Digital Commons Network^™

Synthetic Biology Enabled Modification Of Bone Cells And Impact On Bone Mineral Resorption, Dulce C. Hayes

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Development of a cell culture based bone model can contribute to biomedical research by producing a reproducible model system that mimics a bone remodeling disorder and reduces the use of animals in research studies. Synthetic biology was used to engineer osteoblast cell lines to alter a key protein in the RANKL pathway in efforts to control the bone remodeling process. Osteoblast cell lines, K7M2 and MC3T3-E1 Subclone 4 were engineered to express osteoprotegerin (OPG) and inhibit OPG expression, respectively. The upregulation of OPG expression was confirmed with Real Time PCR and Quantikine® Immunoassay. To identify the functionality of the engineered …

The Case For Expanding Visual Assessments During Spaceflight, Ethan Waisberg, Joshua Ong, Mouayad Masalkhi, Nasif Zaman, Sharif Amit Kamran, Prithul Sarker, Alireza Tavakkoli, Andrew G Lee

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) is one of the potential barriers to human long-duration spaceflight (LDSF), including a manned mission to Mars. While a large barrier, the pathophysiology of SANS is not well understood, and functional and structural findings from SANS continue to be further characterized. Currently on the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled visual assessments are static visual acuity, Amsler grid, and a self-reported survey. Additional visual assessments may help the understanding of this neuro-ophthalmic phenomenon, as well as the effects of spaceflight of overall ocular health. In this paper, a case is made for expanding scheduled visual assessments …

Why Animal Experiments Are Still Indispensable In Bone Research: A Statement By The European Calcified Tissue Society, Merle Stein, Florent Elefteriou, Björn Busse, Imke Ak Fiedler, Ronald Young Kwon, Eric Farrell, Mubashir Ahmad, Anita Ignatius, Liam Grover, Liesbet Geris, Jan Tuckermann

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Major achievements in bone research have always relied on animal models and in vitro systems derived from patient and animal material. However, the use of animals in research has drawn intense ethical debate and the complete abolition of animal experimentation is demanded by fractions of the population. This phenomenon is enhanced by the reproducibility crisis in science and the advance of in vitro and in silico techniques. 3D culture, organ-on-a-chip, and computer models have improved enormously over the last years. Nevertheless, the overall complexity of bone tissue-cross talk and the systemic and local regulation of bone physiology can often only …

Noncanonical Binding Of Transcription Factors: Time To Revisit Specificity?, Md Abul Hassan Samee

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Transcription factors (TFs) are one of the most studied classes of DNA-binding proteins that have a direct functional impact on gene transcription and thus, on human physiology and disease. The mechanisms that TFs use for recognizing target DNA binding sites have been studied for nearly five decades, yet they remain poorly understood. It is classically assumed that a TF recognizes a specific sequence pattern, or motif, as its binding sites. However, recent studies are consistently finding examples of noncanonical binding, that is, TFs binding at sites that do not resemble their sequence motifs. Here we review the current literature on …

Correlation Of Placental Weight With Neonatal Weight And Hba1c In Normal Sudanese Pregnant Ladies In Alban-Jaded Teaching Hospital : Correlation Of Placental Weight With Neonatal Weight And Hba1c, Ibrahim Ali, Asim Osman, Wala Ahmed

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background: The placenta is a life-supporting organ for the growing fetus. Several studies have highlighted the relationship between placental weight and neonatal birth weight; however, the role of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) has not been addressed. Aim: The study aimed to determine the relationship between the placental weight, neonatal birth weight, and HbA1c at term pregnancy in a Sudanese hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at Al Ban-Jaded Hospital between November and December 2022. Data, including the gestational age at delivery (in weeks), parity, mode of delivery, fetal birth weight, placental weight, fetal gender, and presence or absence …

