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Articles 301 - 330 of 7018

Full-Text Articles in Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health

Day-Night Shifts In Water-Soluble Ions Of Size-Resolved Aerosols Before And After The Covid-19 Lockdown In A Coastal Megacity: Metro Manila, Philippines, Grace Betito, Paola Angela Bañaga, Rachel A. Braun, Maria Obiminda Cambaliza, Melliza Templonuevo Cruz, Alexander B. Macdonald, James Bernard Simpas, Connor Stahl, Armin Sooroshian Oct 2025

Day-Night Shifts In Water-Soluble Ions Of Size-Resolved Aerosols Before And After The Covid-19 Lockdown In A Coastal Megacity: Metro Manila, Philippines, Grace Betito, Paola Angela Bañaga, Rachel A. Braun, Maria Obiminda Cambaliza, Melliza Templonuevo Cruz, Alexander B. Macdonald, James Bernard Simpas, Connor Stahl, Armin Sooroshian

SOSE Affiliate: Manila Observatory

The COVID-19 pandemic-driven lockdowns offer a unique opportunity to examine how reductions in anthropogenic emissions impacted atmospheric aerosol composition in urban environments. This study investigates the day-night variability of size-resolved water-soluble ions in ambient particulate matter (PM) collected in Metro Manila before (November 2019–February 2020) and after (November 2020–February 2021) lockdown implementation. Using tandem Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactors (MOUDIs), aerosol samples were collected during daytime (06:00–18:00) and nighttime (18:00–06:00) periods and analyzed for key ionic species (sulfate, ammonium, nitrate, oxalate, sodium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium) via ion chromatography. Submicrometer water-soluble mass declined post-lockdown, particularly during daytime, reflecting suppressed secondary formation …


Mechanistic Distinction Between Oxidative And Chlorination Transformations Of Chloroperoxidase From Caldariomyces Fumago Demonstrated By Dye Decolorization, Norman Paz-Ramirez, Jacob Redwinski, Matthew A. Cranswick, Kyle A. Grice, Kari Stone Oct 2025

Mechanistic Distinction Between Oxidative And Chlorination Transformations Of Chloroperoxidase From Caldariomyces Fumago Demonstrated By Dye Decolorization, Norman Paz-Ramirez, Jacob Redwinski, Matthew A. Cranswick, Kyle A. Grice, Kari Stone

Chemistry Department Faculty Articles

Effluents from the textile industry, particularly those containing synthetic azo dyes, poses a significant environmental threat, necessitating the development of more effective and sustainable pollutant removal methods. Traditional dye removal techniques often fall short in efficiency and environmental impact, prompting the exploration of enzymatic degradation as a promising alternative. This study focuses on chloroperoxidase, a natural biocatalyst recognized for its ability to oxidize synthetic dyes into less harmful products. By exploring the mechanistic distinction between chlorination and oxidative processes, we investigate the enzyme’s specific degradation pathways for azo dyes and the resulting by-products. Utilizing analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry …


Investigation Of Metals And Incidental Nanomaterials In Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Ashes And Their Impacts On Marine Phytoplankton, Talal Abdullah Alshehri Oct 2025

Investigation Of Metals And Incidental Nanomaterials In Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Ashes And Their Impacts On Marine Phytoplankton, Talal Abdullah Alshehri

Theses and Dissertations

Wildfires are natural processes that have played a vital role in ecosystems for millions of years. However, with increasing anthropogenic activities and climate change, wildfires' frequency and intensity have increased. A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire that burns forests, grasses, and savannas. In addition to vegetation combustible materials, wildfire burn structure items such as homes, stores, and storage sheds in areas where the transition zone between urban and wildland is defined as the wildland-urban interface (WUI). Moreover, wildfires in WUI can burn vehicles, including automobiles, tractors, and boats on trails. Recently, there have been concerns regarding the metals, metalloids, and …


Compost Grinder For The University Of South Carolina Office Of Sustainability, Rori E. Pumphrey, Grace Yaegel, Aaron R. Sawyer, Bradley White Oct 2025

Compost Grinder For The University Of South Carolina Office Of Sustainability, Rori E. Pumphrey, Grace Yaegel, Aaron R. Sawyer, Bradley White

