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Breast Cancer Chemoprevention With The Natural Polyphenols Resveratrol And Genistein, Alone And In Combination, Timothy Glynn Whitsett Jan 2007

Breast Cancer Chemoprevention With The Natural Polyphenols Resveratrol And Genistein, Alone And In Combination, Timothy Glynn Whitsett

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No abstract provided.


Prenatal Lead Exposure In Karachi: Magnitude, Determinants And Effect On Birth Weight, Naveed Zafar Janjua Jan 2007

Prenatal Lead Exposure In Karachi: Magnitude, Determinants And Effect On Birth Weight, Naveed Zafar Janjua

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No abstract provided.


The Recovery Experience For Persons With A Myocardial Infarction And Their Spouses/Partners, Vicki Lynnette Bingham Jan 2007

The Recovery Experience For Persons With A Myocardial Infarction And Their Spouses/Partners, Vicki Lynnette Bingham

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Coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in Americans today, affects both genders in numerous ethnic populations. This life-threatening event causes both physical and emotional distress for persons with a myocardial infarction (MI), as well as for their spouses or partners and thus possibly forces them on a spiritual journey. The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of the ways in which spirituality is defined and experienced by both persons with an MI and their spouses/partners during the recovery process. The method utilized in this study was a qualitative approach using interpretative phenomenology from a Heideggerian …


Localization And Function Of G2e3, William Samuel Brooks Jan 2007

Localization And Function Of G2e3, William Samuel Brooks

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A microarray study was performed which identified G2E3 as a novel, putative ubiquitin ligase that was both G2/M-specific in expression and down regulated at the transcriptional level following DNA damage by γ-irradiation. The initial characterization of this protein is described herein. G2E3 is composed of three PHD/RING (plant homoedomain/really interesting new gene) domains within its amino-terminal half and a carboxy-terminal HECT (homologous to E6AP carboxy-terminus) domain. G2E3 is regulated in part by its subcellular localization. The protein normally resides within the nucleoplasm of cultured cells and distinctly within the nucleolus of HeLa cells. G2E3 is a nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling protein with …


Loss Of Pias3 Expression In Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumors:Implications For Stat-3 Activation And Gene Expression, Emily Claire Brantley Jan 2007

Loss Of Pias3 Expression In Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumors:Implications For Stat-3 Activation And Gene Expression, Emily Claire Brantley

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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of cancer in the central nervous system in adults. Because of the infiltrative and aggressive nature of GBM, current treatments including surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy provide little benefit to patients diagnosed with this tumor. Median survival, after treatment, is less than one year. Despite advances in the basic understanding of cancer biology, this poor prognosis has remained virtually unchanged for several decades. Given the continuing difficulty of clinical treatment of GBMs, a molecular appreciation of relevant signaling pathways has grown. Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) function to activate gene …


Characterization Of A Novel Acetyltransferase Found Only In Pathogenic Strains Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, David K. Crossman Jan 2007

Characterization Of A Novel Acetyltransferase Found Only In Pathogenic Strains Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, David K. Crossman

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Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is still a major threat to the human population. Roughly one third of the world population is asymptomatically infected and two million people die each year of TB. Effective treatments are available as a multi-drug regimen, but there is an ever increasing problem with the rise of multi-drug resistant strains that newer drug targets and a better understanding of how M. tuberculosis affects the host need to be elucidated. The primary target of M. tuberculosis in the human host is the macrophage where M. tuberculosis secretes virulence factors that inhibit various signal …


Determinants Of Hospital Affiliation With Health Care Networks, Ting-Huan Chang Jan 2007

Determinants Of Hospital Affiliation With Health Care Networks, Ting-Huan Chang

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Since the 1990s, integrated health care delivery systems have proliferated rapidly in the U.S., but little research has been devoted to studying why hospitals decide to join such systems (e.g., health care networks or systems). The aim of this study was to identify environmental and organizational factors that encourage freestanding hospitals to affiliate with health care networks. Specifically, the relationships of hospital affiliation choice to environmental munificence, environmental uncertainty and organizational resources were examined. Additionally, the moderating effects of hospital setting on these relationships were also investigated. A nonexperimental, longitudinal design was used, with the individual hospital as the unit …


