Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Potential Role Of Ledgf/P75 In Prostate Cancer, Tracy Ruth Daniels

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The serum autoantibody repertoire from cancer patients is currently being exploited for the identification of tumor associated antigens (TAA) and the design of TAA arrays. Such arrays would facilitate autoantibody profiling and potentially aid in the serological diagnosis and prognosis of tumors. The goal of this study was to identify and characterize prostate-specific TAA. We observed that while the general frequency and titers of autoantibodies in PCa patients were relatively similar to those in matched controls, significant differences could be detected between the two groups in the autoantibody response to the lens epithelial-derived growth factor p75 (LEDGF/p75). LEDGF/p75 is a …

Psychological Factors Associated With Anticipatory Nausea And Vomiting, Melinda L. Nielsen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many cancer patients experience adverse chemotherapy-related side effects. The present study examined the relationships among disease variables (i.e. stage of cancer, type of breast cancer), medical treatment variables (i.e. toxicity of chemotherapy regimen, strength of antiemetic treatment), psychological variables (i.e. health locus of control, anxiety sensitivity, desire for control, coping strategies), and anticipatory nausea and vomiting in women with breast cancer. One hundred women with breast cancer completed the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale - Form C, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index, the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, and the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and …

Risk Factors For Pre-Post Monsoon Cholera Epidemics In Bangladesh From 1992-1994, Rhonda Rae Robb

Dissertations and Theses

The primary objective of this thesis is to differentiate between the risk factors for pre-and post-monsoon cholera epidemics in rural Bangladesh by analyzing the complex interaction between select environmental, cultural/behavioral, and socioeconomic variables over space and time. In rural Bangladesh, cholera epidemics correspond with the annual monsoon: the first, and smallest, occurs between March and June, while the larger cholera peak occurs between September and December. The differences between the spatial and temporal patterns of seasonal cholera are analyzed, and the risk factors are calculated for pre-and post-monsoon cholera epidemics.

The theoretical approach that underlies this medical geographical study is …

Ionizing Radiation And Endostatin Gene Therapy Against Lung Tumor, Xian Luo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although many advances have been made in radiotherapy, tumor radioresistance and normal tissue damage continue to always be important issues for radiation oncologists. Numerous reports have also documented that radiation exposure increases the risk for malignancy and suppresses immune mechanisms. However, increasing evidence has suggested that anti-angiogenic therapy that targets tumor blood supply may alter abnormal tumor vasculature, thus synergizing radiotherapy. The governing hypothesis of the present study was that modification of tumor vasculature by antiangiogenic gene therapy can increase the efficacy of radiotherapy and that radiation can also improve DNA transfection efficiency by increasing expression of the administered gene. …

Genetic Analysis Of The Putative Streptolysin O Regulator From Streptococcus Pyogenes, Robert Tyrone Billingslea

McCabe Thesis Collection

Group A streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) is one of the most frequent pathogens of humans. It is estimated that between 5-15% of normal individuals harbor the bacterium, usually in the upper respiratory tract, without signs of disease. S. pyogenes can initiate an active infection when defenses are compromised or when the organism is able to penetrate the host's defenses. When the bacteria invade vulnerable tissues, a variety of suppurative infections can occur. Acute S. pyogenes infection may be present as pharyngitis ("strep throat"), scarlet fever (rash), impetigo (infection of the superficial layers of the skin) or cellulitis (infection of the deep …

Cerebral Palsy: Physical Therapy And Medical Treatment Issues, Jill Pedretti

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

A discussion of the various terms associated with CP as well as the different classifications will precede a review of several randomized controlled trials, case studies, cohort studies and other related articles regarding treatment methods. Specifically, the use of Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy (1TB), Botulinum toxin injections (Botox), Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, Threshold Electrical Stimulation (TES), and Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy will be examined.

A Study Of The Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica: (1) Dermo Tolerance, Survival, Growth, Condition And Hsp70 Expression In Different Geographic Stocks; (2) Heat Tolerance And Effects Of Sublethal Heat Shock On Survival And Hsp70 Expression Of Infected And Uninfected Oysters, Vincent G. Encomio

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The diseases Dermo and MSX have devastated Chesapeake Bay populations of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. The protozoan Perkinsus marinus, which causes Dermo, is particularly problematic since it persists over a wide range of salinities and temperatures. An objective of this dissertation was to determine whether specific wild oyster stocks had developed natural resistance to Dermo and if several parameters (survival, growth, condition and energy reserves) were associated with resistance. Another objective was to characterize heat shock protein (hsp70) expression in the eastern oyster. Heat shock proteins such as hsp70 protect organisms from thermal stress and other stressors, and this …

Pathobiology Of Mycobacteria In Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis), David T. Gauthier

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Chesapeake Bay, USA, are experiencing an epizootic of mycobacteriosis. This disease, caused by bacteria in the genus Mycobacterium, causes granulomatous lesions of the skin and viscera. Diseased fish are often emaciated, and fish with skin lesions may be significantly disfigured. The overall goal of this work was to examine aspects of the pathobiology of mycobacteria in striped bass via laboratory exposure studies and cellular assays. Striped bass were injected intraperitoneally with a sublethal dose of Mycobacterium marinum, M. shottsii, or M. gordonae and sampled for histology and bacteriology at regular intervals to 45 weeks post-injection …

Evaluation Of Immunogenicity Of Transgenic Chloroplast Derived Protect, Vijay Koya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Anthrax, a fatal bacterial infection is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive, spore forming, capsulated, rod shaped organism. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists anthrax as Category A biological agent due to its severity of impact on human health, high mortality rate, acuteness of the disease and potential for delivery as a biological weapon. The currently available human vaccine in the United States (AVA anthrax vaccine adsorbed) is prepared from Alum adsorbed formalin treated supernatant culture of toxigenic, non-encapsulated strain of Bacillus anthracis with the principle component being protective antigen (PA83). Evaluation of anthrax vaccine given to nearly 400,000 US …

Natural Dermo Resistance And Related Defense Mechanisms In Eastern Oysters, Crassostrea Virginica, With Implications For Restoration, Shawn Michael Stickler

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) stocks on the East Coast in general, and in Chesapeake Bay in particular, have been in decline over the past half-century in large part due to Dermo disease, caused by the protist parasite Perkinsus marinus. Efforts to restore oysters for their ecological and economic value have centered on the development and use of hatchery-based seed selectively bred for disease resistance. Selective breeding could benefit from the incorporation of oysters from wild stocks that have developed "natural Dermo resistance", but few such stocks have been identified and verified. This dissertation describes reciprocal common-garden experiments carried out at …

Dynamics Of The Host-Parasite Interaction: In Vitro Correlates Of Crassostrea-Induced Modulation Of Perkinsus Marinus Function, Christopher G. Earnhart

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Perkinsus marinus is an alveolate protozoan parasite of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) which is responsible for much of the decline in United States oyster populations. Perkinsus marinus can be cultured in vitro, but is rapidly attenuated in the process. Supplementation of a protein-free medium with oyster products altered proliferation, changed protease expression in the parasite extracellular products (ECP), induced morphological forms typically seen in vivo, and partially reversed parasite attenuation. Supplements derived from dissected oyster tissues were used to determine if these changes could be differentially elicited. These supplements, with the exception of adductor muscle, reduced proliferation. Whole oyster …