Molly Wasserman - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Uploads

Papers by Molly Wasserman

Research paper thumbnail of Targeted Nanotherapies for the Treatment of Surgical Diseases

Annals of Surgery, 2016

To describe the components of targeted nanotherapeutics and to review their applications in the t... more To describe the components of targeted nanotherapeutics and to review their applications in the treatment of surgical diseases. Targeted nanotherapeutic is a novel strategy for treating a variety of diseases and is an emerging technology that offers advantages over current treatment strategies. The nanoscale size, combined with the ability to surface functionalize the delivery vehicle to enable targeting and incorporate a therapeutic payload, provides a new and innovative therapeutic platform to treat surgical diseases that has yet to be fully realized in the surgical arena. A comprehensive literature review of nanotherapeutics, targeting strategies, and their utility in treating surgical diseases is performed. Targeted nanotherapeutics have demonstrated safety and biocompatibility in treating surgical diseases. The ability to surface functionalize the nanoparticles affords a unique tailorability that enables targeting specificity and therapeutic payload delivery to treat a variety of surgical diseases. Moreover, the small size and targeting capabilities allow access to biological compartments, such as the blood-brain barrier, that have previously been difficult to treat. Targeted nanotherapeutics represent a novel therapeutic platform and have great potential to impact the treatment of surgical diseases.

Research paper thumbnail of Targeted Nanotherapies for the Treatment of Surgical Diseases

Annals of Surgery, 2016

To describe the components of targeted nanotherapeutics and to review their applications in the t... more To describe the components of targeted nanotherapeutics and to review their applications in the treatment of surgical diseases. Targeted nanotherapeutic is a novel strategy for treating a variety of diseases and is an emerging technology that offers advantages over current treatment strategies. The nanoscale size, combined with the ability to surface functionalize the delivery vehicle to enable targeting and incorporate a therapeutic payload, provides a new and innovative therapeutic platform to treat surgical diseases that has yet to be fully realized in the surgical arena. A comprehensive literature review of nanotherapeutics, targeting strategies, and their utility in treating surgical diseases is performed. Targeted nanotherapeutics have demonstrated safety and biocompatibility in treating surgical diseases. The ability to surface functionalize the nanoparticles affords a unique tailorability that enables targeting specificity and therapeutic payload delivery to treat a variety of surgical diseases. Moreover, the small size and targeting capabilities allow access to biological compartments, such as the blood-brain barrier, that have previously been difficult to treat. Targeted nanotherapeutics represent a novel therapeutic platform and have great potential to impact the treatment of surgical diseases.

Research paper thumbnail of Synthetically Engineered Targeted Gold Nanoparticles for the Prevention of Restenosis after Vascular Interventions

Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Novel large animal model of xanthoma formation

Journal of dermatological science, Jan 2, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of The natural history of anal transition zone inflammation and possible relationship to pouchitis: A long term longitudinal study

Colorectal Disease

AIM: Reservoir ileitis (pouchitis) is the most common complication after pelvic pouch surgery for... more AIM: Reservoir ileitis (pouchitis) is the most common complication after pelvic pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis and the aetiology remains largely unknown. The anal transition zone contains the only remaining colonic epithelium after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and may provide important clues as to whether ulcerative colitis and pouchitis share a common pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate longitudinally the long term histologic changes in the anal transition zone and its relationship to the incidence of pouchitis. METHOD: Patients with a double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis at an academic medical centre with at least 10 years of clinical and histologic followup were identified from a prospective database. Annual anal transition zone (ATZ) and pouch biopsies were taken and interpreted by two expert GI pathologists. Anal transition zone histologic variability score, the incidence of pouchitis, and function were correlated over time. A...

Research paper thumbnail of A Strategy to Reduce General Surgery Resident Attrition: A Resident's Perspective

JAMA surgery, Jan 9, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Testosterone modulates performance on a spatial working memory task in male rats

Hormones and Behavior, Jun 30, 2006

Gonadal hormones have been shown to modulate memory retention in female rats. The current experim... more Gonadal hormones have been shown to modulate memory retention in female rats. The current experiments examine the role of testicular hormones in modulating the performance of male rats on two spatial water maze tasks. In the first study, castrated and intact rats were trained on the visible platform and hidden platform versions of the Morris water maze task. Castration did not affect performance on either version of this reference memory task with castrated and intact rats demonstrating similar performance both during acquisition and on post-training probe trials. In the second experiment, castrated and intact rats were tested on a delayed-matching-to-place version of the water maze. Rats received a series of trial pairs in the maze with a hidden platform located in the same pool location on the exposure and retention trials of each pair; between pairs of trials, however, the platform was repositioned to a novel pool location. The interval between trials was either 10-or 60-min and memory retention, taken as the difference between the pathlengths on the exposure and retention trials, declined as the interval increased. Relative to intact males, castrated males demonstrated impaired working memory retention at 60-min but not at 10-min retention intervals. This interval-dependent impairment in working memory retention was reversed by physiologic levels of testosterone replacement. These findings indicate that castration does not significantly affect acquisition or probe trial performance on a classic reference memory task but does impair spatial working memory retention, an effect that is reversed by exogenous testosterone.

