Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Resource Planning Analysis Of District Hospital Surgical Services In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo., Melanie K. Sion, Md, Dheepa Rajan, Hyppolite Kalambay, Jean-Pierre Lokonga, Joseph Bulakali, Mathias Mossoko, Dieudonne Kwete, Gerard Schmets, Edward Kelley, Tarcisse Elongo, Luis Sambo, Meena Cherian

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The impact of surgical conditions on global health, particularly on vulnerable populations, is gaining recognition. However, only 3.5% of the 234.2 million cases per year of major surgery are performed in countries where the world's poorest third reside, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

METHODS: Data on the availability of anesthesia and surgical services were gathered from 12 DRC district hospitals using the World Health Organization's (WHO's) Emergency and Essential Surgical Care Situation Analysis Tool. We complemented these data with an analysis of the costs of surgical services in a Congolese norms-based district hospital as well …

Monophthongal Vowel Production In Females With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Following A Hydration Treatment Of Nebulized Saline, Kara Rytting

Theses and Dissertations

Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that causes extreme dryness, or sicca,of the eyes and mouth, as well as other potential drying of the throat and intestines. Speech, voice, and swallowing problems are common in individuals with SS. Therefore, this study examined the possible changes in acoustic characteristics of monophthongs (/i, æ, α, u, ʌ/) in eight females with SS following laryngeal hydration treatments. An ABAB experimental design was implemented. Treatment consisted of nebulized isotonic saline immediately following completion of audio-recordings. Using acoustic analysis software the duration, formant frequencies, and vowel space area (VSA) was calculated for the participant's …

Solving A Novel Confinement Problem By Spartaeine Salticids That Are Predisposed To Solve Problems In The Context Of Predation, Fiona R. Cross, Robert R. Jackson

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Intricate predatory strategies are widespread in the salticid subfamily Spartaeinae. The hypothesis we consider here is that the spartaeine species that are proficient at solving prey-capture problems are also proficient at solving novel problems. We used nine species from this subfamily in our experiments. Eight of these species (two Brettus, one Cocalus, three Cyrba, two Portia) are known for specialized invasion of other spiders’ webs and for actively choosing other spiders as preferred prey (‘araneophagy’). Except for Cocalus, these species also use trial and error to derive web-based signals with which they gain dynamic fine control of the resident spider’s …

Characterization Of Genomic Variations In Snps Of Pe_Pgrs Genes Reveals Deletions And Insertions In Extensively Drug Resistant (Xdr) M. Tuberculosis Strains From Pakistan., Akber Kanji, Zahra Hasan, Ruth Mcnerney, Mridul Nair, Asho Ali, Kim Mallard, Taane G. Clark, Ambreen Zaver, Sana Jafri,, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

BACKGROUND:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) PE_PGRS genes belong to the PE multigene family. Although the function of PE_PGRS genes is unknown, it is hypothesized that the PE_PGRS genes may be associated with antigenic variability in MTB.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Whole genome sequencing analysis was performed on (n=37) extensively drug-resistant (XDR) MTB strains from Pakistan, which included Lineage 1 (East African Indian, n=2); Other lineage 1 (n=3); Lineage 3 (Central Asian, n=24); Other lineage 3 (n=4); Lineage 4 (X3, n=1) and T group (n=3) MTB strains.

RESULTS:

There were 107 SNPs identified from the analysis of 42 PE_PGRS genes; of these, 13 …

Interactions Between Race, Gender, And Income In Relationship Education Outcomes, Andrew K. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers and policymakers have become interested in the use of relationship education programs as a means to remedy the effects of family instability. Research suggests that relationship education produces positive outcomes with some groups. However, whether populations who are socially and economically more at-risk of relationship problems and relationship dissolution are gaining from relationship education remains an open question. Ecocultural Theory is used to conceptualize the research question and to illustrate the importance of studying diverse populations. The purpose of this study is to assess relationship education outcomes for select at-risk groups. The sample for this study (n=1,907) comes from …

Are Bp Readings Taken After A Patient-Physician Encounter In A Real-World Clinic Scenario The Lowest Of All The Readings In A Clinic Visit., Hunaina Shahab, Hamza Sohail Kan2 Khan, Aysha Almas, Sohail Abrar Khan, Aamir Hameed Khan

Department of Medicine

Objective: To determine the difference in Blood Pressure (BP) readings taken before, during and after the clinic encounter.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Cardiology Clinic, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January to August 2013.

