Life Sciences Commons^™

Efficacy Of Intradermal Injection Of Tranexamic Acid And Ascorbic Acid Versus Tranexamic Acid And Placebo In The Treatment Of Melasma: A Split-Face Comparative Trial, Wafaa H. A. Mahmoud, Bothaina M. Ghanem, Amal Wagdy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Melasma is a common hyperpigmentation disorder affecting millions worldwide. This study was done to evaluate effectiveness of combined intradermal injections of Tranexamic acid (TxA) and ascorbic acid compared to TxA alone with placebo in managing facial melasma. Methods: This randomized controlled study included twenty patients diagnosed with epidermal melasma were divided into two groups. In Group A, one side of the face received 0.5 ml of TxA (50 mg) with 0.5 ml of normal saline; in Group B, the other side received 0.5 ml of TxA plus 0.5 ml of ascorbic acid. Treatment efficacy was assessed by measuring the …

Role Of Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging In Differentiating Osteomyelitis From Osteoarthropathy In Diabetic Foot, Mona Mohamed Hamid Ibrahim Barakat, Saher Ebrahim Taman, Samer Abdelhamid Regal, Ahmed Galal Sadek

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) represents a major cause of preventable morbidity among adults with diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) frequently arises through contiguous spread of soft tissue infection to the underlying bone. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that enables quantitative evaluation of tissue microstructure. Aim: To assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance DTI in differentiating osteomyelitis from acute osteoarthropathy in patients with diabetic foot complications. Methods: This prospective study included 28 diabetic patients presenting with clinically suspected foot complications. According to the final diagnosis, patients were classified into two …

Effect Of Autologous Nanofat Injection In Post-Traumatic Atrophic Scars: A Prospective Randomized Interventional Clinical Study, Ghada M. Hammad, Manar Sallam, Sherif R. Ismail, Ahmed M. Zenia, Shereen Ezzalregal Alashry

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Post-traumatic scars continue to be a challenging issue for both patients and surgeons. Nanofat, a novel tool in regenerative medicine, relies primarily on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). These cells aid in wound healing by promoting angiogenesis and secreting growth factors that help decrease inflammation and fibrous tissue formation. Aim of the study To assess the aesthetic results of autologous nanofat injection in post-traumatic atrophic scars. Patients and methods 30 cases with post-traumatic atrophic scars received a single session of nanofat injection. Evaluation was done 3 and 6 months after the session using the Vancouver scar scale. Results Our study …

Evaluation Of The Stigmatizing Attitude Towards Mental Illness Among A Group Of Egyptian Nonpsychiatric Physicians, Mohamed Elhasanein Elshehedy, Mahmoud Ahmed Elwasify, Ibtihal Mohamed Aly Ibrahim, Roshdy Mohamed El Gamal

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background Stigmatizing attitudes toward persons had mental illness remain a major barrier to effective mental healthcare. While psychiatrists’ perspectives have been studied extensively, less attention has been paid to non-psychiatric physicians, whose attitudes significantly influence early detection and referral. Objective To evaluate stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness among Egyptian nonpsychiatric physicians. Methods This cross-sectional research has been performed on a sample of non-psychiatric physicians in various Egyptian events and occasions, including the Mansoura University conference, the Ain Shams University conference, and the Alexandria University conference over the year 2023. Participants completed a socio-demographic questionnaire and the Mental Illness Clinicians’ Attitudes …

Reliability Of Popliteal Artery Flow-Mediated Dilation In The Seated Position, Taskina Akhter, Patrick B. Wilson, J. David Branch, Leryn J. Reynolds

Exercise Science Faculty Publications

Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a noninvasive measure of endothelial function, is commonly measured in the popliteal artery in the supine and upright body positions. However, reliability studies of the measurement in these positions are not well studied. This study aimed to examine the trial-retrial and visit-to-visit reliability of popliteal artery FMD in the seated position. Popliteal artery FMD was measured in 20 healthy adults across two visits in the seated and prone positions to assess visit-to-visit reliability. Two measurements were taken for each body position at each visit to assess trial-retrial reliability. %FMD was calculated as the percent change from baseline …

