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Managing Woody Weeds In Grazing Ecosystems: Application For Tropical Woodlands Of North-Eastern Australia, Joel R. Brown, John G. Mcivor, Andrew J. Ash Jan 2025

Managing Woody Weeds In Grazing Ecosystems: Application For Tropical Woodlands Of North-Eastern Australia, Joel R. Brown, John G. Mcivor, Andrew J. Ash

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Shrub invasion of tropical woodlands is reducing the viability of native ecosystems as well as the livestock industry, After shrub invasion, forage supply is reduced and over-grazing and soil erosion are exacerbated. We propose a non-equilibrium model of the system and use that model to develop hypotheses and design experiments to test both competition- and disturbance-based management regimes. This model proposes that disturbance in the form of burning is the primary limiting factor in excluding and limiting shrub seedling establishment and suggests that management decisions focus on maintaining adequate herbaceous biomass for a burning regime that limits woody plant success.


Fire And Grazing Interact To Manipulate Pasture Composition In Heteropogon Contortus (Black Speargrass) Pastures, D M. Orr, C J. Paton Jan 2025

Fire And Grazing Interact To Manipulate Pasture Composition In Heteropogon Contortus (Black Speargrass) Pastures, D M. Orr, C J. Paton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Aristida spp, (wiregrasses) are invading areas of Heteropogon contortus (black speargrass) pastures in southern Queensland. Interim results from 2 field experiments indicate that increasing the frequency' of annual spring burning over 3 years, with and without grazing, results in a progressive reduction in the yield of Aristida spp. H. contortus yields also increased with increasing frequency of burning under non-grazing but not when grazed, H. contortus yields have increased after burning when grazing has been deferred or where the stocking rate has been halved after the fire. The results suggest that botanical composition in these pastures can be manipulated readily …


Impact Of Grazing Pressure On The Plant Population Dynamics Of Heterpogon Contortus (Black Speargrass) In Subtropical Queensland, D M. Orr, C J. Paton Jan 2025

Impact Of Grazing Pressure On The Plant Population Dynamics Of Heterpogon Contortus (Black Speargrass) In Subtropical Queensland, D M. Orr, C J. Paton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Heteropogon contortus is a palatable pasture grass which is being threatened by , increases in grazing pressure, particularly during drought. This paper presents interim results plant population dynamics of H. contortus., as affected by stoc.1s tak. legume augmentation (mainly Stylosanthes sabra cv. Seca) and p1 Jvision of a dry-season supplement for cattle. The study began in 1%8. By 1991, basal ara of H. co11tortus was highest at the light .. Jt stocking rate of 0.187 steers/ha and declined linearly to be longest at the heaviest stocking rate of 0,5 steers/ha. Similarly, survival of the H. contortus tussocks initially present …


Seca Stylo (Stylosanthes Scabra Cv. Seca) Populations Increase Faster Under Light Grazing, D M. Orr, C J. Paton Jan 2025

Seca Stylo (Stylosanthes Scabra Cv. Seca) Populations Increase Faster Under Light Grazing, D M. Orr, C J. Paton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Augmentation of native pastures with legumes such as Stylosanthes scabra can increase cattle live-weight gain relative to that from native pasture. In the longer term, however, Stylosanthes spp, density can increase and populations of native grasses may become unstable. This paper reports interim results from a study aimed al monitoring changes in the density of S. scabra cv. Seca in relation to stocking rates, The density of Seca monitored in permanent quadrats increased from 15 plants/m2 in 1988 to 100 and 25 plants/m2 in 1992 at 0.25 and 0.5 beasts/ha respectively. These increases resulted from both the survival of the …


Clover-Based Pasture Systems For Intensive Sheep Production In The Central Highlands Of Papua New Guinea, S Sivasupiramaniam, A K. Benjamin, J Pitala Jan 2025

Clover-Based Pasture Systems For Intensive Sheep Production In The Central Highlands Of Papua New Guinea, S Sivasupiramaniam, A K. Benjamin, J Pitala

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This paper describes some of the studies that have been conducted since 1985 to develop clover-based pasture systems for intensive sheep production in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea. The clovers tested were Trifolium repens cv. Haifn (Haifa white clover) and Trifolium semipilosum cv. Safari (Kenya white clover). They were sown together, with setaria (Setaria sphacelata cv. Nandi) and signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) at Menifo (1400 m asl) and with setacia and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum cv. Whittet) at Tambul (2240 m) and Yogos (1950 m) in the central highlands. At Menifo, when rotationally grazed …


