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Evaluating the Developmental Toxicity of Acid Fuchsin: Insights from the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX)
No full textPlease note: no video is available for this presentation.
Acid fuchsin, a synthetic dye widely used in textiles, paper, plastics, and leather industries, contributes to environmental pollution through wastewater discharge. Amphibians, as sensitive bioindicators of environmental health, are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pollutants. To assess the potential developmental toxicity of acid fuchsin, we employed the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX), a widely accepted method for detecting environmental teratogens. In this study, early-stage Xenopus embryos were exposed to various concentrations of acid fuchsin (0.1 mg/L to 1000 mg/L) for 96 hours. Mortality, malformations, and embryo lengths were recorded at the end of the exposure period. Statistical analyses, including probit analysis for LC50 (lethal concentration for 50% mortality) and EC50 (effective concentration for 50% malformations), along with ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post hoc tests, were conducted to evaluate the data. Results showed that the 96-hour LC50 exceeded 1000 mg/L, while the 96-hour EC50 for malformations was approximately 120 mg/L. High concentrations of acid fuchsin resulted in significant reductions in embryo length and severe malformations, particularly affecting the spine, eyes, and gut. Our findings suggest that acid fuchsin exhibits teratogenic properties, with malformation rates reaching 100% and severe developmental abnormalities observed at the highest concentrations. These results underscore the potential risk posed by acid fuchsin in wastewater to aquatic organisms and, indirectly, to human health and ecosystems. Further research is essential to explore the long-term effects of acid fuchsin on amphibian populations and to identify effective methods for mitigating synthetic dye pollution in aquatic environments.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1070/thumbnail.jp
Drill Empower Women and Kitchen Breaks The Norms
No full textAn image from a Canadian Tire holiday catalog features a boy using a kitchen set and a girl using a power drill. This advertisement challenges traditional gender stereotypes of the roles of women and men because it shows how boys and girls can complete tasks in the home or tasks that do not meet the typical gender roles, norms, or expectations but they can still enjoy them. People will be drawn to this visual because of the controversial exchange of roles and how the kids are not playing with what they are typically expected to play with based on their gender. We have lived in a world full of stereotypes, mainly when it comes to the roles of men and women in the home or their interests. As for roles in homes, women were expected to be homemakers and responsible for taking care of the cleaning and cooking, while men were expected to be responsible for providing financial support. Interests for women were expected to be towards crafts or social activities. Men were expected to focus on building things at home or in sports. This advertisement completely challenges these gender stereotypes because it features two kids playing with opposite toys of what they are expected to play with based on their gender. This advertisement portrays a message of empowerment and breaking norms and suggests a more inclusive view of what girls and boys can pursue. The people behind the advertisement had the purpose of empowering future women by normalizing the girl using the drill, demonstrating that girls can be competent and interested in mechanics or construction, which can lead to building. On the other side, we have the boy in the kitchen who serves as an example of how the interest in cooking is not just for women. This image could encourage boys to engage in activities that are traditionally associated with cooking or cleaning and normalize the fact that these activities are have witnessed how toddlers seem to play with whatever they have in front of them; they do not pay attention to the colors. As they grow up, children become more flexible with what types of toys they play with. However, gendered toy marketing can result in future gender differences. Marketing could attempt to avoid generalized colors on toys; that way, kids will be able to feel comfortable and play with their desired interests without questioning if they should or should not play with certain toys. This advertisement could be the beginning of breaking stereotypes on gender roles and proving how drills could empower women, and the kitchen could break the norms that only women were to be in the kitchen. It could lead to men being more involved in the kitchen. More advertisements like this one should be made to let people know how much the world is changing and how many individuals are leaving these stereotypes behind. That way, kids will feel less judged and pressured when deciding what they want to be when they grow up.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1055/thumbnail.jp
Beyond Muscle Growth: The Critical Role of Dietary Protein in Endurance Training, Recovery, and Adaptation
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While dietary protein is commonly associated with muscle growth, its importance for endurance athletes goes beyond that. It aids in muscle repair, facilitates recovery, and promotes performance adaptation. Recovery from endurance training is crucial for maximizing physiological adaptations and improving performance. Prolonged endurance exercise induces significant metabolic stress, including the depletion of energy stores, fluid and electrolyte loss, and muscle protein damage. Protein is widely recognized for its benefits in resistance training, yet its crucial role in endurance exercise, promoting muscle repair and supporting mitochondrial function, is often underestimated.
Dietary protein is essential for muscle protein synthesis and remodeling in endurance athletes. Prolonged endurance activity depletes energy stores and damages muscle proteins, making effective post-training nutrition crucial. Protein supplementation supports muscle repair, enhances mitochondrial function, and promotes adaptation, even during periods of high metabolic demand, ultimately aiding optimal recovery. Specific attention is given to factors such as the amount, type, and timing of protein ingestion, which critically influence the efficacy of protein supplementation. Recent findings suggest that consuming 20–25g of high-quality, rapidly digestible, leucine-rich protein within 30–60 minutes post-exercise significantly enhances muscle protein synthesis, aiding muscle repair and promoting endurance adaptations.
