Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Intracranial Intraventricular Tumors: Long-Term Surgical Outcome Of 25 Patients, Si̇ma Sayyahmelli̇, Oğuz Baran, Doğa Uğurlar, Rahşan Kemerdere, Veysel Antar, Taner Tanriverdi̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this paper is to provide the long-term surgical outcome of patients with intracranial intraventricular tumors. Materials and methods: Twenty-five patients operated on for intraventricular tumors between June 1999 and June 2014 are reviewed. Data from before, during, and after surgery were obtained from the patients' files and patients were followed regularly after surgery. Results: The group of patients comprised 15 females and 10 males with a mean age of 31.6 ± 16 years. The majority were adults and only 3 children were included. Three, 4, and 18 patients had tumors in the 4th, 3rd, and frontal …

Microvascular Tissue Transfers In The Elderly: Safety Analysis For A Challenging Area, Ali̇ Emre Aksu, Gali̇p Gencay Üstün, Ozan Bi̇ti̇k, Murat Kara, Ahmet Hamdi̇ Sakarya, Tunç Şafak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/Aim: Due to increased average life expectancy, the number of elderly patients requiring complex reconstructive microsurgical procedures is rising. Age, comorbid conditions, and location of operation are all possible risk factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical outcomes to set the right criteria. Materials and methods: Between 1996 and 2014, the data of 30 patients over the age of 70, who were treated with microsurgical techniques in our clinic, were extracted from patient records and analyzed retrospectively. Results: In this patient population, flap success rate was 94%. Systemic and surgical complication rates were 40% and 48%, respectively. …

Impact Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus On Quality Of Life In People With Diabetespresenting To A Specialist Diabetes Clinic, Bilal Bin Younis, Rozina Arshad, Haroon Yousuf, Fatima Salman, Junaid Masood, Saima Khurshid

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Quality of life is an important health-related factor that has an impact on all health interventions. The aim of the study was to assess psychosocial outcomes in people with diabetes Materials and methods: A total of 142 people with type 2 diabetes were recruited from a specialist diabetes center. The validated Urdu version of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index was administered for easy understanding of the quality of life of the regional population. Results: The 142 adult participants with diabetes were recruited from a specialist diabetes clinic. The rate of likely depression (WHO-5 score of <28) was 16.9%. Neuropathy was found to have a negative impact on the quality of life in people with diabetes (P 6lt; 0.001). Conclusion: People with complications of diabetes like neuropathy may experience worsening quality of life. It is advised to incorporate the WHO-5 into annual patient reviews as a measure of emotional well-being to drive changes that improve outcomes for people with diabetes.

Surgical Treatment Of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations, Pinar Biçakçioğlu, Seli̇m Şaki̇r Erkmen Gülhan, Ebru Sayilir, Hakan Ertürk, Yetki̇n Ağaçkiran, Sadi̇ Kaya, Nuretti̇n Karaoğlanoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are direct communications between the branches of pulmonary arteries and veins. This study evaluates surgically treated cases of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Materials and methods: We retrospectively examined 41 cases of PAVM that were operated in our clinic between 1995 and 2012. We obtained the clinical, radiological, and surgical data of the patients from their files. Results: The 41 cases comprised 27 males and 14 females. Their mean age at diagnosis was 39.8 years (range: 9-71). The symptoms were hemoptysis in 28 cases, dyspnea in five, cough in three, and epistaxis in two; three patients were …

Epidemiology And Molecular Characteristics Of Methicillin-Resistantstaphylococcus Aureus From Skin And Soft Tissue Infections In Shiraz, Iran, Samira Mehrshad, Masoud Haghkhah, Shahin Aghaei

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasing in some regions of Iran. The aim of the current study was to assess the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of S. aureus isolated from patients with skin infections in Shiraz, Iran. Materials and methods: Swab samples were obtained from patients admitted to the skin and burn units of hospitals. The medical records of each patient were collected via questionnaire. All staphylococcal isolates were collected and examined by conventional methods for detecting S. aureus strains. PCR was used to detect S. aureus harboring the mecA and pvl genes. Results: Out …

