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Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor And Its Signal Transduction In The Rat Hypothalamo -Neurohypophysial System, David Y. Lo

Theses and Dissertations

Ciliary neurotrophic factor, a member of the interleukin-6 family of cytokines, promotes neuronal survival and axonal sprouting in various populations of neurons including sensory neurons, motor neurons, and magnocellular neurons (MCN's) of the supraoptic nucleus (SON). Unilateral lesion of the hypothalamo-neurohypophysial tract (HNT) results in an initial period of axonal degeneration followed by a restoration of axonal density in the neurohypophysis by 30 days post-lesion. The restoration of axonal density is attributed to collateral sprouting from MCN's of the intact contralateral SON. A statistically significant increase in CNTF levels was demonstrated previously in the intact contralateral SON following unilateral lesion …

Trans-4-Hydroxy-2-Hexenal As A Marker Of N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Oxidation In Brain In A Rat Model Of Ethanol Withdrawal, Eric K. Long

Theses and Dissertations

Lipid peroxidation is a free radical-mediated process characterized by addition of molecular oxygen to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Lipid peroxidation occurs basally, resulting in products that participate in normal signaling. One product is trans-4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE). HNE is a product of lipid peroxidation of n-6 PUFA, such as arachidonic acid, and has the ability to mofify proteins, deplete glutathione, and induce apoptosis. Brain is a tissue that consumes large amounts of oxygen and contains an abundance of PUFA, which suggests a high degree of susceptibility of lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation is known to increase in brain in diseases such as Alzheimer's …

Development And Application Of Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles For Bioanalysis, Yuhui Jin

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, fluorescent silica nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully developed to improve the performance of bioanalysis. In the first step, the sizes of silica NPs were precisely controlled by changing the organic solvent in the reverse microemulsion method. The size of the NPs can be continuously tuned from 20 to 100 nm. Then, multicolored fluorescent silica NPs were developed with controllable fluorescence properties by manipulating the properties of the dopants. To this end, both the excitation and emission spectra of the dopants could be tuned by conjugating multiple fluorophores through either avidin-biotin linkage or polylysine. With desirable sizes and …

Selenium Determinations, Nanoparticle Sorbent Analysis And Nanoparticle Catalysts For Chemiluminescence, Sandra Grace Hazelton

Theses and Dissertations

Three projects in chemical analysis are presented. In the first, calibration-free Se(IV) determinations were accomplished using an electrochemical flow cell and stripping potentiometry at an unmodified gold electrode. The method was optimized prior to analysis of water and wheat samples. A detection limit of approximately 0.5 ppb Se(IV) was observed. Method accuracy was good and precision was acceptable (%RSD < 10). In the second project, stripping analysis was also employed, this time to analyze metal ion adsorption on carboxylic acid-modified silica nanoparticles. The metals analyzed were Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II). By using anodic stripping voltammetry, adsorbed metal ions could not be detected, thus the need to separate the sorbent from the free metal ions was eliminated. All three metal ions in this study adsorbed in a nearly one-to-one ratio with the carboxylic acid groups at high pH (∼1000 μmol g-1). The effect of pH on adsorption behavior was also investigated. The third project also employed silica nanoparticles and a flow-through detection system. Co(III)-triethanolamine-doped silica nanoparticles were synthesized and used as catalysts for the luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescence reaction. It was found that the chemiluminescent signal increased linearly with the concentration of nanoparticles in bulk solution. The detection limit for the nanoparticles was 1.5 × 10-12 mol L-1 . Luminol-H2O2 chemiluminescence had superior precision when catalyzed by nanoparticles as compared with the free cobalt(III) complex. It was demonstrated that the nanoparticles met the criteria required for a biosensor label.

Hippocampal Based Spatial Memory, Antioxidant Defense And Neurogenesis In Long-Living Ames Dwarf Mice, Sunita Sharma

Theses and Dissertations

The US Census Bureau projects that there Will be 71.5 million people over the age of 65 by 2030. One of the most significant problems is that the elderly population suffers from age-associated cognitive impairment. The hippocampus is one identified brain region known to be vulnerable to aging and is associated with a decline in growth hormone/insulin like growth factor-1 (GH/IGF-1), and an increase in oxidative stress and neuronal loss. The Ames dwarf mouse is a long-living animal that is growth hormone deficient and thus, lacks peripheral IGF-1. Ames mice have enhanced antioxidant protection in the peripheral system but the …

Functional Regulation Of The Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 1 By Caveolin 1 And Stromal Interaction Molecule 1, Biswaranjan Pani

Theses and Dissertations

Caveolae are cholesterol-rich plasma-membrane (PM) microdomains which foster wide-range of signal-transduction events including Ca2+-influx. Caveolae contain Caveolin1 (Cav1) as their major structural-protein. Transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) channels constitute an integral-component of store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOCC) which initiate store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+-store depletion. Recently, Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) was identified as the ER Ca2+-sensor which, following store-depletion, forms clusters and translocate to peripheral-ER at sub-plasma membrane region and communicates with PM-SOCC activating SOCE. This study identifies a significant role of Cav1 and STIM1 in regulating TRPC1 function. In salivary epithelial cells, …