Bicc1 Drives Pancreatic Cancer Progression By Inducing Vegf-Independent Angiogenesis, Chongbiao Huang, Hui Li, Yang Xu, Chao Xu, Huizhi Sun, Zengxun Li, Yi Ge, Hongwei Wang, Tiansuo Zhao, Song Gao, Xiuchao Wang, Shengyu Yang, Peiqing Sun, Zhe Liu, Jing Liu, Antao Chang, Jihui Hao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

VEGF inhibitors are one of the most successful antiangiogenic drugs in the treatment of many solid tumors. Nevertheless, pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) cells can reinstate tumor angiogenesis via activation of VEGF-independent pathways, thereby conferring resistance to VEGF inhibitors. Bioinformatic analysis showed that BICC1 was one of the top genes involved in the specific angiogenesis process of PAAD. The analysis of our own cohort confirmed that BICC1 was overexpressed in human PAAD tissues and was correlated to increased microvessel density and tumor growth, and worse prognosis. In cells and mice with xenograft tumors, BICC1 facilitated angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer in a VEGF-independent …

When A Calorie Is Not Just A Calorie: Diet Quality And Timing As Mediators Of Metabolism And Healthy Aging, Maria M Mihaylova, Amandine Chaix, Mirela Delibegovic, Jon J Ramsey, Joseph Bass, Girish Melkani, Rajat Singh, Zheng Chen, William W Ja, Michele Shirasu-Hiza, Mary N Latimer, Julie A Mattison, Anna E Thalacker-Mercer, Vishwa Deep Dixit, Satchidananda Panda, Dudley W Lamming

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

An epidemic of obesity has affected large portions of the world, increasing the risk of developing many different age-associated diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. In contrast with the prevailing notion that "a calorie is just a calorie," there are clear differences, within and between individuals, in the metabolic response to different macronutrient sources. Recent findings challenge this oversimplification; calories from different macronutrient sources or consumed at different times of day have metabolic effects beyond their value as fuel. Here, we summarize discussions conducted at a recent NIH workshop that brought together experts in calorie restriction, macronutrient composition, and …

High-Performing Conductive Hydrogels For Wearable Applications., Hossein Omidian, Sumana Dey Chowdhury

HPD Articles

Conductive hydrogels have gained significant attention for their extensive applications in healthcare monitoring, wearable sensors, electronic devices, soft robotics, energy storage, and human-machine interfaces. To address the limitations of conductive hydrogels, researchers are focused on enhancing properties such as sensitivity, mechanical strength, electrical performance at low temperatures, stability, antibacterial properties, and conductivity. Composite materials, including nanoparticles, nanowires, polymers, and ionic liquids, are incorporated to improve the conductivity and mechanical strength. Biocompatibility and biosafety are emphasized for safe integration with biological tissues. Conductive hydrogels exhibit unique properties such as stretchability, self-healing, wet adhesion, anti-freezing, transparency, UV-shielding, and adjustable mechanical properties, making …

The Genetics Of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia In Puerto Rico, Paolo Zanoni, Katharina Steindl, Heinrich Sticht, Beatrice Oneda, Pascal Joset, Ivan Ivanovski, Anselm H C Horn, Elena M Cabello, Julia Laube, Markus Zweier, Alessandra Baumer, Anita Rauch, Nadia Khan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pediatric Moyamoya Angiopathy (MMA) is a progressive intracranial occlusive arteriopathy that represents a leading cause of transient ischemic attacks and strokes in childhood. Despite this, up to now no large, exclusively pediatric MMA cohort has been subjected to systematic genetic investigation. In this study, we performed molecular karyotyping, exome sequencing and automated structural assessment of missense variants on a series of 88 pediatric MMA patients and correlated genetic, angiographic and clinical (stroke burden) findings. The two largest subgroups in our cohort consisted of RNF213 and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients. While deleterious RNF213 variants were associated with a severe MMA …

The Effect Of Topical Oatmeal (Avena Sativa) On Hydration-Related Skin Disorders: A Systematic Review, Karenina Novani Sugondo, Melyawati Hermawan

Journal of General - Procedural Dermatology and Venereology Indonesia

Background: In recent years, interest in developing cosmetics and beauty products based on natural ingredients has increased. The addition of herbal extracts to products could improve the effectiveness of therapy. One of the natural ingredients that can be found is oatmeal. Oatmeal has been used for a long time and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a skin protective agent since 2003. This study aims to systematically review the literature to determine the effect of topical oatmeal (Avena sativa) on hydration-related skin disorders.

