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Articles 1 - 30 of 53
Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Pathophysiology And The Effects Of The Microbiome, Anjali Jacob
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Pathophysiology And The Effects Of The Microbiome, Anjali Jacob
Senior Honors Theses
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic neonatal lung disease that occurs in over 50% of premature infants. BPD is characterized by damage to the alveoli and bronchioles and improper vasculature formation. It is primarily caused by overexposure to oxygen through mechanical ventilation, but there are other risk factors that make infants more susceptible to BPD. Microbial composition impacts risk for developing BPD, and research is ongoing about the effects of the microbiome on BPD pathogenesis; this information is also valuable for preventative treatment. This paper reviews the normal function of the lungs, pathogenesis of BPD and how it affects normal …
The Molecular Basis Of Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Chloe Jensen
The Molecular Basis Of Maple Syrup Urine Disease, Chloe Jensen
Senior Honors Theses
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare metabolic disorder that is caused by mutations in the branched chain alpha keto acid dehydrogenase enzyme complex (BCKDC). There are three main genes, the BCKDHA, BCKDHB, and DBT, that affect the BCKDC, all contributing to the onset of the disease. MSUD causes encephalopathy, neural deficits, maple syrup scented urine, coma, and even death if not treated due to the aggregation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). There is currently no known cure for patients with MSUD, but the condition can be managed to improve quality of life. This review serves to examine MSUD …
A Literature Review On Thermogenesis As A Prospective Obesity Treatment, Kellyn Sheppard
A Literature Review On Thermogenesis As A Prospective Obesity Treatment, Kellyn Sheppard
Senior Honors Theses
The disease of obesity has quickly escalated from an epidemic to a worldwide pandemic in the last few decades, and viable treatment methods are being investigated with urgency. One such treatment method is increased induction of the thermogenesis pathway that is active in brown adipose tissue. This pathway is typically activated in mammals when they are exposed to cold temperatures for extended periods of time but can also be induced exogenously. Thermogenesis is a metabolically inefficient process that occurs in the mitochondria of a cell, meaning it uses substrate energy without generating ATP. The inefficiency of this process allows excess …
The Implications Of Ferroptosis In Antibiotic Resistance, Marysol Hohl
The Implications Of Ferroptosis In Antibiotic Resistance, Marysol Hohl
Senior Honors Theses
Bacterial infections in the United States are becoming increasingly resistant to existing antibiotic treatments. Due to projected increases in resistance and the recent decrease in novel antibacterials, experts have determined that the United States is in the “post-antibiotic era.” The scientific community has failed to resolve resistance despite the continual discovery of new antibiotic compounds. In the past decade, a novel form of cell death called ferroptosis has been implicated in antibiotic treatment by employing the use of nanotechnology. This literature review will describe the problem of bacterial resistance and demonstrate how current research is pioneering a new age of …
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Proposed Mechanisms Of Pathophysiology And The Underlying Dysregulation Of Brain-Gut Interaction, Hailey Haddix
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Proposed Mechanisms Of Pathophysiology And The Underlying Dysregulation Of Brain-Gut Interaction, Hailey Haddix
Senior Honors Theses
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract affecting approximately 11-21% of people worldwide (Xiao et al., 2021). This research focuses on the dysregulation of gut homeostasis in IBS and explains how the pathophysiology of the gut is controlled by the bidirectional brain-gut axis. The mechanisms of the brain-gut axis consist of neuro-immune cross talk, neuro-hormone cross talk, microbiome-gut signaling, and the HPA-axis. Each of these contribute to one or more of the possible phenotypes of gut pathophysiology, which could include intestinal permeability, visceral hypersensitivity, and motility disturbance (Xiao et al., 2021). Stress is also an important …
Pathogenesis And Therapeutics Of Huntington's Disease, Megan Bones
Pathogenesis And Therapeutics Of Huntington's Disease, Megan Bones
Senior Honors Theses
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare, incurable, inherited neurological disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. The mutant huntingtin gene contains 40 to 80 repeats of a CAG trinucleotide sequence. The pathogenesis of HD is multifaceted and includes pathways related to glutamine aggregation, mitochondrial and oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage. Currently two drugs, tetrabenazine and deutetrabenazine, are FDA approved for the treatment of HD. Otherwise, medications given to HD patients include general antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood-stabilizer drugs. Other treatment methods include speech and physical therapy. This research provides an understanding of the various …
