Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Customization Of Titanate Nanofiber Bioscaffolds, Jared Hopkins

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the field of orthopedic devices implant loosening is a major issue resulting in the majority of device failures. These failures result in the need for costly secondary procedures. To reduce device loosening an improved method of tissue anchoring is required. A previously studied titanate nanofiber bioscaffold has been shown to be safely implantable and to contribute to the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to osteocytes. Through the customization of both physical and chemical characteristics this titanate nanofiber bioscaffold was fabricated as a potential means to enhance tissue anchoring for use with orthopedic devices. This customization was enabled by acoustic …

Validation Of The Use Of Doubly Labeled Water For Measuring Metabolic Rate In Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Horridus), Caitlin Hirsh

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The doubly labeled water method is an isotopic technique for measuring field metabolic rate and water flux rates of free-living animals. We present a validation of the use doubly labeled water for measuring metabolic rate and water loss in Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus). For this study seven animals of varying body size were used with masses ranging from 148 to 650 grams. Prior to dosing, blood samples were taken to establish background isotope levels for each animal. Snakes were injected with water enriched with isotopes of oxygen (18O) and hydrogen (2H, deuterium). The injected isotopes were then allowed to equilibrate …

Improving Access To Care For Arkansas Youth Athletes With Sport-Related Concussion: Establishing “Teleconcussion” In Arkansas, Kristin Maxey

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Proper management of sport-related concussion (SRC) is critical for improved recovery outcomes in youth athletes. Several barriers exist to improving the standard of care for youth athletes with SRC. Many rural areas lack medical professionals with specialized training in SRC. Innovative methods for providing specialized healthcare to youth athletes with SRC are needed. Telehealth may be an effective means of providing specialized care for youth athletes with SRC located in underserved areas that have a shortage of healthcare providers specializing in SRC.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare patient, caregiver, and provider ratings of the therapeutic …

The Comparison Of Dual-Tasking And Functional Fitness In Older Females, Anna Engler

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Context: America’s aging population is growing faster than ever, resulting in increasing challenges for healthcare providers and caregivers. Over 33% of adults aged 65 and older fall annually, and falls are the number one cause of injury-related death in this age group. Assessing fall risk is difficult due to its multifactorial nature, but functional fitness serves as a proxy measure. Women are at a particularly high risk for fall-related injury due to lower bone mineral density and higher fall frequency when compared to males. Fear of falling is also a serious contributor to fall risk, and it affects up …

The Impact Of Education On Fear Of Falling In Elderly Women, Whitney R. Muller

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Context: More than one third of individuals 65 and older fall each year. Approximately 85% of these falls occur in the homes of independent older adults. Falls can lead to an increased fear of falling, defined as a pervasive concern that a fall may occur. Fear of falling can decrease quality of life due to a lower sense of well-being, limiting mobility, and reduction of social interaction. Reduction in activity can result in a sedentary lifestyle and poor balance which increases the risk of falling. Fifty percent of women 75 years and older participate in no physical activity beyond …

The Effect Of Thirst And Pharyngeal Stimulation On Exercise Performance, Jordan E. Smith

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to determine if activating the oral- pharyngeal receptors through the act of swallowing plays a role in enhancing exercise performance. It was hypothesized that stimulation of the pharyngeal receptors through the act of swallowing (D trial) increases exercise performance when compared to infusing the same amount of liquid via a nasogastric tube (I trial). Methods: Five trained male cyclists (31 ± 5 years; 74.7 ± 4 kg; 57 ± 3 mL/kg/min) performed two trials in a counterbalanced fashion, each consisting of 120 minutes cycling in an environment at 35°C and 30% RH at …

Modulation Of The Magnetic Properties Of Aqueous Metal Ions And The Bioelectrodynamic Effects On Cancerous And Noncancerous Cells, Marcy C. Purnell

