Digital Commons Network^™

Insula And Amygdala Resting-State Functional Connectivity Differentiate Bipolar From Unipolar Depression, E Ambrosi, D B Arciniegas, A Madan, K N Curtis, M A Patriquin, R E Jorge, G Spalletta, J C Fowler, B C Frueh, R Salas

Staff and Researcher Publications

Objective: Distinguishing depressive episodes due to bipolar disorder (BD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) solely on clinical grounds is challenging. We aimed at comparing resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of regions subserving emotional regulation in similarly depressed BD and MDD.

Method: We enrolled 76 in-patients (BD, n = 36; MDD, n = 40) and 40 healthy controls (HC). A seed-based approach was used to identify regions showing different rsFC with the insula and the amygdala. Insular and amygdalar parcellations were then performed along with diagnostic accuracy of the main findings.

Results: Lower rsFC between the left insula and the left mid-dorsolateral …

Abnormal Dendritic Maturation Of Developing Cortical Neurons Exposed To Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (Crh): Insights Into Effects Of Prenatal Adversity?, Megan M. Curran, Curt A. Sandman, Elysia Poggi Davis, Laura M. Glynn, Tallie Z. Baram

Psychology: Faculty Scholarship

Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) produced by the hypothalamus initiates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the body’s stress response. CRH levels typically are undetectable in human plasma, but during pregnancy the primate placenta synthesizes and releases large amounts of CRH into both maternal and fetal circulations. Notably, placental CRH synthesis increases in response to maternal stress signals. There is evidence that human fetal exposure to high concentrations of placental CRH is associated with behavioral consequences during infancy and into childhood, however the direct effects on of the peptide on the human brain are unknown. In this study, we used a …

Gadgets And Grieving: A Chronological Analysis On The Ways In Which Advancements In Medical Technologies Have Altered The Grieving Process, Grace Mcnair

Dialogue & Nexus

Since the 1940s, both end-of-life care and advancements in medical technologies have expanded exponentially. This article explores the advancements in medical technologies and how these have altered the way that Western society grieves death. With the capabilities to prolong life, the family, the patient, and the medical team, all grieve the end of life in different ways. This article provides a chronological analysis of palliative care, hospice care, and various medical advancements. These changes in medicine are then paralleled with alterations in the bereavement process. This article explores historical narratives of Western society’s transformation of grief through the lens of …

A Functional Algorithm For Weight Loss And Obesity Practice: Guide For Clinical Decision-Making For Treating Women, Jennifer A. Tice Williams

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Background

Overweight and obesity have significant impact and consequences on women leading to reduced quality of life, comorbid conditions and premature mortality. Many healthcare providers lack adequate training and the time to properly treat overweight and obesity. Algorithms have been shown to improve clinical knowledge and save time.

Objectives

To develop an algorithm for weight loss assessment and treatment to aid in the clinical decision-making process while improving the quality of care for overweight and obese clients in an efficient manner that can be replicated.

Methods

After an extensive literature review to identify best-practice guidelines for weight loss a …

Selective Inhibition Of Small-Diameter Axons Using Infrared Light, Emilie H. Lothet, Kendrick M. Shaw, Hui Lu, Junqi Zhuo, Yves T. Wang, Shi Gu, Hillel J. Chiel, Michael W. Jenkins

Faculty Scholarship

Novel clinical treatments to target peripheral nerves are being developed which primarily use electrical current. Recently, infrared (IR) light was shown to inhibit peripheral nerves with high spatial and temporal specificity. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that IR can selectively and reversibly inhibit small-diameter axons at lower radiant exposures than large-diameter axons. We provide a mathematical rationale, and then demonstrate it experimentally in individual axons of identified neurons in the marine mollusk Aplysia californica, and in axons within the vagus nerve of a mammal, the musk shrew Suncus murinus. The ability to selectively, rapidly, and reversibly control small-diameter …

The Intra-Rater Reliability Of The Clavicular Jump Test (Cjt), Thomas Koc

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Background: Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint in today’s society. Approximately 50% of patients with shoulder pain seek medical attention, which includes physical therapy. A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the shoulder, including its fascial attachments, its biomechanics, and functional relationship to nearby spinal regions is crucial for successful rehabilitation diagnostics and treatment interventions. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the intra-rater reliability of the Clavicular Jump Test (CJT). Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest (repeated measures), and correlation design. A total of 96 subjects (47 males and 49 females) volunteered …

The Trial Lawyer And The Reptilian Brain: A Critique, Louis J. Sirico, Jr.

