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Targeted Delivery Of Anti-Inflammatory And Anti-Oxidant Drugs For Treatment Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Yun Xiang
All Dissertations
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was found to be the fourth leading cause of death in 2004, but current treatments can only relieve the symptoms and improve the quality of life for the patients. Glucocorticoids have been broadly applied in other inflammatory conditions with promising therapeutic effects, but performed poorly in COPD. The phenomenon called glucocorticoid resistance is responsible for glucocorticoid insensitivity in COPD. Researchers have proven that elevated oxidative stress in the lung of a COPD patient is one of the main causes of blocking the function of glucocorticoids. We hypothesize that reducing the oxidative stress in the lung …
Arsenic Targets Neural Plate Border Specifier Cells In P19 Cells, Christopher Mccoy
Arsenic Targets Neural Plate Border Specifier Cells In P19 Cells, Christopher Mccoy
All Theses
Epidemiological studies have shown that arsenic exposure during early embryogenesis can cause reduced weight gain and neurological deficits later on in life. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that arsenic suppresses neurogenesis and myogenesis. The exact mechanism of how arsenic causes these undesired developmental outcomes is poorly understood, however both skeletal muscle and sensory neuron development require the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to initiate the specific differentiation of precursor cells. We were interested in determining the target cell population of arsenic and its metabolites. Arsenic's metabolites were of interest because they have been shown to be more …
Ahr-Related Activities In A Creosote-Adapted Population Of Adult Atlantic Killifish, Fundulus Heteroclitus, Two Decades Post-Epa Superfund Status, Josephine Wojdylo
Ahr-Related Activities In A Creosote-Adapted Population Of Adult Atlantic Killifish, Fundulus Heteroclitus, Two Decades Post-Epa Superfund Status, Josephine Wojdylo
All Dissertations
Atlantic killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, have adapted to, or at least developed a level of resistance to creosote-based polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found at the Atlantic Wood (AW) superfund site in the southern branch of the Elizabeth River, VA USA. Historically, 90+% of the mummichogs at this site have hepatic lesions of varying severity, and 30+% of these fish have tumors of various origin. Many xenobiotics, including select PAHs found at the Atlantic Wood site, are ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which is a promiscuous ligand-dependent transcription factor involved in developmental regulation, environmental sensing, and induction of a suite …
Development Of A Translational, Tissue-Engineered Approach To Replacement Of Myocardial Infarct Scar Tissue, Jason Schulte
Development Of A Translational, Tissue-Engineered Approach To Replacement Of Myocardial Infarct Scar Tissue, Jason Schulte
All Dissertations
Myocardial infarction (MI) affects nearly 600,000 individuals each year, and the resulting damage initiates a pathophysiological progression towards congestive heart failure (CHF). A shortage of donor organs precludes heart transplantation as a practical solution, and neither surgical intervention nor stem cell therapy have yielded consistent and sufficiently positive results in clinical investigation. To prevent CHF, prospective therapies must target the cause of the maladaptive cardiac remodeling which precedes it--the nonfunctional, dyskinetic infarct scar--and aim to replace it with functional cardiac muscle. Tissue engineering holds promise for the development of novel therapies to either halt or reverse post-MI cardiac remodeling. However, …
The Effects Of Reminder Distinctiveness And Anticipatory Interval On Prospective Memory, Natalee Baldwin
The Effects Of Reminder Distinctiveness And Anticipatory Interval On Prospective Memory, Natalee Baldwin
All Theses
Prospective memory failures (or failures to remember a future intention) can result in a wide range of negative consequences. The use of reminders has been shown to improve the rate of PM successes. The aim of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of reminders based on their type (text or picture) and their timing. We hypothesized that successful PM performance would be successfully maintained over longer anticipatory intervals when paired with picture reminders rather than with simple text reminders because of the inherent distinctiveness of pictures. We also expected that performance for younger adults would be better than …
Does Health Insurance Have Influence On Obesity?, Wenyao Zhou
Does Health Insurance Have Influence On Obesity?, Wenyao Zhou
All Theses
Obesity in the United States has been continuing increasing and cited as a major health issue in recent decades. Many researchers have studied its socio-economic cause, but very few studies center on the potential influence that health insurance has on obesity. In our common sense, health insurance reduces the money that we pay for health care and makes many treatments' cost affordable which we may choose to give up originally due to our financial situation. However, everything has two sides. The benefits from insurance also can lead people to change their choices and behaviors. As an insured, people may take …
The Effects Of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation On Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Synoviocytes, Allison Millican
The Effects Of Conjugated Linoleic Acid Supplementation On Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Synoviocytes, Allison Millican
All Theses
Osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of lameness in the athletic horse. Cases of equine osteoarthritis typically present with synovitis, or inflammation of the synovium. This inflammation in the synovium leads to the production of inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids. Although these downstream products can be beneficial, overproduction can lead to degradation of cartilage and joint disease. Opportunities to help mitigate or decrease inflammation within the joint are of current interest to the equine industry. One method being investigated is nutritional supplementation. The anti-inflammatory effects demonstrated by CLA supplementation make it a potential prospect for utilization in mitigating joint inflammation. …
Towards Image-Guided Pediatric Atrial Septal Defect Repair, Fuad Mefleh
Towards Image-Guided Pediatric Atrial Septal Defect Repair, Fuad Mefleh
All Dissertations
Congenital heart disease occurs in 107.6 out of 10,000 live births, with Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) accounting for 10\% of these conditions. Historically, ASDs were treated with open heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass, allowing a patch to be sewn over the defect. In 1976, King et al. demonstrated use of a transcatheter occlusion procedure, thus reducing the invasiveness of ASD repair. Localization during these catheter based procedures traditionally has relied on bi-plane fluoroscopy; more recently trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) and intra-cardiac echocardiography (ICE) have been used to navigate these procedures. Although there is a high success rate using the transcatheter occlusion …
Pharmacists' And Patients' Perceptions Of Role Of Pharmacist In Discharge Process, Ravi Teja Vempati
Pharmacists' And Patients' Perceptions Of Role Of Pharmacist In Discharge Process, Ravi Teja Vempati
All Theses
The objective of this study was to identify the perceptions of both patients and pharmacists about the pharmacist's role in the hospital discharge process. In order to do this, observations were conducted with the patients and interviews were conducted with both patients and pharmacists. During the interviews, both the patients and pharmacists were asked about the pharmacist's role in the hospital discharge process. The interviews were qualitatively analyzed using the in vivo technique. Four high-level themes emerged from this study: Current role of a pharmacist in the hospital, Ideal role of a pharmacist in the discharge process, Pharmacists' perceptions of …
Responses Of Target And Non-Target Species To Algaecide Exposures, Alyssa Calomeni
Responses Of Target And Non-Target Species To Algaecide Exposures, Alyssa Calomeni
All Theses
Laboratory experiments are often used to predict the responses of target and non-target species to chemical exposures in the field. In the first two experiments of this thesis, a rigorous evaluation of six algal viability measures was conducted. A definitive evaluation of the algal response measures was conducted using heat treatment to create known live: dead cell suspensions. Results from the response measures were compared to the known viability of the cell suspensions to determine their variance and accuracy. Copper-based algaecides were then used as a more realistic exposure to test the algal viability measures. When algal viability measures had …
Cooking Healthy, Eating Smart (Ches): Evaluating The Feasibility Of Using Volunteers To Deliver Nutrition And Food Safety Education To Rural Older Adults, Morgan Getty
All Theses
Due to their limited resources, rural, older adults in the United States are at risk for poor diet-related health outcomes. Nutrition education is a key component in improving health outcomes in older adults. Cooking Healthy, Eating Smart (CHES) is a nine-lesson curriculum designed to teach rural, older adults culturally appropriate nutrition and food safety information. Funding to hire health professionals to deliver such a curriculum is limited, presenting the need to explore a less expensive mode of dissemination. In this community-based, participatory research study, a formative evaluation and feasibility study were conducted to examine the use of volunteers to deliver …
The Avian Thrombocyte Is A Specialized Immune Cell, Farzana Ferdous
The Avian Thrombocyte Is A Specialized Immune Cell, Farzana Ferdous
All Dissertations
Thrombocytes are the most abundant circulating cells next to red blood cells in avian blood. Avian thrombocytes are homologous in function to mammalian platelets. Avian thrombocytes and the mammalian platelet are widely recognized contributors to inflammatory responses upon stimulation with various microbial stimulants. However, some observed responses of the avian thrombocyte depart from a standardized model ascribed to innate cells. To help unravel the role of thrombocytes in innate immunity, and possibly adaptive immunity, first we examined the surface features of chicken thrombocytes. Chicken thrombocytes constitutively express transcripts for different Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that are crucial for the innate immune …
Assessing Awareness Of The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Of 2008 (Gina) Among Nurse Practitioners, Mary Steck
All Dissertations
Genetic advancements during the latter part of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century have presented individuals, the medical community, and legislators at state and federal levels, with numerous genetic discrimination predicaments. Oncology nurses need to be knowledgeable about GINA (The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008) and its applications to clinical practice. GINA is the first federal law passed to protect United States' citizens with inherited disorders from being treated unfairly due to their genetic make-up. Understanding the legislation known as GINA, including how it modifies existing federal laws governing health insurance coverage and employment discrimination, …
Impact Of Physical And Psychosocial Workplace Hazards On Employee Health: An Irish T Ale Of Civil Servant Workers, Kyle R. Stanyar
Impact Of Physical And Psychosocial Workplace Hazards On Employee Health: An Irish T Ale Of Civil Servant Workers, Kyle R. Stanyar
All Dissertations
