Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Should Subclinical Hypothyroidism Be Treated?, Rachel Kaufman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Subclinical Hypothyroidism, SCH, has been detected with increasing frequency in recent years and has brought about major controversies regarding management and treatment [Meier et al., 2001]. The condition is characterized as having a high concentration of thyroid stimulating hormone, yet normal thyroid hormone levels and is often asymptomatic. Scientific articles retrieved from various databases helped determine some of the long term risk factors associated with SCH, including progression to overt hypothyroidism, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, neuropsychiatric complications and reproductive malfunctions. Studies determining the clinical and metabolic effects of L-thyroxine hormone replacement therapy on symptoms and potential risks of SCH …

Energy Drinks: Cardiovascular Effects And The Specific Components Responsible, Malka B. Gelbfish

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Energy drink usage as a stimulant is on the rise among adolescents and young adults. While these drinks have positive energizing effects, they pose significant health concerns. This paper examines the adverse cardiovascular effects of energy drinks and the components that could possibly be responsible. Analysis was conducted by reviewing and comparing many studies available in this area of research. Studies of energy drinks in general and energy drinks versus drinks containing caffeine alone were analyzed. Additionally, this review investigated studies of the specific ingredients in energy drinks such as caffeine, taurine, guarana, and sugar. This review found that energy …

The Role Of Diet In Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Aviva Smilow

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Inflammatory Bowel Disease encompasses two diseases, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. During the last 70 years the evolving of diet in the industrialized countries has led to the utilization of foods that have been processed rather than those in their more natural original state. This increase in the processing of foods has been correlated with the more recent occurrence of metabolic diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Patients suffering from this problem exhibit lesser amounts of anti-inflammatory bacteria such as Roseburia and Faecalibacterium and increased amounts of pro-inflammatory bacteria Escheria and Fusobacterium. Since diet directly alters the composition of the …

Ultrafine Black Carbon: A Cumulative Assessment On The Physiology Of Lung - Derived Cells, M Esther Salinas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Combustion-derived nanomaterials are noxious ultrafine (<100 nm) aerosolized by-products generated by human activity. They pose threats to pulmonary health due to their small size, allowing them to penetrate deep into the alveolar regions causing detrimental responses downstream. Indeed, an examination between nanocarbon particle exposure and poor pulmonary health via cellular behavior was needed. I hypothesized that low-dose and long-term administrations of carbonaceous nanoparticles contribute to respiratory conditions by irritating lung-derived cells. Responses to ultrafine black carbon (UBC), a key component of airborne pollutants, by human lung A549 and murine lung LA4 epithelial cells, human peripheral-blood monocytes THP1, and murine macrophages RAW264.7 were investigated. These lines were chosen because epithelial cells and mononuclear cells (monocytes and macrophages) are the first to come in contact with inhaled particulate matter (PM) and contribute to stress and inflammation of pulmonary tissues. The cells were first plated on day zero and fed fresh UBC suspended in culture media on days one, four, and seven. The exposure regimen included three different low-level concentrations of UBC. On day ten, all cells were prepared for subsequent assays. Effects on cellular viability revealed that UBC was modestly cytotoxic while ATPase and esterase activity (termed enzyme vitality for the purpose of this study) were significantly diminished in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, beta-galactosidase proportionally increased with UBC concentration compared to untreated cells, indicating that cellular senescence was promoted across all cell types. Multiple markers of oxidative stress were subsequently measured, showing non-uniform trends and displaying moderate accumulation of oxidative damage, contingent upon cell line and UBC treatment. However, a significant induction of inner mitochondrial membrane depolarization of human UBC-treated cells was observed; an aberrant cell-cycle progression was found across all cells. The implemented regimen of UBC exposure elicited an imbalance of free (reduced) glutathione, altered mitochondrial potential, and abnormal cell-cycle activity. This method demonstrated that modifications across both species induced changes to cellular fitness overall. The data supported that compounding nanosized black carbon exposure could negatively affect overall pulmonary cell health by distinctively modifying intracellular activity. Additionally, we further surmised that sustained exposure to nanocarbon could impair innate immunity. Therefore, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and cytokine levels upon continuous administrations to 3.0 μg/mL UBC after brief challenges to microbial proxies were assessed; on day 9, the cells were succumbed to three different microbial insults (LPS, Poly I:C, and Zymosan). On day 10, measurements demonstrated a moderate accumulation of oxidative stress, conditional to each cell type. Thus, UBC plus microbe approach triggered pro-oxidant levels and cytokine production across different cell types and diminished phagocytic response by murine macrophages. Based on the results, ultrafine-PM exposure may impair inflammatory function in response to pathogenic infections. In summation, our findings indicated that additive nanosized UBC in combination with microbe-like challenges may compromise cellular behavior, suggesting potential ways by which inhalation of ultrafine-PM may contribute to or exacerbate poor pulmonary health.

