Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Regulation Of Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor Splicing Efficiency, I-Fang Ling

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is an apolipoprotein E (apoE) receptor and may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) development. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs688, that has been identified to modulate the splicing efficiency of LDLR exon 12 and is associated with higher cholesterol and AD in some case-control populations. The exon 12 deleted mRNA is predicted to produce a soluble form of LDLR that fails to mediate apoE uptake. To gain additional insights, in this study, I seek to understand the regulation of LDLR splicing efficiency. To identify functional cis-elements within LDLR exon 12, I mutated several …

Age May Be Hazardous To Outcome Following Traumatic Brain Injury: The Mitochondrial Connection, Lesley Knight Gilmer

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Older individuals sustaining traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience a much higher incidence of morbidity and mortality. This age-related exacerbated response to neurological insult has been demonstrated experimentally in aged animals, which can serve as a model to combat this devastating clinical problem. The reasons for this worse initial response are unknown but may be related to age-related changes in mitochondrial respiration.

Evidence is shown that mitochondrial dysfunction occurs early following traumatic brain injury (TBI), persists long after the initial insult, and is severitydependent. Synaptic and extrasynaptic mitochondrial fractions display distinct respiration capacities, stressing the importance to analyze these fractions separately. …

Awareness Of Increased Risk For Heart Disease And Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Patricia Weinstein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) earlier and at a more accelerated rate compared to women without SLE. Many women with SLE are unaware of their increased risk despite years spent in the health care system, thus giving the atherogenic process time to accrue damage. Research has not explained fully why women with SLE are unaware of their increased risk for CVD or why awareness does not correspond to risk-educing behaviors. Stage theories of behavior like the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) propose that health behavior change proceeds through qualitatively different stages, and people at one …

The Role Of The Hip Abductor Muscle Complex In The Function Of The Pathological Hip Joint, Maureen Kelly Dwyer

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The number of patients electing to undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the United States has been projected to double by the year 2030, with a growing number of these patients below the age of 65 years. This cohort of patients not only desires to return to pain free daily activity, but wishes to participate in recreation and sporting activities. However, many of these patients report pain, impairments, and functional limitations following THA. The number one deficit observed for patients who fail conventional post-operative rehabilitation is persistent weakness of the hip abductor muscles. In order to safely progress these patients …

Lipid-Based Paclitaxel And Doxorubicin Nanoparticles To Overcome P-Gp-Mediated Drug Resistance In Solid Tumors, Xiaowei Dong

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle limiting chemotherapeutic efficacy. The purpose of these studies was to investigate the potential application of injectable paclitaxel (PX) and doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) engineered from oil-in-water microemulsion precursors for overcoming P-glycoprotein (P-gp)- mediated drug resistance in solid tumors.

An in-vitro study was performed to test whether the oil (stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol) used to make lipid nanoparticles could be metabolized. The results showed that the concentrations of the fatty alcohols within nanoparticles, which were quantitatively determined over time by gas chromatography, decreased to only 10-20% of the initial concentration after 15-24 h …

Studies On The Role Of Acid Sphingomyelinase And Ceramide In The Regulation Of Tace Activity And Tnfα Secretion By Macrophages, Krasimira Rozenova

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Acid Sphingomyelinase (ASMase) activity has been proposed to mediate LPS signaling in various cell types. This study shows that in macrophages, ASMase is a negative regulator of LPS-induced TNFα secretion. ASMasedeficient (asm^-/-) mice and isolated peritoneal macrophages produce several fold more TNFα than their wild-type (asm^+/+) counterparts when stimulated with LPS. The mechanism for these differences however is not transcriptional but post-translational.

