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Samannachan: A Thai Traditional Herbal Recipe With Cytotoxic Potential Against Breast, Cervical, And Ovarian Cancers, Perika Monkanna, Srisopa Ruangnoo, Pakakrong Thongdeeying, Arunporn Itharat, Pranporn Kuropakornpong, Reawfang Sriyom, Apinya Wiboonwattanakit, Kanyarat Namphonsan, Paponpachara Pibanpaknitee, Neal M. Davies

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Samannachan (SMC) is a Thai traditional herbal recipe that has been used since 2005 at Khampramong Temple, Sakon Nakhon, to treat more than 6,000 cancer patients. However, scientific evidence supporting cytotoxic effects remains limited.
Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the SMC recipe and its ten herbal components against breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer cells compared to normal cells.
Methods: Cytotoxic activity was assessed using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay on breast (MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231), cervical (HeLa), and ovarian (SK-OV-3) cancer cell lines, as well as on non-cancerous human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Both aqueous …

Effect Of Rotating Cylinder On Boundary Layer Behavior And Aerodynamic Performance Of Naca 0015 Airfoil, K. Suresh, Inamul Hasan

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Flow separation over airfoils at moderate and high angles of attack leads to a significant degradation in aerodynamic performance. Active boundary layer control using moving surfaces provides an effective approach to delay separation and enhance lift. In this study, the aerodynamic efficiency of a NACA 0015 airfoil equipped with a rotating leading edge cylinder is numerically investigated using computational fluid dynamics. Simulations are carried out for a range of angles of attack and cylinder surface speed ratios at low Reynolds numbers like Re = 1.2 x105. The rotating cylinder injects momentum into the boundary layer, promoting flow attachment on the …

When The Weeds Strike Back: Rethinking Aphis's Regulation Of Genetically Engineered Plants Post-National Family Farm Coalition V. Vilsack, Reagan Powers

Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy

No abstract provided.

To Survive Pandemics, Look To Indigenous Life, Scott Pratt

Dewey Studies

No abstract provided.

Philosophical Meditations On The Covid-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned So Far?, Gregory Fernando Pappas

Dewey Studies

No abstract provided.

The Mask As Metaphor: Deweyan Reflections In The Time Of A Pandemic, Todd Lekan

Dewey Studies

No abstract provided.

Before And After School: Pragmatic Lessons In Disaster Didactics, Myron Moses Jackson

Dewey Studies

No abstract provided.

Editor's Introduction, Leonard J. Waks

Dewey Studies

No abstract provided.

Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Regarding Vitamin D Among Adults In Western Libya: Assessment And Socio-Demographic Influences, Abdounasser Albasher Omar, Kawther Adaila, Mofida M. Alfaid, Abdurrahman M Sweidan, Ruqayah Kasheem, Samia Emhemmed Abadi, Abdulnabi Ali Abushita, Hafsa A. Alemam

Al-Bahir

Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread public health concern, necessitating a clear understanding of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among populations. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess Libyan citizens' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding vitamin D in the western region of Libya. This study was carried out between June and September of 2021. A questionnaire was distributed across the study area and the complete responses were 314, with 62.7% were females and 37.3% were males.  The scores were calculated as percentages and statistically tested. Additionally, the impact of some socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education level, job, and salary) …

An Untapped Resource: Exploring The Role Of Spirituality In The Psychological Healing Of African Asylum-Seekers From A Counselor’S Perspective, Brittany A. Duncan

Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how counselors perceive and integrate spirituality into the psychological healing of African asylum-seekers, a population facing compounded cultural, legal, and existential challenges. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, the study examined the lived experiences of eight counselors working with this population. Findings revealed that counselors’ personal sense of religion influenced their comfort and approach in broaching spiritual topics, with both positive (e.g., spirituality as a source of support and community) and negative (e.g., religion as a source of suffering) associations shaping clinical engagement. Many participants reported limited access to trainings geared towards increasing their cultural competence related to …

Ameliorating Chromium-Induced Stress In Maize Through Phosphorus And Melatonin Application, Zunaira Zafar, Shoaib Ahmad, Muhammad Akhtar, Shafaqat Ali, Sarah Owdah Alomrani, Muhammad Ali Alshehri

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Chromium (Cr+6)  toxicity is a significant environmental stress factor that severely hampers plant growth and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate whether the combined application of phosphorus fertilizer and melatonin could alleviate chromium induced stress in maize  (Zea mays L.).  A foliar spray of melatonin (50 µM) was applied alongside two phosphorus sources—phosphoric acid (PA) and diammonium phosphate (DAP), each at 60% of the recommended rate. Two maize cultivars (FH-1046 and YH-1898) were grown under chromium stress (0, 15, and 30 mg kg–1) to assess treatment effects. The results demonstrated that FH-1046 plants treated with PA + melatonin under noncontaminated …

