Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Integration Of Plastic Recycling Within A Smaller Community: Reducing Plastic Pollution In The Environment, Olivia Palenscar

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The purpose of this research is to bring awareness to plastic pollution and find a way integrate plastic recycling workshops in a smaller community. Plastic pollution is a worldwide issue. Plastic is a versatile material and can be used to make almost anything, which is an attractive trait but the amount of plastic being consumed is alarming and only continues to increase. Plastic essentially never goes away because the degradation of plastic can last hundreds of years. The challenge is to find ways that everyone can recycle plastic because over 90% of plastic does not end up being recycled. Most …

Maternal Nicotine Exposure Leads To Augmented Expression Of The Antioxidant Adipose Tissue Triglyceride Lipase Long-Term In The White Adipose Of Female Rat Offspring., Nicole Barra, Taylor Vanduzer, Alison C. Holloway, Daniel B. Hardy

Physiology and Pharmacology Publications

Globally, approximately 10-25% of women smoke during pregnancy. Since nicotine is highly addictive, women may use nicotine containing products like nicotine replacement therapies for smoking cessation, but the long-term consequences of early life exposure to nicotine remain poorly defined. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that maternal nicotine exposed (MNE) rat offspring exhibit hypertriglyceridemia due to increased hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Hypertriglyceridemia may also be attributed to impaired white adipose tissue (WAT) lipid storage; however, the effects of MNE on WAT are not completely understood. We hypothesize that nicotine-induced alterations in adipose function (e.g. lipid storage) underlie dyslipidemia in MNE adults. …

Resveratrol And Pinostilbene Confer Neuroprotection Against Aging-Related Deficits Through An Erk1/2-Dependent Mechanism, Erika N. Allen, Sneha Potdar, Victor Tapias, Mayur Parmar, Cassia S. Mizuno, Agnes Rimando, Jane E. Cavanaugh

HPD Articles

Age-related declines in motor function may be due, in part, to an increase in oxidative stress in the aging brain leading to dopamine (DA) neuronal cell death. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of natural antioxidants resveratrol and pinostilbene against age-related DAergic cell death and motor dysfunction using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and young, middle-aged, and old male C57BL/6 mice. Resveratrol and pinostilbene protected SH-SY5Y cells from a DA-induced decrease in cell viability. Dietary supplementation with resveratrol and pinostilbene inhibited the decline of motor function observed with age. While DA and its metabolites (DOPAC and HVA), dopamine transporter, and …

Breastfeeding As A Predictor Of Serum Concentrations Of Per- And Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances In Reproductive-Aged Women And Children: A Rapid Systematic Review, Brianna N. Vannoy, Juleen Lam, Ami R. Zota

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Purpose of Review: Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals widely detected in human serum, and at low levels in breast milk. We conducted a rapid systematic review on breastfeeding practices and serum concentrations of PFASs – specifically PFOS and PFOA - among reproductive-aged women and young children using the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology.

Recent Findings: We included 14 studies examining associations between breastfeeding and PFASs in infants/toddlers or pregnant/postnatal women. Breastfeeding was significantly associated with lower PFASs exposure among women and higher PFASs exposure among children. Summary: We concluded there was “sufficient” evidence supporting an association …

Occupational Exposure To Solvents And Associated Neurotoxicity In Construction Painters: A Systematic Review, Allison Cailliau

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background

Existing evidence suggests that occupational exposure to solvents can have devastating and adverse effects on cognitive function. Individuals in the construction industry, specifically construction painters, often come in contact with these harmful chemicals on a regular basis. A solvent is a liquid that can dissolve, suspend, or extract other materials without chemical change to the solvent itself. They are present in a wide range of industries and can be used for extraction of fats and oils, degreasing, or manufacturing of paints and plastics. Their main routes of exposure are through inhalation and skin absorption, and they have a tendency …

Evaluation Of Pm Emissions Of A Diesel Engine Fueled With Waste Cooking Oil Biodiesel: A Systematic Review, Omobolanle H. Oshinusi, George M. Gray

GW Research Days 2016 - 2020

Background: The Navigation Guide developed by Johnson et al was used to conduct a robust systematic review of six experimental intervention studies looking at particulate matter (PM)emissions from conventional petroleum diesel and a biodiesel alternative utilizing waste cooking oil in heavy-duty petroleum diesel engines. Waste cooking oil biodiesel is thought to be a more sustainably sourced alternative to its fossil fuel counterpart.

