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Cigarette Smoke Promotes Genomic Evolution In The Periodontal Pathogen Porphyromonas Gingivalis., Josh George

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

P. gingivalis is an opportunistic, anaerobic, Gram-negative oral pathogen strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Clinical isolates of P. gingivalis exhibit great genetic diversity. Tobacco smoking greatly increases the risk of P. gingivalis infection. Furthermore, cigarette smoke extract (CSE) is an environmental stressor for P. gingivalis, differentially regulating multiple genes including ones that encode proteins involved in DNA translocation, replication and repair. Therefore, we hypothesized that CSE exposure would promote genomic instability in this important periodontal and systemic pathogen, which may contribute to increased virulence. P. gingivalis W83 was passaged 50 times in CSE-conditioned medium after which, genomic …

Environmental Regulation Of Cardiovascular Disease Risk And Regenerative Capacity., Natasha Krystal Dejarnett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S., and its prevalence is predicted to increase through 2030. Acute and chronic exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and traffic pollution is positively associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It has been recently shown that exposure to elevated levels of combustion pollutants including tobacco smoke and PM2.5 is associated with decreased circulating levels of vascular progenitor cells (VPCs), angiogenic cells that participate in vascular repair and regeneration. Several investigators have reported that decreased VPC levels is associated with an increase in CVD risk and endothelial dysfunction …

Role Of Ethanol As A Cofactor In Haart Induced Hepatic Steatosis And Injury., Hridgandh Donde

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has led to a significant increase in the life expectancy of HIV patients; however, there are significant side effects including lipodystrophy and hepatotoxicity. Alcohol abuse is highly prevalent in HIV infected individuals and hence may be a significant negative cofactor in HAART induced hepatotoxicity. The present study examines the mechanisms underlying HAART and alcohol induced hepatotoxicity. The effects of HAART drugs (azidothymidine, and Indinavir sulphate) in combination with alcohol were examined in in vivo animal model. Alcohol and HAART drug interactions and hepatotoxicity were also assessed in-vivo using an animal model of chronic alcohol feeding. …

Practice Characteristics Of Graduates Of East Tennessee State University Quillen College Of Medicine: Factors Related To Career Choices In Primary Care, Ivy A. Click

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The nation is facing a physician shortage, specifically in relation to primary care and in rural underserved areas. The most basic function of a medical school is to educate physicians to care for the national population. The purpose of this study was to examine the physician practicing characteristics of the graduates of East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine including factors that influence graduates’ specialty choices and practice locations, especially those related to primary care. Secondary data for this study were collected from the college’s student database system and the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. The study population included …

The Impact Of Skin And Soft Tissue Infections On College Athletic Programs And Prevention Policies., Alice Kimble 1964-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The majority of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and antibiotic resistant strains pose a greater challenge for effective prevention and treatment. Although recommendations outlining procedures for prevention have been provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the actual adherence by the athletic training staff is unclear (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010; National Athletic trainers' Association, 2010). MRSA can result in devastating illness and staggering healthcare costs, and deaths of athletes have been reported (Ellis, 2007). The current study used the …

The Nashville John School : Risk Deterrence And The Reintegrative Shaming Approach., Robin Malony Valenzuela

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary anti-prostitution campaigns focus on curtailing “the demand” by punishing sexual service consumers. One component of this approach is a diversion program, or “john school,” offered to those who are caught buying prostitution. This ethnography focuses upon the Nashville John School (NJS), which consists of informational presentations that educate johns about the risks associated with prostitution. By employing a restorative justice approach, the NJS exemplifies elements of John Braithwaite’s “reintegrative shaming” theory (1989), which seeks to hold offenders accountable for their wrongdoing while avoiding stigmatization. This ethnographic study utilizes participant observation in the NJS, as well as individual interviews with …

Genetic Characterization Of The K2 Serotype Capsule Of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Atcc 43816 And The Development Of A Bioluminescent Strain., Jacob Brandon Scott 1987-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

OBJECTIVE: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative enterobacterium that is a major cause of community-acquired and nosocomial infections. We performed a genetic characterization of K. pneumoniae strain ATCC 43816, which is a well-studied strain with a K2 serotype capsular polysaccharide. To provide the ability to monitor bacteria within a host, we will develop a bioluminescence strain of K. pneumoniae by integrating the lux operon into the chromosome. METHODS: The ATCC 43816 capsule cluster sequencing was performed by closing gapE, in the Next Generation Sequencing by long range peR for template and primer walking. We constructed a bioluminescent K. pneumoniae by using …

