Digital Commons Network^™

Models And Mechanisms Of Chemotherapy-Induced Side Effects, Junwei Du

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in the treatment of various cancers; however, it often leads to a range of debilitating side effects that compromise its efficacy and profoundly impact patients' quality of life and psychosocial well-being. These side effects can be broadly categorized into short-term effects, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, and neutropenia, and long-term effects which can persist months or even years after treatment, including peripheral neuropathies, cognitive impairment, cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Among the most common and dose-limiting side effects are chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and cardiotoxicity (CTX). …

Antioxidant Properties Of Phytochemicals In Watercress And Mint Extracts In Serum Albumin, Perla Tovar

Undergraduate Research Conference

Hypothesis: Phytochemicals present in mint and watercress help stabilize protein under oxidative stress. Main Objective: Analyze the interaction of HSA with different phytochemicals present in mint extract.

Neotropical Catfish Diversity In Rivers Of The Guiana Shield: A Combined Approach Using Taxonomic, Functional, And Isotopic Tools, Joseph Sheffield

Undergraduate Research Conference

Rivers of the Guiana Shield in South America are very heterogenous, containing a mosaic of habitats and environmental characteristics ideal for maintaining high freshwater biodiversity. The connection between the Essequibo and Amazon rivers via the Rupununi River during the wet season plays an important role for the great diversity of Neotropical ichthyofauna. Neotropical catfishes (Siluriformes) are the second most diverse group of freshwater fishes, after the Characiformes. They span a wide range of body sizes and exhibit diverse trophic specializations, making them ideal organisms for studying the influence of body size variation on community organization and ecosystem function. We explored …

The Importance Of Wild Birds, Janice H. Cox

Nexus – UNEP – Animal Welfare, Environment, Sustainable Development

Wild birds are important in their own right, for their contribution to human wellbeing, and for their ecological value, as part of the “web of life”. Birds are sentient beings with complex thinking and social behaviors, and the ability to experience positive and negative feelings, including suffering. The ways in which birds contribute to the functioning of the world's ecosystems include: pest control, pollination, cleaning up nature, spreading seeds, keeping coral reefs alive and transforming landscapes. Yet wild bird populations are declining dramatically – with one in eight bird species threatened with extinction. Birds are one of the most important …

Antimicrobial Resistance (Amr) Emergence In Sewage Wastewater: An Investigation Based On Advanced Genomics Methods, Shahana Seher Malik

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health worry, which makes the treatment of infectious diseases difficult by compromising the effectiveness of antimicrobial medications. This issue got worsen by the use of antibiotics without proper prescription and care during the time of COVID-19. At that time more than 78% of patients were prescribed with the use of medications like azithromycin and cephalosporins. The urban wastewater systems like wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), hospital effluents, and residential wastewater were found to be bursting with antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs). This research used advanced metagenomics and LC-MS/MS techniques for the examination of …

Contribution To The Knowledge Of Cave-Dwelling Fauna From The Prokletije Mountains, Joanna Kocot-Zalewska, Iwona Słowińska, Paweł Domagała, Jakub Bienias, Dominik Szymański, Dawid Szymański, Hubert Szymański, Paweł Sienkiewicz, Andrzej Józef Woźnica

International Journal of Speleology

The article presents the results of the study on invertebrate fauna inhabiting caves in the Prokletije Mountains. This mountain range is located on the border of Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo. During the expeditions to Albania in 2021 and to Montenegro in 2022–2023, 17 caves and one bauxite mine were visited altogether. All the studied caves are located very high, above 1,700 m a.s.l., where the temperature inside is low, and several are filled with ice or snow. During the Albanian expedition 102 arthropods have been collected altogether. Among these were 19 beetles (Coleoptera), 44 flies (Diptera), three crickets (Orthoptera), five …

Vaccine Efficacy Of A Replication-Competent Interferon-Expressing Porcine Reproductive And Respiratory Syndrome (Prrs) Virus Against Nadc-34 Challenge, Laura C. Miller, Sarah J. Anderson, Alexandra C. Buckley, Erin E. Schirtzinger, Mahamudul Hasan, Kaitlyn M. Sarlo Davila, Damarius S. Fleming, Kelly M. Lager, Jiuyi Li, Yongming Sang

