Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Antitumour And Antimalarial Activity Of Artemisinin–Acridine Hybrids, Michael Jones, Amy Mercer, Paul Stocks, Louise La Pensee, Rick Cosstick, B. Kevin Park, Miriam Kennedy, Ivo Piantanida, Stephen Ward, Jill Davies, Patrick Bray, Sarah Rawe, Jonathon Baird, Tafadzwa Charidza, Omar Janneh, Paul O'Neill

Articles

Artemisinin–acridine hybrids were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro activity against tumour cell lines and a chloroquine sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum. They showed a 2–4-fold increase in activity against HL60, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells in comparison with dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and moderate antimalarial activity. Strong evidence that the compounds induce apoptosis in HL60 cells was obtained by flow cytometry, which indicated accumulation of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle.

Activity Loss Is Associated With Cognitive Decline In Age-Related Macular Degeneration., Barry W. Rovner, Robin J. Casten, Benjamin E. Leiby, William S. Tasman

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND/METHODS: The objective of this study was to determine whether relinquishing cognitive, physical, and social activities is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We conducted a 3-year longitudinal study of 206 nondemented patients with AMD.

RESULTS: Twenty-three subjects (14.4%) declined cognitively. Age, sex, education, decline in visual acuity, and number of dropped activities were associated with cognitive decline; each additional dropped activity increased the risk by 58%. Subjects who relinquished three activities were 3.87 times (95% confidence interval, 1.95-7.76) more likely to become demented than subjects who relinquished no activities; those …

Examination Of The Capacity Of The Cathelicidins To Control Bacillus Anthracis Pathogenesis, Mark W. Lisanby

All ETDs from UAB

cillus anthracis is a gram-positive, spore forming bacterium that causes infection through three routes: cutaneous, gastrointestinal and pulmonary. Historically, anthrax pathogenesis was thought to be initiated via the uptake of spores by resident macrophages, which then transited to the regional lymph nodes. While en-route, the spores germinated and developed into bacilli within the phagolysosome, escaped into the cytoplasm, killed the cell and eventually the host. Following the recent use of B. anthracis as a biological weapon, researchers began to reevaluate anthrax pathogenesis in order to develop novel treatments. One aspect of anthrax pathogenesis that saw renewed interest was the intracellular …

Klf4 And Retinoid Receptor Signaling In Cancer, Wen Jiang

All ETDs from UAB

The fight against cancer has generated wide interest in understanding the genetic mechanisms behind the disease. One group of oncogenes – transcription factors – offers many opportunities for treatment or prevention. Among these transcription factors is KLF4, which functions in post-mitotic epithelial cells to promote differentiation. KLF4 has tumorigenic activity in both in vitro and in vivo models. In analyzing transcripts that were induced by KLF4, we noted the induction of multiple nuclear receptors, including retinoid receptors. Retinoids are well-established as chemopreventive agents, but the mechanisms by which they act to prevent cancer remain unclear. Previous studies have shown that …

Regulation Of Neural Precursor Cell Apoptosis And Proliferation By Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3, Tae-Yeon Eom

All ETDs from UAB

Neurogenesis is a crucial process for development, plasticity, and regenerative capacity of the developing and adult brain. Impairment of neurogenesis has been implicated in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. Although substantial studies have shown that therapeutic interventions enhance neurogenesis, much less is known about what factors impair neurogenesis. Thus, the present work examined if glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) has a role in impaired neurogenesis, focusing on apoptosis and proliferation of neural precursor cells (NPCs). This investigation found that GSK3 promotes apoptotic signaling in cultured NPCs subjected to two insults, trophic factor withdrawal and genotoxic stress. Both stimuli activated GSK3, Bax, …

Pathological Modification Of Tau Induce Toxicity And Facilitate Cell Death, Tori A. Matthews

All ETDs from UAB

eimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by two major pathophysiological hallmarks, beta-amyloid (A��) plaques and tau tangles. In AD and other tau associated neurodegenerative disorders, termed tauopathies, a critical role in promoting neuronal degeneration has been demonstrated for hyperphosphorylated forms of tau. Recent findings suggest that cleavage of tau in the carboxyl-terminal region (Asp421) may also promote deleterious effects of tau on neuronal health. In the first half of my study, the relationship between Asp421 cleaved tau and a common AD associated stressor (endoplasmic reticulum [ER] stress) was investigated using an inducible cortical neuronal model. Cells expressing …

Iowa Conference On Communicative Disorders [Program, 2009], Iowa Conference On Communicative Disorders

Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders Programs

The Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders provides continuing education activities in speech- language pathology that are acceptable to the State of Iowa and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Areas of emphasis include adults and pediatrics.

