Digital Commons Network^™

Comparative Behavioral Impacts Of Neuroactive Pharmaceuticals On Crayfish Locomotion, Grace Elizabeth Smith

Masters Theses

Pharmaceuticals are increasingly recognized as contaminants of concern in aquatic ecosystems, often entering waterways due to incomplete removal by wastewater treatment plants. Despite frequent detection, the effects of these compounds on non-target, neurochemically sensitive organisms such as crayfish remains underexplored. Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant that binds to presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels and reduces excitatory neurotransmitter release, is one such emerging contaminant. Given crayfish’s ecological importance and sensitivity to neuroactive substances, exposure to gabapentin may disrupt key behaviors such as locomotion. To place gabapentin’s effects in context, we also examined escitalopram (Lexapro), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that elevates synaptic 5-HT, and …

The Ccu Disease Hunters: Putting Undergraduate Research To Work To Improve Community Health And Training The Next Generation Of Doctors, Paul E. Richardson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Restoration Of Neural-Based Function: Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Research To Develop Neurorehabilitation Knowledge, Measures, And Tools To Improve Function In The Real World, Steven A. Kautz

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Neuroprotective Effects Of Estradiol And Genistein And Interactions With Aromatase Inhibitions Post Cerebellar Lesion In Male Zebra Finches, Grace E. Thompson, Anthony P. Irovic

Honors Theses

Across vertebrates, peripheral and brain-derived estradiol (E₂) promotes neuroplasticity. After injury, E₂ can be derived locally from testosterone via aromatase (AROM), an enzyme that is upregulated in glia at the site of neural injury. E₂disrupts testicular function and elevates cancer and stroke risk, primarily via binding to estrogen receptor alpha (ER α). Genistein (GEN), a phytoestrogen, is similar to E₂ but binds preferentially to estrogen receptor beta (ER β). It may offer neuroprotection without adverse effects of E₂. We used adult male zebra finches (ZF) to model neuroprotective effects of E_{2 …}

Rational Design And Efficacy Evaluation Of A Novel Solid Dispersion-Based Bempedoic Acid–Ezetimibe Fixed-Dose Combination Tablet Versus Nexlizet®, Mohamed A. Heikal, Wael Ali, Mahmoud A. Mahdy, Eman Gomaa

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Background/Objectives: For hyperlipidemic patients with statin resistance, a fixed-dose combination of a non-statin drug such as ezetimibe (EZT) and bempedoic acid (BA) provides a significant benefit. Although both drugs exhibit poor aqueous solubility, the oral bioavailability of EZT is more critically limited by dissolution, whereas BA maintains adequate absorption due to its high intestinal permeability. With regard to the reference product, Nexlizet® (180/10 mg), our study focused on developing a novel tablet with superior in vitro performance without incorporating sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), as it may potentially alter BA absorption. Methods: The solid dispersion technique (co-precipitation) was applied using the …

Systemic Α₂-Agonist Use And Lower Hazard Of Glaucoma Compared With Β-Blockers: A Cohort Study, Ibrahim Abboud, Amin Z. Khudari, Abdelaziz Abdelaal, Amr Almobayed, Subhi J. Al'aref, Jonathan S. Myers, Richard K. Lee, Abdelrahman M. Elhusseiny

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: Systemic antihypertensive medications may influence glaucoma-related outcomes through intraocular pressure-dependent and vascular mechanisms. While topical α₂-agonists are established glaucoma therapies, the association between systemic α₂-agonists and glaucoma hazard remains unexamined; we compared their hazard with systemic β-blockers in adults with hypertension.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We conducted a multicentre retrospective cohort study using deidentified electronic health records. Adults aged ≥40 years with hypertension and chronic exposure to systemic α₂-agonists or β-blockers were included. Patients with pre-existing ocular hypertension (OHT), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), concomitant comparator use, or inadequate ophthalmic follow-up were excluded. We balanced cohorts using propensity score matching (PSM) …

Determining The Relatedness Of Simian Varicella Virus Strains Using Polymerase Chain Reactions And Delta Herpesvirus-Dervied Primers, Ellyn M. Waits

