Digital Commons Network^™

Role Of Cellular Stress Responses In Innate Immune Defense Against Acute Respiratory Infections, Amit Sharma

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensor inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) is an important regulator of innate immune cells. However, its role in pulmonary innate host defenses remains poorly understood. This dissertation elucidates the dual, context-dependent role of IRE1α in host defense against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. We demonstrate IRE1α’s function as both a detrimental mediator of acute pathology and an essential facilitator of innate immune memory. Our work revealed that acute IRE1α activation during primary MRSA infection is detrimental. In lungs and alveolar macrophages (AMs), IRE1α is activated in response to MRSA infection. Consequently, IRE1α activation triggers a hyperinflammatory …

Ifnγ-Driven Skewing Towards Th1 Over Th17 Differentiation Underlies Crs And Neutropenia In Car-T Therapy, Payal Goala

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

CAR-T therapy has improved overall and complete response rates, andprolonged progression free survival of patients with relapsed/refractory hematological malignancies. The short-term and long-term impacts of anti-CD19 CAR-T products on the immune landscape of B cell malignancies has garnered considerable attention in recent years. Most notably, a subset of patients experience high-grade cytokine toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome and immune cell-associated hematologic toxicity that manifest as prolonged cytopenia. Whereas etiology of CRS is more well established, the mechanisms leading to CAR-T associated cytopenia remains elusive. Rejeski et. al. showed that severe cytopenia in patients post CAR-T treatment led to frequent infections …

Investigating Factors That Affect Total Ige Antibody Levels Of A Canine Population In Louisville, Ky, Iris N. Gillespie

Undergraduate Theses

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a genetically predisposed condition that causes inflammatory and pruritic (itchy) skin reactions in response to environmental and food allergens. The main purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between pollen counts and total canine IgE antibody levels of dogs living in Louisville, KY. Additionally, data is analyzed to look for trends documented in previous studies related to the impacts of sex, age, and allergic symptoms on total IgE count. In collaboration with the Downtown Animal Hospital, blood samples were drawn from 16 dogs at one point in February (when pollen …

Exploring The Relationship Between Loneliness And Real-Time Measurements Of Gsr And Hrv During Concept Mapping, And Cortisol And Oxytocin Levels, Jangwon Seo

Masters Theses

This study attempts to explore loneliness among college students from a bio-physio-psycho-social perspective, and it utilizes real-time physiological measurements (GSR and HRV) and biomarkers (cortisol and oxytocin) in conjunction with psychosocial assessments. The study employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, which involve concept mapping exercises, with the aim of comprehending the full nature of how loneliness interacts with physiological and psychological processes. At Time 1 (T1) we found significant positive correlations between loneliness and elevated GSR levels, which is indicative of increased sympathetic arousal (r = .35, p < .01). Additionally, there were significant negative correlations between loneliness and mean RR intervals in HRV that indicated autonomic dysregulation featured by increased sympathetic activities as well as reduced parasympathetic functions (r = -.28, p < .05). However, at Time 2 (T2), these correlations were not significant indicating possible temporal fluctuations due to adaptive responses or extraneous variables such social support systems or coping mechanisms. The qualitative data from concept mapping enriched the analysis by providing deeper insights into the cognitive and emotional processes underlying loneliness. Despite limitations like demographic skewness, funding constraints, logistical challenges, etc., this, therefore, highlights the need for multidimensional investigations of psychological phenomena. This has implications for future research as well as clinical practice, which could include using these integrative measures to develop holistic interventions for mental health disorders.

