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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Clinical Review
Get PDFPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a pervasive condition that affects women all over the world. It presents with a wide variety of symptoms like menstrual irregularity, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Although generally considered to be solely a reproductive disorder, PCOS impacts metabolic, psychological, and cardiovascular health, and increases the risk for those diagnosed for other complications. Although PCOS is relatively common, it remains greatly misunderstood, which makes diagnosing the condition even more complex. Risk factors taken into consideration include genetics, environment, and lifestyle. The pathophysiology of PCOS focuses on dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, insulin resistance, and inflammation. There are various sets of criteria that are used in its diagnosis, with the most common being the Rotterdam criteria that comprises both clinical and biochemical factors. Therapies for PCOS focus on the management of symptoms, both through lifestyle modifications and pharmacological intervention. Long-term complications related to PCOS include infertility, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, psychological distress and malignancy. This review describes current research into the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostics, and management of PCOS and underlines the importance of further advances to improve outcomes for those affected
Comparative Analysis of Culture Media on J774A.1 Macrophage Function: Exploring Glucose Supplementation and Inflammatory Responses
No full textThe J774A.1 murine macrophage cell line, like the RAW 264.7 cell line, is commonly used in inflammation studies and mammalian cell culture. This experiment builds upon prior research examining RAW 264.7 cells by assessing how J774A.1 macrophages respond to different culture media compositions. The standard medium for its growth and maintenance is Dulbecco\u27s Modified Eagle\u27s Medium (DMEM), but in a portion of published work, RPMI 1640, is substituted. RPMI 1640 lacks the high level of glucose present in DMEM (4.5 g/L). The purpose of this work compares J774A.1 cells maintained in DMEM and grown in DMEM or RPMI 1640 prior to experiment. Both media are supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, sodium bicarbonate, and 100 IU Penicillin Streptomycin 100μg. DMEM includes 4.5 g/L glucose while RPMI 1640 has a 2 gL glucose concentration. Following a dose response exposure of J774A.1 to a range of 0 ng/mL to 100 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli (serotype O55:B5) for 24 hours in a 5%CO2/ 37°C environment, nitrite is measured. Cells are maintained in continuous culture with passage every 3 days. Experimentation is carried out on a 24-well plate 500μl volume at 4x10^5 cells per well. After 24-hour exposure to LPS, the Greiss reaction is used to measure nitric oxide response in supernatants. Initial results suggest RAW 264.7 cells grown in RPMI 1640 have a decreased nitric oxide response. The addition of glucose to RPMI 1640 to a 4.5 g/L level did not rescue the nitric oxide response for the J774A.1 cells to a level equivalent to DMEM. This suggests a probable metabolic difference between RAW 264.7 and J774A.1 murine macrophages and further underscores the importance of media composition in and clear standardized culture conditions to ensure experimental consistency and comparison across published work
So Much More Than Summer Camp: The Importance of Environmental Education at Nature Centers
Get PDFEducation in the U.S. currently faces a deficit in the promotion and proper teaching of climate change curriculum. Oftentimes caused by a lack of clear teaching standards for environmental education, the American political machine stirring up controversy, or teacher preferences, there are obvious gaps in the teaching of climate change curriculum. As climate change is considered one of the greatest threats facing humanity today, there is a need to educate people, especially younger generations, in order to navigate future challenges and make informed decisions. Nature centers offer the ideal location for the promotion of climate change education based on their direct connection to nature and informal curriculum model. This study began with a literature review of current climate education which identified themes in student perceptions and understanding of climate change. A case study of the current environmental education curriculum offered at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center was also conducted. It revealed a lack of specific climate-focused activities overall, though there are opportunities to build upon programming and begin to lay the groundwork for further expansion. The need for activities that aid in the development of systems thinking skills was recognized, and therefore lessons were compiled and edited to focus on making connections within a climate system. Educational kits were created for each activity and are highlighted in a separate poster session for this research
Guilty Pleasures: The Psychological Effects of True Crime Media Consumption
No full textThis study examines the effects of true crime media consumption on one’s fear of crime and the attitudes they have toward the criminal justice system. More and more people are being exposed to the world of true crime, and this study examines how that can change a person\u27s perceptions. An online survey was distributed through social media as well as to students at the University of Lynchburg. Participants recorded their true crime media consumption habits and completed two scales, the Attitudes Toward the Criminal Legal System scale and the Fear of Crime scale. The hypothesis was supported for those who consume more true crime content and have low attitudes toward the criminal legal system. This indicates that those who consume more true crime content may not have a higher fear of crime but do have more negative attitudes toward the Criminal legal system
