Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Wavelet-Based Regression And Classification For Longitudinal Diffusion Tensor Imaging Data, William R. Prucka

All ETDs from UAB

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique capable of in vivo characterization of the spatial and angular dependence of free water diffusion in tissue. By studying intra- and extra-cellular water mobility, inference can be made about the surrounding medium. The non-uniform angular dependence of diffusion, known as anisotropy, is evident in fibrous tissues, which exhibit greater diffusion parallel versus perpendicular to the fiber orientation. DTI’s sensitivity to anisotropy makes it an effective tool for measuring the integrity of fibrous myelinated white matter tracts in the brain. For demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), DTI has …

Adenovirus As A Platform For Assembly And Targeted Delivery Of Gold Nanoparticles To Tumor Cells, Vaibhav Saini

All ETDs from UAB

Novel combinatorial strategies need to be explored to achieve tumor eradication. In this regard, viral vector based gene therapy and nanotechnology offer unique possibilities for cancer therapy. As an example, multifunctional adenoviral (Ad) vectors capable of targeting, imaging, and successful cancer gene therapy have been advanced into multiple clinical trials. Similarly, novel multifunctional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been utilized for drug delivery, targeting, imaging, and hyperthermia tumor therapy. Therefore, to accrue the benefits of both gene therapy and nanotechnology for cancer therapy, we proposed to combine Ad vectors and AuNPs in a single multifunctional nanodevice. Towards this goal, herein, we …

The Role Of Tgf-Ss And Wnt5a In Mammary Gland Development And Tumurorigenesis, Kevin Patrick Roarty

All ETDs from UAB

cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide behind lung cancer, affecting women of all ages, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic strata. Concerted efforts have been made to understand this heterogeneous disease from the clinical stage down to the molecular level. Importantly, it has become clear that an understanding of the normal biology of the breast at all stages of development is needed to gain insight into how alterations in normal regulatory networks contribute to the initiation and development of breast cancer. TGF-ß plays a role in growth and patterning of the mammary gland and alterations in its signaling exhibit biphasic …

Correction Of Sickle Cell Disease By Homologous Recombination, Li-Chen Wu

All ETDs from UAB

The hematological disorder sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent human genetic disease. It causes severe tissue damage that can result in strokes, splenic infarction, kidney failure, liver and lung disorders, painful crises, and other complications. Although palliative therapies and allogenic stem cell transplantation therapies have been developed for this disorder, there is still no optimal treatment and SCD patients continue to suffer significant morbidity. Recently, several powerful technologies have been developed that increase the possibility for developing therapeutic treatments for SCD. Previously, our lab group demonstrated that SCD can be corrected in our humanized mouse model by transduction of …

Physiological Charactterization Of The Light Response Of Rod Photoreceptors In The Light Damaged Rat, Yuquan Wen

All ETDs from UAB

Constant light exposure has long been known to induce photoreceptor degeneration. However, it is not known whether photoreceptors alter their physiology to adapt to the environmental stress caused by constant light exposure. In this study, we have developed a slow light damage model in rats to study changes in single rod physiology and retinal morphology after light damage. Rod physiology was documented by single rod recording using a suction electrode at 3 days (R3), 5 days (R5), 15 days (R15), and 30 days (R30) after 10 days of light damage, or sham light damage for controls. In addition, we used …

The Use Of Molecular Imaging To Evaluate Te Efficacy Of Treatments For Metastatic Breast Cancer, April Adams Szafran

All ETDs from UAB

The development of molecular imaging technologies has allowed biomedical researchers to study the process of cancer metastasis in animal models of disease. Bioluminescence imaging has been a crucial tool for non-invasive monitoring of tumor growth, dissemination, and response to therapies. In this report, we have applied bioluminescence imaging to evaluate the efficacy of Death Receptor 5 agonist therapy for the treatment of breast cancer metastasis, predominately to the skeleton, in an athymic nude mouse model. Initially, we determined that bioluminescence imaging was the most ideal technology for studying secondary bone lesions in vivo when compared to both x-ray Computed Tomography …

