Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of Ftsa-Ftsn Interaction During Escherichia Coli Cell Division, [email protected] K. Busiek

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Division of a bacterial cell into two equal daughter cells requires precise assembly and constriction of the division machinery, or divisome. The Escherichia coli divisome includes nearly a dozen essential cell division proteins that assemble at midcell between segregating sister chromosomes. FtsZ, a homolog of eukaryotic tubulin, is the first essential cell division protein to localize at midcell where it polymerizes into a ring-shaped scaffold (Z ring). Establishment of the Z ring is required for recruitment of downstream cell division proteins including FtsA, a cytoplasmic protein that tethers the Z ring to the inner membrane. Following localization of FtsA and …

Evaluation Of Current Clinical Criteria For Li-Fraumeni Syndrome In A Diverse Sample Of Tp53 Mutation Carriers, Emily A. Parham

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome caused by heterozyogous germline mutations in the TP53 gene and characterized by an excess of early-onset cancers, high lifetime risk of cancer, and a wide range of tumor types. Recent studies suggesting a benefit in comprehensive screening protocols for both children and adults make the timely identification of individuals with LFS increasingly important.

A number of criteria have been proposed to identify patients with LFS. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) combines several in its Clinical Practice Guidelines for TP53 genetic testing. Prior studies have shown that the cumulative sensitivity of …

Proteasome Inhibition Enhances The Effect Of Bikdd Gene Therapy, Ye Sun

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

BikDD is a phosphorylation mimic mutant form of pro-apoptotic protein Bik, and possesses a stronger apoptosis induction capability. By constructing into a highly amplified “VISA” (VP16-GAL4-WPRE integrated systemic amplifier) system under the control of a cancer specific promoter, previous studies have verified the specific killing effect of BikDD in cancer cells both in in vitro and in vivo models. C-VISA-BikDD delivered by liposome has been approved by FDA for clinical trial in advanced pancreatic cancer. In this study, we proposed proteasome inhibition as a combinational therapy strategy with BikDD gene therapy to enhance the clinical benefits. Proteasome inhibition stabilized exogenously …

Latinas And The Traditional Genetic Counseling Model: A Qualitative Study, Stephanie Thompson

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The traditional genetic counseling model reflects an individualized counseling session that includes the presentation of information about genes, chromosomes, personalized risk assessment, and genetic testing and screening options. Counselors are challenged to balance providing educational information with discussion of implications of this information in an allotted amount of time. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of pregnant Latinas on the benefits and limitations of the traditional prenatal genetic counseling model and to determine the specific preferences for receiving prenatal genetic counseling. Data were collected through focus groups and one-on-one, semi-structured interviews of twenty-five Spanish speaking Latinas …

P53 Maintains Hepatic Cell Identity During Liver Regeneration, Zeynep Hande Coban Akdemir

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

p53 MAINTAINS HEPATIC CELL IDENTITY DURING LIVER REGENERATION

Zeynep Hande Coban Akdemir, B.S.,M.A.

Advisory Professor: Michelle Craig Barton, Ph.D.

p53 is a tumor suppressor that has been well studied in tumor-derived, cultured cells. However, its functions in normal proliferating cells and tissues are generally overlooked. We propose that p53 functions during the G1-S transition can be studied in normal, differentiated cells during surgery-induced liver regeneration. Two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) of mouse liver offers a unique model to compare p53 functions in regenerating versus sham (control) cells. My hypothesis is that intersection of global expression analyses (microarray and RNA sequencing) and …

The Epigenetics Of Small Cell Prostate Cancer, Brittany N. Kleb

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Small cell prostate cancer (SCPC) is an androgen receptor (AR) negative variant that can develop during the progression of castration-resistant AR-positive (AR⁺) prostate adenocarcinomas. While rare at initial diagnosis, SCPC is present in 10-20% of patients resulting in an aggressive clinical course with poor response to hormonal therapies and a short median survival. Our studies in patient-tumor derived xenografts revealed that the AR-negative small cell prostate carcinomas (AR^-SCPC) express genes involved in neural development instead of the prostate luminal epithelial gene expression that characterizes AR-positive castration-resistant adenocarcinomas (AR⁺ADENO). We hypothesized that the differences in …

