Other Chemicals and Drugs Commons^™

Homicide And Drug Trafficking In Impoverished Communities In Brazil, Elenice De Souza Oliveira, Braulio Figueiredo Alves Da Silva, Flavio Luiz Sapori, Gabriela Gomes Cardoso

Department of Justice Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Many studies demonstrate that homicides are heavily concentrated in impoverished neighborhoods, but not all socially disadvantaged neighborhoods are hotbeds of violence. Conducted in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, this study hypothesizes that the association between high rates of homicide and impoverished areas is influenced by the emergence of a specific type of street drug-dealing common to favelas (slums). The study applies econometric techniques to police data on homicides and drug arrests from 2008 to 2011, as well as 2010 Census data, to test its hypothesis. The findings provide insight into the development of crime prevention policies in areas of high social vulnerability.

Acute And Chronic Dosing Of A High-Affinity Rat/Mouse Chimeric Transferrin Receptor Antibody In Mice, Demi M. Castellanos, Jiahong Sun, Joshua Yang, Weijun Ou, Alexander C. Zambon, William M. Pardridge, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Non-invasive brain delivery of neurotherapeutics is challenging due to the blood-brain barrier. The revived interest in transferrin receptor antibodies (TfRMAbs) as brain drug-delivery vectors has revealed the effect of dosing regimen, valency, and affinity on brain uptake, TfR expression, and Fc-effector function side effects. These studies have primarily used monovalent TfRMAbs with a human constant region following acute intravenous dosing in mice. The effects of a high-affinity bivalent TfRMAb with a murine constant region, without a fusion partner, following extravascular dosing in mice are, however, not well characterized. Here we elucidate the plasma pharmacokinetics and safety of a high-affinity bivalent …

Simultaneous Analytical Determination Of Methyl Salicylate And Thymol In Selected Malaysian Traditional Medicines, Muhammad Shahariz Mohamad Adzib

Student Works (2020-2029)

Various topical formulations comprise of methyl salicylate and thymol due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The huge demand has led traditional medicines being susceptible to adulteration with synthetic drugs or their analogues to enhance their efficacy and to minimise the cost of obtaining the limited natural substance. The objectives of this study are to analyse a suitable analytical method for simultaneous determination of methyl salicylate and thymol in selected Malaysian traditional medicines using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and to screen the selected Malaysian traditional medicines for possible methyl salicylate and thymol adulteration using the analytical method. Most literature …

Effect Of High Glucose On Ocular Surface Epithelial Cell Barrier And Tight Junction Proteins, Saleh M. Alfuraih, Ashley Barbarino, Christopher Ross, Kiumars Shamloo, Vishal Jhanji, Miao Zhang, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

PURPOSE. Patients with diabetes mellitus are reported to have ocular surface defects, impaired ocular surface barrier function, and a higher incidence of corneal and conjunctival infections. Tight junctions are critical for ocular surface barrier function. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of high glucose exposure on human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell barrier function and tight junction proteins.

METHODS. Human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells were exposed to 15 mM and 30 mM glucose for 24 and 72 hours. The barrier function was measured using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The cell migration was quantified using scratch assay. …

Analysis Of Newspaper Coverage Of Psilocybin From January 1, 1989 To December 31, 2019, Dax Oliver

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Psilocybin is a chemical compound that has received a lot of attention from medical researchers in recent years. However, this research is not merely a medical issue but a social and political one as well. In the 1960s, psilocybin and other psychedelic compounds were widely ingested outside of clinical settings. This alarmed some of the American public, resulting in severe legal restrictions on psilocybin use and research.

Today, many psilocybin advocates hope that it will avoid the negative public sentiment of the 1960s. To help gauge public sentiment about other psychoactive compounds, some studies have examined newspaper coverage, but there …

Capsaicin Is A Negative Allosteric Modulator Of The 5-Ht3 Receptor, Eslam El Nebrisi, Tatiana Prytkova, Dietrich Ernst Lorke, Luke Howarth, Asma Hassan Alzaabi, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Frank Christopher Howarth, Murat Oz

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

In this study, effects of capsaicin, an active ingredient of the capsicum plant, were investigated on human 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT₃) receptors. Capsaicin reversibly inhibited serotonin (5-HT)-induced currents recorded by two-electrode voltage clamp method in Xenopus oocytes. The inhibition was time- and concentration-dependent with an IC₅₀ = 62 μM. The effect of capsaicin was not altered in the presence of capsazepine, and by intracellular BAPTA injections or trans-membrane potential changes. In radio-ligand binding studies, capsaicin did not change the specific binding of the 5-HT₃ antagonist [³H]GR65630, indicating that it is a noncompetitive inhibitor of …

