Digital Commons Network^™

Technology Development For Detection Of Circulating Disease Biomarkers From Liquid Biopsies Using Multifunctional Nanomaterials, Mustafa Balcioglu

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Despite the advance health care, devastating health conditions such as cancer and infectious diseases that affect populations worldwide are too often not diagnosed until morbid symptoms become apparent in the late phase. Obtaining an early and accurate diagnosis that reveal a hidden lethal threat before the disease becomes complicated may dramatically reduce the severity of its impact on the patient’s life and increase the probability of survival. For example, in the case of ovarian cancer, which is the fifth most common malignancy and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality in women in the US, the 5-year relative survival is …

Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Signaling In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis : New Insights Into A Universal Second Messenger, Richard Mcpherson Johnson

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Despite being the focus of intense research for many years Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), remains the deadliest bacterial pathogen plaguing mankind today. Humans are the sole host and reservoir for Mtb, and Mtb has coevolved closely with its human host for thousands of years. Mtb currently infects over two billion people worldwide and over 1.5 million people die from TB each year, arguably making Mtb the most successful bacterial pathogen on the planet.

The Dissemination, Regulatory Role, And Evolution Of Mycobacterial Inteins, Danielle Skye Kelley

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Inteins are intervening protein elements, capable of coordinating escape from a host protein through a self-catalyzed mechanism, called protein splicing. This results in free intein and a mature host protein product. Inteins are also mobile elements and many contain homing endonucleases that enable the targeting to ectopic sites and invasion of novel niches. Inteins have been found across all three domains of life and are often present in replication, recombination, and repair proteins. However, it is unclear if the observed distribution is simply a factor of endonuclease preference or if inteins have been selectively maintained due to an adaptation that …

Factors Associated With Candida Albicans Dissemination Via The Intestinal Mucosa, Emily Rochac Argueta

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

A murine model that established GI colonization of Candida albicans and eventual dissemination was identified to be lacking by Koh and others. Koh’s model specifically employed a tailored combination of neutropenia, intestinal damage, and microbiome dysbiosis that would allow C. albicans to gain an opportunistic advantage. His model provided new opportunities to study the details of C. albicans pathogenesis with a focus on the innate immune mechanisms responsible for controlling C. albicans within the intestinal mucosa. The long-term goal of this research project was to specifically study the factors associated with Candida albicans dissemination via the intestinal mucosa. The model …

Clinical Information Extraction From Unstructured Free-Texts, Mingzhe Tao

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Information extraction (IE) is a fundamental component of natural language processing (NLP) that provides a deeper understanding of the texts. In the clinical domain, documents prepared by medical experts (e.g., discharge summaries, drug labels, medical history records) contain a significant amount of clinically-relevant information that is crucial to the overall well-being of patients. Unfortunately, in many cases, clinically-relevant information is presented in an unstructured format, predominantly consisting of free-texts, making it inaccessible to computerized methods. Automatic extraction of this information can improve accessibility. However, the presence of synonymous expressions, medical acronyms, misspellings, negated phrases, and ambiguous terminologies make automatic extraction …

Nutrition Transition, Trace Elements In Nails, And Blood Pressure Along The Interoceanic Highway, Madre De Dios, Peru, Stacy M. Pettigrew

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The paving of the Interoceanic Highway (IOH) brought rapid development to the Madre de Dios (MDD) region in the Peruvian Amazon. Development brings concerns of toxic trace element exposures, and road development has been a major driver of the transition from traditional to calorie-dense processed ‘Western’ diets in lower and middle-income countries. Investigacion de Migracion, Ambiente, y Salud (IMAS) (Investigation of Migration, the Environment, and Health) is the first analysis of health, diet, and integrated toxic trace elements in nails in the region. In 2014 we collected household surveys from 310 households in 46 communities along the IOH and nails …

Hepatitis C Screening Practices In A Local County Health Department: A Gap Analysis, Andrew Blix, Barbara B. Little

