Life Sciences Commons^™

Sk609, A Novel Dopamine D3 Receptor Agonist And Norepinephrine Transporter Blocker With Putative Pro-Cognitive Actions, Does Not Induce Psychostimulant-Like Increases In Risky Choice During Probabilistic Discounting, Christopher P. Knapp, Brooke Fallon, Sandhya Kortagere, Barry D. Waterhouse, Stan B Floresco, Rachel L Navarra

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

RATIONALE: Psychostimulants, such as amphetamine (AMPH) and methylphenidate (MPH), non-selectively elevate extracellular concentrations of the catecholamine neurotransmitters, dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), and are common pharmacological strategies used to improve prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent cognitive dysfunction. However, this approach can be problematic given AMPH has been shown to increase preference for risky choices in a rodent assay of risk/reward decision making. SK609 is a novel NE reuptake blocker that selectively activates DA D3 receptors without affinity for the DA transporter. SK609 has been shown to improve cognitive performance without increasing psychostimulant-like spontaneous locomotor activity, suggesting SK609 may benefit neurocognitive function without …

Clinical Utility Of Opencap Motion Analysis In Lower Limb Prosthesis Users, Sarahi Fernandez Leon

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

The use of prosthetics has gradually increased due to various diseases, and it is estimated that 35-40 million people are prosthetic/orthotic users, with the number estimated to increase to two billion by 2050. Mobility has been determined to be a strong predictor of quality of life. There are various ways to measure mobility and predict outcomes in lower-limb amputees (LLA), such as self-report and performance-based measures. However, these come with many limitations, showcasing the need for quantitative measures of gait parameters to allow for better development of prosthetic components. Motion analysis tools are expensive and time consuming, but an inexpensive, …

Place Branding: More Than Just A Logo, Marilyn R. Schlake

Cornhusker Economics

Place branding can distinguish one community from another. In a landscape of locations that provide the same amenities, environments, and opportunities, branding can help a community “stand out.” However, what is usually missing is a place brand developed in association with the community’s history, values, social connections, and organization associations that have evolved.

Chickpea Proteome Analysis Reveals Genotype-Dependent Variations Associated With Seed Traits, Utpal Bose, Sally Buck, Xavier Sirault, Mahya Bahmani, Keren Byrne, Sally Stockwell, Sean Mcwilliam, Michelle Colgrave, Angéla Juhász, Jean Philippe Ral

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the second most widely grown legume crop after soybean. Here, we measured the macronutrients and performed proteome profiling of eight chickpea cultivars using two complementary protein extraction solvents. The total protein, starch, and soluble sugar contents significantly differ between cultivars, and we quantified 2434 and 1809 proteins, respectively, from urea- and water-based extraction solvents using a data-independent acquisition approach. The proteome-level differences can vary from 9-25% for the urea-extracted proteins, and the storage protein abundances significantly differed between the cultivars, where legumin content was detected as the highest, followed by vicilin and albumin. Fifty common …

Consistency And Flexibility Of Character In Free-Ranging Male African Elephants Across Time, Age, And Social Contexts, Caitlin E. O’Connell-Rodwell, Jodie L. Berezin, Colleen Kinzley, Patrick T. Freeman, Monica N. Sandri, Dustin Kieschnick, Timothy C. Rodwell, Mariana Abarca, Virginia Hayssen

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Post-dispersal male African elephants (Loxodonta africana) live within complex social networks. To quantify the consistency of male elephant character (or personality) within these networks, we employed behavioral repeatability analysis tools across social and environmental contexts. We collected behavioral data from thirty-four individually-identified male elephants at the same waterhole over five field seasons (2007–2011) in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Using repeatability models to assess ten behavioral categories, we found five behaviors (affiliation, aggression, dominance, self-directed anxious, and self-directed comfort) were consistent at the individual level. Some of these behaviors were also repeatable, depending on social context. In particular, the …

Trajectory, Interactions, And Predictors Of Higher Symptom Burden During Induction Therapy For Multiple Myeloma, Mona Kamal, Qiuling Shi, Shu-En Shen, Charles Cleeland, Xin Shelley Wang

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) experience disabling symptoms that are difficult to manage and may persist after induction therapy. Monitoring disease-related and induction therapy-induced symptoms and identifying patients at greater risk for high symptom burden are unmet clinical needs. The objective of this study was to examine the trajectories of symptom severity over time and identify predictors of high symptom burden during MM induction therapy.

