Digital Commons Network^™

Methionine-R-Sulfoxide Reductases And Biological Importance Of Free Methionine Sulfoxide Reduction, Byung Cheon Lee

Department of Biochemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

We identified and functionally characterized yeast fRMsr homolog which showed specificity for reduction of free Met-R-SO and contributed to oxidative stress resistance of yeast cells. We further identified three conserved Cys which participate in catalysis through disulfide exchange. Evolutionary analyses revealed that the occurrence of fRMSr is restricted to unicellular organisms. We further found that mammalian MsrA can reduce free Met-S-SO, whereas MsrBs do not reduce free Met-R-SO. Consistent with these findings and the lack of fRMsr, mammalian cells could not grow in media that replaced Met with Met-R-SO. However, they grew in the presence of free Met-S-SO, which was …

Yield Potential And Resource-Use Efficiency Of Maize Systems In The Western U. S. Corn Belt, Patricio Grassini

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Maize demand for food, livestock feed, and biofuel is expected to increase substantially. The Western U.S. Corn Belt accounts for 23% of U.S. maize production, and irrigated maize accounts for 43 and 58% of maize land area and total production, respectively, in this region. The most sensitive parameters (yield potential [YP], water-limited yield potential [YP-W], yield gap between actual yield and YP, and resource-use efficiency) governing performance of maize systems in the region are lacking. A simulation model was used to quantify YP under irrigated and rainfed conditions based on weather data, soil properties, and crop management at 18 locations. …

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors And Associations With Indicators Of Body Fat, Diet, And Physical Activity In U.S. Children Ages 6–11, Melissa A. Masters

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Research was conducted to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in U.S. children ages 6-11 and associations with body fat, diet, and physical activity. Data for 685 children ages 6-11 was obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). NHANES data was examined to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in these children, the impact of indicators of body fat on cardiovascular disease risk factors, the association between cardiovascular disease risk factors and dietary components, and the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk factors among U.S. children. Children were also evaluated for …

Factors Influencing Overweight Children's Commencement Of And Continuation In A Resistance Training Program, Melanie Pescud, Simone Pettigrew, Michael R. Mcguigan, Robert Newton

Research outputs pre 2011

Background: In light of the child overweight and obesity problem in Australia, resistance training programs have been trialled as an innovative way of assisting children increase lean body mass and reduce body fat. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing overweight children's participation in a resistance training trial program.

Method: Parent-child pairs who participated in the trial program were invited to take part in a follow-up individual interview to discuss their program experiences. In total, 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 parent-child pairs.

Results: The factors found to be most relevant to program commencement among …

Lyme Disease: The Surprising Debate In The 2010 Virginia House Of Delegates, Gerald C. Canaan Ii, Karah L. Gunther

Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest

In most every General Assembly session, there are those bills that while on the surface appear fairly innocuous-quickly take on a life of their own, generating an audible buzz in and around the General Assembly Building. The 2010 Virginia General Assembly session was no different. Amidst hallway discussions concerning the budget, gun rights, and abortion, one could also hear the distinct murmur of a completely novel topic: Lyme disease. Often associated with a small, pesky insect known as the black-legged tick, until this year, Lyme disease had not been the subject of any controversial legislation proposed in the Commonwealth of …

Age-Related Changes In Handgrip Strength Among Healthy Indian Males And Females Aged 6-25 Years, Shyamal Koley, Sheri Melton

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A.S.P.E.N. Ethics Position Paper, Albert Barrocas, Cynthia Geppert, Sharon M. Durfee, Julie O'Sullivan Maillet, Cheryl Monturo, Charles Mueller, Kathleen Stratton, Christina Valentine, A.S.P.E.N. Board Of Directors

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Review Of Factors Affecting The Lgbt Population When Choosing A Surrogate Decision-Maker, Christina Stewart Browning

HIM 1990-2015

Choosing a surrogate to make medical decisions for a patient is an emotionally challenging task. In hospital settings, it is estimated over 86% of life saving medical decisions have been made by a surrogate (Swigart, Lidz, Butterworth, & Arnold, 1996). For the marginalized populations of lesbian, gay men, bisexual, and transgender persons (LGBT), decisions are especially difficult, compounded by issues of discrimination, lack of legal support, level of relationship commitment,, and complicated disclosure to family and medical professionals (Riggle, Rostosky, Prather, & Hamrin, 2005). Limited research has been presented regarding environmental and social factors that impact the choice of a …

