Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Regulation Of The Heat Shock Response By Thiol-Reactive Compounds In The Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Yanyu Wang

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Cells govern their activities and modulate their interactions with the environment to achieve homeostasis. The heat shock response (HSR) is one of the most well studied fundamental cellular responses to environmental and physiological challenges, resulting in rapid synthesis of heat shock proteins (HSPs), which serve to protect cellular constituents from the deleterious effects of stress. In addition to its role in cytoprotection, the HSR also influences lifespan and is associated with a variety of human diseases including cancer, aging and neurodegenerative disorders. In most eukaryotes, the HSR is primarily mediated by the highly conserved transcription factor HSF1, which recognizes target …

Exploring The Impact Of Decreased Ampk Pathway Activity On Brain Injury Outcome, Julia L. Hill

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Each year, 150 million people sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI results in life-long cognitive impairments for many survivors. One observed pathological alteration following TBI are changes in glucose metabolism. Altered glucose uptake occurs in the periphery as well as in the nervous system, with an acute increase in glucose uptake, followed by a prolonged metabolic suppression. Chronic, persistent suppression of brain glucose uptake occurs in TBI patients experiencing memory loss. Abberant post-injury activation of energy-sensing signaling cascades could result in perturbed cellular metabolism. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a kinase that senses low ATP levels, and promotes efficient cell …

Cellular Uptake Of Neutrohpil Elastase Links Inflammation To Adaptive Immunity, Elizabeth A. Mittendorf

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Many tumors arise from sites of inflammation providing evidence that innate immunity is a critical component in the development and progression of cancer. Neutrophils are primary mediators of the innate immune response. Upon activation, an important function of neutrophils is release of an assortment of proteins from their granules including the serine protease neutrophil elastase (NE). The effect of NE on cancer has been attributed primarily to its ability to degrade the extracellular matrix thereby promoting invasion and metastasis. Recently, it was shown that NE could be taken up by lung cancer cells leading to degradation of insulin receptor substrate-1 …

Characterization Of A Novel Role For The To Usled- Like Kinase In Kinetochore Assembly And Function In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Jessica M. De Orbeta

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Chromosome segregation is a critical step during cell division to avoid aneuploidy and promote proper organismal development. Correct sister chromatid positioning and separation during mitosis helps to achieve faithful transmission of genetic material to daughter cells. This prevents improper chromosome partitioning that can potentially result in extrachromosomal fragments, increasing the tumorigenic potential of the cells. The kinetochore is a protenaicious structure responsible for the initiation and orchestration of chromosome movement during mitosis. This highly conserved structure among eukaryotes is required for chromosome attachment to the mitotic spindle and failure to assemble the kinetochore results in aberrant chromosome segregation. Thus elucidating …

Evaluation Of Polymer Gel Dosimeters For Measurements Of Dose And Let In Proton Beams, Kevin M. Vredevoogd

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

This project assessed the effectiveness of polymer gel dosimeters as tools for measuring the dose deposited by and LET of a proton beam. A total of three BANG® dosimeter formulations were evaluated: BANG®-3-Pro-2 BANGkits™ for dose measurement and two BANG®-3 variants, the LET-Baseline and LET-Meter dosimeters, for LET measurement. All dosimeters were read out using an OCT scanner. The basic characteristics of the BANGkits™ were assessed in a series of photon and electron irradiations. The dose-response relationship was found to be sigmoidal with a threshold for response of approximately 15 cGy. The active region of the dosimeter, the volume in …

Characterization Of Selective Inhibition Of Adenylyl Cyclase Activity By Small Molecule Inhibitor Nky80, Cameron S. Brand

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The nine membrane-bound isoforms of adenylyl cyclase (AC), via synthesis of the signaling molecule cyclic AMP (cAMP), are involved in many isoform specific physiological functions. Decreasing AC5 activity has been shown to have potential therapeutic benefit, including reduced stress on the heart, pain relief, and attenuation of morphine dependence and withdrawal behaviors. However, AC structure is well conserved, and there are currently no isoform selective AC inhibitors in clinical use.

