Digital Commons Network^™

Identification Of Bacterial Transcriptomic Signatures In Breast Cancer Tissues Using Publicly Available Datasets, Rasaq Awosemo

Master's Theses

Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, with increasing evidence suggesting a link between bacterial infections and cancer progression. This study aims to identify bacterial transcriptomic signatures within breast cancer tissues using publicly available datasets. While previous work in our lab has extensively explored the role of Borrelia burgdorferi in cancer, this research broadens the focus to investigate the presence of various bacterial species across different breast cancer samples.

Employing advanced bioinformatics methodologies, including the STAR aligner and MetaPhlAn for metatranscriptomics analysis, we analyzed RNA-sequencing data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Our findings reveal diverse bacterial communities within …

Applying Emotionally Focused Group Therapy With Collegiate Student-Athletes Experiencing Disordered Eating And Poor Body Image, Emily Wagener

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Rates of eating disorders and sub-clinical disordered eating continue to rise each year, with higher rates seen among athletes than non-athletes (Curry, 2010). Fueled Athletes is a group-style intervention for collegiate student-athletes that uses Emotionally Focused Therapy to help group members identify and transform emotions that contribute to poor body image and disordered eating behaviors. The mission of Fueled Athletes is to create a program that addresses eating problems and body image disturbances experienced by student-athletes by creating a safe space, building a support network which will lead to decreasing rates of ED / DE within the student-athlete population. Future …

Value Of Macroalgae As Habitat In A Eutrophic Coastal Bay, Dominika Polchowska

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Eutrophication is a phenomenon caused by changes in nutrient loading that results in harmful algal blooms, an overgrowth of macroalgae, altered aquatic benthic invertebrate communities, and loss of ecosystem functions. Barnegat Bay, NJ is a highly eutrophic system that has experienced a substantial loss of seagrass beds with subsequent expansion of drift macroalgae. Although considered poor quality, these algal beds represent valuable habitat for many benthic invertebrates. This research assesses the value of macroalgae as a habitat for macrofauna in regions where macroalgae are the dominant “vegetation.” Benthic drift algal samples were collected during June and August 2023 to reflect …

Investigating Nature-Based Mindfulness In Nurse Anesthesia Students: A Pilot Study, Douglas Lovern

Dissertations

Across the country, the mental health crisis continues to rage. Varying degrees of depression, stress, and anxiety are commonly found in college-age students. The COVID-19 pandemic augmented this crisis, but the pandemic is not the sole culprit for the escalation of mental health disorders in the United States. Students across the globe suffer mental health disorders that include depression, anxiety, and stress. Research has shown that graduate students are six times more likely to develop anxiety and depression than the general population. Student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) are vulnerable to mental health disorders. SRNAs enter labor-intensive doctoral programs fraught with …

Effects Of Cafestol And Enterolactone On Glucose Uptake In 3t3-L1 Differentiated Adipocytes, Sierra Hall

Senior Honors Theses

A review of current literature has revealed that moderate habitual coffee consumption is inversely associated with the risk of T2D development. Cafestol (CF) and enterolactone (ENL), two bioactive compounds found naturally in coffee, have been shown to promote glucose disposal in skeletal muscle and basal glucose uptake in L6 myotubes, respectively. However, the anti-diabetic effects of these compounds on adipose tissue and the mechanisms they utilize have not yet been characterized. Thus, in this study, the effects of CF and ENL on adipose tissue were determined by differentiating 3T3-L1 fibroblasts into adipocytes and treating them with either compound in a …

Effects Of Urban Borders On Synanthropic Mesopredator Movement And Risk Of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection In The Protected Lands Of Key Largo, Florida Usa, Kelly A. Crandall

Theses

Protected lands are an important source of food, shelter, and reproductive opportunities for wildlife, especially in urbanizing landscapes. When urban development abuts the edges of protected lands, synanthropic species can alter their foraging behaviors and movement to utilize human-supplemented resources throughout the urban-wild interface. Therefore, urban edges on protected lands can have pronounced effects on animal movement and ecosystem function. There is also increased risk of disease transmission where high densities of wild animals exist, or where domestic animals and wild species are interacting. In particular, members of the family Felidae, including domestic cats (Felis catus), can transmit the pathogenic …