A Modular Saponin Adjuvant Platform: Development, Structure–Activity Relationships, And Applications, Di Bai

ETDs from 2020-2029

ABSTRACT Saponin-based vaccine adjuvants have attracted considerable attention owing to the clinical success of QS-21, a potent immunostimulant capable of inducing balanced humoral and cellular immune responses, yet its widespread application is limited by supply constraints, chemical instability, and dose-dependent toxicity. To address these challenges, we previously developed two semisynthetic saponin adjuvants, VSA-1 and VSA-2, derived from abundant Momordica saponins through a single-step modification, which exhibit QS-21–comparable immunopotentiating activity with improved accessibility and stability. Here, we first performed a systematic structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of the VSA series using MS I as the lead scaffold. Modulation of the side-chain length …

Histone Deacetylases In Kidney Injury: Distribution, Injury-Specific Regulation, And Fibroblast Hdac1 Function, Huy Nguyen

ETDs from 2020-2029

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) through maladaptive repair and interstitial fibrosis. Epigenetic regulation has emerged as a critical factor of kidney injury responses, however the injury-specific and cell-type specific roles of histone deacetylases (HDACs) remain poorly defined. This dissertation investigates the regulation and functional significance of HDACs in kidney injury, with a particular focus on fibroblast HDAC1 as a mediator of interstitial fibrosis development following AKI. In my cisplatin-induced AKI model, a single dose of cisplatin caused a significant decline in kidney function in both male …

Mechanisms Of Cyst Initiation And Expansion In Polycystic Kidney Disease: Alterations In Tubule Flow Dynamics And P21- Driven Epithelial Reprogramming, Isis Thomas

ETDs from 2020-2029

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common inherited disorder characterized by progressive cyst formation, kidney enlargement, and eventual renal failure. Mutations in PKD1 or PKD2 disrupt polycystin-mediated mechanosensory signaling in renal epithelial cells, altering calcium signaling, epithelial architecture, and cellular homeostasis. Although cyst expansion has historically been attributed to epithelial hyperproliferation or tubule pinching off to form a cyst that no longer remains connected with the tubule, the early physiological and molecular events that initiate cyst formation remain incompletely understood. This dissertation investigates how alterations in tubule flow dynamics and epithelial stress responses contribute to cyst initiation and …

Investigation Of Air Emissions With A Local Composites Industry, Chris White

ETDs from 2020-2029

Workers at an office space raised complaints about a sweet-smelling odor directly outside their building. After an initial assessment of the surrounding businesses and their processes, it was determined that the workers were most likely exposed to styrene emissions from a nearby composites company. This investigation utilizes multiple weeks of direct readings with a photoionization device and active environmental sampling with a charcoal tube and pump to confirm the styrene exposure hypothesis. Weather trends were also recorded to determine correlation between weather and exposure to the sweet-smelling chemical. The direct readings found an exposure maximum of less than 2 ppm …

Holding The Dying: Worldview, Community, And The Practice Of End-Of-Life Doula Care, Amy J. Shields

ETDs from 2020-2029

As populations age and chronic illness increasingly characterizes the final stages of life in the United States, end-of-life doulas (EOLDs) have emerged as non-medical practitioners who support dying people and their families through education, companionship, advocacy, and ritualized care. Drawing on a thematic analysis of 18 semi-structured interviews with practicing EOLDs across the United States, this thesis examines how EOLDs conceptualize a “good death,” navigate emotionally intensive work, and sustain themselves in an unregulated and often marginal professional landscape. Situating EOLD practice within anthropological scholarship on death and dying, the study highlights the ways EOLDs challenge dominant biomedical narratives that …

The Role Of 14-3-3 Proteins In The Pro-Inflammatory Response Of Microglia And The Neuronal Stress Response To Trichloroethylene Exposure, William Stone

ETDs from 2020-2029

ABSTRACT This dissertation examines how 14-3-3 proteins, with a focus on the 14-3-3θ iso-form, regulate signaling pathways relevant to neurodegeneration. While tradition-ally described as molecular hubs that organize protein–protein interactions, our work reveals how 14-3-3 function is shaped by environmental insults, namely bac-terial and neurotoxicant exposures, and how its disruption contributes to disease-associated processes. Two complementary approaches were used, focusing on microglial inflammatory signaling and neuronal responses to an environmental neurotoxicant, to define a broader role for 14-3-3 proteins in disease associated pathways in the brain. Chapter I identifies 14-3-3 proteins as modulators of microglial activation. Disrup-tion of 14-3-3 interactions …

Small Rna Sequencing Identifies Tsrna-05020 As A Potential Regulator Of Cervical Cancer Progression, Cheng Peng, Cong Liang, Jie Liu, Yunlu Liu, Ping Liu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Cervical cancer (CC) is a malignant gynecologic tumor. Small RNAs derived from tRNA (tsRNAs) have been reported to play regulatory roles in tumor progression and suppression. However, the functional role of tsRNAs in CC remains largely unclear.

