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Proteolipid Protein 1 Regulates Inflammation In The Central Nervous System, Whitney Hoff Jan 2018

Proteolipid Protein 1 Regulates Inflammation In The Central Nervous System, Whitney Hoff

Wayne State University Theses

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) results from mutations in the proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene including PLP1 duplications and deletions. The absence of PLP is preferable to PLP1/Plp1 duplication in PMD patients and rodents as lifespan of PLP1/Plp1 null mammals is nearly normal. The reason for this is not entirely understood. However, because of this, less attention has been placed on Plp1 null mutations than on classical PMD mutations. However, data show that PLP levels must be properly titrated to ensure normal brain function. Specifically, changes in PLP1/Plp1 expression can result in massive microglia activation in animal models of PMD and likely …


Role Of Oxidized Extracellular Vesicles As Early Biomarkers And Inflammatory Mediators In Chemotherapy-Induced Normal Tissue Injury, Chontida Yarana Jan 2018

Role Of Oxidized Extracellular Vesicles As Early Biomarkers And Inflammatory Mediators In Chemotherapy-Induced Normal Tissue Injury, Chontida Yarana

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Significant advances in the efficacy of cancer therapy have been accompanied by an escalation of side effects that result from therapy-induced injury to normal tissues. Patients with high grade cancer or metastasis are often treated with chemotherapy, 50% of which are associated with reactive oxygen species generation and cellular oxidative stress. Heart is the normal tissue most susceptible to chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress and heart disease is the most common leading cause of death in cancer survivors. However, early and sensitive biomarkers to identify heart disease are still lacking. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released from cells during oxidative stress and send …


The Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale: A Validity And Reliability Study In A Turkish Sample, Öznur Başdaş, Emi̇ne Erdem, Ferhan Elmali, Seli̇m Kurtoğlu Jan 2018

The Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale: A Validity And Reliability Study In A Turkish Sample, Öznur Başdaş, Emi̇ne Erdem, Ferhan Elmali, Seli̇m Kurtoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS) is to gather a comprehensive pro le of neonatal functioning by describing the full range of neonatal behavior, including competencies and strengths, as well as di culties or deviations. is instrument has proved to be of great clinical value by detecting infants at risk for later developmental problems. is work was conducted methodologically with the aim of a Turkish validity and reliability study of the BNBAS. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in a large tertiary hospital in Turkey. After establishing content and language validity, the BNBAS was …


Comparison Between Iloprost And Alprostadil For Protection Againstischemia/Reperfusion Injury In A Rat Model, Deni̇z Çevi̇rme, Taylan Adademi̇r, Eylül Kafali Başaran, Ömer Faruk Şavluk, Ahmet Eli̇bol, Gözde Erkanli Şentürk, Hati̇ce Akkaya, Bayram Yilmaz Jan 2018

Comparison Between Iloprost And Alprostadil For Protection Againstischemia/Reperfusion Injury In A Rat Model, Deni̇z Çevi̇rme, Taylan Adademi̇r, Eylül Kafali Başaran, Ömer Faruk Şavluk, Ahmet Eli̇bol, Gözde Erkanli Şentürk, Hati̇ce Akkaya, Bayram Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Alprostadil and iloprost are successful agents used for both pulmonary hypertension and extremity ischemia treatment. Different systemic effects of these agents may change the preferences of clinical usage. Superiority of preventing ischemia/ reperfusion (IR) injury is a criterion for clinical preference of these agents. The present study was designed to compare the protective effects of alprostadil and iloprost in a rat model of IR injury. Materials and methods: Twenty-three male Sprague Dawley rats were used (aged 8-12 weeks, mean weight 230 ± 30 g). They were randomized into 4 groups: Group 1 (iloprost + IR), Group 2 (alprostadil + …


Complete Genome Sequence Of Moraxella Bovis Strain Epp-63 (300), An Etiologic Agent Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, John Dustin Loy, Aaron M. Dickey, Michael L. Clawson Jan 2018

Complete Genome Sequence Of Moraxella Bovis Strain Epp-63 (300), An Etiologic Agent Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, John Dustin Loy, Aaron M. Dickey, Michael L. Clawson

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

We report here the complete closed genome sequence of Moraxella bovis strain Epp-63 (300) (Epp63). This strain was isolated from an infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) case in 1963. Since then, Epp63 has been used extensively for IBK research. Consequently, the genome sequence of Epp63 should help elucidate IBK host-pathogen interactions.