Senior Theses

This project originates from a collaboration with the USC Office of Sustainability, which seeks to improve the handling and processing of food waste generated on campus. The primary challenge is the difficulty in composting certain types of food waste, such as avocado pits, pumpkin rinds, and other dense or fibrous organic materials that are not easily broken down using conventional methods. Existing commercial solutions are often too large and expensive, or electrically powered, and are thus not well suited for the volume or nature of USC's food waste. To address these limitations, our team designed a manually operated food waste …


Persistent Chemicals In Particulate Matter (Pm) Near A Hazardous Waste Thermal Treatment Facility, Chuqi Guo, Martine E. Mathieu-Campbell, Thomas Blanchard, Lavrent Khachatryan, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Myron Lard, Oluwafeyikemi Ogunmusi, Brenda Vallee, Wilma Subra, Iriel Edwards, David Malone, Slawo Lomnicki, Stephania A. Cormier, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant Oct 2025

Persistent Chemicals In Particulate Matter (Pm) Near A Hazardous Waste Thermal Treatment Facility, Chuqi Guo, Martine E. Mathieu-Campbell, Thomas Blanchard, Lavrent Khachatryan, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Myron Lard, Oluwafeyikemi Ogunmusi, Brenda Vallee, Wilma Subra, Iriel Edwards, David Malone, Slawo Lomnicki, Stephania A. Cormier, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Colfax, an overburdened community in central Louisiana, hosts the last commercially-operated open-burn/open-detonation (OB/OD) hazardous waste thermal treatment facility in the United States. Until December 2023 when their permit disallowed OB/OD, the facility processed military waste, fireworks, propellants, soils excavated from Superfund sites, and other hazardous materials. This community-engaged study measured ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5), environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and metals using two high-volume PM2.5 samplers deployed 1.2 mi and 9.0 mi from the facility from April, 2022 through February, 2023. Elevated PM2.5 concentrations were recorded at both sites during spring and summer 2022. …


Sulforaphane And Non-Clustered Tumor/Non-Tumor Suppressor Micrornas Regulate Akt And Its Downstream Genes In Mda-Mb-231 Cancer Cells, Omobolanle David Garuba Oct 2025

Sulforaphane And Non-Clustered Tumor/Non-Tumor Suppressor Micrornas Regulate Akt And Its Downstream Genes In Mda-Mb-231 Cancer Cells, Omobolanle David Garuba

Dissertations (2016-Present)

Cancer is a complex pathological condition characterized mainly by uncontrolled rapid cell divisions caused by several factors, which include genetics and environmental factors. Of all cancer types, breast cancer (BC) remains the second most diagnosed among women worldwide; thus, BC burden has become a global health issue. Of all known breast cancer subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the only primary subtype without effective therapy as a result of their lack of the essential estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) common to other BCs and are the usual therapeutic targets for treatment. …


Detection Of Microplastics In Household Dust From Suburban Texas And Toxicological Assessment Of Polystyrene Microparticles In Lung Epithelial Cells: Nf-Kb Pathway Activation And Inflammatory Responses, Nirupama Surubhotla Oct 2025

Detection Of Microplastics In Household Dust From Suburban Texas And Toxicological Assessment Of Polystyrene Microparticles In Lung Epithelial Cells: Nf-Kb Pathway Activation And Inflammatory Responses, Nirupama Surubhotla

Dissertations (2016-Present)

Microplastics are emerging contaminants that have raised global concern due to their persistence, ubiquity, and potential impacts on human health. Indoor environments are increasingly recognized as significant sources of microplastic exposure through household dust inhalation. This study aimed to detect the presence of microplastics in household dust from suburban regions of Texas, USA, and to investigate the cytotoxic and inflammatory effects of polystyrene microparticles in a lung epithelial cell model (A549). Household dust samples were collected and analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, confirming the presence of a mixture of microplastics. To assess biological responses, A549 cells were exposed to defined sizes …


Curcumin And Compound-20 (A Synthetic Curcumin) Ameliorates Effects Of Acrolein In Rat Kidney By Improving Renal Autophagy, Sandra Isioma Erue Oct 2025

