Chemicals and Drugs Commons^™

Gene Expression Of Tight Junctions In Foreskin Is Not Affected By Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, Emily L. Webb, Stefan Petkov, Heejin Yun, Laura Else, Limakatso Lebina, Jennifer Serwanga, Azure-Dee A.P. Pillay, Thabiso B. Seiphetlo, Susan Mugaba, Patricia Namubiru, Geoffrey Odoch, Daniel Opoka, Andrew S. Ssemata, Pontiano Kaleebu, Saye Khoo, Neil Martinson, Julie Fox, Clive M. Gray, Carolina Herrera, Francesca Chiodi

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Tight junctions (TJs) serve as permeability filters between the internal and external cellular environment. A large number of proteins have been identified to be localized at the TJs. Due to limitations in tissue collection, TJs in the male genital tract have been understudied.

Methods: We analysed the transcriptomics of 132 TJ genes in foreskin tissue of men requesting voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) and enrolled in the Combined HIV Adolescent Prevention Study (CHAPS) trial conducted in South Africa and Uganda (NCT03986970). The trial evaluated the dose requirements for event-driven HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with emtricitabine-tenofovir (FTC-TDF) or emtricitabine-tenofovir alafenamide …

Novel Engineering Approaches For Orthopedic Injury Treatment And Infection Diagnosis, Cynthia Co

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Bioengineering has made significant contributions to the treatment of orthopedic injury through interdisciplinary approaches. Central to these advancements are many orthopedic implants, including anchors and joint replacements, which have been designed to restore mobility. Despite their functional efficacy, these products have limited lifespan and are associated with many complications, such as implant-associated infection. The success of implant design and function, both in the short and long term, is paramount for enhancing patient outcomes and overall well-being. Therefore, my thesis work is dedicated to addressing these critical challenges, aiming to maximize their treatment effect while minimizing the implant-associated complications.

Long-term patient …

Chemical Synthesis And Biological Application Of Sensitive Rna, Alexander T. Apostle

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In the field of epigenetics - the dynamic collection of chemical modifications that overlay DNA/RNA - there is increasing interest in the potential for therapeutic and research-based utilization of the epitranscriptomics: those epigenetic modifications specific to RNA. Epitranscriptomics can give us a new approach to understanding and treating RNA viruses, like SARS-CoV-2. Given viruses are often found modified by human epitranscriptomic machinery, understanding how these modifications can modulate virulence is of high interest. We have shown that the N1-methyladensoine modification causes RNA synthesis termination in the SARS-CoV-2 replication complex, and thus may explain the differences in symptoms observed in individuals. …

Hsp70 Is A Critical Regulator Of Hsp90 Inhibitor's Effectiveness In Preventing Hcl-Induced Chronic Lung Injury And Pulmonary Fibrosis, Ruben M. L. Colunga Biancatelli, Pavel A. Solopov, Tierney Day, Betsy Gregory, Michael Osei-Nkansah, Christiana Dimitropoulou, John D. Catravas

Bioelectrics Publications

Exposure to hydrochloric acid (HCl) can provoke acute and chronic lung injury. Because of its extensive production for industrial use, frequent accidental exposures occur, making HCl one of the top five chemicals causing inhalation injuries. There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments for HCl exposure. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors modulate transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling and the development of chemical-induced pulmonary fibrosis. However, little is known on the role of Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70) during injury and treatment with HSP90 inhibitors. We hypothesized that administration of geranylgeranyl-acetone (GGA), an HSP70 inducer, or gefitinib (GFT), an …

Understanding The Effects Of Hormone Treatments On The Transgender Singer: A Pedagogical Study And Voice Studio Guide, Erin M. Hannon

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Transitioning from one gender to another can be an arduous and emotionally charged experience, accompanied by many physical and mental transformations. The journey of self-discovery and vocal explorations is both unique and deeply personal. Modifications that emerge in an individual's vocal characteristics have a profound influence on their capacity to communicate and express themselves.

Transgender vocal students and professional singers must navigate the delicate balance between their vocal and gender identities while considering the possible risks of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy. Though these therapies may significantly alter one's appearance and overall well-being, they are also capable of causing notable declines …

Spiral Wave Teleportation And Multiplex Network Synchronization In Light Sensitive Belousov-Zhabotinsky Systems, Shannyn Alicia Tyler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

We experimentally and computationally investigate dynamical behaviors in excitable and oscillatory media using light sensitive Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) systems. These systems are not in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, and have been proven to show various interesting phenomena including spatiotemporal patterns, self-organization, and chaos. We utilize the BZ reaction, a nonlinear chemical reaction, known for its relaxation-type oscillations, to explore the dynamics of these systems.

