Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Toll-Like Receptor 9 In Periodontitis, Paul Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontitis is a biofilm-initiated inflammatory disease, resulting in soft tissue damage and alveolar bone loss. A nucleic acid sensor, toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), has been recently implicated in periodontal inflammation. This study utilized an in vivo periodontitis model using TLR9 knockout (TLR9-/-) mice to assess the role of TLR9 in periodontitis. Significant bone loss was observed in wild type, but not in TLR9-/- mice. Further experiments using ex vivo assays revealed significantly higher IL-6 production in splenocytes of wild type mice compared to knockout cells in response to Porphyromonas gingivalis (a keystone pathogen for periodontitis) challenge. In conclusion, TLR9 contributes …

A Route To Discover Small Molecule Inhibitors Of Psaa, A Potential Target For Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Ahmad J. Obaidullah

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the development of multidrug resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae, research has begun to define new drug targets for pneumonia therapy. Different research groups have identified a lipoprotein, PsaA that is important for pneumonia virulence. PsaA is a manganese transporter that is required for bacterial virulence and growth. We have employed computer modeling to virtually screen a small-molecule database for inhibition of PsaA function by targeting the metal binding pocket, performing receptor-based virtual screening and molecular docking and scoring to identify potential inhibitors of PsaA function. We have developed an assay for screening compounds, including the use of a PsaA …

The Influence Of Dementia Caregiver Mental Health On Quality Of Care In Argentina, Alejandra Morlett Paredes

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the connections between cognitive functioning in individuals with dementia and caregiver burden, burden and mental health, mental health and quality of care. One hundred two dementia caregivers from San Lucas, Argentina completed questionnaires assessing these constructs. Caregiver burden, depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life explained 18.8% of the variance in quality of care – respect and 14.7% of the variance in quality of care – provide. An SEM with generally adequate fit indices uncovered that cognitive functioning in individuals with dementia was inversely associated with caregiver burden, caregiver burden was inversely associated with mental health, and mental …

Sex Radical: Victoria Woodhull And The Marriage Contract, 1870-1876, Peter Dottling Rich

Theses and Dissertations

From 1870 to1876 radical American feminist Victoria Claflin Woodhull had a dramatic public impact. At that time Woodhull was simultaneously the public face of three major social movements (woman suffrage, free love and Spiritualism), the owner of a brokerage firm, and the publisher of a radical weekly newsletter. Yet Woodhull is now largely absent from the popular narrative of nineteenth-century American history. Her radical views, charismatic personality, and unorthodox personal life resulted in demonization by a scandal-hungry popular press and persecution by the state-sanctioned, morals crusader, Anthony Comstock. Although In the past two decades a number of feminist historians and …

A Systems Biology Approach To Detect Eqtls Associated With Mirna And Mrna Co-Expression Networks In The Nucleus Accumbens Of Chronic Alcoholic Patients, Mohammed Mamdani

Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol Dependence (AD) is a chronic substance use disorder with moderate heritability (60%). Linkage and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have implicated a number of loci; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying AD are unclear. Advances in systems biology allow genome-wide expression data to be integrated with genetic data to detect expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), polymorphisms that regulate gene expression levels, influence phenotypes and are significantly enriched among validated genetic signals for many commonly studied traits including AD.

We integrated genome-wide mRNA and miRNA expression data with genotypic data from the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a major addiction-related brain region, of 36 …

Characterization Of Tonb-Dependent Metal Transporters Within Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Mary Kathryne Dickinson

Theses and Dissertations

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the etiologic agent of gonorrhea, utilizes TonB-dependent transporters to import essential nutrients such as iron. Study of TonB-dependent transporters is extremely important due to the fact that they make excellent vaccine targets. In order to learn more about the structure, function, expression, and regulation of selected TonB-dependent transporters, three goals were established for this study. The first goal was to examine the role of two highly conserved regions of TbpB in lipidation. One of the conserved regions of TbpB, the LSAC motif, was shown to be critical for lipidation. The second goal was to determine whether MisR/MisS regulates …

