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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Genetic Tracking Of A Rabid Coyote (Canis Latrans) Detected Beyond A Rabies Enzootic Area In West Virginia, Usa, Matthew W. Hopken, Crystal Gigante, Amy T. Gilbert, Richard B. Chipman, Jordana D. Kirby, Rene Edgar Condori, Samuel Mills, Chelsea Hartley, John Forbes, Lisa Dettinger, Dongxiang Xia, Yu Li, Bridgett Vonholdt Jan 2024

Genetic Tracking Of A Rabid Coyote (Canis Latrans) Detected Beyond A Rabies Enzootic Area In West Virginia, Usa, Matthew W. Hopken, Crystal Gigante, Amy T. Gilbert, Richard B. Chipman, Jordana D. Kirby, Rene Edgar Condori, Samuel Mills, Chelsea Hartley, John Forbes, Lisa Dettinger, Dongxiang Xia, Yu Li, Bridgett Vonholdt

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Wildlife translocation and cross-species transmission can impede control and elimination of emerging zoonotic diseases. Tracking the geographic origin of both host and virus (i.e., translocation versus local infection) may help determine the most effective response when high-risk cases of emerging pathogens are identified in wildlife. In May 2022, a coyote (Canis latrans) infected with the raccoon (Procyon lotor) rabies virus variant (RRV) was collected in Lewis County, West Virginia, USA, an area free from RRV. We applied host population genomics and RRV phylogenetic analyses to determine the most likely geographic origin of the rabid coyote. Coyote …


Sampler: Unsupervised Representations For Rapid Analysis Of Whole Slide Tissue Images., Patience Mukashyaka, Todd B Sheridan, Ali Foroughi Pour, Jeffrey Chuang Jan 2024

Sampler: Unsupervised Representations For Rapid Analysis Of Whole Slide Tissue Images., Patience Mukashyaka, Todd B Sheridan, Ali Foroughi Pour, Jeffrey Chuang

Faculty Research 2024

BACKGROUND: Deep learning has revolutionized digital pathology, allowing automatic analysis of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained whole slide images (WSIs) for diverse tasks. WSIs are broken into smaller images called tiles, and a neural network encodes each tile. Many recent works use supervised attention-based models to aggregate tile-level features into a slide-level representation, which is then used for downstream analysis. Training supervised attention-based models is computationally intensive, architecture optimization of the attention module is non-trivial, and labeled data are not always available. Therefore, we developed an unsupervised and fast approach called SAMPLER to generate slide-level representations.

METHODS: Slide-level representations of …


Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2024, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs Jan 2024

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2024, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the members of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (USRAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) - Welcome to the Thirty-Second SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair! There are 61 poster presentations and 10 oral presentations involving over 100 student and faculty researchers, writers, presenters, artists, collaborators, and faculty sponsors encompassing activities from the SWOSU Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Physics, Engineering Technology, Kinesiology, Language & Literature, Mathematics, Music, Parks and Recreation Management, Pharmacy, Psychology, and Social Sciences.


Spatial Analysis Of Socioeconomic Factors At Found Locations Of Orphaned Mammals In Champaign County, Illinois, Usa, Colleen Elzinga, Stephanie Heniff, William Sander, William Marshall Brown, Csaba Varga, Samantha Sander Jan 2024

Spatial Analysis Of Socioeconomic Factors At Found Locations Of Orphaned Mammals In Champaign County, Illinois, Usa, Colleen Elzinga, Stephanie Heniff, William Sander, William Marshall Brown, Csaba Varga, Samantha Sander

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Young mammals make up a significant portion of animals brought into wildlife rehabilitation centers. Unfortunately, some of these presumed orphaned individuals are inappropriately removed from their native habitat. As such, there is a need for educational community outreach centered on the proper identification of orphaned wildlife that benefit from human intervention, while maximizing limited resources of rehabilitation facilities. This study evaluated found locations of common mammalian orphans presenting from Champaign County to the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic, Illinois, USA, between 2015 and 2020. The found locations of the orphans (99 Virginia opossums [Didelphis virginiana], 80 common …


Examining Potential Causal Associations Of Sedentary Time And Physical Activity With Heart Failure Using Subjective And Objective Measures: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis, Jessica Geller Jan 2024

Examining Potential Causal Associations Of Sedentary Time And Physical Activity With Heart Failure Using Subjective And Objective Measures: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis, Jessica Geller

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the causal relationship between both subjectively and objectively measured sedentary time (ST) and physical activity (PA) with heart failure (HF) risk, utilizing Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach.

