Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health Commons^™

Las Carreteras Ya No Cantan: Una Investigación Sobre La Riqueza Y Diversidad De Especies De Anfibios En Sitios Sensibles A Lado Del Eje Vial N°4 En La Reserva Biológica Tapichalaca, Harrison Goldspiel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Tapichalaca Biological Reserve (RBT), located in Zamora Chinchipe Province in southern Ecuador, is a zone with high biodiversity and endemism. Although famous for the Jocotoco antpitta (Grallaria ridgelyi), the reserve is very rich in anphibians, especially frogs of the genus Pristimantis. RBT hosts at least 29 species of amphibians, including the new and endemic Hyloscirtust tapichalaca and 25 Pristimantis species (Meza-R. et al. 2008). RBT faces various threats, such as climate change, farms, and the exploitation of palm trees. One pertinent threat is Eje Vial N°4, a main road that passes through the reserve. This study investigated …

Cosmetic Neurology: Enhancement Of The Mind And Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Medication Abuse Among College Students, Mary M. Huff

Senior Honors Theses

Cosmetic neurology is becoming increasingly popular, and it is not just sleep deprived, over worked college students who are interested. People are beginning to seek off-label prescriptions for medications that are typically used to treat disorders such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy, while researchers are trying to create drugs used solely for mind enhancement purposes. Along with these drugs come many legal and ethical quandaries relating to the regulation of current use as well as the what ifs of future possibilities. A survey was conducted among college students regarding the diagnosis of ADHD, the abuse of ADHD …

Planarians In Pharmacology: Parthenolide Is A Specific Behavioral Antagonist Of Cocaine In The Planarian Girardia Tigrina, Oné R. Pagán, Debra Baker, Sean Deats, Erica Montgomery, Matthew Tenaglia, Clinita Randolph, Dharini Kotturu, Christopher Tallarida, Daniel Bach, Galia Wilk, Scott Rawls, Robert B. Raffa

Biology Faculty Publications

Planarians are traditional animal models in developmental and regeneration biology. Recently, these organisms are arising as vertebrate-relevant animal models in neuropharmacology. Using an adaptation of published behavioral protocols, we have described the alleviation of cocaine-induced planarian seizure-like movements (pSLM) by a naturally-occurring sesquiterpene lactone, parthenolide. Interestingly, parthenolide does not prevent the expression of pSLM induced by amphetamines; in vertebrates, amphetamines interact with the same protein target as cocaine. Parthenolide is also unable to prevent pSLM elicited by the cholinergic compounds nicotine and cytisine or by the glutamatergic agents L- or D- glutamic acid or NMDA. Thus, we conclude that parthenolide …

Evaluation Of Urinary Pesticide Biomarkers Among A Sample Of The Population In The United States, Alex Lance Lebeau

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pesticide use in the United States continues to attract negative public attention. In recent years, this attention has focused on the effects that chronic, low-level pesticides may have, especially on children and various sub-populations. Over the past decade, studies have attempted to correlate negative health effects with detections of pesticide biomarkers in biological media. The current research investigates biomarker of exposure levels in a sample of the United States population. Data from the 2001-2002 NHANES dataset (n=11,039) was evaluated. The detection frequency of urinary biomarkers of exposure and the geometric mean from the NHANES pesticide dataset (n=3,152) were determined. Of …

Associations Between The Quality Of The Residential Built Environment And Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women In North Carolina, Marie Lynn Miranda, Lynne C. Messer, Gretchen L. Kroeger

Community Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: The built environment, a key component of environmental health, may be an important contributor to health disparities, particularly for reproductive health outcomes.Objective: In this study we investigated the relationship between seven indices of residential built environment quality and adverse reproductive outcomes for the City of Durham, North Carolina (USA).

Methods: We surveyed approximately 17,000 residential tax parcels in central Durham, assessing > 50 individual variables on each. These data, collected using direct observation, were combined with tax assessor, public safety, and U.S. Census data to construct seven indices representing impor­tant domains of the residential built environment: housing damage, property disorder, …

Research, Monitoring, Assessment And Development Plan 2011 – 2012, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Occasional Publications

No abstract provided.

Anthropogenic Climate Change And Allergic Diseases, James Blando, Leonard Bielory, Viann Nguyen, Rafael Diaz, Hueiwang Anna Jeng

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Climate change is expected to have an impact on various aspects of health, including mucosal areas involved in allergic inflammatory disorders that include asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and anaphylaxis. The evidence that links climate change to the exacerbation and the development of allergic disease is increasing and appears to be linked to changes in pollen seasons (duration, onset and intensity) and changes in allergen content of plants and their pollen as it relates to increased sensitization, allergenicity and exacerbations of allergic airway disease. This has significant implications for air quality and for the global food supply.

