Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Mechanism Of Tgf-Β Function In Development Of The Axial Skeleton, Ga I Ban

All ETDs from UAB

THE MECHANISM OF TGF-β FUNCTION IN DEVELOPMENT OF THE AXIAL SKELETON GA I BAN CELL, MOLECULAR DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY ABSTRACT Back pain is caused by degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVD). IVD consists of two compartments: the annulus fibrosus (AF) and the nucleus pulposus (NP). One strategy for treatment of IVD degeneration is stem cell therapy, which would require an in-depth knowledge of how the IVD develops. Currently, the molecular mechanism of IVD development are not well defined. AF and vertebral bodies (VB) are derived from the same embryonic progenitor, sclerotome. Specification of sclerotome is determined by complex interactions among various growth …

Psychosocial Job Stress And Oxidative Stress In Emergency Department Nurses, Rupkatha Bardhan

All ETDs from UAB

Job stress often causes work-related physical injuries and chronic exposure to such environment may lead to poor health outcomes. Job stress in recent years has grown significantly within the workforce due to performance pressure, long work hours and poor pay structures. Nurses work in the forefront to save patients’ lives. High job demand in this noble profession often leads to progressive decline in physical and mental health. There are existing reports that nurses in the United States (US) suffer from “burnout” syndrome which may also negatively affect patient care. There are very few studies that measured work-related stress in nurses …

Connecting Cilium Proteins Bbs5 And Mks6 And Their Roles In Retinal Degeneration, Katie Leigh Bales

All ETDs from UAB

The primary cilium is an evolutionary conserved structure with numerous motility and sensory-related functions, dynamically concentrating signaling molecules to developmental, homeostatic and sensory pathways. Rod and cone photoreceptor cells are highly modified primary cilia, which reside in the back of the eye within the neural retina and are responsible for dim light sensitivity and visual acuity/ color vision, respectfully. These cells require massive protein production and proper protein trafficking on a daily basis. The major protein complexes that govern protein trafficking within photoreceptors form the connecting cilium, are the transition zone which serves as a gatekeeper, regulating protein trafficking into …

Immunophenotype In The Molecular Epidemiology Of Breast Cancer, Michael Behring

All ETDs from UAB

This research analyzes the underlying genomic features of breast tumors during immune response, with the overall goal of discovering markers of how tumor immunity and the known features of disease pathology relate. We aimed to 1) identify and validate somatic copy number variation and RNA expression associated with nodal metastasis; 2) construct an array-based measure of tumor infiltrating immune cells and determine its prominent clinical and transcriptional features; and 3) examine the relationship between somatic mutations within p53 and tumor immune cell infiltration status. In two sets of data, gene-level copy number variation (CNV) and RNA expression from the primary …

Aberrant Astrocyte Maturation Contributes To Rett Syndrome Pathogenesis, Natasha Lynn Pacheco

All ETDs from UAB

Rett syndrome (RTT) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the transcriptional modulator, Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MeCP2). RTT is characterized by motor, behavioral and physiological deficits. MECP2 mutations are associated with other disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disability, underscoring the important role of MeCP2 for typical brain function. Much of our understanding of MeCP2 function is derived from transcriptomic studies carried out over the last 10 years with the general assumption that alterations in the transcriptome correlate with proteomic changes. Advances in mass spectrometry-based proteomics have facilitated recent interest in the examination of global protein expression. In …

The Role Of Astrocytes In The Development Of Central Chemosensitivity, Kelsey Patterson

All ETDs from UAB

In the two decades since MECP2 was identified as the causative gene in the majority of Rett Syndrome (RTT) cases, transgenic mouse models have played a critical role in our understanding of this X-linked neurodevelopmental disease. However, their exclusive use presents a limitation in translating findings from animal models to the clinic. Here, we characterized growth, anatomical, behavioral, and motor deficits in a novel zinc-finger nuclease murine RTT model from birth through adulthood. Male rats lacking the transcriptional regulatory protein, MeCP2 (Mecp2ZFN/y), are noticeably symptomatic as early as postnatal day (P) 21 and die prematurely, while females lacking one copy …

Pathological Changes In Hippocampal Synaptic Transmission And Neuronal Function During Early Disease In The Novel Tgf344-Ad Rat Model, Lindsey Allyson Smith

