Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ionic Liquid-Solvated Chitosan Nanoparticles As A Novel Method Of Treating Atopic Dermatitis, Leslie Bell

Honors Theses

Atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is an inflammatory skin disease resulting in dry, red, and itchy skin that affects almost 20% of the population of the Western world. This disease creates a physical, emotional, as well as financial burden on those affected, as well as their families. Current treatment options are only somewhat effective, and do not have a long duration of release and therefore efficiency. Furthermore, treatment plans involving corticosteroids need to be closely regulated to monitor side effects such as skin thinning. Other options include topical tacrolimus, emollients, and oral antihistamines, each with varied side effects. This project is …

Pragmatic Deficits In Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Paige Kessler

Honors Theses

Background: Most studies have found pragmatic language skills to be poorer in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) populations, but there is no conclusive evidence.

Aim: Our aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of pragmatic language abilities in ADHD populations to more definitively demonstrate the extent of pragmatic language deficits in these populations as compared to typically developing (TD) populations.

Methods and procedures: Journal articles were identified using the search terms ((attention deficit) OR (adhd)) AND (pragmatics). Identified studies were screened and reviewed for inclusion criteria, descriptive information, and outcome variables. A meta-analysis was conducted, and individual effect sizes and overall effect size …

Test Transferability Of 3d-Mot Training On Soccer Specific Parameters, Micaela Dusseault

Honors Theses

Objective: The benefits of perceptual-cognitive training in elite level athletes has recently been investigated in multiple sports such as basketball, soccer, and archery, but conclusive evidence proving test transferability of 3D-MOT training is lacking. The purpose of this research is to examine the transferability of perceptual-cognitive training to on-field soccer performance parameters. Participants: NCAA Division I women’s soccer players (n=22) between the ages of 18-25 who were placed into either the experimental group (n=10) or control group (n=12). After baseline testing for both groups to determine visual tracking speed (VTS), the experimental group completed 10 3D-MOT training sessions with NeuroTracker …

Early Multicenter Experience With Imipenem-Cilastatin-Relebactam For Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections, Nicholas Rebold, Taylor Morrisette, Abdalhamid M. Lagnf, Sara Alosaimy

Faculty and Student Publications

A multicenter case series of 21 patients were treated with imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam. There were mixed infection sources, with pulmonary infections (11/21,52%) composing the majority. The primary pathogen was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16/21, 76%), and 15/16 (94%) isolates were multidrug-resistant. Thirty-day survival occurred in 14/21 (67%) patients. Two patients experienced adverse effects.

Cryo-Em Reveals The Architecture Of Placental Malaria Var2csa And Provides Molecular Insight Into Chondroitin Sulfate Binding, Kaituo Wang, Robert Dagil, Thomas Lavstsen, Sandeep K. Misra

Faculty and Student Publications

Placental malaria can have severe consequences for both mother and child and effective vaccines are lacking. Parasite-infected red blood cells sequester in the placenta through interaction between parasite-expressed protein VAR2CSA and the glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulfate A (CS) abundantly present in the intervillous space. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of the VAR2CSA ectodomain at up to 3.1 Å resolution revealing an overall V-shaped architecture and a complex domain organization. Notably, the surface displays a single significantly electropositive patch, compatible with binding of negatively charged CS. Using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations as well as comparative hydroxyl radical protein foot-printing of …

Identification Of A Solo Acylhomoserine Lactone Synthase From The Myxobacterium Archangium Gephyra, Hanan Albataineh, Maya Duke, Sandeep K. Misra, Joshua S. Sharp

Faculty and Student Publications

Considered a key taxon in soil and marine microbial communities, myxobacteria exist as coordinated swarms that utilize a combination of lytic enzymes and specialized metabolites to facilitate predation of microbes. This capacity to produce specialized metabolites and the associated abundance of biosynthetic pathways contained within their genomes have motivated continued drug discovery efforts from myxobacteria. Of all myxobacterial biosynthetic gene clusters deposited in the antiSMASH database, only one putative acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) synthase, agpI, was observed, in genome data from Archangium gephyra. Without an AHL receptor also apparent in the genome of A. gephyra, we sought to determine if AgpI …