Methodology: Eligible patients with MM rated their symptoms by completing the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory MM module repeatedly during 16 weeks of induction therapy. Group-based trajectory modeling identified patient groups with persistently high-severity (versus …

Glutamate Receptors At The Zebrafish Neuromuscular Junction, Trenton Randall

Honors College Theses

Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, but at the neuromuscular junction, that role is taken by acetylcholine. However, during embryonic development, non-cholinergic receptors, including those for glutamate, are also present at the NMJ, which are not maintained unless used. These receptors can still form functional circuits, as evidenced by a process called neurotransmitter respecification, in which a neuron changes which neurotransmitter it releases, and is accompanied by the upregulation of the corresponding receptor by the muscle. This process has been observed in frogs and in rats. We predict that zebrafish also exhibit this neurotransmitter plasticity. To assess …

The Challenges Of Diet Generalism In A Microbial Predator, Dictyostelium Discoideum, Shreenidhi Perukkaranai Madabhushi

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Organisms vary widely in their diet breadth, ranging from specialists that feed on few resources to generalists that feed on many. Specialists have honed their ability to catch and process specific prey, but generalists must deal with prey that differ in nutritional quality and defensive mechanisms. Have generalist predators overcome costs associated with consuming multiple prey species or do they experience costly trade-offs when handling different prey? Generalist predators also live in environments that vary in the type and abundance of prey species. How do generalists navigate this variation in prey abundance and profitability and seek out their preferred prey? …

Diet And Immune Effects Trial (Diet)- A Randomized, Double-Blinded Dietary Intervention Study In Patients With Melanoma Receiving Immunotherapy, Rachel M Farias, Yan Jiang, Erma J Levy, Cindy Hwang, Jian Wang, Elizabeth M Burton, Lorenzo Cohen, Nadim Ajami, Jennifer A Wargo, Carrie R Daniel, Jennifer L Mcquade

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Gut microbiome modulation is a promising strategy for enhancing the response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Fecal microbiota transplant studies have shown positive signals of improved outcomes in both ICB-naïve and refractory melanoma patients; however, this strategy is challenging to scale. Diet is a key determinant of the gut microbiota, and we have previously shown that (a) habitual high dietary fiber intake is associated with an improved response to ICB and (b) fiber manipulation in mice impacts antitumor immunity. We recently demonstrated the feasibility of a controlled high-fiber dietary intervention (HFDI) conducted in melanoma survivors with excellent compliance and …

Trend And Awareness Of E-Cigarettes Among Students In A Private College In Sabah Malaysia, Vitalis Ronald Eden, Hazrina Hamid, Sreemoy Das, Regidor Iii Dioso

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Objective: This study aims to investigate the trend and awareness of e-cigarette use among students in a private college located in Sabah, Malaysia. Research Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a private college in Sabah. A self-administered questionnaire was adapted and distributed to 300 randomly selected students regardless of their e-cigarettes vaping status. IBM SPSS Statistic 27 was utilized to analysed accumulated data. Results: A-245 students participated in the study with a response rate of 81.6%. Majority of the respondent were female (69.8%), Bumiputera Sabah (72.2%), Diploma students (90%) aged 22-25 years’ old. The study revealed that almost all …

Survey And Comparative Analysis Of Pollinator Diversity, Abundance, And Foraging Activity Of Diptera And Hymenoptera In Selected Habitats Of South Texas, Melissa Villarreal

