<p> <b>Purpose:</b> The purpose of this pilot study was two-fold: 1) to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a web-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and web-based Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans III (MEPA III) dietary screener and 2) to perform preliminary validation of the screener in terms of accordance to a Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDAc) among individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).</p><p> <b>Methods:</b> A convenience sample of 26 participants with PD completed a web-based FFQ and screener, both of which were assessed for feasibility and acceptability. Feasibility was defined as >74% of participants completing tools and meeting specified criteria. Acceptability was defined on the basis of responses to exit questionnaires as 80% acceptable to 70% of participants. For validation, FFQ-derived food and nutrient intakes characteristic of a Mediterranean pattern were compared between participants assessed as MDAc (with scores greater than or equal to the median screener score), and those considered non-MDAc.</p><p> <b>Results:</b> Of participants (mean age 67.8 &plusmn; 7.9, 73.1% Hoehn and Yahr stage 2) who completed the questionnaires, exactly 86% found the screener feasible. The FFQ was not considered feasible (only 73% met the criteria). The FFQ was acceptable to 19 (73%) participants and therefore considered overall acceptable (&ge; 70% sample). The screener was not considered acceptable as only 17 (65%) participants rated it acceptable (&lt;70% of the sample). Mean MEPA III score was 10.9; the median, 11. A total of 15 of 26 participants were deemed MDAc. Compared to the non-MDAc, MDAc participants consumed 1 oz more servings of fish per week (p=.05) and less trans fatty acids (0.7% less than non-MDAc, p=.02). MEPA III scores correlated with FFQ estimates of fish (r=.39, p=.05), dark leafy greens (r=.58, p=.002), vitamin C (r=.53, p=.005), and vitamin K (r=.40, p=.05), and inversely with saturated fats (r=-.41, p=.04) and trans fats (r=-.66, p&lt;.001). Kappa statistics for individual components of the MEPA III indicated that servings of fish (<b>&kgr;</b> =.34, p=.05), alcohol (<b>&kgr;</b>=.44, p=.02), whole grains (<b>&kgr; </b>=.36, p=.02), and fast food (<b>&kgr;</b> =.48, p=.01) were consistent with MDAc.</p><p> <b>Conclusions:</b> A web-based FFQ and dietary screener are feasible to complete by individuals with PD, but the screener requires further refinement to enhance acceptability of both the content and format. After these improvements can further validation of the screener occur.</p><p> <b>Implications for individuals with Parkinson's Disease:</b> It is imperative to provide a dietary assessment tool that is feasible and acceptable to this patient population in order to best understand dietary patterns for future research.</p><p>

Les séquelles d'un traumatisme crânio-cérébral (TCC) sont susceptibles d'engendrer des difficultés affectives, cognitives et comportementales chez la victime et laisser cette dernière dans un état de dépendance. Une personne proche est souvent appelée à prendre en charge la victime et à assumer un rôle d'aidant pour lequel elle n'est pas suffisamment préparée, ce qui peut conduire au développement d'une détresse psychologique chez l'aidant. Les recherches tendent à démontrer que la santé psychologique du proche aidant constitue un facteur essentiel dans l'adaptation de la victime de TCC. Dans cette perspective, la présente étude s'intéresse à la relation pouvant exister entre la détresse psychologique de l'aidant et le fonctionnement cognitif exécutif de la victime de TCC. À cet égard, deux questions de recherche ont été posées : 1) Existe-t-il un effet corrélationnel positif entre la détresse psychologique chez l'aidant et la détresse psychologique chez la victime de TCC? 2) Est-il possible d'observer un effet corrélationnel négatif entre la détresse psychologique observable chez l'aidant et le fonctionnement exécutif de la personne cérébrolésée? Cette étude à trois temps de mesure est exploratoire. Elle a été réalisée auprès d'un échantillon de 13 dyades d'aidants et de victimes d'un TCC. Les participants ont été recrutés par l'entremise de l'Association Renaissance pour les personnes traumatisées crâniennes (ARPTC) au Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Chaque dyade de participants a été évaluée à 3 reprises, à environ 6 semaines d'intervalle. Le profil descriptif sociodémographique de la situation générale des participants ayant subi un TCC et des aidants a été obtenu. Les variables du fonctionnement cognitif exécutif du participant ayant subi un TCC ont été mesurées à l'aide de quatre instruments reconnus, soit le Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWA), l'effet Stroop, le Trail Making Test (TMT) et la Tour de Londres (TOL). L'évaluation de la détresse psychologique du participant ayant subi un TCC et de l'aidant a été déterminée à l'aide du Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). L'évaluation des facteurs pouvant influencer la manifestation de la détresse psychologique de l'aidant tel que le soutien social et la satisfaction de l'aidant envers certains aspects de son rôle ont été pris en compte à l'aide de cinq questionnaires. L'échantillon a été divisé en deux groupes, selon la présence ou l'absence de détresse psychologique observable chez l'aidant au premier temps de mesure, d'après l'index global de sévérité (GSI) du SCL-90-R. Suite aux différentes analyses statistiques, il a d'abord été observé un effet corrélationnel positif) entre la détresse psychologique de l'aidant et la détresse psychologique de l'individu ayant subi un TCC et dans un second temps, un effet corrélationnel négatif entre la détresse psychologique de l'aidant et certains aspects spécifiques du fonctionnement exécutif du participant cérébrolésé. L'influence positive d'autres variables a également été observée sur la détresse psychologique de l'aidant. Ces variables sont : la satisfaction de l'aidant à l'égard de son support social obtenu, le type de dyades, plus spécifiquement les dyades de type homme (aidant) ? femme (aidé) et le fait que la dyade demeure sous le même toit. En effet, ces conditions sont présentes lors de l'absence de détresse psychologique chez l'aidant. Enfin, l'analyse des résultats suggère que la détresse psychologique de l'aidant et de la victime de TCC pourrait agir tel un double effet sur le fonctionnement cognitif exécutif de la victime de TCC : la détresse psychologique de l'aidant, aurait un effet sur la détresse psychologique de l'individu cérébrolésé et vice-versa. Ensemble, la détresse psychologique de l'aidant et de la victime de TCC aurait un effet potentiel sur certains aspects du fonctionnement exécutif de la victime de traumatisme crânien.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have for a little bit more than a decade been employed as delivery vectors for a wide range of cargoes, ranging from gold particles to entire plasmids. Although CPP are well studied and utilized in numerous publications, our knowledge about CPP mediated transport is still poor. The articles presented in this thesis all consider different aspects of CPP mediated delivery. The first two papers are evaluating and improving already known techniques. In paper I, standard polyethyleneimine (PEI) transfection is improved by conjugating the CPP TP10 to the cationic polymer. In paper II, the same CPP is employed to deliver a dsDNA decoy oligo, resulting in decreased activity of the transcription factor c-Myc. The third paper is a more general overview of the delivery efficiency of well known CPPs and how the delivered cargo influences the CPP mediated toxicity. The study shows that different CPPs are suitable for different cargos and that toxic side effects depend heavily on the cargo and coupling strategy used. In Paper IV, a novel CPP, M918, is evaluated as a delivery vector for a transposon based non-viral gene therapy system. M918 display simultaneous delivery of a plasmid carrying a selection gene and a transposase into cultured cells. This is the first study where two so vastly different molecules as a cationic protein and an anionic plasmid, are simultaneously transported into cells by a peptide vector. The method might be a first step towards a safe peptide based non-viral gene therapy platform. Taken together, the results presented in this thesis might help to improve already existing techniques, increase our understandings about CPP mediated delivery and, at the same time, develop new CPP based delivery systems.