Non-Invasive Mitochondrial Modulation With Near-Infrared Light Reduces Brain Injury After Stroke, Christos Dionisos Strubakos Jan 2018

Non-Invasive Mitochondrial Modulation With Near-Infrared Light Reduces Brain Injury After Stroke, Christos Dionisos Strubakos

Wayne State University Dissertations

Acute ischemic stroke is a debilitating disease that causes significant brain injury.

While rapid restoration of blood flow is critical to salvage the ischemic brain, reperfusion

of tissue can further drive brain damage by inducing generation of mitochondrial reactive

oxygen species (Chouchani et al., 2014a). Recent studies by our group found that noninvasive

mitochondrial modulation (NIMM) with near-infrared (NIR) light can limit the

production of reactive oxygen species following global brain ischemia (T. H. Sanderson

et al., 2018). NIR interacts with the rate limiting step of the mitochondrial electron

transport chain (ETC), cytochrome c oxidase (COX), and modulates mitochondrial

respiration. …


Transport Of Bmaa Into Neurons And Astrocytes By System XC-, Rebecca Albano, Doug Lobner Jan 2018

Transport Of Bmaa Into Neurons And Astrocytes By System XC-, Rebecca Albano, Doug Lobner

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The study of the mechanism of β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) neurotoxicity originally focused on its effects at the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. In recent years, it has become clear that its mechanism of action is more complicated. First, there are certain cell types, such as motor neurons and cholinergic neurons, where the dominate mechanism of toxicity is through action at AMPA receptors. Second, even in cortical neurons where the primary mechanism of toxicity appears to be activation of NMDA receptors, there are other mechanisms involved. We found that along with NMDA receptors, activation of mGLuR5 receptors and effects on the …


What Does The Fos Say? Using Fos-Based Approaches To Understand The Contribution Of Stress To Substance Use Disorders, Jayme R. Mcreynolds, John P. Christianson, Jordan M. Blacktop, John Mantsch Jan 2018

What Does The Fos Say? Using Fos-Based Approaches To Understand The Contribution Of Stress To Substance Use Disorders, Jayme R. Mcreynolds, John P. Christianson, Jordan M. Blacktop, John Mantsch

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Despite extensive research efforts, drug addiction persists as a largely unmet medical need. Perhaps the biggest challenge for treating addiction is the high rate of recidivism. While many factors can promote relapse in abstinent drug users, the contribution of stress is particularly problematic, as stress is uncontrollable and pervasive in the lives of those struggling with addiction. Thus, understanding the neurocircuitry that underlies the influence of stress on drug seeking is critical for guiding treatment. Preclinical research aimed at defining this neurocircuitry has, in part, relied upon the use of experimental approaches that allow visualization of cellular and circuit activity …


17Β-Estradiol Potentiates The Reinstatement Of Cocaine Seeking In Female Rats: Role Of The Prelimbic Prefrontal Cortex And Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptors, Elizabeth M. Doncheck, Luke A. Urbanik, Margot C. Debaker, Laura M. Barron, Gage T. Liddiard, Jennifer J. Tuscher, Karyn M. Frick, Cecilia J. Hillard, John Mantsch Jan 2018

17Β-Estradiol Potentiates The Reinstatement Of Cocaine Seeking In Female Rats: Role Of The Prelimbic Prefrontal Cortex And Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptors, Elizabeth M. Doncheck, Luke A. Urbanik, Margot C. Debaker, Laura M. Barron, Gage T. Liddiard, Jennifer J. Tuscher, Karyn M. Frick, Cecilia J. Hillard, John Mantsch

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Clinical observations imply that female cocaine addicts experience enhanced relapse vulnerability compared with males, an effect tied to elevated estrogen phases of the ovarian hormone cycle. Although estrogens can enhance drug-seeking behavior, they do not directly induce reinstatement on their own. To model this phenomenon, we tested whether an estrogen could augment drug-seeking behavior in response to an ordinarily subthreshold reinstatement trigger. Following cocaine self-administration and extinction, female rats were ovariectomized to isolate estrogen effects on reinstatement. Although neither peak proestrus levels of the primary estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2; 10 μg/kg, i.p., 1-h pretreatment) nor a subthreshold cocaine dose …


