation in PIA/PNAG expression that appears to involve slipped-strand mispairing. The process is reversible and RecA-independent, and involves the expansion and contraction of a simple tetranucleotide tandem repeat within icaC. Inactivation of IcaC results in a PIA/PNAG-negative phenotype. A PIA/PNAG-hyperproducing strain gained a fitness advantage in vitro following the …

P. Aeruginosa Sgnh Hydrolase-Like Proteins Algj And Algx Have Similar Topology But Separate And Distinct Roles In Alginate Acetylation, Perrin Baker, Tyler Ricer, Patrick J. Moynihan, Elena N. Kitova, Marthe T. C. Walvoort, Dustin J. Little, John C. Whitney, Karen Dawson, Joel T. Weadge, Howard Robinson, Dennis E. Ohman, Jeroen D. C. Codee, John S. Klassen, Anthony J. Clarke, P. Lynne Howell

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

The O-acetylation of polysaccharides is a common modification used by pathogenic organisms to protect against external forces. Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes the anionic, O-acetylated exopolysaccharide alginate during chronic infection in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients to form the major constituent of a protective biofilm matrix. Four proteins have been implicated in the O-acetylation of alginate, AlgIJF and AlgX. To probe the biological function of AlgJ, we determined its structure to 1.83 Å resolution. AlgJ is a SGNH hydrolase-like protein, which while structurally similar to the N-terminal domain of AlgX exhibits a distinctly different electrostatic surface potential. Consistent with other SGNH …

Antigen Transfer From Exosomes To Dendritic Cells As An Explanation For The Immune Enhancement Seen By Ige Immune Complexes, Rebecca K. Martin, Keith B. Brooks, Frida Henningsson, Birgitta Heyman, Daniel H. Conrad

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

IgE antigen complexes induce increased specific T cell proliferation and increased specific IgG production. Immediately after immunization, CD23+ B cells capture IgE antigen complexes, transport them to the spleen where, via unknown mechanisms, dendritic cells capture the antigen and present it to T cells. CD23, the low affinity IgE receptor, binds IgE antigen complexes and internalizes them. In this study, we show that these complexes are processed onto B-cell derived exosomes (bexosomes) in a CD23 dependent manner. The bexosomes carry CD23, IgE and MHC II and stimulate antigen specific T-cell proliferation in vitro. When IgE antigen complex stimulated bexosomes …

Flavonoid Apigenin Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammatory Response Through Multiple Mechanisms In Macrophages, Xiaoxuan Zhang, Guangji Wang, Emily C. Gurley, Huiping Zhou

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Background

Apigenin is a non-toxic natural flavonoid that is abundantly present in common fruits and vegetables. It has been reported that apigenin has various beneficial health effects such as anti-inflammation and chemoprevention. Multiple studies have shown that inflammation is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, diabetes, sepsis, various liver diseases, and other metabolic diseases. Although it has been long realized that apigenin has anti-inflammatory activities, the underlying functional mechanisms are still not fully understood.

Methodology and Principal Findings

In the present study, we examined the effect of apigenin on LPS-induced inflammatory response and further elucidated the potential underlying mechanisms in …

Antigen Transfer From Exosomes To Dendritic Cells As An Explanation For The Immune Enhancement Seen By Ige Immune Complexes, Rebecca K. Martin, Keith B. Brooks, Frida Henningsson, Birgitta Heyman, Daniel H. Conrad

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

IgE antigen complexes induce increased specific T cell proliferation and increased specific IgG production. Immediately after immunization, CD23+ B cells capture IgE antigen complexes, transport them to the spleen where, via unknown mechanisms, dendritic cells capture the antigen and present it to T cells. CD23, the low affinity IgE receptor, binds IgE antigen complexes and internalizes them. In this study, we show that these complexes are processed onto B-cell derived exosomes (bexosomes) in a CD23 dependent manner. The bexosomes carry CD23, IgE and MHC II and stimulate antigen specific T-cell proliferation in vitro. When IgE antigen complex stimulated bexosomes …

