Open Research Oklahoma (Oklahoma State Univ.)
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Antifungal mechanisms of action by dendritic cell lysosome proteins
No full textCryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals and can cause cryptococcal meningitis. Approximately 152,000 cases of cryptococcal meningitis occur annually in HIV/AIDS patients, leading to 112,000 yearly deaths. Very few antifungal drugs are available to treat cryptococcal infection, and those are ineffective or toxic. In addition, fungal pathogens such as C. neoformans have become resistant to many types of treatment. Previous studies in our lab showed that proteins from the dendritic cell (DC) lysosome have antifungal activity against C. neoformans, including NOSTRIN, human neutrophil elastase (HNE), matrix metalloproteinase 25 (MMP25), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and coronin. In this study, we tested the antifungal activity of the compound NOSTRIN against the C. neoformans strain H99 using different concentrations of the drug. First, we calculated the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Then, fluorescence microscopy was used to examine structural changes in C. neoformans post-treatment, and mutant libraries were utilized to find genes that exhibited resistance or susceptibility to NOSTRIN. Results showed that NOSTRIN had a similar MIC to the antifungal drug Amphotericin B, with NOSTRIN around 0.25 ug/ml and Amphotericin B around 2 ug/ml. Fluorescence microscopy showed that fungal cells treated with NOSTRIN are releasing intracellular contents following incubation, indicating damage to the fungal cell wall or membrane. Mutant library analysis showed that the deletion of genes such as INM101 increased the percent of surviving mutant cells, while the deletion of NDX2 or PPT1 decreases the percent of surviving mutants. In future studies, we will continue to examine NOSTRIN and other antifungal DC lysosome proteins utilizing microscopy and cryptococcal mutant libraries in order to identify their mechanism(s) of antifungal activity. By researching the presented topics, we hope to gain a better understanding of the effects that these proteins have on C. neoformans, which could potentially lead to more effective therapies for cryptococcosis
North American beaver (Castor canadensis) gut mycobiome
No full textThe North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is a semi-aquatic, hindgut-fermenting rodent that follows a tree bark-based diet and shows long feed retention time (14-40 hours). Their enlarged cecum harbors a complex microbial community that plays a key role in lignocellulose degradation. While some studies have investigated its gut microbiome, most focused on bacteria and archaea with little attention to the fungal community. Since anaerobic gut fungi (AGF) are known lignocellulose degraders in other herbivores, we hypothesize that beavers host AGF and furthermore possess a unique fungal community due to their lignocellulose-rich diet.
To test this hypothesis, cecal samples from 32 wild beavers were collected by trappers throughout the state of Utah. Amplicon sequencing targeting the D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene of the general fungal community has been performed. Preliminary results showed that Neocallimastigomycota constituted an integral component of the beaver’s gut (~23% of the total fungal community). Within this AGF community, genera encountered included Orpinomyces, Liebetanzomyces, and a novel genus in the Joblinomyces clade. Other than Neocallimastigomycota, the beaver gut harbored novel fungal lineages closely related to the Neocallimastigomycota and Chytridiomycota (~63% of the total fungal community). Comparative analysis of all 32 samples will elucidate community differences based on sex, age, and weight. In addition, enrichment and isolation efforts are underway.
This study provides the first report of AGF in beavers and aims to comprehensively characterize the fungal community associated with North American beavers
Economics of woody plant encroachment management in Oklahoma
No full textThe encroachment of eastern redcedar (ERC) (Juniperus virginiana L.) poses significant ecological and economic challenges to Oklahoma’s rangelands, including reductions in forage production, disruptions to water cycles, decreased biodiversity, heightened wildfire risks, and economic losses. Despite the availability of management techniques such as prescribed burns, mechanical removal, and emerging strategies like switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) cultivation, adoption remains low due to technical complexities and high costs. Land managers and stakeholders have expressed a growing interest in financial support and innovative management approaches to managing ERC encroachment. Chapter II investigates the short-term costs and benefits of prescribed burns and switchgrass cultivation as management strategies for controlling ERC encroachment on Oklahoma rangeland. The Net Present Value (NPV) of four options were calculated. Market opportunities and variations growing conditions for switchgrass are considered. The NPV results show that switchgrass cultivated for hay production and biomass feedstock had a high and positive NPV compared to switchgrass cultivated for grazing purposes. Prescribed burn showed a low, but positive NPV. Chapter III estimated public willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical ERC removal program using data from the Oklahoma Meso-Scale Integrated Socio-Geographic Network (M-SISNet) survey in winter 2023. The ordered probit model was adjusted for self-selection bias in the methodology. Results show that the average WTP for ERC removal using prescribed burns is 272. Urban and suburban residents display higher WTP compared to rural populations using mechanical removal. Individuals concerned about water availability show significant positive WTP, while extremely conservative political ideology shows a significant decrease in WTP
Asking "why": How students experience curricular (in)coherence at three Oklahoma universities
