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Corneal Epithelial Tissue Engineering Approaches To Treat Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, Sasirekha K

Theses and Dissertations

A clear healthy cornea is essential for visual acuity. As a self-renewing and regenerating tissue, the corneal epithelium has a stem cell pool, the limbus that acts as its proliferative reservoir. When limbal epithelial stem cells are destroyed or become dysfunctional, a pathological state known as limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) manifests. Damaged corneas have been successfully reconstructed by transplanting the cultured limbal epithelial stem cells. Limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) is one of the applicable and most challenging procedures in clinical ophthalmology for the reconstruction of the stratified ocular surface epithelium in patients with LSCD. Given the above challenge, …

K To 8 Teachers’ Experiences Using Project-Based Learning, Coleen Morgan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem in this study was that despite encouragement from administrators, kindergarten through Grade 8 teachers struggled to use project-based learning (PBL) in a local school in the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS). Rooted in Kilpatrick’s progressive philosophy of education and Piaget’s theory of constructivism, this basic qualitative study focused on teachers’ experiences using PBL. Research questions in this study related to teachers’ experiences using PBL in private classrooms in kindergarten through Grade 8 and challenges that influence teacher use of PBL in private classrooms. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews with 10 teachers. Results of this …

Combating Dehydration In The Dementia Patient, Crystal L. Widemon

MSN Capstone Projects

Dehydration is a prevalent global health issue impacting individuals across all demographics, with the elderly—especially those suffering from dementia—being particularly vulnerable. As the elderly population grows and dementia rates increase, addressing dehydration becomes crucial to reduce hospitalizations, mitigate healthcare costs, and enhance patient well-being. This executive summary outlines a proposed intervention aimed at improving fluid intake among elderly dementia patients residing in residential care facilities.

Research indicates that dehydration significantly impacts the health and financial costs associated with dementia care. Studies have shown that dehydration exacerbates cognitive decline and behavioral symptoms in dementia patients, leading to increased dependency and healthcare …

The Clinical Significance And Genetic Origin Of P14arf, Anna Louise Grobelny Guthrie

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The p14ARF tumor suppressor is the second most commonly mutated gene in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). p14ARF (p19ARF in mice) is encoded by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) gene. The p14ARF tumor suppressor is known to play a fundamental role in cancer progression by regulating senescence, apoptosis, and proliferation. The primary function of p14ARF is to respond to oncogenic signals and activate the p53 tumor suppressor by inhibiting and sequestering the HDM2 (MDM2) oncogene. However, recent studies have uncovered multiple p53-independent functions of p14ARF, opening the door to a myriad of possible vulnerabilities in p14ARF-mutant tumors. Many current …

Essays In Family Economics, Margarita Podledneva

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I investigate the relationship between family structure, domestic environment, and child outcomes, with a focus on educational achievement in Russia. Chapter 1. Fertility, Marriage, and Cohabitation Across Family Types: Stylized Facts The first essay analyzes family structure in Russia, providing essential context and intuition for the rest of the thesis. Using the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS), I document several stylized facts about the composition of families in Russia, with a focus on families with children. Additionally, I explore trends in cohabitation, marriage, and divorce, as well as fertility decisions among women in different family structures. I …

Plastic Abundance And Degradation In The Anaerobic Digestion Of Food Waste, Abbey Whitney

Theses

Food waste (FW) is a pervasive issue across the supply chain, with an estimated 30-40% of the food supply left unsold or uneaten annually (ReFED, 2022). In response, in 2015 the U.S. set a goal to halve FW by 2030 (U.S. EPA, 2020f). Valorization, the process of recovering value from FW, has become a key strategy, with anaerobic digestion (AD) playing a pivotal role. AD transforms organic waste into biogas and digestate, a potential soil amendment. However, plastic contamination in the organic waste stream poses a significant challenge. During digestion and storage, plastic debris can break down into microplastics (MP), …

Discovery And Development Of Epigenetic Inhibitors Targeting Kdm4b To Alleviate Chronic Inflammatory Response In Periodontal Disease, Kathleen Abigail Garrabrant

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

This study describes the synthesis and biological evaluation of small molecule KDM4B inhibitors for use in modulating immune responses in periodontal disease (PD). Periodontal disease begins with the accumulation of bacterial plaque in the oral cavity, triggering an inflammatory response that damages host tissues. Despite standard treatments such as scaling and root planing (SRP) to remove biofilm, the host immune response can remain hyperactive, leading to ongoing tissue destruction and bacterial-driven inflammatory bone loss.

