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Resistance Is Futile: The Bacteriocin Model For Addressing The Antibiotic Resistance Challenge, Margaret A. Riley, Sandra M. Robinson, Christopher M. Roy, Morgan Dennis, Vivian Liu, Robert Dorit

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Pathogenic bacteria resistant to many or all antibiotics already exist. With the decline in microbiological research at pharmaceutical companies, the high rate at which resistance has evolved and spread has demanded a novel approach to addressing this critical human health issue. In the present paper, we propose a new paradigm in antibiotic discovery and development, one that applies ecological and evolutionary theory to design antimicrobial drugs that are more difficult and/or more costly to resist. In essence, we propose to simply adopt the strategies invented and applied by bacteria for hundreds of millions of years. Our research focuses on bacteriocins, …

Glutaredoxin 2 (Grx2) Knockout Increases Sensitivity To Oxidative Stress In Mouse Lens Epithelial Cells, Hongli Wu, Liren Lin, Frank Giblin, Ye-Sheh Ho, Marjorie F. Lou

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Glutaredoxin belongs to the oxidoreductase family with cytosolic glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) and mitochondrial gluraredoxin 2 (Grx2) isoforms. Of the two isozymes, the function of Grx2 is not well understood. This paper studied the effect of Grx2 deletion on cellular function using primary lens epithelial cell cultures isolated from Grx2 gene knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice. We found that both cell types showed similar growth patterns and morphology, and comparable mitochondrial glutathione pool and complex I activity. Cells with deleted Grx2 did not show affected Grx1 or thioredoxin (Trx) expression but exhibited high sensitivity to oxidative stress. Under treatment …

Mutations In Stat3 Associated With Human Hyper Ige Syndrome Enhance Nfκb And Mapk-Mediated Gene Expression, Nathaniel Greeley

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Hyper IgE syndrome (HIES) is a multisystem disorder resulting in bone and immune system abnormalities. It is associated with mutations in STAT3, which disrupt protein domains responsible for transcriptional function. Patients with HIES display osteoporosis and enhanced inflammatory cytokine production similar to hematopoietic Stat3-deficient mice. Since osteoclast and inflammatory cytokine genes are NFκB targets, these observations indicate a possible deregulation of NFκB signaling in both mice and humans with STAT3-deficiency. Here, we sought to examine the role of STAT3 in the regulation of NFκB-mediated gene expression through analysis of three HIES STAT3 point mutations in both hematopoietic and non- hematopoietic …

Induction Of Stronger And Long Lasting Vaccine Immunity To Tuberculosis, Pearl Bakhru

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Tuberculosis is a major cause of death due to an infection in mankind. BCG vaccine protects against childhood tuberculosis although, it fails to protect against adult tuberculosis. BCG vaccine localizes to immature phagosomes of macrophages, and avoids lysosomal fusion, which decreases peptide antigen production. Peptides are essential for macrophage-mediated priming of CD4 and CD8 T cells respectively through MHC-II and MHC-I pathways. Furthermore, BCG reduces the expression of MHC-II in macrophages of mice after infection, through Toll-like receptor-1/2 (TLR-1/2) mediated signaling. In my first aim, I hypothesized that BCG-induced reduction of MHC-II levels in macrophages can decrease CD4 T cell …

Cellular Uptake Of Neutrohpil Elastase Links Inflammation To Adaptive Immunity, Elizabeth A. Mittendorf

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Many tumors arise from sites of inflammation providing evidence that innate immunity is a critical component in the development and progression of cancer. Neutrophils are primary mediators of the innate immune response. Upon activation, an important function of neutrophils is release of an assortment of proteins from their granules including the serine protease neutrophil elastase (NE). The effect of NE on cancer has been attributed primarily to its ability to degrade the extracellular matrix thereby promoting invasion and metastasis. Recently, it was shown that NE could be taken up by lung cancer cells leading to degradation of insulin receptor substrate-1 …

Immunological Mechanisms Of Extracorporeal Photopheresis In Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma And Graft Versus Host Disease, Lisa Shiue

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

IMMUNOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF EXTRACORPOREAL PHOTOPHERESIS IN CUTANEOUS T CELL LYMPHOMA AND GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE

Publication No.___________

Lisa Harn-Ging Shiue, B.S.

