Browsing by Subject "Hemic and Immune Systems"
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Item A Clinical Research Study Involving the Use of Erythropoietin in Perioperative Patients Undergoing Surgery for Gynecologic Cancer(2002-07-01) Larson, Sharon Beth; Richardson, Barbara; Martin, MichaelThe purpose of this internship practicum report is to analyze the pathophysiology and impact of anemia in low-income gynecologic cancer patients. The report also assesses the impact of erythropoietin on hemoglobin levels prior to gynecologic cancer surgery. This report is based on a clinical research study to determine whether or not erythropoietin will mitigate the suppression of bone marrow inherent to the gynecologic cancer population and alleviate some of the symptoms and side effects of the anemia.Item A Look at Diabetes Mellitus and the Effects of a Study Drug on Diabetic Nephropathy(2002-08-01) Schlueter, Cynthia K.; Debbie Lewis; Clifton Cage; Rustin ReevesDuring my internship, I assisted with a twenty-four week, phase 2, double blinded, placebo controlled trial for a drug being developed to slow, if not prevent, the development of ESRD from overt neuropathy in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This drug is a naturally occurring component of vitamin B6 and is an AGE-inhibitor. The AGE-inhibitory effect of the study drug was discovered by isolating Amadori products in the pathway to AGE formation. Once the intermediates were isolated, the sponsor’s scientists searched for compounds that could specifically block the conversion of these Amadori products into AGEs. The study drug was found to be a strong inhibitor of this pathway. In comparison, the common AGE inhibitor, aminoguanidine was found to be ineffective in blocking the post-Amadori foundation AGEs. Therefore, it must block AGE formation at one of the less clinically relevant pathways, and should be less effective in treating nephropathy according to the sponsor’s scientists. This study included type 1 and type 2 patients with clinically diagnosed diabetic retinopathy and a urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE) of greater than 300 mg/24h. Other inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied for the safety of the subjects and greater viability of the data.Item A Review of the Literature on Faith-Based Organization's HIV/AIDs Care and Prevention Efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa(2005-05-01) Rojas, Zeida G.; Lurie, Sue; Urrutia-Rojas, XimenaRojas, Zeida G., A Review of the Literature on Faith-Based Organization’s HIV/AIDS Care and Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa. Master of Public Health (Community Health), May 2005, 83 pp., 20 diagrams, bibliography, 10 titles. The thesis assesses the role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) involved in HIV/AIDS related care and prevention activities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Do FBOs have the ability to address the multi-faceted syndrome that HIV/AIDS brings to an individual, their family and community? Can FBOs be effective partners to carry out prevention and care initiatives? Faith-based organizations are generally overlooked as potential partners and leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS. FBOs are often the only genuine nongovernmental organizations in many rural parts of poor countries, or at a minimum, they are the strongest and most influential. Due to their organizational networks, FBOs are able to mobilize people and resources, and to reach rural or isolated areas. Evidence of current FBO efforts demonstrates that FBOs have the ability to address the multifaceted effects of HIV/AIDS and can become indispensable partners for government health agencies and NGOs.Item Access to Care and Hospitalizations for Diabetes Complications Among Elderly Hispanics and African Americans in Texas(2005-08-01) Chaudhary, Prateek; Kristine Lykens; Julian Borejdo; Antonio A. ReneChaudhary, Prateek. Access to Care and Hospitalizations for Diabetes Complications Among Elderly Hispanics and African Americans in Texas. Master of Public Health, August 2005, 52 pp, 6 tables, bibliography. The mismanagement of diabetes care, due to disparities in access, deficiencies in health insurance, or poor quality of primary care, can lead to preventable microvascular complications which force diabetics to utilize hospital emergency departments (ED). This study uses 2002 hospital discharge data from the Texas Health Care Information Collection to determine whether diabetic and elderly (65+) African Americans and Hispanics from Texas counties with a low ratio of physicians per, 1,000 population (PPR) are more likely to be admitted through the ED with complications from diabetes. Findings indicate that while Hispanic ethnicity is significantly associated with ED use as a source of admission, diabetics from counties with higher PPR are more likely to be