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The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

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2015

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Articles 1 - 30 of 30

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

The Rehabilitative Potential Of Auditory To Visual Sensory Substitution Devices For The Blind, Naomi Perl Jan 2015

The Rehabilitative Potential Of Auditory To Visual Sensory Substitution Devices For The Blind, Naomi Perl

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Living with a sensory impairment is challenging, and those who have lost the use of one sensory modality need to find ways to deal with numerous problems encountered in daily life. When vision is lost, these challenges include navigation through space, finding objects, recognizing people or surroundings, reading or even communicating without access to nonverbal signs provided by others such as eye gaze or facial expressions. Nevertheless, the blind manage to function efficiently in their environment, often to a surprisingly high degree. The key to this amazing phenomenon lies in the plasticity of the brain and the connections it makes …


Assessment Of Three Acute Responses To Traumatic Brain Injury, Shoshana Fireworker Jan 2015

Assessment Of Three Acute Responses To Traumatic Brain Injury, Shoshana Fireworker

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Traumatic brain injury has a devastating effect on millions worldwide each year. As yet, there are no methods which have been proven to improve recovery from the trauma. Current treatment protocols revolve around reducing secondary insult, such as hypoxia, hypotension, and cerebral edema, which raises intracranial pressure. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of three responses to traumatic brain injury. Two of them, the administration of hypertonic saline and the administration of progesterone, are pharmacologic, while the third, the performance of a decompressive craniectomy, is surgically invasive. A number of original studies have been analyzed to …


Active Immunotherapy And Adoptive Cell Transfer As An Effective Cancer Treatment, Philip Jay Cynamon Jan 2015

Active Immunotherapy And Adoptive Cell Transfer As An Effective Cancer Treatment, Philip Jay Cynamon

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

There are many ways to fight cancer using the body’s own immune system. Some methods include the administration of vaccines while others involve stimulatory factors injected near tumors. One promising method is enlisting the help of T cells. To fight cancer effectively, T cells must be able to recognize cancerous antigens and the environment in which these T cells reside must be conducive to their function, survival, and proliferation. This paper discusses a method of providing such an environment called adoptive cell transfer, as well as the elements that effect this protocol and the ways in which the environment can …


Human Stem Cells: Is It Possible To Limit Pluripotent Human Stem Cells To Differentiate Into Specific Tissue Or Organ?, Chaya Korf Jan 2015

Human Stem Cells: Is It Possible To Limit Pluripotent Human Stem Cells To Differentiate Into Specific Tissue Or Organ?, Chaya Korf

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

It would seem that differentiation of stem cells is the remedy of modern times. Yet stem cell research is more complex that the public may recognize and is still in the developmental stage. Recent breakthroughs show promise; various guidelines provide structure to this growing field but it is not ready for gross public application. The objective of this paper is to research various different methods of stem cell production and application. Methods included reviewing articles and studies to evaluate the process in production of affective stem cells. There are many therapies that illustrate this research. Upon completing and explaining this …


Human Animal Chimeras For Therapeutic Protocols, Bracha Sklar Jan 2015

Human Animal Chimeras For Therapeutic Protocols, Bracha Sklar

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Research on humans is limited, therefore human animal chimeras have been used to study human systems. A Human animal chimera is an animal containing animal and human cell lines. The primary goal of human animal chimera research is to establish an animal with human cellular characters, which can and should more realistically be able to imitate as closely as possible the in vivo situations in humans. This research is very important, because it allows scientists to study human systems in vivo using a humanized animal model. However ethical issues arise when experimenting with humans and animals being mixed together. Using …


Biological Reasons For The Neurotoxic Effects Of Mdma (‘Ecstasy’) On The Developing Fetus, Leah Schneeweiss Jan 2015

Biological Reasons For The Neurotoxic Effects Of Mdma (‘Ecstasy’) On The Developing Fetus, Leah Schneeweiss

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is an illicit, recreational drug known by many individuals as ‘Ecstasy.’ MDMA has gained popularity over the past decade and has become a drug of choice at dance parties and clubs because of the stimulating and hallucinogenic effects that it has on the central nervous system. Scientists have determined that MDMA causes neurotoxic damage to adults by harming the serotonergic system in the adult brain. Researchers discovered that embryos exposed to MDMA while in utero also suffer neurotoxic deficits, although not due to impairments in the embryos’ serotonergic systems. These deficits arise because of the cortisol increase …


