Digital Commons Network^™

Antioxidant Therapy Reverses Hepatotoxicity Induced By Microcystin-Lr In A Cellular Model Of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (Masld), Apurva Lad, Jason Kindle, Prajwal Hegde, Gabriel G. Kleer, Andrew L. Kleinhenz, Johnna A. Birbeck, Judy Westrick, Nicholas J. Peraino, Terry D. Hinds, Neeraja Purandare, Andrew M. Fribley, Steven T. Haller, David J. Kennedy

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a potent hepatotoxin that has been shown to cause liver damage even at doses lower than the established Low Observable Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) of 200 μg/kg in animal models. We have previously observed that low-dose exposure to MC-LR in animals with diet-induced Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and subsequent treatment with antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase-Src kinase inhibitor pNaKtide significantly alleviated hepatic infiltration of immune cells, downregulated markers of inflammation and hepatotoxicity, increased the breakdown of the toxin molecule, and restored phase I and II drug metabolism pathways, including …

Chemical Structure Representation Standardization Is Needed To Generalize Metabolite-Pathway Involvement Prediction Across Kegg, Reactome, And Metacyc Knowledgebases, Erik D. Huckvale, Hunter N.B. Moseley

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Due to the utility of knowing the pathway involvement of metabolites detected in biological experiments, knowledgebases such as the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Reactome, and MetaCyc have annotated compound entries to specific pathways defined by the knowledgebase. However, these compound-pathway annotations are largely incomplete and are costly to obtain experimentally or curate from published scientific literature. This metabolite-pathway annotation incompleteness problem is amenable to machine learning (ML)-based solutions. But to date, no machine learning model has been trained on all three knowledgebases to maximize its performance and robustness. This may be due to inconsistencies in chemical …

GαQ Is A Heterotrimeric G-Protein Subunit That Directs The Selectivity Of Pparγ-Induced Gene Pathways Toward Energy-Related Processes Rather Than Adiposity, Evelyn A. Bates, Zachary A. Kipp, Wang Hsin Lee, Genesee J. Martinez, Sally N. Pauss, Philipp E. Scherer, Terry D. Hinds

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Signaling mediators of PPARγ influence pathways involved in adipogenesis, lipid storage, inflammation, energy-related processes, and glucose utilization. Recent research indicates that PPARγ coregulators, recruited or released during ligand binding, govern specific gene pathways. It was recently discovered that Gα_q, a heterotrimeric G protein subunit, also signals to PPARγ and may significantly affect adipogenesis and glucose sensitivity. Methods: To explore Gα_q’s role in adipocytes, we generated CRISPR-mediated Gα_q (Gnaq) knockout (Gnaq KO) and scramble control cells from 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Results: The absence of Gα_q resulted in increased lipid accumulation and elevated serine 273 (but …

In Situ Molecular Organization And Heterogeneity Of The Legionella Dot/Icm T4ss, Przemysław Dutka, Yuxi Liu, Stefano Maggi, Debnath Ghosal, Jue Wang, Prashant P. Damke, Stephen D. Carter, Wei Zhao, Sukhithasri Vijayrajratnam, Joseph P. Vogel, Carrie L. Shaffer, Grant J. Jensen

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS) is essential for Legionella pneumophila infection, but its in situ architecture and mechanism remain incompletely understood. Using cryo-electron tomography, we performed subtomogram averaging and 3D classification to resolve structural heterogeneity within the complex. We identified multiple assembly states of the inner membrane complex, including a fully assembled form with a hexamer-of-dimers DotO ATPase and symmetry mismatches between subcomplexes. A composite in situ model revealed a central channel above the inner membrane, likely used for substrate secretion. Imaging of infected macrophages showed T4SSs tethered to host vacuoles and extracellular vesicle release, suggesting additional effector …

Understanding The Role Of Age And U.S. Acculturation Factors On The Relationship Between Allostatic Load And Cancer Mortality Risk In Hispanic Americans, Jessica Amezcua, Valeria Miranda, Melissa Lopez-Pentecost, Jessica Y. Islam, Marlo M. Vernon, Kathleen O’Connor, Justin Xavier Moore

