Biochemical Phenomena, Metabolism, and Nutrition Commons^™

Impaired Mitochondrial Magnesium Transport Induces Genome-Wide Transcriptional Changes In Hepatic Steatosis, Inflammatory Signaling, And Detoxification Pathways During High-Fat Diet Feeding, Abhishek Shastry, Thiruvelselvan Ponnusamy, Asha Parveen Sakkarai Mohamed, Marianne Assogba, Natarajaseenivasan Kalimuthusamy, Shanmughapriya Santhanam

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Calcium overload during fatty diet consumption induces oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis. Intramitochondrial magnesium inhibits calcium uptake into mitochondria; therefore, modulating the activity of the mitochondrial magnesium transporter Mrs2 may regulate calcium-induced hepatocellular stress. As previous work demonstrates that liver-specific Mrs2 inhibition increases hepatic lipid deposition, RNA-sequencing was performed to identify potential transcriptional mechanisms for hepatocellular stress.

Mrs2 knockout (Mrs2^KO) mice were generated by crossing male Mrs2^fl/fl mice with liver-specific-Cre transgenic mice. Eight-week-old wild-type (Mrs2^WT) and Mrs2^KO mice were placed on chow or high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 months (n=3/group). Whole liver was collected …

Investigating Sertraline‑Mediated Modulation Of Succinate Dehydrogenase To Sensitize Tmz‑Resistant Glioblastoma Cells, Supraja Mallapuram

Create@State

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the deadliest and most common brain tumor which remains highly resistant to temozolomide (TMZ), contributing to poor patient outcomes. Literature suggests that sertraline, a widely used SSRI, disrupts mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cells. Because GBM depends heavily on succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) for oxidative phosphorylation, sertraline‑mediated SDH inhibition may increase metabolic stress and reduce functional TMZ resistance. This poster presents a literature‑based rationale and proposed experimental design to evaluate sertraline‑induced SDH modulation and its potential to sensitize TMZ‑resistant T98G glioblastoma cells. These findings will guide future experimental work.

The Role Of The "Indulgent Mindset" As A Modulator For Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers And Self-Reported Mental Wellbeing, Riva Ranier, Anika Anika, Sarah Simon, Ethan Chau, Emma Monte, Madison Retzloff, Johann Luna, Susan Helm

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The Role of the "Indulgent Mindset" as a Modulator for Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers and Self-Reported Mental Wellbeing

Objective: Limited understanding persists regarding how an "indulgent mindset" about food shapes neuropsychiatric outcomes. Building on the "milkshake study" demonstrating that mindset modulates ghrelin response independent of nutritional content, this pilot study examines whether an indulgent mindset intervention affects neuropsychiatric biomarkers and mental wellbeing.

Methods: Women ages 19-65 (n=35; intervention n=17, control n=18) completed a 6-month randomized trial with baseline and post-intervention assessments including 3-day food diaries, mental wellbeing questionnaires, and comprehensive metabolomics (Iollo panel across mental health, metabolic health, gut microbiome, brain health, …

Propofol In Chronic Cannabis Users: A Mechanistic Link To Cannabinoid Hyperemesis?, Jonmark I. Dolendo, Sonia Frick, Jia Q. Yang, Brad A. Haubrich

Annual Research Symposium

Purpose: Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by cyclic nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in chronic cannabis users, often relieved by exposure to hot water. Propofol, a widely used GABAergic anesthetic with antiemetic properties, has paradoxically been implicated in exacerbating hyperemetic episodes in some cannabis users. With the growing legalization of marijuana and social acceptance to its recreational use it is believed that this phenomenon will be more ubiquitous to clinicians. This review aims to investigate the mechanistic and clinical evidence linking propofol administration to CHS and to summarize strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and management.

Methods: PubMed and EBSCO were …

When Nutrition Fails: Modeling Protein Malnutrition-Driven Vulnerability In Hepatic Drug Metabolism And Inflammatory Stress, Vijitha D. Kantety, Victor Jiminez Jr.

Annual Research Symposium

Background

Protein malnutrition remains a major global health problem and frequently co-occurs with alcohol use, opioid exposure, and infectious disease, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. The liver is central to both metabolism and inflammatory regulation, yet the effects of a malnutrition-like nutrient environment on hepatic responses to combined metabolic and inflammatory insults are not well defined. Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), a key enzyme involved in opioid metabolism, is highly sensitive to inflammatory signaling and may be especially vulnerable under conditions of nutritional deficiency. This project aims to 1) develop an in vitro model of nutritionally competent versus amino acid–restricted …

The Role Of Ceramides As Biomarkers And Therapeutic Targets For Cardiometabolic Disease And Its Intersection With Cellular Aging, Youssef Moustafa Shalaby

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Ceramides (Cer), a subclass of sphingolipids with potent bioactive properties, have gained recognition as key players in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD). They modulate critical cellular functions such as apoptosis, inflammation, insulin signaling, and oxidative stress. This dissertation explores the dual role of Cer as both early diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets, bridging clinical insights with mechanistic understanding through a combination of human and experimental studies.

