Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Lead And Cadmium Exposure Alters Respiration And Shell Bioadhesive Matrix In A Single-Chambered, Agglutinated Foraminiferan Protist: Implications For Marine Biomonitoring, Amanda L. Andreas

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Heavy metal exposure from anthropogenic pollutants negatively affects many marine organisms, including foraminiferan protists. Foraminifera are often used as bioindicators in benthic environments due to their sensitivity to environmental stress. Primary research has commonly focused on how heavy metals affect foraminiferal assemblages, distribution, ultrastructure, and shell morphology. Multi-chambered calcareous and agglutinated forams are the primary focus of such ecotoxicological studies; however, less is known about how heavy metals affect the physiology and shell microarchitecture of monothalamid agglutinated species. The research reported here represents an interdisciplinary environmental toxicology approach to study the exposure effects of heavy metal toxicants, lead (Pb) and …

Trends In Cyanotoxin Production Potential In China Lake: An Edna Analysis Of Microcystis And Dolichospermum And The Environmental Drivers Of Cyanotoxin Production, Gennifer M. Rubin

Honors Theses

Episodes of cyano-harmful algal blooms (cyano-HABs) are hypothesized to be exacerbated by the effects of climate change. However, the dynamics of the interactions between elements of climate change and toxigenic cyanobacteria proliferation are not well defined. China Lake is the drinking water source for 7 municipalities in the Kennebec County and is one of many lakes in central Maine that has been subjected to high levels of cyano-HABs and microcystin toxin contamination in recent years. Monitoring the toxicity of these blooms in relation to various aspects of climate change may lead to identification of the major drivers of microcystin production …

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 …

Is Growth Hormone The Fountain Of Youth?, David Youlus

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Finding the cure for aging has been a sought-after quest for as long as the world has existed. Growth hormone has been shown as a possible treatment to negate the phenotypic effects of aging. Growth hormone is released from the adenohypophysis in response to sleep, exercise and stress. This in turn stimulates insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion from the liver. Growth hormone circulation decreases in volume during aging. Studies on growth hormone therapy have indicated youth-like benefits, such as the reversal of sarcopenia, improved cognitive function, and boosted immunity. However, creating an imbalance of growth hormone and insulin-like factor-1 also …

The Evaluation Of The Efficacy And Safety Of Different Methods Of Myopia Control, Chaya Feuchtwanger

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Myopia is the leading cause of preventable blindness in East Asia and has a rising global prevalence. If no treatment is done to curb myopic progression, the eye will continue to grow leading to high refractive errors. A higher prescription leads to an increased risk of developing sight-threatening diseases that can lead to irreversible blindness later in life. The discovery of a treatment that slows or even stops myopia from progressing is increasingly important with many studies being conducted worldwide. Currently, the most effective forms of myopia control are atropine eye drops and specialty contact lenses, with new studies exploring …

Epilepsy And Treatment Resistance, Eva Kowalsky

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Epilepsy is one of the most common debilitating neurological conditions. Individuals with epilepsy experience frequent seizures. Seizures are caused by hyperexcitable and hyper-synchronized neurons. Anti-seizure medications typically work to normalize the electrical activity in the brain. Many epileptic disorders are caused by genetic mutations, most of which cause mutations in ion channel mechanics. 30% of individuals with epilepsy do not respond to classic anti-seizure medications. A combination of factors typically contributes to treatment resistance. Individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy must turn to novel approaches for seizure relief. These approaches include following a ketogenic diet, using CBD products, utilizing a neurostimulator device, …

Stroke Recovery, Laya Brodie

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

For years the brain was thought not to be regenerative, yet research has highlighted the role of neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and deep brain stimulation in promoting brain recovery and enhancing stroke rehabilitation. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize neural pathways in response to environmental or structural changes. Stroke recovery is possible due to the plasticity of the brain; the brain can create new neural pathways and neurons. Traditionally it was believed that humans were limited to generating new neurons in the brain, recent studies have shown that neurogenesis occurs throughout adulthood, particularly in the hippocampus, a region as- sociated with …

The Effects Of Nausea And Vomiting On Mother And Child, Mayane Bensoussan

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Nausea and vomiting are common side effects that can occur during pregnancy. On one hand, it can lead to its severe form called hyperemesis gravidarum, which can lead to hospitalization for electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, muscle weakness, or arrhythmias. On the other hand, nausea and vomiting may be an indication of a statistically healthier fetus. Benefits of maternal nausea and emesis to the developing fetus include improved neural development, decreased risk for congenital heart defects, and decreased incidence of miscarriages. Additionally, benefits to the mother include decreased risk for lung, cervical, and rectal cancer. The mothers also had an overall decreased …

