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Articles 1 - 30 of 48
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Effects Of Step Training On The Kidneys Following Spinal Cord Injury In Rats., Pradeepa Poudyal
Effects Of Step Training On The Kidneys Following Spinal Cord Injury In Rats., Pradeepa Poudyal
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to over-distention, high bladder pressures and vesico-ureteric reflux into the kidney, resulting in repeated infections and pyelonephritis. Given the importance/limited knowledge of SCI effects on the upper urinary tract, this study assessed expression of two proteins in the kidneys of contused (T9) male rats relative to controls that are indicative of tissue stress/damage (TGFβ, CD11b). The impact of two therapeutic rehabilitation strategies, 60 minutes of step training and general exercise, was then assessed on these protein levels relative to non-trained SCI controls, plus the effectiveness of a shorter training duration (30 …
The Impact Of Inflammatory And Immune Response-Related Genetic Variants On Prostate Cancer Risk Among Men Of African Descent., Dominique Zilpha Jones
The Impact Of Inflammatory And Immune Response-Related Genetic Variants On Prostate Cancer Risk Among Men Of African Descent., Dominique Zilpha Jones
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: In the U.S., prostate cancer (PCA) metastasis is associated with a 5-yr survival rate of 29% and disproportionately affects men of African descent. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may serve as genetic markers to identify individuals at high risk of developing PCA. Methods: We examined main and joint effects of 119 inflammatory and immune response-associated SNPs among men of African descent (535 controls, 279 cases) via logistic regression (LR) and entropy-based-multi-factor dimensionality reduction (MDR) modeling. Results: MDR yielded highly synergistic [(TLR10, TLR6 and IRF3), (TLR2, IRAK4), (IL1R2, IL10, IL10RA)] interaction …
Biomarker Discovery Of Liver Diseases Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics., Xue Shi
Biomarker Discovery Of Liver Diseases Using Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics., Xue Shi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Metabolomics has emerged as one of the latest of the "-omics" disciplines that can detect metabolite biomarkers in biological samples. The diverse characteristics of metabolites make the analytical platform challenging in metabolomics. Two bioanalytical platforms were developed in this study to investigate metabolite abundance changes under different biological conditions. We first developed a bioanalytical platform that coupled linear trap quadruple - Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometer (LTQ-FTICR MS) with direct infusion chip-based nano-electrospray ionization (DI-nESI) and applied it to study polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We also employed this platform in conjunction with in …
Retinal Synaptic Function In The Absence Of The On Pathway., Kathryn Marie Heath Fransen
Retinal Synaptic Function In The Absence Of The On Pathway., Kathryn Marie Heath Fransen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Complete Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (cCSNB) is a rare hereditary retinal disorder characterized by abnormal night vision. cCSNB is caused by postsynaptic defects in On bipolar cells (BCs) and is identified by the presence of an electroretinogram (ERG) with a normal a-wave, corresponding to photoreceptor function, and the absence of a b-wave, corresponding to a failure of On BC function. Through the study of genetic mutations in mouse that result in no b-wave ERG phenotypes, several proteins have been identified that play crucial roles in On BC signal transmission. I focused on four mouse models of cCSNB; Nyxnob (Nyctalopin mutant), …
Classification Of Clinical Outcomes Using High-Throughput And Clinical Informatics., Alexander Carswell Cambon
Classification Of Clinical Outcomes Using High-Throughput And Clinical Informatics., Alexander Carswell Cambon
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
It is widely recognized that many cancer therapies are effective only for a subset of patients. However clinical studies are most often powered to detect an overall treatment effect. To address this issue, classification methods are increasingly being used to predict a subset of patients which respond differently to treatment. This study begins with a brief history of classification methods with an emphasis on applications involving melanoma. Nonparametric methods suitable for predicting subsets of patients responding differently to treatment are then reviewed. Each method has different ways of incorporating continuous, categorical, clinical and high-throughput covariates. For nonparametric and parametric methods, …
Development Of A Thin-Film Porous-Microelectrode Array (P-Mea) For Electrical Stimulation Of Engineered Cardiac Tissue., Hiren Vrajlal Trada 1977-
Development Of A Thin-Film Porous-Microelectrode Array (P-Mea) For Electrical Stimulation Of Engineered Cardiac Tissue., Hiren Vrajlal Trada 1977-
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Electrical stimulation has been increasingly used by research groups to enhance and increase maturation of cells in an engineered cardiac tissue (ECT). Current methods are based on using off-the-shelf wires or electrodes to deliver a stimulus voltage to the in-vitro tissue in culture medium. A major issue with this approach is the generation of byproducts in the medium due to the voltage levels required, which are typically in the range of 5V-10V. No solution currently exists that can accomplish electrical stimulation of cells in an ECT at a low voltage level. Therefore, in this study a novel, porous, thinfilm, microelectrode …
