Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Innovative Biomechanical And Engineering-Based Assessments Of Hip Mechanics In Individuals With Hip-Related Pain, Holly M. Stanze

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Individuals with hip-related pain exhibit altered movement patterns, and worse fear of movement (kinesiophobia), compared to asymptomatic controls. Exacerbation of hip pain during movement and the role of hip symptom duration may help further our understanding of specific movement patterns that are associated with hip-related pain. A better understanding of the potential connections between hip-related symptom duration, kinesiophobia, hip pain during movement, and lower limb mechanics in those with hip-related pain may allow for more efficient referrals to clinicians and lead to more effective rehabilitation. In addition, the impact of hip-related pain on intra-articular hip loading patterns is not well …

Psychological Impacts In Exercise Riders And Professional Jockeys Following Injury, Kelley M. Renner

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

One of the most well-known equestrian sports, horse racing, is not only a cornerstone of Kentucky’s economy, but also a vital part of its culture, with professional jockeys playing an essential role in the local communities and traditions that define the state. Despite its popularity and financial impact, mental health challenges within the sport have continually been shrouded in silence and ignored in research (Ball et al., 2007). Equally concerning is the high injury prevalence, and psychological impact of these injuries (e.g., psychological distress, depression, anxiety, loss of identity, and self-esteem (King et al., 2022; Losty et al., 2019; McConn-Palfreyman …

You’Re Too Slow! Self-Selected Volitional Efforts Reveal Unexploited Neuromuscular Reserve Capacity Compared To Maximal Efforts During Fatiguing, Load Equated Resistance Exercise, Brian Benitez

Theses and Dissertations--Kinesiology and Health Promotion

This investigation examined how movement intent influences neuromuscular excitation strategies during fatiguing resistance exercise, comparing maximal intended concentric efforts versus self-selected volitional efforts during load-equated Smith machine back squat exercise to quantify reserve capacity and characterize underlying neuromuscular mechanisms. Twenty-three resistance-trained participants (12 males, 11 females) completed a repeated-measures design, with replication, across six visits, performing smith machine back squat repetitions-to-failure at 70% 1RM under maximal intent (accelerate rapidly) and volitional intent (self-selected effort) conditions. Maximal voluntary isometric contractions used rapid (instantaneous 10-second effort) and ramp (5-second build-up, 5-second maximal) protocols. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was recorded from vastus lateralis and …

Investigating Regulation And The Regulome Of The Nucleic Acid Binding Protein Spovg Within Borrelia Burgdorferi, Timothy C. Saylor

Theses and Dissertations--Medical Sciences

Prior studies indicated Borrelia burgdorferi SpoVG protein was regulated, SpoVG binds specifically to a number of nucleic acids, and SpoVG binds to the non-variable section of the major virulence factor vlsE. Although a direct transcriptional activator or inhibitor was not elucidated, it is shown that SpoVG is regulated based on cell culture density independent of the growth rate of B. burgdorferi, indicating that SpoVG regulation is outside the scope of the alternative sigma factor RpoS. Using a dCas9 CRISPRi construct to target SpoVG resulted in protein expression trending towards upregulation of the BosR-RpoS regulon, and a marked decrease …

Leveraging Clinical Standards To Improve The Translational Relevance Of Therapies For Experimental Spinal Cord Injury, Aaron L. Silverstein

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Efforts to improve treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) often use animals to develop effective therapeutics, intending to improve the survival and the quality of life of persons with SCI. Over half of all SCIs in the United States occur at the cervical level and often cause locomotor deficits and life-threatening breathing dysfunction. Thus, my dissertation is focused on this important patient population.

After beginning with a description of translational research and surveying SCI from a clinical standpoint, I turned to describe experimental models of cervical SCI and more detailed neuroimmunological findings relevant to my work. Then, I conducted a …

Immune Dynamics And B Cell Contributions To Neuroplasticity And Recovery After Stroke, Thomas A. Ujas

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

This dissertation explores the dynamic interplay between the immune system and the brain across stroke and aging using clinical, post-mortem, and pre-clinical models. The immune system plays critical roles in shaping brain function, responding to injury, and mediating recovery. These studies aim to enhance our understanding of neuroimmune dynamics across spatial and temporal dimensions.

