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Articles 1 - 30 of 74
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Mcmv Induced Cerebellar Maldevelopment, Thadeus B. Koontz
Mcmv Induced Cerebellar Maldevelopment, Thadeus B. Koontz
All ETDs from UAB
Congenital Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and children. While most of the systemic damage incurred by the infant in the course of the infection resolves without permanent consequence, the pathological manifestations of infection in the central nervous system (CNS) are often permanent. Children born with congenital HCMV infection may exhibit hearing loss and cognitive impairment in various degrees. These neurological disabilities are correlated with pathological findings in various permutations including infection of the inner ear, ventricular calcifications, ventriculomegaly, microgyria, lissencephaly, and cerebellar hypoplasia. To develop a therapeutic or preventive strategy, HCMV …
Bacillus Anthracis Spore-Host Interactions, Melissa K. Swiecki
Bacillus Anthracis Spore-Host Interactions, Melissa K. Swiecki
All ETDs from UAB
The use of Bacillus anthracis as a bioweapon depends on the dispersal of its spores into the environment, entrance into the body, spore uptake by human host cells, germination of the spores in the host and the pathological consequences of the virulence factors produced by the vegetative cells. Prior to 2001, very little was known about the mechanisms of spore entry into the host, including targeting cell types at airway, digestive and skin surfaces, potential spore receptors on these cells and spore encounters with cellular and humoral elements of the innate and adaptive immune systems. To this end, we have …
Association Between The Exposure To Aflatoxin And Micronutrient Status Of Hiv Infected Adults In Ghana, Francis Ayodele Obuseh
Association Between The Exposure To Aflatoxin And Micronutrient Status Of Hiv Infected Adults In Ghana, Francis Ayodele Obuseh
All ETDs from UAB
Aflatoxins, found naturally in some foods are toxic metabolites of some Aspergillus species.They constitute the most potent hepatocarcinogens known and are also mutagenic and hepatotoxic. The preponderance of evidence indicates that aflatoxin is the major cause of hepatocellular cancer. In studies conducted in Africa, food-borne aflatoxin exposure is common (Oyelami et al. 1996; Egal et al. 2005). There is a critical need for additional information on health outcomes associated with exposure to aflatoxin in humans, especially in developing countries with a higher degree of malnutrition and likelihood of HIV infections. We sought to test the hypothesis that aflatoxin B1 and …
Ca 2+ /Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Ii Regulates The Growth Of Human Osteosarcoma Cells In Vivo, Hyeran Choo
Ca 2+ /Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Ii Regulates The Growth Of Human Osteosarcoma Cells In Vivo, Hyeran Choo
All ETDs from UAB
Osteosarcoma is the most predominant primary bone cancer among pediatric patients. The pathogenesis and mechanism of osteosarcoma, however, as yet remains unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), activated by Ca2+ and its intracellular receptor, calmodulin, plays a critical role in the growth of human osteosarcoma cells. The inhibition of CaMK II with its pharmacologic antagonist KN-93 was used to investigate the role of CaMK II in the growth of human osteosarcoma cells because our preliminary data showed that =-CaMK II is expressed in several human osteosarcoma cell lines. To examine the in vivo …
Barrier Membranes For Ridge Augmentation - Is There An Optimal Pore Size?, Rajesh Gutta
Barrier Membranes For Ridge Augmentation - Is There An Optimal Pore Size?, Rajesh Gutta
All ETDs from UAB
Background: - Alveolar bone loss is often a sequelae of edentulism. However, several reconstruction procedures with bone grafts and barrier membranes are used to restore the lost bony architecture. The value of titanium mesh barriers has been shown to be reliable both in vertical and horizontal ridge augmentation procedures. However, there is a paucity of literature supporting the role of pore size of barrier membranes in preventing soft tissue ingrowth during ridge augmentation procedures. There are multiple reports describing a layer of soft tissue with varying thickness beneath the mesh and adhering to the newly regenerated bone. The objective of …
Visually Impaired Caregivers: Perspectives From Patient Focus Groups, Bethany Surrey Martinez
Visually Impaired Caregivers: Perspectives From Patient Focus Groups, Bethany Surrey Martinez
All ETDs from UAB
Purpose: We typically think of those with severe visual impairment as having to receive care or assistance for tasks in everyday living. However, with the aging of the population, more persons who are severely visually impaired are now caring for a spouse of significant other. Very little is known about visually impaired (VI) caregivers. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study is to learn more about this vulnerable population of VI caregivers. Methods: Focus groups and one-on-one interviews were conducted with English speaking adults who were legally blind (U.S. definition) and served as informal caregiver of an adult family member. …
The Association Between Insulin And Inflammation In African American And European American Children, Jessica A. Alvarez
