Digital Commons Network^™

Kidney Proximal Tubule Glut2-More Than Meets The Eye, Majdoleen Ahmad, Ifat Abramovich, Bella Agranovich, Alina Nemirovski, Eyal Gottlieb, Liad Hinden, Joseph Tam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Tubulopathy plays a central role in the pathophysiology of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Under diabetic conditions, the kidney proximal tubule cells (KPTCs) are exposed to an extensive amount of nutrients, most notably glucose; these nutrients deteriorate KPTCs function and promote the development and progression of DKD. Recently, the facilitative glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) in KPTCs has emerged as a central regulator in the pathogenesis of DKD. This has been demonstrated by identifying its specific role in enhancing glucose reabsorption and glucotoxicity, and by deciphering its effect in regulating the expression of the sodium-glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) in KPTCs. Moreover, reduction/deletion …

Management Of Transgender Patients In Critical Care, L Flower, A Cheung, S Connal, Et Al

Peninsula Medical School

As clinicians working in critical care, it is our duty to provide all of our patients with the high-quality care they deserve, regardless of their gender identity. The transgender community continues to suffer discrimination from the media, politicians and general public. As healthcare workers we often pride ourselves on our ability to safely care for all patients. However, there remains a distinct lack of understanding surrounding the care of critically ill transgender patients. This is likely in part because the specific care of transgender patients is not included in the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine’s, Royal College of Anaesthetists’, Royal …

The Genus Barbaracurus In Saudi Arabia (Scorpiones: Buthidae), With Description Of A New Species, František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, František Šťáhlavský, Pavel Just

Euscorpius

The genus Barbaracurus (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is recorded for the first time from Saudi Arabia. B. yemenensis Kovařík et al., 2018 was found in the extreme southwest of the country, near its border with Yemen. The diagnosis of the species is emended based on the finding of adult males and a large adult female. The proximal margins of the pedipalp fingers of male B. yemenensis are strongly undulate, leaving a gap with the fingers closed. This character differentiates it from all other species of Barbaracurus in the Arabian Peninsula. A second species, B. kabateki sp. n. from Saudi Arabia is described …

Manuka Honey Reduces The Virulence Of Pectobacterium Brasiliense By Suppressing Genes That Encode Plant Cell Wall-Degrading Enzymes, Ava Sheila, Subandiyah Siti, Rohman Muhammad Saifur, Ogawa Naoto, Joko Tri

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The primary virulence of soft rot pectobacteria, including Pectobacterium brasiliense, is mainly determined by the massive production of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs), which promote plant tissue maceration in many crops. The antibiotic treatment to treat bacterial soft rot causes environmental problems and potentially affects resistance. Antibiotic resistance is driving interest in antimicrobial treatments, and no organism has been reported to have acquired resistance to honey. However, the use of honey as a therapeutic agent for plant bacterial pathogens has rarely been studied. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the in vitro effect of Manuka honey against P. brasiliense …

Potential Antihyperlipidemia Effect Of Lactoferrin In Hyperlipidemia-Induced Male Sprague–Dawley Rats, Louis Fabio Jonathan Jusni, Valencia Chandra, Tena Djuartina, Dion Notario, Zita Arieselia, Linawati Hananta

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a condition that is characterized as an increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Lactoferrin is a protein that can serve as an antioxidant. This study aims to determine whether lactoferrin can reduce total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Methods: This study used 24 Sprague–Dawley rat strains, which were divided into six groups: normal group; negative control; positive control; and dose groups 1, 2, and 3. The normal group was given standard feed, whereas the other group was given high cholesterol and fat. The positive control group and dose groups 1, 2, and …

Role Of Adenylyl Cyclase Type 7 In Functions Of Bv-2 Microglia, Yawen Hu, Rebecca A. Hill, Masami Yoshimura

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

To assess the role of adenylyl cyclase type 7 (AC7) in microglia’s immune function, we generated AC7 gene knockout (AC7 KO) clones from a mouse microglial cell line, BV-2, using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. The ability of BV-2 cells to generate cAMP and their innate immune functions were examined in the presence or absence of ethanol. The parental BV-2 cells showed robust cAMP production when stimulated with prostaglandin-E1 (PGE1) and ethanol increased cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. AC7 KO clones of BV-2 cells showed diminished and ethanol-insensitive cAMP production. The phagocytic activity of the parental BV-2 cells was …

Apoptotic Effect Of Bortezomib On Pancreatic Islet Cells In Stz-Induced Diabetic Rats, Çiğdem Ekin, Neslihan Tekin Karacaer, Mehtap Tarhan Karaoğlan, Ibrahim Örün, Kamile Öztürk

