Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons^™

Global Implications Of Covid-19 On Education And Research In Healthcare And Stem: Analysis Of Case Studies, Yumna Indorewala, Santanu De

FDLA Journal

The zoonotic novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 posed major threats to the world’s economy, social development, and public health. Education and research in STEM and healthcare were no exceptions to the global implications of the Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Social distancing guidelines were initially recommended to refrain from in-person operations for preventing the transmission of the virus. As academic organizations implemented multifarious methods to effectively transition to remote/online or hybrid educational formats, COVID-19 necessitated designing, adopting, as well as evaluating the efficacy of new instructional approaches, especially for disciplines that require active, experiential learning such as healthcare and STEM. These …

Distinct Expression Patterns Of Hedgehog Signaling Components In Mouse Gustatory System During Postnatal Tongue Development And Adult Homeostasis, Archana Kumari, Nicole E Franks, Libo Li, Gabrielle Audu, Sarah Liskowicz, John D Johnson, Charlotte M Mistretta, Benjamin L Allen

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

The Hedgehog (HH) pathway regulates embryonic development of anterior tongue taste fungiform papilla (FP) and the posterior circumvallate (CVP) and foliate (FOP) taste papillae. HH signaling also mediates taste organ maintenance and regeneration in adults. However, there are knowledge gaps in HH pathway component expression during postnatal taste organ differentiation and maturation. Importantly, the HH transcriptional effectors GLI1, GLI2 and GLI3 have not been investigated in early postnatal stages; the HH receptors PTCH1, GAS1, CDON and HHIP, required to either drive HH pathway activation or antagonism, also remain unexplored. Using lacZ reporter mouse models, we mapped expression of the HH …

Rewiring The Sex-Determination Pathway During The Evolution Of Self-Fertility., Yongquan Shen, Shin-Yi Lin, Jonathan Harbin, Richa Amin, Allison Vassalotti, Joseph Romanowski, Emily Schmidt, Alexis Tierney, Ronald E Ellis

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Although evolution is driven by changes in how regulatory pathways control development, we know little about the molecular details underlying these transitions. The TRA-2 domain that mediates contact with TRA-1 is conserved in Caenorhabditis. By comparing the interaction of these proteins in two species, we identified a striking change in how sexual development is controlled. Identical mutations in this domain promote oogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans but promote spermatogenesis in Caenorhabditis briggsae. Furthermore, the effects of these mutations involve the male-promoting gene fem-3 in C. elegans but are independent of fem-3 in C. briggsae. Finally, reciprocal mutations in these genes show …

Mycoplasmoides Genitalium Nucleic Acid Semi-Quantitation And Molecular Macrolide Resistance Detection Via Automated Assays: Gender And Specimen Source Considerations, Erik Munson, Josephine Moore, Trinity Kreuger, Amanda Zapp, Stephen C. Lavey, Kimber L. Munson, Irene A. Stafford, Brian Mustanksi

Clinical Lab Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

A laboratory-developed test (LDT) using analyte-specific reagents has been optimized on a commercial platform to detect macrolide resistance-associated mutations (MRM) in 23S rRNA from Mycoplasmoides genitalium from primary clinical specimens. In this study, MRM-LDT was applied to a multi-specimen source study set. One thousand four hundred ninety-five primary specimens testing positive for M. genitalium by commercial transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) were initially titered by the TMA assay using serial 10-fold dilutions to semi-quantitate target nucleic acid burden. Primary specimens were then processed for MRM detection using the MRM-LDT. Findings were stratified by gender and specimen source. The mean log₁₀ target …

Investigating The Impact Of Climate Change On Evapotranspiration Using Modeling, Faten Waheed

Theses and Dissertations

The available water resources are at risk due to climate change and the increasing water demand. Evapotranspiration is a very important element in water cycle. Evapotranspiration is perceived as a linking mechanism between the surface of the land and the atmosphere. Therefore, investing appropriate approaches to estimate evapotranspiration and the implication of climate change on evapotranspiration and available water resources are of great importance for better water management and food security. Penman-Monteith (PM) equation is considered as one of the most widely used equation for estimating ETo. It is also one of the most complex energy balance equations requiring detailed …