Boundary Contour Based Surface Representation., Yong Su
Boundary Contour Based Surface Representation., Yong Su
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
We receive most information about our surrounding space and objects through the eyes. To reconstruct the 3D space and objects in the visual system from the 2D retinal images, surface representation must be a critical intermediate stage in the visual processing stream. It is hypothesized in the dissertation that the visual system represents textured surface by a border-to-interior strategy: boundary contours would be encoded first and then border-ownership assignments would be resolved. This process would solve the related problems such as figure-ground segregation, surface depth relationship, occlusion, transparency, etc. As a result, the boundary contours of the surfaces would be …
The Effect Of Spinal Cord Injury On Vagal Afferents., April N. Herrity
The Effect Of Spinal Cord Injury On Vagal Afferents., April N. Herrity
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant public health concern that leaves patients with a multitude of life-long disabilities. Major complications of SCI apart from paralysis, include deficits in bladder and bowel function. Lower urinary tract dysfunction continues to remain a top priority issue affecting quality of life for this population. The majority of visceral organs receive a dual sensory innervation from both spinal nerves as well as the vagus nerve. Following SCI, the vagus nerve is a potential pathway through which information from regions below the level of a spinal injury can travel directly to the brainstem, bypassing the …
Signaling Mechanisms In Regenerative Myogenesis., Sajedah M. Hindi 1986-
Signaling Mechanisms In Regenerative Myogenesis., Sajedah M. Hindi 1986-
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Skeletal muscle constitutes a highly plastic and malleable tissue that rapidly and profoundly adapts to various environmental and physiological stimuli. This response takes place by means of regulated signaling transduction which elicits changes in gene expression, biochemical, and metabolic properties. Adult muscle is composed by alignment of multinucleated, post mitotic muscle fibers formed during embryonic and neonatal development. Residing in the niche of mature muscle fibers is a small population of undifferentiated muscle progenitors termed satellite cells. Satellite cells are muscle stem cells that carry out regenerative response in adult myofibers. Coordinated signaling emitting from terminally differentiated muscle fibers and …
Extracellular Matrix Proteins And The Liver-Lung Axis In Disease., Veronica L. Massey
Extracellular Matrix Proteins And The Liver-Lung Axis In Disease., Veronica L. Massey
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Shape/Image Registration For Medical Imaging : Novel Algorithms And Applications., Ahmed Magdy Shalaby 1982-
Shape/Image Registration For Medical Imaging : Novel Algorithms And Applications., Ahmed Magdy Shalaby 1982-
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation looks at two different categories of the registration approaches: Shape registration, and Image registration. It also considers the applications of these approaches into the medical imaging field. Shape registration is an important problem in computer vision, computer graphics and medical imaging. It has been handled in different manners in many applications like shapebased segmentation, shape recognition, and tracking. Image registration is the process of overlaying two or more images of the same scene taken at different times, from different viewpoints, and/or by different sensors. Many image processing applications like remote sensing, fusion of medical images, and computer-aided surgery …
Study Of Novel Nanoparticle Transport And Drug Release For Cancer Treatment., Christopher Gene England 1988-
Study Of Novel Nanoparticle Transport And Drug Release For Cancer Treatment., Christopher Gene England 1988-
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Nano-scale particles sized 10—400 nm administered systemically preferentially extravasate from tumor vasculature due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Therapeutic success remains elusive, however, because of inhomogeneous particle distribution within tumor tissue. Insufficient tumor vascularization limits particle transport and also results in avascular hypoxic regions with non-proliferating cells, which can regenerate tissue after nanoparticle-delivered cytotoxicity or thermal ablation. In this study, gold nanoparticles were functionalized with phosphatidylcholine (two-layer) or phosphatidylcholine and HDL (three-layer) in the formation of “layered” nanoparticles. The diffusivity of both two- and three layered colloidal gold nanoparticles and silica gold nanoshells were examined in 3D cell …
Pathogenic Role Of Acrolein In Alcoholic Liver Disease., Wei-Yang (Jeremy) Chen
Pathogenic Role Of Acrolein In Alcoholic Liver Disease., Wei-Yang (Jeremy) Chen
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Alcohol is the most socially accepted addictive drug, and it can cause alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. Animal and human studies demonstrate that chronic alcohol consumption causes a pro-oxidant environment in the liver and increases hepatic lipid peroxidation and the accumulation of by-products such as acrolein and 4-hydroxynonenal. Acrolein is the most reactive and toxic aldehyde generated through lipid peroxidation. Also, acrolein is a major component of cigarette smoke, and there is increasing evidence that smoking negatively impacts the incidence, severity, and clinical course of chronic …
