Therapeutics Commons^™

Repurposing Diabetes Drugs To Treat Insulin Resistance In Alzheimer’S Disease‌, Yael Lazarus

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition which results in a significant decline in cognitive status. Novel treatment approaches for Alzheimer’s are sorely needed, as current medications for the disease offer only marginal clinical benefit. Research has discovered a connection between the pathology of Alzheimer’s and Type 2 Diabetes, two serious and seemingly unrelated disorders. Clinical studies have shown that Alzheimer’s disease is associated with brain insulin resistance similar to the pathology of Type 2 Diabetes. This observation has led to the notion that drugs developed for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes may be beneficial in modifying the cognitive function …

Halo- And Solvato-Fluorochromic Polymer Nanoassemblies For Cancer Theranostics, Derek Alexander Reichel

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Theranostics is an emerging treatment approach that combines diagnostics with therapy in order to personalize treatment regimens for individual patients and decrease cancer mortality. Previously, nanoparticles entrapping conventional fluorescent dyes were developed for cancer theranostics, but fluorescent nanoparticles did not allow clinicians to significantly improve cancer treatments.

The use of fluorescent dyes that are sensitive to solvent acidity (halo-fluorochromism) and polarity (solvato-fluorochromism) may overcome the limitations of fluorescent nanoparticles and improve cancer therapy by enabling researchers to detect chemical properties within the nanoparticle core environment. The model halo- and solvato-fluorochromic dye Nile blue was attached to the core of nanoscale …

Vocal Function Exercises For Normal Voice: With And Without Semi-Occlusion, Megan Suzanne Brown

Theses and Dissertations--Communication Sciences and Disorders

The primary purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of varying degrees of vocal tract semi-occlusion in Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs) on attainment of pre- established maximum phonation time (MPT) goals in individuals between the ages of 18 and 45 with normal voice. Individuals were randomized into three experimental groups: the traditional VFE with a semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT), modified /o/ with partial occlusion, and modified /a/ without significant occlusion. For six weeks, the participants completed the four exercises two times each, twice daily on corresponding vocal tract postures assigned by group. Results indicated significant change in percent …

Urine Cotinine In Children And Parental Behavior Modification: A Pilot Study, Teresa Lachance

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

“Urine Cotinine in Children and Parental Behavior Modification” was designed by Dr. Deirdre Burns, a pediatrician at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (BBCH). It was implemented as a pilot study to determine whether urine cotinine testing in children who are admitted to the hospital for respiratory illness and tracking parental smoking behaviors over time was feasible. Parents were given a brief survey to assess their current smoking behaviors and to understand their readiness to quit smoking. They received smoking cessation materials provided by the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine. These materials outline information about second-hand and third-hand smoke, and encourage …

Do Antibiotics In Early Life Contribute To Obesity?, Shimon Kadosh

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

In recent years, science has made great strides in its understanding of the microbiome, discovering that it plays a role in regulating many body processes. One area of study is the microbiomes interaction and influence on host metabolic processes. Studies using both mice and humans have established a clear correlation between obesity and the composition of the microbiome, identifying a microbiome unique to obese individuals. Furthermore, experiments with germ-free mice have shown that the microbiome effects host metabolism, causing germ free mice to increase in mass when inoculated with normal microbiota. Inoculation with microbiota from obese mice yielded greater increases …

Assessment Protocol For Cognitive And Auditory Processing Skills For Clients Receiving Neurofeedback Treatment For Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion: Literature Review, Elexea N. Aurilio, Miranda Hendrus

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Neurofeedback has become increasingly popular in the medical world and will hopefully become more commonly used in the fields of speech-language pathology and audiology. Currently, there is a lack of a singular, baseline and progression diagnostic tool to measure a client’s cognitive and auditory processing skills once they are referred for neurofeedback treatment.

Taurine's Effect On Cocaine Reward And Neurogenesis In The Adolescent Male Rat Brain., Avery E. Villa-Gonzalez

Dissertations and Theses

Adolescence is a developmentally critical transition from childhood to adulthood including both maturation of the body and the brain. Neuroplastic changes result in dynamic organization of the brain during adolescence, leaving them vulnerable to development of mental illness and drug-seeking behavior. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the psychostimulant cocaine is the second most popular illicit drug in the world. Cocaine, amongst having many detrimental effects, has shown to also decrease hippocampal neurogenesis, resulting in decreased neuroplasticity and cognitive dysfunction. Previous students in our laboratory have shown that treatment of adult male rats with the essential …

