Digital Commons Network^™

"Wood For The Coffins Ran Out": Modernism And The Shadowed Afterlife Of The Influenza Pandemic, Elizabeth Outka

English Faculty Publications

Here’s what we already know—during the First World War, soldiers and civilians often had remarkably different experiences of the war corpse. Dead bodies were omnipresent on the front line and in the trenches, an inescapable constant for the living soldier. As critic Allyson Booth notes, “Trench soldiers . . . inhabited worlds constructed, literally, of corpses.”¹ In Britain and America, however, such corpses were strangely absent; unlike in previous conflicts, bodies were not returned. This dichotomy underscores some of our central assumptions about the differences between the front line and the home front: in the trenches, dead bodies and …

Impact Of Positive And Negative Health Behaviors On Female Mice And/Or Their Offspring, Kristen M. Platt

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Obesity is an ever-growing concern in the developed world that carries with it a plethora of health issues. For example, obesity increases an individual’s risk for Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Pregnancy is a vital time for a woman to maintain optimal health, both for her own benefit as well as that of her offspring, and yet almost half of women in the United States who are of age to bear children are overweight or obese. In mice, we found that offspring born to dams fed a high fat diet did not have impaired glucose tolerance, contrary to our …

The Role Of Angiotensinogen In Atherosclerosis And Obesity, Congqing Wu

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Angiotensinogen is the only known precursor in the renin-angiotensin system, a hormonal system best known as an essential regulator of blood pressure and fluid homeostasis. Angiotensinogen is sequentially cleaved by renin and angiotensin- converting enzyme to generate angiotensin II. As the major effector peptide, angiotensin II mainly function through angiotensin type 1 receptor.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and more recently renin inhibitors are widely known as the 3 classic renin-angiotensin system inhibitory drugs against hypertension and atherosclerosis. Here, we developed an array of regents to explore the effects of angiotensinogen inhibition. First, we demonstrated that genetic deficiency of …

Diagnosing The Third World: The “Map Doctor” And The Spatialized Discourses Of Disease And Development In The Cold War, Timothy Barney

Rhetoric and Communication Studies Faculty Publications

In the early 1950s, the American Geographical Society, in collaboration with the United States Armed Forces and international pharmaceutical corporations, instituted a Medical Geography program whose main initiative was the Atlas of Disease, a map series that documented the global spread of various afflictions such as polio, malaria, even starvation. The Atlas of Disease, through the stewardship of its director, Jacques May, a French-American physician trained in colonial Hanoi, evidenced the ways in which cartography was rhetorically appropriated in the Cold War as a powerful visual discourse of development and modernization, wherein both the data content of the maps and …

Characterisation Of The Vaginal Microflora Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Positive And Negative Women In A Sub-Urban Population Of Kenya, Teresa N. Kiama, Rita Verhelst, Paul M. Mbugua, Mario Vaneechoutte, Hans Verstraelen, Benson Estambale, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Lactobacilli predominate normal vaginal microflora and are important in maintenance of vaginal health. The current study set out to identify and compare culture isolates of vaginal microflora of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive (HIV+ ) and HIV negative (HIV- ) women at different phases during menstrual cycle from a sub-urban population of Kenya. Seventy four (74) women, 41 HIV+ and 33 HIV- , followed up two consecutive menstrual cycles, had high vaginal swabs taken to prepare Gram stains for six visits and anaerobic cultures for four. All 751 isolates identified by t-DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) belong to 51 species. …

A Divisive Shuffling Approach (Vista) For Gene Expression Analysis To Identify Subtypes In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Jörg Menche, Amitabh Sharma, Michael H. Cho, Ruth J. Mayer, Stephen I. Rennard, Bartolome Celli, Bruce E. Miller, Nick Locantore, Ruth Tal-Singer, Soumitra Ghosh, Chris Larminie, Glyn Bradley, John H. Riley, Alvar Agusti, Edwin K. Silverman, Albert-László Barabási

Journal Articles: Pulmonary & Critical Care Med

BACKGROUND: An important step toward understanding the biological mechanisms underlying a complex disease is a refined understanding of its clinical heterogeneity. Relating clinical and molecular differences may allow us to define more specific subtypes of patients that respond differently to therapeutic interventions.

