Life Sciences Commons^™

Effect Of Resistance Training On Physical Function During Chemotherapy In Colon Cancer, Justin C. Brown, Shengping Yang, Stephanie L.E. Compton, Kristin L. Campbell, Elizabeth M. Cespedes Feliciano, Sara Quinney, Barbara Sternfeld, Bette J. Caan, Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt, Kathryn H. Schmitz

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: The decline of physical function during chemotherapy predicts poor quality of life and premature death. It is unknown if resistance training prevents physical function decline during chemotherapy in colon cancer survivors. Methods: This multicenter trial randomly assigned 181 colon cancer survivors receiving postoperative chemotherapy to home-based resistance training or usual care control. Physical function outcomes included the short physical performance battery, isometric handgrip strength, and the physical function subscale of the Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36-item questionnaire. Mixed models for repeated measures quantified estimated treatment differences. Results: At baseline, participants had a mean (SD) age of 55.2 (12.8) years; 67 …

Epigenome-Wide Association Study Of Lung Cancer Among Never Smokers In Two Prospective Cohorts In Shanghai, China, Batel Blechter, Andres Cardenas, Xuting Wang, Bu-Tian Ji, Wei Hu, Qiuyin Cai, H Dean Hosgood, Gong Yang, Jianxin Shi, Jirong Long, Yu-Tang Gao, Douglas A Bell, Wei Zheng, Nathaniel Rothman, Qing Lan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The aetiology of lung cancer among individuals who never smoked remains elusive, despite 15% of lung cancer cases in men and 53% in women worldwide being unrelated to smoking. Epigenetic alterations, particularly DNA methylation (DNAm) changes, have emerged as potential drivers. Yet, few prospective epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS), primarily focusing on peripheral blood DNAm with limited representation of never smokers, have been conducted.

METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study of 80 never-smoking incident lung cancer cases and 83 never-smoking controls within the Shanghai Women's Health Study and Shanghai Men's Health Study. DNAm was measured in prediagnostic oral rinse …

Role Of Acute Alcohol Exposure In Klebsiella Pneumoniae-Induced Pneumonia, Prantho Malakar Dipta

LSU Master's Theses

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), a Gram-negative bacterium, induces severe pneumonia associated with devastating pathological consequences in the lung, such as substantial parenchymal damage. K. pneumoniae is responsible for causing life-threatening lung infections in patients with alcoholics and diabetics. The need to look for new therapeutic approaches is due to the emergence of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains that are resistant to many drugs. The effects of acute alcohol consumption on the host’s innate immune response to KP during infection remain unclear. Age-matched C57BL/6 female mice were administered 6g/kg of 32% alcohol or same amount of PBS via oral gavage 30 minutes prior to …

Enhancing The Carbon Monoxide Oxidation Performance Through Surface Defect Enrichment Of Ceria-Based Supports For Platinum Catalyst, Shaohua Xie, Yue Lu, Kailong Ye, Wei Tan, Sufeng Cao, Daekun Kim, Jeremia Loukusa, Yaobin Li, Yan Zhang, Lu Ma, Steven N Ehrlich, Nebojsa S Marinkovic, Jiguang Deng, Maria Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, Fudong Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Effective synthesis and application of single-atom catalysts on supports lacking enough defects remain a significant challenge in environmental catalysis. Herein, we present a universal defect-enrichment strategy to increase the surface defects of CeO2-based supports through H2 reduction pretreatment. The Pt catalysts supported by defective CeO2-based supports, including CeO2, CeZrOx, and CeO2/Al2O3 (CA), exhibit much higher Pt dispersion and CO oxidation activity upon reduction activation compared to their counterpart catalysts without defect enrichment. Specifically, Pt is present as embedded single atoms on the CA support with enriched surface defects (CA-HD) based on which the highly active catalyst showing embedded …

Extracellular Vesicles, Circadian Rhythms, And Cancer: A Comprehensive Review With Emphasis On Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Baharan Fekry, Lierni Ugartemendia, Nestor F Esnaola, Laura Goetzl

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This review comprehensively explores the complex interplay between extracellular vesicles (ECVs)/exosomes and circadian rhythms, with a focus on the role of this interaction in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Exosomes are nanovesicles derived from cells that facilitate intercellular communication by transporting bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, and RNA/DNA species. ECVs are implicated in a range of diseases, where they play crucial roles in signaling between cells and their surrounding environment. In the setting of cancer, ECVs are known to influence cancer initiation and progression. The scope of this review extends to all cancer types, synthesizing existing knowledge on the various roles …

