Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Dietary R, S-1, 3-Butanediol Diacetoacetate On Components Of Energy Balance And Hepatic Health, Kelsey A. Rushing

All ETDs from UAB

Objective: Exogenous ketone administration presents a possible treatment strategy for obesity and obesity-related diseases. The exogenous ketone ester, R,S-1,3-butanediol diacetoacetate (BD-AcAc2) decreases adiposity and hepatic steatosis in high-fat dietinduced obese mice. In our previous work, carbohydrate energy was removed and replaced with the ketone ester to produce isocaloric diets. The current investigation aimed to determine whether BD-AcAc2 decreases markers of hepatic steatosis and inflammation in lean mice on a high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diet without removing carbohydrate energy. Methods: Sixteen 11-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomized to one of two groups for 9 weeks (n = 8 per group): 1) Control …

Plasticity Characteristics Of Cxcr5+ Cd4+ T Memory Cells And Cxcr5- Non-Tfh Memory Cells, Ching-En Lee

All ETDs from UAB

iv ability to differentiate into CXCR5- and CXCR5+ effector cells between the CCR7- and CCR7+ CXCR5+ CD4+ T memory cells, between WT and μMT CXCR5+ CD4+ T memory cells, as well as between Bcl6- and Bcl6+ CXCR5- non-Tfh memory cells. This finding did not support the hypothesis that the heterogeneous characteristics within CXCR5- non-Tfh memory cells and CXCR5+ CD4+ T memory cells significantly affect their abilities to differentiate into CXCR5- and CXCR5+ effector cells during recall responses.

An In Vitro Assessment Of The Antibacterial Activity, Biocompatibility, And Mineralization Inducing Potential Of Biodentine®Xp, Chandani Arjun Mantri

All ETDs from UAB

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the in-vitro antibacterial activity, biocompatibility, and mineralization-inducing potential of Biodentine® XP. Methods: Four contemporary pulp capping materials, namely Dycal®, a calcium hydroxide, Theracal® LC, a resin calcium silicate and, tricalcium silicates namely Biodentine®, and Biodentine® XP were compared in the study. The antibacterial activity of the pulp capping materials included in the study was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans UA159 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and were determined by the direct culture test. The biocompatibility of these materials in preodontoblastic 17IIA11 cells were compared by the MTT assay and mineralization-inducing potential in …

Optimization Of Progranulin Gene Therapy, A Potential Treatment For Frontotemporal Dementia, Shreya Natesh Kashyap

All ETDs from UAB

Heterozygous loss of function mutations in the progranulin gene cause frontotemporal dementia, characterized by deficits in social behavior, language comprehension and motor function. Almost every frontotemporal dementia-related progranulin mutation is loss of function and results in progranulin haploinsufficiency. For this reason, progranulin replacement is a conceptually straightforward therapeutic strategy for patients with frontotemporal dementia caused by progranulin mutations. Here, we outline progranulin biology, progranulin deficient mouse models of frontotemporal dementia and preclinical interventions centered around increasing brain progranulin levels. We have demonstrated that blocking the progranulin C-terminus, which harbors the sortilin binding site, improves the cross-correctional capacity of neurotropic progranulin …

Spatial/Temporal Zonation, Diversification, And Evolutionary Conservation Of Kidney Resident Macrophage Subpopulations In Mice And Humans After Kidney Injury, Elise Nicole Erman

All ETDs from UAB

In the United States, acute kidney injury (AKI) affects nearly 20% of all intensive care unit patients. Additionally, over a third of Americans aged 50 or older suffer from stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) or higher. AKI and CKD are encompassing terms for many etiologies and pathological processes that affect different regions of the kidney but converge at tissue inflammation and fibrosis. Macrophages perform vital homeostatic functions and can initiate or ameliorate inflammation and fibrosis. As the largest component of the kidney immune system, kidney resident macrophages (KRMs) have been implicated in both disease propagation and mitigation, yet the …

Inkjet-Printed Reseroir Computing Network For In Situ Sensor Predictions, Steven D. Gardner

All ETDs from UAB

The technological achievements made with silicon-based transistors have led to nearly all the computing seen today, complete with benefits such as maximized operating speeds, parallel/tensor processing, minimized power overhead, etc. The silicon electronics industry is foundational to scientific progression with its profound impact on modeling, simulations, and fast/reliable computing. However, silicon-based transistors have evolved to meet their physical limitations and have saturated fields of innovation. New fields in computing outside of silicon-based methods have emerged as exotic materials enter the research domain. The suite of super-performing materials like Graphene, Carbon Nanotubes, and Molybdenum Disulfide have chaotic, non-linear behaviors that make …

