Digital Commons Network^™

An Assessment Of The Factors That Affect The Self-Care Behaviors Of Diabetics, Gregory Ellis

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various heteroskedastic analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models with orthogonal

The Impact Of Social Support And Social Context On Incidence Of Suicidal Behavior In Low-Income African American Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study, Colin Farrell

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Recognizing the considerable risk of suicidal behavior experienced by the adolescent population, the significant impact of suicide as the cause of death among adolescents, and the reported increasing rates of suicidal behavior among minority populations, there is a growing need for social research regarding the phenomenon. The current study proposes that suicidal behavior among adolescents residing within areas of extreme disadvantage is a direct result of the individual's acquisition of social capital, referred to as `social capital of the disadvantaged.' It is argued that, due to the nature and limited `reach' of the networks developed by teenagers, the resources acquired …

Regulation Of Mucosal Innate And Adaptive Immune Responses To Commensal Microbiota, Ting Feng

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and Davidson and MacKinnon’s HC3 perform reasonably well in terms of Type I error

Cellular Mechanisms Involved In Host Responses To Porphyromonas Gingivalis And Its Virulence Factor Hemagglutinin B, Dalia Emil Gaddis

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Porphyromonas gingivalis is a main causative agent for adult chronic periodontitis and immunization with its virulence factor Hemagglutinin B (HagB) provides protection against infection. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize various microbial products and are crucial in eliciting and regulating the innate and adaptive immune responses to infections. The objective of this dissertation was to investigate the cellular mechanisms that influence the innate and adaptive immune response to HagB and P. gingivalis, focusing on the role of TLR signaling in the response. We started with investigating the ability of HagB to activate dendritic cells (DC), the most efficient antigen-presenting cell in priming …

Generation And Analysis Of The Oncolytic Efficacy Of A Conditionally Replicating Adenovirus Bearing Rgd Modifications On Pix And Fiber Capsid Proteins, Lena Jeanelle Gamble

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Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecological disease death in women. For the past two decades, scientists have attempted to perfect the use of adenovirus as an anti-cancer therapeutic agent. One major impediment to ovarian tumor infection with adenovirus has been dearth of adenovirus native receptor, Coxsackie and Adenovirus receptor, (CAR), on the surface of tumor cells. To address this problem, scientists have engineered CAR-independent adenoviruses which target the AlphavBeta3 and AlphavBeta5 by adding an arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) motif to the fiber knob of a conditionally replicating adenovirus (CRAd) Delta24FiberRGD CRAd. We hypothesize that incorporation of RGD into the pIX …

Optical Mapping Of The Interactions Between Cardiac Geometry And Electrical Activity, Elliot B. Bourgeois

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In healthy hearts, the synchronized spread of electrical activation drives contraction. To investigate the role of cardiac geometry in modulating normal and abnormal electrical rhythms, we stained cardiac tissues with a fluorescent, voltage sensitive dye and imaged activation patterns with fast video cameras (optical mapping). This work is presented in three projects. Computer modeling has shown that conduction velocity increases when fibers are bowed toward the oncoming wavefront and decreases when fibers are bowed in the opposite direction. In the first project, cultured monolayers of cardiac myocytes were optically mapped to experimentally verify the theoretical effect of fiber curvature on …

Maternal Gestational Glucose Concentration And Offspring Body Composition, Insulin Sensitivity, And Ss-Cell Function, Nikki C. Bush

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Background: Evidence suggests that intrauterine exposure to elevated glucose concentrations may be a mediating factor in prenatal programming of offspring disease risk. However, studies examining the effects of maternal glucose concentration on measures of body composition, insulin sensitivity, and ß-cell response in prepubertal children are limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the associations of maternal glucose concentration with children's fat mass, insulin sensitivity, and ß-cell response using robust and physiologic measures. Methods: Participants were 40 children aged 5-10 years. Children's insulin sensitivity index (SI) and measures of basal, static, dynamic, and total ß-cell response were determined …

A Multiresolution Approach To The Detection Of Image Discrepancies For Improved Quality Control Of Oligonucleotide Microarray Images, Vetria L. Byrd

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The impact of microarrays on biological research has been phenomenal. By enabling scientists to assess the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously this high-throughput technology significantly reduces the time spent per experiment and allows for more complicated experiments. The microarray process is a complex series of steps that yields enormous amounts of data in microarray images. The Affymetrix GeneChip® system pioneered microarray technology, creating an image file format that has become standard for microarray image processing. During a microarray experiment, a microarray chip is scanned using a confocal laser scanner that captures the raw data (.DAT). A summary of …

Hpv Dna Partitioning During Mitosis As Followed By Fluorescence Microscopy, Robert J. Carter

