Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

We Can Do It Together: Par1/Par2 Heterodimer Signaling In Vsmcs., Rafal Pawlinski, Michael Holinstat

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

In this issue, Sevigny and colleagues demonstrate that a protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1)-PAR2 heterodimer regulates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hyperplasia following vascular injury ¹. PARs belong to a family of G-protein coupled receptors that are proteolytically activated by a variety of proteases ^{2, 3}. Cleavage of PARs results in intracellular signaling mediated by activation of various G proteins including G_12/13, G_q, and G_i ^{2, 4-6}. The PAR family consists of 4 members, PAR1-PAR4, with PARs 1, 3, and 4 being primarily activated by thrombin, while PAR2 is activated by trypsin and …

Epitope Characterization Of Sero-Specific Monoclonal Antibody To Clostridium Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A., Cindi R Corbett, Erin Ballegeer, Kelly A Weedmark, M D Elias, Fetweh H Al-Saleem, Denise M Ancharski, Lance L Simpson, Jody D Berry

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are extremely potent toxins that can contaminate foods and are a public health concern. Anti-BoNT antibodies have been described that are capable of detecting BoNTs; however there still exists a need for accurate and sensitive detection capabilities for BoNTs. Herein, we describe the characterization of a panel of eight monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) generated to the non-toxic receptor-binding domain of BoNT/A (H(C)50/A) developed using a high-throughput screening approach. In two independent hybridoma fusions, two groups of four IgG MAbs were developed against recombinant H(C)50/A. Of these eight, only a single MAb, F90G5-3, bound to the whole BoNT/A protein …

A Randomized Trial Comparing The Effect Of Two Phone-Based Interventions On Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence, Usha Memon, Rhonda Belue, Stéphanie Wahab, Jessica Rugen, Anita Kinney, Peter Maramaldi, Debra Wujcik, Laura A. Szalacha

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

Early-stage diagnosis of colorectal cancer is associated with high survival rates; screening prevalence, however, remains suboptimal.

Purpose

This study seeks to test the hypothesis that participants receiving telephone-based tailored education or motivational interviewing had higher colorectal cancer screening completion rates compared to usual care.

Methods

Primary care patients not adherent with colorectal cancer screening and with no personal or family history of cancer (n = 515) were assigned by block randomization to control (n = 169), tailored education (n = 168), or motivational interview (n = 178). The response rate was 70%; attrition was 24%. …

College Student Reactions To Health Warning Labels: Sociodemographic And Psychosocial Factors Related To Perceived Effectiveness Of Different Approaches, Carla J. Berg, James F. Thrasher, J. Lee Westmaas, Taneisha Buchanan, Erika A. Pinsker, Jasjit S. Ahluwalia

Faculty Publications

Objective. To examine factors associated with perceiving different types of pictorial cigarette health warning labels as most effective in motivating smokers to quit or preventing smoking initiation among college students.

Method. We administered an online survey to 24,055 students attending six Southeast colleges in Fall, 2010. We obtained complete data for the current analysis from 2600.

Results. Current smoking prevalence was 23.5%. The largest majority (78.6%) consistently rated gruesome images as most effective, 19.5% rated testimonial images as most effective, and only a small proportion rated either standard (1.6%) or human suffering images (0.3%) as most effective. Subsequent analyses focused …

Development Of An Instrument Measuring The Perceived Attributes Of Using A Healthy Diet Innovation, Holly Ann Federico Huye

Dissertations

The Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) is a rural region that is rich in agricultural resources but is one of the most impoverished areas in the US. Prior research has indicated LMD adults as having higher rates of obesity and diet-related chronic diseases as compared to US adults. While the need for dietary intervention in the LMD is evident, the first step in designing effective interventions is the assessment of one’s perceptions of dietary behaviors. The purpose of this research was to develop a valid and reliable instrument to assess individuals’ perceived attributes of using a healthy diet. Using the Diffusion …

Women's Cognitive Appraisals Of Their Birth Experience As Predictive And Maintaining Factors Of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity, Lauren Carr Spooner

