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Dialectical Behavior Therapy And Adolescent Patient Treatment Dropout, Danessa Mayo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Attrition in mental health treatment is an area of concern among the adolescent population, especially with patients engaged in deliberate self-harm. The purpose of this study was to examine the treatment attrition rate for adolescents with deliberate self-harm in an adapted dialectical behavior therapy intensive outpatient program. A total of 141 adolescents previously enrolled in the program were available for the study. Results demonstrated a 31.9% dropout rate. Graduates indicated greater improvement of overall distress from baseline to post-treatment than dropouts. Dropouts attended an average of 12 treatment sessions. Several factors were examined to identify potential predictors of patient treatment …

R-Ketorolac Targets Cdc42 And Rac1 And Alters Ovarian Cancer Behaviors Critical For Invasion And Metastasis, Yuna Guo

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Cdc42 (cell division control protein 42) and Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum) are attractive therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer based on their established importance in tumor cell migration, adhesion and invasion. Despite a predicted benefit, targeting GTPases has not yet been translated to clinical practice. Based on lead identification through high-throughput screening and computational shape homology approaches, R-ketorolac is identified as a Cdc42 and Rac1 regulator, an activity that is distinct from the anti-inflammatory, cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity of S-ketorolac. In this dissertation, R-ketorolac is established as an allosteric inhibitor of Cdc42 and Rac1. Studies on immortalized human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells (SKOV3ip), …

Exposure Of Neonatal Rats To Alcohol Has Differential Effects On Cytokine Levels In The Cerebellum And Hippocampus: Potential Role Of Microglia And Astrocytes, Lauren Topper

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Drinking during pregnancy can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), an umbrella term that encompasses a wide array of symptoms ranging from neurocognitive deficits to physical malformations. The mechanism for FASD is not yet fully understood, however recently, activation of the neuroimmune system has been suggested to play a role. Neuroinflammation, characterized by increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production and glial cell activation, has been observed following exposure to alcohol during the neonatal period. Furthermore, neuroimmune activation has been implicated in alcohol-induced neuronal death and/or damage. The studies herein investigate several components of the relationship between neuronal damage following developmental alcohol …

Post-Placental Iud Insertion: A Mixed Methods Assessment Of Women's Experiences, Shannon L. Carr

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Background: Post-placental intrauterine device (IUD) insertion has the potential to reduce rapid repeat pregnancies. As the procedure becomes more widely adopted in the US, it is important to understand womens perceptions about the procedure. Studies examining patient-centered outcomes are currently lacking. Objectives: The objectives of this study include: 1) To describe women's experiences with post-placental IUD insertion through postpartum semistructured interviews. 2) To establish a mean pain score for the procedure using a 100mm visual analogue scale (VAS). 3) To assess procedural pain using a 4-point Likert verbal rating scale (VRS). Methods: This concurrent mixed methods pilot study was conducted …

Mechanisms Of Innate Immune Regulation Of Dermonecrosis During Staphylococcus Aureus Skin Infections, Moriah J. Castleman

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

S. aureus is the dominant cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in humans. The importance of S. aureus as the primary cause of skin infections has increased exponentially over the last few decades since the emergence of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. Furthermore, the rise of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains has led to hospitals stays, increased financial burden and increased mortality. A significant proportion of MRSA infections have been attributed to community-acquired strains (CA-MRSA), specifically the USA300 isolates, which can cause deadly disease in otherwise healthy individuals. Due to the increase in antibiotic resistance and the lack of …

Analysis Of Coastal Wetland Geography And Policy In Humboldt Bay: Adapting Wetland Policies For A Changing Climate", Dylan Loudon

Student Projects

No abstract provided.

