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Modulation Of Pulmonary Epithelial Paracellular Permeability By Pneumolysin From Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Alexandra S. Tamayo Moreira

Biology Theses

Pneumolysin (PLY), a key virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), disrupts airway epithelial barriers, yet its cellular and molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. We aim to elucidate recombinant pneumolysin (rPLY)’s effects on Calu-3 bronchial epithelial barrier integrity and underlying pathways. This study investigates the effects of non-lytic and lytic PLY concentrations (5, 15, 30 µg/mL) to test the hypothesis that PLY increases epithelial paracellular permeability by affecting the anatomy and physiology of epithelial tight junctions. To address the hypothesis that PLY increases paracellular permeability through disruption of tight junction integrity in Calu-3 cells in a time- and dose-dependent …

The First Australian Co-Invasion Of Euwallacea Fornicatus, Fusarium Sp. [Af18] And Graphium Euwallaceae, Melinda Moir, Monica Kehoe, Dominie Wright, Stefania Bertazzoni, Peter Scott, Cuiping Wang, Elsie Kinnaird, Brenda A. Coutts

Biosecurity Research Articles

As international trade and travel increase around the world, invasive species detections and incursions are increasing in frequency. Here we document the first detection and incursion within Australia by the Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), Euwallacea fornicatus (Eichhoff, 1868) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), an ambrosia beetle, and two of the associated fungal species; Fusarium sp. [AF18], and Graphium euwallaceae. All three exotic species were detected in a confined region within Perth, Western Australia, and represent a co-invasion. This multispecies incursion into one of the world’s most remote cities highlights the rapid increase in biological invasions globally and the pressures that urban, agricultural, …

Establishing A Novel Neurofunctional Pre-Season Baseline For Sports-Related Concussion In Men And Women Collegiate Athletics, Jonathan C. Vincent, Jon G. Divine Md Ms, Aaron Kuehn-Himmler At Ms, Robert E. Mangine Pt Med Atc, Jim K. Ellis Od, Frederick R. Carrick Dc, Phd, Ms-Hped, Kimberly A. Hasselfeld, Blake M. Bacevich, Daniel Fosselman Do Mba, Joseph F. Clark Phd, Atc

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Objective: To develop and validate a multi-domain neurofunctional baseline incorporating ocular, vestibular, proprioceptive, and cognitive assessments for collegiate athletes, thereby providing a more comprehensive approach to detecting and managing sports-related concussions.

Design: Retrospective chart review of pre-season baseline data.

Setting: Collegiate athletic training facility.

Participants: A total of 194 Division I collegiate athletes aged 18–24 years, stratified by sport, sex, and self-reported concussion history.

Interventions: A comprehensive battery of clinical and instrument-based neurological assessments, including Dynavision D2 tests (visual-motor coordination and reaction time), stereopsis, convergence, proprioception, peripheral vision, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements.

Main Outcome Measures: Normative …

The Enigmatic Samuel Aughey: Nebraska’S Pastor Naturalist, Hugh H. Genoways, Margaret R. Bolick, Mary Anne Andrei

Zea E-Books Collection

Samuel Aughey at age 39 became the first Professor of Natural Science at the new University of Nebraska in Lincoln, serving from 1871 to 1883. He was an ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, with an addendum degree from Pennsylvania College (now Gettysburg College) in 1856 and an A.M. degree two years later. His early pastoral work was in Pennsylvania, but in 1864 he became a home missionary to a church in Dakota City, Nebraska. Aughey’s career at the university was marked with successes and honors, but also criticism and questions about his basic knowledge of the sciences. While …

Utilization Of Bixin-Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanoparticles To Ameliorate E-Cigarette-Induced Damage To Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells, Sophia R. Claymore

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have increased in popularity and usage over the last few decades. E-cigs are generally composed of a liquid containing nicotine flavoring chemicals, a battery, a vaporization chamber, and a coil that heats the liquid upon inhalation of the mouthpiece. E-cigs were initially introduced as a healthy alternative to cigarette smoking. However, recent research has demonstrated that e-cigs elicit comparable cytotoxic and dangerous effects to conventional cigarettes. Bixin has been introduced in recent research as a candidate for therapeutic applications due to its innate anticancer, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged over the past few decades …

Protocol To Analyze Trna And Rrna Processing Using Biotin-Labeled Probes, Sseu-Pei Hwang, Katherine Barondeau, Catherine Denicourt

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Mature tRNAs and rRNAs are derived from larger precursor transcripts through intricate endo- and exonuclease processing steps. Here, we present a protocol to analyze rRNA and tRNA processing using total RNA extracted from human cells. We describe steps for separating RNA by denaturing electrophoresis, followed by northern blotting. We detail procedures for detecting pre-rRNA intermediates or specific tRNA species using biotin-labeled probes imaged via fluorescence or chemiluminescence. This non-radioactive, high-sensitivity assay enables the investigation of rRNA and tRNA expression dynamics. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Hwang et al.

