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Enhancing Psychiatric Care : The Case for Physical Therapists in Depression Treatment Plans
No full textiii, 12 p.Depression is highly prevalent worldwide and the burden of this illness is increasing. Due to the presence of treatment-resistant depression, researchers have focused on identifying alternative and effective treatments. Exercise has many benefits on the brain and body through multiple biological pathways and can provide relief from depressive symptoms. Initiating exercise is difficult for those struggling with depression, however a supervised exercise protocol has been proven to improve patient adherence. In the U.S., physical therapy (PT) is not often included in the multidisciplinary team to treat depression, however there is rationale and evidence to justify PT as a supported treatment. This review will explore the relationship between exercise and depression and the value of how PT can facilitate this relationship
Connecting RNA Methylation and TDP43 Pathology in ALS/FTD
No full textv, 19 p.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are two devastating neurodegenerative disorders that share a molecular hallmark: the mislocalization and aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa, or TDP43 (Arai et al., 2006). TDP43 is an essential RNA-binding protein that regulates RNA transcription, splicing, turnover, and transport (Strong et al., 2007; Buratti and Barelle, 2008; Wang et al., 2008). Primarily a nuclear protein, TDP43 undergoes mislocalization to the cytoplasm in ALS and FTD, leading to a loss in its critical regulatory activity (Ayala et al., 2008; Barmada et al., 2010). Further evidence suggests that TDP43 activity and localization are regulated by an RNA modification, m6A. m6A, or the methylation of adenosine at the N6 position, promotes TDP43 binding and regulation of its RNA substrates, a majority of which contain m6A modifications (McMillan et al., 2023). Recent data demonstrates RNA hypermethylation in ALS patient tissue, further hinting at a role for methylation in driving TDP43 pathology (McMillan et al., 2023). Thus, understanding the connection between TDP43 and m6A may be pivotal in developing novel therapeutic options for TDP43-proteinopathies. This review explores the physiological interplay between TDP43 and m6A methylation, discusses its implications for neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, and outlines potential avenues for therapeutic intervention
Design and synthesis of novel Coumarin-Curcuminoid Hybrids as potential neuroprotective
No full textiv, 35 p.Neurodegenerative diseases present a significant burden on global health, characterized by the progressive decline of neuronal function and structure. Coumarins and curcuminoids are natural compounds with established neuroprotective properties, yet each has limitations in clinical applications, particularly concerning bioavailability of curcuminoids. This study focuses on the design and synthesis of novel coumarin-curcuminoid hybrids, aiming to enhance their neuroprotective efficacy and oral bioavailability. The Williams lab synthesized various 3-acetylcoumarin derivatives using a domino Knoevenagel condensation reaction mechanism with high yields (82 – 94 %) for compounds 6a-6c while impure and low yields were achieved for compounds 6d and 6e respectively. The subsequent bromination of these derivatives produced compounds 7a and 7b with over 90% yield, while 7c had a significantly lower yield of 37%. These brominated derivatives were then reacted with cinnamic acid derivatives to produce the desired coumarin-curcuminoid hybrids 8a-8h, in moderate to high yields (53 – 89 %) except for hybrid 8c that could not be purified successfully
The Efficacy of a Multimodal Pain Control Optimization Pathway: An Initiative to Battle the Opioid Epidemic by Reducing Acute Postoperative Pain and Opioid Consumption
No full textiii, 16 p.The ongoing Opioid Epidemic has intensified the need for alternative approaches for pain management in postoperative surgical care. This literature review evaluates the efficacy of the Pain Control Optimization Pathway (POP) in light of Enhanced recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in reducing acute postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and hospital length of stay (LOS), while improving patient care and satisfaction. This review synthesizes data from a variety of peer-reviewed sources to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of opioid consumption, addiction, anesthesia use, pain management, and patient outcomes. Inclusion criteria focused on multimodal analgesia, opioid-sparing strategies, and pre- and postoperative pain management counseling in minimally invasive surgeries. Findings indicated that both POP and ERAS significantly reduce opioid consumption and postoperative pain scores, leading to faster recovery times and improved satisfaction rates. Challenges in standardizing these protocols across institutions remain a notable barrier, however these protocols present a promising avenue in combating the opioid crisis by addressing the postoperative gateway to addiction
Characterizing Small RNA from Satellite Repeats on the Drosophila melanogaster X Chromosome
No full textiv, 18 p.Drosophila melanogaster is widely regarded as one of the most advantageous model organisms across multiple biochemical disciples including genetics, genomics, and developmental biology. D. melanogaster, like many organisms, differentiate sex based on a gene-rich X chromosome, and a gene-poor Y chromosome. To correct for this imbalance, male flies transcribe the X chromosome at roughly double the rate of female flies in a process known as dosage compensation. A series of 1.668x satellite repeats 359 bp in length appear in a tandem array roughly 11 Mb in length along the heterochromatic base of the X chromosome in D. melanogaster. It is speculated that small RNAs transcribed from these repeats are necessary for proper dosage compensation to occur, though the exact mechanism is not yet understood. We postulate that these small RNAs are deposited maternally into the developing D. melanogaster embryos, rather than directly transcribed in the zygote, to then influence dosage compensation through the siRNA pathway. To examine this phenomenon, we set up three test crosses designed to determine the origin of these small RNAs and tracked male emergence. We found that the roX1ex33roX2Df chromosome does not provide a maternal benefit, contradicting previous findings. Additionally, we theorize that the size of the 359 bp repeat array would modify survival of sons. We developed a rt-PCR protocol that clearly distinguishes 359 bp repeat abundance between strains. We used this protocol to create a linear regression with defined ratios of adult flies who either carry or lack this array
Evolutionary rescue in species experiencing rapid environmental stress
