Digital Commons Network^™

The Conceptual Foundations Of Innate Immunity: Taking Stock 30 Years Later, Thomas Pradeu, Bart P.H.J. Thomma, Stephen E. Girardin, Bruno Lemaitre

Presidential Fellows Articles and Research

While largely neglected over decades during which adaptive immunity captured most of the attention, innate immune mechanisms have now become central to our understanding of immunology. Innate immunity provides the first barrier to infection in vertebrates, and it is the sole mechanism of host defense in invertebrates and plants. Innate immunity also plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis, shaping the microbiota, and in disease contexts such as cancer, neurodegeneration, metabolic syndromes, and aging. The emergence of the field of innate immunity has led to an expanded view of the immune system, which is no longer restricted to vertebrates and …

Apigenin Alleviates Autistic-Like Stereotyped Repetitive Behaviors And Mitigates Brain Oxidative Stress In Mice, Petrilla Jayaprakash, Dmytro Isaev, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Rami Beiram, Murat Oz, Bassem Sadek

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Studying the involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), specifically α7-nAChRs, in neuropsychiatric brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has gained a growing interest. The flavonoid apigenin (APG) has been confirmed in its pharmacological action as a positive allosteric modulator of α7-nAChRs. However, there is no research describing the pharmacological potential of APG in ASD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the subchronic systemic treatment of APG (10–30 mg/kg) on ASD-like repetitive and compulsive-like behaviors and oxidative stress status in the hippocampus and cerebellum in BTBR mice, utilizing the reference drug aripiprazole (ARP, 1 …

Float Like A Butterfly, Sting Like A Bee!, Kobe D. Rome

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

By injecting an electron into the empty pie* molecular orbital (LUMO) of Amino Acids in gas phase, we measure the Vertical Attachment Energies (VAEs) for the formation of short-lived anion states of these species using electron transmission spectroscopy (ETS). Our ETS study, a first of its kind to measure the VAE for the simplest of proteins, Glycine-Glycine (Gly-Gly), is currently in progress. Based on our previous measurements for several Amino Acids including Glycine, we expect a common range of attachment energy (1.50 – 2.00 eV) for Gly-Gly.

Paradisiacal Protection: Exploring Governance In Sustainable Spaces, Rylee Stanton

Honors College Theses

Biosphere reserves exist officially as “learning places for sustainable development,” yet they also embody an attempt to bring together ecological governance with market-based and localized solutions to the problem of economic development (UNESCO, 2020). This thesis investigates the conditions under which biosphere reserves became reimagined as an all-encompassing solution to such a diverse set of global governance challenges. I explore the relationship between biosphere reserves and the evolving discourse on sustainable development within global governance. Drawing on Foucault-inspired literature on governmentality and “technologies of governance,” I examine the practices, discourses, and subjects that have made biosphere reserves visible and governable …

Microparticle Compositions For Controlled Delivery Of Telmisartan And Actinomycin D, Subhra Mohapatra, Shyam S. Mohapatra, Eleni Markoutsa, Alejandro J. Gonzalez, Heta N. Jadhav

USF Patents

This disclosure is directed to therapeutic compositions, and more particularly to microparticle compositions for the controlled delivery of telmisartan and actinomycin D.

Biomarkers Of Low Grade Glioma And Pediatric Neuroblastoma, George Blanck, Saif Zaman, Boris Il'ich Chobrutskiy

USF Patents

The present disclosure relates to biomarkers and methods for determining or predicting survival of patients with low grade glioma (LGG) or pediatric neuroblastoma. Further disclosed are methods of diagnosing and treating patients with low grade glioma (LGG) or pediatric neuroblastoma.

"The Relevant History And Medical And Ethical Future Viability Of Xenotransplantation", Morgan Janes

Augustana Center for the Study of Ethics Essay Contest

Xenotransplantation, the transplantation of organs or tissues from one species to another, presents a complex nexus of medical, ethical, and cultural considerations. In this article, we delve into the multifaceted landscape of xenotransplantation, beginning with a thorough examination of its relevant historical trajectory. From early experiments to recent advancements, we chart the evolution of this field, setting the stage for a nuanced discussion. We then confront the central issue: the true medical viability of xenotransplantation and the looming specter of operative risk. By scrutinizing the ethical dilemmas inherent in xenotransplantation through a multicultural lens, we illuminate the diverse perspectives that …

Nursing The Wright Way: A History Of Nursing At Wright State University, 1973-2023, Donna Miles Curry

Books Authored by Wright State Faculty/Staff

This book explores the history of an innovative nursing education program in Dayton, Ohio from its creation in the 1970s until 2023. On the cutting edge with a theory driven curriculum this program went from BSN, adding the master's degree with advanced practice options and also a DNP.

