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Statistical Methods For Set-Based Association Tests In Genetic Studies, Qi Yan Jan 2014

Statistical Methods For Set-Based Association Tests In Genetic Studies, Qi Yan

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation research focuses on developing statistical methods for set-based association tests at both pathway and gene levels in genetic studies. Set based analysis considers the biological hierarchical structure, while traditional genome-wide association studies usually focus on single-marker analysis which only access marginal effect. Therefore, pathway analysis may potentially complement single-marker analysis and provide additional insights for the genetic architecture of complex diseases. In the first study, we propose a novel way for pathway analysis that assesses the effects of genes using the sequence kernel association test (SKAT) and the effects of pathways via an extended adaptive-rank-truncated product statistic. For …

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Gene Expression Signatures In Tree Shrew Sclera In Different Visual Conditions, Lin Guo Jan 2014

Gene Expression Signatures In Tree Shrew Sclera In Different Visual Conditions, Lin Guo

All ETDs from UAB

The sclera is a target tissue that receives signals that are initiated in the retina, cascade through retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid, and cause scleral extra cellular matrix remodeling. Biomechanical alterations of the sclera are produced by these biochemical changes, and in turn control the axial length of the eye. This dissertation project examined scleral gene expression changes in mRNA level of juvenile tree shrews. Three specific aims were investigated: specific aim one tested the hypothesis that three different GO visual conditions that all produce axial elongation and myopia: minus-lens wear, form deprivation, and continuous darkness, will produce similar …

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Evaluation Of Municipal Wastewater In The Vicinity Of Birmingham, Alabama For Estrogens Using Vitellogenin Gene Expression In Largescale Stonerollers (Campostoma Oligolepis), Shara Blackwell Legg Jan 2014

Evaluation Of Municipal Wastewater In The Vicinity Of Birmingham, Alabama For Estrogens Using Vitellogenin Gene Expression In Largescale Stonerollers (Campostoma Oligolepis), Shara Blackwell Legg

All ETDs from UAB

Environmental endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have become a growing threat to the health of humans and wildlife. Numerous studies have demonstrated the presence of EDCs in freshwater aquatic environments. Environmental estrogens, both natural and synthetic, appear to be posing a threat to the reproductive fitness of aquatic organisms. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as significant routes by which the EDCs enter waterways. The egg yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (VTG) has proven to be a useful biomarker that can be used to identify organisms that have been exposed to environmental estrogens. In this study, a quantitative RT-PCR assay for …

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Alpha-Camkii-Induced Vegf Expression Is Critical For The Growth Of Human Osteosarcoma, Paul Glenn Daft Jan 2014

Alpha-Camkii-Induced Vegf Expression Is Critical For The Growth Of Human Osteosarcoma, Paul Glenn Daft

All ETDs from UAB

Osteosarcoma (OS) is among the most frequently occurring primary bone tumors, primarily affecting adolescents and young adults. Despite improvements in OS treatment, more specific molecular targets are needed. One target of interest is alpha-Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (α-CaMKII), a ubiquitous mediator of Ca2+-linked signaling, which has been shown to regulate tumor cell proliferation. Here, we show that α-CaMKII is highly expressed in primary OS tissue, and α-CaMKII deletion in human OS cell lines significantly reduces tumor burden in vivo. This inhibition of α-CaMKII results in decreased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein secretion. Highly aggressive OS cells express VEGF receptor …

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Patient And System Level Factors As Predictors Of Adherence To Antiretroviral Therapy Appointment Schedules In Cambodia, Gary T. Daigle Jan 2014

Patient And System Level Factors As Predictors Of Adherence To Antiretroviral Therapy Appointment Schedules In Cambodia, Gary T. Daigle

All ETDs from UAB

PATIENT AND SYSTEM LEVEL FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY APPOINTMENT SCHEDULES IN CAMBODIA GARY T. DAIGLE EPIDEMIOLOGY / INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ABSTRACT On-time attendance at clinical appointments by patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential to the prevention of medication interruptions, viral rebound, drug resistance, and long term mortality. An observational study conducted in 2010, Enablers and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Cambodia, sought to identify factors that predict on-time clinical appointment attendance by patients on ART. These factors were classified as either ART patient level factors (e.g. demographic, clinical) or patient care and support system level factors …

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Autism And Work: The Impact Of Comorbidity On Employment, Karen Harris Jan 2014

Autism And Work: The Impact Of Comorbidity On Employment, Karen Harris

All ETDs from UAB

included sex ratio predictions for every nest in the main egg corral for 2007 and 2008.

