Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Glycitin Primes Retinal Pigment Epithelium Resilience To High-Glucose Injury Via The Pi3k/Akt Pathway, Shwu-Jiuan Sheu, Yi-Hsiung Lin, Ching-Yu Lin, Chen-Xi He, Chia-Yang Li, Shun-Yuan Tu, Yi-Ching Tsai, Kai-Chun Cheng, Chien-Chih Chiu, Chun-Lin Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss, which is driven in part by oxidative stress-induced dysfunction of ocular tissues. We previously showed that high glucose conditions trigger senescence pathways and damage the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Here, we identify glycitin, a natural isoflavone, as a candidate cytoprotectant and define its mechanism of action in high glucose-exposed ARPE-19 cells. Using RNA-seq followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, we mapped glycitin-responsive programs and validated key nodes experimentally. Glycitin partially restored cell proliferation, suppressed oxidative stress, and reversed high glucose-induced premature senescence, primarily through modulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. These findings …

Community-Based Well Testing And Outreach To Mitigate Human Health Risk From Unsafe Drinking Water, W. Adam Sigler, Katharine Sutphen, Margaret J Eggers, Kaleena Miller, Michelle Grocke-Dewey

Journal of Extension

Twenty-two percent of groundwater wells tested nationwide have one or more contaminants above a health threshold, yet many private well owners are unaware of these risks because they have not tested their water. Researchers piloted a community well testing clinic for education/outreach and surveyed participants about outcomes. Two months later, 75% of participants with high or intermediate health risk water quality results had taken action or intended to, indicating that community private well testing clinics can be effective in mitigating human health risks from contaminated drinking water.

The Other Visual Acuity, Paul B. Freeman Od

Optometric Clinical Practice

Editorial

Production And Characterization Of Aav6 Vectors For Psgl-1 Knockdown In T Cells, Uyen Le '27, Eli Vanlal, Gabriele Romano

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Melanoma is commonly treated with the combination of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, but treatment resistance or relapse remains a major challenge. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is a cell-surface glycoprotein expressed on immune cells that can suppress T-cell activity within the tumor microenvironment. Silencing PSGL-1 expression may therefore help improve T-cell antitumor function. This project aimed to produce functional adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (AAV6) vectors carrying short hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs targeting PSGL-1 and to evaluate their ability to reduce PSGL-1 expression in T cells. AAV6 vectors containing U6 or CD3 based shRNA constructs were produced in HEK293T cells …

The Impact Of Caffeine On Bumble Bee Hunger, Hallie Chapman, Becky Hansis-O'Neill, Aimee Dunlap Phd

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) are crucial pollinators, responsible for pollinating multiple native plants and agricultural crops. Caffeine, which is classified as a stimulant, is present in some of these plant species at varying levels. Alterations in bumble bee cognition, including motivation, learning, and hunger, have been associated with caffeine intake. This study explored the impacts of caffeine on the bumble bee behavior on a biological level. While previous research has examined caffeine’s effects on cognition and learning, fewer studies have investigated its effects on hunger at the level of individual bees. Bumble bees, identified with numerically labeled tags, …

Antiplasmodial Activity Of Detarium Senegalense J.F.Gmel. (Fabaceae) Stembark Ethanol Extract, Cletus Anes Ukwubile, Hananiya Hamza Milagawanda

Journal of Bioresource Management

Malaria is a persistent public health impediment in sub-Saharan Africa, necessitating an incessant search for new, effective, and low-cost antimalarial agents from medicinal plants. This study was designed to evaluate the antiplasmodial efficacy of the ethanol crude extract of the stembark of Detarium senegalense. Standard methods were employed to identify the major secondary metabolites. In vivo antiplasmodial activity of the extract in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice was carried out as per the standard suppression test. The LD₅₀ was elicited in mice using a standard procedure. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of important bioactive components such as alkaloids, flavonoids, …

Biosensor Development In East Africa: A Systematic Review Of Technologies, Applications, Challenges, And Future Directions, Ally Mahadhy

Tanzania Journal of Science

Biosensors integrate biological recognition elements with signal transduction systems to generate quantitative or semi-quantitative analytical information and have applications across healthcare, food safety, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and wildlife health. Despite substantial global advances, biosensor development in East Africa remains poorly characterized. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, evaluated published evidence from 1995 to 2025 within a predefined East African Community geographical scope. Eligibility was based on IUPAC-aligned operational criteria requiring an integrated biological recognition element, transduction mechanism, and quantitative or semi-quantitative signal output. Three locally developed biosensors met the criteria: an electrochemical nano-biosensor for schistosomiasis diagnosis in …

Toxic Plants In Zimbabwe: The Lantana Camara Species, Frank Kapungu, Cecilia Masvingwe

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

Lantana camara is a major invasive plant species in Zimbabwe. Its toxic effects pose a threat to livestock production, biodiversity, and development. A survey was carried out throughout the country to investigate the distribution of L. camara in Zimbabwe and assess the extent of its spread. Identification was done by toxicologists with the support of an experienced botanist from the National Herbarium of Zimbabwe. The location of the plants was identified using a portable Garmin eTrex® 10 Handheld GPS navigation device., and the coordinates were recorded. Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) was used to plot the map. L. camara was …

