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Articles 1711 - 1740 of 1904

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

The Expression Of Neutrophil Products, Myeloperoxidase And Matrix Metalloproteinase 8, In Systemic Vasculature Of Obese And Preeclamptic Women, Juhi Shukla Jan 2007

The Expression Of Neutrophil Products, Myeloperoxidase And Matrix Metalloproteinase 8, In Systemic Vasculature Of Obese And Preeclamptic Women, Juhi Shukla

Theses and Dissertations

Evidence shows the activation of neutrophils in the systemic vasculature of obese and preeclamptic women. In this study, I evaluated whether expression of neutrophil products, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMPS), was associated with neutrophil infiltration in systemic vascular tissue of obese and preeclamptic women. I tested my hypotheses by using immunohistochemical studies to look at the expression of MPO and MMP8 in the vasculature of obese and preeclamptic women. There was a significantly greater expression of MPO and MMP8 in the vasculature of preeclamptic women as compared to normal pregnant and normalnonpregnant women. The vasculature of obese women …

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The Influence Of Adenoviral Infection And The Group Via Calcium-Independent Phospholipase A2 On Hepatic Lipid Metabolism, William Palmer Wilkins Iii Jan 2007

The Influence Of Adenoviral Infection And The Group Via Calcium-Independent Phospholipase A2 On Hepatic Lipid Metabolism, William Palmer Wilkins Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) are transcription factors that regulate genes involved in lipid metabolism especially in the liver. Therefore, hepatic SREBP is significant regulator of systemic lipid metabolism. Evidence demonstrates that insulin and dietary unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) regulate SREBP1 expression and subsequent SREBP1-mediated gene transcription, events that in many instances result in modulation of systemic fatty acid and triglyceride (TG) homeostasis. A series of investigations was designed to uncover novel regulators of SREBP1. Dietary and exogenous addition of UFA has been shown to regulate SREBP function yet, an endogenous source of UFA capable of modulating SREBP remains elusive. …

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Addressing Issues In The Detection Of Gene-Environment Interaction Through The Study Of Conduct Disorder, Elizabeth Prom-Wormley Jan 2007

Addressing Issues In The Detection Of Gene-Environment Interaction Through The Study Of Conduct Disorder, Elizabeth Prom-Wormley

Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses issues in the study of gene-environment interaction (GxE) through research of conduct disorder (CD) among adolescents and extends the recent report of significant GxE and subsequent replication studies. A sub-sample of 1,299 individual participants/649 twin pairs and their parents from the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent and Behavioral Development was used for whom Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) genotype, diagnosis of CD, maternal antisocial personality symptoms, and household neglect were obtained. This dissertation (1) tested for GxE by gender using MAOA and childhood adversity using multiple approaches to CD measurement and model assessment, (2) determined whether other mechanisms …

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Role Of Ceramide-1-Phosphate As A Specific And Potent Activator Of Group Iva Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Alpha, Preeti Subramanian Jan 2007

Role Of Ceramide-1-Phosphate As A Specific And Potent Activator Of Group Iva Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Alpha, Preeti Subramanian

Theses and Dissertations

Eicosanoids are potent mediators of inflammatory response whose role has been well established in inflammatory disorders. Release of arachidonic acid by group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 α (cPLA2α) is the initial rate limiting step for the production of eicosonoids in response to inflammatory mediators. Previous findings from our laboratory have demonstrated that cPLA2α is directly activated by the emerging bioactive sphingolipid, ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P). In this study, we have developed a modified Triton X-100/phosphatidylcholine (PC) mixed micelle assay which was utilized to determine the kinetics and specificity of this lipid-enzyme interaction. Using this assay, the activity of the enzyme increased in …

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Electrospun Blends Of Polydioxanone And Fibrinogen For Urological Applications, Joshua Ford Grant Jan 2007

Electrospun Blends Of Polydioxanone And Fibrinogen For Urological Applications, Joshua Ford Grant

Theses and Dissertations

The need for tissue and organ replacements cannot be satisfied by autograft and allografts alone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of electrospinning a blend of polydioxanone and fibrinogen to produce an engineered tissue scaffold. Fiber diameter and pore size of blends were characterized, as well as mechanical strength. Cell proliferation assays for 1 and 7 day cultures were preformed, and a histological evaluation was performed to determine how favorable the various blends were to cell infiltration and proliferation. Some ratios of blends were identified that contained both acceptable mechanical properties and properties that facilitated cell …

