Diseases Commons^™

Chloroquine-Susceptible And -Resistant Plasmodium Falciparum Strains Survive High Chloroquine Concentrations By Becoming Dormant But Are Eliminated By Prolonged Exposure, Johan Ursing, Rasmus Johns, Berit Aydin-Schmidt, Carla Calçada, Poul-Erik Kofoed, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Maria Isabel Veiga, Lars Rombo

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Plasmodium falciparum strains that are resistant to standard-dose chloroquine can be treated by higher chloroquine concentrations maintained for a longer time in vivo.
Objectives: To determine the relative importance of chloroquine concentrations versus exposure time for elimination of chloroquine-susceptible and -resistant P. falciparum in vitro.
Methods: Chloroquine-susceptible (3D7) and -resistant (FCR3) strains were exposed in vitro to 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 times their respective 90% inhibitory chloroquine concentrations for 3, 5, 7 or 14 days and then followed until recrudescence, or not, by 42 days after the end of exposure.
Results: Exposure to chloroquine appeared to …

Intermediate Anticoagulation Dosing In Covid-19 Icu Patients: Evaluation Comparing Ventilated Vs Non-Ventilated Populations, Christopher Michael D'Amico

Applied Research Projects

Surges of COVID-19 have been seen to place large numbers of patients into the ICU. Establishing standards of care is critical not only for patient care, but to also implement a baseline of therapy to build upon with future research. COVID-19 produces a hypercoagulable state resulting in higher occurrences of clotting such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). Anticoagulation medications thin the blood to combat this aspect of the disease from occurring but does so at the risk of increasing bleeding potential. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk/benefit of anticoagulation usage between ventilated …

Geotemporospatial And Causal Inferential Epidemiological Overview And Survey Of Usa Cannabis, Cannabidiol And Cannabinoid Genotoxicity Expressed In Cancer Incidence 2003–2017: Part 2 – Categorical Bivariate Analysis And Attributable Fractions, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: As the cannabis-cancer relationship remains an important open question epidemiological investigation is warranted to calculate key metrics including Rate Ratios (RR), Attributable Fractions in the Exposed (AFE) and Population Attributable Risks (PAR) to directly compare the implicated case burden between emerging cannabinoids and the established carcinogen tobacco. Methods: SEER*Stat software from Centres for Disease Control was used to access age-standardized state census incidence of 28 cancer types (including “All (non-skin) Cancer”) from National Cancer Institute in US states 2001–2017. Drug exposures taken from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health 2003–2017, response rate 74.1%. Federal seizure data provided …

An Investigation Of A Novel Broad Autism Phenotype: Increased Facial Masculinity Among Parents Of Children On The Autism Spectrum, Diana Weiting Tan, Syed Zulqarnain Gilani, Gail A. Alvares, Ajmal Mian, Andrew J. O. Whitehouse, Murray T. Maybery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The broad autism phenotype commonly refers to sub-clinical levels of autistic-like behaviour and cognition presented in biological relatives of autistic people. In a recent study, we reported findings suggesting that the broad autism phenotype may also be expressed in facial morphology, specifically increased facial masculinity. Increased facial masculinity has been reported among autistic children, as well as their non-autistic siblings. The present study builds on our previous findings by investigating the presence of increased facial masculinity among non-autistic parents of autistic children. Using a previously established method, a 'facial masculinity score' and several facial distances were calculated for each three-dimensional …

Geotemporospatial And Causal Inferential Epidemiological Overview And Survey Of Usa Cannabis, Cannabidiol And Cannabinoid Genotoxicity Expressed In Cancer Incidence 2003–2017: Part 3 – Spatiotemporal, Multivariable And Causal Inferential Pathfinding And Exploratory Analyses Of Prostate And Ovarian Cancers, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The epidemiology of cannabinoid-related cancerogenesis has not been studied with cutting edge epidemiological techniques. Building on earlier bivariate papers in this series we aimed to conduct pathfinding studies to address this gap in two tumours of the reproductive tract, prostate and ovarian cancer. Methods: Age-standardized cancer incidence data for 28 tumour types (including “All (non-skin) Cancer”) was sourced from Centres for Disease Control and National Cancer Institute using SEER*Stat software across US states 2001–2017. Drug exposure was sourced from the nationally representative household survey National Survey of Drug Use and Health conducted annually by the Substance Abuse and Mental …

Alzheimer's And Patient Caregiver Burnout: A Review Of The Literature, Madeline Hekeler

James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ)

The term “silent epidemic” is fitting for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as its negative impact is widely felt but rarely discussed. Burnout among AD caregivers has become an epidemic of its own as caregivers experience an increase in health risks, stress, and financial burden. This literature review focuses on caregiver burnout and how imperative it is that caregivers are better supported in their role. Researchers have developed instruments to assess and intervene in caregiver burnout that have shown effectiveness among caregivers and their families.Nevertheless, further longitudinal research is warranted regarding more effective interventions, including stress management and social support mechanisms.

