Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Study Of Hepcidin Level In Samples Of Iraqi Elderly Anemic Patients, Dahlia Nayeef Al-Saidi

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Hepcidin, a regulator of iron recycling and absorption, is a small peptide created by the hepatocytes when there is an increase in body iron and inflammation. It is regarded as a master regulator for the metabolism of iron. Hepcidin decreases iron absorption from food by decreasing the transportation of iron across the enterocytes in the gut mucosa. Hepcidin decreases iron escape from macrophages, which are considered as the main site for storage of iron and decreases iron escape from the liver. The aim of this study is to explore the diagnostic value of hepcidin in elderly patients with iron deficiency …

Serum Protein Electrophoresis In Iraqi Systemic Lupus Erythematous Patient, Zamin Abdulhussein Al-Sarray, Izzat Abdulsatar Al-Rayahi, Ali H. Al-Hafidh, Abbas T. Dwayyikh

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a relapsing-remitting autoimmune disease with wide ranging organ involvement and clinical symptoms varying from mild and transient symptoms to death. Systemic lupus erythematosus typically develops between the teen and adult years, ranging from ages 15-44 years, predominantly affecting females in the reproductive age. Objective: To find the relationship between serum protein electrophoresis levels and hematological parameters and the severity of SLE in Iraqi patients. Patients and methods: the study involved a total of 40 SLE patients who attended one of Baghdad teaching hospitals from October 2018 until May 2019. Diagnosis of SLE was based …

Evaluation Of Interleukin- 12 And Tumor Necrotic Factor- Alpha Concentration In Serum Of Iraqi Tuberculosis Patients, Ekhlas Saddam Falih, Suhad Hassan Obaid

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

A total of (100) patients attending the Center of Tuberculosis and Chest Disease in Baghdad were included in this study. Their ages ranged between (17-68) years. They all complained of a reproductive cough. The study was accomplished during the period extending from November 2019 till May 2020. Twenty-five were found to have M. tuberculosis by using the Ziehl Neelsen stain and culture technique (15 males, 10 females), their ages ranging between 17 and 68 years. Twenty-five age and sex-matched normal healthy-looking individuals were also chosen as control group for comparison. In this work, the concentrations of the cytokines, interleukine-12(IL-12) and …

Study The Correlation Between Fecal Occult Blood, C-Reactive Protein And Gastro-Intestinal Tract Cancer Among Iraqi Patients, Batool Ali Ahmad, Nahida Raheem Abbas, Iman Khudayer Diwan, Maysoon Ahmad Ibraheem

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Background: Early detection of gastro-intestinal tract cancer (GIT) is necessary in order to increasing survival. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a screening inexpensive test used to evaluate whether or not the upper digestive tract should be examined when the fecal occult blood test is. Objective: The objective of the project was to investigate the prevalence rate of GI tumor among the population of Al- Najaf city and study correlation between Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)¸ C - reactive protein (CRP) and Gastro-Intestinal Tract Cancer (GIT). Patients and Methods: Eighty patients with GIT cancers (16-80) years old. Samples were taken …

Association Of Vitamin D Level With Tuberculosis In Iraqi Patients, Sara Kadhum Jabal, Lamia Y. Mohammd, Ahmed A. Mankhi

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Back ground: Tuberculosis (TB) has troubled mankind for millennia, Deficiency of vitamin D has long been concerned in activation of Tuberculosis, vitamin D influences the immune response to tuberculosis and vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of tuberculosis in different populations. Objectives: This study was designed to show the relationship between vitamin D level (deficiency) and risk of tuberculosis. Methods: 140 blood samples of tuberculosis patients and 50 from control group (25 healthy control and 25 of others respiratory disease) were taken from Specialized Chest and Respiratory Diseases Center \ Baghdad to detect vitamin D level using …

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity Of Wedelolactone From Eclipta Alba Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria, Zainab Abbas Shanshool