Methods: A total of 9,538 studies were found in the database sources …

Investigation Of Permanent Tattoos To Increase Myoelectric Signal Connectivity In Prosthetics, Guy Pugh

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Myoelectric prosthetics offer users increased functionality in many facits of their lives. However, maintaining reliable connectivity between sEMG sensors and targeted muscle locations can be problematic. Volume fluctuation of the residual limb, dirt, sweat, and movement of the socket and sensor over the limb can all because of signal disruption leading some users to find the myoelectric prostheses, costing thousands of dollars, to be unreliable, and stop using it. To increase connectivity between the optimal myoelectric sites and sEMG sensors, this paper proposes the use of permanent ink tattoos to create a stable location which a sensor can move over …

Evaluation Of Two Methods To Estimate Wet Bulb Globe Temperature From Heat Index, Stephi Pofanl

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is a common method to evaluate environmental factors that contribute to occupational heat stress. The Heat Index (HI) is readily available as an alternative to exposure methods. They both assess the most important contributors that are air temperature and humidity. WBGT also includes radiant heat and air motion. To account for radiant heat and/or air motion, some investigators have suggested adjustments to HI. The purpose of this study is to explore two methods to estimate the usefulness of WBGT from HI.

WBGT data were collected in a variety of locations that included direct sun …

Localized Pain And Fatigue During Recovery From Submaximal Resistance Exercise In People With Fibromyalgia, Giovanni Berardi, Christine Eble, Sandra K. Hunter, Marie K. Hoeger Bement

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Exercise is recommended as a main treatment in fibromyalgia. However, many people have limited exercise tolerance and report exacerbated pain and fatigue during and following a bout of exercise. This study examined the local and systemic changes in perceived pain and fatigue during exercise and through the 3-day recovery following isometric and concentric exercises in people with and without fibromyalgia.

Methods

Forty-seven participants with a physician diagnosis of fibromyalgia (44 women; mean age [SD] = 51.3 [12.3] years; mean body mass index [SD] = 30.2 [6.9]) and 47 controls (44 women; mean age [SD] = 52.5 [14.7] years; mean …

Influence Of Age And Gender On Alveolar Bone Healing Post Tooth Extraction In 129 Sv Mice: A Microtomographic, Histological, And Biochemical Characterization, Cláudia Cristina Biguetti, Bhuvana Lakkasetter Chandrashekar, Gustavo Baroni Simionato, Nataira Regina Momesso, Marco Antonio Hungaro Duarte, Danieli C. Rodrigues, Mariza Akemi Matsumoto

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Objectives

To analyze the effect of biological sex and aging on craniofacial bone features in 129 Sv mice and their influence on dental socket healing post tooth extraction.

Materials and methods

A total of 52 129 Sv mice were used, of which 28 were young (3–4 months) and 24 were aged (17–18 months), equally distributed according to biological sex. After an upper right incisor extraction, mice specimens were collected at 7, 14, and 21-days post-surgery for microtomographic (microCT) and comprehensive histological analysis. Mandible, skull bones, and maxillae at 21 days were analyzed by microCT, while blood plasma samples were collected …

Impact Of Transfused Citrate On Pathophysiology In Massive Transfusion, Jacob B Schriner, J Michael Van Gent, M Adam Meledeo, Scott D Olson, Bryan A Cotton, Charles S Cox, Brijesh S Gill

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This narrative review article seeks to highlight the effects of citrate on physiology during massive transfusion of the bleeding patient.

