Diseases Commons^™

A Hybrid Model For Reducing Ecological Bias, Ruth Salway, Jon Wakefield

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

A major drawback of epidemiological ecological studies, in which the association between area-level summaries of risk and exposure are used to make inference about individual risk, is the difficulty in characterising within-area variability in exposure and confounder variables. To avoid ecological bias, samples of individual exposure/confounder data within each area are required. Unfortunately these may be difficult or expensive to obtain, particularly if large samples are required. In this paper we propose a new approach suitable for use with small samples. We combine a Bayesian non-parametric Dirichlet process prior with an estimating functions approach, and show that this model gives …

A Huntington's Christmas Story: Ten Years Of Wondering, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Health-Exposure Modelling And The Ecological Fallacy, Jon Wakefield, Gavin Shaddick

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

Recently there has been increased interest in modelling the association between aggregate disease counts and environmental exposures measured, for example via air pollution monitors, at point locations. This paper has two aims: first we develop a model for such data in order to avoid ecological bias; second we illustrate that modelling the exposure surface and estimating exposures may lead to bias in estimation of health effects. Design issues are also briefly considered, in particular the loss of information in moving from individual to ecological data, and the at-risk populations to consider in relation to the pollution monitor locations. The approach …

Model Checking For Roc Regression Analysis, Tianxi Cai, Yingye Zheng

Harvard University Biostatistics Working Paper Series

The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve is a prominent tool for characterizing the accuracy of continuous diagnostic test. To account for factors that might invluence the test accuracy, various ROC regression methods have been proposed. However, as in any regression analysis, when the assumed models do not fit the data well, these methods may render invalid and misleading results. To date practical model checking techniques suitable for validating existing ROC regression models are not yet available. In this paper, we develop cumulative residual based procedures to graphically and numerically assess the goodness-of-fit for some commonly used ROC regression models, and …

A Thanksgiving Visit: A Time To Reflect On Hd, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

A Cross-Cultural Study Of Hearing And Hearing-Impaired Children’S Human Figure Drawings, Chia-Liang Timothy Hu

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to further the research of human figure drawings as useful assessment tools and add to the understanding of children’s human figure drawings from a cross-cultural perspective.

In this quantitative study, 147 human figure drawings made by 59 hearing and 64 hearing-impaired Taiwanese children and 24 hearing-impaired American children were collected. In addition, 50 drawings done by hearing American children were randomly chosen from the children’s drawing database of Eastern Virginia Medical School Graduate Art Therapy Program. Five Formal Elements Art Therapy Scales (FEATS) scales were modified for use with human figure drawings and were …

Growth Factor–Induced Shedding Of Syndecan-1 Confers Glypican-1 Dependence On Mitogenic Responses Of Cancer Cells, Kan Ding, Martha Lopez-Burks, José A. Sánchez-Duran, Murray Korc, Arthur D. Lander

Dartmouth Scholarship

The cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) glypican-1 is up-regulated by pancreatic and breast cancer cells, and its removal renders such cells insensitive to many growth factors. We sought to explain why the cell surface HSPG syndecan-1, which is also up-regulated by these cells and is a known growth factor coreceptor, does not compensate for glypican-1 loss. We show that the initial responses of these cells to the growth factor FGF2 are not glypican dependent, but they become so over time as FGF2 induces shedding of syndecan-1. Manipulations that retain syndecan-1 on the cell surface make long-term FGF2 responses glypican …

An Exploratory Study Of Constructions Of Masculinity, Sexuality And Hiv/Aids In Namibia, Southern Africa, Jill Brown, James Sorrell, Marcela Raffaelli

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The goal of the current study was to explore notions of masculinity and their linkages to HIV/AIDS among Owambo men and women in Namibia, where an estimated one-fifth of 15–49 year-olds have acquired HIV. Thirteen open-ended interviews and three focus groups were conducted with 50 male and female participants aged 19–50 in rural and urban Namibia. Qualitative analysis revealed six central themes: the evolving meanings of masculinity, power dynamics between men and women, women as active agents, the tension between formal and informal education and HIV transmission, alcohol and masculinity, and the blending of masculinity and explanations of HIV and …

Giardiasis In Patients With Dyspeptic Symptoms, Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Shahab Abid, Nadim Jafri, Saeed Hamid, Hasnain Ali Shah, Lubna Rizvi, Muhammad Islam, Hizbullah Shaikh

Section of Gastroenterology

AIM:

To investigate the prevalence of giardiasis in patients with dyspeptic symptoms.