Contribution Of Interleukin 6 Trans Signaling In Pulmonary Fibrosis, Thuy T. Le

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal lung disease with progressive fibrosis and death within 2-3 years of diagnosis. IPF incidence and prevalence rates are increasing annually, and because the pathogenesis is unknown, there are no effective treatments available. Inhibition of interleukin 6 (IL-6) results in the attenuation of pulmonary fibrosis in mice. It is unclear whether this is due to blockade of classical signaling, mediated by membrane-bound IL-6 receptor alpha (mIL-6Rα), or trans signaling, mediated by soluble IL-6Rα (sIL-6Rα). Our study assessed the role of sL-6Rα in IPF. We demonstrated elevations of sIL-6Rα in IPF patients and in mice …

Regulation Of The Candida Albicans Arginine Biosynthetic Pathway, Claudia Jimenez Lopez

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Candida albicans is the most importan thuman-associatedfungus.It is a commensal microorganism but also an opportunistic pathogen able to cause superficial infections aswellaslife-threateninginfectionswhich are associated with a highmortalityrateof 50%. The interactions between C. albicans and the cells of the mammalian innate immune system, which confer the most important protecting mechanisms against disseminated infections, are very dynamic and determine the success of C. albicans as a pathogen. Transcriptional profiling has shown that phagocytosis of C. albicans by macrophages results primarily in the activation of alternative carbon metabolism pathways suggesting that the pathogen is exposed to a glucose poor environment. Changes in …

Gsbs News, Spring 2014, Graduate School Of Biomedical Sciences, University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston/M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

GSBS News

Cover image by artist Syd Moen; Benefactor News: Smithville fundraiser supports GSBS fellow; New endowment to support MD/PhD Program; Coming full circle: developing and promoting a Core Curriculum; Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence: GSBS Alumni All-Stars shine at Super Panel and 2013 Reunion; Faculty Membership Report; Faculty News: Dr. Vicki Knutson retires; GSBS Outreach Council hosts community Science Night; Student News; 2013-2014 Student Awards; Alumni News; Message to Alumni

Caring Minds, University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston School Of Nursing

Caring Minds

No abstract provided.

Ms225: 2014 Faculty Meeting Minutes, Thomas R. Cole

Thomas R. Cole, PhD Papers

Original Filename: Faculty Meeting Minutes 011514.docx. Format Details: fmt/412; Microsoft Word for Windows; 2007 onwards. See more at Thomas R. Cole, PhD Papers and its finding aid.

Annual Report 2013-2014, Houston Academy Of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library

Annual Reports: 1943 - Present

This file contains the Annual Report for the library from 2013-2014.

Evolving Family Technology, Alvin Sallee, Angelo P. Giardino, Robert D. Sanborn

Journal of Family Strengths

Alvin Sallee, Angelo Giardino, and Robert Sanborn discuss the latest issue of Journal of Family Strengths.

Ms 179 Guide To Irvin A. Kraft Papers (1939-2010), Irvin A. Kraft (1921-2010)

Manuscript Finding Aids

Printed paper is the predominant format in the collection though there are numerous black and white and color photographic prints, some objects and other ephemera and an 8mm sound film. A large portion of the collection is comprised of various scrapbooks. See more at MS 179.

