Endocytosis is the process in which a cell engulfs extracellular cargo by creating invaginations within its plasma membrane. The cargo that has entered the cell enters an endosome and then is delivered to either the trans-Golgi network for recycling to the plasma membrane or to the lysosome for its degradation (Trousdale & Kim, 2015). Retromer is a peripheral membrane protein complex that plays a key role in sorting of these cargo molecules (Collins, 2008). More specifically, retromer deliver cargo from the endosome to the trans-Golgi Network, the process which is called retrograde transport of cargo molecules. Retromer dysfunction is strongly linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. However, recent Genome Wide Association Studies suggest that a mutation in retromer subunit VPS26a, has been linked to Type II Diabetes (Trousdale & Kim, 2015). A 2016 study published in The Faseb Journal attempts to characterize the role of retromer in adipocyte differentiation and insulin-stimulated uptake of glucose through transporter GLUT4 (Yang et al., 2016). The aim of this study is to further investigate the role of retromer in adipogenesis and to determine whether retromer plays a role at the transcriptional level or translational level. In this study, retromer’s VPS35 subunit was knocked down in four mouse 3T3-L1 fibroblast cell lines using the CRISPR-Cas9 approach. These cell lines were differentiated into mature adipocytes and analyzed by Oil-Red O staining, Western Blotting and quantitative PCR. The knockdown of retromer produced varying effects on adipocyte differentiation. In two of the knockdown cell lines, adipocyte differentiation was downregulated whereas adipocyte differentiation was upregulated in the other two cell lines. Although the results from Oil-Red O staining and Western Blot analyses complemented each other, results obtained from qPCR were not as straightforward and further analysis is needed to fully comprehend how retromer acts at the transcriptional level of cell differentiation. Based on the results of this study, retromer is involved in adipogenesis at both the transcriptional and translational level, however it’s mechanism of action remains unclear as both cases of impaired differentiation and upregulated differentiation were observed. Further studies are necessary to determine retromer’s exact role in adipogenesis.

Thesis (M Med (Family Medicine))--University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), 2010. / Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus still remains an important non- communicable disease globally. The burden of the disease continues to rise even in the sub-Saharan Africa. Aim: The study aimed to assess and describe the dietary practices and the prevalence of obesity among type 2 diabetic patients seen at Scott Hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted among type 2 diabetic patients at Scott Hospital, Morija, Lesotho. A simple random sample of 50 participants was selected and each completed an interviewer administered questionnaire. The administration of the questionnaire was done by the researcher and a research assistant. Socio- demographic characteristics of the participants were obtained, anthropometric measurements were height and weight of each participant with subsequent determination of the BMI. Dietary intake was assessed using questions from a modified food frequency questionnaire of 16 food groups that reflect the commonest food items available. Results: The results showed that 86% (43/50) of the participants were females and 14% (7/50) were males with a female: male ratio of 6:1. The majority (72%) were above age 50 years and with regards to educational status, 62% had primary school education as the highest level attained. Four percent (4%) had no formal education. Fifty percent (50%) of the participants were unemployed. The mean weight of the participants was 84.22 ± 13.51 kg and the mean height was 157.76 ± 6.10 cm. The mean BMI was 33.97 ± 4.99 kg/m². Seventy-eight percent (38/50) of the participants were obese, and 14% (7/50) of the participants who were females, were morbidly obese with BMIs ≥ 40kg/m². The prevalence of obesity when stratified by gender showed that 57% (4/7) of male participants and 81% (35/43) of female participants were obese. According to the dietary assessments, food groups with the highest reported consumption per unit per month were; maize meals, breakfast-cereals and bread respectively. Conclusion: The study showed a predominantly female and elderly population of type 2 diabetics at Scott Hospital, Morija, Lesotho. The prevalence of obesity was high (78%) among the participants and this further supports the view that obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Reported dietary intake showed a higher consumption of carbohydrates and a very low intake of dietary fibre as represented by legumes. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dietary habits and obesity.