Dissertations

Empirical support has accumulated for evidence of posttraumatic stress symptoms following approximately 30% of childbirth experiences (Olde, van der Hart, Kleber, & van Son, 2006). Researchers have suggested that there is a complex relationship among predisposing, precipitating, and maintaining factors that impact postpartum PTSD (Slade, 2006). Anxiety, perception of support, and negative cognitions are such factors that have been shown to significantly correlate with PTSD symptoms (Foa & Rothbaum, 1998; Olde et al., 2006; Soet, Brack, & Dilorio, 2003), but have not been studied together in relation to PTSD associated with traumatic birth. The current study controlled for trait anxiety …

The Effect Of Six Weeks Of Oral Echinacea Supplementation On Erythropoiesis, Nitric Oxide Production, And Exercise Performance, Tyler David Martin

Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of oral Echinacea supplementation on serum erythropoietin (EPO) and erythropoietic status, plasma nitric oxide [NO], submaximal endurance exercise performance, and maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O_2max). Twenty-four males (mean ± SE): age = 25.2 ± 1.4 yr, height = 178.1 ± 1.4 cm, mass = 78.1 ± 1.6 kg, percent body fat = 12.7 ± 0.9 %, V˙O_max = 52.9 ± 0.9 mL·kg^-1·min^-1 were randomly grouped using a matched-pair, double-blind design and self-administered 8,000 mg·d^-1(5 × 400 mg × 4 …

Vaccine-Preventable Diseases And Foreign-Born Populations, Marc Altshuler, Md, Giang Nguyen, Md

Department of Family & Community Medicine Faculty Papers

Foreign-born individuals account for over 12% of the U.S. population, according to the most recent census data. Since many vaccine-preventable outbreaks in the U.S. have been correlated with disease importation, Congress has mandated vaccinations for numerous immigrant populations. It is essential for primary care physicians to be knowledgeable on the unique immunization-related needs of foreign-born individuals, to recognize some of the cultural and linguistic challenges that immigrants have accessing healthcare, and remember to use each medical encounter as an opportunity to provide necessary vaccinations.

B1b Lymphocyte-Derived Antibodies Control Borrelia Hermsii Independent Of Fcα/Μ Receptor And In The Absence Of Host Cell Contact., Matthew J. Colombo, David Abraham, Akira Shibuya, Kishore R. Alugupalli

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

The critical role of IgM in controlling pathogen burden has been demonstrated in a variety of infection models. In the murine model of Borrelia hermsii infection, IgM is necessary and sufficient for the rapid clearance of bacteremia. Convalescent, but not naïve, B1b cells generate a specific IgM response against B. hermsii, but the mechanism of IgM-mediated protection is unknown. Here, we show that neither Fcα/μR, a high-affinity receptor for IgM, nor IgM-dependent complement activation is required for controlling B. hermsii. Bacteria in diffusion chambers with a pore size impermeable to cells were killed when diffusion chambers were implanted into either …

A Comparison Of Adult- And Peer-Mediated Intervention For Autism: A Case Study, Maura Jones Moyle

Speech Pathology and Audiology Faculty Research and Publications

This study examined the response of a young child with autism to two play-based intervention conditions: adult-mediated and peer-mediated. The client was five years old, demonstrated moderate-to-severe autism, and exhibited developmental functioning between the 14 to 34 month level. The peer-mediated condition, based on a modified Integrated Play Group approach, utilized a typically developing peer who was three years of age. The study utilized an ABAB alternating treatment design to compare the impact of the adult- and peer-mediated interventions. Results from the current study suggest that the adult-mediated intervention resulted in increased engagement and more sophisticated social-communicative behaviors than the …

Ethnic Disparity In 21-Hydroxylase Gene Mutations Identified In Pakistani Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patient, Aysha Habib Khan, Muniba Aban, Jamal Raza, Naeem Ul Haq, Abdul Jabbar, Tariq Moatter

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders caused by defects in the steroid 21 hydroxylase gene (CYP21A2). We studied the spectrum of mutations in CYP21A2 gene in a multi-ethnic population in Pakistan to explore the genetics of CAH.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted for the identification of mutations CYP21A2 and their phenotypic associations in CAH using ARMS-PCR assay.

