• The Effect of Adenosine in the Phenotype of Gingival Fibroblasts

      Serrano-Lopez, Rogelio; College of Science and Mathematics (Augusta University, 2023-08)
      Our research was focused on the role of gingival fibroblasts in the gingival inflammatory response and in periodontitis. Previous work in our lab has identified adenosine signaling as a key pathway able to control inflammatory chemokine secretion of gingival fibroblasts. The data from human correlative studies comparing chemokine expression in healthy versus periodontitis was combined with our in vitro analysis of immunofluorescence. Our in vitro data from immunofluorescence results demonstrated the effect of adenosine in the inflammatory response of gingival fibroblasts, typified by the expression of CXCL8- family of cytokines, including CXCL1. We demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of adenosine on fibroblast phenotype typified by the decreased IL-1β-stimulated CXCL1 expression. CXCL1 was also significantly higher in samples derived from different grades/severity of periodontitis compared to healthy-derived samples in our analysis of a public dataset. Our data indicated fibroblasts have an important role in gingival inflammatory response. In our findings, the expression or production of CXCL1 was abrogated after treating the human gingival fibroblasts with adenosine after IL-1β stimulation. Thus, adenosine may influence the stromal gingival inflammatory response in periodontitis by reducing the fibroblast-mediated activation of inflammatory cells.
    • Effects of Compression Garments on Oxygen Consumption and Heart Rate

      Gilbert, Haley; College of Education (Augusta University, 2023-08)
      For my thesis I will be examining the influence full-leg compression garments have on oxygen consumption and heart rate. It is speculated that compression garments assist with blood flow velocity as well as increasing oxygen delivery to the muscles. It is well known that compression garments aid in recovery and are widely used in the diabetic community to reduce pooling in the lower limbs. What has not been well explored are the benefits to performance during running. Studies show that compression garments reduce muscle oscillation, as well as soft tissue movement (Bringard et al. 2006; Doan et al. 2003). It has been theorized this reduction creates lower stress at the joints and a reduction in injury risk. It is reasonable to question that if compression garments reduce muscle oscillation, then muscle activation time will also be reduced because the muscles will not have to work as hard to counteract the additional oscillating stress at impact. If muscles are not active for as long, then the muscles will not need to produce as much energy or use as much oxygen. With an increase in blood flow and reduction in muscle activation, the heart will not have to work as hard to circulate oxygen and similar effects may occur for heart rate. However, very few studies have examined full-leg compression garments while performing a submaximal endurance run. Therefore, we are testing subjects in full-leg compression garments while performing a 40-minute submaximal effort run to determine the effect on oxygen consumption and heart rate. From a runner's perspective I am intrigued with this topic because I am always looking for new ways to enhance my performance during competition and compression garments could be that next step. By gathering results from this research, it could potentially give us more information on enhancing running performance. In the future we could expand on this research by looking at more variables such as maximal oxygen uptake or examining the effects for longer endurance runs like marathons.
    • The Effects of Quinolinic Acid on Muscles and Bones

      Patel, Rohan; Augusta University (Augusta University, 2023-07-29)
      Quinolinic acid(QA) is an NMDA-receptor agonist associated with several neurological illnesses, including Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease. QA is a metabolite of tryptophan known for its excitotoxic nature in high concentrations. However, in normal conditions its acts as a precursor in the manufacture of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a key molecule for energy synthesis. As people age, the quantity of tryptophan and its metabolites, such as QA, fluctuates. With age, QA levels rise, while tryptophan and NAD+ levels decline. QA’s known association with energy production and beneficial properties is overlooked due to its toxic behavior. In this study, we hope to further examine QA through a different perspective by focusing on its potential healing properties rather than its harmful ones. We intend to investigate QA by identifying its effects on muscles and bone marrow stem cells. To decipher its effects, in vitro studies will be conducted. Through this process, we seek to learn if it has therapeutic qualities through cell proliferation and whether it stimulates stem cell differentiation. In the end, we believe that QA, a chemical with a negative connotation, will have notable healing effects on bones and muscles and will be able to provide possible linkage with healthy aging.
    • Impact of Community-based Cancer Initiative on Health Knowledge Regarding Prostate Cancer