An Emerging Mycoplasma Associated With Trichomoniasis, Vaginal Infection And Disease, Jennifer M. Fettweis, Myrna G. Serrano, Bernice Huang, J. Paul Brooks, Abigail L. Glascock, Nihar U. Sheth, Vaginal Microbiome Consortium, Jerome F. Strauss Iii, Kimberly K. Jefferson, Gregory A. Buck

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Humans are colonized by thousands of bacterial species, but it is difficult to assess the metabolic and pathogenic potential of the majority of these because they have yet to be cultured. Here, we characterize an uncultivated vaginal mycoplasma tightly associated with trichomoniasis that was previously known by its 16S rRNA sequence as “Mnola.” In this study, the mycoplasma was found almost exclusively in women infected with the sexually transmitted pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis, but rarely observed in women with no diagnosed disease. The genomes of four strains of this species were reconstructed using metagenome sequencing and assembly of DNA from …

An Emerging Mycoplasma Associated With Trichomoniasis, Vaginal Infection And Disease, Jennifer M. Fettweis, Myrna G. Serrano, Bernice Huang, J. Paul Brooks, Abigail L. Glascock, Nihar U. Sheth, Vaginal Microbiome Consortium, Jerome F. Strauss Iii, Kimberly K. Jefferson, Gregory A. Buck

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Humans are colonized by thousands of bacterial species, but it is difficult to assess the metabolic and pathogenic potential of the majority of these because they have yet to be cultured. Here, we characterize an uncultivated vaginal mycoplasma tightly associated with trichomoniasis that was previously known by its 16S rRNA sequence as “Mnola.” In this study, the mycoplasma was found almost exclusively in women infected with the sexually transmitted pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis, but rarely observed in women with no diagnosed disease. The genomes of four strains of this species were reconstructed using metagenome sequencing and assembly of DNA from four …

Evolution Of Our Understanding Of Myeloid Regulatory Cells: From Mdscs To Mregs, Masoud H. Manjili

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

The term myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) was first suggested in 2007 in order to reflect the origin and function of myeloid cells during immunosuppression in cancer and other pathologic conditions. Emerging evidence suggests that MDSCs suppress CTL and Th1 responses in malignant diseases while they regulate effective immune responses in parasitic and helminth infections as well as Th17 inflammatory response during autoimmune diseases. Based on these data, the term myeloid regulatory cells (Mregs) more accurately reflects their function and interactions with different cells of the immune system during diseased conditions. Here, we provide evidence on the multifaceted function of Mregs …

Hospice Providers Awareness Of The Benefits And Availability Of Single-Fraction Palliative Radiotherapy, Jessica Schuster, Tatiana Han, Mitchell S. Anscher, Drew Moghanaki

Radiation Oncology Publications

Radiotherapy effectively palliates malignant sources of pain. However, once enrolled on hospice, patients are rarely referred for this treatment. To develop educational strategies that can improve access to care, a survey of hospice providers investigated potential misconceptions about its benefits and availability. Individual surveys were distributed to administrators, nursing directors, and medical directors at 16 licensed hospices within 25 miles of a radiation oncology facility. Ninety-three percent of hospice professionals stated radiotherapy provides pain relief and is appropriate for patients with more than 1 month of life expectancy. However, less than 1% of their cancer patients had been referred to …

Respiratory Motion Variability Of Primary Tumors And Lymph Nodes During Radiotherapy Of Locally Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancers, Nuzhat Jan, Geoffrey D. Hugo, Nitai Mukhopadhyay, Elisabeth Weiss

