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The Efficacy Of Surgical Decompression Before 24 Hours Versus 24 To 72 Hours In Patients With Spinal Cord Injury From T1 To L1--With Specific Consideration On Ethics: A Randomized Controlled Trial., Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar, Soheil Saadat, Alexander R Vaccaro, Seyed Mohammad Ghodsi, Mohammad Samadian, Arya Sheykhmozaffari, Seyed Mohammad Safdari, Bahram Keshmirian Jan 2009

The Efficacy Of Surgical Decompression Before 24 Hours Versus 24 To 72 Hours In Patients With Spinal Cord Injury From T1 To L1--With Specific Consideration On Ethics: A Randomized Controlled Trial., Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar, Soheil Saadat, Alexander R Vaccaro, Seyed Mohammad Ghodsi, Mohammad Samadian, Arya Sheykhmozaffari, Seyed Mohammad Safdari, Bahram Keshmirian

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: There is no clear evidence that early decompression following spinal cord injury (SCI) improves neurologic outcome. Such information must be obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). To date no large scale RCT has been performed evaluating the timing of surgical decompression in the setting of thoracolumbar spinal cord injury. A concern for many is the ethical dilemma that a delay in surgery may adversely effect neurologic recovery although this has never been conclusively proven. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of early (before 24 hours) verse late (24-72 hours) surgical decompression in terms of neurological …

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Parental Obesity Compared With Serum Leptin And Serum Leptin Receptor Levels Among Abese Adults In The Gaza Strip, Baker Mahmud Zabut, Naji H. Holi, Yousef I. Aljeesh Jan 2009

Parental Obesity Compared With Serum Leptin And Serum Leptin Receptor Levels Among Abese Adults In The Gaza Strip, Baker Mahmud Zabut, Naji H. Holi, Yousef I. Aljeesh

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: To investigate whether parental obesity influences serum leptin hormone and soluble leptin receptor (Ob-Re) concentrations among obese adults in the Gaza Strip. Materials and methods: A case-control design was used. Sample used was convenient and obtained from 2 largest obesity clinics in the Gaza Strip. It consisted of 83 overweight and obese adults without history of other diseases (case group). Control group consisted of 83 ideal weight adults who were selectively chosen from the same clinics. Self reported structured interviews and serum blood samples were obtained from both groups. Human leptin competitive ELISA kits were used for determination of …

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The Risk Factors And Spread Of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii In Intubated Patients In A Medical Intensive Care Unit, Emi̇ne Alp, Mehmet Yerer, Sesi̇n Kocagöz, Gökhan Metan, Duygu Esel, Yeşi̇m Gürol, Mehmet Doğanay Jan 2009

The Risk Factors And Spread Of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii In Intubated Patients In A Medical Intensive Care Unit, Emi̇ne Alp, Mehmet Yerer, Sesi̇n Kocagöz, Gökhan Metan, Duygu Esel, Yeşi̇m Gürol, Mehmet Doğanay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most common causes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for colonization in the respiratory tract and infection with A. baumannii in a medical intensive care unit (MICU), and to examine the genetic link between strains and the spread of isolates. Materials and methods: This study was conducted prospectively between 1 December 2004 and 31 January 2006 in the MICU. Patients (> 16 years old) admitted to the MICU that were mechanically ventilated and/or intubated were enrolled in the study. Results: Ninety-eight …

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Ectopic Intra-Abdominal Fascioliasis, Ali̇ Ulvi̇ Öngören, Ayşegül Taylan Özkan, Ari̇f Hakan Demi̇rel, Hüseyi̇n Üstün, Mustafa Dönmez Jan 2009

Ectopic Intra-Abdominal Fascioliasis, Ali̇ Ulvi̇ Öngören, Ayşegül Taylan Özkan, Ari̇f Hakan Demi̇rel, Hüseyi̇n Üstün, Mustafa Dönmez

