Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Molecular And Cellular Investigations Of Prader-Willi Syndrome, Anna K. Victor

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex multigenic neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in hypotonia, developmental delay, hypogonadism, sleep dysfunction and childhood onset obesity affecting 1 in 10,000 to 30,000 individuals. PWS is an imprinting disorder that is caused by a loss of expression of maternally imprinted genes in the 15q11.2-q13 region including NDN, MAGEL2, SNRPN/SNURF, and a cluster of snoRNAs. The majority of cases are caused by inheriting a paternal allele deletion of this region (65-75%) and a smaller number are caused by chromosome 15 maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) (20-30%) or imprinting center defects (1-3%). Here, we used dental pulp stem cells …

A Rodent Animal Model For Forelimb To Lower Jaw Reorganization In Primary Somatosensory Cortex (Si) Barrel Field, Violeta Pellicer Morata

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The goal of this study is to examine mechanisms underlying cortical reorganization in rat primary somatosensory (SI) cortex that follows forelimb deafferentation. The majority of human patients suffering from limb loss or brachial plexus avulsion injury, as well as patients that receive brachial plexus anesthesia, report phantom limb sensations/pain which are often associated with cortical reorganization. Patients with upper-limb deafferentation report sensations of the missing hand during tactile stimulation of the face, and this phenomenon has been termed hand-to-face remapping. We sought to develop a rodent model of deafferentation; our model system is the rat SI cortex barrel field present …

Examination Of Antiviral Resistance In Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus, Jasper Lee

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a New World Alphavirus that causes Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), which is characterized by a febrile illness that can progress to neurological disease and death. While no major outbreaks of VEE have occurred since 1995, VEEV is a virus of concern as, in addition to its spread through mosquitos, it can be aerosolized and used as a bioweapon. Unfortunately, there are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or antivirals against VEEV. Efforts have been made to discover small molecules with an inhibitory effect on VEEV, but the potential for emergence of antiviral resistance to these compounds …

Identification Of Effectors Of Synergistic Lethality In Candida Albicans-Staphylococcus Aureus Polymicrobial Intra-Abdominal Infection, Olivia Adele Todd

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Candida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, and Staphylococcus aureus, a ubiquitous pathogenic bacterium, are among the most prevalent causes of nosocomial infections and cause severe morbidity and mortality. Moreover, they are frequently coisolated from central venous catheters and deep-seated infections, including intra-abdominal sepsis. Relatively little is known about the complex interactions and signaling events that occur between microbes and even less so how microbial “cross-talk” shapes human health and disease.

Using a murine model of polymicrobial intra-abdominal infection (IAI), we have previously shown that coinfection with C. albicans and S. aureus leads to synergistic lethality whereas monomicrobial infection is nonlethal. …

Renal And Cardiovascular Outcomes Associated With Cannabis Use In Veterans With Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Transitioning To Dialysis, Praveen Kumar Potukuchi

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Legalization of cannabis and its constituents may lead to increased exposure of a higher number of consumers to cannabis use, including those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We expect increase in cannabis use, especially, in patients with compromised kidney function. However, there is sparse literature on the effects of cannabis use on cardiorenal and mortality outcomes among patients with advanced CKD. Objectives: The main goal of the current study was to examine the effect of cannabis use on renal and cerebrovascular outcomes as well as mortality in patients with advanced CKD. Using a nationwide cohort of US veterans with …

Investigation Of Cell-Type-Specific Effects And Synergistic Interactions Between Genes In Duplication 15q Syndrome, Kevin A. Hope

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Duplication 15q syndrome (Dup15q) is a genetic disorder caused by duplications of the 15q11.2-q13.1 region and is characterized by developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, and treatment resistant epilepsy. Extra copies of the E3 ubiquitin ligase UBE3A and elevated levels of UBE3A expression in neurons are thought to be the primary cause of Dup15q phenotypes. However, animal models overexpressing UBE3A in neurons have not successfully recapitulated all aspects of Dup15q syndrome, especially epilepsy. Here, we used Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) to investigate Dup15q syndrome. In Chapter 2 we explored whether Dube3a, the Drosophila homolog of UBE3A, is imprinted in the fly …