The Evolution Of Science And Regulation Of Dietary Supplements: Past, Present, And Future, Paul M. Coates, Regan L. Bailey, Jeffrey B. Blumberg, Ahmed El-Sohemy, Elizabeth Floyd, Joshua Z. Goldenberg, Aimée Gould Shunney, Hannah D. Holscher, Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Deshanie Rai, Barry W. Ritz, Wendy J. Weber

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Dietary supplement use in the United States is widespread and increasing, especially among certain population groups, such as older Americans. The science surrounding dietary supplements has evolved substantially over the last few decades since their formal regulation in 1994. Much has been learned about the mechanisms of action of many dietary supplement ingredients, but the evidence on their health effects is still building. As is true of much nutrition research, there are many studies that point to health effects, but not all are at the level of scientific evidence (e.g., randomized controlled interventions), rigor, or quality needed for definitive statements …

The Impact Of Obesity On Reproductive Health And Metabolism In Reproductive-Age Females, Samantha B. Schon, Hannah E. Cabre, Leanne M. Redman

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic disease that impacts >40% of reproductive-aged females. The pathophysiology of obesity is complex and can be understood simply as a chronic energy imbalance whereby caloric intake exceeds caloric expenditure with an energy surplus stored in adipose tissue. Obesity may be categorized into degrees of severity as well as different phenotypes on the basis of metabolic health and underlying pathophysiology. Obesity and excess adiposity have a significant impact on fertility and reproductive health, with direct effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, the ovary and oocyte, and the endometrium. There are significant adverse pregnancy outcomes related to …

Changes In Energy Expenditure And Physical Activity Over 15 Years Of Environmental Changes: The Maycoba Project, Alexandra Niclou, Julián Esparza-Romero, Rene Urquidez-Romero, Yan Y. Lam, Jennifer Rood, Leslie O. Schulz, Peter H. Bennett, Mauro E. Valencia, Eric Ravussin

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Objective: This work aimed to parse out the role of changing environments on body composition, total energy expenditure, and physical activity in the Mexican Pima, a population experiencing rapid industrialization. Methods: Using doubly labeled water, we compared energy expenditure and physical activity in a longitudinal cohort of Mexican Pima (n = 26; female: 12) in 1995 and 2010. Body mass and composition were assessed by bioimpedance analysis. To determine the effects of environmental factors on body weight independent of age, we compared the 1995 longitudinal cohort with an age- and sex-matched cross-sectional cohort (n = 26) in 2010. Results: Body …

Computed Tomography And Dual-Energy X-Ray Asorptiometry Body Composition Parameter Harmonisation To Universalise Adipose Tissue Measurements In A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Elliot T. Varney, Seth Lirette, Peter T. Katzmarzyk, Frank Greenway, Candace M. Howard

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

To harmonise computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition measurements allowing easy conversion in longitudinal assessments and across cohorts to assess cardiometabolic risk and disease. Retrospective cross-sectional observational study from 1996 to 2008 included participants in the Pennington Center Longitudinal Study (PCLS) (N = 1967; 571 African American/1396 White). Anthropometrics, whole-body DXA and abdominal CT images were obtained. Multi-layer segmentation techniques (Analyze; Rochester, MN) quantified visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Clinical biomarkers were obtained from routine blood samples. Linear models were used to predict CT-VAT from DXA-VAT and examine the effects of traditional biomarkers on cross-sectional-VAT. Predicted CT-VAT …

Obesity- And Diet-Induced Plasticity In Systems That Control Eating And Energy Balance, Carrie R. Ferrario, Heike Münzberg-Gruening, Linda Rinaman, J. Nicholas Betley, Stephanie L. Borgland, Monica Dus, Debra A. Fadool, Kathryn F. Medler, Gregory J. Morton, Darleen A. Sandoval, Claire B. De La Serre, Sarah A. Stanley, Kristy L. Townsend, Alan G. Watts, Padma Maruvada, Diana Cummings, Bradley M. Cooke

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

In April 2023, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), in partnership with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute on Aging, and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, hosted a 2-day online workshop to discuss neural plasticity in energy homeostasis and obesity. The goal was to provide a broad view of current knowledge while identifying research questions and challenges regarding neural systems that control food intake and energy balance. This review includes highlights from the meeting and is intended both to introduce unfamiliar audiences with concepts central to …

