If Love Could Talk

I have always been so drawn to poetry and the fun you can have with it while still making it meaningful. Journaling and writing is my escape from reality, so because of that every piece I write holds a special place in my heart. If feelings such as love, anger, or sadness could talk, I wonder what they would say? This is what love would say

Recreation in vitro of human intestinal tissue using advanced cell culture technology

The small intestine has the main function of absorbing nutrients and plays a prominent role in the normal function of the body. In vitro models have been developed to study the process of molecular transport across the intestinal epithelium as an entry point into the body. This is of particular importance in industry and the ability to perform permeability assays. Conventional intestinal in vitro model consists of a single monolayer of epithelial cells, such as the Caco-2 lineage, cultured on a permeable and flat membrane. However, this system has many limitations. It has been demonstrated that the barrier function in the Caco-2 monolayer does not really represent the features of the native small intestinal tissue. Intestinal tissue consists of an integrated system where multiple different cell types interact each other to maintain and perform their function. In this project the effect of coculturing Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells with fibroblasts was investigated to more closely mimic the structure and function of native tissue and to create a model of the intestinal mucosa. Structural and functional changes were examined during the maturation of Caco-2 cells when they were grown with paracrine factors derived from fibroblasts or in direct co-culture with fibroblasts in a novel 3D cell culture scaffold. These data indicate that human colon fibroblasts (CCD-18co) and neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFn) produce signals that influenced the Caco-2 barrier structure. It was identified that this change was most likely due to a reduction in junctional complexes between the epithelial cells which are important proteins in the control of paracellular transport. It was demonstrated that this novel 3D intestinal model offers a promising system with greater anatomical and physiological relevance

Plant functional traits and vegetation strategies

In this thesis we tested the predictions from the CSR theory for the community membership. Predictions are that, in the absence of competition, species from all strategies (Competitors, Ruderals and Stress-tolerants) will persist in low-stress habitats, whereas in high-stress habitats, only species with Stress-tolerant traits will survive. CSR recognizes that species evolved similar traits to one universal stress. For this reason, we were interested in testing which strategies will survive in different sources of stress. Our results from field and greenhouse experiments suggest that CSR theory does not predict community membership from the initial stages of a plant life-cycle. Instead, we found that the habitat stress plays a major role in determining the species that are incorporated into a community. In this thesis we also used a trait-based approach to evaluate: 1) the relationship between key traits using annuals species, and 2) the links between genome size and phenotypic variation within species. Firstly, we studied the triangular relationship reported for seed mass and leaf area in woody species. These traits are involved in the plant reproduction strategy and plant water and energy-use. We found a triangular relationship in annuals species, suggesting that is conserved across groups (woody and annuals). We also found that the driver of this relationship is related to soil fertility. Finally, for the relationship between genome size and phenotypic variation within species, we found that larger genome species display higher variation in traits than small genome species. This can be a potential advantage in heterogeneous environments where the amount of phenotypic variation would allow the species to adapt to them

Consumption of Alcohol Among University Students Leads to a Variety of Adverse Health Effects: An Analysis of Alcohol’s Impact on the Adult Mind, Body, and Neurological Behaviors

Binge drinking and alcohol-related health problems are particularly prevalent among university students due to college culture, peer pressure, and social norms. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption, quality of diet, mental distress, and neurobehaviors such as mindfulness and resilience. Research was conducted at Binghamton University through an anonymous online survey that was sent out to numerous age groups through social media platforms, which included questions relating to diet, alcohol consumption, behavior, and mental distress. The final sample of participants consisted of 151 people (72.7% female, age range = 18-29 years, 83.3% college enrolled). The data collected was then analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The results from this study were consistent with the original hypothesis that there is a positive association between the variables examined. Through this study, it was shown that males were more likely to have 5 or more drinks on one occasion (r = -.294, p \u3c .01). There was a positive correlation between followers of a Western Diet and consuming more than 5 drinks on one occasion (r = -.326, p \u3c .01). Findings also indicated a significantly positive correlation between forgetting what happened the night of consuming alcohol and having feelings of guilt and remorse the next day (r = .434, p \u3c .01). Implications for future research include developing preventative methods to reduce risk of adverse alcohol related consequences (i.e., mental distress, poor dietary patterns, reduced brain function) in university students.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2022/1006/thumbnail.jp

