Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

In Situ Hyaluronic Acid-Based Hydrogel Incorporated With Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 For Three-Dimensional Encapsulation Of Keratinocytes, Pornsuda Lengwan, Pithi Chanvorachote

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background/Aim: This work aimed to establish in situ hydrogel formation based on crosslinking of methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) and the polymer incorporated with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for keratinocyte three-dimension (3D) culture. Materials and Methods: The compatibility of human keratinocytes with developed hydrogel was determined by PrestoBlueTM cell viability assay. The live and dead cells were determined by Calcein AM, Propidium Iodide and Hoechst 33342 staining. The physical properties including gelation time, microstructure (porosity and interconnectivity), swelling ratio, and stability of the different concentration hydrogel were determined and correlated to cell viability. Results: Three percent w/v MeHA for in …

Replication Stress Induced By The Ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibitors Guanazole, Triapine, And Gemcitabine In Fission Yeast, Mashael Yahya A Alyahya

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Replication stress can be produced by various exogenous or endogenous factors that perturb the movement of replication forks. To overcome the stress, the cells provoke the DNA replication checkpoint to mobilize several pathways to protect the forks, maintain genome integrity, and promote cell survival. Defects in the replication checkpoint cause forks collapse, leading to chromosomal DNA damage or cell death. Although the replication checkpoint is crucial for genome integrity in all eukaryotes, the underlying mechanisms remains to be fully understood. To investigate the mechanisms of DRC, hydroxyurea (HU), an established inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), has been widely used in …

Small Interfering Rna (Sirna)-Based Therapy, Inderbir S. Padda, Arun U. Mahtani, Mayur S. Parmar

HPD Articles

No abstract provided.

Sodium-Glucose Transport Protein 2 (Sglt2) Inhibitors, Inderbir S. Padda, Arun U. Mahtani, Mayur S. Parmar

HPD Articles

No abstract provided.

Poststroke Seizure And Epilepsy: A Review Of Incidence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, And Pharmacological Therapies, Joseph Phan, Mario Ramos, Theodore Soares, Mayur S. Parmar

HPD Articles

Stroke is the most common cause of epilepsy and ultimately leads to a decrease in the quality of life of those affected. Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes can both lead to poststroke epilepsy (PSE). Significant risk factors for PSE include age < 65age less than 65 years, stroke severity measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), cortical involvement, and genetic factors such as TRPM6 polymorphism. The diagnosis of PSE is made by using imaging modalities, blood biomarkers, and prognostic criteria. Electroencephalography (EEG) is currently the gold standard to diagnose PSE, while new combinations of modalities are being tested to increase diagnostic specificity. This literature review uncovers a newly found mechanism for the pathology of poststroke epilepsy. The pathogenesis of early-onset and late-onset is characterized by sequelae of neuronal cellular hypoxia and disruption of the blood-brain barrier, respectively. Interleukin-6 is responsible for increasing the activity of glial cells, causing gliosis and hyperexcitability of neurons. Epinephrine, high-mobility group protein B1, downregulation of CD32, and upregulation of HLA-DR impact the pathology of poststroke epilepsy by inhibiting the normal neuronal immune response. Decreased levels of neuropeptide Y, a neurotransmitter, act through multiple unique mechanisms, such as inhibiting intracellular Ca accumulation and acting as an anti-inflammatory, also implemented in the worsening progression of poststroke epilepsy. Additionally, CA1 hippocampal resonant neurons that increase theta oscillation are associated with poststroke epilepsy. Hypertensive small vessel disease may also have an implication in the temporal lobe epilepsy by causing occult microinfarctions. Furthermore, this review highlights the potential use of statins as primary prophylaxis against PSE, with multiple studies demonstrating a reduction in incidence using statins alone, statins in combination with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and statins with aspirin. The evidence strongly suggests that the second generation AEDs are a superior treatment method for PSE. Data from numerous studies demonstrate their relative lack of significant drug interactions, increased tolerability, and potential superiority in maintaining seizure-free status.

