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The Effect Of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (Snps) In Toll-Like Receptors -2, -4, -9, And Cd14 Genes In An African-American Population With Chronic Periodontitis, Willard Maughan
Theses and Dissertations
AIM: to determine if a relationship exists between TLR-2, TLR-4, TLR-9, or CD14 polymorphisms and risk for developing chronic periodontal disease in an African-American population. This is the first study conducted to determine role of SNPs in TLR genes and CD14 gene in a periodontally-diseased African-American population. Additionally, this is the first study to assess the role of TLR-9 polymorphism in periodontitis patients. METHODS: A total of 130 subjects were involved in the study. The chronic periodontitis (CP) group contained 73 subjects, and the healthy control (NP) group 57subjects. Genotyping was performed in TLR2 (G2408A), TLR4 (A896G),TLR9 (T1486C) and CD14 …
Perceived Responsibility For The Development Of White Spot Lesions During Orthodontic Treatment, Blake Maxfield
Perceived Responsibility For The Development Of White Spot Lesions During Orthodontic Treatment, Blake Maxfield
Theses and Dissertations
White spot lesions (WSLs) or decalcifications remain a common complication in orthodontic patients with poor oral hygiene. The purpose of this study was to compare attitudes regarding the development of WSLs among patients, parents, orthodontists and general dentists and improve prevention and treatment protocols through better communication. A survey was developed to evaluate and compare the current opinions of orthodontic patients (n=315), parents (n=279), orthodontists (n=305) and general dentists (n=191) regarding the significance, prevention and treatment of WSLs. All four groups indicated that WSLs did detract from the overall appearance of straight teeth. All four groups indicated that patients were …
Father-Daughter Attachment And Sexual Behavior In African-American Daughters, Karen Hill-Holliday
Father-Daughter Attachment And Sexual Behavior In African-American Daughters, Karen Hill-Holliday
Theses and Dissertations
Although a relationship has been found in some studies between paternal attachment and female sexual behavior, knowledge of this relationship in African Americans has been limited. The purpose of this research was to determine if there was a relationship between father-daughter attachment, parent teen sexual risk communication and early sexual activity, condom use, history of sexually transmitted infection, global/sexual self-esteem and teen pregnancy in African-American females. An anonymous consent and survey was administered online to N=113 African American college women (age 18-21) attending a southeastern university. Measurements included the Parent Attachment Questionnaire (Father), Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem, Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory (short scale), …
“Design And Synthesis Of Molecular Probes For The Study Of 5-Ht2a And H1 Receptors”, Jitesh Shah
“Design And Synthesis Of Molecular Probes For The Study Of 5-Ht2a And H1 Receptors”, Jitesh Shah
Theses and Dissertations
The serotonin (5-HT) receptors, with seven subtypes and at least fifteen distinct members, mediate a wide range of physiological functions both in the central nervous system and in the periphery. All members of the 5-HT family except the 5-HT3 subtype belong to the family of aminergic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Over the years, various molecules have been reported which act selectively at 5-HT2 receptors. However, there are no ligands that exhibit complete selectivity for one subpopulation of 5-HT2 receptors. Insight into how drugs bind to 5-HT2 receptors could contribute significantly to the development of subtype-selective agents with enhanced therapeutic effects. …
Development Of Ppar-Γ Receptor Agonists As Therapeutic Agents For Diabetes, Ashwini Goswami
Development Of Ppar-Γ Receptor Agonists As Therapeutic Agents For Diabetes, Ashwini Goswami
Theses and Dissertations
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are the transcriptional regulators of glucose, lipids and cholesterol metabolisms. It has been established that PPAR-γ is the receptor for thiazolidinediones (TZDs) class of type II anti-diabetic drugs. These compounds act as agonists of PPAR-γ. They may delay the development of type II diabetes in individuals at high risk of developing the condition, and have been shown to have potentially beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors. PPAR-γ receptor activation by TZDs improves insulin sensitivity by promoting fatty acid uptake into adipose tissue, increasing production of adiponectin (responsible for glucose regulation and fatty acid metabolism) and …
Leadership And Dental Aesthetics Of Adults As Perceived By Laypersons, E. Britton Montgomery
Leadership And Dental Aesthetics Of Adults As Perceived By Laypersons, E. Britton Montgomery
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to determine if dental aesthetics is perceived by adults to affect an individual’s ability to emerge as a leader. An electronic survey was constructed using facial frontal smiling photographs of 10 patients. Statements were formulated to evaluate four leadership characteristics: intelligence, self-confidence, friendliness, and trustworthiness. Evaluators indicated their level of agreement with each statement for each subject using a 100mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data was obtained from 214 evaluators. Picture ratings were analyzed using repeated-measures mixed-model analyses. Evaluator factors and picture factors were considered when testing for crooked vs. straight teeth differences. There …
