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Lps-Induced Inos Mrna And The Pro-Apoptotic Signaling Pathway In Leukocytes Of Fit And Unfit Males, Tiffany M. Zuniga

Theses and Dissertations

Overexpression of the enzyme iNOS induces apoptotic cellular death by increasing indices of pro-inflammation and oxidative stress. Aerobic physical activity has been known to have anti- inflammatory benefits and reduce oxidative stress. Purpose: Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of aerobic fitness on LPS-induced iNOS mRNA expression and the relationship of this expression with indices of oxidative stress, pro-inflammation and apoptosis in isolated leukocytes. Methods: Whole blood samples from aerobically fit and unfit males were stimulated with and without LPS. Thereafter, iNOS mRNA expression and MDA, TNF-α and p53 concentrations were analyzed. Results: iNOS mRNA expression levels following …

Engineering Surface Properties To Modulate Inflammation And Stem Cell Recruitment Through Macrophage Activation, Kelly M. Hotchkiss

Theses and Dissertations

Biomaterials are becoming the most commonly used therapeutic method for treatment of lost or damaged tissue in the body. Metallic materials are chosen for high strength orthopaedic and dental applications. Titanium (Ti) implants are highly successful in young, healthy patients with the ability to fully integrate to surrounding tissue. However the main population requiring these corrective treatments will not be healthy or young, therefore further research into material modifications have been started to improve outcomes in compromised patients. The body’s immune system will generate a response to any implanted material, and control the final outcome. Among the first and most …

Understanding The Role Of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase And Its Function As A Driving Force Behind The Er Stress Response In Fibrostenotic Crohn’S Disease-Affected Ileal Smooth Muscle Cells, Prashant Yadav

Theses and Dissertations

Crohn’s disease (CD) affects about 780,000 people in the United States alone, and it is estimated that 6-15 per 100,000 persons will receive a diagnosis of this disease each year. There currently is no cure for Crohn’s disease, and available medical therapies simply serve to alleviate the inflammation. This does not help treat fibrostenosis that Crohn’s disease patients may develop, which can only be treated surgically. Finding alternatives to treat CD requires an understanding of mechanisms at the biochemical level. In this thesis, we attempted to gain a better understanding of certain pathways found to be active in Crohn’s disease-affected …

Understanding Barriers To Genetic Testing For Sickle Cell Trait: The African-American Male Perspective, Shandrea Foster

Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown a reluctance in African-American males to pursue testing for sickle cell trait. Few studies have tried to discern what barriers are contributing to this issue within the African-American male community. Research suggests a lack of knowledge may be the biggest contributing factor. This study hypothesized there would be a significant difference in knowledge of sickle cell trait based on educational level, age, and health beliefs. African-America male participants (N=116), ages 18 and over, completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge, risk perception, health beliefs, barriers, and motivating factors within the context of sickle cell trait. One-way and two-way analysis …

Characterizing Health Behavior Information: Developing A Surveillance Text Mining Framework Using Twitter For Diet, Diabetes, Exercise, And Obesity, George Shaw Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Previous studies have documented the relationship that exists among diabetes, diet, exercise, and obesity. Obesity increases people’s risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Exercise and proper dieting are modifiable lifestyle behaviors that can help with reducing people’s overall weight and risk to various chronic conditions like diabetes. A national survey conducted by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) is the annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). Twitter provides researchers with a new opportunity and alternative data source to collect information regarding health behaviors using real-time data. Previous studies have demonstrated Twitter’s ability to monitor …

Initiating The Loeb Criteria In Long-Term Care, Janice Khauslender

Theses and Dissertations

Urinary tract infections are one of the most commonly reported infections in long-term care. Current practices often rely on non-specific symptoms, rather than specific genitourinary symptoms, to aid in the decision to obtain a urine culture. The literature does not support this practice due to the high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among long-term care patients, which does not have adverse outcomes when untreated. Antibiotics do not eradicate asymptomatic bacteriuria and place patients at risk of adverse reactions and increased risk of multi-drug resistant organisms. This clinical improvement project applied the Loeb criteria in two long-term care facilities to reduce the …