Prospects For Rnai Therapy Of Covid-19, Hasan Uludağ, Kylie Parent, Hamidreza Montazeri Aliabadi, Azita Haddadi

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a fast emerging disease with deadly consequences. The pulmonary system and lungs in particular are most prone to damage caused by the SARS-CoV-2 infection, which leaves a destructive footprint in the lung tissue, making it incapable of conducting its respiratory functions and resulting in severe acute respiratory disease and loss of life. There were no drug treatments or vaccines approved for SARS-CoV-2 at the onset of pandemic, necessitating an urgent need to develop effective therapeutics. To this end, the innate RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism can be employed to develop front line therapies against …

Phosphodiesterase Isoforms And Camp Compartments In The Development Of New Therapies For Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Martina Schmidt, Isabella Cattani-Cavalieri, Francisco J. Nuñez, Rennolds S. Ostrom

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The second messenger molecule 3′5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) imparts several beneficial effects in lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). While cAMP is bronchodilatory in asthma and COPD, it also displays anti-fibrotic properties that limit fibrosis. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) metabolize cAMP and thus regulate cAMP signaling. While some existing therapies inhibit PDEs, there are only broad family specific inhibitors. The understanding of cAMP signaling compartments, some centered around lipid rafts/caveolae, has led to interest in defining how specific PDE isoforms maintain these signaling microdomains. The possible altered expression of PDEs, and thus abnormal …

Role Of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase On Cardiovascular Functions In Physiological And Pathophysiological States, Ahmmed Ally, Isabella Powell, Minora M. Ally, Kevin Chaitoff, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

This review describes and summarizes the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) on the central nervous system, particularly on brain regions such as the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) and the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), and on blood vessels and the heart that are involved in the regulation and control of the cardiovascular system (CVS). Furthermore, we shall also review the functional aspects of nNOS during several physiological, pathophysiological, and clinical conditions such as exercise, pain, cerebral vascular accidents or stroke and hypertension. For example, during stroke, a cascade of molecular, neurochemical, and cellular changes occur that affect the nervous system …

Targeting The Transferrin Receptor To Develop Erythropoietin For Alzheimer’S Disease, Rachita K. Sumbria

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

"Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States with approximately 5.8 million Americans currently living with AD. Due to the lack of a disease modifying treatment for AD and the aging baby boomer generation, this number is projected to grow to 13.8 million by 2050 (Gaugler et al., 2019). Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque accumulation, one of the major pathological hallmarks of AD, can begin > 20 years before clinical symptoms of AD. By the time AD is clinically diagnosed, neuronal loss and neuropathological lesions (Aβ plaques and tau tangles) have already occurred in many brain regions …

Swimming Pool Environment And Respiratory Health Issues Experienced By Masters Swimmers: Results From A Literature Review And Survey Of United States Masters Swimming Clubs, Jody C. Gan, Julia Snegg, William Harder

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

After three members of a Masters adult swim club died of lung cancer, both a literature review and survey were conducted with representatives from 746 United States Masters Swimming clubs to explore a possible relationship between swimming and cancers of the respiratory tract. Six other clubs reported known cancers of the respiratory tract among club members, but none of the other 740 clubs reported a similar cluster of lung cancer. More clubs reported cases of chronic respiratory infections and widespread complaints about air quality. While no studies exploring a relationship between swimming and lung cancer could be found in the …

Assessing The Effect Of Chronic Dopamine Receptor 2 Blockade As A Potential Model Of Secondary Negative Symptoms In Rats Using The Fr5/Chow Feeding Choice Task, Cyrene Nicholas

Honors Scholar Theses

Haloperidol, a dopamine (DA) D2 receptor antagonist, is an antipsychotic drug which is commonly used to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. These disorders are often characterized by elevated striatal dopamine, which is speculated to have a role in producing positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia, as well as symptoms related to motivational salience and reward prediction. Individuals with schizophrenia also exhibit negative symptoms, such as amotivation, anergia, fatigue, and apathy among others. While some negative symptoms of schizophrenia are inherent to the pathophysiology, other negative symptoms are hypothesized to be partially induced by chronic exposure to antipsychotic …

The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Largazole: A Potential Chemotherapeutic Agent, Hannah Lynn Carson

Honors Theses

Histone deacetylase enzymes are known for their inherent activity as epigenetic modifiers. Although, they have become recognized for their role in cancer progression and other diseases. But also, histone deacetylases have other non-histone targets, for example, microtubules, which play important roles in cancer metastasis, apoptosis, and replication. With histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), our research explored HDACi effects on breast cancer cell lines. The overall goal was to understand the potential of largazole, a class one histone deacetylase inhibitor on breast cancer cell lines. The research consisted of two parts: sulforhodamine B (SRB) viability assays under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. The …

