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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Inference And Analysis Of Multilayered Mirna-Mediated Networks In Cancer, Duc Do Jul 2018

Inference And Analysis Of Multilayered Mirna-Mediated Networks In Cancer, Duc Do

Dissertations (1934 -)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding transcripts that can regulate gene expression, thereby controlling diverse biological processes. Aberrant disruptions of miRNA expression and their interactions with other biological agents (e.g., coding and noncoding transcripts) have been associated with several types of cancer. The goal of this dissertation is to use multidimensional genomic data to model two different gene regulation mechanisms by miRNAs in cancer. This dissertation results from two research projects. The first project investigates a miRNA-mediated gene regulation mechanism called competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) interactions, which suggests that some transcripts can indirectly regulate one another's activity through their interactions with …


Chronic Stress And Reproductive Function In Female Childhood Cancer Survivors, Theresa Marie Hardy Apr 2018

Chronic Stress And Reproductive Function In Female Childhood Cancer Survivors, Theresa Marie Hardy

Dissertations (1934 -)

Reproductive dysfunction is reported as a major concern for childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and is highly correlated with quality of life in this population. Few predictors of post-treatment reproductive function in CCS have been identified. CCS report high levels of psychological stress. Psychological stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which can disrupt reproductive function. The purpose of this exploratory study was to explore the relationship between perceived stress, biomarkers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity, gonadotropin levels, and anti-Müllerian hormone levels in female CCS. This exploratory cross-sectional study included female cancer survivors (ages 16-35) treated for pediatric cancer at the Royal Hospital for Sick …


Nucleotide-Dependent Preferential Localization Of Ras In Model Membranes With Lipid Raft Nanodomains, Anna Shishina Oct 2017

Nucleotide-Dependent Preferential Localization Of Ras In Model Membranes With Lipid Raft Nanodomains, Anna Shishina

Dissertations (1934 -)

Membrane proteins constitute a third of all proteins in the cell and more than 50% of drug targets. However, the analysis of membrane proteins has many challenges owing to their partially hydrophobic surfaces, flexibility and lack of stability. One example of an essential membrane protein is Ras superfamily. Ras is a small monomeric GTPase involved in regulation of cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, Ras and its effectors are among the most important targets for cancer therapy. A detailed knowledge of the processes occurring during signal propagation via Ras might help to elucidate the mechanisms of the involved signal cascades. …


Pediatric Oncology Nurses' Experiences With Prognosis-Related Communication, Amy Rose Newman Apr 2017

Pediatric Oncology Nurses' Experiences With Prognosis-Related Communication, Amy Rose Newman

Dissertations (1934 -)

Health care providers (HCPs) in pediatric oncology are faced with the challenge of communicating the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This type of communication can be referred to as prognosis-related communication (PRC). While the initial conversation with the patient and family regarding prognosis is generally considered the responsibility of the physician, patients and family members will subsequently turn to nurses for clarification of the information presented. If nurses are excluded from initial conversations, they may feel as though they are “working in the dark,” trying to answer questions while not contradicting what the physician said. This strained …