Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Nucleotide Excision Repair, Crosslink Repair And Transcriptional Function Of Xpa In Human Cells, Mandira Mananadhar

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) in mammalian cells includes xeroderma pigmentosum group A protein (XPA) as a core factor. XPA and other NER proteins have been detected previously at some active promoters, and NER deficiency is reported to decrease activated transcription of selected genes. To determine the global extent of XPA influence on transcription, we analyzed the human transcriptome by RNA sequencing. We first confirmed that XPA is confined to the cell nucleus even in the absence of external DNA damage, in contrast to previous reports that XPA is normally resident in the cytoplasm and is imported following DNA damage. We …

Microenvironment-Induced Pten Loss By Exosomal Microrna Primes Brain Metastasis Outgrowth, Lin Zhang

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Development of life-threatening cancer metastases at distant organs requires disseminated tumor cells’ adaptation to and co-evolution with the drastically different microenvironments of metastatic sites. Cancer cells of common origin manifest distinct gene expression patterns after metastasizing to different organs. Clearly, the dynamic interplay between metastatic tumor cells and extrinsic signals at individual metastatic organ sites critically impacts the subsequent metastatic outgrowth. Yet, it is unclear when and how disseminated tumor cells acquire the essential traits from the microenvironment of metastatic organs that prime their subsequent outgrowth. Here we show that primary tumor cells with normal expression of PTEN, an important …

Investigation Of Radiation Injury In The Esophagus From Definitive Chemoradiation Therapy Using Novel Imaging Biomarkers, Joshua S. Niedzielski

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Radiation injury in the esophagus occurs with high frequency from the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Radiation esophagitis is an acute normal tissue toxicity that negatively affects treatment efficacy by limiting dose and potentially interrupting radiation therapy. Clinical quantification of this toxicity is typically achieved by utilizing physician grading scales, assigning complication severity on an ordinal scale of symptom presentation and/or physician chosen interventions. These criteria are subjective in nature, both from the physician assigning the grade and the patient reporting the symptom. Furthermore, radiation therapy planning guidelines for the esophagus are derived from toxicity prediction models utilizing …

Novel Simulation To Avoid Bias In Measurement Of Hyperpolarized Pyruvate: Demonstrated In Phantom And In Vivo, Christopher M. Walker

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Dynamic nuclear polarization creates a transient hyperpolarized nuclear state that can dramatically increase the signal detected by magnetic resonance imaging. This signal increase allows real-time spectroscopic imaging of specific metabolites in vivo by magnetic resonance. Real-time imaging of both the spatial and chemical fate of hyperpolarized metabolites is showing great promise to meaningfully benefit clinical care of cancer patients. Imaging of hyperpolarized agents will have a larger clinical impact if it can function as a quantitative modality upon which clinical decisions can be made. However, quantitative measurement of hyperpolarized agents is currently difficult due to the restrictions imposed by the …

Assessing The Potential Clinical Impact Of Variable Biological Effectiveness In Proton Radiotherapy, Christopher R. Peeler Ph.D.

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

It has long been known that proton radiotherapy has an increased biological effectiveness compared to traditional x-ray radiotherapy. This arises from the clustered nature of DNA damage produced by the energy deposition of protons along their tracks in medium. This effect is currently quantified in clinical settings by assigning protons a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value of 1.1 corresponding to 10% increased effectiveness compared to photon radiation. Numerous studies have shown, however, that the RBE value of protons is variable and can deviate substantially from 1.1, but experimental data on RBE and clinical evidence of its variability remains limited.

The …

Late Onset Of Pulmonary Hypertension And Sepsis In Omphalocele Infants, Joanne E. Baerg, Arul Thirumoorthi, Whitney Carlton, Shelly Haug, Andrew O. Hopper, Donna Goff, Sandhya Ramlogan, Shawn D. St Peter

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

A subset of omphalocele infants has respiratory decompensation after the first week of life and PHN is diagnosed. Infection may initiate decompensation. In some, PHN is distinct from pulmonary hypoplasia as they oxygenate on room air for some time after birth. With aggressive treatment and follow-up, PHN can resolve. The late diagnosis of PHN in infants with omphalocele is previously unappreciated and deserves further study.

