Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

Acid Mine Drainage Remediation: Aluminum Chelation Using Functional Graphenic Materials.

Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a pervasive source of metal pollution that severely impacts freshwater ecosystems and has a direct impact on human health Conventional active and passive methods work very well for removing iron in AMD remediation, which is typically the highest metallic impurity However, conventional passive remediation fails to remove all aluminum, which has severe ecological implications Removal of aluminum ions using chelation, which traditionally uses small molecules that bind metals tightly for sequestration, holds promise Yet, chelation strategies are limited because once introduced into surface water, small molecules are difficult to reclaim and often persist in the environment as pollutants To address this, we have designed six unique scaffolds based on functional graphenic materials (FGMs) to create nonsoluble materials that could be placed at the end of a passive remediation process to remove persistent aluminum When tested for efficacy, all six FGMs successfully demonstrated a reversible capacity to remove aluminum from acidic water, chelating up to 21 μg of Al/mg of FGM Furthermore, when they were exposed to E coli as an approximation for environmental compatibility, viability was unaffected, even at high concentrations, suggesting these FGMs are nontoxic and viable candidates for passive chelation-based remediation

Personality Disorders and Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study

Abstract: A substantial body of research has found that spinal cord injury (SCI) patients have relatively high degrees of energy, impulsivity, and risk-taking (W. Fordyce, 1964; G. P. Taylor, 1970; B. Woodbury, 1978). The present study endeavors to extend our knowledge to the personality disorder (PD) domain. Forty SCI participants and 40 matched controls were given a semistructured diagnostic interview and a self-report personality disorder instrument. Findings indicated that 27.5% of SCI patients, and a similar number of controls, have PDs. Unexpectedly, impulsive/externalizing disorders (histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, and borderline) were not unusually high in SCI patients, and were not higher than controls. Avoidant and depressive disorders were unexpectedly high.

An Unusual Presentation of a Carcinoid Tumor of the Common Bile Duct

Abstract: Context Carcinoid tumors arising from the bile ducts account for only a small fraction of biliary tract cancers. Case report We report herein a 42-year-old man with a carcinoid tumor of the common bile duct. He presented with abdominal pain, bloating and dyspepsia. Clinicolaboratory and imaging studies suggested a probable obstructive common bile duct lesion. The patient underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with a stent placement in view of common bile duct decompression. Persistence of symptoms prompted a laparotomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy that revealed a well-differentiated carcinoid tumor originating in the common bile duct. Conclusion Clinician’s familiarity with the unusual sites of origin of neuroendocrine tumors and/or atypical presentation of such tumors may facilitate their early recognition and allow for a timely intervention. Image: Nodular mass in the common bile duct lumen.

Concurrent Use of Mepolizumab and Rituximab for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis and Multisystem Involvement.

Abstract: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), formerly Churg-Strauss, is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated autoimmune vasculitis, involving small- and medium-sized arteries, which could involve several organs. This rare syndrome can present with a myriad of symptoms, which may make diagnosis challenging. It has been suggested that there are variants of EGPA, which may respond differently to available modes of treatment. Multiple and different mechanisms may be at play in each case of EGPA. This may influence the decision of clinicians to combine treatment strategies as done in this case. The addition of immunosuppressive agents other than high-dose steroids may mitigate end-organ damage, facilitate faster recovery, and prevent relapse. Rituximab among others has been seen to provide better outcomes, including a lower incidence of relapse. Mepolizumab was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 for the treatment of EGPA. Administered at a higher dose than approved for severe eosinophilic asthma, it has been shown to lengthen remission in EGPA. The optimal dose and duration of therapy with mepolizumab remain unclear. The rarity alone of EGPA creates room for further investigation regarding pathogenesis, outcome over time, and treatment strategies, which may vary depending on how an individual case presents. This case describes the course of a 55-year-old woman who presented with respiratory symptoms, pauci-immune necrotizing granulomatous nephropathy, and neuropathy secondary to P-ANCA-positive EGPA who was successfully treated with rituximab and mepolizumab, in addition to glucocorticoids.