Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of Cellular Immune Responses In Thai Individuals With And Without Hiv-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders, Tanate Jadwattanakul

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Antigen-Specific Antibody Fc Glycosylation Enhances Humoral Immunity Via The Recruitment Of Complement, Julie M. Fox, Michael S. Diamond, Et Al

Open Access Publications

No abstract provided.

Utilization Of Probiotics To Manage Epizootic Shell Disease In American Lobsters, Homarus Americanus, Melissa Hoffman

Open Access Master's Theses

Epizootic shell disease (ESD) in the American lobster, Homarus americanus, has a major impact on the southern New England lobster industry, yet there are no practical tools for managing the disease. The goal of this study was to identify bacterial probiotics that could be used to manage ESD in wild lobster populations. Candidate bacterial isolates (n = 24) were previously isolated from lobsters in Narragansett Bay and identified as having probiotic characteristics against ESD-associated bacteria Thalassobius sp. and Aquimarina macrocephali, or the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum. Healthy lobster post-larvae were exposed to five of the candidate strains …

On The Problem And Promise Of Metaphor Use In Science And Science Communication, Cynthia Taylor, Bryan M. Dewsbury

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The language of science is largely metaphorical. Scientists rely on metaphor and analogy to make sense of scientific phenomena and communicate their findings to each other and to the public. Yet, despite their utility, metaphors can also constrain scientific reasoning, contribute to public misunderstandings, and, at times, inadvertently reinforce stereotypes and messages that undermine the goals of inclusive science. This paper 1) examines the generative potential of metaphors to the advancement of scientific knowledge and science communication, 2) highlights the ways in which outdated metaphors may limit scientific inquiry and contribute to public misunderstandings, and 3) critically analyzes the implications …

Protective Versus Pathologic Pre-Exposure Cytokine Profiles In Dengue Virus Infection, Heather Friberg, Coreen M. Beaumier, Sangshin Park, Pamela Pazoles, Timothy P. Endy, Anuja Mathew, Jeffrey R. Currier, Richard G. Jarman, Kathryn B. Anderson, Steve Hatch, Stephen J. Thomas, Alan L. Rothman

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Background: Hyperendemic circulation of all four types of dengue virus (DENV-1-4) has expanded globally, fueling concern for increased incidence of severe dengue. While the majority of DENV infections are subclinical, epidemiologic studies suggest that type-cross-reactive immunity can influence disease outcome in subsequent infections. The mechanisms controlling these differential clinical outcomes remain poorly defined.

Methodology/Principal findings: Blood samples were collected from a cohort of school-aged Thai children who subsequently experienced a subclinical DENV infection or developed dengue illness. PBMC collected prior to infection were stimulated in vitro with DENV and the secretion of 30 cytokines was measured using a …

Upregulation Of Hla‐E By Dengue And Not Zika Viruses, Elena Drews, Awadalkareem Adam, Phone Htoo, Elizabeth Townsley, Anuja Mathew

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Introduction. The most severe form of dengue virus (DENV) illness, dengue haemorrhagic fever, is characterised by plasma leakage and increased vascular permeability. Objectives. Given the critical role that endothelial cells play in the pathogenesis of DENV, we wanted to determine whether infection with DENV altered the expression of MHC class I related genes including HLA‐E. Results. In this study, we provide evidence that HLA‐E but not MICA/B or HLA‐G is upregulated by all four serotypes of DENV in an endothelial cell line human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC)‐1. In contrast, Zika virus (ZIKV), a related flavivirus, where plasma leakage is …

Key Enzymes In Cancer: Mechanism Of Action And Inhibition With Anticancer Agents, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Gabriel Lopez, Stephanie Cantu, Samantha Balboa, Annabel Garcia, Christina Silva, Diandra Valdes

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Several enzymes play significant role in different stages of cancer including proliferation, invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. Mechanism of actions of a few key enzymes along with their inhibitors have been discussed with particular attentation to riboneucleotide reductase, thymidylate synthease, topoisomerase II, interleukins, cell survival proteins and aminopeptidase N.