The Role Of The Cytoskeleon In Achr Clustering, G Clement Dobbins Jan 2007

The Role Of The Cytoskeleon In Achr Clustering, G Clement Dobbins

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The human brain contains billions of neurons which are designed to receive and integrate a range of electrical and biochemical signals. The ability to convey information between these cells depends on synapses. A precise apposition between the pre and post synapse must exist for efficient transmission to occur. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has become a model for studying synaptogenesis. Although much is known about the steps in NMJ formation, only recently have there been insights into the mechanism behind NMJ development. Much of this research has focused on how acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the postsynapse form clusters directly apposed to …


A Study Into The Protein/Protein Interactions Involved In Hiv-1 Capsid Assembly, Chanel Catherine Douglas Jan 2007

A Study Into The Protein/Protein Interactions Involved In Hiv-1 Capsid Assembly, Chanel Catherine Douglas

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The aim of this work was to build an understanding of the protein/protein interactions involved in HIV-1 capsid assembly as it relates to the condensation of capsid within the virion. This was undertaken in an attempt to (i) understand how capsid subunits recognize and interact with each other, (ii) gain insight into the protein-protein interactions involved in the process, and (iii) determine if the protein-protein interactions involved in virus cap-sid assembly can be used as a target for viral inhibition. Within this dissertation you will find two approaches to this investigation. The first examines the role of electrostatics in the …


Factors Associated With Sexual Debut And Depression Among Adolescents In Rural Jamaica, Olaniyi J. Ekundayo Jan 2007

Factors Associated With Sexual Debut And Depression Among Adolescents In Rural Jamaica, Olaniyi J. Ekundayo

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Individual and family factors have been hypothesized to influence adolescent sexual behavior and depression, but the extent to which this is true for adolescents in Jamaica as a whole and for those in rural areas in particular, has not been well studied. The objective of this dissertation was to identify individual and family factors associated with sexual debut and depression among rural Jamaican adolescents. To elucidate these factors and to provide information to guide future interventions, we analyzed data on 748 adolescents attending public high schools in the rural parish of Hanover, Jamaica. Multivariate logistic regression was used to predict …


Sexual Violence And Correlates Among Women In Hiv Discordant Union, Uganda, Donath Emusu Jan 2007

Sexual Violence And Correlates Among Women In Hiv Discordant Union, Uganda, Donath Emusu

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We sought to estimate the prevalence of sexual violence and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), identify risk factors for sexual violence and STDs among women in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) discordant unions, and investigate the lived experiences of sexual violence among women in HIV discordant unions attending post-test club services at AIDS Information Centers (AICs) in Uganda. We carried out a prospective cohort study of women in HIV discordant and HIV negative concordant unions after disclosure of their HIV serostatus. We estimated prevalence of STDs in the two study cohorts and compared them for occurrence of risk factors for sexual violence …


Molecular Determinants Of Picrotoxin Inhibition, Brian E. Erkkila Jan 2007

Molecular Determinants Of Picrotoxin Inhibition, Brian E. Erkkila

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PTX is a non-competitive antagonist of many LGICs, and its site of action is believed to be within the ion-conducting pore. This study will examine, through the use of mutagenesis, electrophysiology and homology modeling, the binding interaction between the LGIC receptors and the PTX molecule. The data provides evidence that an interaction between the PTX molecule and uncharged polar amino acids at the 6’ level of the M2 transmembrane domain are essential for PTX inhibition. While the work will focus on the γ-aminobutyric type A receptor, the pharmacological and structural relevance is attributable to the LGIC family as a whole.


Use Of The 15-Second Lateral Step-Up For Comparison Of Hip Function Between Two Surgical Approaches For Intramedullary Nailing Of Femur Fractures, Lydia A. Futch Jan 2007

Use Of The 15-Second Lateral Step-Up For Comparison Of Hip Function Between Two Surgical Approaches For Intramedullary Nailing Of Femur Fractures, Lydia A. Futch

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Study Type: Cohort, between and within group comparison Objective: To determine the efficacy of the 15-second lateral step-up (15-SLSU) test for comparing hip function between patients treated with two different intramedullary nailing (IMN) approaches for femur fractures. In addition, to determine whether the 15-SLSU detects differences in hip function between the surgical and non-surgical limb of subjects treated with IMN. Background: Historically, two surgical approaches have been used for IMN of femur fractures. Determining tests that can detect whether various surgical approaches result in differences in hip function is important for making decisions about treatment. Methods and Measures: Subjects were …


Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A: Its Role In Virulence And Its Utility As A Streptococcus Pneumoniae Vaccine Antigen, David Tawayne Glover Jan 2007

Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A: Its Role In Virulence And Its Utility As A Streptococcus Pneumoniae Vaccine Antigen, David Tawayne Glover