Florida Public Health Review

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a growing problem in the United States and most patients remain undiagnosed. CDC guidelines from 2012 recommend one-time screening of everyone born from 1945-1965. The penetration of this guideline is relatively unknown and the literature reveals that most efforts for improvement are poorly sustained. The purpose of this study was to compare a Florida county health department’s screening practices to national guidelines. In addition, provider-level barriers to screening were assessed in order to develop tailored recommendations for improvement. Using a serial cross-sectional design, data was examined to determine HCV screening prevalence for patients born …

Evaluation Of A Pilot Intervention To Relink Formerly Incarcerated Plhwhas To Hiv/Aids Care, Graham F. Watts, Heather S. Vaughan, Deidre Kelley, Dana C. Barnes, Sandy Arts

Florida Public Health Review

HIV is a manageable chronic disease. However, it requires knowing one’s status, retention in care, and medication adherence for viral suppression. Disadvantaged groups of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) who experience incarceration and major depressive disorders, homelessness, substance use and lack of social support are overwhelmed by these burdens and do not fully engage in HIV care, without help. Four Northeast Florida entities engaged in action research to influence health equity for formerly detained PLWHAs. The City of Jacksonville, Ryan White Part-A Program, Florida Department of Health-Duval, Lutheran Social Services, and Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office convened a coalition, called CAPRICE. Activities …

“Heal Thyself.”—An Argument For Granting Asylum To Healthcare Workers Persecuted During The 2014 West African Ebola Crisis, Bethany Echols

SMU Law Review

This article argues for a change in United States asylum policy at a time when change is needed most. Those seeking asylum must prove that they fear persecution in their home country based on one of five protected categories and that their government is the persecutor or is unable to control the actions of the persecutors. Multiple articles have recognized that the “particular social group” is the most difficult category of asylum seeker to analyze. Not only do the standards for particular social groups (PSGs) vary among circuit courts, but judicial consistency is lacking.

This article focuses on a particular …

Diagnostic And Prognostic Value Of Procalcitonin (Pct), C Reactive Protein (Crp), Nitric Oxide (No) Levels, And Adenosine Deaminase (Ada) Activity In Sheep With Natural Babesiosis Before And After Treatment, Sezai̇ Arslan, Nuri̇ Altuğ, Mustafa Necati̇ Muz, Nazmi̇ Yüksek, Yildiray Başbuğan, Özlem Orunç Kilinç

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was carried out to reveal the importance of procalcitonin, C reactive protein, nitric oxide levels, and adenosine deaminase activity in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease in naturally infected sheep with Babesia ovis. Thirty sheep diagnosed clinically and parasitologically as having Babesia ovis were allocated to 2 groups. The first group was treated only with imidocarp dipropionate and the second group with imidocarp dipropionate and flunixine meglumin. On the seventh day after treatment, blood samples were collected again from the sheep in the babesiosis-infected group and the treatment responses were assessed. Serum PCT (1.72 ± 0.34 ng/mL, …

Detection And Characterization Of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Genes(Bla$_{Tem}$ And Bla$_{Shv}$) Among Beta-Lactam-Resistant Fecal Coliforms Of Dairy Cattle From Chhattisgarh, India, Nidhi Rawat, Fateh Singh, Sadanand Devidas Hirpurkar, Chandrahas Sannat, Nitin Eknath Gade

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to isolate the antimicrobial-resistant enterobacteria from cattle feces and to identify the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase gene among them. A total of 70 cattle fecal swab samples were collected from Durg, Chhattisgarh, India, and cultured in nutrient broth. Bacterial isolation recovered 120 gram-negative bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed 90 (75%) coliform isolates (66 Escherichia coli, 20 Klebsiella sp., and two each of Enterobacter sp. and Citrobacter sp.) resistant to amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefixime, ceftazidime, imipenem, or meropenem. Bacterial isolates showed the highest resistance rate for ceftazidime (61.6%), followed by cefixime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid …

A New Species And A New Natural Hybrid Of Origanum L. (Lamiaceae) From The West Of Turkey, Tuncay Di̇rmenci̇, Türker Yazici, Taner Özcan, Sevcan Çelenk, Esra Marti̇n

