Digital Commons Network^™

Rocatinlimab As A Novel Treatment Strategy For Atopic Dermatitis, Haylee Whyde, Evan Blazek, Macy Davis, Parker George, Alex Lowery, Connor Dains, Brenna Hissong, David Koh

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects millions of children and adults in the United States. Atopic dermatitis is characterized by recurrent pruritus, erythema, and relapsing symptoms that can significantly impair quality of life. The pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis involves epidermal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, and genetic susceptibility. Atopic dermatitis guidelines follow a stepwise approach that begins with a severity assessment, trigger avoidance, and nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments. First-line therapies include topical corticosteroids (TCSs), topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), and emollients. Crisaborole and topical ruxolitinib are used for mild-to-moderate disease when prior therapy has been inadequate. Monoclonal …

Fda Approval Of Tradipitant: A Novel Approach To Motion Sickness Treatment, Haley Brown, Jennifer Cao, Allie Honigford, Leah Heitkamp, Sarah Hiett, Connor Dains, Brenna Hissong, Manoranjan D'Souza

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Motion sickness is a prevalent neurophysiological condition affecting approximately one-third of the worldwide population, resulting from sensory mismatch and the brain’s internal model of motion. It is characterized by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and autonomic symptoms during exposure to actual or virtual motion, which may significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life. Current guidelines recommend the prevention and treatment of motion sickness through pharmacologic, herbal, and non-pharmacologic strategies. Scopolamine and first-generation antihistamines are effective pharmacologic options, while ginger has demonstrated some benefit in reducing symptoms as an herbal option. Non-pharmacologic interventions such as habituation training, behavioral techniques, and sensory strategies …

Evaluating The Market Withdrawal Of Andexanet Alfa, Jordyn Linfield, Addisyn Cooper, Alexander Defranco, Emma Gerding, Jessica Kelley, Tyler Henney, Connor Dains, Brenna Hissong, Brittany Bates

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

The coagulation cascade comprises intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathways that converge when thrombin converts fibrinogen (factor I) into fibrin, leading to fibrin mesh formation, stabilization of the platelet plug, and ultimately thrombus formation. Inhibition of the coagulation cascade can be achieved with a variety of anticoagulant medications, including direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). The mechanism of action of DOACs is to inhibit either factor Xa or thrombin. Reversal of anticoagulation remains an important clinical consideration when managing patients on DOACs who experience serious bleeding events. Andexanet alfa is a recombinant, modified human factor Xa protein previously indicated for patients receiving rivaroxaban …

Fda Approval Of Etripamil For The Treatment Of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia, Kiley Devoll, Daniella Egbujor, Katy Grainger, Katherine Cook, Victoria Niese, Connor Dains, Brenna Hissong, Andrew Roecker

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) is characterized by sudden, brief, intermittent episodes that result in a heart rate of 150 to 250 beats per minute (bpm). PSVT is difficult to diagnose, making proper treatment challenging. According to the 2015 American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC)/Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) guidelines, current pharmacologic recommendations for PSVT include adenosine, verapamil, diltiazem, or nonpharmacologic vagal maneuvers.¹ These treatments each have a variety of adverse effects, contraindications, and dosing considerations, which highlight a need for novel therapies for the acute treatment and maintenance of PSVT.¹ The NODE-301 trial assessed the safety and …

Patents And Technology Evolution: Altering Innovations And Innovators Via Patent Influences, Richard Gruner

Journal of Intellectual Property Law

Technologies improve primarily through evolutionary change not rational optimization. New technologies emerge as attempts to solve practical problems, the technologies are tested in marketplaces to determine if they are superior in cost and function to alternatives, and those that fare well in the testing gain widespread adoption.  Widely adopted technologies, and their problems, form the basis for the next round of technology improvements and evolution.  Through these steps, evolutionary processes lacking rational direction can generate changing technologies matched to the desires and problems of present society.