Goose-Derived Igy: A Potential Therapeutic Antibody For The Treatment Of Infectious Disease, Ashley Louisa Fink

Theses and Dissertations

IgY, the predominate avian antibody isotype, has biochemical properties that make it attractive for a human immunotherapy: IgY does not bind to mammalian Fc receptor (FcR) or rheumatoid factor; IgY does not activate the mammalian complement; and IgY has no heteroagglutinins. Anseriformes (waterfowl, e.g. ducks and geese) produce 2 isoforms of IgY, full length IgY and alternatively spliced IgY lacking the Fc region and a stable equivalent to mammalian F(ab')2 fragment, and the predominate isoform following hyperimmunization. We, and others, have demonstrated that egg-derived avian polyclonal antibodies are prophylactic or therapeutic for a variety of different infectious agents including bacteria, …

Transport, Deposition, And Hygroscopic Growth Of Diverse-Regime Aerosols In Human Respiratory Airways Of Varying Ages, Jongwon Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Determining how many inhaled aerosols deposit in human respiratory airways and where they deposit (i.e., respiratory dosimetry) are of critical importance in a number of fields. Applications of respiratory dosimetry modeling include evaluating health effects of inhaled pollutants, establishing environmental exposure standards, and developing effective techniques for delivering pharmaceutical aerosols to the lung. However, the manifold characteristics of aerosols coupled with the complexity of respiratory tract make such analysis a challenging task as well as a highly multidisciplinary effort, entailing expertise from medicine, engineering, and physiology. In this study, three major factors that affect particle transport and depositions were systematically …

Developing A Multistage Model For Treponemal Disease Susceptibility, Sarah A (Sarah Ann) Mathena

Theses and Dissertations

Despite numerous studies, little is known about the influential factors impacting treponemal disease susceptibility. Yet, forms of treponemal disease, specifically yaws, are a major source of morbidity in the developing world. Bioarchaeological materials may assist with deficit by testing full ranges of disease expression. This study explores the relationship between treponemal disease ecology, specifically yaws, and susceptibility through six southeastern United States archaeological samples. Results show early life health experiences have a relationship to later life disease expression. However, influences of climate may only be seen at a cross-regional level. Finally, although nutrition, as evidenced by subsistence strategy, may play …

Clostridium Difficile Infection Occurrence In Academic Health Centers: Do Organizational Factors Matter?, Amy Pakyz

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare-associated infections occur commonly in hospitals and have a major impact on patient well-being. The occurrence of the healthcare-associated infection, Clostridium difficile, has been occurring more frequently among hospitalized patients due to an epidemic strain, and is an important cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis. This study examined the impact of several organizational factors on the occurrence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in hospitals using an institutional theory perspective. Administrative claims were utilized from University HealthSystem Consortium hospitals to obtain hospital-level data for the calendar year 2011. Data were available for 89 hospitals. Hospital-level analyses, negative binomial regression models, were …

Metabolic Remodeling And Mitochondrial Dysfunction In Maladaptive Right Ventricular Hypertrophy Secondary To Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Jose Gomez-Arroyo

Theses and Dissertations

Right ventricular dysfunction is the most frequent cause of death in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Although abnormal energy substrate use has been implicated in the development of chronic left heart failure, data describing such metabolic remodeling in failing right ventricular tissue remain incomplete. In the present dissertation we sought to characterize metabolic gene expression changes and mitochondrial dysfunction in functional and dysfunctional RV hypertrophy. Two different rat models of RV hypertrophy were studied. The model of right ventricular failure (SU5416/hypoxia) exhibited a significantly decreased gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- coactivator-1α, peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor-α and estrogen-related receptor-α. The …

Responding To A Community Tuberculosis Outbreak: Public Health Nursing Interventions, Deborah J. Swanson

