Biology Commons^™

Manganese Chloride Effects Chondrogenesis Of Atdc5 Cells, Isabella Somera

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Manganese is an essential trace element found in humans, which aids in several processes including brain and nerve function, glucose metabolism, calcium absorption, and bone formation and homeostasis. Specifically, bone homeostasis utilizes osteoblasts and osteoclasts, cells which function to build and reabsorb bone respectively, as well as chondrocytes, cells which aid in endochondral ossification. Chondrocytes deposit extracellular matrix components, such as aggrecan, collagen, and proteoglycans, that provide the necessary scaffold for osteoblasts to synthesize and mineralize bone. Activation of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway influences the regulation of several cellular processes, such as skeletal development and bone homeostasis. In this study, …

Investigation Of The Effect Of Trace Element, Copper Chloride, On Chondrogenic Cell Line, Atdc5 Function, Alexandra Bambrick

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Copper chloride (CuCl₂) is an essential trace element found in humans, which helps to aid in brain and nerve function, glucose metabolism, calcium absorption, and bone formation. Bone formation utilizes a variety of cell types, including, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and chondrocytes. Chondrocytes deposit cartilage components like collagen and proteoglycans that provide the necessary scaffold for osteoblasts to synthesize and mineralize bone. Copper chloride is known to aid in osteogenesis, maintain bone metabolism, and regulate bone mineral density, but its role in chondrogenesis is still unclear (15).

In this study, it is hypothesized that CuCl₂ treatments would enhance chondrogenic …

Drosophila Melanogaster As A Model For Male Reproductive System Ethanol Toxicity, Gbemisola Ilelaboye

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Drosophila melanogaster has been extensively used in different types of research as a model organism due to its high reproductivity, short life span, and easy maintenance. In this paper, we examined drosophila as a model for ethanol toxicity in the male reproductive system. We developed three assays: The DAPI assay, sperm viability assay, and tubulin staining assay. The DAPI assay is a nuclear staining assay that assesses the effects of various ethanol concentrations in late spermiogenesis in which increased detrimental effects to the sperm bundles were observed. The second assay consisted of the sperm viability assay which showed an increase …

Effects Of Sodium Orthovanadate On Lps-Induced Senescent Raw 264.7 Cells, Andrew Pugliese

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Cellular senescence is considered a signal transduction process where damaged or stressed cells arrest proliferation. Exogenous stressors including bacterial infection, chemotherapy, and irradiation can drive normal cells to senescence. Sodium orthovanadate (Na₃VO₄) is a phosphatase inhibitor known to mediate the release of the proinflammatory cytokine, TNF-a. We hypothesized that NaVO₄ treatment will reduce proinflammatory expression from senescent cells. In our study we illustrate that prolonged exposure to LPS caused RAW 264.7 cells induced morphological changes indicative of senescent cells including the formation of giant multinucleated cells (GMCs). Furthermore, we found that RAW 264.7 GMC cells …

Clinically Relevant Dosage Of Vancomycin Does Not Negatively Impact Periosteum Derived Osteoblast Precursor Cellular Functions, Alexis Hernandez

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Surgical site infections (SSI) can develop post-operatively and carry significant clinical and financial implications. SSI can carry a cost of up to $30,000 per case, as well as an estimated 6 day longer hospitalization. Patients with Type II Diabetes (DM) have an increased susceptibility to infection and suffer from poor bone healing overall. Therefore, diabetic patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery risk both an increased chance of developing an SSI as well as suboptimal bone healing. Vancomycin and other antibiotics have traditionally been used prophylactically to prevent infection, however the effect of vancomycin on bone healing in a diabetic population …

Effects Of Palmitate On The Expression Of Inflammatory Cytokines In Microglial Cells, Shiyu Ma

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Obesity has become a pandemic health issue for the development of more serious illnesses such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. Among those pathological conditions, low grade chronic inflammation triggered by saturated fatty acids (SFA) such as palmitate (PA) has been suggested to be the culprit of crimes and various signaling modulators ranging from cellular surface receptors such as toll like receptors (TLRs) and G- protein – coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) to intracellular kinases like mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase C (PKC) have been postulated. In this study, mouse BV2 cells were treated with different concentrations of …

