Digital Commons Network^™

Cultivated Vaginal Microbiomes Alter Hiv-1 Infection And Antiretroviral Efficacy In Colonized Epithelial Multilayer Cultures, Richard B. Pyles, Kathleen L. Vincent, Marc M. Baum, Barry Elsom, Aaron L. Miller, Carrie Maxwell, Tonyia D. Eaves-Pyles, Guangyu Li, Vsevolod L. Popov, Rebecca J. Nusbaum, Monique R. Ferguson

ETSU Faculty Works

There is a pressing need for modeling of the symbiotic and at times dysbiotic relationship established between bacterial microbiomes and human mucosal surfaces. In particular clinical studies have indicated that the complex vaginal microbiome (VMB) contributes to the protection against sexually-transmitted pathogens including the life-threatening human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). The human microbiome project has substantially increased our understanding of the complex bacterial communities in the vagina however, as is the case for most microbiomes, very few of the community member species have been successfully cultivated in the laboratory limiting the types of studies that can be completed. A genetically controlled …

Enhanced Virus-Specific Cd8+ T Cell Responses By Listeria Monocytogenes-Infected Dendritic Cells In The Context Of Tim-3 Blockade, Cheng J. Ma, Jun P. Ren, Guang Y. Li, Xiao Y. Wu, Dirk G. Brockstedt, Peter Lauer, Jonathan P. Moorman, Zhi Q. Yao

ETSU Faculty Works

In this study, we engineered Listeria monocytogens (Lm) by deleting the LmΔactA/ΔinlB virulence determinants and inserting HCV-NS5B consensus antigens to develop a therapeutic vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We tested this recombinant Lm-HCV vaccine in triggering of innate and adaptive immune responses in vitro using immune cells from HCV-infected and uninfected individuals. This live-attenuated Lm-HCV vaccine could naturally infect human dendritic cells (DC), thereby driving DC maturation and antigen presentation, producing Th1 cytokines, and triggering CTL responses in uninfected individuals. However, vaccine responses were diminished when using DC and T cells derived from chronically HCV-infected individuals, who express …

2014-January-08-1/2 Welcome Dr. Means, University Marketing And Communications, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

Etsu Pharmacy Professor Named To Editorial Board Of Scholarly Journal, Bill Gatton College Of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY Dr. Sam Harirforoosh, an associate professor in East Tennessee State Universitys Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, has been selected to serve on the editorial board of a scholarly journal.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics, published by Springer Healthcare, is noted as the major review journal in the area of clinical pharmacokinetics and promotes the continuing development of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for the improvement of drug therapy and aims to advance postgraduate education in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics.

Harirforoosh, who teaches in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is also a member of ETSUs Center of Excellence for Inflammation, Infectious Disease …

The Role Of Viable But Non-Infectious Developmental Forms In Chlamydial Biology, Nicole Borel, Andreas Pospischil, Alan P. Hudson, Jan Rupp, Robert V. Schoborg

ETSU Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (Pedv) Co-Infection Induced Chlamydial Persistence/Stress Does Not Require Viral Replication, Robert V. Schoborg, Nicole Borel

ETSU Faculty Works

Chlamydiae may exist at the site of infection in an alternative replicative form, called the aberrant body (AB). ABs are produced during a viable but non-infectious developmental state termed "persistence" or "chlamydial stress." As persistent/stressed chlamydiae: (i) may contribute to chronic inflammation observed in diseases like trachoma; and (ii) are more resistant to current anti-chlamydial drugs of choice, it is critical to better understand this developmental stage. We previously demonstrated that porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) co-infection induced Chlamydia pecorum persistence/stress in culture. One critical characteristic of persistence/stress is that the chlamydiae remain viable and can reenter the normal developmental …

Health Service Utilization And Stigma Among Hiv-Positive Men-Who-Have-Sex-With Men (Msm) In Rural Appalachia, Roger L. Blackwell Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Health Service Utilization and Stigma among

