Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Increased Hexosamine Biosynthesis And Protein O-Glcnac Protect Isolated Rat Heart From Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury, Jia Liu

All ETDs from UAB

Increased levels of protein-associated O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) have been correlated with increased tolerance to stress. Therefore the goal of this study was to determine whether enhanced flux through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP), which leads to elevated levels of O-GlcNAc, increased the tolerance of the heart to ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Hearts from male rats were isolated and perfused with Krebs-Henseliet buffer containing 5mM glucose, and global, no-flow ischemia was induced for 20min followed by 60 min reperfusion. 20 min pre-treatment with 10 mM glucosamine, which enters the HBP directly, significantly improved functional recovery and decreased cardiac Troponin I release …

Regulation Of Ss-Catenin By Gli1 In Epithelial Transformation, Xingnan Li

All ETDs from UAB

Gli family members-mediated continuous Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activity plays a role in the growth of a number of human cancers, including the common malignancy of skin, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and other highly aggressive tumor types. However, the mechanism by which Gli proteins act to promote the outgrowth of cancer in response to stimulation of Hh signaling is poorly understood. Identified as zinc finger transcriptional factors, the Gli family of proteins has been shown to be involved in multiple cellular processes through activating its target genes. Therefore, to study the function of Gli target genes is important for our understanding …

Klf4 Regulates Notch1 Expression And Signaling During Epithelial Transformation, Zhaoli Liu

All ETDs from UAB

Notch1 and KLF4 function in the specification of epithelial cell fates, and each can act as a context-dependent oncogene or tumor suppressor. We report that KLF4 directly regulates transcription of Notch1 and that cleavage of full-length Notch1 to the active intracellular form, N1IC, is necessary for transformation by KLF4. Paradoxically, KLF4 suppresses canonical Notch1-CSL signaling by up-regulating Hairless, an antagonist of this pathway. Dominant-negative inhibitors of the canonical Notch1 signaling pathway do not block transformation of epithelial cells by KLF4, while they greatly reduce the efficiency of transformation by N1IC. Thus, N1IC can transform cells by two distinct mechanisms: the …

Kiss1 Metastasis Suppressor Secretion Is Required For Metastasis Suppression, Kevin T. Nash

All ETDs from UAB

Failure to reduce the number of cancer deaths over the last 50 years is due to the inability to selectively target metastatic disease. Recently, the KISS1 metastasis suppressor has emerged as a promising molecular agent for the management of metastatic disease. Although KISS1 has been implicated in the regulation of the metastatic phenotype in human cancers and in in vivo mouse models, little is known about its mechanism. Recent evidence suggests that KISS1 is a neuropeptide that is processed and secreted to interact with its cognate receptor GPR54 in the hypothalamus to trigger puberty and maintain the reproductive state. However, …

The Influence Of Retroviral Codon Usage On The Acquisition Of The Trna Used To Prime Reverse Transcription, Matthew T. Palmer

All ETDs from UAB

An essential step in retrovirus replication is the conversion of the genomic-length viral RNA into a DNA copy, a reaction which is catalyzed by reverse transcriptase and primed by a host cell tRNA. The nearly continuous association of tRNA with the various components of translation, as well as the severely limited time in which a tRNA molecule spends in an uncharged state, constitute seemingly formidable barriers to the acquisition and use of host cell tRNA as primers. The mechanism by which retroviruses acquire this implausible primer are unknown. Naturally occurring isolates of most retrovirus species show a conserved use of …

Intestinal Peptides And Ethnic Differences In Insulin Secretion, Paul B. Higgins

All ETDs from UAB

African Americans (AA) exhibit greater insulin responses following either an oral or intravenous glucose challenge relative to their European American (EA) counterparts. The etiology of this difference is not fully understood nor has it been confirmed with a more physiologically relevant mixed meal. Insulin secretion is regulated by a variety of factors. Significant among these are the enteric peptides glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). The role of the incretin system in the ethnic differences in post challenge insulinemia has received little attention. Hence, the purpose of the study was two-fold. First, determine whether AA have higher fasting …

Effectiveness Of School -Based Physical Therapy As Perceived By Parents, Private Physical Therapists, And School Physical Therapists., Jill Hansen

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

A Geographic Study Of Childhood Cancers Near Hazardous Waste Sites In Florida., Gregory D. Kearney

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Intimate Partner Violence Among Low -Income Pregnant Women: Multi-Level Analysis., Qing Li

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Identification Of Seventh-Day Adventist Health Core Convictions : Alignment With Current Healthcare Practice, Randall L. Haffner

Dissertations

Purpose. The prevailing literature suggests that organizations can sustain their vitality and longevity by preserving their core ideology. The purpose of this study is to define and articulate the core convictions of Seventh-day Adventist healthcare and then investigate how the leaders' and employees' cognitive understandings, behaviors, and affective attachments align at Florida Hospital in Orlando, Florida.