      Idun, Barbara; Pamplin College, Augusta University (Augusta University, 2023-06-27)
      Although in recent decades deaths from prostate cancer have declined among all men, Black men in the US are twice as likely as non-Hispanic White men to die of prostate cancer and continue to have the highest prostate cancer mortality among all US population groups (American Cancer Society, 2021). Within the United States this phenomenon becomes more apparent in areas with a high density of Black Americans, for example the state of Georgia. There, disparity can be seen in prostate cancer with a rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 versus 18.4 deaths per 100,000 for non-Hispanic White men (Georgia Cancer Data Reports, 2016). Consensus agrees that these health inequalities exist due to a multitude of social, economic, and cultural factors. These include cultural attitudes towards cancer, and accessibility to healthcare. The cost of health inequality is human lives, thus, reducing the disparities seen in the Black American community is imperative. One initiative that has set out to tackle this is the Cancer Health Awareness through screeNinG and Education (CHANGE) program. CHANGE aims to reduce Black American racial disparities in prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer through education, navigation to screening, and provider cultural competency improvement. Researchers used an evidence-based template, with an emphasis on modifiable risk factor prevention (such as smoking or obesity), to develop informative classes on cancer screening eligibility, access to screening at the Georgia Cancer Center, and encouragement of early detection behaviors to promote health knowledge and self-efficacy. The CHANGE initiative presented four community-tailored sessions with a focus on cancer, screening, and modifiable risk factors guided by a trained facilitator. To gather evidence of acquired health knowledge an assessment survey was sent out before and after the sessions took place
    • Investigation of HphB and an ArAT in a Homologation Pathway Department of Chemistry & Physics

      Parviainen, Anna; Chemistry (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      Natural products (NPs) are nonessential metabolites produced by organisms that are often used in the production of pharmaceuticals. Their natural purpose is to protect their producing organism from the environment, making them an attractive medium for the starting point of drug discovery. NPs are generally very diverse in structure and therefore difficult to reproduce or alter structurally using organic synthesis. Understanding how NPs are synthesized in Nature aids researchers in developing new tools to produce novel NP-like bioactive compounds. The enzymatic pathway this project investigates is a homologation pathway found in the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102 that serves to add a methylene (-CH2-) group to the side chain of an amino acid. Characterization of enzymes in this pathway could lead to the ability to artificially homologate other natural products, a tool that would be valuable because the addition of a methylene group has been shown to improve the biological activity of compounds. The two enzymes involved in this pathway that are being investigated in this project are dehydrogenase/decarboxylase HphB and an aromatic aminotransferase (ArAT). The goal of this project is to clone, express, and purify these enzymes and then test their enzymatic activity to characterize their detailed functions. The two enzymes of interest have been successfully purified by the biochemical technique affinity column chromatography, and the activity of ArAT is currently being investigated by applying the analytical method high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to experimental assays. The knowledge gained from this project will shed light on an unknown enzymatic pathway, which could ultimately lead to the development of a new enzymatic tool.
    • The Role of Rbx1 in Cardiac Development

      Varghese, Priyanka; Biology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      The human heart is one of the first organs to form and function during the development of a human embryo. Heart development is a highly complicated and tightly regulated process that culminates in the formation of the four-chamber heart. During the 6 to 7 weeks of human embryo development, the bottom of the heart tube forms the two atria, and the middle of the tube forms the two ventricles. The ventricular walls then begin to divide into all 4 chambers. Each chamber includes an entrance and exit for blood flow. Abnormal heart structure can impair heart contractility and can lead to Congestive Heart Disease (CHD). CHD is very prevalent in many children in where the heart does not pump a sufficient amount of blood into one’s body. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2008), “CHDs affect nearly 1% of?or about 40,000?births per year in the United States”. CHD can be caused by genetic or environmental cues that disrupt heart development (Lage et al., 2012). The mechanisms that lead to CHD are unfortunately not fully understood.
    • Investigation of Fear Memory Induced by Contextual Fear Conditioning

