Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Fertilizer Waste Mistreatment Facilities: Investigating The Barrier That Keep Waste In And Attention Out At Central Florida's Phosphogypsum Stacks., Harsha Devaraj

Masters Theses

This project investigates the physical and narrative barriers constructed by the phosphate mining and processing industry to dissuade public engagement with its phosphogypsum sites in Central Florida, USA. The barriers around PG utilize decades of misinformation, racial geographies, and misrepresentations of scale, origin, and risk to create powerful narratives about how we should imagine and relate to these materials. These barriers hinder sustained public attention to their sites, enabling extractive industries to expand while avoiding oversight and responsibility. Attention to how these barriers around phosphogypsum are constructed allows us to recognize these strategies at work in how we see and …

Cortisol Receptor Sensitivity As A Risk Factor For Depression, Michela Michielli

Honors Theses

In 2020, the World Health Organization reported over 264 million people across the world were suffering from depression. Studies have demonstrated that one source of depression is a hormonal imbalance involved in the stress response. Cortisol is a stress hormone regulated by the Hypothalamic-Anterior-Pituitary (HPA) Axis. Its effects on the stress response and other metabolic activities in the body are exerted through the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (GR and MR respectively).

Our research has examined mutations known as single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNPs) relating to cortisol-receptor sensitivity and the behavior of cortisol in the body to investigate the link between cortisol activity and …

Elisa Validation Method For The Detection Of Ketamine In Hair, Daria A. Centonza

Student Theses

An ELISA method was developed and validated to detect ketamine in human hair samples. Ketamine is an anesthetic drug that causes memory loss, dissociative sensations, and hallucinations. Due to these adverse effects, ketamine is a common drug used in drug facilitated sexual assaults (DFSAs). It is very important to be able to detect the substances used in DFSAs over a longer period of time due to the delayed reporting of these crimes. Victims, often out of fear and from the sedative/memory loss effects of the drugs, tend to report these crimes when it is too late to use urine and …

A Detailed Parameter Study Into The Dermal Absorption Of Chemical Warfare Agents And The Effects Of Pharmacokinetics, Koko Lear

Theses

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are substances of varying toxicity profiles. These chemicals exhibit complex dynamics and pose a serious health risk when released into the environment. A mathematical model based on Fick’s second law of diffusion was developed to comprehend how these compounds were absorbed into the skin. The analysis applied to both small and large doses and, successfully, predicted experimental results. This work also includes the effects of CWA physicochemical properties on evaporation and dermal absorption through the stratum corneum. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impacts of small variations in the initial dose, environmental conditions, and …

Crude Extract Of Desmodium Gangeticum Process Anticancer Activity Via Arresting Cell Cycle In G1 And Modulating Cell Cycle-Related Protein Expression In A549 Human Lung Carcinoma Cells, Yuh-Fung Chen, Yi-Hsien Lu, Huei-Yann Tsai

BioMedicine

Background: Desmodium gangeticum (L.)DC., which belongs to the Leguminosae family, has been used in Taiwan and other subtropical countries as an external medicine to remove blood stasis, activate blood circulation, and reduce inflammation. It has been reported to have antioxidant effects and improve inflammatory responses in rats stimulated by pro-inflammatory agents and induced gastric ulcers in experimental animals over the past few decades. This plant has also been used to treat parasitic infections, but there are no reports regarding its effects on lung cancer. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate its water crude extract (in abbreviation DG) on lung …

A Bioaffinity Self-Assembling Gel For Localized Delivery Of Immunotherapeutics, Ngoc Pham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a type of cancer in which malignant cells develop in the kidney tubules. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), including anti-PD-1 antibodies (aPD1), as monotherapies or in combination settings have advanced to the front-line treatment for patients diagnosed with RCC. Systemic infusion of ICI may render subtherapeutic concentrations in the lesions and increase risks of immune-related adverse events. To overcome these limitations, locoregional drug delivery has gained substantial interests as a modality in immuno-oncology. However, conventional intratumoral injections may be ineffective because the high interstitial fluid pressure in tumors resists drug retention and results in rapid local …

Sex-Specific Effects Of Chaperone And Glial Defenses On Experimental Lewy Body Disease, Tarun Bhatia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lewy body disorders are a group of neurodegenerative conditions characterized by the pathological misfolding and aggregation of the abundant protein, α-synuclein. The most common Lewy body disorders are Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. Apart from ageing, male sex is a major risk factor for Lewy body disorders, as men are at ~1.5-fold higher risk for these diseases than women. Yet, preclinical studies on Lewy body disorders rarely examine sex as a biological variable, and the mechanisms underlying sex-skewedness in disease risk remain undetermined.

