Dissertation (DScD) -- Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 2010 (Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology). / Diabetes and periodontal disease exhibit a bidirectional relationship centered on an enhanced inflammatory response manifested both locally and systemically. The observation that hyperglycemia by itself, in the absence of additional inflammatory signals, promotes a proinflammatory environment indicates that diabetes is an independent risk factor for periodontal disease. Leukocyte pre-activation or priming in diabetes has been demonstrated. Excessive ROS release by leukocytes, upregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules are characteristic to T2DM-associated low-grade inflammation. However, the mechanisms by which chronic hyperglycemia leads to leukocyte activation are not fully understood. [TRUNCATED]

by Chiu Pui Yu. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-118). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Title Page --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii-iv / Acknowledgement --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi-viii / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x-xii / List of Abbreviations --- p.xiii / Chapter Section I: --- Introduction / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Overview --- p.1-2 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Teratogenic Effects of Hyperglycemia / Chapter 2.1 --- What is Hyperglycemia --- p.3 / Chapter 2.2 --- Teratogenic Effects of Hyperglycemia --- p.4-6 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Human Studies / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Animal Studies / Chapter 2.3 --- Timetables for Embryogenesis: Rats versus Humans --- p.7 / Chapter 2.4 --- Mechanisms of Hyperglycemia Induced Teratogenesis --- p.8-12 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- What are Free Radicals? / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Major Free Radical Species Involvedin Hyperglycemic Teratogenesis / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Molecular Damage Induced by Reactive Oxygen Species / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Supporting Evidence of Reactive Oxygen Species Causing Anomalies / Chapter 2.4.5. --- Hyperglycemia and Formation of Free Radicals / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Caffeine as Teratogen and Antioxidant / Chapter 3.1 --- Popularity of Caffeine --- p.13 / Chapter 3.2 --- Basic Metabolism of Caffeine --- p.14 / Chapter 3.3 --- Biological Actions of Caffeine --- p.15 / Chapter 3.4 --- Teratogenicity of Caffeine --- p.16-20 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Animal Studies / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Teratogenic Effects of Caffeine in Animals / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- Teratogenic Dose of Caffeine / Chapter 3.4.1.3 --- Interspecies Sensitivity / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Human Studies / Chapter 3.5 --- Possible Mechanisms for the Teratogenic Actions of Caffeine --- p.21 / Chapter 3.6 --- Caffeine as an Antioxidant --- p.22 / Chapter 3.7 --- Combined Effects of Caffeine with Other Substances --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Early Embryogenesis- A Question to be Answered / Chapter 4.1 --- Possible Links between Hyperglycemia and Caffeine --- p.24 / Chapter 4.2 --- Objectives of the Present Study --- p.25 / Chapter 4.3 --- Hypothesis --- p.26 / Chapter Section II: --- Research Designs and Methods / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 5.1 --- Licenses --- p.27 / Chapter 5.2 --- Overall Study Design --- p.28-40 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Whole Embryo Culture Model / Chapter 5.2.1.1 --- Animals / Chapter 5.2.1.2 --- Explantation of Embryos and Serum Collection / Chapter 5.2.1.3 --- Preparation of Serum / Chapter 5.2.1.4 --- Culture Media / Chapter 5.2.1.5 --- Embryo Culture / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Experimental Groups / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Morphological Assessment / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Quantitation of Oxidative Stress / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Protein Assay / Chapter 5.3 --- Statistical Evaluation --- p.41 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Laboratory Considerations / Chapter 6.1 --- Whole Embryo Culture Model --- p.42-43 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Subjects / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Time Mating / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Culture Medium / Chapter 6.1.4 --- Gas Phase and Rotating Bottle Culture Method / Chapter 6.2 --- Quantification of Oxidative Stress --- p.47-49 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- 8-Isoprostaglandins F2a as a Marker / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Assay for 8-Isoprostaglandins F2a / Chapter 6.2.2.1 --- Enzyme Immunoassay versus Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry / Chapter Section III: --- Results / Chapter Chapter 7: --- Results / Chapter 7.1 --- Justifications of Methods of Statistical Analysis --- p.50 / Chapter 7.2 --- Effects of Hyperglycemia on Early Embryogenesis --- p.51-56 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Effects of Hyperglycemia on Morphological Development / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Effects of Hyperglycemia on Production of 8-isoprostaglandins F2a / Chapter 7.2.3 --- Effects of Hyperglycemia on Total Protein Content / Chapter 7.3 --- Effects of Caffeine on Early Embryogenesis --- p.57-61 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Effects of Caffeine on Morphological Development / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Effects of Caffeine on Total Protein Content / Chapter 7.4 --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Early Embryogenesis --- p.62-66 / Chapter 7.4.1 --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Morphological Development / Chapter 7.4.2 --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Production of 8-isoprostaglandins F2a / Chapter 7.4.3 --- Combined Effects of Hyperglycemia and Caffeine on Total Protein Content / Chapter Section IV: --- Discussion and Conclusions / Chapter Chapter 8: --- Discussion --- p.67-83 / Chapter Chapter 9: --- Conclusions and Future Directions --- p.84 / Appendices --- p.85 / References --- p.86-118

