Translational Medical Research Commons^™

Interrater Variability In Identifying Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Using Six Different Definitions, Ahmad Nusair, Md, Balwinder Singh, Md, Ms., Shifang Ding, Md, Phd., Ognjen Gajic, Md, Guangxi Li, Md

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Objective

There is no widely accepted standard definition for Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP). The reliability of the current definitions in use remains controversial. Our objective was to assess the reliability of six commonly used VAP definitions: The Loose, The Rigorous, The Modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS), The Canadian Critical Care Trials Group (CCCTG), The International Sepsis Forum Consensus (ISFC) and The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Design

We examined the electronic health records of all the consecutively admitted adult patients at our institution who received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) for ≥ 48 hours, from January 2006 through …

Rectal Indomethacin Reduces The Risk Of Post-Ercp Pancreatitis, John Dawdy

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A clinical appraisal and clinical application of Elmunzer BJ, Scheiman JM, Lehman GA, Chak A, Mosler P, et al. A randomized trial of rectal indomethacin to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:1414–22. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1111103

Breast Cancer-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Characterization And Contribution To The Metastatic Phenotype, Toni M. Green, Mary L. Alpaugh, Sanford H. Barsky, Germana Rappa, Aurelio Lorico

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

The study of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cancer progression is a complex and rapidly evolving field. Whole categories of cellular interactions in cancer which were originally presumed to be due solely to soluble secreted molecules have now evolved to include membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles (EVs), which include both exosomes and shed microvesicles (MVs), and can contain many of the same molecules as those secreted in soluble form but many different molecules as well. EVs released by cancer cells can transfer mRNA, miRNA, and proteins to different recipient cells within the tumor microenvironment, in both an autocrine and paracrine manner, causing a …

Akt Kinase C-Terminal Modifications Control Activation Loop Dephosphorylation And Enhance Insulin Response., Tung O. Chan, Jin Zhang, Brian C. Tiegs, Brian Blumhof, Linda Yan, Nikhil Keny, Morgan Penny, Xue Li, John M. Pascal, Roger S. Armen, Ulrich Rodeck, Raymond B. Penn

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

The Akt protein kinase, also known as protein kinase B, plays key roles in insulin receptor signalling and regulates cell growth, survival and metabolism. Recently, we described a mechanism to enhance Akt phosphorylation that restricts access of cellular phosphatases to the Akt activation loop (Thr(308) in Akt1 or protein kinase B isoform alpha) in an ATP-dependent manner. In the present paper, we describe a distinct mechanism to control Thr(308) dephosphorylation and thus Akt deactivation that depends on intramolecular interactions of Akt C-terminal sequences with its kinase domain. Modifications of amino acids surrounding the Akt1 C-terminal mTORC2 (mammalian target of rapamycin …

Experiences With The Streptococcus Mutans In Lakota Sioux (Smiles) Study: Risk Factors For Caries In American Indian Children 0-3 Years, David R. Drake, Deborah Dawson, Katherine Kramer, Amy Schumacher, John Warren, Teresa Marshall, Delores Starr, Kathy Phipps

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) is a terribly aggressive and devastating disease that is all too common in lower socio-economic children, but none more so that what is encountered in American Indian Tribes. Nationwide, approximately 27% of 2-5 year olds have decay while 62% percent of American Indian/Alaska Native children in the same age group have a history of decay (IHS 2010, NHANES 1999-2002). We have conducted a study of children from birth to 36 months of age on Pine Reservation to gain a better understanding of the variables that come into play in the development of this disease, from …

Assessment Of The Perceived Role And Function Of A Community Advisory Board In A Nih Center Of Excellence: Lessons Learned, Margaret L. Walsh, Desiree Rivers, Maria Pinzon, Nina Entrekin, Emily M. Hite, Julie A. Baldwin

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Background: The Community Advisory Board (CAB) was a vital component of the Center for Equal Health. The center addressed health disparities through community-based research and educational outreach initiatives. Objectives: To evaluate the perceived relationship of the CAB and Center, explore members’ perceptions of the CAB’s role, and elicit feedback on how to enhance the relationship between the Center and the CAB. Methods: Ten in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with a focus on predetermined codes. Results: Main themes focused on perception of CAB roles and need for utilization of board members; overall center challenges; …

