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The Role Of Post-Translation Regulation Of Twist Expression In The Tumor Progression Of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of Head And Neck, Ying-Wen Su Dec 2010

The Role Of Post-Translation Regulation Of Twist Expression In The Tumor Progression Of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of Head And Neck, Ying-Wen Su

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) is the tenth most common cancer in the world. Unfortunately, the survival of patients with SCCHN has not improved in the last 40 years. Therefore new targets for therapy are needed, and to this end we are studying signaling pathways activated by IL-6 which we have found stimulates cell migration and soft agar growth in SCCHN. Our data show that IL-6 increases TWIST expression in a transcription-independent mechanism in many SCCHN cell lines. Further investigation reveals TWIST can be phosphorylated upon IL-6 treatment. By computation prediction (http://scansite.mit.edu/motifscan_seq.phtml ), we found that TWIST …


Characterization Of The Agrobacterium Tumefaciens Virb2 Pilin Of The Virb/D4 Type Iv Secretion System, Jennifer Kerr Dec 2010

Characterization Of The Agrobacterium Tumefaciens Virb2 Pilin Of The Virb/D4 Type Iv Secretion System, Jennifer Kerr

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB/D4 type IV secretion system (T4SS) delivers oncogenic T-DNA and effector proteins to susceptible plant cells. This leads to the formation of tumors termed Crown Galls. The VirB/D4 T4SS is comprised of 12 subunits (VirB1 to VirB11 and VirD4), which assemble to form two structures, a secretion channel spanning the cell envelope and a T-pilus extending from the cell surface. In A. tumefaciens, the VirB2 pilin subunit is required for assembly of the secretion channel and is the main subunit of the T-pilus. The focus of this thesis is to define key reactions associated with the T4SS …


Agrobacterium Virb10 Contributions To Type Iv Substrate Secretion, T-Pilus Biogenesis, And Outer Membrane Pore Formation, Isaac Garza Dec 2010

Agrobacterium Virb10 Contributions To Type Iv Substrate Secretion, T-Pilus Biogenesis, And Outer Membrane Pore Formation, Isaac Garza

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The VirB/D4 type IV secretion system (T4SS) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens functions to transfer substrates to infected plant cells through assembly of a translocation channel and a surface structure termed a T-pilus. This thesis is focused on identifying contributions of VirB10 to substrate transfer and T-pilus formation through a mutational analysis. VirB10 is a bitopic protein with several domains, including a: (i) cytoplasmic N-terminus, (ii) single transmembrane (TM) α-helix, (iii) proline-rich region (PRR), and (iv) large C-terminal modified β-barrel. I introduced cysteine insertion and substitution mutations throughout the length of VirB10 in order to: (i) test a predicted transmembrane topology, (ii) …


Analyzing The Role Of Αvβ8 Integrin In Glioma-Induced Angiogenesis, Jeremy H. Tchaicha Dec 2010

Analyzing The Role Of Αvβ8 Integrin In Glioma-Induced Angiogenesis, Jeremy H. Tchaicha

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

In this study we aimed to determine the functional roles for αvβ8 integrin in astrocytoma-induced angiogenesis. These studies originate from our analyses of αvβ8 integrin in developmental brain angiogenesis. αv and β8 knockout (KO) mice develop brain-specific vascular phenotypes that resemble vascular pathologies observed in the malignant astrocytoma, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Indeed, a murine xenograft model of astrocytoma suggested a role for the integrin in glioma-induced angiogenesis. Primary mouse astroglia were cultured from wild type (WT) and β8 KO neonates and were immortalized (HPV:E6/E7) and transformed (HRas:G12V). WT and β8 KO transformed astroglia were intracranially injected into athymic mice. WT …


Elucidating The Role Of Cd44 Expression On Mesenchymal Stem Cells Within The Tumor Microenvironment, Erika L. Spaeth Dec 2010

Elucidating The Role Of Cd44 Expression On Mesenchymal Stem Cells Within The Tumor Microenvironment, Erika L. Spaeth

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The tumor microenvironment is comprised of a vast array of heterogeneous cells including both normal and neoplastic cells. The tumor stroma recruitment process has been exploited for an effective gene delivery technique using bone marrow derived MSC. Targeted migration of the MSC toward the tumor microenvironment, while successful, is not yet fully understood. This study was designed to assess the role of CD44 in the migration of MSC toward the tumor microenvironment and to determine the implications of CD44-deficient MSC within the tumor stroma. Inhibition of MSC migration was evaluated through a variety of methods in vitro and in vivo …


