Digital Commons Network^™

Kinetics Of Microvesicle Particle Release In Keratinocytes, Pariksha Thapa

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Microvesicle particles (MVPs) are subcellular particles that could be involved in inter-cellular communication because they carry various bioactive substances including cytokines. Previous studies from our lab has shown that that the lipid mediator Platelet-activating Factor (1-alkyl-2-acetyl-glycerophosphocholine; PAF) and ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) enhances the release of MVP in various cell types like primary keratinocytes, epithelial cell lines, and murine skin. We hypothesized that there may be synergistic increases in MVP release after combination of treatment of keratinocytes with UVB and PAF agonist (CPAF)/phorbol ester (PMA). The combination treatment significantly increases MVP and cytokine release at 4 to 8 hours time …

The Relationship Between Conflict And Longevity: A Panel Data Analysis, Felicitas Adu-Acheampong

Wayne State University Dissertations

With a series of multivariate regression models this study investigates the association of conflict, health and non-health inputs with different facets of longevity in OECD, emerging and African countries. Using a country-level panel data set covering the period 1990 through 2014, five facets of longevity are examined: infant mortality, life expectancy for males at birth, life expectancy for females at birth, life expectancy for males at age 65, and life expectancy for females at age 65 among OECD and emerging countries. With country-level data spanning 1997 through 2016 from 50 African nations, production functions are also estimated for four distinct …

Classic Findings May Not Be Typical: A Rare Case Of Cutaneous Larva Migrans, Andrei Lojek, Erin Britt, Ali Hassoun

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2019 clinical vignette poster

Discovery And Characterization Of Bukakata Orbivirus (Reoviridae:Orbivirus), A Novel Virus From A Ugandan Bat, Anna C. Fagre, Justin S. Lee, Robert M. Kityo, Nicholas A. Bergren, Eric C. Mossel, Teddy Nakayiki, Betty Nalikka, Luke Nyakarahuka, Amy Gilbert, Julian Kerbis Peterhans, Mary B. Crabtree, Jonathan S. Towner, Brian R. Amman, Tara K. Sealy, Amy J. Schuh, Stuart T. Nichol, Julius J. Lutwama, Barry R. Miller, Rebekah C. Kading

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

While serological and virological evidence documents the exposure of bats to medically important arboviruses, their role as reservoirs or amplifying hosts is less well-characterized. We describe a novel orbivirus (Reoviridae:Orbivirus) isolated from an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus leachii) trapped in 2013 in Uganda and named Bukakata orbivirus. This is the fifth orbivirus isolated from a bat, however genetic information had previously only been available for one bat-associated orbivirus. We performed whole-genome sequencing on Bukakata orbivirus and three other bat-associated orbiviruses (Fomede, Ife, and Japanaut) to assess their phylogenetic relationship within the genus Orbivirus …

The Effect Of High Density Oral Rabies Vaccine Baiting On Rabies Virus Neutralizing Antibody Response In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor), Kerri Pedersen, Amy Gilbert, Eric S. Wilhelm, Kathleen M. Nelson, Amy J. Davis, Jordona D. Kirby, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Shylo Johnson, Richard B. Chipman

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

From 2014 to 2016, we examined the effect of distributing oral rabies vaccine baits at high density (150 baits/km2) in an area of Virginia, US that was na¨ıve to oral rabies vaccination prior to the study. We also compared the effect of baiting at high density in a na¨ıve area to baiting at standard density (75 baits/km2) in an area that had been baited annually for 12 yr. Our results suggested that rabies virus seroconversion in raccoons (Procyon lotor) gradually increased each year under the high density bait treatment. However, we did not detect a difference in seroconversion between bait …

Mind The Gap: Experimental Tests To Improve Efficacy Of Fladry For Nonlethal Management Of Coyotes, Julie K. Young, John Draper, Stewart Breck

