Digital Commons Network^™

Therapeutic Effects Of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily 25 (Tnfrsf25)-Mediated Expansion Of T-Regulatory Cells In Allergic Lung Inflammation And Airway Remodeling, Matthew Tsai

Open Access Dissertations

Chronic allergic lung inflammation results in airway remodeling and permanent structural changes. Here we show that administration of agonists to TNF receptor super family 25 (TNFRSF25) in vivo causes expansion of natural and allergen-specific CD4+FoxP3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs), which can prevent allergic lung immunopathology in the acute setting, and if administered during chronic allergic lung inflammation, inhibits inflammation and reverses airway remodeling. TNFRSF25-expanded Tregs reduced eosinophilia in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, reduced expression of T-helper type-2 (Th2) cytokines and blunted allergen-specific Th2 effector responses. Previously established chronic airway remodeling, as measured by goblet cell hyperplasia and subepithelial collagen deposition, was …

The Effects Of Age, Cognition, And Health Numeracy On Use Of A Patient Portal Of An Electronic Medical Record (Emr), Jessica Taha

Open Access Dissertations

Diverse patient populations are increasingly using patient portals that are tethered to their electronic medical record (EMR). Patients using portals can view their medical history, review laboratory results and medication lists, and follow links to credible health information online. Many of the tasks performed with a portal depend on numeracy skill. For example, numeracy skill is needed in managing appointment dates and times, understanding medication dosage instructions, reviewing lab results, and interpreting health information from charts, tables, and graphs. However, there is no data available regarding the numeracy ability of patients and how this ability affects their use of a …

An Investigation Of The Nutritional Condition Of Low-Latitude Fish Larvae: Growth, Transport, And Implications For Population Connectivity, Martha J. Hauff

Open Access Dissertations

Coral reef fishes are typically characterized by a protracted pelagic larval dispersal period, which creates the potential for connectivity of geographically discrete populations. The degree to which connectivity occurs is affected not only by whether larvae are transported from one reef to another, but also by whether they reach a settlement site in adequate nutritional condition to survive the juvenile period and beyond. It is possible that larvae with different dispersal trajectories (i.e. those that are retained close to shore as compared to those that travel great distances) may differ in their condition levels, and thereby, the extent to which …

An Export Development Model For Jamaica, Maurice G. Fletcher

Open Access Dissertations

This export development model for Jamaica initiates a system that progressively identifies appropriate, exportable products and services and creates market volume mainly through creative distribution to the Caribbean Diaspora. This model proposes a continuous supply chain identifying ways to create wealth for the country and helping to solve economic hardships without excessively burdening the government for investment capital. The development of large modern farms and factories, along with the establishment of efficient collection and processing stations, ensures reliability of exports that are sustainable and can be competitive in price and quality against similar products in the marketplace. The creation of …

Racial/Ethnic Differences In Depressive Symptoms And Treatment Effect Among Patients With Myocardial Infarction From The Enhancing Recovery In Coronary Heart Disease (Enrichd) Trial, Hsin-Hua Lin

Open Access Dissertations

This study examined racial/ethnic group differences in depressive symptoms and treatment effect in a diverse clinical sample of post myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Specific aims were to test group measurement equivalence of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) across non-Hispanic Blacks, non-Hispanic Whites, and Hispanic cardiac patients and to test stability of a BDI measurement model over time from baseline to six-months post-treatment both in the treatment and the usual care groups. The participants included 2370 diverse post-MI patients (467 non-Hispanic Blacks, 1647 non-Hispanic Whites, and 256 Hispanics), a subgroup of the participants who were clinically depressed and/or socially isolated from …

A Latent Class Analysis Of Metabolic Syndrome Among Hispanics/Latinos Living In The United States In Relation To Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence: Results From The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study Of Latinos (Hchs/Sol), William Arguelles

Open Access Dissertations

Using preliminary data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), this cross-sectional study employed latent class analysis to investigate 1) whether distinct subtypes of metabolic syndrome (MetS) could be identified among a large and diverse sample of US Hispanic/Latinos (H/Ls), 2) how identified MetS subtypes differed in demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics, and 3) the association between identified MetS subtypes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence. Incorporating continuous measures of MetS components (waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose) and data on antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and glucose-lowering medication use into analyses, two latent …

