Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Improving Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes: Early Identification And Management Of Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity, Randi Rockwell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Abstract

Background: Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) can occur in patients with acutely acquired brain injury and is associated with mortality, poor clinical outcomes, prolonged hospitalizations, physical disability, and increased healthcare costs. The most common cause of PSH syndrome is traumatic brain injury (TBI). Symptoms consist of hyperthermia, diaphoresis, arterial hypertension, tachycardia, tachypnea, and extremity motor dystonic posturing, often in response to evoked stimuli and occurs in 8% to 33% of TBI patients. Critical care nurses are at the forefront of providing direct patient care to TBI patients and are often the first to identify PSH.

Purpose: The objective of this …

The Reinforcement Enhancing Effects Of Delta-9-Tetrahyrdrocannabinol (Thc) In Male And Female Rats, Kynah Walston

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cannabis is widely consumed by humans for pharmacological effects that are mediated by THC, though there is little evidence that THC is a primary reinforcer in non-human animal models. We hypothesized that THC may have potent reinforcement enhancing effects, comparable to other drugs (e.g., nicotine and caffeine) which are also widely consumed by humans, but difficult to establish as primary reinforcers in non-humans. In three experiments with male and female rats saccharin (SACC) or a visual stimulus (VS) served as reinforcers for operant behavior. We explored several pharmacological parameters of THC on responding for SACC or VS, including THC dose, …

Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibition: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy For Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease., Jeffrey Warner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a common chronic liver disease and healthcare burden, and a spectrum of pathologies ranging from steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). Despite its prevalence, there are limited effective therapeutic options for the treatment of ALD/AH. Previous evidence suggested that inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), a lipid metabolism enzyme which degrades beneficial metabolites of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, may be a beneficial strategy. The central hypothesis of the current dissertation is that sEH inhibition will ameliorate alcohol-associated liver injury and inflammation in mouse models of ALD. Methods To determine the efficacy of …

Changes In Energy Metabolism Induced By Pfos And Dietary Oxylipins, William Evans

All Theses

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), an emerging environmental toxicant in addition to 9- hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (9-HODE) and 9-hydroxyoctadecatrienoic acid (9-HOTrE), endogenously produced oxylipins from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) by Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) have been recently associated with hepatic steatosis and peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor signaling by data produced from our laboratory and others. Given the importance of mitochondrial energy metabolism in the maintenance of lipid homeostasis, an array of extracellular flux assays was performed using HepG2 cells to test for the ability of these compounds to disrupt overall mitochondrial activity and respiration associated with fatty acid oxidation and glycolysis specifically. PFOS and …

Role Of Salinity In Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (Pfos) Bioconcentration Between Aquatic Species And The Differential Regulation Of Transporters In Fundulus Heteroclitus, Tyler Davis

All Theses

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent organic pollutant that is known for its surfactant properties and its resistance to degradation. The persistence and lipophilicity of PFOS in surface waters have led to its bioaccumulation in fish, which in turn leads to its accumulation and toxic effects in humans that consume fish. PFOS is also hypothesized to perturb reproduction and survival of low and mid-trophic level zooplankton species such as Daphnia magna that are food for multiple fish species. In this study, a 21-day D. magna chronic toxicity test was performed using 1,10, 100, 1000, and 5000 ppb of PFOS to …

Morphologic Comparisons Of Recrystallized And Neocrystallized Fibrous Amphibole Asbestos: Implications For Corresponding Health Risk Potential, Natalie G. Renkes

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The presence of naturally-occurring asbestos (NOA) is increasingly concerning for scientists, health and regulatory agencies, and citizens living in impacted areas. It is commonly believed that fibrous amphibole asbestos can only form through neocrystallization. In southern Nevada, NOA occurs as a result of hydrothermal alteration of granitic rock producing fibrous amphibole both as cross-cutting neocrystallized veins and via recrystallization of original magmatic hornblende crystals. Fibers with a greater aspect ratio are known to have increased toxicity. This study measured the maximum length and average width of both neocrystallized and recrystallized fibers to see if the morphologies were similar. Neocrystallized and …

Selenium Removal By Sediments And Plants At The Constructed Pariette Wetlands, Utah (Usa), Colleen P. Jones, Michael Amacher, Paul R. Grossl, Astrid R. Jacobson