Trim28 Interacts With Ezh2 To Regulate Its Activity, Jing Li, Jing Li

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

In this dissertation, I discovered that TRIM28 interacts with EZH2 and regulates its activity in breast cancer cells. EZH2, the major H3K27 tri-methyltransferase, is over expressed in multiple subtypes of breast cancer; however, whether EZH2 plays an active role in breast cancer progression or treatment resistance is unknown. Here, we determined EZH2-interacting proteins in MCF7 cells by immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry and detected TRIM28 with a high confidence score. TRIM28 is a transcription co-regulator with an N-terminal tri-partite RING finger, B-boxes and a coiled-coil domain (RBCC) and a C-terminal PHD/Bromo domain. Domain mapping revealed that the RBCC domain of TRIM28 interacts with …

Targeting Oncogenic Mirnas With Small Molecules For Breast Cancer Therapy, Paloma Del C. Monroig

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The crucial role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer pathobiology has driven the introduction of new drug development approaches such as miRNA inhibition. In order to advance miRNA-therapeutics, there is a need to develop screening strategies that can target tumors in a specific way. Small molecule inhibitors represent an attractive approach to pursue this. However, the absence of molecular structures for most of the miRNAs makes it very difficult to predict which inhibitors can bind to them. Herein we designed a strategy to screen for small molecules by assesing whether they could directly bind/ interact with miR-10b/miR-21. As part of our …

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell-Mediated Humoral Autoimmunity, Stephanie M. Dorta-Estremera Ph.D.

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Humoral autoimmunity is characterized by the breakdown of B cell immune tolerance to self-antigens and consequent production of pathogenic autoantibodies. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a potent type I interferon (IFN-I) producer, have been linked to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a prototypic systemic humoral autoimmune disease. However, the cellular events that stimulate the development of humoral autoimmunity as a result of pDC activation have not been characterized. Moreover, the B cell subset(s) responsible for the generation of autoantibodies remains to be clearly identified.

The immunization of DNA-containing amyloids into non-autoimmune mice triggers the activation of pDCs and induction …

Orally Delivered Β-Glucans Aggravate Dextran Sulfate Sodium (Dss)-Induced Intestinal Inflammation, Sigrid E.M. Heinsbroek, David L. Williams, Olaf Welting, Sybren L. Meijer, Siamon Gordon, Wouter J. De Jonge

ETSU Faculty Works

β-Glucans have beneficial health effects due to their immune modulatory properties. Oral administration of β-glucans affects tumour growth, microbial infection, sepsis, and wound healing. We hypothesized that pre-treatment with orally delivered soluble and particulate β-glucans could ameliorate the development of aggravate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced intestinal inflammation. To study this, mice were orally pre-treated with β-glucans for 14 days. We tested curdlan (a particulate β-(1,3)-glucan), glucan phosphate (a soluble β-(1,3)-glucan), and zymosan (a particle made from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains around 55% β-glucans). Weight loss, colon weight, and feces score did not differ between β-glucan and vehicle treated groups. …

Redefining Significance: Experiences Of Humanities Faculty Engaged In Undergraduate Research, Susan Mendoza

Dissertations

Programs that actively engage students in research and scholarship are the touchstone for integrating undergraduate education with authentic scholarly inquiry. Recent empirical studies demonstrate that undergraduate research experiences (URE) are related to increased student learning and development, increased levels of retention, increased enrollment in graduate school, and increased understanding of research as a vocation and profession. However, these seminal studies focus on URE in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines. Although there are some studies that explore undergraduate research in the social sciences and humanities, the accepted models and best practices of undergraduate research are entrenched in the …

Computational Analysis Of The Sir Mathematical Model For The Dengue Fever, Joseph Phillip Diaz

Theses and Dissertations

Dengue fever is a disease affecting people in more than 100 countries. Here we consider a host and vector model for the transmission of dengue fever. This SIR model consists of three compartments of susceptible, infective and removed for host (human) and two compartments of susceptible and infective for vector (dengue mosquitos). These five compartments yield five coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). After non-dimensionalization, we have a system of three nonlinear ODEs. Reproductive number and two equilibrium points are calculated for various cases. Simulation is carried out for susceptible, infective and removed and the results are presented in graphical …

Effects Of Shrub Encroachment And Removal On South Texas Coastal Prairie Flora, Parker Alex Watson

