Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Rising Use Of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors And The Escalating Burden Of Gastrointestinal And Hepatic Toxicities: A Nine-Year Analysis, Donghyun Ko, Do Han Kim Md, Pedro Palacios Argueta Md, Wilhelm S. Basegoda Md, Jose A. Porres, Francis F. Fadi, Jana G. Hashash, Francis A. Farraye, Paul T. Kroner Md

Posters

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including programmed death 1 (PD-1), PD-L1, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, has revolutionized cancer therapeutics, markedly improving survival in various malignancies. However, their expanding utilization has been paralleled by the emergence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), particularly gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic toxicities, which pose significant challenges in clinical practice. These toxicities can manifest as a spectrum of conditions, from mild transient symptoms to severe, life-threatening complications, necessitating a better understanding of their prevalence and trends. This study aims to evaluate the temporal changes in ICI use and associated GI and hepatic …

Frontier Healthscapes: Competing Narratives Of Disease, Environment, And Wellbeing In Early Minnesota, Aidan Reynolds

Geography Honors Projects

Across settler societies, health narratives were shaped by evolving tensions between lay and expert knowledge, frameworks of disease causation, and perceptions of the environment as both a source of health and a threat. In the decades following Euro-American settlement (1860-1900), Minnesota became a focal point for these debates, with its landscape fostering complex and competing narratives on health, wellbeing, and disease. This paper explores how public health discourse developed in Minnesota through the perspectives of institutions, the public, and economic interests. Combining environmental history with critical discourse analysis of archival materials, this study examines shifts within the Minnesota State Board …

The Effect Corrugated Fiberboard Has On The Environment In Terms Of Compostability, Plant Growth, And Per-And-Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substance Contamination, Meredith Clem

All Theses

The “Lasagna Method” is a popular and sustainably perceived technique that many gardeners use as a free and convenient method to dispose of cardboard (corrugated fiberboard) packaging while also improving their gardens. Many claim that this creates benefits for your garden, but many others have proposed their concerns, including the safety of the practice. This research analyzes the compostability of cardboard, the effect it has on plant growth and development of lettuce, and its contamination of a prominent chemical that has known negative effects on human health. The results of these studies showed that cardboard, as it is currently produced …

Evaluating The Role Of Electrostatic Forces In The Adsorption Of Perfluoroalkyl Substances To Granular Activated Carbon, Thomas A. Mccall

All Theses

In response to new drinking water regulations announced by the EPA in 2024, many municipalities will need to monitor concentrations and implement new treatments to address PFAS, a class of anthropogenic organic contaminants. A leading technology for this application is GAC adsorption due to its familiarity and availability. The adsorption of four PFAS species (PFBA, PFBS, PFOA and PFOS) to Calgon Filtrasorb400 (F400) was evaluated for a range of pH and ionic strength conditions to investigate the role of electrostatic interactions in adsorption capacity. These PFAS are all strong acids, so pH was used as a control for GAC surface …

Dabigatran Reduced Acute Microgliosis In A Mouse Model With Tbi, Nicholas R. Eltman, Rashmeena Abbasi, Mary C. Kosciuk, Syed Ahmed, Jose L. Pascual, Randel L. Swanson, Nimish K. Acharya

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Objective:

The study objective was to investigate the acute anti-inflammatory effects of dabigatran in a preclinical mouse controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Design

Mice were separated into three groups: controlled cortical impact (CCI) with dabigatran (drug treatment, n=5), CCI with saline (positive control, n=5), and sham CCI without saline or dabigatran (negative control, n=3). Dabigatran (80mg/kg) or saline was administered orally at 2, 10, 18, 26, 34, and 42 hours following experimental CCI in the drug treatment or positive control groups, respectively. Animals in the negative control group received sham CCI only. 48h following …

Dna Gyrase Inhibition By Ni(Ii)-Schiff Base Complexes Via In Silico Molecular Docking Studies: Spectroscopic, Dft Calculations And In Vitro Pharmacological Assessment, Ikechukwu P. Ejidike, Amani Direm, Cemal Parlak, Solomon A. Olaleru, Charles O. Adetunji, Athar Ata, Et. Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

