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Adnexal Magnetic Resonance (Adnex –Mr) Scoring System; A New Standardized Method For Characterization Of Adnexal Masses Inside Mansoura University Hospitals, Nora Diaa Ali Okab, Basma Elged, Sherif Abdel Fatah Moustafa, Sieza Samir, Yasser.M. Mesbah Jan 2026

Adnexal Magnetic Resonance (Adnex –Mr) Scoring System; A New Standardized Method For Characterization Of Adnexal Masses Inside Mansoura University Hospitals, Nora Diaa Ali Okab, Basma Elged, Sherif Abdel Fatah Moustafa, Sieza Samir, Yasser.M. Mesbah

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Gynecologic masses are the most common subject of gynecologic imaging. The usefulness of MRI is high in the characterization of adnexal masses. The ADNEX MR classification framework was launched to stratify sonographically identified adnexal masses in to five groups based on their probability of malignancy: grade 1 (no lesion), grade 2 (benign), grade 3 (probably benign), grade 4 (indeterminate), and grade 5 (probably malignant). Aim to determine the accuracy of the ADNEX MR scoring system in classification of adnexal masses at Mansoura University Hospitals (MUH). Methods A total of 48 female patients with 52 adnexal masses on ultrasound were …


Assessment Of Health-Related Quality Of Life In Pediatric Patients With End Stage Renal Diseases, Nasteho Adan Awil, Ahmed Mahmoud Elrefaey, Abdel-Hady El-Gilany Abdel-Elfattah, Heba Mohamed El-Taher Jan 2026

Assessment Of Health-Related Quality Of Life In Pediatric Patients With End Stage Renal Diseases, Nasteho Adan Awil, Ahmed Mahmoud Elrefaey, Abdel-Hady El-Gilany Abdel-Elfattah, Heba Mohamed El-Taher

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) occurs when the glomerular filtration rate falls below 15 mL/min, requiring renal replacement therapy. Despite improved survival, affected children experience significant physical, emotional, and social challenges. Consequently, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is markedly reduced compared with healthy peers.

Aim: This study aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and to identify factors associate with the quality of life in pediatric patients with   end stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods:  All 60 eligible children who were enrolled in the Nephrology Unit at Mansoura University Children's Hospital …


Predictors And Outcome Of Sepsis And Septic Shock Induced Acute Kidney Injury In Diabetic Patients: A Prospective Observational Study, Shrouk Essam, Rehab Shaheen Bahram Shaheen, Rasha Mahmoud Prof., Adel I. Abdelsalam Jan 2026

Predictors And Outcome Of Sepsis And Septic Shock Induced Acute Kidney Injury In Diabetic Patients: A Prospective Observational Study, Shrouk Essam, Rehab Shaheen Bahram Shaheen, Rasha Mahmoud Prof., Adel I. Abdelsalam

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: One characteristic of sepsis is the dysregulation of the host's reaction to infection, which can result in potentially fatal organ failure.This work aimed to assess predictors and outcome of sepsis and septic shock induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in diabetic patients. Methods: This prospective observational study included diabetic patients aged over 18 years who were admitted with sepsis or septic shock in the Medical Critical Care Unit of the Specialized Medical Hospital, Mansoura University. All patients were divided into 2 groups:AKI Group (N=74): diagnosed with AKI and No AKI Group (N=26): did not develop AKI. Results: Analysis of risk …


Fractional Ablative Co2 Laser Versus Screw Threads In Post-Traumatic Atrophic Linear Scars, Eman Emad Elfeel, Marwa Zohdy Ali, Shereen Ezzalregal Alashry, Sherihan Hassan Allam Jan 2026

Fractional Ablative Co2 Laser Versus Screw Threads In Post-Traumatic Atrophic Linear Scars, Eman Emad Elfeel, Marwa Zohdy Ali, Shereen Ezzalregal Alashry, Sherihan Hassan Allam

