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University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Articles 391 - 420 of 3145

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Enhancement Of Muscle Shortening Torque Preloaded With Muscle Lengthening Is Joint-Specific, Marzouq K. Almutairi, Gary R. Hunter, Donald H. Lein, Sojung Kim, David R. Bryan, Mario Inacio, Christopher P. Hurt, William Reed, Harshvardhan Singh Jan 2023

Enhancement Of Muscle Shortening Torque Preloaded With Muscle Lengthening Is Joint-Specific, Marzouq K. Almutairi, Gary R. Hunter, Donald H. Lein, Sojung Kim, David R. Bryan, Mario Inacio, Christopher P. Hurt, William Reed, Harshvardhan Singh

APC Fund

Our cross-sectional study aimed to investigate joint specificity of concentric muscle torque enhancement after a maximum eccentric contraction for the knee versus ankle joints across two different movement velocities (120°/s and 180°/s). After a familiarization session, 22 healthy young adults randomly performed concentric (CONC) and maximum eccentric preloaded concentric (EccCONC) muscle strength tests of the knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors of the non-dominant leg on an isokinetic strength testing device. We calculated the ratio between EccCONC and CONC (EccCONC/CONC) for all the conditions as the marker of concentric muscle torque enhancement. Separate two-way (joints x velocity) within repeated measures …


Transcriptional Regulation In Early Stage Cd4+ T Cell Activation And Differentiation, Andrew Ray Schroeder Jan 2023

Transcriptional Regulation In Early Stage Cd4+ T Cell Activation And Differentiation, Andrew Ray Schroeder

All ETDs from UAB

CD4+ T cells regulate the humoral and cellular immune responses by differentiating into T follicular helper (Tfh) cells or into non-Tfh effector cells. Non-Tfh effector cells leave the lymph node and migrate to the effector site whereas Tfh cells upregulate CXCR5 and migrate towards the B cell follicle. The mechanism of CXCR5 induction, however, is still incompletely understood. The transcription factor Bach2 was shown to inhibit the in vitro differentiation of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells as well as the in vivo Tfh responses. Though, it is unknown how Bach2 arbitrates Tfh and non-Tfh differentiation in vivo. Here, we report …


Investigating The P53 Tumor-Suppressive Network And The Dynamics/Mechanism Of P53 Loss Of Heterozygosity, Jun Wang Jan 2023

Investigating The P53 Tumor-Suppressive Network And The Dynamics/Mechanism Of P53 Loss Of Heterozygosity, Jun Wang

All ETDs from UAB

Tumor suppressor gene TP53 is the most frequently mutated gene across human cancers (~50%). Patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) who carry germline p53 mutations exhibit a diverse spectrum of childhood- and adult-onset malignancies. Despite over 40 years of dedicated studies to understand the role of p53 in tumor prevention, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the underlying mechanisms of p53. Previous studies have supported the notion that p53 exerts its tumor-suppressive function through its transcriptional activities. Therefore, strategies to enhance p53’s functions in tumor suppression via manipulating of downstream target gene activities in cancers show promising. To better investigate …


Imaging Nanoscale Plasma Membrane Dynamics Reveals Diversity In Clathrin-Coated Vesicle Formation, Tomasz Jacek Nawara Jan 2023

Imaging Nanoscale Plasma Membrane Dynamics Reveals Diversity In Clathrin-Coated Vesicle Formation, Tomasz Jacek Nawara

All ETDs from UAB

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is an essential cellular process facilitating the internalization of a variety of cargo. Clathrin polymerization and changes in plasma membrane architecture and composition are necessary steps to mediate the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs). However, simultaneous analysis of clathrin dynamics and membrane structure in living cells is challenging due to the limited axial resolution of fluorescence microscopes and the heterogeneity of CME. This has fueled conflicting models of vesicle assembly and obscured the roles of flat clathrin assemblies. Here we use Simultaneous Two-wavelength Axial Ratiometry (STAR) microscopy to bridge this critical knowledge gap by quantifying the nanoscale …


Expression Of St6gal1 Imparts Stem-Like Cell Behaviors, Thereby Promoting Neoplasia, Sejal Sanjay Shinde Jan 2023

Expression Of St6gal1 Imparts Stem-Like Cell Behaviors, Thereby Promoting Neoplasia, Sejal Sanjay Shinde

