Diseases Commons^™

Left Atrial Model, Borna Sobati, Sarah Porello, Tess Pate

Biomedical Engineering

The objective is to produce an electrophysiological model of an adult human left atrium. This model will be used to test mapping probe catheters used for locating cardiac arrhythmias against current technology used in practice. Dr. Chris Porterfield requested this model and other physicians or probe catheter manufacturers may also use this product in the future. Dr. Porterfield also discussed the possibility of future senior project groups using the model as a bench test for designing new catheter tips. The model will precisely simulate electrical behaviors of the heart in normal as well as arrhythmic conditions. Ideally, the model will …

Novel Mechanisms And Biomarkers In Alcohol-Induced Organ Injury., Christine E. Dolin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background. Ethanol (EtOH) consumption is known to affect multiple organs; this is unsurprising, as the concentration of EtOH in the blood at relevant doses reaches the millimolar range. The overarching goal of this dissertation was to elucidate mechanisms of alcohol-induced organ injury, specifically the effects of alcohol on the hepatic extracellular matrix (ECM) proteome, the alcoholic hepatitis (AH) plasma peptidome, and the effects of alcohol on the renal cortex proteome and transcriptome. Methods. Mice were pair-fed ethanol-containing liquid diet chronically, and then some mice were administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Liver sections from these mice were processed in a series of increasingly …

Quantifying Expression Of Interneuron Subtype Markers For Dlx-2 Transfected Ng2 Cells, Timothy Nolan

Honors Scholar Theses

Neurons are a post-mitotic cell population, and therefore, they are not able to regenerate in vivo after a traumatic injury. Because inhibitory GABAergic interneurons and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are derived from the same precursor, recent studies have focused on transforming these OPCs into GABAergic neurons. However, there are different types of GABAergic interneurons that have different electrophysiological responses, which can lead to functional differences. The Nishiyama laboratory had already used a key gene in GABAergic interneuron and OPC differentiation, Distal-less homeobox 2 (Dlx-2), to transfect OPCs; early electrophysiology tests showed most of these transfected cells behaved like immature neurons, …

Embryonic Lethality Of Cranial Neural Crest Deletion Of Cdc73, Lilia Shen

Honors Scholar Theses

Hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT-JT) syndrome is a disease characterized by parathyroid tumors, renal cysts or tumors, uterine tumors, and ossifying jaw fibromas. The cause of this syndrome is linked to a tumor suppressor gene called Cdc73, which encodes the protein product parafibromin. The loss of proper expression of Cdc73/parafibromin is implicated in the development of the tumors typical of HPT-JT, although the exact mechanisms of tumorigenesis are unclear. In particular, not much is understood about the development of ossifying fibromas (OF) of the jaw in this syndrome. OF is a benign bone neoplasm that can affect the mandible and …

The 5-Ht1a-R Knockout Mouse As A Model Of Later Life Anxiety Disorders: Implications For Sex Differences, Tatyana Budylin

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Anxiety affects nearly twice as many women as it affects men across all cultures and economic groups. Importantly, girls have a higher chance of inheriting anxiety disorders than boys, and many anxiety disorders appear at a very young age. However, little is known about sex differences in brain and behavioral development and how they relate to anxiety in adulthood. Serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT_1A-R) mediated signaling has been implicated in depression and anxiety, however most studies that focus on the involvement of the 5-HT_1A-R have been conducted in adults. Little is known about how the 5-HT_{1A …}

Characterization Of Extracellular Vesicles From Human Diabetic Retinopathy Retinal Tissue In Vitro And From Urine Of Human Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy, Jason Mighty

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a neurovascular complication associated with diabetes mellitus that affects approximately 120 million people worldwide and its prevalence is expected to reach 190 million by 2030. DR diagnosis is accomplished with fundus ophthalmoscopy often when retinal damage and vision loss have already occurred. A group of biomarker being explored for early detection of diseases are extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are nanometer diameter lipid enclosed vesicles, released from all cell types and containing genetic cargo reflective of releasing cell state. EV biomarkers are currently being explored to help monitor disease predisposition, pathogenesis and response to treatment. While an …

Neuroblastoma In Adolescents And Children Older Than 10 Years: Unusual Clinicopathologic And Biologic Features, Laura Mccarthy, Katherine Chastain, Terrie Flatt, Eugenio Taboada, Robert E. Garola, John Herriges, Linda D. Cooley, Atif Ahmed

Posters

This poster describes four cases of neuroblastoma diagnosed since 2008 in children greater than 10 years and presents their clinical, histologic and biologic features, emphasizing unusual clinicopathologic characteristics and the role of DNA microarray analysis and Next Generation Sequencing in their management.