In the first part, we conducted longitudinal sampling of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients to track immune cell and cytokine changes at days 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 post-stroke, with a focus on delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), a common complication. We observed distinct temporal patterns, …

Investigating The Role Of Dynamic Signaling Of Nrg3-Erbb4 In The Prefrontal Cortex In Mediating Nicotine Withdrawal Phenotypes, Emily Prantzalos

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

While several pharmacotherapies are currently available for nicotine use disorder (NUD), smoking cessation success rates remain below 10% each year. The molecular mechanisms underlying failed quit attempts continue to represent a critical gap in our knowledge. However, recent advances in understanding the genetic contributions to nicotine dependence offer a promising avenue for developing more effective cessation therapies. Prior research has identified genetic variation in Neuregulin 3 (Nrg3) and its cognate receptor ErbB4 as potential contributors to affective nicotine withdrawal (WD) phenotypes and cessation outcomes. Therefore, this dissertation aims to systematically investigate the region-specific, functional role of the Neuregulin Signaling Pathway …

Leveraging Transcriptomics And Behavior To Investigate Potential Neuronal And Glial Drivers Of Substance Use Disorder Endophenotypes, Jack V. Keady

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Over 54 million Americans needed substance use treatment in 2023. While there are many facets of substance use disorder, two major issues of interest are the negative reinforcing aspects of substances of abuse, manifesting in part as withdrawal symptomologies, and why a subset of people who use substances of abuse escalate to a use disorder. Nicotine exposure models were used to investigate the mechanisms of withdrawal endophenotypes, as smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and a fentanyl self-administration model was used to probe individual differences in escalation phenotypes, as 80% of overdose deaths in …

The Impact Of Maternal Environmental Exposures On The Immune Landscape Of The Maternal-Fetal Interface, Heather E. True

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

Maternal environmental exposures and inflammation are known to impact fetal development in utero as well as increase the risk for chronic diseases later in life. Therefore, it is essential that we understand how the maternal environment alters placental structure and immune function.

Therefore, we isolated fetal (chorionic villous) tissues from the placentas of healthy pregnant participants (control) and those with inflammatory conditions, including SARS-COV-2 infection, pregravid obesity, and opioid use disorder. Isolated placental leukocytes were subjected to a series of assays to uncover the phenotypic, functional, and transcriptional (single-cell RNA-sequencing) landscape of placental immune cells. Additional placental tissues were subjected …

Cell-Type Specific Apoe4 To Apoe2 ‘Switching’ In Astrocytes And Microglia Alters Alzheimer’S Disease Neuropathology, Lesley R. Golden

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). APOE exists in three common protein isoforms throughout the population: ApoE2 (E2), ApoE3 (E3), and ApoE4 (E4). While APOE allele frequencies and the degree of AD-associated risk vary across different ethnic groups, when compared to the ‘neutral’ and most common E3 allele, the E4 allele confers up to a 33-fold increase in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) risk. Conversely, the neuroprotective E2 allele decreases AD risk by up to 67%. Here, we aimed to determine the therapeutic potential of cell-type specific APOE allele ‘switching’ and explore …

Gene Expression In Relation To Bone Fractures In Throughbred Racehorses, Anna M. Rauber-Ramos

Theses and Dissertations--Veterinary Science

Evidence that fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses are outcomes of chronic bone microdamage has led to extensive research into identifying horses at increased risk of fracture. This includes the use of biomarkers and messenger RNA (mRNA) as a measure of bone turnover. Previous research has found expression differences in horses with fractures compared to controls. Utilizing pre-race whole blood samples collected over an 18-month period from Thoroughbred racehorses in Southern California, RNA-sequencing was conducted on horses with bone fractures and race-matched controls to identify differences in gene expression. Focusing on third metacarpal (MC3) and proximal sesamoid bone (PSB) fractures, differentially expressed …

Impact Of Obesity On The Gut Microbiome And Inflammatory Markers During Siv Infection And Antiretroviral Therapy, Casey M. Mcguire, Isaac R. Cinco, Diana Takahashi, Kristin A. Sauter, Melissa Kirigiti, Ilhem Messaoudi, Jonah B. Sacha, Charles T. Roberts, Paul Kievit

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Dysbiosis and impaired gut barrier integrity contribute to chronic immune activation associated with both obesity and HIV infection. Given the increased incidence of obesity in people living with HIV, we explored the impact of obesity on the gut microbiome and microbial translocation (MT) biomarkers during HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Lean and obese rhesus macaques were infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and subsequently treated with ART. Obese animals exhibited higher initial MT and inflammation biomarkers that remained constant throughout the study, while lean animals exhibited significant increases in these biomarkers that approached levels observed in obese animals. Lean …