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Selenium (Se) contamination of public lands and water is a result of irrigated agriculture and mining activities in areas rich in Se geologic deposits. Pariette Draw is part of the northern Colorado Plateau and is an area of concern for Se contamination in the Pariette Wetlands. Pariette Wetlands, a wetland built in the 1970s to provide wildlife habitat, is distinguished by its arid climate and a short growing season of hot dry summers followed by cold winters with several months below freezing. An understanding of how Se is mobilized and removed within the wetland will provide management strategies that minimize …

Anti-Factor Xa Level Monitoring For Enoxaparin Prophylaxis And Treatment In High-Risk Patient Groups, Lucie Sikes, Kipson Charles, Abigail Antigua, Rima Patel, Selina Imboywa, Pheba Cherian

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Monitoring anti-factor Xa levels is a controversial topic in the inpatient setting due to resource utilization and unclear conditional guideline recommendations regarding this practice. Enoxaparin dosing in certain high-risk patient populations such as those with low body weight, obesity, renal insufficiency, and pregnancy has not been determined. The objective of this review was to assess the safety and efficacy of enoxaparin monitoring via anti-factor Xa levels in high-risk patient populations.

The PubMed database was searched for articles related to low-molecular-weight heparin monitoring. Randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses that evaluated the safety and efficacy of enoxaparin prophylaxis and treatment in patients …

The Intersection Of Herbicide Policy, Exposure, And Health At The University Of Connecticut, Katherine Hayward

Honors Scholar Theses

Pesticides play an extremely complicated role in our everyday lives. From the water you use to make your coffee, to the breastmilk your neighbor provides for their child, to the lake your dog swims in, chemical pesticides or their byproducts have been found in nearly every corner of our lives. The chemicals used in synthetic herbicides, a subcategory of pesticides, have far reaching negative impacts on human health, biodiversity, and water quality. Despite there being numerous published studies on the relationships between pesticide exposures and health, there is still ongoing discord and controversy surrounding their role in our lives. After …

Municipal Waste In Southern Nevada: Understanding The Obsession With Garbage, Zachary Billot

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Southern Nevada’s reliance on inexpensive disposal of waste results in lack of support for sustainable investment in waste diversion programs. Clark County lags significantly behind the US in terms of its municipal waste diversion due to problems related to the collection of materials and incentive for collection, limited institutionalized food waste collection programs, monopolization of waste management, as well as substantial rates of contamination of recyclable materials compared nationally. This proposal recommends a multifactor approach.

Pfas: A Threat To Public Health And Safety, Ibrahim Qazi, Adriana Carrillo, Alexa Guloy [email protected], Emily Moon, Rayan Muneer, Hien Tran, Raiden Wadsworth

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Nonstick pots and pans, takeout containers, waterproof clothes: these are items that people use in their daily lives. A common denominator in all of these items lies PFAS, or Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances. Our exposure to these chemicals has proven to be toxic and carcinogenic to human health. Despite the evidence of their harmful effects, many companies still continue to incorporate these forever chemicals into their products, thus prolonging their exposure to humans.

Cats Of Unl: An Investigation Into The Human-Feral Cat Relationships On A University Campus In Nebraska, Jacey Skoda

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), there exists a population of feral cats that is monitored and cared for by a group known as Husker Cats. As the cats wander the sidewalks and gardens of the university, they may appear non-threatening and pleasant to have around. However, a feral cat presence could have detrimental impacts on the surrounding ecosystem, property, and community. The first component of this project, a survey of individuals on UNL campus, ultimately seeks to understand what those in the UNL community know about the feral cats, how they feel about the feral cats, and how they …

Metal Composition And Contamination Assessment Of Urban Roadway Dusts On The Abu Dhabi-Liwa Highway, Uae, Ahmed A. Al-Taani, Yousef Nazzal, Fares M. Howari, Jibran Iqbal, Muhammad Naseem, Manish Sharma, Cijo Xavier, Dimitrios Papandreou, Lina Maloukh, Lakshmi Ambika, Imen Ben Salem, Abeer Al Bsoul, Haitham M. Farok