<p> Self-injurious behaviors are a maladaptive set of behaviors exhibited by a diverse population, and are characterized by self-directed mutilation or harm, such as cutting, burning, head banging, and scab picking, among others. This thesis aims to explore two prevailing hypotheses proposing disruptions in the HPA axis and endogenous opioid system in individuals with SIB by using qRT-PCR. Many studies have been conducted with results supporting both hypotheses, but are limited to behavioral analysis and measurements of opioids and HPA axis ligands from urine, plasma, or CSF. None of these studies directly explore the specific brain regions of individuals exhibiting SIB. Here, we show altered expression of the glucocorticoid receptor, <i>Nr3c1</i>, in the amygdala of males with SIB and a downregulation of mineralocorticoid receptor, <i> Nr3c2</i>, in the amygdala of females with SIB. Furthermore, upregulations of <i>Nr3c2</i> and downregulation of the <i>Nr3c1</i> are seen in the hippocampus of females with SIB. Because of the roles of the amygdala in activating the HPA axis and the hippocampus in suppressing the HPA axis, the aforementioned gene expression disruptions likely translate to an inability to efficiently regulate the HPA axis. In the endogenous opioid system, expression of both prodynorphin, <i>Pdyn</i>, and opioid receptor mu 1, <i>Oprm1</i>, are disregulated in both males and females with SIB, but in a dynamic way. These alterations in opioid transcripts may imply impairments in the reward experience, leading to aberrant behaviors such as SIB to experience reward. Our results support both hypotheses, that disruptions in expression are present in genes involved in the HPA axis and endogenous opioid signaling, and also show a sex-biased difference in expression in both males and females with SIB. The results also elucidate a complexity to the neurobiology of SIB that requires further research.</p><p>

<p> Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the US in which obesity is an independent risk factor. Obesity suppresses parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) activity. PSNS impairment is independently associated with poor outcomes in heart disease patients; however, current clinical treatments do not directly augment PSNS activity. A critical barrier to therapeutic development is an insufficient understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in PSNS withdrawal. </p><p> Peripheral PSNS impairment seen in animal models of cardiovascular disease is suspected to occur at PSNS ganglia and/or nerve terminals due to attenuated synthesis/release of acetylcholine (ACh). Thus, choline transporter (CHT), the rate-limiting molecule in ACh synthesis, is particularly important. Recent studies suggest CHT internalization is regulated by ubiquitination. Thus, the original hypothesis was alternations in ubiquitination/deubiquitination enhanced CHT internalization and degradation, reduced ACh synthesis, and led to PSNS impairment. This was addressed using a cholinergic cell line and high fat diet (HFD) obese mouse model. </p><p> In cells, TUBE assay confirmed CHT polyubiquitination, which was increased during proteasome, lysosome, or deubiquitinating enzyme inhibition. Immunoprecipitation demonstrated a physical interaction between CHT and UCHL1 (ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 1), a deubiquitinating enzyme essential for cholinergic signaling. UCHL1 knockdown decreased native CHT; increased CHT polyubiquitination; and altered CHT plasma membrane translocation. These data indicate that UCHL1 regulates CHT protein expression <i>in vitro.</i> This notion was further supported by <i>in vivo</i> data, specifically immunohistochemistry showing UCHL1 and CHT colocalization in atrial ganglia and attenuation of vagus nervus stimulation (VNS)-induced bradycardia following pharmacologic UCHL1 inhibition in mice. </p><p> In diet-induced obesity, HFD mice had a blunted response to VNS indicative of PSNS withdrawal. However, no clear association between atrial protein levels of CHT, UCHL1, and PSNS dysfunction were observed. Unexpectedly, while acetylcholinesterase was unchanged, there was a 2-fold increase in butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which also can hydrolysis ACh. Although minimally affecting baseline heart rate of regular diet mice, selective pharmacologic BChE inhibition augmented VNS-induced bradycardia, partially rescuing PSNS impairment in HFD mice. In summary, these findings suggest the possible mechanistic role of increases in atrial BChE in obesity-induced PSNS suppression and propose a novel mechanism to ameliorate PSNS function by inhibiting BChE activity.</p>