The Bioenergetic Landscape Of Cancer, Elizabeth R.M. Zunica, Christopher L. Axelrod, L. Anne Gilmore, Erich Gnaiger, John P. Kirwan

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Background: Bioenergetic remodeling of core energy metabolism is essential to the initiation, survival, and progression of cancer cells through exergonic supply of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and metabolic intermediates, as well as control of redox homeostasis. Mitochondria are evolutionarily conserved organelles that mediate cell survival by conferring energetic plasticity and adaptive potential. Mitochondrial ATP synthesis is coupled to the oxidation of a variety of substrates generated through diverse metabolic pathways. As such, inhibition of the mitochondrial bioenergetic system by restricting metabolite availability, direct inhibition of the respiratory Complexes, altering organelle structure, or coupling efficiency may restrict carcinogenic potential and cancer progression. …

Prevalence And Correlates Of Adherence To The Global Total Physical Activity Guideline Based On Step Counting Among 3- To 4-Year-Olds: Evidence From Sunrise Pilot Studies From 17 Countries, Tawonga W. Mwase-Vuma, Xanne Janssen, Kar Hau Chong, Anthony D. Okely, Mark S. Tremblay, Catherine E. Draper, E. Kipling Webster, Alex Antonio Florindo, Amanda E. Staiano, Bang Nguyen Pham, Chiaki Tanaka, Denise Koh, Hongyan Guan, Hong K. Tang, Marie Löf, Mohammad Sorowar Hossain, Nyaradzai E. Munambah, Penny Cross, P. W.Prasad Chathurangana, John J. Reilly

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: There is limited evidence from globally diverse samples on the prevalence and correlates of meeting the global guideline of 180 minutes per day of total physical activity (TPA) among 3- to 4-year-olds. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 797 (49.2% girls) 3- to 4-year-olds from 17 middle- and high-income countries who participated in the pilot phases 1 and 2 of the SUNRISE International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years. Daily step count was measured using thigh-worn activPAL accelerometers. Children wore the accelerometers for at least one 24-hour period. Children were categorized as meeting the TPA guideline based on achieving …

Serum Levels Of Zinc, Folate, And Vitamin B12 In Healthy Children Aged 3-12 Months: Is Routine Screening Necessary?, Furkan Kalayci, Metin Yigit

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To retrospectively assess the serum levels of zinc, folate, and vitamin B12 in healthy children aged between 3-12 months. Methods: This study includes healthy children aged between 3-12 months who presented to the pediatric outpatient clinics of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, between January 2020 and July 2022. The levels of serum zinc, folate, and vitamin B12 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Of the 495 patients enrolled in our study, 248 (50.1%) were female. The median age of the patients was 10 (range: 7-12) months. Zinc deficiency was detected in 24 (4.8%) patients, and vitamin B12 deficiency was found …

Aging In Hopkinton: A Community Needs Assessment, Sue Berger, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report describes research undertaken by the Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging (CSDRA) within the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston, on behalf of the Town of Hopkinton. The goals of this project were to investigate the needs, interests, preferences, and opinions of Hopkinton residents age 55 or older by engaging the community regarding their experiences and needs relevant to Senior Services objective to identify and serve the needs of Hopkinton’s older residents. The contents of this report are meant to inform the Town of Hopkinton, Hopkinton Senior Services, and organizations that work with and …

Aging In Newton: A Community Needs Assessment, Claire Wickersham, Katherine Burnes, Shu Xu, Caitlin E. Coyle

Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging Publications

This report presents the results of a comprehensive examination of issues relating to aging in Newton. A needs assessment was undertaken to support planning on the part of the City of Newton and the Department of Older Adult Services. Results presented here focus on the characteristics and needs of Newton residents who are aged 60 and older. Data was collected via key informant interviews, focus groups with residents and stakeholders and a mailed survey of residents aged 60 and older. Respondents to the community survey included 2,869 Newton residents, which resulted in a response rate of more than 50%. As …

Historical & Contemporary Practices Of Seal Harvesting: Policy Implications For Revitalization Among The Taa-Laa-Wa Dee-Ni’, Paula Lynne Aubrey