METHODS:

Clinical records of consecutive patients who attended Gastroenterology Department at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2000 to June 2003 and had esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with duodenal biopsies and international classification of diseases 9th revision with clinical modifications (ICD-9-CM) coded with giardiasis were studied.

RESULTS:

Two hundred and twenty patients fulfilled the above criteria. There were 44% (96/220) patients who were giardiasis positive, 72% (69/96) of them were males and 28% (27/96) of them were females. There were 65% (81/124) males and 35% (43/124) females who were giardiasis …

Role Of Rapid Urease Test And Histopathology In The Diagnosis Of Helicobacter Pylori Infection In A Developing Country, Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Shahab Abid, Zaigham Abbas, Saeed Hamid, Muhammad Islam, Kashif Anis, Hasnain Ali Shah, Hizbullah Shaikh

Section of Gastroenterology

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of commonly self-prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPI) on the results of rapid urease test and histology for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

Methods

One hundred-nine consecutive patients with dyspeptic symptoms attending the endoscopy suite were enrolled in this study. Antrum biopsy specimens were collected at endoscopy for the rapid urease test (Pronto Dry, Medical Instrument Corp, France) and histopathology. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and like-hood ratio of a positive and negative of Pronto Dry test were compared against histology. The gold standard …

Encephalopathy Caused By Bartonella Henselae Following Cat Scratch, Joseph L. Yozviak Do, Facp, John Margraf Md, Marcelo Gareca Md

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Cardiac Transplant Following Failed Fontan Or Glenn Procedures., Naveen L. Pereira, Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

No abstract provided.

Is The Number Of Sick Persons In A Cohort Constant Over Time?, Paula Diehr, Ann Derleth, Anne Newman, Liming Cai

UW Biostatistics Working Paper Series

Objectives: To estimate the number of persons in a cohort who are sick, over time.

Methods: We calculated the number of sick persons in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a cohort study of older adults followed up to 14 years, using eight definitions of “healthy” and “sick”. We projected the number in each health state over time for a birth cohort.

Results: The number of sick persons in CHS was approximately constant for 14 years, for all definitions of “sick”. The estimated number of sick persons in the birth cohort was approximately constant from ages 55-75, after which it decreased. …

Frequency Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome In College Students., Wasim Jafri, Javed Yakoob, Nadim Jafri, Muhammad Islam, Qazi Masroor Ali

Section of Gastroenterology

Background:

This study was carried out to investigate the presence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in college students and compare its distribution in the non-medical college and medical college students.

Methods:

We collected data from 508 students by inviting them to fill out a questionnaire based on Rome II criteria for the diagnosis of IBS from November 2001 to February 2004. Two major cities Karachi and Bahawalpur were selected and it was coordinated by the section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital and Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur.

Results:

A total of 508 subjects with males 43 %(220/508) …

Near-Infrared Characterization Of Breast Tumors In Vivo Using Spectrally-Constrained Reconstruction, Subhadra Srinivasan, Brian W. Pogue, Ben Brooksby, Shudong Jiang, Hamid Dehghani, Christine Kogel, Wendy A. Wells, Steven P. Poplack, Keith D. Paulsen

Dartmouth Scholarship

Multi-wavelength Near-Infrared (NIR) Tomography was utilized in this study to non-invasively quantify physiological parameters of breast tumors using direct spectral reconstruction. Frequency domain NIR measurements were incorporated with a new spectrally constrained direct chromophore and scattering image reconstruction algorithm, which was validated in simulations and experimental phantoms. Images of total hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, water, and scatter parameters were obtained with higher accuracy than previously reported. Using this spectral approach, in vivo NIR images are presented and interpreted through a series of case studies (n=6 subjects) having differing abnormalities. The corresponding mammograms and ultrasound images are also evaluated. Three of six …

Chromosomal Localization Of The Islet Neogenesis Associated Protein (Ingap) Gene In Syrian Hamster By Tyramide Signal Amplification-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (Tsa-Fish), Sallie A. Smith

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Diabetes mellitus is a group of conditions characterized by hyperglycemia due to an inability to produce or properly utilize insulin. The majority of cases fall into two categories, Type I and Type 2. Type I results from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells of the islets. The beta cells are the exclusive source of insulin and the patient becomes entirely dependent on exogenous insulin to survive. Patients with Type 2 are distinguished by insulin resistance, a condition that develops due to the inability of the body to effectively use the insulin being produced. The β-cells gradually lose their ability to …

Flow Cytometric And Demographic Analysis Of T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia In Pakistani Population., M R. Khawaja, S S. Allana, N N. Akbaral, S N. Adil, M. Khurshid, Shahid Pervez

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: This study was carried out to analyze the proportion of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TALL) among all acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Pakistani population and its correlation with the demographic features. Accuracy of cell surface markers used in flow cytometric analysis of the leukemic cells was also determined.