A highly sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to quantify intracellular levels of specific Cer species, including CerC16:0, CerC18:0, CerC22:0, CerC24:0, and CerC24:1. This method was translated into …

Mesoderm-Specific Transcript Has A Role In The Systemic Regulation Of Obesity, Maria J. Orellana Rosales

Thinking Matters Symposium

Mesoderm specific transcript (Mest) expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) is variable in genetically identical mice. Previous studies have shown a connection between Mest high expression and propensity for fat mass expansion. WAT and liver crosstalk has been well documented with hormone-like peptides signaling and regulating important metabolic pathways. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between these circulating factors and Mest expression in mice after exposure to a high fat diet (HFD). A group of 120 C57B6/J mice, males and females, were exposed to a HFD (Western Diet, 40 kcal% fat) for 4 weeks (8-12 weeks …

Time-Of-Day And Chronotype Influence On Cardiorespiratory And Metabolic Responses To Aerobic Exercise, Brian Fardman, Jie Kang, Nicholas Ratamess, Avery Faigenbaum, Jill Bush, Ariselle Vargas, Tyler Andriopoulos, Julia Melao, Eamonn O’Connell, Andrew Duff, Amy Cmielewski, Jena Desalvo, Alexander Johnson, Matthew Watts

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Exercise enhances skeletal muscle metabolism and promotes overall health. However, the time-of-day effect of exercise on physiological responses in humans remains less clear. This study investigated how exercise timing and individual chronotype influence cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses during aerobic exercise. Thirty healthy, young (20.9 ± 1.5 years) adults comprising 15 men and 15 women were recruited and classified using the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire into morning types (M-types, n = 5), neither types (N-types, n = 20), and evening types (E-types, n = 5). All subjects underwent a V̇o2max test and 2 randomized exercise trials at ∼75% V̇o2max for 30 minutes, 1 …

Examining The Relationship Between Sleep Habits And Caffeine Consumption, Daniel Calaff, Rachel Pruchno

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Sleep is essential for cognitive function, mood regulation, immune defense, and metabolic health. Despite widespread caffeine use, its impact on sleep remains debated. It was initially hypothesized that higher caffeine consumption would correlate with greater sleep disturbances. This study explored the relationship between caffeine consumption and sleep habits in a general adult population using a Qualtrics-based self-report survey. Participants (n=93) reported average hours slept per night, time to fall asleep, and number of nighttime awakenings. Caffeine consumption was calculated based on reported intake and categorized into four dosage groups. Sleep outcomes were statistically compared using ANOVA, t-tests, and Pearson correlation. …

Unraveling Genetic Links Between Diabetes And Heart Failure-A Machine Learning Approach, Sunakhi Sahoo, Marzieh Ayati

Research Symposium

Background: Diabetic heart failure (DHF) is defined as a chronic and progressive disease which is associated with both diabetes and heart failure (HF). Even though there have been many developments in the knowledge of these diseases, there is still much to learn about the genetic crossovers between the two. In this study, we identified genes that are associated with diabetic heart failure and heart failure by using gene expression data from patients with DHF, HF, and a control group of patients who died of natural causes. We sought to identify genes that had altered expression levels which could possibly play …

Uca1 As A Key Regulator Of The Warburg Effect During Anoikis Resistance In Colorectal Cancer Metastasis, Ricardo Pequeno Bracho, Salique Hassan Shaham, Yamile Abuchard Anaya, Sophia Leslie, Kyle Doxtater, Subhash Chauhan, Bilal Hafeez, Tamer Oraby, Manish K. Tripathi

Research Symposium

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. While localized CRC has a 90% five-year survival rate, this drops sharply to 14% upon metastasis. Metastasis occurs in approximately 40–50% of CRC cases and requires cancer cells to acquire anoikis resistance—a critical adaptation allowing survival after detachment from the extracellular matrix, enabling migration and colonization of secondary sites. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving anoikis resistance, particularly those linked to altered glucose metabolism, is essential for developing targeted therapies for metastatic CRC.