No full textiv, 15 p.Stress plays a fundamental role in the evolutionary trajectory of species and understanding the severity and impact of stressors is particularly timely as global change intensifies. Evolutionary rescue describes specific instances of rapid adaptive evolution triggered by stress that follow the pattern of initial population decline and maladaptation followed by subsequent population recovery. This recovery in population abundance occurs because of the increased frequency of phenotypes tolerant to the new conditions resulting from mutation, standing genetic variation, or immigration. Under environmental stressors that occur rapidly, extinction or extirpation is more likely than evolutionary rescue, especially in smaller populations, those with longer lifespans, and those with low levels of genetic variation. Because of this and the rapidity of anthropogenic changes, preserving biodiversity and preventing extinction will require active conservation management strategies. Using evolutionary rescue as a framework to determine optimal approaches to conservation will help at-risk populations impacted by rapid global change
Optimizing the Synthesis of 5 and 6-Bromotryptamine Elijah S. Mobley
No full textiv, 14 p.The increasing emergence of drug-resistant bacteria is a serious threat to human health. Antibacterial resistance usually occurs when any bacteria become immune to frequently used antimicrobial agents, thus creating a critical need for novel compounds to combat this issue. Tryptamines, which are derived from the amino acid tryptophan, are a wide area of interest for their antibacterial activity and their natural abundance. Particularly looking at the tryptamine scaffold, its presence of indole offers great structural diversity to improve antibacterial activity. This study aims to look at the halogenation of these indole rings in an approach to increase the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of tryptamine and derivatives. The work presented outlines a novel synthetic approach of 5 and 6-Bromotryptamine, as well as a cost analysis, to provide an affordable and efficient synthesis route that can be used in the synthesis of 2nd generation tryptamine-maleimide hybrids. Key steps in the approach include the Henry reaction of 3-formylindoles with nitromethane, alkene reductions using sodium borohydride, and a reduction of nitro substituents to free amines; with yields greater than 100%
Chiropractic Care as a Complementary Treatment for Vertigo : A Comprehensive Literature Review on Efficacy, Mechanisms, and Future
No full textiii, 11 p.This literature review examines the effectiveness of chiropractic care as a complementary treatment for vertigo, a neurological condition identified by the presence of dizziness and a spinning sensation. Treatments such as medication and physical therapy, although traditional to treating vertigo, have been found to provide limited relief for the condition with the risk of side effects; thus, prompting increased interest in alternative treatment options. This literature review uses findings from case studies, clinical trials, and theoretical analyses to propose using mechanisms of chiropractic care in treating vertigo given its potential benefits. The review identifies significant trends in existing literature including the role spinal manipulation and the Epley maneuver have on vertigo, while also identifying gaps in research, such as the evident need for longer-term studies as well as controlled studies to track its efficacy over an extended time. Implications on these findings suggest that chiropractic care could be an effective partner with other conventional treatments, with additional research needed to establish standardized protocols and long-term efficacy in treating vertigo
The Tripartite Relationships of Dutch Colonial Taiwan : A History of the Dutch Colonial Period of Taiwan 1624-1662
No full text39 p.The status of Taiwan today is a significant question in the world of geopolitics, and the world remains unsure of who to support in this struggle between the global superpower of the People’s Republic of China and its diaspora in Taiwan, otherwise known as the Republic of China. It is well known that this conflict truly began in 1949 at the end of the Chinese civil war, when the Republic of China, in a last ditch attempt at survival, sent its army, its generals, and millions of civilians to this island oR the coast of Mainland China. Yet to better understand this struggle – especially the case of the Taiwanese domestic politics where two main political camps exist; the Democratic Progressive Party who would prefer Taiwan entirely separate from any notion of being part of mainland China, and the Kuomintang who would prefer an eventual reunification with mainland China – it is essential to understand how Taiwan came to be considered a part of China in the first place.1 This story of the Sinicization of Taiwan takes us to the 17th Century, when the rising trade superpower of the United Provinces of the Netherlands conquered their way through South-East Asia by either war, trade, or piracy. Their company, the Dutch East India Company, set up a unique colony of the island of Taiwan, of the coast of China. They ran this colony as a Dutch trade and agricultural outpost, started by settlers invited from mainland China. Through this story we will understand how the Dutch East India Company officials managed the delicate relationship between the Company, the native people of Taiwan, and the newly arrived Chinese settlers seeking their fortune
From Sidelines to Spotlight : Media Narratives and the Development of Women’s Basketball in America Post-Title IX
No full textiii, 36 p.This paper explores the evolution of women’s basketball, focusing on how the sport has confronted the barriers of limited media coverage and traditional gender norms. The first section examines the early history of women’s basketball, tracing its roots in a time when women’s participation in sports was seen as transgressive. It explores how cultural icons like the Gibson Girl and the Flapper began to challenge societal views of women’s physicality, setting the stage for greater acceptance of athleticism. The second section analyzes the transformative impact of Title IX, which forced schools to provide greater access and opportunities for female athletes, creating pathways for women to compete at higher levels. The third section explores the shifting media narratives in the 1980s and 1990s, focusing on how players like Cheryl Miller and Lisa Leslie disrupted traditional coverage, even as biases about femininity persisted. The final section examines the modern era of women’s basketball, highlighting how athletes like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are using social media and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities to expand the sport’s reach and challenge inequities that still exist. By examining the intersection of media representation, public perception, and broader societal changes, this paper aims to highlight the significant role media visibility has played in shaping the growth and evolution of women’s basketball in the United States. Through an analysis of historical struggles, legislative milestones, and cultural shifts, this study demonstrates how Title IX and the resilience of female athletes have worked together to challenge stereotypes, break barriers, and position women’s basketball as a symbol of empowerment and equality