Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons^™

Asymptomatic Rectal Bacterial Pathogens Show Large Prospective Relationships With Hiv Incidence In A Cohort Of Young Sexual And Gender Minorities: Implications For Sti Screening And Hiv Prevention, Ross A. Baiers, Daniel T. Ryan, Antonia Clifford, Erik Munson, Richard D'Aquila, Michael E. Newcomb, Brian Mustanski

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Background

We estimated the predictive value of rectal (bacterial sexually transmitted infection [bSTI]) pathogen detection for future HIV seroconversion among young adult sexual and gender minorities (YSGMs) assigned male at birth (AMAB).

Methods

Data were collected between March 2018 and August 2022 from RADAR, a longitudinal cohort study of YSGMs AMAB living in the Chicago metropolitan area (n = 1022). Rates of rectal bSTIs and the proportion of self-reported rectal bSTI symptoms are reported. We examined whether the presence of rectal bSTIs predicted HIV seroconversion using generalized estimating equations (GEEs).

Results

Participants tested reactive for rectal Mycoplasma genitalium (MGen), Neisseria …

Serologic Correlation Of A Research-Use-Only Treponema Pallidum Transcription-Mediated Amplification Assay Performed On Rectal Swabs From A Longitudinal Cohort Of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men, Amanda Zapp, Hannah Hudson, Erik Munson, Elizabeth Thelen, Daniel Ryan, Richard D'Aquila, Brian Mustanski

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Update On Novel Validly Published And Included Bacterial Taxa Derived From Human Clinical Specimens And Taxonomic Revisions Published In 2023, Arianna Carella, Karen C. Carroll, Erik Munson

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Taxonomy is a systematic practice in which microorganisms are granted names to facilitate and standardize multi-disciplinary communication. We summarize novel bacterial taxa derived from human clinical material that were published in peer-reviewed literature and/or included by the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology during calendar year 2023, as well as taxonomic revisions that have been published/included by the same entity. While the majority of newly discovered facultative and anaerobic organisms were derived from microbiome surveillance, noteworthy novel taxa in the realm of pathogenicity potential include those related to Aerococcus spp., several Corynebacterium spp., Exercitatus varius gen. nov., sp. nov., …

Long Term Trends In Mortality Rates Of A Smallmouth Bass Population, Caleb D. Anderson

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu are known as a popular sport fish for anglers. When a known smallmouth bass fishery appears to have a dwindling population, it raises questions about the population health. A common indicator of the health of the population is the mortality rate. By comparing mortality, conclusions can be made on whether smallmouth bass are dying at a different rate in the system over time. Therefore, the objective of this study was to see if there had been a significant change in smallmouth bass mortality over a span of thirty years in Round Lake (DOW:010204), Aitkin County, Minnesota. …

Relationship Between Northern Pike And Walleye Cpue In Minnesota Lakes, Simon Oslund

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Northern pike Esox lucius and walleye Sander vitreus are both top predators in freshwater systems. Due to their predatorial nature, high populations of one species can prohibit populations of the other species from thriving, specifically northern pike foraging on walleye. This information is tracked by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through catch per unit effort (CPUE). CPUE data was gathered for all lakes in Beltrami County, Minnesota, and a regression analysis was done to test for a relationship between pike and walleye. It was found that the relationship between northern pike and walleye CPUE was significant (P = 0.02). …

The Effects Of Length, Weight, Age, And Gender On Mercury Concentrations In Burbot In North-Central Minnesota Lakes, Liam Hanley

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Burbot Lota lota in north-central Minnesota lakes have the potential to reach large sizes and consume large volumes of prey. This caveat may make burbot susceptible to higher rates of biocontamination, bioaccumulation and biomagnification. The objective of this study was to determine how changes in age, length, gender, weight, and lake affect total mercury concentrations in burbot. In this experiment 28 burbot were angled from three lakes: Cass (n = 17), Winnibigoshish (n = 4), and Bad Medicine (n = 7). Then tissue samples were taken from each fish and were lyophilized and homogenized. Homogenized tissue samples were analyzed by …

Relationship Between Fishing Hours And Number Of Fish Harvested From Upper Red Lake, Dylan Ohlenkamp

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Total hours fishermen spend fishing and total amount of fish harvested per year are some of the most important pieces of knowledge gained from creel surveys. They provide crucial information that assesses fisheries mortality and pressure. MN DNR uses their results from creel surveys to improve or impose regulations, and to maintain healthy fisheries. Based on results from similar studies, there is expected to be a positive relationship between hours fished and fish harvested. To determine the relationship between these two variables on Upper Red Lake, data from two years were selected when the variables were at their highest and …

