Digital Commons Network^™

Early Identification Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients At High-Risk Of Recurrence Using The Adv Score: A Multicenter Retrospective Study, Shuya Cao, Zheyu Zhou, Chaobo Chen, Wenwen Li, Jinsong Liu, Jiawei Xu, Chunlong Zhao, Yihang Yuan, Zhenggang Xu, Huaiyu Wu, Guwei Ji, Xiaoliang Xu, Ke Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Postoperative recurrence is a vital reason for poor 5-year overall survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The ADV score is considered a parameter that can quantify HCC aggressiveness. This study aimed to identify HCC patients at high-risk of recurrence early using the ADV score.

METHODS: The medical data of consecutive HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy from The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (TFAHNJMU) and Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (NJDTH) were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the status of microvascular invasion and the Edmondson-Steiner grade, HCC patients were divided into three groups: low-risk group (group 1: no risk factor exists), …

Drivers Of Microparticles Abundance In Freshwater Fish And Macroinvertibrates, Elizabeth Kazmierczak

Master's Theses

Anthropogenic microparticles (MP) (i.e., particles < 5 mm) are defined as materials of manufactured origin found in the environment. They are widespread and a rapidly emerging global contaminant. MP include microplastics (< 5 mm), as well as other microfibers or particles, which can be synthetic, semi-synthetic and non-synthetic. Rivers are a critical source of plastics to oceans, and MP within rivers are retained in part though biological processes, including ingestion. MP ingestion by freshwater biota varies by proximity to point sources (e.g., wastewater treatment plants; WWTP), overall environmental concentrations, and trophic level and functional feeding groups, but few studies have examined these factors together. In our first study we examined fish collected in the North Shore Channel of the Chicago River to determine MP abundance within organisms. We then compared trophic position (i.e., δ15N) and proximity to a WWTP. With all species combined, MP concentration were not significantly different across study sites, but stable isotopes increased downstream. Considered individually, MP abundance relative to WWTP proximity varied by species, which we attributed to habitat preference and mobility. In a second project, we collected macroinvertebrates from three different watersheds in North America and compared the abundance of MP in macroinvertebrates to concentration within the environment (i.e., water column, surface, and benthic). Functional feeding groups were a significant predictor in the amount of microparticles found in macroinvertebrates. Additionally, the concentration of water column microparticles showed a positive relationship with all macroinvertebrate’s microparticle abundance. Results will aid in understanding the ecological impacts of MPs on aquatic food webs and the pathways in which they can enter.

Effects Of Microplastics On Aquatic Organisms: A Comprehensive Review, Sedat Gündoğdu, İrem Nur Yeşi̇lyurt, Zohaib Abbas, Makbule Baylan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants that pose significant threats to marine ecosystems. This review examines the impact of MPs on marine organisms, highlighting key areas of concern and knowledge gaps.The aim of this paper is to synthesize recent findings on the occurrence and biological impacts of MPs in marine environments. For this purpose a total of 171 studies conducted in different geographical regions were examined in order to ascertain the interaction of numerous vertebrate and invertebrate taxonomic groups with microplastic. Based on this analysis the pathways through which MPs enter marine ecosystems and their interactions with marine organisms were examined. …

Cognition And Inflammation In Youth With Perinatal Hiv, Megan Niehaus, Julie Mannarino, Jacob Bolzenius, Tori Frerichs, Robert Paul

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Background: Perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) remains a major global health challenge. Approximately 90% of the global population of PHIV reside in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains incomplete, particularly for PHIV. With PHIV, the brain is exposed to the virus during critical periods of brain development without the immunological benefits from ART. Unlike adults with horizontally acquired HIV whose nadir CD4+ Tcell count is a strong correlate of cognitive difficulties that persist after sustained use of ART, cognitive symptoms among PHIV youth are independent of traditional HIV disease metrics. Prior studies indicate that PHIV …

Small Gtp-Binding Protein Gdp Dissociation Stimulator Influences Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Via Perk-Dependent Er Stress, Yuxue Yang, Ting Xiong, Ti Wang, Xiwei Chen, Ziwei Ma, Bangyun Zuo, Dong Ning, Ruilong Song, Xuesong Liu, Daxin Wang

