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Medicine and Health Sciences Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2011

Virginia Commonwealth University

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Articles 1 - 30 of 171

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Development Of Dual-Pathway Inhibitors Of Raf/Mek/Erk And Pi3k/Akt Signaling Pathways., Sasha Fraser Dec 2011

Development Of Dual-Pathway Inhibitors Of Raf/Mek/Erk And Pi3k/Akt Signaling Pathways., Sasha Fraser

Theses and Dissertations

In the present study, we designed a new chemical template that contains an oxindole moiety as potential dual-pathway inhibitors of the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. The design hypothesis is to evaluate whether the oxindole ring system will approximately orient functional groups in a similar manner to the thiazolidinedione moiety, and thus maintain biological activity as dual-pathway inhibitors of the Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Furthermore, the oxindole ring will provide the flexibility to allow the introduction of various substituents on the oxindole moiety, thereby facilitating comprehensive SAR studies to further explore the biological activity.

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Age Dependent Spatial Characteristics Of Epileptiform Activity In Malformed Cortex, L. Andrew Bell Dec 2011

Age Dependent Spatial Characteristics Of Epileptiform Activity In Malformed Cortex, L. Andrew Bell

Theses and Dissertations

Developmental cortical malformations are a major cause of intractable seizures. Determining the location and timing of susceptibility for epileptiform activity is critical to identifying what mechanisms contribute to epileptogenesis in any model. Using the freeze lesion rat model of polymicrogyria, we have identified, in lesioned cortex, these two aspects of epileptogenesis. Previous studies have demonstrated that epileptiform activity cannot be evoked prior to postnatal day (P) 12, but the malformed cortex is more susceptible to seizures as early as P10. An increase in excitatory afferents to the epileptogenic zone occurs before the onset of network epileptiform activity. Whether or not …

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Medication-Related Problems In Older Adults: A Focus On Underuse Of Warfarin And Warfarin-Antibiotic Interactions, Parinaz K. Ghaswalla Dec 2011

Medication-Related Problems In Older Adults: A Focus On Underuse Of Warfarin And Warfarin-Antibiotic Interactions, Parinaz K. Ghaswalla

Theses and Dissertations

The work presented in this dissertation focuses on two important medication-related problems in older adults, that is, untreated indication and drug-drug interactions, specifically with respect to a high-risk medication such as warfarin. Warfarin is a challenge to use in clinical practice due to its narrow therapeutic index, variability in dose-response and its interactions with numerous foods and drugs. This dissertation presents the research from two projects. In the first project the prevalence and predictors of warfarin use in nursing home (NH) residents with atrial fibrillation (AF), and use of secondary stroke prevention strategies was determined, in order to understand the …

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The Determinants Of A Nurse's Discretionary Decision To Respond To Situations That Place Patients At Risk For Safety Events But Requires A Response That Is Beyond The Scope Of Nursing Practice, Kathy Baker Dec 2011

The Determinants Of A Nurse's Discretionary Decision To Respond To Situations That Place Patients At Risk For Safety Events But Requires A Response That Is Beyond The Scope Of Nursing Practice, Kathy Baker

Theses and Dissertations

A nurse’s contribution to patient safety in regards to early detection of issues in the clinical setting is undisputed (Redman, 2008). If these patient situations require a response that is beyond the scope of nursing practice, in most instances nurses are not sanctioned to intervene without physician consultation (Gaba, 2000). The evidence in the nursing literature does suggest that some nurses exercise professional discretion and are, at times, making the decision to initiate interventions independently (Benner, Hooper-Kyriakidis, & Stannard, 1999; Hutchinson, 1990; Tiffany, Cruise, & Cruise, 1988). The focus of this inquiry was to examine the determinants of a nurse’s …

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Development Of A Novel Approach To Assess Qualitative And Quantitative Dynamics Associated With The Subcutaneous Or Intramuscular Administration Of Pharmaceuticals And Associated Parenteral Delivery Systems, Eric Edwards Dec 2011

Development Of A Novel Approach To Assess Qualitative And Quantitative Dynamics Associated With The Subcutaneous Or Intramuscular Administration Of Pharmaceuticals And Associated Parenteral Delivery Systems, Eric Edwards

