Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Adolescents And Adults With Autism: Evidence-Based Practice In Support Of Competence And Quality Of Life, Peter F. Gerhardt Ed.D.

Annual Foundations Behavioral Health/La Salle University Autism Spectrum Disorders Conference

No abstract provided.

Changes In Expression Of Genes Associated With Autophagy And Apoptosis In Neuronal Cells Infected With Hsv-1may Suggest Infection-Induced Mechanisms Of Neurodegeneration, Alexis Mark, Fiora D. Zoga, Brian J. Balin Phd, Denah M. Appelt Phd, Susan T. Hingley

Research Day

Background:This study investigates the potential role of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), by exploring changes in gene expression related to antiviral immunity and the autophagic pathway. Autophagy is a process that recycles organelles and proteins to create more energy for the cell. This pathway has been linked to neurodegeneration, as malfunctions in the completion of this process lead to a decline in overall cellular health and function. Interestingly, HSV-1 has been shown to block the completion of autophagy, which would potentially contribute to the cytopathic changes observed …

The Effects Of Dihydrobiopterin And Tetrahydrobiopterin On Hydrogen Peroxide And Nitric Oxide Release During Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy, Brittany L. Deiling, Edward S. Iames, Kerry-Anne Perkins, Qian Chen Phd, Lindon H. Young Phd

Research Day

Extracorporeal shockwave lithrotripsy (ESWL) is an effective, non-invasive clinical therapy utilized to break up stones in the kidney and urinary tract. A lithotripter generates high-energy acoustic pulses and propagates those shock waves through a lens on a region that focuses on the location of the stone, in turn breaking up the stone. The successive pulses generate shearing forces and cavitation bubbles. Cavitation bubbles are the formation and implosion of liquid free zones. The cavitation bubbles implode rapidly to create their own shockwaves that also put pressure on the stone. After treatment, fragmentation of the stone allows the debris to be …

Mechanisms Of Mouse Hepatitis Virus Entry Into Cells, Philip J. Koehler, Kristina Cade, Fiora D. Zoga, Susan T. Hingley

Research Day

Background: Viruses can enter cells through several mechanisms, two common ones being clathrin-mediated and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. The clathrin pathway delivers viral particles to endosomes, with subsequent acidification of the endosome and endosome/lysosome fusion often a prerequisite for release of the viral genome into the cytoplasm. The caveolin-mediated pathway delivers virus initially into vesicles called caveosomes, which have a neutral pH, before viral uncoating occurs. Viral entry pathways can be examined by using various drugs to inhibit the different endocytosis pathways, as well as by siRNA technology to down-regulate expression of clathrin or caveolin proteins on the surface of host …

Characterization Of A Small Iron Protein, Pyrococcus Furiosus Rubredoxin, As A Potential Cancer Drug Delivery System, Siri L. Chirumamilla, David L. Blum, Ray L. Mernaugh, Francis E. Jenney

Research Day

Background: Cancer is an elusive neoplastic disease that claims the lives of many people around the world every year. Though treatments have become more specific to the different types of cancer, the need for antineoplastic drugs that target cancer cells and leave normal cells unharmed, with little to no systemic toxicity remains, and rubredoxin might be such a tool. Rubredoxin is a small (53 amino acids), water soluble, non-heme iron electron transfer protein that contains an iron atom cofactor, which can be substituted with various cytotoxic transition metals such as nickel and cobalt with little or no effect on …

Predicting Acute Urinary Retention In Patients With Elevated Post Void Residuals, David B. Cahn Mbs, Curtis P. Ross Do, Michelle L. Persun Md, Philip C. Ginsberg Jd, Do

Research Day

Objectives: To perform a retrospective analysis in order to evaluate factors that may help predict which men with elevated PVRs that were at increased risk to develop AUR.

Imp2 Expression In The Mouse Nervous System, Sarah E. Chmielewski, Paige E. Black, Tiffany M. Holmes, Kelly S. Lau, Gary J. Bassell

Research Day

Background: Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) mRNA-binding protein-2 (IMP2) is one of the three homologs (IMP1-3) that play important roles in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in several tissues. IMP1/ZBP1 (zipcode binding protein) has been shown to play important roles in axon guidance and regeneration by regulating the localization and translation of specific mRNAs. However, the function of IMP2 is least understood, largely because an isoform-specific antibody is not available, which makes the conventional techniques to locate protein expression not feasible.