admitted through the ED for diabetes complications than diabetics from counties with a lower PPR.Item Anti-Tumor Immune Responses Against MTLn3 Mammary Adenocarcinoma(2014-05-01) Carter, KiahRae J.; Hodge, Lisa M.Lymphatic pump treatment (LPT) is used as a lymph enhancing therapy to treat edema. In animals, LPT enhanced lymphatic flow, released leukocytes and inflammatory mediators into lymph, and inhibited pulmonary tumor formation. Therefore, we hypothesized the administration of LPT would enhance immunity and inhibit primary breast tumor growth. Rats were subcutaneously injected with MTLn3 and divided into MTLn3, MTLn3+Sham-LPT and MTLn3+LTP group. Sham group received light touch under anesthesia and LPT group received treatment under anesthesia. There were no changes in tumor growth between groups. Administration of Sham-LPT resulted in an increase in tumor-adjacent lymph node weight. Collectively, our data suggests LPT did not enhance primary tumor growth and may also protect against the pathogenesis exhibited by sham-LPT.Item Characterization of Recombinant Lecithin: Cholesterol Acyltransferase, Secreted by a Human Lung Cell Line (1069-111) and by Pichia Pastoris Yeast Cells(2004-05-01) Tchedre, Kissaou T.; Caffrey, James L.; Harris, Ben G.; Wu, Ming-ChiTchedre, Kissaou T., Characterization of Recombinant Lecithin: Cholesterol Acyltransferase, Secreted by a Human Lung Cell Line (1069-111) and by Pichia pastoris Yeast Cells (Biomedical Sciences), May, 2004, Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is a key enzyme in mammalian lipoprotein metabolism. Associated with the surface of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), LCAT contributes to the homeostasis of circulating free and esterified cholesterol via the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. The purpose of these studies was to characterize a recombinant form of LCAT, secreted by a human lung cell line (Beta gene 1069/111) and to evaluate a new expression system for LCAT using transformed Pichia pastoris cells. A human lung cell line (Beta gene 1069/111), transfected with pBIISK (Stratagene)+ vector was used as the source of recombinant (rLCAT) for the first stage of characterization studies. Human lung cells were expanded in Dulbecco’s minimal essential medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum for the expression of the recombinant LCAT. At 80 – 90% confluency, the medium was changed to a serum free preparation and the flasks were incubated for 48 hrs at 37°C to facilitate the secretion of the enzyme. Beta gene (1069/111) LCAT was purified from the conditioned medium using phenyl sepharose chromatography. The purified enzyme was characterized according to: carbohydrate composition, and enzyme kinetic parameters. The enzymatic characteristics, of the human lung cell line LCAT had similar Km and Vmax values to other LCAT preparations, isolated from other expression systems and human plasma. Deglycosylation reduced the molecular weight of the enzyme from about 67,000 to about 43,000 suggesting a carbohydrate component of 25-32% of the enzyme’s total mass. Detailed analysis of the carbohydrate structures revealed N-glycan structures in a complex pattern of sialylated and fucosylated tri and tetra-antennary glycosides (8). In addition to the Beta gene expression, a Pichia pastoris yeast expression system was also developed consisting of human LCAT cDNA cloned into pPICZαA vector along with a removable amino-terminal polyhistidine tag. The Pichia pastoris cells were transformed with a vector containing the LCAT gene cDNA and transformants were selected on agar plates containing zeocine (100μg/ml). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to confirm the correct integration of the LCAT gene cDNA into the pPICZαA vector. The recombinant LCAT produced by the yeast cultures was purified by Talon affinity chromatography, taking advantage of the removable histidine tag. The enzymatic activity was determined using proteoliposome vesicles. The Yeast expression system yielded ~18 mg of enzyme protein/500 ml and thus may provide an appropriate enzyme source for characterization studies via NMR analysis and x-ray crystallography.Item Conformational Properties of Circulating and Recombinant Forms of Human Plasma Lecithin Cholesterol ACYL Transferase(1995-06-01) Sundarrajan, Geetha; Walter McConathySundarrajan, Geetha, Conformational properties of circulating and recombinant forms of human plasma LCAT Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences), June, 1995, 69pp., 3 tables, 18 figures, 47 references. The relationship between enzymatic activity and conformational properties of the circulating and recombinant forms of human plasma LCAT were examined in the native and denatured states. The two denaturing agents used in this study were guanidine hydrochloride and heat. These studies led to the following conclusions: (1) Although the alpha helical