Effects Of Clenbuterol On Skeletal And Cardiac Muscle In Horses, Jessica Thompson

LSU Master's Theses

Clenbuterol is a commonly prescribed β2-adrenergic agonist approved for veterinary use as a bronchodilator in horses with reactive and obstructive airway disease. Potential for abuse of this drug in the horse industry is substantial, due to the perceptions that clenbuterol increases performance and lean muscle mass. Although anabolic effects have been confirmed in multiple species, recent studies into the effects of clenbuterol in exercising horses suggest that clenbuterol doses within therapeutic ranges negatively impact aerobic capacity and cardiac function. Results of studies in murine models demonstrate that clenbuterol directly induces skeletal and cardiac muscle cell death at high doses. Three …

Chondrocyte Death In Canine Osteochondral Explants Exposed To 0.5 Percent Bupivacaine, Geoffrey Stuart Hennig

LSU Master's Theses

Objective: Our in vitro study evaluated chondrocyte death in canine articular cartilage exposed to 0.5% bupivacaine without (B) and with methylparaben (BP) and compared the viability with intact (SI) and mechanically debrided surfaces (SR). We hypothesized that B or BP would cause chondrocyte death in vitro in a time dependent manner and that chondrocyte death would be increased in SI osteochondral cores compared to SR. Materials and Methods: Intact cartilage cores with underlying subchondral bone were collected aseptically from both humeral heads of 16 fresh canine cadavers. Joints from each dog were randomly assigned to SI or SR. Ten osteochondral …

Mechanisms And Countermeasures Of Microgravity Induced Bone Loss: In Vitro And In Vivo Model Systems, Ritu Saxena

All ETDs from UAB

Rapid bone loss occurs during prolonged periods of weightlessness experienced by astronauts during spaceflights which leads to osteopenia and increased fracture risk upon return to earth. Spaceflight studies have shown that the bone loss occurs as a result of both a decrease in bone formation and an increase in bone resorption, however, the molecular mechanisms still need to be elucidated. Previous studies from our laboratory and other groups have indicated that modeled microgravity leads to inhibition of osteoblastogenesis and a stimulation of adipogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells in osteogenic medium which is most likely mediated by a decrease in …

Unusual Fibrosclerotic Lesion Of The Laryngotracheal Complex Presenting As Subglottic Stenosis., Douglas R. Johnston, Joseph M. Curry, Raphael Rubin, Marc R. Rosen

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

We present a case report that describes the pathology, presentation, and management complexities of an unusual, destructive fibrosclerotic lesion of the laryngotracheal complex. An otherwise healthy 21-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of progressive shortness of breath and stridor. The initial examination revealed a 3-cm, grade III subglottic stenosis. Nodular fibrosis of the strap muscles, laryngotracheal cartilages, and trachea was evident. Biopsies revealed dense peritracheal desmoplastic reaction with focal erosion of cartilage. However, features diagnostic for relapsing polychondritis, desmoid tumor, or orbital pseudotumor were absent. The disease progressed to involve severe stenosis and thickening of the trachea and main …

Assessment Of Smoking Status Based On Cotinine Levels In Nasal Lavage Fluid., Mehmet Hakan Ozdener, Karen K Yee, Ryan Mcdermott, Beverly J Cowart, Aldona A Vainius, Pamela Dalton, Nancy E Rawson

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

ABSTRACT: Cotinine is a principal metabolite of nicotine with a substantially longer half-life, and cotinine levels in saliva, urine or serum are widely used to validate self-reported smoking status. The nasal cavity and olfactory system are directly exposed to tobacco smoke in smokers and in non-smokers who live with or work around smokers. However, despite the potential for a direct impact of tobacco smoke on the nasal epithelium and olfactory neurons, no prior studies have assessed cotinine levels in nasal mucus. We sought to determine whether cotinine levels in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) would provide a reasonable estimate of smoke …