Swine Flu, Drug Wars, And Riots: Media And Tourism In Oaxaca, Mexico, Joshua Crosby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines how travelers evaluate and process mass media news stories about local events. Thanks to its colonial architecture, white sand beaches, and indigenous history, the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca receives millions of foreign and domestic visitors each year. Between 2006 and through 2009 Oaxaca has received a great deal of negative international media coverage, including stories of street riots, drug violence, and the fall out of the H1N1 flu virus. The overall impact of these unfavorable reports, and the resulting decline in the local tourism industry, has been predictable and severe. This thesis is based on anthropological …

The Impact Of Grade Configuration On Sixth Grade Academic Achievement In Florida Public Schools, Karen Schafer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of grade span configuration on the academic achievement of sixth grade students in Florida public schools. Grade configuration (PK-6, PK-8, and 6-8) was the independent variable. Academic achievement, the dependent variable, was measured using 2009 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Reading and Mathematics mean scale scores and the percentage of students making annual learning gains from 2008 to 2009. School socioeconomic status (SES) was used as a covariate to equalize the effect of poverty on achievement. Random samples of schools were drawn from the population of all Florida public schools with sixth grades in 2009, …

Examining The Hypocrisy Paradigm As An Intervention For Modifying High-Risk Alcohol Use Behaviors Among College Students, Mary Hammons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the hypocrisy paradigm as an experimental alcohol intervention to determine if participants who complete the hypocrisy paradigm will experience a significant reduction in the number of negative consequences associated with their alcohol use, quantity and frequency of alcohol use, and average and peak eBAC compared to college students in the control condition. Participants were 53 college students randomly assigned to an experimental hypocrisy paradigm intervention or a control condition. Contrary to prediction, the hypocrisy paradigm was not found to be significantly different than the control condition. Exploratory analyses examining within-group differences were …

Evaluating An Online Personalized Family-Based Intervention To Promote Healthy Lifestyle Changes, Sharon Hayes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study evaluated the initial feasibility, efficacy, and acceptability of a motivationally-tailored family-based intervention designed to promote the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors associated with physical activity and nutrition. Parents (N=132) of children 6 to 11 years old were randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition, and they completed a series of online questionnaires. Intervention participants (n=61) received a single motivationally-tailored feedback report via e-mail. Control participants (n=71) completed measures and immediately received information about a free online resource that provides information about healthy lifestyle behaviors (www.mypyramid.gov). Feasibility data indicate that an online feedback program has high dissemination …

The Adaptive Function Of Masturbation In A Promiscuous African Ground Squirrel, Jane M. Waterman

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: Studies of animal mating systems increasingly emphasize female multiple mating and cryptic sexual selection, particularly sperm competition. Males under intense sperm competition may manipulate sperm quantity and quality through masturbation, which could waste sperm and decrease fertility. I examined the factors influencing masturbation by male Cape ground squirrels (Xerus inauris) in light of a number of functional hypotheses. Methodology: Observational data on a marked population of squirrels were collected in east-central Namibia using scan and all-occurrences sampling. Findings: Masturbation was far more frequent on days of female oestrus and mostly occurred after copulation. Masturbation rates were higher in dominant …

The Effects Of Acute And Prolonged Cram Supplementation On Reaction Time And Subjective Measures Of Focus And Alertness In Healthy College Students, Jay R. Hoffman, Nicholas A. Ratamess, Adam Gonzalez, Noah A. Beller, Mattan W. Hoffman, Mark Olson, Martin Purpura, Ralf Jäger

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acute and prolonged (4-weeks) ingestion of a supplement designed to improve reaction time and subjective measures of alertness, energy, fatigue, and focus compared to placebo. Methods: Nineteen physically-active subjects (17 men and 2 women) were randomly assigned to a group that either consumed a supplement (21.1 +/- 0.6 years; body mass: 80.6 +/- 9.4 kg) or placebo (21.3 +/- 0.8 years; body mass: 83.4 +/- 18.5 kg). During the initial testing session (T1), subjects were provided 1.5 g of the supplement (CRAM; a-glycerophosphocholine, choline bitartrate, phosphatidylserine, vitamins B3, …

