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Systemic Effects Of Varying Degrees Of Thermal Burn Injuries In Young Mice: Role Of Microvesicle Particles And Platelet-Activating Factor, Prince Wilfred

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Thermal burn injuries (TBI) result in local and systemic effects, particularly when a large body surface area is exposed to TBI. This study investigates the systemic effects of varying degrees of TBI in the murine model, focusing on the role of microvesicle particles (MVP) and Platelet-activating Factor (PAF) in mediating bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation. Utilizing the murine model, we analyzed MVP levels in the skin and blood, bacterial translocation in the gut, and the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in the major organs at the 2-hour post-burn time point. Our studies revealed that after the two hours’ time point TBI …

Ecological Interactions Of Large Mammals In Luangwa, Zambia, Jahzara Osborne, Amelia Villaseñor

2025 Research Poster Competition

"The connection between mammalian behavior in national parks and human-driven environmental change is tenuous. National parks are often considered the last vestiges of natural space, yet they are created and maintained by humans. South Luangwa National Park (SLNP) within the southern East African Rift is a microcosm of this global conundrum and is also a region where stable isotope data is sparce. Understanding the mammalian diets of mammals in the SLNP via carbon and oxygen stable isotopes in teeth will provide a means of understanding variation in one aspect of mammal behavior that may be affected by changing animal-human relationships. …

Effect Of Vibration Isolation During Transportation On Beef Sirloin Subprimal And Steak Quality, Kylie Nevada Krueger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of vibration during transportation on beef sirloin water holding capacity, color, and tenderness. USDA Choice center-cut sirloin top butts (n = 45 cases) were collected at a commercial processing facility and randomly allocated to one of three treatments 1) regular pallet driven 241 km (Reg241), 2) regular pallet driven 644 km (Reg644), and 3) vibration isolation pallet driven 644 km (Iso644). All subprimals were transported at -2.2 °C (d0) and stored for 10 days to mimic industry practices for product aging. Following storage (d11), one subprimal per case was evaluated …

The Role Of Rad51 And Its Paralogs In Dna Damage Response In Quiescent Cells Exposed To Solar Simulating Uv Radiation, Angitha Radhakrishnan Nair

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Rad51, and its five paralog proteins Rad51B, Rad51C, Rad51D, XRCC2, and XRCC3, are crucial in homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Prior studies have extensively shown the roles of Rad51 in the S/G2 phase, but its role in the G0/G1 phase is still unclear. Our lab focuses on studying the role of Rad51 and its paralogs in quiescent cells. RT-qPCR and western blots helped us understand the expression of Rad51 paralogs in proliferating and quiescent keratinocyte cells. Using a pharmacological inhibitor of Rad51, we found that Rad51 promotes quiescent cell survival after exposure to UV radiation. Like Rad51, …

Determinants Of Bat Activity And Habitat-Use At Runkle Woods And Huffman Metropark, Ohio, Heidi E. Orloff

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North American bats are an excellent control of pests as most are insectivorous feeders. They face numerous threats including habitat loss, anthropogenic development, disease (White-nose Syndrome), and potentially artificial light at night (ALAN). It is important to track species populations and habitat-use to determine the magnitude of effects from these threats. Acoustic monitoring has proven a useful and non-invasive method for tracking bat populations. In my research, I conducted stationary acoustic surveys of bat activity at Wright State University’s Runkle Woods and nearby Huffman MetroPark during the summers of 2023 and 2024. I recorded bat calls in three different habitats …

Comparative Impact Of Canagliflozin Versus Pioglitazone On Biomarkers Of Diabetic Kidney Disease In Db/Db Mice, Siri Chandana Minikuri

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Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), primarily through dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), characterized by elevated Ang II which promotes vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, and renal fibrosis, along with increased urinary shedding of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which can exacerbate the imbalance of RAS and tubular injury. Previous studies demonstrated that rosiglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist, attenuated hyperglycemia, glycosuria, albuminuria, and decreased urinary ACE2 shedding in db/db mice, suggesting a RAS-mediated renoprotective mechanism. Building on this evidence, the current study compared the renal effects of pioglitazone (a PPAR-γ agonist) and canagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) in …