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Human fascioliasis, caused by Fasciola hepatica, is emerging as an important chronic zoonotic disease in many areas of the world, including Turkey. It primarily involves the liver and may also cause severe damage in the tissue. Herein we report on a patient with ectopic intra-abdominal fascioliasis that presented to our clinic with abdominal pain and distention. Physical and radiological examination as well as an exploratory laparotomy revealed a 10 × 10-cm mass in the splenic flexura of the colon and multiple cystic formations in the liver, spleen, and omentum, which mimicked peritoneal carcinoma. Histopathological examination revealed a granulomatous reaction due …

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Risk Factors For Acquisition Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus And Clonal Spread Of The Isolates In A Medical Intensive Care Unit, Emi̇ne Alp, Mehmet Yerer, Duygu Esel, Gökhan Metan, Mehmet Doğanay Jan 2009

Risk Factors For Acquisition Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus And Clonal Spread Of The Isolates In A Medical Intensive Care Unit, Emi̇ne Alp, Mehmet Yerer, Duygu Esel, Gökhan Metan, Mehmet Doğanay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is still the commonest pathogen in hospital-acquired infections with high morbidity and mortality. MRSA colonization usually precedes infection and dissemination of the microorganism. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for the colonization and infection with MRSA in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) and to show the genetic relation of strains. Materials and methods: This study was conducted prospectively between 1 December 2004 and 31 January 2006 in MICU. Patients (>16 years) admitted to the MICU were screened for MRSA on admission (in the first 48 hours), at the end …

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General Anesthesia For Cesarean Delivery Followed By Anterior And Posterior Spinal Cord Decompression Of A Parturient With Symptomatic Spinemetastasis Due To Breast Cancer, Berri̇n Günaydin, Sema Öncül, Mehmet Erdem, Memduh Kaymaz, Hakan Emmez, Zerri̇n Özköse Jan 2009

General Anesthesia For Cesarean Delivery Followed By Anterior And Posterior Spinal Cord Decompression Of A Parturient With Symptomatic Spinemetastasis Due To Breast Cancer, Berri̇n Günaydin, Sema Öncül, Mehmet Erdem, Memduh Kaymaz, Hakan Emmez, Zerri̇n Özköse

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Cesarean delivery of a parturient suffering from paraplegia followed by anterior corpectomy and posterior spinal cord decompression because of spine metastasis at T1 due to breast cancer was presented. General anesthesia was uneventfully completed after rapid sequence anesthesia induction with propofol, ketamine, and succinylcholine, which was maintained by isoflurane inhalation in 50% oxygen-air mixture until delivery of the newborn. After delivery, remifentanil infusion was added to isoflurane inhalation in approximately 33%/66% oxygen:air until skin closure of the latter operation. Consequently, satisfactory recovery of paraplegia resulting from spine metastasis and delivery of a healthy baby were provided by successful and uneventful …

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The Prevalence Of Consanguineous Marriages In The City Of Malatya, Turkey, Şengül Yüksel, Ayşegül Kutlubay, Leyla Karaoğlu, Sai̇m Yoloğlu Jan 2009

The Prevalence Of Consanguineous Marriages In The City Of Malatya, Turkey, Şengül Yüksel, Ayşegül Kutlubay, Leyla Karaoğlu, Sai̇m Yoloğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of consanguineous marriages and the associated factors in the city of Malatya. Materials and Methods: Thirty cluster survey methodology was used to select the study population. Selecting 13 married women per cluster, a total of 409 women were interviewed at their home. Information on the sociodemographic and fertility characteristics of the women and genetic disorders among children was gathered using a face-to-face questionnaire. Data analysis was done by SPSSWIN 13.0. Results: The overall prevalence of consanguinity was 28.4%, with a mean inbreeding coefficient of 0.01081. The principal type of …

