Toxicology Commons^™

A Detailed Parameter Study Into The Dermal Absorption Of Chemical Warfare Agents And The Effects Of Pharmacokinetics, Koko Lear

Theses

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are substances of varying toxicity profiles. These chemicals exhibit complex dynamics and pose a serious health risk when released into the environment. A mathematical model based on Fick’s second law of diffusion was developed to comprehend how these compounds were absorbed into the skin. The analysis applied to both small and large doses and, successfully, predicted experimental results. This work also includes the effects of CWA physicochemical properties on evaporation and dermal absorption through the stratum corneum. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impacts of small variations in the initial dose, environmental conditions, and …

Elisa Validation Method For The Detection Of Ketamine In Hair, Daria A. Centonza

Student Theses

An ELISA method was developed and validated to detect ketamine in human hair samples. Ketamine is an anesthetic drug that causes memory loss, dissociative sensations, and hallucinations. Due to these adverse effects, ketamine is a common drug used in drug facilitated sexual assaults (DFSAs). It is very important to be able to detect the substances used in DFSAs over a longer period of time due to the delayed reporting of these crimes. Victims, often out of fear and from the sedative/memory loss effects of the drugs, tend to report these crimes when it is too late to use urine and …

Chiral Analysis Of Methamphetamine In Hair Samples, Kristen Payes

Student Theses

Methamphetamine (MAMP) is a highly addictive illicit drug typically abused for its nervous system stimulating effects. Conversely, methamphetamine has therapeutic use treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, controlling appetite and assisting with weight loss, and is available as the pure l-isomer in over-the-counter (OTC) nasal inhalers due to its decongestant activity. Because l-methamphetamine (l-MAMP) is available in OTC form, forensic guidelines require a sample to contain greater than 20% d-methamphetamine (d-MAMP) when classifying results as consistent with illicit MAMP use. Chiral chromatographic analysis is capable of distinguishing between l-MAMP and d-MAMP. This …

Toxicological Assessment Of Zinc Oxide And Titanium Dioxide On Staghorn Coral, Acropora Cervicornis, Katherine E. Meurer

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and biologically significant ecosystems on the planet. However, anthropogenic impacts have led to a global decline in overall reef health in recent years. To address concerns that organic ultraviolet filters in sunscreen may contribute to reduced coral health, the mineral UV filters, zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), have become more common in sunscreen formulas as they are often considered “reef safe” despite limited information on the toxicological effects of these compounds in corals. This study evaluated the effects of exposure to unmodified forms of zinc oxide or titanium …

Towards The Determination Of Estrone And 17Β-Estradiol In Dairy Cattle Waste Using Solid Phase And Stir Bar Sorptive Extractions With Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry And Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Pallavi Ragi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Steroidal hormones are naturally produced as a part of many physiological processes and are excreted in the urine and feces of animals and humans. Farm animals in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are routinely implanted with synthetic and natural hormones to enhance growth and production, contributing significantly to environmental steroid hormone contamination. Every year around 49 tons of estrogens are generated by livestock waste in the United States alone. Due to rainfall and runoff, these steroid hormones reach the environment when animal waste is applied as manure. Studies show that estrogens and other steroidal hormones present in the surface waters …

Differential Transcriptome Analysis Reveals That Cache Valley Pm2.5 Triggers The Unfolded Protein Response In Human Lung Cells, Morgan Eggleston

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Worldwide, exposure to air pollution is a serious human health threat. Particulate matter (PM) air pollution is a mixture of suspended solid and/or liquid particles and particle size is determined by its aerodynamic diameter. Fine, or “respirable” particles, typically from vehicle emissions, manufacturing, power generation, agriculture, as well as secondary photochemical reactions, are classified as ≤2.5μm in diameter (PM_2.5). Upon inhalation, PM_2.5 particles can reach the lower, more sensitive regions of the lung, enter the bloodstream, and be distributed to other areas in the body. Large-scale epidemiology studies have shown that PM_2.5 air pollution is associated …

Blood Lead Levels In Minority Children: A Case Of Environmental Racism, Erick Rivera

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

Racial minorities in the United States have suffered from being disadvantaged. Among these disadvantages is environmental racism. This includes minority communities being ‘sacrifice zones’ for toxic waste and being exposed to lead poisoning. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in blood levels between white children and children of color. This research will follow a bivariate model for the first research question, “Do youth of color (under the age of 18) have higher BLLs than white children?” The bivariate model will look at the relationship between ethno-racial group and BLLs. Specifically, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be …

