Diseases Commons^™

Acceptability Study On Hiv Self-Testing Among Transgender Women, Men Who Have Sex With Men, And Female Entertainment Workers In Cambodia: A Qualitative Analysis, Khuondyla Pal, Chanrith Ngin, Sovannary Tuot, Pheak Chhoun, Cheaty Ly, Srean Chhim, Siyan Yi

Background: In Cambodia, HIV prevalence is high while HIV testing rates remain low among transgender women (TG women), men who have sex with men (MSM), and female entertainment workers (FEW). Introducing self-testing for HIV to these key populations (KPs) could potentially overcome the under-diagnosis of HIV and significantly increase testing rates and receipt of the results, and thus could decrease transmission. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the acceptability of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among these three categories of KPs.

Methods: This study was conducted through focus group discussions (FGDs) with TG women, MSM, and FEW in Phnom Penh …

Role Of Elosulfase Alfa In Mucopolysaccharidosis Iva., Debra S. Regier, Pranoot Tanpaiboon

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA or Morquio A) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease which results in a striking skeletal phenotype, but does not negatively impact the intellect of the patient. MPS IVA has a phenotypic continuum that ranges from a severe and rapidly progressing form to a slowly progressive form. The clinical diagnosis is often made in the preschool years based on abnormal bone findings on physical examination and dysplasia on radiographic imaging. Supportive care has been the mainstay in caring for patients. Orthopedic physicians often form the core of the care team due to the early and …

Why Is Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Difficult To Prevent And Treat: Potential Roles Of Unrecognized Magnesium Deficiency And Release Of Ceramide And Platelet-Activating Factor, Burton M. Altura, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Jose Luis Perez-Albela, Bella T. Altura

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown) Publications and Research

Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality whose costs impose staggering health-care costs and often lengthy hospitalizations. Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) represents a leading cause for heart failure, particularly after cardiac and lung surgeries. Although PAOF is a common cardiac arrhythmia, it is impossible to predict. As the worldwide population is aging, the incidence and prevalence of PAOF is growing. Identifying mechanisms for PAOF is attracting a considerable amount of research with no agreement on the mechanism(s). Our research on the heart and cardiovascular system, over the past 50-plus years, leads us to believe that major causes …

Aeromonas Hydrophila In Amphibians: Harmless Bystander Or Opportunistic Pathogen, Zachary P. Rivas

Honors Undergraduate Theses

For several decades amphibian populations have been declining. Historically, the bacterium A. hydrophila (Ah) was hypothesized to be the causal factor in amphibian disease and population declines. However, with the discovery of a chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in 1998, which was identified on the skin of amphibians during documented mortality events, Ah research became of minor interest as focus shifted to Bd. Recent studies into the immunocompromising abilities of Bd, however, have opened new questions about its relationship with Ah and their combined effects on a host.

In this study, I explore the …

Prenatal Nicotine Exposure As A Teratogen In Neurological Pathways, Monica Grover

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most heritable and commonly diagnosed childhood psychiatric disorder with 4% of all children being diagnosed with this disorder. Prenatal smoking has been found to be a risk factor for ADHD, a disorder that has been believed to be linked to the fluctuation of dopamine levels. Prenatal nicotine exposure in the second trimester influences dopaminergic neurological pathways by altering dopamine release levels. The altered dopamine levels make the fetus brain more sensitive to the nicotine, causing the nicotine exposure to be more dangerous in causing ADHD symptoms. Prenatal nicotine exposure alters the neurological pathway of the …

Insights Into The Possible Mechanisms By Which Platelet-Activating Factor And Paf-Receptors Function In Vascular Smooth Muscle In Magnesium Deficiency And Vascular Remodeling: Possible Links To Atherogenesis, Hypertension And Cardiac Failure, Burton M. Altura, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Jose Luis Perez-Albela, Bella T. Altura

The School of Health Sciences Publications and Research

The authors discuss different studies concerning the relationship between platelet-activating factor (PAF) and PAF-receptors with atherosclerosis and hypertension.