A Nsqip Analysis Of Post-Operative Antibiotic Utilization In Uncomplicated Appendicitis, Charlene Dekonenko, Robert M. Dorman, Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell, Tolulope A. Oyetunji

Posters

APSA 2010 recommendations do not support antibiotic use post-operatively following appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis, but compliance varies by institution. This study determined the rate of post-operative antibiotic use in uncomplicated appendicitis and found that 10% of patients were discharged on antibiotics, using the NSQIP files.

Self-Reported Outcomes Following Cholecystectomy For Pediatric Hyperkinetic Biliary Dyskinesia, Charlene Dekonenko, Joseph A. Sujka, Robert Michael Dorman, Tolulope A. Oyetunji, Shawn D. St Peter

Posters

The aim of this study is to determine if children with hyperkinetic biliary dyskinesia have resolution of symptoms after laparoscopic cholecystectomy at our institution.

Conclusion: Cholecystectomy for hyperkinetic biliary dyskinesia may or may not improve symptoms. Further research should focus on pathophysiology of the disease in order to create an evidence-based definition of biliary dyskinesia in children to determine who will benefit from cholecystectomy.

Metabolic Control, Quality Of Life, And Body Image In Patients With Glycogen Storage Disease Type Ia, Alexa Bream

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Glycogen storage disease is a group of inborn errors of metabolism, with type Ia being the most common form of the disorder. Glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSDIa) is a multisystemic condition in which individuals have various complications secondary to an inability to properly break down glycogen and to perform gluconeogenesis. Complex management is then necessary for patients and includes dietary modification, frequent cornstarch usage, and evaluation for additional complications such as hepatic adenomas, hypertriglyceridemia, and kidney disease. Previous studies have found lower scores in quality of life and body image in GSDIa patients; however, the specific factors influencing this …

The Prevalence And Context Of Adult Female Overweight And Obesity In Sub-Saharan Africa, Ifeoma Ozodiegwu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adult women bear a disproportionate burden of overweight and obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Precise information to understand disease distribution and assess determinants is lacking. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to: (i) analyze the prevalence of adult female overweight and obesity combined in lower-level administrative units; (ii) analyze the effect modification of educational attainment and age on the association between household wealth and adult female overweight and obesity; (iii) synthesize qualitative research evidence to describe contextual factors contributing to female overweight and obesity at different life stages. Bayesian and logistic regression models were constructed with Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data …

The Effects Of Two Novel Anti-Inflammatory Compounds On Prepulse Inhibition And Neural Microglia Cell Activation In A Rodent Model Of Schizophrenia, Heath W. Shelton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies have shown elevated neuroinflammation in a large subset of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. A pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), has been directly linked to this neuroinflammation. This study examined the effects of two TNFα modulators (PD2024 and PD340) produced by our collaborators at P2D Bioscience, Inc., to alleviate auditory sensorimotor gating deficits and reduce microglial cell activation present in the polyinosinic:polycytidylic (Poly I:C) rodent model of schizophrenia. Auditory sensorimotor gating was assessed using prepulse inhibition and microglial activation was examined and quantified using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, respectively. Both PD2024 and PD340 alleviated auditory sensorimotor gating deficits …

Development And Evaluation Of Selected Chemoprophylaxis Candidates And A Candidate Live-Attenuated Vaccine For Prevention Of Histomoniasis In Turkeys, Lesleigh Beer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Histomoniasis, commonly known as blackhead disease, has increased in prevalence due to the regulatory ban of prophylactics and therapeutics within the past 30 years. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the efficacy of selected dietary chemoprophylaxis candidates as well as an in vitro live-attenuated vaccine candidate Histomonas meleagridis for prevention of histomoniasis. Chapter one addresses deoxycholic acid and a biliogenic diet intended to endogenously increase production of this secondary bile acid. Deoxycholic acid was effective in vitro but failed to prevent histomoniasis when evaluated during the in vivo experimental disease trial with turkeys. The biliogenic diet did not …

Initiation Of A Roundtable Meeting To Determine Safety Hazards And Provide Education To Range Bison Herd Workers, Lucia Finocchiaro

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This capstone project serves as an important piece of greater project studying bison handling. Bison production is both a growing and dangerous industry. As a new enterprise in many parts of the country and on tribal lands, significant numbers of untrained employees may be hired. This project undertakes methods to better understand the risks associated with bison handling and to thereby improve handling procedures and increase safety. Herd managers (from tribal and non-tribal sites), researchers, safety experts, and stakeholders were brought together for a roundtable meeting in Omaha. This meeting was designed to provide stakeholders a forum to discuss common …