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Divergent Roles Of Pi3k And Akt In Rapamycin-Induced Cardioprotection Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, Shivani Kirit Desai Jan 2007

Divergent Roles Of Pi3k And Akt In Rapamycin-Induced Cardioprotection Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, Shivani Kirit Desai

Theses and Dissertations

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of death every year with nearly three-fourths of all deaths caused by the disease. The challenge scientists are facing today is discovering new drugs to protect the heart against cellular damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury (I-R injury). Rapamycin is one such drug that has been shown to protect the heart against ischemia-induced cellular injury. Rapamycin(sirolimus) inhibits protein synthesis through inhibition of the mammalian target ofrapamycin (mTOR). This property of rapamycin has led to its current clinical applications in drug-eluting stents and in immunosuppresive treatment to organ transplant patients. The mechanism …

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Interleukin-10 Suppresses Mast Cell Ige Receptor Expression And Signaling In Vitro And In Vivo, Sarah B. Kennedy Jan 2007

Interleukin-10 Suppresses Mast Cell Ige Receptor Expression And Signaling In Vitro And In Vivo, Sarah B. Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Mast cells are known for their role in allergy, asthma, and systemic anaphylaxis, and have been shown to play a role in inflammatory disease. Interleukin-10 can regulate inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo, and may be a natural regulator of mast cell activation.Objective: To examine Interleukin-10 mediated regulation of FcεRI expression and related downstream signaling molecules, and to determine how this affects mast cell function in vitro and in vivo.Methods: Mast cell FcεRI expression was evaluated with and without IL-10 treatment in human lung and skin mast cells, and on peritoneal mast cells from mice overexpressing IL-10 …

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Investigation Of Age Related Differences In The Rewiring Of P2-Olfactory Receptor Neurons, Daniel Joseph Galante Jan 2007

Investigation Of Age Related Differences In The Rewiring Of P2-Olfactory Receptor Neurons, Daniel Joseph Galante

Theses and Dissertations

Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) maintain the ability to regenerate. These neurons reside in the olfactory epithelium and project axons that connect to the olfactory bulbs. Despite the diffuse distribution of ORNs in the olfactory epithelium, they converge at discrete glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. In the P2 IRES tau-lacZ mouse, the P2 ORN subtype has been previously mapped to two glomeruli, using X-gal staining. To determine if age affects ORN regeneration, left olfactory nerve transections were performed on P2 mice from immature (five-weeks old) and mature (1 6-weeks old) groups. Following recovery, the olfactory bulbs were processed to observe ORN …

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Effects Of Cxcl8 Overexpression On Tumor Cell Proliferation And Migration In An Hnscc Cell Model, Emil Paul Christofakis Jan 2007

Effects Of Cxcl8 Overexpression On Tumor Cell Proliferation And Migration In An Hnscc Cell Model, Emil Paul Christofakis

Theses and Dissertations

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the 6th most common malignancyworldwide. Recently, a link between cancer and inflammation has been found. Mediatingthis relationship are the chemotactic cytokines known as chemokines. CXCL8 (Interleukin-8), a CXC ELR+ Chemokine mainly responsible for neutrophil chemoattraction, has beenimplicated in increased tumor proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. The current studytests the effects of CXCL8 on the tumor proliferation and metastasis. By genetically modifying cells to knockdown or overexpress the CXCL8 gene we tested its biological rolein head and neck cancer progression. Overexpression of CXCL8 in HN4 tumor cells withlow endogenous CXCL8 levels was found to increase …

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Signaling By Protease-Activated Receptors In Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle, Wimolpak Sriwai Jan 2007

Signaling By Protease-Activated Receptors In Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle, Wimolpak Sriwai

Theses and Dissertations

In the present study, we have examined the expression of protease-activated receptors (PARS) and characterized their signaling pathways in rabbit gastric muscle cells. Immunoblot analysis revealed expression of PARl and PAR2 but not PAR3 or PAR4 in smooth muscle. The PARl agonist TFLLR activated Gq, G12, and Gi3, but not Gil, Gi2, G13, Gs or Gz, whereas the PAR2 agonist SLIGRL activated Gq, G13, Gil, and Gi2, but not Gi3, G12, Gs, or Gz. Both PARl and PAR2 agonists stimulated PI hydrolysis and Rho kinase activity and inhibited cAMP formation. PAR1-stimulated PI hydrolysis was abolished in cells expressing Gαq minigene, …