The TNFα converting enzyme (TACE) catalyzes the maturation of the 26kD precursor (proTNFα) to the active 17kD form (sTNFα). In mouse peritoneal macrophages, the activity of TACE rather than the rate of TNFα mRNA …

Computational Design Of 3-Phosphoinositide Dependent Kinase-1 Inhibitors As Potential Anti-Cancer Agents, Mohamed Diwan Mohideen Abdulhameed

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Computational drug design methods have great potential in drug discovery particularly in lead identification and lead optimization. 3-Phosphoinositide dependent kinase-1 (PDK1) is a protein kinase and a well validated anti-cancer target. Inhibitors of PDK1 have the potential to be developed as anti-cancer drugs. In this work, we have applied various novel computational drug design strategies to design and identify new PDK1 inhibitors with potential anti-cancer activity. We have pursued novel structure-based drug design strategies and identified a new binding mode for celecoxib and its derivatives binding with PDK1. This new binding mode provides a valuable basis for rational design of …

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Prouteolysis Taurgeting Chimeras (Protacs): A Potential Chemical Genetic Approach To Breast Cancer Therapy, Kedra C. Cyrus

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

The use of small molecules to probe the function of proteins is referred to as chemical genetics. The Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) is a chemical genetic tool that contains the ligand for a target protein of interest and the recognition motif for an E3 ubiquitin ligase attached by a linker. The PROTAC is capable of binding to and recruiting specific target proteins to the intracellular degradation system, the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). While the approach has had success it has not been optimized to be used on a broader scale.

Optimization efforts focused on elucidating the ideal linker length between …

Role Of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor In Chronic Inflammatory Diseases, Violeta Arsenescu

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) is a ligand-actviated receptor known as the dioxin receptor. Environmental pollutants called dioxin-like toxicants are found in food, cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust and air. Therefore, they could chronically amplify the pathology of numerous chronic inflammatory diseases. AhR is a well known target of these environmental chemicals that disrupt endocrine signaling. By the year 2020, the number of people older than 60 years is expected to top 1 billion. The burden of treating chronic disease is significant both in dollars spent and in lost productivity. The need to identify risk factors for chronic diseases must be evaluated …

Temporal And Spatial Stability Of Anopheles Gambiae Larval Habitat Distribution In Western Kenya Highlands, Li Li, Ling Bian, Laith Yakob, Guofa Zhou, Guiyun Yan

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

Background: Localized mosquito larval habitat management and the use of larvicides have been proposed as important control tools in integrated malaria vector management programs. In order to optimize the utility of these tools, detailed knowledge of the spatial distribution patterns of mosquito larval habitats is crucial. However, the spatial and temporal changes of habitat distribution patterns under different climatic conditions are rarely quantified and their implications to larval control are unknown.

Results: Using larval habitat data collected in western Kenya highlands during both dry and rainy seasons of 2003-2005, this study analyzed the seasonal and inter-annual changes in the spatial …

Mennonite College Of Nursing Annual Report, 2008-2009, Mennonite College Of Nursing

Annual Reports - Mennonite College of Nursing

Annual report of the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University

Sex Differences In Time To Task Failure And Blood Flow For An Intermittent Isometric Fatiguing Contraction, Sandra K. Hunter, Erin E. Griffith, Kristine M. Schlachter, Tim D. Kufahl

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to compare the time to task failure, postcontraction hyperemia, and vascular conductance of young men and women for a submaximal intermittent fatiguing contraction performed with the handgrip muscles. Twenty men and 20 women (mean SD: 22 4 years) performed an isometric contraction at 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) (6-s contraction, 4-s rest) until task failure. Forearm venous occlusion plethysmography was used to estimate the peak blood flow (after 10-min occlusion) and blood flow at rest after 6-s submaximal contractions of varying intensities, and during an intermittent fatiguing contraction at 1-min intervals and task …

Identification Of Gastrointestinal Contamination In Pancreatic Fna, A. D. Toll, M. Bibbo

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

In contrast to previous work, our preliminary results indicate B72.3 expression cannot be reliably used to identify GIC. A lack of CEA expression, however, may be used to identify both gastric and duodenal contamination. This represents an important diagnostic aid in the evaluation of suspected low-grade mucinous lesions.