Validation Of Metabolic Alterations In Microscale Cell Culture Lysates Using Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (Hilic)-Tandem Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics, Venugopal Gunda, Fang Yu, Pankaj K. Singh

Journal Articles: Eppley Institute

By standard convention, in order to increase the efficacy of metabolite detection from cell culture lysates, metabolite extracts from a large quantity of cells are utilized for multiple reaction monitoring-based metabolomic studies. Metabolomics from a small number of cell extracts offers a potential economical alternative to increased cell numbers, in turn increasing the utility of cell culture-based metabolomics. However, the effect of reduced cell numbers on targeted metabolomic profiling is relatively unstudied. Considering the limited knowledge available of the feasibility and accuracy of microscale cell culture metabolomics, the present study analyzes differences in metabolomic profiles of different cell numbers of …

Chronic Pancreatitis, Pain, And Anxiety In An Alcohol And High Fat Mouse Model, Tiffanie Clinkinbeard

Theses and Dissertations--Gerontology

Homeodynamic space (HDS) shrinks as vulnerability increases with aging and repeated damage to the cells. HDS is lost in alcoholic pancreatitis patients due to overconsumption of alcohol, smoking, and high fat diets. Etiologically relevant animal models for study of chronic pancreatitis (CP) are needed. In order to begin filling this gap a central purpose of this dissertation research was to examine relationships between the alcohol and high fat diet (AHF) and pancreatitis with attention to hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behaviors. The AHF diet induced pancreatitis described here etiologically mimics human risk factors of AHF consumption for advancement to alcoholic CP.

In …

Column: From Plato To Ebola?: Introducing World History In A First Year Seminars On Epidemics, Carol Summers

History Faculty Publications

How can world historians take advantage of interdisciplinary general education requirements to introduce new students to the methods and uses of history? When survey courses are not institutionalized, specialized courses that draw on individual faculty members’ expertise and fit into general education curricular niches may be the best option. This essay describes my efforts in a First Year Seminar on Epidemics and Empires to teach a broader range of students to how world historical approaches and methods both introduce them to a bigger, more complicated world, and provide tools to understand it.

Improving The Renal Profile Of A Hiv Drug Combination Through Prodrug Alteration, Derek E. Murrell, Sam Harirforoosh

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to alter the lives of countless individuals, who once infected, live on a continuum between viral suppression and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The former being achieved via the use of various antiretrovirals beginning with the release of zidovudine over a quarter-century ago; whereas the latter may result from treatment failure or lack of treatment such as in the absence of diagnosis or the inaccessibility of medication. As no cure is yet available, regimens must be continued lifelong. Thus, contemporary treatment is given as a combination of agents from various antiretroviral drug classes in an effort to …

Molecular Basis Of Sex Differences In Cardiac Hypertrophy And Heart Failure, Maya James

Online Theses and Dissertations

Transforming growth factor beta ligands and receptors are known to be pro-hypertrophic and pro-fibrotic factors in the heart, and are known to contribute to the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. It is well established that premenopausal females possess a lower incidence of these pathologies. We and others have observed a greater level of fibrosis in male hearts compared to female hearts in rodent models of cardiac hypertrophy. It is well established that estrogen is cardioprotective in that it can prevent the development of cardiac hypertrophy, as well as abrogate the development of heart failure following sustained cardiac hypertrophy. …

Development And Evaluation Of A Firefighter Physical Performance Program For Undergraduate Fire And Safety Students, Jessica Ann Moody

Online Theses and Dissertations

The number one on-duty cause of death in the fire service is heart attacks. The International Association of Firefighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs teamed up to create the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Fire departments across the nation will have consistent physical performance tests to hire more physically capable candidates as part of the Wellness-Fitness Initiative (International Association of Fire Fighters, 2014).

Eastern Kentucky University is a nationally recognized school for its fire science program; however students are not required to take educational classes to better prepare them for physical performance tests. Students starting in a training …

Copd Exacerbation Biomarkers Validated Using Multiple Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry, Janice M. Leung, Virginia Chen, Zsuzsanna Hollander, Darlene Dai, Scott J. Tebbutt, Shawn D. Aaron, Kathy L. Vandemheen, Stephen I. Rennard, J. Mark Fitzgerald, Prescott G. Woodruff, Stephen C. Lazarus, John E. Connett, Harvey O. Coxson, Bruce Miller, Christoph Borchers, Bruce M. Mcmanus, Raymond T. Ng, Don D. Sin

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) result in considerable morbidity and mortality. However, there are no objective biomarkers to diagnose AECOPD.

