Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Potential Bioactive Compounds From Rhodococcus And Their Effects On Mcf7 Breast Cancer Cells, Megan N. Crabtree

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many drugs used in the treatment of various cancers are derived from or influenced by compounds from nature. The soil bacterium Rhodococcus is of interest because of its identified secondary metabolic pathways and the production of novel natural antibiotics from several strains. In this study, a solid agar extraction method was used to collect compounds from strains of Rhodococcus. These bacterial compound extracts were then tested using a MTT assay in order to evaluate their effectiveness in augmenting MCF7 breast cancer cell death. The results of two way ANOVA analyses revealed 18 compound extracts from 15 strains of Rhodococcus that …

Mechanisms Of The Anti-Pneumococcal Function Of C-Reactive Protein, Toh B. Gang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) increases survival of and decreases bacteremia in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Such protection of mice against pneumococcal infection is seen only when CRP is administered into mice 6 hours before to 2 hours after the injection of pneumococci, but not when CRP is given to mice at a later time. Our first aim was to define the mechanism of CRP-mediated initial protection of mice against infection. It was proposed that CRP binds to phosphocholine (PCh) moieties present in the cell wall and activates the complement system on the pneumococcal surface that kills the pathogen. …

Long-Term Recovery Of South Indian Creek Following Interstate Construction, Clara Mcclure

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The expansion of Interstate 26 from Erwin, TN to the North Carolina border was a project that potentially adversely impacted South Indian Creek because of the steep landscapes and potential for erosion. Several studies have shown the short-term, negative effects of road construction on the water quality of nearby water bodies. Non-point source pollution is the major source of water pollution in the United States. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the long-term effects of the construction of Interstate 26 on South Indian Creek to see if there has been any ecological recovery. The Environmental Health Sciences …

House Of Cards, Matthew R. Lieber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to approach adapting a comic book into a film in a unique way. With so many comic-to-film adaptations following the trends of action movies, my goal was to adapt the popular comic book, Batman, into a screenplay that is not an action film. The screenplay, House of Cards, follows the original character of Miranda Greene as she attempts to understand insanity in Gotham’s most famous criminal, the Joker. The research for this project includes a detailed look at the comic book’s publication history, as well as previous film adaptations of Batman, …

With Green In Mind: Formative Influences On Ecological Mindedness, Shannon Burgert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the formative experiences that nurture ecological habits of mind in youth. The study builds on the ecological habits of mind defined by Moroye and Ingman: caring, a sense of interconnectedness, and ecological integrity. A combination of methods was used in this study: in-depth phenomenologically based interviewing, and educational criticism and connoisseurship. Data collection included two interviews each with five teenagers, one interview each with the teens' mothers, photographing of artifacts, and a focus group with six additional teenagers. Observations and interpretations were filtered through ecological and aesthetic lenses.

Several key findings emerged. First, it is proposed that …

Beware Of Mad John: Political Theology, Psychedelics And Literature, Roger K. Green

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using the discourse of Political Theology as a mode of enquiry we can overcome a longstanding tension between aesthetics and history that characterized much of twentieth century thought. Focusing on literary and occasionally musical works from the mid twentieth century, my aim is to show how works displaying psychedelic aesthetics are important venues for political deliberation with regard to citizenship. Through affective means, psychedelic aesthetics reimagine the boundaries of liberal subjectivity through a consciousness expansion and return from that expansion. The subject who returns from a psychedelic “experience” – which can be attained in various ways – comes to ethically …

Cyclin E Induction And Oncolytic Replication Of E1b-Deleted Adenoviruses., Pei-Hsin Cheng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Virus-mediated oncolysis has been considered as a new and promising cancer therapeutic approach. Although adenoviruses (Ads) with deletion of E1b55K preferentially replicate in cancer cells and have been used in numerous cancer treatments, the selective replication mechanism of this kind of virus still remains controversial. The lack of a well-established studies focusing on possible mechanisms enabling tumor selectivity of oncolytic Ads has hindered the further development of virotherapies and limits their clinical applications. Therefore, uncovering the molecular basis behind the tumor-killing phenomena will fill critical gaps in our understanding of the oncolytic adenovirology. Previously our laboratory has demonstrated that Ad …