Negative Effects Of Common Herbicides On Non-Target Invertebrates, Debbi Albanese

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Three herbicide formulations, Roundup® Ready to Use Weed and Grass Killer, Bayer Advanced Southern Weed Killer for Lawns and Pure 20% Vinegar Solution were directly applied to eggs of four species of butterflies, Danaus plexippus, Papilio cresphontes, Papilio polyxenes and Papilio troilus. Roundup and Bayer Advanced containing 2,4-D, mecoprop-p and dicamba significantly reduced hatch success in all four species. Lethal and sublethal effects of these herbicides on the earthworm, Eisenia andrei, was also examined. Direct contact by E. andrei with a heavy dose of the herbicides applied to tops of soil 24 hours prior was lethal to earthworms. …

Investigating The Antiviral Effects Of Vig-3 From Rainbow Trout, Shanee Herrington-Krause

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Rainbow trout is the most farmed fish in Ontario, and thus is economically important to the province. Despite this, there is a lack of understanding regarding fish innate immunity, specifically with regards to interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and their antiviral effector functions. ISGs are the workhorses of the innate antiviral response, operating together to limit each step of virus replication. The Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV) induced gene (Vig)-3 is a newly identified ISG within many fish species and is homologous to ISG-15 in mammals. It is a small ubiquitin-like protein inducible by type I interferon (IFN-I), and is suggested to …

Validation Of A Low-Cost Sensor For Development Of Wearable And Handheld Spectrometers, Justin Leslie Cathey

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the possibility of creating a quantitative radiometric spectrometer from a low-cost relative radiometric spectrometer sensor through the use of statistical analysis and development of a correction factor (p > 0.05). Radiometric spectrometers are able to measure and fully characterize the radiometric and photometric characteristics of light, while relative spectrometers are not able to fully, quantitatively characterize the radiometric response from a light source, thus they are less expensive. The spectrometer created in this research is able to measure and produce comparative lighting parameters as well as an actual radiometer spectrometer.

The photoreceptors cells within the human eye allow …

Potential Impact Of Northern Resource Development On Aquatic Biota: Toxicity Of Chromium And Rare Earth Element Processing Reagent, So Yeon Choi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Chromite and rare earth element development was identified in the 2015 Canadian Federal budget as a significant opportunity, however, key data gaps exist regarding the environmental concerns related to these resource developments. Chromium is essential in the production of stainless steel, and no suitable substitute is known. Rare earth elements (REEs) are a series of metals that are composed of 15 lanthanides, as well as scandium and yttrium. Uses for REEs range from electronic devices (i.e. cell phones, computers, televisions) to magnets and controlling nuclear reactors. While commercial production of REEs signify a great economic opportunity for Canada, key data …

The Value Of Chemical Defense: The Effects Of Toxin Milking On The Physical, Physiological, And Behavioral Performance Of Cane Toads (Rhinella Marina), Ryann Blennerhassett

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Amphibians have cutaneous glands on their skin which produce a number of toxic compounds that serve as protection against predators and microorganisms. Cane toads (Rhinella marina) have large parotoid glands located on their shoulders to store toxins, many of which are derived from lipids and are thus energetically expensive to produce. I used a combination of field and laboratory studies to investigate behavioral and physiological consequences of toxin loss and replenishment in cane toads. In a cross-sectional study, free-ranging toads were euthanized and dissected to identify correlations between toxin content and morphology /physiology. Experimental manipulations (manually expressing toxin from glands) …

Yardwork: A Biography Of An Urban Place By Daniel Coleman, Vivian M. Hansen

The Goose

Review of Daniel Coleman's Yardwork: A Biography of an Urban Place.

