Digital Commons Network^™

Antibiotic Overuse In The Treatment Of Viral Uri's In Healthy Adult Populations, Tracy L. Dozak

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Positive Dimension: Exploring Factors That Enhance Utilization Of And Adherence To Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission (Pmtct) Of Hiv Services In An Urban Setting In Kenya, Lydia Murithi

Theses and Dissertations

Despite expansive scale-up of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services in Kenya over the last decade, Kenya remains one of the countries contributing high numbers of children living with HIV globally and among the 22 PMTCT global plan priority countries. Using a mixed methods approach this study examined enabling factors –individual, social and structural – that enhance utilization of and adherence to PMTCT services in a plural urban setting in Kenya. The study was conducted from October-December of 2012 at St. Mary’s Mission Hospital, Lang’ata. HIV-positive birthmothers whose infants were HIV-negative at the time of the study were …

The Inflammasome In Acute Myocarditis, Harsha Kannan

Theses and Dissertations

Acute myocarditis is an acute inflammatory syndrome characterized by myocardial damage and dysfunction often due to a viral infection followed by a variable development over time. There are currently no specific treatments and standard treatments for heart failure are generally applied. The inflammasome is a recently identified macromolecular structure that occupies a central role in the amplification of the inflammatory response and promotion of cell death during acute and chronic infections. We hypothesized the formation of the inflammasome in acute myocarditis. To investigate, samples of patients were collected from the Cardiomyopathy Registry in Trieste, with 12 cases of biopsy-proven myocarditis …

The Activation, Receptor Complexing And Endogenous Regulation Of The Type-I Interferon Response As It Pertains To Innate Immunity, James D. Marion Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

To defend against pathogen challenge, multi-cellular organisms mount an immune response that recognizes, sequesters and eradicates invading infectious agents. Critical to this safeguard is the receptor-mediated detection of pathogens. Pathogen recognition then initiates a variety of signaling cascades that lead to the modulation of genes orchestrating an immune response. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), a transmembrane receptor found in endosomes, is vital to the innate immune response against viruses. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) stimulation of TLR3 initiates a signaling cascade that leads to the production of type-I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines necessary to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system. Critical …

Rural School Employees' Awareness And Perceptions Of Adult Vaccinations: A District-Wide Study, Eli Gary Thornton

Theses and Dissertations

As key members of the school environment, it is important for school employees to be vaccinated. Employees are in direct contact with children in close quarters for long periods of time and such an environment can easily serve as an outbreak center for vaccine-preventable communicable diseases such as measles. Despite the fact that most school employees believe vaccines are safe and effective and many school employees report they are up-to-date with their vaccines, a closer examination reveals discrepancy between belief and behavior. As a vaccine advocate, the school nurse can be influential in providing adult vaccination education for school employees, …

The Many Faces Of Lyme Disease, Blythe H. Kersula

Theses and Dissertations

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States today, and cases

continue to grow every year. Lyme disease can be challenging to diagnose due to the many

presenting symptoms. This independent study is meant to describe symptoms of Lyme Jess

traditionally discussed in medical and nursing literature when considering how and when to

~ diagnose Lyme disease. It is also meant to examine common diagnostic problems in pediatric,

maternal, and elderly populations. This was accomplished with the use of a literature review, ~ resulting in the development of a white paper and educational brochure for dissemination …

Mass Chlamydia Screening Vs. Opportunistic Screening In College Freshmen, Amanda E. Allmaras

Theses and Dissertations

Chlamydia trachomatis is the number one sexually transmitted disease in the United States and North Dakota. It has seen a steady rise in the past 10 years. Chlamydia is a preventable and treatable disease but the current lack of sufficient screening and identification of this disease often leads to many health consequences. Standard USPSTF screening guidelines are available for practitioners but despite the use of recommended opportunistic screening with patients, only about 3 8% of females ages 15-25 years are being screened appropriately and there is even less identification in males. There is growing literature on the efficacy of using …