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a significant increase in the number of injectable pharmaceutical products over the last decade that have been incorporated into unique delivery systems such as pen injectors, auto-injectors, or pre-filled syringes. The advancement of these delivery systems and the paradigm shift towards administration of injectables in the out-of-hospital or home setting have introduced variables that can affect the bioavailability of injectable drugs and potential pharmacologic outcomes. An approach that allows for the qualitative and quantitative dispersion assessment of an injectable at the moment of tissue deposition coupled with an assessment of systemic exposure parameters could provide substantial information …

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Response To And Recovery From Endotracheal Suctioning In Preterm Infants Using Routine Versus Four-Handed Care, Sharon Cone Dec 2011

Response To And Recovery From Endotracheal Suctioning In Preterm Infants Using Routine Versus Four-Handed Care, Sharon Cone

Theses and Dissertations

Neonatal Intensive Care Units have experienced profound advances in technology and treatment modalities over the last two decades. Infants born at the edge of viability are now surviving despite prolonged hospitalizations. These infants born preterm are prone to a high degree of stress from life sustaining and routine interventions. Much focus has been directed toward addressing noxious environmental factors such as noise, light, and infectious disease; however, little has been done to examine the stress experienced by the professional caregiver who work in these environments. Environmental press theory, which focuses on the interplay between human beings and their surroundings, is …

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Caring For A Preterm Infant During The First Six Months Post Nicu Discharge: A Mother’S Perspective, Lois Phillips-Pula Dec 2011

Caring For A Preterm Infant During The First Six Months Post Nicu Discharge: A Mother’S Perspective, Lois Phillips-Pula

Theses and Dissertations

Overview There are numerous studies in the current literature focusing on the intense emotions experienced by parents, following the birth of a preterm infant, (i.e., born prior to 37 weeks gestational age [GA]). Research findings have helped us understand the fear and anxiety they feel while attempting to navigate the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) environment. What happens in those early weeks and months at home after discharge, however, is surprisingly absent from the literature. It is well known that preterm infants are readmitted to the hospital during the first few months after discharge at a rate of 10% - …

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Fluctuations And Instantons In Complex Landscapes: From Ligand Unbinding To Proton Transfer, Justin Elenewski Dec 2011

Fluctuations And Instantons In Complex Landscapes: From Ligand Unbinding To Proton Transfer, Justin Elenewski

Theses and Dissertations

Biophysical entities are complex systems systems with strong environmental coupling, dominated by fluctuations on a hierarchy of timescales. These properties confound simulation of ligand binding and catalysis, inflating the scale of the problem to one tractable only with a considerable outlay of resources. In an attempt to ameliorate this restriction, several techniques are developed to accelerate biomolecular simulations while collaterally lending physical insight. The first segment of this dissertation is concerned with directed simulations of ligand binding in a model system. Using the serum retinol binding protein as a prototype, the potential of mean force associated with ligand binding is …

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Identifying Modulators Of The Development Of Acute Functional Tolerance To Ethanol In Caenorhabditis Elegans., Ka-Po Leung Dec 2011

Identifying Modulators Of The Development Of Acute Functional Tolerance To Ethanol In Caenorhabditis Elegans., Ka-Po Leung

Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol abuse is a problem in our society. There are few treatments available, in part due to the unclear molecular mechanisms of ethanol’s effects. Human studies indicate that there is a genetic component influencing disease susceptibility, and that an individual’s initial response to alcohol can predict their development of addiction. We have taken a forward genetics approach to study one component of initial response, acute functional tolerance (AFT), in Caenorhabditis elegans. We identified bet11, a mutation that causes animals to be defective in the development of AFT. Genetic analysis suggested that the gene that bet11 disrupts participates in a synthetic …

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Living With Hiv: Views Through The Blog, Linda Eastham Dec 2011

Living With Hiv: Views Through The Blog, Linda Eastham

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to develop a greater clarity of how HIV infected individuals live and work within the sphere of HIV infection as represented through unsolicited, personal narratives posted on blogs. Existing, single author, personal blogs were identified via a search engine. Blogs were defined as the blog author's postings and all responses, whether written by the blog author or a reader respondent. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed to respect indicators of bloggers' intentions for privacy, e.g., blogs which required a password were excluded. A total of 14 blogs met inclusion criteria. Actions to …

