Life Sciences Commons^™

Central Activation Of Orl-1 Receptors In Heart Failure Models, Jeffrey Angell

Theses & Dissertations

Heart failure is a prevalent and debilitating disease associated with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide and is the leading cause of death in the United States. While various therapeutic strategies have been developed and approved to manage heart failure, exploration of novel targets and mechanisms are essential for improving patient outcomes. This thesis investigates the therapeutic potential of the central activation of opioid receptor-like 1 (ORL-1) by nociceptin in a rodent heart failure model.

Furthermore, this study aims to elucidate the central mechanisms underlying nociceptin induced cardiovascular and renal effects in heart failure. This involves investigating neuronal pathways and …

The Importance Of Contrast Sensitivity, Color Vision, And Electrophysiological Testing In Clinical And Occupational Settings, Frances Silva

Theses & Dissertations

Visual acuity (VA) is universally accepted as the gold standard metric for ocular vision and function. Contrast sensitivity (CS), color vision, and electrophysiological testing for clinical and occupational settings are warranted despite being deemed ancillary and minimally utilized by clinicians. These assessments provide essential information to subjectively and objectively quantify and obtain optimal functional vision. They are useful for baseline data and monitoring hereditary and progressive ocular conditions and cognitive function. The studies in this dissertation highlight the value of contrast sensitivity, color vision, and cone specific electrophysiological testing, as well as the novel metrics obtained with potential practical clinical …

Implementing Food Insecurity Screening On A College Campus, Norma Martinez

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Students attending universities have higher rates of food insecurity than U.S. households. Most college campuses do not routinely screen students for food insecurity, which can affect students’ health and school performance. Currently, the university health clinic does not screen students for food insecurity. Purpose. To screen all students who present to the university clinic for food insecurity and evaluate students with food insecurity for malnutrition. Evidence. Foreman et al. (2018) and Abu and Oldewage-Theron (2019) found that food insecurity was present at some of the largest Texas universities at rates higher than the national average. Project Objectives. To screen …

The Correlation Between Dietary Intake, Stress, Food Insecurity, Physical Activity, Sleep, And Screen Time In College Students During Covid-19, Mariana Alves Olguin

Theses & Dissertations

College students with high stress levels are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, which may negatively impact their health. During COVID-19, college student’s lives were disrupted on multiple levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary intake, perceived stress, food insecurity, sleep, screen time, and physical activity among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. College students at the University of the Incarnate Word (N=154) completed an online survey to assess dietary choices (Dietary Screener Questionnaires (DSQ) in the NHANES 2009-10: DSQ), food insecurity (6-item Short Form of the US Household Food Security Survey), stress …

Implementation Of A Guideline For Major Depressive Disorder In A Private Practice Clinic, Doreen Phillips

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chief mental health illness that carries a profound economic burden. Many who suffer from MDD find little to no relief with traditional pharmacological interventions.The 2010 American Psychiatric Association Guidelines for Treatment of Patients with MDD recognized TMS as a second-line treatment choice. Several double-blind, randomized controlled trials illustrated the efficacy and safety of TMS as a viable treatment option for MDD. The purpose of this project was to implement standardized processes through the use of a treatment guideline to help provide comprehensive treatment options for patients suffering from moderate to severe major depressive disorder …

Effect Of Resistant Starch On The Glycemic Effect Of A Meal, Sofia Maragoudakis

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if supplementation of a high glycemic load breakfast with resistant starch attenuates the glycemic response in young healthy adults. Twenty-one subjects, 23.8 + 3.3 yrs, reported for two days of data collection, having fasted 8-12h. On day 1(control), fasting BG was measured using glucometers, then subjects consumed 2 slices white bread and 250mL apple juice within 15min, the repeated BG measurement at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120min after baseline. Day 2, the protocol was repeated, except that 10g of resistant starch supplement was added to the apple juice. There was no …

Biotransformation Of Natural Antioxidants Osajin And Pomiferin By Cunninghamella Elegans (Atcc® 9245tm), Stephen Luis

Theses & Dissertations

Osajin and pomiferin, prenylated isoflavones extracted from the fruit of the osage orange tree (Maclura pomifera) have been reported as antioxidant compounds. The purpose of this study is to analyze the metabolization of osajin and pomiferin by the fungi Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 9245) and supporting strains Umbelopsis ramanniana and Aspergillus fumigatus fresnius.