The Effect Of Music On Cognitive Emotional Response In Undergraduate Students Studying Health-Related Courses: A Pilot Study, U. Alalami, S. K. Alalami, Ross Gordon Cooper

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

No abstract provided.

A New Classification For Ileosigmoid Knotting, S. Selçuk Atamanalp, Gürkan Öztürk, Bülent Aydinli, M. İlhan Yildirgan, Mahmut Başoğlu, Durkaya Ören, Abdul Meci̇t Kantarci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: This study aimed to establish a new classification that will contribute to the treatment and prognosis of ileosigmoid knotting (ISK), which is a combination of ileum volvulus and sigmoid volvulus (SV). Materials and methods: Based on the SV classification in which criteria associated with mortality, such as age over 60 years and the presence of accompanying disease and/or shock, were used, and a new classification was made for ISK. For this classification, the records of 71 patients with ISK, who were treated surgically, were reviewed retrospectively, and unlike in SV classification, rather than the presence of sigmoid gangrene alone, …

Parental Obesity Compared With Serum Leptin And Serum Leptin Receptor Levels Among Abese Adults In The Gaza Strip, Baker Mahmud Zabut, Naji H. Holi, Yousef I. Aljeesh

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aims: To investigate whether parental obesity influences serum leptin hormone and soluble leptin receptor (Ob-Re) concentrations among obese adults in the Gaza Strip. Materials and methods: A case-control design was used. Sample used was convenient and obtained from 2 largest obesity clinics in the Gaza Strip. It consisted of 83 overweight and obese adults without history of other diseases (case group). Control group consisted of 83 ideal weight adults who were selectively chosen from the same clinics. Self reported structured interviews and serum blood samples were obtained from both groups. Human leptin competitive ELISA kits were used for determination of …

Coxiella Burnetii Seroprevalence In The Rural Part Of Bolu, Turkey*, Oğuz Karabay, Esra Koçoğlu, Gökhan Baysoy, Selami̇ Konyalioğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: This study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in the rural part of Bolu, a city located in the western part of the Black Sea region of Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study population was chosen by cluster sampling to represent the rural population of the city. Serum samples were collected from the 9 rural districts of Bolu. Blood samples were taken to the laboratory while stored at 4 °C in ice-cooled boxes. The sera were then stored at -20 °C until testing. The presence of IgG antibodies against C. burnetii phase-II antigens in the sera …

Femoral Neck Fracture Following An Epileptic Seizure, Ahmet Demi̇rcan, Murat Özsaraç, Fi̇kret Bi̇ldi̇k, Ayfer Keleş, Gülbi̇n Aygencel

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Although the occurrence of dislocations in shoulders is a well-known complication of convulsive activity, femoral fractures are seen very rare. In this study, a case of a femur neck fracture after epileptic seizure was reported. A 49-year-old man presented to the emergency department following a first grand mal seizure. There was no history of trauma and co-morbid disease. Initial physical examination was normal. When the patient was taken to the computerized tomography room, he experienced 2 generalized tonic-clonic seizures. After the post-ictal period, the patient complained of pain on the left hip and left shoulder. Anteroposterior pelvic and shoulder x-rays …

A Novel Approach For Brachial Plexus Block, Alpaslan Apan, Hülya Başar, Şazi̇ye Şahi̇n, Ünase Büyükkoçak

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: The line from the midpoint of the sternocleidomastoid muscle to the midpoint of the clavicle was considered the surface projection of the brachial plexus in the supraclavicular region in a previous report using radiological and anatomic techniques. The needle insertion site was the point between the clavicular one-third and cervical two-thirds of this line. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical efficacy of these suggested landmarks. Materials and methods: Brachial plexus block was performed in 60 healthy adult patients undergoing elective surgery on an upper extremity using the above-mentioned new surface landmarks. Results: The characteristics …