Characterization Of Atr Kinase Function In Quiescent Keratinocytes Exposed To Solar Simulating Uv Radiation, Mohamed Sameer Cholakkathody

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This study examines the role of Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase in quiescent human keratinocytes exposed to solar-simulated UV radiation (SSL). The ATR inhibitor VE-822 did not significantly affect cell viability in the absence of UV exposure, showing that ATR kinase activity is not essential for quiescent cell survival in the absence of additional genotoxic stress. After SSL exposure, ATR inhibition did not impact acute cell viability but reduced the cells’ long-term ability to proliferate. Western blot analysis demonstrated that VE-822 potently suppressed phosphorylation of ATR target proteins KAP1 and CHK2 in a dose-dependent manner after SSL exposure, confirming strong …

Distinct Forms Of Myotonia In Pharmacologic And Genetic Mouse Models At Room And Body Temperature, Rola Benammar

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Myotonia congenita (MC) is a genetic disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ClC-1 chloride channel, leading to muscle hyperexcitability and symptoms of transient stiffness and weakness. Work in hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HKPP), a disorder with overlapping clinical features, has shown that myotonia can arise from two distinct mechanisms: a sustained form and a transient post-stimulus form, which have opposite temperature dependence. In HKPP, sustained myotonia worsens at elevated temperatures, whereas transient myotonia is exacerbated by cooling. This study tested whether these two mechanisms also contribute to myotonia in MC. Ex vivo force recordings were performed in extensor digitorum longus …

Determining The Genetic Population Structure Of The Endangered Scirpus Ancistrochaetus Using Genomic Sequences, Kayci Johnson

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Wetlands are biodiverse ecosystems across the world, and they are being lost at alarming rates due to fragmentation and anthropogenic stressors. Many wetland plants are endangered or threatened due to wetland decreasing numbers. Scirpus ancistrochaetus is an endangered wetland species in the northeastern United States. It is most commonly found in lowlands and forested ecosystems. In this study, I used 105 polymorphic loci obtained from double-digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq), a conservation genetics tool, to determine conservation units, gene flow, kinship, and isolation-by-distance patterns. Discrete populations were identified in New England and the southern part of the species’ …

Benthic Algal Biomass And Productivity Across Depth Gradients In Lakes Michigan And Erie, Ahmed Ogidan

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Benthic primary production is poorly quantified in the Laurentian Great Lakes relative to phytoplankton-based production. We measured benthic chlorophyll and benthic primary productivity on soft sediments and Dreissena shells along depth gradients in Lakes Erie (2024) and Michigan (2025) during EPA Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative cruises. We measured benthic chlorophyll fluorometrically and estimated benthic primary productivity using non-invasive oxygen exchange incubations. We used PAM fluorometry to characterize photosynthetic-irradiance relationships on mussel shells and sediments in Lake Michigan. In Lake Erie, sediment chlorophyll ranged from 20 to 150 mg m⁻², with highest values in the central basin. In Lake Michigan, …

Characterizing The Microvesicle Particles From Keratinocytes Stimulated With Multiple Stressors, Muslima Begum

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Many types of environmental and physical stressors act upon the skin and can initiate inflammation, systemic effects, and even damage to internal organs. Recent studies have identified that these harmful events are driven by the release of subcellular microvesicle particles (MVPs), an inflammatory process promoted by the glycerophosphocholines-derived lipid mediator, Platelet-activating Factor (PAF). These harmful effects are driven by the release of MVPs, a process promoted by the inflammatory lipid mediator, PAF. We have previously demonstrated that exposure of human HaCaT keratinocyte and mouse skin to stressors such as thermal burn injury, ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, and topical photodynamic therapy …

Elucidation Of The Post-Transcriptional Regulation And Role In Iron Homeostasis Of The Outer Membrane Vesicle Protein Ynce In Salmonella, Mira J. Schmidt

