Digital Commons Network^™

Proteomic Discovery Of Protein Phosphatase 1 Catalytic Subunit Protein Interaction Partners In Human Skeletal Muscle, Zhao Yang

Wayne State University Theses

Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1), a member of Serine/ Threonine Phosphatase family, targets its dephosphorylation activity on serine and threonine residues. As the catalytic subunit of PP1, PP1c can achieve its substrate specificity only by binding with PP1 regulatory subunits. Previous researches have shown that PP1c can involve in multiple functional regulation by associating with various interaction partners. Since serine/ threonine phosphorylation on the Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) may direct inactivation and degradation of IRS1, this phosphorylation activity is believed to be a source of Insulin Resistance. PP1 is hypothesized to dephosphorylate serine/ threonine site on IRS1, which may rescue the …

Great Expectations: How Are Couples Influenced By Threatening Information Prior To A Pain Task?, Angelia Marie Corley

Wayne State University Theses

The present study examines the effects of a threat manipulation on romantic partners, in which one partner is about to undergo a painful task. Couples were randomly assigned to high and low threat manipulation groups, designed to alter one's anxiety or fear about the task. The study broadened the theoretical model, the Fear Avoidance Model, to the incorporate the social context and derived hypotheses regarding the role of one's romantic partner in the present paradigm. Results demonstrated preliminary evidence that a romantic partner may reduce one's anxiety about a painful task. Additionally, satisfaction with a conversation with a intimate partner …

De Novo Co-Assembly Of Bacterial Genomes From Multiple Single Cells, Narjes Sadat Movahedi Tabrizi

Wayne State University Theses

Recent progress in DNA amplication techniques, particularly multiple displacement amplication (MDA), has made it possible to sequence and assemble bacterial genomes from a single cell. However, the quality of single cell genome assembly has not yet reached the quality of normal multicell genome assembly due to the coverage bias and errors caused by MDA. Using a template of more than one cell for MDA or combining separate MDA products has been shown to improve the result of genome assembly from few single cells, but providing identical single cells, as a necessary step for these approaches, is a challenge. As a …

Effect Of Long Term Rapamycin Treatment On Mtor Signalling Network In Colon And Liver Of C57bl/6 Mice, John Sorge

Wayne State University Theses

Many studies have investigated the effects of rapamycin on aging and cancer. However, the effects of long-term rapamycin supplementation on a cancer model have not been performed. This is the first study that investigates the effects of long-term supplementation of rapamycin in a cancer model. ACF analysis of colon tissues in mice showed no significant difference between controls and those supplemented with rapamycin. Factors such as energy balance, cellular environment, PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and more have been assessed in this study. The duration of rapamycin supplementation seems to play an important role in the protection against cancer. Ultimately, this study suggests …

Genetic And Biochemical Studies Of Human Apobec3h Enzyme, Thisari Sachithra Aluthgama Guruge

Wayne State University Theses

The AID/APOBEC enzymes are DNA/RNA cytosine deaminases with important functions in innate and adaptive immunity. APOBEC3 enzymes play a crucial role in restricting the replication of exogenous retroviruses such HIV-1 and endogenous retrotransposition events. In particular, APOBEC3 enzymes have evolved in humans by gene duplication to compose seven members. APOBEC3H is highly diverse in its allelic sequence and the distribution is population-specific. It has evolved under strong positive selection over millions of years. To study the catalytic mechanism, structure, function and the underlying cause of its high diversity, a high resolution crystal or NMR structure is required are not yet …

The Nh2-Hypervariable Region Modulates The Binding Affinity Of Troponin T For Tropomyosin, Chinthaka Kaushalya Amarasinghe

Wayne State University Theses

The troponin complex plays a central role in the allosteric function of sarcomeric thin filaments by enacting conformational changes during the Ca2+-regulated contraction and relaxation of striated muscle. The troponin subunit T (TnT) has two binding sites for tropomyosin (Tm) and is responsible for anchoring the troponin complex to the thin filament. Although the C-terminal and middle regions of the TnT polypeptide chain are highly conserved among the three muscle type isoforms, the hypervariable N-terminal region has evolutionarily diverged significantly among isoforms. Previous studies have shown that the N-terminal variable region fine-tunes Ca2+ regulation of muscle contractility via modulation of …