The Role Of Ddx3 In Regulating Apoptosis, P53 And Snail, Mianen Sun

All ETDs from UAB

Cancer is a common disease that causes high rates of lethality. Resistance to cancer therapy is one major obstacle for producing an effective cancer treatment. Clarifying mechanisms of cancer development, such as resistance to apoptosis and metastasis, can provide important information for developing effective cancer treatment strategies. In the present study, DDX3 was demonstrated to have effects on both responses to cancer treatment and cancer development. DDX3 together with glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) was found to impede death receptor-induced apoptosis, which is important because death receptors are activated by some cancer treatments. Additionally, DDX3 was shown to regulate two proteins …

Characterization Of Suds3 As A Brms1 Family Member In Breast Cancer, Alexandra C. Silveira

All ETDs from UAB

BRMS1 and SUDS3 belong to a protein family characterized by the Sds3-like domain. These proteins are core members of SIN3-HDAC chromatin remodeling complexes and thus, regulate transcription. BRMS1 decreases the expression of various metastasis-promoting proteins. This regulation contributes to BRMS1-mediated metastasis suppression through the inhibition of motility and by sensitizing cells to anoikis, as well as through other unidentified mechanisms related to growth at a secondary site. Although BRMS1 and SUDS3 share high sequence similarity and are found in the same complexes, studies have yet to address whether these similarities result in overlapping functions. Additionally, it is unclear how BRMS1 …

Expression And Function Of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Human Vascular Endothelial Cells, Ryan C. Splittgerber

All ETDs from UAB

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are widely expressed in neural and non-neural tissues and have been reported to play a role in neovascularization and vascular diseases of the eye, specifically age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). However, the subunit composition of functional nAChRs, their mechanisms of action, and the downstream signaling pathways in non-neuronal tissues are not well understood. Since some nAChR subtypes have high Ca2+ permeability, we investigated the possible role of Ca2+ in activating signaling cascades that underlie the affects of nAChR activation in Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HDMECs). RT-PCR experiments revealed message for nearly all of the known …

Friction Produced By Esthetic Brackets With Varying Ligation, Christine Knox Abenoja

All ETDs from UAB

Controlling friction is an important aspect of orthodontics because it allows more predictable tooth movement with less anchorage loss. Friction at the bracket/archwire/ligation interface can reduce the force available for desired tooth movement. Initial stages of orthodontic treatment depend on the ability of the archwire to slide freely through the bracket, making friction an important aspect of all orthodontic brackets in the early phases of orthodontic treatment. The purpose of the present in vitro study was to measure the force to move esthetic brackets over an archwire using different ligation methods. A stainless steel model reproducing the maxillary right dentition …

A Comparative Study Of Extraction Treatment Efficiency Using Conventional Edgewise Brackets And Self-Ligating Brackets, Stan C. Cox

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of the present study was to assess treatment efficiency of one selfligating bracket system (In-Ovation, GAC International, Bohemia, NY) compared to a conventional ligating bracket system (Ovation, GAC International, Bohemia, NY) in extraction cases used in the same practice. Treatment duration, number of appointments, and number of arch wires used per patient were compared within one private orthodontic practice. The total sample size was 155 patients, 83 consecutively finished with conventionally-ligated Ovation brackets and 72 consecutively finished with In-Ovation self-ligating brackets. After applying the exclusion criteria, there were 68 patients in the self-ligated (SL) group and 79 patients …

Variability Of Two Sampling Methods In Plaque Samples, Kuei C. Hsu

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: Dental caries remain the most common infectious disease in children, and is in fact, on the rise in the U.S. among 2 to 5 year olds. Among hundreds of oral bacteria, mutans streptococci (MS) are considered the major species associated with dental caries. Studies have shown that increased MS in saliva or plaque is an important indicator for caries. The use of standard plate count (SPC) from plaque samples particularly yield variable quantitative results because of complexities of sample collection and processing. Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine collection reproducibility in plaque samples from permanent first molars using …