HIV-Positive Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men (MSM) in Rural Appalachia

by

Roger Lee Blackwell

The world has now entered the third decade of the AIDS epidemic. Men-who-have-sex-with-men continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. The United States still struggles in its response to this ongoing crisis in many areas: disease prevention, treatment, and HIV related stigma, prejudice and discrimination. Much of the information reported on MSM living with HIV has come from urban population centers, but only a few studies have focused on HIV positive MSM living in rural areas. Therefore, the overall aim of this dissertation …

Mechanisms Of The Anti-Pneumococcal Function Of C-Reactive Protein, Toh B. Gang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) increases survival of and decreases bacteremia in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Such protection of mice against pneumococcal infection is seen only when CRP is administered into mice 6 hours before to 2 hours after the injection of pneumococci, but not when CRP is given to mice at a later time. Our first aim was to define the mechanism of CRP-mediated initial protection of mice against infection. It was proposed that CRP binds to phosphocholine (PCh) moieties present in the cell wall and activates the complement system on the pneumococcal surface that kills the pathogen. …

2013-November-26-Moorman Nih Grant, University Marketing And Communications, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

No abstract provided.

2013 November 25 - Graduate Council Minutes, College Of Graduate And Continuing Studies, East Tennessee State University

Graduate Council Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Interdisciplinary Approach To Dizziness: Roles Of Audiology And Physical Therapy, Faith W. Akin, Courtney D. Hall, Kristal M. Riska

ETSU Faculty Works

Dizziness is one of the most common reasons patients seek medical care, and because there are many causes of dizziness, management of these patients requires an interdisciplinary approach. Peripheral vestibular dysfunction is the most common cause of dizziness/vertigo diagnosed in specialty clinics. The purpose of this article is to present an interdisciplinary approach to the management of patients with vestibular dysfunction with a focus on the unique and overlapping contributions of audiology and physical therapy to vestibular assessment and rehabilitation.

Addressing The Health Of Hispanic Migrant Farmworkers In Rural East Tennessee Through Interprofessional Education, Experiential Learning, And A University/Community Partnership, Sharon Loury, Mchael Bradfield, Joseph Florence, Kenneth Silver, Karin Hoffman, Alexis Andino

International Journal of Health Sciences Education

The concept of interprofessional practice and education is not new but has recently gained attention as the result of a paradigm shift in the future of healthcare and how it is delivered and financed. Universities are now addressing ways to incorporate interprofessional education and learning experiences into the curriculum to ensure graduating healthcare professionals are competent to collaborate as a team and deliver quality effective healthcare.

A regional research university in East Tennessee with health programs across five Health Science colleges (Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Public Health), Psychology, and Social Work has offered an interprofessional …

2013-October-2013-Accp National Champions, Bill Gatton College Of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

16-OCT-2013

Students from the East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy captured the title of ACCP Clinical Pharmacy Challenge Champion in an exciting match vs. the students from St. Johns University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. From an initial field of 100 teams, representing institutions from 42 states across the country, students from these two institutions advanced through four online rounds of competition as well as live quarterfinal and semifinal matches to face each other in Mondays final round.

The Clinical Pharmacy Challenge, now in its fourth year, affords teams of three students to compete in a …

Cause And Impacts Of The Early Season Collapse Of Lilium Grayi (Gray’S Lily), On Roan Mountain, Tn/Nc, Russell J. Ingram

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A population of the rare Southern Appalachian endemic species Lilium grayi, (Gray’s lily) Roan Mountain, TN/NC was monitored for 2 years to determine the cause and impact of an early season collapse. High concentrations of the Lilium spp. host-specific fungal phytopathogen, Pseudocercosporella inconspicua (G. Winter) U. Braun were associated with 19/20 symptomatic and 0/30 asymptomatic plants. Strength of the association between pathogen and disease and the replication of disease symptoms in 4/4 healthy hosts showed that P. inconspicua was the causal agent of the disease referred to as lily leaf spot. Disease had a severe impact on the population …

An Economic Evaluation Of Primary Care Behavioral Health In Pediatrics: A Case Study, Natasha B. Gouge