Curcumin And Compound-20 (A Synthetic Curcumin) Ameliorates Effects Of Acrolein In Rat Kidney By Improving Renal Autophagy, Sandra Isioma Erue

Dissertations (2016-Present)

Study aim is to determine the role of p38-MAPK/Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling in acrolein-induced kidney injury. Evaluate autophagy modulation and whether curcumin and Compound 20 mitigate acrolein-induced kidney injury by modulating p38-MAPK/Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into groups (n = 5) for control and treatment. All rats were fasted for 4–5 hours daily throughout the 10-day study period. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were administered peanut butter, curcumin, or Compound-20 mixed with peanut butter via voluntary oral consumption, followed by intraperitoneal (IP) administration of acrolein. The animals were randomly divided into groups (n = 5) for control …


Untangling The Roles Of Pulmonary Vagal Afferent Subsets With Inhaled Irritants, Teresa Darcey Sep 2025

Untangling The Roles Of Pulmonary Vagal Afferent Subsets With Inhaled Irritants, Teresa Darcey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The sensory nerves in the airways directly regulate critical defenses and indirectly regulate vital gas exchange. Airway function is largely controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and our understanding of its sensory regulation is directly connected to our ability to treat respiratory and cardiovascular pathologies. Airway sensory afferents are heterogeneous with respect to their electrophysiological properties, peptidergic capacity, and stimuli sensitivity, which at least in part dictate some of their various functions. There is evidence that embryological origin impacts reflex function: activation of the neural crest-derived population of sensory afferents has been shown to evoke the cough reflex whereas activation …


A Case Study Of Long-Term Disease Burden In A Rural Community Near An Open Burn Facility, Arundhati Bakshi, Liana Baconguis, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Stephania A. Cormier Sep 2025

A Case Study Of Long-Term Disease Burden In A Rural Community Near An Open Burn Facility, Arundhati Bakshi, Liana Baconguis, Md Abdullah Al-Mamun, Qingzhao Yu, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Stephania A. Cormier

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Open burning and open detonation (OB/OD) of explosive and hazardous wastes creates various toxic waste products, including particulate matter, that is released into the atmosphere and capable of generating significant health impacts upon exposure. The last commercially run OB/OD thermal treatment facility in operation in the United States is located near the rural community of Colfax in central Louisiana. To evaluate the community’s concerns about the potential health impacts from air pollution due to the facility’s regular open burning of explosive and hazardous wastes, we examined the disease burden in Colfax compared to the surrounding parish and state. In a …


Development And Validation Of An Analytical Method For Determination Of Bongkrekic Acid In Biofluids For Toxin Monitoring, Ying-Tzu Shieh, Te-I Weng, Ju-Yu Chen, I-Ting Wang, Kevin Shu-Leung Lai, Chia-Mo Lin, Chu-Yun Teng, Guan-Yuan Chen Sep 2025

Development And Validation Of An Analytical Method For Determination Of Bongkrekic Acid In Biofluids For Toxin Monitoring, Ying-Tzu Shieh, Te-I Weng, Ju-Yu Chen, I-Ting Wang, Kevin Shu-Leung Lai, Chia-Mo Lin, Chu-Yun Teng, Guan-Yuan Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Bongkrekic acid (BKA) poisoning is a severe foodborne illness with a high mortality rate. This study aimed to identifyBKA in postmortem tissues from poisoning victims in Taiwan and to develop a reliable analytical method for detectingBKA in biofluids to aid clinical diagnosis and treatment. BKA was identified in postmortem samples using high-reso-lution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and confirmed with an independent ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatographycoupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method. To meet clinical needs, a UHPLC-MS/MS methodwas developed and validated for BKA detection in plasma and urine. Method optimization included adjustments to ionsource conditions for multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions and …


The Economic Burden Of Covid-19 In A Region With Stringent Response Measures: A Case Study Of Taiwan, Elise Chia-Hui Tan, Fei-Yuan Hsiao, Ming-Chin Yang Sep 2025