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Prevalence Of Hepatitis B Infection Among Schoolchildren In Southeast Turkey, Bünyami̇n Di̇ki̇ci̇, Hakan Uzun, Ayfer Gözü, Mücahi̇t Fi̇dan Jan 2009

Prevalence Of Hepatitis B Infection Among Schoolchildren In Southeast Turkey, Bünyami̇n Di̇ki̇ci̇, Hakan Uzun, Ayfer Gözü, Mücahi̇t Fi̇dan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health problem. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) on the prevalence of HBsAg carrier rate and immunity developed against HBV infection among schoolchildren in southeast Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 147,200 healthy schoolchildren between 6 to 17 years of age living in the Mardin area. A total of 802 children were randomly selected by systematic sampling method. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were analyzed …

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Sexual Functioning In Hemodialysis Patients And Their Spouses: Results Of A Prospective Study From Turkey, Ayşegül Yilmaz, Ceren Göker, Orhan Murat Koçak, Bahi̇re Aygör, Vesi̇le Şentürk, Gökhan Nergi̇zoğlu, Ati̇lla Soykan, Hakan Kumbasar Jan 2009

Sexual Functioning In Hemodialysis Patients And Their Spouses: Results Of A Prospective Study From Turkey, Ayşegül Yilmaz, Ceren Göker, Orhan Murat Koçak, Bahi̇re Aygör, Vesi̇le Şentürk, Gökhan Nergi̇zoğlu, Ati̇lla Soykan, Hakan Kumbasar

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate sexual functioning among hemodialysis patients and their spouses. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted by the Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Division at the Hemodialysis Unit of the Department of Nephrology, Ankara University, School of Medicine as well as 3 private dialysis centers in Ankara. The study group consisted of 45 hemodialysis patients and their spouses. All couples filled out a socio-demographic and occupational data form and a validated Turkish version of the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. The couples were also evaluated by a psychiatrist using the Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and Mini …

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A Comparison Of Different Doses Of Remifentanil And Tracheal Lidocaine On Attenuation Of Cardiovascular Responses To Laryngoscopy And Tracheal Intubation, Mohammadreza Safavi, Azim Honarmand Jan 2009

A Comparison Of Different Doses Of Remifentanil And Tracheal Lidocaine On Attenuation Of Cardiovascular Responses To Laryngoscopy And Tracheal Intubation, Mohammadreza Safavi, Azim Honarmand

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: The efficacy of remifentanil infusion versus tracheal lidocaine for attenuation of the cardiovascular responses to tracheal intubation has been previously reported. This study compared hemodynamic stability during anesthesia induction and intubation using tracheal lidocaine and remifentanil. Materials and Methods: The study included 90 patients that were scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia and randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups: remifentanil 1 µg kg-1 min-1 bolus over 30 s, followed by an infusion of 0.5 µg kg-1 min-1 (R1); remifentanil 0.5 µg kg-1 min-1 over 30 s and an infusion of 0.25 µg kg-1 min-1 (R2); tracheal lidocaine (TL) …

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Evaluation Of The Performance Of A Carotid Subclavian By-Pass As A Source For Internal Thoracic Artery, İbrahi̇m Duvan, Alper Gürbüz, Meti̇n Demi̇rci̇n Jan 2009

Evaluation Of The Performance Of A Carotid Subclavian By-Pass As A Source For Internal Thoracic Artery, İbrahi̇m Duvan, Alper Gürbüz, Meti̇n Demi̇rci̇n

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The concomitance of atherosclerotic subclavian occlusive lesion with coronary artery disease has an extraordinary importance in coronary artery bypass surgery. The development of a lesion in the subclavian artery proximal to the internal thoracic artery (ITA) before or after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) by ITA can result with the coronary-subclavian steal syndrome and myocardial ischemia may occur. It is pretty vital to be aware of the presence of the subclavian occlusive lesion in patients undergoing CABG. We present in this paper an atherosclerotic case that had a concomitant brachiocephalic and coronary artery disease. He had both carotid and subclavian …