Cancer cells frequently exhibit the Warburg Effect, a metabolic adaptation favoring glycolysis over …

Probiotics In Clinical Practice: Mechanisms, Applications, And Evidence-Based-Use, Christopher Dimatteo

Capstone Showcase

Probiotics, are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed in the right amounts, have gained attention as potential therapies for a range of conditions. This article examines the current understanding of probiotics, focusing on how they work, the conditions they might help manage, and the challenges that come with probiotic use. Research shows that probiotics can support gut health by balancing the microbiome, strengthening the intestinal barrier, and influencing the immune system. They have shown promise in conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and some inflammatory disorders. However, their effectiveness depends on the specific strain used, and …

Observing The Impacts Of Different Diets On Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Alzheimer's Disease: A Scoping Review, Erjola Toska, Alessandra Ottley, Quinn Jackson, Rachel Fricker, Alexa Carleo, Gabriella Cutrali, Olivia D’Alessio, Raquel Rossman, Samuel Kruchakov, Abraham Edelstein, Lubov Nathanson

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Observing the Impacts of Different Diets on Clinical Outcomes in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A Scoping Review Authors: Quinn Jackson, OMS-III; Rachel Fricker,OMS-III; Erjola Toska, OMS-III; Alessandra Ottley,OMS-III; Alexa Carleo,OMS-III; Gabriella Cutrali, OMS-III; Olivia D’Alessio, OMS-III; Raquel Rossman, OMS-III; Samuel Kruchakov, OMS-III; Abraham Edelstein,OMS-III; Lubov Nathanson, Ph.D. Program: Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Florida Objectives: This study aimed to assess the literature published from 2013 to 2023 on the impact of diet on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Background: AD is primarily marked by β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which impair neuronal synapses, leading to memory …

Pulmonary Fibrosis As A Presentation Of Short Telomere Syndrome: Case Report, Roy Kondapavuluru, Jian Garcia Cruz, Sreejith Pillai, Andres Suarez Parraga

Research Colloquium

Introduction: Short telomere syndrome (STS), also known as accelerated aging syndrome, is an inheritable gene mutation resulting in decreased telomere length causing high cell turnover of organ systems such as skin, bone marrow, liver, hair, lungs, and immune system. Due to diverse clinical manifestations, STS poses a diagnostic challenge, with bone marrow failure and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis being frequent manifestations. The inherited form of STS demonstrates genetic anticipation occurring at an earlier age with more severe manifestations in the affected progeny. We present a rare case of inherited STS in a young patient with severe pulmonary fibrosis.

Case Presentation: A …

Short-Term Effects Of Caffeine Supplementation On Cardiac Dynamics And Anaerobic Strength Output In Collegiate Male Athletes, Tyler Clum, Katelyn Messner, Alyssa Jagger, Caeden Gurganus, Kylie Miller, Rema Suniga

ONU Student Research Colloquium

ABSTRACT. Caffeine, a widely consumed drug, has been shown to significantly increase heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (Geethavani et al., 2014), but had only insignificant changes in these cardiovascular measurements (Alhabeeb et al., 2022); while Matsumara and his colleagues (2023) reported that caffeine decreased 100-meter sprint times indicating that caffeine may improve anaerobic performance. The current study investigated the short-term effects of caffeine on heart rate (HR, beats per minute), blood pressure (mmHg), and 20-yard sprint performance time (seconds; Dashr Sprint Timing System). These parameters were measured in triplicate before and at 45-minutes after caffeine supplementation at a dose …

Evaluating The Effect Of Skipping Ticagrelor Doses And Need For Bolus Doses Upon Treatment Resumption Through Population Pk/Pd Simulation, Hiroyoshi Matsui, Le Thien Truc Pham, Eyob D. Adane

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Ticagrelor (Brilinta (R)) is the first reversibly binding oral P2Y12 receptor antagonist. It is used, mostly in combination with aspirin, in patients with acute coronary syndromes to reduce thrombosis. The manufacturer of ticagrelor recommends discontinuing it at least 5 days before any surgery when possible. While the effect of dose interruptions on the risk of thrombosis is not directly studied, it is important to understand the impact of skipping doses on ticagrelor's PK/PD profile for clinical-decision making. The objectives of the current study were to simulate the impact of therapy interruption on the PK/PD of ticagrelor and examine the need …

The Role Of Primary Care Providers In Maintaining Weight Loss By Preventing Behavioral Relapse, Hayden R. Blanchard

