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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

The Burden Of Chronic Conditions On Self Reported Health Status In A Medicare Advantage Plan Population, Barbara Ann Guerard Jan 2013

The Burden Of Chronic Conditions On Self Reported Health Status In A Medicare Advantage Plan Population, Barbara Ann Guerard

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THE BURDEN OF CHRONIC CONDITIONS ON SELF REPORTED HEALTH STATUS IN A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN POPULATION BARBARA GUERARD ADMINISTRATION-HEALTH SERVICES ABSTRACT This dissertation was a multi-staged research study with two goals. The first goal was to assess survey respondents' characteristics to better understand the influence of the characteristics on the validity of self-reported survey responses. Second, the study analyzed the relationship between certain chronic conditions and survey participants' responses to questions related to their overall physical health and mental health to further understand the burden of chronic conditions on self- reported survey responses. Secondary data derived from a patient satisfaction …


Experience-Dependent Synaptic Integration Of Adult-Generated Dentate Granule Cells, Jessica Hotard Chancey Jan 2013

Experience-Dependent Synaptic Integration Of Adult-Generated Dentate Granule Cells, Jessica Hotard Chancey

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The dentate gyrus (DG) contains neural stem cells that continually generate new neurons throughout life. The contribution of adult neurogenesis to hippocampal function is not well understood, but ablation or silencing of adult-generated neurons in the DG disrupts learning and memory, and neurogenesis is altered in many pathologies associated with impaired cognition including Alzheimer's Disease, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. Neurogenesis in the DG is a stepwise process in which neural stem cells leave the cell cycle and undergo an approximately two month long maturation process to form fully functional dentate granule cells (GCs) that are indistinguishable from those formed during development. …


Hospital Financial Performance: A Look At Governance And Hit Strategies, Taleah Collum Jan 2013

Hospital Financial Performance: A Look At Governance And Hit Strategies, Taleah Collum

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Taken together, the purpose of the three papers included in this dissertation is to provide empirical evidence on the relationship between strategies employed by hospital managers and hospital financial performance. The findings of these studies are important to managers as they search for ways to sustain and improve hospital financial performance in light of environmental changes that have taken place over the last three decades. The results of this dissertation suggest that to improve financial performance hospital leaders (e.g. management, board of directors) should choose strategies that are more amenable to their control. Specifically, having BOD members that are independent …


Blood Pressure Control And Perceived Stress, Job Satisfaction, Life Satisfaction, And Perceived Health Status In Municipal Workers, Debra D. Baldwin Jan 2013

Blood Pressure Control And Perceived Stress, Job Satisfaction, Life Satisfaction, And Perceived Health Status In Municipal Workers, Debra D. Baldwin

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Although hypertension is highly prevalent, associated with serious health consequences and treatable, fewer than half of those with hypertension have achieved blood pressure control (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011b). Limited studies have examined the influence of perceived stress, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and perceived health status may have on blood pressure control, although epidemiological evidence reveals psychological factors can mediate and negatively influence health behavior leading to hypertension (Blanchflower & Oswald, 2008; Kulkarni, Farrel, Erasi, & Kochar, 1998; Walcott-McQuigg, 2000). The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of hypertension, obesity, and blood pressure control …


The Relationship Of Maternal Depressive Symptoms Among First Time Adolescent And Adult Mothers And Their Safe Parenting Practices And Child Injuries, Angela Warren Baumann Jan 2013

The Relationship Of Maternal Depressive Symptoms Among First Time Adolescent And Adult Mothers And Their Safe Parenting Practices And Child Injuries, Angela Warren Baumann

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Maternal depressive symptoms have been associated with deficits in parenting practices that protect children from injuries; however, few studies have been conducted to examine these relationships. Using data from a multisite longitudinal study of 252 first-time mothers, the relationships between the use of safe parenting practices and maternal depressive symptoms was examined, taking into account mother's resources (as defined by age and education level) and race at five time points during the first 3 years of the child's life. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory. Measures of maternal depressive symptoms, safe parenting practices (use of car seat, …