Thesis (M Med (Family Medicine))--University of Limpopo, 2010. / The number of diabetic patients will continue to rise even in rural settings and the burden of this disease will continue to take its effect on the limited resources of these communities. The effect of such burden will be more pronounced if we are to add the various complications associated with substandard management of diabetes mellitus. The first step in assessing the level of care we give to this category of patients is to measure their level of adherence, in an effort to expose the pitfalls on both the side of the patients and on the side of the health care provider. The aim of the study is to assess the level of adherence to treatment among type2 diabetic patients in Matlala district hospital; Limpopo Province. This cross-sectional study used the convenience method of sampling with the aid of a tested, structured questionnaire, to obtain data from respondents between December 2009 and March 2010, a period of 4 months. The excel computer program was used for data capturing. Percentages and numbers were used for interpretation and cross tabulation was used to determine association. The result of the study indicated that 137 {70%} of the respondents adhere to diabetes treatment. There were two demographical characteristics that are significantly associated with non adherence: age {p=0.028} and employment status {p=0.018}. Of those respondents that keep their appointments, 98% are adherent to treatment. When considering reasons for poor adherence; 29% of respondents stated that the clinic did not have their pills, 16% stated that they forgot to take their medication and 14% stated that they travelled to visit ix and did not take enough pills with them. On the reasons for poor adherence to lifestyle: 29% of the respondents said that they were too old, 22% stated no specific reason, 13% struggled to motivate themselves and 10% simply forgot what to do. Most, 68%, of the respondents that adhere to the recommended use of medication agreed that they take it at meal time, 14% set a reminder, 8% employed the assistance of a treatment supporter and other respondents used other means to remember. The study revealed an above average level of adherence in my setting and it will be logical to assess whether this corresponds to the metabolic control expected of good adherence. More is needed to be done on the reasons why our patients do not adhere to both medication and lifestyle changes and each stake holder needs to address their short comings.

Thesis (M Med(Family Medicine))--University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) 2010. / Aim & Objectives Aim: To explore the lay beliefs of type 2 diabetic patients seen at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Objectives: To understand lay beliefs of effective life long management of type 2 diabetes patients and consequently to make recommendations of improving management of diabetes in conjunction with the findings of the study. Methodology Study Design: An exploratory study from a qualitative perspective using free attitude interviews as a data collection technique. Setting: Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital a district hospital located in Umlazi in the outskirts of Durban, South Africa. Study Population: All type 2 diabetic patients above the age of 40 on treatment for 18 months or more. Ten respondents were purposively selected using maximum variation sampling strategy. Participants were asked individually to give an account of their beliefs and experience in the management of diabetes. All interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed to identify emerging themes. Results The interpretative thematic analysis generated the following main themes: 1) Combination therapy 2) Modern versus Traditional 3) The bitter stuff 4) Traditional healers and alternative remedies viii 5) Stress: Physical, financial, emotional, psychosocial strain 6) Spiritual believes: Religious and Traditional 7) Eating right food and loose weight Conclusions This study has described most lay beliefs about the management of type 2 diabetes in this setting. The research has identified that type 2 diabetic patients seen at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi South of Durban held different diabetes management beliefs based on their respective initial symptom perception and beliefs, their illness origin and healing beliefs, their spiritual and traditional beliefs and values and to a significant extent, the beliefs of spouses or life partner in couples and of family members. These findings have challenged the functionality of the health care in its capacity to respond to the population expectations based on their ethnic, spiritual and cultural background.

