Digital Commons Network^™

Extracellular Metabolic Energetics Can Promote Cancer Progression, Jia Min Loo

Student Theses and Dissertations

Colon cancer progression is characterized by growth of the primary tumor in the colon followed by metastasis to distant organs. The metastatic cascade involves invasion of cells from the primary tumor into the surrounding tissue, entering into and survival of cancer cells in the circulation, arrival at the end organ and finally colonization of the end organ. The liver is the primary site of colon cancer metastatic colonization, with over 70% of colon cancer patients experiencing liver metastases. Despite current standard-of-care surgical intervention and broad spectra cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, the survival rate of patients with metastatic disease is less then 5%. …

Selection Dynamics In The Germinal Center During Antibody Affinity Maturation, Alexander Gitlin

Student Theses and Dissertations

The maturation of antibody affinity during the immune response, discovered as a serological phenomenon in 1964, is critical to the development of high affinity humoral immunity. This process takes place in germinal centers (GCs), which are microanatomical structures composed of antigen-specific B lymphocytes that form in secondary lymphoid organs upon infection or immunization. High affinity B cells are selectively expanded in the GC by iterative rounds of migration between a zone of hypermutation and proliferation (the dark zone, or DZ) and a zone of selection (the light zone, or LZ). The mechanism whereby somatic antibody mutants are selected on the …

A Census Of Human Rna-Binding Proteins And Characterization Of The Deddh Rna Exonuclease Nef-Sp In The 3' End Maturation Of 28s Ribosomal Rna, Stefanie Gerstberger

Student Theses and Dissertations

Posttranscriptional gene regulation (PTGR) concerns all processes acting directly upon coding and non-coding RNAs, regulating and executing their maturation, ribonucleoprotein assembly, transport, stability and translation. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes coordinate these processes. RBPs are central to cellular metabolism and their role in human diseases has been widely studied. Recent large-scale quantitative methods such as nextgeneration sequencing and modern protein mass spectrometry enabled new approaches to dissect PTGR networks and renewed interest in investigations of factors involved in PTGR at a genomewide level. A census of all coding and noncoding RBPs has previously not been readily available and …

Cpispr-Cas: From A Prokaryotic Immune System To A Gene Editing Tool, Wenyan Jiang

Student Theses and Dissertations

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and their associated genes (cas) encode an adaptive, small-RNA-based immune system that protects prokaryotes from infectious phages and plasmids. CRISPR-Cas systems can be classified into three types based on their cas gene content. My thesis work focused on two parts. First, I investigated the mechanism and function of RNA cleavage in type III CRISPR-Cas immunity. Secondly, I developed a tool to manipulate prokaryotic genomes and gene expression by using an engineered type II CRISPR-Cas system. To date, all three types of CRISPR-Cas systems target DNA. Type III CRISPR-Cas immunity displays an elaborate targeting …

Molecular Cytogenetic Identification Of A Novel Hexaploid Wheat-Thinopyrum Intermedium Partial Amphiploid With High Protein Content, Mariyana Georgieva, Klaudia Kruppa, Nedyalka Tyankova, Marta Molnar Lang

Turkish Journal of Biology

Genomic in situ hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization were used to define the cytogenetic constitution of the intergeneric introgression line 29(1-57) obtained from the wheat × Thinopyrum intermedium (wheatgrass) cross. This line is a high-protein line resistant to leaf rust, yellow rust, and powdery mildew under field conditions and has 42 chromosomes. GISH analysis using a total genomic DNA probe from Thinopyrum intermedium resulted in the identification of 14 chromosomes of wheatgrass origin. The sequential GISH patterns obtained using St-genomic and J-genomic DNA as probes and ABD-genomic DNA from wheat as a blocker led to a better determination of …

The Impact Of Pornography On The Genital Body Image And Sexual Self-Efficacy Of Female College Students, Monica Elizondo

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Given its accessibility and growth in the past decade, internet pornography appears to be influencing the sexual scripts of young adults. That is, sexual expectations and behaviors are likely to be impacted by the consumption of online sexually explicit material. Pornography research documents more harmful effects (e.g., lower body image) in women viewing pornography compared to men (Albright, 2008). This experimental study aimed to explore the effects exposure to online sexually explicit material would have on the genital body image and sexual self-efficacy of 90 college women randomly assigned to three exposure conditions. Results indicated that group membership did not …

Medicine@Yale April/May 2016 Volume 12, Issue 1, Yale School Of Medicine Office Of Communications

Medicine@Yale - development newsletter

Medicine@Yale : advancing biomedical science, education and health care was a print and online newsletter which published news about academics, research and philanthropy for alumni, donors, faculty, students and the general public. It was initially published 6 times a year and then changed to a quarterly schedule. The first issue came out June/Jul. 2005. The final issue was published in May/June 2022, vol. 17, issue 1. Published by Yale School of Medicine, Office of Communications.

