Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Investigating The Role Of The Hypocretin/Orexin System In A Novel Model Of Polysubstance Dependence, Tyler Zarin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Substance use disorders (SUD) in the United States are steadily increasing. Potent and dangerous substances such as methamphetamine (MA) and fentanyl (FEN) are often co-used as a polysubstance (POLY), either intentionally or unknowingly as FEN is a common adulterant. SUD is characterized by physiological and psychological dependence involving the negative reinforcement of anhedonia and withdrawal which drive hypermotivated drug-taking behaviors. Current theory suggests that recruitment of hypocretin/orexin (HCRT) neuropeptide in reward and stress associated brain regions contributes to drug dependence. Despite strong evidence for HCRT’s role in mono-drug dependence, a relevant model for POLY dependence has yet to be developed, …

Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Concentrations Of Roundup On Oxidative-Nitrative Stress, Cellular Apoptosis, Prooxidant-Antioxidant Homeostasis, Renin And Cyp1a Expressions In Goldfish: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Kidney Damage During Roundup Exposure, Md Imran Noor, Md Saydur Rahman

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Roundup is one of the most widely used glyphosate-based harmful herbicides in the United States as well as globally, which poses a severe risk for terrestrial and aquatic organisms. In order to identify the detrimental effects of Roundup exposure in aquatic organisms, we investigated the environmentally relevant concentrations of Roundup exposure (low dose: 0.5 μg/L and high dose: 5.0 μg/L for 2 weeks) on renin expression, oxidative-nitrative stress biomarkers (e.g., 2,4-dinitrophenol, DNP; and 3-nitrotyrosine protein, NTP), prooxidant-antioxidant enzymes expressions (e.g., superoxide dismutase, SOD; and catalase, CAT), cellular apoptosis, and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) mRNA levels in the kidneys of goldfish …

Passive Electronic Cigarette Exposure Initiates Squamous Metaplasia In A Developing 3d Human Tracheobronchial Epithelial Tissue In-Vitro Model, Edgar Rolon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The prevalence of vaping has rapidly increased. ECs are often perceived as less harmful than tobacco cigarettes. A recent meta-analysis showed electronic cigarette (EC) aerosols adversely affected the respiratory system, similar to cigarette smoke, with some effects specific to EC use. Failure to prevent these alterations could lead to life-long comorbidities, and predisposition to respiratory diseases, including COPD and squamous cell carcinoma. While these effects are the result of active vaping, EC aerosols can also settle on indoor surfaces, be absorbed passively through the skin or orally, enter the blood stream, and subsequently expose internal organs, including the airway basal …

Assessing The Behavioral Impact Of Pyridostigmine Bromide In Rats, Noah A. Martin

Honors Theses

Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) is an organophosphate (OP) nerve agent prophylactic used to protect warfighters against chemical warfare agents. OPs inhibit the neural enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain. This leads to the buildup of acetylcholine, causing respiratory failure, seizures, and death. PB functions by inhibiting ~30% of peripheral AChE temporarily, protecting the enzymes so that the body is able to restore sufficient cholinergic function post-exposure. PB does not cross the blood-brain barrier, though it may still indirectly affect toxicity in the brain due to repeated AChE inhibition throughout treatment, or by inhibition of non-target ChE’s in the blood. The aim …

Assessing The Effects Of Antibody Glycosylation And Conjugation On Fc-Mediated Effector Functions, Lina Wu

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Increasing research has been conducted on antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) for their oncology applications and potential as treatments for immunological diseases. ADCs usually covalently bind a cytotoxic drug (payload) via a linker to a monoclonal antibody, which targets specific antigens expressed on tumors, delivering the drug directly to cancer cells while minimizing off-target effects. In addition to binding antigens on tumor cells, antibodies also interact with immune cells to activate “effector functions”. This activation is largely driven by the binding of Fcγ-receptors (FcγR) to the Fc region of IgG, which connects the humoral immune responses and cell-mediated immune responses. Antibody …

Effects Of Pfos On Zebrafish Dopaminergic Neurodevelopment, Allison G. Fletcher

Research and Creativity Symposium

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of environmental contaminants that cause disruptions to the nervous and endocrine systems. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) is considered one of the most disruptive PFAS to the nervous system, and may disrupt neurodevelopment of the dopaminergic system, which has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders like Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in humans. I hypothesized that early life PFOS exposure disrupts the development of the dopaminergic system. To test this hypothesis, I exposed zebrafish to 0.05, 0.5, and 5.0 mg/L PFOS through 5 days of embryonic and larval development. To assess acute effects of PFOS on the …

Trace Element Contamination In The Coastal Gray Wolves Of Southeast Alaska, Miranda Brohman