Theses and Dissertations

The role of the public health nurse in responding to a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak is instrumental in controlling the disease and preventing further spread in a community. This paper focuses on the interventions carried out by public health nurses in Grand Forks, ND where a TB outbreak occurred from 20 IO until 2013 with a peak in cases identified in late 2012. The population affected had unstable housing, low socioeconomic status, and other risk factors for TB. A total of 26 adult and pediatric cases of TB were identified among a closely connected social network with multiple and prolonged exposures …

Lapatinib And Sorafenib Kill Gbm Tumor Cells In A Greater Than Additive Manner, Seyedmehrad Tavallai

Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant brain tumor in adults, affecting thousands of people worldwide every year, with a life expectancy, post diagnosis of 12 months. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy together, result in an overall mean survival not exceeding 15 months. Targeted therapeutic agents sorafenib, an oral multi kinase inhibitor, and lapatinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, used in combination have been shown to kill GBM cells be through inhibition of major growth mediating signaling pathways that are frequently over expressed in gliomas, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT). …

Work Hope And The Socioemotional Functioning Of Offenders, David Guion

Theses and Dissertations

For offenders returning to society at record levels, securing work looms as one of the most crucial factors in successful reentry. Work hope is a construct that seeks to measure the relative presence of goals of securing desired work, thoughts about how to achieve those goals, and agency to achieve those goals, even in the presence of obstacles. This study sought to examine relationships among work hope, the socioemotional variables of attachment, emotion regulation, physical, relational, and workplace victimization, and coping, and the career-related variables of perceptions of career-related barriers and complexity level of career goals. The sample comprised cohorts …

Older Msm And Hiv/Aids: A Grounded Theory Study To Inform Prevention, Johnnie O'Neal

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to increase knowledge as it relates to HIV-prevention for older adults, especially for MSM who are HIV-negative. In participating in this study, participants shared their experiences, stories and feelings related to their exposure to HIV and HIV-prevention initiatives. Using a Traditional Grounded Theory method, 22 interviews with older MSM were conducted with the aim of producing a theory that explained how these men lived prior to HIV, the different ways they responded to the onset of the virus, how they have lived their lives over the last three decades, and the extent to which the virus continues …

A Quadruplex Real-Time Pcr Assay For The Rapid Detection And Differentiation Of The Burkholderia Pseudomallei Complex: B. Mallei, B. Pseudomallei, And B. Thailandensis, Chinn-Woan Lowe

Theses and Dissertations

Methods for the rapid detection and differentiation of the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex comprising B. pseudomallei, B. mallei, and B. thailandensis, have been the topic of recent research due to the high degree of phenotypic and genotypic similarities of these species. B. pseudomallei and B. mallei are the causative agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively. B. pseudomallei and B. mallei are recognized by the CDC as tier 1 select agents. Although B. thailandensis is generally avirulent in mammals, this species displays very similar phenotypic characteristics to that of B. pseudomallei. Optimal identification of these species remains problematic, …

Nano-Biomedical Approaches Of Cancer Therapy Using Carbon Based And Magnetic Nanomaterials, Alokita Karmakar

Theses and Dissertations

Since the inception of nanoparticles, they have affected almost each and every field of modern science and technology both in terms of research and application. Due to its subcellular level size and ease of modification for biological and medical purposes, nanoparticles have contributed greatly in various field of biomedical reaserch including cancer research. In this dissertation, emphasis has been given on an important area of research of a multi-modal anticancer therapeutic approach using carbon-based and magnetic inorganic nanoparticles. Cancer is a complex disease that has been known to be generated by mutations at the genetic level, and continue to accumulate …

Transcriptome Response Associated With Protective Immunity In T And B Cell Deficient Zebrafish, Aparna Krishnavajhala

Theses and Dissertations

RAG1-/- mutant zebrafish lack T and B lymphocytes. However, when re-exposed to homologous bacteria, these fish mount a response that provides specific protection. To further define this response, we utilized microarray analyses to determine the mechanisms underlying innate immune system memory in zebrafish. We also analyzed interferon (IFN) gamma by qRT-PCR. It is produced by activated NK cells and could indicate if this cell mediates the protective response seen in lymphocyte deficient zebrafish. Pathological studies and in situ hybridizations were performed to observe tissue changes and location of the cells that produced IFN gamma. Following bacterial re-exposure, zebrafish transcripts in …

