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The Impact Of Fine Sensor Spacing On Complex Tissue Impedance Spectra Measurements In Rabbit Ventricular Epicardium, Charlotte Mae Kent Waits Jan 2013

The Impact Of Fine Sensor Spacing On Complex Tissue Impedance Spectra Measurements In Rabbit Ventricular Epicardium, Charlotte Mae Kent Waits

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Our research group recently developed an instrumentation and signal processing approach that overcomes many of the obstacles associated with using small sensors to complete complex composite impedance (uCI) measurements, whose amplitude and phase depend upon the tissue's resistive and capacitive properties. The goal of this study was to test the feasibility of using smaller electrodes with finer separations than sizes traditionally employed in cardiac electrophysiologic studies with whole hearts to resolve uCI spectra in terms of magnitude (|uCI|) and phase (

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The Role Of Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A (Pcpa) In The Mechanism Of Virulence And Protective Immunity, Melissa Marie Walker Jan 2013

The Role Of Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A (Pcpa) In The Mechanism Of Virulence And Protective Immunity, Melissa Marie Walker

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pcpA is under control of the Mn 2-dependent repressor PsaR. In the high manganese environment of mucosal sites pcpA gene expression is repressed and at the low manganese environment of the lung and blood derepression of pcpA gene expressionis observed. Previous data has shown that immunization of mice with rPcpA elicits protection against pneumonia and sepsis but had no effect on nasal colonization. We and others have shown that pcpA expression significantly enhances adherence of pneumococci to lung epithelial cell lines and although it is a virulence factor for pneumonia in mice there is no biologically relevant role for PcpA …

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Synthesis Of Ph-Responsive Multilayer Hydrogels And Amphiphilic Block Copolymers, Yun Wang Jan 2013

Synthesis Of Ph-Responsive Multilayer Hydrogels And Amphiphilic Block Copolymers, Yun Wang

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The research presented in this thesis is focused at the design and fabrication of pH-responsive layer-by-layer (LbL) hydrogels and the synthesis of the ABA block copolymer poly(2-methyloxazoline)-block-poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-poly(2-methyl-oxazoline) (PMOXA-b-PDMS-b-PMOXA). Ultrathin stimuli-responsive layer-by-layer hydrogels, as compared to bulk hydrogels, can respond to external stimuli in a short time range (usually within seconds) which renders them particularly useful in sensing. Moreover, layer-by-layer technique allows the hydrogel film to be deposited with controlled thickness growth. However, the fabrication of LbL hydrogels with controllable cross-linking density and swelling degree still remains challenging. In chapter two, novel pH-sensitive LbL hydrogels based on poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) were …

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Pregnancy Intentions Of Impoverished African American Boys, Jasmine Darrington Ward Jan 2013

Pregnancy Intentions Of Impoverished African American Boys, Jasmine Darrington Ward

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Despite a 20-year low, the United States continues to have the highest teen pregnancy and birth rates among all industrialized countries. As teen childbearing is associated with adverse consequences for teen mothers, fathers, and their children; it remains a priority of public health professionals, policymakers, and practitioners. Although empirical data reporting sexual determinants of teen pregnancy (such as frequency of intercourse, number of sexual partners, condom or contraceptive use, and early sexual debut) commonly tie males into conversations surrounding teen pregnancy; studies that explore the complexities of pathways to adolescent paternity are limited. Using adolescent data from the Mobile Youth …

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Anti-Group B Streptococci Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Against Invasive Aspergillosis, Rebekah Wharton Jan 2013

Anti-Group B Streptococci Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Against Invasive Aspergillosis, Rebekah Wharton

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Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus which can potentially cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Although a serious threat, current treatments are largely ineffective at reducing morbidity and mortality. To this end, we have characterized a monoclonal antibody generated against Group B Streptococci, type Ib, which also recognizes Aspergillus fumigatus conidia and hyphae. We show that this antibody appears to bind a similar epitope on both pathogens and provides a significant degree of protection in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis via a mechanism that appears to be dependent on complement. The studies we performed using this antibody should …

