Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Effects Of Combined Ethanol And Nicotine Administration On Delay Discounting In Male And Female Sprague-Dawley Rats, Rebecca Lillian Chalme

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ethanol (EtOH) and nicotine (NIC) are among the most commonly used and co-used drugs in the world. Co-use occurs in people who use one or both drugs chronically, but also in people who only consume one or both drugs acutely, often in a “bingeing and chipping” pattern. Given that each drug on its own has previously been shown to affect impulsive choice in delay-discounting procedures, with some indication that drug effects could vary by sex, the purpose of the present experiments was to investigate effects of combined EtOH and NIC at a range of dose combinations on delay discounting in …

An Exploration Of The Causes And Effects Of Interpersonal Conflict Related Stress Among A Self-Selected Cohort Of Second Level Teachers In Ireland, Patrick Bruce

Theses

Teaching has been classified by researchers as a high stress profession. Stress in teaching has been reported to have many negative health outcomes and also affects productivity. The literature also reports that stress in teaching is a difficult matter to resolve satisfactorily, with mixed outcomes from interventions. An emergent cause of work-related stress in education is IPC and this study sets out to investigate the prevalence of this underreported phenomena.

A sample of 25 teachers working in Irish second level schools were recruited. Semi structured interviews were conducted to report on the experiences of stress, it’s causes and effects both …

Intrinsic Efficacy As A Determinant Of Opioid Effectiveness In Treatment Of Pain-Depressed Behavior, Edna Santos

Theses and Dissertations

Pain is a major public health concern that is commonly associated with behavioral depression, and a major goal in pain treatment is alleviation of pain-related behavioral depression. High-efficacy mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists (e.g. fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone) are effective to treat pain, but their use is limited by side effects that not only endanger the patient but may also obscure analgesic rescue of pain-depressed behavior. The ongoing epidemic of opioid abuse and overdose deaths has stimulated research to discover non-opioid alternative analgesics; however, this search neglects the clinical potential of safer intermediate-efficacy MOR agonists (e.g. buprenorphine). The objective of the …

Epithelial Membrane Protein 3 (Emp3b) Is A Novel Regulator Of Sympathetic Nervous System Development In Zebrafish., Jessica M. White

Theses and Dissertations

Notable progress has been made in understanding the development of the neural crest (NC). Neural crest cells (NCCs) can be divided into 4-5 subpopulations. A major lineage among trunk NC derivatives are sympathoadrenal (SA) cells, which give rise to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Trunk NCCs follow a ventromedial migration pathway where signals derived from the dorsal aorta instruct migrating NCCs to a SA cell fate. Defects in NC development can result in syndromes known as neurocristopathies. Neuroblastoma is one of the most common forms of pediatric cancer affecting nearly 800 infants each year in the United States (Takita et …

The Impact Of Hiv-1 Tat And Morphine On Spatial Distribution Of Drugs In The Brain., Austin M. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Despite combination antiretroviral therapy effectively suppressing HIV within the periphery, the central nervous system (CNS) remains affected by the virus. Approximately half of people living with HIV will experience HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) or neuroHIV. Concurrent opioid use exacerbates neuroHIV by promoting neuroinflammation, viral replication, and potentially altering the antiretroviral concentrations within the brain.

Using a transgenic mouse that expresses the HIV-1 Tat protein, we examined the effects of Tat and morphine on antiretroviral accumulation and distribution and the effects of Tat on morphine accumulation within the brain using infrared matrix-assisted laser desorption electrospray ionization with mass spectrometry imaging (IR-MALDESI-MSI). …

Mitigation Of Nicotine Reward And Withdrawal By The N-Acyl Amino Acids: N-Oleoyl Glycine And N-Oleoyl Alanine, Kimberly Karin

Theses and Dissertations

A growing body of research is exploring the efficacy of N-acyl amino acids (N-oleoyl glycine; OlGly and N-oleoyl alanine; OlAla) in rodent models of drug reward and dependence. In particular, OlGly attenuated the reinforcing effects of nicotine in the mouse nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm and reduced somatic and affective signs of mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal in nicotine-dependent mice. Based on the addition of a methyl group on the head group, OlAla was proposed to have increased metabolic stability compared to OlGly. While OlAla has been assessed in assays of reward and withdrawal of opioids, cocaine, and …

Characterizing The Effects Of Antiandrogens And Senolytics To Enhance The Therapeutic Response To Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer, Justin M. Silverman

