Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Commons^™

The Clinical Utility Of Concomitant Pten And Fas Deletion As An Early Indicator For Prostate Adenocarcinoma Subtypes That Lead To Extracapsular Metastasis, Brendan J. Coulter, Phillip Harries

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The utility of genes PTEN and FAS as prognostic markers for the identification of early and/or aggressive prostatic adenocarcinomas is seemingly validated in the study results we obtained using fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) of archived paraffin embedded surgical prostate core biopsy samples obtained from two CLIA and CAP licensed anatomical pathology labs (Bostwick Laboratories, Uniondale, NV and GoPath Laboratories, Buffalo Grove, IL). From early benign subsets of sample cases to aggressive extracapsular invasive tumors, the presence of random deletions evolves into clonal populations of co-deletion of both genes at question. We identify independent research that demonstrates the ability of these …

An Unusual Case Of Escherichia Coli Meningitis And Bacteremia In An Elderly Woman Presenting With Intractable Low Back Pain, Andrea M. Lauffer, Mahmoud Shorman, Carl Mccomas

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Abstract

Introduction:

We report an unusual case of E. coli meningitis in an elderly woman who presented to the emergency room with a chief complaint of intractable low back pain.

Case Description:

A 67 year old woman presented to the emergency room for a chief complaint of intractable low back pain. After admission, the patient developed delirium. Blood cultures were drawn. Patient underwent a lumbar puncture which revealed purulent cerebrospinal fluid. Results of the cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures revealed pan-sensitive E. coli.

Conclusion:

In the geriatric population, delayed presentation of meningitis can occur for various reasons. With the older …

Spinal Cord Injury And Autonomic Dysreflexia- A Case Report, Apurva Bhatt, Brit Moore, Talal Asif, Kristy E. Steigerwalt, Rebecca R. Pauly

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a life threatening condition affecting patients with spinal cord lesions T6 level and above. A 51 year old male with a history of paraplegia due to a C6 spinal cord injury (30 years prior) presented with recurrent debilitating episodic diaphoresis, hypertension, low body temperature, and bradycardia. Previous hospitalizations presumed sepsis from UTI to be the etiology, however on further evaluation his symptoms were consistent with undiagnosed AD. This article describes a unique case presentation and reviews AD in depth, including the etiology, pathophysiology and management.

Blood-Tissue Barriers And Autoantibodies In Neurodegenerative Disease Pathogenesis: An Approach To Diagnostics And Disease Mechanism, Eric Luria Goldwaser

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Brain homeostasis can be affected in a number of ways that lead to gross anatomical, cellular, and molecular disturbances giving rise to diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias. Unfortunately, the mechanistic pathoetiology of AD’s hallmark features of cerebral amyloid plaque buildup and neuronal death are still disputed. Using human brain AD sections, immunohistochemistry experiments revealed internalized surface proteins, co-localized to an expanded lysosomal compartment. Other stains for amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ42) and various immunoglobulin (Ig) species displayed them leaking out of the cerebrovasculature through a dysfunctional blood-brain barrier (BBB), binding to neurons in the vicinity, and localizing to intracellular vesicles …

Zika Virus, Nurto A. Abdulla

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Zika virus infection, a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes febrile illness associated with rash, has been rapidly emerging in the Western Hemisphere over the past few months. The virus was rarely identified until outbreaks occurred on Yap Island in the Federated States of Micronesia in 2007, Fresh Polynesia in 2013, and Easter Island in 2014 (Chen & Hamer, 2016). The virus was initially detected in Brazil in 2015, in the northeast, and was subsequently identified in other states and several South American countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Suriname, Venezuela, French Guyana, and Paraguay. Local transmission has been documented in Central America in …

An Initial Analysis Of A Long-Term Ketogenic Diet’S Impact On Motor Behavior, Brain Purine Systems, And Nigral Dopamine Neurons In A New Genetic Rodent Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Jacob Rubin, William H. Church