Cleveland State Law Review

This Article brings together neuroscience, cultural symbolism, and the strategies of practicing lawyers to critique the reptile strategy, now popular among trial lawyers. The strategy directs the lawyer to trigger the reptilian brains of jurors so that they react instinctively to threats to themselves and their communities. When humans feel threatened, the reptilian brain, the most primitive part of the brain, takes charge and instinctively controls human conduct. Therefore, if a lawyer can make a juror feel threatened, the lawyer makes an appeal to the juror’s reptilian brain and virtually assures a victory. Thus, a lawyer’s argument should intensify the …

The Role Of Tgf-Β In Ctb-Insulin Regulated Human Dendritic Cell Tolerance, Grace Edosewe Esebanmen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cholera toxin B subunit fusion to autoantigen vaccines such as proinsulin (CTB-INS) down regulates dendritic cell (DC) activation and induces the synthesis of DC immunosuppressive cytokines. Recent studies of CTB-INS induction of immune tolerance in human DCs indicate that increased IDO1 biosynthesis may play an important role in CTB-INS vaccine inhibition of DC activation. Previous studies suggest transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) may play a role in the stimulation of IDO1 biosynthesis for induction of immunological tolerance in murine DCs. To elucidate the mechanisms by which CTB-INS may stimulate IDO1 biosynthesis and mediate tolerance in human DCs, we investigated the …

A Novel Population Of Cardiovascular Progenitors Persist In Neonates As Mesendodermal Cells, Julia Kim

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The rise in mortality due to cardiovascular disease has increased the need to develop an efficient regenerative therapeutic for heart failure. Numerous cell-based therapies have been investigated for myocardial regeneration; however, an optimal progenitor has yet to be discovered. Identifying a resident cell population with enhanced ability to differentiate into multiple lineages would greatly contribute to the field of stem cell-based regenerative therapy. Evidence suggests that endogenous cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) that have been isolated from the heart itself express ISL1, KDR, and MESP1, and are capable of differentiating into all major cardiac lineages. The earlier developmental stage at which …

Prenatal Undernutrition, Metyrapone, And The Cerebrovasculature, Lara Durrant

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The link between intrauterine environmental conditions and adult cardiovascular system is well established. Independent of lifestyle factors such as poor diet and exercise habits, individuals who have been exposed to stressful conditions in utero show an increased risk of health problems such as hypertension, stroke, and type II diabetes. In support of the Fetal Origin of Adult Disease hypothesis, many labs have reported permanent anatomical and physiological changes associated with fetal stress and nutrient deficiency, with a focus on organ systems such as the kidney and heart. One key idea proposed by many of these studies is the glucocorticoid hypothesis, …

Targeting Ledgf/P75 To Sensitize Chemoresistant Prostate Cancer Cells To Taxanes, Leslimar Rios-Colón

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most diagnosed cancer in males. This disease disproportionately affects African American men, with a higher incidence and mortality compared to other ethnic/racial groups. An aging male population and the complexity of addressing the health disparities associated with this disease puts PCa into the spotlight due to its serious public health implications and the imminent fiscal challenge over the next decades. Chronic prostate inflammation resulting in activation of stress and prosurvival pathways contribute to disease progression and the development of chemoresistance. Lens epithelium-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75) is a stressresponse protein that promotes cellular survival …

Pas Signaling Mechanisms In Aer And Aer2, Darysbel Garcia

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

PAS domains are widespread signal sensors that share a conserved three-dimensional αβ fold that consists of a central β-sheet flanked by several α- helices. The aerotaxis receptor Aer from Escherichia coli and the Aer2 chemoreceptor from Pseudomonas aeruginosa both contain PAS domains. Aer senses oxygen (O2) indirectly via an FAD cofactor bound to its PAS domain, while Aer2 directly binds O2 to its PAS b-type heme cofactor. The Aer and Aer2 PAS domains both interact with a signal transduction domain known as a HAMP domain. The PAS-HAMP arrangement differs between Aer and Aer2, with Aer- PAS residing adjacent to its …

Incremental Validity Of The Pid-5 In Relation To The Five Factor Model And Traditional Polythetic Personality Criteria Of The Dsm-5, J Christopher Fowler, Michelle A Patriquin, Alok Madan, Jon G Allen, B Christopher Frueh, John M Oldham

Staff and Researcher Publications

Background: This study assessed the incremental validity of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) beyond the impact of demographic, burden of illness, five-factor model of personality, and DSM-5 personality disorder criteria with respect to associations with admission psychiatric symptoms and functional disability.