Mcp-Induced Protein 1 Deubiquitinates Traf Proteins And Negatively Regulates Jnk And Nf-Kappa B Signaling, Jian Liang, Yasser Saad, Tianhua Lei, Jing Wang, Dongfei Qi, Qinglin Yang, Pappachan E. Kolattukudy, Mingui Fu

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The intensity and duration of macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses are controlled by proteins that modulate inflammatory signaling pathways. MCPIP1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1), a recently identified CCCH Zn finger-containing protein, plays an essential role in controlling macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. However, its mechanism of action is poorly understood. In this study, we show that MCPIP1 negatively regulates c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and NF-kappa B activity by removing ubiquitin moieties from proteins, including TRAF2, TRAF3, and TRAF6. MCPIP1-deficient mice spontaneously developed fatal inflammatory syndrome. Macrophages and splenocytes from MCPIP1(-/-) mice showed elevated expression of inflammatory gene expression, increased JNK and I. B …

A Novel Multiprotein Complex Is Required To Generate The Prechylomicron Transport Vesicle From Intestinal Er, Shahzad Siddiqi, Umair Saleem, Nada A. Abumrad, Nicholas O. Davidson, Judith Storch, Shadab A. Siddiqi, Charles M. Mansbach Ii

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Dietary lipid absorption is dependent on chylomicron production whose rate-limiting step across the intestinal absorptive cell is the exit of chylomicrons from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in its ER-to-Golgi transport vesicle, the prechylomicron transport vesicle (PCTV). This study addresses the composition of the budding complex for PCTV. Immunoprecipitation (IP) studies from rat intestinal ER solubilized in Triton X-100 suggested that vesicle-associated membrane protein 7 (VAMP7), apolipoprotein B48 (apoB48), liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), CD36, and the COPII proteins were associated on incubation of the ER with cytosol and ATP. This association was confirmed by chromatography of the solubilized ER over …

Deceptive Cultural Practices That Sabotage Hiv/Aids Education In Tanzania And Kenya, Mary Oluga, Susan Kiragu, Mussa K. Mohamed, Shelina Walli

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

In spite of numerous HIV/AIDS‐prevention education efforts, the HIV infection rates in Sub‐Saharan Africa remain high. Exploring and understanding the reasons behind these infection rates is imperative in a bid to offer life skills and moral education that address the root causes of the pandemic. In a recent study concerning effective HIV/AIDS‐prevention education, conducted in Tanzania and Kenya among teacher trainees and their tutors, the notion of mila potofu (defined by educators as ‘deceptive’ cultural practices) emerged as a key reason for educators’ difficulties in teaching HIV/AIDS prevention education in schools and for high HIV infection rates. Since these cultural …

South Sudan: A Fledgling Nation, Alka Jauhari

Political Science & Global Affairs Faculty Publications

The citizens of south Sudan are rejoicing in the hope of building a new nation after the referendum next year. They are hoping to finally gain independence from the north and thus create an independent and a prosperous south Sudan. However, prosperity of a nation depends on a number of factors which are conspicuously absent in the case of south Sudan. These include existence of a socially cohesive society and a basic social and economic infrastructure. A socially cohesive society is essential to pave the way for a genuine democracy, while the presence of basic infrastructure provides the institutional base …

Secretly Falling In Love: America's Love Affair With Controlling The Hearts And Minds Of Public School Teachers, Kristin D. Shotwell

The Journal of Law and Education

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Daily Caffeine Consumption And Withdrawal Symptoms: A Questionnaire-Based Study, Nermi̇n Küçer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To estimate daily caffeine intake among a group of university students at the Kocaeli Vocational School of Health Services in Turkey, and to determine the relationship between daily caffeine consumption and withdrawal symptoms. Materials and methods: This survey study was conducted using a questionnaire that was administered to 156 university students (129 females, 27 males) at the Kocaeli Vocational School of Health Services in Kocaeli, Turkey. The quantity of caffeine-containing products consumed was recorded on a daily basis, depending on the dietary habits of the consumer. The t test for differences between 2 proportions (using the normal approximation) was used …

