Digital Commons Network^™

Annonacin In Asimina Triloba Fruit : Implications For Neurotoxicity., Lisa Fryman Potts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The acetogenin annonacin, from the tropical annonaceous plant Annona muricata, is a lipophilic, mitochondrial complex I inhibitor reported to be more toxic than rotenone to mesencephalic neurons. The temperate annonaceous plant Asimina tri/oba (pawpaw) is native to the Eastern United States and its products are available online. This study determined whether annonacin is in the pawpaw fruit pulp and whether it or the crude ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract is toxic to cortical neurons and induces pathological changes in the microtubule associated protein tau. Pawpaw extract was prepared by pulp extraction with methanol and liquid-liquid partitioning with EtOAc. Annonacin was isolated …

Ridge Preservation Comparing The Clinical And Histologic Healing Of A Demineralized Particulate Bone Allograft Vs. Mineralized Particulate Cancellous Allograft Using Barrier Membrane., Veneta Kotevska

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aim. Differences in the healing of demineralized and mineralized allografts have been reported but their significance has not been evaluated in ridge preservation studies. The primary aims of this study were to compare ridge preservation using a mineralized cancellous allograft to a demineralized cortical allograft plus a PTFE barrier using clinical and histologic data to assess the outcomes. Methods. Twelve positive controls received an intrasocket mineralized cancellous particulate allograft (500-800 µm, Cancellous group) while twelve test patients received an intrasocket demineralized particulate allograft (250 to 710 µm, Demineralized group). All sites included in the study were covered with a PTFE …

Histone Deacetylase Inhibition-Mediated Cytotoxicity Of Oligodendrocytes., Toros Ali Dincman 1982-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies indicate post-translational deacetylation by members of the superfamily of histone deacetylase complexes (HDACs) is necessary for oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes (OLs). However, it remains unknown if transient HDAC inhibition may promote OPC survival as has been shown in other cell types and neurological disease models. Chapter 2 demonstrates the development of a novel primary culture of OPCs from mouse pup cortices enriching the O4+ OPC population using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) technology. Once plated, OPCs were glial fibrillary acidic protein- (GFAP-), A2B5+, NG2+, and O4+. When induced to differentiate, mouse OPCs became either …

Design, Characterization And Testing Of A Thin-Film Microelectrode Array And Signal Conditioning Microchip For High Spatial Resolution Surface Laplacian Measurement., Huihang Dong 1980-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiac mapping has become an important area of research for understanding the mechanisms responsible for cardiac arrhythmias and the associated diseases. Current technologies for measuring electrical potentials on the surface of the heart are limited due to poor spatial resolution, localization issues, signal distortion due to noise, tissue damage, etc. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to design, develop, characterize and investigate a custom-made microfabricated, polyimide-based, flexible Thin-Film MicroElectrode Array (TFMEA) that is directly interfaced to an integrated Signal Conditioning Microchip (SCM) to record cardiac surface potentials on the cellular level to obtain high spatial resolution Surface Laplacian (SL) …

Characterization Of Dna-Binding Proteins As Clinically Relevant Biomarkers Of Breast Cancer Behavior., Traci L. Kruer 1979-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While investigating estrogen response element (ERE) binding properties of Era in de-identified human breast cancer extracts, additional proteins were observed that recognized ERE sequences (ERE-BP). In order to unravel the apparent role of these proteins, our goal was to compare properties of these novel ERE-BP with those of ERa, determine their identity and evaluate their clinical relevance in breast cancer behavior. ERE-BP were present in various tissue types including breast, ovarian, uterine and colon cancers and normal tissues. These proteins were present in both cytoplasm and nuclei although higher binding activities were detected in nuclear extracts. ERE-BP did not supershift …

An Evaluation Of Coating Material Dependent Toxicity Of Silver Nanoparticles, Thilini Upekshika Silva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using numerous types of coating materials may exhibit different toxicity effects. The study evaluated coating material dependent toxicity by selecting 3 types of AgNP synthesis methods with different coating materials (citrate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and branched polyethyleneimine, coated AgNPs as citrate-AgNPs, PVP-AgNPs, and BPEI-AgNPs respectively). Two acute aquatic toxicity tests were performed; 48hr D. magna and MetPLATE E. coli toxicity tests. Significantly different toxicity effects were observed in D. magna test exhibiting lethal median concentrations (LC50) for citrate-AgNPs, PVP-AgNPs, and BPEI AgNPs respectively as, 2.7, 11.2, and 0.57μg/L. Median inhibitory concentrations (EC50) for MetPLATE tests were 1.27, …

Efficacy Of Child Parent Relationship Therapy For Caregivers Of Children With Attachment Problems., Margaret Sergeant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined the effectiveness of Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), a lO-week group model of Filial Therapy (FT), with caregivers of children with attachment problems. CPRT is an evidence-based treatment which is designed to strengthen relationship between caregiver and child. Research suggests that improvements in the relationship lead to changes in behavior and emotional regulation. Therapists treating children with attachment problems at Seven Counties Services, Inc. were concerned about the lack of interventions for children with attachment problems. This study used a randomized pre-test, post-test waitlist control group design to evaluate the effectiveness of CPRT for caregivers of children …

Age-Associated Periodontal Bone Loss In Normal And Tlr2- Or Myd88-Deficient Mice., Paul A. Ciero 1986-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Age-related alterations in innate immunity are poorly understood. The identification of those mechanisms, which are dysfunctional in old age, will shed light on potential therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory diseases prevalent in the elderly, such as periodontitis. Mice naturally develop chronic periodontitis as a function of age, which is characterized by periodontal bone loss. TLR2, a pattern-recognition receptor of leukocytes which mediates inflammatory responses in the periodontium, was expressed at higher levels in the gingivae of old mice (>18 months) compared with young mice (8 to 10 weeks). MyD88 is a signaling adaptor protein for TLR2 and other TLRs. …

Age-Associated Changes In Innate Immunity And Their Impacts On Inflammatory Disease., Mehmet Akif Eskan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease arises from excessive host inflammatory responses to the tooth-associated microbial biofilm, known as dental plaque. Severity ranges from superficial inflammation of the gingivae (gingivitis) to extensive destruction of connective tissue and bone (periodontitis) leading to tooth loss. In its severe form, periodontitis affects 10 - 15% of the total human population to the extent that they will lose half their teeth by age 50. Periodontitis, a prevalent chronic disease with an impact on systemic health, such as atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, is critically dependent on neutrophils. Although conventional periodontal treatment may reverse destructive inflammation, a subset of patients …

Working Class In British Films 1950s-2000s : Identity, Culture, And Ideology., Tongyun Shi 1961-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Britain was the first country to industrialize with the Industrial Revolution and therefore had the world's first industrial working class. In the 20th century, the traditional British working class went through many social and political changes, represented especially by the post-war "rise" and a lasting "decline" since the 1970s, a fate which is worth academic study. Class matters not only in sociological sense, but also in cultural sense. This dissertation, through close text analysis of seven British social realist films--two New Wave ones, Room at the Top (Jack Clayton, 1959) and Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (Karel Reisz, 1960); three …

Using Geographical Information Systems To Investigate Spatial Patterns In Fossils Of Tapirus Polkenis From The Gray Fossil Site, Washington County, Tennessee, Winn Addison Ketchum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Discovered in 2000, the Gray Fossil Site provides a snapshot of the flora and fauna that lived during late Miocene to early Pliocene time in eastern Tennessee. These fossils occur in sediments consisting of fine-grained clays and sands of lacustrine origin, which were deposited after multiple sinkholes formed in the underlying Knox Group basement carbonates. Three-dimensional nearest neighbor analysis has been applied to fossils of Tapirus polkensis, characterizing the spatial patterns exhibited. These analyses determined the importance of taphonomic and depositional processes that occurred during the sites formation. Six characteristics were analyzed, four at the bone level including carnivore …