A Guide To Otoliths Of Minnesota Fishes, Baylor J. Short

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Investigations into the diet patterns of piscivores can provide crucial information on predator-prey relationships, population dynamics, and responses to changing ecosystems. However, digestive processes often remove or alter physical characteristics that are traditionally used to identify consumed fish. This problem has been addressed to some degree with advances in molecular technologies, although these methods can be costly and require specific training and equipment to do so. In contrast, bony structures such as otoliths, vertebrae, cleithra, and others frequently have morphologies that are unique among families, genera, and species. Because these structures are resistant to digestion, they can be used to …

The Effect Of Triaenophorus Crassus On The Condition Of Coregonus Artedi, Alexander Surma

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Cisco Coregonus artedi is, historically, the largest commercial fishery in the Great Lakes. The species is also important to commercial and recreational fisheries in inland lakes. Tapeworm Triaenophorus crassus larvae embed themselves into the flesh of Ciscoes, rendering the fish unmarketable to humans. Triaenophorus crassus is common in inland waters such as Leech Lake and Cass Lake, MN. One Canadian researcher has suggested that the parasite negatively affects the growth and weight of Ciscoes. Poor condition can reduce fecundity, leading to lower recruitment rates. This would mean a detrimental impact on not only individual fish, but the health of …

Changes In Flanker Task Performance Following High-Intensity Exercise In Endurance Athletes, Felix E. Cottet-Puinel

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Executive function performance following acute aerobic exercise can be influenced by multiple variables. However, little is known about the lasting effects of these exercise-induced changes. This study aimed to determine the extent to which exercise intensity impacts executive function. 14 young endurance-trained adults (5 female, 9 male) performed an Eriksen flanker task before and immediately after running high-intensity until failure and isochronal moderate-intensity (~12 min). Pre- to post-exercise-induced changes in reaction time (ms), accuracy (%), and self-reported mental effort (1-9 rating) were analyzed by overall tasks and through tasks subsections. Results showed improvement in reaction time following high- and moderate-intensity …

Parasite Prevalence And Innate Immunity In Mud And Musk Turtles, Nicole Beckett

Honors Program Theses

Turtles are being infected by both ectoparasites (typically leeches) and endoparasites (typically blood parasites). It is unknown what the parasite intensity is of wild Central Floridian turtles is, and what effect this parasite load has on them. In order to determine these factors wild turtles (Sternotherus odoratus, Kinosternon baurii, and Kinosternon subrubrum) were caught from two locations, Mead Botanical Gardens, and Lake Virginia. Hoop traps were used to catch the turtles, which were then sampled and released. Captured turtles went through a series of measurements as well as a blood draw before release. Blood parasite levels were taken from the …

Crayfish Tube-Feeding Methodology, Phoenix Johnson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this paper was to use a tube feeding method on crayfish to expose them to substances through ingestion rather than the gill. This was done to mimic human ingestion of substance to aid in crayfish research involving substances that are normally ingestion. This was done by using a pipette to inject grains of sand into the mouth of the crayfish. To determine if the method worked and successfully went into the stomach the grains of sand were recovered and counted under a microscope after certain increments of time post injection.

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 …

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 …

Biodistribution Comparison Of Fentanyl And Morphine Following Acute And Repeated Expsoure, Rosamond M. Goodson

Theses and Dissertations

The ongoing opioid crisis constitutes a dire public health threat that has resulted in staggering loss of life. In 2021, opioids were implicated in over 75% of the approximately 107,000 deaths attributed to drug overdose (CDC), and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and its analogues are key drivers of the surge in opioid fatalities in recent years. Although fentanyl is a μ opioid receptor agonist, it has several distinct attributes compared to other drugs in this category, such as morphine. These include enhanced lipophilicity, heightened potency to induce respiratory depression, more rapid entry into the central nervous system, reduced sensitivity …

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Yucatan Minipigs: Assessing Changes In Approachability And Mechanical Nociception Following Diffuse Central Fluid Percussion Injury, Mark D. Pavlichenko

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major healthcare concern affecting millions. Symptoms of TBI include sensory sensitivity and social changes that may persist long-term. Due to similarities in cytoarchitecture, metabolism, and inflammation, higher order minipig models are advantageous for translational TBI research, however, there remains a shortage of information regarding their behavioral and sensory sequelae following injury. Therefore, in this study, we assessed changes in sociability and somatosensation in adult male and female Yucatan minipigs for up to one-week following a sham or central fluid percussion injury (cFPI). Specifically, the voluntary human approach task (VHAT) and the forced human approach …