Northern Gateway Pipeline: Why American Environmental Groups Are Funding Canadian Ones In The Fight Against It., Richard Philp

Data and Test Instruments

The Canadian federal government, supported by the right wing press, has being trying to paint as a conspiracy the financial support of Canadian aboriginal groups and environmental ones by offshore environmental interests. This brief article points out why such action is entirely legitimate and discusses the recent history of oil leaks and the risks associated with the Northern Gateway pipeline.

The Cyclin-Like Protein Spy1/Ringo Promotes Mammary Transformation And Is Elevated In Human Breast Cancer, Mohammad Al Sorkhy, Rosa-Maria Ferraiuolo, Espanta Jalili, Agnes Malysa, Andreea R. Fratiloiu, Bonnie F. Sloane, Lisa A. Porter

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Spy1 is a novel 'cyclin-like' activator of the G1/S transition capable of enhancing cell proliferation as well as inhibiting apoptosis. Spy1 protein levels are tightly regulated during normal mammary development and forced overexpression in mammary mouse models accelerates mammary tumorigenesis.

Methods

Using human tissue samples, cell culture models and in vivo analysis we study the implications of Spy1 as a mediator of mammary transformation and breast cancer proliferation.

Results

We demonstrate that this protein can facilitate transformation in a manner dependent upon the activation of the G2/M Cdk, Cdk1, and the subsequent inhibition of the anti-apoptotic regulator FOXO1. …

Toxicological Assessment Of Intra‐Tracheal Instilled Nanoceria On Kidneys Of Sprague‐Dawley Rats, Geeta Nandyala

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Recent studies suggest that use of nanoceria in industry is associated with increased risk of human and environmental exposure. How inhaled nanoceria might affect the kidneys is not yet known. To investigate this possibility, Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a single dose of 7mg/kg body weight cerium oxide nanoparticles by intratracheal instillation. Animals were sacrificed at day 1, 3, 14, or 28 days after exposure and the kidneys collected for histological and biochemical analysis. No significant difference was observed in kidney to body weight ratio between the different groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining did not reveal any significant changes …

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle? An Examination Of Factors Influencing Environmental Behavior In Denver, Colorado, Dan J. Kasper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Non-recycling and non-composting of municipal solid waste have important natural resource management implications, in that they both reduce energy, water, and raw natural resource use. Responsible waste management also likely has positive climate impacts by virtue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling and composting are pro-environmental behaviors that have been shown to be influenced by numerous socio-demographic and psychological factors. This study analyzes the correlation of a number of variables with frequency of recycling and composting in select census tracts in Denver, CO, USA, with the goals of informing waste management policy and contributing to the overall pro-environmental behavior literature. …

Toxic Effects Of Copper, Cadmium, And Methoxychlor Shown By Neutral Red Retention Assay In Two Species Of Freshwater Molluscs, Nikolett Molnar, Peter Fong

Biology Faculty Publications

We used neutral red retention assay in lysosomes of digestive gland cells as an indicator for stress effects by the environmental contaminants Cu, Cd, and the pesticide methoxychlor in two freshwater molluscs, the unionid mussel, Elliptio complanata (Lightfoot) and the ramshorn snail Helisoma trivolvis (Say). Mussels and snails were exposed for 7 and 14 days to Cu and Cd each at nominal concentrations of 2.5 μg/L, 5.0 μg/L, and 10.0 μg/L, and to methoxychlor concentrations of 1.0 μg/L, 10.0μg/L, and 100.0 μg/L. Both mussels and snails exposed to Cu showed a significant increase in the percent of destabilized lysosomes compared …

The Structural Requirements Of Histone Deacetylase (Hdac) Inhibitors: Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid (Saha) Analogues Modified At C3, C6, And C7 Positions Enhance Selectivity, Sun Ea Choi

Wayne State University Dissertations

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) proteins are targets for drug design towards the treatment of cancers since overexpression of HDAC is linked to cancer. Several HDAC inhibitors, including the FDA approved drug suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, Vorinostat), have cleared clinical trials and emerged as anti-cancer drugs. However, SAHA inhibits all of the 11 metal ion-dependent HDAC proteins. Therefore, we synthesized several libraries of small molecule HDAC inhibitors based on SAHA to help understand the structural requirements of inhibitory potency and isoform selectivity.

In previous work, SAHA analogues functionalized at the C2 position (C2-SAHA analogues) near the metal binding hydroxamic acid displayed decreased …

Vascular Kv7 (Kcnq) Potassium Channels As Therapeutic Targets In Cerebral Vasospasm, Bharath Kumar Mani

Dissertations (6 month embargo)

Cerebral vasospasm, a grave sequel to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), is characterized by prolonged severe constriction of arteries in the base of the brain, including the basilar artery. Spasmogens (serotonin, endothelin and vasopressin), elevated in response to SAH, induce persistent depolarization of the myocytes in the artery wall, leading to continuous influx of calcium (Ca2+) through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCC) resulting in hyperconstriction (spasm). The spasm of the arteries restricts blood flow to the brain, inducing ischemic neurological deficits and consequential high morbidity and mortality. The cellular pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm is poorly understood and the therapeutic options are limited.

Kv7 …

Analysis Of Gene Expression Alterations In Premalignant Progression From Normal Mammary Epithelium To Ductal Carcinoma In Situ By Multiple Orthogonal Tools, Hitchintan Kaur

Wayne State University Dissertations

Mammary ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is being found in great numbers of women due to the widespread use of mammography. The molecular and genetic changes underlying the progression from normal breast tissue to DCIS are not clearly understood. The goal of the present study was to determine gene expression changes in different DCIS models (MCF10.DCIS, SUM102 and SUM225) in comparison to normal breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) that may enable us to identify novel markers of disease progression and potential therapeutic targets. We cultured the cells in three dimensional reconstituted basement membrane (3D rBM) for RNA extraction and used the …

Compositional Determinants Of The Pharmacological Actions Of Heparins, Angel Lee Gray-Shah

Dissertations

This dissertation primarily focuses on how differences in molecular weight (MW) and structural composition affect the pharmacological activity of heparin and its derivatives. Heparins are a mixture of glycosaminoglycans chains which are used to prevent thrombosis in a number of clinical indications. Heparins promote the inhibition of blood coagulation via their plasmatic cofactors antithrombin (AT) and heparin cofactor II (HCII).

In these studies, various heparins with molecular weights ranging from 2.6 to 16.5 kDa were investigated. Not only the molecular weight but also the oligosaccharide composition greatly varied in these agents. One of the major objectives of this research was …

Associations Between Serum Concentrations Of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Serum Carotenoids, And The Probability Of Metabolic Syndrome In The National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004, Carolyn R. Hofe

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death and disability in the United States. These chronic diseases are clinical sequelae of metabolic syndrome (MetS), a condition that affects approximately one-third (1/3) of American adults. Metabolic syndrome occurs in response to environmental and genetic influences, among them food intake, a sedentary lifestyle, BMI, advancing age, and exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are known to cause endocrine disruption and PCBs cause oxidative stress, disrupt endothelial cell integrity, and promote atherosclerosis. Nutrition plays a significant role in the prevention and management of these chronic diseases and has been shown to …

Cationic Amphiphilic Drug-Induced Autophagosome Accumulation Is Due To Autophagosome Sequestration Within Vimentin Intermediate Filament Networks Resulting In Prolonged Autophagosome Half-Life, Miriam Devorah Kleinman

Wayne State University Dissertations

Accumulations of autophagosomes and non-esterified cholesterol are

observed in several cell lines derived from lysosomal storage diseases,

including Niemann Pick Type C (NPC). The relationship between

autophagosome accumulation and lysosomal non-esterified cholesterol is

unclear. Exposure of murine hepatoma 1c1c7 cultures to the cationic

amphiphilic drugs (CADs) U18666A, imipramine and clozapine caused

lysosomal non-esterified cholesterol and autophagosome accumulation.

Measurement of LC3-II conversion in the presence of lysosomal inhibitors

bafilomycin A1 and NH4Cl, degradation of long-lived proteins, and

colocalization of GFP-LC3 and LAMP1 indicated an increase in

autophagosome synthesis without compensatory increase in clearance.

Autophagosome synthesis was blocked using 3-MA to monitor …

Short-Term Associations Between Pm2.5, Black Carbon, Delta-C, And Cardiovascular Diseases In A Large Developing Megacity, Daniel Malashock

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Introduction: Association between ambient air pollution and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been demonstrated by many epidemiological studies in developed countries, however few studies have been performed in developing countries of Asia.

Trace Element Analysis Of Environmental And Clinical Materials Using Novel Instrumentation Based On X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry : New Capabilities For Public Health Laboratories, Kathryn G. Mcintosh

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry is a well-established analytical technique for determining the elemental content of many different materials. XRF has long been used for public health applications, particularly for identifying lead-based paint hazards. The primary advantage of XRF over other atomic spectrometric techniques is that it is nondestructive. In addition, little sample preparation is required, so results are obtained rapidly and at low cost. The principal aim of this study was to characterize the utility and reliability of current XRF instrumentation for use in the environmental health sciences. Interest in the use of XRF for detecting lead in children's toys …