Pathogenic Role Of Phosphodiesterase 4 (Pde4) In The Development Of Alcohol Induced Hepatic Steatosis., Diana Veronica Avila
Pathogenic Role Of Phosphodiesterase 4 (Pde4) In The Development Of Alcohol Induced Hepatic Steatosis., Diana Veronica Avila
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Alcohol induced hepatic steatosis is a significant risk factor for progressive liver disease. Steatotic hepatocytes have increased sensitivity to injury produced by inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) has been shown to play a significant role in the regulation of both TNF production and lipid metabolism. However, the role of altered cAMP homeostasis in alcohol mediated hepatic steatosis and injury has not been studied. cAMP levels are tightly regulated by phosphodiesterase family of enzymes. Our recent work demonstrated that increased expression of hepatic PDE4, which specifically hydrolyzes and decreases cAMP levels, plays a pathogenic role in the development …
Self-Regulation Theory And Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose Behavior In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus., Jennifer E. F. Ward
Self-Regulation Theory And Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose Behavior In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus., Jennifer E. F. Ward
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The present study examined self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) as part of a selfregulatory process of health decision-making using the Self-Regulation Model of illness perceptions, or Common Sense Model. Participants were N=185 individuals with type 2 diabetes from a specialty diabetes clinic prescribed subcutaneous insulin or other injectable diabetes medication at least daily. Collected information included both medical chart data and self-report questionnaires completed prior receiving lab results. Self-care burden was generally high; the modal prescribed times per day of injecting insulin was 4 with modal SMBG recommendations of 3-4 times per day. Participants reported high adherence to prescribed medication …
Predictors Of Lifestyle Behaviors, Trust Of Health Care Provider, And Utilization Of Health Services Among Adolescents Living In A Rural Area., Heather Karolyne Hardin
Predictors Of Lifestyle Behaviors, Trust Of Health Care Provider, And Utilization Of Health Services Among Adolescents Living In A Rural Area., Heather Karolyne Hardin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: Adolescents have elevated morbidity and mortality rates associated with risk-taking behaviors, but utilize health services at low levels. There is little evidence concerning health behavior, trust of health care provider, or utilization of health services among adolescents living in rural areas. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine individual characteristic variables and determine the extent to which these variables influence lifestyle behaviors, trust of health care provider (HCP), and utilization of health services among adolescents attending public high school in rural Indiana. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, quantitative design. Instruments used in this study were …
An Examination Of The Relationship Between Sense Of Coherence, Engagement In Health Behaviors, And Individual Coping Style., Dean Todd Misener 1973-
An Examination Of The Relationship Between Sense Of Coherence, Engagement In Health Behaviors, And Individual Coping Style., Dean Todd Misener 1973-
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Stress is a pervasive issue among traditional college students; affecting their choice in health behaviors, and overall academic performance. What is not clear is why some students, despite the pervasiveness of stressors are able to do well in school and maintain/improve their health, while other students struggle to maintain their health and do poorly in school. Aaron Antonovsky theorized that when confronted with a stressor a person with a high sense of coherence (SOC) will be motivated to cope, believe the challenge is understood and that the necessary resources to cope with the stressor are available. Overall, Antonovsky theorized that …
The Role Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis In The Regulation Of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers In Migration., Akintunde Ojo 1981-
The Role Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis In The Regulation Of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers In Migration., Akintunde Ojo 1981-
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
A relationship between periodontal disease and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been demonstrated in recent studies. Porphyromonas gingivalis’ antigen have been found in oral cancer cells. The embryonic program “epithelial-mesenchymal transition” (EMT) is thought to trigger cancer invasion by allowing tumor cell propagation. The objective of this study was to examine the role of P. gingivalis in the expression of ZEB1, vimentin, and repression of miRNA-200 family as EMT prognostic markers in cancer cell metastasis. Human telomerase immortalized gingival keratinocytes (TIGK) cells were challenged with P. gingivalis strain ATCC 33277 in vitro for 24h at MOI 50 and 100. …
Lunasin Reduces The Melanoma Stem Cell Population In Vitro And Inhibits Tumor Proliferation In Vivo., Christopher Paul Shidal
Lunasin Reduces The Melanoma Stem Cell Population In Vitro And Inhibits Tumor Proliferation In Vivo., Christopher Paul Shidal
