Digital Commons Network^™

Copy Number Variation Signature To Predict Human Ancestry, Melissa Pronold, Marzieh Vali, Roger Pique-Regi, Shahab Asgharzadeh

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Copy number variations (CNVs) are genomic structural variants that are found in healthy populations and have been observed to be associated with disease susceptibility. Existing methods for CNV detection are often performed on a sample-by-sample basis, which is not ideal for large datasets where common CNVs must be estimated by comparing the frequency of CNVs in the individual samples. Here we describe a simple and novel approach to locate genome-wide CNVs common to a specific population, using human ancestry as the phenotype.

Results

We utilized our previously published Genome Alteration Detection Analysis (GADA) algorithm to identify common ancestry …

Genetic Studies Of Complex Human Diseases: Characterizing Snp-Disease Associations Using Bayesian Networks, Bing Han, Xue-Wen Chen, Zohreh Talebizadeh, Hua Xu

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Detecting epistatic interactions plays a significant role in improving pathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of complex human diseases. Applying machine learning or statistical methods to epistatic interaction detection will encounter some common problems, e.g., very limited number of samples, an extremely high search space, a large number of false positives, and ways to measure the association between disease markers and the phenotype.

Results

To address the problems of computational methods in epistatic interaction detection, we propose a score-based Bayesian network structure learning method, EpiBN, to detect epistatic interactions. We apply the proposed method to both simulated datasets and …

Healthcare Access And Mammography Screening In Michigan: A Multilevel Cross-Sectional Study, Tomi F. Akinyemiju, Amr S. Soliman, May Yassine, Mousumi Banerjee, Kendra Schwartz, Sofia Merajver

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Breast cancer screening rates have increased over time in the United States. However actual screening rates appear to be lower among black women compared with white women.

Purpose

To assess determinants of breast cancer screening among women in Michigan USA, focusing on individual and neighborhood socio-economic status and healthcare access.

Methods

Data from 1163 women ages 50-74 years who participated in the 2008 Michigan Special Cancer Behavioral Risk Factor Survey were analyzed. County-level SES and healthcare access were obtained from the Area Resource File. Multilevel logistic regression models were fit using SAS Proc Glimmix to account for clustering …

Vitamin D Mitigates Age-Related Cognitive Decline Through The Modulation Of Pro-Inflammatory State And Decrease In Amyloid Burden, Teresita L. Briones, Hala Darwish

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Increasing evidence shows an association between the use of vitamin D and improvement in age-related cognitive decline. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective effects of vitamin D on age-related brain changes and cognitive function.

Methods

Male F344 rats aged 20 months (old) and 6 months (young) were used and randomly assigned to either vitamin D supplementation or no supplementation (control). A total of n = 39 rats were used in the study. Rats were individually housed and the supplementation group received a subcutaneous injection of vitamin D (1, α25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) 42 I.U./Kg …

Segmentation Of Corpus Callosum Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging: Validation In Patients With Glioblastoma, Mohammad-Reza Nazem-Zadeh, Sona Saksena, Abbas Babajani-Fermi, Quan Jiang, Hamid Soltanian-Zadeh, Mark Rosenblum, Tom Mikkelsen, Rajan Jain

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

This paper presents a three-dimensional (3D) method for segmenting corpus callosum in normal subjects and brain cancer patients with glioblastoma.

Methods

Nineteen patients with histologically confirmed treatment naïve glioblastoma and eleven normal control subjects underwent DTI on a 3T scanner. Based on the information inherent in diffusion tensors, a similarity measure was proposed and used in the proposed algorithm. In this algorithm, diffusion pattern of corpus callosum was used as prior information. Subsequently, corpus callosum was automatically divided into Witelson subdivisions. We simulated the potential rotation of corpus callosum under tumor pressure and studied the reproducibility of the …

Augmented Annotation And Orthologue Analysis For Oryctolagus Cuniculus: Better Bunny, Douglas B. Craig, Sujatha Kannan, Alan A. Dombkowski

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

The rabbit is an important model organism used in a wide range of biomedical research. However, the rabbit genome is still sparsely annotated, thus prohibiting extensive functional analysis of gene sets derived from whole-genome experiments. We developed a web-based application that provides augmented annotation and orthologue analysis for rabbit genes. Importantly, the application allows comprehensive functional analysis through the use of orthologous relationships.