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Iron is an essential element for most bacteria as it is a crucial cofactor for enzymes involved in fundamental reactions such as DNA synthesis. Despite being the fourth most abundant element on Earth, bacteria face challenges acquiring iron under aerobic conditions due to the poor solubility of its oxidized form (Fe³⁺). To overcome this, bacteria have developed various strategies of iron acquisition, such as the production of siderophores. Siderophores are small molecules that scavenge free Fe³⁺ in iron-deprived environments. Iron acquisition is tightly regulated due to its capability of promoting hydrogen peroxide formation via the Fenton reaction. In Salmonella Typhimurium, …

Development Of A Proposed Selective Medium For The Isolation And Differentiation Of P. Sordellii, Dimyana Bottros

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Clostridium, a genus of anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria, includes clinically and ecologically significant species like Clostridium difficile and Paeniclostridium sordellii. C. difficile causes antibiotic-associated colitis, while P. sordellii is linked to fatal infections and spontaneous abortions. Recent studies found both species in marine sediments, suggesting their role in environmental and wildlife health disturbances, including the 2013 mass mortality of over 300 manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. However, isolating and differentiating P. sordellii is challenging due to the lack of selective media optimized for its growth. This thesis proposes a novel selective medium tailored to P. sordellii’s physiological …

Utilization Of Golden Pennycress In Broiler Diets, Marley M. Knowles

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance in broiler chickens fed diets containing golden pennycress meal (GPCM), with and without a flavor additive. Golden pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a winter cover crop grown in the Midwest that is rising in popularity as a cash crop used for biofuel production. After oil is pressed out of the seeds, a meal remains that is usually discarded. Incorporation of this meal (23% protein, 15% fat) into feedstuffs for broilers would be an efficient way to make biofuel production more sustainable. In one study, Cornish Cross three-day-old chicks (n=12) were …

Study Of Prevalence Of Toxoplasmosis In Some Renal ‎Diseases In Children: Is There An Association?‎, Rowida Mokhtar Abdoullah, Sherine M. Elzeiny, Nora I. Aboulfotouh, Ayman M. Hammad

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Toxoplasmosis, a widespread protozoal disease caused by the obligatory intracellular Toxoplasma gondii (TG). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a disease characterized by progressive damage and loss in kidney functions. End stage renal disease (ESRD) is known as CKD with GFR less than 15ml/min. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is defined as heavy proteinuria that ultimately ends in hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia and generalized edema. Patients with CKD and ESRD are immune compromised so more liable to increased incidence of infections, especially opportunistic infections. Nephrotic syndrome ,90% of cases, is of unknown etiology but some papers suggest toxoplasmosis as a cause. Aim: To evaluate …

Genetic Variation Of Rice Stink Bugs, Oebalus Spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) From Southeastern United States And Cuba, Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has been a pest of rice in the United States since the 1880s. Besides this species, there now are two invasive Oebalus species, O. ypsilongriseus (De Geer) and O. insularis Stål, which are found in Florida. Genetic variation of these economically important species is unknown, limiting our understanding of Oebalus evolution and demography. Here we provide the first population-level investigation of genetic diversity in these species. Ninety two adult stink bugs were collected from the southeastern United States (Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida), and Cuba. A region of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase …

Molecular Insights Into The Impact Of Bone Marrow Stroma, Cb-6644 Inhibition Of The Ruvbl1/2 Complex, And Cebpβ On Regulating Drug Sensitivity In Multiple Myeloma, Sebastian Adam Dziadowicz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Multiple myeloma (MM), is a hematological cancer originating in plasma cells. Currently multiple myeloma represents a significant clinical challenge due its incurable nature mainly due to inevitable drug resistance. MM is characterized by abnormal plasma cell proliferation within the bone marrow and production of abnormal immunoglobulin resulting in a plethora of physiological abnormalities. Although a rare malignancy, MM accounts for 1% of all cancers and currently has five-year survival rate of around 50%. Utilizing a combination of laboratory experiments and bioinformatics techniques, this dissertation examines multiple layers of MM physiology in the context of regulating drug resistance or sensitivity. First, …

Characterization Of Lipids In Tenebrio Molitor Larvae And Pupae Under Various Extraction Methods, Nariman A. Ktil