Turkish Journal of Botany

Origanum ayliniae Dirmenci & Yazıcı, which differs significantly from O. dictamnus L., is described for the first time in this paper. In addition, a new hybrid, O. x adae Dirmenci & Yazıcı, between O. ayliniae and O. sipyleum L., is described and investigated in detail. The general morphology, pollen structure, chromosome features, and nuclear (ITS) and chloroplast (rpl32) genomes of collected specimens were studied. O. x adae was determined to have some intermediate properties morphologically and palynologically that place it between the parents. Pollen size and shape were important features in the diagnosis of the hybrid and its parents in …

Histochemistry Of Glandular Trichomes And The Structure Of Selected Organs Ofborago Officinalis L., Miroslawa Chwil, Andrzej Borowy

Turkish Journal of Botany

In Poland, Borago officinalis is a cultivated plant or a segetal weed. It is a medicinal, cosmetic, melliferous, ornamental, and edible species. Its leaves, herb, flowers, and seeds are a source of bioactive compounds. Given the high concentration of essential fatty acids, borage is used in many branches of industry. The aim of this study was to examine the structure of trichomes and to carry out histochemical labeling of selected groups of biologically active compounds contained in secretory cells. Anatomical traits of leaves, stems, and pedicels were investigated using bright-field light, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. Characteristic features of the …

Evaluation Of Urinary Incontinence And Quality Of Life In Marriedwomen Aged Between 20 And 49 Years (Sakarya, Turkey), Kevser İlçi̇oğlu, Sevi̇l Şahi̇n, Nebahat Özerdoğan, Alaetti̇n Ünsal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence and to evaluate the relationship between urinary incontinence and quality of life in married women. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among married women aged 20-49 years living in the vicinity of the Çökekler Community Clinic (Family Health Center) in Sakarya, Turkey, from 1 November 2011 to 15 April 2012. The study group consisted of 1161 women. Results: The frequency of urinary incontinence was 71.5% (n = 830). Out of a total of 830 patients with symptoms of urinary incontinence, mixed was the most frequently determined …

Pooled Analysis Of 163 Published Tuberculous Peritonitis Cases From Turkey, Bedi̇a Mutay Suntur, Feri̇t Kuşcu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Tuberculous peritonitis may be di cult to diagnose due to its insidious and variable clinical manifestations as well as characteristics similar to malignancy. In this study, case reports from Turkey over the last 10 years were reviewed systematically using pooled analysis. Materials and methods: irty-four suitable articles were found and 163 tuberculous peritonitis cases were included in the study. Results: e mean age was 34.1 years (17?79 years), and 146 (98.6%) of the patients were female and 17 (10.4%) were male. e most common complaints of these patients were abdominal pain (77.4%) and abdominal distention (73.5%). Ascites in the …

Low Levels Of Vitamin D Are Associated With Nosocomial Infections But Not With Short-Term Mortality In Critically Ill Patients, Işil Köse Güldoğan, Çi̇ler Zi̇nci̇rci̇oğlu, Hüseyi̇n Özkarakaş, Meltem Çakmak, Gürsel Ersan, Lütfi̇ye Kuzucu, Şükran Köse, Ni̇met Şenoğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: A prospective observational study was conducted to determine the relationship between vitamin D de ciency and nosocomial infections among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Materials and methods: Demographic data, season of admission, vitamin D levels at admission, premorbid lifestyle scores, comorbid conditions, and admission diagnosis were recorded in 306 ICU patients. Infections that developed at least 48 h a er admission to the ICU were the primary outcome, and ICU, hospital, and 1-year mortality were the secondary outcomes. Infections were evaluated for 28 days, and for the entire duration of ICU stay independently. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed …

Investigation Of Phikz Phage Therapy Against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa In Mousepneumonia Model, Kübra Can, Uğur Aksu, Osman Şadi̇ Yenen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PhiKZ phage therapy and meropenem alone or combined treatments in a pneumonia mouse model induced by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 strain. The cross-talk between lungs and kidneys was also determined. Materials and methods: The systemic, lung-specific, and kidney-specific inflammation levels and the bacterial load in lung tissue and biochemical parameters were investigated after PhiKZ phage therapy and meropenem alone or combined treatments in a pneumonia mouse model induced by the P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain. The cross-talk between lungs and kidneys was also determined by measuring plasma levels of …

Evaluation Of Two Commercial Assays For The Rapid Confirmation Of Oxa-48 Likecarbapenemases Produced By Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Pi̇nar Zarakolu, Abdullah Tarik Aslan, John Perry

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus And Tuberculosis Coinfection: Clinical Features And Predictors Of Mortality, Fatma Gümüşer, Merve Altinkaynak, Di̇lek Yildiz Sevgi̇, Özlem Altuntaş Aydin, Bi̇lgül Mete, Alper Gündüz, Hayat Kumbasar Karaosmanoğlu, Si̇bel Bolukçu, Ömer Fehmi̇ Tabak, Mustafa Haluk Vahaboğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study was undertaken to identify subjects with human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis (HIV/TB) coinfection in a group of HIV-positive patients followed at five different healthcare centers, and to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of these subjects as well as the predictors of mortality. Materials and methods: A database search for subjects with TB coinfection was performed among 1475 HIV-positive adult patients and a total of 66 individuals were identified with HIV/TB coinfection. Results: There were 66 patients (4.5%) with TB coinfection. Twenty-one percent (n = 14) of the patients with TB coinfection died during the study period …

Ncuwm Poster Abstract 2018

Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Risk-Enhancing Behaviors Associated With Human Injuries From Bison Encounters At Yellowstone National Park, 2000–2015, Cara Cherry, Kirsten M. Leong, Rick Wallen, Danielle Buttke

United States National Park Service: Publications

Yellowstone National Park is home to the largest bison population on public land in the United States. Although Yellowstone regulations require visitors to remain at least 23 m from bison, since 1980, bison have injured more visitors to Yellowstone than any other animal. We examined a series of bison-related injuries at Yellowstone to evaluate the circumstances of these injuries and to identify common risk-enhancing behaviors that lead to injury. To do this, we analyzed narrative case incident records from law enforcement regarding bison-human encounters in Yellowstone during 2000–2015. Data regarding demographics, preencounter ac- tivities, number of persons involved, type of …

Echinococcus Spp. Tapeworms In North America, Jacey Roche Cerda, Danielle Elise Buttke, Lora Rickard Ballweber

United States National Park Service: Publications

Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis are emerging and re-emerging in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The expansion of Echinococcus spp. tapeworms in wildlife host reservoirs appears to be driving this emergence in some areas. Recent studies suggest a similar phenomenon may be occurring in North America. We describe the context of Echinococcus spp. research in North America, with a specific focus on the contiguous United States. Although studies were conducted in the United States throughout the 1900s on various sylvatic and domestic Echinococcus spp. tapeworm cycles, data are lacking for the past ≈30 years. We review previous research, provide analysis of more …

Endoparasitism Of Rehabilitating Grey Crowned Cranes In Rwanda, Barry K. Hartup, Deo Ruhgazi, Haynes Werner, Oliver Nsengimana

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

Diseases such as parasitism can limit the effectiveness of conservation translocations depending on host-parasite dynamics at the site of release. The Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association and the Rwandan government are rehabilitating and repatriating grey crowned cranes (Balearica regulorum) from illegal captivity to the wild at Akagera National Park in large numbers. Monitoring of cranes at the fenced soft-release site during 4 time points in 2017 showed 50-67% of fecal samples tested were positive for 1 or more parasites, most commonly nematodes (roundworms) of the Order Ascaridida. The prevalences and species diversity observed in the fecal samples were not …

