Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Physiological And Behavioral Evidence Of Auditory Processing Deficit In Children Suspected Of Auditory Processing Disorder, Sangamanatha Ankmnal Veeranna

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

A series of studies were carried out to examine the neural and behavioral processing of acoustic stimuli in children with suspected auditory processing disorder (sAPD).

The click-evoked auditory brainstem responses recorded from children with sAPD and adults were analyzed using traditional clinical measures and detailed analysis seeking to explore the separate contributions of axonal conduction and synaptic transmission. Clinical measures revealed significant prolongation of absolute latencies and interwave intervals in children with sAPD compared to adults. Examination of responses delineating axonal vs. synaptic transmission showed frequent delays in synaptic factors and fewer instances of delays related to axonal conduction in …

Self-Disclosure Among Male Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse: Service Providers’ Perspective, Marudan Sivagurunathan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Previous research regarding child sexual abuse (CSA) indicates significant gender differences in disclosure rates: specifically, males are less likely to disclose their child sexual abuse in comparison to females. CSA can have lasting impact on a child’s emotional, physical, and psychological wellbeing. Trauma studies show support and early intervention is necessary for CSA survivors to re-establish a sense of safety and to experience better quality of life. Service providers play a key role in providing care and support for male CSA survivors. However, little is known about service providers, who work with male CSA survivors, and their perceptions and attitudes …

Measuring Brain Serine With Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy At 3.0 Tesla, Homa Javadzadeh

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) non-invasively measures regional human brain chemistry in vivo, providing concentration estimates for several metabolites in a pre-selected region of interest. MRS has been applied to investigations of disease-related metabolic and neurochemical alterations in schizophrenia since the early 90’s.

The objective of this research is to implement a metabolite-selective MRS method to quantify endogenous concentrations of human brain serine. Serine is a naturally-occurring amino acid and an important co-modulator of the N-Methyl D-aspartic Acid (NMDA) glutamate receptor. Glutamate abnormalities have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, especially its so-called negative and cognitive symptoms, which can …

Examining The Impacts Of Wife Abuse And Child Abuse On Saudi Women’S Mental And Physical Health, Eman Alhalal

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Research has not extensively examined the contextual mechanisms by which Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and child abuse lead to chronic pain. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms overlap, yet, it is not clear whether they function in unique ways as mediators of the relationships of abuse with chronic pain. Thus, the purposes of this study were to: a) test a causal model that explains the mechanisms by which severity of child abuse and wife abuse affect chronic pain among Saudi women, and the mediating role of symptoms of depression and PTSD and perceived family support and, b) advance the …

Producing A Subunit Vaccine For Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, Zayn Khamis

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) causes disease and mortality to piglets worldwide. Most vaccines used to combat the disease have been ineffective live attenuated virus vaccines. The goal of this project was to produce a plant-made subunit vaccine based off the membrane protein of the virus. This is the first time this protein has been produced in plants. An elastin-like polypeptide fusion membrane protein accumulated up to 0.8 mg/g of fresh leaf weight when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Virus-like particles were also produced for the first time for PEDv, and were able to form with just the membrane …

Physiological And Psychological Responses Of Surgeons And Trainees, Sarantis Abatzoglou

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Performing surgical procedures can increase the physiological stress and mental strain experienced by practicing surgeons and their trainees. This may negatively affect work and learning capacity and quality of patient care by increasing the incidence of burnout, sleep disorders, fatigue and other negative behaviours such as substance abuse. This study aimed to compare the physiological and psychological responses of similar clinical situations between orthopaedic surgeons and their clinical fellows. An observational prospective cohort study was performed in that matter. Our results showed overall increased physiological responses of the fellows during surgery days compared to the clinic days. On the contrary, …