Characterization And In Vitro And In Vivo Evaluation Of Tacrolimus-Loaded Poly(Ε-Caprolactone) Nanocapsules For The Management Of Atopic Dermatitis, Guilherme Dos Anjos Camargo, Leandro Ferreira, Diego José Schebelski, Amanda Martinez Lyra

Faculty and Student Publications

Background: Tacrolimus (TAC) is a drug of natural origin used in conventional topical dosage forms to control atopic dermatitis. However, direct application of the drug often causes adverse side effects in some patients. Hence, drug nanoencapsulation could be used as an improved novel therapy to mitigate the adverse effects and enhance bioavailability of the drug. Methods: Physicochemical properties, in vitro drug release experiments, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity studies were performed. Results: TAC-loaded nanocapsules were successfully prepared by the interfacial deposition of preformed polymer using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). The nanoparticu-late systems presented a spherical shape with a smooth and regular surface, …

Extracts From Pulsatilla Patens Target Cancer-Related Signaling Pathways In Hela Cells, Grażyna Łaska, Magdalena Maciejewska-Turska, Elwira Sieniawska, Łukasz Świątek

Faculty and Student Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine if a methanolic extract of the Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. can inhibit the progression of cancer through the modulation of cancer-related metabolic signaling pathways. We analyzed a panel of 13 inducible luciferase reporter gene vectors which expression is driven by enhancer elements that bind to specific transcription factors for the evaluation of the activity of cancer signaling pathways. The root extract of P. patens exhibited strong inhibition of several signaling pathways in HeLa cells, a cervical cancer cell line, and was found to be the most potent in inhibiting the activation of …

Functional Genomics Study Of Pseudomonas Putida To Determine Traits Associated With Avoidance Of A Myxobacterial Predator, Shukria Akbar, D. Cole Stevens

Faculty and Student Publications

Predation contributes to the structure and diversity of microbial communities. Predatory myxobacteria are ubiquitous to a variety of microbial habitats and capably consume a broad diversity of microbial prey. Predator–prey experiments utilizing myxobacteria have provided details into predatory mechanisms and features that facilitate consumption of prey. However, prey resistance to myxobacterial predation remains underexplored, and prey resistances have been observed exclusively from predator–prey experiments that included the model myxobacterium Myxococcus xanthus. Utilizing a predator–prey pairing that instead included the myxobacterium, Cystobacter ferrugineus, with Pseudomonas putida as prey, we observed surviving phenotypes capable of eluding predation. Comparative transcriptomics between P. putida …

Transmission Studies And The Composition Of Prokaryotic Communities Associated With Healthy And Diseased Aplysina Cauliformis Sponges Suggest That Aplysina Red Band Syndrome Is A Prokaryotic Polymicrobial Disease, Matteo Monti, Aurora Giorgi, Cole G. Easson, Deborah J. Gochfeld

Faculty and Student Publications

Aplysina cauliformis, the Caribbean purple rope sponge, is commonly affected by Aplysina Red Band Syndrome (ARBS). This transmissible disease manifests as circular lesions with red margins and results in bare spongin fibers. Leptolyngbya spp. appear to be responsible for the characteristic red coloration but transmission studies with a sponge-derived isolate failed to establish disease, leaving the etiology of ARBS unknown. To investigate the cause of ARBS, contact transmission experiments were performed between healthy and diseased sponges separated by filters with varying pore sizes. Transmission occurred when sponges were separated by filters with pore sizes ≥ 2.5 μm, suggesting a prokaryotic …

Mutants Of The White Abcg Transporter In Drosophila Melanogaster Have Deficient Olfactory Learning And Cholesterol Homeostasis, Jennifer L. Myers, Maria Porter, Nicholas Narwold, Krishna Bhat, Brigitte Dauwalder, Gregg Roman