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are the top predator of livestock in the contiguous United States. Developing more effective nonlethal tools to prevent coyote depredation will facilitate coexistence between livestock producers and coyotes. Fladry is a nonlethal deterrent designed to defend livestock by creating a visual barrier to wolves (C. lupus). Fladry may also be effective with coyotes, but large gap spacing between flags may reduce its efficacy. To address this issue, we performed 2 experiments on captive coyotes using fladry modified to reduce gap spacing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Predator Research Facility in Millville, Utah, USA, during 2015–2016 and …

What Are The Transmission Mechanisms Of Influenza A Viruses In Wild Mammals?, J. Jeffrey Root

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Some influenza A viruses (IAVs) represent serious potential threats to public and agricultural health, with 3 notable examples from the past decade. During 2009, a novel H1N1 IAV (A[H1N1]pdm09), which was first detected in the United States, spread rapidly throughout many regions of the world. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that >60 million human cases were associated with this emergent and pandemic virus. During 2013, a novel H7N9 avian-origin IAV (Asian lineage avian influenza A[H7N9] virus) was first detected in China. This virus not only cost the poultry industry more than $1 …

Analysis Of Iophenoxic Acid Analogues In Small Indian Mongoose (Herpestes Auropunctatus) Sera For Use As An Oral Rabies Vaccination Biological Marker, Are R. Berentsen, Robert T. Sugihara, Cynthia G. Payne, Israel Leinbach, Steven F. Volker, Ad Vos, Steffen Ortmann, Amy T. Gilbert

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) is a reservoir of rabies virus (RABV) in Puerto Rico and comprises over 70% of animal rabies cases reported annually. The control of RABV circulation in wildlife reservoirs is typically accomplished by a strategy of oral rabies vaccination (ORV). Currently no wildlife ORV program exists in Puerto Rico. Research into oral rabies vaccines and various bait types for mongooses has been conducted with promising results. Monitoring the success of ORV relies on estimating bait uptake by target species, which typically involves evaluating a change in RABV neutralizing antibodies (RVNA) post vaccination. This …

Carrion Availability In Space And Time, Marcos Moleón, Nuria Selva, David M. Bailey, David M. Bailey, Ainara Cortés-Avizanda, Travis L. Devault

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Introduction

Availability of carrion to scavengers is a central issue in carrion ecology and management, and is crucial for understanding the evolution of scavenging behaviour. Compared to live animals, their carcasses are relatively unpredictable in space and time in natural conditions, with a few exceptions (see below, especially Sect. “Carrion Exchange at the Terrestrial-Aquatic Interface”). Carrion is also an ephemeral food resource due to the action of a plethora of consumers, from microorganisms to large vertebrates, as well as to desiccation (i.e., loss of water content; DeVault et al. 2003; Beasley et al. 2012; Barton et al. 2013; Moleón et …

Comparing Live-Capture Methods For Nutria: Single- Versus Multiple-Capture Cage Traps, Trevor R. Sheffels, Mark D. Sytsma, Jacoby Carter, Jimmy D. Taylor

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Herbivory and burrowing by nutria (Myocastor coypus) cause substantial ecological and economic damage. Trapping is a common, effective practice for reducing nutria damage; however, trapping approaches must continually be adapted to keep pace with evolving animal welfare and ethical issues and to more effectively target pest species of interest. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of 2 nonlethal trap types for nutria: single-capture (SCT) and multi-capture (MCT) cage traps. We established 3 MCTs and 3 SCTs at each of 7 sites on a 10,500-ha mixed-use island located 15 km northwest of Portland, Oregon, USA. We pre-baited using carrots, apples, …

Biology And Impacts Of Pacific Island Invasive Species. 15. Psittacula Krameri, The Rose-Ringed Parakeet (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae)1, Aaron B. Shiels, Nicholas P. Kalodimos