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The Ksga Methyltransferase: Characterization Of A Universally Conserved Protein Involved In Robosome Biogenesis, Heather Colleen O'Farrell Jan 2007

The Ksga Methyltransferase: Characterization Of A Universally Conserved Protein Involved In Robosome Biogenesis, Heather Colleen O'Farrell

Theses and Dissertations

The KsgA enzymes comprise an ancient family of methyltransferases that are intimately involved in ribosome biogenesis. Ribosome biogenesis is a complicated process, involving numerous cleavage, base modification and assembly steps. All ribosomes share the same general architecture, with small and large subunits made up of roughly similar rRNA species and a variety of ribosomal proteins. However, the fundamental assembly process differs significantly between eukaryotes and eubacteria, not only in distribution and mechanism of modifications but also in organization of assembly steps. Despite these differences, members of the KsgA/Dim1 methyltransferase family and their resultant modification of small-subunit rRNA are found throughout …

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Induction Of Heme Oxygenase By A Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecule, Robert Andrew Kulina Jan 2007

Induction Of Heme Oxygenase By A Carbon Monoxide-Releasing Molecule, Robert Andrew Kulina

Theses and Dissertations

We have recently demonstrated that heme oxygenase is expressed in both healing wounds and in pressure ulcers. Heme oxygenase has been shown to have important cytoprotective functions in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and organ allograft survival. The cytoprotective effects of heme oxygenase are multifactorial. Besides reducing levels of pro-oxidant heme, heme oxygenase products (bilirubin, carbon monoxide, and iron) have been demonstrated to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative properties. These properties make heme oxygenase an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds. The purpose of this study was two-fold: evaluate the effects of carbon monoxide (CO) on …

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Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Anadromous Fish Passage At Boshers Dam Vertical Slot Fishway On The James River, Richmond, Virginia, Matthew Thomas Fisher Jan 2007

Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Anadromous Fish Passage At Boshers Dam Vertical Slot Fishway On The James River, Richmond, Virginia, Matthew Thomas Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

Boshers dam vertical slot fishway, James River, Virginia, U.S.A., opened in 1999 and restored connectivity to 543.3 km of spawning habitat for anadromous fish. The fishway also allowed local movement of resident species. Video observation from 2001-2005 was used to evaluate environmental predictors of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) passage. The ecological effects of restoring connectivity to upstream habitat for gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are also discussed. Regression analysis determined that the best predictor of increased daytime American shad passage is higher water temperatures and discharge and for increased daytime sea …

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Genetic Variations In Interferon-Induced Genes And Hcv Recurrence After Liver Transplantation, Benjamin Cameron Whitehill Jan 2007

Genetic Variations In Interferon-Induced Genes And Hcv Recurrence After Liver Transplantation, Benjamin Cameron Whitehill

Theses and Dissertations

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection represents a worldwide pandemic and is currently the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver transplantation. After transplantation recurrence is almost universal with 96% of patients testing positive for viral RNA and exhibiting histological evidence of infection within the first year. Type I interferons (IFN) and interferon inducible genes are responsible for the innate antiviral state and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these genes may affect the patients ability to respond post-transplantation. We hypothesize the elucidation of associations between SNPs in Type-I Interferon and Interferon inducible genes and HCV recurrence post-liver transplantation might help to identify …

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A Comparison Of The Pectoral Spines In Virginia Catfishes, Amanda Dawn Duvall Jan 2007

A Comparison Of The Pectoral Spines In Virginia Catfishes, Amanda Dawn Duvall

Theses and Dissertations

Catfish pectoral spines are an anti-predator defense mechanism. They can be bound or locked, making the fish harder to swallow, or used to produce distress calls by rubbing ridges on the dorsal process against a channel in the wall of the pectoral girdle. Growth of the pectoral spine and girdle were examined in relation to fish size within and across species that occur throughout central and eastern Virginia. These included blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), white catfish (Ameiurus catus), brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus), yellow bullheads (Ameiurus natalis), flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), margined madtom (Noturus insignis), and tadpole …

