Life Sciences Commons^™

Untargeted Lipidomics Reveals Novel Hdl Metabotypes And Lipid-Clinical Correlates, Peer W. F. Karmaus, Scott M. Gordon, Marcus Y. Chen, Alison A. Motsinger-Reif, Rodney W. Snyder, Timothy R. Fennell, Suramya Waidyanatha, Reshan A. Fernando, Alan T. Remaley, Michael B. Fessler

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

Plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL), originally studied for its role in lipid transport, is now appreciated to have wide-ranging biological functions that become defective during disease. While >200 lipids have collectively been detected in HDL, published HDL lipidomic analyses in different diseases have commonly been targeted to prespecified subsets of lipids. Here, we report the results of untargeted lipidomic analysis of HDL isolated from 101 subjects referred for computed tomographic coronary imaging for whom multiple additional clinical and lipoprotein metadata were measured. Unsupervised clustering of the total HDL lipidome revealed that the subjects fell into one of two discrete groups, herein …

Encapsulation Of Probiotics By Cellulose Nanocrystal-Alginate Composite Beads For Ph Stimuli-Responsive Delivery, Akrip Jati

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Microencapsulation has garnered significant interest, with oral probiotics delivery systems showing enormous potential to help restore the gut microbiome. This method holds vast potential to protect and release specific microbial strains to the desired target site (i.e., colon) within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, current encapsulation methodologies, utilizing either synthetic or biological materials as carriers, encounter challenges such as suboptimal encapsulation efficiency, premature probiotic release, and inadequate control over release kinetics. In this work, hydrogel microsphere (HM) composites of different cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) forms (i.e., colloidal (c), and crosslinked (x)) and alginate (ALG) were used as advanced controlled release systems …

The Informal, Non-Prescribed Use Of Antiretroviral Medications For Prep Among A National Us-Based Sample Of Gay, Bisexual, And Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Cross-Sectional Study, Mance E. Buttram, Matthew S. Ellis, Krishen D. Samuel, Matthew Hayhurst

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Faculty Publications and Presentations

This brief report presents findings on informal, non-prescribed PrEP use among an online sample of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (n = 196). Mean age was 33.4. Participants were Hispanic (13.3%), African American (15.8%), white (63.8%), and other race/ethnicity (6.6%). Informal PrEP users (11%) more frequently reported past year sexually transmitted infections (p < 0.001), group sex (p < 0.001), sex in public (p < 0.01), transactional sex (p < 0.001), ever receiving a formal PrEP prescription (p < 0.05), and ease of finding diverted HIV medications on gay dating/sex apps (p < 0.05). Formal PrEP uptake should be encouraged to mitigate potential negative consequences of informal use.

Investigating Nekton Response To Changing Salinities In The Mississippi Sound: An Experimental And Statistical Approach, Adam Murray

Master's Theses

The Mississippi Sound provides nursery habitats for many coastal species and is recognized for its commercial fisheries. Previous freshening events linked to the Bonnet Carré Spillway, a Mississippi River flood diversion structure, proved catastrophic for oyster populations in the Mississippi Sound, but effects on mobile fish and shellfish species are not well-defined. The planned Mid-Breton Sediment Diversion (MBSD), an initiative to combat wetland loss, is also forecasted to lower salinities in the region, increasing the need to better understand responses of commercially and ecologically important species to freshening events. The objective of this study was to characterize effects of salinity …

Geomorphic Assessment And Flow Modeling Of Pearl Darter (Percina Aurora) Habitat In The Pascagoula River Watershed, Malia Davidson

Master's Theses

Freshwater ecosystems are complex ecosystems driven by hydrologic, geomorphic, and biological processes. Considering both abiotic and biotic factors is important to understanding resident species habitat. Geomorphology is a known, but often neglected factor in habitat assessment for freshwater fishes. A crucial feature commonly seen in alluvial stream systems are sandbars, which are dynamic and variable sediment structures that are known to have many associated species. One such species is the Pearl Darter, Percina aurora, a federally threatened species that only resides in the Pascagoula River watershed. Despite its status, habitat preference remains unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, I …

Lack Of Inflammatory Response In Mouse Embryonic Cells To Listeria Infection, Damilola Oyebode