Theses and Dissertations

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in males and the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Androgen deprivation therapy, whether through surgical or chemical castration, is the mainstay for treatment of advanced prostate cancer; however, despite an initial response, most patients eventually develop a progressive PSA rise, and castration- sensitive prostate cancer gives rise to castration-resistant prostate cancer. The standard of care therapy includes the antiandrogens such as enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate as well as the microtubule poison, docetaxel, and various immunotherapies; however, while prostate cancer research is progressing, there continues to be a compelling need for …

Development Of A Chemical Biology Approach To Uncover The Influence Of Sequence Variations On Ces1 Activity In Live Cells, Samuel James Knebel

Masters Theses

Drug metabolism is the biochemical process of modifying drugs to detoxify and remove them through enzymatic transformations. These biotransformation’s occur primarily in the liver and are critical to understanding how pharmaceutical compounds are chemically altered inside the human body. Human carboxylesterases (CESs) catalyze the hydrolysis of esters, amides, thioesters, and carbamates. CES-mediated hydrolysis plays an important role in the metabolism of many drugs including the first FDA approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19, remdesivir (Veklury), the seizure control medication rufinamide (Banzel), and the flu antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu). CES activity is known to be influenced by a variety of factors including …

Detection And Observed Correlations Of Statin And Beta-Blocking Pharmaceuticals In West Virginia Surface Waters And Ichthyofauna, Joseph W. Kingsbury

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Within this thesis the source, presence, and the estimated ecotoxicological effects of cardiovascular medicines, specifically statins and beta-blockers are described within the Buckhannon, Tygart Valley, and West Fork Rivers of West Virginia. Included within this thesis is a general introduction providing key background information and relevant research related to the source, presence, and known toxicity of statins and beta-blockers. Following the general introduction there are 3 distinct chapters. Chapter 1 focuses on the estimated demographic based source loadings and the surface water concentration characteristics of statins and beta-blockers within the three rivers. Chapter 2 investigates the effects of statins and …

Effect Of Spinach Enriched With Zinc And Ω-3/Vitamin E Treatment Against Fluoride-Induced Nephrotoxicity And Bone Calcification Disturbance In Rats, Anfal Djouadi, Samir Derouiche

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the alone or associated spinach, zinc, and ω-3/Vitamin E capacity to improve the renal function and bone calcification altered by fluoride in Wistar rats. Methods: In this study, 36 female Wistar albino rats were used; divided into six groups (n = 6); all groups except the control rats received orally 400 ppm of fluoride as sodium fluoride (NaF) in drinking water during 70 days and then four groups treated in the past 15 days by: Spinach powder, zinc, ω-3/Vitamin E, and spinach+ zinc + ω-3/Vitamin E. Some biochemical and histological markers …

The Efficacy Of Vitamin B6 And Alpha-Lipoic Acid In Preventing Levetiracetam Depressant-Like Behavior In Mice, Azadeh Mesripour, Nasime S. Musavie

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Some antiepileptic drugs for instance levetiracetam cause depression in patients. Vitamin B6 is a cofactor involved in the neurotransmitter synthesis. α-Lipoic acid (ALA) is a mitochondrial cofactor that can prevent neuronal damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of B6 and ALA for preventing levetiracetam depression in mice. Methods: Male NMRI mice (weighing 25 ± 3 g) were used. Levetiracetam (20 mg/kg), and pretreatments with ALA (20, 40 mg/kg), Vitamin B6 (100 mg/kg), or imipramine (10 mg/kg) as the control positive were all administered intraperitonealy for 14 consecutive days. The locomotor test and forced swimming …

Barriers And Facilitators Of Wound Care Services Provided By Community Pharmacists In Selangor, Malaysia: An Exploratory Qualitative Study, Hamidi Drahman, Mohd Shahezwan Abd Wahab, Mohd Faiz Mustaffa, Azyyati Mohd Suhaimi

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Introduction: Community pharmacists (CPs) are often the first point of contact for patients to obtain health-related advice, including on wound management. Wound care services have been proposed as a community pharmacy practice area to be promoted in Malaysia. Objectives: This study aims to explore the types of wound care services provided by Malaysian CPs, and the factors associated with its provision. Methods: This study utilized the qualitative method to collect in-depth information about the barriers and facilitators associated with the provision of wound care services among a sample of CPs. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Twenty-three …

Wastewater Pandemic Preparedness: Toward An End-To-End Pathogen Monitoring Program, Justin R Clark, Austen Terwilliger, Vasanthi Avadhanula, Michael Tisza, Juwan Cormier, Sara Javornik-Cregeen, Matthew Clayton Ross, Kristi Louise Hoffman, Catherine Troisi, Blake Hanson, Joseph Petrosino, John Balliew, Pedro A Piedra, Janelle Rios, Jennifer Deegan, Cici Bauer, Fuqing Wu, Kristina D Mena, Eric Boerwinkle, Anthony W Maresso

