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สัณฐานวิทยาเชิงเปรียบเทียบของระบบย่อยอาหารในอ้นเล็ก Cannomys Badius (Hodgson, 1841) ในความสัมพันธ์กับอาหารและการขจัดพิษจากไซยาไนด์, เจตพล ลิขิตกาญจนากรกิจ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

อ้นเล็ก Cannomys badius เป็นสัตว์ฟันแทะกินพืชในวงศ์ Spalacidae ที่ขุดโพรงอาศัยอยู่ใต้ดิน มีการกระจายตัวในประเทศแถบคาบสมุทรอินโดจีน ชนิดของอาหารที่อ้นเล็กกินยังมีความคลุมเครือ บางรายงานกล่าวว่าอ้นเล็กกินพืชที่มีองค์ประกอบเป็นเส้นใยสูง จัดเป็น specialist herbivore แต่บางรายงานจัดว่าอ้นเล็กเป็น generalist herbivore ที่สามารถกินผลไม้และเมล็ดพืชได้หลายหลากชนิด นอกจากนี้จากการสังเกตอ้นเล็กในกรงเลี้ยงพบว่า อ้นเล็กสามารถกินพืชที่มีองค์ประกอบของไซยาไนด์สูงได้ เช่น มันสำปะหลังดิบ ซึ่งปกติจะเป็นพิษต่อสัตว์ส่วนใหญ่ ในการศึกษาครั้งนี้ใช้อ้นเล็กจำนวน 14 ตัว เพื่อศึกษาสัณฐานวิทยาของระบบย่อยอาหาร และนำข้อมูลที่ได้มาอนุมานชนิดของอาหารที่อ้นเล็กกิน รวมถึงอธิบายความสามารถในการกินพืชที่มีไซยาไนด์ของอ้นเล็ก โดยอวัยวะในระบบย่อยอาหารถูกนำมาศึกษามหกายวิภาคศาสตร์ และมิญชวิทยาด้วยสีย้อม hematoxylin & eosin และ Masson’s trichrome รวมถึงศึกษาการแสดงออกของเอนไซม์ mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST) ซึ่งช่วยลดความเป็นพิษของไซยาไนด์ด้วยวิธีอิมมูโนฮิสโตเคมี ผลการศึกษาพบว่า หลอดอาหารมีเนื้อเยื่อบุผิวแบบ stratified squamous ที่มีชั้นเคอราทินหนา กระเพาะอาหารมีลักษณะเป็น 1 ห้อง (unilocular stomach) พบเนื้อเยื่อบุผิวแบบ stratified squamous ที่มีชั้นเคอราทินในส่วน fundus และเนื้อเยื่อบุผิวแบบต่อมในบริเวณอื่น สัดส่วนความยาวของลำไส้เล็กต่อลำไส้ทั้งหมดมีค่าน้อยเมื่อเทียบกับสัตว์ฟันแทะชนิดอื่น ๆ ซีกัมประกอบด้วย haustra 5-7 อัน มีเนื้อเยื่อน้ำเหลืองมากแต่ไม่พบไส้ติ่ง ผนังภายในโคลอนประกอบด้วยสันนูนตามยาว 2 อัน แล้วตามด้วยสันนูนรูปตัว V ที่เรียงซ้อนกันคล้ายก้างปลา มี goblet cells จำนวนมาก ในส่วนของต่อมเสริมพบว่า ตับมีจำนวน 5 พู มีถุงน้ำดี และตับอ่อนมีลักษณะแผ่ออกเป็นริ้ว ในการศึกษาตำแหน่งของ MPST ในเซลล์พบว่า มีการแสดงออกใน parietal cells ของกระเพาะอาหาร เซลล์เนื้อเยื่อบุผิวของซีกัมและโคลอน hepatocyte ของตับ เซลล์ใน islets of Langerhans ของตับอ่อน เซลล์กล้ามเนื้อลายและกล้ามเนื้อเรียบในทางเดินอาหาร การศึกษาครั้งนี้แสดงให้เห็นว่า อ้นเล็กเป็นสัตว์กินพืชที่มีกระบวนการหมักอาหารโดยจุลชีพเกิดขึ้นในลำไส้ใหญ่ และสามารถกินพืชที่ความสากและแข็ง ซึ่งเป็นลักษณะของอาหารที่มีเส้นใยสูงได้ จึงคาดว่าอ้นเล็กน่าจะเป็น …

