Digital Commons Network^™

Diabetes Potentiates The Emergence And Expansion Of Antibiotic Resistance, John C. Shook, Benjamin P. Darwitz, Kaleb J. Tyson, Amanda Z. Velez, Sophia K. Bridwell, Joshua B. Parsons, Sarah E. Rowe, Christopher Marshall, Brian P. Conlon, Lance R. Thurlow

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Individuals with diabetes mellitus frequently develop severe skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) that are recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment. We examined how diabetes affects the emergence of antibiotic resistance in a Staphylococcus aureus SSTI. We determined that S. aureus evolves antibiotic resistance rapidly in diabetic mice, while resistance did not occur in nondiabetic mice over the course of infection. Diabetes-associated immune cell dysfunction plays a minor role in the emergence of resistance, while hyperglycemia plays a dominant role facilitating the expansion and takeover of resistant mutants in diabetic infections. Furthermore, vancomycin intermediate resistant isolates display a pronounced fitness defect in …

Editorial: Women In Antimicrobials, Resistance And Chemotherapy: 2023, Cindy Shuan Ju Teh, Krassimira R. Hristova, Ana R. Freitas

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Promoting Angiogenesis/Osteogenesis By A New Copper/Magnesium Hydroxide Hybrid Nanoparticle: In Vitro And In Vivo Investigation, Parsa Khalkhali, Meisam Omidi, Daniela S. Masson-Meyers, Babak Akbari, Mohammad Mehdi Dehghan, Hossein Aminianfar, Saeed Farzad-Mohajeri, Van Mansouri, Lobat Tayebi

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

In this study, a new hybrid nanoparticle composed of magnesium hydroxide and copper oxide (Mg(OH)2/CuO) with an optimized ratio of magnesium (Mg) to copper (Cu) was designed and incorporated into a 3D-printed scaffold made of polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin. These hybrid nanostructures (MCNs) were prepared using a green, solvent-free method. Their topography, surface morphology, and structural properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The fabricated 3D-printed PCL/Gelatin/MCN scaffolds were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Cell viability tests on murine calvarial preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) and human umbilical vein …

Book Review Of Philosophical Fragments As The Poetry Of Thinking: Romanticism And The Living Present By Luke Fischer, Michael Vater

Philosophy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Eigenbin Compression For Reducing Photon-Counting Ct Data Size, Taly Gilat Schmidt, Zhye Yin, Jingwu Yao, Jiahua Fan

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Photon-counting CT (PCCT) systems acquire multiple spectral measurements at high spatial resolution, providing numerous image quality benefits while also increasing the amount of data that must be transferred through the gantry slip ring.

Purpose

This study proposes a lossy method to compress photon-counting CT data using eigenvector analysis, with the goal of providing image quality sufficient for applications that require a rapid initial reconstruction, such as to confirm anatomical coverage, scan quality, and to support automated advanced applications. The eigenbin compression method was experimentally evaluated on a clinical silicon PCCT prototype system.

Methods

The proposed eigenbin method performs principal …

Rate Coefficients For Rotational State-To-State Transitions In H2O + H2 Collisions As Predicted By Mixed Quantum–Classical Theory, Carolin Joy, Dulat Bostan, Bikramaditya Mandal, Dmitri Babikov

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Aims. A new dataset of collisional rate coefficients for transitions between the rotational states of H₂O collided with H₂ background gas is developed. The goal is to expand over the other existing datasets in terms of the rotational states of water (200 states are included here) and the rotational states of hydrogen (10 states). All four symmetries of ortho- and para-water combined with ortho- and para-hydrogen are considered.