Implementation And Feasibility Of An Auricular Acupuncture Intervention For Smoking Cessation In A Residential Spiritual Recovery Program: A Pilot Study, Cynthia Johnson, Payam Sheikhattari, Lixing Lao, Yvonne Bronner, Fernando Wagner

Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice

Abstract

This study examined the feasibility of recruiting of participants and retention to an auricular acupuncture intervention for smoking cessation at a residential spiritual recovery program for a chemically dependent population in the mid-Atlantic region. The association between beliefs about acupuncture and smoking cessation were also assessed. This was an intervention study guided by the principles of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR).

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol was used as part of the smoking cessation intervention (participants received auricular acupuncture for 40 minutes, 3 times per week for 1 month). Smoking cessation, adherence rate to the treatment plan, …

Isoform-Specific Dynamic Translocation Of Pkc By Α1-Adrenoceptor Stimulation In Live Cells., Jin O-Uchi, Jaime Sorenson, Bong Sook Jhun, Jyotsna Mishra, Stephen Hurst, Kaleef Williams, Shey-Shing Sheu, Coeli M.B. Lopes

Center for Translational Medicine Faculty Papers

Protein kinase C (PKC) plays key roles in the regulation of signal transduction and cellular function in various cell types. At least ten PKC isoforms have been identified and intracellular localization and trafficking of these individual isoforms are important for regulation of enzyme activity and substrate specificity. PKC can be activated downstream of Gq-protein coupled receptor (GqPCR) signaling and translocate to various cellular compartments including plasma membrane (PM). Recent reports suggested that different types of GqPCRs would activate different PKC isoforms (classic, novel and atypical PKCs) with different trafficking patterns. However, the knowledge of isoform-specific activation of PKC by each …

Research Design Creates Ambiguity Related To Efficacy Of Sickle Cell, Chronic Disease Specialty Clinic, Scott J. Dawsey

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Koch KL, Karafin MS, Simpson P, Field JJ. Intensive management of high-utilizing adults with sickle cell disease lowers admissions. Am J Hematol. 2015 Jan;90(3):215-219. doi:10.1002/ajh.23912

Use Of Smartphones To Capture Measures Of Functional Status In Frail And Non-Frail Community Dwelling Older Adults, Cassia R. Hanton

Theses & Dissertations

Numerous important health outcomes directly relate to one's ability to maintain normal gait speed. The purpose of this study is to employ ubiquitous smartphone technology, using algorithms developed and validated by our lab in a controlled setting, to continuously and noninvasively measure aspects of subject health status, including step counts, gait speed, and activity level, in a naturalistic community setting. A total of 33 ambulatory, independently dwelling older adults were recruited from Nebraska Medicine, including 22 healthy control and 11 frail individuals. Clinical performance measurements of frailty (4MW, TUG, F8W) and validated survey responses (LLFDI, SAFFE, PROMIS) were compared to …

Ex Vivo Expanded Cord Blood Natural Killer Cells As A Novel Therapeutic For Multiple Myeloma, Nina Shah

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in adults and, to date, is incurable. Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cells are active in various hematologic malignancies and may have a role against MM. Umbilical cord blood is a potential source for allogeneic NK cells and ex vivo expanded umbilical cord blood-derived NK (CB-NK) cells demonstrate activity comparable to that of peripheral blood-derived NK cells. However, large-scale expansion of these cells is required for clinical translation. Here we studied a potential method for ex vivo expansion of NK cells from fresh and cryopreserved CB. Using artificial antigen presenting cells …

Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation Reduces The Incidence Of Brain Metastasis In A Mouse Model Of Metastatic Breast Cancer, Daniel L. Smith

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is a preventative whole-brain irradiation technique used to reduce the incidence of brain metastasis and improve overall survival in select patients with small cell lung cancer and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A population of breast cancer patients – stage IV, HER2+ or triple-negative – has emerged as having a high risk of developing brain metastases. Because only 10-20% of breast cancer patients diagnosed with brain metastases survive longer than one year, in this high-risk population the benefit of PCI – potential for reduced incidence of brain metastasis and improved overall survival – may outweigh the risks – …

