Chronic Inflammation: The Link Between A High Added Sugar Diet And Disease,
2025
Liberty University
Chronic Inflammation: The Link Between A High Added Sugar Diet And Disease, Anna Collins
Senior Honors Theses
The modern diet includes many processed foods that contain added sugars, resulting in a significant increase in daily glucose and fructose consumption. Considering this, there is an increased effort to uncover the effects of excess sugar intake on the body’s health and metabolism. Strong evidence supports the connection between a high added sugar diet and the presence of chronic, low-grade inflammation due to cellular distress and metabolic dysfunction. Prolonged inflammatory responses are linked to tissue damage and the development of various metabolic diseases that are prevalent in modern society, such as obesity, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 …
Phosphomimetic Substitution Of Serine Residue Ser260 With Aspartate Suggests Regulation Of Activity Of Human Cytosolic Malate Dehydrogenase By Phosphorylation,
2025
Providence College
Phosphomimetic Substitution Of Serine Residue Ser260 With Aspartate Suggests Regulation Of Activity Of Human Cytosolic Malate Dehydrogenase By Phosphorylation, Charles Pelagalli '25, Luke Tischio, Kathleen Cornely
Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications
Human cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (MDH1) is a key enzyme involved in the malate-aspartate shuttle of eukaryotic cells, and which catalyzes the reaction of oxaloacetate to malate. As MDH1 is responsible for maintaining redox homeostasis by regeneration of NAD+ for glycolysis, its regulation is of particular interest in pharmaceutical applications, specifically in treating cancer cells that proliferate quickly and hence rely greatly on glycolysis. While the regulation of MDH1 by the phosphorylation of key residues has been previously documented, work still remains in identifying the specific residues involved in regulation of the enzyme by phosphorylation. In this study, we used …
Apolipoprotein E4, Tauopathy, And Brain Injury: Molecular Insights Into Alzheimer's Disease Pathology,
2025
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Apolipoprotein E4, Tauopathy, And Brain Injury: Molecular Insights Into Alzheimer's Disease Pathology, Nashanthea J. Roland
Theses & Dissertations
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the world’s leading cause of dementia, characterized by progressive atrophy of the hippocampal and cortical brain regions, synapse damage and loss, and a buildup of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of β-amyloid peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau, respectively. While age is the most significant risk factor for developing AD, apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) is the strongest genetic risk factor for AD. Although it is known that APOE4 influences tau pathology, the molecular mechanisms by which APOE4 drives AD pathogenesis and progression remain unclear. In addition to intrinsic contributions to AD, there are many extrinsic factors that can …
Cholesterol Mass Fingerprinting To Probe Cholesterol-Protein Interactions,
2025
Duquesne University
Cholesterol Mass Fingerprinting To Probe Cholesterol-Protein Interactions, Warren Lowther
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cryomicroscopy, crystallography and NMR have been considered the “gold standard” of structural biophysics for some time. Recent successes in using these techniques has provided us with a plethora of insight into the architecture of different macromolecules like channels, transporters, and other molecular machines. However, information is often limited to a single allosteric state with the macromolecule in a non-native environment. Additionally, these traditional methods tend to be expensive and labor-intensive, requiring samples that are concentrated and highly purified. Chemical crosslinking coupled with mass spectrometry (CX-MS) has emerged as the ideal accessory for the aforementioned structural tools. In order to address …
A Comparative Analysis Of Small Nuclear Rna Sequences In Spinacia Oleracea, Arabidopsis Thaliana, And Homo Sapiens,
2025
University of Texas at Arlington
A Comparative Analysis Of Small Nuclear Rna Sequences In Spinacia Oleracea, Arabidopsis Thaliana, And Homo Sapiens, Nhi T. Nguyen
2025 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive
In eukaryotes, the structure and function of the Sm core and its associated small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) play a significant role in pre-mRNA splicing. These snRNPs exhibit a high degree of conservation. While plants also utilize alternative splicing, the conservation of plant snRNAs and other non-coding RNA such as snoRNA and scaRNA, which assemble the Sm core, remains largely unexplored. In this study, plant sequences were compared with human sequences using the multiple sequence alignment program Jalview to determine the conservation of snRNPs in other non-coding RNA. Sequences analysis showed that the Sm site in Spinacia oleracea and Arabidopsis thaliana …