Molecular Analysis Of The Localization And Function Of Caspase-Like Proteins In Dictyostelium Discoideum And The Parasitic Protozoan Acanthamoeba Castellanii, Entsar Jabbar Saheb Kano

Theses and Dissertations

Two novel families of caspase-like proteins, metacaspases and paracaspases, have been discovered but have remained poorly characterized. Metacaspase type-1 (Acmcp) has been identified in Acanthamoeba castellanii , which is an opportunistic protozoan parasite that causes several diseases in humans. On the other hand, paracaspase (Ddpcp) has been found in the protozoan Dictyostelium discoideum . D. discoideum is well-researched model organism that is appropriate for studying these caspase-like proteins. In this study, we investigated the localization and molecular function of metacaspase and paracaspase proteins by over-expressing them in D. discoideum . Separate cell lines over-expressing a GFP-tagged version of the full …

Glycoconjugates Prevent Bacterial Dissemination And Cellular Death During B. Cereus/ B. Anthracis Infection, Mohamed Hassen Lahiani

Theses and Dissertations

Bacillus cereus group species including Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis produce highly resistant spores. Dormant spores can survive for long period in harsh environmental conditions. Spores are engulfed by macrophages. Mammalian macrophages are the first line defenders immune cells through its phagocytic activity. Glycoconjugates (GCs) are a family of synthetic carbohydrates that possesses numerous bactericidal and immunodulatory properties. In my study, I used a multivariate approach to study the effects of GCs on B. cereus and B. anthracis Sterne phagocytosis. During in vitro study, I found that GC1 and GC3 were the best candidates that inhibited B. cereus and B. …

Rapid Identification Of Bacteria Using Mass Spectrometry And Spectral Pattern Recognition, Pierre Alusta

Theses and Dissertations

Rapid Identification of Bacteria Using Mass Spectrometry and Spectral Pattern Recognition A novel atmospheric pressure ionization process, namely Direct Impact Ionization (DII), is used to ionize bacteria. Electric discharges impinge on an indentation from underneath a stainless steel wire mesh holding a thin dried film of whole bacterial cells, the analyte. The latter is immersed in (350 oC) hot He gas flow. Biomolecular ions as heavy as 560 m/z are generated. Mass spectra are obtained and extracted with a high degree of reproducibility. A bioinformatic methodology for effective representation of spectral data that incorporates noise reduction was developed for this …

Bridging The Gap: Using The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Predict Hpv Vaccination Intentions In Men, Daniel Snipes

Theses and Dissertations

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the US, with an estimated incidence rate of 6.2 million new cases each year. Men have higher instances of certain HPV related outcomes (e.g., head/neck cancers) when compared to women, so male vaccination with the HPV vaccine is also paramount to preventing cancer. The present study examined the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a model for predicting HPV vaccination intentions among men. Results suggest the TPB was a well-fitting model to the data, but not all aspects of the TPB model were predictive of HPV vaccination …

Vaccination Perceptions And Barriers Of School Employees: A Pilot Study, Kim Cranney Houle

Theses and Dissertations

Schools are group settings where vaccine-preventable diseases can spread quickly, especially if vaccination rates are suboptimal. Vaccination of school children has been the subject of many studies; however, data are lacking regarding the vaccination status, vaccination perceptions, and potential barriers to vaccination for school employees. Method: A questionnaire was developed to measure school employees' perceptions,awareness of current vaccination status, and potential barriers to vaccinations. This study included a convenience sample of 277 employees from a small urban school district located in central Utah. Results: Adult vaccination knowledge is lacking in the school employee population, with over half believing they were …

Unique Perspectives And Struggles Of Parents Rearing Children With Phenylketonuria With Unaffected Siblings, Cassandra Nicole Hollinger

Theses and Dissertations

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal metabolic condition that is screened for via newborn screening. Individuals who are identified as having PKU require a protein-restricted diet to protect against neurological damage. Many parents who learn their child has PKU may already have children who are not affected, or may have children later who are not affected. This creates a unique situation in which parents are rearing children that require a strict protein-restricted diet with children who do not. Parents who are currently rearing children with and without PKU were surveyed to learn what unique perspectives and struggles they face, especially regarding …