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Role Of Mdm2 In Cell Growth Regulation, Rebecca Anne Frum Jan 2006

Role Of Mdm2 In Cell Growth Regulation, Rebecca Anne Frum

Theses and Dissertations

MDM2 has been shown to induce G0-Gl/S phase arrest. To determine the cell cycle step targeted by MDM2, flow cytometry was employed to detect induction of events during the G1-S phase transition in MDM2-arrested cells. MDM2 overexpression does not prevent expression of cyclin D, cyclin D-CDK mediated phosphorylation of Rb or cyclin E in normal, immortal or tumor-derived cells. However, MDM2 down-regulates cyclin A expression specifically in normal cells, which is associated with G1 arrest. The domain of MDM2 capable of this function is located within its N-terminal 58-109 amino acids. To down-regulate cyclin A, MDM2 requires a functional pl6/Brg …

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Novel Cancer Therapeutics, The Generation Of Ros, And Cell Survival, Clint Mitchell Jan 2006

Novel Cancer Therapeutics, The Generation Of Ros, And Cell Survival, Clint Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations

The impact of Ad.mda-7 on the survival of renal cell carcinoma lines (RCC), primary renal epithelial cells, glioblastoma multiforme lines (GBM), and primary rodent astrocytes is unknown. The present studies examine whether the GST fusion protein, GST-MDA-7, and the adenovirus, Ad.mda-7, altered the growth and survival of the A498 and UOK121N RCC lines or radiosensitized GBM, respectively. Due to previous findings that the RCC lines, but not primary renal epithelial cells, were resistant to type 5 adenoviral infection, we used purified GST-MDA-7 protein to show that GST-MDA-7, but not GST, caused a dose-dependent reduction in A498 and UOK121N proliferation but …

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Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed - Polymerase Chain Reaction Evaluation And Optimization To Improve Downstream Forensic Str Analysis Of Low Quality/Low Quantity Dna, Lindsay Paige Thompson Jan 2006

Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed - Polymerase Chain Reaction Evaluation And Optimization To Improve Downstream Forensic Str Analysis Of Low Quality/Low Quantity Dna, Lindsay Paige Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

When forensic biological samples yield low quality/low quantity DNA, thecurrent STR analysis methods do not generate acceptable profiles. Whole genomeamplification can be used to pre-amplify the entire genome for downstream analyses. A commercially available kit for DOP-PCR, a form of WGA, is currently being used in the clinical for downstream single locus targets. Forensic analyses utilize a multiplex amplification. This study determined that the "home brew" created by our lab performs the same as the commercially available kit. Future optimization studies of DOP-PCR can utilize this "home brew". Additionally, this research determined that a 10 second increase in electrokinetic injection …

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Acquisition And Retention Of Bacterial Spores (Bacillus Atrophaeus) By Eight Insect Species, Kieron Marie Torres Jan 2006

Acquisition And Retention Of Bacterial Spores (Bacillus Atrophaeus) By Eight Insect Species, Kieron Marie Torres

Theses and Dissertations

Acquisition and retention of spores of an anthrax surrogate, Bacillus atrophaeus Nakamura ("BG") were evaluated in eight insect species. Species included: house cricket (Acheta domesticus L.), German cockroach (Blatella germanica L.), common house fly (Musca domestics L.), blue bottle fly (Calliphora vomitoria L.), hairy rove beetle Creophilus maxillosus L.), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.), common paper wasps (Polistes exclamans exclamans Viereck), red paper wasps (Polistes Carolina L.), red harvester ant (Pogonymyrmex barbatus Smith). Individual insects were offered BG-treated food and sacrificed at specified time intervals following one, two or three meals. Resulting samples were surface-washed five consecutive times then homogenized …

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Genetic Assessment Of Rare Blackbanded Sunfish (Enneacanthus Chaetodon) Populations In Virginia, Diana Marie Kercher Jan 2006

Genetic Assessment Of Rare Blackbanded Sunfish (Enneacanthus Chaetodon) Populations In Virginia, Diana Marie Kercher