The Economic Burden Of Covid-19 In A Region With Stringent Response Measures: A Case Study Of Taiwan, Elise Chia-Hui Tan, Fei-Yuan Hsiao, Ming-Chin Yang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a significant economic burden globally, particularly in regions with stringentresponse measures. This study aimed to assess the economic impact of COVID-19 in Taiwan, focusing on both directand indirect costs. A cost-of-illness analysis was conducted, utilizing data from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control(CDC), national databases, epidemiological studies, and economic surveys. The analysis included both direct costs (e.g.,hospital admissions, outpatient care) and indirect costs (e.g., productivity losses due to long COVID, absenteeism, caregiving duties). The study encompassed Taiwan's population of 23.2 million, with particular attention to age-specific impacts on economic outcomes. The total economic burden of …


Nanovesicles Derived From Protocorm-Like Bodies Of Dendrobium Officinal Enhance Corneal Epithelial Repair And Reduce Inflammation In Dry Eye Disease Models, Bao Yuqing, Peng Chengyu, Zhang Fenglei, Zheng Yuqiang, Zhang Mingqi, He Wei Sep 2025

Nanovesicles Derived From Protocorm-Like Bodies Of Dendrobium Officinal Enhance Corneal Epithelial Repair And Reduce Inflammation In Dry Eye Disease Models, Bao Yuqing, Peng Chengyu, Zhang Fenglei, Zheng Yuqiang, Zhang Mingqi, He Wei

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) offer a promising, biocompatible therapeutic platform. In this study, we isolatednanovesicles from protocorm-like bodies of Dendrobium officinale (PLBs-NVs) and evaluated their efficacy in dry eyedisease (DED) models. PLBs-NVs protected human corneal epithelial cells against hyperosmotic stress, supportedwound repair, and inhibited inflammation in vitro. In a desiccating stress-induced DED mouse model, topical PLBs-NVstreatment significantly restored tear secretion, reduced corneal epithelial damage, and lowered levels of proinflammatorycytokines. These results suggest that PLBs-NVs are a safe, natural, and effective therapeutic strategy for DED, sup-porting their potential for future clinical translation in ocular surface disorders.


Anti-Neuroinflammatory Polyketides From The Medicinal Herb-Derived Fungal Strain Didymocyrtis Brachylaenae Km1530, Chia-Hao Chang, Yun-Rong Zhang, Shu-Jung Huang, George Hsiao, Wei-Chiung Chi, Andrea Gu, Yu-Wei Lai, Tzong-Huei Lee Sep 2025

Anti-Neuroinflammatory Polyketides From The Medicinal Herb-Derived Fungal Strain Didymocyrtis Brachylaenae Km1530, Chia-Hao Chang, Yun-Rong Zhang, Shu-Jung Huang, George Hsiao, Wei-Chiung Chi, Andrea Gu, Yu-Wei Lai, Tzong-Huei Lee

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

A series of chromatographic separation on the liquid-state fermented products of Didymocyrtis brachylaenae Km1530 derived from the littoral medicinal herb Atriplex maximowicziana Makino, resulted in the isolation of compounds 1—13. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis as fivepreviously unreported C13 polyketides, namely brachylactones A—D (1—4) and brachic acid (5), along with eight known compounds 6—13. Among these, brachy-lactones A (1) and B (2) exhibited nitric oxide production inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide-induced murine BV- 2 microglial cells at a concentration of 20 μM without any cytotoxicity.


Protective Effects Of Jujube Seed Extract Against Oxidative Stress In Ht22 Cells And Its Sleep-Promoting Action Through Gabaergic Receptors, Seok Hyun Chung, Hyeongyeong Kim, Singeun Kim, Pan-Young Jeong, Hyowon Lee Sep 2025

Protective Effects Of Jujube Seed Extract Against Oxidative Stress In Ht22 Cells And Its Sleep-Promoting Action Through Gabaergic Receptors, Seok Hyun Chung, Hyeongyeong Kim, Singeun Kim, Pan-Young Jeong, Hyowon Lee

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Jujube seed extract (JSE), rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, exhibits neuroprotective and sleep-enhancing properties.In vitro, JSE protected HT22 cells against oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway and upregulatingantioxidant enzymes. In vivo, JSE increased non-REM sleep and delta wave activity in pentobarbital- and caffeine-induced sleep models. Spinosin contributed to these effects. Long-term JSE administration upregulated GABAA, GABAB, and 5-HT1A receptors in brain tissue. These findings suggest that JSE offers dual benefits in mitigating oxidativestress and promoting sleep through antioxidant defense and neurotransmitter modulation, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent.


