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Genetics Of Mycangial Development And Host Colonization Within The Ambrosia Symbiosis, Mckeon James Laws

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ambrosia beetles, a polyphyletic group of weevils, utilize pouch-like structures at various locations on the body to transport for their sole food source, their fungal partner. Ambrosia fungi are known to originate from multiple unrelated fungal lineages with no consensus of traits required to become a fungal cultivar. While the biology and ecology of both partners is in many cases well understood, the genetic underpinnings of this fascinating mutualism remain a mystery. The aim of this dissertation is to add to the understanding of the ambrosia symbiosis by providing insights into its molecular and genetic underpinnings through RNA sequencing data, …

Managing The Legacy Of Historical Land Use In Central Appalachia: Soil Health, Carbon Storage, And Restoration Across Disturbed Ecosystems, Kyra R. Dukich

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Historical mining, intensive timber harvesting, agriculture, and atmospheric acid deposition have left lasting impacts on soil health throughout the Central Appalachian region, reducing soil productivity, carbon storage, and ecosystem resilience. This thesis evaluated restoration strategies across two long-term research systems in West Virginia to determine how land-use history and soil amendments influence soil health, carbon dynamics, and ecosystem recovery. The first study examined reclaimed mine lands and marginal agricultural soils planted with switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) or willow (Salix spp.) and treated with biochar or inorganic fertilizer. Soil greenhouse gas production, aggregate stability, total soil C:N, pH, and soil organic matter …

Pbmc Transcriptome Analysis Following Lps Stimulation Reveals Distinct Inflammatory Strategies In Feed-Efficient And Inefficient Beef Cattle, Yarahy Leal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Improving feed efficiency is a primary objective in livestock production, serving as a major driver of profitability and sustainability in beef cattle operations as feed costs continue to rise. Residual feed intake (RFI) and residual average daily gain (RADG) are widely recognized indicators of feed efficiency and are commonly used as selection traits to reduce production costs and environmental impact. Previous research suggests a functional shift in transcriptional activity associated with immunity depending on efficiency phenotype, with evidence of greater immune system robustness in more efficient animals. This dissertation examines the molecular mechanisms linking feed efficiency and immune competence and …

The Role Of Temperature And Carbon Source In Nutrient Acquisition For Peptidoglycan Synthesis In A Gfp-Expressing Borreliella Burgdorferi, Barrett-Anne Conner Briggs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States with an estimated yearly incidence rate of more than 300,000 cases. Borreliella burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, is transmitted by the bite of an infected Ixodes scapularis tick and can cause debilitating pathologies affecting numerous body systems. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, joint pain, and a characteristic bull’s eye rash (erythema migrans) at the site of the tick bite. The timely and appropriate use of antibiotics effectively treats early Lyme disease; however, uncomfortable side effects reduce treatment compliance. If left untreated, long-term complications can arise including facial …

Optimization Of Feed Manufacturing Productive Capacity, Feed Quality, And Feed Safety Utilizing A Variety Of Pellet Die Parameters, Feed Additives, Conditioning Specifications, And Simulated Feed Bin Storages, Lucas Edward Knarr

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In Chapter 2, an experiment was conducted to determine if the inclusion of 1.50% mixer-added water (MAW) and/or 0.25% Azomite^® (AZM) would be suitable in alleviating concerns regarding pellet production rate and pellet quality when manufacturing feed with low-moisture corn. Furthermore, the authors aimed to determine if these additives had varying effects when utilizing different pellet die thicknesses. A 2 (Azomite; 0.00% or 0.25%) x 2 (mixer-added water; 0.00% or 1.50%) x 3 (pellet die thickness; 32 mm, 38 mm, or 45 mm) factorial arrangement was utilized to create the twelve experimental treatments, each manufactured …

Phylogeography, Fungal Host Specificity, And Fitness In The Corallorhiza Maculata Species Complex, Hana Thixton-Nolan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mycoheterotrophic plants exploit fungi for most or all nutritional needs, providing a compelling system to address the evolutionary consequences of genome reduction, population-level variation, and germination requirements. I am using the widespread Corallorhiza maculata species complex to address questions of genomic variation, fungal host specificity, morphological variation, and germination requirements across the broad geographic range from Mexico to northern North America. This complex contains C. bulbosa, C. macrantha, and C. mertensiana, the latter with three varieties (maculata, occidentalis, and mexicana). These taxa vary in flowering time, floral morphology, and fungal associations. However, the degree …