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Cisplatin is a common anticancer drug, but its frequent nephrotoxicity limits its clinical use. Small GTP-binding protein GDP dissociation stimulator (smgGDS), a small GTPase chaperone protein, was considerably downregulated during cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (CDDP-AKI), especially in renal tubular epithelial cells. SmgGDS-knockdown mice was established and found that smgGDS knockdown promoted CDDP-AKI, as demonstrated by an increase in serum creatine, blood urea nitrogen levels and the appearance of tubular patterns. RNA sequencing suggested that protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), which bridges mitochondria-associated ER membranes, was involved in smgGDS knockdown following CDDP-AKI, and then identified that smgGDS knockdown increased phosphorylated-PERK …

How Does Your Garden Grow? Development Of A Calculator To Evaluate The Economic And Dietary Impact Of Edible Gardens, Sofia O. Sanchez, Katie Funderburk, Erin Reznicek, Sondra M. Parmer

Journal of Extension

Edible gardens can increase fruit and vegetable availability and access. Weighing produce is a method to evaluate gardens, however there are limited methods that translate garden yields to dietary yields and that document Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) garden yields. We developed a Garden Harvest Calculator to evaluate edible garden economic and dietary impact. Over three spring-to-summer growing seasons, 12 – 18 gardens produced 6,499 pounds of produce worth $11,606.95. This equates to 24,922 cups, enough for 4,984 adults to meet dietary recommendations. SNAP-Ed supported gardens may positively contribute to dietary needs while reducing barriers to food access.

Insights Into Foraging Behavior From Multi-Day Sound Recording Tags On Goose-Beaked Whales (Ziphius Cavirostris) In The Southern California Bight, Shannon N. Coates, David A. Sweeney, Erin A. Falcone, Stephanie L. Watwood, Brenda K. Rone, Stacy L. De Ruiter, Jay Barlow, Karin A. Dolan, Ronald P. Morrissey, Nancy A. Dimarzio, Susan M. Jarvis, Russel D. Andrews, Gregory S. Schor

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Goose-beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) are deep-diving cetaceans known for their elusive nature and specialized foraging behavior. In 2019 and 2020, six telemetry tags were deployed on these whales in Southern California, resulting in 395 h of acoustic and diving data. Foraging dives were manually identified by the presence of echolocation pulses and buzzes, and generalized additive models assessed factors influencing foraging behavior. The median bathymetric depth at foraging sites was 1,419 m (IQR = 359), and the maximum dive depth was highly correlated with bathymetry depth. Individuals started echolocating on descent at a median depth of 410 m (IQR = …

Learning Extension Through Firsthand Experiences Of Graduate Students In An Amish Community, Raul Villanueva, Yaziri Gonzalez, Izabela Gomes

Journal of Extension

Two graduate students and a faculty member of the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky developed and implemented a two-year extension program aimed to train Amish farmers on identification and management of their major agricultural problems. Students conducted periodical visits to the community, inquired about farmers’ needs, and identified relevant issues, which were outlined to plan two field days offered in their properties. Amish farmers gained knowledge on diverse topics and were eager to receive handouts and publications. Amish were open to apply new technologies and implement them without main changes in their traditional methods of agriculture. The …

Glycemic Control In Diabetic Patients Improved Overall Lung Cancer Survival Across Diverse Populations, Wayne Y Wu, Brian Luke, Xiao-Cheng Wu, J Jack Lee, Yong Yi, Samuel C Okpechi, Barry Gause, Paras Mehta, Steven I Sherman, Augusto Ochoa, Ethan Dmitrovsky, Xi Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: The consequence of diabetes on lung cancer overall survival (OS) is debated. This retrospective study used 2 large lung cancer databases to assess comprehensively diabetes effects on lung cancer OS in diverse demographic populations, including health disparity.