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to investigate the possible apoptotic role of bortezomib (BMZ) on pancreatic islets of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into groups that were administered BMZ alone or in combination with STZ. To evaluate the effect of BMZ on the development of diabetes, blood glucose levels were measured regularly in the animals. Islet cell viability was determined by staining the islets with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodide. Expression of the Bcl-2 and bax genes was determined in islet cells by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: Administering STZ-induced hyperglycemia in the …

Gender Dysphoria In Adolescents With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome., Jordan T. Jones, William R. Black, Christine Moser, Eric T. Rush, Lindsey Malloy-Walton

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVES: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome represents a family of heritable connective tissue disorders that include joint hypermobility, tissue fragility, and skin hyperextensibility. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome presents with clinical sequela across multiple body systems that require multidisciplinary care. Little is known about adolescents with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome who are transgender and gender diverse. To date, there have been no reports of transgender and gender diverse youth in pediatric patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. The objective of this study was to characterize transgender and gender diverse adolescents with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome seen in a pediatric multidisciplinary specialty clinic.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed and it was …

Temporal Changes In Extracellular Vesicle Hemostatic Protein Composition Predict Favourable Left Ventricular Remodeling After Acute Myocardial Infarction, Xiong Chang Lim, Chenyuan Huang, Siti Maryam J.M. Yatim, Suet Yen Chong, Sock Hwee Tan, Xiaoxun Yang, Caryn L. Heidt, Jodi Pedersen, Michael Talanker, Harshvardhan Modh, Matthias G. Wacker, Giorgia Pastorin, Siew Pang Chan, A. Mark Richards, Chris J. Charles, Mark Y. Chan, Jiong Wei Wang

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The subset of plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) that coprecipitate with low-density lipoprotein (LDL-EVs) carry coagulation and fibrinolysis pathway proteins as cargo. We investigated the association between LDL-EV hemostatic/fibrinolysis protein ratios and post-acute myocardial infarction (post-AMI) left ventricular (LV) remodeling which precedes heart failure. Protein concentrations of von Willebrand factor (VWF), SerpinC1 and plasminogen were determined in LDL-EVs extracted from plasma samples obtained at baseline (within 72 h post-AMI), 1 month and 6 months post-AMI from 198 patients. Patients were categorized as exhibiting adverse (n = 98) or reverse (n = 100) LV remodeling based on changes in LV end-systolic volume …

New Semi-Dwarfing Alleles With Increased Coleoptile Length By Gene Editing Of Gibberellin 3-Oxidase 1 Using Crispr-Cas9 In Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.), Jingye Cheng, Camilla Hill, Yong Han, Tianhua He, Xingguo Ye, Sergey Shabala, Ganggang Guo, Meixue Zhou, Ke Wang, Chengdao Li

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

The green revolution was based on genetic modification of the gibberellin (GA) hormone system with “dwarfing” gene mutations that reduces GA signals, conferring shorter stature, thus enabling plant adaptation to modern farming conditions. Strong GA-related mutants with shorter stature often have reduced coleoptile length, discounting yield gain due to their unsatisfactory seedling emergence under drought conditions. Here we present gibberellin (GA) 3-oxidase1 (GA3ox1) as an alternative semi-dwarfing gene in barley that combines an optimal reduction in plant height without restricting coleoptile and seedling growth. Using large-scale field trials with an extensive collection of barley accessions, we showed that a natural …

Exome Array Analysis Of 9721 Ischemic Stroke Cases From The Sign Consortium, Huichun Xu, Kevin Nguyen, Brady J Gaynor, Hua Ling, Wei Zhao, Patrick F Mcardle, Timothy D O'Connor, O Colin Stine, Kathleen A Ryan, Megan Lynch, Jennifer A Smith, Jessica D Faul, Yao Hu, Jeffrey W Haessler, Myriam Fornage, Charles Kooperberg, On Behalf Of The Trans-Omics For Precision Medicine Topmed Stroke Working Group, James A Perry, Charles C Hong, John W Cole, Elizabeth Pugh, Kimberly Doheny, Sharon L R Kardia, David R Weir, Steven J Kittner, Braxton D Mitchell, Sign Consortium