The Role Of Il-21 And Il-17 In Regulating Follicular T Helper Cells In Germinal Center Response Of Autoimmunity, Yanna Ding Jan 2013

The Role Of Il-21 And Il-17 In Regulating Follicular T Helper Cells In Germinal Center Response Of Autoimmunity, Yanna Ding

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Overreactivity of the germinal center (GC) is a central feature of autoantibody-mediated autoimmune diseases. Follicular T helper (Tfh) cells are the primary T helper subset that migrates to the incipient GC and forms close contacts with GC-B cells to promote GC formation and help GC-B cell differentiation, resulting in high-affinity antibody production. Increased levels of interleukin (IL)-21 and aberrant accumulation or function of Tfh cells have been associated with autoimmune disease severity in humans and lupus-prone mice. Follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells are the regulatory T cell subset that also localizes in the GC and inhibits GC B cell differentiation. …


The Role Of Gadd45b In Hippocampus-Dependent Cognition, Synaptic Plasticity And Activity-Associated Transcriptional Dynamics, Faraz Sultan Jan 2013

The Role Of Gadd45b In Hippocampus-Dependent Cognition, Synaptic Plasticity And Activity-Associated Transcriptional Dynamics, Faraz Sultan

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An expanding body of literature argues for a pivotal role of molecular epigenetic mechanisms in memory. Defined as mechanisms that regulate gene expression in the absence of DNA sequence modifications, these regulate various stages of memory-associated transcription. These phenomena are present at diverse anatomical subregions of the central nervous system (CNS) and regulate corresponding behaviors. Epigenetic mechanisms comprise a unique category of behavioral and physiological modulators because of their potential to modify the cellular phenotype in a stable manner. Hence, epigenetics offers a novel potential solution to a central paradox in memory retention: the finding that most putative molecular substrates …


The Role Of O-Glcnacylation In Synaptic Function, Erica Wynette Taylor Jan 2013

The Role Of O-Glcnacylation In Synaptic Function, Erica Wynette Taylor

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O-GlcNAcylation is a dynamic protein posttranslational modification that adds the monosaccharide ß-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to specific serine and threonine residues on nucleocytoplasmic proteins. The hippocampus is a part of brain that has been shown to play a crucial role in learning and memory. Hippocampal neurons have high expression of O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAcase, which catalyze the addition and removal of GlcNAc from proteins respectively. Moreover, synaptic plasticity which is the strengthening or weakening of synaptic function on short- and long-term time scales is believed to be a cellular correlate of learning and memory. Several forms of synaptic plasticity have been characterized …


Understanding The Predictors Of Patient Trust And Its Role In Utilization And Outcomes, Sheikilya Lewis Thomas Jan 2013

Understanding The Predictors Of Patient Trust And Its Role In Utilization And Outcomes, Sheikilya Lewis Thomas

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The purpose of this dissertation is to examine patient-related factors that predict trust in one's physician, and subsequently identify the role of patient trust in health care utilization and clinical outcomes among African Americans with hypertension. Three separate studies are conducted using an adapted version of the Interaction Model for Client Health Behavior (IMCHB). The first paper is a three-step review of quantitative studies investigating the (a) patient characteristics that influence trust; (b) impact of trust on health care utilization; and (c) impact of trust on outcomes. Based on the predictors identified, the second study examines the significance of these …


Role Of Kca3.1, A Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel, In Cell Migration In The Adult Brain, Kathryn L. Turner Jan 2013

Role Of Kca3.1, A Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel, In Cell Migration In The Adult Brain, Kathryn L. Turner

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A limited amount of migration occurs in the adult brain, including migration of neuroblasts during adult neurogenesis and pathological migration of primary brain tumors. Ion channels are commonly utilized during migration to allow shape and volume changes required for cell movement, and we specifically examine the role of KCa3.1 in the adult brain. These channels are well-suited to facilitate movement because they respond to common migration signals, i.e. intracellular Ca2+ changes, and efflux K+, allowing the outflow of water and cell volume regulation. Our findings suggest that KCa3.1 is highly expressed in migratory cells, adult neuroblasts and glioma cells, but …