Explainable Ai For Liver Transplant Survival Prediction: Integrating Immunological Mismatch Features, Sourab Shaik

Honors Projects

Liver Transplantations are crucial treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, a persistent deficit of donor organs necessitates maximizing the utility of each available graft to minimize failure rates. We evaluated whether donor–recipient molecular immunogenicity metrics - Electrostatic and Hydrophobic Mismatch Scores (HMS/EMS) and eplet-based counts - improve post–liver-transplant survival prediction. The analytic cohort comprised adult, first time, single-organ deceased-donor transplants drawn from Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients; follow-up was truncated at five years, and the endpoint was all-cause graft failure (earliest of graft failure or death; otherwise, censored). HLA variables were derived via high- resolution conversion and molecular mismatch computations …

Identifying Correlates Of Protection Of A Pneumonic Plague Vaccine., Caleb Samuel Whitley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pneumonic plague is caused by inhalation of the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis. The immune response during Pneumonic plague occurs in two phases; an initial asymptomatic phase followed by a highly inflammatory and destructive phase resulting in 100% mortality if left untreated. The rapid onset of severe disease following the asymptomatic phase makes it difficult to administer antibiotics in time to prevent lethal outcomes. Therefore, the development of an effective vaccine is likely needed to combat pneumonic plague in areas of the world where Y. pestis remains endemic. One candidate subunit vaccine is protective in mice, a natural host for …

Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes: From Discovery To Clinical Application., Lewis Clayton Chew

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the evolution of TIL therapy from its discovery to clinical application, focusing on its use in treating metastatic cancer. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT), particularly TIL therapy, has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional treatments like chemotherapy. This review article traces the historical development of TILs, highlighting key experiments and clinical trials that have shaped its understanding and application as a therapeutic strategy for patients with metastatic and difficult to treat cancers including melanoma. Importantly, this article highlights recent advancements, including the FDA approval of Lifileucel, and explores emerging strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy of TILs through …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of An Air Purification System In Reducing Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness In Broiler Chickens, Abdulaziz Ali Alqahtani

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is the primary cause of lameness in commercial broiler production and has a profound impact on animal welfare and cost-effectiveness. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effect of an air purification system on mitigating BCO lameness in broiler chickens. One thousand eight hundred broiler chicks were reared in two side-by-side research barns. Eight air filtration units were installed in one building, and none in the other. Treatment groups in both houses included positive control birds on wire flooring to induce BCO, as well as negative control, feed additive, vaccination, and a combination …

Using Color And Fluorescent Spectrometry As A New Rapid Cleaning Verification Method In Poultry Processing Plants, Clark Griscom

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The poultry industry is expected to be growing at 3% in the total global market with the U.S. being the largest producer of poultry meat. Poultry processing plants are expected to produce 140 birds per minute with the potential of up to 175 birds per minute to meet the market demand. With the growing market and need for faster production, maintaining food safety needs to be a priority to ensure the safety of consumers. Over 9.9 million foodborne illness cases are reported each year in the United States. A change in food safety is needed, and one area lacking is …

Next-Generation Salmonella Inactivated Vaccine Platforms And Phytobiotic-Modulated Immune Responses In Poultry, Santiago Uribe Diaz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Here, a comprehensive understanding of immune responses triggered by either a multimeric CD40 receptor-agonistic DNA aptamer-based or mannosylated chitosan-based Salmonella Enteritidis inactivated vaccine platforms, along with phytobiotic supplementation as an immune modulatory strategy in response to Salmonella lipopolysaccharides, is presented. This dissertation supports the development of next-generation Salmonella vaccine platforms that simultaneously stimulate both protective cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, while indicating the potential immunomodulatory effects of phytobiotics supplementation to reduce the immunological impact of Salmonella lipopolysaccharides in chickens. The first chapter describes that both vaccine platforms administered in broiler chickens initiated local inflammatory responses, recruiting heterophils and macrophages from …

The Genetic And Environmental Determinants Of Stress Resilience Across Model Systems, Carson Len Stacy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Survival in fluctuating environments demands that organisms effectively anticipate and respond to future challenges. This capacity is shaped by both genetic background and environmental context. In this dissertation, I apply a population aware lens to explore how genetic diversity and environmental conditions intersect to shape stress survival. Integrating functional genomics and transcriptomics in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (brewer’s yeast) and a vertebrate (common canary) system, I dissect gene-by-environment (GE) interactions that underpin resilience. First, I move beyond a single reference genome by using a pan-genomic CRISPR knockout screen to assess osmotic stress survival across diverse S. cerevisiae isolates. This analysis reveals a …

