Integrative Medicine Commons^™

Caesarean Section Versus Vaginal Birth In The Perception Of Woman Who Gave Birth By Both Methods, Octavian Gabriel Olaru, Anca Daniela Stanescu, Cristina Raduta, Liana Ples, Adriana Vasilache, Nicolae Bacalbasa, Andrei Vasilache, Oana Denisa Balalau

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The increase in the number of births by Caesarean section is a phenomenon whose global expansion is generated by numerous factors and especially by the contemporary perceptions of women regarding childbirth meeting the interests of the professionals in the field. However, the opinion of many women towards the benefits of Caesarean delivery is often not based on the experience or information from reliable sources. This study aimed at sharing the experience of women who gave birth both vaginally and by Caesarean section, focusing on their perception of these events. The study included 26 women and the conclusion of the vast …

Biochemical And Echocardiographic Markers For The Early Detection Of Cardiotoxicity Under Monoclonal Antibodies Therapy, Ionela-Emilia Popovici, Angela Cozma, Olga Hilda Orasan, George Ciulei, Ana Maria Poenar, Cristina Buchman, Simina Tarmure, Sorina Secara, Adela Sitar-Taut, Teodora Alexescu, Andrada Lazar, Vasile Negrean, Lucia Maria Procopciuc

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

The progress made over the past years in the field of cancer therapy has led to a significant decrease in cancer mortality, but these therapies have many adverse effects, cardiovascular effects being among the most frequent ones. For increasing lifelong expectancy of surviving cancer patients, cardiac monitoring represents an important task. Current studies and practice recommend echocardiography using strain analysis for monitoring the cardio toxic effects of cancer therapy. The potential of combining imaging techniques with biomarkers for the early detection and diagnosis seems a promising path for future research.

Spiritual Fitness: A New Dimension In Alzheimer's Disease Prevention, Dharma Singh Khalsa, Andrew B. Newberg

Department of Radiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Religious and spiritual interventions may have an effect on Alzheimer's disease prevention. Kirtan Kriya meditation has been shown to mitigate the deleterious effects of chronic stress on cognition, reverse memory loss, and create psychological and spiritual wellbeing, which may reduce multiple drivers of Alzheimer's disease risk.

OBJECTIVE: To detail a new concept in medicine called Spiritual Fitness, a merging of stress reduction, basic wellbeing, and psycho/spiritual wellbeing to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS: The literature on the topics mentioned above is described, including an in-depth discussion on why and how each are critical to advancing the future of Alzheimer's disease …

The Gut Microbiome Contributes To Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption In Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke Prone Rats, James W Nelson, Sharon C Phillips, Bhanu P Ganesh, Joseph F Petrosino, David J Durgan, Robert M Bryan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

In recent years, it has become apparent that the gut microbiome can influence the functioning and pathological states of organs and systems throughout the body. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the gut microbiome has a major role in the disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the spontaneously hypertensive stroke prone rats (SHRSP), an animal model for hypertensive cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Loss of BBB is thought to be an early and initiating component to the full expression of CSVD in animal models and humans. To test this hypothesis, newly born SHRSP pups were placed with …

Kv13 Channel Up-Regulation In Peripheral Blood T Lymphocytes Of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Ioannis Markakis, Ioannis Charitakis, Christine Beeton, Melpomeni Galani, Elpida Repousi, Stella Aggeloglou, Petros P Sfikakis, Michael W Pennington, K George Chandy, Cornelia Poulopoulou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Voltage-gated Kv1.3 potassium channels are key regulators of T lymphocyte activation, proliferation and cytokine production, by providing the necessary membrane hyper-polarization for calcium influx following immune stimulation. It is noteworthy that an accumulating body of in vivo and in vitro evidence links these channels to multiple sclerosis pathophysiology. Here we studied the electrophysiological properties and the transcriptional and translational expression of T lymphocyte Kv1.3 channels in multiple sclerosis, by combining patch clamp recordings, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry on freshly isolated peripheral blood T lymphocytes from two patient cohorts with multiple sclerosis, as well as from healthy …

The Use Of Life-Like Robotic Animals In The Acute Care Setting To Assist In The Care Of Patients With Dementia, Abby Denby