Theses and Dissertations

Watson, Parker Alex, Effects of shrub encroachment and removal on South Texas coastal prairie flora. Master of Science, December, 2015. 60 pages, 14 tables, 11 figures, 47 references, 5 appendices. Native-invasive honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana) are aggressively encroaching onto South Texas coastal prairies, outcompeting Gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae) and associated prairie vegetation with potential legacy effects on the landscape. To measure conditions in the presence of shrubs, data loggers were installed for 16 mos in shrub understories and grass cover to monitor light, soil and air temperatures. Vegetation and canopy surveys were also conducted to evaluate …

Ecohydrological Controls On Grass And Shrub Above-Ground Net Primary Productivity In A Seasonally Dry Climate, Anthony J. Parolari, Michael L. Goulden, Rafael L. Bras

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Seasonally dry, water‐limited regions are often co‐dominated by distinct herbaceous and woody plant communities with contrasting ecohydrological properties. We investigated the shape of the above‐ground net primary productivity (ANPP) response to annual precipitation (P_a) for adjacent grassland and shrubland ecosystems in Southern California, with the goal of understanding the role of these ecohydrological properties on ecosystem function. Our synthesis of observations and modelling demonstrates grassland and shrubland exhibit distinct ANPP‐P_a responses that correspond with characteristics of the long‐term P_a distribution and mean water balance fluxes. For annual grassland, no ANPP occurs below a ‘precipitation …

Creating A Framework For Success For High School African American Males: A Policy Advocacy Document, Ilandus Hampton Sr.

Dissertations

The policy advocacy document is an alternative to the traditional doctoral dissertation. This approach arose from the educational administration preparation reform agenda which calls for more thoughtful approaches to educational policy development, a concern that educational leadership express itself in a moral context, and a desire to develop reflective practices in administration. (Browder, 1995). This document attempts to ensure public schools, high schools in particular, are providing African American males with the skills and knowledge necessary to be academically successful so that they are given the opportunity and support necessary to achieve economic and social advancements throughout life. The policy …

Equity And Excellence: The Story Of Lake Shore Community High School's Quest For Racial Justice In Education, Marcus Campbell

Dissertations

Institutional racism is integral to U.S. social structure, including the public schools. Instituting a limited high school detracking program as a strategy to deal with racial achievement disparities faced strong community resistance. Leadership and a perfect storm of social and political factors made successful implementation of a detracking initiative possible. School community leaders and staff were interviewed about their experiences of systemic change to further access for students of color to honors classes. Results suggest some leadership qualities and characteristics that facilitated the change; the external factors that contributed to the successful change for racial equity are also detailed.

Impact Of Single Gender Programs On Achievement, Attendance, Discipline, And Character: A Program Evaluation Project, Carla L. Sparks Dr.

Dissertations

The instance of single gender education in American public schools has risen since the 2006 amendments to Title IX permitting public schools to separate boys and girls for academic purposes. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of single gender education to promote gains in student academic achievement, increase attendance levels, support character development, and decrease student discipline problems. The context of this inquiry is a large public school district that incorporates single gender education applications across the district. My study is focused on an all-girls middle school and an all-boys middle school, and it demonstrates outcomes …

Influence Of Myeloperoxidase On Colon Tumor Occurrence In Inflamed Versus Non-Inflamed Colons Of Apc(Min/+) Mice, Mazin Al-Salihi, Ethan Reichert, Frank A. Fitzpatrick

Faculty and Staff Publications

Control of colorectal cancer needs to be tailored to its etiology. Tumor promotion mechanisms in colitis-associated colon cancer differ somewhat from the mechanisms involved in hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancer. Unlike sporadic or inherited tumors, some experimental models show that colitis-associated colon tumors do not require cyclooxygenase (COX) expression for progression, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which prevent sporadic or inherited colon cancer do not prevent colitis-associated colon cancer. We report that myeloperoxidase (MPO), an ancestor of the COX isoenzymes, is a determinant of colitis-associated colon tumors in Apc(Min/+) mice. During experimentally induced colitis, inhibition of MPO by resorcinol dampened …