Estimation Of Aerosolized Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Concentrations From Wastewater Treatment Facilities Using Spatially-Based Dispersion Modeling, Renee Nichole Dickman

Theses and Dissertations

Pathogenic bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics to which they were previously sensitive, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. The increase in drug resistance in bacteria is an emerging public health concern. The activated sludge tanks of wastewater treatment plants are known sources of antibiotic resistant bacteria. These resistant bacteria can become aerosolized and disperse downwind. Using previously sampled aerosol concentrations and meteorological data, a Gaussian dispersion model was developed to estimate the concentration downwind from a selected wastewater treatment facility. The emission rate was calculated to be 7,941 CFU/m²/sec ± 2,149 CFU/m²/sec. This value was used in …

Models And Software Development For Interval-Censored Data, Chun Pan

Theses and Dissertations

Interval-censored time-to-event data occur naturally in studies of diseases where the symptoms are not directly observable, and periodic clinical examinations are required for detection. Due to the lack of well-established procedures, interval-censored data have been conventionally treated as right-censored data, however, this introduces bias at the first place. This dissertation focuses on methodological research and software development for interval-censored data. Specifically, it consists of three projects. The first project is to create an R package for regression analysis and survival curve estimation of interval-censored data based on several published papers by our research team. In the second project, a Bayesian …

The Association Of Physical Fitness With Psychological Health Outcomes In Soldiers During Army Basic Combat Training, Shannon K. Crowley

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the current need for investigation of factors involved with soldiers' resilience to stressors in the Basic Combat Training (BCT) environment, and evidence in civilian populations that physical training is associated with psychological benefits, little is known about the relationship between physical fitness and psychological adjustment during BCT. Study one of this dissertation involved an extensive literature review of factors related to the relationship between physical fitness and psychological adjustment of soldiers during BCT. Using qualitative focus group methods, study two assessed soldiers' perceptions about their sleep, and consequences of sleep disruption during BCT at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. …

Mass Spectrometry And Tandem Mass Spectrometry Characterization Of Protein Patterns, Protein Markers And Whole Proteomes For Pathogenic Bacteria, Jennifer Intelicato-Young

Theses and Dissertations

There have been many recent reviews published on MALDI-TOF MS (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight) MS (mass spectrometry) for identification of bacteria particularly with relevance to clinical microbiology. MALDI-TOF MS is now a mature technique for bacterial identification with great promise. The purpose of this review is to put into perspective MALDI-TOF MS and other widely used mass spectrometry methods for characterization of proteins. MALDI-TOF MS is used for rapid determination of a mass pattern of proteins for bacterial characterization; these proteins

are generally not identified. Alternatively, after gel separation, MALDI TOF-TOF MSMS (tandem mass spectrometry) or on-line LC-ESI MS-MS …

The Effect Of Masculinity On Post-Deployment Veterans' Help-Seeking Behaviors And Mental Health Outcomes, Nils-Erik Juhani Juanto Laver

Theses and Dissertations

While the current literature has investigated various barriers to reintegration for male veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, few have investigated how internal processes such as attitudes and beliefs impact reintegration outcomes. Civilian literature has indicated that men who adhere to traditional masculine ideals tend to have a lower quality of life, less help-seeking behaviors, and more mental and physical health problems. This study set out to investigate how traditional masculine values, age, combat exposure, and relative normative male alexithymia may affect mental health, quality of life, and help-seeking behaviors in veterans who were deployed to combat …

The South Carolina Sanatorium: The Landscape Of Public Healthcare In The Segregated South, Amanda Noll

Theses and Dissertations

This site-specific study examines the development of the South Carolina Sanatorium, which operated as a state-funded tuberculosis treatment center between 1915 and 1953. Using the South Carolina Sanatorium as a case study, this thesis draws upon the history of the Progressive Era, medicine, and architecture to analyze the influence of segregation on public healthcare in the South. By looking at the development of individual buildings and the site as whole, the built environment of the South Carolina Sanatorium is used as a framework to assess the effects of segregation on tuberculosis treatment in South Carolina.