All Works

The metal composition of road-deposited dust along the Abu Dhabi-Liwa Highway was investigated to provide insight into the contamination profile and levels of road dust. The average concentrations of metals decreased in the order Al (28668 ± 4631 mg/kg)> Fe (21461 ± 2594 mg/kg) > Mn (711.8 ± 76.3 mg/kg) > Zn (210.6 ± 51.6 mg/kg) > Cu (94.9 ± 15.8 mg/kg) > Pb (83.6 ± 5.3 mg/kg) > Cd (75.1 ± 1.6 mg/kg) > Co (62.6 ± 6.4 mg/kg) > As (4.7 ± 2.9 mg/kg) > Ni (0.10 ± 0.19 mg/kg) > Cr (0.08 ± 0.06 mg/kg). The spatial variations of metals suggest different sources and contributing factors …

Early Life Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure Of F0 Zebrafish Causes Hyperactivity In F1 Offspring, Jenna Cripe

Honors Theses

As cannabis increases in its accessibility, potency, and acceptance across the United States, investigation into the multigenerational effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure during key stages of development is critical. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there would be behavioral impacts in the F1 offspring following a dose-response of THC exposure (0.08, 0.4, or 1 µM) during development in the F0 generation. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were utilized in this study. Behaviors (locomotive activity and anxiety-like behavior) in the F1 generation were evaluated at 120 hours post-fertilization (hpf) with the larval photometer response (LPR) assay, and at 3, 11, …

Fruit And Vegetable Intake And Home Nutrition Environment Among Low-Income Minority Households With Elementary-Aged Children, Brittni Naylor Metoyer, Ru-Jye Chuang, Minjae Lee, Christine Markham, Eric L Brown, Maha Almohamad, Jayna M Dave, Shreela V Sharma

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic differences were shown to have an influence on child fruit and vegetable intake. This study examined the associations between parent and child fruit and vegetable intake and the home nutrition environment among Hispanic/Latino and African American families. Through a cross-sectional study design, self-reported surveys (

Development, Optimization, And In Vitro/In Vivo Evaluation Of Azelaic Acid Transethosomal Gel For Antidermatophyte Activity, Ali Nasr, Noha Badawi, Yasmine Tartor, Nader Sobhy, Ali Nasr

Pharmacy

Treatment of dermatophytosis is quite challenging. This work aims to investigate the antidermatophyte action of Azelaic acid (AzA) and evaluate its efficacy upon entrapment into transethosomes (TEs) and incorporation into a gel to enhance its application. Optimization of formulation variables of TEs was carried out after preparation using the thin film hydration technique. The antidermatophyte activity of AzA-TEs was first evaluated in vitro. In addition, two guinea pig infection models with Trichophyton (T.) mentagrophytes and Microsporum (M.) canis were established for the in vivo assessment. The optimized formula showed a mean particle size of 219.8 ± 4.7 nm and a …

Map The System: Presence And Impact Of Ppcps In Water, Emma Vandermeulen, Ruby Mitchell

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Annual Conference

In a changing climate, there is growing emphasis on protecting our water sources and developing systems for conserving and reusing water. While many contaminants of concern are monitored and addressed by water treatment systems, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are generally not accounted for. PPCPs in water systems have been an increasing concern as detection of these products has increased over the last few decades. Studies have been exploring the impact of antibiotics, antidepressants, contraceptives, and other anthropogenic products on our water system and how these substances interact with local ecosystems. Our main research questions are to understand what …

Pharmacokinetics Of Single Feeding Of Cannabidiol In Cattle: A Pilot Study, Haley Cornette

Honors College Theses

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance that has been used in complementary medicine for many years. However, modern medicine has little knowledge of how this substance is utilized and metabolized in ruminant animals. Regulations on quality assurance and use in animals are lacking, and CBD supplementation in livestock is not approved. If CBD supplements can be shown to be safe and effective, detection in the animal will be important for determining regulation of use. A withdrawal period can then be established to allow time for deterioration of product to safe levels before livestock products enter human markets. This study sought to …

Neurological-Type Wilson Disease: Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, And Management, Nathaniel Kipker, Kaitlyn Alessi, Marko Bojkovic, Inderbir Padda, Mayur S. Parmar