Essays On Technology-Mediated Training: Implications For Design And Evaluation, Vishal Satyapal Shah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Information technology (IT) is increasingly used to impart a variety training skills, and these skills may range from specific software application operations and computer programming to learning about generic business processes. Using IT to assist training is broadly termed “Technology-Mediated Learning” (TML). Following the three essay model, this dissertation examines training interventions in the context of TML. In Essay 1, a thorough literature survey of technology training in Information Systems (IS) was conducted, resulting in clarification of the nomenclature used in TML. Essay 1 also identified of two leading theories used in TML research: (a) Social cognitive theory (SCT) (b) …

Frequency Of Depression In Patients With Stroke, Muhammad Adnan Aslam, Ahsan Numan, Muhammad Arif, Abubaker Siddueiq

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Stroke is a common neurological problem and the third leading cause of death in developed countries of the world. Among survivors, over 50% develop significant disabilities including neuro-psychiatric disabilities. Post stroke depression (PSD) is a common but less reported condition among survivors. Objectives: To determine the frequency of depression in patients with stroke. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Neurology, Services Hospital, Lahore from January, 2014 to December, 2014 over a period of 1 year. A total of 100 cases having stroke minimum 1 month ago, were recruited in the study. For evidence of …

Researcher Mobility Workshop Report: Researcher Mobility Among Apec Economies, Sarah Richardson, Julie Mcmillan, Ren Yi

Higher education research

There is growing acknowledgement around the world that contemporary research is increasingly – and needs to be – international. In a globalised world common problems can only be solved through the sharing of expertise and pooling of resources. At the same time, research developments are critical in stimulating economic growth in knowledge economies. Ensuring that researchers can access best practice through international research collaboration is essential in facilitating innovation. Policies and structures can go a long way to supporting increased international research collaboration. Online communication technologies have become a vital part of researcher mobility, enabling researchers to unite in conducting …

Pneumoperitoneum, Pneumoretroperitoneum, Pneumomediastinum And Extensive Subcutaneous Emphysema In A Patient With Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report., Usman T Siddiqui, Hira Shahzad, Asad Raja

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Pneumo-mediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are rare presentations of lower gastrointestinal tract perforation.

PRESENTATION OF CASE:

We are presenting the case of a middle aged man diagnosed with UC who presented with dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema, attributed to multiple perforations including the stomach and colon.

CASE DISCUSSION:

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at an increased risk of perforations due to friability of colonic mucosa given the chronic inflammation and relapsing flares. Chronic use of steroids further predisposes to stress ulcers. These pathologies sometimes coexist and identification of each is crucial for the appropriate treatment plan.

CONCLUSION:

The case …

Instrumental Music Participation And The Differences In Academic Performances For Students In Poverty, Shawn A. Oban

Theses and Dissertations

Because of the emphasis on No Child Left Behind and high stakes testing, school districts and administrators have been limiting or eliminating fine arts courses from an already shrinking curriculum, focusing on the subjects being tested. Students living in poverty are often entering formal schooling behind academically.

The researcher examined longitudinal test data from 2010-2015 from middle school aged students in a large Midwest school district. The researcher focused on test scores from the sixth grade when instrumental music was offered, examined test data from tenth grade, and studied academic growth. All student scores were included, but the independent variables …

Barriers For Immunization Against Hpv In Developing Countries (India), Sandhya Ghanta

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer are high in less developed and developing countries. In some countries, the acceptance of the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer is low. Previous studies revealed that lack of awareness, income, and education were major barriers for accepting the HPV vaccine. Apart from the above-mentioned barriers, some socio-cultural barriers for accepting the HPV vaccine exist in less developed and developing countries. This study surveyed 250 women in India of age groups 18 years and above. The sample population for the study was …

Moss In The Classroom: A Tiny But Mighty Tool For Teaching Biology, Erin E. Shortlidge, James R. Hashimoto