Master's Theses

Approximately 1 in 5 pregnancies in the United States results in miscarriage, with a significant percentage of these losses attributed to failed implantation due to immunological challenges encountered by the early embryo. Recent research has shown that key cell types within mouse blastocysts, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), exhibit remarkable resilience against the cytotoxic effects associated with viral infections and embryotoxic cytokines, such as TNFα and IFNγ, both of which are known to hinder blastocyst development. However, the immune properties of the preimplantation stage embryo, specifically the blastocyst, remain poorly understood. Using mouse cell model, …

Juvenile And Subadult Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser Desotoi) Use Of The Pascagoula River Estuary, Sarah Stovall

Master's Theses

Gulf Sturgeon (GS) are an anadromous species currently listed as “Threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. They reside in habitats across the northern Gulf of Mexico including coastal rivers, estuaries, and marine waters, making annual migrations between freshwater and marine habitats for spawning/summer resting and feeding, respectively. Since past studies prioritize adult movement, understanding how and when juvenile and subadult GS use the Pascagoula River estuary (PRE), a complex, bifurcated river delta federally designated as critical habitat is necessary to improve conservation efforts. My thesis assessed juvenile and subadult GS use of the PRE across four years (2020-2024) by analyzing …

Are Prediction Models Moving Closer To Clinical Application In The Diagnosis Of Type Of Diabetes In Youth?, Fida Bacha

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Relative Uptake Of Tomato Carotenoids By In Vitro Intestinal And Prostate Cancer Cells, Nancy E Moran, Brianna Alexander, Shivi Garg, Nathan Marchant, Noor A Hason

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Consumption of tomatoes and tomato carotenoids is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Prostate tissue accumulates tomato carotenoids, including lycopene, β-carotene, and phytoene. Phytoene accumulation is relatively greater in the prostate than that of lycopene, but the metabolic determinants of tissue carotenoid profiles are poorly understood.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if differences in stability, cellular uptake, and clearance of phytoene compared with lycopene or β-carotene by prostate and intestinal cells may explain differences in observed tissue carotenoid profiles.

Methods: Gene and protein expression for carotenoid metabolism in prostate cell lines were analyzed …

Exploring The Relationship Between Nutrition-Related Attitudes And Use Of Scrappy’S Cupboard Among College Students At The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, Emma Rosenberger

Honors Theses

Introduction This thesis examines the relationship between nutrition-related attitudes and the use of Scrappy’s Cupboard, a campus food pantry, among undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). This study aims to determine how students’ attitudes toward nutrition influence their likelihood of utilizing campus food resources, highlighting differences between users and non-users of Scrappy’s Cupboard. A correlation between nutrition-related attitudes and the use of Scrappy's Cupboard was expected, with pantry users reporting more positive attitudes towards nutrition compared to non-users. Methods A survey was administered to UTC students to assess their nutrition-related attitudes, food pantry usage, …

Timigp: A Computational Framework To Determine The Tumor Immune Microenvironment Associated With Prognosis And Immunotherapy Response, Chenyang Li

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Accumulating evidence has suggested that the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) drastically impacts cancer patients’ clinical outcomes, including prognosis and immunotherapy response. However, understanding TIME remains challenging due to its complexity and heterogeneity. In this dissertation, we introduce TimiGP (Tumor Immune Microenvironment Illustration based on Gene Pairs), a computational framework designed to address this challenge. Leveraging single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) and bulk gene expression data alongside clinical information, TimiGP constructs a cell-cell interaction network that elucidates the relationship between immune cell function and relevant clinical outcomes, such as prognosis and treatment response. With immunological insights, these cell-cell interactions also facilitate the development …

The Role Of Wt1 In Müllerian Duct Development, Jace Aloway

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

WT1 is a zinc finger transcription factor widely expressed in the urogenital system. Human mutations of WT1 lead to pediatric nephroblastoma as well as frequent differences of sex development (DSDs). Previous studies have suggested that WT1 acts as an activator for Amhr2, a necessary component of typical male differentiation. We used the mouse as a model to investigate the role of WT1 in sex development, where we deleted Wt1 in the Müllerian duct (MD) mesenchyme using a novel conditional null reporter allele, Wt1 flox-RFP. This allele utilizes the Cre-lox system to delete exons 8 and 9 of Wt1 …

