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Optical Measurement Of Environmental Uranium Using Porous Silica Materials, Chien-Cheng Chen Jun 2010

Optical Measurement Of Environmental Uranium Using Porous Silica Materials, Chien-Cheng Chen

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this research is on the optical measurement of uranyl in a solid matrix using fluorescence spectroscopy. Nanoporous silica-based materials were used to extract uranyl from contaminated soil and to enhance the fluorescence intensity and lifetime. The fluorescence lifetime and intensity of uranyl ions adsorbed on porous silica-based materials of varying pore size was measured as a function of pH and in the presence of fluoride. The feasibility of uranyl fluorescence detection on the top of soil by silica gel is carried out by four types of natural soil. The results show that the uranyl fluorescence intensity can …

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The Effects Of Bfgf Treatment In The Aged Brain Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Michael Zeigler Jun 2010

The Effects Of Bfgf Treatment In The Aged Brain Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Michael Zeigler

Theses and Dissertations

The mature mammalian brain continually generates new neurons in the subventricular zone and hippocampus throughout life. Adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus is associated with hippocampal-dependent learning and memory function. During aging, this endogenous neurogenic potential is reduced which is accompanied by decreased cognitive function seen in the aging population. We have previously found that the injured adult brain shows heightened levels of endogenous neurogenesis and this response is associated with innate cognitive recovery. We have also found that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent neurotrophic polypeptide, can enhance injury-induced hippocampal neurogenesis and improve cognitive recovery following TBI. In this …

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The Scarab (2010-06) Jun 2010

The Scarab (2010-06)

The Scarab, 1952-2010

From the cover: "Official Organ of the Alumni Association of the Medical College of Virginia."

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The Design Integration Of An Animal Shelter Into Martin Luther King Middle School, Anna Givens May 2010

The Design Integration Of An Animal Shelter Into Martin Luther King Middle School, Anna Givens

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the design integration of an animal shelter into an existing school in an at-risk neighborhood. The connection between at-risk students and homeless animals is valuable to the design. A large central courtyard located within Martin Luther King Middle School serves as a connection between both students and animals. Because the animal shelter is located in a central location within the school, students and animals have a greater ability to form a connection necessary for the program to work. This thesis is about the interaction between both animals and students through the process of design.

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An Empirical Approach To Evaluating Sufficient Similarity: Utilization Of Euclidean Distance As A Similarity Measure, Scott Marshall May 2010

An Empirical Approach To Evaluating Sufficient Similarity: Utilization Of Euclidean Distance As A Similarity Measure, Scott Marshall

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals are exposed to chemical mixtures while carrying out everyday tasks, with unknown risk associated with exposure. Given the number of resulting mixtures it is not economically feasible to identify or characterize all possible mixtures. When complete dose-response data are not available on a (candidate) mixture of concern, EPA guidelines define a similar mixture based on chemical composition, component proportions and expert biological judgment (EPA, 1986, 2000). Current work in this literature is by Feder et al. (2009), evaluating sufficient similarity in exposure to disinfection by-products of water purification using multivariate statistical techniques and traditional hypothesis testing. The work of …

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Role Of Capsule In The Interaction Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis With Host, Amrita Singh May 2010

Role Of Capsule In The Interaction Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis With Host, Amrita Singh

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a chronic oral disease that is triggered by bacteria. One of these bacteria is Porphyromonas gingivalis. Some strains of P. gingivalis produce capsule, however, so far the role of capsule in the interactions with host cells in P. gingivalis is not well understood. Here, we investigated the contribution of capsule to triggering host response as well as its protective role on bacterial internalization by host cells with subsequent killing. qRT-PCR analysis showed more upregulation of expression of various groups of genes in macrophages challenged with the non-capsulated strain than in those challenged with the capsulated one with …

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Signaling Pathways Coupled To Melatonin Receptor Mt1 In Gastric Smooth Muscle, Rashad Ahmed May 2010

Signaling Pathways Coupled To Melatonin Receptor Mt1 In Gastric Smooth Muscle, Rashad Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