Here, we developed a sex-stratified model of Lewy body disorders by exposing primary neurons harvested …

Monitoring The Abundance Of Microplastics In Mussels And Marine Ecosystems May Indicate Human Health Risks., Puja Kaur Janda

Master's Projects and Capstones

The numerous scientific methodologies and procedures used in marine research on microplastic pollution restrict our present understanding of this severe environmental issue threatening marine organisms and human health. The abundance and bioaccumulation of microplastic in the food web is causing adverse implications for marine wildlife and potentially human health via seafood consumption. The absence of standardized methods for quantifying and characterizing microplastics is a major limiting factor in comparing current research. To evaluate the issue of monitoring microplastics in the marine environment, I conducted a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis on mussels as a biomonitoring tool. Because mussels …

Mathematical Model Of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer In Response To Combination Chemotherapies, Angelica Davenport, Yun Lu, Carlos Gallegos, Adriana Massicano, Katherine Heinzman, Patrick Song, Anna Sorace, Nick Cogan

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

A Circular Economy Approach To Improve E-Waste Recycling In California: Economic Potential And Policy Options, Kripa Shah

Master's Projects and Capstones

The higher consumption rates of electronic devices along with their short life cycles and few repair options poses a huge challenge for E-waste industries to manage them effectively. E-waste comprises of hazardous materials and toxic constituents that can affect the environment and public health through improper disposal. However, they also contain few valuable materials that, if recovered, can reduce the dependence on virgin raw materials. Circular economy has the potential to utilize these valuable materials and gain environment and socio-economic benefits. The research explains how the adoption of a circular economy approach can help improve the E-waste recycling in California …

Evaluating Soil Health Changes Following Cover Crop And No-Till Integration Into A Soybean (Glycine Max) Cropping System In The Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Alexandra Gwin Firth

Theses and Dissertations

The transition of natural landscapes to intensive agricultural uses has resulted in severe loss of soil organic carbon (SOC), increased CO₂ emissions, river depletion, and groundwater overdraft. Despite negative documented effects of agricultural land use (i.e., soil erosion, nutrient runoff) on critical natural resources (i.e., water, soil), food production must increase to meet the demands of a rising human population. Given the environmental and agricultural productivity concerns of intensely managed soils, it is critical to implement conservation practices that mitigate the negative effects of crop production and enhance environmental integrity. In the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) region of Mississippi, USA, …

Improving Nutrition And Food Safety Knowledge Of Small-Scale Fish Processors In Delta State, Nigeria, Grace Adeola Adegoye

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Fish is an affordable animal source food that provides nutrition and serves as a source of income for many people especially women in Nigeria. Smoking and sun drying are the processing methods in practice that expose the fish products to possible contaminants which may consequentially negate their nutritive value.

Aim: To improve the knowledge of fish processors on nutrition and safe fish handling.

Methodology: A 3-day participatory training was organized to train 122 fish processors, 95 women, and 25 men. The training was conducted in the three senatorial districts in Delta State, Nigeria. Knowledge was assessed using the pre …

Hyperbranched Polyester-Based Drug Delivery System For The Optical Imaging And Treatment Of Cancer, Truptiben Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Hyperbranched polymers are well known to be a promising new class of drug delivery system for biomedical application. In this research, a novel hyperbranched polyester polymer was synthesized by following melt polymerization technique utilizing our proprietary A₂B monomer, triethylene glycol and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). This polymerization process was catalyzed by p-toluene sulfonic acid and was monitored by analyzing the polymer sample in regular time intervals. The final polymer was purified using the solvent precipitation method and characterized using MALDI-TOF, NMR, and GPC, DSC, TGA, FT-IR. The solvent diffusion method was used to formulate polymeric nanoparticle and doxorubicin drug …

Understanding The Transport And Chemistry Of Indoor Air During Wildfire Smoke Events With Elliott Gall, Elliott T. Gall

PDXPLORES Podcast

Dr. Elliott Gall, Associate Professor in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Department at Portland State University, studies indoor air quality in order to better understand how to improve building designs to promote health.