Methods. The mixed quantum–classical theory of inelastic scattering implemented in the code MQCT was employed. A detailed comparison with previous datasets was conducted to ensure that this …

Environmental Light Controls The Daily Organization Of Breathing By Activating Brn3b-Expressing Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells In Mice, Aaron A. Jones, Allison R. Spears, Deanna M. Arble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Rhythmic, daily fluctuations in minute ventilation are controlled by the endogenous circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). While light serves as a potent synchronizer for the SCN, it also influences physiology and behavior by activating Brn3b-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). It is currently unclear the extent to which the external light environment shapes daily ventilatory patterns independent of the SCN. To determine the relative influence of environmental light versus circadian timing on the organization of daily rhythms in minute ventilation, we used whole-body plethysmography to measure the breathing of mice housed on a non-entraining T28 cycle …

Oh, My Quad: A Clinical Commentary And Evidence-Based Framework For The Rehabilitation Of Quadriceps Size And Strength After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Braidy Solie, Mitchell Carlson, Christopher Doney, Michael Kiely, Robert Laprade

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Quadriceps weakness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a well-known phenomenon, with more persistent quadriceps weakness observed after ACLR with a bone-patellar tendon-bone or quadriceps tendon autograft than with a hamstring tendon autograft. Longstanding quadriceps weakness after ACLR has been associated with suboptimal postoperative outcomes and the progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis, making the recovery of quadriceps size and strength a key component of ACLR rehabilitation. However, few articles have been written for the specific purpose of optimizing quadriceps size and strength after ACLR. Therefore, the purpose of this review article is to integrate the existing quadriceps muscle basic …

Equitable Community-Based Participatory Research Engagement With Communities Of Color Drives All Of Us Wisconsin Genomic Research Priorities, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, Praveen Madiraju

Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

The NIH All of Us Research Program aims to advance personalized medicine by not only linking patient records, surveys, and genomic data but also engaging with participants, particularly from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research (UBR). This study details how the dialogue between scientists and community members, including many from communities of color, shaped local research priorities.

Materials and Methods

We recruited area quantitative, basic, and clinical scientists as well as community members from our Community and Participant Advisory Boards with a predetermined interest in All of Us research as members of a Special Interest Group (SIG). An expert …

Mesoporous Silica Administration As A New Strategy In The Management Of Warfarin Toxicity: An In-Vitro And In-Vivo Study, Fatemeh Farjadian, Fatemeh Parsi, Reza Heidari, Khatereh Zarkesh, Hamid Reza Mohammadi, Soliman Mohammadi-Samani, Lobat Tayebi

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose:

Warfarin is one of the most widely used anticoagulants that functions by inhibiting vitamin K epoxide reductase. Warfarin overdose, whether intentional or unintentional, can cause life-threatening bleeding. Here, we present a novel warfarin adsorbent based on mesoporous silica that could serve as an antidote to warfarin toxicity.

Methods:

Amino-functionalized mesoporous silica (MS-NH2) was synthesized based on the co-condensation method through a soft template technique followed by template removal. The prepared structure and functional group were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) checked the morphology. The …

Relative Muscular Effort In The Older Adults During The Sit-To-Stand Task: Monitoring Neuromuscular Reserve And Movement Limitations, Nayun Ahn, Michael H. Haischer, Cara L. Lewis, Kristof Kipp

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Due to lower maximum strength, older adults purportedly need to exert greater muscular effort to stand up from a chair. This study investigated joint-specific muscular effort during a sit-to-stand by calculating relative-muscular-effort and investigating differences between healthy older and young adults.

Methods

Fifteen older (age: 69.9 ± 3.5 years) and 15 young (age: 22.2 ± 2.6 years) adults performed five self-paced sit-to-stand trials. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected and used to calculate inverse dynamics net joint moment. Peak isometric knee and hip extensor torques were measured and used as inputs to regression models that predicted angle- and velocity-dependent …

The Novel Estrogen Receptor Beta Agonist Egx358 And Apoe Genotype Influence Memory, Vasomotor, And Anxiety Outcomes In An Alzheimer’S Mouse Model, M. R. Schwabe, A. W. Fleischer, R. K. Kuehn, S. Chaudhury, J. M. York, D. S. Sem, William A. Donaldson, M. J. Ladu, K. M. Frick

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prevalence and severity are associated with increased age, female sex, and apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) genotype. Although estrogen therapy (ET) effectively reduces symptoms of menopause including hot flashes and anxiety, and can reduce dementia risk, it is associated with increased risks of breast and uterine cancer due to estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-mediated increases in cancer cell proliferation. Because ERβ activation reduces this cell proliferation, selective targeting of ERβ may provide a safer method of improving memory and reducing hot flashes in menopausal women, including those with AD. APOE genotype influences the response to ET, although it is …