Impact Of Streptococcus Parasanguinis-Generated Reactive Nitrogen Species On Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Virulence And The Host Response, Joshua J. Baty

All ETDs from UAB

Streptococcus parasanguinis is an oral commensal bacterium that produces hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can react with endogenous molecules such as nitrite to form reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI). These S. parasanguinis-mediated RNI have been shown to inhibit oral pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. As such, S. parasanguinis plays a protective role in the oral microbial ecosystem by antagonizing and preventing colonization by oral pathogens. In addition to being an important organism for the health of the oral cavity, S. parasanguinis has also been associated with improved outcomes for people with cystic fibrosis. There are two explanations …

Exploring The Regulatory Mechanisms Of Ire1 Signaling In Biotic And Abiotic Stress Responses In Arabidopsis, Taiaba Afrin

All ETDs from UAB

Given their immobility, plants have various survival strategies, including the critical ability to recognize and respond to stressors. Exposure to different environmental and intracellular signals triggers significant modifications in stress response regulators' expression. These changes often occur in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where a rise in protein synthesis can overwhelm the system, accumulating misfolded proteins and activating a mechanism known as the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is a complex regulatory network with three primary branches in eukaryotic systems. The IRE1-mediated pathway is the most conserved among UPR signaling branches. In Arabidopsis, IRE1 splices bZIP60 mRNA and produces a functional …

Gain Of Keratinized Muscosa Around Dental Implants Using A Combination Of Strip Gingival Graft And Acellular Dermal Matrix - A Prospective Case Study, Louai Haddad

All ETDs from UAB

Several surgical techniques have been described to increase keratinized tissue (KT) around implants and teeth. Despite various methods, the bulk of evidence reported that the use of keratinized autogenous graft (i.e., Free Gingival Grafts (FGG)), harvested from the patient’s palate, remained the gold standard in soft tissue augmentation procedures and provided more predictable results. However, soft tissue autograft supply can be limited, and its harvesting is associated by increased patient morbidity. Several clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of using allogenic soft tissue grafts such as Acellular Dermal Matrix Allograft (ADMA) instead of FGG to augment keratinized tissue (KT). This …

Pharmacologic Proteasome Activators Ameliorate Alzheimer's-Like Pathology In Ad Fly Models, Mehar Bano

All ETDs from UAB

The proteasome is a large multi-subunit protease responsible for the degradation and removal of oxidized, misfolded, and polyubiquitinated proteins. The proteasome plays a critical role in nervous system processes. This includes the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in neurons (1). It also includes synaptic efficacy and plasticity as well as protein turnover, presynaptic vesicle transport, and neuronal protesostasis. Proteasome function is impaired as a consequence of aging, which is aggravated by conditions like Alzheimer's Disease and Related-Dementias (AD, ADRD) (2). According to earlier work from our lab the proteasome is critical to how quickly AD progresses. In Drosophila, human cells, and …

The Role Of Runx2 And Sp7 In Ameloblast Differentiation And Postnasal Enamel Synthesis, Reem Alhefdhi

All ETDs from UAB

In mammals, the mineralized tissues include bone, dentin, enamel, and cementum. Runx2 and its downstream target Sp7 are essential transcription factors for the osteoblast differentiation and formation of bone tissue. However, transcription factors that regulate ameloblast differentiation and enamel secretion are less understood. To uncover the role of Runx2 and Sp7 in ameloblasts differentiation and enamel synthesis, we established a colony of Runx2 and Sp7 floxed mice. Both genes were deleted specifically in ameloblasts using K14-Cre transgenic mice. The successful deletion of Runx2 and Sp7 genes in the epithelium, including ameloblasts, was confirmed using Td-Tomato and GFP reporter, respectively. Histological …

Clinical Inquiry Question Development Checklist, Roy E. Brown

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

The Clinical Inquiry Question Development Checklist is a handout used in instructional sessions with nurses about the clinical inquiry process. This process includes evidence-based practice, performance improvement, and research. The revised handout contains information related to the performance improvement process and various other aspects of the clinical inquiry process.

The Clinical Inquiry Process Diagram Question Development Checklist, Roy E. Brown

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

The Clinical Inquiry Question Development Checklist is a handout used in instructional sessions with nurses about the clinical inquiry process. This process includes evidence-based practice, performance improvement, and research. The revised handout closely aligns with the 4^th version of the Clinical Inquiry Process Diagram and contains information related to the performance improvement process and various other aspects of the clinical inquiry process.