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Purpose: Despite growing recognition of stress-related health inequities, the role of nativity and acculturation in shaping the relationship between chronic stress and cancer outcomes among Hispanic populations remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether nativity factors (United States (US) citizenship status and length of time residing in the US modify the association between allostatic load (AL), a measure of chronic physiologic stress, and cancer mortality among Hispanic adults. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 – 2010, linked to National Death Index with …

Implementation And Assessment Of A Postreprocessing Endoscope Surveillance Program At The University Of Kentucky, 2019-2024, Court Desmond, Faith Fursman, Derek Forster, Julie A. Ribes, Sandra L. Mills, Kimberly Blanton, Kevin Hatton, Rachel Howard, David Olafsson, Sean Mctigue, Nicholas Van Sickels, Sherese Hinton, Deborah R. Flomenhoft, Takaaki Kobayashi

Surgery Faculty Publications

We evaluated an endoscope surveillance culture program at a tertiary academic center from 2019-2024. Postreprocessing culture positivity was highest for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (25.9%). Carbapenem-resistant organism matches between endoscope and patient isolates occurred in 5% of positive cultures.

Resource Allocation For Animal-Grassland Systems, G W. Thomas

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The production of animal products from grasslands is dependent upon an adequate resource base-particularly the availabil­ity ofland, water, and energy. In addition, range and pasture production systems must be designed to adjust to climatic varia­tions and to minimize adverse environmental impacts. Several new developments will have a significant impact on the future allocation of resources for animal agriculture: (1) in­creased competition for land and water, which is leading to transfers from agricultural to nonagricultural uses; (2) increasing costs and decreasing availability of "cultural energy" (particularly fossil fuels); (3) more pressure to divert grains and feed con­centrates from animals to direct …

White Clover: An Olde Crop With A Promising Future, P B. Gibson, W E. Knight, G W. Barnett, W A. Cope, J D. Miller

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a widely adapted, important forage legume for grazing in the U.S. The palatability and quality of the forage, the wide adaptation of the plants to growth in different climates and under various grazing conditions and the role it plays in supplying nitrogen to pastures make white clover our finest pasture legume. The use of adapted white clover cultivars should result in large economic gains to the livestock industry in the U.S .A. Beef and dairy farmers would profit from reduced need for nitrogen fertilizer, an extended grazing season, increased forage pro­duction and quality, better …

A Mixed Methods Examination Of Organizational Approaches To Fentanyl Test Strip Distribution And Training Across Multiple States, Kitty H. Gelberg, Megan E. Hall, Janet E. Childerhose, Mary R. Russo, Fernando Montero, Kaleigh Niles, Jill Oliveri, Haley Ramsey Harden, Rachel A. Vickers-Smith, Arnie Aldridge, Sarah G. Stenger, Katherine R. Marks, Louisa Gilbert, Sharon L. Walsh, Nabila El-Bassel, Carter Roeber, Redonna Chandler

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Fentanyl test strips (FTS) have become a critical harm reduction tool, allowing people who use drugs (PWUD) to detect fentanyl in their drug supply and make informed decisions about their drug use. While FTS distribution is increasingly common, there is limited understanding of distribution strategies used by community organizations, and the education and training provided around FTS use. Given the proliferation of fentanyl in the drug supply, and the diverse motivations of PWUD, research is needed to better understand FTS distribution and training practices. This study examines FTS distribution strategies, training approaches, and the facilitators and barriers faced by …

Assessing Legacy Collections: Analyzing The Preservation, Recovery, And Interpretive Value Of Archaeobotanical Remains From Site 15le70 (Pine Crest Rockshelter), Lee County, Kentucky, Jennifer Carroll

Graduate Final Projects

This paper uses the archaeobotanical assemblage from Site 15Le70, a multi-excavated and extensively looted rockshelter in eastern Kentucky, while opening new lines of inquiry into gendered labor and practice during the Archaic-Woodland transition. Because legacy collections are often dispersed across institutions and/or research projects, the materials from any single site may be fragmented, as was the case for 15Le70. Such collections can be overlooked, yet this investigation into 15Le70’s archaeobotanical assemblage demonstrates that partial or scattered datasets can yield meaningful results and hold the potential to fill gaps in the archaeological record left by looting.

