Objective. To examine the feasibility of a home-based, video therapeutic exercise program on pain, fatigue, self-efficacy, and health status in fibromyalgia patients. Methods. Nine individuals who were previously diagnosed with fibromyalgia completed the study (out of an initial pool of 31). Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a group who received a home-based therapeutic exercise video and a control group who continued to undergo their current standard of care or "treatment-as-usual." The video group was instructed to conduct the exercises as prescribed in the 42-minute video at least 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The treatment-as-usual control group was instructed to continue to undergo their current standard-of-care and to not begin any new treatments during that time. Instruments measuring self-efficacy, pain, fatigue, self-rated health status and health distress were administered at baseline and 4 weeks. Results. None of the variables analyzed showed a significant change between the treatment and control groups over the course of the 4-week study. Conclusion. This study was not sufficiently powered to detect differences between the two groups. However, several of the treatment group participants subjectively indicated that they found the exercises to be helpful in the management of their fibromyalgia symptoms and the program did not exacerbate any of their symptoms. With this information, it appears that patients are able to tolerate the treatment and are able to complete the outcome measures. Between-group clinical outcomes will now need to be assessed in a larger clinical trial.

<p> Nuclear medicine requires the use of radio labelled pharmaceuticals in order to carry out imaging and therapeutic protocols.1 Unfortunately, traditional radiolabelling approaches used in radiopharmaceutical synthesis often generate multiple products, which require exhaustive HPLC purification prior to use.2 Chromatographic purification reduces radiochemical yields, increases exposure, and can, in certain cases, preclude the use of shorter-lived isotopes.</p> <p> In light of the limitations of current radio labelling methods, we endeavored to develop a versatile and efficient radiolabelling strategy that would avoid the need for HPLC purification. To this end, the compounds to be labelled were first bound to a highly fluorinated stannylated precursor, which, when reacted with a radiohalogen, generated the corresponding radiolabelled compound. Unlike other halodestannylation reactions, however, the radiolabelled compound could be isolated from the stannylated precursor by elution through a fluorous Sep-Pak.</p> <p> As a model system, tris(perfluorohexylethyl)tin-3-benzoic acid (1), was synthesised and labelled. Compound 1 was prepared through a novel reaction which involved treatment of bromotris[(2-perfluorohexyl)ethyl]tin with the organozinc reagent 3-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenylzinc. Reaction of compound 1 with [18F]F2, followed by fluorous Sep-Pak purification, generated the corresponding labelled 3-[18F]fluorobenzoic acid in 27 min, in 30% radiochemical yield, and having a specific activity of 1966 mCi/mol. Alternatively, reaction of compound 1 with Na125I provided the corresponding product, 3-[125I[iodobenzoic acid, in <1 hr, in 75% radiochemical yield, and greater than 99% radiochemical purity. Prior tests clearly showed that any excess or unreacted substrate was fully removed from the product using a fluorous Sep-Pak.</p> <p> In addition to the initial validation studies, new synthetic methods were developed as a means of preparing more complex "fluorous" substrates. A coupling methodology was developed which permitted synthesis of a fluorous "tagged" benzamide, through reaction of 1 in the presence of HBTU with N,N-dimethylethylenendiamine. Subsequent labelling using F2 and I2 has been shown to generate the corresponding labelled benzamides, which are important agents for imaging melanoma and dopamine receptors.3 Another relevant radiopharmaceutical precursor, tris[(2-perfluorohexyl)ethyl]tin-3-benzylamine (2), was synthesized though reaction of bromotris[(2-perfluorohexyl)ethyl]tin with 1-(3-bromobenzyl)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1,2,5-azadisilolidine. Compound 2 was successfully coupled to the chemotactic peptide, GFLM(f), and the product subsequently labelled with iodine. Compound 2 was also used to prepare the corresponding benzylguanidine (3), an important precursor to m-iodobenzylguanidine, which is used for imaging and therapy of neural crest tumors.4 Initial labelling results show that reaction of 3 with NaI and an oxidant generates the corresponding labelled m-iodobenzylguanidine.</p><p> Results suggest that the fluorous synthesis method will offer several advantages over traditional radiolabelling strategies. The radiolabelled products are generated in high yield, through rapid and facile reactions that avoid the need for HPLC purification.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