Food and Animal Sciences Faculty Research

Background/Objectives: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) significantly impedes swine production due to rapid genetic variation and suppression of antiviral interferon (IFN) responses, leading to ineffective immunity. To address this, we developed IFNmix, a replication-competent PRRSV modified live vaccine (MLV) candidate co-expressing three Type I IFN subclasses (IFNα, IFNβ, IFNδ) to enhance antiviral immunity. Methods: In two independent in vivo experiments, we compared the protection of IFNmix and a commercial PRRSV MLV vaccine during challenge with a virulent PRRSV strain. Clinical signs, antibody and cytokine production, viral replication, and lung pathology in IFNmix-vaccinated pigs were compared to those of …

Zonal Hepatocellular Responses To Acute Ethanol: Impacts On Mitochondrial Function And Metabolism, Matthew T. Savoca

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: Ethanol (EtOH) consumption causes hepatocellular mitochondrial depolarization (mtDepo) and mitophagy. Here, the Aims were to develop techniques to characterize sublobular hepatocellular metabolism and the distribution of mtDepo and mitophagy after acute EtOH. Methods: Wildtype and GFP-LC3 transgenic mice were treated with EtOH or vehicle and administered the covalently labeling mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) reporter, MitoTracker Red (MTR), and/or the non-covalent ΔΨ reporter, rhodamine 123 (Rh123), prior to intravital imaging, liver fixation, or hepatocyte isolation. After in vivo MTR, hepatocytes were isolated and sorted. Enrichment in E-cadherin (ECAD) and cytochrome P4502E1 in periportal (PP) and pericentral (PC) hepatocytes, respectively, validated …

Development Of A Qualitative Spot Assay For Zinc Detection In Fortified Cereal Grain Matrices, Ashley L. Lamborn

Theses and Dissertations

The present thesis is a compilation of a literature review, journal manuscript, and two standard operating procedures (SOP) on the qualitative determination of zinc in fortified cereal grain products and matrices. The literature review addresses the premise of the research as well as potential solutions for the development of a rapid qualitative spot assay for zinc determination. Quality assurance assays affirm the presence of micronutrients in food fortification initiatives, but no rapid qualitative spot methods for the assessment of zinc currently exist. Chromogenic reagents that may perform a key role in the rapid determination of zinc are identified. The journal …

Life After Death: Investigating The Resistance And Recovery Of Fungal Communities To Foundation Tree Mortality, Jessie F. Marlenee

Biology ETDs

Tree mortality can have cascading effects on the composition and resilience of interacting fungal communities. Yet, little is known about the impact tree mortality, distinct from abiotic drivers (i.e., drought), has on these communities. This dissertation focuses on the resilience of fungal communities to experimental tree mortality in a piñon-juniper woodland. In chapter one, I found that piñon mortality reduced piñon fine root biomass and piñon mycorrhizal fungal diversity, whereas juniper mycorrhizal fungi were unaffected by juniper mortality. In chapter two, I revealed that piñon mortality altered the composition and spatial structure of mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi in the soil, …

Effectiveness Of Silvicultural Options In Renewal Of Trembling Aspen–Jack Pine Mixedwood Stands, 21 Years After Treatment, Rongzhou Man

Aspen Bibliography

Regenerating conifers after harvest through planting and postharvest broadcast application of herbicide is effective in ensuring the survival and growth of seedlings, but faces challenges in meeting broad social and ecological objectives of forest management. This study reports the effectiveness of alternative options in regenerating jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), 21 years after harvest of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.)-dominated boreal mixedwood stands. The treatment options included (i) preharvest spray—aerial broadcast spray prior to harvest, (ii) postharvest partial spray—ground herbicide application in strips, (iii) partial harvest in strips, (iv) postharvest aerial broadcast, and (v) uncut reference. Twenty-one years …

Missense Mutation Of Msh6 Leucine 696 Has No Apparent Effect On The Dna Mismatch Repair Process, Razan H. Hammad, Rafia Rashid, Essence Tarrence, Christopher Bolden, Joanna E. Haye-Bertolozzi