The Association Between Insulin And Inflammation In African American And European American Children, Jessica A. Alvarez
All ETDs from UAB
Insulin has anti-inflammatory properties. Markers of inflammation (MOI) increase in the postprandial state. African Americans (AA) have higher post-challenge insulin concentrations compared to European Americans (EA). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between insulin and MOI in both the fasting and postprandial state. We hypothesized that, after accounting for confounding factors, fasting and postprandial insulin would be inversely associated with MOI, and that AA would have a lower postprandial inflammatory response because of a higher insulin response. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2 (sTNF-R2), and insulin concentrations were assessed at …
The Effect Of Cementation Technique On The Retention Of Adhesively Cemented Prefabricated Posts, Carlos A Polo Montes
The Effect Of Cementation Technique On The Retention Of Adhesively Cemented Prefabricated Posts, Carlos A Polo Montes
All ETDs from UAB
Adhesively cemented prefabricated posts are frequently employed for the restora-tion of endodontically treated teeth. Bonding agents may improve the post and core per-formance. Correct dentin bonding procedures are a critical factor in the bonded post re-tention, but adequate bonding in the canal space has been reported difficult to achieve. The operator is unable to visualize the depth of conditioner gel penetration into the canal, and its removal cannot be easily confirmed. Additional potential problems include excess water removal after rinsing the canal, inadequate primer coverage and/or removal, and poor curing methods for the resin luting agent. A technique to avoid …
Using Genetic Admixture And Lipo Protein Lipase Polymorphisms To Explain Variations In Plasma Triglycerides And High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol In Premenopauasal African And European American Females, Nihal Omar Natour
All ETDs from UAB
Although African Americans (AA) are well known to be more obese and more in-sulin resistant than European Americas (EA), several studies have shown that AA have lower plasma triglyceride (TG) and higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The reasons for these levels of TG and HDL-C are not understood, and scientists have suggested a role of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a key regulator of TG rich lipoproteins me-tabolism that is also thought to indirectly affect HDL-C metabolism. To investigate the extent to which these observed differences in TG and HDL-C are due to genetic makeup, we investigated the role of genetic …
Stem Cell Markers In The Posterior Limbus And Cornea, Sara L. Mcgowan
Stem Cell Markers In The Posterior Limbus And Cornea, Sara L. Mcgowan
All ETDs from UAB
The corneal endothelium is a layer of cells in the cornea that is responsible for maintaining the clear state of the cornea. Corneal endothelial cells may be induced to divide, but do not regularly divide in the normal cornea of a human beyond the age of twenty. Some studies have suggested that a stem cell population may reside in the pe-ripheral corneal endothelium or in the posterior limbus. Important molecular markers of stem cells are nestin which is expressed in neural crest stem cells; alkaline phosphatase is active in stem cells and not in differentiated cells; telomerase is a marker …
Development And Testing Of Feed - A Feedback Expert System For Ems Documentation, Devashish Saini
Development And Testing Of Feed - A Feedback Expert System For Ems Documentation, Devashish Saini
All ETDs from UAB
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are delivered in a chaotic, dynamic, unpre-dictable, and therefore error-prone environment. Deviations from protocol are common and some may be severe enough to cause harm to the patient. EMS personnel, like all healthcare providers, can benefit from feedback, continued education and medical over-sight. A Feedback Expert system for EMS Documentation (FEED) was developed for providing feedback to EMS personnel after the ambulance run is completed and docu-mented electronically. FEED’s knowledge base was derived from Alabama State EMS Protocols and discussions with two EMS faculty members from UAB School of Medi-cine. FEED is rule-based and uses confidence …
Surface Reproducibility Of Impression Materials, Amit Shah
Surface Reproducibility Of Impression Materials, Amit Shah
All ETDs from UAB
The inability to absorb or release moisture limits the ANSI/ADA specification 19 stainless steel mold from accurately mimicking tooth structure and oral conditions while evaluating in vitro detail reproduction of elastomeric impression materials. Moreover, studies utilizing this mold have been graduated at room temperature, not normal mouth temperature. Bovine teeth, being similar to human teeth in microstructure and composition, are the closest substitutes that can be used to evaluate surface detail reproducibility of impression materials. The objectives of this study were (1) to develop a new bovine in vitro test model at controlled temperature and humidity in order to simulate …
Outcome Assessment On Skeletal Stability After Rigid External Distraction Osteogenesis In Cleft Lip And Palate Patients, Julio Enrique Tabarini
Outcome Assessment On Skeletal Stability After Rigid External Distraction Osteogenesis In Cleft Lip And Palate Patients, Julio Enrique Tabarini