As they operate to advance diverse technologies, evolutionary processes governing technology change are subject …

Resource Allocation For Animal-Grassland Systems, G W. Thomas

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The production of animal products from grasslands is dependent upon an adequate resource base-particularly the availabil­ity ofland, water, and energy. In addition, range and pasture production systems must be designed to adjust to climatic varia­tions and to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Several new developments will have a significant impact on the future allocation of resources for animal agriculture: (1) in­creased competition for land and water, which is leading to transfers from agricultural to nonagricultural uses; (2) increasing costs and decreasing availability of "cultural energy" (particularly fossil fuels); (3) more pressure to divert grains and feed con­centrates from animals to direct …

White Clover: An Olde Crop With A Promising Future, P B. Gibson, W E. Knight, G W. Barnett, W A. Cope, J D. Miller

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a widely adapted, important forage legume for grazing in the U.S. The palatability and quality of the forage, the wide adaptation of the plants to growth in different climates and under various grazing conditions and the role it plays in supplying nitrogen to pastures make white clover our finest pasture legume. The use of adapted white clover cultivars should result in large economic gains to the livestock industry in the U.S .A. Beef and dairy farmers would profit from reduced need for nitrogen fertilizer, an extended grazing season, increased forage pro­duction and quality, better …

Limits Of Post-Activation Performance Enhancement: Asymmetry Persists Despite Performance Gains, Talia Thompson, Monique Mokha

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) protocols are commonly used to improve power, yet their influence on inter-limb force symmetry remains unclear. This study examined the effects of a PAPE protocol on inter- and intra-session symmetry and performance during a countermovement (CMJ. Ten American football players preparing for the National Football League’s draft completed a complex PAPE protocol consisting of two baseline CMJ trials on dual uniaxial force plates, followed by three sets of maximum effort lower-body lifts (e.g., split squats) alternated with two CMJ trials. Jump height (JH), reactive strength index modified (RSImod), and asymmetry indices for concentric impulse (CIA), eccentric …

Visualizing Ozone Pollution In The Denver Metro Area Using A Bioindicator Garden, Ella K. Mathews, Hillary Hamann, Julie Morris, Erica L. Larson

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Since the industrial revolution, widespread fossil fuel combustion has significantly increased atmospheric pollution. The combustion of fossil fuels releases nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which form tropospheric (ground-level) ozone when exposed to sunlight. Ozone directly harms plants by disrupting their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and carry out photosynthesis. Bioindicator species are plants that have visible responses to environmental conditions, such as ozone, and can act as “canaries in the coal mine,” indicating the health of their environment. In this study, we used a garden of ozone bioindicator species (ozone garden) as a cost-effective tool …

