Digital Commons Network^™

Garnet & Black Spring 2026, University Of South Carolina, Office Of Student Media

Garnet & Black Magazine

No abstract provided.

Targeting Il-1 Signaling In Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa: Improved Survival And Pathogenesis In Rdeb Mouse Model, Rahim Hirani

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a devastating inherited blistering disorder caused by biallelic mutations in COL7A1, resulting in deficiency of type VII collagen (C7) and loss of dermal–epidermal adhesion. Beyond mechanical fragility, RDEB is characterized by chronic inflammation, progressive fibrosis, impaired wound healing, severe pain, and an exceptionally high risk of aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Emerging transcriptomic and cytokine profiling studies have identified interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) as a dominant and temporally upstream inflammatory mediator in RDEB skin. The central hypothesis of this dissertation is that IL-1α signaling functions as a key initiator and amplifier of inflammation-driven pathology …

Lanthorn, Vol. 60, No. 13, March 16, 2026, Grand Valley State University

Volume 60, August 4, 2025 – current

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Seeds Of Change - Building Community And Resilience With Plant Guilds, Roslynn Mccann, Liliane Dionne, Kevin White

All Current Publications

The goals of this Grade 6 living systems/biodiversity curriculum are to highlight Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) contributions to science, technology, and sustainable agriculture, with a focus on relational worldviews, permaculture practices, and respect for Mother Earth. Students will conduct plant experiments, learn Indigenous stories, make corn husk dolls, create a recipe, and enjoy eating their soup creation.

Lifestyle Intervention Therapy Modulates Global Dna Methylation And Adipogenic Gene Expression In Severely Obese Hypogonadal Men, Siresha Bathina, Virginia Fuenmayor Lopez, Mia Prado, Salina Biene Teo, Dennis T Villareal, Rui Chen, Clifford Qualls, Reina Armamento-Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background/Objectives: Previous studies have suggested that lifestyle intervention (LSI) therapies involving diet and exercise can modulate DNA methylation; however, whether this occurs in severely obese hypogonadal men undergoing weight loss from diet and exercise remains unclear.

Methods: In this study, we investigated the effects of weight loss from diet and exercise on global DNA methylation as well as on the mRNA expression of specific demethylation enzymes, DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B—in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and DNA methylation markers in DNA of severely obese hypogonadal men. This is a secondary analysis of samples of severely obese (body …

Extraction And Application Of Biopolymer (Chitosan) From The Waste Of Iraqi Agricultural Crop (Mushroom), Ruaa A. Salman, Wisam K. Hamdan, Hussain A. Jaber

Engineering and Technology Journal

The current work extracted the chitosan from the waste of mushroom crops for the first time in Iraq. The chemical process was adopted for demineralization with 2M HCl, deproteinization with 2M NaOH, and decolorization. Also, the refluxing process with 60% NaOH for chitin was applied. The XRD result shows two peaks around 2θ =10° and 20°, indicating the ordered crystalline structure of chitosan. The FT-IR spectrum showed specific bands of chitosan at 3327.97, 2918.71, and 1645.95 cm^-1. Also, the FE-SEM results show a smooth, dense, and non-porous surface. The viability results on white blood cells (WBCs) show the …

Seasonal Dynamics And Trends Of Environmental Conditions In Lake Louise, Georgia, Daniel Kwawuvi, James A. Nienow

Georgia Journal of Science

Lakes are important aquatic ecosystems that are extensively influenced by seasonal variations. In this study we investigate the seasonal dynamics and trends of three environmental variables, water temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen (DO), in Lake Louise, a sinkhole lake located in southern Georgia. These variables were measured in-situ along a depth profile from January 27, 2024 to January 17, 2025. We also accessed archived data from field campaigns in 2003, 2004, and 2017 in order to test whether a recent increase in the number of hurricanes impacting the region, five since August, 2017, may have significantly altered the seasonal dynamics …

Weaving Healthcare Needs Of Maine Law Enforcement Officers With Exercise Is Medicine, Patricia Hubel

Doctorate in Kinesiology

A law enforcement officer’s health is impacted by an occupation of high stress, shift work, sleep disruption, mental stresses, and primarily sedentary work which is interrupted by brief periods of highly intense physical demands (Adams et al., 2010; Boyce et al., 2008, 2009). This descriptive study explored the use of exercise is medicine by primary care practitioners on patients who are law enforcement officers in the state of Maine. It also examined physical activity and health of the law enforcement officers. An online survey collected demographic data, responses from two validated surveys, and information from their last physical examination. The …