Malignant Melanoma Metastatic To The Thyroid Gland: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature., Brian Kung, Md, Saba Aftab, Bs, Moira D. Wood, Md, David Rosen, Md

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

The thyroid gland is a relatively uncommon site for a secondary malignancy; even less common is a case of malignant melanoma metastatic to the thyroid. We describe the case of a 68-year-old man who presented with a neck mass in the posterior triangle. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) identified the mass as a malignant melanoma. The patient had had no known primary skin melanoma. He underwent a left modified radical neck dissection, and the mass was discovered to be a positive lymph node. Postoperatively, he declined to undergo radio- and chemotherapy. Eighteen months later, he returned with a diffusely enlarged thyroid. …

Non-Shared Familial Environment As A Determinant Of Discordant Patterns Of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Sibling Pairs In A Family, Suparna Bagchi

All ETDs from UAB

Worldwide 15-40% of adolescents practice Disordered Eating Behavior (DEB). This study examined DEB development and the role of 1) shared familial factors among sibling pairs; and 2) non-shared familial experiences among discordant sibling pairs adjusted for individual and shared familial factors. The "National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health" data on 3274 adolescents were analyzed. The sample contained: twins (n=952), full siblings (n=1434), half siblings (n=418), and biologically not-related siblings (n=470). Multivariable regression analysis examined familial factors associated with DEB in the overall sample and sibling pair types. Adolescents engaging in DEB (~16%) were more likely to be white females with …

Immunotherapy Of Cancer Employing Γδ-T Cells: A Study Examining Their Utility And Feasibility, Benjamin Hester Beck

All ETDs from UAB

Unlike antigen-specific alpha beta-T cells, gamma delta-T cells can recognize and lyse cancerous cells rapidly upon encounter in a manner that does not require the recognition of tumor-specific antigens. Given the well-documented capacity of gamma delta-T cells to innately kill malignant cells, efforts are now underway to exploit the antitumor properties of gamma delta-T cells for clinical purposes. Here, we present for the first time preclinical in vivo mouse models of gamma delta-T cell-based immunotherapy directed against breast cancer. These studies were explicitly designed to approximate clinical situations in which adoptively-transferred gamma delta-T cells would be employed therapeutically against breast …

Identification Of New Strategies For The Treatment Of Glioblastoma Multiforme Utilizing A Pharmacogenomic Approach: Genetic Profiles Associated With Patient Prognosis And Outcome To Capecitabine Treatment, Jessica Marie Grunda

All ETDs from UAB

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal form of primary brain neoplasm with average patient survival between 9 and 15 months even with the most aggressive treatment modalities. Unfortunately, this poor outcome has not appreciably changed in the past 50 years emphasizing the lack of traditional `trial and error' methods in identifying an efficacious treatment for GBM. Pharmacogenomics is greatly impacting cancer research through the development of personalized medicine and rationally designed treatment paradigms for the development of more efficacious and less toxic treatment modalities. The main objective of this research was to utilize a pharmacogenomic approach to identify new …

Application Of Cross-Linked Rice Starches As Drug Delivery Matrices In Monolithic Tablets, Christopher F. Peluso, Fernanda O. Onofre, Ya-Jane Wang

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

The sustained release properties of regular and waxy rice starches and their derivatives were studied in tablets. The starches were cross-linked to different levels with epichlorohydrin, and the sustained release properties, swelling power, and rheological characteristics of the matrices prepared were determined. Propranolol hydrochloride was used as a model drug. The sustained release properties of waxy rice starch improved with increasing cross-linking levels, whereas cross-linking had little impact on the functionality of regular rice starch matrices. There was an increase in swelling power for both regular and waxy rice starches as cross-linking levels increased. Both starches showed an increase in …

Influence Of Tick Transmission On The Host Response To Rickettsial Infection, Soma Chowdhury