La recherche qui traite de la mémoire visuo-perceptive en terme d'acquisition de nouvelles connaissances est peu documentée. De plus, les tests d'apprentissage visuel sont généralement composés de stimuli de faible niveau de complexité et susceptibles d'être encodes verbalement. L'évaluation de la mémoire visuelle à l'aide de la figure complexe de Rey (FCR) permet d'éviter ce problème mais ne renseigne pas sur le taux d'apprentissage comme le fait le test des quinze mots de Rey (QMR) pour la modalité verbale. La présente recherche se propose donc de transposer et d'adapter la procédure d'administration des QMR à celle de la FCR afin de vérifier si elle favorise l'apprentissage de matériel visuel chez des adultes normaux et de comparer ces résultats à ceux d'individus frontolésés à droite. Une préexpérimentation vise d'abord à contrôler la durée de l'exposition de la FCR et de procurer des informations sur le taux d'apprentissage et de rétention en mémoire visuo-perceptive chez des participants normaux. Un échantillon de 51 adultes (F=34, H=17) divisé en six groupes a rappelé la FCR après des temps d'exposition différents et variant de 5 à 30 s par tranche de 5 s. La FCR est présentée à cinq reprises où chaque présentation est suivie d'un rappel libre immédiat à un temps d'exposition donné. Le temps d'exposition retenu est de 30 s et correspond à celui où le taux de réussite à la FCR équivaut à la moyenne des mots rappelés au cinquième essai des QMR pour des adultes âgés entre 20 et 69 ans. Des analyses de variance montrent un effet d'apprentissage significatif au fil des cinq présentations de la FCR et ce pour tous les temps d'exposition et tous les groupes d'âge. Par contre, l'âge corrèle négativement avec le niveau de rappel et la performance au premier essai est indépendante du temps d'exposition de la FCR et de l'âge. L'expérimentation porte sur deux femmes présentant une lésion circonscrite au lobe frontal droit et appariées à des participants contrôles. L'administration des épreuves comprend l'évaluation de la capacité d'apprentissage de matériel non-verbal à l'aide de la FCR présentée selon la technique d'administration des QMR. De plus, l'apprentissage verbal est évalué à l'aide des QMR. L'index de latéralité manuelle est mesuré à l'aide de l'Inventaire d'Edinburgh. Le Baycrest Assessment of Neuropsychological Status est utilisé afin de recueillir des informations sur la santé psychologique, physique et psychiatrique. L'acuité visuelle est évaluée à l'aide du Rosenbaum Pocket Vision Screener. Les gnosies visuelles sont évaluées à l'aide du Boston Naming Test. Le quotient intellectuel est mesuré à l'aide de la forme abrégée à deux sous-tests du Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. Des calculs de régression linéaire simple montrent que la présentation itérative de la FCR crée une courbe d'apprentissage à pente positive chez les participants normaux et cliniques. L'analyse des écarts aux résultats moyens montre que la performance aux cinq rappels de la FCR du participant clinique #1 ne diffère pas de celle des participants préexpérimentaux de la condition 30 s, alors que la capacité d'apprentissage du participant clinique #2 est inférieure à plus d'un écart-type, sauf au premier rappel. Les résultats supposent que les participants cliniques sont sensibles à l'interférence proactive et non à l'interférence rétroactive. De plus, la présentation successive de la FCR semble contribuer au maintient à long terme de l'information chez les participants expérimentaux. Finalement, la mémoire de reconnaissance des frontolésés est normale lorsque ce test évalue leur capacité à reconnaître la FCR dans son entier.