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A barrier cited by primary care administrators in integrating behavioral health is financial risk. Fee-for-service billing mechanisms remain complex and there is little empirical guidance on cost-effective models. This study was an economic evaluation of an integrated care model in a pediatric private practice clinic. The study evaluated cost benefits by examining specific delivery indices such as concerns presented, time spent, billing codes used, and reimbursement received in regards to pediatric primary care visits by comparing days when an on-site Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) was available versus Non-BHC Days. All 3 hypotheses were supported: 1) more patients were seen in …

Microsporidia Spore Adherence And Host Cell Infection In Vitro, Cory A. Leonard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microsporidia infect invertebrate and vertebrate animals. Human pathogenic microsporidia are associated with severe disease in immunocompromised individuals, and mostly asymptomatic infection in the immunocompetent. Treatment options for microsporidiosis are limited, incompletely effective, and associated with toxicity. Furthermore, microsporidia infection of healthy individuals is poorly understood, and the consequences of asymptomatic infection have not been determined. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of microsporidia infection, but such information is essential for the development of new therapies. Spores adhere to host cell surfaces in vitro. Our laboratory has focused on determining specific host cell and microsporidia spore surface participants in spore …

Bioengineering The Expression Of Active Recombinant Human Cathepsin G, Enteropeptidase, Neutrophil Elastase, And C-Reactive Protein In Yeast, Eliot T. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The yeasts Pichia pastoris and Kluyveromyces lactis were used to express several recombinant human proteins for further biochemical characterization. Two substitution variants of recombinant human enteropeptidase light chain (rhEPL) were engineered to modify the extended substrate specificity of this serine protease. Both were secreted as active enzymes in excess of 1.7 mg/L in P. pastoris fermentation broth. The substitution variant rhEPL R96Q showed significantly reduced specificities for the preferred substrate sequences DDDDK and DDDDR; however, the rhEPL Y174R variant displayed improved specificities for these substrate sequences relative to all other reported variants of this enzyme. The neutrophil serine proteases human …

2012-2013 Department Of Surgery Scholarly Activity Report, Quillen College Of Medicine, East Tennessee State University

Quillen College of Medicine Scholarly Activity Reports

No abstract provided.

2012-2013 Department Of Biomedical Sciences Scholarly Activity Report, Quillen College Of Medicine, East Tennessee State University

Quillen College of Medicine Scholarly Activity Reports

No abstract provided.

Infectious Disease: An Agent-Based Simulation., Iqra Ahmad

Undergraduate Honors Theses

One of the primary reasons for studying infectious diseases is to improve control and ultimately eradicate the infection from the population (Keeling 2008). An agent base model was designed to observe the spread of disease and the effect of vaccination using the program known as StarLogo- TNG. Experiments were designed, not having a particular disease in mind, and simulations were run to determine the effects of different variables on the vaccination process of a certain population. Goals included observation of how infections spread and how vaccination plays a role in various situations such as, root of the infection, population size, …

Practice Characteristics Of Graduates Of East Tennessee State University Quillen College Of Medicine: Factors Related To Career Choices In Primary Care, Ivy A. Click

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The nation is facing a physician shortage, specifically in relation to primary care and in rural underserved areas. The most basic function of a medical school is to educate physicians to care for the national population. The purpose of this study was to examine the physician practicing characteristics of the graduates of East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine including factors that influence graduates’ specialty choices and practice locations, especially those related to primary care. Secondary data for this study were collected from the college’s student database system and the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. The study population included …

Academic Performance Of First-Year Students At A College Of Pharmacy In East Tennessee: Models For Prediction, Cheri W. Clavier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the increase of students applying to pharmacy programs, it is imperative that admissions committees choose appropriate measures to analyze student readiness. The purpose of this research was to identify significant factors that predict the academic performance, defined as grade point average (GPA) at the end of the first professional year, of pharmacy students. The population consisted of 466 students enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy Program in northeast Tennessee over a 5-year period. Statistical procedures included bivariate correlations, t-tests for independent samples, and multiple regression. Analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the students in the population …

A Mathematical Model For Antibiotic Resistance In A Hospital Setting With A Varying Population, Edward H. Snyder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria(ARB) is causing increased health risk and cost to society. Mathematical models have been developed to study the transmission of resistant bacteria and the efficacy of preventive measures to slow its spread within a hospital setting. The majority of these models have assumed a constant total hospital population with the admission and discharge rates being equal throughout the duration. But a typical hospital population varies from day to day and season to season. In this thesis, we apply variable admission and discharge daily rates to existing deterministic and stochastic models which examine the transmission of single and dual resistant …

2013 April 26 - Spring Gathering Remarks, Office Of The President, East Tennessee State University

Office of the President Speeches

No abstract provided.

