Digital Commons Network^™

Insulin Receptor Responsiveness Governs Tgfβ-Induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation: Insulin Resistance Instigates Liver Fibrosis, Wang-Hsin Lee, Evelyn A. Bates, Zachary A. Kipp, Sally Pauss, Genesee J. Martinez, Cheavar A. Blair, Terry D. Hinds Jr.

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The insulin receptor (INSR) has been shown to be hyperactive in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in humans and rodents with liver fibrosis. To explore HSC cellular mechanisms that INSR regulates during pro-fibrotic stimulation, we used CRISPR-Cas9 technology. We knocked out a portion of the INSR gene in human LX2 HSC cells (INSRe5- 8 KO) that regulates insulin responsiveness but not the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) or transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling. The INSRe5- 8 KO HSCs had significantly higher cell growth, BrdU incorporation, and lower TP53 expression that suppresses growth, and they also exhibited increased migration compared to the Scramble …

Exploring Oxylipins In Host–Microbe Interactions And Their Impact On Infection And Immunity, Robert J. Neff, Christopher D. Radka

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Plasma lipids are essential components of biological systems, transported through interactions with proteins to maintain cellular functions. These lipids exist in various forms, such as fatty acids, glycerolipids, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols, and prenol lipids, derived from dietary intake, adipose tissue, and biosynthesis. While the association between certain fatty acids and cardiovascular diseases has been widely recognized, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exhibit cardioprotective effects, reducing risks of arrhythmias and heart-related mortality. This is due to their role in the production of eicosanoids, which modulate inflammation. Chronic inflammation, particularly in obesity, is significantly influenced by fatty acids, with saturated fatty acids promoting …

The Prevalence Of Alzheimer’S Disease Among Diabetic Patients In Saudi Arabia, Alhanouf S. Alqudah, Nahed S. Abaalkhail, Alanoud S. Alturki, Yasmen S. Naseer, Sara K. Almansour

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) among 228 Saudi adults with diabetes, aiming to assess cognitive awareness through a questionnaire. It explores risk factors, symptoms, prevention strategies, and attitudes towards dementia, while integrating demographic data to illuminate cognitive landscapes and correlations between diabetes and cognitive health. Methods: Trained dietitians administered questionnaires to 228 adult Saudi diabetic participants, focusing on their understanding of AD across various domains. The study employed validated tools for data collection and amalgamated responses with demographic and medical details. Results: Of the 228 participants, 56.6% were female. Findings revealed a high acknowledgment of 3 …

Hospital Readmission After An Acute Admission To Internal Medicine: Causes And Risk Factors In A Tertiary Care Center In Saudi Arabia, Mutaz H. Althobaiti, Khaled A. Alkhowaiter, Duha K. Alahmadi, Omar S. Baharoon, Al-Zahraa S. Almahlawi, Mohammed Alqahtani, Hamdan H. Al-Jahdali, Jinan Z. Shamou, Laila A. Layqah, Salim A. Baharoon

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the risk factors associated with single and multiple hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Methods: A retrospective study carried out during 2019 at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using simple random sampling with an estimated prevalence of readmission rates between 10-20%, the calculated sample size was 200 patients. Patients were classified into 2 categories: patients with single or multiple readmissions. For comparison of categorical variables, the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were employed as relevant. Means comparisons were carried out using independent samples t-test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was implemented to identify …

Overexpression And Biophysical And Functional Characterization Of A Recombinant Fgf21, Phuc Phan, Jason Hoang, Thallapuranam Krishnaswamy Suresh Kumar

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an endocrine FGF that plays a vital role in regulating essential metabolic pathways. FGF21 increases glucose uptake by cells, promotes fatty acid oxidation, reduces blood glucose levels, and alleviates metabolic diseases. However, detailed studies on its stability and biophysical characteristics have not been reported. Herein, we present the overexpression, biophysical characterization, and metabolic activity of a soluble recombinant FGF21 (rFGF21). The far-UV circular dichroism spectra of rFGF21 show a negative trough at 215 nm, indicating that the protein’s backbone predominantly adopts a β sheet conformation. rFGF21 shows intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence at 305 nm. Thermal …