Repurposing Dihydroartemisinin As A Novel Anticancer Agent Against Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells, Meng-Han Wu, Chieh-Ju Sung, Fan-Lu Kung, Jih-Hwa Guh, Yu Su, Lih-Ching Hsu Sep 2025

Repurposing Dihydroartemisinin As A Novel Anticancer Agent Against Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells, Meng-Han Wu, Chieh-Ju Sung, Fan-Lu Kung, Jih-Hwa Guh, Yu Su, Lih-Ching Hsu

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death globally and discovering novel therapeuticagents to treat the disease, and prevent cancer metastasis and recurrence is an urgent medical need. Cancer stem cells(CSCs) capable of self-renewal and differentiation are generally considered the cause of tumor metastasis, recurrenceand chemoresistance. Hence, targeting CSCs may be a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer. GATA6, a zincfinger transcription factor, contributes to tumorigenesis in CRC and is related to cancer stemness. GATA6-overexpressing stable clones OE4 and OE6 derived from HCT116 cells were previously established and exhibitedincreased stemness properties. In this study, we …


Yi-Qi-Xuan-Fei Formula Ameliorate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease By Remodeling Lung And Intestinal Florase In Rat Models, Si-Si Han, Li-Yun Song, Peng-Tao Liang, Yin-Ying Wang, Yi Ying, Li Li, Jia-Li Yuan, Zhong-Shan Yang Sep 2025

Yi-Qi-Xuan-Fei Formula Ameliorate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease By Remodeling Lung And Intestinal Florase In Rat Models, Si-Si Han, Li-Yun Song, Peng-Tao Liang, Yin-Ying Wang, Yi Ying, Li Li, Jia-Li Yuan, Zhong-Shan Yang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by various pathologicallesions and an imbalance in the microflora. The Yi-Qi-Xuan-Fei Formula (YQXF) is a clinically effective formula withpharmacological potential to delay the progression of COPD. This study aims to explore the relationship between thetherapeutic mechanism of YQXF and the microflora in COPD. Our study found that YQXF reduces inflammatory injuryand inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue, repairs the intestinal mucosal barrier, and enhances immune function.Additionally, YQXF regulates the pulmonary and intestinal flora by increasing the abundance of Alloprevotella, Rose-buria, Oscillibacter, and Lactobacillus, while reducing the abundance of …


Precision Nanomedicine For Anxiety: Challenges, Opportunities, And Future Directions In Targeted Drug Delivery, Sehrabpreet Singh, Amanpreet Singh, Shruti Chittu, Shailesh Sharma Sep 2025

Precision Nanomedicine For Anxiety: Challenges, Opportunities, And Future Directions In Targeted Drug Delivery, Sehrabpreet Singh, Amanpreet Singh, Shruti Chittu, Shailesh Sharma

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery system represents one of the challenging strategies suggested to improve anxietydisorder therapeutic approaches, clinic challenges of delayed action, side effect-free designing and poor patientcompliance. Traditional pharmacological agents can increase drug bioavailability and target specific brain regions,whereas nanoparticle-mediated controlled release offers enhanced precision and sustained action. The others in thisreview concentrate on several kinds of nanoparticle, including lipid-based, polymeric-metallic, and responsive nano-particles, their use in anxiety medication. In addition, emphasis is placed on precision medicine that pertain the delivery of treatment based on an individual's genetic, environmental and lifestyle aspects. Also, it is looked into how artificial intelligence …


The Rhythm Of Decline: Circadian Disruption In Neurodegeneration, Jeewanjot Singh, Devinder Kumar, Jasleen Kaur, Amanpreet Singh Sep 2025

The Rhythm Of Decline: Circadian Disruption In Neurodegeneration, Jeewanjot Singh, Devinder Kumar, Jasleen Kaur, Amanpreet Singh

