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 …

A Survey Assessment Of Veterinarians To Determine The Level Of Preparedness For An Infectious Disease Outbreak, Tamara Crutchley Bushell

All ETDs from UAB

Safeguarding animal health is of paramount importance to the US economy, public health and food safety. One of the most important causes of contamination in food products and of food-borne disease in humans is microorganisms that reside in the intestines of animals, such as Salmonella species and Escherichia coli O157:H7. A fundamental knowledge of the epidemiology of diseases, including an understanding of the agents and hosts, is a critical component of early (front-line) detection and prevention of contamination by microorganisms. Front-line detection is provided by animal handlers and personnel working with animals on a day-to-day basis, such as veterinarians. Currently …

Small For Gestational Age Infants: Survival And Impact Of Advanced Maternal Age., Sibylle Kristensen

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

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.

Questionnaires Based On Social Cognitive Theory Constructs Do Not Predict Exercise Adherence In Older Adults After Discharge From Home Health Physical Therapy., Jason Hardage

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.

Antenatal Syphilis Management In Sub -Saharan Africa: Public Health Management Challenges And The Impact Of New Hiv Programs In Zambia., Dara G. Potter

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Pediatric Iron Toxicity: The Impact Of Unit Dose Packaging., Ann P. Slattery

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Migrating Foreign Body In The Thyroid Gland, An Unusual Case, Tatheer Zohra, Mubasher Ikram, Moghira Iqbal, Shabbir Akhtar, Seyed Akbar Abbas

Section of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

In literature various cases have been described where foreign bodies ingested were lodged in the upper aero digestive tract, but only few of these foreign bodies perforate the oesophagus and an even fewer migrate extraluminally.1 If untreated, they may result in life threatening suppurative or vascular complications. Exploration of the neck via an external approach to remove the foreign body is the recommended treatment. The CT scan utilizing fine cuts is invaluable in localizing the foreign body for exploration. Oesophageal penetration and migration of oesophageal foreign bodies into the thyroid gland is extremely rare with only occasional case reports appearing …

Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis (Mlva) For Clonal Characterization Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains, Matthew Box

All ETDs from UAB

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains have been observed to be associated with community based individuals (CA-MRSA) and hospitalized patients (HA-MRSA). The CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA are no longer distinguishable based on the location of patient when the isolate was first obtained from the patient. These strains are now observed both in the hospital and community settings. While the origin of the isolate does not appear to be critical, it is important to genetically define these isolates to assist in epidemiological investigations and evaluation of infection control measures effectiveness. The conventional method for analyzing this genetic information has been pulsed-field gel …

Micro-Computed Tomographic Analysis Of Bone Healing Subsequent To Graft Placement, Preeti M. Chopra

All ETDs from UAB

A MicroCT analysis of bone healing subsequent to graft (tri calcium phosphate/TCP) placement in the maxillary sinus prior to dental endosteal implant placement was the objective of the current study. Ten trephined rod shaped human bone cores were obtained three months after the placement of particulate graft material and the samples were stored immediately in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Using a Microcomputed tomography, the samples were evaluated at resolutions of 6 and 20μm. The thresholds for bone and graft material were determined using visual image, intensity (grey level) and histogram analyses. The graft and bone threshold was 235 greylevel and …

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Of Thyroid Nodule: Diagnostic Accuracy And Pitfalls, Saeed A. Mahar, Akhtar Husain, Najmul Islam

Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism

Background: To evaluate the utility of FNAC in patients with Thyroid Nodule.

Methods: Records of all patients treated surgically for thyroid nodule(s) at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2004 were reviewed. The patients who had pre operative FNAC as first line of the evaluation and the final post operative histopathology report available were included in the study.