      Pokharel, Kritika; Cell and Molecular Biology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
    • The effect of exercise mode on time perception during exercise

      Johnson, Kade; Kinesiology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
    • The Role of KCTD 17 in the Striatal G-Protein Coupled Receptor Signaling

      Momin, Saniya; Cell and Molecular Biology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      Many neurological disorders cause a wide array of detrimental effects, such as movement disorders. Despite an extensive amount of research on the underlying structure and signaling of neurodevelopmental disorders, such diseases remain largely uncured. After decades of unclear etiology, we now know of numerous genetic marker sessential for disease progression. Unfortunately, this revelation has not yet enhanced patient outcomes, suggesting precedence to investigate novel genetic players. Research is currently rising upon the potassium channel tetramerization domain (KCTD) family due to neurological diseases from patients with mutations in various KCTD genes. Yet,our understanding on the roles of KCTD proteins is in its infancy. However, several KCTDs (KCTD2, 5, 8, 12, and 16) have been shown to interact with components of the protein network that interrogate neuromodulatory signals through G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). Abundant evidence indicates an essential role in neuromodulatory GPCR signaling across a spectrum of movement disorders. Intriguingly clinical variations in KCTD17, which has a high level of homology to KCTD2/5, is causal of movement disorders. Therefore, we have examined KCTD17’s role in the GPCR signaling pathway. In addition, previous reports have demonstrated a relationship between primary cilia and KCTD17. Intriguingly, components of the GPCR signaling pathway have been localized to primary cilia, however the role of primary cilia in neuromodulatory signaling has not yet been explored. We tested the significance of this pathway by observing the effects of cilia on KCTD17 to help us better understand the function of primary cilia to KCTD17 regarding neuromodulatory signaling. The long-term goal was to analyze how the loss of KCTD17 can affect motor control. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 approach to see how KCTD17 can affect the neuronal activity via GPCR signaling and primary cilia disruption. We found that disruption of primary ciliaindeed influences GPCR signaling. We are hopeful the results will shed light to find further treatment in the neurodevelopmental disorders associated with the protein.
    • Exploring the Impa ct of social Media use on Mental Health among college students Duringcovid-19

      Lukose, Julie; Psychology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      The current study aimed to explore the effect of social media use on mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression, relationship satisfaction) and academic achievement during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, important demographic variables (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status) were examined as important to the current study. I hypothesized that self- reported social media usage during the Covid-19 pandemic would have a statistically significant impact on student mental health and academic achievement. Specifically, I aimed to determine if social media usage positively or negatively impacted the academic achievement and mental health of college students during the Covid-19 pandemic. To test the hypothesis, a sample of 130 college students (at least 18 years of age) was recruited, but out of the 130 respondents, only 107 responses were used. College students were recruited using the Augusta University research pool, SONA, in addition to social media and email listservs. Participants completed an online survey using the Qualtrics Survey Platform. The survey included a demographic questionnaire, measures of mental health outcome (e.g., anxiety, depression, relationship satisfaction), Covid-19 questionnaire, self-report of academic achievement, and social media usage questionnaire. Survey responses were collected confidentially. Statistical analyses followed data screening and cleaning, and included correlational analyses, regression modeling, multivariate analyses, and examination of mean differences based on demographic variables. The study's objective was to focus on the role social media consumption continues to have on the mental health and academic achievement of college students during the Covid-19 pandemic.
    • Cryopreservation of Zebrafish Germ Cells by Vitrifying Gonads