The Melatonin, a close derivative of serotonin, is involved in physiological regulation of circadian rhythms. In the gastrointestinal (GI) system, melatonin exhibits endocrine, paracrine and autocrine actions and is implicated in the regulation of GI motility. Generally, melatonin actions oppose the stimulatory actions of serotonin on motility. However, it is not known whether melatonin can also act directly on GI smooth muscle cells. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of melatonin receptors in smooth muscle and identify their signaling pathways. Muscle cells were isolated from rabbit distal stomach by enzymatic digestion, filtration and centrifugation and …

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The Association Between Teen Parenthood And Marital Status Among Women, Amy Feinberg May 2010

The Association Between Teen Parenthood And Marital Status Among Women, Amy Feinberg

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Teen pregnancy and teen parenting are prevalent and significant public health issues. Teen parenting also has many social and economic consequences for mother and family. Single parenthood is associated with increased financial, work and child care strains compared to a more traditional family type. Therefore, the impact of teen pregnancy on marital status needs to be investigated. This study examines the association between teen parenthood and future marital status. Methods: The 2002 National Survey of Family Growth, Cycle 6 was analyzed. This study included 12398 women age 20 – 44 years who had children. Teen parenthood was defined as …

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Opioid Addiction And Pregnancy: Potential Effects Of Substitution Therapies On Developmental Myelination, Andrew Eschenroeder May 2010

Opioid Addiction And Pregnancy: Potential Effects Of Substitution Therapies On Developmental Myelination, Andrew Eschenroeder

Theses and Dissertations

While most cells of the central nervous system (CNS) express opioid receptors, the role of the endogenous opioid system in CNS development remains poorly understood. Identification of opioid functions during brain maturation is particularly crucial in light of the increasing trend in opioid abuse and the use of opioid drugs during pregnancy. New substitution therapies in pregnant opioid addicts include buprenorphine, a mu opioid receptor partial agonist and kappa opioid receptor antagonist. However, while clinical studies demonstrated buprenorphine efficacy in reducing neonatal withdrawal symptoms, there is a lack of information on the potential effects of this drug on brain development. …

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Identification And Characterization Of A Second Wolfram Syndrome Gene, Sami Amr May 2010

Identification And Characterization Of A Second Wolfram Syndrome Gene, Sami Amr

Theses and Dissertations

Wolfram Syndrome (WFS) is a debilitating autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by juvenile onset insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) and optic atrophy (OA) as well as a number of neurological and endocrine complications that result in early death due to respiratory complications. Previous research has mapped Wolfram syndrome to chromosome 4p16.1 and the disease has been attributed to mutations in the WFS1 gene affecting the WFS1 protein (wolframin), an ER membrane glycoprotein that plays an important role in the unfolded protein response (UPR) and in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. An additional locus for WFS on chromosome 4q22-24 was identified by linkage …

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An Indecent Obsession, Aaron Mcintosh May 2010

An Indecent Obsession, Aaron Mcintosh

Theses and Dissertations

The title of my thesis is appropriately borrowed from a romance novel title, as my work proposes to mine the content, design and culture of romance novels and other erotic texts in order to excavate my own queer romance narrative. The body of work includes large-scale drawings of “stand-in boyfriends” stolen from romance novel covers, pieced fabric text works based on the titles of erotic texts, and a couch covered in erotic reading material. Drawing attention to the ubiquity of heterosexualized images and texts by deconstructing them, my work critically questions larger social constructions of normality and deviance, pleasure and …

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The Relationship Between Treatment-Seeking And Characteristics Of Depression Among African Americans, Tamara Scott May 2010

The Relationship Between Treatment-Seeking And Characteristics Of Depression Among African Americans, Tamara Scott

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Depression is a common psychiatric condition, and despite the availability of effective treatments, this condition is largely under-recognized and undertreated, particularly among African Americans. One reason for this discrepancy may be that depressive symptoms often co-occur with physical health conditions, which can influence both the reporting of depressive symptomology, willingness to seek care, and the type of healthcare provider sought. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between treatment-seeking characteristics and diagnostic attributions of depression among community-dwelling African American adults. Methods: Data come from the National Survey of American Life, a nationally representative sample of African …

