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Amixicile, A Novel Antimicrobial Agent, And Its Effect On The Salivary And Subgingival Microbiome In Rhesus Macaque Monkeys, Erin E. Block

Theses and Dissertations

Background/Purpose: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease with a bacterial etiology in a susceptible host. A selective antibiotic with minimal systemic side effects could be a useful adjunct to traditional periodontal therapy. Amixicile is a novel antimicrobial agent that targets pyruvate: ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR), an enzyme that is critical for anaerobic bacterial metabolism and has been found to have little-to-no side-effects in animal models. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of amixicile on clinical periodontal parameters and the composition of the oral microbiome in rhesus macaque monkeys. It was hypothesized that the amixicile would reduce growth …

Antibiotic-Loaded Dendrimer Hydrogels In Periodontal Bone Regeneration: A Feasibility Study, Nicholas G. Yesbeck

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Prescription of a complete course of oral antibiotics following bone grafting procedures is a common clinical practice in surgical periodontics. Prophylactic administration of antibiotics reduces the risk of surgical site infection and systemic administration is preferred over local delivery because of short duration of action in the latter circumstance. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the ability of dendrimer hydrogels (DH) to prolong the release kinetics of antibiotics in-vitro. A secondary goal will be to analyze the effect of different particulate bone allografts on the release kinetics of the antibiotic.

Methods: Dendrimer hydrogels (DH) were synthesized …

Targeting Transferrin Binding Protein A For Vaccine Development In Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Ashley Greenawalt

Theses and Dissertations

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of the sexually-transmitted infection gonorrhea, has recently been labeled a superbug. With dwindling treatment options, there is urgent need for a gonococcal vaccine. TonB-dependent transporters (TDTs) are important gonococcal virulence factors that allow the gonococcus to pirate metals directly from host proteins. The TDTs, TbpA and TbpB, are promising vaccine targets because both proteins are expressed and highly conserved in gonococcal strains, and they are not subject to high-frequency antigenic variation. Because the Tbps bind to host protein as their natural function, our immune system does not recognize them as foreign antigens; thus, immunogenicity is …

Socio-Ecological Predictors Of Social Connection Among Older Adults, Georganna Amateau

Theses and Dissertations

Decades of research has established an unequivocal link between states of social connection and health status. Lack of social connection, whether construed as social isolation or loneliness, negatively influences health and is highly associated with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, fall risk, and premature death. Despite extensive research on social isolation and loneliness, evidence relative to the broader construct of social connection suffers. Few studies inform practice standards for community-based organizations. This study aimed to develop a multidimensional, continuous composite variable of social connection and use the composite variable to examine predictors with a socio-ecological lens.

A secondary data analysis …

Systematic Structure-Activity Relationship Studies Of Nalfurafine, Mengchu Li

Theses and Dissertations

Today’s opioid crisis is one of the most challenging public health emergency. Two million Americans suffer opioid addiction. Over 20 million adults are affected by daily pain without non-addictive analgesics.

Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is one of the most studied new pain targets void of abuse liability. KOR agonists have shown potent analgesia and also potential in alleviating opioid addiction. The only approved KOR agonist in clinic is nalfurafine (NFU). Though not leading to addiction, the analgesic effects of NFU are accompanied by sedative side effects. Therefore, we designed a systematical structure-activity relationship study of NFU for developing non-addictive analgesics. …

Ck2 Phosphorylation Of Human Papillomavirus 16 E2 On Serine 23 Promotes Interaction With Topbp1 And Is Critical For E2 Plasmid Retention Function, Apurva Tadimari Prabhakar

Theses and Dissertations

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the causative agents in most cervical cancers and have been implicated in a rising number of oropharyngeal cancers. HPV positive oropharyngeal cancers have increased significantly over the last two decades with no specific anti-viral therapeutic options for the treatment of HPV diseases. During its lifecycle, HPV16 encoded E2 protein interacts with host cellular factors to regulate viral transcription, replication and genome segregation/retention. Our understanding of the cellular partner proteins that E2 uses to mediate its functions remains incomplete.

