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Full-Text Articles in Diseases

Therapeutic Approaches For Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Franck J. Kamga Gninzeko Jan 2022

Therapeutic Approaches For Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Franck J. Kamga Gninzeko

Theses and Dissertations

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is characterized by shortness of breath and low oxygen levels. RDS affects the neonatal and adult populations. In the neonatal population, RDS can be classified as NRDS (Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome), while in adults, it is known as ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). This dissertation examines a therapeutic approach to NRDS and a mechanistic approach to ARDS with in vivo and in vitro models of lung injury. NRDS is characterized by a deficiency or lack of surfactant. Surfactant is an essential compound composed of phospholipids and proteins to prevent the lungs from collapsing. There are several …


Novel Insights Into The Contribution Of Cellular Senescence To Cancer Therapy: Reversibility, Dormancy And Senolysis., Tareq Saleh Jan 2018

Novel Insights Into The Contribution Of Cellular Senescence To Cancer Therapy: Reversibility, Dormancy And Senolysis., Tareq Saleh

Theses and Dissertations

Cellular senescence a specialized form of growth arrest that contributes to the pathogenesis of several aging-related disorders including cancer. While by definition tumor cells are considered immortalized, they can undergo senescence when exposed to conventional and targeted cancer therapy. Therapy-Induced Senescence (TIS) represents a fundamental response to therapy and impacts its outcomes. However, TIS has been considered a positive therapeutic goal since senescent tumor cells are expected to enter a state of permanent growth abrogation. In this work we examined the hypothesis that a subpopulation of senescent cells can re-acquire proliferative potential after a state of senescent dormancy, indicating that …


Investigating Smoke Exposure And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Copd) With A Calibrated Agent Based Model (Abm) Of In Vitro Fibroblast Wound Healing., James A. Ratti Jan 2018

Investigating Smoke Exposure And Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Copd) With A Calibrated Agent Based Model (Abm) Of In Vitro Fibroblast Wound Healing., James A. Ratti

Theses and Dissertations

COPD is characterized by tissue inflammation and impaired remodeling that suggests fibroblast maintenance of structural homeostasis is dysregulated. Thus, we performed in vitro wound healing experiments on normal and diseased human lung fibroblasts and developed an ABM of fibroblasts closing a scratched monolayer using NetLogo to evaluate differences due to COPD or cigarette smoke condensate exposure. This ABM consists of a rule-set governing the healing response, accounting for cell migration, proliferation, death, activation and senescence rates; along with the effects of heterogeneous activation, phenotypic changes, serum deprivation and exposure to cigarette smoke condensate or bFGF. Simulations were performed to calibrate …