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a multifactorial etiology involving genetic,environmental, and metabolic factors. Among these, circadian rhythm disruption has emerged as a crucial but under-explored contributor to disease progression. The circadian system, regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN),controls essential physiological functions such as the sleep-wake cycle, metabolism, and neuroendocrine signaling.Disruption of this system has been increasingly linked to key pathological features of AD, including amyloid-betaaccumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuroinflammation. This review critically examines the mechanistic roleof circadian misalignment in AD by analyzing studies on sleep disturbances, SCN degeneration, metabolic dysregu-lation, clock gene polymorphisms (BMAL1, CLOCK, PER, …


Targeted Nanosponge-Based Treatment For Pulmonary Hypertension: A Novel Approach, Jashanpreet Kaur, Gursimran Kaur, Chamanpreet Kaur, Sandeep Kumar Sep 2025

Targeted Nanosponge-Based Treatment For Pulmonary Hypertension: A Novel Approach, Jashanpreet Kaur, Gursimran Kaur, Chamanpreet Kaur, Sandeep Kumar

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a progressive and potentially fatal condition marked by high pulmonary arterypressure, resulting in heart failure and reduced oxygenation. Despite advancements in treatments, therapeutic optionsfor PH remain limited, particularly in cases resistant to conventional therapies. In biomedical research, nanotechnologyhas become a potential area of study, presenting novel approaches to drug delivery and tissue targeting. Nanosponges, aclass of nanoparticles with porous structures, have gained attention for their ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents,enhance drug stability, and provide controlled release. Nanosponges can be engineered to deliver vasodilators, anti-inflammatory drugs, and gene therapies directly to the pulmonary vasculature, minimizing systemic side …


In Vivo And In Vitro Perspectives In Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms And The Role Of Phytomedicine, Jeewanjot Singh, Devinder Kumar Sep 2025

In Vivo And In Vitro Perspectives In Parkinson's Disease: Mechanisms And The Role Of Phytomedicine, Jeewanjot Singh, Devinder Kumar

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by dopaminergic neuronal loss,oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and a-synuclein aggregation. Despite advances, current treatments only offersymptomatic relief without altering disease progression. This review aims to evaluate the therapeutic potential of plant-derived phytochemicals in PD through evidence from both in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Key findingsindicate that rodent models (e.g., MPTP, rotenone) and neuronal cell lines (e.g., SH-SY5Y) help replicate PD pathologyand mechanistic insights. Phytochemicals such as baicalein, morin, ferulic acid, and bacopa demonstrate neuroprotectiveeffects via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial-stabilizing pathways. Nanotechnology and brain orga-noids further improve translational relevance. In conclusion, …


Global Research Trends On Avocado Oil And Its Fatty Acid Composition: A Bibliometric Review, Ahmad Kamrullah Aras, Abdul Rohman Sep 2025

Global Research Trends On Avocado Oil And Its Fatty Acid Composition: A Bibliometric Review, Ahmad Kamrullah Aras, Abdul Rohman

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The high content of unsaturated fatty acids in avocado oil (Persea americana) has prompted in-depth exploration across research subjects. This study uses bibliometric analysis to assess global research trends on avocado oil and its fatty acid composition from 2004 to 2024. The search string retrieved 255 articles from the Scopus database and then analyzed using R BibliometriX and VOSviewer software. These tools analyze descriptive structures and collaborative patterns and create network data maps. For comparison, we separated the data into two research periods, namely 2004-2013 and 2014-2024. There was a significant increase in the number of publications, with …


In Vivo Efficacy Of A Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Combination Against Yellow Fever In A Hamster Model, Abbie E. Weight, Hunter Stanger, Robert J. Geraghty, Laurent F. Bonnac, Justin G. Julander Sep 2025

In Vivo Efficacy Of A Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Combination Against Yellow Fever In A Hamster Model, Abbie E. Weight, Hunter Stanger, Robert J. Geraghty, Laurent F. Bonnac, Justin G. Julander