An Integrated Approach To Soil-Plat-Animal Interactions On Grazed Legume-Based Pastures On Tropical Acid Soils, M J. Fisher, C E. Lascano, R J. Thomas, M A. Ayarza, I M. Rao, G Rippstein, J.H M. Thornley Jan 2025

An Integrated Approach To Soil-Plat-Animal Interactions On Grazed Legume-Based Pastures On Tropical Acid Soils, M J. Fisher, C E. Lascano, R J. Thomas, M A. Ayarza, I M. Rao, G Rippstein, J.H M. Thornley

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Legume-based pastures developed by the Tropical Pastures Program (TPP) of CIAT give spectacular increases in both stocking rates and animal live-weight gains on the savannas of Latin America, A team within the TPP is addressing the problems of their management for legume persistence and soil-plant-animal interactions, using as Its focus a grazing experiment on 2 oxisols of contrasting texture on the Colombian Llanos. The objective is to model the pastures to forecast the effect of management options on long-term persistence and nutrient cycling in grazed legume•grass associations in the Latin American savannas.


Persistence Of Roundleaf Cassia In Grazed Pastures - A Conceptual Model, R M. Jones, C K. Mcdonald, G A. Bunch Jan 2025

Persistence Of Roundleaf Cassia In Grazed Pastures - A Conceptual Model, R M. Jones, C K. Mcdonald, G A. Bunch

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Roundleaf cassia (Cassia rotudifolla) cv. Wynn is a short-lived perennial that relies on seedling recruitment for long-term persistence. Its persistence is considered in terms of survival of plants from the initial sowing, seed set, seedling recruitment, run-down of reserves of soil seed, and survival of seedlings. The major factor controlling all these stages is soil moisture stress; grazing management 'is less important. A conceptual model of Wynn persistence is presented and progress in mathematical modeiling is reported.·


Variation In Hydrological Characteristics Of The Soils Associated With Grazed Patches In Granitic Landscapes In Northern Australia, M M. Sallaway, D Waters, B Bridge, F P. Wandera Jan 2025

Variation In Hydrological Characteristics Of The Soils Associated With Grazed Patches In Granitic Landscapes In Northern Australia, M M. Sallaway, D Waters, B Bridge, F P. Wandera

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Under medium to heavy grazing of black speargrass (Heteropogon contortus) landscapes of south-east Queensland, "patchiness" has developed with a change from H. contortus to Aristida spp., Cllrysopogo11 spp. or a,inual grasses. This grazed patch development is associated with changes in soil hydrological characteristics which in turn affect runoff and soil erosion. T!\e soil hydrologic properties were studied using a rainfall simulator and disc permeameter. The remnant H. contortus areas had higher infiltration characteristics mainly due to the maintenance of larger mncropores (1-3 mm). In the Arlstida patches, the contribution of those large macropores has been greatly reduced. Th is effect …


Evaluation Of Pastures For Sustained Beef Production In Subtropical New South Wales, P T. Mears, D L. Garden, R W. Dicker Jan 2025

Evaluation Of Pastures For Sustained Beef Production In Subtropical New South Wales, P T. Mears, D L. Garden, R W. Dicker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Limitations of low-quality grass pastures, soil fertility, mechanisms of legume persistence and the long-term sustainability of pastures for beef production were studied in a humid subtropical environment of New South Wales, Australia. Sustainability of pastures and animal growth responses in 3 experiments (varying from 4 to 10 years' duration) al 2 sites have been analysed and described. Steers or heifers were used lo assess the effects of introducing subtropical or temperate legumes, level of superphosphate and stocking rate on natural grass pastures, Principal factors which improved the level of beef production from pasture were (i) introducing persistent legumes (ii) level …


Bothriochloa Pertusa- A Useful Grazing-Tolerant Grass For The Seasonally Dry Tropics?, R J. Jones, A Kerr Jan 2025

Bothriochloa Pertusa- A Useful Grazing-Tolerant Grass For The Seasonally Dry Tropics?, R J. Jones, A Kerr