Faculty and Student Publications

Drosophila’s white gene encodes an ATP binding cassette G-subfamily (ABCG) half transporter. White is closely related to mammalian ABCG family members that function in cholesterol efflux. Mutants of white have several behavioral phenotypes that are independent of visual defects. This study characterizes a novel defect of white mutants in the acquisition of olfactory memory using the aversive olfactory conditioning paradigm. The w¹¹¹⁸ mutants learned slower than wildtype controls, yet with additional training, they reached wildtype levels of performance. The w¹¹¹⁸ learning phenotype is also found in the w^apricot and w^coral alleles, is dominant, and is …

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Differentially Modulates Glutamate-Induced Toxicity And Stress In Cells Of The Neurogliovascular Unit, Cellas A. Hayes, Brandon G. Ashmore, Akshaya Vijayasankar, Jessica P. Marshall

Faculty and Student Publications

The age-related reduction in circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is associated with increased risk of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases in advanced age. Numerous reports highlight behavioral and physiological deficits in blood-brain barrier function and neurovascular communication when IGF-1 levels are low. Administration of exogenous IGF-1 reduces the extent of tissue damage and sensorimotor deficits in animal models of ischemic stroke, highlighting the critical role of IGF-1 as a regulator of neurovascular health. The beneficial effects of IGF-1 in the nervous system are often attributed to direct actions on neurons; however, glial cells and the cerebrovasculature are also modulated …

Research News, Grants, 2021, Volume 3, Soumyajit Majumdar

Grants (2015-)

Grants and contracts awarded during July - September 2021.

Plant Extract Of Limonium Gmelinii Attenuates Oxidative Responses In Neurons, Astrocytes, And Cerebral Endothelial Cells In Vitro And Improves Motor Functions Of Rats After Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion, Tulendy Nurkenov, Andrey Tsoy, Farkhad Olzhayev, Elvira Abzhanova

Faculty and Student Publications

There are numerous publications demonstrating that plant polyphenols can reduce oxi-dative stress and inflammatory processes in the brain. In the present study we have investigated the neuroprotective effect of plant extract isolated from the roots of L. gmelinii since it contains a rich source of polyphenols and other biologically active compounds. We have applied an oxidative and inflammatory model induced by NMDA, H2O2, and TNF‐α in human primary neurons and astrocytes, and mouse cerebral endothelial cell (CECs) line in vitro. The levels of ROS generation, NADPH oxidase activation, P‐selectin expression, and activity of ERK1/2 were evaluated by quan-titative immunofluorescence analysis, …

Mapping The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Pharmacy Graduate Students’ Wellness, Hyllore Imeri, Saumil Jadhav, Marie Barnard, Meagen Rosenthal

Faculty and Student Publications

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in pharmacy graduate students' (PhGS) lives. While pharmacy graduate programs across the U.S. have reported adjustments due to the pandemic, there is currently no data on the PhGS’ wellness, and the impact on and extent to which offered supports and guidance has met PhGS needs. Objective: This study's objectives were 1) to explore PhGS′ perspectives on their challenges and the impact of these challenges on their wellness, and 2) to identify PhGS′ suggestions for pharmacy graduate programs to improve guidance and support offered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study conducted …

The Evolution Of Telepractice Use During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Perspectives Of Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists, Ying Hao, Saijun Zhang, Austin Conner, Na Youn Lee

Faculty and Student Publications

The study investigated how pediatric speech-language pathologists (SLPs) applied teleprac-tice to compensate for the loss of in-person services and the dynamics of telepractice use during the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural state. We conducted interviews with 10 SLPs and then a statewide survey in which 51 SLPs participated. The qualitative interviews revealed themes including changes in service environment due to the pandemic (e.g., transition to telepractice, losing clients), challenges in the transition to telepractice (e.g., limited training, difficulty engaging clients), worsening well-being of clinicians and clients, and SLPs’ perspectives and suggestions towards telepractice in the future. Survey results showed service …

Research News, Publications, 2021, Volume 3, Soumyajit Majumdar

Publications (2015-)

Publications that appeared during the period of July 30 through September 30, 2021