Impact Information Governance Has On Healthcare Organizations, Nadine N. Ellington

Applied Research Projects

The purpose of this study evaluated the impact of information governance (IG) on healthcare organizations. Objectives and limitations were derived from literature reviews, case studies, and surveys. A methodology of evaluation research with a focus on summative evaluations was conducted. The population study consisted of health information management (HIM) professionals, consultants, data analyst, and other healthcare professionals. The findings from the research provided significant evidence supporting the value IG programs possess along with the benefits healthcare organizations gained with the adoption of the IG initiative.

Managing Across: A Magical Method For Providing Leadership And Skill Development, Heather Holmes

Southern Chapter/Medical Library Association Annual Conference

Objective: To provide an opportunity for faculty librarians to lead initiatives that will enhance the Research and Education Department’s knowledge and practice. Methods: Six faculty librarians at an academic health sciences library have been assigned an area of focus based upon their personal interests. The intent is for each of them to be able to work in an area that is of interest to them, but also for them to lead initiatives within the department to educate their peers. The areas are the ACRL Framework, LibGuides, Data and Assessment, Instructional Technology, NIH updates, and Teaching and Education. Each librarian is …

Cruising Toward Mapping Usa And Canadian Dental Education Competencies To The Acrl Framework, Irene Lubker, Christy Tyon, Nena Schvaneveldt, Martin Morris, Erica Brody, Natalie Clairoux, Sean Stone, Nicole Theis-Mahon, Maria Zych

Southern Chapter/Medical Library Association Annual Conference

No abstract provided.

Marketing The Evolving Refworks In An Endnote Environment: Providing Users With Choices, Christine Andresen, Irene Lubker

Southern Chapter/Medical Library Association Annual Conference

No abstract provided.

Rheological Studies Of Injectable Thermoresponsive Biodegradable Hydrogels And Porcine Ocular Tissues, Chandana Reddy Damera

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

This research has evaluated the rheological properties of two types of materials which include (i) semi-synthetic polymer-based injectable hydrogels [P(NIPAAm-co-DEX-Lactate HEMA) and P(NIPAAm-co-HA-AEMA)], and (ii) biological tissues (porcine ocular tissues).

A series of thermoresponsive and biodegradable in situ hydrogel based on N-isopropyacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomer and hydrolytically degradable oligolactate Dextran-lactate-HEMA or Hyaluronic acid (HA)-AEMA macromer were investigated as encapsulation matrices (scaffolds) for DPSCs/ADSCs and assess their applicability in dental/retinal tissue engineering. The rheological properties of the hydrogels were strongly dependent on the reaction conditions and composition of the hydrogels. Both the hydrogels exhibited linear viscoelasticity, and the values of storage moludus …

How Laboratory Informatics Has Impacted Healthcare Overall, Mohammad Rafid Raeen

Applied Research Projects

Health information technology has improved key areas of healthcare such as academia, research, and practice. Technology is one of the key driving forces in healthcare that is set to enhance the overall provider-patient experience. The future of healthcare is aimed at improving patient satisfaction, quality of care, and practice methods. Laboratory information systems (LIS) is a fundamental component of the diagnostic or pathology department (Henricks, 2016). In the era, where laboratory reports have become complex and high-dimensional, the need to develop and implement a cost-effective platform or tool to collect, process, store, and manage such processes is required. A systematic …

Pitx3null Mutant (Striatal Dopamine-Deficient) Mice Have Exaggerated Spiny Projection Neuron Responses To L-Dopa And D1 Agonism And Lack Baseline Striatonigral Spiking, Ben Sagot