Pharmacological Inhibition Of Lsd1/Kdm1a In Diffuse Midline Glioma Models And Impact On Kinase Signaling, Faith Angelina Hernandez, Faith Angelina Hernandez

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Diffuse Midline Gliomas (DMG) occur in the midline structures of the brain such as the brainstem. DMG, a subset of pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), confers poor prognosis in children with survival rates below two years post-diagnosis. This is heavily due to limited treatment options as radiation and chemotherapy are only temporarily effective and surgery pose high risks. DMG are characterized by histone mutations typically occurring in histone 3.1 and 3.3 alleles, with about more than 80% of patients containing the H3K27 mutation. Recent publications, highlight epigenetic modulators as promising cancer-specific targets emphasizing their potential as a novel therapeutic strategy. Epigenetic …

Characterizing And Targeting The Genomic Consequences Of Atrx Deficiency In Glioma, Sharvari Dharmaiah

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Mutational inactivation of histone chaperone ATRX (a-thalassaemia/mental retardation X-linked) represents a defining molecular feature in several cancers, including malignant glioma. As standard of care only leads to transient responses and poor outcomes, there is an unmet clinical need for developing new therapies that target ATRX-deficient glioma. Loss of ATRX gives rise to abnormal G-quadruplex DNA secondary structures at GC-rich sites of the genome, such as telomeric and pericentromeric regions, enhancing replication stress and genomic instability. These mutations are mutually exclusive with TERT promoter mutations, promoting the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway as a telomere maintenance mechanism in ATRX-deficient glioma. …

Front Matter

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Giving A Voice To The Voiceless: The Benefits Of Music Therapy For Children With Autism, Isabelle Brown-Lyden

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

The Magic Of Bioluminescence: How Animals Illuminate The Dark, Eleanor St. Clair

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

To Mine Or Not To Mine?: Discovery Of Polymetallic Nodules And Discussions On Deep-Sea Mining, Haze Doleys

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Don't Waste Heat! Innovations In Energy Conversion And Conservation From The London Tube, Noah Hamaoui

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Meet The Staff

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Back Cover, Julia Stuart

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Cuisine As A Compass: Exploring The Therapeutic Benefits Of Community, Cooking, And More Within The Lgbtqia+ Population, Sera Shevchenko, Karen Park Otd, Otr/L, Bcp, Susan Macdermott Otd, Otr/L

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: The LGBTQIA+ population experiences unique barriers to occupation and well being. Anti-LGBTQ legislation encroaches on inclusive and affirming care affecting occupational access. Limited occupational participation and additional exhaustive adaptive strategies to engage in occupations safely have an emotional cost. This research study explores how food or mealtime occupations such as cooking, eating, and hosting can support LGBTQIA+ well-being. This research was made possible by LGBTQIA+ participants that are experts of their lived experience.

Methods: This mixed methods research used both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data on the significance of food-based occupations, culture, mental health, and identity in …

How Many Tiny Snails? Circumscription Of Three Species Of Pyrgulopsis (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Hydrobiidae)In Nevada Mountain Springs, Trenton Meadows

Theses and Dissertations

The springsnail genus Pyrgulopsis is one of the most diverse groups of freshwater gastropods in North America (Hershler, 2014), with many species displaying high levels of endemism (Hurt, 2003). This study attempts to circumscribe three putative species of springsnails: Pyrgulopsis serrata, Pyrgulopsis marcida, and a newly identified clade, referred to as Lineage C, from the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, USA and nearby springs. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, we combined morphological, anatomical, and molecular data to examine species boundaries and evolutionary relationships.