METHODS: We used multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry to quantify 129 distinct proteins in plasma samples from patients with COPD. This analytical approach was first performed in a biomarker cohort of patients hospitalized with AECOPD (Cohort A, n = 72). Proteins differentially expressed between AECOPD and convalescent states were chosen using a false discovery rate < 0.01 and fold change >1.2. Protein selection and classifier building were performed using an elastic net logistic regression model. The performance of the biomarker panel …

The Integration Of Mobile Technology To Lower The Risk Of Developing Cervical Cancer In Hiv Positive Women, Tugce Kinik

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in HIV positive women in the world [1]. According to epidemiologists, HPV infection alone will not initiate cervical cancer [2]. In addition to high risk HPV types, smoking, long term hormonal contraceptive use, high parity, HIV/AIDS infection, sexual activity before 20 years of age, multiple sexual partners, exposure to sexually transmitted disease, and family history of cervical cancer are other reasons to turn an HPV infection to the cervical cancer [3]. With the increasing global population, cervical cancer cases are expected to increase 46% until 2030 [4]. Effective prevention and control efforts will …

The Effect Of Varying Bisphosphonate Treatment On Changes In Bone Microdamage In Osteoporotic Women, Stefanie L. Pagano

Theses and Dissertations--Biomedical Engineering

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are used for the treatment of osteoporosis. This study evaluated changes in bone microdamage with BP treatment duration. Fifty-one iliac crest biopsies were obtained from Caucasian women, ages 41 to 87 years, who were previously diagnosed and treated for osteoporosis with oral BPs for 1-16 years duration. Patients diagnosed with any disease, drug, or substance abuse that may affect bone metabolism were excluded.

Bone samples were sectioned, stained, and histologically examined using light and fluorescence microscopy. Bone area, number and length of microcracks were quantified. Following adjustment for age, BMD, BV/TV, trabecular thickness, and turnover, regression analysis revealed …

Intra-Articular Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (Il1-Ra) Microspheres For Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis: In Vitro Biological Activity And In Vivo Disease Modifying Effect, Khaled A. Elsaid, Anand Ubhe, Ziyad Shaman, Gerard D'Souza

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 ra) can be disease-modifying in posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). One limitation is its short joint residence time. We hypothesized that IL-1 ra encapsulation in poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres reduces IL-1 ra systemic absorption and provides an enhanced anti-PTOA effect.

Methods: IL-1 ra release kinetics and biological activity: IL-1 ra encapsulation into PLGA microsphere was performed using double emulsion solvent extraction. Lyophilized PLGA IL-1 ra microspheres were resuspended in PBS and supernatant IL-1 ra concentrations were assayed. The biological activity of IL-1 ra from PLGA IL-1 ra microspheres was performed using IL-1 induced lymphocyte proliferation …

A Mechanistic Study Of An Ipsc Model For Leigh’S Disease Caused By Mtdna Mutataion (8993 T>G), John P. Galdun

Theses and Dissertations

Mitochondrial diseases encompass a broad range of devastating disorders that typically affect tissues with high-energy requirements. These disorders have been difficult to diagnose and research because of the complexity of mitochondrial genetics, and the large variability seen among patient populations. We have devised and carried out a mechanistic study to generate a cell based model for Leigh’s disease caused by mitochondrial DNA mutation 8993 T>G. Leigh’s disease is a multi-organ system disorder that depends heavily on the mutation burden seen within various tissues. Using new reprogramming and sequencing technologies, we were able to show that Leigh’s disease patient fibroblasts …

Hydrocortisone, Vitamin C And Thiamine For The Treatment Of Severe Sepsis And Septic Shock: A Retrospective Before-After Study, Paul E. Marik, Vikramjit Khangoora, Racquel Rivera, Michael H. Hooper, John Catravas

Bioelectrics Publications

BACKGROUND: The global burden of sepsis is estimated as 15 to 19 million cases annually with a mortality rate approaching 60% in low income countries.

METHODS: In this retrospective before-after clinical study, we compared the outcome and clinical course of consecutive septic patients treated with intravenous vitamin C, hydrocortisone and thiamine during a 7-month period (treatment group) compared to a control group treated in our ICU during the preceding 7 months. The primary outcome was hospital survival. A propensity score was generated to adjust the primary outcome.