Particulate Hexavalent Chromium Inhibits Homologous Recombination Repair By Targeting Rad51 Paralogs In Human Lung Fibroblasts., Aggie R. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hexavalent Chromium [Cr(VI)] is a known human lung carcinogen and general health hazard. The mechanism of carcinogenesis remains poorly understood, but chromosome instability (CIN) is the major theory in its carcinogenic mechanism. Homologous recombination (HR) repair is a DNA repair pathway that prevents CIN by repairing DNA double-strand breaks. RAD51, a key mediator protein of HR repair, along with the RAD51 paralogs (RAD51B, C, D, XRCC2, and 3) are required for HR repair. During HR, RAD51 loads and forms a helical nucleoprotein filament structure to promote DNA strand exchange and stimulate pairing activity of DNA. Cr(VI) exposures have been shown …

Effects Of 2,4-Di-Tert-Butylphenol On Osteogenic And Myogenic Differentiation Of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Thanh-Bình Dương

All Theses

Synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) are a class of compounds used to increase the durability of polymers as well as to increase the shelf-life of food, cosmetics, and other personal care items. Of these SPAs is 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DBP). 2,4-DBP is primarily used in polyethylene crosspolymer pipes, which are now used as a replacement for the traditional copper pipes for household water distribution. However, 2,4-DBP has been found to leach from these pipes into the water, enabling a mode of exposure to humans. 2,4-DBP has been detected in human urine, serum, but more importantly, maternal serum, placenta, and cord blood. …

Floating Treatment Wetlands For Brackish Waters: Plant Selection And Nutrient Uptake Potential., Andrea Landaverde

All Theses

Brackish water bodies in coastal regions provide critical ecosystem services that support human and environmental health. Anthropogenic activities such as agricultural and industrial activities, construction, urban settlements, and tourism contribute to increased inputs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in brackish coastal ecosystems. Excess nutrients can lead to impaired water quality and affect marine organisms. Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are a vegetated-base technology used to remove contaminants from water column, that has been mainly studied and applied in freshwater systems. Application of FTWs in brackish systems requires further investigation, as high salinity in brackish waters could result in toxicity to …

Atrazine Levels In Rural Nebraska Counties And Parkinson's Disease, Muhammad Zahid

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifactorial disorder, connecting both genetic susceptibility and environmental risk factors. Several epidemiological and experimental studies support the evidence that pesticides exposure is positively associated with enhancing neurodegenerative diseases. The high amount of atrazine used in Nebraska and increased PD cases led us to evaluate the association between the long-lived water-soluble pesticide atrazine and PD in Nebraska counties. A person's exposure to atrazine may come from inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion. Three types of atrazine data covering 1992 to 2017 were used for this study: applied atrazine, atrazine in surface water, and atrazine in groundwater. In …

Assessment Of Soil, Water Contamination And Land Cover Changes In The Urban And Suburban Watersheds Of Houston, Texas, Felica Rena Davis

Dissertations (2016-Present)

Intense urbanization and increased anthropogenic activity are two important factors contributing to the decline of soil and water quality in Houston watersheds, which poses a great environmental and human health risks. This study, therefore, was designed to: 1) determine nutrient and metal concentrations in soil and water samples along Carpenters Bayou (CaB), Cedar Bayou (CB), Sims Bayou (SB), Spring Creek Bayou (SC) and Vince Bayou (VB), 2) analyze land cover changes in watersheds using Landsat image analysis and 3) evaluate socio-economic characteristics and human health risks for each watershed. Soil and water samples were collected from three different locations with …

Amelioration Of Acrolein Effects On The Small Intestine Of Rats By Curcumin And Compound 20, Syntia Engiasa Kwende

Dissertations (2016-Present)

Acrolein is an unsaturated aldehyde which produce chemicals used as an intermediate reactive aldehyde in the chemical industry. The primary component of acrolein, is derived from the incomplete combustion of wood, plastic, fossil fuels, the main component of cigarette smoke, the burning of fats and overheating of oil. The purpose of this research is to investigate whether curcumin and compound 20 prevents the induction of inflammatory and oxidative response caused by acrolein in the small intestine. Curcumin is the yellow pigment, lipophilic polyphenol substance that gives turmeric the medicinal properties. It can also define as the primary bioactive substance in …

Evaluation Of Biochemical And Pathological Parameters At Different Doses Of Cisplatin In Experimental Animal Model: Toxicological Study On An Antineoplastic Drug, Farhana Sultana, Muhammed Mohibul Islam, Mohammad Nurul Amin, Nusrat Jahan, Asma Kabir, Talha Bin Emran, Bibek Chandra Sutradhar, Sujan Banik

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of cisplatin-induced toxicities on biochemical and pathological parameters such as body, liver, and kidney weights, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and blood cells (RBCs and WBCs) in white Swiss albino mice.