Enhancing Competency-Based Learning With Neutrosophic Regression And The Deming Cycle, Dr Hortencio Flores Flores, Dr. Irma Reyes Blácido, Dr. Magda Patricia Ramos Cevallos, Dr. Nemesia Hidalgo Penadillo Hidalgo Penadillo, Mg. Luz Magali Villarroel Nuñez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This article introduces a novel approach to enhance competency-based learning by combining the Deming Cycle with neutrosophic statistics. Competency-based education focuses on practical skills, but uncertainty in student performance and assessment can hinder its effectiveness. Neutrosophic statistics, unlike traditional methods, explicitly models indeterminacy, providing a more complete picture of uncertainty in educational data. This approach integrates neutrosophic numbers into re gression analysis to predict learning outcomes and quantify the confidence level of those predictions. These predictions, with their associated indeterminacy, then inform the Deming Cycle (Plan-Do Check-Act), enabling educators to dynamically adjust teaching strategies based on data-driven in sights. This …

Releaf By Design: Eco Conscious Cannabis Packaging, Abigail Jane Fleishman

Graphic Communication

ReLeaf is an innovative project that explores the dynamic intersection of sustainability and functionality in cannabis packaging. This project explores the urgent need for environmentally responsible solutions in an industry often reliant on single-use plastic. This project uses an innovative lens to research current eco-friendly packaging using kraft paperboard tubes, ultraviolet glass jars, and post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics. This project aims to create a packaging solution that meets industry safety standards while appealing to eco-conscious consumers by prioritizing recyclability, biodegradability, aesthetic design, and compliance with safety regulations. The branding strategy, embodied in the name “ReLeaf,” emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of …

The Cross-Sectional Association Between Lifestyle Behaviors And Breast And Cervical Cancer Screening Among Hispanic Women Along The Texas-Mexico Border, Paul Gerardo Yeh, Audrey C Choh, Susan P Fisher-Hoch, Joseph B Mccormick, David R Lairson, Belinda M Reininger

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Lifestyle behaviors may influence timely cancer screening, but their relationship is unknown among Hispanic women who have low cancer screening rates.

Methods: We used Cameron County Hispanic Cohort data from 2014 to 2022 to evaluate the relationship between lifestyle and compliance with mammography and Papanicolaou (Pap) screening guidelines ("up-to-date") among Hispanic women along the Texas-Mexico border. The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund scoring system characterized cancer-preventive lifestyle adherence. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the association between lifestyle behaviors and mammography and, separately, Pap screening.

Results: Among 385 age-eligible women for mammography and 412 age-eligible women for Pap test screening, up-to-date …

Determinants Of Human Development Index (Hdi): A Regression Analysis Of Economic And Social Indicators, Kuldeep Singh, Sumanth Cheemalapati, Srikanth Reddy Ramireddy, George Kurian, Prathamesh Muzumdar, Apoorva Muley

Faculty Publications - The LeMoyne Smith School of Business

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the Human Development Index (HDI). Five variables—GDP per capita, health expenditure, education expenditure, infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births), and average years of schooling—were analyzed to develop a regression model assessing their impact on HDI. The results indicate that GDP per capita, infant mortality rate, and average years of schooling are significant predictors of HDI. Specifically, the study finds a positive relationship between GDP per capita and average years of schooling with HDI, while infant mortality rate is negatively associated with HDI.

Caloric Restriction And Telomere Preservation In Tert Knockout Adipocyte Progenitors Does Not Rescue Mice From Metabolic Dysfunction Due To A Tert Function In Adipocyte Mitochondria, Zhanguo Gao, Yongmei Yu, Kristin Eckel-Mahan, Mikhail G Kolonin

The Brown Foundation: Institute of Molecular Medicine

Inactivation of telomerase (TERT) in adipocyte progenitor cells (APC) expedites telomere attrition, and the onset of diabetes in mice fed high-fat diet (HFD), which promotes APC over-proliferation and replicative senescence. Here, we show that time-restricted feeding or caloric restriction in the postnatal development of mice subsequently subjected to HFD prevents telomere attrition but not glucose intolerance. This metabolic effect of dietary intervention was not observed for mice with TERT KO in endothelial or myeloid cells. To characterize the telomere-independent effects of TERT in the APC lineage, we analyzed mice with TERT knockout in mature adipocytes (AD-TERT-KO), which do not proliferate …

Sources Of Well-Being And Cardiovascular Health: A Mixed Methods Investigation From The Midus Study, Julia K. Boehm, Monica Adams, Jennifer Morozink Boylan

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective

Methods

March 2025, Swosu Bulldog Wellness Committee

SWOSU BULLDOG WELLNESS

Colorectal cancer awareness!