Endodontic Sealers-Their Properties And Effects On Fiber Post Retention, Farrah Huthail Najib

All ETDs from UAB

Zinc oxide eugenol sealers have been used clinically for several years. Glass ionomer sealers were introduced due to their adhesion to the dental hard tissues and excellent sealing ability. During the process of endodontic treatment a post, core and final restoration is required for tooth restoration. Recently fiber reinforced composite posts have become more popular because of their mechanical properties and esthetics. However, fiber posts have to be adhesively cemented into root canal which can be affected by the endodontics sealers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of eugenol and non-eugenol containing sealers on the retention …

Bone Formation Around Implants In Adult Transgenic Mice With Selective Runx2-Ii Deficiency, Jaime Rodrigo Rivera

All ETDs from UAB

Titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) tacks were placed in the tibiae of 10 female wild type (Runx2 flox/+ or Runx2 flox/flox) and heterozygous (Runx2+/-, ColII Cre) mice littermates to examine healing and bone response. Animals were divided into control and test groups of 5 each. A novel generation of Runx2 knock-out mice where the gene is only deleted in chondrocytes was used. Ten days after implant surgery, specimens were recovered and prepared for histological, histomorphometric, and micro-CT morphometric analysis. Histological examination revealed that wild type animals presented larger regions of bone formation and endochondral ossification when compared to heterozygous mice. Micro-CT morphometric analysis …

Oral Mucositis In Children Receiving Bone Marrow Transplantation, Francisco Jose Rodriguez

All ETDs from UAB

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify the factors that influence the incidence, severity, onset, and resolution of oral mucositis in children undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Methods: One hundred and fifty medical records were reviewed of patients that received BMT. Daily values of white blood cell (WBC) counts were obtained to associate it’s correlation with the incidence, severity, onset, and resolution of oral mucositis. Age group and gender of the patients, type of bone marrow transplant, the use of methotrexate, the use of total body irradiation, and the previous treatment with chemotherapy were obtained to analyze …

Success Rates Of Temporary Anchorage Devices Placed In An Orthodontic Clinic, Alex C. Schreiber

All ETDs from UAB

In recent years, the use of a variety of temporary placed implants to attain absolute anchorage has been described in the orthodontic literature. The use of temporary implants, fixed to bone, overcomes some of the limitations of traditional anchorage and their reliance on patient compliance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors relating to the successful placement of miniscrew temporary anchorage devices in an orthodontic clinic. The orthodontic records of patients who had miniscrews placed during their treatment at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry Postgraduate Orthodontic Clinic were selected. After application of the inclusion …

Trp-Ing Down A Trk: A New Role For Transient Receptor Potential Channels As Novel Mediators Of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Actions At Both Sides Of The Excitatory Synapse, Michelle Dawn Amaral

All ETDs from UAB

Over the years, various roles for neurotrophins have been revealed, being initially described as survival signals for neurons making their initial synaptic contacts in the developing brain. Eventually, it was discovered that these molecules also play important modulatory roles in the adult brain. The work encompassed in this dissertation serves to characterize one particular neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has been implicated in long-term potentiation (LTP), and its effects at CA3-CA1 synapses in the hippocampus following acute application in vitro. To this end, we have demonstrated the presence of a novel, non-selective cationic current that is initiated by BDNF …

Characterization Of Sortase And Its Effect On The Virulence Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Allison E. Bennett

All ETDs from UAB

Sortases are transpeptidases that covalently link surface proteins to the stempeptide on the cell wall peptidoglycan of Gram-positive bacteria. This work endeavored to characterize the various sortase enzymes and their effect on the virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The genome of S. pneumoniae may encode up to four sortase enzymes. We found that 38 of 54 strains of serotype 6B clonal complex 14 (CC14) carry the genes for the secondary sortases srtB, srtC, and srtD. The presence of these sortases did not seem to influence the ability of strains within CC14 to infect the nasopharynx, lungs, or blood of strains within …