Effect Of Metal-Containing Nanoparticles On Bacterial Biofilms And On The Microbiome Of Girardia Tigrina, Azar Saikali

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Anthropogenically-produced nanoparticles are a form of nanotechnology being used in industries including food and textiles. Humans and livestock are frequently exposed to metal-containing nanoparticles (MCNPs), that have been washed into streams and rivers, have been deliberately used in food packaging as antimicrobials, preservatives or for supplementation. The animal microbiome, which consists of a diverse community of microorganisms, provides a number of benefits to the host in terms of nutrition availability, immune support, and can influence behavior. Biofilms of diverse microbes may cause detrimental effects, for instance by causing dental diseases in humans. However, the scientific community has not reached consensus …

Recyclage Primaire Des Matières Résiduelles Électroniques Au Québec : Portrait De La Santé Et De La Sécurité Du Travail Et Appréciation Du Risque Sanitaire, Sabrina Gravel, Bouchra Bakhiyi, Joseph Zayed, Sylvie Gravel, Daniel Côté, Brigitte Roberge, Jacques Lavoie, Loïc Wingert, France Labrèche

Rapports de recherche scientifique

En raison de l’utilisation croissante de composants et d’appareils électriques et électroniques, de même que de leur durée de vie relativement courte, la quantité de matières résiduelles électroniques ne cesse d’augmenter. Conséquemment, le nombre d’entreprises spécialisées dans le recyclage électronique (e-recyclage) est en nette croissance au Québec, comme ailleurs dans le monde. Ces entreprises emploient des travailleurs qui ont pour tâche de démonter les appareils afin d’en trier les composants qui seront subséquemment valorisés ou éliminés de manière sécuritaire. Ces tâches peuvent cependant entraîner l’exposition des travailleurs à un mélange de substances potentiellement toxiques, comprenant entre autres des poussières, des …

Mechanisms And Treatment Of Pain-Depressed Behavior In Male And Female Mice, Clare M. Diester

Theses and Dissertations

One of the largest discrepancies between preclinical and clinical assessment of pain and analgesia is the type of behavioral endpoint used. Although most preclinical research has historically focused on drug effectiveness to block reflexive withdrawal behaviors stimulated by a noxious stimulus, increasing evidence shows that drug-induced restoration of pain-depressed behaviors provides increased clinical translation with decreased susceptibility to false-positives. Accordingly, the first portion of this dissertation designed a behavioral battery that featured pain-depressed behaviors as well as more conventional pain-stimulated behaviors for testing candidate analgesics in male and female mice. The main findings are as follows. (1) Intraperitoneal injection of …

2021 Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative Annual Report, Aubrey Larsen

Extension Research

This report details the activities and accomplishments of the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative in 2021.

The Synthesis And Biological Assessment Of Novel Ursolic Acid Derivatives As Potential Chemotherapeutic Agents For Cancer, Julie Rose Mae Mondala

Theses

Glioblastoma (GBM) is considered to be the most biologically aggressive type of brain tumour accounting for approximately 48% of all malignant primary brain tumours. GBM patients diagnosed have poor prognosis with a low five-year survival rate of

The aim of this study was to develop novel UA derivatives to enhance its bioavailability. Nine novel UA derivatives: three different diamine linkers, with Boc-protected and deprotected ends, and with folic acid were designed and synthesized to improve compound activity and/or delivery. The structures of the newly synthesised compounds were confirmed using mass spectrometry, FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The structural activity …

Application Of High-Intensity Ultrasound To Improve Food Processing Efficiency: A Review, Prasad Chavan, Pallavi Sharma, Sajeev Rattan Sharma, Tarsem Chand Mittal, Amit Jaiswal

Articles

The use of non-thermal processing technologies has grown in response to an ever-increasing demand for high-quality, convenient meals with natural taste and flavour that are free of chemical additions and preservatives. Food processing plays a crucial role in addressing food security issues by reducing loss and controlling spoilage. Among the several non-thermal processing methods, ultrasound technology has shown to be very beneficial. Ultrasound processing, whether used alone or in combination with other methods, improves food quality significantly and is thus considered beneficial. Cutting, freezing, drying, homogenization, foaming and defoaming, filtration, emulsification, and extraction are just a few of the applications …