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Friend Or Foe, Antonio Cordova, Jesse Powell, Whitney Elg-Salsman, Caroline Mcculley

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: • Many cancers use mechanisms to escape killing by the immunesystem. • Cancer cells can mimicimmune checkpoint proteins such as cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) ligand and the programmed death1 receptor ligand (PD-L1) toinhibit the T-cell response. • Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI's) are a novel set of monoclonalantibody cancer therapies. • ICI'sblockcheckpoint proteins from binding with their partner proteins oncancer cells thus allowing T-cells to kill tumor cells. • ICIs have promising anti-cancer results. • ICIs are also associated with immune related adverse events(irAEs), including dermatitis, pneumonitis, colitis,hepatitis, nephritis. • A rare but seriousirAEisICI-associated myositis causing bulbar and …

Impacts Of Early/Mid-Gestation Shearing On Umbilical Blood Flow And Lamb Birth Weight, Mara Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies outside the USA have reported that shearing pregnant ewes during mid to late gestation increases lamb birth weight. Our hypothesis was that shearing pregnant ewes on day 50 of gestation would increase umbilical blood flow (UBF), fetal size, lambing and placental weights. Twenty-eight Polypay ewes were randomly assigned to two treatments: shorn (S) and sham-shorn (Control, CON) and divided in singleton (S: n=4; CON: n=4), twins (S: n=5; CON: n=5) and triplets (S: n=5; CON: n=5). Umbilical BF and fetal and placental measurements were obtained via ultrasonography every 10 days from day 50 to 110 of gestation. Lamb birth …

Investigating Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Turmeric And Rosemary Oil Against Staphylococcus Aureus, Aishwarya Tripathi

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

This study investigates the antimicrobial efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) against Streptococcus aureus, with a comparative analysis to phenoxyethanol, a widely used synthetic preservative. The growing consumer demand for natural cosmetic formulations have intensified the search for plant-derived alternatives to synthetic preservatives. Turmeric and rosemary oil were selected based on their documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this research was to evaluate whether these natural agents can serve as effective preservatives in topical gel formulations, either individually or in combination, and how their efficacy compares to phenoxyethanol.

Eight gel-based formulations were …

Developing A Simplified Method Of Measuring Ultrafine Particulate Matter Dose Concentrations For Diesel Emissions, Nafisat Ohunene Isa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Developing a Simplified Method of Measuring Ultrafine Particulate Matter Dose

Concentrations for Diesel Emissions

Ultra-fine particulate matter (UFP), particularly from diesel emissions, poses significant health and environmental risks due to its small size and potential to penetrate deep into the respiratory system. Accurate measurement of UFP concentrations is essential for assessing exposure and mitigating health impacts. However, current methods for measuring UFP can be complex, time-consuming, and costly. This study aims to develop a simplified method for efficiently measuring UFP concentrations from diesel emissions, which will enable easier and more widespread monitoring of air quality and public health impacts. …

Design And Development Of Fluorescent Probes For Sensing And Bioimaging Of Nad(P)H, Intracellular Viscosity, And So2, Dilka Liyana Arachchige

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Understanding the dynamic biochemical and biophysical changes within living systems is vital for advancing disease diagnosis and therapeutic development. This work presents the design and development of innovative fluorescent probes, based on cyanine and coumarin scaffolds, for the highly sensitive and selective detection of key metabolic and biophysical markers, NAD(P)H, mitochondrial viscosity, and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in live cells and fruit fly larvae. A series of cyanine-based probes were engineered to undergo strong fluorescence enhancement upon reduction by NAD(P)H, enabling real-time visualization of metabolic fluctuations in cancer cells and Drosophila larvae. These probes exhibit excellent sensitivity, mitochondrial targeting capability, and …

Mercury Concentrations, Health, And Marine Food Consumption Across Four Eastern Caribbean Populations: Insights From A Novel Community-Based Study, Russell Fielding, Catherine Brown, Jessica Dutton, Martin S. Forde, Heather Harewood, Lisa Hunt, Catherine Macdonald, Cameron Mewhirter, Vincent Reid, Madison Smith, Holly Taylor, Katelyn Zimmerman