Methodology: Hypertensive and normotensive participants aged ≥ 18 years were recruited. Pre-clinic BP was measured by a nurse and in-clinic BP by a physician. After 15 minutes, two post-clinic BP readings were taken at 1 minute interval. All readings were taken using Omron HEM7221-E.

Results: Out of 180 participants, males were 57% and 130 (71%) were hypertensive. Mean SBP (Systolic …

Low Dose Albumin For The Prevention Of Renal Impairment Following Large Volume Paracentesis In Cirrhosis., Waqar Hussain, Abdullah Bin Khalid, Tayyab Usmani, Aiman Ghufran, Syed H Shah

Department of Medicine

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of low dose Albumin i.e. 4 grams per litre of ascitic fluid after large volume paracentesis (LVP) for the prevention of paracentesis induced circulatory dysfunction (PICD) related renal impairment in cirrhosis.

METHODS: Case records of all patients with cirrhosis who underwent LVP from January 12(th), 2011 till December 29(th), 2013 were reviewed. Patients were excluded if they had spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, creatinine >1.5 mg/dl, hepatoma or if volume of ascitic fluid removed was <5 litres. Data including age, gender, cause of cirrhosis, CTP score and volume of ascitic fluid drained were noted. In addition serum creatinine and serum sodium at baseline and one week post paracentesis were recorded.

RESULTS: Two hundred and fourteen patients with cirrhosis underwent LVP during the study period. One hundred and thirty nine patients met the …

Stroke Knowledge And Screening In A High Prevalence, Low Income Community, Maria Khan,, Hasan Rehman,, Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Regulatory Flexibilities And Tensions In Public Health And Trade: An Asian Perspective, Locknie Hsu

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Regulatory issues relating to public health are a source of tensions in recent trade and investment negotiations, treaties and disputes. Issues arising from the intersection between public health regulation and trade and investment treaties have given Asian states pause for thought. They have led to a critical need to confront the scope and meaning of legal obligations vis-a-vis public health and regulatory objectives, and their implications for stakeholder interests. The intersection and resulting tensions have already led the WTO, WHO and WIPO to work together in an unprecedented manner to address some of the issues at the global level. The …

Attachment Behaviors As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Disapproval And Relationship Satisfaction, Lauren Drean

Theses and Dissertations

Both approval and disapproval of one's social network have been shown to predict relationship outcomes. Additional research has shown that attachment can buffer the negative effects of various factors (e.g., depression) on relationships. This thesis researches the effects of disapproval of friends and family and attachment on relationship outcomes. More specifically this study looks at the potential moderating effects of couple-specific attachment behaviors on the relationship between social network disapproval and relationship quality. The RELATE data set was used to study couples and their relationship quality. The study looked at 858 married couples and found that one's own attachment behaviors …

Cosmetics For The Matrix: An Attractive New Style For Matrix Biology., Renato V. Iozzo, Thomas Neill

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Antimicrobial Stewardship Policies In U.S. Hospitals: Findings From A National Survey., Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz, Carolyn T A Herzig, Elaine L Larson, E Yoko Furuya, Eli N Perencevich, Patricia W Stone

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of antimicrobial stewardship policies and to investigate factors associated with implementation in a national sample of acute care hospitals.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

PARTICIPANTS: Infection Control Directors from acute care hospitals participating in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

METHODS: An online survey was conducted in the Fall of 2011. A subset of hospitals also provided access to their 2011 NHSN annual survey data.