Methods: The present MR used genetic instruments identified for self-reported ST and PA extracted from 51 genome wide association studies (GWAS), encompassing data from 703,901 individuals. The GWAS identified 89 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with leisure screen time. Eleven loci were reported to be associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). From another GWAS examining accelerometer-based activities, three loci were found to …


Tim/Tam Receptors: A Potential Biomarker For Predicting Sensitivity To Zika Virus-Induced Oncolysis In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers, Shankari Somasekar Jan 2024

Tim/Tam Receptors: A Potential Biomarker For Predicting Sensitivity To Zika Virus-Induced Oncolysis In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers, Shankari Somasekar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) constitute 80-85% of lung cancers and are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. The most common cause is prolonged smoking. Current treatment options for NSCLC include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Although these medications are effective in the short term, patients often face issues of drug resistance and debilitating side effects with prolonged use. Currently, the use of Zika virus (ZIKV) is being researched as a possible alternative treatment for cancer, which minimizes side effects and the risk of drug resistance. TIM/TAM proteins are identified as the putative ZIKV receptors on …


How Hormonal Contraceptives Influence Injury In Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Ashley V. Malvita Jan 2024

How Hormonal Contraceptives Influence Injury In Female Athletes: A Systematic Review, Ashley V. Malvita

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Research indicates that female athletes have a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Hormone fluctuations throughout the different periods of the menstruation cycle impacts the risk of injuries for women. Contraceptive use, most used in the form of an oral contraceptive pill, directly effects hormones and menstrual cycle related symptoms, with evidence of ameliorating some symptoms. Oral contraceptive use is suggested to influence musculoskeletal injuries in female athletes. However, there is little research and data that explores the direct relationship between oral contraceptive use and the injury rates of female athletes. Within this systematic review, five articles investigating this relationship fulfilled …


Identifying Youth Appeals In Alcohol Alternative Social Media Content Through Framing, Melina Oneal Jan 2024

Identifying Youth Appeals In Alcohol Alternative Social Media Content Through Framing, Melina Oneal

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Proposed regulations for alcohol advertising prevent beverage companies from targeting people under the legal drinking age. However, similar regulations for alcohol alternative beverages are less explored, which could allow alcohol alternative products to create awareness for alcoholic beverages among youth. Alcohol alternatives beverages, including no-alcohol and low-alcohol products, are increasing in popularity and can function as compliments to alcoholic products to decrease the total alcohol volume consumed or as substitutes for alcoholic products. Framing theory can be operationalized through the Content Appealing to Youth Index, an index of content elements found in research literature to be appealing to youth, to …


Investigating The Development Of Alcohol Tolerance In The Eskape Pathogens, Hannah Durkee Jan 2024

Investigating The Development Of Alcohol Tolerance In The Eskape Pathogens, Hannah Durkee

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Antiseptics and disinfectants are used globally to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria to prevent infection. Considering the well-documented development of antibiotic resistance, the potential for evolved tolerance to alcohol-based antimicrobial agents raises concern. The ESKAPE bacterial pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) are a major cause of healthcare-associated mortality and present a threat to public health due to the progression of multi-drug resistance. We conducted an experiment to determine if the ESKAPE pathogens develop an increased tolerance to ethanol upon repeated exposure by selecting for survivors after a …


Pleated Plasma Membrane Complex In Spermatids Of The Western Siren, Siren Nettingi (Caudata: Sirenidae), S.E. Trauth Jan 2024