HPLC analysis of the extracts showed new, more polar compounds were formed, evidenced by peaks at lower retention times for each strain of fungi. To further investigate the metabolites produced, HPLC-guided chromatographic purification will be performed, and the pure metabolites will be analyzed through nuclear magnetic resonance and …

Biotransformation Of Praziquantel By Cunninghamella Elegans, Umbelopsis Ramanniana, And Yarrowia Lipolytica Metabolism, Samuel Chivers

Theses & Dissertations

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease rampant in developing countries. Widespread chemotherapy is reliant on a single drug, praziquantel, which increases the risk of resistance and creates an urgent need for the development of new alternatives for treatment. Fungal biotransformation is a well-documented tool in the pharmaceutical synthesis of new drugs. This study examined the efficacy of four fungal strains, Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 9245 and ATCC 8688a), Umbelopsis ramanniana, (ATCC 9628) and Yarrowia lipolytica (ATCC 20225), in the biotransformation of praziquantel. Colonies were cultured, dosed with praziquantel, incubated for 5, 10 or 15 days to metabolize, after which the …

Med12 Mutations Promote Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Through Hyperactivated Gli3/Shh Signalling, Soundharrya Muthukumar

Theses & Dissertations

When cells of the prostate gland start growing uncontrollably, it results in cancer due to genetic aberrations. The development and progression of prostate cancer depend on androgenic stimulation. Although prostate cancer is temporarily treated by depriving a tumor of androgen, the patient relapses getting a castration-resistant form of the disease called castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). CRPC can specifically develop through crosstalk of androgen receptor signalling pathways. One such pathway that is of specific interest in this paper is the MED12 regulated SHH signalling pathway. The mediator is a signal processor that helps in the transduction of gene-specific transcription factors to …

Screening Of Crude Microalgal Extracts For Antimicrobial Activity, Patrick Matulich

Theses & Dissertations

Microbial biofilm associated infections are a significant threat to patients with medical devices and are partially responsible for the increased resistance seen in nosocomial infections. The biofilm chemical and physical properties restrict access of chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the antimicrobial effects of current chemotherapeutic agents. Microalgae live in competitive environments that include film-forming, opportunistic pathogens S. maltophilia and C. albicans. Extracts from 5 diverse species of microalgae were screened for antimicrobial enhancing effects against established biofilms with two different extraction solvents, 3:1 hexanes and isopropyl (HIPA) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF).

Three species, B. braunii, …

Early Oral Feeding After Bowel Resection, Jennifer Strang

Theses & Dissertations

Research Focus: The primary purpose of this project was to determine if there was an association of factors with time to first solid meal in gastrointestinal (GI) surgery patients and the impact solid diet has on length of stay (LOS) in the hospital, GI symptoms, and incidence of post-operative ileus (POI). A secondary purpose was to observe and describe when an oral diet was started and the progression of diet after GI surgery.

Research Methods: This study was a cross-sectional, retrospective chart review of a convenience sample in a multi-centered hospital system conducted in 84 GI resection patients …

The Impact Of The Via Bus System On Food Deserts, Emily Maddox

Theses & Dissertations

A variety of different methods have been used to analyze food deserts. One method, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is particularly useful when trying to better visualize the impact an issue has on a region. GIS is a method of mapping which can be used to map food deserts or other social or medical issues, which allows for a better visualization of which regions are most impacted by such issues. This study used GIS to map all grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers markets, food pantries, WIC clinics, and Mobile Mercados in San Antonio, Texas to determine whether they were within walking …

