Digital Commons Network^™

Hepatic Effect Of Inhaled Ozone In Sprague-Dawley Rat, Whitney Slone Theis

All ETDs from UAB

Ozone (O3) is a primary component of photochemical smog and represents a serious public health concern as more than 50% of the U.S. population lives in areas exceeding national ambient air quality standards for this toxic pollutant. Recent findings indicate that the effects of inhaled O3 extend to extra-pulmonary tissues like the heart and liver. We hypothesize that inhaled O3 exposure-related events in the lung will cause downstream alterations in the liver proteome. To test this, we exposed male Sprague-Dawley rats to 0.5 ppm ozone for 8 hr a day for 5 days. After exposures, livers were removed and proteomic …

Hepatic Effect Of Inhaled Ozone In Sprague-Dawley Rat, Whitney Slone Theis

All ETDs from UAB

Ozone (O3) is a primary component of photochemical smog and represents a serious public health concern as more than 50% of the U.S. population lives in areas exceeding national ambient air quality standards for this toxic pollutant. Recent findings indicate that the effects of inhaled O3 extend to extra-pulmonary tissues like the heart and liver. We hypothesize that inhaled O3 exposure-related events in the lung will cause downstream alterations in the liver proteome. To test this, we exposed male Sprague-Dawley rats to 0.5 ppm ozone for 8 hr a day for 5 days. After exposures, livers were removed and proteomic …

Environmental Enrichment Recouples Histone Methylation In The Hippocampus To Restore Cognition In Aging, Sarah Jean Morse

All ETDs from UAB

It is hypothesized that age-related memory deficits arise in part due to altered gene transcription within the hippocampus. These aberrations in gene transcription can lead to alterations in the induction of synaptic plasticity and subsequently interrupt the process of memory formation. Histone methylation-mediated chromatin remodeling mechanisms have recently emerged as crucial regulators of gene transcription in the hippocampus during memory formation. In the present study, we examined the contributions of histone methylation to cognitive deficits and transcriptional aberrations in the hippocampus throughout aging. We found that aging is associated with reduced histone acetylation and an increase in tri-methylation of histone …

Down-Modulation Of Mica On Malignant Glioma Cells By Herpes Simplex Virus, Carl Irwin Odom

All ETDs from UAB

Glioblastoma Multiforme is a primary malignancy of the central nervous system and is fatal for patients despite surgical resection and radiotherapy. Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus (oHSV) vectors deleted of the γ134.5 neurovirulence gene are potential therapies for treating glioblastoma tumors. Although replication in permissive cells is considered the primary mechanism of oHSV mediated tumor clearance, there is evidence that the immune system is part of the tumor clearance mechanism during treatment with oncolytic viruses. Specifically, natural killer (NK) cells may be important for tumor clearance during oHSV therapy. NK cell activation relies partially on the stimulation of activating or inhibitory …

Structural Investigations Of Retinoid X Receptor Transcriptional Activation By Anti-Cancer Rexinoids, Leeann J. Boerma

All ETDs from UAB

Nuclear receptor (NR) protein retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a ligand-inducible transcription factor that binds retinoids for regulation of target genes. Agonist binding induces a major structural rearrangement in the ligand binding domain (LBD) and formation of the coactivator binding interface. RXR-signaling pathways control proliferation, differentiation, and growth in epithelial tissues. To understand how RXR agonists enhance signaling at the molecular level requires an understanding of how agonists induce structural and dynamical changes in the LBD to recruit coactivators for activation of anti-cancer relevant transcription. While most studies of NR activation center on the position of Helix 12 (H12)/activation function-2 …

Complex Interactions Between Marine Sponges And Their Symbiotic Microbial Communities, Christopher John Freeman

All ETDs from UAB

Microbial communities spanning nearly all evolutionary lineages of bacteria and archaea are found within many species of marine sponges. Although diverse microbial metabolic pathways may benefit sponge hosts, minimal experimental evidence exists supporting host assimilation of symbiont-derived nutrients. By coupling manipulative shading experiments with stable isotope analyses of isolated microbial and sponge cell fractions, I provide evidence that some sponge hosts assimilate a large proportion of their C and N from microbial symbionts and that these inputs are crucial to host performance. Interestingly, however, these interactions are highly variable across host species, suggesting that overall symbiont abundance alone does not …

Investigating Potential Novel Angiogenic And Immunogenic Properties Of Heme Oxygenase-1, Carl Antonio Frizell