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

Aerial parts of Eclipta alba are used traditionally for the treatment of several diseases of liver, skin and stomach. Methanolic extract and active principle compound of Iraq herb, Eclipta alba was tested for in vitro antimicrobial studies. It was evaluated using zone of inhibition studies and minimum inhibitory concentration was observed at the concentration of (0.08,0.04,0.02,0.01) g/ml against pathogenic bacteria. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of active principles, coumestans (Wedelolactone), Alkaloids, Flavonoid, Glycosides, Triterpenoids, Tannins and Saponins. Methanolic extract fraction (wedelolactone) showed enhanced antimicrobial activity. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia and Acinetobacter ssp. were most pathogen …

Study The Effect Of Blue Light On The Eyes For Locally Available Models, Mundher Sameen Shuker, Rana Idan Abed

Al-Nisour Journal for Medical Sciences

For any vision light is an essential element but on the other hand exposing light might be the main reason of ocular tissue pathological changes by energy absorption. The photo energy is at its highest level when the wavelength is nearly 400 nm that's how it reaches the retina. Because the blue blocking BB lenses. The most important advantage of BB lenses is to reduce the eyestrain while working digital devices blue-blocking (BB) spectacle lenses. To achieve the most comfort ability while using different kinds of digital devices blue cut lenses are marketed as well as they help improving the …

Risk Factors For Prolonged Postparturient Vaginal Discharge In Sows, Nguyen Hoai Nam

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Previous study has shown that excessive postparturient vaginal discharge in sows causes impaired reproductive performance in the subsequent litter. This observational study aimed to investigate the effects of categorical predictors (farm (1-7), assisted farrowing, parity number (1, 2-5, >5) and stillbirth) and continuous predictors (farrowing duration, litter size and postparturient body temperature) on the incidence of prolonged postparturient vaginal discharge (duration of postparturient vaginal discharge >5 days) in sows. Data was collected from 620 postparturient sows raised on 7 farms in 4 provinces in Vietnam. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the potential risk factors for prolonged postparturient …

The Optimal Divalent Cations And Storage Temperatures For The Encapsulation Of Ram Spermatozoa, Pintira Thiangthientham, Junpen Suwimonteerabutr, Theerawat Tharasanit, Mongkol Techakumphu

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of encapsulation with different divalent cations and temperatures on the quality of ram spermatozoa during cold storage. Experiment 1: diluted semen was allocated randomly into three groups: control, encapsulation with calcium (Ca2+) alginate and encapsulation with barium (Ba2+) alginate. The samples were stored at two different temperatures (4 °C or 16 °C) for 24 h and subsequently examined for spermatozoa quality. Experiment 2: determination of sperm functionality by means of sperm binding was performed. Spermatozoa with and without Ba2+ alginate were cooled for 24 h and then used for sperm …

Virulence Properties And Pathogenicity Of Flavobacterium Columnare In Hybrid Red Tilapia (Oreochromis Sp.), Le Dinh Hai, Putita Chockmangmeepisan, Rungnapa Sakulworakan, Ha Thanh Dong, Pattanapon Kayansamruaj, Tiladit Rung-Ruangkijkrai, Napadon Pirarat, Channarong Rodkhum

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Flavobacterium columnare is the causative organism of columnaris disease in freshwater fish, which may exhibit differences in pathogenicity. The virulence properties and the pathogenicity of F. columnare in juvenile hybrid red tilapia were investigated using a collection of F. columnare isolates recovered from diseased fish. Ten isolates were selected to perform immersion challenge assay in juvenile tilapia. The pathogenicity was highly diverse. Subsequently, three bacterial isolates exhibited different pathogenicity levels, consisting of high, moderate and low virulence (100%, 80% and 0% mortality respectively) and were subjected to virulence properties evaluation e.g. the median lethal dose (LD50), bacterial adhesion, capsular production …

Proximal Tibial Replacement In Revision Knee Arthroplasty For Non-Oncologic Indications., Brianna Fram, Eric B. Smith, Gregory K. Deirmengian, John A. Abraham, John Strony, Michael B. Cross, Danielle Y. Ponzio

