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Multicomponent Hybridization Probe with a Label-Free Reporter Based on a DNA Light-Up Aptamer
No full textHybridization probes are valuable tools for detecting nucleic acids and have applications in diagnostics and research. However, traditional monolithic probes like molecular beacons have some drawbacks, such as structural interference and difficulty working with folded RNA targets. To help address these problems, this project focuses on developing Split Light-Up Aptameric Sensors (SLAS), which is based on splitting the fluorogenic aptamer DAP-10-42 into two parts: SLAS-U (universal) and SLAS-S (selective). These two strands only combine and produce a fluorescence signal when a fully matching target is present.
This project aimed to determine the most effective site to split the DAP-10-42 aptamer without losing its ability to bind dye and activate fluorescence. To compare their performance, six different split sites were tested across the aptamer’s hairpin loop. Two of these—27U/28S and 29U/30S—produced the strongest fluorescence signals and highest sequence selectivity. Differentiation factor (DF) analysis confirmed that these probes could reliably distinguish between a perfect match and a single-base mismatch. Additionally, both probes achieved detection limits in the nanomolar range.
The optimized SLAS design was applied to detect a single-nucleotide difference in the NANOGP8 pseudogene linked to glioblastoma. Since this system uses a label-free dye and works with simple equipment like UV lights or portable fluorometers, it could be helpful for low-cost or point-of-care testing. Future work will focus on testing SLAS in more complex biological samples and real-world settings
Unravelling the role of two-component systems in Mycobacterium abscessus
Get PDFMycobacterium abscessus (Mab) is an emerging pathogen within the nontuberculous bacteria (NTM) which poses a threat due to its complex multi-drug resistance and opportunistic nature. It is predicted that only 45.6% of patients will have successful treatment, with immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis patients being the most threatened. Moreover, investigating new treatment approaches is key to responding to this public health issue. Two-component systems (TCS) are regulatory pathways that play a pivotal role in bacterial survival and virulence. These systems are composed of a sensor histidine kinase (HK) and cognate response regulator (RR) protein that senses environmental cues and triggers specific transcriptional changes to adapt to host-derived cues and stresses. There are eleven complete TCS in Mab, all but one with an ortholog in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), however, despite belonging to the same genus, our data suggests that these regulatory systems have diverged to fulfill distinct roles. In this study, genetic engineering methods were implemented, including gene knockout (KO) and CRISPR mediated interference (CRISPRi) to evaluate the role of TCS in Mab gene expression and virulence-associated phenotypes. Phenotypic screening was completed through disk diffusion assays and MIC curves to gain insight into functional roles of TCS in Mab. These findings contribute to setting a foundation for further advancement in mycobacterial research while also identifying potential new drug targets and treatment strategie
The Association Between Implicit Bias from Healthcare Providers and Postpartum Depression Among Black Women.
Get PDFPostpartum depression is one of the most common issues that women face after birth. Many different factors can contribute to the development of postpartum depression, including perinatal complications, prenatal depression, or social factors. One of the social factors that Black women, specifically, face leading to postpartum depression is discrimination. The purpose of this literature review is to identify research that focuses on whether implicit bias and discrimination by healthcare providers contributes to postpartum depression among Black women. A literature review was conducted using databases including CINHAL Plus Text, CINHAL ULTIMATE, Medline, and APA Psycinfo, with terms that included “healthcare provider* or “clinician*” or” nurs*” or “healthcare professional*, or “hospital”, AND “bias”, or “prejudice”, or “discrimination” or “stereotype” or “stigma” or “attitude” or “racial” or “treatment” or “racism” AND “postpartum depression” or “ppd” or “postpartum blues” or “postpartum depressive symptoms” AND “Black” or “African American” or “African-American” yielded a result of 134 articles. Out of the 134 articles found, a total of three studies were included in the literature review. Two of the studies did not find an association of implicit bias by healthcare providers did not contribute to postpartum depression among Black women, while one study found that implicit bias by healthcare related to postpartum depression among Black women. However, the studies that did not find a correlation between implicit bias from healthcare providers and postpartum depression among Black women, had small percentages of Black women as part of their sample. Future research needs to focus on having a more representative sample of Black women when focusing on whether implicit bias relates to postpartum depression, as Black women are more likely to experience health disparities and experience postpartum depression
