Sense Organs Commons^™

Dog Sniffing Biomechanic Responses In An Odor Detection Test Of Odorants With Differing Physical Properties, Lydia Burnett, Nicholas Hebdon, Pete A. Stevens, Monica Moljo, Lindsay D. Waldrop, Lauryn Degreeff

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Dogs are utilized in forensic science for their extensive scent detection capabilities. They are often considered the “gold standard” in field detection for targets such as illicit drugs and explosives. Despite their prevalence in the field, relatively little is known about how dogs interact with and transport volatile organic compounds through their olfactory system. In this study, two groups of dogs were utilized – Sport detection dogs (n=19) that participate in the National Association of Canine Scent Work and have achieved advanced standing through training and successful search competitions and law enforcement explosive detection dogs (n=8) which were included for …

A Protocol For Immunostaining Of Macrophages In Whole-Mount Mouse Cornea, Conjunctiva, And Lacrimal Gland, Saleh Alfuraih, Dhruv Patel, Wonsuk Choi, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Rais Ansari, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The healthy lacrimal functional unit contains a resident macrophage population. Here, we present a protocol for immunofluorescent staining of macrophage markers, CD11b, F4/80, and CD206, in whole-mount mouse cornea, conjunctiva, and 50-μM-thick lacrimal gland section. We describe steps for dissection, fixation, permeabilization, and blocking. We then detail procedures for the detection and spatial localization of macrophages through immunostaining and confocal imaging. This approach circumvents the need to obtain thin tissue sections and acquire macrophage images from each tissue section.

Determining Spatiotemporal Regulation Of Actin Dynamics In Choroid Fissure Closure, Cristal Gonzalez

Master's Theses

There are several stages of development necessary for proper vision. During vertebrate eye development, early eye morphology progresses in three stages: optic cup morphogenesis, basement membrane breakdown, and tissue fusion. Eye development is an intricate collaboration between many cells and requires tissues to migrate and bridge together. The following research investigates the Danio Rerio eye development to understand the molecular regulation of choroid fissure closure (CFC). It is hypothesized that CFC requires temporal and spatial regulation of actin dynamics. We investigate this question using chemical inhibitors, cytochalasin D, an actin treadmilling inhibitor, and NSC23766, a Rac-GEF inhibitor of the actin …

Sinonasal Anatomical Analysis In Nonsyndromic Bilateral Coronal Suture Craniosynostosis Using Computerized Tomography, Tunchanok Paprad, Netsiri Dumromgpisutikul, Warunee Napakaew

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: Craniosynostosis is a deformity of the skull associated with the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures. In children with syndromic craniosynostosis, anomalies related to the cranial base and midface contribute to midface hypoplasia, affecting the diameter of the axial facial concavity. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis, especially bilateral coronal suture craniosynostosis, may result in abnormal facial proportions and affect sinonasal anatomy.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine and analyze morphometric measurement values in the sinonasal cavity of patients with nonsyndromic bilateral coronal suture craniosynostosis.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 91 children, aged 0 - 10 …

Best Screening: Introducing The Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid To Nicus In Tennessee, Gabrielle Sledge

OTD Capstone Projects

Blind Early Services Tennessee (BEST) is an early intervention agency that serves children ages 0-5 with visual impairments across Tennessee. BEST serves over 200 children and families across the state offering early intervention (BEST Start), parent empowerment (BEST Advocate), and family support (BEST Together) programming. The purpose of this project was to assist in the implementation of an early identification initiative (BEST Screening) using the Neonatal Assessment Visual European Grid (NAVEG). The NAVEG is a newborn vision screening shown to identify neurological risk for visual impairments. The long-term goal of this program is to promote the screening and early identification …

Ic3d Classification Of Corneal Dystrophies-Edition 3, Jayne S. Weiss, Christopher J. Rapuano, Berthold Seitz, Massimo Busin, Tero T. Kivelä, Nacim Bouheraoua, Cecilie Bredrup, Ken K. Nischal, Harshvardhan Chawla, Vincent Borderie, Kenneth R. Kenyon, Eung Kweon Kim, Hans Ulrik Møller, Francis L. Munier, Tim Berger, Walter Lisch

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

PURPOSE: The International Committee for the Classification of Corneal Dystrophies (IC3D) was created in 2005 to develop a new classification system integrating current information on phenotype, histopathology, and genetic analysis. This update is the third edition of the IC3D nomenclature. METHODS: Peer-reviewed publications from 2014 to 2023 were evaluated. The new information was used to update the anatomic classification and each of the 22 standardized templates including the level of evidence for being a corneal dystrophy [from category 1 (most evidence) to category 4 (least evidence)]. RESULTS: Epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophies now include epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy, category 1 ( …

Radiation Induced Skin Fibrosis (Risf): Opportunity For Angiotensin Ii-Dependent Intervention, Patricia F. Boothe, Vidya P. Kumar, Yali Kong, Kan Wang, Howard Levinson, David Mu, Milton L. Brown

Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences Faculty Publications

Medical procedures, such as radiation therapy, are a vital element in treating many cancers, significantly contributing to improved survival rates. However, a common long-term complication of such exposure is radiation-induced skin fibrosis (RISF), a complex condition that poses substantial physical and psychological challenges. Notably, about 50% of patients undergoing radiation therapy may achieve long-term remission, resulting in a significant number of survivors managing the aftereffects of their treatment. This article delves into the intricate relationship between RISF, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling. It proposes the underlying mechanisms and examines potential treatments for mitigating skin fibrosis. …

A Guide To Otoliths Of Minnesota Fishes, Baylor J. Short

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Investigations into the diet patterns of piscivores can provide crucial information on predator-prey relationships, population dynamics, and responses to changing ecosystems. However, digestive processes often remove or alter physical characteristics that are traditionally used to identify consumed fish. This problem has been addressed to some degree with advances in molecular technologies, although these methods can be costly and require specific training and equipment to do so. In contrast, bony structures such as otoliths, vertebrae, cleithra, and others frequently have morphologies that are unique among families, genera, and species. Because these structures are resistant to digestion, they can be used to …

Dha Shortage Causes The Early Degeneration Of Photoreceptors And Rpe In Mice With Peroxisomal Β-Oxidation Deficiency, Daniëlle Swinkels, Sai Kocherlakota, Yannick Das, Adriaan D. Dane, Eric J.M. Wever, Frédéric M. Vaz, Nicolas G. Bazan, Paul P. Van Veldhoven, Myriam Baes

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

PURPOSE. Patients deficient in peroxisomal β-oxidation, which is essential for the synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) and breakdown of very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs), both important components of photoreceptor outer segments, develop retinopathy present with retinopathy. The representative mouse model lacking the central enzyme of this pathway, multifunctional protein 2 (Mfp2−/−), also show early-onset retinal decay and cell-autonomous retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration, accompanied by reduced plasma and retinal DHA levels. In this study, we investigated whether DHA supplementation can rescue the retinal degeneration of Mfp2−/− mice. METHODS. Mfp2+/− breeding pairs and their offspring were fed a 0.12% DHA …

Rod-Specific Downregulation Of Omega-3 Very-Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Pathway In Age-Related Macular Degeneration, William C. Gordon, Marie Audrey I. Kautzmann, Bokkyoo Jun, Megan L. Cothern, Zhide Fang, Nicolas G. Bazan

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6) plays a key role in vision and is the precursor for very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs). The release of 32- and 34-carbon VLC-PUFAs and DHA from sn-1 and sn-2 of phosphatidylcholine (PC) leads to the synthesis of cell-survival mediators, the elovanoids (ELVs) and neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1), respectively. Macula and periphery from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) donor retinas were assessed for the availability of DHA-related lipids by LC-MS/MS-based lipidomic analysis and MALDI-molecular imaging. We found reduced retina DHA and VLC-PUFA pathways to synthesize omega-3 ELVs from precursors that likely resulted in altered disks and photoreceptor loss. Additionally, …

Reimagining The Inner Ear: A Morphometric Modeling Approach For Establishing Shape Change In The Evolution Of The Human Otolith System, Christopher M. Smith

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Our sense of balance is among the most central of our sensory systems, particularly in the evolution of human positional behavior. The peripheral vestibular system of the inner ear comprises the organs responsible for this sense; the semicircular canals (detecting angular acceleration) and otolith organs (utricle and saccule; detecting linear acceleration, vibration, and head tilt relative to gravity). The vestibular organs are often considered a single system, with most research focusing on the semicircular canals. The otolith organs, by comparison, remain largely unexplored despite their central role in balance. Consequently, this lack of knowledge limits understanding of vestibular functional morphology …

Factors Affecting Variability In Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Gain In The Video Head Impulse Test In Individuals Without Vestibulopathy: A Systematic Review Of Literature, Laurel Elise Money-Nolan, Ashley G. Flagge

Ashley Flagge Publications

The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize and synthesize published evidence examining variations in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain outcomes for the Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) in healthy individuals without vestibulopathy in order to describe factors that may influence test outcomes. Computerized literature searches were performed from four search engines. The studies were selected based on relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were required to examine VOR gain in healthy adults without vestibulopathy. The studies were screened using Covidence (Cochrane tool) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement standards (PRISMA-2020). A total of …

Potential Chemical Risks From Tattoos And Their Relevance To Military Health Policy In The United States, James D. Blando, Blas A. Guigni

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

We summarize and consolidate disparate sources of information about the practice of tattooing and its potential implications for military population health and policy. Each branch of the United States military has policies about tattoos for service members, but these have varied over time and do not cover health protection. The number of veterans receiving disability payments and the cost of those payments has been rising over time; the broad category of skin conditions accounts for 11% of disability claims. Any additional factor, such as tattoos that may increase the occurrence of adverse skin reactions, can substantially impact veteran benefit expenses …

Virtual Surgical Planning In Craniomaxillofacial Surgery: A Structured Review, Kaye Verlarde, Rentor Cafino, Armando Isla Jr., Karen Mae Ty, Xavier-Lewis Palmer, Lucas Potter, Larry Nadorra, Luchin Valrian Pueblos, Lemuel Clark Velasco

