Digital Commons Network^™

Assist Conservation With Microbiome? An Investigation Using Native Amphibian Species In Hong Kong, Pui Yin Lam

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Microorganisms often have a negative connotation of disease, especially during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, many microorganisms are essential to health, from assisting nutrient acquisition to providing insights in advanced medicine. The diverse microorganisms (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, and protozoans) inhabiting a host are collectively known as the “microbiota”. The importance of microbiota is not limited to humans, but also applies to wildlife. Recent research highlighted the tremendous potential of applying microbiota research to wildlife conservation, such as understanding host’s health in relation to anthropogenic effects. Amphibians, being one of the most diverse but threatened groups of vertebrates, are …

Quantifying The Ecological Impacts Of Alien Aquatic Macrophytes: A Global Meta-Analysis Of Effects On Fish, Macroinvertebrate And Macrophyte Assemblages, Samuel J.L. Tasker, Andrew Foggo, David T. Bilton

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

1. Biological invasions constitute a pervasive and growing threat to the biodiversity and functioning of freshwater ecosystems. Macrophytes are key primary producers and ecosystem engineers in freshwaters, meaning that alien macrophyte invasions have the capacity to alter the structure and function of recipient aquatic ecosystems profoundly. Although prevailing wisdom holds that alien macrophyte invasions tend to compromise freshwater ecosystem structure and function, the ecological impacts of alien macrophyte invasion have not been quantitatively reviewed to date. 2. Here we present a global meta-analysis of 202 cases from 53 research articles, exploring the impacts of alien macrophyte invasion on the abundance …

Thermodynamic And Structural Quantification Of Metal Ions Binding To The Antimicrobial Peptide Calcitermin, Sohee Choi

Master's Theses

Over the past several decades the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria has grown dramatically, in part due to the over-prescription of antibiotics. This rise in antibiotic resistance has led to development of novel antibiotics. An attractive alternative to treat bacterial infections may be the use of antimicrobial peptides due their little-known resistance from bacteria. One such peptide is calcitermin (VAIALKAAHYHTHKE), a 15-residue peptide found in human airways. Calcitermin has antimicrobial properties that target Gram-positive bacteria and is most active in acidic buffer (pH 5.4) due to protonation of its three histidine residues, which allows it to interact with the negatively …

Sustaining Indigenous Knowledge Through The Digitization Of Information On Herbal Medicine In Medical Libraries In Nigeria: Problems And Prospects., Emmanuel Chukwudi Ihekwoaba, Roseline Ngozi Okwor, Caroline Uchenna Nnadi, Uzoamaka Uzuoma Jidere, Ify Evangel Obim

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study examined the concept of herbal medicine and the need for supporting Indigenous knowledge through the digitalization of information on the accumulation and transmission of herbal healing practices from generation to generation. It examined the relevance of digitizing herbal medicine information in order to sustain and conserve this unique information. The digitalization of library health information also raises readers' attention. In addition, the organization is responsible for permanent storage and documentation of information resources, in particular health information. This research examined the strategic importance of medical libraries. It described how medical libraries could be crucial in digitizing indigenous herbal …

Food Insecurity Between Two Southern Louisiana Universities: Prevalence And Qualitative Analysis Of Stakeholders' Attitudes, Elizabeth Moore

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Emerging research has demonstrated high food insecurity rates among college students in the United States (US). The goal of this dissertation is to expand upon the literature evaluating food insecurity on college campuses to improve relief efforts. A literature review and mixed methods were used to measure and compare food insecurity prevalence rates and institutional perceptions of this issue among two Louisiana colleges, Louisiana State University (LSU) and McNeese State University (MSU).

Students who were more likely to be food insecure were from low income households, nonwhite, first generation college students, and/or had past reliance on federal assistance. Food insecure …

“High Spending, Poor Productivity Gains!” Assessing Public Health System (In)Efficiency And Hospital Performance In The State Of Kuwait: Would More Private Delivery Improve Healthcare?, Aljawhara Alsabah

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

The healthcare sector in the State of Kuwait has been nurtured for many decades by the government, where the majority of health services in the country are controlled by the Ministry of Health (MoH). Although healthcare services in public sector hospitals are at highly subsidized rates, causing private sector involvement in healthcare to be considerably low, the growing demands for private delivery of care burgeoned participation of private hospitals in Kuwait, and improving hospital efficiency and productivity is more critical and timelier than ever. This dissertation aims to analyze public health system efficiency and hospital performance in the State of …

