3,047 research outputs found

    Southern Adventist University Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

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    Southern Adventist University\u27s undergraduate catalog for the academic year 2023-2024.https://knowledge.e.southern.edu/undergrad_catalog/1123/thumbnail.jp

    CANCER TREATMENT BY TARGETING HDAC4 TRANSLOCATION INDUCED BY MICROSECOND PULSED ELECTRIC FIELD EXPOSURE: MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS THROUGH KINASES AND PHOSPHATASES

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    Epigenetic modifications, arising from sub-cellular shifts in histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and localization, present promising strategies for diverse cancer treatments. HDACs, enzymes responsible for post-translational histone modifications, induce these epigenetic changes by removing acetyl groups from ε-N-acetyl-lysine residues on histones, thereby suppressing gene transcription. Within the HDAC group, class IIa HDACs are notable for their responsiveness to extracellular signals, bridging the gap between external stimuli, plasma membrane, and genome through nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation. This localization offers two significant mechanisms for cancer treatment: nuclear accumulation of HDACs represses oncogenic transcription factors, such as myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), triggering various cell death pathways. Conversely, cytoplasmic HDAC accumulation acts similarly to HDAC inhibitors by silencing genes. My dissertation introduces an innovative approach for glioblastoma and breast cancer treatment by investigating the application of microsecond pulsed electric fields. It particularly focuses on HDAC4, a class IIa HDAC overexpressed in these cancers. Beyond demonstrating HDAC4 translocation, my research delves into the intricate roles of kinases and phosphatases, shedding light on the underlying factors governing HDAC4 translocation

    The KINGS mouse as a model of beta cell endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and sex differences in diabetes.

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    Background: The KINGS mouse is a novel model of beta cell endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which shows stark sex differences in diabetes, with males developing overt and progressive hyperglycaemia whilst females are protected. Beta cell ER stress has been implicated in many types of diabetes and underpins numerous factors known to drive beta cell failure. Sex differences also exist in diabetes in humans with premenopausal women having a lower diabetes incidence compared to men. Further characterisation of the KINGS mice may provide valuable insight into these phenomena. Aims: The objectives of this thesis were to 1) further characterise beta cell ER stress and associated cellular response in the KINGS mice, 2) investigate the influence of sex hormones and beta cell ER stress manipulation on glycaemic control in the KINGS mice and 3) investigate whether diabetes development can be prevented in the male KINGS mice. Methods: Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining were used to investigate the expression of ER stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) markers in KINGS islets, as well as beta cell turnover and mass. To determine the influence of oestradiol on the KINGS phenotype, endogenous oestradiol was removed from female mice via ovariectomy, and exogenous oestradiol was delivered to male KINGS mice through implantation of oestradiol- containing capsules. A western diet was used to exacerbate beta cell ER stress in female KINGS mice, whilst liraglutide administration, TUDCA administration and removal of endogenous testosterone (via orchidectomy) was used in an attempt to reduce ER stress and prevent diabetes in the male KINGS mice. For all in vivo studies, glycaemic control was assessed through blood glucose concentration monitoring, glucose tolerance testing and insulin tolerance testing. Results: Male KINGS mice developed diabetes by 5-6 weeks of age whereas female KINGS mice were protected, in line with previous studies. Protein markers of ER stress and the UPR were observed in KINGS islets from 4 weeks of age and a sex difference was observed in expression profiles with males largely showing an increased expression of markers. Despite this, we did not observe a loss of beta cell mass in either male or female KINGS mice. However, subtle changes in beta cell proliferation and apoptosis in the male KINGS mice are suggestive of mild changes to beta cell turnover which may contribute to diabetes development. A western diet exacerbated beta cell ER stress in female KINGS mice, however this only led to a mild impairment in glycaemic control which was not as severe as that seen in male KINGS mice. This may suggest that even under conditions of further ER stress, female mice are still able to respond adaptively. Removal of endogenous oestradiol also exacerbated beta cell ER stress, however again this was only associated with a subtle impairment in glycaemic control. On the contrary, exogenous oestradiol delivery in the male KINGS mice prevented the development of overt diabetes. Treatment with liraglutide was used in an attempt to alleviate ER stress in the male KINGS mice. Although liraglutide prevented the development of diabetes and reduced blood glucose concentrations once diabetes was established, this protection only lasted during the treatment window and cessation of treatment was associated with increases in blood glucose concentrations. In addition, liraglutide had no effect on beta cell ER stress levels. Treatment with TUDCA, a chemical chaperone previously found to reduce beta cell ER stress, had no impact on blood glucose concentrations in the KINGS mice. However, removal of endogenous testosterone through orchidectomy prevented the development of overt diabetes. Conclusion: In this study we have confirmed that the KINGS mutation drives beta cell ER stress and that sex differences exist in beta cell response to this. Interestingly, an adaptive response to beta cell ER stress was still maintained in female KINGS mice when ER stress was exacerbated through a western diet. We also found that whilst oestradiol likely contributes in-part to sex differences in diabetes, it cannot be the sole mediator and other factors must be involved. Indeed, we found that endogenous testosterone removal prevented the development of diabetes in male mice. Liraglutide treatment also prevented diabetes development in male mice, however this was likely to be mediated through mechanisms unrelated to beta cell ER stress. Further study is required to investigate how testosterone removal and liraglutide protect male mice.</div