Results

Using data extracted from several public bioinformatics repositories we created Better Bunny, a database and query tool that extensively augments the available functional annotation for rabbit genes. Using the complete set of target genes …

Isolation And Purification Of An Organophosphate Degrading Enzyme, Shannon W. Landvater

Theses

Organophosphates (OP) are a class of pesticide widely used in agriculture and are found in a number of insecticides and chemical warfare agents. OPs are extremely dangerous in that they inhibit cholinesterase function, which disrupts proper activity of the nervous system. . OPs are also harmful due to their broad target range and toxicity for nontarget species (Horne, Qiu, Ollis, Russell, & Oakeshott, 2006) . Furthermore, following the introduction and wide spread use of pesticides, great environmental concerns have arisen. Some of the methods used for removing OP residues are impractical and costly, or are themselves environmentally hazardous (Horne et …

An Assessment Of Animal Agricultural Producers Within North Carolina In Relation To Their Perceptions Regarding The Animal Agricultural Industry, Jessica Gowins

Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze the perceptions of North Carolina animal agricultural producers relative to the sociological, biological, and economic aspects of the animal agricultural industry. A survey instrument was used in this study to obtain perceptions as well as demographic information. The survey was distributed to producers at the producer meetings and randomly throughout the state. A one-week interval, three round data collection method was used. Convenient sampling was used to collect 88 surveys. Producers agreed or strongly agreed that: people’s perceptions of animal agricultural industry are affected by animal rights groups; the prevention and control …

Synthetic Design Of Dopa Mimetics To Inhibit Melanogenesis, Sharmista Prattipati

Theses

The primary objective of this research involves the synthetic design of homologs of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) in order to inhibit melanin formation, melanogenesis. These synthetic homologs are structured to have variations within their side chains and unto their aromatic ring when compared to the structure of dopa. Strategic structural variations are incorporated within the molecular framework of the homologs such that their dopa mimicking features are enhanced, and consequently inhibit the formation of melanins. The structural variations of the homologs are designed to exhibit specificity in the regulations of phase-I and phase –II of melanogenesis. Many studies have suggested a …

Preparation And Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation Of Some Quinoline Derivatives Containing An Azole Nucleus, Muhammet Özyanik, Serpi̇l Demi̇rci̇, Hakan Bektaş, Nesli̇han Demi̇rbaş, Ahmet Demi̇rbaş, Şengül Alpay Karaoğlu

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Quinoline-2-carbohydrazide (2) obtained from quinaldic acid (1) was converted to the corresponding carbothioamide 3 and carboxamide 6 by treatment with benzyliso(thio)cyanate. The basic treatment of 3 and 6 yielded the corresponding 1,2,4-triazole derivatives 4 and 7. The synthesis of 5-(quinolin-2-yl)-1,3,4- oxadiazol-2-thiol (9) was performed from the reaction of 1 with CS_2 in basic media. The Mannich reaction of compounds 4, 7, and 9 resulted in the formation of aminoalkylated derivatives 5a-c, 8, and 10a,b. The condensation of 1 with thiosemicarbazide, carbohydrazide, or thiocarbohydrazide gave the corresponding 1,2,4-triazole derivatives (11-13). The treatment of 4-amino-5-(quinolin-2-yl)- 4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (13) with 4-chlorophenacyl bromide caused the …

Out Of House, And Home: Refocusing On Homelessness, Vulnerable Populations, And Human Rights, Adele M. Morrison

Law Faculty Research Publications

No abstract provided.