Effects Of Aurora Kinase C Expression On Retina Pigmented Epithelial Cell Migration, Proliferation, And Anchorage Independent Growth, Justin Bejar

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Cancer is a common and deadly disease in the United States with 1,806,590 new cancer cases in 2019 and 606,520 cancer deaths projected in 2020. These deaths are primarily due to the uncontrolled cell proliferation and migratory nature of the disease. Many cancer cells express genes normally restricted to meiotic cells. For example, Aurora Kinase C (AURKC) is known to regulate chromosome segregation in meiotic cells yet it is expressed in many different types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, colorectal, liver, cervical, thyroid, and testicular cancers. As a means to study the function of AURKC, an …

Cd11b+ Depletion Of Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages Negatively Affects Bone Fracture Healing, Sarah Hozain

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Hematoma formation and inflammation occurs during the beginning stages of fracture repair, which require the presence of innate cells such as macrophages. Macrophages are subdivided into proinflammatory, M1, or anti-inflammatory, M2, phenotypes with different functions, cytokine profiles, and surface markers. In this study, in vitro and in vivo models were used to deplete M1 macrophages, using Mac-1 Sap conjugated antibody (Mac1SAP), to determine the effects on fracture healing. In vitro study, primary macrophages isolated from mice femoral bone marrow were harvested and differentiated into M1 macrophages (+LPS), M2 macrophages (+IL-4), or undifferentiated then treated with either vehicle or 10pM Mac1SAP. …

Students' Performance, Satisfaction And Retention In A Hybrid And Traditional Face-To-Face Science Course, Principles Of Biology I, In A Community College, Abdallah Mohammad Matari

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Hybrid teaching, comprised of both in-class and online teaching, is rapidly becoming a favorite mode of teaching and learning. Online and hybrid courses on have become more and more appealing to both higher education institutions and the students they serve. In particular, hybrid teaching has an increase appeal to community colleges as they serve a diverse student population with varied academic levels, cultural background, and personal responsibilities. Hybrid courses promotes flexibility in course scheduling options for students and enables institutions to accept more students without worrying about physical classroom space concerns. This study explored and compared students’ learning outcomes, satisfaction, …

5 Lipoxygenase's Role In Chondrogenesis Of The Atdc5 Cell Line, Tien My Tran

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

5-Lipoxygenase metabolizes arachidonic acid (AA) to generate leukotrienes (LTs). Leukotrienes are very potent inflammatory mediators that can have negative effects on bone healing and cartilage tissue generation. Recent studies have shown that decreasing 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) activity during fracture healing accelerates endochondral ossification and decreases healing time in animal fracture models, however, the roles of 5-LO in chondrogenesis is not fully investigated. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that 5-LO inhibition will increase the process of chondrogenesis. The ABT-761 is an N-hydroxyurea analog structurally similar to zileuton, which is a 5-LO enzyme inhibitor, The ATDC5 cell line which is derived …

Analysis Of Post-Translational Modifications And Expression Of Stat3 Under Desferrioxamine Induced Hypoxia In Human Neuroblastoma Cells, Veronica Harrison

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

ABSTRACT:

Oxygen homeostasis is critical for optimal energy production in eukaryotic organisms. The signal transduction pathways involved with detection and mitigation of hypoxia have been carefully scrutinized in an effort to elucidate how metabolism and survival is maintained. Characterization of these pathways and their involvement in physiological processes such as blood cell production in the bone marrow and microvessel formation in developing embryos provides a model of how these functions are executed. Less well-characterized mechanisms in disease states such as solid tumors still confound researchers whose efforts to find effective treatments are falling short. Cancer cells exploit the activities …

Vanadium Compounds Modulate Osteoblast Proliferation And Function, Bryan Sosa

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Osteoblastogenesis is an essential part of the bone healing process. Insulin has been shown to improve bone healing in both normal and diabetic bone healing models. In addition, insulin mimetic compounds such as Zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) and Vanadyl acetylacetonate (VAC) have also been shown to improve bone healing in these models as well. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of vanadium compounds VAC and Vanadium (II) sulfate (VSO₄) in osteoblast proliferation and function. In addition the mechanisms by which growth and function are facilitated by these Vanadium compounds were also evaluated. In …

Comparison Of Nickel And Cobalt Induced Hypoxic Cell Models Using Cell Proliferation Assay, Melissa Delcasale