Method. This two-phased sequential exploratory study utilizes qualitative research to define the core convictions of Seventh-day Adventist healthcare through historical literature review, analysis of official Church publications, four commissioned scholarly papers, and one-on-one interviews with seasoned healthcare administrators. These findings are then used to …

The Analysis And Characterisation Of Rotavirus And Norovirus Circulating In The South Of Ireland, Norma Reidy

Theses

On average more than 3,000 cases of rotavirus diarrhea are detected annually amongst Irish children less than 3 years of age. Rotavirus disease occurs mainly during the winter months, with peak infections detected from February to April. The symptoms of disease are diarrhea and dehydration, with 80% of patients requiring hospitalisation, The mean duration of hospitalisation is 3-4 days, with an average cost per day of €409. Eighteen percent of infections were detected in infants less than 6 months of age, suggesting inadequate maternal derived protection from existing strains, or the existence of novel strains in Ireland with little or …

Determinants Of Care Seeking For Persons With Low Back And Neck Pain Treated By Physicians, Chiropractors Or Physical Therapists, Julia Chevan

Theses and Dissertations

Low back and neck pain are frequent reasons for adults to seek healthcare. Three types of practitioners are commonly used in the United States: physicians, chiropractors and physical therapists. In this study, Andersen's "Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization" is used to examine care seeking and provider selection. Estimates of back and neck pain prevalence in the United States are presented as well as care seeking rates and care consumption estimates for patients who used the three providers of interest. Multivariate regression analyses are presented that model the variables that most influence care seeking and provider selection.Cases with the conditions …

The Association Between Breast Feeding And Being Overweight In Children, Naja Jamil Eldanaf

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Obesity/Overweight in children is an epidemic and the most common disorder of childhood in the developed world. Prevalence is increasing, leading to short- and long-term complications. Breastfeeding may protect against childhood obesity, but the debate is ongoing. The main purpose of this project was to assess the relationship between breastfeeding and being overweight in early childhood.Methods: Data were collected from the State and Local Area Integrated Telephone survey; National Survey of Children's Health, 2003. Overall, 16,358 children, ages 3 to 5, were included in the sample. SPSS Complex Sample software was utilized to generate for all analyses. Complex samples …

The Effect Of Media Advertising On Consumer Perception Of Orthodontic Treatment Quality, Daenya T. Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

A survey instrument was designed to evaluate factors influencing consumer selection of an orthodontist and consumer perception of different forms of media advertising (radio, television, newspaper, magazine, direct mail, and billboard) by orthodontic practices. The surveys were distributed by 8 orthodontic offices in and around the Richmond, Virginia area. Out of 676 surveys, 655 (97%) were returned. Respondents most often cited dentist and patient referrals as how they learned of the orthodontic practices they visited (50%- 57%). However, a caring attitude and good practitioner reputation were cited as the top reasons influencing selection of an orthodontist (53% and 49% respectively). …

A Twin Study Of Antisocial Behavior And Depression: Methodology, Etiology, And Comorbidity, Kelly A. Tracy

Theses and Dissertations

The etiological connection between internalizing and externalizing disorders is poorly understood. This manuscript aims to investigate the roles of genes and then environment in the development of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) and the nature of their comorbidity in young adults. Data from a sample of 2,291 young adult male and female twins from the Young Adult Follow Up Study (YAFU) of the Virginia Twin Study of Adolescent Behavioral Development (VTSABD) were used to estimate the proportion of variation in these traits that can be accounted for by additive genetic, shared environmental, and unique environmental factors. …

A 'Biorelevant' Approach For Accelerated In Vitro Release And In Vitro-In Vivo Relationship Of A Biodegradable, Naltrexone Implant, Sunil S. Iyer

Theses and Dissertations

Characterization of in vitro and in vivo drug release profiles constitutes an important step in developing and optimizing an effective, long acting delivery system for naltrexone. Accelerated in vitro methods are also important for quality assurance of manufactured dosage forms. For drug release testing of sustained release parenteral dosage forms, the modified USP Apparatus 4 (flow-through cell) has been recommended by the The Fédération Internationale Pharmaceutique/American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (FIP/AAPS) Guidelines. Details on such studies however, are generally not found in the literature. To incorporate 'biorelevance' to implant drug release studies, this research investigated an approach to apparatus design …