Evading Emergency: Strengthening Emergency Response Through Integrated Pluralistic Governance, Lance A. Gable

Law Faculty Research Publications

This Article examines the significant governance challenges that arise during responses to public health emergencies and proposes a new multifaceted strategy-integrated pluralistic governance-to address these challenges. Emergency preparedness is an inherently complex problem that entails the integration ofscientific and medical expertise, good logistical planning, and clear laws and policies. The governance function has particular import for public health emergencies because pandemics, hurricanes, and other disasters can have profoundly divisive social and political consequences. Moreover, recent disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill revealed an emergency preparedness and response infrastructure in the United States that was broken: …

Uracil Accumulation In Folate Depleted Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts, Eneida Doko

Wayne State University Theses

Folate is a water-soluble vitamin B that plays a critical co-enzyme in the de novo nucleotide synthesis and other biochemical processes including DNA metabolism, DNA repair, DNA methylation, and cellular growth. Folate deficiency has been associated to increase the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) and cancers of the lung, breast, colon, cervix, esposphagus and brain. Most importantly, folate deficiency has been shown to increase uracil misincorporation into DNA and therefore induce DNA damage repaired by the base excision repair (BER) pathway. In response to folate depletion, levels of thmidylate decrease in the deoxyribonucelotide pool, resulting in uracil being misincorporation …

Alexithymia, Social Constraints, And Self-Efficacy As Moderators Of Written Emotional Disclosure And Coping Skills Training: For Which Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Do These Interventions Improve Pain And Physical Functioning?, Jennifer Carty

Wayne State University Theses

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes pain, disability, and inflammation. Written emotional disclosure (WED) and pain coping skills training (CST) improves adjustment, but effect sizes are small to moderate; research needs to identify patients most likely to benefit from WED and CST. A moderator analyses was conducted to determine if alexithymia, social constraints, or self-efficacy predicted health outcomes from interventions at 1-, 4-, and 12-month follow-up. Health assessed at baseline and at each follow-up. Patients were randomized to WED or equivalent control (Health Behavior Writing), and to CST or equivalent control (Arthritis Education). Findings from this study suggest that alexithymia and social …

Novel Inhibitors Of The Bacterial De Novo Purine Biosynthesis Enzymes, N5-Carboxyaminoimidazole Ribonucleotide Synthetase And Mutase, Maria V. Fawaz

Wayne State University Theses

Antibiotic resistance has seen a significant increase during the past decade. The increasing frequency of the drug-resistant bacterial infections has amplified the need for novel antimicrobial agents. De novo purine biosynthesis is one area that has great potential for antibacterial drug development because this pathway is different in microorganisms versus humans. The difference in the pathway is centered on the synthesis and utilization of the purine intermediate N⁵-carboxy-5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (N⁵-CAIR). Previous studies have shown that N⁵-CAIR is a key intermediate in purine biosynthesis in bacteria, yeast and fungi, but not in humans. N^{5 …}

Medical Data Analysis Method For Epilepsy, Ameen Eetemadi

Wayne State University Theses

Applying data mining techniques on medical databases which contain un-structured and semi-structured data is a challenging task. It is not only due to the complexity of such databases but also due to the characteristics of the medical domain. This thesis describes how multiple layers of data mining techniques have been applied to a Human Brain Image Database system. It starts with data preparation which paves the way for conventional data analysis techniques to be applied to the data. A similarity based patient retrieval tool has been designed and developed to assist in treatment planning and outcome estimation for epileptic patients. …

The Use Of Metabolomics To Investigate Biomarker Profiles As Potential Early Risk Factors For Development Of Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Jennelle Lynn Arnew (Getty)

Wayne State University Theses

ABSTRACT

THE USE OF METABOLOMICS TO INVESTIGATE BIOMARKERS PROFILES AS POTENTIAL EARLY RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF TYPE II DIABETES

by

JENNELLE ARNEW

MAY 2012

Advisor: Dr. Smiti Gupta

Major: Nutrition and Food Science

Degree: Masters of Science

Type 2 Diabetes affects an estimated 17.5 million individuals in the United States and is considered to be one of the most pressing public health issues of our time. To date, the exact cause of type 2 diabetes remains unclear, however, it is considered to be an interplay between environmental and genetic factors. Emerging technologies for metabolomics analysis increases the capacity to …

Contact Pressure Distribution Of Osteochondral Defects Of The Knee: Effects Of Non-Vertical Walls, Scott Ensminger

Wayne State University Theses

Purpose: To examine the relationship between well-shouldered osteochondral defects and

defects of different geometries by studying their effects on rim stress concentration and

load redistribution in the human knee.