Hpv Types And E6/E7 Mrna Expression In Cervical Samples From Turkish Women With Abnormal Cytology In Ankara, Turkey, İpek Tüney, Ayli̇n Altay, Koray Ergünay, Sevgen Çeli̇k Önder, Alp Usubütün, Mehmet Coşkun Salman, Gülendam Bozdayi, Erdem Karabulut, Osman Seli̇m Badur, Kunter Yüce, Ahmet Pinar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Human papillomaviruses have been established as a risk factor for invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix. HPV E6/E7 oncogene expression has recently emerged as a promising biomarker to determine the risk for progression to high-grade cervical lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate HPV mRNA and DNA detection in samples with abnormal cytology. Materials and methods: Cervical specimens were obtained at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology via cervical brushes during January-October 2011. Liquid-based cytology slides were evaluated according to the 2001 Bethesda System. Cytology specimens from a total of 81 women with abnormal cytology were included. …

Surveillance Of Preventive Measures For Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (Vap) And Its Rate In Makkah Region Hospitals, Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Banjar, Mohammed Felemban, Khalid Dhafar, Zohair Gazzaz, Badr Al Harthi, Mukhtiar Baig, Kasim Al Khatib, Jameela Zakaria, Kawther Hawsawi, Lilma Isahac, Arbi Akbar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The present study aimed to assess the VAP rate and to identify VAP prevention activities in public sector hospitals situated in the Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia (SA). Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, the VAP data from 13 public sector hospitals were collected from January to December 2013 and analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: The overall VAP rate in Makkah Region hospitals was 6.89 cases per 1000 ventilator-days. There was a significant difference in VAP rate among the hospitals of the Makkah Region (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the VAP rate among hospitals, which were using only one, two, or all three VAP preventive approaches (P = 0.26) accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and Central Board for Accreditation of Health Care Institution (CBAHI) (P = 0.12), and using the form in intensive care units (ICUs) (P = 0.85). There was a significant difference in the VAP rate among hospitals having different bed capacities (P < 0.001), data regularly collected (P = 0.03), and had a team to supervise the VAP project (P = 0.04). Conclusion: The VAP rate in Makkah Region hospitals is 6.89 cases per 1000 ventilator-days.

Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio Is Elevated In Recurringnonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Emrah Yürük, Theodore Robert Saitz, Serkan Gönültaş, Ege Can Şerefoğlu, Ahmet Yaser Müslümanoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Although it has been shown that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) may predict the progression of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), its association with the recurrence of NMIBC has been poorly studied. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between NLR and disease recurrence in patients with NMIBC. Materials and methods: The medical records of 428 consecutive initially diagnosed NMIBC patients who underwent transurethral resection between January 2010 and July 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients without a preoperative NLR (n = 6), without a minimum of 6 months of follow-up (n = 56), who were lost to …

The Genicular Nerve: Radiofrequency Lesion Application For Chronic Knee Pain, Paki̇ze Kirdemi̇r, Serdar Çatav, Fi̇li̇z Alkaya Solmaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: We investigated the short- and medium-term effectiveness of genicular nerve radiofrequency (RF) applied in patients with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Materials and methods: Radiofrequency was performed in 49 patients with a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis. VAS and WOMAC were measured at baseline and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks postprocedure. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the cannula was advanced percutaneously towards the area connecting the shaft to the epicondyle. The RF electrode was inserted through the cannula and the electrode tip temperature was raised to 80 °C for 90 s. One RF lesion was made for each genicular nerve. …

Effects Of Steep Trendelenburg Position And Pneumoperitoneum On Middleear Pressure In Patients Undergoing Robotic Radical Prostatectomy, Füsun Bozkirli, Nurdan Bedi̇rli̇, Mehmet Akçabay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to quantify the changes in middle ear pressure (MEP) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Materials and methods: Thirty patients undergoing RARP were included in this study. MEP was obtained at the following time points: awake (T1), postintubation (T2), pneumoperitoneum + 1 h of Trendelenburg position (T3), pneumoperitoneum + 2 h of Trendelenburg position (T4), pneumoperitoneum + 3 h of Trendelenburg position (T5), desufflation + supine position (T6), and 1 h after extubation in the postanesthesia care unit (T7). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP), peak airway pressure (PAP), tidal volume, minute ventilation, EtCO2, …