Mechanotransduction Signaling In Podocytes From Fluid Flow Shear Stress., Tarak Srivastava, Hongying Dai, Daniel P. Heruth, Uri S. Alon, Robert E. Garola, Jianping Zhou, R Scott Duncan, Ashraf El-Meanawy, Ellen T. Mccarthy, Ram Sharma, Mark L. Johnson, Virginia J. Savin, Mukut Sharma Jan 2018

Mechanotransduction Signaling In Podocytes From Fluid Flow Shear Stress., Tarak Srivastava, Hongying Dai, Daniel P. Heruth, Uri S. Alon, Robert E. Garola, Jianping Zhou, R Scott Duncan, Ashraf El-Meanawy, Ellen T. Mccarthy, Ram Sharma, Mark L. Johnson, Virginia J. Savin, Mukut Sharma

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Recently, we and others have found that hyperfiltration-associated increase in biomechanical forces, namely, tensile stress and fluid flow shear stress (FFSS), can directly and distinctly alter podocyte structure and function. The ultrafiltrate flow over the major processes and cell body generates FFSS to podocytes. Our previous work suggests that the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-PGE2-PGE2 receptor 2 (EP2) axis plays an important role in mechanoperception of FFSS in podocytes. To address mechanotransduction of the perceived stimulus through EP2, cultured podocytes were exposed to FFSS (2 dyn/cm2) for 2 h. Total RNA from cells at the end of FFSS treatment, 2-h post-FFSS, and 24-h …


Intra-Arterial Nitroglycerin As Directed Acute Treatment In Experimental Ischemic Stroke, Michael E. Maniskas, Jill M. Roberts, Rebecca Trueman, Annastazia E. Learoyd, Amanda A. Gorman, Justin F. Fraser, Gregory J. Bix Jan 2018

Intra-Arterial Nitroglycerin As Directed Acute Treatment In Experimental Ischemic Stroke, Michael E. Maniskas, Jill M. Roberts, Rebecca Trueman, Annastazia E. Learoyd, Amanda A. Gorman, Justin F. Fraser, Gregory J. Bix

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Nitroglycerin (also known as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)), a vasodilator best known for treatment of ischemic heart disease, has also been investigated for its potential therapeutic benefit in ischemic stroke. The completed Efficacy of Nitric Oxide in Stroke trial suggested that GTN has therapeutic benefit with acute (within 6 hours) transdermal systemic sustained release therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine an alternative use of GTN as an acute therapy for ischemic stroke following successful recanalization.

METHODS: We administered GTN IA following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Because no standard dose of GTN is available following emergent large vessel occlusion, we …


Disturbance Of Redox Homeostasis In Down Syndrome: Role Of Iron Dysmetabolism, Eugenio Barone, Andrea Arena, Elizabeth Head, D. Allan Butterfield, Marzia Perluigi Jan 2018

Disturbance Of Redox Homeostasis In Down Syndrome: Role Of Iron Dysmetabolism, Eugenio Barone, Andrea Arena, Elizabeth Head, D. Allan Butterfield, Marzia Perluigi

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic form of intellectual disability that leads in the majority of cases to development of early-onset Alzheimer-like dementia (AD). The neuropathology of DS has several common features with AD including alteration of redox homeostasis, mitochondrial deficits, and inflammation among others. Interestingly, some of the genes encoded by chromosome 21 are responsible of increased oxidative stress (OS) conditions that are further exacerbated by decreased antioxidant defense. Previous studies from our groups showed that accumulation of oxidative damage is an early event in DS neurodegeneration and that oxidative modifications of selected proteins affects the integrity …


Can Nox1 Activity Initiate Parkinson's-Like Pathology In An Enteroendocrine Cell Line?, Evan Adler Jan 2018

Can Nox1 Activity Initiate Parkinson's-Like Pathology In An Enteroendocrine Cell Line?, Evan Adler

