Evaluating Evolving Leukocyte Populations In Peripheral Blood Circulation Post-Concussion In A Human Longitudinal Analysis Of Female Athletes, 2017 The University of Western Ontario
Evaluating Evolving Leukocyte Populations In Peripheral Blood Circulation Post-Concussion In A Human Longitudinal Analysis Of Female Athletes, Kevin A. Blackney
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Concussions are generating increasing concern due to potential long-term neurological consequences. Currently there is no universally recognized diagnostic approach for concussion. I hypothesize that a signature temporal response of biomarkers of inflammation in systemic circulation will provide an objective diagnosis of concussion and could also be used to track patient recovery. The Western University women’s rugby team underwent blood draws at pre-season and post-season as a baseline evaluation, and players determined to have sustained a concussion underwent repeat blood analysis post-concussion. Blood samples were analyzed by flow cytometry to profile immune cell populations alongside accepted concussion assessments, and complete blood …
Hepatocyte-Specific Deletion Of Tristetraprolin Family Of Rna Binding Proteins Result In The Development Of Hepatocellular Carcinomas, 2017 Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Hepatocyte-Specific Deletion Of Tristetraprolin Family Of Rna Binding Proteins Result In The Development Of Hepatocellular Carcinomas, Sonika Patial
Hepatobiliary Cancers: Pathobiology and Translational Advances
No abstract provided.
Novel Role Of Prostate Apoptosis Response-4 Tumor Suppressor In B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, 2017 University of Kentucky
Novel Role Of Prostate Apoptosis Response-4 Tumor Suppressor In B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Mary Kathryn Mckenna
Theses and Dissertations--Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is defined by the accumulation of clonally expanded CD5+ and CD19+ B lymphocytes in blood and secondary lymphoid organs with impaired apoptotic mechanisms. CLL represents one third of all leukemia cases with an average age of 72 years at diagnosis making it the most common adult leukemia. The Eµ-Tcl1 mouse serves as an excellent model to study the development of CLL as they progress to a CLL like disease by 9-14 months of age, due to overexpression of an oncogene, T cell Leukemia 1(Tcl1), specifically in B cells through the Ig VH promoter and Eµ enhancer …
Characterization Of A Putative Hemolysin Expressed By Sneathia Amnii, A Preterm Birth-Associated Pathogen, 2017 Virginia Commonwealth University
Characterization Of A Putative Hemolysin Expressed By Sneathia Amnii, A Preterm Birth-Associated Pathogen, Lizette Carrasco, Kimberly Jefferson
Undergraduate Research Posters
The gram-negative bacteria Sneathia amnii is a poorly-characterized commensal of the female urogenital tract frequently associated with adverse clinical outcomes such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), amnionitis, and preterm labor. To investigate its potential role in virulence, we sought to identify and characterize virulence determinants produced by S. amnii in an effort to better understand the pathogenesis of infectious preterm birth. Through sequencing of the Sn35 genome (type strain of S. amnii), we identified two genes with amino acid sequence similarity and structural similarity to the filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) protein of Bordetella pertussis and its Type Vb transporter. Because S. amnii …
Development Of Cellular Assays To Monitor Enzymatic And Biological Activity Of Cd73: A Key Modulator Of Anti-Tumor Immune Response, 2017 Rowan University
Development Of Cellular Assays To Monitor Enzymatic And Biological Activity Of Cd73: A Key Modulator Of Anti-Tumor Immune Response, Alexandra Fanuka
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Theses and Dissertations
Ecto-5’-nucleotidase, known as CD73, is an extracellular enzyme that converts adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to adenosine and has recently been identified as a potential drug target for cancer immunotherapy. Its immunosuppressive effects, mediated by the activity of adenosine, are associated with higher rates of tumor invasion and metastasis, as well as poorer prognoses overall in many cancer types. CD73 is often co-expressed with ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (CD39), which catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and ADP to AMP on the surface of tumor cells. Dual expression further propagates immunosuppressive effects of adenosine in the tumor microenvironment. …
Type 2 Immune Responses In The Context Of Helminth Infection, Asthma, Dendritic Cells, And Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cell Function, 2017 Virginia Commonwealth University
Type 2 Immune Responses In The Context Of Helminth Infection, Asthma, Dendritic Cells, And Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cell Function, Sheela Ruby Damle
Theses and Dissertations
Type 2 (TH2) immune responses evolved to respond to helminth parasite infections by the production of TH2 cytokines, which stimulate anti-helminth immunity. Macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which is produced by many cell types. We demonstrate that mice deficient in MIF have enhanced clearance of a helminth parasite. MIF deficiency in CD4+ T cells was found to be the most important for mediating parasite clearance. We mimicked MIF deficiency by administering an inhibitor of the MIF tautomerase activity, sulforaphane, and this also increased parasite clearance (Section I).