Iga-Biome Profiles Correlate With Clinical Parkinson's Disease Subtypes, Eric L Brown, Heather T Essigmann, Kristi L Hoffman, Ashley S Alexander, Michael Newmark, Zhi-Dong Jiang, Jessika Suescun, Mya C Schiess, Craig L Hanis, Herbert L Dupont

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with distinctive gut microbiome patterns suggesting that interventions targeting the gut microbiota may prevent, slow, or reverse disease progression and severity.

OBJECTIVE: Because secretory IgA (SIgA) plays a key role in shaping the gut microbiota, characterization of the IgA-Biome of individuals classified into either the akinetic rigid (AR) or tremor dominant (TD) Parkinson's disease clinical subtypes was used to further define taxa unique to these distinct clinical phenotypes.

METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to separate IgA-coated and -uncoated bacteria from stool samples obtained from AR and TD patients followed by amplification and …

Recent Advances On The Molecular Mechanism And Clinical Trials Of Venous Thromboembolism, Shao-Li Huang, Hong-Yi Xin, Xiao-Yan Wang, Guang-Gui Feng, Fu-Qing Wu, Zhi-Peng Feng, Zhou Xing, Xi-He Zhang, Hong-Wu Xin, Wen-Ying Luo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Venous thromboembolism is a condition that includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. It is the third most common cardiovascular disease behind acute coronary heart disease and stroke. Over the past few years, growing research suggests that venous thrombosis is also related to the immune system and inflammatory factors have been confirmed to be involved in venous thrombosis. The role of inflammation and inflammation-related biomarkers in cerebrovascular thrombotic disease is the subject of ongoing debate. P-selectin leads to platelet-monocyte aggregation and stimulates vascular inflammation and thrombosis. The dysregulation of miRNAs has also been reported in venous thrombosis, suggesting the involvement …

Angiotensin-Ii Stimulating Vs Inhibiting Antihypertensive Drugs And The Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease Or Related Dementia In A Large Cohort Of Older Patients With Colorectal Cancer, Xianglin L Du, Zhuoyun Li, Paul E Schulz

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Several previous studies showed that patients who received angiotensin II-stimulating antihypertensive medications had a lower incident dementia rate than those angiotensin II-inhibiting antihypertensive users, but no study has been conducted in long-term cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVES: to determine the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia (ADRD) associated with the types of antihypertensive medications in a large cohort of survivors with colorectal cancer in 2007-2015 with follow-up from 2007 to 2016.

METHODS: We identified 58,699 men and women with colorectal cancer aged 65 or older from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database in 17 SEER areas …

Randomness, Ai Art, And Copyright, Richard H. Chused

Articles & Chapters

No abstract provided.

Using Implementation Mapping To Increase Uptake And Use Of Salud En Mis Manos: A Breast And Cervical Cancer Screening And Hpv Vaccination Intervention For Latinas, Lara S Savas, Preena Loomba, Ross Shegog, Angelita Alaniz, Crystal Costa, Emily Adlparvar, Marlyn A Allicock, Roshanda Chenier, Margaret Goetz, Christine M Markham, Maria E Fernandez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Despite CDC recommendations for breast and cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination, cancer control behaviors are underutilized among low-income Latinas.

METHODS: We used Implementation Mapping to create SEMM-Dissemination and Implementation Assistance (SEMM-DIA), a set of implementation strategies designed to support implementation and maintenance of SEMM in clinic settings. Specifically, we used Implementation Mapping's five iterative tasks to guide the use of theories and frameworks, evidence, new data, and stakeholder input to develop strategies to accelerate and improve implementation fidelity, reach, and maintenance of the SEMM intervention. The resulting implementation mapping logic model also guides the SEMM-DIA evaluation plan to …

The Death Of The Legal Subject, Katrina Geddes

Vanderbilt Law School Faculty Publications

The law is often engaged in prediction. In the calculation of tort damages, for example, a judge will consider what the tort victim’s likely future earnings would have been, but for their particular injury. Similarly, when considering injunctive relief, a judge will assess whether the plaintiff is likely to suffer irreparable harm if a preliminary injunction is not granted. And for the purposes of a child custody evaluation, a judge will consider which parent will provide an environment that is in the best interests of the child.

Relative to other areas of law, criminal law is oversaturated with prediction. Almost …

Volume 36, Full Contents, Jhcs Staff

Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies

No abstract provided.