Impact Of Conflict On Medical Education: A Cross-Sectional Survey Of Students And Institutions In Iraq, Ashton Barnett-Vanes, Sondus Hassounah, Marwan Shawki, Omar Abdulkadir Ismail, Chi Fung, Tara Kedia, Salman Rawaf, Azeem Majeed

Dartmouth Scholarship

Objective: This study surveyed all Iraqi medical schools and a cross-section of Iraqi medical students regarding their institutional and student experiences of medical education amidst ongoing conflict. The objective was to better understand the current resources and challenges facing medical schools, and the impacts of conflict on the training landscape and student experience, to provide evidence for further research and policy development. Setting: Deans of all Iraqi medical schools registered in the World Directory of Medical Schools were invited to participate in a survey electronically. Medical students from three Iraqi medical schools were invited to participate in a survey electronically. …

The Association Between Known Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes, And The Body Mass Index Of Diabetic Adults, Faten Ahmed Almubarak

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been a major research topic in scientific health studies. Diabetes is a chronic condition in which blood glucose levels are chronically elevated to more than 7.0 mmol/l in fasting plasma glucose test. The most common form of diabetes is Type 2 (TD2M). The International Diabetes Federation (2015) estimated the number of DM cases worldwide to be 415 million people in 2015. This number is predicted to increase by the year 2040, to 642 million people. The purpose of this study was to use the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to identify the risk factors for …

Return To Play After Cervical Spine Injuries: A Consensus Of Opinion., John C. France, Michael Karsy, James S. Harrop, Andrew T. Dailey

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

Study Design Survey. Objective Sports-related spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a growing proportion of total SCIs but lacks evidence or guidelines to guide clinical decision-making on return to play (RTP). Our objective is to offer the treating physician a consensus analysis of expert opinion regarding RTP that can be incorporated with the unique factors of a case for clinical decision-making. Methods Ten common clinical scenarios involving neurapraxia and stenosis, atlantoaxial injury, subaxial injury, and general cervical spine injury were presented to 25 spine surgeons from level 1 trauma centers for whom spine trauma is a significant component of their practice. …

The Impact Of Area Residential Property Values On Self-Rated Health: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study Of Seattle And Paris, Junfeng Jiao, Adam Drewnowski, Anne Vernez Moudon, Anju Aggarwal, Jean-Michel Oppert, Helene Charreire, Basile Chaix

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This study analyzed the impact of area residential property values, an objective measure of socioeconomic status (SES), on self-rated health (SRH) in Seattle, Washington and Paris, France. This study brings forth a valuable comparison of SRH between cities that have contrasting urban forms, population compositions, residential segregation, food systems and transportation modes. The SOS (Seattle Obesity Study) was based on a representative sample of 1394 adult residents of Seattle and King County in the United States. The RECORD Study (Residential Environment and Coronary Heart Disease) was based on 7131 adult residents of Paris and its suburbs in France. Socio-demographics, SRH …

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Associated With Unexpected Death Of A Loved One: Cross-National Findings From The World Mental Health Surveys, Lukoye Atwoli, Dan J. Stein, Andrew King, Maria Petukhova, Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, Jordi Alonso, Evelyn J. Bromet, Giovanni De Girolamo, Koen Demyttenaere, Silvia Florescu

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Unexpected death of a loved one (UD) is the most commonly reported traumatic experience in cross‐national surveys. However, much remains to be learned about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after this experience. The WHO World Mental Health (WMH) survey initiative provides a unique opportunity to address these issues.

Methods: Data from 19 WMH surveys (n = 78,023; 70.1% weighted response rate) were collated. Potential predictors of PTSD (respondent sociodemographics, characteristics of the death, history of prior trauma exposure, history of prior mental disorders) after a representative sample of UDs were examined using logistic regression. Simulation was used to estimate overall …

Raising The Minimum Legal Sales Age For Tobacco Products In Nebraska, Fernando A. Wilson, Nizar K. Wehbi, Kavita Mosalpuria, Li-Wu Chen

Reports: Center for Health Policy

No abstract provided.

Balloon Valvuloplasty For Pulmonic Stenosis In Two Dogs: Case Report, Chollada Buranakarl, Anusak Kijtawornrat, Wasan Udayachalerm, Sirilak Disatian Surachetpong, Saikaew Sutayatram, Pasakorn Briksawan, Sumit Durongpongtorn, Rampaipat Tungjitpeanpong, Nardtiwa Chaivoravitsakul

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Balloon valvuloplasty for correction of congenital pulmonic stenosis (PS) in two dogs by intervention technique was first reported in Thailand. Both dogs did not show any clinical signs related to congestive heart failure. Physical examination in both dogs revealed heart murmur. Electrocardiographs of both dogs were recorded and showed normal sinus rhythm with deep S wave. In the first dog, thoracic radiograph revealed cardiomegaly with enlargement of the main pulmonary artery and left deviation of the apex due to right ventricular enlargement. Definitive diagnosis of PS was performed by echocardiography. Computed tomography (CT) of both dogs demonstrated stenosis of the …

What Is Your Diagnosis?, Chutimon Thanaboonnipat, Nan Choisunirachon

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

No abstract provided.