An Analysis Of Functional Status In Multiple Sclerosis Patients After Progressive Non-Aerobic High-Intensity Maximal Effort Exercise (Mee), Hilda Lai, Michael L. Kuchera, R T. Dombroski, T Vardy, F Thomas, S O’Brien, P Yagnik, K Wenzel, S Stoll, Bruce C. Stouch, M. T. Wallin, I. Vargas,, Olufolake Odutola

Research Day

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease with a wide-ranging impact on functional status. MS patient function has been assessed using Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Score (MSFCS). The MSFCS includes the standardized scores (Z-score) of three functional tests: the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT-3”) for cognitive function, 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) for upper extremity function, and timed 25-foot walk (25-TW) for lower extremity function. One of the most common symptoms experienced by MS patients is severe fatigue, often brought on suddenly by aerobic exercise. Non-aerobic maximal effort exercise (MEE) is thought to increase strength without increasing fatigue. The …

The Effect Of Progressive Non-Aerobic High-Intensity Maximal Effort Exercise (Mee) On The Health-Related Quality Of Life In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Olufolake Odutola, Michael L. Kuchera, R T. Dombroski, T Vardy, F Thomas, S O’Brien, P Yagnik, K Wenzel, S Stoll, Bruce C. Stouch, M T. W, I Vargas, Hilda Lai

Research Day

Background: Studies indicate that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients are less satisfied with the quality of their lives than healthy individuals in similar circumstances. Common symptoms experienced include fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, pain, spasticity, depression, bladder/bowel dysfunction and sexual dysfunction. Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods have been employed for such symptoms to try to increase quality of life and reduce the mortality rate. Non-pharmacological methods recommended for MS patients include lifestyle modifications, exercise programs and physical therapy. MS patients easily fatigue during aerobic exercise but a non-aerobic progressive maximal effort exercise (MEE) protocol consisting of a few short, duration isometric and eccentric …

Infection With Chlamydia Pneumoniae Alters Calcium-Associated Gene Regulation And Processes In Neuronal Cells And Monocytes: Implications For Alzheimer’S Disease, Keith G. Williams, Juliana Zoga, Susan T. Hingley, Brian J. Balin, Denah M. Appelt, Marcus G. Bell

Research Day

Background: First proposed by Khachaturian in 1994, the calcium hypothesis postulates that sustained disturbance of intracellular calcium is the leading cause of neurodegenerative disorders. Studies showing alteration in calcium signaling in both sporadic and familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD) support this hypothesis. Intracellular calcium signaling is tightly regulated in time, intensity, and space, and is responsible for a variety of neuronal functions. Calcium influx from the extracellular environment modulates calcium levels, as do intracellular stores in the endoplasmic reticulum. The focus of this study was to test various calcium related genes in both monocytes and neuronal cells. Previous studies have shown …

Documenting Pressures Used For Manual Diagnosis And Treatment Of Cervical Spine Somatic Dysfunction, Joseph Yoha, Michael L. Kuchera, Precious Barnes, Frank Casella, Jeffrey A. Nelson

Research Day

Background: Palpatory assessment of free or restricted motion patterns is part of the diagnosis of spinal somatic dysfunction (SD). Diagnostically, local soft tissues are compressed (pre-loaded) over the structure of interest followed by one or more test impulses to assess the quality of the “end-feel” motion in several planes. These barrier sensations are often described qualitatively but have not been objectively quantified. Noninvasive, tactile pressure sensors built into a digital palpation monitoring system (IsoTOUCH®; Neuromuscular Engineering; Nashville TN, USA) were used to document loading and impulse pressures for palpatory segmental diagnosis and to first engage and then quickly move …

Effects Of Non-Aerobic Maximal Effort Exercise On Fatigue In Deconditioned Men And Women With Multiple Sclerosis, Jessica U. Korsh, Michael L. Kuchera, R T. Dombroski, T Vardy, F Thomas, S O’Brien, P Yagnik, K Wenzel, S Stoll, Bruce C. Stouch, M T. Wallin, Jeffrey A. Nelson