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Scar is the result of the natural healing and reparative process, which are frequently accompanied by a few aesthetic, functional, and social impairments and may negatively affect quality of life. Fractional CO2 laser improves both the pigmentary and textural changes by removing thin layers of skin with minimal thermal damage. Thread lifting technology is a non-surgical facial rejuvenation technology that can minimize postoperative recovery period and scar from the incision Aim To compare the efficacy of fractional ablative CO2 laser therapy versus screw threads in post-traumatic atrophic linear scars. Methods This prospective randomized clinical study included 2 groups; group …


Impact Of Admission Hyperglycemia On In-Hospital Arrhythmia In Medical Critical Illness, Ebrahim Elsayed Tawfik, Afaf Abdel Hafez, Tarek El-Sayed Gouda, Rehab Shaheen Bahram Shaheen Jan 2026

Impact Of Admission Hyperglycemia On In-Hospital Arrhythmia In Medical Critical Illness, Ebrahim Elsayed Tawfik, Afaf Abdel Hafez, Tarek El-Sayed Gouda, Rehab Shaheen Bahram Shaheen

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Admission hyperglycemia is frequently encountered in critically ill patients, even in the absence of pre-existing diabetes. Acute stress hyperglycemia triggers autonomic activation, oxidative stress, and electrophysiological disturbances that may predispose to cardiac arrhythmias. Aim of work The present study aimed to explore the frequency and type of arrhythmic events among critically ill patients with admission hyperglycemia in medical intensive care units (MICU). Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 354 critically ill ICU patients . They were divided into group A with admission hyperglycemia (>180 mg/dL) and group B with admission normoglycemia (≤180 mg/dL). All patients were subjected …


Readmission And Reoperation Following Transurethral Incision Of The Prostate For Benign Prostatic Obstruction: A 20-Year Retrospective Review And Analysis, Amr Wael Yehia, Mohamed Hegazy, Ahmed Refat Elnahas, Ahmed Mohamed Elshal Jan 2026

Readmission And Reoperation Following Transurethral Incision Of The Prostate For Benign Prostatic Obstruction: A 20-Year Retrospective Review And Analysis, Amr Wael Yehia, Mohamed Hegazy, Ahmed Refat Elnahas, Ahmed Mohamed Elshal

Mansoura Medical Journal

Introduction: Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP) is a recognized surgical treatment for benign prostatic obstruction (BPO), particularly in patients with smaller glands. While valued for its minimal invasiveness, it is associated with higher medium-term reoperation rates. This study analyzes a 20-year institutional experience to define the rate, timing, causes, and predictors of readmission and reoperation after TUIP. Methods: A retrospective review of 557 patients who underwent TUIP for BPO was conducted. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, perioperative details and complications graded by the Clavien-Dindo system. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified predictors of readmission and reoperation if present. …


Toward Interpretable Multi-Omics Multimodal Biomedical Artificial Intelligence, Yanjun Lyu Jan 2026

Toward Interpretable Multi-Omics Multimodal Biomedical Artificial Intelligence, Yanjun Lyu

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations

The complexity of human disease arises from biological processes that unfold across multiple scales, from molecular variation through cellular function, tissue organisation, brain phenotypes, each of which is associated with distinct measurement modalities, regularities, and characteristic. Contemporary biomedical artificial intelligence has brought the opportunity to reveal the complexity with in; however, its methodological default, in which models are trained on most readily available modality, does not adequately engage with the multi-scale connected structure by which biological meaning is constituted. The research area of multi-omics and multi-modal AI for biomedicine remains at an early exploratory stage, and the work presented in …


Influence Of Microbial Communities And Dilute Heavy Metals In Green Manure On Growth In Lactuca Sativa, Robert Lemay Jan 2026

Influence Of Microbial Communities And Dilute Heavy Metals In Green Manure On Growth In Lactuca Sativa, Robert Lemay

Student Research Projects

This experiment investigated the effects of a green manure (Lemna minor, common duckweed) grown in varying levels of heavy metals and inoculated with local microbiomes on a crop (Lactuca sativa, volcana lettuce). The growth and health of the duckweeds were measured via root length and biomass, and the health of the lettuce crop was measured via head diameter and biomass.  Two levels of heavy metal concentrations were based on real-world stormwater runoff data to mimic an agricultural environment where accumulation of metals in local water bodies may be absorbed into green manure duckweeds. One microbial treatment and …