The Effect Of Gaba A Antagonism On Locomotor Activity And Dopamine Release In The Mouse Caudate Putamen Following Acute Toluene Inhalation: An In-Vivo Microdialysis Study, Sean Callan

Wayne State University Theses

Toluene is ubiquitous solvent commonly inhaled recreationally. Despite its frequency of misuse, there is little understanding of how toluene acts within the brain. To examine this, this master's thesis examined the impact of acutely inhaled toluene on dopamine (DA) release in the mouse CPu in vivo using microdialysis techniques. Toluene inhalation produced dose-dependent increases in DA levels as well as changes in locomotor activity. These effects were potentiated by pre-treatment with the GABAA antagonist bicuculline via reverse microdialysis delivery. These results suggest that the DA dynamics of toluene abuse are related to toluene's previously explored effects on the GABA system. …

Inattention And Hyperactivity Among Preschool Age Children Born Prematurely, Andrew Heitzer

Wayne State University Theses

A large body of literature shows that compared to children born at term, preterm- children are at increased risk for difficulties with inattention and hyperactivity. Less consistency exists, however, in the limited body of research exploring the contribution of early biological risk to behavioral disinhibition within the population of children born prematurely. Therefore, our goal was to examine perinatal variables that may influence activity level and hyperactivity among preterm preschoolers. Ninety-eight preterm (23.4 - 33.9 weeks gestation) preschoolers (3-4 years) participated in the study. Direct measures of inattention and hyperactivity as well as parental ratings were used to evaluate behavior. …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Brain Penetrant Prodrug Of Neuroprotective D264: Potential Disease Modifying Treatment Agent For Parkinson's Disease, Fahd Shamoon Dholkawala

Wayne State University Theses

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with progressive loss of dopamanergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain and accumulation of intracytoplasmic inclusions called `Lewy bodies'. PD is characterized by tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, bradykinesia and postural imbalances. Although the etiology of PD is not well understood, it is well established that oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, alpha-synuclein aggregation play a central role in the pathogenesis of PD. Current treatment methods are based on symptomatic relief without addressing the underlying pathophysiological factors responsible for the disease. It is important to develop therapies which can address these …

Animal-Assisted Therapy For Incarcerated Youth: A Randomized-Controlled Trial, Nicholas P. Seivert

Wayne State University Theses

This study is a randomized-controlled trial of a specific animal-assisted therapy (AAT) called Teacher's Pet (TP) with incarcerated youth. The intervention was expected to result in increased empathy and reduced internalizing and externalizing behavior problems as compared to the control. Dog attachment was theorized to be the mechanism for the increased empathy and reduced behavior problems. In addition, due to the attachment-based nature of the intervention, it was hypothesized that those with a history maltreatment/foster care would benefit the most. Participants were138 youth at two Midwestern juvenile detention facilities. The TP intervention trained dogs for one hour, twice weekly for …

Effect Of Folate Deficiency On Expression Of Proteins On The Mtor Signaling Pathway In The Brain Of C57/Bl6 Mice, Nikita Patel

Wayne State University Theses

ABSTRACT

EFFECT OF FOLATE DEFICIENCY ON EXPRESSION OF PROTEINS ON THE mTOR SIGNALING PATHWAY IN THE BRAIN OF C57/BL6 MICE

by

NIKITA PATEL

December 2014

Advisor: Dr. Ahmad Heydari

Major: Nutrition and Food Science

Degree: Master of Science

Nutrient-gene interactions can significantly impact several cellular processes in the human body by altering important molecular pathways. Nutrition can affect brain structure, function and development throughout the life cycle; it can have a profound effect on cognition ad mental health leading to neurodegenerative diseases. It is important to elucidate the mechanisms by which diet can effect signaling pathways in the brain. The …

The Investigation Of The Molecular Mechanism Of Rhodopsin Activation By Small Angle Neutron Scattering And Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Techniques, Kurt William Van Delinder