Usp37 Counteracts Hltf To Protect Damaged Replication Forks And Promote Survival Of Brca1-Deficient Cells And Parp Inhibitor Resistance, Mengfan Tang, Siting Li, Ziqiang Zhu, Chao Wang, Shuai Ding, Min Huang, Zhen Chen, Ling Yin, Litong Nie, Dan Su, Xu Feng, Junjie Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have greatly improved survival of cancer patients harboring BRCA1 mutations. However, therapy resistance develops via either restoration of homologous recombination or replication fork stabilization. Therapeutic targets to overcome PARPi resistance are critically needed. We identified the deubiquitinase USP37 as a key determinant of PARPi toxicity in BRCA1-deficient cells via whole-genome CRISPR screens. USP37 ablation enhanced PARPi sensitivity in BRCA1-deficient cells and also overcame PARPi resistance due to 53BP1 loss. USP37 interacts with and deubiquitinates replication protein A (RPA) at stalled replication forks to limit excessive RPA accumulation, progressive RPA exhaustion, and the conversion of RPA-coated single-stranded …

Characterization And Clinical Implications Of P53 Dysfunction In Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Matteo Zampini, Elena Riva, Luca Lanino, Elisabetta Sauta, Rita Antunes Dos Reis, Giulia Maggioni, Alessandra Merlotti, Alessia Campagna, Lorenzo Dall'olio, Austin Kulasekararaj, Michela Calvi, Clara Di Vito, Arturo Bonometti, Daoud Rahal, Giorgio Croci, Emanuela Boveri, Umberto Gianelli, Maurilio Ponzoni, Rossella Caselli, Serena Albertazzi, Gabriele Todisco, Marta Ubezio, Laura Crisafulli, Alessandro Frigo, Enrico Lugli, Ettore Mosca, Pamela Acha, Serena Ghisletti, Francesco Nicassio, Armando Santoro, Maria Diez-Campelo, Francesc Solé, Lionel Ades, Uwe Platzbecker, Valeria Santini, Pierre Fenaux, Torsten Haferlach, David Sallman, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Domenico Mavilio, Daniel Remondini, Gastone Castellani, Saverio D'Amico, Amer M Zeidan, Rami Komrokji, Shahram Kordasti, Francesca Ficara, Matteo Giovanni Della Porta, Calr Consortium

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Tumor Protein 53 (p53) expressed from gene TP53 is a seminal tumor suppressor. We aimed to characterize mutational and nonmutational mechanisms of p53 dysfunction in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and to investigate their clinical effect.

Patients and methods: We analyzed a cohort of 6,204 patients with MDS and subsets of patients with available information on RNA sequencing of tumor cells (n = 109), high-dimensional phenotype of immune cells (n = 77), and multiomics analysis (RNA sequencing and proteomics) on single cells (n = 15). An independent validation was performed on 914 patients.

Results: Biallelic TP53 inactivation was a powerful driver …

Predicting Single-Leg Eccentric Hamstrings Strength In Aging Athletes Using Diagnostic Ultrasound- And Survey-Derived Parameters, Lee J. Hinkle

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Eccentric hamstring strength declines with age and contributes to mobility limitations. Although Nordbord testing quantifies eccentric strength, few studies have examined it in older adults, and none have predicted strength performance on this test using ultrasound or survey- based measures. Methods: We recruited 122 senior athletes (60 female) at the 2024 Huntsman World Senior Games. Ultrasound-derived cross-sectional area (CSA), echogenicity, and subcutaneous fat thickness, along with demographic and activity data, were used to predict single-leg peak force using Bayesian regression. Models were sex-stratified, and predictors were selected using leave-one-out cross-validation (LOO IC). Results: In males, CSA, age, leg side, …

Computational Advances For Single-Cell Proteomics, Hannah Boekweg

Theses and Dissertations

The overarching goal of biologists is to characterize biological systems. When the workings of a system are understood, they can be fixed, broken, preserved, mimicked, and even replicated. The field of proteomics seeks to characterize systems through the lens of proteins. Proteins are referred to as the 'workhorse' of the cell to illustrate that they perform most functional tasks within the cell. These tasks are highly varied, including enzymatic activity, structural support, transport, storage, cell signaling, gene regulation, immune response, and more. Proteomics has been instrumental in new biological discoveries by characterizing the functional state of cells. A new area …