Is Volunteering During Adolescence Associated With A Delay In Pregnancy Until Adulthood?, Diane Bishop
Is Volunteering During Adolescence Associated With A Delay In Pregnancy Until Adulthood?, Diane Bishop
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine if regular volunteering during adolescence was associated with a delay in first pregnancy until adulthood. Method: Data for this analysis were drawn from Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Logistic regression was used, controlling for demographic characteristics and pregnancy intention, to estimate the independent contribution of volunteering during adolescence to a delay in first pregnancy until after age 18. Results: One-third of respondents reported regularly volunteering during adolescence. Volunteering significantly differed among those who had a teen pregnancy compared to those who delayed pregnancy until …
Physical Activity Among Diabetic Individuals According To Diabetic Treatment Type, Tammie Thompson
Physical Activity Among Diabetic Individuals According To Diabetic Treatment Type, Tammie Thompson
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: To evaluate the physical activity patterns of diabetic adults by the type of treatment they received Method: The study used secondary data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2006. NHANES is a continuous study which measures the health and nutritional status of non-institutionalized citizens in the United States. To be eligible for the study, participants had to be an adult 18 years or older who responded during the interview phase of the survey that they had diabetes. Participants with any missing data pertaining to the variables were excluded. After exclusions, the final …
Patients Evaluated For Liver Transplant: Transplant List Denial And Subsequent Outcomes, Kara Elam
Patients Evaluated For Liver Transplant: Transplant List Denial And Subsequent Outcomes, Kara Elam
Theses and Dissertations
Background: The evaluation process for listing a patient on the liver transplant list is complicated and involves multiple consultations from various specialists, as well as extensive imaging and physiological studies. Although there are data on the outcomes of those listed, we know little about those that are denied listing. This research project will identify the reasons for liver transplant listing denial and predictors of death following denial for this challenging group of patients. Methods: Data from all patients (n=1,500) evaluated for a liver transplant from 1997 to 2007 by the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition located at Virginia Commonwealth …
Determinants Of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Adults In The United States: Nhanes 1999-2006, Conschetta Wright
Determinants Of Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Adults In The United States: Nhanes 1999-2006, Conschetta Wright
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of vaccination and HBV infection status of adults and to evaluate the trend in self reported vaccination and seroprevalence for Hepatitis B for this population. Additionally, this study sought to assess the association between vaccination rates, seroprevalence (HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HBs), demographic (age, gender, location of birth, race/ethnicity), and socioeconomic (annual household income, education level, insurance coverage and access to care, marital status) characteristics. Methods: Eight years, 1999-2006, of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were used. NHANES participants aged 20-59 years who contributed data …
Novel Analogs Of M-Chlorophenylguanidine As 5-Ht3 Receptor Ligands, Katie Alix
Novel Analogs Of M-Chlorophenylguanidine As 5-Ht3 Receptor Ligands, Katie Alix
Theses and Dissertations
Serotonin receptors play a variety of functional roles in the body. Some indications and treatment claims for one of the classes of serotonin receptors, the 5-HT3 receptor family, include: anxiety, depression, chemotherapy- and radiation-induced emesis, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, pain, drug addiction, and satiety control. A 5-HT3 receptor partial agonist, MD-354, served as a lead compound in the development of new 5-HT3 receptor ligands. Using halogenated analogs the study investigated their effect on binding to the 5-HT3 receptor. Conformationally-constrained analogs (quinazolines) were shown to be a novel class of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. The log P values were determined for several …
Weight Perception And The Use Of Unhealthy Weight Loss Tactics Among Adults In The United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Nhanes Data, 2000-2006., Laura King
Theses and Dissertations
Introduction: Weight dissatisfaction and misperception are widespread problems in the United States as are unhealthy weight loss practices. These negative body image issues can lead to eating disorders which have serious health and quality of life consequences. Objective: To evaluate the extent to which the prevalence of distorted body image and unhealthy dieting tactics exist in adults in the US and how these are related. Methods: Data from NHANES 2000-20006 on adults aged 20-59 was used. Weight perception was assessed with the physical exam measurements of weight status and the weight history questionnaire item asking if the person considered him …
