Digital Commons Network^™

The Comparative Cytotoxicity And Genotoxicity Of Hexavalent Chromium In Humans And Sea Turtles., Rachel M. Speer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring the health effects of environmental contaminants can be achieved using sentinel species as models. Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are an endangered marine species that may experience prolonged exposures to environmental contaminants including hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]. While Cr(VI) has been identified as a known human carcinogen, the health effects in marine species are poorly understood. In this study the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of particulate and soluble Cr(VI) were assessed in leatherback lung cells and compared to those in human lung cells. Cr(VI) induced a concentration-dependent increase in cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in leatherback lung cells indicating Cr(VI) …

Math Department Newsletter, 2017, University Of Dayton. Department Of Mathematics

Department of Mathematics Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Moving Forward In Circles: Challenges And Opportunities In Modelling Population Cycles, Frédéric Barraquand, Stilianos Louca, Karen C. Abbott, Christina A. Cobbold, Flora Cordoleani, Donald L. Deangelis, Bret D. Elderd, Jeremy W. Fox, Priscilla Greenwood, Frank M. Hilker, Dennis L. Murray, Christopher R. Stieha, Rachel A. Taylor, Kelsey Vitense, Gail S.K. Wolkowicz, Rebecca C. Tyson

Faculty Publications

© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/CNRS Population cycling is a widespread phenomenon, observed across a multitude of taxa in both laboratory and natural conditions. Historically, the theory associated with population cycles was tightly linked to pairwise consumer–resource interactions and studied via deterministic models, but current empirical and theoretical research reveals a much richer basis for ecological cycles. Stochasticity and seasonality can modulate or create cyclic behaviour in non-intuitive ways, the high-dimensionality in ecological systems can profoundly influence cycling, and so can demographic structure and eco-evolutionary dynamics. An inclusive theory for population cycles, ranging from ecosystem-level to demographic modelling, grounded …

A Comparison Of Outdoor Bioaerosol And Particulate Measurements In Las Vegas, Tanviben Yogeshkumar Patel

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The urbanization of the Las Vegas Valley has turned the desert into a green oasis by introducing many non-native plant species, some of which are allergenic. Outdoor bioaerosols consist of microorganisms, pollen, spores, and other agents that could cause infections or affect the health of humans. Studies have suggested that exposure to bioaerosols through inhalation can lead to various human health risks. Typically, one monitoring station is established per city to obtain pollen and mold counts for an entire metropolitan area, and the site may not be representative of community exposures. The objective of this study was to measure and …

Oviposition Preference And Offspring Performance In Container Breeding Mosquitoes: Evaluating The Effects Of Organic Compounds And Laboratory Colonisation, David W. Allgood, Donald A. Yee

Faculty Publications

1. The preference–performance hypothesis (PPH) predicts that organisms lacking parental care should oviposit in habitats that optimise offspring performance. Preference–performance relationships were investigated for the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus Skuse) and the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus Say) (Diptera: Culicidae), two medically important container-breeding species, in response to an organic chemical blend mimicking decaying plant matter. Additionally, the effects of long-term laboratory colonisation of Cx. quinquefasciatus using wild and laboratory strains were evaluated.

2. Oviposition bioassays were conducted by releasing gravid mosquitoes into field enclosures with automobile tires containing low and high concentrations of the chemical blend, …

Catalase Is A Determinant Of The Colonization And Transovarial Transmission Of Rickettsia Parkeri In The Gulf Coast Tick Amblyomma Maculatum, Khemraj Budachetri, Deepak Kumar, Shahid Karim

Faculty Publications

The Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) has evolved as a competent vector of the spotted‐fever group rickettsia, Rickettsia parkeri. In this study, the functional role of catalase, an enzyme responsible for the degradation of toxic hydrogen peroxide, in the colonization of the tick vector by R. parkeri and transovarial transmission of this pathogen to the next tick generation, was investigated. Catalase gene (CAT) expression in midgut, salivary glands and ovarian tissues exhibited a 2–11‐fold increase in transcription level upon R. parkeri infection. Depletion of CAT transcripts using an RNA‐interference approach significantly reduced R. parkeri infection …

Life-Shortening Wolbachia Infection Reduces Population Growth Of Aedes Aegypti, Eunho Suh, David R. Mercer, Stephen L. Dobson