A successful landscape is one that allows people to feel comfortable within that landscape. Many people who live in an urban environment use gardens and parks as a way to balance their lives from the hard edge of what the world requires of them. That balance adds to the level of comfort and a decrease in stress. My thesis is to create a parking garage with that balance. A balance of hardscape with softscape, of practical uses with amenities, and of current methodology with progressive ideology. It will integrate parking and gardens, the static with the transitional. The proposal will create a balance between parking spaces where time is measured in hours with garden areas where time is measured in seasons. Thomas Jefferson said, "It takes time to persuade man to do even what is for his own good." This thesis is an example of that. Something that will take time for people, companies, municipalities and governing bodies to aspire to but that will, ultimately, be to the benefit of everyone. / Master of Landscape Architecture

Outreach programs in horticultural therapy at botanical gardens and arboreta are valuable resources to the community and to ongoing HT programs in nursing homes, special education classes, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and other institutions and agencies. These outreach programs furnish written materials, plants, and staff expertise for existing programs and help establish new programs. Seminars and conferences are held providing information on and training in HT. There are several outreach HT programs at gardens and arboreta throughout the United States and abroad. However, currently there is very little information available for developing this type of program. This thesis provides a resource guide describing HT and how it can be incorporated into a botanical garden or arboretum. Resources from The Holden Arboretum in Ohio, Chicago Botanic Garden in Illinois, and North Carolina Botanical Garden, survey information, and literature from existing programs have been compiled suggesting possible procedures to follow in implementing a program. A slide presentation has been developed which illustrates the benefits of HT and describes the outreach HT program at Holden. / M.S.

This dissertation examines brain lateralization and interhemispheric asymmetry patterns found in youths with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prior research groups have found mixed findings with respect to left and right hemisphere alterations from ADHD subjects using structural magnetic resonance imaging. In these investigations, we propose the use of Asymmetry Index (AI), a subject-specific metric that quantifies the extent of brain asymmetry and allows each subject to serve as their own control, thus reducing variability when pooling across different sites. We compare AI metric with laterality across volumetric, surface area, thickness, morphology, and white matter measures in order to characterize the ADHD brain over the course of neurodevelopment, psychotropic therapy, and behavioral presentations. Linear mixed effects models were characterized to account for individual differences and maturation. We reproduce the findings across several regional and international data consortiums that contain both cross-sectional and longitudinal ADHD neuroimaging data. Structural asymmetry group differences were more significant than lateralized comparisons across a number of volumetric and white matter measures, confirming asymmetry is robust at detecting differences between healthy controls and ADHD brains. However, the effects of medication and behavioral phenotypes failed to reproduce significant alterations across symmetry measures. We discuss these implications in light of recent evidence of possible neuroprotective features of ADHD. Future work may investigate the extent to which these brain asymmetry differences are causal or compensatory. Although structural AI is unlikely to provide a useful biomarker for ADHD, a deeper understanding of these asymmetry patterns could lead to better profiling of the clinical diagnostics and to personalized treatments.

Thesis (MTech (Consumer Sciences: Food and Nutrition))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006 / Fruit and vegetables are the major antioxidant contributors to the diet Antioxidants assist in the prevention of oxidative damage in the body and may as a result prevent the causation of degenerative diseases. Thermal household processing plays an integral part in South African consumers' lives, as most fruit and vegetables consumed are processed at home. Consumers' perceptions that food processing causes nutrient losses, especially of vitamin C, have been corroborated by studies that investigated thermal household processing of single foods or that of industrial processing. No studies have determined the effect of thermal household processing on mixed dishes. A popular consumed South African mixed dish, namely, stewed tomato and onion flavoured with parsley, was investigated by using three recipes, each using a different preparation method. The traditional recipe for the preparation of stewed tomato and onion was modified (control recipe) to contain parsley. Two other recipes (Recipe 1 and 2) were compiled based on the recipe formulation of the control recipe but differed in the preparation methods used. In Recipe 1, raw onion was added to cooked tomato and in Recipe 2, sauteed onions were added to cooked tomato.