Du Undergraduate Showcase Abstracts: Research, Scholarship, And Creative Works, Sophia Wismar, Henry Staats, Allison Metzler, Chloe Puckett, Rachel Levine, Christa Kilpatrick, Scott Wolf, Joe Walsh, Grace Doolittle, John Engebreston, Zoe Lopez, Christopher Aaby, Audrey Duff, Timothy Sisk, Katelyn Lamberton, Angela Narayan, Gilkah Argueta, Habiba Samir, Girena Tesfazghi, Genet Kenore, Sinit Tesfamariam, Effley Brooks, Abi Newell, Megan Doherty, Natalie Baer, Lexi Blood, Talya Riciputi, Jessica Jimenez, Devin Hernandez, Lynn Clark, Taj Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Allen Rutman, Mira Pronobis, Tess Carson, Anna Sher, Frankie Stroud, Tamra Pearson D'Estree, Alyssa Wilson, Emily Melnick, Jenalee Doom, Yihang Gao, Gwendolyn Geiger, Noah Gettle, Scott Nichols, Clare Ayoub, Cara Dienno, Sunny Walker, Zoe Hansen, Maya Wheeler, Addison Rice, Patrick Martin, Sanjana Acharya, Daniel Mcintosh, Amanda Mckellips, Calli Cain, Justin Blake, Peter Sokol-Hessner, Natalie Miller, Max Weisbuch, Sophia Dellota, John Macikas, Charlotte Snow, Mark Siemens, Zoe Lynch, Alex Huffman, Prachi Shah, Jason Roney, Halcyon Levi, Nicole Herzog, Andrea Koly, Daniel Linseman, Annie London, Xi Yang, Avery Zwisler, Jane Smith, Chaz Contag, Michael Kerwin, Lucy Rand, Grace Schroeder, Michelle Rozenman, Nissa Tapper, Guiming Zhang, Mateo Mazariego-Halpern, Keith Meyer, Julie Do, Dakota Park-Ozee, Travis Herink, Kara Neu, Jonathan Plomin, Eve-Odine Duchaufour, Debbie Gale Mitchell, Tennyson Anderson-Stricklin, Lily Treitz, Samantha Rosenberger, Sierra Griffith, Finley Joseph, Daniel Sampson, Emmy Davis, Skyler Kasnoff, Evon Lopez, Vivian Nguyen, Cassy Young, Franklin Sellner, Martin Tobon, Ila Graham, Zach Billings, Holden Hedit, Decatur Boland, Paul Kosempel, Cory Chandler, Jay Mahoney, Sam Dragan, Susan Dagget, Yarrow Ator, Heidi Vuletich, Owen Weber, Andrew Kloeppel, Petersen Gray, Mandi Schaeffer-Fry, Razleen Bassra, Bryanna Rodriguez, Christina Blue, Taubie Sanders, Rachel Epstein, Luke Milburn, Camryn Evans, Ezra Martinez, Mary Westwood, Gabri Notov, Robin Tinghitella, Lilou Cabrol, Eli Barbour, Juliet Mendik, Selma Myers, Zac Wise, Noah Fahlin, Michelle Knowles, Abigail Hopper, Michael Greenberger, Romi Laclair, Sarah Watamura, Sabrina Efroymson, Casey Barker, Sydney Seltzer, Bryn Yehle, Jennifer Hoffman, Sara Garcia, Ryuka Nagamine, Trevor Briggs, Remy Le Boeuf, Elena Krone, Eileen Farrell, Regan O'Rourke, Elena Roel, Greg Mortimer, Ali Ayoub, Stefani Langehennig, Caitlin Turk, Logan Scmid, Stefan Chavez-Norgaard, Karen Kim, Tatiana Peccedi, Courtney Cassidy, John Sebesta, Rhianna Lewis, Janice Bening-Lacek, Vivian Lawless, Mckenna Hanson, Jeffrey Amidon, Riya Joshi, Ram Ambre, Brady Worrell, Perrin Schneider, Ali Azadani, Brooke Agulnek, Lyndsie Salvagio, Elise Siemanowki, Yan Qin, Andre Allen, Melodie Nguyen, Megan Livengood, Abby Reams, Saffron Hartreeve, Bri Wylie, Sarah Brookman, Mariah Loiacono, Green Russo, Abhia Lodhi, Gabrielle Welsh, Nika Spehar, Shahked Levin, Evrim Baykal, Kimberly Chiew, Jocelyn Torres, Kailey Hicks, Mykaela Tanino-Springsteen, Audrey Bellows, Akam Chahal, Madeline Tepper, Shannon Murphy, Alexa Fonseca, Deborah Han, Cassandra Perez, Oluwatoyin Alaba, Julia Roncoroni, Vy Nguyen, Nana Burn, Sarah Sasse, Rubin Tuder, Anthony Gerber, Nancy Lorenzon, Christine Vohwinkel, Camryn Gunter, Tristan Weber, Sam Rommel, Brian Michel, Muskan Fatima, Alannah Oleson, Kira Frey, Edward Garrido, Beckett Morris, Kerstin Haring, Drew Middleton, Abigail Walpert, Liam Dee, Gabby Ishaw, Cole Carnes, Maddie Weiser, Claire Fox, Valeriia Vlasenko, Kateri Mcrae, Riley Smith, Abigail Templin, Kushani Rajapaksha

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Abstracts from the DU Undergraduate Research Showcase.