Immunotherapy For The Treatment Of Pediatric Cancers: What Is The Best Option?, Miriam Raitport

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in the pediatric population in the United States. The current standard of care for treating pediatric cancer is traditional: chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However, these conventional approaches have many unpleasant short-term and long-term side effects and do not offer a genuine cure. Immunotherapy as a cancer treatment is a new approach that has produced very promising results in the pediatric population. Four leading therapies for pediatric cancers are CAR T-cell therapy, oncolytic virotherapy, monoclonal antibody treatments, and cancer vaccines. Some of the therapies have more promising results than others, and different …

What Is The Best Treatment For Osteoporosis?, Joshua Sodden

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to frail bones, caused by osteoclasts destroying more bone than osteoblasts can create. It is more common among elderly people due to a lack of growth factors that promote osteoblasts. Estrogen plays a very important role in bone homeostasis of women; therefore post-menopausal women are most commonly affected because of their lack of estrogen production. Currently the FDA has approved eleven different drug treatments for osteoporosis. These treatments include anabolic treatments such as parathyroid hormone and anti-sclerostin, as well as catabolic treatments which include bisphosphonates, estrogen hormone, SERMs and anti-RANKL. This paper describes …

Effects Of Microdosing With Psilocybin Mushrooms, Chavivah Davis

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Microdosing with psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in certain species of mushrooms, has gained popularity in recent years as a means of enhancing mood, cognition, and creativity without inducing the full-blown psychedelic experience. There are many potential benefits associated with microdosing with psilocybin. Although studies do show many positive effects of microdosing with psilocybin, long-term research is required to make a conclusive statement regarding this topic. Furthermore, there are risks and concerns involved that need to be considered, including the illegality of psilocybin and the lack of research. This paper will review the available literature on microdosing with psilocybin. It …

Full Issue: Volume 17, Number 1, Fall 2023

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Complete .pdf file of Volume 17, Number 1 of The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences. Published Fall 2023.

Epinephrine And Cardiac Arrest: The Catch-22, Shaina Friedman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Epinephrine has been a standard of care treatment for cardiac arrest for the last century; however, the use of epinephrine began without a significant amount of research. In recent years, many have started to question whether epinephrine is an appropriate treatment for cardiac arrest. While epinephrine causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and directs much-needed blood flow to the heart, it has also been shown to harm the microvessels of the brain, causing ischemia and neurological damage. Many trials, studies, and surveys were conducted to determine the correct course of action involving the use of epinephrine during cardiac arrest. Additional …

The Impact Of Gestational Diabetes On The Offspring, Deborah Daniel

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

A prevalent pregnancy condition known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels while pregnant. GDM poses implications for both maternal and fetal health. Through extensive research, this paper provides a thorough analysis of the potential effects of GDM on the offspring. According to studies, GDM can negatively impact fetal growth and development, increasing the risk of macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, and neonatal hypoglycemia. Additionally, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hypertension are among the metabolic and cardiovascular disorders that infants born to women with GDM are more likely to experience as adults. These long-term effects may be …

Immunosuppression After Cardiac Transplantation: What Is The Best Approach?, Sara Batya Friedman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Cardiac transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients in end-stage heart failure. Since the first heart transplant in 1967, survival rates have steadily increased. This is largely on account of advancing immunosuppressive therapies, although immuno- suppression protocol still varies greatly among transplant centers, with no ideal regimen to follow. A fine balance lies between under-immunosuppression leading to rejection, and over-immunosuppression causing complications, toxicity, and adverse effects. Some successful therapies include steroids, lymphocyte proliferation inhibitors, and calcineurin inhibitors. Much of the available evidence as to which regimens have been successful is from retrospective analyses, indicating the need for more studies to …

The Impact Of Maternal Health On Breastfeeding Duration, Yael Weinberg

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The mechanism of breastfeeding is a complex biological process beginning with hormone production from the pituitary gland and ending with the ejection of milk from the breasts. Mothers are recommended to breastfeed exclusively for six months and then continue for another six with the addition of solid food. However, despite the countless health benefits associated with lengthened breastfeeding for both mother and infant, many women dismiss this recommendation. This paper aims to research the aspects of maternal health that can derail the recommended duration of breastfeeding, focusing on emotional health, nutritional intake, and various diseases or surgeries. It is found …

Do The Benefits Of Growth Hormone Outweigh The Risks?, Michael D. Goodstein

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Growth hormone treatment was introduced in the 1950s to confront growth hormone deficiency and metabolic irregularities. In 2003, however, the FDA approved growth hormone treatment for patients with abnormal growth rates unlinked to growth hormone deficiency. The treatment has become largely available to the general public, making the safety of growth hormone treatment an extremely important subject. This paper clarifies the benefits and efficacy of growth hormone treatment and analyzes the potential associated risks, including cancer and diabetes.