We examine spiral wave teleportation in an excitable media as an effective alternate defibrillation method. Spiral waves have emerged as a key phenomenon associated with the initiation and persistence of cardiac arrhythmias. Using a light sensitive …

A New Approach For Discriminating Spatially Acquired Sers Spectra Using Antiretroviral Drug Emtricitabine As A Test Sample, Jana Hrncirova, Marguerite R. Butler, Meredith R. Clark, Gustavo F. Doncel, John B. Cooper

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

In this study, an antiretroviral drug emtricitabine (also known as FTC or Emtriva) was detected and quantified down to 40 ng/ml by using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Its aqueous standards were tested with two types of silver nanoparticles (colloidal and dendritic) using a specially developed aluminum well plate. The SERS spectra were acquired using a Raman scanning device with 30-mu m spatial resolution. The spectral data were analyzed using a new approach for the discrimination of the spatially acquired spectra based on the Quality index (Qi). After the Qi is calculated, the spectral data are sorted based on the Qi. …

Evidence Of Direct Interaction Between Cisplatin And The Caspase-Cleaved Prostate Apoptosis Response-4 Tumor Suppressor, Krishna K. Raut, Samjhana Pandey, Gyanendra Kharel, Steven M. Pascal

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) tumor suppressor protein has gained attention as a potential therapeutic target owing to its unique ability to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells, sensitize them to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and mitigate drug resistance. It has recently been reported that Par-4 interacts synergistically with cisplatin, a widely used anticancer drug. However, the mechanistic details underlying this relationship remain elusive. In this investigation, we employed an array of biophysical techniques, including circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, to characterize the interaction between the active caspase-cleaved Par-4 (cl-Par-4) fragment and cisplatin. Additionally, elemental analysis was …

Polarizable Amoeba Force Field Predicts Thin And Dense Hydration Layer Around Monosaccharides, Luke A. Newman, Mackenzie G. Patton, Breyanna A. Rodriguez, Ethan W. Summer, Valerie Vaissier Welbourn

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Polarizable force fields crucially enhance the modeling of macromolecules in polar media. Here, we present new parameters to model six common monosaccharides with the polarizable AMOEBA force field. These parameters yield a thinner, but denser, hydration layer than that previously reported. This denser hydration layer results in eliminating non-physical aggregation of glucose in water-an issue that has plagued molecular dynamics simulations of carbohydrates for decades.

Listeria Adhesion Protein Orchestrates Caveolae-Mediated Apical Junctional Remodeling Of Epithelial Barrier For Listeria Monocytogenes Translocation, Rishi Drolia, Donald B. Bryant, Shivendra Tenguria, Zuri A. Jules-Culver, Jessie Thind, Breanna Amelunke, Donqi Liu, Nicholas L. F. Gallina, Krishna K. Mishra, Manalee Samaddar, Manoj R. Sawale, Dharmendra K. Mishra, Abigail D. Cox, Arun K. Bhunia

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The cellular junctional architecture remodeling by Listeria adhesion protein-heat shock protein 60 (LAP-Hsp60) interaction for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) passage through the epithelial barrier is incompletely understood. Here, using the gerbil model, permissive to internalin (Inl) A/B-mediated pathways like in humans, we demonstrate that Lm crosses the intestinal villi at 48 h post-infection. In contrast, the single isogenic (lap− or ΔinlA) or double (lap−ΔinlA) mutant strains show significant defects. LAP promotes Lm translocation via endocytosis of cell-cell junctional complex in enterocytes that do not display luminal E-cadherin. In comparison, InlA facilitates …

Reducing Short-Chain Pfas Levels In California Water Supplies, Manu Prabandham

Pomona Senior Theses

This thesis proposes twelve specific policies based on precedents set by prior regulation of persistent organic pollutants (such as PCBs), the costs and benefits of short-chain PFAS, technologies available to remove and destroy short-chain PFAS, and the roles and limitations of California’s regulatory institutions. The twelve policies are chosen to be politically and financially feasible, effective at removing short-chain PFAS from water supplies, and equitable towards lower-income and minority Californians, who suffer the most from the consequences of PFAS and other environmental pollutants. The new definitions, education campaigns, studies, taxes, bans, standards, testing, and filtration systems proposed are intended to …

The Unequal Distribution Of Social Risk For Black Men Across The Life-Span. A Novel Framework., Waleed Y. Sami

Adultspan Journal

This conceptual overview offers a comprehensive overview of systemic pathways that negatively impact the mental health of Black Men throughout their lives. Our argument highlights the importance for counselors and mental health professionals to utilize a thorough social risk assessment that considers these pathways in order to effectively address the mental health needs of Black Men while fostering positive working relationships. This overview strongly advocates for the use of context and structural determinants when evaluating mental health symptoms. Without an appropriate understanding of social risk and determinants, counselors may inadvertently perpetuate disparities by decontextualizing symptomology, and reproducing racist discourse.