Characterization Of Cyclic Di-Gmp Binding By The Sole Borrelia Burgdorferi And Borrelia Hermsii Pilz Domain-Containing Proteins, Katherine Louise Mallory

Theses and Dissertations

Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia hermsii cause Lyme disease and relapsing fever, respectively. These spirochetes are maintained in an enzootic cycle, involving tick vectors and mammalian hosts. Differential gene expression is central in their survival in various environmental conditions. C-di-GMP has been demonstrated to be important in bacterial adaptation. Borrelia deletion mutant phenotypes have shown that c-di-GMP regulates motility, infectivity, and enzootic cycle progression. As the only known receptors encoded by Borrelia, PlzA and PlzC characterization is necessary in delineating c-di-GMP roles within the cell. In this study, biochemical, biophysical, and FRET methods demonstrated that these proteins exhibit a structural rearrangement …

Identification And Characterization Of Ethanol Responsive Genes In Acute Ethanol Behaviors In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Joseph Alaimo

Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol abuse and dependence are complex disorders that are influenced by many genetic and environmental factors. Acute behavioral responses to ethanol have predictive value for determining an individual’s long-term susceptibility to alcohol abuse and dependence. These behavioral responses are strongly influenced by genetics. Here, we have explored the role of genetic influences on acute behavioral responses to ethanol using the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. First, we explored the role of ethanol metabolism in acute behavior responses to ethanol. Natural variation in human ethanol metabolism machinery is one of the most reported and reproducible associations found to alter drinking behavior. Ethanol …

Adam10 Overexpression Dysregulates Notch Signaling In Favor Of Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cell (Mdsc) Accumulation That Deferentially Modulates The Host Response Depending On Immune Stimuli And Interaction With Mast Cells., Sheinei Saleem

Theses and Dissertations

Although the physiological consequences of Notch signaling in hematopoiesis have been extensively studied, the differential effects of individual notch cleavage products remain to be elucidated. Given that a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) is a critical regulator of Notch and that its deletion is embryonically lethal, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress ADAM10 at early stages of lymphoid and myeloid development (A10Tg). ADAM10 transgene expression alters hematopoiesis post-hematopoietic Lineage-Sca-1+c-kit+ (LSK) subset differentiation but prior to lineage commitment of progenitor populations. This results in delayed T cell development, abrogated B2 cell development, and dramatic expansion of functionally active myeloid derived suppressor …

Cannabinoids Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Thc) And Cp55,940 Ablate Specific Chemokine And Cytokine Inflammatory Response In Bv-2 Mouse Microglial Cells Activated With Hiv-1 Pro-Inflammatory Protein Tat, Rebecca Maddux

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the widespread use of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) to combat Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HANDs) still remain a dire issue. HIV can enter the brain through infected monocytes and infect microglia, the resident macrophages within that compartment. Due to its pro-inflammatory properties, HIV regulatory protein Tat (Transactivating protein) may play a role in the progression of neurocognitive disorders. The aim of this project was to determine whether the select cannabinoids THC and CP55,940 could ablate the inflammatory response on BV-2 mouse microglia cells caused by Tat. Within …

Modelling Infertility With Markov Chains, Rebecca Dorff

Theses and Dissertations

Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples. Testing and interventions are costly, in time, money, and emotional energy. This paper will discuss using Markov decision and multi-armed bandit processes to identify a systematic approach of interventions that will lead to the desired baby while minimizing costs.