Results: 125 patients (90 female 35 male) had thyroid surgery. The cytological diagnosis was made according to following categories: Benign, Follicular lesion, Malignant and Inadequate sampling. Among 63 "Benign cases", 57 were benign and 6 turned out …

Integrating Disaster Preparedness Into A Community Health Nursing Course: One School's Experience, Mary Ireland, Emma Kontzamanis, Chantal Michel

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Lower Leg Muscle Activity In Blood Pressure Maintenance Of Older Adults, Michelle M. Masterson, Amy L. Morgan, Christine E. Multer, Daniel Cipriani

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose. Age-associated muscle weakness, postural instability, and orthostatic hypotension have been identified as contributing factors to falls , but the relationships among them are not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study, a two-way factorial design, was to investigate the differences in lower extremity (LE) muscle activity, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) between young and older individuals in an upright position. Methods. Ten young males (20-24 yrs.) and 10 older males (65-82 yrs.) stood for 15 minutes while BP, HR, and LE electromyography (EMG) were recorded at one minute intervals . A two-way ANOVA was used …

Acceptability And Outcomes Of The Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (Peg) Tube Placement--Patients' And Care Givers' Perspectives, Muhammad K. Anis, Shahab Abid, Wasim Jafri, Zaigham Abbas, Hasnain A. Shah, Saeed Hamid, Rozina Wasaya

Section of Gastroenterology

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube has now become a preferred option for the long-term nutritional support device for patients with dysphagia. There is a considerable debate about the health issues related to the quality of life of these patients. Our aim of the study was to assess the outcome and perspectives of patients/care givers, about the acceptability of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement.

Methods: This descriptive analytic study conducted in patients, who have undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement during January 1998 till December 2004. Medical records of these patients were evaluated for their demographic characteristics, underlying diagnosis, indications …

Pastoral Care In Education, Lydia Hearn, Renee Campbell-Pope, Joanne House, Donna Cross

Research outputs pre 2011

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. During the past decade, there has been growing recognition the school environment plays a major role in the social and emotional competence and wellbeing of children. As a consequence, increasing national and international commitment has been directed towards the development of Health Promoting Schools2, with efforts being made to assess how curriculum and pastoral practice can best contribute to students’ social, emotional, physical and moral wellbeing. Within Australia, the National Safe Schools Framework3 has set as a key priority the importance of achieving a shared vision of physical and emotional safety and wellbeing for all students …

Meat Prices And Factors Affecting Them In Turkey, Yavuz Cevger, Engi̇n Sakarya

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Secondary data from different sources were used to examine the changes in red meat prices in Turkey between 1976 and 1989 taking account of the impacts of inflation and red meat imports during that period. It is observed that in current prices a higher price increase was realized in red meat prices compared to the fattening feed prices in the period 1976-1999. When the effects of inflation and purchasing power of money are taken into account, it is determined that red meat prices rose at an increasing rate, whereas feed prices decreased after 1995. On the other hand, it was …

Histological Investigations On The Effects Of Feeding With A Diet Containing Red Hot Pepper On The Reproductive System Organs Of The Cock, Ayteki̇n Özer, Berri̇n Zik, Hati̇ce Erdost, Nesri̇n Özfi̇li̇z

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In the present study the growth and reproductive organ structural differences in cocks fed a diet containing 1% red hot pepper (10 g/kg diet) from the first day of age were investigated. In cocks fed the experimental diet body weight gain decreased; testes weight, length, width and wall thickness of the tubuli seminiferi convoluti increased; and the completion of spermatogenic cell serial formation took place earlier compared to the control group.

Effects Of Dietary Aflatoxin And Hydrate Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate On Triiodothyronine, Thyroxine, Thyrotrophin And Testosterone Levels In Quails, Gökhan Eraslan, Mehmet Akdoğan, Bi̇lal Cem Li̇man, Murat Kanbur, Namik Deli̇baş

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was performed on 80 male 14-day-old Coturnix coturnix japonica breed quails. The quails were divided into 8 groups with 10 animals in each as 1 control and 7 trial groups. While the control group was fed a commercial basal ration, groups 2-8 received, respectively, 2.5 g/kg feed hydrate sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), 5.0 g/kg feed HSCAS, 10.0 g/kg feed HSCAS, 2.5 ppm aflatoxin (AF B_1 78.30%, AF B_2 14.60%, AF G_1 4.50%, AF G_2 2.60%); 2.5 ppm AF with 2.5 g/kg feed HSCAS, 2.5 ppm AF with 5.0 g/kg feed HSCAS, and 2.5 ppm AF with 10.0 g/kg …

Embryonic Development Of Common Dentex (Dentex Dentex L.) Eggs, Şahi̇n Saka, Kürşat Firat, Deni̇z Çoban