Aspirin Resistance Predicts Adverse Cardiovascular Events In Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease, Tilak Pasala, Jennifer Soo Hoo, Mary Kate Lockhart, Rehan Waheed, Prasanna Sengodan, Jeffrey Alexander, Sanjay Gandhi

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular death in patients who have symptomatic peripheral artery disease. However, a subset of patients who take aspirin continues to have recurrent cardiovascular events. There are few data on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease who manifest aspirin resistance.

Patients with peripheral artery disease on long-term aspirin therapy (≥4 wk) were tested for aspirin responsiveness by means of the VerifyNow Aspirin Assay. The mean follow-up duration was 22.6 ± 8.3 months. The primary endpoint was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. Secondary endpoints were the …

Comparative Efficacy Of Nebivolol And Metoprolol To Prevent Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy In A Porcine Model, Alireza Nazeri, Macarthur A Elayda, Ana Maria Segura, Raymond F Stainback, Joanna Nathan, Vei-Vei Lee, Christina Bove, Luiz Sampaio, Brian Grace, Ali Massumi, Mehdi Razavi

The Texas Heart Institute Journal

Chronic tachycardia is a well-known cause of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that nebivolol, a β-blocker with nitric oxide activity, would be superior to a pure β-blocker in preventing tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy in a porcine model.

Fifteen healthy Yucatan pigs were randomly assigned to receive nebivolol, metoprolol, or placebo once a day. All pigs underwent dual-chamber pacemaker implantation. The medication was started the day after the pacemaker implantation. On day 7 after implantation, each pacemaker was set at atrioventricular pace (rate, 170 beats/min), and the pigs were observed for another 7 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiograms, serum catecholamine levels, and blood chemistry data were …

Morphological Assessment Of The Retina In Uveitis., Michael M. Altaweel, Sapna S. Gangaputra, Jennifer E. Thorne, James P. Dunn, Susan G. Elner, Glenn J. Jaffe, Rosa Y. Kim, P. Kumar Rao, Susan B. Reed, John H. Kempen

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to describe a system for color photograph evaluation in uveitis and report baseline morphologic findings for the Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) Trial. Four-hundred seventy-nine eyes of 255 subjects with intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis had stereoscopic color fundus photographs obtained by certified photographers and evaluated by certified graders using standardized procedures to evaluate morphologic characteristics of uveitis. The posterior pole was evaluated for macular edema, vitreoretinal interface abnormalities, and macular pigment disturbance/atrophy; the optic disk was assessed for edema, pallor, or glaucomatous changes. The presence of neovascularization, vascular occlusion, vascular sheathing, and tractional …

Role Of Homoeopathic Medicines In Prostate Enlargement: A Retrospective Observational Study, Girish Gupta, Santosh Singh

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: Prostatic enlargement (prostatomegaly) is a common condition in aging men which can be progressive and lead to acute urinary retention and ultimately need for surgery. Although clinical evidence of disease occurs less commonly, symptoms of prostatic obstruction are also age related and if untreated affect quality of life. Patients with huge prostatic enlargement mostly undergo surgical intervention. Objective: To assess the usefulness of homoeopathic medicines in patients with huge prostatomegaly, a clinical study was conducted at Gaurang Clinic and Centre for Homoeopathic Research, Lucknow, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 116 patients have been shortlisted with prostate weight …

Phenotypic Characterization Of Thai Native Black-Bone Chickens Indigenous To Northern Thailand, Krittaphak Buranawit, Charan Chailungka, Chainarong Wongsunsri, Watchara Laenoi

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The aim of this study was to describe the phenotypic characteristics of native black-bone chickens indigenous to Northern Thailand. Nine qualitative and 6 quantitative traits were taken from 57 adult chickens of three genotypes, namely Chee Fah, Fah Luang and Papasoong. Only single type of comb and black shank were observed for all genotypes. The most prominent color of the comb was black followed by red and blackish red, respectively. Variations of hackle and plumage feather colors were found in Chee Fah and Fah Luang chickens, whereas those features of Papasoong were only white. Chee Fah had the lowest breast …

