Polycyclic Compounds Commons^™

Effects Of Environmental Pollutants On Liver Disease: Role Of The Gut-Liver Axis., Ngozi Victoria Adiele

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics are environmental pollutants associated with various diseases including toxicant associated fatty liver disease (TAFLD). Previously, exposure to Aroclor 1260 (a PCB mixture) has been shown to exacerbate TAFLD, partly through Aroclor 1260 induced gut dysbiosis. Studies has also demonstrated that PS exposure alters gut microbiome composition and induced obesity. However, the effects of Aroclor 1260 on the gut and the effects of PS on the liver are still understudied. Therefore, we hypothesize that environmental pollutants will disrupt the gut-liver axis through changes in gut and its microbiome as well as changes in liver …

Photodynamic Therapy To Treat Triple Negative Breast Cancer In Vitro, Hunter S. Warren

All Theses

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most resilient form of breast cancer, being one of the leading causes of death for women and making up 7% of all cancer deaths. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a minimally invasive solution to TNBC as a passive-targeting treatment that reduces the need for other well established yet harsh treatments that can be taxing on the patient. PDT involves the use of a high-energy red light on the area of a tumor injected with photosensitizers (PS) that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tumor, triggering cell death. The PS tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (m-THPC) was used …

Design, Synthesis, Biological And Computational Studies Of Flavonoid Acetamide Derivatives, Daniel Kasungi Isika

Dissertations

Flavonoid compounds (FC) have extensive biological applications through potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties. These applications are nevertheless limited by low bioavailability, poor aqueous solubility, enzymatic degradation, rapid metabolism, and fast body clearance. FC show unique structure-activity relationships (SARs) essential in assessing and mitigating the prevalent challenges impeding their applications. These challenges can be addressed by structural modification of the FC through functionalization of the phenolic rings, modification of the ketone group, and modification of the phenolic hydroxyl groups with bioisosteres.

The objectives of this work are to (i) design and synthesize novel flavonoid acetamide derivatives (FADs) and …

Photodynamic Therapy Agents: The Power Of Mjöllnir To Eradicate Cancer, Sidney M. Hopper

Honors College Theses

After its discovery back in the 1900s, photosensitizers became a critical study for potential treatments and cures for medical issues, including cancer. It was discovered that porphyrins appeared to target and accumulate in proliferating cells, and to reach the cells, a certain wavelength of light with maximum absorbance associated with the porphyrin was necessary to achieve cell death. Photodynamic therapy involves making use of porphyrins or metalloporphyrins as activators when exposed to such light. When activated, these compounds generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as HO- or O2-, which can react with nucleic acids found in DNA and RNA. In …

Saliva As A Diagnostic Tool To Measure Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure In Dental Patients Exposed To Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv), Aramandla Ramesh, Leslie R. Halpern, Janet H. Southerland, Samuel E. Adunyah, Pandu R. Gangula

School of Dentistry Faculty Publications

Background: Social habits such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and chemically contaminated diet contribute to poor oral health. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global public health epidemic which can exacerbate the prevalence of health conditions affecting a victim's lifespan. This study investigates using saliva as a biomarker for detecting levels of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]; a toxicant present in cigarette smoke and barbecued meat in a population of IPV + female patients. Methods: A cross-sectional IRB-approved study utilized 63 female participants (37 African Americans [AA], and 26 non-African Americans [NAA]), who provided consent for the study. Participants submitted samples of saliva, …

Examining The Oxidative Stress Effects In Rats Exposed To 2-Aminoanthracene In Utero And High Fat Diet Three Months After, Brianna A. Lanoix

Honors College Theses

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are organic compounds that are created synthetically or found in partially burned oil, gasoline, and coal. 2-aminoanthracene (2AA) is a common example of a PAH and can affect lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and resulting in inflammatory problems and oxidative stress. The objective of the research project is to investigate oxidative stress in relation to diabetes in rats exposed to 2AA in utero and a high fat diet later in life. Pregnant dams were separated into treatment groups based on their dosages of 2AA; 0 mg/kg (control), 50 mg/kg (low), 100 mg/kg (high). During the gestation -postpartum period, …