7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), which is a member of the flavonoid family, is a selective tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) agonist that has neurotrophic effects in various neurological diseases such as ischemic stroke and Parkinson’s disease [3]. In this study, we assessed the angiogeneic effect of 7,8-DHF in endothelial cells derived from resistance vessel of the brain. Angiogenesis by 7,8-DHF is an important factor that helps prevent and treat various ischemic diseases. In this study, we found that rat RV cells used in the experiment possess the TrkB receptor. Our data also demonstrates that 7,8-DHF is able to stimulate cell proliferation in RV cells, suggesting that 7,8-DHF is capable of inducing angiogenesis. The 7,8-DHF activates the TrkB receptor which then leads to cell proliferation. In our study we also showed the effects of 7,8-DHF in the presence of the TrkB inhibitor cyclotraxin-B. Addition of cyclotraxin-B blocked the TrkB receptor and counteracted the effects of 7,8-DHF. Cell proliferation occurs in RV cells with the addition of 7,8-DHF, but this proliferation is inhibited by cyclotraxin-B.

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is an admission criterion for many different graduate programs including the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT). Upon completion of a DPT program, the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) must be passed with a minimum score of 600 in order to practice as a physical therapist. This study analyzes the relationship between GRE and graduate grade point average (GGPA) and NPTE scores to explore the ability of GRE and GGPA scores to predict NPTE success. Similar studies have been done in the past, but the results vary between studies. GRE, GGPA, and NPTE records were gathered for 67 DPT students that graduated from 2007 to 2009. Scatterplots were created using the GRE score and GGPA for the x values and the NPTE score for the y value. The correlation coefficient r was calculated to determine the strength of the linear association. The GRE and NPTE scores had an r value of 0.2143 which indicates a weak positive correlation. The GGPA and NPTE scores had an r value of 0.535 which indicates a moderate positive correlation.

Flavonoids are ubiquitous to all terrestrial plants and many are known to have anti-tumor activities. In this research project we studied the differential cytotoxic effects of two flavone isomers on human breast cancer cells (BT-474, SKBR-3, and MCF-7) and normal breast cells as a control (MCF-10A). The basis of the relationships between chemical structures, type and position of substituent groups and the effects these compounds exert specifically on cancer cells are not completely elucidated. These flavones are derived from plants native of Colombia, South America. These plants of the family Asteraceae, genera Gnaphalium and Achyrocline are reputed to have anti-cancer properties. The flavones are non-toxic to normal human cells. Our studies indicate that 3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxy-2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one (3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxy flavone, flavone B) is highly cytotoxic to poorly differentiated carcinomas of the breast such as SK-BR3, with minimal activity against more differentiated carcinomas of the same organs such BT-474. Immunoblot analysis suggests that the anti-tumor effects of flavone B in SKBR-3 may be mediated through the down regulation of the ERK pathway. ERK activation promotes cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. Additionally, flavone B down regulates PS6 in SKBR-3. PS6 controls protein translation by phosphorylating the S6 protein of the 40S ribosomal subunit. On the other hand, neither flavone A or B has a significant inhibitory effect on breast cancer cell line BT-474. The flavones were tested in the human fibrocystic mammary tissue MFC-10A, defined as a normal breast cell line, to demonstrate their lack of toxicity against normal cells.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a vaccine-preventable disease that is on the rise in the United States, a trend which has been attributed to vaccination exemption. Indeed, the pertussis outbreak that occurred in February, 2012 in Ocean County, New Jersey was associated with vaccine exemption. Considering that pertussis is deadly to young children, it is important to understand why this disease rate is on the rise. The research questions were focused on whether a relationship existed between pertussis status (no, yes) and exemption status (no, yes), sex (male, female), and county type (Middlesex, Ocean, or Other), using a theoretical foundation of eco-social theory. The methodology used in the study was a retrospective case-control design. Archival data were collected on residents of Ocean County New Jersey; Middlesex County, New Jersey; and New Jersey as a whole using nonprobability purposive sampling (n = 63,000). A power analysis was conducted for sample size and chi square test of association was performed for data analysis. The results supported the hypotheses that a significant difference existed in the prevalence of pertussis between Ocean County, Middlesex County, and all other counties in New Jersey. The data showed that the odds of being afflicted with pertussis for those residents of Ocean County was greater than it was for those residents living in other counties in New Jersey, though sex was not found to be a significant variable. This study can promote social change by providing public health officials important knowledge about the nature of the outbreak, supporting public health practices designed for the population at risk. Resource allocation can be more specifically targeted to enhance disease reduction by creating programs designed to populations presenting the greatest risk of disease spread.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a form of developmental disability that affects many children in the U.S. and abroad. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has indicated that 1 out of every 68 children is diagnosed with ASD in the United States. However, there was limited literature about the attitudinal dispositions of Nigerian mothers toward children with ASD and their lived experiences with a child with autism. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the attitudes of Nigerian mothers toward their children with autism. The theoretical foundation of this study was the variation of the social relational understanding of disability propounded by Carol Thomas. The research questions that guided this study focused on the attitudes of Nigerian mothers toward their children with ASD and the lived experience of a Nigerian mother living with a child with autism. This study utilized the hermeneutic phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of 8 Nigerian mothers with children with autism. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from the participants. Data was coded, categorized and themes were identified through qualitative data analysis. Significant findings of this study included that ASD is a developmental disability and there was positive relationship between children with autism and their families. As such, the knowledge about ASD as a developmental disability and the warm relationship among families with children with autism should be extended to members of the community to increase awareness about ASD. This study's implication for social change is that it can assist governmental agencies and important stakeholders develop better programs and services that will help to increase awareness and strengthen positive dispositions toward children with autism.