Supervisory Professor: Madeleine Duvic, M.D.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an effective, low-risk immunomodulating therapy for leukemic cutaneous T cell lymphoma (L-CTCL) and graft versus host disease (GVHD), but whether the mechanism(s) of action in these two diseases is (are) identical or different is unclear. To determine the effects of ECP in vivo, we studied regulatory T cells (T-regs), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and dendritic cells (DCs) by immunofluorescence flow cytometry in 18 L-CTCL and 11 GVHD patients before …

Act Like A Lady!: Reconsidering Gender Stereotypes & The Exclusion Of Women From Combat In Light Of Challenges To “Don’T Ask, Don’T Tell”, Angela Rollins

Southern Illinois University Law Journal

Today, women are serving in the military in increasingly larger numbers and in greater capacities.  However, despite women’s hard work and commitment to our nation, women are prohibited from combat positions, and top leadership positions in the military are foreclosed.   Thus, our military women, and women in the rest of society, must live with the constant reminder that they are not quite as good as their male counterparts.  Accordingly, this exclusion has a harmful impact by reinforcing the perception women’s inferiority in society. This comment argues that the legal and social bases for excluding women from military positions have changed …

Antiseptics And Disinfectants For The Treatment Of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Review, Hans Verstraelen Verstraelen, Rita Verhelst, Kristien Roelens, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: The study objective was to assess the available data on efficacy and tolerability of antiseptics and disinfectants in treating bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Methods: A systematic search was conducted by consulting PubMed (1966-2010), CINAHL (1982-2010), IPA (1970-2010), and the Cochrane CENTRAL databases. Clinical trials were searched for by the generic names of all antiseptics and disinfectants listed in the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System under the code D08A. Clinical trials were considered eligible if the efficacy of antiseptics and disinfectants in the treatment of BV was assessed in comparison to placebo or standard antibiotic treatment with metronidazole or clindamycin …

Synthesis And Biological Activity Of Aminoglycosides And 1,4-Naphthoquinone Derivatives, Marina Fosso Yatchang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The research described in this dissertation is at the interface of organic chemistry and biology, and it aimed at designing and synthesizing biologically active molecules for the possible development of therapeutic agents.

Spinal muscular atrophy is an incurable disease that affects 1 in every 6000 babies, making it the leading genetic cause of infant mortality. While no treatment is available, efforts are being taken to solve this issue. Part of the work outlined in this dissertation was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the University of Missouri to investigate a potential therapeutic for this disease.

In addition, the continuous …

A Comparison Of Testosterone With Prostate Specific Antigen And Prostatic Acid Phosphatase For The Serodiagnosis Of Prostate Cancer In Adult Males, Annie Chu

Honors Theses

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer in men. The American Cancer Society has estimated that there were 240,890 newly diagnosed cases in 2011 and 33,720 deaths from prostate cancer. Diagnosis of this disease has traditionally been done by measuring prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels through sero-chemical testing. The purpose of this study is to compare serum testosterone levels to PSA levels and Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) levels in the search for new and more accurate technology. This study shows that testosterone was not efficient in correctly diagnosing those with prostate cancer. It had a …

Information Outlook, November/December 2012, Special Libraries Association

Information Outlook, 2012

Volume 16, Issue 6

The Effectiveness Of A Multifocal Training To Improve The Treatment Of Community-Acquired Mrsa Skin And Soft Tissue Infections, Aaron Santmyire

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Practitioners and researchers have documented an increase in community-acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). This increase is causing stress and concern for the individuals infected and the families of those infected. The impact of a practitioner based multifocal training has not been clearly established. The purpose of this capstone project was to determine the effect of a multifocal training on CA-MRSA SSTIs that educated primary care practitioners about treatment guidelines, Marion County, WV susceptibility data, I&D technique, and a patient education tool versus common treatment practices to increase practitioner's knowledge and utilization of evidence …

Immersion Research Education: Students As Catalysts For International Collaboration Research, Kathryn H. Anderson, Marie-Luise Friedemann, Andreas Buescher, Julita Sansoni, Donna R. Hodnicki

Nursing: Faculty Publications

Background:  This paper describes an international nursing and health research immersion program. Minority students from the USA work with an international faculty mentor in teams conducting collaborative research. The Minority Health International Research Training (MHIRT) program students become catalysts in the conduct of cross-cultural research.