Entomology Faculty Publications

Wolbachia bacteria are being introduced into natural populations of vector mosquitoes, with the goal of reducing the transmission of human diseases such as Zika and dengue fever. The successful establishment of Wolbachia infection is largely dependent on the effects of Wolbachia infection to host fitness, but the effects of Wolbachia infection on the individual life-history traits of immature mosquitoes can vary. Here, the effects of life-shortening Wolbachia (wMelPop) on population growth of infected individuals were evaluated by measuring larval survival, developmental time and adult size of Aedes aegypti in intra- (infected or uninfected only) and inter-group (mixed with …

Hap Prevention: One Tracheostomy At A Time, Elenita Gianan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Abstract

The objective of this project is to educate the nursing and respiratory therapist staff, along with the patient and their families on the importance of discarding used suction catheters. The intention of this project is to provide awareness and education on the negative implications of re-using a saved one-time use tracheal suction catheters. As a future CNL, through the competency as the Clinician, designating and coordinating care for the individual to promote health and risk prevention can be practiced. Many times, a single-use tracheal suction catheter was noticed hanging connected to the suction wall, tucked under the patient’s pillow, …

Evaluation Of Trained Immunity By Β-1, 3 (D)-Glucan On Murine Monocytes In Vitro And Duration Of Response In Vivo, Pablo Garcia-Valtanen, Ruth Marian Guzman-Genuino, David L. Williams, John D. Hayball, Kerrilyn R. Diener

ETSU Faculty Works

The β-1, 3 (d)-glucan (β-glucan) present in the cell wall of Candida albicans induces epigenetic changes in human monocytes resulting in primed macrophages exhibiting increased cytokine responsiveness to reinfection. This phenomenon is referred to as trained immunity or innate immune memory. However, whether β-glucan can reprogramme murine monocytes in vitro or induce lasting effects in vivo has yet to be elucidated. Thus, purified murine spleen-derived monocytes were primed with β-glucan in vitro and assessed for markers of differentiation and survival. Important macrophage cell markers during monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation were downregulated and survival enhanced due to partial inhibition of apoptosis. Increased survival …

Beringian Biogeography: Patterns Of Intercontinental Dispersal And The Structuring Of A Holarctic Tapeworm Genus, Genevieve M. Haas

All NMU Master's Theses

The opening and closing of the Bering Land Bridge due to Pleistocene climate fluctuations facilitated the exchange of taxa between the Palearctic and Nearctic. While many studies have worked toward elucidating the role of Beringia in assembling northern faunas, relatively little work has focused on parasites. Here I examine the number and direction of transberingian colonization events within the Holarctic tapeworm genus, Arostrilepis Mas-Coma & Tenora, 1997. I performed maximum likelihood and multi-locus coalescent phylogenetic reconstructions using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Biogeographic ancestral range estimations were conducted on the resulting species phylogeny. My systematic reconstructions reveal as many as …

The Role Of Disease And Ectoparasites In The Ecology Of Nestling Golden Eagles, Benjamin Michael Dudek

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Climate and anthropogenic land use changes can alter biological communities and affect disease infection rates and parasite species distribution and abundance. Management to mitigate the threats of emerging infectious diseases and parasite species requires identifying and understanding factors that influence individual susceptibility within populations. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in southwestern Idaho face several current and emerging threats, including a landscape-mediated diet shift that has increased the potential for disease infection, and warming temperatures that may increase the distribution and abundance of hematophagous ectoparasites. We examined prevalence of Trichomonas gallinae infection in golden eagle nestlings across western North America …

Treatments For Opioid Use Disorder Among Pregnant And Reproductive-Aged Women., Dennis J. Hand, Vanessa L. Short, Diane J. Abatemarco

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

The increased prevalence of opioid use disorder and access to medical insurance is subsequently increasing the likelihood that medical professionals will encounter individuals with opioid use disorder. Sharp increases in opioid use disorder among women mean that obstetricians, gynecologists, and other reproductive medicine providers may be especially likely to encounter such patients. Medical professionals' understanding of treatment for opioid use disorder and their roles in their patients' treatment may increase referrals to treatment, reduce stigma, and improve the quality of medical care. Treatment for opioid use disorder falls into four overlapping domains: medication management, medical care, behavioral/mental health care, and …