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Hypoxia is an imbalance in oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption, ultimately affecting cell survival. Low levels of oxygen diminish adenosine triphosphate synthesis resulting from a decline in oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, therefore inducing apoptosis and cell death. To create a hypoxia mimicked environment, we used hypoxia mimetic compounds cobalt and nickel to treat human neuroblastoma (NMB) cells. Using hypoxic mimic human neuronal cell models, we examined and compared the effects of compound-induced hypoxia on NMB cell proliferation. The cells were treated with 100mM and 300mM concentrations of each compound at 24- and 48-hour intervals. To investigate cell proliferation, the …

Analysis Of Sublethal Toxicity In Developing Zebrafish Embryos Exposed To A Range Of Petroleum Substances Using Be-Spme And Whole Transcriptome Microarray, Bryan Matthew Hedgpeth

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The OECD 236 Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test guideline relies on four endpoints to describe exposure related effects (coagulation, lack of somite formation, tail-bud detachment from yolk-sac, and presence of heartbeat). Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos were used to investigate these endpoints along with a number of additional sublethal effects (i.e. cardiac dysfunction, pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, tail curvature, hatch success, pericardial edema area, craniofacial malformation, swim bladder development, fin development, and heart rate) following five day exposures to one of seven petroleum substances. The substances investigated included two crude oils, three gas oils, a diluted bitumen, and a petrochemical …

Effects Of Treatment On Melanoma With Checkpoint Inhibitor, Pembrolizumab (Keytruda ®), Anti-Cd47 Tti-621 (Trillium), And Anti-Sema4d Pepinemab Combination Treatment, Lauren E. Fitzgerald

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Traditionally, cancer therapies are generally non-specific treatments meant to eradicate cancer cells. This can result in death of healthy tissue, which can significantly affect the overall well-being of the patient during and after treatment. Immunotherapy offers a more targeted approach by using immune cells to specifically identify and kill cancer cells through various neoantigens presented on the surface of the cancer cell. Drugs that target and block PD-(L)1 and CTLA-4, known as checkpoint inhibitors, act to “cut the breaks” on the immune response and keep it actively seeking out and killing cancer cells. Many patients fail on these treatments due …

A Study Of Exposure To Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons And Polymorphisms In The Tumor Suppressor Gene, P53, Of Wild Menhaden, Samantha Rose Reed

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The British Petroleum (BP) Deep Water Horizon Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) caused detrimental effects to wildlife including marine fish populations (Diercks, et al. 2010). The fish were exposed to crude oil which contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Some PAHs are carcinogens and can damage DNA in key regulatory genes in various species (Milleman, et al. 2015; Nadler, 2017). Menhaden are oily, filter feeding fish and incorporate and retain these lipophilic contaminants at high levels. The objective of the present work was to search for genetic mutations on the tumor suppressor gene, p53, in various organs …

The Molluscum Contagiosum Virus Mc160 Protein Requires Both Death Effector Domains To Inhibit Mavs- And Tbk1-Induced Interferon Activation, Lissette Bouza

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV) causes a common persistent, skin infection. Two MCV immune evasion molecules, MCV MC159 and MC160 contain tandem death effector domains (DEDs). DEDs are found in several host proteins including pro-apoptotic proteins Fas-associated Death Domain (FADD) and procaspase-8 and are well characterized in innate immune signaling. MC159 blocks apoptosis induced by both Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and the Fas ligand (FasL) and inhibits activation the host pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) (Shisler, 2001; Murao and Shisler 2005). MC160, however, does not inhibit apoptosis, but does dampen TNF-induced NF-κB activation (Shisler, …

Association Of P53 Polymorphisms, Pah-Like Fluorescence, And Developmental Trends In Caught Gulf Menhaden To Crude Oil Exposure Post-Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: A Holistic Approach, Kevin Luiz Frisina

Capstone Projects/Undergraduate Honors Theses

Environmental pollution is of great concern in the United States. Of special concern is the chronic effects from the exposure to potentially carcinogenic compounds released from episodic environmental disasters (e.g. 911 twin-towers, oil spills). Disasters like the British Petroleum (BP) Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), affected many marine organisms, exposing them to crude oil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are known carcinogenic. Despite many marine-based consumer products (e.g. fish oil, animal feed, fertilizer) were known affected by the BP oil spill, bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity of the crude oil PAHs into marine organisms …