No full textThe topic of curricular coherence, or the interconnectedness and intra-connectedness of academic roadmaps, has arguably circled the academy for centuries (Beane, 1995, 1997; Kimball, 2010; Van Doren, 1943). In addition, for the last fifty years, the topic of student involvement has been of great interest to education researchers and practitioners alike (AACU, 2002, 2007; Astin, 1977, 1984, 1993; Fielding, 2004; Malone, 1980), largely because of the relationships between student involvement, learning outcomes, and retention to graduation. Interestingly, despite years of focus on student involvement, the topic remains complex and somewhat murky in terms of guidance for practitioners. Even with decades of overlap, these two concepts—coherence and involvement—have rarely been studied together with a firm focus on the student, despite the possibility that student experiences with coherence may offer insight into their involvement decisions. Given the constant stress on the academy to achieve and track student outcomes (AACU, 2002, 2007), having blind spots in our picture of the student experience is a problem—one which leaves academic mapmakers designing pathways for students with limited perspective on what it is like for students to walk those paths. The purpose of this case study—a single case study with embedded units—was to explore the lived experiences of navigating curricular (in)coherence for undergraduate students at three universities in Oklahoma, and the role that perceived (in)coherence may play in academic involvement decisions. There was no intent to expose a causal relationship between coherence and involvement, as that would best be done through quantitative means, but to offer a glimpse into the lives of one group of students as they journey through their curriculum
Morphological and transcriptomic responses of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus to atmospheric cold plasma treatment
No full textMycotoxins contaminate about 60% of the world’s grain and legume are a health and economic burden. Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is a rapidly growing technology that could be used as a dry, non-thermal, and rapid process for fungal decontamination of food commodities. However, the specific mechanisms and modes of action that result in fungal inactivation by ACP are not well understood.
The purposes of this study were to evaluate: 1). the effectiveness of the ACP on aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus at different distances, different exposure times, and with a particular type of actuator; 2). the transcriptomic response of Aspergillus flavus to a surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) atmospheric cold plasma treatment, thereby gaining insights on the possible mechanisms of inactivation through RNA sequencing.
In this study, ACP’s inactivation of spores and mycelia were evaluated, and the morphological effects of ACP treatment were observed by scanning electron microscopy. ACP treatment resulted in up to 4 log reduction (Killing 99.99%) of the A. flavus spores with decreasing inactivation efficiency at increasing treatment distance. A significant reduction in A. flavus mycelia growth after ACP treatment was observed. A. flavus spores treated by ACP appeared warped with some of the treated spores sticking together, and ACP treated mycelia appeared wrinkled. Some treated spores had smooth surfaces.
In ACP-treated spores, the KEGG pathway indicated up-regulated genes associated with ribosome and ribosomal biogenesis, whereas the down-regulated genes were in carbon metabolism and pentose phosphate pathways. ACP treatment of wet mycelia of A. flavus triggered the upregulation of nitrogen metabolism and aflatoxin biosynthesis and the down-regulation of carbon metabolism and peroxisome. For dry mycelia of A. flavus, ACP treatment caused the up-regulation of pentose and glucuronate interconversion and the down-regulation of steroid biosynthesis. DEGs in each group revealed regulatory changes in genes involved in aflatoxin biosynthesis, a variety of types of antioxidants, stress defense mechanisms, and antioxidant related mechanisms such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, vitamin, etc. Future improvements on the ACP, actuators and optimization of other parameters will enhance inactivation efficiency. ACP would then become an alternative to the more commonly used agricultural/foodborne decontamination treatments
Mixed methods analysis of communications professionals’ ethical considerations regarding generative artificial intelligence in professional practice
No full textThis study investigates the ethical use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in communications. As Gen AI becomes more incorporated in communications, there is a need to establish ethical boundaries for professional use, but currently, there are no universal guidelines in place. Using frameworks including deontology and MADE, a cyclical framework that can be applied to developing Gen AI policy, this cross-sectional study examines how communications professionals define ethical Gen AI use and how these definitions impact their job performance. A survey was administered to 77 participants who work in advertising and related fields and use Gen AI. Qualitative thematic analysis identified two primary themes: 1) Ethical Concerns, which include issues like transparency and disclosure, and 2) Gen AI's Capabilities, which include the positives of Gen AI usage. The findings supported both research hypotheses: Communications professionals purport to prioritize transparency in ethical Gen AI use, yet there are no standards for what that looks like in practice. Definitions of the ethical use of Gen AI differ because of the lack of guidelines and regulations. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that professionals seek ways to incorporate Gen AI into their daily work and recognize ethical concerns regarding Gen AI. Those who are aware of ethical concerns are more likely to be transparent about their own Gen AI use. But there is a contradiction in the findings: Communication professionals are regularly using Gen AI but have concerns regarding ethical Gen AI use. This research addresses the gap between Gen AI advancement and ethical implementations in communications. It demonstrates how ethical principles occur in specific professional contexts. The findings address the need for standardized ethical guidelines for Gen AI usage. Implementing this standard will help mitigate ethical risks in professional Gen AI use
