Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Medicine and Health Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 5 of 5

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

The Effects Of A Plant-Based Diet On Inflammation Of Patients With Cardiac Disease, Rachel L. Butcher Jan 2020

The Effects Of A Plant-Based Diet On Inflammation Of Patients With Cardiac Disease, Rachel L. Butcher

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cardiac disease is the primary cause of death in the United States of America (CDC, 2017). Despite ongoing efforts and investments to improve cardiac health in the United States, most of the population will suffer from cardiovascular diseases. There is a multitude of research supporting that diet can contribute to cardiac disease, but it is less known that diet can greatly contribute to regulation and reversal of cardiovascular disease processes (Huang et al., 2012; Satija et al., 2017; Kim et al., 2019). Existing research supports the efficacy of plant-based diets to manage and reverse certain cardiac diseases (Tuso et al., …


The Effects Of Vaping On Oral Streptococci And Oral Inflammation, Matthew Caldwell Jan 2020

The Effects Of Vaping On Oral Streptococci And Oral Inflammation, Matthew Caldwell

Honors Undergraduate Theses

E-cigarette (e-cig) use is rising, but much is unknown about the effects of its vapor. This vapor contains chemicals such as propylene glycol, a known antimicrobial, and nicotine, whose derivatives are carcinogenic. Here, we study the effects of vaping on resident bacteria of the oral cavity and on oral cell inflammation. Oral streptococci are major residents in the oral cavity, with S. mutans the primary cause of dental caries. Growth and biofilm formation have been shown to be enhanced upon exposure to traditional cigarette smoke in vitro. In this study, we analyzed the effects of e-cig vapor on growth …


The Role Of Activin A Signaling In Gastric Reflux-Related Diseases And The Progression To Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, Cedric J. Roudebush Jan 2019

The Role Of Activin A Signaling In Gastric Reflux-Related Diseases And The Progression To Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, Cedric J. Roudebush

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, affects 6-9 million people in the United States. It is characterized by a reflux of gastric acid and bile salts from the stomach into the esophagus, causing injuries to the esophagus known as Barrett's esophagus (BE). BE is the main risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a devastating cancer in the esophagus whose molecular roots remain poorly understood. In recent years, evidence points to the esophageal epithelium itself as responsible for causing and promoting inflammation upon injury by gastric reflux, namely via an increase in inflammatory cytokine secretion. This project …


Effect Of Propionic Acid-Derivative Ibuprofen On Neural Stem Call Differentiation; A Potential Link To Autism Spectrum Disorder, Aseelia Samsam Jan 2019

Effect Of Propionic Acid-Derivative Ibuprofen On Neural Stem Call Differentiation; A Potential Link To Autism Spectrum Disorder, Aseelia Samsam

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Propionic acid (PPA) is a short chain fatty acid that is produced by the human gut microbiome. Propionate, butyrate and acetates are the end products of the fermentation of the complex carbohydrates by human gut friendly microbiome and are being used as sources of energy in our body. PPA is used as a food preservative against molds in various daily products and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autism. In a recent study we showed that PPA in human neuronal stem cell (NSC) culture increases the astrocyte population and decreases the neuronal number and increases the inflammatory cytokines. In …


Impact Of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation On Baseline Levels Of Inflammatory Markers In The General Population, Alex Nhan Jan 2017

Impact Of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation On Baseline Levels Of Inflammatory Markers In The General Population, Alex Nhan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Inflammation is a complex physiological response normally initiated by the innate immune system, often as a response to exposure to otherwise harmful stimuli. While generally useful in humans as a protective response to foreign matter, chronically elevated quantities of associated inflammatory factors C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta have been linked in literature with decreased overall lifespan and well-being in humans via inflammatory processes. It is possible that by lowering these associated factors, increased well-being and lifespan may be experienced by the general population. One common health supplement with such promise is fish oil, which, through compounds eicosapentaenoic acid and …