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Understanding Mothers Of Late Preterm Infants, Brenda Baker Dec 2011

Understanding Mothers Of Late Preterm Infants, Brenda Baker

Theses and Dissertations

The experience of becoming a mother is a personal and social experience influenced by individual characteristics, friends and family, and the infant. The journey to become a mother encompasses concepts of maternal competence and responsiveness. The purpose of this study was to examine maternal competence and responsiveness to the infant in mothers of late preterm infants compared to mothers of full term infants. The conceptual model for this work was based on the work of Reva Rubin describing maternal identity and role development. Maternal competence and responsiveness are components of maternal role and are influenced by social support, maternal self-esteem, …

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Healthcare Acquired Infection Risk And Toothbrush Contamination In The Icu., Michelle Frazelle Dec 2011

Healthcare Acquired Infection Risk And Toothbrush Contamination In The Icu., Michelle Frazelle

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) are a complex and multi-factorial problem associated with high morbidity, mortality, and cost. Toothbrushes (TBs) may be at risk for contamination with potential pathogenic microorganisms (PPMs) from the patient care environment or autoinnoculation from the patient. We focused on three PPMs: multiply resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Acinetobacter. Specific aims were to (1) describe environmental factors associated with TB contamination in the ICU; (2) describe the relationship between TB contamination and oral colonization in critically ill adults.

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Sensory Modulation Disorder In Puerto Rican Preschoolers: Associated Risk Factors, Rosa L. Roman-Oyola Nov 2011

Sensory Modulation Disorder In Puerto Rican Preschoolers: Associated Risk Factors, Rosa L. Roman-Oyola

Theses and Dissertations

Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD) reduces a child’s ability to respond to sensory stimuli in the environment in a manner that corresponds to the nature or intensity of the stimulus; this disorder therefore significantly can impact participation in developmentally appropriate play and functional activities. More studies are needed to enhance research in the field of SMD and aid the general community in understanding the disorder and its causes. The purpose of this study was to characterize the prevalence of SMD among Puerto Rican preschoolers and examine the relationship between specific risk factors (socioeconomic status, pre-natal alcohol exposure, low birth weight, preterm …

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Utilization Of Structural And Biochemical Cues To Enhance Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, Balendu Shekhar Jha Nov 2011

Utilization Of Structural And Biochemical Cues To Enhance Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, Balendu Shekhar Jha

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the prospects of using the electrospinning process to fabricate tissue engineering scaffolds targeting a variety of regenerative applications, with a primary focus on the production of nerve guides for the treatment of long-defect nerve injuries in the peripheral nervous system. A basic overview of the conventional electrospinning process is provided, and the utility of this fabrication scheme in the production of collagen-based tissue engineering scaffolds is demonstrated. Next, a novel modification of the basic electrospinning process is presented. This process, called two pole air gap electrospinning, was developed to produce nerve guides that exhibit an anisotropic structure …

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Characterization Of The Effect Of Serum And Chelating Agents On Staphylococcus Aureus Biofilm Formation; Chelating Agents Augment Biofilm Formation Through Clumping Factor B, Nabil Mathew Abraham Nov 2011

Characterization Of The Effect Of Serum And Chelating Agents On Staphylococcus Aureus Biofilm Formation; Chelating Agents Augment Biofilm Formation Through Clumping Factor B, Nabil Mathew Abraham

Theses and Dissertations

Staphylococcus aureus is the causative agent of a diverse array of acute and chronic infections, and some these infections, including infective endocarditis, joint infections, and medical device-associated bloodstream infections, depend upon its capacity to form tenacious biofilms on surfaces. Inserted medical devices such as intravenous catheters, pacemakers, and artificial heart valves save lives, but unfortunately, they can also serve as a substrate on which S. aureus can form a biofilm, attributing S. aureus as a leading cause of medical device-related infections. The major aim of this work was take compounds to which S. aureus would be exposed during infection and …

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Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Remodels Its Host Cell-Derived Vacuole Into A Protective Niche By Redecorating The Vacuolar Membrane With Select Rab Gtpases And Bacterial Proteins, Bernice Huang Nov 2011

