Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Effects Of Soy Isoflavone, Anne Roberts

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Soy, which contains a form of phytoestrogen known as isoflavones, impacts the biological activity of humans at all stages. There are many aspects to consider when determining whether soy is beneficial. Since the hormone estrogen plays a significant role in maintaining the biochemical and homeostatic conditions of an individual, it follows that the disruption of estrogenic levels can be detrimental. There are many hormone- dependent diseases that can be linked to one’s diet, and the possibility of utilizing phytoestrogens, such as soy, to prevent or control hormonal irregularities is compelling. This paper explores the effects that phytoestrogens, specifically soy, can …

The Relationship Between Autoimmunity And Polyautoimmunity, David Schon

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Autoimmune disease refers to a systemic immune response by the body against its own healthy tissue and cells. This results in various non-specific and systemic inflammatory processes that evolve into more than 100 individual diseases. Numerous biological similarities exist between the different pathophysiological pathways, including biochemical cascades and inflammasome mediators. This paper aims to investigate whether contracting one form of autoimmune disease can lead to the development of polyautoimmunity and multiple autoimmune syndrome. Scientists have identified chronic levels of high stress as a contributor to higher levels of C-reactive protein and several immune modulating interleukins, which can lead to both …

Full Issue: Volume 14, Number 2, Spring 2021

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Complete .pdf file of Volume 14, Number 2 of The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences. Published Spring 2021.

What Is The Underlying Cause Of Infantile Colic?, Tamar Itzkowitz

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Infantile colic (IC) is an important area of current research due to the extreme distress it causes parents and their infants. It is vital that a cause is isolated so that treatment can be found because IC is a risk factor for child abuse. In this paper, two major theories were posed to elucidate the underlying cause of IC—the gastrointestinal model and the neurological model. The gastrointestinal model suggests that IC stems from issues such as an immature gut. The neurological model suggests that infantile migraines are the causative agents of IC. Both theories supply correlational evidence but are subject …

The Riddle Of The Fetal Allograft, Rachel Tepper

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The immunological paradox of nurturing a fetus with paternal antigens poses some perplexing questions. Peter Medawar, an immunologist, asked at a lecture, “How does the pregnant mother contrive to nourish within itself, for many weeks or months, a fetus that is an antigenically foreign body?” Researchers have since then struggled to answer this question. The research on this topic has led to a few general hypotheses that try to explain this phenomenon. The downregulation of T cells toward paternal alloantigens is an accepted hypothesis. Another hypothesis discusses the significance of the decidua and its ability to impair dendritic cells, which …

Rapamycin And Metformin In Treating Covid-19, Avrohom Karp

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread rapidly, resulting in a global pandemic. There is a great need for an effective drug cocktail therapy to combat Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), a major cause of death due to COVID-19. The two drugs examined are metformin, an antidiabetic medication, and rapamycin. Rapamycin is often prescribed for transplant patients as it has an immunosuppressive effect. The aim of the investigation was to determine the efficacy of metformin and rapamycin in treating COVID-19, and to examine what an effective protocol would look like. These two drugs both inhibit mTOR and can reduce the body’s auto-immune …

Lupus And The Effects On Pregnancy, Elana Eisenreich

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a disease that manifests in many different ways. The cause of lupus still remains elusive. However, many of the pathologies associated with the disease as well as the disease process have been described. The pathophysiology of the disease as well as its effects on specific patient groups will be discussed below. More specifically, Systemic Lupus’ effect on pregnancy with current diagnostic and treatment modalities will be the focus of this paper.

What Are The Possible Causes And Effective Therapeutic Approaches Of Preeclampsia?, Adina Hadi

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy primarily characterized by hypertension and proteinuria and affects other organs as well. The underlying causes are not yet fully understood. However, it is suggested that angiogenic factors of the placenta, genetic factors, a malfunctioning immune system, and oxidative stress all play a role in causing preeclampsia. Currently, the only definitive cure known for preeclampsia is delivery of the baby. Management of the condition includes taking preventative measures as well as drugs such as labetalol and MgSO4. This paper analyzes mechanisms of preeclampsia and determines the possible causes and most effective ways to manage the …

Do People With Hashimoto’S Disease Need A Thyroidectomy?, Miriam Minkowitz

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases (Hiromatsu et al. 2013 p.13). It primarily affects the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland influences growth and regulates the body’s metabolism by manipulating hormonal levels. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis affects thyroid function through mechanisms that cause the hormone levels to become dysregulated. The standard therapy for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is hormone replacement. This approach helps most patients by regulating their thyroid hormones, though there are some individuals who fail treatment. Untreatable patients are plagued with weight gain, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms. Certain factors in thyroid disease may cause various secondary complications …

Developing Approaches Towards The Treatment Of Covid-19, Chana Weis

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

In late 2019 a newly identified strain of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 emerged, causing a worldwide pandemic of respiratory illness, Covid-19. Covid-19 has drastically transformed the world in numerous ways. The virus is highly contagious and, in some cases, fatal. A successful cure has not yet been discovered and therefore society is urged to take proper precautions to prevent the spread of the potentially fatal virus. This paper analyzes the proper precautions that should be taken as well as the ongoing research that has been done to stop the spread of the virus.