The Effects Of Nicotine On The Human Adult Visual Pathway And Processing, Stefanie B. Varghese Jan 2013

The Effects Of Nicotine On The Human Adult Visual Pathway And Processing, Stefanie B. Varghese

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Nicotine, the primary addictive component found in tobacco/cigarettes, can bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), which are found throughout the central nervous system including the retina of the eye. Previous studies have shown nAChR expression in the retina of non-human and human (Hutchins & Hollyfield, 1985; Liu et al., 2009). By use of electrophysiologic measures, i.e. electroretinograms (ERGs), early reports indicated that nicotine and/or cigarette smoking affects vision and visual processing in different species (Jurklies, Kaelin-Lang, & Niemeyer, 1996; Jünemann & Damaske, 1968). Because previous human studies have used only cigarette smokers, there are questions about what role nicotine, itself, …


Gender Norms, Sexual And Reproductive Behaviors And Acceptability Of Male Circumcision Among Men In Western Jamaica, Melonie Walcott Jan 2013

Gender Norms, Sexual And Reproductive Behaviors And Acceptability Of Male Circumcision Among Men In Western Jamaica, Melonie Walcott

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This dissertation consists of three papers designed to assess the association between gender norms and men's sexual behaviors, reproductive practices, and acceptability of male circumcision (MC). The data for this study were obtained from a cross-sectional, interviewer-administered questionnaire survey of 549 men aged 19-54 years, conducted in the western region of Jamaica between June to August 2011. In the first paper we found increased odds of reporting multiple sex partners among men with moderate (AOR =2.2; 95% CI=1.4 - 3.5) and high (AOR = 4.4; 95% CI =2.2 - 8.8) support for inequitable gender norms. Similarly, men with moderate (AOR= …


The Role Of Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A (Pcpa) In The Mechanism Of Virulence And Protective Immunity, Melissa Marie Walker Jan 2013

The Role Of Pneumococcal Choline-Binding Protein A (Pcpa) In The Mechanism Of Virulence And Protective Immunity, Melissa Marie Walker

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pcpA is under control of the Mn 2-dependent repressor PsaR. In the high manganese environment of mucosal sites pcpA gene expression is repressed and at the low manganese environment of the lung and blood derepression of pcpA gene expressionis observed. Previous data has shown that immunization of mice with rPcpA elicits protection against pneumonia and sepsis but had no effect on nasal colonization. We and others have shown that pcpA expression significantly enhances adherence of pneumococci to lung epithelial cell lines and although it is a virulence factor for pneumonia in mice there is no biologically relevant role for PcpA …


The Relationship Of Religiosity, Spirituality And High-Risk, Tommie Lee Watkins Jan 2013

The Relationship Of Religiosity, Spirituality And High-Risk, Tommie Lee Watkins

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Religion and spirituality are important concepts for many Black MSM. While many social factors may be associated with the increasing disparity of HIV infection among Black MSM, high levels of religiosity and spirituality prevalent in Black culture may be correlated with high risk behavior among Black MSM and may help explain this population's increasing incidence of HIV infection. Research supports a relationship between religiosity, spirituality, and high risk behavior among populations. Some research has suggested that religiosity and spirituality among Black MSM may be correlated but are multifaceted constructs. Conclusions suggest that among Black MSM these constructs account for certain …


Anti-Group B Streptococci Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Against Invasive Aspergillosis, Rebekah Wharton Jan 2013

Anti-Group B Streptococci Monoclonal Antibodies Protect Against Invasive Aspergillosis, Rebekah Wharton

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Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus which can potentially cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised individuals. Although a serious threat, current treatments are largely ineffective at reducing morbidity and mortality. To this end, we have characterized a monoclonal antibody generated against Group B Streptococci, type Ib, which also recognizes Aspergillus fumigatus conidia and hyphae. We show that this antibody appears to bind a similar epitope on both pathogens and provides a significant degree of protection in a murine model of invasive aspergillosis via a mechanism that appears to be dependent on complement. The studies we performed using this antibody should …