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

The rose-ringed parakeet (RRP), Psittacula krameri, has become established in at least four Pacific Island countries (Hong Kong China, Japan, New Zealand, U.S.A.), including the Hawaiian islands of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i. Most Pacific islands are at risk of RRP colonization. This species was first introduced to Hong Kong in 1903 and Hawai‘i in the 1930s–1960s, established since 1969 in Japan, and in New Zealand since 2005 where it has repeatedly established after organized removals. The founding birds were imported cage-birds from the pet trade. In native India, RRP are generally found associated with human habitation and are considered a …

Recurrent Falls In A Patient With Suspected Ovarian Cancer: A Rare Case Of Lower Extremity Weakness, Noaman Ahmad, Aadil Lodhi, Ali Hassoun

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2019 clinical vignette poster

Relaxed Mental State Detection Using The Emotiv Epoc And Adaptive Threshold Algorithms, Olin L. Anderson

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

The electroencephalogram (EEG) has proven to be useful in a wide variety of applications, including: diagnosis of mental disorders, psychological research, neurofeedback, and brain-computer interfacing. Most such applications of the EEG benefit from an ability to automatically detect when the subject is in a relaxed state. Recently, inexpensive and relatively easy to use EEG systems, with multiple electrodes, have become available at prices comparable to cellular phones or game machines. This project’s purpose is to investigate the feasibility of real-time classification of a subject's relaxation state using one such consumer-grade EEG system, the Emotiv Epoc. The subject's state is classified …

Perceptions Of Dental Hygienists' Role On The Prenatal Care Team, Lisa Westhoff

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine dental hygienists’ perceptions of their role on the prenatal care team and perceptions of obstetricians towards the role of dental hygienists as part of the prenatal care team. Methods: Data was collected from an anonymous electronic Likert-style survey sent to obstetricians at Denver Health and Hospitality Authority (DHHA) and Colorado Dental Hygienists’ Association (CODHA) members. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics to provide an overview of survey data from all three subscales: knowledge (subscale 1), scope (subscale 2), and perceptions (subscale 3) and the standard t-Test to determine differences between demographics (collaboration …

Detecting And Mapping Real-Time Influenza-Like Illness Using Twitter Stream Data, Elisha D. Brunette

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Influenza has been identified by the World Health Organization as a global issue that could be more effectively served through an accelerated and widely-accessible public health surveillance tracking process. The ability to map and predict influenza outbreaks in a real-time heat map would be invaluable to health care systems to prepare for influenza outbreaks. In this study, the Twitter stream data is filtered to identify potential influenza-like illness (ILI) cases. Then the tracking of real-time influenza cases is further explored and analyzed through various machine-learning models. Among seven learning models developed to identify ILI tweets, the ELMo deep neural network …

Isolation, Identification And Characterisation Of Enterococcus Faecalis Isolates For The Generation Of Multifuctional Bioactive Peptides From Milk, Kenneth Patrick Graham

Theses

Enterococci are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that have the paradoxical position of possessing biochemical properties of technological importance, but are also considered as opportunistic pathogens capable of causing infection in immunocompromised patients. However, they have a long history of safe use in foods and have been evaluated in several studies for their role as starter, adjunct, probiotic and protective cultures. They show higher proteolytic activities than other LAB and have demonstrated the ability to produce bioactive peptides during the fermentation of milk. The aim of this project was to identify proteolytic Enterococcus faecalis isolates capable of generating health-promoting bioactive peptides …

Medication Access Using An Evidence-Based Adaptive Transitional Care Guidance Tool For Planned Release Of Older Inmates, Erin Iturriaga

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

The aging population is growing faster in the correctional system than in the overall U.S. population. Yet, an effective geriatric transitional care process is not available for older persons released from jail. This article documents the development and results of an evidence-based, adaptive transitional care tool guided by Meleis’ transitions theory to improve access to medications for older persons released from jail. Three sources of evidence were used to develop the tool: different categories of literature, expert panel determination of the tool’s domain and content relevance and importance, and a focus group interview of five people working in a transitions …