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Application Of Next-Generation Sequencing And Bioinformatics Approaches For Elucidating Microbial Diversity And For Bioprospecting In Antarctic Freshwater Lake Ecosystems, Jonathan Huang Jan 2013

Application Of Next-Generation Sequencing And Bioinformatics Approaches For Elucidating Microbial Diversity And For Bioprospecting In Antarctic Freshwater Lake Ecosystems, Jonathan Huang

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Antarctic freshwater ecosystems offer a unique opportunity to study the microbial biodiversity, adaptation, function, and interaction in extreme environments. In general, there is a dearth of higher trophic organisms in Antarctic freshwater lakes thus microbes are essential for the sustainability of biological life. This study describes the similarities and differences in microbial diversity among seasonal and perennially ice-covered lacustrine ecosystems from East and West Antarctica. In particular, we investigated the microbial diversity in three different freshwater lakes, (1) seasonal lakes of the Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica, (2) perennially ice-covered Lake Untersee, East Antarctica, and (3) perennially ice-covered Lake Joyce, West …

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Genetic And Biochemical Characterizations Of The Capsular Glycosyltransferases In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, David Boyd Anthony James Jan 2013

Genetic And Biochemical Characterizations Of The Capsular Glycosyltransferases In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, David Boyd Anthony James

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The principle objective of this dissertation is to develop a thorough understanding of the genetics and biochemistry of capsule synthesis. Specifically, it involves the identification and characterization of the capsular glycosyltransferases in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2, with investigations into their regulation. S. pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a significant human pathogen that has the ability to persist as a commensal and then transition to a virulent state, the latter of which is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of S. pneumoniae is a protective surface structure that plays an integral role in this disease process. …

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Marcks Is A Regulator Of Growth, Radiation Sensitivity And Is A Novel Prognostic Factor For Glioblastoma Multiforme, John Jarboe Jan 2013

Marcks Is A Regulator Of Growth, Radiation Sensitivity And Is A Novel Prognostic Factor For Glioblastoma Multiforme, John Jarboe

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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadly primary brain malignancy necessitating improved understanding of GBM biology. In this study, we explore the role of Myristoylated Alanine Rich C-Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) in the context of GBM. We have discovered that the MARCKS protein regulates GBM growth as well as response to radiation therapy through its effects on proliferation, senescence, and DNA repair based on our studies in cell culture and in patient-derived xenograft tumors implanted in mice. Importantly, our analysis of clinical patient data demonstrates that MARCKS is an independent predictor for outcome in GBM patients. Indeed, high MARCKS …

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Usp49 And H2b Deubiquitination In Chromatin And Cellular Function, Amanda E. Jones Jan 2013

Usp49 And H2b Deubiquitination In Chromatin And Cellular Function, Amanda E. Jones

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Histones are globular proteins which help package and organize DNA in the eukaryotic nucleus. The four core histones, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, combine with approximately 146 base pairs of DNA to form a nucleosome, the fundamental unit of chromatin. Post-translational modifications to the C-terminal and N-terminal histone tails regulate chromatin structure and function, and play important roles in transcriptional regulation, replication, DNA damage response, and mRNA processing. Histone H2B ubiquitination is an evolutionarily conserved modification with roles in gene expression and DNA damage repair. In addition, H2B ubiquitination may also regulate mRNA splicing. Here, we identify USP49, a cysteine …

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The Effect Of An Intensive Oral Hygiene Regimen On Gingival Inflammation During Pregnancy: Clinical And Laboratory Analysis, Maninder Kaur Jan 2013

The Effect Of An Intensive Oral Hygiene Regimen On Gingival Inflammation During Pregnancy: Clinical And Laboratory Analysis, Maninder Kaur

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Background: Recent evidence suggests that systemic inflammation as host immune response to oral microbial challenge may well underlie the observed association between periodontal disease and preterm birth/low birth weight (PTB/LBW). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of vigorous oral hygiene regimen on gingival inflammation and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)/serum biomarkers (TNF-&alpha, IL-1&beta and IL-6) during pregnancy and its impact on pregnancy outcome. Methods: 120 participants with pregnancy between 16-24 weeks gestation and with gingival index (GI) scores &ge 2 at &ge 50 % of tooth sites were recruited from the available pool of patients at …