Methods: Cisplatin’s potential toxic effects on body, liver, and kidney weights were evaluated using standard laboratory methods. Blood biochemical levels such as BUN, creatinine, and ALT levels were determined by an auto-hemolyzer using commercial diagnostic kits. Blood cells (RBCs and WBCs) were counted under a microscope by a hemocytometer.

Results: Cisplatin’s potential toxic effects on …

Accumulation Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Marine Mammals: A Case Study On Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, And Sirenians, Alydia Moorhead

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are lipophilic semi-volatile organic chemicals that present a range of challenges to marine biota, specifically marine mammals that often occupy a high trophic position in the food web. POPs have become a global problem since they have been shown to cause immunologic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, neurological, and reproductive complications in living organisms due to their resistance to biodegradation and their lipophilic nature. Marine mammals can accumulate these toxic substances through direct ingestion, trophic transfer, adsorption, and maternal offloading. They are susceptible to both bioaccumulation and biomagnification of POPs. Accumulation of POPs is affected by many variables, including …

Black Carbon And Meteorological Parameters At Two Locations In Northern Mississippi, Ashton Swader

Honors Theses

Black Carbon, which is a component of fine particulate matter, is a known pollutant that has been linked to the development of several diseases including cardiovascular disease. This pollutant can be measured by taking samples of air within a certain region and analyzing them using a transmissometer. It is known that black carbon concentrations tend to be higher in urban areas when compared to rural areas within a region. Black carbon concentrations can also vary depending on certain meteorological parameters such as temperature and humidity. There were no current studies that analyze the air quality in northern Mississippi due to …

The Effects Of Paclitaxel On Cellular Migration And The Cytoskeleton, Ashley Salguero-Gonzalez

Thinking Matters Symposium

In a clinical setting, some patients are exposed to an anti-cancer chemotherapy agent, paclitaxel. Cancerous cells undergo rapid, continuous cell division without control. Chemotherapy treatments try to slow and stop the uncontrollable cell division cycles and eliminate cancerous cells in the process. Paclitaxel serves as a treatment for some types of cancers, including lung, melanoma, bladder, and esophageal. Because it targets the cytoskeleton, paclitaxel can also influence cell migration. This project utilizes a cellular migration assay and an immunohistochemistry assay to analyze the effects of paclitaxel on the movement of cells and on the cytoskeleton of neuroglia rat cells with …

Fruits Of Nandina Domestica Are (Sometimes) Cyanogenic And (Sometimes) Hazardous To Birds, Scott Zona

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

A 12-month survey of cyanogenesis in the fruits and leaves of Nandina domestica (Berberidaceae) revealed that the leaves are strongly cyanogenic throughout the year, as measured by the Feigl-Anger test. Fruits vary in their cyanogenic potential depending on the degree of ripeness and clone. Green fruits are strongly and rapidly cyanogenic, but most ripe fruits are weakly and slowly cyanogenic. Some fruits tested negative for cyanide. Fruits tend to become less cyanogenic the longer they remain on the plant, so birds feeding on older fruits are at a lower risk of poisoning. More than other frugivores, cedar waxwings (Bombycilla …

The Sublethal Response Of Cambarus Sp. To Acute Low Dose Herbicide Exposure Evidenced By A Change In Ggt Levels And Apoptosis, Amelia Wickham

Senior Honors Theses

Following application, herbicidal runoff can collect in freshwater ecosystems, briefly exposing non-target organisms. As biological indicators, crayfish serve as models to assess freshwater health. Chemically stressed crayfish form reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are neutralized by the glutathione pathway. As glutathione depletes, γ-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) upregulates to increase glutathione formation. High oxidative stress lowers glutathione levels and subsequent apoptosis occurs. For this acute study, crayfish were exposed to 5ppb and 50ppb of atrazine, glyphosate, and 2,4-D. Herbicide exposures were expected to induce higher GGT production, increased oxidative stress, and increased apoptosis. Instead, GGT and apoptosis predominately decreased relative to the control. …

Superfund And Society Benumbed: An In-Depth Look At Environmental Justice In South Carolina, Sydney A. Hampton

Senior Theses

This thesis investigates the relationship between superfund sites in minority communities and their public health through the lens of social vulnerability. Various demographic parameters were used to assess the risk associated with minority communities and exposure to hazardous waste. After investigating the history of the Environmental Justice movement, three superfund sites of interest in South Carolina, and demographic and public health data; each community was analyzed to determine association between exposure to hazardous waste and minority status. Each examined community exhibited characteristics contributing to heightened social vulnerability, potentially causing increased susceptibility to negative health outcomes from exposure to hazardous waste.