A Culturally-Relevant, Emergent Approach To Exploring The Needs, Strengths, And Priorities Of Tribal Communities In Virginia, Amy Prorock-Ernest
A Culturally-Relevant, Emergent Approach To Exploring The Needs, Strengths, And Priorities Of Tribal Communities In Virginia, Amy Prorock-Ernest
Theses and Dissertations
Little is known about the health of the indigenous peoples in Virginia. When compared to the total U.S. population, indigenous peoples nationwide disproportionately experience disparities in health status across multiple health indicators. Research shows that these disparities are largely due to the inequitable distribution of social and economic determinants present within indigenous communities. Because the indigenous peoples of Virginia are affected by inequitable social and economic conditions, there is reason to believe that health indicators may mirror that of the indigenous population at-large. Outlined in this paper is a framework for exploring the needs, strengths, and priorities of indigenous communities …
Evaluation Of The Program Delivery Of Every Women's Life In Virginia, Landolt Susan Kenney
Evaluation Of The Program Delivery Of Every Women's Life In Virginia, Landolt Susan Kenney
Theses and Dissertations
Introduction: Among women, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. Although technology advances have improved survival rates for breast cancer overall, improvements have not been universally experienced by all socioeconomic and racial groups. Known determinants of breast cancer care disparities include socioeconomic status, race, age, and social support. As a part of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990 and with the help of CDC funding, the Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (BCCEDP) or Every Woman’s Life (EWL) was created. EWL provides breast cancer screening to …
Perception Of Power Dynamics And Risky Sexual Behavior In Indian Men, Amber Haley
Perception Of Power Dynamics And Risky Sexual Behavior In Indian Men, Amber Haley
Theses and Dissertations
Background: Women account for about a third of all new cases of HIV in India. Based on research examining trends of HIV infection in women, male perception and behaviors have emerged as strong potential risk factors. However, there has been limited research examining the relationship between male’s attitudes toward women and their sexual risk-taking behaviors. This study examined the degree to which men’s beliefs about power dynamics in heterosexual relationships are related to risky sexual behaviors in Indian men. Methods: Data on Indian men from the 2005-2006 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) was analyzed (N= 44,727). The outcome variable, risky …
Relationship Between Parental Role-Modeling Of Physical Activity And Child's Physical Activity, Katherine Culver
Relationship Between Parental Role-Modeling Of Physical Activity And Child's Physical Activity, Katherine Culver
Theses and Dissertations
Trends in childhood obesity have lead to a generation that has a shortened lifespan, where excessive weight may decrease life expectancy by as much as five years. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for childhood obesity as well as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Addressing inactivity in children could help keep the obesity epidemic from continuing to grow as well as help address other health concerns. The specific aims of this study are 1) To examine the effect of parental role-modeling of exercise on children’s activity level by specifically looking at the role of the mother and the father, …
Delayed And Forgone Care For Children With Special Health Care Needs In Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Study Using 2005-2006 Ns-Cshcn, Nevena Skoro
Theses and Dissertations
Objectives The objectives of our study were to: 1) summarize illness characteristics and functional ability difficulties among Children With Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) in Virginia, 2) examine the distribution of socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors among Virginia’s CSHCN, 3) quantify the influence of these socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors on delayed and forgone care of CSHNC in Virginia, and 4) analyze reasons for delayed and forgone care among Virginia’s CSHCN. Methods Data from the 2005-2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) were used for this study. Three categories of predictor variables were studied: …
History Of Pregnancy Termination As A Risk Factor For Preterm Birth, Virginia 2000-20007, Jennifer Macdonald
History Of Pregnancy Termination As A Risk Factor For Preterm Birth, Virginia 2000-20007, Jennifer Macdonald
Theses and Dissertations
Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if an association exists between prior induced and prior spontaneous pregnancy termination (PIPT and PSPT) and preterm birth (PTB) of first live births in Virginia. Methods: Data was collected by linking maternal data from Virginia’s live birth and fetal death registries. All first live, singleton births occurring in Virginia from 2000-2007 were analyzed. Logistic regression models that controlled for various demographic, medical and obstetric history factors were used to determine associations among prior pregnancy termination types. Results: Compared with women who had no history of previous pregnancy terminations, women who …
The Use Of Lactobacillus In The Treatment Of Clostridium Difficile Infection In Hospitalized Adult Patients, Ali Alhammad