Pleated Plasma Membrane Complex In Spermatids Of The Western Siren, Siren Nettingi (Caudata: Sirenidae), S.E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I investigated the pleated plasma membrane complex of linear folds and biflagellar entities in developing spermatids of the Western Siren, Siren nettingi. My primary goal was to reveal the ultrastructural morphology of these distinctive cellular folds (usually 8 in number) as they support the flagellar formation of biflagellated sperm found in this salamander and in other members in the family Sirenidae. My results reveal that the biflagellar components (2 sets of axonemes, undulating membranes, and axial fibers), termed biflagellar complex, develop between folds or are attached onto these folds. The folds themselves are transitory and do not directly contribute to …


Kvx-053, A Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 4a3 Inhibitor, Ameliorates Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein Subunit 1 - Induced Acute Lung Injury In Mice, Pavel A. Solopov, Ruben Manuel Luciano Colunga Biancatelli, Tierney Day, Betsy Gregory, Elizabeth R. Sharlow, John S. Lazo, John D. Catravas Jan 2024

Kvx-053, A Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 4a3 Inhibitor, Ameliorates Sars-Cov-2 Spike Protein Subunit 1 - Induced Acute Lung Injury In Mice, Pavel A. Solopov, Ruben Manuel Luciano Colunga Biancatelli, Tierney Day, Betsy Gregory, Elizabeth R. Sharlow, John S. Lazo, John D. Catravas

Bioelectrics Publications

The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), often preceded by acute lung injury (ALI), is characterized by the accumulation of inflammatory fluid in the lung alveoli, leaky alveolar epithelium and endothelium, and overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This progression from ALI to ARDS is a major contributor to the high mortality observed in COVID-19 patients. The Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to lung ACE2 and, in addition to facilitating viral cell entry, it plays an important role in the development of ALI and ARDS, especially in the later phases of COVID-19 as well as long COVID. Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 4A3 is …


Studying The Role Of Novel Carbon Nano Tubes As A Therapeutic Agent To Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer (Tnbc) - An In Vitro And In Vivo Study, Kamal Asadipour, Narendra Banerjee, Jazmine Cuffee, Karrington Perry, Shennel Brown, Anasua Banerjee, Erik Armstrong, Stephen Beebe, Hirendra Banerjee Jan 2024

Studying The Role Of Novel Carbon Nano Tubes As A Therapeutic Agent To Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer (Tnbc) - An In Vitro And In Vivo Study, Kamal Asadipour, Narendra Banerjee, Jazmine Cuffee, Karrington Perry, Shennel Brown, Anasua Banerjee, Erik Armstrong, Stephen Beebe, Hirendra Banerjee

Bioelectrics Publications

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a malignant cancer with a very high mortality rate around the world. African American(AA) women are 28% more likely to die from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) than white women with the same diagnosis. AA patients are also more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease and have the lowest survival rates for any stage of diagnosis; There are very few existing anti TNBC drugs with therapeutic efficacy hence newer anti TNBC drug design and investigation is needed. Carbon Nano Tubes(CNT) in recent years have shown effective anti-cancer properties in various …


Synergistic Effects Of Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma And Electric Field On Inactivation Of Pancreatic Cancer Cells In Vitro, Edwin A. Oshin, Zobia Minhas, Ruben M. L. Colunga Biancatelli, John D. Catravas, Richard Heller, Siqi Guo, Chunqi Jiang Jan 2024

Synergistic Effects Of Nanosecond Pulsed Plasma And Electric Field On Inactivation Of Pancreatic Cancer Cells In Vitro, Edwin A. Oshin, Zobia Minhas, Ruben M. L. Colunga Biancatelli, John D. Catravas, Richard Heller, Siqi Guo, Chunqi Jiang

Bioelectrics Publications

Nanosecond pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma jets (ns-APPJs) produce reactive plasma species, including charged particles and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), which can induce oxidative stress in biological cells. Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) has also been found to cause permeabilization of cell membranes and induce apoptosis or cell death. Combining the treatment of ns-APPJ and nsPEF may enhance the effectiveness of cancer cell inactivation with only moderate doses of both treatments. Employing ns-APPJ powered by 9 kV, 200 ns pulses at 2 kHz and 60-nsPEF of 50 kV/cm at 1 Hz, the synergistic effects on pancreatic cancer cells (Pan02) …