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lunasin is a 44 amino acid peptide derived from the soybean seed that has been shown to have cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties. In this study, we investigated the potential utility of lunasin as a chemotherapeutic in a melanoma model. Initial studies showed that lunasin has little activity against established melanoma cell lines in vitro using adherent culture methods; however, lunasin’s in vitro activity was significantly higher in non-adherent colony-forming assays in soft agar and oncosphere assays. These results led us to investigate whether lunasin selectively affects cancer initiating cells (CIC) that are known to be present in these melanoma …
Modulation Of The Ovarian Cancer Humoral Response By Tumor-Derived Exosomes., Carolyn Denise Roberson
Modulation Of The Ovarian Cancer Humoral Response By Tumor-Derived Exosomes., Carolyn Denise Roberson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer is complicated by its diagnosis during the latter stages of the disease resulting from lack of symptoms or from presence of symptoms that mimic other conditions. Because of the often fatal prognosis by the time of actual detection, efforts are being made to better understand the host immune response to ovarian cancer. In this study, the contributions of the humoral immune response were investigated by focusing on the role of tumor-derived exosomes and their ability to modulate humoral immune responses. First, ovarian cancer patient-derived free circulating antibodies were investigated for immunoreactivity to patient antigen. …
Development Of Models For The Study Of The Molecular Mechanisms Of Host Restriction And Adaptation Of Hantaviruses., Ryan Carroll Mcallister 1988-
Development Of Models For The Study Of The Molecular Mechanisms Of Host Restriction And Adaptation Of Hantaviruses., Ryan Carroll Mcallister 1988-
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Hantaviruses, family Bunyaviridae, are present throughout the globe in a variety of mouse, rat, mole, vole, shrew, or bat species. Hantaviruses persist for the lifetime of the animal reservoir, while causing no signs or symptoms of disease. Only the rodent-borne hantaviruses cause disease in humans. In contrast, a “spillover” infection of a hantavirus into a nonreservoir rodent species results in an asymptomatic acute infection. We and others in the field are interested in understanding the biology of these virus-host interactions and mechanisms that underlie these three very different outcomes. The second chapter of my thesis focused on probing the intrahost …
Building A Metabolic Bridge Between Glycolysis And Sphingolipid Biosynthesis : Implications In Cancer., Morgan L. Stathem
Building A Metabolic Bridge Between Glycolysis And Sphingolipid Biosynthesis : Implications In Cancer., Morgan L. Stathem
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cancer therapeutics has seen an emergence and re-emergence of two metabolic fields in recent years, namely bioactive sphingolipids and glycolytic metabolism. Anaerobic glycolysis and its role in cancer has been recognized in cancer biology over 90 years. In recent decades, the role of sphingolipids in cancer cell metabolism has gained recognition, notably ceramide’s essential role in programmed cell death and the role of the glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) in chemotherapeutic resistance. Despite this knowledge, a direct link between these two fields has yet to be concretely drawn. Herein, we show that in a model of highly glycolytic cells, generation of the …
Cholinergic Inhibition Of Lipopolysaccharide Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase In Immune Cells., Harrison Black,
Cholinergic Inhibition Of Lipopolysaccharide Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase In Immune Cells., Harrison Black,
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) are proteins that have a unique role in immunity, tissue remodeling, and tumorigenesis. MMPs can break down extracellular components, release bioactive molecules, and act on pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and other proteins to regulate varied aspects of inflammation and immunity. Nicotine (3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) pyridine), a key toxic component of tobacco, is thought to dysregulate matrix metalloproteinase secretion in immune cells. Aim: Examine the effect of nicotine on MMP9 secretion and activity in primary monocytes. Methods: Primary monocytes were stimulated with LPS (1 µg/ml) and Nicotine (100 ng/ml) and MMP9 secretion were studied. Gel zymography and ELISA techniques were …
Help-Seeking Behaviors Of South African Women After Sexual Offence Victimization : The Lived Experience., Sheila Young Steinbrenner
Help-Seeking Behaviors Of South African Women After Sexual Offence Victimization : The Lived Experience., Sheila Young Steinbrenner
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
There is little known about South African women’s help-seeking behavior after sexual offence victimization. South Africa is estimated to have the highest rate of rape and sexual assault globally. However, only one in six women seek health services post victimization. The importance of medical and mental health care following victimization has been clearly established. Therefore understanding more about South African women’s help-seeking after victimization is profoundly important. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of help-seeking behaviors of South African women after sexual offence victimization. Hermeneutic phenomenology as applied by van Manen provided the philosophical underpinnings, …
Inducible Tumor Difference Between Rapid And Slow Rat Nat2 Congenic Fischer 344 Rats Administered Methyl-Nitrosourea., Marcus W. Stepp