A Novel Non-Rodent Animal Model Of Hydrochloric Acid-Induced Acute And Chronic Lung Injury, Pavel A. Solopov, Ruben Manuel Luciano Biancatelli, Tierney Day, Christiana Dimitropoulou, John D. Catravas

Bioelectrics Publications

Hydrochloric acid is one of the most prevalent and hazardous chemicals. Accidental spills occur in industrial plants or during transportation. Exposure to HCl can induce severe health impairment, including acute and chronic pulmonary diseases. We have previously described the molecular, structural, and functional aspects of the development of chronic lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis caused by intratracheal instillation of HCl in mice. Although mouse models of human disease have many advantages, rodents are evolutionary far from human and exhibit significant anatomical and physiological differences. Genetic and anatomic similarities between rabbits and humans are significantly higher. Rabbit models of HCl-induced lung …

Cumulative Distribution Function And Spatially Resolved Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy For The Quantitative Analysis Of Emtricitabine, Jana Hrncirova, Marguerite R. Butler, Sucharita Dutta, Meredith R. Clark, John B. Cooper

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has exceptional analytical sensitivity and selectivity. However, SERS irreproducibility presents an obstacle when using it for precise quantitative measurements. In this study, colloidal nanoparticles evaporated to dryness are used as a SERS active surface for the detection of the HIV drug emtricitabine (FTC; trade name Emtriva). Despite the irreproducibility of the SERS resulting from the stochastic process of evaporation, using a SERS scanning instrument, the SERS enhancement factors of spatially resolved spectra have a well-defined distribution of signals for a given analyte concentration. This distribution follows a power law function ranging from weak (very abundant signals) …

Synthetic Neuroactive Steroids Targeting Gaba-A Receptors As A Potential Therapy For Contraceptive-Associated Mood Disorders, Alexandria A. Davis

Scripps Senior Theses

4-10% of women who use hormonal oral contraceptives (HOCs) discontinue use after experiencing symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and depression in the first 3 months of administration. Previous studies have acknowledged a relationship between HOCs and emotional dysregulation but have not identified mechanisms by which HOCs have this effect. As a result, effective treatment options for HOC-induced mood disorders are lacking. Current theories implicate combined-HOCs, particularly those containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (EE-LNG), in reducing neuroactive steroid levels. Specifically, HOC users show decreases in allopregnanolone, a positive allosteric modulator associated with neuronal inhibition and emotional regulation. The objective of this study …

Observed Effects Of Physiological Melatonin Dosing On Mda-Mb-231 Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation, Wenli Wu

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project seeks to evaluate pharmacological dosing of melatonin on the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line in culture, using the two solubility carriers: DMSO/water and ethanol. This experiment is a component of ongoing research at the Eaton lab which will elucidate melatonin dose-response toxicology in zebrafish and a possible breast cancer xenograft model for novel treatment therapies.

Effects Of Energy Drink Additives On Crayfish Metabolism, Katherine Paltz

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The effects of caffeine and additives commonly found in energy drinks were tested on crayfish to record changes, if any, in their metabolism. Three experimental groups were studied: 1. Caffeine; 2. Caffeine + Glucuronolactone; 3.) Caffeine + Glucuronolactone + Taurine. Caffeine is a common stimulant used to improve mental awareness, headaches, memory, and athletic performance. Glucuronolactone is connected with cardiovascular issues and aggressive behavior. Taurine is said to improve mood and focus. The experiment was performed at two different caffeine levels: 600mg and 1200mg for an initial 1 hour of exposure and 10 hours after exposure used as a pseudo-baseline. …

Aggregation-Induced Emission Probe For Alzheimer's Detection And Treatment Screening, Gemini Ramlo

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The proposed project is to research if ROF-2, an aggregation-induced emitter, can be used to screen medications for Alzheimer's Disease and to accurately detect this disease, along with its progression. This will be done through multiple incubation periods using different identifiers that have already been solidified within Alzheimer's research to prove its ability and accuracy within screening and detection regarding this disease.

Continuous, Platform Purification Of Viral Products Using Aqueous Two-Phase Extraction, Natalie M. Nold

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Cell and gene therapies, a ground-breaking class of drugs that can heal genetic diseases and cure cancer, often have treatment costs over $1 million. Most cell and gene therapies are delivered using virus-based delivery vectors, which are incredibly expensive to manufacture. Liquid chromatography is the favored method of viral vector purification since it is easily scalable and can be functionalized to purify by biospecificity, charge, hydrophobicity, or size. However, chromatography-based purification processes are highly expensive and usually only recover 20-50% of the viral vectors. There is currently no platform purification strategy for viral vectors due to differences in their surface …

Hybridization Kinetics Of Four-Way Junctions Localized On A Dna Scaffold, Katherine N. Taylor

Honors Undergraduate Theses

DNA computing is an ever-growing field with scientists trying to design structures that optimize logic gate communication to develop fast, biologically compatible, computational structures. We hypothesize that by using the principles of DNA computing, it is possible to design a DNA tile capable of studying localized DNA hybridization that can differentiate between oligonucleotides of different structural conformations. This includes synthetically manipulating DNA into a nanostructure that can perform Boolean logic functions to calculate the different rates of hybridization. To test our hypothesis, we designed a DNA Tile that incorporated a 4WJ using YES logic. Linear and hairpin single-stranded (ss) DNA …