March is National Nutrition Month!

Spring word find activity!

Namai Zambia: Final Study Technical Report, Nachela Chelwa

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Walking Performance Is Worse In Black Than White People With Multiple Sclerosis, Robert W. Motl, Deborah Backus, Jeffrey R. Hebert, Alexander V. Ng, Kevin K. Mccully, Whitney N. Neal, Hollie Schmidt, Robert Mcburney, Prudence Plummer, Francois Bethoux, John Lowman, Gary R. Cutter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

There is emerging evidence for poor health outcomes among Black people with MS, and Black people with MS may have worse walking performance than White counterparts.

Purpose

The current study examined if Black participants with MS had slower walking speed (timed 25-foot walk, T25FW) and shorter walking distance (six-minute walk, 6MW) than White participants, and if these differences were accounted for by demographic variables, physical activity, disease/clinical characteristics, and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).

Method

The analysis included samples of Black (N = 105) and White (N = 246) participants with MS who completed the T25FW and 6MW, underwent …

The Wellness Connection March 2025, Roger Williams University School Of Law Office Of Student Life

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Behavioral Or Nutritional Drive, B. N. Gaskill, H. Davis, R. P. Gosselin, J. P. Garner, J. S. Radcliffe, L. A. Robbins, K. R. Pritchett-Corning

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Wire mouse feeders used in laboratory mouse cages typically hold enough food to feed 5 mice for two weeks. However, some mice gnaw the food provided into powder, which they do not ingest. The ground-up food fills the cage, resulting in miscalculations of food consumption, welfare issues with blocked water valves and frequent cage handling, more frequent cage changes, and economic issues of food wastage. There is a dearth of studies attempting to understand the causes behind food grinding behavior. This study, following on from previous work, sought to determine if the motivations behind food grinding were related to a …

Dairy & Food Science News, March 2025, Department Of Dairy And Food Science

Dairy & Food Science News

Message from the Department Head
Faculty & Staff Updates
Department Faculty Earn Awards
Midwest Regional Dairy Challenge Competition hosted by SDSU
Small-Scale Dairy Processing Project
Recruitment Updates & Opportunities
Recent Activity
Alumni Mentorship Program
SDSU Food Science Research in the News
Student Updates
Events & Calendar

Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2024, Nathan A. Slaton

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

Rapid technological changes in crop management and production require that the research efforts be presented in an expeditious manner. The contributions of soil fertility and fertilizers are major production factors in all Arkansas crops. The studies described within will allow producers to compare their practices with the university’s research efforts. Additionally, soil-test data and fertilizer sales are presented to allow comparisons among years, crops, and other areas within Arkansas.

The Predictors Of Success For Pre-Licensure Bsn Students: An Exploratory Analysis Of Assessment Methods, Nihimu Nkechinyere Evulukwu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background

Success in the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) on the first attempt is essential for continued program accreditation, sustainability, and maintaining the national nurse workforce. Admission policies and assessment methods contribute to student enrollment and success. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated the admission requirements of cognate and overall GPAs and assessment requirements of Health Education System Incorporated (HESI) scores in the School of Nursing to determine the best predictors of the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates. This project aimed to determine whether the use of admission requirements in the School of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing …

Organizational Health Psychology: A Compilation Of Open Access Research For Future Industrial-Organizational Psychologists, Caitlin Lapine

Open Touro Created

2025

Organizational Health Psychology: A Compilation of Open Access Research for Future Industrial-Organizational Psychologists is a text designed for industrial organizational psychology graduate students and organizational practitioners working to make the workplace better for all employees. This open educational resource provides important scholarly journal articles that describe current findings in the occupational health space, including research conducted on the COVID-19 pandemic’s influence on current work.

A New Ally In The Fight Against Depression?, Catherine Grandmaison

Tigra scientifica

No abstract provided.