Aroma Components And Antioxidative Activity Of Thua Nao From Black Soybean With Bacillus Subtilis, Pakavit Mathatheeranan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Thua nao is a fermented soybean product that is widely consumed, especially in the northern part of Thailand. Thua nao can be used as a condiment to enhance the aroma and flavor of foods. In this study, stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled with gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC‒MS/O) was used to analyze volatile aroma compounds in thua nao products. Thua nao fermented with commercial Bacillus subtilis under controlled conditions exhibited the presence of compounds such as 2-methyl butanoic acid, phenylethyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, and 2-methoxy phenol. These compounds contributed to an increase in fermented/sour, floral, almond-like, nutty, and wood …

Territorial Behavior Of Immature Pink Skunk Clownfish Amphiprion Perideraion In Artificial Substrate, Nattanon Soonthornharuethai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Anemonefish (Amphiprion and Premnas spp.) are renowned for their territorial nature, typically associated with sea anemones but capable of adapting to various substrates, including artificial ones. Despite their widespread popularity in aquariums, detailed documentation of their juvenile territorial behaviors remains limited. This study investigates the territorial behaviors—specifically side-by-side swimming, face-to-face swimming, attack biting, biting, and lunging—of immature pink skunk clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion) in different artificial substrates. Conducted at Si Racha Fishery Research Station, the experiment utilized six pairs of A. perideraion designated as residents. These fish were subjected to three substrate conditions: fake sea anemone, ceramic tiles, and an empty …

The Hottest Topic In The Field Of Entomology: Pyroentomology, Sarah Choi

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

Introduction

Summers are usually accompanied with wildfire season, with fires burning rampant across the world. These fires can be devastating to those who live in affected areas, resulting in many short and long-term consequences. However, they also are a source of most-needed resources in the afflicted area. Natural disturbances are a key component of any ecosystem and to improve biodiversity (Krawchuk et al., 2020). Disturbances also promote community stability and landscape heterogeneity (Bai et al., 2022). Forest fires can affect interactions between plant and animal communities and its members, as well as natural processes such as nutrient cycling and soil …

[Control Methods For Ants, Stinging Pests, Beetles, Moths, Cockroaches, And Occasional Invaders], Patrick T. Mathe

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

This field reference is for beginning pest control operators with little or no experience. This is a state-specific reference to the structural pest control of Long Island, New York.

Includes descriptions of control methods for ants, stinging pests, beetles, moths, cockroaches, and occasional invaders.

"Entomology In Citizen Science" Course Materials, Kristen A. Lewis

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

"Entomology in Citizen Science" introduces students to entomology in literature, in science articles and studies, and in inquiry-based field experiences. Students engage in citizen science by surveying arthropods in the local environment and posting pictures on iNaturalist. Arthropod surveys conducted in this course will serve as baseline biodiversity measures and will be continued and added to by future classes. Written, visual, and mathematic expression are taught in this course, and course objectives align with the Benchmarks for Science Literacy Project 2061 (American Association for the Advancement of Science; 1993).

Includes numerous supplemental materials.

Acute Copper (Cu) Toxicity In Dragonfly Naiads (Insecta: Odonata), Jeff M. Simpson

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

The objective of this study was to examine the effects copper (Cu) on mortality within a pair of test groups of naiads in the order Odonata, and to replicate previous observations regarding their potential uses as indicators for water quality. Few past studies have examined toxicity within relation to the odonates. It has been suggested that this order may contain valuable model organisms (Tollett et al., 2008). Very little focus has been given to odonates as bioindicators, with the few studies done being performed on species that would typically inhabit lentic environments (Trevino, 1999). Similarly, the test subjects for this …

Proposing Urban Agroforestry Designs For Lincoln, Nebraska: A Model From Berlin, Germany, Noah Johnson