All ETDs from UAB

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in those 65 years and older and the 6th leading cause of death in the United Sates. Current treatments only target symptoms of the disease and cannot slow or halt disease progression. The novel and comprehensive TgF344-AD rodent model may bridge the translational gap previous animal models have failed to traverse by providing the platform to probe pre-lesion synapse dysfunction, which is thought to result primarily from increased levels of toxic soluble amyloid beta and hyperphosphorylated tau. The most recently developed model, the TgF344-AD rat was created in 2013 by insertion …

The Role Of Pim Kinases In Hepatoblastoma Tumorigenicity, Stem Cell-Like Cancer Cell Maintenance, And Chemoresistance, Laura Lee Stafman

All ETDs from UAB

Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary liver malignancy in children. Despite increasing incidence, treatment has not changed significantly in the past 20 years, making the need for novel therapeutics imperative. Proviral Integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) kinases are a family of serine/threonine kinases that have been implicated in multiple other cancer types including the adult liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma. Emerging evidence has begun to elucidate a role for PIM kinases in stem-cell like cancer cells (SCLCCs). This subpopulation of cells is thought tobe responsible for tumor maintenance, recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Chemoresistance is a significant barrier to …

Morphological And Functional Characterization Of A Murine Garp2-Specific Knockout, Delores Stacks

All ETDs from UAB

GARP2, found exclusively in retinal rod photoreceptors, has been proposed to function as a structural protein, a calcium binding protein, and a modulator of the phosphodiesterase regulating visual phototransduction cascade kinetics. GARP2 is a splice variant of the Cngb1 gene which also encodes the β-subunit of the phototransduction cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel and another glutamic acid-rich protein, GARP1. Mutations of the β-subunit and, recently discovered regions shared with the GARP en-coding regions of Cngb1cause retinitis pigmentosa (RP), while overexpression of GARP2 in the absence of the β-subunit accelerates the observed Cngb1-mediated retinal degeneration in mouse β-subunit knockout disease models. In …

The Role Of Glycosylation Initiation By Galnac-Ts In Iga Nephropathy, Tyler Stewart

All ETDs from UAB

The autoimmune disease IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common cause of primary glo-merulonephritis, often resulting in end-stage renal disease. IgAN patients have elevated serum levels of immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) with autoantigenic galactose-deficient (gd) O-glycans. The gd-O-glycans occur at specific sites within IgA1 hinge-region. We hy-pothesized that GalNAc-Ts play a role in the formation of gd-IgA1, due to their role in determining glycosylation sites and densities. To better understand how GalNAc-Ts may change O-glycans of IgA1 in IgAN we characterized the complex glycosylation mecha-nism involved in mucin-type O-glycan synthesis of IgA1 hinge-region. In the first section of this work, we explore …

Protein O-Glcnacylation In Hippocampal Hyperexcitability & Gabaergic Neurotransmission, Luke Thomas Stewart

All ETDs from UAB

Plasticity at central synapses is a vital component of neuronal function and an intensively studied phenomenon thought to underlie learning and memory processes in brain structures including the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. A principle mechanism at work during long-term plasticity is the rapid and heavily regulated post-translational modification of synaptic proteins such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination. A comparatively understudied modification is ‘O-GlcNAcylation’, a distinct form of monoglycosylation with rapid intracellular signaling capacity as opposed to the structural and extracellular signaling roles of O- and N-linked polysaccharide chains on conventionally glycosylated proteins. O-GlcNAcylated proteins are found in every cell type/tissue system …

Pharmacological Inhibition Of Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein To Protect Against Diabetes, Lance Thielen

All ETDs from UAB

The loss of functional beta cell mass represents a major factor in the pathogenesis of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Inadequate production of insulin, a glucose-lowering hormone, and elevated glucagon production, a gluconeogenic hormone, contribute to impaired glycemic control and hyperglycemia. This promotes a vicious cycle involving glucotoxicity and additional beta cell dysfunction. Currently there are no therapies that halt this process; however, thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic target. TXNIP was found to be the top glucose-induced gene in a human pancreatic islet microarray, is increased in mouse models of diabetes and diabetic human …

The Effects Of Body Size, Growth, And History Of Diabetes On Glioma Risk, Rebecca Barnhill Little

All ETDs from UAB

Many dietary exposures have weak or null associations with glioma risk. As nutrition can affect growth rate in adolescence, body size throughout the lifespan, and the propensity for Type 2 diabetes, the goal of this project was to examine the relationships between these surrogates of nutritional states and the risk of glioma. The aims of this project were to examine the associations between glioma risk and 1) self-reported body measures; 2) age when full height was attained; 3) and a history of diabetes. To investigate the first aim, 1,111 glioma cases and 1,096 community controls completed a structured interview to …