Bovine And Ovine Schistosomiasis: Prevalence And Associated Host Factors In Selected Sites Of South Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia, Yirsaw Kerie, Zewdu Seyoum

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Schistosomiasis is a snail-borne trematode infection in man and animals in tropical and subtropical countries. It is an economically important disease caused by several Schistosoma species and results in economic losses through mortality and morbidity from severe infection and from long-term effect of moderate- and long-standing chronic infection. This study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 to determine the prevalence and potential host-related risk factors of bovine and ovine schistosomiasis in selected sites of South Achefer district, northwest Ethiopia. About 532 faecal samples were collected from randomly selected cattle and sheep from three purposively selected peasant associations. The …

Effects Of Β-Glucan And Mannan-Oligosaccharide Supplementation On Growth Performance, Fecal Bacterial Population, And Immune Responses Of Weaned Pigs, Phan Thi Tuoi, Pornchalit Assavacheep, Kris Angkanaporn, Anongnart Assavacheep

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The effects of β-glucan and mannan-oligosaccharide (BG + MOS) supplementation in feed on growth performance, bacterial population in feces and immune responses of weaned pigs were investigated. Two hundred and eighty-eight weaning piglets were randomly allocated into 3 groups with 8 replicates per group and 12 pigs per replicate. Group 1, as control, was fed a commercial basal nursery diet. Groups 2 and 3 were fed the same diet supplemented with BG + MOS (Biolex® MB-40) 1 and 2 kg/ton of feed, respectively. Weight gain (WG), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) …

Effect Of Ivprd, Estradiol And Gnrh For Resynchronization On Fertility Of Non-Pregnant Holstein Dairy Cows, Reza Narenji Sani, Ali Mahdavi, Jalal Gharavi Ghare Mashk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intra vaginal progesterone releasing device (IVPRD), estradiol and GnRH for resynchronization on fertility of non-pregnant Holstein dairy cows. Non-pregnant cows (n = 117) were divided into three groups. The first group (n = 38) was treated with Ovsynch [GnRH, day 0; PGF2α, day 7; GnRH, day 9; timed artificial insemination (TAI), day 10]. The second group (n = 39) was treated with cue-mate-estradiol benzoate (EB) (cue-mate intra vaginal insertion and first EB, day 0; PGF2α, day 7; cue-mate withdrawn and second EB, day 8; TAI, day 10). The third …

Renoprotective Effects Of Megadose Vitamin C On Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Injury, Supa Sithanukul, Chollada Buranakarl, Chutamas Benjanirut, Anudep Rungsipipat

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Cisplatin (CDDP)-induced nephrotoxicity is mediated via oxidative stress and may be alleviated using antioxidant activity. Although megadose of vitamin C may cause oxalate nephropathy and apoptosis, the antioxidant effect of vitamin C may be beneficial when given along with CDDP. The objective of this study was to investigate the renoprotective effects of megadose vitamin C on rats receiving CDDP. Rats were divided into 4 groups: group 1, control rats (CONT); group 2, vitamin C-treated rats (VIT C); group 3, CDDP-treated rats (CDDP) and group 4, CDDP + vitamin C-treated rats (CDDP + VIT C). Vitamin C (1000 mg/kg) was given …

Dietary Supplementation Of Condensed Tannin Decreased Lipid Peroxidation In Muscle Of Nile Tilapias (Oreochromis Niloticus), Natthana Thitichayaphong, Theera Rukkwamsuk

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The effect of condensed tannin supplementation in diet on lipid peroxidation in the muscle was evaluated in Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus). In total, 250 fish, aged 21 days old, were randomly allocated into 10 experimental tanks, 25 fish per tank. Five tanks were set as the control group and 5 tanks as the supplemented group. The control fish were fed a commercial diet, while the supplemented fish were fed the same control diet plus 4 g/kg of condensed tannin. The diets were offered at a rate of 8% of estimated fish body weight twice daily. The experimental period lasted for …

Amyloidosis Associated With Feline Leukemia Virus In A White Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris Tigris), N.I. De La Cruz-Hernández, J.O. Merino-Charres, E.M. Salinas-Navarrete, A.E. Monreal Garcia, J. Martinez Burnes, J.A. Rangel Lucio, C. Venegas-Barrera