Reducing Inorganic Phosphorus In Poultry Diets: Nutritional Constraints And Strategies For Successful Implementation, Elizabeth Ann Lynch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Applied poultry nutrition and feed manufacture science can be described as a “three-legged stool” supported by pellet quality, feed hygienics, and nutrient availability, where imbalance in any one component can compromise overall bird performance. The research presented herein primarily addresses feed hygienics and nutrient availability, with pellet quality serving as an underlying theme, to better understand how processing conditions and dietary formulation influence performance and nutrient utilization.

In Chapter 2, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of hygienizer retention time on bacterial reduction during feed manufacture using Enterococcus faecium as a Salmonella surrogate. Pellet mill motor …

Effect Of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation On Serum Sclerostin Levels In Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Mohamed A. Hassany, Mariam A. Fawy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Vitamin D deficiency and altered bone metabolism are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sclerostin, a key inhibitor of bone formation, has been implicated in CKD–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), but the impact of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on circulating sclerostin is unclear. This work examined the effect of intramuscular cholecalciferol on serum sclerostin and bone-related markers in CKD patients. Methods This randomized controlled trial involved 128 adult CKD patients (stages 3–5), 18–70 years, both sexes, with vitamin D deficiency. Adults were equally randomized into two groups: the intervention group received intramuscular cholecalciferol (300,000 IU at baseline …

Study Of The Relationship Between Insulin Resistance And Osteoporosis In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus And Diabetic Nephropathy Elderly Patients, Mohamed Zakarya Nooh, Alaa Abdelsalam Dawood, Bassant Samy Hamed Hafez, Moustafa Bakrey Hamed Ata

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic kidney disease play a major role in bone deterioration and increased fracture risk because they influence both insulin sensitivity and bone metabolism. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between osteoporosis and insulin resistance in older individuals with type 2 diabetes and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Methods: A total of 105 participants were enrolled in the study and divided equally into three groups: 35 diabetic patients with albuminuria, 35 diabetic patients without albuminuria, and 35 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The study was conducted at the Endocrinology & DM …

Evaluation Of Neutrophils To Albumin Ratio (Nar) And C-Reactive Protein To Albumin Ratio (Car) As Markers Of Disease Activity In Patients With Ulcerative Colitis, Doaa Salah Abd-El-Fattah, Mohamed Abd El-Maksoud, Salwa M. Abo El-Khair, Ahmed El-Eraky, Amany Hasson

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is considered an extensive disease due to the risks of proximal extension, malignant transformation, disability and impaired life quality. This study aimed to explore the role of Neutrophils to Albumin Ratio (NAR) and C - reactive protein to Albumin Ratio (CAR) in evaluation of disease activity in patients with UC. Methods This cross-sectional study included 227subjects classified into two groups; group (I) included 126patients suffering from ulcerative colitis and group (II) included 101 healthy individuals with normal basic laboratory tests matched for age and sex. Estimating disease activity and severity clinically was according to Truelove criteria. …

Triglyceride Glucose Index As A Predictor Of Insulin Resistance In Patients With Hypothyroidism, Nadeen El-Nakeeb, Mohammed A. Helaly, Ahmad S. Hasan, Rania Bahriz

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Thyroid hormones play a key role in glucose metabolism, and hypothyroidism is frequently associated with impaired insulin secretion, altered glucose disposal, and insulin resistance (IR).

Aim: This study aimed to assess insulin resistance in patients with hypothyroidism using the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index in comparison with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 100 participants (50 hypothyroid patients and 50 euthyroid controls), aged 18–60 years. All subjects underwent detailed clinical evaluation, anthropometric measurements, and fasting laboratory investigations including glucose, lipid profile, insulin, TSH, and free T4. Insulin resistance was assessed using TyG …

Impact Of Body Mass Index On Clinical Outcomes In Metastatic Breast Cancer Running Title: Impact Of Bmi On Mbc Outcome, Alaa Abdelrahman Sonbol, Maha Elzaafarany, Ahmed Albehairy, Sherif Refaat

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has been suggested as an important patient-related factor influencing treatment outcomes in breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the association between BMI categories and clinical outcomes among patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included 400 patients with MBC. Clinical outcomes assessed included response to first-line treatment, treatment-related toxicity, and status at last follow-up and BMI was calculated using the Quetelet index .