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Gray wolves (Canis lupus), northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) play vital roles in southeast Alaska, yet all are exposed to trace element (TE) bioaccumulation. This study examines dietary patterns and TE accumulation in four northern Lynn Canal wolf populations (Douglas Island, Juneau, Gustavus, and Pleasant Island) using stable isotope analysis (SIA) (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) and TE assessments. SIA revealed that wolves in Juneau and Douglas Island primarily consumed terrestrial prey, whereas wolves in Gustavus and Pleasant Island exhibited enriched isotopic signatures indicative of a marine-based diet, particularly …

5-Ht Receptors: Pharmacology And Functional Selectivity, Benjamin R. Cummins, Gerald B. Billac, David E. Nichols, Charles D. Nichols

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Serotonin 5-HT receptors were one of the first serotonin receptors to be pharmacologically characterized. In mammals, they are expressed throughout the body in nearly every cell and tissue type, with the highest density in cortical layer V of the brain. They are involved in several aspects of normal physiological processes and behaviors and have been implicated in the etiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia. Atypical antipsychotics have targeted blockade of 5-HT receptors as part of their therapeutic mechanism. More recently, 5-HT receptors have come to prominence for their role as the primary target for psychedelic drugs, which activate this …

Shelving Stigma: A Grocery Store Client Choice Pantry Model - A Solution To Food Insecurity In Young Adults Of Marginalized Communities While Eradicating The Stigmatization Of Food Pantry Services, Anna C. Buckley

Honors Theses

An increasing number of young adults, age 18 to 35, are becoming food insecure across America, but disproportionately in urban and people of color communities. However, food pantries have remained a social stigma causing food insecure persons to avoid using a food pantry for hunger relief. Research has shown that the grocery store model for food pantries is most beneficial for staff, while also minimizing the stigma and increasing accessibility for pantry clientele. The purpose of this program proposal is to highlight the feasibility of implementation of a client choice grocery store pantry model at the NY Common Pantry (NYCP) …

Phytochemistry, Antioxidant And Cytotoxic Activities Of Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis) Extract On Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cells, Ade Arsianti, Isma Zahira Suhaima, Steven Gill, Ajeng Megawati Fajrin, Lince Dameria Nadapdap, Norma Nur Azizah, Hiroki Tanimoto, Shun Hirota

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women with a very high mortality rate. This cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of breast cells. Treatments for this malignancy are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, however those methods can cause adverse effects and quite expensive. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) are also used to support those main treatments, one of them is herbal medicine. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is known to have various phytochemical components with antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and analgesic activities. This study is aimed to determine the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis extract towards …

Assessing Molecular And Morphological Methods For Diatom Taxonomy, Hailey Conrad

D.U.Quark

Diatoms are unicellular algae that are found in freshwater. Diatom communities are useful for monitoring water quality because they are directly impacted by pH, conductivity, phosphorus, and nitrogen content. Current methods of identifying the taxonomic makeup of a diatom community include morphological analysis with microscopy and eDNA metabarcoding. Both methods can be applied together to assess water quality by identifying indicator diatoms. However, microscopy methods are time-consuming, eDNA metabarcoding methods are unstandardized, and DNA databases are unorganized. This review explores the differences between morphology and eDNA metabarcoding methods, the cons of each method, and how they are both used for …

Ammonia Production From Cattle At The Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center, Sydney Cunningham, Elizabeth Smith, Rachel Nelson, Brayden Wagner

Undergraduate Research Conference

The Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center cattle pen was tested to measure the ammonia emission rates produced by cattle. Samples were collected from six testing locations. Eighteen samples were taken across three days of testing, in 8-hour increments. We found that small-scale cattle in open-air pens produce minimal amounts of ammonia that are not a concern for air quality. Ammonia was detectable in small quantities in the testing sites adjacent to the cattle and not in locations more than 0.1 miles away.

Quantifying Emitted Air Lead Concentrations From General Aviation Fuel At Georgetown Executive Airport, Anna Contreras, Linnea Maddux, Alexandra Marty, Emily Moore, Serif Tolleson

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Zonal Hepatocellular Responses To Acute Ethanol: Impacts On Mitochondrial Function And Metabolism, Matthew T. Savoca

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Background: Ethanol (EtOH) consumption causes hepatocellular mitochondrial depolarization (mtDepo) and mitophagy. Here, the Aims were to develop techniques to characterize sublobular hepatocellular metabolism and the distribution of mtDepo and mitophagy after acute EtOH. Methods: Wildtype and GFP-LC3 transgenic mice were treated with EtOH or vehicle and administered the covalently labeling mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) reporter, MitoTracker Red (MTR), and/or the non-covalent ΔΨ reporter, rhodamine 123 (Rh123), prior to intravital imaging, liver fixation, or hepatocyte isolation. After in vivo MTR, hepatocytes were isolated and sorted. Enrichment in E-cadherin (ECAD) and cytochrome P4502E1 in periportal (PP) and pericentral (PC) hepatocytes, respectively, validated …

