Digital Commons Network^™

Structural And Functional Interactions Between The Cholera Toxin A1 Subunit And Erdj3/Hedj, A Chaperone Of The Endoplasmic Reticulum, Shane Massey, Helen Burress, Michael Taylor, Kathleen N. Nemec, Supriyo Ray, David B. Haslam, Ken Teter

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Cholera toxin (CT) is endocytosed and transported by vesicle carriers to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The catalytic CTA1 subunit then crosses the ER membrane and enters the cytosol, where it interacts with its Gs alpha target. The CTA1 membrane transversal involves the ER chaperone BiP, but few other host proteins involved with CTA1 translocation are known. BiP function is regulated by ERdj3, an ER-localized Hsp40 chaperone also known as HEDJ. ERdj3 can also influence protein folding and translocation by direct substrate binding. In this work, structural and functional assays were used to examine the putative interaction between ERdj3 and CTA1. …

Cellular Infiltration And Cytokine Expression Correlate With Fistulizing State In Crohn's Disease, Saleh A. Naser, Claudia Romero, Princess Urbina, Najih Naser, John Valentine

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of infiltration of different cell subpopulations (tissue dendritic macrophages, T-helper cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and B cells) and the expression of the cytokines interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in inflamed and noninflamed resected tissues from Crohn's disease (CD) and non-CD patients. Twenty-one resected full-thickness intestinal tissue specimens representing 13 subjects (8 CD and 5 non-CD patients) were included in this study. Sections of 20 mu m in thickness were cut and then stained using immunohistochemistry. The sections were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). …

Preformulation And Stability In Biological Fluids Of The Retrocyclin Rc-101, A Potential Anti-Hiv Topical Microbicide, Alexandra B. Sassi, Katherine E. Bunge, Brian L. Hood, Thomas P. Conrads, Alexander M. Cole, Phalguni Gupta, Lisa C. Rohan

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: RC-101, a cationic peptide retrocyclin analog, has in vitro activity against HIV-1. Peptide drugs are commonly prone to conformational changes, oxidation and hydrolysis when exposed to excipients in a formulation or biological fluids in the body, this can affect product efficacy. We aimed to investigate RC-101 stability under several conditions including the presence of human vaginal fluids (HVF), enabling the efficient design of a safe and effective microbicide product. Stability studies (temperature, pH, and oxidation) were performed by HPLC, Circular Dichroism, and Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Additionally, the effect of HVF on formulated RC-101 was evaluated with fluids collected from …

Formulation Development Of Retrocyclin 1 Analog Rc-101 As An Anti-Hiv Vaginal Microbicide Product, A. B. Sassi, M. R. Cost, A. L. Cole, A. M. Cole, D. L. Patton, P. Gupta, L. C. Rohan

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

RC-101 is a synthetic microbicide analog of retrocyclin, which has shown in vitro activity against X4 and R5 HIV-1. In an effort to develop a safe and effective RC-101 vaginal microbicide product, we assessed safety in ex vivo macaque and human models and efficacy using in vitro and ex vivo models. A polyvinyl-alcohol vaginal film containing RC-101 (100 mu g/film) was developed. Formulation assessment was conducted by evaluating disintegration, drug content, mechanical properties, and stability. Efficacy was evaluated by in vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) assay and ex vivo human ectocervical tissue explant model. Ex vivo safety studies were …

A Paleopathological Assessment Of Osteoarthritis In The Lower Appendicular Joints Of Individuals From The Kellis 2 Cemetery In The Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, Joshua B. Robin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative pathological condition of the appendicular joints which affects the cartilage and underlying bone. OA is relatively common in both the archaeological and clinical context, and a significant amount of research has been conducted on this osteological condition. The purpose of this thesis is to assess the incidence, demographic prevalence, and general severity of hip and knee OA in a Roman-Christian period (50 A.D – 450 A.D) population sample from the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. The bioarchaeological sample originates from the Kellis 2 cemetery which is associated with the ancient town of Kellis. The town of Kellis …