Ankle Dorsiflexion Is A Primary Influence On Single Limb Landing Stability Regardless Of Menstrual Cycle Chase, Olivia Matrulli

Honors Theses

Context: Hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual cycle contribute to modifications in joint laxity. Conflicting evidence supports increased ligamentous injury risk and altered postural control in response to these cyclic changes. Objective: To quantify changes in passive joint flexibility and dynamic postural control across the menses and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Design: Repeated measures. Setting: Research laboratory. Participants: Thirteen healthy females (20 [1] y, 1.62 [0.06] m, 67.42 [11.75] kg) with a regular menstrual cycle over the last twelve months volunteered. Interventions: Participants performed five static flexibility tests and three single-leg drop landings onto a force plate with …

Lovastatin Potentiates The Function Of Α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, Dmytro Isaev, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Murat Oz

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background/Objectives: Statins are currently one of the most commonly used cholesterol-lowering drugs. In recent years, in addition to their well-known effects on the cardiovascular system, statins have been shown to exert beneficial effects in the progression of various neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: In this study, the effects of lovastatin on the function of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors expressed in rat hippocampus and Xenopus oocytes were investigated. Results: In whole-cell patch clamp studies in hippocampal neurons, 21-day chronic (20 mg/kg), but not acute (20 min), lovastatin treatment caused significant potentiation of choline (a selective agonist for α7 nACh receptors)-induced currents …

Seaweed-Derived Bioactives: A Promising Source Of Novel Therapeutics, Aida H. Shobier, Sahar W.M. Hassan, Safaa A. Abdel Ghani

Blue Economy

The marine environment provides bioactive natural products with unique structures that are absent in terrestrial compounds. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of key studies on bioactives derived from seaweeds. It focuses on their potential to address common diseases such as microbial infections, diabetes, oxidative stress, inflammation, viral infections, cancer, immune disorders, and Alzheimer's disease as well as their potential use in drug delivery systems. The bioactive compounds found in seaweeds belong to various chemical classes, with the largest proportion being polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, phenolics, pigments, terpenoids, alkaloids, and sterols. These compounds possess significant pharmacological potential. …

Increased Neural Activity In The Bed Nucleus Of The Stria Terminalis Of Uninfected Canaries After Observation Of Infected Conspecifics, Madeleine Chang, Sophia Santangelo, Devon Comito, Bennett Hardy, Patricia C. Lopes

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Recent evidence suggests that the immune system may be upregulated in anticipation of pathogen exposure, yet the neural mechanisms that respond to and signal impending infection risk remain poorly understood. We investigated neural responses to infection risk in uninfected hosts observing infected conspecifics, using the canary (Serinus canaria domestica)—Mycoplasma gallisepticum host–parasite system. We focused on five brain regions of interest, comprising three nodes of the social decision-making network—preoptic area, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and hippocampus—a stress modulatory region (paraventricular nucleus) and a visual processing region (nucleus rotundus). After 1 h of observing infected canaries, …

Evaluating Soil Health And Crop Yield In Louisiana Agricultural Systems: Impacts Of Best Management Practices And Prediction Models, Hector J. Mendoza Lagos

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The adoption of conservation management practices is critical for improving soil health, enhancing nutrient use efficiency, and sustaining crop productivity in row crop systems in Louisiana. This study evaluated the role of conservation agronomic practices, soil biochemical indicators, and machine learning predictive models to improve soil nutrient dynamics, soil health indicators, microbial communities (MC), and crop productivity on a corn (Zea mays L.) research plot scale and in a commercial forty-hectare cotton (Gassypium hirsutum L.)-corn-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation system in northeast Louisiana. The objectives of the study were to evaluate soil nutrient dynamics and MCs under …

Long Panel Studies Of Small-Scale Rural Societies In The Global South: What Is Their Value, Why Are They Rare, And Suggestions To Make Them Happen, Jonathan Bauchet, Ricardo Godoy, William R. Leonard, Victoria Reyes-Garcia, Asher Y. Rosinger, Susan Tanner, Eduardo A. Undurraga

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Many topics in the behavioral sciences and epidemiology require researchers to directly observe entities (e.g., individuals, households) over a long time to identify lasting effects. Long-term panel data collection is more common in high-income countries than in small-scale rural societies (SSRS) of low-income countries. SSRS are mobile, nature-dependent, linguistic minorities, and highly autarkic. Analyzing such data using a life-course perspective can help uncover patterns that align or upend what we know from high-income countries. This study a) reviews long (>∼10 year) panels in SSRS (n = 9), b) extends the analysis to cover somewhat comparable societies of smallholders (n …