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Recent genome wide association studies have identified 89 common genetic variants robustly associated with ischemic stroke and primarily located in non-coding regions. To evaluate the contribution of coding variants, which are mostly rare, we performed an exome array analysis on 106,101 SNPs for 9721 ischemic stroke cases from the SiGN Consortium, and 12,345 subjects with no history of stroke from the Health Retirement Study and SiGN consortium. We identified 15 coding variants significantly associated with all ischemic stroke at array-wide threshold (i.e., p < 4.7 × 10-7), including two common SNPs in ABO that have previously been associated with stroke. Twelve of the remaining 13 variants were extremely rare …

Glutamine Produces Ammonium To Tune Lysosomal Ph And Regulate Lysosomal Function, Jian Xiong, Thi Thu Trang Luu, Kartik Venkatachalam, Guangwei Du, Michael X Zhu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Glutamine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the cell. In mitochondria, glutaminases 1 and 2 (GLS1/2) hydrolyze glutamine to glutamate, which serves as the precursor of multiple metabolites. Here, we show that ammonium generated during GLS1/2-mediated glutaminolysis regulates lysosomal pH and in turn lysosomal degradation. In primary human skin fibroblasts BJ cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts, deprivation of total amino acids for 1 h increased lysosomal degradation capacity as shown by the increased turnover of lipidated microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3-II), several autophagic receptors, and endocytosed DQ-BSA. Removal of glutamine but not any other amino …

Association Of Gulf War Illness With Characteristics In Deployed Vs Non-Deployed Gulf War Era Veterans In The Cooperative Studies Program 2006/Million Veteran Program 029 Cohort: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Linh M Duong, Alice B S Nono Djotsa, Jacqueline Vahey, Lea Steele, Rachel Quaden, Kelly M Harrington, Sarah T Ahmed, Renato Polimanti, Elani Streja, John Michael Gaziano, John Concato, Hongyu Zhao, Krishnan Radhakrishnan, Elizabeth R Hauser, Drew A Helmer, Mihaela Aslan, Elizabeth J Gifford

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic multisymptom illness with a complex and uncertain etiology and pathophysiology, is highly prevalent among veterans deployed to the 1990-1991 GW. We examined how GWI phenotypes varied by demographic and military characteristics among GW-era veterans. Data were from the VA's Cooperative Studies Program 2006/Million Veteran Program (MVP) 029 cohort, Genomics of GWI. From June 2018 to March 2019, 109,976 MVP enrollees (out of a total of over 676,000) were contacted to participate in the 1990-1991 GW-era Survey. Of 109,976 eligible participants, 45,169 (41.1%) responded to the 2018-2019 survey, 35,902 respondents met study inclusion criteria, 13,107 …

Epigenetic Clock Explains White Matter Hyperintensity Burden Irrespective Of Chronological Age, Joan Jiménez-Balado, Carolina Soriano-Tárraga, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

In this manuscript we studied the relationship between WMH and biological age (B-age) in patients with acute stroke. We included in this study 247 patients with acute stroke recruited at Hospital del Mar having both epigenetic (DNA methylation) and magnetic resonance imaging data. WMH were measured using a semi-automated method. B-age was calculated using two widely used methods: the Hannum and Horvath formulas. We used multiple linear regression models to interrogate the role of B-age on WMH volume after adjusting for chronological age (C-age) and other covariables. Average C-age of the sample was 68.4 (±11.8) and we observed a relatively …

Counseling Children And Adolescents: A Call To Action, Rebekah Byrd, Chad Luke, Sonya Lorelle, Emily Donald, Jillian Blueford, Charmayne Adams, Edward (Franc) Hudspeth

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The ACA 2014 Code of Ethics clearly states the mandate for counselor competence in C.2.a. It is noted that “Counselor practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, state and national credentials, and appropriate professional experience” (p. 8). Given the importance of competencies, ethical standards, and the emphasis on best practice, the paucity of these factors in regard to training and supervision for counselors working with child and adolescent populations is concerning. This article offers a conceptualization of the culture of childhood leading to the need for cultural competency. It outlines information specific …

Mathematics Anxiety: Identity Work In A Gifted Prospective Elementary Teacher’S Mathematics-Related Personal Narratives, Kathleen Jablon Stoehr

Teacher Education

Previous studies have focused on negative physiological sensations and psychological emotions of mathematics anxiety experienced in real time. Similarly, prior research has noted that prospective elementary teachers (PSTs) may experience such feelings of distress while learning to teach mathematics in their teacher-preparation programs. Mathematics teacher educators have sought to reduce elementary PSTs’ mathematics anxiety by improving their mathematical content knowledge and discipline-specific pedagogical knowledge. But why might mathematics anxiety persist even after elementary PSTs have successfully completed such teacher-preparation coursework? Our case study of a female elementary PST, identified as gifted, illustrates how mathematics anxiety, when reinforced by personal narratives …