Rothman Institute Papers

Proximal tibial metaphyseal bone loss compromises the alignment and fixation of components during revision total knee arthroplasty. In massive, segmental defects with loss of collateral ligamentous support and lack of bone to support the use of prosthetic augments or metaphyseal cones or sleeves, a hinged proximal tibial replacement or a so-called "megaprosthesis" should be available. While proximal tibial replacement is the reconstructive method of choice in the setting of bone tumor resection, applications in non-oncologic joint arthroplasty are rare and may offer an opportunity for limb salvage in dire clinical scenarios with massive proximal tibial bone loss. This report reviews …

Preparing For Shortages Of Future Covid-19 Drugs: A Data-Based Model For Optimal Allocation, Charlie L. Sy, Kathleen Aviso, Christina D. Cayamanda, Anthony F. Chiu, Rochelle Irene Lucas, Michael Angelo Promentilla, Luis F. Razon, Raymond R. Tan, John Frederick Tapia, Ador Torneo, Aristotle T. Ubando, Derrick Ethelbhert C. Yu

Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies (AKI)

Drugs for the treatment of Covid-19 are currently beign tested, and those that are apporved for use are likely to be in short supply due to the global scale of the pandemic. This policy brief proposes a model for optimally allocating future Covid-19 drugs to patients to minimize deaths under conditions of resource scarcity. A linear programming model is developed that estimates the potential number of deaths that may result from Covid-19 under two scenarios: with antivirals and without antivirals. It takes into account patient risk level, the severity of their symptoms, resource availability in hospitals (i.e. hospital beds, critical …

An Evidence-Based Intervention To Enhance Provider Awareness And Confidence In Addressing Polypharmacy, Catherine Marie Steiner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Polypharmacy is a healthcare problem of epidemic proportions in the United States. It is frequently associated with negative health outcomes in the lives of both elderly and chronically ill persons at excessive costs to the United States healthcare system. Appropriate medication management incorporating evidence-based guidelines is essential to addressing polypharmacy. Prescribing clinicians in all disciplines have expressed a lack of confidence and perceived gaps in knowledge to address polypharmacy through deprescribing. This scholarly project aimed to determine if a polypharmacy protocol intervention, based on the most current evidence-based guidelines in prescribing and deprescribing, would improve clinician confidence in the decision …

Characterizing The Public Sector Contribution To Drug Discovery And Development: The Role Of Government As A First Investor, Ekaterina Galkina Cleary, Matthew Jackson, Andrew Acevedo, Fred D. Ledley

CISI Publication

This research is focused on examining the role of the public sector as an early investor in biopharmaceutical discovery and development. In the United States, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary source of funding for basic biomedical research designed to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of biology, health, and disease. This research is expected to establish the scientific foundation for the discovery and development of new biopharmaceutical products. This interim report reviews the linear model of innovation underlying these expectations, and evidence for the effectiveness of this pathway. We also describe new data demonstrating that every new drug approved …

Biomimetic Metal-Organic Nanoparticles Prepared With A 3d-Printed Microfluidic Device As A Novel Formulation For Disulfiram-Based Therapy Against Breast Cancer, Ya Chang, Jizong Jiang, Wu Chen, Wen Yang, Lili Chen, Pengyu Chen, Jianzhong Shen, Shizhi Qian, Teng Zhou, Linfeng Wu, Liang Hong, Yongzhuo Huang, Feng Li

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Disulfiram (DSF) is currently tested in several clinical trials for cancer treatment in combination with cop-per (Cu) ions. Usually, DSF and Cu are administered in two separate formulations. In the body, DSF andCu ions form diethyldithiocarbamate copper complex [Cu(DDC)₂] which has potent antitumor activities.However, the “two formulation” approach often achieved low Cu(DDC)₂ concentration at tumor regions and resulted in compromised anticancer efficacy. Therefore, preformed Cu(DDC)₂ complex administered in a single formulation will have better anticancer efficacy. However, the poor aqueous solubility of Cu(DDC)₂ is a significant challenge for its clinical use. In this work, a …

Celebrate! The Legacy Of Community Water Fluoridation Continues In Grand Rapids, James Wieland Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Michigan dentistry continues to tell the world about the great advance in public health that began in Grand Rapids 75 years ago. This article looks back at past commemorations, and a tribute to those who worked so hard to make a permanent monument to community water fluoridation.