      Shearer, Mark; Cell and Molecular Biology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      The zebrafish is an indispensable model system for biomedical research, including human diseases. As the number of mutant and transgenic zebrafish lines exponentially grows, so does the cost of labor and space to maintain these models. Successful cryopreservation of zebrafish gametes and embryos would significantly reduce such maintenance costs, avoid risks of infection and genetic drift associated with continuous breeding, and serve as a major steppingstone towards the conservation of other fish species under threat of extinction. While cryopreservation of fish sperm is somewhat successful, fish eggs and embryos remain challenging to cryopreserve due to several obstacles, such as their susceptibility to the toxicity of cryoprotective agents (CPAs), chilling injury, and intracellular ice formation. Recent studies demonstrated that fish germ cells isolated from testes or ovaries can colonize gonads upon transplantation into recipients and give rise to fertile offspring. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop a reliable cryopreservation method for zebrafish germ cells by vitrifying gonads. Vitrification is an ice-free cryopreservation method requiring the presence of high concentrations of CPAs that are toxic to cells. To minimize CPA toxicity, Dr. Eroglu’s lab developed a novel proprietary vitrification medium that was used in the present study. A series of experiments were carried out using both male and female zebrafish gonads, and the viability of germ cells were assessed after exposure to conventional and minimally toxic proprietary vitrification media, as well as after vitrification with the latter. The CPA exposure experiments revealed that the treatment of both male and female gonads with a conventional vitrification medium significantly reduced cell viability compared to untreated controls (58-66% vs. 86-95%, respectively). In contrast, the same exposure steps to the proprietary vitrification medium did not induce any significant toxicity resulting in viability rates similar to those of controls (95-97%). Importantly, a vast majority of gonad cells (88-93%) remained viable after vitrification of zebrafish gonads using the proprietary vitrification medium. Taken together, these findings suggest that cryopreservation of zebrafish germ cells is feasible using the proprietary vitrification medium.
    • Sildenafil Analog Designed as Localized PDES Inhibitors in the Gastrointestinal Tract

      Miller, Colin George Lee, Jr.; Chemistry (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      Sildenafil is a drug commonly used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is known to have many beneficial effects, such as helping prevent heart failure. Many of these effects occur due to sildenafil working as a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor drug. PDE5 is an enzyme that controls blood flow and cell signaling. By inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme, muscles and blood vessels tend to relax, increasing blood flow. Recently, it has been discovered that PDE5 inhibitors can prevent colorectal cancer in animals, and recent evidence suggests that these drugs will also be effective in humans. A problem with repurposing contemporary PDE5i, such as sildenafil, for colon cancer prevention is the drug's side effects and drug-drug interactions, such as reacting with nitrates to further lower blood pressure or increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. In this project, we aim to create novel PDE5i drugs that eliminate these unwanted effects by keeping them in the colon, where they can work their magic, minimizing or avoiding leakage into the bloodstream. This project explores sildenafil alongside other PDE5 inhibitors designed to remain in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. By modifying the structure of sildenafil, we aim to create novel drug candidates that localize in the colon, keeping its beneficial effects of increased blood flow. As a result, the onset of colon cancer in humans can theoretically be prevented.
    • Law Comprehension & The Affected Society

      Stokes, Terrell; Criminal Justice (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      This project will focus on how many Americans know their rights. The difference between law language structure and daily language spoken amongst citizens will be explained and prove to be quite insightful. I will explain why citizens have difficulty understanding the law, why this calls for a need of lawyers, and I will highlight why this call is both beneficial and harmful. I decided to make this the basis of my project simply because every American citizen is affected by the law regardless of comprehension. Since the law is something that is constantly changing and being updated, it is quite an understatement to say that many do not know their rights to the extent at which they should; including myself. Understanding this phenomenon, figuring out why it exists, and what steps should be taken to end this phenomenon is something that many can benefit from. Here, I will provide the details of a hypothetical situation that is easily applicable to millions of Americans. Questions will be posed to better understand the hypothetical, to cause reconsideration of prior understanding, while simultaneously highlighting the main point of this paper: understanding that law is more difficult than it should be and that the solution may not be as easy as it may seem.
    • Synthesis of Novel NSAID Hybrid Conjugates as Potential Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Agents