P-site inhibitors inhibit AC directly at the catalytic site, but with an uncompetitive or noncompetitive mechanism. Due to this mechanism and nanomolar potency in cell-free systems, attempts at ligand-based drug …

Development Of A Beam-Specific Planning Target Volume And A Robust Plan Analysis To Ol For Proton Therapy, Peter Park

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Proton therapy is growing increasingly popular due to its superior dose characteristics compared to conventional photon therapy. Protons travel a finite range in the patient body and stop, thereby delivering no dose beyond their range. However, because the range of a proton beam is heavily dependent on the tissue density along its beam path, uncertainties in patient setup position and inherent range calculation can degrade thedose distribution significantly. Despite these challenges that are unique to proton therapy, current management of the uncertainties during treatment planning of proton therapy has been similar to that of conventional photon therapy. The goal of …

Immunological Mechanisms Of Extracorporeal Photopheresis In Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma And Graft Versus Host Disease, Lisa Shiue

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

IMMUNOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF EXTRACORPOREAL PHOTOPHERESIS IN CUTANEOUS T CELL LYMPHOMA AND GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE

Publication No.___________

Lisa Harn-Ging Shiue, B.S.

Supervisory Professor: Madeleine Duvic, M.D.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an effective, low-risk immunomodulating therapy for leukemic cutaneous T cell lymphoma (L-CTCL) and graft versus host disease (GVHD), but whether the mechanism(s) of action in these two diseases is (are) identical or different is unclear. To determine the effects of ECP in vivo, we studied regulatory T cells (T-regs), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and dendritic cells (DCs) by immunofluorescence flow cytometry in 18 L-CTCL and 11 GVHD patients before …

Chapter 11: Genome-Wide Association Studies, William S. Bush, Jason H. Moore

Dartmouth Scholarship

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have evolved over the last ten years into a powerful tool for investigating the genetic architecture of human disease. In this work, we review the key concepts underlying GWAS, including the architecture of common diseases, the structure of common human genetic variation, technologies for capturing genetic information, study designs, and the statistical methods used for data analysis. We also look forward to the future beyond GWAS.

The Contribution Of Poly(Adp-Ribose)Polymerase-1 Activity In The Nucleotide Excision Repair Pathway, Brenee S. King

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) promotes the formation of UVR-induced, DNA helix distorting photolesions such as (6-4) pyrimidine-pyrimidone photoproducts (6-4 PPs) and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Effective repair of such lesions by the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway is required to prevent DNA mutations and chromosome aberrations. Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a zinc-finger protein with well documented involvement in base excision repair (BER). PARP-1 is activated in response to DNA damage and catalyzes the formation of poly(ADP-ribose) subunits (PAR) that assist in the assembly of DNA repair complexes at sites of damage. In this dissertation, I present evidence for PARP-1 contributions …

Fiberoptic Intubation In A Paediatric Patient With Severe Temporomandibular Joint (Tmj) Ankylosis, Ali Asghar, Faisal Shamim, Asiyah Aman

Department of Anaesthesia

Craniofacial abnormalities are associated with mandibular hypoplasia, reduced mandibular space with overcrowding of soft tissues and maxillary hypoplasia. Decreased mouth opening and limitation in jaw protrusion are independent predictors of difficult airway in such patients. The relative difficult problem becomes even graver in the paediatric age group because of their small mouth opening and un-cooperativeness. A child with severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis presented with negligible mouth opening and required surgical correction under general anaesthesia. Successful intubation was performed with endotracheal tube size 5.5 mm using an adult 4.3 mm fiberoptic bronchoscope under inhalational as well as topical anaesthesia.

Molecular Detection And Genotype Differentiation Of Feline Coronavirus Isolates From Clinical Specimens In Thailand, Somporn Techangamsuwan, Araya Radtanakatikanon, Suphasawatt Purnaveja

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection manifests a wide magnitude of clinical symptoms from nonpathogenic mild enteric infection to pathogenic fatal feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). Based on the in vitro properties and antigenic relationship to canine coronavirus (CCoV), FCoVs are classified into type I and II with different continent preference. To investigate the incidence of FCoV infection among cat populations in Thailand during 2010-2011, clinical specimens (103 bodily fluids from 95 FIP clinically suspected cats and 17 feces from 7 healthy cats living in groups and 10 healthy cats living singly) were analyzed by amplification of the 3’UTR gene. Among them, 46% …