The Flint Water Crisis And Community Water Fluoridation: A Lesson In Communication. Communicating With The Public And Connecting With Community Leaders, Traci J. Dantzler Dds, Raymond Gist Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article presents how not only was Flint’s water compromised lead contamination of residential waterlines during the Flint Water Crisis, but area dentists had to work hard to refute unsubstantiated claims that adding fluoride to the community water supply increased the level of lead in the water. Oral health advocacy to reassure citizens and build confidence in the community water supply following remediation efforts required sharing the best evidence while most importantly actively listening to assure that community members were heard; that they felt that they have a voice, and to know that we are here to listen to their …

Staff Matters: Employee Rights And The Whistleblower’S Protection Act, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Staff Matters column on employee rights and the Whistleblower Protection Act.

J Mich Dent Assoc March 2020

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The 75th anniversary of the transformative public health initiative, community water fluoridation, is commemorated in this issue. Originating in Grand Rapids in 1945, its profound impact is explored, emphasizing ongoing celebrations and the imperative of continued advocacy for future generations. The response to the Fling water crisis illustrates colleagues' efforts to restore trust in community water. The publication encompasses insights into the evidence-based dentistry search process and its practical implementation, while offering valuable departmental articles including Dentistry and the Law, Human Resource/Staff Management guidance, and essential updates in News-You-Need.

Bone Marrow Dendritic Cells Deficient For Cd40 And Il-23p19 Are Tolerogenic In Vitro, Tahereh Kalantari, Bogoljub Ciric, Eskandar Kamali-Sarvestani, Abdolmohamad Rostami

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Objective(s): In addition to pro-inflammatory role, dendritic cells (DCs) can also be anti-inflammatory when they acquire tolerogenic phenotype. In this study we tested the role of CD40 and IL-23p19 in antigen presenting function of bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) by comparing BMDCs derived from CD40 knockout (CD40KO-DCs) and IL-23p19 (IL-23p19KO-DCs) knockout mice with those from C57BL/6 mice (Cont-DCs). We have focused on CD40 and IL-23, as these molecules have well established pro-inflammatory roles in a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Materials and Methods: The expression of maturation markers MHC II and co-stimulatory molecules CD40, CD80, and CD86 was analyzed by …

Comparing The Outcomes Of Ceftaroline Plus Vancomycin Or Daptomycin Combination Therapy Versus Monotherapy In Adults With Complicated And Prolonged Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia Initially Treated With Supplemental Ceftaroline, Omar Ahmad, Timothy N. Crawford, Thein Myint

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia confers considerable morbidity and mortality. Although vancomycin or daptomycin monotherapy is usually curative, prolonged bacteremia necessitating supplemental ceftaroline has occurred. The practice has led to the question of whether to continue with ceftaroline following bacteremia resolution.

METHODS: Adult patients hospitalized with MRSA bacteremia at the University of Kentucky Medical Center between January 2015 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Study subjects required supplemental ceftaroline due to 4 or more days of bacteremia despite vancomycin or daptomycin. They additionally had accompanying native valve infective endocarditis, osteomyelitis, or brain abscess. Patients were divided into two cohorts. …

Amylin As A Potential Link Between Type 2 Diabetes And Alzheimer Disease, Florin Despa, Larry B. Goldstein, Geert Jan Biessels

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Frequency Of Depression And Anxiety Among Patients With Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Visiting A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Muhammad Rizwan Rafique, Sadia Masood, Sana Tanzil, Saadia Tabassum, Shaheen Naveed

Section of Internal Medicine

Objective: To determine the frequency of anxiety and depression among chronic spontaneous urticarial patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: The prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from February to August 2015, and comprised patients diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria at the dermatology clinic. All the participants were assessed for anxiety and depression using Aga Khan University-Anxiety Depression Scale. Data was collected in face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. The association of the condition with different characteristics were calculated after stratification for age, gender, occupation and monthly income. SPSS 19 was used for …

Changes In Tendon Thickness Only Occurs In Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy, Sarah Garner, Kelsey Harnar, Jesus Soltero Plaza, Kevin Coriano, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

A previous George Fox Study examined the effect of a heavy load eccentric exercise program for patients with achilles tendinopathy (AT) to test the hypothesis of improved outcomes and decreased tendon thickness.

