http://hdl.handle.net/10027/8701 Thu, 23 May 2013 14:26:48 GMT 2013-05-23T14:26:48Z http://hdl.handle.net/10027/8770 Ability of a neuro-ophthalmologist to estimate retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Pula, John H.; Kattah, Jorge C.; Wang, Hauping; Marshall, John; Eggenberger, Eric R. BACKGROUND: Qualitative description of the optic disc has clinical value, but optical coherence tomography (OCT) has provided the ability to quantify retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. METHODS: We asked three neuro-ophthalmologists of at least 20 years' experience to estimate the average OCT RNFL thickness of 37 eyes based on fundus photos. RESULTS: The overall correlation coefficient for RNFL thickness estimation variance between two physicians and between physician and OCT was 0.53. The likelihood that the RNFL thickness estimation between physicians, or between physician and OCT, was within 10 μm of each other was 47%-62%. All physicians had disparities in RNFL thickness estimation greater than 30 μm. CONCLUSION: This study provides information on the ability of an experienced neuro-ophthalmologist to estimate the RNFL thickness based on fundus photos. © 2012 by Dove Medical Press, Clinical Ophthalmology Sat, 01 Sep 2012 05:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10027/8770 2012-09-01T05:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10027/8607 Cord Blood Stem Cells Inhibit Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Translocation to Mitochondria in Glioblastoma Dasari, Venkata Ramesh; Velpula, Kiran Kumar; Alapati, Kiranmai; Gujrati, Meena; Tsung, Andrew J. Background: Overexpression of EGFR is one of the most frequently diagnosed genetic aberrations of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). EGFR signaling is involved in diverse cellular functions and is dependent on the type of preferred receptor complexes. EGFR translocation to mitochondria has been reported recently in different cancer types. However, mechanistic aspects of EGFR translocation to mitochondria in GBM have not been evaluated to date. Methodology/Principle Findings: In the present study, we analyzed the expression of EGFR in GBM-patient derived specimens using immunohistochemistry, reverse-transcription based PCR and Western blotting techniques. In clinical samples, EGFR co-localizes with FAK in mitochondria. We evaluated this previous observation in standard glioma cell lines and in vivo mice xenografts. We further analyzed the effect of human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSC) on the inhibition of EGFR expression and EGFR signaling in glioma cells and xenografts. Treatment with hUCBSC inhibited the expression of EGFR and its co-localization with FAK in glioma cells. Also, hUCBSC inhibited the co-localization of activated forms of EGFR, FAK and c-Src in mitochondria of glioma cells and xenografts. In addition, hUCBSC also inhibited EGFR signaling proteins in glioma cells both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions/Significance: We have shown that hUCBSC treatments inhibit phosphorylation of EGFR, FAK and c-Src forms. Our findings associate EGFR expression and its localization to mitochondria with specific biological functions in GBM cells and provide relevant preclinical information that can be used for the development of effective hUCBSC-based therapies. © 2012 Dasari et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031884 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10027/8607 2012-02-01T06:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10027/8436 Sleep Telemedicine: Patient Satisfaction and Treatment Adherence Parikh, Roshni; TouVelle, Megan Nicole; Wang, Huaping; Zallek, Sarah Nath Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea is common, but access to diagnosis remains limited. Telemedicine may allow greater access to care; however, its effect on patient satisfaction and treatment adherence is unknown. This study compares patient satisfaction and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) adherence of patients seen by videoconference with those seen in person. Materials and Methods: New patients seen via video or in person at a sleep center completed a survey, with three questions pertaining to satisfaction with the provider. Questions were scored 1–5; the sum was the patient satisfaction score. CPAP adherence was retrospectively analyzed in patients who met the physician via video or in person. Percentage of nights CPAP was used for ‡ 4 h and average minutes of CPAP use per night over 2 consecutive weeks were compared. Results: A Mann–Whitney test compared patient satisfaction of the 90 subjects (of whom, 56 met physician in person and 34 via video). Mean scores (in person, 14.82; video, 14.91; p = 0.851) did not differ between groups. Mann–Whitney tests compared CPAP adherence in the 172 subjects (of whom, 111 met physician in person and 61 via video). Mean percentage of nights CPAP was used ‡ 4 h (in person, 71%; video, 65%; p = 0.198) and the average minutes per night of CPAP use (in person, 340.55; video, 305.31; p = 0.153) did not differ between groups. Conclusions: The findings indicate that patients were equally satisfied with their provider and adherent to CPAP treatment whether they were seen in person or via video. Videoconferencing may improve access to patient care without reducing patient satisfaction or treatment adherence. This is a copy of an article published in the Telemedicine and e-Health © 2011 Copyright Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; Telemedicine and e-Health is available online at: http://www.liebertonline.com. DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2011.0025 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10027/8436 2011-10-01T05:00:00Z