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Anatomy / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

No description available.

Background: Elevated blood glucose in patients undergoing cardiac surgery pose increased risks of sternal incision infections, kidney disease, irregular heartbeats, extended hospital stays, and death. Elevated blood glucose also increases the costs of healthcare from prolonged lengths of stay and increased complications. The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) #4 performance measure is used to evaluate achievement of a target blood glucose control < 200 milligram/deciliter (mg/dl) post cardiac surgery on postoperative days 1 and 2. In the institution where this study was carried out, blood sugar control in the cardiac surgery patient has presented a challenge. Purpose: The purpose of this practice inquiry was to identify patient characteristics and outcomes in cardiac surgery patients who met the SCIP #4 performance measure versus those patients who did not. Methods: A retrospective nested case-control design was used. Risk factors for postoperative hyperglycemia and in-hospital outcomes were compared between cardiac surgery patients who were SCIP #4 met defined as 6AM BG ≤ 200 mg/dl on postoperative days 1 and 2 and those that were SCIP #4 not met, defined as 6AM BG > 200 mg/dl on postoperative days 1 or 2. Results: Results from this study showed that preoperative hemoglobin AIC and history of diabetes were two major contributors for SCIP #4 not-met status. There was a trend towards a longer length of stay in the SCIP #4 not met group as compared to the met group (9.01 ± 7.33 versus 7.30 ± 4.93 days, respectively; p = . 096). Mortality was 3 times more prevalent in the SCIP #4 not met than the met group (6.2% versus 2.1%, respectively); however, this different did not reach statistical significance (p = .129). Renal failure was four-fold more frequent in patients who were SCIP #4 not-met than who were SCIP #4 met (13.6% vs. 4.1%, respectively; p = 0.003). Conclusions: Results from this study showed that SCIP #4 not met is associated with development of postoperative renal failure in the hospital and a trend towards longer length of stay. History of diabetes and preoperative hemoglobin AIC level should be taken into consideration when evaluating strategies for managing hyperglycemia. Future research is needed to study the relationship between SCIP #4 met status and long-term outcomes. The use of preoperative hemoglobin A1C to identify patients at high risk for uncontrolled postoperative glucose and plan effective glucose control should be studied. Such study may include implementing intravenous insulin on all patients with diabetes and elevated hemoglobin A1C levels and comparing the short and long term outcomes.

The presence of persistent organic pollutants, including the pesticide toxaphene, has been reported even in remote regions such as the Arctic and is becoming a health concern. The technical mixture of toxaphene contains over 800 different congeners; however, the numbers decrease along the food chain. Only two major congeners, 2-exo, 3-endo, 5-exo, 6-endo,8,8,9,10,10-octachlorobomane (T2) and 2-exo, 3-endo, 5-exo, 6-endo,8,8,9,10,10-nonachlorobomane (T12) have been found in humans. Information on the embryotoxicity of toxaphene is based only on studies using the toxaphene technical mixture and not its major congeners. Diabetes mellitus, one of the most common maternal illness resulting in congenital defects, is now on an upgrowth trend in many native communities. Xenobiotics, such as toxaphene, may induce interactive effects with hyperglycemia, a teratogenic metabolic agent. / In the present study, the relative dysmorphogenic effects of the toxaphene technical mixture or its congeners (T2 and T12) and the interactive effects of these compounds and high glucose concentrations were investigated using rat embryo culture. Early stage embryos (0--2 somite) were treated with three different doses of the toxaphene technical mixture, T2, T12, or 50:50 mixture of T2 and T12 and incubated in normal or hyperglycemic culture media for 48 h. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-134) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.E.)--University of Canterbury, 2007. / Typescript (photocopy). "May-07." Includes bibliographical references (leaves [89-95]). Also available via the World Wide Web.