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Exploring The Effects Of Serotonin And Ssris On The Neurological, Behavioral, And Cardiovascular Systems Under Induced Stress –Using The Animal Model Of The Syrian Hamster, Ariana V. Hinojosa, Esperanza I. Alaniz, Esmeralda Lopez-Garcia, Giselle Padilla, Fernando Dominquez, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has been found to have a wide range of effects on not just the neuropsychological processes but has also been found to exert effects outside the central nervous system (CNS); regulating numerous biological processes, such as metabolism, gastrointestinal system, reproductive function, and even the cardiovascular system. However, there is still a limited understanding of how serotonin affects all these systems due to its complexity and ability to regulate homeostasis. This project aims to create a stronger foundation of knowledge about serotonin and its influence on the interaction between the CNS, behavior, and cardiac function …

Gene Co-Expression Networks And Descriptive Statistical Patterns In Cancer Subtypes, Arely Solis, Marzieh Ayati

Research Symposium

There are many cancers that are affecting the human population, with some being more common and studied than others. These cancers have mostly been studied individually until 2012 when scientists began studying through comparison analysis of different cancers to see possible connections on the genomic and molecular level and have resulted in the categorization of tumors into types. The result from molecular analysis has re-classified types of tumors into new clusters, which aid doctors in deciding the optimal way of treating tumors. In this study, we analyze a dataset comprising over 2,000 cancer samples, focusing on six cancer types: breast, …

Uncovering The Mechanisms Of Glioblastoma Relapse Prevention With Niclosamide And Camptothecin Treatment, Xiaoqian Fang, Araely Ruiz, Eunseo Yang, Brianna Morin, Kimberly Herrera-Toscano, Megan Szobody, Josue Fonseca, John-Beloved Osho, Raquel Lara

Research Symposium

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal malignant primary brain tumor for which the development of efficacious chemotherapeutic agents remains an urgent need. In our previous studies, we demonstrated that niclosamide and camptothecin (CPT) synergistically suppressed the proliferation in human glioblastoma U87 MG cells. Recently, we observed that U87 MG cells failed to resume growth after the combined treatment was removed, a phenomenon not seen with either agent alone. We aimed to explore the sustained anti-tumor effects of niclosamide and CPT in GBM.

Methods: Human glioblastoma U87 MG cells were treated with 5 mM niclosamide, 5 mM …

Perioperative Pharmacogenomic Utility And Personalized Anesthesia, Anthony Tortomase

Group: Samford University Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

Genetic factors play a significant role in influencing drug response by encoding for the cellular targets of drugs and the enzymes responsible for terminating their effects. Genetic anomalies can lead to unpredictable responses and adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which can be challenging to foresee. Medication dosages are traditionally determined using population-based data which is a poor predictor of individual response. Resulting ADRs can surprise anesthetists and negatively influence patient outcomes. Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is emerging as a promising field to address this variability by mapping the relationship between genes and drug response, supporting the development of personalized anesthesia. As the cost …

Utilidad De La Combinación De Los Biomarcadores: Procalcitonina, Proteína C Reactiva Y Volumen Plaquetario Medio En El Diagnóstico Temprano De Sepsis Neonatal [Usefulness Of The Combination Of Biomarkers: Procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein And Mean Platelet Volume In The Early Diagnosis Of Neonatal Sepsis], Oscar Manuel Berlanga Bolado Jr, Patricia Rivera Vazquez, Arely Socorro Hernández García, Angelica Lizbeth Martinez Ortiz

Research Symposium

Introducción: La sepsis neonatal es una causa frecuente de morbilidad y mortalidad infantil. Se le ha definido como un síndrome clínico caracterizado por signos sistémicos de infección, acompañado de bacteriemia en el primer mes de vida. Por lo tanto, el diagnóstico temprano es fundamental.

Objetivo: Conocer la sensibilidad y especificidad de la combinación de biomarcadores séricos como procalcitonina, proteína C reactiva y volumen plaquetario medio en el diagnóstico temprano de sepsis neonatal.