Research Day

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology affecting women more frequently than men. Mental and physical fatigue complaints are often the most disabling symptoms for an MS patient. Both are multifactorial, potentially exacerbated by aerobic exercise, may prevent sustained physical functioning, and significantly interfere with activities of daily living1. A multi-center study was designed to investigate the effects of non-aerobic maximal effort exercise (MEE) for deconditioned persons with MS, with the expectation of minimizing fatigue. The IsoPUMP (Neuromuscular Engineering; Nashville, TN), is a specialized exercise and strength-sensing machine, designed to allow individuals to safely perform and record …

The Human Pathogen Clostridium Dificle: A Look At A Putative Involved In Protection From Oxidative Stress, Tashinea Lee, Francis E. Jenney

Research Day

Background: Hospital acquired infections due to Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is associated with nosocomial diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Using a published microarray analysis of C. diff strain 630, several open reading frames (ORFs) were noted for their upregulation under different environmental stresses. One of these genes (CD1134) is a putative glyoxalase I. The glyoxalase enzymes detoxify a side product of glycolysis, methylglyoxal, and use metals as a cofactor.

Electrical & Magnetic Stimulation And Health, Yiyan Li

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

1, Introduction Most of the patients with neural diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Stroke and Depression, cannot be cured by taking pills or conducting surgery. In contrast to the conventional therapies, physical therapies such as TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) (Fig. 1) and tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) (Fig. 2) are the most popular methods in treating neural disorders with a non-invasive way. TMS employs electromagnetic (1-3 Tesla) induction generates an Electric field suitable for neural stimulation; tDCS employs a weak current (1-2 mA) to modulate neuronal excitabilities.

Comparative Study Of Various Data Collection Software Used For Seat-Belt Observation Surveys, Atul Sancheti, Puneet Lakhanpal, Sergio Contreras, Pushkin Kachroo, Masha Wilson

College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs

Every year, Click It or Ticket (CIOT) mobilization is held in U.S. which aims at increasing seat-belt usage awareness among the people. Data collection for assessing current seat-belt usage rates and campaign design for influencing mass audience are the two most important components of the mobilization. This paper presents a comparative study of various data collections software used for seat-belt observational surveys. The comparison is based on the speed and accuracy of the data collected from different software at the same locations and at the same time of the day.

April 25, 2012, Geneva Henry

Lecture Series on E-Science

Geneva Henry, Executive Director of the Center for Digital Scholarship, Rice University. Data rights and ownership of digital research data can impact how you use data, how others use data you've collected, and how rights are determined in collaborative research. Copyright rules governing data vary from one country to the next, making data ownership in international collaborations particularly murky. Licensing the use of data sets from the start is one way to address these issues early and provide a means for easily sharing datasets that can be cited and properly attributed. This talk with introduce issues associated with digital research …

Bigpic: Bridging Income Generation With Provision Of Incentives For Care, Sonak Pastakia

Changing World Conference

No abstract provided.

Community Healthcare Clinics: An Answer To Reducing Misuse Of Emergency Department, Kelly Cantlin, Lisabeth Searing, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness: Educational Techniques, Katherine Racanelli, Victoria Folse, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

11th Annual Undergraduate Student Symposium, Farquhar Honors College

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Undergraduate Student Symposium, sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, presents student projects through presentations, papers, and poster displays. The event serves as a “showcase” demonstrating the outstanding scholarship of undergraduate students at NSU. The Symposium is open to undergraduate students from all disciplines. Projects cover areas of student scholarship ranging from the experimental and the applied to the computational, theoretical, artistic, and literary. They are taken from class assignments as well as from independent projects. The projects do not have to be complete; presentations can represent any stage in the concept’s evolution, from proposal and literature …

Living The Tasty Life: Cooking For People With Diabetes, Sarah Feye, Carrie Flowers, Amanda Johnson

Undergraduate Research Conference

To compile, format, distribute and organize high quality, affordable and easy-to-understand recipes to the greater East Texas Area in conjunction with East Texas Community Health Services, Inc. of Nacogdoches, TX.

To address the following Didactic Program in Dietetics student learning outcomes required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics: KR 2.1 a, b; KR 4.1 a, and KR 4.2 b.