14-3-3sigma Negatively Regulates The Stability And Subcellular Localization Of Cop1, Chun-Hui Su Dec 2010

14-3-3sigma Negatively Regulates The Stability And Subcellular Localization Of Cop1, Chun-Hui Su

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Mammalian constitutive photomorphogenic 1 (COP1), a p53 E3 ubiquitin ligase, is a key negative regulator for p53. DNA damage leads to the translocation of COP1 to the cytoplasm, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We discovered that 14-3-3σ controlled COP1 subcellular localization and protein stability. Investigation of the underlying mechanism suggested that, upon DNA damage, 14-3-3σ bound to phosphorylated COP1 at S387, resulting in COP1 translocation to the cytoplasm and cytoplasmic COP1 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. 14-3-3σ targeted COP1 for degradation to prevent COP1-mediated p53 degradation, p53 ubiquitination, and p53 transcription repression. COP1 expression promoted cell proliferation, cell transformation, and …


Dynamic Remodeling Of The Stressed Heart: Role Of Protein Degradation Pathways, Deborah Vela Dec 2010

Dynamic Remodeling Of The Stressed Heart: Role Of Protein Degradation Pathways, Deborah Vela

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The heart is a remarkable organ. In order to maintain its function, it remodels in response to a variety of environmental stresses, including pressure overload, volume overload, mechanical or pharmacological unloading and hormonal or metabolic disturbances. All these responses are linked to the inherent capacity of the heart to rebuild itself. Particularly, cardiac pressure overload activates signaling pathways of both protein synthesis and degradation. While much is known about regulators of protein synthesis, little is known about regulators of protein degradation in hypertrophy. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) selectively degrades unused and abnormal intracellular proteins. I speculated that the UPS may …


Effects Of Combined Bevacizumab And Paclitaxel On Tumor Interstitial Fluid Pressure In A Preclinical Breast Cancer Model, Ricardo Hugo Alvarez Dec 2010

Effects Of Combined Bevacizumab And Paclitaxel On Tumor Interstitial Fluid Pressure In A Preclinical Breast Cancer Model, Ricardo Hugo Alvarez

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Effects of Combined Bevacizumab and Paclitaxel on Tumor Interstitial Fluid Pressure in a Preclinical Breast Cancer Model by Ricardo H. Alvarez Several mechanisms of cell resistance are often accountable for unsuccessful chemotherapy against cancer. Another reason, which has received increased attention, is the inefficient transport of anticancer drugs into tumor tissue. These impaired transports of chemotherapy into the tumor have been attributed to abnormal microvasculature and to pathologically increased tumor hypertension also called: interstitial fluid pressure (IFP). The pathophysiological processes leading to elevated tumor IFP are poorly understood. Here, in a preclinical breast cancer model, it is argued that a …


Temozolomide And Bevacizumab Therapy In Advanced Hemangiopericytoma/ Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Min S. Park Dec 2010

Temozolomide And Bevacizumab Therapy In Advanced Hemangiopericytoma/ Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Min S. Park

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Tumors comprising the spectrum of hemangiopericytoma/ malignant solitary fibrous tumor (HPC/SFT) are thought to arise from fibroblasts and represent a small subset of soft tissue sarcomas. Surgery is typically the treatment of choice for localized disease, with reported 10-year overall survival rates of 54-89% after complete surgical resection. However, for the approximately 20% of HPC/SFT patients who eventually develop local recurrences and/or distant metastases, options for effective treatment are limited and are poorly defined. Alternative therapeutic options are therefore needed for improved palliation and disease control. We hypothesize that HPC/SFT are a spectrum of soft tissue tumors with unique clinical, …


Mcam/Muc18 Regulates Melanoma Progression By Modulating The Expression Of Id-1, Maya Zigler Dec 2010

Mcam/Muc18 Regulates Melanoma Progression By Modulating The Expression Of Id-1, Maya Zigler

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The acquisition of the metastatic melanoma phenotype is associated with increased expression of the melanoma cell adhesion molecule MCAM/MUC18 (CD146). However, the mechanism by which MUC18 contributes to melanoma metastasis remains unclear. Herein, we stably silenced MUC18 expression utilizing lentivirus-incorporated small hairpin RNA, in two metastatic melanoma cell lines, A375SM and C8161, and conducted cDNA microarray analysis. We identified and validated that the transcriptional regulator, Inhibitor of DNA Binding-1 (Id-1), previously shown to function as an oncogene in several malignancies, was downregulated by 5.6-fold following MUC18 silencing. Additionally, we found that MUC18 regulated Id-1 expression at the transcriptional level via …