Never Silent: Development Of Gay Activism In The Cold War Midwest, Braydon Conell

History Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Though not typically seen as a burgeoning environment for gay life, the Midwest nevertheless has a rich history of queer culture. Focusing on gay activism during the Cold War era, this thesis discusses the rise and influence of homophile organizations in the Midwest. Homophile organizations and the movement's ideals of accommodation and integration played an integral role in the activism coming out of World War II. The homophile movement, though, did not wane with the development of the more radical gay liberation movement. Instead, the homophile movement in the Midwest evolved and played its own part alongside radical activists. Historically, …

Highly Efficient Photocatalysts For Methylene Blue Degradation Based On A Platform Of Deposited Go-Zno Nanoparticles On Polyurethane Foam, Mohamed Morsy

Nanotechnology Research Centre

No abstract provided.

Identification Of North Sea Areas Suitable For Cultivating Saccharina Latissima As An Alternative Source Of Protein, Ella Sykes

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Demands for food resources are increasing with the growing human population and the impacts of climate change on agricultural land. Protein is an essential macronutrient for human well-being and supplies are likely to face a global security crisis in the foreseeable future. However, research has shown that the brown seaweed species Saccharina latissima (S. latissima) could be an alternative plant-based source of protein for human consumption that can be sustainably farmed under North Sea conditions. Yet seaweed farming currently remains an underexploited resource in the United Kingdom (UK). This study aims to identify areas suitable for S. latissima cultivation in …

The Socio-Economic And Ecological Impact Of Regime Shifts On Small-Scale Fisheries In Northern Peru, Ana Paula Vidal

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Species composition is known to naturally change over time; however, these fluctuations happen frequently in shoreline ecosystems where warm and cold currents meet. This study aims to understand the social and economic impacts of changes in species composition and total catch in north-western Peru. A social perception analysis coupled with available small-scale fisheries landing data of three sites: Cabo Blanco, Los Organos, and Mancora was used to identify differences in species composition and total catch between sites from years 2010 to 2020. The results suggest that fishermen have a different perception of abundance across all sites as their responses do …

An Investigation Into The Absence Of The Great White Shark (Carcharodon Carcharias) From British Waters, Max Harry Kimble

The Plymouth Student Scientist

In the last ten years, there have been over 100 reports of great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) in British waters, yet there has never been a confirmed sighting. British waters are home to the largest grey seal population in Europe and is less than 200 miles away from a known great white population. This coupled with the shark’s global distribution and preference for more temperate waters has left many wondering why there has not been a confirmed sighting of this species. To examine the suitability of British waters, four white shark’s migrations were mapped spanning nine years. Species distribution modelling …

Assessing Future Projections Of Intense Typhoon Return Period And Intensity Over Taiwan, Luke Glass

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Typhoons are a leading natural cause of mass socioeconomic losses through floods, storm surges and high winds, and this is projected to worsen in a warmer climate. While the majority of literature is in agreement, there is little research into typhoon behaviour projections past the year 2100. TCWiSE – a statistical modelling tool, is used to simulate and spatially assess changes in intense (category 4+) typhoon return period and average intensity over the island of Taiwan in four different climate scenarios all with increasing intensity and frequency values. In comparison to the present-day scenario, the future scenarios recorded a +12.0%, …

Diurnal And Tidal Influence On The Spatial Distribution And Surface Activity Of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) In The Shannon Estuary, Ireland, Rosie Wilson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The interactions between oceanographic processes and topography have an important role in driving the formation of localised biodiversity hotspots. These hotspots create predictable prey resources utilised by many large coastal marine vertebrates, such as the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. The abundance, behaviour and distribution of bottlenose dolphins is therefore largely driven by predator-prey interactions which are strongly influenced by physical ocean processes such as tides and the formation of hydrographic fronts. Understanding these interactions as well as the ecology of bottlenose dolphins is therefore vital for the effective conservation management of this species. Through the fine scale examination of the …

An Investigation Into Whether Psychopathic Traits Negatively Contribute To Moral Judgements, Madeleine Esser

The Plymouth Student Scientist

High psychopathy and low morality have been associated as potential causes of anti-social and criminal behaviour. Literature suggests that high levels of psychopathic traits have a negative effect on an individual’s ability to make rational moral judgements. Much of this research focuses on offenders, creating a gap within research encompassing the typical population and whether the same affect is observed. It was hypothesised that high levels of psychopathic traits negatively affect moral judgement, however no predictions were made regarding specific traits. A sample of 50 students, ages ranging from 18 to 44 (M= 22.18), were asked to complete two self-report …

