Paving the Road to Resilience: A Grounded Theory Pilot Study

The purpose of this grounded theory pilot study was to develop a theory about how survival thinking can be fostered into resilience for children from a low socio-economic urban community in Mumbai, India. The study also examined how dance/movement therapy could be utilized to foster these qualities of resilience. Based on experiences with the population, this researcher hypothesized that the children experienced early complex trauma. Data was collected through movement observations of the children, interviews with professionals who have actively worked with them, and the researcher’s reflections of her own body felt experiences after each observation and interview. Data was analyzed by creating a salient movement profile of the children as a group, sequential analysis, and literary analysis respectively. Through data analysis and validation strategies, it was evident that while interventions involving the family, community, and children are important; creating internal support using a strengths-based approach to child development may be most integral to fostering resilience. 58 pages

This Riddle Will Show You If You Are Gender Bias

Faculty Research Day 2018: Graduate Student Poster 1st PlaceGender bias is prominent be it work or home. This bias was not even identified until it was pointed out after the survey. The purpose of this survey is to make people realize our brain overthinks or gets manipulated easily even when the answer is just stating the obvious

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles using Aqueous Cranberry Fruit Extract and its Antibacterial Activity

Objective: Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is popularly used in traditional folk medicine for treatment of microbial infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous cranberry fruit extract (ACE) against pathogenic cultures and its application in green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Methods: ACE was screened for its antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth macrodilution technique, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was quantified. ACE was used in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which were characterized by an Ultraviolet–visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy and Field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) techniques. Agar well diffusion assay was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the AgNPs formed. Results: The zone of inhibition (ZOI) for ACE was found to be in the range of 19 - 30.3 mm, for the concentration of 100% (v/v). The MIC values were in the range of 12.5% - 50% (v/v) and the values indicated that a concentration of 50% (v/v) ACE could inhibit 87.5% (7/8) test cultures. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by UV-VIS spectroscopy and the surface-plasmon resonance peak was observed at 430 nm. The FEG-SEM analysis revealed that the most of AgNPs were spherical in shape and had 15-25 nm size range. All the test cultures were inhibited by the AgNPs and the average ZOI measured 25.7±5.6 mm. Conclusion: Cranberry fruit extract has a potent antibacterial activity against pathogens and it can be applied in green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Keywords: Cranberry, MIC, MBC, silver nanoparticles, FEG-SEM

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Hepatic Diseases: Current and Future Therapy.