Investigation Of P-Glycoprotein (Pgp) Induction By Pgp Substrates To Induce Paclitaxel Resistance In Ovarian Cancer Cells, Ryker Penn

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the development of chemotherapeutic resistance to paclitaxel in ovarian cancer cells after treatment with drugs that are substrates for P-glycoprotein (PGP). A core concept of this experiment was to identify if PGP substrate drugs could also act as PGP inducers after prolonged treatment in SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells. In order to test this, SKOV-3 cells were exposed to either fexofenadine, a PGP substrate used as an antihistamine, or the chemotherapeutic drug vinblastine. After 42 days of drug treatment, ABCB1 gene expression was measured by qRT-PCR. Analysis of ABCB1 expression in treated cells …

Dopamine Levels In The Brain Of Rat Models Of Human Rheumatoid Arthritis, Amelia Stinson

Theses & Dissertations

Research Focus. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating, autoimmune disease that causes the destruction of bone tissue and the articular structures of joints. At least 30% of RA patient populations have cognitive impairment. Acidic dopamine (DA) is the principal neuroimmunotransmitter that links the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system together. The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of DA and its two acidic metabolites: 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in arthritic induced rats, and whether their levels vary across four different parts of the brain: amygdala (AMG), front cerebral cortex (CX), hippocampus …

An Investigation Of The Levels Of Pro-Inflammation Cytokines In The Brain Of Autoimmune Lewis Rats, Han Yang

Theses & Dissertations

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which can cause cartilage and bone damage, as well as disability. A reported symptom of RA includes tissue inflammation disease and cognitive dysfunction. This study aimed to compare the concentration of selected cytokines in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, amygdala, and cerebellum of Lewis rats. Age and sex-matched Lewis rats were separated into two groups: control and adjuvant-induced RA. Twenty-eight days after the adjuvant injection, groups were sacrificed and brains dissected using the stereotaxic atlas of Paximos and Watson as a guide. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-23, plus the anti-inflammatory …

Improving Hpv Vaccination Series Initiation Rates And Compliance Among Indigent Women In South Texas, Ages 19-26, Through Provider Recommendation And Additional Clinic Funding: A Quality Improvement Project, Lacey Cudd

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase human papillomavirus vaccination series initiation rates among indigent women, ages 19-26, at a clinic in South Texas. The human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection that has been associated with multiple types of cancers. Each year, approximately 6.2 million cases of the human papillomavirus infection are diagnosed; as many as 75% of all new infections occur among females 18-26 years of age. The human papillomavirus vaccination has a high efficacy in regards to cancer prevention, preventing as many as 76% of cancers with only one dose. The project included educating …

Added Sugar Consumption Among College Students, Maram Murad

Theses & Dissertations

Added sugar consumption has been increasing in all age groups in the United States and worldwide, with the greatest increase in young adults. College-age years are a critical period in the young adult's life where many habits develop, including nutrition and food choices. An understanding of college-age students’ attitudes and behaviors toward added sugar consumption might help predict added sugar consumption within this population. This was a quantitative study of traditional-aged college students' added sugar consumption through a convenience sample at a private university in San Antonio, TX. A survey was administrated to undergraduate students at different classes. Subjects were …

Effect Of Postprandial Walking On The Glycemic Effect Of A Meal: Type I Diabetes, Samantha L. Hinojosa

Theses & Dissertations

This study was conducted to determine if 15 minutes of postprandial light walking has an effect on the glycemic response to a Boost® beverage in individuals with type 1 diabetes. Seven participants, 22.3 + 4.3 yrs, with type 1 diabetes completed the two days of data collection. On day 1, participants measured baseline fasting blood glucose (BG) with a glucometer, consumed a Boost® beverage, and sat quietly, repeating BG measurements 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minute. On day 2, participants repeated the protocol, but walked 15 minutes at a light pace (50-60% max HR) immediately after beverage consumption. The …

Preliminary Analyses Of The Diversity Of Soil Microbes On The Campus Of The University Of The Incarnate Word, Viridiana Wheeler

Theses & Dissertations

Soil samples were examined outside Bonilla Science Hall on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, at three time points between the calendar years 2016 and 2017. These time points correspond to Fall, Winter, and Spring. Samples were taken at two topsoil depths, 1 cm and 4 cm, to determine if there is a difference in bacterial load or distribution across the time frame examined.