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Development And Implementation Of Knock-In And Bac-In Il-2 Reporter Mouse Models To Characterize Il2 Gene Regulation In Cd4 T Cells, Rita Jeanne Luther Jan 2009

Development And Implementation Of Knock-In And Bac-In Il-2 Reporter Mouse Models To Characterize Il2 Gene Regulation In Cd4 T Cells, Rita Jeanne Luther

All ETDs from UAB

Maintenance of immune homeostasis involves a balance between T cell effector responses to antigen stimulus and reciprocal downregulation of this response through peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Upon exposure to pathogen, cytokine production and signaling serve to tightly coordinate cell-mediated clearance of antigen followed by contraction of the immune response. Interkeukin-2 (IL-2) is a type I family cytokine critical for expansion of activated T cells in vitro and enhancement of T cell memory responses in vivo. Deficiency of IL-2 in vivo also revealed a critical role for IL-2 in immune tolerance through the maintenance of T regulatory cell populations (Treg) in peripheral …

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The Significance Of Heavy Chain Cdr3 Diversity In The Antibody Response To Polysaccharides, Tamer Mahmoud Jan 2009

The Significance Of Heavy Chain Cdr3 Diversity In The Antibody Response To Polysaccharides, Tamer Mahmoud

All ETDs from UAB

An understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of protective antibody responses to polysaccharides associated with pathogenic microorganisms is of importance for improving vaccine design. The heavy chain third complementarity-determining region (HCDR3) of an antibody molecule is at the center of its antigen-binding site and plays a determinative role in antigen recognition. The goal of this dissertation was to investigate the role of HCDR3 diversity and composition on the antibody response to the polysaccharide α 1→3 Dextran (DEX). In the first study, we investigated the role of TdT, a DNA polymerase that plays a major role in generating …

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Localization And Function Of Electrogenic Na/Bicarbonate Cotransporter Nbce1 In Rat Brain, Debeshi Majumdar Jan 2009

Localization And Function Of Electrogenic Na/Bicarbonate Cotransporter Nbce1 In Rat Brain, Debeshi Majumdar

All ETDs from UAB

Na-Coupled Bicarbonate Transporters (NCBTs) are members of the bicarbonate transporter superfamily that play important roles in regulating intracellular pH (pHi) and extracellular pH (pHo) in the central nervous system. Electrogenic Na/bicarbonate Cotransporter 1 (NBCe1) is an NCBT that is expressed in different mammalian tissues including the brain. NBCe1 has three splice variants - NBCe1-A, -B and -C - that differ in the amino and carboxy termini. We have first performed a systematic characterization of the localization profiles of the three NBCe1 splice variants at mRNA and protein levels in rat brain. In these studies, we have used anti-sense probes and …

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The Acute Onset Of Insulin Resistance In Adipose Tissue Following Trauma And Hemorrhage, Vanessa L. Williams Jan 2009

The Acute Onset Of Insulin Resistance In Adipose Tissue Following Trauma And Hemorrhage, Vanessa L. Williams

All ETDs from UAB

Insulin resistance and hyperglycemia are common findings in patients following acute illnesses or injuries, such as surgical trauma, thermal injury, infection, hemorrhage, and sepsis. Insulin has three main target tissues: liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. Insulin resistance in the liver results in an increase in gluconeogenesis. In skeletal muscle, insulin resistance causes a decrease in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. However, little is known about the contribution that adipose tissue makes to the insulin resistant state. The goals of the research presented in this dissertation were to: 1) determine whether insulin resistance developed in adipose tissue following acute trauma and hemorrhage; …

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Analysis Of Cystic Kidney Disease-Related Genes In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Corey L. Williams Jan 2009

Analysis Of Cystic Kidney Disease-Related Genes In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Corey L. Williams

