Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention In San Jose, Costa Rica : Assessment Of An Educational Intervention, Alexandra Devin Mainiero

UCHC Graduate School Masters Theses 2003 - 2010

This thesis explores adolescent pregnancy in San Jose, Costa Rica and examines a school-based pregnancy prevention intervention. The relationships between school, gender and risk of adolescent pregnancy are also analyzed, and recommendations are made for effective pregnancy prevention programming. The Purral region of Guadalupe on the outskirts of San Jose, Costa Rica, suffers a higher rate of adolescent pregnancy compared to the rest of the country. In response to this problem, the International Health Central American Institute (IHCAI) implemented a sexual health education program in two local secondary schools in 2006. Very little information about the program is available. It …

The Sympathetic Arterial Innervation And Body Stress, James O'Rourke

UCHC Graduate School Masters Theses 2003 - 2010

No abstract provided.

Memory Cd8+ T Cell Differentiation, Joshua J. Obar, Leo Lefrancois

UCHC Articles - Research

In response to infection or effective vaccination, naive antigen-specific CD8+ T cells undergo a dramatic highly orchestrated activation process. Initial encounter with an appropriately activated antigen-presenting cell leads to blastogenesis and an exponential increase in antigen-specific CD8+ T cell numbers. Simultaneously, a dynamic differentiation process occurs, resulting in formation of both primary effector and long-lived memory cells. Current findings have emphasized the heterogeneity of effector and memory cell populations with the description of multiple cellular subsets based on phenotype, function, and anatomic location. Yet, only recently have we begun to dissect the underlying factors mediating the temporal control of the …

Stroke In Women: Disparities And Outcomes, Rebecca W. Persky, Lisa Christine Turtzo, Louise D. Mccullough

UCHC Articles - Research

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States and affects 15 million people worldwide. Studies performed in various parts of the world have found differences between sexes in stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, and outcomes. Although men are at higher risk of stroke for most age groups below age 85 years, after this age the incidence reverses dramatically, with women being much more at risk. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that women have worse recovery than men post-stroke. Many aspects of recovery may influence this outcome, including sex-specific comorbidities, aggressiveness of acute treat-ment, prevention therapies, and varying degrees of …

Role Of The Cyclooxygenase Pathway In Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Pilot Study, Rajesh V. Lalla, Carol C. Pilbeam, Stephen J. Walsh, Stephen T. Sonis, Dorothy M. K. Keefe, Douglas E. Peterson

UCHC Articles - Research

Goals Oral mucositis can be a significant and dose-limiting complication of high-dose cancer therapy. Mucositis is a particularly severe problem in patients receiving myeloablative chemotherapy prior to bone marrow or hematopoetic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway mediates tissue injury and pain through upregulation of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2). The objective of this small (n=3) pilot study was to examine the role of the COX pathway in causing mucosal injury and pain in chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Materials and methods We collected blood, saliva, and oral mucosal biopsy specimens from three autologous …

Nonlinear Oscillations In Pain Prediction Accuracy: A Dynamical Systems Approach To Understanding Daily Pain Prediction, Howard A. Tennen

UCHC Articles - Research

Dynamical systems modeling was used to analyze fluctuations in the pain prediction process of people with rheumatoid arthritis. 170 people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis completed 29 consecutive days of diaries. Difference scores between pain predictions and next-day pain experience ratings provided a time series of pain prediction accuracy. Pain prediction accuracy oscillated over time. The oscillation amplitude was larger at the start of the diary than at the end, which indicates damping toward more accurate predictions. State-level psychological characteristics moderated the damping pattern such that the oscillations for patients with lower negative affect and higher pain control damped more quickly …

Functional Polymorphisms In The Serotonin 1b Receptor Gene (Htr1b) Predict Self-Reported Anger And Hostility Among Young Men, Kevin P. Jensen, Henry M. Furneaux, Howard A. Tennen, Henry R. Kranzler, Jonathan Covault

