Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Commons^™

Interactions Among Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase, Cardiovascular System, And Nociception During Physiological And Pathophysiological States, Niribili Sarmah, Andromeda M. Nauli, Ahmmed Ally, Surya M. Nauli

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) plays important roles within the cardiovascular system in physiological states as well as in pathophysiologic and specific cardiovascular (CV) disease states, such as hypertension (HTN), arteriosclerosis, and cerebrovascular accidents. This review discusses the roles of the endothelial NOS (eNOS) and its effect on cardiovascular responses that are induced by nociceptive stimuli. The roles of eNOS enzyme in modulating CV functions while experiencing pain will be discussed. Nociception, otherwise known as the subjective experience of pain through sensory receptors, termed “nociceptors”, can be stimulated by various external or internal stimuli. In turn, events of various cascade pathways …

A Therapeutic Sheep In Metastatic Wolf's Clothing: Trojan Horse Approach For Cancer Brain Metastases Treatment, Hai-Jun Liu, Mingming Wang, Shanshan Shi, Xiangxiang Hu, Peisheng Xu

Faculty Publications

Early-stage brain metastasis of breast cancer (BMBC), due to the existence of an intact blood–brain barrier (BBB), is one of the deadliest neurologic complications. To improve the efficacy of chemotherapy for BMBC, a Trojan horse strategy-based nanocarrier has been developed by integrating the cell membrane of a brain-homing cancer cell and a polymeric drug depot. With the camouflage of a MDA-MB-231/Br cell membrane, doxorubicin-loaded poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticle (DOX-PLGA@CM) shows enhanced cellular uptake and boosted killing potency for MDA-MB-231/Br cells. Furthermore, DOX-PLGA@CM is equipped with naturally selected molecules for BBB penetration, as evidenced by its boosted capacity in entering …

Ameliorative Effects Of Minor Cannabinoids Over Hiv-1 Tat-Mediated Visceral Pain, Charlie Worth

Honors Theses

As the total number of people living with HIV continues to rise across the world, an effective HIV treatment is still sought after. While modern-day advanced therapies exist for mitigating much of the negative effects of HIV, the virus remains evasive and problematic in the central nervous system. Thus, even with treatment, many people living with HIV continue to suffer from a plethora of symptoms. However, a large proportion of HIV-positive patients claim to feel a reduction in those persevering symptoms after cannabis usage. This anecdotal evidence has sparked interest in the efficacy of cannabis constituents for HIV therapy. This …

Plant Growth And Phytoactive Alkaloid Synthesis In Kratom [Mitragyna Speciosa (Korth.)] In Response To Varying Radiance, Mengzi Zhang, Abhisheak Sharma, Francisco León Ph.D., Bonnie Avery, Roger Kjelgren, Christopher R. Mccurdy, Brian J. Pearson

Faculty Publications

Leaves harvested from kratom [Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.)] have a history of use as a traditional ethnobotanical medicine to combat fatigue and improve work productivity in Southeast Asia. In recent years, increased interest in the application and use of kratom has emerged globally, including North America, for its potential application as an alternative source of medicine for pain management and opioid withdrawal syndrome mitigation. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of major kratom alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are well documented, foundational information on the impact of plant production environment on growth and kratom alkaloids synthesis is unavailable. To directly address this need, …

Development And Preclinical Investigation Of Physically Cross-Linked And Ph-Sensitive Polymeric Gels As Potential Vaginal Contraceptives, Ankit K. Rochani, Vivek Agrahari, Neelima Chandra, Onkar N Singh, Timothy J Mccormick, Gustavo F Doncel, Meredith R Clark, Gagan Kaushal

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers

This study explored the development of cross-linked gels to potentially provide a physical barrier to vaginal sperm transport for contraception. Two types of gels were formulated, a physically cross-linked iota-carrageenan (Ci) phenylboronic acid functionalized hydroxylpropylmethyacrylate copolymer (PBA)-based (Ci-PBA) gel, designed to block vaginal sperm transport. The second gel was pH-shifting cross-linked Ci-polyvinyl alcohol-boric acid (Ci-PVA-BA) gel, designed to modulate its properties in forming a viscoelastic, weakly cross-linked transient network (due to Ci gelling properties) on vaginal application (at acidic pH of ~3.5-4.5) to a more elastic, densely cross-linked (due to borate-diol cross-linking) gel network at basic pH of 7-8 of …

Pharmacists Provision Of Non-Dispensing Services In Health Professional Shortage Areas, Haley L. Kessinger, Emily R. Landis

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Background: Individuals living in primary care health professional shortage areas (PCHPSAs) experience health inequities. Community pharmacists are healthcare professionals with an opportunity to provide care to underserved populations. The objective of this study was to compare non-dispensing services provided by Ohio community pharmacists in PCHPSAs and non-PCHSPAs.

Methods: An electronic, IRB-approved 19-item survey was sent to all community pharmacists practicing in full PCHPSA counties and a random sample practicing in non-PCHPSA counties in Ohio (n=324). Questions assessed current provision of non-dispensing services as well as interest and barriers regarding such services.