Metoclopramide Inhibits Trigeminovascular Activation:Evidence For Effective Acute Attack Treatment In Migraine, Hacer Doğanay Aydin, Doğa Vuralli, Di̇dem Tuba Akçali, Hayrunni̇sa Bolay Belen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Metoclopramide is an effective and commonly used medication in acute migraine treatment but an experimental evidence base is lacking. We aimed to investigate the antimigraine effect of metoclopramide in a migraine model and whether the analgesic effect of metoclopramide was likely to be D2 receptor-mediated. Materials and methods: Cortical spreading depression (CSD) was used to model migraine in adult male Wistar rats. Five CSDs were induced by pinprick. Metoclopramide (two different doses), raclopride, or 0.9% saline were administered 30 min before CSD induction. Two hours after the experiments, brain tissues were examined for c-fos activation. Results: In metoclopramide groups …

Associations Between Obesity And The Radiographic Phenotype In Knee Osteoarthritis, Mehmet Derya Demi̇rağ, Seçi̇l Özkan, Şemi̇nur Haznedaroğlu, Evi̇n Aras Kilinç, Fatma Nur Baran Aksakal, Sefer Aycan, Berna Goker

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Investigation of the association between obesity and the distinction of radiographic patterns in knee osteoarthritis. Materials and methods: Seven hundred and thirty-four women underwent weight-bearing antero-posterior knee radiography. Osteophytes and joint space narrowing (JSN) were graded according to the OARSI atlas. Each subject was assigned to one of the following groups with respect to the maximum score: osteophyte-dominant, indeterminate, JSN-dominant, and radiographically normal. Results: Obese patients had a significantly more frequent osteophyte-dominant pattern compared to nonobese subjects (74.5% and 38%, respectively, P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that obesity had a stronger association with an osteophytedominant pattern compared to a JSN-dominant pattern (OR and 95% CI = 7.16 (3.15-16.26) and 1.63 (0.96-2.78), respectively). Age had a very weak effect on the distinction to an osteophyte-dominant pattern and no effect on JSN dominance (OR and 95% CI = 1.1 (1.06-1.15) and 1.02 (0.99-1.05), respectively). Conclusion: There might be an association between obesity and the radiographic phenotype in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The findings suggest that the association between obesity and the osteophyte formation is stronger than that of JSN.

Effect Of Familial Mediterranean Fever On Sexual And Reproductive Health In Women, Görkem Karakaş Uğurlu, Mustafa Uğurlu, Şükran Erten, Serdar Süleyman Can, Semra Ulusoy Kaymak, Ali̇ Çayköylü

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between familial Mediterranean fever and female sexual dysfunction and premenstrual syndrome. Materials and methods: This study included 36 patients with familial Mediterranean fever and 33 healthy volunteers. Familial Mediterranean fever was diagnosed according to the Tel Hashomer criteria and familial Mediterranean fever mutations were identified in all of the patients. The patients and healthy volunteers were compared in terms of anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, and premenstrual syndrome, and a model was created that describes the relationships among these variables. Results: We found statistically significant differences between the groups in …

Aortic Valve Sclerosis Is Associated With The Extent Of Coronaryartery Disease In Stable Coronary Artery Disease, Seli̇m Topcu, Uğur Aksu, Kamuran Kalkan, Oktay Gülcü, Arzu Kalayci Karabay, Enbi̇ya Aksakal, İbrahi̇m Hali̇l Tanboğa, Serdar Sevi̇mli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is characterized by lipid deposition and calcific infiltration on the edge of aortic leaflets without significant restriction of motion. The SYNTAX Score (SS) is an important method for evaluating coronary artery disease (CAD). Many studies showed that there is an important relation between the SS and undesired cardiac outcomes. In our study, we investigated the correlation between the SS and AVS by including both ACS and stable CAD cases. Materials and methods: We enrolled 543 patients with CAD who underwent coronary angiography into this cross-sectional study between September 2013 and September 2014. Results: The study …