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Remodels Its Host Cell-Derived Vacuole Into A Protective Niche By Redecorating The Vacuolar Membrane With Select Rab Gtpases And Bacterial Proteins, Bernice Huang

Theses and Dissertations

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium that infects neutrophils to cause the emerging tick-transmitted disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Following entry, the pathogen replicates within a host cell-derived vacuole that fails to mature along the endocytic pathway, does not acidify, and does not fuse with lysosomes. Selective fusogenicity is prototypical of many vacuole-adapted pathogens and has been attributed, at least in part, to pathogen modification of the vacuolar inclusion membrane and/or to selective recruitment or exclusion of host trafficking regulators. As a result, the A. phagocytophilum-occupied vacuolar membrane (AVM) provides a unique interface to study the host-pathogen interactions critical …

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An Examination Of Spiritual And Religious Coping And Well-Being And Their Impact On The Health-Related Quality Of Life For Patients With Mechanical Circulatory Support, Angela Hardy-Duncan Nov 2011

An Examination Of Spiritual And Religious Coping And Well-Being And Their Impact On The Health-Related Quality Of Life For Patients With Mechanical Circulatory Support, Angela Hardy-Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) improves the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) (Friedrich & Bohm, 2007). Religious and spiritual practices positively influence health and well-being for cardiac patients (Ai, Park, Huang, Rodgers, & Tice, 2007; Blackhall, & Koenig, 1998). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of spiritual well-being (SWB) and religious well-being (RWB) and coping styles and methods (CSM) on health related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with MCS. This exploratory repeated measures study used Spearmans’ rho and Wilcoxons’ Signed Rank tests for correlation and comparison analyses. The study …

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Designing Allosteric Inhibitors Of Thrombin, Preetpal Sidhu Nov 2011

Designing Allosteric Inhibitors Of Thrombin, Preetpal Sidhu

Theses and Dissertations

Thrombin is a key enzyme of the coagulation cascade exhibiting important roles in both pro-coagulation and anti-coagulation processes. Most clinically used anticoagulant drugs, including polymeric heparin, warfarin, hirudin, argatroban and the recently approved dabigatran, aim to reduce thrombin activity. There are several binding domains on thrombin including the active site, anion-binding exosites I and II, and the sodium binding site. We hypothesized that thrombin may be better regulated through an allosteric process mediated by small molecules binding to either exosite I or II. An appropriately designed allosteric regulator that reduces the procoagulant signal in a finely tuned manner may maintain …

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Hospitals With Physican Ceos: An Institutional Theory Perspective, Jeremy Zoch Oct 2011

Hospitals With Physican Ceos: An Institutional Theory Perspective, Jeremy Zoch

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT HOSPITALS WITH PHYSICIAN CEOS: AN INSTITUTIONAL THEORY PERSPECTIVE By: Jeremy S. Zoch, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Health Related Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Major Director: Kenneth R. White, Ph.D. Professor Department of Health Administration The complexities of the healthcare industry at the beginning of the 21st century continue to challenge hospitals to optimize their operations. A key leadership position in the overall success of a hospital is the role of the Chief Executive Officer. The purpose of this study was to …

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The Characterization Of The Anterograde And Retrograde Consequences Of Traumatic Axonal Injury In A Mouse Model Of Diffuse Brain Injury, John E. Greer Sep 2011

The Characterization Of The Anterograde And Retrograde Consequences Of Traumatic Axonal Injury In A Mouse Model Of Diffuse Brain Injury, John E. Greer

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic axonal injury (TAI) is a consistent feature of (TBI) and is responsible for much of its associated morbidity. TAI is now recognized to result from progressive/secondary axonal injury, though much remains unknown in regards to the pathobiology and the long-term consequences of axonal injury. TAI has been described in the perisomatic domain, located within the neocortex following mild TBI, and within this domain has been linked to neuronal recovery, not neuronal cell death in the acute setting. Due to technical limitations, our understanding of the long-term fate of this neuronal population and the mechanisms responsible for permitting neuronal survival, …

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Characterization Of Cyclic-Di-Gmp Signaling With The Lyme Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, Jessica Kostick Sep 2011

Characterization Of Cyclic-Di-Gmp Signaling With The Lyme Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, Jessica Kostick