The Oxidative Tyrosine Modification, O,O’-Dityrosine, In Lung Disease, Morgan Locy

All ETDs from UAB

The oxidative tyrosine modification, o,o′-dityrosine, has been identified in various pathologic conditions associated with oxidative stress in mammalian systems, and demonstrated to be important in physiologic processes in invertebrate organisms. The formation of o,o’-dityrosine is catalyzed by a heme peroxidase (hPx) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The understanding of this stable, covalent tyrosine modifica-tion in lung biology is limited. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various lung diseases, including interstitial lung disease (ILD) and cystic fibrosis (CF). We observed that the oxidative protein modification, o,o’-dityrosine, was markedly ele-vated in the circulating plasma of ILD patients …

Religious Discrimination Scale: Development And Initial Psychometric Evalutation, Kawika Allen, Kenneth T. Fuller, P. Scott Richards, Mason Ming, Han Na Suh

Faculty Publications

This study presents the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Religious Discrimination Scale (RDS). This 11-item instrument identified three dimensions based on perceived discrimination experiences of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS): Perceived Prejudice, Closet Symptoms, and Negative Labels. The psychometric evaluations of the RDS indicated a strong and clear factor structure as well as good internal consistency reliability. The test of measurement and structural invariance across gender also suggested that the RDS scale is equally appropriate to be used with both men and women. Implications for practice and research as well as future …

Applying Polytomous Rasch Analysis To Validate Parenting Related Scales, Lei Huang

All ETDs from UAB

This study applies Rasch analysis to validate two scales in the Parenting for the First-time project: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Parenting Stress Index (PSI). The main purpose of this study is to evaluate quality of the two scales by using Rasch analysis to examine the unidimensionality, reliability, fit statistics, group and time invariance, and optimal response categories. Meanwhile, this study also compares the results of Rasch model and Classical Test Theory (CTT) to assess the advantages of Rasch analysis. Result: Both Rach analysis and CTT show the evidence of unidimensionality of BDI-II in the three administrative periods: Prenatal, 6 …

The Impact Of Story-Based Video Back Injury Prevention Training On Employee Motivation, Engagement, Knowledge, And Behavior, M. Courtney Hughes, Emaley Mcculloch, Elise Valdes

Faculty Articles, Papers, and Other Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Message From The Editor-In-Chief, Nohemi Sadule Rios

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Lived Experiences Of Role Transition Among Novice Clinical Nurse Educators: A Phenomenological Study, Edwina Brathwaite

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploring Student-Led Interprofessional Education Through A Community Service Project, Lindsay Ann Doerschuk

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to explore the effectiveness of a student-led interprofessional education (IPE) workshop in improving student attitudes and perceptions toward IPE. Students from four health science programs including Dental Hygiene, Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech and Hearing, Health Services Administration and Occupational Therapy participated in a community service event. Students provided screenings to veteran patients including a health history intake, hearing test, and sleep screening while other students observed.

Methods: Students were asked to attend an orientation, the Vets Day IPE workshop, and a debrief session. This mixed methods approach study utilized the Readiness for Interprofessional …

Efficacy Of Brushing With Probiotics For The Reduction Of Gingivitis, Cheri L. Barton

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of brushing with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. This study included 34 healthy adult subjects, ages 18-65, exhibiting gingivitis. Participants were asked to participate in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study testing whether brushing with L. reuteri probiotic drops added to toothpaste reduced the clinical parameters of gingivitis more than brushing with a placebo drop added to toothpaste.

Methods: Biological measurements of plaque accumulation were recorded using disclosing solution and an O’Leary Plaque Score (PS), and gingival inflammation was recorded using a modified …

Faculty Publications 2017, Lsu Health Sciences Center New Orleans

Historical Faculty Publications

This Faculty bibliography contains 947 publications.

Assessment And Analysis Of Receptive And Expressive English Language Development In Spanish Speaking Ells And Native English Speakers Using The Pre-Klba, Candace Laprairie

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the trends and differences in receptive and expressive English language development in native English speakers and Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELL). It also aims to analyze the relationship between auditory comprehension and narrative production skills and semantic skills and narrative production skills in native English-speakers and Spanish-speaking ELLs. Eighty-three preschool-aged children (17 Spanish-speaking ELLs and 66 Native English-speakers) were administered the Pre-Kindergarten Language Benchmark Assessment (Pre-KLBA) in Fall 2015, Winter 2016, and Spring 2016. This study utilized a three by two ANOVA to evaluate and determine: 1) If there are differences in …