UCHC Articles - Research

Objective To examine associations between haplotypes of the serotonin 1B receptor gene and individual differences in anger and hostility. Methods Data were analyzed from a study of 361 university students (47% male). Participants were genotyped at 5 polymorphisms in the HTR1B gene (rs11568817, rs130058, rs6296, rs6297, rs13212041), including promoter and 3′UTR polymorphisms with opposite functional effects on gene expression. Participants reported their emotional states across 30 consecutive days for up to four years. Haplotype pairs were constructed statistically and assigned to a level of HTR1B expression based on the presence of the functional polymorphisms. Results Six haplotypes accounted for >97% …

Use Of Virtual Cell In Studies Of Cellular Dynamics, Leslie M. Loew, Boris M. Slepchenko

UCHC Articles - Research

The Virtual Cell (VCell) is a unique computational environment for modeling and simulation of cell biology. It has been specifically designed to be a tool for a wide range of scientists, from experimental cell biologists to theoretical biophysicists. The models created with VCell can range from the simple, to evaluate hypotheses or to interpret experimental data, to complex multi-layered models used to probe the predicted behavior of spatially resolved, highly non-linear systems. In this Chapter, we discuss modeling capabilities of VCell and demonstrate representative examples of the models published by the Virtual Cell users.

Expansion Of The Eukaryotic Proteome By Alternative Splicing, Brenton R. Graveley

UCHC Articles - Research

The collection of components required to carry out the intricate processes involved in generating and maintaining a living, breathing and, sometimes, thinking organism is staggeringly complex. Where do all of the parts come from? Early estimates stated that about 100,000 genes would be required to make up a mammal; however, the actual number is less than one-quarter of that, barely four times the number of genes in budding yeast. It is now clear that the ‘missing’ information is in large part provided by alternative splicing, the process by which multiple different functional messenger RNAs, and therefore proteins, can be synthesized …

A Transposon In Comt Generates Mrna Variants And Causes Widespread Expression And Behavioral Differences Among Mice, Zhengsheng Li, Megan K. Mulligan, Xusheng Wang, Michael F. Miles, Lu Lu, Robert W. Williams

Pharmacology and Toxicology Publications

Background

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme responsible for the degradation of dopamine and norepinephrine. COMT activity influences cognitive and emotional states in humans and aggression and drug responses in mice. This study identifies the key sequence variant that leads to differences in Comt mRNA and protein levels among mice, and that modulates synaptic function and pharmacological and behavioral traits.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We examined Comt expression in multiple tissues in over 100 diverse strains and several genetic crosses. Differences in expression map back to Comt and are generated by a 230 nt insertion of a B2 short interspersed element (B2 …

Changes In Transversus Abdominis Thickness With Use Of The Abdominal Drawing-In Maneuver During A Functional Task, M. K. Mcgalliard, G. S. Dedrick, J. M. Brismée, C. E. Cook, G. G. Apte, P. S. Sizer Jr.

Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

On The Appropriateness Of A Christian Bioethics, Thomas A. Cavanaugh

Philosophy

No abstract provided.

Differences Between The Sexes In Knee Kinetics During Landing From Volleyball Block Jumps, Gerwyn Hughes, James Watkins, Nick Owen

Kinesiology (Formerly Exercise and Sport Science)

The purpose of the study was to investigate gender differences in frontal and sagittal plane kinetics (normalized ground reaction force and normalized knee moment) in university volleyball players when performing opposed block jump landings. Females displayed a significantly lesser normalized knee extension moment at the start of muscle latency than males. The greater normalized knee extension moment at the start of muscle latency in females suggests that through practice, the female subjects may have developed a landing strategy that minimizes the moment acting about the knee in the sagittal plane to reduce the likely strain on the passive support structures. …

Reflections Of A Novice Sports Science Lecturer: Perceptions Of The Challenges And Sources Of Support, Gerwyn Hughes

Kinesiology (Formerly Exercise and Sport Science)

The aim of this article is to highlight perceptions of the main demands and challenges placed on a novice sports science university lecturer and consider sources of support available to assist a novice lecturer during the early stages of their career. A lecturer is typically required to perform the roles of administrator, teacher, personal tutor, researcher and consultant. Discussion is given to the specific challenges a novice lecturer is likely to face within each of these roles and possible ways to overcome these challenges. Finally, a number of sources of support are identified to ensure a novice lecturer maintains the …