Methods: Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were mounted at 30° of flexion in a materials

testing machine. Digital electronic pressure sensors were placed in the medial and lateral

compartments of the knee. Dynamic pressure readings were recorded throughout the

loading and holding phases as each knee was loaded to 700N and held for 5 seconds.

Artificial defects were created in each knee to simulate well-shouldered defects and

beveled-defects. Loading was repeated for …

Traumatic Brain Injury Induced Cerebral Blood Flow Changes - A Potential Role For Caffeine, Sharath Chandra Reddy Bandaru

Wayne State University Theses

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health problem with significant socio-economic costs. Closed head TBIs are one of the major causes of physical disability and cognitive disorder in young adults and a leading cause of death in children.

Alteration in cerebral blood flow due to an impaired autoregulation is one of the most common consequences of TBI. However, studies related to understanding the temporal changes in CBF following TBI in experimental models are limited. The few available studies report acute reduction in CBF following TBI; knowledge related to CBF changes at sub-acute periods extending to 7 days after TBI …

Investigation Of A 16s Rna Central Domain Pseudoknot, Jenna Marie Jasinski-Bolak

Wayne State University Theses

X-ray crystallography of the prokaryotic 30S ribosomal subunit revealed a myriad of complex RNA-RNA, RNA-protein, and protein-protein interactions. Among these are several phylogenetically conserved RNA pseudoknots. Pseudoknots are structurally and functionally diverse RNA secondary structures. They are generally formed by two short complimentary sequences separated by many bases of single stranded regions or loops. These relatively simple folds are often yield complex structures that are key components of functionally important conformational changes in RNA structure. One such pseudoknot is located in the central domain of the 16S rRNA.

The central domain pseudoknot is formed by Watson-Crick base pairing between G570-C866 …

The Prdm Gene Apoptix Antagonizes Programmed Cell Death In Tribolium, Zahabiya Husain

Wayne State University Theses

Previous studies in holometabolous insects have shown that programmed and cell proliferation play important roles in insect metamorphosis. To elucidate the function of the newly identified Tribolium Prdm gene Apoptix (Apox) I performed a detailed analysis of Apox knockdown effects in the embryo, the pupa and the adult eye. My results revealed that Apox is required for the survival of retinal tissue after onset of differentiation and also generally in tissues which experience high amounts of proliferation and differentiation during pupal development. Further, combinatorial knockdown of Apox and initiator caspases produced evidence that Apox specifically protects from programmed cell death …

Investigating The Glutamine-Trna (Glutamine) Synthesis Appartus Of The Human Pathogen Helicobacter Pylori, Nilesh Joshi

Wayne State University Theses

INVESTIGATING THE GLUTAMINE-TRNA (GLUTAMINE) SYNTHESIS APPARTUS OF THE HUMAN PATHOGEN HELICOBACTER PYLORI

by

NILESH JOSHI

August 2012

Advisor: Tamara L. Hendrickson

Major: Chemistry

Degree: Master of Science

Accurate protein biosynthesis is a vital process to all cellular life. Aminoacyl-tRNAs are at the heart of this process: A correctly formed aminoacyl-tRNA is critical for protein biosynthesis. Organisms have evolved many mechanisms to repair misacylated tRNAs before they cause errors in protein biosynthesis, thus maintaining the integrity of the genetic code. The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) synthesizes Glu-tRNAGln as an intermediate to producing Gln-tRNAGln. This misacylated intermediate could cause lethal …

Adolescent Characteristics And Peer Influence As Predictors Of Antisocial Behavior In Males, Benjamin D. Goodlett

Wayne State University Theses

Deviant peer influence during adolescence has been found to predict substance use, delinquency, and aggression. This study examined youth characteristics (prosociality, daring, and verbal ability) along with peer influence (deviant talk) as predictors of antisocial behavior. Peer influence, in the form of deviant talk, was also examined as a potential mediator between youth characteristics and antisocial behavior. The current study added to the literature by examining a slope measure of deviant talk as an organizing feature of peer discussions. Data were collected prospectively from a subsample of 178 youths participating in the Pitt Mother and Child Project. Findings supported daring, …