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Increased attention has been given to the gut lately in a number of conditions, from maintaining health via the use of probiotics to treating Autism Spectrum Disorder. Parkinson's Disease has a history with the gut starting with the Braak hypothesis, in which eminent researcher Heiko Braak observed that the spread of Parkinson's (PD) seemed to occur along either olfactory or enteric neurons prior to reaching the substantia nigra in the midbrain, where the classical disease symptoms become evident. Though this finding was largely ignored at the time, the possibility of a gut origin for PD has received interest lately as …


Development Of A Non-Human Primate Model For Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Carriage, Amanda Lasseter Jan 2018

Development Of A Non-Human Primate Model For Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Carriage, Amanda Lasseter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage (SANC) is largely asymptomatic, but presents a risk of autoinfection and dissemination to new immunocompromised hosts. SA disease states range from mild cutaneous infections to life-threatening bacteremia. Historically utilized rodent models do not naturally carry SA in the nose, are insufficient in longitudinal SANC experimentation, and lack immune factors that are vital in human clearance of SA. The nasal passages of non-human primates are similar anatomically and histologically, and reproductive mucosal studies have shown similar immune responses to pathogens and human-relevant microbial profiles. Seventeen captive pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) were found to naturally carry SA in …


Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Exosomes Enhance Cardiac Stem Cell Differentiation Into Heart Cells, Jamillah Hammond Jan 2018

Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Exosomes Enhance Cardiac Stem Cell Differentiation Into Heart Cells, Jamillah Hammond

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Transplantation of embryonic stem (ES) cells into the ischemic and infarcted heart has proven to repopulate cardiac cell populations, attenuate structural cardiac remodeling, and rescue cardiac function. Unfortunately, the pluripotency of ES cells increases risk of teratoma formation in vivo. Exosomes, smaller in comparison to ES cells, are cell free carriers of miRNA, proteins, and lipids, and do not suggest risk of teratoma formation. Exosomes have been proposed to mediate and attenuate regeneration following myocardial infarction (MI), however, the role of exosomes derived from ES cells (ES-Exo) in activating resident cardiac stem cells (CSCs) to undergo cardiac differentiation is not …


Repaglinide Inhibits Cyclosporine A-Induced Renal Tubular Toxicityby Affecting Apoptosis And Bax And Bcl-2 Expression, Jin Li, Hui Li, Qi Xiong Li, Ying Xue Jan 2018

Repaglinide Inhibits Cyclosporine A-Induced Renal Tubular Toxicityby Affecting Apoptosis And Bax And Bcl-2 Expression, Jin Li, Hui Li, Qi Xiong Li, Ying Xue

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Repaglinide (RG) is a prandial glucose regulator used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Our recent study showed that RG plays an important role in cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity through its antioxidant properties. However, it is not known whether or not RG has any protective effect on CsA-induced renal tubular toxicity by affecting apoptosis and expression of apoptosis-associated protein. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of RG on CsA-induced renal tubule apoptosis and Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression in rats. Materials and methods: Forty male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided …


The Role Of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators Ifnβ And Prostaglandin E2 In Suppression Of Innate Immunity To Listeria Monocytogenes, Michelle G. Pitts Jan 2018

The Role Of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators Ifnβ And Prostaglandin E2 In Suppression Of Innate Immunity To Listeria Monocytogenes, Michelle G. Pitts

Theses and Dissertations--Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics

As a foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) encounters many barriers to invasion and dissemination in the host that may change the nature of host response. Lm has been most commonly studied using intravenous (i.v.) inoculation, however, a method that delivers a bolus of bacteria directly to the bloodstream. Thus, little is known about what systemic and local mediators are triggered during the natural course of infection and how these may impact susceptibility. Our laboratory used foodborne transmission of Lm in mice to assess whether the method of transmission and the specific organ microenvironment could affect infection-induced secretion of …


Studying Vascular Morphologies In The Aged Human Brain Using Large Autopsy Datasets, Eseosa T. Ighodaro Jan 2018

Studying Vascular Morphologies In The Aged Human Brain Using Large Autopsy Datasets, Eseosa T. Ighodaro

