Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Mechanisms Of Neuronal Death Induced By Environmental Toxicants In Murine Cortical Culture, Travis Rush

Dissertations (1934 -)

This study was directed at examining the neurotoxic mechanisms of several classes of environmental toxicants implicated in neurodegenerative disease. Primary cortical cultures were exposed to organophosphorus pesticides, heavy metals and the cyanobacterial toxin, beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA). Several components relating to neuronal injury were assessed in each study and novel aspects are described.

The main action of organophosphorous insecticides is generally believed to be the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. However, these compounds are now recognized to inhibit many other enzymes and cause neuronal death through a variety of mechanisms. I found that exposure to chlorpyrifos or diazinon caused concentration-dependent neurotoxicity that could not …

Improving Communication Between Doctors And Parents After Newborn Screening, Michael Farrell, Stephanie Christopher, Audrey Tluczek, Karen Kennedy-Parker, Alison La Pean, Kerry Eskra, Jenelle Collins, Gary Hoffman, Julie Panepinto, Philip M. Farrell

College of Professional Studies Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Newborn screening (NBS) enables early treatment, and some consider it a natural vehicle for genetic screening. Bioethicists argue for caution since families of infants with carrier status can develop psychosocial complications. This paper describes the methods and feasibility of Wisconsin’s statewide project for quality improvement of communication and psychosocial outcomes after NBS.

Methods: When NBS identifies carrier status for cystic fibrosis or sickle cell, we contact primary care providers (PCPs), answer questions, and invite them to rehearse informing the parents. Three months later, we telephone the parents, assess knowledge and psychosocial outcomes, provide counseling, and assist with self-referral to …

What Can Parents Do To Reduce Youth Obesity? An Initial Study With A Diverse Sample, Marilyn Frenn, Amy Heinrich, Claire Schmidt Dohmen, Jessica E. Pruszynski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The body mass index (BMI) of diverse, low-income fifth grade students (n = 36) was regressed on physical activity (Child Adolescent Activity Log), percentage dietary fat (Food Habits Questionnaire), and the Food/Activity Parenting Practices Questionnaire. The model explained 50% of the variance in student BMI, adjusted R² = .50, F (4, 19) = 6.84, p = .001. Students accurately perceived their weight status. Students' perception of parenting strategies, along with dietary fat, was significantly associated with their BMI. Parent's (n = 14) BMI, not the child's, was associated with the strategies they used. Three parents tested an …

Peak Triceps Surae Muscle Activity Is Not Specific To Knee Flexion Angles During Mvic, Kim Hébert-Losier, Anthony G. Schneiders, José A. García, S John Sullivan, Guy G. Simoneau

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

There is limited research on peak activity of the separate triceps surae muscles in select knee flexion (KF) positions during a maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) used to normalize EMG signals. The aim of this study was to determine how frequent peak activity occurred during an MVIC for soleus (SOL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) in select KF positions, and if these peaks were recorded in similar KF positions. Forty-eight healthy individuals performed unilateral plantar-flexion MVIC in standing with 0°KF and 45°KF, and in sitting with 90°KF. Surface EMG of SOL, GM, and GL were collected and processed …

Bilateral Oscillatory Hip Movements Induce Windup Of Multijoint Lower Extremity Spastic Reflexes In Chronic Spinal Cord Injury, Tanya Onushko, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Brian D. Schmit

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

After spinal cord injury (SCI), alterations in intrinsic motoneuron properties have been shown to be partly responsible for spastic reflex behaviors in human SCI. In particular, a dysregulation of voltage-dependent depolarizing persistent inward currents (PICs) may permit sustained muscle contraction after the removal of a brief excitatory stimulus. Windup, in which the motor response increases with repeated activation, is an indicator of PICs. Although windup of homonymous stretch reflexes has been shown, multijoint muscle activity is often observed following imposed limb movements and may exhibit a similar windup phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify windup …

Biomechanical Effects Of Mobile Computer Location In A Vehicle Cab, Kyle Saginus, Richard W. Marklin, Patricia Seeley, Guy G. Simoneau, Stephen H. Freier

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: The objective of this research is to determine the best location to place a conventional mobile computer supported by a commercially available mount in a light truck cab.

Background: U.S. and Canadian electric utility companies are in the process of integrating mobile computers into their fleet vehicle cabs. There are no publications on the effect of mobile computer location in a vehicle cab on biomechanical loading, performance, and subjective assessment.