Honors Theses

This study examines genetic variation among strains of Simian Varicella Virus (SVV) using genomic analysis. The primary goal of this experiment was to observe potential genomic differences among the Liverpool vervet virus (LVV), the Tsukuba herpesvirus, and the Delta herpesvirus (DHV) strains using primer sets developed from the fully sequenced DHV strain. SVV strains were initially cultivated in Vero cell cultures to begin viral propagation. Viral proliferation in these cell cultures enables DNA isolation via standard purification methods. The extracted viral DNA is subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification targeting specific regions of open reading frames (ORFs) in the …

Lifestyle And Activity Patterns Of The Classic Period Maya From Chac Balam And San Juan, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Abigail L. Hornbeck

Honors Theses

Bioarchaeological research often uses skeletal remains to reconstruct patterns of activity and labor in past populations. This study examines potential sex-based differences in long bone morphology among individuals from the Classic Maya sites of Chac Balam and San Juan on Ambergris Caye, Belize. These coastal communities participated in maritime trade networks, and daily activities such as cargo transport, canoe travel, and fishing may have placed distinctive mechanical stresses on the skeleton. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether measurable differences in bone structure between males and females reflect differences in habitual activity patterns.

Two complementary methods were used …

Genetic Analysis Of The X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy Gene Abcd1 In Drosophila Uncovers A Conserved Phenotype, Joshua Manor, Sharayu V Jangam, Hyung-Lok Chung, Pranjali Bhagwat, Jonathan C Andrews, Hillary Chester, Shu Kondo, Saurabh Srivastav, Juan Botas, Ann B Moser, Suzette M Huguenin, Michael F Wangler

Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a loss-of-function (LOF) mutation in the ATP-binding cassette subfamily D member 1 (ABCD1) gene, leading to the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). This disorder exhibits striking heterogeneity; some male patients develop an early childhood neuroinflammatory demyelination disorder, while other patients, including adult males and most affected female carriers, experience a chronic progressive myelopathy. Adrenocortical failure is observed in almost all male patients, with the age of onset varying, sometimes being the first diagnostic finding. The gene underlying this spectrum of disease encodes an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter that …

Gut Microbiota Modulation Of Regulatory Dna Elements Revealed By Massively Parallel Functional Characterization, Chadmirah Zaratiana, Adheet Ganesh, Yang E Li, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Cis-regulatory elements (CREs) are central to dynamic gene regulation in hepatocytes, yet most functional annotations derive from in vitro models that poorly capture physiological regulation. We systematically profiled 109,386 human liver-derived CREs using massively parallel reporter assays in hepatocytes under matched in vitro and in vivo conditions. In vivo-active functional CREs (fCREs) were enriched for H3K27ac and chromatin accessibility and were regulated by diverse transcription factors in the human liver. We further demonstrate that gut microbiota-derived signals modulate fCRE activity and target gene expression in vivo, in part via the KEAP1/NFE2L2 antioxidant pathway. Specific microbial metabolites directly altered the activity …

Age And Genotype-Dependent Baseline Characterization Of Spatial Learning And Memory In App/Ps1 Rats Using The Morris Water Maze, Thomas George, Mohammadreza Arbab, Nathanael Ricardo Alicea, Mahdie Kerdari, Christopher Janson

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline. Transgenic APP/PS1 rat models offer improved translational relevance compared to mouse models due to closer similarity to human neurobiology.

Objective: To establish a baseline profile of spatial learning and memory across age and genotype in rate model.

Methods: The Morris Water Maze (MWM) was used to assess four groups of rats: young Wild Type (WT), young APP/PS1 (AD), middle-aged WT, and middle-aged AD. Spatial learning was evaluated during acquisition (Day 1–4) using cumulative proximity and escape latency. Memory was assessed using probe trials (Day 2–4). Swim velocity …

In Patients With Acne Vulgaris, How Do Standard Acne Treatments Combined With Adjunct Microbiome-Targeted Therapies Compare To Standard Acne Treatments Alone In Affecting Clinical Outcomes?, Sree Gowri Sudharshan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Acne vulgaris is a very common chronic skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. Nearly 50 million Americans are affected annually, and it usually occurs around puberty. Due to rising antibiotic resistance and unwanted side effects to current mediations, emerging research on the role of skin and gut microbiome in acne development is of interest.

Hypothesis: Adjuvant microbiome-targeted therapies may offer better clinical outcomes than standard acne treatments alone.