All-Optical Probes Of Particle-Like Charge Migration Dynamics, Kyle A. Hamer

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Particle-like charge migration (CM) is the coherent, back-and-forth motion of a positively-charged electron hole along the backbone of a molecule following a sudden ionization. CM in small molecules generally occurs on an Angstrom (10^-10 m) spatial scale and an attosecond (10^-18 s) timescale. I use time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) to simulate CM modes in organic molecules, and to explore all-optical probes of this attosecond electron dynamics using high-harmonic spectroscopy (HHS). By leveraging my results from previous studies of two-center interferences in carbon dichalcogens, in which I separated the harmonic signal into contributions from individual Kohn-Sham orbitals, I first …

Comparing Asian Immigrants Offending Rates With Other Immigrants., Shamim Ara Pia

Theses and Dissertations

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing population in the United States (U.S). They are characterized by parental attachment, school commitment, neighborhood involvement, and belief. The association between Asian immigrants and crime is multifaceted and requires an in-depth investigation. This study aims to compare the offending rates of Asian immigrants with those of other immigrants, such as immigrants from Europe, Central and South America, Australia, and Africa based on Travis Hirschi’s social bonding theory. The data for this study are drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), which is a nationally representative study of students in …

Effects Of Gibberellin On Stem Elongation, Annamarie Busch, Bryce Mcquerrey, Guillermo Bilbao Olarreaga, Duncan Krige, Eduan Van Herrden

2024 Student Academic Showcase

Plant growth hormones are widely used in the agricultural industry to manipulate the growth of crops. Dwarf mutant variants of plants have been found to have a variety of mutations that inhibit the synthesis and metabolism of gibberellin, a major plant growth hormone (Phinney 1956). Observing the effect that the application of gibberellin has on the growth in 2 types of dwarf mutant millet variants will allow us to determine the type of mutation present. Applying a gibberellin solution is expected to increase the rate of stem elongation in variants with the mutation that inhibits the production of gibberellins. If …

Growth In Response To Gibberellin In Setaria Viridis Mutants, Jayla Hampton, Rain Hongsermeier-Baxter, Joseph E. Smith, Seth Baur, Brooke Gawlick

2024 Student Academic Showcase

Gibberellin is a plant hormone that promotes growth in plant organs. Issues arising with the production and process of the hormone result in the mutation dwarfism. In this experimentation, the effects of gibberellin on dwarf Setaria viridis are isolated by controlled growth environments and treatments. The effects of the hormone treatment are measured manually over the period of growth so that the data may be analyzed and determine the cause of dwarfism in our species. In conclusion, this study offers important insights into the mechanism underlying dwarfism mutation, providing potential direction for future research and understanding plant physiology.

Research Proposal: Examination Of Bacterial Communities In Soil Beneath Decaying Organic Matter And The Effect Of Insect Succession, Olivia Fotiadis

2024 Student Academic Showcase

Bacterial species of the Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Bacteroidetes phyla are key components in decomposing organic matter by secreting specialized enzymes into decaying material, facilitating its breakdown and nutrient release. Diverse microbial communities in areas of decomposition are known for their efficiency in decomposition and nutrient cycling. Less is understood about the effect of insects introducing unique microbes alongside initial soil bacteria, like Bacillus subtilis, in the decomposition process. Studying the decomposition of pork samples as a human analog will explore variations in bacterial populations in soil before and after the introduction of insect-mediated microbes and provide information on the efficiency …

Unraveling Gibberellic Acid's Impact On Plant Growth: Insights From Dwarf Millet Varieties, Brandy Miskell, Jacob Campagna, Alyssa Lambert, Dean Palmer, Bruno Ninez

2024 Student Academic Showcase

Gibberellic acid (GA), derived from the Bakanae fungus Gibberella fujikuroi, acts as a plant hormone with various functions. This study compares the growth of Setaria viridis (millet) wild type with two dwarf mutant varieties (mutant 11970 and mutant 03054) to understand genetic dwarfism and GA's role. Thirty seeds of each variety were planted, with biweekly GA treatments given to four pots and two serving as controls. Results show significant differences in leaf growth, indicating GA's role in regulating plant height. However, the exact mechanisms of GA transport within plants remain unclear, warranting further research to understand its implications for plant …