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

The purpose of this pilot project was to describe the effect of life-like robotic animals on the nurses’ ability to provide care, patients’ level of agitation, use of antipsychotic medications, restraint and sitter use for patients with dementia in an acute care setting. Nurses report challenges and feelings of helplessness while caring for patients with dementia. Dementia may cause depression, agitation, aggression (physical or verbal) and a decrease quality of life. Animal Assisted Therapy (ATT) is a growing therapy in many healthcare settings but there is a lack of literature specifically related to the use of AAT in the acute …

Ryanodine Receptor 1-Related Disorders: An Historical Perspective And Proposal For A Unified Nomenclature, Tokunbor A Lawal, Joshua J Todd, Jessica W Witherspoon, Carsten G Bönnemann, James J Dowling, Susan L Hamilton, Katherine G Meilleur, Robert T Dirksen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The RYR1 gene, which encodes the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel or type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) of skeletal muscle, was sequenced in 1988 and RYR1 variations that impair calcium homeostasis and increase susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia were first identified in 1991. Since then, RYR1-related myopathies (RYR1-RM) have been described as rare, histopathologically and clinically heterogeneous, and slowly progressive neuromuscular disorders. RYR1 variants can lead to dysfunctional RyR1-mediated calcium release, malignant hyperthermia susceptibility, elevated oxidative stress, deleterious post-translational modifications, and decreased RyR1 expression. RYR1-RM-affected individuals can present with delayed motor milestones, contractures, scoliosis, ophthalmoplegia, and respiratory insufficiency.Historically, RYR1-RM-affected individuals were …

Myosight-Semi-Automated Image Analysis Of Skeletal Muscle Cross Sections, Lyle W Babcock, Amy D Hanna, Nadia H Agha, Susan L Hamilton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Manual analysis of cross-sectional area, fiber-type distribution, and total and centralized nuclei in skeletal muscle cross sections is tedious and time consuming, necessitating an accurate, automated method of analysis. While several excellent programs are available, our analyses of skeletal muscle disease models suggest the need for additional features and flexibility to adequately describe disease pathology. We introduce a new semi-automated analysis program, MyoSight, which is designed to facilitate image analysis of skeletal muscle cross sections and provide additional flexibility in the analyses.

RESULTS: We describe staining and imaging methods that generate high-quality images of immunofluorescent-labelled cross sections from mouse …

Young Versus Aged Microbiota Transplants To Germ-Free Mice: Increased Short-Chain Fatty Acids And Improved Cognitive Performance, Juneyoung Lee, Venugopal R Venna, David J Durgan, Huanan Shi, Jacob Hudobenko, Nagireddy Putluri, Joseph Petrosino, Louise D Mccullough, Robert M Bryan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Aging is associated with cognitive decline and decreased concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the gut. SCFAs are significant in that they are protective to the gut and other organs. We tested the hypothesis that the aged gut microbiome alone is sufficient to decrease SCFAs in the host and produce cognitive decline. Fecal transplant gavages (FTGs) from aged (18–20 months) or young (2–3 months) male C57BL/6 mice into germ-free male C57BL/6 mice (N = 11 per group) were initiated at ~3 months of age. Fecal samples were collected and behavioral testing was performed over the study period. Bacterial community …

Conference Proceedings: Aurora Scientific Day 2020

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Abstracts published in this supplement were among those presented at the 46th annual Aurora Scientific Day research symposium, held virtually on May 20, 2020. The symposium provides a forum for describing research studies conducted by faculty, fellows, residents, and allied health professionals affiliated with Wisconsin-based Aurora Health Care, a part of the Advocate Aurora Health health system, which publishes the Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews.