Limitations Of Reproductive Manipulation By Bacterial Endosymbionts In A Spider Host, Jordyn D. Proctor Jan 2026

Limitations Of Reproductive Manipulation By Bacterial Endosymbionts In A Spider Host, Jordyn D. Proctor

Theses and Dissertations--Entomology

Maternally inherited bacterial endosymbionts are common in arthropods. Many of these bacteria manipulate host reproduction to favor the production of infected females, thereby increasing bacterial prevalence in the host population, even if cost is incurred to the host. However, there are also many factors that may inhibit symbionts’ ability to spread in host populations, including environmental constraints, symbiont-imposed costs on the host, interactions with co-infecting bacteria, or host biology. I explored two aspects of symbiont biology within a spider host, Mermessus fradeorum (Linyphiidae), which has varying combinations of up to five different bacterial endosymbionts in local populations: Rickettsiella, Tisiphia …


Patenting Ai Discoveries In Life Sciences: Overcoming Eligibility, Disclosure, And Inventorship Challenges, Dhohyung Kim, Ryan P. Hiler Jan 2026

Patenting Ai Discoveries In Life Sciences: Overcoming Eligibility, Disclosure, And Inventorship Challenges, Dhohyung Kim, Ryan P. Hiler

IP Theory

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries face transformative opportunities through artificial intelligence and machine learning integration. However, these technological advances create distinct patent law complications that traditional drug development does not encounter. This article analyzes three interconnected obstacles: establishing eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101, meeting disclosure standards under § 112(a), and determining proper inventorship when AI systems contribute substantially to claimed inventions. Drawing from recent USPTO guidance and Federal Circuit precedent, this analysis offers evidence-based strategies for patent practitioners, research scientists, and business leaders seeking robust intellectual property protection for AI-integrated pharmaceutical innovations.


Comparing The Differences Of Hsp90Α And Hsp90Β In Native Protein Complex Incorporation, Daryna Serediuk Jan 2026

Comparing The Differences Of Hsp90Α And Hsp90Β In Native Protein Complex Incorporation, Daryna Serediuk

Honors Theses and Capstones

Epichaperomes are long-lasting, stable assemblies of chaperones, co-chaperones, and associated factors that facilitate cell survival in maladaptive cellular states. Their inhibition has emerged as an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (Rodina et al., 2016). Epichaperomes are hallmarks of robust proliferation in cancer cell populations across many cancer types and are abundantly present in several stem cell varieties, including induced pluripotent stem cells, human embryonic kidney cells, and cancer stem cells (Kishinevsky et al., 2018).

The core protein of the eukaryotic heat shock protein machinery, Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90), is a central chaperone that …


Perinatal Inflammation And Oxidative Stress Alter Adult Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) Motor Behavior, Alexander Young Jan 2026

Perinatal Inflammation And Oxidative Stress Alter Adult Rat (Rattus Norvegicus) Motor Behavior, Alexander Young

Honors College Theses

Recent evidence in comparative animal models suggests that early life exposure to elevated inflammation (via LPS exposure) and oxidative stress (via acetaminophen exposure) may synergistically interact to alter typical neurodevelopmental trajectories, resulting in lasting effects on both behavior and gut-brain neurochemistry. The current study observed emotional and motor behaviors and collected fecal-boli to measure Tyrosine (TE) levels in male and female Long-Evans (Rattus norvegicus) rats. Subjects were either treated with [1] saline [2] lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to introduce an inflammatory state, [3] acetaminophen (APAP) to introduce oxidative stress, or [4] a dual-hit of both LPS + APAP on postnatal day (PD) …


Eat With Understanding: A Um Student Guide To Food Systems, James Deacon, Cora Johnson, Lucas Dymit, Kaeli Rackham, Elsie Danyo Jan 2026

Eat With Understanding: A Um Student Guide To Food Systems, James Deacon, Cora Johnson, Lucas Dymit, Kaeli Rackham, Elsie Danyo