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Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tumor viruses capable of establishing persistent infections in the epithelia. After infecting actively-dividing basal cells, the papillomavirus (PV) genome is main-tained as extrachromosomal nuclear plasmids. It is largely unknown how the viral ge-nome is maintained in actively-dividing cells. Our lab demonstrated that several HPV genotypes appear to employ a distinct strategy to facilitate partitioning of HPV DNA into daughter cells during mitosis. Association of the HPV-11 origin of replication (ori)-binding protein E2 with the mitotic apparatus via cellular adapter proteins is thought to mediate equal partitioning of HPV genomes into daughter …

The Role Of Usp14 In Regulating Synaptic Development And Function Of The Neuromuscular Junctions, Ping-Chung Chen

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The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays critical roles in regulating multiple cellular functions, including protein abundance, trafficking, and cell signaling. In the nervous system, the UPS has been implicated in controlling a wide diversity of cellular process such as synaptic transmission, axon outgrowth, axon targeting, and synapse development. Although impairment of the UPS is observed in both neurodegenerative and developmental diseases, the mechanisms underlying how UPS dysregulation contributes to disease pathogenesis are not known. The proteasome, an approximate 2.5 megadaltons protein complex composed of 19S and 20S assemblies, is the site of ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation. Recent studies have demonstrated dysfunction …

Cathelin-Related Antimicrobial Peptide (Cramp) Regulates B Cell Igg1 Production, Yao Chen

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Mammalian antimicrobial peptides, including cathelicidins and defensins, play an important role in host defense via direct antimicrobial activity as well as immune regula-tion. The cathelin-related antimicrobial peptide (mCRAMP) is the only identified mouse cathelicidin and the orthologue of human LL-37. We show that all mouse B cell subsets, including follicular, marginal zone, B1a, and B1b cells, as well as CD4+ and CD8+ T cells produce mCRAMP directly ex vivo. In addition, mCRAMP-deficient B cells produced less IgG1 antibody in vitro in response to CD40L or LPS plus IL-4 when compared to WT B cells. The addition of recombinant mCRAMP at …

Diversity, Commonality, And Stability Of Mutans Streptococci In High Caries Risk Children, Kyounga Cheon

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Mutans streptococci (MS), Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are associated with the initiation of dental caries in humans. Initially, a single S. mutans genotype has been shown to colonize primary molars soon after eruption. More genotypes can be acquired with age and further dental development. Current methods used to genotype isolates from an individual have not systematically determined the minimum number required to demonstrate an individual's genetic diversity. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum number of oral isolates of MS (i.e., from plaque samples) to genotype in order to demonstrate diversity. This study also initiated a …

Examining The Association Between Body Mass Index And Weight Related Quality Of Life In Black And White Women, Tiffany Lashaun Cox

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Obesity not only increases risk for morbidity/mortality, but also impacts the quality of life of obese individuals. In the United States, black women have the highest prevalence of obesity of any other group with approximately 80% of black women over age 20 having a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. We aimed to examine the association between weight and quality of life in this high risk population and compare it to weight-related quality of life in white women using the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL)-Lite questionnaire. Data for 343 women were analyzed (172 black, 171 white). …

The Effects Of Weight Reduction On Obesity-Related Cancer Biomarkers And In Vitro Cancer Cell Growth, Maria Azrad

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Obesity increases the risk for breast and endometrial cancers while weight loss reduces the risk for these cancers. One aim of this dissertation was to determine the effects of weight loss from an overweight state [body mass index (BMI) 27-30] to a normal weight state on several obesity-related cancer biomarkers in African-American (AA) and European-American (EA) premenopausal women. We also sought to determine whether the method of weight loss, caloric restriction alone (CR) or combined with exercise resulted in similar changes in cancer biomarkers. The biomarkers of interest were urinary estrogen metabolites, and serum adiponectin, leptin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, …

Study Of The Role Of The Amygdala In The Effects Of Stress On Sensory Processing Of The Urinary Bladder, Jennifer Deberry

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Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic visceral condition of the urinary bladder characterized by pelvic/suprapubic pain, and urinary frequency and urgency. There is no documented cause for IC, but a prominent role for stress in its pathophysiology and presentation are well-documented. In the clinical setting, IC pain-related symptomatology is exacerbated during periods of stress. Numerous laboratory studies of humans and animals have similarly demonstrated stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity. The amygdala is highly connected with physiological stress response systems and pain modulatory pathways, and its connectivity with these systems places it in a unique anatomical position for mediating the reciprocal relationship between …

Evaluations Of Clinical Signs Currently And Not Currently Used In Syndromic Case Management (Scm) Of Reproductive Tract Infections (Rtis) Among Pregnant Women In Jamaica, Gelen Receno Del Rosario