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgery is a challenging and very demanding field that involves the treatment of congenital and acquired conditions of the face and head. Due to the complexity of the head and facial region, various tools and techniques were developed and utilized to aid surgical procedures and optimize results. Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) has revolutionized the way craniomaxillofacial surgeries are planned and executed. It uses 3D imaging computer software to visualize and simulate a surgical procedure. Numerous studies were published on the usage of VSP in craniomaxillofacial surgery. However, the researchers found inconsistency in the previous literature which prompted the …

Complications Of Pediatric Cochlear Implant Surgery, Andrew Stefan, Sabrina Bernardo, William Azkoul Ii, Bianca Siegel

Medical Student Research Symposium

Background:

Cochlear implantation (CI) surgery is the standard of care treatment for pediatric patients diagnosed with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. While considered a relatively safe operation, any invasive procedure involving the cranium has risks. However, there are few recent studies in the United States that have analyzed complication rates among children who have received CI. Furthermore, existing studies fail to discuss specific risk factors that led to post-operative complications, nor offer solutions to reduce their incidence. This study aims to 1) determine the incidence of specific complications in pediatric CI patients and 2) identify evidence-based risk factors for …

Association Between Craniofacial Anomalies And Newborn Hearing Screening Fail Rate, Kaitlyn Sheapp, Ruth S. Marin, Larry Medwetsky

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Purpose: Increased knowledge of the prevalence of various craniofacial anomalies and their associated risks for hearing loss can help guide 1) development of evidence-based practice regarding detection and documentation of risk factors at birth and 2) health care professionals to make appropriate recommendations for follow-up testing and monitoring.

Method: Records were reviewed for 39,813 infants born at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and White Oak Medical Center between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019 to determine the association between the presence of craniofacial anomalies and newborn hearing screening fail rates, as well as the prevalence of confirmed hearing …

Sex Differences In Hippocampal O-Glcnacylation Of The Adult Mouse Brain, Makenzie Johnson

Selected Honors Theses

The hippocampus is a structure in the brain crucial for learning and memory. This occurs by synaptic remodeling known as long term potentiation and long term depression. Modifications of proteins in the hippocampus can affect its function. One of these modifications is the addition of O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine, also known as O-GlcNAc. This is a sugar produced from glucose by the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway that is reversibly added onto serine and threonine residues of proteins by O-GlcNAc Transferase, or OGT. It is reversibly removed from these residues by O-GlcNAcAse, or OGA. This modification has been implicated in diabetes, cardiac dysfunction, and …

Antibacterial And Anti-Hiv-1 Gp120 Activities Of Selected Medicinal Plants, Rose J. Masalu, Cyprian B. Mpinda

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Medicinal plants play an important role in traditional medicine and drug development research because of their numerous bioactivities. However, some concerns have risen on the inefficiencies of such products due to improper use of medicinal plant products, notably when mixed with other traditional remedies. This study evaluates the antibacterial and anti-human immunodeficiency virus 1 glycoprotein 120/CD4 (anti-HIV-1 GP120/CD4) activities of medicinal plants species Sapium ellipticum, Pseudospondias microcarpa, and Capparis erythrocarpos; and their respective combinations effects. Results revealed that aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of S. ellipticum and P. microcarpa had antimicrobial activities against S. aureus (ATCC 25923), E. coli (ATCC …

Otorhinolaryngology Consultations In A Multidisciplinary Hospital - Their Effects On Residents Training On Floor, Ambreen Abdullah Unar, Muhammad Hammad Deewani, Mohammad Sohail Awan, Syeda Amrah Hashmi, Abdul Basit Shah Vardag, Ainulakbar Mughal

Section of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery

Objective: To determine all types and severity of Otolaryngology consultation requests at our tertiary care center and spectral records of problems related to otorhinolaryngology come across initially by residents which will help in re-shaping residency programmes and enhance patient related care.
Methodology: All otorhinolaryngology consultation received over a three-month period were recorded prospectively. Information collected for each encounter included the time, date, reason for consult at primary service and admission with final ENT diagnosis, any surgical or non-surgical intervention, and basic patient demographics.
Results: A total of 127 consults for inpatients were reviewed from April 2020 to June 2020. Out …

In Vitro And In Vivo Correlation Of Skin And Cellular Responses To Nucleic Acid Delivery, M. Bosnjak, K. Znidar, A. Sales Conniff, T. Jesenko, B. Markelc, Nina Semenova, J. Tur, K. Kohena, S. Kranjc Brezar, L. Heller, M. Cemazar

Bioelectrics Publications

Skin, the largest organ in the body, provides a passive physical barrier against infection and contains elements of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Skin consists of various cells, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. This diversity of cell types could be important to gene therapies because DNA transfection could elicit different responses in different cell types. Previously, we observed the upregulation and activation of cytosolic DNA sensing pathways in several non-tumor and tumor cell types as well in tumors after the electroporation (electrotransfer) of plasmid DNA (pDNA). Based on this research and the innate immunogenicity of …