In Case Of Emergency: Implementing Disaster Clauses In Publisher Contracts, Joanne Romano Nov 2010

In Case Of Emergency: Implementing Disaster Clauses In Publisher Contracts, Joanne Romano

Library Staff Publications

Joanne Romano, Licensing and Serials Librarian for The Texas Medical Center Library, presented “In Case of Emergency--Implementing Disaster Clauses in Publisher Contracts”  to the  National Network of Libraries of Medicine/Southeastern/Atlantic Region’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Advisory Committee, (NN/LM-SE/A ERAC) on November 17, 2010, in St. Petersburg, FLA at the Marriott Vinoy Renaissance Resort.  Included were slides of the devastation after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in the Maule region of Chile, how The TMC Library assisted, lessons learned, and advice for how to include disaster clauses in publisher licenses. The  NN/LM-SE/A ERAC group invited Ms. Romano to present at their bi-meeting …


Chronic Spontaneous Activity Generated In The Somata Of Primary Nociceptors Is Associated With Pain-Related Behavior After Spinal Cord Injury, Supinder S Bedi, Qing Yang, Robyn J Crook, Junhui Du, Zizhen Wu, Harvey M Fishman, Raymond J Grill, Susan M Carlton, Edgar T Walters Nov 2010

Chronic Spontaneous Activity Generated In The Somata Of Primary Nociceptors Is Associated With Pain-Related Behavior After Spinal Cord Injury, Supinder S Bedi, Qing Yang, Robyn J Crook, Junhui Du, Zizhen Wu, Harvey M Fishman, Raymond J Grill, Susan M Carlton, Edgar T Walters

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Mechanisms underlying chronic pain that develops after spinal cord injury (SCI) are incompletely understood. Most research on SCI pain mechanisms has focused on neuronal alterations within pain pathways at spinal and supraspinal levels associated with inflammation and glial activation. These events might also impact central processes of primary sensory neurons, triggering in nociceptors a hyperexcitable state and spontaneous activity (SA) that drive behavioral hypersensitivity and pain. SCI can sensitize peripheral fibers of nociceptors and promote peripheral SA, but whether these effects are driven by extrinsic alterations in surrounding tissue or are intrinsic to the nociceptor, and whether similar SA occurs …


Don't Miss The Library Fundraising Event; Pubmed Displays, , Vol.8 (11),, Houston Academy Of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library Nov 2010

Don't Miss The Library Fundraising Event; Pubmed Displays, , Vol.8 (11),, Houston Academy Of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library

Insider Express (2003-2013)

No abstract provided.


Time Series Analysis As Input For Predictive Modeling: Predicting Cardiac Arrest In A Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Curtis Kennedy Oct 2010

Time Series Analysis As Input For Predictive Modeling: Predicting Cardiac Arrest In A Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Curtis Kennedy

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The first manuscript, entitled "Time-Series Analysis as Input for Clinical Predictive Modeling: Modeling Cardiac Arrest in a Pediatric ICU" lays out the theoretical background for the project. There are several core concepts presented in this paper. First, traditional multivariate models (where each variable is represented by only one value) provide single point-in-time snapshots of patient status: they are incapable of characterizing deterioration. Since deterioration is consistently identified as a precursor to cardiac arrests, we maintain that the traditional multivariate paradigm is insufficient for predicting arrests. We identify time series analysis as a method capable of characterizing deterioration in an objective, …


Save The Date: Library Fundraising Event; Mobile Compatible , Vol.8 (10),, Houston Academy Of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library Oct 2010

Save The Date: Library Fundraising Event; Mobile Compatible , Vol.8 (10),, Houston Academy Of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library

Insider Express (2003-2013)

No abstract provided.


Using Unique Abilities To Capitalize On A Failed Clinical Informationist Project, Sheila Green Oct 2010

Using Unique Abilities To Capitalize On A Failed Clinical Informationist Project, Sheila Green

Library Staff Publications

PowerPoint slides from a presentation given at SCC/MLA 2010.


