Digital Commons Network^™

A Millifluidic Perfusion Cassette For Studying The Pathogenesis Of Enteric Infections Using Ex-Vivo Organoids, Reid L Wilson, Sarah A Hewes, Anubama Rajan, Shih-Ching Lin, Carolyn Bomidi, Takanori Iida, Mary K Estes, Anthony W Maresso, K Jane Grande-Allen

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

To generate physiologically-relevant experimental models, the study of enteric diarrheal diseases is turning increasingly to advanced in vitro models that combine ex vivo, stem cell-derived "organoid" cell lines with bioengineered culture environments that expose them to mechanical stimuli, such as fluid flow. However, such approaches require considerable technical expertise with both microfabrication and organoid culture, and are, therefore, inaccessible to many researchers. For this reason, we have developed a perfusion system that is simple to fabricate, operate, and maintain. Its dimensions approximate the volume and cell culture area of traditional 96-well plates and allow the incorporation of fastidious primary, stem …

Evaluating The Effects Of Detergent Concentration On The Reendothelialization And Ultrastructure Of Porcine Internal Thoracic Artery Scaffolds, Jesse Bruce Kooistra

Graduate Theses

Cardiovascular disease exerts a consistent force of morbidity and mortality on the global population. This pressure has created a demand for reliable replacement vascular tissues. Current solutions include synthetic grafts and biological transplant options that are associated with a multitude of complications. Therefore, the continued innovation of vascular tissue replacement solutions is warranted. Decellularized vascular tissues have been previously utilized as scaffolds upon which recellularized tissue engineered vascular solutions are constructed. However the interplay between decellularization agent concentration and effective recellularization has not been well documented. Herein we investigate this relationship through a detail oriented research model that both qualifies …

A Neural Mechanism For Capnotaxis In The Naked Mole-Rat, Michael Zions

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

A Neural Mechanism for Capnotaxis in the Naked Mole-Rat

The Naked Mole-Rat (NM-R) is a small hairless rodent that has thrived underground in the Horn of Africa for the past 40 million years. It was first discovered in 1847, but has only been maintained in captivity and studied as a laboratory animal over the past 40 years. To date, more than 400 scientific papers have been published on this species. This is relatively few compared to established lab animals like rats and mice, but those papers contain a trove of information that has changed our understanding of the constraints of …

A&P Workshop Summary—Uniting Anatomy And Physiology Through Case Studies, Angela Horner, Stuart Sumida, Tomasz Owercowicz

Q2S Enhancing Pedagogy

Introducing problem-solving based methods of pedagogy is one approach to engage students early in their careers with developing analytic and diagnostic skills. PBL approaches in anatomy and medical teaching are a logical extension of clinical case studies, wherein an example of a pathology or clinical procedure is provided, and students must ascertain the anatomical and/or physiological basis for it. Students report a deeper understanding of material presented in clinical case studies, as the ‘real world’ relevance and importance is immediately clear (Cliff and Wright, 1996).

Implementation Of A Dose Response To Wood Smoke Pm: A Potential Method To Further Explain Cvd In Wildland Firefighters., Dylan Richmond, John Quindry, Christopher T. Migliaccio, Brent Ruby

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The presentation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and comorbidities in aging and retired wildland firefighters (WLFF) continues to be one of the top health priorities to address by The United States Forest Service. In the past 20 years, experts at multiple meetings and conferences have confronted this growing concern as a formal call to action to investigation the individual components related to working in the wildland fire setting. The inhalation of wood smoke particulate matter (PM) shows evidence of altering homeostasis in WLLF’s in the areas of oxidative stress, inflammation, and arterial stiffness, all of which contribute to the development of …

The Effect Of Hibiscus.Sabdariffa. L On Blood Pressure And Arterial Stiffness In Humans, Basirat Tolulope Shittu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the foremost cause of death worldwide. The main risk factor for CVD is uncontrolled hypertension (HTN). The prescription of only anti-hypertensive regimens in the management of HTN is becoming more challenging due to the high cost and adverse effects linked to the persistent usage of the drugs. Eighteen participants completed the study by consuming 2g of Hibiscus sabdariffa or oolong tea twice daily for six weeks. We lost an additional twelve participants in the study due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Central arterial stiffness was analyzed as cfPWV using applanation tonometry technique. The HS tea intervention (n=11) …