Asymptomatic Cryptococcal Antigenemia: A Multi-Clinic Cross-Sectional Study On The Prevalence, Associated Factors And Predictors Of Three-Month Outcomes Among Antiretroviralnaïve And Antiretroviral-Experienced Hiv Patients In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Mandela Makakala, Mukasa Mohammed, Mabula Mabelele, Kamran Hameed, Philip Adebayo

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis remains a leading cause of HIV/AIDS-related mortality, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Current screening and prevention efforts primarily target antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve patients, whereas strategies for ART-experienced individuals are less well defined.

Objectives: This study primarily aimed at determining the prevalence of asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia (ACA) among ART-naïve and ART-experienced patients, along with associated factors and predictors of three-month outcomes among HIV patients in three HIV clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Secondarily, factors associated with serum cryptococcal antigen positivity in the overall study population were also assessed.

Methods: This cross-sectional clinic-based study recruited 273 HIV-positive participants (ART-naïve …

(R2135) System Dynamical Analysis For Ann-Based Numerical Solutions Of A Compartmental Model: A Bio-Mathematical Model Of Drug Diffusion Through The Compartments Of Blood And Tissue, Rakesh Kumar, Sudarshan Dhua

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This paper provides a considerably efficient numerical approach to acquire the solutions of a biomathematical model administrating oral and intravenous distribution of pharmaceuticals in the human body. The proposed numerical approach based on an artificial neural network is employed to extract numerical solutions for a detailed set of ordinary differential equations and analyze the change in concentration of drug diffusion via the compartments of blood and tissue medium. We primarily focus on analyzing three different models established on the diffusion process, exercising laws of mass action and Fick’s principle. In this work, the existing model is reformulated as an optimization …

(R2107) Analysis Of A Bivalent Vaccine Model With Peer Influence Effect On Testing, Manoj Kumar Singh, Anjali .

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

The coronavirus caused havoc around the world. There was a terrible situation in villages and cities, and no one knew how to deal with it. Although the governments of each country tried their best to save the common people, vaccination programs and testing centers were built everywhere. However, people were not utilizing it due to fear. Because of this, the infection spread rapidly. The qualitative study of the mathematical model here is in context with the situation when bivalent vaccination and testing are available for an epidemic. The mathematical model combines the exposed period and influenza model with vaccination included …

Avaren-Fc's Effects On Lymphoma Cells., Jacob Hahn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the therapeutic potential of Avaren-Fc (AvFc), a novel lectin fusion protein that integrates the Fc region of human IgG1 with the engineered lectin Avaren, specifically targeting lymphoma. The study delineates the in vitro binding capabilities of Avaren-Fc with a human B-cell lymphoma cell line, a canine B-cell lymphoma cell line, healthy canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and healthy human PBMCs. AvFc was shown to exhibit significant binding to human lymphoma cells. Furthermore, the direct cytotoxicity of Avaren-Fc against canine lymphoma cells, canine lymphoma cells and healthy canine PBMCs was assessed. It was found that there is …

Enzymatic Depletion Of Adenosine To Potentiate Cancer Immunotherapy., Omar Sadi Sarkar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, but many patients still do not respond well. To improve therapeutic outcomes, chemotherapy is often combined with immunotherapy, as chemotherapy is known to promote immunogenicity. However, many patients develop resistance to this combination therapy, and the reasons behind it are not fully understood. In this study, we explored how platinum-based chemotherapy, specifically cisplatin, affects tumor signaling to create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). We found cisplatin triggers ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-mediated DNA damage signaling and induces higher expression of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) via a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mediated pathway. We speculate DNA …

Host-Intrinsic Factors Determine Anti-Tumor Efficacy Of Exercise In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Sumedha Pareek

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths with a low 5-year relative survival rate of approximately 13.3% for all stages combined. We have previously shown that exercise can improve quality of life and enhance functional capacity among patients with PDAC. Exercise induces a variety of changes in the tumor microenvironment with beneficial effects in several tumor types. However, our understanding of the clinical effects of exercise and the mechanisms that mediate anti-tumor effects are limited in pancreatic cancer.