Methods: Data of 209 consecutive cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) presenting between July 1995 and July 2003 was analyzed. Flow cytometry was performed on all ALL cases using the standard protocols. TALL markers included CD3, CD5 and CD7.

Results: Proportion of TALL among known ALL Pakistani patients was 17.22%. …

An Uncertain Journey Along The Genetic Trail, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Dr. Martha Nance To Do Live Chat On Hd, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Protein-Protein Interaction Map Of The Trypanosoma Cruzi Ribosomal P Protein Complex, Maximiliano Juri Ayub, Cristian R. Smulski, Benson Nyambega, Natalia Bercovich, Dan Masiga, Martín P. Vazquez, Carlos F. Aguilar, Mariano J. Levin

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The large subunit of the eukaryotic ribosome possesses a long and protruding stalk formed by the ribosomal P proteins. Four out of five ribosomal P proteins of Trypanosoma cruzi, TcP0, TcP1α, TcP2α, and TcP2β had been previously characterized. Data mining of the T. cruzi genome data base allowed the identification of the fifth member of this protein group, a novel P1 protein, named P1β. To gain insight into the assembly of the stalk, a yeast two-hybrid based protein interaction map was generated. A parasite specific profile of interactions amongst the ribosomal P proteins of T. cruzi was evident. The TcP0 …

The Impact Of The Chip Program On Depression And Well-Being: A Pilot Study, Carmen Diehl Thieszen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Reliable studies have demonstrated that intensive and comprehensive lifestyle changes can reduce coronary risk, which, in turn, can prevent, postpone, and reverse coronary heart disease (CHD) and affect its underlying atherosclerotic lesions. These well-established studies have focused their interventions on moderating biophysical risk factors. In the past 10 years, however, burgeoning research is supporting the idea that psychological factors, such as depression and well-being, are also important CHD risk factors. Little research has addressed, in a non-subjective way, how an intervention program focused on modifying biophysical risk factors may influence psychological factors. Using the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form, the Dartmouth …

Validation Of A Serotonin Depletion Checklist In Parkinson’S Disease, Kelly Diane Darby Holder

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The distinctive pathological marker of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the progressive death of neurons that produce dopamine; however, there are also major alterations in the production of quantities of other neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and serotonin that contribute to the signs, symptoms, neuropsychological manifestations of the diseases. PD patients can be divided into classes based on the manifestation of motor symptoms, type A, classified as tremor dominant, and type B PD, classified as akinetic. Type B PD patients, often manifest symptoms in which serotonin deficiency plays an important role, such as frontal cognitive impairments, which often includes a history of …

Impact Of An Adherence Program On The Health And Outlook Of Hiv-Infected Patients Failing Antiretroviral Therapy, Michael F. Parry, Pamela Wright, Julie G. Stewart, Gavin Mcleod, James Tucker, Amy R. Weinberg

Nursing Faculty Publications

Background: We prospectively studied the impact of an adherence counselor on the outcome of patients failing antiretroviral therapy because of nonadherence. Methods: Forty-six patients, identified as chronically nonadherent were enrolled. Individual attention was provided using the information, motivation and behavioral methodology. HIV RNA (viral load, in copies/mL), CD4 count (in cells/[mm.sup.3]), and body weight before and after the adherence counselor were measured. Qualitative outcome and patient satisfaction were assessed by deidentified third-party interviews. Results: Over half completed at least 1 year; only 8 patients were lost to follow-up. Mean CD4 counts increased significantly (P < .05) for completers at 6 and 12 months. Viral loads decreased between baseline and 6 months. Most clients reported subjective benefit from working with the adherence counselor. Conclusion: Although few clients showed complete virologic suppression, the value of an adherence counselor was validated. Longer term adherence programs should be evaluated.