Objectives: Application of the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology to answer the question: Does the replacement of petroleum diesel with waste cooking oil biodiesel reduce hazardous PMemissions? Methods: The study question was specified, evidence was selected and the …

Genetic Variants In Hsd17b3, Smad3, And Ipo11 Impact Circulating Lipids In Response To Fenofibrate In Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes, Daniel M. Rotroff, Sonja S. Pijut, Skylar W. Marvel, John R. Jack, Tammy M. Havener, Aurora Pujol, Agatha Schluter, Gregory A. Graf, Henry N. Ginsberg, Hetal S. Shah, He Gao, Mario-Luca Morieri, Alessandro Doria, Josyf C. Mychaleckyi, Howard L. Mcleod, John B. Buse, Michael J. Wagner, Alison A. Motsinger-Reif, Accord/Accordion Investigators

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and dyslipidemia are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Fibrates are a class of drugs prescribed to treat dyslipidemia, but variation in response has been observed. To evaluate common and rare genetic variants that impact lipid responses to fenofibrate in statin‐treated patients with T2D, we examined lipid changes in response to fenofibrate therapy using a genomewide association study (GWAS). Associations were followed‐up using gene expression studies in mice. Common variants in SMAD3 and IPO11 were marginally associated with lipid changes in black subjects (P < 5 × 10^‐6). Rare variant and gene expression changes …

Ambiguities In The Efficacy Of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors In The Treatment Of Depression, Stephanie Giblin

Writing Across the Curriculum

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most debilitating mental illness worldwide. Primary treatment of MDD is the administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Deemed as the safest psychotropic drug thus far, SSRIs have been shown to reduce depressive symptoms and enhance the quality of life in youth, adult and geriatric populations. However, with rising numbers of individuals taking maintenance doses of SSRIs for five or more years, researchers are beginning to discover severe adverse side effects associated with prolonged treatment. The overall risks of long-term SSRI therapy include tachyphylaxis, tardive dysphoria, structural neurological abnormalities and suicide. SSRIs also have …

Discovery And Effects Of Pharmacological Inhibition Of The E3 Ligase Skp2 By Small Molecule Protein-Protein Interaction Disruptors, John K. Morrow

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Skp2 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 2), one component of the SCF E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, directly interacts with Skp1 and indirectly associates with Cullin1 and Rbx1 to bridge the E2 conjugating enzyme with its protein substrate to execute its E3 ligase activity. Skp2 is an Fbox protein (due to it containing an Fbox domain) and it is the rate-limiting component of the SCF complex. Skp2 targets several cell-cycle regulatory proteins for ubiquitination and degradation; most notable and significant for cancer are the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27. Skp2 is an oncogene and studies have shown that over-expression of Skp2 leads to increased …

Effects Of Radiation On Neurite Morphology And Cytoskeleton Structure, Melissa Sassman

Student Scholarship

Long-term manned space exploration to the moon, Mars, and other areas beyond Earth's protective magnetic field poses possible acute and late central nervous systems (CNS) risks. Of particular concern for astronauts is exposure to high atomic number, high energy particles known as HZE particles, a component of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR). Although NASA has radiation safety requirements, the possible effects of GCR and HZE particles on the central nervous systems of astronauts remains unknown. Understanding the risks and effects of galactic cosmic radiation and HZE particles on the central nervous system will allow for safer space exploration.

Additionally, and perhaps …

Signal Detection Of Adverse Drug Reaction Using The Adverse Event Reporting System: Literature Review And Novel Methods, Minh H. Pham

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the objectives of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is to protect the public health through post-marketing drug safety surveillance, also known as Pharmacovigilance. An inexpensive and efficient method to inspect post-marketing drug safety is to use data mining algorithms on electronic health records to discover associations between drugs and adverse events.

The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, we review the methods and algorithms proposed in the literature for identifying association drug interactions to an adverse event and discuss their advantages and drawbacks. Second, we attempt to adapt some novel methods that have been used in …

Developing Novel Therapeutics For Bacterial Lung Infections, Brandon J. Baer, Ruud Veldhuizen, Cory Yamashita

Western Research Forum

Background: Bacterial lung infections are leading causes of death worldwide. Unfortunately, increasing resistance to antibiotics and the inflammation often accompanying these infections are leading to poor outcomes despite antibiotic intervention. Complicating treatment further, the tree-like branching structure of the lung makes drug delivery to distal sites of infection difficult. Our research aims to address these challenges by developing new therapeutics and new tools to improve and assess drug delivery, bacterial killing and inflammation. Our therapy combines host defense peptides, which have been shown to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria and down regulate inflammation, with a pulmonary vehicle, exogenous surfactant, that can improve …