Materials and methods: Small RNA sequencing was performed on normal, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and CC clinical cell samples to identify differentially expressed tsRNAs (DEtsRNAs). qRT-PCR was used to validate the selected DEtsRNAs. The effects of tsRNA-05020 on HeLa cell proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition were assessed.

Results: Compared with the normal group, 215 tsRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in CIN tissues, …

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola Enucleator) Exhibit Collective Vocal Behavior During Foraging Bouts, Stefani A. Crabtree, Thomas J. Crabtree

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator) are boreal finches whose winter ecology and social behavior remain only sporadically documented due to their remote distributions and irruptive dispersions. From 18 December 2023 to 6 March 2024, we conducted repeated daily observations of a flock of up to twelve P. Enucleator occupying a temporary wintering range in an urban neighborhood in Oregon. During these observations, we documented a previously undescribed collective vocalization associated with feeding. Comparison with 2674 archived Pine Grosbeak recordings from major bioacoustic repositories revealed that no clear matches between our recording and archives could be established. The low amplitude …

Non-Tobacco Nicotine Dependence Is Associated With Increased Complications Following Clavicle Open Reduction Internal Fixation, Akin A. Adio, Rahul K. Goyal, Abby Skiena, Mohammad Daher, John G. Horneff, Hafiz F. Kassam, Brian W. Hill, Joseph A. Abboud

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Tobacco dependence is well established to impair bone healing and increase postoperative complications. However, the independent effects of nicotine, separate from combustion-related factors, remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of non-tobacco nicotine dependence (NTND) following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of clavicle fractures, including midshaft and lateral fracture subtypes.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using a large national database. Patients undergoing ORIF of clavicle fractures were identified using procedural and diagnostic codes. Patients with non-tobacco nicotine dependence (e.g., vaping, patches, or gum) were identified and propensity score matched to (1) patients without nicotine …

Retinoic Acid-Loaded Nanoparticles Enhance Macrophage-Mediated Control Of Leishmania Infantum, Zeynep İşlek, Merve Gündoğdu, Zeynep Di̇la Yüksel

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Visceral leishmaniasis, primarily caused by Leishmania infantum, remains a major global health challenge due to limitations in current chemotherapeutic options, including toxicity and emerging drug resistance. Host-directed therapeutic approaches are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an immunomodulatory molecule with host-dependent effects on macrophage function; however, its therapeutic use is hindered by instability and poor solubility. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a controlled and biocompatible delivery platform capable of enhancing intracellular drug accumulation.

Materials and methods: ATRA-loaded SLNs were prepared and characterized for size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and morphology. Their antileishmanial activity was evaluated …

Nutrient Uptake Of Two Microalgae From Culture Medium Under Nickel Treatment, Di̇lara Erdaği, Büşranur Şeker, Celal Caner, Gi̇zem Çeti̇n, Hüseyi̇n Altundağ, Hati̇ce Tunca

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Phycoremediation is essential for purifying wastewater of heavy metals to ensure a sustainable environment, as these components can be detrimental to organisms upon entering the food chain. Among heavy metals, nickel is vital at low concentrations due to its presence in the active sites of many metalloenzymes in algae. However, at high concentrations, it disrupts the functioning of many metabolic reactions. This study examines the effects of nickel treatment on the uptake of macro- and micronutrients in medium by algae via ion exchange pathways or in competition with other metals. The study aims to determine the effects of nickel …

Multidimensional Scaling (Mds) Analysis Of Fire Blight Resistance In Apple Genotypes Selected From The Eastern Black Sea Region Of Türkiye, Kubi̇lay Kurtuluş Baştaş, Hati̇ce Dumanoğlu, Veli̇ Erdoğan, Ahmet Aygün, Rabi̇a Albayrak Deli̇ali̇oğlu, Sai̇d Efe Dost, Ümi̇t Serdar, Özgün Kalkişim, Sali̇h Maden, Zahi̇de Kocabaş

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of fire blight, which is known as one of the most destructive diseases of apple. The use of fire blight-resistant cultivars/rootstocks is one of the most effective methods available to manage this disease. We previously selected 199 local apple cultivars that showed no clearly visible symptoms of fire blight on the plants from the coastline of the eastern Black Sea Region in Türkiye. The region is characterized by the highest rainfall and humidity levels in the country. In this research, young plants of these genotypes grafted onto MM.106 rootstock were screened for fire blight …