Theses and Dissertations

With the declining bee population, non-bee pollinators can serve as an alternative source for pollination. Diptera is a potential source of untapped pollinator resources based on their abundance and visitation rate, but they are understudied in the field of pollination ecology. This study aimed to characterize the pollinator community in selected areas of South Texas. It focused on the Diptera and Hymenoptera families to compare their diversity, relative abundance, foraging behaviors, environmental influences, and vegetation associations. Active sampling and line transect were used in the survey to sample the Hymenoptera and Diptera communities to their family taxonomic rank. Statistical analyses …

The Influence Of Wind Energy Development On Occupancy Of Medium And Large-Sized Mammals In South Texas, Elwynn Sherman

Theses and Dissertations

Conservation paradigms have shifted from single to multi-species approaches for assessing and conserving mammalian populations and the habitats that they occupy. The effect of wind turbine development is an important anthropogenic change to study due to the increasing demand for wind energy in Texas. In this study, I gathered remote camera trap data on medium and large-sized mammal populations in south Texas Tamaulipan thornscrub habitat. The objectives were to determine species presence, the effect of habitat characteristics and anthropogenic disturbances on species occupancy, and the effect of temperature on species detection. The results showed that distance from wind turbines did …

Correlation Between Maximal Eccentric And Isometric Multi-Joint Lower-Extremity Strength And Vertical Jumping Performance In Young Adults, Joonsun Park, Cassidy Weeks, Brennan J. Thompson, Talin Louder

Kinesiology and Health Science Student Research

Maximal eccentric (MES) and isometric (MIS) muscle strength may enhance vertical jump performance by facilitating preloading and reducing energy loss during the eccentric (ECC) phase of the stretch-shortening cycle (SSC). However, the contributions of ECC and isometric (ISO) strength to the countermovement (CMJ) and depth jump (DJ) remain unclear due to variability in assessment methods (e.g., dynamometry, isometric mid-thigh pull) and the limited range of metrics examined in prior research. The aim of this study was to assess correlations between multi-joint lower extremity MES and MIS, obtained using a seated multi-joint isokinetic dynamometer, and 13 vertical ground reaction force (GRF) …

Roquea, A New Genus Of Lychnophorinae (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) From Brazil And Its Phylogenetic Placement, Benoit Loeuille, Roberto Baptista Pereira Almeida, Carolina Moriani Siniscalchi, Makeli G. Lusa, Guilherme Medeiros Antar

UL Publications

Lychnophorinae (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) consists of 21 genera and approximately 150 species, primarily distributed in the Brazilian Central Plateau, with several novelties recently described. With new botanical expeditions conducted in Serra da Formosa, state of Minas Gerais, a set of collections that belong to Lychnophorinae but were not easily assigned to a genus was discovered. After morphological and anatomical analyses and phylogenetic studies, we describe and illustrate Roquea, a new genus of Asteraceae from Brazil, to accommodate the new species Roquea multiserialis. Affinities of the new genus with other genera of Lychnophorinae are discussed along with a preliminary conservation …

An In-Depth Investigation Into Yersinia Pestis Phages: Isolating A Yersinia Pestis Phage From Soil And Constructing A Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis Of Known Yersinia Pestis Phages, Jacqueline Chavez

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague, has become increasingly resistant to many antibiotics; therefore, alternatives such as phage therapy are necessary. Phage therapy uses combinations of bacteriophages or phages, which are viruses that only infect bacteria. However, phages—especially Y. pestis phages —are severely understudied. Thus, this research has sought to specifically isolate a phage from soil that infects Y. pestis. There were 146 samples that were collected from across the US, focusing on those with reported cases of plague. These samples were enriched with Y. pestis to maximize the amount of potential phage that target Y. pestis. …