Using the well-established prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) model, my dissertation has explored the underlying neurochemical mechanisms regulating social behavior. In this dissertation I begin with describing the prairie vole model and reviewing the underlying neurochemical mechanisms of pair bonding and interactions between drug abuse and social behavior. Chapter 2 indentifies a sub-nucleus in the forebrain, the anterior hypothalamus (AH) that is behaviorally- and site-specifically activated during aggression. Chapter 3 demonstrates AH-vasopressin (AVP)-receptor expression and -release patterns directly regulating aggression associated with pair bonding or drug experience. Chapter 4 reveals a specific neuroanatomical circuit connecting the AH with the lateral septum, nucleus accumbens, and medial amygdala to coordinate social recognition, motivation, and behavioral expression associated with pair bonding-induced selective aggression. Finally, chapter 5 summarizes the data collected in this dissertation and discusses potential implications of these data as well as future studies in the neurobiology of aggression. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2010. / May 6, 2010. / Pharmacology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Viral Vector, Vasopressin, Neurobiology, Hypothalamus, Social Behavior / Includes bibliographical references. / Zuoxin Wang, Professor Directing Dissertation; Tom Keller, University Representative; Michael Meredith, Committee Member; Elaine Hull, Committee Member; Jon Maner, Committee Member.

This study was designed to examine the extent to which young readers activate and integrate text concepts during reading. Fifty fourth grade students completed a group of norm-standardized tests of reading ability followed by a non-norm standardized test of inference recognition. The effects of reading ability on inference recognition were compared across texts that contained ambiguous sentences or unambiguous sentences. The results reveal that poor readers took longer to read ambiguous passages as compared to unambiguous passages. This difference between passages was nonsignificant for good readers. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2006. / August 31, 2006. / Reading Comprehension, Inferences, Fourth Grade Students / Includes bibliographical references. / Christopher Schatschneider, Professor Directing Thesis; Rolf Zwaan, Committee Member; Jeannette Taylor, Committee Member.

Research suggests that individuals high in trait anger have a cognitive bias for attributing hostile intentions to ambiguous situations. However, no studies have tested whether this interpretation bias can be altered to influence anger reactivity to an interpersonal insult. The current study tested this with a single-session cognitive bias modification program. One hundred thirty-five undergraduate students were randomized to receive positive training, negative training, or a neutral condition. Anger reactivity to insult was then assessed with observational measures, self-report, and blood pressure. Positive training led to increases in positive interpretation bias relative to the negative training group and there was a trend for increase in positive interpretation bias relative to the neutral group. Additionally, negative training led to increases in negative interpretation bias relative to the other two groups. Participants in the positive training condition were rated by observers as less irritated than those in the negative condition and more amused than the other two conditions. During the insult, participants in the positive condition reported less anger than those in the neutral condition. However, reported anger for the negative training condition was not consistently different than the other two groups. Assessments of blood pressure during insult did not demonstrate any meaningful differences between conditions. Though mediation of effects via modification of bias was not demonstrated for the whole sample, amongst the positive training condition, interpretation bias was correlated with self-reported levels of anger and observed irritation, which provides evidence that positive training reduced anger reactivity by its influence on interpretation biases. These findings suggest that positive interpretation training may be a promising treatment option for reducing anger. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester, 2012. / March 2, 2012. / anger, anger reactivity, hostile attribution, interpretation bias modification / Includes bibliographical references. / Jesse R. Cougle, Professor Directing Thesis; Norman B. Schmidt, Committee Member; Jon K. Maner, Committee Member.

This study investigated whether the Spanish language and literacy skills of 116 Spanish-speaking bilingual preschool children in Miami-Dade County had incremental validity in predicting their English early language and literacy skills one year later. Print and vocabulary scores were divided into language skills that were unique to either English or Spanish or shared in both languages. English vocabulary and shared vocabulary at Time 1 predicted of English vocabulary scores at Time 2; however, Spanish vocabulary did not predict the English Pre-CTOPPP vocabulary scores at posttest beyond what was predicted by these two variables. English Print Knowledge at Time 2 was predicted by unique English and shared print knowledge scores but not by Spanish print knowledge scores. Additionally, Spanish scores on phonological awareness were not incrementally predictive of later English phonological awareness. These results suggest conceptual scoring may not be a useful assessment for predicting vocabulary or phonological awareness skills. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2011. / August 9, 2011. / assessment, bilingual, conceptual scoring, emergent literacy, english language learner, preschool / Includes bibliographical references. / Christopher Lonigan, Professor Directing Thesis; Janet Kistner, Committee Member; Michael Kaschak, Committee Member.