Hiv/Aids-Associated Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Treating Disadvantaged Communities Among Pre-Community-Based Dental Education Dental Students In The Us, Aditi Tomar, Hannah Balcezak, Shirley Lewis Miranda, Marie C Latortue, Richa Chinchkhandi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This study examines HIV/AIDS-associated knowledge and attitudes towards treating disadvantaged communities among predoctoral dental students in U.S. dental schools who have not yet commenced their Community-Based Dental Education (CBDE) training. It also compares the difference in the knowledge and attitudes between students with reported community engagement with PLWHA and those without. Our study comprised 89 predoctoral dental students within their D1-D3 years of dental school who had not yet initiated their Community-Based Dental Education (referred to as pre-CBDE dental students). Their responses were collected via an online survey. The participants were 68% females, 94% heterosexual, and with a mean age …

Biophysics Of Protein-Lipid Interactions, Paula A Bender, Vasanthi Jayaraman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The biological phenomenon of protein-lipid interactions in cell membranes underlies the diversity of peripheral membrane protein function and physical properties of the membrane. To summarize novel findings in the field, this research highlight focuses on recent publications in Biophysical Journal.

Analysis Of The Potential For Enhancing The Efficiency Of A Floating Photovoltaic (Fpv) System, How-Ping Wu, Ching-Yi Tseng, Chuan-Chung Jen, Yuan-Ching Chiang, Sih-Li Chen

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study examined the power generation capabilities of FPV systems and the advantages of employing active cooling on floating solar panels. Floating solar panels exhibit improved efficiency due to operating at lower temperatures facilitated by the cooling effect of water evaporation. Additionally, the high availability of water renders the application of the active cooling technique economically viable. This study developed a comprehensive simulation of a floating solar system, integrating a mathematical model to validate experimental findings and a temperature model derived from an energy equation specific to floating solar panels. This model calculates the heat transfer among the three different …

Skills And Hills: Factors That Influence Women’S And Non-Binary College Students’ Decisions To Commute Via Bicycle, Emily Dzieniszewski, Ashley N. Myers, Lucas D. Elliott, Melissa Bopp

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 17(8): 1003-1015, 2024. College students, who actively travel in the forms of walking and/or bicycling, have shown a wide range of physical and mental health benefits. Despite the known benefits of bicycling, participation is influenced by various demographics, including gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. Universities have the potential to promote active travel participation to all populations. The study aimed to understand the environmental and social factors influencing female students’ decision to commute via bicycle in a university setting. A volunteer sample of female college students (n=153) were surveyed to identify common themes from the …

Energy Drinks, Shots, And Pre-Workout Supplements: A Brief Review, Jason M. Curtis, Jose Antonio

Journal for Sports Neuroscience

Abstract

Introduction: There are many purported benefits, both physically and mentally, to consuming energy drinks, energy shots, and multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements ¹.

Methods: This current review, we used studies that investigated the benefits of ED, ES, and MIPS products. We looked for studies that reported the effects of these products, both physical and/or mental.

Review Findings: Current literature on these products suggests that the consumption of these ergogenic aids may increase power, force production, anaerobic production, muscular endurance, and endurance performance in athletes as well as improvement in many indices of mental performance ^2,15.

Practical …

Effects Of Two Grazing Conditions On The Reproductive Achievement Of Male Alpaca In The Northern Peru Grasslands, C Pinares, E Malpartida, S Cortez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Alpaca have recently been introduced to the northern Peru grasslands (Jalca). Effects of two systems of grazing management, co-grazing (with sheep) under fair grassland condition (CGFC) versus exclusive grazing under good grassland condition (EGGC), upon the reproductive achievement was examined from the 6th to the 16th month of age. Each system involved 20 Huacaya animals, managed by individual herders. Availability of herbage preferred by alpaca (HMA) and animal measurements (herbage intake, liveweight, testicle size, penis release from preputial attachments, plasma testosterone) were monitored monthly. Puberty, judged by the penis release from the preputial attachments, was achieved by 7 …

Experiences Of Eight Ohio Beef And Sheep Producers With Year Round Grazing, H M. Bartholomew, S L. Boyles, B Carter, E Vollborn, D Miller, R M. Sulc