Feeding Practices Of Mothers In The Gobi Desert Of Mongolia, Julie F. Tate

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The diets of Mongolia infants are deficient in vitamins and minerals and complementary foods are introduced too early. Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants until 6 months of age. A survey of 50 Mongolian mothers with children under the age of 5 in the town of Sainshand, Dornogobi, was conducted in July 2011. Mongolian infants are among the highest percent of infants in the world who are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of their lives, thus providing them with excellent nutrition. However, complementary feedings and supplements are not appropriately used or understood. Therefore, the diets …

Effect Of Pesticides On Salicylic Acid Binding Protein 2 (Sabp2) And Plant Defense, Joannes Petrus Yuh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco SABP2 has been shown to display high affinity for salicylic acid (SA) and methylsalicylate (MeSA) and plays an important role in SAR signal development. Using biochemical approach, SABP2 has been shown to demonstrate strong esterase activity in converting MeSA to SA. Recent study shows that tetra fluoroacetophenone, a synthetic analog of SA, competitively inhibits SABP2 esterase activity as well as suppresses SAR signal development in tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-infected tobacco plants. Not much has been studied on the effect of pesticides on plant defenses. Because both AChE and SABP2 are esterase-like proteins belonging to α/β hydroxylase superfamily, we hypothesize …

A Statin-Regulated Microrna Represses C-Myc Expression And Function., Apana Agha L. Takwi 1980-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

c-Myc dysregulation is one of the most common abnormalities found in human cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are functionally intertwined with the c-Myc network as multiple miRNAs are regulated by c-Myc, while others directly suppress c-Myc expression. In this work, we identified miR-33b as a primate-specific negative regulator of c-Myc. The human miR-33b gene is located at 17pl1.2, a genomic locus frequently lost in medulloblastomas, which are pediatric brain tumors that display c-Myc overproduction. Through a small-scale screening with drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we found that lovastatin up-regulated miR-33b expression, reduced cell proliferation, and impaired c-Myc …

Quantification Of Vascular Perfusion In The Spinal Cord After Injury., Ruthie S. Fligor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic injury destroys blood vessels at the injury epicenter and is followed by local angiogenesis and regional inflammation. Healing from injury depends on vascular health because blood supply is directly responsible for the health and function of surrounding tissue. This work establishes a new method for qualitatively and quantitatively measuring the blood supply of spinal cord (SC) tissue. Systemically injecting fluorescent microspheres (FMs) and cryostat sectioning SC tissue reveals a novel and potentially powerful way of assessing blood supply. This method is easily incorporated with existing tissue processing protocols because it does not require chemical digestion of the tissue region …

Extreme Variation In The Sagittal Crest Of Tapirus Polkensis (Mammalia Perissodactyla) At The Gray Fossil Site Northeastern Tn., Aaron Randall Abernethy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The preservation and quantity of fossil tapirs (Tapirus polkensis) from the Gray Fossil Site in northeastern Tennessee provides a unique opportunity for comparison and analysis of skeletal characters. Intraspecifically, modern tapirs show little to no variation in the morphology of the sagittal crest. However, several different morphologies exist within the sample at Gray. No osteological evidence of sexual dimorphism exists for tapirs, and no correlation between crest shape and sex was observed. Several juveniles display well defined crests, while some adults have only minor thickening of the temporal ridges; therefore, no distinct correlation between age and crest state …

Traditional Story As A Tool In Substance Abuse Prevention And Treatment., Claiborne Beth Ohlsson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the viability of traditional stories in substance abuse treatment. The subjects for this study were young women ages 18-30 who were in substance abuse treatment in a small, rural, health department. During the 4-week study, 4 traditional stories were used in group sessions that gave the women a common reference point and a common language to frame discussions. Using story in the IOP sessions helped to create a safe, supportive environment as well as creating an opening for discussions about trauma and abuse, and other significant issues. Principles of 12 Step Recovery were woven into the …

Raising The Machine., Kevin Charles Reaves

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper supports the Masters of Fine Arts exhibition, a collection of sculptural pieces, at the Tipton art gallery in Johnson City, TN. from March 21^st through March 28^th, 2011. Raising the Machine showcases my exploration of forms using fabrication techniques found in metalsmithing and other media. Discussed within are the concepts, techniques, and materials used to create the forms including images and works from the exhibition.

