Life Sciences Commons^™

Neuronal Tol-1 Integrates Microbial And Metabolic Cues To Modulate Feeding And Aversion In C. Elegans, Gursimran Singh Gujral

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key mediators of innate immunity, but emerging evidence suggests that they also play critical roles in the functioning of the central nervous system. This thesis explores the function of TOL-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of mammalian TLRs, in sensory neurobiology and behavioral responses to nutritive food. In particular, carbon dioxide and ethanol are commonly encountered in microbial environments and can signal metabolically active food sources or potential pathogens. Using tol-1 loss-of-function mutants, neuronal rescue lines, and a combination of molecular, tissue imaging, and behavioral assays, we demonstrate that TOL-1 functions in chemosensory neurons to regulate feeding …

Neuro-Immune Regulation Of Feeding Behavior And Alcohol Intoxication In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Kamya Kiranbhai Shah

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and obesity are major public health concerns, contributing to more than 28 million deaths annually. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms underlying excessive alcohol and food consumption remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that neuro-immune crosstalk plays a pivotal role in feeding and alcohol-induced behaviors, with inflammation as a key pathological hallmark. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), traditionally recognized for their role in innate immunity, have recently been implicated in modulating neural responses to ethanol. However, the mechanisms of how TLR signaling influences feeding and alcohol-related behaviors remain largely unknown. To address this gap, we leveraged Caenorhabditis elegans (C. …

Tracking Fall Migration With The Motus Wildlife Tracking System: The Fate Of Window-Struck And Captive-Raised Passerines, Cailin O'Connor

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Many species of North American passerines migrate along the Atlantic flyway in the fall to reach winter habitats in the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Birds face many perils along their journeys including window strikes, which kill over one billion birds per year in the United States alone. Some birds survive the impact and may continue their migration. These birds may suffer delayed mortality or show aberrant migration due to injuries. This research seeks to understand if window-struck birds that initially survive bird-building collisions survive into the future and, if so, if they migrate effectively. …

Exploring The Role Of The Id2 And Rab11fip3 Pathway In X-Linked Chronic Granulomatous Disease (Xcgd) Through Comparative Gene Expression Analysis, Kaili Coenen

Honors Theses

X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (XCGD) is a debilitating immunodeficiency disorder primarily affecting men. The disease results from mutations in the CYBB gene on the X chromosome, which encodes the GP91^PHOX protein responsible for electron transfer from NADPH to molecular oxygen. Despite the identification of the CYBB mutation, the pathological mechanism underlying the reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in XCGD remains unclear. We hypothesized that comparative gene expression analysis, combined with pathway analysis, could identify genes and signaling pathways contributing to reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in XCGD. In this study, we analyzed gene expression data from four …

Non-Invasive Focused Ultrasound To Reduce Gut Inflammation In Parkinson’S Disease, Amal F. Siddiqui

Biological Sciences

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative motor disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, with projections suggesting the number of diagnosed cases could reach 15 million by 2040 (Dorsey et al., 2018). While PD is primarily recognized for its impact on movement, it also frequently causes non-motor symptoms, including gastrointestinal (GI) issues such as constipation, which affects 60-80% of patients. Chronic gut inflammation has been proposed as a key factor exacerbating these symptoms. Despite the prevalence of GI complications in PD, they are often overlooked, and existing treatments for constipation are limited in both efficacy and scope. Vagus Nerve Stimulation …

Stimulus Dependence Of Visually Guided Behavior In Drosophila Melanogaster, Jessica Osarenoma Airhienbuwa

Biological Sciences

Vision is very important for navigating the world around us. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is a great model for studying how the brain controls visually guided behavior. This is because they have a small nervous system, good genetic tools, and a complete map of their brain connections. In fruit flies, visual projection neurons (VPNs) send information from the eyes to the central brain, which affects what they see and how they act. This research looks at how certain groups of nerve cells influence fruit flies' behavior based on what visual stimuli. To study the brain circuits behind these behaviors, …

Screening Modified Polycyclic Compounds In Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Cell Lines, Maria Villacreses Valarezo