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The industrialized food system creates environmental harm, reduces food sovereignty, and contributes to growing food insecurity. These problems oftentimes are overlooked in higher education. To address this gap, our project examines how access to sustainable food education and campus-community partnerships can improve well-being and informed decision-making amongst University of Montana students. This collaborative project connects partners within UM Wellness, PEAS Farm, the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center, and the Big Sky Culinary Institute. Our research includes applied learning with these organizations by hosting a variety of speaker series presentations and coordinating a cooking workshop. We collected quantitative and qualitative …


Independent Animal Chiropractic Practice: An Evidence-Based Argument For Autonomy Beyond Veterinary Supervision, Montana Adams Jan 2026

Independent Animal Chiropractic Practice: An Evidence-Based Argument For Autonomy Beyond Veterinary Supervision, Montana Adams

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Animal chiropractic is a growing form of conservative care used to improve mobility, reduce pain, and support neuromusculoskeletal function in animals. Despite evidence suggesting it is both effective and low risk, access remains limited due to inconsistent state regulations. Many jurisdictions require chiropractors to obtain veterinary supervision, referral, or licensure, even when they have completed specialized training and certification in animal chiropractic. This paper evaluates the effectiveness and safety of animal chiropractic while analyzing the impact of current regulatory policies. Research indicates that chiropractic care can improve mobility and reduce spinal conditions in animals when performed by trained professionals. However, …


Mapping The Distribution Of The Common House Mosquito (Culex Pipiens) In The City Of Spokane: Mosquito Breeding Sites And Blood Meal Analysis, Oluwapelumi Hannah Sonoiki Jan 2026

Mapping The Distribution Of The Common House Mosquito (Culex Pipiens) In The City Of Spokane: Mosquito Breeding Sites And Blood Meal Analysis, Oluwapelumi Hannah Sonoiki

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Mosquitoes in the genus Culex are the primary vectors of West Nile virus (WNv) in the United States, with Culex pipiens and Culex tarsalis serving as the dominant species in Spokane. In urban environments, catch basins and other artificial water bodies that collect stagnant and polluted water provide favorable breeding habitats for Culex pipiens. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and seasonal dynamics of Culex larvae in Spokane. We examined 303 randomly selected catch basins in the summer of 2025, and at each site we recorded the presence or absence of water, water depth, and mosquito larval …


Evaluation Of Valley Healthcare System Inc. School-Based Health Clinic/Center At Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School In Columbus, Georgia, Nakia Ford Jan 2026

Evaluation Of Valley Healthcare System Inc. School-Based Health Clinic/Center At Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School In Columbus, Georgia, Nakia Ford

Theses and Dissertations

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are an important strategy for addressing health disparities and improving educational outcomes among underserved students. In Columbus, Georgia, barriers such as limited insurance, transportation challenges, and provider shortages contribute to unmet health needs, which are linked to increased absenteeism. To address these issues, Valley Healthcare System, Inc. (VHCS) implemented a School-Based Health Clinic (SBHC) at Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the SBHC in improving student attendance outcomes. A quasi-experimental, difference-in-differences design compared Dorothy I. Heights Elementary School (treatment group) before and after SBHC implementation (2021–2022 and 2022–2023) with a similar …


Granulomatous Cellular Signatures In Nontuberculous And Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections, Brianna M. Doratt, Ethan G. Napier, Mahdi Eskandarian Boroujeni, Sarah Douglas, Michael H. Davies, Luiz Bermudez, Eliot Spindel, Erin F. Mccaffrey, Ilhem Messaoudi Jan 2026

Granulomatous Cellular Signatures In Nontuberculous And Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections, Brianna M. Doratt, Ethan G. Napier, Mahdi Eskandarian Boroujeni, Sarah Douglas, Michael H. Davies, Luiz Bermudez, Eliot Spindel, Erin F. Mccaffrey, Ilhem Messaoudi

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are acid-fast bacilli that trigger granuloma formation, a hallmark immune response aimed at containing infection. While the biology of Mtb granulomas has been widely investigated, far less is known about granulomas caused by NTM infection, despite the increasing prevalence and clinical challenge of NTM cases worldwide. Because granulomas influence infection control, pathology, and treatment response, understanding their cellular organization and signaling is critical to improving therapeutic strategies. Therefore, we characterized granulomas formed following infection of rhesus macaques with Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) and compared them to granulomas from cynomolgus macaques infected with …