Antioxidant Carbon Nanoparticles Inhibit Fibroblast-Like Synoviocyte Invasiveness And Reduce Disease Severity In A Rat Model Of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Mark R Tanner, Redwan Huq, William K A Sikkema, Lizanne G Nilewski, Nejla Yosef, Cody Schmitt, Carlos P Flores-Suarez, Arielle Raugh, Teresina Laragione, Pércio S Gulko, James M Tour, Christine Beeton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Reactive oxygen species have been involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our goal was to determine the effects of selectively scavenging superoxide (O2•−) and hydroxyl radicals with antioxidant nanoparticles, called poly(ethylene glycol)-functionalized hydrophilic carbon clusters (PEG-HCCs), on the pathogenic functions of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and on the progression of an animal model of RA. We used human FLS from patients with RA to determine PEG-HCC internalization and effects on FLS cytotoxicity, invasiveness, proliferation, and production of proteases. We used the pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) rat model of RA to assess the benefits of …

Adaptive Thermogenesis Enhances The Life-Threatening Response To Heat In Mice With An Ryr1 Mutation, Hui J Wang, Chang Seok Lee, Rachel Sue Zhen Yee, Linda Groom, Inbar Friedman, Lyle Babcock, Dimitra K Georgiou, Jin Hong, Amy D Hanna, Joseph Recio, Jong Min Choi, Ting Chang, Nadia H Agha, Jonathan Romero, Poonam Sarkar, Nicol Voermans, M Waleed Gaber, Sung Yun Jung, Matthew L Baker, Robia G Pautler, Robert T Dirksen, Sheila Riazi, Susan L Hamilton

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Mutations in the skeletal muscle Ca2+ release channel, the type 1 ryanodine receptor (RYR1), cause malignant hyperthermia susceptibility (MHS) and a life-threatening sensitivity to heat, which is most severe in children. Mice with an MHS-associated mutation in Ryr1 (Y524S, YS) display lethal muscle contractures in response to heat. Here we show that the heat response in the YS mice is exacerbated by brown fat adaptive thermogenesis. In addition, the YS mice have more brown adipose tissue thermogenic capacity than their littermate controls. Blood lactate levels are elevated in both heat-sensitive MHS patients with RYR1 mutations and YS mice due to …

Carbamazepine-Induced Dress Syndrome: A Case Report, Andrada Luciana Lazar, Olga Hilda Orășan, Corina Baican, Nicolae Voicu Rednic, Adela Sitar-Tăut, Bogdan Man, Vasile Negrean, Nicolae Rednic, Angela Cozma

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a potentially life-threatening, idiosyncratic, acute adverse drug reaction. Fever, morbilliform cutaneous eruption, and eosinophilia are essential features for the diagnosis of this syndrome, along with significant multisystem involvement, hepatitis being the most common, followed by nephritis. The pathogenesis of DRESS syndrome is not yet fully understood. Several hypotheses have been proposed which support the involvement of an intricate interplay of multiple factors. We report a clinical case of DRESS syndrome with renal injury, induced by carbamazepine, in a patient with alcohol abstinence syndrome. In order to define the case, the …

Study On The Formulation And Characterization Of A Photoprotective Cream Containing A New Synthetized Compound, Teodora Dalila Balaci, Emma Adriana Ozon, Daniela Luiza Baconi, Georgiana Nițulescu, Bruno Velescu, Cristian Bălălău, Ioana Păunică, Cătălina Ancuța Fița

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Starting from a new organic sunscreen synthesized in our laboratory by the condensation of sodium salt of the p-aminosalicylic acid with 2,6 – dichloroacetanilide, efficient cosmetic formulation with broad photoprotective properties was obtained by using the new compound as organic UV filter, metal oxides as inorganic filters, and vegetable extracts, oils and other ingredients with emollient, protective, and moisturizing effect. After showing the lack of toxicity of the new compound, in order to reduce the amount of UV filter used, it was encapsulated into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs). The final cream has demonstrated good qualities for skin application, possessing suitable …

Oral Pathology Induced By Excess Or Deficiency Of Glucocorticoids In Adults, Rucsandra Elena Dănciulescu Miulescu, Loreta Guja, Bogdan Socea, Anca Dumitriu, Stana Paunica, Emil Ștefănescu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Oral manifestations are present both in Cushing's syndrome and in adrenal insufficiency. Possible oro-dental pathology in patients with Cushing's syndrome include jawbone loss, tooth loss, and periodontal diseases. Professional societies did not include Cushing's syndrome as being part of systemic diseases associated with loss of periodontal supporting tissues. The comorbidities of Cushing's syndrome such as obesity, osteoporosis, and diabetes are conditions that influence periodontal attachment apparatus. In patients with adrenal primary insufficiency, the most specific sign is the melanic pigmentation of the skin and mucosal surfaces due to increments of corticotropin and pro-opiomelanocortin peptide levels that occur as a result …

