Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Serum Interleukin-8 Levels May Predict Relapse In Brucellosis, Nazlim Aktuğ Demi̇r, Onur Ural

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate whether cytokines are effective in predicting relapses among patients with acute brucellosis. Materials and methods: This trial was conducted in 42 patients who were being followed-up with diagnosis of acute brucellosis. Serum samples were obtained on days 0 and 45. In patients whose clinical symptoms recurred within a year of treatment and exhibited infectious parameters in compliance with brucellosis, a Rivanol standard tube agglutination (STA) test was performed and the diagnosis of relapse was based on brucella immunoglobulin M (IgM). Serum samples were evaluated for various parameters, namely tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-\alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-\gamma), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, …

Evaluation Of Vitamin B-12 Level In Middle-Aged Obese Women With Metabolic And Non-Metabolic Syndrome: Case-Control Study, Davut Baltaci, Ali̇ Kutlucan, Serkan Öztürk, İsmai̇l Karabulut, Hayri̇ye Ak Yildirim, Ahmet Çeler, Gökhan Celbek, İsmai̇l Hamdi̇ Kara

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the correlation between vitamin B12 and body mass index (BMI) along with insulin resistance (IR) in middle-aged obese women. Materials and methods: The study was designed as a case-control study. The study group included middle-aged obese women and the control group included aged-matched lean women. Weight, height, and hip and waist circumferences were measured. Biochemical parameters such as fasting and postprandial glucose, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels, and lipid profiles were assayed. Results: Enrolled in the study were 116 middle-aged obese and 103 aged-matched healthy lean women. The vitamin B12 level of the obese women was significantly …

Evaluation Of The Antibacterial Activity Of Zataria Multiflora Boiss., Rhus Coriaria L. (Sumac), Mentha Piperita L., And Ocimum Basilicum L. Extracts On Brucella Strains Isolated From Brucellosis Patients, Yousef Motaharinia, Mohammad Ali Rezaee, Mohammad Saleh Hazhir, Farid Zandi, Reza Shapouri, Mohammad Saied Hakhamaneshi, Ahmad Rashidi, Mohammad Reza Rahmani

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Since brucellosis has been called a chronic illness and treatment of patients infected with this bacterium has not been successful, the present study aim ed to evaluate the effects of several medicinal plant extracts on clinical Brucella strains. Materials and methods: First, Brucella strains were isolated from brucellosis patients. Then an antibiotic resistance assay was performed for these strains, while the antibacterial activity of the above-mentioned extracts was evaluated. Results: After performing accurate evaluations, the obtained results showed that all of the isolated Brucella strains were sensitive to tetracycline, doxycycline, and gentamicin, and the rates of antibiotic resistance to rifampin …

Is The Six-Minute Walk Test Correlated With Disease Control And Quality Of Life In Children With Asthma?, Hasan Yüksel, Özge Yilmaz, Bülent Gökşen, Senem Üstün, Ayhan Söğüt

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the changes in a 6-min walk test (6MWT) and quality of life (QoL) before and after asthma control is achieved in children. A 6MWT is used in the determination of disease severity in many chronic childhood diseases. Materials and methods: Thirty-six asthmatic children, aged 6 to 15 years, were enrolled before asthma control was achieved. Disease severity parameters during the previous 3 months were recorded. All of the children completed an asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) and received a symptom score; a 6MWT was performed during enrollment and 1 month later, when asthma control was achieved. Results: The initial …

Development Of A High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method For Warfarin Detection In Human Plasma, Yung An Chua, Wan Zaidah Abdullah, Siew Hua Gan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Most of the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods that have been developed to measure warfarin levels use the preextraction spiked internal standard method. We developed a new liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and reversed-phase HPLC method that uses a postextraction spiked internal standard for the determination of plasma warfarin. Materials and methods: The effect of varying the 1) mobile phase pH, 2) type and composition of organic solvents, 3) type and concentration of buffer solutions, 4) column temperatures, 5) flow rates, 6) organic modifier, and 7) ultraviolet wavelengths were tested. Results: Optimum separation was achieved by using 30:70 (v/v) acetonitrile and potassium …

The Genetics Of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancers: A Review Of Current And Emerging Candidates, M Hammad Ather, Tahmeena Siddiqui