Understanding The Impact Of Land Use On Microbial Water Quality To Support Decisions For A Future Land Use Plan, Mohammed Tawfiq Aljassim

Theses and Dissertations

May River meandering through the Town of Bluffton, South Carolina has been known for its high level of water quality. The May River is one of the major sources of shellfish harvesting in South Carolina. Due to the non-point source pollution of fecal coliform, the water quality of the May River became degraded. As a result, shellfish harvesting classification in the May River was downgraded for the first time in its history. The rapid growth of the Town has led to a change in land use, which might be related to the increased levels of fecal coliform in the stream …

Prevention Strategies To Reduce Multifactorial Risk Factors Associated With The Onset Of Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review, Jacqueline A. Burnes

Theses and Dissertations

Noncommunicable diseases such as coronary artery disease continue to remain the principal cause of mortality in the United States, claiming nearly 800,000 lives in 2016. Reducing the onset of chronic diseases, specifically coronary artery disease, requires a fundamental approach to health care, involving patient access to high-quality primary care and accessibility to disease prevention programs. This study examined multifactorial risk factors and prevention mechanisms associated with coronary artery disease.

The applied dissertation is a systematic review of the literature designed to answer the question: What prevention strategies reduce multifactorial risk factors associated with the onset of coronary artery disease? The …

Effects Of Leukoreduction And Storage On Erythrocyte Phosphatidylserine Expression And Eicosanoid Concentrations In Units Of Canine Packed Red Blood Cells, Samantha Muro

Theses and Dissertations

Storage of canine packed red blood cells (pRBCs) can increase erythrocyte phosphatidylserine (PS) expression and eicosanoid concentrations. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of leukoreduction on erythrocyte PS expression and eicosanoid concentrations in stored units of canine pRBCs. Units of whole blood were leukoreduced (LR) or non-leukoreduced (non-LR), and stored (10 and 21 days) as pRBCs. Samples were collected at donation, and before and after a simulated transfusion. PS expression was measured by flow cytometry, and concentrations of arachidonic acid (AA), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) …

Use Of Software Modeling Tools To Understand Population Health Dynamics: Application To Bovine Respiratory Disease In Us Beef Calves Prior To Weaning, Min Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a significant health problem for cattle producers in terms of economic cost and animal welfare. In the United States (US), it is one of the leading causes of sickness and death in beef calves prior to weaning. Although much research has been conducted to develop vaccines for prevention and antibiotics for treatment, the morbidity and mortality of BRD in beef calves prior to weaning has not improved over the years. The identification of risk factors associated with BRD is an area of focus which might ultimately allow producers to minimize morbidity and mortality from BRD. …

In Vitro And In Vivo Effects Of An Encapsulated Butyric Acid And A Lactic Acid Producing Bacteria Used Alone Or In Combination, Dana Kristen Dittoe

Theses and Dissertations

Lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB) and organic acids have been proposed as effective alternatives to antibiotics, however there is limited literature concerning their combination. Thus, the objective of this thesis was to investigate the effects of LAB, encapsulated butyric acid (EBA), and their combination. Under challenged conditions, the in vitro study demonstrated that both EBA and LAB were capable of reducing pathogen proliferation over time, with greater efficacy at lower initial concentration. However, EBA demonstrated a greater effectiveness on pathogen reduction. Under challenged conditions, the results of the in vivo study indicated that birds fed LAB performed comparatively to that …

Genomics And Molecular Approaches To Delineate Pathogenesis Of Aeromonas Hydrophila, Aeromonas Veronii, And Edwardsiella Piscicida Infections In Fish, Hasan Cihad Tekedar

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. aquaculture industry has become well established in the last three decades, and channel catfish aquaculture is the most significant component of this industry. Virulent Aeromonas hydrophila has been a serious disease problem since 2009 in the U.S. catfish aquaculture, and Aeromonas veronii and Edwardsiella piscicida are emerging pathogens of catfish. Therefore, this study aims to address fundamental questions on virulence mechanisms of these three fish pathogens, which I expect to support the development of control measures for preventing these diseases. In this study, E. piscicida and virulent Aeromonas hydrophila (vAh) genomes were sequenced, and comparative analyses were conducted …