Gut Microbiota-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids Promote Poststroke Recovery In Aged Mice, Juneyoung Lee, John D'Aigle, Louise Atadja, Victoria Quaicoe, Pedram Honarpisheh, Bhanu P Ganesh, Ahmad Hassan, Joerg Graf, Joseph Petrosino, Nagireddy Putluri, Liang Zhu, David J Durgan, Robert M Bryan, Louise D Mccullough, Venugopal Reddy Venna

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

RATIONALE: The elderly experience profound systemic responses after stroke, which contribute to higher mortality and more severe long-term disability. Recent studies have revealed that stroke outcomes can be influenced by the composition of gut microbiome. However, the potential benefits of manipulating the gut microbiome after injury is unknown.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if restoring youthful gut microbiota after stroke aids in recovery in aged subjects, we altered the gut microbiome through young fecal transplant gavage in aged mice after experimental stroke. Further, the effect of direct enrichment of selective bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was tested as a more targeted …

Integrative Medicine In Health And Well-Being, Andrew Newberg, Madeline Becker

Department of Family & Community Medicine Presentations and Grand Rounds

For integrative approaches to become part of standard care, research is required to understand clinical effects. Clinical data needs to be supplemented by mechanistic studies. Integrative medicine and general medicine have multiple areas of intersection. Studies can evaluate mental and physical disorders such as depression or anxiety or chronic pain and fatigue. Studies can evaluate psychological symptoms associated with other medical and neurological disorders. It is important to establish efficacy and also mechanism. Future collaborations are very welcome!

Patterns Of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow As A Function Of Obesity In Adults., Daniel G Amen, Joseph Wu, Noble George, Andrew Newberg

Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: While obesity has been shown to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, the potential mechanisms underlying this risk may be clarified with better understanding of underlying physiology in obese persons.

OBJECTIVE: To identify patterns of cerebral perfusion abnormality in adults as a function of body mass index (BMI) defined weight categories, including overweight or obese status.

METHODS: A large psychiatric cohort of 35,442 brain scans across 17,721 adults (mean age 40.8±16.2 years, range 18-94 years) were imaged with SPECT during baseline and concentration scans, the latter done after each participant completed the Connors Continuous Performance Test II. ANOVA …

Differences In Brain Activity Patterns During Creative Idea Generation Between Eminent And Non-Eminent Thinkers, Evangelia G Chrysikou, Constanza Jacial, David B Yaden, Wessel Van Dam, Scott Barry Kaufman, Chris Conklin, Nancy Wintering, Rebecca E Abraham, Rex E Jung, Andrew B. Newberg

Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers

An influential model of the neural mechanisms of creative thought suggests that creativity is manifested in the joint contributions of the Default Mode Network (DMN; a set of regions in the medial PFC, lateral and medial parietal cortex, and the medial temporal lobes) and the executive networks within the dorsolateral PFC. Several empirical reports have offered support for this model by showing that complex interactions between these brain systems account for individual differences in creative performance. The present study examined whether the engagement of these regions in idea generation is modulated by one's eminence in a creativity-related field. Twenty (n …

A Web-Based, Positive Emotion Skills Intervention For Enhancing Posttreatment Psychological Well-Being In Young Adult Cancer Survivors (Empower): Protocol For A Single-Arm Feasibility Trial, John M. Salsman, Laurie E. Mclouth, Michael Cohn, Janet A. Tooze, Mia Sorkin, Judith T. Moskowitz

Behavioral Science Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs) experience clinically significant distress and have limited access to supportive care services. Interventions to enhance psychological well-being have improved positive affect and reduced depression in clinical and healthy populations but have not been routinely tested in AYAs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this protocol is to (1) test the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based positive emotion skills intervention for posttreatment AYAs called Enhancing Management of Psychological Outcomes With Emotion Regulation (EMPOWER) and (2) examine proof of concept for reducing psychological distress and enhancing psychological well-being.

METHODS: The intervention development and testing are …