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Cerebrovascular disease is a major cause of dementia in elderly individuals, especially Black/African Americans. Within my dissertation, we focused on two vascular morphologies that affect small vessels: brain arteriolosclerosis (B-ASC) and multi-vascular profiles (MVPs). B-ASC is characterized by degenerative thickening of the wall of brain arterioles. The risk factors, cognitive sequelae, and co-pathologies of B-ASC are not fully understood. To address this, we used multimodal data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center, Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, and brain-banked tissue samples from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Center (UK-ADC) brain repository. We analyzed two age at death groups separately: < 80 years and ≥ 80 years. Hypertension was a risk factor in the < 80 years at death group. In addition, an ABCC9 …


Investigations Of Interleukin-1 Alpha As A Novel Stroke Therapy In Experimental Ischemic Stroke, Kathleen Elizabeth Salmeron Jan 2018

Investigations Of Interleukin-1 Alpha As A Novel Stroke Therapy In Experimental Ischemic Stroke, Kathleen Elizabeth Salmeron

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Although rapid recognition and prompt treatment have dropped mortality rates, most stroke survivors are left with permanent disability. Approximately 87% of all strokes result from the thromboembolic occlusion of the cerebrovasculature (ischemic strokes). Potential stroke therapeutics have included anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as many other targets with the goal of mitigating the acute and chronic inflammatory responses typically seen in an ischemic stroke. While these approaches have had great success in preclinical studies, their clinical translation has been less successful. Master inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, are of particular interest. …


Myosin-Xva Is Key Molecule In Establishing The Architecture Of Mechanosensory Stereocilia Bundles Of The Inner Ear Hair Cells, Shadan Hadi Jan 2018

Myosin-Xva Is Key Molecule In Establishing The Architecture Of Mechanosensory Stereocilia Bundles Of The Inner Ear Hair Cells, Shadan Hadi

Theses and Dissertations--Medical Sciences

Development of hair cell stereocilia bundles involves three stages: elongation, thickening, and supernumerary stereocilia retraction. Although Myo-XVa is known to be essential for stereocilia elongation, its role in retraction/thickening remains unknown. We quantified stereocilia numbers/diameters in shaker-2 mice (Myo15sh2) that have deficiencies in “long” and “short” isoforms of myosin-XVa, and in mice lacking only the “long” myosin-XVa isoform (Myo15ΔN). Our data showed that myosin-XVa is largely not involved in the developmental retraction of supernumerary stereocilia. In normal development, the diameters of the first (tallest)/second row stereocilia within a bundle are equal and grow simultaneously. …


Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of Long-Lasting Cocaine Hydrolases For Cocaine Overdose And Cocaine Use Disorder Treatment, Ting Zhang Jan 2018

Development And Preclinical Evaluation Of Long-Lasting Cocaine Hydrolases For Cocaine Overdose And Cocaine Use Disorder Treatment, Ting Zhang

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Cocaine is a plant-based illicit drug commonly involved in substance use disorder. Although cocaine overdose and cocaine use disorders cause adverse health consequences to individuals and the economic burden on their family and society, there are no FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved medications for treatment. Recently, it has been recognized that delivery of cocaine hydrolase (CocH) is a promising therapeutic strategy. Human butyrylcholinesterase (hBChE), the primary enzyme involved in cocaine metabolism in human, have advantages over other candidates for the development of CocH. Previous studies in our laboratory have designed and characterized hBChE mutants that have ~4,000-fold improved catalytic …


Intermittent Hypoxemia In Preterm Infants, Elie G. Abu Jawdeh Jan 2018

Intermittent Hypoxemia In Preterm Infants, Elie G. Abu Jawdeh

Theses and Dissertations--Clinical and Translational Science

Intermittent hypoxemia (IH) is defined as episodic drops in oxygen saturation (SpO2). Virtually all preterm infants have IH events. Extremely preterm infants have hundreds of IH events per day. The extent of IH is not apparent clinically as accurately documenting cardiorespiratory events for day-to-day patient care management is challenging. High resolution pulse oximeters with 2 second averaging time are currently the ideal methods to measure IH. We have developed novel methods and processes to accurately and efficiently calculate an IH profile that reflects to spectrum of the problem.