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Analysis Of Debris From Implant Prostheses, Mehran Varedi Jan 2014

Analysis Of Debris From Implant Prostheses, Mehran Varedi

All ETDs from UAB

Objectives: The specific aim of this study was to analyze any entrapped debris in implant abutment screw threads from post processed constructs from dental laboratories. Materials and Methods: Forty implant screws were used to collect debris where screws were removed from the implant prosthesis as received from dental laboratories. In all samples, laboratory procedures including fabrication of the custom abutment, definitive prosthesis and finishing/polishing were completed prior to sampling. Twenty-nine screws were from titanium and eleven screws were from zirconia abutments. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses of collected particulate products from abutment screws were done for all specimens. Results: The …

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Genetic And Epigenetic Changes Regulated By Bioactive Molecules In Cancer Therapeutics, Sabita Saldanha Jan 2014

Genetic And Epigenetic Changes Regulated By Bioactive Molecules In Cancer Therapeutics, Sabita Saldanha

All ETDs from UAB

Cancer biogenesis stems from genetic and epigenetic changes that regulate various signaling pathways responsible for growth, division, and proliferation. Genetic changes occur through mutations that contribute to loss of function, overexpression or repression of proteins involved in metabolic pathways. The changes place individuals at risk to diseases, including cancer. However, epigenetics is a mechanism of gene control that occurs through changes in chromatin structure without alterations to the DNA sequence and is mostly reversible. Epigenetic alterations have been implicated in colorectal cancers (CRCs), transforming normal colonic epithelial cells. Aberrant DNA methylation and chromatin modifications have been shown to contribute to …

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Rhodopsin As A Model For Gpcr Trafficking And Its Role In Outer Segment Formation, Joshua D. Sammons Jan 2014

Rhodopsin As A Model For Gpcr Trafficking And Its Role In Outer Segment Formation, Joshua D. Sammons

All ETDs from UAB

Rhodopsin is a prototypical G-protein coupled receptor whose biological function has been well worked out, yet little is known about the mechanism by which it is so efficiently transported to the rod outer segment (ROS) after synthesis. If rhodopsin is not efficiently transported to the ROS, rod cells will apoptose leading to cone cell apoptosis as well which results in the blinding disease retinitis pigmentosa. Work has begun to elucidate proteins responsible for transporting rhodopsin to the ROS using Xenopus laevis as a model since the photoreceptors of this amphibian are large and transgenic animals are relatively easy to prepare. …

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The Effects Of Estrogen On Learning And Memory, Carol Yvette Harden Jan 2014

The Effects Of Estrogen On Learning And Memory, Carol Yvette Harden

All ETDs from UAB

Learning is the process in which new information is acquired and requires cellular modifications that occur in the hippocampus. These cellular changes can be seen through behavioral modifications which indicate memorization of the previously learned material. Increases in phosphorylation of the extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), a subfamily of MAPKs alters synaptic efficacy making it a correlate for learning and memory. Additionally, surges in plasma 17ß estradiol (E2) levels can increase synaptic plasticity, suggesting an importance for the role of E2 in cognition. Both human and animals studies have shown that elevated levels of estrogen correlated to an enhancement in …

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Southern African American Women's Perception Of Cononary Artery Disease After A Myocardial Infarction: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Loretta Jones Jan 2014

Southern African American Women's Perception Of Cononary Artery Disease After A Myocardial Infarction: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Loretta Jones

All ETDs from UAB

The American Heart Association (AHA) reported that cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 50,000 African-American (AA) women annually. Of AA women ages 20 and older, 49% have heart diseases. Only 52% of AA women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and only 36% of AA women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of African American women, 50 years and older, who had experienced a myocardial infarction within the past five years. The primary research questions addressed the women's knowledge of risk factors, …