Academic Performance Of First-Year Students At A College Of Pharmacy In East Tennessee: Models For Prediction, Cheri W. Clavier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With the increase of students applying to pharmacy programs, it is imperative that admissions committees choose appropriate measures to analyze student readiness. The purpose of this research was to identify significant factors that predict the academic performance, defined as grade point average (GPA) at the end of the first professional year, of pharmacy students. The population consisted of 466 students enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy Program in northeast Tennessee over a 5-year period. Statistical procedures included bivariate correlations, t-tests for independent samples, and multiple regression. Analysis of the data revealed that the majority of the students in the population …

A Mathematical Model For Antibiotic Resistance In A Hospital Setting With A Varying Population, Edward H. Snyder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria(ARB) is causing increased health risk and cost to society. Mathematical models have been developed to study the transmission of resistant bacteria and the efficacy of preventive measures to slow its spread within a hospital setting. The majority of these models have assumed a constant total hospital population with the admission and discharge rates being equal throughout the duration. But a typical hospital population varies from day to day and season to season. In this thesis, we apply variable admission and discharge daily rates to existing deterministic and stochastic models which examine the transmission of single and dual resistant …

Cholera Toxin Activates The Unfolded Protein Response Through An Adenylate Cyclase-Independent Mechanism, Neyda Vanbennekom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cholera toxin (CT) is a bacterial protein toxin responsible for the gastrointestinal disease known as cholera. CT stimulates its own entry into intestinal cells after binding to cell surface receptors. Once internalized, CT is delivered via vesicle-mediated transport to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the CTA1 subunit dissociates from the rest of the toxin and is exported (or translocated) into the cytosol. CTA1 translocates from the ER lumen into the host cytosol by exploiting a host quality control mechanism called ER-associated degradation (ERAD) that facilitates the translocation of misfolded proteins into the cytosol for degradation. Cytosolic CTA1, however, escapes this …

Development Of A Subunit Vaccine Against Bovine Diarrhea Caused By K99 Enterotoxigenic Escherichia Coli And Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Emad Hashish

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bovine diarrhea is economically one of the most important problems in cattle industry. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), particularly strains expressing K99 (F5) fimbriae and heat-stable type I (STa) enterotoxin is the predominant bacterial cause of diarrhea in calves; whereas bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes diarrhea and other illness to cattle at all ages. A vaccine that prevents against both K99 fimbrial ETEC and BVDV could benefit greatly to cattle producers worldwide. We hypothesized that a novel multivalent vaccine composed of K99, STa and BVDV E2 antigens could induce immunity for broad protection against bovine diarrhea. In this study we …

The Ethical Balance Between Individual And Population Health Interests To Effectively Manage Pandemics And Epidemics, John Mary Mooka Kamweri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is no overlapping criterion providing a basis for attaining balance between individual and population oriented ethical concerns generated in the pandemic and the epidemic interventions. The shortfall leads to competing individual and population interests that hamper the effective management of pandemics and epidemics. The libertarian model focuses on advancing individual rights. The epidemiological model focuses upon population health. The social justice model focuses on a broader perspective than individual rights and population health to include universal human rights.

This dissertation suggests a Mixed Interests Ethics Model (MIEM) to ethically negotiate a balance between the individual and population interests in …

Predictors Of Health Promoting Lifestyles In Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Faye J. Grund

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Nurses comprise the largest segment of healthcare professionals. As nursing students become health professionals, they will have a significant role in modeling health promoting lifestyles and educating patients regarding healthy lifestyle choices.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of health promoting lifestyles in baccalaureate nursing students.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to determine associations between variables including gender, age, basic metabolic index (BMI), financial need, race, ethnicity, relationship status, living situation, general health status, self-reported depressive symptoms, social support, academic outcomes, self-efficacy, and heath promoting lifestyles. A convenience sample of participants from …

Structural Characterization And Bioactivity Of Cranberry Oligosaccharides, Kimberly M. Auker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Complex carbohydrates from plant sources, such as the fruits of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton), promote human health in a variety of ways. However, complete studies of carbohydrate function often hinge on a detailed understanding and thorough elucidation of the chemical structure. Several methods have been used in the structure elucidation of cranberry oligosaccharides, such as derivatization folloby analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In this manner, the identity and quantity of glycosyl units within two cranberry oligosaccharides were investigated through hydrolysis of the oligomers and subsequent synthesis of trimethylsilyl and alditol acetate derivatives. Further analysis using partially methylated alditol acetate …

Ventilator-Associated Complications In The Mechanically Ventilated Veteran, Joan Grano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Surveillance of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been the common outcome measurement used for internal and external benchmarking for mechanically ventilated patients; and although not a clinical definition, it is commonly used as an outcome measurement for research studies. Criteria in the VAP definition include both subjective and objective components, leading to questions of validity. In addition, recent legislation has mandated the public reporting of healthcare-associated infections, including VAP, in many states. Infectious disease experts have recently recommended monitoring a new outcome, ventilator-associated events (VAE), that contain specific objective criteria. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) have refined this …