Results: Seventy-three usable responses were received (23% response rate). …

Student Self-Developed Wellness Goals Before And During Covid, Han Pham, Dalen Foster

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Background: This study aims to investigate the change over time in student developed well-being related goals based on the definition of “The 8 dimensions of wellness”. It is expected that the changes experienced by students during the COVID 19 pandemic will impact the type of wellness goals students develop for themselves.

Method: All pharmacy students at ONU are required to complete an annual goal setting assignment as part of their co-curricular requirement each academic year. Personal goals were extracted from submissions from 2019 to 2021. The goals were classified into 8 categories (emotional, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, spiritual, and …

Cinnamon Extract Alters Mcf7 Cell Morphology, Madison M. Anderson

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Cancer prevention is one area of research that has gained interest in recent years. The anti-cancer effects of polyphenols and other nutraceuticals show great promise in prevention as well as therapeutics. In cancers that occur due to epigenetic modifications, molecules that provide these modifications are useful for both the prevention and reversal of disease. Our lab studies the effects of cinnamon extract on cell viability, growth and morphology. Cinnamon extract has high polyphenolic content and is believed to regulate a variety of transcription factors as well as epigenetic modifications. Our observations suggest that a significant change in morphology occurs in …

Bis-Cinnamamide Derivatives As Ape/Ref-1 Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Human Melanoma, Razan Alhazmi, Shirley Tong, Shaban Darwish, Elina Khanjani, Bharti Khungar, Swati Chawla, Zhonghui Zheng, Richard Chamberlain, Keykavous Parang, Sun Yang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Human malignant melanoma exhibits imbalances in redox status, leading to activation of many redox-sensitive signaling pathways. APE/Ref-1 is a multifunctional protein that serves as a redox chaperone that regulates many nuclear transcription factors and is an important mechanism in cancer cell survival of oxidative stress. Previous studies showed that APE/Ref-1 is a potential druggable target for melanoma therapy. In this study, we synthesized a novel APE/Ref-1 inhibitor, bis-cinnamoyl-1,12-dodecamethylenediamine (2). In a xenograft mouse model, compound 2 treatment (5 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to the control group, with no significant systemic toxicity observed. We further synthesized compound …

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 …

Discovery Of Sigma-2 Ligands And Prioritization Of Marine Cyanobacteria Extracts For Tnbc Drug Discovery, Katelyn Grenell, Andrea L. Rague, Sahar Mofidi, Jane E. Cavanaugh, Kevin J. Tidgewell

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

The role of natural products in drug development is well established. In recent years, marine cyanobacteria have been regarded as a major source of biologically active metabolites with chemical and Figure 5 pharmacological diversity. These cyanobacterial natural products serve as a promising source of drug A. leads for the discovery of therapeutic agents used in the treatment of many diseases of interest, such as CNS disorders, pain, and cancer. We have generated a library of 409 fractions from 37 field collected cyanobacterial samples and screened these fractions against a panel of CNS receptors using radiolabeled ligand competitive-binding assays. Upon analysis …

Iron Effects On Clostridioides Difficile Toxin Production And Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, Jason Yamaki, Swati Chawla, Shirley Tong, Kate Alison Lozada, Sun Yang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Despite the benefits of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion therapy, it can render patients vulnerable to iron overload. The excess iron deposits in various body tissues cause severe complications and organ damage such as cardiotoxicity and mold infections. Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea among cancer patients and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Our study aims to determine the role of iron overload and the effects of iron chelators on CDI. Our results demonstrated that iron (Fe³⁺) stimulated the growth of C. difficile with increased colony formation units (CFU) in …

Oleyl Conjugated Histidine-Arginine Cell-Penetrating Peptides As Promising Agents For Sirna Delivery, Muhammad Imran Sajid, Dindyal Mandal, Naglaa Salem El-Sayed, Sandeep Lohan, Jonathan Moreno, Rakesh Kumar Tiwari

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Recent approvals of siRNA-based products motivated the scientific community to explore siRNA as a treatment option for several intractable ailments, especially cancer. The success of approved siRNA therapy requires a suitable and safer drug delivery agent. Herein, we report a series of oleyl conjugated histidine–arginine peptides as a promising nonviral siRNA delivery tool. The conjugated peptides were found to bind with the siRNA at N/P ratio ≥ 2 and demonstrated complete protection for the siRNA from early enzymatic degradation at N/P ratio ≥ 20. Oleyl-conjugated peptide -siRNA complexes were found to be noncytotoxic in breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) …

Vitamin D Level Testing In An Urban Midwest Clinic: To Test Or Not To Test?, Daniel Mundt, Marianne Klumph, Kayla Heslin, Wajih Askar