Aggravated Ulcerative Colitis Via Circnlgn-Mediated Suppression Of Nuclear Actin Polymerization., William W Du, Chi Zhou, Hui Yang, Shuoyang Wen, Yu Chen, Eric X Chen, Xiuwei H. Yang, Feiya Li, Kevin Y Du, Hui Yuan, Ting Ye, Javeria Qadir, Burton B Yang Jan 2024

Aggravated Ulcerative Colitis Via Circnlgn-Mediated Suppression Of Nuclear Actin Polymerization., William W Du, Chi Zhou, Hui Yang, Shuoyang Wen, Yu Chen, Eric X Chen, Xiuwei H. Yang, Feiya Li, Kevin Y Du, Hui Yuan, Ting Ye, Javeria Qadir, Burton B Yang

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Colitis is a chronic bowel disease characterized by damage to the lining of the large intestine, with its precise underlying causes remaining incompletely understood. In this study, we provide evidence that circular RNA circNlgn plays a pivotal role in promoting the development of colitis. Colitis patients produce significant higher levels of circNlgn. Transgenic mice expressing circNlgn exhibit heightened susceptibility to colitis development and progression, primarily attributed to the presence of the protein isoform Nlgn173 encoded by circNlgn. Nlgn173 undergoes translocation into cell nuclei, where it interacts with actin, impeding the binding of actin-related protein 2 and 3 (Arp2/3) complex to …


Reviving Caribbean Scleractinian Corals: Medication In Ex-Situ Care, Christopher E. Cho Jan 2024

Reviving Caribbean Scleractinian Corals: Medication In Ex-Situ Care, Christopher E. Cho

Honors Theses

The Caribbean basin is facing an unprecedented decline in coral reef health, with factors such as coral disease, climate change, and algal overgrowth contributing to the deterioration of these vital ecosystems. In response, land-based facilities have emerged to aid in coral conservation and restoration efforts. One aspect of these conservation efforts involves the treatment of coral ailments, which is still an emerging field within coral conservation. By medicating corals, researchers aim to combat diseases and alleviate stressors that threaten coral health. This practice holds promise for preserving genetic diversity and supporting future repopulation initiatives. This study evaluates the effectiveness of …


Fusion Et Validation De Modèles Musculosquelettiques De La Colonne Lombaire Pour La Prévention Et La Réadaptation Des Travailleurs, Christian Larivière, Farshid Ghezelbash, Amir Eskandari, Denis Gagnon, Hakim Mecheri, Navid Arjmand, Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl Jan 2024

Fusion Et Validation De Modèles Musculosquelettiques De La Colonne Lombaire Pour La Prévention Et La Réadaptation Des Travailleurs, Christian Larivière, Farshid Ghezelbash, Amir Eskandari, Denis Gagnon, Hakim Mecheri, Navid Arjmand, Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les charges imposées sur la colonne vertébrale lombaire constituent un facteur de risque important pour les maux de dos. Connaître la distribution de ces forces internes lors d’activités de travail est nécessaire autant en prévention qu’en réadaptation des travailleurs. La modélisation musculosquelettique (MS) de la colonne vertébrale est la seule approche non invasive permettant d’estimer les charges sur les structures internes de la colonne.

Deux modèles ont été développés au Québec, soient un modèle par éléments finis (MEF) guidé par le mouvement et un autre guidé par des mesures électromyographiques (EMG) d’activation musculaire (modèle MEMG). Ces modèles sont donc sensibles …


Exposition Professionnelle Des Femmes Aux Substances Chimiques : Amélioration D’Une Matrice Emploi Exposition Existante Pour Fournir Des Estimations Spécifiques Au Sexe : Rapport Abrégé, Vikki Ho, Chelsea Almadin, France Labrèche, Mark Goldberg, Marie-Élise Parent, Jack Siemiatycki, Jérôme Lavoué Jan 2024

Exposition Professionnelle Des Femmes Aux Substances Chimiques : Amélioration D’Une Matrice Emploi Exposition Existante Pour Fournir Des Estimations Spécifiques Au Sexe : Rapport Abrégé, Vikki Ho, Chelsea Almadin, France Labrèche, Mark Goldberg, Marie-Élise Parent, Jack Siemiatycki, Jérôme Lavoué