Biographical Feature: Charles Y. Chiu, M.D., Ph.D., Erik Munson

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Tim/Tam Receptors: A Potential Biomarker For Predicting Sensitivity To Zika Virus-Induced Oncolysis In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers, Shankari Somasekar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) constitute 80-85% of lung cancers and are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The most common cause is prolonged smoking. Current treatment options for NSCLC include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Although these medications are effective in the short term, patients often face issues of drug resistance and debilitating side effects with prolonged use. Currently, the use of Zika virus (ZIKV) is being researched as a possible alternative treatment for cancer, which minimizes side effects and the risk of drug resistance. TIM/TAM proteins are identified as the putative ZIKV receptors on …

Modulation Of Persistent Inward Currents With Changes In Posture And Cutaneous Sensory Input, Ryan William Weller

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Spinal motor neuron (MN) persistent inward currents (PIC) increase and sustain the MN output. PIC is amplified by descending monoamines and reduced by afferent inhibition. There is strong coupling between plantar cutaneous sensory input and lower limb MNs. Given that monoaminergic drive is altered with postures and motor tasks, our purpose was to assess posture-dependent plantar cutaneous sensory modulation of tibialis anterior (TA) MNs. We hypothesize that: 1) a supine position will suppress PIC, 2) removing the load from the bottom of the heel will inflate PIC, and 3) cutaneous stimulation of the plantar aspect of the heel will reduce …

Puberty-Associated Changes In Kiss1r, Mc3r, And Mc4r In The Ewe, Ashleigh Caitlyn Thomson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The neural mechanisms that control the onset of puberty are not completely understood. In livestock, the onset of puberty relies on an increase in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin neurons (KNDy) and their receptors, Kiss1r, NK3R, and KOR, respectively, are important regulators of puberty. Previous data from our laboratory has shown that KNDy neurons may be responding to other inputs, including the melanocortin system, that will affect the timing of puberty. Given this, we examined kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) mRNA expression in GnRH neurons as well as examining melanocortin 3 and 4 receptor …

Fungal Empyema Thoracis, A Rare But An Emerging Entity: A Retrospective Case Series From Pakistan, Nousheen Iqbal, Akbar Shoukat Ali, Aqusa Zahid, Kauser Jabeen, Muhammad Irfan

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

Background and objective: Fungal empyema is a rare entity which is associated with high mortality. It is mostly seen in immune-compromised hosts. However, there is limited data available on fungal empyema from developing countries regarding risk factors, treatment, and outcome. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors, clinical features, treatment, and outcome of fungal empyema.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed on proven fungal empyema cases, admitted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan during January 2018 to May 2021. We excluded all those patients with polymicrobial bacterial and fungal empyema or with negative pleural fluid cultures. …

Air-Jet Bioprinting Of Stem Cell-Encapsulated Alginate Micro-Droplets For Organoid Biomanufacturing, Mirabella B. Stump

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biomanufactured 3D-organoids show promise for modeling and treating various conditions, particularly insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type-1 diabetes). Pancreatic islet organoids serve as sustainable sources of insulin-producing β-cells, potentially restoring insulin regulation in patients and providing a long-term solution for diabetes. Hydrogel droplet printing is an emerging technique in regenerative medicine due to its advantageous tunability and biocompatibility; however, challenges of consistency, quality control, and scalability persist. To address these issues, we developed a novel air-jetting based droplet bioprinting system for the generation of monodispersed alginate micro-droplets. The objective of this project was to incorporate human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into …

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 …

An Inkjet-Printed Graphene Oxide–Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) Poly(Styrene Sulfonate) Electrode For Nitrite Detection In Water, Budi Riza Putra, Weni Anindya, Mohamad Rafi, Ika Kartika, Yudi Nugraha Thaha, Aga Ridhova, Wulan Tri Wahyuni

Makara Journal of Science

In this study, a screen-printed electrode (SPE) for nitrite (NO₂⁻) sensing was fabricated through an inkjet printing technique using a commercial printer machine and preparing an ink composite solution containing graphene oxide (GO) and poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene) poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as conductive materials. The optimum ink materials for SPE fabrication comprised GO and PEDOT:PSS with binders that resemble the viscosity of commercial ink. The surface topography of the fabricated SPE, which was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, showed a smoother surface compared to the commercial screen-printed carbon electrode, with conductive ink materials deposited primarily …

The Influence Of Rusty Crayfish And Zebra Mussel Invasion On Yellow Perch Population Dynamics In North-Central Minnesota Lakes, Kendra Fink