Electronic Medical Records In Acute Care Hospitals: Correlates, Efficiency, And Quality, Abby Jo Swanson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the organizational and environmental correlates of hospital EMR use and to examine the relationship between hospital EMR use and performance. Using a theoretical framework that combines resource dependence theory with Donabedian's structure, process, outcome model, a conceptual model is created. To test the hypotheses of this model, logistic regression and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) are used. The data included in this analysis come from the AHA, HIMSS, CMS, ARF, and HQA. In the analysis of hospitals correlates of EMR use, three hypotheses were supported, and one was partially supported. Hospital system affiliation, …

Cross-Modal Projections From Auditory To Visual Cortices In The Ferret, Meng Y. Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies have shown that neuronal connections occur between primary auditory and visual cortices of the primate (Falchier et al., 2002; Rockland and Ojima, 2003), and it has been suggested that these projections are involved in multisensory processing in these lower-level, core areas of cortex. The present study was conducted to determine if similar connections occur in other higher mammals such as carnivores (ferrets; Mustela putorius). Large injections of sensitive neuroanatomical tracer were placed within the core areas of auditory cortex in 3 ferrets. After transport and processing, labeled axon terminals were found not in primary visual cortex, but in …

Treatment Effects Of Incisor Positioning On Anterior Tooth Display, Scott J. Eberle

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of changes in maxillary incisor position on anterior tooth display (ATD) in adult (n = 21) and adolescent (n = 38) orthodontic patients. The effects of anterior-posterior, vertical, and angular changes of the maxillary central incisor position during orthodontic treatment were evaluated relative to changes in the amount of ATD measured from pretreatment (TI) and posttreatment (T2) lateral cephalometric radiographs of existing patient records.Results showed a significant relationship between starting ATD and ATD change during treatment for both adults (P = ,006) and adolescents (P

Factorial Validity Of The Team Skills Scale As Used For Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training (Gitt), Myra G. Owens

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To examine the factorial validity of the Team Skills Scale (TSS). The TSS is a 17-item scale developed by Hepburn, Tsukuda, and Fasser (1996). The Scale is purported to assess self-perceived team skills.Data Source: Data for this study were provided by The New York University Geriatric Interdisciplinary Team Training (GITT) Resource Center and were collected as part of the evaluation of the GITT program. The data were collected between January 1997 and June 2000.Study Design: This quasi-experiential study was focused on the trainee (N=1,715) as the unit of analysis. The Model of Individual-Level Team Competencies (Model of I-LTC) served …

Immunotoxicological Evaluation Of Critical Windows Of Development Following Exposure To 1,2:5,6 Dibenzanthracene In B6c3f1 Mice, Denise Marie Hernandez

Theses and Dissertations

Numerous findings have suggested that the increased prevalence of childhood illnesses such as cancer, infection, and allergy may be due to environmental exposures. One such cause may be maternal smoking or passive smoke exposure. Known immunotoxicants in cigarette smoke and environmental pollution include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as 1,2:5,6 Dibenzanthracene (DBA). The objective of these studies was to evaluate the immunosuppressive effects of DBA on various stages of immune system development. Adult mice were administered DBA daily in corn oil at dose levels of 158, 500, 1580, and 5000 µglkg S.C. for 28 days. Immunosuppression was not observed at levels …

Regulation Of Murine Mast Cell Homeostasis By Tgf-Β1 And Cd4+Cd25+C Regulatory T Cells, Mohit Kashyap

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding mast cell development is central to allergic disease pathophysiology. Our laboratory has previously shown that cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 inhibit mast cell development from bone marrow progenitors. These studies encouraged our interest in other regulatory cytokines, including transforming growth factor β1 (TGF- β1). TGF- β1 has many cellular sources, one of which is CD4+CD25 regulatory T cells (Tregs). We wanted to determine the effects of Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) βl on mast cell development. We find that TGFβl decreased FcεRI, c-Kit, T1/ST2 and FcεR expression, and inhibited granule formation in developing mast cells. Accessory cells were not …

Influence Of The Vitamin D3 Analog Eb 1089 On Senescence And Cell Death Pathways In The Response Of Breast Tumor Cells To Ionizing Radiation, Gerald Alan Demasters

Theses and Dissertations

A senescence-like growth arrest succeeded by rapid recovery of proliferative capacity is observed in MCF-7 breast tumor cells exposed to fractionated radiation (5 x 2Gy) alone. Exposure to the vitamin D3 analog EB 1089 (100nM) prior to irradiation converts the initial growth arrest response to cell death in part through the inhibition of radiation-induced senescence and promotion of both apoptotic and autophagic cell death. More importantly, EB 1089 was shown to profoundly reduce the rate of recovery following fractionated irradiation. The effect of EB 1089 on the temporal response to radiation is also observed in MCF-7 cells expressing caspase 3, …