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Il est reconnu que les femmes et les hommes ont des profils professionnels différents qui peuvent donc se traduire par des risques de maladie professionnelle différents. Pourtant, la plupart de nos connaissances actuelles sur les maladies professionnelles découlent d'études menées auprès des hommes. Or, les femmes représentent actuellement 48 % de la population active au Québec. La santé des femmes dans l’environnement de travail demeure un domaine sous-étudié et nous sommes particulièrement freinés par le manque de compréhension de l'impact du genre sur l'exposition en milieu de travail. Il a été démontré que l'attribution des tâches et les conditions de …


Occupational Exposures Of Women To Chemical Substances: Improvement Of An Existing Job Exposure Matrix To Provide Sex-Specific Estimations Of Exposure, Vikki Ho, Chelsea Almadin, France Labrèche, Mark Goldberg, Marie-Élise Parent, Jack Siemiatycki, Jérôme Lavoué Jan 2024

Occupational Exposures Of Women To Chemical Substances: Improvement Of An Existing Job Exposure Matrix To Provide Sex-Specific Estimations Of Exposure, Vikki Ho, Chelsea Almadin, France Labrèche, Mark Goldberg, Marie-Élise Parent, Jack Siemiatycki, Jérôme Lavoué

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Il est reconnu que les femmes et les hommes ont des profils professionnels différents qui peuvent donc se traduire par des risques de maladie professionnelle différents. Pourtant, la plupart de nos connaissances actuelles sur les maladies professionnelles découlent d'études menées auprès des hommes. Or, les femmes représentent actuellement 48 % de la population active au Québec. La santé des femmes dans l’environnement de travail demeure un domaine sous-étudié et nous sommes particulièrement freinés par le manque de compréhension de l'impact du genre sur l'exposition en milieu de travail. Il a été démontré que l'attribution des tâches et les conditions de …


Exploration Of Potential Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Targets In The Enterovirus Replication Element: Identification Of Six Distinct 5' Cloverleaves, Morgan G. Daniels, Meagan E. Werner, Rockwell T. Li, Steven M. Pascal Jan 2024

Exploration Of Potential Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Targets In The Enterovirus Replication Element: Identification Of Six Distinct 5' Cloverleaves, Morgan G. Daniels, Meagan E. Werner, Rockwell T. Li, Steven M. Pascal

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Enterovirus genomic replication initiates at a predicted RNA cloverleaf (5′CL) at the 5′ end of the RNA genome. The 5′CL contains one stem (SA) and three stem-loops (SLB, SLC, SLD). Here, we present an analysis of 5′CL conservation and divergence for 209 human health-related serotypes from the enterovirus genus, including enterovirus and rhinovirus species. Phylogenetic analysis indicates six distinct 5′CL serotypes that only partially correlate with the species definition. Additional findings include that 5′CL sequence conservation is higher between the EV species than between the RV species, the 5′CL of EVA and EVB are nearly identical, and RVC has the …


Reiq-Mediated Alarmone Signalling Regulates Growth, Stress-Induced Biofilm Formation And Spore Accumulation In Clostridioides Difficile, Areej Malik, Adenrele Oludiran, Asia Poudel, Orlando Berumen Alvarez, Charles Woodward, Erin B. Purcell Jan 2024

Reiq-Mediated Alarmone Signalling Regulates Growth, Stress-Induced Biofilm Formation And Spore Accumulation In Clostridioides Difficile, Areej Malik, Adenrele Oludiran, Asia Poudel, Orlando Berumen Alvarez, Charles Woodward, Erin B. Purcell

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The bacterial stringent response (SR) is a conserved transcriptional reprogramming pathway mediated by the nucleotide signalling alarmones, (pp)pGpp. The SR has been implicated in antibiotic survival in Clostridioides difficile, a biofilm- and spore-forming pathogen that causes resilient, highly recurrent C. difficile infections. The role of the SR in other processes and the effectors by which it regulates C. difficile physiology are unknown. C. difficile RelQ is a clostridial alarmone synthetase. Deletion of relQ dysregulates C. difficile growth in unstressed conditions, affects susceptibility to antibiotic and oxidative stressors and drastically reduces biofilm formation. While wild-type C. difficile displays increased biofilm …