A Construct With Fluorescent Indicators For Conditional Expression Of Mirna., Linghua Qiu, Hongyan Wang, Xugang Xia, Hongxia Zhou, Zuoshang Xu

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Transgenic RNAi holds promise as a simple, low-cost, and fast method for reverse genetics in mammals. It may be particularly useful for producing animal models for hypomorphic gene function. Inducible RNAi that permits spatially and temporally controllable gene silencing in vivo will enhance the power of transgenic RNAi approach. Furthermore, because microRNA (miRNA) targeting specific genes can be expressed simultaneously with protein coding genes, incorporation of fluorescent marker proteins can simplify the screening and analysis of transgenic RNAi animals. RESULTS: We sought to optimally express a miRNA simultaneously with a fluorescent marker. We compared two construct designs. One expressed …

Integration Of Analysis And Deliberation To Evaluate Biodiesel Occupational And Environmental Exposures, Nora M. Traviss

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Many U.S. organizations interested in a renewable and domestic source of energy are considering switching from petroleum diesel to biodiesel blends for transportation and heavy-duty equipment use. Biodiesel is a fuel made from vegetable oils or waste grease. While there is a considerable body of evidence on the negative health effects of petroleum diesel exhaust exposures in occupational and urban settings, there has been little research examining the impact of biodiesel fuel on occupational and environmental exposures. This dissertation combined a collaborative exposure assessment of B20 (20% soy-based biodiesel/80% diesel) at a rural recycling center with a policy intervention to …

New Strategy For The Search Of Natural Biologically Active Substances., Vyacheslav Dushenkov, Ilya Raskin

Publications and Research

The modern pharmaceutics actively screens an immense diversity of substances occurring in plants and other natural resources in the search for new effective medicinal agents. The Global Institute for Bioexploration (GIBEX) established by joint efforts of Rutgers University and the University of Illinois (United States) represents the organizational core of international scientific community whose activity is directed towards the search and development of new medicinal preparations from natural raw materials. The basis of GIBEX activity is the transfer of modern screening technologies to countries and geographical regions characterized by remarkable biodiversity. The GIBEX goals are to encourage the search for …

Size-Controlled Synthesis Of Monodisperse Core/Shell Nanogels, William H. Blackburn, L. Andrew Lyon

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Small, monodisperse nanogels (similar to 50-nm radius) were synthesized by free-radical precipitation polymerization and were characterized using a suite of light scattering and chromatography methods. Nanogels were synthesized with either N-isopropylacrylamide or N-isopropylmethacrylamide as the main monomer, with acrylic acid or 4-acrylamidofluorescein as a comonomer and N,N'-methylenebis(acrylamide) as a cross-linker. By varying the surfactant and initiator concentrations, particle size was controlled while maintaining excellent monodispersity. An amine-containing shell was added to these core particles to facilitate subsequent bioconjugation. Successful conjugation of folic acid to the particles was demonstrated as an example of how such materials might be employed in a …

Low Frequency Fatigue In Human Quadriceps Is Fatigue Dependent And Not Task Dependent, Masaki Iguchi, Kris Baldwin, Charles Boeyink, Carol Engle, Michael Kehoe, Anish Ganju, Andrew J. Meszaros, Richard Shields

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

It is well accepted that a low intensity/long duration isometric contraction induces more low frequency fatigue (LFF) compared to a high-intensity/short-duration contraction. However, previous reports examined the intensity/duration of the contraction but did not control the level of fatigue when concluding fatigue is task dependent. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a long duration/low intensity fatiguing contraction would induce greater LFF than a short duration/high-intensity contraction when the quadriceps muscle was fatigued to similar levels. Eighteen healthy male subjects performed quadriceps contractions sustained at 35% and 65% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) on separate days, until the …

Three Dimensional Echocardiography In Congenital Heart Defects., Girish S. Shirali