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Self-Ligating Vs. Conventional Brackets As Perceived By Orthodontists, Chase Prettyman May 2010

Self-Ligating Vs. Conventional Brackets As Perceived By Orthodontists, Chase Prettyman

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Within the past decade, significant developments, new designs, and numerous proposed advantages of self-ligating (SL) brackets have caused them to gain great popularity among practicing orthodontists. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are significant clinical differences between SL and conventional brackets on orthodontic treatment as perceived by practicing orthodontists, and more specifically, if the proposed advantages of SL brackets are evident in clinical practice. Methods: A survey was developed to evaluate how SL brackets compare to conventional brackets when perceived by practicing orthodontists (n=430). The initial series of questions focused on individual practitioner characteristics and …

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Neuroprotective Effects Of Postinjury Lithium Treatment: Determining The Optimal Dosing Paradigm And Assessing Potential Mechanisms Of Action, Katharine Eakin May 2010

Neuroprotective Effects Of Postinjury Lithium Treatment: Determining The Optimal Dosing Paradigm And Assessing Potential Mechanisms Of Action, Katharine Eakin

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a dramatic impact on our society in terms of mortality, morbidity, and inherently high financial costs. Formidable research efforts are being addressed to the identification of neuroprotective agents capable of ameliorating the neurological outcome after TBI. Preclinical studies have recently demonstrated lithium to be a promising neuroprotective agent for both acute ischemic brain injury and chronic neurodegenerative disease. In light of these encouraging data, we designed a lateral fluid-percussion injury (FPI) study aimed at investigating the role of early post-traumatic administration of lithium as a strategy for reducing TBI-induced motor and cognitive deficits. The optimal …

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Use Of Cone Beam Computed Tomography In The Determination Of Mental Foramen Location In Relation To Mandibular 1st And 2nd Premolars, Sanjay Bhagchandani May 2010

Use Of Cone Beam Computed Tomography In The Determination Of Mental Foramen Location In Relation To Mandibular 1st And 2nd Premolars, Sanjay Bhagchandani

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to use existing Cone Beam Computer Tomography images to determine the vertical and horizontal location of the mental foramen in relation to the mandibular first and second premolars, as well as the distance in millimeters from the apex of each. The distance from the inferior border of the foramen to the inferior border of the mandible was also recorded. The average distance from the apices of the mandibular first and second premolars to the mental foramen was 7.43mm (SD= 1.97) and 5.30mm (SD=1.65) respectively. The foramen was located 11.44mm (SD=1.49) from the inferior border …

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African American Children Living In Urban Environments: An Investigation Of Early Literacy And The Influence Of Psychological Strengths And Family Support, Pia Stanard May 2010

African American Children Living In Urban Environments: An Investigation Of Early Literacy And The Influence Of Psychological Strengths And Family Support, Pia Stanard

Theses and Dissertations

Literacy is a basic fundamental skill for academic, professional, and social success in our culture. Children with low exposure to reading can experience reading difficulties, diminished cognitive development, and poor academic outcomes. Inconsistency in the conceptualization of early literacy has hampered research and development of successful, translational early literacy interventions, particularly for children from low-income households. Preschoolers from low-income, urban backgrounds (n = 426), including 221 females and 205 males aged 35 - 60 months (M = 47.46, SD = 6.44) participated in an investigation of the latent factorial structure of early literacy. The study also explored whether children’s psychological …

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The Association Between Prenatal Care Content And Quality With Preterm Birth And Maternal Postpartum Health Behaviors, Susan Cha May 2010

The Association Between Prenatal Care Content And Quality With Preterm Birth And Maternal Postpartum Health Behaviors, Susan Cha