Characterisation Of Pouch Secretions From Breeding Tasmanian Devils, Manujaya W. Jayamanna Mohottige, Emma Peel, Angéla Juhász, Mitchell G. Nye-Wood, Katherine Belov, Michelle L. Colgrave, Carolyn J. Hogg

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii), like all marsupials, give birth to altricial young. Here we employ proteomic analysis to identify components of devil pouch secretions that may contribute to offspring survival and development. Proteins were extracted from five samples and analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Peptide-level evidence revealed proteins involved in a diverse set of immune pathways, including those mediating iron-ion transport, defence responses to bacteria, innate immune responses, and antigen processing. A core set of 200 proteins was identified across at least three samples, 63 of which were associated with antimicrobial or immunoregulatory functions. These included immunoglobulins, components of …

Medical Detection Dogs: A Visual Exploration Of Canine Olfactory Anatomy & Volatile Organic Compounds As Applied To Non-Invasive Biomedical Detection, Kirsten Santiago

Theses

Medical detection dogs provide a non-invasive early method of disease and medical alert detection that is underrepresented in the medical visualization sector. The domesticated dog, or Canis familiaris, is known for its loving nature and has become an important member of many households, but they are also incredibly intelligent with a capacity for specialized training. Dogs have a specialized olfactory system, allowing them to detect scents with high acuity (Guest & Otto, 20). Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are molecular substances associated with metabolic processes that are often a result or byproduct of certain diseases and can be influenced by …

Misregulated Alternative Splicing In Endometriosis: A Role For Aberrant Mrna Variants In Endometriotic Cell Growth, Venkata Naga Goutham Davuluri, Michelle Dias, Roxanna Llinas, Kamath Neha, Pooja Popli, Shannon M Hawkins, Chandrakant Tayade, Elise T Courtois, Hari Krishna Yalamanchili, Ramakrishna Kommagani

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder marked by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, often leading to pelvic pain, inflammation, and infertility. Despite its global prevalence, diagnosis remains delayed, and effective non-surgical treatments are lacking. While recent transcriptomic studies have identified mRNA transcript changes in ectopic lesions, the contribution of alternative pre-mRNA splicing, a key posttranscriptional regulatory layer, remains largely unknown. In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis of alternative splicing (AS) events in endometriotic lesions using transcriptomic data. We uncovered distinct alterations in alternative splicing events are associated with endometriosis, highlighting a previously underappreciated layer of …

Mind–Body Medicine Training For Incarcerated Men And Women, Julie K. Staples, Jesse Rice, Kathleen S. Farah, Sabrina N'Diaye, James S. Gordon

Student Publications

Background/Objective: Mind–body programs teaching mindfulness-based techniques have benefits for incarcerated people, as do programs in which individuals teach yoga to their incarcerated peers. However, there are no studies of comprehensive programs that combine a variety of self-care techniques with group support and enable people in prison to enhance their own well-being and then share what they have learned with their peers. This study evaluated the effects of such a training program in the United States. Methods: Thirty-eight incarcerated men and women began the 8-day mind–body medicine training and 31 completed the training. Mind–body techniques taught included soft belly breathing, meditation, …

Advancements In Extracellular Vesicle Research, Lucia R. Languino

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

The AAEV (American Association of Extracellular Vesicles) Annual Meeting at the John P. McGovern Commons in Houston, TX convened over 300 leading re- searchers, clinicians, and industry experts from around the world to advance the rapidly evolving field of extracellular vesicle (EV) science. EVs, nanoscale lipid- bound particles released by all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, trans- porting proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that influence a wide spectrum of physiological and pathological processes. Their involvement in immune modulation, tissue regeneration, cancer progression, metabolic regulation, and other complex biological functions positions EVs as promising …

Childhood Cancer In Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq: Trend Analysis From 2020 To 2023, Sahar Hassan, Hasan Alwan Baiee, Faten Ali Abd-Alzahra Albarki, Rajaa Ali Moheiseen Al-Taee, Mustafa Muqdad

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: The lack of comprehensive cancer registries and underreporting of cases may further complicate efforts to assess disease patterns and implement effective control measures. Objectives: This study aims to analyze cancer trends in Al-Najaf Governorate, Iraq from 2020 to 2023, addressing gaps in local data and providing insights that could inform future healthcare strategies and resource allocations. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Middle Euphrates Oncology Center and the Statistics Department for Cancer Research at Al-Najaf General Health Directorate. The study included children younger than 18 with histologically and hematologically verified cancer from January 2020 …

Caregiver Burden And Associated Socioeconomic And Clinical Factors Among Parents Of Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Patients In Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, Dyari Saleem Ismael Ali, Bahar Nasradeen Majeed

