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University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Analysis Of Hiv-1 Variable Loop 3-Specific Neutralizing Antibody Responses By Hiv-2/Hiv-1 Envelope Chimeras, Katie L. Davis Jan 2008

Analysis Of Hiv-1 Variable Loop 3-Specific Neutralizing Antibody Responses By Hiv-2/Hiv-1 Envelope Chimeras, Katie L. Davis

All ETDs from UAB

Defining the epitope specificities of the neutralizing antibody response to the HIV-1 envelope protein (Env) during natural human infection and in response to vaccination by HIV-1 immunogens could provide insight into the mechanisms of virus immune containment and facilitate vaccine design. Transplantation of discrete HIV-1 neutralizing epitopes into HIV-2 Env scaffolds may provide a sensitive, biologically functional context in which to quantify specific antibody reactivities in complex sera. Here we describe the development of a novel HIV-2 proviral scaffold (pHIV-2KR.X7) into which we have substituted the env V3 region of several laboratory and primary HIV-1 strains to yield a panel …

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The Role Of Tgfß Signaling In Skeletal Development, Hwa-Seon Seo Jan 2008

The Role Of Tgfß Signaling In Skeletal Development, Hwa-Seon Seo

All ETDs from UAB

skeletal element is essential for body movement along with the joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. They also protect internal organs and serve as a reservoir for hematopoietic stem cells and minerals. To accomplish these multiple tasks, the size and shape of the skeletal elements need to be carefully designed during development of the embryo. Skeletal formation in vertebrae is a complex developmental processes controlled by dynamic and well-balanced interactions between a number of molecular signals. Intensive efforts in the past several decades have made substantial progress in understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of skeletal development. Despite the fact that TGFß …

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Gender Difference In Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes: Survival, Functional Independence, And Employment Status, Andrea T. Underhill Jan 2008

Gender Difference In Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes: Survival, Functional Independence, And Employment Status, Andrea T. Underhill

All ETDs from UAB

Medical and rehabilitative care of women living with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is based on information drawn from research conducted primarily on men. Care for men may be adequate for women, but all of the body’s organs have the capability to respond differently based on gender, and research should examine the genders separately. This dissertation examines the survival to 24 months post-TBI and the functional independence and employment status at 12 and 24 months post-TBI of men and women. Participants were drawn from a longitudinal study of injured persons and include those diagnosed only with a TBI. Variables used in …

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Partner Referral Among Patients With Sexually Transmitted Diseases In Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nazmul Alam Jan 2008

Partner Referral Among Patients With Sexually Transmitted Diseases In Dhaka, Bangladesh, Nazmul Alam

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation puts together three closely related articles on partner referral for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The first paper sought to understand feasibility and acceptability of partner referral for STD in less developed countries using a systematic literature review. The results summarized from 39 articles indicate that partner referral outcome was more common for spousal partners than for causal partners. Client's reported barriers included stigma and fear of abuse while infrastructural barriers included limited resources are important. Client centered counseling was found to be effective in increasing partner referral in Africa. The second paper aimed to determine if intention of …

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Feed Comparison For Dietary Standardization Of The Sea Urchin Lytechinus Variegatus And Assessment Of Parental Dietary Copper Toxicity By Fertilization And Embryological Tests, Heath W. Garris Jan 2008

Feed Comparison For Dietary Standardization Of The Sea Urchin Lytechinus Variegatus And Assessment Of Parental Dietary Copper Toxicity By Fertilization And Embryological Tests, Heath W. Garris

All ETDs from UAB

Toxicity tests monitoring the effects of anthropogenic substances on marine systems are considered an important part of environmental management. Sea urchin fertilization and embryological toxicity tests are successful in producing a graded response to toxicants, but standards for controlling the quality of parental urchins have not been developed. In Chapter 1, experimental populations of Lytechinus variegatus were fed either organic romaine lettuce and organic carrots, or a feed formulated for sea urchins for 13 weeks. Growth demographics were assessed and F1 progeny were compared for sensitivity to the toxicants copper sulfate, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, and sodium dodecyl sulfate by acute embryonic and …

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A Simple Plan, A Simple Faith: Chaplain And Local Congregant Strategies For Sharing Faith In The Prison Context, Jessica P. Shoemaker Jan 2008

A Simple Plan, A Simple Faith: Chaplain And Local Congregant Strategies For Sharing Faith In The Prison Context, Jessica P. Shoemaker