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Bioelectrodynamics is the study of how electromagnetism affects the biophysical functions of living organisms by examining the effects on biochemical processing at the cellular level. The Cellular Energy Transfer Science (CETS) system modulates the magnetic behavior of aqueous metal ions by applying direct current (DC) with a Lorenz force to a hypotonic saline solution. This treated solution was then used to make growth media for cancerous and noncancerous cell lines in vitro. Exposure of cancerous and noncancerous cells to this media showed significant growth inhibition, cell cycle arrest, hyperpolarization of transmembrane potential and apoptosis of cancerous cells while not causing …

Investigating The Regulation And Function Of The Nr4a Nuclear Receptors In Cancer, Jordan A. Beard

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily represents a structurally-conserved group of ligand-regulated transcription factors. These proteins have critical roles in various physiological and pathological processes, including cancer, and have been targets of drug therapy. The orphan NR subfamily 4A (NR4A), which includes the NR4A1 (Nur77), NR4A2 (Nurr1), and NR4A3 (Nor-1) genes, has been implicated in adult solid tumors and has been characterized as pro-tumorigenic mediator of cell proliferation, transformation, migration, and drug resistance. Alternatively, in leukemia, NR4A1 and NR4A3 have been described as tumor suppressors in hematologic malignancies. Members of the NR4A family are commonly overexpressed in cancer and this has …

Assessing The Role Of Faith-Based Organizations In Health Promotion, Troylyn Braud Francis

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Objective: The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between organizational readiness (OR) and weight loss and physical activity outcomes among faith-based organizations (FBOs).

Methods: Data for this study were collected in two phases. Phase I data were based on a feasibility study and targeted African-American individuals (N = 55) who participated in an obesity prevention program. The intervention was accomplished in two stages, which included a 10-week core period followed by a 6-month maintenance period. Phase II data were based on key informant interviews that were conducted with community health leaders (CHLs) (N=6) from participating …

Novel Oncogenic Drivers In Pediatric Gliomagenesis, Alexander K. Diaz

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), with a two-year survival rate of less than 20%, are some of the most aggressive human cancers. This dissertation begins with our analysis of 127 pHGGs, including brainstem (BS) and non-brainstem (NBS) tumors, from 118 patients using next-generation sequencing technologies. Nearly one-third of BS-HGGs, also known as diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs), harbored somatic heterozygous missense mutations in ACVR1, coding for a receptor serine-threonine kinase involved in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. These alterations led to gain-of-function as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of downstream targets in primary astrocytes and zebrafish embryo ventralization. Whole-genome sequencing and …

Examining The Roles Of Gabaa Receptor Subtypes In Anxiety And Anxiolysis: Focusing On The Basolateral Amygdala, Yudong Gao

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The investigation of the differential roles GABA_A receptor (GABA_AR) subtypes play in mediating various behaviors such as fear and anxiety was an intriguing research topic over the past decade. At present, most evidence suggests that benzodiazepine (BZ)-induced anxiolysis is primarily mediated by GABA_ARs containing the α2-subunit (α2-subtype). However, there is conflicting evidence as to whether α1- and α3-subtypes might also be involved in BZ-induced anxiolysis. In an attempt to further discern the role played by different α-subtype GABA_ARs in BZ-induced anxiolysis both systemically and within the basolateral amygdala (BLA), a brain region crucial …

The Role Of Drak2 In T Cell Function And Autoimmunity, Tarsha L. Harris

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The immune system utilizes many regulatory mechanisms to limit immune responses and ensure that immune cells target foreign pathogens and not healthy cells of the body. However, some immune cells can escape these checkpoints and attack the body’s healthy cells, leading to tissue destruction and devastating autoimmune disorders. For example, multiple sclerosis (MS) occurs when immune cells attack the myelin sheath surrounding neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). Likewise, the destruction of pancreatic islet cells by dysregulated immune cells leads to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Remarkably, there are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. An estimated 50 million …