Biomarkers Of Dietary Omega-6 Fatty Acids And Incident Cardiovascular Disease And Mortality: An Individual-Level Pooled Analysis Of 30 Cohort Studies, Matti Marklund, Jason H. Y. Wu, Fumiaki Imamura, Liana C. Del Gobbo, Amanda Fretts, Janette De Goede, Peilin Shi, Nathan L. Tintle, Maria Wennberg, Stella Aslibekyan, Tzu-An Chen, Marcia C. De Oliveira Otto, Yoichiro Hirakawa, Helle Højmark Eriksen, Janine Kroger, Federica Laguzzi, Maria Lankinen, Rachel A. Murphy, Kiesha Prem, Cecelia Samieri, Jyrki Virtanen, Alexis C. Wood, Kerry Wong, Wei-Sin Yang, Xia Zhou, Ana Baylin, Jolanda M. A. Boer, Ingeborg A. Brouwer, Hannia Campos, Paulo H. M. Chaves, Kuo-Liong Chien, Ulf De Faire, Luc Djousse, Gudny Eiriksdottir, Naglaa El-Abbadi, Nita G. Fouruhi, J. Michael Gaziano, Johanna M. Geleijnse, Bruna Gigante, Graham Giles, Eliseo Guallar, Vilmundur Gudnason, Tamara Harris, William S. Harris, Catherine Helmer, Mai-Lis Hellenius, Allison Hodge, Frank B. Hu, Paul F. Jacques, Jan-Hakan Jansson, Anya Kalsbeek, Kay-Tee Khaw, Woon-Puay Koh, Markku Laakso, Karin Leander, Hung-Ju Lin, Lars Lind, Robert Luben, Juhua Luo, Barbara Mcknight, Jaakko Mursu, Toshiharu Ninomiya, Kim Overvad, Bruce M. Psaty, Eric Rimm, Matthias B. Schulze, David Siscovick, Michael Skjelbo Nielsen, Albert V. Smith, Brian T. Steffen, Lyn Steffen, Qi Sun, Johan Sundstrom, Michael Y. Tsai, Hugh Tunstall-Pedoe, Matti I. J. Uusitupa, Rob M. Van Dam, Jenna Veenstra, Monique Verschuren, Nick Wareham, Walter Willett, Mark Woodward, Jian-Min Yuan, Renata Micha, Rozenn N. Lemaitre, Dariush Mozaffarian, Ulf Risérus

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

BACKGROUND: Global dietary recommendations for and cardiovascular effects of linoleic acid, the major dietary omega-6 fatty acid, and its major metabolite, arachidonic acid, remain controversial. To address this uncertainty and inform international recommendations, we evaluated how in vivo circulating and tissue levels of linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA) relate to incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) across multiple international studies.

METHODS: We performed harmonized, de novo, individual-level analyses in a global consortium of 30 prospective observational studies from 13 countries. Multivariable-adjusted associations of circulating and adipose tissue LA and AA biomarkers with incident total CVD and subtypes (coronary heart disease, …

The Impacts Of Administering Metabolites Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae On Broiler Performance, Yields And Salmonella Content Of Component Portions, Bill Douglas Potter

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The impacts of using health-promoting Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation metabolites in poultry production and processing can be measured in respect to multiple measures of success. Traditionally this yeast-based compound has been administered to poultry, livestock, poultry, and other species to improve animal performance and production volume output. In addition, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation metabolites have also been shown in more recent research to reduce colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the host organism’s gastro-intestinal tract. In this dissertation, the impacts of administering a functional ingredient containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolites on broiler performance measures and pathogen reduction were measured. One of the studies in …

Modelling Appropriate Use Of Trypanocides To Restrict Wide-Spread Multi-Drug Resistance During Chemotherapy Of Animal African Trypanosomiasis, Ibrahim I. Wangwe, Sarah A. Wamwenje, Caroline Mirieri, Nicodemus M. Masila, Lillian Wambua, Benard W. Kulohoma

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Trypanocide resistance remains a huge challenge in the management of animal African trypanosomiasis. Paucity of data on the prevalence of multi-drug resistant trypanosomes has greatly hindered optimal veterinary management practices. We use mathematical model predictions to highlight appropriate drug regimens that impede trypanocide resistance development in cattle. We demonstrate that using drugs in decreasing resistance order results in a negligible increase in number of cattle with resistant infection, in contrast to a more pronounced increase from trypanocide use in increasing resistance order. We demonstrate that the lowest levels of trypanocide resistance are achieved with combination therapy. We also show that …

Impact Of Palliative Care Consultations For Patients Admitted To Maine Medical Center With Acute Exacerbations Of Copd, Benjamin Jarrett, Isabella Strumpf, Rebecca Hutchinson

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Background and purpose:

• COPD is the 3rd leading cause of death.

