Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Mask Activity In Dopaminergic Neurons Extends Lifespan In Flies, Xiaolin Tian

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Dopaminergic neurons (DANs) are essential modulators for brain functions involving memory formation, reward processing, and decision-making. Here I demonstrate a novel and important function of the DANs in regulating aging and longevity. Overexpressing the putative scaffolding protein Mask in two small groups of DANs in flies can significantly extend the lifespan in flies and sustain adult locomotor and fecundity at old ages. This Mask-induced beneficial effect requires dopaminergic transmission but cannot be recapitulated by elevating dopamine production alone in the DANs. Independent activation of Gαs in the same two groups of DANs via the drug-inducible DREADD system also extends fly …

Short Term Outcomes Of Covid-19 In Lupus: Propensity Score Matched Analysis From A Nationwide Multi-Centric Research Network, Rahul Raiker, Haig Pakhchanian, Charles Deyoung, Latika Gupta, Sinan Kardes, Sakir Ahmed, Chengappa Kavadichanda

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Objectives

To determine the severity and outcome of COVID-19 among individuals with lupus as compared to controls. The secondary objective was to identify the risk association of sex, race, presence of nephritis, and use of various immunomodulators with COVID-19 outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective data of individuals with lupus with and without COVID-19 between January 2020 to May 2021 was retrieved from the TriNetX. A one-to-one matched COVID-19 positive control was selected using propensity score(PS) matching. We assessed several outcomes, including all-cause mortality, hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, severe COVID, acute kidney injury (AKI), Haemodialysis, acute respiratory distress syndrome …

The Sandhill Crane State: A Naturalist’S Guide To Nebraska, Paul Johnsgard

Zea E-Books Collection

This book includes the locations, descriptions, and points of biological, historical, geological, or paleontological interest of nearly 350 sites in Nebraska, most of which are free to access. Its 53,000 words include accounts of 9 state historical parks, 8 state parks, 2 national forests, 2 national monuments, and 7 national wildlife refuges as well as 181 wildlife management areas, 56 waterfowl production areas, and 54 state recreation areas. It also includes 48 state and county maps, 18 drawings, 33 photographs, and nearly 200 literature citations.

doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.zea.1305

Teaching Meiosis With The Dna Triangle Framework: A Classroom Activity That Changes How Students Think About Chromosomes, Leslie Kate Wright, Paulina Cortez, Margaret A. Franzen, Dina L. Newman

Articles

Many biology students struggle to learn about the process of meiosis and have particular difficulty understanding the molecular basis of crossing over and the importance of homologous pairing for proper segregation. To help students overcome these challenges, we designed an activity that uses a newly developed Chromosome Connections Kit® from 3-D Molecular Designs to allow learners to explore meiosis at the molecular level. We took a backwards design approach in constructing an effective classroom activity. We developed evidence-based learning objectives and designed a crossing over activity that targets students' misconceptions and key concepts about meiosis. Assessment questions were designed based …

Stakeholders’ Perception On The Use Of Computer-Based Test To Assess Biology Lessons During Covid-19 Lockdown In Nigeria: Implications For Library Practice, William Onu, Blessing C. Asogwa, Ifeyinwa A. Nzekwe, Stanley I. Ugwu, Samuel C. Asogwa

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The acceptance of CBT before COVID-19 varied significantly among stakeholders. Considering the closure of schools, governments resorting to radio lessons to keep students educated, and the need to safely assess learning, the study seeks to ascertain the status of stakeholders’ perception on CBT for assessing radio Biology lessons. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study, which adopted descriptive research design. 321 stakeholders’ views were collated using an online survey, with a face/content-validated questionnaire titled "questionnaire on stakeholders’ perception of CBT”, having Cronbach Alpha reliability estimate of 0.83. Mean/standard deviation were used to answer research questions. T-test was used …

Stretching After An In-Water Warm-Up Does Not Acutely Improve Sprint Freestyle Swim Performance In Diii Collegiate Swimmers, Haven L. Westra, Alexander H.K. Montoye

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 2: Issue 1, Article 11, 2021. Stretching, as part of a warm-up prior to competition, has been used as a method to enhance performance in swimming and other sports, but its efficacy as a potential ergogenic aid remains understudied. This study’s purpose was to determine if acute static stretching or a dynamic warm-up, following an in-water swim-specific warm-up, improved sprint freestyle swim performance in collegiate swimmers. NCAA Division III swimmers (n=15, 67% female) participated in three testing protocols. In each protocol, participants did an in-water warm up and either a dynamic warmup …