The Exaggerated Blood Pressure Response To Activities Of Daily Living And Exercise Is Dependent Upon The Fitness Of People With Hypertension, Joseph D. Larsen

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Determine if the previously reported exaggerated systolic blood pressure response to daily activity and moderate exercise amongst hypertensive adults could be accounted for by differences in fitness. Methods: 30 normotensives adults (15 low fitness control (LFC) and 15 high fitness control (HFC)) and 15 unmedicated adults with ambulatory hypertension (HTN) participated in this study. Participants completed 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Lactate Threshold (LT) and estimated ����̇O2max were determined for each participant. A week later, blood pressure was measured while participants completed 5-minute bouts of treadmill exercise at fixed absolute intensities (2.5 mph 0% and 12% grade) and …

Integrative Taxonomy Confirms The Synonymy Of Three Springsnail Species (Hydrobiidae: Pyrgulopsis), Kathryn E. Perez, Megan Solis, Michelle Flores, Chanté Lundskog

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

The small, spring-dwelling snails, Pyrgulopsis Call & Pilsbry, 1886, form a diverse radiation in Western North America. In this study, we examine the validity of three species of Pyrgulopsis, Pyrgulopsis pilsbryana (Baily & Baily, 1952), P. nonaria Hershler, 1998, and P. transversa Hershler, 1998. These three species of Pyrgulopsis are found primarily in Utah, with ranges extending into Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada. They were originally diagnosed primarily on the number and position of penial glands, but subsequent examination with mitochondrial DNA data suggested they should be synonymized. Here, we incorporate additional mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data, increased geographic sampling, …

Global Mitophagy Inhibition Via Bnip3 Ablation Is Not Sufficient To Alleviate Skeletal Muscle Impairments In Male And Female Tumor-Bearing Mice, Francielly Morena, Ana Regina Cabrera, Toby L. Chambers, Pietier J. Koopmans, Seongkyun Lim, Stavroula Tsitanou, Sabin Khadgi, Calvin Peterson, Eleanor R. Schrems, Ruqaiza Muhyudin, Sepideh Shakeri, Kevin Zhao, Devan Mishra, Tyrone Washington, Kevin A. Murach, Nicholas P. Greene

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cancer cachexia (CC) is marked by severe skeletal muscle loss and dysfunction, associated with mitochondrial degeneration. Our previous studies showed induction of the mitophagy marker BNIP3 3-wk post-Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) induction. We hypothesize that excessive mitophagy contributes to muscle wasting in CC. To test this, we used a Bnip3 knockout (KO) mouse model with LLC-induced CC to assess its impact on muscle outcomes. Eight-wk-old male and female mice were injected with 1 x 10(6) LLC cells or PBS (sham controls). After 4 wk, we assessed muscle function through dorsiflexor electrophysiology, muscle protein synthesis via deuterium oxide labeling, and mitochondrial …

Identification Of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Hif1a As A Therapeutic Target During Sars-Cov-2-Associated Lung Injury, Jieun Kim, Yanyu Wang, In Hyuk Bang, David Robinson, Paulina B Sergot, Steven K Burke, Tingting Mills, Constanza De Dios, Robert Suchting, George W Williams, Adit A Ginde, Yafen Liang, Hongfang Liu, Charles Green, Marie-Francoise Doursout, Alparslan Turan, Daniel I Sessler, Xiaoyi Yuan, Holger K Eltzschig

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) promote lung protection and pathogen eradication during acute lung injury. We therefore tested the theory that pharmacologic stabilization of HIFs dampens lung injury during SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Initial studies in murine SARS-CoV-2 models showed improved outcomes after treatment with the FDA-approved HIF-stabilizer vadadustat. Subsequent studies in genetic models implicated alveolar-expressed Hif1a in mediating lung protection. Therefore, we performed a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter phase 2 trial in patients admitted for SARS-CoV-2 infection and concomitant hypoxia (SpO2 ≤ 94%). Patients (n=448) were randomized to oral vadadustat (900 mg/day) or placebo for up to 14 days. Safety events were similar between …

The N-Pact Factor, Replication And Power Associated With Quantitative Research In Physical Activity And Health, Angelina Haidar, Jeffrey J. Martin, Adam J. Martin, Sarah Rogers, Fatemeh Dehghan, Eva Prokesova

