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.

Doppler tissue imaging for the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function: a systematic approach for the sonographer.

Abstract: Therefore, this article will: (1)discuss the potential role for DTI in the assessmentof diastolic function combined with standard trans-mitral Doppler recordings; (2) review prior studiesof DTI in the estimation of LV filling pressures; (3)highlight technical issues associated with DTI; and(4) propose a systematic approach for the sonogra-pher to obtain accurate and reproducible Dopplertissue tracings.

Regulation of Collagenase-3 by Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 in Bone Cell Cultures

Abstract: Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a member of the transforming growth factor superfamily of peptides, induces ectopic bone formation in vivo. The actions of BMP-2 on osteoblastic cells include stimulation of collagen synthesis, but the role of BMP-2 on collagen degradation is not known. We examined whether BMP-2 affects the expression of collagenase-3, an enzyme that degrades type I collagen at neutral pH, and that of tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in primary osteoblast-enriched cells from 22-day-old fetal rat calvariae. BMP-2 suppressed collagenase messenger RNA (mRNA) and immunoreactive protein levels. BMP-2 did not affect collagenase mRNA stability, but it reduced collagenase heterogeneous nuclear RNA levels and decreased the rate of transcription of the collagenase gene. BMP-2 also stimulated TIMP 1 and TIMP 3 mRNA levels, but failed to alter TIMP 2 expression. In conclusion, our studies indicate that BMP-2 suppresses collagenase-3 gene transcription and stimulates TIMP 1 a...

Burnout, depression and job satisfaction in obstetrics and gynecology residents.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE This study among ObGyn residents was designed to determine the relationship of burnout to job satisfaction, depression, and self-care activities. METHODS The link to a 64-item, anonymous, self-administered online survey was distributed to obstetrics and gynecology residents at six obstetric and gynecologic residency programs in the greater Hartford Connecticut region. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey to assess job burnout, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale to identify depression, and we incorporated questions regarding job satisfaction and self care activities. RESULTS Of the surveyed residents, 13% satisfied all three subscale scores for high burnout and > 50% have high levels of depersonalization and emotional exhaustion. Residents with high levels of emotional exhaustion were less satisfied with their careers (P = 0.001), regretted choosing ObGyn (P < 0.001), and had higher rates of depression (P < 0.001). A high level of depersonalization was inversely correlated to job satisfaction and personal accomplishment, and strongly correlated to depression. A high level of personal accomplishment was strongly correlated with job satisfaction and satisfaction with the specialty but was inversely correlated with a sense of depersonalization. There was no correlation between burnout and self-care activities. CONCLUSIONS Burnout is strongly correlated with depression and inversely correlated with job satisfaction. Burnout and depression were highly prevalent among ObGyn residents. Decreasing stressors and assuring motivated, committed, and supportive educators may prove to be helpful in the enhancement of resident job satisfaction.

Effects of serum from children with newly diagnosed Crohn disease on primary cultures of rat osteoblasts.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES We propose that Crohn disease (CD) decreases bone formation via circulating inflammatory mediators. We therefore examined the effects of serum from newly diagnosed, untreated children with CD on osteoblasts in culture and the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine present in excess in active CD that also has direct effects on bone. METHODS Bone mineral density was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Primary cultures of rat osteoblasts were treated with serum from patients with CD and healthy controls. We measured expression of osteoblast proliferation, viability, differentiation markers, and mineralized nodule formation. Neutralizing antibodies were used to inhibit the effects of IL-6 present in serum. RESULTS We studied 24 children with CD (14 male) and 31 controls (15 male). Spine bone mineral density was lower in patients with CD (Z score, -0.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 0.0 +/- 1.0 for controls; P < 0.05). Nodule formation was markedly decreased in osteoblasts treated with CD serum. However, CD serum did not affect osteoblast proliferation or viability. Expression of proteins characteristic of mature osteoblasts-osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase-was reduced. Unlike our results in a model of intact bone, neutralization of IL-6 did not inhibit the effects of CD serum. Addition of IL-6 to control serum to match serum concentrations in CD had no effect either. CONCLUSIONS CD serum affects osteoblast function and probably differentiation in vitro, suggesting a mechanism by which CD may affect bone formation. IL-6 by itself is not sufficient to cause these effects and probably needs a cofactor present in intact bone.

Mood states associated with transitory changes in asthma symptoms and peak expiratory flow.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE This study examined the within-person relations between transitory changes in mood, asthma symptoms, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) METHODS Thrice-daily for 21 consecutive days, 48 adults with moderate to severe asthma entered information in palm-top computers about their mood and asthma symptoms A multidimensional model of mood, ie, the mood circumplex, informed the assessment of mood arousal and mood pleasantness At each observation, participants also recorded their PEFR with peak flow meters that stored blinded data Albuterol doses were also monitored electronically Before and after the 21-day study, spirometric measures of airways obstruction were taken under controlled conditions RESULTS Random effects regression models revealed a significant, but weak, within-person relation between symptoms and PEFR Changes in mood vectors with an arousal component were significantly related to PEFR changes, whereas changes in mood vectors with a pleasantness component tracked changes in asthma symptom reports, even after adjustment for contemporaneous PEFR and after controlling for time of day and albuterol dosing Comparison of spirometric assessments with unsupervised PEFR suggested that part of the relation between mood arousal and PEFR may be attributable to the "effort-dependence" of peak flow self-monitoring CONCLUSIONS Different dimensions of mood were associated with transitory changes in asthma symptoms and PEFR This may be one reason why individuals with asthma misperceive the severity of their symptoms in relation to underlying airways obstruction