Life Sciences Commons^™

Tarantula Toxin Transcripts And Toxin Structure Prediction By Alphafold, Christine Vega, Rebekkah Sepulveda, Ying Jia

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Tarantula venom predominantly comprises peptides and small proteins (venom toxins). To explore this further, we generated a combined gland cDNA library from five different tarantula species. Subsequently we randomly sequenced 752 clones, which led to the identification of sixteen distinct toxin groups, including one novel group. Each group consists of a minimum of three identical sequences. A comprehensive analysis of these toxin groups was carried out, and we simulated the 3D structures of certain predicted toxins. These transcripts can be used to the production of venom toxins through recombinant techniques, offering promising applications in various biomedical applications.

Effects Of Unilateral Lower Limb Suspension On Quadriceps’ Structure And Contractile Function, Eve N. Elmore

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

BACKGROUND: Muscle unloading such as bed rest or space flight decreases strength and cross-sectional area concomitant with a slow-to-fast fiber type shift, of anti-gravitational muscles such as the quadriceps. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) quantifies tissue anisotropic properties such as Fractional Anisotropy, Mean Diffusivity, Axial Diffusivity, and Radial Diffusivity, as well as muscle volume, fascicle length, and physiological cross-sectional area, and has recently been adapted to assess skeletal muscle structure. In skeletal muscle, anisotropic properties correlate with muscle fiber type and contractile function and may be responsive to unloading-induced atrophy.

PURPOSE: To assess the changes in quadriceps’ size, anisotropy, and contractile …

Influence Of Deception Of Task Duration On The Sex-Specific Physiological, Neuromuscular, And Affective Responses To Rpe-Clamp Cycle Ergometry, Pasquale Succi

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Several theories exist to explain the interaction of sensory afferent feedback and efferent feedforward signals on the generation of a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) which influence endurance exercise pacing and performance. Within these theories, exists the premise that the expected duration of exercise plays a role within the generation of an individual’s RPE and their endurance performance. Previous work has demonstrated equivocal findings of this influence, while other research has suggested potential differences between males and females. However, an RPE-clamp model, where the external workload is modulated to maintain a constant perceptual intensity, has not previously been used to …

Altered Gait Mechanics In Marfan Syndrome, Amara G. Sharp

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

FBN1 is a gene responsible for the production of fibrillin, a major component of connective tissue throughout the body including skeletal muscle tissue. In individuals with Marfan Syndrome these mutations in FBN1 result in widespread muscle weakness and a correspondingly higher incidence of lower extremity joint pain. Despite the widespread musculoskeletal impacts of Marfan Syndrome there is a dearth of research on the potential impacts of Marfan Syndrome on gait mechanics that may be related to the high incidence of lower extremity joint pain in the Marfan Syndrome population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the potential …

Serum Interleukin-22 In Non-Segmental Vitiligo, Fatma Faisal El Dakrory, Maha Elsayed Mahmoud Elsayed, Yousra Ibrahim El-Tantawy Sadeq, Shereen Ezzalregal Alashry

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: A depigmenting skin condition called vitiligo affects 0.5–2 percent of people globally. It seems to be caused by an interaction between neurological, immunological, and genetic factors. Vitiligo is mediated by cell-mediated reactions, as Th1/Th17 and Tc1 cells. It is thought that the Th17 cell's most specialized cytokine isIL-22. Aim: To explore the blood levels of IL-22 in non-segmental vitiligo and to investigate whether it can be a biomarker in monitoring disease activity and it’s correlation with disease severity. Patient and methods: This study included thirty healthy individuals and sixty non-segmental vitiligo cases (30 with stable vitiligo and 30 with …

Ultrasound Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block Versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block As Postoperative Analgesia In Patients Undergoing Abdominal Cancer Surgery, Ghada Fouad Amer, Nevert Adel Abdel Ghaffar

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Abdominal surgeries are often linked with post-operative pain (POP). The transverse abdominal plane (TAP) block is an efficient method for POP management in these patients. The quadratus lumborum (QL) block (QLB) is another method for the POP control. The current study aims to assess the efficiency and safety of QLB and TAP block for POP control after abdominal cancer surgeries. Methods: 98 cases scheduled for abdominal cancer surgery by using general anesthesia (GA) were comprised in this randomized study. They were randomly divided into 2 equal groups :(QL group) patient received GA plus bilateral QLB, (TAP group) patient received …