The Innate Anti-Hiv-1 Activity Of Human Seminal Plasma, Julie A. Martellini-Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a global pandemic over the past few decades, with new infections and related deaths in the millions each year. There is no cure in sight for HIV-1 infection, and there has been little progress in developing an efficacious vaccine. Heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 remains the principal mode of transmission throughout the world and thus measures, such as topical vaginal microbicides, to prevent infection of the female reproductive tract are actively being explored. Recent trials of topical vaginal microbicides have shown that their interaction with the mucosal surfaces of the female reproductive tract as well …

Retention Time Variability As A Mechanism For Animal Mediated Long-Distance Dispersal, Vishwesha Guttal, Frederic Bartumeus, Gregg Hartvigsen, Andrew L. Nevai

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Long-distance dispersal (LDD) events, although rare for most plant species, can strongly influence population and community dynamics. Animals function as a key biotic vector of seeds and thus, a mechanistic and quantitative understanding of how individual animal behaviors scale to dispersal patterns at different spatial scales is a question of critical importance from both basic and applied perspectives. Using a diffusion-theory based analytical approach for a wide range of animal movement and seed transportation patterns, we show that the scale (a measure of local dispersal) of the seed dispersal kernel increases with the organisms' rate of movement and mean seed …

Criminalizing Statements Of Terrorist Intent: How To Understand The Law Governing Terrorist Threats, And Why It Should Be Used Instead Of Long-Term Preventive Detention, Alec Walen

Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology

No abstract provided.

Invasive Device-Associated Nosocomial Infections Of A Teaching Hospital In Turkey; Four Years’ Experience, Aslihan Candevi̇r, Behi̇ce Kurtaran, Fi̇li̇z Ki̇bar, Emre Karakoç, Hasan Sali̇h Zeki̇ Aksu, Yeşi̇m Taşova

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To determine our setting's IDAI rates, infecting microorganisms, and their resistance patterns to achieve standardization and make comparisons among other Turkish and developed country hospitals all over the world. Materials and methods: The numbers of total patient days, ventilator days, central catheter days and, urinary catheter days in the ICUs were recorded and IDAI rates were calculated. Clinical specimens were obtained from patients, cultivated at appropriate culture media, and infecting microorganisms and resistance patterns were determined. Results: Totally 1450 invasive device-associated infection episodes were determined (16.4% of patients) with a rate of 21.12/1000 days. Ventilator associated pneumonia rate was 22.05/1000 …

Immunomodulatory Role Of Leptin Treatment In Experimental Sepsis Caused By Gram Negative Bacteria, Cemi̇le Koca, Havva Şahi̇n Kavakli, Özlem Alici

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the effect of leptin treatment on circulating inflammatory cytokines and on tissue damage in experimental rat model of gram-negative sepsis. Materials and methods: Adult male Wistar rats, 28 in total, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 7): sham, leptin, sepsis, and sepsis group treated with leptin (sepsis+leptin). Sepsis was induced by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of 2 × 10^{10} CFU of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Leptin and sepsis+leptin groups received a single dose ip 0.1 mg/kg leptin, while sham group received 1 mL of ip saline. Rats were sacrificed 24 h after the induction of sepsis. Blood …

Glutamate Dehydrogenase And Triose-Phosphate-Isomerase Coding Genes For Detection And Genetic Characterization Of Giardia Lamblia In Human Feces By Pcr And Pcr-Rflp*, Kareem Hatam Nahavandi, Esmaeel Fallah, Mohammad Asgharzadeh, Nasrin Mirsamadi, Behroz Mahdavipour

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The purpose of this study was comparison of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes for detection and genetic characterization of Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) in human stool by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Our assay was specific and distinguished between G. lamblia assemblages A and B. Materials and methods: Among the 325 stool samples obtained from patients with acute gastroenteritis hospitalized in the Pediatric Hospital and infected humans referred to the Tabriz Reference Laboratory (TRL), 34 Giardia-positive stool samples were identified by conventional techniques. Two assays-PCR and PCR-RFLP-targeting the tpi and …