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Health policies that seek to improve pregnancy outcomes focus on increasing the availability and access to prenatal care (PNC) services based on studies that support an association between insufficient PNC and adverse birth outcomes. These studies employ PNC utilization indices that measure the adequacy of PNC use, but these indices fail to account for the content or specific components of PNC. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to utilize PRAMS and birth certificate data to evaluate the content and quality of PNC in Virginia, and its impact on preterm birth and maternal postpartum health behaviors. Methods: Data was …

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A Computational Biology Approach To The Analysis Of Complex Physiology: Coagulation, Fibrinolysis, And Wound Healing, Nathan Menke May 2010

A Computational Biology Approach To The Analysis Of Complex Physiology: Coagulation, Fibrinolysis, And Wound Healing, Nathan Menke

Theses and Dissertations

The birth of complexity research derives from the logical progression of advancement in the scientific field afforded by reductionist theory. We present in silico models of two complex physiological processes, wound healing and coagulation/fibrinolysis based on two common tools in the study of complex physiology: ordinary differential equations (ODE) and Agent Based Modeling (ABM). The strengths of these two approaches are well-suited in the analysis of clinical paradigms such as wound healing and coagulation. The complex interactions that characterize acute wound healing have stymied the development of effective therapeutic modalities. The use of computational models holds the promise to improve …

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Is Food Insecurity A Contributing Factor To Childhood Obesity? The Association Of Household Food Insecurity And Obesity Prevalence Among Children And Adolescents In The United States, Zarah Liz Panaguiton May 2010

Is Food Insecurity A Contributing Factor To Childhood Obesity? The Association Of Household Food Insecurity And Obesity Prevalence Among Children And Adolescents In The United States, Zarah Liz Panaguiton

Theses and Dissertations

The obesity epidemic is a major public health concern, where the prevalence rates amongst the American children population have more than doubled since the 1980s. Among overweight children, the risk of becoming an overweight or obese adult is 70% higher than children of normal weight, and obese children are more likely to remain obese into adulthood and face a number of morbidities associated with it, including lower quality of life and increased financial burden. In this research, we examined the relationship between household food security and obesity among children and adolescents between the ages of 2-18 years old. We used …

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Endodontic Education And Educators: Who Is Teaching Our Predoctoral Students And What Methods Are Being Taught?, Ellison Turner May 2010

Endodontic Education And Educators: Who Is Teaching Our Predoctoral Students And What Methods Are Being Taught?, Ellison Turner

Theses and Dissertations

A survey was conducted to assess the current state of predoctoral endodontic education in the United States. Fifty-one schools received surveys and 73% responded. Seventy-six percent were from public schools with most having a graduate endodontic program (84%). Preclinical training most often began in the spring of second year and clinical training started in the fall of third year (each 54%). All programs that responded stated that endodontists routinely instruct students in the clinic. Sodium hypochlorite 2.5% was the irrigation of choice. Calcium hydroxide was the most common intracanal medicament. Cold lateral condensation with gutta-percha was the most frequently indicated …

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Biobehavioral Mechanisms Of Emotion And Hiv Disease: Exploring Potential Mediators Of The Relation Between Trait Positive And Negative Affect And Hiv Health Status, Karen Stewart May 2010

Biobehavioral Mechanisms Of Emotion And Hiv Disease: Exploring Potential Mediators Of The Relation Between Trait Positive And Negative Affect And Hiv Health Status, Karen Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

Considerable research supports an association between negative psychosocial functioning and adverse health outcomes. The biobehavioral model is well supported and posits that these effects occur via alterations in physiological response and health damaging behaviors. Evidence is accumulating about potential benefits of positive psychosocial functioning; however, less is known about the mechanisms of these effects. The broaden-and-build model of positive emotions holds that positive emotions can undo the physiological and behavioral restrictions associated with negative emotions and promote resource development. The present correlational study sought to explore whether cortisol, medication adherence, and health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and nutrition) …

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Spinal Cord Injury: Exploring The Histology Of Electrospun Implants In Vivo, Charles Lin May 2010