Research suggests that the microenvironment of periodontal disease induces epigenetic alterations, particularly through increased activity of lysine-specific demethylase 4B (KDM4B). Previous studies using a murine macrophage …

Our Bodies, Our Choices: Reproductive Justice And Social Embodiment, Charles Olney

Political Science Faculty Publications

Feminist scholars of reproductive justice argue for a broader model of politics organised around embodied experience. But to fully express the intersectional politics of reproductive justice, more attention must be given to the social function of embodiment—the ways that bodily markers create associative communities among strangers. This shared form of embodiment establishes connections that exceed the intimate relationship of a specific pregnancy. In particular, foetal embodiment manifests via communities with vested interest in the social meaning of life. These communities are affected, albeit indirectly, by reproductive choices and are therefore valid subjects of concern for reproductive justice. I develop the …

Adiponectin, Interleukin-18 (Il-18), And Visceral Adipose Tissue In Filipino Americans: Biomarkers And Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes, Julian L. Gallegos, Ruth E. Taylor-Piliae, Thaddeus W.W. Pace, Matthew J. Gallek, Leslie Ritter

School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Introduction

Objectives

Methods

Adhd And Chronic Anhedonia: Antecedents Of Treatment-Resistant Depression And Suicidality In Adults, Tia Sternat

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Depression is a chronic and debilitating disorder. Approximately 280 million people live with depression, and more than 700,000 lives are lost due to suicide each year. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a severe form of depression which is highly correlated with comorbid psychiatric disorders such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and associated with increased suicidality. Anhedonia, the reduced ability to experience pleasure, is associated with various psychiatric conditions, including ADHD. The theoretical framework for this study was the biopsychosocial model. Depression may be diagnosed in accordance with a defined cluster of symptoms, and/or how symptoms are experienced vary by individuals …

Mechanochemical Correlations And Spatial Distribution Of Components In Plant Cell Walls And Extracellular Matrices, Huiyong Li

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Plant cell walls and extracellular matrices (ECMs) are important to cellular activities in plant/animal organs. The organization of plant cell wall/ECM components (e.g., local composition, arrangement, and ultrastructure of cell wall/ECM polymers) plays a role in determining their local mechanical properties. As a result, the natural processes of cell and tissue growth, development, and function rely on the control of cell wall/ECM composition, arrangement, and ultrastructure to manipulate local mechanical properties. However, directly correlating cell wall/ECM composition, organization, and mechanics has been challenging. To overcome this barrier, one goal of this thesis is to develop probing methodologies at a sub-cellular …

An Examination Of The Factors That Affect The Recruitment And Retention Of African American Male Teachers In Public Schools, Brandon M. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative explanatory case study is to explain the underrepresentation of African American male teachers in public school education in the state of Arkansas through the lens of the teacher diversity gap and organizational commitment. Participants included 10 African American male teachers who taught in grades K-12 in public schools. The primary source of data collection was completed through the use of semi structured interviews via Zoom. Findings indicated that school districts, educational agencies and the local government should collectively increase their efforts to successfully recruit African American males to the teaching profession. Specifically, the findings suggested …

The Impact Of Coach-Created Motivational Climate On Athletes’ Mental Health And The Mitigating Effects Of Psychological Safety And Psychological Resiliency, Shir Wasserman

Dissertations, 2020-current

With the growing importance of athletes’ mental health in sport, there is an escalating need for understanding the multifaceted nature of the concept, including related individual and environmental factors (Nixdorf et al., 2023). Previous studies suggest that athletes’ engagement with their social environment can potentially influence their mental health outcomes (Reis, 2001). Additionally, studies examining the coach-athlete relationship have consistently affirmed the significance of this connection to various athlete-related outcomes, including aspects of mental health and overall well-being (Jowett & Shanmagum, 2016). Therefore, this study explored the relationship between coach-created motivational climate, athletes' mental health, and the mitigating effects of …

Relationship Between Student Physical Therapist Pain Knowledge, Beliefs, And Self-Efficacy Assessing And Treating Pain, Ryan Morgan Reed

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that affects a large percentage of the population. According to recent studies, chronic pain management is best treated using a biopsychosocial (BPS) non-pharmacological approach rather than a biomedical (BM) approach. Student Physical Therapists (SPTs) trained in a BPS approach have different beliefs about pain than those trained in the BM approach. Beliefs about pain are related to pain knowledge and self-efficacy for treating pain patients. To date, no study has examined these three variables together or explored differences in BM versus BPS beliefs in relationship to the other two variables. Guided by social cognitive …