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tenebrio molitor, or the yellow mealworm is an edible insect widely recognized and consumed for its rich nutritional value. Mealworms are known for their flexible nature of adapting to various environmental conditions and being able to thrive under harsh conditions and low-value wastes. In this paper, our main goal was to investigate the mealworm’s ability to grow and develop while being reared on apple pomace, the biowaste from apple production, and the effect it would have on its nutritional value specifically its lipid profile. Then these reared insects were used for oil extraction and analyzing their fatty acid profiles. …

Sensory Evaluation And Consumer Acceptance Of A Protein Enriched Energy Bar, Brennah T. Groves

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Acceptance of a Protein Enriched Energy Bar

Brennah Groves

This study evaluated the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of a protein enriched energy bar. The objectives of this study were to 1) formulate a high-protein energy bar containing at least 20 g of protein per 100 g serving, and 2) determine whether increasing the protein content in an energy bar would enhance the sensory evaluation and improve consumer acceptance among collegiate athletes. The control energy bar featured a shortbread base, date caramel with whey protein, a nougat layer, and a chocolate coating. Additional collagen protein …

Inactivation Kinetics Of Escherichia Coli And Listeria Monocytogenes In Edible Insects, Precious Aduloju

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Edible insects are emerging as sustainable and nutritious alternatives to conventional protein sources. However, concerns about food safety, particularly the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes, remain a barrier to consumer acceptance and industrial use. This study evaluated the effectiveness of thermal processing in inactivating E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and their non-pathogenic surrogates (E. coli JM109 and Listeria innocua) in both fresh and dehydrated forms of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) and Acheta domesticus (cricket). It also evaluated the influence of insect species, moisture content, and temperature on microbial inactivation. A microbial challenge …

Genomic Differences And Parentage In West Virginia's Reintroduced Elk (Cervus Canadensis), Adam A.V. Cook

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Elk (Cervus canadensis) reintroductions have been common in the 20th and 21st centuries, yet 40% have failed to establish self-sustaining elk populations due to a lack of post-reintroduction demographic monitoring. Elk were reintroduced to West Virginia in 2016 following more than a century of absence after the species was extirpated in 1875. Elk were translocated to West Virginia from Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) in eastern Kentucky and from Arizona. The two groups of elk differ in their subspecies, physiology, reintroduction history, connectivity, and habitat. Reintroductions create genetic risks such as the founder effect and …

Microbiological Examination Of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) Larvae Under Various Processing And Storage Conditions As Potential For Human Consumption, Rachel Midkiff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae have gained attention as a sustainable and nutritionally balanced food source, yet their high natural bacterial load raises food safety concerns. This study investigates the impact of pre-processing, processing, and storage conditions on microbial load and diversity in mealworms, comparing thermal (hot) and non-thermal (cold) treatments. These treatments include freeze-drying, wet heat treatments, dry heat treatments, and the combination of wet and dry heat treatments against untreated controls. Microbial loads were quantified by plate counts after day 0, day 10, and day 28 of vacuum-sealed refrigerated (4°C) storage. Water activity (Aw), pH, and moisture content …

Impact Of Whey And Soy Protein Supplementation On Resistance Training In Young Adults: A Systematic Literature Review And Meta-Analysis, Brandon Eric Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Whey protein is a popular supplement in sports nutrition. Soy protein is an alternative to whey protein, often marketed to individuals following a plant-based diet. Evaluating whey and soy protein supplementation's role in resistance exercise is essential for providing evidence-based nutrition guidance.

Objective: The study aim was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on randomized control trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of whey and soy protein supplementation on outcomes of lean body mass (LBM), squat, bench press, and plasma essential plasma amino acid (EAA) levels in young adult men and women.