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

L-3,4 dihidroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) strongly stimulates motor activity in parkinsonian patients and animal models of Parkinson's disease. Severe striatal dopamine (DA) loss characterizes Parkinson's disease and its animal models. Given the canonical rate model of Parkinson's Disease pathophysiology based on differences in DA pharmacology manifesting as electrophysiological differences in striatal projection neuron (SPN) spike rates, SPNs should increase spiking during the motor response to l-DOPA. In fact, stimulating specific subsets of these neurons to spike in freely-moving wild type and parkinsonian animals causes or inhibits motor activity as predicted. However, pharmacological effects of DA deficiency, let alone those of DA replacement, …

Habituation And Dishabituation In The Olfactory Bulb: From Neural Responses To Behavior, Mary Cameron Ogg

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Habituation and dishabituation modulate the neural resources and behavioral significance allocated to incoming stimuli across the sensory systems. The purpose of the research presented in this dissertation was to characterize these processes in the mouse olfactory bulb (OB) and to determine if OB acetylcholine (ACh) has a role in physiological and behavioral olfactory dishabituation. Calcium imaging was used to determine the timecourse and magnitude of habituation in different parts of the OB during and after a prolonged odor presentation. Widefield imaging of the dendritic, or glomerular, response of OB output cells demonstrated that prolonged odor input habituates glomerular responses during …

Automatic Activation Of Phonological Templates For Native But Not Nonnative Phonemes: An Investigation Of The Temporal Dynamics Of Mu Activation, Daniela Cristina Santos-Oliveira

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Models of speech perception suggest a dorsal stream connecting the temporal and inferior parietal lobe with the inferior frontal gyrus. This stream is thought to involve an auditory-motor loop that translates acoustic information into motor/articulatory commands and is further influenced by decision making processes that involve maintenance of working memory or attention. Parsing out dorsal stream’s speech specific mechanisms from memory related ones in speech perception poses a complex problem. Here I argue that these processes may be disentangled from the viewpoint of the temporal dynamics of sensorimotor neural activation around a speech perception related event.

Methods: Alpha (~10Hz) and …

Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (Cb2) Ligands Downregulate Pro-Inflammatory Markers In Stimulated Primary Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts (Hpdlfs), Ammaar Hasan Abidi

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

There are approximately 743 million individuals suffering from chronic periodontitis (PD) making it the sixth most prevalent condition worldwide. The affected adult population in the U.S. are nearly 64.7 million and the healthcare costs exceeds $14 billion. Recently, host response to pathogenic infection has been seen critical to the progression of PD and exhibit increase in various inflammatory markers. Marijuana is well known for its recreational usage and is a risk factor for periodontal disease, which is seen as a concern in society for its negative health consequences. However, many medical conditions can benefit from the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids. …

Neuroanatomical Maps And Taste Reactivity To Sweet, Umami, And Bitter Taste In The Pbn Of C57bl/6j Mice, Jennifer Marie Saputra

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Humans can distinguish at least five different taste qualities, sour, salty, bitter, sweet, and umami (the savory taste of certain amino acids). In neuroscience research, behavioral testing is used to measure the ability of rodents (including inbred mice) to discriminate between the different taste qualities. Taste reactivity and two-bottle preference are behavioral tests that are utilized to investigate different aspects of taste. These tests involve either voluntary or forced consumption of taste stimuli, respectively. Either test can be used to infer the preference and palatability of the stimulus consumed by an animal.