Biology Graduate Theses

Over the last 50 years, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources standard fisheries survey catch rates of Yellow Perch have declined. Yellow Perch Perca flavescens are an important, widespread game fish, are essential prey species for Walleye Sander vitreus and other piscivorous fish and rely greatly on benthic resources through many life stages. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) like rusty crayfish Faxonius rusticus and zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha have the potential to change water quality, vegetation and prey assemblages in aquatic systems and could cause shifts in energy flow, subsequently altering growth, condition, and maturity of native fish species. In this study, …

Fabrication Of Novel Electropolymerized Conductive Polymer Of Hydrophobic Perfluorinated Aniline As Transducer Layer On Glassy Carbon Electrode: Application To Midazolam As A Model Drug Of Benzodiazepines, Ekram Hany Mohamed, Amr Mahmoud,, , Nancy Nashat, Sally El-Mosallamy

Pharmacy

The objective of this study is to fabricate solid-contact ion selective electrodes (SC-ISEs) that have long term stable potential. Various conducting polymers such as polyaniline and its derivatives have been successfully employed to improve the potential stability in SC-ISEs. Recently, the role of hydrophobicity at the interface between the conducting polymer solid contact and the ion sensing membrane has been investigated and figured out that the hydrophobic interfaces preclude water layer formation that deteriorate the SC-ISEs potential stability and reproducibility. In this work, a hydrophobic polyaniline derivative was fabricated on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode by electropolymerization of …

Development And Validation Of Molnupiravir Assessment In Bulk Powder And Pharmaceutical Formulation By The Rp-Hplc-Uv Method, Ekram Hany Mohamed, A. H. Abdel Aziz, Noha M. El Zahar,, Nour El-Din A. Abdel-Sattar, Safwat A. Mahmoud,, Mohamed S. Attia,

Pharmacy

An accurate, sensitive and selective RP-HPLC-UV method has been established for the estimation of Molnupiravir (MOL) in pure bulk powder and pharmaceutical formulation. Separation was achieved on an Inertsil C18 column (150.0 mm × 4.6 mm, 5.0 μm), using a mobile phase of 20 mM phosphate buffer pH 2.5 : acetonitrile (80 : 20, v/v%) in isocratic mode with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1. The λmax of MOL prepared in the chosen diluent (ethanol : water in equal proportions) was found to be 230.0 nm. The constructed calibration curve was found to be linear in the concentration range …

Exploration Of The Implementation Of An Integrated Electronic Laboratory Information Management System On Quality Diagnostics Service Indicators At A County Level Public Hospital In Western Kenya., Kelly Allen

Capstone Collection

Underinvestment in pathology and laboratory capacity caused by low visibility in research and in prioritization by public health leaders results in limited effective healthcare coverage and an estimated 1.1 million premature deaths annually in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries. Kenya’s public health laboratories provide a median 41% of the Essential Diagnostic List to their patients and in Kisumu County, as much as 44.2% of the population has little to no access to essential diagnostics. The government of Kisumu implemented the county Health Laboratory Strategic Plan 2018-2022 to address this public health challenge. Little information exists on the effectiveness of these initiatives and the …

Lead, Cadmium, And Mercury Concentration Levels In Some Commercial Fish From The Arabian Sea And The Gulf Of Aden During The Years 2020–2022, Khaled Awadh Al-Rabaki, Salem Rabie Bazar, Ahmed Ali Balqadi, Nabil Shayif Al-Hudaifi, Marwan Ahmed Al-Habashi, Nadia Ahmed Balasuad, Muhammad Abdurrahman Ba-Omer

Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences

This study was conducted to determine and evaluate the heavy metal concentrations levels: lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in the meat of some commercial fish species: Grouper (Epinephelus areolatus), Emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) and Cuttlefish (Sepia Pharaonis). A total of 84 fish samples were caught and collected from different sites in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea between January 2020 and December 2022. Some of them were sold in the cities markets of Hadhramout governorate- Yemen, and some of them were exported abroad. All samples were analyzed at the laboratories of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and …

Effects Of Aging On Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption: A Preliminary Study, Steven Klepacz

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Aging and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) is something that has not been adequately studied. Studies looking at EPOC mostly are compiled of young college age individuals. Aging in humans is a topic of much research with still more to be learned. The study in this paper attempts to answer the question of whether age affects EPOC when performing a certain exercise. Preliminary findings based on general age-related research suggest the possibility. This thesis will explore the current research related to age and EPOC, analyze the findings, and discuss additional avenues for future research.