The Effect Of The Gekotm Device On Post Kidney And Pancreatic Transplantation Leg Edema, Bijad Alharbi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction: Kidney and pancreas transplant recipients risk thromboembolism and lower limb edema due to immobility and fluid shift after surgery. Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices + hromboembolic deterrent (TED stockings) are used to mitigate these risks. However, they risk peroneal nerve injury, discomfort, excessive heat and sweating under the cuffs. The Geko TM device, is an internally powered calf neuromuscular stimulator, shown to have beneficial effects in improving blood flow and skin capillary perfusion. Its role in transplantation has not previously been assessed. Our objective was to prospectively evaluate the effects of IPC+TED stocking and the Geko TM devices on …

Probiotic Yoghourt For Health, Nutrition And Women's Empowerment In Kenya: A Community-Based Approach, Ellena Andoniou

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The dissertation aims to examine the impacts of probiotic yoghourt on health, nutrition and women’s empowerment within the context of HIV/AIDS in Kenya. Mixed methods that combine quantiative and qualitative approaches are used to understand the effects of probiotic yoghourt on the health, nutrition and quality of life for men and women. Results of the quantiative analysis (n=227) demonstrated that the probiotic yoghourt confers a variety of health benefits – physiological (fewer urogenital conditions and digestive problems; reduced dependence on medical treatment), and psychological (perceived improvements with bodily appearance, felt an increased meaningfulness with life). Results of the qualitative analysis …

Comparison Of The Prophylactic Effect Between Acupuncture And Acupressure On Menstrual Migraine: Results Of A Pilot Study, Xianmin Yu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Menstrual migraine (MM) is one kind of migraine associated with females’ menses. It is often associated with increased menstrual distress and disability, leading to decreased daily activity and quality of life. Purpose: To make comparisons between acupuncture and acupressure for preventing MM. Design: A randomized and controlled pilot study with three groups: verum acupuncture (VA) group, acupressure (AP) group, and control acupuncture (CA) group. The study lasted for seven cycle-months, with a 1-cycle-month baseline observation (T1), a 3-cycle-month intervention (three times per cycle-month) (T2-T4), and a 3-cycle-month follow-up (T5-T7). Outcome measures: number of migraine days, average and peak pain, …

Behavioural Inflexibility And White Matter Inflammation In An Aged Happ Rat With Subcortical Stroke, Aaron M. Regis

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The interactions between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and ischemic stroke pathology are of key interest in the development of post-stroke cognitive decline. While clinical and experimental studies have suggested an interaction, the mechanisms whereby these conditions interact to worsen cognition haven’t been fully revealed. This study aimed to combine rodent models of AD and stroke in an aged rat and assess the behavioural and histological outcomes. An injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor into the basal ganglia of a rat with human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) overexpression (F344Tg) was followed up 3 months later to assess behavioural flexibility, memory and …

Optimizing The Composition And Delivery Of Assessment And Treatment Following Distal Radius Fracture, Michael L. Szekeres

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Distal radius fracture (DRF) is the most common fracture.¹ The most recent Cochrane review indicated “The available evidence from randomized controlled trials is insufficient to establish the relative effectiveness of the various interventions used in the rehabilitation of adults with fractures of the distal radius”.²

Since the relative effectiveness of the various interventions used for rehabilitation after DRF is unknown, the main goal of this thesis is to focus on one aspect of both assessment and treatment to add to the current literature base. The first paper (Chapter 2) describes a new method using a modified finger goniometer …

Paediatric Surgical Outcomes Across Ontario, Damian Dylkowski

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the volume of three complex paediatric procedures at the tertiary care centres in Ontario over the last 20 years in three disciplines, analyze outcomes and explore the possibility of an outcome volume relationship.

METHODS: A population based cohort study of patients undergoing TEF repair, Pyeloplasty and V-P shunt insertion at 4 paediatric centres in Ontario between 1993 and 2013 was carried out. Administrative data sets were linked using unique encoded identifiers and analyzed at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).