Health Consequences Of Low Energy Availability In Females And Their Underlying Physiological Mechanisms, Grace Parry
Health Consequences Of Low Energy Availability In Females And Their Underlying Physiological Mechanisms, Grace Parry
Senior Honors Theses
Low energy availability (LEA) is a state in which energy intake is insufficient to support energy expenditure while maintaining energy balance, which has been shown to result in gastrointestinal distress, immunosuppression, reduced metabolic rate, menstrual dysfunction, diminished bone health, and impaired cardiovascular function in females. Alterations to the microbiome and mucosal lining may propagate gastrointestinal complaints and compromised immune function associated with LEA. The pathophysiology of LEA is otherwise largely driven by hormonal adaptations. Diminished production of thyroid hormones is known to contribute to reduced metabolic rate. Decreases in leptin and insulin and increases in ghrelin disrupt reproductive function through …
Managing Tuberculosis In Refugee Populations, Roselyn Fierkens
Managing Tuberculosis In Refugee Populations, Roselyn Fierkens
Senior Honors Theses
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne-transmitted infectious disease, responsible for more global deaths than HIV. Multidrug-resistant strains are developing, which heightens the need for swift eradication. Current data states that 71.4% of all TB cases in the United States occur in foreign-born individuals, so populations traveling from TB endemic areas are a key target population for prevention strategies. Various screening procedures exist, but no successful standard is in place. Beyond prevention and treatment strategies, adaptations to cultural communication differences are integral to successful medical interventions. This synthesis of TB pathophysiology, treatments, risk factors, and cultural considerations is intended for use in …
Characterizing The Cutaneous Microbiome Of Eurycea Lucifuga As A Potential Defense Against Chytridiomycosis, Madeline Key
Characterizing The Cutaneous Microbiome Of Eurycea Lucifuga As A Potential Defense Against Chytridiomycosis, Madeline Key
Senior Honors Theses
Chytridiomycosis is an emerging infectious disease that is significantly reducing global amphibian populations. The disease is caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungus that lethally modifies amphibian skin. Recent research has suggested that the cutaneous microbiome of individual amphibians may play a role in susceptibility to the pathogen. In this study, twelve cave salamanders (Eurycea lucifuga) were collected. Cutaneous bacteria from each salamander were isolated and identified using Sanger Sequencing. Additionally, a Bd-challenge assay was performed to determine each isolate’s antifungal activity. Results indicated many microbial isolates possessed inhibitory capabilities against Bd, which may …
The Effects Of Mosaic Law Observance On Human Health, Emily Uhlmeyer
The Effects Of Mosaic Law Observance On Human Health, Emily Uhlmeyer
Senior Honors Theses
For the people of ancient Israel, life was guided and regulated by adherence to the law of Moses. Dietary restrictions, purification rituals, circumcision, and Sabbath observance were each critical components of this code and were meticulously detailed in the Old Testament, specifically in the Torah. Still today, dietary laws are observed and select rituals practiced by many Jews and Seventh Day Adventists. Although health protection was never the primary purpose of the law, noticeable effects on human health have been connected to its observance. Evaluation of the effects of the Levitical law on human health can be achieved by a …
The Anxiolytic Effects Of Aromatherapy On Preprocedural Anxiety: An Integrated Review, Rebekah Smith
The Anxiolytic Effects Of Aromatherapy On Preprocedural Anxiety: An Integrated Review, Rebekah Smith
Senior Honors Theses
Anxiety before procedures can negatively impact patients by increasing cortisol levels which delays wound healing and increases infection risk, increasing pain and sedation medication needs, and increasing hospitalization time. This review was conducted to find how inhaled essential oils affect pre-procedural anxiety of adults in acute care settings. Nine databases and some gray literature were searched within the past ten years, and documented using the PRISMA flow chart. Ten articles fitting the inclusion criteria were retrieved. Nine of the articles found a significant difference between the aromatherapy group and control group and pre- and post- intervention anxiety scores, and none …
A Proposed Treatment Of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease By Competitive Inhibition Of Autoantibodies, Thomas Russell
A Proposed Treatment Of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease By Competitive Inhibition Of Autoantibodies, Thomas Russell
Senior Honors Theses
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by Raynaud’s phenomenon and arthritis among other symptoms. It is primarily caused by antibodies that target the U1-RNP 70K peptide. The treatment proposed in this paper uses competitive inhibition to prevent the binding of the anti-U1-RNP 70K antibodies with the U1-RNP 70K peptide. A method for testing the designed treatment in silico is proposed using AutoDock Vina docking software.