Soil samples were diluted and plated on nutrient agar plates in order to identify unique colony morphologies. A total of 132 distinct morphological isolates were identified and sequenced. Of …

Preliminary Examination Of The Bacterial Diversity Harbored By The Pill Bug (Armadillidium Vulgare), Sondos Alhajouj

Theses & Dissertations

Pill bugs (Armadillidium vulgare) were examined at 4 time points during 2015- 2016. The time points corresponded to summer, fall, winter, and spring. At each time point, 2 to 10 pill bugs were collected from each of three sites. All sites were located in San Antonio, Texas. The first site was in central San Antonio, but due to difficulties in collecting specimens the first site was only utilized at the first time point. The remaining localities, Bonilla Science Hall on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word and a private residence in northwest San Antonio, were …

The Effect Of Varying Environmental Conditions On The Growth Of Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia, Norah Alqahtani

Theses & Dissertations

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia has emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen in the debilitated host. It possesses the ability to target and colonize respiratory-tract epithelial cells and grow on the surface of medical devices. It is associated with a significant case-fatality ratio in cystic fibrosis patients. S. maltophilia species have the ability to grow in bacterial biofilms, which further complicates these infections by providing the opportunity for acquisition of antibiotic resistant genes. This study investigated the effects on the growth of different strains of the same species of S. maltophilia, ATCC 51331 and 13637, when the selected environmental factors are varied. …

Investigation Of The Enviromental Factors Associated With The Temporal Abundance Of Lutzomyia Anthophora On A Ranch Near Poth, Texas, Maha Alshhrany

Theses & Dissertations

Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with protozoan parasites within the genus Leismania transmitted by the bites of female sand flies within the genus Lutzomyia in the New World. This study investigated the seasonal abundance of sand flies and evaluated the correlation of temperature with abundance data. Sand flies were collected at the Garrison ranch near Poth, Texas (28° 57’ 10” N; 98° 7’ 28” W) from May in 2014 through October, 2015. Recorded highest abundance of sand flies in 2014 was in October, 2 females Lu.anthophora and 5 males Lu.anthophora were captured producing 0.58 sand flies /trap night, while, mean …

A Retrospective Observational Study Of Maximal Enteral Nutrition Rates In A Burn Patient Population, Stephanie Phillips

Theses & Dissertations

Enteral nutrition (EN) is frequently interrupted in the critically ill patient, which can lead to nutritional deficits and severe weight and lean body mass loss. Increased EN rates are being used more frequently to account for these interruptions. This study examined the maximum hourly EN rate (MAX rate) received by each subject and evaluated outcomes and tolerance in an effort to determine if there is a maximum threshold for the EN rate in this population. This retrospective observational study was conducted on an adult population admitted to a major burn center during a three year period who received EN and …

Effect Of Whole Beetroot On Muscular Endurance And Power In Powerlifters And Physique Competitors, John H. Jewett

Theses & Dissertations

Nitrate ingestion improves aerobic exercise performance, but the efficacy in resistance training has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether consuming whole beetroot, as a means to ingest nitrate, had an ergogenic benefit in muscular power and endurance in resistance training in powerlifters and physique competitors. Thirteen men and women (mean ± SE age, 21.2 ± 0.8 y; mass, 83.1 ± 5.9 kg) that had competed in a powerlifting or a physique competition in the previous year were studied in a randomized double blind controlled crossover trial with a seven day washout period. Participants ingested …

Characterization Of An S-Layer-Like Protein And Select Antimicrobial Factors Of The Novel Species Lactobacillus Coleohominis, Nicole Ann Marie Ayala