Novel Chloroviruses With Unique Glycans On Their Major Capsid Proteins,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Novel Chloroviruses With Unique Glycans On Their Major Capsid Proteins, Cayden J. Homolka
Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)
Chloroviruses, of the family Phycodnaviridae, are large, dsDNA viruses with a genome of 290 to 410 kb. These virus genomes are so large that they are classified as “giant viruses”. Within this genome, up to 16 tRNAs and 330 to 450 proteins are encoded. Among the massive amounts of genes and proteins are unique carbohydrate synthesis/metabolism genes, which are responsible for the glycosylation of chloroviruses major capsid proteins. In most viruses, these proteins are glycosylated by the host enzymes located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Instead, Chloroviruses encode their own glycosylation machinery; essentially decorating themselves. Furthermore, these chlorovirus glycans are unlike …
Synthesis And Characterization Of 3,5 Trifluoromethyl Tpm With A Metal Carbonyl Complex,
2025
Butler University
Synthesis And Characterization Of 3,5 Trifluoromethyl Tpm With A Metal Carbonyl Complex, Emily P. Berkman
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection
Tris(pyrazolyl)methane (Tpm) ligands have a central carbon with 3 pyrazole rings attached. These were discovered in 1970 and have since been synthesized with many substituents on the rings. Based on the parent structure, my goal was to synthesize a fluorinated Tpm derivative. By adapting existing procedures, I have synthesized a Tpm derivative with trifluorinated methyl groups in the 3 and 5 positions of the pyrazole ring. The fluorinated ligand is expected to be electron withdrawing and exhibit interesting chemistry when bound to a metal center. Future directions of the project will be discussed.
Disulfide-Cleavable Linkers In Antibody-Drug Conjugates For Targeted Cancer Therapy,
2025
Butler University
Disulfide-Cleavable Linkers In Antibody-Drug Conjugates For Targeted Cancer Therapy, Emily Hwang
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection
This project aims to discover a way to improve the safety of and reduce adverse side effects of disulfide-linked antibody-drug conjugates. Disulfide-cleavable linkers for antibody-drug conjugates function by exploiting the differential concentrations of dominant thiol species in the blood plasma and in the cytosol of malignant cells. This project aimed to identify a relationship between the stability of disulfide cleavable linkers in the blood plasma and disulfide linker structure, to prevent premature release of the cytotoxic drug. Three disulfide linker analogs with varying carbon chain lengths were synthesized through reaction with 2,2’-dipyridyl disulfide. Each analog was conjugated to a fluorescent …
Cultural Health Benefits And Challenges Of Food Preparation And Consumption: A Comparative Study Of The United States, Italy, And Norway,
2025
Butler University
Cultural Health Benefits And Challenges Of Food Preparation And Consumption: A Comparative Study Of The United States, Italy, And Norway, Natalie G. Link
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection
This study aims to investigate the cultural health benefits and challenges associated with food preparation and consumption in the United States, Italy, and Norway, with a particular focus on citizens in lower socioeconomic levels. By examining the dietary habits, social structures, and health outcomes in these three countries, this research aims to uncover broader insights into the health status and well-being of their respective populations. The study will employ secondary data analysis approach examining existing research on cultural practices and social support systems. The findings of this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between food …
Semiconductors In Space: Data Analysis Of Microgravity's Impact On Crystal Formation,
2025
Butler University
Semiconductors In Space: Data Analysis Of Microgravity's Impact On Crystal Formation, Keegan Jo Jackson
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection
Comprehensive data analysis on crystal growth in microgravity is a requisite to inform understanding of prior work. Our research constructed and analyzed a database containing data gathered from research focusing on semiconductors grown in microgravity. Data curation spanned multiple decades, countries, and semiconductor materials. All relevant reported information was recorded in the database, notably data regarding the metrics used to determine the impact space had on crystal growth: size, structure, uniformity, and performance. After data cleaning and data processing, the database was organized and readied for analysis. Data analysis was performed using RStudio and SciKit-learn. RStudio was employed for data …