Material y métodos: Estudio clínico, de tipo prospectivo, predictivo, observacional, analítico, longitudinal y conveniencia. Se analizaron los biomarcadores como PCT, PCR, VPM para diagnosticar sepsis neonatal. Se incluyeron …

First-In-Class Peptide Molecules Targeting The Mien1 Cancer Signaling Pathway, For Which No Inhibitors Have Been Identified To Date., Amit Tripathi, Jamboor K. Vishwanatha

Research Symposium

Background: Migration and Invasion Enhancer 1 (MIEN1) is a critical oncogene that drives cancer cell migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various cancers. MIEN1 overexpression is linked to aggressive tumor progression and poor prognosis. Despite its established role in cancer biology, targeted therapeutic options remain unexplored. This study aimed to identify and characterize first-in-class therapeutic molecules targeting the MIEN1 signaling pathway to inhibit cancer progression.

Methods: To develop novel bio-active peptides, we leveraged conserved immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) and prenylation motifs within the MIEN1 protein sequence. Using rational peptide design, we identified and synthesized bioactive peptides, namely LA3IK …

Long-Term Safety And Comparative Efficacy Of Il-17 Inhibitors In Treating Ankylosing Spondylitis, Alyssa L. Sepulveda, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Ronald A. Shaju

Research Symposium

Background:
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the axial skeleton, characterized by spinal stiffness, sacroiliitis, and potential vertebral fusion. While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors are first-line treatments, IL-17 inhibitors, such as secukinumab and ixekizumab, are used in patients with inadequate response or contraindications to TNF inhibitors. These targeted therapies address IL-17’s role in driving inflammation and structural damage in AS.

Methods:
A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Science Direct, and Cochrane to identify studies published between 2000 and 2025. Keywords included “Ankylosing spondylitis” and “IL-17 inhibitors” and “efficacy.” Inclusion criteria …

The Heart Of Higher Education: Rediscovering Meditation From The Margins Of Learning To A Liberatory Pedagogy In The Post-Pandemic University, Jinting Wu, Yuejia Wang, Yu Wu, Qi Zhang

Journal of Contemplative and Holistic Education

On May 14^th, 2022, a racially motivated mass shooting occurred in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Western New York. The trauma brought fresh anguish to a fraught social landscape already shaken by COVID-19 and resurgent racism. This paper explores the formation of a campus meditation group that emerged in light of the shooting tragedy and prolonged pandemic suffering, and its members’ journeys of healing, self-discovery, and transformation. While scholars have critiqued the neoliberal higher education for producing self-enterprising individuals motivated by economic rationality, this paper offers our humble attempt to re-center meditation as a liberatory pedagogy in fostering …

A Time For Change- Issues Arising From The Xvii International Grassland Congress Developed World Viewpoint, Barney Foran

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A number of major issues raised at the conference, if they are accepted by farmers and grassland scientists, will mean a major realignment of both the philosophy and practice of grassland science. The first of these is future world trade flows and a bleak prognosis for traded livestock products. Jf the developed world accepts that developing nations have to trade in order to develop, and trade in commodities where they have a cost advantage, this suggests that bulk production of livestock commodities will decline ln total. Thus grassland exports will have to concentrate on high value niche markets. This poses …

Congress Outlook From The Developing Countries' Perspective, Bede N. Okigbo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In this XVII International Grassland Congress, which is now successfully drawing to a close, we are all very grateful for the opportunity to participate and enjoy the hospitality of our New Zealand and Australian hosts. Above everything else, we have benefited much more from attending than we have individually contributed to its success in various ways.

Water Balance And Soil Fertility Characteristics Of Brigalow (Acacia Harpophylla) Lands Before And After Forest Clearing, Paul A. Lawrence, B A. Cowie, D Yule, P J. Thorburn

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A multidisciplinary study was undertaken to investigate the changes in catchment runoff, groundwater recharge and soil fertility after the complete removal of brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) forest for buffet grass pasture. Clearing brlgalow for pasture increased runoff amount by 21 mm/year; however, runoff represented a·· small (11-14%) component of the annual water balance. An increase in groundwater recharge immediately after clearing was not sustained once the pasture was established. Clearing did not alter the annual water balance, evapotranspiration taking 90% of annual rainfall, Clearing and burning• caused a flush of plant available N, P and K but this was …

Successional Dynamics Of An Acacia Savanna In Southern Africa, C. Richard Hurt, Richard I. Yeaton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Acacia-dominated savannas iii southern Africa are ·maintained by disturbance. Wheri ihese ecosystems are managed as pastoral systems, the disturbance regime is altered, • arid the· successional sequence proceeds to broad-leafed woodland. We examined changes in woody species composition over a soil catena, and used sliccessional stages within an acacia-dominated community to develop a Markov model of the dynamics of the system. We used this model to simulate 2 management scenarios and to make predictions · of associated community changes over time.

