Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
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The Effects of Low-Intensity Cutaneous Electrical Stimulation on Hypertonia in Hemiparetic Stroke
No full textHypertonia, the increase of muscle tone as a result of upper motor neuron lesions, is a long-lasting effect of stroke and affects over 12 million people worldwide. Living with hypertonia can significantly reduce a person’s quality of life and impair their mobility. In the last few years, the viability of electrical stimulation therapy for reducing spasticity has grown. One study found that low-intensity electrical stimulation applied on the skin induced significant reductions in peak torque response in both flexors and extensors (i.e upper extremity spasticity) in nine hemiparetic stroke subjects (Dewald et al., 1996). This research aims to investigate the effects of low-intensity cutaneous electrical stimulation treatments on hypertonia in multiple patients. In early stages of this study done in previous years, only data from one patient was utilized. Our research analyzed data from two more patients to see if the overall data has a constant trend. This data was collected by measuring the hypertonia of participant 1 (N1) while they were sitting relaxed for 10 minutes with the arm fully supported before and after applying low-intensity electrical stimulation to the skin over the biceps muscle (20Hz, 0.1ms pulse duration, for 10 minutes). Overall, there has been a constant trend of hypertonia decreasing with the use of electrical stimulation treatments
Analysis of Age on Muscle Strength Based on Activities of Daily Living Using Surface EMG and Inertial Motion Sensors.
Get PDFThe Titration Olympics
Get PDFThe “Titration Olympics” is the capstone experiment at the end of the Spring semester’s Advanced Chemistry Acid-Base-Buffer unit. In this lab exercise, students compete to determine the concentration of an unknown acid solution using a sodium hydroxide solution they prepare and standardize using KHP. The winner is determined using a rubric that accounts for (a) overall lab time, (b) preparation and general lab technique, (c) data table, (d) quality of the phenolphthalein endpoints, (e) accuracy of the unknown acid’s molarity, (f) use of significant figures, and (g) clean up skills. Students enjoy the competitive spirit of the experiment and realize the importance of meticulous technique to produce an effective and efficient titration. You will perform the student activity using the lab handout in this session. Challenge yourself to outperform our students
Computational modeling of the neuromuscular junction: The study of structure/function of neuron and skeletal muscle cell to investigate aging
No full textComputational Modeling (CM) plays a crucial role in studying neuromuscular disease by aiding in the study of the effects of diseases and predicting the effectiveness of new treatments, with simulations and informed decision making through cross validation. The Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) is a specialized synapse where motor neurons communicate with skeletal muscle fibers, enabling muscle contraction. The goal of this study is to develop a computational model of the NMJ using simulations to study the complex processes of nerve-muscle communication. This study utilizes MATLAB programming By integrating the Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model for neuronal cells and an adapted Luo-Rudy (LR) cardiac. Together, the goal is to develop the NMJ model (motor neuron) to investigate the underlying dynamics of ions and ion channels in normal and diseased states. By applying principles of biophysics, such as ion concentration, membrane capacitance, and electrophysiological signaling, this research aims to quantify the effects of key physiological parameters. On-going work includes developing a model of an Action Potential propagation along a neuron fiber using the cable equation. As a next step the goal is to develop a motor neuron model using a neuronal fiber model and a modified HH model for the skeletal muscle
The Effects of Ceramides and Tram-1 Protein On Endocrine Therapy Resistant Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Cells
No full textEndocrine therapy, the standard treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, often fails due to drug resistance. It has been shown that this resistant phenotype is linked to lower ceramide levels and increased sensitivity to ceramide-induced cell death in the ER+ cell lines and that the protein TRAM-1 may play a crucial role in the formation of ET-resistant cells. Our research aimed to investigate the mechanisms behind ceramide sensitivity and further explore TRAM-1’s contribution to ET resistance. To do this, we conducted experiments to determine the point at which cells treated with ET drugs become ET-resistant and how the ceramide levels change during this process. We also manipulated TRAM-1 expression to see how this affected the cells\u27 survival rates when treated with ET drugs. By clarifying the changes in ceramide levels during resistance development, and the effects of TRAM-1 on cell survival, future research may be able to use this information to create therapies that target these cells more effectively and improve the prognosis for patients with endocrine therapy resistance
X-Ray Activated Photodynamic Therapy of Metastatic Ovarian Cancer via Molecularly Targeted Nanoplatforms
No full textMetastatic ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, primarily due to the limitations of existing treatments. Chemotherapy, though common, often leads to toxic side effects and drug resistance, while radiation therapy is largely untargeted, resulting in significant collateral damage. Since IL13Ra2 protein is overexpressed in ovarian cancer cells, this research aims to conjugate the IL13Ra2-targeted antibody mAb47 to silica (SiO2) encapsulated europium-doped yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y2O3:Eu). Upon X-ray irradiation, Y2O3:Eu@SiO2 will produce ROS that leads to toxicity to tumor cells. The nanoparticles were synthesized using a urea-based precipitation method and silica encapsulation through the Stöber process. The mAb47 antibody was conjugated via EDC/NHS coupling. TEM analysis showed that the averaged core size of Y2O3:Eu@SiO2 is ~100 nm, with an average SiO2 coat thickness of 10-15 nm. Future studies will focus of treating ovarian cancer cells and in vivo cancer models with these nanoparticles