Capstone Showcase

Supporting patients in optimizing health by treating obesity remains a relevant goal for primary care providers. While weight loss is frequently achieved with behavioral modification, maintaining weight loss by avoiding behavioral relapse is much more difficult. Patient may lose weight by reducing overall energy intake, incorporating intensive behavior change programs, utilizing pharmacotherapy as needed and, in certain cases, undergoing bariatric surgery. With a focus on behavior change and maintenance, primary care providers can support patients by planning more frequent follow up appointments, at least every one to three months. In these visits, PCPs can: focus on reenforcing lifestyle change principles …

Gene By Environment Interaction And Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease In Mexican American Patients With Depression, Khalid Sheikh, Vincent P. Diego, Sandra L. Laston, Eron G. Manusov, Sarah Williams-Blangero, John Blangero

Research Colloquium

Knowledge of genetic and environmental (G x E) interaction effects on metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of G x E interaction effects on MAFLD in Mexican Americans in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The environment examined was depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). We examined potential G x E interaction in the phenotypic expression of MAFLD, including hepatic steatosis and hepatic fibrosis, using variance component models and likelihood-based statistical inference. Significant G x E interactions were identified for hepatic fibrosis x BDI-II. These findings provide …

Dpyd Pathogenic Variants Associated With Fluoropyrimidines Toxicity, Diana Cristina Pérez-Ibave, Noé Israel Oliva-García, Irasema Ramos-Martínez, Francisco Javier Villarreal Alvarado, Valeria Jimena Gómez Ordaz, Jonatán Isaí Cortes Alfaro, Carlos Horacio Burciaga-Flores, Juan Francisco González-Guerrero, Oscar Vidal-Gutiérrez, Maria De Lourdes Garza-Rodriguez

Research Symposium

Background: Genetic variants in dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) coding for the key enzyme (DPD) of fluoropyrimidines (FPs) catabolism. DPYD contributes to the development of severe FPs-related toxicity, and pathogenic DPYD variants detection reduces side effects and complications associated with FP-toxicity. The allelic frequency of these variants in the Mexican population is currently unknown.

Methods: The study was carried out at the Centro Universitario Contra el Cáncer (CUCC) of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) in Monterrey México. Genomic DNA was isolated from 154 subjects using the QIAamp DNA Blood Midi kit (QIAGEN) following the manufacturer's recommendations. We …

Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome: A Family Case Report In U.S./Mexico Border By Cediamet, Carlos E. Maldonado, Carlo Hector, Mariana Mendez, Claudia Munguia-Cisneros, Leonel Vela, Juan Carlos Lopez Alvarenga

Research Symposium

Primary familiar hyperchylomicronemia syndrome (FHS) is an extremely rare autosomal recessive condition. In 80% of cases is a result of a mutation in lipoprotein lipase, meanwhile, the 20% is a malfunctioning enzyme due to APOC2, APOA5, LMF1, or GP1HBP1. It is estimated FHS affects 3000 to 5000 individuals globally, with no correlation by sex or race. We are presenting a family with FHS in Reynosa, Mexico.

The index patient was a male 36 years old who attended the CEDIAMET clinic after his 6th episode of acute pancreatitis. He has triglycerides 1300 mg/dl and CT scan with Balthazar C score. He …

Is There A Role For Plant-Based “Meat” In Cardiovascular Disease Prevention?, Aziza Jadallah, Usmaan Al-Shehab, Adam Friedman

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Diet is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends following a whole-food, minimally processed diet emphasizing fruit and vegetables to reduce cardiovascular mortality. Recently, processed plant-based meat substitutes, such as Beyond Meat® and Impossible™ foods have become easily accessible to consumers and are advertised as a healthful addition to a plant-based diet. However, these products are highly processed and contain high amounts of saturated fat and sodium. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of processed plant-based meat diets on adverse cardiovascular events compared to animal-based meat diets and minimally processed healthful …

Chronic Stress May Disrupt Covariant Fluctuations Of Vitamin D And Cortisol Plasma Levels And Placentome Formation In Pregnant Sheep During The Last Trimester: A Methodological Approach And Preliminary Report, Colin Wakefield

Tower Health Research Day

No abstract provided.

Improvement Of Memory Loss Through Dietary Intervention In The Assisted Living And Rehabilitative Settings, Alexander Swartz, Martin Forsberg

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

• The ketogenic diet is a popular, controversial diet that fuels the brain through beta-oxidation of fatty acids and production of ketone bodies, the most populous of which is betahydroxybutyrate (BHB).

• The ketogenic diet consists of 70-80% fats, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% carbohydrates.