Assessment Of Response Of Enteropathic Spondyloarthritis To Different Types Of Biological Therapy; An Egyptian Single Center Study, Fatma Abozeid, Marwa Besar

Mansoura Medical Journal

Introduction: Arthropathy is one of the most prevalent extraintestinal symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It may be either peripheral or axial spondyloarthropathy. Biological treatment as anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF𝛼) or anti-interleukin 12/23 (anti IL 12/23) have shown efficacy in controlling gut inflammation and reducing joint manifestation. Our aim of the study was to assess the different aspects of response (laboratory , endoscopically and radiologically) of axial arthropathy associated with IBD patients after receiving biological drugs including: anti TNF (infliximab and adalimumab)& anti IL 12/23 (ustekinumab)

Patients & methods:A single center observational study was conducted through one …

Coload Effect On Cardiac Output Measurement Using Transthoracic Echocardiography In Preeclamptic Patients Undergoing Cesarean Delivery, Sherine Ali Elsayed Bakrey, Aya Hasan Masoud Abdelhady, Alaa El-Din Mazy Abdou Mazy, Maha Ahmed Abo-Zeid Salim

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: During cesarean delivery (CD) for preeclamptic patients under spinal anaesthesia (SA), much intravenous fluids are avoided. Through transthoracic echocardiography, study conducted to assess the hypothesis that colloid plus crystalloid coload will maintain the cardiac output (CO) than crystalloid fluid alone. Methods: Thirty-four preeclamptic patients, scheduled for elective CD, under SA, were allocated according to the fluid coloading into two groups; Crystalloid group (group I); in which the patients received Ringer’s acetate or Crystalloid-colloid group (group II); in which the patients received 6% Hydroxyethyl starch and Ringer’s acetate. The primary outcome was CO while, left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), …

Ultrasound-Guided Femoro-Sciatic Nerve Block Versus Hemispinal Anesthesia In Acute Lower Limb Ischemia: A Prospective Randomized Comparative Study, Mostafa Sayed Ahmed Mohammed Elawady, Nehal Alaa El-Dien Abbass Hamza, Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed Sultan, Hazem Elsayed Moawad, Tarek Habeeb Ramadan

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) is a critical condition that requires prompt surgical intervention. The choice of anesthetic technique can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. The Purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of femoro-sciatic nerve block (FSNB) guided by ultrasound and hemispinal anesthesia (HSA) among patients undergoing surgery for acute lower limb ischemia.

Methods: We prospectively studied 44, ASA Ⅱ-Ⅲ patients whose surgeries were planned for management of acute lower limb ischemia. Eligible patients were randomly allocated into two groups to be given either HSA or ultrasound-guided FSNB. The duration of the …

Audit Of Management Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis In Mansoura Specialized Medical Hospital, Walaa M Abd-El-Fatah, Omnia I State, Basma Z Elmorsy

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Egypt is listed among the world's top ten countries regarding the highest number of people with diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a medical emergency which is associated with significant mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients. It is also a common reason for hospitalization and thus is associated with significantly high costs. However, DKA is a potentially reversible condition provided that an emergency and immediate medical attention, appropriate diagnosis and therapy were provided.

Aim: auditing the adherence to protocol for the management of DKA in our Mansoura University Hospital (Specialized Medical Hospital) in Egypt from May 2021 to …

Is Hyponatremia A Predictor Of Severity And Mortality In Covid 19 Patients?, Manal Mohammed Reda Algharbawy, Mohamed Maher El-Gamal, Eman Ali Ahmed Ali

Mansoura Medical Journal

BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia is one of the commonest water–electrolyte imbalances in the body. It can occur in coincidence with many diseases and its presence can affect the disease outcome.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: to evaluate the relation between serum sodium level and both COVID disease severity and mortality.