RESULTS: We developed a novel unbiased method called diVIsive Shuffling Approach (VIStA) that identifies subgroups of patients by maximizing the difference in their gene expression patterns. We tested our algorithm on 140 subjects with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and found four distinct, biologically and clinically meaningful combinations of clinical characteristics that are associated with large gene expression …

Is A Parent-Focused Intervention More Effective Than A Child-Focused Approach In Treating Childhood Obesity?, Jessica E. Jankowski

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not a parent-focused intervention is more effective than a child-focused approach in treating childhood obesity.

STUDY DESIGN: This review consists of three randomized controlled trials published in the English language between the years 2004 and 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources were articles published in peer reviewed journals comparing parent-focused intervention as a treatment of childhood obesity compared to a child-focused approach found using Cochrane and PubMed databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured were the child’s obesity status and quality of life. These outcomes …

Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Adina Mezrahi

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

This objective of this review is to present the known data in regards to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in infants. Articles with relevant definitions, diagnosis and treatment options were evaluated. It is evident that much controversy exists in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, and there is the question as whether this disease can be called GERD. Current ability to attribute the symptoms infants present with the disease is still difficult to clarify, despite the fact that as many as 60% of infants show symptoms of this disease. The current testing options have proven to be insufficient in concretely …

Isoflupredone Acetate As Ancillary Therapy For Bovine Respiratory Disease In High-Risk Stocker Calves, Claire Crews, Jeremy Powell, Elizabeth Kegley, Jana Reynolds, Pete Hornsby

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most prevalent and devastating disease in U.S. feedlot cattle. This study evaluated the use of isoflupredone acetate in the treatment of BRD. Crossbred male beef calves (n = 192; body weight = 221 ± 3.9 kg) were acquired in two blocks from regional auction markets and transported to the University of Arkansas Stocker and Receiving Cattle Unit. Calves were observed daily for signs of respiratory illness. Antibiotic treatment was administered if calves displayed signs of respiratory illness and rectal temperature was ≥40 °C. Calves (n = 72) requiring antibiotic treatment were assigned randomly to …

Effect Of Heme Oxygenase-1 On Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Expression In Human Fibroblasts, Theresa A. Stangl

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) is an enzyme that plays a very important role in the resolution of inflammation. HO-1-based therapies are effective in a number of disease conditions. However, HO-1 also increases tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis and chemoresistance. Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) is an enzyme involved in physiological and pathophysiological tissue remodeling. Unbalanced expression of MMPs is a key feature of connective tissue destruction in chronic inflammatory conditions. Previously shown in this laboratory, the HO-1 inducer, hemin, increased MMP-3 mRNA expression in some HGF cultures. To assess whether HO-1 and/or its products regulate expression of MMP-3 in human fibroblasts, the effect of HO-1 …

Risk Factors Of Cvd Mortality Among The Elderly In Beijing, 1992 - 2009: An 18-Year Cohort Study, Tao Zhou, Xia Li, Zhe Tang, Changchun Xie, Lixin Tao, Lei Pan, Da Huo, Fei Sun, Yanxia Luo, Wei Wang, Aoshuang Yan, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Few researchers have examined the effects of multiple risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality simultaneously. This study was to determine the associations of combined lifestyle and other factors with CVD mortality among the elderly (n = 3,257), in Beijing, China, through data mining of the Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). BLSA is a representative cohort study from 1992 to 2009, hosted by Xuan Wu Hospital. Competing risk survival analysis was conducted to explore the association between risk factors and CVD mortality. The factors focused mainly on lifestyle, physical condition, and the model was adjusted for age and gender. …

Plasma Insulin-Degrading Enzyme: Characterisation And Evaluation As A Potential Biomarker For Alzheimer's Disease, Michelle Tegg