Interleukin-21 Engineering Enhances Nk Cell Activity Against Glioblastoma Via Cebpd, Mayra Shanley, May Daher, Jinzhuang Dou, Sufang Li, Rafet Basar, Hind Rafei, Merve Dede, Joy Gumin, Jezreel Pantaleόn Garcίa, Ana Karen Nunez Cortes, Shan He, Corry M Jones, Sunil Acharya, Natalie W Fowlkes, Donghai Xiong, Sanjay Singh, Hila Shaim, Samantha Claire Hicks, Bin Liu, Abhinav Jain, Mohammad Fayyad Zaman, Qi Miao, Ye Li, Nadima Uprety, Enli Liu, Luis Muniz-Feliciano, Gary M Deyter, Vakul Mohanty, Patrick Zhang, Scott E Evans, Elizabeth J Shpall, Frederick F Lang, Ken Chen, Katayoun Rezvani

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with limited therapeutic options. Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells with strong anti-tumor activity and may offer a promising treatment strategy for GBM. We compared the anti-GBM activity of NK cells engineered to express interleukin (IL)-15 or IL-21. Using multiple in vivo models, IL-21 NK cells were superior to IL-15 NK cells both in terms of safety and long-term anti-tumor activity, with locoregionally administered IL-15 NK cells proving toxic and ineffective at tumor control. IL-21 NK cells displayed a unique chromatin accessibility signature, with CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP), especially CEBPD, serving as …

The Effects Of A High-Fat Meal Challenge With Polyphenol And Fiber On Postprandial Insulin And C-Peptide In Prediabetics: A Pilot Study, Gabrielle Richards

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The purpose of the present study was to understand the effects of varying levels of polyphenols and fiber on postprandial C-peptide and insulin levels after consumption of a high fat, high sugar meal (HFHSM) in prediabetic individuals. All subjects were diagnosed as pre-diabetic within 3 months of the start date of the study by a medical professional or were screened as meeting one of the criteria for prediabetes by researchers within the James Madison Human Performance Lab by a HbA1c (5.7-6.4%), fasting glucose (100-126 mg/dL), or an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 140-199 mg/dL). After an overnight fast, five females …

Microbial Phosphate Solubilization Mechanisms In P Solubilizing In Andisol, Agustina Erlinda Marpaung, Tengku Sabrina, Abdul Rauf, Dwi Ningsih Susilowati, Luthfi Aziz Mahmud Siregar

Jurnal Kultivasi

Phosphate (P) nutrient plays a significant role in plant growth and yield. P is an essential element that plays an important role in photosynthesis and root development. Phosphate nutrient availability is deficient in some soil types due to retention, such as in Andisol soil types. High phosphate retention in Andisol soil types causes P nutrients to be unavailable to plants and can reduce crop yields. The availability of P in Andisol soils can be done, among others, by applying phosphate solubilizing microbes. Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms are soil microorganisms consisting of bacteria and fungi that can mineralize organic P, dissolve inorganic …

Quality And Resistance Optimization Of Banana (Musa Acuminata L.) Vegetative Seeds Through The Addition Of Indole Butyric Acid With Biological Agents Induction Against Fusarium Wilt Disease Intensity, Erfan Dani Septia, Aulia Zakia, Agus Zainudin, Maftuchah, Abdul Gofur, Yudantara Ekanaradhipa Abbabiel

Jurnal Kultivasi

Banana plants are a vital agricultural commodity in Indonesia, but Fusarium wilt disease (Fusarium oxysporum) significantly hampers production. This research aims to improve the quality and resilience of vegetative banana seedlings by selecting superior seedlings and vegetative propagation techniques such as budding, shoot cutting, and tissue culture management. The research used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) factorial with a combination of two factors, namely the addition of IBA and biological agents, with nine treatment combinations and three replications. IBA treatment significantly affected the initial emergence of shoots and leaf area, with the best result from treatment Z2 (IBA concentration …

Morphological Characterization, Seed Production, And Oil Content Of Several Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus (D.C.) Stapf.) Line, Adi Setiadi, Cheppy Syukur, Idam Holid, Lindiana

Jurnal Kultivasi

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemongrass, is a perennial herb widely cultivated for its culinary, medicinal, and aromatic industries. This research investigates the morphological characterization and potential yield of different lemongrass lines. The study involved the collection of diverse lemongrass genotypes from various geographic regions in Indonesia. The research was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications. Morphological character observations encompass both quantitative and qualitative characters of plants. Morphological characteristics such as plant height, leaf length and width, stem diameter, and number of tillers were measured to assess the variations among the genotypes. The results revealed considerable variability …