Ampelopsis grossedentata is a wildly used herb in South China as sleep aid beverage for many years. Yet the active ingredients and mechanisms of this herb were unknown. In the present study, extract from Ampelopsis grossedentata which we named ECBRC-AG, and one of its active ingredient myricetin were proved having significant hypnotic/sedative effects in multiple animal models. ECBRC-AG shortened sleep latency, increase NREM sleep and decrease locomotor activity when treated before the onset of light period in rats. ECBRC-AG could decrease active awake and increase REM sleep in the late part of light period. ECBRC-AG also decreased the caffeine induced hyperactivity in rats. Among the three suspected active ingredients from ECBRC-AG, myricetin showed similar active profile with ECBRC-AG. Myricetin increased NREM and REM sleep, decreased sleep latency, decreased locomotor activity and also active awake. All the above evidences have implicated that myricetin is the most important active ingredient of ECBRC-AG ECBRC-AG and myricetin did not show any obvious side effects on rats. / Based on these findings, we propose that myricetin facilitates GABA function on PVN neurons through a T-type calcium channel and CaM-KII mechanism. The hypnotic/sedative effects of ECBRC-AG and myricetin are mediated by PVN. ECBRC-AG treatment decreased corticosterone levels in rats, which also indicated that PVN/HPA axis was the target of these herbal derivates. PVN has broad interactions with GABAergic, hypocretinergic, cytokine and NPY system and all these systems are proved to be deeply involved in sleep regulation. / In conclusion, the present study has identified that myricetin is the most important active ingredient of the herbal extract ECBRC-AG. We confirmed the hypnotic/sedative effects of ECBRC-AG and myricetin on rats, and also revealed the different action profiles of these herbal derivates compared with zolpidem. T-type calcium channels and the HPA axis were shown to be involved in the mechanisms of ECBRC-AG and myricetin, indicating that they may be the new targets for insomnia treatment with these herbal derivates. / Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and affects about one third of the general population. Insomnia is always combined with physical and mental illness, as either a consequence or a contributing factor. Insomnia produces sleepiness, impairment in psychomotor performance, absenteeism, frequent accidents, memory impairment and a high risk of depression. Pharmacologic therapies are the most important interventions for insomnia. However, the currently available hypnotics are associated with residual effects and risks of abuse and dependence. More efficient and safe hypnotics are needed. / The DNA array and RT-PCR studies revealed that GABA, hypocretin, cytokine and NPY systems were involved in the mechanisms of ECBRC-AG and myricetin. In calcium imaging study, we found that myricetin induced a transient Ca 2+ influx in the primary culture of rat hypothalamus neurons. This Ca2+ influx could be blocked by T-type channel blocker mibefradil. RT-PCR study also showed that ECBRC-AG and myricetin treatment changed the mRNA expression level of T-type calcium channel al G subunit in rat hypothalamus. The present results are consistent with our previous study showing that myricetin enhanced GABA function in the neurons of rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and that blocking CaM-KII pathway eliminated this effect. / Zhang, Xiaohu. / "March 2008." / Adviser: Chan Hsiao Chang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-03, Section: B, page: 1516. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 156-174). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Yeung Chung Man. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-97). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / Table of contents --- p.ix / List of figures --- p.xii / List of tables --- p.xiv / List of abbreviations --- p.xv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Cancer and melanoma --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Anticancer drugs from natural products --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Challenges in treatment of melanoma --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- TCM - New source of natural products for cancer therapy --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- The genus Schefflera --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.7 --- Anticancer activities of triterpenoids --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.8 --- Cancer and apoptosis --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.8.1 --- The Apoptosis Pathways --- p.20 / Chapter 1.2.9 --- Studies of anticancer molecules against melanoma --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.9.1 --- In vitro models for studying anticancer molecules --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.9.2 --- In vivo models for studying anticancer molecules --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1 --- Phytochemicals --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2 --- "Chemicals, Cell Lines and Culture Conditions" --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3 --- Determination of in vitro antiproliferative effects of HLDA and the ethyl acetate fraction from S. heptaphylla on human cancer cells --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- MTT assay --- p.36 / Chapter 2.4 --- Determination of the in vitro antiproliferative mechanisms of HLDA and the ethyl acetate fraction from S. heptaphylla in human melanoma A375 cells --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Flow cytometric analysis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Western blot analysis --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5 --- Determination of the in vivo anticancer effects of the ethyl acetate fraction from S. heptaphylla --- p.41 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Determination of cancer chemopreventive effect of the ethyl acetate fraction with DMBA/TPA-induced skin carcinogenesis model --- p.41 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Determination of cancer therapeutic effect of the ethyl acetate fraction with athymic BALB/c nude mice model --- p.42 / Chapter 2.6 --- Statistical Analysis --- p.44 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results --- p.45 / Chapter 3.1 --- Effects of HLDA and the ethyl acetate fraction on viability and proliferation of different cancer cell lines by MTT assay --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2 --- Effects of HLDA and the ethyl acetate fraction on cell cycle and apoptosis in A375 cells determined by DNA flow cytometry --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3 --- Effects of HLD A and the ethyl acetate fraction on apoptosis induction in A375 cells determined by Western blotting --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4 --- Effects of HLD A and ethyl acetate fraction on caspases in A375 cells --- p.55 / Chapter 3.5 --- Effects of caspase inhibitors on the HLDA- and the ethyl acetate fraction-induced apoptosis in A375 cells --- p.57 / Chapter 3.6 --- Effects of HLD A and the ethyl acetate fraction on the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins in A375 cells --- p.62 / Chapter 3.7 --- Chemopreventive effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from S. heptaphylla on the DMBA/TPA-induced skin carcinogenesis model --- p.65 / Chapter 3.8 --- Chemotherapeutic effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from S. heptaphylla on A375 xenograft in athymic nude mice --- p.70 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.73 / References --- p.83