Evolutionary Ecology Of The Corallivorous Gastropod, Coralliophila Abbreviata: Implications For Imperiled Caribbean Corals, Lyza Johnston

Open Access Dissertations

As the resiliency of coral reefs is eroded by a variety of natural and anthropogenic stressors, corallivory is becoming an increasingly important factor affecting the structure and function of these important ecosystems. Yet, little is known about the mechanistic drivers of coral-corallivore dynamics in many regions, including the Caribbean. In this dissertation, I used an integrated approach to investigate the evolutionary ecology of the coral-eating gastropod, Coralliophila abbreviata, on the reefs of Florida and the Caribbean. Coralliophila abbreviata snails live and feed on most of the major reef-building corals in the region and cause substantial and chronic mortality of the …

Risk Factors For Future Cardiac Diseases In Childhood Cancer Survivors, David C. Landy

Open Access Dissertations

Background: With 12,000 children diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States and survival rates approaching 80%, the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors is an increasingly important concern. This is especially true given that over 70% of survivors develop a chronic health condition by 30 years after their original diagnosis. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most common non-cancer related complications. Although some risk factors for therapy-induced cardiovascular damage have been identified, their influence on longitudinal CVD risk is not well described, and therefore, their clinical utility is limited. While guidelines exist for protecting the long-term cardiovascular health of survivors, …

Behavioral Ecology Of Parental Care In A Dendrobatid Frog (Oophaga Pumilio), Jennifer L. Stynoski

Open Access Dissertations

Parental care is essential to the success of both parents and offspring in many species, and plays an important role in the evolution of animal mating systems and life histories. The mechanisms that regulate the intensity and form of parental care in a species are determined by many factors and are highly variable across taxa. However, our understanding of the behavioral ecology of parental care is built on research that is highly taxonomically biased to birds, with some studies also in mammals, arthropods, and fish. Amphibians display an impressive diversity of form in parental care, yet few studies of parental …

The Comparison Of Body Composition, Eating Habits, Exercise Habits, And High Risk Behaviors In A Tri-Racial Group Of Division I Collegiate Female Athletes, Yi-Tzu Kuo

Open Access Dissertations

Given the increased participation in competitive sports and athletics among women, there is a greater number of issues related to body weight concerns, eating and exercise habits, as well as high risk behaviors, which are particularly evident in female athletes. There are also many more minority women participating in competitive sports, presenting a greater need to examine these issues among a more diverse population of competitive female athletes. Hispanic American (HA) athletes in particular, represent a growing segment of the athletic population that is in need of more information regarding their exercise-related behaviors. The aim of this study was to …

Modulation Of Peripheral Taste Function By Glial-Like Taste Cells, Michael S. Sinclair

Open Access Dissertations

Taste is detected by cells of taste buds in the oral cavity. Mammalian taste buds contain three types of cells: receptor, presynaptic, and glial-like. Of these three, glial-like cells are the least studied. Their only known function is that they clear neurotransmitters from the extracellular space. The present work describes two previously undocumented properties of glial-like cells. First, Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in taste tissue of mice. In the taste buds of Oxtr-YFP knockin mice, YFP was seen in glial-like taste cells and other cells immediately outside the taste bud, but no other cells in oral …

The Comprehensive High-Level Activity Mobility Predictor (Champ): A Performance-Based Assessment Instrument To Quantify High-Level Mobility In Service Members With Traumatic Lower Limb Loss, Ignacio A. Gaunaurd

Open Access Dissertations

The psychometric properties of a new high-level mobility outcome measure for Service Members (SMs) with traumatic lower limb loss called the Comprehensive High-level Activity Mobility Predictor (CHAMP) was developed in order objectively evaluate functional abilities and measure change in function throughout the rehabilitation process. The CHAMP was administered to a population of SMs with traumatic lower limb loss who were representative of those who have suffered limb loss in recent conflicts. In addition, a population of non-amputee Active Duty soldiers completed the CHAMP and provided normative data for high-level mobility and threshold levels of performance for those SMs with lower …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Ampk- And Akt-Dependent Survival Of Glucose-Starved Cardiac Myocytes, Ines Chopra