Macrophytes And Atrazine In Ponds Of Southwest Missouri, Christine Michelle Cornish

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Wetlands are often the ultimate destination of agrochemicals. The increased use of these pollutants has resulted in their increased transport, via runoff and spray drift, into wetlands. Atrazine, a commonly used herbicide, has been detected in surface water, groundwater, soil, and sediment, and has shown to have adverse impacts on aquatic biota, such as fish and amphibians. Few studies have reported on the relationships between atrazine and macrophytes. I measured atrazine concentrations in surface sediments in agricultural, conservation, and golf course ponds of southwest Missouri, and investigated how those concentrations might be related to macrophyte communities, and pond environmental characteristics. …

The Role Of Perivascular Fibrosis In Post-Stroke Glymphatic Impairment And Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Matthew D. Howe

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

In healthy brain tissue, toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) proteins are transported by the pulsatile flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along perivascular drainage pathways. Ischemic stroke may disrupt this process, leading to a perivascular build-up of Aβ, termed cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). I hypothesize that an abnormal pattern of extracellular matrix deposition within the vascular basement membrane, termed fibrosis, impairs Aβ drainage from the aged brain after stroke. I further hypothesize that inhibition of astrocytic transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling can reverse these phenotypes. Finally, I also hypothesize that serum biomarkers of perivascular fibrosis can be used to diagnose CAA following intracerebral …

Off-Target Based Drug Repurposing Using Systems Pharmacology, Brent M. Kuenzi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to identify novel drug repurposing opportunities in cancer by utilizing the off-target profiles of clinically relevant kinase inhibitors. This was based on the observation that the global target profiles of compounds are largely ignored and that many compounds have activity that cannot be explained by their cognate target alone. Additionally, by utilizing clinically relevant compounds, any results would hold a high potential for eventual clinical implementation. We utilized a systems pharmacology approach utilizing cell viability-based drug screening to identify compounds with beneficial off-target activity and then using chemical and phosphoproteomics in order to elucidate …

Radical Social Ecology As Deep Pragmatism: A Call To The Abolition Of Systemic Dissonance And The Minimization Of Entropic Chaos, Arielle Brender

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper aims to shed light on the dissonance caused by the superimposition of Dominant Human Systems on Natural Systems. I highlight the synthetic nature of Dominant Human Systems as egoic and linguistic phenomenon manufactured by a mere portion of the human population, which renders them inherently oppressive unto peoples and landscapes whose wisdom were barred from the design process. In pursuing a radical pragmatic approach to mending the simultaneous oppression and destruction of the human being and the earth, I highlight the necessity of minimizing entropic chaos caused by excess energy expenditure, an essential feature of systems that aim …

Investigating The Role Of Genomic Variation In Susceptibility To Environmental Chemicals Across Populations, Lindsay Adrian Holden

Dissertations and Theses

No two individuals are identical. This is true at the genetic level and at the phenotypic level. One of the traits that varies between populations is toxicant susceptibility: some individuals are sensitive to the effects of environmental chemical exposure, and others are resistant. This body of work aims to address the impact of genomic copy number variants (CNV)--large (>1 Kb) duplications or deletions across the genome--on the toxicant-susceptibility phenotype.