Investigation Of Oncogenic Ras And Endoplasmic Reticulum-Mitochondria Calcium Flux And Their Relationship In The Context Of Tumorigenesis, Emma Anderson
Senior Honors Theses
Intracellular calcium as a signaling molecule is a pervasive feature of cellular pathways, especially those that manage internal homeostasis and transitions through the cell cycle, so much so that regulated, responsive calcium flux between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mitochondria has been suggested to play a major role in cancer development. Another factor commonly implicated in tumorigenesis is RAS, an oncogene that controls signaling for many pathways that are also regulated by calcium. While both calcium and oncogenic RAS signaling are implicated in cancer development, possible links between them have yet to be determined. The identification of these links …
Jnk And Nf-Κb Cell Signaling Pathways In Cardiovascular Disease Present Potential Targets For Curcumin Therapy, Mary Richfield
Jnk And Nf-Κb Cell Signaling Pathways In Cardiovascular Disease Present Potential Targets For Curcumin Therapy, Mary Richfield
Senior Honors Theses
Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a compound derived from the rhizomes of Curcumin longa that has been long used for medicinal purposes. Curcumin alleviates the pathology of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, aneurysm, and cardiomyopathy. The mechanism of curcumin therapy is under active research. The NF-κB and JNK pathways are two that curcumin interacts with to block inflammatory processes, apoptosis, and fibrotic tissue remodeling to prevent the pathologies of cardiovascular disease. While curcumin has demonstrated powerful mediation of cardiovascular disease, its bioavailability in body tissues is limited due to the instability and hydrophobicity of its structure. Further work is underway to stabilize …
The Theory Of Maternal Administration Of Meclizine: An Achondroplasic Review And The Proposed Treatment Of Foramen Magnum Stenosis Within A Murine Model, Ava Perez Erickson
The Theory Of Maternal Administration Of Meclizine: An Achondroplasic Review And The Proposed Treatment Of Foramen Magnum Stenosis Within A Murine Model, Ava Perez Erickson
Senior Honors Theses
Arising from mostly de novo mutations, achondroplasia (ACH) is one of the most common, non-lethal forms of chondrodysplasia. The short stature indicative of ACH stems from a gain of function mutation within the complex FGFR3 signaling pathway—mutations mitigating the too-rapid ossification of cartilage to bone. Meclizine, an FDA-approved drug long prescribed for motion sickness, halts such a conversion and allows the reconstitution of chondrodysplasia cell lines in attempts at following a normal growth pattern. Evinced by various cell line rescues as well as increased long bone growth, it can be hypothesized that maternally administered meclizine can rescue the ACH phenotype …
Causes Of Color Blindness: Function And Failure Of The Genes That Detect Color, Dylan Taylor
Causes Of Color Blindness: Function And Failure Of The Genes That Detect Color, Dylan Taylor
Senior Honors Theses
Color blindness affects nearly 10% of the entire population, with multiple types of color blindness from various genetic mutations. In the following sections, the nature of light and how the human eye perceives light will be discussed. Afterward, the major forms of color blindness and their genetic causes will be considered. Once these genetic causes have been established, the current method for diagnosing color blindness will be investigated, followed by a discussion of the current treatments available to those with color blindness. Finally, a brief discussion will address possible future work for color blindness with the hope of finding better …
Contraceptive Methods In The United States: The Question Of Abortive Mechanisms, Tara Ferenczy
Contraceptive Methods In The United States: The Question Of Abortive Mechanisms, Tara Ferenczy
Senior Honors Theses
This thesis reviews the many methods of contraception available in the United States. Although society’s understanding of women’s health has become a major topic, there is still a significant deficit of information regarding how the accessible methods affect women’s bodies, specifically reproductive tissue. The thesis analyzes numerous contraceptive options focusing specifically on the mechanisms of action to determine whether options have abortifacient properties so that readers may develop educated opinions regarding medical and ethical uses. Information involving strengths and limitations of each technique and the effects on both the female body and the reproductive material assist in understanding the process …
Vaccines In Current Culture: The Hpv Vaccine Controversy, Alyssa Johnston
Vaccines In Current Culture: The Hpv Vaccine Controversy, Alyssa Johnston
Senior Honors Theses
The use of vaccinations has drastically decreased mortality and morbidity rates related to infectious disease and has become an intrinsic part of modern health care. However, the fear of risks related to vaccines has been partially responsible for the decisions of many parents to delay or avoid vaccinating their children. The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine specifically is one of the most controversial vaccines in current culture due to reports of new onset or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases, infertility, and even death following its administration. This review synthesizes information regarding the relevance and safety of the HPV vaccine, as well …