Inspire : Vol 1, Issue 1, Department Of Medicine

INSPIRE – Department of Medicine Archives

Content:

- Message From the Chair

- Faculty News

- Featured Faculty Profile

- Publications

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring The Adaptation Of Families Of Children With Multiple Sclerosis From The Perspective Of Family Caregivers, Yolanda Carol Harris

All ETDs from UAB

Two to 5% of the US population of individuals afflicted with multiple sclerosis (N = 400,000) are diagnosed prior to the age of 18 with pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). Most children and teens with POMS have a relapsing remitting course of the disease with unpredictable relapse onset causing cognitive and physical disability. This can result in school absences, hospital and outpatient visits, poor academic performance and interruption in normal social activities. In turn, these individuals may develop an inability to provide self-care, which could lead to poor quality of life. POMS can affect the individual diagnosed but may also …

Poverty Rate And Occurrence Of Foodborne Illness Risk Factors In Retail Facilities, Margolite Joseph Cesar

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the efforts of food safety regulations and rules, food contamination remains a public health concern and prevalent vehicle of pathogens. This study identifies the predictors of food risk in different types of food establishments in Miami Dade County, Florida during the period November 2014 - November 2016. Guided by the epidemiologic triangle model, this correlational study analyzed the log number of risk factor violations and failure rates controlling for US Census sociodemographic data (2010 to 2014) for the food establishment neighborhoods by using linear and logistic regression. Results indicated that most of food entity types are significant predictors of …

Understanding Parenting Styles Of Second-Generation Parents Of Residential School Survivors Within Treaty 8 Reserves, Judy Kim-Meneen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Approximately 150,000 First Nation, Metis, and Inuit children attended Canadian residential schools from the 1840s to 1996. Most residential school children had negative experiences of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse that led to parenting repercussions once these children became parents. These repercussions of residential schools led to a rate of neglect for First Nation children 12 times higher than non-First Nation children. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological descriptive study was to explore the lived experiences of second generation parents, who were schooled in residential schools as children and their current parenting styles. The conceptual frameworks of trauma theory and …

Dissertation: Sociodemographics And Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate, Sylvester Lewis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Pancreatic carcinoma or pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is an insidious disease with a prognosis of 6- to 12-month survival time for a late stage diagnosis. This problem has become crucial given that no study to date had been able to establish a definitive association between independent factors (other than a few diseases) and the survival rate of pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional study was to determine whether an association exists between the independent, sociodemographic variables (marital status, age, education, income, and employment) and the outcome variable of survival rate. The social cognitive theory was the framework that provided …

Bleach-It-Away Clostridium Difficile, Kim Ione Hecker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital-associated infections (HAIs) are infections patients contract as a result of being hospitalized. HAI rates decreased for almost all pathogens in the past few years, with the exception of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs), which have been steadily climbing, placing hospital-acquired CDI at the top of the HAI list. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2010 almost a half a million people were infected with CDIs yearly in the United States, and CDIs claimed the lives of approximately 29,000 people, representing a 4-fold increase from 1993. To address the problem in the local hospital, a quality improvement initiative …

Optimising A Resting Box To Enhance Adult Gravid Female Mosquitoe Auto-Disseminate Larvicide In A Semi Field, Michael Boge Ogallo

All Master’s Theses

Malaria control strategies that target adult mosquitoes are challenged by the emergence of insecticide resistance and behavioral changes of vectors. The conventional approach of applying larvicides is limited by high operational costs and inadequate knowledge of mosquito breeding habitats especially in rural African communities. This study developed a potential mosquito contamination site, assessed the potential of adult female Anopheles gambiae s.s to pick up fluorescent dye and auto dissemination from resting box to their breeding habitats. A screened semi-field system (SFS) with and without a mud hut inside were used to evaluate the efficacy of a designed mosquito resting box …

Prevalence Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa) Colonization In Medical Students At The El Paso/Cd. Juarez Border Region, Samantha Michelle Meza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Due to the constant use, misuse, and over-prescription of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance has become a global public health threat. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to prevail in healthcare settings and is the cause of many nosocomial infections worldwide. A risk factor for developing an active MRSA infection is the colonization of the pathogen in the anterior nares. Over the past two decades, MRSA infections have increased in both the hospital and the community setting, often infecting healthy individuals lacking common risk factors. Healthcare workers with constant exposure to MRSA are more likely to be colonized and can potentially serve …

Trends In Antibiotic Resistance And Correlations Of Antibiotic Use And Antibiotic Resistance In A Small Hospital In El Paso, Texas 2013-2015, Christopher Olivas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health threat, primarily, resulting from the excess and inappropriate use of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance and antibiotic consumption trends may differ along the U.S-Mexico border from the rest of the U.S. due to geographical and cultural differences unique to the border region. The objectives of this study were: 1.) To examine the trends in antibiotic resistance among E. coli, ESBL producing E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and MRSA over a 3-year period (2013, 2014, 2015) in a U.S.-Mexico border area hospital; 2.) To examine the trends in antibiotic consumption among aztreonam, cefazolin, cefepime, ceftriaxone, …