Research paper thumbnail of Testosterone modulates performance on a spatial working memory task in male rats

Hormones and Behavior, 2006

Gonadal hormones have been shown to modulate memory retention in female rats. The current experim... more Gonadal hormones have been shown to modulate memory retention in female rats. The current experiments examine the role of testicular hormones in modulating the performance of male rats on two spatial water maze tasks. In the first study, castrated and intact rats were trained on the visible platform and hidden platform versions of the Morris water maze task. Castration did not affect performance on either version of this reference memory task with castrated and intact rats demonstrating similar performance both during acquisition and on post-training probe trials. In the second experiment, castrated and intact rats were tested on a delayed-matching-to-place version of the water maze. Rats received a series of trial pairs in the maze with a hidden platform located in the same pool location on the exposure and retention trials of each pair; between pairs of trials, however, the platform was repositioned to a novel pool location. The interval between trials was either 10-or 60-min and memory retention, taken as the difference between the pathlengths on the exposure and retention trials, declined as the interval increased. Relative to intact males, castrated males demonstrated impaired working memory retention at 60-min but not at 10-min retention intervals. This interval-dependent impairment in working memory retention was reversed by physiologic levels of testosterone replacement. These findings indicate that castration does not significantly affect acquisition or probe trial performance on a classic reference memory task but does impair spatial working memory retention, an effect that is reversed by exogenous testosterone.

Research paper thumbnail of The anthropometric definition of the rectum is highly variable

International journal of colorectal disease, Jan 25, 2015

The precise definition of the rectum is essential for localizing colorectal pathology, yet curren... more The precise definition of the rectum is essential for localizing colorectal pathology, yet current definitions are nebulous. The objective of this study is to determine the anthropometric definition of common pelvic landmarks in relation to patient characteristics. Seventy-one patients underwent open proctectomy with intra-operative measurements from the anal verge to various pelvic landmarks, and patient characteristics were evaluated. Analyses were performed using Spearman correlation and Wilcoxon rank sum. The mean landmark distance was dentate line = 1.7 cm (range 0.8-4.0 cm), puborectalis muscle = 4.2 cm (range 2.0-8.0 cm), anterior peritoneal reflection = 13.2 cm (range 8.5-21.0 cm), sacral promontory = 17.9 cm (range 13.0-26.0 cm), and confluence of the taenia = 25.5 cm (range 16.0-44.0 cm). Men had longer mean distances to the dentate line (p = 0.0003), puborectalis muscle (p = 0.03), and anterior peritoneal reflection (p = 0.02). Patient weight significantly correlated with...

Research paper thumbnail of Targeted Nanotherapies for the Treatment of Surgical Diseases

Annals of Surgery, 2016

To describe the components of targeted nanotherapeutics and to review their applications in the t... more To describe the components of targeted nanotherapeutics and to review their applications in the treatment of surgical diseases. Targeted nanotherapeutic is a novel strategy for treating a variety of diseases and is an emerging technology that offers advantages over current treatment strategies. The nanoscale size, combined with the ability to surface functionalize the delivery vehicle to enable targeting and incorporate a therapeutic payload, provides a new and innovative therapeutic platform to treat surgical diseases that has yet to be fully realized in the surgical arena. A comprehensive literature review of nanotherapeutics, targeting strategies, and their utility in treating surgical diseases is performed. Targeted nanotherapeutics have demonstrated safety and biocompatibility in treating surgical diseases. The ability to surface functionalize the nanoparticles affords a unique tailorability that enables targeting specificity and therapeutic payload delivery to treat a variety of surgical diseases. Moreover, the small size and targeting capabilities allow access to biological compartments, such as the blood-brain barrier, that have previously been difficult to treat. Targeted nanotherapeutics represent a novel therapeutic platform and have great potential to impact the treatment of surgical diseases.

Research paper thumbnail of Targeted Nanotherapies for the Treatment of Surgical Diseases

Annals of Surgery, 2016

To describe the components of targeted nanotherapeutics and to review their applications in the t... more To describe the components of targeted nanotherapeutics and to review their applications in the treatment of surgical diseases. Targeted nanotherapeutic is a novel strategy for treating a variety of diseases and is an emerging technology that offers advantages over current treatment strategies. The nanoscale size, combined with the ability to surface functionalize the delivery vehicle to enable targeting and incorporate a therapeutic payload, provides a new and innovative therapeutic platform to treat surgical diseases that has yet to be fully realized in the surgical arena. A comprehensive literature review of nanotherapeutics, targeting strategies, and their utility in treating surgical diseases is performed. Targeted nanotherapeutics have demonstrated safety and biocompatibility in treating surgical diseases. The ability to surface functionalize the nanoparticles affords a unique tailorability that enables targeting specificity and therapeutic payload delivery to treat a variety of surgical diseases. Moreover, the small size and targeting capabilities allow access to biological compartments, such as the blood-brain barrier, that have previously been difficult to treat. Targeted nanotherapeutics represent a novel therapeutic platform and have great potential to impact the treatment of surgical diseases.