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As the prison population in the United States continues to expand, so too has the use of faith-based prison programs as tools for correctional treatment. Using in-depth interviews with thirty current prison chaplains and local religious congregants in Mississippi, I explore the strategies and techniques used by prison ministry workers in their work with inmates. Two overarching themes emerged from the narratives of prison ministry work. The first is that the ministry workers were careful to avoid setting or focusing on numeric goals for religious conversions before interacting with the inmates. They reported that this approach was based on their …

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Diagnosing Antiretroviral Treatment Failure In Resource-Limited Settings, Ronald Alexander Cantrell Jan 2008

Diagnosing Antiretroviral Treatment Failure In Resource-Limited Settings, Ronald Alexander Cantrell

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This dissertation had three central goals. The first was to review the existing literature for reports of virologic failure among adults initiating non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings. The second was to describe the epidemiology of virologic failure over the first 6 months of therapy in Lusaka, Zambia. The third was to examine the performance of different approaches for diagnosing virologic failure. We performed a meta-analysis using data from previously published reports to create summary estimates for the prevalence of virologic failure and found that the lowest estimate of the 95% confidence interval was 10% or higher …

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The Developmental Functions Of Bdnf And Mecp2 On Dendritic And Synaptic Structure, Christopher A. Chapleau Jan 2008

The Developmental Functions Of Bdnf And Mecp2 On Dendritic And Synaptic Structure, Christopher A. Chapleau

All ETDs from UAB

Mutations in the transcriptional repressor MeCP2 cause Rett Syndrome (RTT), a mental retardation disease associated with reduced dendritic architecture of cortical pyramidal neurons, in addition to a decrease in the number of dendritic spines. I present the first quantification analysis of spine density in postmortem human brain tissue, demonstrating that hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons have reduced spine densities in RTT patients throughout their lives. One gene that MeCP2 regulates is BDNF, an important developmental factor that modulates synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as spine formation and maturation. In immature cultured hippocampal neurons, cell-autonomous expression of BDNF accelerates the differentiation …

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Enzymatic And Proteomic Analysis Of Spinal Cord In A G93a Als Mouse Model, Page Jones Jan 2008

Enzymatic And Proteomic Analysis Of Spinal Cord In A G93a Als Mouse Model, Page Jones

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Mutations to copper,zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn SOD or SOD1) are the only known causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized primarily by death of spinal motor neurons. While the molecular mechanisms responsible for motor neuron death in this disease remain to be elucidated, recent studies implicate mitochondrial dysfunction as a key factor in the pathogenesis of ALS. In support of this, we observed ALS-dependent alterations in key functions including creatine kinase activity and ATP levels, which could be linked to changes in the mitochondrial proteome. Importantly, extensive research efforts have failed to develop a treatment that significantly …

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Calmodulin Binding To Cellular Flice Like Inhibitory Protein Modulates Fas-Induced Signaling And Tumorigenesis In Cholangiocarcinoma, Pritish Subhash Pawar Jan 2008

Calmodulin Binding To Cellular Flice Like Inhibitory Protein Modulates Fas-Induced Signaling And Tumorigenesis In Cholangiocarcinoma, Pritish Subhash Pawar

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Cholangiocarcinoma, a fatal tumor arising from biliary epithelium, has very poor 5-year survival rate due to lack of early diagnosis and effective therapies. Induction of the Fas-mediated apoptosis is a promising therapeutic target in this tumor. Studies from our group and others have indicated that Fas-expression correlates inversely with disease progression and that CaM-antagonists induce apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells in a Fas related manner. Further, we reported a direct and dynamic interaction of CaM and Fas and that CaM is recruited into the Fas-stimulated death inducing signaling complex (DISC), suggesting a cross talk between Fas and CaM pathways. The studies …

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Food Handling Practices Of High-Risk Populations, Bobby Babak Rasulnia Jan 2008

Food Handling Practices Of High-Risk Populations, Bobby Babak Rasulnia

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Populations such as the immuno-compromised (HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, and transplant patients) and those with chronic conditions (gastric illness, cirrhosis, on anti-microbial therapy, antacid medication and steroid medications) are more susceptible to food borne illness. Examining differences in food handling practices and personal characteristics of high-risk groups verses the general population is the focus of this research. This study is based on secondary data from an established quantitative survey instrument developed and administered by the 2001 FDA Food Safety Survey. Descriptive, chi square, and logistic regression methods were used in the analysis. A statistically significant relationship was not found between health status …

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Expression And Function Of Aqua Porins In Malignant And Non-Malignant Astrocytes, Eric S. Mccoy Jan 2008

Expression And Function Of Aqua Porins In Malignant And Non-Malignant Astrocytes, Eric S. Mccoy