The Effects Of Opposition And Gender On Knee Kinematics And Ground Reaction Force During Landing From Volleyball Block Jumps, Gerwyn Hughes, James Watkins, Nick Owen

Kinesiology (Formerly Exercise and Sport Science)

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of opposition and gender on knee kinematics and ground reaction force during landing from a volleyball block jump. Six female and six male university volleyball players performed two landing tasks 1) an unopposed and 2) an opposed volleyball block jump and landing. Knee kinematics were recorded by a 12 camera motion analysis system (120 Hz) and ground reaction force was recorded by a force platform (600 Hz) during landing. The results showed a significant effect for level of opposition in peak normalized GRF (p = .04), knee flexion at ground …

Neural Activity In The Hippocampus And Perirhinal Cortex During Encoding Is Associated With The Durability Of Episodic Memory, V. A. Carr, Indre Viskontas, S. A. Engel, B. J. Knowlton

Psychology

Studies examining medial temporal lobe (MTL) involvement in memory formation typically assess memory performance after a single, short delay. Thus, the relationship between MTL encoding activity and memory durability over time remains poorly characterized. To explore this relationship, we scanned participants using high-resolution functional imaging of the MTL as they encoded object pairs; using the remember/know paradigm, we then assessed memory performance for studied items both 10 min and 1 week later. Encoding trials were classified as either subsequently recollected across both delays, transiently recollected (i.e., recollected at 10 min but not after 1 week), consistently familiar, or consistently forgotten. …

Mid-Atlantic Ethics Committee Newsletter, Winter 2010

Mid-Atlantic Ethics Committee Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Nursing Annual Report 2009, Children's Mercy Hospital

Nursing Annual Reports

Annual report for nursing services at Children's Mercy Kansas City

Ethnicity And Health Disparities In Alcohol Research, Karen G. Chartier, Raul Caetano

Social Work Publications

Recent advances in alcohol research continue to build our understanding of alcohol consumption and related consequences for U.S. ethnic minority groups. National surveys show variations across ethnicities in drinking, alcohol use disorders, alcohol problems, and treatment use. Higher rates of high-risk drinking among ethnic minorities are reported for Native Americans and Hispanics, although within-ethnic group differences (e.g., gender, age-group, and other subpopulations) also are evident for ethnicities. Whites and Native Americans have a greater risk for alcohol use disorders relative to other ethnic groups. However, once alcohol dependence occurs, Blacks and Hispanics experience higher rates than Whites of recurrent or …

Pooled Protein Immunization For Identification Of Cell Surface Antigens In Streptococcus Sanguinis, Xiuchun Ge, Todd Kitten, Cindy L. Munro, Daniel H. Conrad, Ping Xu

Philips Institute for Oral Health Research Publications

Background

Available bacterial genomes provide opportunities for screening vaccines by reverse vaccinology. Efficient identification of surface antigens is required to reduce time and animal cost in this technology. We developed an approach to identify surface antigens rapidly inStreptococcus sanguinis, a common infective endocarditis causative species.

Methods and Findings

We applied bioinformatics for antigen prediction and pooled antigens for immunization. Forty-seven surface-exposed proteins including 28 lipoproteins and 19 cell wall-anchored proteins were chosen based on computer algorithms and comparative genomic analyses. Eight proteins among these candidates and 2 other proteins were pooled together to immunize rabbits. The antiserum reacted …

Transcriptomic Analysis Of The Venom Gland Of The Red-Headed Krait (Bungarus Flaviceps) Using Expressed Sequence Tags, Ang Swee Siang, Robin Doley, Freek J. Vonk, R. Manjunatha Kini

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Publications

Background

The Red-headed krait (Bungarus flaviceps, Squamata: Serpentes: Elapidae) is a medically important venomous snake that inhabits South-East Asia. Although the venoms of most species of the snake genus Bungarus have been well characterized, a detailed compositional analysis of B. flaviceps is currently lacking.