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Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. S. pneumoniae is a leading cause of pneumonia, meningitis, septicemia, and otitis media. Although all age groups can be affected, children and the elderly are espccially susceptible to infection. Currently there is a conjugate vaccine available for use, but this vaccine only contains capsular polysaccahride antigens from the seven most prevelant S. pneumoniae serotypes. The use of the conjugate vaccine has led to serotype shift, with more disease being caused by non-vaccine serotype bacteria. The studies presented in this dissertation identify and characterize a novel S. penumoniae vaccine candidate …


A Role For P63 In The Regulati On Of Cell Cycle Progression And Cell Death, Eric Scott Helton Jan 2007

A Role For P63 In The Regulati On Of Cell Cycle Progression And Cell Death, Eric Scott Helton

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p63 is a member of the p53 family of transcription factors that is a critical regulator of epithelial development. Studies have shown that p63 does not appear to function as a classical tumor suppressor like p53. Instead, the expression pattern of p63 in cancers suggests that p63 retains the potential to function as either a tumor suppressor or an onco-protein. Here, we provide evidence describing the transcriptional activity of the p63 isoforms and provide mechanisms whereby p63 function is regulated in a context dependent manner. Our data shows that both the ΔNp63 and TAp63 variants retain the potential to regulate …


Prostate Cancer Chemoprevention With Genistein And Resveratrol In Models Of Spontaneously Developing Prostate Cancer, Curt E. Harper Jan 2007

Prostate Cancer Chemoprevention With Genistein And Resveratrol In Models Of Spontaneously Developing Prostate Cancer, Curt E. Harper

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Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men in the United States. The goal of this research was to investigate the potential of three nutriceutical polyphenols, genistein, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), to suppress prostate cancer. Cancer chemoprevention and mechanism of action studies were carried out in transgenic models of prostate cancer. In TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model, resveratrol suppressed poorly differentiated tumors by 86%, whereas EGCG suppressed precancerous lesions, but failed to prevent late-stage prostate cancer. Agents that were chemopreventive in the TRAMP model were subsequently evaluated alone, and in combination, in the …


Characterization Of A Global Regulatory Pathway In Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Greer E. Kaufman Jan 2007

Characterization Of A Global Regulatory Pathway In Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Greer E. Kaufman

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Streptococcus pneumoniae is a versatile organism that adapts to many different environments in the host. S. pneumoniae can asymptomatically colonize the nasopharynx of humans. However, dissemination of the bacterium from the nasopharynx to different locations in the body can lead to invasive diseases such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. How S. pneumoniae modulates factors that are important for survival in these niches has not been well characterized. In the studies described here, we propose that S. pneumoniae may modulate gene expression in these niches by sensing the different glu-cose concentrations via carbon catabolite control protein A (CcpA). Initially we characterized …


Mcmv Induced Cerebellar Maldevelopment, Thadeus B. Koontz Jan 2007

Mcmv Induced Cerebellar Maldevelopment, Thadeus B. Koontz

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Congenital Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children. While most of the systemic damage incurred by the infant in the course of the infection resolves without permanent consequence, the pathological manifestations of infection in the central nervous system (CNS) are often permanent. Children born with congenital HCMV infection may exhibit hearing loss and cognitive impairment in various degrees. These neurological disabilities are correlated with pathological findings in various permutations including infection of the inner ear, ventricular calcifications, ventriculomegaly, microgyria, lissencephaly, and cerebellar hypoplasia. To develop a therapeutic or preventive strategy, HCMV …


Kainate Receptor Modulation Of Synaptic Transmission In Neocortex, Seena S. Mathew Jan 2007

Kainate Receptor Modulation Of Synaptic Transmission In Neocortex, Seena S. Mathew

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The actions of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are tightly regulated to ensure effective information processing as well as prevention of excess excitatory activity, which can lead to seizures and neurological disorders such as epilepsy. Drugs which enhance the effects of GABA are used as anesthetics, sedatives and anticonvulsants. Using whole-cell patch clamp recordings from neocortical neurons, we examined the mechanisms of GABAergic modulation that occur when kainate receptors (KARs) are activated. First, we address a novel signaling mechanism for the KAR-mediated facilitation of GABAergic synaptic transmission. Our first observation involved the presence of presynaptic KARs located on the …


Primer Selection Of E. Coli Trna Lys,3 By Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1, Anna Mcculley Jan 2007

Primer Selection Of E. Coli Trna Lys,3 By Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1, Anna Mcculley