Prognostic Indicators In Patients With Primary Intraventricular Haemorrhage, Bilal Hameed, Bhojo A. Khealani, Tahseen Mozzafar, Mohammad Wasay

Department of Medicine

Objectives: Primary intraventricular haemorrhage (PIVH) is a rare clinical entity. We sought to evaluate risk factors, clinical and radiological features, and outcome of patients with PIVH.

Materials and Methods: Cases of PIVH were identified from cohort of patients with non traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) by reviewing the radiological data. Their charts were reviewed and demographic, clinical, radiological and laboratory data was recorded and analyzed. Chi square and t test were used to determine predictors of poor outcome.

Results: Fifteen of 677 (2%) patients with ICH had PIVH. Nine (60%) were men. Median age was 56 years. Predisposing factors included hypertension …

Planning For Mom's Move To A Nursing Home, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Sheep Updates 2005 - Part 1, R. W. Kelly, R. Kingwell, A. R. Bray, Chris Oldham, Graeme Martin, D. Blanche, D. Ferguson, Keith Crocker, Di Evans

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors: Boosting lambing percentages of WA sheep flocks. R.W. Kelly CSIRO Livestock Industries, Floreat WA , R. Kingwell Department of Agriculture WA,

Kiwis can fly - 30% higher lambing in 15 years, AR Bray, Meat and Wool New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand

Rams are not a trivial expense, so what can you do to maximise on your investment? Chri Oldham, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Graeme Martin, University of West Australia.

Care for mun - fetal programming, lamb survival and lifetime performance. RW Kelly CSIRO Livestock Industries, Floreat WA

Boost lamb survival - …

Sheep Updates 2005 - Contents, Department Of Agriculture Western Australia

Sheep Updates

No abstract provided.

Sheep Updates 2005 - Part 5, Geoff Duddy, Brent Mcloud, John Sullivan, T. J. Mahar, A. Balasingam, J. H. Stanton, K. M. S. Curtis, P. R. Lamb, Eliza Dowling, Ned Crossley, Surrender Mann, Lucy Anderton, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Swan, Ian Mcfarland, Di Evans, K. Bell, D. Sackett, Robin Jacob

Sheep Updates

This session covers eleven papers from different authors; MARKET INFORMATION 1. Crystal Spring - Crystal clear and consistant, Geoff Duddy, Livestock Officer (Sheep & Wool) Yanco, NSW, Brent McLoud, (Product Development Officer) Cowra, NSW, John Sullivan, J.J Dresser and Co (Agent), Woodstock, NSW 2. An overview of Recent Developments in Dark and Medullated Fibre Testing, T.J. Mahar, A. Balasingam, AWTA Ltd 3. Opportunities and Implications for Wool Producers of the TEAM3 Prediction Equations, J.H. Stanton12 K.M.S. Curtis1 , 1Department of Agriculture Western Australia, 2 Curtin University, WA 4. Premiums and Discounts for Fibre Properties in Superfine Wool, Now and in …

Detection Of Trypanosomes In Small Ruminants And Pigs In Western Kenya: Important Reservoirs In The Epidemiology Of Sleeping Sickness?, Musa O. Ng'ayo, Zablon K. Njiru, Eucharia U. Kenya, Geoffrey M. Muluvi, Ellie O. Osir, Daniel K. Masiga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Trypanosomosis is a major impediment to livestock farming in sub-Saharan Africa and limits the full potential of agricultural development in the 36 countries where it is endemic. In man, sleeping sickness is fatal if untreated and causes severe morbidity. This study was undertaken in western Kenya, an area that is endemic for both human and livestock trypanosomosis. While trypanosomosis in livestock is present at high levels of endemicity, sleeping sickness occurs at low levels over long periods, interspersed with epidemics, underscoring the complexity of the disease epidemiology. In this study, we sought to investigate the prevalence of trypanosomes in …

Formative Research For Hygiene Promotion In Kyrgyzstan, Adam Biran, Anara Tabyshalieva, Zumrat Salmorbekova

History Faculty Research

Formative research for hygiene promotion was used to gather data relating to hygiene practices in rural Kyrgyzstan. Some of the hand-washing and faeces disposal practices observed were sub-optimal from a public health perspective. In combination with the poverty, limited medical services and poor water supply infrastructure characteristic of the study area, it is likely that these factors increase the risk of diarrhoeal infections among Kyrgyz children. An association was found between increased rates of hand-washing following latrine use and ownership of a washstand. This offers some empirical support for the idea that promotion of hand-washing technologies can form a useful …