Wayne State University Theses

Rhodopsin is a visual pigment found within the rod photoreceptor cells of the retina. It is a visual protein found within human beings and commonly shared amongst other vertebrate species. The major pigment protein is responsible for converting photons into chemical signals, which stimulates biological processes in the nervous system, and this allows the ability to then sense light [4]. The process of how rhodopsin is activated is believed to be understood with the introduction of a time ordered sequence of intermediate states. However, there are still major gaps and inconsistencies regarding the large-scale conformational changes that follow photoactivation. The …

Tmprss2-Erg Regulation Of Androgen Biosynthetic Enzyme Expression, Dht Synthesis, And Androgen Receptor Activation In Prostate Cancer, Katelyn Ann Powell

Wayne State University Dissertations

Intratumoral androgen synthesis in prostate cancer (PCa) contributes to the development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Several enzymes responsible for androgen biosynthesis have been shown to be overexpressed in CRPC, thus, contributing to CRPC in a castrated environment. Although intratumoral androgen synthesis is thought to contribute to the development and progression of CRPC, currently little is known regarding the regulation of androgen biosynthetic enzyme gene expression in PCa. The TMPRSS2-ERG transcription factor has been shown to be present in primary PCa tumors as well as CRPC tumors. The hypothesis was investigated that TMPRSS2-ERG fusions regulate androgen biosynthetic enzyme (ABE) gene …

Characterization Of Adult Zebrafish Retinal Regeneration Following Two Different Damage Models, Jennifer Lee Thomas

Wayne State University Dissertations

Unlike mammals, zebrafish can regenerate all of their retinal neurons through Müller glial cells, which respond to retinal damage by re-entering the cell cycle to create clusters of progenitor cells. The progenitors continue to proliferate as they migrate to the site of damage, where they ultimately differentiate into new retinal neurons. In contrast, Müller glia of the mammalian retina respond to injury with reactive gliosis, which if persistent, can lead to loss of Müller cell function and devastating vision loss. Despite this, multiple lines of evidence suggest that mammalian Müller glial cells possess a latent ability to regenerate retinal neurons. …

Peri-Exercise Co-Ingestion Of Branched-Chain Amino Acids And Carbohydrate In Men Does Not Preferentially Augment Resistance Exercise-Induced Increases In Pi3k/Akt-Mtor Pathway Markers Indicative Of Muscle Protein Synthesis, Maria Pontes Ferreira, Rui Li, Matthew Cooke, Richard B. Kreider, Darryn S. Willoughby

Nutrition and Food Science Faculty Research Publications

The effects of a single bout of resistance exercise (RE) in conjunction with peri-exercise branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion on skeletal muscle signaling markers indicative of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) were determined. It was hypothesized that CHO + BCAA would elicit a more profound effect on these signaling markers compared to CHO. Twenty-seven males were randomly assigned to CHO, CHO + BCAA, or placebo (PLC) groups. Four sets of leg presses and leg extensions were performed at 80% 1RM. Supplements were ingested 30 min and immediately prior to and after RE. Venous blood and muscle biopsy …

The University Press: Trends, Initiatives, And Collaborations Over The Past Several Years, Clayton Hayes, Robert P. Holley

Library Scholarly Publications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine recent trends that have affected University Presses. The increased reliance on digital resources and fiscal constraints within higher education has forced University Presses to re-evaluate their position with the scholarly communication system. Responses include an increased focus on partnerships, new forms of publication, changing business models, and better meeting customers’ needs.

Design/Methodology/Approach – The authors have reviewed publications on University Presses from the last five years and added their viewpoints on current and future trends.