Genetic Variation Of Rice Stink Bugs, Oebalus Spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) From Southeastern United States And Cuba, Allen Szalanski

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has been a pest of rice in the United States since the 1880s. Besides this species, there now are two invasive Oebalus species, O. ypsilongriseus (De Geer) and O. insularis Stål, which are found in Florida. Genetic variation of these economically important species is unknown, limiting our understanding of Oebalus evolution and demography. Here we provide the first population-level investigation of genetic diversity in these species. Ninety two adult stink bugs were collected from the southeastern United States (Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida), and Cuba. A region of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase …

Characterization Of Airborne Bacterial Diversity In Conventional Hen Houses, Enriched Colonies And Aviaries, And Link Between Possible Bioaerosol Sources, M.-W. St-Germain, M. Veillette, V. Létourneau, A. D. Larios Martínez, S. Godbout, M. Boulianne, C. Duchaine

Études primaires

Background

Canada’s transition toward alternative housing systems for laying hens may have an impact on bioaerosol content and concentrations in those environments. This project aimed to characterize the airborne bacterial diversity in six conventional hen houses, six enriched colonies and six aviaries. The bacterial diversity found in bioaerosols was also compared to the diversity found in feces or litter samples from each corresponding housing type to investigate similarities between possible bioaerosol sources and bioaerosols.

Results

Specific richness (S_obs) and CHAO1 indexes were higher in air samples from conventional hen houses and enriched colonies, compared to their corresponding fecal …

Molecular Insights Into The Impact Of Bone Marrow Stroma, Cb-6644 Inhibition Of The Ruvbl1/2 Complex, And Cebpβ On Regulating Drug Sensitivity In Multiple Myeloma, Sebastian Adam Dziadowicz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Multiple myeloma (MM), is a hematological cancer originating in plasma cells. Currently multiple myeloma represents a significant clinical challenge due its incurable nature mainly due to inevitable drug resistance. MM is characterized by abnormal plasma cell proliferation within the bone marrow and production of abnormal immunoglobulin resulting in a plethora of physiological abnormalities. Although a rare malignancy, MM accounts for 1% of all cancers and currently has five-year survival rate of around 50%. Utilizing a combination of laboratory experiments and bioinformatics techniques, this dissertation examines multiple layers of MM physiology in the context of regulating drug resistance or sensitivity. First, …

Tree Crown Economics Of Broadleaf Deciduous Forests, Yiting Fan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tree crown architecture, a critical determinant of forest ecosystem processes such as photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, and spectral reflectance, is shaped by adaptive trade-offs in resource use and environmental responses. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how these traits vary across species, environmental gradients, and temporal scales. This dissertation addresses these gaps by employing remote sensing data across three interconnected studies. Together, these studies advance tree crown economic theory, highlighting how crown traits mediate trade-offs between light capture and water-use efficiency and how these traits influence forest responses to global change. Collectively, this dissertation offer insights for improving models that …

Characterization Of Lipids In Tenebrio Molitor Larvae And Pupae Under Various Extraction Methods, Nariman A. Ktil

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tenebrio molitor, or the yellow mealworm is an edible insect widely recognized and consumed for its rich nutritional value. Mealworms are known for their flexible nature of adapting to various environmental conditions and being able to thrive under harsh conditions and low-value wastes. In this paper, our main goal was to investigate the mealworm’s ability to grow and develop while being reared on apple pomace, the biowaste from apple production, and the effect it would have on its nutritional value specifically its lipid profile. Then these reared insects were used for oil extraction and analyzing their fatty acid profiles. …

An Investigation Into How The Prostate And Androgens Mediate Greater Levels Of Uric Acid In Males Compared To Females, Rachel D. King

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chronic elevated circulating uric acid (UA) levels (hyperuricemia) are associated with gout as well as cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal dysfunction. Men have greater mean circulating UA levels than women and are more likely to exhibit hyperuricemia. This may be partly driven by the hormonal regulation of renal UA transporters; however, a direct link between hormones and UA production has not been established. Production of UA is catalyzed by xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR / XDH), which is ubiquitously expressed but has the greatest specific activity in the liver. Interestingly, an extensive gout genome-wide association study (GWAS) recently revealed a robust genetic …