Psychological And Physiological Responses Of Males Viewing Same Gender Advertisements, Phil Dittmer

Wayne State University Theses

Body image has been a well established research topic in the field of sport and exercise psychology. However, most of the literature focuses on female body image and ignores male body image. It has been established by current literature that men react the same way as females when presented with pictures of the ideal body of the same sex; a negative body image affect. However, it is unknown in both females and males if this negative body image affect is a strong enough response to elicit a physiological stress response. This master's thesis serves as an explorative project to bridge …

Father Involvement As A Predictor Of Preschool Children's Academic Readiness And Socioemotional Competence, Travis Alexzander Goldwire

Wayne State University Theses

Predictors of father involvement (FI) were examined. Associations between learning encouragement (LE) and socioemotional support (SS) in relation to later school readiness outcomes were examined. A subsample of residential fathers (n = 6150) from the ECLS-B was used. Hierarchical linear regressions and conceptual path analysis were used to conduct statistical analyses. Child sex, paternal employment, and the mother-father relationship were significant predictors of LE at 9 months. The mother-father relationship predicted LE at 2 years and SS at 9 months. LE at 9 months was a significant predictor of academic readiness indicators at preschool. LE at 2 years significantly predicted …

Pax6 Is Required For The Development Of The Lateral Procephalon In Tribolium, Qing Luan

Wayne State University Theses

In Tribolium, combinatorial knockdown of the Pax6 orthologs eyeless (ey) and twin of eyeless (toy) affects the peripheral visual system but also other areas of the dorsal larval head capsule. To elucidate the role of Pax6 genes during Tribolium embryonic head development in detail, we performed an extensive analysis of cuticle

elements, brain anatomy, embryonic head morphogenesis and developmental marker gene expression. Our results reveal that Pax6 is required for the development of a large contiguous area of the lateral anterior head, morphologically addressed as the embryonic head lobes, which encompass the neuroectodermal precursor tissues of the visual system, parts …

Sex Differences In The Dopaminergic Regulation Of Courtship, But Not Pairing Behaviors In Zebra Finches, Erin Marie Lowrey

Wayne State University Theses

Dopamine is one of the key ingredients in the glue that cements social bonds in vertebrates. The D2 dopamine receptor has been implicated in the regulation of monogamous pair bonding in the prairie vole. While dopamine affects courtship behaviors in the male zebra finch, the behavioral role of dopamine acting at D2 receptors in both males and females deserves further attention. We hypothesized that the D2 receptor would regulate courtship and pairing behaviors in the male and female zebra finch. Sixteen males and females were tested using a repeated measures design. On day 1, the zebra finches were injected with …

"The Gift Of The Moment": Walter Benjamin And Comics History, Austin Lewis St Peter

Wayne State University Theses

This essay is a historiographical critique of the ways that the major historical narratives in the emerging field of Comics Studies are employed. I argue that scholars in the field utilize historical origin narratives and medium definitions with the intent to stake out a space of privilege for their privileged selections - thereby playing into a politics of legitimation. The major critic whose work I utilize to critique the major historical narratives of the medium, and ultimately the way that they are utilized, is the Frankfurt School critic Walter Benjamin. Not only do I employ Benjamin's work to interpret and …

Vip And Host Immunity, Xiaoyu Jiang

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of the current dissertation was to examine how VIP regulates host immunity and corneal healing, specifically, its control of growth factors and TLR expression in the P. aeruginosa infected cornea. Firstly, VIP treatment increased growth factor expression (EGF, GHF, FGF and VEGF) in infected cornea. Notably, treatment with a mixture of EGF, FGF and HGF prevented corneal perforation, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and bacterial plate count, while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines and antimicrobials such as murine beta-defensin2 and 3.

We also investigated the expression of TLR-signaling pathways in P. aeruginosa infected corneas with or without VIP treatment. PCR array and …

Comparing Single-Sex And Reformed Coeducation: A Constitutional Analysis, Nancy Chi Cantalupo

Law Faculty Research Publications

No abstract provided.