Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Molecular Subtyping Of Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates From The U.P. Community For The Presence Of Toxin-Encoding Genes, Carol I. Kessel

All NMU Master's Theses

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of human bacterial infections; however, humans can also be asymptomatically colonized with S. aureus. Asymptomatic carriers can potentially spread S. aureus infection to others. These infections can range from mild to severe. The pathology of a S. aureus infection is often dependent on which toxins are expressed and the virulence factors with which they are associated. One goal of this study was to isolate S. aureus from healthy, consenting adult volunteers who submitted nasal swabs for culture and qRT-PCR analysis to determine which strains are present in the community. This knowledge could …

Evaluation Of A Multiplex Real-Time Pcr Assay To Simultaneously Detect Streptococcus Pneumoniae And Staphylococcus Aureus In Nasal Samples, Polly Hockberger

All NMU Master's Theses

Invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus is associated with nasal carriage of these bacteria. Use of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in children altered nasal carriage rates and reduced infections due to S. pneumonia. Similar studies demonstrate that there is an inverse correlation between S. pneumoniae and S. aureus nasal carriage in children, but this inverse correlation has not been extensively investigated adults. The PCV is now approved for use in adults, a group more likely to be colonized with S. aureus. To investigate the impact of PCV vaccination on S. aureus carriage in adults, the …

Upper Body Characteristics Related To Double Pole Performance In Female Cross Country Skiers, Karmen M. Whitham

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of the current study was to correlate upper body (UB) lean mass (UBLM), UB maximal strength (UBMS), and average power production during a 3-min ski ergometer (SERG) test to predict the dependent variable, a one-kilometer uphill double pole time trial (DPTT) on snow. We hypothesized UBLM would be most important to performance. All tests were conducted within four weeks of completing the championship phase of a Division I cross country (XC) ski season. Skiers (n=10; all females) performed the mass-start DPTT on snow (i.e., criterion measure), SERG, and UBMS separated by at least a few days recovery. Lastly, …

12-Day Adventure Run-Hike Training At Altitude Improves Sea Level 5km Performance, Andrew M. Jones

All NMU Master's Theses

Elite and recreational endurance athletes routinely seek strategies to enhance sea level (SL) performance. Altitude (ALT) training continues to be an appealing approach. The primary purpose of this study was to measure the effect of a 12-day adventure running camp at ALT on 5 km time trial (TT) performance at SL. Secondarily, we explored changes in select metabolic and blood variables. We hypothesized an improvement in TT at SL. A group of five well-trained individuals (2 females) volunteered. TT, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), running economy (RE), and a complete blood count (CBC) were measured at SL before and …

7-Weeks Of Yoga Training And Its Effects On Flexibility, Rate Of Force Development, And Jump Height In Olympic Weightlifters, Andrew Ernst

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of the current study was to determine what effects 7-weeks of yoga training had on Olympic weightlifters flexibility, rate of force development, and jump height. Pre- and post-testing was performed consisting of flexibility and jump performance measurements. The participants performed a sit and reach test followed by a loaded overhead squat test with barbell. The overhead squat test was performed with reflective markers and recorded video to assess joint angles. A countermovement jump and snatch, at 80% of their one repetition maximum, was performed next to measure rate of force development and jump height. The participants then were …

Examination Of Cd133 And Cd147 As Cancer Stem Cell Markers, Christopher Mcmahon

All NMU Master's Theses

To date, as many as 14,000 patients in the United States per year are diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most common and most malignant primary brain tumor. Glioblastomas are characterized by their ability to evade treatment on many fronts, thus a novel approach to curative therapies is imperative. A population of cells with stem cell-like properties are found within glioblastoma tumors and drive their initiation and progression. Identification of extracellular markers on these tumor stem cells is thus paramount. The cell surface glycoproteins CD133 and CD147 were examined as potential markers of cancer stem cells found in glioblastoma. Here we found …