Advances In Emerging Technologies For The Decontamination Of The Food Contact Surfaces, Shubham Sharma, Swarna Jaiswal, Brendan Duffy, Amit Jaiswal

Articles

Foodborne pathogens could be transferred to food from food contact surfaces contaminated by poor hygiene or biofilm formation. The food processing industry has various conditions favouring microbes' adherence, such as moisture, nutrients, and the microbial inoculums obtained from the raw material. The function of the ideal antimicrobial surface is preventing initial attachment of the microbes, killing the microbes or/and removing the dead bacteria. This review article provides detail about the challenges food industries are facing with respect to food contact materials. It also summarises the merits and demerits of several sanitizing methods developed for industrial use. Furthermore, it reviews the …

Disability In An American Indian Community : Prevalence, Distribution, And The Role Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Thoin Farzana Begum

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The Akwesasne reservation along the St. Lawrence River has experienced significant exposure to several persistent organic pollutants due to rapid industrialization. The Aluminum Company of America, General Motors, and Reynolds Metals operated aluminum foundries that used polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as hydraulic fluids, which contaminated the community environment, the soil, air and water, and community food sources with PCBs. We administered the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II) to 119 Akwesasne Mohawk adults residing along the St. Lawrence River in New York. We used exploratory factor analysis to summarize the 36- items comprising the WHODAS II. The 7 …

Trace Elements In Nails And Anemia In Children Living Along The Interoceanic Highway, Madre De Dios, Peru / Narrative Competence And Cognitive Mapping As A Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy In The Education Of Emergent Bilinguals, Tia Marks

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Anthropogenic changes in the Peruvian Amazon, including deforestation, highway development, agriculture, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), have increased community concern about potential exposures toxic trace elements (TTE) including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). Such exposures can lead to detrimental health effects in children, such as developmental delays and anemia. The overarching goal of my dissertation was to understand exposure to both toxic and essential (manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn)) trace elements, anemia prevalence, and the associations between hemoglobin (Hb) levels and trace elements. To do this, I leveraged existing data from a …

Disability In An American Indian Community : Prevalence, Distribution, And The Role Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Thoin F. Begum

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Phthalates have been implicated as reproductive toxicants in animal models and in human populations. This study examined associations between potential exposure sources and urinary phthalate concentrations among couples undergoing infertility treatment. Women (n=56) and their male partners (n=43) undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) were enrolled in a prospective cohort investigation of environmental chemicals and IVF outcomes at an academic medical center. On the day of oocyte retrieval, participants provided urine samples and completed questionnaires detailing use of personal care products (PCPs), and consumption of medications, foods, and beverages in the preceding 24-hours. Urine was analyzed for MEP, MBP, MPP, MHxP, …

Developing High-Resolution Meteorological Datasets To Assess The Short-Term Association Between Meteorological Factors And Green Space And Mental Disorders, Xinlei Deng

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Global climate change is linked to the frequency and intensity of local climate extremes such as heatwaves, cold spells, and flooding. Scientific evidence indicates that heatwaves and higher ambient temperature could increase the risk of hospital admission and emergency department (ED) visits for mental disorders (MDs). On the other hand, urban green space is considered a way to reduce heat island effects and provide comfort for area residents. However, there still exist huge research gaps. Except for temperature, few studies have examined how other meteorological factors (relative humidity (RH), solar radiation (SR), heat index (HI), and rainfall) are associated with …

Avian Haemosporidian Blood Parasite Diversity, Prevalence, And Distribution In Michigan’S Western Upper Peninsula, Maria M. Ferrer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Avian haemosporidian parasites, known as avian malaria (phylum Apicomplexa) can diminish an individual bird’s fitness by causing parasitemia, anemia, and reduced survival. Climate change is predicted to increase the spread of malarial parasites into more northerly latitudes where little is known about community compositions of these parasites. I assessed the prevalence and diversity of haemosporidian parasites in the first-ever community-level sampling of malaria in songbirds across the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In total, 179 blood samples were collected from birds representing 17 species, at five locations in the Upper Peninsula, including a mature forest, an early successional forest, and …