Genetic And Biochemical Characterizations Of The Capsular Glycosyltransferases In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, David Boyd Anthony James Jan 2013

Genetic And Biochemical Characterizations Of The Capsular Glycosyltransferases In Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotype 2, David Boyd Anthony James

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The principle objective of this dissertation is to develop a thorough understanding of the genetics and biochemistry of capsule synthesis. Specifically, it involves the identification and characterization of the capsular glycosyltransferases in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2, with investigations into their regulation. S. pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a significant human pathogen that has the ability to persist as a commensal and then transition to a virulent state, the latter of which is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of S. pneumoniae is a protective surface structure that plays an integral role in this disease process. …


Marcks Is A Regulator Of Growth, Radiation Sensitivity And Is A Novel Prognostic Factor For Glioblastoma Multiforme, John Jarboe Jan 2013

Marcks Is A Regulator Of Growth, Radiation Sensitivity And Is A Novel Prognostic Factor For Glioblastoma Multiforme, John Jarboe

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Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadly primary brain malignancy necessitating improved understanding of GBM biology. In this study, we explore the role of Myristoylated Alanine Rich C-Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) in the context of GBM. We have discovered that the MARCKS protein regulates GBM growth as well as response to radiation therapy through its effects on proliferation, senescence, and DNA repair based on our studies in cell culture and in patient-derived xenograft tumors implanted in mice. Importantly, our analysis of clinical patient data demonstrates that MARCKS is an independent predictor for outcome in GBM patients. Indeed, high MARCKS …


Usp49 And H2b Deubiquitination In Chromatin And Cellular Function, Amanda E. Jones Jan 2013

Usp49 And H2b Deubiquitination In Chromatin And Cellular Function, Amanda E. Jones

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Histones are globular proteins which help package and organize DNA in the eukaryotic nucleus. The four core histones, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, combine with approximately 146 base pairs of DNA to form a nucleosome, the fundamental unit of chromatin. Post-translational modifications to the C-terminal and N-terminal histone tails regulate chromatin structure and function, and play important roles in transcriptional regulation, replication, DNA damage response, and mRNA processing. Histone H2B ubiquitination is an evolutionarily conserved modification with roles in gene expression and DNA damage repair. In addition, H2B ubiquitination may also regulate mRNA splicing. Here, we identify USP49, a cysteine …


Bonds And Contact Angles Produced With Surface Alterations To Lithium Disilicate, Vamsi Krishna Kalavacharla Jan 2013

Bonds And Contact Angles Produced With Surface Alterations To Lithium Disilicate, Vamsi Krishna Kalavacharla

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The success of ceramic restorations depends upon factors like the composite resin cement, the adhesive, cementation procedure and the substrate. With the introduction of newer ceramic and adhesive systems the factors that contribute to the most durable bond strength remains unclear. The objective of the study was to measure 24 hour and thermocycled shear bond strength of a composite to lithium disilicate glass ceramic with a universal single bottle adhesive. A combination of surface treatments of hydrofluoric acid, silane, salivary contamination and subsequent cleaning were also evaluated. Blocks of lithium disilicate (e.max CAD) were sectioned, polished with a rotational polishing …


The Effect Of An Intensive Oral Hygiene Regimen On Gingival Inflammation During Pregnancy: Clinical And Laboratory Analysis, Maninder Kaur Jan 2013

The Effect Of An Intensive Oral Hygiene Regimen On Gingival Inflammation During Pregnancy: Clinical And Laboratory Analysis, Maninder Kaur

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Background: Recent evidence suggests that systemic inflammation as host immune response to oral microbial challenge may well underlie the observed association between periodontal disease and preterm birth/low birth weight (PTB/LBW). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of vigorous oral hygiene regimen on gingival inflammation and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF)/serum biomarkers (TNF-&alpha, IL-1&beta and IL-6) during pregnancy and its impact on pregnancy outcome. Methods: 120 participants with pregnancy between 16-24 weeks gestation and with gingival index (GI) scores &ge 2 at &ge 50 % of tooth sites were recruited from the available pool of patients at …