Open Access Dissertations

Muscle may experience hypoglycemia during ischemia or insulin infusion. During severe hypoglycemia energy production is blocked and an increase in AMP:ATP activates the energy sensor and putative insulin-sensitizer AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK promotes energy conservation and survival by shutting down anabolism and activating catabolic pathways. We investigated the molecular mechanism of a unique glucose stress defense pathway involving AMPK-dependent, insulin-independent activation of the insulin signaling pathway. Results from my work showed that the central insulin signaling pathway is rapidly activated when cardiac and skeletal myocytes are subjected to conditions of glucose starvation. The effect occurred independently of insulin receptor …

Nrf2 As A Nutrient Sensitive Transcription Factor, Supriya Kulkarni

Open Access Dissertations

Obesity and diabetes are the most prevalent metabolic disorders. It is estimated that more than 86% of US adults would be overweight or obese and more than 50% obese by the year 2030. Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) has also been referred to as hepatic manifestation of insulin resistance. NAFLD or steatosis is defined as lipid accumulation exceeding 5% by weight in hepatocytes in the absence of substantial alcohol intake. The prevalence of NAFLD is estimated to be between 17% and 40% of the world population, known to afflict obese and normal weight persons and children as well. Epidemiological …

Comparison Of Impairments, Activity Limitations, Physical Activity, And Self-Efficacy Among Healthy Weight, Overweight And Obese Minority Middle School Children, Annabel Nunez-Gaunaurd

Open Access Dissertations

The feasibility and outcomes of a 12-week extracurricular family-based intervention led by physical therapists that was designed to increase physical activity (PA) in three Hispanic male middle-school children was examined. This intervention has limited feasibility and may increase physical activity levels for overweight Hispanic middle school children. In a second study, differences in motor proficiency, strength, endurance, and PA among healthy weight, overweight and obese children were examined, and correlations between BMI and physical impairments were explored. Obese children demonstrated impairments in motor proficiency, strength, and endurance when compared to healthy weight children. Among overweight children, higher BMI was associated …

Operant Conditioning Of Tibialis Anterior And Soleus H-Reflex Improves Spinal Reflex Modulation And Walking Function In Individuals With Motor-Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury, Kathleen Joy Manella

Open Access Dissertations

Spinal cord injury (SCI) manifests signs of spasticity, plantar flexor (PF) hyperreflexia and ankle clonus, and deficits in motor function. In individuals with motor-incomplete SCI (MISCI), ankle clonus may limit independent walking function. Ankle clonus is attributed to enhanced soleus stretch reflex (SSR) excitability due to decreased supraspinal input and maladaptive reorganization of spinal reflex circuitry. We explored these questions: 1. What are the biomechanical, clinical, and neurophysiologic correlates of ankle clonus? 2. Does locomotor training improve ankle clonus and walking function? 3. Will operant conditioning-based interventions that increase tibialis anterior activation or decrease soleus reflex excitability improve ankle motor …

Checking The Walls For Cracks: Race/Ethnic Differences In Age-Related Arterial Changes, And The Relevance Of Carotid Ultrasound For Subclinical Neurovascular Disease, Matthew Scott Markert

Open Access Dissertations

Despite advances, stroke remains the largest cause of disability and fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The relationship between changes in human vasculature (atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis) prior to clinical incident, and other risk factors for stroke remains unclear. This dissertation represents work towards the identification of imaging biomarkers for vascular change, focusing on ultrasound to characterize persons at risk, including differences among race/ethnic groups. This research contained three distinct projects. The first goal was to determine if changes within ultrasonographic measures of carotid vasculature could be found across race/ethnic groups after adjustment for risk factors. The second …

Why Latinas Exercise: A Multi-Method Exploration Of Motivators Using Participatory Photography Methodology, Amber Lea Vermeesch