Mitochondria-Er Contact Sites (Mercs) In The Cell Cycle: Molecular Architecture And Functional Remodeling Across Cellular States, Eduardo Silva-Pavez, Bruno Torres-Gonzalez, Michelle Sotomayor, Benjamín Cartes-Saavedra, Dorian V. Ziegler, Yessia Hidalgo-Fadic, Ulises Ahumada-Castro

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites (MERCS) are nanoscopic, dynamic platforms integrating metabolism, signaling, and stress responses to regulate cell fate. These nanoscopic interfaces remodel continuously to meet the demands of proliferating, quiescent, and senescent cells. We synthesize evidence that MERCS actively coordinate local Ca2+ signaling, non-vesicular lipid transfer, and proteostasis to shape mitochondrial function and cellular homeostasis. We discuss how MERCS architecture changes across the cell cycle and during arrest, distinguishing adaptive from maladaptive remodeling, and consider therapeutic potential in aging and age-related disease.

Planting Oak Seedlings For Forest Regeneration, Ryan Bohannon

Forestry and Natural Resources

Oaks are an important component of forests across the Southeast and are favored for a variety of objectives, including the provision of wildlife habitat and timber. Planting oak seedlings can be an effective practice for promoting successful oak regeneration in managed forests. This publication provides forest landowners and managers with practical recommendations for oak enrichment planting, including species and seedling selection, seedling care, planting techniques, and post-planting practices to promote survival and growth.

Host Range And Characterization Of Phytophthora Species That Cause Plant Diseases In California, Dinh Hieu Pham

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Biological Sciences Master's Theses

Phytophthora is one of the most destructive genera of plant pathogens in California, posing significant threats to both nursery production and natural ecosystems. Phytophthora ramorum, the causal agent of Sudden Oak Death (SOD), has expanded its host range to include more than 100 plant species. In addition, Phytophthora elongata, previously isolated in Western Australia from Eucalyptus marginata in 2013, has recently been detected for the first time in the United States on Rhododendron species. This naturally raises concern that a new etiological species has entered the country. Therefore, the goal of this thesis study was three-fold:  i) to …

Early Life Exposure To Antibiotics Increases The Risk Of Myopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Peng-Tai Tien, Chang-Ching Wei, Sheng-Chun Lin, Ping Ping Meng, Yu-Te Huang, Jamie Jiin-Yi Chen, Ming-Yen Wu, Ying-Hsiu Shih, Tzu-Ju Hsu, Fuu-Jen Tsai, Yao-Chien Wang, Hui-Ju Lin, Lei Wan

BioMedicine

Background

Myopia is a growing health issue, expected to affect nearly half of the global population by 2050. Genetic predisposition and early environmental influences both play crucial roles in the development of myopia. Identifying modifiable risks and early interventions is critical. Antibiotics, commonly given to young children, may disrupt gut microbiota, which has been linked to ocular diseases in humans and animals.

Aim We aimed to investigate the association between antibiotic use in early life and the risk of developing myopia.

Methods Retrospective cohort study using data from a national health insurance database examined children aged three years or younger, …

The Adverse Effects Of Clozapine On Blood Markers And Electrocardiographic Findings In Patients With Schizophrenia, Papageorgiou Anastasios, Vrettou Christina, Koukouli Andriana, Kalogirou Sofia, Gkrampovari Maria, Tampaki Despoina, Βartzi Dimitra, Tsatsou Ioanna, Tasoulis Athanasios

BioMedicine

Introduction: Clozapine remains the gold-standard antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but its use is hindered by rare but serious adverse effects, such as hematologic abnormalities and myocarditis.

Purpose: This study investigated the adverse impacts of clozapine on blood markers and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings among patients with schizophrenia, emphasizing in early detection of life-threatening complications.