DATA SOURCES: A limited library of curated articles was created using search terms including "citrate intoxication," "citrate massive transfusion," "citrate pharmacokinetics," "hypocalcemia of trauma," "citrate phosphate dextrose," and "hypocalcemia in massive transfusion." Review articles, as well as prospective and retrospective studies were selected based on their relevance for inclusion in this review.

STUDY SELECTION: Given the limited number of relevant studies, studies were reviewed and included if they were written in English. This is not a systematic review nor a …

Circadian Features Of Cluster Headache And Migraine: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, And Genetic Analysis, Barlas Benkli, Sun Young Kim, Nobuya Koike, Chorong Han, Celia K Tran, Emma Silva, Yuanqing Yan, Kazuhiro Yagita, Zheng Chen, Seung-Hee Yoo, Mark J Burish

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cluster headache and migraine have circadian features at multiple levels (cellular, systems, and behavioral). A thorough understanding of their circadian features informs their pathophysiologies.

METHODS: A librarian created search criteria in MEDLINE Ovid, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Two physicians independently performed the remainder of the systematic review/meta-analysis using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Separate from the systematic review/meta-analysis, we performed a genetic analysis for genes with a circadian pattern of expression (clock-controlled genes or CCGs) by cross-referencing genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of headache, a nonhuman primate study of CCGs …

Lateral Septum As A Melanocortin Downstream Site In Obesity Development, Yuanzhong Xu, Zhiying Jiang, Hongli Li, Jing Cai, Yanyan Jiang, Joshua Otiz-Guzman, Yong Xu, Benjamin R Arenkiel, Qingchun Tong

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The melanocortin pathway is well established to be critical for body-weight regulation in both rodents and humans. Despite extensive studies focusing on this pathway, the downstream brain sites that mediate its action are not clear. Here, we found that, among the known paraventricular hypothalamic (PVH) neuron groups, those expressing melanocortin receptors 4 (PVHMc4R) preferably project to the ventral part of the lateral septum (LSv), a brain region known to be involved in emotional behaviors. Photostimulation of PVHMc4R neuron terminals in the LSv reduces feeding and causes aversion, whereas deletion of Mc4Rs or disruption of glutamate release from LSv-projecting PVH neurons …

Toxicological Evaluation Of A Polyherbal Formulation On Testicular Function And Gonadal Histomorphology In Exposed Wistar Rats, Godswill James Udom, Uduak Peter Ise, Omoirri Moses Aziakpono, Ayodeji Aturamu, Mba Ogbonnaya, Israel Kevin Umana, Jude Efiom Okokon

BioMedicine

Introduction: Dr Iguedo Goko Cleanser® is a herbal formulation (HF) widely marketed in southern Nigeria and purported to be very efficacious for the management of various diseases including giardiasis, toilet infections, hypertension, diabetes, ulcer, impotence, low libido, low sperm count amongst others. Medicinal plants reportedly produce an array of adverse reactions capable of inducing harmful conditions, including death. Aim: This study evaluated the subchronic toxicity concern of HF on testicular function and gonadal histoarchitecture in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly divided into six groups (5/group) and were orally administered HF for 60 days. The …

Association Of Smoking And Respiratory Disease History With Pancreatic Pathologies Requiring Surgical Resection, Carolyn Ream, Matthew Sabitsky, Rachel Huang, Emma Hammelef, Theresa P. Yeo, Harish Lavu, Charles J. Yeo, Wilbur Bowne, Avinoam Nevler

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between various respiratory conditions, including hypercapnic respiratory disease, and a multitude of resected pancreatic lesions. Methods: This retrospective case-control study queried a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 2015 and October 2021. Patient data, including smoking history, medical history, and pathology reports, were recorded. Patients with no smoking history and no concomitant respiratory conditions were designated as the control group. Results: A total of 723 patients with complete clinical and pathological data were identified. Male current smokers showed increased rates of PDAC (OR 2.33, 95% …