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

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Science, Technology, And Portraiture: Justine Cooper's Rapt And Transformers, Amber Henson Jan 2008

Science, Technology, And Portraiture: Justine Cooper's Rapt And Transformers, Amber Henson

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

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Role Of Variant Sialylation In Regulating Tumor Cell Behavior, Faheem M. Shaikh Jan 2008

Role Of Variant Sialylation In Regulating Tumor Cell Behavior, Faheem M. Shaikh

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Many different tumors have been documented to have elevated levels of the enzyme ST6Gal I, a Golgi glycosyltransferase that adds α2-6 sialic acids to glycoproteins. Concurrently, upregulated ST6Gal I is associated with metastasis and poor patient prognosis. We initially showed that HD3 colonocytes made to express oncogenic-ras, a common mutation in colon carcinoma, have increased expression of ST6Gal I and elevated α2-6 sialylated integrins. Having established that ras regulates ST6Gal I expression in colon epithelial cells, we found that colonocytes carrying hyper α2-6 sialylated β1 integrins exhibit increased adhesion to and migration toward collagen I. Further, we found that β1 …

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Boom And Bust In Townley: Case Study Of A Coal Mining Camp From 1920-1950, Tia Pavlovich Jan 2008

Boom And Bust In Townley: Case Study Of A Coal Mining Camp From 1920-1950, Tia Pavlovich

Vulcan Historical Review

pp. 58-73

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Dr. David Graves: Exploring The Chemistry Of Nucleic Acids, Drew Buie Jan 2008

Dr. David Graves: Exploring The Chemistry Of Nucleic Acids, Drew Buie

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 48-49

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Exercise Training Improves Premenopausal Women's Ability To Estimate Energy Expenditure After Weight Loss, Micah D. Greer Jan 2008

Exercise Training Improves Premenopausal Women's Ability To Estimate Energy Expenditure After Weight Loss, Micah D. Greer

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Objective: Previously we have shown that total free living energy expenditure (TEE) and greater fitness was associated with reduced long term weight gain and improved ability to estimate TEE from physical activity (PA) questionnaires. In the current study, it is hypothesized that women will overestimate questionnaire self reported energy expenditure (QEE). Furthermore, weight reduced women who exercise train will be better able to estimate TEE compared to weight reduced women who do not exercise train. Design: The participants consisted of 35 European American (EA) and 49 African American (AA) pre-menopausal women. These women were evaluated while overweight and when weight …

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The Modification Of Cell Signaling Proteins By Reactive Prostaglandins In Endothelial Cells, Jooyeun Oh Jan 2008

The Modification Of Cell Signaling Proteins By Reactive Prostaglandins In Endothelial Cells, Jooyeun Oh

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No abstract provided.

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Geographic Differences In Accessibility To Renal Treatment Among Black And White Populations Within Network 6 Of The End Stage Renal Disease Networks, Shenee J. Reid Jan 2008

Geographic Differences In Accessibility To Renal Treatment Among Black And White Populations Within Network 6 Of The End Stage Renal Disease Networks, Shenee J. Reid

All ETDs from UAB

Objective: This study examined relationships between racial composition of zip codes and the geographic accessibility to dialysis centers of Network 6 of the End Stage Renal Disease Networks. Study Design: Geographic accessibility to renal care (hemodialysis) was defined as the average distance between the centers of zip codes where dialysis patients reside and the dialysis centers that fall within a 30 mile buffer radius. Data Sources: This research studies the distribution of 33,536 patients, 1,798 zip codes, and 546 dialysis centers in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina as of December 31, 2007. Information and data concerning the dialysis centers …

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Ankyrin-G In Renal Epithelia: Identification Of Novel Isoforms And The Interaction Between Ankyrin-G And H+/K+-Atpase Alpha 2 Subunit, Jun Li Jan 2008

Ankyrin-G In Renal Epithelia: Identification Of Novel Isoforms And The Interaction Between Ankyrin-G And H+/K+-Atpase Alpha 2 Subunit, Jun Li

All ETDs from UAB

Ankyrins are multifunctional membrane adaptors which link diverse membrane proteins to the spectrin-based membrane cytoskeleton. Ankyrin-G (Ank-G, encoded by the Ank-3 gene) is broadly expressed and exhibits alternative splicing in different tissues, giving rise to isoforms ranging in Mr from 100-480 kDa. However, little is known about the alternative promoter usage and alternative splicing patterns of the Ank-3 gene in kidney, particularly at the N-terminus. In the first study, a novel full-length Ank-G cDNA and two novel Ank-G amino termini were isolated from mouse kidney by cDNA library screening and RNA ligase-mediated rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RLM-RACE). Their distinct …