Biopharmaceutic And Pharmacokinetic Studies Of Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate As An Excipient For Oral Drug Delivery., Martin Ray Tant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB), a randomly substituted sucrose approximating sucrose diacetate hexaisobutyrate, is produced by Eastman Chemical Company for a variety of applications. SAIB is widely used in the food industry as a weighting agent to disperse flavoring oils in primarily citrus-based soft drink beverages. Additionally, SAIB is currently being marketed by another company as a parenteral drug delivery system. The studies reported here focused on investigating SAIB as an excipient, or delivery vehicle, for use in oral delivery of several drugs, including ibuprofen, saquinavir, and clarithromycin. Dissolution experiments were conducted using both ibuprofen and caffeine, and results suggest that …

Manipulating Paradigm And Attention Via A Mindfulness Meditation Training Program Improves P300-Based Bci., Daniel Ryan Berry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To date, only one study has situationally bolstered attentional resources in an effort to improve P300-BCI performance. The current study implements a 4-week Mindfulness Meditation Training Program (MMTP) as a nonmedicinal means to increase concentrative attention and to reduce lapses of attention; MMTP is expected to improve P300-BCI performance by enhancing attentional resources and reducing distractibility. A second aim is to test the efficacy of the checkerboard paradigm (CBP) against the standard row-column paradigm (RCP). Online results show that MMTP had greater accuracies than CTRL and that CBP outperformed the RCP. MMTP participants provided greater amplitude positive target responses, but …

School Refusal Behavior: A Phenomenological Study Of Latino/A Children's Experiences, Mary Ashley Angelo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

School refusal behavior (SRB) is a subset of absenteeism in which children either altogether refuse to attend school or experience great difficulty remaining in class for the duration of the school day. Child motivated SRB is a growing problem that now affects between 5% and 28% of children and adolescents at some point during their lives. The effects of SRB can extend well beyond the classroom. Long-term, SRB can lead to delinquency and psychiatric, occupational, and marital problems in adulthood. Additionally, children who consistently exhibit SRB are more likely to drop out of school, thereby limiting their career choices and …

Santo Toribio: The Rise Of A Saint, Thomas G. Evans

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Santo Toribio (1900-28) was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church in 2000 as a martyr of Mexico's bloody Cristero Rebellion. He enjoyed a modest local following for decades after the Rebellion as many of the other Cristero martyr-saints did. However, around the time of his canonization, a new identity began to emerge different from that of martyr; he became the patron saint of immigration. For believers, Santo Toribio helps mitigate the criminal nature of this act by showing God's approval and blessing. He places the pain and social distortion of Border crossing in Roman Catholic contexts of holiness and divine …

A Longitudinal Study Of Fetal Tissue Transplantation Surgery For The Treatment Of Parkinson's Disease: Can Quality Of Life And Optimism At Baseline Predict Patient Outcome 10 Years Later?, Emily B. Fazio

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive condition that affects the physical, emotional, and social functioning of individuals. Freed et al. (2001) conducted a double-blind sham-controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of fetal tissue transplantation for the treatment of advanced PD. The authors of that study examined the effects of the surgery across the dimensions of physical and neurological functioning. A quality of life (QoL) study was conducted to determine if there were differences in QoL when comparing those who received the fetal tissue transplantation with those who received the sham surgery (McRae et al., 2004).

While there is …

To Get The Shot Or Not: Narratives, Rhetoric, And The Childhood Vaccination Crisis, Katherine M. Hurley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parents in developed countries like the United States are questioning the need for and safety of childhood vaccinations. Incidences of disease have risen as fewer parents have vaccinated their children. Perhaps the most significant public figure to reinforce the choices of parents not-to-vaccinate is Jenny McCarthy, whose best-selling book details her theory about the cause of, and cure for, her son‘s autism. As I demonstrate, the study of the narratives is vital for understanding the vaccination crisis, not the least because of the extent to which McCarthy‘s (2007) story has echoed through parenting communities. I examine whether chosen anti- and …