An In-Depth Review Of Retinitis Pigmentosa Development And Pathologies Overtime In Patients, Abdul Harris

Honors College Theses

Retinitis Pigmentosa is a disease which can cause blindness and affects around 2.5 million people worldwide. It is a disorder that has a multitude of ways of being inherited, such as autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive as well as X-linked and mitochondrial linked disorder. While some versions of RP may be syndromic (20%-30%), a majority of cases are in fact non-syndromic. The majority of non-syndromic cases inherited via autosomal dominant RP having RHO gene mutations, and X-linked means of inheritance having majority of patients with RPGR gene mutations. Ushers Syndrome, a syndromic version of retinitis pigmentosa and autosomal recessive RP having …

Bone Strength And Distal Femur Trabecular Thickness In Sleep Deprived Ovariectomized Rats Treated With Zoledronate, Erin Nolte, Frank Frisch

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the density and quality of bone to be decreased, which can increase the risk of fracture by 40%. 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 will be affected by osteoporosis. This study aimed to show how bone strength and distal femur trabecular thickness might be affected by Zoledronate and sleep-deprivation in estrogen-deficient rats. Wistar female rats were ovariectomized to contrive postmenopausal estrogen-deficiency. The rats were separated into 4 groups. The control group (C, n=4) was given an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 0.45 mL of 0.9% saline, were housed in standard conditions permitting …

Potential Use Of Dopamine And Dopamine Agonists As Angiogenesis Inhibitors In The Treatment Of Cancer, Benjamin Finley, Katherine Liu, Daniel Powell, Jamie Kellner, David H. Kinder

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

In recent years, there have been numerous developments in monoclonal antibodies used as anticancer drugs with a focus on reducing the ability of cancers to metastasize and produce new vasculature. These agents are called angiogenesis inhibitors and although these agents have been proven effective in treating certain types of cancers, production and administration of monoclonal antibodies comes at a steep cost with a severe side effect profile. Under normal physiologic conditions, angiogenesis is an important mechanism to create new blood vessels from preexisting vessels, usually occurring in adults. Tumor cells can hijack the angiogenesis pathway to produce new distant tumors …

Our Envirome, Spring/Summer 2019, Issue 40

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Biobanks On Research Outcomes In Rare Diseases: A Systematic Review, Monique Garcia, Jenny Downs, Alyce Russell, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

BACKGROUND: Alleviating the burden of rare diseases requires research into new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. We undertook a systematic review to identify and compare the impact of stand-alone registries, registries with biobanks, and rare disease biobanks on research outcomes in rare diseases.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-aggregation was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (the PRISMA statement). English language publications were sourced from PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. Original research papers that reported clinical, epidemiological, basic or translational research findings derived from data contained in stand-alone registries, registries with biobanks, …

Artificial Gravity As A Countermeasure To The Cardiovascular Deconditioning Of Spaceflight: Gender Perspectives, Joyce M. Evans, Charles F. Knapp, Nandu Goswami

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Space flight-induced physiological deconditioning resulting from decreased gravitational input, decreased plasma volume, and disruption of regulatory mechanisms is a significant problem in returning astronauts as well as in normal aging. Here we review effects of a promising countermeasure on cardiovascular systems of healthy men and women undergoing Earth-based models of space-flight. This countermeasure is produced by a centrifuge and called artificial gravity (AG). Numerous studies have determined that AG improves orthostatic tolerance (as assessed by various protocols) of healthy ambulatory men, of men deconditioned by bed rest or by immersion (both wet and dry) and, in one case, following spaceflight. …

The Comparison Of Skin Irritation Level Between Topical Cajeput Oil And Telon Oil: A Pilot Study, Sri Esa Ilona, Aris Cahyono, Endra Yustin Ellistasari, Muh. Eko Irawanto, Harijono Kariosentono

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: Cajuputi/Cajeput/Melalueca leucadendron oil is a type of essential oil, widely known and used by Indonesian for infants, children, and elderly. It is also included in telon oil compositions (±42%). Excessive application of cajeput oil and telon oil may lead to skin irritation.

