Assessment of HIV/AIDS prevention of rural African American Baptist leaders: implications for effective partnerships for capacity building in American communities.

Purpose: This exploratory study sought to elicit information from rural Baptist leaders about their interest in HIV prevention activities within their congregation and other influencers in their human deficiency virus (HIV) prevention activities based on their geographical residence (urban vs rural).

Methods: This study utilized both qualitative (in-depth interviews, N = 8) and quantitative (written survey, N = 56) methodologies (mixed method) in order to obtain pertinent information. A ministerial liaison was hired to assist in recruitment of participants within a statewide Baptist conference.

A new certification for FPs.

A new board strengthens the role of family physicians as providers of obstetric care in their communities. Here are details about certification requirements.

Clinical case rounds in child and adolescent psychiatry: enuresis and ADHD in older children and an adolescent treated with stimulant medication: a case series.

Uncommonly, older children and adolescents can present with a history of enuresis. Resolution of enuresis followed the diagnosis and treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in each child in this case series. Subjects were three children with DSM-IV-TR ADHD, who presented with a history of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE).

Intranasal eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis: a case report and review.

Eosinophilc angiocentric fibrosis is a rare fibrosing vasculitis of unknown etiology that is progressive and potentially disfiguring. It has a predilection for the upper airways presenting most commonly as an obstructing mass lesion that is diagnosed histologically. Thus far, it has been nonfatal in the more than 40 reported cases; however, subglottic and ocular involvement has resulted in significant morbidity in several patients.

Metabolic effects of soy supplementation in postmenopausal Caucasian and African American women: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: We sought to determine the effect of daily soy supplementation on abdominal fat, glucose metabolism, and circulating inflammatory markers and adipokines in obese, postmenopausal Caucasian and African American women.

Study Design: In a double-blinded controlled trial, 39 postmenopausal women were randomized to soy supplementation or to a casein placebo without isoflavones. In all, 33 completed the study and were analyzed.

Recruitment of rural physicians in a diabetes internet intervention study: overcoming challenges and barriers.

Purpose: This paper highlights a descriptive study of the challenges and lessons learned in the recruitment of rural primary care physicians into a randomized clinical trial using an Internet-based approach.

Methods: A multidisciplinary/multi-institutional research team used a multilayered recruitment approach, including generalized mailings and personalized strategies such as personal office visits, letters, and faxes to specific contacts. Continuous assessment of recruitment strategies was used throughout study in order to readjust strategies that were not successful.

Evaluation of patient perceptions and outcomes related to anticoagulation point-of-care testing in ambulatory care clinics.

Unlabelled: Until recently, Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio (PT/INR) measurements have typically been used to monitor patients on warfarin through institutional laboratories via venous puncture. The Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) device has revolutionized the patient care process by allowing for laboratory testing outside of the central laboratory.

Objective: To analyze humanistic and clinical outcomes in patients currently treated with warfarin and monitored through a pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinic using point-of-care testing (POCT) device versus venipuncture within ambulatory care clinics at our institution.

Hip pain as the presenting manifestation of acute gouty sacroiliitis.

Gout can present in a variety of less typical forms. We describe a case of an elderly woman presenting with hip and lower extremity pain. It remained undiagnosed for several days but proved to be secondary to gouty involvement of the right sacroiliac (SI) joint.

Monte Carlo techniques for scattering foil design and dosimetry in total skin electron irradiations.

Total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) with single fields requires large electron beams having good dose uniformity, dmax at the skin surface, and low bremsstrahlung contamination. To satisfy these requirements, energy degraders and scattering foils have to be specially designed for the given accelerator and treatment room. We used Monte Carlo (MC) techniques based on EGS4 user codes (BEAM, DOSXYZ, and DOSRZ) as a guide in the beam modifier design of our TSEI system.

Inhibition of herpesvirus replication by a series of 4-oxo-dihydroquinolines with viral polymerase activity.

Herpesviruses cause a wide variety of human diseases ranging from cold sores and genital herpes to encephalitis, congenital infections and lymphoproliferative diseases. These opportunistic viruses cause major problems in immunocompromised individuals such as transplant recipients, cancer patients, and HIV-infected persons. The current treatment of these infections is not optimal and there is a need for more active, less toxic compounds that might be used in place of or in addition to current therapies.

Ganglion-specific patterns of diabetes-modulated gene expression are established in prevertebral and paravertebral sympathetic ganglia prior to the development of neuroaxonal dystrophy.

In both humans and animal models, diabetic sympathetic autonomic neuropathy is associated with the selective development of markedly enlarged distal axons and nerve terminals (neuroaxonal dystrophy, NAD). NAD occurs in the prevertebral superior mesenteric and celiac ganglia (SMG-CG), but not in the paravertebral superior cervical ganglion (SCG). To identify molecular differences between these ganglia that may explain their selective vulnerability to NAD, we have examined global gene expression patterns in control and diabetic rat sympathetic ganglia before and after the onset of structural evidence of NAD.

Tumor suppressor mutations and growth factor signaling in the pathogenesis of NF1-associated peripheral nerve sheath tumors. I. The role of tumor suppressor mutations.

Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a common autosomal dominant tumor predisposition syndrome, develop benign cutaneous, intraneural, and plexiform neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), an aggressive form of Schwann cell neoplasm that frequently arises from plexiform neurofibromas. Impressive advances have been made in defining the molecular mechanisms responsible for neurofibroma and MPNST tumorigenesis, including the identification of key tumor suppressor gene mutations, an improved understanding of the functions of these tumor suppressors, and the production of transgenic mouse models in which tumor suppressor gene mutations predispose animals to the development of neurofibromas and MPNSTs. It has also become apparent that dysregulated growth factor signaling cooperates with tumor suppressor mutations to promote neurofibroma and MPNST tumorigenesis.

The role of C-peptide levels in screening for latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.

Early detection of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is important in that the earlier insulin therapy is initiated, the greater the preservation of pancreatic beta cells. This study assessed whether a random C-peptide level is an effective screening test for LADA. Random C-peptide levels were measured in 39 subjects with LADA and 39 subjects with type 2 diabetes who were matched for age, race, gender, and duration of diabetes.

Cutaneous infections of mice with vaccinia or cowpox viruses and efficacy of cidofovir.

Orthopoxviruses, including smallpox, monkeypox and molluscipox, pose risks to human health through bioterrorist acts or natural transmission. There is no approved therapy for orthopoxvirus infections; however, cidofovir (CDV) has been approved as an investigational new drug for emergency treatment of adverse effects following smallpox vaccination. For evaluation of new therapies directed against orthopoxvirus infections, we have utilized immunocompetent, hairless mice (SKH-1) inoculated by a cutaneous route with cowpox virus (CV) or vaccinia virus (VV).

Anti-EGFR-mediated radiosensitization as a result of augmented EGFR expression.

Purpose: Elevated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression has correlated with a poor prognosis after standard treatment of several malignancies. However, it is not clear whether the absolute level of EGFR expression affects the radiosensitizing properties of anti-EGFR treatments. A better understanding of this question would be helpful for the design of protocols that deliver these treatments.

Oral treatment of cowpox and vaccinia virus infections in mice with ether lipid esters of cidofovir.

Four newly synthesized ether lipid esters of cidofovir (CDV), hexadecyloxypropyl-CDV (HDP-CDV), octadecyloxyethyl-CDV (ODE-CDV), oleyloxypropyl-CDV (OLP-CDV), and oleyloxyethyl-CDV (OLE-CDV), were found to have enhanced activities against vaccinia virus (VV) and cowpox virus (CV) in vitro compared to those of CDV. The compounds were administered orally and were evaluated for their efficacies against lethal CV or VV infections in mice. HDP-CDV, ODE-CDV, and OLE-CDV were effective at preventing mortality from CV infection when treatments were initiated 24 h after viral inoculation, but only HDP-CDV and ODE-CDV maintained efficacy when treatments were initiated as late as 72 h postinfection.

Efficacy of methylenecyclopropane analogs of nucleosides against herpesvirus replication in vitro.

We have reported previously that purine methylenecyclopropane analogs are potent agents against cytomegaloviruses. In an attempt to extend the activity of these compounds, the 2-amino-6-cyclopropylaminopurine analog, QYL-1064, was selected for further study by modifying the purine 6 substituent. A total of 22 analogs were tested against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) and human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8).

Efficacy of multiple- or single-dose cidofovir against vaccinia and cowpox virus infections in mice.

Orthopoxviruses, including variola and monkeypox, pose risks to human health through natural transmission or potential bioterrorist activities. Since vaccination has not recently been utilized for control of these infections, there is renewed effort in the development of antiviral agents not only for postexposure smallpox therapy but also for treatment of adverse reactions following vaccination. The objectives of this study were to expand on the results of others that cidofovir (CDV) is effective in mice inoculated with cowpox virus (CV) or vaccinia virus (VV) and to document the efficacy of single and interval dosing beginning prior to or after infection, particularly including evaluations using suboptimal doses of CDV.

Lysophosphatidic acid promotes the proliferation of adult Schwann cells isolated from axotomized sciatic nerve.

We have previously found that adult Schwann cells express receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (EDG2, EDG7) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (EDG5) and that expression of these receptors is significantly upregulated in injured sciatic nerve coincident with postaxotomy Schwann cell proliferation. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that lysophosphatidic acid and/or sphingosine-1-phosphate promote Schwann cell mitogenesis in injured adult nerve. We found that both saturated and unsaturated forms of lysophosphatidic acid, but not sphingosine-1-phosphate, induce DNA synthesis in adult Schwann cells isolated from surgically transected sciatic nerve.

The effect of headache pain on attention (encoding) and memory (recognition).

Memory is a key cognitive variable in pain management. This study examined the effect of headaches on participants' encoding of words (attention) and later memory for words. The dependent measures were response time during encoding and recognition memory; headache pain was the independent measure.

Evidence-based practice in pediatric surgery.

Background/purpose: The current medical environment demands the provision of quality healthcare at an affordable cost. Both payors and regulators are committed to lowering cost through initiation of best practice strategies that include practice guidelines, clinical pathways, and standards of care. The only practical way to join this debate is through the use of objective, unbiased clinical data.