TH2 immune …
Biomarkers Of Sepsis: A Retrospective Approach, 2017 The University of Akron
Biomarkers Of Sepsis: A Retrospective Approach, Jose M. Roberts
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Background: Biomarkers are taking the spotlight in becoming the norm for early diagnoses. Sepsis is an inflammatory disease that increases metabolic rate in children. The first biomarker is hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is a frequent electrolyte imbalance in clinical practice, often observed in children with inflammatory disease and infection. Presence of hyponatremia is associated with electrical signaling imbalances, inflammation and renal dysfunction. The clinical value of hyponatremia in pediatric patients is unknown. The C-reactive protein is a second biomarker. Its presence signifies that necrotic cells and inflammation are present.
Objectives: To evaluate the use of biomarkers in children seen in the Emergency …
Inflammatory Gene Expression In Women Diagnosed With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, 2016 Pittsburg State University
Inflammatory Gene Expression In Women Diagnosed With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Myles K. Taylor
Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The pathophysiology of PCOS has conventionally thought to originate from androgen excess. However, recent evidence suggests that androgen excess is a downstream consequence to inflammatory dysregulation and subsequent metabolic abnormalities. Inflammatory mRNA gene expression of TNFa and IL-1ß in mononuclear cells isolated from women diagnosed with PCOS was explored using qPCR. Additionally, the correlations between body mass index (BMI) and fasting glucose on mRNA expression of TNFa and IL-1ß were explored. mRNA expression of both TNFa and IL-1ß were found to be significantly higher in PCOS …
Phenotypic Analysis And Localization Of Leukocytes At The Site Of Intradermal Injection Of Phytohemagglutinin In Chickens, 2016 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Phenotypic Analysis And Localization Of Leukocytes At The Site Of Intradermal Injection Of Phytohemagglutinin In Chickens, Kallie Alyce Sullivan
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) is commonly used to gain insight into an individual’s cellular immuno-competence. PHA is typically injected intradermally (i.d.) into the skin (e.g. wing web) and the tissue swelling response is then monitored, whereby the extent of the swelling positively relates to the individual’s cellular immune system capabilities. Although i.d. injected PHA was shown to stimulate mononuclear cell- and basophil-infiltration to the site of injection, reports on temporal, qualitative and quantitative aspects of the local PHA response are limited. The objective of this study was to use the growing feather (GF) as a cutaneous test-site to assess and monitor the …
The Rodent Parvovirus H-1 And Its Potential In Combination With Tien Hsien Liquid As A Treatment For Breast Cancer, 2016 Southeastern University - Lakeland
The Rodent Parvovirus H-1 And Its Potential In Combination With Tien Hsien Liquid As A Treatment For Breast Cancer, Hayley I. Spires
Selected Honors Theses
Breast cancer is responsible for 12% of cancer diagnoses each year, and it is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Current treatments have provided some success in combatting the disease but are not considered a final solution. The framework for how researchers approach cancer has continued to change, and this includes the introduction of oncolytic viruses as novel therapeutics for cancer. The rodent parvovirus H-1 has shown strong potential in clinical and subclinical trials, but its S phase dependency limits its usefulness against cancer stem cell populations. Tien Hsien Liquid is commerically available, nontoxic, and has shown …
A Fluorescent Reporter Mouse For Inflammasome Assembly Demonstrates An Important Role For Cell-Bound And Free Asc Specks During In Vivo Infection, 2016 University of Massachusetts Medical School
A Fluorescent Reporter Mouse For Inflammasome Assembly Demonstrates An Important Role For Cell-Bound And Free Asc Specks During In Vivo Infection, Te-Chen Tzeng, Stefan A. Schattgen, Brian G. Monks, Donghai Wang, Anna M. Cerny, Eicke Latz, Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Douglas T. Golenbock
Katherine A. Fitzgerald
Inflammasome activation is associated with numerous diseases. However, in vivo detection of the activated inflammasome complex has been limited by a dearth of tools. We have developed transgenic mice that ectopically express the fluorescent adaptor protein, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and characterized the formation of assembled inflammasome complexes ("specks") in primary cells and tissues. In addition to hematopoietic cells, we have found that a stromal population in the lung tissues formed specks during the early phase of influenza infection, whereas myeloid cells showed speck formation after 2 days. In a peritonitis and group B streptococcus …
