Carolyn Wilson Digital Collections (Lipscomb Univ.)
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1413 research outputs found
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Exploring the Role of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Metabolites in Modulating Fatty Acid Metabolism and Protecting HepG2 Cells During Induced Steatosis
No full textThe obesity epidemic has risen to astronomical numbers with over 650 million adults being classified as obese (BMI≥30). Obesity is of critical concern as excess body fat storage is a comorbidity to various diseases including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Although obesity has classically been attributed to genetics and unhealthy lifestyle choices, there is a growing interest in other factors affecting obesity, including the gut microbiome. For example, mice lacking a microbiome are resistant to weight gain even when placed on a high-calorie diet. It can then be concluded that bacteria and the metabolites they produce can dramatically affect metabolism and overall weight gain. Previously, we have shown that exogenous Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is protective in female Drosophila melanogaster on a high-fat diet and can prolong their lifespan compared to negative controls. For this research, we seek to identify this effect in human cells. We hypothesize that F. prausnitizii supernatant will be protective of liver (HepG2) cells by reducing cell death during induced steatosis. To test this, we will induce steatosis in HepG2 cells using oleate, treat the cells with F. prausnitizii supernatant and will assess cell death using an LDH assay. The F. prausnitizii supernatant will contain bacterial metabolites that we can further study if an effect is seen. By studying the specific metabolites produced by the human gut microbiota, we can potentially elucidate novel metabolites that promote fat metabolism, thereby reducing the obesity crisis and its associated diseases
The Loss of Meg3 Causes Abnormal Alveolar Epithelial Progenitor Cell Differentiation
No full textIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease (ILD) characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The prognosis of IPF is poor, with the only curative option for the disease being lung transplantation. Prior studies have described increased expression of the lncRNA Meg3 in the lungs of IPF patients. Increased expression of Meg3 is associated with impaired lung repair through inhibition of lung basal progenitor cell differentiation. In this study, the lung alveolar epithelium was investigated in murine models of IPF and organoid culture. Lineage tracing and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy techniques were employed to identify the cell fate of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AT2), the stem cell of the alveolar epithelium, and restoration of type 1 alveolar epithelial cells (AT1) that conduct gas exchange. Previous work identified abnormal differentiation of AT2 cells into airway-like epithelial cells associated with failed repair in IPF, and we therefore assessed airway cell markers in these lineage traced cells. Meg3 knockout lineage-traced AT2s showed decreases in expression of AT2, AT1, or transitional cell markers following injury with bleomycin. These data indicate a decrease in AT2 to AT1 transition following Meg3 knockout, resulting in a loss of normal alveolar repair. To determine the role of increased Meg3 in the IPF lung, Meg3 was expressed in human AT2 cell cultures. RealTime-qPCR data revealed that expressing Meg3 induced p53, a known Meg3 target, as well as Cebpa, a gene associated with maintenance of AT2 cells, while reducing Scgb3a2, a gene associated with airway secretory epithelial cells
From Concept to Stage: The Creation of Costumes for Cats
No full textThis presentation will explore the creative and technical processes behind the creation of the costumes for the musical CATS, which was performed by Lipscomb’s Department of Theater in November 2024. It will entail the journey from conceptual renderings to stage-ready costumes
Comparing Student-Athletes’ Macronutrient Intake to Recommendations for Pre-Workout Fuel
No full textAdequate macronutrient intake of carbohydrates, fats, and protein is essential for sustaining energy, enhancing muscle recovery, and preventing injuries in athletes. Many student-athletes do not have access to a registered dietitian, which often leads them to rely on unverified nutrition sources that recommend habits non-conducive to optimal performance and recovery. Research shows that student-athletes who have access to a dietitian are more likely to meet the pre-workout macronutrient needs recommended by the Sports Nutrition Care Manual (SNCM). This pilot study analyzed the difference between student-athletes’ pre-workout macronutrient consumption and the pre-workout macronutrient intakes recommended by the SNCM before their first workout of the day. Fifty student-athletes recorded their pre-workout fuel for their first workout of the day for up to 7 days. The results of this study suggested that student-athletes did not meet the recommendations for carbohydrates, protein, or fat, with intakes exceeding or falling short of recommendations in up to 84% of entries. The study’s findings also indicated that the amount of protein consumed was either inadequate or excessive. Significant results revealed that women’s cross country athletes were more likely to meet their macronutrient needs before their first workout than women’s soccer athletes (p \u3c .05). Overall, the study found that student-athletes’ macronutrient intake does not meet SNCM recommendations and, therefore, is not meeting their needs for proper pre-workout fueling for their first workout of the day
like a sweet beast
No full textLuke Holloway’s collection, like a sweet beast, explores a speaker’s attempt to come to terms with familial relations. Holloway’s poems consider how some people do not feel connected to their families in conventionally represented ways. Nuanced images like sand, sunscreen, old small shirts in closets, and being chased by animal control officers, capture the complexity and emotionally disorganized spaces that accompany idiosyncratic family dynamics. In like a sweet beast Holloway’s speaker reminds the reader that they can accept their family without approving of their patterns, or condemning their weakness. Like a sweet beast encourages its audience that while their homes might be unrecognizable to outsiders, each space has value and meaning
The Effects of Probiotics and the Low-FODMAP Diet on Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
No full textThe Effects of Probiotics and the Low-FODMAP Diet on Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Keywords: gut microbiome, probiotics, low FODMAP, IB
Early Intervention in Helminth Infections: Investigating Albendazole’s Effects on C. elegans Egg Hatch Rate and Health
No full textOver 1.5 billion of the poorest people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (STH) such as whipworm, hookworm, and Ascaris which have devastating effects on human growth, nutrition, and cognition, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. The World Health Organization only approves four anthelmintic drugs to treat STH for mass drug administration (MDA), with Albendazole being the drug of choice. Due to these drugs only having two mechanisms of action, resistance to these drugs has been reported over the years. We aim to better understand STH susceptibility to drugs at multiple points in their life stage. Previously, the effects of Albendazole and anthelmintic drugs like Pyrantel, Nitazoxanide, and Ivermectin were tested on L4 and L1 (manuscript submitted) of C. elegans and using a health rating system it showed a health decline, confirming C. elegans as good model organism for parasitic worms (Weaver et al., 2017). In order to investigate how intoxication affected C. elegans at the egg stage, we utilized hatch rates at 5, 10, and 24 hours and LT50 assays with Albendazole in which their health was observed over a seven-day period. It was shown that Albendazole affected hatching rates of C. elegans eggs at the highest dose (100 ug/mL), and using the health rating system from Weaver et al., showed a general decrease in health of worms in all doses. We hypothesize that because the C. elegans are susceptible to drugs at the egg stage, soil could be treated with drugs to control the populations of helminths, even before infection
Groundbreaking for the Gymnasium and Dormitory at the Nashville Christian Institute
No full textPicture of the groundbreaking for the new gymnasium and dormitory at the Nashville Christian Institute, adjacent to Batavia Street. In the front are A. M. Burton and Marshall Keeble, The back row is, from left to right, Robert E. Campbell, Athens Clay Pullias, I. C. Finely, J. E. Acuff. and J. R. Holmeshttps://digitalcollections.lipscomb.edu/nci_build/1005/thumbnail.jp