Toe Pad Morphology And Adhesion In The Miniaturized Gecko, Chatogekko Amazonicus (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae), Aaron H. Griffing, Juan D. Daza, Stuart V. Nielsen, Fernanda P. Werneck, Patrik F. Viana, Tony Gamble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Chatogekko amazonicus is a miniaturized gecko from northern South America and is among the smallest of toe pad bearing lizards. The toe pads of C. amazonicus are miniscule, between 18% and 27% of the plantar surface area. We aimed to investigate the relationship between adhesive toe pad morphology, body size, and adhesive capabilities. Using scanning electron microscopy, we determine that the adhesive pads of C. amazonicus exhibit branched setae similar to those of other geckos, but that are generally much smaller. When compared with other gecko taxa, we show that C. amazonicus setae occupy a similar range of seta length: …

Variation In Craniodental Pathologies Among Cercopithecoid Primates, Claire A. Kirchhoff, Siobhán B. Cooke, Jessica C. Gomez, D. Rex Mitchell, Tyler Stein, Claire E. Terhune

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Pathologies of the skull and teeth are well documented for many human populations, but there are fewer studies of other primates. We contrast lesion prevalence and patterning among cercopithecoid primates and map variation onto socioecological variables. We compare craniodental lesions in six species: Nasalis larvatus (n = 54), Colobus polykomos (n = 64), Cercopithecus mitis (n = 65), Macaca fascicularis (n = 109), Theropithecus gelada (n = 13), and Papio anubis (n = 76). One of us (C.A.K.) evaluated each adult skull for multiple lesion types using standard criteria. We also tested for a …

Seasonal Variation In Atp-Induced Retinal Damage In The Cone-Dominant 13-Lined Ground Squirrel, Owen R. Bowie, Hannah M. Follett, Ching Tzu Yu, Chloe Guillaume, Phyllis M. Summerfelt, Nicole Manfredonia, Jenna Grieshop, Dana K. Merriman, Sergey Tarima, Joseph Carroll

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: To examine whether time of year (relative to hibernation emergence) influences the retinal degenerative effects of intravitreal injection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the 13-lined ground squirrel (13-LGS).

Methods: Eighteen (9 male, 9 female) 13-LGS in three experimental cohorts (early season, mid-season, late season) (n = 6 each) underwent baseline imaging using scanning light ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Animals then received a 10-µL intravitreal injection of 0.723 M ATP, followed by OCT and SLO imaging at 3, 10, and 21 days. Adaptive optics SLO (AOSLO) was performed in animals without retinal damage after the 21-day …

Health Outcomes In Children With Prenatal Opioid Exposure With And Without Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome In The First Seven Years Of Life: An Observational Cohort Study, Joshua Lambert, Sara Arter, Henry Ofori Duah, Teenu Xavier, Jon E. Sprague

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction Prenatal opioid exposure (POE) is a major public health consequence of the opioid epidemic. Long-term health outcomes associated with POE remain unclear, especially for children with POE without a diagnosis of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Here, we aimed to describe the health outcomes of children with POE and with POE and NAS compared to unexposed children during the first 7 years of life. Design In this retrospective observational cohort study, children born between 2015 and 2022 were identified from the Maternal and Infant Data Hub (MIDH), a data repository that continuously integrates maternal, neonatal, and pediatric records from two …

Role Of Male Gonad-Enriched Micrornas In Sperm Production In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Lu Lu, Allison L. Abbott

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Germ cell development and gamete production in animals require small RNA pathways. While studies indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) are necessary for normal sperm production and function, the specific roles for individual miRNAs are largely unknown. Here, we use small RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of dissected gonads and functional analysis of new loss-of-function alleles to identify functions for miRNAs in the control of fecundity and sperm production in Caenorhabditis elegans males and hermaphrodites. We describe a set of 29 male gonad-enriched miRNAs and identify a set of individual miRNAs (mir-58.1 and mir-235) and a miRNA cluster (mir-4807-4810.1) that …

Essentials Of Genomics In Nursing Undergraduate Education: A Discussion Paper, Sarah L. Dewell, Kathleen A. Muglia, Letitia Y. Graves, Rachel Joseph, Kara L. Mangold, Laura Grayson Roselli, Anne L. Ersig, Trina K. Walker

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Aim

To map the 2021 American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials to the American Nurses Association Essentials of Genomic Nursing for all nurses and provide resources for nursing faculty to support the seamless integration of genomics into existing undergraduate curricula.