Innovator - Spring 2023

Innovator

03 - The President’s Column

06 - Time Machine: Fabric of the Heart

10 - The Nexus: News at Jefferson

20 - Student to #Philebrity: Influenced by Jefferson

24 - The Light Fantastic

30 - We Are One Jefferson

34 - Question & Innovate

36 - Reimagine

40 - Ram Roundup

44 - Class Notes

56 - In Memory

58 - Trivia

Effect Of Obesity And Insulin Resistance On Glucose And Fatty Acid Metabolism, Chao Cao

WUSM Theses and Dissertations – All Programs

In people with obesity, insulin resistance of glucose and fatty acid metabolism is common and it is thought that insulin resistance of fatty acid metabolism is involved in causing insulin resistance of glucose metabolism and subsequently hyperglycemia through a mechanism referred to as “lipotoxicity”. However, in many individuals with obesity and insulin resistance fasting plasma glucose and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations are not elevated. It is widely believed that pancreatic beta-cells detect the need to increase insulin secretion in order to compensate for the impaired insulin action caused by insulin resistance in these people, whereas beta-cell dysfunction results in …

Equivalent Running Leg Lengths Require Prosthetic Legs To Be Longer Than Biological Legs During Standing, Janet H. Zhang-Lea, Joshua R. Tacca, Owen N. Beck, Paolo Taboga, Alena M. Grabowski

Human Physiology Faculty Scholarship

We aimed to determine a method for prescribing a standing prosthetic leg length (ProsL) that results in an equivalent running biological leg length (BioL) for athletes with unilateral (UTTA) and bilateral transtibial amputations (BTTA). We measured standing leg length of ten non-amputee (NA) athletes, ten athletes with UTTA, and five athletes with BTTA. All athletes performed treadmill running trials from 3 m/s to their maximum speed. We calculated standing and running BioL and ProsL lengths and assessed the running-to-standing leg length ratio (Lratio) at three instances during ground contact: touchdown, mid-stance, and take-off. Athletes with UTTA had 2.4 cm longer …

Contributions To Auditory System Conduction Velocity: Insights With Multi-Modal Neuroimaging And Machine Learning In Children With Asd And Xyy Syndrome, Jeffrey I. Berman, Luke Bloy, Lisa Blaskey, Carissa R. Jackel, Judith S. Miller, Judith Ross, J. Christopher Edgar, Thimothy P.L. Roberts

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

Introduction: The M50 electrophysiological auditory evoked response time can be measured at the superior temporal gyrus with magnetoencephalography (MEG) and its latency is related to the conduction velocity of auditory input passing from ear to auditory cortex. In children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and certain genetic disorders such as XYY syndrome, the auditory M50 latency has been observed to be elongated (slowed).

Methods: The goal of this study is to use neuroimaging (diffusion MR and GABA MRS) measures to predict auditory conduction velocity in typically developing (TD) children and children with autism ASD and XYY syndrome.

Results: Non-linear TD …

The Effect Of Training Status On Exercise Performance And Oxygen Uptake Responses To Beetroot Juice Supplementation In Cyclists, Haley Mcvannel

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Purpose: To determine if cardiovascular fitness, assessed by peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak),influences the physiological and performance effects of beetroot juice (BRJ) supplementation and to explore if recent training habits independently influence this response. Methods: Thirteen male and female cyclists completed two graded exercise tests to assess cardiovascular fitness and four, seven-day experimental phases. Five subjects were classified as high fitness (VO_2peak: 65.9 ± 4.5 mL∙kg^-1∙min^-1) and eight as lower fitness (VO_2peak: 44.2 ± 7.0 mL∙kg^-1∙min^-1). Subjects consumed 140 ml of concentrated BRJ or placebo the last …