All ETDs from UAB

Cilia are evolutionarily conserved, membrane-bound, microtubule-based organelles found on a diverse array of cell types in eukaryotic organisms. Inherited diseases of cilia protein dysfunction include Nephronophthisis (NPHP), Joubert Syndrome (JBTS), Meckel-Gruber Syndrome (MKS), and Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS). Important insight in the basic cell biological functions of BBS and NPHP proteins has been gained from analysis in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. My goal in this dissertation was to model MKS protein function in cilia biology utilizing the powerful genetic malleability of C. elegans. mks-1 and mks-3, the C. elegans homologs of two MKS-associated proteins in humans, were selected for this analysis. …

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Axonal Trafficking Of Bmp Signals In Drosophilia Motoneurons, Rebecca Burt Smith Jan 2009

Axonal Trafficking Of Bmp Signals In Drosophilia Motoneurons, Rebecca Burt Smith

All ETDs from UAB

The Drosophila Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Glass bottom boat (Gbb) is a ligand for the BMP type II receptor, Wishful thinking (Wit). Mutations in either of these proteins impair synaptic growth at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Gbb is a retrograde signal (from target to innervating neuron) that is essential for proper NMJ development and function. Tissue-specific rescue of pathway mutants and immunolocalization experiments indicate that the receptor-ligand interaction occurs at the NMJ, and results in the nuclear accumulation of the phosphorylated form of the transcription factor Mad, indicating that retrograde transport along the axon is critical for pathway activation. We …

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The Essential Role Of Macrophages And Tlr Signaling In The Host Response To Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Jen-Feng Lai Jan 2009

The Essential Role Of Macrophages And Tlr Signaling In The Host Response To Mycoplasma Pneumoniae, Jen-Feng Lai

All ETDs from UAB

Several reports have suggested that Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) can contribute importantly to the expression of symptoms in asthmatic human subjects. As a foundation for understanding the interactions between Mp and asthma susceptibility, we first studied the mechanisms by which the host normally eliminated Mp. Mice were inoculated with 4x106 Mp intranasally. Twenty-four hours after inoculation with Mp, subpopulations of CD11b+ macrophages/monocytes had been recruited into the lungs. The clearance of Mp was impaired both in macrophage-depleted and in macrophage-deficient mice. Furthermore, mice deficient in MyD88, a major adaptor for TLR signaling, showed dramatically defective clearance of Mp, associated with reduced …

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Structural Studies Of Yeast Mitochondrial Peripheral Membrane Protein Tim44, Ratnakar Josyula Jan 2009

Structural Studies Of Yeast Mitochondrial Peripheral Membrane Protein Tim44, Ratnakar Josyula

All ETDs from UAB

Tim44 is a peripheral membrane protein and a component of the TIM23 translocon on the matrix side. It is well established that Tim44 tethers the presequence associated motor (PAM) complex to the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane (IMM), through its C-Terminal Domain (CTD). This study focuses on understanding the high resolution structure of Tim44 CTD and the molecular basis for its membrane anchoring mechanism. The crystal structure of Tim44 CTD revealed that it exists as a single domain. The N-terminal amphipathic helices A1 and A2 protrude away from the main body of Tim44 CTD. These two flexible helices have been tested for …

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Mouse Model Of Cooley's Anemia, Yongliang Huo Jan 2009

Mouse Model Of Cooley's Anemia, Yongliang Huo

All ETDs from UAB

β thalassemia major or Cooley’s anemia (CA) is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by deficient β globin chain production. Newborns with CA are healthy because of the high fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels present in their red blood cells (RBCs). As HbF levels decline during the first year of life, patients develop severe anemia that necessitates regular blood transfusion to maintain life. CA has been difficult to model in the mouse due to the lack of a fetal hemoglobin equivalent in the mouse. By utilizing a human fetal to adult delayed hemoglobin switching cassette, I hypothesize that a CA …