The current world's life-threatening illnesses have amplified multidrug resistance infections, bringing about immune system mayhem, thus, the quest for novel antimicrobial compounds with a broad spectrum of action. Four Ni(II) complexes, [Ni(YB)Cl]·2H₂O (C1), [Ni(YB)Br]·H₂O (C2), [Ni(YB)NO₃]·3H₂O (C3), [Ni(YB)COOCH₃]·2H₂O (C4) [HYB = 4-[(1E)-N-{2-[(Z)-(4-methoxybenzylidene)amino]ethyl}ethanimidoyl]benzene-1,3-diol], were synthesized. Analytical techniques like CHNS analysis, UV–Vis, FT-IR, molar conductance, XRD, ¹H NMR, and TGA/DTA were utilized for characterization. The calculated …

Biological Reduction Of Perchlorate In Martian Regolith Simulant Using Azospira Oryzae, Brianna Bernhardt

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Establishing a sustainable human presence on Mars will require in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) to reduce costly and inefficient resupply missions. Despite containing many of the requirements for agriculture, Martian regolith is contaminated with toxic levels of perchlorate (ClO₄^-), threatening human health and agricultural success. Biological remediation using perchlorate-reducing bacteria offers a promising approach to address these challenges. This study investigated the perchlorate-reducing ability of Azospira oryzae, a facultative anaerobe capable of converting ClO₄^- to chloride (Cl^-) through dissimilatory respiration. A. oryzae was cultured in Martian regolith simulant (MGS-1) amended with 0.0%, 0.5%, …

Direct Synthesis Of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles In Reducing Sugars: Enhanced Ce3+ Surface Density For Biological Application, Balaashwin Babu, Elayaraja Kolanthai, Craig J. Neal, Samarah V. Harb, Udit Kumar, Yifei Fu, Sudipta Seal

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) are recognized for their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), making them promising candidates for mitigating oxidative damage in biomedical applications. However, many conventional synthesis methods limit the formation of Ce³⁺ states, which are critical for this antioxidant function. Building upon previous findings that glucose can promote Ce³⁺ formation, this study investigates the broader impact of both reducing (glucose, fructose, galactose) and non-reducing (dextran, sucrose, cyclodextrin) natural sugars on CNP synthesis. CNPs were synthesized in the presence of these sugars, and the surface densities of Ce³⁺ were measured. Results showed that reducing sugars significantly increased …

Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Concentrations Of Roundup On Oxidative-Nitrative Stress, Cellular Apoptosis, Prooxidant-Antioxidant Homeostasis, Renin And Cyp1a Expressions In Goldfish: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Kidney Damage During Roundup Exposure, Md Imran Noor, Md Saydur Rahman

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Roundup is one of the most widely used glyphosate-based harmful herbicides in the United States as well as globally, which poses a severe risk for terrestrial and aquatic organisms. In order to identify the detrimental effects of Roundup exposure in aquatic organisms, we investigated the environmentally relevant concentrations of Roundup exposure (low dose: 0.5 μg/L and high dose: 5.0 μg/L for 2 weeks) on renin expression, oxidative-nitrative stress biomarkers (e.g., 2,4-dinitrophenol, DNP; and 3-nitrotyrosine protein, NTP), prooxidant-antioxidant enzymes expressions (e.g., superoxide dismutase, SOD; and catalase, CAT), cellular apoptosis, and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) mRNA levels in the kidneys of goldfish …

Translation Of The Carcinogenic Dna Breakage-Repair Inhibition Mechanism For Hexavalent Chromium To Its Key Targets: Lung Epithelial Cells, Lung Tissue And Impacts On The Genome., Idoia Meaza Isusi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a human lung carcinogen with widespread occupational and environmental exposure. Despite the known health risks, how Cr(VI) causes lung cancer remains unclear. This dissertation investigates the mechanisms of Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis. Cr(VI) causes DNA damage, specifically DNA double strand breaks, and inhibits homologous recombination repair, a high-fidelity repair pathway. Unrepaired DNA double strand breaks or those repaired through error-prone pathways, progress to chromosomal damage, and chromosome instability. The latter is a common characteristic of Cr(VI)-exposed cells, and a hallmark of lung cancer. Although the mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced …

Fc Gamma Receptors Facilitate Antigenic Modulation Of Lilrb4 And Function As Predictive Biomarkers In Acute Monocytic Leukemia, Joshua Morse

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Acute monocytic leukemia (monocytic AML) is a subtype of AML marked by a proliferation of abnormal monoblasts. This subtype represents approximately 10% of AML cases. The prognosis of monocytic AML is poor, with a 5-year survival of ~30%. Most patients are diagnosed at an age when they are unlikely to survive first-line non-targeted cytotoxic chemotherapy as a bridge to hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Even patients who achieve remission commonly relapse. This population of patients would greatly benefit from precision-targeted therapies but currently there are none approved for monocytic AML.

Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B4 (LILRB4) is an immune checkpoint expressed …

The Effects Of Pfos Exposure On Zebrafish Dopaminergic Neurodevelopment, Allison G. Fletcher

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmental contaminants that cause disruptions to the nervous and endocrine systems. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is considered one of the most disruptive PFAS to the nervous system, and may disrupt neurodevelopment of the dopaminergic system, which has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in humans. I hypothesized that early life PFOS exposure disrupts the development of the dopaminergic system. To test this hypothesis, I exposed zebrafish to 0.05, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/L PFOS through 5 days of embryonic and larval development. To assess acute effects of PFOS on the …

A Qualitative Nmr And Histological Analysis Of Adipocere Formation In Different Aqueous Environments Using Sus Scrofa Models, Mia M. Sorrentino

Student Theses

Adipocere is a wax-like crust that has the potential to form over corpses in moist, humid, and anaerobic environments, preserving them in a process similar to that of mummification. The substance can be identified within 3-6 months postmortem and is characterized by the ratio of saturated fatty acids to unsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic acid and stearic acid are the most abundant in comparison to myristic and oleic acids. The goal of this study was to investigate factors affecting adipocere formation in different aqueous environments. Pork belly samples were submerged in water samples collected from different places around New York City …

Developing A Small Molecule To Inhibit Hsf1 Expression In Cancer And Evaluating Natural Genetic Variation In Small Molecule Toxicity., Michaela Kendal Foley

Theses and Dissertations

Each year cancer affects nearly 20 million people worldwide and genetic differences across populations can impact cancer onset and progression. Specifically, tumors with high levels of HSF1, the master regulator of the cytoprotective heat shock response (HSR), are correlated with poor patient outcomes in multiple cancers such as prostate, breast, and melanoma. Subsequently, the development of pharmacological inhibitors of HSF1 represents a promising strategy for anticancer therapeutics. Using a luciferase-based transcriptional reporter, two small molecule libraries were screened for inhibitors of HSF1 expression in human embryonic kidney cells, yielding ten compounds that decrease HSF1 expression. To identify if cancer lines …

Estimation Of Nitrates In Southern California Water Resources, Sarath Babu, Sarath Babu

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The research examines the water quality of Southern California, focusing on nitrate (NO₃) levels. The study aims to provide insights into potential health disparities stemming from disproportionate exposure to these contaminants, particularly in underserved communities. Utilizing advanced analytical tools such as the UV spectrophotometer AquaMate Plus, water samples (n=40) were analyzed to assess nitrate levels compared to previous data (n=70 Approx.). The UV spectrophotometer operates based on measuring the absorbance of light intensity by the analyzed samples, providing valuable data for water quality assessment. Preliminary findings suggest varying levels of nitrate presence across the studied regions (0.4-43 ppm), …

Passive Electronic Cigarette Exposure Initiates Squamous Metaplasia In A Developing 3d Human Tracheobronchial Epithelial Tissue In-Vitro Model, Edgar Rolon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The prevalence of vaping has rapidly increased. ECs are often perceived as less harmful than tobacco cigarettes. A recent meta-analysis showed electronic cigarette (EC) aerosols adversely affected the respiratory system, similar to cigarette smoke, with some effects specific to EC use. Failure to prevent these alterations could lead to life-long comorbidities, and predisposition to respiratory diseases, including COPD and squamous cell carcinoma. While these effects are the result of active vaping, EC aerosols can also settle on indoor surfaces, be absorbed passively through the skin or orally, enter the blood stream, and subsequently expose internal organs, including the airway basal …

Mechanisms Of Particulate Hexavalent Chromium-Induced Inhibition Of Homologous Recombination Repair: Targeting The Bcdx2 Complex Considered Through A One Health Perspective., Aggie W. Brownell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, often linked to smoking. However, smoking alone does not account for all cases. Exposure to environmental metals like hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] also contributes to lung cancer. Cr(VI) causes lung cancer by inducing chromosome instability (CIN), an early hallmark of its carcinogenic mechanism. While it has been established that Cr(VI) induces chromosome instability, the precise mechanisms underlying the chromosome instability are poorly understood. This dissertation investigates the mechanisms of carcinogenesis associated with zinc chromate, a particularly potent particulate form of hexavalent chromium. Studies show Cr(VI) induces DNA double-strand breaks and impairs the …