Effects Of Fenugreek And Shatavari On Vasomotor And Hormonal Balance In Ovariectomized Rats, Füsun Erten, Beşi̇r Er, Cemal Orhan, Abhijeet A. Morde, Muralidhara Padigaru, Kazi̇m Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek, TFG) and Asparagus racemosus Willd. (shatavari, AR) have been extensively used in Ayurvedic, Unani, and traditional folk medicine to support women’s health. TFG seeds are traditionally employed as galactagogues and hormonal modulators, while AR roots are valued as rejuvenating tonics with phytoestrogenic activity, prescribed for menopausal complaints and reproductive well-being. Both plants also exhibit antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects, suggesting their potential as safe, nonhormonal alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy. This study investigated the dose-dependent effects of TFG and AR, administered individually or in combination, on vasomotor symptoms, hormonal balance, oxidative stress, and neuroendocrine markers in …

Derived Smoke Solution Mitigates Drought Stress In Forage Pea By Enhancing Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms, Medi̇ne Çopur Doğrusöz

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study was conducted to enhance plant resilience against drought stress, a major threat to agricultural production, by utilizing an eco-friendly application derived from agricultural waste. We investigated the protective effect of a smoke solution, derived from poppy harvest residues, on the biometric and biochemical parameters of two forage pea (Pisum sativum spp. arvense L.) varieties (GAP Pembesi and Özkaynak). Seeds were primed with 1% and 10% smoke solutions and grown under three distinct conditions: normal irrigation (control), moderate drought, and severe drought. Parameters including biometric traits, chlorophyll pigments, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant enzyme activities were analyzed. The smoke solution …

Contribution Of Phosphorylation To Hp1a Function, James Walts

ETDs from 2020-2029

Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) family members are highly conserved, non-histone chromosomal proteins essential for heterochromatin formation and transcriptional regulation. In Drosophila melanogaster, HP1a functions both as a transcriptional repressor and activator, as well as other functions, and undergoes post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation. The functional consequences of HP1a phosphorylation remain largely unexplored. This thesis investigates the role of phosphorylation at serines 89/90/91 (S899091) of HP1a by generating two mutant alleles: a phospho-mimic (SE) and a phospho-block (SA). Both alleles produce stable mRNA transcripts; however, Western blot analysis revealed reduced protein accumulation relative to wildtype HP1a. Homozygous phospho-block animals are embryonic lethal …

Jnk Signaling Impacts Car-T Cell Effector Function, Charles Kuhlmann

ETDs from 2020-2029

The potent cytotoxic activity of T cells serves as a natural defense against cancers. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy represents a strategy for harnessing T cells against advanced tumors. CAR-T cell therapy has seen striking success against hematologic malignancies, prompting its application to new diseases. Ovarian cancer is a highly lethal disease characterized by frequent recurrence and aggressive nature, prompting the investigation of CAR-T cell therapy as a salvage regimen. However, like in other solid tumors, the early performance of CAR-T cell therapy in ovarian cancer is poor. While many strategies exist for improving the longevity of CAR-T …

Efficient Multimodal Foundation Model Tuning For Hallucination Mitigation, Fei Zhao

ETDs from 2020-2029

Over the past few years, multimodal foundation models have achieved remarkable progress in perception and understanding. However, two challenges limit their reliability: (1) dependence on offline training, which in most real-world settings requires large volumes of labeled data and, as a result, hinders the model’s ability to adapt to new data or domains; (2) weak cross-modal grounding, which often leads to hallucinated content generation, producing descriptions that are linguistically fluent but inconsistent with the input visual evidence. This dissertation frames hallucination mitigation as an outcome of transitioning from fixed learning (static, offline fine-tuning) to adaptive, feedback-driven lifelong learning. By incorporating …

The Guardian Order, Jennifer Jayden Foster

ETDs from 2020-2029

The Guardian Order is a young adult fantasy novel set in the sacred land of Enyimel, a sanctuary sustained by magic and ancestral guardianship. The narrative follows siblings Kairos and Verena Sepher as they confront both an ecological catastrophe and a deeply personal rupture within their family. When a blight corrupts the land and destabilizes its magic, they are forced into a reluctant alliance to save their people. However, the external crisis mirrors an internal one: a lifetime of unequal parental expectations has shaped them into ideological opposites. Kairos embraces the heroic destiny prepared for him, while Verena resists a …

Shaping Fibroblast Fate To Drive Fibrotic Remodeling In Pulmonary Fibrosis: Decoding S100a4, Spring Li

ETDs from 2020-2029

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by persistent fibroblast activation, excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and irreversible remodeling of lung architecture. A central feature of disease progression is the accumulation of fibroblasts that evade apoptosis and persist in a pathologically activated state. However, the molecular mechanisms that sustain this aberrant phenotype remain incompletely understood. The calcium-binding protein S100A4 has been implicated in fibrotic processes, but its role in orchestrating fibroblast fate and profibrotic behavior has not been fully defined, particularly with respect to its influence on fibroblast survival and activation in IPF. In the first …