Linking The Past And The Future: Understanding How Pollutants Cause Corrosion During An Oddy Test,
2025
Butler University
Linking The Past And The Future: Understanding How Pollutants Cause Corrosion During An Oddy Test, Kylie Blair Blake
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection
Artifacts and artwork continue to tell a story long after a time or culture has disappeared. Preventive art conservation science involves careful and responsible management of the objects entrusted in the care of the museum staff to ensure environmental and display conditions do not cause damage so future generations can observe and learn about past cultures. An accelerated metal corrosion test, the Oddy test, has been used to help determine the suitability of display and storage materials. The Oddy test is subjective, so newer methods are being developed involving the use of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify specific …
A New Transition Metal Borate, Co6(B24O39(Oh)6(H2O) 6·2.21h2O, Synthesized Via A Mild Hydrothermal Synthesis,
2025
University of South Carolina
A New Transition Metal Borate, Co6(B24O39(Oh)6(H2O) 6·2.21h2O, Synthesized Via A Mild Hydrothermal Synthesis, Alevtina Maksimova, Patrick Belt, Nilah Whitfield, Mark D. Smith, Gopabandhu Panigrahi, Gregory Morrison, Hans Conrad Zur Loye
Faculty Publications
A new transition metal borate hydrate, Co6B24O39(OH)6(H2O)6·2.21H2O, was synthesized via a mild hydrothermal method using boric acid as the melt. The compound crystallizes in the trigonal space group P 3‾ with lattice parameters a = b = 13.17840(10) Å, c = 12.3287(2) Å, and a unit cell volume of 1854.27(4) Å3 (Z = 2). This borate hydrate crystallizes in a new structure type comprised of layers containing [BO3] trigonal planar units and [BO4] tetrahedra that are linked by CoO6 and Co(OH)2(H2O)4 octahedra via corner-sharing. The …
Innovation Scholars Program,
2025
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University
Innovation Scholars Program, Lauren Voll, Olivia Latour, Owen Montreuil, Kaennae Mortimer
Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)
The innovations scholar program spans roughly five months and included two trips to Mayo Clinic Rochester. The team of four undergraduate students and an MBA student worked with Mayo Clinic ventures to assess the viability of a few patents. The project included a 40-page comprehensive paper as well as a 30-minute presentation. The specific details are protected under an NDA agreement however our key takeaways are shared on the poster.
Antiproliferative Effects Of Salvia On Breast Cancers.,
2025
University of Louisville
Antiproliferative Effects Of Salvia On Breast Cancers., Allison C. Portaro
College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in female adults, with 2.3 million new cases worldwide in 2020. Plants have been used in traditional medicine and are a potential source of pharmaceuticals. One example is the large Lamiaceae (mint) family. The Salvia genus, commonly known as the sages, is the largest genus in Lamiaceae with almost 900 known species. Salvia lyrata (lyre-leaved sage) has a history of Native American medicinal use to treat cancers and other ailments resulting in this plant being referred to as ‘cancer weed.’ Extracts were produced from the leaves of S. lyrata, S. lyrata …
Examining The Molecular Mechanisms Of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists In Cancer Cell Biology,
2025
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Examining The Molecular Mechanisms Of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists In Cancer Cell Biology, Oliver G. Sabet
Honors Scholar Theses
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are synthetic analogs of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) used to treat obesity and diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels and appetite. While early rodent studies suggested a link between GLP-1RAs and thyroid cancer pathogenesis, evidence in humans remains inconclusive, with randomized controlled trials not supporting that link. Due to the rapid, widespread use of these drugs, concerns have expanded to other obesity-associated cancers, with conflicting findings on their role in cancer progression. With this contradictory evidence in a novel intersection of obesity medicine and oncology, this literature review aims to summarize current understandings between GLP-1-RAs and …