Biological Sciences

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disease with no treatment options and causes progressive muscular atrophy and weakness. DM1 occurs when the DMPK gene contains an abnormal CTG repeat expansion in the 3’ untranslated region. Transcription of the expansion leads to sequestration of RNA binding proteins and downstream splicing dysregulation. This dysregulation ultimately affects many systems in the body leading to the DM1 phenotype. This project consists of two parts, with one of our goals being to test experimental small molecule (MPC-04) in an immortalized patient-derived DM1 cell model. Using RNA sequencing data from patient-derived DM1 …

Genomic Diversity Of Salmonella Enterica Serotype Braenderup In New York State, Nicole Zac Soligno

Biological Sciences

The Gram-negative Salmonella enterica (family Enterobacteriaceae) is a common foodborne pathogen mainly isolated from foods of animal origin. Salmonella can be transmitted to humans, causing diverse symptoms, from self-limiting gastrointestinal diseases to more fatal typhoid fever. The young, elderly, and Individuals with weakened immune systems are especially at risk from salmonellosis. Salmonella is a concern to public health and the food industry throughout the world, and its severity depends largely on its serotype, a classification based on the unique combination of surface antigens. In this study, I aimed to elucidate the population structure and antimicrobial resistance determinants of S. enterica …

Regulation Of The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Through Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor 2 Activation And Androgens Acting On Androgen Receptors In Mice Exposed To Repeat Stress Conditions, David Reilly

Biological Sciences

The hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA)-axis is the body’s main neuroendocrine mechanism for regulating stress. It has been shown in both animal and human models that anxiety and depression like behavior is more prevalent in females compared to males. Studies have shown evidence that suggests there are sex differences in the HPA-axis that likely contribute to the observed sex difference. It has been shown that anxiety related behavior and HPA-axis responsiveness is correlated with androgens acting on androgen receptors (AR). The role of androgens acting on AR has a more unclear role in stress behavior and HPA-axis regulation when subjected to chronic …

The Role Of Cis-Acting Super-Enhancer Long Noncoding Rnas In Triple Negative Breast Cancer Progression, Sakthi Muthukrishnan

Biological Sciences

Breast cancer encompasses a diverse range of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells within the mammary gland. This condition results in an accumulation of a large number of genetic mutations within an individual, altering the complex internal signaling system of a cell. Millions of women are affected by breast cancer, which remains a significant threat despite medical advancements. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) acts as a precursor to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), however, not all cases progress to invasive cancer. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is identified to be one aggressive subtype of IDC, where the cells lack sufficient …

Coaggregation With Actinomyces Naeslundii Reduces Corynebacterium Matruchotii Cell Division Rate And Increases In Cell Length, Sarah M. Kenny

Biological Sciences

Corynebacterium matruchotii is believed to form a scaffold-like structure within the human oral cavity so that other species of bacteria have a place to bind. Many types of bacteria may be found within oral biofilms, commonly referred to as dental plaque. Actinomyces naeslundii are associated with dental caries and they are frequently found in dental plaques. Previous studies in our lab have demonstrated that A. naeslundii has a greater coaggregation rate with C. matruchotii than other Actinomyces species. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of coaggregation with A. naeslundii on C. matruchotii growth kinetics. In this …

Exploring The Role Of Lysine Acetylation During Biofilm Formation In Bacillus Subtilis, Jennifer Nguyen, Briana Ericka Reid, Valerie Carabetta

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Biofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells encased in a self-produced extracellular matrix, composed of polysaccharides, extracellular DNA, and proteins. Bacteria in a biofilm pose significant challenges in healthcare due to their resistance to disinfectants and tolerance to antibiotics. In some species, histone-like proteins were found to be important structural components of the biofilm. Nε-Lysine acetylation is a widespread post-translational modification (PTM) in bacteria, which can alter a protein’s function. The histone-like protein HBsu in Bacillus subtilis is acetylated at seven sites in vivo. We hypothesized that the acetylation state of HBsu may alter biofilm structure or the genetic programming, …

Dabigatran Reduced Acute Microgliosis In A Mouse Model With Tbi, Nicholas R. Eltman, Rashmeena Abbasi, Mary C. Kosciuk, Syed Ahmed, Jose L. Pascual, Randel L. Swanson, Nimish K. Acharya

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Objective:

The study objective was to investigate the acute anti-inflammatory effects of dabigatran in a preclinical mouse controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Design