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Physical Activity (PA) and health science researchers often face challenges related to sample size, which can impact the reliability and generalizability of study findings. The purpose of the current paper is to address these issues by discussing key statistical concepts: effect size and Type I and Type II errors, with a specific focus on examining statistical power and sample size using studies from the Disability and Health Journal (DHJ). We examined research articles published in DHJ over a 15-year period (2008–2022), covering 62 issues and analyzing a total of 1,177 articles. Our analysis revealed that the median sample sizes …

The Maturity-Onset Diabetes Of The Young (Mody) Calculator Overestimates Mody Probability In Hispanic Youth, Guido Alarcon, Anh Nguyen, Angus Jones, Beverley Shields, Maria J Redondo, Mustafa Tosur

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Context: The applicability of the maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) risk calculator to non-White European populations remains unknown.

Objective: We aimed to test its real-world application in Hispanic youth.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of Hispanic youth (< 23 years) with diabetes (n = 2033) in a large pediatric tertiary care center in the United States. We calculated MODY probability for all subjects, splitting them into 2 cohorts based on the original model: individuals who were started on insulin within 6 months of diabetes diagnosis (Cohort 1) and those who were not (Cohort 2).

Results: Cohort 1 consisted of 1566 individuals (median age [25p, 75p]: 16 [13, 19] years, 49% female), while Cohort 2 comprised 467 youth (median age [25p, 75p]: 17 [15, 20] years, 62% female). The mean MODY probability was 5.9% and 61.9% in Cohort 1 and Cohort 2, respectively. The mean probability for both cohorts combined was 18.8%, suggesting an …

The Role Of Neuroscience In Mental Health Management Within The Adhd Population, Kadi Rae Smith

University Honors Theses

Neuroscience-based educational interventions play a role in the management of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), including the regulation of ADHD-correlated depression and anxiety. Existing research shows that elevated rates of depression correspond to anxiety within the ADHD community; approximately 8.83% of the global population. Social ostracization and isolation are established contributors to depression and anxiety which are commonly comorbid with ADHD. The need exists for further investigation of the beneficial impact that an accurate, biological understanding of how the brain works has on the mental health of the ADHD population, and by extension their families, education systems, and medical industries. …

The Tumor Suppressor Hnrnpk Induces P53-Dependent Nucleolar Stress To Drive Ribosomopathies, Pedro Aguilar-Garrido, María Velasco-Estévez, Miguel Ángel Navarro-Aguadero, Álvaro Otero-Sobrino, Marta Ibáñez-Navarro, María Hernández-Sánchez, Ashley Rodriguez, Oscar Benitez, Xiaroui Zhang, Marisa Jl Aitken, Alejandra Ortiz-Ruiz, Diego Megías, Manuel Pérez, Gadea Mata, Jesús Gomez, Miguel Lafarga, Orlando Domínguez, Osvaldo Graña-Castro, Eduardo Caleiras, Pilar Ximénez-Embun, Marta Isasa, Paloma Jimena De Andres, Sandra Rodríguez-Perales, Raúl Torres-Ruiz, Enrique Revilla, Rosa María García-Martín, Daniel Azorín, Josune Zubicaray, Julián Sevilla, Oleksandra Sirozh, Vanesa Lafarga, Joaquín Martínez-López, Sean M Post, Miguel Gallardo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The nucleolus is a membraneless organelle and an excellent stress sensor. Any changes in its architecture or composition lead to nucleolar stress, resulting in cell cycle arrest and interruption of ribosomal activity, critical factors in aging and cancer. In this study, we identified and described the pivotal role of the RNA-binding protein HNRNPK in ribosome and nucleolar dynamics. We developed an in vitro model of endogenous HNRNPK overexpression and an in vivo mouse model of ubiquitous HNRNPK overexpression. These models showed disruptions in translation as the HNRNPK overexpression caused alterations in the nucleolar structure, resulting in p53-dependent nucleolar stress, cell …

Technical And Clinical Validity Of Assessing Measurable Residual Disease By Multicolor Flow Cytometry In An Unselected Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient Cohort, Sa A Wang, Shaoying Li, Wei Wang, Jie Xu, Beenu Thakral, Chi Young Ok, Jeffrey L Jorgensen, L Jeffrey Medeiros, Farhad Ravandi, Nicholas J Short, Sanam Loghavi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Context.—: Following the validation of a multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) assay for measurable residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), this study examines its clinical applicability.