Aim:  To narrow the healthcare gap for disadvantaged families in the USA and partner countries.

Methods:  Faculty from the USA, Germany, Italy, Colombia, England, Austria and Thailand formed an international research and education team to explore and compare family health issues, disparities in chronic illness care, social inequities and healthcare solutions. USA …

Rickettsia Felis In Cat Fleas, Ctenocephalides Felis Parasitizing Opossums, San Bernardino County, California, Kyle F. Abramowicz, J. W. Wekesa, C. N. Nwadike, Maria L. Zambrano, Sandor E. Karpathy, D. Cecil, J. Burns, R. Hu, Marina E. Eremeeva

Environmental Health Sciences: Faculty Publications

Los Angeles and Orange Counties are known endemic areas for murine typhus in California; however, no recent reports of flea-borne rickettsioses are known from adjacent San Bernardino County. Sixty-five opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were trapped in the suburban residential and industrial zones of the southwestern part of San Bernardino County in 2007. Sixty out of 65 opossums were infested with fleas, primarily cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché, 1835). The flea minimum infection rate with Rickettsia felis was 13.3% in pooled samples and the prevalence was 23.7% in single fleas, with two gltA genotypes detected. In spite of historic records of murine …

Policy-Making Under Evo Morales: Explaining Ethnopopulist Redistributive Measures In Bolivia, Luis Ferreira

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

The Evo Morales administration has radically transformed the Bolivian state since his election in 2005. As a result of Morales' indigenous identity and overt ethnic tensions in this state, there is a perception that this factor plays a decisive role in Bolivia's policymaking. However, as the 'renegotiation' of the hydrocarbon industry in 2006 demonstrates, ethnopopulism and political survival provide the most comprehensive approach to predicting the policies of the current Bolivian government.

The resistance to liberalization efforts, the success of redistributive measures and the role identity has had in Bolivia explains why this approach to policy-making has allowed Morales to …

Neuropsychological Outcomes In Adults Commencing Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Treatment In South Africa: A Prospective Study, Ja Joska, J Westgarth-Taylor, J Hoare, Kgf Thomas, Et Al

Peninsula Medical School

BACKGROUND: Infection with HIV may result in significant neuropsychological impairment, especially in late stage disease. To date, there have been no cohort studies of the impact of highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART) in South Africa where clade C HIV is predominant. METHODS: Participants in the current study were recruited from a larger study of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and included a group of individuals commencing HAART (n = 82). Baseline and one-year neuropsychological function was assessed using a detailed battery, and summary global deficit scores (GDS) obtained. Associations with change in GDS were calculated. RESULTS: Participants had a median CD4 …

Immunoproteomics: The Key To Discovery Of New Vaccine Antigens Against Bacterial Respiratory Infections, Ruth Dennehy, Siobhan Mcclean

Articles

The increase in antibiotic resistance and the shortage of new antimicrobials to prevent difficult bacterial infections underlines the importance of prophylactic therapies to prevent infection by bacterial pathogens. Vaccination has reduced the incidence of many serious diseases, including respiratory bacterial infections. However, there are many pathogens for which no vaccine is available and some vaccines are not effective among all age groups or among immunocompromised individuals. Immunoproteomics is a powerful technique which has been used to identify potential vaccine candidates to protect against pathogenic bacteria. The combination of proteomics with the detection of immunoreactive antigens using serum highlights immunogenic proteins …