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 112), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Comparative Costs Of Management Strategies For Neonates With Symptomatic Tetralogy Of Fallot, Michael L O'Byrne, Andrew C Glatz, Yuan-Shung V Huang, Michael S Kelleman, Christopher J Petit, Athar M Qureshi, Shabana Shahanavaz, George T Nicholson, Shawn Batlivala, Jeffery J Meadows, Jeffrey D Zampi, Mark A Law, Jennifer C Romano, Christopher E Mascio, Paul J Chai, Shiraz Maskatia, Ivor B Asztalos, Asaad Beshish, Joelle Pettus, Amy L Pajk, Steven J Healan, Lindsay F Eilers, Taylor Merritt, Courtney E Mccracken, Bryan H Goldstein

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Recent data have demonstrated that overall mortality and adverse events are not significantly different for primary repair (PR) and staged repair (SR) approaches to management of neonates with symptomatic tetralogy of Fallot (sTOF). Cost data can be used to compare the relative value (cost for similar outcomes) of these approaches and are a potentially more sensitive measure of morbidity.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare the economic costs associated with PR and SR in neonates with sTOF.

METHODS: Data from a multicenter retrospective cohort study of neonates with sTOF were merged with administrative data to compare total costs and …

What Should Patients Know About Self Blood Pressure Measurement? A Review Article, Sau-Nga Fu

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Many people measure their blood pressure (BP) outside doctors’ offices with a common goal of concerning their health status. Self-BP monitoring devices are widely accessible as health care products or available in different community institutes. Patients often seek their doctors’ advice on their BP readings in our daily practice. Current international guidelines recommend that correct self-BP measurement with validated devices can enhance patients’ self-management and drug compliance, improving overall BP control. While most of the clinicians were supportive of their patients’ efforts, they were also concerned about the validity and reliability of the out-of-office BP readings. How can we effectively …

Pre-Participation Cardiovascular Screening In Athletes With A Focus On Asia, Tee Joo Yeo

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Pre-participation screening (PPS) in young competitive athletes aims to identify conditions associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) in this population, with a view to appropriate management and potential mitigation of risk. A medical history questionnaire and physical examination are standard components of a PPS programme, whereas controversy still exists regarding mandatory utilisation of resting 12-lead electrocardiogram as a screening tool. Apart from a landmark study from Italy attributing the reduction of SCD rates in athletes to the implementation of a mandatory PPS programme, there remains no additional compelling evidence for similar outcomes to date. Nonetheless, comprehensive PPS programmes when carried …

Back To Basic: A Case Of Difficult Intracoronary Thrombectomy To Left Main Bifurcation, Joyce Shek, Ho-Chuen Yuen, Ping-Tim Tsui

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Though not recommended routinely in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), thrombus aspiration can be the gamechanger in treatment for selected patient. We report a case in which ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to a huge intracoronary saddle embolus in distal left main (LM) was successfully treated with difficult intracoronary thrombectomy. We will discuss the potential strength of different thrombectomy devices which led to the clinical success.

Supraventricular Tachycardia With Multiple Accessory Pathways, Ho-Chuen Yuen, Ngai-Yin Chan

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Ablation of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with multiple accessory pathways remains challenging to electrophysiologists. We presented a case of recurrent SVT despite 2 previous successful ablations of 3 different accessory pathways. This patient underwent the third ablation. We would like to discuss the electrophysiologic property of multiple accessory pathways and the cause of SVT recurrence in this patient.

Infective Endocarditis: An Old Problem With A Changing Face, Kin-Lam Tsui

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

A Retrospective Study On The Predictors Of Outcome In Patients With Infective Endocarditis, Yuen-Fung Yiu

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. This study aims to update the epidemiology of IE and to identify predictors of adverse outcome in the Chinese population in Hong Kong.

Methods This was a single-centre retrospective study of patients diagnosed with IE in Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong during 2002-2016. Primary outcome was defined as in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included 1-year mortality, valvular surgical intervention, heart failure, stroke and systemic embolization.

