Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Defining The Developmental Toxicity Of The Herbicide Dicamba Using The Zebrafish Model System, Lucas W. Turner

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Characteristics Of Nanoparticles Emitted From Kanthal A1 And Nichrome Heaters Used In Electronic Cigarettes, Kaushal Arvind Prasad

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Whole-Brain Approaches For Investigating Iron Accumulation By Mri Show No Excess From Occupational Exposure To Welding Fumes, Jennifer Davis

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Toxicity Interaction Of The Two Most Common Agricultural Herbicides In The United States: Glyphosate And Atrazine, Lauren E. Brulinski

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Manganese Accumulation In The Pituitary Gland And Hippocampus Of Smelters Using High Resolution 3-D T1-Weighted Mri, Alison Jeffries, Zeinab Aly, Molly Cromer

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Astragaloside Iii Enhances Anti-Tumor Response Of Nk Cells By Elevating Nkg2d And Ifn-Γ, Xingmeng Chen, Xi Chen, Junxiao Gao, Han Yang, Yue Duan, Benjamin Feng, Xin He, Xiaoqun Gong, Hanjie Wang, Xiaoli Wu, Jin Chang

Peer Reviewed Articles

Natural killer (NK) cells play an irreplaceable role in the development of colon cancer, in which antitumor function of NK cells was impaired. Astragaloside III is a natural compound from Astragalus that has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects in various systems. However, few studies have evaluated the antitumor effects of Astragaloside III through stimulating systemic immunity and regulating NK cells. In this study, flow cytometry, immunohistochemical analysis, and immunofunctional assays were performed to elucidate the functions of Astragaloside III in restoring antitumor function of NK cells. We demonstrated that Astragaloside III significantly elevated the expression of natural killer group …

Dual Inhibition Of The Pi3k/Akt And Mek5/Erk5 Pathways For The Treatment Of Breast Cancer, Thomas Douglas Wright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease state with several challenging frontiers. In particular, aberrations in the Phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways have been linked to increased breast cancer proliferation and survival. It has been proposed that these survival characteristics are enhanced through compensatory signaling and crosstalk mechanisms. New evidence suggests that MEK5/ERK5, a member of the MAPK family, is a crucial component in the proliferation and survival of several aggressive cancers. We hypothesize that inhibiting both PI3K/Akt and MEK5/ERK5 pathways will decrease cell viability while maintaining limited collateral toxicity. In this study, we examined the effects …

Evaluation Of Biodegradability Characteristics Of Cellulose-Based Film As Per Is/Iso 14855-1, Narayan C. Saha Dr, Gaurav Madhu Dr, Diksha B. Kadu Ms

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Biodegradable polymers (especially those derived from plant sources) begin their lifecycle as renewable resources, usually in the form of starch or cellulose. In this paper, the evaluation of biodegradability of cellulose-based polymer film under controlled composting conditions as per the guidelines of IS/ISO 14855 (Part-1) standard has been described. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) powder was taken as positive-control polymer. The apparatus used to analyse the degree and rate of biodegradation was developed indigenously. The validation of the biodegradability testing apparatus was also performed as per the prescribed test method given in IS/ISO 14855-1.

Spatiotemporal Patterns Of Small For Gestational Age And Low Birth Weight Births And Associations With Land Use And Socioeconomic Status, Charlene Nielsen, Carl Amrhein, Prakesh S Shah, Khalid Aziz, Alvaro R Osornio-Vargas

Office of the Provost

In addition to small for gestational age (SGA) and low birth weight at term (LBWT), critically ill cases of SGA/LBWT are significant events from outcomes and economic perspectives that require further understanding of risk factors. We aimed to assess the spatiotemporal distribution of locations where there were consistently higher numbers of critically ill SGA/LBWT (hot spots) in comparison with all SGA/LBWT and all births. We focused on Edmonton (2008-2010) and Calgary (2006-2010), Alberta, and used a geographical information system to apply emerging hot spot analysis, as a new approach for understanding SGA, LBWT, and the critically ill counterparts (ciSGA or …

The Role Of Secretory Phospholipase A2 Group Iia In Obesity And Metabolism, Michael S. Kuefner

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Secretory phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A) is a member of a family of secretory phospholipases previously implicated in inflammation, atherogenesis, and antibacterial actions. These enzymes hydrolyze glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 position releasing lysophospholipids and fatty acids. Though studies have shown PLA2G2A is pro-inflammatory and promotes atherosclerosis, no research has analyzed the role of this enzyme in obesity and metabolism. Studies in the past 5-10 years utilizing various knock- out or over-expression mouse models have analyzed the role of different secretory phospholipase A2s (sPLA2) in metabolic diseases. From these studies, it is known that at least seven of the 11 sPLA2 …

The Effects Of Aqueous Atorvastatin On Steroidogenesis Of Xenopus Laevis At Environmentally Relevant Concentrations, Jeremy Johnson

Master's Theses

Statin drugs are a class of drug that work to reduce endogenous production of cholesterol by competitively inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (Hmgcr) thus inhibiting production of mevalonic acid in the mevalonate pathway. Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is one of the most widely prescribed statin drugs and contamination of wastewater effluent is a growing environmental concern because of the potential to interfere with steroidogenesis in wildlife. Amphibians may be particularly susceptible to the effects of atorvastatin contamination because of their highly permeable integument. I used an amphibian model, Xenopus laevis to test the hypothesis that chronic exposure to low concentrations of atorvastatin …

Investigation Of Riluzole’S Synaptic Protection Mechanism Through Hsf1-Bdnf Axis, Yi Zhang

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The FDA-approved amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) drug Riluzole has great potential in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) based on promising animal data as well as its known action on modulating synaptic transmission. However, its detailed mechanism of action is not fully understood. Here, we proposed work aiming to address this aspect via focus- ing on the Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1)-dependent mechanisms. We found that Riluzole could increase HSF1 and BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) expression both at transcriptional and translational levels. CA1 (Cornu Ammonia, the first region in the hip- pocampal circuit), is its main target. We also demonstrated a protective …

Molecular Responses To Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Contaminants In Estuarine Fish, Elizabeth Jones

Dissertations

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill resulted in the oiling of approximately 2100 km of shoreline. During that time, resident organisms had to contend with the effects of multiple contaminants and suboptimal environmental conditions. This research examines the molecular effects of DWH oil spill contaminants in estuarine fish (CyprinodonvariegatusandFundulusgrandis) across multiple life stages, contaminant concentrations, and in conjunction with environmental stressors.