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Molecular analysis of public wastewater has great potential as a harbinger for community health and health threats. Long-used to monitor the presence of enteric viruses, in particular polio, recent successes of wastewater as a reliable lead indicator for trends in SARS-CoV-2 levels and hospital admissions has generated optimism and emerging evidence that similar science can be applied to other pathogens of pandemic potential (PPPs), especially respiratory viruses and their variants of concern (VOC). However, there are substantial challenges associated with implementation of this ideal, namely that multiple and distinct fields of inquiry must be bridged and coordinated. These include engineering, …

Chemical, Microbial And Safety Profiling Of A Standardized Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Extract And Withaferin A, A Potent Novel Phytotherapeutic Of The Millennium, Pawan Kumar, Samudra P. Banik, Apurva Goe, Sanjoy Chakraborty, Manashi Bagchi, Debasis Bagchi

Publications and Research

Background:Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, popularly known as Ashwagandha, is an ethnomedicinal plant with multiple pharmacotherapeutic applications. The diverse medicinal properties of the plant are largely due to the presence of withanolides, a group of C28 ergostane based steroidal lactones, with several sites of unsaturation and oxygenation. Withaferin A, a major with anolide present in Ashwagandha plant accounts for its emerging new roles to treat cancer, arthritis, inflammatory responses, immunomodulatory properties, and neuronal disorders. The root and leaf extracts are specifically important constituent materials for the development of phytotherapeutics, mostly intended for oral consumption. Several studies have been carried out …

Promoting Healthier Treatment Outcomes In Obese Cancer Patients Taking High Dose Methotrexate, Carly Dell'ova

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cancer and obesity rates continue to rise, creating enormous public heath burdens to the individual and at the national and global levels, reducing quality of life, and increasing spending. Moreover, the relationships between cancer and obesity are not well understood. A commonly used chemotherapy for several types of cancer is high dose methotrexate (HDMTX). Along with chemotherapy, especially at high doses, comes toxicity to specific organs and the entire body. However, limited research has been conducted on obese cancer patients as they are often excluded from clinical studies. Practitioners need to better understand how to dose these patients to provide …

Docking, Synthesis Of Some Novel Flavonoid Analogues, And Their Biological Evaluation, Ishwar Bhat K, Afiya Abdul Aziz, Abhishek Kumar, Vijaya Bhaskar K, Vijay Kumar M

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Cancer remains a major class of morbidity and mortality despite basic and clinical research and trials of promising new therapies. In the current era, many drugs are marketed with flavonoid nucleus. Based on this information, this study aims to synthesize and screen flavones for their anticancer activity. Docking studies for cytotoxic activity of flavonoid derivatives targeting tankyrase enzyme were performed. A new series of flavonoid derivatives were prepared from chalcones. Chalcones were prepared between substituted benzaldehyde and 2-hydroxy acetophenone in the presence of potassium hydroxide as catalyst. The flavone derivatives were characterized based on IR, 1H NMR, and Mass spectral …

Application Of Concept Mapping In Telepharmacy Model Development For Prescription Filling At Primary Care Clusters, Nusaraporn Kessomboon, Siwapond Prasertsuk, Jirachaya Suttima, Nur-Ainee Korsem

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Although the Pharmacy Council of Thailand has announced a standard telepharmacy service procedure, there may be some details or limitations that are specific to the primary care cluster (PCC) in the real situation. Objective: This research aimed to create a telepharmacy service model for the PCC using concept mapping techniques. Methodology: Group discussions were held, each participant will submit their opinions and graded of importance and possibilities of each opinion. After that, the data obtained were statistically analyzed to create a concept mapping. Results: From the group discussion, (n = 10) can be concluded that the optimum telepharmacy services …

Characterization Of Quality Attribute And Specification For Standardization Of Acemannan Extracted From Aloe Vera For Tissue Regeneration, Siriwan Seeleamngam, Polkit Sangvanich, Pasutha Thunyakitpisal, Vorasit Vongsutilers

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Acemannan extracted from Aloe vera was well characterized as an acetylated mannose polysaccharide which have promising clinical profile for tissue regeneration. Quality aspect of acemannan is required to develop the herbal extract for practical industrial application and reliable therapeutic use. The research aim is to investigate the qualify attributes of acemannan that have impact on its safety and efficacy. Quality of three production batches of acemannan were evaluated based on ICH quality guidelines and pharmacopeial standard. The quality aspect of acemannan were determined by analytical technique including FT-IR, SEC-HPLC, RP-HPLC, GC, and loss on drying to ensure its identify and …