Making Sense: Rhetoric, Perception, And Materiality, Aaron P. Donaldson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation dwells on the intersections of language-use and perception. The premise is that language makes literal sense and this reality has profound implications for those Burke called "symbol-using/mis-using animals." Communication scholars have long accepted a model of communication that positions language as "constitutive articulate contact" as opposed to a discrete means of transmission (Stewart, 1994), but a great deal of work remains to be done in terms of developing the implications for individuals and their language-use.

Chapter One explores the stances embraced by rhetorical materialists struggling to describe how language matters. The first chapter fields a series of critiques …

The Addition Of Melatonin To 17beta-Estradiol And Progesterone Modulated Markers Relevant To Mammary Tumor Development And Modulated Steroid Receptors Relevant To Uterine Protection In A Mouse Model Of Breast Cancer, Corry Dominic Bondi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is important to relieve menopausal symptoms. However, HRT use declined after an increased risk of breast cancer was reported by the Women's Health Initiative. With the ultimate goal of developing a novel replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk of breast cancer, we postulated that a novel replacement therapy containing 17β-estradiol (E2) and half the recommended dose of progesterone (P4) along with nocturnal melatonin supplementation (EPMRT) would be protective against mammary tumor development. Previously, in a mouse model of HER2+ breast cancer, our laboratory demonstrated that EPMRT was protective against …

Needs Assessment For Animal-Assisted Interventions: Factors Influencing Implementation Of Dogs As Judiciary Aids In Criminal Justice Processes In Cps Cases, Maureen Macnamara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The study presents findings from a needs assessment exploring the critical features or core elements that bear on professionals regarding the inclusion of dogs as judiciary aides in the investigation and prosecution of child maltreatment cases. Specifically, the objectives of the current needs assessment were examined through the following questions: (1) What are the perceived benefits of implementing programs with dogs as judiciary aids throughout criminal justice? (2) What specific roles do professionals identify for dogs within criminal justice, (3) What are potential barriers to the implementation of dogs as judiciary aids programs, and (4) How are the needs and …

Sound Reason: Radiolab And The Micropolitics Of Podcasting, Justin M. Eckstein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past 10 years, the practice of podcasting has migrated from the margins of technological conferences to a central role in popular culture. Podcasting is an Internet-based broadcast medium that relies on Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds--a peer subscription service--to automatically retrieve and upload content to a portable MP3 player. In light of its growth and popularity, I ask, "what is the podcast's political potential?" In this project, I argue that the podcast has the potential to serve as an instrument of liberal and neurological reasoning. My project will pursue this line of inquiry by asking three research questions: …

Miracles And Militancy: The Evental Origins Of Religious Revolution, Timothy J. Isaacson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Utilizing the theoretical framework of philosopher Alain Badiou, this paper will examine the force and movement of religiously fueled, revolutionary politics. Badiou’s definition of event is read through the theological concept of miracle, put forward by jurist Carl Schmitt in order to elucidate the inauguration of new order. The theological concept of miracle radicalizes Alain Badiou’s definition of event by manner of divine authorization. While Schmitt uses miracle to explicate sovereign preservation of the State, and Badiou’s interest lies in its erosion, reading both thinkers through miracle, and through each other, conceptualizes the theo-political militant, authorized by event to interrupt …