Analysis Of Tumor Specific Protein Expression In Glioblastoma Multiforme (Gbms) Tumors Through Immunohistochemistry, Amanda M. Wigand

All NMU Master's Theses

GBM tumors are the most aggressive and, unfortunately, the most fatal form of brain cancer. GBM tumors with isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutation being expressed, lead to higher survival rates in patients that also have full resection of the tumor and chemotherapy. Without this mutation, it is thought that tumors have a higher expression of the protein Basigin and O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltrasnferase (MGMT) present, causing it to be more aggressive and less responsive to standard care. The objective of this study was to understand the correlation between IDH1 mutation presence and the expression of Basigin and MGMT. The expression of these proteins was …

A Novel And Rapid Staphylococcus Aureus Bacterial Identification Method Utilizing Immunomagnetic Beads And Single Cell Laser-Light Scattering, Kaylagh Hollen

All NMU Master's Theses

Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly isolated human associated bacterial pathogen. It plays an important role in skin and soft-tissue infections, pneumonia, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, foreign-body infections, and sepsis. S. aureus diagnosis and treatment requires a minimum of 24-48. With this in mind, previous studies suggest that faster pathogen identification has been linked to improved patient outcomes. Improved patient outcomes including a reduction in hospitalization time, decreased risk of nosocomial infections, and decreased in medical costs. The impact of faster identification on patient outcome has led us to develop an alternative method of S. aureus identification via ImmunoMagnetic Separation (IMS) and …

Intracranial Infusions Of Neurotensin Agonists Produce An Anxiolytic Profile In A Rat Ultrasonic Vocalization Model, Floyd F. Steele Iii

All NMU Master's Theses

Neurotensin (NT) is a peptide neurotransmitter that interacts with brain monoamine neurotransmitter systems. It has been demonstrated that neurotensin type 1 and type 2 receptor agonists influence animal models of psychological disorders and pain regulation, respectively. It has already been shown that the systemic administration of the selective neurotensin type 1 receptor agonist PD149163 can attenuate the number of fear-induced 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) produced by male Wistar rats. A reduction in the number of 22-kHz USV calls is indicative of an anxiolytic effect. The current study used a USV model to evaluate the effects of PD149163 (0.1, 1.0, and …

Exercise Intensity And Performance Aspects Of Snow Biking Through The Use Of A Fat Bike, Kevin C. Phillips

All NMU Master's Theses

The aim of this study was to quantify, describe, and compare the exercise intensity and performance aspects of riding a fat bike, in a time trial (TT) format, on a natural earthen trail (ET) vs. on a groomed snow trail (ST). Eleven subjects, nine males and two females, participated in this two part study. Heart rate (HR) was used to quantify exercise intensity, examining average heart rate (HR_avg), and peak heart rate (HR_peak). In addition, a global positioning system (GPS) watch was used to assess time to complete the trail, average speed (speed_avg), and …

The Effects Of High Intensity Intermittent Exercise In Normobaric Hypoxia On Aerobic Capacity And Body Composition In Overweight And Obese Sedentary Adults, Max W. Adolphs

All NMU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine if high intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) combined with normobaric hypoxia had a multiplicative effect on body composition, maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max), and resting energy expenditure (REE) in overweight and obese sedentary adults. Twelve participates were recruited for the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either a hypoxic training (HT) group equivalent to 3,048 m (F_IO₂ = 14.5%) or a normoxic training (NT) group equivalent to 0 m (F_IO₂ = 20.9%) three times a week for six weeks in a normobaric hypoxic chamber. HIIE consisted …

A Cohort Study Investigating Autoantibody Levels During And After Infection With Influenza A Virus, Michelle Collins

