Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Not a member yet
77577 research outputs found
Sort by
Pacific RxTracts - October 2025
Articles: The Resurgence of Cardiac Glycosides in Heart Failure Wayrilz: New Breakthrough for Persistent or Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia Atrasentan: An Emerging Therapy in IgA Nephropathy The Second FDA-Approved MASH Treatment New Pharmacist-Driven Calcitonin Protocol Delivers Cost Savings in Hypercalcemia of Malignancy Care Baxdrostat Offers Hope for Patients with Resistant Hypertension Challenging the Norm: Anticoagulant Discontinuation is Safe Postablation Olezarsen: Redefining Triglyceride Control Through APOC3 Inhibition Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Linked to Increased Risk of Vision Disorders At Last, a Step Forward in Gastric and GEJ Tarlatamab: A Breakthrough in Relapsed Small Cell Lung Expanded FDA Approval for Darolutamide Linvoseltamab: Redefining Multiple Myeloma Therapy Beyond Diabetes: Neuroprotective and Cerebrovascular Benefits of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s or Only a Step Forward? Lecanemab and Donanemabhttps://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/rx-tracts/1009/thumbnail.jp
Peptides as Therapeutic Agents Against Lung Cancer
Peptides are chains of amino acids strung together by peptide bonds. The process involves condensation and dehydration reactions along the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another. There are 20 standard amino acids, which when linked together in sequence, form peptides and proteins. Peptides have different structures, giving rise to diverse biological functions and potential for targeted activity. They have emerged as powerful therapeutic agents in medicine due to their high specificity for targeting biomolecules. Previously identified mechanisms of action for eliminating cancer cells include disruption of extracellular conditions that favor tumor growth, patient immune system activation, and tumor cell metastasis inhibition. Additionally, peptides are suitable for therapeutics because they are less toxic than traditional cisplatin-based cancer treatment methods. The objective for making this peptide is to further research their capabilities as therapeutic agents against lung cancer. To make the peptide of interest, solid phase-peptide synthesis was utilized. Solid-phase peptide synthesis begins with the deprotection of rink-amide resin. The necessary amino acids are added one by one using coupling and deprotection steps. In between every coupling and deprotection step, the peptide is washed. After the desired amino acids are added, the peptide is cleaved to remove the resin. An important apparatus, the shaker, is used in the lab to agitate the reagents in the vessel. After cleavage, the peptide is purified with diethyl ether washes. Lastly, the peptide was frozen in liquid nitrogen and put on the lyophilizer overnight to undergo sublimation in preparation for mass spectrometry analysis using a TSQ Fortis Plus. The peptide was successfully synthesized and became an addition to a cumulative library of peptides. According to the MS data, the mass-to-charge ratio confirmed that the correct peptide sequence was made. The MS/MS data further supported that the correct sequence was made as several y and b fragments are seen in the data affirming this claim as well. This peptide will be used for future testing in lung cancer cell lines to see its effect in targeting specific mutated cells. Based on preliminary cell culture results, we anticipate that the peptide has therapeutic effects that can lead to potential cancer treatment in the future
Navigating Whiteness: Race, Class, and Social Dynamics in Predominantly White Sororities
In the social landscape of college campuses, Greek life - particularly sororities - has long been a place where identity, inclusion, and exclusion alike intersect. Historically white sororities (HWGs) often mirror broader societal hierarchies, shaping experiences of race, class, and gender within their ranks (Parks, 2010). For women of color and women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, participation in sororities and navigating these spaces involves both community and complexity. Research indicates that as higher education institutions strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion, it becomes increasingly necessary to explore how marginalized individuals navigate these historically exclusive organizations (Jones, 2022; Ojed & Dizon, 2022). By using autoethnography to examine the lived experiences of minority sorority members, placed in the context of peer-reviewed literature, this paper reveals that social integration is often conditional, coded, and complicated by systemic inequities embedded in the Greek system (Matias, 2019; Parks, 2010
MiniTn7 Transposon insertion into Variovorax isolates to generate tagged strains for horizontal gene transfer studies.