Unveiling The Nexus Of Cellular Quality Control: Exploring The Interplay Between Ribosome-Associated Protein Quality Control And Mitochondrial Quality Control Pathways, Foozhan Tahmasebinia

Biological Sciences Theses and Dissertations

In eukaryotic cells, the intricate interplay between cellular quality control mechanisms is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and safeguarding the integrity of vital processes, spanning from macromolecule synthesis to the renewal of entire cellular organelles.

Disruption of these networks can lead to severe diseases such as metabolic disorders, underscoring the interconnected nature and feedback control mechanisms inherent in biological systems, including cellular quality control systems. This interconnectedness extends to the intricate communication between organelles, enabling coordinated functioning and adaptation to changing cellular conditions, particularly in response to stressors.

While the exact mechanisms governing these communications within cellular quality control systems remain …

The Effects Of Light Cycle Disruption On The Reactive Oxygen Species Production In Zebrafish, Talia Sanders

Honors College Theses

It has been proven that maintaining homeostasis is linked to regulation of circadian rhythms and the light cycles associated with them. Through investigation of zebrafish mitochondria subject to stress via unpredictable light cycle exposure, we previously studied the level of GSK3β protein as it relates to the health of the brain. The data has shown that when a brain undergoes stress, it results in the increased activation of GSK3β which leads to disruptions in circadian rhythm, inflammation, and cell death. Moreso, this overexpression results in reduced ATP production and lowered Complex 1 activity in the mitochondria. However, GSK3β activation is …

Omani Camels From A Cultural And Genomics Perspective, Al Muatasim Al Zadjali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Dromedarian camel, Camelus dromedarius, is native to the Arabian Peninsula, including the Sultanate of Oman. These camels are used for food, milk, as well as show and racing competitions. Despite their economic and cultural importance research on camels in Oman is limited. The goal of this study was to examine their genomic variation, relationship with camels in other parts of the Arabian Peninsula, and to determine if selective breeding has led to the establishment of distinct breeds in Oman. Information was compiled from multiple sources to produce a comprehensive review on the breeding, management, economic and cultural use, …

The Physiological Significance Of Nitric Oxide Synthase In Staphylococci, Ryan M. Singh

Theses & Dissertations

Staphylococci, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis, are common causes of implant-associated infections that may result in notable morbidity and mortality. One of the ways the innate immune system attempts to combat these invading pathogens is via the respiratory burst, in which free radical species such as nitric oxide (NO^•), toxic to bacterial respiration, are released in large quantities. Despite the toxicity of NO^•, some bacteria, including staphylococci, encode an endogenous bacterial nitric oxide synthase (bNOS), whose physiological role has been unclear until now. In this dissertation, we demonstrate that S. epidermidis is able to overcome the toxicity …

Novel Spirocyclic Dimer (Spid3) Displays Potent Preclinical Effects In Hematological Malignancies, Alexandria Eiken

Theses & Dissertations

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by the accumulation of mature CD5⁺ B-cells in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and secondary lymphoid tissues (e.g., spleen and lymph nodes).Despite the efficacy of front-line therapies, CLL is still an incurable disease, highlighting the need for development of novel therapeutics and further study of resistance mechanisms. Within the lymph node CLL tumor microenvironment (TME), there is an upregulation of gene signatures associated with B-cell receptor (BCR) and downstream nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling compared to CLL cells found within the blood or bone marrow niches. Additionally, BCR signaling …

Interactions Between Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury And Methylphenidate Administration On Catecholamine Transporter Protein Levels Within The Rodent Prefrontal Cortex, Anna Abrimian, Eleni Papadopoulos, Christopher P. Knapp, J. Loweth, Barry Waterhouse, Rachel Navarra