Method: The authors tested four locations of mobile computers in a light truck cab in a laboratory study to determine how location affected muscle activity of the lower back …

Investigation Of Spatio-Temporal Effects Of Fmri Visual Field Mapping Techniques On V1, John J. Janik

Dissertations (1934 -)

Blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging has been used extensively for mapping the representation of the visual field within the human brain. Visual field mapping using fMRI has been used clinically to assess patients with cortical pathology and to plan surgical treatment impacting the visual system. The accuracy of fMRI-based visual field mapping methods needs to be better understood for clinical use. This accuracy can be important for presurgical mapping of brain function near a tumor resection site since inaccurate rendition of the underlying neural function could lead to inappropriate resection of viable brain tissue. The most widely …

Muscle Fatigue And Motor Output Variability With Acute Stress In Healthy Young Adults And Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Manda Linea Keller

Dissertations (1934 -)

Acute stress can alter motor performance differently for men and women. The first aim of this dissertation addresses possible causes for the sex difference in the motor response of a low-intensity fatiguing contraction of the elbow flexor muscles to an acute stressor (difficult mental math) in young, healthy adults. Muscle fatigue increased for men and women when exposed to the stressor, but impairment was more prominent for the women. This work showed that fatigue in the central nervous system, specifically in cortical motor and premotor areas, as well as relaxation rates of the muscle (quantified with cortical stimulation) were not …

Grammatical Morphology In School-Age Children With And Without Language Impairment: A Discriminant Function Analysis, Maura Jones Moyle, Susan Ellis Weismer, Brenda K. Gorman

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test Bedore and Leonard's (1998) proposal that a verb morpheme composite may hold promise as a clinical marker for specific language impairment (SLI) in English speakers and serve as an accurate basis for the classification of children with and without SLI beyond the preschool level.

Method: The language transcripts of 50 school-age children with SLI (M_age = 7;9 [years;months]) and 50 age-matched typically developing peers (M_age = 7;9) were analyzed. Following the Bedore and Leonard (1998) procedure, 3 variables were measured: a finite verb morpheme composite, a noun …

Women’S Perceptions Of Caesarean Birth: A Roy International Study, Jacqueline Fawcett, Cynthia Aber, Susan Haussler, Marianne E. Weiss, Sheila Taylor Myers, Jaye L. Hall, V. Lynn Waters, Charlette King, Marja-Terttu Tarkka, Anja Rantanen, Paivi Astedt-Kurki, Jennifer Newton, Virginia Silva

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this Roy adaptation model-based multi-site international mixed method study was to examine the relations of type of caesarean birth (unplanned/planned), number of caesarean births (primary/repeat), and preparation for caesarean birth to women’s perceptions of and responses to caesarean birth. The sample included 488 women from the United States (n = 253), Finland (n = 213), and Australia (n = 22). Path analysis revealed direct effects for type of and preparation for caesarean birth on responses to caesarean birth, and an indirect effect for preparation on responses to caesarean birth through perception of birth the …

Glutamatergic Plasticity In Medial Prefrontal Cortex And Ventral Tegmental Area Following Extended-Access Cocaine Self-Administration, Behnam Ghasemzadeh, Preethi Vasudevan, Chad Giles, Anthony Purgianto, Chad Seubert, John R. Mantsch

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Glutamate signaling in prefrontal cortex and ventral tegmental area plays an important role in the molecular and behavioral plasticity associated with addiction to drugs of abuse. The current study investigated the expression and postsynaptic density redistribution of glutamate receptors and synaptic scaffolding proteins in dorsomedial and ventromedial prefrontal cortex and ventral tegmental area after cocaine self-administration. After 14 days of extended-access (6 h/day) cocaine self-administration, rats were exposed to one of three withdrawal regimen for 10 days. Animals either stayed in home cages (Home), returned to self-administration boxes with the levers withdrawn (Box), or underwent extinction training (Extinction). Extinction training …

Tailoring A Treatment Fidelity Framework For An Intensive Care Unit Clinical Trial, Linda L. Chlan, Jill L. Guttormson, Kay Savik

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Treatment fidelity (TF) refers to methodological strategies and practices used to monitor and enhance the reliability and validity of behavioral interventions. Treatment fidelity monitoring enhances internal and external validity and is needed for study replication and generalizability.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to describe the implementation, monitoring, and impact of TF in an intensive-care-unit-based clinical trial testing music for anxiety self-management with mechanically ventilated patients.