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Genetic And Psychiatric Treatment Related Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes In Schizophrenia And Schizoaffective Disorder Patients, Marguerite Mulryan Dickson Jan 2008

Genetic And Psychiatric Treatment Related Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes In Schizophrenia And Schizoaffective Disorder Patients, Marguerite Mulryan Dickson

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

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Recognition Of Environmental Hazards For Toddlers By Parents And Caregivers, Joanna Gaines Jan 2008

Recognition Of Environmental Hazards For Toddlers By Parents And Caregivers, Joanna Gaines

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

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Oxidative Post-Translational Modification Of The Brain Isoform Of Creatine Kinase: Structural And Functional Consequences, Shannon M. Eliuk Jan 2008

Oxidative Post-Translational Modification Of The Brain Isoform Of Creatine Kinase: Structural And Functional Consequences, Shannon M. Eliuk

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No abstract provided.

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Falling And General Mobiliyy Viewpoints Of Survivors Of Stroke And Spousal Caregivers: A Mixed Model Design, Carolyn Joyce Pavelka Kelley Jan 2008

Falling And General Mobiliyy Viewpoints Of Survivors Of Stroke And Spousal Caregivers: A Mixed Model Design, Carolyn Joyce Pavelka Kelley

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No abstract provided.

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Evaluating The Effects Of Sensory Focus And Distraction On Ethnic Differences In Reports Of Laboratory Induced Pain, Regina Lynette Mcconley Jan 2008

Evaluating The Effects Of Sensory Focus And Distraction On Ethnic Differences In Reports Of Laboratory Induced Pain, Regina Lynette Mcconley

All ETDs from UAB

There is consistent evidence of ethnic group differences in pain response in clinical and laboratory settings. However, few studies have examined potential contributors to the group differences, or assessed the efficacy of interventions to reduce pain across ethnic groups. The aims of the study were to: 1. Compare African Americans and non-Hispanic Whites’ (NH Whites) scores on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, 2. Compare the pain responses (e.g., pain threshold, tolerance, intensity and unpleasantness) of African Americans and NH Whites in response to the Cold Pressor Procedure (CPT), and 3. Evaluate the effects of sensory focus and distraction interventions on pain …

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Free -Knot Splines And Bootstrapping For Nonlinear Modeling In Complex Samples, Scott W. Keith Jan 2008

Free -Knot Splines And Bootstrapping For Nonlinear Modeling In Complex Samples, Scott W. Keith

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Studies on body mass index (BMI) as it relates to headache or mortality have noted considerable nonlinearity. Approaches to rigorously analyzing these relationships have been limited to generalized linear models and survival models using either categorizations or polynomials of BMI. I have designed, evaluated, and implemented a piecewise linear logistic regression framework for modeling nonlinearity between a binary outcome and a continuous predictor, such as BMI, adjusted for covariates in complex samples. Least squares and maximum likelihood estimation methods were used to numerically optimize free-knot splines. Inference methods utilized both parametric and nonparametric bootstrapping. Parameter estimates were structured for interpretability …

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Hospice Use In Alabama: A Cross-Sectional Assessment, Todd M. Jenkins Jan 2008

Hospice Use In Alabama: A Cross-Sectional Assessment, Todd M. Jenkins

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The purpose of this investigation was to describe and compare patterns of hospice use in Alabama and to assess barriers to receiving such care as perceived by hospice providers across the state. We used death certificate and other administrative records from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics to ascertain hospice use during the years 2002 to 2005. Crude rates of hospice use were calculated across individual and area-level characteristics. Prevalence ratios were calculated using modified Poisson regression to evaluate the impact of these factors on hospice use. To assess barriers to hospice care, all hospices in Alabama (N = 193) …

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Cardiovascular Function, Cognition, And Everyday Activities In Older Adults, Sarah M. Viamonte Jan 2008

Cardiovascular Function, Cognition, And Everyday Activities In Older Adults, Sarah M. Viamonte

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No abstract provided.

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Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of Reward System Functioning In Obese Women, Luke E. Stoeckel Jan 2008

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of Reward System Functioning In Obese Women, Luke E. Stoeckel

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No abstract provided.

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Protective Role Of Coronary Endothelium During The Development Of Cardiac Hypertrophy: Insights From Pharmacological Intervention Studies, Xiaowei Sun Jan 2008

Protective Role Of Coronary Endothelium During The Development Of Cardiac Hypertrophy: Insights From Pharmacological Intervention Studies, Xiaowei Sun

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

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