Can Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Produce Human Pluripotent Stem Cells For Regenerative Medicine?,
2018
Touro College
Can Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Produce Human Pluripotent Stem Cells For Regenerative Medicine?, Alexandra Iskhakov
The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences
In the last half a century, researchers and scientists discovered the application of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) to clone mammalian embryos to produce a line of pluripotent stem cells for medical and laboratory use. This is a breakthrough technology that is applied to stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and cloning. Somatic cells are non-germ cells that are differentiated but provide the nuclei that are transferred to enucleated oocytes. The replacement of the nuclei results in a developing embryo that contains the genetic information of the donated nucleus, which can either be transplanted into a surrogate mother to produce a …
Relaxin As A Cure For Fibrosis,
2018
Touro College
Relaxin As A Cure For Fibrosis, Sarah Akilov
The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences
Until recently, relaxin has been known as a hormone that pertained to the female reproductive system. Its ability to remodel the extracellular matrix is responsible for its known reproductive effects. Current research has indicated that it may be useful as a drug to combat fibrosis. Relaxin has been proposed as an antifibrotic drug to target a variety of organs, including the skin, lung, kidney, liver, and heart. Studies done using the relaxin null knockout mouse have given scientists insight into the workings of this hormone. Human studies have also been done to test the efficacy of relaxin in its reversal …
Xenotransplantation:The Science, The Advantages, The Ethics,
2018
Touro College
Xenotransplantation:The Science, The Advantages, The Ethics, Chana Erlbaum
The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences
Xenotransplantation is a breakthrough medicinal technology that is an attempt to change the lives of millions of people. The problems in the current organ transplant system risk the lives of patients each and every day. Intense waiting periods and extremely costly procedures exemplify the stress and pressure that these patients face as an attempt to save their own lives. Xenotransplantation is the idea of growing human organs in a different species, using incredible stem-cell and CRISPR technology. This can introduce an answer to some of the issues in the current transplant system. Many technical and ethical issues are becoming relevant …
Impacts Of Trace Metal Pollution, Urbanization And Aquifer Recharge On Spokane River Macroinvertebrates,
2018
Eastern Washington University
Impacts Of Trace Metal Pollution, Urbanization And Aquifer Recharge On Spokane River Macroinvertebrates, Carolyn K. Connelly
EWU Masters Thesis Collection
This study analyzed macroinvertebrate communities of the Spokane River to determine: 1) accumulation of toxic trace metals in macroinvertebrate tissue, 2) effects of aquifer recharge, and 3) impact of urbanization. I predicted that aquifer inflows of cold, clean water would mitigate effects of pollution, and that reaches above the City of Spokane would be less negatively affected by urbanization; both were unsupported. I also predicted that effects of toxic trace metals would decrease within distance downstream; this prediction was supported. I sampled 12 riffles of the Spokane River between the Washington/Idaho border and Riverside State Park in late summer 2010. …
Exploring Science Identity: The Lived Experiences Of Underserved Students In A University Supplemental Science Program,
2017
University of New Orleans
Exploring Science Identity: The Lived Experiences Of Underserved Students In A University Supplemental Science Program, Lynette D. Perrault
LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations
Underserved students attending under-resourced schools experience limited opportunities to engage in advanced science. An exploration into the influence a supplemental science program has on underserved students’ acquisition of science knowledge and skills to increase their pursuit of science was conducted to help explain science identity formation in students. The proliferation of supplemental science programs have emerged as a result of limited exposure and resources in science for underserved students, thus prompting further investigation into the influence supplemental science programs have on underserved students interest and motivation in science, attainment of science knowledge and skills, and confidence in science to promote …
Testing The Underlying Chemical Principles Of The Biotic Ligand Model (Blm) To Marine Copper Systems: Measuring Copper Speciation Using Fluorescence Quenching,
2017
Wilfrid Laurier University
Testing The Underlying Chemical Principles Of The Biotic Ligand Model (Blm) To Marine Copper Systems: Measuring Copper Speciation Using Fluorescence Quenching, Tara N. Tait, James C. Mcgeer, Scott Smith
Chemistry Faculty Publications
Speciation of copper in marine systems strongly influences the ability of copper to cause toxicity. Natural organic matter (NOM) contains many binding sites which provides a protective effect on copper toxicity. The purpose of this study was to characterize copper binding with NOM using fluorescence quenching techniques. Fluorescence quenching of NOM with copper was performed on nine sea water samples. The resulting stability con- stants and binding capacities were consistent with literature values of marine NOM, show- ing strong binding with log K values from 7.64 to 10.2 and binding capacities ranging from 15 to 3110 nmole mg C −1 …
Justin's Save The Frogs Project,
2017
Westside Neighborhood School
Justin's Save The Frogs Project, Justin Sather
The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal
Justin’s Save the Frog Project goals are 1) to spread the awareness about the rapid decline in frog population 2) inspire others to make the environment a better place for people and animals 3) make an impact by building wetlands in California specifically for the CA Red-Legged Frogs and Foothill Yellow Legged.
