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Persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) are highly susceptible to lung infections caused by the opportunistic pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA). By age 20, ~16% of CF patients have co-infections with these two bacteria, and this number grows as the patients age1. PA-SA co-infections are associated with worsened

Persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) are highly susceptible to lung infections caused by the opportunistic pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA). By age 20, ~16% of CF patients have co-infections with these two bacteria, and this number grows as the patients age1. PA-SA co-infections are associated with worsened clinical outcomes in CF patients, but the reasons are not well understood. One hypothesis is that SA influences the production of PA virulence factors and other chronic infection phenotypes. Previous work in our lab investigated the effects of SA on PA quorum-regulated phenotypes when they are grown as planktonic co-cultures. We are expanding on this result by testing whether SA can influence PA phenotypes without being in direct contact, and without being able to exchange soluble secreted factors. In this study, we hypothesized that SA produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause changes in PA phenotypes leading to a down-regulation of motility and protease production, and increased antibiotic resistance. To test this hypothesis, we exposed two laboratory strains of PA to the VOCs produced by pre-grown lawns of two strains of SA, and measured PA motility by conducting swarming, swimming, and twitching assays, measuring protease production, as well as antibiotic sensitivity. After exposing PA to a pre-grown lawn of SA, there was a significant difference in some phenotypes compared to controls. There were significant decreases in swarming motility, twitching motility, and protease production, and an increase in a bright green pigment (possibly siderophores) when PA was exposed to SA. The degree of phenotypic alterations was dependent on both the PA strain and the SA strain being tested. Exposure to SA VOCs also altered PA sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, though one strain caused an increase in susceptibility while the other SA strain caused an increase in resistance. These data demonstrate that SA VOCs can influence PA phenotypes in vitro, which may have relevance for CF patients who are co-infected with these two bacteria.
ContributorsLopez, Brianna Marie (Author) / Bean, Heather (Thesis director) / Misra, Rajeev (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
This thesis explored the psychometric properties of an ASU midterm. These analyses were done to explore the efficacy of the questions on the exam using the methods of item analysis difficulty and discrimination. The discrimination and difficulty scores as well as the correlations of questions led to suggests of questions

This thesis explored the psychometric properties of an ASU midterm. These analyses were done to explore the efficacy of the questions on the exam using the methods of item analysis difficulty and discrimination. The discrimination and difficulty scores as well as the correlations of questions led to suggests of questions that may need revision.
ContributorsLowell, Emily M (Author) / Levy, Roy (Thesis director) / O'Rourke, Holly (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
The brain is considered the crux of identity, yet human behavior may be influenced by bacteria in gut microbiomes. Honeybees can exchange bacteria through their many social behaviors, making their microbiomes, and the effect they have on honeybee behavior, of interest. There is recent evidence suggesting the presence of bacteria

The brain is considered the crux of identity, yet human behavior may be influenced by bacteria in gut microbiomes. Honeybees can exchange bacteria through their many social behaviors, making their microbiomes, and the effect they have on honeybee behavior, of interest. There is recent evidence suggesting the presence of bacteria existing in human brains, which can be investigated in honeybee brains due to their well-documented structure. The purpose of this study is to establish if lipopolysaccharide—a molecule on bacteria membranes—is present in the honeybee brain and if it colocalizes with vitellogenin—an immune mediator. Additionally, this study also seeks to establish the efficacy of embedding tissue samples in resin and performing immunohistochemistry for vitellogenin and lipopolysaccharide on sections.
ContributorsStrange, Amalie Sofie (Co-author) / Strange, Amalie (Co-author) / Amdam, Gro (Thesis director) / Baluch, Page (Committee member) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Bone is an active tissue that is vital for many important bodily functions including providing support and structure, facilitating movement, producing blood cells, and storing and releasing minerals and fat. Bone is actively remodeling by resorbing old bone and forming new bone. These processes are carried about by osteoblasts and

Bone is an active tissue that is vital for many important bodily functions including providing support and structure, facilitating movement, producing blood cells, and storing and releasing minerals and fat. Bone is actively remodeling by resorbing old bone and forming new bone. These processes are carried about by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. When there is a balance between the processes of bone remodeling, resorption and formation, in adults, bone density is maintained and healthy. However, when bone resorption occurs at a greater rate than bone formation, bone density is reduced. This can be caused as a side effect of disease, such as the case in diabetes, or as a result of disease, such as osteoporosis. Bone health can be assessed several different ways including through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans to determine and monitor bone mineral density (BMD) or through protein assays of bone turnover marker (BTMs) to look directly at the different biochemical markers of bone remodeling. Measurement of BMD and BTM both have their benefits and downsides and a combination of both is most ideal for obtaining a holistic view of an individual’s bone health and remodeling.
ContributorsFuentes, Braegen (Author) / Swan, Dr. Pamela (Thesis director) / Johnston, Dr. Carol (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / School of Art (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Humans have evolved in many ways. Just look at how life for mankind has changed over the past few decades. It is amazing how different life can be in just a short amount of time. While it is evident that we have impacts of the environment, it should be just

