Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

The Sewage Microbiome Dynamics Of Different Serving Neighborhoods In Charleston, Illinois, Sandra Chiamaka Okoye

Masters Theses

The complex microbial ecosystem within sewage systems holds significant implications for environmental and public health. Unlike studies on wastewater treatment plant microbiomes, upstream sewage systems have not been studied widely. This research investigated the dynamic sewage microbiome across diverse serving neighborhoods in Charleston, Illinois, encompassing residential, hospital, industrial, and university areas. Drawing upon recent advancements in microbiome research, the study aimed to unravel the spatial and temporal variations in microbial structures. Three times between June to December 2023 sewage samples were collected from manholes in the areas mentioned above. Community DNA was extracted and sequenced for the V4-V5 region of …

Molecular Investigation Of Tick-Borne Pathogens In Feral Swine (Sus Scrofa) From Seven Us States, Sofiane Aiche

Masters Theses

Feral swine (Sus scrofa) have been proposed as part of the lifecycles of multiple tickborne pathogens (TBP). This is a result of the increase in feral swine populations and increased tick populations and geographic ranges. Few surveys exist on the TBP relevant to human and wildlife of feral swine in the US. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of 10 TBP: Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Cytauxzoon felis, Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp., Mycoplasma spp., Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, Yersinia pestis, and Rickettsia spp. A total of 87 feral swine blood samples …

ฤทธิ์ของสารสกัดจากมะกรูดต่อภาวะเครียด Oxidative Stress ในหนอน Caenorhabditis Elegans, ณัฐพงศ์ นพโลหะ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

ภาวะโรคไม่ติดต่อเรื้อรัง หรือ Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) เป็นภาวะโรคที่ไม่ได้ติดต่อจากคนสู่คนได้รวมถึงไม่ได้เกิดจากการติดเชื้อโรค โดยสาเหตุหนึ่งของภาวะกลุ่มโรคนี้คือการเกิดภาวะ oxidative stress ที่ทำให้ร่างกายมีปริมาณของสารอนุมูลอิสระไม่สมดุล โดยที่ผ่านมาจำนวนผู้ป่วยในโรคนี้มีจำนวนเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างต่อเนื่อง ซึ่งแนวทางการรักษาส่วนใหญ่มักจะมาจากการรักษาตามอาการ ดังนั้นการแก้ปัญหาโรคนี้ให้ได้ผลมากที่สุดคือการป้องกันการเกิดโรคมากกว่าการรักษา ผู้วิจัยจึงสนใจที่จะนำมะกรูดที่มีสรรพคุณต้านอนุมูลอิสระมาทดสอบ โดยมีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาฤทธิ์ของสารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูด ในการช่วยลดการเกิดภาวะ oxidative stress สำหรับการช่วยยืดอายุของ C. elegans ที่ถูกชักนำให้เกิดภาวะ oxidative stress โดยแบ่งการศึกษาออกเป็น 4 ขั้นตอน ได้แก่ ตอนที่ 1 ศึกษาฤทธิ์ของสารสกัดจากมะกรูดต่อ E.coli OP50 ที่เป็นอาหารของ C. elegans พบว่าสารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูดไม่มีผลในการยับยั้งการเจริญของ E.coli OP50 เมื่อเทียบกับการยับยั้งการเจริญเติบโตของยา Penicillin-Streptomycin ที่ใช้เป็นกลุ่มควบคุม จึงสามารถใช้สารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูดในการทดสอบได้ โดยที่ไม่มีผลต่อ E.coli OP50 ที่ใช้เป็นอาหารของ C. elegans ตอนที่ 2 การศึกษาฤทธิ์ของสารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูดที่มีผลต่อการรอดชีวิตของ C. elegans ที่ถูกชักนำให้เกิดภาวะ oxidative stress พบว่าสารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูดที่ความเข้มข้น 50 , 100 และ 200 ug/ml มีอัตราการรอดชีวิตของ C. elegans เมื่อเทียบกับ C. elegans ที่ไม่ได้ให้สารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูด แตกต่างกันอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ 0.05 และตอนที่ 3 การศึกษาฤทธิ์ของสารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูดต่อการยับยั้งปริมาณ ROS ของ C. elegans ที่ถูกชักนำให้เกิดภาวะ oxidative stress โดยพบว่าใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูดที่ความเข้มข้น 50 , 100 และ 200 ug/ml มีค่าปริมาณสาร ROS ของ C. elegans ที่ให้สารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูด เมื่อเทียบกับ C. elegans ที่ไม่ให้สารสกัดจากใบมะกรูดและผิวมะกรูด …