9-Aminoacridine Inhibits Ribosome Biogenesis And Synergizes With Cytotoxic Drugs To Induce Selective Killing Of P53-Deficient Cells,
2017
Rowan University
9-Aminoacridine Inhibits Ribosome Biogenesis And Synergizes With Cytotoxic Drugs To Induce Selective Killing Of P53-Deficient Cells, Leonid Anikin, Dimitri G Pestov
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research
Common cancer treatments target rapidly dividing cells and do not discriminate between cancer and normal host cells. One approach to mitigating negative side‐effects of cancer treatment is to temporarily arrest cell cycle progression and thus protect normal cells during cytotoxic treatments, a concept called cyclotherapy. We recently proposed that transient inhibition of post‐transcriptional steps of ribosome biogenesis (RBG) can be used to selectively arrest p53‐positive host cells and not p53‐null cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether cytoprotective RBG inhibition can be achieved through small molecule treatment.
Targeting Ribosome Assembly Factors Selectively Protects P53 Positive Cells From Chemotherapeutic Agents,
2017
Rowan University
Targeting Ribosome Assembly Factors Selectively Protects P53 Positive Cells From Chemotherapeutic Agents, Russell T. Sapio, Anastasiya Nezdyur, Matthew Krevetski, Leonid Anikin, Vincent J. Manna, N. Minkovsky, Dimitri G Pestov
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research
Many chemotherapeutic agents act in a nondiscriminatory fashion, targeting both cancerous and noncancerous cells in Sphase and Mphase. One approach to reduce the toxic side effects in normal tissue is to exploit the differences in p53 functionality between cancerous and noncancerous cells. For example, activating p53 signaling by nongenotoxic means can transiently arrest noncancerous p53 positive cells in G1 phase and protect them from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. However, since most cancerous cells have faulty p53 signaling, they will proceed to cycle, and continue to be affected by the drug. In this study we asked if this G1‐phase …
Organizational Effects Of Defeminizing Toxicants: Lessons Learned From An Environmental Sentinel Organism, The Fathead Minnow.,
2017
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Organizational Effects Of Defeminizing Toxicants: Lessons Learned From An Environmental Sentinel Organism, The Fathead Minnow., Jonathan Ali
Theses & Dissertations
Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are chemicals that interfere with hormone function and are increasingly detected in aquatic environments, where they elicit adverse effects from exposed organisms. The toxicological effects of EDCs can be described as either activational (reversible) or organizational (irreversible), where the latter are associated with adverse outcomes in reproductive performance of adult fish. However, few studies have investigated the organizational impacts of anti-estrogenic or “defeminizing” EDCs, e.g. agrichemicals or pharmacological agents, in an environmentally-relevant or “sentinel” species. The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of early-life EDC-initiated changes in estrogenic gene expression on organizational effects …
Effects Of Crude Oil On Tumor Suppressor P53 Polymorphisms In Laboratory-Exposed Atlantic Killifish, Fundulus Heteroclitus,
2017
Seton Hall University
Effects Of Crude Oil On Tumor Suppressor P53 Polymorphisms In Laboratory-Exposed Atlantic Killifish, Fundulus Heteroclitus, Allison Margaret Nadler
Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), constituents of crude oil, are implicated as a potent source of adverse toxicological effects on living organisms. To model the effects of PAHs in response to environmental oil spill disasters a species of killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) was captured and exposed to crude oil in a laboratory-controlled setting. Over a period of 7 days, fish were dosed with crude oil by gavage, culled, and organs were harvested for analysis. Excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMS) of gall bladder tissue homogenates was used to verify exposure. Effects of PAHs on the p53 gene were evaluated as an indicator …
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Impact On Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Responses And Vascular Function,
2017
University of New Mexico