Formulation Of Nanoparticle Systems For Drug Delivery Application In Biomedical Sciences, Victor Alfredo Rodriguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria may result in serious infections which are difficult to treat. In addition, the poor antibiotic pipeline has also contributed to the crisis. Recently, the complex of furosemide and silver (Ag-FSE) has been reported as a potential antibacterial agent. However, its poor aqueous solubility is limiting its activity as an effective antibacterial agent. The purpose of this study was to encapsulate Ag-FSE into chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) and evaluate antibacterial efficacy. Ag-FSE CSNPs were prepared using ionic gelation technique. The particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of Ag-FSE CSNPs were determined using dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. …

Developing And Validating Learning Domains, Competencies, And Evaluation Items For Global Health Clinical Immersion Practicums For Graduate-Level Nursing Programs, Tracy Kelly

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Aim: To identify and validate learning domains, competencies, and evaluation tool for experiential nursing global health programs at the graduate level.

Background: Standard competencies have not been synthesized and delineated nor have evaluation tools been developed for global health programs at the graduate level.

Design: An integrative review of the literature to identify evidence-based learning domains, competencies, and evaluation items and expert consensus panels to validate the results.

Method: Used the Whittemore and Knafl (2005) integrative literature review methodology to identify learning domains, competencies, and evaluation items. The NLM and CINAHL databases were searched for articles relevant to graduate-level global …

Adolescent Prep Administration: An Education Curriculum For Providers, Caroline Carnevale

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Background: On May 15, 2018, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved once daily tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) for use as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for adolescents (weighing greater than 35kgs) engaging in high-risk sexual behavior (Gilead, 2018). This decision was largely based on the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN) 113 which demonstrated that PrEP was well tolerated among the adolescents, age 15-17, enrolled in the study (Hosek, 2017). The use of TDF/FTC for PrEP in adults (18 and older) was approved by the FDA in 2012 after its safety and efficacy had been demonstrated in multiple international clinical trials (FDA, …

Environmental And Genetic Factors Affecting Antibiotic Resistance Of Extended Spectrum Î?-Lactamase Bacteria From The Rio Grande River In El Paso, Tx And Cd. Juarez, Mexico, Maria D. Fuentes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: The Rio Grande River provides a major source of potable and agricultural water for the population of the Texas/Mexico border region. Cattle farming and ranching are the most prevalent activities, which may contribute to the microbial burden of pharmaceuticals into our state's water resources. Antibiotics, presumably released into the environment by discharges originating from waste-water treatment plants, septic disposal systems, animal feeding operations and urban runoff have a definite impact on the ecosystem and may contribute to an increase in antibiotic resistance. We hypothesized that waters of the Rio Grande River contained Multi Drug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) and mobile …

Women Of Color And Health: Issues And Solutions, June Cross, Nia Weeks, Kristen Underhill, Chloe Bootstaylor

Faculty Scholarship

Chloe Bootstaylor: Welcome to our second panel. This panel focuses on women of color in health, issues, and solutions. The session is inspired by Professor June Cross of the Columbia School of Journalism and her recent film, Wilhemina’s War, which follows the story of Wilhemina Dixon and depicts the obstacles that Americans with HIV/AIDS face in accessing not only adequate healthcare but also financial, infrastructural, and social support in their communities.

This panel will consist of Professor Underhill and Nia Weeks. June Cross will join us a little later on. We will start with a clip from her film, …

Crispr/Cas9-Induced Genetic Disruption And Characterization Of Udp-Galactopyranose Mutase In Trypanosoma Cruzi, Claudia Manriquez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, is the causative agent of Chagas disease (ChD), or American trypanosomiasis, which affects 6-8 million people in Latin America. It is estimated that 2-3 million people will develop severe lifelong cardiac and/or digestive disorders. ChD has become a life threat not only to endemic regions but most recently also to nonendemic regions, including the United States, owing to extensive worldwide migration in recent years. The lack of a vaccine and the limited efficacy of the two drug treatments available make it urgent to develop novel therapies to treat such a threatening disease. UDP-Galactopyranose mutase (UGM) …

Multi-Antigen-Chemiluminescent-Elisa For The Diagnosis Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Chihuahua, Mexico., Jose Andrei Orozco

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Regional Differences In Feto-Infant Mortality In The U.S. - Mexico Border Region: Using The Perinatal Period Of Risk (Ppor) Approach, Dyanne G. Herrera