A Raman Spectroscopic And Quantum Chemical Investigation Of Serotonin, It's Intramolecular Interactions, And The Solvent Effects Of Methanol, Ethanol, And Water, Mallory Loe

Honors Theses

Serotonin, or 5-hydroxytryptamine, is a neurotransmitter and metabolite vital to the normal function of the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Although it might be colloquially known as the ‘happiness drug,’ malfunctions in serotoninergic pathways can result in mental health disorders, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and even collateral death. Without a current method to directly measure, or even detect, serotonin in the human body, these diseases, along with many others, pose a threat of developing without proper warning. Raman spectroscopy presents a unique method to vibrationally characterize molecules based upon the inelastic scattering of light. Serotonin’s unique, amphipathic structure presents …

The Effects Of Alpha-Tocopherol And Ascorbic Acid On Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells, Scout Treadwell

Honors Theses

Breast cancer is a multifaceted, complex disease that affects hundreds of thousands of patients every year. Although there has a been a decline in the mortality rate of this disease, it is still vital to investigate and discover new possible treatments. One area of research involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells and the possibility of ROS-induced apoptosis. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E have been shown to serve as pro-oxidants. Instead of detoxifying the cell from damaging ROS, these compounds can stimulate ROS production, triggering an apoptotic cascade in the cell. In this …

Multi-Generational Effects Of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure On Gene Expression In Liver Tissue, Kayla Lovitt

Honors Theses

Cannabis is the most commonly used, cultivated, and trafficked illicit drug worldwide. Increased availability and acceptance of cannabis and cannabinoid-containing products provide the necessity for understanding how these substances influence aging. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to concentrations of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (0.08, 0.4, 2 µM) during embryonic-larval development, the effects on aging were measured 30 months later and in the offspring of the exposed fish (F1 generation. We observed results indicating a biphasic and hormetic effect. Treatment with the lowest concentration of THC significantly increased egg production, while higher concentrations resulted in impaired …

How Can We Stop Cancer?, Joseph R. Current

The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research

Cancer is a disease that humans have been struggling to combat for centuries. It originates from the accumulation of several mutations over the life of a cell that causes it to evade cell death and multiply rapidly. It can affect any tissue in the body and can spread to other parts of the body through metastasis. Cancer comes in numerous shapes and sizes with different levels of aggression, growth speeds, and health risks. Many treatments for cancer exist today, three of the most popular being surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, which can be used in combinations with other treatments to …

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy For Cocaine Detection, Kiersten Jo Mead

Chemistry

The detection of drugs of abuse using Raman spectroscopy is of particular interest to forensic researchers at the moment. Raman spectroscopy is highly specific, fast, non-destructive, and can be adapted for in-situ measurements, making it the ideal forensic technique. Researchers working under the guidance of Doctor Igor Lednev have been able to use UV resonance Raman spectroscopy to detect cocaine in oral fluid without the need for sample pretreatment. They were however unable to detect the cocaine at forensically relevant levels. To overcome this limitation, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was used in this proof of concept study for the detection …

Room To Grow: A Comparative Analysis Of Cannabis Regulation Models In Europe, Amanda H. Cronin

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Debilitated by years of economic instability, the Spanish economy has not fully rebounded to its once strong place in the European market. And now, in the aftermath of a devastating pandemic, the nation will be searching for new sources of wealth. The lucrative market potential of controlled cannabis in medicinal and recreational settings is an attractive industry gaining popularity across Europe. This paper explores the various policy models and legal systems in Portugal, Germany, and the Netherlands. Combining a variety of sources, I seek to ascertain the best plan for Spain. Ultimately, analysis shows that a multi-pronged approach is the …

Mhpaea & Marble Cake: Parity & The Forgotten Frame Of Federalism, Taleed El-Sabawi

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

No abstract provided.

Truly Promoting Diversity On College Campuses Means Supporting Persons In Recovery From Substance Use Disorders, Austin Mcneill Brown

Population Health Research Brief Series

College students who struggle with substance use disorders often experience decreased motivation, poorer academic performance, social isolation, and lower retention rates. This issue brief examines how Collegiate Recovery Programs help students in recovery from substance use disorders remain sober and excel academically.

Mobilization Of The Substance Use Disorder Recovery Community In The Time Of Coronavirus, Austin Mcneill Brown

Population Health Research Brief Series

This issue brief explains the recovery community's resilient response to the social distancing mandates from COVID-19 and notes recommendations for policymakers. This brief also includes a broad list of recovery resources.