Methods: All patients initiated on clozapine at a psychiatric hospital in Athens, Greece, between January 2022 and June 2024 were considered for inclusion. Thirty-one patients with complete clinical and laboratory data were monitored for hematological, biochemical, and ECG changes at baseline, days 5–10, and after 1–2 months. …

Unveiling Immune-Related Gene Signatures In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Through Integrated Transcriptomic Analysis, Priyanga Paranthaman, Ramanathan Karuppasamy, Shanthi Veerappapillai

BioMedicine

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly immune-related gene networks, is critical for identifying novel therapeutic targets. Aim: This study aimed to identify immune-related hub genes involved in TNBC progression by integrating microarray and RNA sequencing data. Methods: We integrated microarray and RNA sequencing datasets from five Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) studies (GSE36295, GSE37751, GSE61724, GSE38959, and GSE58135) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the STRING database. Key modules and hub genes were identified through network analysis. …

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines Suppress Endometriosis Development Through Modulating Macrophage-Mediated Immune Responses In The Peritoneal Cavity, Cherry Yin-Yi Chang, Kung-Pin Chang, Pei-Fen Lee, Hsiang-Hao Chuang, Yun-Yi Su, Yu-Chi Chang, Man-Ju Yan, Chih-Mei Chen, Tritium Hwang, Huan-Yuan Chen, Chia-Jung Lig, Zhi-Hong Wen, Kuan-Hao Tsuig, Lun-Chien Lo, Jim Jinn-Chyuan Sheu

BioMedicine

Background: Due to unique dietary culture, Asian patients with endometriosis usually seek assistance through traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM), making combined treatments of Western and Chinese medicine quite common in Asia. However, limited molecular evidence has been provided to demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of TCHM in treating endometriosis.

Aims: To investigate the functional impacts of TCHM treatment in their traditional formulae on peritoneal immunity, lesion growth, and adhesion formation, we performed studies by using a disease mouse model that exhibits the features of blood stasis and stagnation.

Methods: Four well-known TCHM formulae, frequently used for treating symptoms similar …

Evaluation Of Bai-Zhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala)-Based Herbal Formulae In Breast Cancer: Implications For Metastasis Via Zeb1 And Slug Modulation, Yen Shen Lu, Pei Yen Yeh, Ling-Chun Yeh, Chia-Lin Lee, Ying-Chyi Song

BioMedicine

Background: Bai-Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. [Asteraceae]) is classified in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an herb that targets the gastric and pancreatic meridians to support normal nutrient uptake. As such, Bai-Zhu is commonly included in herbal formulations for treating gastrointestinal dysfunction and alleviating pain and swelling. Formulae containing Bai-Zhu are also frequently used as complementary or alternative therapies to mitigate the side effects of tumor treatments. However, their direct effects on cancer cells remain inadequately understood in modern biomedical science. This study aims to characterize the impact of Bai-Zhu-containing formulae on breast cancer cells using contemporary molecular and cellular …

Impacts Of Dna Ligase I Genotypes On Taiwan Parkinson’S Disease, Chao-Hsuan Chen, Wen-Shin Chang, Chia-Wen Tsai, Da-Tian Bau, Shih-Wei Hsu, Kun-Ting Hong, Chon-Haw Tsai, Fuu-Jen Tsai, Ming-Kuei Lu, Jai-Sing Yang

BioMedicine

Introduction: Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair pathways can modulate

DNA repair capacity and influence susceptibility to aging-related disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study evaluated the association between the DNA ligase I rs20579 polymorphism and PD risk.

Materials and Methods: Genotyping of DNA ligase I rs20579 was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in

123 PD patients and 492 age- and sex-matched controls of Taiwanese Han ethnicity.

Associations between rs20579 genotypes and PD risk were analyzed.

Results: Among controls, the genotype distribution of rs20579 was 78.7% GG, 19.3% AG, and 2.0% AA, compared with 75.6%, 21.1%, and …

Hepatoprotective Evaluation Of Benzoylated Emodin Derivatives: Integrating Bioinformatics And In Vitro Studies, Firdayani Firdayani, Putri Hawa Syaifie, Siska Andrina Kusumastuti, Muthia Rahayu Iresha, Wirawan Adikusuma, Dhecella Winy Cintya Ningrum, Etik Mardliyati, Ayu Masyita, Ariza Yandwiputra Besari, Fathir Azzaki Iradata, Lucy Arianie

BioMedicine

Background: Emodin exhibits various pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective effects. However, its clinical application is limited by poor absorption and low oral bioavailability. This study aimed to optimize emodin through benzoylation and to assess the hepatoprotective potential of the resulting derivatives integrating bioinformatics and in vitro methods.