The Mechanisms Of Weight Gain In Sleep-Deprived Individuals, Chaya Rosen Jan 2015

The Mechanisms Of Weight Gain In Sleep-Deprived Individuals, Chaya Rosen

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The obese population in America has grown during the last century. During these years as well, American’s have been sleeping less. Cross sectional studies show that there is a correlation of the two factors, and indeed find a greater number of overweight individuals amongst the sleep-deprived population. Though they are unclear, studies attempt to establish possible mechanisms through which weight gain occurs. Results of studies show that sleep deprivation may influence leptin and ghrelin levels, which can cause hunger, and excessive caloric intake. Sleep-deprived individuals also have an increased opportunity to eat during the wakeful nighttime hours. In the sleep-restricted …


Noise Induced Hearing Loss: The Impact Of Acoustic Trauma On The Ear, Aviva Levihaiem Jan 2015

Noise Induced Hearing Loss: The Impact Of Acoustic Trauma On The Ear, Aviva Levihaiem

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a pervasive disability that affects millions of people across the world. It is characterized by a decrease in hearing sensitivity to sounds that fall between 3000–6000 Hz(known as the “notch”). NIHL is caused by either a sudden acoustic trauma or long-term exposure to noise levels above 85 dB. The noise exposure induces overproduction of free radicals within the cells of the cochlea, overpowering of the ear’s antioxidant defense systems. The free radicals then destroy cell membranes and hair cell nuclei, causing necrosis and apoptosis, leading to hair cell death. This upsets the mechanical structure and …


Which Methods Of Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Are Most Effective And Most Closely Match Patient Lifestyle?, Yehudit Erlbaum Jan 2015

Which Methods Of Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Are Most Effective And Most Closely Match Patient Lifestyle?, Yehudit Erlbaum

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

ADHD, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, is a disorder characterized by hyperactivity, inattentiveness, inability to remain on task, fidgetiness, and impulsivity. An over absorption of dopamine by the dopamine transporters leads to a lack of dopamine, the inhibiting neurotransmitter in the brain, resulting in the inability for the individual to inhibit their impulses. The disease is most likely seen in children but may continue into adulthood. The length of the disease across the individual’s life span, results in expensive treatment, whether it be medication or Cognitive Behavior Therapy, CBT. Therefore, these medical costs have caused researchers to find the most efficient …


Is The Neuraminidase Inhibitor Tamiflu Effective In The Treatment Of Influenza?, Eliyakim Hershkop Jan 2015

Is The Neuraminidase Inhibitor Tamiflu Effective In The Treatment Of Influenza?, Eliyakim Hershkop

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Influenza is a disease that has caused the deaths of tens of millions people in the last century alone. The influenza neuraminidase protein is essential in the mechanism infection. It enables the virus to leave the infected cell and proliferate. Antiviral neuraminidase inhibitor drugs can be used for treatment. The drug Tamiflu is the standard of care for both treatment and prophylaxis of influenza. The Cochrane reports of 2009 and 2014 conclude that evidence is lacking to support this. Numerous bodies disagree. Cochrane also question the accuracy and credibility of many studies and agencies in support of Tamiflu. This paper …


Biological Therapy In The Treatment Of Ulcerative Colitis, Tzipora Glanzman Jan 2015

Biological Therapy In The Treatment Of Ulcerative Colitis, Tzipora Glanzman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a subdivision of inflammatory bowel disease, is a chronic disease of the large intestines. Ulcerative colitis is normally a lifelong chronic illness with times of intense flairs and remission. During a flare, the lining of the colon becomes inflamed, and develops small ulcers causing patients to experience rectal bleeding, vomiting, anemia and diarrhea. The treatment options available to treat colitis are very small, causing many patients to need a total colectomy with in the first five years of their diagnosis. However, recent advancement in bio-technology has led to the development of a large array of new therapeutic …


Epigenetics As A Cure For Cancer, Sara Rivka Margolis Jan 2015

Epigenetics As A Cure For Cancer, Sara Rivka Margolis

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Epigenetics is an emerging research topic that is being tested as a potential cure for cancer. Epigenetics is a non-genetic influence that shapes the phenotype. Epigenetics effects gene expression, but does not cause any changes in the DNA. DNA methylation patterns is one such epigenetic change in the cell that has huge potential for cancer treatment. Scientists have observed that many cancerous genes express signs of either hypermethylation or hypomethylation. The key for the treatment is that epigenetic changes are reversible, which opens the door to potential drugs to cure cancer and other diseases.