Language Acquisition: Which Factors Make It Easier To Learn Another Language?, Johanna Gref

2024 Student Academic Showcase

My presentation looks at factors influencing second language acquisition and whether they facilitate or hinder the learning process. I will begin by reviewing language acquisition theories applicable to infants and toddlers, providing a foundational understanding. As a key factor, I will examine age of acquisition in relation to successful second language acquisition. The role of intelligence on second language acquisition will also be discussed. Additionally, I will investigate whether certain languages are inherently easier to learn based on syntax, vocabulary, and one’s native language. My discussion will extend to examining the ease of acquiring multiple languages after acquiring a second …

The Changes In Oral Flora After Oral Hygiene, Brooklyn Bumbales

2024 Student Academic Showcase

The goal of this project is to study the changes in the oral flora of an individual's mouth pre-cleaning and post-cleaning due to everyday brushing. The oral flora comprises many microorganisms such as Staphylococcus and Lactobacillus that are constantly changing. In previous studies, the diversity and abundance of these microorganisms in the oral cavity are subject to change in the times following pre-cleaning and post-cleaning. This study will examine saliva samples from consenting individuals, will be collected pre-cleaning (brushing) and post-cleaning of the oral cavity. The samples will then be tested for the population size and diversity of different microorganisms …

Examining Confidence In Scientific Literacy Amongst General Biology And General Chemistry Students, Amy Sullivan

Honors Theses

Scientific literacy is a term used to describe a person’s ability to understand scientific concepts, read and write those concepts, and link those concepts to situations outside of the classroom in order to make informed decisions in their daily lives. This research paper details a study observing how scientific literacy confidence varies among general biology and chemistry students at the University of Mississippi. The goal of this research is to determine if students in general biology and chemistry classes will have similar self-reported confidence in their science literacy. This research took place at the University of Mississippi amongst Biology 160/161 …

Time Spent Jogging/Running And Biological Aging In 4,458 U.S. Adults: An Nhanes Investigation, Christina Michelle Blackmon

Theses and Dissertations

Telomere length is a good index of cellular aging. Longer telomeres are predictive of longer life, and healthy lifestyles are associated with longer telomeres. This study explored the relationship between time spent jogging or running each week and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in 4,458 randomly selected U.S. adults. The association was studied using data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and a cross-sectional design. Total weekly jog/run time was calculated from survey responses. From the minute totals, three categories were formed: <10 minutes/week, 10-74 minutes/week, and ≥75 minutes/week. Adults in the third category met the U.S. guidelines. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Partial correlation was used to adjust for differences in potential mediating factors, including demographic and lifestyle/medical factors. In the total sample, after adjusting for all the potential covariates, mean LTL significantly differed across the 3 jog/run categories (F=4.1, P=0.0272). Specifically, adults who met the guidelines via jogging and/or running had significantly longer telomeres than adults who performed no jogging/running. Adults in the middle category did not differ from the other two categories. A minimum of 75 minutes of jogging/running weekly is predictive of longer telomeres when compared to adults who do not jog or run regularly.

Funcpep V20: An Updated Database Of Functional Short Peptides Translated From Non-Coding Rnas, Swati Mohapatra, Anik Banerjee, Paola Rausseo, Mihnea P Dragomir, Ganiraju C Manyam, Bradley M Broom, George A Calin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Over the past decade, there have been reports of short novel functional peptides (less than 100 aa in length) translated from so-called non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that have been characterized using mass spectrometry (MS) and large-scale proteomics studies. Therefore, understanding the bivalent functions of some ncRNAs as transcripts that encode both functional RNAs and short peptides, which we named ncPEPs, will deepen our understanding of biology and disease. In 2020, we published the first database of functional peptides translated from non-coding RNAs-FuncPEP. Herein, we have performed an update including the newly published ncPEPs from the last 3 years along with the …

The Effect Of Skin Tone Inclusive Dermatology Education On Diagnostic Accuracy And Self-Confidence In Graduate Nursing Students, Kaylyn Bourne, Laura Gray

