Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons^™

Direct Synthesis Of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles In Reducing Sugars: Enhanced Ce3+ Surface Density For Biological Application, Balaashwin Babu, Elayaraja Kolanthai, Craig J. Neal, Samarah V. Harb, Udit Kumar, Yifei Fu, Sudipta Seal

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) are recognized for their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), making them promising candidates for mitigating oxidative damage in biomedical applications. However, many conventional synthesis methods limit the formation of Ce³⁺ states, which are critical for this antioxidant function. Building upon previous findings that glucose can promote Ce³⁺ formation, this study investigates the broader impact of both reducing (glucose, fructose, galactose) and non-reducing (dextran, sucrose, cyclodextrin) natural sugars on CNP synthesis. CNPs were synthesized in the presence of these sugars, and the surface densities of Ce³⁺ were measured. Results showed that reducing sugars significantly increased …

Modulation Of Opioid Receptor Expression In The Ventral Tegmental Area Following Stress Exposure In Rats, Maya Patel, John Tkaczynski, Jordan Riser, Nicole Shellenbarger, Jin Park, Daniel Manvich, Daniel J. Chandler

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The ventral tegmental area (VTA) contains dopamine-producing neurons projecting to various brain regions. VTA dysfunction is linked to addiction and depression. Delta opioid receptor upregulation relates to chronic pain, inflammation, cancer, and early adversity. Kappa receptors in the VTA influence stress, drug-seeking, mood, and reward. Notably, chronic substance abuse upregulates the κ-receptor/dynorphin system, and the opioid system regulates social interaction needs.

Hypothesis: Stress will upregulate opioid receptors.

Methods: We compared group-housed and individually-housed rats using stress tests, analyzing behavior and quantifying VTA opioid receptor expression.

Results: Social isolation upregulated delta and kappa opioid receptors in …

Activity Of Novel Ceftibuten-Avibactam, Ceftazidime-Avibactam, And Comparators Against A Challenge Set Of Enterobacterales From Outpatient Centers And Nursing Homes Across The United States (2022–2024), Aliaa Fouad, April M. Bobenchik, Robin Chamberland, Andrew E. Clark, Holly K. Huse, Isabella W. Martin, A. Brian Mochon, Erik Munson, Maroun M. Sfeir, Monica Srodon, Kimberly Taylor, Yungchou Wang, Lars F. Westblade, David P. Nicolau, Tomefa E. Asempa

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Ceftibuten is being developed in combination with the oral prodrug of avibactam. Outpatient isolates (n = 500) from 11 US states underwent susceptibility testing with manual broth microdilution. Ceftibuten had susceptibility rates of 64% (CLSI) and 23% (EUCAST). Ceftibuten-avibactam achieved 96.4% inhibition at MIC ≤ 1 µg/mL. Susceptibility rates were as follows: cefpodoxime (2.6%), ceftriaxone (1%), ceftazidime-avibactam (99.6%), tebipenem (89%), ertapenem (94.4%), levofloxacin (26.6%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (40.2%), and fosfomycin (96.8%). Ceftibuten-avibactam demonstrates potent in vitro activity against cephalosporin non-susceptible isolates.

Mechanistic Investigation Of Ring-Opening Polymerization Of Polycaprolactone Using Tin(Ii) Catalysts: Ligand Effects And Biomedical Applications, Eva-Larue M. Barber

Honors Scholar Theses

This research explores the mechanistic aspects of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL) to produce polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer widely used in biomedical applications. The study investigates how light exposure and catalyst concentration influence polymerization efficiency, using tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate [Sn(Oct)₂] as the catalyst in a non-polar toluene solvent at 90 °C. Reactions were conducted under either ambient light or black light bulb (BLB) illumination, with monomer-to-catalyst ratios of 1:1 and 200:1.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy was used to analyze conversion efficiency by tracking the disappearance of monomer signals and appearance of characteristic PCL peaks. Results revealed …

The Role Of Ucp2 In Pancreatic Cancer Metabolism And Its Potential As A Radiosensitizer, Emily Rieff

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a mitochondrial protein that regulates the flow of protons down the gradient established by the electron transport chain (ETC) without generating ATP, thus uncoupling the proton gradient from ATP generation. In tumors, specifically pancreatic cancer (PDAC), the ETC is highly stimulated to generate the copious ATP needed by the tumor to grow. However, extended ETC use increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), and if left unchecked, results in cell death. To evade this, PDAC employs antioxidant strategies, including upregulating UCP2 in tumor cells. In addition to its uncoupling function, UCP2 indirectly controls ROS levels by maintaining …

Estimation Of Nitrates In Southern California Water Resources, Sarath Babu, Sarath Babu

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The research examines the water quality of Southern California, focusing on nitrate (NO₃) levels. The study aims to provide insights into potential health disparities stemming from disproportionate exposure to these contaminants, particularly in underserved communities. Utilizing advanced analytical tools such as the UV spectrophotometer AquaMate Plus, water samples (n=40) were analyzed to assess nitrate levels compared to previous data (n=70 Approx.). The UV spectrophotometer operates based on measuring the absorbance of light intensity by the analyzed samples, providing valuable data for water quality assessment. Preliminary findings suggest varying levels of nitrate presence across the studied regions (0.4-43 ppm), …

Impact Of Tumor Cell Expressed Cd38 On Metastasis And Immune Evasion In Breast Cancer, Tanvi Visal

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic breast cancer subtype. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells is a key feature of the metastatic cascade and is not a binary process but often generates malignant cells with both epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) traits known as hybrid EM cells. Recent studies highlight the enhanced metastatic potential of the hybrid EM cells. However, molecular insights and targetable vulnerabilities within hybrid EM remain elusive. We discovered that hybrid EM murine tumors are enriched in CD38, an immunesuppressive molecule associated with worse clinical outcomes in liquid malignancies but relatively understudied in solid …

Zonal Hepatocellular Responses To Acute Ethanol: Impacts On Mitochondrial Function And Metabolism, Matthew T. Savoca

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: Ethanol (EtOH) consumption causes hepatocellular mitochondrial depolarization (mtDepo) and mitophagy. Here, the Aims were to develop techniques to characterize sublobular hepatocellular metabolism and the distribution of mtDepo and mitophagy after acute EtOH. Methods: Wildtype and GFP-LC3 transgenic mice were treated with EtOH or vehicle and administered the covalently labeling mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) reporter, MitoTracker Red (MTR), and/or the non-covalent ΔΨ reporter, rhodamine 123 (Rh123), prior to intravital imaging, liver fixation, or hepatocyte isolation. After in vivo MTR, hepatocytes were isolated and sorted. Enrichment in E-cadherin (ECAD) and cytochrome P4502E1 in periportal (PP) and pericentral (PC) hepatocytes, respectively, validated …

The Isolation And Characterization Of Acidovorax And Brevundimonas Bacteriophages With Preliminary Biocontrol Study On Arabidopsis Thaliana, Minh Quynh N. Vu

Senior Theses

As antibiotic-resistance becomes an increasing global concern, researchers are looking for alternatives to combat phytopathogenic rhizobacteria – one of which is through the application of phage biocontrol. To elucidate the complex tripartite relationships between phage, bacteria and plant interactions, nine novel phages were isolated from potential phytopathogenic strains of Acidovorax (RBW13) and Brevundimonas (RBW18). These phages were isolated from root samples obtained from the Rocky Branch Creek and the Broad River located in Columbia, SC. Using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE), we identified seven “medium sized” phages (~40 kbp), one “large-sized” phage (~200 kbp), and one “small-sized” phage ( < 25 kbp). Three phages were determined to be lambda-like due to their “ladder-building” patterns on PFGE. Although spot-tests revealed that all phages seemed to have broad host ranges that spanned over multiple genera, plaque-formations must be observed in future experiments to determine if these phages can infect their hosts productively. Preliminary in planta experiments were performed on Arabidopsis thaliana …