การปรับสมดุลไมโครไบโอมในลำไส้ด้วยเชื้อ Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Gg ช่วยบรรเทาความรุนแรงจากการติดเชื้อในกระแสเลือด ในหนูที่ถูกเหนี่ยวนำให้เกิดความชราโดยน้ำตาล D-Galactose และกระตุ้นภาวะติดเชื้อในกระแสเลือดโดยวิธีการผูกและเจาะลำไส้ใหญ่ส่วนต้น, ชาลิสา พินิจจันทร์

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การเสียสมดุลของจุลินทรีย์ในลำไส้อาจทำให้เกิดภาวะลำไส้รั่ว เกิดการติดเชื้อในกระแสเลือดตามมาได้ ซึ่งสภาวะดังกล่าวมักพบมากในผู้สูงอายุ การศึกษาก่อนหน้านี้พบว่าโพรไบโอติกสามารถลดการเสียสมดุลของจุลินทรีย์ในลำไส้ แต่การศึกษาเรื่องผลของการรับประทานเชื้อโพรไบโอติดต่อของการลดความรุนแรงจากการติดเชื้อในกระแสเลือด รวมทั้งภาวะ Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) ในผู้สูงอายุนั้นยังไม่มีการศึกษาที่ชัดเจน วัตถุประสงค์ของการศึกษา เพื่อทดสอบความสามารถของเชื้อโพรไบโอติกสายพันธุ์ Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) ในการช่วยลดความรุนแรงของการติดเชื้อในกระแสเลือดในหนูที่ถูกเหนี่ยวนำให้เกิดสภาวะชราโดยการใช้น้ำตาลกาแลคโตส ผู้วิจัยทำการให้เชื้อ LGG ทางปากกับหนูทดลอง เปรียบเทียบกับกลุ่มควบคุม และทดสอบความแตกต่างของจุลินทรีย์ในลำไส้ในอุจจาระของหนูด้วยวิธี 16S RNA sequencing พร้อมวัดสภาวะความชราของหนูด้วยเทคนิค Histochemistry ในอวัยวะภายใน จากนั้นหนูทั้ง 2 กลุ่มจะถูกกระตุ้นให้เกิดการติดเชื้อในกระแสเลือดโดยวิธีการผูกและเจาะลำไส้ใหญ่ส่วนต้น (CLP) และวัดความรุนแรงของการติดเชื้อในกระแสเลือดโดยการวัดอัตราการตาย ระดับ creatinine (Scr), Alanine transaminase (ALT), cytokines (IL-6 TNF-α IL-10 และ IL-1ß) ในซีรัมโดยเทคนิค Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) การตรวจวัด Sepsis encephalopathy ผู้วิจัยใช้ค่ามาตรฐาน SHIRPA เพื่อช่วยในการวัด นอกจากนี้เพื่อหาสาเหตุของการลดความรุนแรงจากการติดเชื้อในกระแสเลือดด้วยเชื้อโพรไบโอติก ผู้วิจัยนำ Lactobacillus condition media (LCM) ร่วมกับ Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) มาใช้ในการกระตุ้นเซลล์ RAW 264.7 , เซลล์ BV-2 และเซลล์ HT-22 จากนั้นทำการวัดปริมาณ Inflammatory cytokines ด้วยเทคนิค ELISA และวัดการแสดงออกของยีน IL-6 TNF-α IL-10 IL-1ß Fizz Arg-1 NF-kB TLR-4 และยีน iNOS ด้วยเทคนิค Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) จากผลการวิเคราะห์จุลินทรีย์ในอุจจาระ แสดงให้เห็นว่าหนูชรามีการสูญเสียสมดุลของจุลินทรีย์ในลำไส้ และพบการเกิดพังผืดในปอด ไต และตับ ซึ่งเชื้อ …