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The Role Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors In Ameliorating Memory Dysfunction Of An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Mark Kilgore Jan 2013

The Role Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors In Ameliorating Memory Dysfunction Of An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Mark Kilgore

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, along with cognitive impairments that progress to dementia and eventually death. The development of drug treatments that rescue memory deficits could be a promising therapy given in the early stages of AD. In the following studies, we tested the potential for systemic treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to ameliorate cognitive deficits in a mouse model of AD. Using the APPSwe/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD, we showed that giving HDAC inhibitors systemically for 3 weeks reversed contextual memory deficits, stably maintained memories over a 2-week …

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Hepatitis B Vaccination Among High-Risk Adults: Results From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), 2007-2010, Hope S. King Jan 2013

Hepatitis B Vaccination Among High-Risk Adults: Results From The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (Nhanes), 2007-2010, Hope S. King

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Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can be prevented and controlled through vaccination. However, only 24%-50% of high-risk adults in the United States (U.S.) have been vaccinated against HBV infection. Methods: Data were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for two time periods, 2003-2006 (n=6459 adults) and 2007-2010 (n=6652 adults) to (1) assess the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination uptake and the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational level factors that may be associated with receiving hepatitis B vaccination among U.S. adults and (2) assess whether any changes occurred in the prevalence of and factors associated with hepatitis …

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Hard On Your Heart: A Qualitative Description Of Adolescent Prenatal Stress, Candace Clayton Knight Jan 2013

Hard On Your Heart: A Qualitative Description Of Adolescent Prenatal Stress, Candace Clayton Knight

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Introduction: Pregnancy during adolescence is potentially stressful due to the concurrent tasks of navigating the typically tumultuous adolescent stage of development and the life altering experience of pregnancy (Kaye, 2008). There is a growing body of research linking prenatal stress to poor birth and developmental outcomes such as premature birth and low birth weight infants (K. Keenan, Sheffield, & Boeldt, 2007; Mulder et al., 2002), which makes describing the relatively unexplored perceptions and experience of stress during adolescent pregnancy important. The life course framework, with its emphasis on social, environmental, and family risk factors, has implications for reducing disparities among …

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Microbial Responses To Mc252 In Gulf Of Mexico Sediments Using Btefap And Bioinformatics Tools, Hyunmin Koo Jan 2013

Microbial Responses To Mc252 In Gulf Of Mexico Sediments Using Btefap And Bioinformatics Tools, Hyunmin Koo

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We investigated the changes of the bacterial community to treatment of Mississippi Canyon Macondo oil (MC252) in Gulf of Mexico (GoM) coastal sediment microcosms collected from Bayou La Batre, Dauphin Island, Petit Bois Island, and Perdido Pass. We utilized molecular methods by targeting the V3-V5 region of the16S rRNA gene from metacommunity DNA through culture-dependent and culture-independent (Bacterial Tag-encoded FLX Amplified Pyrosequencing; bTEFAP) methodologies and downstream bioinformatics tools. Through bTEFAP, we generated a total of 11,338 (Bayou La Batre) and 38,104 (Dauphin Island, Petit Bois Island, and Perdido Pass) reads. After quality-based trimming, a total of 8,430 (Bayou La Batre) …

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Cyclic Gmp Phosphodiesterase As A Novel Target For Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention, Nan Li Jan 2013

Cyclic Gmp Phosphodiesterase As A Novel Target For Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention, Nan Li

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) display promising antineoplastic activity for colorectal and other cancers, but toxicity from cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition limits their long-term use for chemoprevention. However, many investigators have concluded that COX-independent mechanisms are responsible for their antineoplastic activity. We previously reported that cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cGMP PDE) is a non-COX target of sulindac sulfide (SS). However, the specific isozyme families involved have not been well studied. Here we demonstrate that SS inhibits the growth of colon tumor cells through a novel mechanism involving inhibition of two cGMP degrading isozymes, PDE5 and PDE10, to activate cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). …