Correlation Of Environmental Exposure To Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons And Polymorphisms In The Proto-Oncogene V-Rel Using Wild Atlantic Menhaden, Chelsea Rose Defelice

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Hurricane Sandy critically damaged the Atlantic coast of New Jersey in the fall of 2012. This was recorded as the largest storm to hit the Atlantic Ocean, which was manifested by its destruction on the homes and communities of those along the coastline. Contamination of surrounding waters due to this natural disaster was of great interest. The re-suspension of land-based pollution is proposed to make these contaminants more bioavailable to coastal species, such as Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), which are a crucial biomonitoring species through their ecological and economic uses. A proposed increase of body burdens in Atlantic …

Mutational Analysis Of The Molluscum Contagiosum Virus Mc160 Protein, Henri Estanbouli

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The Molluscum Contagiosum Virus (MCV), belongs to a family of large DNA viruses called Poxviridae. MCV causes a common skin infection resulting in benign neoplasms. 122 million cases of MC were reported in 2010. The virus is not primarily lethal, though fatalities have occurred due to secondary bacterial infections. Even with the high volume of reported cases, MCV is very much understudied, and its pathogenicity is not well understood. Thus, with that in mind, a more in-depth understanding of the MCV-host interactions is a priority. Presumably during infection, MCV utilizes immune evasion molecules to inhibit activation of the host pro-inflammatory …

Zinc Chloride Activates Phospho-Akt And Promotes Chondrocyte Maturation In The Atdc5 Chondrogenic Cell Line, Donya T. Burgess

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Fracture healing is characterized by inflammation, cartilage formation, bone deposition, and remodeling. Endochondral ossification is an important part of callus formation that relies on the maturation of chondrocytes. Early in their maturation these cells express collagen type II alpha 1 chain (COL2A1) and express collagen type X alpha 1 chain (COL10A1) as they mature further and become hypertrophic chondrocytes. Activation of the insulin pathway is considered a primary factor involved in the initiation of chondrogenesis and its progression during bone healing. Insulin mimetics like zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) have been shown to improve bone healing outcomes and enhance bone …

The Effects Of Palmitate On The Expression Of G-Protein Coupled Receptors And Glut Transporters In Neuro2a Cells, Brian Montoya

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Palmitate (PA) is a saturated fatty acid that has been reported to be elevated in individuals with metabolic syndromes. The effects of fatty acids on the expression of various fatty acid receptors on neuronal cells is unknown, as is the effects of fatty acids on GLUT transporters. In this study, Neuro-2a (N2a) cells were treated with either 300μM of bovine serum albumin (BSA) or 300μM of palmitate conjugated to BSA (PA) at various time points to determine the effect of palmitate on the expression of various fatty acid receptors and GLUT transporters. RNA isolation followed by RT-PCR with primers specific …

Examining The Role Of Hres On The Regulation Of Opioid Receptor Gene Expression In Neuronal Cells Undergoing Hypoxic Mimic Condition, Alberto Herrera

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Hypoxia is a condition of inadequate oxygen supply, which can induce cell death. Using human neuronal cells treated with a hypoxia memetic compound, desferoxamine (DFO), a hypoxic cell model system was created. Our lab reported previously that treatment with DFO resulted in the decrease of cell viability. However, there were still surviving neurons. The surviving cells did not exhibit significant morphological changes, as compared to the control cells, under confocal microscopy analysis using annexin-V-FLUOS and propidium iodide staining, indicating that they were not at apoptotic or necrotic stages. These surviving neurons, therefore, developed adaptive responses under hypoxic challenge. Several changes …

Utilization Of Cholera Toxin B As An Adjuvant For The Subunit Pspa Vaccine, Provides Effective Protection Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae Challenge, Daniel R. Pinho

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a prevalent human pathogen associated with pneumonia. It is estimated that approximately 1 million people around the world die each year, specifically with young children and the elderly comprising a significant portion. Currently, antibiotics can treat the infection but individuals such as the young or elderly are more susceptible to bodily damage from symptoms, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, thus require more preventive measures. As a result, vaccinations are a key solution to providing effective protection against infectious pathogens. Presently, two vaccinations exist in the market: PPSV₂₃ and PCV₁₃, which only protect against …