Results: Overall, 29 patients were analyzed for nine different mutations. The group consisted of two major forms of CAH including 17 salt wasters and 12 simple virilizers. There were 14 phenotypic males and 15 females …

Bacopa Monnieri - A Multicentric, Randomized, Double-Blind Homoeopathic Pathogenetic Trial, Rajpal Rajpal, Vinay Singh, V Siddiqui, C Nayak, P Mal, D Sarkar

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Objective: To elicit the pathogenetic response of the drug Bacopa monnieri in homoeopathic potencies on healthy human beings. Methodology: Drug Bacopa monnieri was proved by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy through randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled method. The study was conducted at two centers. The drug was proved in three potencies (6C, 30C and 200C) on 32 apparently healthy volunteers who were selected after conducting pre-trial medical examination by the medical specialists and routine laboratory investigations. In the first phase volunteers were given 56 doses (04 doses per day for 14 days) of placebo. In the next three phases 56 …

Homoeopathic Materia Medica Of Indian Drugs, L Nanda

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.

A Case Of Multiple Urinary Calculi Treated With Homoeopathy, P Sumithran

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

A case of multiple urinary calculi, with size varying from five to seven millimeters in the left kidney and four to six millimeters in the right kidney, a thirteen millimeter stone in the left lower part of the ureter and a 20 x 13 millimeter stone in the base of the urinary bladder presenting complaints of burning micturition and pain in the lumbar region reported at the O.P.D of the Central Research Institute for Homoeopathy at Kottayam, Kerala. Patient was having urolithiasis complaints since four years and had undergone both allopathic and ayurvedic treatment, but the response was not satisfactory. …

Nurses Information Appraisal Within The Clinical Setting, Heather D. Carter-Templeton

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Information appraisal is foundational to information literacy, a necessary skill to support evidence-based practice. Little discussion in nursing literature exists regarding how nurses appraise information. If nurses lack information appraisal skills they cannot safely and effectively apply evidence in practice. Furthermore, if nurses at all levels are to engage in evidence-based practice, information appraisal in the clinical setting must be understood. The research study used an interpretive description design to define and describe the process of information appraisal in the clinical setting. Participants of this study represented a stratified purposeful sample of 44 registered nurses employed at a regional medical …

Autoimmune Consequences Of Histone Deimination During Neutrophil Activation, Nishant Dwivedi

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Tolerance blocks the expression of autoantibodies, whereas autoimmunity promotes it. How tolerance breaks and autoantibody production begins, thus, are crucial questions for the understanding and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Evidence implicates cell death and autoantigen modifications in the initiation of autoimmune reactions. One form of neutrophil cell death deserves attention because it occurs as a consequence of neutrophil activation, requires the post-translational modification of histones and results in the extracellular release of chromatin. The extracellular chromatin incorporates histones in which arginines have been converted to citrullines by peptidylarginine deiminase IV (PAD4) creating structures that capture or "trap" bacterial pathogens. Neutrophil …

Testing Whether Mrp4 (A Camp Efflux Pump) And The Beta 2 Andrenergic Receptor (An Upstream Regulator Of Camp Signaling Pathways, Praveen Kumar Potukuchi

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background and Aim: MRP4/ABCC4 is an ABC transporter that can efflux the second-messenger, cAMP, from cells. MRP4 has a PDZ interacting motif at its carboxy terminal end through which it binds to scaffolding proteins NHERF1 and PDZK1. Previous studies have shown that PDZK1 serves as a scaffold physically coupling MRP4 with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This protein complex functionally couples cAMP regulation of CFTR function with MRP4 cAMP transporter activity [Li, C., et al., Spatiotemporal coupling of cAMP transporter to CFTR chloride channel function in the gut epithelia. Cell, 2007. 131(5): p. 940-51]. We hypothesized that the …

Synthesis And Computational Studies On Hiv-1 Integrase Inhibitors, Horrick Sharma

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

HIV-1 integrase (IN) is essential for viral replication and offers a promising target for the development of anti-retroviral drugs. Two decades of extensive research has lead to the recent approval of raltegravir as the first IN inhibitor. Advancement of drug candidate elvitegravir, which is currently in Phase III clinical trial, has furthermore accelerated efforts against this potential target for combating HIV. However, the emergence of resistance against raltegravir and elvitegravir demands exploration of novel chemical scaffolds that could circumvent resistance against currently used HIV-1 IN inhibitors. With the goal of discovering new agents targeting HIV, a novel structural class of …

Spatial Distribution Of Obesity Among West Virginia 5th Grade Children: Analysis Of The Socioeconomic, Physical, And Personal Environment, Sherry Roper