Red Grouper (Epinephelus Morio) Neurocranium, David Ferreiro

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Jack O’Lantern Pumpkin Response To Carfentrazone, Glufosinate, And Glyphosate Applied To The Distal Portion Of The Vine, Stephen L. Meyers, Celia Corado, Jeanine Arana Cordonero, Carlos Lopez, Lidysce Mata, Emmanuel G. Cooper, Josue Cerrito

Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture Faculty Publications

Chemical weed control in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) often relies on herbicide applications made at planting, which results in weed escapes later in the growing season. The use of postemergence herbicides in row middles is useful, especially in no-till pumpkin production, but there are limited effective options. We conducted field research in 2023 at Wanatah and Lafayette, IN, USA, to evaluate ‘Bayhorse Gold’ pumpkin response to carfentrazone, glufosinate, and glyphosate applied to 10% of the vine tip 5 weeks after planting. A non-treated control was included for comparison. Pooled across both locations at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after …

Differential Infiltration Of Key Immune T-Cell Populations Across Malignancies Varying By Immunogenic Potential And The Likelihood Of Response To Immunotherapy., Islam Eljilany, Sam Coleman, Aik Choon Tan, Martin D. Mccarter, John Carpten, Howard Colman, Abdul Rafeh Naqash, Igor Puzanov, Susanne Arnold, Michelle L. Churchman, Daniel Spakowicz, Bodour Salhia, Julian Marin, Shridar Ganesan, Aakrosh Ratan, Craig Shriver, Patrick Hwu, William S. Dalton, George J. Weiner, Jose R. Conejo-Garcia, Paulo Rodriguez, Ahmad A. Tarhini

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Background: Solid tumors vary by the immunogenic potential of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the likelihood of response to immunotherapy. The emerging literature has identified key immune cell populations that significantly impact immune activation or suppression within the TME. This study investigated candidate T-cell populations and their differential infiltration within different tumor types as estimated from mRNA co-expression levels of the corresponding cellular markers.

Methods: We analyzed the mRNA co-expression levels of cellular biomarkers that define stem-like tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), tissue-resident memory T-cells (TRM), early dysfunctional T-cells, late dysfunctional T-cells, activated-potentially anti-tumor (APA) T-cells and Butyrophilin 3A (BTN3A) isoforms, utilizing …

Breaking The Yoke: A Systematic Unmasking Of Challenges To Sustainable Rural Development In South Sudan, Gai Chol Paul

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

South Sudan, a young nation grappling with the legacy of protracted conflict, faces significant challenges in fostering sustainable rural development. While the immense potential of its vast agricultural lands remains largely untapped, the persistent triple threat of insecurity, deficient infrastructure, and the absence of robust government policy actively hinders progress. The ongoing armed conflict, characterized by inter-communal violence and sporadic attacks, casts a long shadow over rural areas in South Sudan. Thus, I developed this mixed-method multiple-case study, grounded in the sustainable livelihoods framework, to explore challenges that hinder sustainable rural development in South Sudan. I collected data through document …

Intraspecific Variability Of Rice Root Knot Nematodes Across Diverse Agroecosystems For Sustainable Management, Sandip Mondal, Arnab Purohit, Anjan Hazra, Sampa Das, Manohar Chakrabarti, Matiyar Rahaman Khan, Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Dipankar Chakraborti, Abhishek Mukherjee

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

In the rice agroecosystems of Southeast Asia, rice root knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) significantly impairs yield, representing a major species within the ‘graminis-group’ known for its morphological similarities with other root knot nematodes (RKNs). This study delves into the variations in reproductive potential, morphology, morphometrics, and genetic diversity among thirty RKN populations in rice across three distinct agroecological zones in Jharkhand, India. Despite notable differences in reproductive potential among the populations, morphological and morphometric correlations to reproductive potential were inconclusive. However, male and juvenile morphometrics were crucial for identifying intraspecific variability. Genetic analysis utilizing five molecular markers (ITS, …