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the contemporary practices of seal harvesting among Indigenous Peoples, with a special focus on policies that inform the revitalization of seal harvesting within the Taa-laa-waa Dee-ni’ (Tolowa) community of Northern California and Southern Oregon. The research is conducted by an Indigenous researcher seeking to further connect to traditional practices of her tribe, and this research places a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity and ethical integrity. The study involves a dual methodology including a comprehensive literature review to understand the cultural and ecological significance of seal harvesting, and a policy artifact review to identify wise practices and policy …

2024-2025 Lindenwood University Undergraduate Course Catalog, Lindenwood University

Course Catalogs

Lindenwood University Undergraduate Course Catalog

Examining The Theory Of Planned Behavior As An Explanation For Why Some Creatives Learn To Use Generative Ai Tools, Navrose Bajwa

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can create art which earlier was restricted to humans. This involvement of AI in creating art poses risks of automation for the arts and design industry. One way with which artists can respond to this threat is to engage in proactive coping behavior and learn to use generative AI (GAI) for their work. Using an expanded version of Theory of Planned Behavior, this study looked at the predictors of graphic designer’s intentions to learn how to use GAI for art and design work. It was hypothesized that attitudes, social norms, perceived behavioral control and automation awareness would …

Engagement And Retention Of College Students With Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms In A Digital Mental Health Intervention Using A Brief Peer Support Model, Emily A. Kline

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) show promise in improving access to mental health care for college students suffering from depression and anxiety symptoms. Nonetheless, the usefulness of DMHIs is limited by high user attrition. Leveraging peer support among college populations may be a feasible and cost-effective option to improve DMHI engagement and improve mental health outcomes. This open pilot study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a skill-based peer support group in enhancing user engagement in a DMHI for depression and anxiety symptoms. Participants were 20 undergraduate students at a university in New Jersey with elevated depression and …

Factors Influencing The Adoption Of Sustainable Agricultural Practices In Rural Regions Of Developing Countries: A Review, R. R. Bhujel, H. G. Joshi

Open Access archive

Farmers in developing countries show low adoption rates of sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore, this review examines influential factors contributing to sustainable agricultural practices adoption among rural farmers in developing countries in Asia, Latin America, Europe, and Africa, thereby highlighting challenges and constraints. The research indicated that behavioural factors influence the participation in and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers are often unaware of environmental issues such as climate change and need support through knowledge, technology, and training. The behavioural insights of farmers need to be incorporated for better policymaking. Therefore, urgent attention is needed to address the social, agronomic, structural, …

Characteristics Of The Copd Patients For The Implementation Of The Smartphone Application For The Copd: An Implementation Study, Ashwani Verma, Ashok Behera, N. Ravishankar, Monirul Islam

Open Access archive

Background: This study provides us an opportunity to discuss about the development of a smartphone enabled Home based Self-management application for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Objective: To summarize the baseline characteristics of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients recruited in present study. Methods: A single centered prospective non-randomized study has been conducted to implement the selfmanagement application among 166 patients. Patients were matched based on gender and Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. Smartphone application was provided to the intervention group and instructions were given to them. Results: The mean age of participants was 58.02 years in which more …

Acute Pancreatitis In Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review, Chinenye R. Dike, Adefunke Dadematthews, Oluwagbemiga Dadematthews, Maisam Abu-El-Haija, Jeffrey Lebensburger, Abigail Smith, Aamer Imdad

Faculty Publications

Background/Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) impacts about 100,000 people in the US. SCD increases the risk of cholelithiasis and microvascular ischemia, which could increase the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP). Abdominal pain is a common presenting symptom of AP and sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis. The purpose of our systematic review is to estimate the prevalence and determine the severity of AP in individuals with SCD compared to the general population. Methods: Multiple electronic databases were searched. We included studies that included children and adults (population) and addressed the association of SCD (exposure) with AP (outcome) compared to the same population …

Supporting Nursing Care Transition For Late Preterm Infants From Nicu To The Level 1 Nursery, Megan R. Deans

DNP Projects

Late preterm births are increasing each year due to increasing rates of IVF, multiple births, and advancing maternal age (Visruthan et al., 2015). This group has been traditionally cared for in the NICU, but facilities may consider transitioning this care to the level 1 nursery due to the relative physiologic stability of this population (Visruthan et al., 2015). The transition, without appropriate planning, creates a potential for inconsistencies in caring for the diverse needs of 35.0-35.6 week late preterm infants (LPIs), including variations in education provided to parents and care of the LPI (Visruthan et al., 2015). This project aimed …