Hepatotoxic Effect Of Cadmium And Available Therapeutic Options, Tomilola Olaolu, Favour Jibulu, Rotimi Damilare

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Hepatoxicity, also known as toxic hepatitis, is a condition, in which the liver becomes inflamed due to exposure to such substances as chemicals, medications, herbal products, or excessive alcohol consumption. Cadmium is a major environmental pollutant from agricultural and industrial sources and has been reported to induce hepatotoxicity. Cadmium can also be found in phosphate fertilizers, detergents, and refined petroleum products as an impurity and used industrially in the production of polyvinyl chloride product stabilizers and the fabrication of nickel-cadmium batteries. Cadmium can be absorbed into the human body through the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, and dermal routes. Cadmium-induced hepatic damage …

Development Of Amino Acid Salt-Based Curcumin@Lysine Acetate Co-Amorphous System Using Liquid-Assisted Grinding For Improved Solubility And Dissolution, Udaykumar Patil, Snehal Rawal, Jidnyasa Pantwalawalkar, Sopan Nangare, Dilip Dagade, Pravin Patil, Namdeo R. Jadhav

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Curcumin, multivalued phytoceutical, exhibits appreciable safety. However, its therapeutic utility is significantly compromised due to low aqueous solubility, and thus, poor absorption and low bioavailability become apparent. To surpass this limitation, the present work aims to develop amino acid salt-based curcumin@lysine acetate co-amorphous system for improved solubility and dissolution. Initially, screening of curcumin-amino acid mixtures was performed for saturation solubility assessment. Considering the outcome, lysine acetate was formulated to generate a co-amorphous mixture (COAM) by liquid-assisted grinding and evaluated for saturation solubility and different spectroscopical characterizations. Curcumin-lysine acetate COAM tablet formulation was developed by direct compression method and evaluated for …

Solubility Enhancement Of Diacerein By Spray Drying Technique, Formulation Development, And In Vivo Study, Devidas G. Bachhav, Somashekhar S. Khadabadi, Leena P. Deore, Vilas B. Ghavate

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Purpose: The aim of the present research was solubility and dissolution rate enhancement of diacerein by spray drying technique. Materials and Methods: Solid dispersions of diacerein with PEG-600, guar gum, poloxamer-188 and aerosil were prepared in different ratios using 32 factorial designs. FTIR, DSC, XRD and SEM were performed to study the interaction between drug and polymers and evaluated for in-vitro drug release study. Results and Discussion:In spray dried solid dispersion formulations there was decrease in crystallinity of diacerein, which leads to increase in dissolution of diacerein from solid dispersions. Diacerein 50 mg immediate release tablets formulated (using spray dried …

Determination Of Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Activity Of The Air Filter Coated With Silver Ions Using A Modified Method Of Iso 21702:2019, Mali Wirotesangthong, Ariya Khanboon, Kanyanat Piewpong

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has emerged, various air membrane filters with antimicrobial agents have been explored and investigated for inactivating virus particles. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine an antiviral activity of the air filter coated with silver ions using the method of ISO 21702:2019. Materials and Methods: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), KOS strain, an enveloped virus causing skin, mucous membrane, and respiratory tract infection (RTI) were tested with the non-porous surface coated with or without silver ions (control filter) for 0, 24 h at 25°C. …

Developmental Pharmacokinetics Of Indomethacin In Preterm Neonates: Severely Decreased Drug Clearance In The First Week Of Life., Wojciech Krzyzanski, Bradley Stockard, Andrea Gaedigk, Allison Scott, Whitney M. Nolte, Kim T. Gibson, J Steven Leeder, Tamorah Lewis

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Indomethacin is used commonly in preterm neonates for the prevention of intracranial hemorrhage and closure of an abnormally open cardiac vessel. Due to biomedical advances, the infants who receive this drug in the neonatal intensive care unit setting have become younger, smaller, and less mature (more preterm) at the time of treatment. To develop a pharmacokinetics (PK) model to aid future dosing, we designed a prospective cohort study to characterize indomethacin PK in a dynamically changing patient population. A population PK base model was created using NONMEM, and a covariate model was developed in a primary development cohort and subsequently …

Acute Copper (Cu) Toxicity In Dragonfly Naiads (Insecta: Odonata), Jeff M. Simpson