Mice were separated into three groups: controlled cortical impact (CCI) with dabigatran (drug treatment, n=5), CCI with saline (positive control, n=5), and sham CCI without saline or dabigatran (negative control, n=3). Dabigatran (80mg/kg) or saline was administered orally at 2, 10, 18, 26, 34, and 42 hours following experimental CCI in the drug treatment or positive control groups, respectively. Animals in the negative control group received sham CCI only. 48h following …

Exploring Intracellular Signaling Responses To Ks18, A Potent Mcl-1 Inhibitor, In Multiple Myeloma, Emily Nelson, Omar S Al-Odat, Dhruti A. Brahmbhatt, Tulin Budak-Alpdogan, Subash Jonnalagadda, Manoj Kumar Pandey

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Multiple myeloma (MM), a cancer of plasma B cells, is a hematological malignancy in which patients inevitably relapse and develop drug resistance. Mcl-1, a member of the anti-apoptotic subgroup of Bcl-2 family proteins, plays a critical role in the progression of multiple myeloma and contributes significantly to drug resistance. Elevated Mcl-1 expression is observed in approximately 52% of MM patients at diagnosis, increasing to 81% at relapse. Given its driving role in disease progression and therapy resistance, Mcl-1 inhibition has emerged as a promising therapeutic target, prompting ongoing research into the development and clinical evaluation of Mcl-1 inhibitors, particularly for …

Effects Of The Non-Stimulant Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor, Atomoxetine, On Cognitive Flexibility In Healthy Adult Long-Evans Rats, Noah A. Ivak, Samantha Walkow, Christopher Knapp, Eleni Papadopoulos, Barry D Waterhouse, Rachel L Navarra

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Executive function is the control of multiple higher order cognitive processes that include attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is the ability to shift behavioral strategies

in response to changing environmental demands and task complexity. This cognitive modality is often impaired in many neuropsychiatric disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Deficits in cognitive flexibility are associated with dysregulation of the catecholamines, norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Atomoxetine (ATX), a non-stimulant NE reuptake inhibitor, elevates levels of NE and DA in the PFC by inhibiting the norepinephrine transporter (NET). ATX is used to …

Accelerated Tumor Growth And Lymphatic Spread Of Transplantable Melanomas In Tumor Necrosis Factor(Tnf)-Transgenic Mice, Catherine F. Alapatt, Robert Hughes, Roger Sheffmaker, Gillian Mcguire, Daniel Deegan, Igor Kuzin, Andrea Bottaro

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer among American adults, with significant morbidity and mortality at 5 years remaining >60% for patients with stage IV disease. The malignancy is due to the transformation of melanocytes, with one of the major risk factors being ultraviolet light exposure. Although as many as one in five human cancers have been linked to chronic inflammation, the role of inflammatory signals in melanoma growth and metastasis remains poorly understood.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-transgenic (TNFtg) mice are a well-established model of chronic systemic inflammation, with involvement of joints and other organ systems. To assess the effect …

Effects Of Social Isolation On Cecum Opioid Receptor Expression And Affective Behavior, Jordan Riser, John Tkaczynski, Nicole Shellenbarger, Maya Patel, Daniel Chandler, Daniel Manvich

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND

Psychological stress can induce gastrointestinal symptoms and exacerbate existing gastrointestinal disorders, indicating an interaction between the central and enteric nervous systems. Central nervous system activation of opioid receptors stimulates sympathetic outflow to the enteric nervous system, delaying motility and reducing gastrointestinal secretions, producing a similar clinical presentation to IBS.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize that social isolation induces anxiety states, disrupting homeostatic noradrenergic activity in the brain and gut, leading to neurophysiological changes in the cecum characterized by altered expression of opioid receptors.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were housed in either group (control) or socially isolated conditions. Affective behavior was assessed using …

Grains, Seeds & Hay Industry Funding Scheme: 2023-24 Annual Report, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

The Grains IFS collects funds from producers to address biosecurity pest and disease threats relevant to and determined by the WA grains/seed/hay industry. The current IFS contribution rate of 0.25 cents per tonne of grain and seed, and 0.125 cents per tonne of hay, is applied to the first sale of produce grown in the agricultural areas of WA in 2023-24. Grains IFS contributions fund the:

1. Skeleton Weed Control Program (SKW).

2. Three Horned Bedstraw Eradication Program.

3. Research and Development (R&D) – Research grants and programs to improve the effectiveness and/ or efficiency of the IFS-funded programs, as …

Livestock Risk Protection Basis Risk For Feeder Cattle, Bryce Anderson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent government subsidies make livestock risk protection (LRP) insurance an affordable price risk management tool for many U.S. cattle producers. LRP insurance triggers a loss when the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Feeder Cattle Index falls below the selected coverage price. The CME Feeder Cattle Index is a 7-day weighted average of feeder cattle prices in 12 states. This paper determines if LRP policy holders who produce feeder cattle in states whose feeder cattle prices are not included in the CME Feeder Cattle Index are exposed to excess basis risk. To do this, we use a hedonic regression model to determine …

Nebline, May 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

NEBLINE, May 2025

Tips on Staying Cool During the Heat of a Temper Tantrum

What’s Your BBQ IQ?

May Recipe of the Month — Air Fryer Teriyaki Beef Kabobs

Insect and Disease Control for Organic Vegetable Gardeners

May Garden Guide

Cash Rent Survey

No Matter Where You Live, Submit a Request Before You Dig!

Battling Scales in the Landscape

Three Lancaster County 4-H’ers Modeled Their Sewn Garments at Omaha Fashion Week

Ignite by 4-H 2025 National Conference

May Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award — Dayle Williamson

2024 National Index Study of 4-H Youth

Clover College, June 10–13; Registration Opens in …

Nutrition, Sleep, And Training Habits Enhance Endurance Race Performance, Anna F. Breed

Honors Theses

In recent years, marathon and ultra-marathon participation has grown substantially. Past research has shown that a range of variables influence the performance of endurance athletes. This study included participants of the Forgotten Florida 50-mile and 100-mile race and the Chattanooga Erlanger Half-Marathon and Marathon. These athletes were questioned about their sleep, nutrition, and training habits implemented for the races they completed. The results show the significance of carbohydrate consumption throughout the race for energy maintenance and shortened race times. Also, it was found that hill repeats and tempo runs brought about more successful race times for the runners who implemented …

Arthroscopy And The Future Of Surgery: Personal And Public Health Benefits, Preston T. Koski

Honors Thesis

Arthroscopy focuses on operating on the body using probes and working through keyhole incisions on the skin. This rapidly evolving field has seen many innovations in its technology, aided by advances in optical and surgical capabilities. Moreover, it presents many advantages over traditional surgery that directly impact the patient. Shorter recovery time and lessened scarring, reduced postoperative pain and opioid dependence, and less risk of infection are key benefits over open surgery. These benefits can also be applied to areas of public health. Minimizing the burden on hospital resources, reducing the environmental impact of surgery, and improving cost-effectiveness in healthcare …

Impact Of Water Quality On The Nutritional And Phytochemical Properties Of Culinary Herbs, Genesis Arroyo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Water quality significantly affected food safety, especially since contaminated water impacted crop growth and the nutrient composition of foods. Nitrates occur naturally in vegetables. However, when introduced into the food supply through water contamination, excessive levels disrupted the natural physiological processes of vegetables and other agricultural plants. These excessive levels eventually led to nutrient imbalances, decreased phytochemical concentrations, and potential health risks such as the formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds in humans. This study evaluated the effects of nitrates on the nutritional outcomes of food crops, focusing on commonly used culinary herbs. While synthesizing findings from relevant peer-reviewed articles, I …

Role Of Evolutionarily Conserved G4 Structures In Enhancer-Promotor Interactions, Shahem Alqudah

Honors Theses

Gene regulation is governed by complex networks of interactions between enhancers and promoters, regions of the genome that are typically distant from one another yet functionally linked through chromatin looping. Recent research has revealed the significant role of Gquadruplexes (G4s) in facilitating these interactions. This thesis explores the role of long Gquadruplex regions (LG4s) in enhancer–promoter communication, proposing that these regions mediate physical interactions between enhancers and their target promoters through direct G4:G4 interactions. Using a chromatin conformation capture (EQuIP-seq), electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), and luciferase reporter assays, the study demonstrates that LG4s may drive gene expression by promoting …