RESULTS: In TEF repair and Pyeloplasty, there was significant difference …

The Role Of Scapular Morphology In Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty, Ashish Gupta

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Baseplate fixation in a reverse shoulder arthroplasty depends on adequate bone stock. In cases of severe glenoid bone loss and revision shoulder arthroplasty, deficiency of the glenoid vault compels the surgeon to attain screw fixation in the three columns of the scapula. The relationship of these columns demonstrated that the coracoid is closer to the lateral scapular pillar in females than in males. Significant gender dimorphism exists between the orientations of the three columns. The gender dimorphism is further evaluated by anthropometric measurements of the scapular body and the glenoid. The clinical significance lies in the ability to reconstruct the …

Physical Activity Levels In Total Hip Arthroplasty Comparing The Direct Anterior Approach To The Direct Lateral Approach: A Prospective Cohort Study, Abdulaziz N. Aljurayyan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a cost-effective surgical procedure to treat patients with end-stage hip arthritis with high patient satisfaction. Different surgical approaches to the hip have been used to successfully perform THA. However, the role of these surgical approaches on physical activity and early functional recovery in THA patients remains controversial.

In this thesis, we prospectively evaluated physical activity levels in patients with end-stage hip OA whom are undergoing elective THA. The primary focus was to evaluate the impact of different surgical approaches on physical activity levels as a measure of functional recovery in the immediate postoperative period.

Due …

Development And Optimization Of 19f-Mri For Tracking Cellular Therapeutics, Jeffrey M. Gaudet

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Introduction: This thesis aims to advance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for imaging cellular therapeutics. Traditional, proton-based, MRI provides detailed anatomical images, particularly of soft tissue. However, in order to obtain information at a cellular level specialized imaging agents are required to detect the cells of interest. Perfluorocarbons containing non-radioactive fluorine-19 (¹⁹F) are both biologically safe and MR sensitive. Methods: Pre-clinical ¹⁹F-MRI was implemented on a Varian 9.4T MRI scanner, using a dual ¹⁹F/¹H-tuned birdcage volume coil. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) were pre-labeled with a commercial, FDA approved ¹⁹F-perfluorocarbon emulsion, then implanted intramuscularly into …

Comparison Of Treatment Effects Of The Forsus Fatigue Resistance Device In Class Ii Patients With Different Underlying Vertical Skeletal Patterns, Michelle C. Watroba

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in dental and skeletal changes induced by the Forsus^TM Class II dentoalveolar corrector in Class II patients with varying vertical skeletal growth patterns. The sample consisted of 26 (mean age 12.9 ± 1.3 years) Brachyfacial (BF) (SN-MP < 30^o) consecutively treated Forsus subjects, 16 (mean age 13.1 ± 0.8 years) BF untreated Class II subjects (control subjects), 12 (mean age 12.3 ± 1.2 years) Nonbrachyfacial (NBF) (SN-MP ≥ 30^o) consecutively treated Forsus subjects, and 8 (mean age 13.2 ± 0.9 years) NBF untreated Class II subjects (control). …

Translational Study Of Liver Cancer And Hypertrophy: Translich, Mauro Enrique Tun Abraham

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Abstract

Background: Associating liver partition with portal vein ligation for staged-hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a technique for inducing accelerated hypertrophy in patients with insufficient future liver remnant (FLR). It remains unknown whether this hypertrophy may lead to rapid cancer cell dissemination and/or alteration of immune cell/function reconstitution in the FLR. We aimed to determine if the rapid hypertrophy during ALPPS procedure results in more circulating tumour cell (CTCs) dissemination and whether the FLR remains immunologically competent in patients with CRLM.

Methods: In our prospective, observational, 2-arm study, we assessed the utility of CTCs as an evaluation tool for disease dissemination. Moreover, …

Registration And Familial Consent For Deceased Organ Donation Among Ethnic Minorities In Ontario, Canada: Opportunities For Improvement, Alvin Li

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Canadians on the transplant waiting list are dying every day because there are not enough available solid organs for transplantation. An important aspect of addressing this problem is to increase deceased organ donation consent rates. Consent rates are, in part, affected by the number of adults registering their commitment to deceased organ donation in the event of their death through a donor registry. In provinces such as Ontario, approximately 30% of the population is registered for deceased organ donation and approximately 60% of families consent to organ donation. These low figures have been attributed, without evidence, to the relatively high …

