The binding modes of diminazene aceturate with c-MYC G-quadruplexes

Interactions between DNA and ligands are important in the rational design of drugs and in research into DNA function. In particular, the interaction of DMZ with DNA structures named “G-quadruplexes” was considered. G-quadruplexes are structures present in telomeres and several oncogenes. The main purpose of this project was to provide a computational tool to study DNA ligand interactions using a variety of molecular modeling techniques that include molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations (MD) and MM/PBSA (Molecular Mechanics/Poisson Boltzmann Surface Area). We investigated the binding modes and binding affinities of DMZ with c-MYC G-quadruplexes (G4s). We found that the conformation and structural design of the quadruplex can dramatically influence the binding profiles of the ligand. The binding free energies for each site were estimated by the MM/PBSA method. The binding of small molecules to DNA can result in the disruption of oncogene transcription, making it an effective anticancer strategy

The white racial frame of public health discourses about racialized health differences and “disparities”: what it reveals about power and how it thwarts health equity

Although several public health scholars have advocated for more clarity about concepts such as health disparities and health equity, attention to the framing of public health discourses about racialized health differences and “disparities” in the U.S., and what it reveals about power and the potential for achieving health equity, is surprisingly rare. Sociologist Joe Feagin, in his book, The White Racial Frame: Centuries of Racial Framing and Counter-Framing coined the term white racial frame to describe the predominantly white racialized worldview of majority white and white-oriented decisionmakers in everyday and institutional operations. Informed by insights from critical race theories about the white racial frame, white epistemological ignorance, and colorblind racism; critical perspectives on social class; Black feminist perspectives; framing; and critical discourse analysis, in this perspective I discuss: (1) the power of language and discourses; (2) the white racial frame of three common public health discourses — health disparities, “race,” and social determinants of health (SDOH); (3) the costs and consequences of the white racial frame for advancing health equity; and (4) the need for more counter and critical theoretical frames to inform discourses, and in turn research and political advocacy to advance health equity in the U.S

Proteomic Analysis of the Blood of \u3ci\u3eAlligator mississippiensis\u3c/i\u3e

My research focus was to investigate alligator blood using mass spectrometry-based proteomics methods to understand their innate immune systems. The first goal was to sequence peptides and proteins from the blood serum and leukocytes using tandem mass spectrometry and de novo sequencing. The second goal was to determine the function of these biological molecules and their relationship to the immune system. One- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to separate proteins from alligator leukocytes, which were enzymatically digested. The peptides were measured using reversed phase nano-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (nano-HPLC-MS/MS) followed with de novo sequencing. The results, as described in Chapter 3 show that alligator leukocytes contain proteins that are similar to proteins found in other vertebrates such as mammals and reptiles that are related to immune responses. Isolation of small molecule interferences and peptides exhibiting antimicrobial activity from alligator leukocyte extracts are described in Chapters 4 and 5. Reversed-phase HPLC was used to separate the leukocyte mixture and antimicrobial activity tests were used to determine the active fractions. Interferants, EDTA and spermine were present and showed activity in early fractions. Two major peptides measured at 4.7 and 4.9 kDa in an active fraction were further separated on the basis of their charge, size and shape using ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS). Due to the limited fragmentation of the peptides using IM-MS, the peptides were isolated and fragmented using MALDI TOF/TOF MS for de novo sequencing. Lectins are a class of carbohydrate selective proteins that are part of the complement immune system. Chapter 6 presents results for a lectin isolated from alligators that have mannan and mannose binding activity. In this study, the monomeric lectin was isolated and enzymatically digested using five different proteases to create small and large peptides which were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. The peptides were determined via de novo sequencing and overlapped to generate the lectin sequence. Lectins may have varying degrees of glycosylation, therefore deglycosylation procedures suitable for mass spectrometry analysis are described in Chapter 7. Conclusions and future directions for the work in this dissertation will be summarized in Chapter 8