Deforestation In Pakistan, Inayat U. Chaudhry

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pakistan's economy is agricultural and pastoral. From 1150 to 1991 its forest cover declined from an estimated 28 million ha to 4,6 million ha and population increased from 1.2 to 112 million. rn addition to. increasing population, government irrigation projects for colonisation, in road of agriculture into forestry and construction of barrages over rivers caused deforestation. This has increased soil erosion, siltation of dams and the gap in production and demand of wood: biodiversity has been adversely affected and mangrove forests have degraded. Forestation has been carried out over 220 000 ha since 1947. A network of easily accessible nurseries, …

Animal Production From Tropical Semi-Arid Savannah Woodland In Subcoastal Queensland, Australia, H G. Bishop, H J. Chamberlain, R M. Dodt, T B. Hilder, G A. Lambert, E R. Anderson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Annual live-weight gain of steers grazing on virgin tropical semi­arid poplar box (Eucalyptus populnea) savannah woodland in subcoastal central Queensland fluctuated between 59 kg/head and 200 kg/head over a 7-year period. Average live-weight gain for the 7 years was 136 kg/head/year, which is above expected levels for this vegetation type. Reasons suggested for this animal performance are the use of a stocking rate more lenient than the district average and above-average winter rainfall received during the 7 years of this demonstration project. Removing trees doubled the pasture dry matter yield, which subsequently allowed a doubling of stocking rate …

Forage Production From In Situ Herbicide Treatment Of Semi-Arid Woodlands And Scrub Regrowth, A R. Murphy, C O. Love, G W. Fossett

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The response of native pastures after stem injection of eucalypt woodlands with picloram-triclopyr herbicide in 1986 was Investigated at 2 locations in Queensland over 18 months, Treatments were fenced to exclude half the plots from grazing by cattle. At Rolleston (good rainfall) dry matter grass response from grazed and ungrazed plots was 2- to 3-fold more than in untreated plots 4-18 months after treatment. At Mundubbera (low rainfall) picloram-triclopyr gave 2- to 5-fold increases in grass dry matter 3-18 months in ungrazed plots and 3-9 months in grazed plots. At both sites plclorarn-triclopyr gave quicker nnd greater grass response than …

Evaluation Of Animal Productivity And Pasture Yield After Treatment Of Brigalow (Acacia Harpopylla) Regrowth With Tebuthiuron, G W. Fossett, P C. Venamore

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) regrowth was aerially treated with 2.0 kg/ha tebuthiuron (Graslan TM) at Blackwater, Australia in November 1989. Control of brigalow regrowth increased in grass production 2- fold, which resulted in dramatic animal live-weight gains. The live­weight advantage of steers grazing the tebuthiuron treated area was 31 kg/head compared with similar steers grazing the control paddock at similar stocking rates. After 20 months this advantage enabled 44% of stock to be marketed at premlum prices. A subset of steers implanted with a long-term hormonal growth promotant (HGP) (Compudose400™) and grazing the tebuthiuron-treated paddock recorded a 75 kg …

Competitive Effects Of Trees On Pasture Are A Function Of Rainfall Distribution And Soil Depth, J C. Scanlan, G M. Mckeon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A pasture production model was modified to account for the effect of tree water use on pasture production in woodlands of norJhern Australia. Simulation experiments with the model indicate that competition for water explains the effect of trees on pasture production. Trees compete for water most strongly (I) in shallow soils; (2) when tree roots are shallow; and (3) when intra-seasonal dry periods reduce the amount of water available for transpiration.

Deforestation In The Savanna Context: Problems And Benefits For Pastoralism, W H. Burrows

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Deforestation is discussed from a savanna perspective, rather than in the usual rain forest connotation. Reasons for removing trees and shrubs from savannas are outlined with emphasis placed on the impacts that tree clearing has on livestock production. Other benefits and possible adverse consequences of removing woody plants are detailed. It is suggested that the importance of trees ln maintafning nutrient flows in grazed savanna may be overstated. Problems that arise from clearing trees from savannas often result from a lack of preclearing planning or post-clearing management, rather than the clearing operation Itself.

