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Discovering Glioma Inhibitors Via Chemical-Genetic Screens In Drosophila Cancer Models, Jordan Terschluse

Honors Theses

Today, there are over 250 drugs being used to cure over 100 different types of cancer. We hypothesize that one of the drugs already being used in cancer treatment will either show positive or negative growth when applied specifically to glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor with poor prognosis. Using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and 150 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, we can induce tumors and track their growth in response to the drugs. This would open the doors to researching similarities between drugs present in hundreds of chemical libraries. Additionally, the drugs that prove successful through the screenings could start …

Synthesis Of An Arylidene Pyrazolone And Its Effects On Glioblastoma Cancer Cells, Joanna Deonarine

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to develop a new technique to synthesize a heterocyclic arylidene compound using fruit puree catalysis and investigate its anti-cancer activity on glioblastoma cancer cells. Recently, there has been interest in heterocycles due to their anticancer properties and they have been used in almost two-thirds of the novel molecular anticancer agents. Varying fruit purees were used to synthesize a novel hybrid arylidene pyrazolone from 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone and 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde by modifying methodology developed by Dr. Murray. This arylidene pyrazolone was then tested for its anticancer activity on glioblastoma brain cancer cells using Dr. Smith’s 12-well cell viability …

Mind To Mirror To Life: Sexual Health From A Body Positive Lens, Kacey Richardson

Honors Theses

Body image and sexual health are inextricably linked. It is crucial for college students to understand the importance of body image within sexual health in order to capture the full scope of sexual well-being, although most existing sexuality education resources for college students fail to make this connection. This thesis demonstrates the necessity for comprehensive sexual health education that incorporates a focus on body image to promote the health and wellness of college students. Using an intersectional outlook, the thesis evaluates existing resources and presents the contents of an original workshop titled “Mind to Mirror to Life: Sexual Health from …

The Boricua Dialogues: Puerto Rican Identity In Conversation & Photography, Jonathan Borton

Honors Theses

[Thesis has no abstract.]

Evaluation Of Anticancer Activity Of Heterocyclic Arylidenes On The U87mg Cancer Cell Line, Bernadette Flores

Honors Theses

Glioblastoma multiforme, is a type of brain cancer that develops from glial cells, which surround neurons and provide support and insulation. Previous investigation has shown that some heterocyclic compounds are key in improving the properties of anticancer drugs by enhancing lipophilicity, polarity, and other varying physiochemical features. Synthetic heterocyclic compounds used as anticancer drugs attempt to imitate naturally-occurring ligands and substrates so as to disturb the natural balance in cells. Testing was done to determine the anticancer abilities of hybrid compounds, heterocyclic arylidenes, containing various functional groups, including boronic acids, through a three-day testing process. These compounds were previous synthesized …

Le Chatelier’S Principle: Identifying Cancer-Resistant Mechanisms In G1p3 Breast Cancer Cells, Alexander Rodriguez

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Organized Caudal Photoreceptors In The Medicinal Leech, Baylee Bancroft

Honors Theses

Visual systems are essential to an organism’s survival. There are a wide range of photosensory organs across the animal kingdom, varying by means of structure, complexity, and the way in which they transduce information. Regardless of variation, visual systems provide the organism with information regarding external stimuli based on how light interacts with surrounding matter. The medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana, is one of the many important model organisms of neurobiology as this segmented annelid possesses a relatively simple nervous system and a rudimentary visual system. The leech also exhibits a restricted range of quantifiable overt behaviors and is capable of …

Weaving Charlotte's Web: An In-Depth Guide To Cannabidiol, Lauren Pitts

Honors Theses

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, first gathered national spotlight after Charlotte Figi and her mother Paige were able to find two physicians willing to prescribe CBD to treat Charlotte’s seizures. Charlotte suffered from Dravet Syndrome, but was able to find relief from CBD, which decreased the number and severity of her seizures. This sparked national interest and was the catalyst that lead to research and changes surrounding CBD uses and legality. Cannabidiol is a single cannabinoid that is found within the Cannabis sativa plant family—the same family that includes marijuana. This cannabinoid differs from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and does not provide …

Examining The Effects Of Time On Antibiotic Resistance Within Prairie Restorations, Haley Ritsema