      Chavez, Julio; Chemistry (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      A series of piperidone-ibuprofen conjugates were synthesized through the reaction of 3E,5E-4-piperidones with the appropriate ibuprofen-amino acid conjugates in DCM in the presence of EDC and DMAP. All the synthesized conjugates were well characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Most of the conjugates reveal antiproliferative properties against A431 (squamous skin) cell lines with potency higher than that of reference drugs 5-fluorouracil and sunitinib. Many of the synthesized agents also reveal remarkable antiproliferative properties against a HCT116 (colon) cancer cell line.
    • Expression and Purification of HphB and ArAT: Enzymes in the L-Phenylalanine Homologation Pathway

      Reynes, Juan-Paolo; Cell and Molecular Biology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      Natural products (NPs) are organic molecules produced by microorganisms and plants that are often used in drugs and drug leads. Organisms use biological catalysts called enzymes to perform the biosynthesis of NPs. Homo-L-phenylalanine (L-Hph) is an uncommon amino acid derived from L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) by a chemical process called homologation. L-Hph is used as a building block of some peptide NPs to enhance their biostability. HphB and aromatic amino acid aminotransferase (ArAT) are two out of four enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of L-Hph. In the proposed biosynthesis of L-Hph, HphB catalyzes dehydrogenation/decarboxylation to convert 2-benzyl-3-hydroxybutanedioic acid (B3HB) to 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyric acid (OPB). ArAT is responsible for the first and last step of the homologation pathway: the conversion of L-Phe to phenylpyruvic acid (PPA) and 2-oxo-4-phenylbutyric acid (OPB) to L-Hph. This project focused on cloning, expression, and purification of HphB and ArAT. After cloning of genes encoding HphB and ArAT into the expression plasmid pET-28a, HphB was overexpressed in E. coli and purified by an affinity column chromatography. It is now ready for the enzymatic assays for its characterization. However, purification of ArAT was unsuccessful as the protein was insoluble. It was cloned to be expressed with different tags that can enhance the protein solubility, such as 6×histidine tag at N- and/or C-terminus as well as maltose binding protein tag, all of which did not make the protein soluble in a large scale. Further expression experiments using different constructs and conditions will be performed in the future. Characterizing enzymes involved in the homologation of L-Phe to L-Hph could allow for future engineering of the pathway to produce L-Hph analogs and other homologated amino acids. These compounds can be used to increase the potency and stability of existing drugs, as L-Hph is used as a chiral building block in some pharmaceuticals, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
    • The Effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Antiretroviral TherapyDolutegravir on the Metabolic Health of Mice