Association Between Latent Toxoplasma Gondii Infection And Alzheimer's Disease, Cynthia Elizabeth Wyman

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Many studies have found an association between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and behavioral and cognitive changes in animal models and in humans. In addition, early findings have suggested an association between T. gondii seropositivity and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We sought to determine whether there is an association between T. gondii seropositivity and AD as well as cognitive functioning (including memory, working memory, processing speed, language functioning, executive functioning) in a large, well-characterized sample of subjects with AD and matched controls without dementia. Method: Using ELISA assays, we determined anti-T. gondii IgG antibody titers in 114 control subjects and in 105 …

Effect Of Land Use Change On South Texas Bats, Katharine Leigh Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Bats were acoustically recorded in South Texas over the summer of 2017. Nine species of bats were recorded and identified.

Association Between Latent Toxoplasma Gondii Infection And Alzheimer's Disease, Cynthia Elizabeth Wyman

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Many studies have found an association between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and behavioral and cognitive changes in animal models and in humans. In addition, early findings have suggested an association between T. gondii seropositivity and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We sought to determine whether there is an association between T. gondii seropositivity and AD as well as cognitive functioning (including memory, working memory, processing speed, language functioning, executive functioning) in a large, well-characterized sample of subjects with AD and matched controls without dementia. Method: Using ELISA assays, we determined anti-T. gondii IgG antibody titers in 114 control subjects and in …

Capacity Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells To Eliminate Follicular Dendritic Cells Bearing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Immune Complexes, Matthew T. Ollerton

Theses and Dissertations

An important obstacle to a functional cure for HIV/AIDS is the persistence of viral reservoirs found throughout the body in various cells and tissues. Reservoirs can be latently infected cells, or in the case of follicular dendritic cells (FDC), non-infected cells that trap infectious virus on their surface through immune complexes (HIV-IC). Although several strategies have been employed to target and eliminate viral reservoirs, they are short-lived and ineffective. In an attempt to provide a long-term approach, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells were designed to eliminate native HIV on FDCs. Although effective at eliminating HIV-infected cells, and halting spreading …

Kinetic Characterization Of Listeria Monocytogenes 2-C- Methyl-D-Erythritol 4-Phosphate Cytidylyltransferase ( Cms ) Enzymes Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography ( Hplc ), Mark Oblazny

Theses and Dissertations

Infectious diseases, with increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, coupled with the declining rate in discovery of antimicrobial agents, impose one of the most significant threats to human health. Here we identify 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate cytidylyltransferase (CMS) as a valid target for antibiotic development which is an enzyme in pathogenic organisms that leads to the biosynthesis of isoprene precursor molecules. Isoprene molecules are one of nature’s most common building blocks that are vital to many biological metabolic processes and are synthesized via the mevalonic acid dependent (MVA), or methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. Vertebrates utilize the MVA pathway, while many pathogenic bacteria …

The Biochemical Assessment Of Two Secreted Acid Phosphatases From Leishmania Tarentolae, Their Response To Electric Fields, Glycosidase Incubation, And / Or Vanadium, Benjamin M. Dorsey

Theses and Dissertations

Leishmaniasis, as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is a neglected tropical disease with 1.6 million new cases reported each year. However, there is yet to be safe, effective, and affordable treatments provided to those affected by this disease1. Still underappreciated as a potential pharmaceutical targets, especially for cutaneous leishmaniasis infections, are the two isozymes of secreted acid phosphatase (SAP); secreted acid phosphatase 1 (SAP1) and secreted acid phosphatase 2 (SAP2). These enzymes are involved in the survival of the parasite in the sand fly vector, and the prevention of host macrophages from forming parasitophorous vacuole and …

Mechanism Of Action Of American Ginseng And Its Components In The Treatment Of Ulcerative Colitis, Anusha Chaparala