Social Presence And Therapeutic Demands: The Role Of Technology In The Therapeutic Alliance, Amy Lopez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research explores whether access to technology mediated resources that expand social presence opportunities during mental health treatment play a role in what therapists report as difficult therapeutic alliance demands. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a serious mental health problem, characterized by unstable relationships, anger outbursts and impulsive behaviors. People with BPD tend to be high service users and have difficulty remaining in the treatment setting long enough to benefit from treatment services. Treatment studies have found that the therapeutic alliance is a significant contributing factor to successful outcomes; however, the relational and behavioral difficulties inherent among those diagnosed with …

Running Among Thorns : Perspectives On Ethiopian/United States Educational Experiences., Bruce Whearty 1952-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a qualitative exploration of the perspectives of Ethiopian immigrants to the United States who have educational experience in both cultures. By interviewing five respondents and asking them to reflect on the role that their education played in their acculturation to the United States, a series of case histories was developed. The case histories were analyzed using the Differentiated Multi-Dimensional Model of Acculturation to determine if they upheld the two predictions made by this model: 1) acculturation for any particular individual proceeds independently at different rates across three different dimensions: language, behavior, and cultural identity; and 2) acculturation …

The Rhetoric Of Africa : Historical Turns In Constructing A Continent, 1780-1890., Dexter Peck Mahaffey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines historical rhetoric about Africa in British and American writings between the beginnings of the Abolition period and the 1884 Berlin Conference at which the continent was divided by colonial powers. Tracing rhetorical trends of travel writers and their constituents through the explorations of the continent, it demarcates two turns in the way Africans and Africa were constructed rhetorically. In the process it reveals a 19th-century evolution from depicting Africa largely in terms of its viability for commerce and reception of European culture, to an Africa fallen into darkness, to Africa as the Dark Continent, permanently fixed in …

Plant And Arthropod Diversity In Prairie Restorations Around Louisville, Ky., Sarah Elizabeth Atherton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prairies are important ecological biomes that contain high biodiversity of economic and ecologically important flora and fauna. Unfortunately, despite the vast historic distribution over most of mid-America, remnant prairies are critically threatened due to urbanization and other anthropogenic activities. Therefore, measurements of richness are utilized to assess the stability and condition of remnant and restored prairies-higher richness indicating greater ecosystem stability. Arthropod abundance comprises a significant portion of the species richness found in prairies. Because of this, arthropods are an ideal group of organisms to study due to their relatively limited dispersal range and utilization of microhabitats. In this study, …

Enhanced Penetration Of Lipid Functionalized Nanoparticles In 3d Cell Cultures., Christopher Gene England 1988-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nanoparticle-based systems can alleviate systemic toxicity via surface functionalization to promote tissue-specific targeting as well as passive targeting abilities [1], such as the enhanced permeation and retention effect (EPR) [2]. The transport of nanoparticles is limited in hypoxic tumor regions due to the typically impaired tumor vasculature. To enhance diffusion of nanotherapeutics within tumor tissue; functionalized citrate gold nanoparticles and silica gold nanoshells with surface modifications of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were synthesized. 3D cell cultures were used as a representative model of portions of hypoxic tissue in liver, lung, and pancreatic solid tumors. Our results indicate …

Synapses, Spines, Zinc And Pathology Of Alzheimer's Disease., Dmitry Familtsev 1985-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial illness manifesting as gradual progressive memory loss, culminating in an end-stage of profound cognitive deterioration. While AD pathology is characterized by the presence of beta amyloid (Aß) plaques, clearing Aß deposits from the brain has not proved sufficient to improve cognition. It is thought that the gradual loss of synaptic connections in the telencephalon leads to cognitive impairment. Thus, understanding synaptic function and testing methods to prevent the loss of synapses are the primary directions of current AD research. AD pathology in the primary sensory areas of the cortex (the granular or koniocortex) is …

The Role Of Neurotrophin Receptors In Taste Development., Da Fei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) are two neurotrophins that play distinct roles in geniculate (taste) neuron survival, taste innervation and taste bud formation. These two neurotrophins activate the same receptors tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) and a pan-neurotrophin receptor (p75). While the roles of these neurotrophins have been well studied, it remains unclear how much BDNF and NT-4 function through TrkB and p75 to regulate taste development in vivo. In chapter 2, I compared taste development in TrkB-/- mice and Bdnf-/-/Ntf4-/- mice to determine if these deficits were similar. If so, this would indicate that the functions of both …