Household Living Arrangement And Quality Of Life In Adults With Mental Illness, Meaghan Mckillop

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background: Household living arrangement, whether an individual lives alone, with family, or with unrelated persons, may predict quality of life in adults with mental illness, as it influences social interactions and availability of immediate resources. Objective: To assess the relationship between living arrangement and quality of life in adults with mental illness. Design: Secondary analysis of 294 community-dwelling adults with mental illness. Linear regression was used to estimate the association between living arrangement and quality of life. Results: Initially, linear regression analysis did not suggest a strong association between quality of life and living arrangement; however, further analysis suggested that …

Characterization Of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate (Nbca) Glue Polymerization For The Embolization Of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (Avms), Bill H. Wang

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Brain AVMs are abnormal connections between arteries and veins. Endovascular glue embolization with NBCA is an accepted form of treatment. The reported complication rates of NBCA embolization varies widely from 2-15%, and timing of polymerization plays a major role.

Polymerization time was measured for mixtures of lipiodol/NBCA of 50/50, 70/30, 60/40. The influence of pH, temperature and presence of biological catalysts on polymerization time was investigated in-vivo. PVA-C, silicone and endothelium surfaces were compared. High-speed video analysis of glue injection through a microcatheter was performed.

Polymerization rate increases with pH and temperature. A hydrophilic surface such as PVA-C better mimics …

Mindfulness And Mothering: Reclaiming Feminine Voice, Lisa L. Mccorquodale

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Little is known about working mothers who practice mindfulness. This dissertation is a phenomenological investigation using body mapping as a way to understand how mindfulness works in the lives of six women who work in health and social care while parenting young children.

This dissertation is comprised of five integrated articles. Chapter 1 and 7 are included as an Introduction and Discussion/Conclusion to the five separate though related manuscript chapters. The main research questions that framed this research include, ‘What is the work of mindfulness in the lives of working professional mothers?’ and ‘In what ways might a mindfulness practice …

Signal Transduction Mechanisms Mediating The Regulation Of Vascular G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Elena Tutunea-Fatan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Blood pressure homeostasis is controlled via a complex network of cell signaling mechanisms. Among the broad network of receptors and signaling molecules regulating blood vessel reactivity, members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family are known to play a central role. GPCR activity represents a delicate, but coordinated balance between molecular mechanisms governing receptor signaling, desensitization, and re-sensitization. GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) modulates multiple cellular responses through GPCR desensitization and alterations in GRK2 activity are considered to play an important role in the development of hypertension. The main premise of our study was to test whether the inhibition of GRK2 …

Role Of Lipid Mediators In P2x7 Signaling In Osteoblasts, Erin Eyer

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

P2X7 is a cell-surface nucleotide receptor that plays a critical role in skeletal mechanotransduction; however, the signaling pathways mediating these effects are poorly understood. Previous studies showed that the nucleotide analog benzoylbenzoyl-ATP induces anabolic gene expression in osteoblastic cells. Our first objective was to determine whether this effect was mediated by P2X7. Inhibition of anabolic gene expression by a P2X7-specific antagonist established involvement of this receptor. Our second objective was to investigate the role of lipid mediators, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and prostaglandin (PG), both of which are produced in response to P2X7 activation. The effect of P2X7 on expression of …

Assessing Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In The Early Years, Leigh M. Vanderloo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The overall purpose of this dissertation was to explore young children’s (18 months to 5 years) physical activity and sedentary time. Study 1 assessed the physical activity and sedentary time among a sample of toddlers from London, Canada using two data processing approaches. Study 2 explored the impact of three different early learning environments, and their respective characteristics (e.g., staff behaviours, equipment, sedentary opportunities, etc.), on preschoolers’ activity levels. Study 3 examined differences in two popular accelerometers used to measure young children’s physical activity and sedentary time to better understand measurement discrepancies.