The Role Of Myosin L In The Survival Of Toxoplasma Gondii And The Importance Of Mlc1 For In Vitro And In Vivo Myosin F Motility,
2025
University of Connecticut - Storrs
The Role Of Myosin L In The Survival Of Toxoplasma Gondii And The Importance Of Mlc1 For In Vitro And In Vivo Myosin F Motility, Victoria K. Yi
Honors Scholar Theses
My thesis discusses the work that I have conducted on two myosins in Toxoplasma gondii, which is an obligate intracellular parasite that has chronically infected around 10% of the American population. It causes toxoplasmosis and severe health consequences for individuals with compromised immune systems or when infections occur in utero. However, immunocompetent individuals are asymptomatic or present with subclinical symptoms. In the Heaslip lab, I investigated two myosins in the parasite: Myosin L and Myosin F. MyoL is an uncharacterized motor that localizes at the apical end of the parasite. It was shown to be important for parasite …
Screening For Chloroplast Inner Envelope-Thylakoid Membrane Contact Site Proteins,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Screening For Chloroplast Inner Envelope-Thylakoid Membrane Contact Site Proteins, Evan W. Labrant
Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–
Most life on Earth is dependent upon the capture of solar energy and subsequent fixation of carbon. In members of the Archaeplastida lineage these biological processes take place in semi-autonomous organelles called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are bounded by a double membrane envelope and contain the photosynthetic membrane system, thylakoid membranes, where light capture takes place. While a great deal is known about how thylakoid lipids are synthesized and protein complexes therein are properly maintained, very little is known regarding the processes by which lipids are transported to thylakoids which lack de novo glycerolipid synthesis. We have worked to identify candidate proteins …
Treating The Black Fever: Evaluating Combination Chemotherapy For Leishmania Donovani,
2025
Pace University
Treating The Black Fever: Evaluating Combination Chemotherapy For Leishmania Donovani, Robert Frank Mickatavage
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic to Africa, Asia, and the Americas, caused by the parasite L. donovani and spread by the Phlebotomine sandfly. If left untreated, VL is almost always fatal, bearing a mortality rate of over 95%. Many individuals within endemic regions are often too poor to afford treatment, and the financial burden of current treatments may only exacerbate their poverty. Antimonials and more modern treatments display varying effectiveness, but are nonetheless toxic to the host, commonly inducing hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and renal failure. The development of more effective and safer treatments is crucial, particularly …
Sodium And Potassium In Health And Cellular Function,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sodium And Potassium In Health And Cellular Function, Jordyn Branz
Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)
Sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) are essential electrolytes that regulate numerous physiological processes. These include cell function, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. The Na+/K+-ATPase plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of these ions by actively transporting three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients. This process is vital for maintaining the resting membrane potential and supporting the function of excitable cells. The Na+/K+-ATPase consists of two main subunits, with the alpha-subunit being primarily responsible for ion transport activity. Isoforms alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 are tissue-specific and contribute to …
Characterization Of 3d Printed Microdialysis Probes For Solute Recovery And Non-Specific Adsorption,
2025
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Characterization Of 3d Printed Microdialysis Probes For Solute Recovery And Non-Specific Adsorption, Bailey N. Scoggins
Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Honors Theses
Microdialysis is an important sampling technique that has uses in a wide range of disciplines, such as neuroscience and pharmacokinetics. 3D printing aims to address adaptability and customization issues that are present in standard “off-the-shelf” microdialysis probes. This work aims to lay the groundwork for characterizing a 3D printed microdialysis probe designed at the University of Arkansas. One experiment involved measuring solute recovery of caffeine as a function of flow rate of a standard CMA 11 probe to assess its membrane performance. The other goal was to learn about non-specific adsorption tendencies of enzymes (i.e., to what degree proteins stick …