Humans have evolved in many ways. Just look at how life for mankind has changed over the past few decades. It is amazing how different life can be in just a short amount of time. While it is evident that we have impacts of the environment, it should be just as evident that we impact the animals around us. However, there are a few subtle ways in which we impact the evolution of life.
Through man-made structures, human interference, artificial lights at night, and electromagnetic fields we have caused animals and insects to evolve and fit these new environments. While we tail the world around us to convince ourselves, the animals also living in these environments need to adapt to survive. In this essay, I will discuss how the affects mentioned above have cause crows, moths, snails, bobcats, blackbirds, mosquitoes, elephants, diurnal animals, fireflies, dung beetles, birds and bats to evolve. The adaptations these organisms made were caused by the subtle ways in which we have impact the landscapes around us.
ContributorsFikse, Sydney D (Author) / Sterner, Beckett (Thesis director) / Pfeifer, Susanne (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA-formyltransferase (MTFMT) is essential for mitochondrial protein translation. The MTFMT gene encodes for an enzyme of the same name, which acts to formylate the methionine of mitochondrial Met-tRNA(Met). In Homo sapiens, MTFMT-formylated-tRNA is an initiator and elongator for the synthesis of 13 mitochondrially-encoded proteins in complexes I,

Mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA-formyltransferase (MTFMT) is essential for mitochondrial protein translation. The MTFMT gene encodes for an enzyme of the same name, which acts to formylate the methionine of mitochondrial Met-tRNA(Met). In Homo sapiens, MTFMT-formylated-tRNA is an initiator and elongator for the synthesis of 13 mitochondrially-encoded proteins in complexes I, III and IV of the ETC. To understand this mechanism, it is necessary to perform a comprehensive analysis of energy metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) among impacted patients. Alterations to this gene vary, with the most documented as a single-splice-site mutation (c.626C>T). Here, we discuss MTFMT involvement in mitochondrial protein translation and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Leigh Syndrome and combined OXPHOS deficiency, in two families. We aim to delineate the impact of OXPHOS dysfunction in patients presenting with MTFMT mutation.
ContributorsChain, Kelsey (Author) / Chen, Qiang (Thesis director) / Rangasamy, Sampathkumar (Committee member) / Narayanan, Vinodh (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Aims: The aim of this research is to identify factors that would lead to increased utilization of the HPV vaccine among college students.

Methods: We conducted 11 focus groups with a total of 28 students, averaging 3 per group. Using an inductive approach, we hand-coded focus group transcripts, developed a coding

Aims: The aim of this research is to identify factors that would lead to increased utilization of the HPV vaccine among college students.

Methods: We conducted 11 focus groups with a total of 28 students, averaging 3 per group. Using an inductive approach, we hand-coded focus group transcripts, developed a coding structure, and discussed themes as they emerged from the data.

Results: Although more than half of the students had never heard of the HPV vaccine, students generally held positive views about vaccines. Barriers to receiving the HPV vaccine included lack of awareness and knowledge about the HPV vaccine, as well as lack of perceived need for the vaccine. When asked about the most important information that they needed in order to make an informed decision about whether or not to get the vaccine, participants mentioned the following: 1) prevalence of HPV, 2) HPV-related diseases, 3) what the HPV vaccine protects against, 4) HPV vaccine safety, 5) HPV vaccine efficacy, and 6) how they can access the vaccine. Participants differed in their preferences for types of health education, from an in-person informative lecture, to YouTube videos, to posters placed in dorms or in bathrooms. They preferred the conveyor of this information to be a trustworthy source; they identified healthcare providers, professors/researchers, and other students who have received the vaccine as credible sources. In terms of message appeal, many students described wanting the facts, statistics about HPV prevalence and the vaccine as well as narratives from students who have been diagnosed with HPV and those who have experience receiving the vaccine.

Conclusions: Although this cancer prevention resource has been commercially available since 2006, college students still a lack of awareness and perceived need for the HPV vaccine. Future health education efforts should utilize participants’ recommendations to increase students’ understanding of HPV and the HPV vaccine and, therefore, impact their perceived susceptibility to HPV, the benefits of the vaccine to their health, and therefore increase utilization of this resource. Strategies to increase vaccination should include health education and vaccine implementation strategies, as well as strategies to reduce the cost of the vaccine for college students, thereby increasing the accessibility of the vaccine for this population.
ContributorsLi, Rina (Co-author) / Silvestro, Kenny (Co-author) / Koskan, Alexis (Thesis director) / Helitzer, Deborah (Committee member) / Department of Psychology (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Aims: The aim of this research is to identify factors that would lead to increased utilization of the HPV vaccine among college students.
Methods: We conducted 11 focus groups with a total of 28 students, averaging 3 per group. Using an inductive approach, we hand-coded focus group transcripts, developed a coding

