Diseases Commons^™

Frequency And Factors Associated With Adult Immunization In Patients Visiting Family Medicine Clinics At A Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi, Samar Zaki, Asma Usman, Swaleha Tariq, Sameena Shah, Iqbal Azam Syed, Waris Qidwai, Kashmira Nanji

Department of Family Medicine

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the frequency and factors associated with adult immunization in patients visiting family medicine clinics at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2014 to March 2015 in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Participants more than 18 years were invited to participate in the study. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect information. Data were entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 19.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp).
Results: A total of 340 patients were surveyed. The majority of patients …

Factors Associated With Perceived Accuracy Of The Undetectable = Untransmittable Slogan Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Implications For Messaging Scale-Up And Implementation, H Jonathon Rendina, J T. Parsons

Publications and Research

Introduction: Recent research has shown high efficacy of HIV treatment for reducing the risk of HIV transmission to sexual partners. As the efficacy of treatment as prevention (TasP) has proliferated, a new messaging campaign, Undetectable = Untransmittable, has been gaining popularity. The purpose of this paper was to assess factors associated with the perceived accuracy of this TasP messaging strategy among a large and diverse sample of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in order to inform subsequent efforts at large-scale and implementation of the HIV prevention message.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey of …

Neurodegenerative Disease Biomarkers Aβ1–40, Aβ1–42, Tau, And P-Tau181 In The Vervet Monkey Cerebrospinal Fluid: Relation To Normal Aging, Genetic Influences, And Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Jason A. Chen, Scott C. Fears, Anna J. Jasinska, Alden Huang, Noor B. Al-Sharif, Kevin E. Scheibel, Thomas D. Dyer, Anne M. Fagan, John Blangero, M. J. Jorgensen, J. R. Kaplan, N. B. Freimer, Giovanni Coppol

School of Medicine Publications

Background: The Caribbean vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus) is a potentially valuable animal model of neurodegenerative disease. However, the trajectory of aging in vervets and its relationship to human disease is incompletely understood.

Methods: To characterize biomarkers associated with neurodegeneration, we measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, total tau, and p-tau181 in 329 members of a multigenerational pedigree. Linkage and genome-wide association were used to elucidate a genetic contribution to these traits.

Results: Aβ1-40 concentrations were significantly correlated with age, brain total surface area, and gray matter thickness. Levels of p-tau181 were associated with cerebral volume …

Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis: A Novel Surgical Model For Moyamoya Syndrome, Jill M. Roberts, Michael E. Maniskas, Justin F. Fraser, Gregory J. Bix

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Moyamoya is a cerebrovascular disorder characterized by progressive stenosis of the intracranial internal carotid arteries. There are two forms: Disease and Syndrome, with each characterized by the sub-population it affects. Moyamoya syndrome (MMS) is more prominent in adults in their 20’s-40’s, and is often associated with autoimmune diseases. Currently, there are no surgical models for inducing moyamoya syndrome, so our aim was to develop a new animal model to study this relatively unknown cerebrovascular disease. Here, we demonstrate a new surgical technique termed internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS), to mimic MMS using micro-coils on the proximal ICA. We tested for …

Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Detects Differences At The Radius In Prepubertal Children With Cystic Fibrosis Compared To Healthy Controls, Catherine E. O'Brien, Gulnur Com, John L. Fowlkes, Xinyu Tang, Laura P. James

Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center Faculty Publications

Introduction

In 2015, 11.9% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) in the United States had osteopenia, 5.1% osteoporosis, and 0.3% experienced a fracture. Screening for CF-related bone disease starts in childhood, and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the recommended method. It is unknown whether peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) can detect deficits earlier than DXA. This study compared pQCT and DXA scans in a group of pre-pubertal children with CF and healthy controls.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of children at Tanner stage 1. A pQCT scan of the radius at proximal and distal sites was performed plus …

Long-Term Exposure Of Fine Particulate Matter Causes Hypertension By Impaired Renal D1 Receptor-Mediated Sodium Excretion Via Upregulation Of G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase Type 4 Expression In Sprague-Dawley Rats., Xi Lu, Zhengmeng Ye, Shuo Zheng, Hongmei Ren, Jing Zeng, Xinquan Wang, Pedro A Jose, Ken Chen, Chunyu Zeng

Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence supports an important association between air pollution exposure and hypertension. However, the mechanisms are not clear.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Our present study found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) causes hypertension and impairs renal sodium excretion, which might be ascribed to lower D1 receptor expression and higher D1 receptor phosphorylation, accompanied with a higher G-protein-coupled receptor kinase type 4 (GRK4) expression. The in vivo results were confirmed in in vitro studies (ie, PM2.5 increased basal and decreased D1 receptor mediated inhibitory effect on Na+-K+ ATPase activity, decreased D1 receptor expression, and increased D1 receptor phosphorylation …

The Association Between A Body Shape Index And Cardiovascular Risk In Overweight And Obese Children And Adolescents, Chiara Mameli, Nir Y. Krakauer, Jesse C. Karakauer, Alessandra Bosetti, Chiara Matilde Ferrari, Norma Moiana, Laura Schneider, Barbara Borsani, Teresa Genoni, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti

Publications and Research

A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and normalized hip circumference (Hip Index, HI) have been recently shown to be strong risk factors for mortality and for cardiovascular disease in adults. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study to evaluate the relationship between ABSI, HI and cardiometabolic risk factors and obesity-related comorbidities in overweight and obese children and adolescents aged 2±18 years. We performed multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses with BMI, ABSI, and HI age and sex normalized z scores as predictors to examine the association with cardiometabolic risk markers (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin, total cholesterol and …

Deconstructing The Model Minority Myth: Exploring Health Risk Behaviors Of American Asian And Pacific Islander Young Adults, Todd M. Sabato

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

The model minority stereotype describes Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) as the epitome of assimilation into U.S. culture using hard work, intelligence, high educational attainment, and economic success to overcome the challenges of discrimination and recent immigration. Adopted model minority pressures assume a life of their own, with origins in childhood that are amplified during adolescence and young adulthood. In response to evidence of increased vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infection exposure, the present study compared prevalence estimates of health risk behaviors of API and cross-ethnic college students (N = 1,880). Self-reported alcohol use and abuse tendencies, …

Examining Differences In Hpv Awareness And Knowledge And Hpv Vaccine Awareness And Acceptability Between U.S. Hispanic And Island Puerto Rican Women, Daisy Y. Morales-Campos Phd, Robin Vanderpool

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: In 2015, only 42% of Puerto Rican (PR) girls aged 13-17 and 44% of U.S. Hispanic girls aged 13-17 were vaccinated with all three Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doses. These percentages were far lower than the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80% of girls aged 13-15 completing the vaccine series. The purpose of this study was to examine potential differences in HPV awareness and knowledge and HPV vaccine awareness and acceptability between a population-based sample of U.S. Hispanic and island Puerto Rican women.

Methods: We restricted our analyses to female respondents from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) …

Critically Appraised Paper For “Adaptive Vs. Non-Adaptive Cognitive Training By Means Of A Personalized App: A Randomized Trial In People With Multiple Sclerosis.”, Erin Chaffee, Ty Duong, Kaylee Gothelf, Emily Minor, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a working-memory program to improve the cognitive status of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Given the increasing use of technology in modern-day society, further research is required to provide evidence supporting working-memory training devices that are easily accessible for people with memory deficits.

Critically Appraised Paper For “Effects Of Dance On Motor Functions, Cognitive Functions, And Mental Symptoms Of Parkinson’S Disease: A Quasi-Randomized Pilot Trial”, May Anne Gamueda, Caroline Lee, Susan Nguyen, Ajay Pala, Blanka Pentek, Kitsum Li

Occupational Therapy | Critically Appraised Papers Series

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a systemic condition that presents not only motor but also nonmotor symptoms, as a result of dopamine deficiency in the basal ganglia. Rehabilitation typically focuses on motor deficits, however, despite the fact that nonmotor symptoms have a significant impact on quality of life. The researchers of this study investigated the effectiveness of dance on motor functions, cognitive functions, and mental symptoms of individuals with PD. They chose dance as their intervention because it has been shown to activate the basal ganglia as well as improve mood. In addition to motor function and mood, the researchers also …