Ankyrin-B And Mtor Complex 1 In The Regulation Of Electrical Activities In The Heart, Henry C. Wu, Henry C. Wu

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity is paramount in the regulation of electrical activities in the brain and the heart. In the brain, the tumor suppressor gene TSC2 encodes the protein product tuberin that interacts with hamartin to form a heterodimer Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) that regulates mTORC1. When TSC2 is disrupted, mTORC1 activity becomes dysregulated resulting in abnormal electrical activities in the brain manifesting in the form of epileptic seizures. In the heart, mTORC1 activity is triggered by a sustained increase in hemodynamic pressure causing the heart to electrically remodel. A likely candidate serving as the …

New Evidence Prompts Rethinking The Clinical Management Of Community Acquired Pneumonia In Patients Admitted To General Medical Services., J. Timothy Caldwell

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Postma DF, van Werkhoven CH, van Elden LJR, et al. Antibiotic treatment strategies for community-acquired pneumonia in adults. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(14):1312-1323. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1406330

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Bnp And Echocardiogram Guide Difficult But Necessary Discussions Related To Prognosis, Jacob A. Vander-Starre

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Song JW, Song J-K, Kim DS. Echocardiography and brain natriuretic peptide as prognostic indicators in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Med 2009;103(2):180-186. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2008.11.012.

Dental Extraction Is Probably Safe For Patients With Thrombocytopenia: The Standard Of Care Is A Guide For Clinical Decision Making Related To Platelet Transfusion., Phillip So

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A critical appraisal and clinical application of Fillmore WJ, Leavitt BD, Arce K. Dental extraction in the thrombocytopenic patient is safe and complications are easily managed. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2013 Oct;71(10):1647-1652. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2013.05.011.

Re-Issuing The Screening Mammography Challenge, Daniel Passerman

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

The author reissues the challenge to monitor the to monitor the discussion related to screening mammography in the reader's own clinical setting.

Evidence-Based Practice In The New Millenium, Nicholus H. Yee

Clinical Research in Practice: The Journal of Team Hippocrates

A reflection on learning and education in practice.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Exercise In Spinal And Bulbar Muscular Atrophy., Joseph A Shrader, Ilona Kats, Angela Kokkinis, Cris Zampieri, Ellen Levy, Galen O Joe, Joshua G. Woolstenhulme, Bart E Drinkard, Michaele R Smith, Willie Ching, Laboni Ghosh, Derrick Fox, Sungyoung Auh, Alice B Schindler, Kenneth H Fischbeck, Christopher Grunseich

Physical Therapy and Health Care Sciences Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of a home-based functional exercise program in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA).

METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to participate in 12 weeks of either functional exercises (intervention) or a stretching program (control) at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. A total of 54 subjects enrolled, and 50 completed the study with 24 in the functional exercise group and 26 in the stretching control group. The primary outcome measure was the Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool (AMAT) total score, and secondary measures included total activity by accelerometry, muscle strength, balance, timed up …

Insulin-Resistant Subjects Have Normal Angiogenic Response To Aerobic Exercise Training In Skeletal Muscle, But Not In Adipose Tissue, R. Grace Walton, Brian S. Finlin, Jyothi Mula, Douglas E. Long, Beibei Zhu, Christopher S. Fry, Philip M. Westgate, Jonah D. Lee, Tamara Bennett, Philip A. Kern, Charlotte A. Peterson

Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications

Reduced vessel density in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle is associated with obesity and may result in decreased perfusion, decreased oxygen consumption, and insulin resistance. In the presence of VEGFA, Angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2) and Angiopoietin-1 (Angpt1) are central determinants of angiogenesis, with greater Angpt2:Angpt1 ratios promoting angiogenesis. In skeletal muscle, exercise training stimulates angiogenesis and modulates transcription of VEGFA, Angpt1, and Angpt 2. However, it remains unknown whether exercise training stimulates vessel growth in human adipose tissue, and it remains unknown whether adipose angiogenesis is mediated by angiopoietin signaling. We sought to determine whether insulin-resistant subjects would display an impaired angiogenic …