Elucidating Mechanisms Of Enhanced Dsrna-Nanophytoglycogen Innate Immune Responses In Healthy Human Cells, Nicholas Jadaa

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Immunostimulatory nucleic acids, such as long double-stranded RNA (ds)RNA, can stimulate innate immune responses in a non-sequence specific manner. These molecules are recognized by pattern-recognition receptors in the cytoplasm, endosome, and on the cell surface. Activation leads to the production of mediators of innate immune pathways, including type I interferon and proinflammatory cytokines. Although these receptors are present in all cells, their role in non-immune cells is often overlooked due to their lower level of responsiveness. Nanocarriers can enhance these nucleic acid-mediated responses, allowing for exploration of innate immune pathways in non-immune cells. Nanoparticles as carriers of nucleic acids can …

Antiangiogenic Therapy Combined With Immune Checkpoint Blockade In Urothelial Cancer: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Mohammad Jad Moussa, Iuliia Kovalenko, Emanuele Crupi, Ekaterina Proskuriakova, Yimin Geng, Giuseppe Fallara, Raed Benkhadra, Daniele Raggi, Matthew T. Campbell, Pavlos Msaouel, Omar Alhalabi

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Antiangiogenic therapy had been tested in urothelial cancer (UC) without reaching the clinic.

Objective: We provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials to assess efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) combined with antiangiogenic agents in UC.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched for trials with at least one arm of patients with UC treated with ICI plus antiangiogenics. Data were analyzed with the "meta" package from R using a one-staged frequentist meta-analysis.

Results: After screening 13,708 titles and abstracts, 9 studies were selected for analysis with 14 identified cohorts comprising 621 patients: 448 were ICI-naïve (ICI-N) and 173 …

Factors Associated With Hepatitis C-Related Hospitalizations And Inpatient Mortality In The United States, Pre- And Post-Onset Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Christina R. Samuel

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background: Hepatitis C is a significant public health problem in the United States and imposes a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Previous research shows that the COVID-19 pandemic response efforts have overshadowed hepatitis C testing and treatment measures in health care settings across the country. The purpose of this study was to describe and examine the factors associated with hepatitis C-related hospitalizations and inpatient mortality in the United States, pre- and post-onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2019-2020 National Inpatient Sample database. The study population included persons aged ≥18 years with hepatitis C-related inpatient …

Innovations In Molecular Biomarkers And Biomaterial-Based Immunotherapies For Head & Neck Cancer, Sarah Anne Wong, Victoria A Manon, Simon Young, Chi T Viet

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose of review: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) survival rates have remained stagnant due to a lack of targeted therapies and diagnostic tools. Patient risk is currently determined solely through clinicopathologic features, primarily tumor staging, which lacks the necessary precision to stratify patients by risk and accurately dictate adjuvant treatment. Similarly, conventional OSCC therapies have well-established toxicities and limited efficacy.

Recent findings: Recent studies show that patient risk can now be assessed using non-invasive techniques, at earlier time points, and with greater accuracy using molecular biomarker panels. Additionally, novel immunotherapies not only utilize the host's immune response to combat disease …

The Immunobiology Of Myelodysplastic Neoplasms: A Mini-Review, Shruthi Kannan, Rolando A Vedia, Jeffrey J Molldrem