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Data from 2 grazing experiments, small-plot studies, and a vegetation and soil survey showed that Bothriochloa pertusa increased relative to native tufted perennial grasses under heavy grazing pressure and was adapted to a wide range of soils in the 500-1000 mm zone of northern Australia. Ability to grow on low-P soils, lower relative palatability, strong stoloniferous development and good seed production, were features of its success. Annual steer gains on 8. pertusa pastures were similar to those on native pastures, with no species x stocking rate interaction. Steer gains on B. pertusa-Vernno stylo pastures were lower than on Urochloa …


Sustainability Of Sown Pastures In The Tropics And Subtropics, Jose M. Toledo, Daniel Formoso Jan 2025

Sustainability Of Sown Pastures In The Tropics And Subtropics, Jose M. Toledo, Daniel Formoso

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sown pastures in the tropics and subtropics are important components of production systems. Their role in and contribution to land productivity and economic development are well understood; however, their roles in sustainability and environmental protection are rather misunderstood and little known. The main constraints to sustainability of sown pastures fall into two categories: physical, biological and technical constraints include soil and climatic limitations, lack of adaptation of plants to physical and biotic stress and the limitations of farmers or ranchers to apply technology; socioeconomic factors include political instability, poorness of society and the market forces for land, inputs and products. …


Stability In Rangelands: Ecology And Economics, B H. Walker Jan 2025

Stability In Rangelands: Ecology And Economics, B H. Walker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Examples of changes in rangelands are presented relating to changes in livestock number, plant species. composition and soil changes (associated with changes in production), The mechanisms Involved are described, using examples, under the headings: event-driven change, threshold effects, non-linear and hysteresis effects, effects of spatial variation, significance of temporal variation, and interactive effects. The implications for management are presented in the form of a proposed optimal control model which maximises a complex function of welfnre based on long-term net economic benefit, in which stocking rate effects on the state of the rangeland feed back on to economic return.


Complex Tissue Regeneration In Lophuromys Reveals A Phylogenetic Signal For Enhanced Regenerative Ability In Deomyine Rodents, Brennan Riddell, Molly Mcdonough, Adam Ferguson, John M. Kimani, Thomas R. Gawriluk, Chi Peng, Stephen G. Kiama, Vanessa O. Ezenwa, Ashley W. Seifert Jan 2025

Complex Tissue Regeneration In Lophuromys Reveals A Phylogenetic Signal For Enhanced Regenerative Ability In Deomyine Rodents, Brennan Riddell, Molly Mcdonough, Adam Ferguson, John M. Kimani, Thomas R. Gawriluk, Chi Peng, Stephen G. Kiama, Vanessa O. Ezenwa, Ashley W. Seifert

Biology Faculty Publications

Identifying why complex tissue regeneration is present or absent in specific vertebrate lineages has remained elusive. One also wonders whether the isolated examples where regeneration is observed represent cases of convergent evolution or are instead the product of phylogenetic inertia from a common ancestral program. Testing alternative hypotheses to identify genetic regulation, cell states, and tissue physiology that explain how regenerative healing emerges in some species requires sampling multiple species among which there is variation in regenerative ability across a phylogenetic framework. Here, we interrogate tissue healing across eleven rodents and show that brush-furred mice (Lophuromys zena) are capable of …