Expression Of Mhc Class I Polypeptide-Related Sequence A (Mica) In Colorectal Cancer, Ingrid Espinoza, Sumit Agarwal, Marcelo Sakiyama, Veena Shenoy

Faculty and Student Publications

Background: The major histocompatibility complex class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MICA) is one of the ligands of the natural killer group 2D (NKG2D) activating receptor. MICA stimulates NKG2D, which further triggers activation of natural killer cells and leads to killing of infected target cells. To subvert the biological function of NKG2D, tumor cells utilize an escape strategy by shedding overexpressed MICA. In this study, we determined the levels of MICA in colorectal cancers (CRCs). Additionally, we established correlations between MICA expression and clinical characteristics. Publicly available data and bioinformatics tools were used for validation purposes. Methods: We determined the MICA …

Glycoscience Center Of Research Excellence (Glycore), Karin King Ballering

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Karin King Ballering

Environmental Enrichment Provided To Adult Zebra Finches (Taeniopygia Guttata) Differentially Influences Sexes On A Spatial Learning Task, Arma'rosa Wilks-Mohead, Laura West, Lainy B. Day

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Arma'Rosa Wilks-Mohead

Hiv-1 Tat Protein Promotes Neuroendocrine Dysfunction Concurrent With The Potentiation Of Oxycodone’S Psychomotor Behavioral Effects In Female Transgenic Mice, Salahuddin Mohammed, Fakhri Mahdi, Jason J. Paris

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Salahuddin Mohammed

Coupling Fdm 3d Printing With Hot-Melt Extrusion To Produce Hypertensive Dual Therapy Fixed Dose Combination Tablet, Abdullah Alzahrani, Sagar Narala, Dinesh Nyavanandi, Mashan Almutairi, Ahmed Almotairy, Suresh Bandari, Michael Repka

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Abdullah Alzahrani

Schottiin, A New Prenylated Isoflavone From Psorothamnus Schottii And Antibacterial Synergism Studies Between Methicillin And Fremontone Against Mrsa, Mallika Kumarihamy, Siddharth K. Tripathi, Shabana Khan, Ilias Muhammad

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Mallika Kumarihamy

New Hydroxy-1,4-Naphthoquinone And Phenoxy-Phenyl-Naphthoquinone Compounds As Drug-Resistant Antimalarials, Seong Jong Kim, Md Imdadul H. Khan, Yuexin Li, Benjamin Sawyer, Michael K. Riscoe, Shabana I. Khan, Babu L. Tekwani, Hoang V. Le

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Benjamin Sawyer

Age-Related Neuroendocrine, Cognitive, And Behavioral Co-Morbidities Are Promoted By Hiv-1 Tat Expression In Male Mice, Alaa Qraeya, Fakhri Mahdi, Marc Kaufman, Nicole M. Ashpole, Jason J. Paris

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Alaa Qraeya

Negative Impacts Of Flood-Associated Water Quality Stressors On Early Oyster Life Stages, Jessica Pruett, Ann Fairly Pandelides, Kristine Willett, Stephanie Showalter Otts, Deborah Gochfeld

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Jessica Pruett

Discovery Of 5Α-Pregnan-2Β,3Α-Diol-20-One As A Neurohiv Protective Agent, Md Imdadul H. Khan, Mohammed F. Salahuddin, Nicholas S. Akins, Fakhri Mahdi, Seong Jong Kim, Jing Li, Jason J. Paris, Hoang V. Le

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Md Imdadul Khan

Liquid Chromatography- Tandem Mass Spectrometry (Lc-Ms-Ms) As A Detection Method For Cocaine As A Perfomance Enhancing Drug, Isha Kalaria, Shrishti Dubey

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenters: Isha Kalaria, Shrishti Dubey

Scanning Electron Microscopy Core, Vijayasankar Raman, Soumyajit Majumdar

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Vijayasankar Raman

Biomolecular Sciences, University Of Mississippi. Department Of Biomolecular Sciences

Annual Poster Session 2021

Presenter: Department of BioMolecular Sciences