Enterococcus Faecalis Rnjb Is Required For Pilin Gene Expression And Biofilm Formation, Peng Gao, Kenneth L Pinkston, Sreedhar R Nallapareddy, Ambro Van Hoof, Barbara E Murray, Barrett R Harvey Oct 2010

Enterococcus Faecalis Rnjb Is Required For Pilin Gene Expression And Biofilm Formation, Peng Gao, Kenneth L Pinkston, Sreedhar R Nallapareddy, Ambro Van Hoof, Barbara E Murray, Barrett R Harvey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pili in Gram-positive bacteria play a major role in the colonization of host tissue and in the development of biofilms. They are promising candidates for vaccines or drug targets since they are highly immunogenic and share common structural and functional features among various Gram-positive pathogens. Numerous publications have helped build a detailed understanding of pilus surface assembly, yet regulation of pilin gene expression has not been well defined. Utilizing a monoclonal antibody developed against the Enterococcus faecalis major pilus protein EbpC, we identified mutants from a transposon (Tn) insertion library which lack surface-exposed Ebp pili. In addition to insertions in …


Related Resources, Children At Risk Sep 2010

Related Resources, Children At Risk

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

A listing of related resources for Volume 1, Issue 1.


Improving Conditions Of Latino Children Brightens The Future Of America, William V. Flores Sep 2010

Improving Conditions Of Latino Children Brightens The Future Of America, William V. Flores

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

An introduction to the inaugural issue of the Journal of Applied Research on Children.


New Journal, Same Ongoing Challenge: Advancing Policies That Promote The Health And Well-Being Of Children And Families, Angelo P. Giardino Md, Robert D. Sanborn Sep 2010

New Journal, Same Ongoing Challenge: Advancing Policies That Promote The Health And Well-Being Of Children And Families, Angelo P. Giardino Md, Robert D. Sanborn

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

The publication of the inaugural issue of the Journal of Applied Research on Children is a notable milestone for its sponsoring organization, CHILDREN AT RISK (www.childrenatrisk.org). With the release of “Volume 1, Number 1,” we as the Co-Editors in Chief would like to take the opportunity to thank the inaugural contributors whose articles follow and to answer the obvious question of “Why publish a new journal?”


Everything Is Bigger In Texas, Including The Latino Adolescent Pregnancy Rate: How Do We Eliminate The Epidemic Of Latino Teen Pregnancy?, May Lau, Glenn Flores Sep 2010

Everything Is Bigger In Texas, Including The Latino Adolescent Pregnancy Rate: How Do We Eliminate The Epidemic Of Latino Teen Pregnancy?, May Lau, Glenn Flores

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

A commentary on Tortolero et al.'s article entitled, "Latino Teen Pregnancy in Texas: Prevalence, Prevention, and Policy."


Predicting The Past And Forecasting The Future, Elena Fuentes-Afflick Sep 2010

Predicting The Past And Forecasting The Future, Elena Fuentes-Afflick

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

A commentary on Santos' article, "Explaining Scholarship Addressing Hispanic Children’s Issues."


Physical Activity In Latino Children: Research And Its Implications, Norma Olvera Ph.D., Stephanie F. Kellam, Kara Menefee, Jay Lee, Dennis W. Smith Sep 2010

Physical Activity In Latino Children: Research And Its Implications, Norma Olvera Ph.D., Stephanie F. Kellam, Kara Menefee, Jay Lee, Dennis W. Smith

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Childhood obesity affects children across all ages and genders. However, Latino children and adolescents are at an increased risk, with one out of three Latino children (ages 2-19) being classified as overweight. Physical inactivity is deemed a major factor contributing to the energy imbalance that leads to excess adiposity. The aims of this study are twofold: 1) to present relevant research regarding Latino children’s physical patterns, influences on their physical activity, and interventions designed to promote physical activity and fitness in this population; and 2) to discuss implications derived from this research to help health educators, practitioners, and policy makers …


Commentary: Dedication Of Additional Resources To Evaluation And Low-Income Schools Is Critical To Increasing Levels Of Safe Walking And Bicycling To School, Margo S. Pedroso Sep 2010

Commentary: Dedication Of Additional Resources To Evaluation And Low-Income Schools Is Critical To Increasing Levels Of Safe Walking And Bicycling To School, Margo S. Pedroso

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

A commentary on Mendoza et al.'s article entitled, "Ethnic Minority Children’s Active Commuting to School and Association with Physical Activity and Pedestrian Safety Behaviors."