Methods: The databases …

Neurobiological Variables Mediating The Relationship Between Breast Cancer And Sleep Disruption, Brittany Domenique Elliott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Neurobiological Variables Mediating the Relationship between

Breast Cancer and Sleep Disruption

Brittany D. Elliott, MS

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women, with more than two million new cases diagnosed world-wide each year. Improvements in screening technology and diagnostics have increased survival rates, but cancer-associated sleep disruptions persist for the majority of breast cancer survivors well beyond the treatment period. In addition to reducing quality of life, reduced sleep quality is associated with greater incidences of affective dysfunction, reduced treatment efficiency, aggressive cancer progression, increased symptom severity, and increased mortality by all causes. Thus, identifying the variables …

Improving Food Safety Practices Among Fsma-Exempt Small-Scale Produce Growers: A Manuscript-Based Dissertation On Risk, Adoption, And Practical Barriers, Jesica Marie Temple

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Improving Food Safety Practices Among FSMA-Exempt Small-Scale Produce Growers: A Manuscript-Based Dissertation on Risk, Adoption, and Practical Barriers

Jesica Temple

Foodborne illness outbreaks associated with fresh produce continue to pose a public health risk in the United States. Although the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) established science-based standards to prevent contamination, many small-scale farms are exempt from these requirements. Consequently, voluntary adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) varies widely across regions. Strategies to improve engagement among FSMA-exempt growers are key to advancing postharvest food safety and reducing contamination. This manuscript-based dissertation examined how knowledge, attitudes, …

Longitudinal And Ensemble Modeling Of Beef Cattle Feed And Water Intakes, Nathan El Blake

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Beef cattle production remains a cornerstone of global food systems, providing highly bioavailable protein and essential micronutrients that are difficult to secure from plant-based foods alone. Yet this production is also resource-intensive, requiring substantial land, feed, and water inputs while contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Efficiency of dry matter intake (DMI) and water intake (WI) is central to both productivity and sustainability, but accurate measurement of these traits—particularly in grazing systems—remains a major limitation. National WI standards continue to rely on pen-level data collected in the 1950s, while most existing DMI prediction equations perform poorly when applied beyond the …

An Edna Assessment Of The Diamond Darter (Crystallaria Cincotta) In Its Current And Historic Distribution Range, Cameron Moore Layne

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Environmental DNA (eDNA) can serve as a useful monitoring tool for cryptic and imperiled freshwater stream fishes. eDNA can fill knowledge gaps regarding species’ distribution, site abundance, and habitat usage. The last known stronghold of the Diamond Darter (Crystallaria cincotta) in the Elk River of West Virginia provides an excellent test case to examine the utility of this non-invasive method of surveying rare species. Diamond Darters are one of the most newly recognized freshwater fishes in North America and are among the most imperiled U.S. fishes, having been federally listed as endangered in 2013. The cryptic behavior and limitations of …

The Effect Of Sars-Cov-2 On Bacterial Diversity And Abundance In Community Wastewater, Joshua Lambert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters human respiratory cells through binding of its spike (S) protein to the ACE-2 receptor, which is highly expressed in lung cells, but is also found in over 150 other cell types encompassing major organs including GI enterocytes. SARS-CoV-2 causes gut dysbiosis in infected individuals and patients with COVID-19 and also coincides with lower alpha diversity of the individual’s gut microbiome. Certain gut microbiome-associated genera are lower in abundance in COVID-19 patients including Lachnospira, Prevetolla, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium while genera such as Bacteroides, Enterococcus and Proteobacteria are increased during a SARS-CoV-2 …

Screening Herbicides For Use In Newly Established Short Rotation Coppice Shrub Willow Plantations, Alex Thomas Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A major setback for the establishment of short rotation coppice willow plantations is the control of competition from weeds. Weed competition has been found to cause increased mortality which lowers biomass yields when left uncontrolled. Mechanical weed control methods are the most used method of weed control, but their use can be complicated by cost, labor availability and site topography. Chemical weed control is also complicated by the fact that willow species are particularly sensitive to herbicides. Across three trials, we screen 11 herbicides for their potential to control weeds without significantly decreasing the vertical growth of willow trees. This …

Motivation And Well-Being: A Study Of Wvu Extension Volunteers, Amber Renae Goff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Volunteers are the heart of the land-grant outreach model. They bring education and resources to communities across West Virginia. Volunteers have been relied upon in many aspects of Extension programming and current budget conditions have reduced the level of staffing within WVU Extension. There may be an increased demand for volunteers to help with programming. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between motivation and the perceived level of well-being within the WVU Extension volunteer programs. The study yielded 464 responses from a descriptive survey. Based on the results, WVU Extension volunteers are motivated based on their …