Methods: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center database (32 643 lung cancer patients with 11 973 patients with diabetes) was extracted from electronic health records (EHRs) using natural language processing (NLP). Associations were between diabetes and lung cancer prognostic features (age, sex, race, body mass index [BMI], insurance status, smoking, stage, and histopathology). Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1c) and glucose levels assessed …

Effects Of Technique And Dummy Mass On Law Enforcement-Specific Body Drags: Testing And Training Implications, Matthew R. Moreno, J. Jay Dawes, Robin (Rob) Marc Orr, Joseph M. Dulla, Robert G. Lockie

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(4): 1235-1249, 2024. Current law enforcement body drag tests may use dummy masses that are underweight compared to current population norms. This study aimed to determine differences in 74.84-kg and 90.72-kg body drag times when performed with a standard (pick up and stand with dummy prior to dragging), adapted (incorporation of time to lift dummy to standing), and preferred (drag with any technique) technique. Forty-three (24 males, 19 females) physically-active, healthy civilians (surrogate population for police recruits) completed drags over 9.75 m with 74.84-kg and 90.72-kg dummies using the three techniques previously stated. A 2 …

Dairy Club Digest: Udderly Good Times, South Dakota State University Dairy Club

Dairy Digest

This is the 2024 Dairy Club Digest. The Diary Club Digest is published annually by the South Dakota State University Dairy Club. The Digest contains information and news about the activities and members of the SDSU Dairy Club for the academic year 2023 - 2024.

Nationalism And The Federal State’S Agricultural Policies; The Politics Of Cassava In Zambia, 1953-1963, Kaluba Jickson Chama

Zambia Social Science Journal

During the Federal era, cassava played an important role in political mobilisation in Luapula Province. Nonetheless, the crop has seldom received attention in the otherwise rich historiography on African nationalism and anti-Federation struggle in present-day Zambia. Drawing on archival sources and oral history, and a reading of secondary sources, this article attempts to contribute to the historiography of cassava in Zambia and its contribution to the nationalist cause. The article examines the position of cassava in political mobilisation by nationalist politicians. It explores the link between the politics of cassava and those of nationalism. This article’s key argument is that …

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Newsletter, Issue #65 September 2024

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

Chapter Officers and Committees for 2024

2023 Chapter Awards Recipients: Undergraduate Awards, Graduate, Teaching and Research Awards

Lack of Award nominations and New Initiates

Membership information and Dues form

Chapter Student Award Fund Info

In Memoriam: Lyle E. Davis (January 27, 1927-January 23, 2023); David John Andrews (June 28, 1933-February 15, 2024); Richard A. Wiese (April 3, 1928-February 22, 2024); William T. “Bill” Ahlschwede (January 31, 1942-February 27, 2024); Theodore (Ted) Eugene Hartung (January 26, 1929-June 5, 2024); John Edward Foster (May 22, 1940-October 1, 2024)

Root Lesion And Burrowing Nematodes And Their Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Nematodes are common soil pests that feed on the roots of a wide range of crops in all agricultural areas of Western Australia, resulting in significant crop yield loss. Root lesion nematode can be managed but not eradicated.

This factsheet summarises the biology of the root lesion nematode (RLN, Pratylenchus spp.) and burrowing nematode (Radopholus spp.) species that damage Western Australian (WA) crops, and their diagnosis and management.

Increasing Access To Acceptable And Affordable Gluten-Free Baked Goods, April Litchford, Karin Allen, Cindy Jenkins, Eva Timothy, Paige Wray

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Transitioning to a gluten-free (GF) diet can be difficult due to limited reliable recipes to produce baked goods at home and poor quality of commercially available baked goods. This study tested basic recipes capable of creating acceptable GF baked products at home using commercially available GF flour blends. Recipes for a drop cookie, rolled cookie, bread, and pizza crust were tested and altered during this research to produce reliable recipes for GF baked goods. To assess the acceptability of these GF baked goods, products were tested for springiness, moisture content, hardness, height, spread, taste, appearance, and texture during in-lab testing …

A Midwest Perspective On Biochar Integration In Extension, Blake C. Colclasure, Elizabeth Bose, Jack Dempsey, Taylor K. Ruth

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Biochar can be considered a climate-smart, agricultural soil amendment due to its ability to provide long-term storage of carbon. Research examining the impacts of biochar-enriched soils reported improved soil characteristics often leading to agricultural benefits, especially in nutrient-poor soils. Despite the potential use of biochar in the Midwest, United States, few studies have examined biochar in Extension. This study, guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action, used survey methodology to collect information on Midwest Extension agents’ (n = 125) knowledge, attitudes, and subjective normative beliefs toward biochar. These factors, along with agents’ demographics and perceptions toward sustainable soil amendments, were …

Forage News [2024-09], University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.