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Given the threat of a worsening climate crisis, there is a strong need for community and ecosystem resilience. Diverse urban agroforestry systems have the potential to accomplish both and meet many of the objectives outlined in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska’s climate action plan. Additionally, Berlin, Germany could provide an effective model for Lincoln in this regard given the city’s extensive history of established urban agroforestry systems. The objective of this study then is to develop a design for an urban agroforestry site modeled on Berlin’s allotment gardens and tailored to Lincoln’s needs. The methods for creating this design included …

Off The Rails: Cinematic Trains As Technological Controls Of The Natural World, Trinity Thompson

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Short train rail lines across the United States are seeing increased national funding to reduce toxic chemical spills caused by train derailments, the most notable of which happened in February 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio. A year prior, the film White Noise (2022) featured a similar toxic train derailment incident, taking place, too, in Eastern Ohio, and featuring actors from the town of East Palestine. In considering other films featuring trains, I identified a pattern of environmental conflict, leading me to question the relationship between trains and the natural environment as portrayed in popular cinema. To conduct my research, I …

A Multidimensional View On The Emission-Line Diagnostics Of The Warm Ionized Gas In Nearby Galaxies, Xihan Ji

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

The baryonic cycle, being a fundamental process that shapes the cosmic ecosystem, describes the transformation and migration of baryonic matter in different phases. The warm ionized interstellar medium (ISM), defined as low-density gas that has temperature of the order of 10,000 K, represents an important link of the baryonic cycle and can be produced by a variety of energetic activities in galaxies, such as star formations, active galactic nuclei, and so forth. More importantly, the formation and evolution of the warm ionized gas not only traces the ongoing activities of the galaxies, but also reveals the past evolution of galaxies …

Identifying Host-Intrinsic Resistance Mechanisms To Therapeutic Anti-Tumor Antibody, James Edward Glassbrook

Wayne State University Dissertations

The use of monocloncal antibodies (mAbs) directed at tumor-associated antigens (TAA), often termed “targeted immunotherapy” has revolutionized cancer treatment, markedly improving patient outcomes. As a prime example, the mAb trastuzumab targets human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2). Like many targeted immunotherapies, only a subset of patients with HER2+ cancer exhibit long-term benefit from trastuzumab. In addition to tumor-intrinsic factors, such as HER2 heterogeneity, we hypothesize that host genetics may influence subsequent immune activation after treatment. To model this interaction, we utilized the genetically heterogeneous Diversity Outbred (DO) mouse model in an F1 cross with BALB/c (producing DOCF1 mice). This cohort …

Teaching The Past To Protect The Future: Degenerate Art As A Modern-Day Cultural Warning, Cheryl Hogue Smith

Publications and Research

This chapter outlines how students who previously weren’t paying attention to the rampant antisemitism and racism embedded within American culture and systems see how the 20th century Degenerate Art Exhibition acts as a lesson against a racial nationalism that is attempting to take over the country.

'Ice In The Family': Exploring The Experiences Of Close Family Members When Another Family Member Is Using Methamphetamine: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study, Douglas Greg Gordon, Kylie Russell, Tracey Coventry

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: To explore the experiences of close family members when another family member is using methamphetamine and how the family member responds over time.

Background: Methamphetamine use has widespread implications and harms for both people who use the drug and those that live with them. While there is a significant representation in the literature relating to family members of people who use drugs or alcohol, there are limited studies specifically considering family members experiences of methamphetamine use. Families have been shown to have both positive and negative impacts on people using drugs, but less is known on the impact on …

Invasion Risk By Fruit Trees Mealybug Rastrococcus Invadens (Williams) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) Under Climate Warming, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Samira A. Mohamed, Shepard Ndlela, Sunday Ekesi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The mango mealybug Rastrococcus invadens (Williams) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae) is a destructive and important insect pest of fruit trees in Africa and Asia, especially the mango. Females and nymphs feed on plant leaves and fruits and produce honeydew that causes sooty mold, leading to yield reduction. Although it is an important pest, the distribution of R. invadens under different climate change scenarios has not been established. In this study, we predicted the suitable habitat for R. invadens occurrence under current and future [two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios: (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) for the years 2050s and 2070s], using environmental variables and …