Liver disease is a highly prevalent disease that is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The continuous exposure of the liver to some factors such as viruses, alcohol, fat, and biotransformed metabolites can cause hepatic injury, which can lead to inflammation and liver degeneration. When the injury is sustained for long time, it can cause chronic liver diseases (CLDs), which include a spectrum of disease states ranging from simple steatosis and steatohepatitis (steatosis with inflammation and hepatocyte injury and death) to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Multiple evidences indicate that oxidative stress and inflammation are the most important pathogenic events in liver diseases regardless of etiology. Oxidative stress and inflammation are not always harmful; they help phagocytes to kill microorganisms and modulate signaling events through redox regulation. However, unregulated and prolonged imbalance in the liver between the production of free radicals and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their elimination by protective mechanisms (antioxidants) leads to damage of important biomolecules and cells, with potential impact on the whole organism causing many chronic diseases. During liver damage, ROS can induce the generation of proinflammatory genes. A critical component of inflammation is the infiltration of inflammatory cells, like neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, to the site of stimulus. At the site of inflammation, the activated inflammatory cells release chemical mediators (eicosanoids, cytokines, chemokines, nitric oxide, etc.) that induce tissue damage and augmented oxidative stress and reactive species (superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, etc.). Thus, overexpression of the proinflammatory genes provokes an intracellular signaling cascade that produces more ROS, resulting in a vicious cycle, where increased oxidative stress and inflammatory lesion promote the pathogenesis of liver diseases. A better understanding of the basic pathophysiology underlying the development of steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC is needed, so that better treatments can evolve for liver diseases. Thus, this special issue is dedicated to study the implications of the central roles that oxidative stress and inflammation play in CLDs, as well as the associated current and future therapies. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapy has been considered to have the possibility of beneficial effects in the management of liver diseases. In this regard, the group of S. Li et al. from China (in “Insights into the Role and Interdependence of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Liver Diseases”) summarize the following: (i) the crucial roles of oxidative stress and inflammation in the development of liver damage and (ii) the relationship and interdependence of these processes and also describe (iii) the different herbal medicines or derived compounds targeting oxidative stress and inflammation in various liver diseases. Also from China, the group of Z. Wang et al. (in “Oxidative Stress and Liver Cancer: Etiology and Therapeutic Targets”) provided a review about the development of liver cancer from the perspective of cellular and molecular mechanisms and reported the therapeutic targets of hepatocarcinoma, suggesting that antioxidants are urgently needed to prevent carcinogenesis in the liver. On the other hand, U. S. U. Kumar et al. from Malaysia (in “Redox Control of Antioxidant and Antihepatotoxic Activities of Cassia surattensis Seed Extract against Paracetamol Intoxication in Mice: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Herbal Green Antioxidant”) reported the protective effect of Cassia surattensis seed extract against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in mice and described the antagonist effects of antioxidants during mild colitis. Moreover, the group of R. Chaphalkar et al. from India (in “Antioxidants of Phyllanthus emblica L. Bark Extract Provide Hepatoprotection against Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Damage: A Comparison with Silymarin”) observed that PEE possesses potent antioxidant activity against free radicals and provides significant protection against alcohol-induced liver damage, thus supporting the therapeutic claims made in Ayurveda about Phyllanthus emblica for treatment of hepatic disorders. In recent times, a new puzzle in medical science has appeared: antioxidants may exert either beneficial or harmful effects depending on the cellular requirement for ROS at a particular situation. In this regard, the group of F. A. Moura et al. from Brazil (in “Colonic and Hepatic Modulation by Lipoic Acid and/or N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation in Mild Ulcerative Colitis Induced by Dextran Sodium Sulfate in Rats”) observed that N-acetylcysteine is a promising antioxidant toward alleviating ulcerative colitis and hepatotoxicity, but the combination of lipoic acid and N-acetylcysteine in contrast causes hepatic injury and colonic inflammation. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories also play a crucial role in metabolic liver diseases. From Brazil, A. Paiva et al. (in “Apolipoprotein CIII Overexpression Induced Hypertriglyceridemia Increases Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Association with Inflammation and Cell Death”) demonstrated that persistent hypertriglyceridemia might be more relevant to liver inflammation than intracellular lipid accumulation and that overexpression of apo-CIII increases severity of diet-induced fatty liver disease. This study will be useful to develop new targets to treat metabolic liver diseases. In addition, P. K. Leong and K. M. Ko from China (in “Schisandrin B: A Double-Edged Sword in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease”) suggest that Schisandrin B, a traditional Chinese herb, may offer potential as a therapeutic agent for NAFLD, due to its antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, anti-ER stress, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities in cultured hepatocytes in vitro and in rodent livers in vivo. The reduction of oxidative stress is suggested to be one of the main mechanisms to explain the benefits of subnormothermic perfusion against ischemic liver damage. In this regard, T. Carbonell et al. from Spain (in “Subnormothermic Perfusion in the Isolated Rat Liver Preserves the Antioxidant Glutathione and Enhances the Function of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System”) found that subnormothermic perfusion in the liver can induce oxidative stress concomitantly with antioxidant glutathione preservation, triggering antioxidant mechanisms, protecting against ischemic, hypoxic, and toxic damage. In addition, the group of Y. Zhang et al. from China (in “Hyperglycemia Aggravates Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury by Inducing Chronic Oxidative Stress and Inflammation”) suggested that chronic oxidative stress, inflammation, and potential malfunction of antioxidative system are the reasons why hyperglycemia aggravates hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury. Biomarkers are necessary for the evaluation of the severity of oxidative stress in I/R injury; thus, the group of H. Li et al. form China (in “Renalase as a Novel Biomarker for Evaluating the Severity of Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury”) demonstrated that renalase, a ubiquitous flavin adenine dinucleotide-containing amino oxidase, is a sensitive ROS-responsive gene in hepatocytes which can serve as an efficient and sensitive biomarker for the early warning or evaluation of the severity of hepatic I/R injury. Liver diseases remain a significant and major health problem around the world. Current therapies in chronic liver diseases are limited and liver transplantation is the only available treatment for end-stage liver disease. This special issue believes to provide novel, effective, and safe approaches to create future antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapies for patients with CLDs

Rowan Community Health Center’s Ask First Model: Building Authentic & Impactful Community Relationships by Asking a Simple Question