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

This mini review summarizes the immunobiology of myelodysplastic syndromes, specifically focusing on the interactions between immune cells, cytokines, and dysplastic cells within the tumor microenvironment in the bone marrow. We elucidate in detail how immune dysregulation and evasion influence the initiation and progression of myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as resistance to therapy and progression to AML. In addition, we highlight a range of therapeutic strategies, including the most recent breakthroughs and experimental therapies for treating MDS. Finally, we address the existing knowledge gaps in the understanding of the immunobiology of MDS and propose future research directions, promising advancements toward enhancing …

Emerging Therapeutic Options For Follicular-Derived Thyroid Cancer In The Era Of Immunotherapy, Naimah Turner, Sarah Hamidi, Rim Ouni, Rene Rico, Ying C Henderson, Maria Puche, Sayan Alekseev, Jocelynn G Colunga-Minutti, Mark E Zafereo, Stephen Y Lai, Sang T Kim, Maria E Cabanillas, Roza Nurieva

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Although most follicular-derived thyroid cancers are well differentiated and have an overall excellent prognosis following treatment with surgery and radioiodine, management of advanced thyroid cancers, including iodine refractory disease and poorly differentiated/undifferentiated subtypes, is more challenging. Over the past decade, better understanding of the genetic drivers and immune milieu of advanced thyroid cancers has led to significant progress in the management of these patients. Numerous targeted kinase inhibitors are now approved by the U.S Food and Drug administration (FDA) for the treatment of advanced, radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC) as well as anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Immunotherapy has also …

Immune Outcomes Affected By Selection For Parasite Resistance In Katahdin Sheep, Kelsey Lynne Bentley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Our understanding of the complex connection between selection for parasite resistance and the overall health outcomes in livestock is unclear. This study investigates the impact of post-weaning fecal egg count (PFEC) estimated breeding values (EBV) on health outcomes and immune responses in Katahdin sheep. Selection for PFEC, favoring Low-PFEC lambs, not only affects survivability to weaning but also suggests broader implications for immunity beyond parasite resistance. The effect of PFEC EBV on antibody production in response to vaccination against Clostridium perfringens type C&D and tetanus toxoid (CD&T) revealed a stepwise decrease in immunoglobin (IgG) from Low-PFEC to High-PFEC groups upon …

Descriptive Report On Dietary Remains From Aztec And Salmon Ruins Coprolites, Karl J. Reinhard

Karl Reinhard Publications

This report focuses only on dietary results from the Aztec Ruins and Salmon Ruins coprolites. The parasitological analysis was completed in 2018 and was the focus of several papers that were summarized by Camacho and Reinhard (2020). This did not include DNA analysis. The coprolites from these sites are not appropriate sources of DNA testing.

The main conclusion of the analysis are:

1) Two very distinct plant spectra are represented in Aztec Ruins West (ARW) room 219 and room 225.

2) The three contexts of ARW room 219 show interesting variation in food selection, however these are small samples.

3) …

Optimization Of An Immune Assay To Detect Binding Of Nod2 To Staphylococcus Aureus, Precious Mckenzie

All Student Theses and Dissertations

Staphylococcus aureus, a gram-positive, commensal bacterium, is the cause of a multitude of opportunistic diseases and infections. While S. aureus has evolved ways to escape innate immune responses in the host, the mechanisms are not fully understood. One area of active research involves mechanisms by which S. aureus avoids detection by Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs), such as Nuclear Oligomerization Domain 2 (NOD2), present on the surface of and inside innate immune cells. This study aimed to design and optimize an assay that can be utilized to investigate S. aureus components that contribute to the activation of NOD2 receptors. The …

Evaluating The Role Of Glucocorticoids On The Host Response To Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Sara Druffner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Helicobacter pylori infection is the number one risk factor for gastric cancer development. Roughly 50% of the world’s population is infected with H. pylori, though only 1-3% of those infected will develop cancer. H. pylori drives chronic inflammation that creates the requisite environment for carcinogenesis, yet it remains unclear why some individuals develop cancer and others do not. Most mechanistic studies are done in mice, however H. pylori is not a natural mouse pathogen. Research is typically done either with mouse-adapted strains of …