Findings – University Presses must adapt to resource scarcity and current trends in scholarly communication …

Parameter Sensitivity Analysis For Co-Mediated Sickle Cell De-Polymerization, Yao Selom Messan

Theses

Sickle cell anemia is an abnormality that causes a deformation in the shape of the red blood cell that hinders the circulation of the red blood cell through the blood vessel. The deformation is caused by the association of monomers to each other to form polymers (polymerization). The oxygenation of the sickle cell may lead to the melting of polymers (depolymerization). Many studies have been conducted to understand the dynamics of depolymerization. This study focuses on the impact of various parameters over the output values in the system of de-polymerization. Both mathematical and statistical approaches for the sensitivity analysis of …

Adaptations Of Bacterial Flagella To Animal And Plant Hosts, Alshae’ R. Logan

Theses

Flagella have been studied for more than a hundred years, yet there remains a simple and powerful question about how to further make use of the recent wave of genomic data to find differences between flagellar genes across diverse bacterial strains. With the comparative power of bacterial genomic data, we propose that flagellar gene sequences may be used as genetic markers that indicate evolutionary adaptations of different bacteria for different hosts. We specifically proposed to identify and utilize genetic sequence differences that may diagnose for the presence of bacterial pathogens found to infect different hosts, specifically animal versus plant hosts. …

The Effect Of Education On Elder Abuse, Kathleen M. Evanina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed examine the effect of education on prevention of abuse in a long term care center. Participants in this study included direct care worker staff at a nursing home and nursing home residents.

Beyond Symptom Accumulation: A Lacanian Clinical Approach To Obsession - A Case Study And Theoretical Exposition, Julie L. Futrell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contemporary approaches to psychotherapeutic intervention increasingly utilize a medical-based diagnostic system focused on identifying and eradicating discrete symptoms. Mental "disorders" are determined by identifying "pathological" behaviors and superficial symptoms which are then lumped together arbitrarily and labeled as specific "mental illnesses." Despite a gross lack of supporting evidence, these "mental illnesses" are then attributed to various brain abnormalities and biological malfunctions, most often with reference to "chemical imbalances" believed to be the origin of mental distress. Evidence for such biological reductionism is presented conclusively, with little regard for the implicit ontological assumptions made by such a positivist perspective. When psychopathology …

In Silico-Guided Design Of Novel-Scaffold Therapeutics Targeting The Dopamine D3 Receptor, Debesai Gaim Hailemicael

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Computational methods in drug discovery reduce research time and costs, and only now can be applied to certain psychiatric conditions due to recent breakthroughs in determining the 3D structures of relevant drug receptors in the brain. A new computational technique, de novo fragment-based drug design (DFDD), was evaluated employing a dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) crystal structure. Three DFDD approaches - scaffold replacement, ligand building, and MedChem Transformations - were assessed in replacing structural portions of eticlopride, a D2/D3R-specific antagonist, to generate compounds of novel drug scaffold. Pharmacological characterization of the compounds determined their binding affinities at target brain receptors. Analogs …

Is Wrong Life All That Is Possible? Adorno And Aquinas On Ethics, Benjamin Hampshire

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Theodor Adorno's ethical thought is encapsulated in his famous aphorism "Wrong life cannot be lived rightly." This dissertation explicates this alarming declaration, revealing the metaphysical, epistemological, and anthropological analyses that place Adorno's ethical thought into this intractable predicament. I argue that Adorno's ethical thought, while of absolute importance and worthy of consideration, can be moved forward through an engagement with the ethical thought of Thomas Aquinas, toward the possibility of right life.

Disconnects: Expectation And Experience In Intimate Interpersonal Relationships, Kristen Jenkins Hark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the latter part of the 20th century and early 21st century, egalitarian views regarding gender communication have been dominant in the theory and practice of intimate interpersonal communication (IPC). During the same period research continued to report that the healthiest and most satisfying relationships fit within patterns of traditional marriage. Traditional intimate relationships tend to enact complementarian practices regarding gender roles in intimate IPC. This raises the question how might an exploration of a minimalist complementarian view that informs traditional relationships assist in sustaining healthy intimate IPC today? In the literature concerning the health of intimate relationships, namely marriage …

The Effect Of Astym Treatment On Muscle Performance, Ben Richard Kivlan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Astym treatment is a manual therapy intervention that stimulates tissue regeneration and treats pain, limited mobility, and muscle weakness associated with musculoskeletal pathology. The purpose of this study was to determine if Astym treatment administered to the lower extremity would result in an immediate change of maximal force output during a unilateral isometric squat test among individuals with a lower extremity injury.