Where Kindness Is Calculated: Refugee Regimes In South Asia, Shuvro Prosun Sarker, Shreyasi Bhattacharya

Indonesian Journal of International Law

South Asia, as part of SAARC treaty, comprising of nations such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka is not a part of any common system of governance in protecting refugee. These nations have developed their own preference of protection through their practices coupled with mysterious unwillingness to accept international obligations and responsibilities while choosing certain refugee groups to welcome and certain to refuse. Based on this, the article starts with the proposition that this kind of a preferential protection practice that these States have adopted largely, refers to a regime of calculated kindness that …

Traditional Knowledge And Twail, Gunjan Deshpande

Indonesian Journal of International Law

Traditional Knowledge (TK) is a deep-rooted notion in the Indian culture, it is the knowledge that has been passed on for centuries and is governed by the traditional customary laws. It applies to everything from food storage, agriculture to medicine to the preservation of the environment. TK are protected by national or regional laws that provide limited protection. There have been various instances where Indian TK was patented outside India some of the examples are Turmeric, Amla, and Neem. TK is the base of modern science and technology, as it is derived from a strong cultural heritage that is vital …

What’S In Your Glass? Whether Milk Labels Should Be Based On Creation Process Or End Product (Part Iii Of Iii), Samantha Masters

Law Review Blog Posts

Part III of this blog series proposes a three-part solution to the debate over labeling cultured milk that promotes consumer clarity, marketability, and judicial efficiency.

Usa V. Justin Brown

2022 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Telomere Length In Various Age Groups Of Normal-Body Weight Thais And Obese Thais, Thamonwan Nantanawut, Preeya Leelahagul, Aruchalean Taweewongsounton, Wutarak Puengputtho, Somchai Bovornkitti

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: Telomere is non-coding nucleoprotein at the terminal of chromosomes that shortens during DNA replication as a cause of aging. In obese people, excess body fat is a key role in inducing chronic inflammation which accelerates telomere shortening. This study aimed to determine the difference in telomere length between normal body weight and obese Thais males aged 21-82 years.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design including 39 normal body weight and 41 obese subjects. Nutritional status was assessed using body composition and blood biochemistry. General information and health information were obtained by using questionnaires. Telomere length was measured using …

Mortality Rate And Associated Factors In Critically Ill Intubated Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) At Pranangklao Hospital, Natthika Yurakate, Muthita Phanasathit

Asian Medical Journal and Alternative Medicine

Introduction: In the epidemic wave of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in April 2021. This study aimed to explore the 30-day mortality rate and its associated factors and anesthetic practice in critically ill COVID-19 patients who received intubation.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was collected data from medical records in critically ill COVID-19 patients who received intubation and admitted to Pranangklao Hospital (PNKH) from April 1 to June 30, 2021.
Results: A total of 73 patients were admitted and intubated with the median age was 65 years (IQR = 18), 43 (58.9%) were male, 37 (50.7%) were body …

Host Species And Captivity Distinguish The Microbiome Compositions Of A Diverse Zoo-Resident Non-Human Primate Population, Maya O. Wills, Robin R. Shields-Cutler, Emily Brunmeier, Madison Weissenborn, Tami Murphy, Dan Knights, Timothy J. Johnson, Jonathan B. Clayton

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Vast numbers of microorganisms inhabit the mammalian gastrointestinal tract in a complex community referred to as the gut microbiome. An individual’s microbiome may be impacted by genetics, diet, and various environmental factors, and has been associated with many health states and diseases, though specific explanations are lacking. While these communities are well-studied in human populations, non-human primates (NHPs), in particular zoo-resident or captive NHPs, offer distinct advantages to increasing our understanding of factors that influence gut microbiome composition. Here, we characterize the gut microbiome composition of a phylogenetically diverse cohort of NHPs residing in the same urban zoo. We show …

Macrodosing To Microdosing With Psychedelics: Clinical, Social, And Cultural Perspectives, Ayse Ceren Kaypak, Amir Raz

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

To date, the clinical and scientific literature has best documented the effects of classical psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), in typical quantities most often associated with macrodosing. More recently, however, microdosing with psychedelics has emerged as a social trend and nascent therapeutic intervention. This variation in psychedelic practice refers to repeat, intermittent ingestion of less-than-macrodose amounts that do not cause the effects associated with full-blown “trips”. Microdosing paves the road to incorporating psychedelic drugs into a daily routine while maintaining, or even improving, cognitive and mental function. Unlike macrodosing with psychedelics, the influence of …