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Reproductive tract infections include sexually transmitted infections, endogenous infections caused by overgrowth of organisms that can be present in the genital tract of a healthy woman, and iatrogenic infections. In Jamaica, women in the reproductive age group of 15-44 years old accounts for 95% of all RTIs. RTIs among Jamaican women of reproductive age can seriously impact the health of the women and their children. The advent of HIV/AIDS has had a significant impact on increasing awareness of the effect of STIs. Health care organizations have reacted with great commit-ment to STI prevention and treatment as a significant factor in …

Parental Well-Being And Child Outcomes Among School-Aged, Prematurely-Born Children., Desiree Maria De Jong

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Children born prematurely are at a significantly higher risk than their full-term peers for developing cognitive, behavioral, attention, and executive functioning difficulties by the time they reach school-age. Parents of children born prematurely are also at greater risk for developing symptoms of depression and stress compared to parents of full-term children. However, the literature is conflicting with respect to whether or not parental well-being remains compromised by the time the preterm child reaches school-age. Additionally, much of the research examining this relationship is conducted prior to school-age, with little research beyond these years. A primary purpose of the current study …

Sense Of Community Among Adolescents Participating In The Mobile Youth Survey: A Measurement Study, Randolph Stacer Devereaux

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A measurement study was conducted to evaluate 11 items representing the latent variable labeled "sense of community" (SOC) employed by investigators of the Mobile Youth Survey (MYS). In previous research the 11 items representing the concept of SOC have been combined to form a composite variable, assuming that the concept was best represented by a single factor (e.g., Bolland, Bryant, Lian, McCallum, Vazsonyi & Barth, 2007). However, no systematic analysis has been conducted to determine the psychometric properties of the 11-item composite variable. The objects of the present study are a) to determine the component structure of the items used …

Regulation Of Redox Signaling By Lipid Electrophiles In Breast Cancer, Anne R. Diers

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A number of steps in breast cancer progression and metastasis are regulated by redox signaling pathways. Electrophilic lipids such as 15-deoxy-delta12,14-Prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) are mediators of redox signaling pathways because of their ability to modify critical cysteine residues (thiols) in redox-sensitive proteins. In this thesis, we examine the effect of lipid electrophiles such as 15d-PGJ2 and others on redox signaling pathways in breast cancer. Furthermore, we develop new strategies to regulate cancer cell behavior in response to lipid electrophiles using three strategies: 1) through organelle-specific targeting of electrophiles 2) by exploiting the concentration-dependence of effects of electrophiles, and 3) utilizing …

The Role Of Post-Translational Modifications And Valosin-Containing Protein In The Turnover And Stability Of The Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau, Philip James Dolan

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Alzheimer Disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by the appearance of senile plaques composed of ß-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles composed of the microtubule-associated protein tau. During the development of AD pathology, tau is hyperphosphorylated and aberrantly cleaved, both of which potentially contribute to its pathogenic and fibrillogenic nature. The accumulative nature of these post-translational products, and their contribution to tau pathology, has led to a great deal of study regarding mechanisms for both the maintenance of tau stability and degradation. The first part of this study reviews the developments regarding the contribution of phosphorylated tau to different physiological and pathological processes. …

Characterization Of The Oligosaccharides Of B. Anthracis Exosporium, Shengli Dong

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Fatal systemic anthrax is caused by exposure to spores of Bacillus anthracis. The outermost layer of the B. anthracis spore is called the exosporium. It consists of a paracrystalline basal layer and an external hair-like nap. The filaments of the hair-like nap are primarily composed of the glycoprotein BclA. Our previous studies showed that a 715-Da tetrasaccharide and a 324-Da disaccharide are attached to BclA through GalNAc. We named the novel nonreducing terminal sugar of the 715-Da tetrasaccharide anthrose. We subsequently proposed a plausible anthrose biosynthetic pathway and identified a gene cluster of four continuous genes that appeared to encode …

Familial Clustering Of Cancer In Two Tertiary Care Hospitals In Nairobi, Kenya, G. W. Kiarie, N. O. Abinya, M. D. Joshi, G. N. Lule, G. Z. Mutuma

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Objective: To describe the occurrence of cancers in families of individuals diagnosed cancer.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Outpatient cancer clinics at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Radiotherapy Clinic at Nairobi Hospital.

Subjects: Patients with a tissue histological or cytological diagnosis of cancer.

Main outcome measures: A reported family history of cancer.