content of desialylated recombinant LCAT (d-LCAT) is comparable to that of the other two forms of the enzyme (p-LCAT and r-LCAT), the desialylation of LCAT is associated with an increase in the beta sheet and a decrease in beta turn content. (2) The presence of sialic acids, in addition, seems to influence the local environments of aromatic amino acid residues. (3) From the denaturation and renaturation studies with guanidine hydrochloride and heat, it appears that the N-glycan structures of p-PCAT and r-LCAT may contribute differentially to the conformational stability of the enzyme. (4) The alpha helical structure of LCAT may not be involved in maintaining the active conformation of the enzyme.Item Horse Serum High Density Lipoproteins as Drug Transporters(2004-05-01) Johnson, Shemedia; Walter McConathyJohnson, Shemedia J., Horse Serum High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) as Drug Transporters. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are complex particles composed of specific proteins and lipids that facilitate blood and tissue cholesterol homeostasis by transporting excess peripheral cholesterol to the liver. In association with cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) and the enzyme, lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), HDL contributes to the transport of hydrophobic lipids, including cholesterol ester and triglycerides through the blood. The studies presented here involve the evaluation of horse serum HDL as a carrier of water insoluble drugs and an improved process to isolate and purify horse serum HDL utilizing hydrophobic affinity chromatography. Dilauryl fluorescein (DLF) has been chosen as a model compound for the study of horse HDL as a drug carrier. The prepared HDL/DLF particles have similar flotation densities and size properties to native horse serum HDL. The amount of DLF incorporated into HDL is 30μg/mg protein. Various cancer cell lines internalized DLF from horse HDL/DLF particles successfully. While human plasma contains cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), horse plasma does not. Horse plasma/serum can be supplemented by human plasma to study the role of CETP in drug transport and the stability of the horse HDL/drug complex.Item Immediate Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments on Immune Function in a Healthy Population: A Pilot Study(2006-05-01) John, Janice Thomas; Scott Stoll; Jerry Simecka; Barbara AtkinsonJanice Thomas, D.O., M.S. Immediate Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments on Immune Function in a Healthy Population: A Pilot Study. Master of Science (Clinical Research and Education – OMM), May 2006, 75 pp, 3 tables, 5 figures, 66 references, 24 titles. Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the immediate effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) on immune function in a healthy population. Methods: This was a randomized, blinded and controlled clinical trial. 50 healthy individuals, ages 18 to 40, were recruited. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: OMT or Rest (control). Blood and saliva samples were collected pre and post-intervention (thirty minutes of OMT or Rest). Samples were analyzed for a CBC, salivary IgA, and various lymphocyte populations. Results: This study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of this protocol. No statistically significant differences in outcome measures were identified between the two groups, nor were any apparent trends identified. Conclusion: This study established a framework for future research investigating the effects OMT on acute and chronic infection, chronic pain, and immunocompromised populations in human and/or animal populations.Item Investigation of Proteasome Chymotryptic Activities and Effects on their Inhibition in Rat and Human Natural Killer Cells(2003-04-01) Lu, Min; Goldfarb, Ronald H.; Borejdo, Julian; Easom, RichardLu, Min, Investigation of Proteasome Chymotryptic Activites and Effects of Their Inhibition in Rat and Human Natural Killer Cells. Doctor of Philosophy (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology), April, 2003, 185 pp., 3 tables, 32 illustrations, bibliography, 158 titles. The proteasome is a multicatalytic proteinase complex that is involved in the major extralysosomal pathway responsible for intracellular protein degradation in mammalian cells. This dissertation focuses on investigating proteasome chymotryptic activities and the effects of selective inhibitors of these activities on the function of natural killer (NK) cells. In this dissertation, 20S proteasomes derived from rat RNK16 cells were purified and some of their biochemical and biophysical properties were investigated extensively. The results indicated that RNK16 cell-derived proteasome differ from the proteasome of other origins in many aspects including substrate selectivity, inhibitor specificity, and kinetic