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Polycistronic Lentiviral Vector For Hit And Run Reprogramming Of Mouse And Human Somatic Cells To Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell, Chia-Wei Chang Jan 2009

Polycistronic Lentiviral Vector For Hit And Run Reprogramming Of Mouse And Human Somatic Cells To Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell, Chia-Wei Chang

All ETDs from UAB

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent and, therefore, can differentiate into most if not all somatic cell types. Because of this characteristic, ES cells have great potential for medical therapies. Since the first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep, was published in 1996 (1), several groups have successfully cloned other animals by the same nuclear transfer method (2). Isogenic ES cell lines can also be established from donor cells by the same technique (3). However, to date there has been no report of successful derivation of human ES cells by nuclear transfer. Based on the cell fusion (4) and nuclear transfer …

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The Effect Of Zinc On Cytokine Release And Signal Transduction In Airway Epithelial Cells, Nai-Lin Cheng Jan 2009

The Effect Of Zinc On Cytokine Release And Signal Transduction In Airway Epithelial Cells, Nai-Lin Cheng

All ETDs from UAB

Zinc is an essential cation for life that is involved in numerous physiology and pathophysiology processes. Despite its wide use as a cytoprotective agent in medications, its cellular and molecular mechanisms of action have not been well established. In order to define the potential therapeutic benefit of zinc, I used several Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and non-CF human airway epithelial cell lines as models in my studies. Extracellular zinc caused release calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum though zinc-sensitive Gq-coupled receptor(s) that may subsequently modulate ion channels. In addition, zinc also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects. Zinc inhibited pro-inflammatory molecular TNFα-induced cytokine and chemokine …

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Exopolysaccharides Of Mycoplasma Pulmonis, James Michael Daubenspeck Jan 2009

Exopolysaccharides Of Mycoplasma Pulmonis, James Michael Daubenspeck

All ETDs from UAB

Capsule has been associated with virulence in numerous bacterial pathogens. The Mollicutes are a host-specific group of pathogens that cause a variety of economically relevant diseases important to man. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for 2 million cases of atypical pneumonia and 100,000 hospitalizations every year in the United States (Atkinson et al., 2008) (Krause and Taylor-Robinson, 1992). There was a toxic galactan molecule described as early as 1958 in Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides (Plackett and Buttery, 1958), although no evidence was presented that it was produced by the bacteria. Over the intervening fifty years the evidence to support the production …

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Calreticulin And Its Role In Collagen Regulation, Lauren Van Duyn Jan 2009

Calreticulin And Its Role In Collagen Regulation, Lauren Van Duyn

All ETDs from UAB

Calreticulin (CRT), classically known for its chaperone functions in the endoplasmic reticulum and as a calcium regulator, also is found on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix. It is involved in many cellular processes including signaling, adhesion, migration, apoptotic cell clearance, gene regulation, and production of a fibronectin matrix. CRT has been suggested to play a role in wound healing and fibrosis. Therefore, these studies investigated the role of CRT in collagen production, an important extracellular matrix molecule in wounding and fibrosis. We demonstrated that CRT regulates collagen through transcription, secretion, and processing. We also investigated the role …

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Biological Characterization Of Fc Receptor-Like 6 (Fcrl6), Daniel M. Schreeder Jan 2009

Biological Characterization Of Fc Receptor-Like 6 (Fcrl6), Daniel M. Schreeder

All ETDs from UAB

Members of the Fc receptor-like (FCRL) family are cell-surface proteins with ancient conservation, distinct lymphocyte expression patterns, and tyrosine-based signaling capa-bilities that imply a fundamental role for them in modulating immune responses. Though they share many features with the Fc receptors (FCR) for IgG and IgE, FCRLs have not been found to bind immunoglobulin. In these studies, we sought to characterize the cellu-lar expression pattern, binding partner, and function of a recently identified FCRL family member, human FCRL6. By developing specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) we determined that FCRL6 is dis-tinctly expressed by cytotoxic lymphocytes, namely NK cells, CD8+ T cells, …