Management Of Hypercalcemia Of Malignancy, Sonia Thomas, Soo-Hwan Chung

PCOM Scholarly Works

Malignancy is one of the most common causes of hypercalcemia, particularly in cancer associated with bone metastases. Hypercalcemia occurs in up to 20% to 30% of cancer patients at some time during the course of their disease. Clinical manifestations of hypercalcemia vary in calcium level in blood. Signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia occur when the serum calcium level rises above those ranges. Fluids are first-line treatment with hypercalcemia followed by bisphosphanates if the calcium is high and the patient is experiencing symptoms. Various other medications are used as second-line agents in hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Thoracic Aortic Aging And Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype, Jason Benjamin Wheeler

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: The thoracic aorta undergoes structural and mechanical changes with age, including dilation and increased collagen leading to decreased compliance. However, how age- dependent changes in resident cells mediate this aging process is not well understood. Previous studies have demonstrated a reduction in both ex vivo aortic contraction and in vitro collagen gel contraction by aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from old mice relative to young, suggesting a deficit in aortic SMC contractility with age. Vascular SMCs are known to shift out of a contractile phenotype, with disease or mechanical injury, to remodel the extracellular matrix (ECM). Therefore, we hypothesized …

Raps Sheet, January 2016, Retirement Association Of Portland State

RAPS Sheet: Monthly Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Rsv1 Mediated Resistance To Smv In Soybean, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Eid

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Like humans, viral diseases also affect plants. Of these, viruses belonging to the potyvirus genus are the most prolific. The potyvirus soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is an important pathogen of the crop plant soybean. SMV causes mosaic symptoms (yellow areas alternate with dark green areas on the leaves of the plant) and can affect yield by reducing seed quality. Few cultivars from soybean can resist different SMV strains. To understand soybean defense mechanisms to SMV, I identified soybean proteins that interact with the helper component protease (HC-Pro) of SMV, which also functions as the suppressor of host RNA silencing and …

Role Of Plasmodesmata Localizing- And Double-Stranded Rna Binding-Proteins In Systemic Immunity And Plant Defense, Gah-Hyun Lim

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

The various modes of defense induced upon the recognition of pathogen-derived molecules provide species level resistance to non-host pathogens, local and systemic resistance to race-specific pathogens, and basal resistance to virulent pathogens. Resistance (R) gene-mediated or species-specific immunity is induced when a strain-specific avirulence (avr) effector from the pathogen associates directly/indirectly with a cognate plant R protein. Plant viruses often encode suppressors of host RNA silencing machinery. In turn, plants recognize such suppressors via R proteins. Recognition of the Turnip Crinkle Virus (TCV) coat-protein (CP, RNA silencing suppressor) induces HRT-mediated resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana. This requires the …

Expression Of Zinc Fingers And Homeoboxes 2 (Zhx2) And Zhx2 Target Genes In Multiple Tissues Of Wild-Type And Zhx2 Knockout Mice, Minen Al-Kafajy

Theses and Dissertations--Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics

The Spear lab has had a long-standing interest in gene regulation in the liver during development and disease. Several years ago, these studies identified a novel transcriptional regulator called Zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (Zhx2), which is a member of a small family that includes Zhx1 and Zhx3. All Zhx proteins contain two amino-terminal C2-H2 zinc fingers and four or five carboxy-terminal homeodomains. Previous studies indicate that Zhx proteins can form homodimers and heterodimers with each other.

Zhx2 regulates numerous hepatic genes, including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and H19. Genes controlling lipid and cholesterol homeostasis are also regulated by …

The Uk Should Lead -- Not Follow -- In Developing Contextual Regulations To Maximize Their Benefit In The New Space Race, Daniel Copfer

Cleveland State Law Review

There is a new space race underfoot. However, this space race is between private companies selling an outer space experience to ordinary yet wealthy individuals. The regulatory schemes created by countries have the power to promote or stifle this new space travel phenomenon. Currently, the United States is the only country with a regulatory framework in place for space travel of this type. A recent report by the United Kingdom (UK) proclaims that the UK has the possibility of becoming the European center for space travel. However, for this to be possible, the UK must have regulations promulgated by 2017. …

Undiagnosed Pulmonary Obstruction And Restriction And Dust Exposure: Pilot Investigations Examining The Relationship Among Agricultural Workers, Caroline E. Holsinger