Strategies Used By Hospitals In A Southeastern State To Reduce Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Comparing The Outcomes By Hospital Structure And Processes, Furnell Rife

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections are considered a clinical indicator of quality of care. A descriptive research study was conducted to identify the strategies used by hospitals to reduce or eliminate CAUTIs. Infection Control Preventionists were surveyed. In a predominately rural southeastern state, this study demonstrated that about 40% of hospitals surveyed are implementing CAUTI prevention processes.

Leadership Traits Of School Health Coordinators In Tennessee, Katherine Andrea Strickland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the leadership traits of the school health coordinators (SHCs) for the state of Tennessee and to determine if self-perceptions of the SHC leadership traits coincide with supervisor and colleague perceptions of SHC leadership traits. The health challenges facing young Americans today are different from those of past decades and child health is a major federal and state policy platform. SHCs work at the nexus of 2 highly regulated and political entities: healthcare and education. Thus, it is critical for SHCs to possess strong leadership traits to navigate through the issues and …

Etsu Today - Fall 2012, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU Today [magazine]

On behalf of my wife Donna and our family, thank you for welcoming us so warmly into the East Tennessee State University family. During the past nine months, we have learned volumes about ETSU. As many of you know, I am a note-taker. I have filled 14 legal pads of notes since January. Those notes contain stories of inspiration, stories of persistence and dedication, stories that, taken collectively, portray a university deeply engaged with the world around it. I will share some of those stories with you. We have learned about ETSU and the amazing work being carried out by …

Scavenger Receptor Class A Plays A Central Role In Mediating Mortality And The Development Of The Pro-Inflammatory Phenotype In Polymicrobial Sepsis, Tammy R. Ozment, Tuanzhu Ha, Kevin F. Breuel, Tiffany R. Ford, Donald A. Ferguson, John Kalbfleisch, John B. Schweitzer, Jim L. Kelley, Chuanfu Li, David L. Williams

ETSU Faculty Works

Sepsis is a frequent complication in critical illness. The mechanisms that are involved in initiation and propagation of the disease are not well understood. Scavenger receptor A (SRA) is a membrane receptor that binds multiple polyanions such as oxidized LDL and endotoxin. Recent studies suggest that SRA acts as a pattern recognition receptor in the innate immune response. The goal of the present study was to determine the role of SRA in polymicrobial sepsis. SRA deficient (SRA-/-) and C57BL/6JB/6J (WT) male mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce polymicrobial sepsis. NFκB activity, myeloperoxidase activity, and co-association …

Rapid Detection Of Streptococcus Mutans In Saliva, Catherine E. Holtman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Documentation exists that mothers can pass the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans to their infants. The newest technology to identify Streptococcus mutans is a rapid detection saliva test. Two hundred patients above the age of 18 were targeted using random selection in a Louisville, Kentucky dental office. Patients signed an informed consent form and were given a qualifying questionnaire. Patients received 2 bitewing x-rays and a charted DMFT index and were administered the saliva test. While the null hypothesis was rejected using the chi square test, the results were inconclusive due to expected values. However, other chi square results revealed that …

Application Of Multivariate Statistical Methodology To Model Factors Influencing Fate And Transport Of Fecal Pollution In Surface Waters, Kimberlee K. Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Degraded surface water quality is a growing public health concern. While indicator organisms are frequently used as a surrogate measure of pathogen contamination, poor correlation is often observed between indicators and pathogens. Because of adverse health effects associated with poor water quality, an assessment of the factors influencing the fate and transport of fecal pollution is necessary to identify sources and effectively design and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect and restore surface water quality. Sinking Creek is listed on the State of Tennessee’s 303D list as impaired due to pathogen contamination. The need to address the listing of …