Epigenetic Modifiers: Exploring The Roles Of Histone Methyltransferases And Demethylases In Cancer And Neurodegeneration, Lauren Reed, Janak Abraham, Shay Patel, Shilpa S Dhar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and histone demethylases (HDMs) are critical enzymes that regulate chromatin dynamics and gene expression through the addition and removal of methyl groups on histone proteins. HMTs, such as PRC2 and SETD2, are involved in the trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 and lysine 36, influencing gene silencing and activation. Dysregulation of these enzymes often leads to abnormal gene expression and contributes to tumorigenesis. In contrast, HDMs including KDM7A and KDM2A reverse these methylation marks, and their dysfunction can drive disease progression. In cancer, the aberrant activity of specific HMTs and HDMs can lead to the silencing …

Correction: Nepali Oral Microbiomes Reflect A Gradient Of Lifestyles From Traditional To Industrialized, Erica P Ryu, Yoshina Gautam, Diana M Proctor, Dinesh Bhandari, Sarmila Tandukar, Meera Gupta, Guru Prasad Gautam, David A Relman, Ahmed A Shibl, Jeevan Bahadur Sherchand, Aashish R Jha, Emily R Davenport

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Sympathetic Innervation Of Interscapular Brown Adipose Tissue Is Not A Predominant Mediator Of Ot-Elicited Reductions Of Body Weight Gain And Adiposity In Male Diet-Induced Obese Rats, Melise Edwards, Ha Nguyen, Andrew Dodson, Adam Herbertson, Mackenzie Honeycutt, Jared Slattery, June Rambousek, Edison Tsui, Tami Wolden-Hansen, Tomasz Wietecha, James Graham, Geronimo Tapia, Carl Sikkema, Kevin O'Brien, Thomas Mundinger, Elaine Peskind, Vitaly Ryu, Peter Havel, Arshad Khan, Gerald Taborsky, James Blevins

Selected Works Temporary Series

Recent studies indicate that central administration of oxytocin (OT) reduces body weight (BW) in high fat diet-induced obese (DIO) rodents by reducing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure (EE). Previous studies in our lab have shown that administration of OT into the fourth ventricle (4V; hindbrain) elicits weight loss and stimulates interscapular brown adipose tissue temperature (TIBAT) in DIO rats. We hypothesized that OT-elicited stimulation of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation of IBAT contributes to its ability to activate BAT and reduce BW in DIO rats. To test this, we determined the effect of disrupting SNS activation of IBAT on …

Smokejumper Obituary: Cook, James Edward "Jim" (North Cascades 1960), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

The Power Of Plate & Knowledge: Nutrition’S Role In Pcos Management For Asian American Women, Cassandra Camille Diego Curameng

Nursing | Student Research Posters

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic endocrine disorder affecting 8–11% of women worldwide, with 70% remaining undiagnosed (WHO, 2023). It presents with symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, insulin resistance, high testosterone levels, anxiety, depression, and infertility, significantly impacting quality of life and health (OASH, 2021). The symptoms of PCOS can severely impact women’s quality of life, mental health, and long-term well-being. Insulin resistance contributes to symptom severity and a 50% likelihood of developing diabetes or prediabetes by age 40 (Wang et al., 2011). Women with PCOS face a threefold increased risk of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancers (Barry …

Role Of Nanoparticles In Mitigating Chromium Toxicity: Implications, Mechanisms, Andfuture Prospects, Muhammad Umair Hassan, Adnan Noor Shah, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Inzamam-Ul-Haq, Tahir Abbas Khan, Mehmood Ali Noor, Fang Luo, Rehab O. Elnour, Mohamed Hashem, Huang Guoqin

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Chromium (Cr) is an extremely toxic metal for all living organisms and its concentration in the environment is constantly increasing due to human activities. Plants quickly absorb the Cr subsequently, it enters the human food chain and poses serious health issues. Chromium toxicity causes a serious reduction in plant growth by inducing oxidative damage and disturbing protein synthesis, enzyme activity, and nutrient uptake. Plants use diverse mechanisms to mitigate the Cr toxicity however, they are inadequate against higher concentrations of Cr. Thus is essential to diminish Cr toxicity and increase the ability of plants to tolerate Cr stress. Nano-particles (NPs) …