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease that is characterized by limited airflow.1 In the United States (U.S.) alone, COPD is the third leading cause of death.2,3 While smoking remains the strongest risk factor for COPD, 20 percent of patients who die from COPD have never smoked.5–7 The American Thoracic 3 Society showed that about 15% of COPD cases might be attributable to workplace exposure.8 Agricultural dust exposure has long been recognized as a cause of decreased respiratory function, and exposures to both forms of dust may exacerbate other important risk factors of COPD and lead to the …

Cross Sectional Analysis Of Patients With Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Enrolled In A Disease Management And Prevention Program, Jordan T. Perkins

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Background: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a heritable genetic condition that is largely underdiagnosed and has been estimated to affect 1 out of every 5,000-7,000 people in North America. The condition is characterized by a decrease in the production or activity of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein, increasing risk for chronic lung or liver inflammation, that may lead to disease. Currently, there is no cure for the condition and augmentation therapy, which replaces the lost protein, has shown mixed results, meaning preventive measures taken by the patient are a large component of the prescribed treatment. Thus, patients with the condition are strongly …

The Association Between Latent Tuberculosis Infection And Diabetes Mellitus Control In The United States, Whitney L. Remy

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

Rationale: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is recognized as a common comorbid condition for tuberculosis (TB). Those with comorbid conditions are more likely to develop active TB, to have trouble with treatment, and to have more severe symptoms.

Objective: To measure the prevalence and distribution of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and DM control in the United State and test their association when measured by tuberculin skin test (TST) or QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube blood test (QFT-GIT) and by HbA1c, respectively. Literature Review: One-third of the world population is infected with TB. Ten percent of TB cases worldwide are linked to diabetes mellitus. Studies …

2016 Commencement Program, Morehead State University. Registrar's Office.

Morehead State Commencement Programs

2016 commencement programs of Morehead State University.

Discriminative Stimulus Properties Of 1.25 Mg/Kg Clozapine In Rats: Mediation By Serotonin 5-Ht2 And Dopamine D4 Receptors, Adam J. Prus, Laura Wise, Alan L. Pehrson, Scott D. Philibin, Benny Bang-Andersen, Jørn Arnt, Joseph H. Porter

Journal Articles

The atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine remains one of most effective treatments for schizophrenia, given a lack of extrapyramidal side effects, improvements in negative symptoms, cognitive impairment, and in symptoms in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The adverse effects of clozapine, including agranulocytosis, make finding a safe clozapine-like a drug a goal for drug developers. The drug dis- crimination paradigm is a model of interoceptive stimulus that has been used in an effort to screen experimental drugs for clozapine-like atypical antipsychotic effects. The present study was conducted to elucidate the receptor-mediated stimulus properties that form this clozapine discriminative cue by testing selective receptor ligands …

Human Anatomy And Physiology Preparatory Course: Part 2 Of 4 (Interactive), Carlos Liachovitzky

Open Educational Resources

The overall purpose of these preparatory course set of learning objectives is to help students familiarize with some terms and some basic concepts they will find later in the Human Anatomy and Physiology I course.

These 40+ learning objectives to prepare for Human Anatomy and Physiology can be downloaded and played in a desktop, or laptop (windows exe file).

The entire course has four parts:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

Each learning objective is followed by a set of multiple choice question similar to those found later in a Human Anatomy and Physiology course.

The Power Of Community: How Foster Parents, Teachers, And Community Members Support Academic Achievement For Foster Youth, Brenda Morton

Faculty Publications - College of Education

Foster children have been identified as one of the most high-risk groups for academic failure in schools today. However, a small number of foster youth are beating the odds by achieving academically. How are they able to overcome tremendous barriers and succeed? This phenomenological study reports the findings of former foster youth and their P-12 education experience. In-depth interviews are shared, offering a rare glimpse into the challenging lives of foster youth and revealing the supports that contributed to their success. The significance of each support entity identified by the participants must be broadly shared. The support entities are family, …

Kenyon College Alumni Bulletin - Winter 2016

Kenyon College Alumni Bulletin

No abstract provided.