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is increasing in prevalence due to increasing lifespan and altered lifestyle. It is the fourth major cause of death in Western countries, resulting in significant economic and social impact (Von Strauss, et al., 1999; Goate, 1997). There are no blood biomarkers currently accepted for the diagnosis of AD, and the identification of suitable biomarkers would eventually reduce the necessity for invasive, expensive and slow diagnostic procedures, as well as facilitate prognostic studies. An AD blood test would decrease the need for delaying diagnosis due to ambivalent presentation, and allow therapeutic intervention to commence at an earlier …

Educational Disparities' Impact On Risk Factors For Hypertension: National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2010, Priska Ursula Baker

All Master's Theses

The intention of this study is to explore if education attainment is an independent risk factor for hypertension when other risk factors related to hypertension are accounted for. It is hypothesized that education will be an independent risk factor for hypertension even when other risk factors are considered.

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003-2010 was used and analyses were conducted using SAS 9.2. Simple logistic regression analysis revealed that all education categories had significantly lower odds of having hypertension compared to < 9th grade education. Since hypertension risk was affected by gender, ethnicity, age, weight, abdominal obesity, smoking status, income and nutrient intake, these covariates were included in a multiple logistic regression model with educational attainment. In this model, hypertension only trended towards significance for educational attainment.

Although educational attainment may play a role in the prevalence of hypertension disparities, …

Do N3 Fatty Acid Supplements Effect Depressive Symptoms Post Cardiovascular Event In Men And Women Ages 40 And Older?, Lindsey G. Caton

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not n-3 fatty acids have an effect on depressive symptoms post cardiovascular event in men and women ages 40 and older.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three English language random controlled trials published between 2011-2012.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials published after 2011 comparing the effects of n-3 fatty acid supplementation on depressive symptoms post cardiovascular event and one randomized controlled trial comparing n-3 fatty acid supplementation effects on depressive symptoms in elderly patients with diagnosed depression. The studies were obtained using the …

Is Topical Clonazepam More Effective Than Oral Clonazepam In Treatment Of Burning Mouth Syndrome (Bms)?, Sherley Casseus

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Abstract not available.

Is Arginine Oral Supplement Effective On Wound Healing In Adult Patients With Stage Ii, Iii And Iv Pressure Ulcers?, Camilla Chou

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the addition of arginine protein supplementation is effective in wound healing of adult patients with stage II, III and IV pressure ulcers.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three English language primary studies. One observation controlled study and two randomized controlled studies all published between 2010- 2012.

DATA SOURCES: Two double blind randomized controlled trials and one observational controlled trial comparing the efficacy of arginine supplementation in wound healing of adult patients with stage II, III and IV pressure ulcers. All research articles were …

Does Electroanalgesic Therapy Decrease Neuropathic Pain In Diabetic Patients?, Michelle A. Lee

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not use of electroanalgesic therapy decreases neuropathic pain symptoms in diabetic patients

STUDY DESIGN: Review of a 2 randomized control trial published in 2013 and 2011 published in the English language and an observational study published in 2010 in the German language translated into English.

DATA SOURCES: One randomized, double-blind control trial comparing frequency-modulated electromagnetic stimulation vs placebo in reduction of diabetic neuropathic pain, one randomized, control trial comparing microcurrent transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation vs placebo in reduction of painful diabetic neuropathy and a observational …

Are Linoleic Acid Supplements Beneficial In Increasing Growth In Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients?, Sarah M. Saporito

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine “Are linoleic acid supplements beneficial in increasing growth in pediatric cystic fibrosis patients?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English primary studies published between 1995 and 2000.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trial and one controlled clinical trial were used. Studies were found using PubMed and Cochrane Databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Primary outcomes measured include the taste, smell, and appearance of the supplement and the growth of the cystic fibrosis patients.

RESULTS: In Steinkamp G, Demmelmair et al., the treatment group grew in its weight-for-height; whereas, …

Is Polydextrose A Beneficial Supplement For Gastrointestinal Health And Maintenance Of A Healthy Body Weight?, Katharine Reilly

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine if polydextrose is a beneficial supplement for gastrointestinal health and maintenance of a healthy body weight

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled studies published from 2000-2011.