Our results indicate that:

1. Oil elicits substantial transcriptional effects across life stages in C. variegatus. In adults, exposure to low concentrations of oil and dispersant results in transcriptional effects related …

Growing On A Scar: Genetic Variation Of Achillea Millefolium Near Meeker, Colorado, Ace Spitzer

Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

Mining operations deposit high concentrations of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and vanadium into the topsoil of an ecosystem. These toxic metals can affect plant health and behavior, causing local extinction and shifts in ecosystem dynamics. However, genetic analyses of some plants growing on toxic soil conditions indicate higher genetic diversity than would be expected in that environment. Determining the effects of soil pollution on plants is important to determine a species’ utility in conservation and restoration. This investigation compared the genetic diversity of western yarrow (Achillea millefolium, Asteraceae), growing near a mine with vanadium and …

The Effects Of Climate Change On The Ecotoxicology Of Contaminants Of Emerging Concern: Flame Retardants, Contemporary Use Pesticides And Pharmaceuticals Personal Care Products On The Estuarine Grass Shrimp, Palaemontes Pugio, Rajaa Nouri Al-Yassein

Theses and Dissertations

Global Climate Change may adversely affect the environment, increasing water temperature and altered salinity which may affect the toxicity of both legacy pollutants and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs). Acute, 96 hour toxicity tests with adult grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) assessed the effects of CECs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Esther (PBDE) – 47, ibuprofen, bifenthrin, triclosan, and bifenthrin/triclosan mixtures) under Standard Conditions (20°C, 20psu) and different Climate Change Conditions (30°C, and/or35psu) In addition, the grass shrimp microbiome (e.g. Vibrio bacteria) were assessed following acute triclosan exposures at the Maximum Exposure Concentration (MECs) and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MICs) under standard conditions. …

Do Rope And Washer Pumps Provide Safe Water And Satisfied Users? A Case Study Piloting New Rural Water Supply Technology In Rumphi District, Malawi., Jacob C. Mkandawire, Mavuto Tembo, Muthi Nhlema, Joel Luhanga, Rochelle H. Holm

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Innovation is needed to develop rural water supply to support sub-Saharan Africa communities that are hard to reach. The purpose of this study was to critically review rope and washer pumps that have been installed on manually drilled boreholes in 48 communities as part of a pilot project in Rumphi District, Malawi, and which serve as a sustainable source of drinking water from both technical (water quality and functionality) and social (user satisfaction) perspectives. At each water source, an infrastructure checklist was used (n = 48); 10 users were interviewed (n = 472); and, if the pump had water, water …

The Health Implication And Application Of Silver And Iron Oxide Nanoparticles, Sahar Pourhoseini

Theses and Dissertations

Nanoscience and nanotechnology have successfully created different nanomaterials, which are defined as materials with at least one dimension between 1-100 nm. This small size gives nanomaterials unique and novel properties compared with bulk material, such as a high surface area, specific mechanical, optical and magnetic properties. These novel properties have stimulated the interest of using nanoparticles in a wide range of consumer products and applications including biomedical, pharmaceutical and drug delivery. Silver and iron oxide nanoparticles attracted more attention commercially due to their antibacterial and magnetic properties, respectively. So, the overall objective of this dissertation was: 1) to examine the …

The Wet Bridge Transfer System: An Novel In Vitro Tool For Assessing Exogenous Surfactant As A Pulmonary Drug Delivery Vehicle, Brandon J. Baer

Western Research Forum

Background:

Due to its complex branching structure, direct drug delivery to the remote areas of the lung is a major challenge. Consequently, most therapies, such as those treating pulmonary infection and inflammation, must utilize large systemic dosing, with the potential for adverse side effects. A novel alternative strategy is to use exogenous surfactant, a material capable of distributing throughout the lung, as a pulmonary drug delivery vehicle.

Objective:

Utilize an in vitro transferring system to assess exogenous surfactant (BLES) as a pulmonary delivery vehicle for different therapeutics.

Methods:

An in vitro technique was developed to simultaneously study surfactant delivery and …

To Compare Cyclosporine A Nanoformulations For Their Effectiveness In Reducing Nephrotoxicity, Ilkin Nasirli

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cyclosporine (CsA) is one of the main immune-suppressant agents which has been used widely in organ transplantation against graft rejection. However, the low oral bioavailability and the associated adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity are the main drawbacks of current usage of this drug. Thus, purpose of this research is to formulate PLGA nanoparticles of CsA to improve its effectiveness and to reduce the nephrotoxicity induced by the plain drug. CsA-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. Particle size and zeta potential of the formulation was determined and percent drug entrapment were also determined. Quantitative estimation was carried out …

Arts Of Living On A Damaged Planet: Ghosts And Monsters Of The Anthropocene By Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, Heather Anne Swanson, Elaine Gan, And Nils Bubandt, Randy Lee Cutler

The Goose

Review of Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, Heather Anne Swanson, Elaine Gan, and Nils Bubandt's Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet: Ghosts and Monsters of the Anthropocene.