All ETDs from UAB

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies with a five-year survival of ~10%. Recent studies in the US population suggest PDAC as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in 2022. ST6 β-galactoside α2,6-sialyltransferase (ST6GAL1) is a glycosyltransferase which is known to be upregulated in cancer. It acts as a master regulator of a cell by being the predominant sialyltransferase catalyzing the addition of a bulky negatively charged sialic acid to the galactose sugar in an α2,6-linkage. Due to this, the sialic acid changes the structure and function of cell surface receptor proteins and regulates signal …


Investigating The Effects Of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition And Combined Treatment With Evofosfamide On The Tumor Microenvironment Through Hypoxia Imaging, Kaytlyn Carter Mcneal Jan 2023

Investigating The Effects Of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition And Combined Treatment With Evofosfamide On The Tumor Microenvironment Through Hypoxia Imaging, Kaytlyn Carter Mcneal

All ETDs from UAB

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent and deadly cancer worldwide. While immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibition, shows promise in various cancers, its efficacy in CRC and other tumor types is limited. Hypoxia, characterized by inadequate tissue oxygenation, critically drives cancer progression, promoting tumor growth, metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and poor prognosis. Evofosfamide, a hypoxia-activating prodrug, is being evaluated in clinical trials for combined use with checkpoint blockade as a potential therapeutic strategy. This study investigates the impact of hypoxia on immune checkpoint inhibition, evofosfamide, and combination therapy, while utilizing non-invasive molecular imaging to develop analytical methods for quantifying and characterizing tumor …


Comparison Of Crown Fracture And Wear Resistence Of Resin 3d Printed Permanent Crown And Other Restorative Materials, Victor Moncada Jan 2023

Comparison Of Crown Fracture And Wear Resistence Of Resin 3d Printed Permanent Crown And Other Restorative Materials, Victor Moncada

All ETDs from UAB

Statement of Problem: The resin for 3D printing permanent crowns is a recently approved material with limited literature evidence to support its in vitro properties. Comparing the mechanical properties such as fracture load (N) and wear resistance for 3D printing permanent restorations resins would represent a very good reference to consider future clinical decisions. Purpose: To investigate the fracture load (N) and wear resistance of the resins for 3D printing permanent crowns available in the U.S. dental market and to compare amongst them using lithium disilicate as a reference. Materials and Methods: for the crown fracture test, the experimental design …


The Molecular And Structural Basis Of B Cell Epitope Targeting In Transplant Rejection, John T. Killian Jan 2023

The Molecular And Structural Basis Of B Cell Epitope Targeting In Transplant Rejection, John T. Killian

All ETDs from UAB

HLA-reactive antibodies (HLA-Abs) to mismatched polymorphic HLA molecules are one of the major barriers to successful organ transplantation. However, key knowledge gaps remain surrounding the immunology of the anti-HLA B cell response in transplant rejection. This lack of understanding regarding the phenotype and specificity of the anti- HLA B cell response means that the field cannot develop optimal therapies to treat B-cell mediated donor-specific responses and that it lacks the tools to optimally match donors and recipients to prevent rejection events. Therefore, this dissertation aimed to explore the clinical factors associated with the formation of donor-specific antibodies and the molecular …


Organizational Climate And Its Association With Eth Perceived Permanence Of An Evidence-Based Decision-Aid For Patients With Lupus, Aizhan Karabukayeva Jan 2023

Organizational Climate And Its Association With Eth Perceived Permanence Of An Evidence-Based Decision-Aid For Patients With Lupus, Aizhan Karabukayeva

All ETDs from UAB

It is increasingly evident that seemingly good ideas do not always result in changes in practice, and it is challenging to sustain evidence-based innovations, even if they are backed by substantial research. Long-term use of innovations seems more likely where favorable contextual conditions are in place, yet relatively little empirical research has taken up the question of how evidence-based practices are sustained and become established in day-to-day practice. This question of sustainability is crucial if the gains in patient care that derive from organizational innovations are to be maintained. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relationship between …


Advanced Applications Of Existing Technology And Their Influence On Quality Outcomes In Federally Qualified Health Centers, Ali Riza Demirbas Jan 2023

Advanced Applications Of Existing Technology And Their Influence On Quality Outcomes In Federally Qualified Health Centers, Ali Riza Demirbas