Isolation In Older Adults During Covid-19, Ashley N. Soles

McNair Scholars Research Journal

Human beings need to have social interaction to be able to survive. Social and emotional isolation affects not only mental health but physical health as well (Coyle & Dugan, 2012). Recent research reported that “the prevalence of severe loneliness among older people living in care homes is at least double that of community-dwelling populations: 22-42% for the care population compared with 10% for the community population” (Victor, 2012, p. 637). The Centers for Disease Control [CDC] (2020a) reported that “80% of deaths associated with COVID-19 were among adults aged ≥65 years” (para. 1). This paper examines what older adults are …

Life In The Fast Lane: Is The Pace-Of-Life Syndrome Supported In Tarantulas?, Peter Landor

McNair Scholars Research Journal

Pace-of-Life Syndrome (PoLS) hypothesizes that there is a correlation between life history, behavior, and physiology along an axis from slow to fast. Fast-paced species reach sexual maturity faster while also exhibiting faster growth rates, which, in turn, correspond to a higher rate of metabolism. Tarantulas are good model organisms for studying PoLS because species fit along the spectrum from very slow-growing species to species that mature, reproduce, and die within a relatively short time span. Our study will determine if the PoLS is supported in tarantulas. Specifically, we compared species with different lifespans and measured metabolic rates and growth rates. …

Assessments Of Stream Flow And Flooding Along The Pere Marquette River, West Michigan, Kenneth Ferrell Jr.

McNair Scholars Research Journal

Understanding how stream flow in rivers across Michigan is responding to climate change is important because rivers are used for hydroelectricity, recreation, fisheries, and many people own property along them. Michigan’s annual rainfall has increased by three inches since 1940 and is expected to increase by 0.036 inches/year through the 21st century due to climate change. In this study, I test the hypothesis that increased rainfall will lead to more frequent flooding along Michigan’s rivers. I do so by analyzing river discharge data and flow-duration curves from a stream gaging station on the Pere Marquette River, the largest undammed river …

Introduction, Heather Neff, Dara Walker

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

High Polymorphism For Forage Production Of Lotus Corniculatus Sn Transformants, Sergio Arcioni, F. Paolocci, V. Turchetti, F. Damiani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Transgenic plants obtained from transformation of one individual of Lotus corniculatus with the maize gene Sn, a transactivator of anthocyanin pathway, were analysed for the expression of the transgene and for the accumulation of condensed tannins. A great variability was observed for these two traits. Some extreme individuals were clonally propagated and analysed for rooting ability and plant growth. Unexpectedly, a strong correlation between condensed tannin level, rooting ability and plant growth was observed. These results are discussed in order to explore new strategies to increase plant productivity in forage legumes.

Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections In Grazing Domestic Ruminants, M. Eysker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

World wide gastrointestinal nematode infections impair production of ruminants. Particularly in small ruminants control of these infections is seriously hampered by the development of resistance of the parasites against anthelmintic drugs. This implies that alternative control measures have to be implemented in order to maintain a sustainable ruminant industry. In this paper the various possibilities to achieve this are briefly discussed. The possibilities discussed include grazing management, vaccination, selective breeding, biological control, nutrition and the use of bioactive forages such as for instance plants containing condensed tannins. At the end it is concluded that combinations of these options should preferably …

Plant Secondary Compounds; Their Impact On Forage Nutritive Value And Upon Animal Production, T. N. Barry, D. M. Mcneill, W. C. Mcnabb

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Both the anti-nutritional and beneficial effects of secondary compounds in a range of temperate and tropical forages have been reviewed. Major secondary compounds in temperate and tropical forage plants occur in the phenolic fraction and include condensed and hydrolysable tannins, phenolic monomers and lignin. Condensed tannins (CT) bind to plant protein by pH-reversible hydrogen bonding. In temperate legume forages this reduces rumen protein degradation and can increase the absorption of essential amino acids (EAA) from the small intestine, with reactivity depending on CT concentration, molecular weight and chemical structure. Low concentrations of CT in Lotus corniculatus (20-40g/kg DM) increased EAA …

A Strategy For Detecting Natural Anthelmintic Constituents Of The Grassland Species Plantago Lanceolata, D. L. Gustine, M. A. Sanderson, J. Getzie, S. Donner, R. Gueldner, N. Jennings

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A strategy to detect anthelmintic constituents in plantain (Plantago lanceolata) using a bioassay-driven purification approach was tested. Plantain consumed by cattle may control or reduce internal parasite titers, possibly due to the iridoid glucoside aucubin. Lyophilized, ground leaves of wild P. lanceolata were extracted with 95 % ethanol or boiling water containing calcium carbonate. Partially purified extracts (0 to 250 mg ml^-1), 5 μg ml^-1 of the anthelmintic levamisole, or 5 mg ml^-1 of aucubin were tested with sheathed bovine parasites (Ostertagia ostertagi). The percent moving worms was unchanged for water controls …

The Fierce Green Fire: Vol. 12 Issue 3, Wofford College. Department Of Environmental Studies

The Fierce Green Fire

No abstract provided.