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Here we present a mechanism to infuse ecology into the classroom using a broadly adaptable system. We developed a novel moss-based project that introduces research-based experiences for middle school students, and can be modified for integration into K-16 classrooms. The project is ecologically relevant, facilliating opportunities for students to experience intimate interactions with ecosystem subtleties by asking their own questions. We describe and suggest how students can develop, build, test, and assess microcosm experiments of their own design, learning the process of science by “doing science.” Details on project execution, representative examples of distinctive research-question-based projects are presented. We aim …

Genome Rearrangements Can Make And Break Small Rna Genes, Rahul Raghavan, Fenil R. Kacharia, Jess A. Millar, Christine Demko Sislak, Howard Ochman

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are short, transcribed regulatory elements that are typically encoded in the intergenic regions (IGRs) of bacterial genomes. Several sRNAs, first recognized in Escherichia coli, are conserved among enteric bacteria, but because of the regulatory roles of sRNAs, differences in sRNA repertoires might be responsible for features that differentiate closely related species. We scanned the E. coli MG1655 and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium genomes for nonsyntenic IGRs as a potential source of uncharacterized, species-specific sRNAs and found that genome rearrangements have reconfigured several IGRs causing the disruption and formation of sRNAs. Within an IGR that is present in …

Analysis Of Neuronal Sequences Using Pairwise Biases, Zachary Roth

Department of Mathematics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sequences of neuronal activation have long been implicated in a variety of brain functions. In particular, these sequences have been tied to memory formation and spatial navigation in the hippocampus, a region of mammalian brains. Traditionally, neuronal sequences have been interpreted as noisy manifestations of neuronal templates (i.e., orderings), ignoring much richer structure contained in the sequences. This paper introduces a new tool for understanding neuronal sequences: the bias matrix. The bias matrix captures the probabilistic tendency of each neuron to fire before or after each other neuron. Despite considering only pairs of neurons, the bias matrix captures the best …

Prevalence Of Tick-Borne Pathogens In Small Mammals And White-Tailed Deer In Southeast Nebraska, Tim M. Hotaling

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The prevalence of tick-borne diseases has been increasing in the United States for the past couple decades. Studies have been conducted throughout the US identifying tick-borne disease pathogens as well as their hosts and prevalence. Research was conducted in Nebraska to determine the presence of some tick-borne disease pathogens, their vectors, and their hosts, with emphasis made on Borrelia spp., Rickettsia rickettsii, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis.

Small rodents in southeast Nebraska were trapped and sampled at eight study sites using live capture traps. Captured rodents were assessed for active parasitism by ticks which were collected and placed in alcohol. …

Goss's Bacterial Wilt Development And Clavibacter Michiganensis Subsp. Nebraskensis Interactions With Spray Adjuvants, Sarah A. Schlund

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Goss’s bacterial wilt and leaf blight of corn (Zea mays L.), causal agent Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis, was first confirmed in Dawson County, NE in 1969. Disease incidence decreased in the 1980’s due to various management strategies and disease developed sporadically until the early 2000’s when it re-emerged and was economically important. A Midwest, multistate survey conducted in 2011 suggested farming practices that may have contributed to the pathogen’s re-emergence. The use of agricultural pesticides was associated with Goss’s wilt. Since spray adjuvants are often used with pesticides, and physical characteristics of these adjuvants may enable infection of …

Investigation Of Pathways For Complex Sphingolipid Biosynthesis In Arabidopsis Thaliana (L.) Heynh, Kyle Luttgeharm

Department of Biochemistry: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sphingolipids are essential components of eukaryote membranes. The ceramide backbone of complex sphingolipids is composed of an 18 carbon Long Chain Base (LCB) bound to a 16-26 carbon fatty acid (FA) through an amide linkage. Ceramides are synthesized de novo from a free LCB and fatty acyl coA by ceramide synthase (sphingosine N-acyl transferase, EC 2.3.1.24) which can be inhibited by the fungal mycotoxin Fumonisin B₁. Arabidopsis thaliana contains three ceramide synthases denoted LOH1, LOH2, and LOH3 that have previously been hypothesized to have unique substrate preferences that control the final sphingolipid composition, different susceptibilities to …