High Prevalence Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) And Associated Risk To Humans In Central Illinois, Esther Onuselogu Jan 2024

High Prevalence Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection In Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) And Associated Risk To Humans In Central Illinois, Esther Onuselogu

Masters Theses

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a neglected tropical disease and a growing health threat in the United States. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) often coexist with humans in urban and suburban areas and serve as reservoir hosts for T. cruzi. While T. cruzi is rare in humans and domestic animals in the U.S., it is common in wildlife species, particularly raccoons and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in the raccoon population of Central Illinois and evaluate the risk of transmission to humans. …


The Role Of Liver-Specific Transcription Factor Hnf4 In Reprogramming Of Fibroblasts, Mary Odubote Jan 2024

The Role Of Liver-Specific Transcription Factor Hnf4 In Reprogramming Of Fibroblasts, Mary Odubote

Masters Theses

The mammalian liver, a vital organ with complex functions, relies on a network of transcription factors to regulate gene expression. Fusion of hepatoma cells with fibroblasts often leads to gene extinction, silencing approximately 400 liver-enriched genes, including critical transcription factors such as HNF4. Previous studies revealed that ectopic expression of HNF4 in fibroblasts failed to prevent the extinction of SERPINA1, a liver-specific gene, upon subsequent fusion with hepatoma cells. Here, we sought to investigate the extent to which ectopic expression of HNF4 can reprogram fibroblast cells and prevent gene extinction in hybrid cells.

Using whole-genome expression analysis, we compared RAT1 …


Investigation Of Brain Function And Structural Development As Risk Factors Of Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors, Yi Zhou Jan 2024

Investigation Of Brain Function And Structural Development As Risk Factors Of Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors, Yi Zhou

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Identifying risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially causal ones, will be imperative to improving screening and treatment interventions. To identify replicable brain-based risk factors, there is increasing evidence indicating the need for large sample sizes, in the hundreds to thousands, in order to achieve a sufficient level of statistical power to detect them. Furthermore, longitudinal studies of brain and behavioral factors will be essential to understanding how suicide develops, especially the transition from suicide ideation to attempt. While experimental studies may not be feasible or ethical, genetically informed methods for testing evidence for causation are an alternative …


The Role Of Hdac6 In Periodontal Inflammation, Hannah S. Lohner Jan 2024

The Role Of Hdac6 In Periodontal Inflammation, Hannah S. Lohner

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a polymicrobial infection-induced chronic inflammatory disease and results in irreversible tissue damage and bone loss. While bacteria play a large role in the initiation of this disease, excessive and prolonged inflammatory immune responses are fundamental for its progression, making host directed therapy (HDT) a possible and potentially valuable treatment. Histone Deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) is an enzyme that removes acetyl groups from both histone and non-histone proteins, giving it a potential role in regulating inflammation initiated by pathogenic oral bacteria. Previous studies indicated that HDACs act as a bivalent regulator in inflammatory responses; however, the role that HDAC6 …


The Splice Index As A Prognostic Biomarker Of Strength And Function In Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, Marina Provenzano Jan 2024

The Splice Index As A Prognostic Biomarker Of Strength And Function In Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, Marina Provenzano

Theses and Dissertations

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a slowly progressive, multisystem disorder caused by a CTG repeat expansion in the DMPK 3’UTR that leads to global dysregulation of alternative splicing. The resulting decline in physical function is slow, and no reliable biomarkers exist for predicting disease progression; however, an RNA mis-splicing biomarker associated with weakness may have utility in predicting functional outcomes. Here we validate the Splice Index (SI) as a potential biomarker of DM1-associated strength and function. Muscle biopsies of the tibialis anterior were collected from DM1-affected individuals at baseline (n = 46) and 3-months (n = 34), along with …


Antenatal Depression And Its Associated Factors: Findings From Kuwait Birth Cohort Study, Reem Al-Sabah, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Ali H. Ziyab, Saeed Akhtar, Majeda S. Hammoud Jan 2024

Antenatal Depression And Its Associated Factors: Findings From Kuwait Birth Cohort Study, Reem Al-Sabah, Abdullah Al-Taiar, Ali H. Ziyab, Saeed Akhtar, Majeda S. Hammoud

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background: Pregnant and postpartum women are at high risk of depression due to hormonal and biological changes. Antenatal depression is understudied compared to postpartum depression and its predictors remain highly controversial.