METHODS: Study included 164 patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Serum sodium was measured on admission. 65 patients had serum sodium more than 135 mmol/l (either normal serum sodium or mild hypernatremia) while the remaining 99 had hyponatremia. Patients were treated and followed till discharge or death. Study included 3 categories of disease …

Guillain-Barré Syndrome In Adults And Children: Differences In Clinical Features, Mahmoud Moaness Elbialy, Maha H. Khalil, Khaled Fathy, Hossam Egila

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease (AID) affecting peripheral nervous system (PNS) stimulated by either infectious (such as Campylobacter jejuni, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection) or noninfectious factors. It may occur at any age, and it is the commonest etiology of acute flaccid paralysis in pediatrics. Patients present with progressive and symmetric muscle weakness with absent or depressed deep tendon reflexes and might also have sensory manifestations such as Paresthesia in the hands and feet, dysautonomia and cranial nerve affection such as facial palsy or bulbar affection Aim: This study assessed …

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy And Obesity In Adults, Mahmoud Fathy Saleh, Mohammed Abbas, Mostafa Mansour, M. Saad

Mansoura Medical Journal

Background: Epilepsy is a common, chronic, and disabling neurologic state. Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the commonest, and best-defined, form of symptomatic localization-related epilepsy. Obesity-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are thought to participate in the initiation and progression of epilepsy. Obesity is a potentially preventable predisposing factor for drug resistant epilepsy (DRE).

Objective: the aim of this study was to investigate the association of TLE with obesity and the effect of obesity on seizure control.

Methods: This case control study was carried out on 50 patients with TLE and was divided into two groups, …

Usu Extension Sustainability Permaculture Initiative: 2024 Impact Report, Sydney Fisk, Roslynn Brain Mccann, Jake Powell

Extension Research

2024 Impact Report includes information about Harvest Donations, Tomato Reallocation Project, Ivory Prize, Online Engagement, Garden Events, and Workshops, Webinars, & Tours.

Diet And Population Genomics Of River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) In West Virginia, Eden Grace Nitza

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

North American river otters (Lontra canadensis), hereafter, otters, are apex predators in aquatic ecosystems across Appalachia, and thus have important impacts on their ecosystems such as food web regulation, nutrient cycling, and reducing the impacts of invasive species. Otters were extirpated from most of Appalachia, including all of West Virginia, by the mid-1900’s due to habitat destruction and overharvest. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) began an otter reintroduction program in 1984 which translocated approximately 250 otters into the state by 1997. This reintroduction program was largely considered successful, and a regulated harvest season was opened …

Building Better Biofuel Crops: A Field Evaluation Of Transgenic Populus Modified To Improve Feedstock Performance For Bioenergy Use, Molli Elisabeth Coombs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A transition away from fossil fuel use is necessary for the future of energy production, and biofuels are a renewable energy option that can mitigate the impacts of fossil fuels through lowered carbon emissions and possible carbon sequestration. In order to successfully compete with fossil fuels, the production of biofuels must be sustainable and cost effective. Populus species are a biofuel crop used for bioenergy conversion from lignocellulosic biomass that have been proposed for use in feedstock plantations on marginal lands, which would avoid competition with agricultural production. Two challenges of feedstock production being faced are recalcitrance to chemical processing, …

Better Understanding The Barred Owl, Adam Lee Potts

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis research presents an analysis of barred owl nest site selection in an understudied region of their expanded range. The barred owl has dramatically expanded its range westwards over the last 150 years, prompting multiple conflicting reinterpretations of their species account. Hypotheses of range expansion are reviewed to provide context for this study’s research. This study gathers empirical data on nest site selection in the mixed conifer forests of Montana’s Seeley-Swan and Mission Valleys. Eight barred owl nests were located following extensive territory surveys. Field measurements of tree height and diameter using USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plot …

Adjusting For Covariates Representing Potential Confounders, Mediators, Or Competing Predictors In The Presence Of Measurement Error: Dispelling A Potential Misapprehension And Insights For Optimal Study Design With Nutritional Epidemiology Examples, Roger S Zoh, Diana M Thomas, Carmen D Tekwe, Xiaoxin Yu, Colby J Vorland, Nikhil V Dhurandhar, David M Klurfeld, David B Allison