Biocidal Defeat Agents Produced By Silver-Iodine Nanoenergetic Gas Generators, Ivan Davila

Theses and Dissertations

Nanostructured aluminum (Al), iodine pentoxide (I2O5) nano-rods, and silver oxide (Ag2O) nanoparticles, (Al-I2O5-Ag 2O) were used to compose the ternary thermite composition that serves as a Nanoenergetic Gas Generator (NGG). This composition produces biocidal gases giving the mixture the ability to destroy highly pathogenic microorganisms or bacteria. The dissemination of the biocidal gas in combustion chamber was observed using a high-speed camera. The testing of NGG combustion process against the living Escherichia coli (E.coli) K-12 strain cells, that were cultivated/placed on the sample/chamber surfaces, demonstrated that iodine and silver atoms clouds were deposited to the bacteria surface. The 10/75/15 wt …

Effects Of Acute Sepsis On Renal Structure And Sympathetic Innervation In Mice, Tuqa Alkhateeb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sympathetic nerves are important for renal physiology and sepsis pathophysiology. A recent study showed sprouting of sympathetic nerves in spleen of septic mice. This study was done to test if renal sprouting of sympathetic nerves also happens and to investigate renal morphology in septic mice. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to induce sepsis and kidneys were removed for evaluation. Bowman’s space was diminished with cortical bubble cells present suggestive of acute renal pathology, however, renal function was unchanged. Acute sepsis did not affect either renal sympathetic innervation or non-neuronal cholinergic cells. Mouse kidneys had more epinephrine (EPI) than …

Characterization Of Filifactor Alocis And Its Immune Evasion Strategies Employed Against Human Neutrophils., Cortney Linn Armstrong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is among the most common of inflammatory conditions and is caused by bacterial and host derived factors. The presence of bacteria drives the recruitment of neutrophils, professional phagocytes, to migrate to specific oral sites where they produce potent antimicrobials to kill their target. However, this inflammation and production of antimicrobials must be strictly regulated to minimize collateral host tissue damage. Human neutrophils recognized the oral pathogen Filifactor alocis through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and upon binding, activated both p38 MAPK and ERK signaling pathways, known to be involved in neutrophil cell migration and degranulation. F. alocis also stimulated …

Pilot Study: Evaluating The Risk Of Allergen Cross-Contact In Ice Cream Scoop Shop Dipper Wells, Lindsey Lake

All Theses

Food allergies are a serious and growing problem in developed countries. Allergen cross-contact at foodservice establishments is a common cause of food allergic reactions. Therefore, this study sought to determine if dipper wells used in ice cream scoop shops pose a relevant risk to food allergy sufferers. First, a matrix study was conducted to evaluate if peanut detection by real-time PCR was inhibited by the ice cream matrix, as fat and proteins are known PCR inhibitors. Frozen ice cream, liquid ice cream mix, and water matrices were tested. Second, a controlled time trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of …

A Parapoxviral Virion Protein Inhibits Nf-Κb Signaling Early In Infection, Sushil Khatiwada, Gustavo A. Delhon, Ponnuraj Nagendraprabhu, Sabal Chaulagain, Shuhong Luo, Diego G. Diel, Eduardo F. Flores, D. L. Rock

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Poxviruses have evolved unique proteins and mechanisms to counteract the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, which is an essential regulatory pathway of host innate immune responses. Here, we describe a NF-κB inhibitory virion protein of orf virus (ORFV), ORFV073, which functions very early in infected cells. Infection with ORFV073 gene deletion virus (OV-IA82Δ073) led to increased accumulation of NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO), marked phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK) subunits IKKα and IKKβ, IκBα and NF-κB subunit p65 (NF-κB-p65), and to early nuclear translocation of NF-κB-p65 in virusinfected cells (30 min post infection). Expression of ORFV073 alone was sufficient to …

Umrah. An Opportunity For Mass Gatherings Health Research, Saber Yezli, Yara M. Yassin, Amnah H. Awam, Amaar A Attar, Emad A. Al-Jahdali, Badriah M. Alotaibi