Parkinson's Disease: Promoting Wellbeing Through Creation Health, Rupelin Pichot

DNP Research Projects

There are approximately 1.5 million Americans affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). In spite of medications and technological advances in managing the disease, patients with PD still live poor quality lives. Therefore, effective natural interventions are essential in promoting wellbeing and quality of life among PD patients. This research study aimed to examine the usefulness and efficacy of a PD brochure designed especially for PD patients and their caregivers by utilizing CREATION Health (CH) principles to promote wellbeing and quality of life in patients with PD. This study employed mixed methods of quantitative and qualitative research designs to evaluate the design, …

Neural Correlates Of Taste Reactivity In Autism Spectrum Disorder., Jason A Avery, John E Ingeholm, Sophie Wohltjen, Meghan Collins, Cameron D Riddell, Stephen J Gotts, Lauren Kenworthy, Gregory L Wallace, W Kyle Simmons, Alex Martin

Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Publications

Selective or 'picky' eating habits are common among those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These behaviors are often related to aberrant sensory experience in individuals with ASD, including heightened reactivity to food taste and texture. However, very little is known about the neural mechanisms that underlie taste reactivity in ASD. In the present study, food-related neural responses were evaluated in 21 young adult and adolescent males diagnosed with ASD without intellectual disability, and 21 typically-developing (TD) controls. Taste reactivity was assessed using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, a clinical self-report measure. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate hemodynamic responses …

Got Caries? Breast Milk And Early Childhood Caries?, Megan L. Dean, Rebecca Fields, Hannah Fritz

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Objective: To provide an analysis of the association between the longevity of breastfeeding and development of ECC. Determine the optimal time frame in which mothers should cease breastfeeding to reduce ECC development. Methods: Dr. Brickhouse, PubMed, Google Scholar and other scholarly databases were utilized to find current scientific evidence on the effects of breast milk on ECC. Relevant articles were summarized to write a review of literature. 16 articles published from 2015 to the present date were reviewed and cited. Results: From the studies, there is strong evidence to support breastfeeding beyond 12 months of age increases the prevalence …

Economic Evaluation Of Patient Navigation Programs In Colorectal Cancer Care, A Systematic Review., C Gervès-Pinquié, A Girault, S Phillips, S Raskin, Mandi Pratt-Chapman

GW Cancer Institute

Patient navigation has expanded as a promising approach to improve cancer care coordination and patient adherence. This paper addresses the need to identify the evidence on the economic impact of patient navigation in colorectal cancer, following the Health Economic Evaluation Publication Guidelines. Articles indexed in Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Web of Science between January 2000 and March 2017 were analyzed. We conducted a systematic review of the literature using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality assessment of the included studies was based on the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist. Inclusion criteria …

Why West? Comparisons Of Clinical, Genetic And Molecular Features Of Infants With And Without Spasms., Anne T Berg, Samya Chakravorty, Sookyong Koh, Zachary M Grinspan, Renée A Shellhaas, William D Gaillard, +Several Additional Authors

Neurology Faculty Publications

Infantile spasms are the defining seizures of West syndrome, a severe form of early life epilepsy with poorly-understood pathophysiology. We present a novel comparative analysis of infants with spasms versus other seizure-types and identify clinical, etiological, and molecular-genetic factors preferentially predisposing to spasms. We compared ages, clinical etiologies, and associated-genes between spasms and non-spasms groups in a multicenter cohort of 509 infants (

Microscale Gene Expression Analysis Of Tumor-Associated Macrophages, Kuldeep S. Attri, Kamiya Mehla, Surendra K. Shukla, Pankaj K. Singh

Journal Articles: Eppley Institute

Macrophages, apart from being the key effector cells of the innate immune system, also play critical roles during the development and progression of various complex diseases, including cancer. Tumor-associated macrophages, infiltrate tumors during different stages of cancer progression to regulate motility, invasion, and intravasation to metastatic sites. Macrophages can exist in different polarization states associated with unique function in tumors. Since tumor-associated macrophages constitute a very small proportion of tumor cells, analysis of gene expression pattern using normal extraction buffer-based methods remains a challenging task. Therefore, it is imperative to develop low-throughput strategies to investigate transcriptional regulations from a small …

Role Of N-Acetyl-Seryl-Aspartyl-Lysyl-Proline (Ac-Sdkp) And Renal Hemodynamics On Obesity Related Renal Damage, Mani Maheshwari