Theses and Dissertations

Enneacanthus chaetodon, the blackbanded sunfish, has become increasingly rare throughout its distribution in the Eastern United States. In Virginia, E. chaetodon maintains an endangered status and individuals persist in six populations. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite data were assessed to determine the genetic characters and gene diversity of the Virginia populations. The results of these analyses were then compared to five additional populations; four from New Jersey and one from North Carolina that were known to have relatively good fitness and were not impacted severely by habitat alteration. The results of this study are relevant to selection of proper management …

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Invasion Genetics Of The Blue Catfish (Ictalurus Furcatus) Range Expansion Into Large River Ecosystems Of The Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Colleen Beth Higgins Jan 2006

Invasion Genetics Of The Blue Catfish (Ictalurus Furcatus) Range Expansion Into Large River Ecosystems Of The Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Colleen Beth Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

The blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus (Ictaluridae), is ranked among the most invasive, nonnative species of concern in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This species, intentionally introduced to three major tributaries and a number of impoundments between 1974 and 1989 for sport fishing, has spread into three additional tributaries. Using samples from the introduced tributary populations as a baseline, we evaluated microsatellite genetic variation in light of demographic and ecological data to elucidate the potential sources of the invasive I. furcatus populations. In general, the populations surveyed in the Chesapeake Bay watershed were considerably more inbred (F ranged from 0.03 - 0.27) …

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Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed-Pcr: Thermalcycling Modifications And Comparison Studies, Denise N. Rodier Jan 2006

Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed-Pcr: Thermalcycling Modifications And Comparison Studies, Denise N. Rodier

Theses and Dissertations

Degenerate Oligonucleotide Primed-PCR (DOP-PCR) can potentially enhance analysis of low copy number DNA samples. Theoretically, this procedure replicates fragments of the genome that can then be used for downstream multiplex STR analysis. The objective of this study is to optimize DOP-PCR by examining ramplelongation times and cycle numbers in the non-specific amplification portion of DOP-PCR, and by modifying the degenerate primer. Additionally, other methods such as Multiple Displacement Amplification (MDA) and Low Copy Number PCR (LCN PCR) were examined for their ability to create accurate DNA profiles from low DNA input amounts. Increasing the ramplelongation times showed no effect on …

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Functional Consequences Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Over-Expression In Human Gliomas, Emily Mullet Jan 2006

Functional Consequences Of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Over-Expression In Human Gliomas, Emily Mullet

Theses and Dissertations

Malignant brain tumors are among the deadliest of human cancers. Despit recent advancements in conventional therapies, glioblastomas remain incurable, largel y due to their ability to invade surrounding tissue. Matrix metalloproteinases are thought to contribute to the invaseive phenotype of human gliomas. Absent in normal brain, matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) has been shown to be present in gliomas, and in particular in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). To begin to examine the role of MMP-1 in these tumore, two human glioma cell lines were stably transfected with MMP-1 cDNA. Confirmation of MMP-1 over-expression in these cells was achieved through real-time PCR and Western …

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Modulation Of The Serotonin Reuptake Transporter In Raw264.7 Macrophages, Sienna Marie Arenas Malubay Jan 2006

Modulation Of The Serotonin Reuptake Transporter In Raw264.7 Macrophages, Sienna Marie Arenas Malubay

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role as both a neurotransmitter and animmune modulator. The serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) clears the extracellular space of 5-HT, which decreases the effects of 5-HT on target cells. This study demonstrated that the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line expresses SERT function, measured by assays of 3H-5HT uptake. The 5-HT uptake in RAW264.7 macrophages was more than 10-fold that of peritoneal macrophages, indicating that these cells are an excellent model for studying regulation of the SERT. Activation of macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased SERT activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and Western blots indicate that the …

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Monocyte Modulation Of Disease Pathogenesis And Progression In Localized Aggressive Periodontitis, Chu Ri Shin Jan 2006

Monocyte Modulation Of Disease Pathogenesis And Progression In Localized Aggressive Periodontitis, Chu Ri Shin

Theses and Dissertations

Localized Aggressive Periodontitis (LAgP) is an aggressive, early onset form of periodontitis characterized by a unique myeloid cell phenotype. In addition to its bacterial origin, the unique phenotype of the myeloid cell contributes to disease pathogenesis and progression through mechanisms mediating host inflammatory and immune responses. LAgP monocytes synthesize increased levels of the potent proinflammatory lipid mediator, Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), preferentially differentiate into dendritic cells, and lead to increased IgG2 production. In addition, levels of Platelet Activating Factor (PAF) have shown to be elevated in the gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid of subjects with periodontitis. The aim of this …