In this study, a small …

Microvascular Endothelial Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I Protects Against Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction By Inhibiting T-Cell Cardiotropism, Yufei Wu, Xiaomei Yang, Yu Bai, Chenze Li, Peng Wang, Qing Xu, Hui Li, Xiaoli Rao, Yangkai Xu, Jie Chen, Huanhuan Cao, Qi Zhang, Mingming Zhao, Rui Zhan, Xue Fan, Yuedong Hou, Jie Liu, Hong S. Lu, Tianyun Wang, Wei Dong Gao, Linzhang Huang, Han Xiao, Lingyun Zu, Alan Daugherty, Mingguo Xu, Lemin Zheng

Physiology Faculty Publications

Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) dysfunction is a well-recognized mediator of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we find that scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-B1) is predominantly expressed in CMECs and decreased significantly in HFpEF. Endothelial-specific SR-B1 deficiency exacerbates cardiac pathological remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in HFpEF, which can be prevented by endothelial SR-B1 reconstitution through adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1)-mediated delivery in endothelial-specific SR-B1-deficient mice. Single-cardiac-endothelial-cell transcriptomics and lineage-tracing system reveal that inflammatory CMECs subcluster activation is responsible for the deteriorating HFpEF progression induced by endothelial SR-B1 loss, rather …

Postapproval Study For Brain-Responsive Neurostimulation For Drug-Resistant Focal Epilepsy, Dawn Eliashiv, Vikram R. Rao, Barbara C. Jobst, Jerzy P. Szaflarski, John D. Rolston, Lesley C. Kaye, Taneeta Mindy Ganguly, Katie Bullinger, Patricia C. Dugan, David E. Burdette, Angela Y. Peters, Atif Sheikh, Kevin F. Haas, Dileep R. Nair, Lilit Mnatsakanyan, Imran H. Quraishi, Meriem K. Bensalem-Owen, Michael J. Doherty, Babak Razavi, Tiffany L. Fisher, Christopher Skidmore, Pradeep N. Modur, Tawnya M. Constantino, Vicenta Salanova, Andrew J. Cole, Olga Taraschenko, Angelica Rivera-Cruz, James W. Wheless, Nitin Tandon, Antoaneta Balabanov, Sami Aboumatar

Neurology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neuromodulation therapies are approved for the treatment of focal epilepsy based on data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). After approval of a responsive direct brain stimulation device (The RNS System for focal epilepsy), the Food and Drug Administration required a prospective study to evaluate whether real-world safety and effectiveness differed from outcomes in the RCT. METHODS: This open-labeled study enrolled adult participants who met the RNS System-approved indication for use. The primary effectiveness end point was median percent change in seizure frequency at 3 years of treatment. Interim safety is presented; the primary safety endpoint analysis will …

Elevated Plasma Cholesterol Improves Sepsis Outcome By Promoting Hepatic Metabolic Reprogramming, Qian Wang, Jianyao Xue, Ling Guo, Dan Hao, Misa Ito, Rianna Reese, Bin Huang, Congqing Wu, Xiang An Li

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background – Sepsis is a life-threatening condition with high mortality and limited therapeutic options. This study investigated the association between plasma cholesterol levels and sepsis survival and explored the mechanisms by which elevated cholesterol confers protection. Methods – We analyzed 2, 787 sepsis patients from the MIMIC-IV database, comparing cholesterol levels between 28-day survivors and non-survivors and assessing mortality risk using multivariable Cox regression. To test causality, C57BL/6J mice were fed either a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) or a regular diet (RD) before cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Results – Survivors had significantly higher cholesterol than non-survivors (median 135 vs. 126 …

Postoperative Stress Accelerates Atherosclerosis Through Inflammatory Remodeling Of The Hdl Proteome And Impaired Reverse Cholesterol Transport, Dominique M. Boucher, Victoria Lorant, Valerie Rochon, Abigail Carter, Cameron Stotts, My Anh Nguyen, Thomas Laval, Christina Emerton, Nathan Joyce, Nysa Vinayak, Marlena Scaffidi, David Cook, Katey J. Rayner, Rebecca C. Auer, Scott M. Gordon, Mireille I. Ouimet

Physiology Faculty Publications

Over 10 million patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery each year face major cardiovascular complications within 30 days, many due to destabilized atherosclerotic plaques. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), driven by HDL and Apoa1, protects against plaque progression, but the effects of surgical inflammation on this pathway remain unclear. Using an abdominal laparotomy model in ApoE^−/− mice on a Western diet, we isolated the impact of surgical inflammation without confounding blood loss. Surgery acutely impaired RCT and cholesterol efflux, with inflammatory remodeling of HDL marked by elevated SAA1/2 and reduced Apoa1. Plaques exhibited higher intracellular lipids, PLIN2 expression, and cleaved caspase-3, indicating …

Maternal Opioid Use And Hepatitis C Infection Disrupt The Placental Immune Landscape And Structure, Heather E. True, Brianna M. Doratt, Sheridan B. Wagner, Delphine C. Malherbe, Nathan R. Shelman, Mahdi Eskandarian Boroujeni, Cynthia Cockerham, John M. O'Brien, Ilhem Messaoudi

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Maternal opioid use disorder (OUD) poses substantial risks to maternal and fetal health. These adverse outcomes are believed to be mediated, in part, by changes in placental structure and function; however, few studies have addressed this question. Here, we utilized flow cytometry, histology, and spatial and single-cell transcriptomics to uncover the impact of OUD on placental tissues. Given that half of individuals with chronic OUD contract hepatitis C (HCV), we further stratified our findings by maternal HCV status. Our results indicate that OUD leads to higher incidence of vascular malperfusion accompanied by increased levels of inflammatory markers and dysregulated secretion …

Integrating Advanced Geochemical Workflows With Modern Statistical Tools To Improve The Decision-Making Process At Ccr Sites, A Case Study, Glenna Thomas

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

While statistical assessment provides the foundation for CCR compliance reporting, incorporating a holistic geochemical framework transforms statistics from a compliance requirement into a powerful predictive tool. Strategic geochemical insight established the basis of understanding needed to support successful statistical approaches and to ensure that statistical outcomes reflect actual groundwater behavior. Whether it is trend analysis, delineating source mechanism, or updating geochemical conceptual site models (GCMs), geochemical context provides the technical foundations for statistical outputs and methods. A continuously refined GCSM enhances the ability to anticipate how groundwater chemistry should evolve, improving interpretation and predictive capability. This allows practitioners to understand …

Before The Limit Hits: Lessons From A Proactive Construction Air Monitoring Program, Brian Egan, Nicholas Golden, Wendy Depp

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

This presentation describes a comprehensive air monitoring program designed to protect workers and nearby neighborhoods during ash pond closure work. The program uses three main components: project (or boundary) monitoring at the site perimeter to track dust near the project boundaries, work area monitoring placed near active construction zones, and personal sampling on individual workers at regular intervals. Together, these approaches provide data on both community impacts and worker exposures, helping the team respond quickly when levels approach action limits. The Teams actions prior to exceedance of regulatory limits has helped prevent exposures. The talk will explain how monitors are …

Lessons Learned: Commissioning An Fgd Wastewater Treatment System, Bella Triolet, Mckale Grant, Louis Manigault

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Stantec recently supported commissioning a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) Wastewater Treatment System in accordance with the 2020 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) Rule, which requires that coal fired power plants meet their more stringent requirements by December 31, 2025. With the addition of the 2024 EPA ELG Rule, coal fired power plants will now be expected to move to zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems or permanently cease coal combustion by 2034. Due to this change, it is likely that coal fired power plants will be looking to design and install ZLD systems within the next decade. While …

Constructed Care: Stitching Patient Journeys Through Quilting And Healthcare Design, Ashley D. Moberly

Graduate Final Projects

This thesis investigates how healthcare environments can better support patient experience through improved wayfinding, spatial clarity, and human-centered design strategies. Contemporary healthcare systems are often complex and difficult to navigate, placing additional cognitive and emotional burdens on patients, particularly those traveling from rural and underserved regions. Drawing from both professional experience in healthcare facilities planning and a comprehensive review of literature on spatial perception, wayfinding, and patient-centered care, this research identifies key challenges in how patients' access, interpret, and move through healthcare environments.

In response, the study introduces the Quilt Logic System, a conceptual framework that translates principles derived from …

A Novel Geospatial Tool For Assessing Risks And Opportunities For Conversion Of Ccr Closures Into Productive Solar Energy Generation Sites, Marc Theisen

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Closure of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) surface impoundments and landfills offers unique opportunities for conversion to solar power sites with the potential to offset costs of post-closure care via generation of clean electricity. In 2023 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborated with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to create a report entitled “Coal Ash Disposal Sites and Opportunities for Solar Photovoltaic Development” (EPA Publication #540-S-23-004). The purpose of this document was to identify closed CCR units and provide key factors for their potential for solar photovoltaic (PV) development. In 2022, the EPA’s RE-Powering Initiative identified 772 current CCR …

Establishing Sustainable Vegetation On A Challenging Legacy Ccr Site, Derek Oosterhouse, Blake Arthur

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

American Electric Power (AEP) is closing and restoring a legacy Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) site in Ohio that once held a power plant that pioneered innovative steam generation technology. The plant was closed in 1975. Today, the legacy CCR site is being transformed back to natural, sustainable vegetation. To comply with and close the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) permit, permanent stabilization is required on the site. AEP, one of the largest electric companies in the country, holds a core principle to respect the environment through creative sustainable solutions. AEP connected with Profile Products, the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier …

Future Strategies For Beneficial Use Harvesting, Gabe Lang, Patrick Kiser

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

TVA is the largest public power company in the U.S. and has historically operated a fleet of 12 coal-fired plants as part of their diverse generating portfolio. To date, eight of the coal plants have been retired and the remaining four plants are projected to shut down in the next couple of decades. The decommissioning of these plants is driving a transition to harvesting of ponded and landfilled CCR’s to continue to support ready-mix concrete and other industries that enable infrastructure development. However, the regional market demand limits the ability to initiate widespread harvesting activities during near-term CCR Unit closure …

Methods To Enhance Groundwater Remediation During Cbr And Mass Transfer Controls On Post-Closure Groundwater Cleanup At Ccr Impoundments, Sean Larkin, Jacob Chu, John Blue

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Utilities are implementing closure‑by‑removal (CBR) of coal combustion residual (CCR) impoundments as part of corrective action programs to meet groundwater protection standards (GWPSs) and are evaluating closure strategies for Legacy Units. Although CBR and associated decanting and dewatering systems can substantially reduce source mass and improve groundwater quality, lingering “tail” concentrations in the aquifer are often observed after closure because groundwater remediation typically requires extended timeframes. These persistent concentrations may be compounded by secondary source zones beneath the former impoundment, where constituent mass stored in low‑permeability materials or immobile pore spaces is slowly released into the transmissive aquifer after CBR. …

Engineered Turf And Solar Renewable Performance On Ccr In Extreme Weather, Tate Niekamp, Bryan Scholl, Ming Zhu, Thomas Orzech

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

The engineered turf final closure system, ClosureTurf®, is installed on a 309-acre coal combustion residual (CCR) unit at the TVA Shawnee Fossil Plant in West Paducah, KY. Approximately 100 megawatts of the PowerCap® solar photovoltaic (PV) system is currently being deployed directly atop the engineered turf cover. An overview of the ClosureTurf® and PowerCap® systems are presented along with a comparison to traditional soil covers and conventional utility-scale solar arrays. From August 2023 through July 2025, onsite and local weather data stations reported over 20 storm events including severe thunderstorms, tornado outbreaks, winter storm systems, atmospheric rivers, and post-tropical cyclones. …

A Cost-Effective, Low-Impact Remedial Approach For Metals: Utilizing Phyto-Enhancement To Accelerate Ph Adjustment Of Shallow Groundwater, Jerry Wylie, Thomas Colton