Coriander (Coriandrum Sativum L.) Diversity Analysis: Insights From Germplasm Resources Leading To Crop Improvement, Amit Baran Sharangi, Solanki Bal, Anirban Maji, Tarun Kumar Upadhyay, Reem Binsuwaidan, Nawaf Alshammari, Nadiyah M. Alabdallah, Adesh Kolapkar, Mohd Saeed

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Coriander, an important herb, is popular throughout the globe essentially as a spice. The current research was conducted at BCKV (Agricultural University), India to study on genetic variability and diversity amongst selected genotypes. A few phenological, morphological, and yield attributing traits viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of basal leaves/plant, number of primary branches/plant, number of secondary branches/plant, number of umbels/plant, number of umbellates/umbel, number of seeds/umbel, test weight and seed yield/plant expressed high heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean. Such traits were least influenced by environment suggesting the role of additive gene action in their …

The Purification, Characterization, And Inhibition Profile Of Some Herbicides Ofglutathione S-Transferase From Broccoli, Hacer Erdem Kiziltunç, Hali̇s Şaki̇roğlu, Mi̇ne Aksoy

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Herbicide selectivity is determined by the variability of herbicide degradation processes in weeds and crops. GlutathioneS-transferases (GSTs) have been widely studied in plants because of their role in herbicide metabolism. GSTs metabolize herbicides bycatalyzing reduced glutathione (GSH) conjugation. The significance of GSTs in herbicide metabolism has been understood by examiningGST in some plants. In this study, a GST enzyme was purified from broccoli using an affinity chromatography (glutathione agarose)method to contribute to the elucidation of plant GSTs. A characterization of the purified broccoli GST enzyme was then carried out.In the last step, the inhibition profiles of some selected types of …

In Silico Analysis Of Three-Amino Acid Loop Extension (Tale) Proteins In Phaseolusvulgaris L. And Investigation Of Their Transcript Levels In Response To Drought Stress, Fatma Nur Avci, Tarik Kirlioğlu, Aybüke Okay, Emi̇ne Sümer Aras, İlker Büyük

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Drought represents a major global threat to the environment, thus leading to food insecurity. Transcription factors (TFs) have a significant role in regulating the expression of stress-related genes. TALE genes, a type of TF, are known to regulate important biological processes like the maintenance of shoot apical meristems and root formation in plants. In this study, 35 TALE genes were identified and they were found to be categorized into KNOX-like homeodomain (KNOX) and BLH/BELL-like subfamilies in Phaseolus vulgaris according to the phylogenetic analysis. The detailed characterization of PvTALE genes using in silico analyzes further showed that segmental duplications predominate in …

Occurrence And Biodiversity Of Cyst Nematodes In Wheat And Barley Cultivation Areas Ofuşak Province, Türkiye, Seli̇n Türkay, Ebubeki̇r Yüksel, Refi̇k Bozbuğa, Di̇lek Di̇nçer, Ati̇lla Öcal, Furkan Ulaş, Muhammad Sameeullah, Abdelfettah Dababat, Mustafa İmren

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are one of the major threats to various crops including cereals. In wheat and barleyproduction, the profitability of cultivation heavily depends on the management of cyst nematodes (CNs), especially on Heteroderaavenae, H. filipjevi, and H. latipons. In this study, field surveys were conducted in wheat and barley cultivation systems of Uşak Provinceto reveal the presence and diversity of PPNs. In total, 80 wheat and barley fields were surveyed, and samples (soil and root) wereprocessed for the isolation and identification of PPNs. The PPN genera were identified to the species level based on morphologicaland morphometric characters. CNs …