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Livestock producers participated in a demonstration project to extend the grazing season and evaluate dormant forage quality and yield. Differences were not detected in yields among forage species but yield differences existed among sites. Yield estimates did not change over time across all forage species but some sites were only able to participate for two months. Producers utilizing fescue beyond November had reductions in herbage mass. Crude protein, available crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber content differed among forage species and sites. Energy and lignin content were similar for all forage species and sites. Sodium and copper …

Forage Production Of Irrigated Lecerne- Grass Mixtures Grazed By Sheep, M L. Enrique, D P. Minon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The forage production and botanical changes of lucerne cultivars in pure stands and in grass mixtures were studied in a split-plot experiment with irrigation and sheep grazing. The non dormant lucerne cultivars (Medicago sativa) CUF 101, Monarca SPINTA, P 30 and common were the main plots, and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), canarygrass (Phalaris aquatica), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), tall wheatgrass (Thynopirum ponticum) and prairie grass (Bromus catharticus) were the subplots. The experiment was grazed 3, 6 and 4 times during 3 years. Total yield was similar for all lucerne …

Oat Grazing: Forage Composition And Supplementation Response, A J. Freddi, M J. Arzadun, A A. Pissani, P Sastre

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Oat forage (Avena sativa), which has low soluble carbohydrates (SC) and high soluble protein (SP) content, can reduce liveweight gain of grazing animals; supplementation with grain and low degradability protein may serve to counteract the effect. A grazing trial was carried out on two soils with different nitrogen (NO3 -) availability, from 16 April 1994 to 6 September 1994. Steers were randomly allocated to 3 treatments: low nitrogen (LN), high nitrogen (HN) and high nitrogen with supplementation (HNS). Forage of LN showed lower SP (p<0.05) during the first month of grazing, and higher SC (p<0.05), than HN during the first two months of the trial. Animal liveweight gain was: 892, 909 and 775 g/an/day for LN, HNS and HN, respectively, with animals in HN of significantly lower liveweight gain (p<0.05). Under the conditions of this trial, animals grazing on oat forage with lower SC and higher SP had lower liveweight gain and responded to supplementation.

Native And Introduced Forage Systems For Cow-Calf Production, S W. Coleman, W A. Phillips, J D. Volesky

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objectives of this study was to compare a highly productive introduced warm-season perennial grass to native range for cowcalf production over two years. Three systems, 1) native range with pelleted soybean or cottonseed meal as winter protein supplement (NC); 2) native range with wheat pasture (NW); and 3) Plains Bluestem with wheat pasture (PB) were compared. Protein supplements were given twice weekly and cows grazing wheat pasture were allowed 6 hrs to graze. Cows on NW were heavier with higher condition at breeding in the spring of 1994 than those on NC and cows on PB were heavier and …

Rotational Stocking And Soil Nutrient Distribution On Hawaiian Grasslands, B W. Mathews, J P. Tritschler, L E. Sollenberger

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A naturalized kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov.) grassland was grazed by heifers (Bos taurus) for 2 years to determine the effects of two rotational stocking methods (short vs. long grazing periods) on soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S distribution in paddocks with natural shade. Additionally, kikuyugrass-greenleaf desmodium (Desmodium intortum Urb.) paddocks were used to evaluate soil nutrient distribution in rotationally stocked paddocks (long grazing periods) without shade. In the study with shade, soil N, P, and K distribution did not differ between stocking methods. These nutrients accumulated within 15 m of shade, but did not …

Relationship Between Height And Sward Quality In Rotational Dairy Systems, M R. Mosquera-Losada, A Gonzalez-Rodriguez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Height is a good guide for management in dairy systems.Intake by dairy cows depends on amount offered and quality of pasture and for this reason a relationship between that offered and pasture quality with height should be studied. The experiment was conducted in NW of Spain with three different stocking rates in dairy systems. A lower quality sward was found in the taller offered pasture as indicated by its higher ADF and lower CP percentages. Total sward ADF (kg x ha-a) was higher in taller offered pasture, which indicated a lower pasture quality, however the total CP was positively related …

Non-Destructive Methods For The Estimation Of Sward Production, M R. Mosquera-Losada, A Gonzalez-Rodriguez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two non- destructive methods of grass production were compared: grassmeter and sward stick, in order to find an equation for transforming one into the other in dairy rotational systems. Linear, logarithmic and quadratic equations were fitted to the data. Linear equation was preferred by simplicity. General equations which included all the year periods showed no differences between sward stick and grassmeter. A detailed study of the different phenology states showed lower heights with grassmeter than with the sward stick method, which should take into account grazing management height recommendations.