The Impact Of Social Support On The Neuropsychological Functioning Of Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Caitlin G. Schultz

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease which can affect several areas of functioning including physical and psychological functioning. Many individuals experience difficulties with depression and neuropsychological capabilities. Additionally, social networks often appear to be impacted by the disease. Previous research has shown that some of the physical functioning as well as the depressive symptomatology in multiple sclerosis can be ameliorated by improvements in social support. The present study used archival data to explore the impact of social support on neuropsychological function in 112 adults with multiple sclerosis. It was found that higher levels of perceived social support correlated with improved …

Crucial Conversations: Perceptions Of Staff And Patients' Families Of Communication In An Intensive Care Unit, Elizabeth A. Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to answer the question What are the challenges to communication in an intensive care unit (ICU) between staff members (including physicians) and ICU patient family members? My goal was to understand the aids and barriers to communication in this difficult setting. This qualitative study sought to increase understanding of the factors that contribute or detract from effective communication between ICU staff members, and between ICU staff members and families. This study applied grounded theory methodology through the use of observations and in-depth interviews to learn what difficulties ICU staff encounter when they communicate with …

Volume 47, Number 47: July 14, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Diagnostic Utility Of Cerebral White Matter Integrity In Early Alzheimer's Disease, David K. Johnson, Willis Barrow, Raeann E. Anderson, Amith Harsha, Robyn Honea, William M. Brooks, Jeffrey M. Burns

Psychology Faculty Publications

We compared white matter integrity with brain atrophy in healthy controls and participants with very mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating 0 vs. 0.5) from the Brain Aging Project, a longitudinal study of aging and memory at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) including fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were performed on 27 patients with very mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating = 0.5) of the Alzheimer's type (DAT), and 32 cognitively normal subjects. Patient groups were compared across 6 volumetric measures and 14 DTI regions of interest. Very mildly demented patients showed …

Volume 47, Number 46: July 07, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 47, Number 45: June 30, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 47, Number 44: June 23, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 47, Number 43: June 16, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 47, Number 42: June 09, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 47, Number 41: June 02, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Teacher Perception Of At-Risk Students, Luanna E. Fisketjon

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Volume 47, Number 40: May 26, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Volume 47, Number 39: May 19, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Doctor Of Medicine Commencement: May 16, 2010, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

Doctor of Medicine Commencement program from May 16, 2010.

Spring Commencement: May 15, 2010, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND General Commencement program from May 15, 2010.

Volume 47, Number 38: May 12, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

School Of Law Commencement: May 8, 2010, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

School of Law Commencement program from May 8, 2010.

May 6, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Senate Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the May 6, 2010, meeting of the University Senate. 53 pages

Volume 47, Number 37: May 05, 2010, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Of Post-Traumatic Disorder In Rural Veterans, Nicole O. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a significant health issue among the veteran population. PTSD can lead to adverse outcomes such as suicide, violence, substance abuse, and an overall decreased quality of life. Psychotherapy has demonstrated effectiveness in treating PTSD. However, providers may not be aware which specific types of psychotherapy have achieved the strongest levels of evidence . Additional challenges exist in treating rural veterans because of barriers such as geographical distance and a shortage of mental health providers. These obstacles may place rural veterans at higher risk. The purpose of this project was to explore the current evidence that …

Safety Management System Implementation And Personnel Issues At Small Airports, Kyle Fischer

Theses and Dissertations

In accordance with International and Domestic mandates, Safety Management Systems (SMS) are being developed and implemented by many domestic and international airports. These systems provide a top‐down, business‐like approach to managing safety risk. The implementation of these programs is difficult due to the many different organizational structures and regulatory requirements of airports. The implementation of SMS at small airports will affect airport personnel in many ways. This research effort investigates an airport’s intentions of implementing SMS and the effects to the organization’s personnel.

The Effects Of Two Different Post-Exercise Stretching Modalities On Delayed Onset Muscular Soreness In Adults, Ryan P. Mcgrath

Theses and Dissertations

Until recently, research suggested that post-exercise stretching may reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in those who exercise; however, newer research indicates that stretching has no effect on DOMS. However, it appears that the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on preventing DOMS has not been adequately studied. The primary purpose of the study was to research the effect of PNF stretching on DOMS. The secondary purpose was to evaluate if one’s level of flexibility had a correlation with high levels of DOMS. The study was a posttest-only control group design. Participants were randomly assigned into a stretching group …

Negotiating The Gray Areas Of Ethical Decision Making: Deaf Therapists Working In The Deaf Community, Denise Alice Thew

Theses and Dissertations

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing psychologists, who provide services to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, face unique dilemmas when dealing with overlapping relationships. Similar to psychologists from other small or rural communities, dual relationships are generally unavoidable. The ethical guidelines for psychologists do not provide for the exceptional struggles that many Deaf therapists face in this regard.

This study was conducted to explore the decision-making patterns that Deaf therapists have used in negotiating nonsexual, multiple relationships with clients. Ten taped interviews were conducted to collect preliminary data on the overlapping relationship dilemmas of participants who are Deaf, licensed therapists and have been …

A Time Demand Theory: A Case Study Of One Charter School, Farhan A. Hussein

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.