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The embryonic development of common dentex eggs was investigated in detail in aquacultural conditions at constant temperature. The experiments were carried out at 18 ± 0.2 ºC. The average diameters of the eggs and oil globule were 1.032 ± 0.008 mm and 0.233 ± 0.002 mm, respectively. Embryonic development was observed every 15 min until the morula stage and then at hourly intervals. The morula stage, gastrula stage, neurula stage and formation of somite and kupffer’s vesicle were determined 04:15 h, 10:00 h, 17:00 h and 23:00 h after fertilization, respectively. The hatching rates were 82%-86% at 18 ± 0.2 …

Characterization Of Footrot Bacteria Dichelobacter Nodosus Using Pcr Amplification And Dna Sequence Analysis, Ifakat Tülay Çağatay, Jon G. H. Hickford

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Dichelobacter nodosus is an essential causative agent of footrot in ruminants, particularly in sheep, goats and cattle. In this study, more than 100 footrot samples were collected from 4 different farming regions in New Zealand (NZ). Selective media were chosen and isolation and routine growth conditions were optimized for NZ D. nodosus serotypes. Approximately 1000 primary plates were anaerobically subcultured several times and examined with Gram staining in order to detect single colonies of D. nodosus. Both the variable region and a part of the conserved region of fimbrial subunit gene (fimA) were amplified from bacterial DNA using polymerase chain …

Investigation Of Serum Cu, Zn, Fe And Se Concentrations During Pregnancy (60, 100 And 150 Days) And After Parturition (45 Days) In Single And Twin Pregnant Sheep, Fuat Gürdoğan, Ati̇lla Yildiz, Engi̇n Balikçi

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was conducted to determine the serum Cu, Zn, Se and Fe concentrations at 60, 100, and 150 days of pregnancy and at 45 days of parturition in twin and single pregnant sheep. A total of 30 pregnant Akkaraman sheep in 2 groups (15 single pregnancies, 15 twin pregnancies), aged 3-5 years and weighing 40-50 kg were used. The blood samples were analyzed for serum Cu, Zn, Se and Fe concentrations. No statistically significant difference was found for Se, Cu, Fe and Zn concentrations between the twin and single pregnancy groups. Insignificant decreases (P > 0.05) in serum Zn and …

Effects Of Dietary Fluoride Levels On Growth, Serum Indexes And Antioxidant Systems In Growing Pigs, Xin Tao, Zi Rong Xu, Yi Zhen Wang

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Ninety-six growing pigs were used to evaluate the effects of fluoride levels on growth performance, serum indexes and antioxidant systems. Four dietary treatments were formulated by supplementing fluorine (as NaF) to provide the following added fluorine levels: 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg. The results showed that pigs consuming diets with 100 and 150 mg/kg fluorine added had poor growth performance, and most serum biochemical indexes were significantly altered compared to the control (P < 0.05). On the other hand, serum and liver MDA concentration significantly increased due to the addition of 150 mg/kg fluorine (P < 0.05). T-AOC levels and the activities of SOD, GSH-PX, CAT and GST of serum and liver in fluoride added groups decreased, most of which altered significantly (P < 0.05). These results indicated that excessive fluoride ingestion had an adverse effect on animal health and performance.

The Seroprevalence Of Coxiellosis In Farmers And Cattle In Erzurum District In Turkey, Şenay Seyi̇toğlu, Zülal Özkurt, Ufuk Di̇nler, Bi̇ray Okumuş

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Coxiellosis is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. This study conducted to determine the prevalence of coxiellosis in cattle and farmers in Eastern Turkey. A total of 230 cattle and 92 human sera were collected and tested for antibodies against C. burnetii by a commercial ELISA kit. The antibodies to C. burnetii were detected in 22 (9.56%) cattle and 18 (19.5%) healthy farmers. Seropositivity was found in 12 of 53 (22.6%) cattle with an abortion history, and 10 of 177 (5.6%) cattle without an abortion history (P < 0.05). There was a correlation between animal and human seroprevalence in the same district. It was observed that the seroprevalence of coxiellosis was higher in northern districts (32.4% in farmers and 15.4% in cattle) than in other districts (12.1% in farmers and 6.5% in cattle) both for humans and animals (P < 0.05). Coxiellosis was an important health problem in both humans and cattle, and the disease may cause abortion in cattle in Eastern Turkey.