Methods: Psychiatric inpatients (N = 927) were administered the Big Five Inventory, PID-5, and personality disorder criteria counts. Prior treatment utilization, as well as baseline depression, anxiety, emotion regulation, and functional disability were administered within two days of the personality measures. Hierarchical regression models were used to explore the association of personality functioning with symptom functioning, emotion regulation …

Mindfulness And Law Enforcement: An Effective Approach To Implementing Mindfulness For First Responders, Gina White

Mindfulness Studies Theses

An increasing number of studies show that people employed as first responders in high trauma service jobs tend to experience a high level of stress, at work and after hours. Studies suggest that constant exposure to job related stress leads to both physical and mental dysregulation. This study looks at the effects of implementing mindfulness tools and techniques to those working in law enforcement. Other works on this topic report mindfulness as a successful tool to increase wellbeing to a broad spectrum of populations. The methodology used in this study was designed specifically for first responders. The data findings were …

Diagnostic Effectiveness Of High-Sensitivity Troponins, Sean R. Bodin, Jacqueline Ramirez

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2016 to 2019

Background: Acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) are a leading cause of death in the United States. The key to increasing survivability is early recognition to expedite the proper treatment modalities. In conjunction with the clinical presentation and electrocardiograms, the use of cardiac biomarkers is exponentially important in not only recognizing a cardiac event but also determining the extent of injury. Advancement in laboratory technology has led to the development of high-sensitive troponin (hs-troponin) assays which can detect smaller cardiac troponin serum levels compared to conventional troponin assays. This implies that the use of hs-troponin assays is more effective in the …

Methadone Versus Buprenorphine-Naloxone As A Treatment For Opiod Dependent Individuals, Danielle T. Billings, Ashley Tromblay

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2016 to 2019

Objective: To investigate if buprenorphine/naloxone compared to methadone improves treatment retention and effectiveness among opioid dependent individuals. Design: Systematic literature review. Methods: Searches were conducted in PubMed and Scopus using the terms methadone, buprenorphine-naloxone and opioid dependence. In PubMed the following filters were applied: humans, English, randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis. Studies that had opioid dependent subjects, treatments comparing buprenorphine-naloxone and methadone and outcomes measures of treatment retention and efficacy were included. Results: Otiashvili et al. found that daily observed doses of methadone and buprenorphine-naloxone were effective in reducing illicit buprenorphine and other illicit opioid use. Kamien et al. found …

Comparing Nebivolol And Spironolactone In The Treatment Of Heart Failure With A Preserved Ejection Fraction, Caroline Joseph, Alison Fenter

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2016 to 2019

Objective: To assess the efficacy of improving diastolic dysfunction with the use of nebivolol, a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, as compared to spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, in the treatment of diastolic heart failure. To assess whether or not these medications have a favorable outcome in terms of improving exercise capacity in patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Design: Systematic Literature Review. Methods: Searches in PubMed and the JMU online library database using mesh terms that included “diastolic heart failure”, “nebivolol”, and “spironolactone”. In order to narrow down relevant articles, filter terms included “humans”, …

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Care: The Effect Of A Standardized Collaborative Medication Reconciliation Process, Traci R. Pulliam

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Pediatric patients are at an increased risk for medication errors and can benefit from processes that facilitate and promote medication safety (Stone et al., 2010). Medication reconciliation (Med Rec) is a valuable tool in improving patients’ medication safety and reducing adverse drug events (The Joint Commission, 2015). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to improve the accuracy of the Med Rec process in a Midwestern pediatric hematology/oncology outpatient clinic by developing, promoting, and evaluating a standardized, collaborative Med Rec process. The Stetler EBP model guided the implementation of the intervention, with the goal of integrating current evidence …