Isolation, Characterization And Synthesis Of Asthma Inducing Fungal Glycolipid And Analytical Method Development For Novel Antimicrobial Peptide Mimics, Vinod Chaudhary

Theses and Dissertations

NKT cells are an important part of human immune system and recognize a specific set of antigens called glycolipids. Only a handful of "natural" NKT cell antigens are known till date. Although NKT cells play a protective role against pathogenic organisms, imbalances in NKT cell functions are implicated in many diseases including asthma. Allergic asthma, a Th2 driven inflammation of airways, is primarily caused by inhalation of environmental allergens. In the last decade, inhaled allergen Aspergillus fumigatus has been under scrutiny for the presence of NKT cell antigens that might trigger asthma. We successfully isolated, characterized and synthesized a "natural" …

Development Of Safe And Efficacious Live Attenuated Edwardsiella Ictaluri Vaccines Against Enteric Septicemia Of Catfish, Neeti Dahal

Theses and Dissertations

Edwardsiella ictaluri is the causative agent of enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC), which is the most economically important disease of farm-raised channel catfish. E. ictaluri is considered a facultative intracellular pathogen like other well-known species in the Enterobacteriaceae, and it is capable of surviving inside channel catfish neutrophils and macrophages. Its ability to survive inside neutrophils and macrophages has made the development of an effective vaccine against ESC particularly challenging. The goal is to develop a safe, efficacious live attenuated ESC vaccine that is practical and economically beneficial to catfish producers. In this study, single and combination of mutations in …

Isolation, Antibiotic Resistance And Clonal Similarities Of Salmonella Spp. In Catfish And Processing Facilities, Norman N. Arroyo Llantin

Theses and Dissertations

Salmonella spp. is a human pathogen that has been reported in catfish, but with conflicting results. Salmonella spp. was isolated from live catfish, catfish products and the processing environment during catfish production, followed by evaluation of their antibiotic resistance and clonal similarities. Distinction of Salmonella spp. was increased by lowering background microflora with the addition of the antimicrobial novobiocin to the agar media. More than ten Salmonella serotypes were isolated from catfish and catfish products, such as live, chilled fillets, frozen fillets, and conveyor belts in catfish processing facilities. The isolates that were recovered include Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, Barranquilla, Mbadaka, …

Increasing Milk Replacer Crude Protein Concentrations With Or Without Direct-Fed Microbial Supplementation On Pre-Weaned Holstein Calves During Heat Stress, Adam J. Geiger

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to determine the effect of modified crude protein (CP) concentrations and a supplemental directed microbial in the milk replacer fed to Holstein calves during elevated ambient temperatures. Fortyour Holstein calves were randomly assigned treatments in a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Weekly and daily measurements were taken and analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS. Calves fed increased CP concentrations in the milk replacer had greater body weight and frame measurements during the pre-weaning phase and at weaning. Directed microbial supplementation led to increased ADG during the post-weaning phase. Directed microbial supplementation and milk replacer modification helped …

Evaluation And Management Of The Adult Patient With Dermatomyositis: A Review For The Advanced Practice Nurse, Tana L. Bock

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: To examine a case of adult dermatomyositis (DM) and provide a clinical review that clarifies the pathogenesis, diagnosis, evaluation, and management of DM in the adult patient.

DATA SOURCES: Findings from the history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing of a 57-year-old woman with dermatomyositis. A search of literature from 1970 to 2013 was conducted including textbooks, Pub Med and CINAHL databases with the search terms "dermatomyositis," "idiopathic inflammatory myopathies," "polymyositis," "pathogenesis," "myopathies," "pathogenesis," "therapy," and "treatment."

CONCLUSION: Dermatomyositis is one of the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies affecting individuals of all ages. Its underlying pathology is related to …

Positive Deviance And Hand Hygiene, In Eui Oh

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare-associated infections (HAis) are significant problems to our nation since these are n1ajor causes of n1orbidity and mortality and these produce both financial and medical burden. Good hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for preventing healthcareassociated infections (HAls); however, hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers is poor. An1ong 1nany strategies to in1prove hand hygiene behavior in healthcare workers, this paper reviews current I iterature on hand hygiene and introduces the Positive Deviance (PD) 1nethod to achieve high hand hygiene compliance and i1nprove hand hygiene behaviors

Existing literatures and guidelines on hand hygiene and PD are synthesized, and …

Educating Staff Nurses On The Early Recognition Of Clostridium Difficile In Cancer Patients, Jennie A. Meyer

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.