In this project, using C57BL/6 mice from Taconic Biosciences (Tac) and Jackson Laboratories (Jax), we established a …

Prevalence Of Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia Coli In Illinois Bison Herds, Adam M. Baldocchi

Honors Capstones

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) represents an important group of zoonotic pathogens that pose ongoing risks to public health through foodborne outbreaks and environmental transmission. This project evaluated the prevalence and genetic distribution of stx1 and stx2 toxin genes in fecal samples collected from Illinois bison Bison bison) managed under either commercial or preservation conditions. A total of 320 fecal samples were screened for STEC presence by performing enrichment culturing and confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for stx1, stx2, and uidA, which confirmed E. coli identity. Of all tested samples, 28.4% were STEC-positive, with stx2 (21.3%) …

Recovery And Characterization Of Moraxella Species From Bovine Specimens, Laura G. Leger

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The family Moraxellaceae is made up of a diverse group of 24 named species that fall into three phylogenetic groups. While most Moraxella spp. act as commensal respiratory and/or ocular flora of mammals, some are associated with disease. One of these diseases, infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), has significant welfare and economic impacts to both cattle and cattle producers. Moraxella bovis is the only experimentally determined cause of IBK, however, an association of Moraxella bovoculi with disease has been proposed. Currently, available vaccines do not have high levels of efficacy in the field. Culture based methods are the gold standard for …

Applicability Of Cementochronology To Estimate Season-Of-Death In Humans: Insights From Modern Documented Collections, Olga Ibarra-Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

Dental cementum is characterized by lifelong deposition of alternating opaque annuli in fall/winter and translucent bands in spring/summer. This study aims to test the applicability of cementochronology to estimate season-of-death, by observing the properties of the last layer, with direct implications for forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. The sample includes canine teeth from 146 adults (84 males, 62 females), age-at-death ranging from 20-97 years (mean=61.7 years, SD=18.6 years), from two contemporary skeletal collections. Of these individuals, 78 (53.4%) died in spring/summer and 68 (46.6%) died in fall/winter. Overall accuracy was low at 64.4% (94/146). Accuracy was higher for spring/summer deaths 100.0% …

Reproduction And Larval Development Of The Invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle In South Carolina, Lindsey A. Stone

All Theses

The Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky; ALB) is a major threat to forest health due to the damage done by larval feeding in host trees. In 2020, ALB was discovered in Charleston County, South Carolina, which presents a novel climate for this invasive pest in North America. I investigated the reproductive biology and larval development of ALB to support detection and management efforts. By exposing 19 host trees to mated pairs of adults, I was able to determine rates of oviposition success (55%), egg viability (55%), and early larval survival (56%). On average, females chewed nearly 1 egg …

Investigating The Impacts Of Azole Antifungals On Growth Of Cryptococcus Neoformans, Gnanambika Sindhe

All Theses

Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen is responsible for cryptococcosis, leading to approximately 181,000 deaths annually, predominantly in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa. Fluconazole, a widely used fungistatic azole, is often administered due to its relative affordability and lower toxicity. However, resistance to fluconazole in C. neoformans can arise through aneuploidy, complicating treatment efforts. This study aims to deepen our understanding of resistance mechanisms to azole drugs by comparing fluconazole with other azoles, including both clinical and agricultural azole antifungals. Disk diffusion assays were performed to evaluate the ability of C. neoformans to develop resistance to these compounds, focusing …