Spinal Cord Injury: Exploring The Histology Of Electrospun Implants In Vivo, Charles Lin

Theses and Dissertations

Spinal cord injury results in loss of motor function and sensory perception. A myriad of obstacles prevent axonal regeneration and ultimately functional recovery in those afflicted with spinal cord injury. Combinatorial strategies addressing many of these obstacles simultaneously have shown promising results. Laboratories investigating contusional spinal cord injuries must overcome the formation of a fluid filled cyst, a physical gap that axons must traverse, at the injury epicenter. To fill the cyst, our lab has generated a 3-D electrospun matrix that is capable of directing neurite outgrowth, delivering neurotrophic support, and reducing the activity of neuroinhibitory compounds. These electrospun matrices …

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The Epidemiology Of Snakebite Injury In The Amazonian Regions Of Ecuador, Sarah Stuppy May 2010

The Epidemiology Of Snakebite Injury In The Amazonian Regions Of Ecuador, Sarah Stuppy

Theses and Dissertations

The epidemiology of snakebite injury in the Amazonian regions of Ecuador Introduction: Morbidity and mortality from snakebite envenomations is a major public health issue in remote areas of under-developed countries. Several attempts have been made to approximate the impact of snakebites worldwide, however these are assumed to be underestimations due to the lack of documentation on the local level. Ecuador's Amazonian region lacks a comprehensive community-based surveillance system, however it is unique in that an aero-medical transport system is in place to transfer the patients requiring hospitalization to one of the five urban medical centers. Beginning in 1998, Servicio Aéreo …

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A Novel Role Of Sirt1 In Sildenafil Induced Cardioprotection In Mice, Mona Shalwala May 2010

A Novel Role Of Sirt1 In Sildenafil Induced Cardioprotection In Mice, Mona Shalwala

Theses and Dissertations

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, sildenafil (SIL) protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I-R) injury. We hypothesized that SIL-induced protection may be mediated through activation of SIRT1, an enzyme which deacetylates proteins involved in cellular stress response. Adult male ICR mice were treated with SIL (0.7mg/kg ip), Resveratrol (RSV) (5mg/kg ip) (positive control), or saline (0.2 ml ip). The hearts were harvested 24 h later and homogenized for SIRT1 activity analysis. Both SIL and RSV increased cardiac SIRT1 activity (P<0.001) as compared to Saline. Adult mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes pre-treated with either SIL or RSV (1µM) in vitro also upregulated SIRT1 activity (P<0.05). SIL also reduced infarct size following 30 min. ischemia and 24 h reperfusion in vivo. Sirtinol (5mg/kg in 10% DMSO, ip), a SIRT1 inhibitor abolished the infarct-limiting effect of SIL and RSV (P<0.001). In conclusion, activation of SIRT1 by SIL plays an essential role in cardioprotection against I-R injury.

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A Qualitative Analysis Of Messages Conveyed In Parent-Adolescent Communication About Substance Use: Variations Along Dimensions Of Maternal And Familial History Of Substance Abuse, Nikola Zaharakis May 2010

A Qualitative Analysis Of Messages Conveyed In Parent-Adolescent Communication About Substance Use: Variations Along Dimensions Of Maternal And Familial History Of Substance Abuse, Nikola Zaharakis

Theses and Dissertations

Little research has examined the content of parent-adolescent communication about substance use and variables that may influence it. Using a grounded theory approach for secondary data analysis, qualitative data were drawn from a longitudinal study of coping and substance use in a sample of urban African American adolescents (N=132; M= 13.77 years) and their mothers in Richmond, VA. Transcripts of interviews with participants’ mothers regarding their conversations with their adolescent about alcohol, tobacco or other drugs were microanalyzed by two coders in three sets according to the youth participant’s maternal and familial history of substance abuse. Findings revealed considerable similarity …

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Long-Term Spatial And Temporal Variability Of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities: Implications For Bioassessment Of Lotic Systems, Eve O'Connor May 2010

Long-Term Spatial And Temporal Variability Of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities: Implications For Bioassessment Of Lotic Systems, Eve O'Connor