Methods: Literature search performed in PubMed and Embase using keywords related to acne vulgaris, microbiome-targeted therapies, and targeted acne treatments. Of …

Effect Of Parkinson’S Disease On The Lateralization Of The Digastric Muscle In A Rodent Model, Estelle Richardson, Francois Gould

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

In Parkinson’s disease, the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra can cause dysphagia, which affects all phases of swallowing. In swallowing, bilateral pairs of muscles under the control of independent unilateral neural mechanisms must simultaneously activate to coordinate their movements and produce a swallow. However it is unknown how Parkinson’s disease impairs the activation of the right and left sides of those muscles. In this study we tested how Parkinson’s disease impacts the lateralization of the digastric muscle in rats. We hypothesized that Parkinson’s disease will cause a difference in activation of the right and left digastric muscles …

Using Group Activities To Improve Engagement And Help Alleviate Loneliness Among Older Adults At Macedonia Face, Taylor Corcoran

Public Health Capstone Projects

Introduction: Social isolation and loneliness are increasing public health concerns due to their association with heightened risk for chronic disease and their disproportionate impact on Black older adults (BOA). This project was designed to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of culturally relevant, low-cost activities on engagement rates among older adults during unscheduled program periods at the Macedonia Family Community Enrichment Center (FACE).

Methods: This project used a mixed methods approach over a 4-week implementation period. Three activities were introduced by the student facilitator, including UNO!, Name That Tune (NTT), and coloring pages. Engagement was measured by comparing the …

Sonidegib (Lde225) Reduces Inflammatory Signaling And Preserves Taste Buds In A Sepsis Mouse Model, Ashlyn Mcclelland, Murod Khikmatov, Archana Kumari, Gabrielle Audu, Isaiah Nawaz, Kingsley Yin

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background:

Sepsis triggers a complex and widespread inflammatory response that disrupts multiple organ systems, including the taste organ. Loss of taste is a symptom recognized in sepsis survivors and has the potential to contribute to further complications such as anorexia. Prior work from our lab demonstrated that cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice induces immune cell infiltration and alters taste bud morphology in the fungiform papillae located in the anterior tongue. We hypothesize that similar deleterious effects occur in the circumvallate papillae (CVP) of the posterior tongue and that the usage of the smoothened inhibitor, sonidegib, could reduce these …

Atomoxetine Enhances Specific Dimensions Of Cognitive Performance In A Rodent Strategy Shifting Assay, Jessica Ivanov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Title: Atomoxetine enhances specific dimensions of cognitive performance in a rodent strategy shifting assay

Authors: Jessica Ivanov, Christopher P. Knapp, Barry D. Waterhouse, Rachel L. Navarra

Objective: Cognitive flexibility, a domain of executive function, supports adaptive shifts in behavior in response to changing environmental demands and task contingencies. Deficits in this capacity are common to neuropsychiatric disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), where improper regulation of the catecholamine transmitters dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been implicated. Atomoxetine (ATX), a selective NE transporter (NET) inhibitor, elevates levels of NE and DA in the …

Developing A Computational Pipeline For Biomarker Discovery In Ischemic Reperfusion Injury, Surabhi Panda, Kaitlyn Insana, Dimitri Pestov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) contributes significantly to tissue damage in cardiovascular disease. During IRI, stressed and dying cells release ribosomal RNA, which exhibits distinct fragmentation patterns that may serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers. Although these patterns have been observed using low-resolution biochemical techniques, there is currently no standardized computational approach to quantify and visualize RNA fragmentation for clinical interpretation.

Hypothesis: A computational pipeline can be developed to visualize and analyze ribosomal RNA fragmentation patterns, enabling identification of distinct fragmentation hotspots associated with ischemic conditions and potential biomarker discovery.