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV replication includes the notable process of reverse transcription, a conversion of RNA to DNA. Reverse transcription is initiated from a primer by a viral enzyme, reverse transcriptase. The primer, tRNALys,3, is selected from the cytoplasm of an infected cell, annealed via the 3’ terminal 18-nucleotides to the viral primer binding site (PBS), and used in a subsequent infection. The mechanism of primer selection has not been determined although numerous studies have been performed. This has been hampered by the challenge of tRNALys,3 manipulation in the cell and …


Sperm Production And Vitellogenesis As Biomarkers Of Endocrine Disruption In The Male Western Mosquitofish, Gambusia Affinis, Paul D. Melvin Jan 2007

Sperm Production And Vitellogenesis As Biomarkers Of Endocrine Disruption In The Male Western Mosquitofish, Gambusia Affinis, Paul D. Melvin

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Estrogenic compounds of anthropogenic origin enter the environment from several different sources, including domestic wastewater and agricultural runoff. Natural estrogens, synthetic estrogens, and estrogen breakdown products have been identified in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. These compounds have direct and indirect effects on the endocrine systems of organisms living in the receiving waters. Male mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) have been suggested as model bioindicator organisms for endocrine disruption by estrogenic compounds for a variety of reasons, including their hardiness, broad environmental tolerances (including temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen), widespread geographical distribution, and ease of use in the laboratory. We examined two …


Directing Akt And Gsk3ss: Molecular Insights Into Cell Signaling And Survival, Gordon P. Meares Jan 2007

Directing Akt And Gsk3ss: Molecular Insights Into Cell Signaling And Survival, Gordon P. Meares

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Proper regulation of survival signaling is critical for all organisms. One important signaling cascade involved in the coordinated effort to control signals influencing cell fate is the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) signaling cascade. Following activation by growth factors the PI3K-Akt pathway promotes cell survival and, cell death is facilitated following inhibition of Akt. Many factors influence the function of the Akt-GSK3β signaling dyad, including phosphorylation, protein complex formation and subcellular localization. Previous work had demonstrated that the 90kDa heat shock protein, HSP90, directly binds and stabilizes Akt. Furthermore, several heat shock proteins including HSP90 and HSP105 can …


Multiple Roles: Benefits Or Strain? An Examination Of The Effects Of Work And Mothering On Health Lifestyle Behaviors For Women Living With Hiv/Aids, Mercy W. Mwaria Jan 2007

Multiple Roles: Benefits Or Strain? An Examination Of The Effects Of Work And Mothering On Health Lifestyle Behaviors For Women Living With Hiv/Aids, Mercy W. Mwaria

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Does occupying multiple roles cause strain or does it lead to health lifestyle practices for women living with HIV/AIDS? Previous research has established a relationship between multiple role occupation and physical and mental wellbeing for women. Health lifestyle modifications for persons living with HIV/AIDS benefit health by slowing down disease progression and enhancing the body’s tolerance to drug therapies. This study extends these findings to a specific population of women living with HIV/AIDS and examines health lifestyle outcomes for this population. Using data from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS), the study draws on a subsample of women …


Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells And The Insulin-Like Growth Factor System In Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy, Sudipto Mukherjee Jan 2007

Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells And The Insulin-Like Growth Factor System In Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy, Sudipto Mukherjee

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The goal of this study was to determine the influence, if any, of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell tractional force generation and the contributions of vitreous insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) towards control of IGF activity. Another objective was to evaluate RPE cells as a potential source of all six high-affinity IGFBPs and to determine if IGFBP biosynthesis is modulated in concert with phenotype changes and growth factor stimuli known to be present in disease. RPE generate tractional forces in response to IGF-I and -II with IGF-I being the more potent stimulus. Differential …


Delayed Childbearing, Pregnancy Spacing And Impact On Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes: Missouri Resident Mothers 1978-1997, Sarah K. Nabukera Jan 2007

Delayed Childbearing, Pregnancy Spacing And Impact On Subsequent Pregnancy Outcomes: Missouri Resident Mothers 1978-1997, Sarah K. Nabukera

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Introduction The main objective of the study was to examine reproductive health issues among women delaying initiation of childbearing until age 30 or older. Specifically, it examined pregnancy spacing patterns, relationship between pregnancy spacing and subsequent perinatal outcomes as well as racial differences in spacing and adverse perinatal outcomes. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Missouri maternally linked live birth, fetal death and infant death files 1978-1997. The study sample was limited to mothers residing in Missouri during the study period, having first pregnancy at age 20-50 years, as well as a subsequent second pregnancy. Final study …