      Ajala, Priscilla; Chemistry (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its more advanced form acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been around for decades and affected millions worldwide. Over the years, scientists have developed novel antiretroviral therapies (ART) to prevent the progression of HIV to AIDS and increase life expectancy in people living with HIV (PLWH). Although this treatment is beneficial in blocking viral replication, it also has adverse side effects on the metabolic and cardiovascular health of PWH. Specifically, issues like obesity that were previously written off as nutritional rehabilitation have now become a more common occurrence in people living with HIV (PLWH). Fundamentally, this project focused on the cardiometabolic impact of the ART, dolutegravir, an integrase inhibitor used to treat PLWH by preventing the integration of viral DNA into the hosts. The mice were used as a model for how the drug dolutegravir affects humans. In the study, we placed the mice on a 3-month diet of dolutegravir and had a control set of mice that are fed with normal chow. From there we kept track of the weight gain by weighing the mice manually and then used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to measure body composition including the percentage of body fat, lean mass, and fluid content. At the end of the three-month period, the mice were placed in calorimetric cages (CLAMS cages) to monitor the metabolic function of the mice; specifically heat production, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide respiration. After all the live data was collected the mice were euthanized and different parts of their bodies were used in a series of analytical experiments such as wire myography, and RNA/DNA PCR analysis, comprehensive lab animal monitoring system cages (CLAMS). We hypothesized that the Integrase inhibitor Dolutegravir utilized in ART contributes to the weight gain seen in patients with HIV using ART by decreasing heat production by decreasing the non-shivering thermogenesis brown adipose levels and uncoupling protein (UCP) levels. The experiment showed signs of increased body weight in the mice treated with dolutegravir as well as decreased heat production and decreased brown adipose tissue and UCP-1. The decreased brown adipose tissue and UCP-1 could explain the decrease in heat production which could lead to weight gain in humans despite the lack of significant evidence in mice. This study provides insight into the effects of dolutegravir on mice, but more importantly shows how it could potentially be affecting patients that are treated with this drug. It also gives room for improvement on the different classes of drugs used in combination with antiretroviral therapy and which classes of drugs are resulting in adverse side effects and which classes are not. It opens the space to find new drugs that still help in blocking viral replication, but also decrease the number of adverse side effects on people with HIV.
    • Characterizing ischemia-induced macrophage phenotypic switch in peripheral arterial disease

      Kolluri, Krishna; Vascular Biology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. It is caused by the buildup of fatty acid deposits on the arterial walls. When this disease progresses, it affects the quality of life regarding mobility, and in severe cases the disease could possibly lead to an amputation of the limbs as well as even death. Chronic inflammation is the driving force of peripheral arterial disease. Inflammation is a protective response intended to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, as well as the necrotic cells and tissues resulting from that injury a protective response intended to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, as well as the necrotic cells and tissues resulting from that injury. Broadly, there are two types of macrophages classified as M1 and M2 macrophages. M1 macrophages exhibit inflammatory functions with a phenotype characterized by the production of high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that promote and sustain chronic inflammation which could be detrimental to health. M1 macrophages tend to produce IFN-gamma as the activation of that macrophage. On the other hand, the M2 macrophages exhibit anti-inflammatory functions and have a phenotype characterized by their involvement in tissue remodeling and immune regulation. M2 macrophages tend to produce IL-4 as the activation of that macrophage. These macrophages help suppress inflammation. Understanding the phenotypic differences in M1 and M2 macrophages is important as they are critical regulators of several pathologies including peripheral artery disease. Although we have these two significant classifications of macrophages as M1 and M2, the macrophage characterization is certainly not an adequate methodology in depicting the range of macrophage populations. Though there are many treatments to peripheral arterial disease such as stents and coated balloons, neither treatment produces durable clinical outcomes but rather have been associated with an increased mortality rate. Researchers are currently identifying macrophages as a novel therapeutic target for peripheral arterial disease.
    • Dietary and Caffeine Intakes of Firefighters Located in the Southeast

      Hachem, Garrett; Kinesiology (Augusta University, 2023-05)
      Firefighters are prone to coronary heart disease, cancer, obesity, and high blood pressure possibly due to the working conditions they face including irregular sleeping/eating habits, high- stress levels, and exposure to carcinogens. This study focused on the nutritional aspect and observed nutritional habits including caffeine consumption in local firefighters. I hypothesize firefighters will have a high caloric intake (Over 3,000 kcal/day) and caffeine consumption (Over 400 mg/day) due to the aforementioned health factors. A total of 15 local firefighters participated in this study. Dietary logs of the firefighters were collected for five days over a seven-day period to get a baseline of the participants’ regular eating habits. The data analysis will be completed using MyFitnessPal and will consist of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, sugar, cholesterol, sodium, and caloric intake. In addition, they are asked to log their daily caffeine consumption.