Previously, an interaction between E2 and the host protein TopBP1 was identified. In earlier studies, it was also …

Strategies For Resolution Enhancement In Liquid Chromatography, Shelby Lynn Weatherbee

Theses and Dissertations

Recent research in liquid chromatography (LC) has led to the development of new methodologies to further improve sample analysis. Non-uniform stationary phases are one such area that focuses on developments in selectivity and efficiency of stationary phases. Within this subset of stationary phases are two major focuses: two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) and continuous stationary phase gradients that are the basis of this work.

In this work, LC simulation software was adapted to simulate chromatograms based on experimental and modeled injection profiles. This was done by measuring the injection profiles from a 2D-LC active solvent modulation valve using a variety of …

Detrimental Role Of Irf1 In Myeloid Cells During Influenza Infection, Bianca L. Baum

Theses and Dissertations

The influenza virus is constantly evolving new ways to overcome both innate and vaccine-induced host defenses, making the innate immune response a critical therapeutic target for minimizing morbidity and mortality caused by infection. Here we examined the role that interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) plays in regulating host innate immune responses in myeloid cells. We found that knocking out IRF1 from myeloid cells in mice (IRF1^DMy) led to a partial protection during IAV infection. Interestingly, recruitment of bone marrow derived myeloid cells as well as NLRP3 inflammasome expression were decreased in the lungs of IRF1^DMy mice, whereas …

Il-36g Cytokine Induction In Oral Epithelial Cells Triggered By Treponema Denticola And Their Role In Chronic Periodontitis, Christopher Blake

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a polymicrobial disease affecting 10-15% of the population. Periodontal disease affects the quality of life by reducing mastication and potentially causing tooth loss. Periodontal disease is also linked to more severe, systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Development of the diseased state occurs when the plaque biofilm shifts from healthy to dysbiotic. The shift to a dysbiotic biome brings with it a shift in bacterial presence, specifically an increase in gram-negative bacteria, such as T. denticola. T. denticola is a gram-negative, anaerobic spirochete whose relationship with oral epithelial cells is poorly understood. Preliminary data …

Canalpro Eal Accuracy Compared To The Root Zx Eal, Benjamin T. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

CanalPro Electronic Apex Locator Accuracy Compared to the Root ZX Electronic Apex locator

Benjamin Brown, Garry Myers, Caroline Carrico, Duane Schaefer

Department of Endodontics, Virginia Commonwealth University

Objectives: Electronic apex locators (EAL) are an effective instrument in measuring the working length of a canal. The Root ZX is considered the gold standard by many. The aim of this research is to compare the accuracy of the CanalPro EAL to the Root ZX.

Methods: The actual length of 43 single rooted extracted teeth were measured with a #10 hand file when the tip was visualized at the foramen under a microscope. …

Difficult Paintings, Hao (Damien) Ding

Theses and Dissertations

The sublime as a concept has a fraught and racist history. However, it remains the single most helpful idea in describing the deeply felt state of being when one comes across something ineffably powerful. From an art-making perspective, this thesis, and the accompanying exhibition of installations and paintings, proposes an alternative construction of the concept of the sublime. Using Lacanian psychoanalysis as a conceptual point of departure, a painter can manipulate the relationship of the viewer and paintings to create paradoxical moments of simultaneous intimacy and distance, which interact to create an alternative path towards the sublime. Through descriptions of …

Virtual Reality Tool For Visualizing The Oral Microbiome, Alexus M. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

There are limited teaching tools for helping both students and patients understand the oral microbiome. It is important to understand the oral microbiome as it heavily influences the health of your oral cavity and the dysbiosis of disease. The oral microbiome influences other aspects of health and serves as an indicator for health. With a greater understanding of the oral microbiome, patients can make healthier lifestyle changes and dentists can better educate their patients. For that reason, the goal of this project was to create a virtual reality tool for visualizing the oral microbiome. The assets for the VR tool …

Molecular Basis Of Cross-Sensitization In Colonic Inflammation-Induced Somatic Hypersensitivity, Parshva K. Mehta

Theses and Dissertations

A major portion of pain experienced by patients with an Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be attributed to visceral hypersensitivity. Visceral stimuli transmitted through primary afferent neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) induce a nociceptive response. Notably, a subset of patients has also experienced the development of somatic pain, such as leg pain, after diagnosis of a bowel disorder. The aim of this investigation is to ascertain which biochemical mediators are involved in the development of such viscerosomatic cross-sensitization. Initially, the Von Frey Test was used to find behavioral evidence of somatic referred pain; …

In Vitro Evaluation Of The Solubility Of Endosequence Bc Sealer In Acidic Solutions, Inderpal S. Sappal

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: In recent years, bioceramic sealers (BCS), such as EndoSequence BC Sealer, have gained popularity in endodontic practices. Previous research has found BCS difficult to remove from canals during retreatments when compared with other endodontic sealers. Acidic solutions have been found to inhibit the set of BCS and increase their solubility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acidic solutions in the removal of BCS as compared with a traditional retreatment solvent.