Examining The Oxidative Stress Effects In Rats Exposed To 2-Aminoanthracene In Utero And High Fat Diet Three Months After, Brianna A. Lanoix

Honors College Theses

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are organic compounds that are created synthetically or found in partially burned oil, gasoline, and coal. 2-aminoanthracene (2AA) is a common example of a PAH and can affect lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and resulting in inflammatory problems and oxidative stress. The objective of the research project is to investigate oxidative stress in relation to diabetes in rats exposed to 2AA in utero and a high fat diet later in life. Pregnant dams were separated into treatment groups based on their dosages of 2AA; 0 mg/kg (control), 50 mg/kg (low), 100 mg/kg (high). During the gestation -postpartum period, …

Nsaids And Oral Drug Absorption: Ibuprofen Through A Pharmacokinetic Lens, Courtney Gant

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Human pharmacokinetics is the study of how administered medications move throughout and behave within the body. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion are four integral parts of this field of study and are commonly known as the ADME principles of pharmacokinetics, but other processes are studied within the field. For orally administered drugs, the absorption process lies within the small intestine and colon, two components of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; this bodily system is associated with many variables––many of which must be considered in the study of oral drug absorption. Often administered orally, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) make up a group …

Effectiveness Of A Long-Acting Cocaine Hydrolase In Metabolizing Cocaine And Its Physiologically Active Metabolites, Linyue Shang

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Cocaine is a widely abused, hepatotoxic drug without an FDA-approved pharmacotherapy specific for cocaine addiction or overdose. Cocaine-induced toxicity in animals and humans is due to its multiple physiological effects on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, etc. The toxicity of cocaine is highly complex, as its metabolites also contribute to the toxicity. Notably, the combination of cocaine and alcohol is common among drug users and can produce additional metabolites. Some of the metabolites are more toxic than cocaine itself. Hence, to develop an ideal therapeutic candidate, the candidate should not only account for cocaine but should also detoxify other …

Age-Associated Increase Of Gamma Delta T Cells In Visceral Adipose Tissue And Mechanisms Of Their Accumulation, Sujata Mukherjee

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences

Chronic systemic inflammation, known as inflammaging is considered a hallmark of aging and associated diseases. While adipose tissue has long been considered only as a caloric reservoir regulating systemic energy homeostasis, research in the past couple of decades substantiate its endocrine function to secrete an array of inflammatory mediators and hormones, which have physiological effects on multiple organ systems, and contribute to inflammaging. Redistribution of adipose tissue from subcutaneous to visceral depots, changes in the immune profile and the chronic inflammatory state are among the major sources of adipose tissue dysfunction with aging.

This dissertation is focused on identifying and …

Chemical Immobilization Of Helicopter-Captured Elk (Cervus Canadensis) And Survival Of Elk Calves In Southeastern Kentucky, Kathleen E. Williams

Theses and Dissertations--Forestry and Natural Resources

Safe and effective chemical immobilization is critical to minimize stress and risk of injury when capturing free-ranging, wild ungulates. Many traditionally favored high potency opioids have been phased out or become unavailable because of increased regulations, leading to the development of two pre-mixed combination drugs, butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) and nalbuphine-medetomidine-azaperone (NalMed-A). Both drugs have been used to chemically immobilize ungulates, but their efficacy has not been documented in elk captured and transported via helicopter. During 2020 – 2022, we chemically immobilized helicopter-captured female elk (Cervus canadensis) with a single IM-injection of BAM (n = 41) or NalMed-A (n = …

Alternative Pharmacology: Exploring Ketamine Use For Treatment Resistant Mental Health Disorders, Kiersten L. Ash

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Biomonitoring Of Exposure To Multiple Metal Components In Urine, Hair And Nails Of Apprentice Welders Performing Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Smaw), Jairo Buitrago-Cortes, Philippe Sarazin, Denis Dieme, Jonathan Côté, Capucine Ouellet, Naïma El Majidi, Michèle Bouchard