Theses and Dissertations

Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, B. garinii, and B. afzelii. These spirochetes experience environmental fluctuations as they are passed between mammalian and Ixodes tick hosts throughout their enzootic cycle. Recent studies have suggested cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP), a ubiquitous secondary messenger, is a key modulator of B. burgdorferi adaptive responses and may play a significant role in cycle progression. In this study, we examined the impact of the sole diguanylate cyclase (Rrp1), c-di-GMP binding proteins (PlzA and PlzB), and HD-GYP-containing phosphodiesterase (PdeB) in disease establishment of both murine and Ixodes tick systems. Strains harboring targeted gene …

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The Use Of Targeted Charge-Reversal Nanoparticles (Tcrns) To Investigate Nuclear Delivery Of Fluorescent Agents To Cancer Cells: Implications For Novel Prostate And Breast Cancer Therapy, Mario Dance Sep 2011

The Use Of Targeted Charge-Reversal Nanoparticles (Tcrns) To Investigate Nuclear Delivery Of Fluorescent Agents To Cancer Cells: Implications For Novel Prostate And Breast Cancer Therapy, Mario Dance

Theses and Dissertations

Nanotechnology has recently emerged as a strong contributor toward research efforts to develop targeted systems of drug delivery in cancer therapy. Our work investigates the therapeutic potential of Targeted Charge-Reversal Nanoparticles (TCRNs), a novel nanoparticle with in vitro evidence of nuclear drug delivery. Using M12 prostate cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and modified derivatives of these cell lines, we investigated the ability of Folic Acid-tagged TCRNs to deliver Nile Red and Dimethyl Indole Redfluorescent (DiR) fluorescent dyes to the nucleus of cells using confocal microscopy and in vivo biphontonic imaging using Xenogen® Technology. Confocal imaging with the SCP28 derivative …

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The Regulation Of Tonb-Dependent Transporters In Neisseria Gnorrhoeae, Aimee Hollander Sep 2011

The Regulation Of Tonb-Dependent Transporters In Neisseria Gnorrhoeae, Aimee Hollander

Theses and Dissertations

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an obligate human pathogen that causes the common sexually- transmitted infection, gonorrhea. Gonococcal infections cause significant morbidity, particularly among women, as the organism ascends to the upper reproductive tract, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Antibiotic resistance rates have risen dramatically, leading to severe restriction of treatment options for gonococcal disease. Gonococcal infections do not elicit protective immunity nor is there an effective vaccine to prevent the disease. Thus, further characterization of expression, function and regulation of surface antigens could lead to better treatment and prevention modalities in the future. N. gonorrhoeae express a …

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Developmental Remodeling Of Relay Cells In The Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (Dlgn) Of The Mouse And The Role Of Retinal Innervation, Rana El-Danaf Sep 2011

Developmental Remodeling Of Relay Cells In The Dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (Dlgn) Of The Mouse And The Role Of Retinal Innervation, Rana El-Danaf

Theses and Dissertations

The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) has become an important model for studying many aspects of visual system development. To date, studies have focused on the development of retinal projections and the role of activity in shaping the pattern of synaptic connections made with thalamocortical relay cells. By contrast, little is known about relay cells and the factors that regulate the growth and establishment of their dendritic architecture. In many systems, such growth seems consistent with the synaptotrophic hypothesis which states that synapse formation and dendritic growth work in a concerted fashion such that afferent input and the establishment of …

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A Quantitative Method For Reproducible Ionization Chamber Alignment To A Water Surface For External Beam Radiation Therapy Depth Dose Measurements, James Ververs Aug 2011

A Quantitative Method For Reproducible Ionization Chamber Alignment To A Water Surface For External Beam Radiation Therapy Depth Dose Measurements, James Ververs

Theses and Dissertations

Ionization chambers (ICs) are the most commonly used detectors for radiation therapy dose measurements. Typical IC measurements use cylindrical ICs in a water phantom and therefore require initial IC alignment to the water surface. This alignment has long been ignored and only recently has a qualitative governing recommendation been made. This thesis describes a reproducible methodology for quantitative ionization chamber water surface alignment. Depth-ionization measurements are taken with twenty-eight IC designs under varying conditions including, but not limited to, changes in scan direction, speed, and resolution, radiation beam type, field size, energy, and electron contamination. Measurements are acquired using standard …

