Digital Commons Network^™

High-Throughput Single-Molecule Mapping Links Subtelomeric Variants And Long-Range Haplotypes With Specific Telomeres, Eleanor Young, Steven Pastor, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Jennifer Mccaffrey, Justin Sibert, Angel C. Y. Mak, Pui-Yan Kwok, Harold Riethman, Ming Xiao

School of Medical Diagnostics & Translational Sciences Publications

Accurate maps and DNA sequences for human subtelomere regions, along with detailed knowledge of subtelomere variation and long-range telomereterminal haplotypes in individuals, are critical for understanding telomere function and its roles in human biology. Here, we use a highly automated whole genome mapping technology in nano-channel arrays to analyze large terminal human chromosome segments extending from chromosome-specific subtelomere sequences through subtelomeric repeat regions to terminal (TTAGGG) n repeat tracts. We establish detailed maps for subtelomere gap regions in the human reference sequence, detect many new large subtelomeric variants and demonstrate the feasibility of long-range haplotyping through segmentally duplicated subtelomere regions. …

Characterization Of A Putative Hemolysin Expressed By Sneathia Amnii, A Preterm Birth-Associated Pathogen, Lizette Carrasco, Kimberly Jefferson

UROP Posters

The gram-negative bacteria Sneathia amnii is a poorly-characterized commensal of the female urogenital tract frequently associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), amnionitis, and preterm labor. To investigate its potential role in virulence, we sought to identify and characterize virulence determinants produced by S. amnii in an effort to better understand the pathogenesis of infectious preterm birth. Through sequencing of the Sn35 genome (type strain of S. amnii), we identified two genes with amino acid sequence similarity and structural similarity to the filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) protein of Bordetella pertussis and its Type Vb transporter. Because S. amnii …

Platelet-Derived Microparticles And Their Role In Sepsis, Robert Tramel

Honors Theses

Causing at least 215,000 deaths in the U.S. annually- more than prostate cancer, breast cancer, and AIDS combined- and rising, sepsis is one of the most deadly medical conditions in America. Sepsis pathophysiology, however, is still incompletely understood, making it difficult for physicians to diagnosis and treat effectively. Given the time-sensitivity of treatment, researchers are now searching for new methods to identify sepsis early, developing more accurate prognostic markers, and developing new target therapeutic candidates. One biological component of interest in this research is the platelet-derived microparticle (PMP), a heterogeneous vesicle derived from the cell membrane of platelets found circulating …

On The 路(Lu) To The Loo: A Case Study Of Public Restrooms In China Since The Chinese Communist Revolution, Elizabeth S. Newsom

Honors Theses

This thesis is a case study of China's changing perceptions on privacy, hygiene and sanitation, as well as gender through public restrooms across the three different time periods of the 1950s, the early 2000s, and the 2010s. I analyze the situations, laws, civil codes, and perceptions that lead to different toilet styles. As toilets and defecation are taboo subjects, I use online anonymous resources like Zhihu to discover the modern perceptions of people on today's toilets as well as architecture and statistics. I in part find that I can analyze China's income disparity through toilets as the Coastal region of …

Needle Exchange Programs For The Prevention Of Hepatitis C Virus Infection In People Who Inject Drugs: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis, Stephen M. Davis, Shay Daily, Alfgeir L. Kristjansson, George A. Kelley, Keith Zullig, Adam Baus, Danielle Davidov, Melanie Fisher

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background

Previous research on the effectiveness of needle exchange programs (NEP) in preventing hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people who inject drugs (PWID) has shown mixed findings. The purpose of this study was to use the meta-analytic approach to examine the association between NEP use and HCV prevention in PWIDs.

Methods

Study inclusion criteria were (1) observational studies, (2) PWIDs, (3) NEP use, (4) HCV status ascertained by serological testing, (5) studies published in any language since January 1, 1989, and (6) data available for measures of association. Studies were located by searching four electronic databases and cross-referencing. Study quality …

Healthcare Professionals Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Biosimilars In Northern Mississippi, Amanda Seals

Honors Theses

The emergence of biologics over the past the past few decades has led to a new interest in the production of a classification of drugs known as biosimilars. The vast complexity involved in the discovery, development, and manufacturing of biologics and biosimilars has made researching the knowledge and perceptions among healthcare professionals important. Healthcare professionals must have an understanding of biologics, as these medications are used for some of the most rare diseases. Healthcare professionals in northern Mississippi were surveyed on their knowledge of and attitudes towards biologics and biosimilars in order to gain insight on the current status of …