Honors Theses

Widespread antibiotic use in agriculture spreads antibiotic resistance (AR) genes throughout the ecosystem and can impact bacterial community composition and function. Restoring agricultural fields back to their native prairies has been shown to remediate other damaging effects of agriculture, and have the potential to remediate AR from the soil as well. In this study, our first aim was to determine if soil bacterial communities return to pre-agricultural conditions over time following restoration to native plant communities. We did this by assessing the soil characteristics, extracellular enzyme activities, bacterial community composition, and functional metagenomics across a chronosequence of seven restored prairies, …

Perspectives Of Health Care Providers In The Dominican Republic Towards Pregnant Haitian Women, Diana Hernandez

Honors Theses

Due to the lack of basic health care in Haiti, many Haitian women cross the border looking for a better public health service in the Dominican Republic. However, differences in cultural and medical practices exist between both countries. Thus, for my thesis, I intend to study and explain the challenges that Dominican health care providers feel might impede their abilities to provide adequate health care to pregnant Haitian patients and how they respond to and manage those challenges that they face.

A Comparison Of Traditional Methods Of Osteological Cutmark Analysis Versus The Implementation Of New-Age Technology In The Field Of Anthropology, Kayla Genord

Honors Theses

Bone cutmark analysis is a practice that has been performed by forensic researchers and medical examiners around the world. The traditional method of gathering information for this type of analysis is to draw a detailed picture or take a photo of the bone which can be analyzed for pattern, coloration and orientation of each individual lesion and then the mark itself is measured with non-digital Vernier (hand) calipers or a ruler. In recent years, forensic anthropologists have been using DSLR cameras and digital calipers to record these findings as well as detailed field notes to determine the condition and tool …

Biological Evaluation Of Fda-Approved Drugs As Mirna-31 Inhibitors Using Real Time Qrt-Pcr And A Luciferase Assay, Nicholas Sienkiewicz

Honors Theses

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of post-transcriptional, negative regulators of gene expression, consisting of ~19-24 nucleotides. Since their discovery in 1993, miRNAs have been found to be involved in a diverse amount of cellular and disease pathways, including certain types of cancer. Overexpression of certain oncogenic miRNAs, including miRNA-31, have been shown to play a role in cancer cell development. Recent findings have suggested that miRNAs play a significant role in every stage of colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation, progression, and development, as well as induce resistance to chemotherapy drugs like 5-FU. In particular, research has shown that increased levels of …

Evaluating Contamination And Remediation At A Northeast Texas Hi-Yield Chemical Site, 1960- 1996, Aaron Ferrell

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Glut5 And Fructose Metabolism Inhibition In A Simulated Small Intestine Environment, Isabella Trainor

Honors Theses

This thesis describes an experiment that was designed in order to obtain information that could be useful for treating individuals with HFI. The author hypothesized that MSNBA would inhibit GLUT5 and fructose metabolism in the small intestine. The final experimental design involves exposing a small intestine cell line to fructose and MSNBA. The cell line would be exposed to MSNBA over the course of three different periods, and data was intended to be obtained using western blotting and a fructose assay kit. Although the final experimental design project was not fully carried out due to circumstances surrounding COVID-19, a plausible …

Gender And Socioeconomic Disparities In Iatrogenic In-Hospital Torsades De Points, Bradley Reinoehl

Honors Theses

It has been well established for decades that women are at increased risk for torsades de pointes (TdP). Additionally, it has been well documented that patients of lower socioeconomic status (SES) tend to have inferior health outcomes compared to other patient populations. In this study we investigate the incidence of iatrogenic in-hospital TdP among these two demographic groups. Iatrogenic in-hospital TdP is a complex combination of medical issues and including danger from QT prolonging medications. In theory, a combination of identifiable, demographic risk factors coupled with specific clinical settings could be used to identify patients at high risk for iatrogenic …

Cost-Effective Diy Electrometer, Emily R. Johnson

Honors Theses

An electrometer is a critical electrophysiology instrument used to generate minuscule currents for intracellular stimulation of biological neurons. An electrometer also enables simultaneous measurement of the neuron membrane voltage response. This device is necessary to perform accurate stimulation of neurons. However, the cost of commercial electrometers, around $5000, is prohibitive to many researchers, particularly at the high-school or introductory college level. A recent Western Michigan University graduate student, Lucas Essenburg, designed a basic electrometer for $210. His thesis proved that quality electrometers can be constructed for a fraction of the price of commercial-grade equipment.