Deforestation For Pasture In The Humid Tropics: Is It Economically And Environmentally Sound In The Long Term?, E Adilson Serrao, C Uhl, D C. Nepstad

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

During the past 5 decades, the rate of tropical forest conversion has accelerated in response to economic pressures, population growth, technological development, and prpgrammes and incentives to open land for development. Deforestation rates rose substantially through the I 980s, and were highest in Africa ( 1.7% ), followed by Asia (1.4%) and Latin America (0.9%). The greatest extent of deforestation, however, was In Latin America, especially in the Amazon, where much of the deforestation was for pasture-based cattle development. Although forest conversion for ranching has been routinely criticised because of the ecological and socioeconomic implications associated with it, cattle herds …

A Legume Ley System In Australia's Semi-Arid Tropics, R L. Mccown, K Thiagalingam, T Price, P S. Carberry, R K. Jones, N P. Dagliesh, D.C I. Peake

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A large part of the Australian continent is semi-arid and tropical. While extensive beef cattle grazing is the most significant agricultural industry in this region, there Is some potential for dryland cropping. There are strong economic and- ecological reasons for exploring the possibility of a no-till tropical ley system. Work at Katherine, Northern Territory, found that a ley system based on Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano showed considerable promise based on both contributions to dry-season animal performance and nitrogen contribution to succeeding coarse grain crops. Subsequent research and development in the wetter Douglas-Daly district of the Northern Territory has demonstrated even …

Hardseededness Of Medicago Polymorpha Under Field Conditions In The Subhumid Mediterranean Zone Of Chile, Julia R. Avendano, Alejandro L. Del Pozo, Carlos M. Ovalle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To improve knowledge in the establishment and self-regeneration of medics grown in rotation with wheat in Chile, the long-term ambiental softening of medic seed is being studied. In March, (i) 72 samples of 100 pods each, were broadcast on the soil surface In plots of 20x20 cm, surrounded by a wood frame, and (ii) 12 samples were placed in a similar way, but the pods were buried at 1-2 ·cm. /11 sitr,, or field germination was recorded, and the germinated seeds destroyed. In (i), every 2 months during the first to fourlh softening season (SS), and in (ii), each March …

Role Of Gramineous Species In Cereal-Annual Legume Farming Systems, G N. Roberts, P G. Tow, E D. Carter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Three pasture types (volunteer annual grass+medic, grass-free medic and oat+volunteer grass+medic) were compared at 2 stocking rates (8.4 and 12.6 DSE) with grazing Merino wethers. The oat variety is resistnnt to both Gaeumannomyces graminis (take-all) and Heterodem avenae (cereal cyst nematode), important root diseases of cereals. Four harvests were taken during early winter. The oat + grass + medic pasture type had a faster growth rate and maintained higher levels of available pasture on all sampling occasions (July to September). The yields of the grass and medic components were significantly reduced in the oat+grass+medic treatment from the second harvest onwards. …

Digitaria Milanjiana Ley Pasture For Banana Cropping In Tropical North Queensland, Australia, T J. Hall, G D. Walduck, R W. Walker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The burrowing nematode (Radopholus similis) is a major economic pest of bananas in the wc;t tropics of Queensland. It is expensive to control, reduces banana yields and can reduce the economic life of a crop. Current pasture grasses cannot be used in leys because they are hosts to the nematode. Introduced pasture grasses (143 accessions) were evaluated for their environmental adaptation, burrowing nematode resistance, and weed control and erosion protection ability. Digitaria milanjiana CPI 59745 was the most successful accession and it was released as cultivar Jarra. Establishment methods for planting stolon material were developed.

Yields And Nitrogen Contents Of Maize Receiving Fertilizer Nitrogen Or After Alfalfa And Red Clover, M Collins

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two experiments compared alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover(Trifolium pratense L.) genotypes for supplying N to an ensuing maize (Zea mays L.) crop. A non-fixing alfalfa genotype, which nodulates but fixes no N, served as a control crop. Nitrogen-fertilised maize received 0, 7S, ISO or 22S kg/ha of N annually as NH4NO3• Maize was seeded into I-year-old legume stands killed by N• (phosphono-methyl) glycine isopropylamine. Non-fixing alfalfa yielded 6 t/ha of forage in the first year compared with 9 t/ha or more for normal cultivars. Two-year mean maize grain yields after Dart alfalfa were 9.2 t/ha and …