Land Use Change Consistently Reduces Α- But Not Β- And Γ-Diversity Of Bees., Toby P N Tsang, A A Amado De Santis, Gabriela Armas-Quiñonez, John S Ascher, Eva Samanta Ávila-Gómez, András Báldi, Kimberly M Ballare, Mario V Balzan, Weronika Banaszak-Cibicka, Svenja Bänsch, Yves Basset, Adam J Bates, Jessica M Baumann, Mariana Beal-Neves, Ashley Bennett, Antonio Diego M Bezerra, Betina Blochtein, Riccardo Bommarco, Berry Brosi, Laura A Burkle, Luísa G Carvalheiro, Ignacio Castellanos, Marcela Cely-Santos, Hamutahl Cohen, Drissa Coulibaly, Saul A Cunningham, Sarah Cusser, Isabelle Dajoz, Deborah A Delaney, Ek Del-Val, Monika Egerer, Markus P Eichhorn, Eunice Enríquez, Martin H Entling, Natalia Escobedo-Kenefic, Pedro Maria Abreu Ferreira, Gordon Fitch, Jessica R K Forrest, Valérie Fournier, Robert Fowler, Breno M Freitas, Hannah R Gaines-Day, Benoît Geslin, Jaboury Ghazoul, Paul Glaum, Jose L Gonzalez-Andujar, Adrian González-Chaves, Heather Grab, Claudio Gratton, Solène Guenat, Catalina Gutiérrez-Chacón, Mark A Hall, Mick E Hanley, Annika Hass, Ernest Ireneusz Hennig, Martin Hermy, Juliana Hipólito, Andrea Holzschuh, Sebastian Hopfenmüller, Keng-Lou James Hung, Kristoffer Hylander, Jordi Izquierdo, Mary A Jamieson, Birgit Jauker, Steve Javorek, Shalene Jha, Björn K Klatt, David Kleijn, Alexandra-Maria Klein, Anikó Kovács-Hostyánszki, Jochen Krauss, Michael Kuhlmann, Patricia Landaverde-González, Tanya Latty, Misha Leong, Susannah B Lerman, Yunhui Liu, Ana Carolina Pereira Machado, Anson Main, Rachel Mallinger, Yael Mandelik, Bruno Ferreira Marques, Kevin Matteson, Frédéric Mccune, Ling-Zeng Meng, Jean Paul Metzger, Paula María Montoya-Pfeiffer, Carolina Morales, Lora Morandin, Jane Morrison, Sonja Mudri-Stojnić, Pakorn Nalinrachatakan, Olivia Norfolk, Mark Otieno, Mia G Park, Stacy M Philpott, Gideon Pisanty, Montserrat Plascencia, Simon G Potts, Eileen F Power, Kit Prendergast, Robyn D Quistberg, Davi De Lacerda Ramos, André Rodrigo Rech, Victoria Reynolds, Miriam H Richards, Stuart P M Roberts, Malena Sabatino, Ulrika Samnegård, Hillary Sardiñas, Karina Sánchez-Echeverría, Fernanda Teixeira Saturni, Jeroen Scheper, Amber R Sciligo, C Sheena Sidhu, Brian J Spiesman, Tuanjit Sritongchuay, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, Katharina Stein, Alyssa B Stewart, Jane C Stout, Hisatomo Taki, Pornpimon Tangtorwongsakul, Caragh G Threlfall, Carla Faleiro Tinoco, Teja Tscharntke, Katherine J Turo, Chatura Vaidya, Rémy Vandame, Carlos H Vergara, Blandina F Viana, Eric Vides-Borrell, Natapot Warrit, Elisabeth Webb, Catrin Westphal, Jennifer B Wickens, Neal M Williams, Nicholas S G Williams, Caleb J Wilson, Panlong Wu, Elsa Youngsteadt, Yi Zou, Lauren C Ponisio, Timothy C Bonebrake Jan 2025