Anxiety In Alzheimer's Disease, Zachary Cooper
Anxiety In Alzheimer's Disease, Zachary Cooper
Senior Honors Theses
Researchers familiar with Alzheimer’s disease have often noted the presence of comorbid anxiety symptomatology. Likewise, the occurrence of anxiety before the development of Alzheimer’s disease has been prevalent enough to warrant attention. This review seeks to elaborate on the pathophysiology behind these two conditions, and to accentuate overlapping aspects that promote a causal relationship between these two pathologies on the macroscopic and cellular levels. Subsequent evidence will show that these pathologies are not independent of each other, and that cellular mechanisms of pathology hint at their interrelatedness. Areas requiring further research that would clarify the relationship between Clinical Anxiety and …
A Closer Look At Muscle Breakdown: An Overview Of The Causes, Complications, And Diagnostics Of Rhabdomyolysis, Jamie Holchin
A Closer Look At Muscle Breakdown: An Overview Of The Causes, Complications, And Diagnostics Of Rhabdomyolysis, Jamie Holchin
Senior Honors Theses
Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of myocytes in skeletal muscle. This condition can be triggered by a variety of things including crush injury, drugs, prolonged exercise, and venom. Although the causes can vary, the general pathophysiology of rhabdomyolysis is similar. Increased intracellular calcium ion levels instigate the breakdown of cellular and certain organelle membranes of muscle cells. Reactive oxygen species form, ATP is depleted, and the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which regulates muscle contraction, is also damaged. Necrosis ensues, leading to toxic intracellular components spreading throughout the body. Rhabdomyolysis can then lead to several complications including acute renal injury and heart arrhythmias, …
The Role Of Diet In The Onset Of Depression: A Biochemical Connection Between Nutrition And Mental Health, Katlin Wildeman
The Role Of Diet In The Onset Of Depression: A Biochemical Connection Between Nutrition And Mental Health, Katlin Wildeman
Senior Honors Theses
Depression is a major clinical concern, having a complex onset and the presence of multiple, often unidentifiable causes. Depression affects millions of individuals worldwide, with a high prevalence in regions of the world with a Western-style diet as compared to regions with a Mediterranean diet. A Western-style diet consists of foods high in sugar, fat, and processed meats and grains, whereas the Mediterranean diet contains significantly more vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains. The link between diet and mental health disorders has implications for individuals of all ages who are hesitant to turn to medication. In addition to presenting …
Modulator Therapy For Cystic Fibrosis: An Exploration Of Current Research, Jessalyn Rombocos
Modulator Therapy For Cystic Fibrosis: An Exploration Of Current Research, Jessalyn Rombocos
Senior Honors Theses
Developing a drug therapy that addresses the root cause of cystic fibrosis (CF) by increasing CFTR protein levels has long been a research challenge. After genetic therapy failed because a suitable delivery system could not be found, researchers began searching for small organic molecules that could act as chaperones for CFTR. These molecules, known as modulators, allowed CFTR to be assembled correctly and function similarly to wild type CFTR. Since 2012, four modulator drugs have been developed, tested, and approved by the FDA. In October 2019, Trikafta was approved as the first triple-combination modulator drug and has completely revolutionized CF …
Genetic Relationships And Therapeutic Options For Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Hailie Shertzer
Genetic Relationships And Therapeutic Options For Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Hailie Shertzer
Senior Honors Theses
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of cancer among children and can be lethal to the adult population. Though 80% of patients with ALL reach complete remission after treatment, about 20% of those diagnosed fail to remain cancer-free. Genetic rearrangements are the hallmark of relapsed ALL, but the mechanism by which these rearrangements occur is still unclear. Recent research suggests these mutations may be detectable during initial diagnosis. If researchers are able to accurately assess the probability of relapse during diagnosis by analyzing the genome of the leukemic cells, the likelihood of administering effective therapy would increase. …
Alzheimer's And Amyloid Beta: Amyloidogenicity And Tauopathy Via Dyshomeostatic Interactions Of Amyloid Beta, Jordan Tillinghast
Alzheimer's And Amyloid Beta: Amyloidogenicity And Tauopathy Via Dyshomeostatic Interactions Of Amyloid Beta, Jordan Tillinghast
Senior Honors Theses
This paper reviews functions of Amyloid-β (Aβ) in healthy individuals compared to the consequences of aberrant Aβ in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As extraneuronal Aβ accumulation and plaque formation are characteristics of AD, it is reasonable to infer a pivotal role for Aβ in AD pathogenesis. Establishing progress of the disease as well as the mechanism of neurodegeneration from AD have proven difficult (Selkoe, 1994). This thesis provides evidence suggesting the pathogenesis of AD is due to dysfunctional neuronal processes involving Aβ’s synaptic malfunction, abnormal interaction with tau, and disruption of neuronal homeostasis. Significant evidence demonstrates that AD symptoms are partially …
