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Title: EVALUATION OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SPORULATION IN THE MARINE DEUTEROMYCETETRICHOCLADIUM ACHRASPORUM.
Creator: ADER, ROBIN DENNIS., Florida Atlantic University, Hartmann, James X.
Abstract/Description: Comparative studies were performed on mycelial cultures of Trichocladium achrasporum (Meyers and Moore) Dixon and conidial cultures of T. achrasporum derived from long-term, cold-stored specimens. Responses to variation in incubation temperature, pH and salinity of culture medium, and growth morphology on various mycological media were investigated. Microcycle conidiation was dffnonstrated in this organism. A sucrose density centrifugation method was devised for estimating spore to mycelium...
Show moreComparative studies were performed on mycelial cultures of Trichocladium achrasporum (Meyers and Moore) Dixon and conidial cultures of T. achrasporum derived from long-term, cold-stored specimens. Responses to variation in incubation temperature, pH and salinity of culture medium, and growth morphology on various mycological media were investigated. Microcycle conidiation was dffnonstrated in this organism. A sucrose density centrifugation method was devised for estimating spore to mycelium ratios of this non-desiduous fungus. Attempts to induce microcycle conidiation in mycelial cultures were made.
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Date Issued: 1982
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14139
Subject Headings: Fungi imperfecti, Plant spores
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Istiophorus albicans: Optimization of an immunoassay-based identification kit.
Creator: Giacaman, Hala J., Florida Atlantic University, Hartmann, James X.
Abstract/Description: Polystyrene bead and paddle formats were tested for their efficacy in an immunoassay for identification of sailfish. Different parameters were evaluated for their ability to prevent non-specific reactions in an indirect immunoassay utilizing underivatized polystyrene beads. Blocking agents which worked well in a polystyrene plate-based assay proved unsuccessful with the polystyrene bead-based assay. A major drawback to the use of a bead-based assay was the necessity of using multiple beads...
Show morePolystyrene bead and paddle formats were tested for their efficacy in an immunoassay for identification of sailfish. Different parameters were evaluated for their ability to prevent non-specific reactions in an indirect immunoassay utilizing underivatized polystyrene beads. Blocking agents which worked well in a polystyrene plate-based assay proved unsuccessful with the polystyrene bead-based assay. A major drawback to the use of a bead-based assay was the necessity of using multiple beads for the identification of a single sample. It was shown that the Nunc-Immuno$\rm\sp{TM}$ Stick format could be adapted for use in a sailfish identification assay that yielded a visible color reaction. The main benefit of using this format is the ability to perform the entire assay with positive and negative controls in a single tube. Color development in the Nunc-Immuno$\rm\sp{TM}$ stick format was eluted and the optical density difference between target (0.77 average) and non-target species (0.12 average) was highly significant.
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Date Issued: 1998
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15592
Subject Headings: Sailfish--Identification
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The role of bacterial lipopolysaccharide in the production of the lupus B cell phenotype.
Creator: Nikolic, Veljko., Florida Atlantic University, Hartmann, James X.
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of RP105 (CD180) in human B lymphocytes from normal, leukemic, and lupus patients. The percentage of cells that express RP105 on their surface increased following a 24 hour exposure to LPS. However, continued exposure for a total of four days resulted in a marked decrease in the expression of this receptor molecule. Human B cells were purified by a combination of density gradient and...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of RP105 (CD180) in human B lymphocytes from normal, leukemic, and lupus patients. The percentage of cells that express RP105 on their surface increased following a 24 hour exposure to LPS. However, continued exposure for a total of four days resulted in a marked decrease in the expression of this receptor molecule. Human B cells were purified by a combination of density gradient and negative magnetic bead selection and maintained in culture with and without LPS. Enzyme linked immunoassay for the detection of anti-dsDNA antibodies following LPS treatment of isolated B cells was negative. The percentage of RP105 positive or negative B cells from lupus patients could not be accurately determined because too few B cells were available from these lymphopenic patients following negative selection.
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Date Issued: 2004
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13177
Subject Headings: Microbial polysaccharides, Bacterial genetics, Systemic lupus erythematosus--Etiology, Systemic lupus erythematosus--Molecular aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Study on Reversing the Immunosuppressive Phenotype of Tumor Associated Macrophages.