This project focused on the improvement …

Understanding Stem Instructors’ Experiences With And Perceptions Of Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students: The First Step Towards Increasing Access And Inclusivity, Makayla Long

Honors Theses

Through an anonymous survey we analyzed Western Michigan University (WMU) STEM instructors’ experience with and understanding of teaching and interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) students. The goal of this study was to capture the experiences of WMU STEM instructors and the resources available to them given their direct impact on Deaf/HoH students’ ability to succeed and receive a post-secondary education. The findings of this study support the claim that instructors are not well supported or aware of the needs of Deaf/HoH students, and do not have access to adequate resources to resolve the issue.

The first steps …

Ece Senior Design Project - Cost-Effective Diy Electrometer, Benjamin Hahn

Honors Theses

An electrometer is a critical electrophysiology instrument used to generate minuscule currents for intracellular stimulation of biological neurons. An electrometer also enables simultaneous measurement of the neuron membrane voltage response. This device is necessary to perform accurate stimulation of neurons. However, the cost of commercial electrometers, around $5000, is prohibitive to many researchers, particularly at the high-school or introductory college level. A recent Western Michigan University graduate student, Lucas Essenburg, designed a basic electrometer for $210. His thesis proved that quality electrometers can be constructed for a fraction of the price of commercial-grade equipment.

This project focused on the improvement …

Synthesis Of Novel Temozolomide-Fatty Acid Imide Hybrid Compounds For The Chemotherapeutic Treatment Of Glioblastoma Multiforme, Janice Pakkianathan

Honors Theses

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive form of brain cancer that originates from glial cells, which make up the supportive tissue surrounding neurons. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the current chemotherapeutic drug administered to treat GBM as it works to inhibit the growth of the cancer cells. This research study focused on developing a method for synthesizing novel hybrid compounds that combines TMZ with various fatty acids known to have anticancer properties, forming a series of imide compounds with potential chemotherapeutic effects. Before synthesizing the compounds, various methods for synthesizing an imide from a primary amide were tested to ensure that TMZ …

Prevalence Of Sexual Harassment Among Nursing Students, Emily M. Johnson

Honors Theses

Objective

The purpose of this presentation is to exhibit the synthesis of research on the prevalence of sexual harassment against nursing students in clinical and academic settings. This presentation will also address research findings on to the effectiveness of programs to combat this problem.

Data Sources

Gather data from the databases CINAHL, ClinicalKey, PubMed, OVID and Scopus using the search terms “sexual harassment in nurs*”, “patient initiated sexual harassment”, “sexual harassment healthcare workers”, and “sexual harassment healthcare environment”.

Data Extraction

Inclusion criteria: published between the years 2009 -2019, primary research, nursing students as participants, sexual harassment experiences, harassment occurrences inside …

Increasing The Echoic Repertoire Of A Child With Autism Using An Imitation And Echoic Sequence, Rose Bridges

Honors Theses

A prerequisite to many things in life is the ability to communicate. Although this may mean many different things, such as verbal language, sign language, written language, and even icons, there must be some form of communication that may be utilized to get needs across. Many young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are non-verbal, however there are also many children with ASD who have the ability to say words but are still not independently speaking. Reinforcing approximations to word sounds has been previously used as an effective way of increasing the child’s verbal repertoire (Shane, 2017). The present study …

Exploring Soil Texture Effects On Mustard Seed Meal Suppression Of The Weed Velvetleaf, Daheun Danielle Harning

Honors Theses

The use of mustard seed meal (MSM) as a biofumigant in managing weeds in agricultural settings has been well documented. Previous work with MSM has shown that soils with a higher sand content were better at weed suppression than soils with lower amounts of sand. It was hypothesized that the elevated sand content created more air space for volatile inhibitory compounds to diffuse and inhibit seed germination and growth. Although initial results from bioassays systematically testing the comparison of 5 differing levels of sand showed support for this hypothesis, further testing with micron-sized glass beads showed that loss of airspace …

Assay Development For Isolation And Characterization Of Anticancer Properties Of Marine Fungi, Kyra Ricci

Honors Theses

Metabolites from fungi have potential use in the drug discovery process and have been used in the past to develop therapeutic agents for human use. Initial characterization of potential therapeutic properties of fungi is thus an important first step in identifying novel therapeutic compounds. In the present study, marine fungi were isolated from Myrtle Beach and assayed for anticancer properties using the soft agar colony formation assay in a 3D in vitro cellular environment. Many species were isolated from environmental samples, displaying unique morphologies and growth patterns. To optimize the soft agar assay in a six-well cell culture plate for …