Risk Factors For Tuberculosis And Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Complications Among Foreign-Born Persons In Houston, Texas, James N. Isaboke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading public health problem across the world. For various reasons, TB and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have increased. Clarification on TB/HIV co-infection and homelessness as risk factors for TB and MDR-TB is required to inform policy interventions to reduce TB-related morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. In this quantitative study, data from the Houston Health Department (N = 341) were analyzed to explore the relationship between TB and MDR-TB outcomes and TB/HIV co-infection and type of housing/homelessness. Foreign-born persons are disproportionately affected in the United States. The socio-ecological model provided a theoretical framework for the investigation. Multiple and …

Examining Maternal Psychological Recollections Of Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Christine Desiree Shoop

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) experience symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and despair stemming from the challenges of raising offspring with behavioral, communicative, and socioemotional impairments. Researchers have shown that children diagnosed with ASDs exhibit symptoms within the first year of life (early-onset), while some exhibit normal development until the second year (regressive-onset), and some exhibit normal development until the second year but display abnormalities in the first year (mixed-onset). Despite the wealth of research on ASDs, there are few examinations of ASD symptom onset groups and the impact of those onset groups on parental psychological …

Perceptions Of Leader Emotional Intelligence And Subordinate Turnover Intentions In Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, Suzanne L. Jafferian

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Substance abuse is a persistent social problem contributing to family disruption; domestic abuse; school failure; and financial costs relating to criminal prosecution, incarceration, treatment, and lost productivity and wages. Substance abuse is amenable to treatment, including psychotherapy. A client-therapist relationship is broken if the therapist leaves the organization; therefore, employee retention is especially important in treatment centers. Employee retention has been studied, but how it is affected by supervisees' perceptions of their managers' emotional intelligence has been a neglected area. The purpose of this nonexperimental, correlational study was to determine the relationship between employee turnover intention and perceived emotional intelligence …

The Relative Influences Of Climate And Competition On Tree Growth Along Montane Ecotones In The Rocky Mountains, Paige E. Copenhaver-Parry, Ellie Cannon

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Distribution shifts of tree species are likely to be highly dependent upon population performance at distribution edges. Understanding the drivers of aspects of performance, such as growth, at distribution edges is thus crucial to accurately predicting responses of tree species to climate change. Here, we use a Bayesian model and sensitivity analysis to partition the effects of climate and crowding, as a metric of competition, on radial growth of three dominant conifer species along montane ecotones in the Rocky Mountains. These ecotones represent upper and lower distribution edges of two species, and span the distribution interior of the third species. …

Flight Mechanics And Control Of Escape Manoeuvres In Hummingbirds. Ii. Aerodynamic Force Production, Flight Control And Performance Limitations, Bo Cheng, Bret W. Tobalske, Donald R. Powers, Tyson L. Hedrick, Yi Wang, Susan M. Wethington, George T.C. Chiu, Xinyan Deng

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

The superior manoeuvrability of hummingbirds emerges from complex interactions of specialized neural and physiological processes with the unique flight dynamics of flapping wings. Escape manoeuvring is an ecologically relevant, natural behaviour of hummingbirds, from which we can gain understanding into the functional limits of vertebrate locomotor capacity. Here, we extend our kinematic analysis of escape manoeuvres from a companion paper to assess two potential limiting factors of the manoeuvring performance of hummingbirds: (1) muscle mechanical power output and (2) delays in the neural sensing and control system. We focused on the magnificent hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens, 7.8 g) and the black-chinned …

Drift And Activity Responses Of Black Flies (Simulium Vittatum) In The Field: Influences Of Tactile And Injury-Released Stimuli From Simulated Predation, Aaron M. Sullivan, Elyse C. Johnson

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Prey must manage threat from many types of predators; therefore, selection should favor sensory mechanisms that allow the refinement of defensive behavior. To assess responses to tactile and chemical stimuli related to predation, we observed drift and activity of larval black flies ( Simulium vittatum) to simulated predator contact intended to imitate benthic and drift predators as well as a combination of tactile and injury-released stimuli. In the field, larvae responded to tactile stimuli applied to the head with a higher frequency of curling and posterior abdominal segments with a higher frequency of drifting. Additionally, chemical cues from injured conspecifics …

Multiple Evolutionary Origins Of Ubiquitous Cu2+ And Zn2+ Binding In The S100 Protein Family, Lucas C. Wheeler, Micah T. Donor, James S. Prell, Michael J. Harms

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

The S100 proteins are a large family of signaling proteins that play critical roles in biology and disease. Many S100 proteins bind Zn2+, Cu2+, and/or Mn2+ as part of their biological functions; however, the evolutionary origins of binding remain obscure. One key question is whether divalent transition metal binding is ancestral, or instead arose independently on multiple lineages. To tackle this question, we combined phylogenetics with biophysical characterization of modern S100 proteins. We demonstrate an earlier origin for established S100 subfamilies than previously believed, and reveal that transition metal binding is widely distributed across the tree. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, …

College Of Business News & Views, Winter 2016, Illinois State University

College of Business News & Views

Newsletter of the Illinois State University College of Business