• Specialty Palliative Care (PC) is underutilized in COPD patients.

•PC involvement has been shown to improve quality of life and satisfaction with overall care.

• We sought to evaluate the association of receipt of palliative medicine consultation during an admission for acute exacerbation of COPD with a documented Goals of Care conversations and/or presence of an advanced directive and/or POLST.

Validity Of Neonatal Poc Glucose Testing, Matthew Turnquist, Amy Haskins, Christina Holt

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Background:

Glucose monitoring a common invasive intervention in newborn period

•most commonly obtained laboratory value

Appropriate identification of hypoglycemia is critical:

•Severe hypoglycemia can lead to neurologic insult

•Cerebral palsy, developmental delay, seizures, death

Prions To Pathways: Safeguarding Against Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease In The Operating Room, Jessica Mary Adams Atkinson, Sonja Carol Orff

MaineHealth Maine Medical Center

Introduction:

As defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC, 2018), Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive, rare, transmissible, and fatal illness. Miscoiling of healthy proteins caused by an abnormal isoform of cellular glycoprotein resulting in protein folding has been found to be the molecular mechanism during the pathological process of this malady (Figure 1), (Castle, Gill, 2017). The current problem is that few recommendations are available for organizations to consider how to manage potential CJD patient cases, and institutions are left to compile and develop their own guidelines and/or protocols for clinical practice. The standards of care for …

The Incidence, Aetiology, And Adverse Clinical Consequences Of Less Severe Diarrhoeal Episodes Among Infants And Children Residing In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries: A 12-Month Case-Control Study As A Follow-On To The Global Enteric Multicenter Study (Gems), Karen L. Kotloff, Dilruba Nasrin, William C. Blackwelder, Yukun Wu, Tamer Farag, Sandra Panchalingham, Samba O. Sow, Anita K. M. Zaidi, Shahida Qureshi, Farheen Quadri

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: Diarrheal diseases remain a leading cause of illness and death among children younger than 5 years in low-income and middle-income countries. The Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) has described the incidence, aetiology, and sequelae of medically attended moderate-to-severe diarrhoea (MSD) among children aged 0-59 months residing in censused populations in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, where most child deaths occur. To further characterise this disease burden and guide interventions, we extended this study to include children with episodes of less-severe diarrhoea (LSD) seeking care at health centres serving six GEMS sites.
Methods: We report a 1-year, multisite, age-stratified, matched …

Kounis Syndrome: A Simple Mri With Contrast Turned Into A Life Threatening Condition, Ahmed Amro, Kanaan Mansoor, Mohammad Amro, Amal Sobeih, Mehiar El-Hamdani

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Kounis syndrome [KS] is a hypersensitivity coronary disorder induced by various allergens. It is a rare condition which has been reported in every age group (2-90 years), every race and geographic location, its incidence has been reported to range from 7.9 to 19.4 per 100,000. The presentation of the detrimental effects of KS on coronary arteries ranges from vasospastic angina to allergic myocardial infarction.

Drugs are the major iatrogenic cause of KS, but virtually everything in the environment around us can cause KS. In recent years contrast mediums used in the radiologic investigation have come forth as a leading cause …

The Effect Of Antihypertensive Dosing On Hypertension In Children With Chronic Kidney Disease, Benjamin A. Matta, Uri S. Alon, Bradley Warady Md, Tarak Srivastava, Darcy Weidemann

Posters

Background

Hypertension (HTN) is a highly prevalent and major risk factor for poor cardiovascular and renal outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Previous research suggests that HTN is underdiagnosed and undertreated in children with CKD. To our knowledge no studies have investigated the effect of antihypertensive (antiHTN) dose on blood pressure (BP) control in this population.

Objective

To determine the effect of antiHTN dose on HTN status in children with CKD.

Methods

Study population: 255 participants studied in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study at their 3rd visit, taking at least 1 antiHTN drug.

Cumulative Drug Dose Index …

Suffering In Silence: Is Gastroparesis Underdiagnosed?, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

In this introduction to Volume 6, Issue 2, the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews offers additional comment to the clinical review of diabetic gastroparesis authored by Farmer and colleagues (p. 148), regarding the problem of undiagnosed disease. Increased awareness of this entity and appropriate questioning regarding symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis in the primary care setting may prevent the “suffering in silence” experienced by many patients with this complication.