A Determination Of The Factors That Affect The Level Of Pediatric Nurses' Liking Of Children, Yurdagül Erdem, Veli̇ Duyan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Every person under the age of 18 is a child. One's attitude towards children is made up of the person's basic beliefs about children and their reaction to the idea of being with children. Pediatric nurses are expected to understand children's physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development, to advocate for children, and to show affection towards and interest in children. This study is conducted to determine the level of liking of children of nurses who are working at pediatric clinics. Materials and methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 207 nurses employed at pediatric clinics of university and state hospitals. …

Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hiv, And Vdrl Seroprevalence Of Blood Donors In Mersin, Turkey, Seva Öner, Gülçi̇n Yapici, Caferi̇ Tayyar Şaşmaz, Ahmet Öner Kurt, Resul Buğdayci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and affecting factors of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), anti human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV), and VDRL in blood donors in Mersin. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study. All blood centers in Mersin were included in the study. The medical records of 30,716 blood donors were evaluated. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, linear-by-linear association test, and the Pearson chi-square significance test. Results: Of the donors, 691 (2.2%) had positive HbsAg, 125 (0.4%) had positive anti-HCV, and 46 (0.1%) had positive VDRL …

Investigation Of Toxin Genes In Staphylococcus Aureus Strains Isolated In Mustafa Kemal University Hospital, Cemi̇l Demi̇r, Özkan Aslantaş, Ni̇zami̇ Duran, Sabahatti̇n Ocak, Burçi̇n Özer

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of genes encoding staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), exfoliative toxins (ETAs, ETBs), and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from various clinical samples from the Mustafa Kemal University Hospital. In addition, PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the coa gene was employed to genotype the isolates. Materials and methods: A total of 120 S. aureus strains isolated from various clinical samples (blood, wounds, urine, conjuctival swabs, and tracheal aspirate) over a 1 year period, 2007-2008, were used in this study. Results: …

Analysis Of 113 Hospitalized Patients With Confirmed 2009 Influenza A (H1n1) Virus Infection, Esragül Akinci, Bi̇rcan Kayaaslan, Meltem Arzu Yetki̇n, Sevi̇m Yilmaz, Işil Deni̇z Aliravci, Sümeyye Yildiz, Fatmanur Ülgen, Seli̇m Sirri Eren, Ayşe But, Gülruhsar Yilmaz, Oya Kilci, Nevzat Mehmet Mutlu, Hati̇ce Yağmurdur, Hurrem Bodur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory features, underlying medical conditions, treatment, and outcome of hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed infection due to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus. Materials and methods: This prospective study was performed between October and December 2009. The hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus infection were included in the study. The diagnosis was confirmed with detection of the virus in nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs by RT-PCR assay. Demographic and epidemiological characteristics, clinical features, treatment, and outcome of the patients were recorded on the individual forms. A comparison was made between patients with …

Aids Knowledge And Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Registered Female Sex Workers In Turkey, Tüli̇n Bedük, Hayri̇ye Ünlü, Veli̇ Duyan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate AIDS knowledge and risky sexual behaviors of registered female sex workers during their obligatory periodic examination in the Department of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Hospital. Materials and methods: A questionnaire composed of items on socio-demographic features and knowledge levels on HIV/AIDS, its transmission routes, and risky sexual behaviors was administered via face to face interviews. Results: One hundred four sex workers were included in the study. Higher educated ones had more knowledge on AIDS, its transmission routes, and risky behaviors (P >= 0.05, P Keywords: Commercial sex workers, HIV/AIDS transmission, risky sexual behavior

An Investigation Of Genes Coding Fibronectin Binding Proteins In Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated From Carriers Aged Between 6 And 14 Years, Nur Yapar, Vi̇ldan Avkan Oğuz

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Nasal carriage rates for Staphylococcus aureus have been reported to vary between 18% and 50% in different populations and it represents a risk factor for invasive infections. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of genes associated with fibronectin binding proteins mediating the adhesion of S. aureus to human epithelial cells. Materials and methods: Fifty strains isolated from nasal swab specimens of children were included. Specimens were inoculated on mannitol salt agar plates and after 24-48 h of incubation at 37 °C the isolates were identified according to their biochemical properties. The presence of fnbA and …

Nosocomial Candidemia: A Threat Beyond Nosocomial Bacterial Infections In Intensive Care Units, Emi̇ne Alp Meşe, Çi̇ğdem Ağkuş, Ramazan Coşkun, Gökhan Metan, Ayşe Nedret Koç, Murat Sungur, Mehmet Doğanay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

There is no abstract

Nur 4506 : Nursing And The Community, Nursing

Approved Course Proposals

No abstract provided.