2025 Belknap And Carroll Counties 4-H Presents Event Packet, Mikayla Cerney

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Ccfan Teams And Goals 2025, Joy Gagnon

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Test 2025 Belknap And Carroll Counties 4h Presents Event Packet, Mikayla Cerney

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Souper-Bowl Scoresheet, Christine Whiting

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

The Basics Of Calf Nutrition: Post Colostrum To Weaning, Sarah Allen, Peter S. Erickson

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Evolution Of Mate Guarding Intensity In Crickets As A Possible Adaptation To Sexual Conflict Over Sperm Transfer, Bert Foquet, Jack Thomas Mckermitt, John Hunt, Ben M. Sadd, Scott K. Sakaluk

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

Mate guarding is a common behavioral adaptation in males to ensure mating or to hinder current partners from remating with rival males. In the decorated cricket, Gryllodes sigillatus, males transfer a spermatophore to females at mating, comprising a sperm-containing ampulla enveloped in a large gelatinous mass, the spermatophylax, that serves as a nuptial food gift for the female. Males guard the female while she feeds on the nuptial gift and while sperm are evacuated from the ampulla into her reproductive tract. Mate guarding behavior functions to prevent competitors from mating with the female but may also represent a behavioral …

Oxidized Carbon Nanoparticles Enhance Cellular Energetics With Application To Injured Brain, Karthik Mouli, Anton V Liopo, Emily A Mchugh, Erica Underwood, Jing Zhao, Pramod K Dash, Anh T T Vo, Vikas H Malojirao, Muralidhar L Hegde, James M Tour, Paul J Derry, Thomas A Kent

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pro-energetic effects of functionalized, oxidized carbon nanozymes (OCNs) are reported. OCNs, derived from harsh acid oxidation of single-wall carbon nanotubes or activated charcoal are previously shown to possess multiple nanozymatic activities including mimicking superoxide dismutase and catalyzing the oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) to NAD+. These actions are predicted to generate a glycolytic shift and enhance mitochondrial energetics under impaired conditions. Impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism is increasingly recognized as an important facet of traumatic brain injury (TBI) pathophysiology and decreases the efficiency of electron transport chain (ETC)-coupled adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and NAD+ regeneration. In vitro, OCNs promote a …

Liver Involvement In A Large Cohort Of Patients With Erythropoietic Protoporphyria Or X-Linked Protoporphyria, Cynthia Levy, Hetanshi Naik, Jessica Overbey, Karli Hedstrom, Kelly Wang, Catherine Mcdonough, Mary Freeman, Siobán B Keel, Angelika L Erwin, Amy K Dickey, Rebecca K Leaf, John Quigley, Marshall Mazepa, Bruce Wang, John Phillips, Charles Parker, Brendan Mcguire, Mohamed Kazamel, Herbert Bonkovsky, Sean Rudnick, Karl E Anderson, Akshata Moghe, Manish Thapar, Behnam Saberi, Kristen Wheeden, Robert Desnick, Manisha Balwani, Porphyrias Consortium Of The Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) are characterized by the accumulation of protoporphyrin in the marrow, erythrocytes, plasma, skin, and liver, and present clinically with painful cutaneous phototoxicity. Liver abnormalities have been reported in over 25% of patients with EPP. Further characterization of liver involvement in protoporphyria is needed.

Methods: Patients with EPP or XLP enrolled in the longitudinal studies of the NIH-supported Porphyrias Consortium were included. Medical history, laboratory, and liver histology data were abstracted and described.

Results: A total of 322 patients were enrolled; 28 (8.7%) had XLP, 52% were female, and the median age at …

Implementing A Nurse-Enabled, Integrated, Shared-Care Model Involving Specialists And General Practitioners In Early Breast Cancer Post-Treatment Follow-Up (Eminent): A Single-Centre, Open-Label, Phase 2, Parallel-Group, Pilot, Randomised, Controlled Trial, Raymond J. Chan, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Chad Yixian Han, Lee Jones, Alexandre Chan, Daniel Mckavanagh, Marissa Ryan, Christine Carrington, Rebecca L. Packer, Megan Crichton, Nicolas H. Hart, Emma Mckinnell, Melissa Gosper, Juanita Ryan, Bethany Crowe, Ria Joseph, Carolyn Ee, Jane Lee, Steven M. Mcphail, Katharine Cuff, Laisa Teleni, Jon Emery

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Current models of post-treatment cancer care rely heavily on hospital-based, medical specialists and do not sufficiently leverage primary care. Many breast cancer survivors face ongoing unmet needs that may benefit from a multidisciplinary, shared-care approach. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of implementing nurse-enabled, shared-follow-up care between the acute and primary care setting for early-stage breast cancer. Methods: In this single-centre, open-label, phase II, pilot, randomised, controlled trial, individuals diagnosed with breast cancer (Stage 0–III) were randomised 1:1 to either usual care or intervention, which includes a 1) Specialist Nurse Consultation to co-develop a survivorship care …