The Impact Of Xenophobia On Agricultural Trade In South Africa, Maxwell Peprah Amponsem

LSU Master's Theses

The growing number of farm attacks and xenophobia is one of the most serious crime issues facing the South African government. This study examines the impact of xenophobia on agricultural trade, using port-level trade data and xenophobia incident records from 2010 to 2023. Utilizing fixed effects Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) specifications, I find a significant negative impact of xenophobia on agricultural exports, while non-agricultural trade remains unaffected. These findings highlight the need for targeted policy interventions to combat xenophobic violence and stabilize the agricultural sector, ensuring the continuity of South Africa's trade and economic growth.

Application Of Automated Radio Telemetry To Explore Space Use Of Golden-Cheeked Warblers (Setophaga Chrysoparia), Michael Gamble

LSU Master's Theses

Understanding the spatiotemporal ecology of birds is essential to inform conservation and management decisions that could help maintain bird populations and reverse current population trends. Advancements in automated radio telemetry systems (ARTS) may improve our ability to monitor animal movements continuously and simultaneously but require further testing and development to maximize their benefits for wildlife research. My goals were (1) to investigate the use of automated telemetry to track fine-scale songbird movements in a forested environment, and (2) to use automated telemetry to quantify home range size, spatial overlap between home ranges, and extraterritorial forays for male and female golden-cheeked …

Oregon State Rank Assessment For Midget Quillwort (Isoetes Minima), Lindsey K. Wise

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Oregon state conservation status assessment for midget quillwort (Isoetes minima) using NatureServe methodology, 2024.

Elevational Gradients Shape Bee Network Structure And Community Composition Across Tropical Lowland To Montane Forests In Costa Rica, Jenny Hsu

Online Theses and Dissertations

Mutualistic networks, such as those between plants and pollinators, play a crucial role in ecosystem stability and resilience. Previous theoretical work has posited that mutualistic networks with higher diversity, connectance, nestedness, interaction diversity and more generalist species are more resilient and stable. However, in some ecosystems, specialized interactions and specialists may promote network stability. Drivers of network properties in the neotropics, especially low and mid-elevations, remain relatively unknown, and thus this area should receive special attention. Replicated empirical networks comparing properties along environmental gradients in these regions can help contribute to resolving this debate. A total of 28 networks, replicated …

Short-Term Time-Series Observations Of Phytoplankton Light-Absorption And Productivity In Prydz Bay, Coastal Antarctica, Sarat C. Tripathy, Anvita U. Kerkar, P. Sabu, Sunil K. Padhi, Sudarsana R. Pandi, Amit Sarkar, Bhaskar V. Parli, Rahul Mohan

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The optical characteristics of coastal Antarctic waters exhibit complexity due to the dynamic hydrography influenced by meltwater intrusion, which alters nutrient levels, thermohaline structure, and optically active substances (OAS) regimes. Studies on bio-optical variability and its implications on phytoplankton productivity (PP) are scanty in coastal polar regions. On this backdrop, time-series measurements (72 h at 6 h intervals) of bio-optical properties such as phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a), absorption (aph), and total suspended matter (TSM) concurrently with PP were measured to understand their interplay and variability in relation to the ambient physicochemical settings in the under-sampled Prydz Bay, coastal Antarctica. Our findings …

Efficacy Of Liver Free And Chitosan Against Eimeria Tenella In Chickens, Zhang Yu, Abdulaziz Alouffi, Ebtsam Al-Olayan, Gungor Cagdas Dincel, G. Tellez-Isaias, Inkar Castellanos-Huerta, Danielle Graham, Victor M. Petrone-Garcia, Beniamino T. Cenci-Goga, Luca Grispoldi, Luis Madeiro De Carvalho, Saeed El-Ashram

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Eimeria spp. are the pathogen that causes coccidiosis, a significant disease that affects intensively reared livestock, especially poultry. Anticoccidial feed additives, chemicals, and ionophores have routinely been employed to reduce Eimeria infections in broiler production. Therefore, the shift to antibiotic-free and organic farming necessitates novel coccidiosis preventive strategies. The present study evaluated the effects of potential feed additives, liver free and chitosan, against Eimeria tenella infection in White Leghorn broiler female chickens. One hundred sixty-five 1-day-old White Leghorn broiler female chicks were divided into 11 groups (15 female chicks per group), including the positive control group (G1), the negative control …

