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Keep The Faith
No full textSummer Performing Arts Company Keep The Faithhttps://commons.und.edu/performing-arts-photos/1183/thumbnail.jp
Damn Yankees
No full textCast of Damn Yankeeshttps://commons.und.edu/performing-arts-photos/1175/thumbnail.jp
A Grand Night For Singing
No full textCast of A Grand Night For Singinghttps://commons.und.edu/performing-arts-photos/1167/thumbnail.jp
Efficacy and Safety of P2Y12 Inhibitor Monotherapy Versus Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Who Have Received Drug Eluting Stents Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome
Get PDFAccording to the American Heart Association, there are approximately 1.4 million people who are hospitalized and 700,000 deaths attributed to acute coronary syndrome on a yearly basis in the United States. It is standard therapy for patients to receive a drug eluting stent and dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent occlusion of the stent and other coronary arteries. Dual antiplatelet therapy typically consists of aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor. Dual antiplatelet leads to an increased risk of bleeding. This literature review aims to investigate if earlier initiation of P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy decreases the risk of bleeding while maintaining adequate protection against major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. A literature review was performed using electronic search databases PubMed and Embase from May to July 2024. Keywords included platelet aggregation inhibitors, monotherapy, dual antiplatelet therapy, drug eluting stents, percutaneous coronary intervention, and three months. Studies published after 2018, randomized control trials, and clinical trials were considered. There were seven total studies that met these criteria. The current literature suggests that P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy can be initiated after three months of dual antiplatelet therapy. Patients benefited by experiencing fewer bleeds and suffered from major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events at a similar rate compared to participants that continued dual antiplatelet therapy
Oral NSAIDs vs. Topical Anesthetics for Pain Management During IUD Insertion: A More Effective Standard of Care
Get PDFAn intrauterine device (IUD) is a highly effective, long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) option for patients from menarche until menopause. Despite its effectiveness, pain associated with IUD insertion remains a significant barrier to IUD insertion use. Unrelieved pain during the procedure may lead to serious complications, such as vasovagal shock and cardiac arrhythmias, which may negatively impact patient experience and adherence to contraceptive methods. To this day, there is no standard, effective recommendation for pain management during IUD insertion. This literature review aims to compare the efficacy of oral NSAIDs, which are commonly used due to their nonspecific analgesic property, and topical anesthetics in pain reduction during IUD insertion, considering the differences in mechanism of action and clinical implications. A review of peer-reviewed studies was conducted for oral NSAIDs versus topical anesthetics, such as lidocaine and lidocaine-prilocaine mixtures, throughout different steps of the procedure. A data search of PubMed and Embase was conducted utilizing keywords; 11 studies met final inclusion criteria. Results show that oral NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are not effective for acute procedural pain during IUD insertion but are effective in post-procedural pain management. Topical anesthetics show greater efficacy in pain reduction for acute procedural pain. Given the limited efficacy of NSAIDs and the targeted pain relief offered by topical anesthetics during IUD insertion, clinicians should prioritize topical anesthetics to improve patient comfort, outcomes, and satisfaction
D-Mannose Efficacy in Preventing Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women
Get PDFRecurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are a significant health concern for women, affecting their quality of life and requiring effective and safe prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. This literature review evaluates the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of D-mannose, a natural sugar, in preventing and treating UTIs. This review is based on a structured search and selection of randomized controlled trials and pilot studies identified through databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. Evidence from assorted studies, including randomized controlled trials and pilot research, indicates that D-mannose may reduce UTI recurrence rates and alleviate acute symptoms with comparable efficacy to standard antibiotics. Daily D-mannose demonstrated a significant reduction in recurrence rates for prophylaxis compared to placebo and nitrofurantoin, with fewer adverse effects. In acute UTI management, D-mannose-based supplements improved symptom resolution and achieved bacteriological clearance more effectively than placebo. Mechanistically, D-mannose prevents uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) from adhering to bladder cells, interrupting infection progression without promoting bacterial resistance. Despite promising results, limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of long-term follow-up, and variable study designs warrant further large-scale, blinded trials to establish standardized dosing regimens and confirm efficacy. Overall, D-mannose represents a potential alternative or adjunct in UTI management, emphasizing a need for continued research into its clinical applications
Machine Learning-Guided Discovery Of Metal-Ligand Catalysts For Affordable Green Hydrogen Produced Via Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers
No full textThe rising demand for clean and sustainable energy sources has underscored the critical role of hydrogen in the global energy transition. However, the widespread adoption of green hydrogen remains constrained by the high cost and scarcity of platinum-based electrocatalysts used in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. This dependence inflates production costs and poses long-term risks related to supply security and scalability. While numerous studies have explored alternative materials, the discovery of efficient and stable non-platinum catalysts remains a major bottleneck due to the vastness of chemical space and the resource-intensive nature of experimental screening. To address this challenge, this study applied a machine learning approach to systematically explore and classify transition metal–ligand complexes based on electronic and structural features relevant to Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) performance. Using the tmQM dataset, which contains over 108,000 transition metal complexes from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), we selected five key descriptors: HOMO–LUMO gap, dipole moment, molecular size, metal node degree, and total charge, to represent catalytic activity and structural robustness. Three unsupervised clustering algorithms: K-Means, DBSCAN, and Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM), were applied to partition the dataset into chemically and electronically distinct classes. By comparing their clustering performance, the most robust model was selected to guide the identification of promising candidates that align with desirable HER-relevant features, including low HOMO–LUMO gaps, high dipole moments, and moderate coordination numbers. The resulting clusters revealed multiple classes of metal–ligand complexes with favorable catalytic and structural properties. One cluster was enriched with candidates exhibiting strong electronic reactivity and solvation potential, coupled with neutral charge and manageable size, indicative of both catalytic efficiency and synthetic feasibility. Importantly, all shortlisted complexes are structurally documented in crystallographic databases, which enables direct experimental validation and minimizes trial-and-error in material design
Evaluation Of Schlafen Family Proteins In Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Get PDFThis dissertation explores the role of Schlafen (SLFN) family proteins in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), a subtype known for its aggressive behavior and poor response to treatment. Through a series of studies, this dissertation examines the interplay between multiple SLFN proteins, chemotherapy resistance, and immune modulation, revealing the potential of SLFN12 as both a biomarker and therapeutic target for improving treatment outcomes, particularly in overcoming chemoresistance in TNBC.
Breast cancer, the most common cancer worldwide, includes various subtypes like TNBC, which lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it resistant to conventional therapies. SLFN proteins, first discovered in mice, regulate immune responses, cell differentiation, and viral infections, with specific members like SLFN5, SLFN11, and SLFN12 influencing cancer progression and chemotherapy sensitivity. These proteins, which are interferon-stimulated, can serve as biomarkers and predictive factors for treatment response. Chapter 1 provides an in-depth examination of the underlying concepts surrounding breast cancer and the role of SLFN family proteins.
Chapter 2 reviews current immunotherapy approaches for TNBC, noting promising responses to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, although their efficacy remains limited. Chapter 3 reveals a novel signaling cascade among SLFNs during IFN-α2 treatment in TNBC, indicating a complex regulatory network influencing cell viability and suggesting potential targets for therapy. Chapter 4 features SLFN12\u27s role in enhancing chemotherapy sensitivity, especially to taxanes and anthracyclines, and its potential as a biomarker for chemotherapy responsiveness.
Chapter 5, the conclusion of this dissertation, underscores the pivotal role of SLFN proteins, particularly SLFN12, in modulating immune responses and chemotherapy resistance, offering promising targets for future TNBC therapies
Next-Gen Device For Uniform Cellular Migration Assay Execution
Get PDFCellular migration assays, particularly scratch assays, are pivotal in biomedical research for cell motility, wound healing, and metastasis. However, conventional scratch assays suffer from variability due to operator dependence, non-uniform scratch geometry, and a modified microenvironment that impacts reproducibility. This thesis presents the development and validation of a low-cost, 3D-printed device designed to standardize cellular migration assays. The device utilizes a spring mechanism and a biocompatible elastomer to create a uniform cellular exclusion zone without harming the surrounding cells. Through iterative prototyping and testing with MCF10A cell lines, the device demonstrated a significantly lower average standard deviation of length compared to manual pipette scratches, p\u3c0.0001. It also proved capable of supporting normal cell proliferation and migration behaviors. The design\u27s affordability, ease of use, and compatibility with standard cell culture practices position it as a valuable alternative for enhancing the reliability of cell migration studies across diverse biomedical applications
Angiotensin Receptor/Neprilysin Inhibitors as First-Line Medication to Increase Lifespan in Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure
Get PDFthe United States, with over half classified as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). As the condition progresses, it can significantly diminish the quality of life and substantially increase the risk of early mortality. This literature review evaluates the effectiveness of angiotensin receptorneprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) compared to traditional reninangiotensin system (RAAS) medications in reducing hospitalizations, cardiac deaths, and natriuretic peptide levels in HFpEF patients. A comprehensive search of PubMed and Embase identified 1,033 studies, with eight meeting criteria for final analysis. Sacubitril/valsartan did not significantly reduce hospitalizations or cardiac deaths compared to RAAS therapy but did lower serum biomarkers associated with cardiac fibrosis. These findings highlight the need to tailor HF treatment based on ejection fraction and disease progression. Further large, multi-center studies are necessary to identify sub-populations that may benefit most from ARNI therapy.https://commons.und.edu/pas-grad-posters/1325/thumbnail.jp