Application Of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction For Quantitative Detection Of Chicken Infectious Anemia Virus, Niwat Chansiripornchai, Wisanu Wanasawaeng, Nantawan Wongchidwan, Supawadee Chaichote, Jiroj Sasipreeyajan

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The present study aimed to develop a quantitative method for the detection of chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV). A real time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) was developed to determine CIAV. The developed real-time PCR was a rapid and reliable quantitative technique for CIAV DNA compared with the conventional PCR. The appropriate cut-off was at the 40th cycle. Results indicated that the CT value of 39.62 was shown at the 10-9 dilution or 0.454 fg/μl or 3.86 x 103 DNA copies. This data suggests that the limit of detection for real-time PCR is 0.454fg/μl. The quantitative real-time PCR will be …

Limiting The Caesarean Section Rate In Low Risk Pregnancies Is Key To Lowering The Trend Of Increased Abdominal Deliveries: An Observational Study, Ilse Delbaere, Hendrik Cammu, Evelyne Martens, Inge Tency, Guy Martens, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: As the rate of Caesarean sections (CS) continues to rise in Western countries, it is important to analyze the reasons for this trend and to unravel the underlying motives to perform CS. This research aims to assess the incidence and trend of CS in a population-based birth register in order to identify patient groups with an increasing risk for CS.

Methods: Data from the Flemish birth register ‘Study Centre for Perinatal Epidemiology’ (SPE) were used for this historic control comparison. Caesarean sections (CS) from the year 2000 (N = 10540) were compared with those from the year 2008 (N …

Antiseptics And Disinfectants For The Treatment Of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Review, Hans Verstraelen Verstraelen, Rita Verhelst, Kristien Roelens, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: The study objective was to assess the available data on efficacy and tolerability of antiseptics and disinfectants in treating bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Methods: A systematic search was conducted by consulting PubMed (1966-2010), CINAHL (1982-2010), IPA (1970-2010), and the Cochrane CENTRAL databases. Clinical trials were searched for by the generic names of all antiseptics and disinfectants listed in the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System under the code D08A. Clinical trials were considered eligible if the efficacy of antiseptics and disinfectants in the treatment of BV was assessed in comparison to placebo or standard antibiotic treatment with metronidazole or clindamycin …

The Effects Of Energy Beverages In Counteracting The Symptoms Of Mild Hypoxia At Legal General Aviation Altitudes, Daniel Mark Bull

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to conduct preliminary research, in the form of a pilot study, concerning the natural effects of hypoxia compared to the effects of hypoxia experienced after the consumption of an energy beverage. The study evaluated the effects of hypoxia on FAA certificated pilots at a simulated legal general aviation altitude, utilizing the normobaric High Altitude Lab (HAL) located at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida. The researcher tested 11 subjects, who completed three simulated flight tasks within the HAL using the Frasca International Mentor Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). The flight tasks were …

Perceived Neighborhood Safety And Psychological Distress: Exploring Protective Factors, Jaime Booth, Stephanie L. Ayers, Flavio F. Marsiglia

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

While a growing body of literature has established a relationship between "disordered" neighborhoods and psychological distress, less is known about the specific mechanisms at work. Using data collected in the 2008 Arizona Health Survey (N = 4,196), hierarchal linear regression was conducted to assess both the independent effect of perception of neighborhood safety on psychological distress, as well as the mediating effects of powerlessness, social isolation and mistrust. The findings suggest that the more safe individuals feel in their neighborhood, the less psychological distress they experience (b = 1.07, SE = .17, p < .001). This relationship appears to be partially mediated by feelings of powerlessness, social isolation and mistrust, indicating potential risk and protective factors.

Treatment Of Steroid-Induced Elevated Intraocular Pressure With Anecortave Acetate: A Randomized Clinical Trial., Ingeborg Stalmans, David G. Callanan, Monte S. Dirks, Marlene R. Moster, Alan L. Robin, Joachim Van Calster, Sally A. Scheib, Jaime E. Dickerson, Theresa A. Landry, Michael V. W. Bergamini

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

PURPOSE: The present study is the first randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of anecortave acetate (AA) administered at 3 doses (3, 15, or 30 mg) as an anterior juxtascleral depot (AJD) in patients experiencing elevated IOP due to corticosteroid therapy.