Variation And Change Over Time In Promis-29 Survey Results Among Primary Care Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Juell Homco, Kristin Rodriguez, David R. Bardach, Elizabeth A. Hahn, Suzanne Morton, Daren Anderson, David Kendrick, Sarah Hudson Scholle

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: We sought to describe results of patient-reported outcome measures implemented among primary care patients with diabetes and explore factors associated with changes in scores over time.

Methods: Two organizations serving diverse patient populations collected the PROMIS-29 survey at baseline and 3-month follow-up for patients with type 2 diabetes. Bayesian regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between patient characteristics and changes in PROMIS-29 scores. Exploratory analyses assessed relationships between goal-setting and changes in scores.

Results: The study population reported substantially more problems with physical functioning (mean: 42.5 at Site 1 and 38.9 at Site 2) and pain interference …

Diabetic Gastroparesis: Perspectives From A Patient And Health Care Providers, Adam D. Farmer, Caroline E. Bruckner-Holt, Susanne Schwartz, Emma Sadler, Sri Kadirkamanthan

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Gastroparesis is defined as a delay in gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction in the stomach. Gastroparesis has a number of causes, including postsurgical, secondary to medications, postinfectious, idiopathic, and as a complication of diabetes mellitus, where it is underrecognized. The cardinal symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis are nausea, early satiety, bloating, and vomiting. Diabetic gastroparesis is more common in females and has a cumulative incidence of 5% in type 1 diabetes and 1% in type 2 diabetes. It is associated with a reduction in quality of life and exerts a significant burden on health care resources. The pathophysiology …

Medically Tailored Meals As A Prescription For Treatment Of Food-Insecure Type 2 Diabetics, Leslie J. Rabaut

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an immense burden to the health of our population and to our current health care system, and the weight of this burden is only projected to multiply in coming years. A nutritious diet is an indispensable aspect of diabetes treatment, and the lack of access to food engenders poor disease-state control, which correlates with increased health care utilization. Interventions aimed at improving access to food through medically tailored meals (MTMs) have demonstrated effectiveness in improving the health of food-insecure type 2 diabetic patients and reducing health care costs. Further studies are necessary to increase the …

Improving Bronchiolitis Care Across Multiple Care Settings Using A Deimplementation Bundle, Amanda Nedved, Kathleen Berg, Troy Richardson, Amanda Montalbano, Matthew B. Johnson

Posters

Despite the availability of a bronchiolitis CPG; variation in care practices still existed at our institution. The aim of our quality improvement (QI) project was to increase overall adherence with our institutional CPG in patients 60 days to 24 months of age diagnosed with bronchiolitis in the urgent care centers (UCC), emergency departments (ED), and general inpatient units from a baseline of 40.9% to 60% by the end of two bronchiolitis seasons.

Gracilis Myocutaneous Flap For Perineal Defect Reconstruction After Left Hemivulvectomy For Locally Invasive Vulvar Cancer – A Case Report And A Literature Review, Nicolae Bacalbasa, Irina Balescu, Andreea Mereuta, Alina Tanase, Adriana Ghelmene, Mihaela Vilcu, Iulian Brezean

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Performing radical surgery for locally advanced vulvar cancer is usually associated with the occurrence of large perineal defects. In order to provide a better healing process of the perineal wound, different reconstructive techniques have been proposed.

We present the case of a 63-year-old female patient diagnosed with locally advanced vulvar cancer for which a left hemivulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection was performed. After completion of the resection phase, the reconstruction with gracilis myocutaneous flap was performed. The patient developed a non-union of the flap. However, it slowly healed without any surgical re-intervention.

Gracilis myocutaneous flap seems to be …

Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis: Presentation And Management, Răzvan C. Petca, Răzvan I. Popescu, Cristian Mareș, Claudia Mehedințu, Bogdan Mastalier, Dumitru Cristinel Badiu, Nicoleta Măru, Vlad D. Constantin, Aida Petca

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is characterized by the presence of lipid-laden foamy macrophages with both acute and chronic phase inflammatory cells. The aim of the study is to present our experience about patients with Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. 29 patients were evaluated through a complete anamnesis and the preoperative management included routine blood and biochemical tests, urine culture and renal ultrasound, intravenous urography and computed tomography (CT). All patients underwent open nephrectomy followed by the pathological exam. The main symptoms of these patients were fever and flank pain. Preoperative laboratory tests revealed anemia, leukocytosis and increasing levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and …