Land Use Change Consistently Reduces Α- But Not Β- And Γ-Diversity Of Bees., Toby P N Tsang, A A Amado De Santis, Gabriela Armas-Quiñonez, John S Ascher, Eva Samanta Ávila-Gómez, András Báldi, Kimberly M Ballare, Mario V Balzan, Weronika Banaszak-Cibicka, Svenja Bänsch, Yves Basset, Adam J Bates, Jessica M Baumann, Mariana Beal-Neves, Ashley Bennett, Antonio Diego M Bezerra, Betina Blochtein, Riccardo Bommarco, Berry Brosi, Laura A Burkle, Luísa G Carvalheiro, Ignacio Castellanos, Marcela Cely-Santos, Hamutahl Cohen, Drissa Coulibaly, Saul A Cunningham, Sarah Cusser, Isabelle Dajoz, Deborah A Delaney, Ek Del-Val, Monika Egerer, Markus P Eichhorn, Eunice Enríquez, Martin H Entling, Natalia Escobedo-Kenefic, Pedro Maria Abreu Ferreira, Gordon Fitch, Jessica R K Forrest, Valérie Fournier, Robert Fowler, Breno M Freitas, Hannah R Gaines-Day, Benoît Geslin, Jaboury Ghazoul, Paul Glaum, Jose L Gonzalez-Andujar, Adrian González-Chaves, Heather Grab, Claudio Gratton, Solène Guenat, Catalina Gutiérrez-Chacón, Mark A Hall, Mick E Hanley, Annika Hass, Ernest Ireneusz Hennig, Martin Hermy, Juliana Hipólito, Andrea Holzschuh, Sebastian Hopfenmüller, Keng-Lou James Hung, Kristoffer Hylander, Jordi Izquierdo, Mary A Jamieson, Birgit Jauker, Steve Javorek, Shalene Jha, Björn K Klatt, David Kleijn, Alexandra-Maria Klein, Anikó Kovács-Hostyánszki, Jochen Krauss, Michael Kuhlmann, Patricia Landaverde-González, Tanya Latty, Misha Leong, Susannah B Lerman, Yunhui Liu, Ana Carolina Pereira Machado, Anson Main, Rachel Mallinger, Yael Mandelik, Bruno Ferreira Marques, Kevin Matteson, Frédéric Mccune, Ling-Zeng Meng, Jean Paul Metzger, Paula María Montoya-Pfeiffer, Carolina Morales, Lora Morandin, Jane Morrison, Sonja Mudri-Stojnić, Pakorn Nalinrachatakan, Olivia Norfolk, Mark Otieno, Mia G Park, Stacy M Philpott, Gideon Pisanty, Montserrat Plascencia, Simon G Potts, Eileen F Power, Kit Prendergast, Robyn D Quistberg, Davi De Lacerda Ramos, André Rodrigo Rech, Victoria Reynolds, Miriam H Richards, Stuart P M Roberts, Malena Sabatino, Ulrika Samnegård, Hillary Sardiñas, Karina Sánchez-Echeverría, Fernanda Teixeira Saturni, Jeroen Scheper, Amber R Sciligo, C Sheena Sidhu, Brian J Spiesman, Tuanjit Sritongchuay, Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, Katharina Stein, Alyssa B Stewart, Jane C Stout, Hisatomo Taki, Pornpimon Tangtorwongsakul, Caragh G Threlfall, Carla Faleiro Tinoco, Teja Tscharntke, Katherine J Turo, Chatura Vaidya, Rémy Vandame, Carlos H Vergara, Blandina F Viana, Eric Vides-Borrell, Natapot Warrit, Elisabeth Webb, Catrin Westphal, Jennifer B Wickens, Neal M Williams, Nicholas S G Williams, Caleb J Wilson, Panlong Wu, Elsa Youngsteadt, Yi Zou, Lauren C Ponisio, Timothy C Bonebrake

Entomology Faculty Publications

Land use change threatens global biodiversity and compromises ecosystem functions, including pollination and food production. Reduced taxonomic α-diversity is often reported under land use change, yet the impacts could be different at larger spatial scales (i.e., γ-diversity), either due to reduced β-diversity amplifying diversity loss or increased β-diversity dampening diversity loss. Additionally, studies often focus on taxonomic diversity, while other important biodiversity components, including phylogenetic diversity, can exhibit differential responses. Here, we evaluated how agricultural and urban land use alters the taxonomic and phylogenetic α-, β-, and γ-diversity of an important pollinator taxon-bees. Using a multicontinental dataset of 3117 bee …


Parents Who Make America Great Again: Identity Politics In Right-Wing Populist Discourses On Gender Ideology And Immigration, Alina Hechler Jan 2025

Parents Who Make America Great Again: Identity Politics In Right-Wing Populist Discourses On Gender Ideology And Immigration, Alina Hechler

Theses and Dissertations--Gender and Women's Studies

This dissertation explores how anti-immigration and anti-(trans)gender campaigns in the United States engage in an identity politics in which a group benefiting from heteronormative, white supremacist, and nationalist social structures discursively positions itself as an oppressed minority facing an elitist, oppressive, and parasitic establishment. While anti-transgender and anti-immigration platforms represent two distinct issues, they need to be situated within the broader context of right-wing politics. With a focus on the construction of parenthood, my dissertation juxtaposes these two forms of right-wing campaigns through a mixed-method approach by tracing the depiction of two parental figures that have recently emerged in right-wing …


Examining The Role Of Peer And Family Belongingness In The Mental Health Of Black Lgbtq+ Youth, Keith J. Watts, M. Alex Wagaman, Andrew D. Eaton, Vivian W. Y. Leung, Shelley L. Craig Jan 2025