Winter wheat and double crop soybean fertility management in Oklahoma
No full textDouble crop soybeans (Glycine max L.) following winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are a popular choice for producers who want to maintain field coverage through the summer and capture additional profit from their field. In Oklahoma, double crop soybeans in rainfed systems are risky due to the unpredictability of rainfall and later planting date. Thus, minimal fertilizer is applied to minimize input costs. This study tests the impact of phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer timing on winter wheat and double crop soybean yield. Three application timings were utilized: pre-plant wheat, top-dress wheat, and pre-double crop soybean. Treatments for winter wheat contained a P only rate, K only rate, and a P and K rate at the pre-plant wheat timing. The same three rates were applied for double crop soybeans at all three application timings. The resulting treatment structure consisted of thirteen treatments, replicated four times across multiple locations throughout Oklahoma. The P and K fertilizer rates were determined using Oklahoma State University’s recommendations based on site-specific soil tests. The results that winter wheat responds positively to P and K fertilizer application at pre-planting, with a numerical response to P and K applied for double-crop soybeans. Limited response to treatment was observed in double crop soybean yield. These results indicate the recommended P and K fertilizer rates for winter wheat are correct and the impact of application timing on double crop soybean yield is limited. Additional research in a wider range of environments is needed to justify this projects results
Endorsement of artificial intelligence guidelines across leading neurology journals: A cross-sectional analysis
No full textBackground: Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing neurology research by advancing data analysis, systematic reviews, and clinical applications. However, its integration introduces concerns around transparency, ethical practices, and reproducibility. This study explores how leading neurology journals address these issues in their author guidelines and policies.Methods: A cross-sectional review was conducted of the top 100 peer-reviewed neurology journals, ranked by the 2023 SCImago SJR indicator. Data were extracted from each journal’s "Instructions for Authors" to evaluate AI-related policies, including recommendations for AI usage, authorship criteria, and the use of AI in manuscript development and image creation. Correlational analyses were performed to examine associations between AI policies and journal characteristics.Results: Of the 100 journals reviewed, 96% referenced AI use in their author instructions. The majority prohibited AI authorship but required authors to disclose AI involvement in research or manuscript preparation. AI-generated content was allowed by 77% of journals, while 50% approved the use of AIgenerated images. Journals with higher impact factors were more likely to include specific AI guidelines, but significant inconsistencies and gaps in policy remain.Conclusion: Although many neurology journals acknowledge AI’s growing role in research, few offer robust AI-specific reporting guidelines, limiting clarity and uniformity. We recommend the creation of comprehensive AI guidelines to ensure ethical, reproducible, and high-quality research in the era of AIdriven innovation
Exploring differential gene expression in nasal-mucus derived small extracellular vesicles: Potential biomarker for respiratory health
No full textIntroduction: Respiratory diseases, like chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma, pose global health concerns, affecting over 500 million people and significantly contributing to the healthcare burden. Traditional diagnostic methods often lack sensitivity and specificity, necessitating the development of novel biomarkers for early and accurate detection of specific disease conditions. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), nano-sized vesicles released by cells, have gained attention as carriers of molecular biomarkers due to their role in cell communication and their presence in various biological fluids. This study aims to identify respiratory-specific biomarkers within sEVs derived from nasal mucus, offering a non-invasive approach to diagnosing respiratory conditions.Methods: We received deidentified nasal mucus and serum samples from healthy individuals and extracted the sEVs using precipitation and size exclusion-based techniques. The sEVs were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and western blotting. We subsequently employed RNA sequencing to identify potential biomarkers within these vesicles. In addition, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing for nasal tissue to achieve a high-resolution view of cellular heterogenicity and to compare cell-type-specific biomarkers. We processed the sequencing data using bioinformatic tools including alignment, normalization and differential gene expressions to identify potential respiratory biomarkers from these health individual samples.Results: Our analysis showed a higher level of specific mRNA transcripts, associated with inflammation, cellular stress response, and membrane integrity, which are crucial for respiratory diseases in nasal sEVs compared to serum sEVs. The findings suggest that sEVs from nasal mucus are a rich source of respiratory-specific biomarkers, which could be utilized to diagnose and monitor inflammation and olfactory dysfunction in respiratory conditions.Conclusion: These sEV based biomarkers offer a promising avenue for developing non-invasive diagnostic tools that could improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier and more accurate detection of respiratory diseases. Future research should focus on validating these biomarkers in larger, diseasespecific cohorts