The Role Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors In Ameliorating Memory Dysfunction Of An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Mark Kilgore Jan 2013

The Role Of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors In Ameliorating Memory Dysfunction Of An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Mark Kilgore

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, along with cognitive impairments that progress to dementia and eventually death. The development of drug treatments that rescue memory deficits could be a promising therapy given in the early stages of AD. In the following studies, we tested the potential for systemic treatment with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors to ameliorate cognitive deficits in a mouse model of AD. Using the APPSwe/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD, we showed that giving HDAC inhibitors systemically for 3 weeks reversed contextual memory deficits, stably maintained memories over a 2-week …


Hard On Your Heart: A Qualitative Description Of Adolescent Prenatal Stress, Candace Clayton Knight Jan 2013

Hard On Your Heart: A Qualitative Description Of Adolescent Prenatal Stress, Candace Clayton Knight

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Introduction: Pregnancy during adolescence is potentially stressful due to the concurrent tasks of navigating the typically tumultuous adolescent stage of development and the life altering experience of pregnancy (Kaye, 2008). There is a growing body of research linking prenatal stress to poor birth and developmental outcomes such as premature birth and low birth weight infants (K. Keenan, Sheffield, & Boeldt, 2007; Mulder et al., 2002), which makes describing the relatively unexplored perceptions and experience of stress during adolescent pregnancy important. The life course framework, with its emphasis on social, environmental, and family risk factors, has implications for reducing disparities among …


Regional In Vitro Retention Of Fiber Posts, Shayma Kyson Jan 2013

Regional In Vitro Retention Of Fiber Posts, Shayma Kyson

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The overall objective of this in vitro study was to determine the biomechanical retention along fiber post interfaces to root canal dentin of four different fiber posts systems combined with five different resin cements (total-etch, self-etch and self adhesive systems) tested within different regions of dentin (cervical, middle and apical levels) and the core material alone. Scanning electron microscopy (SEMs) was used to evaluate the failure characteristics of the systems for root canal dentin and core material interfaces. Roots of freshly extracted first mandibular premolars, without caries, cracks or defects were selected. Radiographs made from mesiodistal and buccolingual directions were …


In Vitro Wear Of Nine Cements Against Enamel, Mohamad Kyson Jan 2013

In Vitro Wear Of Nine Cements Against Enamel, Mohamad Kyson

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The objective of this study was to measure and compare in vitro wear resistance of nine cements against human enamel cusps in glycerol media using UAB second generation wear machine (hit and slide). Six cements were dual cured polymer-based cements; total-etch: Variolink II (Ivoclar Vivadent), self-etch: Multilink Automix (Ivoclar Vivadent) and self-adhesives: Maxcem Elite (Kerr), RelyX Unicem 2 (3m ESPE), PANAVIA SA (Kuraray) and G-CEM LinkAce (GC America). Three cements were water-based chemical cured cements; Zinc-phosphate: Harvard Cement (Harvard) and resin modified glass ionomers cements: RelyX Luting Plus (3M ESPE) and GC FujiCEM 2 (GC America). Samples were scanned after …


Cyclic Gmp Phosphodiesterase As A Novel Target For Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention, Nan Li Jan 2013

Cyclic Gmp Phosphodiesterase As A Novel Target For Colorectal Cancer Chemoprevention, Nan Li

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) display promising antineoplastic activity for colorectal and other cancers, but toxicity from cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition limits their long-term use for chemoprevention. However, many investigators have concluded that COX-independent mechanisms are responsible for their antineoplastic activity. We previously reported that cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cGMP PDE) is a non-COX target of sulindac sulfide (SS). However, the specific isozyme families involved have not been well studied. Here we demonstrate that SS inhibits the growth of colon tumor cells through a novel mechanism involving inhibition of two cGMP degrading isozymes, PDE5 and PDE10, to activate cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). …