Breathing In Danger: Understanding The Multifaceted Impact Of Air Pollution On Health Impacts, Fu Chen, Wanyue Zhang, Manar Fawzi Bani Mfarrej, Muhammad Hamzah Saleem, Khalid Ali Khan, Jing Ma, António Raposo, Heesup Han

All Works

Air pollution, a pervasive environmental threat that spans urban and rural landscapes alike, poses significant risks to human health, exacerbating respiratory conditions, triggering cardiovascular problems, and contributing to a myriad of other health complications across diverse populations worldwide. This article delves into the multifarious impacts of air pollution, utilizing cutting-edge research methodologies and big data analytics to offer a comprehensive overview. It highlights the emergence of new pollutants, their sources, and characteristics, thereby broadening our understanding of contemporary air quality challenges. The detrimental health effects of air pollution are examined thoroughly, emphasizing both short-term and long-term impacts. Particularly vulnerable populations …

Examining The Oxidation States Of Metals In Aerosols Emitted By Electronic Cigarettes, Kashala Fabrice Kapiamba, Stephen Yaw Owusu, Yangtao Wu, Yue-Wern Huang, Yi Jiang, Yang Wang

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) emit many toxic substances, including metals, that can pose a threat to users and the environment. The toxicity of the emitted metals depends on their oxidation states. Hence, this study examines the oxidation states of metals observed in EC aerosols. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the filters that collected EC aerosols identified the oxidation states of five primary metals (based on surface sample analysis), including chromium(III) (close to 100%) under low power setting while a noticeable amount of chromium(VI) (15%) at higher power settings of the EC, and copper(II) (100%), zinc(II) (100%), nickel(II) (100%), lead(II) (65%), and …

Support For Climate Shaping The Mitochondrial Dna Contact Zone In The Audubon's Warbler, Kyana Nina Montoya

Biology ETDs

Mitochondrial introgression has potential consequences for physiology and adaptation, but its causes are poorly understood. The Audubon’s Warbler (AUWA; Setophaga coronata auduboni) provides a case study to examine those causes as mitochondrial introgression has swept through part of the range. The northern mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) introgressed from the Myrtle Warbler (MYWA; S. c. coronata) and is 4% divergent from the southern mtDNA. Incomplete introgression suggests discordant AUWAs conferred a selective advantage in the north; it was hypothesized that energetic demands associated with migration formed this advantage. We tested two hypotheses to explain partial introgression and the mtDNA distribution …

Patterns Of Stand Structure And Species Composition Through Time And Space In A Piñon- Juniper Woodland In The Southwestern Us, Kyle H. Gonterman

Biology ETDs

Piñon- juniper (PJ) woodlands in the Southwest United States are expected to see mortality and structural change in response to climate change. The extent to which this habitat structures itself as well as its response to these changes over time are not well known yet and have not been examined to this extent for the location of this study within the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Within a small range, we discovered these woodlands consist of persistent woodland, shrubby woodland, and juniper savanna in which structural, spatial, and regeneration patterns differ. In this study, we discovered the specific differences between these …

Ponderosa Pine Plant Community Response To High-Severity Wildfire In The Jemez Mountains, Samantha Brodley

Biology ETDs

Climate change related temperature increases, and precipitation shifts, along with an increase in fuel loads have rendered large areas of the Southwest more prone to high-severity fire for longer periods of time throughout each year. Fire adapted forests that experience high-severity, stand replacing fires are not consistently experiencing dominant tree species regeneration, and appear, in some cases, to be shifting into novel systems. We collected and analyzed up to 11 years of understory plant community data in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, to address early forest regeneration after high and low severity …

Conservation Genomic Investigation Of A Threatened Trout Species Endemic To The Gila River, David Thomas Camak

Biology ETDs

Climate change is a looming threat to the persistence of species, especially aquatic, imperiled species. Species native to desert streams are at a particular disadvantage, as many species already face drought, floods, wildfires, and threats from nonnative species, all of which are thought to be exacerbated by climate change. Species such as the threatened Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) already have small ranges and persist in fragmented and isolated habitats that limits gene flow between populations. Therefore, it is important to understand the current genomic status of such populations to be able to predict the future effects of climate …