Results: Patients were characterized by a high prevalence of obesity and predominantly good performance status. Disease progression following first-line treatment was the most common …

Serum High Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Level And Its Relation To Severity Of Psoriasis Vulgaris, Aya Hassan Mohammed El-Shamy, Samia Mohammed Abdel Naby, Mohammed Fawzy El Sayed, Amany Ragab Youssef Ahmed

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2.5% of the worldwide population. Troponin I levels are accompanied by cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in psoriatic cases. So, this study was conducted to detect serum levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (HScTnI) in psoriasis vulgaris (PV) cases compared to healthy controls. Methods: This case-control study included 40 cases with PV and 40 healthy subjects as a control group. Disease severity evaluation was conducted by using the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score to classify the cases into groups according to severity. Measurement of HScTnI levels was conducted. Results: Mean HsCTn …

Clinical And Dermoscopic Nail Changes In Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ghada Nagy Mansour Borham, Hassan Abdel-Raheim Fayed, Eman Nagy Ahmed Abdelrazik, Amany Awad Mohamed

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Nail abnormalities are commonly observed among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may reflect underlying systemic and metabolic alterations. Dermoscopy (Onychoscopy) has emerged as a valuable noninvasive tool for detecting subtle nail changes.

Aim:  To describe the patterns and dermoscopic features of nail changes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to explore their association with disease severity and renal function parameters.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 127 patients with different stages of CKD. All participants underwent a comprehensive clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of the nail apparatus. Dermoscopic findings included longitudinal ridging, white …

The Role Of Vitamin D In Management Of Pediatric Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia, Eman Magdy Yahia, Suzy Abd El Mabood Abd El Hameed, Dalia Tawfeek Hussein, Amany Mamdouh Shoumah

Mansoura Medical Journal

In children, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) remains a serious health concern, which is an autoimmune disorder (AID) characterized by an isolated decrease in platelet count, leading to an increased risk of bleeding.

The use of vitamin D supplementation represents a turning point in many autoimmune diseases, with the potential to deliver high cure rates with fewer side effects than previous therapies. In this review, we explore the incidence of ITP , immunopathogenesis, diagnosis and management in pediatric patients. We will discuss the mechanisms of action of vitamin D , focusing on its role in autoimmune diseases especially ITP

Demographic Characteristics In Patients With Heart Failure And Iron Deficiency, Ahmed Alaa Eldin Abd Elazeem, Abdul Razek Abdul Lateef Maaty, Hanan Ahmed Azzam, Ahmed Mohamed Reda

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is a major and prevalent comorbidity among heart failure (HF) patients. It is associated with poor exercise tolerance, recurrent hospitalization and higher mortality. Studying patients’ demographics helps to determine vulnerable groups to ID, risk factors and associated comorbidities to be considered during screening and management.

Aim of the Work: To study the demographic characteristics of heart failure patients with iron deficiency.

Patients and Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary care university hospital at Delta region of Egypt between year 2024 and 2026. Among 117 HF patients, 100 HF patients …

Red Cell Distribution Width As A Prognostic Factor And Its Comparison With Lactate In Patients With Sepsis: An Observational Prospective Cohort Study, Ahmed Taha Gad, Ghada Fathy El-Rahmawy, Naglaa Abd El-Latif El-Negeery, Eiad Ahmed Ramzy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a straightforward and cost-effective parameter that is utilized in laboratory hematology to differentiate anemias. It is indicative of the grade of heterogeneity in erythrocyte volume. This study purpose examine the correlation among the risk of adverse results in patients with sepsis and RDW, as well as to equivalence the mortality discriminative capacity of RDW and lactate levels.

Methods: This observational prospective cohort study was done on 67 sepstic patients aged ≥ 21 years old, both sexes. Patients were owed into two groups according to RDW levels: Group A (n=35): normal RDW …

Hypoalbuminemia As A Predictive Factor For Acute Kidney Injury In Pediatric Patients Running Title: Hypoalbuminemia In Aki Pediatrics, Kareem El-Saeed El-Maasrany, Ayman Hammad, Hosam Zaghloul, Ahmed Elhusseiny

Mansoura Medical Journal

Aim: Hypoalbuminemia is a well-known risk factor for illness and death, but its role as a particular predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI) is still not fully understood. This study intended to evaluate the role of hypoalbuminemia as a predictive factor for AKI outcome among pediatric patients, regarding hospital stay, kidney replacement therapy and mortality rate.