Results

Here, we have sequenced 845 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the venom gland of a B. flaviceps. Of the transcripts, 74.8% were putative toxins; 20.6% were cellular; and 4.6% were unknown. The main venom protein families identified were three-finger toxins (3FTxs), Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors (including chain B of β-bungarotoxin), phospholipase A …

A Healthy Home For Everyone: The Guide For Families And Individuals, Center For Disease Control And Prevention, Atlanta Ga

Mickey Leland Center Information Portal

The purpose of this booklet is to provide information about the connection between housing and health. You will find action steps for making your home healthy, definitions for words used in the booklet, and a resource section to find more information about a making your home a healthy home.

Com Outlook Winter 2010, College Of Osteopathic Medicine

COM Outlook

No abstract provided.

Medical Education Digest, Vol. 12 No. 1 (January/February 2010), Nova Southeastern University

Medical Education Digest

No abstract provided.

Explorer, Winter 2010, College Of Dental Medicine

Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Dairy Animal Care: Quality Assurance

Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Program

Dairy producers are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Dairy Animal Care and Quality Assurance (DACQA) Certification program. The purpose of this program is to enhance and demonstrate quality animal care practices, which assure food safety, quality and value as well as enhance consumer confidence in the milk and beef products that are harvested from cattle on America’s dairy farms.

Sorghum: An Ancient, Healthy And Nutritious Old World Cereal, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, John Lindsay

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

Sorghum is Africa’s contribution to the small number of elite grains that supply about 85% of the world’s food energy. Only four other foods rice, wheat, maize, and potatoes are consumed in greater amounts by the human race. Sorghum is the dietary staple of more than 500 million people in more than 30 countries of the semi arid tropics, thus being one of the most familiar foods in the world (Board on Science and Technology for International Development, 1996). Sorghum is a truly ancient grain. Dahlberg and Wasylikowa (1996) reported on sorghum remains found in the Nabta Playa archaeological site …

Molecular Characterization Of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: Pilot Studies, Neil Bipinchandra Desai

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); is thought directly to precede invasive breast cancer (IBC). Screening mammography has driven the incidence of this key precursor lesion to >65,000 cases per year. However, little is known about the factors controlling the natural history or risk for recurrence following treatment of a particular patients DCIS. Though the heterogeneity of the disease is well established, no histologic or demographic criteria have been able to stratify DCIS for treatment. We hypothesize that at initial diagnosis there exist biologically distinct subsets of DCIS with associated prognoses that may be recognized by molecular markers. Molecular approaches have …

Spermine Oxidase (Smo) Activity In Breast Tumor Tissues And Biochemical Analysis Of The Anticancer Spermine Analogues Benspm And Cpenspm, Manuela Cervelli, Gabriella Bellavia, Emiliano Fratini, Roberto Amendola, Fabio Polticelli, Marco Barba, Rodolfo Federico, Fabrizio Signore, Giacomo Gucciardo, Rosalba Grillo, Patrick M. Woster, Robert A. Casero Jr, Paolo Mariottini

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Polyamine metabolism has a critical role in cell death and proliferation representing a potential target for intervention in breast cancer (BC). This study investigates the expression of spermine oxidase (SMO) and its prognostic significance in BC. Biochemical analysis of Spm analogues BENSpm and CPENSpm, utilized in anticancer therapy, was also carried out to test their property in silico and in vitro on the recombinant SMO enzyme.

Methods

BC tissue samples were analyzed for SMO transcript level and SMO activity. Student's t test was applied to evaluate the significance of the differences in value observed in T and NT …

Antioxidant Rich Grape Pomace Extract Suppresses Postprandial Hyperglycemia In Diabetic Mice By Specifically Inhibiting Alpha-Glucosidase, Shelly Hogan, Lei Zhang, Jianrong Li, Shi Sun, Corene Canning, Kequan Zhou

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Postprandial hyperglycemia is an early defect of type 2 diabetes and one of primary anti-diabetic targets. Treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia can be achieved by inhibiting intestinal α-glucosidase, the key enzyme for oligosaccharide digestion and further glucose absorption. Grape pomace is winemaking byproduct rich in bioactive food compounds such as phenolic antioxidants. This study evaluated the anti-diabetic potential of two specific grape pomace extracts by determining their antioxidant and anti-postprandial hyperglycemic activities in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The extracts of red wine grape pomace (Cabernet Franc) and white wine grape pomace (Chardonnay) were prepared in 80% ethanol. An …