XULAneXUS

Lynch Syndrome and Constitutional Mismatch Repair Deficiency are human diseases implicated in mutations of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. This experiment tested a mutation of an MMR gene, MSH6, and evaluated how the mutation affected overall MMR effectiveness. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we performed the CAN1 forward mutation assay to study msh6-L696F and its implications in the MMR process. We hypothesized that there would be a significant change in molecular function in the Msh6 protein in the presence of this mutation. Bioinformatic tools predicted that this amino acid change would have deleterious effects on MMR function. However, …

Leveraging Attention Mechanism To Unlock Gene And Protein Attributes, Ala Jararweh

Computer Science ETDs

Advancing personalized medicine depends on effectively integrating and interpreting the vast, heterogeneous landscape of biological data, from genomic sequences and transcriptomics to the insights embedded in scientific literature. Current machine learning models often focus on single data modalities, limiting their capacity to capture the multifaceted nature of biological systems. We address this gap by developing three attention-based machine-learning models integrating diverse data modalities. Firstly, DeepVul is a multi-task model that leverages cancer transcriptome data to predict genes critical for cancer survival and their corresponding drugs. Subsequently, LitGene refines gene representations by integrating textual information from the scientific literature. Finally, Protein2Text …

How Bats View Their Flowers: Exploring The Use Of Visual Floral Cues By Nectarivorous Neotropical Bats, Lindsey R. Dennison

Theses

Neotropical nectar bats in cloud forest ecosystems must navigate and forage in dark, complex landscapes containing an incredible diversity of flowering plants. Despite these challenges, nectar bats are extremely successful at exploiting nectar resources from plants. Much of the sensory ecology behind these bat-plant interactions has been investigated and we know from previous studies that echolocation and olfaction are critical sensory modalities to nectar bats. Echo-acoustically conspicuous floral and vegetative structures as well as sulfur-containing volatile compounds function as signals, allowing bats to sense plants. However, not all plants exhibit conspicuous echo-acoustic and/or olfactory characteristics. Furthermore, many neotropical bat-pollinated plants …

Analysis Of Nitrogen Accumulation And Gene Expression In Hydroponically-Grown Chenopodium Genotypes, Teal Kalt

Theses and Dissertations

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient required by all plants to complete their life cycles. Inefficient N uptake contributes to over fertilization and subsequent environmental and sustainability issues resulting in the need for improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Chenopodium quinoa is a resilient pseudocereal crop that is relatively adapted to N-deficient soils. Previous studies have uncovered the unique genetic structure of quinoa and its physiological responses to N availability; however, gaps remain in understanding its molecular mechanisms for NUE. This study investigates four quinoa genotypes (Real-1, 0654, KU-2, and QQ74) hydroponically grown in N-deficient conditions. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis identified …

Effects Of Chronic Metal Exposure And Metamorphosis On The Microbiomes Of Larval And Adult Insects And Riparian Spiders Through The Aquatic-Riparian Food Web, Brittany G. Perrotta, Karen A. Kidd, Amy Marcarelli, Gordon Paterson, David M. Walters

Michigan Tech Publications

The macroinvertebrate microbiome controls various aspects of the host's physiology, from regulation of environmental contaminants to reproductive output. Aquatic insects provide critical nutritional subsidies linking aquatic and riparian food webs while simultaneously serving as a contaminant pathway for riparian insectivores in polluted ecosystems. Previous studies have characterized the transport and transfer of contaminants from aquatic to riparian ecosystems through insect metamorphosis, but both contaminant exposure and metamorphosis are energetically intensive processes that may cause host microbiomes to undergo radical transformation in structure and function, potentially affecting the host's physiology. We collected arthropods from three sites within Torch Lake, a historical …

Evolution Of The Tumor Immune Landscape During Treatment With Tebentafusp, A T Cell Receptor-Cd3 Bispecific, Joseph Sacco, Peter Kirk, Emma Leach, Alexander Shoushtari, Richard Carvajal, Camille Britton-Rivet, Sophie Khakoo, Laura Collins, Luis De La Cruz-Merino, Zeynep Eroglu, Alexandra Ikeguchi, Paul Nathan, Omid Hamid, Marcus Butler, Sarah Stanhope, Koustubh Ranade, Takami Sato