Biochemical Reconstitution Of Hemorrhagic-Fever Arenavirus Envelope Glycoprotein-Mediated Membrane Fusion, Celestine J. Thomas, Sundaresh Shankar, Hedi E. Casquilho-Gray, Joanne York, Stephen Sprang, Jack H. Nunberg

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The membrane-anchored proteins of enveloped viruses form labile spikes on the virion surface, primed to undergo large-scale conformational changes culminating in virus-cell membrane fusion and viral entry. The prefusion form of these envelope glycoproteins thus represents an important molecular target for antiviral intervention. A critical roadblock to this endeavor has been our inability to produce the prefusion envelope glycoprotein trimer for biochemical and structural analysis. Through our studies of the GPC envelope glycoprotein of the hemorrhagic fever arenaviruses, we have shown that GPC is unique among class I viral fusion proteins in that the mature complex retains a stable signal …

Youth And Saving In Ghana: A Baseline Report From The Youthsave Ghana Experiment, Gina Chowa, David Ansong, Rainier Masa, Mat Despard, Isaac Osei-Akoto, Atta-Ankomah Richmond, Andrew Agyei-Holmes, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

Youth and Saving in Ghana: A Baseline Report From the YouthSave Ghana Experiment

Attack Rates Assessment Of The 2009 Pandemic H1n1 Influenza A In Children And Their Contacts: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Aharona Glatman-Freedman, Ian Portelli, Susan K. Jacobs, Justin I. Mathew, Jonathan E. Slutzman, Lewis R. Goldfrank, Silas W. Smith

Publications and Research

Background The recent H1N1 influenza A pandemic was marked by multiple reports of illness and hospitalization in children, suggesting that children may have played a major role in the propagation of the virus. A comprehensive detailed analysis of the attack rates among children as compared with their contacts in various settings is of great importance for understanding their unique role in influenza pandemics. Methodology/Principal Findings We searched MEDLINE (PubMed) and Embase for published studies reporting outbreak investigations with direct measurements of attack rates of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A among children, and quantified how these compare with those of …

Predictors Of Wait-Time For Antibiotic Initiation And Its Association With Length Of Hospital Stay And Icu-Admission Among Children With Cancer At The Southern Philippine Medical Center, Jeannette Enk Kirby

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

A window of one hour or less from start of signs and symptoms of infection to antibiotic administration (AWT) is considered good clinical practice in developed countries, but less feasible in resource poor countries. This study aimed to identify predictors of AWT and studied its association with hospital length of stay (LOS) and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. A survey of healthcare providers assessed quality of care associated with the institutional capacity and response. AWT averaged four days with patient status being the only predictor upon multivariate analysis. For predictors associated with outcomes, parental education and patient status were associated …

The Principal Genetic Determinants For Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma In China Involve The Hla Class I Antigen Recognition Groove, Minzhong Tang, J. A. Lautenberger, Xiaojiang Gao, Efe Sezgin, Sher L. Hendrickson, Jennifer L. Troyer, Victor A. David, Li Guan, Carl Mcintosh, Xiuchan Guo, Yuming Zheng, Jian Liao, Hong Deng, Michael Malasky, Bailey Kessing, Cheryl Winkler, Mary Carrington, Guy De The, Yi Zeng, Stephen J. O'Brien

Biology Faculty Articles

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy facilitated by Epstein-Barr Virus infection. Here we resolve the major genetic influences for NPC incidence using a genome-wide association study (GWAS), independent cohort replication, and high-resolution molecular HLA class I gene typing including 4,055 study participants from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Guangdong province of southern China. We detect and replicate strong association signals involving SNPs, HLA alleles, and amino acid (aa) variants across the major histocompatibility complex-HLA-A, HLA –B, and HLA -C class I genes (P_{HLA-A-aa-site-62}= 7.4×10⁻²⁹; P _{HLA-B-aa-site-116}= 6.5×10⁻¹⁹; P _{HLA-C-aa-site-156} = 6.8×10 …

