Immune System Diseases Commons^™

Hiv Tat And Morphine-Induced Neurodegeneration In A Beclin 1 Hemizygous Mouse Model, Jessica A. Lapierre

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early in infection, HIV crosses the blood-brain barrier and induces neuropathology. Viral presence in the CNS coupled with secretion of neurotoxic proteins causes neuroinflammation, glial dysfunction, excitotoxicity, and neuronal death. Despite advances in combined antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected patients present with a spectrum of cognitive and psychomotor deficits collectively referred to as HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND). A subset of HAND patients abuses drugs such as opiates like heroin and morphine show an exacerbation and rapid progression of HIV neuropathology; however, the mechanisms of this synergy are not well understood. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradative process which eliminates and recycles cytosolic components …

Epigenetic Mechanisms Regulating The Functional Effects Of Chronic Alcohol Exposure Of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells, Tiyash Parira

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The effects of alcohol abuse are multi-dimensional since alcohol is widely known to affect both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Recently, epigenetics has come into focus and has been implicated in many diseases as well as substance abuse disorders. Therefore, research efforts of understanding the epigenetic mechanisms underlying substance abuse effects including alcohol abuse have become more predominant.

In our laboratory, we have studied different epigenetic changes induced by alcohol exposure including regulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs), histone quantity, and histone modifications such as acetylation and deacetylation. We have observed differential effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure in …

Hiv Knowledge, Attitudes, And Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Women From Trinidad, Rosemarie Graczkowski

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently, the Caribbean has the second highest new cases of HIV infection, only after Sub-Saharan Africa. Women are becoming disproportionally more at risk for HIV/AIDS, mainly through heterosexual contact. The purpose of this dissertation study was to evaluate HIV knowledge, attitudes, and sexual risk behaviors among Trinidadian women. A sample of 113 participants was recruited for this study. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Purnell Model of Cultural Competence were used to guide this study. Data were gathered using the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18), Condom Attitude Scale (CAS), Safe Sex Behavior Questionnaire (SSBQ), and a demographic questionnaire. Data were …