The Gender Gap In Alcohol Deaths Is Much Larger In Some States Than Others, Erin Bisesti

Population Health Research Brief Series

Alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise in the U.S. over the past several years. Men have higher rates of alcohol-related death than women, and the gender gap is largest in the western and southern regions of the U.S. This brief describes which states have the highest rates of alcohol-related death among men and women.

“He’S Not Marrying My Daughter”: Stigma Against People In Recovery From Substance Use Disorder, Austin Mcneill Brown

Population Health Research Brief Series

Substance use disorders are among the most stigmatized health conditions in the U.S. This research brief examines how the language we use to describe people with substance use disorders impact how they are perceived and how willing we are to accept them into our social and professional circles.

Chrysin‐Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Potentiates Antibiofilm Activity Against Staphylococcus Aureus, Busi Siddhardha, Uday Pandey, K. Kaviyarasu, Rajasekharreddy Pala, Asad Syed, Ali K. Bahkali, Abdallah M. Elgorban

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The application of nanotechnology in medicine is gaining popularity due to its ability to increase the bioavailability and biosorption of numerous drugs. Chrysin, a flavone constituent of Orocylumineicum vent is well‐reported for its biological properties. However, its therapeutic potential has not been fully exploited due to its poor solubility and bioavailability. In the present study, chrysin was encapsulated into chitosan nanoparticles using TPP as a linker. The nanoparticles were characterized and investigated for their anti‐biofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus. At sub‐Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, the nanoparticles exhibited enhanced anti‐biofilm efficacy against S. aureus as compared to its bulk counterparts, chrysin …

Synthesis And Preliminary Ex Vivo Testing Of Sirna Targeting Tcrb: A Proposed Therapy For The Treatment Of Autoimmunity, Nicholas J. Magazine

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

Background:

As of 2018, the United States National Institutes of Health estimate that over half a billion people worldwide are affected by autoimmune disorders. Though these conditions are prevalent, treatment options remain relatively poor, relying primarily on various forms of immunosuppression which carry potentially severe side effects and often lose effectiveness overtime. Given this, new forms of therapy are needed. We propose small-interfering RNA (siRNA) for hypervariable regions of the T-cell receptor β-chain gene (TCRb) as a highly targeted, novel means of therapy for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Objectives:

To develop methods to produce siRNA targeting …

Identification Of Imiquimod As A Potential Combination For Anti-Cd47 Antibodies In Cancer Therapy, Nicole Brittaney Pang

Scripps Senior Theses

The avenues of targeted immunotherapy offers a promise of less toxic treatment options for those battling different forms of cancer. Specifically, the process of hijacking a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer from within versus using external treatments like chemotherapy which is extremely damaging to the patient. One such avenue includes the usage of monoclonal antibodies as an effective modality for immunotherapy. Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47), also known as the ‘don’t eat me signal’, aids in cell proliferation and evasion of phagocytosis and has been found to be a target for stopping tumorigenesis. Previous research has been successful …

Alternatives To Red Blood Cell Transfusions, Julia Prosser

Capstone Showcase

Abstract

Introduction: Allogenic red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are used for a number of different reasons. As with any medical procedure, allogenic RBC transfusions are not risk-free. Since the first recorded blood transfusion in 1655, the process has remained relatively unchanged. ABO incompatibility and contamination with infectious diseases are two major complications associated with RBC transfusions. Furthermore, traditional allogenic RBC transfusions have supply and demand issues. These issues, plus several more, could be alleviated with the use of artificial blood. This paper addresses the important clinical question: In patients who require RBC transfusions (P), is there a viable artificial blood …

Analyzing The Effects Of Opioids On Cortical Pore Networks In Rabbit Tibiae And Femora, Kassidy Wilson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The following project was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) (Protocol number #18-11-12 ARC). This study was completed as a subset of Dr. Andronowski's overarching lab project. Femora and tibiae were procured from New Zealand White rabbits to study the prolonged effects of opioid use in bone remodeling. This specific project analyzed the effects of opioids on the pore networks and the pore orientation.

Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Alcohol, Marijuana, And Opioid Use During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Hannah Safranek, Madeline Frausto, Amy King, Stoneking Madison

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this review is to analyze evidence on prevalence of opioid, alcohol and marijuana use during pregnancy and answer the PICOT question: In pregnant women addicted to or using marijuana, opioids, and alcohol, how do non-pharmacological interventions, compared to standard care of pharmacological interventions alone, affect health outcomes in mothers and neonates between birth to hospital discharge? Diagnosis of substance use disorder is increasing and with it comes increased risk of complications to mother and neonate including neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other negative neonatal and maternal outcomes. Evidence was identified on the online …