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Biomimetic Self-Assembled Nanomatrix For Pancreatic Islet Transplantation, Dong-Jin Lim Jan 2013

Biomimetic Self-Assembled Nanomatrix For Pancreatic Islet Transplantation, Dong-Jin Lim

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In an attempt to treat type 1 diabetes, pancreatic islet transplantation (PIT) had been studied, but only 10% of recipients showed maintained insulin independence after 5-year post-islet transplantation, indicating that there remains a constant demand for improving the efficacy of PIT. For a successful PIT, critical factors should be addressed: immune protection, revascularization, and ECM-microenvironment reconstitution. Among them, this study was aimed to develop an ECM mimetic scaffold that reconstitutes the ECM derived microenvironment for an isolated beta cell and islet. A growing body of studies also indicates that the pancreatic ECM is of importance in islet survival and function. …

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Surveying The Serum Proteome For Biomarkers Of Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer, Michael Robert Ludwig Jan 2013

Surveying The Serum Proteome For Biomarkers Of Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer, Michael Robert Ludwig

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SURVEYING THE SERUM PROTEOME FOR BIOMARKERS OF EARLY STAGE PANCREATIC CANCER MICHAEL ROBERT LUDWIG MICROBIOLOGY ABSTRACT Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a uniformly fatal disease due to its refractory nature to conventional therapies at the time of initial diagnosis. In order to in-crease the curative potential of surgical resection, early detection of organ-confined neoplasia is needed. Currently, no effective diagnostic tools are available to detect early-stage pancreatic ductal lesions termed pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) or lo-cally invasive, organ-confined disease. One way to identify biomarkers that may be use-ful for the early detection of PDAC is through the study of the …

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From Family Violence To Dating Violence: Testing The Dual Pathway Model, Anjana Madan Jan 2013

From Family Violence To Dating Violence: Testing The Dual Pathway Model, Anjana Madan

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Family violence in childhood is an established predictor of later adolescent dating violence. Additional predictors of adolescent dating violence include individual beliefs about violence, peer interactions, aggressive behavior, and cross-gender violence. However, these factors have not been integrated into a single comprehensive model of dating violence development. Thus, using the proposed dual pathway model, the present study examined prospective links between family violence exposure in pre-adolescence; proviolent beliefs, aggression, deviant peer affiliation, and cross-gender violence in early adolescence; and dating violence involvement in late adolescence; as well as examined gender and ethnic differences in these relationships. A sample of 456 …

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Perception Of Attractiveness: A Comparison Of Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Images, Aksana Marshall Jan 2013

Perception Of Attractiveness: A Comparison Of Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Images, Aksana Marshall

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Introduction: The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate whether there is a difference in perception of facial attractiveness when viewing two-dimensional (2D) versus three-dimensional images (3D) within each population studied (Caucasian, African American, and Chinese), (2) to evaluate whether panels of raters with different levels of orthodontic education would give similar facial attractiveness scores, and (3) to identify the soft tissue features that influence facial attractiveness when viewing 2D and 3D images. Materials and methods: A total of 60 3D images from three populations selected for this study were acquired using a 3dMDfaceTM system (Atlanta, GA) and were …

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Non-Random Mutations In Yeast: An Examination Of Yeast Genetics During Selection Cycling, Christopher Mcatee Jan 2013

Non-Random Mutations In Yeast: An Examination Of Yeast Genetics During Selection Cycling, Christopher Mcatee

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The appearance of genomic mutation is generally considered a random process, during which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and other DNA alterations are selected and fixed by virtue of beneficial effects on fitness. Recent studies have provided examples of induced mutations in response to stress, including the suggestion of biased SNP formation that favors certain adaptations. This project analyzed the appearance and accumulation of mutations in S. cerevisiae following exposure to two lethal forms of selective pressure. A mutation/reversion cycle was established in which 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FoA) served as an environmental stress to identify the functional loss of URA3 (a gene …

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The Role Of Palmitoylation And Other Post-Translational Modifications In Cftr Biogenesis, Michelle Mcclure Jan 2013