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Student Research

Yellow fever virus (YFV) recurrently causes severe outbreaks in tropical regions of South America and Africa and an average of 30 to 40 thousand deaths worldwide each year. An effective vaccine is available but the coverage of the population in countries at risk is not optimal. No antivirals are currently approved for YFV treatment. Herein, we describe the evaluation of 6-MMPr, a de-novo-purine-nucleotide biosynthesis inhibitor, as a potentiator for enhanced activity of the broad-spectrum antiviral drug favipiravir in a hamster model of yellow fever. Administration of 6-MMPr was well-tolerated and a combination of favipiravir and 6-MMPr did not cause …


Mechanistic Rationale For Toxic Aerosol Formation From Vaping And Dabbing With A Focus On Ketene Formation From Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids, Kaelas Ryan Munger Sep 2025

Mechanistic Rationale For Toxic Aerosol Formation From Vaping And Dabbing With A Focus On Ketene Formation From Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoids, Kaelas Ryan Munger

Dissertations and Theses

Cannabis vaping is a relatively new route of administration that is increasingly common among youth and young adults. Cannabis vaping has been associated with cases of acute lung injury, especially among youth, and most often involves the heating and aerosolization of high-potency products having cannabinoid concentrations of ~ 50 % - 98 % w/w. Proponents argue that vaping is safer than smoking due to the characteristically lower temperatures and fewer plant materials. However, the extreme cannabinoid concentrations, along with non-natural formulations having undisclosed additives, require studies of the health effects of these products. Despite the popularity of cannabis concentrate vaping, …


Air Pollution And Environmental Injustice Are Related To Respiratory Complications In Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease, Kelsey M. Maclin Sep 2025

Air Pollution And Environmental Injustice Are Related To Respiratory Complications In Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease, Kelsey M. Maclin

All ETDs from UAB

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetically inherited blood disorder affecting people of African descent. SCD is characterized by painful episodes and an acute lung injury known as acute chest syndrome (ACS). Patients with SCD have a life expectancy <19 years compared to Blacks without SCD. There is minimal research investigating air pollution and health complications in SCD. The aims of this research were to investigate whether pulmonary function is affected by exposure to ambient air pollution, whether higher air pollution concentrations are associated with hospitalizations for ACS, and whether environmental injustice impacts the respiratory health of children and young adults with SCD. Air pollution data on the criteria air pollutants (CAPs) was obtained from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Patient health data were obtained from Children’s Hospital of Alabama electronic medical records. Logistic regression, distributed lag non-linear regression, Granger Causality, and Getis-Ord Gi* hot spot analysis were used to analyze our data. The EPA’s EJScreen tool was used as a measure of exposure to environmental injustice. ArcGIS was used to map the EJScreen data. Exposure to short-term air pollution is significantly associated with a reduction in pulmonary function in children and young adults with SCD. Children and young adults exposed to a one-unit increase in the monthly average concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) experienced an increase in the odds of having abnormal pulmonary function. We observed the trends of each criteria air pollutant in our study to be closely aligned with the trends in the hospitalizations for ACS. Most of our study participants with a history of ACS lived in areas burdened by greater environmental injustices. Specifically, the hot spots for ACS overlapped with the hot spots for PM2.5. Unequal exposure to environmental injustices leads to increases in hospitalizations for respiratory complications in individuals with SCD. Reductions in air pollution could be greatly beneficial to the pulmonary function and overall respiratory health of individuals with SCD. Further research is needed to examine associations between air pollution and hospitalizations for ACS in individuals with SCD.


Exploring The Relative Effects Of Natural Gas And Biogas Cooking On Indoor Air Quality In Residential Kitchens, Wande Benka-Coker, Kailey Sipe, Dinela Dedic, Alexander Jones, Bramley Hawkins, Emily Lyons, Matt Steiman, Megan L. Benka-Coker Sep 2025

Exploring The Relative Effects Of Natural Gas And Biogas Cooking On Indoor Air Quality In Residential Kitchens, Wande Benka-Coker, Kailey Sipe, Dinela Dedic, Alexander Jones, Bramley Hawkins, Emily Lyons, Matt Steiman, Megan L. Benka-Coker