Aims: The aim of this research is to identify factors that would lead to increased utilization of the HPV vaccine among college students.
Methods: We conducted 11 focus groups with a total of 28 students, averaging 3 per group. Using an inductive approach, we hand-coded focus group transcripts, developed a coding structure, and discussed themes as they emerged from the data.
Results: Although more than half of the students had never heard of the HPV vaccine, students generally held positive views about vaccines. Barriers to receiving the HPV vaccine included lack of awareness and knowledge about the HPV vaccine, as well as lack of perceived need for the vaccine. When asked about the most important information that they needed in order to make an informed decision about whether or not to get the vaccine, participants mentioned the following: 1) prevalence of HPV, 2) HPV-related diseases, 3) what the HPV vaccine protects against, 4) HPV vaccine safety, 5) HPV vaccine efficacy, and 6) how they can access the vaccine. Participants differed in their preferences for types of health education, from an in-person informative lecture, to YouTube videos, to posters placed in dorms or in bathrooms. They preferred the conveyor of this information to be a trustworthy source; they identified healthcare providers, professors/researchers, and other students who have received the vaccine as credible sources. In terms of message appeal, many students described wanting the facts, statistics about HPV prevalence and the vaccine as well as narratives from students who have been diagnosed with HPV and those who have experience receiving the vaccine.
Conclusions: Although this cancer prevention resource has been commercially available since 2006, college students still a lack of awareness and perceived need for the HPV vaccine. Future health education efforts should utilize participants’ recommendations to increase students’ understanding of HPV and the HPV vaccine and, therefore, impact their perceived susceptibility to HPV, the benefits of the vaccine to their health, and therefore increase utilization of this resource. Strategies to increase vaccination should include health education and vaccine implementation strategies, as well as strategies to reduce the cost of the vaccine for college students, thereby increasing the accessibility of the vaccine for this population.
ContributorsSilvestro, Kenneth (Co-author) / Li, Rina (Co-author) / Koskan, Alexis (Thesis director) / Helitzer, Deborah (Committee member) / Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the second most common form of gynecologic cancer and is the most fatal among all forms of gynecologic malignancies. Despite the pivotal role of metabolic processes in the molecular pathogenesis of OC, robust metabolic markers to enable effective screening, rapid diagnosis, accurate surveillance, and therapeutic monitoring

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the second most common form of gynecologic cancer and is the most fatal among all forms of gynecologic malignancies. Despite the pivotal role of metabolic processes in the molecular pathogenesis of OC, robust metabolic markers to enable effective screening, rapid diagnosis, accurate surveillance, and therapeutic monitoring of OC are still lacking. In this study, we present a targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based metabolic profiling approach for the identification of metabolite biomarker candidates that could enable expedited, highly sensitive and specific OC detection. Using this targeted approach, 90 plasma metabolites from many metabolic pathways of potential biological significance were reliably detected and monitored in 218 plasma samples taken from three groups of subjects (78 OC patients, 50 benign samples, and 90 healthy controls). Univariate significance testing and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed 7 metabolites with high predictive accuracy [area under curve (AUC) > 0.90] for distinguishing healthy controls from OC patients. The results of our multivariate model development informed the construction of a 5-metabolite panel of potential plasma biomarkers for enhanced discrimination of OC samples from benign specimens, exhibiting roughly 75% predictive accuracy using a 50% random-split training set. ROC analysis that was generated based on a logistic regression classifier showed enhanced classification performance relative to individual metabolites, with more than 75% accuracy using a testing data set for external validation. Pathway analysis revealed significant disturbances in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; glyoxylate and dioxylate metabolism; the pentose phosphate pathway; and histidine metabolism. The results expand basic knowledge of the metabolome related to OC pathogenesis relative to healthy controls and benign samples, revealing potential pathways or markers that can be targeted therapeutically. This study also provides a promising basis for the development of larger multi-site projects to validate our findings across population groups and further advance the development of improved clinical care for OC patients.
ContributorsTurner, Cassidy D (Author) / Gu, Haiwei (Thesis director) / Shi, Xiaojian (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
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Description
How would you feel if you went to a pharmacy and the pharmacist gave you a medication with a prescription label that was written in a different language? How would you know how to properly take the medication, or what the dosage information was? Limited-English proficient patients often experience this

How would you feel if you went to a pharmacy and the pharmacist gave you a medication with a prescription label that was written in a different language? How would you know how to properly take the medication, or what the dosage information was? Limited-English proficient patients often experience this confusion when they have to take medication with a prescription label written in English. As the United States becomes increasingly more culturally and linguistically diverse, certain populations face a higher risk of adverse medical incidents occurring because of communication barriers associated with their language ability (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2012). In order to minimize these medical incidents and ensure a high quality of care for limited-English proficient patients, healthcare providers must educate the public on useful approaches.
ContributorsRayyan, Danielle Sam (Co-author) / Rayyan, Danielle (Co-author) / Collins, Michael (Thesis director) / Esquibel, Ivy (Committee member) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor, Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05