Copeptin Levels In Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Güler İrem, Yunsur Çevi̇k, Ahmet Turgut Keski̇n, Emi̇ne Emektar, Osman Lütfi̇ Demi̇rci̇, Tuba Şafak, Gülşah Çikrikçi Işik, Kadi̇r Okhan Akin

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study is to identify the copeptin levels in patients presenting with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning to the emergency department and to investigate its correlation with the neurological effects. Materials and methods: The study group consisted of patients presenting with CO poisoning and carboxyhemoglobin levels >10%. Blood samples for copeptin levels were obtained twice, first at presentation then at the fourth hour of observation. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16 for Windows. Results: The median copeptin levels of the patient group were identified as 0.63 (0.39-1.06) ng/mL at hour 0 and 0.41 (0.31-0.49) at hour …

Nitroglycerin Challenge Induces Lateralized Headache In Nasociliarynerve-Ligated Rats: Implications For Chronic Migraine, Di̇dem Tuba Akçali, Ahmet Deni̇z Belen, C.Avni̇ Babacan, Hayrunni̇sa Bolay Belen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Chronic migraine is a common debilitating disease with limited treatment options. We aimed to develop a novel model for chronic migraine by ligating the nasociliary nerve (NCL) and administering nitroglycerin (NTG) to exacerbate acute headache attacks. Materials and methods: Exacerbation of the headache was induced by NTG (10 mg/kg, subcutaneously) administered to male Wistar rats (n = 36) 14 days following unilateral NCL. Cutaneous and cold allodynia was tested using Von Frey (VF) filaments and acetone, respectively. Elevated plus maze (EPM) results and c-fos immunoreactivity of TNC were investigated. Results: NTG administration significantly decreased VF threshold values only in …

Molecular Characteristics And Antibiotic Resistance Of Acinetobacter Baumanniibeta-Lactamase-Producing Isolates, A Predominance Of Intrinsic Blaoxa-51, And Detection Oftem And Ctx-M Genes, Amir Ibrahimagic, Farah Kamberovic, Selma Uzunovic, Branka Bedenic, Emina Idrizovic

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine the molecular characteristics and antibiotic resistance of 13 (10 inpatient and three outpatient) Acinetobacter baumannii beta-lactamase-producing isolates collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina between December 2009 and May 2010. Materials and methods: Susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The modified Hodge and combined disk test with EDTA/phenylboronic acid was used to screen for carbapenemase production. Production of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) was determined by double-disk synergy test. PCR was used to detect blaESBL/blacarb genes. Results: Ten (22.2%) inpatient and three (13.6%) outpatient isolates produced beta-lactamases, ESBLs, or …

Skin Findings In Autoimmune And Nonautoimmune Thyroid Disease With Respect To Thyroid Functional Status And Healthy Controls, Mümtaz Takir, Emi̇n Özlü, Osman Köstek, Zafer Türkoğlu, Hasan Hüseyi̇n Mutlu, Tuğba Kevser Uzunçakmak, Necmetti̇n Akdeni̇z, Ayşe Serap Karadağ

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Thyroid disorders are associated with a wide variety of skin disorders that respond to treatment of hormone imbalance in most cases and thus are of vital importance to dermatologists. This study aimed to evaluate skin findings associated with autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid disease with respect to thyroid functional status and healthy controls. Materials and methods: A total of 300 consecutive patients with either autoimmune (n = 173) or nonautoimmune (n = 127) thyroid disease and 100 healthy control subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. Data on patient demographics, thyroid function tests, and skin findings were recorded for patient …

Groin And Thigh Reconstructions With Pedicled Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flaps, Hakan Uzun, Ozan Bi̇ti̇k, Yahya Baltu, Mehmet Dadaci, Aycan Uğur Kayikçioğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Resection of tumors from the groin and thigh regions with safe margins often results in significant soft tissue defects, which preclude primary closure. This study presents a series of rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps for irradiated thigh and groin wounds with the purpose of evaluating the efficacy and outcomes of these flaps in this population. Materials and methods: From 2008 to 2015, all patients who underwent resection of thigh or groin region tumors and reconstruction with an inferiorly based rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap were retrospectively identified. Medical records of the patients were reviewed. Results: A total of 27 patients, aged …