Department of Surgery Docs

Prostate cancer (PC) displays a strong familial link and genetic factors; genes regulating inflammation may have a pivotal role in the disease. Epigenetic changes control chromosomal integrity, gene functions, and, ultimately, carcinogenesis. The most widely studied epigenetic event in PC is aberrant DNA methylation (hypo- and hypermethylation); besides this, chromatin remodeling and micro RNA (miRNA) are other studied alterations in PC. These all lead to genomic instability and inappropriate gene expression. Causative dysfunction of histone modifying enzymes results in generic and locus-specific changes in chromatin remodeling. miRNA deregulation also contributes to prostate carcinogenesis, including interference with androgen-receptor signaling and apoptosis. …

Volume 04, Matt Szemborski, Phillip Van Ness, Sarah Croughwell, Sarah Mayfield, Alyssa Strackbein, Marley Kimmel, Stephanie Skipp, Jamie Yurasits, Katherine Taggart, Alex Leonhart, Kristen Rawls, Andrew Armes, Amanda Haymens, Allison Paqlowski, Erica May, Stephanie Lane, Luke Acree, Cassandra L. Wilson, Stephanie Pishock, Erica Hopson, K. Juston Osborne, Katheryn Grayson, Kyle Fowlkes, Jessica Cox, Kaity Byrum, John-Harwood Scott, Ashley Johnson, Samantha Hockman, Emily Staskiel, Nancy Macdonald, R. Kruger Bressin, Benjamin P. Bilodeau, Andrea Irby, Kristin Macquarrie, Sarah Bietsch, Elizabeth Bednar

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Please note that part of pages 92-95 are redacted, in the digital copy, due to a misprint of the original printed article.

Introduction from Dean Dr. Charles Ross

The Internal Other: Transculturation and Postcolonial Magical Realism in Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children by Matt Szemborski

Photography by Phillip Van Ness

Photography “Waterfall” by Sarah Croughwell

Romancing the Bite: Statistical Analysis of Young Adult Vampire Novels by Sarah Mayfield

Photography by Alyssa Strackbein

Photography by Marley Kimmel

Wine and Society in the Viceroyalty of Peru by Stephanie Skipp

Analysis of Claud Monet’s Impression, Sunrise by Jamie Yurasits

Exploring Meaning: The Lindisfarne Gospels by …

Employee Health In The 21st Century: An Investigation Of Exercise Incentives In Four Medium-Sized Western Australian Organisations, Troy Fuller

Theses

The first decade of the 21st century has shown how organisations are dynamic and turbulent. Many employees are time-poor, working longer and longer hours and are expected to be contactable 24/7, motivated and available to work. Research has shown that employee health is at great risk. Some organisations are now offering incentives for employees to exercise (‘exercise incentives’), and rigorous research was needed to understand and manage these incentives and support health.

The major research question in the study involved employees’ experience of exercise incentives in four medium-sized organisations in Western Australia. Four subsidiary questions provided detail as to the …

Fruit And Vegetable Intake And Food Store Access: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study In Ypsilanti, Michigan, Jana A. Hirsch, Kausar J. Hafeez, Timothy B. Kaselitz, Jing K. Lu, Hanna N. Oltean, Paul D. Shea, Matthew J. Simpson, Silpa S. Thaivalappil, Lynda D. Lisabeth

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Given declines in supermarkets in Washtenaw County, Michigan (MI), we aim to characterize the relationship between food store access and fruit and vegetable intake in Ypsilanti, MI. A cross-sectional, convenience sample survey was conducted in March 2011 at the Ypsilanti District Library (n=83). Self-reported food store access, perceived food environment, and fruit and vegetable intake were assessed. Linear and logistic regressions were performed between store access, fruit and vegetable intake, and meeting dietary recommendations. Perception was evaluated for effect modification. Adjusting for demographics, each food store within one mile of participants’ homes increased odds of meeting recommended intake by 105% …

Geographical Information Systems Facilitate Child Lead Screening Efforts, Daniel Kruger, Lauren Shirey, Sherry Taylor

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Background: Children at the highest risk for lead poisoning are African American, living in families with low incomes, or are living in housing built prior to 1946. The Greater Flint Lead Safe Children Program (GFLSCP) was designed to increase the proportion of African Americans under 6 years of age who are tested for lead in a State-designated high risk area for childhood lead poisoning. Objective: We used Geographical Information Systems to create maps that facilitate program process and evaluation. Methods: We created maps of neighborhood outreach coverage and lead screening results. We identified areas with higher concentrations of African American …