Mif/Nr3c2 Axis Regulates Glucose Metabolism Reprogramming In Pancreatic Cancer Through Mapk-Erk And Ap-1 Pathways, Shouhui Yang, Wei Tang, Azadeh Azizian, Jochen Gaedcke, Yuuki Ohara, Helen Cawley, Nader Hanna, Michael Ghadimi, Trisha Lal, Subrata Sen, Chad J Creighton, Jianjun Gao, Nagireddy Putluri, Stefan Ambs, Perwez Hussain

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Inflammation and aberrant cellular metabolism are widely recognized as hallmarks of cancer. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), inflammatory signaling and metabolic reprogramming are tightly interwoven, playing pivotal roles in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease. However, the regulatory functions of inflammatory mediators in metabolic reprogramming in pancreatic cancer have not been fully explored. Earlier, we demonstrated that pro-inflammatory mediator macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) enhances disease progression by inhibiting its downstream transcriptional factor nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2 (NR3C2). Here, we provide evidence that MIF and NR3C2 interactively regulate metabolic reprogramming, resulting in MIF-induced cancer growth …

A Social Media Game To Increase Physical Activity Among Older Adult Women: Protocol Of A Randomized Controlled Trial To Evaluate Challenge, Michael C Robertson, Maria Chang Swartz, Karen M Basen-Engquist, Yisheng Li, Kristofer Jennings, Debbe Thompson, Tom Baranowski, Elena Volpi, Elizabeth J Lyons

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Older adult women often do not engage in sufficient physical activity (PA) and can encounter biological changes that exacerbate the negative effects of inadequate activity. Wearable activity monitors can facilitate PA initiation, but evidence of sustained behavior change is lacking. Supplementing wearable technologies with intervention content that evokes enjoyment, interest, meaning, and personal values associated with PA may support long term adherence. In this paper, we present the protocol of an NIA-funded study designed to evaluate the efficacy of CHALLENGE for increasing step count and motivation for PA in insufficiently active older women (Challenges for Healthy Aging: Leveraging Limits …

Molecular Detection Of Pathogenic Bacteria In American Dog Ticks (Dermacentor Variabilis) In Brown County, Nebraska, Nicole Messbarger, Darby Carlson, Keith Geluso, Julie Shaffer

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Ticks carry and transmit disease pathogens that cause many human illnesses. Many of these diseases in humans are accompanied by a wide variety of symptoms making tick-borne illnesses often difficult to diagnose. The rate of reported tick-borne illnesses in humans has increased during the past decades in the United States, alongside a rise in concern for public health and safety. In northern Nebraska, the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) is the primary tick encountered by humans and domestic animals in the region. This species is a known vector for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses and tularemia (Francisella …

Therapeutic Importance Of Exercise In Neuroplasticity In Adults With Neurological Pathology: Systematic Review, Sara Valverde Cardoso, Sofia Rita Fernandes, Maria Teresa Tomás

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(1): 1105-1119, 2024. Neuroplasticity is an essential mechanism by which the nervous system shapes and adapts according to functional requirements. Evidence suggests that physical exercise induces a cascade of cellular processes that favours brain plasticity. The Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin closely linked to neuroplasticity that can be increased due to exercise. To verify the effects of therapeutic exercise on neuroplasticity and/or peripheral BDNF levels in neurological conditions in adults, such as stroke, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and mild cognitive impairment and address its clinical relevance in the treatment of neurological dysfunctions. …

Navigating The Aftermath: An Analysis Of Tigray's Fractured Landscape In The Wake Of Genocide, Muauz Gidey Alemu, Assefa Leake

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

Peace agreements crafted to guide societies from conflict to stability necessitate thorough peace implementation and peace building endeavors. The efficacy of this transition hinges on the quality of the agreement, subsequent political discourse, and collaborative commitment to progress beyond the burdens of conflict toward democracy, stability, and societal unity. The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) was established between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) with the objective of terminating hostilities and laying the groundwork for enduring peace. Nevertheless, a qualitative assessment of the COHA and post-Pretoria developments in Tigray, based on surveys and desktop research, reveals …

Stargardt’S: Trends In Treatment Modalities, Dallas Myers

Theses and Graduate Projects

Background: This review is aimed at furthering understanding of Stargardt’s, including disease pathophysiology, treatment methods, and the future of vision restoration.