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Childhood obesity defined as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex, is considered an epidemic in the United States. Biology and lifestyle behaviors have been identified as important factors in the development of childhood obesity; however, researchers are beginning to place more emphasis upon the impact that continual environmental exposures have upon obesity development. Environmental risk factors associated with obesity are distributed continuously over space, yet evidence suggests that burden of risk may not be evenly dispersed across a community. West Virginia (WV), a rural Appalachian community has …

The Effects Of Pten Deletion On Cell Size And Plasticity In The Hippocampus, Margaret Sperow

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is the central negative regulator of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) -signaling pathway, which mediates diverse processes in various tissues. In the nervous system, the PI3K pathway modulates proliferation, migration, cellular size and synaptic transmission and plasticity. Neurologic abnormalities such as autism, seizures, and ataxia are associated with inherited PTEN mutations. Yet, how PTEN loss contributes to neurologic dysfunction remains unknown. PTEN loss during early development is associated with extensive deficits in neuronal migration and substantial hypotrophy of neurons and synaptic densities. However, whether its effect on synaptic transmission and plasticity is direct …

Characterization Of The Mechanism Of Pparγ-Mediated Neointima Formation In Rodents, Ryoko Tsukahara

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and its ether analog alkyl glycerophosphate (AGP) elicit arterial wall remodeling when applied intralumenally into the uninjured carotid artery. LPA is the ligand of eight GPCRs and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). We pursued a gene knockout strategy to identify the LPA receptor subtypes necessary for the neointimal response in a non-injury model of carotid remodeling and also compared the effects of AGP and the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone (ROSI) on balloon injury-elicited neointima development. In the balloon injury model AGP significantly increased neointima; however, rosiglitazone application attenuated it. AGP and ROSI were also applied intralumenally for …

Compound 49b: A Novel Beta-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist In The Treatment Of Diabetic Retinopathy, Kimberly Williams-Guy

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working Americans. While there are therapeutic regimens for the disease, more effective methods are needed. We have previously shown that a non-specific beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, isoproterenol, was effective in preventing functional and morphological changes associated with diabetic retinopathy in the rat. Isoproterenol also produced left ventricle remodeling suggesting it entered the systemic circulation. We therefore synthesized various novel beta-adrenergic receptor compounds and screened these compounds in vitro for their ability to reduce markers of inflammation and apoptosis. Of the various compounds tested, Compound 49b was able to reduce both inflammation and …

The Association Between Reading Comprehension And Prerequisite Skills For Children In Poverty, Hyo Jin Yoon

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between reading comprehension and the prerequisite skills typically assessed by a school based speech pathologist with a focus on children raised in poverty. Based upon previous studies, three hypotheses were developed. First, children from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds would not perform as well as children from the standardization sample on norm referenced language tests although the language tests would predict reading comprehension. Second, decoding would not be as good a predictor of reading comprehension for children from low SES backgrounds as it is in typically developing children from middle …

Development And Evaluation Of Nano‑Scale Systems For Targeted Delivery To Treat Liver Fibrosis, Ningning Yang

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Excessive deposition of ECM is the common characteristic of liver fibrosis. During hepatic fibrosis, various inflammatory cytokines are released and trigger the activation of quiescent HSCs. The activated HSCs play the major role in producing extra amount collagen. It becomes very crucial to focus on HSCs to find out therapeutics, such as inhibiting collagen synthesis, inhibiting activation to myofibroblasts, or controlling inflammation.

To control excessive collagen synthesis, one triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFO), was systemically administrated to prevent type I collagen mRNA transcription. To enhance circulation time and targeted delivery efficiency, TFO was conjugated to M6P‑HPMA and showed efficient targeted delivery …

Preclinical Pharmacology Of The Mdm2 Antagonist Nutlin-3a, Fan Zhang

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Nutlin-3a is an MDM2-p53 interaction antagonist that is under investigation in preclinical models for a variety of pediatric malignancies, including neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, leukemia, and rhabdomyosarcoma. In the current research, we conducted preclinical pharmacology studies of nutlin-3a to evaluate the synergistic effect of the nutlin-3a and topotecan combination on neuroblastoma cell growth, to assess the effect of nutlin-3a on breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and to characterize the disposition of nutlin-3a in the mouse plasma and multiple tissues.