Environmental Pre-Conditioning Of Bacterial Populations And Communities To Extreme Acidity, Gabriel Joseph Swenson

Theses and Dissertations

The ability of opportunistic enteric pathogens to cause disease is effected by their ability to survive the variable and lethal acidity of the mammalian host gastrointestinal milieu. In many of these pathogens, survival is conferred by an acid stress response (ASR). ASR is elicited when bacterial cells are pre-conditioned in sub-lethal acidity (pH 4-6) which induces rapid biochemical and physiological modifications and facilitates survival when extreme acidity (pH 1-3) is encountered. In Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the diarrheal disease Cholera, ASR was initially investigated in an effort to determine how this ubiquitous aquatic bacterium is capable of causing …

The Impact Of Imprecision In Hcv Viral Load Test Results On Clinicians’ Therapeutic Management Decisions And On The Economic Value Of The Test, Roberta M. Madej

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical laboratory test results are integral to patient management. Important aspects of laboratory tests’ contributions are the use of the test information and the role they have in facilitating efficient and effective use of healthcare resources. Methods of measuring those contributions were examined using quantitative HCV RNA test results (HCV VL) in therapeutic management decisions as a model. Test precision is important in those decisions; therefore, the clinical use was evaluated by studying the impact that knowledge of inherent assay imprecision had on clinicians’ decisions. A survey describing a simulated patient at a decision point for HCV triple-combination therapy management …

The Ecology Of Host-Seeking Mosquitoes Within The Red River Valley Of Central North Dakota, Joseph Orlo Mehus

Theses and Dissertations

Host-seeking mosquitoes are taxing for people and wildlife alike in the Red River Valley (RRV). During the summer massive numbers of mosquitoes swarm the RRV, yet little is known about the ecology and biology of the mosquito species that inhabit this area. This research will help to fill some of those knowledge gaps by studying the ecology of host seeking mosquitoes in the RRV.

Host-seeking mosquitoes were collected using CO₂-baited MMX^TM traps. Trapping was conducted in two very different rural settings within the RRV. One site, a 40-acre hardwood forest with closed canopy, the other a farmstead …

The Effect Of Oil Exposure On The Tissues And Health Status Of Gulf Of Mexico Fishes, Ahmad Salem Omar Ali

Theses and Dissertations

The Macondo 252 oil spill occurred on April 20, 2010 and persisted for 86 days. Oil spill exposed Gulf fish demonstrated reduced lymphocyte counts and increased ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) values. Alligator gar were exposed to 0, 0.5 and 4.0 g oil/L of tank water for 48 hours, then moved to oilree water for a 7 day recovery period. After forty-eight hours exposure, lymphocyte and hematopoietic precursor populations were significantly decreased in dose responsive by exposure to oil. Following a 7 day recovery period, lymphocyte and precursor cell numbers increased. After 48 hours exposure, tissue changes included hepatocellular vacuolization and necrosis, necrotizing …

Ecology Of The Tick-Borne Pathogen, Rickettsia Parkeri, In Its Primary Vector, Amblyomma Maculatum, And Select Vertebrate Hosts, Gail Miriam Moraru

Theses and Dissertations

Rickettsia parkeri is a tick-borne microorganism, only recently recognized to cause disease in humans. The ecology of this disease is largely unknown, and was addressed through a series of laboratory and field investigations. Feeding behavior of immature stages of the primary vector, Amblyomma maculatum, on mammalian, avian, and reptilian host models was investigated. It was determined that this tick does not feed on anoles, and nymphs do display longer periods of attachment to and are significantly heavier having fed on cotton rats as compared with quail. Field surveys indicate evidence of exposure to spotted fever group rickettsiae in small mammals …

Medication-Related Problems Experienced By Patients During Transitions To Assisted Living, Deanna Flora