Subjects and Methods: This prospective observational cohort was conducted on 70 children with AKI divided into two groups: group I (35 AKI children combined with hypoalbuminemia) and group II (35 AKI children without hypoalbuminemia). All participants were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination …

Serum Magnesium Level And Carotid Artery Calcification And Stiffness In Dialysis Patients: Single Center Cross-Sectional Study, Kareem Ahmed Elbosaty, Alaa Abd Elaziz Sabry, Gehad Ahmad Saleh, Nehal Atef Elshabrawy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Introduction Vascular calcification is common among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on regular dialysis, either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Magnesium is suggested to play a role in inhibiting that process. Recently, Mg started to be considered one of the factors that protect against vascular calcification and consequently decrease CVD mortality rate in CKD patients. Many recent studies support that role although the mechanism of that protective effect is not clear. But it is supposed to be a combination of both passive and active mechanisms. The passive one occurs through interference with calcium phosphate deposition and hydroxyapatite inhibition by phosphate binding. …

Evaluation Of Clinical Efficacy And Safety Of Topical Trifarotene Versus Topical Dapsone In Inflammatory Acne Valgaris: Split Face Interventional Study., Shaymaa E. Elmongy, Aya Mohammed Elsebaie, Azza Osama Alqurei, Noura A. Elseessy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Topical Trifarotene and Dapsone both treat inflammatory acne, but they work differently and have distinct side effects.

Objective: to compare efficacy and safety between topical trifarotine 0.005% versus dapsone 5% gel for treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory facial acne vulgaris.

Methods: This split face interventional study included twenty (20) patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris. All the patients were treated with topical trifarotine cream 0.005 once daily at night thin layer on RT side of the face and treated with topical dapsone gel 5% once daily at any time of the day thin …

Serum Zinc Levels In Children With Complicated Community Acquired Pneumonia: A Case-Control Study, Eslam Elhendawy, Angi Alwakeel, Shimaa R. Hendawy, Amal Osman

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Zinc performs an important part in maintaining proper immune function, and its deficiency has been connected to an increased risk of severe respiratory infections. However, there is limited data on serum zinc concentrations in children suffering from complicated community-acquired pneumonia (cCAP), particularly within the Egyptian pediatric population. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate serum zinc levels in children diagnosed with severe cCAP in comparison to healthy controls and to assess the diagnostic effectiveness of serum zinc levels in distinguishing children with cCAP. Methods This study included 100 children with severe cCAP and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls enrolled …

Evaluation Of Sodium Butyrate As An Anti-Fibrotic Agent In Experimental Schistosomiasis Mansoni Infection, Rania Eladl Hassan, Manar Ezzelarab Ramadan, Nora Ibrahim Aboulfotouh, Ramy Ahmed Abdelsalam Sallam, Basma Hamed Othman, Soha Ibrahim Awad

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Schistosomiasis is a prominent neglected tropical disease that is caused by Schistosoma mansoni, and it is characterized by granuloma formation, which advances to hepatic fibrosis and serious liver damage. The standard medication is praziquantel (PZQ), but it has minimal effect on larvae and no effect on fibrosis which is a main pathological feature in schistosomiaiss. So, new alternatives were suggested, such as sodium butyrate (SB), which is a fatty acid salt with medicinal qualities.

Objective: This study investigated the anti-fibrotic effect of sodium butyrate (SB) in a mouse model of S. mansoni-induced liver immunopathology using …

Study Of Serum Zinc And Copper Levels In Type 2 Diabetic Patients With And Without Nephropathy, Hayam Elmetwally, Ahmed Almenshawy, Alaa Sabry, Rania Bahriz

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is one of the most important microvascular complications of Diabetes mellitus (DM). The purpose of this study was to look at how changes in serum zinc and copper levels relate to the incidence of diabetic nephropathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: The type of the study is an observational case-control study. This observational case control study was conducted over a period of one year and included 90 adult subjects. Subjects were categorized into three equal parties. Patients without nephropathy who had type 2 diabetes were included in Group I (n=30) . Patients …