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Medical Residents’ Attitudes And Emotions Related To Middle East Respiratory Syndrome In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Turki Aldrees, Mohammed Al Ghobain, Abdullah Alenezi, Saleh Alqaryan, Dana Aldabeeb, Najed Alotaibi, Kamal Alzahrani, Sami Alharethy

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine medical residents’ emotions, attitudes, and knowledge related to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks. Methods: In this is a cross sectional study, self-administered questionnaires were distributed and collected before resident education activities in 4 tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between November 2015 and January 2016. The questionnaire included questions related to residents’ demographic data and their emotions, attitudes, and knowledge related to an MERS outbreak. Results: Of the 228 participants analyzed, 85.5% believed their work put them at risk of infection, and two-thirds believed their family was exposed to a greater risk of infection. …

Improving Nk Cell Therapy For Osteosarcoma, Jennifer Foltz

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor. Despite new treatment options, 5-year survival for metastatic OS has remained at only 30% for the last 30 years. Adoptive transfer of Natural Killer (NK) cells holds promise for a new, non-toxic therapy for OS. NK cells are part of the innate immune system and readily kill metastatic and chemotherapy-resistant OS in vitro and in murine models. However, there is little data regarding their efficacy in animal models with an intact immune system. In addition, the OS tumor microenvironment is highly suppressive, producing TGFβ which impedes NK cell killing of solid …

Application Of Glycoconjugate-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles As Potent Anti-Adhesion And Anti-Bacterial Agents, Yash S. Raval

All Dissertations

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are currently being extensively in multitude of biomedical applications on account of their exceptional biocompatibility. By attaching different targeting ligands/molecules, MNPs have been broadly used in magnetic hyperthermia, cancer therapy, targeted drug delivery, MRI imaging, pathogen detection, and biological cell-separation. In this dissertation, MNPs coated with polyethylene oxide (PEO) based polymer (PEO-MNPs) and functionalized with bacterial adhesin-specific glycoconjugate molecule Neu5Ac(α2-3)Gal(β1-4)-Glcβ-sp (GM3-MNPs), are investigated for their interactions with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). It also describes the feasibility of using alternating magnetic fields (AMF) for targeted killing of E. coli K99 (EC K99) strain using MNPs. Lastly, the …

Understanding Federalism And U.S. Fluoridation Policy: The Policy Landscape Of U.S. Fluoridation Policy, Thomas C. Walker Iii

All Dissertations

In 2015, the Federal Panel on Community Water Fluoridation finalized a recommendation setting a fixed 0.7 mg/L optimal water fluoridation level for the United States. The announcement was made in the Federal Register in 2011 and allowed for a period of public comment and scientific review before being finalized. Since the original 1962 optimal range recommendation, community water fluoridation has been a decentralized policy environment allowing for local decision-making in setting water fluoridation levels. The finalized 2015 policy recommendation attempts to centralize policy decision-making to reduce the risk of overexposure while maintaining decentralized implementation. This dissertation addresses the following research …

Persistence Of Enteric Viruses On Surfaces Under Varying Environmental Conditions, Nicole L. Turnage

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human enteric viruses such as human norovirus (hNoV) and Aichivirus A (AiV) are common foodborne viruses with hNoVs being identified as the leading causative agent of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. Moreover, hNoVs have been identified as the leading cause of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis in the U.S. and worldwide. Fomite surface contamination is a major transmission route for enteric viruses. The application of an optimized virus recovery method from fomites is essential for better understanding of virus persistence under varying environmental conditions (EC). This study aimed to optimize a surface sampling method for virus recovery from nonporous food contact surfaces …

Intravenous Administration Of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles In The Chicken Model, Huong Thi Ngoc Le

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

To be used in health care, the safety and effectiveness of nanoparticles needs to be tested in a living organism. The objective of this project was to develop the chicken as a convenient animal model to examine tissue targeting of intravenously (i.v.)-injected iron oxide (IO) nanoparticles. In Experiment 1, different doses of IO-COOH were i.v. injected into chickens; blood was collected at 0, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes post-injection; liver, spleen, lung, and kidney were collected after the last blood collection. For Experiment 2, IO-COOH and IO-PEG were i.v. injected into chickens; blood and the organs were collected at …