Association Of Mbl2 Gene Polymorphisms With Pulmonary Tuberculosis Susceptibility: Trial Sequence Meta-Analysis As Evidence, Raju K. Mandal, Munawwar Ali Khan, Arif Hussain, Sajad A. Dar, Sultan Aloufi, Arshad Jawed, Mohd Wahid, Aditya K. Panda, Mohtashim Lohani, Naseem Akhter, Saif Khan, Bhartendu Nath Mishra, Shafiul Haque

All Works

© 2019 Mandal et al. Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) or mannose-binding protein (MBP), encoded by MBL2 gene and secreted by the liver, activates complement system through lectin pathway in innate immunity against the host’s infection. Conflictingly, a number of MBL2 variants, rs1800450 (A>B), rs1800451 (A>C), rs5030737 (A>D), rs7096206 (Y>X), rs11003125 (H>L), and rs7095891 (P>Q) allele, have been found to be associated with compromised serum levels and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility. The present meta-analysis study was performed to evaluate the potential association of these MBL2 gene variants with PTB susceptibility. Materials and methods: A quantitative …

Methodologies For Designing Healthcare Analytics Solutions: A Literature Analysis, Shah J. Miah, John Gammack, Najmul Hasan

All Works

© The Author(s) 2019. Healthcare analytics has been a rapidly emerging research domain in recent years. In general, healthcare solution design studies focus on developing analytic solutions that enhance product, process and practice values for clinical and non-clinical decision support. The objective of this study is to explore the scope of healthcare analytics research and in particular its utilisation of design and development methodologies. Using six prominent electronic databases, qualifying articles between 2010 and mid-2018 were sourced and categorised. A total of 52 articles on healthcare analytics solutions were selected for relevant content on public healthcare. The research team scrutinised …

State Regulated Relationships: Mothers' Experiences Of Partner Incarceration, Hannah Brianne Fields

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The effects of incarceration on families have been studied in-depth, but little research evaluates the effects on women parenting children after the incarceration of their romantic partner. This research evaluates how mothers manage to keep their families intact throughout the duration of their partner’s incarceration. I approached this question using a geography theory of care developed by Sophie Bowlby and Linda McKie. This theory states that the quality of care is dependent on the space in which it is provided, the social expectations within the caring environment, and the amount of time required to provide or receive care. Using this …

Statistical Modeling Of Influenza-Like-Illness In Montana Using Spatial And Temporal Methods, Benjamin A. Stark

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Studying air pollution and public health has been a historically important question in science. It has long been hypothesized that severe air pollution conditions lead to negative implications in basic human health. Primarily, areas thats are prone to severe degrees of human pollution are the focus of such studies. Such research relating to less populated areas are scarce, and this scarcity raises the question of how such pollution dynamics (human-made and natural) influence human health in more rural areas.

The aim of this study is to explore this hole in research; in particular we explore possible links between air pollution …

Iron And Fecundity Among Tsimane’ Women Of Bolivia, Elizabeth M. Miller, Maie Khalil

Anthropology Faculty Publications

Background and objectives: Iron is critical for women’s reproduction, and iron-deficiency anemia is a global health problem for mothers. While public health programs have aimed to correct iron deficiency in reproductive-aged women with supplementation, a small group of studies have shown that too much iron also has negative effects on birth outcomes. We hypothesize that women’s iron levels evolved within a narrow optimum, and predict that hemoglobin (Hb) levels would be associated with women’s fecundity.