Sensory Evaluation And Consumer Acceptance Of A Protein Enriched Energy Bar, Brennah T. Groves

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Acceptance of a Protein Enriched Energy Bar

Brennah Groves

This study evaluated the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of a protein enriched energy bar. The objectives of this study were to 1) formulate a high-protein energy bar containing at least 20 g of protein per 100 g serving, and 2) determine whether increasing the protein content in an energy bar would enhance the sensory evaluation and improve consumer acceptance among collegiate athletes. The control energy bar featured a shortbread base, date caramel with whey protein, a nougat layer, and a chocolate coating. Additional collagen protein …

Inactivation Kinetics Of Escherichia Coli And Listeria Monocytogenes In Edible Insects, Precious Aduloju

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Edible insects are emerging as sustainable and nutritious alternatives to conventional protein sources. However, concerns about food safety, particularly the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes, remain a barrier to consumer acceptance and industrial use. This study evaluated the effectiveness of thermal processing in inactivating E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and their non-pathogenic surrogates (E. coli JM109 and Listeria innocua) in both fresh and dehydrated forms of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) and Acheta domesticus (cricket). It also evaluated the influence of insect species, moisture content, and temperature on microbial inactivation. A microbial challenge …

Genomic Differences And Parentage In West Virginia's Reintroduced Elk (Cervus Canadensis), Adam A.V. Cook

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Elk (Cervus canadensis) reintroductions have been common in the 20th and 21st centuries, yet 40% have failed to establish self-sustaining elk populations due to a lack of post-reintroduction demographic monitoring. Elk were reintroduced to West Virginia in 2016 following more than a century of absence after the species was extirpated in 1875. Elk were translocated to West Virginia from Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) in eastern Kentucky and from Arizona. The two groups of elk differ in their subspecies, physiology, reintroduction history, connectivity, and habitat. Reintroductions create genetic risks such as the founder effect and …

Microbiological Examination Of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) Larvae Under Various Processing And Storage Conditions As Potential For Human Consumption, Rachel Midkiff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae have gained attention as a sustainable and nutritionally balanced food source, yet their high natural bacterial load raises food safety concerns. This study investigates the impact of pre-processing, processing, and storage conditions on microbial load and diversity in mealworms, comparing thermal (hot) and non-thermal (cold) treatments. These treatments include freeze-drying, wet heat treatments, dry heat treatments, and the combination of wet and dry heat treatments against untreated controls. Microbial loads were quantified by plate counts after day 0, day 10, and day 28 of vacuum-sealed refrigerated (4°C) storage. Water activity (Aw), pH, and moisture content …

Phylogenomics And Biogeography Of Zinniinae (Asteraceae: Heliantheae) Using Plastome And Nuclear Datasets, Samuel Victor Skibicki

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Zinniinae is a subtribe of plants in the daisy family (Asteraceae) and the sunflower tribe (Heliantheae). Traditionally, seven genera were included in the subtribe: Echinacea, Heliopsis, Philactis, Sanvitalia, Tehuana, Trichocoryne, and Zinnia. The subtribe is poorly understood from a phylogenetic and taxonomic standpoint, and I undertook a phylogenetic investigation of Zinniinae, using both the plastid genome (plastomes) and the nuclear genome, to learn more about the evolutionary history of this clade. Plastomes were assembled to build a phylogenetic tree, targeted sequence capture was used to compile the nuclear datasets, and a chronogram was created to estimate date ranges for …

Impact Of Whey And Soy Protein Supplementation On Resistance Training In Young Adults: A Systematic Literature Review And Meta-Analysis, Brandon Eric Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Whey protein is a popular supplement in sports nutrition. Soy protein is an alternative to whey protein, often marketed to individuals following a plant-based diet. Evaluating whey and soy protein supplementation's role in resistance exercise is essential for providing evidence-based nutrition guidance.

Objective: The study aim was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on randomized control trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of whey and soy protein supplementation on outcomes of lean body mass (LBM), squat, bench press, and plasma essential plasma amino acid (EAA) levels in young adult men and women.