Medical School Watercooler Newsletter - October 8, 2021, Lindsey Lyle

Watercooler Newsletter

This is the October 8, 2021 edition of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine's newsletter - Watercooler.

Contents include:

• USA Medical Alumni Association kicks off 2021 membership drive
• Medical students invited to 'Diversity Equity and Inclusion in GME' discussion
• More than 60 vaccinated at Medical Spanish Interest Group events in Mobile
• Nominations open for Mayer Mitchell Award
• Students launch gift box campaign for children in need
• Meet a Med Student: Shane Stephenson
• USA College of Medicine alumna joins USA Health as rheumatologist
• Faculty Spotlight: Robert Schneider, M.D., F.A.C.E.P

Light & Faith, Taylor University

Inauguration Programs

The program for the inauguration of D. Michael Lindsay, Ph.D. as the President of Taylor University on October 8, 2021.

New Approach For Assigning Mean Oxidation Number Of Carbons To Organonitrogen And Organosulfur Compounds, Pong Kau Yuen, Cheng Man Diana Lau

Faculty Publications

Organonitrogen and organosulfur compounds are abundant in the natural environment. To understand the biological redox pathways properly, it is important for learners to be able to count the oxidation number of organic carbons. However, the process of counting is not always easy. In addition, organonitrogen and organosulfur molecules are seldom studied. To compensate these problems, this paper explores the bonddividing method, which can effectively determine the mean oxidation number of carbons of organonitrogen and organosulfur molecules. This method uses the cleavage of carbon-sulfur and carbon-nitrogen bonds to obtain the organic and inorganic fragments. The mean oxidation numbers of carbon atoms, …

Utilising A Systematic Review-Based Approach To Create A Database Of Individual Participant Data For Meta- And Network Meta-Analyses: The Release Database Of Aphasia After Stroke, Release Collaborators, Jackie Hinckley

HPD Articles

Background

Collation of aphasia research data across settings, countries and study designs using big data principles will support analyses across different language modalities, levels of impairment, and therapy interventions in this heterogeneous population. Big data approaches in aphasia research may support vital analyses, which are unachievable within individual trial datasets. However, we lack insight into the requirements for a systematically created database, the feasibility and challenges and potential utility of the type of data collated.

Aim

To report the development, preparation and establishment of an internationally agreed aphasia after stroke research database of individual participant data (IPD) to facilitate planned …

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program: A Case Study Of The Use Of Forgivable Loans In Recruiting Future Stem Teachers, Katie N. Smith

Journal of Student Financial Aid

In 2018-2019, North Carolina implemented a loan forgiveness program to recruit talented postsecondary students into teaching majors in needed subject areas. This qualitative case study analyzes the influence of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program (NCTFP) on 10 student participants’ college, major, and career plans in STEM education to understand how loan incentives shaped student interest in teaching careers in STEM subjects. Findings reveal that forgivable loan funding influenced college choice among those choosing institutions at the time of NCTFP acceptance. While the NCTFP was most appealing to participants who already planned to become STEM educators, there is also evidence …

High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Effects Of Adipocyte-Specific Cxcr2 Conditional Knockout In The Peritoneal Tumor Microenvironment Of Ovarian Cancer, Deokyeong Choe, Eun-Sook Lee, Alicia Beeghly-Fadiel, Andrew J. Wilson, Margaret M. Whalen, Samuel E. Adunyah, Deok-Soo Son

Chemistry Faculty Research

Obesity contributes to ovarian cancer (OC) progression via tumorigenic chemokines. Adipocytes and OC cells highly express CXCR2, and its ligands CXCL1/8, respectively, indicating that the CXCL1/8-CXCR2 axis is a molecular link between obesity and OC. Here, we investigated how the adipocyte-specific CXCR2 conditional knockout (cKO) affected the peritoneal tumor microenvironment of OC in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. We first generated adipocyte-specific CXCR2 cKO in mice: adipose tissues were not different in crown-like structures and adipocyte size between the wild-type (WT) and cKO mice but expressed lower levels of CCL2/6 compared to the obese WT mice. HFD-induced obese …

October 8, 2021 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Daily Eastern News: October 08, 2021, Eastern Illinois University

October

No abstract provided.