Social Adversity, Sleep Characteristics, And Elevated Blood Pressure Among Young Adult Black Females, Jewel Scott Phd, Rn, Fnp-C, Susan Silva, Leigh Ann Simmons

Faculty Publications

Purpose: We examined whether sleep characteristics and adverse social exposures were associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) in young adult black women. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of existing data from 581 black females who participated in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Adverse social exposures included child abuse, discrimination, perceived stress, social isolation, and subjective social status. Self-reported sleep characteristics were measures of duration, latency, continuity, and snoring. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the influence of social exposures and sleep characteristics on BP. Results: Among the women (mean age=29.1 years), 32.4% had …

Telemedicine In Pediatric Speech Therapy: Characteristics Of Child, Mother, And Speech-Language Pathologist Vocal Interaction., Abigail L Betts

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Telemedicine is a potential solution to provide distant or underserved clients with access to their clinician. The purpose of this thesis is to examine how the use of telemedicine affects the vocal characteristics of children who received cochlear implants (CI), their mother, and a speech-language pathologist (SLP) as they engage in a speech-language therapy intervention. The children (n = 5), her caregiver, and the SLP engaged in one 30 minute in person session and one 30 minute telemedicine session in a counterbalanced order. The frequency of vocalizations, vocal turns, and between-speaker pause (BSP) duration in both sessions were examined. The …

Our Wicked Problem, John Pourdehnad, Larry M. Starr, Venard Scott Koerwer, Harry Mccloskey

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Coronavirus Papers

The Coronavirus is more than a health problem. It is a “wicked” problem disrupting work, education, travel, politics, financial indicators, and more. This label came about in 1973 to help describe a special class of situations that are volatile, uncertain and ambiguous, often difficult to recognize, and difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements. There is no clear problem definition due to interdependencies so the problem cannot be fully understood until after the solution comes about.

Our Invisible Enemy, Larry M. Starr, Darshi Mody

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Coronavirus Papers

The novel coronavirus is invisible to the eye because it is microscopic measuring 80-160 nanometers in size; a nanometer is one billionth of a meter.

While we cannot see it in the air or on a surface, millions of us have seen the virus in full color when we discuss it on the local and national TV news, in articles and stories online, and in print media. This is because the virus is routinely pictured and used to attract us to the information being presented. The paradox is that millions of people can now recognize this invisible enemy.

Repeatedly presenting …

Disruptive Effects Of The Coronavirus – Errors Of Commission And Of Omission?, John Pourdehnad, Larry M. Starr, Venard Scott Koerwer, Harry Mccloskey

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Coronavirus Papers

It is increasingly evident that the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, is more than a health problem; it is and will continue to adversely affect work and workplaces, education, families and social engagements, political and environmental dimensions, and financial indicators. Apart from its health ramifications, the crisis is revealing serious challenges in the global supply chain. Those difficulties are, at least in part, consequences of unwise, short-sighted business decisions made over the course of decades to outsource and downsize.

Pandemic Lockdown Must Fail: Save Lives Without Crippling The Economy, Larry Hirschhorn, Phd

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Coronavirus Papers

In the following working paper, I want to make a plea for what I am calling a “reverse quarantine”—quarantining people who are over 65 (who number 52 million), before they get sick. We need to complement this policy with federally funded and locally organized efforts to support seniors in place, drawing on the wellsprings of American pragmatism, the capacity to respond in emergencies, American volunteerism, and neighbor-to-neighbor assistance. We can’t turn quarantine into imprisonment. We must work as hard as we can to create a psychological sense of community at a moment when, paradoxically, social distancing is driving us apart. …