Method:

Development of the criteria was based on the Five-Component Treatment Fidelity Framework from the Treatment Fidelity Workgroup. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate adherence rates to the key TF criteria and …

Testing The Integrated Theory Of Health Behaviour Change For Postpartum Weight Management, Polly Ryan, Marianne E. Weiss, Nicole Traxel, Michael J. Brondino

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Aim.  This is a report of a correlational study to test the Integrated Theory of Health Behaviour Change within the context of postpartum weight self‐management including the impact of race/ethnicity and weight classification.

Background.  Women experiencing childbirth face increasing challenges to manage their weight postpartum. Little is known about women’s weight self‐management during the complex physiological and psychosocial transition of the postpartum period.

Methods.  Data were collected during the birth hospitalization and 4 months postbirth during 2005 and 2006. A quota sample of 250 postpartum women using two strata, race/ethnicity and prepregnant weight classification, were enrolled; 179 women completed the …

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parenting Stress, Family Functioning And Health-Related Quality Of Life, Norah L. Johnson, Marilyn Frenn, Suzanne Feetham, Pippa Simpson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is 1 in 110 persons in the U.S. Both parents of children with ASD are under stress that may impact their health-related quality of life (HRQL) (physical and mental health). The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship of parenting stress, support from family functioning and the HRQL (physical and mental health) of both parents. Female (n = 64) and male (n = 64) parents of children with ASD completed Web-based surveys examining parenting stress, family functioning, and physical and mental health. Results of a Wilcoxon signed-ranks test showed that …

A Single Phenylalanine Residue In The Main Intracellular Loop Of Α1 Γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A And Glycine Receptors Influences Their Sensitivity To Propofol, Gustavo Moraga-Cid, Gonzalo E. Yevenes, Günther Schmalzing, Robert W. Peoples, Luis G. Aguayo

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Background: The intravenous anesthetic propofol acts as a positive allosteric modulator of glycine (GlyRs) and γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_ARs) receptors. Although the role of transmembrane residues is recognized, little is known about the involvement of other regions in the modulatory effects of propofol. Therefore, the influence of the large intracellular loop in propofol sensitivity of both receptors was explored. Methods: The large intracellular loop of α₁ GlyRs and α₁β₂ GABA_ARs was screened using alanine replacement. Sensitivity to propofol was studied using patch-clamp recording in HEK293 cells transiently transfected with …

Association Between Caries, Obesity And Insulin Resistance In Mexican Adolescents, Juan Pablo Loyola-Rodgriguez, Carlos Villa-Chavez, Nuria Patiño-Marin, Celia Aradillas-Garcia, Cesar D. Gonzalez, Esperanza De La Cruz-Mendoza

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Aim: To determine the association among dental caries, obesity and insulin resistance in Mexican adolescents. Methods: Body Mass Index, obesity (OB) blood pressure, insulin level, insulin resistance (IR), triglycerides level, serum HDL-cholesterol (cHDL), DMFT index and salivary flow were measured. Results: Anthropometric measures showed a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). Insulin level was 8.98 for healthy subjects, whereas for OB-IR group was 25.35, there was a statistical significant difference (p < 0.05). Triglycerides level was 88.50 for healthy subjects and 169.40 mg/dL for OB-IR; cHDL was 52.88 for healthy and 41.82 mg/dL for OB-IR group, both showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Salivary flow was 4.30 for healthy and for OB-IR group was 5.48 ml/min showed a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). DMFT index was 3.02 for healthy and for OB-IR adolescents was 4.78, showed a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). The caries component of DMFT index was 1.84 for healthy and was 3.52 for OB-IR adolescents, showed a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). According to the multivariate analysis, DMFT (OR=3.10; IC95%=0.20-1.02, p=0.042) and decay (OR=3.30; IC95%=0.19-1.0, p=0.011) were associated with subjects with OB-IR. Conclusion: OB-IR Mexican adolescents showed a positive association with DMFT.