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Impact On Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Responses And Vascular Function, Kayla R. Zehr
Biomedical Sciences ETDs
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading global cause of death, and cigarette smoking (CS) is a major risk factor for CVD. Although there are smoking cessation programs that include a combination of pharmacological and behavior treatments, failure to curb behavioral habits and pharmacological addiction leads to low cessation success rates. Thus, developing a treatment to decrease CVD risk is critical. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) decrease oxidative stress and have been shown to restore endothelial function, an indicator of CV health, in cigarette smokers. Metabolites of n-3 PUFAs have been shown to have CV-protective effects, but the mechanism by …
Saving The Planet Begins With Saving The Coral Reefs,
2017
Bowling Green State University
Saving The Planet Begins With Saving The Coral Reefs, Marla Maconochie
Honors Projects
This honors project uses a children’s book format to aid in explaining the importance of saving the coral reefs. This book will be informing the younger generations about important, yet complicated issues at hand in a way that they can understand and relate to. The book explains how coral reefs are important for oxygen production, biodiversity, research opportunities, protection of coastal environments and for the economy. The children’s book explains how human activities and natural stressors can impact coral survivorship. The book explains how overfishing allows for excessive algal growth that smothers corals and tackles how coral bleaching occurs and …
Identification And Quantification Of Cyanide And Its Metabolites In Lemur Urine,
2017
City University of New York (CUNY)
Identification And Quantification Of Cyanide And Its Metabolites In Lemur Urine, Jeremy Peralta
Student Theses
Cyanide is a chemical compound that contains the monovalent groups of carbon and nitrogen. This substance is considered a rapidly acting deadly chemical. However, some animals such as lemurs consume food products that are known to contain elevated levels of cyanide without major consequences. The mechanism by which the lemur can handle this high exposure to cyanide is unknown. In this study, we developed and validated two analytical methods for the determination of cyanide and two metabolites, thiocyanate and 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA) in lemur urine. The method was applied to 47 authentic lemur urine samples collected from 4 different species …
In Silico Study Of Newly Synthesized Opioid Analgesics Bound To Three Opioid Receptors,
2017
CUNY New York City College of Technology
In Silico Study Of Newly Synthesized Opioid Analgesics Bound To Three Opioid Receptors, Abdullah Allaoa, Mai Zahran
Publications and Research
Opioids are the most widely used drugs for the treatment of moderate to severe, chronic pain. They achieve antinociception by activation of mu (MOR-1), kappa (KOR-1), and delta (DOR-1) opioid receptors. Natural products found in kratom plant, Mitragyna speciosa, represent diverse chemical groups with opioid activity, providing opportunities to better understand opioid pharmacology. Pharmacology studies show that Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl is a mu agonist/delta antagonist opioid with a signaling bias for G-protein-mediated signaling pathways in vitro and which produced potent antinociception in vivo. Respiratory depression assays along with other behavioral testing also showed that some of the major problems …
Type 1 Diabetes Alters Lipid Handling And Metabolism In Human Fibroblasts And Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells,
2017
Boston University
Type 1 Diabetes Alters Lipid Handling And Metabolism In Human Fibroblasts And Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Albert R. Jones Iv, Emily L. Coleman, Nicholas R. Husni, Jude T. Deeney, Forum Raval, Devin Steenkamp, Hans Dooms, Barbara S. Nikolajczyk, Barbara E. Corkey
Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications
Triggers of the autoimmune response that leads to type 1 diabetes (T1D) remain poorly understood. A possibility is that parallel changes in both T cells and target cells provoke autoimmune attack. We previously documented greater Ca2+ transients in fibroblasts from T1D subjects than non-T1D after exposure to fatty acids (FA) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). These data indicate that metabolic and signal transduction defects present in T1D can be elicited ex vivo in isolated cells. Changes that precede T1D, including inflammation, may activate atypical responses in people that are genetically predisposed to T1D. To identify such cellular differences …
Translating Genetic And Preclinical Findings Into Autism Therapies,
2017
George Washington University
Translating Genetic And Preclinical Findings Into Autism Therapies, Maria Chahrour, Robin Kleiman, M Chiara Manzini
Pharmacology and Physiology Faculty Publications
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and repetitive/restrictive interests. ASD is associated with multiple comorbidities, including intellectual disability, anxiety, and epilepsy. Evidence that ASD is highly heritable has spurred major efforts to unravel its genetics, revealing possible contributions from hundreds of genes through rare and common variation and through copy-number changes. In this perspective, we provide an overview of the current state of ASD genetics and of how genetic research has spurred the development of in vivo and in vitro models using animals and patient cells to evaluate the impact of genetic mutations …
Hydroxyurea Differentially Modulates Activator And Repressors Of Γ-Globin Gene In Erythroblasts Of Responsive And Non-Responsive Patients With Sickle Cell Disease In Correlation With Index Of Hydroxyurea Responsiveness,
2017
Augusta University
Hydroxyurea Differentially Modulates Activator And Repressors Of Γ-Globin Gene In Erythroblasts Of Responsive And Non-Responsive Patients With Sickle Cell Disease In Correlation With Index Of Hydroxyurea Responsiveness, Xingguo Zhu, Tianxiang Hu, Meng Hsuan Ho, Yongchao Wang, Miao Yu, Niren Patel, Wenhu Pi, Jeong-Hyeon Choi, Hongyan Xu, Vadivel Ganapathy, Ferdane Kutlar, Abdullah Kutlar, Dorothy Tuan
Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications
Hydroxyurea (HU), the first of two drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), produces anti-sickling effect by re-activating fetal γ-globin gene to enhance production of fetal hemoglobin. However, approximately 30% of the patients do not respond to HU therapy. The molecular basis of non-responsiveness to HU is not clearly understood. To address this question, we examined HU-induced changes in the RNA and protein levels of transcription factors NF-Y, GATA-1, -2, BCL11A, TR4, MYB and NF-E4 that assemble the γ-globin promoter complex and regulate transcription of γ-globin gene. In erythroblasts cultured …
Comparing The Effectiveness Of Alternative And Prescription Antibiotics Against Gram-Positive Bacteria,
2017
Lesley University
Comparing The Effectiveness Of Alternative And Prescription Antibiotics Against Gram-Positive Bacteria, Rachel Jenkins, Roan Dickenson, Sam Turnbull, Marcela Torres
Senior Theses
The rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a global public health concern that threatens the efficacy of antibiotic drugs. We found that natural remedies, specifically coconut oil, honey and cinnamon essential oil, have the potential to be used as a clinical alternative to treat antibiotic-resistant infections. In this experiment, we performed a disk diffusion test and measured the area of inhibition of each treatment to compare the effectiveness of natural and prescription antibiotics. Cinnamon essential oil showed significantly greater antibiotic activity compared to a prescription treatment, amoxicillin. With bacterial resistance continuously expanding, more work needs to be done to determine …
Age-Related Host Factors Regulate Lung Cancer Progression.,
2017
University of Louisville
Age-Related Host Factors Regulate Lung Cancer Progression., John Caleb Greenwell
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cancer is largely a disease of the elderly. In the United States alone, 87% of all cancers in 2017 will be diagnosed in individuals aged 50 years or older. Among them, lung cancer is the deadliest, accounting for 1 in 4 cancer deaths. The 5-year survival rate is below 20%, a number which has not changed substantially over the past several decades. This underscores a desperate need for new strategies in prevention, early detection and treatment of this deadly disease. While tobacco use is unquestionably the number one risk factor for the development of lung cancer, the majority of diagnoses …