Identifying Genes Linked To Variation In Metabolic And Whole Plant Phenotypes Using Data From Genome Resequencing, Transcriptomics, And Metabolic Profiling Of A Field-Grown Maize Diversity Panel, Ramesh Kanna Mathivanan

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Maize metabolism is highly complex and influenced by genetic variation, yet the specific genes contributing to this variation and their links to non-metabolic traits remain less understood. To address this knowledge gap, we identified genes involved in maize metabolic variation and linked them to non-metabolic traits. We utilized a quadruplicate dataset of whole genome resequencing, transcriptomic, metabolic, and whole plant phenotype data from a single common field experiment of 660 diverse maize inbred lines. Leaf samples were collected shortly before flowering and analyzed using GC-MS for 26 metabolites. A Resampling Model Inclusion Probability Genome-Wide Association Study (RMIPGWAS) of approximately 2.6 …

Impact Of Pre-Harvest Fungicide Application On The Storage Performance Of Tomato Fruits, Zhifu Lan, Jing Huang, Komivi S. Akutse, Yongwen Lin

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

To examine the impact of pre-harvest fungicide applications on the postharvest storage performance of tomato fruits, we measured the lycopene content, hardness, soluble solids content, rotting rate, and weight loss rate of the fruits, as well as conducted a sensory assessment. Protective and systematic fungicides were sprayed on tomatoes 20 days before harvest in order to prevent rotting and weight loss during storage. Our findings showed that, the fungicide-treated tomatoes had a significantly lower rotting rate of 16.00% and a weight loss rate of 3.96%. However the control group experienced 65.33% rotting rate and 6.90% weight loss rate on 12th …

The Limits Of Immigrant Resilience, Huyen Pham, Natalie C. Cook, Ernesto Amaral, Raymond Robertson, Suojin Wang

Faculty Scholarship

Economists have identified important adaptations that immigrant workers have made to weather economic crises. During times of economic contraction, immigrant workers have moved across industries or geographical locations, downshifted to part-time work, and accepted lower wages to stay employed. Evidence from the Great Recession (2007–2009) shows the benefits of that economic resilience: immigrant workers were more likely than native-born workers to remain continuously employed, to have shorter periods of unemployment when they lost their jobs, and to regain jobs more quickly in the recovery period. Of course, these adaptations had significant personal costs for immigrant workers and their families, but …

Why Mlp Legal Care Should Be Financed As Health Care, William M. Sage, Keegan D. Warren

Faculty Scholarship

Medical-legal partnership (MLP) integrates the unique expertise of lawyers into collaborative clinical environments. MLP teams meet the needs of individual patients while also detecting structural problems at the root of health inequities and advancing solutions at the institutional, community, and system levels. Yet MLPs today operate in limited settings and survive on scant budgets. Expanding their impact requires secure funding. Financing MLPs as health care can do the following: (1) help address inequity at the point of care; (2) enable expert diagnosis and treatment of nonmedical drivers of health; (3) enhance team-based practice in health care organizations; (4) offer another …

Use Of Herbicides Coated Onto Fertilizer And Applied Over-The-Top Of Cotton, Summer Linn

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production faces numerous challenges, many related to weed management. A herbicide application method that focuses on combing resources that producers already have access to, such as herbicide-coated fertilizers, could be a practical approach for addressing late-season control of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats) and other problematic weed species. Two main factors would potentially impact the efficiency of utilizing this method: cotton tolerance to the application and weed control provided by the herbicide-coated fertilizers. Some considerations could affect the efficacy of these applications, such as when the treatments are applied and when they are activated by …

Instrument Not Ornament: Exploring Women’S Experiences Of Body Objectification And Belonging To An All-Women’S Mountain Biking Group In The Ozarks, Katherine Ketchum

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Description: Despite the attention given to body positivity, body neutrality, and body appreciation, women are consistently and overwhelmingly experiencing body objectification and its harmful effects being normalized by society and internalized individually (Shorter et al., 2008). At the same time, the popularity of mountain biking for women and all-women's mountain biking groups in the Ozarks has grown exponentially in recent years, yet gender stereotypes and disparities for women remain (Irvin et al., 2021). The purpose of this study was to make meaning of (1) women’s experiences of body objectification and (2) women’s experiences belonging to an all-women's mountain biking group …