Études primaires

Welding fumes are associated with various diseases. Increased air levels of metals were reported during welding. However, few multielement biomonitoring studies were conducted to assess the actual dose of metal components absorbed in apprentice welders in a learning environment. This research aimed to establish the nature and level of exposure to welding fumes and their metallic components in apprentice welders performing ‘Shielded Metal Arc Welding’ (SMAW), based on multi-element and multi-matrix analyses. A total of 86 apprentice welders were recruited in three different schools in Montreal, Québec, Canada. Twenty-one elements were measured in urine, hair, fingernail, and toenail samples collected …

Concrete Everywhere: A Project-Based Analysis Of The Unequal Distribution Of Warehouses In Fontana, Chanah Haigh

Scripps Senior Theses

Unjust legislation and zoning practices drive the excess of warehouses in Fontana, California whose impacts fall disproportionately on low income communities of color. This paper addresses the environmental and health impacts of warehouses, as well as the legislation and the use of zoning which bring them to Fontana. Original maps show the spread of warehouses over census tract level data depicting race, income, and environmental factors such as diesel particulate matter. State and local legislation is analyzed to determine its intended effect and how well it has been enforced. Research was conducted through a project based thesis done in conjunction …

An Analysis Of Water Quality At Orange County, California Beaches, Naomi Meurice

Pomona Senior Theses

Beaches in Southern California are highly recreated by residents and visitors, making beaches socially and economically important. Public health departments in coastal communities are in charge of measuring water quality and ensuring it is safe for users. Research in the past has indicated that beach water quality gets worse after storms, with bacteria levels jumping on the day of a storm and staying high for up to five days. Studies have shown these spikes in bacteria to be associated with storm runoff, with beaches closer to runoff discharge locations experiencing more impact. However, prior research has not considered the period …

Mitoq Alleviates Hippocampal Damage After Cerebral Ischemia: The Potential Role Of Sirt6 In Regulating Mitochondrial Dysfunction And Neuroinflammation, Ayman A. Ibrahim, Sherif S. Abdel Mageed Dr, Marwa M. Safar Prof.Dr, Mohammed F. El-Yamany Prof.Dr., Mamdouh A. Oraby Dr.

Pharmacy

Aims: Mitochondrial perturbations are the major culprit of the inflammatory response during the initial phase of cerebral ischemia. The present study explored the neuroprotective effect of the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, Mitoquinol (MitoQ), against hippocampal neuronal loss in an experimental model of brain ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) injury. Main methods: Rats were subjected to common carotid artery occlusion for 45 min, followed by reperfusion for 24 h. MitoQ (2 mg/kg; i.p daily) was administered for 7 successive days prior to the induction of brain ischemia. Key findings: I/R rats exhibited hippocampal damage evidenced by aggravated mitochondrial oxidative stress, thereby enhancing mtROS and oxidized …

Assessment Of Spilled Toxic Bait By Wild Pigs And Potential Risk To Non-Target Species, John C. Kinsey, Justin A. Foster, Nathan P. Snow, Jason D. Wishart, Linton D. Staples, Janis K. Bush, Kurt V. Vercauteren

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Background

In 2018, a sodium nitrite (SN)-based toxic bait for invasive wild pigs (hereafter wild pigs; Sus scrofa), was evaluated to determine its effectiveness in reducing local wild pig populations in Texas. Localized population reductions of > 70% were achieved, but spillage of bait outside wild pig-specific feeders (bait stations) caused by feeding wild pigs resulted in the deaths of non-target animals. To evaluate risks to non-target animals, we tested whether bait presentation influenced the total amount of bait spilled by wild pigs and estimated the associated risk to non-target species.

Results

We found that bait spilled outside bait stations …

Exposure To Pcb126 During The Nursing Period Reversibly Impacts Early-Life Glucose Tolerance, Brittany B. Rice, Keegan W. Sammons, Sara Y. Ngo Tenlep, Madeline T. Weltzer, Leryn J. Reynolds, Cetewayo S. Rashid, Hollie I. Swanson, Kevin J. Pearson

Human Movement Studies & Special Education Faculty Publications

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental organic pollutants known to have detrimental health effects. Using a mouse model, we previously demonstrated that PCB126 exposure before and during pregnancy and throughout the perinatal period adversely affected offspring glucose tolerance and/or body composition profiles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the glucose tolerance and body composition of offspring born to dams exposed to PCB126 during the nursing period only. Female ICR mice were bred, and half of the dams were exposed to either vehicle (safflower oil) or 1 µmole PCB126 per kg of body weight via oral gavage on postnatal …

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, …