A Framework For Characterizing The Peripheral Immune Isonome Using Long-Read Single-Cell Rna Sequencing And Its Relevance To Neurological Disease, Patricia Hayes Doyle Jan 2026

A Framework For Characterizing The Peripheral Immune Isonome Using Long-Read Single-Cell Rna Sequencing And Its Relevance To Neurological Disease, Patricia Hayes Doyle

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Long-read single-cell RNA sequencing provides an opportunity to understand human health and disease at isoform resolution, revealing cellular diversity and disease mechanisms difficult to resolve with bulk or short-read methodologies.

Using a modified PIPseq workflow and computational pipeline adapted for Oxford Nanopore (ONT) sequencing, we profiled isoform usage across immune cells, integrating marker expression and isoform discovery, generating the largest long-read single-cell dataset of human immune cells from a single individual to date. We identified non-canonical protein-coding variants of GZMB and CD3G enriched in unexpected cell types. We also discovered novel transcripts from CMC1 and LYAR with cell-type-specific signatures that …


Exploring The Limitations Of Substrate Scope In Dimethylallyltryptophan Synthases, Evan T. Miller Jan 2026

Exploring The Limitations Of Substrate Scope In Dimethylallyltryptophan Synthases, Evan T. Miller

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Natural products (NPs), are the largest source of bioactive compounds in Nature, and are essential to the treatment of human disease. Nearly 50% of drugs approved for use from 1981 to 2019 owe some aspect of their development to NPs, either in terms of their structure, pharmacophore, or mechanism of action. However, NPs are difficult to structurally optimize. Chemoenzymatic methods for NP derivatization have been increasingly seen as practical alternatives to traditional synthetic methods. Prenyltransferases (PTs) are involved in the primary and secondary metabolism of plants, bacteria, and fungi, and they are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of many clinically …


A Tale Of Two Serpins: Pathologic And Protective Roles Of Agt And Pai-1 In Metabolic And Cardiovascular Disease, Alex C. Pettey Jan 2026

A Tale Of Two Serpins: Pathologic And Protective Roles Of Agt And Pai-1 In Metabolic And Cardiovascular Disease, Alex C. Pettey

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Conditions such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), aortic aneurysm, and cardiac fibrosis have limited pharmacological therapies, underscoring the need for deeper mechanistic investigations. Serine protease inhibitors (serpins) have been implicated in these pathologies and represent potential therapeutic targets. Despite structural homology, serpins regulate diverse physiological processes through both protease inhibition and non-inhibitory mechanisms. This dissertation examines the roles of two serpins, angiotensinogen (AGT) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), in preclinical models of metabolic and cardiovascular disease to identify novel mechanisms that may inform future therapeutic strategies. …


Using Camera-Based Unmarked Spatial Capture-Recapture Modeling To Estimate Reintroduced Elk (Cervus Canadensis) Population Parameters And Distribution In Southeastern Kentucky, Claire Marie Muia Jan 2026

Using Camera-Based Unmarked Spatial Capture-Recapture Modeling To Estimate Reintroduced Elk (Cervus Canadensis) Population Parameters And Distribution In Southeastern Kentucky, Claire Marie Muia

Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources

Estimation of population parameters is important for wildlife management decisions. Elk reintroduced to southeastern Kentucky experienced early irruptive population growth and are currently monitored using a statewide harvest-based statistical population reconstruction model (SPR) across the Kentucky Elk Restoration Zone (KERZ). Because the SPR model is spatially coarse and difficult to scale to the smaller management units comprising the KERZ, we conducted a spatially explicit capture-recapture study using a clustered camera-trapping array deployed for 10 weeks from June–August 2024 to estimate elk population parameters within Management Unit 4. Due to a lack of resights of GPS-marked elk, population parameters were estimated …