Evaluating The Recidivism Rates For Parolees Enrolled In M-Coit, A Community Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Pamela J. Walsh, David Atkinson

Michigan Journal of Public Health

This paper focuses on an evaluation of recidivism rates of parolees with severe and persistent mental illness enrolled in a mental health/ substance abuse treatment program (M-COIT) at a community mental health center in southeastern Michigan. The two partners in the study were a community mental health center located in a city bordering the southern part of Detroit and Eastern Michigan University located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The purpose of the study was to identify the recidivism rates and factors that affected these rates for parolees who participated in the M-COIT Program. This was a retrospective medical record review. The practical …

Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness: An Innovative Participatory Intervention, Delbert M. Raymond, Tsu-Yin Wu, Mary J. Richard, Mary J. Mcdonagh

Michigan Journal of Public Health

Among American men and women, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer as well as the third leading cause of cancer death. The importance of CRC screening is supported by improved survival rates associated with early diagnosis. Despite these well known facts, half of eligible adults in the United States have not been tested. This paper reports on a novel intervention utilizing a uniquely designed community-based CRC education program to promote CRC awareness and increase participant’s intention to participate in CRC screening. Trained teams of oncology nurses worked with senior level nursing students who provided a two-tier …

Critical Analysis Of Hiv/Aids Communication Messages, Charli Marie Wilson

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

For the last thirty years HIV/AIDS has affected the lives of many people in the United States. Since the first introduction of the disease to America, healthcare officials have implemented several methods in various disciplines to prevent new cases. The information in this thesis examines how public health campaigns have contributed to the prevention of HIV. The research method in this thesis assumes a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of three HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns and how these media educate men who have sex with men (MSM) about prevention. The CDA method is useful in identifying consistent emerging themes in the campaigns …

Nsu Center For Psychological Studies Basic Survival Skills Practicum – Ralph E. Cash, Nova Southeastern University

Video Collection of Nova University / NSU

No abstract provided.

Real-Time Quantitative Pcr For Evaluation Of Mutans Streptococci And Dental Caries, Chanika Manmontri

All ETDs from UAB

Mutans streptococci (MS), e.g., Streptococcus mutans (Sm) and Streptococcus sobrinus (Ss), are associated with dental caries. Quantification of MS has been shown to predict caries risk. A new technology using PCR may streamline quantification compared to traditional culture methods. Purpose: To use real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and standard plate counting (SPC) for detection and quantification of levels of Sm, Ss and total streptococci (TS) in clinical samples from high-caries-risk children with no regular access to dental care and to study correlation of these bacterial levels and ratios to caries prevalence. Methods: Saliva and plaque samples were collected from school-aged children …

Localization Of Proteins Involved In Trafficking In Frog And Mouse Retina, Amie Marsh

All ETDs from UAB

The connecting cilium serves as the major route for protein transport from the inner to outer segment of photoreceptor cells. The hypothesis that all Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) rhodopsin mutants travel properly to the rod outer segment in Xenopus laevis will be tested by preparing transgenic X. laevis expressing a rhodopsin mutation found in human CSNB, A295V. In addition, probing for the existence of potential proteins involved in regulating rhodopsin trafficking and monitoring their localization will contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathway of intracellular photoreceptor trafficking.

An Investigation Of The Effect Of Misspecifying The Random Effect Distribution And The Incorrect Assumption Of Equal Intraclass Correlation Coefficients Among Treatment Groups In The Analyses Of Data From Cluster Randomized Trials, Omar B. Mbowe

All ETDs from UAB

Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) are among the commonly used statistical methods for the analyses of binary data from cluster randomized trials (CRT). GLMMs extend the linear mixed models to accommodate, among others, binary outcomes. The linear predictor of GLMMs contains fixed effects and random effects to model the correlation among responses in a cluster. These random effects are usually assumed to be normally distributed but this assumption may not hold in practice. Also, the cluster sizes may vary within a trial for several reasons including loss to follow-up. This variation in cluster sizes can result in unequal cluster sizes. …

Relationship Between Religiosity, Violent Behavior And Gang Activity In Economically Disadvantaged Adolescents, David Mckenzie