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and investigate factors associated with this condition including vitamin D, folate and Vitamin B12 among participants in the Kuwait Birth Study.

Methods: Data collection occurred as part of the Kuwait Birth Cohort Study in which pregnant women were recruited in the second and third trimester during antenatal care visits. Data on antenatal depression were collected using the Edinburgh …


Kidney-Targeted Mrna Nanoparticles: Exploration Of The Mrna Loading Capacity Of A Polymeric Mesoscale Platform Employing Various Classes Of Excipients, Arantxa Roach Jan 2024

Kidney-Targeted Mrna Nanoparticles: Exploration Of The Mrna Loading Capacity Of A Polymeric Mesoscale Platform Employing Various Classes Of Excipients, Arantxa Roach

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Mesoscale nanoparticles (MNPs) for the therapeutic relief of renal ailments can be modulated to deliver various payloads – including biomolecules such as mRNA. In preparing mRNA loaded-MNPs, we observed a point of saturation for mRNA loading of these particles, when aiming to increase the payload per particle. Here, we aimed to circumvent this limitation by incorporating various excipients that interact with mRNA for increased loading. These interactions involved the reduction of mRNA electrostatic repulsion and improving mRNA stability during formulation and release. Thereafter, we tested the encapsulation efficiency of these modified particles and compared it to our original formulation. Further, …


Unlv Title Iii Aanapisi & Mcnair Scholars Institute Research Journal 2024, Jesica Godinez-Paredes, Kian Hassankhan, Apia Hickman, Robin Ruth Kee, Kevin Ayala Pineda, Briana Melendez, Kalli Ramos, Saturn L. Reyes, Fabian Leija, Selena Pepe, Silva Topchyan, Celeste Ainsley, Mayra Arzate, Jessica Balistreri, Zantana Ephrem, Mirella Jasso, Karl Panou, Nichole Pelaez, Miklo Alcala, Akshay Dave, Mey Mey Heng, Michael Finkle, Janessa Montenegro, Reynafe Naol Aniga, Victor Mejia, Angelica G. Diaz, Anayeli Flores-Garibay, Kari Lee Joe Goold, Samantha Hernandez, Lianelys Cabrera Martinez, Caitlin Reynolds, Kimberly N. Usbeck, Abdulrahman Alahdal, Angelica Diaz, Willaine Mae Kahano, Raquel Jackson, Cecia Ruiz-Hernandez, Kers Ung-Watson, Yessenia Henriquez, Vanessa Marie Booth, Alexia Brown, Darlyn Magana, Bianca Navarro, Nicholas Pereira, Gia Renemae Calip, Lucky Heng, Ralph Sagun, Lucas Abreu, Alexandra Maria Acosta, Tristan Benally, Cosset Hernandez Pena, Adrian Montenegro, Cierra Paaaina-Daquioag, Nicole Torosian, Tracy Fuentes, Julissa Martinez, Medina Mcallister, Michal Newhouse-Van Vlerin, Tiria Carr, Nima Abkenar, Isabella Aceituno, Yuhan Bi, Victoria Campos, Melika Cummings, Zachary J. Johnigan, Alexis Sotolongo-Marin Jan 2024