The Retina-Prosthesis Interface In Two Rat Models Of Retinitis Pigmentosa And Functional Changes Associated With Photoreceptor Loss., James William Fransen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With increasingly successful clinical trials, the use of prosthetic devices to replace the function of photoreceptors has now become a viable option to treat degenerative diseases of the retina, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Using prosthetics, patients have demonstrated the ability to read large text, recognize small objects, and navigate. While promising, this represents coarse visual function, with the highest visual acuity equivalent to 20/560, still below the legal definition of blindness, 20/200. To investigate the benefit of more sophisticated designs, I implanted two types of photovoltaic prosthetic devices in two models of RP, Tg S334ter-3 …

Mast Cell-T Cell Interactions In Inflammatory Chemokine Mediated Immune Surveillance Of Intestinal Cancer., Sobha R. Bodduluri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic inflammation promotes a variety of cancers but inflammation also plays an important role in immune surveillance of cancer. Chemokine decoy receptor, D6 scavenges large number of inflammatory chemokines without transducing any signals and thus presumably dampens inflammation. Consistent with this notion, the D6 deficient mice displayed enhanced inflammation in variety of disease models. However, our laboratory observed that absence of D6 caused an unexpected decrease in inflammation and reduced tumor burden in the ApcMin/+ mouse model of intestinal cancer. Intestinal tumors in D6-/-ApcMin/+ mice showed increased mast cell infiltration but their contribution to tumor progression is unknown. Therefore, unravelling …

Gene Expression Analysis Of Neurotrophins, Trk Receptors, And Associated Regulatory Molecules After Contusive Spinal Cord Injury., Matthew Tyler Hougland 1982-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in changes to the anatomical, neurochemical, and physiological properties of cells in the central and peripheral nervous system. Neurotrophins, acting by binding to their cognate Trk receptors on target cell membranes, contribute to modulation of anatomical, neurochemical, and physiological properties of neurons in sensorimotor circuits in both the intact and injured spinal cord. Neurotrophin signaling is associated with many post-SCI changes including maladaptive plasticity leading to pain and autonomic dysreflexia, but also therapeutic approaches such as training-induced locomotor improvement. Here we characterize expression of mRNA for neurotrophins and Trk receptors in lumbar dorsal root …

The Relationship Between Dispositional Mindfulness And Eating : An Analysis Of Self-Reported And In Vivo Eating Behaviors In Undergraduate Females., Megan E. Jablonski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation theorized that higher levels of dispositional mindfulness (DM), the innate tendency to be aware and accepting of the present moment, is associated with fewer maladaptive eating behaviors, particularly in response to stress and negative emotions. Previous research has established that DM is predictive of decreased stress perception and more skillful emotion regulation. However, few studies have explored how this quality might relate to eating behaviors, which can be influenced by psychological stress and negative affect. A sample of non-clinical female undergraduates (N = 158) completed self-report questionnaires assessing DM, perceived stress, emotional regulation skills, and problematic eating patterns. …

Recovery And Biogeography Of Pseudomonas And Burkholderia Species From The Human Home., Megan E. Purdy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

15 households in the Louisville Metro area were sampled, 7 had a patient with cystic fibrosis (CF), and 8 did not. Houses were sampled between 3 and 8 times each, and samples were collected from 123 different sites within and around the homes. These sites were categorized into the variable environment type based on ecological similarity of sites. Between 75 and 168 samples were collected from each home per visit. Recovery was examined for biogeographical patterns by environment type and season at multiple taxonomic levels. Approximately 10% of samples taken yielded Pseudomonas, and of these 61% were P. putida group, …