Evaluation Of The Phytochemical Components And In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activities Of Eucalyptus Camaldulensis, Nwankwo Henry Chukwuebuka, Oladipo Miriam Oluchi, Oladipo Bamidele Fatai, Onmata Gloria Deborah, Agbo Joseph Odeh, Agu, Solomon Tsekohol, Onyeyili Patrick Azubuike

Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy Cairo University

Phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids are known for their medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. This study analyzed the phytochemical composition of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf extracts and evaluated its’ in vitro anti-inflammatory potential. Leaves of E. camaldulensis were collected, authenticated and extracted using 70% methanol. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were performed using standard protocols. Total phenolic content (68.68 ± 0.001 mg/100g), flavonoids (279.62 ± 0.18 mg/100g), alkaloids (82.17 ± 0.76 mg/100g), tannins (22.79 ± 0.03 mg/100g), and terpenoids (8.43 ± 0.03 mg/100g) were quantified. Anti-inflammatory assays included albumin denaturation inhibition (76.33 ± 0.19% at 50 mg/mL), proteinase inhibition …

Immunomodulatory Activity Of Bryonia Alba 6c And 30c In Sheep Red Blood Cell-Immunised Mice: Insights From Humoral And Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Responses, Abanti Goswami, Narasimha Kumar Gv, Vara Prasad Saka, Suneel Prajapati, Bibaswan Biswas, Pankaj Gupta

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: Malnutrition and infectious diseases compromise immune responses, increasing vulnerability to infections. The introduction of plant-derived immunomodulators, such as Bryonia alba (Bry. alba), is attracting attention due to their lower side effects compared with chemical drugs. In Homoeopathy, Bry. alba has long been utilised to treat a wide range of illnesses, including viral infections, and is recognised for its immunomodulatory properties. Objectives: To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of Bry. alba 6C and 30C potencies on humoral and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-immunised BALB/c mice. Materials and methods: Fifty BALB/c mice were divided into five …

Chemical Composition And Mechanism Investigation Of Subfraction From Wuwei Zijin San Guided By Anti-Hepatic Fibrosis Activity, Yazhen Guo, Zhongzhi Qi, Yajuan Chen, Lijuan Nie, Mingyu Luo, Yuechen Guo, Hui Wu, Bengui Ye, Jun He

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

BACKGROUND  Among the spectrum of hepatopathies that pose a significant global health threat, halting the progression of hepatic fibrosis is a key therapeutic objective. Wuwei Zijin San (WWZJS) is derived from a traditional Tibetan empirical formula, yet its efficacy against hepatic fibrosis, along with the underlying mechanisms and active ingredients, remains uncertain.

PURPOSE  The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of WWZJS against hepatic fibrosis, explore its underlying mechanisms and material basis, and evaluate the potential of direct interactions between the biologically active ingredients and their corresponding targets.

METHODS Chemical profiling of the active …

Simotang Oral Liquid Alleviates Functional Dyspepsia-Related Motility Dysfunction Through Ca²⁺-Dependent Smooth Muscle Contraction And Nrf2/Nf-Κb Modulation, Guo Mao, Chunxiang He, Jiaqin Liu, Dahua Wu, Puhua Zeng, Ye Mao

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction involving heterogeneous motor, sensory, immune, and oxidative stress-related mechanisms. Simotang oral liquid (SMT), a traditional Chinese medicine formulation used for dyspeptic and gastrointestinal motility-related symptoms, has not been evaluated with an integrated clinical, functional, and molecular framework. This single-arm prospective pre-post study assessed gastric emptying by the 13C-octanoic acid breath test, gastric electrical activity by electrogastrography, postprandial tolerance by nutrient drink testing, symptom scores, serum biomarkers, and gastric antral tissue markers in patients with FD. FD-like mice were used for charcoal meal transit, smooth muscle strip tension, calcium channel blockade, and …

Integration Of Freshness Monitoring And Active Packaging Technologies For Aquatic Products, Maria Ali, Abdul Waheed Ghanghro, Bheem Raj Serani, Mahrukh Zakir

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Aquatic products are nutritionally valuable but highly perishable, with quality loss driven by microbial spoilage, biochemical changes, including total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA) and histamine, and physicochemical deterioration, including lipid oxidation, gas production and texture loss. Conventional packaging slows these processes but does not report real-time freshness. This review analyzes how active packaging (antimicrobial, antioxidant, enzyme-inhibiting, and oxygen-scavenging systems, including bio- and nanocomposites) can be combined with freshness monitoring technologies (colorimetric/pH indicators, gas sensors, biosensors, and digital tools such as radio frequency identification (RFID) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems) specifically for fish, shrimp, and mollusks. We first …

A Target-Responsive And Signal-Amplified Dna Hydrogel Biosensor For Visual And Quantitative Detection Of Aflatoxin B1, Haojie Du, Haoyue Liu, Yongshuai Li, Shiyi Wei, Xinning Wang, Yunxuan Weng, Xiaoying Zhao