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The Effect Of Medicaid Dental Coverage On Dental Care Utilization Among Older Americans, Ahyuda Oh Jan 2014

The Effect Of Medicaid Dental Coverage On Dental Care Utilization Among Older Americans, Ahyuda Oh

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation examines the impact of Medicaid dental coverage on dental care utilization and oral health outcome of low-income elderly and non-elderly adults, using a fixed-effects model with longitudinal data of all states and multiple years from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS). By exploiting within-state variation over time in adult Medicaid dental coverage, the study estimates the effects of Medicaid dental coverage on dental care utilization (i.e., dental visits and dental cleanings) and oral health outcome (i.e., tooth loss). The study evaluates the effects of Medicaid dental benefits with preventive dental services on each of the three dental …

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Usp16 And Histone H2a Deubiquitination In Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Function, Wei Yang Jan 2014

Usp16 And Histone H2a Deubiquitination In Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Function, Wei Yang

All ETDs from UAB

In eukaryotic cells, genomic DNA is packaged into a chromatin structure by association with histone and non-histone proteins. Posttranslational modifications of histones play important roles in the regulation of chromatin structure and function. Ubiquitination of histone H2A (ubH2A) represents a predominate modification, occurring on ~10% of total cellular H2A. While H2A ubiquitination is primarily conferred by Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1), H2A deubiquitination has been attributed to multiple H2A deubiquitinases. Our laboratory previously reported the purification and functional characterization of a H2A-specific deubiquitinase, USP16 (initially named as Ubp-M) in human cells. However, whether USP16 represents a general and important regulator …

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The Roles Of Mammalian Tribbles Homolog 3 (Trib3) In Coordinating Energy Metabolism And Development Of Insulin Resistance, Wei Zhang Jan 2014

The Roles Of Mammalian Tribbles Homolog 3 (Trib3) In Coordinating Energy Metabolism And Development Of Insulin Resistance, Wei Zhang

All ETDs from UAB

Insulin resistance in diabetics comprises of a reversible component treatable with intensive glycemic control and a non-reversible component present in pre-diabetes that may lead to the development of overt diabetes. The reversible component is induced and exacerbated by hyperglycemia in both uncontrolled type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a process known as glucose-induced insulin resistance (GIIR) or glucose toxicity. The tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3) has been identified as a pseudokinase that inhibits Akt activity by physically blocking its phosphorylation site. Expression of TRIB3 has been associated with various signals such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and nutrient availability in pancreatic …

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Cutting Effectiveness Of Diamond Burs On Dental Zirconia., Ching-Kai Lin Jan 2014

Cutting Effectiveness Of Diamond Burs On Dental Zirconia., Ching-Kai Lin

All ETDs from UAB

Monolithic zirconia restorations are popular but removing these crowns is difficult. The purpose of the study is to measure and compare the cutting effectiveness of 10 types of diamond burs through monolithic sintered zirconia. Ten types of diamond burs (n=8) were compared for the cutting effectiveness in Zirconia (CERCON; DeguDent) using a high speed computer controlled cutting device with water spray (5.45L/min). The turbine used to cut the blocks rotated at 150,000 rpm and with the burs at a depth of 2mm into the zirconia during cutting. A 100 gm load was applied during cutting for each bur which made …

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Themistocles Or Leonidas?, Chris Perry Jan 2014

Themistocles Or Leonidas?, Chris Perry

Vulcan Historical Review

pp. 191-193

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Inquiro 8 (Complete Issue), Inquiro Staff Jan 2014

Inquiro 8 (Complete Issue), Inquiro Staff

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

No abstract provided.