All ETDs from UAB

INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL NOVEL ANGIOGENIC AND IMMUNOGENIC PROPERTIES OF HEME OXYGENASE-1 According to the American Heart Association and Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular diseases comprise the primary causes of death in the United States. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an inducible microsomal enzyme, catalyzes the rate limiting step in heme degradation releasing equimolar amounts of biliverdin, iron and carbon monoxide. Importantly, the induction of HO-1 is an adaptive response that affords protection in these disease states and several others. Expression of HO-1 has been demonstrated in several disease states and pathophysiological processes, including ischemia-reperfusion, inflammation and organ transplantation. This protection is …

Myosin Ii Regulates Actin Dynamics Critical For Structural Plasticity And Fear Memory Formation, Cristin Gavin

All ETDs from UAB

Dynamic changes to the actin cytoskeleton are required for synaptic plasticity and long-term memory formation. However, the molecular mechanisms that mediate filamentous actin (F-actin) dynamics during both activity-dependent synaptic potentiation and long-term memory encoding are poorly understood. Myosin II motor proteins are highly expressed in actin-rich growth structures in neurons, including dendritic spines. Recent work demonstrates that these molecular machines mobilize F-actin in response to synaptic stimulation and are required for memory encoding in CA1 hippocampus of rodents. The aims of this project were two-fold. First, we sought to establish if myosin II regulates actin filament polymerization necessary for structural …

Childhood Obesity: The Role Of Genetic Admixture, Parental Feeding Practices, And The School Food Environment, Michelle Cardel

All ETDs from UAB

Disentangling the etiology of pediatric obesity continues to challenge researchers due to the interconnecting of behavioral, physiological, environmental, and genetic factors. Studies have focused on the role of the obesogenic environment, characterized by excess energy intake and sedentary behavior, as it relates to weight and fat gain in children. Although these factors certainly have an impact on fat accumulation, increased energy intake and decreased physical activity do not solely account for the increasing trends in obesity prevalence. Less explored genetic and environmental factors may contribute independently and/or synergistically to the current obesity epidemic, and that, these factors could vary in …

Calcium Signaling And The Regulation Of Ecdysteroid Hormone Synthesis By Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Molting Glands, Hsiang-Yin Chen

All ETDs from UAB

In crustaceans, cellular events that lead to molting are triggered by steroid molting hormones, ecdysteroids. The synthesis of ecdysteroids is negatively regulated by molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) mediated by one or more cyclic nucleotide second messengers. Existing data indicate ecdysteroidogenesis is positively regulated by Ca2+ through the activation of phosphodiesterases (PDEs). The studies presented in this dissertation composed the first report of intracellular Ca2+ measurement in Y-organ cells from any crustacean species. Studies demonstrated that elevated cytosolic Ca2+ levels in Y-organ cells were associated with increased hemolymphatic ecdysteroid titer. Measurement of Ca2+ levels in Y-organ cells in a natural molting cycle …

Characterization Of Pleiotrophin And Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Beta/Zeta In Odontoblast And Osteoblast Cell Lines, Amena Tamkenath

All ETDs from UAB

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is an extracellular matrix-associated growth factor and chemokine expressed in mesodermal and ectodermal cells. It plays an important role in osteoblast recruitment and differentiation. PTN has two well-known physiological receptors, protein tyrosine phosphatase beta/zeta (RPTPRZ1), and N-syndecan. Protein tyrosine phosphatases are a group of enzymes that remove phosphate groups from phosphorylated tyrosine residues on proteins. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is a common post-translation modification that can create novel recognition motifs for protein interactions and cellular localization, affect protein stability and regulate enzyme activity. Osteoblasts have recently been found to express the short transmembrane isoform of RPTP beta/zeta but nothing …

A Case Study Of Second-Grade Teachers' Comprehension Instruction, Rebecca Burdette Mckay

All ETDs from UAB

A CASE STUDY OF SECOND-GRADE TEACHERS' COMPREHENSION INSTRUCTION REBECCA BURDETTE MCKAY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ABSTRACT The dilemma of reconciling developmentally appropriate, constructivist reading instruction with mandated high-stakes tests was confronted by four second-grade teachers through their selection of two active professional development methods. To continue and deepen their use of an interactive model of reading focused on comprehension, the teachers worked as a professional community to renegotiate and reconstruct their professional knowledge and adapt their pedagogy to the school context. The goal of this research was to investigate how the teachers described their comprehension instruction as well as how they …

Dangerous Research: Threat Of Bioterrorism Creates Need For New Precautions, Ramya Singireddy

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 7-8

Isolation Of Novel Mycobacteriophages, Mira Patel, Kasopefoluwa Oguntuyo

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 15-16

Development Of Dot Array Biosensor Using Dip-Pen Nanolithography Of Polyacrylamide Ink, Aditi R. Naik, Ethan J. White, Aaron Catledge

Inquiro (undergraduate research journal)

pp. 48-53

Section 3: Dynamic Systems & Control, Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 95-136