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. So, too, are wildfire smoke events. Smoke from wildfires pose serious health risks. That is why the Environmental Protection Agency recommends individuals remain indoors during smoke events.

In this episode, Professor Gall discusses the importance of understanding the chemistry of wildfire smoke indoors and how smoke is transported into buildings.

Click on the "Download" button to access the audio transcript.

Toxicological Assessment Of Zinc Oxide And Titanium Dioxide On Staghorn Coral, Acropora Cervicornis, Katherine E. Meurer

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and biologically significant ecosystems on the planet. However, anthropogenic impacts have led to a global decline in overall reef health in recent years. To address concerns that organic ultraviolet filters in sunscreen may contribute to reduced coral health, the mineral UV filters, zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), have become more common in sunscreen formulas as they are often considered “reef safe” despite limited information on the toxicological effects of these compounds in corals. This study evaluated the effects of exposure to unmodified forms of zinc oxide or titanium …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Ionic Liquids Using Nitrogen-Based Cations For Transdermal Delivery, Jo Galloway

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore the synthesis mechanisms of water-soluble ionic liquids with nitrogen-containing cationic bases for future use in transdermal drug delivery and forensic science applications. Ionic liquids are salts with an organic cation and either an organic or inorganic anion. They have asymmetric structures, which means that the molecules don’t pack together as neatly as other salts do, therefore, they don’t crystallize as easily, and their melting points are lower. Ionic liquids have melting points below 100°C, and many are liquid at room temperature. Mechanistic studies reveal that the potency of ILs in enhancing transdermal …

Polymeric Nanocarriers For Delivery Of Small Molecules Inhibiting Tubulin Polymerization For The Treatment Of Pancreatic Cancer And Lung Metastatic Melanoma, Rajan Sharma Bhattarai

Theses & Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to develop delivery systems for the novel small molecules which inhibit tubulin polymerization. One of the small molecules was modified to lipid conjugate to increase the lipophilicity of the molecules which in turn drastically improved the drug loading in amphiphilic polymeric system. The second molecule was conjugated to the amphiphilic polymeric backbone with pH sensitive Schiff’s linker for the tumor site specific delivery in lung metastatic melanoma model.

Chapter 1 discusses the tumor microenvironment for the solid tumor especially focusing on Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Further the drug delivery system currently researched for addressing …

Finding The Optimal Ionic Liquid To Target White Blood Cell Subpopulations Using Nanoparticles, Meghan Gorniak

Honors Theses

Disorders and diseases of the immune system have become more prevalent in recent decades and can have life-threatening effects on those afflicted. Granulocyte disorders disproportionately affect infants and children, while chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common type of leukemia in adults. Unfortunately, current treatments have many drawbacks such as everyday injection, short-lived efficacy, and unknown levels of safety and effectiveness. It is imperative to find more effective treatment options that could allow for easier drug delivery to specific populations of white blood cells (WBCs). Nanoscale medicine shows promising application, but complications remain in reaching the desired target site and …

The Use Of Nebulizer Medications As A Possible Treatment For Covid-19, Jacob Kaufman

Honors College Theses

For the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the focal point in healthcare and research. This disease has permanently changed daily life and left a historic impact on the world. Most people have felt the effects of this pandemic either directly, via infection, or indirectly, via change in workflow, financial impact, etc. The main question for this virus still remains today; how do we treat this illness effectively? While many ideas are being tested and suggested, a definite answer has yet to be procured. Vaccine rates are climbing on a daily basis, serving as the first and most …

Blue Zones: Unlocking Key Themes In The Centenarian's Life, Grace Beer, Grace O. Beer

Honors College Theses

Longevity has been sought after in certain areas of the world, and there are specific regions where this has been achieved. There is an American average life expectancy of 72 years old, but individuals in “Blue Zones” here in America and other areas of the world are expected to and have proven to live well beyond 100. The areas of Okinawa, Sardinia, Nicoya, Ikaria, and Loma Linda are classified as Blue Zones, and there could be more of an understanding of how these people live the way they do to have such healthy physical outcomes. To deeply understand the strategy …