DATA SOURCES: All studies were double blind randomized control trials and found using one search+ and EBSCO host through the PCOM library webpage.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured in each study were based on subjective evaluations of ease of defecation, ease of stool passage, and feelings of fullness.

RESULTS: Only one of the three …

Is Aztreonam Lysine For Inhalation Effective In The Treatment Of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis And Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Airway Infection?, Christine Shevchenko

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not aztreonam lysine for inhalation is effective in the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa airway infection.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary randomized controlled trials published in 2008, 2009, and 2011.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies using Cochrane and Pubmed databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Patient oriented outcomes measured included change in respiratory symptoms measured by the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised and need for additional anti-pseudomonal antibiotics indicative of pulmonary exacerbation.

RESULTS: In both cystic fibrosis (CF) …

Does The Injection Of Botulinum Toxin Improve Symptoms In Patients With Gastroparesis?, Jillian Solomon

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selected EBM review is to determine whether or not the injection of botulinum toxin improves symptoms in patients with gastroparesis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two published, double blind randomized controlled trials and one published, open label pilot study were used for this review, which were found on PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome was the change in gastroparesis-associated symptoms, which was measured using the Gastroparesis Cardinal Scale Index (GCSI) and Gastroparesis Questionnaire. In the two double blind, randomized controlled trials by Arts et al. and Friendenberg et al., symptoms were quantified using the …

Is A Low Glycemic Index Diet An Effective Treatment Regimen For Acne Vulgaris In Adolescents And Young Adults Ages 15-30?, Gina C. Tomkus

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not a low glycemic index (Low GI) diet is an effective treatment for acne vulgaris in adolescents and young adults ages 15-30.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of two randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial and one parallel clinical trial published in peer-reviewed journals.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized double blind clinical trials and one parallel clinical trial published in 2007, 2012, and 2010 respectively. The sources studying the use of a low glycemic index diet as a therapeutic intervention for acne vulgaris were obtained …

Is The Addition Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids To Other Treatment Methods Effective In Reducing Pain In Adult Patients With Osteoarthritis?, Lisa C. Martin

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: Is the addition of Omega-3 fatty acids to other treatment methods effective in reducing pain in adult patients with osteoarthritis?

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three published, double blind, randomized controlled trials were used for this review and were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question.

DATA SOURCE: The most recent randomized control trials examining the relief of osteoarthritic pain with intake of omega-3 fatty acids in addition to traditional medical therapies were found using Medline, PubMed, and OVID databases.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Relief of osteoarthritic pain with the addition of omega-3 fatty acids to …

Update Of The Who/Iuis Allergen Nomenclature Database Based On Analysis Of Allergen Sequences, C. Radauer, A. Nandy, F. Ferreira, Richard E. Goodman, J. N. Larsen, J. Lidholm, A. Pomés, M. Raulf-Heimsoth, P. Rozynek, W. R. Thomas, Heimo Breiteneder

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

The IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee, under the auspices of the World Health Organization and the International Union of Immunological Societies, maintains the systematic nomenclature of allergenic proteins and publishes a database of approved allergen names on its Web site, www.allergen.org. In this paper, we summarize updates of allergen names approved at the meetings of the committee in 2011 through 2013. These changes reflect recent progress in identification, cloning, and sequencing of allergens. The goals of this update were to increase consistency in the classification of allergens, isoallergens, and variants and in the incorporation of the evolutionary classification of proteins into …

The Catabolite Control Protein E (Ccpe) Affects Virulence Determinant Production And Pathogenesis Of Staphylococcus Aureus, Torsten Hartmann, Grégory Baronian, Nadine Nippe, Meike Voss, Bettina Schulthess, Christiane Wolz, Janina Eisenbeis, Kerstin Schmidt-Hohagen, Rosmarie Gaupp, Cord Sunderkötter, Christoph Beisswenger, Robert Bals, Greg A. Somerville, Mathias Herrmann, Virginie Molle, Markus Bischoff