regulation, although they may share some common biochemical properties with others. To investigate the effects of proteasomal inhibition on the function of NK cells, several proteasome inhibitors were used including MG115, MG132, clasto-lactacystin-β-lactone, EGCG and LLnL. MG115 and MG 132 were shown to induce apoptosis of RNK16 cells, as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation and the appearance of sub-G1 cell populations. Activation of multiple caspases and increased expression of cell surface Fas (CD95) protein were also observed following the treatment of RNK16 cells by these two inhibitors. This dissertation also tested the hypothesis that different cell types could respond differentially to proteasome inhibitors. The effects of several proteasome inhibitors were determined on the purified 20S proteasomal and 26S proteasomal chymotrypsin-like activity in whole cell extracts and intact YT and Jurkat cells, human NK and T cell lines respectively. Following such treatment, caspase-3 activation occurred much earlier in Jurkat cells than YT cells; cell cycle analysis indicated a sub-G1 apoptotic cell population in Jurkat cells and G2/M arrest in YT cells. In addition, accumulation of p27 and IκB-α was detected only in Jurkat cells, but not YT cells. Therefore, proteasome inhibitors appear to act differentially in cell cycle progression and apoptosis signaling pathways between human NK and T cells. These studies indicate that the generation of ideal proteasome inhibitors for the treatment of malignancies could be screened or designed to specifically induce cancer cells to undergo programmed cell death, while having little or no apoptosis-inducing abilities for natural killer cells and other cells of the immune response, thus enhancing the selectivity and specificity of the anti-cancer, apoptosis-inducing capabilities of proteasome inhibitors.Item Lymphatic Pump Treatment Enhances the Lymphatic and Immune System and Ameliorates Disease Severity in a Rat Model of Respiratory Infection(2014-05-01) Schander, Artur; Hodge, Lisa M.The purpose of these studies was to explore the benefits, effects, and mechanisms of LPT in both a healthy and a diseased animal model, and hence provide scientific rationale for the clinical application of LPT. Novel findings in this dissertation demonstrate that in anesthetized canines: 1) LPT mobilizes leukocytes from the GALT into lymphatic circulation; 2) LPT mobilizes inflammatory mediators into lymphatic circulation; and 3) repeated application of LPT increases lymph flow, concentration of leukocytes, and flux of inflammatory mediators into lymphatic circulation. In addition, this dissertation for the first time demonstrates: 1) the development of a novel lymph enhancing rodent model, in which LPT increases leukocyte flux in the cisterna chili, predominantly from the GALT; and 2) that LPT facilitates the clearance of pneumococcal respiratory infection and suggests a mechanism by which LPT might facilitate the clearance of pneumococcal pneumonia. Our studies demonstrated that LPT transiently mobilized leukocytes from the mesenteric lymph nodes. We found a significant increase in the concentrations of MCP-1 and flux of IL-6 flux in TDL and MDL in anesthetized dogs. Interestingly, both IL-6 and MCP-1 were present in BALF of rats infected with pneumococcus, and LPT significantly increased IL-6 and moderately increased MCP-1 concentrations compared to Sham and Control animals, which supports our notion that LPT may increase cytokine/chemokine redistribution from the mesentery to the lung. We demonstrated that LPT enhanced the clearance of S. pneumoniae after 3 consecutive daily treatments and found that LPT increased the concentrations of SP-D, IL-6, IL-12p70, and IL-17 in BALF and enhanced the release of NO2- and IL-6 by AM 4 days post-infection. Collectively these studies suggest, that LPT re-distributes inflammatory mediators to the lung, enhances the recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils to the lung and skews alveolar macrophages towards a M1 phenotype, all of which may be responsible for and promote the clearance of S. pneumoniae.Item Lymphatic Pump Treatment Mobilizes Leukocytes from the Gastrointestinal Associated Lymphoid Tissue(2008-12-01) Bearden, Melissa K.; Simecka, Jerry; Downey, H. Fred; Machu, TinaBearden, Melissa K., Lymphatic Pump Treatment Mobilizes Leukocytes from the Gastrointestinal Associated Lymphoid Tissue. Master of Science (Microbiology and Immunology), December, 2008, 39 pp., 4 tables, 5 illustrations, references, 40 titles. Lymphatic flow and the migration ofleukocytes are important to maintaining health. One treatment used to improve lymph flow is abdominal lymphatic pump treatment (LPT), which is thought to increase lymph return from the abdominal area. Previous research has shown the LPT increases lymph flow and leukocyte numbers in thoracic duct lymph, but further investigation