Methods: Roots of extracted human single rooted teeth (N=15) were prepared into 17 mm sections, then instrumented with ProTaper Gold (PTG) rotary files up …

Post-Mortem Brain Nuclei Isolation For Single Nucleus Rna Sequencing, Charles J. Tran, Lin Y. Xie, Min Zhao, Edwin Jcg Van Den Oord, Karolina A. Aberg

Undergraduate Research Posters

Abstract

Post-Mortem Brain Nuclei Isolation for Single Nucleus RNA Sequencing

Charles Tran, Dept. of Biology, with Dr. Karolina Aberg, VCU School of Pharmacy

When tissue samples are studied in bulk without consideration for different cell proportions and types, results can be biased due to the attenuation of unique cellular expressions. In order to study cell type specific RNA expression profiles within tissue, single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is used. For scRNA-seq studies it is critical to have intact cells. However, when investigating frozen post-mortem brain tissue, it is often challenging to isolate intact whole cells. An alternative solution is to …

How Does Direct Volunteering Affect The Onset Of Alzheimer’S Dementia In Elderly Patients With Preexisting Cardiac Comorbidities?, Sneha R. Gade

Undergraduate Research Posters

Alzheimer's Dementia is a disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. The Alzheimer's Association reported Alzheimer's as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and a cure does not exist. Donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor drug, is frequently prescribed to treat Alzheimer's disease. Still, patients must continuously take the medication for years to receive any measurable improvement in quality of life after developing Alzheimer's Dementia. Further, research shows prolonged use of Donepezil can lead to other health problems, such as QTc prolongation, for cardiac disease patients. Therefore, the effectiveness of non-drug interventions, such as volunteering to prevent the disease's …

Commonwealth Times 2020-11-11

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2020-11-04

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2020-10-14

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2020-10-07

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Learning From The Outcomes Of Existing Prison Parenting Education Programs For Women Experiencing Incarceration: A Scoping Review, Belinda J. Lovell, Angela Brown, Adrian Esterman, Mary Steen

Journal of Prison Education and Reentry (2014-2023)

This scoping review addresses the question, what are the outcomes of existing prison parenting education programs for women experiencing incarceration and what can we learn? The framework used was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Significant positive changes were identified after attending prison parenting programs and women generally provided positive feedback about their experiences however, there were also insights into the distress caused. The content covered in the programs is also explored. In conclusion, prison can be an opportunity for parenting education and support although currently the best way to …

Commonwealth Times 2020-09-30

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2020-09-16

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2020-09-02

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2020-08-19

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

The Need For Interdisciplinary Collaborations, Susan Ganter, Bill Haver

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The challenge faced by developers of collegiate mathematics curricula is to determine—and then provide—the mathematical experiences that are true to the spirit of mathematics yet also relevant to students’ futures in other fields. The Curriculum Foundations Project (CF) of MAA/CRAFTY was designed to gather input from partner disciplines through a series of 22 two- to three-day workshops. Each workshop resulted in a report directed to the mathematics community, summarizing the workshop’s recommendations and conclusions. One message from the partner disciplines appeared again and again: introductory collegiate mathematics courses should focus on giving students an understanding of fundamental mathematical topics while …

On The Optimization Of Biological Field Effect Transitors, Ryan M. Evans, Arvind Balijepalli, Anthony Kearsley

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Spreading Mechanics And Differentiation Of Astrocytes During Retinal Development, Tracy Stepien, Timothy W. Secomb

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

Nonlinear Control Of Biological Dynamical Systems, Megan J. Morrison

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Diversity Amplification For Personal Protection Control Strategies In Vector-Borne Disease Models, Jeffery Demers, Sharon Bewick, Justin M. Calabrese, William F. Fagan

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.