Department of Entomology: Distance Master of Science Projects

The objective of this study was to examine the effects copper (Cu) on mortality within a pair of test groups of naiads in the order Odonata, and to replicate previous observations regarding their potential uses as indicators for water quality. Few past studies have examined toxicity within relation to the odonates. It has been suggested that this order may contain valuable model organisms (Tollett et al., 2008). Very little focus has been given to odonates as bioindicators, with the few studies done being performed on species that would typically inhabit lentic environments (Trevino, 1999). Similarly, the test subjects for this …

The Path To U.S. National Registration Of A Toxic Bait For The Control Of The Small Indian Mongoose, Carmen C. Antaky, Steven C. Hess, Emily W. Ruell, Israel L. Leinbach, Shane R. Siers, Robert T. Sugihara

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata [syn. Herpestes auropunctatus]; mongoose) is a highly invasive species in its introduced range that negatively impacts ecosystems. Mongooses depredate native species, serve as a vector of disease posing a risk to human health, and cause sanitation issues in food processing facilities and public areas. Introduced for biocontrol in the late 1800s in Hawaiʻi and the Caribbean, mongooses currently have well-established populations across multiple islands in both island archipelagos and have invaded numerous other locations throughout the world. The concern of accidental introduction to mongoose-free islands, the difficulty in species detection, and the …

Vapourized Cannabis Extract Administration Impairs Memory And Alters Neural Activity In Laboratory Rats, Megan Chladny

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Although people have smoked cannabis for millennia, administration of cannabis by heating the dried plant material or distilled extracts to a temperature just below the combustion point (i.e., vapourization or "vaping") has rapidly increased over the past few years (Javadi-Payder, Cole, and Taffe, 2018; Manwell, Charchoglyan, Brewer, Matthews, Heipel, and Mallet, 2014). Conversely, most of the cannabinoid research using rodent models has used parenteral routes of administration to examine the effects of purified cannabis extracts such as ∆⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), making it difficult to directly compare laboratory research to human drug use. Building on previous studies showing that THC …

Differences In Drifting Invertebrate Communities Across Arctic Ecozones And The Influence On Potential Growth Of Grayling (Thymallus Arcticus), Charles Chanyi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Invertebrate drift is a key process that potentially affects multiple levels of food web organization within stream environments. However, our understanding of the mechanistic drivers of drift in high latitude streams and subsequent bottom-up control that drift may have on fish predators in these environments remains understudied. This project aimed to gain the baseline knowledge of how drift functions across two major high latitude ecozones, the boreal forest and tundra, and how those possible differences in drifting community characteristics may impact drift-feeding Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus). These objectives were accomplished by characterizing stream environments across both ecozones, sampling …

Gut-Lung Axis Of The Microbiome Alterations After Ultrafine Particles And Ozone Inhalation, Md Habibul Hasan Mazumder

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Air pollution poses a significant threat to public health. It is a mixture of particulate matter, gaseous substances, and other secondary substances. Despite epidemiological research indicating the interactive effects of various components of air pollution, existing studies and regulatory limits often focus on single-exposure scenarios. The emerging understanding of the microbiome’s role in regulating immune response, metabolism, and pathophysiology of various diseases points towards interactions between environmental exposures and microbial dysbiosis. In this dissertation, mice were exposed to relevant deposited doses of carbon black (CB) and ozone (O3), and lung inflammation as well as the lung-gut axis of the microbiome …

Bioaccumulation Of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Compounds And Mercury In A Mining Impacted Aquatic Ecosystem, Michelle Bollini

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Keweenaw area continues to be influenced by the century of copper mining that ended nearly 50 years ago. This project is focused on Torch Lake, an aquatic ecosystem that has been heavily impacted by mining waste disposal. The watershed has been impaired by mine discharge and tailings, smelter and smokestack plumes, and poor waste disposal practices. The lake is listed as a Great Lakes Area of Concern with beneficial use impairments of restrictions on fish consumption and a degraded benthic community. Polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) and methylmercury (MeHg) are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances (PBTs). These contaminants pose threats …

Winter Dynamics Of Storm Water Management Ponds And Winter Tolerance In Three Aquatic Plant Species, Patrick Strzalkowski

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The vast majority of the research into the performance of stormwater management ponds (SWMPs) has been performed in warm regions or during the warmer seasons in temperate regions. It is presumed that SWMPs are inactive in the winter as any potential stormwater is trapped in snow and ice. The main goal of this thesis was to test this presumption and to study the dynamics and performance of three SWMPs during the winter. Remote water level loggers were installed into the three SWMPs and daily grab samples from the influents and effluents were taken and analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), chloride, …