The natural progression of IH is dynamic. There is low …


The Prebiotic Inulin Beneficially Modulates The Gut-Brain Axis By Enhancing Metabolism In An Apoe4 Mouse Model, Jared D. Hoffman Jan 2018

The Prebiotic Inulin Beneficially Modulates The Gut-Brain Axis By Enhancing Metabolism In An Apoe4 Mouse Model, Jared D. Hoffman

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and a growing disease burden that has seen pharmacological interventions primarily fail. Instead, it has been suggested that preventative measures such as a healthy diet may be the best way in preventing AD. Prebiotics are one such potential measure and are fermented into metabolites by the gut microbiota and acting as gut-brain axis components, beneficially impact the brain. However, the impact of prebiotics in AD prevention is unknown. Here we show that the prebiotic inulin increased multiple gut-brain axis components such as scyllo-inositol and short chain fatty acids in the …


Role Of Sex Chromosomes In Sexual Dimorphism Of Angii-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Yasir Alsiraj Jan 2018

Role Of Sex Chromosomes In Sexual Dimorphism Of Angii-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Yasir Alsiraj

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), a permanent dilation in the abdominal region of the aorta, is a highly sexually dimorphic disease. AAAs prevalence is ranging from 4-10 fold higher in males than females. Defining the mechanistic basis for reduced (in females) or increased (in males) AAA formation and progression may uncover potential therapeutic targets. The majority of studies examining sexual dimorphism focus on the role of sex hormones. However, genes residing on sex chromosomes, in addition to sex hormones, may contribute to sexual dimorphism of AAAs. For example, the X chromosome contains about 5% of the whole genome, but the role …


Gene Regulation In The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Of The Green Anole Lizard (Anolis Carolinensis)., Joshua N. Peters Jan 2018

Gene Regulation In The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Of The Green Anole Lizard (Anolis Carolinensis)., Joshua N. Peters

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Studies examining the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis (HPG) in Anolis carolinensis provide insight into the regulation of this axis under extremely different reproductive conditions. Molecular studies indicate that kisspeptin proteins, transcribed from kiss1 and kiss2 genes, are produced in the hypothalamus where they bind G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), activating the HPG axis. Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and its receptors, G protein-coupled receptor 147 and 74 (GPR147 and GPR74), down regulate HPG axis function. In this experiment we examined HPG axis gene expression in the green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis), a seasonally breeding species with higher steroid hormone levels in the breeding …


Functionalizing Titanium Implants With Bioactive Peptides To Increase Osseointegration, Neil Bernard Jan 2018

Functionalizing Titanium Implants With Bioactive Peptides To Increase Osseointegration, Neil Bernard

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Orthopedic surgeries have continued to increase, but the material of choice remains constant: titanium. Titanium has become the benchmark implant material due to its durability and non-immunogenic properties. However, while high rates of success are correlated with joint replacement surgery, certain patients with predisposed diseases such as diabetes or arthritis may have increased complications.1 This can be due to lack of osseointegration due to decreased bone formation and mineralization,2 which will lead to increased rates of infection or aseptic loosening of the implant from the bone. 3 Current methods to alleviate these complications include invasive revisional surgeries, which …


Effect Of Hemiepiphysiodesis On The Growth Plate: The Histopathological Changes And Mechanism Exploration Of Recurrence In Mini Pig Model., Jing Ding, Jin He, Zhi-Qiang Zhang, Zhen-Kai Wu, Fang-Chun Jin Jan 2018

Effect Of Hemiepiphysiodesis On The Growth Plate: The Histopathological Changes And Mechanism Exploration Of Recurrence In Mini Pig Model., Jing Ding, Jin He, Zhi-Qiang Zhang, Zhen-Kai Wu, Fang-Chun Jin

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Purpose: Hemiepiphysiodesis has been widely used to correct angular deformity of long bone in immature patients. However, there is a limited knowledge about the biomechanical effect of this technique on the histopathological changes of the growth plate and the mechanism of recurrence of malformation after implant removal. We aimed to evaluate the biomechanical effect of hemiepiphysiodesis on the histopathological changes of the growth plate and the mechanism of recurrence of malformation after implant removal in Bama miniature pigs, and to explore the role of asymmetric stress during this procedure.