FINDINGS: There were 47 patients in both treatment and control groups with no …

The Effects Of Amixicile, A Pyruvate Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase Inhibitor, On Oral Treponemes, Lucas A. Reed

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease (PD) is a polymicrobial infection characterized by inflammation of the gingiva, alveolar bone resorption, and tooth loss (edentulism). Treponema denticola along with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia are among the “Red Complex” and are main etiological agents in PD. Treponemes are a member of the Spirochaeta phylum and are obligate anaerobes, that express pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR). The enzyme catalyzes the oxidation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and reduced ferredoxin. Amixicile is a novel bacteriostatic derivative of nitazoxanide and an inhibitor of PFOR. In light of the fact that Treponemes express PFOR, this study was conducted to investigate the …

Investigation Of Anaplasma Phagocytophilum And Anaplasma Marginale Adhesin-Host Cell Interactions, Kathryn S. Hebert

Theses and Dissertations

Anaplasma phagocytophilum and A. marginale are the etiologic agents of bovine anaplasmosis and human granulocytic anaplasmosis, respectively. As obligate intracellular pathogens, binding and entry of host cells is a prerequisite for survival. The molecular events associated with these processes are poorly understood. Identifying the adhesins mediating binding, delineating their key functional domains, and determining the molecular determinants to which they bind not only benefits better understanding of Anaplasma spp. pathobiology, but could also benefit the development of novel approaches for protecting against infection. We previously demonstrated that A. phagocytophilum outer membrane protein A (ApOmpA) is critical for bacterial binding and …

Genotoxic Effects Of Magnesium Deficiency In The Cardiovascular System And Their Relationships To Cardiovascular Diseases And Atherogenesis, Burton M. Altura, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Bella T. Altura

The School of Health Sciences Publications and Research

The authors present evidence for a novel, new hypothesis whereby magnesium deficiency (MgD) acts as a genotoxic agent which probably causes numerous, hertofore, unrecognized consequences, even over a short-term, on the physiological, molecular and biochemical machinery of cardiovascular tissues and cells. The end result of these genotoxic effects of MgD probably plays important roles in the etiology and generation of diverse cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and strokes via alterations in the epigenome of cardiovascular tissues and cells. The importance of adequate water-borne and dietary levels of Mg is emphasized.

The Expression Of Platelet-Activating Factor Is Induced By Low Extracellular Mg2+ In Aortic, Cerebral And Neonatal Coronary Vascular Smooth Muscle; Cross Talk With Ceramide Production, Nf–Kb And Proto-Oncogenes: Possible Links To Atherogenesis And Sudden Cardiac Death In Children And Infants, And Aging: Hypothesis, Review And Viewpoint, Burton M. Altura, Wenyan Li, Aimin Zhang, Tao Zheng, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Bella T. Altura

The School of Health Sciences Publications and Research

An attempt is made, herein, to reconcile, and integrate, various phenomena associated with magnesium deficiency (MgD) in cardiovascular health, disease, and aging as well as reasons for the high incidence of sudden cardiac death in infants and young adults. With new experiments, we demonstrate, for the first time, that very low concentrations of platelet-activating factor (PAF), when added to primary cultured cerebral, neonatal coronary, and aortic vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells (from three different mammals) promote rapid rises in free intracellular Ca2+ ions and a significant, concomitant reduction in free intracellular Mg2+ ions; these actions of PAF being curtailed with …

Magnesium Deficiency Results In Oxidation And Fragmentation Of Dna, Down Regulation Of Telomerase Activity, And Ceramide Release In Cardiovascular Tissues And Cells: Potential Relationship To Atherogenesis, Cardiovascular Diseases And Aging, Burton M. Altura, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Jose Luis Perez-Albela, Bella T. Altura

The School of Health Sciences Publications and Research

The authors discuss the potential relationship between magnesium, cardiovascular diseases, and aging.

Potential Roles Of Magnesium Deficiency In Inflammation And Atherogenesis: Importance And Cross-Talk Of Platelet-Activating Factor And Ceramide, Burton M. Altura, Asefa Gebrewold, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Bella T. Altura