In order to understand the basis of taste …

Nutrition Informatics: Information Technology Transition For Registered Dieticians, Arlanda Bell

Applied Research Projects

The passing of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) has created a growing push for healthcare organizations to no longer use paper based records and convert to an Electronic Health Record (EHR). Along with the adoption of an EHR comes a necessary change for ancillary services like nutrition and dietetic services because it affects patient care as well. In order to maintain a professional standard in patient healthcare as other health disciplines have done, the development of nutrition informatics model has become necessary. Nutrition informatics will prove to be a necessary addition to the developing …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Methacrylated Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogels For Tissue Engineering, Keegan Bradley Compton

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Polymers have revolutionized the field of tissue engineering due to the countless possibilities of scaffolds that can be constructed from such a material. Through conjugation of other functional groups onto a polymer backbone, the mechanical properties of polymers can be controlled and has the ability to span a wide range of strengths, allowing for application in multiple tissue environments. One such polymer, hyaluronic acid (HA), is a natural polysaccharide found most abundantly in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of connective tissues with structural, lubricating, and wound healing functions in the human body; for this reason, HA has great potential for utilization …

The Health-Related Quality Of Life Of Adults With Down Syndrome, Rebecca Jermyn Graves

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and factors associated with the HRQOL of adults with Down syndrome (DS) as reported by adults with DS and their caregivers. The study was designed to compare measures of HRQOL, health problems, health risks, and health-care utilization of adults with DS based on self-report with those from caregiver-report and to explore associations between HRQOL and health problems, health risks, health-care utilization, adaptive behavior, and demographic characteristics. Background. The life expectancy of individuals with DS has lengthened from approximately 30 years around 1960 to over 50 …

Electronic Health Record Documentation: Is It An Accurate Indicator Of Quality Of Care For Mechanically Ventilated Patients?, Joetta Powell

Applied Research Projects

Background: Ventilator associated pneumonia is one of the leading hospital acquired infections associated with increased mortality and lengths of stay in mechanically ventilated patients.

Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that the introduction of chlorhexidine gluconate will show reduction in the incidences of ventilator associated pneumonia and a greater reduction with tooth brushing vs oral swabbing. It is also hypothesized that the electronic health record will provide more evidence of quality of care than an external EHR sources.

Methods: The non-randomized, non-sampled population included 98 patient records that met the inclusion criteria. The external tool, Automated Vent Bundle tool provided information as …

Signal Transduction And Transcriptional Regulation Pathways Essential For Azole Resistance In Candida Albicans, Erin M. Vasicek

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Candida albicans is the most prevalent human fungal pathogen, found as a commensal organism in the mucosa, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts of humans. This pathogenic fungus causes a wide spectrum of diseases, including the mucosal infection oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) which frequently effects patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The azole antifungals (such as fluconazole) are the most widely used and important ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors (EBIs) for the treatment of Candida infections, including OPC. However, the azoles are fungistatic against C. albicans and therefore have limited efficacy against this organism, especially for immunocompromised patients. In C. albicans, the transcription factor Upc2 …

Changes In Pharyngeal Airway Dimensions Due To Mara Treatment In Class Ii Malocclusions, James K. Dillehay

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Orthodontic treatment effects on the pharyngeal airway have recently become a hot topic in the field of orthodontics. Current literature has shown facial skeletal morphology to be correlated with pharyngeal airway shape and volume. This study used CBCT imaging to identify what, if any, effects two different treatment modalities for correcting Class II malocclusions have on the pharyngeal airway volume. This retrospective study consisted of two groups of Class II patients: 38 patients (15 females, 23 males) treated with the MARA and an Edgewise appliance and 32 patients treated with an Edgewise appliance and Class II elastics. Both pre and …

Treatment Effects Of The Mandibular Anterior Repositioning Appliance (Mara) And Conventional Orthodontic Mechanics On Temporomandibular Joint Morphology: A Comparison Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Brenton E. Glassell

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction: An ongoing debate exists in orthodontics about the amount of condylefossa remodeling and growth seen in Class II patients using functional appliance therapy. Some clinicians and researchers have found that that the use of functional appliances increases the amount of condylar growth and subsequent Class II skeletal correction; others believe that the mandible has a preset amount of growth and that conventional orthodontics will result in a similar amount of condylar growth to functional appliance therapy. Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare condylar remodeling in functional appliance treatment using the mandibular anterior repositioning appliance (MARA) to …