Unlv Title Iii Aanapisi & Mcnair Scholars Institute Research Journal 2024, Jesica Godinez-Paredes, Kian Hassankhan, Apia Hickman, Robin Ruth Kee, Kevin Ayala Pineda, Briana Melendez, Kalli Ramos, Saturn L. Reyes, Fabian Leija, Selena Pepe, Silva Topchyan, Celeste Ainsley, Mayra Arzate, Jessica Balistreri, Zantana Ephrem, Mirella Jasso, Karl Panou, Nichole Pelaez, Miklo Alcala, Akshay Dave, Mey Mey Heng, Michael Finkle, Janessa Montenegro, Reynafe Naol Aniga, Victor Mejia, Angelica G. Diaz, Anayeli Flores-Garibay, Kari Lee Joe Goold, Samantha Hernandez, Lianelys Cabrera Martinez, Caitlin Reynolds, Kimberly N. Usbeck, Abdulrahman Alahdal, Angelica Diaz, Willaine Mae Kahano, Raquel Jackson, Cecia Ruiz-Hernandez, Kers Ung-Watson, Yessenia Henriquez, Vanessa Marie Booth, Alexia Brown, Darlyn Magana, Bianca Navarro, Nicholas Pereira, Gia Renemae Calip, Lucky Heng, Ralph Sagun, Lucas Abreu, Alexandra Maria Acosta, Tristan Benally, Cosset Hernandez Pena, Adrian Montenegro, Cierra Paaaina-Daquioag, Nicole Torosian, Tracy Fuentes, Julissa Martinez, Medina Mcallister, Michal Newhouse-Van Vlerin, Tiria Carr, Nima Abkenar, Isabella Aceituno, Yuhan Bi, Victoria Campos, Melika Cummings, Zachary J. Johnigan, Alexis Sotolongo-Marin

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the AANAPISI, LSAMP, and McNair Scholars Program.

Table of Contents

About AANAPISI

Dr. Chris Heavey, Interim President

Dr. Keith Rogers, Vice President for Student Affairs

Ms. Zhanna Aronov, Associate Vice President for Retention & Outreach


Volume 15, Connor Thompson, Emily Steffenhagen, Emily Robertson, Luis Fernando Dos Reis, Emily Farmer, Samuel Villa, Robert Allison, Zachary Chessor, Megan Borden, Austin Burnett, Larry W. Grant Jr., Tristan Marowski, Emma Moore, Pearl Siff Jan 2024

Volume 15, Connor Thompson, Emily Steffenhagen, Emily Robertson, Luis Fernando Dos Reis, Emily Farmer, Samuel Villa, Robert Allison, Zachary Chessor, Megan Borden, Austin Burnett, Larry W. Grant Jr., Tristan Marowski, Emma Moore, Pearl Siff

Incite: The Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship

Introduction Dr. Amorette Barber, Director, Office of Student Research

From the Editor Dr. Hannah Dudley-Shotwell

Artist’s Statement Connor Thompson

On Mentorship Dr. John Miller

The Meat of the Matter: Alien, Human, and Animal in Terry Bisson’s “They’re Made Out of Meat” by Emily Steffenhagen

“Please REBLOG!”: An Ethical Analysis of Doxxing, Internet Vigilantism and Racists Getting Fired by Emily Robertson

Journaling: Paper Has More Patience Than People by Luis Fernando Dos Reis

The Effects of Climate Change on the Archaeological World by Emily Farmer

Lowered Seat Height Does Not Impair Wingate Performance in Untrained Cyclists by Samuel Villa, Robert Allison, …


(Plant)Ing Traditional Roots: Exploring An Impact Of Environmental Shifts On Traditional Phytotherapy Practices In The Cusco Region Of Perú, Nicole Elizabeth Wilmot Jan 2024

(Plant)Ing Traditional Roots: Exploring An Impact Of Environmental Shifts On Traditional Phytotherapy Practices In The Cusco Region Of Perú, Nicole Elizabeth Wilmot

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the potential outcomes of environmental shifts on plant-based medical practices in the Cusco region of Peru. Located in the Andes mountain range, at a high elevation, the environment varies immensely, specifically in the various types of native plants in the region. Historically, using plants as natural forms of medicine or healthcare has been deeply rooted in many indigenous communities, traditions, and cultures globally. Environmentally, there have been potential changes and shifts in temperature, water, and soil that affect the nutrition and health of plants to maintain their beneficial properties. Due to various factors, adaptations or shifts to …