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in children imposes a significant caregiving burden on parents, affecting their psychological and social well-being. Understanding this burden and its associated factors is crucial for improving family-cantered diabetes care. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of caregiver burden among parents of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and explore its association with sociodemographic, clinical, and management-related factors. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Jamal Ahmad Rashid Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, between November 2024 and February 2025. A total of 160 parents of children with T1DM were …

The Effect Of (Tongue-Tie: Ankyloglossia) On Dentition And Occlusion: A Review, Suhad Mohammed Ali Sadeq, Sedeeq Al-Owayef, Zena Kamel Kadhem

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

This review discusses definitions, complications, etiologies, diagnoses, and management of ankyloglossia. Ankyloglossia is defined as a developmental anomaly of the tongue, which occurs when the lingual frenulum attachment is too tight to the tongue. Several protocols exist for the diagnosis of this condition, including that proposed by Hazelbaker, who assessed tongue movements (seven different movements) and five appearance characteristics (Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function), as well as Kotlow's classification method, which categorizes the severity of ankyloglossia through the attachment of the lingual frenulum to the tongue. In addition, scenarios suggested for case management are related to the severity …

Immunological Predictive Value Of Interleukin-17 In Ulcerative Colitis Patients In Thi-Qar Province, Iraq, Ghassan Haikel Abedallah Almosa

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: The chronic inflammatory bowel illness known as ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by dysregulated mucosal immunity. There is much more to learn about the relationship between interleukin-17 (IL-17), a key mediator in the Th17 pathway, and systemic inflammatory and metabolic indicators. Objectives: To examine the relationship between inflammatory (CRP), metabolic (FBS, HbA1c), and micronutrient (zinc) indicators and blood levels of IL-17 in individuals with UC, while excluding those with diabetes, autoimmune, hepatic, or renal disorders. Methods: In a case-control research, 90 participants were matched for age, sex, and BMI: 45 UC patients and 45 healthy controls. Measurements were made …

Validity And Reliability Of A Survey Questionnaire Assessing Pharmacists' Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices About Potential Drug Interactions Among Cancer Patients, Amat Aljabar Faisal Abbas, Ali Mohammed Abd Alridha

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Cancer patients often undergo complicated treatment plans that involve numerous medications throughout therapy. Pharmacists' knowledge about the potential drug interactions in cancer patients and their practices is essential to reduce avoidable drug-related problems and increase the efficacy and compliance of chemotherapy. A validated knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire regarding pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to potential drug interactions among cancer patients isn't available. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess pharmacists' knowledge of possible medication interactions with cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among …

Age Of Menopause Among Women In Mosul City, Iraq, Omaima A. Zubair

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Low women's awareness of their health during the menopausal period is creating a global hidden problem that affects women's quality of life and their related families and communities. Objectives: The aim of this study was to find changes in the menopausal age after wartime conflict and assess women's knowledge of their health during this critical period. A mixed-method design was adopted. A mixed approach of a multistage cross-sectional study with a sample of 382 women aged ≥ 60 years attending primary health care centers in Mosul, Iraq, was included, supported by private in-depth qualitative interviews with 14 women. Proper …

Hba1c, C-Peptide, And Other Biochemical Indicators In The Management Of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Review, Israa M.Ali Alameen, Sumayah Mahmood Rafid, Baqer K. Hothefa, Farah Ali Hameed

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

The number of children and adolescents who are suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in Iraq is continuously increasing. Nutritional management and biochemical markers play a major role in controlling the disease. Several criteria are essential for assessing glycemic control and the course of the disease. Methods: This review examined published Iraqi research addressing two topics that have a direct effect on type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM): nutritional aspects (carbohydrate counting and dietary education) and biochemical markers (HbA1c and C-peptide). The findings were compared with those of other international studies. Results: Iraqi studies consistently recorded higher HbA1c levels and …

Prevalence And Awareness Of Obesity And Overweight Among Sulaimani University Students In Kurdistan, Iraq, Banaz Hussien Karim, Zhian Salah Ramzi

Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science

Background: Weight disorders, including obesity and overweight, are major global public health concerns, particularly in developing countries where underweight and obesity coexist. These conditions lead to serious health problems like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and cancer. University years are critical for forming lifelong health habits, yet data on obesity prevalence and student awareness remain limited. Aim: To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among university students and evaluate their awareness of these conditions and related health risks. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 756 students selected from eight colleges at Sulaimani University, using a stratified random sampling method. …

Starting Early: Building A Systemic Approach To Universal Pre-Kindergarten In South Carolina, Cathy R. Jones

Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina

A well-funded, universally available, voluntary pre-kindergarten program for South Carolina’s three- and four-yearold children could be fundamental to positively changing educational and social outcomes for its children. Research on brain development and the benefits of early childhood education highlight the value of enriched pre-kindergarten environments for children. South Carolina’s state funded pre-kindergarten scored nine out of ten on an indicator scale for quality. However, in 2007, less than 40% of four-year-olds and 1% of three-year-olds in the state had access to state funded pre-kindergarten.