The Use Of Lactobacillus In The Treatment Of Clostridium Difficile Infection In Hospitalized Adult Patients, Ali Alhammad
Theses and Dissertations
Objective To describe the use of Lactobacillus by hospitalized patients and to examine its relationship with various Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) related outcomes. Methods The characteristics of Lactobacillus users and non-users and the initiation of Lactobacillus with respect to initiation of antibiotic therapy and CDI treatment were described using national hospital discharge database. The relationships between Lactobacillus use and post-CDI length of stay, mortality, switch of CDI therapy, and readmission were analyzed. Results Lactobacillus users and non-users were different in most characteristics. Metronidazole and fluoroquinolones were the most frequently used antibiotics by Lactobacillus users. They were mainly CDI cases, used …
Functional Health Literacy And The Use Of Dental Services In Young Children, Melissa Fries
Functional Health Literacy And The Use Of Dental Services In Young Children, Melissa Fries
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine parental Functional Health Literacy and their child’s subsequent utilization of dental services. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of children (n=1175) enrolled in the Child Health Investment Partnership of Virginia (CHIP). Descriptive statistics and separate multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the relationship between functional health literacy measures; 1) Health Care Literacy (HCL), 2) Personal Health Literacy (PHL), and 3) LSP 22 scale, with utilization as measured as number of dental visit/s. Results: Descriptive analysis of the cohort reveals: 45% black, 40% white, 10% Hispanic, 5% other, 41% of …
The Evaluation Of Pain Experienced By Children Undergoing Simple Extraction Using 2% Lidocaine Versus Oraqix Topical Anesthetic Gel, John Haffner
Theses and Dissertations
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the pain response experienced by children undergoing simple tooth extractions using 2% Lidocaine injection versus Oraqix topical anesthetic gel. Methods: This study is being conducted at VCU pediatric dentistry clinic. The sample size will consist of 15 children ages 7-12 undergoing a simple extraction procedure. Each participant is randomly assigned to one of two groups, the lidocaine injection group or the Oraqix topical group. The pain level will be measured at four key events during the procedure. The first event will evaluate the pain at baseline. The second event will measure …
Meta-Analysis: Racial Disparities In Prostate Cancer Survival And Case-Control Study: Association Between Family History Of Cancers, Obesity And Prostate Cancer, Gayathri Sridhar
Meta-Analysis: Racial Disparities In Prostate Cancer Survival And Case-Control Study: Association Between Family History Of Cancers, Obesity And Prostate Cancer, Gayathri Sridhar
Theses and Dissertations
This is a compilation of 3 abstracts for the three manuscripts included in this dissertation. I. Meta-Analysis: Racial Disparities in Prostate Cancer Survival: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in men. Previous studies have drawn inconsistent conclusions on racial differences in prostate cancer survival. This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between race and survival from prostate cancer. A systematic review of published articles from 1968 to 2007 assessing survival from prostate cancer among African American and White men was conducted. The search yielded 20 eligible published manuscripts. Analysis of unadjusted studies showed African American …
Obesity, Adiposity, And Satiety In Mouse Models Of Smith-Magenis Syndrome And Dup(17)(P11.2) Syndrome, Brooke Burns
Obesity, Adiposity, And Satiety In Mouse Models Of Smith-Magenis Syndrome And Dup(17)(P11.2) Syndrome, Brooke Burns
Theses and Dissertations
Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a complex disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of RAI1 and characterized by sleep disturbances, behavioral abnormalities, mental retardation, and obesity in teens and adults. Rai1+/- mice are obese after 20 weeks. Dup(17)(p11.2) syndrome is a complex disorder associated with overexpression of RAI1. A transgenic mouse model of dup(17)(p11.2) syndrome overexpresses Rai1 and results in a mouse that is growth delayed. In order to characterize the obese phenotypes of mouse models of SMS and the role of RAI1 in obesity, daily food intake and serum levels of insulin, glucose, PPY, and leptin were measured; adiposity was studied by …
The Economic Impact Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Patients With Nosocomial Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia, Suzanne Phillips
The Economic Impact Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Patients With Nosocomial Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia, Suzanne Phillips
Theses and Dissertations
Background: The proportion of nosocomial Staphylococcus infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased from 22% in 1995 to 63% in 2004. Blood stream infections, more commonly referred to as bacteremias, represented the majority (75.5%) of hospital-onset MRSA cases. The economic impact of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia merits investigation. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis within Cerner HealthFacts data warehouse. Eligible patients were those who had Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and were discharged between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2006. Inclusion criteria include age > 18 years old and onset of infection > 48 hours post admission. The crude association was …