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is significantly higher among urban populations in the U.S. Midwest, with African Americans being disproportionately affected. There is ongoing debate surrounding who and how often individuals should be screened for VDD. This study aimed to understand the prevalence of VDD, associated risk factors, and discrepancies in testing at an urban-based internal medicine residency clinic. Data were retrospectively collected on all adult patients seen by the clinic during 2018 and descriptive statistical analysis performed. Among 3976 total patients (mean age: 53 years), 18% (n = 698) had vitamin D levels analyzed, with deficiency found in 71% of …

Degradation Of Vitamin E Acetate Through Vaping Produces Byproducts Cytotoxic To Thp-1 Monocytic Cells, Joshua Alcon

Pharmaceutical Sciences ETDs

Electronic cigarette or vaping use associated lung injury (EVALI) is a pulmonary disease among those who vaped illicit tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cartridges that resulted in hospitalization or death. Vitamin E acetate (VEA) was a common additive present in the bronchioalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients who were hospitalized with EVALI. However, little is known about pulmonary exposure to vitamin E acetate (VEA) when inhaled through vaping. The hypothesis of this study is the cytotoxicity of vaped VEA is due, at least in part, to the pyrolytic breakdown products of VEA produced by vaping, as opposed to VEA itself. From this study, …

Do We Trust The Government? Attributes Of Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy And Acceptance In Nigeria, Osmond C. Ekwebelem, Helen Onyeaka, Ismaeel Yunusa Ph. D., Taghi Miri, Yahwedalu M. Onwuneme, Ayeni T. Eunice, Amara Anyogu, Bright Obi, Ngwogu Ada Carol

Faculty Publications

Objectives:

A significant percentage of the population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Therefore the success of a vaccination program relies on the level of acceptance. This present study seeks to understand COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Nigeria by assessing the public's willingness to get vaccinated.

Study design:

This is a population-based cross-sectional study. Data were derived through a structured online survey.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult residents in Nigeria in March 2021 using a structured online questionnaire. The questionnaire surveyed participants' demographic characteristics and perception of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine. Descriptive statistics and …

Incorporation Of National Safety Standards For Oral Chemotherapy Patient Education At An Ambulatory Cancer Center: A Quality Improvement Project, Danielle Giles

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Abstract

Purpose: An evaluation of the oral chemotherapy patient education process at one ambulatory cancer center identified a deficit in documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) of many recommendations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) chemotherapy administration and safety standards. Aims: The aim of this quality improvement project is to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of two newly developed templates into the EMR at one ambulatory cancer center. Process: The project will evaluate effectiveness by comparing the frequency in documentation of 16 key elements pre and post implementation …

Investigating The Efficacy Of Tazemetosttat For In Vitro Treatment Of Human Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells, Harshita Indukuri

Honors Scholars Collaborative Projects

Cancer is a formidable, genetic disease that affects many people, either directly or indirectly. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide (31). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that has a higher lethality compared to other breast cancers and has a poor prognosis due to its highly invasive nature and limited treatment options. Finding safe, effective, and accessible treatment for TNBC is integral to treating TNBC patients. Tazemetostat is an EZH2-inhibitor that has recently been approved for use in epithelioid sarcoma (23). EZH2 is an overexpressed protein in many cancers, including TNBC (11). However, …

Quadruped Gait And Regulation Of Apoptotic Factors In Tibiofemoral Joints Following Intra-Articular Rhprg4 Injection In Prg4 Null Mice, Daniel S. Yang, Edward E. Dickerson, Ling X. Zhang, Holly Richendrfer, Padmini N. Karamchedu, Gary A. Badger, Tannin A. Schmidt, Alger M. Fredericks, Khaled A. Elsaid, Gregory D. Jay

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Camptodactyly-arthropathy-coxa vara-pericarditis (CACP) syndrome leads to diarthrodial joint arthropathy and is caused by the absence of lubricin (proteoglycan 4—PRG4), a surface-active mucinous glycoprotein responsible for lubricating articular cartilage. In this study, mice lacking the orthologous gene Prg4 served as a model that recapitulates the destructive arthrosis that involves biofouling of cartilage by serum proteins in lieu of Prg4. This study hypothesized that Prg4-deficient mice would demonstrate a quadruped gait change and decreased markers of mitochondrial dyscrasia, following intra-articular injection of both hindlimbs with recombinant human PRG4 (rhPRG4). Prg4^−/− (N = 44) mice of both sexes were injected with rhPRG4 …

Acetaminophen, A Therapeutic Or An Extremely Toxic Remedy – A Review, Genica Caragea, Oana Avram, Andreea Pauna, Andreea Cristina Costea, Miruna Tudosie

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

When a new coronavirus appeared in the late 2019, identified as the cause of several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, Paracetamol was initially reported to be the preferable antipyretic medication, choice which was detrimental to the use of other drugs. People have resorted to buying large stocks of Paracetamol and some have used it in large doses, regardless of the consequences. However, the Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) overdose remains the leading cause of death or transplantation due to acute liver failure in many parts of the world. This review aims at presenting the pharmacokinetics, the clinical signs, and the risk factors for …