Methods: Forty-five subjects (14males; 31females) aged between 18-65 years participated in this study. The subjects were randomized into 3 treatment groups: 1) Control group - received no treatment 2) Placebo group - received a sham Astym treatment …

Parental Substance Abuse And Child Welfare Outcomes: A Study Of Biological Mothers And Their Children In Out-Of-Home Placement In Allegheny County, Courtney Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study uses logistic regression to examine whether parental substance abuse makes biological mothers more or less likely to have their children returned home if the children have been removed by the Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF). CYF handles the executive branch child welfare responsibilities for Allegheny County, which includes the city of Pittsburgh, PA. The sample in this study included children who had been removed from the home for the first time in 2012, and was split by age, creating two models. Parental drug abuse was found to make the child less likely to reunify in both …

Are You My Brother's Keeper: Challenging The Systemic Racism That Fosters Low Expectations For Black Males In Public Schools, Shana Denise Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation in practice investigates the problem of systemic racism fostering a culture of low expectations for Black males in public schools. This work frames this problem as a matter of social justice and utilizes Critical Race Theory to examine how it robs Black males of their academic potential. This work argues that to address this problem, educators must engage in learning opportunities that help to identify and challenge their race-based assumptions and stereotypes, develop their racial consciousness, cultural competencies, and professional practices, and recognize, interrupt, and address systemic racism. Provided is a working agenda that offers recommendations for how …

Methodology For Trace And Ultratrace Analysis Of Primary Amines, Sean Christopher Pawlowski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the study of lipids, or "lipidomics," methods for the separation and identification of specific trace compounds are highly sought. Microdroplet techniques have allowed for the ability to handle and detect these trace amounts. The use of low volumes allows for a decrease of the effective mean free path allowing chemical reactions to be carried out efficiently at lower concentrations by performing the reactions in microdroplets as opposed to bulk containers. Microdroplets created on microfluidic devices as segmented flow plugs have the advantage of efficient mixing and minimal dilution or dispersion relative to other nanoliter scale capillary reaction methods. The …

A Retrospective Data Analysis In Veterans With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Using Wagner's Chronic Care Model To Explore Medication Adherence, Lori K. Rizzo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background

Medication adherence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ranges between 7-72% . Increased healthcare utilization has been associated with non-adherence in IBD. Wagner's Chronic Care Model (CCM) posits that care coordination between primary and gastroenterology (GI) specialty care could improve adherence and healthcare utilization.

Methods

Guided by the CCM, a retrospective analysis was conducted in veterans with IBD to: describe medication adherence rates; describe healthcare utilization measured by ER visits and inpatient admissions; and describe care coordination measured by primary care and GI specialty care use. A secondary study aim was to explore the relationships between those key outcome variables …

Tackling Urban Poverty In The Secondary Learning Environment, Nina Marie Sacco

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of practice examined in this dissertation in practice is that many urban schools that serve low socioeconomic communities fail to engage and, therefore, empower students to succeed. The purpose of this dissertation is to identify how urban poverty presents in secondary learning environments (i.e. high schools), to report findings on how urban poverty presents in one urban high school, and to report on an emerging model for engaging stakeholders across the boundaries of school, academy, and community to improve student success for those who attend such schools. Urban students of low socioeconomic status who attend secondary schools with …

The Search For Novel Antibiotic Compounds Through Molecular Modeling And Structure-Function Analysis Of Cspe In E. Coli K12, Andre Duane Samuel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Escherichia coli K12 has the capacity to express nine Csp (Cold shock-related protein) gene products (CspA-I). These proteins share between 29 and 83 percent identity in their amino acid sequences and only one, CspA, has a solved crystal structure. One of the Csps shown to be involved in chromosome condensation is a 6.3 kDa protein called CspE and deletion studies of its homologues in Bacillus subtilis show that at least one of the Csp proteins is required for cell viability. All of the Csp proteins studied to date bind to single stranded nucleic acids. Knowing that at least one of …