Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Impact Of Sperm Dna Chromatin In The Clinic, Dimitirios Ioannou, David Miller, Darren K. Griffin, Helen G. Tempest

Biomolecular Sciences Institute: Faculty Publications

The paternal contribution to fertilization and embryogenesis is frequently overlooked as the spermatozoon is often considered to be a silent vessel whose only function is to safely deliver the paternal genome to the maternal oocyte. In this article, we hope to demonstrate that this perception is far from the truth. Typically, infertile men have been unable to conceive naturally (or through regular IVF), and therefore, a perturbation of the genetic integrity of sperm heads in infertile males has been under-considered. The advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) however has led to very successful treatment of male factor infertility and subsequent …

The Effect Of Vitamin D Supplementation On Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Minorities With Type 2 Diabetes, Joel Exebio

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation (4000 IU or 6000 IU of cholecalciferol daily for 6 months) on fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profile in a sample of African-Americans and Hispanics with T2D and vitamin D insufficiency. Seventy five participants were recruited by community outreach. Plasma glucose concentration was measured by hexokinase enzymatic method. Glycated hemoglobin was measured by the DCA2000+ system. Insulin in fasting blood was determined by radioimmunoassay. Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were assayed by enzymatic methods. Serum vitamin …

In Search Of Safety, Negotiating Everyday Forms Of Risk: Sex Work, Criminalization, And Hiv/Aids In The Slums Of Kampala, Serena Cruz

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation offers an in-depth descriptive account of how women manage daily risks associated with sex work, criminalization, and HIV/AIDS. Primary data collection took place within two slums in Kampala, Uganda over the course of fourteen months. The emphasis was on ethnographic methodologies involving participant observation and informal and unstructured interviewing. Insights then informed document analysis of international and national policies concerning HIV prevention and treatment strategies in the context of Uganda. The dissertation finds social networks and social capital provide the basis for community formation in the sex trade. It holds that these interpersonal processes are necessary components for …

Structural Basis For Suppression Of Hypernegative Dna Supercoiling By E. Coli Topoisomerase I, Kemin Tan, Qingxuan Zhou, Bokun Cheng, Zhongtao Zhang, Andrzej Joachimiak, Yuk-Ching Tse-Dinh

Biomolecular Sciences Institute: Faculty Publications

Escherichia coli topoisomerase I has an essential function in preventing hypernegative supercoiling of DNA. A full length structure of E. coli topoisomerase I reported here shows how the C-terminal domains bind single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) to recognize the accumulation of negative supercoils in duplex DNA. These C-terminal domains of E. coli topoisomerase I are known to interact with RNA polymerase, and two flexible linkers within the C-terminal domains may assist in the movement of the ssDNA for the rapid removal of transcription driven negative supercoils. The structure has also unveiled for the first time how the 4-Cys zinc ribbon domain and …

Sex-Positive Curricula: An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Physical Fitness, Self-Concept And Sexual Functioning, Lia Jiannine

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite the well-recognized benefits of exercise, Americans are gaining weight in astounding proportions and levels of physical activity are on the decline. The purpose of this study was to investigate a relationship between physical fitness, self-concept and sexual health. There is a dearth of knowledge on this relationship specifically in the context of sex-negative curricula, which is the dominate discourse in the United States.

One hundred and thirty-three participants between the ages of 18 - 50 volunteered for fitness testing and data collection. Physical fitness was assessed through body fat, resting metabolic rate, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and …

Label-Free Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Linked Immunosensor Assay (Slisa) For Environmental Surveillance, Vinay Bhardwaj

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The contamination of the environment, accidental or intentional, in particular with chemical toxins such as industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents has increased public fear. There is a critical requirement for the continuous detection of toxins present at very low levels in the environment. Indeed, some ultra-sensitive analytical techniques already exist, for example chromatography and mass spectroscopy, which are approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency for the detection of toxins. However, these techniques are limited to the detection of known toxins. Cellular expression of genomic and proteomic biomarkers in response to toxins allows monitoring of known as well as …