The Role Of Palmitoylation And Other Post-Translational Modifications In Cftr Biogenesis, Michelle Mcclure

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Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are important contributors to protein bio-genesis and function. CFTR in particular is known to be regulated by multiple PTMs, in-cluding glycosylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. The functional significance and specific CFTR residues responsible for the majority of PTMs within CFTR are not known. The goal of this dissertation was to identify and characterize novel PTMs that influence wild-type and F508del CFTR. The study employed a combination of tandem and multiple reaction ion monitoring mass spectrometry to identify covalent side chain attachments. Analysis revealed the specific locations of numerous phosphorylated resi-dues, several sites of methylation, and more than twenty-five …

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Characterizing The Roles Of Il-11 And Cd68 In Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis, Erin Mills Mccoy Jan 2013

Characterizing The Roles Of Il-11 And Cd68 In Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis, Erin Mills Mccoy

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The molecular mechanisms regulating the preferential metastasis of breast cancer to bone have not been fully elucidated, but it is hypothesized that local conditions in the bone create an environment conducive to colonization by breast cancer cells and that the breast cancer cells interact directly with cells in the bone. In this dissertation, two goals were pursued: (1) to explore breast cancer secreted interleukin (IL)-11's role on osteoclast function and (2) investigate the expression and potential role of CD68 in breast cancer adhesion to bone. Higher rates of bone metastasis occur in human breast cancer tumors expressing IL-11, a cytokine …

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Apparent Change In Obesity-Mortality Associations: Methodological Issues In Survival Analyses With Censored Outcomes, Tapan Shirish Mehta Jan 2013

Apparent Change In Obesity-Mortality Associations: Methodological Issues In Survival Analyses With Censored Outcomes, Tapan Shirish Mehta

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Analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have suggested that the mortality rate (MR) associated with obesity has decreased over calendar time. However, there has been conflicting evidence about the apparent change in the obesity-MR over calendar time. This dissertation investigates some of the empirical and methodological issues involved in assessing the longitudinal change in the obesity-mortality associations. In the first manuscript, Obesity and Mortality: Are the Risks Declining? Evidence from Multiple Prospective Studies in the U.S., a multiple longitudinal design is proposed and implemented to evaluate whether the obesity-mortality associations have declined over calendar time after …

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The Effects Of Extremes Of Ph On The Growth And Transcriptomic Profiles Of Three Haloarchaea, Aida Moran-Reyna Jan 2013

The Effects Of Extremes Of Ph On The Growth And Transcriptomic Profiles Of Three Haloarchaea, Aida Moran-Reyna

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The Archaea represent a fascinating domain of life where each species comprises a hybrid of bacterial and eukaryal features. Unfortunately, there have been few investigations of the Archaea and many fundamental questions remain regarding their biochemistry, genetics, and genomics. One reason for this is that few archaea are amenable to detailed experimental analysis; however, a few halophilic archaea (haloarchaea) can be easily manipulated in the laboratory and contain a sequenced genome, allowing for bioinformatics studies, such as recording changes in the transcriptomes. Haloarchaea are found wherever seawater is concentrated above 2 M NaCl and contain a similarly high concentration of …

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Microevolution Of Capsule Synthesis Genes Contributes To Pneumococcal Capsule Diversity, Melissa Beth Oliver Jan 2013

Microevolution Of Capsule Synthesis Genes Contributes To Pneumococcal Capsule Diversity, Melissa Beth Oliver

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Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an important human pathogen that expresses a capsular polysaccharide (PS) to shield underlying antigenic structures from complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis. Thus, capsular PS is the major virulence factor, the target of primary immune responses to pneumococcal infections, and the antigenic component of pneumococcal vaccines. Pneumococci have diverse capsular PS synthesis (cps) loci and express over 90 different capsule types. Such diversity helps pneumococci escape immune detection and adapt to changing environments. Recombination of cps genes has been recognized as the main driver of capsule diversity. However, we show point mutations in cps genes encoding glycosyltransferases can broaden enzymes' …