Evolution Of Small Putative Group I Introns In The Ssu Rrna Gene Locus Of Phialophora Species, Scott O. Rogers

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Group I introns (specifically subgroup IC1) are common in the nuclear ribosomal RNA genes of fungi. While most range in length from more than 200 to nearly 1800 nucleotides (nt) in length, several small putative (or degenerate) group I introns have been described that are between 56 and 81 nt. Although small, previously we demonstrated that the PaSSU intron in the rRNA small subunit gene of Phialophora americana isolate Wang 1046 is capable of in vitro splicing using a standard group I intron pathway, thus qualifying it as a functional ribozyme. Findings. Here, we describe eight short putative group …

Patent Protection Of Medical Records—Focusing On Ethical Issues, Yūsuke Satō, Jiameng Kathy Liu

Washington International Law Journal

The following is a translation of “Patent Protection of Medical Methods—Focusing on Ethical Issues,” an article written by Professor Yūsuke Satō in the June 2007 issue of the Japanese periodical Annual of Industrial Property Law. In Japan, despite the lack of an explicit statutory prohibition, methods of medical treatment have never been patentable. The Japan Patent Office (“JPO”) has rejected patenting medical processes on ethical grounds, interpreting that they do not fulfill the statutory requirement of “industrial applicability” in the main sentence of Article 29, Section 1 of the Patent Act, and courts have been confirming this practice. In light …

Predictors Of Readiness To Initiate Insulin Therapy In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes When Oral Medications Fail To Control Hyperglycemia, Pamela Lynn Phares

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has reached epidemic levels worldwide during the past two decades. It affects nearly 26 million adults in the U.S. Advances in both the treatments for T2DM and guidelines for its optimal management are extensive. Despite these advances, barely half of type 2 diabetics achieve recommended glycemic targets.

Specific Aims: The specific aims were to:

1. Describe the available research on clinical inertia and interventions that have been implemented to reduce it.
2. Analyze various behavioral theories that explain and predict self-care practices in diabetes in order to develop a conceptual model on which to base an investigation …

Target Validation Of Uk-101 And Functional Studies Of Β1i, Marie V. Wehenkel

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

β1i is a major catalytic subunit of the immunoproteasome, an alternative form of the constitutive proteasome, and its upregulation has been demonstrated in a variety of disease states including cancer. Our lab has developed a small molecule inhibitor of β1i, dubbed UK-101. While UK-101 causes apoptosis in cancer cell lines, it was not clear whether this apoptotic effect was directly mediated by its irreversible inhibition of β1i. Since off-target effects are major roadblocks for the development of new and effective pharmaceuticals, target validation studies in this system would assist in the further progression of β1i inhibitors towards preclinical trials. Our …

Genetic Immunization In The Horse: The Potential For Enhanced Immune Responses With Deacylated Polyethyleneimine (Pei) And Immunostimulatory Cytokines As Vaccine Adjuvants, Deborah Lee Even

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

DNA vaccines in larger animals, such as horses, are generally less effective and elicit significantly weaker immune responses, than in small animal model systems. To provide optimal protection against pathogenic microorganisms, the induction of both humoral and cellular immune responses from DNA vaccination may be necessary. One limitation to DNA immunization in the horse is the difficulty in generating high levels of antigen-specific antibody and CTL responses. Previous work in the laboratory has demonstrated that expression constructs containing native sequences encoding the surface unit (SU) envelope glycoprotein (pCiSU) of the Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV) are ineffective at stimulating immune …

Viability Study Of A Residential Integrated Stormwater, Graywater, And Wastewater Treatment System At Florida's Showcase Green Envirohome, Matthew Allen Goolsby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The subject of water scarcity and the rate of water consumption has become popular topics over the last few decades. It is possible that society may consume or contaminate much of the remaining readily available water if there is not a paradigm shift. This deep rooted concern has prompted investigations to identify alternative water use and treatment methods. Within this report, information is presented from the use of innovative water harvesting and on-site sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) at Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome (FSGE.net), while also addressing low impact development (LID) practices. FSGE is a residential home that demonstrates …