Methods: The databases …

Neurobiological Variables Mediating The Relationship Between Breast Cancer And Sleep Disruption, Brittany Domenique Elliott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Neurobiological Variables Mediating the Relationship between

Breast Cancer and Sleep Disruption

Brittany D. Elliott, MS

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women, with more than two million new cases diagnosed world-wide each year. Improvements in screening technology and diagnostics have increased survival rates, but cancer-associated sleep disruptions persist for the majority of breast cancer survivors well beyond the treatment period. In addition to reducing quality of life, reduced sleep quality is associated with greater incidences of affective dysfunction, reduced treatment efficiency, aggressive cancer progression, increased symptom severity, and increased mortality by all causes. Thus, identifying the variables …

Improving Food Safety Practices Among Fsma-Exempt Small-Scale Produce Growers: A Manuscript-Based Dissertation On Risk, Adoption, And Practical Barriers, Jesica Marie Temple

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Improving Food Safety Practices Among FSMA-Exempt Small-Scale Produce Growers: A Manuscript-Based Dissertation on Risk, Adoption, and Practical Barriers

Jesica Temple

Foodborne illness outbreaks associated with fresh produce continue to pose a public health risk in the United States. Although the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) established science-based standards to prevent contamination, many small-scale farms are exempt from these requirements. Consequently, voluntary adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) varies widely across regions. Strategies to improve engagement among FSMA-exempt growers are key to advancing postharvest food safety and reducing contamination. This manuscript-based dissertation examined how knowledge, attitudes, …

Longitudinal And Ensemble Modeling Of Beef Cattle Feed And Water Intakes, Nathan El Blake

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Beef cattle production remains a cornerstone of global food systems, providing highly bioavailable protein and essential micronutrients that are difficult to secure from plant-based foods alone. Yet this production is also resource-intensive, requiring substantial land, feed, and water inputs while contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Efficiency of dry matter intake (DMI) and water intake (WI) is central to both productivity and sustainability, but accurate measurement of these traits—particularly in grazing systems—remains a major limitation. National WI standards continue to rely on pen-level data collected in the 1950s, while most existing DMI prediction equations perform poorly when applied beyond the …

An Edna Assessment Of The Diamond Darter (Crystallaria Cincotta) In Its Current And Historic Distribution Range, Cameron Moore Layne

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Environmental DNA (eDNA) can serve as a useful monitoring tool for cryptic and imperiled freshwater stream fishes. eDNA can fill knowledge gaps regarding species’ distribution, site abundance, and habitat usage. The last known stronghold of the Diamond Darter (Crystallaria cincotta) in the Elk River of West Virginia provides an excellent test case to examine the utility of this non-invasive method of surveying rare species. Diamond Darters are one of the most newly recognized freshwater fishes in North America and are among the most imperiled U.S. fishes, having been federally listed as endangered in 2013. The cryptic behavior and limitations of …

The Effect Of Sars-Cov-2 On Bacterial Diversity And Abundance In Community Wastewater, Joshua Lambert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters human respiratory cells through binding of its spike (S) protein to the ACE-2 receptor, which is highly expressed in lung cells, but is also found in over 150 other cell types encompassing major organs including GI enterocytes. SARS-CoV-2 causes gut dysbiosis in infected individuals and patients with COVID-19 and also coincides with lower alpha diversity of the individual’s gut microbiome. Certain gut microbiome-associated genera are lower in abundance in COVID-19 patients including Lachnospira, Prevetolla, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium while genera such as Bacteroides, Enterococcus and Proteobacteria are increased during a SARS-CoV-2 …

Synergetic Effect Of Cellulose And Chitosan Polymers In Cancer Treatment, Grace Peterson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research explores the development of a biocompatible, natural drug delivery system designed for targeted cancer therapy. Lung cancer cells are used in these particular tests, but further research indicates treatment could be used for various cancer types. Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy are often limited by poor selectivity for tumor cells, causing significant damage to healthy tissues. The study proposes a dual-layered delivery system, utilizing Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) as the core material and a charge-reversible chitosan shell to encapsulate and target cancer drugs. CMC, with its water solubility and ability to form stable gels, serves as a stable drug …