Using Strengths-Based Leadership To Improve The Child Welfare System, Kimberly M. Giardina

Journal of Family Strengths

The child welfare system has primarily focused on the safety of children even though the goals of the system are to improve safety, well-being, and permanency. Through an innovative use of strengths-based leadership and the restructuring of service delivery, the Neighborhoods for Kids program has demonstrated how to effectively achieve all three goals for children in the child welfare system. The unique infusion of strengths-based leadership into the child welfare system allowed staff to creatively meet the outcomes without any additional funding needed. The goal was to strengthen the leadership in East Region and increase staff engagement, which would in …

Commentary On "Using Strengths-Based Leadership To Improve The Child Welfare System", June C. Lloyd

Journal of Family Strengths

This commentary reviews the design features and methods by which the Strengths Based Leadership model of the East Region of a county child welfare agency provides antidotes to the dilemmas typically faced by public agency street-level staff. Identifying worker strengths, increasing worker engagement in agency design, and clearly articulating goals and expectations—all features of productive relationships with client families, when employed by agency leadership—provide both the atmosphere and key supports for direct service staff to obtain positive outcomes for the children and families served.

An Innovative Collective Parent Engagement Model For Families And Neighborhoods In Arrival Cities, Tania Alameda-Lawson, Michael A. Lawson, Hal A. Lawson

Journal of Family Strengths

Arrival Cities are special urban places. Amid the largest migration in human history, they provide homes for large numbers of mobile, low-income, immigrant families. These families need new human service and child welfare service models. Collective parent engagement (CPE) is one such model. CPE is designed to build on the strengths and meet the needs of immigrant families living in Arrival City neighborhoods. In contrast to interventions focused on individual parents, this CPE model mobilizes groups of parents; and with a dual agenda. CPE develops much-needed “anchoring supports” for mobile, vulnerable families, at the same time that it positions local …

Family Roots: Sustenance For Samoan And Tongan American Elders, Halaevalu F.O. Vakalahi, Emily S. Ihara, Moana P. Hafoka

Journal of Family Strengths

This article discusses the centrality of the family in supporting cultural responsibilities and in the well-being of Samoan and Tongan-American elders. Informed by the Ho’okele model, this grounded theory study was conducted in the State of Hawaii, the port of entry for most Pacific Islander-Americans migrating to the U.S. and the state in which a majority of Samoans and Tongans reside. Qualitative data was collected from 10 Samoan and 10 Tongan elders, and analysis was conducted by immersion in the data and reading for natural emergence of themes, patterns and categories. Cultural foundation of family relationships, expectations of the keepers …

Family-Directed Structural Assessment: Facilitating Strengths-Based Family Assessment And Engagement, Tara Mclendon

Journal of Family Strengths

This article provides a brief overview of the Family-Directed Structural Assessment Tool which is a strengths-based, family-driven assessment tool that has been developed during the last 10 years. A discussion of its application in a therapeutic family camp setting, a traditional outpatient clinic, a residential treatment environment, and a child welfare setting follows. Finally, implications for strengths-based family work and current projects are addressed.

Using State Wide Child And Family Services Review Data To Analyze Policies To Improve Educational Outcomes Of Children In Foster Care, Corie G. Hebert

Journal of Family Strengths

The poor educational outcomes of foster children is recognized as a national problem. The literature is reviewed to define and illustrate the magnitude of the problem. Steps have been taken to improve the problem with passage of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008; it requires states to ensure the educational stability of foster youth. A description of utilizing state level Child and Family Service Review data to analyze a state’s ability to comply with the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 is provided.

Strengths-Based Supervision: Supporting Implementation Of Family-Centered Practice Through Supervisory Processes, Cynthia A. Lietz

Journal of Family Strengths

Strengths-Based Supervision (SBS) is a model of supervision that was developed for child welfare settings. The model integrates several supervisory processes that are conducted with the primary focus of supporting effective implementation of Family-Centered Practice (FCP). The model was developed in one southwestern state in 2008 and has since been adopted by other public child welfare systems and by private, non-profit settings. The purpose of this article is to describe the model and offer implications for practice.