Influences On Health Related Quality Of Life In Community Dwelling Adults Aged 60 Years And Over, Hilary Beth Greenberger

Theses and Dissertations

Interest in patient-reported health care outcomes such as health related quality of life (HRQL) has increased dramatically over the past two decades. Typically, HRQL has been conceptualized as having at least three domains: physical, psychological, and social functioning. Although research has attempted to identify factors that influence HRQL,few studies have simultaneously examined how various factors impact HRQL in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a causal model to identify factors influencing HRQL. The constructs and observed variables hypothesized to influence HRQL included medical burden, housing satisfaction, socioeconomic status,religion/spirituality, age, gender, and marital status.Three hundred …

Combinatorial Modulation Of Multiple Signaling Pathways To Gain Therapeutic Response In Breast And Prostate Cell Carcinomas, William Tressel Hawkins Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Our laboratory is primarily interested in novel pharmacological intervention of cell proliferation and survival pathways expressed in various types of cancer. These cyto-protective pathways can be activated in response to growth factor stimulation, toxic insult and radiation. In our studies, we utilized novel drug combinations with and without radiation to enhance breast & prostate tumor cell death both in vitro and in vivo. Previous studies from our group have shown that UCN-01 and MEK1/2 inhibitors interact to cause tumor cell death in transformed cell lines in vitro. We extended this observation to an in vivo animal model system using the …

Length Of Hospital Stay, Delirium And Discharge Status Outcomes Associated With Anticholinergic Drug Use In Elderly Hospitalized Dementia Patients, Kelly J. Gauthier

Theses and Dissertations

Problem: There are a significant proportion of patients taking acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ChEi) for cognitive dysfunction also taking medications with anticholinergic (ACh) properties that may counteract their effects. As the number of ACh medications, burden, increases so does the likelihood of an adverse outcome.Background: ACh medications are frequently used in the elderly population (Carnahan 2004) even those with dementia or AD (Roe et al., 2002; Giron et al., 2001; Altavela 2003; Gill et al., 2005; Kogut et al., 2005). Methods: Hospitalized patients > 65 years of age with dementia (AD, other dementias, or with inferred dementia based on ChEi or NMDA antagonist …

The Role Of Sulfatide In Alzheimer's Disease, Charles Britton Beasley Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and loss of cortical neurons that control memory and cognition. The cause of NFTs and Aβ plaques is not clear, though it is known that they are formed by enzymes which are preferentially sequestered to membrane domains called lipid rafts. Sulfatide (ST) is a glycosphingolipid that is essential for the proper structure and function of lipid rafts. In mice that lack ST, membrane domains that are normally maintained by adhesive contacts and functional lipid rafts are improperly formed and are unstable. In these ST null …

A Life Disrupted: Still Lived, Judith M. Jarosinski

Theses and Dissertations

This research illustrates the experience of living with hallucinations from the perspective of being, and sought to answer the questions: what is the meaning of hallucinations and how do hallucinations connect to one's sense of self?A phenomenological Heideggerian hermeneutic approach was used to guide data collection and analysis. In this study, 12 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders were asked to describe their experience of hallucinations within the context of being. An overarching constitutive pattern emerged with four themes. The constitutive pattern, "A Life disrupted: Still lived," described a pattern of survival and perseverance on one's own terms; a common …

The Determinants Of Hospital Adoption And Expansion Of Bariatric Procedures: A Resource Dependence Perspective, Wenquiang Tian

Theses and Dissertations

New medical technologies have been viewed as the primary cause of rising health are expenditures by health policy researchers in the United States. Since the mid 1990s, with the prevalence of obesity among Americans, the utilization of bariatric surgery, a medical innovation, has increased rapidly among U.S. hospitals. Generally, current literature only states that the volume of bariatric procedures is increasing dramatically.Very limited studies have been conducted to investigate the growth of bariatric procedures.The objective of this study is (1) to provide a detailed description about the adoption and utilization of bariatric procedure in hospitals in 11 states, and (2) …

Parent And Therapist Perceptions Of Sensory Based Strategies Used By Occupational Therapists In Family-Centered Early Intervention Practice, Juliet Bertaut Copeland

Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative approach was used to explore the perceptions of parents and therapists in early intervention regarding sensory diets and their efficacy, particularly their goodness of fit within family routines and occupations. Open-ended interviews were conducted with therapist and parent participants and analysis of the data resulted in a model depicting how sensory diets became a "way of life" for families. The Sensory Diet "Way of Life" Model revealed seven themes that illustrated how occupational therapists in early intervention enter the homes of the families they serve and establish a "partnership" with parents to address a child's needs. Once this …