First Trimester Ultrasonographic Parameters In Prediction Of The Course And Outcome Of Monochorionic Twin Pregnancies, Slavica Aksam, Snezana Plesinac, Jelena Dotlic, Jasmina Tadic, Svetlana Vrzic-Petronijevic, Milos Petronijevic, Dusica Kocijancic-Belovic, Snezana Buzadzic

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association and the potential predictive value of first trimester ultrasonographic parameters on the course and outcome of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies. Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study was undertaken of 39 healthy women with consecutive monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies. During first-trimester screening, crown-rump length (CRL) and nuchal translucency (NT) were measured. The intertwin discordance in CRL and NT was determined. As pregnancy outcomes we assessed twins' live-born rates, Apgar scores, birth weight, pregnancy complications, and gestational week of delivery. Results: None of the assessed pregnancy outcomes significantly correlated with …

Morphometric Study Of The True S1 And S2 Of The Normal Anddysmorphic Sacralized Sacra, Ayşegül Firat, Kadi̇r Bahadir Alemdaroğlu, Ahmet Özmeri̇ç, Mehmet Yücens, Di̇nçer Göksülük

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to generate data for the S1 and S2 alar pedicle and body and the alar orientations for both dysmorphic and normal sacra. Materials and methods: The study comprised two groups: Group N consisted of 53 normal sacra and Group D included 10 dysmorphic sacra. Various features such as alar pedicle circumference; anterior, middle, and posterior axis of the sacral ala; sacral body height and width; and sagittal thickness were measured. Results: In group N, the median anterior axis of the alae was observed to be 30° on the right and 25° on the left, the median …

Problem Gambling And Treatment In Nevada, Sarah A. St. John, Andrea Dassopoulos, Bo Bernhard

Social Health of Nevada Reports

This chapter defines problem gambling and provides a history and overview of community and state-led initiatives to address the harms associated with problem gambling. We outline research conducted in the state of Nevada in the past two decades, with both adults and teens, and with the general population and the treatment population, specifically. After presenting a demographic snapshot of the population that has received state-subsidized treatment, we discuss some common challenges they face.

The chapter provides data on treatment effectiveness as measured by improvements in the lives and wellbeing of problem gamblers and reduction of their gambling behaviors. Finally, we …

Behavioral And Mental Health In Nevada, Ruth Condray, Kyle Devine

Social Health of Nevada Reports

The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health is responsible for providing public and mental health services to people living in or visiting the State. The Division is organized into four branches: Community Services Branch, Regulatory and Planning Services Branch, Clinical Services Branch and Administrative Services Branch. The Clinical Services Branch provides statewide inpatient, outpatient, and community-based public and mental health services. State employees provide mental health services, and contract providers deliver substance use services. Mental health services are additionally organized by age and geography. Adults with mental disorders are treated statewide through the Division of Public and Behavioral Health. …

Infusion Of Essentail Oils In Agarose Gels To Create Antimicrobial Surfaces, Simran Guron

Honors College Theses

The current use of antibiotics is very excessive in multiple settings, from treating patients to being present in cleaning products. This overuse of antibiotics is resulting in multiple consequences, ranging from having a negative impact on human health to breeding antibiotic-resistant strains of microorganisms. Antimicrobial surfaces are useful today to aid in sterilization, especially in the medical setting. This would help prevent the spread of infection of microorganisms in these settings. In our research, agarose acts as the antimicrobial surface and essential oils would act as the solution incorporated into the surface that has the antimicrobial properties. Agarose is a …

Mental Disorders And Associated Factors Among Adolescents In Juvenile Detention, Stewart Mbelwa