Results In total, 196 patients with definite or possible IE were included in the study. The incidence of IE was 2.26 per 100,000 person-years …

Inaugural Editorial For The Revamped Journal Of The Hong Kong College Of Cardiology, Ngai-Yin Chan

Journal of the Hong Kong College of Cardiology

No abstract provided.

Outcomes Of Vancomycin Minimum Inhibitory Concentration In Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Bacteremia, Theresa Tran

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency (Ssadhd): Qualitative Needs Assessment For Patients With A Rare Neurological Disorder, Cassandra Bovee, Kayla Woodring

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Various Essential Oils Against The Sars Cov-2 Virus, Elizabeth Wagstaff, Chandrelyn Kraczek, Jack Brandon Lopez

Annual Research Symposium

A poster presentation and abstract for the Roseman Symposium. The project focuses on testing 3 essential oil blends and two disinfectants containing an essential oil blend against SARS CoV-2 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project procedure involves plaque assays, disinfection, and neutralization techniques.

Evaluation Of Salivary Biomarkers For The Early Diagnosis Of Periodontitis And Its Association With Hypertension, Elizabeth Uoo

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Etiology, Clinical Characteristics, And Outcome Of Infective Endocarditis: 10-Year Experience From A Tertiary Care Center In Pakistan, Sara Salim Ali, Imran Ahmed Qureshi, Ahmed Ayaz, Ainan Arshad, Awais Farhad, Bushra Jamil, Muhammad Rizwan Sohail

Medical College Documents

This study was conducted to assess the clinical characteristics, causative agents, complications, and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) among patients presenting to our tertiary care center over the last decade. This retrospective cohort study included all adult patients admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital with the diagnosis of IE over a ten-year period from 2010 to 2020. Outcomes variables included complications during hospitalization, surgical intervention, mortality, and length of stay. We identified a total of 305 cases out of which 176 (58%) were males and 129 (42%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 46.9±18.8 years. 95 …

Genetic Connectivity Of Trypanosomes Between Tsetse-Infested And Tsetse-Free Areas Of Kenya, Naomi N. Kimenyi, Kelvin M. Kimenyi, Nelson O. Amugune, Merid N. Getahun

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The prevalence rates of trypanosomes, including those that require cyclical transmission by tsetse flies, are widely distributed in Africa. Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma congolense are actively maintained in regions where there are no tsetse flies although at low frequencies. Whether this could be due to an independent evolutionary origin or multiple introduction of trypanosomes due to continuous movement of livestock between tsetse-free and -infested areas is not known. Thus, the aim of the study was to carry out microsatellite genotyping to explore intra-specific genetic diversity between T. (Trypanozoon), T. congolense and Trypanosoma vivax from the two regions: tsetse infested and …

Muscular Dystrophy And Quality Of Life: A Critically Appraised Topic, Raegan Avrit Mot/S, Courtney Aycock Mot/S, Keelie Johnson Mot/S, Lindsay Lampkin Mot/S, Cassady Ozanich Mot/S

Master of Occupational Therapy Student Critically Appraised Topics

Muscular dystrophy causes progressive muscle disease that affects both children and their families. This poster describes a critical appraisal and synthesis of the literature describing factors affecting quality of life for children with MD. Identification of these factors can help professionals educate and support individuals and their families.

Efficacy And Safety Of Direct Oral Anticoagulants With And Without Aspirin: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Talal Almas, Adeena Musheer, Arooba Ejaz, Fahd Niaz Shaikh, Anousheh Awais Paracha, Fizza Raza, Maryam Sarwar Khan, Fahad Masood, Faiza Siddiqui, Muhammad Hasnain Mankani

Medical College Documents

Background: Various anticoagulant therapies are prescribed to patients under physicians' discretion and recently Direct Oral Anticoagulants(DOAC) have been under trials to evaluate their safety and efficacy. In addition to this, the regimen of DOACs and Aspirin is of keen interest as researchers continue to find an optimal regimen to treat blood clots in patients. This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies that asses the safety and efficacy of DOAC with and without Aspirin.
Methods: We queried MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL from their inception to April 2021, for published and randomized controlled …

Division In Rural America: Understanding The Difference Between Refusal To Treat Based On Medical Conscience Versus Discrimination And How To Overcome It, Sarah Mcmillen, Alexander Mcmillen, Melanie Kuder

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

Division in Rural America: Understanding the Difference Between Refusal to Treat Based on Medical Conscience Versus Discrimination and How to Overcome It

Melanie Kuder, PharmD, Alexander X. McMillen

and Sarah A. McMillen, PsyD.