Laser And 3-Dimensional Printers: Characterizing Emissions And Occupational Exposures, Alyson R. Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Toxicology and epidemiology studies have observed an association between ultrafine particles (UFPs) and respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological health effects. While there is a paucity of data in the literature on the potential toxicity and health effects from indoor UFP exposure, more exposure assessment studies and research evaluating the efficacy of controls is merited. An increased demand for efficiency, productivity, and manufacturing has led to conception of laser and 3- dimmensional (3-D) printers in various indoor workplaces. The indoor environment is one of the most important determinants of personal exposure. Introducing laser and 3-D printers to indoor workplaces, introduces a …

Nicu Nurses' Suggestions For Improving Obstacles In End-Of-Life Care, Rebecca Faye Isaacson

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Approximately 25,000 pediatric deaths occur in hospitals in the United States each year with over 50% of these deaths occurring in Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICU). NICU nurses are frequently involved in end-of-life (EOL) care and face unique obstacles. Objective: The objective of this study was to obtain NICU nurses suggestions for improving obstacles in EOL care in NICUs. Methods: Suggestions were obtained through mailed survey research in qualitative study design. Returned surveys yielded 121 nurse respondents who gave a total of 138 suggestions.Results: A total of 10 cohesive themes were identified: (1) environmental design issues, (2) improved communication …

Validation Of Activity Trackers In A Laboratory Setting With Young Adults, Brandon Leslie Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Objectively tracking sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) is becoming increasingly important as research continues to show the negative effects with increasing SB and decreasing PA. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate three commercial activity trackers with young adults regarding how they accurately measure SB and PA behaviors in a laboratory setting. Methods: 50 college-aged participants wore three wrist-based activity trackers (Fitbit Surge, Apple Watch, and Basis Peak) and two ActiGraph accelerometer devices during a series of SB and PA behaviors for five-minute intervals in a laboratory setting. The activity trackers were evaluated against direct …

Neuromuscular Junction Defects In A Mouse Model Of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2o, Thywill Sabblah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) represents the most common inheritable peripheral group of motor and sensory disorders; affecting 1 in 2500 people worldwide. Individuals with CMT experience slow progressing weakness of the muscle, atrophy, mild loss of motor coordination and in some cases loss of sensory function in the hands and feet which could ultimately affect mobility. Dynein is an essential molecular motor that functions to transport cargos in all cells. A point mutation in the dynein heavy chain was discovered to cause CMT disease in humans, specifically CMT type 2O. We generated a knock-in mouse model bearing the same …

Development Of A Functional In Vitro 3d Model Of The Peripheral Nerve, Wesley Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Peripheral neuropathies, affect approximately 20 million people in the United States and are often a complication of conditions such as diabetes that can result in amputation of affected areas such as the feet and toes. In vitro methodologies to facilitate the understanding and treatment of these disorders often lack the cellular and functional complexity required to accurately model peripheral neuropathies. In particular, they are often 2-D and functional readouts, such as electrical activity, are limited to cell bodies thereby limiting the understanding of axonopathy which often characterizes these disorders. We have developed a functional 3-D model of peripheral nerves using …

Role Of Mycobacterium Avium Paratuberculosis (Map) And Tnfsf15 Snps On Tl1a In Cd, Sayf Al-Deen Hassouneh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Like Ligand 1a (TL1A) is a cytokine encoded by Tumor Necrosis Factor Super Family 15 gene (TNFSF15) gene mostly in endothelial cells which binds to T-cells and foments the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1b, IFN- γ and IL-13. TL1A level is elevated in inflammatory diseases including Crohn's Disease (CD). Although Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in TNFSF15 have been reported in CD, no studies have investigated the effect of these SNPs on TL1A, inflammation, and susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection. MAP is a strong candidate in CD pathogenesis. This study is designed to …

Exacerbation Of Δefp Sickness In Escherichia Coli By An Uncharacterized Rna Helicase, Robert Wingo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In Escherichia coli, growth is rate-limited by translation capacity [1]. Stalled ribosomes have profound effects on a cell such as altered mRNA abundance, decreased ribosome availability, and an imbalanced proteome. The absence of elongation factor P (EF-P), a universally conserved transpeptidation enhancer, presents an extreme example of this scenario, wherein ribosomes accumulate disproportionately onto messages that are more slowly translated and cell growth becomes notably impaired. We discovered that faster-growing cells arise spontaneously in Δefp cultures, suggesting that translation defects could be circumvented by mutating other genes. This thesis presents a genetic and biochemical analysis of a mechanism Δefp cells …