Methodology: We used the publicly available, longitudinal Tsimane’ Amazonian Panel Study to test the association between -Hb levels and hazard of having a next birth …

No Man's Land, Jesse Daniel Durovey

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate May Not Cause Renal And Bone Toxicity In Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study, Hati̇ce Rahmet Güner, Zeli̇ha Koçak Tufan, Gülruhsar Yilmaz, Mehmet Akin Taşyaran

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Sybr Green-Based Real-Time Pcr Detection Of Canine Babesia Spp. In Ixodid Ticks Infesting Dogs In Kerala, South India, Lavinia Wahlang, Bindu Lakshmanan, Naicy Thomas, Anu Bosewell, Jain Jose, Sunanda Chulliyil, Aravindakshan Thazhathuveetil

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Ticks, being hematophagous ectoparasites, are notorious vectors that transmit an array of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoa while simultaneously exhibiting a zoonotic potential by transmitting pathogens that affect the health of owners in contact. The distribution of ixodid ticks of the genera Rhipicephalus and Haemaphysalis spp. in tropical climate of the state contributes to many serious tick-borne parasitic and rickettsial infections in domestic and wild canines. In south India, canine babesiosis is one of the most prevalent vector-borne parasitic diseases. Detection of parasites in tick vectors has significant epidemiological implications. The present study was designed to identify the presence of …

Phylogenetic Analyses Of P32, Rpo30, Gpcr, Orf117, And Kelch-Like Genes Of Tunisian Sheeppox Virus Isolates, Jihene Lachheb, Aicha Turki, Houssem Mastour, Jihene Nsiri, Imen El Behi, Imen Labri, Abdeljelil Ghram

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Sheeppox is an economically important disease of small ruminants caused by the sheeppox virus (SPPV). Sheeppox virus (SPPV), goatpox virus, and lumpy skin disease virus are capripoxviruses, antigenically related but genetically distinct. Their differentiation requires analysis at a molecular level. Eleven sheeppox virus isolates from five different regions of Tunisia were collected between 2010 and 2016. SPPV was detected by real-time PCR using SYBR Green technology. Primers amplifying the entire Kelch-like gene were designed. Then the GPCR, RPO30, P32, ORF117, and Kelch-like genes were molecularly analyzed to show the different specific lineage patterns of each species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three …

Characterization Of The Plasma Proteome Of Nonhuman Primates During Ebola Virus Disease Or Melioidosis: A Host Response Comparison, Michael D. Ward, Ernst E. Brueggemann, Tara Kenny, Raven E. Reitstetter, Christopher R. Mahone, Sylvia Trevino, Kelly Wetzel, Ginger C. Donnelly, Cary Retterer, Robert B. Norgren, Rekha G. Panchal, Travis K. Warren, Sina Bavari, Lisa H. Cazares

Journal Articles: Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy

Background: In-depth examination of the plasma proteomic response to infection with a wide variety of pathogens can assist in the development of new diagnostic paradigms, while providing insight into the interdependent pathogenic processes which encompass a host's immunological and physiological responses. Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a highly lethal infection termed Ebola virus disease (EVD) in primates and humans. The Gram negative non-spore forming bacillus

Methods: Herein we report the quantitative proteomic analysis of plasma collected at various times of disease progression from 10 EBOV-infected and 5

Results: A total of 41 plasma proteins displayed significant alterations in abundance during EBOV …

Csf Inflammatory Markers Differ In Gram-Positive Versus Gram-Negative Shunt Infections., Gwenn Skar, David Synhorst, Matthew K. Beaver, Jessica N. Snowden

Journal Articles: Pediatrics

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt placement is frequently complicated by bacterial infection. Shunt infection diagnosis relies on bacterial culture of CSF which can often produce false-negative results. Negative cultures present a conundrum for physicians as they are left to rely on other CSF indices, which can be unremarkable. New methods are needed to swiftly and accurately diagnose shunt infections. CSF chemokines and cytokines may prove useful as diagnostic biomarkers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of systemic and CSF biomarkers for identification of CSF shunt infection.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with …

Using And Misusing Legal Decisions: Why Antivaccine Claims About Nvicp Cases Are Wrong, Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, Rachel Heap

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Measles And Misrepresentation In Minnesota: Can There Be Liability For Anti Vaccine Misinformation That Causes Bodily Harm?, Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, John L. Diamond

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.