Inducible Tumor Difference Between Rapid And Slow Rat Nat2 Congenic Fischer 344 Rats Administered Methyl-Nitrosourea., Marcus W. Stepp
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) is a well-known phase II metabolic enzyme that has been associated with carcinogenesis. Its role in the biotransformation of aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens has been investigated for many years, but more recent investigations focus on a possible endogenous role of human NAT1 in cancer initiation and progression. We conducted in vivo studies using homozygous Fischer 344 rats, congenic at the rat Nat2 locus for high (rapid) and low (slow) activity. Wistar Kyoto inbred rats were used to breed in the slow activity rat Nat2 locus into the Fischer 344 inbred rat, which contains the …
Bdnf Maintains Adult Taste Innervation And Is Required For Taste Nerve Regeneration After Injury., Lingbin Meng
Bdnf Maintains Adult Taste Innervation And Is Required For Taste Nerve Regeneration After Injury., Lingbin Meng
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is required for the gustatory neuron survival,target innervation, and taste bud maintenance during development. However, whether BDNF has any function in the adult gustatory system in normal conditions or after nerve injury is unclear. To address these issues, I inducibly removed BDNF in all cells expressing BDNF in adult mice. In the experimental animals, Bdnf expression decreased to 5% of control mice in the lingual epithelium and geniculate ganglion (p< 0.01) at both two weeks and ten weeks after tamoxifen administration. I found no effect on taste bud morphology at four weeks following Bdnf gene deletion. However, ten weeks following Bdnf gene deletion, P2X3-positive and TUJ1-positive gustatory innervation to individual taste buds was reduced by nearly half (each with p < 0.01) and both taste bud volume and taste cell number decreased 30% (each with p< 0.01). These experiments demonstrate that BDNF is required for maintenance of normal levels of taste innervation and normal taste bud morphology in adulthood. In addition, taste cells expressing PLCß2 (phospholipase C ß2), a marker for taste cells that respond to sweet, bitter and umami, did not decrease after Bdnf gene deletion in the adult. Thus, the missing taste cells are of another type. This indicates that taste cell loss is not uniform across the various taste cell types, even if nearly all taste cell types receive the P2X3 and TUJ1 innervation. Since BDNF is required for initial innervation of the taste system and supports taste bud innervation and size in adulthood, it could also be required for nerve reinnervation after injury. To determine if Bdnf is still expressed following nerve section, the chorda tympani nerve (taste nerve) was sectioned and Bdnf level was detected with Real Time RT-PCR. Bdnf continued to be expressed at normal levels from two days to two months post-surgery in both geniculate ganglion and tongue epithelium. Therefore, BDNF could be involved with chorda tympani regeneration. To determine if this was the case, the Bdnf gene was deleted in adult inducible transgenic mice (under the control of a Ubiquitin promoter) two weeks before chorda tympani nerve section. Taste bud number was reduced by half in all genotypes at two weeks post-surgery (p < 0.01). For the remaining taste buds, gustatory innervation was nearly gone with only a little innervation from the trigeminal nerve remaining in the taste bud (p < 0.01). Taste bud volume (p < 0.01) and taste cell number (p< 0.01) were reduced by half for both control and experimental genotypes. Eight weeks post-surgery, taste bud number recovered in mice without Bdnf gene deletion, but did not recover in mice following Bdnf gene deletion (p < 0.01). Gustatory nerve innervation returned in 70% of the taste buds in control mice (p< 0.01). For those reinnervated taste buds, both taste bud volume and taste cell number increased to normal levels. However, in mice lacking the Bdnf gene, gustatory fibers only reinnervated 7.8% of the taste buds (p < 0.01); for most uninnervated taste buds, both taste bud volume and taste cell number remained small. These experiments demonstrate that BDNF is crucial for promoting regeneration of gustatory nerve fibers in adulthood. Following gustatory nerve section, considerable adult plasticity has been observed on the contralateral side including enlarged taste buds with more cells (Guagliardo and Hill, 2007). To determine if this anatomical change was associated with alter Bdnf expression. I examined Bdnf level in the geniculate ganglion and tongue epithelium on the contralateral side following chorda tympani nerve section. Results showed Bdnf expression increased two fold at two weeks post-surgery in geniculate ganglion on the contralateral side (p < 0.05), indicating BDNF may involve with the observed plastic changes. To determine if the increase in taste bud size was associated with increased innervation and/or regulated by BDNF, the Bdnf gene was then deleted in inducible knockout mice before nerve surgery, and taste bud size and amount of innervation were measured on the contralateral side. The results showed taste bud volume, taste cell number and a marker for nerve fibers all increased on the contralateral side in mice without Bdnf gene deletion at eight weeks post-surgery. This indicates that larger taste buds could be supported by increased TUJ1 positive fibers from trigeminal nerve. In addition, in mice lacking Bdnf, taste bud volume, taste cell number and innervation did not increase on the contralateral side after surgery, which indicates that Bdnf may contribute to larger taste buds on the contralateral side following nerve section by supporting increased innervation to the larger taste buds.