into the specific cell types and their sources are needed. Through sampling the thoracic and intestinal lymph ducts, as well as the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), it was seen that there is an increase in cell output in the thoracic and intestinal ducts and the MLN during LPT as compared to baseline. This increase in cell output may help to augment the immune response during infection.Item Molecular Basis for 2B4-CD48 Interactions(2001-08-01) Huynh, Van T.; Mathew, Porunelloor A.; Goldfarb, Ronald; Das, HridayHuynh, Van T., Molecular Basis for 2B4-CD48 Interactions. Master of Science, Molecular Biology and Immunology, August 2001, 93 pp., 3 tables, 19 illustrations, bibliography, 51 titles. Natural killer cells are lymphocytes that play a role against cancer and viral infections. 2B4 is a membrane glycoprotein expressed on natural killer cells. In the present study we characterized 2B4 from mice strains BALB/c, 129/svj and A.CA. Nucleotide and peptide analysis revealed that polymorphyic residues in 2B4 are located in the variable domain. My second project was to determine the amino acids involved in the binding between 2B4 and CD48. Twelve mutations were made in human 2B4 to disrupt their interaction. In the last part of the study, an attempt has been made to elucidate the role of tyrosine and threonine amino acids found in the novel tyrosine motifs (TxYxxI/V) that reside in the cytoplasmic domain.Item Overweightness and Obesity as Risk Factors for Acanthosis Nigricans(2001-12-01) Wadley, Wendy Whittaker; Urrutia-Rojas, Ximena; Bae, Sejong; Bayona, ManuelWadley, Wendy Whittaker, Overweightness and Obesity as Risk Factors for Acanthosis Nigricans. Master of Public Health (Community Health), December, 2001, 42 pp., 6 tables, references, 54 titles. This study was a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study of 1,066 fifth grade students, who were screened for risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) at Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas. Participants (ages 8 to 13) were 55.8% Hispanic, 23.6% African American, 16.1% Caucasian, and 4.5% other minorities. The study’s hypotheses were a) overweight or obese children (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥85th percentile) were more likely to have acanthosis nigricans (AN) than non-overweight of non-obese children, b) obese children (BMI≥85th-94.9th percentile). Findings supported both hypotheses, overweight or obese children are 17 times (OR=17.24) more likely to have AN that non-overweight or non-obese children, and obese children were about four times (OR=3.88) more likely than overweight children to have AN.Item Prevalence of Obesity and Associated Factors for Diabetes in United States - 2005(2007-04-01) Tomer, Vikas; Sejong Bae; Karan Singh; Raghbir SandhuTomer, Vikas, Prevalence of obesity and associated factors for diabetes in United States –2005, Master of Public Health (Biostatistics), May 2007, 27 pp, 9 tables. Diabetes is one of the major public health problems in the United States. The purpose of this research is to explore whether there is a relationship between obesity and diabetes and to understand the effects of some other associated factors on diabetes in the United States in the year 2005. The data studied is from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2005. A univariate analysis for frequency distribution was used to evaluate and edit the data. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of diabetes and the variables through crude and adjusted odd ratio. The result of the study showed significant association between diabetes and obesity and the associated factors among US adults. The prevalence of diabetes has been found to be highest among African Americans followed by Hispanics and Others. Our results indicate that being an obese non-Hispanic black with low income level over the age of 65 years is indicative of being at the highest risk for diabetes. Therefore, for preventive measures to decrease the risk of being overweight and obesity healthy eating habits and regular exercise are recommended. As, income level increases, there is a significant decrease in the diabetes population. The strongest predictor of all appears to be obesity followed by age. Age, gender, income level, race and BMI all had significant effect on diabetes.Item Regional Adipose Tissue Deposition, Its Rate of Lipolysis, and Subsequent Effect of Insulin Resistance-in Type II Diabetes Mellitus(1999-06-01) Schalscha, Alan G.; Raven, Peter B.; Downey, H. Fred; Caffrey, James L.Diabetes mellitus is a disease that plagues populations world wide. More than 5 percent of U.S. citizens are afflicted with one or another form of this disease (22). This paper begins by discussing the incidence of this illness as it affects Americans. An explanation of the four forms in which diabetes mellitus itself will be offered, and these will be classified according to etiology. Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), also called type II diabetes mellitus, will be the last of these forms mentioned. Due to its prevalence, NIDDM will be the focus of this paper. The proposed pathophysiology of NIDDM will be discussed, though to researchers it still remains somewhat of a mystery. This paper will then briefly the genetic and environmental interaction responsible for the onset of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. A brief discussion of the interrelationship between decreasing physical activity and a subsequent increase in obesity will follow (38). The location of adipose tissue seems to have adverse effects on certain aspects of NIDDM, including its sensitivity to insulin. This paper proposes that either subcutaneous or visceral adipose deposits specifically reduce insulin sensitivity more than other fat stores. The connection between adipose tissue and insulin sensitivity appears to be mediated by fatty acids released from specific depots and their destination immediately following release.Item Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Xanthine Oxidase/Xanthine Dehydrogenase Inhibitor in the Treatment of Gout(2003-12-01) Brooks, Molly; Rudick, Victoria; Forman, Mitchell; Jimenez-Williams, CynthiaSummary: The internship report is based on the activities completed during the Internship Practicum at the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth and at the Rheumatology Clinic at John Peter Smith Hospital. This internship serves as partial training in the area of Clinical Research Management and focuses on studies involving rheumatic diseases, with specific emphasis on Gout. Specific Aims/Hypothesis: Ongoing clinical trials in the Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology clinic are the bases for the project which focuses on the treatment of gout and a proprietary study on the uses of a novel xanthine oxidase/ xanthine dehydrogenase inhibitor (XOD/XDH inhibitor) to relieve the symptoms of gout. The particular research is a phase three study to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel xanthine oxidase/ xanthine dehydrogenase inhibitor compared to a placebo and an established xanthine oxidase/ xanthine dehydrogenase inhibitor, allopurinol. The hypothesis of the study is that the new XOD/XDH inhibitor will be more effective at lowering uric acid levels and thus will reduce the frequency of gout more effectively and with fewer side effects than traditional treatment or a placebo. Under the direction of the Department of Internal Medicine, subjects who met inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study were randomly assigned to be treated with colchicine in addition to either allopurinol, or the novel compound, which hereafter will be referred to as the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor, or to a placebo. The safety and efficacy of the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor will be compared to the traditional drug of choice allopurinol, a uric acid lowering agent, and to a placebo. The placebo is an inactive pill that is designed to look and taste like either allopurinol or the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor. While the period of the internship is not long enough to complete the study and thereby assess the reliability of the hypothesis, the internship and this report have two specific aims: (1) to perform a literature search of gout and related topics and (2) to understand and perform activities of a clinical research coordinator as they relate to the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor study and to other clinical trials in rheumatology. The literature search focuses on specific areas concerned with details about gout: history, epidemiology, forms, causes, signs and symptoms, clinical diagnosis, differential diagnosis, complications, therapeutics (past, present, and future), prevention, associations, cellular mechanisms involved in hyperuricemia, as well as inflammation. The project also provides a description of the activities involved in clinical research, and discusses specifically the roles of the various personnel: Clinical Trials Coordinator, Principle Investigator, Sub-investigator, Institutional Review Board, and Clinical Trials Monitor as they have been involved in the novel XOD/XDH inhibitor study and other studies in rheumatology. Significance: Finding a new treatment for gout is of significant importance for several reasons. In countries with a high standard of living, such as the United States, prevalence of gout has increased and is probably the second most common form of inflammatory arthritis. Gout can result in significant short-term disability, occupational limitations, and increased utilization of medical services therefore making the disease a significant public health problem. New treatment options could greatly improve the prognosis