Virtually Invisible Women: Women with Disabilities in Mainstream Psychological Theory and Research

A classical content analysis of PsycINFO journal abstracts from 1999 to 2003 revealed that women with disabilities are virtually invisible in mainstream psychology. We explore the implications of this invisibility

Perceptions of Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing (ACASI) among Women in an HIV-Positive Prevention Program

Background: Audio Computer-Assisted Self Interviewing (ACASI) has improved the reliability and accuracy of self-reported HIV health and risk behavior data, yet few studies account for how participants experience the data collection process. Methodology/Principal Findings: This exploratory qualitative analysis aimed to better understand the experience and implications of using ACASI among HIV-positive women participating in sexual risk reduction interventions in Chicago (n = 12) and Philadelphia (n = 18). Strategies of Grounded Theory were used to explore participants ’ ACASI experiences. Conclusion/Significance: Key themes we identified included themes that could be attributed to the ACASI and other methods of data collection (e.g., paper-based self-administered questionnaire or face-to-face interviews). The key themes were usability; privacy and honesty; socially desirable responses and avoiding judgment; and unintentional discomfort resulting from recalling risky behavior using the ACASI. Despite both positive and negative findings about the ACASI experience, we conclude that ACASI is in general an appropriate method for collecting sensitive data about HIV/AIDS risk behaviors among HIV-positive women because it seemed to ensure privacy in the study population allowing for mor

Lesbian and bisexual women's experiences of sexuality-based discrimination and their appearance concerns

Lesbian and bisexual women frequently experience sexuality-based discrimination, which is often based on others' judgements about their appearance. This short article aims to explore whether there is a relationship between lesbian and bisexual women's experiences of sexuality-based discrimination and their satisfaction with the way that they look. Findings from an online survey suggest that discrimination is negatively related to appearance satisfaction for lesbian women, but not for bisexual women. It is argued that this difference exists because lesbian appearance norms are more recognisable and distinctive than bisexual women's appearance norms

Intersectional analysis of life stress, incarceration and sexual health risk practices among cisgender Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the Deep South of the US: The MARI Study

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine associations between life stress and incarceration history in relation to sexual health risk practices among a sample of cisgender Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Deep South. Methods: Using data from a sample of 355 cisgender Black MSM in Mississippi and Georgia, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between life stress and sexual risk practices. In addition, we assessed whether stress may interact with experiences of incarceration to influence sexual health risk practices. Results: After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, stress was associated with some sexual risk practices (e.g. alcohol and drug use during sex and group sex). Further, when an interaction with incarceration was assessed, among participants who had been incarcerated, high compared with low levels of stress were associated with alcohol use during sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.11-9.99, P < 0.001), drug use during sex (aOR 3.92, 95% CI 1.79-8.60, P < 0.001), condomless sex with casual partners (aOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.31-6.12, P < 0.001), having six or more casual partners (aOR 2.77, 95% CI 1.09-7.06, P = 0.02) and participating in group sex (aOR 5.67, 95% CI 2.07-15.51, P < 0.001). Stress and incarceration produced a dose-response effect for each association; similar associations with stress were not observed among men who had not been incarcerated. Conclusions: Among people with experiences of incarceration, there are several possible ways our findings could be applied practically, including through safer sex and stress management interventions designed specifically for Black MSM following their release

Young women's use of a microbicide surrogate: The complex influence of relationship characteristics and perceived male partners' evaluations