All ETDs from UAB

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIGIOSITY, VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AND GANG ACTIVITY AMONG ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED ADOLESCENTS DAVID McKENZIE HEALTH EDUCATION & HEALTH PROMOTION ABSTRACT Few studies have examined the relationship between religiosity, violent behavior and gang activity in disadvantaged youth. This research study analyzed data from a population of low-income adolescents in Mobile, Alabama. The research objectives were to assess the relationship between adolescent religiosity and involvement in violent behavior and gang activity, and to determine if there were gender differences between boys and girls regarding religiosity, violent behavior and gang activity. It was hypothesized that there would be an inverse relationship between religiosity …

The Effect Of A Topical Ocular Preparation On Performance Of Simulated Driving In Cases Of Symptomatic Dry Eye, Chandra Venise Mickles

All ETDs from UAB

Dry eye is a common complaint of millions of people worldwide with a significant impact on quality of life. In particular, it could have a significant impact on vision-related activities of daily living such as driving. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if 30 days of active topical dry eye treatment (Systane® Balance, Alcon Laboratories; Ft. Worth, TX) has an impact on the simulated night-time driving performance in mild or moderate dry eye compared to a topical saline (Sensitive Eyes®, Bausch & Lomb; Rochester NY). Dry eye symptoms and signs were also assessed to corroborate our findings. Forty …

Apolipoprotein E Mimetic Peptide Improves Hdl Functionality And Inhibits Atherosclerosis Progression In Mouse Models Of Atherosclerosis, Gaurav Nayyar

All ETDs from UAB

Despite major advances in diagnosis and treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) is still the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in United States. An ideal treatment for lipid-mediated inflammatory disorders would not only reduce plasma cholesterol dramatically but also improve high density lipoproteins (HDL) function. Apolipoprotein E (apo E), a protein component of HDL and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), is necessary for the receptor mediated hepatic uptake of apolipoprotein-B (apo B) containing remnant lipoproteins and also possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. We hypothesized that a synthetic dual domain apo E mimetic peptide, Ac-hE18A-NH2 (a 28-residue peptide) containing receptor binding …

The Influence Of Growth Factors Applied During Socket Conversion, On The Incidence Of Spontaneous Early Dental Implant Exposure, Michael Anh Minh Nguyen

All ETDs from UAB

Spontaneous early exposure of a dental implant's cover screw can result in a nidus for plaque accumulation, which may result in inflammation, damage to the peri-implant mucosa, and possible peri-implant bone loss. This study aims to investigate the effect of the addition of growth factors, specifically recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor, and platelet-rich plasma, at the time of socket conversion, on the incidence of early implant exposures. This retrospective study utilized data from a study involving a total of 80 implants that were placed in 4 different types of sites (Groups 1,2,3, and 4). Group 1 sites were extraction sites …

The Role Of Primary Cilia In Articular Cartilage And Growth Plate, Ching-Fang Chang

All ETDs from UAB

Primary cilia are now considered an important organelle required for many key steps during developmental processes including skeletal development. Articular cartilage and growth plate are two cartilage compartments whose functions are important postnatally. Articular cartilage is a think cartilage layer which serves as a cushion to protect the joint space, whereas growth plate is important for postnatal long bone growth. Both articular cartilage and growth plate need to be developed properly to ensure the normal bone function. Here, we show an important role of primary cilia in development of both articular cartilage and growth plate using genetic modified mouse model …

Centering Pregnancy And Adverse Pregnancy Outcome: An Evaluation Of Group Prenatal Care In A Rural Western Kentucky Clinic, Lorie Wayne Chesnut

All ETDs from UAB

CenteringPregnancySmiles [TM] (CPS), a group prenatal care program with an oral health component, has demonstrated promising results in urban communities with primarily low-income minority women. This study examined three questions: 1) Do women who participate in CPS have better birth outcomes than those who participate in traditional prenatal care, even after adjusting for maternal characteristics and risk factors? 2) Is level of exposure to the intervention associated with improved birth outcomes? 3) Do women with dental infection have an increased risk of poor birth outcomes? Data were abstracted from medical records and birth certificates. Birth outcomes for women enrolled in …

Neuropharmacology Of The Α2a Adrenergic Receptor In Disorders Of Mood And Cognition, Christopher Cottingham

All ETDs from UAB

Depressive disorders carry relatively high lifetime risks of greater than 10%, and the antidepressant drugs used in the pharmacotherapy of these mood/cognitive disorders are among the most-prescribed pharmacological agents. However, a detailed understanding of both depressive etiology and the pharmacological mechanisms of action for antidepressant drugs remain elusive. The overall goal of this dissertation research is to provide novel in-sights through a detailed study of the neuropharmacology of the α2A adrenergic receptor (AR). α2ARs, as key regulators of noradrenergic neurotransmission, have been broadly understood to have some ill-defined role in both the neurobiology and neuropharmacology of depressive disorders. The studies …