Investigating Prefrontal Cortex Neuronal Signatures Of Opioid-Induced Risk-Taking Behavior, Cana Quave

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Opioid use disorder occurs alongside impaired risk-related decision-making, but the underlying neural correlates are unclear. We developed an approach-avoidance conflict task using a modified conditioned place preference procedure to study neural signals of risky opioid seeking in the prefrontal cortex, a region implicated in executive decision-making. Following morphine conditioned place preference, rats underwent a conflict test in which fear-inducing cat odor was introduced in the previously drug-paired side of the apparatus. While the saline-exposed control group avoided cat odor, the morphine group included two subsets of rats that either maintained a preference for the paired side despite the presence of …

Investigating The Role Of The Hypocretin/Orexin System In A Novel Model Of Polysubstance Dependence, Tyler Zarin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUD) in the United States are steadily increasing. Potent and dangerous substances such as methamphetamine (MA) and fentanyl (FEN) are often co-used as a polysubstance (POLY), either intentionally or unknowingly as FEN is a common adulterant. SUD is characterized by physiological and psychological dependence involving the negative reinforcement of anhedonia and withdrawal which drive hypermotivated drug-taking behaviors. Current theory suggests that recruitment of hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) neuropeptide in reward and stress associated brain regions contributes to drug dependence. Despite strong evidence for HCRT’s role in mono-drug dependence, a relevant model for POLY dependence has yet to be developed, …

Stromal Cells In The Small Intestine: Physiology, Localization, Function, And Alterations Induced By Chronic Arsenic Exposure, Scott Ventrello

All Dissertations

Arsenic is a prevalent toxicant found to affect around 94 to 240 million individuals in over fifty countries who are exposed to levels above the EPA and WHO standard of 10 ppb. As one of WHO’s top ten chemicals of public health concern, it is linked to several chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity, cancers, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Arsenic increases inflammation and disrupts the intestinal barrier in the small intestine and colon. Further, previous studies found that arsenic decreased secretory cell lineage and stromal cell gene expression markers in the small intestine. Thus, our goal was to investigate arsenic’s effect …

Assessing The Behavioral Impact Of Pyridostigmine Bromide In Rats, Noah A. Martin

Honors Theses

Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) is an organophosphate (OP) nerve agent prophylactic used to protect warfighters against chemical warfare agents. OPs inhibit the neural enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain. This leads to the buildup of acetylcholine, causing respiratory failure, seizures, and death. PB functions by inhibiting ~30% of peripheral AChE temporarily, protecting the enzymes so that the body is able to restore sufficient cholinergic function post-exposure. PB does not cross the blood-brain barrier, though it may still indirectly affect toxicity in the brain due to repeated AChE inhibition throughout treatment, or by inhibition of non-target ChE’s in the blood. The aim …

Assessing The Effects Of Antibody Glycosylation And Conjugation On Fc-Mediated Effector Functions, Lina Wu

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Increasing research has been conducted on antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for their oncology applications and potential as treatments for immunological diseases. ADCs usually covalently bind a cytotoxic drug (payload) via a linker to a monoclonal antibody, which targets specific antigens expressed on tumors, delivering the drug directly to cancer cells while minimizing off-target effects. In addition to binding antigens on tumor cells, antibodies also interact with immune cells to activate “effector functions”. This activation is largely driven by the binding of Fcγ-receptors (FcγR) to the Fc region of IgG, which connects the humoral immune responses and cell-mediated immune responses. Antibody …

Effects Of Pfos On Zebrafish Dopaminergic Neurodevelopment, Allison G. Fletcher

Research and Creativity Symposium

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmental contaminants that cause disruptions to the nervous and endocrine systems. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is considered one of the most disruptive PFAS to the nervous system, and may disrupt neurodevelopment of the dopaminergic system, which has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in humans. I hypothesized that early life PFOS exposure disrupts the development of the dopaminergic system. To test this hypothesis, I exposed zebrafish to 0.05, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/L PFOS through 5 days of embryonic and larval development. To assess acute effects of PFOS on the …