Chong Lung-wun. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-58). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgement --- p.1 / Contents --- p.2 / Abstract --- p.4 / Chapter I. --- Introduction --- p.6 / Chapter 1. --- Nitrate therapy for angina patients --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1 --- The mode of action of nitrates --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2 --- Hypotheses for the nitrate tolerance --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- The Sulfhydryl depletion hypothesis --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Neurohormonal hypothesis --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Plasma volumc expansion hypothesis --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Free-radical hypothesis --- p.11 / Chapter 2. --- Testosterone therapy for angina patients --- p.12 / Chapter 3. --- Nitric Oxide and Steroidogenesis --- p.13 / Chapter II. --- Materials and Methods --- p.14 / Chapter 1. --- Subjects --- p.14 / Chapter 2. --- Method for measuring nitrite and nitrate in plasma --- p.16 / Chapter 3. --- Method for the determination of total and free testosterone in blood --- p.24 / Chapter 3.1 --- Reagent preparation --- p.24 / Chapter 3.2 --- Assay procedure for total testosterone --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3 --- Assay procedure for free testosterone --- p.29 / Chapter 3.4 --- Determination of working antiserum for free testosterone assay --- p.30 / Chapter 4. --- Method for the determination of serum Cortisol --- p.31 / Chapter III. --- Result --- p.33 / Chapter 1. --- Summary of nitric oxide assay performance --- p.33 / Chapter 2. --- Summary of total testosterone assay performance --- p.34 / Chapter 3. --- Summary of free testosterone assay performance --- p.34 / Chapter 4. --- Data analysis --- p.35 / Chapter IV. --- Discussion --- p.43 / Chapter V. --- Conclusion --- p.47 / Chapter VI. --- References --- p.49