DNP Projects

Abstract

BACKGROUND: People with skin of color face worse health outcomes than their light-skinned peers. According to the literature, graduate nursing programs lack skin tone inclusive curricular content (Shue-McGuffin & Powers, 2022). This contributes to disproportionate racial and ethnic health disparities. Skin tone inclusive online dermatology modules have been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy and self-confidence among medical students and residents in primary care specialties (Trinh et al., 2021; Salava & Salmela, 2022; Wang et al., 2020). Similar models may be an effective approach for graduate nursing students as they prepare to evaluate skin disease across the skin tone …

Nontraditional Community College Students In Nursing: Perceptions Personified, Helene P. Seibert

Dissertations

Nontraditional students in nursing have been the topic of multiple research studies to gain insight into their perceptions regarding retention. This mixed methods study, using Jeffreys' Student Perception Appraisal-Revised (SPA-R, 2007a) takes the quantitative findings a step further by using a qualitative approach to generate findings that extend the value of that instrument by exploring the details pertaining to each of the environmental items using focus groups and individual interviews with community college nursing students, just prior to graduation. One hundred seven associate degree nursing students in their last semester at three Midwestern community colleges were surveyed with the SPA-R …

Simulation In Interprofessional Education: A Case Study With Baccalaureate Nursing Faculty, Sherleena Ann Buchman

Dissertations

Nursing programs across the country are facing the challenge of providing students with optimal clinical skill learning experiences. Faculty members are rising to this challenge in a variety of ways, and current research in nursing education advocates the addition of interprofessional education to the nursing curriculum. History and governing bodies explain how nursing education can achieve this goal but faculty have to implement required and suggested changes. Further research is needed to gain insight into perceptions of the baccalaureate nursing faculty of interprofessional education and how the simulation in interprofessional experience contributes to overall patient safety. Patient safety is a …

Altered Platelet-Megakaryocyte Endocytosis And Trafficking Of Albumin And Fibrinogen In Runx1 Haplodeficiency, Fabiola Del Carpio-Cano, Guangfen Mao, Lawrence E. Goldfinger, Jeremy Wurtzel, Liying Guan, Mohammad Afaque Alam, Kiwon Lee, Mortimer Poncz, A. Koneti Rao

Cardeza Foundation for Hematologic Research

Platelet α-granules have numerous proteins, some synthesized by megakaryocytes (MK) and others not synthesized but incorporated by endocytosis, an incompletely understood process in platelets/MK. Germ line RUNX1 haplodeficiency, referred to as familial platelet defect with predisposition to myeloid malignancies (FPDMMs), is associated with thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction, and granule deficiencies. In previous studies, we found that platelet albumin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were decreased in a patient with FPDMM. We now show that platelet endocytosis of fluorescent-labeled albumin, fibrinogen, and IgG is decreased in the patient and his daughter with FPDMM. In megakaryocytic human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells, small interfering RNA …

Chromatin Profiles Are Prognostic Of Clinical Response To Bortezomib-Containing Chemotherapy In Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Results From The Cog Aaml1031 Trial., Anneke D. Van Dijk, Fieke W. Hoff, Yihua Qiu, Stefan E. Hubner, Robin L. Go, Vivian R. Ruvolo, Amanda R. Leonti, Robert B. Gerbing, Alan S. Gamis, Richard Aplenc, Edward A. Kolb, Todd A. Alonzo, Soheil Meshinchi, Eveline S J M De Bont, Terzah M. Horton, Steven M. Kornblau

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

The addition of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib to standard chemotherapy did not improve survival in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when all patients were analyzed as a group in the Children's Oncology Group phase 3 trial AAML1031 (NCT01371981). Proteasome inhibition influences the chromatin landscape and proteostasis, and we hypothesized that baseline proteomic analysis of histone- and chromatin-modifying enzymes (HMEs) would identify AML subgroups that benefitted from bortezomib addition. A proteomic profile of 483 patients treated with AAML1031 chemotherapy was generated using a reverse-phase protein array. A relatively high expression of 16 HME was associated with lower EFS and higher 3-year …

“Middle Schoolers Are Just This Special Kind Of Human Being”: Middle School Teacher Perspectives On Creating Hope For Their Students And Themselves, Sheeba Jacob

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety and depression have increased for adolescent youth, particularly since the pandemic. For certain students, this anxiety and depression connects to trauma because of inequity and bias in schools. This qualitative study examined successful urban middle school teachers and their perspectives on conditions they created for hope in their classrooms and ways they created hope for themselves. Eight middle school teachers who taught humanities shared their insights through semi-structured interviews. Findings aligned with pedagogical practices the teachers used that centered hope and voice for students: culturally responsive practices, relational practices, and justice-oriented practices. These specific teachers cared deeply about their …