Pfas Environmental Contamination In Central Maine, Megan H. Andersen

Honors Theses

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative chemicals that are used in a variety of consumer products and industrial applications. Paper mills across the state of Maine have used PFAS in their industrial paper making processes, and their wastes often flow for treatment into municipal sewage treatment facilities. PFAS contaminated municipal wastewater from the general use of PFAS consumer products are also processed by these plants. Liquid waste is condensed into solid waste septage and sludge, and in what was thought to be an environmentally friendly repurposing practice, municipal sludge and septage has been spread on plots …

Formation, Antimicrobial Activity, And Biomedical Performance Of Plant-Based Nanoparticles: A Review, Ngoan Thi Thao Nguyen, Luan Minh Nguyen, Thuy Thi Thanh Nguyen, Thuong Thi Nguyen, Duyen Thi Cam Nguyen, Thuan Van Tran

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Because many engineered nanoparticles are toxic, there is a need for methods to fabricate safe nanoparticles such as plant-based nanoparticles. Indeed, plant extracts contain flavonoids, amino acids, proteins, polysaccharides, enzymes, polyphenols, steroids, and reducing sugars that facilitate the reduction, formation, and stabilization of nanoparticles. Moreover, synthesizing nanoparticles from plant extracts is fast, safe, and cost-effective because it does not consume much energy, and non-toxic derivatives are generated. These nanoparticles have diverse and unique properties of interest for applications in many fields. Here, we review the synthesis of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles with plant extracts. These nanoparticles display antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and …

The Effects Of Gestational Exposure To Buprenorphine Or Morphine On Offspring Development, Abigail Myers

Wayne State University Theses

The opioid crisis in the United States has grown to epidemic proportions with opioid dependence among pregnant women quadrupling from 1999-2014. Opioid-dependent pregnant women are commonly given opioid maintenance therapies (e.g., buprenorphine), but the developmental and neurological effects of these drugs on offspring development are poorly understood. Our study uses a translational rodent model to characterize the developmental consequences of gestational morphine (“MS”; mimicking opioid use disorder) or buprenorphine (“BUP”; mimicking opioid maintenance therapy) exposure on exposed offspring. Female rats started BUP (1.0 mg/kg) or MS (3-6.0 mg/kg) exposure 7 days before pregnancy to represent an established user and either …

An Analysis On Various Treatment Options For Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Elisheva Dusowitz

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a highly invasive, under-researched subtype of Breast Cancer. Patients lack receptors for the protein Human Epidermal Growth Factor, and both estrogen and progesterone. This negatively impacts treatment by making all hormone-sensitive treatments unavailable to TNBC patients. Since the effectiveness of various options has remained understudied, the prognosis remains poor. This paper attempts to analyze and compare the effectiveness of various treatment options. Because TNBC is very aggressive, the standard approach is to jump in with harsh surgical procedures, including mastectomies and lumpectomies. This analysis finds that more aggressive treatment may not be necessary to treat …

The Development And Future Of Prosthetics Controlled By Myoelectrical Impulses, Chaya Podemski

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Objective: To document the developmental history of prostheses to better understand the circumstances that led to enabling amputees to experience touch through sensory reinnervation surgery in conjunction with an innovative bionic arm; and to prove that sensory reinnervation is the key to further progress. Methods: The topic was researched extensively using scholarly databases and read relevant accounts of experimental studies and outcomes. Results: By examining the progress made in the field of prostheses, it has been determined that a sensory reinnervation technique is at the forefront of bionic limb technology and predict that it will continue to be utilized and …

Full Issue: Volume 15, Number 2, Spring 2022

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Complete .pdf file of Volume 15, Number 2 of The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences. Published Spring 2022.