A 2-Part Study Examining; Hepatitis B Vaccination Rates Among High-Risk Adults And The Influence Of Education On Knowledge And Awareness Of Hepatitis B And The Use Of Vaccines As A Safe, Preventative Measure Among University Of Ms Students, Ariel Wilson

Honors Theses

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be prevented and controlled through vaccination. However, vaccination among high-risks adults in the U.S. is still low (50%). This poses serious threats for HBV transmission between infected individuals and high-risk individuals. Objective: The specific aims of this research were to (a) explore the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination uptake from 2011-2014 (b) to examine intrapersonal, interpersonal, and organizational level factors associated with receiving hepatitis B vaccination among high-risk adults. Methods: Data were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011-2014 to (1) assess the prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination and …

Utilizing The Zebrafish Model To Determine Anti-Epileptic Properties Of Mistletoe And Cannabis, Collin Dietrich

Honors Theses

Epilepsy affects around 50 million people in the world, therefore improving treatment efficacy and safety for epileptics is imperative. In this study we sought to screen the effectiveness and safety of cannabis constituents (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol) and Tapinanthus globiferus extracts in treating epilepsy. We used a zebrafish model wherein seizures were induced by treatment with pentylenetetrazol. Our results showed that Tapinanthus globiferus dose-dependently reduced seizure activity, and no toxicities were seen at the concentrations used. In contrast delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol did not significantly reduce seizure activity and some toxicities were seen at the higher concentrations tested. We conclude that extracts …

Pharmacists' Perceptions Of Rapid Diagnostic Testing In Community Pharmacies In Mississippi: A Diffusion Of Innovations Approach, Erin Ann Hoevelmann

Honors Theses

Objectives: The broad purpose of this study is to describe community pharmacists' perceptions of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in community pharmacies in Mississippi. The focused goal of this study is to determine the correlation between Everett M. Rogers' attributes of the diffusion of innovations (including relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability) and the willingness of community pharmacists to offer RDTs in community pharmacies in Mississippi. Methods: This study was approved by the University of Mississippi IRB. A list of licensed pharmacists was obtained from the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. An email with study details and a link to the …

Geospatial Analysis Of Spatial Patterns Of U.S. Hospital Readmission Rates, Yamei Wang

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Unplanned hospital readmission after a recent hospitalization is an indication of poor healthcare quality and a waste of healthcare resources. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) to improve healthcare quality and reduce costs; however, studies found the risk adjustment method used in calculating the standardized readmission rate was less accurate without hospital region or community factors. Accordingly, this cross-sectional quantitative study was designed to examine spatial patterns in hospital readmission rates following Andersen's behavioral model of health service utilization. This study was the first geospatial analysis on risk standardized hospital readmissions …

Perinatal Mortality Associated With Positive Postmortem Cultures For Common Oral Flora, Mai He, Alison R. Migliori, Patricia Lauro, C. James Sung, Halit Pinar

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Risk Factors And Outcomes For Ineffective Empiric Treatment Of Sepsis Caused By Gram-Negative Pathogens: Stratification By Onset Of Infection, Scott T. Micek, Nicholas Hampton, Marin Kollef

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Lymphocytes Negatively Regulate Nk Cell Activity Via Qa-1b Following Viral Infection, Haifeng C. Xu, Jun Huang, Aleksandra A. Pandyra, Elisabeth Lang, Yuan Zhuang, Christine Thons, Jorg Timm, Dieter Haussinger, Marco Colonna, Harvey Cantor, Karl S. Lang, Philipp A. Lang

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Dilution Factor Of Quantitative Bacterial Cultures Obtained By Bronchoalveolar Lavage In Patients With Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia, Marin H. Kollef, Lisa Mayfield, Ann Doyle, Et Al

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

An Evolutionarily Conserved Pathway Essential For Orsay Virus Infection Of Caenorhabditis Elegans, Hongbing Jiang, Kevin Chen, Luis E. Sandoval, Christian Leung, David Wang

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Pitfalls Associated With The Use Of Molecular Diagnostic Panels In The Diagnosis Of Cryptococcal Meningitis, Jane A. O'Halloran, Alexander Franklin, William Lainhart, Carey-Ann Burnham, William Powderly, Erik Dubberke