Aquatic Macrophytes As Nature-Based Solutions: Challenges And Opportunities Across Inland And Coastal Waters, Morgan Botrel, Roxane Maranger, Lindsay L. Trottier, Mathieu Cusson, Lars L. Iverson, Fanny Noisette, Christian Nozais, Katrine Turgeon, Andrea Bertolo, Thibaud André-Alphonse, Simon Bélanger, Arthur De Grandpré, Jean-Olivier Goyette, Sabine Hilt, Ladd Johnson, Valérie Langlois, Martin Laporte, Félix Lauzon, Brigitte Légaré, Anne Ola, Marie-Pomme Presne-Poissant, Matthieu Prugne, Caroline Susini, Richard Zimmerman

OES Faculty Publications

Macrophytes are foundation species whose use as nature-based solution (NbS) in aquatic ecosystems can help reduce climate change impacts while mitigating biodiversity loss. The discrepancy in research and application of macrophytes as NbS across inland and marine coastal ecosystems is an opportunity to expand the concept and learn from different approaches. We report on an initiative uniting marine and freshwater scientists that compared knowledge on macrophytes as NbS across realms, identified advances and gaps in their use, and synthesized challenges and opportunities for application. We conducted a bibliometric analysis and an expert participatory exercise around recent review papers. We reveal …

Impact Of Tactical Breathing On Marksmanship And Cognitive Function After Anaerobic Fatigue In Law Enforcement Personnel, Jackson D. Gilleland

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Tactical breathing is commonly used in law enforcement training to regulate stress, yet limited evidence exists regarding its acute effectiveness following physical fatigue. Purpose: To examine whether a brief tactical breathing intervention improves shooting performance and heart rate variability (HRV) following anaerobic fatigue in law enforcement officers. Methods: Thirty-eight officers completed baseline HR/HRV and a shoot/no-shoot scenario, followed by a maximal 500-m row and post-fatigue shooting. Participants were assigned to either a control group or a tactical breathing group, which received brief instruction and coaching before post-testing. Results: No significant between-group differences were observed for A-zone accuracy, shot time, …

Assessing Climate-Driven Shifts In Floral Resource Availability For Bees On Barrier Islands In The Southeastern U.S., Hannah Brown

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Climate change can alter the timing of bee and angiosperm phenology, potentially reshaping the seasonal availability of floral resources for bee species. Although plant-pollinator phenology has been widely studied in temperate systems, less is known about these dynamics in subtropical coastal ecosystems, such as barrier islands in the southeastern United States. In this study, we examined climate-driven changes in bee activity and floral resource availability across 16 barrier-island sites spanning from Florida to Virginia. Using museum bee occurrence records, herbarium-derived flowering phenology models, site-specific floristic inventories, and published bee-plant interaction data, we estimated species-specific bee activity periods and daily floral …

Examining Firefighter Perceptions Of Stress And Recovery Across A Shift And Engagement In Recovery Activities, Nathan T. Ebersole

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The occupational demands of firefighting, such as fire suppression and rescue tasks, working in hazardous conditions, inconsistent sleep patterns, and exposure to traumatic events, can lead to work-related injuries, burnout, and feelings of isolation. To date, there is limited research on the impact of a single work-shift on firefighter perceptions of stress and recovery and the recovery activities that may influence these perceptions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a single work-shift on firefighter perceptions of stress and recovery status as well as the recovery activities firefighters choose to engage in. Forty-three firefighters across …

Vibrio In Oysters: Exploring The Impact Of Harvesting Practices, Samin Yasar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The rapid growth of oyster aquaculture in the Southeastern United States necessitates the validation of post-harvest processing strategies to mitigate the risk of Vibrio spp. infection. This study investigated the efficiency of three cooling methods - Direct Ice Burial, Indirect Ice Cooling, and Ambient Control, on the prevalence and abundance of V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus in cultured oysters (Crassostrea virginica) harvested in Georgia. Additionally, the study examined the safety of two different re-submersion periods for oyster safety.

Internal temperature profiles confirmed that while Direct Ice Burial achieved the most rapid cooling (< 10° C in 7.3 ± 1.2 min), the Indirect Ice Cooling protocol successfully reached the safety threshold in 73.7 ± 17.2 min, well within the 2-hour regulatory window. Microbiological analysis (N = 270) revealed that V. …