Previous research has indicated that vascular disease, trauma, and cancer lead to amputations and that 1.7 million Americans are living with an amputation. The social problem of this study is that amputees have limited places to obtain social support. Alderfer's Existence, Relatedness, and Growth Theory provided the foundation for this research. The current study examined the following questions. First, does type of social support impact amputee perceived social support satisfaction? Second, does type of social support impact life satisfaction? Survey methodology was used following attendance at either peer-to-peer or group support. A purposeful sample of 184 participants were assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. ANOVA first showed that peer participants reported significantly greater perceived social support satisfaction than group. Second, ANOVA showed that participants in peer support groups reported greater life satisfaction than group. These data assist anyone concerned with helping amputees make support decisions based on the amputees' specific needs. From these findings, future research utilizing other forms of social support for amputees can be generated and expanded.

The in vitro mammalian virus inductest is based on the measurement of induced viral gene expression from Simian virus 40 (SV40) transformed weanling Syrian hamster kidney cells (clone E). Upon challenge by many DNA-damaging chemical agents, infectious virions were produced which were quantitated by assay on a cell line permissive to SV40, such as the highly contact inhibited African green monkey kidney cells, CV-1P. Some known carcinogens and non-carcinogens were tested in this research including mitomycin C, aflatoxins Bl and Gl, sterigmatocystin and several polycyclic hydrocarbons. Lysolecithin (a membrane permeabilizing agent) and S9 mix (a pre -metabolizing mixture) were used in conjunction with the potential carcinogen treatments. Several screening assays for carcinogenic and mutagenic agents are currently in use and the results obtained with these systems were used to determine the reliability of the SV40 inductest system for mammalian cells.

The degrees of Ultraviolet Enhanced Reactivation (UVR) by mammalian cells of Heroes simplex virus inactivated by different wavelengths of far ultraviolet radiation were measure'. The wavelength dependence of UVR is presented for the wavelength region 238 nm to 297 nm. The shape of the UVR curve suggests that virus directed repair is less dependent on the wavelength of UV radiation than are cellular repair mechanisms. The wavelength dependence of Herpes simplex inactivation by far UV radiation is also presented. The shape of the virus inactivation curve suggests the involvement of both DNA and protein.

The purpose of this study was to assess the need for a four-phase cardiac rehabilitation program in Bowling Green, Kentucky, that would serve the South Central part of Kentucky, most specifically, the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD). This assessment was based on three questionnaires mailed to cardiac patients, area cardiologists and area hospital administrators. Each population (patients, cardiologists and administrators) received separate questionnaires. The patient questionnaires consisted of three separate mailings: initial mailing, first follow-up, second follow-up. An interval of ten days separated each mailing. Follow-up phone calls to the cardiologists and the hospital administrators were employed for assurance of the questionnaires being completed and returned. Each mailing increased the response rate resulting in a 63.3 percent response rate. The three concerns investigated were Were cardiac patients satisfied with the patient education rehabilitation services they received while both an inpatient and outpatient? Did area cardiologists believe that a four-phase cardiac rehabilitation program was warranted in Bowling Green? Did area hospital administrators believe that a four-phase cardiac rehabilitation program was warranted in Bowling Green, Kentucky? An additional concern was whether or not the cardiac patients would have been interested in participating in an inpatient and/or outpatient program, had one been available. The results of the assessment indicated that a four-phase cardiac rehabilitation program was needed and that it would be supported by cardiac patients, cardiologists and hospital administrators.

Severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) is a rare blood disorder characterized by abnormally low levels of circulating neutrophils. Mutations in multiple genes like neutrophil elastase gene (ELANE) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor receptor (CSF3R) may cause SCN. The treatment of choice for SCN is the administration of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) which elevates the neutrophil count and hence improves the survival and quality of life. Long term survivorship on G-CSF is however linked to development of MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome)/AML (acute myeloid leukemia). About 70% of MDS/AML patients acquire nonsense mutations affecting the cytoplasmic domain of CSF3R. In this project, we hypothesized that this coding region of CSF3R constitutes a hotspot, vulnerable to mutations resulting from excessive oxidative stress or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We used the murine Ba/F3 cell line to study the effect of induced oxidative or ER stress on the mutation rate in our hypothesized hotspot of the exogenous human CSF3R, the corresponding region in the endogenous Csf3r, and a leukemia-associated gene Runx1. Ba/F3 cells transduced with the cDNA for partial C-terminal of CSF3R fused in-frame with a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) tag was subjected to cellular stress inducing mutagen treatment for a prolonged period of time (30 days). The amplicon based targeted deep sequencing data for days 15 and 30 samples show that although there was increased mutagenesis observed in all genes, there were more mutations in the GFP region as compared to the GC-rich partial CSF3R region. Our findings also indicate that there is no correlation between the stress-inducing chemical treatments and mutagenesis in Ba/F3 cells. Thus, we conclude that there are other mechanisms to acquired mutations of CSF3R that help drive the evolution of SCN to MDS/AML. To test this hypothesis, further experiments using unique barcoding system are in progress to characterize the clonal competition between different mutant CSF3R and ELANE expressing cell lines. This study will shed further light on the selection advantage that is provided to cells because cooperativity between mutations in different genes.