Wnk Kinase Is A Vasoactive Chloride Sensor In Endothelial Cells, Tessa A C Garrud, Briar Bell, Alejandro Mata-Daboin, Dieniffer Peixoto-Neves, Daniel M Collier, Julio F Cordero-Morales, Jonathan H Jaggar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Endothelial cells (ECs) line the wall of blood vessels and regulate arterial contractility to tune regional organ blood flow and systemic pressure. Chloride (Cl-) is the most abundant anion in ECs and the Cl- sensitive With-No-Lysine (WNK) kinase is expressed in this cell type. Whether intracellular Cl- signaling and WNK kinase regulate EC function to alter arterial contractility is unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that intracellular Cl- signaling in ECs regulates arterial contractility and examined the signaling mechanisms involved, including the participation of WNK kinase. Our data obtained using two-photon microscopy and cell-specific inducible knockout mice indicated that acetylcholine, …

Chromatin Profiles Are Prognostic Of Clinical Response To Bortezomib-Containing Chemotherapy In Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Results From The Cog Aaml1031 Trial, Anneke D Van Dijk, Fieke W Hoff, Yihua Qiu, Stefan E Hubner, Robin L Go, Vivian R Ruvolo, Amanda R Leonti, Robert B Gerbing, Alan S Gamis, Richard Aplenc, Edward A Kolb, Todd A Alonzo, Soheil Meshinchi, Eveline S J M De Bont, Terzah M Horton, Steven M Kornblau

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The addition of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib to standard chemotherapy did not improve survival in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) when all patients were analyzed as a group in the Children's Oncology Group phase 3 trial AAML1031 (NCT01371981). Proteasome inhibition influences the chromatin landscape and proteostasis, and we hypothesized that baseline proteomic analysis of histone- and chromatin-modifying enzymes (HMEs) would identify AML subgroups that benefitted from bortezomib addition. A proteomic profile of 483 patients treated with AAML1031 chemotherapy was generated using a reverse-phase protein array. A relatively high expression of 16 HME was associated with lower EFS and …

Funcpep V20: An Updated Database Of Functional Short Peptides Translated From Non-Coding Rnas, Swati Mohapatra, Anik Banerjee, Paola Rausseo, Mihnea P Dragomir, Ganiraju C Manyam, Bradley M Broom, George A Calin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Over the past decade, there have been reports of short novel functional peptides (less than 100 aa in length) translated from so-called non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that have been characterized using mass spectrometry (MS) and large-scale proteomics studies. Therefore, understanding the bivalent functions of some ncRNAs as transcripts that encode both functional RNAs and short peptides, which we named ncPEPs, will deepen our understanding of biology and disease. In 2020, we published the first database of functional peptides translated from non-coding RNAs-FuncPEP. Herein, we have performed an update including the newly published ncPEPs from the last 3 years along with the …

Cardiovascular Disease Management With Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cardiology Primer, Allan Zhang, Ramsey Kalil, Alexander Marzec, Stephanie A Coulter, Salim Virani, Kershaw V Patel, Matthew W Segar

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Patients with type 2 diabetes face an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. This review centers on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, a class of drugs that, according to a growing body of evidence, may have major potential for managing cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. This review presents findings from multiple clinical trials suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors can not only serve as preventive therapeutic agents but also play a role in the active management of heart failure. The discussion includes the mechanism of action of SGLT2 inhibitors, emphasizing that they enhance urinary glucose excretion, which could lead to improved …

Constant-Ph Simulations With The Polarizable Atomic Multipole Amoeba Force Field, Andrew C Thiel, Matthew J Speranza, Sanika Jadhav, Lewis L Stevens, Daniel K Unruh, Pengyu Ren, Jay W Ponder, Jana Shen, Michael J Schnieders

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Accurately predicting protein behavior across diverse pH environments remains a significant challenge in biomolecular simulations. Existing constant-pH molecular dynamics (CpHMD) algorithms are limited to fixed-charge force fields, hindering their application to biomolecular systems described by permanent atomic multipoles or induced dipoles. This work overcomes these limitations by introducing the first polarizable CpHMD algorithm in the context of the Atomic Multipole Optimized Energetics for Biomolecular Applications (AMOEBA) force field. Additionally, our implementation in the open-source Force Field X (FFX) software has the unique ability to handle titration state changes for crystalline systems including flexible support for all 230 space groups. The …