This is the post-print version of the article. The official published version can be found at the link below.Currently in clinical trials, vaginal microbicides are proposed as a female-initiated method of sexually transmitted infection prevention. Much of microbicide acceptability research has been conducted outside of the United States and frequently without consideration of the social interaction between sex partners, ignoring the complex gender and power structures often inherent in young women’s (heterosexual) relationships. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to build on existing microbicide research by exploring the role of male partners and relationship characteristics on young women’s use of a microbicide surrogate, an inert vaginal moisturizer (VM), in a large city in the United States. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 40 young women (18–23 years old; 85% African American; 47.5% mothers) following use of the VM during coital events for a 4 week period. Overall, the results indicated that relationship dynamics and perceptions of male partners influenced VM evaluation. These two factors suggest that relationship context will need to be considered in the promotion of vaginal microbicides. The findings offer insights into how future acceptability and use of microbicides will be influenced by gendered power dynamics. The results also underscore the importance of incorporating men into microbicide promotion efforts while encouraging a dialogue that focuses attention on power inequities that can exist in heterosexual relationships. Detailed understanding of these issues is essential for successful microbicide acceptability, social marketing, education, and use.This study was funded by a grant from National Institutes of Health (NIHU19AI 31494) as well as research awards to the first author: Friends of the Kinsey Institute Research Grant Award, Indiana University’s School of HPER Graduate Student Grant-in-Aid of Research Award, William L. Yarber Sexual Health Fellowship, and the Indiana University Graduate and Professional Student Organization Research Grant

Sexual Scripts and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Black Heterosexual Men: Development of the Sexual Scripts Scale

Sexual scripts are widely shared gender and culture-specific guides for sexual behavior with important implications for HIV prevention. Although several qualitative studies document how sexual scripts may influence sexual risk behaviors, quantitative investigations of sexual scripts in the context of sexual risk are rare. This mixed methods study involved the qualitative development and quantitative testing of the Sexual Scripts Scale (SSS). Study 1 included qualitative semi-structured interviews with 30 Black heterosexual men about sexual experiences with main and casual sex partners to develop the SSS. Study 2 included a quantitative test of the SSS with 526 predominantly low-income Black heterosexual men. A factor analysis of the SSS resulted in a 34-item, seven-factor solution that explained 68% of the variance. The subscales and coefficient alphas were: Romantic Intimacy Scripts (α = .86), Condom Scripts (α = .82), Alcohol Scripts (α = .83), Sexual Initiation Scripts (α = .79), Media Sexual Socialization Scripts (α = .84), Marijuana Scripts (α = .85), and Sexual Experimentation Scripts (α = .84). Among men who reported a main partner (n = 401), higher Alcohol Scripts, Media Sexual Socialization Scripts, and Marijuana Scripts scores, and lower Condom Scripts scores were related to more sexual risk behavior. Among men who reported at least one casual partner (n = 238), higher Romantic Intimacy Scripts, Sexual Initiation Scripts, and Media Sexual Socialization Scripts, and lower Condom Scripts scores were related to higher sexual risk. The SSS may have considerable utility for future research on Black heterosexual men’s HIV risk

Guyanese Women's Experiences of Invisibility in Health Care in England

This article explores the opportunities for strengthening participatory action research (PAR) through an intersectionality framework. In 2015, I completed a Ph.D. study into the lived experiences of migrant Guyanese women, living in England, when seeking diagnoses and treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Group storytelling acted as a lens for the women to talk about how they tried to obtain a diagnosis, in addition to their migratory experiences. Both PAR and intersectionality encourage participant collaboration and community engagement of oppressed groups. The article concludes that the PAR study would have been enhanced by overlaying it with an intersectionality framework. The argument is presented that by doing so the women's accounts in the research study would have been privileged more and activism encouraged in bringing about change to current practices and avoiding perpetuating existing oppressions. The Ph.D. study methodology was based on Koch's interpretation of PAR. In this, PAR is used where the focus is on participation of all stakeholders toward reform and change. It is seen as a social, practical and collaborative process where building relationships with participants is crucial. Intersectionality acknowledges the potential for “black” and other women of color to not remain on the margins but to challenge the traditional biomedical model of health care delivery. Implementing an intersectional approach to the data generation and analysis would have acknowledged power dynamics (i.e., privilege and oppression) and help to identify potential gaps in diabetic provision which are currently invisible or inequitable due to interventions designed to meet the needs of a homogeneous White middle class society