RESULTS: Responses were received from 1,015 hospitals (30% response rate). The majority of hospitals (64%) reported the presence of a policy; use of antibiograms and antimicrobial restriction policies were most frequently utilized …

Multivariate Statistical Methodologies Applied In Biomedical Raman Spectroscopy: Assessing The Validity Of Partial Least Squares Regression Using Simulated Model Datasets, Mark E. Keating, Haq Nawaz, Franck Bonnier, Hugh Byrne

Articles

Raman spectroscopy is fast becoming a valuable analytical tool in a number of biomedical scenarios, most notably disease diagnostics. Importantly, the technique has also shown increasing promise in the assessment of drug interactions on a cellular and subcellular level, particularly when coupled with multivariate statistical analysis. However, an important consideration, both with Raman spectroscopy and the associated statistical methodologies, is the accuracy of these techniques and more specifically the sensitivities which can be achieved and ultimately the limits of detection of the various methods. The purpose of this study is thus the construction of a model simulated data set with …

Morphology Of The Heart Of A White-Cheeked Gibbon (Hylobates Concolor), Tilladit Rung-Ruangkijkrai, Wuthichai Klomkleaw, Pakorn Prachammuang

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The heart was recovered at post mortem from an adult white-cheeked gibbon, Hylobates concolor, for anatomical and histological studies. Macroscopically, it had oval shape, blunt and spherical apex with 3.5 cm. and 5 cm. in width and length. Smooth edged comma-shaped right auricle was markedly bigger than the jagged- edged left auricle. Pectinate muscles were found both at the internal surface of the right auricle and lateral free wall of the right atrium, while limited only in blind part of the left auricle. The coronary arteries supply was left coronary type. The left coronary artery gave circumflex and paraconal interventricular …

Institutional Entrepreneurship, Governance And Poverty: Insights From Emergency Medical Response Services In India, Gerard George, Rekha Rao-Nicholson, Christopher Corbishley, Rahul Bansal

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We present an in-depth case study of GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute, an Indian public–private partnership (PPP), which successfully brought emergency medical response to remote and urban settings. Drawing insights from the case, we investigate how the organization established itself through institutional entrepreneurship using a process conceptualized as opportunity framing, entrenchment, and propagation. The case and context highlight the need for innovation in organizational design and governance modes to create a new opportunity that connects state actors, private healthcare providers, and the public at large. We consider the role of open innovation and novel business models in creating these …

Mortality Patterns Among Critically Ill Children In A Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Of A Developing Country, Naveed-Ur-Rehman Siddiqui, Zohaib Ashraf, Humaira Jurair, Anwarul Haque

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background and Aim: Advances in biomedical technology have made medical treatment to be continued beyond a point, at which it does not confer an advantage but may increase the suffering of patients. In such cases, continuation of care may not always be useful, and this has given rise to the concept of limitation of life-sustaining treatment. Our aim was to study mortality patterns over a 6-year period in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in a developing country and to compare the results with published data from other countries.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study was conducted in a PICU …

Interaction Pattern Of Fullerene Family With Different Forms Of Dna, Sumbul Firdaus, Mohtashim Lohani, Anupam Dhasmana, Mohd. Haneef

School of Medicine Publications

Fullerenes have attracted considerable attention due to their unique chemical structure and potential applications. In this study fullerenes (C20 to C180) were interacted with different forms of DNA i.e. A, B and Z-forms. And no such change in the binding score was observed with the change in the sequence of DNA. In fact, binding score increases with the increase in the molecular weight of the fullerene while interacting with A & B-form of DNA but Z-form of DNA shows no regular pattern of binding. Number of interacting base pairs increases as the molecular size of fullerene increases. And the groove …

Whole-Genome Sequencing To Understand The Genetic Architecture Of Common Gene Expression And Biomarker Phenotypes, Andrew R. Wood, Marcus A. Tuke, Mike Nalls, Dena Hernandez, J. Raphael Gibbs, Haoxiang Lin, Christopher S. Xu, Marcio Almeida, John Blangero, Joanne E. Curran, Harald H. H. Goring