Theses and Dissertations

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), mainly ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), are chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract affecting millions of people worldwide. The incidence of IBD is steadily increasing in the modern world due to changes in dietary habits and other environmental influences that originated from industrialization. The etiology is poorly understood but is believed to be a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and overactive immune system. UC is characterized by inflammation and ulceration of colonic mucosa and rectum and has a higher incidence than CD. Aside from severely affecting the quality of life of the …

Improved Single Molecule Detection Platform Using A Buried Arrow Design, Thomas Allen Wall

Theses and Dissertations

As the microelectronics industry pushes microfabrication processes further, the lab-on-a-chip field has continued to piggy-back off the industry's fabrication capabilities with the goal of producing total chemical and biological systems on small chip-size platforms. One important function of such systems is the ability to perform single molecule detection. There are currently many methods being researched for performing single molecule detection, both macro and micro in scale. This dissertation focuses on an optofluidic, lab-on-a-chip platform called the ARROW biosensor, which possesses several advantages over macro-scale single molecule detection platforms. These advantages include an amplification-free detection scheme, cheap parallel fabrication techniques, rapid …

Cultural Model Of Infant Feeding Among Women In Rural And Urban Bangladesh, Rumana Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

Cultural practices influence infant feeding choices and have a significant impact on children’s physiological growth and cognitive development. This study examined cultural knowledge of infant feeding among woman in rural and urban Bangladesh. The findings of this research indicated that there was sufficient agreement among the respondents to constitute a single shared cultural model of infant feeding among participants in Bangladesh. Results also indicated intracultural variation within this model in terms of duration of exclusive breastfeeding, age at introduction of water, and weaning practices. Better understanding infant feeding can inform future programs aimed at improving early nutrition, growth, and development …

Investigations Into The Life Cycle Of Drepanocephalus Auritus With Notes On The Discovery Of A New Snail Host Biomphalaria Havanensis In Mississippi, Neely Rae Alberson

Theses and Dissertations

Drepanocephalus auritus is a digenetic trematode parasitizing the double-crested cormorant, a piscivorous waterbird often found feeding on catfish aquaculture ponds in Mississippi. The aquatic snail Planorbella trivolvis was the only known intermediate host in Mississippi until a new snail host, Biomphalaria havanensis, was discovered releasing cercariae belonging to North and South American D. auritus haplotypes. In addition, previous work has reported D. auritus metacercariae begin to resolve in channel catfish 7-21 days post-infection. As a result, a 2-year study was undertaken to elucidate the life cycle of D. auritus and identify if channel catfish can serve as a true intermediate …

Identification Of Quantitative Trait Loci Contributing Resistance To Aflatoxin Accumulation In Maize Inbreds Mp715 And Mp717, Jesse Spencer Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Pre-harvest contamination of maize grain with aflatoxin is a chronic problem worldwide and particularly in the southeastern U.S. Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, an opportunistic ear-rot pathogen of maize (Zea mays). Resistance to aflatoxin accumulation is heritable, and resistant germplasm-lines are available. These lines are derived from “exotic” genetic backgrounds and were released as sources of resistance, not parental inbreds. However, all current sources of resistance are quantitative, which complicates conventional efforts to introgress resistance alleles from unadapted but resistant donor lines to adapted but susceptible recipient lines. Mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) and their …

Advancing Our Understanding Of The Edwardsiella, Stephen Ralph Reichley

Theses and Dissertations

Diseases caused by Edwardsiella spp. are responsible for significant losses in wild and cultured fishes around the world. Historically, Edwardsiella tarda has been considered the most phenotypically and genotypically heterogeneous member of the genus. Investigations into intraspecific variability of E. tarda demonstrated isolates previously classified as E. tarda actually represent three genetically distinct yet phenotypically ambiguous groups, leading to the adoption of E. piscicida and E. anguillarum as discrete taxa. Current genomic investigations have demonstrated significant differences between these organisms. To this end, real-time quantitative PCR assays were developed to quickly and accurately detect the pathogens in pond water, fish …

Effects Of Feed Additive Strategies For Commercial Broiler Production And Gut Health, Courtney Elizabeth Ennis