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Indoor air pollution from gas stove combustion remains a public health concern, given links to adverse cardiorespiratory health effects, yet few studies have characterized or compared the air quality impacts of different gas-based cooking fuels. We investigated kitchen-level concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in four homes in Central Pennsylvania that used natural gas and/or biogas fueled stoves. We conducted time-resolved kitchen monitoring and assessed pollutant concentrations during cooking and non-cooking periods. We applied linear mixed-effect regression models with kitchen-level random effects and time-varying covariates to estimate the influence of fuel type on indoor air …


Synthesis, Pharmacokinetic Studies, And Metabolite Analysis Of Meridianin C In Rats Using A Validated Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method, Liangyu Xu, Zhaogen Wu, Karna Ramachandraiah, Guihun Jiang, Guozhe Zhang Sep 2025

Synthesis, Pharmacokinetic Studies, And Metabolite Analysis Of Meridianin C In Rats Using A Validated Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method, Liangyu Xu, Zhaogen Wu, Karna Ramachandraiah, Guihun Jiang, Guozhe Zhang

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Introduction: Meridianin C (MC) is a marine-derived indole alkaloid that has demonstrated kinase inhibitory and anti-tumor activities. Despite its diverse biological properties, no previous reports have systematically evaluated the in vivo quantitative analysis of MC and its metabolites. Methods: In this study, MC was synthesized following a previously reported procedure with slight modifications. A sensitive, accurate, and reliable ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously detect MC and its five major metabolites (MC-1-N-O-GluA, MC-1-N-O-SO3H, MC-2′-N-O-GluA, MC-2′-N-O-SO3H, and MC-O-GluA-didehydration) in rat plasma. Rats received a single oral dose of MC (100 mg/kg), and pharmacokinetic analysis was …


Human Adipose Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Glial Cell Response In Aged And Young Tbi Mouse Models, Salma S. Abdelmaboud Sep 2025

Human Adipose Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Glial Cell Response In Aged And Young Tbi Mouse Models, Salma S. Abdelmaboud

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of long-term neurological impairment, with aging significantly increasing vulnerability and worsening outcomes. Older individuals experience greater cognitive and motor deficits after TBI and often show diminished responses to therapeutic interventions. Both aging and TBI independently promote heightened neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction, increasing susceptibility to poor recovery. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) to promote neurological recovery and modulate neuroinflammation in a mouse model of TBI. Male C57BL/6 mice aged 3, 15, and 20 months underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) and …


Mechanisms Of Sleep Regulation In Drosophila Melanogaster, Anfal A. Abuhilal Sep 2025

Mechanisms Of Sleep Regulation In Drosophila Melanogaster, Anfal A. Abuhilal

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Sleep is a fundamental biological need, and sufficient sleep is required for physical and mental well-being. Sleep is regulated by two biological mechanisms: sleep-wake homeostasis and circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms are near 24-h rhythms in behavior and physiology that are generated by endogenous mechanisms. In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is the central circadian pacemaker, which is known to receive a significant amount of serotonergic input that likely modulates sleep rhythms. In addition to circadian modulation, sleep is subject to homeostatic regulation. Several neuromodulators have been proposed as mediators of sleep homeostasis. Serotonin has been implicated in sleep drive and …


Exploring Potential Impacts Of Polyethylene Mesh And Polypropylene Rope Leachate On Bay Scallop (Argopecten Irradians) Survival And Growth, Katherine R. Johnson Aug 2025

Exploring Potential Impacts Of Polyethylene Mesh And Polypropylene Rope Leachate On Bay Scallop (Argopecten Irradians) Survival And Growth, Katherine R. Johnson

Graduate Masters Theses

The bay scallop (Argopecten irradians), a commercially and ecologically significant bivalve along the Eastern coast of the United States, has faced severe population declines due to various anthropogenic impacts. At the same time, the proliferation of plastics, particularly in maritime industries, has introduced new threats to marine environments through both physical pollution and chemical leaching. This study aimed to assess the acute toxicological effects of leachates from two commonly used plastic products, polyethylene Netron and polypropylene rope, on A. irradians larvae. Experiments were conducted in June–July 2023 at the Nantucket Shellfish Hatchery. Leachates were prepared by incubating 0.5, …