Herein copy number variants were characterized across three commonly used laboratory strains of zebrafish (Danio rerio) and mRNA expression phenotypes were identified in the same strains. It was found that …

Effects Of Copper Sulfate On Mortality Rates Of Daphnia Magna, Grace Vilem

Honors Projects

Many reservoirs used for drinking water end up growing algae that needs to be removed. Copper sulfate (CuSO₄) can be used to reduce the growth of algae, however this chemical has been shown to have negative effects on invertebrates living in aquatic environment. This experiment exposed Daphnia magna, an aquatic zooplankton, to various concentrations of CuSO₄ for 48 hours to determine an LC50 value. Six sets of data were collected and averaged, finding an LC50 value of 36 ug/L. Further testing is needed to determine effects of CuSO₄ on fecundity between generations of Daphnia, as …

Investigating The Synergistic Effects Of Two Curcuminoids And Cisplatin On Cancer Cell Migration, Blaine Patty

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Cisplatin is a common chemotherapy drug used to treat various cancers; however, it is relatively ineffective against many cancers, including several types of lung cancer. One approach that could improve cisplatin’s effect is to combine it with another drug that produces a synergistic response greater than either drug alone. Curcumin, a naturally occurring plant compound, has been investigated for synergisms in conjunction with cisplatin chemotherapy, but curcumin use is hampered by its low bioavailability. This project investigated whether two synthetic curcumin analogs, EF-24 and CLEFMA (curcuminoids), which have greater solubility than curcumin, could, when combined with cisplatin, decrease the migration …

Investigating The Synergistic Effects Of Two Curcuminoids And Cisplatin On Cancer Cell Reactive Oxygen Species, Matthew Millay

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Cisplatin is an anticancer drug which can cause the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that kill cancer cells. Curcumin is a naturally occurring plant compound that can increase ROS levels in cancer cells and enhance the activity of cisplatin against cancer, but it exhibits poor bioavailability. We investigated whether two synthetic curcumin analogs (curcuminoids), EF-24 and CLEFMA, with anti-cancer activity and improved bioavailability, increased cisplatin’s effect against cancer. A spectrophotometric fluorescent ROS assay was used to determine if cisplatin, the curcuminoids or combinations of cisplatin with a curcuminoid affected the level of ROS in the A549 non-small cell lung …

The Combined Effects Of Atrazine And Tetracycline On Primary Producers And Zooplankton In Freshwater Microcosms, Madison R. Kelly

Honors College Theses

Widespread use of agrochemicals such as herbicides and antibiotics increases their likelihood of entering aquatic systems in mixture. Despite different modes of action, atrazine (herbicide) and tetracycline (antibiotic) adversely affect non-target photosynthetic organisms, such algae and macrophytes, with the potential to reduce food availability to higher trophic levels. However, the effects of simultaneous exposure to both contaminants have yet to be determined. I hypothesized that a mixture of atrazine and tetracycline affects freshwater communities differently than each compound alone. A microcosm experiment was conducted to test effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine (1 μg L^-1) and tetracycline …

Effects Of Radiation On Neurite Morphology And Cytoskeleton Structure, Melissa Sassman

Student Scholarship

Long-term manned space exploration to the moon, Mars, and other areas beyond Earth's protective magnetic field poses possible acute and late central nervous systems (CNS) risks. Of particular concern for astronauts is exposure to high atomic number, high energy particles known as HZE particles, a component of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). Although NASA has radiation safety requirements, the possible effects of GCR and HZE particles on the central nervous systems of astronauts remains unknown. Understanding the risks and effects of galactic cosmic radiation and HZE particles on the central nervous system will allow for safer space exploration.

Additionally, and perhaps …

Killi-Data News (Winter), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Valued readers, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that this is the last issue of Killi-Data News. The good news is that we will be back as Killifish Research Review. The dissolution of Killi-Data International created a prob- lem: how can the newsletter of a defunct organization live on without that organization? But other additional problems were building in the background. The first issue numbered 15 pages. The previous issue was 28 pages. The number of killifish related papers is increasing while time on our end (the editorial team) is running out. It takes a lot …

Killi-Data News (Fall), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Many interesting papers have been published over the last three months. The large volume of papers coupled with the start of the new college semester (and the workload it brings) delayed this issue of Killi-Data News. But better late than never—or so I hope! In this issue Richard van der Laan provides an insightful review of the recent Aphanius papers as to their taxonomic implications and questions. The systematic issues he raises show the importance of the Molecular project: we need to get more samples of the various cyprinodontiforme families to resolve unsettled systematic and taxonomic issues. In the Next …