Examining The Role Of Peer And Family Belongingness In The Mental Health Of Black Lgbtq+ Youth, Keith J. Watts, M. Alex Wagaman, Andrew D. Eaton, Vivian W. Y. Leung, Shelley L. Craig

Social Work Faculty Publications

A sense of belonging to familial and peer networks is crucial for the mental health of LGBTQ + youth. Black LGBTQ + youth report feeling rejected and isolated due to their sexual and/or gender identities. Utilizing linear regression analyses, this study explored the relationship between peer and family belongingness and levels of depression, anxiety, and self-rated mental health among 181 Black LGBTQ + youth in the United States and Canada. Findings suggest that family and peer belongingness are important factors in Black LGBTQ + youth’s mental health and warrant further study into the protective nature of peer and family relationships …


Pathways To Green River District Health Department, Gracelyn P. Bush Jan 2025

Pathways To Green River District Health Department, Gracelyn P. Bush

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

In an effort to decrease Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in the Green River District of Western Kentucky, this grant proposes the expansion of the evidence-based University of Kentucky PATHways program to the Green River District Health Department (GRDHD). To protect the health of both women and children, this program will specifically target pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD). This program will deliver a group-based prenatal and postpartum curriculum with the integration of Peer Recovery Support Specialists, specifically modeled on Social Cognitive Theory and the adoption of whole-person care. The proposed program spans a three-year time frame, beginning with program …


An Ethnography Of Love Jihad: The Governance Of Interfaith Marriages In Times Of Hindutva, Snehal Sharma Jan 2025

An Ethnography Of Love Jihad: The Governance Of Interfaith Marriages In Times Of Hindutva, Snehal Sharma

Theses and Dissertations--Gender and Women's Studies

My doctoral research focuses on the violations of human and citizenship rights of women and religiously marginalized communities (based on religious differences) in the backdrop of right-wing movements in India. I assess the Hindu nationalist propaganda named “love jihad” to demonstrate the way it weaponizes religious exogamy. This propaganda legitimizes violence against Indian religious minorities and women as it claims that marriages between Hindu women and Muslim men are acts of terrorism against Hindus with the sole aim of increasing the Muslim population using Hindu women's bodies. I have used ethnographic research methods to explore the legal process of interfaith …


Developing Novel Therapeutic Strategies For Mcrc With A Brafv600e Mutation, Mariah Geisen Jan 2025

Developing Novel Therapeutic Strategies For Mcrc With A Brafv600e Mutation, Mariah Geisen

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The overall incidence rates of CRC have decreased in those over 50, but there is an increasing incidence rate in those under 50. Risk factors for CRC include diet, family history, and a sedentary lifestyle. Early detection of CRC is key to patient survival and treatment response. Localized CRC has a survival rate of 90% and allows for surgical resection and chemotherapy. The 5-year survival for metastatic CRC (mCRC) is significantly reduced to around 14%. Despite early detection, 50% of patients will develop metastasis after surgical resection and …


Nf-Κb-Mediated Oxidative Stress Drives Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emt In Human Bronchial Cells, Sarah M. Alqithami Jan 2025

Nf-Κb-Mediated Oxidative Stress Drives Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emt In Human Bronchial Cells, Sarah M. Alqithami

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many being carcinogens and proinflammatory agents contributing to chronic respiratory diseases like COPD and lung cancer. This study investigated responses of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC), focusing on oxidative stress and NF-κB signaling. Three HBEC lines were exposed to non-cytotoxic CSC doses for 48 hours, inducing morphological changes consistent with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RNA sequencing revealed transcriptomic shifts in all cell lines, particularly affecting genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation, hypoxia, and metabolism. Enrichment analyses confirmed activation of NRF2 antioxidant, NF-κB and IL-17 inflammatory, and hypoxiainducible factor pathways, indicating …


Elucidating The Adverse Effects Of Chronic Pfos Exposure On Gastrointestinal Pathology And Colorectal Cancer, Jerika Durham Jan 2025

Elucidating The Adverse Effects Of Chronic Pfos Exposure On Gastrointestinal Pathology And Colorectal Cancer, Jerika Durham

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been linked to a number of detrimental health effects, including an elevated risk of cancer. One "long-chain" subtype of PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), has a long elimination half-life and a significant propensity for bioaccumulation. Because PFOS is commonly found in drinking water, the gastrointestinal system absorbs it at a high rate. Recent studies demonstrate that PFAS exposures promote intestinal inflammation and gut barrier dysfunction. However, how a long-term PFOS exposure affects colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is not known. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to understand how …