Moving Beyond Lip Service: The Clinical Reasoning Behind Practicing Strengths, Lynn M. Mayer, Barbara P. Early, Aidan H. Bohlander

Journal of Family Strengths

Social work has a long tradition of advocating for practice from the strengths perspective. However, it is unclear whether schools are truly preparing students for strengths based practice or whether they are simply teaching them to use the vocabulary of strengths without the clinical reasoning skills to switch paradigms from deficits to strengths, moving beyond lip service to real strengths-based practice. To explore this issue, data from an exercise in an MSW course was explored using qualitative methodology. The findings support that in addition to using a strengths vocabulary, other components are necessary for true implementation of a strengths approach. …

Commentary On "Using State Wide Child And Family Services Review Data To Analyze Policies To Improve Educational Outcomes Of Children In Foster Care", Jacquelyn Mccroskey

Journal of Family Strengths

“Using State Wide Child and Family Service Review Data to Analyze Policies to Improve Educational Outcomes of Children in Foster Care” suggests that States could use data from their Child and Family Services Review processes to focus attention on the changes needed to improve educational outcomes for foster youth. This is an interesting idea that deserves further deliberation.

The Familial Union Between Caregivers And The Juvenile Justice System, Joshua T. Baldwin, Wesley Church, Tracy Wharton

Journal of Family Strengths

This research describes an initial exploration of the phenomenon of caregivers’ learning of their child’s detention, an area of exploration that has little previous attention in the literature. This initial exploration was rooted in a desire to gain an understanding of the caregiver’s experience with both their family member (adjudicated juvenile) and the criminal justice system. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used in this study to gain rich understanding into the lived experiences shared by twelve caregivers of youth being adjudicated in the juvenile justice system. Two overarching themes emerged from the data: 1) the system, with communication, fairness, and …

Commentary On "Family-Directed Structural Therapy: Ten Years Of Building On Family Strengths", Roger S. Friedman

Journal of Family Strengths

This is an original and ground-breaking article because the authors have operationalized important concepts in family-centered thinking and practice, developed assessment tools that can be used for testing the validity of these concepts and then collected data from control and treatment groups of families in four very different service areas.

Nevertheless, the use of 'structural family therapy' in the title and design of instruments without grounding this research in the non-linear systems assumptions that are the hallmark of the literature on structural family therapy, obscures some of the theoretical and practice problems that are faced in family treatment today.

Related Resources

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

Related Resources for Accountable Communities.

Artifacts Of Schooling, Frank S. Kelly

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

The paper explores important issues in today’s education, not by analyses and statistics, but by projecting readers into the future and then asking them to look back on today’s schools and to act like archaeologists—to surmise from all sorts of things they can observe, what was really important to us, what we really valued, how we treated kids, how our schools related to the communities they serve, how we used funds and time, how we used the ideas and technology available to us. Readers may find themselves amazed, amused or angered by their own answers.

What We Owe Our Children: Building A Healthier Houston Region, Jay Blazek Crossley

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

The mission of Houston Tomorrow is to improve the quality of life for all the people of the Houston. However, we have an overarching concern for protecting the futures of the children of the Houston region.

The Houston region needs to grow more connected by transit, walking, and biking with a focus on access to our major centers and attractions. We need safer streets, better access to healthy food options, and options for low-carbon lifestyles in walkable, urban, mixed-use areas. We need more people involved in regional planning and major decisions that will dictate the options of future generations.

Children Are Natural-Born Urban Planners!, James Rojas

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

Every child is capable of becoming an urban planner because they use their minds and bodies to understand the places they habituate. My interactive method taps into their experiences, emotions, and imagination through play to bring out the city planners in them.

Children have an intuitive sense of the environment around them and this knowledge needs to be developed in allowing them to learn how the participate in civic matters and shape cities in the future.

Solvitur Ambulando: It Is Solved By Walking, Megan Dickerson

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

Though a significant portion of the conversation around “play provision” focuses on the quality and availability of community playgrounds, the majority of children’s play occurs in transitional spaces: sidewalks and other spaces not designed for children but used by children daily. This Perspective from the Field briefly reviews the late 19^th century roots of the American playground and argues that though a focus on playground provision may draw attention to the importance of safe play spaces, a focus on playgrounds alone is limiting. Given playgrounds’ historical rootings, the omnipresent KFC (Kit, Fence and Carpet) playground begins to seem a …