School of Medicine Publications

Initial results from sequencing studies suggest that there are relatively few low-frequency (<5%) variants associated with large effects on common phenotypes. We performed low-pass whole-genome sequencing in 680 individuals from the InCHIANTI study to test two primary hypotheses: (i) that sequencing would detect single low-frequency–large effect variants that explained similar amounts of phenotypic variance as single common variants, and (ii) that some common variant associations could be explained by low-frequency variants. We tested two sets of disease-related common phenotypes for which we had statistical power to detect large numbers of common variant–common phenotype associations—11 132 cis-gene expression traits in 450 individuals and 93 circulating biomarkers in all 680 individuals. From a total of 11 657 229 high-quality variants of which 6 129 221 and 5 528 008 were common and low frequency (<5%), respectively, low frequency–large effect associations comprised 7% of detectable cis-gene expression traits [89 of 1314 cis-eQTLs at P < 1 × 10⁻⁰⁶ (false discovery rate ∼5%)] and one of eight biomarker associations at P < 8 × 10⁻¹⁰. Very few (30 of 1232; 2%) common variant associations were fully explained by low-frequency variants. Our data show that whole-genome sequencing can …

Fluoxetine Prevents The Development Of Depressive-Like Behavior In A Mouse Model Of Cancer Related Fatigue, Diana M. Norden, Raymond Devine, Sabahattin Bicer, Runfeng Jing, Peter J. Reiser, Loren E. Wold, Jonathan P. Godbout, Donna O. Mccarthy

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Cancer patients frequently suffer from fatigue, a complex syndrome associated with tiredness and depressed mood. Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) can be present at the time of diagnosis, escalates during treatment, and can persist for years after treatment. CRF negatively influences quality of life, limits functional independence, and is associated with decreased survival in patients with incurable disease. We have previously shown that increased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the brain contributes to depressive- and fatigue-like behaviors in a mouse model of CRF. Inflammatory cytokines increase the activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), which competitively reduce serotonin synthesis. Reduced serotonin …

Indicators Of Resilience In Family Members Of Adults With Serious Mental Illness, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, Abir K. Bekhet, M. Jane Suresky

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

The Value Of Certification, Kathryn Schroeter

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Genetic Influences On Response To Novel Objects And Dimensions Of Personality In Papio Baboons, Zachary Johnson, Linda Brent, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga, Anthony G. Comuzzie, Wendy Shelledy, Stephanie Ramirez, Laura Cox, Michael C. Mahaney, Yung-Yu Huang, John Mann

School of Medicine Publications

Behavioral variation within and between populations and species of the genus Papio has been studied extensively, but little is known about the genetic causes of individual- or population-level differences. This study investigates the influence of genetic variation on personality (sometimes referred to as temperament) in baboons and identifies a candidate gene partially responsible for the variation in that phenotype. To accomplish these goals, we examined individual variation in response to both novel objects and an apparent novel social partner (using a mirror test) among pedigreed baboons (n = 578) from the Southwest National Primate Research Center. We investigated the frequency …

Il-4/Ccl22/Ccr4 Axis Controls Regulatory T-Cell Migration That Suppresses Inflammatory Bone Loss In Murine Experimental Periodontitis, Ana Claudia Araujo-Pires, Andreia Espindola Vieira, Carolina Favaro Francisconi, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Andrew J. Glowacki, Sayuri Yoshizawa, Ana Paula Campanelli, Ana Paula Favaro Trombone, Charles S. Sfeir, Steven R. Little, Gustavo P. Garlet

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Inflammatory bone resorption is a hallmark of periodontitis, and Tregs and Th2 cells are independently associated with disease progression attenuation. In this study, we employed an infection-triggered inflammatory osteolysis model to investigate the mechanisms underlying Treg and Th2 cell migration and the impact on disease outcome. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans–infected C57Bl/6 (wild-type [WT]) mice develop an intense inflammatory reaction and alveolar bone resorption, and Treg and Th2 cell migration is temporally associated with disease progression attenuation. Tregs extracted from the lesions preferentially express CCR4 and CCR8, whereas Th2 cells express CCR3, CCR4, and CCR8. The absence of CCR5 and CCR8 did …