Full Issue: Volume 15, Number 1, Fall 2021

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Complete .pdf file of Volume 15, Number 1 of The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences. Published Fall 2021.

Mechanisms Of Cadmium-Induced And Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation-Driven Lung Tumorigenesis, Hsuan-Pei Lin

Theses and Dissertations--Toxicology and Cancer Biology

Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous pollutant in the environment and a known carcinogen for lung cancer. Cd has been shown to act as a weak mutagen, which suggests that it may exert tumorigenic effect through non-genotoxic ways, such as epigenetic mechanisms. The goal of this project is to investigate the mechanisms of Cd carcinogenesis focusing on the role of lncRNA dysregulations. The Cd-exposed cells formed significantly more colonies in soft agar, displayed cancer stem cell (CSC)-like property and formed tumors in nude mice. Mechanistically, the lncRNA microarray analysis revealed that chronic Cd exposure dysregulates lncRNA expressions. Q-PCR analysis confirmed the …

Elucidation Of Multi-Origin Inula Helenium L. For Antimicrobial Activity And Heavy Metal Profiling As An Exemplar For The Use And Regulation Of Plants As Antibiotics., Ciara Ruth Kenny

Theses

An impending post-antibiotic era looms, thus new sources of therapeutic chemical entities are crucial to sustain effective antimicrobial chemotherapy worldwide. Plant natural products are a source of accessible, structurally diverse compounds that provide therapeutic potential. The pharmacological applications of plants in medicine can be guided by the attestation of traditional use or the application of this knowledge to uncover new leads in the drug discovery process. The range of modified in vitro methods commonly used to investigate preclinical antimicrobial efficacy of plant-derived natural products, and the associated limitations and challenges in the provision of new antimicrobial drugs from plants is …

The Effects Of Fluoride On Macrophage Thp-1 Cell Apoptosis, Jessica Heims

Honors Program Theses

Fluoride is an earthly mineral that occurs naturally both in the sedimentary earth as well as in the human body. The main biological function of fluoride in the human body is to enhance bone structure, as well as prevent the decay of teeth. This mineral has been used by dentists and public health officials to artificially introduce an extra layer of protection through the means of fluoride-enriched public water supplies and toothpastes. By using extra levels of fluoride, dentists have been able to help patients prevent future cavities and dental diseases. Although most dentists highly encourage strategic consumption of these …

Inaction On Lead Despite The Relevant Knowledge: Predictors, Covariates, And Outreach Implications, Alessandra Rossi, Bernabas Wolde, Pankaj Lal, Melissa Harclerode

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Testing residential soil and paint for lead provides actionable information. By showing where and how much lead exists on the residence, it allows one to quantify risk and determine the best ways to reduce exposure along with the corresponding health and financial costs. For these reasons, several federal and state programs offer outreach to audiences on the benefits of testing residential soil and paint for lead. Not all individuals who know about lead’s adverse health effects, however, test their residence for lead, potentially limiting the actionable information that could have helped to reduce their exposure. Such individuals represent a challenge …

Investigating Dose-Dependent, Multi-Generational, And Strain-Specific Effects Of 17Α-Ethynylestradiol Exposure In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Decatur Mitochondria Foster

Dissertations and Theses

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose a threat to biodiversity at the individual, population, and ecosystem level, as they can interfere with processes that are responsible for regulating metabolism, development, behavior, and reproduction in living organisms. 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) is a synthetic estrogen and EDC utilized in pharmaceutical and livestock industries, and contaminates waterways worldwide. This research explores the effects of dose-dependent and multi-generational exposure of EE2 in three strains of zebrafish. High dose (10-25 ng/L EE2) exposure led to complete reproductive failure, as well as significantly decreased survival and growth. A period in clean water (depuration) after exposure allowed for some …

Chemically Induced Phytoextraction Of Lead (Pb) Contaminated Soil By Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.), Austin Gilly

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Soils contaminated with lead (Pb) from human activities including industrial byproducts create an environmental and human health risk. Phytoextraction through chemical acquisition of Pb in soils offer a potentially cost effective and ecologically driven approach to remediation. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is known to have a tolerance for a wide range of heavy metals including Pb. Switchgrass is also able to grow in a wide range of climates. Soil chemistry manipulation, using chelates and plant growth promoters could provide an effective field method for phytoremediation using switchgrass. In this study chemically enhanced phytoextraction using the soil-fungicide Infuse (active ingredient …

