Current Search: Honors Student Theses (x) » O’Brien, William (x) » Prevention (x)
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- Title
- FSTL-1 secreted by mesenchymal stem cells increases cell viability of human aortic endothelial cells under hypoxic stress.
- Creator
- Eid, Nibal., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being evaluated for the treatment of a broad array of diseases due to their ability to secrete a variety of therapeutically beneficial paracrine-acting factors. For example, MSC conditioned media (MSC-CM) has been shown to inhibit hypoxia-induced apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) via activation of the P13-AKT pathway. However, the factors secreted by MSCs responsible for this effect have yet to be identified. Recent studies have shown...
Show moreHuman mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being evaluated for the treatment of a broad array of diseases due to their ability to secrete a variety of therapeutically beneficial paracrine-acting factors. For example, MSC conditioned media (MSC-CM) has been shown to inhibit hypoxia-induced apoptosis in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) via activation of the P13-AKT pathway. However, the factors secreted by MSCs responsible for this effect have yet to be identified. Recent studies have shown that the glycoprotein Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) activates the P13-AKT pathway by binding to the receptor disco-interacting protein (DIP2A) expressed on the surface of cells. Based on our data indicating that MSCs constitutively secrete high quantities of FSTL1, we hypothesize that this protein principally mediates the anti-apoptopic effect of MSC-CM on HAECs. Loss-of-function studies employing siRNA-mediated knockdown of the protein and neutralizing antibodies will be used to assess the role of FSTL1 in growth and survival of HAECs following exposure to hypoxic stress.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359296
- Subject Headings
- Stem cells, Transplantation, Molecular biology, Gene therapy, Coronary heart disease, Prevention, Stress (Physiology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Gun control in Florida: an analysis of the Right to Carry Law of 1987.
- Creator
- Mathews, Sunil., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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In 1987, Florida passed a Right to Carry Law, allowing citizens to purchase a concealed weapons license. Bill proponents believe that an armed citizenry will deter crime. This study examines the relationship between gun control legislation and violent crime in Florida. By using multiple regression analysis, I conclude that gun control legislation has a significant effect on homicide rates, and the presence of national economic conditions is associated with violent crime in Florida.
- Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3325083
- Subject Headings
- Firearms ownership, Law and legislation, Violence, Prevention, Firearms, Law and legislation, Gun control
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Investigating child sexual abuse: a feminist's perspective.
- Creator
- Herman-Davis, Lisa., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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The issue of sexual exploitation of children occurs in various forms and across socio-economic, racial, and cultural classes. Children experience abuse at the hands of authority figures who are family members, friends, and sometimes strangers. The discussions on this social issue tell the stories of children who have experienced abuse along with the processes and outcomes that arise in providing assistance to help them cope with these unwanted experiences. Discourses in the fields of...
Show moreThe issue of sexual exploitation of children occurs in various forms and across socio-economic, racial, and cultural classes. Children experience abuse at the hands of authority figures who are family members, friends, and sometimes strangers. The discussions on this social issue tell the stories of children who have experienced abuse along with the processes and outcomes that arise in providing assistance to help them cope with these unwanted experiences. Discourses in the fields of psychology, social work, medical sciences, and law have in their own unique style, taken different measures to highlight and address this social problem. However,there is remarkably little discussion held on the institutional changes that are required to stop this practice of child sexual abuse and public discourse and response is not reflective of the urgency required to address the issue. I argue that to address the issue of child sexual abuse requires addressing all the elements entrenched in the institutions of patriarchy and compulsory heterosexuality that fosters and promotes the subjugation of women and children, which is a topic best addressed through feminist theory.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359297
- Subject Headings
- Child sexual abuse, Prevention, Sexually abused children, Feminist theory, Internet and children
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Just grin and bear it?: proactive coping and PTSD in nursing students.
- Creator
- Borges-Garcia, Raquel., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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Past research has found that among traumatized undergraduate women, proactive coping style was independently negatively associated with posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity. It also shows that nurses experience many work-related traumas. The present study tests the PTSD symptom level in nursing students and measured whether proactive coping and other personality variables could successfully buffer the effects of trauma. This study found a surprisingly low PTSD symptom level among...
Show morePast research has found that among traumatized undergraduate women, proactive coping style was independently negatively associated with posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity. It also shows that nurses experience many work-related traumas. The present study tests the PTSD symptom level in nursing students and measured whether proactive coping and other personality variables could successfully buffer the effects of trauma. This study found a surprisingly low PTSD symptom level among the nursing students though they reported several distressing traumas. Also surprising, participants reported more distress from traumas relating to verbal abuse than to traumas relating to death and/or severe injury. Proactive coping, optimism, and self-esteem were negatively related to PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Further research will be needed to support these findings.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3334254
- Subject Headings
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, Nursing students, Mental health, Nurses, Job stress, Nurses, Conduct of life, Resilience (Personality trait), Stress management, Burn out (Psychology), Prevention
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Proteomic identification of N86-hnRNPU-interacting proteins involved in HIV-1 inhibition.
- Creator
- Hoxha, Sarah., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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HIV-1 is the human immunodeficiency virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Multiple cellular proteins have been identified as playing a critical role in all steps of HIV-1 replication. The heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein U, or hnRNPU is a RNA and DNA binding protein known to influence pre-mRNA processsing, transport to the cytoplasm, intracellular localization, translation and turnover of mRNAs. Recently, the expression of N86-hnRNPU, an N-terminal...
Show moreHIV-1 is the human immunodeficiency virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Multiple cellular proteins have been identified as playing a critical role in all steps of HIV-1 replication. The heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein U, or hnRNPU is a RNA and DNA binding protein known to influence pre-mRNA processsing, transport to the cytoplasm, intracellular localization, translation and turnover of mRNAs. Recently, the expression of N86-hnRNPU, an N-terminal fragment of hnRNPU, was found to inhibit HIV-1 mRNA export (6). This study primarily aims at identifying proteins that associate with the fragment (N86-hnRNPU) also called H1, and secondarily aims to exclude the possibility that N86-hnRNPU transcripts act as microRNAs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359314
- Subject Headings
- Enzyme inhibitors, Proteinase, Inhibitors, HIV infections, Prevention, HIV infections, Pathogenesis, Antiviral agents
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The security of America's Fourth Amendment rights: a study on National Security Letters.
- Creator
- Thompson, Maria., Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
- Abstract/Description
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National Security Letters allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain records on individuals from corporations without prior judicial intervention or approval. Statutory changes, most significantly those resulting from the passage of the United States Patriot Act in 2001, have substantially altered the four different federal statutes from which National Security Letters originate. In creating these National Security Letters the government intended to protect its citizens from national...
Show moreNational Security Letters allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to obtain records on individuals from corporations without prior judicial intervention or approval. Statutory changes, most significantly those resulting from the passage of the United States Patriot Act in 2001, have substantially altered the four different federal statutes from which National Security Letters originate. In creating these National Security Letters the government intended to protect its citizens from national security threats. This goal has been regarded historically as legitimate, but the legislation potentially limits rights, which raises the question of whether these letters are acceptable. Drawing on relevant case law and scholarly opinion, I argue that use of these letters is unacceptable and may render the Fourth Amendment's protection of person and property from unreasonable searches meaningless in certain federal investigations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/77696
- Subject Headings
- Privacy, Right of, National security, Law and legislation, Terrorism, Prevention, Civil rights
- Format
- Document (PDF)