Genomic Insights Into The Ixodes Scapularis Tick Vector Of Lyme Disease, 2016 Purdue University
Genomic Insights Into The Ixodes Scapularis Tick Vector Of Lyme Disease, Monika Gulia-Nuss,, Daniel R. Caffrey, Neal S. Silverman, Adam R. Wespiser, Catherine A. Hill
Neal Silverman
Ticks transmit more pathogens to humans and animals than any other arthropod. We describe the 2.1 Gbp nuclear genome of the tick, Ixodes scapularis (Say), which vectors pathogens that cause Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, babesiosis and other diseases. The large genome reflects accumulation of repetitive DNA, new lineages of retro-transposons, and gene architecture patterns resembling ancient metazoans rather than pancrustaceans. Annotation of scaffolds representing approximately 57% of the genome, reveals 20,486 protein-coding genes and expansions of gene families associated with tick-host interactions. We report insights from genome analyses into parasitic processes unique to ticks, including host 'questing', prolonged feeding, …
Channa Striatus Tnfr-1: Molecular Cloning, Characterization And Gene Expression, 2016 SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Channa Striatus Tnfr-1: Molecular Cloning, Characterization And Gene Expression, Rajesh Palanisamy
2nd International Conference of Fish & Shellfish Immunology
No abstract provided.
Gene Expression Of Interleukin 8 In Liver Of Japanese Flounder Paralichthys Olivaceus Infected With Edwardsiella Tarda, 2016 Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University
Gene Expression Of Interleukin 8 In Liver Of Japanese Flounder Paralichthys Olivaceus Infected With Edwardsiella Tarda, Osamu Kurata, Shinpei Wada
2nd International Conference of Fish & Shellfish Immunology
No abstract provided.
Hiv Vaccines: Progress, Limitations And A Crispr/Cas9 Vaccine, 2016 Augustana College, Rock Island Illinois
Hiv Vaccines: Progress, Limitations And A Crispr/Cas9 Vaccine, Omar A. Garcia Martinez
Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works
ABSTRACT: The HIV-1 pandemic continues to thrive due to ineffective HIV-1 vaccines. Historically, the world’s most infectious diseases, such as polio and smallpox, have been eradicated or have come close to eradication due to the advent of effective vaccines. Highly active antiretroviral therapy is able to delay the onset of AIDS but can neither rid the body of HIV-1 proviral DNA nor prevent further transmission. A prophylactic vaccine that prevents the various mechanisms HIV-1 has to evade and attack our immune system is needed to end the HIV-1 pandemic. Recent advances in engineered nuclease systems, like the CRISPR/Cas9 system, have …
Defining The Role Of Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia., 2016 University of Nebraska Medical Center
Defining The Role Of Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia., Vipul Shukla
Theses & Dissertations
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) represents the most common adult leukemia in the Western hemisphere. Despite considerable progress in our current understanding of CLL, this disease remains incurable and the molecular events underlying the complex pathogenesis of CLL are not fully elucidated. Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (IRF4) belongs to the IRF superfamily of transcription factors that has been shown to play critical roles at multiple stages of B cell development. Interestingly, a Genome Wide Association Study identified Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) mediated IRF4 down regulation, as a major predisposing genetic event during the development of CLL. However, whether low levels of …
Hla Class I Supertype Associations With Clinical Outcome Of Secondary Dengue Virus Infections In Ethnic Thais, 2016 Mahidol University
Hla Class I Supertype Associations With Clinical Outcome Of Secondary Dengue Virus Infections In Ethnic Thais, Sasijit Vejbaesya, Rungrot Thongpradit, Siripen Kalayanarooj, Komon Luangtrakool, Panpimon Luangtrakool, Robert V. Gibbons, Duangporn Srinak, Somporn Ngammthaworn, Kusuma Apisawes, In-Kyu Yoon, Stephen J. Thomas, Richard G. Jarman, Anon Srikiatkhachorn, Sharone Green, Dasnayanee Chandanayingyong, Sangshin Park, Jennifer Friedman, Alan L. Rothman, Henry A.F. Stephens
Sharone Green
BACKGROUND: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) supertypes are groups of functionally related alleles that present structurally similar antigens to the immune system.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze HLA class I supertype associations with clinical outcome in hospitalized Thai children with acute dengue illness.