Theses and Dissertations

The structure and composition of benthic macroinvertebrate communities can vary spatially and over time. Spatial and temporal variation along a stream has many implications for population and community dynamics, which may influence bioassessment programs. I examined variability in the benthic community of eight streams within the Polecat Creek, Virginia watershed. These streams vary in size from 1st to 4th order. The streams were sampled once every season for eleven years using standard bioassessment protocols. Macroinvertebrates were sampled from both sediment and submerged wood habitats at each site. The coefficient of variation (CV) was used to quantify among season, among year …

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Psycho Beach Party: A Vocal And Physical Exploration Of Gender, Megan Persinger May 2010

Psycho Beach Party: A Vocal And Physical Exploration Of Gender, Megan Persinger

Theses and Dissertations

On September 24, 2009, Theatre VCU opened its production of Psycho Beach Party, written by Charles Busch and directed by Steve Perigard. In our production, two male actors, Tommy Callan and Kyle Cornell, were cross-sex cast to play female characters, Chicklet and Marvel Ann respectively. In addition to serving as vocal coach for the production, I was to help Callan and Cornell vocally transform into female characters. I have documented our exploration of gender, specifically the vocal transformation from male to female, in Theatre VCU’s production of Psycho Beach Party. Neither actor had played a female character onstage before, and …

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Scribble: A Potential Dual Kinase Inhibitor, Steven Christofakis May 2010

Scribble: A Potential Dual Kinase Inhibitor, Steven Christofakis

Theses and Dissertations

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) modulate cellular activities in response to extracellular stimuli and play important biological roles. Thus, perturbed kinase pathways induce pathological conditions, such as tumor development. Rit, a novel member of the Ras family GTPases, activase ERK6, and its over-expression confers tumorigenicity. We hypothesized the presence of scaffolding molecules specific to ERK6, similar to other known MAP kinases. We performed yeast two-hybrid assays using ERK6 as bait, and Scribble was identified as a binding partner. Scribble contains 16 LRR domains and four PDZ domains. We performed immunoprecipitation (IP) assays and discovered ERK2 as another binding partner. Surprisingly, no …

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Mutation Of The Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-1 Gene Alters Its Protein Product, Abena Watson-Siriboe May 2010

Mutation Of The Vesicular Monoamine Transporter-1 Gene Alters Its Protein Product, Abena Watson-Siriboe

Theses and Dissertations

The vesicular monoamine transporter 1 (VMAT1) is essential for storage of monoamines, such as epinephrine and serotonin, in secretory vesicles of neuroendocrine cells. Recently the VMAT1 protein was detected in human and mouse brain, and mutations of the VMAT1 gene at single DNA nucleotides (single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) were associated with schizophrenia. In this study, Chinese hamster ovarian cells were stably transfected with either human VMAT1 DNA (GenBank: #NM_003053.1 or DNA with the Thr4Pro SNP, which results in a threonine to proline change in amino acid number 4 of the VMAT1 protein. Western blot analysis revealed that cells with …

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Development And Implementation Of A Tissue Specific Microrna Prediction Tool For Identifying Targets Of The Tumor Suppressor Microrna 17-3p, William Budd Apr 2010

Development And Implementation Of A Tissue Specific Microrna Prediction Tool For Identifying Targets Of The Tumor Suppressor Microrna 17-3p, William Budd

Theses and Dissertations

A unique computational approach was undertaken to identify targets of miR-17-3p that impart an oncogenic potential to the cells of the prostate. Utilizing this approach, we identified insulin growth factor receptor 1 (IGF1R) as a potential target of miR-17-3p. IGF1R imparts an oncogenic approach to the cells by helping cells escape apoptosis, become hypertrophic and increase the production of extracellular proteases that allow cells to detach from neighbors. The regulation of insulin growth factor receptor 1 by human microRNA-17-3p was evaluated using a western blot analysis of prostate cancer cell lines. Protein levels were compared in a cell line that …

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