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Variables such as dietary intake are measured with error yet frequently used in observational epidemiology. Although this limitation is sometimes noted, these variables are still often modeled as covariates without formal correction or sincere dialogue about measurement unreliability potentially weakening the validity of statistical conclusions. Further, larger sample sizes increase power (bias) to detect spurious correlations. Counterintuitively, recent work suggested a non-monotonic relationship between confounder unreliability and how much controlling for the confounder reduces (or induces) bias when testing for an exposure-outcome association. If true, such non-monotonicity would be especially concerning for applications such as nutrition, where measurement reliability …

Catalyzing Communities Of Research Rigour Champions, Audrey C Brumback, William X Q Ngiam, Dana M Lapato, David B Allison, Christin L Daniels, Michael Dougherty, Haley F Hazlett, Kara L Kerr, Susan Pusek, Naomi Schrag

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The biomedical sciences must maintain and enhance a research culture that prioritizes rigour and transparency. The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke convened a workshop entitled 'Catalyzing Communities of Research Rigor Champions' that brought together a diverse group of leaders in promoting research rigour and transparency (identified as 'rigour champions') to discuss strategies, barriers and resources for catalyzing technical, cultural and educational changes in the biomedical sciences. This article summarizes 2 days of panels and discussions and provides an overview of critical barriers to research rigour, perspectives behind reform initiatives and considerations for stakeholders across science. Additionally, we …

Evaluation Of A Novel Corn Fermented Protein Ingredient, Probiotics, And Postbiotics On Nursery Pig Growth Performance And Gut Health, Juan F. Castillo Zuniga

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Weaning is a necessary step in pig production. After weaning, pigs are subjected to various nutritional, psychological, and environmental stresses. The weaning period is an important period for the intestinal development of the pig. During this time, digestion, immunity, metabolism, and various other aspects of the pig change rapidly. Therefore, providing high-quality feed ingredients is crucial to encourage the newly weaned pig to start consuming solid feed. Two independent studies were conducted to determine if the inclusion of: 1) corn fermented protein (CFP) or 2) probiotics or postbiotics impact nursery pigs' growth performance and gut health. The first experiment utilized …

The Relationship Between Soil Test Phosphorus And Soil Biology - A Natural Management Of Soil Phosphorus Through Conservation Practices, Clarence Frederick Winter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Phosphorus (P) management is an ongoing challenge in modern agriculture. Due to the importance of P in agriculture, P fertilizer additions are made throughout the U.S. to avoid nutrient-depleted soil. However, the application of P is problematic, as an excess of P in an agricultural system elevates the risk of environmental degradation, and current synthetic P sources are a fleeting resource. Additionally, a majority of P found in agricultural soils are insoluble, in the form of secondary and primary P minerals, making this large pool of P unavailable to plants. Fortunately, soil fungi organisms, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) …

Identification And Characterization Of Three Novel Rumen Bacterial Species In Sheep Fed A Concentrate Diet, Reid Frederick Anema

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sheep production in the United States is a popular venture for both small farmers and large enterprise owners, as there is a market for end products such as wool and meat. One major factor of raising sheep is nutrition as an adequate diet will allow an animal to reach its full genetic potential for growth. With that in mind, the composition of the diet must be formulated to benefit the animal. Ruminants have the ability to use a variety of plants that are often inedible for humans to create products that humans can consume. These varying feedstuffs, whether they include …

Ecophysiology Of Bradyrhizobium Diazoefficiens Usda 110, Armaan Kaur Sandhu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With increasing demand for soybean, maximizing plant yield is important yiel is dependent on nitrogen availability, but nitrogen fertilizers can meet the plant's needs but have severe environmental impacts. An economically and environmentally sustainable approach is to enhance nitrogen availability through Biological Nitrogen Fixation by symbiotic rhizobia, Bradyrhizobium, an efficient nitrogen fixer for soybean. This symbiosis begins with attachment of rhizobia to legume roots. Root and rhizobia surface properties play a significant role in this attachment. Another major factor affecting root colonization is bacterial competition ability. There is a lack of knowledge on the role of bacterial surface properties, competition …