Investigating Plk1 In Pulmonary Fibrosis, Tempany Arbogast Jan 2025

Investigating Plk1 In Pulmonary Fibrosis, Tempany Arbogast

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal interstitial lung disease, with a median survival of only 2–3 years following diagnosis. In the United States, the disease contributes to more than 40,000 deaths annually, underscoring its severe clinical burden. Alveolar type II (AT2) lung epithelial cells serve as progenitors that maintain alveolar integrity by replenishing epithelial populations and producing surfactants, while fibroblasts and myofibroblasts regulate the extracellular matrix and structural support. In pulmonary fibrosis (PF) injury to AT2 cells promotes cytokine and growth factor release, driving inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, myofibroblast accumulation, and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Aberrant AT2 cell …


Forage News [2025-06], University Of Kentucky Jan 2025

Forage News [2025-06], University Of Kentucky

Forage News

No abstract provided.


Predicting Biologic Nonadherence In Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Machine Learning Models, Christian Rhudy Jan 2025

Predicting Biologic Nonadherence In Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Machine Learning Models, Christian Rhudy

Theses and Dissertations--Clinical and Translational Science

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic relapsing-remitting disease of the intestinal tract affecting approximately 0.5% of the population in the US. Moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease is managed with biologic therapies to induce and maintain remission, however nonadherence to biologics occurs in and estimated 16.9% and 45% of patients. Nonadherence to biologics can increase the risk of disease flares, emergent healthcare utilization, and surgical intervention. While numerous factors have been associated with biologic nonadherence, there are limited resources for prospectively assessing patient-specific risk of biologic nonadherence. Accordingly, objective of this work is to develop machine learning methods of predicting …


“A Safe Place”: Exploring Black Couples’ Perceptions Of Black Love And Relationship Coping In The Context Of Their Lived Experiences With Racism, Melinda Murdock Jan 2025

“A Safe Place”: Exploring Black Couples’ Perceptions Of Black Love And Relationship Coping In The Context Of Their Lived Experiences With Racism, Melinda Murdock

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Historically, Black couples have not been studied within the context of their lived experiences as it relates to the effects of racism on relationship health. Only in the last decade have relationship scholars begun to consistently link racism-related stressors to relationship processes and outcomes. Despite the growing literature, recent studies are primarily quantitative in method and rely on samples, theoretical models, and measures that predominantly represent White couples’ experiences. It remains unclear how Black couples’ perceptions of love and relationship coping lead to resilient outcomes despite the negative effects of racism.

Therefore, the goal of the present study is to …


Artesunate Enhances The Efficacy Of Enzalutamide In Advanced Prostate Cancer, Xinyi Wang, Jinghui Liu, Fengyi Mao, Yifan Kong, Qiongsi Zhang, Chaohao Li, Daheng He, Chi Wang, Yanquan Zhang, Ruixin Wang, Sally R. Ellingson, Qiou Wei, Zhiguo Li, Xiaoqi Liu Jan 2025

Artesunate Enhances The Efficacy Of Enzalutamide In Advanced Prostate Cancer, Xinyi Wang, Jinghui Liu, Fengyi Mao, Yifan Kong, Qiongsi Zhang, Chaohao Li, Daheng He, Chi Wang, Yanquan Zhang, Ruixin Wang, Sally R. Ellingson, Qiou Wei, Zhiguo Li, Xiaoqi Liu

Toxicology and Cancer Biology Faculty Publications

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the leading causes of death among men worldwide. Treatments targeting the androgen receptor pathway remain the standard therapy for PCa patients. Enzalutamide (ENZ), a second-generation androgen receptor inhibitor, was developed to treat castration-resistant prostate cancer. However, while patients initially respond to ENZ, drug resistance typically develops within a few months. Artesunate (ART), a semisynthetic derivative of the Artemisinin plant, is approved for antimalaria treatment. In this study, we conducted an FDA-approved drug screening and identified ART as a potential candidate for overcoming ENZ resistance in PCa. Mechanistically, ART induces the degradation of c-Myc, enhancing …


Portable Multi-Parametric Microscopy For Noninvasive Metabolic And Vascular Imaging Of Orthotopic Tongue Cancer Models In Vivo, Pranto Soumik Saha, Jing Yan, Caigang Zhu Jan 2025