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Mercury (Hg), as an environmental pollutant, can have harmful effects on human health. A common way that people are exposed to Hg is through seafood consumption. This project was designed to investigate Hg exposure through seafood consumption and its health effects among adults in 4 Caribbean countries: Barbados (n = 117), Grenada (n = 90), St. Lucia (n = 126), and St. Vincent & the Grenadines (n = 77). We applied a novel, community—based method, which involved recruiting and paying local barbers and hairstylists to collect hair samples from their clients who consented to join the project as participants. Participants …

Confronting Indecision, Lane Allison Murray

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This course aims to increase students' understanding of indecision and how to confront it. The class provides insight into how the fear of the unknown holds people back from making decisions and about understanding one's values as a means to combat indecision. Students and teachers alike explore instances of indecision and evaluate their own impulses & thought processes by reflecting on the deeper reasons for their choices. Students will increase their comfort level of asking themselves and their peers questions about the values that guide them and, in doing so, strengthen their relationships with themselves and others.

Intracellular Survival Of Staphylococcus Aureus In Macrophages During Osteomyelitis, William A. Lathram, Christopher D. Radka

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

Staphylococcus aureus, traditionally viewed as an extracellular pathogen, is increasingly recognized for its ability to persist intracellularly, particularly within macrophages. This intracellular lifestyle is central to osteomyelitis, a chronic bone infection characterized by persistent inflammation, bone destruction, and impaired repair. Within bone, S. aureus exploits macrophage plasticity by driving a shift from pro-inflammatory, bactericidal M1-like states to anti-inflammatory, tissue-reparative M2-like phenotypes. This polarization suppresses immune clearance and promotes an environment conducive to bacterial survival and dissemination. Additional strategies – including biofilm formation, small colony variants, and inhibition of phagolysosomal killing – further enhance persistence and immune evasion. While these …

Effect Of Forage Allocation On Steer Performance When Grazing Cereal Rye, Shelby L. Davies-Jenkins, Abigail M. Sartin, Daren D. Redfearn, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Cereal rye is the most common cover crop planted today. With its good winter tolerance and rapid spring growth during a gap in perennial pasture productivity, it is an attractive forage source in early spring. Unfortunately, optimum stocking rates and how they are related to forage biomass availability are unknown. The study objective was to understand the effect of forage allowance on steer performance when rotationally grazing fall-planted cereal rye in spring. Stocking rate was negatively correlated with pounds of forage offered. Surprisingly, amount of forage offered related to average daily gain. Growing steers grazing cereal rye …

Strategies Affecting Performance And Profitability Of May-Born Steers, Dempster M. Christenson, Jacki A. Musgrave, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study compared the performance and economic outcomes of differing backgrounding and feedlot systems in May-born yearling steers. We hypothesized reduced supplementation with adequate forage availability while backgrounding weaned steers will yield a similar carcass with greater profitability. It was hypothesized yearling steers backgrounded on pasture before finishing in feedlot would have a more valuable carcass that is more profitable than steers that enter the feedlot immediately. Weaned steer calves were backgrounded with ad libitum hay and 4 lb/d supplement in drylot or on pasture with 1 lb/d supplement. As yearlings, half of each backgrounding group immediately …

Impact Of Feeding Distillers Grains Compared To New Fractionated Distillers Grains (Solbran) On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Enteric Methane, Debora G. Sousa, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell M. Norman, James C. Macdonald, Rick Stock, Ryan A. Mass, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study evaluated feeding wet or dry traditional distillers grains with wet and dry fractionated distillers (Solbran) fed at 40% of diet DM compared to a corn control diet on enteric methane emissions and performance. Compared to the control, there was no difference in carbon dioxide production, but there was an increase in methane production in the steers fed fractionated distillers compared to conventional distillers. Feeding steers traditional or fractionated distillers grains increased consumption, increased gain, but improved conversions only for steers fed WDGS, while steers fed the other distillers grains had worse or the same feed …

Mxene-Based Materials For Enhanced Water Quality: Advances In Remediation Strategies, Ali Mohammad Amani, Milad Abbasi, Atena Najdian, Farzaneh Mohamadpour, Seyed Reza Kasaee, Hesam Kamyab, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan, Mostafa Shafiee, Lobat Tayebi, Ahmad Vaez, Atefeh Najafian, Ehsan Vafa, Sareh Mosleh-Shirazi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Two-dimensional MXenes are promising candidates for water treatment because of their large surface area (e.g., exceeding 1000 m²/g for certain structures), high electrical conductivity (e.g., >1000 S/m), hydrophilicity, and chemical stability. Their strong sorption selectivity and effective reduction capacity, exemplified by heavy metal adsorption efficiencies exceeding 95 % in several studies, coupled with facile surface modification, make them suitable for removing diverse contaminants. Applications include the removal of heavy metals (e.g., achieving >90 % removal of Pb(II)), dye removal (e.g., demonstrating >80 % removal of methylene blue), and radioactive waste elimination. Furthermore, 3D MXene architecture exhibit enhanced performance in antibacterial …