Review Of Chagas Disease And Treatment Obstacles To Eradication, Emily Sherman
Review Of Chagas Disease And Treatment Obstacles To Eradication, Emily Sherman
Senior Honors Theses
The World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control reports Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, as a major neglected tropical disease prevalent in 21 endemic Latin American countries. The agent of the disease is a single-celled protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, and common modes of transmission include infected feces of a triatomine bug, crossing the placental barrier, and blood products. The two phases of infection are acute and chronic, and the three most affected body systems are cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous. Although research has led to several advances in the knowledge of CD, there are gaps in treatment and epidemiological …
Health Effects Of A Vegan Diet And Pediatric Cancer Prevention, Lindsay Wisehart
Health Effects Of A Vegan Diet And Pediatric Cancer Prevention, Lindsay Wisehart
Senior Honors Theses
Veganism is a diet which excludes consumption of all animal products. With proper planning and vitamin supplementation to ensure adequate intake of protein, fat, calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamins D and B12, a vegan diet is widely accepted as suitable for growing and developing children. The decreased levels of dairy, red and processed meats, fat, and protein, and increased levels of fruits and vegetables characteristic of a vegan diet have been shown to reduce risk of mortality and a number of diseases including adult and childhood cancer. Childhood cancer is the second leading cause of childhood death in Western society. …
Protein Aggregates And Polyglutamine Tracts In Neurodegenerative Disease, John Mack
Protein Aggregates And Polyglutamine Tracts In Neurodegenerative Disease, John Mack
Senior Honors Theses
The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease and other Polyglutamine Diseases is projected to dramatically increase throughout the developed world, and yet the pathology of these diseases remains poorly understood. One pathway that these neurodegenerative diseases share is the accumulation of pathologic proteins which are not only harmful in their soluble form but may go on to form toxic aggregates. In many cases, a consensus has yet to be reached concerning the mechanism for protein aggregation. Therefore, the exploration of the roles of these proteins and their possible mechanisms, along with potential techniques for …
Infections Not Fought: Antibiotic Resistance In Underserved Communities, Derek Lillestolen
Infections Not Fought: Antibiotic Resistance In Underserved Communities, Derek Lillestolen
Senior Honors Theses
In 1928, the profound effects of penicillin were discovered and antibiotic treatments became extremely popular. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, like tetracyclines, have been since branded as cure-all prescriptions and used profusely in the Western World and abroad. Due to ignorance of specific biochemical mechanisms and the misuse of antibiotics these drugs inadvertently allowed the rise in prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains of certain bacteria as the century progressed. Now, the specific genetic causes and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance are being understood, but the fight against antimicrobial resistance is far from over. In the United States, thousands of fatalities are caused annually by …
Spinal Cord Trauma: An Overview Of Normal Structure And Function, Primary And Secondary Mechanisms Of Injury, And Emerging Treatment Modalities, Daniel Morin
Senior Honors Theses
The structures of the spinal cord and vertebral column are designed to provide flexibility, while still providing ample protection for the spinal cord deep within. While it does offer remarkable protection against most routine trauma, the spinal cord is still vulnerable to high-force etiologies of trauma and may become damaged as a result. These events are referred to as primary injury. Following the initial injury, the body’s own physiological responses cause a cascade of deleterious effects, known as secondary injury. Secondary injury is a major therapeutic target in mitigating the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI), and much research is …
Herpes Zoster Patient Education: A Coloring Book Approach, Sophia Charuhas
Herpes Zoster Patient Education: A Coloring Book Approach, Sophia Charuhas
Senior Honors Theses
Shingles, the disease caused by the herpes zoster virus, is a widespread and widely misunderstood illness in the United States. It is preventable, but many at-risk patients do not know what measures they may take to prevent it. Clear communication from physician to patient is crucial for patient understanding of diseases. Many patient education materials on herpes zoster currently available are often unused. It is therefore beneficial to public health to disseminate new mediums of medical communication, and one way of accomplishing this is through adult coloring books. The pathophysiology of herpes zoster virus is here explored and the idea …