All ETDs from UAB

Increasing competition in the healthcare industry is compelling organizations to adopt new strategies to obtain and/or maintain a competitive advantage. To obtain a competitive advantage, healthcare organizations may need either more efficient processes or offer new or improved products and services through the utilization of these strategies. In competitive market environments, technological innovations can be a key competitive advantage to reduce expenses, improve quality, attract more customers, or a combination of all. All healthcare organizations can benefit from technological innovations, especially those with limited resources. One type of healthcare organization that highlights the disparity in resources is the Federally Qualified …


Sialylation Of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor By The Sialyltransferase St6gal1 Modulates Receptor Activity And Downstream Signaling, Katherine Ankenbauer Jan 2023

Sialylation Of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor By The Sialyltransferase St6gal1 Modulates Receptor Activity And Downstream Signaling, Katherine Ankenbauer

All ETDs from UAB

During the process of malignant transformation, cells have striking changes in their cell surface glycosylation. One of these changes is an enrichment for α2,6 sialic acid which is added by the sialyltransferase, ST6GAL1. ST6GAL1 is upregulated in numerous malignancies and acts by adding an α2,6 sialic acid onto receptors bound for the plasma membrane. This sialic acid, in turn, modulates the activity of the receptor by regulating conformation, clustering, and cell surface retention. The work presented in this dissertation focuses on how ST6GAL1-mediated sialylation of a specific cell surface receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), regulates many of its properties. …


Factors Impacting Serious Illness Care In Alabama: An Assessment Of The Current State Of Hospital Palliative Care, Amy M. Beasley Jan 2023

Factors Impacting Serious Illness Care In Alabama: An Assessment Of The Current State Of Hospital Palliative Care, Amy M. Beasley

All ETDs from UAB

BACKGROUND: Palliative care (PC) use has been shown to offer many benefits to patients and families. Hospital PC has expanded in the United States, though growth has been limited within hospital types and geographic locations. According to the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC), Alabama was rated a “D,” indicating that significant improvements in PC are needed. The purpose of this study was to develop a thorough description of access to palliative care in Alabama hospitals. METHODS: A mixed methods multiple case study was employed with quantitative data embedded into a qualitative case study approach. Four hospitals were selected based …


Molecular Determinants Of Retroviral Gag Targeting To The Plasma Membrane For Assembly, Dominik Herrmann Jan 2023

Molecular Determinants Of Retroviral Gag Targeting To The Plasma Membrane For Assembly, Dominik Herrmann

All ETDs from UAB

Human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1) was the first oncogenic human retrovirus to be discovered. Several serious diseases have been linked to HTLV-1 infection, such as Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Between 10-20 million people are infected with HTLV-1 making it a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A comprehensive understanding of the factors that govern retroviral replication precludes the development of efficient antiretroviral therapies (ARTs). In the example of HIV-1, atomic level structural data was paramount to developing and improving upon many of the ARTs used today, underscoring the need for structure …


Sex-Stratified Genetic Analysis Of Gout And Comorbidities, Nicholas Andrew Sumpter Jan 2023

Sex-Stratified Genetic Analysis Of Gout And Comorbidities, Nicholas Andrew Sumpter

All ETDs from UAB

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis that is increasing in prevalence globally. It has clear sex differences, being more common among men, though comorbidities appear to be more common among women. It also varies in prevalence between populations, driven by a combination of genetic and socioeconomic factors. Genetic studies have identified gout-associated genetic variants, several of which are shared between different populations. Here, I combined gout-associated genetic variants into a gout polygenic risk score. This score was then used to elucidate the genetic underpinning of gout severity and presence of comorbidities, comparing its effects in different sexes and populations. I …


Aberrant Signal Transduction Of Neuronal Injury: Trauma And Toxicology, Alan Umfress Jan 2023

Aberrant Signal Transduction Of Neuronal Injury: Trauma And Toxicology, Alan Umfress

All ETDs from UAB

Neurological injuries occur in epidemic proportions worldwide. Neuronal injuries are events resulting in damage to the central nervous system (CNS) that impair neurological function. Subsequent impairments in neuronal function can be rapid, existing immediately after injury, or progressive and chronic impairments that persist for the lifetime of the survivor. CNS injury constitutes a broad class of environmental and pathophysiological insults ranging from blunt-force trauma to the brain or spinal cord, to acute ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, and insults resultant from neurotoxic agents. While divergent in initial cause, many of these insults share underlying pathophysiological outcomes including excitotoxic cell signaling, neuroinflammation, …


Investigating Regulatory Mechanisms Of Transcription By Rna Polymerase I, Abigail Kate Huffines Jan 2023