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Phylogeography Of Marine Meiofaunal Nemerteans Of The Ototyphlonemertes Fila Species Complex, Alexander Tulchinsky Jan 2006

Phylogeography Of Marine Meiofaunal Nemerteans Of The Ototyphlonemertes Fila Species Complex, Alexander Tulchinsky

Theses and Dissertations

Morphological conservatism combined with intraspecific variability has obstructed studies of speciation and species boundaries among marine meiofauna. Ototyphlonemertes is a genus of meiofaunal nemerteans inhabiting the interstitial spaces of marine sediments. Its members lack pelagic larvae and dispersal potential is believed to be poor. A phylogeographic study of Ototyphlonemertes fila is presented using mitochondrial (cox3) and nuclear (ISSR) molecular markers. Deep genetic divergence (approximately 18% in cox3) was observed between sympatric mitochondrial lineages in Florida. This divergence was reflected in the nuclear marker as well, suggesting the presence of two cryptic species. The first contains Florida and New England populations …

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Early Mediators Of Cutaneous Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: A Mouse Model, Christopher Rogers Pruitt Jan 2006

Early Mediators Of Cutaneous Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: A Mouse Model, Christopher Rogers Pruitt

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic tissue injuries present an enormous problem to both patients and healthcare professionals, and yet little is definitively known as to the underlying pathophysiology. While there are numerous comorbidities associated with these wounds, a unifying theme has been proposed to be the repetitive incidence of ischemia reperfusion injury.A mouse model of cyclic ischemia reperfusion was employed to examine the initiation events in the pathology of chronic wounds. Mice were subjected to eight hours of magnetic skin compression via four cycles of two-hours ischemia and thirty minutes of reperfusion. The presence of neutrophil markers of oxidative stress and inflammation such as …

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Stretch-Dependant Tonic Force Maintenance In Rabbit Epigastric Artery, Krystina Michelle Berg Jan 2006

Stretch-Dependant Tonic Force Maintenance In Rabbit Epigastric Artery, Krystina Michelle Berg

Theses and Dissertations

The contractile state of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) plays a key role in blood pressure regulation. Abnormal VSM contractility characterizes hypertension and understanding the regulatory mechanisms of VSM may provide some insights to specific treatment of hypertension. Upon muscle stimulation, Ca2+, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, crossbridge cycling rates and force increase to high levels, but with time, force is maintained while all other parameters of muscle activation fall to low levels. Thus, contraction is divided temporally into early (phasic) and late (tonic) phases, as determined by the underlying regulatory mechanism. Muscles with more phasic characteristics have a higher peak …

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Inhibition Of Margination And Diapedesis Of Neutrophils By Protein Synthesis Blockade, Phyllis V. Acquah Jan 2006

Inhibition Of Margination And Diapedesis Of Neutrophils By Protein Synthesis Blockade, Phyllis V. Acquah

Theses and Dissertations

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), an age-old clinical problem facing the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units of all health systems, is a common debilitating lung condition consequent upon severe systemic inflammation. Although several studies have gone into understanding the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the disease thus making way for new advances in treatment strategies, there seems to be no known study tailored to its prevention. Neutrophil extravasation within the tissues during inflammation is the hallmark of this syndrome. Our study sought to block excessive neutrophil infiltration by inhibiting the biosynthesis of some essential proteins necessary for the process. In …

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Characterization Of The Rank Ligand Positive Giant Cell Found In The Interfacial Membrane, Patrick Emerson Jones Jan 2006

Characterization Of The Rank Ligand Positive Giant Cell Found In The Interfacial Membrane, Patrick Emerson Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Aseptic osteolysis is a major complication to total joint arthroplasty requiring several thousand people a year to have to undergo revisions of their joint prosthesis. The formation of the interfacial membrane has been associated with aseptic osteolysis leading to the failure of all types of total joints. Recent evidence suggests that RANKL, a potent activator of bone reabsorption, is present in the interfacial membrane. Prior research in this laboratory to determine the source of RANKL in the interfacial membrane has revealed the presence of intense areas of RANKL concentration in the membrane. These areas of RANKL concentration correspond to multiple …

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