Antiproliferative Effects Of Salvia On Breast Cancers., Allison C. Portaro

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in female adults, with 2.3 million new cases worldwide in 2020. Plants have been used in traditional medicine and are a potential source of pharmaceuticals. One example is the large Lamiaceae (mint) family. The Salvia genus, commonly known as the sages, is the largest genus in Lamiaceae with almost 900 known species. Salvia lyrata (lyre-leaved sage) has a history of Native American medicinal use to treat cancers and other ailments resulting in this plant being referred to as ‘cancer weed.’ Extracts were produced from the leaves of S. lyrata, S. lyrata …

The Effects Of Prenatal Cigarette Smoke Exposure On Developmental Milestones, Megan Jacobs

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

In Kentucky, a reported 12.7% of mothers smoke cigarettes during pregnancy. Nicotine readily crosses the placental and blood-brain barriers, with fetal blood concentrations reaching 15% higher than maternal levels. By stimulating and desensitizing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the autonomic nervous system, nicotine disrupts uteroplacental blood flow, potentially altering fetal growth and development.

To investigate the effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure (CSE) on developmental milestones, C57Bl6 mice were exposed to either cigarette smoke (CSE, n = 30) or filtered room air (Sham, n = 20) for 3 hours daily from two days before mating until the day before birth. Offspring …

The Impact Of Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation On Resting Cardiovascular Responses In Young Women, Manuel Munoz Ii, Robert L. Herron

Undergraduate Research (Journal)

Research has shown that acute supplementation with dietary nitrate will increase the amount of circulating nitrate, boosting NO bioavailability via the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, providing enhanced vasodilation. There are limited dietary nitrate studies including young, healthy female participants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of acute dietary nitrate, via beet root juice (BRJ) supplementation, on resting heart rate and blood pressure in young, healthy women. A total of 11 women (aged 18-22) performed a repeated-measures, placebo-controlled, counter-balanced, crossover design investigated the impact of dietary nitrate on the cardiovascular system’s resting measurements after one hour. All participants completed …

Firefighters' Perceived Effectiveness Of Peer Support For Job-Related Stressors, Camryn M. Travis

Senior Honors Projects

Firefighters experience immense job-related stress. Firefighters can respond to hundreds of traumatic calls or critical incidents throughout their careers. Witnessing a critical incident can be highly stressful and mentally taxing. Therefore, some fire departments offer mental health resources such as Critical Incident Stress Management/Debriefing (CISM/D) and Peer-group support to help firefighters cope with stressful incidents. Additionally, firefighters may seek professional mental health treatment. To investigate firefighters’ perceptions regarding the effectiveness of these resources, an anonymous survey of Rhode Island firefighters was conducted. The sample included 51 firefighters (n = 51), was mostly male (90.2%), and self-identified as predominantly white (94.1%) …

Exploring Mimicry And Visual Communication In Woodpeckers: A Field Study Utilizing 3d-Printed Models, Lauren M. Smith

Biology Theses

The evolution of similar phenotypes poses an interesting challenge in evolutionary biology. While divergent ecologies may drive differing morphology, physiology, or behavior, similar phenotypes are often due to similar ecology or selection for mimicry. One prominent case of mimetic phenotypes is found in hairy and downy woodpeckers. While several hypotheses might explain the hairy-downy mimicry complex, I aimed to assess the idea that downy woodpeckers benefit from resembling hairy woodpeckers. To test this hypothesis, I used 3D-printed models of various woodpecker species in the field. These models were painted with colors that resemble woodpecker species. The experimental conditions were 3D …

Pollination Synchrony Along A Great Lakes Thermal Gradient, Joe Armstrong

Biology Theses

Pollination is an essential mutualistic interaction between plants and animals. Often agricultural crops rely on successful pollination to provide profitable and nutrient rich harvests. Successful pollination requires synchrony between flowers and pollinators. Western New York with its proximity to the Great Lakes has benefited as a Climate refugia; however, recent climate change and increased temperature variation have threatened regional fruit crops. In this thesis, I explored the synchrony between native pollinators, non-native pollinators, and apple flowering along a coastal to inland gradient for farms in Niagara County. I measured temperature, evaluated apple flower phenology, and harvested pollinators during the Spring …