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January 24, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

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January 22, 2025 Blazer Weekly, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

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January 17, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

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January 14, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

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January 10, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

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Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Persons Living With Hiv Who Are Homebound Due To One Or More Comorbidities Within A Southern State Using Photovoice, Anthony Alyn "Deek" Cunningham

All ETDs from UAB

At the end of 2022, there were 1,109,418 adults and adolescents with HIV in the United States and the six dependent areas of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Republic of Palau, and the US Virgin Islands (CDC, 2024). Due to ongoing advances in medications and treatments, people who have been diagnosed with HIV are living longer and healthier lives, making this a chronic health condition. Yet, there are gaps in the literature that focuses on this population growing older and aging in place. This dissertation investigated the lived experiences of individuals fifty years and older …

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Exploring The Role Of Brain Angiogenesis Inhibitor 3 (Bai3) In Regulating Body Weight, Haifa Alsahrif

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity is a significant public health issue, strongly associated with various metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Understanding the mechanisms that contribute to obesity is essential for developing effective interventions. One critical area of interest involves G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are important in regulating metabolic health. These receptors are known to be involved in critical metabolic functions such as insulin secretion, lipid metabolism, and glucose uptake. The role of the GPCR, brain angiogenesis inhibitor-3 (BAI3), in metabolic regulation has not been fully explored. This dissertation focuses on the known functions of the BAI isoforms (BAI1-3) and presents …

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January 7, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

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The Evolution Of Aids Service Organizations: The Impact Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program, Cory Alexander Howard

All ETDs from UAB

This study examines the evolution of AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) and the impact of their participation in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The research, grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, explores how the 340B program as a unique organizational resource may lead to mission expansion and an increase in service offerings among ASOs. By comparing ASOs engaged in the 340B program with those not participating, the study hypothesizes that 340B-participating ASOs are more likely to extend services beyond HIV/AIDS, including mission expansion, PrEP services, STD services, LGBTQ services, gender-affirming care, and community health services. Statistical analysis supports the hypothesis, …

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Ceo Characteristics And Performance In U.S. Community Hospitals, Michael Pilcher

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT Community hospitals (CHs) in the United States are facing significant financial and operational pressures, including narrow margins, declining reimbursements, and prolonged periods of unprofitable care (CDC, 2023; CHQPR, 2023; Morris, 2023). Given their critical role in providing healthcare access and supporting local economies, CHs require effective leadership to sustain performance and avoid closures that would have adverse community impacts (Langabeer et al., 2018). Although research connects CEO attributes with organizational performance across various sectors, there is limited focus on how these attributes impact CHs specifically, where CEOs often play dual strategic and operational roles due to typically lean leadership …

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Insights Into Rett Syndrome: Social Behavior, Bdnf-Trkb Signaling, And Dendritic Spines, Destynie Medeiros

All ETDs from UAB

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females, caused by pathogenic variants in the X-linked MECP2 gene, which encodes the transcriptional modulator Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). RTT is characterized by motor deficits, loss of speech, autistic features, and intellectual disability. A key gene regulated by MeCP2 is BDNF, encoding the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF levels are lower in multiple brain regions of Mecp2-deficient mice, and experimentally increasing BDNF levels improves several RTT phenotypes in mouse models. Due to BDNF's low blood-brain barrier permeability, we tested LM22A-4, a brain-penetrant small molecule ligand of TrkB receptors, on …

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Sialylation Of Tnfr1 By St6gal1 Modulates Receptor Dynamics And Determines Cell Fate, Jihye Hwang

All ETDs from UAB

Abnormal glycosylation has long been identified as a key feature of cancer. Aberrant glycan structures on tumor cells arise from the dysregulation of select glycosyltransferases. For example, sialyltransferase ST6GAL1 is notable for its high expression in various cancers, including breast, colon, ovarian, and pancreatic. ST6GAL1 introduces α2-6-linkage sialylation to N-glycans on proteins, endowing cancer cells with stem cell-like properties. This modification contributes to resistance to apoptosis mediated by death receptors like TNFR1. Despite its significance in cancer, the regulatory mechanisms controlling ST6GAL1 expression remain largely unexplored. Additionally, it is unclear whether the apoptosis-resistant effect of sialylation is caused by an …

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Black/African American Community Health Workers In Hhs Region 4 And Covid-19 Vaccination: Position Perspective And Power, Cecily A. Gray