Verification Of The Accuracy Of Electronic Mandibular Movement Recording Devices: : An In Vitro Investigation, Joshua Heath Balch

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

One goal of restorative dentistry is to truly capture maxillomandibular relationships that accurately reproduce mandibular border movements and that would prescribe the best occlusal interface. Registration of horizontal and sagittal movements of the patient allows maximum cusp height and fossae depth with proper placement of occlusal ridges and grooves. The goal is to develop an occlusion that is interference free and entails the concepts of organic occlusion. Methods to transfer patient information to a highly adjustable articulator include mechanical recorders, mechano-electronic recorders and optoelectronic recorders. The purpose of this study is to verify the accuracy of electronic mandibular movement recording …

In Vitro Staining Of Denture Liners And Potential For Color Correction Using Commonly Available Denture Cleansers, Russell D. Morrell

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background: Denture liners are routinely used as part of immediate denture therapy, following surgery involving edentulous tissues, and to improve the function and stability of existing removable prostheses. Appropriate application of denture liners can facilitate patient comfort during prolonged therapy and prior to placement of definitive restorations. However, concern has been raised regarding the susceptibility of common denture liners to agent-induced color change which, in turn, adversely impacts the esthetic appeal of the associated removable prosthesis.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the color stability of denture liners exposed to commonly encountered food stains and commonly used …

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 5 In The Medial Prefrontal Cortex: Role In Cocaine Sensitization And Addiction, Kristin Marie Timmer

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Cocaine sensitization is associated with cocaine-induced hyperexcitability of pyramidal projection neurons within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Such hyperexcitability presumably results in increased glutamatergic input to reward-affiliated brain regions such as the ventral tegemental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), consequently facilitating drugseeking behavior. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) has been implicated in cocaine addiction and demonstrated to increase neuronal excitability, therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of intra-mPFC mGluR5 manipulation on behavioral and neurochemical sensitization and drug-seeking. Bilateral cannulae were implanted into the mPFC of male Sprague-Dawley rats and mGluR5 antagonist MTEP (15 …

Skeletal And Dental Components Of Class Ii Division 1 Correction With The Mara Compared To The Standard Edgewise Appliance, Zachary Paul Pitcher

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Many tools are available to correct Class II dental relationships. A functional orthopedic appliance is a popular type of Class II corrector that is thought to correct Class II dental relationships both dentally and skeletally by enhancing mandibular growth. The purpose of the study was to quantify differences in the amounts of skeletodental change based on treatment (MARA and Standard Edgewise) in Class II Division 1 patients. The sample consisted of 2 groups of Class II Division 1 patients: 51 patients treated with the MARA followed by an Edgewise appliance and another group of 51 patients treated with the Standard …

A Secular Increase In The Tempos Of Tooth Formation: 1980-2010, Kevan Michael O'Neill

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction: Improved environments in the U.S. have resulted in taller, larger, and heavier children and adults compared to past generations. Studies of other skeletal-dental dimensions have shown increases across generations, and our perception is that teeth now are forming faster. The purpose of this study is to test for a secular trend towards faster tempos of tooth mineralization in a sample of U.S. white adolescents over the past quarter century (1980-85 to 2005-10).

Materials: Two cohorts of 200 children each were identified, each with an age range of 10-to- 15 years, one group from 1980-85 and the more recent group …

Oropharyngeal Airway Volume Following Orthodontic Treatment: Premolar Extraction Versus Non-Extraction, Thomas Patrick Shannon

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Orthodontic correction of tooth size versus arch size discrepancy (TSASD) can be achieved with two distinct methods of treatment. The first involves the extraction of teeth to gain the space needed for tooth alignment. The second relies on arch expansion to gain the space needed for correction. In recent decades, arguments for and against the extraction of teeth for orthodontic purposes have become increasingly important, particularly in regards to oropharyngeal airway size. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a decrease in oropharyngeal dimensions following the extraction of four premolars and subsequent orthodontic therapy. Methods: …