This paper will provide an exploration of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), how the guidelines on what constitutes adequate care have changed since the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a revision on March 30, 2020, the use of medical conscience as the right to refuse, and how the communities in Kansas have responded to this.

Stepping-Stones And Mediators Of Pandemic Expansion: A Context For Humans As Ecological Super-Spreaders, Eric P. Hoberg, Walter A. Boeger, Daniel R. Brooks, Valeria Trivellone, Salvatore J. Agosta

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

Humans represent ecological super-spreaders in the dissemination and introduction of pathogens. These processes, consistent with the dynamics of the Stockholm paradigm, are exemplified in the origin and globalized distributions of SARS-CoV-2 since initial recognition in central Asia during 2019 and 2020. SARS-like viruses are not widespread in mammals but appear widespread in chiropterans. Bats are isolated ecologically from most other assemblages of mammals in terrestrial systems. Humans may be the stepping-stone hosts for broad global dissemination and wider infection (given the opportunity) among diverse assemblages of mammals in which host and viral capacity are compatible. Human globalization mediated insertion in …

Blinatumomab Maintenance After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation For B-Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Mahmoud R Gaballa, Pinaki Banerjee, Denái R Milton, Xianli Jiang, Christina Ganesh, Sajad Khazal, Vandana Nandivada, Sanjida Islam, Mecit Kaplan, May Daher, Rafet Basar, Amin Alousi, Rohtesh Mehta, Gheath Alatrash, Issa Khouri, Betul Oran, David Marin, Uday Popat, Amanda Olson, Priti Tewari, Nitin Jain, Elias Jabbour, Farhad Ravandi, Hagop Kantarjian, Ken Chen, Richard Champlin, Elizabeth Shpall, Katayoun Rezvani, Partow Kebriaei

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Patients with B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at high-risk for relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We conducted a single-center phase 2 study evaluating the feasibility of 4 cycles of blinatumomab administered every 3 months during the first year after HCT in an effort to mitigate relapse in high-risk ALL patients. Twenty-one of 23 enrolled patients received at least 1 cycle of blinatumomab and were included in the analysis. The median time from HCT to the first cycle of blinatumomab was 78 days (range, 44 to 105). Twelve patients (57%) completed all 4 treatment cycles. Neutropenia was the …

Coronavirus Update 3-23-22, The Coronavirus Planning Team

University Briefings & Virtual Events

There will be a booster clinic on campus this coming Saturday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Edgerton Center atrium. The clinic will be open to SHU community members and their family and friends.

Dissecting Mutational Allosteric Effects In Alkaline Phosphatases Associated With Different Hypophosphatasia Phenotypes: An Integrative Computational Investigation, Fei Xiao, Ziyun Zhou, Xingyu Song, Mi Gan, Jie Long, Gennady M. Verkhivker, Guang Hu

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by defective bone mineralization and is highly variable in its clinical phenotype. The disease occurs due to various loss-of-function mutations in ALPL, the gene encoding tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP). In this work, a data-driven and biophysics-based approach is proposed for the large-scale analysis of ALPL mutations-from nonpathogenic to severe HPPs. By using a pipeline of synergistic approaches including sequence-structure analysis, network modeling, elastic network models and atomistic simulations, we characterized allosteric signatures and effects of the ALPL mutations on protein dynamics and function. Statistical analysis of molecular features computed for the …

Covid-19 Newsletter (Vol. 111), Center For Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College

COVID-19 Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Epidemiology, Clinical Ramifications, And Cellular Pathogenesis Of Covid-19 Mrna-Vaccination-Induced Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes: A State-Of-The-Heart Review, Talal Almas, Sarah Rehman, Eyad Mansour, Tarek Khedro, Ali Alansari, Jahanzeb Malik, Norah Alshareef, Vikneswaran Raj Nagarajan, Abdulla Hussain Al-Awaid, Reema Alsufyani

Medical College Documents

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has overwhelming healthcare systems globally. To date, a myriad of therapeutic regimens has been employed in an attempt to curb the ramifications of a severe COVID-19 infection. Amidst the ongoing pandemic, the advent and efficacious uptake of COVID-19 vaccination has significantly reduced disease-related hospitalizations and mortality. Nevertheless, many side-effects are being reported after COVID-19 vaccinations and myocarditis is the most commonly reported sequelae post vaccination. Majority of these diseases are associated with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Various studies have established a temporal relationship between these complications, yet the causality and the underlying pathogenesis remain hypothetical. In …