METHODS: This was a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, parallel group trial. Eligible patients had an IOP of at least 24 mmHg and an IOP increase of at least 10 mmHg relative to their IOP before treatment with steroids. A target IOP was established for each patient at baseline. Patients were randomized to 1 of …

Effects Of Obesity On Thermoregulation And Cardiovascular Function During Exercise In Females, Jon David Adams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has shown that obese individuals are at greater risk for heat illnesses because of impaired thermoregulation. However, laboratory studies investigating cardiovascular and thermoregulatory function in obese individuals are difficult to interpret because of low sample sizes and methodological concerns. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in thermoregulatory and cardiovascular function between obese and non-obese females. Twenty-four females, 13 obese (43.3 ± 4 .3 % fat, 77.2 ± 13.7 kg) and 11 non-obese (27.8 ± 6.0 % fat, 55.7±6.7 kg), cycled for 60 min in a warm environment (~40°C, 30% humidity) at a …

Predictors Of Academic Success For The National Board Dental Hygiene Examination And The Southern Regional Testing Agency Clinical Exam, Melissa Gail Efurd

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose for conducting this study was to investigate and describe the relationship between applicant criteria for a dental hygiene program and subsequent outcomes on credentialing exams: the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and the Southern Regional Testing Agency clinical exam. Because admission criteria play a crucial role in applicant selection, choosing students, that will successfully complete the program as well as the necessary credentialing exams, is a particularly crucial task for admission committees. The study had three elements. First, it investigated the relationship between the variables of age, undergraduate GPA and scores from the Psychological Services Bureau Health Occupations …

New Applications Of Mass Spectrometry For Drug And Lipid Analysis, Elizabeth Lauren Emerson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mass spectrometry is an important tool used in many different disciplines and settings that include forensics, drug discovery, environmental analysis, and proteomics. Gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI - TOF MS) are two of the most important instruments used for analysis of compounds. Chapters 1 and 2 of this discussion use GC-MS for the investigation of synthetic cannabinoids in `K2' incense products and the detection of metabolites in urine samples from individuals suspected of consuming these mixtures. Analytical standards were synthesized and used for identification and confirmation of structures. Detection of …

Effects Of Red Raspberry On Doxorubicin Chemotherapy Induced Neurotoxicity, Ran He

All Dissertations

Chemotherapy is a widely used treatment for cancer, with significant side effects including cognitive impairments that affect patients' quality of life. Red raspberries are known to inhibit growth of cancer cells with recent research suggesting the ability to also protect neurons. If this protective ability can be confirmed, red raspberry may emerge as a promising natural intervention for cognitive impairments associated with chemotherapy. In addition, many studies have linked cognitive functions to epigenetic mechanisms postulating that transient reprogramming of epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, is required for some basic neuronal/cognitive functions.
The objective of this dissertation is to study …

In Field Fracture Management In Horses, Carstanjen Bianca, Siewruk Kasia, Gajewski Zdzislaw

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary practitioners can be confronted with limb fractures in all types of horses. Immediate evaluation of the horse’s vital parameters, diagnosis, medication and stabilization of the fractured limb with splint bandages or fiberglass cast are of uppermost importance for a possible therapy. Adequate professional transportation of the horse with a fracture to a specialized referral center for diagnosis and therapy is crucial for a positive treatment strategy. This summary article describes in field emergency management of the equine patient with a fracture.

Expression Patterns Of Cell Adhesion Molecules In Bovine Preimplantation Embryos Cultured In Vitro, Anucha Sathanawongs, Korakot Nganvongpanit, Supamit Mekchay

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study aimed to investigate gene expression patterns throughout preimplantation embryos and their comparative expression in morphological quality blastocysts using real-time RT-PCR. Bovine oocytes underwent maturation process, fertilized and were cultured in vitro. Degree of fragmentation and differentiation were the criteria to categorize day-7 blastocysts as of good and poor quality. All of the embryos from each developmental stage were used to quantify transcript abundance. It was found that E-cadherin was highly expressed in immature and mature oocytes, then it decreased at 2- to 16-cell stages, and later increased in morula and blastocyst stages. The β-catenin transcript was highly abundant …