• Medically, the ketogenic diet is utilized in patients with epilepsy and recommended by some physicians to improve general health through weight loss and insulin sensitivity.

• Key factors of neurodegeneration include glucose hypometabolism, oxidative damage, and neuroinflammation.

• Studies have shown that with ingestion of exogenous ketones alone, or endogenous ketonemia through a ketogenic diet, there is: …

Injection Options For Non-Surgical Knee Pain Patients: A Quality Improvement Project, Alicia Emery

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: In an Orthopedic office in Northeast Tennessee clinical decision making about injection options for non-surgical candidates with knee osteoarthritis is unclear.

Aims: This quality improvement project will develop a clinical guideline so that providers know criteria for choosing optimal knee alternative treatments for non-surgical knee patients.

Outcome measures: An expert panel gave feedback and advice on the information presented for the injection types of Platelet Rich Plasma, Corticosteroids, Amniotic Allograft and Hyaluronic Acid. They edited the guideline then sent the edits back to be complied and edited using the Delphi method.

Process and Methods: The …

Vitamin C Reduces Igf-1 And Vegf Signaling In Retinal Endothelial Cells, Jonathon Reynolds

Annual Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Gestational Diabetes: What About Your Exercise?, Andreana Henry

Symposium of Student Scholars

Previous research on exercise as a form of preventative care to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes has produced conflicting views. When and why exercise is the most beneficial during pregnancy has been widely debated, as well as which trimester exercise is the most effective to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. It has been argued that if a woman has not previously incorporated exercise into her lifestyle, during pregnancy is not the ideal time to start. Conversely, light to moderate exercise is encouraged to decrease the chances of gestational diabetes, but which gestation period exercise will have the greatest …

Perivascular Adipose Tissue In Relation To Diet, Thermogenesis And Cardiovascular Health, Ginger Paquette, Caitlin Stieber, Ashely Soucy, Benjamin Tero, Lucy Liaw

Thinking Matters Symposium

Adipose tissue is a diverse and crucial component to vascular health due to its role in energy storage and heat production. The primary function of white adipose tissue (WAT) is energy storage while the function of mitochondria-rich brown adipose tissue (BAT) is heat production. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), which surrounds blood vessels, contains both WAT and BAT adipocytes. Dietary calorie restriction is associated with increased lifespan with decreased adiposity. Increased prevalence of WAT-like PVAT, due to high-fat diets and obesity, leads to increased metabolic disfunction and cardiovascular-disease. We used a calorie-restriction model in C57BL6/J mice to test the hypothesis that …

Oral Contraceptives As Possible Acl Injury Prevention Method, Haley Schweizer

Capstone Showcase

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are an upsetting setback for many athletes that require a long and costly recovery process. The injury rates are four times greater in women than men. Preventative measures that help to prevent ACL injuries are limited to stretching and strengthening. Therefore, this review aims to investigate if oral contraceptive [I] usage provides a possible new avenue for prevention of ACL injury [O] in young female athletes (ages 18-30) [P] compared to those that do not take oral contraceptives [C].

Methods: A literature review was performed though PubMed, Google Scholar, SCOPUS Database, and ClinicalKey …

P33. Design And Evaluation Of An Escherichia Coli Biomarker For Indication Of Ph, Kevin X. Zhou, Luana Langlois, Ashmita Singh, John Prince

Western Research Forum

Measuring pH is one of the most commonly used techniques in both the laboratory as well as the field due to its importance in a multitude of biochemical processes. Traditional methods of measuring pH may be highly developed in accuracy and precision but often involve disruption of the environment. Biological markers offer an alternative that allows for long-term pH monitoring. This innovative approach allows for vast applications such as in the manufacturing, food processing and research industries. Under moderate acidic conditions, the asr (acid shock RNA) gene is highly inducible and has been demonstrated to be crucial for growth at …

Analyzing Mutations Of Spt7 Protein That Disrupt Interaction With Sf3b Subunits, Arryn T. Harris, Peyton J. Spreacker, Rachel Stegeman, Vikki M. Weake, Edwin C. Acosta

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Proper transcription, the process of converting DNA to RNA, is crucial for the health and viability of an organism. This process is regulated by many proteins, such as co-transcriptional activators; one being the protein complex known as Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase, or SAGA. While much is known about the roles of SAGA in cell processes, how SAGA’s subunits promote functionality is still unknown. The focus of this study is to analyze the purpose of SAGA’s SF3B subunits. These subunits are also found in the spliceosome, the compound responsible for generating mature RNA. SAGA has no known functions relating to this process, so the …