Nanoparticle Carriers Enhance The Prophylactic Antiviral Effects Of Dsrna In Vitro And Ex Vivo, Shayne Oberhoffner, Stephanie Dewitte-Orr, Starla Richardson, Leah Haile, Dominique Daniels, Erin Cooper, Aizah Ijaz, Janet Velasquez Perez, Mathilde Peruzzi, Bertrand Collet, Paul Craig, Kristof Jenik Jan 2026

Nanoparticle Carriers Enhance The Prophylactic Antiviral Effects Of Dsrna In Vitro And Ex Vivo, Shayne Oberhoffner, Stephanie Dewitte-Orr, Starla Richardson, Leah Haile, Dominique Daniels, Erin Cooper, Aizah Ijaz, Janet Velasquez Perez, Mathilde Peruzzi, Bertrand Collet, Paul Craig, Kristof Jenik

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Aquaculture now outpaces traditional capture fisheries as the world population and demand for sustainable protein sources increases. Wild and farmed species are increasingly susceptible to pathogen spread as global temperatures rise and stocking densities increase. Despite the devastating losses experienced by aquaculture due to viral infections, there remain few effective prophylactic antiviral therapeutics. Long double-stranded (ds)RNA is a uniquely viral molecule produced by nearly all viruses during their replication cycle, and its detection by salmonids like rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytsha) leads to the establishment of a defensive antiviral state. Previous in vitro studies demonstrated a …


The Effects Of Environmental Complexity On Brain Development And Personality Expression In Western Hognose Snakes, Gokulan Nagabaskaran Jan 2026

The Effects Of Environmental Complexity On Brain Development And Personality Expression In Western Hognose Snakes, Gokulan Nagabaskaran

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

There is growing interest in snake cognition, personality, and welfare as more snakes are kept as pets, yet little research has been conducted. The effects of enrichment and environmental factors have been well documented in other taxa, and recent evidence suggests that snakes may benefit in similar ways. This dissertation investigated the impact of environmental and social enrichment on personality expression, personality stability, and brain development. Western hognose snakes (Heterodon nasicus) were used as the model species, as they are a popular choice in the pet trade. This allows the research to be readily translatable to husbandry practices of many …


Impacts Of Management Practices And Soil Properties On Free-Living Nitrogen Fixation In Eastern South Dakota, Laura Galvan Nuevo Jan 2026

Impacts Of Management Practices And Soil Properties On Free-Living Nitrogen Fixation In Eastern South Dakota, Laura Galvan Nuevo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Free-living nitrogen (N) fixation (FLNF) may represent a sustainable pathway to supplement crop N demand in agroecosystems, yet edaphic and management factors regulating this process under field conditions remain poorly understood in the Northern Great Plains. Using 15N2 direct method to quantify potential FLNF (pFLNF) and baseline FLNF (bFLNF), this thesis investigates how crop rotations (2-, 3-, and 4-year systems), tillage management (conventional vs. no-till), cover cropping, and soil properties affect the potential of free-living diazotrophs to supply N via FLNF in a long-term no-till corn-based system in Southeastern South Dakota. A two-year field study evaluated pFLNF across four growing …


Immune Suppression And Epigenetic Reprogramming In Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Hanxu Lu Jan 2026

Immune Suppression And Epigenetic Reprogramming In Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Hanxu Lu

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is increasingly recognized as a dynamic spectrum of cellular programthat contributes to tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. Rather than existing as discrete epithelial or mesenchymal phenotypes, tumor cells undergo intermediate EMT states in which epithelial and mesenchymal features are partially and variably expressed. In this thesis, I studied EMT state heterogeneity through two complementary and integrated dimensions: tumor-immune interactions and the dynamic remodeling of epigenetic programs across the EMT spectrum. Using a clonal EMT model derived from the murine triple-negative 4T1 mammary carcinoma cell line, including epithelial, intermediate, and mesenchymal states that are stably maintained in …


Colorectal Cancers With Distinct Metastatic Potential Trigger Divergent Early T Cell Responses, Marwa Ahmed Saad Jan 2026

Colorectal Cancers With Distinct Metastatic Potential Trigger Divergent Early T Cell Responses, Marwa Ahmed Saad