Actual And Perceived Sexual Behaviors In College Students, Tabitha Denise Flowers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare college students' actual sexual behaviors and their perceptions of sexual behaviors among their peers. The analyses consisted of 65,036 participant's ages 18 to 24, with a mean age of 20.20 years (sdâ±1.55) who completed the American college health association's national college health assessment in 2008. The dependent variables were the normative gap of: number of partners, sexual activity, and condom usage. Three one-way anovas with bonferroni post hoc analyses were used to determine differences between the dependent variables and the following independent variables: age, sexual orientation, and living arrangement. Anovas were used …

Imperial Japan's Human Experiments Before And During World War Two, Alan Vanderbrook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

After Japan occupied Manchuria in 1931, Ishii Shiro created Unit 731 and began testing biological weapons on unwilling human test subjects. The history of Imperial Japan’s human experiments was one in which Ishii and Unit 731 was the principal actor, but Unit 731 operated in a much larger context. The network in which 731 operated consisted of Unit 731 and all its sub-units, nearly every major Japanese university, as well as many people in Japan’s scientific and medical community, military hospitals, military and civilian laboratories, and the Japanese military as a whole. Japan’s racist ultra-nationalist movement heavily influenced these institutions …

Immuno-Pcr Detection Of Lyme Borreliosis, Micah Halpern

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lyme borreliosis, more commonly referred to as Lyme disease, is the fastest growing zoonotic disease in North America with approximately 30,000 confirmed cases and 300,000 estimated infections per year. In nature, the causative agent of Lyme disease, the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, cycles between Ixodes sp. ticks and small mammals. Humans become infected with Lyme disease after being bitten by an infected tick. The primary indicator of a Borrelia burgdorferi infection is a bull’s eye rash typically followed by flu-like symptoms with treatment consisting of a 2-4 week course of antibiotics. If not treated, later stages of the disease can result …

Strategies Used By Hospitals In A Southeastern State To Reduce Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Comparing The Outcomes By Hospital Structure And Processes, Furnell Rife

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections are considered a clinical indicator of quality of care. A descriptive research study was conducted to identify the strategies used by hospitals to reduce or eliminate CAUTIs. Infection Control Preventionists were surveyed. In a predominately rural southeastern state, this study demonstrated that about 40% of hospitals surveyed are implementing CAUTI prevention processes.

Leadership Traits Of School Health Coordinators In Tennessee, Katherine Andrea Strickland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the leadership traits of the school health coordinators (SHCs) for the state of Tennessee and to determine if self-perceptions of the SHC leadership traits coincide with supervisor and colleague perceptions of SHC leadership traits. The health challenges facing young Americans today are different from those of past decades and child health is a major federal and state policy platform. SHCs work at the nexus of 2 highly regulated and political entities: healthcare and education. Thus, it is critical for SHCs to possess strong leadership traits to navigate through the issues and …

Intracellular Delivery Of Nanomaterials For Sub-Cellular Imaging And Tracking Of Biomolecules., Krishna Kiran Medepalli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nanomaterials have many intriguing applications in biology and medicine. Unique properties such as enhanced electrical properties, increased chemical reactivity and resistance to degradation, novel optical properties and comparable size to that of biological systems have led to their use in various biomedical applications. The most important applications of nanomaterials for medicine are in drug delivery and imaging. This research focuses on utilizing the biocompatibility of single walled Carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and optical properties colloidal quantum dots (QDs) for cellular drug delivery and imaging of biomolecules. The first part of this research deals with single walled carbon nanotubes which are excellent …

Towards A Fluid Solid Interaction Model Of A Dynamic Lung, Justin C. Jacobs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Because the pulmonary system is a site for both environmental particulate contamination, as well as drug delivery into the body, numerous research groups have focused on precisely understanding its inner-workings. Past research has demonstrated the need to realistically model the lung walls in order to accurately capture the complex airflow profile throughout all of the branches. Since this is paramount to properly replicating particulate transport in the lung, computational fluid dynamics simulations on their own are inadequate, as they cannot account for lung wall dilation. Only by coupling the fluid and solid domains can natural lung behavior can be effectively …