Nitric Oxide And Trace Metals In Relation To Haemoglobin F Concentration In Nigerian Sickle Cell Disease Patients, John Ayodele Olaniyi, Olatubosun Ganiyu Arinola

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited haemoglobin (Hb) disorder associated with vaso-occlusive events, oxidative stress, high energy demand, and endothelial dysfunction. The endothelium plays a central role in the regulation of vascular homeostasis by releasing nitric oxide (NO) among other factors. Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure plasma levels of NO, trace metals, and HbF in SCD patients. Materials and methods: Plasma levels of NO, Zn, Mg, Mn, Se, Cu, Fe, Haemoglobin F (HbF) were measured in 59 steady state SCD patients referred to the Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria and 35 age/sex …

Small-For-Gestational-Age Newborns Need A Special Fluid Therapy Strategy, Alparslan Tonbul, Cüneyt Tayman, Ahmet Karadağ, Hali̇se Akça, Nurdan Uras, Mustafa Mansur Tatli

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the fluid requirement of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) newborns and to compare them with that of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns in the first 5 days of life. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted from January 2007 to August 2007, including newborns with a gestation age of 32-40 weeks, with respiratory problems, feeding problems, and prematurity, and required intravenous fluid for at least 3 days. Two study groups were established: SGA (group 1) and AGA (group 2) according to the Lubchenco scale. All newborns were cared at an ambient humidity of 40% in an incubator and received …

Histopathologic Changes In The Rabbit Submandibular Gland After 5-Fluorouracil Chemotherapy, Oktay Özel, Abdullah Ayçi̇çek, Fethullah Kenar, Fatma Aktepe, Ramazan Sargin, Mustafa Deni̇z Yilmaz, Fevzi̇ Sefa Dereköy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the early-stage effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the histology of the submandibular gland. Materials and methods: The study included 30 New Zealand rabbits. They were divided into 3 groups. No drugs were administered to group 1 (control group), and 5-FU was administered for 5 days to group 2 and for 10 days to group 3. Submandibular gland excision was then performed. Histopathological examination was performed with hematoxylin-eosin staining, apoptosis was determined based on TUNEL staining, and cell proliferation was examined using the PCNA antibody. Results: While no granular change was seen in group 1, granular change was observed …

The Role Of Ultrasonographic Hepatic Artery Resistive Index In The Diagnosis Of Insulin Resistance In Obese Children With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Şami̇l Hizli, Ali̇ Koçyi̇ği̇t, Nur Arslan, Sedat Alpaslan Tuncel, Fati̇h Demi̇rci̇oğlu, Handan Çakmakçi, Benal Büyükgebi̇z

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the role of hepatic artery resistive index (HARI) measurement in the prediction of insulin resistance (IR) in obese children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Materials and methods: A total of 64 obese subjects with NAFLD (13.5 ± 1.36 years of age, 34 male) and 32 age- and gender-matched control subjects (13.8 ± 1.24 years of age, 16 male) were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent a physical examination, laboratory tests, and ultrasonographic and Doppler examinations of the liver. The homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) was used for the IR diagnosis. Results: Obese subjects with NAFLD …

Effect Of Passive Smoking On The Development Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease In Southeastern Turkey, Teki̇n Yildiz, Füsun Topçu, Yusuf Çeli̇k, Levent Akyildiz, Güngör Ateş, Di̇lek Durak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the effect of passive smoking on the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among persons who spend a long time in cafes. Materials and methods: The study sample included 348 male smokers who were older than 40 years and spend a long time in cafes. The questions were derived from the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) questionnaire. We also inquired about the nature of cafe visits (hours/day, visits/week, visits/month). Results: COPD was found in 18.1% (63/348 subjects) of the smokers aged >=40 years. In these 63 subjects, based on spirometry results, the rate of mild and …

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia In Nonintensive Care Unit Wards, Meltem Avci, Onur Özgenç, Ayten Coşkuner, Berna Bozca, Levent Kidak, Gülşen Mermut, Mehmet Sezai̇ Taşbakan, Nesli̇han Genç, Gülşen Güloğlu, Alpay Ari