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Three dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is a new, rapidly evolving modality for cardiac imaging. Important technological advances have heralded an era where practical 3DE scanning is becoming a mainstream modality. We review the modes of 3DE that can be used. The literature has been reviewed for articles that examine the applicability of 3DE to congenital heart defects to visualize anatomy in a spectrum of defects ranging from atrioventricular septal defects to mitral valve abnormalities and Ebstein's anomaly. The use of 3DE color flow to obtain echocardiographic angiograms is illustrated. The state of the science in quantitating right and left ventricular volumetrics …

Research Criteria For The Diagnosis Of Alzheimer's Disease: Genetic Risk Factors, Blood Biomarkers And Olfactory Dysfunction, Jonathan Foster, Hamid Sohrabi, Giuseppe Verdile, Ralph Martins

Research outputs pre 2011

No abstract provided.

A Review Of The Evaluation Of Healthway Sponsorships, Michael Rosenberg, Christina Mills, Joanna Granich, Renee Ferguson, Sarah French, Lisa Wood

Research outputs pre 2011

This study reviewed the methods used by Healthway to assess sponsorship implementation/value and to explore complimentary or alternative evaluation measures...

Interview questions related to sponsorship activities, procedures, requirements and evaluation. Suggestions for practical and alternative ways of assessing sponsorship implementation and conducting evaluations were also asked. In addition, the perceived value of sponsorship investments to Healthway and satisfaction with the existing evaluation framework were also sought...

Organisational Survey: Impact Of Healthway Funding On Currently Funded And Previously Funded Sar Organisations, Michael Rosenberg, Sarah French, Jenna Mitchell, Christina Mills, Lisa Wood

Research outputs pre 2011

Since 1992, organisations in receipt of Healthway funding have demonstrated consistently high levels of commitment to sponsorship requirements. In part, the high levels of commitment observed may reflect a trend towards organisations with similar values to Healthway applying for funding. Organisations with different values to Healthway may receive funding once and decide that the sponsorship does riot match the needs of their organisation. This may result in difficulties fo.r Healthway to access hard to reach organisations, or to establish longer-term partnerships with Sports, Arts or Racing (SAR) organisations that target high priority groups. To better understand how Healthway's requirements of …

Participation In Sports, Arts And Racing And Its Relationship To Message Literacy And Health Behaviours, Christina Mills, Michael Rosenberg, Sarah French, Jenna Mitchell, Lisa Wood

Research outputs pre 2011

The purpose of this study was to assess health message awareness and health behaviours by participation/non participation in sport, arts and racing (SAR) in Western Australia. In this study a 'participant' was defined as someone who was (1) a member of a SAR organisation, group or club; and/or (2) having attended a SAR event as a spectator or audience member in the last 12 months. A 'non participant' was someone who did not participate in any SAR events as a member and/or spectator and/or audience member in the last 12 months.

Review Of The Social And Emotional Wellbeing Of Indigenous Australian Peoples, Darren Garvey

Research outputs pre 2011

The first case of diabetes among Indigenous people was recorded in Adelaide in 1923. Records prior to this time showed that Indigenous people were fit, lean, and did not suffer from any form of metabolic condition, which were largely believed to be a characteristic of European populations. The earliest detailed studies investigating the development of diabetes in Indigenous populations were not undertaken, however, until the early 1960s. These and subsequent studies found a significant correlation between the development of a ‘westernised’ lifestyle and the levels of type 2 diabetes in the Indigenous population.

Since that time, type 2 diabetes has …

Promoting Healthy Weight In The Preschool Years: A Portfolio And Planning Guide To Address Barriers In Primary Care, Margaret Miller, Renee Campbell-Pope, Lydia Hearn

Research outputs pre 2011

The rapidly rising incidence of overweight and obesity in Australia, particularly among young children has led to an urgent need for effective prevention. Recent figures indicate that 15% of preschool children in Australia are overweight, and a further 6% are obese1,2, with rates rising steadily especially among children from lower socioeconomic groups.

Family, childcare, primary health care, early childhood education and the community are influential environments for young children3-7 with the potential to engage in an integrated approach to promote healthy weight and development of healthy eating and active lifestyle habits during the pre-school years5,8,9.

In 2006, the Child Health …