Digestive, Oral, and Skin Physiology Commons^™

The Impact Of Gastric Sleeve And Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass On Chief Cell Function And Protein Digestion In Obese Patients, Garikoitz Mikel Gainza

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Obesity has become one of the largest global health concerns of the 21^st century, correlating with numerous associated diseases. To help address the growing prevalence and burden of obesity, sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass have become two commonly performed surgical procedures done to promote weight loss by altering the anatomical structure of the stomach and surrounding organs of the gastrointestinal system. Although the benefits of improved metabolism linked to these surgical procedures are well studied, their impact on the physiology of gastric cells, and more specifically chief cells as they relate to protein digestion post-surgery, is yet to …

Understanding The Role Of Mastl In Colon Homeostasis And Colitis-Associated Cancer Development, Kristina Pravoverov

Theses & Dissertations

Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is the most devastating complication of longstanding inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Understanding the mechanisms underlying the switch from damage-repair to dysplasia in IBD is critical for identifying novel therapies to facilitate mucosal healing while mitigating CAC risk. Microtubule-associated serine-threonine kinase-like (MASTL), though crucial in cell growth and repair, is upregulated in sporadic colorectal cancer and CAC. This study sought to delineate the role of MASTL in colitis and CAC development.

First, we examined whether MASTL is associated with colitis and recovery. Review of publicly available data found significant elevation of MASTL and interleukin (IL)-22 in biopsies from …

Examining Ndufab1 Expression In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Addison Stevens

Poster Presentations

Honors research poster.

Introduction: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is approximately 4% of all cancers and 2% of all cancer associated mortality in the United States. In 2023, there will be an estimated 67,000 new cases of HNSCC, along with 15,400 deaths, in the United States. HNSCC locations include the oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Major risk factors for HNSCC include tobacco use, alcohol use, and human papilloma virus (HPV). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is currently the only approved molecular targeted therapy for HNSCC. Therefore, new therapeutics and biomarkers for HNSCC are warranted. Mitochondria are …

Examining Ndufab1 Expression In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Addison L. Stevens

Honors Theses

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) accounts for around 4% of all cancers in the USA. HNSCC includes cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Reprogramming of mitochondrial metabolism has been known to promote oncogenesis. NDUFAB1, a nuclear encoded subunit of respiratory complex I (RCI) in the inner mitochondrial membrane, is abundantly expressed at the mRNA level in HNSCC patients. Based on this finding, we hypothesize that NDUFAB1 protein expression is high in HNSCC and that NDUFAB1 expression predicts a poor prognosis in HNSCC patients. We determined NDUFAB1 expression in HNSCC using immunohistochemistry and pathology guided …

Regulation Of Pancreatic Cancer Progression By Micronutrients, Chunbo He

Theses & Dissertations

Cancer cells rely on altered metabolism to support their uncontrolled proliferation under harsh conditions. Understanding the mechanisms of how metabolic alterations support tumor growth may provide a way to enhance current therapies. Vitamins are micronutrients that our body needs in small quantities but are essential for health maintenance. A number of metabolic processes relevant to cancer initiation and progression are also regulated by vitamins. Here, our studies showed that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells display an aberrant metabolism of vitamin B6 (VB6) to support their fast proliferation. VB6 was highly demanded and rapidly metabolized by PDAC cells. Depletion of VB6 …

Goblet Cell Carcinoma Of The Appendix: A Case Report On Goblet Cell Carcinoid, Sheliza Kabani, Aubtin Saedi, Austin Lehr, Lina O'Brien

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix is a rare neoplasm with histological features of both neuroendocrine and adenocarcinomas. The combination of its aggressive behavior, infrequent occurrence, and variable clinical presentation convolutes the management of this tumor. We report the case of a 75-year-old female presenting with acute appendicitis. A laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. The pathology report showed goblet cell carcinoid at the base of the appendix with involvement of the proximal surgical margins. At her postoperative visit, the patient’s pathology report and options for management were reviewed, and the patient agreed to proceed with a right hemicolectomy 8-10 weeks after …

Naktide Targeted To Adipocytes Ameliorates Western Diet Induced Obesity, Rebecca D. Pratt

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome. It is believed that cellular oxidant stress plays a key role in both the development and maintenance of obesity as well as its associated comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We have previously reported that systemic administration of pNaKtide, which targets the Na/K-ATPase oxidant amplification loop was able to decrease oxidative stress and adiposity in mice fed a high fat and fructose supplemented western diet (WD). As adipocytes are believed to play an active role in the development of obesity and …

Evaluating The Therapeutic Effect Of Purslane Extract On The Submandibular Salivary Glands Of Cyclosporine-A Treated Rats, Heba Mahmoud, Rabab T. Mubarak, Iman M. Aboushady

Dentistry

Salivary glands are affected by immunosuppressive drugs, like Cyclosporine-A (CsA) which plays a major role in transplant medicine. Thus, this work aimed to study the possible therapeutic effect of purslane on CsA induced salivary gland alterations.

Materials & Methods: 30 adult male albino rats were equally divided into 3 groups: control group ] received a vehicle, CsA group received 20 mg/kg/day of CsA, and combination group received CsA and 400mg/kg/day of purslane. Three weeks later rats were sacrified then the submandibular salivary glands were prepared for histological andKi67 immunohistochemical analysis, then the studied groups were statistically evaluated.

Results: Histological examination …

Regulation Of Uv-Protective Pathways Downstream Of The Melanocortin 1 Receptor In Melanocytes, Erin M. Wolf Horrell

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Malignant cutaneous melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and a majority of melanoma diagnoses are a result of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation causes DNA damage, which if not repaired correctly via nucleotide excision repair (NER) can result in mutations and melanomagenesis. The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a G_s protein coupled receptor located on melanocyte plasma membranes and is involved in protecting the skin from UV induced damage. MC1R signaling results in the activation of two protective pathways: 1) induction of eumelanin synthesis downstream of micropthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and 2) acceleration of NER …

Pancreas: Do All Roads Lead To Mitochondria?, Amit Mukherji, Omobola Onikoyi, Vasudeva G. Kamath

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown) Publications and Research

Over several millions of years of evolution, mitochondria have transformed into specialized organelles. Today, they cannot live outside the cell nor can the host cell live without them, resulting in a symbiotic relationship. Richard Altmann, in 1894, documented them as cell organelles and called them “bioblasts”. Later, the term “mitochondria” itself was coined by Carl Benda in 1898. Ever since these findings, we in the field of medicine have learned a lot about this tiny organelle, but numerous aspects continue to be discovered. In this article, we will review the significance of this organelle in terms of pancreatic dysfunctions.

Role Of Prostaglandin E2 In The Regulation Of Pancreatic Stellate Cells Hyper Activity Associated With Pancreatic Cancer, Chantale Charo

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal type of cancer due to its high metastasis rate and resistance to chemotherapy. Pancreatic fibrosis is a constant pathological feature of chronic pancreatitis and the hyperactive stroma associated with pancreatic cancer. Strong evidence supports an important role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and COX-2 generated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) during pancreatic fibrosis. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) are the predominant source of extracellular matrix production (ECM), thus being the key players in both diseases. Given this background, the primary objective is to delineate the role of PGE2 on human pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) hyper activation associated …