Methods: This randomized single-blind control trial was conducted with 10 subjects who met the inclusion criteria. Four areas with diameter of 10 mm each were made on the flexor surface of the upper arm. Area 1 was designated as negative control. Area 2 to 4 were pre-irritated with tape stripping for 40 ± 10 times …

Androgenic Alopecia; The Risk–Benefit Ratio Of Finasteride, David L. Rowland, Ion G. Motofei, Ioana Păunică, Petrișor Banu, Mihaela F. Nistor, Stana Păunică, Vlad D. Constantin

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Finasteride is currently approved and largely used as a therapeutic option for androgenetic alopecia. Apparently a safe drug and effective at the onset of its application, several concerns have since appeared over the years regarding the frequency and magnitude of finasteride adverse effects, which in some cases appear irreversible even after drug termination.

This paper discusses the use of finasteride for androgenic alopecia from two distinct perspectives. On the one hand, androgenic alopecia is a condition that especially affects a person’s self-image and esteem, aspects that are subjectively-constructed and thus relative and changeable. On the other hand, this condition involves …

The Role Of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators Ifnβ And Prostaglandin E2 In Suppression Of Innate Immunity To Listeria Monocytogenes, Michelle G. Pitts

Theses and Dissertations--Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics

As a foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) encounters many barriers to invasion and dissemination in the host that may change the nature of host response. Lm has been most commonly studied using intravenous (i.v.) inoculation, however, a method that delivers a bolus of bacteria directly to the bloodstream. Thus, little is known about what systemic and local mediators are triggered during the natural course of infection and how these may impact susceptibility. Our laboratory used foodborne transmission of Lm in mice to assess whether the method of transmission and the specific organ microenvironment could affect infection-induced secretion of …

Workplace Standing Desks And Arterial Stiffness, Ian Greenlund

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Many jobs in today’s society require sitting at a desk with little physical activity. Individuals who engage in ten hours of sedentary behavior per day double their CVD risk. Standing desks are thought to decrease sedentary time and improve cardiovascular health. Acute use of standing desks is shown to lower PWV. However, chronic effects remain unknown. Forty eight participants qualified as seated (19 females, 5 males: age 41 ± 2 years, BMI 25 ± 1 kg/m²) or standing (21 females, 3 males: age 45 ± 2 years, BMI 25 ± 1 kg/m²) groups based on habitual …

Effects Of The Na-Cl Co-Transporter (Ncc) In Western Diet Induced Metabolic And Cardiac Dysfunction, Zachary S. Cutter

Theses and Dissertations

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine known to be involved in maintaining metabolic homeostasis; however, also capable of inducing cardiac dysfunction. Additionally, IL-18, has been shown to bind to a novel receptor, the Na-Cl Co-transporter (NCC). We hypothesized that NCC mediates IL-18 metabolic and cardiac signaling in mice. Using male C57BL/6J mice, we compared the metabolic and cardiac function changes after at least 8 weeks of high-saturated fat high sugar diet (Western Diet) in NCC knockout (NCCKO), IL-18 knockout (IL-18KO), and wild-type mice. We show that NCCKO mice have significantly increased body weight gain from baseline, no difference in fasting …

A Review Of Ankylosing Spondylitis, Hannah L. Owen

Senior Honors Theses

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that induces ankylosis of the spine (fusion of the vertebrae at their various joints) and inflammatory arthritis of peripheral joints among other symptoms. Overexpression of cytokines, the presence of genetic mutations not exclusive to the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 region, and environmental factors all have large roles in the progressive development of AS. Although a definitive pathology continues to be sought after, researchers believe the adaptive immune system in AS patients attacks fibrocartilaginous entheses (supportive connective tissue between bone and attached structures like tendon, ligament, and fascia).