Chronic Restraint Stress Impairs Voluntary Wheel Running But Has No Effect On Food-Motivated Behavior In Mice, Kiersten Scott, Thien Trong Phan, Nabila Boukelmoune, Cobi J Heijnen, Robert Dantzer

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Chronic restraint stress is known to cause significant alterations of mitochondrial biology. However, its effects on effort-based behavior and the sensitivity of these effects to treatments that restore mitochondrial function have not been assessed. Based on the hypothesis that the behavioral consequences of this stressor should be more severe for an energy demanding activity than for an energy procuring activity, we compared the effects of chronic restraint stress on the performance of male mice trained to use a running wheel or to nose poke for a food reward in an operant conditioning cage. In accordance with our hypothesis, we observed …

Possible Molecular Mechanisms Underlying The Development Of Atherosclerosis In Cancer Survivors, Priyanka Banerjee, Julia Enterría Rosales, Khanh Chau, Minh T H Nguyen, Sivareddy Kotla, Steven H Lin, Anita Deswal, Robert Dantzer, Elizabeth A Olmsted-Davis, Hung Nguyen, Guangyu Wang, John P Cooke, Jun-Ichi Abe, Nhat-Tu Le

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cancer survivors undergone treatment face an increased risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Recent studies have revealed that chemotherapy can drive senescent cancer cells to acquire a proliferative phenotype known as senescence-associated stemness (SAS). These SAS cells exhibit enhanced growth and resistance to cancer treatment, thereby contributing to disease progression. Endothelial cell (EC) senescence has been implicated in atherosclerosis and cancer, including among cancer survivors. Treatment modalities for cancer can induce EC senescence, leading to the development of SAS phenotype and subsequent atherosclerosis in cancer survivors. Consequently, targeting senescent ECs displaying the SAS …

Chimeric Rnas Reveal Putative Neoantigen Peptides For Developing Tumor Vaccines For Breast Cancer, Brandon Mistretta, Sakuni Rankothgedera, Micah Castillo, Mitchell Rao, Kimberly Holloway, Anjana Bhardwaj, Maha El Noafal, Constance Albarracin, Randa El-Zein, Hengameh Rezaei, Xiaoping Su, Rehan Akbani, Xiaoshan M Shao, Brian J Czerniecki, Rachel Karchin, Isabelle Bedrosian, Preethi H Gunaratne

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

INTRODUCTION: We present here a strategy to identify immunogenic neoantigen candidates from unique amino acid sequences at the junctions of fusion proteins which can serve as targets in the development of tumor vaccines for the treatment of breastcancer.

METHOD: We mined the sequence reads of breast tumor tissue that are usually discarded as discordant paired-end reads and discovered cancer specific fusion transcripts using tissue from cancer free controls as reference. Binding affinity predictions of novel peptide sequences crossing the fusion junction were analyzed by the MHC Class I binding predictor, MHCnuggets. CD8+ T cell responses against the 15 peptides were …

Mathematical Modelling Of The Interactive Dynamics Of Wild And Microsporidia Mb-Infected Mosquitoes, Charlène N.T. Mfangnia, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Berge Tsanou, Jeremy Herren

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

A recent discovery highlighted that mosquitoes infected with Microsporidia MB are unable to transmit the Plasmodium to humans. Microsporidia MB is a symbiont transmitted vertically and horizontally in the mosquito population, and these transmission routes are known to favor the persistence of the parasite in the mosquito population. Despite the dual transmission, data from field experiments reveal a low prevalence of MB-infected mosquitoes in nature. This study proposes a compartmental model to understand the prevalence of MB-infected mosquitoes. The dynamic of the model is obtained through the computation of the basic reproduction number and the analysis of the stability of …

The Importance Of "When" In Calorie Restriction-Induced Lifespan Extension, Kristin Eckel-Mahan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Chief Complaints, Specific Diagnoses, And Demographics Of Pediatric Urgent Care Visits Before And During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study, Zaharoula A. Viennas, Julie Martin, Benjamin Klick, Tammy Speerhas, Turaj Vazifedan, Danielle Millspaugh, Jennifer Ferris, Margret Bedle, Lauren Paluch, Theresa Guins