Radiation Oncology Publications

Background and purpose: The need for target adjustment due to respiratory motion variation and the value of carina as a motion surrogate is evaluated for locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Material and methods: Using weekly 4D CTs (with audio-visual biofeedback) of 12 patients, respiratory motion variation of primary tumors (PT), lymph nodes (LN) and carina (C) were determined. Results: Mean (SD) 3D respiratory motion ranges of PT, LN and C were 4 (3), 5 (3) and 5 (3) mm. PT and LN (p = 0.003), and LN and C motion range were correlated (p = 0.03). Only 20 %/5 % …

University Of South Alabama College Of Medicine Annual Report For 2014-2015, College Of Medicine

COM Annual Reports

This Annual Report of the College of Medicine documents recent accomplishments in teaching, research, patient care, community service and scholarly contributions from our faculty, students, residents, fellows, and staff during the 2014-2015 academic year.

Skin Condition Secondary To Elbow Dislocation In A Collegiate Diver, Brandi Leigh Anders

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Objective: The purpose of the case study is to inform athletic trainers about complications with post-surgical athletes caused from the materials used during or after the surgery.

Background: A nineteen year old female collegiate cheerleader with previous left elbow injuries developed a rash post-surgery to repair the elbow’s instability.

Differential Diagnosis: The differential diagnosis for this athlete included a medial collateral ligament tear, ulnar neuritis, elbow subluxation and cubital tunnel narrowing.

Treatment: The athlete had been placed in a posterior splint for two weeks. The athlete noticed a red, itchy patch around each of the stiches which began to itch …

Systematic Condition In A Ncaa-I Collegiate Soccer Player, Ashley D. Smith

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to inform athletic trainers of a systematic disease not common in our patient population.

Background: The athlete, a twenty-one YO, 160 lb, 69 inch female NCAA-I collegiate soccer goalie presented with complaint of bilateral elbow and knee joint pain and stiffness along with tender red itchy bumps on the anterior aspect of her shins. The athlete had flu-like symptoms and a URI prior to this complaint. The athlete has a history of anemia, mononucleosis, and streptococcal.

Differential Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis, lymphoma, HIV/aids, erythema nodosum, lupus, Lyme disease.

Treatment: The athlete sought out …

Chmp1 Negatively Regulates Epidermal Growth Factor Signaling In The Drosophila Wing, Meagan Elisabeth Valentine

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A critical step in cellular signaling through transmembrane receptors is the down-regulation of activated receptors through the multivesicular body (MVB) pathway to the lysosome. MVB generation is mediated by the highly conserved ESCRT (0, I, II, and III) protein complexes. Though the ESCRT-III complex provides the core function of the ESCRT machinery, it is the least characterized of the ESCRT complexes. The Chmp1 protein is an ESCRT-III component and a putative tumor suppressor that has been linked to pancreatic and renal cancers in humans. However, published data on Chmp1 activity are conflicting and its role during tissue development is not …

Examination Of Two Hydration Protocols During Simulated Forced Marching Under Acute Heat Stress, David Alan Cottrill

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the effects of ingesting either water or 6% solution of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and water on hydration status during simulated military road marching in hot environmental conditions. Five volunteer male subjects completed two 60 minute experimental trials exercising at a high intensity (RER .90-.95) in an improvised environmental chamber (29.7 ^{_{+ or -}} .18^oC, 11.3 + or - 2.13% relative humidity) in full army combat uniform carrying 18.18kg of equipment. Random assignment of either water or solution was completed prior to trial 1, and consumption of the unselected protocol …

Cardiovascular Aging In The Female F344xbn Rat Model, Jacqueline C. Fannin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Despite continued advances in medical care, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death for American women [1]. Although humans and non-human primates are the only mammals to experience menses, rodent models are commonly used to study age-associated cardiovascular alterations due to similar ovarian aging, low expense, and short lifetime to investigate cardiovascular aging. Previous studies have found that aging in the female rodent is characterized by increased ventricular apoptosis, elevations in oxidative-nitrosative stress, ventricular remodeling, increased collagen content, mild systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and reduced occurrence of arrhythmias compared to males [2-7]. Similarly, age-associated alterations in the female …