The Risk Factors And Spread Of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii In Intubated Patients In A Medical Intensive Care Unit, Emi̇ne Alp, Mehmet Yerer, Sesi̇n Kocagöz, Gökhan Metan, Duygu Esel, Yeşi̇m Gürol, Mehmet Doğanay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most common causes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for colonization in the respiratory tract and infection with A. baumannii in a medical intensive care unit (MICU), and to examine the genetic link between strains and the spread of isolates. Materials and methods: This study was conducted prospectively between 1 December 2004 and 31 January 2006 in the MICU. Patients (> 16 years old) admitted to the MICU that were mechanically ventilated and/or intubated were enrolled in the study. Results: Ninety-eight …

Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Inducible Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B, And Clonal Diversity Patterns Of Nosocomial Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strains Isolated In Hacettepe University Adult Hospital, Pinar Zarakolu, Gökhan Metan, Belgi̇n Altun, Gülşen Hasçeli̇k, Serhat Ünal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Nosocomial infections due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are an important problem with limited therapeutic options. The aim of this study was to determine the vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, tigecycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, rifampin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and clindamycin susceptibility, inducible macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (iMLS_B) resistance, and clonal diversity patterns of 109 mecA positive Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from patients with nosocomial infections in Hacettepe University Adult Hospital between 2002 and 2004. Materials and methods: The nosocomial isolates of S. aureus from various clinical samples (58 blood, 45 pus, 6 catheter) were identified by Sceptor (Becton Dickinson, USA) automated system. Polymerase chain …

Ectopic Intra-Abdominal Fascioliasis, Ali̇ Ulvi̇ Öngören, Ayşegül Taylan Özkan, Ari̇f Hakan Demi̇rel, Hüseyi̇n Üstün, Mustafa Dönmez

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Human fascioliasis, caused by Fasciola hepatica, is emerging as an important chronic zoonotic disease in many areas of the world, including Turkey. It primarily involves the liver and may also cause severe damage in the tissue. Herein we report on a patient with ectopic intra-abdominal fascioliasis that presented to our clinic with abdominal pain and distention. Physical and radiological examination as well as an exploratory laparotomy revealed a 10 × 10-cm mass in the splenic flexura of the colon and multiple cystic formations in the liver, spleen, and omentum, which mimicked peritoneal carcinoma. Histopathological examination revealed a granulomatous reaction due …

Relapsing Giant Liposarcoma Originating In The Chest Wall, Bülent Di̇nç, Ayhan Di̇nçkan, Ayhan Mesci̇, Taner Çolak, Cumhur Arici, Ali̇han Gürkan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Liposarcomas are usually seen in the retroperitoneal region and in extremities, but can be seen in the head, neck, inguinal region, and chest wall less frequently. In this report, a relapsing giant liposarcoma weighing 9 kg and with a diameter of 50 cm originating in the chest wall is discussed.

Erythrocyte Tao And Tbars Levels In Patients Who Suffered Missed Miscarriage, Ayşe Nur Aksoy, Hülya Aksoy, Nuri̇nni̇sa Öztürk, Çağlar Bulut

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Missed miscarriage is a pregnancy-related condition, and lipid peroxidation and alterations in antioxidant levels may be of importance in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The aim of the study was to assess whether erythrocyte total antioxidant activity (TAO) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels altered in patients who suffered missed miscarriage. Materials and methods: We measured levels of TAO and TBARS, as a lipid peroxidation marker, in erythrocytes of women with a diagnosed missed miscarriage (n = 36) during 7-16 weeks of pregnancy. The control group consisted of women (n = 34) with uncomplicated pregnancy similarly matched for …

Risk Factors For Acquisition Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus And Clonal Spread Of The Isolates In A Medical Intensive Care Unit, Emi̇ne Alp, Mehmet Yerer, Duygu Esel, Gökhan Metan, Mehmet Doğanay