Development And Characterization Of Transparent Soil Using Biodegradable Polysaccharides, Said Badshah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Using The Microbiome To Assess The Health Status Of The Individuals Recovered From The East Marshall Street Well, Arian Karim

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

In 1994, during the construction of the Kontos Building on the Medical College of Virginia Campus, a well on East Marshall Street was discovered to contain artifacts and human remains of African descent. Upon archaeological analysis by the Smithsonian, the ancestral remains can be dated back to the mid-19th century, when grave robbing and the use of cadavers for anatomical purposes [BS1] in medical schools were common. The human oral microbiome is the second largest human microbiota, containing over 600 species of organisms. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiome can lead to the overgrowth of pathogenic species, resulting in illness and …

Abundance And Habitat Associations Of Bivalves In Mosquito Lagoon, A Preliminary Survey, Mariam Sonbol

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigates the understudied abundance and habitat associations of bivalves in Mosquito Lagoon. Seagrass habitats were found to support the highest diversity of mollusks in earlier surveys (Mikkelsen et al., 1995). Twelve sites, including seagrass-vegetated, unvegetated, and seagrass-restored areas, were sampled in March and May 2024. Habitat characteristics, such as sediment composition and seagrass cover, were analyzed alongside bivalve populations. Across all sites, 6 genera were identified among 44 individuals. Overall abundance and diversity of bivalves collected were low in all sites, and most individuals were juveniles. Sediment characteristics influenced differences in diversity across site types, with restored sites …

Epitope Mapping Novel Monoclonal Antibodies Against Borrelia Burgdorferi Surface Proteins Ospc And Bmpa, Eliza M. Doyle

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In response to the progressive nature of Lyme disease, direct diagnostic testing of Borrelia burgdorferi surface proteins was proposed as a quicker and more sensitive alternative to the current indirect detection methods. To determine the ability of novel monoclonal antibodies to detect the surface lipoproteins BmpA and OspC, recombinant fragments of these proteins were created. These fragments were tested against the putative diagnostic antibodies via western blotting as a means to map the epitope of each of the proteins that the respective antibodies recognize. All BmpA fragments with deletions on the N-terminal end exhibited reactivity, indicating that the epitope is …

The Effect Of Intermittent Fasting, Caloric Restriction And Exercise On Aging And Longevity: Systematic Review, Romi Hardin

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the effects of caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, and exercise on human longevity and aging, and explore their practical applications and inclusions into a healthy lifestyle. By reviewing the existing research and studies, this literature review focuses on identifying and explaining the biological mechanism behind these practices and exploring whether combining practices can be advantageous in extending not only lifespan but health span. The results generally indicate that following either caloric restriction or intermittent fasting and participating in regular exercise have immense results on promoting healthy aging in an …

Co-Occurrence Of Autism Spectrum Disorder And Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With Idiopathic Hypersomnia: Data From The Hypersomnia Foundation Registry, Sophie Sevan Mikkelsen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In recent years, hypersomnia patients and researchers alike have increasingly discussed the possibility of heightened comorbidities, or co-occurrences, of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with the central disorders of hypersomnolence: idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) and narcolepsy (N). While a few scarce studies have investigated a link between ADHD and N, there has been no research on the co-occurrence of these conditions with IH. This study, using data from the Hypersomnia Foundation’s CoRDS Patient Registry, is the first to identify self-reported rates of ASD and ADHD diagnoses by people with idiopathic hypersomnia. Four chi-square tests were conducted to determine …

How Hormonal Contraceptives Influence Injury In Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Ashley V. Malvita

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Research indicates that female athletes have a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Hormone fluctuations throughout the different periods of the menstruation cycle impacts the risk of injuries for women. Contraceptive use, most used in the form of an oral contraceptive pill, directly effects hormones and menstrual cycle related symptoms, with evidence of ameliorating some symptoms. Oral contraceptive use is suggested to influence musculoskeletal injuries in female athletes. However, there is little research and data that explores the direct relationship between oral contraceptive use and the injury rates of female athletes. Within this systematic review, five articles investigating this relationship fulfilled …