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COVID-19 is caused by the novel and easily transmissible SARS-C0V-2 virus. SARS-C0V-2 was first reported in the Chinese Providence of Hubei in December 2019 and in the United States in January 2020. After nearly 120,000 confirmed global cases and 4,200 deaths in 114 countries, the WHO declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic in March of 2020. By fall of 2020, COVI9-19 had become the third leading cause of death in the United States. When compared to other groups, Black/African Americans were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to ongoing racial inequities/disparities including chronic illness. Black/African Americans who are more likely …

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Impacts Of Climate Change On Members Of Shallow Water Antarctic Communities, Hannah Elise Oswalt

All ETDs from UAB

Human-derived CO2 emissions have lowered the ocean’s pH and increased global temperatures. Low seawater pH can decrease the calcification, growth, and survival of calcifying invertebrates. Furthermore, low pH changes macroalgal growth and stress, possibly altering palatability to consumers. Global warming has decreased sea ice coverage, profoundly influencing photosynthetic organisms by altering subsurface irradiance. Shallow, hard-bottom communities along the Western Antarctic Peninsula are characterized by large macroalgal forests that shelter large numbers of mesograzers. Amphipods and macroalgae have a community-wide mutualistic relationship where macroalgae provide refuge from predatory fish while amphipods remove competing epiphytes. To understand how climate change could impact …

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A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding What Knowledge Alabama K-12 In-Service Educators Hold In Regard To School-Based Trauma-Informed Practices, Katherine Busch

All ETDs from UAB

Childhood trauma is prevalent in epidemic proportions, with data showing 40%-90% of individuals experiencing one or more childhood traumatic events that permanently changes neurobiology and stress response. These stress responses can manifest in behaviors that lead to problems in schools, including behavior issues, special education referrals, suspensions or expulsions, and decreased academic achievement. In adulthood, these traumatic stressors increase the odds of engaging in risky behaviors and developing chronic health conditions. Schools can be places of healing, promoting resilience and utilizing trauma-informed practices to help children and educators. Emerging studies show promise in the benefits of school-based trauma-informed practices, but …

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A Biomechanical Comparison Of Varying Peg Angles On Glenoid Implant Stability For Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty, Erica Nicole Schilling

All ETDs from UAB

Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) is a surgical procedure in which both the humeral head and the glenoid cavity are replaced with implants resembling the natural anatomy of the shoulder. Several complications may occur after an ATSA, but the most common is glenoid loosening, which makes up about 37.7% of these complications. The overall structure of a glenoid implant is a concave oval plate commonly manufactured from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with various stabilizing structures, including pegs, protruding from the back of the implant. For this study, the focus was on Catalyst OrthoScience’s pegged glenoid implants and how the …

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Molecular Mechanism Of Congenital Cataract Caused By G91 Deletion In Cryβa1, Akosua Konadu Boateng

All ETDs from UAB

The Deletion of Glycine 91 is a mutational hotspot in the CRYβA1 gene (mutant named βA3ΔG91), which causes autosomal dominant congenital nuclear cataracts in several ethnically diverse populations worldwide. Previous in-vitro studies of recombinant βA3ΔG91 protein revealed that this mutation results in defective protein folding, reduced solubility, and oligomerization with other crystallins. While βA3/A1-crystallin is primarily known as a structural protein in the lens, it also plays a role in autophagy regulation in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) by controlling endolysosomal acidification through the V-ATPase proton pump. This study employs a novel βA3ΔG91 knock-in mouse model to investigate the pathogenic …

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Targeting Streptococcus Mutans Diadenylate Cyclase For The Prevention Of Dental Caries, Edwin Miguel Rojas

All ETDs from UAB

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the primary etiological agent involved in the initiation and progression of dental caries. S. mutans forms robust biofilms on the tooth surface, and current preventative treatments, such as oral rinses, eliminate both pathogenic and commensal oral species. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutics which selectively inhibit S. mutans biofilms while keeping the oral microbiome intact. The diadenylate cyclase (DAC) enzyme in S. mutans plays a key role in biofilm formation. DAC converts adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into cyclic di-AMP (c-di-AMP), a secondary messenger involved in several cellular pathways. Increased levels of c-di-AMP have shown …

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Theory-Based Nutrition Education To Improve Food Security In Postsecondary Students, Tara Kelly

All ETDs from UAB

The high prevalence of food insecurity among college students is a public health concern that requires well designed interventions to address. College students experiencing food insecurity are more likely to practice diet-related behaviors that contribute to poor health, yet this population lacks the necessary knowledge and skills to make adequate behavior changes. The purpose of this present dissertation is to (1) assess preliminary data collected to inform the development of a theory-based nutrition education intervention; then (2) evaluate the feasibility of this novel intervention design and (3) its effectiveness at improving college students’ food security and factors that may impact …

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Development Of Cardiac Tissue Chip Platforms For In Vitro Modeling Of Myocardial Fibrosis, Caleb Graham

All ETDs from UAB

Myocardial fibrosis often accompanies cardiovascular disease of varying etiologies. Initial reparative myocardial remodeling following insult, characterized by fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and myofibroblast-mediated collagen deposition, can become a chronic, maladaptive process if injurious stimuli are not removed and inflammation persists, and the resultant fibrosis worsens cardiac function through myocardial stiffening and arrhythmogenic disruption of cardiomyocyte coupling. There are no FDA-approved therapies targeting myocardial fibrosis, in large part due to the complexity of the disease process. In vitro models can serve as useful complements to in vivo studies as they allow for significantly greater control over experimental variables. Cardiac tissue chips (CTCs) are …

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Impact Of Achromobacter Xylosoxidans Infection On The Cf Lung In Single-Species And Polymicrobial Infection With Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Caitlin E. Billiot

All ETDs from UAB

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a Gram-negative bacillus that acts as an opportun- istic pathogen in those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Infection with A. xylosoxidans in these populations is associated with decreased lung function. Thus, this raises the question of the role of A. xylosoxidans in CF disease progression. CF is a polymicrobial disease and A. xylosoxidans is oftentimes isolated alongside Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major CF colonizer. In the context of CF disease, it is important to understand the implications of polymicrobial infection as altered infection dynamics are observed when multiple microbes colonize together. In the first half of this work, we …

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Development Of Momordica Saponin-Based Vaccine Adjuvants, Hyunjung Kim

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Vaccine adjuvants are indispensable substances that help induce a fast, potent, and durable immune response when administered with vaccine antigens. Among the FDA-approved vaccine adjuvants for human use, three of the most recently approved ones contain saponin adjuvant QS-21. To address QS-21’s inherent drawbacks, we investigated the adjuvant activity of a series of saponin-based semisynthetic vaccine adjuvants, including VSA-1 and VSA-2, prepared from natural Momordica saponins I and II in one-step. The natural saponins precursors are isolated from the widely available and inexpensive seeds of Momordica cochinchinensis SPRENG. In general, VSA adjuvants can enhance both humoral and cellular immune responses …

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Characterizing The Molecular Complexities Of Iga1 By Serum Proteomics In The Context Of Iga Nephropathy, Mary A. Cunningham

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Immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) is the second most abundantly produced immunoglobulin in circulation per day and plays a key role in human immunity. Two molecular complexities of IgA1 make accurately studying the protein challenging. The first is that IgA1 exists in three main molecular forms in the serum of humans: monomeric (mIgA1, 80-90% of serum IgA1), polymeric (pIgA1, 10-20% of serum IgA1), and IgA1-containing immune complexes (IgA1-IC, <0.5% of serum IgA1). The second complexity is that the hinge-region of IgA1 is extensively O-glycosylated and exhibits a high level of variation in its O-glycans, particularly in the degree of sialylation. In context of the autoimmune disease IgA nephropathy (IgAN), patients have elevated levels of IgA1 that has reduced levels of galactose (Gal) in the IgA1 hinge-region (Gal-deficient IgA1). This Gal-deficient IgA1 forms immune complexes with IgG autoantibodies (IgA1-IC), deposits in the glomeruli, and induces kidney injury. While it is established that these large IgA1-IC (>700 kDa) formed in the circulation are pathogenic, there remains a gap in knowledge about other blood proteins that may be associating with IgA1 in complexes. It is also necessary to understand the native …

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Neural Mechanisms Of Proactive And Reactive Cognitive Control In Humans, Anas Khan

All ETDs from UAB

Cognitive control enables flexible, goal-directed behavior by dynamically adjusting our actions in response to changing task demands. This dissertation investigates the neural mechanisms underlying proactive and reactive cognitive control, particularly focusing on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) during tasks that require response inhibition and conflict processing. Using intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) recordings from human participants, this research examines the distinct roles of oscillatory activity in these regions in both short-term reactive adjustments and long-term proactive control strategies. Chapter 2 explores the role of low-frequency oscillations in the mid-rostral dlPFC during motor inhibition, revealing that …

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Development Of A Lifestyle Wellness Assessment For Obesity Treatment-Seeking Adults, Katie M. Ellison

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Obesity is strongly associated with, and effective at, preventing and managing cardiometabolic disease but proponents of Health at Every Size® approaches challenge the importance of weight loss for improving health. While some patients want to lose weight, there is evidence that others desire to focus on improving broader aspects of health and wellness such as metabolic, fitness, and psychosocial health. Clinicians may benefit from a comprehensive understanding of the multifactorial benefits of obesity treatments to effectively capture overall patient wellness. However, existing wellness assessments are often either not comprehensive, unreliable, or subject to time, space, or cost constraints in clinical …

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Transcriptomic Transformations And Epigenetic Elements: The Heart Of The Matter Across Diverse Cardiac Pathophysiologies, Sayan Bakshi

All ETDs from UAB

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) comprises a complex array of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels, representing the leading cause of mortality worldwide. This multifaceted nature of CVD has prompted extensive research into its molecular underpinnings and etiological diversity. Despite significant advances, the majority of CVD management strategies are guideline-based symptomatic treatment. This necessitates extensive research studies on therapeutic interventions aimed at disease prevention or cure. In this dissertation, we have employed next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques to elucidate the cardiac transcriptional and epigenetic landscape across various conditions, including ischemic heart failure (IHF), Cardiogenic shock (CS), and diabetic heart failure (DHF). Our …

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Evaluations Of Hand-Arm Vibration (Hav) Exposure And Related Vascular And Musculoskeletal Heath Effects Among Groundskeeping Workers In Southeastern U.S., Nathan Chen

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Long-term, excessive exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV) may induce vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal disorders, collectively known as hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). However, concerns arise when adopting the currently available guidelines and standards to protect workers who regularly use vibrating tools due to the lack of standardized exposure assessment methods for HAV and reliable health indicators for HAVS. The existing exposure-response relationship addressed in ISO 5349-1 was developed based on epidemiological studies predominantly performed in temperate zones. Thus, this dissertation aimed to evaluate the HAV exposure levels and vascular and muscular health effects from vibration exposure among groundskeepers in the southeastern …

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The Dopaminergic Cell-Intrinsic Clock And Bidirectional Relationships Of Circadian Disruption And Synucleinopathy, Ananya Swaroop

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Circadian rhythms are crucial endogenous cycles with period of ~24 hours that evolved to adapt to light – dark driven changes in environmental conditions. At a molecular level, circadian rhythms are generated by the actions of clock genes that form a transcriptional- translational feedback loop and regulate the rhythmic expression of downstream clock-controlled genes. Cumulatively, the actions of these molecular clocks regulate rhythmicity of physiological and behavioral processes and are extensively characterized within the central circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Like SCN neurons, dopaminergic neurons of the SN are intrinsically pacemaking, though it is unknown if this intrinsic firing …

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Role Of Ring-Box E3 Ligases In Runx2 And Sp7 Protein Turnover During Osteoblast Differentiation, Abeera Sikandar

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The bone matrix synthesis by osteoblast during skeletogenesis is regulated by several transcription factors and signaling pathways. Runx2 and Sp7 are master regulators of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Deletion of both genes in mice results in the complete failure of ossification. In humans, Sp7 and Runx2 genes mutations cause osteogenesis imperfecta and cleidocranial dysplasia, respectively. The progression of osteoblast differentiation requires a coordinated and temporal expression of Runx2 and Sp7 genes. Posttranslational modifications regulate the cellular levels and function of Runx2 and Sp7 proteins. Ubiquitination controls protein turnover through targeted degradation. The multi-subunit SCF-complex is the largest class of …

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Mechanistic Insights Of Translational Readthrough To Suppress Nonsense Mutations, Kari Thrasher

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A nonsense mutation is a point mutation in DNA that gives rise to a premature termination codon (PTC) in the open reading frame of the transcribed mRNA. Translation of this PTC-containing transcript terminates prematurely, leading to the creation of truncated non-functional protein. Translational readthrough is one therapeutic option being explored to suppress nonsense mutations that cause disease. Here, we further elucidate amino acid incorporation and the functional consequences of readthrough of nonsense mutations that cause cystic fibrosis. Additionally, we reveal the molecular mechanisms activated by a recently described small molecule readthrough agent, SRI- 41315. Finally, we discuss the various therapeutic …

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Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

January 24, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

January 22, 2025 Blazer Weekly, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

Blazer Weekly (student newsletter)

January 17, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

January 14, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

January 10, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Persons Living With Hiv Who Are Homebound Due To One Or More Comorbidities Within A Southern State Using Photovoice, Anthony Alyn "Deek" Cunningham

All ETDs from UAB

Exploring The Role Of Brain Angiogenesis Inhibitor 3 (Bai3) In Regulating Body Weight, Haifa Alsahrif

All ETDs from UAB

January 7, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

The Evolution Of Aids Service Organizations: The Impact Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program, Cory Alexander Howard

All ETDs from UAB

Ceo Characteristics And Performance In U.S. Community Hospitals, Michael Pilcher

All ETDs from UAB

Insights Into Rett Syndrome: Social Behavior, Bdnf-Trkb Signaling, And Dendritic Spines, Destynie Medeiros

All ETDs from UAB

Sialylation Of Tnfr1 By St6gal1 Modulates Receptor Dynamics And Determines Cell Fate, Jihye Hwang

All ETDs from UAB

Black/African American Community Health Workers In Hhs Region 4 And Covid-19 Vaccination: Position Perspective And Power, Cecily A. Gray

All ETDs from UAB

Impacts Of Climate Change On Members Of Shallow Water Antarctic Communities, Hannah Elise Oswalt

All ETDs from UAB

A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding What Knowledge Alabama K-12 In-Service Educators Hold In Regard To School-Based Trauma-Informed Practices, Katherine Busch

All ETDs from UAB

A Biomechanical Comparison Of Varying Peg Angles On Glenoid Implant Stability For Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty, Erica Nicole Schilling

All ETDs from UAB

Molecular Mechanism Of Congenital Cataract Caused By G91 Deletion In Cryβa1, Akosua Konadu Boateng

All ETDs from UAB

Targeting Streptococcus Mutans Diadenylate Cyclase For The Prevention Of Dental Caries, Edwin Miguel Rojas

All ETDs from UAB

Theory-Based Nutrition Education To Improve Food Security In Postsecondary Students, Tara Kelly

All ETDs from UAB

Development Of Cardiac Tissue Chip Platforms For In Vitro Modeling Of Myocardial Fibrosis, Caleb Graham

All ETDs from UAB

Impact Of Achromobacter Xylosoxidans Infection On The Cf Lung In Single-Species And Polymicrobial Infection With Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Caitlin E. Billiot

All ETDs from UAB

Development Of Momordica Saponin-Based Vaccine Adjuvants, Hyunjung Kim

All ETDs from UAB

Characterizing The Molecular Complexities Of Iga1 By Serum Proteomics In The Context Of Iga Nephropathy, Mary A. Cunningham

All ETDs from UAB

Neural Mechanisms Of Proactive And Reactive Cognitive Control In Humans, Anas Khan

All ETDs from UAB

Development Of A Lifestyle Wellness Assessment For Obesity Treatment-Seeking Adults, Katie M. Ellison

All ETDs from UAB

Transcriptomic Transformations And Epigenetic Elements: The Heart Of The Matter Across Diverse Cardiac Pathophysiologies, Sayan Bakshi

All ETDs from UAB

Evaluations Of Hand-Arm Vibration (Hav) Exposure And Related Vascular And Musculoskeletal Heath Effects Among Groundskeeping Workers In Southeastern U.S., Nathan Chen

All ETDs from UAB

The Dopaminergic Cell-Intrinsic Clock And Bidirectional Relationships Of Circadian Disruption And Synucleinopathy, Ananya Swaroop

All ETDs from UAB

Role Of Ring-Box E3 Ligases In Runx2 And Sp7 Protein Turnover During Osteoblast Differentiation, Abeera Sikandar

All ETDs from UAB

Mechanistic Insights Of Translational Readthrough To Suppress Nonsense Mutations, Kari Thrasher

All ETDs from UAB