Are Women With Disabilities Less Likely To Utilize Essential Maternal And Reproductive Health Services?-A Secondary Analysis Of Pakistan Demographic Health Survey, Shafaq Mahmood, Waqas Hameed, Sameen Siddiqi

Community Health Sciences

Background: People with disabilities deal with widespread exclusion from healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights. Studies analyzing the relationship between disability and key SRH utilization outcomes have often reported mixed findings. In Pakistan, very little to no literature is available on this topic, therefore we aim to determine inequalities in the utilization of essential maternal and reproductive health services between women with and without disabilities in Pakistan.
Methods: This was a secondary analysis of Pakistan Demographic Health Survey 2017-18 performed on a weighted sample of 6,711 women aged 15-49 years with a live birth in the 5 …

Effects Of Various Solvents On Adsorption Of Organics For Porous And Nonporous Quartz Co2 Brine Systems: Implications For Co2 Geo-Storage, Muhammad Ali, Nurudeen Yekeen, Mujahid Ali, Mirhasan Hosseini, Nilanjan Pal, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer, Hussein Hoteit

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The underground geo-storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an essential component of the carbon capture and sequestration value chain. The success of CO₂ containment depends on the wetting state of the rock, which controls the mechanism of fluid flow and distribution. The presence of organic acids in the storage formation introduces a considerable effect on the wettability of the rock / CO₂ / brine system under various temperature and pressure conditions. Despite the previous studies on this topic, the impact of the substrate pores, the rock surface roughness, and the solvents used to prepare the organic …

The Impacts Of Shariah-Compliant Hotel Attributes On Muslim Travellers Revisit Intention: Religiosity As A Moderator, Zaidatul Akma Sulaiman, Mohammad Iranmanesh, Behzad Foroughi, Othman Rosly

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the impact of Shariah-compliant hotel attributes on Muslim travellers’ revisit intention.

Design/methodology/approach: A total of 361 Muslim travellers who have stayed at Shariah-compliant hotels in the previous 12 months were recruited to take part in this research. The hypothesized research model was assessed using the partial least squares (PLS) approach.

Findings: The analysis revealed that Muslim travellers’ revisit intention is dependent on the halal food and beverages and the provision of Shariah-compliant facilities at the hotel, whereas the Shariah-compliant operation and interior design of hotels are not significantly associated with it. The findings also …

Ethanol Leaf Extract Of Hoslundia Opposita In In Vivo Antioxidant And Hepatoprotective Activity Using An Animal Model, Fred Coolborn Akharaiyi, Odoligie Imarhiagbe, Lucky Efe Isunu, Adebayo Thomas Ajibola

BioMedicine

Introduction and aim: The liver is a useful organ that is responsible for the detoxification of harmful substances from the body. Its vital role is of importance hence it should be protected from damages in order to function normally. The management of liver diseases with orthodox medicine has been found to have side effects thus its effective management with folklore has been found better.

Materials and Methods: The leaves of H. oppisota harvested from a forest was processed and extracted with ethanol. The extract concentrations of 100 to 400 mg/ml was used to evaluate acute toxicity, biochemical analysis, …

Neovasculogenic Effect Of 11,12-Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Involves The Akt/Enos Signaling Pathways In Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells, Hung-Chang Hung, Jia-Ning Syu, Che-Yi Chao, Shu-Ming Huang, Cheng-Chieh Lin, Mei-Due Yang, Shu-Yao Tsai, Feng-Yao Tang

BioMedicine

The 11,12-epoxy-eicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) is formed from arachidonic acid (AA) by cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP 2J2) epoxygenase and function as an effector in blood vessels. Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs), a preceding cell source for endothelial cells (ECs), involve in the vascular tissue repairing by postnatal neovasculogenesis. However, the effect of 11, 12-EET on hEPCs and neovasculogenesis is not well known. In the current study, we examined the function of 11, 12-EET in hEPCs-mediated neovasculogenesis by using tubular formation analysis, Western Blotting assay, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry analysis and zymogram analysis. The results suggest that 11, 12-EET significantly induces neovasculogenesis …

Scaling Cellular Agriculture Production With Photolithography: A Study On Curing And Degradation, Alexis Garrett