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is still the commonest pathogen in hospital-acquired infections with high morbidity and mortality. MRSA colonization usually precedes infection and dissemination of the microorganism. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for the colonization and infection with MRSA in a medical intensive care unit (MICU) and to show the genetic relation of strains. Materials and methods: This study was conducted prospectively between 1 December 2004 and 31 January 2006 in MICU. Patients (>16 years) admitted to the MICU were screened for MRSA on admission (in the first 48 hours), at the end …

General Anesthesia For Cesarean Delivery Followed By Anterior And Posterior Spinal Cord Decompression Of A Parturient With Symptomatic Spinemetastasis Due To Breast Cancer, Berri̇n Günaydin, Sema Öncül, Mehmet Erdem, Memduh Kaymaz, Hakan Emmez, Zerri̇n Özköse

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Cesarean delivery of a parturient suffering from paraplegia followed by anterior corpectomy and posterior spinal cord decompression because of spine metastasis at T1 due to breast cancer was presented. General anesthesia was uneventfully completed after rapid sequence anesthesia induction with propofol, ketamine, and succinylcholine, which was maintained by isoflurane inhalation in 50% oxygen-air mixture until delivery of the newborn. After delivery, remifentanil infusion was added to isoflurane inhalation in approximately 33%/66% oxygen:air until skin closure of the latter operation. Consequently, satisfactory recovery of paraplegia resulting from spine metastasis and delivery of a healthy baby were provided by successful and uneventful …

Ranzcp Experiences In Establishing And Progressing An Externally Focused Mental Health Policy And Partnership Agenda, Sharon Brownie, Julian Freidin

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Objective: This paper traces the background of involvement and increasing external activity of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) in the policy and project area.

Conclusions: Throughout 2008, representatives of the RANZCP paused to review progress and celebrate successes in the implementation of the College's stated aim to develop an externally focussed policy agenda. A summary of key activities across the past 4–5 years is outlined, including the key leadership role undertaken by the RANZCP in the recent formation of the Mental Health Professionals Association's partnership. Tracing the history of the establishment of the RANZCP …

Impetus Of Diabetic Crisis To Improve Self Management, Emma Kontzamanis

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Dietary Supplement Increases Plasma Norepinephrine, Lipolysis, And Metabolic Rate In Resistance Trained Men, Richard Bloomer, Kelley Fisher-Wellman, Kelley Hammond, Brian K. Schilling, Adrianna Weber, Bradford Cole

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

Background

Dietary supplements targeting fat loss and increased thermogenesis are prevalent within the sport nutrition/weight loss market. While some isolated ingredients have been reported to be efficacious when used at high dosages, in particular in animal models and/or via intravenous delivery, little objective evidence is available pertaining to the efficacy of a finished product taken by human subjects in oral form. Moreover, many ingredients function as stimulants, leading to increased hemodynamic responses. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of a finished dietary supplement on plasma catecholamine concentration, markers of lipolysis, metabolic rate, and hemodynamics.

Methods

Ten …

2009- 2010 Unlv Mcnair Journal, Kathleen Bell, Danetta Bradley, Vacheral M. Carter, Nydia Diaz, Kathryn E. English, Sarah Harrison, Michelle Israel, Christina Macke, Erica Orozco, Pilar Palos, Sandra Ramos, Soraya A. Silverman, Susan Taylor, Sajar Camara, William Mccurdy, Yvonne C. Morris, Maxym V. Myroshnychenko, Ricardo Rios, Monique Sulls, Bremen Vance, Barbara Wallen

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the McNair Scholars Program

Table of Contents

Biography of Dr. Ronald E. McNair

Statements:

Dr. Neal J. Smatresk, UNLV President

Dr. Juanita P. Fain, Vice President of Student Affairs

Dr. William W. Sullivan, Associate Vice President for Retention and Outreach

Mr. Keith Rogers, Deputy Executive Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach

McNair Scholars Institute Staff