Research paper thumbnail of Synthetically Engineered Targeted Gold Nanoparticles for the Prevention of Restenosis after Vascular Interventions

Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Novel large animal model of xanthoma formation

Journal of dermatological science, Jan 2, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of The natural history of anal transition zone inflammation and possible relationship to pouchitis: A long term longitudinal study

Colorectal Disease

AIM: Reservoir ileitis (pouchitis) is the most common complication after pelvic pouch surgery for... more AIM: Reservoir ileitis (pouchitis) is the most common complication after pelvic pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis and the aetiology remains largely unknown. The anal transition zone contains the only remaining colonic epithelium after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and may provide important clues as to whether ulcerative colitis and pouchitis share a common pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate longitudinally the long term histologic changes in the anal transition zone and its relationship to the incidence of pouchitis. METHOD: Patients with a double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis at an academic medical centre with at least 10 years of clinical and histologic followup were identified from a prospective database. Annual anal transition zone (ATZ) and pouch biopsies were taken and interpreted by two expert GI pathologists. Anal transition zone histologic variability score, the incidence of pouchitis, and function were correlated over time. A...

Research paper thumbnail of A Strategy to Reduce General Surgery Resident Attrition: A Resident's Perspective

JAMA surgery, Jan 9, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Testosterone modulates performance on a spatial working memory task in male rats

Hormones and Behavior, Jun 30, 2006

Gonadal hormones have been shown to modulate memory retention in female rats. The current experim... more Gonadal hormones have been shown to modulate memory retention in female rats. The current experiments examine the role of testicular hormones in modulating the performance of male rats on two spatial water maze tasks. In the first study, castrated and intact rats were trained on the visible platform and hidden platform versions of the Morris water maze task. Castration did not affect performance on either version of this reference memory task with castrated and intact rats demonstrating similar performance both during acquisition and on post-training probe trials. In the second experiment, castrated and intact rats were tested on a delayed-matching-to-place version of the water maze. Rats received a series of trial pairs in the maze with a hidden platform located in the same pool location on the exposure and retention trials of each pair; between pairs of trials, however, the platform was repositioned to a novel pool location. The interval between trials was either 10-or 60-min and memory retention, taken as the difference between the pathlengths on the exposure and retention trials, declined as the interval increased. Relative to intact males, castrated males demonstrated impaired working memory retention at 60-min but not at 10-min retention intervals. This interval-dependent impairment in working memory retention was reversed by physiologic levels of testosterone replacement. These findings indicate that castration does not significantly affect acquisition or probe trial performance on a classic reference memory task but does impair spatial working memory retention, an effect that is reversed by exogenous testosterone.

Research paper thumbnail of Testosterone modulates performance on a spatial working memory task in male rats

Hormones and Behavior, 2006

Gonadal hormones have been shown to modulate memory retention in female rats. The current experim... more Gonadal hormones have been shown to modulate memory retention in female rats. The current experiments examine the role of testicular hormones in modulating the performance of male rats on two spatial water maze tasks. In the first study, castrated and intact rats were trained on the visible platform and hidden platform versions of the Morris water maze task. Castration did not affect performance on either version of this reference memory task with castrated and intact rats demonstrating similar performance both during acquisition and on post-training probe trials. In the second experiment, castrated and intact rats were tested on a delayed-matching-to-place version of the water maze. Rats received a series of trial pairs in the maze with a hidden platform located in the same pool location on the exposure and retention trials of each pair; between pairs of trials, however, the platform was repositioned to a novel pool location. The interval between trials was either 10-or 60-min and memory retention, taken as the difference between the pathlengths on the exposure and retention trials, declined as the interval increased. Relative to intact males, castrated males demonstrated impaired working memory retention at 60-min but not at 10-min retention intervals. This interval-dependent impairment in working memory retention was reversed by physiologic levels of testosterone replacement. These findings indicate that castration does not significantly affect acquisition or probe trial performance on a classic reference memory task but does impair spatial working memory retention, an effect that is reversed by exogenous testosterone.

Research paper thumbnail of The anthropometric definition of the rectum is highly variable

International journal of colorectal disease, Jan 25, 2015

The precise definition of the rectum is essential for localizing colorectal pathology, yet curren... more The precise definition of the rectum is essential for localizing colorectal pathology, yet current definitions are nebulous. The objective of this study is to determine the anthropometric definition of common pelvic landmarks in relation to patient characteristics. Seventy-one patients underwent open proctectomy with intra-operative measurements from the anal verge to various pelvic landmarks, and patient characteristics were evaluated. Analyses were performed using Spearman correlation and Wilcoxon rank sum. The mean landmark distance was dentate line = 1.7 cm (range 0.8-4.0 cm), puborectalis muscle = 4.2 cm (range 2.0-8.0 cm), anterior peritoneal reflection = 13.2 cm (range 8.5-21.0 cm), sacral promontory = 17.9 cm (range 13.0-26.0 cm), and confluence of the taenia = 25.5 cm (range 16.0-44.0 cm). Men had longer mean distances to the dentate line (p = 0.0003), puborectalis muscle (p = 0.03), and anterior peritoneal reflection (p = 0.02). Patient weight significantly correlated with...