Genome-Wide Mendelian Randomization Identifies Putatively Causal Gut Microbiota For Multiple Peptic Ulcer Diseases, Jingwei Zhao, Yucheng Hou, Tianyi Xie, Yizhang Zhu, Xinyi Feng, Yong Zhang, Ziyi Yang, Wei Gong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: The pathogenesis of peptic ulcer diseases (PUDs) involves multiple factors, and the contribution of gut microbiota to this process remains unclear. While previous studies have associated gut microbiota with peptic ulcers, the precise nature of the relationship, whether causal or influenced by biases, requires further elucidation.

DESIGN: The largest meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies was conducted by the MiBioGen consortium, which provided the summary statistics of gut microbiota for implementation in the Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Summary statistics for five types of PUDs were compiled using the FinnGen Consortium R8 release data. Various statistical techniques, including inverse variance weighting …

Whole Genome Sequence Analysis Of Apparent Treatment Resistant Hypertension Status In Participants From The Trans-Omics For Precision Medicine Program, Nicole D Armstrong, Vinodh Srinivasasainagendra, Farah Ammous, Themistocles L Assimes, Amber L Beitelshees, Jennifer Brody, Brian E Cade, Yii-Der Ida Chen, Han Chen, Paul S De Vries, James S Floyd, Nora Franceschini, Xiuqing Guo, Jacklyn N Hellwege, John S House, Chii-Min Hwu, Sharon L R Kardia, Ethan M Lange, Leslie A Lange, Caitrin W Mcdonough, May E Montasser, Jeffrey R O'Connell, Megan M Shuey, Xiao Sun, Rikki M Tanner, Zhe Wang, Wei Zhao, April P Carson, Todd L Edwards, Tanika N Kelly, Eimear E Kenny, Charles Kooperberg, Ruth J F Loos, Alanna C Morrison, Alison Motsinger-Reif, Bruce M Psaty, Dabeeru C Rao, Susan Redline, Stephen S Rich, Jerome I Rotter, Jennifer A Smith, Albert V Smith, Marguerite R Irvin, Donna K Arnett

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH) is characterized by the use of four or more antihypertensive (AHT) classes to achieve blood pressure (BP) control. In the current study, we conducted single-variant and gene-based analyses of aTRH among individuals from 12 Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine cohorts with whole-genome sequencing data.

Methods: Cases were defined as individuals treated for hypertension (HTN) taking three different AHT classes, with average systolic BP ≥ 140 or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, or four or more medications regardless of BP (n = 1,705). A normotensive control group was defined as individuals with BP < 140/90 mmHg (n = 22,079), not on AHT medication. A second control group comprised individuals who were treatment responsive on one AHT medication with BP < 140/ 90 mmHg (n = 5,424). Logistic regression with kinship adjustment using the Scalable and Accurate Implementation of Generalized mixed models (SAIGE) was performed, adjusting for age, sex, and genetic ancestry. We assessed variants using SKAT-O in rare-variant analyses. Single-variant and gene-based tests were conducted in a pooled multi-ethnicity stratum, as well as self-reported ethnic/racial strata (European and African American).

Results: One variant in …

P120-Catenin Subfamily Members Have Distinct As Well As Shared Effects On Dendrite Morphology During Neuron Development In Vitro, Maxsam S Donta, Yogesh Srivastava, Christina M Di Mauro, Adriana Paulucci-Holthauzen, M Neal Waxham, Pierre D Mccrea

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Dendritic arborization is essential for proper neuronal connectivity and function. Conversely, abnormal dendrite morphology is associated with several neurological pathologies like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Among major intrinsic mechanisms that determine the extent of the dendritic arbor is cytoskeletal remodeling. Here, we characterize and compare the impact of the four proteins involved in cytoskeletal remodeling-vertebrate members of the p120-catenin subfamily-on neuronal dendrite morphology. In relation to each of their own distributions, we find that p120-catenin and delta-catenin are expressed at relatively higher proportions in growth cones compared to ARVCF-catenin and p0071-catenin; ARVCF-catenin is expressed at relatively high proportions in the …

Effect Of "Maccog" Tcm Tea On Improving Glucolipid Metabolism And Gut Microbiota In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes In Community, Biyue Hu, Tongtong Yin, Jiajia Zhang, Minjing Liu, Hang Yun, Jian Wang, Renmei Guo, Jie Huang, Yixia Zhou, Hongyan Meng, Li Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVES: This work aimed to observe the effect of consuming Chinese herb tea on glucolipid metabolism and gut microbiota in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS: Ninety patients with T2DM were recruited from a community and randomly divided into the control group (CG) and intervention group (IG). CG maintained conventional treatment and lifestyle, and IG accepted additional "maccog" traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tea (mulberry leaf, radix astragali, corn stigma, cortex lycii, radix ophiopogonis, and gynostemma) for 12 weeks. Glucolipid metabolism, hepatorenal function, and gut microbiota were then measured.