Adhesion Molecule Interactions Influence The Implementation Of Immune Responses To Infection, Maureen Ann Cox

All ETDs from UAB

Interactions mediated by intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) enhance both the antigenic and cytokine signals that CD8 T cells perceive, and these interactions have been suggested to be required for the formation of memory CD8 T cells. Following acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection of ICAM-1-/- mice, we observe elevated numbers of "effector-phenotype" (CD127lo KLRG-1hi IL-2-) virus-specific CD8 T cells well into the memory phase, while the development of memory-phenotype CD8 T cells (CD127hi KLRG-1lo IL-2 producing) is not impaired. The enhanced maintenance of effector-phenotype cells is due to ICAM-1 deficiency on non-T cell subsets, suggesting a role for ICAM-1 mediated …

Modulation Of Alpha-Synuclein Metabolism And Toxicity By Cathepsin D, Donna Marlana Crabtree

All ETDs from UAB

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most commonly occurring neurodegenerative movement disorder, and aberrant accumulation of the protein α-synuclein is thought to be a major contributing factor in disease development. Dysfunction of the autophagy lysosome pathway (ALP) has been implicated in PD pathogenesis. Our lab and others have shown that the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D (CD) is an important regulator of α-synuclein degradation. The primary focus of this thesis is probing the structure/function dynamic that exists between α-synuclein and CD. We have found that lentiviral-mediated over expression of wild type CD (wtCD) leads to subtle alterations in the ALP in a …

Regulation Of Clc-3 In Human Malignant Glioma, Vishnu Anand Cuddapah

All ETDs from UAB

Malignant gliomas are the most common and deadly form of primary brain cancer afflicting adults. Current treatment regimens, including surgical debulking, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have limited efficacy, and median patient survival remains only 14 months. Therefore, novel therapies must target different aspects of glioma biology. Two of the most striking features of this cancer are the unusual ability of glioma cells to robustly proliferate and migrate in the brain, and recent evidence suggests that ClC-3, a voltage-gated Cl- channel/transporter is implicated in both of these processes. We hypothesize that ClC-3 may facilitate proliferation and migration by promoting hydrodynamic shape and …

Are Enabling Services In Federally Qualified Health Centers Associated With Women Receiving Prenatal Care In The First Trimester?, Forrest A. Daniels

All ETDs from UAB

The purpose of this study was to examine whether enabling services in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) were associated with women receiving prenatal care services in the first trimester. The population for this study included FQHCs providing prenatal care services for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010. Data for this study were derived from two sources: Uniform Data System (UDS) and the Area Resource File (ARF). This study adopted the Andersen's (1973) Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. The study consisted of longitudinal panel data analysis. Univariate and bivariate statistics were calculated using PASW/SPSS statistical software, version 18. For the …

Glutamate Release And Uptake At Cerebellar Synapses, Ming-Chi Tsai

All ETDs from UAB

Glutamate mediates excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system (CNS). Regulation of glutamate release and uptake shapes the spatiotemporal dynamics of glutamate at and around synapses to influence information transfer between neural cells. This dissertation focuses on the modulation of glutamate release and uptake at excitatory synapses of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PC). In the first project we show that differential expression of PC glutamate transporters controls the amount of glutamate entering the extrasynaptic space, thereby influencing the excitatory responses in surrounding Bergmann glia. This work provides the first evidence that neuronal glutamate uptake affects glial glutamatergic signaling. In the …

The Effect Of Environmental Ozone Exposure On The Postnatal Lung, Katherine Leah Tuggle Stringer

All ETDs from UAB

In the U.S., approximately 37 million children reside in geographic locales that experience unhealthy ozone levels. This population is of great concern as they are undergoing active lung growth and cellular differentiation which may alter their susceptibility to inhaled toxicants. Epidemiological and animal studies indicate that early life ozone exposure results in altered lung development, potentially facilitating predisposition to chronic pulmonary conditions in adulthood. The goal of this dissertation was to evaluate short and long-term effects of ozone exposure in the developing lung. The first study evaluated acute effects of ozone exposure in the postnatal and adult lung. The results …