Student Theses and Dissertations

The intestinal mucosa harbors the largest immune compartment in the mammalianbody, where resident and recruited immune cells must maintain tolerance to commensal and dietary antigens while preserving their ability to mount effective responses against pathogens and malignant transformation. Uncontrolled epithelial proliferation leads to colorectal cancer (CRC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. More than 85% of human CRC cases arise from accumulating sporadic or hereditary mutations in the tumor suppressor genes Apc, Tp53, Smad4, and the oncogene Kras. Although immune checkpoint blockade has transformed the treatment of certain solid tumors, most CRCs, particularly those with a proficient mismatch …


Noncanonical Roles Of Hepatitis B Virus Precore Rna In Reverse, Mengyin Zhang Jan 2026

Noncanonical Roles Of Hepatitis B Virus Precore Rna In Reverse, Mengyin Zhang

Student Theses and Dissertations

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a partially double-stranded DNA virus that replicates through reverse transcription. Transcription from the HBV core promoter generates two genome-length RNAs: pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and precore RNA (pcRNA). pcRNA contains the entire pgRNA sequence plus an additional 32 nucleotides at its 5’ end that include the precore start codon, enabling translation of the precore protein, the precursor of the secreted HBV e antigen (HBeAg). Whereas pgRNA is translated to produce core and polymerase and serves as the template for reverse transcription by cis-acting HBV polymerase, pcRNA has long been considered unable to support HBV DNA synthesis. …


Adversarial Robustness In Biomedical Time-Series Models, Rohan Tiwari Jan 2026

Adversarial Robustness In Biomedical Time-Series Models, Rohan Tiwari

Bioengineering Theses

This study investigates adversarial vulnerabilities in deep learning models for biomedical time-series classification across two clinically important modalities: electrocardiography (ECG) and electroencephalography (EEG). Using the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia and CHB-MIT seizure datasets, I evaluate time-domain attacks (FGSM, PGD), Fourier-domain constrained attacks, and learned spectral perturbations designed to reveal modality-specific sensitivity patterns. Across both tasks, a consistent trend emerges low-frequency components (0–5 Hz) constitute a dominant axis of adversarial vulnerability, with perturbations in this range producing the steepest degradation in classification performance. In ECG models, protecting the physiologically relevant QRS band (5–20 Hz) significantly improves robustness, whereas EEG models remain highly sensitive …


Predictors Of Successful Conservative Lung Surgery In Endobronchial Tumors, Ahmed Mohamed Abdelfattah Ahmed Omar, Amr Abdellateef Hassan, Sameh Ibrahim Elsayed Jan 2026

Predictors Of Successful Conservative Lung Surgery In Endobronchial Tumors, Ahmed Mohamed Abdelfattah Ahmed Omar, Amr Abdellateef Hassan, Sameh Ibrahim Elsayed

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Endobronchial tumors, though rare, often present centrally and may cause airway obstruction. Historically managed by pneumonectomy, conservative lung surgery has emerged as a viable alternative with reduced morbidity. Methods: This retrospective study included 69 adult patients with endobronchial tumors treated surgically at Mansoura University between 2005 and 2024. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 underwent pneumonectomy; Group 2 non-pneumonectomy. Clinical, radiological and bronchoscopic data were analyzed to identify predictors of successful conservative surgery. Results: Tumor location, proximity to the carina, preserved distal lung tissue, and higher preoperative FEV1% were significantly associated with conservative surgical success. Therapeutic bronchoscopy …


Microbial Community Structure In Global Soils, Matthew Jabro Jan 2026

Microbial Community Structure In Global Soils, Matthew Jabro

CMC Senior Theses

Soil harbors the most diverse microbial communities on Earth, yet whether predictable community types exist across biomes and whether taxonomic composition encodes habitat of origin remain open questions at global scale. This thesis addresses both questions by applying unsupervised clustering and supervised classification to transformed 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) amplicon profiles from two independent datasets: the global topsoil survey of Bahram et al. (193 samples) and the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP) soil subset of Thompson et al. (2,209 samples). Application of a sample clustering method based on a mixture of Gaussian Graphical Models (MixGGM) identified 19 clusters in the topsoil …