Obesity, mental health problems, and absenteeism are both economic and health burdens for employers and employees. Research suggests that physical and psychosocial hazards in the workplace contribute to health risks and health problems among employees. There is a need for researchers to examine how exercise, diet, and age interact with the negative effects of workplace hazards upon health. Hypotheses 1a through 3b predicted that physical and psychosocial workplace hazards would negatively impact body mass index (BMI), general mental health, and sickness absences. Further, hypotheses 4a through 9b predicted that exercise and diet would buffer stress from occupational hazards upon BMI, …
Comprehensive Cancer Care: An Outpatient Treatment Facility, Braden Abrams Reid
Comprehensive Cancer Care: An Outpatient Treatment Facility, Braden Abrams Reid
All Theses
A cancer diagnosis can result in a loss of decision-making and control for patients. The majority of clinical treatments fail to adequately address corollary symptoms and needs that arise both from treatment and from the disease itself. Thus, the architectural problem identified in this thesis inquiry is how can an outpatient cancer centre treat the whole patient comprehensively, while at the same time instilling control and re-empowering the patient? This thesis project proposes a patient-centered environment designed to support the myriad and nuanced needs of the cancer patient, as well as a site-specific proposal for a comprehensive outpatient cancer treatment …
Mobile Interactive Fitness Technologies And The Recreational Experience Of Bicycling: A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Strava Community, William Smith
All Theses
Technology is now embedded in many aspects of daily life. Over the past few years, fitness related smartphone applications have steadily grown in popularity. Despite the prevalence of technology in recreation and leisure experiences, the topic remains to be thoroughly examined from a qualitative interpretive viewpoint. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe how cyclists use and experience Strava--a GPS enabled smartphone application that tracks bicycle rides and uploads the data to an online community of other users. Particular attention was given to user motivations, affordances of the technology, and notions of community. After participant observation …
Effects Of Creosote-Contaminated Sediment Extracts On Mouse Macrophage Physiology And Function, Rayna Silva
Effects Of Creosote-Contaminated Sediment Extracts On Mouse Macrophage Physiology And Function, Rayna Silva
All Theses
The southern branch of the Elizabeth River, at Portsmouth Virginia is one of the most polluted systems in North America. This harbor estuary system is also home to the Atlantic Wood Superfund site, which is heavily contaminated with creosote from the Atlantic Wood (AW) preservative company that ceased production in the later 1990s. Creosote is a mixture of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, and numerous aliphatic hydrocarbons, and well known to be carcinogenic. The toxicity of sediments and pore waters from the AW site has been studied extensively using Fundulus heteroclitus, also known as the mummichog, or Atlantic killifish. Most adult …
Characterizing The Chronic Toxicity Of Ion Mixtures To Ceriodaphnia Dubia Using Two Experimental Designs, Katherine Johnson
Characterizing The Chronic Toxicity Of Ion Mixtures To Ceriodaphnia Dubia Using Two Experimental Designs, Katherine Johnson
All Theses
Total Dissolved Solids, commonly referred to as TDS, is a measure of all organic and inorganic substances that pass through a 2-um filter and are naturally found in aquatic environments. Anthropogenic activities such as agricultural irrigation, road salt runoff, hydraulic fracturing, and coal-fired power plant effluents can increase TDS concentrations of freshwater ecosystems ultimately increasing salinity. Aquatic organisms actively manage the ion balance between their external and internal environments. Freshwater organisms use energy to pump sodium in from the environment, while losing it through passive diffusion. If the external ion concentration changes significantly, these organisms must allocate more energy towards …
Beyond Health: The Meaning Of Recreation Participation For Injured Service Members, Catherine Munroe
Beyond Health: The Meaning Of Recreation Participation For Injured Service Members, Catherine Munroe
All Theses
The Global War on Terrorism and the ongoing contingency operations have resulted in a large number of service members returning home with life changing traumatic injuries. As a result, there has been a surge of programs designed to facilitate transition into life with a disability and promote recovery from injury, including programs providing recreation and sports. The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the effects of recreation and sport participation on injured service members' recovery and enhancement of health. Health is investigated using the World Health Organization's definition which includes physical, mental, and social well-being. Interviews were conducted …
The Salient Traditional Medicinal Plants And Conservation Strategies Of The Loita Maasai Of Kenya, Jedidah Nankaya
The Salient Traditional Medicinal Plants And Conservation Strategies Of The Loita Maasai Of Kenya, Jedidah Nankaya
All Theses
Approximately 80% of the rural population in developing countries relies on traditional medicinal plants for their health care needs. As a result, people have developed their knowledge of these traditional medicines through their experiences and daily observations. In the Maasai community, this information is deeply rooted in their culture, transferred from one generation to the next orally and along gender lines. This study explored the traditional medicinal plants used by the Loita Maasai to treat human health problems with the aim of identifying the salient medicinal plants of the Loita Maasai and their uses (Chapter 2). In addition, due to …