Cognitive Impairment and Depression in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Low-Income Older Adults a Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFHispanic older adults represent a growing population in the United States and may be disproportionately affected by cognitive impairment and depression. We theorize that cognitive impairment would be more prevalent in the older Hispanic community and would affect the levels of depression in both Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites older adults. This cross-sectional study examined the association between cognitive impairment and depression in 157 older adults, including Hispanic (n = 91, 57.96%, age: M = 76.4, SD = 6.8) and non-Hispanic White (n = 66, 42.04%, age: M = 76.2, SD = 6.5). We used the Memory Impairment Screen to assess cognitive impairment and the PHQ-9 for depression. Using a Chi-squared test, a significant difference in the rates of cognitive impairment between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites was found, X2 = 7.528, p \u3c .01., with Hispanics being more affected. However, Mann-Whitney U tests found no significant differences in depression levels between Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites, U = 2930.50, p = .794. Similarly, depression levels did not differ significantly between those with cognitive impairment and those without in either Hispanics (U = 839.00, p = .708) or non-Hispanic Whites (U = 227.50, p = .929). These findings highlight that cognitive impairment is more prevalent among older Hispanic adults than their non-Hispanic White counterparts in lower-income communities. Addressing these disparities with culturally specific interventions is crucial for reducing health inequities and ensuring equitable access to cognitive and mental health care across diverse aging populations
Associations Between Brain White Matter Hyperintensities and Diet Quality in Cognitive Aging: A Cross-Sectional Assessment
Get PDFLeukoaraiosis, or White Matter Lesions (WMLs)/White Matter Hyperintensities (WMHs), are often considered markers of aging and neurodegeneration. White matter hyperintensities appear as lighter, hyperintense regions on T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and are physiologically characterized as demyelination and axonal loss reflected as microvascular lesions in cerebral white matter (Marseglia et. al., 2019). These anatomical landmarks are most seen in MRIs of elderly individuals. They can be associated with aging and cognitive decline, including affected frontal lobe function and episodic memory in the form of delayed recall performance and are linked to several cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension (Artero et al., 2004) and ischemic vascular dementia (Petkov et al., 2004). Recent investigations have assessed the impact of lifestyle factors, such as diet, on brain health among aging populations. Diet, as measured through participant recall and evaluated in questionnaires such as the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), has become an increasingly important standardized assessment in the evaluation of public health as it pertains to lifestyle factors. Specific nutrient-dense diets, as will be discussed, have been associated with a lower prevalence of WMHs and improved cognitive function, while poor diet quality has a positive association with WMHs. Understanding how diet can influence the integrity of brain white matter could provide new insight into how a healthy diet could mitigate the negative effects of brain aging and potentially provide benefits. The literature review aims to examine the theoretical background and objective data among various existing studies that assess how particular diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, and specific micronutrients could impact the structural integrity of the brain’s white matter, using various existing measures of diet quality, such as questionnaires or intake measurements, as well as brain imaging scans, to analyze their associations. The current analysis aims to assess associations between WMHs, and diet quality as measured by the HEI total score, with a hypothesis that a higher score in the subjective diet quality measure is associated with lower brain WMH burden. The analysis used cross-sectional data (n=501) from the study “Investigating Gains in Neurocognition in an Intervention Trial of Exercise” (IGNITE; mean age=69.7±3.68, 73.6% female). Sex-distinguished models were run with the hypothesis being supported by a significant negative association in exclusively female whole-brain WMHs (R = -0.11, p = 0.032) and periventricular WMHs (PVWMHs) (R = -0.12, p = 0.032). These findings suggest that there is a potential mitigation factor in the role of diet and associated WMH burden exclusively in females, as detailed in these measurements
Comparative Semiotic Analysis of Non-Verbal Communication: Apis Mellifera Waggle Dance and Human Kinesic Signaling Systems
Get PDFThere are many parallels between two seemingly disparate forms of non-verbal communication: the waggle dance of Apis mellifera (honeybees) and human kinesic signaling systems. Through a comparative semiotic analysis, this research aims to conduct a comparative semiotic analysis, investigating structural and functional similarities between these communication methods, challenging anthropocentric assumptions about meaning making in the natural world. This research employs a meta-synthesis approach, drawn from a methodological literature review to examine historical representations of bee-human relationships, semiotics of non-verbal communication, and the specific mechanisms of the waggle dance and human kinesics. This methodology involves systematic categorization and analysis of extracted data, focusing on sign systems, meaning-making processes, and contextual influences on communication. Through the application of the biosemiotic convergence theory, this research aims to demonstrate that these distinct communication systems have evolved in parallel, shaped by unique ecological niches and social structures. This comparative analysis seeks to identify commonalities, highlight unique aspects, and explore potential areas of convergence between honeybee and human non verbal communication. Ultimately, this research contributes to a broader understanding of how meaning is constructed and conveyed across species, illuminating the rich semiotic landscape that exists beyond human language. By bridging the gap between insect and human communication systems, this research hopes to provide fresh insights into the complex interplay between biology, cognition, and communication in the natural world. This work not only enhances the understanding of non-verbal communication but also encourages a more inclusive perspective on meaning-making across different species