Pulmonary Function And Respiratory Muscle Activation In Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury., Daniela Paleville Terson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pulmonary complications associated with persistent respiratory muscle weakness and paralyses are critical problems faced by patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of this dissertation is to investigate the role of neurological injury and neural plasticity on pulmonary function after SCI in humans. We tested the following hypotheses: 1) post-SCI respiratory insufficiency is related to the severity of the spinal lesion; 2) respiratory insufficiency is related to abnormal neuromuscular activity of respiratory muscles and that the electromyographic (EMG) amplitude of respiratory muscles is correlated to respiratory muscle strength and 3) locomotor training, an activity-based therapy, improves pulmonary function …

The Effect Of Tissue Damage And Inflammation On Gene Expression In Sensory Neurons., Sean Anthony Trusty 1984-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of tissue damage and inflammation on the expression in sensory neurons of P2X3, a gene that has a role in nociception and sensing bladder distension, which is regulated by nerve injury. Tissue damage induces expression of ATF3, an indicator of injury, in sensory neurons. Animals were exposed to different types of tissue damage including single and repeated skin incision, bladder incision and a spinal cord injury with bladder inflammation. P2X3 was regulated differentially between conditions of single and repeated skin incision. One condition that involves repeated tissue damage and alteration of bladder function is spinal …

Teacher-Student Relationships During Adolescence : The Role Of Parental Involvement, Behavioral Characteristics, Gender, And Income., Amanda Jeane Wyrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation provides an examination of contributing factors to high quality teacher-student relationships during adolescence. High quality teacher-student relationships have been linked to better academic, emotional, and social functioning for students in elementary, middle, and high school. While the importance of teacher-student relationships is well documented, less is known about contributors to the relationship, especially during adolescence. Previous research has identified that in younger populations a student's gender, income, behavioral characteristics, and parental involvement can influence the nature of the teacher-student relationship. This dissertation provides an important extension of contributing factors into the adolescent age group, where teacher-student relationships offer …

A Social Networking Space : A Study On The Productivity Of Twitter In Museum Practice., Cara C. Lyons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the evolution of social networks and technological innovations, services such as Twitter provide a platform for increased dialogue and participation. Micro-blogging features enable individuals and organizations to communicate directly, providing a new source of individual commentary that breaks the barriers of traditional communicative paradigms. This research targets museum social networking through close examination of the history of Twitter in museums, as well as its benefits, strategies, and goals in utilizing technology to foster an authentic museum experience. Another aim of this study is to highlight the challenges and obstacles museums face in constructing a social network that positively supports …

Arsenic-Induced Developmental Changes In The Liver And Adult Cardiovascular Disease., Ntube Nini Olive Ngalame

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic arsenic exposure is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD). Prenatal arsenic exposure at 49 ppm arsenic accelerates atherosclerosis underlying CVD in ApoE-/- mice, but the mechanism is unknown. This dissertation examines the mechanisms by which prenatal arsenic exposure accelerates atherosclerosis. Arsenic is a hepatotoxicant, and liver disease increases atherosclerosis risk. I hypothesized that prenatal arsenic exposure alters liver development and primes the liver for susceptibility to other environmental insults, predisposing to liver disease and accelerated atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. I showed that prenatal arsenic exposure caused subtle but significant liver damage in 10 and 24 week old ApoE-/- mice, …

Roles Of 5ht1a Receptor In Cns Neurogenesis And Adam21 In Spinal Cord Injury., Sheila Ann Arnold 1981-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

These studies set out to identify strategies to rescue and repair the adult nervous system. First, we investigated the role of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in 5HT1A receptor-induced neurogenesis in the rodent brain. Systemic treatment with an agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, increased neurogenesis only in rats and not mice, and only in one of the two neurogenic regions. This increase was not mediated by CNTF. These data suggest that translation of 5HT1A-based studies to human cell replacement therapies should be reconsidered. Secondly, the role of the plasticity-associated metalloprotease ADAM21 after spinal cord injury was investigated by comparing ADAM21-deficient mice to their wildtype …