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

There was an increased incidence of pediatric patients who presented with injuries caused by falls not related to sports or other recreational activities, as well as for animal bites, during the early pandemic period of April 2020. Education of parents and caregivers of young children is warranted to raise awareness of the even greater potential for falls and animal bites when children are confined at home for longer than typical periods of time, as occurred with the stay-at-home government orders during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Retinal Alpha-Synuclein Accumulation Correlates With Retinal Dysfunction And Structural Thinning In The A53t Mouse Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Katie K N Tran, Vickie H Y Wong, Anh Hoang, David I Finkelstein, Bang V Bui, Christine T O Nguyen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Abnormal alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) protein deposition has long been recognized as one of the pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease's (PD). This study considers the potential utility of PD retinal biomarkers by investigating retinal changes in a well characterized PD model of α-SYN overexpression and how these correspond to the presence of retinal α-SYN. Transgenic A53T homozygous (HOM) mice overexpressing human α-SYN and wildtype (WT) control littermates were assessed at 4, 6, and 14  months of age (male and female,

Resveratrol Rescues Cutaneous Radiation-Induced Dna Damage Via A Novel Ampk/Sirt7/Hmgb1 Regulatory Axis, Yi Jin, Xingyuan Liu, Xiaoting Liang, Jiabin Liu, Jieyu Liu, Zonglin Han, Qianxin Lu, Ke Wang, Bingyao Meng, Chunting Zhang, Minna Xu, Jian Guan, Li Ma, Liang Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Cutaneous radiation injury (CRI) interrupts the scheduled process of radiotherapy and even compromises the life quality of patients. However, the current clinical options for alleviating CRI are relatively limited. Resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to be a promising protective agent against CRI; yet the mechanisms of RSV enhancing radioresistance were not fully elucidated and limited its clinical application. In this study, we demonstrate RSV promotes cutaneous radioresistance mainly through SIRT7. During ionizing radiation (IR) treatment, RSV indirectly phosphorylates and activates SIRT7 through AMPK, which is critical for maintaining the genome stability of keratinocytes. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry identified HMGB1 to …

Il-8 Produced Via Bidirectional Communication Between Prostate Cancer And M2 Macrophages As A Potential Diagnostic And Prognostic Biomarker, Huihui Fan, Zheng Tang, Yaling Tian, Qingsong Lv, Fangyin Zeng

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Owing to the mortality associated with metastatic prostate cancer and the shortcomings of the current parameters in predicting the disease prognosis, we require the identification of viable biomarkers, which would help in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. We aimed to determine whether the interleukin-8 level in the tumor microenvironment could serve as a potential clinical diagnostic marker and prognostic factor for prostate cancer.

METHODS: The migration assay of prostate cancer cells was performed in an in vitro co-culture model. Cell lines PC3 and DU145 were divided into two groups and co-cultured with M0 and M2 macrophages, respectively. …

Exaptation And Evolutionary Adaptation In Nociceptor Mechanisms Driving Persistent Pain, Edgar T Walters

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Several evolutionary explanations have been proposed for why chronic pain is a major clinical problem. One is that some mechanisms important for driving chronic pain, while maladaptive for modern humans, were adaptive because they enhanced survival. Evidence is reviewed for persistent nociceptor hyperactivity (PNH), known to promote chronic pain in rodents and humans, being an evolutionarily adaptive response to significant bodily injury, and primitive molecular mechanisms related to cellular injury and stress being exapted (co-opted or repurposed) to drive PNH and consequent pain.

Summary: PNH in a snail (Aplysia californica), squid (Doryteuthis pealeii), fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), mice, rats, …

The Involvement Of Kynurenine Pathway In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Lais B Martins, Ana L M Silveira, Antonio L Teixeira

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence has shown the involvement of the kynurenine pathway (KP), the primary route of tryptophan (TRP) catabolism, in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to provide a comprehensive and critical overview of the clinical evidence on the KP involvement in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), discussing therapeutic opportunities.