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 …

Understanding Cellular Dynamics: Investigating A Yeast-Two Hybrid Protein-Protein Interaction, Riok3:Cse1l; Also By Investigating Trogocytosis Of Cd4+ T Cells From Rhog-/- Mice, Brittnee N. Crane

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a negative-sense virus that was first described in 1930 when it was isolated from sheep during an outbreak. In the last 25 years there has been a spread in the geographical range into the Middle East. The most susceptible animals are cattle, goats, sheep, and camels. The most overt symptom of livestock infection is that infected pregnant animals experience spontaneous abortion. Humans are susceptible as well and symptoms range from mild febrile illness to liver necrosis, blindness, hemorrhagic fever, and death. An important player in the cellular innate response to RVFV infections is the …

Genital Tract Infections, The Vaginal Microbiome And Gestational Age At Birth Among Pregnant Women In South Africa: A Cohort Study Protocol, Ranjana M.S. Gigi, Mandisa M. Mdingi, Hyunsul Jung, Shantelle Claassen-Weitz, Lukas Bütikofer, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Christina A. Muzny, Christopher M. Taylor, Janneke H.H.M. Van De Wijgert, Remco P.H. Peters, Nicola Low

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction Preterm birth complications are the most common cause of death in children under 5 years. The presence of multiple microorganisms and genital tract inflammation could be the common mechanism driving early onset of labour. South Africa has high levels of preterm birth, genital tract infections and HIV infection among pregnant women. We plan to investigate associations between the presence of multiple lower genital tract microorganisms in pregnancy and gestational age at birth. Methods and analysis This cohort study enrols around 600 pregnant women at one public healthcare facility in East London, South Africa. Eligible women are ≥18 years and …

Hepatoprotective Effect Of Berberis Lycium In Αlpha-Naphthylisothiocyanate Induced Cholestatic Mouse Models, Shamaila Bashir, Hassan Hameed, Nida Irshad, Aqsa Ashraf, Muhammad Faizan, Saiyada Fatima Maida Halim, Hafiz M. Mazhar Asjad, Andleeb Batool, Imran Sohail

Journal of Bioresource Management

Cholestasis is characterized by the obstruction of bile flow from hepatocytes to the intestine. It results in accumulation of bile acids in the liver, which cause oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Till now, the treatment options against cholestasis are limited. Therefore, there is an utmost requirement to develop and evaluate the drugs with potential anti-cholestatic effects. In the current study, the drug-induced cholestasis mouse models were generated via oral administration of α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT). The mice were placed into three groups of six animals each. Group I was the control group and was given saline. The cholestasis model Group …

The Potential Of Stem Cell Therapy In Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: A Review, Sorina Amarculesei, Ava O'Meara Cushen, Cathy Brougham

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. There are currently 2.8 million people living with Multiple Sclerosis worldwide, including 9000 people in Ireland, with a prevalence of 193 per 100,000 people. Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include sensory loss, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, spasticity, depression, optic neuritis, gait ataxia, diplopia, and loss of bladder control. Currently, there is no standardised treatment or cure for Multiple Sclerosis with many strategies focusing on symptoms. Stem cells have emerged as promising approaches for Multiple Sclerosis therapeutics. Clinical trials primarily focus on mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies for Multiple Sclerosis. Furthermore, …

Treatment Response Of Gingival Squamous-Cell Carcinoma To Palliative Intent Immunotherapy, Natalia Trehan, Angelina Debbas, Mykaihla Sternick, Jennifer Johnson, James Gates

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

The use of PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor medications has become a common practice in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous-cell carcinomas. Success in this setting has led to the investigation of their efficacy in locally advanced cases as a part of first-line therapy. In this report, we detail the treatment response to palliative intent immunotherapy of three geriatric patients with mandibular gingival squamous-cell carcinoma who decided against surgical intervention. Patient #1 was treated with pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, and displayed complete clinical and radiologic response of the gingival mass after three months of treatment, which is …