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Introduction. Infant mortality (IM) is a critical indicator of the health of communities because societal factors that affect population health directly impact the mortality rate of infants. There is limited infant mortality data for the U.S. side of the U.S.-Mexico Border Region, defined as the areas within 100 km north of the border. Data from 2005-2007 show that the average IM rate for the border states combined was 5.8 infant deaths per 1,000 live births; for the border counties, the rate was 5.4 per 1,000. Although IM rates were lower in the border counties than in the border states, risk …

Influence Of Maternal Psychosocial Health On Infant Feeding Practices, Tessy Linda Aguzie

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Choice of nutrition has a great effect on the early development of human growth. Despite increased knowledge on the benefit of breastfeeding to both mother and child, some mothers still choose to formula feed. The purpose of this study is to explain how maternal health contributes to choices. The theory of maternal role attainment and the social cognitive theory are used to evaluate these feeding choices. This study tests for the association between maternal weight status and choice of infant feeding practices, the association between postpartum depression and choice of feeding and finally, if depression mediates the relationship between maternal …

Strategies For Shipping Temperature-Sensitive Medical Devices Using Cognitive Mapping, Eric C. Guynes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Supply chain management (SCM) practitioners who ship temperature-sensitive diagnostic medical devices (DMDs) to clinicians must use effective cold chain management (CCM) strategies to avoid temperature excursions that contribute to medical device errors. Such errors have caused patient harm and death, which costs the U.S. health care system billions of dollars per year. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies for selecting and managing cold chain shipping solutions (CCSSs) requiring SCM executives to trade cost for regulatory compliance and predictability when mitigating temperature variations that occur during shipping. The conceptual framework for the study was the …

Environmental Gradients In Old‐Growth Appalachian Forest Predict Fine‐Scale Distribution, Co‐Occurrence, And Density Of Woodland Salamanders, J. Alex Baecher, Stephen C. Richter

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Woodland salamanders are among the most abundant vertebrate animals in temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America. Because of their abundance, woodland salamanders are responsible for the transformation of nutrients and translocation of energy between highly disparate levels of trophic organization: detrital food webs and high‐order predators. However, the spatial extent of woodland salamanders’ role in the ecosystem is likely contingent upon the distribution of their biomass throughout the forest. We sought to determine if natural environmental gradients influence the fine‐scale distribution and density of Southern Ravine Salamanders (Plethodon richmondi) and Cumberland Plateau Salamanders (P. kentucki). …

Examination Of Energy Needs And Hormone Levels In Male Endurance Athletes, Erin Moore

Theses and Dissertations

A plethora of literature examining the physiological consequences associated with deficits in energy availability (EA) for female athletes exists, however literature examining male athletes is sparse. Purpose: To determine the effects of high exercise energy expenditure (EEE) on Male Triad symptoms (EA with or without an eating disorder [ED], reproductive hormones Testosterone [T] and Luteinizing hormone [LH], and bone mineral density [BMD]) and other metabolic markers (Insulin, Leptin, Cortisol and Interleukin-6 [IL-6]) in endurance-trained male athletes. Methods: We utilized a cross-sectional design on 14 endurance trained male athletes (age: 26.4 + 4.2 yrs.; weight: 70.6 + 6.4 kg; and height: …

A Quasi-Experimental Study On The Effectiveness Of Ccr&R Ta/Coaching On Child Care Center Licensing Compliance, Wenjia Wang

Theses and Dissertations

High quality in early care and education is critical for children in their early ears and has a lasting benefit through their lives. Research in various fields such as education, medicine, psychology, economics. has provided evidence of positive outcomes for children who have been exposed to safe, rich, and engaging environments in their early years through high quality early care and education. The baseline of child care quality is providing protection for children by establishing regulations on health and safety areas such as response to disease, fire and other building safety, injury, abuse and neglect, adequate supervision, and developmentally appropriate …

The Enzymatic Activity And Inhibition Of Dape Encoded N-Succinyl-L,L-Diaminopimelic Acid Dessucinylase, Tahirah Heath

Dissertations

The bacterial enzyme DapE is a hydrolase in the late stage of the mDAP/lysine biosynthetic pathway that catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelic acid (L,L-SDAP) to succinic acid and L,L-diaminopimelate (DAP). The product DAP is ultimately converted to m-DAP and then to lysine which is used in the construction of proteins, whereas for humans, lysine is an essential amino acid obtained through diet. DapE has been shown to be conserved across many strains of bacteria. The m-DAP produced through the succinylase pathway is used by both gram negative and gram-positive bacteria in the construction of the essential peptidoglycan cell wall. Because …