METHODS: We searched for studies investigating KP metabolites in human subjects with AD and/or PD.

RESULTS: Postmortem studies showed altered levels of KP metabolites in the brain of AD and PD patients compared with controls. Cross-sectional studies have reported …

Role Of Microrna-34a In Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability And Mitochondrial Function In Ischemic Stroke, Cole T Payne, Sidra Tabassum, Silin Wu, Heng Hu, Aaron M Gusdon, Huimahn A Choi, Xuefang S Ren

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Over the past decade, there has been an uptick in the number of studies conducting research on the role of microRNA (miRNA) molecules in stroke. Among these molecules, miR-34a has emerged as a significant player, as its levels have been observed to exhibit a substantial rise following ischemic events. Elevated levels of miR-34a have been found to have multiple effects, including the modulation of inflammatory molecules involved in the post-stroke recovery process, as well as negative effects on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Interestingly, the increase of miR-34a appears to increase BBB permeability post stroke, through the negative effect on …

Antimicrobial Activity Of Plasma Rich In Platelets (Prp) On The Ocular Microbiota Of Healthy Horses From Minas Gerais, Luis E C Torres, Camilo O Florez, Jéssica G Oliveira, Giovanna D Vieira, Ilza S Ribeiro, Kelly M Keller, Fabíola O P Leme, Priscila Fantini, Renata P A Maranhão

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In equine ophthalmology, ulcerative keratitis is among the most common conditions and, in general, arises as a consequence of some trauma suffered. Secondarily, subsequent contamination by pathogenic or resident bacteria of the horse's ocular microbiota may have undesirable consequences. Under physiological conditions, the normal microbiota coexists with the immune status of the host, serving as a barrier, ensuring the health of the ocular surface, and inhibiting the proliferation of pathogens. However, in the imbalance of immune barriers, the normal microbiota can become pathogenic and lead to infection, acting as an opportunistic agent. The present study aims to demonstrate the antimicrobial …

Isoprenylation Inhibition Significantly Reduces Ige Mediated Mast Cell Function And Allergic Disease, Jordan Dailey

Theses and Dissertations

Allergic disease is the 6^th leading cause of chronic illness in the US and accounts for billions of dollars in healthcare annually. Mast cells are tissue resident innate immune cells linked to allergic disease and activated by IgE and other ligands. Upon activation, they release histamine, cytokines, chemokines, proteases, and lipid mediators evoking allergic symptoms. New ways of targeting mast cells could greatly benefit allergic disease therapy. Previous findings supported repurposing statin drugs, such as Fluvastatin, as a therapeutic treatment of allergic disease reduced allergic symptoms in vitro and in vivo. We found that Fluvastatin suppressed IgE-mediated mast cell …

Assessing Drug Development Proporties Of Antithrombotic And Anti - Cancer Agents, Elsamani I. Abdelfadiel

Theses and Dissertations

The current GAG anticoagulants such as heparin, heparin derivatives, and vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin continue to be the backbone of anticoagulant therapy. These drugs act through an indirect mechanism to convey inhibition of several coagulation enzymes. However, xv their use leads to several serious adverse effects, such as excessive bleeding risk and unpredictability of patient response. Regardless of their clinical achievement, every individual agent is accompanied by several side effects, particularly major/minor bleeding, thrombocytopenia, drug-food or drug-drug interactions, or absence of antidote. Of all these side effects, bleeding, and a lack of an effective antidote to reverse excessive …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Prdm16 As A Tumor Suppressor In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Eric Hurwitz

Theses and Dissertations

The transcription factor Prdm16 functions as a potent suppressor of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b) signaling, whose inactivation is deemed essential to the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Using the Kras^G12D-based mouse model of human PDAC, we surprisingly found that ablating Prdm16 did not block but instead accelerated PDAC formation and progression, suggesting that Prdm16 might function as a tumor suppressor in this malignancy. Subsequent genetic experiments showed that ablating Prdm16 along with Smad4 resulted in a shift from a well-differentiated and confined neoplasm to a highly aggressive and metastatic disease, which was associated with a striking deviation …