Evaluation Of The Dnazyme Gr5 For The Determination Of Lead Speciation In Natural Waters, Gaganprit Gill

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This thesis explores the development and application of a DNAzyme-based biosensor designed to detect labile metal species in environmental samples. Real time and on-site monitoring of labile metal fractions would make a valuable contribution to environmental management, as these fractions are the most bioavailable and pose significant toxicity risks to aquatic organisms. Conventional methods for detecting labile metals, while effective, are often burdened by high costs, complexity, and lengthy processing times, making them less ideal for rapid and widespread environmental assessments.

The first manuscript of this thesis (chapter 2) establishes the fundamental capabilities of the Pb²⁺-specific DNAzyme GR5 …

How To Approach Medical Education Research, Stefanie Attardi, Jeff Cross, Sarah Lerchenfeldt

Books and Book Chapters

Medical education research blends two of the core functions of academic medicine: teaching and scholarship. Its value is increasingly recognized in promotion and tenure decisions, and in the number of funding sources available. Similar to other types of research, it starts with a well-crafted question and a thorough review of the literature. For a successful project, it is critical to select the research design that can best answer the research question, keeping in mind its advantages and limitations. Because the research design must also adhere to ethical principles, working closely with the local Institutional Review Board prior to starting the …

Immune Pathway Modulation In Melanoma Using Chitosan Nanoparticle-Mediated Dsrna Delivery, Bethel C. Iwuji

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, which typically results in the formation of tumours. Even with advances in treatments, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally. Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer which is highly malignant, develops in the pigment-producing cells of the skin, melanocytes, and in the late stages of the disease poses a significant challenge for therapeutic intervention due to its multidrug resistance. The innate immune system is the first line of defence against invading pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi, and can recognize and destroy …

Electrochemical Detection Of Prostate Cancer—Associated Mirna-141 Using A Low-Cost Disposable Biosensor, Alexander Hunt, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States. The early detection of aggressive forms is critical. Current diagnostic methods, including PSA testing and biopsies, are invasive and often yield false results. MicroRNA-141 (miRNA-141) has emerged as a promising non-invasive biomarker due to its elevated levels in the urine of patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Here, a low-cost, paper-based electrochemical biosensor for the sensitive detection of miRNA-141 in synthetic urine is reported. The device employs inkjet-printed gold electrodes on photopaper, functionalized with thiolated single-stranded DNA-141 capture probes for specific target recognition. The biosensor …

Rad Reduction Reveals Therapeutic Potential Of Targeting Cardiomyocyte L-Type Calcium Channel Regulation For Heart Failure, Garrett Elmore

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Heart failure (HF) is prevalent and is predicted to increase with the aging population. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of systolic HF. Current therapies fail to address principal issues: compromised systolic function and dysfunctional Ca²⁺ handling. No therapeutic approach exists for direct, positive modulation of cardiomyocyte L-type calcium channels (LTCC). RAD (Ras associated with diabetes) is a key regulator of the cardiac LTCC. RAD is a downstream phosphorylated target of the ß-adrenergic receptor (ß-AR)/cAMP/protein kinase A pathway; phosphorylation augments LTCC activity, contributing to chronotropy, inotropy, and lusitropy. RAD overexpression results in LTCC inhibition, whereas knockout positively modulates …

Form And Function In Mobulids: A Comparative Analysis Of Filter Morphology With Bioinspiration Applications, J. B. Teeple, S. R. Kahane-Rapport, K. E. Cohen, L. Hamann, J. A. Strother, E. W. M. Paig-Tran

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Mobulas (manta and devil rays) are large-scale ram filter feeders that separate planktonic food particles from large volumes of water with minimal clogging. This contrasts with most human-made filters that can suffer from problematic clogging requiring additional mechanisms for clearing blocked surfaces and maintaining performance. Prior studies have shown that mobulas employ a unique mechanism referred to as ricochet separation to filter feed, whereby captive vortices in filter pores cause particles to bounce off the filter surfaces and away from the filter pores. This mechanism enables the filtration of particles smaller than the pore size and reduced clogging. However, few …