Utilizing Induced Voxel Correlation In Fmri Analysis, Daniel B. Rowe, Andrew S. Nencka

Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Augmented Cocaine Seeking In Response To Stress Or Crf Delivered Into The Ventral Tegmental Area Following Long-Access Self-Administration Is Mediated By Crf Receptor Type 1 But Not Crf Receptor Type 2, Jordan M. Blacktop, Chad Seubert, David A. Baker, Nathan Ferda, Geng Lee, Evan N. Graf, John R. Mantsch

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Stressful events are determinants of relapse in recovering cocaine addicts. Excessive cocaine use may increase susceptibility to stressor-induced relapse through alterations in brain corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) regulation of neurocircuitry involved in drug seeking. We previously reported that the reinstatement of cocaine seeking by a stressor (footshock) is CRF dependent and is augmented in rats that self-administered cocaine under long-access (LgA; 6 h daily) conditions for 14 d when compared with rats provided shorter daily cocaine access [short access (ShA) rats; 2 h daily]. Further, we have demonstrated that reinstatement in response to intracerebroventricular CRF administration is heightened in LgA rats. …

Natural And Synthetic Corticosteroids Inhibit Uptake2-Mediated Transport In Cns Neurons, Jonathan E. Hill, Khadijah Makky, Lalita Shrestha, Cecilia J. Hillard, Paul J. Gasser

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

In addition to exerting actions via mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors, corticosteroids also act by inhibiting uptake₂, a high-capacity monoamine transport system originally described in peripheral tissues. Recent studies have demonstrated that uptake₂ transporters are expressed in the brain and play roles in monoamine clearance, suggesting that they mediate some corticosteroid effects on physiological and behavioral processes. However, the sensitivity of brain uptake₂ to many natural and synthetic corticosteroids has not been characterized. Cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) were previously shown to exhibit corticosterone-sensitive accumulation of the uptake₂ substrate1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺). We examined the …

Knowledge Of Palliative And End-Of-Life Care By Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Margaret Callahan, Susan Breakwell, Rosemarie Suhayda

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Individuals requiring palliative care frequently receive inadequate or no treatment. As part of a 5-year study funded by the National Institutes of Health, all graduate nursing students, including student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs), at a single institution participated in a 2–credit-hour course titled Interdisciplinary Palliative Care. The project team sought to identify SRNAs’ knowledge and attitudes regarding palliative and end-of-life care and to determine potential roles for CRNAs in this growing area of practice.

Comparison Of The Effects Of Ice And 3.5% Menthol Gel On Blood Flow And Muscle Strength Of The Lower Arm, Robert V. Topp, Lee J. Winchester, Amber M. Mink, Jeremiah S. Kaufmann, Dean E. Jacks

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Context: Soft-tissue injuries are commonly treated with ice or menthol gels. Few studies have compared the effects of these treatments on blood flow and muscle strength. Objective: To compare blood flow and muscle strength in the forearm after an application of ice or menthol gel or no treatment. Design: Repeated measures design in which blood-flow and muscle-strength data were collected from subjects under 3 treatment conditions. Setting: Exercise physiology laboratory. Participants: 17 healthy adults with no impediment to the blood flow or strength in their right arm, recruited through word of mouth. Intervention: Three …

Lubricin Immunohistochemical Expression In Human Temporomandibular Joint Disc With Internal Derangement, Rosalia Leonardi, Luis Eduardo Almeida, Carla Loreto

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Lubricin is a chondroprotective, mucinous glycoprotein which contribute to joint lubrication, especially to boundary lubrication and maintains joint integrity. The present investigation aimed to study the immunolocalization of lubricin in TMJ discs from patients affected by anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDwR) ADDwoR. Eighteen TMJ displaced disc affected by ADDwoR were processed immunohistochemically, with a polyclonal anti‐lubricin antibody, used at 1:50 working dilution. The percentage of lubricin immunopositive cells (extent score = ES) and the extent of lubricin staining of the disc extracellular matrix (ECM), were evaluated. Each sample was scored for histopathological changes. Percentage of immunostained surface disc cells …

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 And Transforming Growth Factor-Β Stimulate Cystine/Glutamate Exchange Activity In Dental Pulp Cells, Katherine Pauly, Kymberly Fritz, Alyssa Furey, Doug Lobner

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The growth factors insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are protective to dental pulp cells in culture against the toxicity of the composite materials Durafill VS and Flow Line (Henry Schein Inc, New York, NY). Because the toxicity of these materials is mediated by oxidative stress, it seemed possible that the protective effects of IGF-1 and TGF-β were through the enhancement of an endogenous antioxidant mechanism.