Open Access Dissertations

Latinas are at risk for not engaging in optimal exercise and are at greater risk than other ethnic groups for being overweight and suffering deleterious health consequences. The current study’s researcher utilizes pedometers, exercise logs, surveys, and participatory photography to determine exercise motivators and barriers to exercise among Latinas. The specific aims of the presented research were to identify predictors of exercise, to investigate the relationship between motivation types, self-determination and acculturation among Latinas, and employ participatory photography methodology to better understand Latina’s exercise motivators and barriers. The methodology included both quantitative and qualitative methods. Exercise motivation types (Amotivation, Extrinsic, …

Postural Compensations And Subjective Complaints Due To Backpack Loads And Wear Time In Schoolchildren Aged 8 To 11, Frances Elizabeth Kistner

Open Access Dissertations

Backpacks are used by more than 90% of schoolchildren worldwide and over 40 million students in the United States on a regular basis. The carriage of loaded backpacks is associated with kinematic and physiological changes, as well as complaints of neck and back pain. Since a history of backpain in childhood is the strongest predictor of having musculoskeletal discomfort and back pain as an adult, development of back pain due to backpack use is of prognostic concern. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the effects of backpack weights (up to 20% body weight (BW)) on children’s posture, subjective …

Innovative Methods To Determine Material Properties Of Cartilaginous Tissues And Application For Tissue Engineering, Tai-Yi Yuan

Open Access Dissertations

Low back pain is one of the major health concerns in the US. It affects up to 80% of the population at some time during their lives. It not only causes discomfort to patients and affects their physical ability but also has a huge economic impact on society. Although the cause of low back pain is still poorly understood, it is implicated that degeneration of the intervertebral disc is the primary factor. Currently, researchers are trying to use tissue engineering approaches to develop new treatments capable of removing the degenerated disk and replacing it with a biological substitute. However, to …

The Role Of Psychological Distress, Eating Styles, Dietary Intake, And Gender In Cardiometabolic Risk, Virginia Tai Coryell

Open Access Dissertations

Approximately one-third of U.S. adults are at increased risk for life-threatening diseases such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Such individuals are considered healthy without any diagnosed cardiometabolic conditions but may have a constellation of cardiometabolic complications that include obesity, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, and hypertriglyceridemia. When most of these preclinical conditions comorbidly occur, the condition has been referred to as metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is considered to reflect one or more early pathophysiological processes in cardiometabolic disease; however, the extent to which these complications and their underlying pathophysiology interact with behavioral factors such as stress, …

The Effects Of Bariatric Surgery On Medication And Health Services Utilization Among Members From A Large Health Benefits Company, Claudia L. Uribe

Open Access Dissertations

The main objectives of this dissertation were to examine the effects of bariatric surgery on medication and health services utilization among a cohort of Commercial and Medicare insured members from a large health benefits organization in the U.S.. A total of 1,492 members with morbid obesity underwent gastric bypass (n=785) or gastric banding (n=707) procedure between January 2005 and June 2008. Administrative claims databases were accessed and three data files including a member file, a medical file and a pharmacy file were merged at the member level. Non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank tests revealed that the average number of all prescription …

Health Knowledge & Health Behavior Outcomes In Adolescents With Elevated Blood Pressure, Stephanie L. Fitzpatrick

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of this current study was to examine the influence of cardiovascular health knowledge on dietary and physical activity changes in 15-17 year olds with elevated blood pressure. The sample consisted of 167 adolescents randomized into one of three treatment conditions (minimal, moderate, or intense). Each adolescent completed a fitness test (peak VO2), 24-hour dietary recall, 7 Day Activity Recall (kilocalories expended per day), Self-efficacy Questionnaire, and Stages of Change Questionnaire every three months. The Health Knowledge Assessment was given at baseline and at post-intervention. Classical test theory, confirmatory factor analysis, and item response theory frameworks were applied to …

Exposure To A Natural Disaster (Hurricane Ike) And Children's Diet And Activity Levels, Betty Sao-Hou Lai

Open Access Dissertations

Objective: Utilizing a conceptual model of the impact of disasters on children╒s functioning, the current study examined unhealthy diet and sedentary activity levels of children exposed to Hurricane Ike. Exposure stressors (perceived and actual life threat) and recovery stressors (hurricane-related stressors and major life events), were hypothesized to be associated with unhealthy diet and sedentary activity. Exposure stressors, recovery stressors, and child demographic characteristics were also expected to be associated with posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. It also was predicted that physical activity would attenuate the relationship between recovery stressors and children╒s PTS symptoms. Finally, the feasibility of collecting health behavior …