Study 1 revealed that toddlers engaged in 37.27 …

Evaluating Factors That Affect Hand Dexterity After Distal Radius Fracture, Pavlos Bobos

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Abstract

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of age and gender on hand dexterity after distal radius fracture (DRF). The second aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery of hand dexterity in 1-year follow-up of DRF. The third purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which loss of range of motion (ROM) and grip strength predicts hand dexterity 6-months after injury

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 242 patients with DRF examined the recovery of hand dexterity across 3 time-points (3, 6 and 12 months). Dexterity testing was performed …

Fitness-To-Drive Screening Measure© : Constructing And Validating The Short Form, Shabnam Medhizadah

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The valid and reliable Fitness-to-Drive Screening Measure^© (FTDS) is a free online proxy measure that screens for at-risk older drivers using 54 driving-related items. This secondary data analysis aims to construct and validate a short form FTDS, using 200 caregiver FTDS response sets and 200 older driver on-road assessment pass/fail outcomes. To construct the short form, exploratory factor analysis and classical test theory techniques were employed to determine the most interpretable factor model and the minimum number of items that might be used to predict fitness to drive. Next, receiver operating characteristics curves were generated to evaluate the concurrent …

Nasal Morphology As A Predictor Of Craniofacial Growth Direction, Christos Papadopoulos

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

It is important for an orthodontist to predict growth related changes and thereby appropriately time orthodontic treatment using the vertical indicators currently available. A potential predictor of craniofacial growth direction that has been discussed yet remains scientifically unexplored is nasal morphology. The objectives of this study are to determine if a difference in pre-adolescent nasal contour exists between post-adolescent normodivergent and hyperdivergent subjects, and if nasal contour morphology in pre-adolescent females is a reliable indicator of future craniofacial growth direction. A significant difference in pre-adolescent nasal contour morphology was found between normodivergent and hyperdivergent groups. A pre-adolescent nasal contour elevation …

A Non-Canonical Role For Choline Acetyltransferase In Chromatin Organization And The Response To Beta-Amyloid, Warren R. Winick-Ng

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The three-dimensional structure of chromatin is essential for context-dependent regulation of gene expression in post-mitotic neurons. Chromosomal rearrangements have been observed in the aging brain, and proteins involved in chromatin organization have altered expression and/or localization in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A human- and primate-specific transcript of choline acetyltransferase produces an 82-kDa protein (82-kDa ChAT) that is localized to the nucleus of cholinergic neurons, but is found in the cytoplasm in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. The function of the 82-kDa ChAT protein is unknown, though recent evidence suggests it has a role in gene expression changes in …

Oxytocin’S Effects On Sickness Behaviours, Anxiety Responses, And Immune Function In Adult Male Mice, Julie Deleemans

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The nonapeptide, oxytocin (OT), is implicated in a range of behavioural and physiological functions. However, OT's role in sickness behaviours remains unclear. This thesis examined effects of the OT agonist, carbetocin (CBT), and OT antagonist, L-368,899, on anxiety and locomotor sickness-related behaviours and pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-a and IL-6, in adult male CD-1 mice. Animals received 2 intraperitoneal treatment injections. The first treatment was carbetocin, L-368,899, or saline, while the second was lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline. Behaviours were evaluated via the light-dark test, and cytokines via immunoassay. OT antagonist treatment attenuated LPS induced perturbations in locomotor and anxiety-like behaviour, but …

Multi-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of Obstructive Lung Disease, Khadija Sheikh

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Obstructive lung diseases such as chronic-obstructive-lung-disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and asthma are characterized by airflow obstruction. They affect over six million Canadians costing the economy $12 billion/year. Despite decades of research, therapies that modify obstructive-lung-disease progression and control are lacking because patient diagnosis, monitoring, and response to therapy are currently made using airflow measurements that may conceal the independent contributions of underlying pathologies. One goal of obstructive-lung-disease research is to develop ways to identify patients with specific underlying pathological phenotypes to improve patient care and outcomes. Thoracic computed-tomography (CT) and magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) provide ways to regionally identify the underlying pathologies associated …