Methods

We used cultured dental pulp cells to determine the mechanism of the protective effects of IGF-1 and TGF-β, focusing on the glutathione system and the role of cystine/glutamate exchange …

Serotonin Mediated Changes In Corticotropin Releasing Factor Mrna Expression And Feeding Behavior Isolated To The Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nuclei, Joanne P. Boisvert, Tyler J. Boschuetz, Jon M. Resch, Christopher R. Mueller, Sujean Choi

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Fenfluramine reduces hunger and promotes body weight loss by increasing central serotonin (5-HT) signaling. More recently, neuropeptides have been linked to the regulation of feeding behavior, metabolism and body weight. To examine possible interactions between 5-HT and neuropeptides in appetite control, fenfluramine (200 nmol/0.5 μl/side) was administered directly into the hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei (PVN) of male rats. Bilateral fenfluramine produced significant hypophagia and increased expression of PVN corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) mRNA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA in the arcuate nucleus within the first hour after drug administration. Fenfluramine's effects on feeding behavior and mRNA expression were blocked by PVN …

Ocd As A Dynamical Disease And The Familial Context Of Ritual Rigidity: A Nonlinear Dynamics Perspective, Robert W. Bond

Dissertations (1934 -)

Comparatively few studies of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) have addressed the interpersonal dynamical patterns within families that could exacerbate or quell symptom severity in the ill relatives or hypothesize other roles for familial variables. Furthermore, the extant studies have relied primarily upon linear models. Methodological limitations of linear models, such as assuming that change occurs as the result of unidirectional influences and that the scores obtained for each variable are independent of each other are at variance with temporal, dynamic phenomena and have restricted the empirical investigations of the dynamics of OCD.

The current study investigated whether OCD could be …

An Examination Of The Combined Influences Of Maternal Cognitions, Affect, And Behavior On Child Outcomes: A Model Comparison Approach, Elizabeth A. Heideman

Dissertations (1934 -)

The primary goal of this study was to better understand the combined influence of maternal affect, cognitions and behavior on child internalizing and externalizing behavior. Specifically, mothers and children completed a series of measures designed to assess parenting stress, parenting efficacy, parenting behavior, and child internalizing and externalizing behavior. Participants were 115 mothers and their school-aged children who participated in an outpatient neuropsychological evaluation. Results suggest that child reported maternal warmth and control were important in influencing the development of internalizing behavior in children. Additionally, maternal parenting stress, warmth and control were found to be important influences in the development …

Children's Understanding Of Intimate Partner Violence, Renee Lynn Deboard-Lucas

Dissertations (1934 -)

There is a clear connection between exposure to interparental aggression and children's own future episodes of violent behavior. What is significantly less understood is why this pattern develops. The current study used quantitative and semi-structured methods to identify factors that shape children's understanding of intimate partner violence. Understanding violence was defined as including causal knowledge (Why does violence occur?) and beliefs about the acceptability of intimate partner violence. Factors proposed to predict children's causal attributions included mothers' perceived causes of interparental aggression and exposure to different forms of violence, including interparental, parent-child, and neighborhood aggression. Perceived causes of intimate partner …

Speaking Rate Effects On Normal Aspects Of Articulation: Outcomes And Issues, Jeffrey J. Berry

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

The articulatory effects of speaking rate have been a point of focus for a substantial literature in speech science. The normal aspects of speaking rate variation have influenced theories and models of speech production and perception in the literature pertaining to both normal and disordered speech. While the body of literature pertaining to the articulatory effects of speaking rate change is reasonably large, few speaker-general outcomes have emerged. The purpose of this paper is to review outcomes of the existing literature and address problems related to the study of speaking rate that may be germane to the recurring theme that …

Speech-Language Pathologists Collaborating With Head Start To Improve Children’S Early Language And Literacy Skills: Efficacy And Intensity Effects, Maura Jones Moyle, Sue Berman

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

The current study examined the efficacy of a speech-language pathologist–designed and implemented emergent literacy program for Head Start preschoolers and the influence of intensity of intervention on children’s gains. Results indicated that children who participated in the intervention program exhibited greater gains than the control group on oral language, phonological awareness, and alphabet/print knowledge. Children who received a higher dosage of intervention made greater gains on vocabulary and oral language compared to the lower intensity group. Speech-language pathologists may be valuable collaborators in promoting emergent literacy skills in at-risk children.

Staffing Excellence: Moving From Retrospective To Prospective Management Of Risk, Kathryn Rapala

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.