Is Deep Brain Stimulation A Desirable Therapy For Parkinson’S Disease?, Chana Steinberg

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that currently impacts 6.1 million people globally. Although it has different presentations, its core features are tremors, postural instability, bradykinesia (slowing of movement), and psychological disabilities such as mood disorders and cognitive decline. A primary treatment is Levodopa, but it has limited success. A promising treatment called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been shown to induce significant improvements in motor skills where Levodopa has failed to help. Deep Brain Stimulation works via implanted electrodes. It has been used successfully in many studies to decrease motor issues associated with Parkinson’s, but potential side effects pose …

Cardiovascular Disease - Is A Whole Food Plant-Based Diet The Answer?, Shalom Katz

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Objective: To determine if a whole food plant-based diet can prevent and cure cardiovascular disease. Results: People on whole food plant-based diets exhibit extremely low levels of plasma LDL. Another risk factor for developing atherosclerosis, is inhibited production of nitric oxide, which is vital for healthy blood flow. One of the main inhibitors of nitric oxide production is asymmetric dimethyl-l-arginine (ADMA). An inverse relationship was found between dietary fat and ADMA levels. The diets with the best results were the diets where oil intake was reduced to a minimum. Clinically, people who went on whole food plant-based diets had their …

Osteoporosis: A Comprehensive Review, Eliyahu Greenberg

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeleton that becomes more common with advanced age, especially in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures, thereby reducing the quality of life for those who suffer from it. Due to the aging population, direct costs resulting from osteoporosis are projected to reach upward of $25 billion per year by 2025. The main pharmaceuticals primarily target osteoclasts. Exercise may be an effective method of preventing osteoporosis, although more research needs to be done. More research should be conducted to explore potential ways to enhance osteoblastic activity as a method to treat and/or reverse …

Does Exercise Make You Smarter?, Avi Derkhidam

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Physical exercise has been applauded for its beneficial cardiovascular and mental effects for decades. Recently, researchers have begun to study exercise from a different perspective, focusing on the positive relationship between exercise and cognition. One area of cognition highlighted in association with exercise is its positive impact on executive function. Executive function refers to the collection of neurocognitive processes involved in goal-directed problem-solving. Improved levels of cognitive function have been found to impact significant achievements throughout life. Because of this, the development, improvement, and preservation of these functions are essential. While research has proven a correlation between exercise and improved …

Can Androgenetic Alopecia Be Reversed And What Are The Effective Treatments?, Michelle Aminova

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Androgenic alopecia (AGA), also known as male and female pattern baldness, is the loss of hair on the scalp for both men and women. The onset of hair loss for men suffering from this condition can occur as early as their teens or early 20s. Symptoms include a receding hairline and gradual disappearance of hair at the vertex and frontal scalp. When women have female pattern baldness (FPB), their hair doesn’t appear thinning until they reach their 40s or older. Generally, women experience a thinning of the hair over the whole scalp, with the most extensive hair loss at the …

Optimal Treatment Of Osteoporosis, Yehoshua Wiederkehr

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Osteoporosis affects tens of millions of people in America and is the most common disease of the bones. New treatments are constantly sought, as existing ones have documented side effects. This review seeks to pinpoint the most effective and safe treatment for osteoporosis by looking at head-to-head trials and research regarding combination therapies. This review also looks at the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic treatments and whether any options are beneficial. The importance of an open patient/provider relationship proves itself, as many medications and treatment plans depend on personal factors that need to be measured and weighed by a medical professional together …

Effective Treatments For Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Moshe Picciotto

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) is the most common form of breast cancer wherein its progression interrupts the hormonal receptors and genetic variation of one’s DNA. DCIS can be caused by hereditary means, or through mutations. Fortunately, due to the many different modes of contraction, there is a plethora of treatments available in the forms of mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapeutic drugs, and PARP inhibitors, each with their own mechanism of action to combat the tumor and any metastatic effects the cancer may have on the body. This paper analyzes the cancer’s mechanism of action upon the body and the positive effects …