HPD Articles

Wilson disease (WD) is a complex metabolic disorder caused by disruptions to copper regulation within the body, leading to an unregulated accumulation of copper within various tissues. A less understood organ affected by the collection of copper is the brain, which further leads to the generation of oxygen-free radicals and resultant demyelination. Healthcare providers must keep the neurological form of WD in their list of differentials when patients present with diverse neurological manifestations. The initial step to diagnosis will be to distinguish the characteristic disease presentation with a thorough history and physical and neurological examination. A high clinical disease suspicion …

Ketamine Slows Microinvertebrate Movement: Ecotoxicological Implications, Joy Bowling, Felicity Kelsch, Emma Welsh, Sophia Willis, Kathyrn Morris

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

With the new release of medications incorporating ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, there is an ecotoxicology concern due to the presence of ketamine in local environments. Tardigrades, microscopic organisms commonly known as water bears, possess the same NDMA receptor that ketamine targets in humans, allowing for potential adverse reactions in exposure to ketamine. Our goal was to determine if tardigrade movement slowed under ketamine exposure over time. Tardigrade (Hypsibius exemplaris) velocity was measured using imaging software to record their response to increasing concentrations of the dissociative anesthetic. With higher concentrations, the tardigrades displayed a slower velocity. This indication of …

Senesced Leaves Of An Invasive Species (Lonicera Maackii) Alter Community Composition And Ecosystem Function In Experimental Wetlands, Cy Mott

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

Secondary compounds produced by terrestrial invasive plants can cross terrestrial-aquatic boundaries via senesced leaves, leading to altered patterns of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Prior attempts to examine the impacts of invasive leaves on wetland communities have primarily employed the use of leaf leachates and focal taxa inhabiting relatively low trophic positions, and additional studies are needed to examine impacts on higher-order consumers and potential additive/synergistic effects of leachates and leaf decomposition. Using cattle-tank mesocosms across multiple experiments, we observed that the addition of senescent leaves of Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) to native leaves resulted in mass mortality …

Comparing Pah Concentrations In Clean And Contaminated Surface Sediments, Naomi Darsha Fernandes

2023 Midwest Ecology & Evolution Conference

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pollutants produced by combustion. They are organic compounds with conjugated aromatic rings. The EPA has defined 16 PAHs as priority pollutants of concern based on their wildlife and human harm. Due to their high molecular weight compared to water and low water solubility, they accumulate in surface sediments of water sources and harm bottom feeding wildlife such as Ameiurus nebulosus (brown bullhead fish). These harms include carcinogenicity, tumorigenesis, and altered p53 tumor suppressor and CYP1A liver enzyme gene expression. The goal of this project was to compare the levels of fifteen of these PAHs between …

Using Podcasts To Bring National Estuarine Research Reserves Into The Classroom For Grades 6-12, Kaitlyn M. Dirr

Senior Theses

In a typical classroom setting, there are significant challenges to exposing students to concepts related to earth sciences and the environment. These challenges are exacerbated when conveying lessons about geographic areas with limited access, such as oceans and coastlines (Louv, 2010). It is now more important than ever for environmental education to improve and adapt to our changing world. Educators may have the opportunity to bring these subjects to life by using media content such as podcasts to introduce students to new places and the scientists, managers and educators that work in those spaces. In the United States, there exists …

Customer Discovery And Applied Research And Development For An Environmental Nanotechnology, Paul Michael Vecchiarelli

Theses and Dissertations

Technology transfer is a process by which an innovative technology, typically produced in a non-commercial setting such as academia, is developed into a potential market opportunity. The first phase of technology transfer, once a technology has been developed, is to identify a customer segment and determine a value proposition that describes what need the technology will fulfill for them. This phase has been systematized into a framework known as customer discovery. Success in customer discovery will indicate technological gaps, such as scale-up, prototyping, and realistic testing, that are needed to deliver the value proposition to the initial customer. Both phases …

Parent Perspectives On Barriers And Facilitators To Optimal Healthcare And Medical Screenings For Children With Down Syndrome In South Carolina, Vinita Oberoi Leedom

Theses and Dissertations

Children with Down syndrome (DS) often have co-occurring conditions affecting vision, hearing, sleeping, and more. Screenings, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), can help prevent secondary disability, and allow children to thrive. Studies have evaluated the receipt of recommended screenings, but barriers and facilitators surrounding access to screenings and care have not been described.