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Metastatic uveal melanoma is an aggressive disease with poor outcome, which is refractory to immune checkpoint inhibitors. A T cell receptor (TCR)-based CD3 bispecific, tebentafusp, delivers clinical benefit in patients with metastatic uveal melanoma. Understanding the molecular basis for the anti-tumor activity of tebentafusp in an indication where checkpoint inhibitors are ineffective could aid in identification of other solid tumor indications where CD3 bispecifics may serve an unmet need. By analyzing tumor biopsies taken prior to treatment, early on-treatment, and at progression (NCT02570308), using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we show that expression of interferon-related genes in the tumor …

Comprehensive Assessment Of Initial Adaptation Of Extended-Spectrum Β-Lactamase-Positive St131 Escherichia Coli To Carbapenem Exposure, William C Shropshire, Xinhao Song, Jordan Bremer, Seokju Seo, Susana Rodriguez, Selvalakshmi Selvaraj Anand, An Q Dinh, Micah M Bhatti, Anna Konovalova, Cesar A Arias, Awdhesh Kalia, Yousif Shamoo, Samuel A Shelburne

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: It remains unclear how high-risk Escherichia coli lineages, like sequence type (ST) 131, initially adapt to carbapenem exposure in their progression to carbapenem resistance.

Methods: Carbapenem mutation frequency was measured in multiple subclades of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive ST131 clinical isolates using a fluctuation assay followed by whole genome sequencing (WGS) characterization. Genomic, transcriptomic, and porin analyses of the ST131 C2/H30Rx isolate MB1860, under prolonged, increasing carbapenem exposure was performed using 2 experimental evolutionary platforms to measure fast versus slow adaptation.

Results: All 13 ESBL-positive ST131 strains selected from a diverse (n = 184) ST131 bacteremia cohort had detectable ertapenem …

Integrated Analysis Of Molecular And Clinical Features Associated With Overall Survival In Melanoma Patients With Brain Metastasis, Swaminathan Kumar, Meredith S Pelster, Merve Hasanov, Renato A Guerrieri, Courtney W Hudgens, Debora A Ledesma, Fuchenchu Wang, Grant M Fischer, Julie M Simon, Lauren E Haydu, Kalman V Katlowitz, Y N Vashisht Gopal, Jennifer L Mcquade, Lawrence N Kwong, Jason T Huse, Alexander J Lazar, Michael T Tetzlaff, Jeffrey E Gershenwald, Aron Y Joon, Ken Chen, Ziyi Li, Prahlad T Ram, Sherise D Ferguson, Michael A Davies

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Melanoma brain metastases (MBMs) are diagnosed in up to 60% of metastatic melanoma patients. Previous studies have identified clinical factors that correlate with overall survival (OS) after MBM diagnosis. However, molecular and immune features associated with OS are poorly understood. An improved understanding of the molecular and immune correlates of OS could provide insights into MBM patient outcomes and guide therapeutic development. Thus, we analyzed clinical features and outcomes of 74 melanoma patients who underwent surgical resection (via craniotomy) between 1991 and 2015 at our institution with RNA-seq data generated from their MBMs. The median post-operative OS was 8.6 months …

Exploring Non-Traditional Yeast For Flavor Innovation In Non-Alcoholic Beer, Andrew Maust, Rahul Sen, Scott Lafontaine

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The demand for nonalcoholic beer (NAB) is growing, with nontraditional yeast strains emerging as valuable tools for brewers to craft distinct NABs. However, independent information about the performance of these commercially available yeasts remains limited. In this study, 11 nontraditional yeast strains were evaluated at two wort nutrient levels to assess their impact on beer chemistry, sensory attributes, and volatile profiles. Basic fermentation metrics were monitored, followed by descriptive sensory analysis and GC-MS/MS quantification of volatile compounds. Results revealed significant differentiation among yeast strains with unique aroma and flavor profiles driven by variations in ester production, fusel alcohol synthesis, and …