Killi-Data News (Summer), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Over the last three months several interesting and exciting pa- pers have been published. By now most of you have heard the Nothobranchius fish poo news emanating from the Valenzano lab. That paper is reviewed and certainly has repercussions for the health of our captive fish. Polaçik et al have published interesting data with ramifications as to how we breed and incubate annual killifish. The big news in this issue is the paper from the Reznick lab which Jean Huber reviews. The contents of that paper goes to the heart of the question of just what a killifish is. The …

Killi-Data News (Spring), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the start of Killi-Data News’ second year. In this first issue of the year we have the usual review of research pub- lications as well as input from Martin Reichard on his lab’s Nothobranchius research. Martin is responding to my reviews of his lab’s work in the previous edition. I am serious about making sure the content in this newsletter is reliable but I erred in the previous edition and Martin has written extensively to correct my mistake in the section “Erratum”. This reply is welcomed and owed to readers. I must confess that I don’t know everything …

Killi-Data News (Winter), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the fourth edition, and concluding issue of the first volume, of Killi-Data News and I am happy that it has been well received by readers. At 25 pages this issue is a bit thin- ner than the last but this is because we agreed to make the cut-off for submissions the 1 st of December so we could get this edition out by the New Year. This is an exciting edition full of new species descrip- tions and analyses that will keep taxonomists busy for years to come. Costa has given us two molecular phylogenies on Melanorivulus as …

Killi-Data News (Spring), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the start of Killi-Data News’ second year. In this first issue of the year we have the usual review of research pub- lications as well as input from Martin Reichard on his lab’s Nothobranchius research. Martin is responding to my reviews of his lab’s work in the previous edition. I am serious about making sure the content in this newsletter is reliable but I erred in the previous edition and Martin has written extensively to correct my mistake in the section “Erratum”. This reply is welcomed and owed to readers. I must confess that I don’t know everything …

Hplc Detection Of The Possible Presence Of 17-A-Ethindyl Estradiol In Treated Effluents Released From The Chattanooga Water Treatment Plant, Jacqueline Dulanto, Benjamin Thornton, David Nelsen

Research in Biology

Research has confirmed that elevated synthetic estrogen in surface waters can lead to intersex characteristics in aquatic vertebrates. Unmetabolized antibiotics, hormones from animal wastes, including humans, and discarded pharmaceuticals are some ways synthetic estrogen enter aquatic ecosystems through the release of contaminated effluents. In this investigation, the Agilent 1260 Infinity HPLC was used to detect the possible presence of 17-α-ethindyl estradiol in effluents released from the Chattanooga Sewer Treatment Plant. Results were analyzed by comparing HPLC chromatograms from effluent and spiked samples. We detected a possible peak of synthetic estrogen in the effluent samples with a retention rate of 6 …

Possible Causes Of Preeclampsia And Potential Treatments, Helene Weinreb

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. Its symptoms are well-defined, but the pathophysiology is not fully understood. This paper analyzes several of the most credible causes of this syndrome and attempts to relate these to the known risk factors. Current preeclampsia treatments are examined, and special focus is given to novel experimental treatments which offer hope of ending preeclampsia and eclampsia.

The Relationship Between Vertigo, Vestibular System Disorders, And Therapy, Etta Rubin

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The relationship between vertigo and vestibular system disorders has been the subject of much research in recent years.The aim of this study is to review and analyze the relevant literature regarding this relationship, with emphasis on determining what causes the dizziness, how to test for vertigo, and specifically how to treat it.Additionally, while there may be many ways to prevent vertigo, the focus will be on how the role of therapy is vital in the future of healthcare, serving as prevention of anxiety and reoccurring vestibular disorders.

The Effects Of Maternal Caffeine Intake On A Fetus, Jennifer Kahan

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The United States has been noted as the country with the greatest caffeine consumption in the world. More than half of all Americans are said to consume caffeine on a daily basis. Caffeine is easily available in a variety of dietary products including coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate. Many pregnant women are unaware of the potential risk that excessive caffeine consumption can have on their unborn child. The purpose of this paper is to explore the ramifications of caffeine intake on a fetus. The studies reviewed propose that heavy maternal caffeine consumption, that of more than 300 mg daily, …