Theses and Dissertations

Medication reconciliation is a systematic and comprehensive review of medication regimens during care transitions aiming to prevent adverse drug events. Poorly executed transitions negatively impact patient welfare and cause financial burden. Medication-related problems (MRPs) experienced during transitions to an assisted living facility (ALF) were evaluated. Data was collected from pharmacy records for transitions to an ALF over three months, including demographics, medications, potentially inappropriate medications, and MRPs. MRPs were categorized and summarized using descriptive statistics. Forty-five patients (71% female) experienced 59 transitions. Average age was 85.6 years. Median length of stay away from the ALF was three days. There were …

Ultrasound-Induced Phase Change Of Emulsion Droplets For Targeted Gene And Drug Delivery, James R. Lattin

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the potential of using perfluorocarbon emulsion droplets to add an ultrasound-sensitive element to drug delivery systems. These emulsion droplets may be induced to vaporize with ultrasound; during the rarefactional phase of an ultrasound wave, the pressure around the droplets may fall below the vapor pressure of the liquid forming the emulsion, providing a thermodynamic potential for vaporization. This ultrasound-induced phase change of the emulsion droplet could release therapeutics attached to the droplet surface or aid in drug delivery due to mechanical effects associated with vaporization and expansion, similar to the ability of cavitating bubbles to aid in …

Aberrant Placental Immune Parameters In The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (Fiv)-Infected Cat Suggest Virus-Induced Changes In Leukocyte Function, Lyndon Bart Chumbley

Theses and Dissertations

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), interleukin 17-producing T helper cells (Th17 cells), and other immune cells play important roles in the maintenance of pregnancy, and their function is impacted by HIV infection. I hypothesized that FIV-infection may likewise alter placental T cell gene expression causing aberrant immune function and compromised pregnancy. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the expression placental immunomodulators related to Treg and Th17 cell function in the FIV-infected cat model. Gene expression was quantified in placenta and serum using quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. Abnormal expression of cytokines was frequently associated with infection and fetal nonviability, …

Ecology And Disease Potential Of The Black-Legged Deer Tick, Ixodes Scapularis Say, In Mississippi, Lauren Goltz

Theses and Dissertations

To assess the seasonality and disease potential of Ixodes scapularis Say in north Mississippi, ixodid ticks were collected by drag cloth method at two sites in north Mississippi weekly from August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011 and tested for molecular evidence of disease agents via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. In addition, environmental data were observed and recorded for each collection date. I. scapularis nymphs (n=6) were collected in August, September, March, and May, perhaps reflecting a seasonally bimodal distribution, while adults (n=256) were found October through May with a peak in March. No statistically significant relationship between environmental …

Effects Of Sodium Methyldithiocarbamate-Induced Oxidative Stress On Nf-Kappa B Activation, Monica Cherie Gadson

Theses and Dissertations

Sodium methyldithiocarbamate (SMD) is commonly reported to cause health risks in humans. Previous reports indicate SMD causes oxidative stress, which can contribute to the activation of NF-êB and cause other characteristics of inflammatory responses to be altered. Almost all pro-inflammatory cytokines require NF-êB activation for full expression and development of an innate immune or inflammatory response. This study evaluated NF-êB activation, providing new information regarding reactive oxygen in macrophages from SMD-treated mice. Studies were conducted in which NF-êB reporter mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), SMD, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). BSO depletes glutathione (GSH) and increases oxidative …

Investigating The Transcriptional Regulation By Oxyr In Porphyromonas Gingivalis., Anuya R. Paranjape

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal diseases are bacterially induced, inflammatory diseases which are responsible for loss of alveolar bone and connective tissue supporting the teeth which results in loss of teeth. Gram negative anaerobic bacteria are highly associated with these diseases. One of them is Porphyromonas gingivalis belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes. Infection by P. gingivalis is recurrent after physical removal of the bacteria from the oral cavity and even after antibiotic treatment as development of resistance is not rare. Hence complete understanding the biology of this bacterium is of significance. This gram negative obligate anaerobe, being aerotolerant, manages to survive inside the oral …