Three strains of Variovorax were utilized in this study, including the type strain of Variovorax paradoxus (ATCC 17713), a quorum quenching isolate (VAI-C), and Variovorax NFACC26, were genetically modified to analyze the effects of inserting the transposon to the bacterial genome. An introduced Tn7 transposon is inserted by electroporation along with a helper plasmid into each strain. The transposon is predicted to recombine into the genome at a specific location in the main chromosome. The insertion cassette incorporates an antibiotic resistance marker and fluorescent reporter gene for screening and selection purposes. The strains were also tested using a microdilution approach to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of each antibiotic utilized. This information is subsequently used for selection of transformants. The pTNS3 and mini-Tn7-DsRed were electroporated into the strains. The helper plasmid pTNS3 carries genes used to express the transposition machinery. The mini-Tn7DsRed plasmid cannot replicate in Variovorax,so the antibiotic and fluorescent reporter genes are only able to be maintained by transposon insertion. The chromosomal incorporation was confirmed by sequencing the genome and identifying the Tn7 insertions. These foundational assays and tools institute a platform for future functional studies and genetic manipulation in Variovorax paradoxus ATCC 17713, NFACC26, and VAI-C allowing for examination of interspecies interactions
The Hidden Components of Racism
In today’s society,“racism remains a significant issue that affects various communities, especially marginalized groups. Many cultures, such as African Americans, Native Americans, and Southeast Asians, experience multigenerational trauma more frequently than whites and Hispanics.” (Yuill 2022: 100) The consequences of racism extend beyond psychological trauma. They profoundly influence an individual\u27s overall well-being, which is shaped by social structures and processes. The prejudicial effects of racism on social classes in this country adversely affect numerous aspects of society, leading to a decrease in understanding one another, diminished equality, and reduced economic prosperity. (Yuill 2022:101) In this study, it is evident that the overall well-being of the excluded group is negatively impacted. This research study will aim to explore the intersection of racism and racialization, which is central to today’s sociological and biological theories regarding health discrepancy. Concepts in postcolonial theories are used to explore this topic. I aim to concentrate on the profound impact of racism, in all its forms, on the health and welfare of ethnic group members. (Dillon 2019: 394) Individuals from communities of color and ethnic minority groups often experience poorer health outcomes and overall well-being than the majority of major groups. Racism operates on multiple, interconnected levels within society, ultimately benefiting those who establish the policies. Ultimately, I will explore strategies to address these disparities within these marginalized groups and consider ways to improve within society
How Feelings of Belonging are Influenced by Racial/Ethnic Categorizations
Racial/ethnic minorities may at times be inappropriately classified or denied the opportunity to accurately self-categorize in their preferred racial/ethnic groups. As a result, racial/ethnic minorities may feel less belonging as a member of a society that fails to recognize these preferred identities. This study offers a model for exploring whether having one\u27s preferred race/ethnicity inadequately represented leads to experiencing social identity threat, and whether social identity threat leads to decreased feelings of belonging as a U.S. American. Using a sample of Hispanic or Latino/a Americans, we manipulated how their preferred races/ethnicities would be represented. We predicted that having one\u27s preferred race/ethnicity inadequately represented would lead to increased feelings of social identity threat and decreased feelings of belonging as U.S. Americans. A serial mediation was conducted to test this model. Results supported these hypotheses. This research demonstrates the negative consequences of inadequately representing people\u27s preferred races/ethnicities on feelings of belonging
Bringing Authors and Actors into the Classroom: A Pedagogical Model for Transformative Learning through Direct Dialogue – Lessons from a Philosophy of Sports Course at a U.S. Liberal Arts College
This pedagogical study examines an integrative teaching model observed in a Philosophy of Sports course at a U.S. liberal arts college, where the professor has been inviting guest speakers – Vygotsky’s more knowledgeable other , as described by Abtahi (2017) – such as original authors of assigned book readings (including himself as a scholar-practitioner), historical participants of 1960s social movements, university attorneys and student sports team coaches, to the classroom to engage in unfiltered dialogues with undergraduate students. Through qualitative analysis of classroom observations, student feedback, and comparative assessment of learning outcomes, this paper argues that such living text pedagogy significantly enhances critical thinking, historical empathy, and interdisciplinary synthesis. The study highlights three mechanisms: 1) decentralization of academic authority, 2) embodied historiography, and 3) multi-agent knowledge co-creation. As an EFL teacher from China, the author discusses the practical implications for adapting this teaching model in Chinese EFL contexts later, particularly for courses bridging social learning, critical reading, and academic writing
Impacts of hazardous noise levels on hearing loss and tinnitus in dental professionals
BACKGROUND: Hazardous noise exposure is an important health concern in many workplaces and is one of the most common work-related injuries in the United States. Dental professionals are frequently exposed to high levels of occupational noise in their daily work environment. This noise is generated by various dental handpieces such as drills, suctions, and ultrasonic scalers. Prolonged exposure to such noise levels is known to have adverse effects on hearing health. Despite the prevalence of occupational noise in dentistry, there is a paucity of research specifically examining the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in dental professionals. METHODS: To evaluate the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus, data were collected from 60 dental professionals, including participant demographics and audiometric thresholds. Thresholds were compared to the age- and sex-based reference ranges from the International Standards Organization (ISO 7029:2017). RESULTS: Results showed that 15-25% of males and 13-18% of females had hearing thresholds that exceeded 95th percentile limits based on the ISO normative age- and sex-distributions. Tinnitus was reported in 40% of the participants. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to examine the characteristics and prevalence of auditory dysfunctions in dental professionals compared to the ISO normative age and sex distributions of hearing status. Findings from this study highlight the need for increasing the awareness of occupational noise hazards among dental professionals and the importance of routine audiological monitoring
Understanding The Rise of Domestic Abuse Linked To Homocides
The goal of this research paper is to raise awareness and bring to light the importance of speaking on Domestic Abuse and its link to homicides. Domestic abuse which is also known as domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors in an intimate relationship that involves one partner trying to have control over the other. Leading to my research question which is; Have the domestic abuse rates increased with its link to homicides? Some of these behaviors may include manipulation, physical harm, and intimidation. These behaviors can be shown through emotional abuse, physical abuse, threats, and financial control. This is an important topic to talk about because many people are affected by it and there needs to be more awareness especially for victims and survivors. Ensuring that relationships are healthy and there are boundaries is crucial because the consequences can be traumatic or even deadly. Domestic abuse rates increased by 8% following the covid 19 pandemic in 2021 in the United States. An unfortunate outcome of domestic abuse is homicide with an estimate of women being more likely to be killed by their significant other than men. By using a mixed methods approach my research will analyze ways to address this issue, the signs, and the role of seeking help in order to understand the increasing rates of domestic abuse including it being linked to homicides