Screening Herbicides For Use In Newly Established Short Rotation Coppice Shrub Willow Plantations, Alex Thomas Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A major setback for the establishment of short rotation coppice willow plantations is the control of competition from weeds. Weed competition has been found to cause increased mortality which lowers biomass yields when left uncontrolled. Mechanical weed control methods are the most used method of weed control, but their use can be complicated by cost, labor availability and site topography. Chemical weed control is also complicated by the fact that willow species are particularly sensitive to herbicides. Across three trials, we screen 11 herbicides for their potential to control weeds without significantly decreasing the vertical growth of willow trees. This …

Characterizing Nursery Habitat For Juvenile Invasive Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Spp.) On The Ohio River, Rebecca Hiller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since their introduction to US waters, Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis) have rapidly spread throughout the Mississippi River basin and its major tributaries, but their invasion has stalled within the Ohio River. Recent research has suggested this slowed spread could be due to a lack of suitable nursery habitat in the Ohio River, affecting recruitment of invasive carp. This study aims to characterize the habitats juvenile carp are utilizing by investigating three main lines of inquiry: that juvenile carp habitat use is limited by (1) the flow regime of the Ohio River …

Motivation And Well-Being: A Study Of Wvu Extension Volunteers, Amber Renae Goff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Volunteers are the heart of the land-grant outreach model. They bring education and resources to communities across West Virginia. Volunteers have been relied upon in many aspects of Extension programming and current budget conditions have reduced the level of staffing within WVU Extension. There may be an increased demand for volunteers to help with programming. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between motivation and the perceived level of well-being within the WVU Extension volunteer programs. The study yielded 464 responses from a descriptive survey. Based on the results, WVU Extension volunteers are motivated based on their …

Evaluating The Adaptation Of Taro (Colocasia Esculenta) To West Virginia Climatic Conditions, Kayode Joseph Ajayi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Climate change impacts agriculture and food security across the globe, therefore higher temperatures could increase in the length of the growing period and new crops would take advantages of. Research was conducted in Morgantown, WV in 2022 and 2023 to understand the growth pattern of Taro in West Virginia, and to analyzing the chemical composition of the Taro plant. The experiment was a completely randomized design in direct planting-low tunnel technology (2 replications, and 10- plants/plot), and two fertilization treatments (fertilized and non-fertilized). Spacing was 1 m within and between rows. Data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS. Dependent variables …

An Initiative To Improve Sevoflurane Gas Flows Among Anesthesia Providers In An Academic Medical Center, Amy Dinicola

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

An Initiative to Improve Sevoflurane Gas Flows Among Anesthesia Providers in an

Academic Medical Center

Amy DiNicola

Background: While global warming has been introduced as the most significant public health threat of the 21st century, 10% of carbon emissions in the United States come from healthcare (Shoham et al., 2022). Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic gas that requires a carrier gas mixture of oxygen with air or nitrous oxide to reach a patient during anesthesia. The extra gas flow often exceeds physiologic needs, and the excess gets wasted into the atmosphere. Reducing the additional flow of carrier gas can …

Do Dung Beetles Sink Or Swim: Exploring Dung Beetle Response To Precipitation, Lauren T. Cheshire

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Global climate change constitutes a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services of many taxa. The Mid-Atlantic region of the US is expecting to see an increase in extreme precipitation events and flooding. Dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) can tunnel below the soil surface allowing for water to dissipate into the soil rather than sit on the surface and add to flooding conditions. They also can decrease methane emission by burying dung and reduce outbreaks of pests that prefer the moist environment of dung. They contribute roughly $380 million in ecosystem services annually in the United States, yet their services may be …

All-Terrain Vehicle Injuries Among Youth: A Multidimensional Analysis Of Injury Patterns In West Virginia And Safety Laws Across High-Fatality States, Sabrina Chyann Beal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pose significant injury risks, particularly among youth. These powerful machines are widely used across recreational and rural settings. West Virginia consistently ranks among the top five states for ATV-related deaths and injuries. Safety equipment and requirements are often not followed nor enforced, causing children and adolescents to be the most vulnerable group because they tend to not wear safety equipment such as helmets, ride on roadways, carry passengers, and operate oversized ATVS. This study examined ATV injury patterns from the WVU Medicine Trauma Registry and ATV laws across the five states with the highest reported fatalities. This …