Background

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, rapid advancements in genomic science leading to practical applications of genomics have revolutionized all areas of healthcare. Nursing is built on foundational life sciences, including genomics. As the largest segment of the healthcare workforce, who spend the most time with patients and families, nurses play a critical role …

Cold Stress Mechanisms In Asian Rice Subspecies And Overexpression Of Osubc7 For Enhancing Rice Cold Tolerance, Huy Minh Phan

Dissertations (1934 -)

By 2050, the projected 9.7 billion global population will increase food demand, especially for staple crops. Climate change, with extreme temperature fluctuations, heavily impacts cold-sensitive Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in tropical and subtropical areas. Therefore, understanding the response mechanisms of two Asian rice subspecies, japonica and indica, which have distinctive tolerance to cold stress, becomes important for improving crop cold tolerance. Hence, this study tested our hypotheses to address how japonica can tolerate cold exposure better than indica: (1) japonica selectively adjusts antioxidant activities to counter reactive oxygen species (ROS), while indica rapidly increases antioxidant activities early; (2) …

A Collective Case Study Of Special Educators’ Experiences Implementing Interventions In A New Reading Specialist Role, Tom Knutson

Dissertations (1934 -)

Millions of children in the United States struggle with reading acquisition, many of whom are identified with developmental dyslexia (DD). Although experimental research indicates that evidence-based reading interventions can bring many of these children to average-range reading skills, such promising outcomes are not commonly achieved within K-12 public schools. Consequently, many students with DD face persistent academic challenges, often resulting in long-term negative outcomes such as poor mental health and low socioeconomic status. This study investigated the perceptions which three special education teachers (SETs) held of a newly established special education reading specialist (SERS) role that aimed to support the …

Exploring The Influence Of Molecular Chaperones On The Aggregation Of Transthyretin, Adam S. Knier

Dissertations (1934 -)

Molecular chaperones assist in maintaining protein homeostasis by limiting protein aggregation, including populations of protein aggregates that may be associated with the onset of debilitating and/or often fatal diseases. Chaperones are known to limit protein aggregate populations through disaggregase activity, in which chaperone complexes work together to disassemble multi-subunit aggregate species into smaller populations, or holdase activity, in which chaperones bind to proteins or smaller aggregates to prevent further aggregation. In this dissertation we assess if molecular chaperones can limit the aggregation of human transthyretin (TTR) expressed within a yeast system and explore the relationship between chaperone concentration and activity. …

Stability Of The S-N Bond In S-Nitrosothiols: Computational And Experimental Approach, Rustam Sabitov

Dissertations (1934 -)

S-Nitrosothiols (RSNOs) are chemical compounds capable to transport nitric oxide (NO) and show promise in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. RSNOs occur naturally in-vivo, and others have been synthesized in-vitro as potential drug candidates for NO transport and release. However, RSNOs are inherently unstable due to their weak S–N bond (D0(S-N)=25–30 kcal/mol), so developing a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the RSNOs stability is crucial. In Chapter 2, we investigated the substituent effect on the -SNO group properties. Substituting R– in RSNOs with more electro-donating character can stabilize the –SNO group according to the Natural Resonance Theory (NRT). But …

Characterization Of Cortical Bone In Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Katarina Radmanovic

Dissertations (1934 -)

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable bone fragility disorder characterized by skeletal deformities and frequent fractures. Impairment of the collagen network in bone reduces bone quality and quantity, increasing the risk of fracture. The corrective osteotomy required to insert a rod into a long bone during corrective orthopaedic surgeries in OI excises at least one small bone wedge. Research on these specimens is beginning to offer valuable insight into the material behavior and modeling potential for improved orthopaedic treatment. There is a paucity of data on macroscopic properties and microstructural metrics as well as limited correlation analyses performed between them …

Characterizing Substituted Imidazolidinetriones As A Novel Class Of Pyruvate Carboxylase Inhibitors, Nicholas O. Schneider

Dissertations (1934 -)