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the incidence, risk factors, etiology, and antibiotic susceptibility of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) in nonintensive care units (non-ICU) and nonintubated adult patients. Materials and methods: A prospective surveillance study was performed from January 2006 through December 2007 in the medical and surgical wards of the İzmir Teaching and Research Hospital. Results: During the study period, data on 57,133 patients with a total of 413,515 patient-days were analyzed. A total of 106 HAP episodes occurred in 99 patients. The infection rate per 100 patients and per 1000 patient-days was found to be 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. HAP episodes were detected …

Serum Leptin, Lipoprotein Levels, And Glucose Homeostasis Between National Wrestlers And Sedentary Males, Faruk Yamaner, Taner Bayraktaroğlu, Hulusi̇ Atmaca, Mehmet Aki̇f Zi̇yagi̇l, Kemal Tamer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Leptin is an important controller of the size of fat stores by inhibiting appetite. In wrestling, fat metabolism is important not only for aerobic energy system, but also for weight control and weight loss before competition. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the serum leptin levels, glucose homeostasis, and serum lipoproteins between Turkish national wrestlers and sedentary males. Materials and methods: Forty-five Turkish national wrestlers at the end of Olympic training camp before Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and 43 sedentary students were selected as subjects. Post-exercise levels of serum leptin, HOMA (Homeostasis model assessment) values, triglycerides, …

Effects Of Grape Consumption On Plasma And Erythrocyte Antioxidant Parameters In Elderly Subjects, Aslihan Avci, Tesli̇me Atli, İmge B. Ergüder, Murat Varli, Erdi̇nç Devri̇m, Özgür Demi̇r, İlker Durak, Murat Turgay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the effects of ingesting Fructus vitis minuta (black grape) on plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant parameters in elderly subjects. Materials and methods: Thirteen subjects (mean age 74.67 ± 0.58) participated in the study. They consumed 1 g/kg body weight per day of dried black Maraş grapes for 1 month. Before and after these periods, fasting blood samples were obtained, and oxidant (as MDA) and antioxidant (as SOD) parameters were studied in erythrocytes. Also, plasma samples were obtained from the subjects. Results: In the erythrocyte hemolysate, MDA (malondialdehydes) levels and SOD (superoxide dismutase) activities were found to be lower (P < 0.01) in the second samples compared to the first ones. Conclusion: We think that because free radical production was decreased SOD activities were not increased. Our results show that reduced peroxidation processes caused by Maraş grape consumption suggest that grape consumption has beneficial effects in elderly subjects.

Investigation Of Premenstrual Syndrome And Contributing Factors Among University Students*, Nülüfer Erbi̇l, Ayşenur Karaca, Tülay Kiriş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine the frequency of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and to investigate contributing factors for PMS among female students in a university dormitory in Ordu. Materials and methods: This descriptive study was conducted with female students at a public university dormitory in Ordu, in the East Black Sea region of Turkey. The sample contained 300 female students at the university dormitory. The study was conducted between 3 January and 12 January 2007. The research data were collected via a 22-item socio-demographic information questionnaire and the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS) developed by Gençdoğan. Results: It was determined that the participants' mean age …

N-Acetyltransferase 2 Gene Polymorphisms And Susceptibility To Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Study In The Turkish Population, Buket Kosova, Vi̇ldan Bozok Çeti̇ntaş, Ahmet Çağ Çal, Asli Teti̇k, Ruki̇ye Özel, Çağdaş Aktan, Cumhur Gündüz, Nejat Topçuoğlu, İbrahi̇m Kadri̇ Cürekli̇batir, Fatma Zuhal Eroğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the association between the 3 most frequently observed single nucleotide polymorphisms of the NAT2 gene and the risk of developing prostate cancer in the Turkish population. Materials and methods: A total of 110 unrelated patients with prostate cancer were included in this case-control association study and constituted the study group. The control group also consisted of 150 unrelated but healthy men. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes of all patients and analyzed with a sensitive real-time PCR method. After melting curve analysis genotypes were identified for the NAT2*5A, NAT2*6A, and NAT2*7A/B polymorphisms. Results: Prostate cancer patients …