    Long-Molecule Assessment of Ribosomal DNA and RNA

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    The genes encoding ribosomal RNA and their transcriptional products are essential for life, however, remain poorly understood. Even with the advent of long-range sequencing methodologies, rDNA loci are difficult to study and remain obscure, prompting the consideration of alternative methods to probing this critical region of the genome. The research outlined in this thesis utilises molecular combing, a fibre stretching technique, to isolate DNA molecules measuring more than 5 Mbp in length. The capture of DNA molecules of this size should assist in exploring the architecture of entire rDNA clusters at the single-molecule level. Combining molecular combing with SNP targeting probes, this study aims to distinguish and assess the arrangement of rDNA promoter variants which have been shown to exhibit dramatically different environmental sensitivity. Additionally, through the application of Oxford Nanopore Technologies direct RNA sequencing, the work here has demonstrated the capture of near full-length rRNA primary transcripts, which will allow for assessing post-transcriptional modification across the length of multiple coding subunits within a single molecule, for the first time. Furthermore, an exploration of RNA modification profiles across sample types representative of different developmental stages has been conducted. This study predicts many sites to be differentially modified across these different developmental conditions, several of which are known to be important for, if not crucial in ribosome biogenesis and function. The work outlined in this thesis provides a framework for future studies to conduct long-molecule, genetic, and epitranscriptome profiling of this vital region of the genome, and its dynamic response to a changing environment

    Functional Nanomaterials and Polymer Nanocomposites: Current Uses and Potential Applications

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    This book covers a broad range of subjects, from smart nanoparticles and polymer nanocomposite synthesis and the study of their fundamental properties to the fabrication and characterization of devices and emerging technologies with smart nanoparticles and polymer integration

    Natural and Technological Hazards in Urban Areas

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    Natural hazard events and technological accidents are separate causes of environmental impacts. Natural hazards are physical phenomena active in geological times, whereas technological hazards result from actions or facilities created by humans. In our time, combined natural and man-made hazards have been induced. Overpopulation and urban development in areas prone to natural hazards increase the impact of natural disasters worldwide. Additionally, urban areas are frequently characterized by intense industrial activity and rapid, poorly planned growth that threatens the environment and degrades the quality of life. Therefore, proper urban planning is crucial to minimize fatalities and reduce the environmental and economic impacts that accompany both natural and technological hazardous events

    Effects of municipal smoke-free ordinances on secondhand smoke exposure in the Republic of Korea

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    ObjectiveTo reduce premature deaths due to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among non-smokers, the Republic of Korea (ROK) adopted changes to the National Health Promotion Act, which allowed local governments to enact municipal ordinances to strengthen their authority to designate smoke-free areas and levy penalty fines. In this study, we examined national trends in SHS exposure after the introduction of these municipal ordinances at the city level in 2010.MethodsWe used interrupted time series analysis to assess whether the trends of SHS exposure in the workplace and at home, and the primary cigarette smoking rate changed following the policy adjustment in the national legislation in ROK. Population-standardized data for selected variables were retrieved from a nationally representative survey dataset and used to study the policy action’s effectiveness.ResultsFollowing the change in the legislation, SHS exposure in the workplace reversed course from an increasing (18% per year) trend prior to the introduction of these smoke-free ordinances to a decreasing (−10% per year) trend after adoption and enforcement of these laws (β2 = 0.18, p-value = 0.07; β3 = −0.10, p-value = 0.02). SHS exposure at home (β2 = 0.10, p-value = 0.09; β3 = −0.03, p-value = 0.14) and the primary cigarette smoking rate (β2 = 0.03, p-value = 0.10; β3 = 0.008, p-value = 0.15) showed no significant changes in the sampled period. Although analyses stratified by sex showed that the allowance of municipal ordinances resulted in reduced SHS exposure in the workplace for both males and females, they did not affect the primary cigarette smoking rate as much, especially among females.ConclusionStrengthening the role of local governments by giving them the authority to enact and enforce penalties on SHS exposure violation helped ROK to reduce SHS exposure in the workplace. However, smoking behaviors and related activities seemed to shift to less restrictive areas such as on the streets and in apartment hallways, negating some of the effects due to these ordinances. Future studies should investigate how smoke-free policies beyond public places can further reduce the SHS exposure in ROK

    2023-2024 Catalog

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    The 2023-2024 Governors State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog is a comprehensive listing of current information regarding:Degree RequirementsCourse OfferingsUndergraduate and Graduate Rules and Regulation

    SiPM detector timing response study for the electron-ion collider

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    The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) will be a new high luminosity large-scale and high polarization collider designed to investigate the QCD dynamics in the nucleons with unprecedented precision. It is planned to be built at the Brookhaven National Lab in the US. Through a dRICH prototype, the performance of Silicon PhotoMultipliers (SiPM), the baseline photo-sensor candidate for the dRICH was tested. The employed SiPM readout electronics chip, ALCOR, provides the time-of-hit measurement through the rollover, coarse and fine time contributions. In this dissertation, a study on the refinement of the Time Resolution of the Reference Timing system (owing to the fine time correction) is presented. The corrections applied in order to improve the value of the system Time Resolution is based on parameters obtained from the measured fine time component of the registered time coincidence signals. The performance of the calibration procedure described, several checks were performed on dedicated channels. The results show that it represents an accurate approximation for the correction of 90% of the analysed data. The performance of the studied SiPMs displayed satisfying results in both applications - the Imaging SiPMs were successful in registering the Cherenkov light signal and the Timing SiPMs provided a Reference Time value which allowed to correctly track the signal time-of-hits. The Reference Timing system was calibrated to provide a measured Time Resolution of 135 ± 2 ps. A preliminary study of the Imaging sensor Time Resolution, which for was calculated to be for a single photoelectron within approximately 500 ps, indicates that the value of the Timing system Time Resolution is adequate for the framework. Note that although these preliminary Time Resolution illustrate satisfactory results, they do not include corrections for effects such as time walk, time over threshold or low sensor bias voltage working conditions, which would presumably further improve the results
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