Calf Pre-Weaning Traits And Immunoglobulin Response To Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Vaccination, Whitney Downum, A. Hayden Brown Jr., Jeremey G. Powell, E. Beth Kegley, Zelpha B. Johnson, Doug B. Galloway, James A. Hornsby, Billy R. Lindsey

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Calfhood vaccination for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a relatively new concept, and protocols are evolving. Our objective was to determine effects of BVDV type I vaccination protocol, calf behavior (chute score, and chute exit velocity), and gender on calf gain and immunoglobulin (Ig) response. Crossbred calves (n = 64) were randomly allotted to one of two vaccination protocols. In protocol 1, calves were vaccinated at 60 d of age (d 0) and at weaning (d 147). Calves assigned to protocol 2 were vaccinated against BVDV type I at 21 d prior to (d 126) and at weaning (d …

Preventing Mother-To-Child Transmission Of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (Hiv-1): Effects Of Intrapartum And Neonatal Single-Dose Nevirapine Prophylaxis And Subsequent Hiv-1 Drug Resistance At Antiretroviral Treatment Initiation, Amanda L. Harmon

CMC Senior Theses

The prevention of mother-to-child transmission is one of the most powerful tools in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) prevention and has huge potential to improve both maternal and child health. In the absence of any preventative measures, infants born to and breastfed by their HIV-positive mothers have roughly a one-in-three chance of acquiring the infection themselves. HIV can be passed on from mother-to-child during pregnancy, during labor and delivery, and even after during breastfeeding.

Intrapartum and neonatal single-dose nevirapine (sd-NVP) is the foundation of preventing mother-to-child transmission in lower resource settings where it has been used alone or as …

A Cross Cultural Study Of Disability In The United States And Brazil, Emily Kirsten Stortz

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Disability is not only a biological issue, it is an inherently social one. People are only as disabled as their society allows them to be. Enhancing our understanding of the social processes affecting the disabled will allow for their increased participation within society. The researcher employed qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews and participant observation to perform case studies at fieldwork sites providing care to the disabled in Chicago, IL, USA and Santarém, Pará, Brazil. The researcher spent two consecutive weeks in each location. The former location is a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities and the latter is a …

Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training And Its Impact On Attitudes Toward Help Seeking, John Angelo Cascamo Jr.

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Trainings such as Question Persuade and Refer (QPR) are used to increase suicide awareness and teach participants basic suicide intervention skills. Previous researchers showed that QPR training increases knowledge of suicide risk factors and increases participants' willingness to intervene with individuals at risk of suicide. It was hypothesized that completion of QPR would also increase positive attitudes toward the utilization of mental health services and that this outcome would be more pronounced among male participants. The examination of attitudes was rooted in the theoretical framework of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior. The Inventory of Attitudes toward Seeking …

Trends In The Clinical Characteristics Of Hiv Infected Patients Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy In Kenya, Uganda And Tanzania Between 2002 And 2009, Elvin H. Geng, Peter W. Hunt, Lameck O. Diero, Sylvester Kimaiyo, Geofrey R. Somi, Pius Okong, David R. Bangsberg, Mwebesa B. Bwana, Craig R. Cohen, Juliana A. Otieno, Deo Wabwire, Batya Elul, Denis Nash, Philippa J. Easterbrook, Paula Braitstein, Beverly S. Musick, Jeffrey N. Martin, Constantin T. Yiannoutsos, Kara Wools-Kaloustian

Publications and Research

Background: East Africa has experienced a rapid expansion in access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIVinfected patients. Regionally representative socio-demographic, laboratory and clinical characteristics of patients accessing ART over time and across sites have not been well described.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of characteristics of HIV-infected adults initiating ART between 2002 and 2009 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and in the International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS Consortium. Characteristics associated with advanced disease (defined as either a CD4 cell count level of less than 50 cells/mm3 or a WHO Stage 4 condition) at the time of ART initiation …