Weather Patterns Associated With Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) Hypothermic Stunning In Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, Megan Morley

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Hypothermic stunning was the largest cause of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) stranding in Texas between 1998 and 2019; of the 9,256 individuals stranded, 7,956 (85.96%) were due to cold stunning. In cold conditions, Chelonia mydas migrate from shallow feeding areas to warmer waters. Unexpected drops in temperature, however, can cause a hypothermic reaction (cold stunning) immobilising large populations and becoming fatal if individuals are not rescued and rehabilitated quickly. This study aims to evaluate the influence of changes in environmental parameters to the magnitude of hypothermic stunning events within Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, U.S. Measurements of sea surface temperature, air …

Biochar Amendment Of A Sandy Loam Improves Wheat Growth Under Drought And Control Conditions, Toby Anderson Von Trampe

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Drought stress is a major limiting factor in cereal crop growth. To meet the feeding requirements of an increasing population, cereal crop yields need to be significantly increased in a sustainable manner. Biochar is a charcoal-like substance derived from organic material. Here, the effects of biochar on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth and stress responses under drought stress conditions were determined. Biochar was applied at 5% (w/w) and stressed plants weren’t watered during the four weeks of drought treatment to establish the rate of water loss in the different soil treatments. drought significantly decreased plant height, stem thickness, number of …

Numerical Models To Track The Origin And Drift Of Pharmaceutical Flotsam In The English Channel, Alizee De Groodt

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Marine plastic pollution is an increasing problem that has serious impacts on the environment. The sources, pathways and fate of plastics in the ocean are still poorly understood, especially for marine pollution coming from marine-based sources. In November 2018, a high number of pharmaceutical bottles named ‘Otrivin’ started to beach in high numbers along the English Channel. Research was initiated to investigate the likely origin of the bottles. In this study, we continue this research using the observational data from 2018-2019 and two numerical ocean models to hindcast the likely origin of the bottles, but also assess whether the effect …

The Relationship Between Diet, Supplement Use, And The Prevalence And Severity Of Nausea And Vomiting During The 1st And 2nd Trimesters Of Pregnancy, Bailey Lentern

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) are common conditions experienced by women throughout the world. However, despite their widespread occurrence, the prevalence and severity of symptoms range significantly, with the exact aetiology underpinning this variation relatively unclear. Several studies propose that NVP may serve as an adaptive function, protecting the embryo from harmful foodstuffs, implying that diet is implicated within the pathogenesis of the condition. However, there is limited literature focusing on this topic, specifically with regards to supplement use. Therefore, the aim of the present research was to examine the relationship between diet, both pre-pregnancy and current diet, including …

Hiv-Tat Exacerbates The Actions Of Atazanavir, Efavirenz, And Ritonavir On Cardiac Ryanodine Receptor (Ryr2), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Chengju Tian, Sean R. Bidasee, Zachary L. Venn, Evan Schroder, Nick Y. Palermo, Mohammad Alshabeeb, Benson J. Edagwa, Jason J. Payne, Keshoer R. Bidasee

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people living with HIV infection (PLWH), especially those with inadequate viral suppression, is high and the reasons for this remain incompletely characterized. The timely opening and closing of type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is critical for ensuring rhythmic cardiac contraction–relaxation cycles, and the disruption of these processes can elicit Ca²⁺ waves, ventricular arrhythmias, and SCD. Herein, we show that the HIV protein Tat (HIVTat: 0–52 ng/mL) and therapeutic levels of the antiretroviral drugs atazanavir (ATV: 0–25,344 ng/mL), efavirenz (EFV: 0–11,376 ng/mL), and ritonavir (RTV: 0–25,956 ng/mL) bind to and modulate the …

A Path Forward To #Niunamenos Based On An Intersectional Analysis Of Laws Criminalizing Femicide/Feminicide In Latin America, Melissa Padilla

San Diego International Law Journal

Since 2007, eighteen Latin American countries have enacted laws that criminalize femicide/‌feminicide in an effort to address gender-based murders in the region and to uphold their obligations under international human rights law. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and its systemic lingering effects exacerbated the existent dangerous levels of gender-based violence in the region, resulting in an increase in gender-based murders. To address these murders, between 2020 and 2021, a quarter of the eighteen Latin American countries that criminalized femicide/‌feminicide have implemented or are in the process of implementing reforms to their laws criminalizing femicide/‌feminicide. Given this new trend to address the …