Aspergillus Niger Decreases Bioavailability Of Arsenic(V) Via Biotransformation Of Manganese Oxide Into Biogenic Oxalate Minerals, Bence Farkas, Marek Kolenčík, Miroslav Hain, Edmund Dobročka, Gabriela Kratošová, Marek Bujdoš, Huan Feng, Yang Deng, Qian Yu, Ramakanth Illa, B. Ratna Sunil, Hyunjung Kim, Peter Matúš, Martin Urík

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The aim of this work was to evaluate the transformation of manganese oxide (hausmannite) by microscopic filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger and the effects of the transformation on mobility and bioavailability of arsenic. Our results showed that the A. niger strain CBS 140837 greatly affected the stability of hausmannite and induced its transformation into biogenic crystals of manganese oxalates—falottaite and lindbergite. The transformation was enabled by fungal acidolysis of hausmannite and subsequent release of manganese ions into the culture medium. While almost 45% of manganese was bioextracted, the arsenic content in manganese precipitates increased throughout the 25-day static cultivation of fungus. …

The Nature Of Genes Expressed Differently After Environmental Drug Exposure, Nicci Siffel

Scholars Week

The Nature of Genes Expressed Differently after Environmental Drug Exposure

N. Siffel, S. Anderson, B. Subedi, D.R. Hammond-Weinberger

Drug use, of prescription or illicit varieties, alter bodily functions in different ways, especially in the nervous system. These drugs are found in sources of drinking water because they are not removed by wastewater treatment facilities. To investigate the effects of these drugs as they appear in mixtures, we exposed groups of zebrafish embryos to cocktails of drugs and screened for genes that were differentially expressed between the experimental and control groups and could thus give more insight into their biological functions. …

Hepatobiliary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Pelagic Fishes Of The Gulf Of Mexico, Madison R. Schwaab

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fisheries populations and their ecosystems are negatively impacted by both chronic and acute inputs of pollutants, including oil spills such as the Deepwater Horizon platform blowout in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). After Deepwater Horizon, toxicological studies of demersal fishes of the northern GoM were undertaken to characterize impacts and to establish baseline contaminant levels in the aftermath of the spill. In this study, I quantify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in eight pelagic fish species to demonstrate oil exposure differences between species, region and time. Analysis of biliary PAH metabolite equivalents using high performance liquid chromatography was …

Foliar Application Of Low Concentrations Of Titanium Dioxide And Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles To The Common Sunflower Under Field Conditions, Marek Kolenčík, Dávid Ernst, Martin Urík, Ľuba Ďurišová, Marek Bujdoš, Martin Šebesta, Edmund Dobročka, Samuel Kšiňan, Ramakanth Illa, Qian Yu, Huan Feng, Ivan Černý, Veronika Holišová, Gabriela Kratošová

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Nano-fertilisers have only recently been introduced to intensify plant production, and there still remains inadequate scientific knowledge on their plant-related effects. This paper therefore compares the effects of two nano-fertilisers on common sunflower production under field conditions. The benefits arising from the foliar application of micronutrient-based zinc oxide fertiliser were compared with those from the titanium dioxide plant-growth enhancer. Both the zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) were delivered by foliar application in nano-size at a concentration of 2.6 mg·L⁻¹. The foliar-applied nanoparticles (NPs) had good crystallinity and a mean size distribution under 30 nm. …

Genotoxic And Hematological Effects Of Aluminium And Lead Exposure In Red Hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis Sp.), Mohamad Zaid Faten Fatehah

Student Works (2020-2029)

This study was conducted to investigate the genotoxic effects of single aluminium (Al), 25.00 mg/l, single lead (Pb), 18.75 mg/l and binary mixtures of Al and Pb (25.00 mg/l + 18.75 mg/l) and to determine their hematological effects on the tilapia fish as test subjects after 96 h exposure to these heavy metals. Oreochromis sp. was selected as the test subjects because of its adaptability to the environment and it can be easily found as it is the most common species of freshwater fish being cultured and farmed. Two different methods, micronucleus test and comet assay, were used for the …

A Health Evaluation Of Gulf Of Mexico Golden Tilefish (Lopholatilus Chamaeleonticeps) And Red Snapper (Lutjanus Campechanus) Following The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Kristina Leigh Deak

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A lack of baseline heath indices for offshore Gulf of Mexico (GoM) teleosts complicated impact assessments of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill. While measurement of contaminant levels in fish after a pollution event can document exposure, such data fail to provide meaningful information about how this contact affects an animal's physiology. Controlled exposure studies have highlighted the utility of biomarkers that may indicate deleterious, long-lasting effects of pollutant exposure on various life stages of fish, however, their extrapolation to wild-caught, non-model species is challenging. In an increasingly chemically-saturated environment, it can also be difficult to separate the influence of …