The Neurological Underpinnings Of Hypnosis And Its Clinical Applications, Raizy Leizerowski Jan 2015

The Neurological Underpinnings Of Hypnosis And Its Clinical Applications, Raizy Leizerowski

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The brain is so complex that it is almost impossible to select one variable as the reason for a specific observation. This paper will discuss the neurological basis of hypnosis, and how hypnosis has made unique contributions to the refinement and development of cognitive neuroscience. In addition, hypnosis has been proven to cure many psychological and neurologically based diseases. Due to in-depth study of the neurological underpinnings of hypnosis, much advancement has been made in elucidating the relationship between the complex neural circuitry of the brain, its direct correlation to consciousness, and both the efferent and afferent neurological systems. New …


Why Are People With Laron Syndrome Immune To Cancer?, Raquel Margolis Jan 2015

Why Are People With Laron Syndrome Immune To Cancer?, Raquel Margolis

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Laron syndrome is a congenital autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by a mutation in the growth hormone receptor. People with this syndrome have an insensitivity to growth hormone. Insulin-like growth factor 1 is produced by the liver in response to GH stimulus. It is responsible for systemic GH activities. If there is something wrong with the growth hormone receptor there will be decreased levels of IGF-1. Low IGF-1 levels cause physical deformities notable short stature. Additionally, people with low levels of IGF-1 have a natural resistance to cancer. This article discusses the ways that the decreased levels of IGF-1 …


Do Probiotics Effectively Promote Wellbeing?, Tzvi H. Adams Jan 2015

Do Probiotics Effectively Promote Wellbeing?, Tzvi H. Adams

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Probiotics have been commonly ascribed many therapeutic powers. The aim of this review is to investigate these claims. While some of the claims are well supported by research, the effects of probiotics are very specific and depend on the strains used as well as the disease or condition targeted. Age and racial ethnicity may also be factors impacting the efficacy of probiotic strains.


Treating Acute Migraines: Triptans Vs. Antiemetics, Samuel Reisman Jan 2015

Treating Acute Migraines: Triptans Vs. Antiemetics, Samuel Reisman

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Influential American medical organizations and publications have published guidelines for the treatment of acute migraine headaches that omit antiemetics, usually suggesting triptans as the first line of treatment. A review of the few comparative studies directly contrasting clinical outcomes of triptans and antiemetics in the treatment of acute migraines suggest that both treatment options are relatively equal in efficaciousness. The added burden of triptan usage, including an added risk of adverse effects and a high cost per dose, would seem to warrant an antiemetic-first approach to migraine treatment, as recommended by several international health communities. Possible reasons for the prominent …


Short-Term Effects On The Fetus And Long-Term Outcome On Children Exposed To Maternal Chemotherapy, Yocheved Kramer Jan 2015

Short-Term Effects On The Fetus And Long-Term Outcome On Children Exposed To Maternal Chemotherapy, Yocheved Kramer

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Ethical questions with regard to treatment arise when pregnant women are diagnosed with cancer. Does the health of the mother or the health of the fetus take priority? However, research suggests that concern over transplacental transfer should not deter those seeking treatments since avoidance of favorable transfer drugs can allow chemotherapy to be a viable option if properly administered. Doctors highly contraindicate the use of chemotherapeutic drugs in the first trimester due to high risks such as teratogenesis and fetal death. However, they reassure that treatment can be given in the final two trimesters. It presents minimal consequences as long …


Vigorous Exercise Effect On Cardiovascular Health, Aryeh Mahana Jan 2015

Vigorous Exercise Effect On Cardiovascular Health, Aryeh Mahana

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Many studies examine the effects of vigorous cardiovascular exercise on the heart. Intense exercise causes frequent muscle contractions in the heart and specific biomarkers that usually signify a myocardial infarction are released into the bloodstream. However, studies indicate that there might not be a correlation between the release of biomarkers and cardiac function. Another study shows that long term vigorous exercise negatively affects the heart by dramatically increasing the mass and volume of the right and left ventricles, thereby resulting in hypertrophy. The cardiac hypertrophy is still evident even after the subjects have stopped exercising. Cardiac hypertrophy results in myocardial …