Surviving Cancer Is Not The End Of The Story: Effects Of Chemotherapy On Heart Function., Jacey S. Griffith

Honors Theses

Cancer is a disease that has killed millions and cost trillions. It is a tragic disease, and while the treatment used may help fight cancer, potential long-lasting damage is inflicted onto the heart. Chemotherapies are widespread drugs used to treat any and all kinds of cancer. There are many different classes including, but not limited to, the anthracyclines, taxanes, monoclonal antibodies, alkylating agents, tyrosine kinases, and antiestrogens. For patients with breast cancer, there are about 69 different chemotherapies approved for treatment, and they are all from a variety of different classes. However, most of the classes of chemotherapies are associated …

Developing A Paradigm For The Measurement Of Cortisol, Megan N. Hurley

Honors Theses

Stress is a set of physical and mental states accompanied by specific physiological responses. The psychophysiological activation of stress centers around the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a group of structures that help the body cope with stress. Cortisol is the principle glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex and is known as a stress hormone. Cortisol allows the body to stay on high alert during the stress response and recording changes in cortisol can be useful in a variety of research studies. This thesis focused on the utility and pitfalls of cortisol testing and research design. Cortisol can be testing through blood, hair, …

"Skin Cancer Types And The Effectiveness Of Mohs Surgery Against Them", Andrew M. Brockman

Honors Theses

Skin cancer is the number one form of cancer around the world today. It affects people of all races, and discriminates no one when it comes to how deadly it can become when it metastasizes. As rates of skin cancer continue to increase year after year, research is being conducted at a very high rate on possible treatments for this disease. Understanding the three basic types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma gives a wary victim of skin cancer a guide for what they are dealing with as they progress through possible treatment. There are …

Writing Systems As A Reflection Of Ancient Societies, Sarah M. Gripshover

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the writing systems of two ancient societies: the Latin alphabet as a writing system within the Roman Empire and the hieroglyphic writing system within the Maya city-state. This thesis first situates writing as a technology and explains the common uses of writing systems in modern contexts, before turning to an examination of the past. Next, basic literary patterns—including estimated literacy rates, education patterns and opportunities, types of documents, and themes within writing—are examined within the context of both societies. After evaluating these literary patterns, as well as the social, political, and economic organization of both societies, this …

Negative Perception Of Generic Versus Name Brand Pharmaceuticals, Rebecca Kavalauskas

Honors Theses

With generic products, the generic version is typically given a bad rap, with claims that these versions “are not as satisfactory” – but these products are usually the same product with two different labels being printed. Sometimes these products are even coming from the same lab. In the pharmaceutical world, the generic version carries the same sort of stigma – the idea that it is less effective, and sometimes individuals believe that this version does more harm than it does good. However, if one were to look at the list of ingredients on a bottle of Tylenol and then a …

The Experimental Effects Of Acute Exercise Intensity On Retrieval-Induced Forgetting, Joshua Franklin

Honors Theses

Accumulating research has shown that acute exercise can enhance memory function. Although counterintuitive, acute exercise may also facilitate aspects of forgetting. Specifically, retrieving a subset of items from memory can facilitate the retention of retrieved items (retrieval practice; RP) and inhibit the subsequent retrieval of non-retrieved items (retrieval-induced forgetting; RIF). Given that acute exercise has been shown to enhance cognition-related inhibition, acute exercise may facilitate RIF. A sample of 225 young adults completed either a control (N=75), moderate-intensity acute exercise (N=75), or vigorous-intensity acute exercise session (N=75). Both acute exercise sessions lasted 20 minutes. Participants then completed a standard retrieval-induced …

Indigenous Healing In New Zealand: An Anthropological Analysis Of "Traditional" And "Modern" Approaches To Well-Being, Lillian T. Brice

Honors Theses

Drawing on contemporary anthropological approaches used by scholars of well-being and medical anthropology (i.e. Michael Jackson and Lisa Stevenson), I explore how indigenous healers in New Zealand blend “traditional” and “modern” elements to establish a creative and inclusive system. Specifically, I explore the use of herbal treatments, ritual chanting, and ceremonies that encapsulate Māori cultural values. I also explore the impact of biomedicine and New-Age wellness approaches on indigenous healing. I argue that Māori healing moves beyond the binary of “tradition” and “modern” as healers merge the past and present and combine the foreign and native. My research is based …