Toxin Transcripts In Crotalus Atrox Venom And In Silico Structures Of Toxins, Ying Jia, Ivan Lopez, Paulina Kowalski

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

The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is a common and widespread North American pit viper species, and its venom possesses medical applications. In this research, we identified 14 of the most common transcripts encoding 11 major venom toxins including transcripts for a three-finger toxin (3FTx) from the crude venom of C. atrox. In silico three-dimensional (3D) structures of 9 venom toxins were predicted by using deduced toxin amino acid sequences and a computer programme-MODELLER. The accuracy of all predicted toxin structures was evaluated by five stereochemical structure parameters including discrete optimised protein energy (DOPE) score, root mean square deviation (RMSD), …

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Apixaban Using Chromogenic Kits, Brooke Vogel

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Apixaban is a novel oral anticoagulant that prevents clotting by directly inhibiting Factor Xa in the coagulation cascade. Due to its different pharmacokinetics, previous standards for testing anticoagulant concentrations are ineffective at measuring apixaban. In this study, Hyphen Biomed Biophen Direct Xa Inhibitor and Biophen Heparin chromogenic kits from Aniara Diagnostica were used along with a NanoDrop™ One/One^C Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer to see if either of these kits provide acceptable precision and accuracy for the quantification of apixaban in plasma samples, as well as if there is a significant difference in these two kits at varying concentrations of apixaban. …

Investigating The Effects Of Temperature On Lesser Celandine, Regina Bellian

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

This paper explores invasive species Ficaria verna (Lesser celandine) and the effects of temperature on its growth. Trials were completed with two treatments, 13OC cold temperature and 20OC ambient temperature. Germinated bulbils of Lesser celandine were planted on February 15, 2017 and placed in their respective growing chambers. The plants were watered weekly and monitored for growth until harvest on March 29, 2017. Upon harvest, the plants’ height, largest leaf diameter and biomass were measured after extraction from soil and the removal of the leftover soil debris. Average height was found to be 11.66cm for the cold treatment and 5.14cm …

Assessment Of The Toxicological Effects Of Cnt-Ab In Mice Followed By Microwave Hyperthermia 14 Days Post Treatment., Andrew C. Mixson

Honors College Theses

Serious side effects and treatment resistance are the main impediments to successful cancer therapy. A variety of nanoparticles have been used for localized, site-specific treatment that prevent or circumvent these impediments. Microwaves alone have been previously used for thermal ablation of various tumors, setting precedence for their successful use in live organisms. In cell culture studies, it has been observed that multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) instantly and efficiently absorb microwaves, causing hyperthermia of cells in direct contact with them with unnoticed harm to other cells. It is hypothesized that a treatment can be developed based on a safe microwave heating …

A Reexamination Of The Freshwater Mussel Community Of The Little Miami River, Emily Davis

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Understanding the changes in biodiversity and local freshwater mussel populations is critical to mitigate the risks to these populations. Freshwater ecosystems continue to degrade rapidly. The freshwater mussel community of the Little Miami River is degraded and has been in decline for many years. The biodiversity contained within freshwater ecosystems is lost at unprecedented rates influenced by human activity. Freshwater mussels play a key role in understanding the effects of human activity on freshwater ecosystems as well as maintaining the health of freshwater habitats. However, they are also sensitive to changes and disturbances, in their ecosystems. This study involved monitoring …

The Impact Of Nicotine Accumulation Exposure On Lithobates Catebeianus Larvae Mortality, Luke Micek

UCARE: Research Products

Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world and contain over 4,000 chemicals, including the organic compound nicotine (Slaughter et al. 2011). Billions of cigarette butts are littered each year which may wash into bodies of water, impacting the local wildlife. To determine how introduced chemicals impact the environment, it is important to study its effects on indicator species. Amphibians, such as Lithobates catebeianus, act as indicator species due to their extreme sensitivity to chemical changes in its environment. The purpose of this research project was to obtain data to help determine the impact nicotine accumulation has …

The Effects Of Trichloroethylene On The Germination And Early Development Of Radish, Butternut Squash, Corn, And Soybean, Sarah Jaksich

UNO Student Research and Creative Activity Fair

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a small molecule used as a metal degreaser and as an extraction solvent for lipids. Historically, TCE has been used to clean missiles and rockets after testing at military sites. However, TCE has decreased in use due to its potential health hazards. TCE is particularly dangerous because it is soluble in water and easily seeps into ground water. As a result, TCE has contaminated groundwater in Mead, Nebraska. The town is near the formal Nebraska Ordnance Plant, a military factory specializing in bomb assembly, ammonium nitrate production, and explosives burning. Soil sampling in Mead indicated TCE levels …