Fibulin-4 Is Essential For Maintaining Arterial Wall Integrity In Conduit But Not Muscular Arteries., Carmen M. Halabi, Thomas J. Broekelmann, Michelle Lin, Vivian S. Lee, Mon-Li Chu, Robert P. Mecham

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in fibulin-4 (FBLN4) lead to autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1B (ARCL1B), a multisystem disorder characterized by significant cardiovascular abnormalities, including abnormal elastin assembly, arterial tortuosity, and aortic aneurysms. We sought to determine the consequences of a human disease-causing mutation in FBLN4 (E57K) on the cardiovascular system and vascular elastic fibers in a mouse model of ARCL1B. Fbln4^E57K/E57K mice were hypertensive and developed arterial elongation, tortuosity, and ascending aortic aneurysms. Smooth muscle cell organization within the arterial wall of large conducting vessels was abnormal, and elastic fibers were fragmented and had a moth-eaten appearance. …

Sigma1 Targeting To Suppress Aberrant Androgen Receptor Signaling In Prostate Cancer., Jeffrey D. Thomas, Charles G. Longen, Halley M. Oyer, Nan Chen, Christina M. Maher, Joseph M. Salvino, Blase Kania, Kelsey N. Anderson, William F. Ostrander, Karen E. Knudsen, Felix J. Kim

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Suppression of androgen receptor (AR) activity in prostate cancer by androgen depletion or direct AR antagonist treatment, although initially effective, leads to incurable castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) via compensatory mechanisms including resurgence of AR and AR splice variant (ARV) signaling. Emerging evidence suggests that Sigma1 (also known as sigma-1 receptor) is a unique chaperone or scaffolding protein that contributes to cellular protein homeostasis. We reported previously that some Sigma1-selective small molecules can be used to pharmacologically modulate protein homeostasis pathways. We hypothesized that these Sigma1-mediated responses could be exploited to suppress AR protein levels and activity. Here we demonstrate that …

Dysregulated Gpcr Signaling And Therapeutic Options In Uveal Melanoma., Vivian Chua, Dominic Lapadula, Clinita Randolph, Jeffrey L. Benovic, Philip B. Wedegaertner, Andrew E. Aplin

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor in adults and arises from the transformation of melanocytes in the uveal tract. Even after treatment of the primary tumor, up to 50% of patients succumb to metastatic disease. The liver is the predominant organ of metastasis. There is an important need to provide effective treatment options for advanced stage uveal melanoma. To provide the preclinical basis for new treatments, it is important to understand the molecular underpinnings of the disease. Recent genomic studies have shown that mutations within components of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling are early events associated …

Humor In Medicine: A Literature Review Of Humor’S Potential Therapeutic Value In Health Care, Weston Michael Grant

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Using humor and laughter within the health care field has the potential to be relevant to patients during treatment, to the patient-caregiver relationship, to the subjective well-being of health care providers, and to the environments’ (e.g., work settings) impact on group relationships (e.g., colleagues). A review of the literature examines how the psychological and physiological effects of laughter and humor within the human body impact health and well-being, how humor and laughter improve the patient-practitioner relationship, and if humor and laughter can potentially impact physician burnout. Several possible implications for these findings are discussed, such as professional medical comedians, improvements …

Thermal And Developmental Ecology Of Pupfish, Cyprinodon, Alexander Jones

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Pupfish from the genus Cyprinodon are among the most endangered groups of fishes on the planet, with nearly 40% of species being threatened with extinction. These pupfishes are often assumed to be the most temperature tolerant of all fish, coping with temperatures as low as 0 °C and as high as 44 °C. However, conflicting data exist and certain measures of thermal tolerance are not markedly higher in pupfish compared to common game fish. Pupfish egg production and growth has been known to be hampered at temperatures well below what they apparently experience in nature. I addressed why eggs fail …

The Psychophysiological Correlates Of Personality, Trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder And Social Support, Meghan E. Pierce