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is implicated in a variety of diseases, including type-2 diabetes, cancer, and bacterial/viral infections. However, there are currently no molecular tools capable of precisely manipulating PC activity both in vitro and in vivo. This dissertation describes the identification and characterization of 1,3-disubstituted imidazolidinetriones as a novel class of potent, selective, and permeable allosteric inhibitors of Staphylococcus aureus PC. Based on kinetic, structural, and biophysical data, this class of inhibitors is hypothesized to bind at the noncatalytic “exo binding” site on PC. This exo binding site is reportedly important for catalysis, but it had not previously been considered …

A Sophisticated Model Of Human Atherosclerosis On A Chip, Brandon J. Tefft

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Realtime And Noninvasive Assessment Of Endotracheal Tube Displacement Using Near-Infrared And Visible Cameras, Tongtong Lu, Pawjai Khampang, Ahmed Beydoun, Rebecca Rodhe, Wenzhou Hong, Joseph E. Kerschner, Bing Yu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Endotracheal tube (ETT) intubation is a medical procedure routinely used for achieving mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients. Appropriate ETT placement is crucial as undetected tube migration may cause multiple complications or even fatalities. Therefore, prompt detection of unplanned movement of the ETT and immediate action to restore proper placement are essential to ensure patient safety. Despite this necessity, there is not a widely adopted tool for real-time assessment of ETT displacement. We have developed a device, a dual-camera endotracheal tube or DC-ETT, to address this unmet clinical need. This device uses a near-infrared (NIR) LED and a side-firing optical …

Burn Cost Modeling For Surface Grinding Optimization, Taiwo Fasae

Dissertations (1934 -)

Surface grinding plays a pivotal role in the machining industry, constituting roughly 25% of all machining operations worldwide. Its precision and efficiency are crucial, particularly in sectors requiring high-quality surface finishes, such as aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing. For thermal damage prevention, traditional approaches to parameter selection use thresholds to exclude burn-prone parameters. However, by omitting the cost of burn, the threshold-exclusion strategy yields outcomes that fail to reflect the true costs of grinding. This dissertation introduces a novel burn cost model that transcends these limitations, offering a more nuanced and cost-effective approach to managing grinding burn. The burn cost model …

Determining The Differentially Expressed Genes By Bayesian Decision Rule, Tao Cui

Dissertations (1934 -)

dentification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying various biological conditions and diseases. Traditionally, this process utilizes statistical methods which manage high-dimensional data and adjust for multiple testing to ensure statistical and biological relevance. These methods assume the independence of genes, which is not usually the case, many of genes are correlated when there is a stimilation. In this dissertation, we will work on the methods that consider the correlation in finding the DEGS to improve the power of tests. We have developed a novel approach to multiple hypothesis testing using Bayesian decision rules …

The Tragedy Of Our Trajectory, Marisola Xhelili Ciaccio

Dissertations (1934 -)

In this project, I argue that the trajectory of Western European civilization has resulted in increasingly tragic predicaments that are not to be taken as given features of being human. Though both Ancient Western and Eastern wisdom traditions concur that suffering is a part of life, the point of living is not to suffer but to learn to overcome it and flourish. But because the purported successes of Western “progress” necessarily depend on structural oppression, and oppression produces superfluous sufferings that interfere with our capacities to actualize our freedom and flourish, they ultimately make us all worse-off. Reflecting on such …

Morphology And Molecular Systematics Support A New Species Of Pseudogonatodes (Squamata: Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae) From Venezuela With A Remarkable Telescoped Skull, Walter E. Schargel, Christian Hernández-Morales, Juan D. Daza, Micheal J. Jowers, Andres Camilo Montes-Correa, Mayke De Freitas, Kathryn A. Sullivan, Tony Gamble, Aaron M. Bauer, Gilson A. Rivas

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

We describe a new species of miniaturized gecko (genus Pseudogonatodes) from the Peninsula de Paria in northeastern Venezuela. Externally, the new species resembles Pseudogonatodes furvus and Pseudogonatodes manessi, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia and the Central Coastal Range in Venezuela, respectively; however, it differs from these species in terms of molecular genetic data (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and c-mos), osteological characters, and scale counts. The new species is unique in skull osteology, and we adopt the term ‘telescoped’ from the literature to describe the overlap of bones in the snout, in particular the …