A Class Of Benzofuranoindoline-Bearing Heptacyclic Fungal Ripps With Anticancer Activities, Qiuyue Nie, Fanglong Zhao, Xuerong Yu, Mithun C Madhusudhanan, Caleb Chang, Siting Li, Sandipan Roy Chowdhury, Bryce Kille, Andy Xu, Rory Sharkey, Chunxiao Sun, Hongzhi Zeng, Shuai Liu, Dishu Zhou, Xin Yu, Kevin Yang, Sandra A C Figueiredo, Maria Zotova, Zichen Hu, Alan Y Du, Dongyin Guan, Rui Tang, Todd Treangen, Jin Wang, Pedro N Leão, Yang Gao, Junjie Chen, Peng Liu, Hans Renata, Xue Gao

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a promising source of new pharmaceuticals, yet the therapeutic potential of fungal RiPPs remains largely underexplored. Here, we report asperigimycins as a distinct class of fungal RiPPs, featuring a unique heptacyclic scaffold consisting of a benzofuranoindoline core and three additional macrocycles, primarily assembled by six distinct fungi-specific DUF3328 oxidases. Inspired by the enhancement of anticancer activity through the N-terminal pyroglutamate in naturally occurring asperigimycins C and D, we chemically modify the inactive asperigimycin B with a series of lipid substitutions at its N-terminus. A derivative with a C-11 linear fatty …

Functional Analysis Of Ftsa-Mediated Recruitment Of Ftsk In Escherichia Coli, Abbigale Perkins

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Bacterial cytokinesis requires precise coordination between cytoplasmic and periplasmic components of the divisome to ensure that membrane constriction and chromosome segregation occur in synchrony. The actin-like protein FtsA plays a central role in this process by tethering FtsZ to the membrane and recruiting downstream division proteins. Despite its essential function, the mechanisms by which FtsA coordinates divisome activation and the recruitment of late-acting proteins remain incompletely defined. To address this, the role of FtsA in activating septal synthesis and recruiting the DNA translocase FtsK was examined using mutational analysis in Escherichia coli.

The FtsA^{M96E R153D} variant, which has …

Advancing Trypanosoma Cruzi N-Myristoyltransferase As A Drug Target For Chagas Disease Through In Silico Discovery And Biochemical Evaluation, Diana Citlali González García

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Chagas disease remains one of the most persistent and neglected parasitic infections in the Americas, advancing silently through the intracellular replication of Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes and the invasive spread of trypomastigotes. The survival of the parasite is critically reliant on protein N-myristoylation, a lipid modification catalyzed by N-myristoyltransferase (NMT). This dissertation aims to advance beyond prior studies by systematically investigating NMT inhibition across multiple biological levels, spanning from the characterization of the purified enzyme, through cellular infection models, to the global proteomic remodeling induced within the parasite, thereby evaluating TcNMT as a potential therapeutic vulnerability in T.cruzi.Recombinant TcNMT was expressed, …

Expression And Purification Of Prohibitin Proteins And Investigation Of Their Interaction With Mycobacterium Tuberculosis’S Virulence Factors, Zeina Rhaim

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Prohibitin (PHB) is a highly conserved mitochondrial protein involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, mitochondrial integrity, macrophage activation, cytokine production and many other critical cell functions. The prohibitin complex, formed by Prohibitin-1 (PHB1) and Prohibitin-2 (PHB2), functions as a mitochondrial membrane-associated receptor. Cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and renal conditions were found to be linked to an irregular PHB expression. Emerging evidence has also highlighted a significant role for PHB in tuberculosis (TB), particularly through its interactions with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) virulence determinants. The molecular mechanisms by which PHB influences TB pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Our preliminary studies showed that PHB1 was …

Artificial Intelligence Biomarker Detects High-Risk Childhood Asthma Subgroup For Respiratory Infections And Exacerbations, Young J Juhn, Chung-Il Wi, Euijung Ryu, Katherine S King, Sunghwan Sohn, Elham Sagheb, Greg Jenkins, David Watson, Miguel A Park, Sergio E Chiarella, Hirohito Kita, Mir Ali, W Charles Huskins, Elizabeth H Ristagno, Imad Absah, Charles Grose, Kathy Ihrke, Elizabeth A Krusemark, Thanai Pongdee, Björn Nordlund, Carla M Davis, Robert J Pignolo, Hongfang Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Asthma is associated with an increased risk of acute respiratory infections (ARI). Little is known about whether natural language processing (NLP)-powered digital biomarkers can identify a high-risk asthma subgroup for ARI during early childhood.

Objective: We assessed whether a digital biomarker could identify a high-risk subgroup of childhood asthma for ARI.

Methods: We applied validated NLP algorithms for Predetermined Asthma Criteria (NLP-PAC) and Asthma Predictive Index (NLP-API) to electronic health records of the 1997-2016 Mayo Clinic Birth Cohort. We categorized the cohort into 4 subgroups: both criteria positive (NLP-PAC+/NLP-API+), PAC positive only (NLP-PAC+), API positive only (NLP-API+), and both …

Representation Of Neuro-Oncology In American Neurology Departments: An Analysis Of Grand Rounds And Perspectives From Faculty And Residents, Elizabeth C Neil, Aubree Bruhnding, Zubair A Ahmed, Priya U Kumthekar, Nicholas A Blondin, Christian Grommes, Chirag B Patel, Sigmund Hsu, Feng Wang, Hongyu Miao, Noah L Rosen, Rashmi B Halker Singh, Mark J Burish, Zachary A Corbin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Neuro-oncology education in American neurology departments is highly variable, with no clear guidelines on appropriate practices. To better understand its current state, we focus on the perspective of departmental Grand Rounds (GR), views of adult neurology residency program directors (ANRPD), neuro-oncologists, and residents.

Methods: First, we obtained GR series from academic years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 via an online search and direct emails to neurology residency programs. Second, two online surveys were dispensed to ANRPD and neuro-oncologists. Third, a cohort of neurology residents completed surveys with pre/post-didactic tests.

Results: Neuro-oncology consisted of 7% (28/ 411) GR in 2017-2018 and 6% …

Fusobacterium Sphaericum Sp Nov, Isolated From A Human Colon Tumor Adheres To Colonic Epithelial Cells And Induces Il-8 Secretion, Martha A Zepeda-Rivera, Yannick Eisele, Alexander Baryiames, Hanrui Wu, Claudia Mengoni, Gianmarco Piccinno, Elsa F Mcmahon, Kaitlyn D Lacourse, Dakota S Jones, Hans Hauner, Samuel S Minot, Nicola Segata, Floyd E Dewhirst, Christopher D Johnston, Susan Bullman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancerous tissue is a largely unexplored microbial niche that provides a unique environment for the colonization and growth of specific bacterial communities, and with it, the opportunity to identify novel bacterial species. Here, we report distinct features of a novel Fusobacterium species, F. sphaericum sp. nov. (Fs), isolated from primary colon adenocarcinoma tissue. We acquire the complete closed genome and associated methylome of this organism and phylogenetically confirm its classification into the Fusobacterium genus, with F. perfoetens as its closest neighbor. Fs is phenotypically and genetically distinct, with morphological analysis revealing its coccoid shape, that while similar to …

The Influence Of Tert-Butylhydroquinone (Tbhq) On Acod1/Irg1-Driven Inflammatory Pathways, Alyssa M. Whisel

All Dissertations

The demand for processed foods has led to increased use of synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs), notably tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), to inhibit lipid oxidation and prolong shelf life. While TBHQ is deemed safe at regulated levels, concerns arise from studies indicating potential adverse effects such as oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and impaired immune function. To investigate TBHQ's immunomodulatory effects, RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were pre-treated with TBHQ and subsequently stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C, PIC) to simulate bacterial or viral challenges. Results demonstrated that TBHQ at high non-cytotoxic doses reduced nitric oxide and IL-10 production while promoting phagocytosis and …