Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play a role in neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in addition to being a regulator of angiogenesis. Gene therapy using an adenovirus carrying an engineered zinc-finger protein (Adv-ZFP) and transcription factor construct targeted to the VEGF gene, has been shown to upregulate genomic expression of VEGF-A isoforms in skeletal muscle. Our objective was to use this gene therapy to explore cell survival in TBI. Rats were subjected to a unilateral fluid percussion injury (FPI) in the cortex. Groups consisted of control, injured and injured-treated animals. Adv-ZFP-VEGF was injected into the cortex and hippocampus. Engineered ZFP-VEGF increases VEGF-A protein levels and correlates with increased CA2 hippocampal cell survival and reduction in apoptotic cell death following TBI. NF200 expression in TBI+VEGF animals was comparable to levels in naive animals. This study suggests a therapeutic strategy to treat delayed cell death in a model of TBI.

Background: The prevalence of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) in Taiwan has risen to the first in the world in recent years. Non-traumatic lower extremity lesion is a common disease of diabetic and ESRD patients. Many studies have found that the prevalence of non-traumatic lower extremity lesion in diabetic patients with ESRD is higher than normal diabetic patients. Prevention the incidence of lower extremity lesions in patients with ESRD may prevent patients from further amputation. Objectives: This study explored the prevalence of ESRD with Non-traumatic lower extremity lesion. We focused on demography status, comorbidities, dialysis therapies and utilization of health care to define the risk factors of disease. Methods: This study conducted secondary data analysis with administrative data from Bureau of National Health Insurance (HV_CD data) for four years (2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006). In total, there were 57021, 75711, 76750, and 86902 for years 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006, respectively. To attain the research purposes, descriptive analyses and logistic regression were performed. Result: The prevalence of ESRD with non-traumatic lower extremity lesion for the four years were 1.30%, 1.44%, 2.71% and 2.45%, respectively. ESRD patients with and without non-traumatic lower extremity lesion were significant difference between comorbidities (OR for the four years were 2.06, 1.98, 1.86 and 1.83), dialysis therapies (hemodialysis / peritoneal dialysis, OR for the four years were 17.1, 16.79, 15.12 and 9.23) and duration of dialysis (1-5 years / 5 years and more, OR was 1.39 in 2002).There were significant differences in regions of hospital organizations (compared with the north, OR were 0.67 in the center in 2000, 1.47 in the east in 2002 and 0.87 in the center in 2006), class of hospital organizations (compared with Academic Medical Centers, OR were 1.40 in Regional Hospitals, 1.50 in District Hospitals and 0.36 in Physician Clinics in 2000, 0.18 in Physician Clinics in 2002, 0.76 in Regional Hospitals, 0.78 in District Hospitals and 0.23 in Physician Clinics in 2004, 0.66 in Regional Hospitals, 0.75 in District Hospitals and 0.26 in Physician Clinics in 2006 ) and outpatient visits ( positive correlation in all years except 2000). Conclusion: The risk factors of suffering non-traumatic lower extremity lesion in ESRD patients are comorbidities, dialysis therapies and duration of dialysis. In the part of regions of hospital organizations, the east region has higher and the center region has lower probability of suffering the disease, comparing with the north region. Academic Medical Centers has the highest probability to find ESRD patients with non-traumatic lower extremity lesion. We also found the numbers of outpatient visits were increasing with the disease. Based on the results, we highly suggest that caregivers from dialysis units have to pay great attention in taking care of the ESRD patients with non-traumatic lower extremity lesion to prevent from the further amputation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (M.S.)--Central Connecticut State University, 2003. / Thesis advisor: Stephen M. Cox. " ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Criminal Justice." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-37). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Kinesiology and Health Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 82-85). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR46025

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 37-41).

published_or_final_version / Chinese Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

Introduction: Psychological disturbances after combat and major civil accident has long been recognised, but it has become clear that more "everyday" trauma such as road traffic accidents can lead to similar problems. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the extreme of a spectrum of Post-traumatic Psychopathology (PTP), is known to influence the Metabolic Response to Trauma (MRT), and may affect physical recovery after injury. This thesis details the results of a large study of accident victims, following their physical, physiological and psychological recovery. Methods: Cohort study of 200 patients aged 16-60 y with musculoskeltal injuries. The patients completed questionnaires that examined their psychological health (GHQ), and their physical and pyschosocial health (SIP, SF-36, MFA), and trauma scores were calculated. Assessments were made on admission (<i>vice</i> health before the accident), and were repeated at two and six months. A subgroup of 82 patients also gave blood samples at each of the follow up points, and these were analysed for pro-inflammatory markers of the MRT (CRP, IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor, and TNF-a). Results: Follow up was 79% and 75% at two and six months for the main group, and 82% and 59% respectively for the Metabolic Markers subgroup. PTP was found in 11% of patients at initial assessment, 46% at two months and 22% at six months. It was strongly related to impaired physical and psychosocial functioning There were also associations between PTP and sIL-6r and TNF-a at six months. Injury Severity Score was predictive of PTP at two and six months. Discussion: There are strong associations between psychological and physical health after musculosketal trauma. Injury Severity Score is predictive of this psychological disturbance, which is also associated with disturbance of pro-inflammatory markers. Truly holistic care of patients who have suffered musculoskeletal trauma must include management of the psychological injury as well as the more obvious physical injuries.

No description available.