Many lines of evidence were considered to determine species boundaries. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial …

Bioindicators Of Mercury In Riverine Systems, Kathryn Mudica

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury in freshwater food webs, with emphasis on bioindicators, such as macroinvertebrates, crayfish, and river otters. Despite regulatory efforts and advancements in monitoring, significant gaps remain in understanding mercury dynamics in freshwater systems—especially regarding its transport, methylation, and bioavailability across different ecosystems. To address these knowledge gaps, this study adopts a biocentric approach, emphasizing the role of living organisms in their environment. By utilizing macroinvertebrates, crayfish, and river otters as bioindicators, we aim to assess mercury bioavailability and distribution. These organisms provide varying temporal and spatial scales of mercury accumulation, offering …

Use Of Electrocardiogram To Evaluate Welfare Of Laying Hens And Chicks During Different Life Stages And Events, Ashley Elizabeth Bigge

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Three separate studies were conducted to evaluate the welfare of laying hens and chicks during different life stages. The stress responses of mature laying hens in two different scenarios were also investigated. All three studies utilized the electrocardiogram (ECG) as the chosen tool for data collection. Study 1 examined the startle response, prompted by an acute stressor that created sudden movement and noise, in White and Brown Leghorn hens housed in either cages or aviaries. The presence of a chronic stressor, a 23-hour feed failure, was also assessed as a factor. These hens had been surgically implanted with wireless ECG …

Examining Factors Of Variance In Energy Metabolism Of Dairy Cattle, Addison Lee Carroll

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Variation is thought to occur in the use of dietary energy for production in dairy cattle. First, variance can be observed when new methane mitigation strategies are fed resulting in increased H₂ output potentially resulting in downstream effects on estimates heat production via the Brouwer (1965) equation. Therefore, in chapter 3 a review was created to systematically describe the mathematics and theory behind the Brouwer equation, and rederive a heat production equation to integrate H₂ production. Results indicate heat production using the classical Brouwer equation (1965) relative to the rederived equation resulted in an overestimation of heat production …

Nitrogen Limitation In Soybean: Physiology And Diagnosis, Luzviminda Ann Ramos Sazon

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

In high-yield soybean environments, the seed yield is limited by nitrogen (N) supply. However, the response of soybean to N fertilizer application is inconsistent. Understanding the seasonal N uptake dynamics in soybean can provide insights on diagnosing N limitation if soybean. To understand soybean N dynamics, we assessed seasonal trends on dry matter and N accumulation in vegetative organs (leaves, stems, and petioles) from 42 field experiments. Each experiment included a ‘zero-N’ treatment, where crops relied on N supply from soil and biological N fixation (BNF), and a ‘full-N’ that received ample N via N fertilizer addition. Vegetative storage proteins …

Investigating The Biochemical Aspects Of Meat Tenderness, Chandler D. Stafford

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Of all the attributes that define beef's eating quality, tenderness stands out as one of the most important. Previous studies have shown that consumers are willing to pay a premium for beef that is guaranteed to be more tender and are more likely to purchase that product repeatedly. Yet, due to the influence of numerous internal and external factors, controlling and predicting tenderness remains to be difficult. However, among these factors, meat aging is the primary contributor to end-product tenderness, as it is recognized for breaking down muscle tissue via enzymes present within the muscle. The activity of these enzymes …

Morphological And Physiological Changes Of Katuray (Sesbania Grandiflora) During Seed Maturation [Research Note], Alangelico San Pascual, Lucille Elna De Guzman, Maurice Gravidez, Elijah Estante

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Katuray (Sesbania grandiflora), whose flowers are consumed as steamed vegetables, is an important green manure crop in the Philippines. Understanding different processes leading to seed maturity can aid in determining S. grandiflora’s seed quality, preventing premature harvesting for seed increase, ensuring efficient propagation and production of seedlings, and breeding new varieties of this crop. Multiple flowers were tagged, and three to five pods were collected five days after anthesis (DAA) and at a five-day interval thereafter until 100% germination was achieved. Seed size, moisture content (MC), dry weight, germination percentage, and embryo development were observed and recorded. Seed length was …

Comparative Analysis Of Household Food And Nutrition Security In Selected Philippine Urban And Rural Households During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jay-Al Reyes, Julieta Delosreyes

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study analyzed the food and nutrition security of selected urban and rural households in Pili, Camarines Sur, Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. It determined the prevalence of food insecurity among the selected urban and rural households, analyzed the determinants of food insecurity in these households, determined the prevalence of malnutrition, and assessed the relationship between the households’ food security and nutrition security. Primary data from a survey of 185 urban and rural households and secondary data from the Electronic Operation Timbang Plus (e-OPT) Tool were used to determine the prevalence of food insecurity using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale …