Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Health-Promoting Behaviors, Hope, And Health-Related Quality Of Life In Persons Impacted By Parkinson’S Disease, Amy K. Forbes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between hope, health-promoting behaviors, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in persons with Parkinson’s disease.
Background: The incidence of Parkinson’s disease is high in Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States. Parkinson’s disease affects motor and non-motor symptoms and has a variety of complications. Parkinson’s disease is related to genetic and environmental factors. HRQOL decreases in Parkinson’s disease; thus, the effect of hope and health-promoting behaviors on health is crucial as the disease advances.
Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used to guide the study. A convenience sample …

Relationship Of Stress, Sleep, Physical Activity, And Food Insecurity On Eating Behaviors And Obesity, Amy Lee Richards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is an urgent need to find effective interventions to prevent and reduce obesity as it is associated with chronic disease and decreased quality of life. Gaining a better understanding of how modifiable variables such as stress, sleep, physical activity, and food insecurity are related to eating behaviors associated with obesity is essential to guide the direction of future interventions and research. Interventions that hold promise need to be tested to determine if they have merit or not. This dissertation presents three papers. Two papers are cross-sectional studies evaluating associations between eating behaviors, obesity, and modifiable variables (stress, sleep, physical …

Cardiovascular Risk, Remote Ischemic Postconditioning, And Endothelial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury, Brian A. Hemenway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Remote ischemic postconditioning (rIpost) is a potent vasculoprotective stimulus that is thought to reduce reperfusion injury associated with heart disease. However, certain animal models of cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension suggest the beneficial effects of rIpost to lessen reperfusion injury may be diminished. These findings have not been studied in clinically relevant humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether the protective effects of rIpost are reduced in the context of raised cardiometabolic risk in humans. Seven participants with raised cardiometabolic risk burden (age:57±7 years; BMI: 31±4kgm²participated in this 2X2 randomized cross-over …

Let Them Eat Beef: Effects Of Beef Consumption On Markers Of Metabolic Syndrome, Kristin L. Olson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To determine the effects of a diet that provides 30% energy from protein with ½ as lean, red meat on risk factors of metabolic syndrome in humans. This pilot study was a 3- month, randomized, control, intervention trial with 33 participants (Beef-Intervention n=18; DASH-Control n=15) who displayed markers of metabolic syndrome. Registered Dietitians Nutritionists recruited and educated participants on Beef-Intervention Lean Beef Pattern, (30% of energy from protein with ½ as lean red meat, 40% carbohydrate, 30% fat) or DASH-Control dietary pattern, (15% of energy from protein, 55% carbohydrate and 30 % fat). Of the 33 participants who completed the …

The Indirect Effect Of Bvdv On Immune Suppression: The Role Of Infected Macrophages In Lymphocyte Apoptosis, Karim Abdelsalam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BVDV is an important pathogen of cattle that affects both the dairy and beef industry causing severe economic losses. The main problem of BVDV is the immune suppression that is associated with lymphoid depletion shortly post infection. The mechanism of this immune suppression is not well understood. In this in vitro study, we sought to determine the indirect effect of BVDV infection in macrophages as a key player in the pathogenesis of BVD especially, the apoptotic effect induced on lymphocytes. We infected bovine monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) with either high or low virulent strains of cytopathogenic or non-cytopathogenic strains of BVDV …

Comprehensive Structural, Thermal And Toxicological Characterization Of 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Alkylbenzenesulfonate Ionic Liquids, Hiranmayee Kandala

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Synthesis and characterization of 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium alkylbenzenesulfonate ionic liquids for extraction of lignin from prairie cord grass have been studied. The ionic liquids (ILs) 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium benzenesulfonate (EBS), 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium toluenesulfonate (ETS) and 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium xylenesulfonate (EXS) have been synthesized in this research. An extensive structural, physical, thermal and toxicological characterization has been performed to understand the behavior of these ionic liquids. The reaction yield for the synthesis of EBS, ETS, and EXS ionic liquids was determined to be 91.2 ± 1.5 %, 96.1 ± 0.7 %, 99.0 ± 0.5 % respectively. Spectral analysis using NMR and FTIR confirms the …

Intranasal Immunization Of Pigs With Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome Virus Like Particles Plus 2’, 3’ –Cgamp Vaccigrade™ Adjuvant Exacerbates Viremia After Virus Challenge, Alexandria Marie Van Noort

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an economically devastating virus that causes a persistent infection and spreads quickly. The virus causes abortions in sows and respiratory diseases in young piglets. Current PRRSV vaccines appear to provide limited cross-protection. A virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccine is made up of key PRRSV structural proteins, which could be cross protective among the different strains. We tested PRRSV VLPs as a vaccine candidate with a 2’, 3’-cGAMP VacciGradeTM adjuvant against pigs infected with PRRSV after intranasal immunization to evaluate the immune response and protective efficacy by the VLPs and adjuvant. The VLPs contain …

The Relationship Between Relative Strength Levels To Sprinting Performance In Collegiate 100-400m Sprinters, Philip Reuer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between relative maximal (1RM) strength (i.e. back squat and power clean) to sprinting performance in 60-400m collegiate sprinters. A secondary purpose was to determine the distribution of athletes within the theoretical relationship between relative squat strength and performance capabilities. Fifty-six (n = 56) male and sixty-four (n = 64) female collegiate track and field sprinters were observed from DI (n = 88) and DII schools (n = 32) that participated in a year round strength and conditioning program. Maximal strength was divided by body weight to calculate relative strength and …

Effectiveness Of A Shoulder Strengthening Intervention On The Incidence Rate Of Glenohumeral Joint Instability Injuries, Michael Aderman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Context: Shoulder injuries are frequently sustained in American football due to the contact and collision aspect of the sport. Injuries to the shoulder account for about 10% to 20% of all musculoskeletal injuries that occur in football and the shoulder is the fourth most commonly injured joint behind the hand, knee and ankle. The effectiveness of the dynamic stabilizers of the glenohumeral joint is a factor that could affect the rate of injuries that occur at the joint. The CKCUEST has been shown to be an effective test for assessing the dynamic stability of the glenohumeral joint.
Objective: The purpose …

Surveillance Of Emerging Livestock Viruses, Faten A. Okda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Accurate and rapid diagnostic tests are essential for the management and control of emerging infectious diseases. Therefore, the overall goals of studies presented in this dissertation were to provide improved diagnostic and surveillance capabilities for several emerging viral diseases impacting the livestock industry and to provide insight into appropriate control strategies. Recent, severe outbreaks of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in Asia and North America highlighted the need for well-validated diagnostic tests for identification of PEDV infected animals and evaluation of their immune status. PEDV was first detected in the U.S. in May 2013 and another swine coronavirus, porcine deltacoronavirus …

Patient Friendly Formulations Utilizing Hot Melt Extrusion Technology, Manjeet Bhagwan Pimparade

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research work exhibited the new outlook of hot melt extrusion technology for orally disintegrating tablet, fast disintegration films and fixed dose combinations. Previous research demonstrated these applications by conventional formulation techniques which has inherent shortcoming of use of large amount of solvent and batch size manufacturing. This present work addressed some of the unique challenges which could provide patients ease of administration and reduce dosing frequencies, and moreover, mitigate the manufacturing challenges. For orally disintegrating tablet study, ethylcellulose, along with a suitable plasticizer, was used as a polymeric carrier. Pore forming agents were incorporated into the extruded matrix to …

Differential Modulation Of Oxycodone Reward And Analgesia By A Cannabinoid Derivative, Hannah Marie Harris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Nitrate Supplementation On Exercise Tolerance And Performance: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Gavin Van De Walle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper was to systematically review the current literature and evaluate the overall efficacy of nitrate supplementation on exercise tolerance and performance by meta-analysis. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they met the following criteria: 1) were an experimental trial published in an English peer-reviewed journal; 2) compared the effects of inorganic nitrate consumption with a non-bioactive supplement control or placebo; 3) used a quantifiable measure of exercise performance; and 4) was carried out in apparently healthy participants without disease. A total of 29 studies were identified that investigated the effects of nitrate supplementation on exercise tolerance …

The Effect Of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness On Jumping Mechanics And Performance, Ryan J. Engels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is an exercise-induced muscle soreness resulting from high-intensity eccentric muscular contractions. DOMS appears to be more prevalent in athletes at the beginning of an athletic season or when new movements or exercise are first introduced. The acute effect of DOMS on jumping mechanics is currently unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of delayed onset muscle soreness on vertical jump performance and jumping mechanics. METHODS: Twenty college aged, recreationally active males participated in this study (age: 21.54 ± 2.61; height: 1.82 ± 0.067; mass: 81.36 ± 9.53). Participants were …

Reagents And Tools To Identify Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus-2, Meghan Syrstad

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to define monoclonal antibodies against viral proteins from Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) to be used in quality control of vaccines produced by an industrial partner, and development of tools to identify EHDV. EHDV is an Orbivirus, which also includes Bluetongue Virus and African Horse Sickness, which are all transmitted through arthropod vectors. EHDV causes significant morbidity and mortality in white-tailed deer, but has recently been found to infect cattle. EHDV recently caused significant outbreaks affecting both the farmed and wild cervid industry, however few reagents and tools exist to protect against this disease …

Optimized Multilayer Perceptron With Dynamic Learning Rate To Classify Breast Microwave Tomography Image, Chulwoo Pack

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most recently developed Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems and their related research is based on medical images that are usually obtained through conventional imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), x-ray mammography, and ultrasound. With the development of a new imaging technology called Microwave Tomography Imaging (MTI), it has become inevitable to develop a CAD system that can show promising performance using new format of data. The platform can have a flexibility on its input by adopting Artificial Neural Network (ANN) as a classifier. Among the various phases of CAD system, we have focused on optimizing the classification phase …

Senecavirus A: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis And Infection Dynamics, Lok Raj Joshi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Senecavirus A (SVA) is a positive sense single-stranded virus that belongs to the genus Senecavirus within the family Picornaviridae. Senecavirus has been present in US swine population since 1988. However, there have been only a few reports of SVA associated with disease in last two decades. In late 2014 early 2015, a sudden increase in the number of cases of Senecavirus A associated with vesicular disease was observed in Brazil, the US and China. Affected pigs presented vesicles on snout, coronary band, and dewclaw. Additionaly, increased neonatal mortality has been reported in the field. Many aspects of SVA epidemiology, …

Assessing The Near-Wall Hemodynamics In The Left Coronary Artery Using Cfd, John Junior Asiruwa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this thesis is to computationally investigate the flow mechanics and the near-wall hemodynamics associated with the different take-off angles in the left coronary artery of the human heart. From this study, we will be able to evaluate if the increase in the take-off angles of the left coronary artery will significantly increases or decrease the likelihood of plaque (atherosclerosis) buildup in the left coronary artery bifurcations. This study quantifies the effects of the varying take-off angles on the branches along the left anterior descending (LAD) of the left coronary artery using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The …

The Lived Experience Of Retired College Athletes With A History Of 1 Or More Concussions, Rebecca Cover

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

CONTEXT: Concussions remain misunderstood, underreported, and undiagnosed. While most concussion symptoms resolve within 2 weeks, some patients experience persistent symptoms which adversely affect physical, emotional, social, and/or cognitive functioning. Minimal evidence delineating the effect of concussions on recently retired college athletes currently exists. OBJECTIVE: To examine the lived experience of retired collegiate athletes with a history of 1 or more concussions to discern individual concussion histories, knowledge and perceptions of concussions, and post-concussion quality of life. DESIGN: Qualitative.
SETTING: Personal life after retirement from competitive athletics.
PATIENTS or OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Former Division I athletes (n=14) 1-5 years post-athletics retirement with …

Preparation And Characterization Of Acitretin-Loaded Niosomes For Psoriasis Treatment, Marey Abdulmootani Almaghrabi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that manifests as impaired epidermal differentiation. The disease is typically treated with acitretin, an effective oral cytotoxic agent. However, due to its side effects, its use is highly limited. Topical delivery of acitretin may decrease the systemic toxicity and increase the drug’s bioavailability at the pathological site. However, this approach has some limitations. The decrease in skin integrity due to psoriasis could lead to escape of drug into the systemic circulation system and consequently compromise the topical approach. Also, the high instability of acitretin in the presence of heat could limit its topical application. …

Burden Of Depression Among Individuals With Irritable Bowel Syndrome(Ibs) In The Medicaid Population, Kaustuv Bhattacharya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: to determine the period prevalence of IBS and comorbid depression among individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in multi-state Medicaid population, and to assess the impact of comorbid depression on healthcare utilization and costs among individuals with IBS enrolled in fee-for-service Medicaid program. Methods: a retrospective cohort study was conducted using 2006-2008 Medicaid analytic extract files for 39 states. Beneficiaries with IBS were identified based on any medical claims for the disease. Beneficiaries with one or more medical claims for depression during the study period were considered to have had comorbid depression. For each beneficiary, the first claim for …

Phylogeny, Psychology, And The Vicissitudes Of Human Development: The Anxiety Of Atavism, Frank Pittenger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This cross-disciplinary dissertation provides a missing intellectual history of an ostensibly dead idea. Once widely held and no less elegant for its obsolescence, the principle of biogenetic recapitulation is best remembered by its defining mantra, “ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny.” Among psychologists and sociologists as well as embryologists, the notion that the development of any individual organism repeats in compressed, miniaturized form the entire history of its species enjoyed broad (if not uncontested) acceptance through the early twentieth century. The author reexamines the origins of this theory in the work of Charles Darwin and Ernst Haeckel, and traces its influence in psychology …

A Bioethics Tool For The Implementation Of Global Principles By The Pharmaceutical Industry, Daniel J. Hurst

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Due to scandals of scientific misconduct, a climate of mistrust of science exists amongst the general public. This becomes of concern when we acknowledge that it is difficult for science and technology to flourish without broad societal trust. The pharmaceutical industry has often felt the brunt of such mistrust and has suffered many reputational setbacks over the past several years. Such reputational decline has a strong moral dimension, as it stems from issues such as the questionable conduct of clinical trials, pricing schemas, and access to medicines for low- or middle-income countries. The end product of such issues is the …

Discovery Of Pyrimidine-Based Heterocycles As Single Agents With Combination Chemotherapy Potential And As Inhibitors Of Purine Nucleotide Biosynthesis For The Treatment Of Cancer, Rishabh Mohan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of monocyclic and bicyclic pyrimidine-base heterocycles as single agents with combination chemotherapy potential having both antiangiogenic effects and cytotoxic effects. This dissertation also describes selective tumor targeting with 5-substituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines analogs with heteroatom bridge substitution as GARFTase inhibitors.