Purpose: Stargardt’s (STGD) was initially discovered in 1909, but it was not fully understood until 1997. It is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration. There are few resources for patients and providers regarding treatment options and lifestyle recommendations.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using NIH, UpToDate, and Google Scholar. Specific terms are further detailed in the review. Inclusion criteria were studies focused on STGD patients. Exclusion criteria for were those that only …

Exploring The Mechanism Of Increased Survival In Rb1-Mutant Glioblastoma Multiforme, Lucia Wesemann

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an incredibly invasive and particularly lethal central nervous system cancer. Recent work has shown that GBM patients with mutated RB1 have greater overall survival. A proposed mechanism for the improved prognosis of this molecular subgroup is mainly supported by previous research that is not specific to GBM. I utilize the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) dataset to interrogate this mechanism using GBM-specific data. The mechanism is largely not supported by the CPTAC GBM dataset, and the trend of significantly improved overall survival in RB1-mutant GBM patients is not validated here. This study highlights the …

Introducing Isomad, A Compilation Of Isotopic Datasets For Madagascar, Sean W. Hixon, Ricardo Fernandes, Antonin Andriamahaihavana, Andrea L. Baden, Marina B. Blanco, Guillaume Caulier, Melanie Dammhahn, Igor Eeckhaut, Timothy M. Eppley, Natalie Vasey, Multiple Additional Authors

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Abstract We present the first open-access, island-wide isotopic database (IsoMad) for modern biologically relevant materials collected on Madagascar within the past 150 years from both terrestrial and nearshore marine environments. Isotopic research on the island has increasingly helped with biological studies of endemic organisms, including evaluating foraging niches and investigating factors that affect the spatial distribution and abundance of species. The IsoMad database should facilitate future work by making it easy for researchers to access existing data (even for those who are relatively unfamiliar with the literature) and identify both research gaps and opportunities for using various isotope systems to …

Personalized Neoantigen Vaccines As Early Intervention In Untreated Patients With Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma: A Non-Randomized Phase 1 Trial, Szymon J Szymura, Lin Wang, Tiantian Zhang, Soung-Chul Cha, Joo Song, Zhenyuan Dong, Aaron Anderson, Elizabeth Oh, Vincent Lee, Zhe Wang, Sapna Parshottam, Sheetal Rao, Jasper B Olsem, Brandon N Crumpton, Hans C Lee, Elisabet E Manasanch, Sattva Neelapu, Larry W Kwak, Sheeba K Thomas

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) is an incurable low-grade lymphoma with no standard therapy. Nine asymptomatic patients treated with a first-in-human, neoantigen DNA vaccine experienced no dose limiting toxicities (primary endpoint, NCT01209871). All patients achieve stable disease or better, with one minor response, and median time to progression of 72+ months. Post-vaccine single-cell transcriptomics reveal dichotomous antitumor responses, with reduced tumor B-cells (tracked by unique B cell receptor) and their survival pathways, but no change in clonal plasma cells. Downregulation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules and paradoxical upregulation of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) by the latter suggest resistance mechanisms. …

Dominant Role Of Grazing And Snow Cover Variability On Vegetation Shifts In The Drylands Of Kazakhstan, Venkatesh Kolluru, Ranjeet John, Jiquan Chen, Preethi Konkathi, Srinivas Kolluru, Sakshi Saraf, Geoffrey M. Henebry, Jingfeng Xiao, Khushboo Jain, Maira Kussainova

Faculty Publications

Decomposing the responses of ecosystem structure and function in drylands to changes in human-environmental forcing is a pressing challenge. Though trend detection studies are extensive, these studies often fail to attribute them to potential spatiotemporal drivers. Most attribution studies use a single empirical model or a causal graph that cannot be generalized or extrapolated to larger scales or account for spatial changes and multiple independent processes. Here, we proposed and tested a multi-stage, multi-model framework that detects vegetation trends and attributes them to ten independent social-environmental system (SES) drivers in Kazakhstan (KZ). The time series segmented residual trend analysis showed …

Dominant Role Of Grazing And Snow Cover Variability On Vegetation Shifts In The Drylands Of Kazakhstan, Venkatesh Kolluru, Ranjeet John, Jiquan Chen, Preethi Konkathi, Srinivas Kolluru, Sakshi Saraf, Geoffrey M. Henebry, Jingfeng Xiao, Khushboo Jain, Maira Kussainova

Faculty Publications

Decomposing the responses of ecosystem structure and function in drylands to changes in human-environmental forcing is a pressing challenge. Though trend detection studies are extensive, these studies often fail to attribute them to potential spatiotemporal drivers. Most attribution studies use a single empirical model or a causal graph that cannot be generalized or extrapolated to larger scales or account for spatial changes and multiple independent processes. Here, we proposed and tested a multi-stage, multi-model framework that detects vegetation trends and attributes them to ten independent social-environmental system (SES) drivers in Kazakhstan (KZ). The time series segmented residual trend analysis showed …