Health Risk Assessment Of Heavy Metal(Loid)S Intake From Beverages In The United States, Hannah T.V. Stoner, Tewodros Rango Godebo, Pornpimol Kodsup Taylor

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Heavy metals in beverages can pose health risks in an exposure-dependent manner, however, few studies in the United States have evaluated their metal content and health risks. This study determined the concentrations of eight metal(loid)s, As, Al, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, in 60 beverages via inductively coupled plasma[sbnd]mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The highest median concentrations (µg/kg) were found in mixed fruit juices for Ni (45.7), Cr (14.8), and As (4.5); tea for Mn (5,300), Al (730), and Pb (1.4); and plant-based milk for Zn (835) and Cd (1.1). Chronic daily intake (CDI) across age groups was calculated using …

The Importance Of Well-Being For College Students, Benjamin Williamson, Dr. Mary Jan Greer, Phd, Otr

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Provided education on well-being, enabled independence, and improved quality of life, specifically for college students in this setting.

Advocate for Sustainable Programs:

Advocated for more programs to address the needs of college students and integrated all 8 dimensions of wellness into their current lifestyle

Support Academic Advancement:

Addressed college students' needs for overcoming occupational adversities which affects the longevity and academic success of college students

Motivate College Students:

Provided accessible and occupation-based resources that supported participating college students in independently improving their occupational roles

Advance Holistic Based Strategies:

Incorporated holistic based strategies that apply to each occupational role affecting participating …

Psilocybin Impairs The Extinction Of Contextual Fear In Adult Female, But Not Male, Rats, Lillianna P. Puppel, Aleece K. Al-Olimat, Kylie M. King, Marisa J. Savini, Claire E. Miller, Colin R. Del Valle, Heather R. Sparkman, Brooke E. Bramlage, Phillip R. Zoladz

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Fear-related disorders are often treated with exposure therapy, a technique based on the concept of extinction. However, this type of therapy is ineffective for many individuals, so finding a pharmacological adjunct that augments the extinction of fear could lead to better treatment outcomes. In recent preclinical work, investigators have shown that psychedelics can accelerate the extinction of fear, potentially through their impact on neurotrophic signaling. We previously found that psilocybin exerted sex-dependent effects on the extinction of conditioned fear to an isolated cue (i.e., a tone). Specifically, psilocybin enhanced the extinction of cue fear in male rats but impaired it …

How Can The Adoption Of Biodegradable Packaging In The Beverage Industry Specifically Contribute To Reducing Single-Use Plastic Waste, And What Regulatory Or Cost-Related Challenges Hinder Its Widespread Implementation In Developing Countries?, Rebecca Aba Gaisie

2025 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents

This research investigates the potential of biodegradable packaging to reduce single-use plastic waste in the beverage industry and explores the regulatory and cost-related barriers to its adoption in developing countries. The beverage sector is a major contributor to global plastic pollution, and biodegradable alternatives offer a promising path toward sustainability. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combines qualitative interviews with industry experts and case studies of businesses implementing biodegradable solutions, alongside quantitative survey data from 100 manufacturers and 200 consumers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Findings reveal that while biodegradable packaging significantly reduces plastic waste and appeals to environmentally …

Investigating Mercury Contamination In Urban Fish: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy And Histological Analysis For Environmental And Human Health, Indy L. Cockrill, Ross Andrew

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Mercury contamination in aquatic ecosystems is a pressing environmental and public health concern, particularly in urban areas where industrial runoff and wastewater contribute to heavy metal accumulation. This study investigates mercury presence in fish from Richland Creek in Nashville, TN, by analyzing histological changes in liver and muscle tissues. Mercury bioaccumulates in aquatic food chains, potentially leading to physiological damage in fish and posing health risks to humans who consume contaminated seafood. While prior research has established mercury’s toxic effects, there is a need for localized studies assessing its presence in urban waterways. The hope is to find histological abnormalities …

Investigation Of The Effects Of The Peptidylarginine Deiminase Inhibitor Cl-Amidine On Apoptosis And Gene Expression In Ovarian Cancer, Victoria Walden

Longwood Senior Thesis Proposal

Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) are a family of enzymatic proteins responsible for the conversion of arginine and methylarginine residues to citrulline. This conversion is important for several key cellular processes including transcriptional gene regulation. Recently, a link has been established between overexpression of a particular PAD, PAD4, and the accelerated progression of both autoimmune diseases and cancers. Ovarian cancer exhibits heightened levels of PAD4 in affected cells. High levels of PAD4 are associated with the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that promote cancer metastasis, and downregulation of the p53 apoptotic pathway. Thus, it is important to explore inhibitors of PAD4. …