Parents of 24 children with DS in SC were recruited through schools and family support groups. One-hour long interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. Information was collected on health, healthcare quality, respiratory concerns, pandemic effects, access to care, and knowledge about AAP …

Accuracy Of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring In Vancomycin And The Pharmacist Role: A Retrospective Case-Series, Kateryna Parkhomenko

Senior Theses

Vancomycin is a mainstay of therapy for treating virulent and resistant infections, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, vancomycin requires therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for optimal dosing and treatment. This requires pharmacists to calculate a dosing regimen that correlates to appropriate goal vancomycin concentrations in the blood. Dosing vancomycin can be difficult, as it varies on a patient’s weight, renal function, age, etc. Doses may have to be adjusted in response to out-of-range concentrations, which requires further pharmacy calculations. Inaccurate dosing poses a risk to patient safety and places a resource and time burden on pharmacists. If vancomycin dosing methods …

Pamam- Cyclodextrin Conjugate Upregulates Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor In Arpe-19 Cells, Gopika Ashokan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major contributor to death and disability due to motorvehicle accidents, sports, physical abuse, and battlefield injuries. The primary insult to the brain leads to inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the brain as well as in the eye. This leads to loss of Retinal Ganglion Cells (RGCs) and downregulation of Brain derived Neurotopic Factor (BDNF). BDNF is a neurotrophic factor that binds to Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase B (TrkB) receptor to promote cell growth, survival, and differentiation. Current treatment strategies do not promote neuronal regeneration. Therefore, novel treatments are needed to restore vision …

Morphological And Physiological Responses Of A Halophyte (Atriplex Halimus) To The Effect Of Heavy Metal Case Of Cadmium, Abderrezzeq Chebout, Hana Souahi, Zahia Kadi, Rania Gacem

Journal of Bioresource Management

Today, cadmium (Cd) contamination challenges the environmental quality and food security. This experiment was realized to study the morphological and physiological response of the halophyte species Atriplex halimus L to cadmium toxicity by applying different concentrations of Cd (0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 ppm) on the plant A.halimus for two weeks after 60 days of seeding. The morphological parameters and physiological wish evaluated the stem length (SL), root length (RL), leaf area (LA), chlorophylls (a, b, t and carotenoids), and the relative water content (RWC). The results show a decrease in stem elongation, (11.333 ± 3.512 cm in Cd treatments …

Potential Of Constructed Wetlands For The Treatment Of Heavy Metals From Wastewater, Hasnain Raza, Qurat Ul Ain, Haseena Bibi, Tehmina Bibi, Huda Bilal

Journal of Bioresource Management

Overpopulation, urbanization, and economic race increase the pressure on freshwater resources resulting in water scarcity challenges around the globe. Moreover, the generation of wastewater is also enhancing the scarcity threats for freshwater resources. Water scarcity issues forced the policymaker, thinker, scientist, and researcher to think about non-conventional water resources to cope with the increasing demands. This wastewater recycling and treatment play an evident role to fulfill the growing demand for freshwater in socioeconomic sectors especially, for agriculture, due to its 70 % dependency on freshwater resources. Different wastewater treatment methods along with merits and demerits are in practice for the …

Diketopiperazine Cyclo-(S-Pro-R-Leu) Produced By Periconia Pseudobyssoides K5 Isolated From Toona Sureni (Meliaceae) And Its Heme Polymerization Inhibition Activity, Azmi Azhari, Desi Harneti, Asri Peni Wulandari, Yeni Mulyani, Sari Purbaya, Aprilia Permata Sari, Galih Bayu Pratama, Unang Supratman, Yoshihito Shiono

Makara Journal of Science

Fungi endophytes are living microorganisms colonizing inside the internal tissue of a plant and provide ecological benefits for their host. Endophytes provide various metabolites for plant adaptation toward biotic and abiotic stresses and have tremendous pharmacological activities. Toona sureni (T. sureni) (Meliaceae) belongs to the Toona genera and is reported to have antimalarial activity. To determine the compounds produced by the endophytic fungus from this plant, we isolated a compound from Periconia pseudobyssoides (P. pseudobyssoides) K5 endophytes from the stem bark of T. sureni. Diketopiperazine cyclo-(S-Pro-R-Leu), a non-ribosomal peptide, was isolated from brown …