Senior Theses and Projects

A growing body of research suggests that dopaminergic cell death seen in Parkinson’s disease is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Oxidative stress, with subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species, is the hallmark biochemical product of mitochondrial dysfunction. The ketogenic diet has been found to enhance mitochondrial energy production, protect against reactive oxygen species-generated cell death, and increase adenosine, a purine that modulates dopamine activity. The current study evaluates the effects of a long-term (5-month) ketogenic diet on behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroanatomical measures in PINK1-KO rats, a new animal model of Parkinson’s disease. Both wild-type and PINK1-KO animals fed a ketogenic diet …

Role Of Interleukin-3 In An Experimental Model Of Mouse Cerebral Malaria Caused By Plasmodium Berghei Anka, Brendon R. Perry

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, with about 200 million new cases reported each year. In rodent models of malaria, a variety of immune proteins called cytokines have been noted to either promote or suppress protective immunity. While the cytokine interleukin-3 (IL-3) clearly promotes host defense against some intestinal nematode parasites, few studies have reported a similar function for IL-3 in the pathophysiology of malaria. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-3 in a mouse model of cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium berghei ANKA. We infected wild-type (WT) and IL-3 …

Programming Heart Disease: Does Poor Maternal Nutrition Alter Expression Of Cardiac Markers Of Proliferation, Hypertrophy, And Fibrosis In Offspring?, Cathy Chun

Honors Scholar Theses

Maternal malnutrition can affect fetal organogenesis, metabolic processes, and factors involved in developmental regulation. Of the many physiological effects poor maternal nutrition can induce in offspring, one of the most important organs affected is the heart. Cardiovascular disease has been associated with poor maternal diet. It also been suggested that hypertension can originate during impaired intrauterine growth and development. Hypertension can trigger hypertensive heart disease and is associated with numerous heart complications. We hypothesized that poor maternal nutrition would alter critical growth factors associated with normal heart development, specifically, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF-2, transforming growth factor (TGF)β, and connective …

Characterization Of Bacterial Pathogens Involved In Aerobic Vaginitis: Prevalence, Strain Characterization And Sequelae, Leslie A. Lafferty

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations

Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is a more recently defined infection that involves aerobic pathogenic bacteria that replace the normal flora of the vaginal tract. It is commonly mistaken for other vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), because they share many common symptoms. AV leads to complications during pregnancy, such as premature delivery and amnion infection, and is diagnosed by indications that range from vaginal discharge to inflammation. Because this infection is difficult to diagnose differentially from other vaginal infections, it is important to determine what pathogens are involved in AV so that we may have the ability to detect them. …

Risk Factors For Concussion In Collegiate Ncaa Division Ii Men's And Women's Soccer Athletes, Isaac S. Beckler, Michael S. Weller

The Research and Scholarship Symposium (2013-2019)

Background: Certain risk factors may predispose athletes to an increased risk of concussion.

Purpose: To identify risk factors for concussion among men's and women's college soccer athletes, and determine the likelihood of concussion based on those risk factors.

Methods: A short electronic survey was sent out to NCAA Division II universities in Ohio. Survey questions included demographics, soccer-related questions, and concussion-related questions. Participants were women's and men's soccer athletes participating in either varsity or junior varsity soccer at their respective universities.

Results: Of the concussions sustained while playing soccer, 29.4% of female participants sustaining a concussion compared to only 17.4% …

Gene Expression Profiling In An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Matthew R. Dalton

Senior Honors Theses

Explaining precisely how Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—the world’s most common form of dementia—materializes in the human brain has proven to be one of the most elusive ends in modern medicine. Progressive memory loss, neurodegeneration, and the presence of abnormal protein aggregates of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) characterize this disease. Genome sequencing provides researchers with the ability to better identify disease-related changes in gene expression, some of which may play a role in the initiation and progression toward the AD-like state. Intimate interactions between tissues have been observed in many diseases, particularly between the brain and blood. This analysis seeks …

An Initial Analysis Of A Long-Term Ketogenic Diet’S Impact On Motor Behavior, Brain Purine Systems, And Nigral Dopamine Neurons In A New Genetic Rodent Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Jacob Rubin, William H. Church