Mechanisms, Potential Therapies, And The Role Of Tgf-Β In The Formation Of Scars, Isaac Traube Jan 2015

Mechanisms, Potential Therapies, And The Role Of Tgf-Β In The Formation Of Scars, Isaac Traube

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Scarring is the inevitable outcome of wound healing. This review looks at some of the underlying mechanisms of this complex process with the aim of identifying targets for therapeutic manipulation that could result in reduced scarring or even scarless wound repair. Fetal wounds are shown to heal without scars primarily due to low levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 and high levels of TGF-β3 as compared to adult wounds which heal with scars. Abnormal excessive scarring in keloid and hypertrophic scars are also attributed to TGF-β. Clinical manipulation of TGF-β ratios showed promise as a therapeutic means of controlling scar formation. …


Transposon Based Gene Therapy As A Treatment For Cancer, Jacob Stauber Jan 2015

Transposon Based Gene Therapy As A Treatment For Cancer, Jacob Stauber

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Gene therapy is the use of genes to treat or prevent diseases. Diseases such as cancer, which are difficult to treat using conventional methods, can be treated using gene therapy. The transport of the therapeutic transgene can be accomplished using viral or non-viral methods. However, widespread use of viral vectors is limited due to its high cost of manufacture and safety concern. Non-viral vectors are limited in their effectiveness. The use of transposons such as the Sleeping Beauty transposon system can effectively deliver the transgene with less concern than viral vectors. This review discusses the various vectors and treatment strategies …


Understanding The Hygiene Hypothesis And Its Mechanisms, Yaakov Tropper Jan 2015

Understanding The Hygiene Hypothesis And Its Mechanisms, Yaakov Tropper

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The hygiene hypothesis provides an explanation for the sharp increase in atopy over the past several decades by proposing that it is inversely related to the lack of infectious diseases in our society. Although atopy, as well as other hypersensitivity reactions, do have a genetic basis; studies clearly show that environmental and socioeconomic factors play a large role in determining which people will develop allergies. Proposed mechanisms leading to this disorder include an imbalance in the Th1/Th2 complex in the immune system, and a deficiency in Regulatory T cells which controls excessive T cell activity.


Regulation Of Ghrelin: A Possible Treatment Option For Obesity And Diabetes, Sarah Picciotto Jan 2015

Regulation Of Ghrelin: A Possible Treatment Option For Obesity And Diabetes, Sarah Picciotto

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Obesity is a mounting problem in America today. One major concern about obesity is that it is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, a disease that impairs insulin sensitivity and secretion. This interferes with blood glucose levels and can cause hyperglycemia, which is when there is too much circulating glucose in the blood. Ghrelin, an amino acid peptide responsible for appetite stimulation and energy balance, plays a direct role in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. In many experiments, elevated ghrelin levels are associated with decreased insulin secretion from pancreatic islet cells. Although ghrelin concentration is decreased in obese individuals …


Is There A Link Between Saturated Fat Intake And Alzheimer’S Disease?, Justin Konig Jan 2015

Is There A Link Between Saturated Fat Intake And Alzheimer’S Disease?, Justin Konig

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes dementia and ultimately death. Currently, there is no treatment available for this disease. The aging of the population will only increase the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, making it ever more important to find an effective method of prevention. Dietary intervention is a practical and affordable method of intervention. The brain is a fat rich organ, and dietary fats are critical for proper development of the brain. A literature review was conducted to determine whether there is a link between saturated fat intake and Alzheimer’s disease. According to the literature reviewed, saturated fat …


Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease And Alzheimer’S Disease: Does Overlap Of Mechanism Mean Overlap Of Treatment Methods?, David Rotblat Jan 2015

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease And Alzheimer’S Disease: Does Overlap Of Mechanism Mean Overlap Of Treatment Methods?, David Rotblat

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. More than 5.5 million People over the age of 65 are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease with predictions of 13.8 million to be diagnosed by the year 2050 (Sultana, et al., 2013) (Hebert, Weuve, Scherr, & Evans, 2013). With few treatments available, scientists are desperately looking for a solution to this growing epidemic. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is also a neurodegenerative disorder, but with a far less prevalence of only 4.6 persons per million per year. It was discovered that Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease …


Pitch-Count And Its Effects On Shoulder Injuries: How To Keep A Pitcher Healthy, Alexander Malek Jan 2015

Pitch-Count And Its Effects On Shoulder Injuries: How To Keep A Pitcher Healthy, Alexander Malek

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Baseball is currently the fourth most popular sport in high schools across the country. However, pitchers are at a high risk to develop career ending injuries. Overuse can result in SLAP tears as well as torn rotator cuff muscles that can end a dream of pitching professionally. Major League Baseball has teamed up with leading sports medicine researchers to determine safe pitch-count guidelines for pitchers of all ages. Articles were found using Touro’s e-Journal database as well as Pubmed.gov to find pertinent research on this topic. Studies on ball velocity and scapular kinematics were done on three different levels of …


Should Sports Drinks Be Given To Children And Adolescents Engaged In Athletics As An Effective Source Of Hydration?, Zeev W. Rubinson Jan 2015

Should Sports Drinks Be Given To Children And Adolescents Engaged In Athletics As An Effective Source Of Hydration?, Zeev W. Rubinson

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Dehydration in children and adolescents is a major concern for caretakers. Often children are not drinking enough, particularly while participating in physical activity. Utilizing data drawn from pediatricians, nutritionists, and bio-scientists, this paper will examine whether sports drinks are a good source of fluids for the exercising child. The results of the research indicate that the advantages generally associated with sports drinks, to achieve higher body water absorption levels, prevent electrolyte deficits, and maintain proper electrolyte/water concentrations, are reserved for unique circumstances. Sports drink intake should be encouraged only when the child is participating in prolonged physical activity, in intense …


Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als) And Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Sma): A Genetic Linkage?, Michael Groden Jan 2015

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als) And Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Sma): A Genetic Linkage?, Michael Groden

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Neurodegenerative motor neuron disorders (MNDs) have devastating effects. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), for example, is a debilitating and sometimes lethal disease in children. SMA is monogenic, autosomal recessively inherited disorder caused by a loss-of-function mutation of surviving motor neuron 1 (SMN1). SMN2 is an identical copy of this gene and produces abbreviated transcripts without exon 7 though some full transcripts are produced that ameliorate the disease. Previous clinical trials for this disease have not produced consistent results. However, in a recent cross-sectional study, biomarkers for SMA (BforSMA), protein candidates and metabolite markers were identified (Finkel et al., 2012). These markers …


Nanotechnology, Zisi Hursarsky Jan 2015

Nanotechnology, Zisi Hursarsky

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Nanoparticles are gaining immense popularity in the medical world, specifically in its use in drug delivery systems. The objective of this paper is to study, based on available published literature, how nanoparticles are utilized in drug delivery and more importantly to identify the potential toxic effects of nanoparticles. Based on textual research, it is clear that there are benefits to nanoparticle use, but new studies are showing that there are many potential hazards of nanoparticle-like particles. In order to fully determine the toxicity of the hundreds of types of nanoparticles, a clear method to categorize these particles is needed and …


Viability Of Sirna As A Clinical Treatment, Zev Blumenkranz Jan 2015

Viability Of Sirna As A Clinical Treatment, Zev Blumenkranz

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the methods problems and some solutions for siRNA treatments. The benefits of this novel medical treatment are explored and its benefits are expounded on by comparing it to other more complex and futuristic treatments. The exact process of siRNA silencing and down regulation is unknown. Some hypotheses of how it may work are discussed giving precedence to the most widely accepted hypothesis. Although siRNA treatments are not yet used on a major scale for many diseases, different possible treatment options are compared and explained. Particular care was taken to give a …


Is Proton Beam Therapy More Effective Than Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy In Prostate Cancer Treatment?, Daniel Zelefsky Jan 2015

Is Proton Beam Therapy More Effective Than Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy In Prostate Cancer Treatment?, Daniel Zelefsky

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer found in American males. Breaking technological advances in prostate cancer treatment continue to develop to help fight this disease, one such is proton beam therapy. Proton beam therapy is theorized to spare even more healthy tissue than photon radiotherapy because it delivers a majority of its radiation during the Bragg peak. Since this technology is substantially costlier than any other form of radiation therapy, physicians are assessing its effectiveness and determining if it is worth the cost. Currently, there is no significant difference seen in patient quality of life between recipients …