for patients and in addition reduce the cost of the disease by preventing loss of wages due to patient absence from work, for example. Furthermore, new treatments for gout could provide patients with safer therapeutics alternatives than the traditional treatments.Item The Effect of Chronic Psychological Stress on the Cutaneous Immune Response in the Development of a Contact Hypersensitivity Reaction(2013-08-01) Hall, Jessica M.F.; Mummert, Mark E.Increasing evidence demonstrates that psychological stress can have an impact on the cutaneous immune response. While there have been many studies examining the impact of acute stress on an allergic contact dermatitis model, there are few studies concerning the impact of chronic psychological stress. Furthermore, the mechanism of the impact of chronic stress on contact hypersensitivity remains to be fully explored. Here we show that chronic restraint stress induces activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and delays weight gain in female BALB/c mice. In addition, we observed that chronic psychological stress reduces the cutaneous immune response in a contact hypersensitivity reaction. This suppression was not observed 30 days after stress cessation, suggesting the impact of chronic stress is a transient occurrence. Additionally, chronic stress does not influence T cell proliferation, activation, or sensitivity to glucocorticoids. In response to contact hypersensitivity, chronic stress induces a decrease in overall circulating white blood cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes. This correlated to decreased dermal infiltrate and increased percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in auricular lymph nodes. In addition, decreased amounts of local IFN-γ were observed in inflamed ear tissue of chronically stressed mice. Overall, the results suggest that chronic psychological stress reduces contact hypersensitivity reactions in a relatively transient manner and disrupts local immune cell trafficking resulting in reduced IFN-γ production.Item The Immedicate Effect of OMT on a COPD Population: A Pilot Study(2006-05-01) Som, Mousumi; Kimberly Fulda; John LicciardoneSom, Mousumi, M.S. The Immediate Effect of OMT on a COPD Population: A Pilot Study. Master of Science (Clinical Research and Education OMM), May 2006, 81 pages, 3 figures, references 45 titles. Objective: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States costing approximately 32 billion dollars yearly. COPD cannot be cured, and existing modalities are limited. This study explored the use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) on pulmonary function and alveolar ventilation. Methods: this prospective, randomized single blinded pilot study included 21 subjects with two interventions: OMT and no intervention. Subjects were 40 to 80 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of COPD. Primary outcome measures included pulmonary function values: FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, RV, TLC. Secondary outcome measures included alveolar ventilation measured by pulse oximetry. Results: No statistically significant results were observed. Clinically relevant trends indicated a potential impact of OMT on COPD subjects. This study was funded by the Osteopathic Research Center (ORC) and approved by the UNTHSC Institutional Review Board. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting research on COPD subjects by the ORC. Because of the small sample size, no conclusive statements can be made determining the efficacy of OMT on pulmonary function and alveolar ventilation.Item The Influence of Acculturation and Psychosocial Factors on Glycemic Control in Mexicans and Mexican Americans with Type II Diabetes(2007-04-01) Ross, Sarah; Luz Chiapa, Ana; Cardarelli, Roberto; Sanders, MarkRoss, Sarah., The Influence of Acculturation and Psychosocial Factors on Glycemic Control in Mexicans and Mexican Americans with Type II Diabetes. Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences), April, 2007, 51 pp., 5 tables, 1 figure, bibliography. Type 2 diabetes is prevalent among Mexican Americans. Tight glycemic control helps delay diabetic complications. This project aims to identify characteristics that contribute to poor glycemic control in this population. Mexican/Mexican American type 2 diabetics completed questionnaires measuring acculturation and psychosocial factors. This data was analyzed to assess the relationship of the factors and glycemic control as measured by HemoglobinA1C. Results demonstrated that subjects who felt that diabetes interfered with daily life and were dissatisfied with their physician’s answers to diabetes questions had poor glycemic control. Significant differences between acculturation groups’ responses to psychosocial measures were also found. Further studies may more accurately define the influence of acculturation on glycemic control in this population.