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Synthesis, Characterization, And Separation Of Loaded Liposomes For Drug Delivery, Sandra Khalife

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Liposomes are viable candidates for drug delivery vehicles due to their ability to protect loaded compounds, dampen side effects of drugs, and be delivered to target sites in the body. The amphipathic nature of these lipid vesicles makes them very customizable through careful selection of bilayer and aqueous core components as well as synthetic and downsizing methods. However, synthetic methods may result in unencapsulated compounds remaining present alongside loaded liposomes, which require removal before the liposome suspension can be used.

This work explores the use of model DOPC as well as DOPC and CHOL liposomes and the methods that were …

Glycine N-Acyltransferase-Like 3 Is Responsible For Long-Chain N-Acylglycine Formation In N18Tg2 Cells, Kristen A Jeffries, Daniel R Dempsey, Emma K Farrell, Ryan L Anderson, Gabrielle J Garbade, Tatyana S Gurina, Imran Gruhonjic, Carly A Gunderson, David J Merkler

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Long-chain fatty acid amides are signaling lipids found in mammals and other organisms; however, details of the metabolic pathways for the N-acylglycines and primary fatty acid amides (PFAMs) have remained elusive. Heavy-labeled precursor and subtraction lipidomic experiments in mouse neuroblastoma N18TG2 cells, a model cell line for the study of fatty acid amide metabolism, establish the biosynthetic pathways for the N-acylglycines and the PFAMs. We provide evidence that the N-acylglycines are formed by a long-chain specific glycine-conjugating enzyme, glycine N-acyltransferase-like 3 (GLYATL3). siRNA knockdown of GLYATL3 in the N18TG2 cells resulted in a decrease in the levels of the N-acylglycines …

Lipoproteins And Health Outcomes: Cognitive And Physical Function In Older Adults, Marianne Chanti-Ketterl

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular health is a major determinant of quality of life and mortality, especially in older adulthood. With the world’s oldest population increasing at expedited rates, challenges from cardiovascular conditions and its implications are spawning. Although it is well known that dyslipidemia may lead to cardiac events, less is known about the effects on cognitive and physical function in older adults. Epidemiological studies show that optimizing current preventive strategies even at older ages may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular comorbidity (e.g. hypertension, stroke) and increase quality of life. Determining the association between lipoproteins and cognitive and functional performance in older adults …

Analysis Of Differential Secondary Effects Of Novel Rexinoids: Select Rexinoid X Receptor Ligands Demonstrate Differentiated Side Effect Profiles, Pamela A. Marshall, Peter W. Jurutka, Carl E. Wagner, Arjan Van Der Vaart, Ichiro Kaneko, Pedro I. Chavez, Ning Ma, Jaskaran S. Bhogal, Pritika Shahani, Johnathon C. Swierski, Mairi Macneill

Chemistry Faculty Publications

In order to determine the feasibility of utilizing novel rexinoids for chemotherapeutics and as potential treatments for neurological conditions, we undertook an assessment of the side effect profile of select rexinoid X receptor (RXR) analogs that we reported previously. We assessed pharmacokinetic profiles, lipid and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in rats, and cell culture activity of rexinoids in sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) induction and thyroid hormone inhibition assays. We also performed RNA sequencing of the brain tissues of rats that had been dosed with the compounds. We show here for the first time that potent rexinoid activity can be …

Assessing The Link Between Coastal Development And The Quality Of Fish Habitat In Mangrove Tidal Tributaries, Justin Micheal Krebs

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

To assess the potential influence of coastal development on the quality of estuarine habitat for nekton, we characterized land use and the intensity of land development surrounding small tidal tributaries of Tampa Bay. Based on this characterization, we classified tributaries as undeveloped, industrial, urban or man-made (i.e., mosquito-control ditches). Over one-third (37%) of tributaries were determined to be heavily developed, while fewer than one-third (28%) remain relatively undeveloped. We then examined the nekton community from eleven tributaries in watersheds representing the defined land-use classes. Whereas mean nekton density and species richness were both independent of land use, nekton-community structure differed …

The Life History And Energy Budget Of Hippocampus Erectus In Tampa Bay, Florida, Nicole M. Dunham

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Seahorses, genus Hippocampus erectus, are subject to large and continuously-growing international trade. Concerns with the effects of trade on seahorse population worldwide have led to their international protection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In order to manage seahorse populations, we first need to understand their basic biology. The purpose of this project was to establish an energy budget for Hippocampus erectus from Tampa Bay, Florida. A total of 108 specimens were collected throughout Tampa Bay from 2004 to 2007 using 21.3 m offshore seines and 6.1 m otter trawls. …