Effects Of Short-Term Rotations Of Monocultures And Mixtures Of Legumes And Grasses With Rice In The Subtropical Zone Of South-Western China, S R. Zhou, Y G. Yu, K Mao, X M. Gan, Z L. Pu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Five short-term rotation systems of monocultures and mixtures of legumes and grasses with rice, i.e., Medicago hispida ➔ rice, Trifolium repens cv. Ladino ➔ rice, Astragalus sinicus + lolium multiflorum ➔ rice, Medicago hispida + Lolium multiflorum ➔ rice and Trifolium repens cv. Ladino + Lolium multiflorium ➔ rice, were selected from 8 evaluated in this study in the subtropical zone of south-western China. The average results for these rotational types per year were: forage dry matter 3,63 tlha, forage crude protein 727 .5 kg/ha, metabolisable energy 22.lx!03 MJ/ha, in vitro organic matter digestibility of forages 72.84%, rice yield 7.4 …

Prospects For More Sustainable Cropping Systems In Central Italy Based On Subterranean Clover As A Cover Crop, F Caporali, E Campiglia, R Paolini

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A range of possibilities for increasing long-term sustainability of cropping systems in the mediterranean environment of central Italy is presented, supported by experimental evidence on the use of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) as living mulch and green manure in a common cash crop rotation (wheat-sunflower). The annual self-regenerating legume proved to have potential for inducing a significant shift towards a less energy-intensive management of such.a specialised cropping system, and also provided innovative and flexible patterns of crop sequences. Tillering capacity of wheat turned out to be a crucial element for sub clover living mulch to act successfully on …

Performance Of Ley Farming Systems Including Annual Legumes And Mixtures Of Legumes With Grasses At Cukurova In Turkey, V Tansi, T Saglamtimur, H Baytekin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ecological conditions in Cukurova are favourable for production of various crops, including cotton and wheat, so cotton monoculture or cotton-wheat rotation systems have been common for many years. These monoculture systems have brought some soil and pest problems into .Cukurova. To improve the livestock production, intensive dairy units were established, However, half of these were later liquidated since the livestock husbandry was unprofitable, compared with cash cropping. The most limiting factor was the high purchase cost of fodder. Ley fanning is an alternative system in which crops are alternated on the same land to obtain fodder without reducing yields of …

Effect Of Tillage On Regeneration Of Annual Pasture Legumes In Cereal-Livestock Farming Systems, E D. Carter, P G. Fulwood

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The self-regenerating annual pasture legumes, mainly Medicago spp. (medics) and Trifolium spp, (clovers), are important components of annual pastures on millions of ha in the mediterranean climatic zones of the world. We have shown that tillage practices for cereals and other crops have a severe effect by reducing legume density and productivity after a cropping sequence. Deep-burial of pasture legume seed by disc ploughing and mouldboard ploughing is most detrimental, as a high percentage of seed is buried too deeply to allow emergence, while normal scarifying at 6-8 cm causes little loss of potential legume seed germination and seedling emergence. …

Predicting The Emergence Of Annual Pasture Legumes In Cereal-Livestock Farming Systems Of South Australia, E D. Carter, P G. Oorter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Annual pasture legumes (mainly Medicago spp. and Trifolium spp.) are the basis of sustainable farming systems in the cereal-livestock distcicts of South Australia. However, several factors in the cropping and pasture phases deplete legume seed reserves. While total legume seed reserves measured during summer and autumn after a cropping sequence are a useful guide to legume regeneration, the readily germinable seed (i.e., soft seed) is a much beUer guide. We have developed a simple but accurate method of predicting natural regeneration of legume pastures based on the controlled watering of representative sites on stubble paddocks during the summer-autumn period as …

Potential Suitability Of Spontaneously Reseeing Stylosanthes Spp. For Ley Farming In The Central Chaco Of Paraguay, A Glatzle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Continuously cropped regosols in the semi-arid Central Chaco are deficient in organic matter and prone to wind erosion. Ley-farming with self-regenerating legumes may be a sustainable alternative land use. In a 2-year field trial Stylosanthes hamata cv. Verano (V) and a 1: 2 mixture of S. humllis cv. Paterson and S. guianeuis var. intermedia cv. Oxley (P+O) were tested for their: preceding crop values to silage sorghum (S) as compared with continuously cropped S; and potential to recover spontaneously after a reduced tillage intermediate crop of S with weed control (we) or with the voluntary style underseed allowed to grow …