Effects Of Bulimia Nervosa On The Voice: A Guide For Voice Teachers, Juanita Marchand Knight

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of this essay is to compile a list of symptoms to aid voice teachers in the early detection of vocal problems resulting from bulimic behavior. Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by bingeing and purging and has a high rate of occurrence among the college population. Entertainers form a high risk group for development of BN yet the effects of BN on the voice are largely ignored in vocal literature. The study begins with a literature review which links several factors that can influence the development of BN with "the singer’s personality." The two main character …

Engineering An Optimal Bioartificial Pancreas For Islet Transplantation Using Bioactive Scaffolds, Eileen Pedraza

Open Access Dissertations

Clinical islet transplantation is a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes. It involves the transplantation of pancreatic islets, isolated from a donor, into the portal vein of a recipient in order to replace his/her dysfunctional islets. Though promising, islet implantation into the liver is greatly hindered by numerous problems, including mechanical stresses, inflammatory responses, exposure to high drug and toxin loads, as well as irretrievability. In order to address these concerns, investigation into alternative implant sites, such as the subcutaneous site, has intensified. Transplantation of islets within these extrahepatic sites is commonly met with three primary obstacles: 1) inadequate spatial …

Results From A Pilot Translational Health And Wellness Based Summer Program In Minority Adolescents, Elizabeth Skidmore Edwards

Open Access Dissertations

The Healthy Start Summer Program (HSSP) is a seven-week summer program that strives to provide health and wellness education in a manner that is applicable to everyday living. The primary goal of the HSSP is to improve physical fitness levels and the psychosocial variables associated with exercise in a minority adolescent population, while providing the tools necessary for students to maintain these changes for four months after the program. Participants and control subjects were evaluated at the beginning and end of their respective summer programs, then followed up four months post-program to evaluate the maintenance of these changes. The students …

The Role Of Oxygen During In Vitro Culture And Immunoisolation Of Islets Of Langerhans, Christopher A. Fraker

Open Access Dissertations

While clinical transplantation of islets of Langerhans for the treatment of insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus has shown significant promise in recent years, there remains a need for procedural optimizations to improve cell viability, functionality and ultimately, graft longevity. One of the most critical factors to islet cell survival is the proper oxygenation of these highly metabolic cellular aggregates. In culture, islets experience suboptimal oxygen profiles delimited by steep gradients across culture media. When retransplanted, they are subjected to extremes of hypoxia and anoxia, resulting in pronounced graft dysfunction and cell loss, which is further exacerbated when these cells are immunoisolated …

Exposures To Multiple Environmental Chemicals (Lead, Methylmercury And Polychlorinated Biphenyls) Among Childbearing-Aged Women In The U.S., Marcella Remer Thompson

Open Access Dissertations

It is estimated that 5 to 20% of neurodevelopmental disabilities in children are caused by environmental toxic exposures. Lead, methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known to have neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental consequences in animal models and human population studies. Bioaccumulation and exposures during gestation transfer from mother to fetus via the placenta and to an infant and young child through lactation. Little is known about multiple environmental chemical exposures, especially among childbearing-aged women.

This descriptive and exploratory study involved analysis of existing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a national probability sample. Lead, methylmercury and the …

Pinus Elliottii Var. Densa Seedling Performance Reflects Ectomycorrhizas, Soil Nutrient Availability And Root Competition, Tania Wyss Lozano Hoyos

Open Access Dissertations

Ectomycorrhizas generally improve seedling mineral nutrition and growth, so I hypothesized that decline of the Florida native pine variety Pinus elliottii var. densa Little & Dorman is related to deficiency of appropriate ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi in the pine's native flatwoods. At Archbold Biological Station I examined how quickly ECM fungi colonize P. elliottii var. densa seedlings and I compared the effect of local absence versus presence of adult pines on ECM colonization and pine seedling performance. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, I investigated how a wide range of ECM colonization and spread of extraradical mycelium throughout a large volume of relatively …