Spring of 2017, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine’s student-run free clinic, the Rowan Community Health Center, launched an outreach initiative named the Unity Project. This is an ongoing initiative aimed at fostering relationships with Camden, New Jersey organizations to both educate community members about our clinic services and collaborate on improving Camden’s health. The objective of the Unity Project is to work towards affecting long-term change by forming authentic and impactful relationships with organizations that are already participating in meaningful community work. In order to achieve such a goal, we needed to overcome the traditional model of medical school outreach, which we feel is often short-term and limited. When reaching out to potential community partners, we realized an absence in the crucial first steps of establishing a relationship. We filled this void by simply asking what the organization’s need is. Thus, moving forward, when the Unity Project contacted organizations, we asked how we could help rather than offer suggestions. We termed this method the ‘Ask First’ approach and to this date, we have been observing a successful outcome. We are currently partnered with 38 organizations and are continually growing. The Unity Project has provided a variety of services that ultimately benefit the target populations these organizations are serving. Collaborating with our membered organizations in this way enables us to establish a trusting relationship and work towards bridging the gap between a community in need and a medical organization willing to help by asking a simple, albeit, powerful question

Study of Antibacterial activity of Phyllanthus emblica and its role in Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles

Objective: Phyllanthus emblica L. or amla is known for its therapeutic properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract (APE) against eight pathogenic cultures and its application in green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Methods: APE was screened for the presence of phytochemicals and its antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was quantified by broth macrodilution technique, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined. Further, APE was used in the biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which were characterized by an Ultraviolet–visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy and Field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) techniques. The antibacterial activity of the AgNPs was screened by agar well diffusion assay. Results: The zone of inhibition (ZOI) for APE was found to be in the range of 10.7–21.3 mm, for varying concentrations. The MIC values were in the range of 12.5% - 50% (v/v) and the MBC values indicated that a concentration of 50% (v/v) APE could kill 75% (6/8) test cultures. The presence of AgNPs was confirmed by UV-VIS spectroscopy and the surface-plasmon resonance peak was observed at 420 nm. The FEG-SEM analysis revealed that the most of AgNPs were spherical in shape and had 30-40 nm size range. All the test cultures were inhibited by the AgNPs and the average ZOI measured 19.25±2.7 mm. Conclusion: Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract might have therapeutic significance against pathogens and it can be used for green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Keywords: Phyllanthus emblica, MIC, MBC, silver nanoparticles, UV-VIS, FEG-SEM

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: a rare surgico-pathological entity

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the seventh most common cancer for females in the world. Epithelial OC is the most predominant pathologic subtype (85%-90%), with five major histotypes- serous, mucinous, endometrioid, brenner and clear cell tumour. Each have three pathological subtypes ie benign, borderline and malignant. Mucinous cystadenomas and carcinomas of the ovary are well-established and common tumors. Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenomas and carcinomas are being very rare and histopathogenesis of which is still uncertain. Most pathologists suggest their origin through mucinous metaplasia in a pre-existing mesothelium-lined cyst. An accurate preoperative diagnosis of these tumors is challenging due to lack of established effective diagnostic measures. Hereby presenting a 50-year-old woman, who visited to the hospital with abdominal distension and discomfort since two months. Sonography and computed tomography scans were performed and showed large predominantly cystic lesion arising from right adnexa. Patient underwent exploratory laparotomy for removal of the tumor. Histology and immunohistochemistry revealed primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma

A note on uniform entropy for maps having topological specification property

[EN] We prove that if a uniformly continuous self-map $f$ of a uniform space has topological specification property then the map $f$ has positive uniform entropy, which extends the similar known result for homeomorphisms on compact metric spaces having specification property. An example is also provided to justify that the converse is not true.The second author is supported by UGC Major Research Project F.N. 42-25/2013(SR)Shah, S.; Das, R.; Das, T. (2016). A note on uniform entropy for maps having topological specification property. Applied General Topology. 17(2):123-127. https://doi.org/10.4995/agt.2016.4555SWORD123127172Adler, R. L., Konheim, A. G., & McAndrew, M. H. (1965). Topological entropy. Transactions of the American Mathematical Society, 114(2), 309-309. doi:10.1090/s0002-9947-1965-0175106-9Amigó, J., Keller, K., & Unakafova, V. A. (2015). On entropy, entropy-like quantities, and applications. Discrete and Continuous Dynamical Systems - Series B, 20(10), 3301-3343. doi:10.3934/dcdsb.2015.20.3301Bowen, R. (1971). Entropy for group endomorphisms and homogeneous spaces. Transactions of the American Mathematical Society, 153, 401-401. doi:10.1090/s0002-9947-1971-0274707-xCeccherini-Silberstein, T., & Coornaert, M. (2013). Sensitivity and devaney’s chaos in uniform spaces. Journal of Dynamical and Control Systems, 19(3), 349-357. doi:10.1007/s10883-013-9182-7Das, T., Lee, K., Richeson, D., & Wiseman, J. (2013). Spectral decomposition for topologically Anosov homeomorphisms on noncompact and non-metrizable spaces. Topology and its Applications, 160(1), 149-158. doi:10.1016/j.topol.2012.10.010Dikranjan, D., Sanchis, M., & Virili, S. (2012). New and old facts about entropy in uniform spaces and topological groups. Topology and its Applications, 159(7), 1916-1942. doi:10.1016/j.topol.2011.05.046Furstenberg, H. (1967). Disjointness in ergodic theory, minimal sets, and a problem in diophantine approximation. Mathematical Systems Theory, 1(1), 1-49. doi:10.1007/bf01692494Goodman, T. N. T. (1971). Relating Topological Entropy and Measure Entropy. Bulletin of the London Mathematical Society, 3(2), 176-180. doi:10.1112/blms/3.2.176Hood, B. M. (1974). Topological Entropy and Uniform Spaces. Journal of the London Mathematical Society, s2-8(4), 633-641. doi:10.1112/jlms/s2-8.4.63

Low-ω3 Fatty Acid and Soy Protein Attenuate Alcohol-Induced Fatty Liver and Injury by Regulating the Opposing Lipid Oxidation and Lipogenic Signaling Pathways.

Chronic ethanol-induced downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) and upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-beta (PGC1β) affect hepatic lipid oxidation and lipogenesis, respectively, leading to fatty liver injury. Low-ω3 fatty acid (Low-ω3FA) that primarily regulates PGC1α and soy protein (SP) that seems to have its major regulatory effect on PGC1β were evaluated for their protective effects against ethanol-induced hepatosteatosis in rats fed with Lieber-deCarli control or ethanol liquid diets with high or low ω3FA fish oil and soy protein. Low-ω3FA and SP opposed the actions of chronic ethanol by reducing serum and liver lipids with concomitant decreased fatty liver. They also prevented the downregulation of hepatic Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and PGC1α and their target fatty acid oxidation pathway genes and attenuated the upregulation of hepatic PGC1β and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and their target lipogenic pathway genes via the phosphorylation of 5\u27 adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Thus, these two novel modulators attenuate ethanol-induced hepatosteatosis and consequent liver injury potentially by regulating the two opposing lipid oxidation and lipogenic pathways

Protective Role of Dietary Curcumin in the Prevention of the Oxidative Stress Induced by Chronic Alcohol with respect to Hepatic Injury and Antiatherogenic Markers

Curcumin, an antioxidant compound found in Asian spices, was evaluated for its protective effects against ethanol-induced hepatosteatosis, liver injury, antiatherogenic markers, and antioxidant status in rats fed with Lieber-deCarli low menhaden (2.7% of total calories from ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)) and Lieber-deCarli high menhaden (13.8% of total calories from ω-3 PUFA) alcohol-liquid (5%) diets supplemented with or without curcumin (150 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Treatment with curcumin protected against high ω-3 PUFA and ethanol-induced hepatosteatosis and increase in liver injury markers, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Curcumin upregulated paraoxonase 1 (PON1) mRNA and caused significant increase in serum PON1 and homocysteine thiolactonase activities as compared to high ω-3 PUFA and ethanol group. Moreover, treatment with curcumin protected against ethanol-induced oxidative stress by increasing the antioxidant glutathione and decreasing the lipid peroxidation adduct 4-hydroxynonenal. These results strongly suggest that chronic ethanol in combination with high ω-3 PUFA exacerbated hepatosteatosis and liver injury and adversely decreases antiatherogenic markers due to increased oxidative stress and depletion of glutathione. Curcumin supplementation significantly prevented these deleterious actions of chronic ethanol and high ω-3 PUFA. Therefore, we conclude that curcumin may have therapeutic potential to protect against chronic alcohol-induced liver injury and atherosclerosis