METHODS: Seven hundred sixty-two patients and population-matched controls recruited predominantly in Bangkok were HLA-A and -B typed. HLA supertype frequencies were compared and tested for significant dengue disease associations using logistic regression analyses. Multivariable models were built by conducting forward stepwise selection procedures.
RESULTS: In the final logistic regression model, the HLA-B44 supertype was protective against dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) …
Comparison Of Anti-Pneumococcal Functions Of Native And Modified Forms Of C-Reactive Protein, 2016 East Tennessee State Universtiy
Comparison Of Anti-Pneumococcal Functions Of Native And Modified Forms Of C-Reactive Protein, Donald Neba Ngwa
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The anti-pneumococcal function of native C-reactive protein (CRP) involves its binding to phosphocholine molecules present on Streptococcus pneumoniae and subsequent activation of the complement system. However, when pneumococci recruit complement inhibitory protein factor H on their surface, they escape complement attack. Non-native forms of CRP have been shown to bind immobilized factor H. Accordingly, we hypothesized that modified CRP would bind to factor H on pneumococci, masking its complement inhibitory activity, allowing native CRP to exert its anti-pneumococcal function. As reported previously, native CRP protected mice from lethal pneumococcal infection when injected 30 minutes before infection but not when injected …
Optimization Of Expression And Purification Of The Rig-I-Like-Receptor, Lgp2, 2016 University of Connecticut
Optimization Of Expression And Purification Of The Rig-I-Like-Receptor, Lgp2, Srinath-Reddi Pingle
University Scholar Projects
The innate immune system is one of the first lines of defense against pathogens. RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) are a class of cytosolic receptors that recognize molecular patterns of invading pathogens and signal for downstream interferon induction. The RLR family consists of three proteins, RIG-I, MDA5, and LGP2. MDA5 and LGP2 work together to recognize and bind long viral dsRNA. LGP2 is thought to regulate MDA5 activation, but little is understood about this process. Characterization of the mechanism of action of these receptors requires careful biophysical and biochemical analyses. I have developed expression and purification of methods LGP2 and MDA5 …
Characterizing Monoclonal Antibodies Against The Cholecystokinin 2 Receptor (Cck2r) And A Splice Variant For Use In Pancreatic Cancer Studies, 2016 Messiah University
Characterizing Monoclonal Antibodies Against The Cholecystokinin 2 Receptor (Cck2r) And A Splice Variant For Use In Pancreatic Cancer Studies, Laura Ritenour
Honors Projects and Presentations: Undergraduate
Pancreatic cancer is an extremely aggressive cancer with a five-year survival rate of less than 6%, largely due to the lack of early detection and effective treatment options. A better understanding of the mechanisms leading to malignant transformation is necessary to improve patient outcomes. One known contributor to tumor aggression is the cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK2R), a G-protein coupled receptor that binds the gastrointestinal hormones CCK and gastrin. A constitutively-active form of the receptor, the intron 4 splice variant (CCK2i4svR), has also been observed in cancer cells. To facilitate studies of CCK2i4svR, a monoclonal antibody specific to an insertion in …