Environmental Contributions To Cognitive Development: The Role Of Cognitive Stimulation, Divyangana Rakesh, Katie A. Mclaughlin, Margaret Sheridan, Kathryn L. Humphreys, Maya L. Rosen

Neuroscience: Faculty Publications

Early environmental experiences influence children's cognitive and neural development. In particular, cognitive stimulation, defined as environmental inputs that engage the senses and provide learning opportunities for children, fosters acquisition of knowledge across various cognitive domains. Low levels of cognitive stimulation in early life may restrict learning opportunities, contributing to lasting consequences for neural development and later academic and occupational achievement. This review delves into the role of cognitive stimulation in neural development and related cognitive performance, available tools for measuring cognitive stimulation in various settings, and offers insights into future research directions. In addition, variability in cognitive stimulation, often linked …

Windmill Grass And Its Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Windmill grass is a native species and the tenth most common summer weed species in the Western Australian (WA) grainbelt. It hosts pests and diseases and utilises stored soil moisture that would otherwise be available to the following crop.

Yellow Spot And Septoria Nodorum Blotch And Their Management In Wheat, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Leaf spot diseases affecting wheat in Western Australia (WA) are yellow spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis), septoria nodorum blotch (Parastagonospora nodorum), and septoria tritici blotch (Zymoseptoria tritici). They are caused by 3 different fungal pathogens but the disease symptoms and biologies are similar.

Impact from leaf spot diseases vary greatly from season to season and between locations. They are a problem in continuous wheat crops in stubble retention (no-till) farming systems. For the most effective control, an integrated disease management (IDM) approach is required.

This page outlines the symptoms, diseases spread and risk factors, yield and quality losses, and management options for …

Pasture Data Reconciliation Of The South West Agricultural Zone Of Western Australia September 2024, Tafesse Estifanos, Amir Abadi Ghadim, Paul Mattingley, Kate Pritchett, Tony Della Bosca

Animal production and livestock published reports

Western Australia’s (WA) agricultural land use system features extensive pasture land vital for grazing sheep and cattle. Most pastures in the south west of Western Australia consist of annual species that grow during the cool, wet winters of the Mediterranean climate and senesce in the warm to hot, dry summers. Understanding the spatial distribution of pasture areas within the context of mixed farming is essential for developing effective land management strategies to enhance livestock production and profitability through balanced pasture supply and demand.

This report focuses on reconciling pasture area data for the south-west of Western Australia’s agricultural zone across …

Septoria Avenae Blotch And Its Management In Oats, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Septoria avenae blotch (Phaeosphaeria avenaria f.sp. avenaria) is a stubble borne fungal disease of oats and is the most common oat disease in Western Australia and occurs throughout the cereal growing areas.It is host specific, meaning it only affects oats.

This page summarises the symptoms, factors favouring disease risk and spread, yield and quality losses, and management strategies for the disease

Breeding Ewes Are Worth Feeding, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Despite potentially elevated grain prices, strong prices for meat and wool mean that Western Australian sheep farmers can confidently supplementary feed their underweight ewes in summer/autumn.

Analysis in 2019, based on then-current prices, showed it was a profitable investment to feed all ewes to maintain condition during pregnancy, and to feed low condition score single bearing ewes and low and medium condition score twin bearing ewes to gain condition.

In 2019, John Young from Farming Systems Analysis Service completed an analysis on the value of a ewe in the WA farming system. His report had some important messages for the …

Could Measuring Factors Other Than A Lack Of Financial Resources Help In Achieving The Zero Hunger Goal, Jillian Hyink, Brandon R. Mcfadden, Brandy E. Phipps, Craig Gundersen

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

The second Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger, defined by the United Nations, broadly focuses on several dimensions of food access and availability, including measures of hunger and undernourishment, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Progress toward the Zero Hunger goal is monitored using indicators like the Prevalence of Undernourishment and the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity. These indicators are widely regarded as accurately portraying the underlying phenomena of concern. There are, however, other considerations one may want to include when considering the broader food system, including the role of food access and sovereignty in the rural areas of low-income …

Of Geese And Grass: Investigating Impacts Of Brant Grazing On Eeelgrass, Dakota L. Osborne