Factors Affecting Infectivity And Pathogenicity Of Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis In Amphibians., Forrest Michael Brem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Wildlife diseases are a current threat to biodiversity, and amphibians have suffered the greatest disease-induced declines and extinctions in history. Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has contributed to recent pandemic population declines and extinctions of amphibians. My dissertation focused on factors that affect infectivity and pathogenicity of Bd in amphibian hosts. I demonstrated variation in critical aspects of Bd biology between Bd isolates from different climates, Panama and the USA. Panamanian Bd had larger thalli, higher overall zoospore production, and longer duration of zoospore production than Bd from the USA. I also demonstrated time-dependent rates of …

Systematic Review Of Tst Responses In People Living With Hiv In Under-Resourced Settings: Implications For Isoniazid Preventive Therapy., Andrew D. Kerkhoff, Katharina Kranzer, Taraz Samandari, Jessica Nakiyingi-Miiro, Christopher C. Whalen, Anthony D. Harries, Stephen D. Lawn

Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine Faculty Publications

Background

People living with HIV (PLWH) who have positive tuberculin skin tests (TST) benefit from isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) whereas those testing TST-negative do not. Revised World Health Organization guidelines explicitly state that assessment of TST is not a requirement for initiation of IPT. However, it is not known what proportions of patients will benefit from IPT if implemented without targeting according to TST status. We therefore determined the proportions of PLWH who test TST-positive.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We systematically reviewed the literature published between January 1990 and February 2012 to determine the proportions of patients without active tuberculosis attending HIV …

Antiviral Activity Of Cyclopentene Nitro-Ester And Derivatives, Kirpal S. Bisht, Alberto Van Olphen, Pasha M. Khan, Cynthia Bucher

USF Patents

Disclosed is a method of synthesizing new optically pure heterocyclic compounds using Pd(0) catalyzed intramolecular cyclizations. Analogs of cyclopentanes, like isoxazoline-2-oxide and furan, with similar framework to the cyclopentanes act as anti-HIV and anticancer agents which opens a whole new field for application of these compounds. Starting from a meso-diol, optically pure compounds were prepared without utilizing chiral ligands at any stage of the synthesis. The stereochemical outcome of the product (>99% ee) was influenced by desymmetrization catalyzed by Pseudomonas cepacia lipase and the stereo selective nature of the palladium catalyzed transformations.

Commonwealth Times 2012-11-26

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Over Prescription Of Antibiotics For Adult Pharyngitis Is Prevalent In Developing Countries But Can Be Reduced Using Mcisaac Modification Of Centor Scores: A Cross-Sectional Study., Amber Hanif Palla, Rafeeq Alam Khan, Anwar H. Gilani, Fawziah Marra

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background

Although Group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) can cause bacterial pharyngitis, the most common etiology is viral; despite this viral etiology, antibiotics are commonly prescribed for this infection in industrialized countries. We investigated the prevalence of GABHS in adult pharyngitis patients from lower socioeconomic settings in Karachi, Pakistan, how often antibiotics are prescribed for pharyngitis and if appropriate agents were used in a developing world setting. Finally, we wanted to see the usefulness of modified McIsaac scores in predicting positive cultures.

Methods

Adult patients were recruited from three local hospital outpatient dispensaries (OPDs). All patients aged 14–65 years who …

Jshp Hosts Region Iii Hiv/Aids Meeting August 2, 2012, Kate Cecil Ms

Population Health Matters (Formerly Health Policy Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Population Health Matters Fall 2012 Download Full Text Pdf

Population Health Matters (Formerly Health Policy Newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Ocular Complications Of Leprosy In Yemen, Raga Aa Salem

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the main ocular- and vision-threatening complications of leprosy in Yemen. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study which took place from February to July 2010. Leprosy patients attending the Skin and Venereal Diseases Hospital in the City of Light in Taiz, Yemen, who consented to participate in the study, were enrolled. Detailed demographic and medical histories were taken and clinical examination findings were recorded. A detailed eye examination, including visual acuity (VA), slit-lamp, and fundus examinations, was conducted on each patient by a qualified ophthalmologist. Results: A total of 192 patients (180 male, …