Carveol And Related Monoterpenes Inhibit The Function Of The Human Α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor, Yosra Adnan Lozon Adnan Lozon

Theses

Plants and phytochemicals have been used for centuries for therapeutic purposes. Essential oils from these plants are complex mixtures and may possess a large spectrum of biological activities many of them of clinical interest. Among the active constituents of essential oils, monoterpenes, demonstrated valuable antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. In recent years, actions of monoterpenes on the function of ion channels have been investigated. In the present study, effects of different monoterpenes including carvacrol, carveol, d-carvone, eugenol, (+)-pulegone, thymol, thymoquinone, menthome and limonene, on the function of the cloned α7 subunit of human nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptor …

Role For Endogenous Bdnf In Endocannabinoid-Mediated Long-Term Depression At Neocortical Inhibitory Synapses, Eric S. Levine, Liangfang Zhao, Mason Li-Wen Yeh

UCHC Articles - Research

The endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) system is an important regulator of synaptic function. Endocannabinoids acutely modulate inhibitory and excitatory transmission, and also mediate long-term depression at GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses. Typically, endocannabinoid synthesis and release is stimulated by depolarization-induced calcium influx and/or activation of phospholipase-C (PLC) signaling triggered by mGluR activation. Recently it has been shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can also induce endocannabinoid release. Although there is growing evidence for cross-talk between BDNF and endocannabinoid signaling, little is known about the functional relevance of these interactions. In the present studies, we examined BDNF – endocannabinoid interactions in regulating activity-dependent …

The Folklore Of Herbs, Lisa Karen Miller

DLPS Faculty Publications

Take a walk through the herb gardens of history and find out what our ancestors knew (and thought they knew) about herbs and their uses for medicine, beauty, and even love. The presentation compares ancient beliefs to current scientific evidence and reveals the places where they intersect.

Exploring The Use Of An Image-Based Approach To Assessing Nutrition Behaviors, Brianna Routh, Mary Jo Katras, Mary Marczak

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Formative evaluation was conducted for the Personal Health Behaviors Overview (PHBO) survey to evaluate nutrition behaviors with image-based questions in low-income populations. Forty-nine low-income adults from nutrition education classes were invited to participate with n = 42 included in the analysis. Participants completed the PHBO survey while an interviewer recorded observations. Upon completion, participants were asked questions regarding each PHBO survey item. Most participants completed the survey in an average of 4 minutes. The majority said the photographs of food made it easier to answer questions. Less than half indicated that the visuals depicting frequency made questions easier. While participant …

Gait Mechanics In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease., Jennifer M. Yentes, Kendra Schmid, Daniel Blanke, Debra J. Romberger, Stephen I. Rennard, Nicholas Stergiou

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by the frequent association of disease outside the lung. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of biomechanical gait abnormalities in COPD patients compared to healthy controls while well rested and without rest.

METHODS: Patients with COPD (N = 17) and aged-matched, healthy controls (N = 21) walked at their self-selected pace down a 10-meter walkway while biomechanical gait variables were collected. A one-minute rest was given between each of the five collected trials to prevent tiredness (REST condition). Patients with COPD then walked at a self-selected pace on …

Personal Health And Finance Quiz: A Tool For Outreach, Research, And Evaluation, Barbara O’Neill, Karen Ensle

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Rutgers Cooperative Extension developed an online self-assessment tool called the Personal Health and Finance Quiz available at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/health-finance-quiz/. Believed to be among the first public surveys to simultaneously query users about their health and personal finance practices, the quiz is part of Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ (SSHW), a Cooperative Extension program developed to motivate Americans to take action to improve both their health and personal finances (see http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/). Respondents indicate one of four frequencies for performance of 20 daily activities and receive a Health, Finance, and Total score indicating their frequency of performing activities that health and financial …

Full Issue, Volume 3, Number 1, Donna J. Peterson

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

No abstract provided.