Results: A total number of 485 cancer patients were recruited, 382, from KNH and 103 from Nairobi Hospital. These index cases had 45 different types of cancer, with the most common being breast and uterine-cervical malignancies. Prevalence of family history of cancer was found to be 18.8% and …

Self-Blood Pressure Monitoring, Stage Of Change, Medication Adherence, Self-Efficacy And Blood Pressure Control In Hypertensive Workers, Tonya Lynn Breaux-Shropshire

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ABSTRACT According to the World Health Organization, hypertension is the leading cause of death in the world and it is one of the primary reasons patients seek health care. Prior to 2010, uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) rates were approximately 18%, despite the fact that prescribed medical treatment is available to adequately control patients' BP. It has been established that medication adherence is a major factor in controlling BP, and self-BP monitoring is highly recommended by the national guideline to improve blood pressure control. However, information related to assessing hypertensive patients' readiness to engage in health care treatment and self-monitoring is …

Lens Cataract: Biochemical Analysis Of The Alpha Crystallins, David Ray Stella

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The cataract is a common ailment affecting the aged population. It appears over time and affects the quality of one’s life by the eventual loss of vision. Currently, there is no effective strategy to prevent or treatment to reverse the development of a cataract. As well, there is no consensus on one particular mechanism or sequence of events that contributes to its formation. In order to better understand the possible etiology of the cataract, it is necessary to define the biochemical changes that occur to lens proteins as one ages, as these are the key players in the prevention of …

Methods For Estimating Mediation Effect In Survival Analysis: Does Weight Loss Mediate The Undernutrition-Mortality Relationship In The Older Adults?, Yanhui Sun

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The influence of undernutrition on mortality and other adverse outcomes through the mechanism of unintentional weight loss in older adults is often assumed, but the analytic methods to test these mediation mechanisms are not well-developed, and the need for methodological advances in this area motivated this program of research. We first examined the test-retest reliability and predictive validity of self-reported caloric intake as a measure of undernutrition. Acceptable reliability was observed, consistent with previous reports, but the evidence for predictive validity was inconsistent and self-reported caloric intake deficiency was not found to be related to observed weight loss. We then …

Exosomal Curcumin: Its Bioavailability And Potential Anti-Inflammation Activity, Dongmei Sun

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Curcumin, a pleiotropic polyphenol derived from turmeric plants Curcuma Longa with rhizome, exhibits strong evidence as an anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant and anti-cancer reagent both in vitro and in vivo. Due to its low stability and systemic bioavailability, a large amount of curcumin has to be administrated to achieve therapeutic effects both in animal and in human. The major effort to overcome this barrier is making by encapsulation of curcumin into nanoparticles such as polymers and liposomes; some promising data have demonstrated the effectiveness of such method. Exosomes are vesicle-like nanoparticles secreted by living cells. Exosomes contain both cell surface molecules and …

Representation, Analysis, And Refactoring Techniques To Support Code Clone Maintenance, Robert Ambrosius Tairas

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The existence of code cloning, which represents identical or near identical sections of code, has been documented to occur frequently in software systems. The main purpose of cloning is the reuse of a code fragment that performs some functionality by copying and pasting it to a new location in the source code. Code clones embody a unique form of coupling, because their similarity inadvertently connects their representative sections of code together. This inherent duplication requires attention to be given to all related duplicates, even if just one of these duplicates is being evaluated or changed. Failure to consider all related …

Structural And Functional Study Of P58(Ipk), Jiahui Tao

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P58(IPK) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein which is upregulated during unfolded protein response (UPR). In stressed cells, P58(IPK) functions to restore protein folding equilibrium in ER by suppressing protein aggregation and promoting protein folding. P58(IPK) associates with the unfolded protein via its N-terminal TPR domain and presents it to BiP (binding immunoglobulin protein) for subsequent folding. P58(IPK) belongs to the Hsp40 family. Collectively, P58(IPK) is a stress-inducible ER-resident molecular chaperone. In this dissertation, we report the crystal structure of P58(IPK) TPR domain to 2.5 Å resolution. In the crystal structure, the 43-kDa TPR domain consists of nine tandemly linked …

Roles Of Adiponectin And Its Receptors In Foam Cell Transformation, Ling Tian

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Macrophages play a critical role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis by producing pro-inflammatory mediators and transforming into lipid-laden foam cells. The prevention of lipid accumulation and inflammation in macrophage foam cells, therefore, represents a promising target for effective therapy for atherosclerosis. Adiponectin is a circulating cytokine primarily expressed and secreted by adipocytes, and is downregulated in obesity-linked diseases including type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease and hypertension. In oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced human THP-1 macrophage foam cells, adiponectin suppresses lipid accumulation through decreasing lipid uptake and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-mediated lipid efflux. The potential mechanisms that adiponectin utilizes …

One Of Us Is Gay, Timothy Alan Tipton

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This is an original work of creative nonfiction centered on the challenges of living a gay lifestyle during the early years of the AIDS crisis. This work is primarily a memoir, engaging real life events and people, crafted into a chronicle of everyday life in the deep South of the mid 1980s and early 1990s. Aspects of gay life are exposed through the lense of the author's relationship with his first partner. One of Us is Gay provides a graphic exposé of the journey that a young man takes through the vulnerable and innocent awareness of his homosexuality, to the …