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Raising Awareness of Neglected Tropical Diseases and the Prospects of Chronic Helminth Infections to Suppress Host Immune Response
No full textThis thesis will delve into the background knowledge of parasitic diseases, explore the
current research in creating anti-helminthic therapeutics and vaccines, and describe how these
diseases are preventable and treatable with proper infrastructure. Current research in the field of
parasitology is focused on the correlation between chronic helminth infections and the disruption
of autoimmune inflammatory responses. With this knowledge, anti-helminthic vaccines and
therapeutics could be developed against autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. My thesis will
explore why parasitic diseases affect tropical regions and why this issue is important. My thesis
will also explore the field of immunology, in particular the T helper cell type 2 inflammatory
responses, and the discovery of why parasites trigger this pathway. My goal is to provide the
audience with an understanding of parasitic diseases, raise awareness of the poverty and
devastation they bring to those in the tropics and bring attention to the current research in
creating therapeutics for autoimmune and inflammatory disease
Promoting community engagement and activism in high school students
No full textService learning has been shown to promote cultural and racial understanding and foster a sense of social responsibility amongst students. Additionally, social responsibility is an important facet of community engagement and vital to improving outcomes for marginalized and disenfranchised populations, such as unhoused individuals. Street Medicine Oakland (SMO), a student-run program that provides medical care to unhoused individuals, has partnered with Avondale High School to develop an educational series on homelessness in Oakland County. This project will provide opportunities for high school students to engage in discussions surrounding homelessness in Oakland County and participate in service with medical student leaders from the SMO organization
Minutes of the Formal Session of the Oakland University Board of Trustees, October 3, 2022
No full textA. Pledge of Allegiance | B. Call to Order | C. Roll Call | D. Advisory Board Reports: Graduate School Advisory Board ; OUWB Dean's Advisory Board; SON Board of Visitors | E. President's Report | F. Consent Agenda for Consideration/Action: Consent Agenda; Minutes of the Board of Trustees Formal Session of August 8, 2022; University Personnel Actions; Acceptance of Gifts and Pledges to Oakland University for the Period of July 26, 2022 through September 19, 2022; Acceptance of Grants and Contracts to Oakland University for the Period of July 1 – August 31, 2022; Approval of Honorary Degree for Jayprakash B. Shah; Agreement Between Oakland University and the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2025; Fiscal Year 2024 Five-Year Capital Outlay Plan and Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Outlay Project Request; Acceptance of Meadow Brook Subdivision Guarantee Report | G. New Items for Consideration/Action: Treasurer's Report; Financial Statements, June 30, 2022 and 2021 | H. Other Items for Consideration/Action that May Come Before the Board | I. Adjournment
An Initial Evaluation of Results from the Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) Single Leg Stance Protocol
No full textBackground: The Single Leg Stance (SLS) test of static balance is a common means of assessing left versus right lower limb asymmetry. Recently, a SLS protocol was made available for the Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) Balance Plate, a low-cost, portable force plate for objective balance measurement.
Research Question: The present study sought to generate an initial set of balance results for the BTrackS SLS test.
Methods: BTrackS SLS tests were conducted on 161 young adults (90 women, 71 men) between the ages of 18 and 29. Participants stood as still as possible the BTrackS Balance Plate for four (2 practice, 2 actual), 20s trials with hands on hips. The first and third trial were performed standing on the left foot, while the second and fourth trials were performed on the right foot.
Results: An ANOVA for Total Center of Pressure (CoP) Path Length (i.e. body sway) found women had better SLS results then men, and that performance improved from practice to actual trials. Analysis of an Absolute Symmetry Index (ASI) measure showed that a difference of 16% or greater between legs (higher than the 10% rule) represented the threshold for asymmetric performance beyond the average adult.
Significance: These results have practical value for those researchers and clinicians using the BTrackS SLS, informing decisions involving the presence or absence typical lower limb symmetry. Additionally, they support the use of a practice trial in the BTrackS SLS protocol and agree with previous results showing sex differences favoring women on tests of static balance
Optimization of Purification Protocol for Taq DNA Polymerase used in Polymerase Chain Reaction
No full textProtein purification plays a significant role in the production of therapeutic proteins,
otherwise known as protein drugs. Although 380 protein drugs are currently marketed and used to
treat a wide range of illnesses, the protocol for protein purification varies slightly amongst
pharmaceutical companies. Thus, this study was undertaken to optimize some parameters involved
in protein purification. Taq DNA polymerase was inserted into and grown in an E. coli. cell culture,
isolated using ion gradient chromatography and a fraction collector, and assayed using polymerase
chain reaction. The concentration of isopropyl-β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) used to induce
the bacterial culture and the column flow rate in chromatography were tested and adjusted to
optimize the protein purification protocol and determine their effect on both the quantity of the
purified protein collected and the enzymatic activity of the purified protein. It was discovered that
an IPTG concentration of 0.1675 mM and a column flow rate of 2 mL/min resulted in the highest
protein expression. It was concluded these values optimized the protein purification protocol both
economically and in terms of production quantity
GHPI Biodiversity Subcommittee Report, 2022
No full textAssessment of biodiversity and wildlife habitats on campus; recommendation
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the AB096061 Gene of Phragmites australis
No full textPhragmites australis exists in two primary strains in North America: native and introduced. Within the AB096061 gene of both strains, nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interest have been noted in Midwestern and Canadian leaf samples, but previous findings might have been indicative of local SNPs. In the following research project, the geographic sampling range was increased to test native, invasive, and hybrid Phragmites samples from the Western United States. DNA from Utah, Nevada, and California samples were isolated, prepared, and sequenced according to previous protocols. The sequencing data and results from the project continued to prove the indicative SNPs exist uniformly in native and invasive strains from Western samples. The project also found one new SNP within the AB09061 gene and showed the higher prevalence of an additional polymorphism in the Western samples. By continuing to distinguish and confirm the differences between strains, the introduced strain can be properly managed by applying information and results to expand and refine control methods
The Efficacy of Neuraxial Ultrasound in the Obese Parturient
No full textIntroduction: Ultrasound technology may play a pivotal role in providing safe and effective neuraxial anesthesia for the obese parturient with difficult anatomical landmarks.
Literature: There is a significant association between elevated BMI and epidural failure, suggesting higher BMI increases the risk of multiple needle attempts. The use of ultrasound may decrease the number of needle passes in the obese parturient.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to assess the efficacy of an ultrasound-assisted technique in minimizing needle passes, procedural complications, and procedural time for the obese parturient receiving neuraxial anesthesia.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on eligible parturients who received neuraxial anesthesia at ProMedica Toledo Hospital between October and December of 2021.
In addition, a prospective quasi-experimental design was implemented to assess the efficacy of pre-assessment neuraxial ultrasound. Eligible participants with a BMI 30 kg/m² or greater received ultrasound-assisted site identification prior to spinal or epidural administration.
Results: Ultrasound use yielded no statistically significant difference in the number of attempts for epidural (p=0.521), spinal anesthesia (p=0.931), or procedural complications (p=0.358). There was a statistically significant decrease in procedural time for ultrasound-assisted epidural placement (p=0.034), but no difference in subarachnoid blocks (p= 0.892).
Conclusion: Implementation of an ultrasound-assisted technique for obese parturients receiving epidural anesthesia reduced procedural time. Ultrasound-assisted technique resulted in zero paresthesias and post-dural puncture headaches