Dancing Through Life: Dance As Physical Therapy To Prevent Falls, Salon Gegel

Honors Projects

The basis of this project was to create a series of dance-based exercise activities to be used as part of an exercise class for elderly people who are classified as fall risks. The idea was to approach exercise through a medium that was convenient and versatile for the class leader, while being comfortable and fun for participants. The activities were developed and presented over the course of the six-week P.L.A.C.E. Program, held at the Montessori School of Bowling Green. Participants met four times to take part in a guided exercise class, and enjoy other activities. At these sessions, participants were …

Multiple Targets For Novel Therapy Of Fsgs Associated With Circulating Permeability Factor., Virginia J. Savin, Mukut Sharma, Jianping Zhou, David Genochi, Ram Sharma, Tarak Srivastava, Amna Ilahe, Pooja Budhiraja, Aditi Gupta, Ellen T. Mccarthy

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

A plasma component is responsible for altered glomerular permeability in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Evidence includes recurrence after renal transplantation, remission after plasmapheresis, proteinuria in infants of affected mothers, transfer of proteinuria to experimental animals, and impaired glomerular permeability after exposure to patient plasma. Therapy may include decreasing synthesis of the injurious agent, removing or blocking its interaction with cells, or blocking signaling or enhancing cell defenses to restore the permeability barrier and prevent progression. Agents that may prevent the synthesis of the permeability factor include cytotoxic agents or aggressive chemotherapy. Extracorporeal therapies include plasmapheresis, immunoadsorption with protein A …

Prebiotics And Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Heather Rasmussen, Bruce R. Hamaker

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Inflammatory bowel disease risk factors include poor diet, and corresponding low intake of dietary fiber, specifically prebiotics, which is fermented by the gut microbiota. Dietary fibers, many of which are potential prebiotics, have hundreds to thousands of unique chemical structures that may promote bacteria or bacterial groups to provide beneficial health effects. In vitro and in vivo animal models provide some support for the use of prebiotics for inflammatory bowel disease through inflammation reduction. Studies using prebiotics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are limited and focus on only a select few prebiotic substances.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative colitis, …

Fluorescent Probe Development For Fructose Specific Transporters In Cancer, Joseph Fedie

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Carbohydrate transporters or GLUTs of the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) are responsible for transporting sugars into the cell and have been of research interest for decades. Disruptions, mutations, and over-activations of GLUTs have been linked to a number of major diseases including cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Differentiating between transporters is incredibly difficult due to highly conserved structures, and so specific targeting between transporters has proven a complex challenge. GLUTs are highly flexible in their conformations however exactly what will and will not pass through the transporter is ambiguous at best, and many attempt to target these transporters have failed.

In …

Radiation Therapy Medical Physics Review – Delivery, Interactions, Safety, Feasibility, And Head To Head Comparisons Of The Leading Radiation Therapy Techniques, Cielle Collins

Honors Theses and Capstones

Radiation therapy uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy for cancer treatment can take the form of photon therapy (using x-rays and gamma rays), or charged particle therapy including proton therapy and electron therapy. Within these categories, numerous methods of delivery have been developed. For example, a certain type of radiation can be administered by a machine outside of the body, called external-beam radiation therapy, or by a “seed” placed inside of the body near cancer cells, called internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy. Approximately half of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy, and the form of radiation …

The Effect Of Hamstring Lengthening On Pelvic Tilt And Lumbar Lordosis, Michael Scott Braman

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

A direct correlation between hamstring tightness and severity of lower back pain (LBP) has been previously reported. Hamstring contraction creates knee flexion, hip extension and posterior pelvic tilt. Posterior pelvic tilt causes the lumbar spine to flatten (hypolordosis) which places pressure on the anterior structures of the spine, including the intervertebral disc. This increased pressure may predispose individuals to disc degeneration and associated pain. For this reason, hamstring stretching is often prescribed to alleviate LBP, however, the effect of hamstring lengthening on the kinematics of the lumbar spine and pelvis is not well understood. Accurate measurement of lumbar spine movement …

A Subject Specific Surface Electromyography Model For Estimating L4/L5 Compressive Loading, Pablo Joaquin Dopico

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction: Low Back Pain (LBP) is a leading cause of activity limitation worldwide and results in 149 million lost work days annually in the United States. The total costs of LBP are estimated to be $100 to $200 billion annually. Specific causes of LBP account for less than 15% of LBP cases. Heavy loading of the lumbar spine and tight hamstrings have been identified as risk factors for LBP. Tight hamstrings pull the pelvis posteriorly and reduce the lordosis of the spine, resulting in increased loading of the lumbar vertebral bodies of the spine. While this mechanism has been described, …