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

It is theorized that low concentrations of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) within in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to increased risky behavior. Our lab has shown that repeated mild TBI (rmTBI) sex-differentially increases risky behavior in a rodent model. Methylphenidate (MPH) is a psychostimulant drug used to treat symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), also driven by a hypo-catecholaminergic PFC. MPH elevates catecholamine levels by blocking DA and NE transporters, DAT and NET. While the potential of psychostimulants to treat post-TBI symptoms have been explored, the effects of sub-chronic MPH on transporter levels following …

Efficacy Of Mcl-1 Inhibitors In Multiple Myeloma Cells Resistant To Bortezomib, Emily Nelson, Omar S. Al-Odat, Sabrina M. Paparo, Daniel A. Guirguis, Gabriella Yao, Manoj Pandey, Subash Jonnalagadda, Tulin Budak-Alpdogan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of cancer that affects plasma B cells. Patients with MM often experience frequent relapses and can develop resistance to drugs. As a medical researcher, it is important to understand the role of Mcl-1 in preventing intrinsic apoptosis and drug resistance. Mcl-1 belongs to the anti-apoptotic subgroup of Bcl-2 family proteins and plays a crucial role in these processes. Mcl-1 plays a crucial role in driving disease progression and contributing to drug resistance in MM. It has been observed that there is an increased expression of Mcl-1 in 52% of patients with MM during diagnosis, …

A Preliminary Report On The Role Of Lipoxin A4 In Reinstating The Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity In A Rodent Model Of Acute Inflammation With Impaired Cerebrovasculature, Minjal Patel, Shruti Varshney, Ananya Nethikunta, George G. Godsey, Mary C. Kosciuk, Ana Rodriguez, Bernd Spur, Kingsley Yin, Randel L. Swanson, Venkat Venkataraman, Robert G. Nagele, Nimish Acharya

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is responsible for maintaining brain homeostasis and ultimately proper neuronal function. Disruption of the BBB, leading to increased BBB permeability, has been reported in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Lipoxins (LXs) are a class of arachidonate-derived eicosanoids, which are a class of specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs). SPMs are known to inhibit immune response through inhibition of cellular infiltration, downregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and upregulation of anti-inflammatory mediators. Hence, LXs are recognized as “breaking signals” in the inflammatory process. One form of LXs, Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) …

The Role Of Med13 In Proteaphagy, John Sauer, Brittany Friedson, Katrina Cooper

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Regulation of proteasomes is important for adaptation to cellular stress. Previous studies have shown that following starvation stress, proteasomes are targeted for destruction by autophagy. However, how cells control proteasomes in response to nitrogen starvation remains unclear. This study delves into the intricate interplay between Med13, proteaphagy, and stress response regulation, aiming to elucidate their roles in cellular survival mechanisms. It focused on the highly conserved Cdk8 kinase module (CKM) of the Mediator complex a that plays a pivotal involvement in cellular signaling and gene regulation under stress conditions. During the investigation, we asked if the degradation of specific proteasome …

The Effects Of Water Submersion On Skeletal Muscle Activation, Fatigue, And Whole-Body Gas Exchange, Caroline Griffin, Robert J. Shute

Honors Projects

THE EFFECTS OF WATER SUBMERSION ON SKELETAL MUSCLE ACTIVATION, FATIGUE, AND WHOLE-BODY GAS EXCHANGE

C.C. Griffin. Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA.