The Impact Of Preconception Maternal Stress On Fecundability And Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes., Shekufe Akhter
The Impact Of Preconception Maternal Stress On Fecundability And Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes., Shekufe Akhter
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
It has been commonly hypothesized (and widely believed) that maternal stress either prior to or during pregnancy can adversely affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes. However, surprisingly few epidemiologic studies have rigorously tested these hypotheses. The current study evaluated the effects of pre-conception self-reported stress on fecundability and spontaneous abortion. The study population was derived from the Mount Sinai Study of Woman Office Workers with 487 women included. Women recorded stress (scale from 1 to 4) and covariate information in a daily diary for 12 cycles or until pregnant. Results indicated a significantly increased risk of spontaneous abortion for women with …
Predictors Of Uncertainty, Stress, Anxiety, And Depressive Symptoms Of Parents Of Preterm Infants In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit., Maryam Isa Alaradi
Predictors Of Uncertainty, Stress, Anxiety, And Depressive Symptoms Of Parents Of Preterm Infants In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit., Maryam Isa Alaradi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Admission of a sick neonate to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be a very stressful experience for the parents. Parents strive to deal with stress, uncertainty, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in this potentially threatening environment. Research on parental uncertainty in the neonatal population is limited. Moreover, very few studies examined predictors of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of NICU infants. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of uncertainty, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in parents of preterm infants in the NICU. A cross-sectional explorative design was used to recruit a convenience sample of …
Evaluation Of The Safety And Pharmacokinetic Profile Of The Broad Spectrum Antiviral Lectin Griffithsin., Christopher Lynn Barton
Evaluation Of The Safety And Pharmacokinetic Profile Of The Broad Spectrum Antiviral Lectin Griffithsin., Christopher Lynn Barton
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Carbohydrate binding agents that target viral envelope glycans are being studied for their potential use as microbicides and antiviral therapeutics. Griffithsin is a lectin originally identified in a red alga Griffithisia sp. Multiple studies have shown that GRFT inhibits HIV-1, Coronaviruses, Hepatitis C, influenza and Ebola virus replication in vitro. This antiviral activity suggests potential uses in chemoprophylaxis and disease treatment. However, safety of GRFT administration has not been extensively studied. In vivo testing--chronic subcutaneous treatment as well as single dose subcutaneous, oral, and intravenous administrations of Griffithsin in Sprague Dawley Rats (Rattus Norvegicus)--was used to assess Griffithsin’s pharmacokinetic properties …
Bone Strength And Architecture : Pharmacological Targeting Of Camkk2 As A Method For Enhancing Bone Quality., Zachary James Pritchard
Bone Strength And Architecture : Pharmacological Targeting Of Camkk2 As A Method For Enhancing Bone Quality., Zachary James Pritchard
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Mice lacking or pharmacologically inhibited for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) have enhanced bone mass and microarchitecture. This enhanced bone mass and architecture is due to changes in osteoblast and osteoclast numbers as well as activity. Whether the enhanced bone mass translated to increased bone quality and strength was further explored by developing a method to directly test the trabecular strength of the distal femur. Micro computed tomography (CT)-based measurement of the length of the epiphysis of the distal femur, aided in its removal, allowing the exposure of the trabecular bone volume used to determine the microarchitecture parameters. Following …