Georgetown University

About: Georgetown University is a education organization based out in Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 23377 authors who have published 43718 publications receiving 1748598 citations. The organization is also known as: GU & Georgetown.

Urinalysis: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract: A complete urinalysis includes physical, chemical, and microscopic examinations. Midstream clean collection is acceptable in most situations, but the specimen should be examined within two hours of collection. Cloudy urine often is a result of precipitated phosphate crystals in alkaline urine, but pyuria also can be the cause. A strong odor may be the result of a concentrated specimen rather than a urinary tract infection. Dipstick urinalysis is convenient, but false-positive and false-negative results can occur. Specific gravity provides a reliable assessment of the patient's hydration status. Microhematuria has a range of causes, from benign to life threatening. Glomerular, renal, and urologic causes of microhematuria often can be differentiated by other elements of the urinalysis. Although transient proteinuria typically is a benign condition, persistent proteinuria requires further work-up. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections diagnosed by positive leukocyte esterase and nitrite tests can be treated without culture.

Treating depression in predominantly low-income young minority women: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: ContextImpoverished minority women experience a higher burden from depression than do white women because they are less likely to receive appropriate care. Little is known about the effectiveness of guideline-based care for depression with impoverished minority women, most of whom do not seek care.ObjectiveTo determine the impact of an intervention to deliver guideline-based care for depression compared with referral to community care with low-income and minority women.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA randomized controlled trial conducted in the Washington, DC, suburban area from March 1997 through May 2002 of 267 women with current major depression, who attended county-run Women, Infants, and Children food subsidy programs and Title X family planning clinics.OutcomesHamilton Depression Rating Scale measured monthly from baseline through 6 months; instrumental role functioning (Social Adjustment Scale) and social functioning (Short Form 36-Item Health Survey) measured at baseline and 3 and 6 months.InterventionsParticipants were randomly assigned to an antidepressant medication intervention (trial of paroxetine switched to bupropion, if lack of response) (n = 88), a psychotherapy intervention (8 weeks of manual-guided cognitive behavior therapy) (n = 90), or referral to community mental health services (n = 89).ResultsBoth the medication intervention (P<.001) and the psychotherapy intervention (P = .006) reduced depressive symptoms more than the community referral did. The medication intervention also resulted in improved instrumental role (P = .006) and social (P = .001) functioning. The psychotherapy intervention resulted in improved social functioning (P = .02). Women randomly assigned to receive medications were twice as likely (odds ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-4.27; P = .057) to achieve a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 7 or less by month 6 as were those referred to community care.ConclusionsGuideline-concordant care for major depression is effective for these ethnically diverse and impoverished patients. More women engaged in a sufficient duration of treatment with medications compared with psychotherapy, and outcome gains were more extensive and robust for medications.

Idiosyncratic Volatility and the Cross-Section of Expected Returns

Abstract: This paper examines the cross-sectional relation between idiosyncratic volatility and expected stock returns. The results indicate that (i) data frequency used to estimate idiosyncratic volatility, (ii) weighting scheme used to compute average portfolio returns, (iii) breakpoints utilized to sort stocks into quintile portfolios, and (iv) using a screen for size, price and liquidity play a critical role in determining the existence and significance of a relation between idiosyncratic risk and the cross-section of expected returns. Portfolio-level analyses based on two different measures of idiosyncratic volatility (estimated using daily and monthly data), three weighting schemes (value-weighted, equal-weighted, inverse-volatility-weighted), three breakpoints (CRSP, NYSE, equal-market-share), and two different samples (NYSE/AMEX/NASDAQ and NYSE) indicate that there is no robust, significant relation between idiosyncratic volatility and expected returns.

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

Abstract: The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of at least fifteen secreted and membrane-bound zinc-endopeptidases. Collectively, these enzymes can degrade all of the components of the extracellular matrix, including fibrallar and non-fibrallar collagens, fibronectin, laminin and basement membrane glycoproteins. MMPs are thought to be essential for the diverse invasive processes of angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. Numerous studies have shown that there is a close association between expression of various members of the MMP family by tumors and their proliferative and invasive behavior and metastatic potential. In some of human cancers a positive correlation has also been demonstrated between the intensity of new blood vessel growth (angiogenesis) and the likelihood of developing metastases. Thus, control of MMP activity in these two different contexts has generated considerable interest as a possible therapeutic target. The tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are naturally occurring proteins that specifically inhibit matrix metalloproteinases, thus maintaining balance between matrix destruction and formation. An imbalance between MMPs and the associated TIMPs may play a significant role in the invasive phenotype of malignant tumors. TIMP-1 has been shown to inhibit tumor-induced angiogenesis in experimental systems. These findings raised the possibility of using an agent that affects expression or activity of MMPs as an anti-cancer therapy. TIMPs are probably not suitable for pharmacologic applications due to their short half-life in vivo. Batimastat (BB-94) and marimastat (BB-2516) are synthetic, low-molecular weight MMP inhibitors. They have a collagen-mimicking hydroxamate structure, which facilitates chelation of the zinc ion in the active site of the MMPs. These compounds inhibit MMPs potently and specifically. Batimastat was the first synthetic MMP inhibitor studied in humans with advanced malignancies, but its usefulness has been limited by extremely poor water solubility, which required intraperitoneal administration of the drug as a detergent emulsion. Marimastat belongs to a second generation of MMP inhibitors. In contrast to batimastat, marimastat is orally available. Both of these agents are currently in Phase I/II trials in US, Europe and Canada. Some other new agents, currently in clinical trials, have been shown to inhibit MMP production. Bryostatins, naturally occurring macrocyclic lactones, have both in vitro and in vivo activity in numerous murine and human tumors. In culture, bryostatin-1 has been shown to induce differentiation and halt the growth of several malignant cell lines. While the exact mechanism responsible for anti-tumor activity is unclear, an initial event in the action of bryostatin-1 is activation of protein kinase C (PKC), followed by its down regulation. Bryostatin-1 does not directly affect the activity of MMPs, but it can inhibit the production of MMP-1, 3, 9, 10 and 11 by inhibiting PKC. TIMP-1 levels could also be modulated by bryostatin-1, as it is encoded by a PKC responsive gene.

Field studies of pedestrian walking speed and start-up time

Abstract: Today's traffic environment is not well adapted to the needs of the older pedestrian. Unfortunately, except in the case of children, little is known about the characteristics and behavior of pedestrians. Although the simple fact that older pedestrians walk more slowly than younger ones is easily supported by field data, existing data on walking speeds and start-up time (i.e., the time from the onset of a Walk signal until the pedestrian steps off the curb) have many shortcomings. A series of field studies was conducted to quantify the walking speed and start-up time of pedestrians of various ages under different conditions. Sixteen crosswalks in four urban areas were studied. Data were collected on walking speeds and start-up times relative to site and environmental factors, including street width, posted speed, curb height, grade, number of vehicle travel lanes, signal cycle length, pedestrian-signal type, street functional classification, crosswalk type, and channelization. Data on a subject group of pe...