Surveying The Serum Proteome For Biomarkers Of Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer, Michael Robert Ludwig Jan 2013

Surveying The Serum Proteome For Biomarkers Of Early-Stage Pancreatic Cancer, Michael Robert Ludwig

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SURVEYING THE SERUM PROTEOME FOR BIOMARKERS OF EARLY STAGE PANCREATIC CANCER MICHAEL ROBERT LUDWIG MICROBIOLOGY ABSTRACT Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a uniformly fatal disease due to its refractory nature to conventional therapies at the time of initial diagnosis. In order to in-crease the curative potential of surgical resection, early detection of organ-confined neoplasia is needed. Currently, no effective diagnostic tools are available to detect early-stage pancreatic ductal lesions termed pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) or lo-cally invasive, organ-confined disease. One way to identify biomarkers that may be use-ful for the early detection of PDAC is through the study of the …


Perception Of Attractiveness: A Comparison Of Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Images, Aksana Marshall Jan 2013

Perception Of Attractiveness: A Comparison Of Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Images, Aksana Marshall

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Introduction: The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate whether there is a difference in perception of facial attractiveness when viewing two-dimensional (2D) versus three-dimensional images (3D) within each population studied (Caucasian, African American, and Chinese), (2) to evaluate whether panels of raters with different levels of orthodontic education would give similar facial attractiveness scores, and (3) to identify the soft tissue features that influence facial attractiveness when viewing 2D and 3D images. Materials and methods: A total of 60 3D images from three populations selected for this study were acquired using a 3dMDfaceTM system (Atlanta, GA) and were …


The Role Of Palmitoylation And Other Post-Translational Modifications In Cftr Biogenesis, Michelle Mcclure Jan 2013

The Role Of Palmitoylation And Other Post-Translational Modifications In Cftr Biogenesis, Michelle Mcclure

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Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are important contributors to protein bio-genesis and function. CFTR in particular is known to be regulated by multiple PTMs, in-cluding glycosylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination. The functional significance and specific CFTR residues responsible for the majority of PTMs within CFTR are not known. The goal of this dissertation was to identify and characterize novel PTMs that influence wild-type and F508del CFTR. The study employed a combination of tandem and multiple reaction ion monitoring mass spectrometry to identify covalent side chain attachments. Analysis revealed the specific locations of numerous phosphorylated resi-dues, several sites of methylation, and more than twenty-five …


Characterizing The Roles Of Il-11 And Cd68 In Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis, Erin Mills Mccoy Jan 2013

Characterizing The Roles Of Il-11 And Cd68 In Breast Cancer Bone Metastasis, Erin Mills Mccoy

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The molecular mechanisms regulating the preferential metastasis of breast cancer to bone have not been fully elucidated, but it is hypothesized that local conditions in the bone create an environment conducive to colonization by breast cancer cells and that the breast cancer cells interact directly with cells in the bone. In this dissertation, two goals were pursued: (1) to explore breast cancer secreted interleukin (IL)-11's role on osteoclast function and (2) investigate the expression and potential role of CD68 in breast cancer adhesion to bone. Higher rates of bone metastasis occur in human breast cancer tumors expressing IL-11, a cytokine …


Apparent Change In Obesity-Mortality Associations: Methodological Issues In Survival Analyses With Censored Outcomes, Tapan Shirish Mehta Jan 2013

Apparent Change In Obesity-Mortality Associations: Methodological Issues In Survival Analyses With Censored Outcomes, Tapan Shirish Mehta

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Analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) have suggested that the mortality rate (MR) associated with obesity has decreased over calendar time. However, there has been conflicting evidence about the apparent change in the obesity-MR over calendar time. This dissertation investigates some of the empirical and methodological issues involved in assessing the longitudinal change in the obesity-mortality associations. In the first manuscript, Obesity and Mortality: Are the Risks Declining? Evidence from Multiple Prospective Studies in the U.S., a multiple longitudinal design is proposed and implemented to evaluate whether the obesity-mortality associations have declined over calendar time after …