Master's Theses

Grazing pressure is important in structuring plant communities, particularly in aquatic environments. Eelgrass (Zostera marina), a keystone species in estuaries across North America, is experiencing widespread population declines. As a keystone species, eelgrass provides numerous important functions, including: 1) water filtration, 2) sediment stabilization, 3) providing refuge and nursery habitat for numerous species, and 4) carbon sequestration. Benefits which could be lost if eelgrass beds continue to diminish. California has experienced some of the greatest eelgrass declines, and Morro Bay, CA experienced a 96% decrease in eelgrass from 2007 to 2017. Most studies to date have examined bottom-up …

The Mutual Effects Of Pinching And Promalin® On Root Architecture In Two Boxwood Species, Omer Sari, Fisun Celikel

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Boxwoods are constantly pinched to shape and form hedges, and Promalin® application is used to boost their shoot yield. Having good root development is crucial for the healthy development of plants; however, the effects of such applications on plant root development have generally been ignored in previous studies. Hence, this study evaluated the effects of applications on the root growth of two boxwood species (Buxus sempervirens L. and Buxus balearica Lam.) during the summer dormancy period. Pinching and Promalin® (0, 1 000, 2 000, and 4 000 ppm) were applied to one-year-old seedlings at three different times. Results showed …

Growth-Promoting Bacteria And Salicylic Acid Improve Essential Oil, Flower Yield, And Compatible Osmolyte Content Of Common Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium L.) Under Drought Stress, Mohsen Zarepour, Mohammad Mehdi Rahimi, Abdul Samad Kelidari, Moslem Abdipour

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Drought is one of the major constraints on agricultural productivity in arid and semiarid regions. Coping with drought stress involves several adaptations and mitigation strategies such as the use of plant-growth promoting bacteria and salicylic acid, which was examined in this study under two levels of water regimes (well-watered as control and drought stress) in southwest Iran in 2018 and 2020 on common yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Catalase levels significantly increased in response to drought stress and salicylic acid application. Salicylic acid and combined application treatment of both bacteria also resulted in a significant increase in proline compared with …

Elemental Content And Safety Evaluation Of Wild-Harvested Australian Abalone (Haliotis Spp.) Viscera: Addressing Safety Concerns In Food Waste Upcycling, Wing H. Chung, Liezhou Zhong, Ryu Takechi, Ranil Coorey, Janet Howieson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Abalone viscera has been shown to be a valuable human nutraceutical, yet the food safety considerations of consuming whole abalone viscera have been largely overlooked. Hence, this research was conducted to investigate and evaluate elemental compositions and safety of it. The elemental data was compared to international food safety regulations and evaluated using the USEPA hazard index (HI) equation and HI-derived estimated upper limit (EDUL) equation, which EDUL allows comparison of novel foods with a large variety of similar existing products. To further demonstrate that food safety of upcycled food could be improved with simple processing, a risk mitigation trial …

Insights Into The Biocompatibility Of Biodegradable Metallic Molybdenum For Cardiovascular Applications-A Critical Review, Janina Mayers, Brianna Hofman, Indie Sobiech, Maria Kwesiga

Open Access Publishing Support Funded Articles

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The gold standard of treatment is the implantation of a permanent stent implant that is often associated with complications such as thrombus formation, vascular neointimal response, and stent fracture, which altogether decrease the long-term safety and efficacy of the stent. Biodegradable metallic materials have become an attractive alternative because of the ability to facilitate a more physiological healing response while the metal degrades. Recently, Molybdenum (Mo) has been considered as a potential candidate due to its excellent mechanical and medical imaging properties. Moreover, the biomedical research studies performed to …

The Seattle Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als) Patient Project Database: Observational, Longitudinal, Dyadic Characterization Of People With Als And Their Partners, Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Edward J. Kasarskis

Neurology Faculty Publications

Introduction: The median survival time in ALS is approximately 3 years, but survival times range from less than a year to more than 10 years and much variance in disease course remains to be explained. As is true for physical outcomes, there is considerable variance in QOL, which is influenced by psychological health, coping, and social support, among other psychosocial factors. The Seattle ALS Patient Project Database (SALSPPD) provides a unique opportunity for researchers to address established and novel hypotheses about disease progression and QOL in ALS.

Methods: The SALSPPD is a longitudinal dataset of people with ALS (n = …