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

To meet the requirements for full production in cellular agriculture, a multi-disciplinary approach is required. New questions and understandings between different concepts, such as texture and cooking, need to be identified and how they correlate with cellular behavior and taste. This work focuses on understanding and developing photolithographic systems for scalable cellular agriculture. There were two specific research directions: 1) a traditional photolithography printing system was improved upon for mass manufacturing purposes and 2) mechanical analysis and degradation of key potential photolithographic biomaterials were tested for a food product. A novel digital rotational ultraviolet manufacturing (DRUM) process was developed, and …

Biofilms: Formation, Research Models, Potential Targets, And Methods For Prevention And Treatment, Yajuan Su, Jaime T. Yrastorza, Mitchell Matis, Jenna Cusick, Siwei Zhao, Guangshun Wang, Jingwei Xie

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Due to the continuous rise in biofilm-related infections, biofilms seriously threaten human health. The formation of biofilms makes conventional antibiotics ineffective and dampens immune clearance. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms of biofilm formation and develop novel strategies to treat biofilms more effectively. This review article begins with an introduction to biofilm formation in various clinical scenarios and their corresponding therapy. Established biofilm models used in research are then summarized. The potential targets which may assist in the development of new strategies for combating biofilms are further discussed. The novel technologies developed recently for the prevention and treatment …

A Comparison Of Diet And Physical Activity Behaviors Of High School Students In Duval County And Nationally: 2019 Yrbs, Bethley Luctama, Sydney Bridges, Kaitlyn Kol, Jack Sparkman, Judith Rodriguez

Florida Public Health Review

Background: Establishing proper physical activity and dietary behaviors during adolescence is crucial because these habits will carry on with the individual into adulthood. Proper physical activity and nutrition reduce the risk of illness and ailments.

Purpose: Identifying physical activity and dietary behaviors of adolescents in Duval County, FL, and the U.S. nationally. This study examines the differences between the Duval County and national samples using gender and grade comparisons.

Methods: The study utilized data from the 2019 Youth Behavior Risk Survey for high school students. Analysis was conducted for eight questions encompassing both physical activity and dietary behaviors to examine …

Ncoa4 Regulates Iron Recycling And Responds To Hepcidin Activity And Lipopolysaccharide In Macrophages, Cole A. Guggisberg, Juyoung Kim, Jaekwon Lee, Xiaoli Chen, Moon-Suhn Ryu

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Macrophages, via erythrophagocytosis, recycle iron from effete erythrocytes to newly developing red blood cells. Conversion of potentially cytotoxic levels of iron from its heme into nonheme form during iron recycling is safely accomplished via coordinated regulations of cellular iron transport and homeostasis. Herein, we demonstrate the roles and regulation of NCOA4 (nuclear receptor coactivator 4)-mediated ferritinophagy in macrophages after erythrophagocytosis using the mouse macrophage cell line J774 cells. Ferritin in J774 cells increased with the rise of nonheme iron by erythrocyte ingestion and declined when total cellular iron contents subsequently decreased. NCOA4, a selective autophagic cargo receptor for ferritin, was …

Weight Stability In Adults With Obesity Initiating Medical Marijuana Treatment For Other Medical Conditions, Michelle R. Lent, Meghan Visek, Paulina Syracuse, Karen L Dugosh, David Festinger

PCOM Scholarly Works

Few studies have evaluated weight change in patients who initiate medical marijuana treatment to address diagnosed health concerns. The objective of this study was to examine whether patients initiating medical marijuana use for a qualifying health condition experienced changes in health and biopsychosocial functioning over time, including weight gain or loss. Specifically, this observational, longitudinal study evaluated changes in the body mass index (BMI) of adults with co-morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m²) and severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) who were starting medical marijuana treatment for any of the 23 qualifying medical conditions at …

Phenotypic And Genetic Spectrum Of Atp6v1a Encephalopathy: A Disorder Of Lysosomal Homeostasis, Renzo Guerrini, Davide Mei, Katalin Kerti-Szigeti, Sara Pepe, Mary Kay Koenig, Gretchen Von Allmen, Megan T Cho, Kimberly Mcdonald, Janice Baker, Vikas Bhambhani, Zöe Powis, Lance Rodan, Rima Nabbout, Giulia Barcia, Jill A Rosenfeld, Carlos A Bacino, Cyril Mignot, Lillian H Power, Catharine J Harris, Dragan Marjanovic, Rikke S Møller, Trine B Hammer, Riikka Keski Filppula, Päivi Vieira, Clara Hildebrandt, Stephanie Sacharow, Luca Maragliano, Fabio Benfenati, Katherine Lachlan, Andreas Benneche, Florence Petit, Jean Madeleine De Sainte Agathe, Barbara Hallinan, Yue Si, Ingrid M Wentzensen, Fanggeng Zou, Vinodh Narayanan, Naomichi Matsumoto, Alessandra Boncristiano, Giancarlo La Marca, Mitsuhiro Kato, Kristin Anderson, Carmen Barba, Luisa Sturiale, Domenico Garozzo, Roberto Bei, Laura Masuelli, Valerio Conti, Gaia Novarino, Anna Fassio