Noise: Its Impact In The Operating Room, Brennon Wesley Sloan

Doctoral Projects

Orthopedic and neurologic cases routinely reach noise levels exceeding 120 decibels (Katz, 2014). Modern equipment and monitors used by anesthesia personnel only reach 85 decibels (Katz, 2014). These monitors can go undetected during peak noise levels creating a serious safety concern for patients that could lead to patient injury or death (Gawande, Zinner, Studdert, & Brennan, 2003). A clinical question was developed to determine if the education of noise levels in the operating room affects change in practice. For operating room managers and staff, does education of noise levels in the operating room compared to no education initiate a change …

Prevalence And Incidence Of Neurological Disorders Among Adult Ugandans In Rural And Urban Mukono District; A Cross-Sectional Study, Michael Devereaux, Anthony Furlan, Martha Sajatovic

Faculty Scholarship

Background: The burden of neurological diseases is increasing in developing countries. However, there is a prominent scarcity of literature on the incidence of neurological diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the prevalence and incidence of neurological diseases in this setting to serve as a baseline for planning and care for neurological disorders in Uganda. Methods: The study was conducted within rural and urban Mukono district, east of Kampala city of Uganda, central region. Over a period of six months, a cross sectional survey was conducted and screening was performed using a standardized questionnaire. All subjects …

Atrial Fibrillation And Stroke In Elderly Patients, Geetanjali Dang, Imaan Jahangir, Jasbir Sra, A. Jamil Tajik, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The increasing prevalence of stroke, with an estimated annual cost of $71.5 billion, has made it a major health problem that increases disability and death, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. Although advanced age and atrial fibrillation are recognized as strong risk factors for stroke, the basis for this susceptibility are not well defined. Aging or associated diseases are accompanied by changes in rheostatic, humoral, metabolic and hemodynamic factors that may contribute more to stroke predisposition than rhythm abnormality alone. Several thromboembolism-predisposing clinical characteristics and serum biomarkers with prognostic significance have been identified in patients with atrial fibrillation. Although anticoagulation …

Seniors Welcome! Avoiding The Trap Of Age Limits In Health Research, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The guest editor introduces this specialty issue of the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews, which focuses on cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. The reality of an aging population has increased the need for better evidence-based medicine in older patients. However, randomized controlled trials frequently exclude such patients, especially those with comorbidities, from study. This practice ignores the fact that physiologic changes to the cardiovascular system caused by the aging process and aging-associated diseases create clinical dilemmas distinct from those in younger patients. Considering the rising costs of health care and growing incidence of cardiovascular disease, research efforts and …

Predicting Outcomes In Patients With Atrial Fibrillation And Acute Mesenteric Ischemia, Sanjay Bhandari, Geetanjali Dang, Muhammad Shahreyar, Ahmad Hanif, Vijayadershan Muppidi, Atul Bhatia, Jasbir Sra, A. Jamil Tajik, Arshad Jahangir

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose

Outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation who develop acute mesenteric ischemia, and the impact of anticoagulation on complications, are not defined.

Methods

Patients admitted with acute mesenteric ischemia in the National Inpatient Sample from 2007, with and without atrial fibrillation, were compared for in-hospital outcomes using multivariate regression, and the impact of prior anticoagulation determined.

Results

Of 48,872 patients with acute mesenteric ischemia, 8,306 had atrial fibrillation, with 680 patients also on anticoagulation. Atrial fibrillation patients were more likely to be older and have hypertension, heart failure, or chronic lung or renal disease. After adjusting for potential confounders, atrial …

Determining The Incidence And Factors Of Cardiotoxicity In Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Anthracycline And/Or Trastuzumab-Containing Regimen At Aurora Health Care, Stephanie Ghojallu, Matthew Rappelt, Han-Yang Chen, Ruth Perez, Lydia Garlie, Geoffrey Riddell, Yingying Gu, Jun Zhang, Rubina Qamar, Bijoy K. Khandheria, Arshad Jahangir, Yang Shi

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Background: Anthracycline and trastuzumab are common breast cancer treatments. While improving survival, they elevate risk of congestive heart failure. The incidence of cardiotoxicity (CTx) with these therapies varies in the literature from 10% to 59%, higher than those reported in clinical trials (4%–10%) that excluded patients with preexisting cardiovascular comorbidities. Studies have failed to establish consensus on the risk factors for CTx associated with these therapies.

Purpose: We aim to determine the incidence and risk factors of CTx in breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline and/or trastuzumab at Aurora Health Care.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients with breast cancer …