Co-ingesting protein with carbohydrates can enhance glycogen resynthesis, especially when carbohydrate intake is suboptimal or recovery time is limited. Emerging evidence highlights the potential of dietary protein to mitigate catabolic conditions, optimize muscle quality, and improve endurance performance. However, the article notes that further research is needed to refine protein recommendations tailored to endurance athletes\u27 unique metabolic demands and explore the long-term effects of protein supplementation on performance metrics such as muscle power and aerobic capacity.
Recent studies highlight protein’s vital role in endurance training, enhancing recovery, adaptation, and performance. Optimizing intake guidelines could further amplify these benefits. Protein supports muscle repair and growth and contributes to immune function, which is often compromised in endurance athletes due to prolonged physical stress. Furthermore, understanding the optimal timing, type, and amount of protein intake remains a critical area for future research, as these factors can significantly influence performance outcomes.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1047/thumbnail.jp
From the Garden to the Lab
Full text linkAs a part of BY107 (Honors Introductory Biology Lab I), all students are tasked with creating a group presentation outlining the procedures conducted throughout the course. The purpose of the lab was to discover antibiotic producers in local, Alabama soil. Finding antibiotic producers is important due to the increasing prevalence of ESKAPE pathogens, or strains of bacterial infections that have evolved to be resistant to most mainstream antibiotics. By utilizing methods such as streaking for isolation, testing for zones of inhibition, gram staining, and Kirby Bauer Assays, we were able to prove that our soil sample, which was found in a simple garden, has the potential to be an antibiotic producer.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1025/thumbnail.jp
Media Literacy: College Admissions Standards and COVID-19
Full text linkThis presentation describes how admission standards have changed after COVID-19 and the impact of those changes for community colleges, four-year universities, and students. Looking at the admission standards for colleges in the State of Alabama pre-COVID, during COVID, and post-COVID-19 to illustrate how the relaxed admission standards have leveled the playing field for all students. Hard work has become the priority over ACT test scores. The focus is more on how the skills learned through the media literacy courses, student events, and resources offered at JSU allows one to develop the skill set to understand what sources are credible and relevant. What misinformation and stumbling blocks occurred in doing this research and how to solve those to develop a comprehensive project.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1023/thumbnail.jp
Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplements: Synergistic Effects, Potential Risks, and Athletic Benefits
No full textMulti-ingredient pre-workout supplements (MIPS) have gained popularity among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and researchers. These supplements are used before a workout to enhance performance, provide higher energy levels, and increase muscle growth. MIPS products contain caffeine, amino acids, nitrates, nitric oxide, and other ingredients that work together to improve performance. Caffeine appeared to be the primary ingredient responsible for several effects of MIPS. It peaks the bloodstream within sixty minutes of ingestion, allowing the body to provide more energy during activities. Nitric oxide is a molecule that increases blood flow to active muscles, increasing exercise performance. Acute MIPS ingestion improves focus, alertness, and self-reported energy levels. Studies have shown that MIPS has little effect on soreness, inflammation, and biomarkers of muscle damage resulting from exercise. Creatine is a compound in the body that supplies energy to the muscles. It also enhances performance and promotes brain health. Studies suggest that proprietary MIPS formulations may enhance performance beyond that of creatine alone in certain contexts. Safety assessments have been a key focus in studies on MIPS. It has been found that the consumption of MIPS for acute (less than 8 weeks) is relatively safe. During the research on acute MIPS ingestion, very few findings have been made for long-term or chronic ingestion of MIPS. Some MIPS may contain contaminants such as heavy metals or various banned ingredients. Further research is required to understand the long-term effects of MIPS use.
Athletes who take supplements should discuss specific products with a health professional or a sports dietician to ensure their product is safe. No products will show during a drug test, which may cause disqualification depending on the organization. A few studies provide information about different genders and how MIPS may affect them. One study, which Collins and colleagues investigated, tested females. Different variables were recorded, such as height, body composition, and absolute upper and lower body strength. The researchers did not find any evidence that MIPS affected the participants.
In conclusion, studies have shown that MIPS has many benefits to athletes. Several studies have examined MIPS ingredients, contributing to a growing body of research in this area. Short-term use appears safe, but more research is needed to assess long-term effects.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1014/thumbnail.jp
Creatine Supplementation: A Promising Strategy for Enhancing Muscle, Bone, and Cognitive Health in Older Adults
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Aging results in diminished physical strength, reduced bone density, and impaired cognitive function, substantially compromising the quality of life in older adults. Creatine supplementation, often paired with resistance training, is gaining interest as a possible solution to these issues due to its potential ability to enhance physical and cognitive functions. Research indicates that combining creatine supplementation with resistance training significantly increases muscle strength and hypertrophy. Studies, including meta-analyses, suggest that this combination leads to an approximate 1.4 kg increase in lean mass. Such improvements can enhance functional tasks like climbing stairs, standing up from a chair, and maintaining balance. These enhancements can improve physical performance and may reduce the likelihood of falls and related injuries, which are major concerns for older adults. Creatine supplementation has accelerated recovery after exercise, enabling older individuals to maintain consistent training routines with reduced fatigue and strain.