Removal Of Nitrates From Stormwater Using Nanoclays, Rubia Siddiqi

Master's Theses

Creeks and rivers are often polluted as a result of stormwater runoff that carries various contaminants in to open water bodies, causing adverse environmental and health effects. Low impact development (LID) techniques are currently employed to treat this runoff prior to discharge. Nitrate, however, is not consistently removed by these LID techniques. This study analyzed the ability of several nanoclays to remove nitrate in runoff and determined the feasibility of using them as a soil supplement for LID implementation. Six different nanoclays and HCl-treated clays were compared (pre-modified trimethyl stearyl ammonium nanoclay, pre-modified dimethyl dialkyl amine nanoclay, unmodified hydrophilic bentonite, …

Comparison Of Chikungunya Virus Strains In Disease Severity And Susceptibility To T-705 (Favipiravir), In Vitro And In Vivo, Makda Gebre

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Chikungunya is a mosquito-transmitted disease caused by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). Symptoms of Chikungunya include debilitating joint pain and swelling, fever and rash. CHIKV was first discovered in 1953 in Tanzania, and has since caused periodic outbreaks of disease. The virus reemerged recently in 2004 and has since spread around the world affecting more than 3 million people. The different strains of CHIKV have been grouped into three phylogenetic clades: West African, Asian and East/Central/South African (ECSA). There are no FDA approved medicines or vaccines used to treat or prevent CHIKV infection. The antiviral drug, T-705 (commercially known as Favipiravir), has …

Vector Competence Of Populations Of Aedes Aegypti From Three Distinct Cities In Kenya For Chikungunya Virus, Sheila B. Agha, Edith Chepkorir, Francis Mulwa, Caroline Tigoi, Samwel Arum, Milehna M. Guarido, Peris Ambala, Betty Chelangat, Joel Lutomiah, David P. Tchouassi, Michael J. Turell, Rosemary Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: In April, 2004, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) re-emerged in Kenya and eventually spread to the islands in the Indian Ocean basin, South-East Asia, and the Americas. The virus, which is often associated with high levels of viremia in humans, is mostly transmitted by the urban vector, Aedes aegypti. The expansion of CHIKV presents a public health challenge both locally and internationally. In this study, we investigated the ability of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes from three distinct cities in Kenya; Mombasa (outbreak prone), Kisumu, and Nairobi (no documented outbreak) to transmit CHIKV. Methodology/Principal findings: Aedes aegypti mosquito populations were exposed to different …

A Mixed Cation And Anion Exchange Resin System For The Simultaneous Removal Of N-Nitrosodimethylamine And Trihalomethanes Precursors From Water, Wilson Beita Sandi

All Dissertations

Drinking water utilities are relying more than ever on water sources impacted by wastewater effluents. Disinfection of these waters during water treatment may lead to the formation of several disinfection by-products, including the probable human carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and the regulated trihalomethanes (THMs). The main objectives of this dissertation work were to investigate i) the potential of ion exchange resins to remove simultaneously both NDMA and THMs, ii) the factors (i.e., pH and competing ions) that may influence the capability of ion exchange resins, and iii) the effect of bromide on the formation of NDMA. Two ion exchange resins were …

Latent Data Modeling With Biostatistical Applications, Yan Liu

All Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three projects that make use of latent variable modeling techniques. One of the focuses of this dissertation research has been in the area of spatial and spatio-temporal modeling. The specific topics and motivating problems in this study have been fully supported and motivated by the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC). In particular, the CAPC has developed a rather extensive database, which houses several common dog disease data sets collected throughout the conterminous United States. This data exists at a county level and was collected monthly over a span of 5 consecutive years, and exhibits strong spatial …

Physiological Effects Of Pathogen And Herbivore Risks Encountered By Quaking Aspen, Anson Clark Call

Theses and Dissertations

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is the most widely distributed tree in North America (Lindroth and St Clair 2013), and a keystone species in our western montane forests (Worrall et al. 2015). Aspen has become a model organism for studies of genetics and physiology in woody plants (Bradshaw et al. 2000, Taylor 2002). Aspen is also economicallyimportant (Worrall et al. 2015) – wood is harvested for various uses, its scenic beauty helps sustain the tourism economy in many areas, and it has recently been studied as a possible source of biofuel (Sannigrahi et al. 2010). Aspen is also a …