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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Union College Smokers: Hurting Themselves But Helping Others? Mixed Research On The Relationship Between Smoking And Volunteering, Cameron Robertson Jun 2016

Union College Smokers: Hurting Themselves But Helping Others? Mixed Research On The Relationship Between Smoking And Volunteering, Cameron Robertson

Honors Theses

This mixed methodology research project analyzes the relationship between smoking cigarettes and volunteer participation rates utilizing an empirical analysis of 2006 and 2010 Current Population Surveys (CPS), as well as a qualitative analysis on the perception and behaviors of Union College student smokers. Existing studies have indicated a negative association between smoking cigarettes and social participation, yet little research has been done on the specific relationship between smoking status and volunteer participation. Utilizing CPS supplements on tobacco use and volunteering, this empirical analysis finds that smoking cigarettes has a significant association with decreased volunteer participation rates. This research also includes …


Behavioral Sensitization Following Concurrent Exposure To 4-Methylmethcathinone (4-Mmc) And 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Mdma) In Male Sprague-Dawley Rats, Trent Bullock Apr 2016

Behavioral Sensitization Following Concurrent Exposure To 4-Methylmethcathinone (4-Mmc) And 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Mdma) In Male Sprague-Dawley Rats, Trent Bullock

Honors Theses

Recreational use of a new class of stimulant drugs known as synthetic cathinones is a recent public health concern. Although the Drug Enforcement Administration placed several of the most common of these substances permanently on schedule 1, their use is still prevalent as they remain low cost, accessible, and potent. Concomitant use of cathinone derivatives with other psychostimulant drugs is commonly reported by recreational users. Despite the prevalence of synthetic cathinone abuse, there is currently a paucity of scientific research regarding the behavioral and neurochemical effects of these drugs in mixtures with other drugs of abuse. The behavioral sensitization paradigm …


The Effects Of Aging And Estrogen Treatment During Aging On The Rat Epididymis, Kathryn Davis Apr 2016

The Effects Of Aging And Estrogen Treatment During Aging On The Rat Epididymis, Kathryn Davis

Honors Theses

Previous studies from our lab have demonstrated that a normal estrogen environment in the testis contributes to maintaining spermatogenesis in adult rats and that estrogen treatment can attenuate the age-associated decline in sperm production. The purpose of this study was to determine if the estrogen environment of the epididymis is altered with age and what effects estrogen treatment may have on the epididymis during aging. The study compared untreated rats at 15 months of age to 18 month old rats that were treated with either vehicle, or estradiol- valerate, once every third day from 15 to 18 months. Mean concentrations …


Analysis Of Mammalian Carboxypeptidase O Expression Patterns, Christian Bardan Mar 2016

Analysis Of Mammalian Carboxypeptidase O Expression Patterns, Christian Bardan

Honors Theses

Carboxypeptidase 0 (CPO) is a protease that cuts acidic amino acids from the carboxy termini of substrate proteins. This study aims to describe the expression patterns of CPO in small mammals. We have sampled tissue from four different species: thirteen-lined ground squirrel, eastern chipmunk, eastern mole, and northern short-tailed shrew. Samples were analyzed via Western blot using two CPO antibodies. Immunoreactive bands likely to be CPO, with molecular weights approximately 42 kDa, were seen predominantly in kidney, liver, and intestinal tissue samples. This suggests CPO could play a specific physiological function in these organs.


The Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids On Intracellular Inositol Levels In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Jee Yeon (Joanne) Lee Mar 2016

The Effects Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids On Intracellular Inositol Levels In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Jee Yeon (Joanne) Lee

Honors Theses

Bipolar disorder is a severe and chronic debilitating mental disorder characterized by extreme mood swings between mania and depression. The current medications for bipolar disorder, lithium and valproate, have been associated with numerous negative side effects. Although the therapeutic mechanism by which lithium and valproate (VPA) exert their effect is unknown, a leading hypothesis implicates inositol depletion as a mechanism of action. On the other hand, omega-3-fatty acids have been shown to relieve symptoms of bipolar disorder. In this study, we compare the effects of VPA to the effects of decosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth and intracellular inositol …


Development Of A Chemical Genetic Screen To Determine Synergistic Compounds With Laromustine In Treating Glioblastoma Multiforme Cultured Cells, Ryan Weeks Jan 2016

Development Of A Chemical Genetic Screen To Determine Synergistic Compounds With Laromustine In Treating Glioblastoma Multiforme Cultured Cells, Ryan Weeks

Honors Theses

Laromustine is a chemotherapeutic sulfonylhydrazine prodrug used in clinical trials to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). While treatment of AML with laromustine has more demonstrative clinical success, there are enough promising data against GBM to pursue additional pre-clinical and clinical experiments. To determine the synergistic effects caused by treating cultured GBM cells with laromustine and a library of FDA-approved compounds, a chemical genetic screen was developed. To optimize the screen, optimal cultured GBM cell seed density, growth period and maximum well capacity were determined. The treatment period for a lethal dose of laromustine in cultured GBM …