Antibodies To Heterogenous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1 Penetrate Neurons Leading To Multiple Downstream Effects Resulting In Neurodegeneration, Joshua Nathan Douglas

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. MS is believed to occur in genetically susceptible individuals due to an unknown environmental stimulus. MS patients produce autoantibodies to heterogenous nuclear ribonuclearprotein A1 (hnRNP A1), an RNA binding protein (RBP) highly expressed in neurons. hnRNP A1 functions in pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA trafficking, and translation. Furthermore, the anti-hnRNP A1 antibodies are specific to a N-terminal region termed ‘M9’ which serves as a nuclear export sequence/nuclear localization sequence (NES/NLS) responsible for nuclear/cytoplasmic transport of the protein. In this manuscript we will provide data revealing that anti-hnRNP A1 …

Hit Identification For Pkcζ Inhibitors: Structure-Based Optimization, Virtual Screening, And Biological Evaluation, Xiaoxin Wu

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ) is believed to be a promising target for the treatment of some diseases, including inflammatory diseases, obesity and diabetes. Hit identification of PKCζ inhibitors was conducted by structure-based modification, virtual screening and biological evaluation. Among all the compounds selected and synthesized, compound JW-1-60A showed moderate activity against PKCζ at 30 μM and 100 μM. The molecular modeling studies showed that the binding mode of JW-1-61A was very close to the binding mode of JP-3-149, a reported PKCζ inhibitor with very potent activity, which might partially explain the moderate activity of JW-1-61A. Based on the structure …

Assessment Of The Zoonotic Potential Of A Novel Bovine Influenza Virus, Laura Evelyn Eckard

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

A novel orthomyxovirus was recently identified from pigs, with subsequent work suggesting the natural reservoir being bovine populations. The virus had genome characteristics most similar to influenza C viruses (ICV) but, due to the extent of sequence divergence, was proposed as a new genus, influenza D virus (IDV). Current literature on IDV has largely focused on the agricultural significance of the virus and provided evidence for the agricultural impact via observation of widespread prevalence and pathology in laboratory infected cattle. However, only one study, which identified 1.3% seroprevalence in a small cohort, has addressed the zoonotic potential of IDV to …

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury With Associated Visual System Dysfunction: Investigating Histopathology, Functional Correlates, And A Novel Therapeutic Immune Modulator, Natalie M. Guley

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Background. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Injuries associated with moderate to severe TBI can be profound, and have historically overshadowed the significant impact mild TBI (mTBI) can have on the lives of affected individuals. Mild TBI can manifest in a number of different ways, but one of the most significant and often debilitating is its impact on the visual system. In order to further investigate the underlying pathology of mTBI and test potential therapeutics, we developed a mouse model of mTBI induced by blast overpressure. In this model, a 50-60 psi …

Predictors Of Quality Of Life For African American Women Who Assist Persons Who Receive Dialysis, Shaquita A. Starks

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The purpose of this predictive correlational study was to describe predictors of quality of life (QoL) for African American women who were caregivers of persons with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Five purposes, derived from a review of literature and conceptual model, guided this study. First, the study described the association between demographic factors (i.e., education, employment, age, marital status), and QoL. Second, the study explored the relationship between stress and QoL. Third, the study described the association between depressive symptoms and QoL. Fourth, the study described the association between family health/happiness and QoL. Fifth, the study described the extent …

Factors Associated With African American Women’S Sexual Health And Risk Behavior: A Mixed Methods Study, Melody N. Waller

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Introduction: When looking at the health status of our nation, an examination of sexual and reproductive health reveals that there are multiple conditions related to sexual behavior posing a burden on the health of African American women (AAW). Disproportionate rates of sexually transmitted infections, unintended/teen pregnancy, and sexual violence in this group reveal the need to integrate a broader construct to address the multiple factors known to contribute to disparities in sexual and reproductive health affecting AAW. Current health promotion efforts including the encouragement of abstinence and condom use fail to address the multiple components involved in sexual health and/or …