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a multimeric complex present in a variety of cellular membranes that acts as an ATP-dependent proton pump and plays a key role in pH homeostasis and intracellular signalling pathways. In humans, 22 autosomal genes encode for a redundant set of subunits allowing the composition of diverse V-ATPase complexes with specific properties and expression. Sixteen subunits have been linked to human disease. Here we describe 26 patients harbouring 20 distinct pathogenic de novo missense ATP6V1A variants, mainly clustering within the ATP synthase α/β family-nucleotide-binding domain. At a mean age of 7 years (extremes: 6 weeks, youngest deceased …

The Effects Of The Effortful Swallow Maneuver On Hyolaryngeal Movement And Tongue-To-Palate Pressure, Mariana Mendes Bahia

Dissertations - ALL

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the effortful swallow maneuver under two different instructions on tongue-to-palate pressure and hyolaryngeal displacement in healthy adults. Studying typical kinematic parameters and pressure generation in healthy individuals is critical for differentiating normal from pathological patterns and for determining swallowing parameters that can be targeted to optimize and individualize treatment plans for people with swallowing disorders. The primary objectives in this study were: (1) to determine the physiological effects of two different types of effortful swallows on anterior and posterior tongue pressure generation, hyoid displacement, and hyoid-larynx approximation in …

Phytochemical Screening And In-Vitro Α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity Analysis Of Ethanol Extract Of Mangifera Quadrifida, Fadilah Fadilah

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia caused by B cell dysfunction, insulin resistance, or both. Indonesia and worldwide have an increasing incidence that leads to a significant socio-economic burden. The effective treatment of Type 2 DM with minimal side effects is still challenging. This research aims to identify phytochemical properties in ethanol extract of Mangifera quadrifida and the effectivity as an alfa-glucosidase inhibitor beneficial to research on the treatment of type 2 DM.

Method: Mangifera quadrifida was extracted by ethanol as solvent. The phytochemical analysis is conducted by phytochemical screening methods and …

Investigating The Role Of The Transcriptional Coregulator Cited2 In Regulating Intermediate Progenitor Proliferation And Modulating Behavior, Nikolaus R. Wagner

Dissertations - ALL

The mammalian neocortex develops from a thin layer of neuroepithelial cells into a robust mosaic of differentiated neurons organized into distinct layers and functional areas. This process requires a complex choreography of transcription factors and epigenetic regulators to be spatially and temporally activated in a precise manner. Disruptions in any aspect of this delicate process may lead to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, or intellectual disability. One such transcriptional coregulator that is a crucial regulator of neocortical development is Cited2. Previous work demonstrated that forebrain-specific Cited2 loss-of-function causes a reduction in neocortical progenitor proliferation which leads to reduced …

Assembling Enslaved Lives: Labor, Consumption, And Landscapes In The Northern Shenandoah Valley, Matthew Clark Greer

Dissertations - ALL

This dissertation is a study of the lives of some of the people enslaved on rural plantations and farmsteads in the northern Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Scholars did not widely acknowledge the presence of slavery in the Valley before the 1990s, and this is the first work to provide an in-depth view of the lives of enslaved Shenandoahans before 1860. Specifically, this project answers two questions: what was life like for enslaved people in the Shenandoah Valley, and how did they shape the region's political economies. Data for this project comes from archaeological excavations at the main enslaved quartering …

Freyre’S Plantation Playground: The Changing Landscape Of The Sugar Plantation Monjope, Catherine Elizabeth Lavoy

Dissertations - ALL

This dissertation investigates the changing landscape of the sugar plantation Monjope in Pernambuco, Brazil from the mid-seventeenth to the end of the twentieth century. I examine this plantation’s changing landscape as part of a number of larger social, economic and environmental forces; in particular the development of racially based labor. Established in the sixteenth century, Monjope was one of the many Brazilian sugar plantations that relied on African slavery for labor until the end of the nineteenth century. I argue the plantation’s built environment in conjunction with the larger plantation landscape was part of a global trend of controlling labor …