New evidence also suggests that creatine may support cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and mental processing speed. Some studies show that creatine enhances energy metabolism in the brain, potentially counteracting age-related cognitive decline. However, these findings remain in the early stages, and further clinical trials are needed to determine the extent of these benefits and establish optimal dosing for cognitive enhancement.
The effects of creatine on bone health remain less clear. While some research suggests potential benefits when creatine is combined with weight-bearing exercises, the evidence is inconsistent. Most studies focus on short-term outcomes, leaving questions about its long-term effects unanswered. The mechanisms in which creatine may influence bone density are not yet fully understood, complicating the understanding of existing findings. This research gap indicates the need for additional comprehensive investigations to explore the relationship between creatine supplementation and bone health. Current evidence supports creatine supplementation as a promising approach for improving physical and mental health in older adults, particularly when combined with resistance training. For older individuals aiming to maintain mobility, reduce the risk of falls, and support cognitive function, creatine supplementation presents an accessible and practical solution. Healthcare professionals and fitness experts should consider incorporating creatine into fitness programs for older adults while monitoring its effects and adjusting regimens based on individual needs and responses.
With additional research to clarify its effects on bone health and determine appropriate dosing protocols, creatine supplementation may significantly contribute to healthy aging and improve the quality of life for older adults.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1010/thumbnail.jp
Marijuana Pain Management Effects Among NCAA Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic
No full textContextAn estimated 4.3 million Americans use marijuana medically to improve pain management. In 2024, the NCAA removed marijuana from its banned drug and substance lists. Since the removal of marijuana, athletes are using this substance for pain management for their injuries, rehabilitation, and behavioral health. This critically appraised topic will examine the effects of NCAA athletes (P) concerning marijuana use for pain management (I) as compared to no marijuana use (C) to improve pain relief (O)?
MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and JSU GEM Finder databases. The search terms used were “Marijuana,” “Cannabis,” “Pain,” “NCAA,” and “Athletes.” Inclusion criteria included studies on NCAA athletes addressing marijuana use for pain management and articles written in the English language. Exclusion criteria were studies focusing on non-athletic individuals and articles that did not address pain management and the use of marijuana. Validity of the selected studies was determined using Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) scale and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scale. One author independently reviewed the studies, scored each paper, and reviewed the completed appraisals to come to a consensus on the study quality.
ResultsThe literature search retrieved 94 total articles and 90 were excluded based on the exclusion criteria, resulting in four studies. Evidence indicates that marijuana use among athletes can improve oxygenation of tissues, reduce muscle spasm, and enhance pain management. For patients with fibromyalgia, marijuana use displayed benefits in alleviating symptoms such as pain and stiffness, while enhancing relaxation and sleep. Furthermore, marijuana’s anti-inflammatory properties also contribute to recovery and post-exercise treatment. Despite these findings, effectiveness varies among individual athletes. In addition, concerns about behavioral health and performance are limited.
ConclusionsMarijuana has demonstrated positive findings as an alternative for pain management among NCAA athletes. However, varying outcomes and limited evidence dictates the need for future research. Athletic trainers and healthcare providers should remain informed about evolving policies and evidence to provide tailored, evidence-based care to their athletes and patients. This knowledge supports developing treatment plans for athletes that incorporate alternative and traditional pain management methods.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/1004/thumbnail.jp
Investigating the Effects of CBD and Caffeine Interaction on Embryonic Development in Xenopus laevis
No full textThis study examined the interactive effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and caffeine on Xenopus laevis embryos over a 96-hour exposure period. Developmental toxicity was assessed using toxic unit isobole analysis, with LC₅₀, EC₅₀, and teratogenic index (TI) values calculated for CBD, caffeine, and mixtures at 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 ratios.
Results showed that mixtures produced concentration-dependent interactions. When caffeine levels were higher, the mixtures displayed synergistic toxicity; as the proportion of CBD increased, the interaction shifted toward a concentration-addition model. Mortality was elevated in mixtures relative to single-compound exposures, while malformation rates decreased, indicating reduced teratogenicity. Overall, findings suggest that CBD can modulate the developmental toxicity of caffeine, potentially lowering its teratogenic effects, whereas caffeine does not significantly alter CBD toxicity. These results highlight the importance of considering combined exposures when evaluating the developmental risks of CBD and caffeine use
Twelfth Night | Image 9
No full textThis performance of Shakespeare\u27s Twelfth Night, set in 1915 in the United States against a background of jazz and a hurricane, was adapted and directed by Emily Duncan, with Carmine DiBiase as Dramaturg.https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/shakespeare_proj_images/1118/thumbnail.jp