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Theories considering the etiology of psychopathy suggest that trauma exposure, specifically childhood maltreatment and sexual abuse, is related to the development of callous-unemotional traits in children and adolescents, which are precursors to psychopathic traits in adulthood. Furthermore, posttraumatic stress disorder has an opposite relationship with many of the emotional and behavioral components of the two-factor model of psychopathy. Specifically, PTSD is positively associated to IA and traits associated with it and negatively associated with FD. Thus, this study sought to expand upon the current theories of a trauma-based etiology of psychopathy by investigating the relationship between trauma, PTSD, and psychopathic …

Neural Processes Underlying Auditory Context Effects, Breanne Yerkes

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Auditory information within our natural environments is disorganized and often ambiguous, leaving our auditory systems with a complex task: organizing sound into coherent objects. The auditory system uses both current and prior information to assist in completing this task. The influences of previous context on current perception have been referred to as context effects. A contrastive context effect results in a current perception that is opposite of what is expected based on the physical stimulus properties presented during an immediate context. A facilitative context effect results in a current perception that is the same as the perception during the immediate …

Genesurance Counseling: Patient Perspectives, Chelsea Wagner

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Genetic counselors (GCs) have recently reported an increase in the discussion of insurance-related, or “genesurance,” topics during genetic counseling sessions. Despite increasing frequency, little knowledge exists about genesurance conversations and patient expectations. This study aimed to assess patient expectations of GCs in genesurance discussions and evaluate if health insurance literacy impacted these expectations. A 38-item survey, including a validated tool to assess health insurance literacy (HIL) was administered prior to patients receiving prenatal or cancer genetic counseling at three participating institutions. A total of 360 responses were analyzed. Key variables were compared using chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression was …

The Utilization Of Prenatal Microarray: A Survey Of Current Genetic Counseling Practices And Barriers, Leslie N. Durham, Leslie Durham

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Chromosomal microarray (CMA) assesses chromosome copy number variants (CNVs) missed by standard karyotyping. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends CMA for all patients with fetuses with an ultrasound anomaly and suggests that it be made available to all women undergoing invasive testing. In order to assess prenatal genetic counselors’ (GCs) practices regarding the utilization of CMA we conducted a survey of their current practices, attitudes, and perceived barriers. Of the 192 respondents, 183 (95%) have incorporated CMA into clinical practice with the majority (64%) believing that the benefits of CMA outweigh the harms. However, only half (52%) …

Investigating Localization And Activity-Dependent Translation Of Astrocyte Mrna, Rohan Khazanchi

Senior Honors Papers / Undergraduate Theses

Over the past two and a half years, I have studied fundamental aspects of astrocyte biology by investigating the existence and mechanism of astrocyte local translation peripherally around tripartite synapses consisting of pre- and post-synaptic neuron terminals and an associated astrocyte. Astrocytes are critical components of central nervous system synapses (which are predominately tripartite in nature); thus, it is important to consider how astrocyte dysregulation and dysfunction could contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases of synaptic connectivity such as autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, seizure disorders, and more. Overall, my projects involved the development of novel methods to identify astrocyte-specific …

An Evaluation Of Gabab Receptors On Modulating Neuroinflammation In A Non-Transgenic Animal Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Monica Bolton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss and distinct neuropathological hallmarks, including amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles (NFT). Although the etiology remains to be discovered, several risk factors exist that significantly contribute to developing AD. Diabetes is one of the major risk factors associated with AD and is characterized by disrupted insulin signaling that may contribute to or exacerbate AD pathologies. Furthermore, both disorders result in increased neuroinflammation. Considerable evidence has demonstrated that a chronic inflammatory response, in particular chronic microglia activation, promotes A production as well as the hyperphosphorylation of tau through …

Factors Influencing Induction Of Desiccation Tolerance In Bryophytes: Redefining Fundamental Aspects Of The Organism’S Relationship With The Environment In Xeric Habitats, Joshua Lee Greenwood

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

If one wishes to understand the ecological role, range, habitat preferences, selective pressures, reproduction, response to climate change, and the potential for survival under climactic change, range expansion and range contraction for species and populations of bryophytes, an understanding of their survival of the desiccated state, is essential. In order to further our understanding of desiccation tolerance in mosses, three projects were undertaken. The first of these investigated the nature of desiccation tolerance in mosses, specifically if desiccation tolerance can be induced; thereby providing a desiccation tolerant phenotype in a moss species generally considered desiccation sensitive (Physcomitrella patens, the model …