Rapid Detection Of Streptococcus Mutans In Saliva, Catherine E. Holtman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Documentation exists that mothers can pass the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans to their infants. The newest technology to identify Streptococcus mutans is a rapid detection saliva test. Two hundred patients above the age of 18 were targeted using random selection in a Louisville, Kentucky dental office. Patients signed an informed consent form and were given a qualifying questionnaire. Patients received 2 bitewing x-rays and a charted DMFT index and were administered the saliva test. While the null hypothesis was rejected using the chi square test, the results were inconclusive due to expected values. However, other chi square results revealed that …

Blockade Of Cxcr4 Inhibits Porphyromonas Gingivalis Colonization In Vivo And Subsequent Periodontal Bone Loss., Megan L. Mc Intosh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chronic periodontitis is strongly associated with composition of the oral biofilm occupying the gingival crevicular aspect of the tooth and its associated root. Some gram-negative, "red complex" bacteria instigate periodontal bone loss in patients, principal among these Porphyromonas gingivalis. P. gingivalis is a "late colonizer", indicating not only its physical location within the oral biofilm, but also the pathogenic dynamic of the interaction between P. gingivalis and the host innate immunity. Among several other subversive tactics, P. gingivalis has been shown to compel receptors vital to the orchestration of an appropriate immune response to co-associate and consequently signal in a …

Application Of Multivariate Statistical Methodology To Model Factors Influencing Fate And Transport Of Fecal Pollution In Surface Waters, Kimberlee K. Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Degraded surface water quality is a growing public health concern. While indicator organisms are frequently used as a surrogate measure of pathogen contamination, poor correlation is often observed between indicators and pathogens. Because of adverse health effects associated with poor water quality, an assessment of the factors influencing the fate and transport of fecal pollution is necessary to identify sources and effectively design and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect and restore surface water quality. Sinking Creek is listed on the State of Tennessee’s 303D list as impaired due to pathogen contamination. The need to address the listing of …

The Invisible Enemy: The Effects Of Polio On The American War Effort During World War Ii, 1941-1945, Jacob Owen Bryant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis looks at the social, political, and military effects of epidemic polio on America's war effort during World War II. The primary sources consulted include newspapers, military medical reports, photographs, memoirs, speeches, and archival collections. It looks at the effects of polio on the home front, more specifically how epidemics and the rising rates of polio were a detriment to the civilian war effort. It also focuses on the American military's preparation for and response to polio outbreaks among troops both at home and abroad. Finally, it discusses the experiences of the servicemen who contracted polio during the war. …

The Role Of Human Awareness On The Spatial Patterns Of The Tick-Borne Disease Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis In Missouri., James Edward Nunn 1985-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), a tick-borne disease that has recently surfaced in the United States, exists in regions where the tick vector population is established. This study utilizes methods that look beyond identifying high-risk regions, and investigates disparate awareness, self-perceived threat, and seriousness of HME to further enhance existing spatial modeling. The Health Belief Model provides a theoretical framework that encompasses the disease ecology aspect of medical geography to understand the relationship between people and their environment by surveying participants in study regions of Missouri. Results are suggestive that awareness differs between high/low incidence regions. Furthermore, education and income were …

Identifying Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans Periodontal Antigens By Immunoscreening., Gerald Bernard Pevow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Periodontitis is a chronic, destructive inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth with a high prevalence among adults. While the complete pathogenesis of periodontitis remains unclear, it is initiated and sustained by dental plaque containing pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides forsythus, and Prevotella intermedia. Our hypothesis is that multiple antigens are recognized by human antibodies, and antigens can be identified by use of a genomic expression library. We developed an unbiased global approach to define A. actinomycetemcomitans protein antigens that elicit humoral immune responses and developed a screening method to identify periodontal antigens. We identified …

Depression In Reproductive-Age Women : Assessment Of Infectious, Endocrinological, And Immunological Correlates From An Evolutionary Perspective., Amber N. Carrier

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Depression is one of the most frequent causes of disability worldwide. It can affect the psychological, social, and physical wellbeing of those that suffer from it, the majority of which are women. Depression has been linked to immune activation as well as serotonin depletion through a reduction in its precursor, tryptophan. Chlamydia trachomatis infection and estrogen can influence both the immune system and tryptophan levels, thereby biochemically inducing a depressive state. If this is the case, the use of exogenous estrogen through oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) could increase depressive symptoms, while the use of antibiotics to treat C. trachomatis infection …

Adolescent Steroid Use : A Logistic Regression Analysis., Anthony Gennaro Vito 1987-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study compared the criminological theories of peer association and low self-control and its effect on adolescent steroid use. The data for this study comes from the 12th grade survey of the 2009 Monitoring the Future Project Form 6. The purpose of the Monitoring the Future Project (MTF) is to understand changes in values, behaviors, and lifestyle orientations of the American youth. The study found that peer association, low self-control and the sex of the adolescent are all significant predictors of adolescent steroid use.