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the cause of neoplastic and degenerative disorders and immunosuppression in domestic cats. FeLV has never been reported in Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). Necropsy findings of a white Bengal tigress were a subcutaneous mass of 10 cm in diameter in the right rear limb which was classified as fibrosarcoma. In agreement with macroscopic and microscopic lesions, the morphologic diagnosis was consistent with a multisystemic disease characterized by fibrinonecrotic and suppurative broncopneumonia with multifocal severe bronchiectasis, severe icteric hepatomegaly and renal amyloidosis with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Furthermore, a serum sample was positive to FeLV when diagnosed by …

Directly Comparing Handoff Protocols For Pediatric Hospitalists., Elizabeth H. Lazzara, Robert Riss, Brady Patzer, Dustin C. Smith, Y Raymond Chan, Joseph R. Keebler, Sarah D. Fouquet, Evan M. Palmer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Handoff protocols are often developed by brainstorming and consensus, and few are directly compared. We hypothesized that a handoff protocol (Flex 11) developed using a rigorous methodology would be more favorable in terms of clinicians' attitudes, behaviors, cognitions, or time-on-task when performing handoffs compared with a prevalent protocol (Situation Background Assessment Recommendation [SBAR]).

METHODS: Using a between-groups, randomized control trial design (Flex 11 versus SBAR) during a pilot study in a simulated environment, 20 clinicians (13 attending physicians and 7 residents) received 3 patient handoffs from a standardized physician, managed the patients, and handed off the patients …

Indoor Tobacco Legislation Is Associated With Fewer Emergency Department Visits For Asthma Exacerbation In Children., Christina E. Ciaccio, Tami Gurley-Calvez, Theresa I. Shireman

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: During the past 3 decades, numerous cities and states have adopted laws that ban smoking in public indoor spaces. The rationale for these policies has been to protect nonsmokers from the adverse health effects of secondhand smoke.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the implementation of indoor smoking legislation is associated with a decrease in emergency department visits for asthma in children.

METHODS: This retrospective analysis used a natural experiment to estimate the impact of clean indoor air legislation on the rate of emergency department admissions for asthma exacerbation in children. Data were obtained from the Pediatric Health Information System. A …

Should Neonatologists Give Opinions Withdrawing Life-Sustaining Treatment?, J S. Blumenthal-Barby, Laura Loftis, Christy L. Cummings, William Meadow, Monica Lemmon, Peter A. Ubel, Laurence Mccullough, Emily Rao, John Lantos

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

An infant has a massive intracranial hemorrhage. She is neurologically devastated and ventilator-dependent. The prognosis for pulmonary or neurologic recovery is bleak. The physicians and parents face a choice: withdraw the ventilator and allow her to die or perform a tracheotomy? The parents cling to hope for recovery. The physician must decide how blunt to be in communicating his own opinions and recommendations. Should the physician try to give just the facts? Or should he also make a recommendation based on his own values? In this article, experts in neonatology, decision-making, and bioethics discuss this situation and the choice that …

Intravenous Versus Oral Antibiotics For Postdischarge Treatment Of Complicated Pneumonia., Samir S. Shah, Rajendu Srivastava, Susan Wu, Jeffrey D. Colvin, Derek J. Williams, Shawn J. Rangel, Waheeda Samady, Suchitra Rao, Christopher Miller, Cynthia Cross, Caitlin Clohessy, Matthew Hall, Russell Localio, Matthew Bryan, Gong Wu, Ron Keren, Pediatric Research In Inpatient Settings Network

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postdischarge treatment of complicated pneumonia includes antibiotics administered intravenously via a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) or orally. Antibiotics administered via PICC, although effective, may result in serious complications. We compared the effectiveness and treatment-related complications of postdischarge antibiotics delivered by these 2 routes.

METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included children ≥2 months andadministration, classified as PICC or oral. The primary outcome was treatment failure. Secondary outcomes included PICC complications, adverse drug reactions, other related revisits, and a composite of all 4 outcomes, termed "all related revisits."

RESULTS: Among 2123 children, 281 (13.2%) received antibiotics …

Update From The Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices., Jennifer E. Schuster, Sean O'Leary, David W. Kimberlin

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) consists of medical and public health experts who develop recommendations on vaccine use in the United States. The ACIP meets 3 times per year, and members and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) staff present findings and discuss vaccine research, vaccine effectiveness (VE) and safety, clinical trial results, and labeling/package insert information. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccine shortages are also discussed. Nonvoting representatives from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society are present. The ACIP met on June 22-23, 2016 to discuss proposed recommendations for influenza vaccination, for human …