Email: [email protected]

Fatigue of skeletal muscle can be affected by multiple environmental elements. Fatigue threshold can be measured by VO2 max on a cycle ergometer combined with the use of a metabolic cart and Electromyography (EMG) measurements. PURPOSE: The purpose of this experiment is to determine if water submersion affects skeletal muscle activation, fatigue, and whole-body gas exchange. METHODS: Three participants were recruited to participate in a cold and no temperature trial. Participants arrived and baseline vitals and measurements were …

Phenotypic Plasticity In Pigmentation: Investigating Coloration Patterns In Anablepsoides Hartii Population Responses To Environmental Variation, Jasdeep Kaur

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

In this study, we investigated the color-changing capabilities of Trinidadian killifish, Anablepsoides hartii, through exposure to varied color conditions over defined periods of time. Our experiment aims to understand adaptive responses when killifish are subjected to different color backgrounds, exploring their mechanisms to change color. By subjecting the species to different environmental color variations, we sought to discern color change patterns, which could indicate adaptive responses related to camouflage, stress, behavior clues, and physiological adjustments. Carefully controlling environmental factors, we monitored and documented the fishes’ color changes, aiming to provide insights into the interplay between fish’s developmental plasticity and its …

Antimicrobial Activity Of Cat Flea (Ctenocephalides Felis) Gut Proteins On Different Days After Blood Feeding, Dhruva K. Karnik

Honors College Theses

Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are a blood-feeding ectoparasitic insect and a common domestic pest found throughout the world. Because of their reliance on host blood, fleas are exposed to blood-borne pathogens; however, the flea gut lumen is a hostile environment for microbial colonization. For example, the gut epithelia differentially express immune genes in response to feeding. In the present study, we measured the antimicrobial activity of gut proteins from cat fleas at different days after feeding (2, 5, 7, and 14). Dissected flea guts were homogenized, passed through a syringe filter, and measured in a protein assay kit. …

The Purification And Thermal Stability Of The Peroxidase Enzyme In Cucurbita Moschata, Garen Hamner

Senior Honors Theses

Peroxidases are enzymes that catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide to water while oxidizing organic substrates and are valuable in spheres like industrial and medical applications and histochemistry. Limitations still exist in the use of the well-studied horseradish peroxidase for certain activities due to limitations like poor thermal stability, thus the search for novel peroxidases that can overcome these limitations is an active area of research. Butternut squash peroxidase (Cucurbita moschata) (BSP) shows promise due to significant activity being found in the skin and apparent enhanced thermal stability, but an efficient purification scheme for it is lacking, as well as …

Using Edna To Assess Impacts Of Oyster Restoration On Ecosystem Biodiversity At A Heavily Impacted Coastal Lagoon, Dominique Di Domenico, Emily Bonacchi, Elizabeth Suter

Molloy Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference

The Great South Bay (GSB), a bar-built, temperate, coastal lagoon on the south shore of Long Island, New York, USA, is a highly modified estuary due to heavy urbanization and suburbanization in the last century. GSB historically provided up to 50% of the nation’s hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) harvest, and is the legal home of the “Blue Point” oyster (eastern oyster; Crassostrea virginica). However, due to overexploitation as well as persistent stress from ongoing nitrogen pollution and harmful algal blooms, shellfish populations are fractions of their original abundances. Restoration efforts in GSB, driven both by community efforts …

Trna Anticodon Cleavage By Target-Activated Crispr-Cas13a Effector, Ishita Jain, Matvey Kolesnik, Konstantin Kuznedelov, Leonid Minakhin, Natalia Morozova, Anna Shiriaeva, Alexandr Kirillov, Sofia Medvedeva, Alexei Livenskyi, Laura Kazieva, Kira S Makarova, Eugene V Koonin, Sergei Borukhov, Konstantin Severinov, Ekaterina Semenova

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

Type VI CRISPR-Cas systems are among the few CRISPR varieties that target exclusively RNA. The CRISPR RNA–guided, sequence-specific binding of target RNAs, such as phage transcripts, activates the type VI effector, Cas13. Once activated, Cas13 causes collateral RNA cleavage, which induces bacterial cell dormancy, thus protecting the host population from the phage spread. We show here that the principal form of collateral RNA degradation elicited by Leptotrichia shahii Cas13a expressed in Escherichia coli cells is the cleavage of anticodons in a subset of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) with uridine-rich anticodons. This tRNA cleavage is accompanied by inhibition of protein synthesis, thus …