Medicating America: Exploring Prescription Drug Abuse In A Rural East Texas Community, Christi Courade

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Acupuncture: The New Ancient, Connie Jennings

Year of China Events

No abstract provided.

Compliance: E-Science Mandates And Policies, Sarah White

Lecture Series on E-Science

Data collected under federally funded research is subject to compliance rules and regulations. Policies affecting what you can and cannot do with your data, who is responsible, and what role your institution plays can vary with funding agencies and the type of data collected. This talk will address many of the compliance issues associated with research data, as well as funder mandates that you need to be aware of to ensure compliance.

Human Papillomavirus: How Social Ideologies Influence Medical Policy And Care, Fadi Hachem

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the ways in which new advances in the production of a vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) have been received by both the general public and the medical community. Despite its high prevalence in the general population, as a sexually transmitted infection, there is a great deal of shame and stigma associated with contracting the virus (Waller, et. al. 2007). HPV is a disease of disparities in that ethnic and sexual minorities are disproportionately affected. Since the HPV vaccine is most effective at both a younger age, and before the first sexual experience, …

The Pregnancy Project: Impact Of Ultrasound Use During Pregnancy Care, Paige Ricci

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

Use of ultrasounds during pregnancy continues to increase and there is much debate as to what the best practice is regarding their use, for what types of patients, at what volume level. Current evidence suggests, the extended routine use of ultrasound technology should be for all women that present complications to screen for structural anomalies during pregnancy. However, others have suggested that excessive ultrasound use may be both unnecessary, costly and potentially harmful. Evidence further suggests that mothers find the use of technology to be security enhancing during pregnancy and through the process of care, and that ultrasound use is …

Sacrée Et Inviolable: The Hiv+ Mother In Ivoirian Health Policy, Amber Alaniz

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

« La personne humaine est sacrée (2)… Le domicile est inviolable. Les atteintes ou restrictions ne peuvent y être apportées que par la loi. (4) La famille constitue la cellule de base de la société. L'État assure sa protection. (5)» Constitution of La Côte d’Ivoire, Articles 2,4,5[1]

The Ivoirian national constitution, authored and enacted in July of 2000, while expressing a devotion to democratic thought (Preamble) and to the sovereignty of the individual (Article 2), also acknowledges the primacy of the Ivoirian family and collective identity as the basis of society and advances a moral duty on the part …

Recession Proof Pills: An Examination Of The Relationship Between Recession Economics And Pharmaceutical Expenditures, Kevin Gray

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

The first decade of the 21st century proved to be a time of turbulence and volatility in the worldwide economy. Oddly enough, even as Americans’ disposable income decreased, spending on health care steadily increased. Americans spent $249.9 billion on prescription drugs in 2009, contrasted against $120.9 billion in 2000—a 105% increase.1 We may question the overall ramifications of such increases in pharmaceutical sales and the correlation to other economic factors. That is, how was the pharmaceutical sector able to boast gains when the housing market collapsed? One answer is that people place a priority on their health, even with limited …

Sick With Fear: Popular Challenges To Scientific Authority In The Vaccine Controversies Of The 21st Century, Ellen Watkins

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

In the 20th century, vaccines were heralded as one of the greatest medical inventions in history. In the late 1990’s, however, the myth of vaccine-caused autism caught fire. Despite mountains of evidence disproving the link, panicking Americans eschewed vaccines and turned against their physicians. Why did Americans turn their backs on doctors, scientists, and the health industry? This paper follows the vaccine controversy of the last thirty years, looking in particular at the relationship between science and the media. This paper analyzes the contrast between discussion of the hypothesized link in scientific circles and in popular news sources, seeking to …

Sorry Buddy, But Your Name Isn't On The List: Fear And The Ethics Of Organ Donation In Film, Ted Callis

Annual Undergraduate Conference on Health and Society

The fear of death and illness is a powerful motivator. When taking into account the ethical reasoning that drives organ transplantation and procurement practices, it is persuasive enough to sway minds and corrupt pure reason. And so this paper will uncover how fear of illness and death shape answers to the ethical questions that arise in transplant debates and how these debates are in turn raised in the ethical dilemmas portrayed by popular American films. This paper will examine recent films such as The Island, and Never Let Me Go to illustrate how the ethical dilemmas associated with organ …