RESULTS: After the intervention, the decreases in fasting plasma glucose …

Reimbursement For Hpv Vaccine Cost In The Private Sector: A Comparison Across Specialties, Yenan Zhu, Yueh-Yun Lin, Ruosha Li, Cara He, David R Lairson, Ashish A Deshmukh, Kalyani Sonawane

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the most expensive of all routinely recommended pediatric vaccines. Adequate cost reimbursement by 3rd-party payers is a critical enabling factor for clinicians to continue offering vaccines. This study found that net returns from HPV vaccine cost reimbursements are lowest for family physicians ($0.34/dose) and highest for pediatricians ($5.08/dose). Furthermore, a $1 increment in return was associated with an increase in HPV vaccine doses administered (highest for family physicians; 0.08% per dollar). Reimbursement for HPV vaccine costs by private payers is adequate; however, return margins are small for non-pediatric specialties.

Susceptible Windows Of Exposure To Fine Particulate Matter And Fetal Growth Trajectories In The Spanish Inma (Infancia Y Medio Ambiente) Birth Cohort, Wei-Jen Chen, Alison M Rector, Monica Guxens, Carmen Iniguez, Michael D Swartz, Elaine Symanski, Jesús Ibarluzea, Albert Ambros, Marisa Estarlich, Aitana Lertxundi, Isolina Riano-Galán, Jordi Sunyer, Ana Fernandez-Somoano, Suneet P Chauhan, Jennifer Ish, Kristina W Whitworth

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

While prior studies report associations between fine particulate matter (PM

Age-Induced Changes In Anti-Tumor Immunity Alter The Tumor Immune Infiltrate And Impact Response To Immuno-Oncology Treatments, Suzanne I Sitnikova, Jennifer A Walker, Laura B Prickett, Michelle Morrow, Viia E Valge-Archer, Matthew J Robinson, Robert W Wilkinson, Simon J Dovedi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: Immuno-oncology (IO) research relies heavily on murine syngeneic tumor models. However, whilst the average age for a cancer diagnosis is 60 years or older, for practical purposes the majority of preclinical studies are conducted in young mice, despite the fact that ageing has been shown to have a significant impact on the immune response.

METHODS: Using aged (60-72 weeks old) mice bearing CT26 tumors, we investigated the impact of ageing on tumor growth as well as the immune composition of the tumor and peripheral lymphoid organs.

RESULTS: We found many differences in the immune cell composition of both the …

Survive And Thrive: An Exploration Of Methods Implemented By Small Businesses In The Construction Industry To Sustain Their Business Beyond 5 Years, Tamar Barsoumian

Theses and Dissertations

Small businesses represent an influential portion of the American economy yet retain a high rate of closure especially in their early years, therefore; this study sought to address a lack of available research regarding small businesses in the construction industry, by investigating the methods and strategies existing small business owners use to support business survivability, in the regionally specific area of Southern California. The purpose of this study was to investigate strategies used by existing construction industry small businesses, identify the challenges experienced as a construction industry small business organization in Southern California, and determine how the small business owners …

Effectiveness Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Therapeutic Play For Hospitalized Children Diagnosed With Cancer: An Integrative Systematic Review, Dianne Kong

Theses and Dissertations

Psychotherapy provides essential coping mechanisms and strategies for children who are diagnosed with cancer, as they experience the extraordinary burden of physical, emotional, and mental strains. While many medical advancements have been made within the past few decades, progress related to psychotherapy for pediatric cancer patients has not been commensurate, evidenced by the limited current literature. Given the sparsity of relevant research, it is presently difficult to compare and evaluate the various psychotherapeutic interventions available for pediatric oncology patients. Additionally, there are significant challenges in providing psychotherapeutic care for patients and their families, including lack of consistency, disruption of care, …

The Impact Of Non-Affirming Christian Secondary Schools On Students Who Identify As Lgbtqia+: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Alexis C. Schneider

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, nearly 100,000 LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) students attend non-affirming religious secondary schools yearly (Green et al., 2019; Institute of Education Sciences [IES] & National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2019a, 2019b). Because organized religion can have both beneficial and harmful outcomes on LGBTQIA+ youth (Wolff, 2016) and a secondary school environment has a significant impact on a student’s sense of academic success and well-being (Forber-Pratt et al., 2021), it is essential to understand and implement best practices that support LGBTQIA+ students in non-affirming religious secondary schools. Using phenomenological methods within a qualitative …