Portable Multi-Parametric Microscopy For Noninvasive Metabolic And Vascular Imaging Of Orthotopic Tongue Cancer Models In Vivo, Pranto Soumik Saha, Jing Yan, Caigang Zhu

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Significance: Precise imaging of tumor metabolism with its vascular microenvironment becomes emerging critical for cancer research because increasing evidence shows that the key attribute that allows a tumor to survive therapies is metabolic and vascular reprogramming. However, there are surprisingly few imaging techniques available to provide a systems-level view of tumor metabolism and vasculature in vivo on small animals for cancer discoveries.

Aim: We aim to develop a new multi-parametric microscope that can faithfully recapitulate in vivo metabolic and vascular changes with a wide field of view and microscope-level resolution to advance cancer-related investigations. To maximize the ease and accessibility …


Clonal Variation In Effector Gene Expression As A Mechanism For Pathogenic Adaptation In Magnaporthe Oryzae, Rebekah J. Ellsworth Jan 2025

Clonal Variation In Effector Gene Expression As A Mechanism For Pathogenic Adaptation In Magnaporthe Oryzae, Rebekah J. Ellsworth

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Magnaporthe oryzae is a filamentous fungal pathogen that causes destructive diseases in cereals, including rice blast, wheat blast, and gray leaf spot. It is responsible for 10–30% annual yield losses in rice (Nalley et al., 2016) and up to 100% loss in wheat under favorable conditions (Kohli et al., 2011). Disease management typically relies on the use of resistant cultivars, but M. oryzae rapidly overcomes host resistance by mutating or deleting avirulence (AVR) genes recognized by host immune receptors. This rapid adaptation, often occurring within one to two growing seasons, presents a major challenge to breeding for durable resistance.

The …


A Knowledge-Based Planning Model To Identify Fraction-Reduction Opportunities In Brain Stereotactic Radiotherapy, Shane Mccarthy, William St. Clair, Damodar Pokhrel Jan 2025

A Knowledge-Based Planning Model To Identify Fraction-Reduction Opportunities In Brain Stereotactic Radiotherapy, Shane Mccarthy, William St. Clair, Damodar Pokhrel

Radiation Medicine Faculty Publications

Objective: To develop and validate a HyperArc-based RapidPlan (HARP) model for three-fraction brain stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) plans to then use to replan previously treated five-fraction SRT plans. Demonstrating the possibility of reducing the number of fractions while achieving acceptable organs-at-risk (OAR) doses with improved target biological effective dose (BED) to brain lesions. Methods: Thirty-nine high-quality clinical three-fraction HyperArc brain SRT plans (24–27 Gy) were used to train the HARP model, with a separate 10 plans used to validate its effectiveness. Fifty-eight five-fraction HyperArc brain SRT plans (30–40 Gy) attempted to be retrospectively replanned for three fractions scheme using the HARP …


An Investigation Into The Feasibility And Efficacy Of Stereotactic Radiosurgery For 1–3 Cm Single Brain Lesions On The Ring-Mounted Halcyon Linac, Kristin J. Hazelwood, Shane Mccarthy, Josh Misa, David Castelvetere, William St. Clair, Damodar Pokhrel Jan 2025

An Investigation Into The Feasibility And Efficacy Of Stereotactic Radiosurgery For 1–3 Cm Single Brain Lesions On The Ring-Mounted Halcyon Linac, Kristin J. Hazelwood, Shane Mccarthy, Josh Misa, David Castelvetere, William St. Clair, Damodar Pokhrel

Radiation Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose: An evaluation of the accuracy, safety, and efficiency of the Halcyon ring delivery system (RDS) for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment to relatively small (1–3 cm) brain lesions.

Methods: After completing the extensive in-house quality assurance checks including Winston–Lutz test and independent dose verification via MD Anderson IROC SRS head phantom irradiation on Halcyon, fifteen brain SRS patients previously treated with a single dose of 20 Gy on TrueBeam (6MV-FFF) with HyperArc geometry were retrospectively replanned on Halcyon (6MV-FFF). Plan quality metrics including conformity index (CI), gradient index (GI), gradient distance (GD), PTV coverage, gross tumor volume (GTV) dose, heterogeneity …