AS markedly reduces proper systemic …

Diabetes Mellitus: Concerns, Treatment Options, And The Future, Ryan Curry

Biology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Diabetes is a serious disease that is becoming very serious worldwide. This review will discuss some of the treatment options that are available for type two diabetes with a comparison to insulin management. It will discuss the history, genetics, economics, and also the future of diabetes management.

Nitrosative Stress Sensing In Porphyromonas Gingivalis: Structure And Function Of The Heme Binding Transcriptional Regulator Hcpr, Benjamin R. Belvin

Theses and Dissertations

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram negative anaerobe implicated in the progression of periodontal disease, is capable of surviving and causing infection despite high levels of reactive nitrogen species found in the oral cavity due to its efficient nitrosative stress response. HcpR is an important sensor-regulator that plays a vital step in the initiation of the nitrosative stress response in many Gram negative anaerobic bacteria. We employ a combination of X-ray crystallography, SAXS, resonance Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and molecular biology techniques to better understand this key regulator. Knockout of the hcpR gene in W83 P. gingivalis results in the inability of …

Single Low-Dose Lipopolysaccharide Preconditioning: Neuroprotective Against Axonal Injury And Modulates Glial Cells, Ryan C. Turner, Zachary J. Naser, Brandon P. Lucke-Wold, Aric F. Logsdon, Reyna L. Vangilder, Rae Reiko Matsumoto, Jason D. Huber

Faculty Publications & Research of the TUC College of Pharmacy

AIM: Over 7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are reported each year in the United States. However, treatments and neuroprotection following TBI are limited because secondary injury cascades are poorly understood. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration before controlled cortical impact can contribute to neuroprotection. However, the underlying mechanisms and whether LPS preconditioning confers neuroprotection against closed-head injuries remains unclear.

METHODS: The authors hypothesized that preconditioning with a low dose of LPS (0.2 mg/kg) would regulate glial reactivity and protect against diffuse axonal injury induced by weight drop. LPS was administered 7 days prior to TBI. LPS administration reduced locomotion, which recovered completely …

A Mathematical Investigation On Tumor-Immune Dynamics: The Impact Of Vaccines On The Immune Response, Jonathan Quinonez, Neethi Dasu, Mahboob Qureshi

College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUN) Publications and Research

Mathematical models analyzing tumor-immune interactions provide a framework by which to address specific scenarios in regard to tumor-immune dynamics. Important aspects of tumor-immune surveillance to consider is the elimination of tumor cells from a host’s cell-mediated immunity as well as the implications of vaccines derived from synthetic antigen. In present studies, our mathematical model examined the role of synthetic antigen to the strength of the immune system. The constructed model takes into account accepted knowledge of immune function as well as prior work done by de Pillis et al. All equations describing tumor-immune growth, antigen presentation, immune response, and interaction …

Revealing The Quality Of Movement: A Meta-Analysis Review To Quantify The Thresholds To Pathological Variability During Standing And Walking, Niklas König Ignasiak

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Neuromotor processes are inherently noisy, which results in variability during movement and fluctu-ations in motor control. Although controversial, low levels of variability are traditionally considered healthy, while increased levels are thought to be pathological. This systematic review and meta-analysisof the literature investigates the thresholds between healthy and pathological task variability.

After examining 13,195 publications, 109 studies were included. Results from over 3000 healthy sub-jects and 2775 patients revealed an overall positive effect size of pathology on variability of 0.59 forwalking and 0.80 for sway. For the coefficient of variation of stride time (ST) and sway area (SA), upperthresholds of 2.6% …

Viruses, Vaccines And The Public, Judy Diamond, Julia Mcquillan, Amy Spiegel, Patricia Wonch Hill, Rebecca Smith, John T. West, Charles Wood

World of Viruses

Current research in virology is changing public conceptions about vaccines and infectious disease. The University of Nebraska State Museum collaborated with research virologists, science writers, artists and learning researchers to create public outreach materials about viruses and infectious disease. The project, funded by the National Institute of Health’s SEPA program, developed comics, a book with Carl Zimmer, and other materials and programs. The project launched three kinds of learning research: 1) a survey of Nebraska adults on their opinions about vaccines and infectious disease; 2) a study comparing the mental models of viruses, vaccines and infection from virologists, teachers, and …

Examination Of Reticulocytosis Among Chronically Transfused Children With Sickle Cell Anemia., Megha Kaushal, Colleen Byrnes, Zarir Khademian, Natalie Duncan, Naomi L. Luban, Jeffery L Miller, Ross Fasano, Emily R. Meier

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is an inherited hemolytic anemia with compensatory reticulocytosis. Recent studies have shown that increased levels of reticulocytosis during infancy are associated with increased hospitalizations for SCA sequelae as well as cerebrovascular pathologies. In this study, absolute reticulocyte counts (ARC) measured prior to transfusion were analysed among a cohort of 29 pediatric SCA patients receiving chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) for primary and secondary stroke prevention. A cross-sectional flow cytometric analysis of the reticulocyte phenotype was also performed. Mean duration of CTT was 3.1 ± 2.6 years. Fifteen subjects with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) -vasculopathy had significantly higher …

We Are… Bridging Medicine And Science, Vol. 1, Issue 4, Fall 2015, Marshall University Biomedical Sciences

We Are... Bridging Medicine Science

No abstract provided.

Maternal Obesity And Incidence Of Depression, Caroline A. Habjan

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Obesity is a national epidemic in the United States, which both directly and indirectly affects the social productivity of individuals, the American macro economy and individuals’ personal health and well being. Depression often interferes with an individual’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. A maternal state of both obesity and depression may cause serious adverse medical conditions in the mother’s child. Taking steps to treat depression and obesity are critical in the construct of modern medicine. This project yields results that have the potential to make treatment options better tailored, more efficient, effective and economically-sound for the …

The Germ Theory Of Dystopias: Fears Of Human Nature In 1984 And Brave New World, Clea D. Harris

Scripps Senior Theses

This project is an exploration of 20^th century dystopian literature through the lens of germ theory. This scientific principle, which emerged in the late 19^th century, asserts that microorganisms pervade the world; these invisible and omnipresent germs cause specific diseases which are often life threatening. Additionally, germ theory states that vaccines and antiseptics can prevent some of these afflictions and that antibiotics can treat others. This concept of a pervasive, invisible, infection-causing other is not just a biological principle, though; in this paper, I argue that one can interpret it as an ideological framework for understanding human existence …

Olfactory Dysfunction Predicts 5-Year Mortality In Older Adults, Jayant M. Pinto, Kristen E. Wroblewski, David W. Kern, L Phillip Schumm, Martha K. Mcclintock

Psychology & Gerontology Faculty Publications

Prediction of mortality has focused on disease and frailty, although antecedent biomarkers may herald broad physiological decline. Olfaction, an ancestral chemical system, is a strong candidate biomarker because it is linked to diverse physiological processes. We sought to determine if olfactory dysfunction is a harbinger of 5-year mortality in the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project [NSHAP], a nationally representative sample of older U.S. adults. 3,005 community-dwelling adults aged 57–85 were studied in 2005–6 (Wave 1) and their mortality determined in 2010–11 (Wave 2). Olfactory dysfunction, determined objectively at Wave 1, was used to estimate the odds of 5-year, …

Bioengineering The Expression Of Active Recombinant Human Cathepsin G, Enteropeptidase, Neutrophil Elastase, And C-Reactive Protein In Yeast, Eliot T. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The yeasts Pichia pastoris and Kluyveromyces lactis were used to express several recombinant human proteins for further biochemical characterization. Two substitution variants of recombinant human enteropeptidase light chain (rhEPL) were engineered to modify the extended substrate specificity of this serine protease. Both were secreted as active enzymes in excess of 1.7 mg/L in P. pastoris fermentation broth. The substitution variant rhEPL R96Q showed significantly reduced specificities for the preferred substrate sequences DDDDK and DDDDR; however, the rhEPL Y174R variant displayed improved specificities for these substrate sequences relative to all other reported variants of this enzyme. The neutrophil serine proteases human …