Trace Element Contamination In The Coastal Gray Wolves Of Southeast Alaska, Miranda Brohman

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Gray wolves (Canis lupus), northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) play vital roles in southeast Alaska, yet all are exposed to trace element (TE) bioaccumulation. This study examines dietary patterns and TE accumulation in four northern Lynn Canal wolf populations (Douglas Island, Juneau, Gustavus, and Pleasant Island) using stable isotope analysis (SIA) (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and TE assessments. SIA revealed that wolves in Juneau and Douglas Island primarily consumed terrestrial prey, whereas wolves in Gustavus and Pleasant Island exhibited enriched isotopic signatures indicative of a marine-based diet, particularly …

Shelving Stigma: A Grocery Store Client Choice Pantry Model - A Solution To Food Insecurity In Young Adults Of Marginalized Communities While Eradicating The Stigmatization Of Food Pantry Services, Anna C. Buckley

Honors Theses

An increasing number of young adults, age 18 to 35, are becoming food insecure across America, but disproportionately in urban and people of color communities. However, food pantries have remained a social stigma causing food insecure persons to avoid using a food pantry for hunger relief. Research has shown that the grocery store model for food pantries is most beneficial for staff, while also minimizing the stigma and increasing accessibility for pantry clientele. The purpose of this program proposal is to highlight the feasibility of implementation of a client choice grocery store pantry model at the NY Common Pantry (NYCP) …

5-Ht Receptors: Pharmacology And Functional Selectivity, Benjamin R. Cummins, Gerald B. Billac, David E. Nichols, Charles D. Nichols

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Serotonin 5-HT receptors were one of the first serotonin receptors to be pharmacologically characterized. In mammals, they are expressed throughout the body in nearly every cell and tissue type, with the highest density in cortical layer V of the brain. They are involved in several aspects of normal physiological processes and behaviors and have been implicated in the etiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. Atypical antipsychotics have targeted blockade of 5-HT receptors as part of their therapeutic mechanism. More recently, 5-HT receptors have come to prominence for their role as the primary target for psychedelic drugs, which activate this …

Phytochemistry, Antioxidant And Cytotoxic Activities Of Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis) Extract On Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cells, Ade Arsianti, Isma Zahira Suhaima, Steven Gill, Ajeng Megawati Fajrin, Lince Dameria Nadapdap, Norma Nur Azizah, Hiroki Tanimoto, Shun Hirota

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women with a very high mortality rate. This cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of breast cells. Treatments for this malignancy are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, however those methods can cause adverse effects and quite expensive. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are also used to support those main treatments, one of them is herbal medicine. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is known to have various phytochemical components with antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and analgesic activities. This study is aimed to determine the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis extract towards …

Ammonia Production From Cattle At The Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center, Sydney Cunningham, Elizabeth Smith, Rachel Nelson, Brayden Wagner

Undergraduate Research Conference

The Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center cattle pen was tested to measure the ammonia emission rates produced by cattle. Samples were collected from six testing locations. Eighteen samples were taken across three days of testing, in 8-hour increments. We found that small-scale cattle in open-air pens produce minimal amounts of ammonia that are not a concern for air quality. Ammonia was detectable in small quantities in the testing sites adjacent to the cattle and not in locations more than 0.1 miles away.

Quantifying Emitted Air Lead Concentrations From General Aviation Fuel At Georgetown Executive Airport, Anna Contreras, Linnea Maddux, Alexandra Marty, Emily Moore, Serif Tolleson

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Zonal Hepatocellular Responses To Acute Ethanol: Impacts On Mitochondrial Function And Metabolism, Matthew T. Savoca

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: Ethanol (EtOH) consumption causes hepatocellular mitochondrial depolarization (mtDepo) and mitophagy. Here, the Aims were to develop techniques to characterize sublobular hepatocellular metabolism and the distribution of mtDepo and mitophagy after acute EtOH. Methods: Wildtype and GFP-LC3 transgenic mice were treated with EtOH or vehicle and administered the covalently labeling mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) reporter, MitoTracker Red (MTR), and/or the non-covalent ΔΨ reporter, rhodamine 123 (Rh123), prior to intravital imaging, liver fixation, or hepatocyte isolation. After in vivo MTR, hepatocytes were isolated and sorted. Enrichment in E-cadherin (ECAD) and cytochrome P4502E1 in periportal (PP) and pericentral (PC) hepatocytes, respectively, validated …