Effects Of Telemetry Emg Implants On Hindlimb Locomotor Recovery In Thoracic Spinal Contused Rats., Matthew L. Hamilton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spontaneous recovery in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI), and interventions that improve or impede spontaneous recovery are not well understood. During a study to characterize recovery landmarks after SCI using telemetry EMG, we discovered loss of function in telemetry implanted animals. To investigate this difference further, we implanted animals with leads in various hindlimb muscles to look for behavioral and kinematic differences in recovery. We found significant differences in both open field locomotor testing (BBB) and kinematics between implant and non-implant groups where implanted groups showed loss of coordination, as well as trends for animals implanted below the knee …

6-Phosphofructo-2-Kinase Inhibition Induces Autophagy As A Survival Mechanism., Alden Klarer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Altered metabolism has long been recognized as a defining characteristic of tumor cells. The increased glycolytic phenotype, an observation credited to Otto Warburg in 1956, is almost universal for cancer cells, making metabolic enzymes attractive targets for cancer therapy. However, anti-metabolic drugs, thus far, have not lived up to expectations as stand-alone agents to treat this disease. Unlike glycolytic enzymes that directly catabolize glucose to pyruvate, the family of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatases (PFKFBs) control the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate to and from fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, a key regulator of the glycolytic enzyme phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1). One isoform, PFKFB3, has been shown to be highly expressed by …

Wine With Pharaohs., Jean Fox Demoisey 1974-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This manuscript contains poems linked by thematic, structural, and stylistic concerns. Thematically, the poems explore a subject's search for satisfactory connections to people, to place, and to culture; the role of language, and of possibilities for its usage, as both might pertain to such a search, is of vital interest. The order of poems intends an evolution of understanding, one explicit in the content of the pieces and also inflected poetically in the various deployments of the genre's conventions and devices. In conjunction with subjects explored, Wine with Pharaohs reflects a processing of origins and influences; a series of intertextual …

Preclinical Safety Assessment Of Griffithsin-Based Vaginal Microbicides., Amanda Lasnik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Griffithsin (GRFT) is a protein derived from the red alga Griffithsia sp. off the coast of New Zealand. It binds and inactivates number of enveloped viruses including HIV-1. For a product to be developed as a microbicide, it must be safe and effective after repeated use. For initial in vivo safety testing we exposed mice repeatedly to various vaginal products and found that increased concentration of mouse serum albumin (MSA) in the vaginal lumen is predictive of epithelial damage. Repeated intravaginal administration of GRFT did not result in increased amounts of MSA, but the known epithelial disrupters nonoxynol-9 and benzylkonium …

The Involvement Of Beta-Catenin In The Inflammatory Response Leading To Autoimmune Diabetes Development., Arin Lee Zirnheld

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We identified and characterized a novel defect in β-catenin expression in bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDC) from NOD mice, a model for human Type I diabetes. This protein is expressed at high levels throughout the lifespan of the mouse and correlates with increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production by the BMDC and IFNγ induction by T cells cocultured with the BMDC. These defects, including a similar pattern of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, are also observed in human monocytederived DC from diabetic patients. After exploring several potential mechanisms involved in the accumulation of β-catenin in NOD BMDC, we found that β-catenin is phosphorylated …

Empathy And Threatened Egotism In Men’S Use Of Violence In Intimate Relationships, Jessica H. Turner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study was undertaken to explore the relationship between self-esteem, narcissism, and empathy with intimate partner violence perpetration among men in 2 samples: college students and inmates. The sample was analyzed both as an aggregate and separately. A negative relationship was hypothesized between intimate violence perpetration and both self-esteem and empathy. A positive relationship was expected between intimate violence perpetration and narcissism. A 2-way interaction was examined between self-esteem and narcissism as a test of threatened egotism, defined as high self-esteem coupled with high narcissism, which was not expected in the current study. Empathy was hypothesized to moderate the …