Role Of The Anti-Viral Immune Response In Neural Cell Modulation And Neurological Sequelae Of Childhood Viral Infections, Yashika Kamte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) often result in neurological sequelae and are considered a risk factor for the development of neurological disease. Moreover, the outcomes of a viral infection are largely dependent on the age of the host, with younger hosts developing more profound neuropathology. Perhaps the developing brain coupled with an immature immune system contributes to worse outcomes in the very young. Children suffering from brain infections are more prone to develop enduring neurological impairments even after recovery from the infection. Although majority of the brain growth occurs in utero, neurodevelopment continues throughout the juvenile …

The Effect Of Db1976 On The Fibrotic Response In Three-Spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus Aculeatus), Saif Quraishi

Honors Scholar Theses

The study of fibrosis in stickleback has been a growing field in which there have been a few studies conducted. This study examines two experiments involving the inhibition of fibrosis in stickleback. The first experiment used fish from the Kenai River Flats (KRF) in Alaska. The second experiment used fish from Roselle Lake in British Columbia, Canada. To determine the impact the drug had on fibrosis, sticklebacks from the KRF population were treated with DB1976 as well as alum, a pro‐inflammatory vaccine adjuvant that causes fibrosis (Kool et. al 2012). When each DB1976 + alum treatment group was compared with …

Towards A Mode Of Action For The Anti-Schistosomal Aryl Hydantoins, Thomas Schulze

Theses & Dissertations

Schistosomiasis is a significant human disease caused by the helminth parasite Schistosoma mansoni. Praziquantel remains the only clinically used treatment, yet it is rapidly metabolized and only effective against the adult stage worm infection. Ro 13-3978 (AR02) is a potent antischistosomal compound with activity against multiple S. mansoni life stages; however, it manifests anti-androgenic activity. Additionally, the mechanism of action for worm clearance remains unknown. The structure of Ro 13-3979 was used to generate optimized derivatives, including AR102, that show increased potency towards worms, reduced off-target anti-androgen effects, and extended half-life thereby increasing the feasibility for a single-dose curative treatment. …

Understanding The Effect Of Chikungunya Virus Infection On Bone Homeostasis, Enakshi Roy

Theses & Dissertations

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes Chikungunya fever (CHIKF), characterized by high fever, headache, rash, and joint pain. With global travel on the rise, infections caused by CHIKV have emerged in new regions, expanding their geographic range and infecting susceptible hosts. Currently, no approved prophylactic or therapeutic measures exist to prevent or treat these infections, with prevention strategies primarily focused on vector control. However, these measures have proven inadequate due to the emergence of mutations that enhance viral transmission or vector range. Therefore, urgent attention is needed to develop therapies to treat the infection. Although CHIKV has …

Role Of The Ganglioside Gd2 And Its Biosynthetic Enzyme Gd3 Synthase In Prostate Cancer Tumorigenesis, Aaqib Bhat

Theses & Dissertations

Despite significant advancements in managing localized prostate cancer (PC), which have notably increased survival rates, advanced PC continues to be a leading cause of cancer- related fatalities. The discovery of new pathways that can be targeted to inhibit tumor growth in PC could pave the way for innovative treatment strategies. The disialylganglioside GD2 is an FDA-approved target for antibody therapies in neuroblastoma and has not been extensively studied in the context of PC. The work done in this thesis reveals that GD2 is present on a minor subset of PC cells in certain patients and is more prevalent in metastatic …

Role Of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone 2 And Its Receptor In Human Reproductive Cancers, Dr. Amy T. Desaulniers, Brett White

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH1) and its receptor (GnRHR1) drive reproduction by regulating gonadotropins. Another form, GnRH2, and its receptor (GnRHR2), also exist in mammals. In humans, GnRH2 and GnRHR2 genes are present, but coding errors in the GnRHR2 gene are predicted to hinder full-length protein production. Nonetheless, mounting evidence supports the presence of a functional GnRHR2 in humans. GnRH2 and its receptor have been identified throughout the body, including peripheral reproductive tissues like the ovary, uterus, breast, and prostate. In addition, GnRH2 and its receptor have been detected in a wide number of reproductive cancer cells in humans. Notably, GnRH2 analogues …