Tlr3 Signaling In Human Bdca-3 Dendritic Cells Results In The Formation Of Several Ilt3 And Ilt4 Populations, Nicholas J. Colletti

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Dendritic cells (DCs) represent a population of innate immune cells that are highly efficient at promoting immune responses. DCs are capable of presenting antigens to both CD4 and CD8 T cells. DC presentation and interaction with T cells can result in either immune stimulation or tolerance. This study intends to phenotype a rare subset of DCs found in the human blood and is distinguishable by the expression of various surface markers including: lineage markers (Lin), HLADR, CD1c, and CD141 or BDCA-3. Stimulating BDCA-3 DCs with Poly I:C, a toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 agonist, resulted in the up-regulation of various canonical …

Apical Testis Structure And The Effects Of Cadmium Treatment On Spermatogenesis In Drosophila, Paulina J. Cardaci

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is used extensively as a model for studying molecular, genetic and cellular aspects of human disease and physiology. Our lab has used D. melanogaster and related species to study the structure of the testis stem cell niche, as well as other aspects of spermatogenesis. We previously revealed a novel stem cell niche structure in D. pseudoobscura, a distant relative of D. melanogaster. The signaling center of the D. melanogaster stem cell niche has a well-characterized rosette arrangement of fasciclin-positive cells terms the “hub”. D. pseudoobscura, however, lacks a punctuate hub and instead displays a …

Testing The Efficacy Of Lsn2463359, A Metabotropic Glutamate 5 Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator, In Animal Models Of Schizophrenia, Dierdre M. Freamon

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

For many years the dominant theory surrounding the cause of schizophrenia was focused on elevated dopamine levels found in critical areas of the brain. Recently a new theory has emerged pointing to elevated glutamate levels resulting from hypofunction of NMDA receptors and hypoactivity of GABAergic neurons which normally inhibit glutamatergic cells in a tonic manner. Therefore, while traditional antipsychotics directly block dopamine receptors, some of the newly generated compounds are designed to modulate glutamate to normal levels.

I propose testing the efficacy of the metabotropic glutamate 5 receptor modulator LSN2463359, previously shown to act as an indirect agonist of the …

Mechanisms Involved In Enhanced Protection Against Gram Negative Bacterium Francisella Tularensis Utilizing An Fcr Targeted Vaccine Platform, Zulfia Babadjanova

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium and the etiologic factor of a potentially fatal disease tularemia. Due to its high infectivity the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated F. tularensis as a Category A biological agent. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis of F. tularensis is not fully understood and research has failed to develop an effective vaccine. Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by innate immune cells at the early stages of bacterial infection is important for host protection against the pathogen. Many intracellular bacteria, including F. tularensis, utilize the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, to evade the host immune response. It is …

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Determination In Liver Of Menhaden Exposed To The Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill, Rebecca Hawke

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The April 2010 BP® oil spill has caused great concern for ecological impacts in the Gulf of Mexico. Crude oil contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and oil spills increase the exposure of aquatic organisms to this class of chemicals. The overall detrimental health effects associated with PAH exposure depend on the exposure period, the concentration of PAHs, and the toxicity of the PAHs in the mixture. Brevoortia tyrannus and Brevoortia patronus are filter feeding fish commonly known as menhaden and account for over 40% of the commercial industry fisheries catch. As primary consumers, they are a major link in the …

Molecular Characterization Of Hemoglobin Protein In Larvae Of 4th Instar Chironomidae For Evaluating Environmental Quality, Jun Taek Oh

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Studying environmental quality is a challenging task. It is a complicated exercise since the environment is constantly influenced by numerous variables such as climate change, anthropogenic activities, and unexpected natural disasters. Traditionally, exposure to chemical pollutants depended on chemical and physical analysis of environmental media. Unfortunately, this approach has not taken into consideration bioavailability of the chemical(s) of interest to exposed organisms and/or modification of the chemical (bioactivation/detoxification) by the organism. Benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) have been chosen as bioindicators for numerous environmental biomonitoring programs geared towards the assessment of aquatic ecosystems. Biomonitoring requires a more subtle measure – a biomarker …