LSU Master's Theses

Several members of the spotted fever group (SFG) of Rickettsia are transmitted to the host through infected ixodid (hard) ticks, which can serve as both vectors and reservoirs. Multiple studies have demonstrated that ticks secrete proteins into the bite site of the host that suppress innate and adaptive immune responses. While this suppression of immune responses is beneficial to the tick, it may also be beneficial to the transmitted Rickettsia. We hypothesize that Rickettsia utilize the tick’s ability to alter the host immune response at the tick feeding site to successfully establish infection. In the current study, we analyzed how …

Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Qpcr) Assay As A Molecular Tool To Assess Rickettsial Replications In Tick Hosts, Andrea S. Zanetti

LSU Master's Theses

During the past century, many species of the Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (SFGR)have been described, especially, through the introduction of a variety of molecular techniques applied to detect rickettsiae inside of their host. In this study we developed a quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay (1) to characterize the growth and the distribution of a SFGR of unrecognized pathogenicity in naturally infected Amblyomma americanum ticks during physiological events; and (2) to terminate the influence of the host cell specificity in the replication patterns of recognized and unrecognized SFGR during a reciprocal rickettsiae challenge in both mammalian and tick cell …

Biomechanical Evaluation Of A 6.5-Mm Headless, Tapered Variable Pitch Screw (Acutrak Plus) In Equine And Synthetic Bone, Andrew James Czak Lewis

LSU Master's Theses

Objectives – To compare compression pressure (CP) of 6.5mm Acutrak Plus (AP) and 4.5mm AO cortical screws (AO) when placed in simulated lateral condylar fractures of variable thickness in cadaveric equine third metacarpal (MC3) bones, and to compare pullout force and strength of AP and AO screws when placed in a synthetic bone substitute. Results – The AO screw configurations generated significantly greater compressive pressure compared to the AP configurations. The ratio of mean CP for AP screws to AO screws at 20, 12, and 8-mm, were 21.6%, 26.2%, and 34.2% respectively. For the pullout study, the AP constructs generated …

Voice Initiation And Voice Offset Patterns In Normal Females: Investigated By High Speed Digital Imaging, Rebecca Leblanc Jopling

LSU Master's Theses

This preliminary study investigated the voice initiation period (VIP) and voice offset period (VOP) using high-speed digital imaging. The purpose of the study was to obtain preliminary data on VIP and VOP patterns of normal voice and to investigate the variability in VIP and VOP patterns in young female subjects within and between recording sessions. VIP was segmented into 3 phases: VIPa, VIPb, and VIPc. Results of the analysis of the data demonstrated that VOP is a more consistent measure than VIP and that VIPa is the most consistent phase of VIP. This study also suggested that changes in fundamental …

E-85 Vs. Regular Gasoline: Effects On Engine Performance, Fuel Efficiency, And Exhaust Emissions, Jordan W. Steinhaus, Donald M. Johnson, George W. Wardlow

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

This study compared the performance, fuel efficiency, and exhaust emissions of a 2.61 kW engine fueled with regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane) and an 85% ethanol blend (E85) under two load conditions. Four 1-h tests were conducted with each fuel at both governor’s maximum (3400 rpm) and peak torque (2800 rpm) conditions for a total of 16 tests. At governor’s maximum engine speed, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between fuels for engine torque, power, specific carbon dioxide (sCO2 ), specific carbon monoxide (sCO), specific hydrocarbons (sHC), or specific oxides of nitrogen (sNOX) emissions. However, there was a significant …

Effect Of Group Aphasia Treatment On Word Retrieval Skills, Claire Renee Zimmerman

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT The present single subject study investigated the treatment effects of group aphasia treatment (GAT) on word retrieval skills. Two participants participated in 1.5 hours of GAT, two times a week for 17 sessions. Both participants demonstrated significant improvements in percent of correct responses, but theses gains were not maintained. Slight improvements were noted on the Boston Naming Test (BNT; Kaplan et al., 2001) in one participant, but not the other. Both participants demonstrated improvement in discourse as evidenced by percent correct information units (CIUs; Nicholas & Brookshire, 1993) and in functional communication abilities as evidenced by the ASHA Functional …

Measurement Of Transient Smoke Emissions From Diesel And Biodiesel Fuel Blends In An Agricultural Tractor, Kristin M. Pennington, Sonia R. Munoz, Donald M. Johnson, George Wardlow