The School of Health Sciences Publications and Research

Epidemiologic studies in North America and Europe have shown that people consuming Western-type diets are low in magnesium (Mg) content (i.e., < 30 - 65% of the RDA for Mg); most such diets in the USA show that 60 - 80% of Americans are consuming only 185 - 235 mg/day of Mg. Low Mg content in areas of soft-water, and Mg-poor soil, is associated with high incidences of ischemic heart disease (IHD), coronary artery disease, hypertension, and sudden cardiac death (SCD). It is clear that the leading underlying cause of death worldwide is atherosclerosis. Importantly, both animal and human studies have shown an inverse relationship between dietary intake of Mg and atherosclerosis. The myocardial level of Mg has consistently been observed to be lower in subjects dying from IHD and SCD in soft-water areas than those in hard-water areas. Over the past 20 years, our laboratories, using several types of primary cultured vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells, and myocardial cells, demonstrated that declining levels of extracellular Mg ([Mg2+]0) activated several enzymatic pathways to produce increases in cellular sphingolipids, particularly ceramides which are known to exert numerous types of cardiovascular manifestations including inflammatory effects; the latter play important roles in atherogenesis and cardiovascular diseases. Approximately 20 years ago, we reported that low [Mg2+]0 caused formation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) as well as other types of PAF-like molecules and suggested that these molecules might be causative agents in low Mg2+- induced IHD and SCD. Herein, we review results and data from our labs which strongly support roles for ceramides, PAF and PAF-like lipids in low [Mg2+]0-induced IHD and SCD.

Sudden Cardiac Death In Infants, Children And Young Adults: Possible Roles Of Dietary Magnesium Intake And Generation Of Platelet-Activating Factor In Coronary Arteries, Burton M. Altura, Wenyan Li, Aimin Zhang, Tao Zheng, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Bella T. Altura

The School of Health Sciences Publications and Research

Magnesium (Mg) is a co-factor for more than 500 enzymes, and is the second most abundant intracellular cation after potassium. It is vital in numerous physiological, cellular and biochemical functions and systems necessary for life. Approximately 35 years ago, our laboratory suggested that a progressive, dietary deficiency and/or metabolic induced loss of Mg from the body, beginning early in life, particularly during development of the coronary arteries, could lead to coronary arterial vasospasm, ischemic heart disease, and sudden-cardiac death (SCD). Herein, we review evidence for a brand-new, novel hypothesis which combines knowledge suggesting a combined role for hypomagnesemia and platelet-activating …

Feasibility Of Integrating Tripterygium Wilfordii Into Modern Cancer Therapy For Increased Efficacy With Minimal Toxicity, Andy Vo

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and millions of novel cancer cases are being diagnosed each year. While chemotherapy and ionizing radiation are effective treatments against these malignant tumors, the adverse effects that accompany such treatments are devastating. In order to find alternative treatment methods with less side effects, we turn to Eastern herbal medicine. Recent scientific research has found that Tripterygium wilfordii, an herbal medicine traditionally used to treat inflammation in China, contains compounds (triptolide and celastrol) that prevent the growth of solid tumors, induce apoptosis, and prevent metastasis of developed tumors. Investigations on …

Sepsis: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Classification, Biomarkers And Management, Noah Pirozzi, Nima Rejali, Matthew Brennan, Anuj Vohra, Trevor Mcginley, Murali G. Krishna

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown) Publications and Research

Every physician has been trained early in their careers on how to recognize and manage sepsis. Although sepsis has been one of the most researched ailments in medicine, it also remains one of the deadliest diseases in the face of recent advances. In this current article, we review the diagnostic and management criteria for Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, and Multi Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS). We then examine the implications of the “surviving sepsis” campaign as well as explore the philosophy of Early Goal Directed Therapy (EGDT) and its role in the modern day management …

Is The High Frequency Of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac And Lung Surgeries Related To Hypomagnesemia And Releases Of Ceramides And Platelet-Activating Factor?, Burton M. Altura, Nilank C. Shah, Gatha J. Shah, Aimin Zhang, Wenyan Li, Bella T. Altura

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown) Publications and Research

The authors discuss the possible role of hypomagnesemia, ceramides and platelet-activating factor in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac and lung surgeries.

Diabetes Update: Your Guide To The Latest Ada Standards, Eric Johnson, Florence Warren, Neil Skolnik, Jay H. Shubrook

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Osteopathic Medicine

The authors highlight the latest changes in the ADA standards and review recommendations of particular relevance for family physicians.

Caspase-12, Rheumatoid Arthritis, And The Dog That Didn’T Bark, Evan Hermel

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Osteopathic Medicine

CASPASE-12 (CASP12) has an anti-inflammatory function during infection. To determine and if CASP12 could protect against inflammatory disease, we investigated the distribution of CASP12 alleles in African-Americans (AA) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CASP12 homozygous patients had lower baseline joint narrowing and total disease scores. However, there was no significant difference for distribution of CASP12 genotypes between AA controls and patients with RA, or any other clinical criteria for this disease. CASP12 homozygosity appears to be, at best a subtle protective factor for some aspects of RA in AA patients. This raises an intriguing issue as to how this protein would …