Water Sources And Livelihood Choices Among Pastoralist Households In Monduli District, Tanzania, Fredrick Alleni Mfinanga, Jacqueline Temba, Monica F. Timbuka

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper investigates the association between types of water sources for livestock and livelihood choices of pastoralist households in semi-arid areas of Monduli District, Tanzania. Specifically, it aims to examine the influence of the types of water sources for livestock on livelihood diversification of pastoralist households. Using a mixed research methods approach, the data were collected from 367 households through three methods: surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and counts, and inferential statistics, Chi-square tests and correlation, while the qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed …

Creating A Culture Change Around Stroke: Integrating Process Improvement To Reduce Door-To-Needle Time, Shayna Brewer, Benedict Pereira, Rose Bisellach, Jason Greenspan

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

No abstract provided.

Resilience Among Smallholder Irish Potato Farmers To The Impacts Of Climate Variability In Wanging’Ombe District, Tanzania, Timotheo Bilary Ngalaga, Digna Wolfram Mlengule, Jackson Raymond Sawe

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper examines smallholder farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate variability, and their resilience in enhancing their capacity to adopt. The data was collected from 98 heads of households using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The methods of data collection included household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews, and document review. The quantitative data were analysed using the IBM SPSS (Version 23), while the qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that 69.4% of respondents reported a decrease in rainfall, while 89.8% reported an increase and fluctuations in temperature over the past 29 years. Moreover, the findings …

Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury Prevention Bundle In Icu, Ana Bantug

Providence Nursing Research Conference 2023 – Present

No abstract provided.

Ucc Minutes Mar 13, 2026, Undergraduate Curriculum Council

Undergraduate Currirculum Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

Determining The Minimal Clinically Important Difference Of The 40-Item Smell Identification Test In People With Cystic Fibrosis, Eugene Oh, Jessa E. Miller, Michelle J. Lee, Anna Zemke, David Baraghoshi, Matthew J. Strand, Jeremiah A. Alt, Todd E. Bodner, Michael Chang, Naweed I. Chowdhury, Multiple Additional Authors

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS) and olfactory dysfunction (OD) are highly prevalent among people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) and negatively impact quality of life. The 40-item Smell Identification Test (SIT) is widely used to assess psychophysical olfaction, but a CF-specific minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has not been established. This study aimed to determine the SIT MCID in PwCF treated with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) and/or endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Methods: Data from three prospective, multi-institutional observational studies were pooled. Participants were ≥12 years old with confirmed CF and CRS who completed SIT at baseline and ≥1 follow-up (3, 6, 9, 12, or 24 …

Cost-Effectiveness Of Blood-Based Fibrosis Screening In High-Risk Metabolic Liver Diseases With Emerging Therapies, Wanyi Chen, Stephanie T. Chang, Ramsey C. Cheung, Donald B. Chalfin, Kinpritma Sangha, Szu-Yu Zoe Kao, Artem T. Boltyenkov

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remains a global public health threat. With emerging effective pharmacologic therapies, early identification of significant fibrosis in primary care is critical. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of blood-based noninvasive tests incorporating real-world diagnostic performance in the contemporary MASLD treatment era.

METHODS: We developed a decision-analytic model for MASLD natural history and treatment to compare 6 noninvasive test strategies using Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) and/or enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) tests at varying cutoffs. Patients identified with significant fibrosis were referred for hepatology staging (biopsy and/or imaging-based), and eligible individuals were considered for Resmetirom ($47,400/y; mean …

Gastrointestinal Symptoms After Sport-Related Concussion In Irish Athletes, Emma Finnegan, Ed Daly, Katherine Hunzinger, Lisa Ryan

Department of Exercise Science Faculty Papers

Background/Objectives: Sport-related concussion (SRC) elicits multi-systemic symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, and cognitive changes. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are not well captured in current concussion assessments and may be under-recognised in clinical follow-up. GI disturbances may influence intake tolerance and day-to-day fuelling during post-SRC recovery. This study investigated the prevalence and severity of self-reported GI symptoms in Irish athletes after their most recent SRC, examined sex-based patterns, and evaluated the rationale for integrating GI symptom checks into standard concussion tools (e.g., SCAT6) and post-injury monitoring. Methods: An online survey was completed by recreational, competitive, and elite athletes who retrospectively self-reported concussion history, …