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Transient smoke emissions pose potential hazards to human health and the environment. With the increased popularity of biodiesel, there is a need to determine if these fuels produce different levels of particulate matter in exhaust emissions. This study examined the transient smoke emissions of three fuels: No. 2 petroleum diesel fuel (D2, ASTM D 975), a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel (B20, ASTM 6751), and a 100% pure biodiesel derived from animal fats (B100, ASTM D 6751). Measurements of smoke emissions were taken using the SAE J1677 snap acceleration test procedure on a John Deere 3203 compact …

Factors Associated With Sleep Disruption Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults In The Health And Retirement Study, Laura L. Williams

All ETDs from UAB

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine behavioral outcomes and sleep disruption in aging adults using data from the 2004 wave of the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study (HRS). It was hypothesized that sleep disruption is associated with behavioral outcomes and sociodemographic variables in a population-based sample. Methods: The 2004 HRS data (N=20,129) represents a cross-sectional analysis of community dwelling aging adults born in the US at or before 1923 through 1953. Data are stratified by date of birth to provide five cohorts of aging elderly. The HRS Psychosocial Leave-Behind Participant Lifestyle Questionnaire (PLBQ) was given to a …

The Role Of The Ss2-Integrin Family On T Cell Subsets, Jillian E. Wohler

All ETDs from UAB

Members of the ß2-integrin family of adhesion molecules, CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c, have all been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). CD11d had yet to be studied in demyelinating disease and its functions remained unclear. We report here that CD11d is the only member of the ß2-integrin family of adhesion molecules that fails to protect against the development of EAE. Surprisingly, the EAE studies suggested that CD11a, CD11b, and CD11c were all contributing to T cell activity during disease development by mechanisms beyond the migration of these cells into the CNS. However, the …

Community/Public Health Nursing Practice Leaders' Views Of The Doctorate Of Nursing Practice, Susan M. Swider, Pamela F. Levin, Julia M. Cowell, Susan Breakwell, Pearl Holland, Janet Wallinder

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

ABSTRACT Objectives: This paper presents thoughts of practice leaders in the community/public health nursing (C/PHN) specialty on advanced nursing practice (ANP) and the necessary educational preparation for such practice.

Design and Sample: Practice leaders were engaged in conversations specifically focused on the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) as preparation for ANP in their specialties, and asked to consider the benefits of, and challenges to, this educational program.

Measures and Results: The resulting remarks were then assessed for themes by the interviewers and these are presented along with thoughts on the future of education for ANP.

Conclusion: Overall, there was much …

The Effectiveness Of Placing A Mid-Level Provider In Triage As An Intervention To Improve Patient Flow In The Emergency Department, Penney A. Burlingame

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

With increasing scrutiny on the condition of the nation's emergency services and emphasis on patient satisfaction and pay for performance, Emergency Departments (EDs) are examining ways to improve public perceptions of satisfaction and quality. A reduction in ED wait times and left without being seen (LWBS) volumes can have a significant impact on patient satisfaction scores. The purpose of this study is to determine if placement of a mid-level provider in triage to perform medical screening exams (MSEs) will reduce ED wait times, increase efficient patient flow, and increase patient and staff satisfaction. For one hundred sixty nine days, a …

Increased Strength And Physical Performance With Eccentric Training In Women With Impaired Glucose Tolerance: A Pilot Study, Robin L. Marcus, Paul C. Lastayo, Leland E. Dibble, Laura Hill, Donald A. Mcclain

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Background: Menopause is associated with both a loss of muscle mass and a worsening of insulin sensitivity (IS). Although eccentric resistance exercise (ECC) can effectively improve muscle mass over time, a single bout of ECC can worsen IS. This study assessed the effect of repeated ECC on IS, muscle mass, and function in postmenopausal women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Methods: Sixteen PM women (aged 56 years +/- 6.4) with IGT were randomly assigned to a 12-week, knee extensor ECC program (n = 10) or a nonexercise control group (CON) (n = 6). Participants underwent hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, dual-energy …

Comparison Of Urinary Citrate Between Patients With Nephrolithiasis And Healthy Controls, S. Saepoo, D. Adstamongkonkul, P. Tosukhowong, Predanon C., V. Shotelersuk, C. Boonla

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

No abstract provided.