Innovation: From Small “I” To Large “I”, Sang M. Lee

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Innovation is the lifeline for every organization. The primary purpose of innovation is to apply new ideas or technologies to create new or added value for the organization. This narrow goal is for small “i”. In the dynamic digital age, however, the goal of innovation should be much more aspirational and noble: “doing well by doing good” for the society at large and humanity. This lofty goal of innovation is for large “I”. In this paper, we review the evolution process of innovation and propose how innovation can disrupt the barriers to creating a smart future, the aspirational goal of …

Osteoarthritis In The Pelvic Limb Of Captive Cranes, Barry K. Hartup, Savannah J. Lauer, Alyson R. Manthei

Proceedings of the North American Crane Workshop

We conducted an epidemiological study of osteoarthritis (OA) among the 15 captive crane species managed at the International Crane Foundation from 1973 to 2016. A retrospective review of 714 medical records found 37 cases of OA in 13 species of cranes and a corresponding period prevalence of OA of 5%. An analysis of the living captive crane flock as of 1 October 2016 (n = 115) found 12 active cases of OA (a point prevalence of 10%), and there was a statistical association between geriatric age classification (i.e., advanced age) and the presence of OA (P < 0.01). The mean age of cranes with OA was 14 years greater than cranes without the disease (P < 0.001). The prevalence estimates of OA from this review were somewhat lower than that from study of museum specimens, but this study similarly identified the tarsal joint as the predominant location of OA lesions in cranes.

Preparing For The Future: 2017–2018 Annual Report

University of Nebraska's National Strategic Research Institute: Publications

3 Letter from the Executive Director Robert Hinson

4 About NSRI-- Combatting WMD. Focusing on Deterrence.

6 Key Accomplishments/ Highlights of Business Operations Research Focus Areas

8 Nuclear Detection and Forensics

10 Active and Passive Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction

12 Detection of Chemical and Biological Weapons

14 Consequence Management

16 Mission-Related Research

18 Education & Training

20 Student & Faculty Engagement

22 NSRI/NU Key Journal Articles, 2017–2018

23 NSRI Board of Directors

Complete Genome Sequence Of Moraxella Bovis Strain Epp-63 (300), An Etiologic Agent Of Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis, John Dustin Loy, Aaron M. Dickey, Michael L. Clawson

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

We report here the complete closed genome sequence of Moraxella bovis strain Epp-63 (300) (Epp63). This strain was isolated from an infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) case in 1963. Since then, Epp63 has been used extensively for IBK research. Consequently, the genome sequence of Epp63 should help elucidate IBK host-pathogen interactions.

Non-Naturally Occurring Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome Virus (Prrsv) And Methods Of Using, Hiep Lai Xuan Vu, Fernando Osorio, William W. Laegreid, Asit K. Pattnaik, Fangrui Ma

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

A non-naturally occurring porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is provided herein, and methods of making and using the non-naturally occurring PRRSV also are provided.

Surveillance Of South Dakota Mosquito Abundance, Infection Rate, And Insecticide Susceptibility, Geoffrey P. Vincent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation was to survey and evaluate the abundance, infection rate, and insecticide susceptibility of mosquito fauna present in South Dakota. Mosquito surveillance has been conducted across South Dakota to record and track potential West Nile virus (WNV) vectors from 2004 to 2017. The nuisance mosquito Aedes vexans was found to be the most abundant species overall in the state and most abundant in many of the regions. The WNV vector, Culex tarsalis, was found to be the second most abundant mosquito and the most abundant vector mosquito across the state. However, geospatial variation did exist between …

Replication, Virulence, And Pathogenesis Of Influenza Viruses, Chithra Chembil Sreenivasan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Influenza D virus (IDV) is a novel influenza virus that infects cattle and swine, with cattle as its primary host species. The goal of our first study was to investigate the replication and transmission of bovine IDV in guinea pigs. Following direct intranasal inoculation of animals, the virus was detected in nasal washes of infected animals during the first 7 days post-infection. High viral titers were obtained from nasal turbinates and lung tissues of directly inoculated animals. Further, bovine IDV was able to transmit from the infected guinea pigs to sentinel animals by means of contact and not by aerosol …