Nursing Simulation for Pediatric Communication: An Integrative Literature Review
Get PDFThe aim of this thesis is to explore literature focused on enhancing nursing students\u27 communication skills with pediatric patients through simulation. Effective communication is key to building rapport and trust, which are essential for improving patient outcomes. However, nursing students may experience anxiety when interacting with pediatric patients due to limited training in communication techniques. Simulation offers a valuable opportunity for students to practice and refine their skills in a risk-free environment, allowing them to build confidence and competence. An integrative literature review was conducted, utilizing three databases and PRISMA guidelines (Page et al., 2021) to gather relevant studies for analysis and evidence evaluation. Eight studies were selected for final review and were subsequently quality-graded and evaluated for the strength of their evidence using the Johns Hopkins Evidence Appraisal Tool (Dang et al., 2021). Three key themes emerged that can support students in improving their communication with pediatric patients. Discussion will include implications for nursing education and nursing research. Simulation can play a crucial role in enhancing nursing students’ communication skills with pediatric patients, providing valuable opportunities to improve their clinical interactions and overall effectiveness
Academic Proposals for Combating Authoritarian Populism in the United States: A Review of the Social Science Literature
Get PDFThroughout American history, the idea of “democracy” has been taught at a base level throughout the school system. While we have been taught what a democracy is, it is rare to understand what a democracy isn’t. There have been threats identified by academics to our democracy throughout different eras in history. Now, in our current political climate, all main threats to democracy have been enacted at once.
This thesis serves as a literature review of a handful of academics and their idea of what the main threats to democracy are. There will be references to different perspectives and schools of thought. I will go into detail on the three possible solutions to the problem of authoritarian populism which include, increasing civic education, reworking the electoral college, and decreasing political polarization. I will then critique the various academics and their works, looking to what a proper strategy should resemble
Examining the Effect of a High Fat Diet on the Expression of Adipokines in a Murine Model of Barrett\u27s Esophagus
Get PDFChronic acid reflux results in injury to the esophagus and the development of Barrett’s Esophagus (BE). BE elevates the lifetime risk for a patient to develop Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC). Clinically, one of the main risk factors for BE and EAC is obesity, which alters the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by adipocytes, also referred to as adipokines. Conflicting reports have been made to the expression of adipokines and their receptors in the progression to esophageal cancer. Utilizing an inflammation-based mouse model for BE, we hypothesize that alterations in the expression of adipokines and their receptors favor an inflammatory environment associated with an acceleration in the carcinogenesis of BE. Mice were fed a high fat, 42% adjusted calories from fat, 1.5 g cholesterol/kg (n=8) or low fat (n=7) diet for 16 weeks. Isolated mouse tissues were formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, and then sectioned and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin for the histological assessment of Barrett’s Esophagus. The expression of the adipokines was determined using immunofluorescent staining and analyzed to characterize the adipokine expression patterns in association with the tissue morphology and across each diet. We found little evidence that a high fat diet significantly affects the progression of BE, but consistent evidence that Adiponectin, Leptin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 are localized to the squamocolumnar junction in both normal and disease affected mice indicates a possible role in the development of BE and later EAC. Furthermore, we have characterized a temporal change in the expression of the adipokines and their receptors at the RNA level as BE develops to EAC, further exemplifying the role that adipokines play in the etiology of BE. Further understanding of this role may allow for faster and more accurate diagnosis in the clinic, reducing the mortality of patients with EAC
Behavior Analysis Of Simple And Complex Workloads
No full textComplex tasks have evolved rapidly in recent times due to tremendous advancements in computational power and data availability. With the ever-increasing presence of complex applications, this paper attempts to distinguish between complex and simple applications. This paper explored side-channel analysis as a method to differentiate complex workloads from simple workloads by monitoring system-level metrics such as power consumption, cache behavior, and memory accesses. By leveraging side-channel effects such as power analysis and memory access, this study seeks to establish unique hardware signatures for complex workloads. Using tools such as Intel Pin, the data will be collected from complex and simple benchmarks and programs to attempt to identify key distinguishing features. The findings aim to improve complex workload detection, so we can assess security vulnerability, and mitigation strategies, to better understand the footprint left by complex workloads. The intent is to use the results of this research to motivate better security measures for systems that integrate complex tasks, helping to safeguard intellectual property and sensitive data