Methods: RNA fragmentation datasets generated from ribosomal RNA experiments in a Saccharomyces …

Cannabis Use Disorder And Executive Function - A Literature Review, Jonathan Perumpail

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is recognized as a psychiatric condition characterized by persistent and problematic cannabis consumption that leads to marked functional impairment. Growing evidence suggests that chronic CUD exerts significant effects on executive functions such as inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, goal-directed behavior, and decision-making. This literature review integrates findings from 25 studies focusing specifically on individuals with objectively diagnosed CUD to explore the effects on cognition in this patient population. Across studies, deficits in executive function are consistently observed, with adolescents and early-onset users demonstrating increased vulnerability. Neuroimaging studies reveal structural and functional alterations in the prefrontal cortex and …

The Use Of Prazosin In Individuals With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Scoping Review Protocol, Priyal Pritesh Shah, Marisa Riebesell, Afshan Khan, Amanda M. Carey, Emily Balog, Martin Forsberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition, and is most often associated with sleep disturbances such as nightmares, flashbacks, and heightened arousal. Prazosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist, has been widely used for PTSD symptoms, however findings across studies are variable and limited, and the scope of existing evidence is not well established.

Objective: This scoping review aims to systematically map the literature on the use of prazosin in individuals with PTSD across diverse populations, settings, and study designs.

Methods: The scoping review will be conducted in accordance with JBI methodology and reported following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A …

Applying User-Centered Design To Develop A Culturally Sensitive, Low-Calorie Meal Plan For Enhancing Dietary Behavioral Control In Masld, Maya Balakrishnan, Paola Martinez, Brett Deng, Ivonne Arguelles, Crystal Arguelles, Terri L Fletcher, Natalia I Heredia, Myriam Ibarra, Anna Christine Rome

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Dietary changes are essential for managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), yet patients often face barriers related to knowledge, skills, cost, time, and cultural fit.

Aims: The purpose of this paper is to report a process for culturally tailoring a dietary intervention and its application to create a calorie-restricted meal plan for Mexican and Central American patients with MASLD. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and user-centered design, we produced a culturally tailored seven-day structured meal plan aligned with dietary guidelines for MASLD and weight loss.

Methods: We conducted a three-phase, mixed-methods process among Mexican/Central American patients …

Invisible Shipwrecks And Neurological Endangerment: The Trade-Off In Seeking Asylum - Reframing The Neurobiological Cost Of Forced Migration, Eisha Giran

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

Forced migration along the Spain–Morocco route represents one of the most visible humanitarian crises of the twenty-first century, yet its neurological dimensions remain insufficiently examined. This paper investigates how prolonged displacement and trauma reshape neural systems involved in stress regulation, memory, and emotional processing. It introduces the concept of neurological endangerment, defined as a condition of prolonged and inescapable threat exposure during forced migration in which stress-response systems remain chronically activated, opportunities for recovery are structurally constrained, and cumulative neurobiological risk persists beyond the period of immediate danger.

To address the gap between biological measurement and lived experience, this paper …

Informed Consent For Porcine Islet Xenotransplantation To Treat Type 1 Diabetes: A Scoping Review, Jennifer Kovalcik, Sheetal Mohanty, Mairead Clare Higgins, Daniel J. Hurst

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Purpose: The objective of this review is to systematically map and synthesize the existing literature regarding informed consent for porcine islet xenotransplantation for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes.

Methods: The search was conducted in May 2025 through the following databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and CINAHL. Broad search strings were used to combine the text words “islet” AND “xenotransplantation” AND “consent” or similar permutations and combinations. Peer-reviewed articles were included if they were published between January 1990 and May 2025 and written in English. The final search results were manually exported to a reference manager system (Zotero), and the PRISMA-ScR …

The Rowan University Wellness Village: An Innovative Community Advancing Health And Well-Being, Thomas Cavalieri Do, Brandi Dockett Ma, Matt Mclaughlin Bs

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

No abstract provided.

Case Report: Acute Encephalopathy Revealing Severe Babesiosis With Lyme Co-Infection, Czarina Gebrelle K. Soriano, James Espinosa, Alan Lucer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Acute confusion in older adults is a common emergency department presentation with a broad differential diagnosis. Tick-borne illnesses can cause significant systemic disease and may present with nonspecific neurologic or constitutional symptoms, making early recognition challenging. Babesiosis is a tick-borne parasitic infection transmitted by Ixodes ticks and may occur concurrently with other infections such as Lyme disease, further complicating diagnosis. We present a case of a 67-year-old male who presented with acute confusion and was found to have concurrent babesiosis and Lyme disease. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for tick-borne co-infections in patients …

Anticipating Animal Ethics Concerns In Islet Xenotransplantation, Sheetal Mohanty, Daniel J. Hurst, Amy Glasofer