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a severe threat to food safety due to its potent carcinogenicity. To address the need for rapid and on-site detection, this study developed a colorimetric biosensor based on an AFB1-responsive DNA aptamer-cross-linked sodium alginate hydrogel. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were encapsulated within the hydrogel as a visual signal reporter. The sensing mechanism relies on target-induced dissociation of aptamer crosslinkers, leading to hydrogel disintegration and release of AuNPs. The hydrogel formulation was optimized regarding sodium alginate concentration and crosslinking conditions. To enhance sensitivity, an Exonuclease I (Exo I)-triggered target recycling strategy was implemented, which amplifies hydrogel network disruption …

Identification Of Ca2 As A Potential Candidate Gene Involved In The Therapeutic Effect Of Huatan Huoxue Decoction On Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Integrated Study Of Network Pharmacology, Mendelian Randomization, And Experimental Validation, Chan Zhu, Yijin Zhang, Panwei Hu, Cong Qi, Qiu Chen, Hong Yang, Jing Li

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Purpose: Huatan Huoxue decoction (HTHXD) is effective in treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); however, its underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. Methods: Gene targets were obtained through Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using druggable genes from public databases and genome-wide association study data for PCOS from the FinnGen R12 database. These targets were integrated with the active ingredients and protein targets of HTHXD retrieved from the TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases for network pharmacology analysis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were conducted. Core targets were validated using molecular docking. Experimental validation was performed using a letrozole-induced …

An Observational Study Of The Effect Of Concomitant Levetiracetam On Apixaban Concentrations In A Hospital Cohort, Chazmyn Riley, Kevin Lam, Cristina Micale, Lynda Thomson, Douglas F. Stickle, Walter K. Kraft

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Despite the lack of evidence of a mechanism-based drug interaction, some professional organizations have advised caution coadministering apixaban and levetiracetam. Eligible patients taking apixaban with or without levetiracetam for any indication for at least 72 h were screened from the electronic medical records. Plasma samples from 77 patients were retrieved from salvaged clinical blood collections. Apixaban minimum and maximum concentrations (Cmin and Cmax) were compared using descriptive statistics in R. While the median Cmin and Cmax appear to be marginally elevated, there were no apparent differences relative to apixaban alone. These findings suggest no apparent interaction of levetiracetam and support …

Pharmacogenetics In Pediatric Cardiology., Adenike Adenikinju, Jonathan B. Wagner, Mollie Walton

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Children with congenital and acquired heart disease frequently require complex and prolonged pharmacotherapy, often involving off-label cardiovascular medications with narrow therapeutic ranges. Consequently, variability in drug response and medication-related adverse events remains a significant clinical challenge in pediatric cardiology. Pharmacogenetics provides a framework to individualize drug selection and dosing by incorporating genetic variability alongside established clinical and developmental factors. This review outlines the current clinical utility and emerging role of pharmacogenetics in pediatric cardiology, emphasizing applications most relevant to day-to-day patient care. Established pharmacogenetic associations with direct implications for pediatric cardiac practice include gene-drug pairs involving tacrolimus (CYP3A5), …

Data Curation And Integration For Cancer Cell Line Pharmacogenomics Analysis, Meric Kinali

Graduate Masters Theses

Cancer cell lines are essential resources for connecting genomic and molecular features with drug response and identifying biomarkers. Therefore, large-scale cancer cell line resources have been growing, but this introduces challenges such as data standardization, consistent annotation, matching identifiers, cross-database integration, and a reproducible computational framework. CellMiner Cross Database (CellMinerCDB) integrates pharmacogenomic datasets from multiple resources and provides a standardized analysis of cell lines across datasets. This thesis examines cancer cell line cross-databases and their importance in pharmacogenomics, with a particular focus on CellMinerCDB. As part of this work, I developed an R package for the gCSI (Genentech Cell Line …

Spider Biodiversity And Insecticide Sensitivity Across Active And Restored Cranberry Bogs On Nantucket, Tyler J. Kulak

Graduate Masters Theses

Spiders are one of the most diverse groups of organisms on the planet with over 53,000 species described as of 2026. They provide a suite of ecosystem services including their regulation of problematic pests in agricultural systems, appearing in high biomasses across a breadth of ecological niches. While beneficial as pest regulators, they are also susceptible to the same management techniques as pest organisms and are especially vulnerable to chemical control. Cranberry production in Massachusetts likely benefits from spider ecosystem services, but diversity research on spiders in these systems is limited. This study compares the diversity of spider populations from …

Genomic Based Environmental Health Assessment: Vieques, Puerto Rico, Valeria Hernandez Talavera

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

From 1941 to 2003, the United States Navy and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) used Vieques, Puerto Rico, for military training, which led to long-term pollution from metals, organic chemicals, explosives, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While earlier research found these contaminants in the environment and in living organisms, their combined effects on local ecosystems remain poorly understood.

This dissertation used a Genomic-Based Environmental Health Assessment (GEHA) framework to study the ecological risks from past military pollution in Vieques. The approach combined sediment toxicity tests, chemical analysis, gene expression studies, microbial community analysis, and community-based research. The four main …