The work in this dissertation is centered on identifying structural features that are necessary for inhibition of tubulin polymerization as well as for inhibition of one or more of the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs)- vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2), platelet derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ) and epidermal growth factor receptor …

Target Based Design And Synthesis Of Fused Pyrimidines In The Potential Treatment Of Cancer And Opportunistic Infection, Khushbu Shah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes an introduction, background and research progress in the areas of agents designed as (a) selective Pneumocystis jirovecii dihydrofolate reductase (pjDHFR) inhibitors for pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) infection; (b) inhibitors of microtubule polymerization and multiple receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) for potential treatment of cancer; and (c) substrates for tumor-targeted therapy for cancer.

PCP is a host species-specific infection. Most of the drugs, synthesized and evaluated so far, have been tested against Pneumocystis carinii dihydrofolate reductase (the causative organism in rats), which would not necessarily be effective against pjDHFR (the causative organism in humans). Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) combination, which has been …

Effects Of An Acute High-Volume Isokinetic Intervention On Circulating Levels Of Tnf-Α And Stnfr: Influence Of Age, Eliott Arroyo Delgado

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The immune system has been implicated in recovery and muscle regeneration following exercise. In response to muscle damage, the immune system responds with an increase in circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines with the goal of recruiting leukocytes to the damaged area. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), in particular, has been shown to be implicated in both muscle regeneration and muscle wasting. However, it remains unclear whether TNF-α is responsible for the age-related losses in muscle size and function. Also, due to the high clearance rate of TNF-α from circulation, analyzing the circulating levels of soluble TNF-α receptors 1 and 2 (STNFR1 and STNFR2) …

Effects Of An Acute High-Volume Isokinetic Intervention On Inflammatory And Strength Changes: Influence Of Age, Joseph Gordon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a high volume isokinetic intervention on lower body strength and inflammation, as well as markers of muscle damage in the subsequent 48 hours between younger and middle-aged men. METHODS: 19 healthy, recreationally trained men were randomly assigned to two groups, younger adults (YA: 21.8 ± 2.0 y; 90.7 ± 11.6 kg; 21.5 ± 4.1 % body fat), or middle-aged adults (MA: 47.0 ± 4.4 y; 96.0 ± 21.5; 24.8 ± 6.3 % body fat). Both groups reported to the human performance laboratory (HPL) on four separate occasions. On …

Consequences Of Altered Short-Chain Carbon Metabolism In Heart Failure, Julie Horton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is currently the foremost cause of death within the United States. Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome defined by the inability of the heart to adequately execute requisite pump function in order to deliver nutrients and oxygen to peripheral tissues, irrespective of etiology. One of the most common causes of HF is chronic pressure overload due to hypertension. Ischemic heart disease is also a common driver of HF, often in conjunction with hypertension. Pressure overload initially causes compensatory metabolic changes. Structural changes follow shortly thereafter typically resulting in left ventricular hypertrophy. Eventually, the heart loses the ability to …

Emotions, Intuitions And Risk Perception In Critical Care, Oleksandr Dubov

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The theory of decision-making as it applies to bioethics and healthcare assumes a rational decision maker: someone who knows all his alternatives, has clear preferences, can rank and weigh risks and benefits of an intervention, and always acts in his own best interests. However, the growing body of research from the field of decision science shows that, in reality, such a purely rational decision maker does not exist. Instead, patients are rational within personal or environmental constraints such as uncertainty or ambiguity in which non-rational approaches such as emotion and intuition are instrumental. This issue is particularly important in critical …

Parents Of Children Who Had Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Mixed-Methods, Exploratory Study, Natalene Kramer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is scant literature addressing the parents of children who had hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). therefore only inferences may be made as to issues of that experience affecting parents.

Purpose: The purposes of this study was to uncover the lived experiences of parents of children who had HIE, evaluate issues of stress, depression, coping, and impact of neurologic disability in order to better care for them and thus their families

Methods: A parallel, convergent mixed-methods design was used to explore experiences and perceptions of these parents regarding their experiences and life changes. The quantitative strand addressed four research questions which …