Masters Theses

A growing body of research suggests that dopaminergic cell death seen in Parkinson’s disease is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Oxidative stress, with subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species, is the hallmark biochemical product of mitochondrial dysfunction. The ketogenic diet has been found to enhance mitochondrial energy production, protect against reactive oxygen species-generated cell death, and increase adenosine, a purine that modulates dopamine activity. The current study evaluates the effects of a long-term (5-month) ketogenic diet on behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroanatomical measures in PINK1-KO rats, a new animal model of Parkinson’s disease. Both wild-type and PINK1-KO animals fed a ketogenic diet …

What Is Pfapa And Why Does It Matter?, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Dennis J. Baumgardner, MD

PFAPA, the syndrome of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical lymphadentitis, is an uncommon disease of episodic immune dysregulation that usually begins in early childhood. Symptoms occur at regular, predictable intervals, with healthy periods in between, and generally include the namesake signs and various other constitutional symptoms such as fever and fatigue. The etiology is unknown and there is no definitive diagnostic test or treatment. Uncertainty during the period of searching for a diagnosis may be disconcerting to the family and the clinician. Single-dose prednisone is effective for resolving the fever of PFAPA episodes within just a few hours, …

Clinical Guidelines: Where Environment Meets Medicine, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Dennis J. Baumgardner, MD

N/A

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 …

Overcoming Cancer Multidrug Resistance Through Inhibition Of Microparticles, Sora Vysotski, Rivka Winzelberg, Mariana Babayeva

Touro College of Pharmacy (New York) Publications and Research

One of the main obstacles to success of chemotherapy agents is the development of cancer resistance. Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) is thought to arise from over-expression of efflux transporters on cancer cells’ plasma membranes. Recently, microparticles (MP) were found to play a major role in mediating the resistance to antineoplastic agents. Microparticles can confer MDR phenotype to cancer cells though 3 complimentary pathways: 1) Intercellular transfer of P-gp and MRP1; 2) Intercellular transfer of regulatory nucleic acids that ensure acquisition of MDR phenotype; and 3) Internal sequestration of anticancer drugs to reduce the amount of free active drug. Compounds that …

Is Acupuncture Effective In Reducing The Pain Intensity Due To Primary Dysmenorrhea?, Allison Eichenlaub

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: the objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not acupuncture is effective in reducing the pain intensity due to primary dysmenorrhea in women ages 15 to 35.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized control trials (RCTs) written in English, one of which was published in 2011 and two in 2013.

DATA SOURCES: Three non-blind randomized control trials published in peer reviewed journals found via PubMed.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Pain intensity due to primary dysmenorrhea was measured using visual analog scale (VAS), Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS), and Cox Retrospective Symptom Scale (RSS COX2 – average …

Is Aprepitant Effective In Preventing Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting?, Rebeccah M. Gomberg

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not aprepitant is effective in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trials from 2012-2014.

DATA SOURCES: Three double-blind, randomized controlled trials comparing oral aprepitant with placebo. All articles were found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The three studies measured nausea severity using a verbal rating system and number of episodes of nausea and vomiting recorded by a blinded study investigator.

RESULTS: Vallejo et al found that 29.7% of the patients in the placebo group vomited compared to 9.3% of …

Is Desvenlafaxine Effective For Reducing Hot Flashes In Postmenopausal Females?, Maria Graziano

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not Desvenlafaxine is effective in reducing daily hot flashes in postmenopausal females.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three primary randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published after the year 2000 in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Three double-blind, randomized controlled trials were found using PubMed and EBSCOhost Web. All trials selected compared treatment with Desvenlafaxine to a visually matched placebo.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Patients completed daily diary cards on which they recorded the number and severity of daily hot flashes from the screening period through the 12 weeks …

Identification Of The Effects Of Diabetes Mellitus On The Brain, Tryphina A. Mikhail