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Carbon metabolism and virulence determinant production are often linked in pathogenic bacteria, and several regulatory elements have been reported to mediate this linkage in Staphylococcus aureus. Previously, we described a novel protein, catabolite control protein E (CcpE) that functions as a regulator of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Here we demonstrate that CcpE also regulates virulence determinant biosynthesis and pathogenesis. Specifically, deletion of ccpE in S. aureus strain Newman revealed that CcpE affects transcription of virulence factors such as capA, the first gene in the capsule biosynthetic operon; hla, encoding α-toxin; and psmα, encoding the phenol-soluble modulin cluster α. Electrophoretic mobility …

Using Quantitative Disease Dynamics As A Tool For Guiding Response To Avian Influenza In Poultry In The United States Of America, K. M. Pepin, E. Spackman, J. D. Brown, K. L. Pabilonia, Lindsey P. Garber, J. Todd Weaver, D. A. Kennedy, Kelly A. Patyk, K. P. Huyvaert, Ryan S. Miller, Alan B. Franklin, Kerri Pedersen, T. L. Bogich, P. Rohani, Susan A. Shriner, Colleen T. Webb, S. Riley

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wild birds are the primary source of genetic diversity for influenza A viruses that eventually emerge in poultry and humans. Much progress has been made in the descriptive ecology of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), but contributions are less evident from quantitative studies (e.g., those including disease dynamic models). Transmission between host species, individuals and flocks has not been measured with sufficient accuracy to allow robust quantitative evaluation of alternate control protocols. We focused on the United States of America (USA) as a case study for determining the state of our quantitative knowledge of potential AIV emergence processes from wild hosts …

Safety Of Improved Milbond-Tx Mycotoxin Binder When Fed To Broiler Breeders Above Recommended Levels, Michael Schlumbohm, Judy England, Rueben Kriseldi, C. Coon

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

An increasing concern in poultry nutrition is the effects of mycotoxins in contaminated grain. Several new products have come onto the market that chemically bind these toxins preventing mycotoxicosis. However, many of these products have not been tested for safety if accidently overfed to broiler breeders. In order to simulate a feed mixing error at a feed mill, Improved Milbond-TX® was overfed to broiler breeders to see if this would cause any negative effects on bird performance. A typical corn-soybean based diet supplemented with Milbond-TX mycotoxin binder at three different levels of inclusion (0%, 0.5%, and 1%) was fed to …

Analysis Of The Role Of Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 In Normal Liver Physiology And In The Onset And Progression Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Chadia L. Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

First identified over a decade ago, Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 (AEG-1) has been studied extensively due to early reports of its overexpression in various cancer cell lines. Research groups all over the globe including our own have since identified AEG-1 overexpression in cancers of diverse lineages including cancers of the liver, colon, skin, prostate, breast, lung, esophagus, neurons and neuronal glia as compared to matched normal tissue. A comprehensive and convincing body of data currently points to AEG-1 as an essential component, critical to the progression and perhaps onset of cancer. AEG-1 is a potent activator of multiple pro-tumorigenic signal transduction …

Examining The Effect Of Race On The Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder And Metabolic Syndrome In Women, Leia Harper

Theses and Dissertations

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition affecting approximately 8% of the adult U.S. population with rates twice as high in women than men. Increasingly, evidence has suggested a close relationship between PTSD and increased risk of metabolic diseases. However, the literature on PTSD and metabolic disease risk factors has been limited by the lack of investigation of the potential influence of race on this relation. The current study examined the possible effect of race on the relation between PTSD and metabolic risk. Data for this study were provided from sample of that included 50 African American women and …

The Identity Of The Heart Patient In The Context Of The Gift Economy: Heartnet And Media Framing, Lynsey Uridge

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This health communication research examines the identity levels of the heart patient on a therapeutic website HeartNET through an empirical investigation of site interactions as manifestations of a gift economy. The thesis also explores the media’s representation of heart health in both television and print.

This research utilised a longitudinal qualitative ethnographic and netnographic approach involving twenty-six participants who completed two in-depth interviews. The first one-on-one interview occurred during the early stages of the participants’ heart journey, explored their heart story and use of interactive technology for heart health support. The second interview occurred six to twelve months later, and …