Investigating Regulatory Mechanisms Of Transcription By Rna Polymerase I, Abigail Kate Huffines

All ETDs from UAB

There are at least three eukaryotic RNA polymerases (Pols), Pols I, II, and III. These Pols are essential for transcription, where RNA is synthesized from various DNA templates. While transcription has been well-studied for decades, there are still many questions that remain unanswered about how this process is regulated for each of the three Pols. Transcription is highly regulated and complex, therefore, many different mechanisms exist to tightly control it in the cell. Some of these mechanisms include regulation by transcription factors and co-transcriptional RNA processing. While these regulatory mechanisms are of great interest, they have not yet been fully …


The Role Of Tissue- And Cell-Type-Specific Expression And Regulation In Setbp1-Associated Diseases, Jordan Hailey Whitlock Jan 2023

The Role Of Tissue- And Cell-Type-Specific Expression And Regulation In Setbp1-Associated Diseases, Jordan Hailey Whitlock

All ETDs from UAB

SET binding protein 1 (SETBP1) encodes a transcription factor (TF) participating in diverse cellular processes. SETBP1 is an epigenetic hub associated with variants linked to three distinct diseases. Germline variants cause rare pediatric Schinzel Giedion Syndrome (SGS) and SETBP1 haploinsufficiency disorder (SETBP1-HD), featuring multisystemic abnormalities and neurodegeneration or milder brain issues with hypotonia, respectively. On the other hand, somatic variants contribute to hematological malignancies and adult cancer. To understand tissue-specific SETBP1 mechanisms, public RNA-sequencing data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project were analyzed. SETBP1 and targets were broadly expressed across 31 adult human tissues, revealing three distinct expression patterns: transcription …


Time-Restricted Feeding Attenuates Obesity-Induced Muscle Dysfunction Through Energy Metabolism And Microbiota Modulation, Christopher Livelo Jan 2023

Time-Restricted Feeding Attenuates Obesity-Induced Muscle Dysfunction Through Energy Metabolism And Microbiota Modulation, Christopher Livelo

All ETDs from UAB

Obesity is a global epidemic that affects countless numbers of people caused by genetic and environmental factors including circadian disruption, which poses significant health risks to skeletal muscle physiology and other tissues. While a feeding fasting intervention known as time-restricted feeding (TRF) has been shown to mitigate obesity-related muscle dysfunction, the underlying mechanisms remain a subject of investigation. In this study, we delve into potential mechanisms underlying TRF's protective effects on muscle physiology in the context of diet- and genetic-induced obesity using Drosophila models. Our findings reveal that TRF triggers the upregulation of key genes involved in glycine production (Sardh …


Perceptions Of Comfort And Vison In Center Distance Multifocal Contact Lenses In Non-Presbyopic Adults, D'Ajanee Smallwood Jan 2023

Perceptions Of Comfort And Vison In Center Distance Multifocal Contact Lenses In Non-Presbyopic Adults, D'Ajanee Smallwood

All ETDs from UAB

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the subjective performance of four different multifocal contact lenses (MFCLs) amongst a population of adults excluding presbyopes. Methods: Forty-three subjects were fit with up to four different lenses (Biofinity “D” MFCL, NaturalVue MFCL, MiSight 1 Day contact lens, & Intelliwave MFCL). Information about vision and comfort were gathered using subjective assessments. Pupil size data were gathered as secondary outcome measurements. Results: There were no significant differences in ghosting, haloes, and visual clarity between larger and smaller pupils. All MFCLs had reduced overall visual clarity compared to habitual correction except for Biofinity. …


Effectiveness Of The Invisalign System For Deep Bite Correction, Jerry D. Spillers Jan 2023

Effectiveness Of The Invisalign System For Deep Bite Correction, Jerry D. Spillers