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) necessitates life-sustaining insulin therapy or, in select cases, islet allotransplantation, which is limited by donor scarcity. Islet xenotransplantation (XTx; genetically modified pig-to-human transplant) is one potential alternative. Patient perceptions about islet XTx are largely unexplored. This study examined patient support for XTx when T1D patients learned that 25-50 pigs may be needed to treat one adult. Patient viewpoints toward islet XTx suggest animal ethics concerns may extend to the magnitude of animals required to treat a single patient. As clinical trials advance, addressing these values and risk tolerances is essential for developing informed consent frameworks …

Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis In Down Syndrome: Implications For Gastrointestinal And Neurological Health, Ashlyn Mcclelland, Jennifer Lecomte, Wendy Aita, Andrea Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common autosomal aneuploidy and has strong associations with increased gastrointestinal, neurological, and immune disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota dysbiosis may play a prominent role in disorders of gut-brain interaction, including constipation and irritable bowel syndrome affecting over half of individuals with DS. This review examines how gut microbiota alterations can contribute to chronic systemic inflammation and neurological manifestations in DS. Included articles were published between 2014 and 2025 and evaluated microbiota composition, inflammatory markers, and gastrointestinal or neurological outcomes in human or animal models of DS.

Across seven studies, characteristic microbiome shifts …

Beyond Traditional Emergency Medicine Residency Match Interviews: Behavioral Questions As Stress Tests For Resident Selection A Theory-Driven Micro-Assessment Framework For Detecting High-Value Traits, Alan Lucerna, James Lee, Robin Lahr, James Espinosa

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Traditional residency selection metrics incompletely capture behavioral traits essential for emergency medicine (EM) performance.

Objective: To propose a theory-driven framework using structured behavioral questions as stress tests to detect high-value traits.

Methods: Conceptual analysis of three standardized behavioral prompts assessing execution, systems thinking, and team orientation.

Results: Distinct response patterns align with observable domains associated with reliability, performance, and leadership.

Conclusion: Behavioral stress test questions offer a scalable, low-cost method to enhance residency selection processes.

Identification Of Genes Regulating The Gli Protein Tra-1 In ​Caenorhabditis Briggsae Through A Genetic Suppressor Screen​, Alexander Glenn Cabrera, Sanese Brown-White, Ronald Ellis

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND:
Gli proteins are conserved transcription factors that regulate cell fate, proliferation, and patterning. In Caenorhabditis briggsae, the Gli protein TRA-1 functions as the terminal regulator of the sex-determination pathway to control sexual development. These nematodes lack Hedgehog signaling, so TRA-1 is regulated by other factors. The missense mutation tra-1(v48) disrupts TRA-1 activator function, resulting in complete feminization of XX animals, which would otherwise be hermaphrodites.

HYPOTHESIS:
Suppressor screens using tra-1(v48) mutants will identify novel cofactors required for TRA-1–mediated Gli activation and spermatogenesis.

METHODS:
Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis was performed on tra-1(v48) strains to induce random mutations. Dominant suppressors were …

A Comprehensive Review Of Photothermal Therapy: Tumor Responses, Safety, And Clinical Translation, Taniya Sood

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Cancer affects 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the United States. Traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery often lack selectivity, resulting in significant systemic side effects. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is an emerging modality that utilizes light-activated nanoparticles to generate localized heat, selectively destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilizing PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science (2009–2024). Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled, cohort, and controlled trials involving adults (18+) with a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Studies were required to evaluate PTT using gold nanomaterials …

Adolescent Opioid Use And Prefrontal Cortex Development - A Systematic Review, Jonathan Perumpail, Liam Kerrick, Shreya Kadi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Adolescence represents a critical period of neurodevelopment characterized by ongoing maturation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region essential for executive function, impulse control, and behavioral regulation. Exposure to opioids during this vulnerable window may disrupt neural development and lead to long-term consequences. This review synthesizes current preclinical and human evidence examining the effects of adolescent opioid exposure on PFC development. Across rodent models, opioid exposure is associated with impaired synaptogenesis, altered dopaminergic signaling, and dysregulation of the prefrontal-mesolimbic circuits involved in decision making. Human studies showed reduced functional connectivity and white matter changes in those with opioid use …