?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F23632%2F&rft.title=Influence+of+behavioral+exposures+on+microRNA+regulation+in+HIV-1+associated+neurocognitive+disorder+(HAND)&rft.creator=Satram%2C+Archana&rft.description=HIV-1+positive+individuals+demonstrate+a+wide+variety+of+comorbidities+based+on+their+genetic+makeup+and+their+behavioral+factors.+Differentiation+of+gene+expression+caused+by+behavioral+factors+such+as+smoking+of+tobacco%2C+consumption+of+alcohol+and+illicit+drug+use+have+been+shown+to+occur+through+miRNA+and+can+have+additive+and+adverse+effects+on+the+co-morbidities+associated+with+HIV-1+infection.+Here+we+try+and+identify+the+miRNA+that+cause+the+gene+regulation+and+its+effects+on+the+progression+to+HIV-1+associated+neurocognitive+disorder+(HAND)+by+performing+a+cross+sectional+study+on+miRNA+regulation+and+its+downstream+effects.+%0D%0AThe+MACS+provided+information+on+all+the+subjects+used+in+this+study.+The+samples+collected+were+divided+based+on+their+infection+and+cognitive+status%2C+resulting+in+three+categories%2C+uninfected+controls%2C+HIV-1+positive%2Fdementia+negative+and+HIV-1+positive%2F+dementia+positive.+The+term+dementia+was+used+to+identify+an+individual+with+any+neurocognitive+impairment+regardless+of+the+actual+impairment.+The+individuals+in+each+category+were+further+divided+based+on+their+behavioral+habits%2C+smokers%2C+non-smokers+etc.++The+miRNA+was+obtained+from+PBMCs+of+the+selected+individuals+and+quantified+using+TaqMan+real+time+PCR+assays.+Computational+analysis+was+used+to+find+the+miRNA+that+was+significantly+regulated+by+performing+inter+and+intra+comparisons+within+the+established+categories.++%0D%0AComparison+of+miRNA%E2%80%99s+in+controls+vs.+HIV-1+positive%2Fdementia+negative+subjects+resulted+in+a+majority+of+miRNA%E2%80%99s+being+up-regulated+in+all+variables+(smoking%2C+alcohol+consumption%2C+pot+use).+Whereas+comparison+of+miRNA%E2%80%99s+in+controls+vs+HIV-1+positive%2Fdementia+positive+and+HIV-1+positive%2Fdementia+negative+vs.+HIV-1+positive%2Fdementia+positives+resulted+in+a+majority+of+miRNA%E2%80%99s+being+down-regulated+in+all+variables.+This+anomaly+shows+that+HAND+is+somehow+effecting+miRNA%2C+mostly+by+down-regulation.%0D%0AThere+were+also+a+large+number+of+miRNA+that+were+common+in+all+variables+when+comparing+controls+vs.+HIV-1+positive%2Fdementia+negative+individuals+and+HIV-1%2Fdementia+negative+vs.+HIV-1+positive%2Fdementia+positive+individuals.+This+commonality+shows+that+either+HIV-1+alone+or+in+conjugation+with+the+behavioral+factors+is+causing+regulation+of+certain+miRNA.+This+information+provides+the+bases+to+further+explore+the+possibilities+of+using+miRNA%E2%80%99s+as+biomarkers+for+diagnosis+and+treatment+of+HIV-associated+neurological+disorders.+%0D%0A+++++Public+Health+Implications%3A+The+major+public+health+significance+projected+to+come+from+this+study+include+the+identification+of+early+biomarkers+in+patients+who+are+prone+to+develop+cognitive+disorders+and+identification+of+mechanisms+underlying+the+development+of+HAND%2C+which+may+lead+to+identification+of+new+drug+targets.+In+the+long+term%2C+this+knowledge+may+yield+novel+therapeutic+interventions+for+the+treatment+of+cognitive+disorders+and+antivirals+targeting+CNS+compartments.&rft.date=2015-01-28&rft.type=University+of+Pittsburgh+ETD&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fd-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu%2F23632%2F1%2FETD_MPH_Archana_12_2014.pdf&rft.identifier=++Satram%2C+Archana++(2015)+Influence+of+behavioral+exposures+on+microRNA+regulation+in+HIV-1+associated+neurocognitive+disorder+(HAND).++Master's+Thesis%2C+University+of+Pittsburgh.++++(Unpublished)++