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As more studies accumulate on the impact of diabetes mellitus on the central nervous system, they resound with the same conclusion - diabetes has a detrimental effect on cognition regardless of the presence of comorbidities. Less consistent however, are the specific mental processes wherein these declines are noticeable, and the structural changes that accompany these reductions in mental capacity. From global atrophy to changes in the volume of gray and white matter, to conflicting results regarding the effects of hypo- and hyperglycemic states on the development of the hippocampus, the studies display a variety of results. The goal of this …

Perceptions And Attitudes Of A Sample Of Primary Care Patients Receiving Psychological Care From Their Pcp, Nadine Henzes Gowarty

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

With millions of Americans suffering from a mental health disorder and slightly more than half receiving treatment, the demand for psychological services far outweighs the number of practitioners available to provide direct care. Therefore, the majority of all primary-care visits are based on psychosocial factors; one third of a PCP’s caseloads consist of patients with mental-health problems. Given the fact that PCPs provide comprehensive psychosocial care, it is important to determine the beliefs and perceptions of their patients. Results from this study identified numerous factors that influence the relationship between patients receiving mental health care from their PCP. Specifically, if …

Vague Neuroglycopenic Complaints Camouflage Diagnosis Of Adolescent Insulinoma: A Case Report., Kelsee Halpin, Ryan Mcdonough, Patria Alba, Jared Halpin, Vivekanand Singh, Yun Yan

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Insulinoma is a rare diagnosis in the general population with estimates of 1 in 250,000 people per year. Reports of these pancreatic islet cell tumors are even more unusual in children and adolescents. Chronic hypoglycemia due to an insulinoma often presents with neuroglycopenic symptoms that can easily be overlooked, especially in adolescents where nonspecific complaints are common. This may result in delayed diagnosis with prolonged periods of untreated hypoglycemia and associated complications. The rarity of pediatric insulinoma, vagueness of presenting symptoms, and challenge of tumor localization make insulinoma a true diagnostic quandary for clinicians.

CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, …

Sepsis-Review Of Screening For Sepsis By Nursing, Nurse Driven Sepsis Protocols And Development Of Sepsis Hospital Policy/Protocols, Matthew Mccaffery, Omobola Onikoyi, Dilisha Rodrigopulle, Ali Syed, Suzanne Jones, Laura Mansfield, Murali G. Krishna

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown) Publications and Research

Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. In order to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis in patients, early detection is vital, and so screening protocols have been developed. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign has developed an evidence based screening guideline that has been adapted by various institutions. Having specific criteria in detecting a septic patient is the defining factor in screening for sepsis by nursing staff. In order for the sepsis protocol to be effective, it is necessary that nursing and other front line staff be educated. Institutional barriers regarding implementation of …

Assessing The Expression Of Astrocytic Markers In Retinal Ganglion Cell Projection Of Lcr/Hcr Rats, Isabella K. Bartholomew, Samuel Crish, James Holda, Jordan Renna, Gina Wilson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Metabolic Syndrome is a human condition that presents with various metabolic issues such as abnormal distribution of body fat, high blood pressure, and a prothrombotic state, among other problems (Alberti,et al, 2005). This syndrome is a risk factor for visual disorders, such as glaucoma, and is often associated with increased levels of neuroinflammation. Currently, the animal model used to replicate this syndrome is The Low Capacity Runner and High Capacity Runner Rat Model. These rats have been bred based on their running capacities for 30+ generations to have drastic metabolic differences. We assessed key areas of the retinal ganglion cell …

Difference In Knowledge Of Mrsa Regarding Sophomore And Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Payton T. Lloyd, Daniel B. Whited, Lori N. Crimaldi

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

Background

The risk of infection by antibiotic resistant organisms is a common problem in hospital settings. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is the most common type of resistant bacteria that can have serious consequences or even lead to death. Nurses' knowledge of how to prevent and treat this problem is essential for patient safety. The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in level of knowledge of MRSA in sophomore and senior level baccalaureate nursing students.

Methods

This descriptive, comparative study will examine differences in knowledge of MRSA between sophomore and senior baccalaureate nursing students and determine if …