Objective.—: To evaluate the practicality and performance of MFC-based MRD detection in AML.

Design.—: Prospectively assessed AML MRD MFC in unselected AML patients achieving morphologic remission with follow-up studies, molecular genetics, and survival data.

Results.—: Among 379 patient bone marrow samples in this cohort, an interpretable result was obtained in 359 (95%). A total of 57 of the 359 cases (16%) were positive for MRD, and the most frequently observed immunophenotype was CD34+CD117+ …

Type I Interferon Protects Against Bone Loss In Periodontitis By Mitigating An Interleukin (Il)-17-Neutrophil Axis, Jinmei Zhang, Qiong Ding, Angela X Wang, Maoxuan Lin, Ning Yu, Megumi A Williamson, Julie T Marchesan, Erliang Zeng, Wei Shi, Hongli Sun, Yu Leo Lei, Shaoping Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Type I interferons (IFNs-I), a group of pleiotropic cytokines, critically modulate host response in various inflammatory diseases. However, the role of the IFN-I pathway in periodontitis remains largely unknown. In this report, we describe that the IFN-β levels in the gingival crevicular fluid of human subjects were negatively associated with periodontitis and clinical gingival inflammation. Disruption of IFN-I signaling worsened alveolar bone resorption in a ligature-induced periodontitis murine model. Deficiency of the IFN-I pathway resulted in an exaggerated inflammatory response in myeloid cells and drastically increased the interleukin-17 (IL-17)-mediated neutrophil recruitment in the gingiva. We further identified that the myeloid …

Enhancing Water Scarcity Resilience In Egypt Through Machine Learning-Driven Phenological Crop Mapping And Water Use Efficiency Analysis, Surendra Maharjan, Wenzhao Li, Shahryar Fazli, Aqil Tariq, Rejoice Thomas, Cyril Rakovski, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Agriculture forms the backbone of Egypt’s economy, with the Nile Valley and Delta serving as key production zones for crops like wheat, rice, and clover. However, the sector faces mounting pressure from water scarcity, as it depends almost entirely on the Nile for irrigation, making it necessary to map major crops for assessing Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and informing agricultural planning. In this study, we used machine learning (ML) techniques—specifically Support Vector Machine (SVM) to time-series phenological data and optical indices (Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Bare Soil Index (BSI), Land Surface Water Index (LSWI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and …

Evolutionary Dynamics Of Artificial Agents: Exploration And Learning In Games, Brian Mintz

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

The natural world abounds with examples of complex behavior in humans and many other species. Evolutionary game theory is a powerful mathematical framework to understand the origins of many such behaviors like cooperation. Since these behaviors are often selected against initially, understanding why they are so widespread has been a longstanding question. Rather than assuming agents' rationality, like in traditional game theory, this approach studies the mutation and selection of strategies themselves. However most behavior is neither perfectly rational nor entirely determined by genetics. This dissertation works to bridge the gap between these two perspectives by analyzing models where individuals …

Ping-Chong-Jiang-Ni Formula Effectively Inhibits Migration And Invasion Of Endometriosis 12z Cell Line Via Trip13, Jiahua Peng, Shuzhen Liu, Yunxiang Xie, Min Xiao, Chichiu Wang, Ruining Liang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The Ping-Chong-Jiang-Ni Formula (PCJNF), a compound of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has demonstrated remarkable clinical effectiveness and is widely utilized in the treatment of endometriosis (EMs). Previous studies have shown that PCJNF inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESCs) by modulating the JNK signaling pathway. In our most recent study, published in January 2024, we found that PCJNF effectively alleviates EMs-associated pain by reducing inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Furthermore, PCJNF down-

regulates the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), phosphorylated TRPV1 (p-TRPV1), and protein …

Aspergillosis: A Comprehensive Review Of Pathogenesis, Drug Resistance, And Emerging Therapeutics, Amanpreet Singh, Jeewanjot Singh, Sandeep Kumar

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Aspergillosis stands as a primary opportunistic fungal infection which mainly results from Aspergillus fumigatus events that have gained more importance because of its multiple infection patterns and developing antifungal resistance. Healthcare providers identify two main ends of the aspergillosis spectrum which include allergic responses and invasive systemic infections that affect mainly immunocompromised subjects. This review presents a detailed summary for understanding the epidemiology of aspergillosis along with its risk factors as well as pathogenesis and host immune response and diagnostic difficulties. The analysis puts significant weight on increasing azole and echinocandin resistance that has become worse because of agricultural and …