Association Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Burden With The Vaginal Microbiota, Bacterial Vaginosis, And Metronidazole Treatment, Caleb M. Ardizzone, Christopher M. Taylor, Evelyn Toh, Rebecca A. Lillis, Jacob H. Elnaggar, John W. Lammons, Patricia Dehon Mott, Emily L. Duffy, Li Shen, Alison J. Quayle

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota, is a common coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), and BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and their products have been implicated in aiding Ct evade natural immunity. Here, we determined if a non-optimal vaginal microbiota was associated with a higher genital Ct burden and if metronidazole, a standard treatment for BV, would reduce Ct burden or aid in natural clearance of Ct infection. Cervicovaginal samples were collected from women at enrollment and, if testing positive for Ct infection, at a follow-up visit approximately one week later. Cervical Ct burden was assessed by inclusion forming …

Isolation And Characterization Of Nut Shell Proteins From Arachis Hypogea Linn. And Cocos Nucifera Linn. And Its Effect On Macrophage Activation To Treat Visceral Leishmaniasis, Suhatha S

Theses and Dissertations

Glycoproteins are among several immunomodulatory agents known to activate the innate immune system. Plant derived glycoproteins are a generous source of glycoproteins that could be utilized as cost effective preparations for therapeutics. Isolating glycoproteins from agricultural by- products with the intention to use them against Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) was the focus in this doctoral study. The two nut shells, Arachis hypogea L. (Groundnut) and Cocos nucifera L. (Coconut), were used for the isolation of glycoprotein used in the study. Crude glycoproteins from the A. hypogea L. (AHP-C) were isolated and fractioned. AHP-F2 was identified as 28.37 kDa Mannose/Glucose binding lectin …

The Defined Tlr3 Agonist, Nexavant, Exhibits Anti-Cancer Efficacy And Potentiates Anti-Pd-1 Antibody Therapy By Enhancing Immune Cell Infiltration, Seung-Hwan Lee, Young-Ho Choi, Soon Myung Kang, Min-Gyu Lee, Arnaud Debin, Eric Perouzel, Seung-Beom Hong, Dong-Ho Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Nexavant was reported as an alternative to the TLR3 agonist of Poly(I:C) and its derivatives. The physicochemical properties, signaling pathways, anti-cancer effects, and mechanisms of Nexavant were investigated. The distinctive characteristics of Nexavant compared to that of Poly(I:C) were demonstrated by precise quantification, enhanced thermostability, and increased resistance to RNase A. Unlike Poly(I:C), which activates TLR3, RIG-I, and MDA5, Nexavant stimulates signaling through TLR3 and RIG-I but not through MDA5. Compared to Poly(I:C), an intratumoral Nexavant treatment led to a unique immune response, immune cell infiltration, and suppression of tumor growth in various animal cancer models. Nexavant therapy outperformed anti-PD-1 …

Resolution Of The Tetrabothrius Jagerskioeldi Cryptic Species Complex Among Holarctic Alcidae (Charadriiformes): Cestodes Among Fraterculinae—Exploring Marine Diversity, Host Range, And Dynamic Oceanography In The Greater North Pacific, Eric P. Hoberg, Kaylen Marie Soudachanh, Svetlana K. Bondarenko

MANTER: Journal of Parasite Biodiversity

In the biosphere, limits for diversity among species, communities, and biomes are revealed through intensive and extensive field-based inventory and assembly of voucher specimens and associated informatics examined in a phylogenetic, historical, ecological, and biogeographic arena. Archival resources for specimens and information contribute to a cumulative view of faunal structure and assembly under a comparative umbrella. Ultimately, species definitions, and inclusive partitions among populations and lineages, are fundamental in articulating hypotheses that examine interactions about evolution, the nature of organisms, and the condition of environments across space and time. We conclude our proposals establishing species limits for tapeworms of the …