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Obesity is a public health problem and is associated with salt-sensitive hypertension, kidney inflammation and fibrosis. N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) is a tetra-peptide with anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties but its effect on kidney damage in obesity is unknown. We hypothesized that high salt fed Zucker obese (ZO) rats develop renal damage, inflammation and fibrosis and that Ac-SDKP prevents these changes. Zucker lean (ZL) rats served as controls. Animals were treated with Ac-SDKP while maintained on either a normal-salt or HS diet for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), albuminuria, renal inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated. HS diet increased macrophage infiltration in the …

The Role Of Tgf-Β/Smad4 Signaling In Cancer, M Zhao, Lopa Mishra, C Deng

Surgery Faculty Publications

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays important roles in many biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, as well as cancer initiation and progression. SMAD4, which serves as the central mediator of TGF-β signaling, is specifically inactivated in over half of pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma, and varying degrees in many other types of cancers. In the past two decades, multiple studies have revealed that SMAD4 loss on its own does not initiate tumor formation, but can promote tumor progression initiated by other genes, such as KRAS activation in pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma and APC inactivation in colorectal cancer. In …

Granulin Secreted By The Food-Borne Liver Fluke, Brandon Haugen, Shannon E Karinshak, Victoria H Mann, Anastas Popratiloff, Alex Loukas, Paul J Brindley, Michael J Smout

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Faculty Publications

The liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is a food-borne, zoonotic pathogen endemic to Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia. The adult developmental stage of the O. viverrini parasite excretes and secretes numerous proteins within the biliary tract including the gall bladder. Lesions caused by the feeding activities of the liver fluke represent wounds that undergo protracted cycles of healing and re-injury during chronic infection, which can last for decades. Components of the excretory/secretory (ES) complement released by the worms capably drive proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and are implicated in establishing the oncogenic milieu that leads to bile duct …

Granulin Secreted By The Food-Borne Liver Fluke Opisthorchis Viverrini Promotes Angiogenesis In Human Endothelial Cells, Brandon Haugen, Shannon Karinshak, Victoria H. Mann, Anastas Popratiloff, Alex Loukas, Paul J. Brindley, Michael J. Smout

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Faculty Publications

The liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini is a food-borne, zoonotic pathogen endemic to Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia. The adult developmental stage of the O. viverrini parasite excretes and secretes numerous proteins within the biliary tract including the gall bladder. Lesions caused by the feeding activities of the liver fluke represent wounds that undergo protracted cycles of healing and re-injury during chronic infection, which can last for decades. Components of the excretory/secretory (ES) complement released by the worms capably drive proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells and are implicated in establishing the oncogenic milieu that leads to bile duct …

Controlled Human Hookworm Infection: Accelerating Human Hookworm Vaccine Development, David Diemert, Doreen Campbell, Jill Brelsford, Caitlyn Leasure, Guangzhao Li, Naji Younes, +Several Additional Authors

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

Controlled human hookworm infection (CHHI) is a central component of a proposed hookworm vaccination-challenge model (HVCM) to test the efficacy of candidate vaccines. Critical to CHHI is the manufacture of Necator americanus infective larvae (NaL3) according to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and the determination of an inoculum of NaL3 that is safe and reliably induces patent infection. Methods

cGMP-grade NaL3 were produced for a phase 1 trial in 20 healthy, hookworm-naïve adults in the United States, who received either 25 or 50 NaL3. Participants were monitored for 12–18 weeks postinfection for safety, tolerability, …

Transplantation Of Schistosome Sporocysts Between Host Snails: A Video Guide., Gabriel Mouahid, Anne Rognon, Ronaldo De Carvalho Augusto, Patrick Driguez, Kathy Geyer, Shannon Karinshak, Nelia Luviano, Victoria Mann, Thomas Quack, Kate Rawlinson, George Wendt, Christoph Grunau, Hélène Moné

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Faculty Publications

Schistosomiasis is an important parasitic disease, touching roughly 200 million people worldwide. The causative agents are different Schistosoma species. Schistosomes have a complex life cycle, with a freshwater snail as intermediate host. After infection, sporocysts develop inside the snail host and give rise to human dwelling larvae. We present here a detailed step-by-step video instruction in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese that shows how these sporocysts can be manipulated and transferred from one snail to another. This procedure provides a technical basis for different types of ex vivo modifications, such as those used in functional genomics studies.

Reduction Of Vascular Inflammation, Ldl-C, Or Both For The Protection From Cardiovascular Events?, Andromachi Reklou, Michael Doumas, Konstantinos Imprialos, Konstantinos Stavropoulos, Dimitris Patoulias, Vasilios Athyros

Medicine Faculty Publications

Background:

Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and low grade arterial inflammation are key pathogenic factors for atherosclerosis and its manifestation, cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Objective:

In this narrative review we assessed if decreasing LDL-C levels or inflammation or both is more effective in reducing CVD events.

Results:

In the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S), all statin trials of the 90s’ and the Further Cardiovascular Outcomes Research with PCSK9 Inhibition in Subjects with Elevated Risk (FOURIER) the benefit came from the LDL-C reduction. In the GREak and Atorvastatin Coronary heart disease Evaluation (GREACE), the Treating to New Targets (TNT), and the Justification …

Improving Outcomes After Pediatric Cardiac Arrest – The Icu-Resuscitation Project: Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network (Cpccrn), Murray M. Pollack

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background

Quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with survival, but recommended guidelines are often not met, and less than half the children with an in-hospital arrest will survive to discharge. A single-center before-and-after study demonstrated that outcomes may be improved with a novel training program in which all pediatric intensive care unit staff are encouraged to participate in frequent CPR refresher training and regular, structured resuscitation debriefings focused on patient-centric physiology.

Methods/design

This ongoing trial will assess whether a program of structured debriefings and point-of-care bedside practice that emphasizes physiologic resuscitation targets improves the rate of survival to hospital …

Lebanon: Cholera Outbreak, Muhammad Naqvi

Global Public Health

Lebanon is a country that has always been tangled with the ever looming threat of a growing health crisis. With a failing government and massive influx of refugees, mostly the victim of their war torn economy, it seemed inevitable that sanitation procedures would run short. Now the Lebanese people and government face the challenge of the spread of Cholera, a water-borne disease, within the countries vicinity as a result of mass pollution from the formation of informal settlements as well as the country being a hotbed for political instability. These have resulted in limited success in controlling the outbreak engulfing …

Guinea : Malaria, Madeleine Jacobson

Global Public Health

This brief analyzes malaria in Guinea and its impacts on individuals and the society. It consists of a geographic and demographic presentation of Guinea which includes information about its location, climate, natural resources, ethnic groups, politics and social internal and external challenges where human trafficking, lack of healthcare and refugees are discussed. The brief analyzes malaria´s transmission, diagnosis, preventions and a suggestion for an intervention.

Malaria is a vector-borne disease, which means that living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans, spread malaria. 70 percent of all malaria deaths occur in age years, but …

Chile: Air Pollution, Kara Eder

Global Public Health

Chile faces a constant issue of air pollution, reaping respiratory health problems for citizens in urban areas. While the many cases over the past century have increased officials to take action on the issue, the growing infrastructure and economy of the country makes it difficult to regulate harmful emissions. Wood-burning heaters within urban residential areas also contribute to the unhealthy smog. Ingestion of these forms of matter in the air causes respiratory symptoms such as bronchitis and cardiovascular disease. Bans on such heaters and taxes on vehicle emissions were placed in order to prevent the severity of pollutants in the …

Grenada: Cardiovascular Disease, Talayah Lemon

Global Public Health

Grenada has a population of 109,011 people. This public health brief encompasses cardiovascular disease and its impact in the country of Grenada. The country suffers from high level of AIDS/HIV, obesity, diabetes, etc. However, Cardiovascular disease is very prevalent in Grenada. About 34% of the population suffer from the disease. Cardiovascular disease affects the blood supply flow to the heart. Grenada’s health system has provided solutions such as providing adequate health care, but lack some healthcare services, such as cardiology and vascular surgeries. Cardiovascular disease has a huge impact on the population, but Grenada works towards ways to mitigate the …

Democratic Republic Of The Congo: Hiv/Aids, John Tworek

Global Public Health

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces a great number of health issues, however, one of the most prevalent diseases within the country is HIV/AIDS. An estimated 122,168 thousand cases were reported in 2015, with the total number of deaths at 19,000, in a country that has a population of 82,804,942. The research done on HIV/AIDS in The Democratic Republic of the Congo looks at the basic epidemiology of the region, how to identify the disease, and major risk factors present. Other major challenges The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces are included, as well as suggestions for preventing further …