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

SynTerra will present a unique, low-cost, low-impact approach to metals remediation in shallow groundwater at a former industrial site located in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The approach employs pH adjustment of groundwater using agricultural lime coupled with the use of daikon radish to augment lime contact time and to increase depth of soil augmentation. This method is designed to be a more sustainable, less resource-intensive, and less technically challenging remedial alternative with lower estimated overall costs. The primary corrective action—source removal—has been completed. However, the oxidation of residual sulfide-bearing minerals has resulted in persistent low-pH groundwater, which increases the solubility …

Improving Economic And Environmental Outcomes Of Legacy Coal Ash Ponds, Grace Wilken

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

This project demonstrates a novel approach to utilize legacy coal ash waste ponds by processing the solids for use in cement/concrete and bioremediating the water fraction through algae cultivation. The algal biomass can then be used for animal feed, biofuels, or other valuable bio-products. There is an increasing demand for more environmentally friendly and cost-effective materials for concrete production, such as coal fly ash, yet a decreasing supply of ash as coal power plants are decommissioned in the transition to other energy sources. However, there are billions of tons of coal ash accumulated in legacy ash ponds across the US. …

Corrective Action Alternative Evaluation For Surface Impoundment Remedy – Two Case Study Examples, Qian Zhang, Andrew Bittner

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Illinois Administrative Code Part 845 requires owners and operators of coal combustion residual (CCR)-containing impoundments with groundwater protection standard (GWPS) exceedances to perform a Corrective Action Alternatives Analysis (CAAA) to evaluate viable remedies prior to selecting and implementing corrective action. The goal of a CAAA is to holistically evaluate a range of factors for the various corrective actions being considered at an impoundment. This presentation summarizes two CAAAs conducted for surface impoundments (SIs) at two power plants. Each CAAA applied a consistent decision framework that evaluates corrective action options using multiple performance criteria, such as: • Magnitude of Reduction of …

Fifteen Years, 450 Acres: Inside The Tva Gallatin Ash Pond Closure, Brian Egan, Shane Harris

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

This presentation is focused on the TVA Gallatin Ash Pond Complex Closure. The project team embarked on a major coal ash pond remediation effort in 2023, targeting a 450-acre site with operations expected to continue over a 15-year period. The long-term and massive scope of this dig and haul project required the design and construction of extensive supporting infrastructure, including haul roads suitable for large earthmoving equipment, major pipelines for process water rerouting, and a robust water treatment facility. Key components of the work include maintaining slope stability, conducting comprehensive air quality monitoring, and ensuring high standards for coal ash …

Evaluation Of Bottom Ash For Beneficial Use, Danielle Sylvia Cofelice, Thomas Haskins

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

Historically, bottom ash has been beneficially used as a drainage layer within the final cover system for a coal combustion residual (CCR) landfill, positioned above the linear low-density polyethylene liner and below the protective soil cover and topsoil layers. This sustainable approach not only diverts bottom ash from waste management streams but also conserves natural resources by replacing the need for virgin materials, resulting in significant cost savings for ratepayers. To support the continued use of bottom ash in this application, an environmental assessment was completed. The assessment included sampling of bottom ash, an alternative drainage layer composed of virgin …

Mass Spectrometry-Based Spatial Imaging Of The Cochlea, Roberto A. Ribas, Qun Tang, Scarlett I. Caffee, Cameron J. Shedlock, Tara R. Hawkinson, Abigail K. Dragich, Borhane E.C. Ziani, Franca Bucco Paolasso, Alyson P. Black, Xin Ma, Harshitha C. Kota, Li Chen, Gregory I. Frolenkov, Derek B. Allison, Matthew S. Gentry, Ramon C. Sun, Craig W. Vander Kooi

Physiology Faculty Publications

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI-MSI) is transforming spatial molecular studies. However, applying MALDI-MSI to small, anatomically complex tissues remains challenging. One such structure is the cochlea, the auditory part of the inner ear that is critical for hearing. To address these challenges, we developed and implemented a streamlined workflow for sample preparation and processing to obtain MALDI-MSI data on mouse cochlea. Sample acquisition was optimized to minimize time and processing steps, allowing use of flash-frozen neonatal mouse heads. This workflow enabled high spatial resolution metabolomic and lipidomic imaging of the sagittally cryosectioned mouse cochlea using N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine dihydrochloride …