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Introduction: The number of children and adolescents admitted in Dar es Salaam juvenile centers due to misbehavior and criminal offences has risen from 20 to 30 per month. Increasing aberrant behaviors in children have been linked to mental disorders. Assessment of presence mental health disorders as the main cause of these behaviors would be important to restore mental health of children and assist the system to impose a fair trial.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the presence of mental disorders and associated factors among children and adolescents within Dar es Salaam juvenile systems and explore factors that may affect …

Family Planning Practices Of Rural Community Dwellers In Cross River State, Nigeria., A. J. Etokidem, W. Ndifon, Ekaete Asuquo, J. Etowa

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Background: Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa and the seventh most populous in the world. Despite a high fertility rate of 5.5 per woman and a high population growth rate of 3.2%, Nigeria’s contraceptive prevalence is 15%, which is one of the lowest in the world. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge of family planning and family planning preferences and practices of rural community women in Cross River State of Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 291 rural women. Convenience sampling method was used. The women were assembled in a …

A Case Of Amlodipine Overdose: Role Of High Dose Insulin Therapy, Kelvin Tran, Thinh Tang, Tarris Webber, Paul J. Kalekas, Quang T. Nguyen

College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUN) Publications and Research

Introduction: High dose insulin (HDI) therapy, defined as > 0.5 units/kg/hour, has been postulated to improve hemodynamics in both calcium channel blocker (CCB) and beta-blocker overdose. Proposed benefits of HDI include coronary and systemic vasodilation due to enhancement of nitric oxide synthase activity leading to improved contractility and decreased systemic vascular resistance, respectively. HDI also directly improves cardiac contractility by increasing glucose uptake and improving calcium handling within cardiac cells. We present a case of a patient with amlodipine overdose and her response to HDI therapy.

Case presentation: A 52 year old female presented with amlodipine overdose after suicide attempt leading …

A Mathematical Investigation On Tumor-Immune Dynamics: The Impact Of Vaccines On The Immune Response, Jonathan Quinonez, Neethi Dasu, Mahboob Qureshi

College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUN) Publications and Research

Mathematical models analyzing tumor-immune interactions provide a framework by which to address specific scenarios in regard to tumor-immune dynamics. Important aspects of tumor-immune surveillance to consider is the elimination of tumor cells from a host’s cell-mediated immunity as well as the implications of vaccines derived from synthetic antigen. In present studies, our mathematical model examined the role of synthetic antigen to the strength of the immune system. The constructed model takes into account accepted knowledge of immune function as well as prior work done by de Pillis et al. All equations describing tumor-immune growth, antigen presentation, immune response, and interaction …

An Insight Into The Superior Performance Of A Heterogeneous Gold Nanocatalyst Supported By A Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Compared To Titanium Dioxide And Amorphous Carbon For The Green Aerobic Oxidation Of Aromatic Alcohols, Anne Shanahan, Mary Mcnamara, Hugh Byrne, James A. Sullivan

Articles

Gold nanocomposites based on three supports, single wall carbon nanotubes, carbon black and TiO2, were prepared using an in-situ reduction technique and characterized. They were tested for their suitability as heterogeneous catalysts in the green aerobic oxidation of 1-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethanol and benzylalcohol of industrial importance. For all reactions, the use of single wall carbon nanotubes as supports resulted in superior reaction efficiency and specificity for aldehyde to that of TiO2 and carbon black. The gold nanocatalysts can be reused over several reaction cycles with a minimal degeneration in catalytic activity. The activity of the gold nanoparticle catalyst was related to …

A Systematic Review On The Efficacy Of Iontophoresis As A Treatment For Lateral Epicondylitis, James M. Mckivigan, Brent Yamashita, Derek Smith

College of Health & Human Services (TUN) Publications and Research

Background and purpose: It is still inconclusive which method of iontophoresis delivers the most medication deepest through the skin, and therefore most effective in treating lateral epicondylitis. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the efficacy of treatments for lateral epicondylitis using iontophoresis.

Method: The review included articles from peer-reviewed journals with sufficient data related to the purpose and focus of the study. Inclusion criteria included randomized control trials, cohort studies, case studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and pilot studies published since 2000.

Results: Fourteen relevant studies were identified. Twelve were experimental in vivo studies, two …