Naturally Occurring Genetic Variants In The Oxytocin Receptor Alter Receptor Signaling Profiles, Manasi Malik, Michael D Ward, Yingye Fang, Justin R Porter, Maxwell I Zimmerman, Thomas Koelblen, Michelle Roh, Antonina I Frolova, Thomas P Burris, Gregory R Bowman, Princess I Imoukhuede, Sarah K England

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The hormone oxytocin is commonly administered during childbirth to initiate and strengthen uterine contractions and prevent postpartum hemorrhage. However, patients have wide variation in the oxytocin dose required for a clinical response. To begin to uncover the mechanisms underlying this variability, we screened the 11 most prevalent missense genetic variants in the oxytocin receptor (

Prioritization Of Molecular Targets For Antimalarial Drug Discovery, Barbara Forte, Daniel E Goldberg, Eva S Istvan, Et Al

2020-Current year OA Pubs

There is a shift in antimalarial drug discovery from phenotypic screening toward target-based approaches, as more potential drug targets are being validated in

The Diamond, October 8, 2021, Dordt University

Dordt Diamond

• Front Page: Dordt University, Hoekstra, Ask Sioux Center for $2 Million; Art, But in the Prairie; Peter and the Starcatcher: Belonging and Family
• News: Dr. Culpepper Shares the Story of The Book; Smit to Depart for a Year; F.L.A.M.E.'s 55th Open in Mornings; Music with Friends; Defender Forever: A New Way to Stay Connected
• Arts & Entertainment: Dear Evan Hansen... ; Dear Evan Hansen and Mental Health; Super Fascia: A Glimpse into the Human Mind
• Opinion: The Bike Bandwagon; Album Review: Montero by Lil Nas X; The Op-Ed is Dead
• Feature: Vero's Taco …

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (Icp-Oes) Analysis Of Trace Metals In Cigarette Litter Collected At Mcneese State University In Lake Charles, La, United States, Liliya Snaychuk, Trey Vaughan, Zachary Ullery, Chris Douvris, Derek Bussan

EKU Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Cigarette smoking is the most commonly used form of tobacco in the world. It is practiced by a large portion of the population, especially young people. These people often ignore or disregard the harmful toxic impacts that cigarettes have on both themselves and the environment. The United States Center for Disease Control estimates that nearly 40 million U.S. adults still smoke cigarettes, with nearly 1600 U.S. youth starting cigarette smoking every day. Although it is well-known that smoking cigarettes is addictive and leads to a numerous health conditions including cancer, chronic pulmonary and heart disease, the effect of disposing the …

Braf Mutations May Identify A Clinically Distinct Subset Of Glioblastoma, Samantha N Mcnulty, Katherine E Schwetye, Cole Ferguson, Chad E Storer, George Ansstas, Albert H Kim, David H Gutmann, Joshua B Rubin, Richard D Head, Sonika Dahiya

Open Access Publications

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Prior studies examining the mutational landscape of GBM revealed recurrent alterations in genes that regulate the same growth control pathways. To this regard, ~ 40% of GBM harbor EGFR alterations, whereas BRAF variants are rare. Existing data suggests that gain-of-function mutations in these genes are mutually exclusive. This study was designed to explore the clinical, pathological, and molecular differences between EGFR- and BRAF-mutated GBM. We reviewed retrospective clinical data from 89 GBM patients referred for molecular testing between November 2012 and December 2015. Differences in tumor mutational profile, …

Assessment Of Sewage Workers’ Exposure To Hazardous Materials In Iraq: Sewage Workers Exposure And Hazardous Materials, Estabraq Alwasiti

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine

Background:Sewage workers, who maintain the sewage system and provide an essential service for public health protection, may come in direct contact with sewage hazards which then may induce DNA damage and oxidative stress. The aim of this studyis to assess the level of nitric oxide, homocysteine, 8 OHdG, and vitamin s A & E in the plasma of sewage workers for different periods of exposure.Results:Nitric oxide, vitamin A, and vitamin E showed a significant reduction in sewage workers when compared with anon-exposed control group. However, homocysteine and 8 OHdGlevels were increased in sewage workers when compared with thenon-exposed control group.Conclusions:Sew …

Designing A Nurse-Led Assessment And Care Planning Intervention To Support Frail Older People In Primary Care: An E-Delphi Study, Helen Lyndon, Jos M. Latour, Jonathan Marsden, Bridie Kent

School of Nursing and Midwifery

No abstract provided.