Pten Signaling In Regulatory T Cells And Inflammatory Disease, Sharad Krishna Shrestha

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Regulatory T (Treg) cells suppress CD4+ T cell responses during homeostasis and inflammation to prevent autoimmunity and other immune disorders. Although the transcriptional and epigenetic programs impacting Treg cell function have been extensively studied, the signaling and metabolic pathways underlying Treg stability and function are not fully understood. In this study, we determined the role of the phosphatase PTEN in Treg cells. We found that specific depletion of PTEN in Treg cells results in excessive TH1 and T follicular helper cells (TFH) responses, associated with elevated germinal center (GC) B cells and spontaneous development of autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disease in …

Development Of Vip-Sst Interneuron Associations In Mouse Neocortex And Entorhinal Cortex, Aayushi A. Mehta

Honors Scholar Theses

Cortical networks depend upon inhibition through the neurotransmitter GABA to control and coordinate specific spatiotemporal circuit patterns, underlying the exquisite complexity of neural signaling. Disinhibition, a form of inhibition where inhibitory neurons inhibit other inhibitory cells, further aids in amplifying local neural processing in a selective, organized manner. A subset of GABAergic interneurons, vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing (VIP) cells, preferentially inhibit somatostatin interneurons, which provide inhibitory input onto pyramidal cells, thus creating an archetypal circuit illustrating disinhibition in the cortex. The aim of this anatomical study was to investigate variations in GABAergic VIP synapses onto somatostatin-expressing inhibitory interneurons in mice at …

A Preliminary Study On The Role Of Enhancer Of Flavonoid Production (Efp) In Flavonoid Biosynthesis, Jia Guo

Honors Scholar Theses

Flavonoids are involved in a variety of biological roles ranging from pathogen protection, pigment intensity, antioxidant effects, and even prevention from cancer or cardiovascular diseases. Because of the diverse and beneficial functions that flavonoids have, the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway has been well studied. Recently, a gene called the Enhancer of Flavonoid Production (EFP) was discovered when mutations in this gene caused the Japanese morning glory flowers to exhibit a pale-colored phenotype. Although EFP is known to increase flavonoid production, the direct mechanism to how EFP enhances enzymes in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway has yet to be discovered. It …

Programming Heart Disease: Does Poor Maternal Nutrition Alter Expression Of Cardiac Markers Of Proliferation, Hypertrophy, And Fibrosis In Offspring?, Cathy Chun

Honors Scholar Theses

Maternal malnutrition can affect fetal organogenesis, metabolic processes, and factors involved in developmental regulation. Of the many physiological effects poor maternal nutrition can induce in offspring, one of the most important organs affected is the heart. Cardiovascular disease has been associated with poor maternal diet. It also been suggested that hypertension can originate during impaired intrauterine growth and development. Hypertension can trigger hypertensive heart disease and is associated with numerous heart complications. We hypothesized that poor maternal nutrition would alter critical growth factors associated with normal heart development, specifically, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF-2, transforming growth factor (TGF)β, and connective …

Contribution Of Probiotics Streptococcus Salivarius Strains K12 And M18 To Oral Health In Humans: A Review, Turner A. Stowik

Honors Scholar Theses

The overgrowth and disequilibrium of pathogenic microorganism species both native and non-native to the oral cavity can manifest into a variety of different oral diseases, pathologies, and afflictions in humans, including dental caries, gingivitis, pharyngitis, halitosis, and oral candidiasis. Two bacterial strains with clinically-significant probiotic applications in curtailing the pathogenic bacterial growth involved in these conditions are Streptococcus salivarius strain K12 and Streptococcus salivarius strain M18. To summarize the most up-to-date in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research findings, administration of these S. salivarius strains typically in the form of probiotic lozenges results in colonization, reduction in inflammatory measures, …

Breast Milk Exposure And The Incidence Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis In Very Low Birth Weight Pre-Term Infants, Meaghan Sullivan

Honors Scholar Theses

Purpose: To determine what degree of exposure to breast milk feeding is protective against Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birthweight (VLBW) preterm infants.