Evaluating The Impact Of Routine Enteral Iron Fortification On Gastrointestinal Dysbiosis In Premature Infants, Matthew Van Ormer

Theses & Dissertations

The gastrointestinal microbiome in preterm infants bears significant influence on optimal outcomes – dysbiosis is shown to substantially increase the risk of the life-threatening necrotizing enterocolitis, whereas optimal microbiome composition improves nutrient digestion and immune function. Iron is a vital nutrient especially during the perinatal window of rapid hemoglobin production, tissue growth, and foundational neurological development. However, excess colonic iron exhibits potent oxidation capacity and alters the competitive environment of microbes – potentially facilitating the proliferation of pathological bacterial strains in the gut. Of note, breastfed preterm infants routinely receive iron fortification starting at 14 days of life and are …

Species Differences In Platelet Protease-Activated Receptors, Stephanie A Renna, Steven E. Mckenzie, James V. Michael

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a class of integral membrane proteins that are cleaved by a variety of proteases, most notably thrombin, to reveal a tethered ligand and promote activation. PARs are critical mediators of platelet function in hemostasis and thrombosis, and therefore are attractive targets for anti-platelet therapies. Animal models studying platelet PAR physiology have relied heavily on genetically modified mouse strains, which have provided ample insight but have some inherent limitations. The current review aims to summarize the notable PAR expression and functional differences between the mouse and human, in addition to highlighting some recently developed tools to further …

The Role Of Cytochrome P450 2e1 In Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury And Reactive Oxygen Species Formation, Nouf Alwadei

Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

The mechanisms of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, which occurs during liver transplantation or surgery, are poorly understood. The central pathophysiological phenomenon of this injury is the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent studies suggest that P450 enzymes may contribute to ROS generation, which may occur through their uncoupling and/or release of heme and iron after their degradation. Among P450 enzymes, CYP2E1 is unique because it is considered a leaky enzyme, producing significant ROS through uncoupling in the absence of substrates, accelerating its own degradation and reducing its half-life. In this dissertation, we generated and characterized a HepG2 cell line …

The Impact Of Low Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass In The Development Of Insulin Resistance And Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Ella Boston

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic conditions are the leading cause of death and disability. More specifically, cardio-metabolic disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. The tragedy and burden of disease is unrefuted; even more so, evidence indicates that realistic modifications of lifestyle can prevent most chronic disease. Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance are leading risk factors in the development of cardio-metabolic disease. Presently, chronic disease is treated through symptomatic evaluation of risk. Reframing the lens of care through root cause evaluation is fundamental to optimizing patient outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize literature evaluating the impact of low …

A Pathophysiological, Clinical, And Epidemiological View Of Malaria, Alyssa Watt

Senior Honors Theses

Malaria is a parasitic disease that is common among all ages in tropical and subtropical countries. Annually, there are an estimated 3.3 billion people in 97 countries at risk of contracting malaria. Malaria has been a major global health problem throughout history and is a leading cause of death and disease for many within tropical regions. In the past decade, efforts, such advances in medicine and insecticide techniques, have reduced the prevalence of malaria by 50% which suggests that the elimination of this disease is possible. With the prevalence of malaria and recent reduction, it is vital to aid in …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Rabies Lyssavirus Animal Testing In Nebraska, 2012 Through 2021, Elijah Theye

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Rabies is a zoonotic disease caused by a neurotropic virus that has been a public health issue for over 4,000 years, killing roughly 59,000 humans globally each year. This study examined the seasonality of bat-human exposures, the association between animal-human exposure types and animal rabies positivity, and using skunk monthly positivity rates to predict all non-skunk non-bat animal positivity rates with a lag time of six months, in Nebraska.

Methods: Animal rabies testing data from 2012-21 were extracted from Nebraska’s Electronic Disease Surveillance System. Animal tests that had a valid animal rabies test were included in the analyses. To …