Poverty, Educational Attainment And Health Among America’S Children: Current And Future Effects Of Population Diversification And Associated Socioeconomic Change, Steve Murdock, Mary Zey, Michael E. Cline, Stephen Klineberg Sep 2010

Poverty, Educational Attainment And Health Among America’S Children: Current And Future Effects Of Population Diversification And Associated Socioeconomic Change, Steve Murdock, Mary Zey, Michael E. Cline, Stephen Klineberg

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

A complex of interrelated factors including minority status, poverty, education, health status, and other factors determine the general welfare of children in America, particularly in heavily diverse states such as Texas. Although racial/ethnic status is clearly only a concomitant factor in that determination it is a factor for which future projections are available and for which the relationships with the other factors in the complex can be assessed. After examining the nature of the interrelationships between these factors we utilize direct standardization techniques to examine how the future diversification of the United States and Texas will affect the number of …


Ethnic Minority Children’S Active Commuting To School And Association With Physical Activity And Pedestrian Safety Behaviors, Jason A. Mendoza, Kathy Watson, Tom Baranowski, Theresa A. Nicklas, Doris K. Uscanga, Nga Nguyen, Marcus J. Hanfling Sep 2010

Ethnic Minority Children’S Active Commuting To School And Association With Physical Activity And Pedestrian Safety Behaviors, Jason A. Mendoza, Kathy Watson, Tom Baranowski, Theresa A. Nicklas, Doris K. Uscanga, Nga Nguyen, Marcus J. Hanfling

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Background: Children's active commuting to school, i.e. walking or cycling to school, was associated with greater moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, although studies among ethnic minorities are sparse. Objectives: Among a low-income, ethnic minority sample of fourth grade students from eight public schools, we examined (1) correlates of active commuting to school and (2) the relationship between active commuting to school and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline measurements from a sample of participants (n=149) aged 9-12 years from a walk to school intervention study in Houston, Texas. The primary outcome was the weekly rate of active …


Latino Teen Pregnancy In Texas: Prevalence, Prevention, And Policy, Susan R. Tortolero, Belinda F. Hernandez, Paula M. Cuccaro, Melissa F. Peskin, Christine M. Markham, Ross Shegog Sep 2010

Latino Teen Pregnancy In Texas: Prevalence, Prevention, And Policy, Susan R. Tortolero, Belinda F. Hernandez, Paula M. Cuccaro, Melissa F. Peskin, Christine M. Markham, Ross Shegog

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

Texas is home to over one million Latino teens who are at risk for negative reproductive health outcomes, such as teen pregnancy and STIs. Teen pregnancy disproportionately impacts the health of Latino teens in Texas and places them at risk of continued high rates of poverty, school dropout, and unemployment unless Texas makes a concerted effort to reduce its teen pregnancy rate. The birth rate among Latina girls is astonishing: 98 per 1000 Latinas (aged 15-19) are giving birth. This translates to over 32,000 births each year among Latina teens, costing almost $98 million in direct medical expenditures and well …


Explaining Scholarship Addressing Hispanic Children’S Issues, Adolfo G. Santos Sep 2010

Explaining Scholarship Addressing Hispanic Children’S Issues, Adolfo G. Santos

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

The purpose of this essay is to explain the dearth of scholarship in Hispanic and Latino children’s issues. To answer this question, a data set of all the scholarship addressing Hispanic and Latino children was created. This data set was used to test two hypotheses. The first of these is that scholarship on Hispanic children is created by Hispanic scholars. The second is that government incentives lead scholars to produce scholarship. This article will show that interest in Hispanic and Latino children can be explained by the existence of Hispanic and Latino scholars, the size of the Hispanic population and …


Distressing Projections For The Health Of American Children: Are They Inevitable?, Luisa Franzini Sep 2010

Distressing Projections For The Health Of American Children: Are They Inevitable?, Luisa Franzini

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

A commentary on Murdock et al.'s article, "Poverty, Educational Attainment and Health Among America’s Children: Current and Future Effects of Population Diversification and Associated Socioeconomic Change."


Commentary On Olvera Et Al.’S Article Entitled, “Physical Activity In Latino Children: Research And Its Implications”, Richard R. Suminski Sep 2010

Commentary On Olvera Et Al.’S Article Entitled, “Physical Activity In Latino Children: Research And Its Implications”, Richard R. Suminski

Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk

The following is a commentary on an article discussing physical activity in Latino children. It is clear that research is needed to determine the causes of inactivity and develop effective strategies for promoting physical activity in this population. Approaches involving numerous community entities (faith-based, businesses) and the implementation of policies that enhance physical activity participation appear very promising.