Single-Cell Analyses Reveal A Functionally Heterogeneous Exhausted Cd8+ T-Cell Subpopulation That Is Correlated With Response To Checkpoint Therapy In Melanoma, Kelly M Mahuron, Osmaan Shahid, Prachi Sao, Clinton Wu, Alexandra M Haugh, Laura A Huppert, Lauren S Levine, Margaret M Lowe, Michael Alvarado, Markee Micu, Katy K Tsai, Melissa Chow, Meromit Singer, Jason M Schenkel, Arlene H Sharpe, Michael D Rosenblum, Kristen E Pauken, Adil I Daud

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PD-1 pathway inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy. However, most patients do not durably benefit, highlighting the need for biomarkers to stratify patients as responders or nonresponders. Although CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) have been associated with immune checkpoint therapy response, there is no consensus on which CD8+ TIL subpopulations have the most prognostic value. Preclinical studies have focused on progenitor-like exhausted CD8+ T cells (TPEX) because TPEX proliferate more in response to PD-1 inhibitors than other exhausted T-cell (TEX) subpopulations. However, immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment drives TPEX differentiation into other TEX populations that can mediate antitumor immunity. These data complicate the …

Lineage Tracing And Single-Cell Rna Sequencing Reveal A Common Transcriptional State In Breast Cancer Tumor-Initiating Cells Characterized By Ifn/Stat1 Activity, Eric P Souto, Ping Gong, John D Landua, Ramakrishnan Rajaram Srinivasan, Abhinaya Ganesan, Lacey E Dobrolecki, Stephen C Purdy, Xingxin Pan, Michael Zeosky, Anna Chung, S Stephen Yi, Heide L Ford, Michael T Lewis

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

A tumor cell subpopulation of tumor-initiating cells (TIC) or "cancer stem cells" is associated with therapeutic resistance, as well as both local and distant recurrences. Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activity is elevated in TICs in claudin-low models of human triple-negative breast cancer, which enables enrichment of TICs using a STAT-responsive reporter. Lineage tracing of TICs as they undergo cell state changes could enable a better understanding of the molecular phenotypes of TIC and uncover strategies to selectively target TICs. In this study, we developed a STAT-responsive lineage-tracing system and used it in conjunction with the original reporter …

From Microplastic Impacts To Biodegradation Solutions: Investigating Microplastic Contamination, Microbial Responses, And Efficacy Of Synthetic Microbial Consortia In Plastic Degradation, Rener Sahot De Jesus

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Plastics, including microplastics, pose significant environmental threats due to their widespread presence and harmful ecological effects. This dissertation present three distinct, yet interconnected studies. First, a study on microplastic contamination in urban recreational parks was conducted in Al Ain, UAE. Results showed that low-density microplastics were present in 87% of soil samples, with FTIR analysis identifying synthetic polymers such as PE and PP. Additionally, these microplastics were found to negatively affect soil pH and moisture levels, emphasizing the need for enhanced monitoring and management strategies. Second, the effects of ground microplastics on Photobacterium leiognathi spp., a marine luminous bacterium, were …

Biology Department Publications: 2024, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a non-comprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2024. It indexes those publications available through PubMed, and serves as an archival record of the Department's robust scholarly contributions.

Mapping Mosquito Habitats With Girl Scouts: A Citizen Science Approach Using The “Mosquito Mission: Scout & Report!” Worksheet, Claire A. Klein

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Mosquitoes, though small, impact millions around the world by being significant vectors of diseases. The search for effective mosquito control efforts is ongoing, however, there is a gap in community involvement with a focus on recognizing and reducing potential breeding areas. Public engagement is a cornerstone of effective mosquito control. This honors thesis investigates the implementation of the Mosquito Mappers program with an original Girl Scout worksheet, “Mosquito Mission: Scout & Report!” This worksheet, which utilizes NASA’s GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper app, enables the Girl Scouts to contribute to real-time environmental monitoring. By guiding Girl Scouts through an inquiry-based …

Hexasodium Fytate (Snf472 Or Csl525) Inhibits Ectopic Calcification In Various Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum And Calcinosis Cutis Animal Models, Miguel Ferrer, Maria Pérez-Ferrer, Marc Blasco, Ida Jacobs, Qiaoli Li, Olivier Vanakker, Lisa Dangreau, Andrea López, Gianluca Malagraba, Firas Bassissi, Joan Perelló, Carolina Salcedo