Killi-Data News (Winter), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Valued readers, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that this is the last issue of Killi-Data News. The good news is that we will be back as Killifish Research Review. The dissolution of Killi-Data International created a prob- lem: how can the newsletter of a defunct organization live on without that organization? But other additional problems were building in the background. The first issue numbered 15 pages. The previous issue was 28 pages. The number of killifish related papers is increasing while time on our end (the editorial team) is running out. It takes a lot …

Killi-Data News (Fall), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Many interesting papers have been published over the last three months. The large volume of papers coupled with the start of the new college semester (and the workload it brings) delayed this issue of Killi-Data News. But better late than never—or so I hope! In this issue Richard van der Laan provides an insightful review of the recent Aphanius papers as to their taxonomic implications and questions. The systematic issues he raises show the importance of the Molecular project: we need to get more samples of the various cyprinodontiforme families to resolve unsettled systematic and taxonomic issues. In the Next …

Killi-Data News (Summer), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

Over the last three months several interesting and exciting pa- pers have been published. By now most of you have heard the Nothobranchius fish poo news emanating from the Valenzano lab. That paper is reviewed and certainly has repercussions for the health of our captive fish. Polaçik et al have published interesting data with ramifications as to how we breed and incubate annual killifish. The big news in this issue is the paper from the Reznick lab which Jean Huber reviews. The contents of that paper goes to the heart of the question of just what a killifish is. The …

Killi-Data News (Spring), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the start of Killi-Data News’ second year. In this first issue of the year we have the usual review of research pub- lications as well as input from Martin Reichard on his lab’s Nothobranchius research. Martin is responding to my reviews of his lab’s work in the previous edition. I am serious about making sure the content in this newsletter is reliable but I erred in the previous edition and Martin has written extensively to correct my mistake in the section “Erratum”. This reply is welcomed and owed to readers. I must confess that I don’t know everything …

Killi-Data News (Winter), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the fourth edition, and concluding issue of the first volume, of Killi-Data News and I am happy that it has been well received by readers. At 25 pages this issue is a bit thin- ner than the last but this is because we agreed to make the cut-off for submissions the 1 st of December so we could get this edition out by the New Year. This is an exciting edition full of new species descrip- tions and analyses that will keep taxonomists busy for years to come. Costa has given us two molecular phylogenies on Melanorivulus as …

Killi-Data News (Spring), Tyrone Genade

Killifish Research Review

This is the start of Killi-Data News’ second year. In this first issue of the year we have the usual review of research pub- lications as well as input from Martin Reichard on his lab’s Nothobranchius research. Martin is responding to my reviews of his lab’s work in the previous edition. I am serious about making sure the content in this newsletter is reliable but I erred in the previous edition and Martin has written extensively to correct my mistake in the section “Erratum”. This reply is welcomed and owed to readers. I must confess that I don’t know everything …

Protection Effect Of Exogenous Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 On The Kidney Injury In Vascular Calcification Rats, Yu-Chen Shi, Wei-Wei Lu, Yue-Long Hou, Kun Fu, Feng Gan, Shu-Juan Cheng, Shao-Ping Wang, Yong-Fen Qi, Jing-Hua Liu

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is closely related to the cardiovascular events in vascular calcification (VC). However, little has known about the characteristics of kidney injury caused by VC. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an endocrine factor, which takes part in various metabolic actions with the potential to alleviate metabolic disorder diseases. Even FGF21 has been regarded as a biomarker in CKD, the role of FGF21 in CKD remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we evaluate the FGF21 on the kidney injury in VC rats.

Methods: The male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: (1) control group, (2) …

Agriculture In The Classroom Farm Day Lesson Plan, Tessa Nicole Thompson

Agricultural Education and Communication

Nontraditional educational programs have been proclaimed desirable by many teachers, and proven effective through data collection and feedback (Coombs and Ahmed, 1974). Of the more popular unconventional educational programs, outside learning activities are commonly implemented as they are not only advantageous to students, but to teachers as well (Cengelci, 2013; Knoblock, 2008). Though nontraditional, much thought must be put into creating lesson plans for these educational programs.

El Dorado County’s Agriculture in the Classroom program utilizes nontraditional outdoor learning activities to conduct “Farm Day.” This lesson plan, created for Farm Day, is to teach third graders the importance of composting …