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Understanding The Relation Between Routines And Problem Behaviors In Children With Clinical Diagnoses, Mark Ryan Pennick Jan 2013

Understanding The Relation Between Routines And Problem Behaviors In Children With Clinical Diagnoses, Mark Ryan Pennick

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The current study investigated the impact of routines on problem behaviors in children with the clinical diagnoses of either PDD, ADHD, or depression/anxiety. Previous research has identified negative relations between externalizing behaviors and routines as well as a link between using routines and having positive parenting. The study extends these findings to children with these various diagnoses and also to internalizing symptoms. In our sample negative relations were found between routines, as measured by the Child Routines Inventory (CRI), and both internalizing and externalizing symptoms when all groups were examined together. Additionally routines were found to moderate the relation between …

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Msx1 Mutations And Their Binding Interactions, Divakar Prakash Jan 2013

Msx1 Mutations And Their Binding Interactions, Divakar Prakash

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Orofacial clefting (OFC), also called cleft lip and/or palate, is the most common congenital birth anomaly that involve the craniofacial region in humans. The etiology of Non-Syndromic OFC (NS-OFC) is complex and multifactorial; a slew of genetic mutations, standing alone or in combinations, along with several environmental factors, play a major role in the disease process. Numerous linkage and association studies in humans, as well as expression studies and knockout mouse models, have implicated Muscle segment homeobox gene 1 (MSX1), which encodes a homeodomain/DNA binding domain (HD) containing transcription factor as a strong candidate contributing to NS-OFC and Tooth Agenesis …

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High Density Genotyping For Immunogenetic Polymorphisms Associated With Transmission And Control Of Hiv-1 Infection In Zambian Heterosexual Serodiscordant Couples, Heather Prentice Jan 2013

High Density Genotyping For Immunogenetic Polymorphisms Associated With Transmission And Control Of Hiv-1 Infection In Zambian Heterosexual Serodiscordant Couples, Heather Prentice

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Understanding host genetic correlates of HIV-1 outcomes in sub-Saharan African populations is of continued importance due to the disproportionate disease burden in this population. We sought to identify genetic variants associated with HIV-1 acquisition in a sample of 439 initially seronegative individuals enrolled in the Zambia-Emory HIV Research Project, as well as novel variants associated with viral load (VL) in a sample of 172 seroconverters (SCs) with an estimated date of infection and 449 seroprevalent individuals (SPs). We were unable to detect any statistically significant associations in our analysis of HIV-1 acquisition, though one signal in the HLA-DOA gene associated …

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Plant Selection, Community Dynamics, Ecophysiology, And Stormwater Mitigation On Green Roofs In The Southeastern U.S., Julie G. Price Jan 2013

Plant Selection, Community Dynamics, Ecophysiology, And Stormwater Mitigation On Green Roofs In The Southeastern U.S., Julie G. Price

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Green roofs offer the opportunity to transform impervious surfaces into multifunctional constructed ecosystems. Plant selection for green roofs is often limited to drought-tolerant succulent species, but more diverse assemblages enhance habitat and biodiversity in urban areas and have the potential to improve green roof performance. Nineteen taxa were evaluated under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions over three growing seasons. Individual taxa were evaluated for survival and amount and mechanism of colonization, and the effect of irrigation on plant community structure and vegetation coverage was examined. Only succulent species survived under non-irrigated conditions. Irrigated plots had more taxa, higher diversity index, less …

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The Role Of Complement In Experimental Cerebral Malaria, Theresa N. Ramos Jan 2013

The Role Of Complement In Experimental Cerebral Malaria, Theresa N. Ramos

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Cerebral malaria (CM) is one of the most severe clinical complications of P. falciparum malaria with a fatality rate of 15-30%, and 10% of CM survivors have permanent neurological sequelae. Since inflammation is a central pathophysiological tenet of CM, we began examining the role of the complement system in pathogenesis of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) using Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) model. Previous studies using this model indicated that mice naturally deficient in complement component C5 were protected from cerebral complications, and wild type mice treated with anti-C5aR antibody were also protected. To determine the protective mechanism of naturally-C5 deficient mice, …

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