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Ectopic calcification is a pathological condition characterized by the mineralization of soft tissues due to the deposition of calcium phosphate crystals. Hexasodium fytate (CSL525, previously known as SNF472) is a crystallization inhibitor being developed for the treatment of ectopic calcification-related disorders. Our aim was to investigate CSL525 for the treatment of soft-tissue calcification disorders in animal models of pseudoxanthoma elasticum and calcinosis cutis. Methods: In a first study, abcc6^-/- zebrafish larvae were exposed to 1 mM CSL525 for 7 days or kept under the same conditions without CSL525, and spinal mineralization was quantified. In a second study, abcc6 …

Determinants Of Neuronal Viability Following Spreading Depolarization, Michael C. Bennett

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are massive, slowly propagating waves that cause near-complete neuroglial depolarization and are energetically demanding for the brain. Past studies have established SDs as key contributors to secondary injury in tissue that lacks the metabolic supply to meet the energetic burden of repolarization after SD. Efforts to identify the mechanisms that cause deleterious consequences following SD have been ongoing, with significant results showing that blocking excitotoxic levels of Ca²⁺ from entering neurons through NMDA receptors prevents detrimental outcomes. While these studies have advanced the field, other mechanisms may also contribute to the metabolic burden of SD. This …

Long-Read Single-Cell Rna Sequencing Enables The Study Of Cancer Subclone-Specific Genotypes And Phenotypes In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Gage S Black, Xiaomeng Huang, Yi Qiao, Philip Moos, Deepa Sampath, Deborah M Stephens, Jennifer A Woyach, Gabor T Marth

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are effective for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) due to BTK's role in B cell survival and proliferation. Treatment resistance is most commonly caused by the emergence of the hallmark BTKC481S mutation that inhibits drug binding. In this study, we aimed to investigate cancer subclones harboring a BTKC481S mutation and identify cells with co-occurring CLL driver mutations. In addition, we sought to determine whether BTK-mutated subclones exhibit distinct transcriptomic behavior when compared to other cancer subclones. To achieve these goals, we use scBayes, which integrates bulk DNA sequencing and single-cell …

Results Of The Phase I/Ii Study And Preliminary B-Cell Gene Signature Of Combined Inhibition Of Glutamine Metabolism And Egfr In Colorectal Cancer, Kristen K Ciombor, Seong-Woo Bae, Jennifer G Whisenant, Gregory D Ayers, Quanhu Sheng, Todd E Peterson, Gary T Smith, Kangyu Lin, Saikat Chowdhury, Preeti Kanikarla Marie, Alexey Sorokin, Allison S Cohen, Laura W Goff, Dana B Cardin, John Paul Shen, Scott Kopetz, Cathy Eng, Yu Shyr, Jordan Berlin, H Charles Manning

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: EGFR-targeting mAbs are essential for managing rat sarcoma virus wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but their limited efficacy necessitates exploring immunologic and metabolic factors influencing response. This study evaluated glutamine metabolism targeting with EGFR inhibition to identify response biomarkers in patients with prior anti-EGFR treatment progression.

Patients and methods: We conducted a phase I/II trial in patients with KRAS wild-type mCRC, combining panitumumab (6 mg/kg) and CB-839 (600 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg), hypothesizing that the dual inhibition of glutamine metabolism and MAPK signaling would enhance outcomes. As study correlatives, we investigated the B-cell activation signature "B-score" and glutamine PET …

The Impact Of Paternal Obesity On Placental Development And Function During Pregnancy, Delaney G. Wolfe, Delaney G. Wiolfe

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Paternal obesity is a rising concern in conception and reproductive health, with increasing evidence suggesting its impact on pregnancy outcomes. While maternal obesity's effects on fetal development and placental function are well-documented, the role of paternal obesity remains less understood. The placenta, crucial for nutrient exchange and fetal development, can be disrupted by inflammation, oxidative stress, and epigenetic modifications, potentially leading to long-term health implications for both maternal and fetal health. Understanding the paternal influence on placental development is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes and offspring
health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between paternal obesity on placental function …