All ETDs from UAB
Purpose: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) using an external distraction device in the correction of maxillary hypoplasia (MH) in cleft lip and palate patients has been shown to be an effective and stable technique. The purpose of this study is to determine the outcome of skeletal stability for this procedure using the Rigid External Distraction (RED) System in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Materials and methods: Twenty CLP patients with moderate to severe maxillary hypoplasia were treated between June 2000 and June 2006. Their average age at the time of the surgery was 12.6 years. DO was started after a …
In Vitro Compressive Fracture Resistance Of The Human Maxillary First Premolar With Different Mod Cavity Design And Restorative Materials, Wen-Chou Wu
All ETDs from UAB
Cuspal failures of MOD (mesial-occlusal-distal) restored teeth have been constantly observed in clinic especially those restored with amalgam. As the pulpal depth and isthmus width of the preparation increases, the strength decreases. A number of studies have investigated the adhesive technique which is intended to increase the fracture resistance by bonding the tooth structure. The results of the studies are controversial because of the differences of research design among studies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the fracture resistance of the human maxillary first premolar restored with condensable composite (Surefil, Dentsply) and CEREC 3D ProCAD leucite-reinforced ceramic inlays …
Vitamin D Receptor Deficiency And Postnatal Tooth Formation, Xueming Zhang
Vitamin D Receptor Deficiency And Postnatal Tooth Formation, Xueming Zhang
All ETDs from UAB
The reduction of caries is one of the major objectives of Healthy People 2010 (USDHHS, 2000). For individuals at risk for caries, early identification and interception before the occurrence of the disease are crucial to preventing the cariogenesis. However, host genetic variants that compromise the mineralization of dental enamel and dentin are unclear. The vdr mutation has been reported to be associated with bone loss. Therefore, it is likely that vitamin D resistance may affect dental enamel and dentin formation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of VDR deficiency on postnatal tooth formation in a vdr …
Examination Of Novel Statistical Designs For Phase Ii And Phase Iii Clinical Trials, Ayanbola Olajumoke Ayanlowo
Examination Of Novel Statistical Designs For Phase Ii And Phase Iii Clinical Trials, Ayanbola Olajumoke Ayanlowo
All ETDs from UAB
Clinical trials to determine the usefulness of a new treatment are usually conducted in four (4) phases. Each phase is designed to answer a distinct research question about the usefulness of the new treatment. Phase I trials determine the safe dose range of the new treatment identify the possible side effects and other treatment associated toxicity issues, in a small group of healthy people. In phase II trials, the efficacy and safety of the new treatment is investigated in a larger group of individuals usually from the diseased population of interest. Phase III trials, conducted in large groups of people, …
Cd8+ T-Lymphocytes And The Control Of Cytomegalovirus Infection Of The Newborn Central Nervous System, Glenn Robert Burgner Bantug
Cd8+ T-Lymphocytes And The Control Of Cytomegalovirus Infection Of The Newborn Central Nervous System, Glenn Robert Burgner Bantug
All ETDs from UAB
Congenital HCMV infection of the developing brain is the leading viral cause of mental retardation and sensorineural hearing loss. To elucidate the pathogenesis of congenital HCMV CNS infections, we developed a small animal model of CMV infection where newborn Balb/c mice are peripherally inoculated with murine cytomegalovirus. In this model we observed transient deficits in cerebellar/hindbrain development as well as the recruitment of peripheral immune effector cells to the CNS parenchyma. CD8+ T-lymphocytes were the predominant mononuclear cellular infiltrates in the brain and immune-depletion of CD8+ cells resulted in increased viral genome copy numbers in the CNS. CD8+ T-lymphocytes exhibited …
Impact Of Immunosuppression On The Incidence And Clearance Of Human Papillomavirus In Hiv-Infected Women In Alabama, Madhav P. Bhatta
Impact Of Immunosuppression On The Incidence And Clearance Of Human Papillomavirus In Hiv-Infected Women In Alabama, Madhav P. Bhatta
All ETDs from UAB
Persistent infection with certain “high-risk” types of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is central to the development of cervical cancer. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women are at a higher risk of HPV infection, high grade cervical intraepithelial lesions, and cervical cancer. This study examined type-specific distribution of prevalent and incident HPV infections, clearance rates, and associated factors using novel molecular assays for HPV detection and genotyping in a cohort of 280 HIVinfected women in Alabama. First, we described the cohort’s sociodemographic characteristics and behavioral risk profile for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and assessed the factors associated with HIV-1 viral …
Predictors Of Indoor Dust Mite And Cockroach Levels, J Mark Brooks
Predictors Of Indoor Dust Mite And Cockroach Levels, J Mark Brooks
All ETDs from UAB