Theses and Dissertations

The total removal of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) from poultry feed is underway in the United States. Feed additive strategies will be utilized to maintain the efficient growth, health, and economic value found with current commercial broiler production. Experiment 1 investigated the effects of feeding an encapsulated butyric acid and zinc product (EBAZ) at 3 inclusions on d 0- 49 Ross x Ross 708 male and female broiler performance, blood chemistry, and cecal short-chain fatty acid content. These data suggest that EBAZ can be safely included at 0.5 g/kg and at 2.5 g/kg into diets for Ross x Ross 708 …

Evaluating Different Approaches For The Delivery Of Probiotics To Broilers At Different Life Stages, Claudia Duneska Castaneda Bustillo

Theses and Dissertations

Probiotics are an alternative to increase broiler productivity and flock health. For this reason, the objective of the first study was to evaluate commercially available Bacillus spp. based probiotic products on their ability to reduce Salmonella Heidelberg, in vitro. Results showed that most products reduced the lower concentrations of S. Heidelberg and maintained a reduction for up to 8 h. The second study was conducted to determine if bacterial colonization occurred in a broiler chick after in ovo injection. Using bioluminescence, it was demonstrated that bacteria could migrate and colonize the embryo within 2 h after in ovo injection into …

Biocidal Defeat Agents Produced By Silver-Iodine Nanoenergetic Gas Generators, Ivan Davila

Theses and Dissertations

Nanostructured aluminum (Al), iodine pentoxide (I2O5) nano-rods, and silver oxide (Ag2O) nanoparticles, (Al-I2O5-Ag 2O) were used to compose the ternary thermite composition that serves as a Nanoenergetic Gas Generator (NGG). This composition produces biocidal gases giving the mixture the ability to destroy highly pathogenic microorganisms or bacteria. The dissemination of the biocidal gas in combustion chamber was observed using a high-speed camera. The testing of NGG combustion process against the living Escherichia coli (E.coli) K-12 strain cells, that were cultivated/placed on the sample/chamber surfaces, demonstrated that iodine and silver atoms clouds were deposited to the bacteria surface. The 10/75/15 wt …

Physiological Effects Of Pathogen And Herbivore Risks Encountered By Quaking Aspen, Anson Clark Call

Theses and Dissertations

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is the most widely distributed tree in North America (Lindroth and St Clair 2013), and a keystone species in our western montane forests (Worrall et al. 2015). Aspen has become a model organism for studies of genetics and physiology in woody plants (Bradshaw et al. 2000, Taylor 2002). Aspen is also economicallyimportant (Worrall et al. 2015) – wood is harvested for various uses, its scenic beauty helps sustain the tourism economy in many areas, and it has recently been studied as a possible source of biofuel (Sannigrahi et al. 2010). Aspen is also a …

Modeling The Influence Of El Niño On Parasite Transmission In Sand Crab Populations And Seabird Abundance Along The Californian Coast, Aboubacar Dio Seck

Theses and Dissertations

Pacific mole crabs (Emerita analoga) are one of the most important and abundant

invertebrates in sandy beach environments. Consequently, they are a common food source

for seabirds and sea otters. Since the mole crab serves as the primary intermediate host for

acanthocephalan parasites, they have been linked to a number of mortality events. It is

currently estimated that 13-16% of deaths in the threatened California sea otter population

have been caused by infection. In addition, unusually high loads of acanthocephalan

parasites have been linked to episodic deaths of thousands of surf scoters. Studies suggest

that acanthocephalan development and transmission may …

State Requirements For Childhood Vaccination Exemption Forms In The United States, Katherine Elizabeth Hill

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, children must be vaccinated in order to attend school, although parents also have the right to request a vaccine exemption. The type of vaccine exemption varies by state but can include exemption for religious, philosophical, medical, and temporary medical reasons. The purpose of this research was to identify the use of provider signature requirements and fees in states during the vaccine exemption process. A questionnaire was sent to immunization managers in the 50 United States, District of Columbia, the United States Indian Health Service, and eight United States territories. The managers were asked if their states …