The Function Of Hiv-1 A-Loop On Primer Selection, Na Ni Jan 2007

The Function Of Hiv-1 A-Loop On Primer Selection, Na Ni

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Reverse transcription is the hallmark of retroviruses, such as HIV-1. A cellular tRNA bound to the primer binding site region (PBS) is used for initiation of reverse transcription. HIV-1 specially selects tRNALys3 as primer, although changing the PBS can force HIV-1 to use alternative tRNAs as a primer. However, HIV-1 reverts back to use tRNALys3 following in vitro replication. The A-loop, located upstream of PBS, interacts with the anti-codon of primer tRNA. The inclusion of A-loop modification has been shown to stabilize the utilization of some alternative tRNAs. The studies in this dissertation focus on further defining the role of …


Association Between The Exposure To Aflatoxin And Micronutrient Status Of Hiv Infected Adults In Ghana, Francis Ayodele Obuseh Jan 2007

Association Between The Exposure To Aflatoxin And Micronutrient Status Of Hiv Infected Adults In Ghana, Francis Ayodele Obuseh

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Aflatoxins, found naturally in some foods are toxic metabolites of some Aspergillus species.They constitute the most potent hepatocarcinogens known and are also mutagenic and hepatotoxic. The preponderance of evidence indicates that aflatoxin is the major cause of hepatocellular cancer. In studies conducted in Africa, food-borne aflatoxin exposure is common (Oyelami et al. 1996; Egal et al. 2005). There is a critical need for additional information on health outcomes associated with exposure to aflatoxin in humans, especially in developing countries with a higher degree of malnutrition and likelihood of HIV infections. We sought to test the hypothesis that aflatoxin B1 and …


Temperament, Sensation-Seeking, Sleep Patterns, And Alcohol Use During A Competitive Athletic Season: Predicting Injuries In College Athletes, Zachary H. Osborn Jan 2007

Temperament, Sensation-Seeking, Sleep Patterns, And Alcohol Use During A Competitive Athletic Season: Predicting Injuries In College Athletes, Zachary H. Osborn

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Temperament, sensation-seeking, general personality variables, sleep patterns, and alcohol use have all been shown to be related to injuries in both community-based and athlete samples. However, these variables have not been studied in concert with one another to examine how they might interact to predict injuries. One-hundred and seventy-eight athletes (both football and soccer) completed pre-season alcohol use and sleep pattern questionnaires, as well as personality measures. The results indicated that playing football predicted more total injuries. No other personality, sleep, or alcohol use variables were predictive of injuries or injury related variables. Analyses also indicated that football players suffered …


Regulation Of Vertebrate Gastrulation By Erbb Signaling, Shuyi Nie Jan 2007

Regulation Of Vertebrate Gastrulation By Erbb Signaling, Shuyi Nie

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ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases have long been implicated in cancer formation and progression by regulating cell division, migration, and survival. ErbBs are also essential in multiple processes during invertebrate development; however, their activities during vertebrate embryogenesis are not well understood. For functional characterization of ErbB signaling during vertebrate development, frog model Xenopus laevis was used in our studies. The expression pattern and the general activities of ErbB receptors during early frog development were first analyzed and results shown that ErbBs regulate gastrulation, somite organization and head patterning. As gastrulation is the first major morphogenetic event in vertebrate development, I focused …


Surveying The Chromosomal Supercoiling Levels In Rapidly Growing Wild Type And Gyrase Mutant Strains Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium With Γδ Resolvase-Mediated Recombination Assay, Zhenhua Pang Jan 2007

Surveying The Chromosomal Supercoiling Levels In Rapidly Growing Wild Type And Gyrase Mutant Strains Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium With Γδ Resolvase-Mediated Recombination Assay, Zhenhua Pang

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A gyrase mutant strain (gyrB652) has severe growth defect at 42°C. The survival at high temperature is dependent on DNA repair proteins. The purified mutant gyrase was assayed for supercoiling acitivity and quinolone-induced DNA cleavage activity. The results suggested that the mutant enzyme is not temperature-sensitive, but has slower kinetics than the wild type gyrase. The DNA supercoiling levels at multiple chromosomal loci in exponential phase cells were monitored with γδ resolvase-mediated recombination assay. The wild type cells showed homogenous supercoiling levels throughout most of the chromosome. But the superhelicity at dif locus was significantly lower than the other loci. …