Methods: We conducted network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict potential targets and interactions of benzoylated emodin derivatives. The derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity using the MTT assay. The hepatoprotective effects were assessed in vitro using a paracetamol-induced HepG2 cell injury model.

Results: Network pharmacology analysis and gene …

Wake-On-Anomaly Federated Architecture For Privacy-Preserving Poultry Health Early Warning, Mahmoud Aziz Louati

Masters Theses

Highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks, respiratory disease, heat stress, and silent equipment failures share one operational reality: they are detected too late because today’s poultry-health workflow is reactive, manual, and dependent on producers volunteering commercially sensitive data. This thesis presents a wake-on-anomaly federated architecture that addresses both the detection-latency problem and the privacy–adoption deadlock that has so far prevented cross-farm collaboration. The architecture is organized in two tiers. Tier 1 is a lightweight LSTM autoencoder that continuously screens four routine telemetry channels (water, feed, house temperature, activity proxy) and emits a per-window reconstruction-error score. A debounced k-of-m trigger with cooldown …

Seed Endophyte Bacillus Atrophaeus Colonizes Root And Shoot Tissues Providing Antifungal Activity During Wheat Seedling Establishment, Anagha Wankhade, Zhiting Xu, Ashlynn Clark, David Britt

Biological Engineering Student Research

Seed-associated endophytes become active during germination, playing important roles as early colonizers of plant tissues and contributing to plant health while residing in a protective niche. In this study, we characterized a wheat-derived bacterial isolate, JunSE1L, to determine its functional traits and ecological role in the plant microbiome. The isolate was identified as Bacillus atrophaeus based on 16S rRNA analysis. JunSE1L exhibited nutrient-dependent plasticity in colony architecture, forming robust hydrophobic biofilms and pellicles under rich nutrient availability while swarming and forming thin, often dendritic colonies under defined nutrition. JunSE1L produced highly surface-active compounds that lowered the surface tension of water …

A Disorder-Aware Computational Framework To Identify Structurally Tractable Targets In Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy, Mak B. Djulbegovic, Nedym Hadzijahic, David J. Taylor Gonzalez, Michael Antonietti, Sidra Zafar, Ajay E. Kuriyan

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) remains a major cause of failure after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair and lacks effective pharmacologic therapies. Although epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is central to PVR pathogenesis, the structural determinants governing the tractability of EMT regulators, particularly those involving intrinsic disorder, remain poorly defined. We developed a disorder-aware, artificial intelligence-enabled computational framework to evaluate EMT-associated proteins in PVR and prioritize structurally tractable regulators for structure-based targeting.

DESIGN: A computational, hypothesis-generating study employing an in silico screening and structural modeling pipeline.

SUBJECTS: No human subjects or biological specimens were included. The dataset comprised 25 EMT-associated proteins implicated in PVR, …

Phytochemical Composition And Bioactivities Of Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.) Extracts Obtained By Infusion, Ethanolic Maceration, And Maltodextrin-Assisted Drying, Risna Silvianti, Warsito Warsito, Elok Zubaidah, Zubaidah Ningsih, Aqidatul Izza

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is rich in phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, but the extraction method may influence its chemical composition and biological activity. This study compared hot-water infusion, ethanolic maceration, and maltodextrin-assisted drying. It aimed to examine the relationship between the extraction method, chemical profile, and bioactivity. The resulting extracts (EI, EM, and EP) were analyzed for total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin, LC-HRMS profiles, and antioxidant capacity by the FRAP assay. Antibacterial analysis was conducted against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) using agar well diffusion. Cytotoxicity tests (MTT, 24 h) were performed against HT-29, 4T1, …