Ultrasound-Guided Transvaginal Follicular Aspiration And Development Of Vitrified-Thawed Thai Indigenous Beef Cattle (Bos Indicus) Oocytes After In Vitro Fertilization, Denpong Sakhong, Thevin Vongpralub, Suporn Katawatin, Saksiri Sirisathien

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study was done to evaluate the efficiency of ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration without hormonal pre-stimulation for collecting the oocytes of indigenous Thai beef cattle (Bos indicus), and to assess the vitrification method for their preservation. All animals between 2.5-12 years were categorized according to age (i.e. heifer, young cow, and old cow). A medium-sized follicle (φ 3-8 mm.) had the greatest distribution among the various size classes (p≤ 0.05), and the mean of oocytes collected from each group was not significantly different. Postthawed survival was 60.78, 53.70 and 57.50%, with a cleavage rate of 38.71, 37.93 and 39.13%, and …

Report Of Lawsonia Intracellularis Infection In Dogs By Polymerase Chain Reaction, Sariya Asawakar, Suphot Watanaphansak, Tanong Asawakarn

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The purpose of this study was to survey Lawsonia intracellularis in dogs in Thailand by using Polymerase chain reaction technique. Lawsonia intracellularis is obligatory intracellular bacterium which causes proliferative enteropathy in animals, including dog. Fecal samples from 48 dogs were collected from Bangkok, Pathumthani and Nakhon Ratchasima and tested for L. intracellularis by PCR technique. The dogs were classified into two groups according to the presence or absence of diarrhea. In the group of dogs with diarrhea (n= 11), 6 dogs were positive (54.4%) and in the group without signs of diarrhea (n= 37), 15 dogs were positive (40.5%). The …

Histology Of Extrahepatic Bile Ducts In The Iranian Chukar Partridge (Alectoris Chukar), Behzad Mobini, Kaveh Shirani Faradonbeh

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

A study on the histology of the extrahepatic bile ducts was conducted in eight female and eight male twentyweek- old healthy Iranian partridges (Alectoris chukar). The extrahepatic bile ducts possessed tunica mucosa, muscularis and serosa. The tunica mucosa of the extrahepatic bile ducts was lined by non ciliated simple columnar epithelium. The apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells was covered by a continuous striated border of microvilli. The goblet cells were absent in epithelium. Tunica mucosa formed some simple folds lining with tall columnar epithelium. The lamina muscularis mucosa was absent. All epithelial cells of the bile ducts reacted with acid …

J Am Coll Dent 2012 79 4

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) publishes scholarly articles, editorials, essays, and reflections addressing the ethical, professional, and social dimensions of dentistry. The Journal serves as a forum for advancing ethics, professionalism, leadership, and excellence within the dental community. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and perspectives, JACD provides readers with insights that encourage ethical, professional practice, lifelong learning, and service to the public, reinforcing dentistry’s commitment to advancing oral healthcare and the common good.

Comparing Risk-Taking And Digit Ratio (2d:4d) In Offenders And Non-Offenders, Taja Anderson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Offenders differ from non-offenders in their propensity to engage in risk-taking behaviour. The ratio of the index and ring fingers (2D:4D), a proxy of prenatal testosterone exposure, has been linked to risk-taking behaviour. The present study compared risk-taking in 45 male offenders and 66 non-offenders using the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Furthermore, it sought to determine the relationship between their 2D:4D ratios and risk-taking behaviours. No significant differences were found between the two groups in their risk-taking behaviour and no significant correlations were found between 2D:4D and risk-taking in either group. These findings are discussed in relation to previous …

How Will Ocean Acidification Affect Marine Photosynthetic Organisms? A Review, Michael Jarrold

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Atmospheric carbon dioxide is increasing year on year, mainly as a result of burning fossil fuels. Although carbon dioxide dissolves in the oceans, mitigating atmospheric effects, it does result in a reduction of the alkalinity of sea water; an effect termed Ocean Acidification (OA). The subsequent changes in carbon chemistry will most likely affect marine photosynthetic organisms in a number of ways; including the ability of organisms to build calcium carbonate shells or skeletons (calcification) and primary production. Previous work indicates that both processes respond to OA, but not always in the same way. Consequently the aim of this review …