Data Sources: This is a secondary data analysis of 56 VLBW preterm infants diagnosed with NEC and 56 age-matched VLBW infants who served as controls. All infants were born between 1997 and 2009 and cared for in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Infants were born at or before 29 weeks gestation and with a birth weight less than 1500 grams. Data included the volume fed daily and type of feeding along with demographic birth data. …

Ethics With Regard To Compensation And Current Ncaa Policy, Tyler Mcbride

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research is to analyze former NCAA Division I football players’ ethical perceptions of current NCAA policy, specifically concerning regulations governing compensation of the student athlete. This quantitative research study collected data using a 20-question survey instrument composed of demographic and Likert type questions. Statistical analysis determined the data failed to establish a statistically significant behavioral trend arguing either for or against current policies. However, data revealed a statistical difference between the opinions expressed by Caucasian alumni as compared to those of other ethnicities. The purpose of this study was to expose illegitimate processes within the NCAA …

Advances In Endodontics: Potential Applications In Clinical Practice., Anil Kishen, Ove A. Peters, Matthias Zehnder, Anibal R. Diogenes, Madhu K. Nair

All Dugoni School of Dentistry Faculty Articles

Contemporary endodontics has seen an unprecedented advance in technology and materials. This article aimed to review some of the challenges and advances in the following sections: (1) endodontic imaging, (2) root canal preparation, (3) root canal disinfection, (4) root canal filling, and (4) regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs). Jointly, these advances are aimed at improving the state of the art and science of root canal treatment.

Yy1 Is Required For Germinal Center B Cell Development., Anupam Banerjee, Vishal Sindhava, Raja Vuyyuru, Vibha Jha, Suchita Hodewadekar, Tim Manser, Michael L Atchison

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

YY1 has been implicated as a master regulator of germinal center B cell development as YY1 binding sites are frequently present in promoters of germinal center-expressed genes. YY1 is known to be important for other stages of B cell development including the pro-B and pre-B cells stages. To determine if YY1 plays a critical role in germinal center development, we evaluated YY1 expression during B cell development, and used a YY1 conditional knock-out approach for deletion of YY1 in germinal center B cells (CRE driven by the immunoglobulin heavy chain γ1 switch region promoter; γ1-CRE). We found that YY1 is …

Neurotrophic Factors: Promising Candidates In Tissue Regeneration, Nan (Tori) Xiao

All Dugoni School of Dentistry Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

The Indelible Power Of The Intraverbal: Expanding The Intraverbal Repertoire And Utilizing Conditioned Praise Words To Decrease Problem Behaviors Of Typically Developing Students In Schools, Jose A. Zamudio

Theses and Dissertations

This study tested a disciplinary strategy that aimed at teaching students positive behaviors to decrease (or eliminate) problem behavior at school. In this study, data of five disruptive students from a middle school in South Texas were analyzed to evaluate the outcomes of the disciplinary strategy implemented by a disciplinary program facilitator at the campus. Students were conditioned to be more receptive to particular praise words related to positive thinking, and ten teachers at the campus were trained to deliver the conditioned praise words when the students expressed positive behaviors that corresponded with the conditioned praise words. Positive thinking celerated …

Psychological And Sociocultural Influences Of Current And Historical Intimate Partner Violence In Pregnancy, Cindy D. Phillips

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.5 million women are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) each year, and 324,000 of these women are pregnant (2013). Research on the predictability of certain factors and their relationship to current and historical IPV is limited. In order to better understand IPV as it related to a sample of 1,016 Appalachian pregnant women selected for the Tennessee Interventions for Pregnant Smokers (TIPS), it was important to evaluate various influences that may predict the prevalence of IPV in this population when compared to the State of Tennessee and the U.S. …