Theses & Dissertations

Lactobacilli in the vaginal tract have been reported be protective against infections with vaginal pathogenic microorganisms through the production of antimicrobial factors, competition for adherence to vaginal epithelium, and coaggregation with pathogens to aid in their clearing. In addition, the antimicrobial factors produced by certain species of lactobacilli have even been shown to interrupt the replication or alter the function of select viruses. Vaginal lactobacilli have been investigated for their antimicrobial characteristics, but little is known about the novel species L coleohominis. recently described in vaginal isolates (Nikolaitchouk et al. 2001). It was hypothesized that L coleohominis, found …

Application Of Polymerase Chain Reaction To Screen Rodents From New Mexico, Texas, Bolivia, And Nicaragua For Leishmania And An Assessment Of The Specificity Of Primers, Robert Alan Miranda

Theses & Dissertations

Polymerase chain reaction was used to screen rodents from four regions for Leishmania and to screen isolates of L. enriettii and L. hertigi using L. mexicana complex primers and L. (Viannia) primers to examine the specificity of these primers. Twenty-five rodent specimens from Bolivia, 42 from Nicaragua, 84 from New Mexico, and 74 from Texas were tested for Leishmania. Two Oryzomys acritus and two Oryzomys nitidus from Bolivia and one Neotoma micropus from Texas tested positive for Leishmania and additionally tested positive with L. mexicana complex-specific primers. Isolates of L enriettii and L hertigi reacted with L mexicana complex …

Limits Of Temperature Tolerance Of Leishmania Enriettii And Leishmania Hertigi In A Real-Time Pcr Assay, Christina Salinas

Theses & Dissertations

Protozoans of the genus Leishmania are intracellular parasites found across five continents. They cycle between a promastigote form inside the digestive tracts of blood-feeding female sand flies and an amastigote form within mammalian host macrophages. Temperature is an important factor that must be defeated in order for the parasites' survival and continuance. This paper studies the limits of temperature tolerance by Leishmania enriettii and Leishmania hertigi. It was hypothesized that a correlation would exist between the limits of temperature tolerance to body temperature of their host. I explored growth characteristics at 21,27,29, 33, 35, 37, and 39° C. It was …

Eating Beliefs And Behaviors In Mexican-American Preadolescent Children, Liesl Thea Lappala

Theses & Dissertations

Traditionally the occurance of eating disorders has been noted in Caucasian, adolescent females. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Mexican-American preadolescent children possessed disordered eating behaviors and how this affects their body image. The study sample consisted of 68 fourth, fifth, and six grade students. Participants attended either School A or School B located in San Antonio, Texas. Appropriate parental consent was obtained before any student participated. The sample consisted of 41% males and 57% females. Ages ranged from 9 years of age to 12. The majority of participants were Mexican-American (84%). Study participants completed the Kids …

Comparison Of The Geographic Variation In Two Species Of Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus), Karen Marie Watts

Theses & Dissertations

Standard external measurement data was recorded from study skins at four Texas institutions. These collections also provided the specimen skulls from which twelve standard cranial measurements were made with digital calipers to the nearest 0.01 mm. This study included 111 Mexican ground squirrels (Spermophilus mexicanus) and 76 spotted ground squirrels (Spermophilus spilosoma). Most specimens had been collected in Texas and Mexico. Fifteen spotted ground squirrels had also been captured in four other states. An adaptation of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was used to subdivide the study area, so that geographic variation could be determined. Comparison of mean and …

Comparison Of Dna Synthesis Patterns In Polytene Chromosomes Between Normal And 20-Hydroxyecdysone-Treated Larvae, Eileen Robertson

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to compare the patterns of chromosomal DNA synthesis during normal larval development with those patterns observed by Fresquez (1976) for hormonally-induced DNA synthesis. This will determine whether DNA synthesis responds in the same way in normal development as it does in the hormonally-induced state.