Foldit Education Mode, Brett Schulz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Foldit education mode is a puzzle campaign within the protein folding video game Foldit. Education mode, initially designed as a classroom supplement for undergraduate biochemistry courses, has been expanded to provide a more comprehensive learning tool to players without a background in biochemistry. The edited and added levels teach players about protein biochemistry through playing puzzles designed to convey information and gameplay mechanics. The new Foldit education mode campaign features 49 levels grouped into 11 categories. The campaign has 6 new levels designed specifically for education mode and 4 levels adapted from the traditional Foldit campaign for use within education …

Advances In Bone And Orthopedics 2025 – 5th Edition, Jean-Philippe Berteau, Laurent Pujo-Menjouet, Hélène Follet, Aurélie Levillain

Publications and Research

This volume brings together selected works from the 2025 Bone and Orthopedics Interdisciplinary Symposium (BONITOS), underscoring our community’s ongoing commitment to advancing research in biomechanics, bone health, and orthopedic science. The symposium unites leading experts from around the world, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas across disciplines. Organized in partnership with the French-speaking Society of Biomechanics, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), the University of Lyon, the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York (CUNY), and the American Association of Physical Therapists (APTA) – Brooklyn Staten Island Chapter, BONITOS 2025 represents …

Neural Oscillations Enable Concurrent Visual Perception And Visual Working Memory Processing, Khayla Santiago

Lawrence University Honors Projects

Successful goal-directed behavior requires balancing task-relevant information stored in working memory and the continuous processing of incoming sensory input, yet the neural mechanisms underlying this coordination remain unclear. This study examines how neural oscillations support concurrent visual perception and visual working memory. Using electroencephalography (EEG), we recorded brain activity while participants performed a dual task paradigm requiring them to simultaneously maintain one orientation in their memory while monitoring another orientation on the screen. After variable time intervals (50 different SOAs between 500-1500ms), participants compared a probe against either the memorized or visually monitored orientation. Analysis of response times and accuracy …

Evolutionary Conservation Of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein In Clarthrin-Mediated Endocytosis, Jonah Friedmann

Lawrence University Honors Projects

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is a cellular process for internalizing extracellular materials and recycling parts of the plasma membrane into intracellular vesicles. When a threshold of membrane-bound receptors is met at the cell surface, endocytic proteins organize into a conformation that can invaginate the membrane and separate a vesicle into the cytosol. Our current model for understanding CME has been derived from studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Previous research has led to a model for how Las17, a homolog of Wiskott Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP), contributes to CME. WASP proteins are critical actin nucleators involved in multiple processes. In S. cerevisiae, Las17 …

Carbon Monoxide Releasing Polymeric Micelles, Riya Joshi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Carbon monoxide (CO), traditionally known as a toxic gas, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent due to its cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory properties. This study explores the development of CO-releasing polymeric micelles as a controlled delivery system for biomedical applications. Using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), we synthesized diblock copolymers incorporating CO-releasing moiety diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enhance solubility and stability of the overall CO releasing system. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electron microscopy (EM) confirmed the formation of well-defined micelles, while fluorescence assays demonstrated efficient CO release with the use of Iridium photocatalyst under 470 …

Integrated Metabolomics And Spatial Transcriptomics Of Cystic Pancreatic Cancer Precursors Reveals Dysregulated Polyamine Metabolism As A Biomarker Of Progression, Ricardo A León-Letelier, Yihui Chen, Rongzhang Dou, Ehsan Irajizad, Michele T Yip-Schneider, Rahmah Ejaz, Yaxi Li, Rachelle Spencer, Riccardo Ballarò, Jody Vykoukal, Mark Hurd, Jennifer B Dennison, Kim-Anh Do, Anirban Maitra, Jianjun Zhang, Samir Hanash, C Max Schmidt, Johannes F Fahrmann

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: We conducted metabolomics and spatial cell transcriptomics of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), recognized pancreatic cancer precursors, to identify oncometabolites that inform upon risk of malignancy of IPMNs.

Experimental design: Untargeted metabolomic analyses were performed on cystic fluid from 125 patients with low-grade (LG) dysplasia or high-grade (HG) dysplasia with/without concurrent pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC; IPMN/PDAC). Predictive performance of individual metabolites for identifying HG or PDAC/IPMN was determined and compared with CA19-9 performance. Data were intersected with metabolic profiles of resected IPMN tissues and murine Kras;Gnas IPMN cell lines as well as spatial and single-cell transcriptomics of IPMNs.

Results: …