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Effect Of Combined Oral Contraceptives On Insulin Clearance In Lean And Obese Pre-Menopausal Women, Vidya Moorthy Aug 2011

Effect Of Combined Oral Contraceptives On Insulin Clearance In Lean And Obese Pre-Menopausal Women, Vidya Moorthy

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Obese women are predisposed to greater risks of insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. Likewise, African-Americans, appear to be inherently insulin resistant and hyperinsulinemic even after controlling for obesity. Hyperinsulinemia has been attributed to insulin resistance and a compensatory insulin hyper-secretion by the pancreas, as well as decreased insulin clearance, notably in obesity. Pharmacological agents that may worsen insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia in obese women is of clinical relevance. Previous data from our group suggested that combined oral contraceptives (COCs) may worsen insulin sensitivity particularly in obese women, but limited information on insulin clearance is available in obese women or African-American women. …

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Water Molecules: A Closer Look At Their Behavior At Protein-Protein Interfaces And Their Contributions To The Docked Model Of Pyridoxal Kinase - Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Complex, Mostafa H. Ahmed Aug 2011

Water Molecules: A Closer Look At Their Behavior At Protein-Protein Interfaces And Their Contributions To The Docked Model Of Pyridoxal Kinase - Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Complex, Mostafa H. Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

The work in this thesis is divided into two aims. The first aim is to provide a detailed analysis of water molecules at protein-protein interfaces as well as quantifying their contributions with respect to different residue types. To achieve this aim a data set of 4741 water molecules abstracted from 179 high-resolution (≤ 2.30 Å) X-ray crystal structures of protein-protein complexes was analyzed with a suite of modeling tools based on HINT. The second aim is to observe the effect of adding interfacial water molecules in developing a model for the protein-protein interaction between pyridoxal kinase and serine hydroxymethyltransferase. This …

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A Pre And Post Exercise Comparison Of Three Assessment Tools Commonly Employed To Assess Vascular Function, Lorena Salom Aug 2011

A Pre And Post Exercise Comparison Of Three Assessment Tools Commonly Employed To Assess Vascular Function, Lorena Salom

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is one of the earliest subclinical indicators of impaired cardiovascular health and several non-invasive tools have been developed to evaluate vascular function, including strain gauge plethysmography (SGP), brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) via ultrasound, and peripheral artery tonometry (PAT). While these tools have extensively been studied during a resting condition, the responses following acute exercise are not as well characterized. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the pre- and post-exercise vascular function values obtained with SGP, FMD, and PAT. Relationships among the primary outcome variables obtained with each assessment tool were also evaluated. …

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Managing The Healthcare Needs Of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Parents' Experience, Julie Strunk Aug 2011

Managing The Healthcare Needs Of Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Parents' Experience, Julie Strunk

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of parents who manage the health needs of an adolescent with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Qualitative interviews were conducted with parents from 10 families of adolescents with ASD residing in Virginia. Data were analyzed using Clark Moustakas’ method of analysis of data in which the phenomenologist asks the following questions: What are the individual’s experiences, and in what context did they experience them? This study maximized credibility by using three strategies: prolonged engagement, peer debriefing, and member checking. “Parents needing help” emerged as the essence of the parents’ experiences. …

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Role Of Autophagy In Radiosensitization Of Breast Tumor Cells, Molly L. Bristol Aug 2011

Role Of Autophagy In Radiosensitization Of Breast Tumor Cells, Molly L. Bristol

Theses and Dissertations

In MCF-7 breast tumor cells, ionizing radiation promoted autophagy that was cytoprotective; pharmacological or genetic interference with autophagy induced by radiation resulted in growth suppression and/or cell killing (primarily by apoptosis). The hormonally active form of vitamin D, 1,25D3, also promoted autophagy in irradiated MCF-7 cells, sensitized the cells to radiation and suppressed the proliferative recovery that occurs after radiation alone. 1,25D3 also enhanced radiosensitivity and promoted autophagy in MCF7 cells that overexpress Her-2/neu as well as in p53 mutant Hs578t breast tumor cells. In contrast, 1,25D3 failed to alter radiosensitivity or promote autophagy in the BT474 breast tumor cell …

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