Exposures to dust mite and cockroach indoor allergens are important environmental risk factors in allergic sensitization and the development and exacerbation of asthma. To determine the relationship of indoor allergen levels and residence characteristics, dust samples were collected from indoor surfaces in residences in the Birmingham, Alabama area. The dust samples were analyzed for specific dust mite (Der p 1 and Der f 1) and cockroach (Bla g 1) antigens, the results of which were used to represent the level of indoor allergen present in each residence. The presence, and in some cases the degree, of potential allergen-predicting characteristics of …
The Recovery Experience For Persons With A Myocardial Infarction And Their Spouses/Partners, Vicki Lynnette Bingham
The Recovery Experience For Persons With A Myocardial Infarction And Their Spouses/Partners, Vicki Lynnette Bingham
All ETDs from UAB
Coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in Americans today, affects both genders in numerous ethnic populations. This life-threatening event causes both physical and emotional distress for persons with a myocardial infarction (MI), as well as for their spouses or partners and thus possibly forces them on a spiritual journey. The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of the ways in which spirituality is defined and experienced by both persons with an MI and their spouses/partners during the recovery process. The method utilized in this study was a qualitative approach using interpretative phenomenology from a Heideggerian …
Localization And Function Of G2e3, William Samuel Brooks
Localization And Function Of G2e3, William Samuel Brooks
All ETDs from UAB
A microarray study was performed which identified G2E3 as a novel, putative ubiquitin ligase that was both G2/M-specific in expression and down regulated at the transcriptional level following DNA damage by γ-irradiation. The initial characterization of this protein is described herein. G2E3 is composed of three PHD/RING (plant homoedomain/really interesting new gene) domains within its amino-terminal half and a carboxy-terminal HECT (homologous to E6AP carboxy-terminus) domain. G2E3 is regulated in part by its subcellular localization. The protein normally resides within the nucleoplasm of cultured cells and distinctly within the nucleolus of HeLa cells. G2E3 is a nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling protein with …
Determinants Of Hospital Affiliation With Health Care Networks, Ting-Huan Chang
Determinants Of Hospital Affiliation With Health Care Networks, Ting-Huan Chang
All ETDs from UAB
Since the 1990s, integrated health care delivery systems have proliferated rapidly in the U.S., but little research has been devoted to studying why hospitals decide to join such systems (e.g., health care networks or systems). The aim of this study was to identify environmental and organizational factors that encourage freestanding hospitals to affiliate with health care networks. Specifically, the relationships of hospital affiliation choice to environmental munificence, environmental uncertainty and organizational resources were examined. Additionally, the moderating effects of hospital setting on these relationships were also investigated. A nonexperimental, longitudinal design was used, with the individual hospital as the unit …
The Impact Of A Community Health Advisor-Based Intervention On Self-Reported Frequency Of Dental Visits In A Rural, Low-Income African American Alabama Community, Stephen J. Clarke
The Impact Of A Community Health Advisor-Based Intervention On Self-Reported Frequency Of Dental Visits In A Rural, Low-Income African American Alabama Community, Stephen J. Clarke
All ETDs from UAB
Oral health disparities are wide and increasing for rural Southern African- Americans. This project trained 13 experienced Community Health Advisors (CHAs) from Uniontown, Alabama, in the basics of oral health, including regular dental visits, and assigned them to spread this information among their fellow community members. We tested whether a 1-year CHA-based oral health education intervention was associated with increased routine/preventive use of available dental services as measured by pre-post self-report, relative to a comparison community. We also hypothesized that any detected association between the intervention and use of dental services was mediated by attitudes toward dental visits. No direct …
Loss Of Pias3 Expression In Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumors:Implications For Stat-3 Activation And Gene Expression, Emily Claire Brantley
Loss Of Pias3 Expression In Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumors:Implications For Stat-3 Activation And Gene Expression, Emily Claire Brantley
All ETDs from UAB
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of cancer in the central nervous system in adults. Because of the infiltrative and aggressive nature of GBM, current treatments including surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy provide little benefit to patients diagnosed with this tumor. Median survival, after treatment, is less than one year. Despite advances in the basic understanding of cancer biology, this poor prognosis has remained virtually unchanged for several decades. Given the continuing difficulty of clinical treatment of GBMs, a molecular appreciation of relevant signaling pathways has grown. Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) function to activate gene …