All ETDs from UAB

Objective: To assess the dental and skeletal changes resulting from correction of a deep bite using Invisalign (Align Technology, Santa Clara, CA, USA).Methods: This is a retrospective case series study which analyzed pre and post treatment cephalograms for 37 adult deep bite patients. Each patient was treated by one, experi-enced clinician using the same treatment protocols. Nineteen variables, ten linear and nine angular. The Wilcoxon analysis was used to determine if there was a significant dif-ference in pre and post treatment variables. Results: Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) occurred for 14 of 19 variables. These include a decrease in Overjet (-0.97 mm), decrease in overbite (-4.07 mm), extru-sion of the upper first molar (0.47 mm), intrusion of the upper incisor (-0.67mm), extru-sion of the lower second molar (1.01 mm), lower first molar (1.20 mm), lower second premolar (1.70 mm), and lower first premolar (1.74 mm), intrusion of the lower incisor (-1.88 mm), proclination of lower incisor, (4.09 ̊), and increase in SN-MP (0.54 mm). A decrease in anterior occlusal plane (AOP) was also statistically significant. Conclusions: Invisalign is an effective treatment modality for correcting dental deep bites through posterior extrusion and anterior intrusion. Minimal skeletal changes are seen when correcting deep bites with Invisalign.


Dact1, The “Super-Crosslinker”: Regulation Of Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling During Vertebrate Convergent Extension By Modulating Dishevelled Oligomerization, Allyson Angermeier Jan 2023

Dact1, The “Super-Crosslinker”: Regulation Of Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling During Vertebrate Convergent Extension By Modulating Dishevelled Oligomerization, Allyson Angermeier

All ETDs from UAB

A broad spectrum of human birth defects arise from the disruption of morphogenesis, the critical process through which tissues and organs acquire their proper shape. Convergent extension (CE) is a universal morphogenetic engine that promotes polarized extension of diverse tissues and organs by regulating directional cell behavior, such as oriented cell intercalation. In vertebrates, CE is regulated by non-canonical Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) pathway, an ancient signaling pathway that was originally discovered to coordinate the cellular polarity in the plane of the epithelium. Non-canonical Wnt/PCP signaling shares the Frizzled (Fz) receptor and cytoplasmic signal transducer Dishevelled (Dvl) with the canonical …


Shortness Of Breath In An Immunocompromised Patient, Bethany Langner, Hope Cain Lackey, Khalid Ameen, Farrah Ibrahim Jan 2023

Shortness Of Breath In An Immunocompromised Patient, Bethany Langner, Hope Cain Lackey, Khalid Ameen, Farrah Ibrahim

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster


A Rare Case Of Melas Presenting In A Middle-Aged Patient, Beshoy Abdelmessih, Jesse Faulk Jan 2023

A Rare Case Of Melas Presenting In A Middle-Aged Patient, Beshoy Abdelmessih, Jesse Faulk

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster


When Benign Is Not So Benign: A Case Of A Life-Threatening Leiomyoma, Bayley Atkins, Audrey Driver, Joseph Fiore Jan 2023

When Benign Is Not So Benign: A Case Of A Life-Threatening Leiomyoma, Bayley Atkins, Audrey Driver, Joseph Fiore

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster


An Ambiguous Case Of Suspected Latent Autoimmune Diabetes, Bayley Atkins, Gabriel Belue Jan 2023

An Ambiguous Case Of Suspected Latent Autoimmune Diabetes, Bayley Atkins, Gabriel Belue

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster


Metastatic Breast Cancer Of The Femur And Lungs In A Male Patient, Paul Boulet, Daniel Burnes Jan 2023

Metastatic Breast Cancer Of The Femur And Lungs In A Male Patient, Paul Boulet, Daniel Burnes

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster


Might It Be Methadone? A High Value Approach At Common Bile Duct Dilatation, Chase Craven, Zoey Duncan, Parekha Yedla Jan 2023

Might It Be Methadone? A High Value Approach At Common Bile Duct Dilatation, Chase Craven, Zoey Duncan, Parekha Yedla

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster


A Case Of Gemcitabine Induced Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Audrey Driver, Kayla Ramirez, Rafik Elbeblawy, John Fanning, Kelsey Ivey Jan 2023

A Case Of Gemcitabine Induced Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Audrey Driver, Kayla Ramirez, Rafik Elbeblawy, John Fanning, Kelsey Ivey

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster


An Itch You Can’T Scratch: A Case Of Dress Syndrome With Neurological Manifestations, Audrey Driver, Kelsey Ivey Jan 2023

An Itch You Can’T Scratch: A Case Of Dress Syndrome With Neurological Manifestations, Audrey Driver, Kelsey Ivey

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster


A Case Of Refractory Pyoderma Gangrenosum And Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Zoey Duncan, Jesse Faulk Jan 2023

A Case Of Refractory Pyoderma Gangrenosum And Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Zoey Duncan, Jesse Faulk

UAB Huntsville Research Day - All Presentations

2023 clinical vignette poster