Significance Of Mwcnt And Tio2 Nanofillers On Low-Density Polyethylene Thermal & Mechanical Properties: Applicability For Pipes Used In Water & Energy Systems, Trenicka Rolle, Ramana Pidaparti

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering; pp. 18-23

A Review Of Rehabilitation Strategies For Stroke Recovery, Daniel A. Garcia, Rodrigo Arrendondo, Melissa Morris, Sabri Tosunoglu

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering; pp. 24-31

Section 6: Fluids Engineering, Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 219-250

The Effect Of Stent Design On Hemodynamic Flow In Patient-Specific Diseased Carotid Bifurcation Arteries, Rodward L. Hewlin Jr, John P. Kizito

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering; pp. 32-39

Modeling Ventilation And Perfusion Mismatch During Acute Lung Injury, Le Yang, Ramana Pidaparti, Huan Mo

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering; pp. 40-44

Force Controlled Interaction Tasks And Intuitive Teaching Of A Pneumatic Manipulator 97, Yong Zhu, Eric J. Barth

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Section 3: Dynamic Systems & Control; pp. 97-104

Instantaneous Optimal Control Of A Predator-Prey Natural Resource With A Prey-Dependent Functional Response, Dale B. Mcdonald

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Section 3: Dynamic Systems & Control; pp. 105-112

Cloud Height Measurements In Jet Mixed Tanks, Ibraheem R. Muhammad, John P. Kizito

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Section 6: Fluids Engineering; pp. 236-243

Field Evaluation Of Commercial People Counter To Measure Occupancy For Hvac Applications, Trevor D. Wolf, Donald P. Alexander, Sheldon M. Jeter, Gregory M. Spiro

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

Section 7: Design & Manufacturing; pp. 258-265

Section 7: Design & Manufacturing, Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME Early Career Technical Conference, November 4-5, 2011. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia

pp. 251-276

Real-Time Quantitative Pcr For Evaluation Of Mutans Streptococci And Dental Caries, Chanika Manmontri

All ETDs from UAB

Mutans streptococci (MS), e.g., Streptococcus mutans (Sm) and Streptococcus sobrinus (Ss), are associated with dental caries. Quantification of MS has been shown to predict caries risk. A new technology using PCR may streamline quantification compared to traditional culture methods. Purpose: To use real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and standard plate counting (SPC) for detection and quantification of levels of Sm, Ss and total streptococci (TS) in clinical samples from high-caries-risk children with no regular access to dental care and to study correlation of these bacterial levels and ratios to caries prevalence. Methods: Saliva and plaque samples were collected from school-aged children …

Relationship Between Religiosity, Violent Behavior And Gang Activity In Economically Disadvantaged Adolescents, David Mckenzie

All ETDs from UAB

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGIOSITY, VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AND GANG ACTIVITY AMONG ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED ADOLESCENTS DAVID McKENZIE HEALTH EDUCATION & HEALTH PROMOTION ABSTRACT Few studies have examined the relationship between religiosity, violent behavior and gang activity in disadvantaged youth. This research study analyzed data from a population of low-income adolescents in Mobile, Alabama. The research objectives were to assess the relationship between adolescent religiosity and involvement in violent behavior and gang activity, and to determine if there were gender differences between boys and girls regarding religiosity, violent behavior and gang activity. It was hypothesized that there would be an inverse relationship between religiosity …

Apolipoprotein E Mimetic Peptide Improves Hdl Functionality And Inhibits Atherosclerosis Progression In Mouse Models Of Atherosclerosis, Gaurav Nayyar

All ETDs from UAB

Despite major advances in diagnosis and treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) is still the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in United States. An ideal treatment for lipid-mediated inflammatory disorders would not only reduce plasma cholesterol dramatically but also improve high density lipoproteins (HDL) function. Apolipoprotein E (apo E), a protein component of HDL and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), is necessary for the receptor mediated hepatic uptake of apolipoprotein-B (apo B) containing remnant lipoproteins and also possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that a synthetic dual domain apo E mimetic peptide, Ac-hE18A-NH2 (a 28-residue peptide) containing receptor binding …

The Influence Of Growth Factors Applied During Socket Conversion, On The Incidence Of Spontaneous Early Dental Implant Exposure, Michael Anh Minh Nguyen

All ETDs from UAB

Spontaneous early exposure of a dental implant's cover screw can result in a nidus for plaque accumulation, which may result in inflammation, damage to the peri-implant mucosa, and possible peri-implant bone loss. This study aims to investigate the effect of the addition of growth factors, specifically recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor, and platelet-rich plasma, at the time of socket conversion, on the incidence of early implant exposures. This retrospective study utilized data from a study involving a total of 80 implants that were placed in 4 different types of sites (Groups 1,2,3, and 4). Group 1 sites were extraction sites …