Thesis (Family Medicine)) -- University of Limpopo, 2010. / Background In the Vanga Health Zone, diabetic patients have idea that diabetes is due to witchcraft, which idea can interfere with the prevention and management of their disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the profile of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Vanga Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Methods A cross-sectional study was designed with use of a questionnaire to a systematic sample of type 2 diabetic patients attending the diabetic clinic of Vanga hospital for at least six months and resident at Vanga health zone. Results Only 2.1 % of the participants believe in a scientific cause for diabetes; 53.5 % of them do not think that their disease is due to the fact that they crossed over a path where some ritual was performed and, 89.2 % of the participants believe that God deserted the person who suffered from diabetes and expect that prayer will rectify the disease. The majority of participants (65.6 %) had poor glycaemic control. Correlation analysis has shown that glycaemia level was not significantly associated with sociodemographic characteristics or health belief factors. Conclusion The majority of patients at the Vanga diabetic clinic have a greater need for management strategies to improve their glycaemic control. Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus, health beliefs, knowledge, sub-Saharan Africa, rural

acase@tulane.edu / Study aim: This study aimed to assess the individualized treatment goals (A1C, Blood Pressure, LDL-C) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which lead to optimal health outcomes by different treatment strategies. Background and significance: The evidences in medical guidelines came from clinical trials with highly selected patients, whereas the treatment goals may differ in some subgroups. Additionally, considerable confusions on treatment target has resulted from recent changes in guidelines. So, there is a critical need to examine heterogeneity in optimal goals that lead to the most efficacious treatment options. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted for veterans with T2DM by using US Veterans Affairs (VA) Administrative Database (Jan 2005 and Dec 2015). Longitudinal medical records were prepared for each 6-month cycle and multivariate longitudinal regression was used to estimate the risk of microvascular and macrovascular complication events and mortality. Second-degree polynomial and splines were applied in the model to identify the optimal goals in their associations with lowest risk of clinical outcomes by controlling the demographic characteristics, medical history, and medications. Results: 124,651 patients with T2DM were selected, with 62.68 years old (SD=10.96) and 6.72 (SD=6.68) follow-up years at average. In general population, A1C=6.06, LDL-C=106.10 and BP=137.90/98.00 were associated with lowest mortality risk. As of achieving lowest risk of microvascular and macrovascular complication, the optimal goals were A1C=6.81, LDL-C=109.10; and A1C=6.76, LDL-C=111.65, SBP=130.60 respectively. The optimal goals differed between age and racial subgroups. Lower SBP for younger patients and lower LDL-C for blacks were identified with better health outcomes. Conclusions: Individualized treatment goals were identified and multi-faceted treatment strategies targeting hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia may improve health outcome in veterans with T2DM. In addition to general ADA recommended goals, health system may examine their own large, more diverse patients with T2DM for better quality of care. / 1 / Qian Shi

This thesis explores the potential of typography as a significant visual element in the narration of a short film. The project specifically considers the visual and paralinguistic nature of typography and its discourse with moving image. A creative consideration of these issues is then synthesized into the short film, the window.

No description available.

TYPICAL is a package for describing and making automatic inferences about a broad class of SCHEME predicate functions. These functions, called types following popular usage, delineate classes of primitive SCHEME objects, composite data structures, and abstract descriptions. TYPICAL types are generated by an extensible combinator language from either existing types or primitive terminals. These generated types are located in a lattice of predicate subsumption which captures necessary entailment between types; if satisfaction of one type necessarily entail satisfaction of another, the first type is below the second in the lattice. The inferences make by TYPICAL computes the position of the new definition within the lattice and establishes it there. This information is then accessible to both later inferences and other programs (reasoning systems, code analyzers, etc) which may need the information for their own purposes. TYPICAL was developed as a representation language for the discovery program Cyrano; particular examples are given of TYPICAL's application in the Cyrano program.

We present a type-based approach to statically derive symbolic closed-form formulae that characterize the bounds of heap memory usages of programs written in object-oriented languages. Given a program with size and alias annotations, our inference system will compute the amount of memory required by the methods to execute successfully as well as the amount of memory released when methods return. The obtained analysis results are useful for networked devices with limited computational resources as well as embedded software. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)