Methods: Eight 3-month-old male Bama miniature pigs sustained surgeries on the …


Down Syndrome, Beta-Amyloid And Neuroimaging, Elizabeth Head, Alex M. Helman, David K. Powell, Frederick A. Schmitt Jan 2018

Down Syndrome, Beta-Amyloid And Neuroimaging, Elizabeth Head, Alex M. Helman, David K. Powell, Frederick A. Schmitt

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

This review focuses on the role of Aβ in AD pathogenesis in Down syndrome and current approaches for imaging Aβ in vivo. We will describe how Aβ deposits with age, the posttranslational modifications that can occur, and detection in biofluids. Three unique case studies describing partial trisomy 21 cases without APP triplication, and the occurrences of low level mosaic trisomy 21 in an early onset AD patient are presented. Brain imaging for Aβ includes those by positron emission tomography and ligands (Pittsburgh Compound B, Florbetapir, and FDDNP) that bind Aβ have been published and are summarized here. In combination, we …


Overcoming Obesity-Induced Immunotherapeutic Impairment, Shannon Boi Jan 2018

Overcoming Obesity-Induced Immunotherapeutic Impairment, Shannon Boi

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity affects ~40% of United States adults and is linked to the development of multiple health-related complications. Obesity is a major risk factor for developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common type of renal cancer. Metastatic RCC has poor five-year survivals, therefore, new, efficacious therapeutics are needed. One avenue is immunomodulation to generate tumor-specific, systemic anti-tumor responses that are long-lasting against local, metastatic, and recurrent tumors. Despite encouraging results, immunotherapeutic treatment of RCC is underwhelming. Cytokine therapies are largely toxic, while newly FDA-approved ‘checkpoint blockade’ (CB) antibodies have responses <50%. Here, we present a strategy employing a T cell priming therapy (AdTR/CpG) upstream of CB administration. Combinatorial use resulted in improved anti-tumoral immune responses, significantly reduced tumor burdens, and extended overall survival in pre-clinical RCC. Importantly, this approach was more efficacious than either single agent(s). Pre-clinical therapy development is often accomplished using lean, healthy animals–thus, to improve translatability we examined immune responses in the context of obesity as a major patient comorbidity. Subsequently, we investigated AdTR/CpG/CB in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. Tumor/treatment-naïve DIO mice exhibited obesity-associated features; i.e., increased leptin/insulin and serum cytokines. These effects were not dependent on high-fat diet administration as mice resistant to weight gain had minimal alterations in these factors, and were similar to mice maintained on standard chow. As previously identified, 80% of DIO mice bearing renal tumors failed to respond to AdTR/CpG. AdTR/CpG/CB-treatment dramatically improved response rates against DIO tumors, however, decreased obese responder percentages were observed in both combinatorial therapies and was independent of high fat diet administration alone. Impaired response rates were not model or immunotherapy-specific as similar reductions in tumor clearance were seen in models of melanoma and sarcoma. Furthermore, responses were not due to initial T cell priming or unequal precursor CD8+ T cell frequencies. Detrimental changes in the tumor microenvironment underscored failure in obese mice and revealed therapeutic success was defined by a T cell-myeloid cell-inversion profile, supported by immunogenetic and flow cytometric analyses. Thus, we demonstrate a novel combinatorial approach for improving checkpoint-based outcomes, and identify the ability of host obesity to impede therapy-induced anti-tumor immunity.


Novel Mediators Of The Blood Pressure Response To Acute Psychosocial Stress In Health And Disease, Brandon Fox Jan 2018

Novel Mediators Of The Blood Pressure Response To Acute Psychosocial Stress In Health And Disease, Brandon Fox

All ETDs from UAB

Psychosocial stress occurs in response to threatening or uncertainty-provoking stimuli and triggers a complex physiological reaction that facilitates survival and adaptation. In the cardiovascular system, acute psychosocial stress elicits a rapid increase in blood pressure, and importantly, cumulative exposure to psychosocial stress is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The present studies examined the impact of psychosocial stress on the cardiovascular system in both health and disease. Circulating endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels are induced by psychosocial stress. We hypothesized that endothelium-derived ET-1 contributes to the pressor response to stress via activation of the endothelin A (ETA) receptor. Vascular endothelium-specific ET-1 knockout …