Activating the p53 pathway might offer a new therapy for neuroblastoma. In the first part of the study, we assessed the effect of …

Characterization Of The Key Mouse Cochlear Developmental Genes For Auditory Hair Cell Regeneration, Zhiyong Liu

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Mammalian inner ear cochlear auditory hair cells (HCs) and adjacent supporting cells (SCs) are believed to derive from the same progenitors during development. However, unlike SCs of nonmammalian vertebrates, mammalian cochlear SCs cannot be converted into functional hair cells (HCs) after damage, thus leading to permanent deafness. To entitle mammals with the ability to restore hearing capacity after HC damage, we first achieved proliferation of SCs by acute ablation of p27 or Sox2. Secondly, we overactivated Notch1 signaling in the mouse inner ear at different developmental stages, and found that the ability of Notch signaling in generating new HCs declines …

Induction Of Cervical Relaxation For Artificial Insemination In Sheep, Sukanya Leethongdee

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

In general, artificial insemination (AI) in sheep using frozen-thawed (FT) semen in commercial scale islimited due to the fact that the FT semen of sheep needs to be deposited into the uterus to achieve an acceptablefertility rate. Laparoscopic insemination with FT semen gives commercially acceptable fertility rates, however it is noteconomical and animal friendly. An alternative method is trans-cervical AI (TCAI). However, the unusual anatomy ofthe sheep cervix is a major limitation to this technique. In ewe, the cervical lumen has a convoluted and tortuousstructure that looks like a corkscrew consisting of internal cervical rings. The internal folds of the …

Ovarian Follicular Patterns And Hormone Profile In Thai Native Cattle (Bos Indicus), Denpong Sakhong, Thevin Vongpralub, Suporn Katawatin, Saksiri Sirisathien

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The objective of this study was to characterize the patterns of ovarian follicular waves, and FSH and P4concentration during estrous cycle in Thai native cattle (Bos indicus). Transrectal ultrasound examination of ovarieswas performed daily using a 7.5 MHz transducer and blood samples were collected after the ultrasound examinationduring May to August, 2010. There were 1-, 2- or 3-follicular waves per cycle in heifers, and 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-follicularwaves per cycle in cows. Moreover, in cows, only one cycle exhibited 4-follicular wave pattern. The majority of TNCcows (82.76%) exhibited a 3-follicular wave pattern, whereas the majority of heifers exhibited 2-(38.10%) …

Body Surface Potentials Generated By The Heart Of Normal Guinea Pigs, Anusak Kijtawornrat, Suwanakiet Sawangkoon, Orlando P. Simonetti, Robert L. Hamlin

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The objectives of this study were to describe (1) the form of body surface potentials for P, QRS and ST-Tcomponents using semiorthogonal ECG leads and vectorcardiograms (VCGs), (2) the instability of the QT usingcoefficient of variation compared with 3 other published methods, and (3) the frequency-domain characteristics of theQRS complex. Electrocardiograms were recorded and VCGs of P, QRS and ST-T loops were generated in frontal (Xaxisversus Y-axis), sagittal (Y-axis versus Z-axis), and horizontal (X-axis versus Z-axis) planes. Frequency-domaincomponents of the QRS complex were calculated using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm. One of the 7 guineapigs was placed in sternal recumbency …

Ejaculate Characteristics Of Captive Malayan Tapirs (Tapirus Indicus), Wanlaya Tipkantha, Budhan Pukazhenthi, Boripat Siriaroonrat, Ampika Thongphakdee, Umaporn Maikaew, Warisara Thomas, Daraka Tongthainan, Jessada Thaeonoen, Sumate Kamolnorranath, Mitchell Bush, Sitthawee Thongtipsiridech

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The aims of this study were to optimize semen collection by electroejaculation and characterize ejaculatecharacteristics in Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). Eight adult males (4-20 years of age) were anesthetized using acombination of medetomidine HCl (0.012-0.018 mg/kg), butorphanol tartrate (0.012-0.018 mg/kg),and ketamine HCl(5-7 mg/kg) administered intramuscularly via a dart and subjected to electroejaculation. Ejaculates (milky-white toyellowish color) were successfully collected from all males. Averages (Mean±SD) of the seminal traits (volume, pH,osmolality, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, and viability) were 10.3±9.4 ml, 7.4±3.4, 278.6±13.3 mOsm,206.2±185.4x106 spermatozoa/ml , 24±15.4%, and 35.1±6.5%, respectively. Morphological analysis showed lowpercentage of normal spermatozoa 6.7±2.6 % with 39.2±8.5% …