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Aids-Defining Illnesses At Initial Diagnosis Of Hiv In A Large Guatemalan Cohort, Samuel W. Reinhardt, Andrej Spec, Johanna Melendez, Andrea Alonzo Cordon, Ian Ross, William G. Powderly, Carlos Mejia Villatoro

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Preventing Respiratory Viral Transmission In Long-Term Care: Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices Of Healthcare Personnel, Caroline A. O'Neil, Lindsay Kim, Mila M. Prill, Nimalie D. Stone, Shikha Garg, H. Keipp Talbot, Hilary M. Babcock

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

In Vivo Inhibition Of Tryptophan Catabolism Reorganizes The Tuberculoma And Augments Immune-Mediated Control Of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Shabaana A. Khader

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Prediction Of New Stabilizing Mutations Based On Mechanistic Insights From Markov State Models, Maxwell I. Zimmerman, Kathryn M. Hart, Carrie A. Sibbald, Thomas E. Frederick, John R. Jimah, Catherine R. Knoverek, Niraj H. Tolia, Gregory R. Bowman

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Venous Thromboembolism Related To Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Case Report And Literature Review, Amar H. Kelkar, Kavitha S. Jacob, Eman B. Yousif, John J. Farrell

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Correlates Of Bacterial Vaginosis Over Long-Term Follow-Up: Impact Of Hiv Infection, Leslie S. Massad, Charlesnika T. Evans, Raymond Kang, Anna Hotton, Ruth Greenblatt, Howard Minkoff, Kerry Murphy, Christine Colie, Kathleen M. Weber

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Draft Genome Sequences Of Three Β-Lactam-Catabolizing Soil Proteobacteria, Terence S. Crofts, Bin Wang, Aaron Spivak, Tara A. Gianoulis, Kevin J. Forsberg, Molly K. Gibson, Lauren A. Johnsky, Stacey M. Broomall, C. Nicole Rosenzweig, Evan W. Skowronski, Henry S. Gibbons, Morten O.A. Sommer, Gautam Dantas

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Randomised Controlled Trial Of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus (Lgg) Versus Placebo In Children Presenting To The Emergency Department With Acute Gastroenteritis: The Pecarn Probiotic Study Protocol, David Schnadower, Phillip I. Tarr, Feng Gao, Et Al

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Neutrophil Fcγriia Promotes Igg-Mediated Glomerular Neutrophil Capture Via Abl/Src Kinases, Mark J. Miller, Samantha L. Hamilton, Lihua Yang, Spencer P. Pittman, Et Al

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

17Β-Estradiol Dysregulates Innate Immune Responses To Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Respiratory Infection And Is Modulated By Estrogen Receptor Antagonism, Shadaan Abid, Shangkui Xie, Moumita Bose, Philip W. Shaul, Lance S. Terada, Steven L. Brody, Philip J. Thomas, John A. Katzenellenbogen, Sung Hoon Kim, David E. Greenberg, Raksha Jain

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploitation Of A Newly-Identified Entry Pathway Into The Malaria Parasite-Infected Erythrocyte To Inhibit Parasite Egress, Svetlana Glushakova, Brad L. Busse, Matthias Garten, Josh R. Beck, Rick M. Fairhurst, Daniel E. Goldberg, Joshua Zimmerberg

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Fungal Infections Increase The Mortality Rate Three-Fold In Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections, Christopher B. Horn, Brendan M. Wesp, Nicholas B. Fiore, Rohit K. Rasane, Marlon Torres, Isaiah R. Turnbull, Obeid N. Ilahi, Laurie J. Punch, Grant V. Bochicchio

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

A Prospective One-Year Microbiologic Survey Of Combined Pneumonia And Respiratory Failure, Kristen Fisher, Tracy Trupka, Scott T. Micek, Paul Juang, Marin H. Kollef

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

An Engineered Vaccine Of The Plasmodium Vivax Duffy Binding Protein Enhances Induction Of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies, Francis B. Ntumngia, Camilla V. Pires, Samantha J. Barnes, Miriam T. George, Richard Thomson-Luque, Flora S. Kano, Jessica R.S. Alves, Darya Urusova, Dhelio B. Pereira, Niraj H. Tolia, Christopher L. King, Luzia H. Carvalho, John H. Adams

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.