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The Role Of Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 In Bone Remodeling, Yi Tang Jan 2009

The Role Of Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 In Bone Remodeling, Yi Tang

All ETDs from UAB

Bone remodeling depends on the precise coordination of bone resorption by the osteoclasts and bone formation by the osteoblasts. It is proposed that osteoclastic bone resorption releases factors to initiate bone formation, thereby, coupling the bone resorption and formation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are progenitors of osteoblasts. Recruitment of MSCs in response to osteoclastic bone resorption may be an initial step for bone formation during bone remodeling process. Therefore, we have established an in vitro osteoclastic bone resorption system. Bone resorption condition medium have been tested to identify the factor inducing the migration of human bone marrow mesechymal stem cells …

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Characterizing The Role Of Primary Cilia In The Hair Follicle And Skin, Jonathan Merle Lehman Jan 2009

Characterizing The Role Of Primary Cilia In The Hair Follicle And Skin, Jonathan Merle Lehman

All ETDs from UAB

Primary cilia have been established as a nearly ubiquitous microtubule based signaling organelle, yet their function in many organs, including the hair and skin, is unknown. We hypothesized that the primary cilium would play vital roles in the hair follicle and skin based on the cilium's well characterized interactions with the Shh and Wnt developmental signaling pathways. This dissertation describes our efforts to determine the localization of the primary cilia in the murine hair follicle and assess the function of this organelle in the hair and skin. We used confocal immunofluorescence microscopy to virtually section the entire hair follicle and …

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Analysis Of The Malaria Vaccine Potential Of Plasmodium Falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein-3, Stephen James Jordan Jan 2009

Analysis Of The Malaria Vaccine Potential Of Plasmodium Falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein-3, Stephen James Jordan

All ETDs from UAB

Malaria causes an estimated 1-3 million deaths each year, with the majority of deaths being a result of infection with Plasmodium falciparum. No commercially available vaccine currently exists, but multiple subunit-based vaccines are in development including one based on the promising vaccine candidate P. falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein-3 (PfMSP3). PfMSP3 varies in sequence between P. falciparum isolates, but all variation is restricted to the N-terminal domain. This observation has lead to the development of a PfMSP3-based vaccine comprised solely of the highly conserved, yet poorly immunogenic, C-terminal domain. The rationale for supporting the C-terminal domain relies entirely on its conserved …

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Polysaccharide Specific B Cells: A Study Of Their Development And Function, Jeremy B. Foote Jan 2009

Polysaccharide Specific B Cells: A Study Of Their Development And Function, Jeremy B. Foote

All ETDs from UAB

Polysaccharides are important structural components of bacterial capsule and cell walls. Polysaccharide-specific antibodies are an important component of serologic memory capable of protecting against infection by pathogenic microorganisms. An understanding of the biology and function of polysaccharide specific B cells is necessary for formulation of vaccines designed to induce polysaccharide specific memory and long-lived antibody production. The goal of this dissertation was to examine the development of naïve DEX-specific B cells and examine their capacity to generate memory and long-lived plasma cells in response to polysaccharide α 1→3-dextran (DEX), which is expressed by the opportunistic pathogens Enterobacter cloacae, Histoplasma capsulatum …

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Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Cellular Stress, Brian Dranka Jan 2009

Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Cellular Stress, Brian Dranka

All ETDs from UAB

Mitochondria are responsible for most of the energy produced in human tissues, and this is dependent on the reduction of oxygen (O2) to water by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Defects in mitochondrial energy production are now recognized to be involved in diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other pathologies. To date, studies of these defects have employed quantification of O2 consumption in isolated, purified mitochondria. By using this strategy however, the cellular context, role of glycolysis, and normal regulation of mitochondrial function by metabolite availability are lost. Thus, an understanding of how mitochondria function and respond to stimuli in an intact …

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