Characterization And Functional Analysis Of Usp14, Stephen Lewis Crimmins
Characterization And Functional Analysis Of Usp14, Stephen Lewis Crimmins
All ETDs from UAB
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is essential for regulated protein degrada-tion, a requirement for numerous neuronal process, including vesicle cycling, neuro-transmitter release, spine morphology, and synaptic plasticity. Better understanding of UPS function in neurons will increase our knowledge of neurological diseases caused by alterations in ubiquitin signaling. I utilized the ataxia (axJ) mice as a tool to study the UPS in the nervous system. The axJ mice have lowered expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (Usp14) in all tissues; this decreased expression results from an intracisternal-A particle insertion into Usp14. The axJ mice are phenotypically indistinguishable from wild type littermates at …
The Role Of The Cytoskeleon In Achr Clustering, G Clement Dobbins
The Role Of The Cytoskeleon In Achr Clustering, G Clement Dobbins
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The human brain contains billions of neurons which are designed to receive and integrate a range of electrical and biochemical signals. The ability to convey information between these cells depends on synapses. A precise apposition between the pre and post synapse must exist for efficient transmission to occur. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has become a model for studying synaptogenesis. Although much is known about the steps in NMJ formation, only recently have there been insights into the mechanism behind NMJ development. Much of this research has focused on how acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the postsynapse form clusters directly apposed to …
Sexual Violence And Correlates Among Women In Hiv Discordant Union, Uganda, Donath Emusu
Sexual Violence And Correlates Among Women In Hiv Discordant Union, Uganda, Donath Emusu
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We sought to estimate the prevalence of sexual violence and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), identify risk factors for sexual violence and STDs among women in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) discordant unions, and investigate the lived experiences of sexual violence among women in HIV discordant unions attending post-test club services at AIDS Information Centers (AICs) in Uganda. We carried out a prospective cohort study of women in HIV discordant and HIV negative concordant unions after disclosure of their HIV serostatus. We estimated prevalence of STDs in the two study cohorts and compared them for occurrence of risk factors for sexual violence …
Visualizing The Function And Migration Of T Cells, Kari J. Dugger
Visualizing The Function And Migration Of T Cells, Kari J. Dugger
All ETDs from UAB
Lymphocytes are highly mobile cells that can travel throughout the body in response to a multitude of stimuli. Identifying lymphocyte trafficking patterns in vivo is essential for a complete understanding of immune function. Cell-cell and cell-tissue interactions in immune development and in lymphocyte response to stimuli can be comprehended with these investigations. Although the location of cell populations in various tissues at any given point in time may be investigated by techniques such as flow cytometry and immunofluorescence, these methods are not easily used in the assessment of dynamic cell migration patterns in vivo. In the past years, technologies for …
A Study Into The Protein/Protein Interactions Involved In Hiv-1 Capsid Assembly, Chanel Catherine Douglas
A Study Into The Protein/Protein Interactions Involved In Hiv-1 Capsid Assembly, Chanel Catherine Douglas
All ETDs from UAB
The aim of this work was to build an understanding of the protein/protein interactions involved in HIV-1 capsid assembly as it relates to the condensation of capsid within the virion. This was undertaken in an attempt to (i) understand how capsid subunits recognize and interact with each other, (ii) gain insight into the protein-protein interactions involved in the process, and (iii) determine if the protein-protein interactions involved in virus cap-sid assembly can be used as a target for viral inhibition. Within this dissertation you will find two approaches to this investigation. The first examines the role of electrostatics in the …
The Role Of Chloride In The Volume Regulation Of Human Glioma Cells, Nola Jean Ernest
The Role Of Chloride In The Volume Regulation Of Human Glioma Cells, Nola Jean Ernest
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According to the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, the most common primary brain tumors are gliomas, tumors composed of cells of glial origin, most commonly astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The most aggressive of these tumors are characterized by hyperproliferation, marked cellular and nuclear atypia, extensive infiltration into surrounding normal brain tissue, and large areas of cell and tissue death. Previous data published by our lab and others suggest that these biological processes may involve regulated cell volume changes. Using cell volume regulation in the presence of an anisosmotic challenge as a model for cell swelling and shrinkage, cell …