All NMU Master's Theses

Antinuclear autoantibodies (ANAs) are present in all individuals. In those with autoimmune diseases they are routinely present in elevated levels. Although the nature and development of autoimmune diseases are not fully understood there are many hypotheses as to possible causes of an autoimmune disorder. One possible cause is viral infections. The scope of this thesis study was to examine if autoantibodies levels in individuals without autoimmune disorders increase during or after infection with influenza A virus. Blood was collected from volunteers (n=11) at time intervals of 0, 7, 42 and 63 days, respectively. Antibody levels were measured using ELISA assays …

Antidepressant Effects Of The Nts1 Agonist Pd149163 In The Forced Swim Test, Lawrence Carey Iv

All NMU Master's Theses

Neurotensin is a neuropeptide that influences monoaminergic neurotransmission in areas of the brain involved in the pathophysiology of depression. The forced swim test is a commonly used screening model for putative antidepressant medications. Drugs that have antidepressant effects in humans reliably decrease the time animals spend in an immobile posture in the forced swim test without increasing general locomotor activity as measured in an open field test. The present study sought to examine the effects of the neurotensin NTS₁ receptor agonist PD149163 and the tricyclic antidepressant drug imipramine on immobility in the forced swim test and on locomotor activity …

Characterization Of Hcmv-Encoded Chemokine Receptor Us28 Transduced Msu1.1 Human Fibroblast Cells, Danielle R. Vanbeckum

All NMU Master's Theses

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes the G-protein coupled receptor US28. Using a mouse model system, US28 was previously found to be oncomodulatory, increasing proliferation, inducing anchorage independent growth and loss of contact inhibition. Similarly, in the human glioblastoma cell line U373, US28 activated VEGF expression. To determine if US28 is oncomodulatory in normal human cells, we engineered the human fibroblast cell line MSU1.1 to express US28 via lentivirus infection. MSU1.1 cells were transduced with pHAGE-US28-ZsGreen. Fluorescent confocal microscopy was utilized to detect the ZsGreen tag and confirmed the successful transduction of MSU1.1 cells with the US28 vector or empty pHAGE vector. …

Acute Effects Of Long Distance Running On C-Reactive Protein And Arterial Stiffness, Bridget E. Durocher

All NMU Master's Theses

Abstract

Central arterial stiffness, indicated by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is increased during the hour post ultramarathon (ULT), but it's currently unknown if PWV remains elevated 24 hours after ULT or marathon (MAR). PURPOSE: To determine the effects of ULT and MAR on C-reactive protein (CRP), aortic blood pressure (BP), aortic augmentation index (AIx), PWV, and LF:HF ratio. We hypothesized that CRP, AIx, PWV and LF:HF ratio would be elevated 24 hours post-race. Our secondary hypothesis was that changes in PWV would be inversely correlated to the percentage of moderate activity (3-6 METs) during competition. METHODS: Applanation tonometry was used …

The Effect Of Winter Versus Summer Running On Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injury Rate In Recreational Runners, Elizabeth Frieseke

All NMU Master's Theses

The effects of cryotherapy on body tissues suggest that cold exposure can decrease performance measures, including proprioception, strength, and agility. Since a decrease in proprioception and strength have been linked with an increase of injury rates, this suggests that exposure to cold conditions may increase injury rates. The main purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in musculoskeletal injury rates in the winter compared to the summer months in recreational runners. The participants were surveyed on their injury history for the past year. The results of this study showed that the injury rate for musculoskeletal …

Haptic And Exoskeleton Devices For Neurorehabilitation Of Upper Limb Paralysis: A State Of Art And A Night Landing Task, Samantha Renee Wagner

All NMU Master's Theses

Rehabilitation is an important training phase for those suffering from upper limb paralysis as a result of brain injury. When successfully completed, the re-trained limb should be able to successfully complete daily life activities. An alternative to traditional therapy is the usage of effective rehabilitation by using haptic devices in a virtual environment. The type of haptic device and task are crucial for the success of the therapy training sessions. After presenting a state-of-art literature review of several haptic devices that has been used in research and clinical facilities, we thought to use the black hole illusion (BHI), a night …