Salvinorin A: Fragment Synthesis And Modeling Studies, Donna Mcgovern
Salvinorin A: Fragment Synthesis And Modeling Studies, Donna Mcgovern
Theses and Dissertations
Salvinorin A is a non-nitrogenous, selective kappa opioid receptor agonist with potent hallucinogenic properties. Because Salvinorin A has no basic nitrogen, it does not readily adhere to the “message-address” concept of selectivity for the opioid receptors. Therefore, a better understanding of how salvinorin A and its analogs interact with the kappa opioid receptor may shed some light on how salvinorin A obtains its potency and selectivity. The structure-affinity relationships (SAFIR) of salvinorin A and its analogs along with a discussion of the selectivity of the opioid receptors, is presented. A fragment of salvinorin A, methyl-3-acetoxy-4-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate, was synthesized to determine if …
Comparing Cyclic Fatigue Of The New Gt® Series Xtm Files To The Original Profile® Gt® Rotary Instruments, Steven Osmond
Comparing Cyclic Fatigue Of The New Gt® Series Xtm Files To The Original Profile® Gt® Rotary Instruments, Steven Osmond
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to test the number of rotations to fracture of the M-Wire GT® Series X(TM) rotary files compared to the original ProFile® GT® rotary files in a simulated curved canal. Eighty GT® Series X(TM) files of 25mm length were divided into eight groups of ten, one for each of the new GT® Series X(TM) files. Eighty original ProFile® GT® files of 25mm length were divided into eight groups of the same tip and taper sizes consistent with the GT® Series X(TM) file groups. Files were rotated at 300 rpm. While the angle may have slightly …
Comparative Analysis Of Torsional Strength Between Profile® Gt® And Gt® Series X(Tm) Nickel Titanium Rotary Instruments, Jake Reynolds
Comparative Analysis Of Torsional Strength Between Profile® Gt® And Gt® Series X(Tm) Nickel Titanium Rotary Instruments, Jake Reynolds
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to compare the resistance to fracture by the twisting of two nickel titanium (NiTi) rotary file systems. The Profile® GT® (GT) and the GT® Series X(TM) (GTX) files were tested to analyze the maximum torsional strength and the maximum angular deflection at the time of separation of the files. For each system, ten new files were tested at each of the following eight taper/size designations for a total of 160 files: 20/0.04, 20/0.06, 30/0.04, 30/0.06, 30/0.08, 40/0.04, 40/0.06, and 40/0.08. The American National Standards Institute / American Dental Association Specification No. 28 was implemented …
Comparing Cyclic Fatigue Of The New Gt® Series X(Tm) Files To The Endo Sequence™ Rotary Instruments, Nathan Wayment
Comparing Cyclic Fatigue Of The New Gt® Series X(Tm) Files To The Endo Sequence™ Rotary Instruments, Nathan Wayment
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study was to examine the number of rotations to failure of two different rotary file systems, EndoSquence Brassler USA (Savannah, GA) and GT(TM) series X(TM). Files sizes 20,30,40 with 0.04, 0.06 tapers of GT series X and Endo Sequence files size and taper used were 20, 30, 40 with 0.04 and 0.06 taper. Like tip and tapers were compared between systems. All files tested were 25mm in length. Files were allocated into 12 groups of 10 files each, and mounted to a universal testing machine. Each file was rotated at 300 rpms until fractured occurred. The …
Multisensory Input To The Lateral Rostral Suprasylvian Sulcus (Lrss) In Ferret, Elizabeth Hagood
Multisensory Input To The Lateral Rostral Suprasylvian Sulcus (Lrss) In Ferret, Elizabeth Hagood
Theses and Dissertations
For the brain to construct a comprehensive percept of the sensory world, information from the different senses must converge onto individual neurons within the central nervous system. As a consequence, how these neurons convert convergent sensory input into multisensory information is an important question facing neuroscience today. Recent physiological studies have demonstrated the presence of a robust population of multisensory neurons in the lateral bank of the rostral suprasylvian sulcus (LRSS) in adult ferret (Keniston et al, 2008). The LRSS is a region situated between somatosensory and auditory cortices, where bimodal (somatosensory-auditory) neurons occupy the greatest percentage of the sensory-responsive …
The Role Of Acanthamoeba Culbertsoni Serine Proteases In Abating Microglial-Like Cell Cytokines And Chemokines, Jenica Harrison
The Role Of Acanthamoeba Culbertsoni Serine Proteases In Abating Microglial-Like Cell Cytokines And Chemokines, Jenica Harrison
Theses and Dissertations
Acanthamoeba culbertsoni is an opportunistic free-living amoeba that is causative of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), a chronic and often fatal central nervous system (CNS) disease that is most prevalent in immune compromised individuals. One hallmark of this disease is the formation of granulomas within the CNS, which are commonly absent in immune compromised individuals. Granulomas are usually composed of amoebae, microglia (CNS macrophages), macrophages, T cells, B cells, and neutrophils. Previous studies have demonstrated that microglia respond to Acanthamoeba by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1α, and IL-1β. In addition, activated microglia and macrophages …