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Birmingham Pollution: No Longer The "Toxic City"?, Alex Chang Jan 2014

Birmingham Pollution: No Longer The "Toxic City"?, Alex Chang

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 6-8

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Tapping The Mysteries Of Drinking Water, Neha Udayakumar Jan 2014

Tapping The Mysteries Of Drinking Water, Neha Udayakumar

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 12-13

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A "Cooler" Approach To Long-Term Organ Preservation, Susmita Murthy Jan 2014

A "Cooler" Approach To Long-Term Organ Preservation, Susmita Murthy

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 16-17

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The Effects Of Politics On The Efficacy And Efficiency Of Research, Emily Jennings Jan 2014

The Effects Of Politics On The Efficacy And Efficiency Of Research, Emily Jennings

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 18-19

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Schizophrenia: An Entire Orchestra At Play, Hriday Bhambhvani Jan 2014

Schizophrenia: An Entire Orchestra At Play, Hriday Bhambhvani

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 20-21

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Understanding And Detecting Frontotemporal Dementia, Aashka Patel Jan 2014

Understanding And Detecting Frontotemporal Dementia, Aashka Patel

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 22-23

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Research In A Setting That Hits Home, Ramsha Farrukh, Emil Kurian, Jessica Maya Jan 2014

Research In A Setting That Hits Home, Ramsha Farrukh, Emil Kurian, Jessica Maya

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 23-24

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Isolation And Characterization Of Ltdan, A Novel Phage Infecting Acinetobacter Guillouiae, Emil Kurian, Jessica Maya, Katrina Sahawneh, Sarah Swalley, Edwin Tsay, Beth Tuttle, Neha Udayakumar, Justin Wimberly, Tiffany Colburn, Jordan Gallardo, Alex Johnson, Sean Mcmahon, Brenna Nye, Brooke Pruitt, Surabhi Rao, Sarahanne Davidson, Denise Monti Jan 2014

Isolation And Characterization Of Ltdan, A Novel Phage Infecting Acinetobacter Guillouiae, Emil Kurian, Jessica Maya, Katrina Sahawneh, Sarah Swalley, Edwin Tsay, Beth Tuttle, Neha Udayakumar, Justin Wimberly, Tiffany Colburn, Jordan Gallardo, Alex Johnson, Sean Mcmahon, Brenna Nye, Brooke Pruitt, Surabhi Rao, Sarahanne Davidson, Denise Monti

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 27-31

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Forebrain-Specific Sirt1 Knockout Is Sufficient To Produce Selective Spatial Memory Impairments, Daniel Gilliam, Frankie Heyward, J David Sweatt Jan 2014

Forebrain-Specific Sirt1 Knockout Is Sufficient To Produce Selective Spatial Memory Impairments, Daniel Gilliam, Frankie Heyward, J David Sweatt

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 36-39

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Inquiro 8 (End Matter), Inquiro Staff Jan 2014

Inquiro 8 (End Matter), Inquiro Staff

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 65-70

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Eating The Eighteenth-Century Still Life, Mary Moore Jan 2014

Eating The Eighteenth-Century Still Life, Mary Moore

Birmingham Poetry Review

p. 109

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The Involvement Of The Ca2+-Independent Phospholipase A2ss In The Pathogenesis Of Type 1 Diabetes, Robert N. Bone Jan 2014

The Involvement Of The Ca2+-Independent Phospholipase A2ss In The Pathogenesis Of Type 1 Diabetes, Robert N. Bone

All ETDs from UAB

chapters test the role of non-steady moisture or temperature on sex ratios produced by the

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Synaptic And Circuit Mechanisms Of Glutamate Spillover Signaling, Luke Teichert Coddington Jan 2014

Synaptic And Circuit Mechanisms Of Glutamate Spillover Signaling, Luke Teichert Coddington

All ETDs from UAB

Glutamate is the most prominent fast excitatory neurotransmitter released at mammalian central synapses, where point-to-point activation of receptors in postsynaptic densities is accepted to be the primary pathway for information flow through neural circuits. More controversial are the activities of synaptically-released glutamate outside the synaptic cleft of origin, as "spillover" glutamate may signal through neighboring synapses or through extrasynaptic receptors. The role of such extrasynaptic signaling in physiological neuronal communication is unproven and its inappropriate occurrence has been proposed to underlie a range of neurodegenerative conditions. Elucidation of spillover signaling mechanisms thus benefits our understanding of the brain in both …

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