Design of a lentiviral vector as a therapeutic strategy against alzheimer´s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. One of the hallmarks is the formation of amyloid plaques, composed mainly by Aß peptide oligomers (AβOs). Neprilysin (NEP) is the most important endopeptidase and crucial for the degradation of Aß in the brain, avoiding amyloid plaques formation. Because NEP is decreased in brains of patients with AD, we aim to develop a lentiviral vector (LV) capable of specifically expressing in hippocampal neurons, to study its role in AD and therefore its possible therapeutic function.First, a construct containing the complete cDNA of NEP downstream of the hippocampal-specific promoter human synapsin (SYN-1) was performed. NEP cDNA was obtained from pBOB-NEP plasmid and was cloned under the SYN-1 promoter to obtain SYN-NEP plasmid. SYN-NEP also contains the ubiquitous CMV promoter, located outside the sequence to be packaged in LV. The correct cloning was checked by BamHI/KpnI digestion followed by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis and was verified by sequencing. To test NEP expression under the CMV promoter, 293T cells were transfected with SYN-NEP. SYN-RFP plasmid expressing the reporter red fluorescent protein (RFP) and pBOB-NEP were used as transfection and positive controls, respectively. After 48 hours NEP expression was evaluated by western blot (WB) and RFP by fluorescence microscopy.Electrophoresis of SYN-NEP digestion resulted in two bands of 3392pb and 7644pb, which coincided with the molecular weights of the insert containing NEP and backbone, respectively. This in turn was validated by sequencing. Transfection efficiency calculated by expression of RFP was 80%. WB showed a 85kDa band only in those lanes corresponding to transfection with pBOB-NEP and SYN-NEP.In conclusion, NEP was successfully cloned downstream of SYN-1 promoter and is expressed correctly under a ubiquitous promoter. This construction is the first step for the production of LV.Fil: Abrey Recalde, Maria Jimena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica - Hospital Italiano. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica.- Instituto Universitario Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Hermida, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica - Hospital Italiano. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica.- Instituto Universitario Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica; ArgentinaFil: Baez, Veronica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Jerusalinsky, Diana Alicia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Frecha, Cecilia Ariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica - Hospital Italiano. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica.- Instituto Universitario Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional e Ingeniería Biomédica; ArgentinaLXI Reunión anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clinica; LXVI, Reunión anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología; XLVIII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Farmacología Experimental; VII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Nanomedicina y V Congreso Nacional de la Asociación Argentina de Ciencia y Tecnología de Animales de LaboratorioArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Investigación ClinicaSociedad Argentina de InmunologíaSociedad Argentina de Farmacología ExperimentalSociedad Argentina de NanomedicinaAsociación Argentina de ciencia y tecnología de animales de Laboratori

Nivel de asociatividad y capacidad exportadora de los productores de maracuyá en la Cooperativa CEPROVASC, Trujillo 2022

El presente estudio estableció como principal objetivo determinar la relación entre el nivel de asociatividad y la capacidad exportadora de los productores de maracuyá en la cooperativa CEPROVASC, Trujillo 2022. Para ello se desarrolló una metodología de tipo aplicada, con nivel correlacional y enfoque cuantitativo, a partir de un diseño no experimental, así también, se consideró como muestra a 98 de los 130 socios de esta organización a quienes se les administró dos cuestionarios mediante la técnica de la encuesta para recolectar datos en función a las variables. Como conclusión principal, se determinó que existe relación directa (sig.= 0,000) entre el nivel de asociatividad y la capacidad exportadora, con un grado moderado (rho=0,475), por lo que al mejorar los niveles de asociatividad de la organización, también mejorará la capacidad exportadora de la cooperativa. Asimismo, una de las principales limitaciones asociadas al desarrollo del estudio fue que se consideraron explícitamente las percepciones de los participantes, sin embargo, también es necesario corroborar estos aspectos con resultados numéricos en cuanto a la capacidad financiera, ya que es importante tener una base económica sólida, que garantice la continuidad y solvencia para la exportación

Community Based Approaches to Address Affordable Housing for Low-Income Renters through Built Environments in Durham County, North Carolina

Low-income renters in Durham County experience significant cost burden and reduced access to quality nutritional options. Consequently, worse health outcomes can be perpetuated through lack of financial bandwidth or availability of nutritious food options. This proposal presents two key avenues to address these issues: a nutrition community garden program and zoning policy reform. In order to address nutritional options for low-income residents of Durham County, Durham Housing Authority properties should implement a community garden and nutrition education program. To help alleviate cost burden, Durham County should lift Minimum Parking Standards (MPS) to reduce property rent and enhance efficient land use and affordable housing options. Keywords: Parking reform, community gardens, Durham County, affordable housing, community engagementMaster of Public Healt

COMMUNITY BASED APPROACHES TO ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME RENTERS THROUGH BUILT ENVIRONMENTS IN DURHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Low-income renters in Durham County experience significant cost burden and reduced access to quality nutritional options. Consequently, worse health outcomes can be perpetuated through lack of financial bandwidth or availability of nutritious food options. This proposal presents two key avenues to address these issues: a nutrition community garden program and zoning policy reform. In order to address nutritional options for low-income residents of Durham County, Durham Housing Authority properties should implement a community garden and nutrition education program. To help alleviate cost burden, Durham County should lift Minimum Parking Standards (MPS) to reduce property rent and enhance efficient land use and affordable housing options. Keywords: Parking reform, community gardens, Durham County, affordable housing, community engagementMaster of Public Healt

COMMUNITY BASED APPROACHES TO ADDRESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME RENTERS THROUGH BUILT ENVIRONMENTS IN DURHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Low-income renters in Durham County experience significant cost burden and reduced access to quality nutritional options. Consequently, worse health outcomes can be perpetuated through lack of financial bandwidth or availability of nutritious food options. This proposal presents two key avenues to address these issues: a nutrition community garden program and zoning policy reform. In order to address nutritional options for low-income residents of Durham County, Durham Housing Authority properties should implement a community garden and nutrition education program. To help alleviate cost burden, Durham County should lift Minimum Parking Standards (MPS) to reduce property rent and enhance efficient land use and affordable housing options.Master of Public Healt