Creator: Liddle, Genevieve M., Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Extracellular stimuli may influence the M1/M2 phenotypic polarization of macrophages. We examined M1/M2 biomarkers, phagocytic activity, and tumoricidal activity in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Macrophages were treated with conditioned media (CM) from 4T1 breast cancer cells, curcumin, 22-oxacalcitriol, LPS, or a combination of the previously listed. Arginase activity, a M2 phenotypic biomarker, was upregulated by the treatment of macrophages with conditioned media. Curcumin, 22-...
Show moreExtracellular stimuli may influence the M1/M2 phenotypic polarization of macrophages. We examined M1/M2 biomarkers, phagocytic activity, and tumoricidal activity in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Macrophages were treated with conditioned media (CM) from 4T1 breast cancer cells, curcumin, 22-oxacalcitriol, LPS, or a combination of the previously listed. Arginase activity, a M2 phenotypic biomarker, was upregulated by the treatment of macrophages with conditioned media. Curcumin, 22- oxacalcitriol, and LPS partially inhibited RAW 264.7 arginase activity in the presence of 4T1 breast cancer media. 22-oxacalcitriol increased the phagocytic ability of RAW 264.7 macrophages in the presence of M2 polarizing substances produced by the 4T1 breast cancer cells. Also, LPS increased RAW 264.7 phagocytic ability in the presence of 4T1 breast cancer CM. This study looked at the potential substances that would possibly reverse the M2 tumor promoting macrophage phenotype seen in the breast cancer tumor environment.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004867
Subject Headings: Macrophages., Breast--Cancer--Treatment., Tumors--Immunological aspects., Cancer--Immunological aspects., Biological response modifiers., Cancer--Molecular aspects.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Broad Application of Conotoxins As Molecular Probes, Therapeutic Leads and Drug Delivery Vectors In Excitable and Non-Excitable Systems.
Creator: Padilla, Alberto, Hartmann, James X., Mari, Frank, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Conotoxins are peptides expressed by the exogenome of more than 800 species of marine mollusks belonging to the genus Conus (cone snails.) Owing to their high specificity and affinity for ion channels, transporter molecules, and cell receptors of the central and peripheral nervous systems, conotoxins have been investigated for nearly four decades. These efforts on conotoxin research made possible the FDA approved use of Ziconitide/Prialt, a conotoxin derived from the venom of Conus magus,...
Show moreConotoxins are peptides expressed by the exogenome of more than 800 species of marine mollusks belonging to the genus Conus (cone snails.) Owing to their high specificity and affinity for ion channels, transporter molecules, and cell receptors of the central and peripheral nervous systems, conotoxins have been investigated for nearly four decades. These efforts on conotoxin research made possible the FDA approved use of Ziconitide/Prialt, a conotoxin derived from the venom of Conus magus, which effectively treats patients suffering from severe chronic pain without consequent narcotic effects. Additionally, six other conotoxins have reached clinical trials and many novel ones are being discovered every day. Investigations reported in this dissertation broadens the applicability of conotoxins to non-excitable systems. Here, conotoxins from the dissected venom of the vermivorous cone snail Conus nux were isolated and purified by size exclusion and reverse phase HPLC and characterized by MALDI-TOF and MS/MS spectrometry. The purified conopeptide fractions revealed: 1) antagonist activity of conotoxin NuxVID on two human voltage-gated sodium channels, displaying capabilities as a practical molecular probe and a potential therapeutic lead. 2) Ability for two novel conotoxins to traverse artificial biological membranes, suggesting their potential as drug delivery systems. 3) In vitro capacity of several novel conopeptides to interfere with the adhesion of PfEMP1 domains, expressed in P. falciparum infected erythrocytes, to vascular endothelial and placenta receptors. Lastly, this work reveals binding of the synthetic form of α-conotoxin ImI, from the vermivorous cone snail Conus imperialis, to the α7 nAChR of macrophage-like-cells derived from the pre-monocytic leukemic cell line THP-1 in support of the involvement of this receptor in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013250
Subject Headings: Conotoxins, Drug Delivery Systems, Molecular Probes
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Efficacy of Combining 3-Bromopyruvate with Fenofibrate in Killing the Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7.
Creator: Graham, Rashean A., Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: The goal of our research was to find a cancer treatment that was both effective and cancer specific, sparing immune and normal tissues. We evaluated the efficacy of a combinatorial treatment using the glycolytic inhibitor 3-bromopyruvate and the fatty acid metabolism inhibitor fenofibrate in cancer, immune and normal tissue cells lines. Treatment of the human breast cancer MCF-7 with 3-bromopyruvate and fenofibrate resulted in increased cell death and decreased colony formation. In the immune...
Show moreThe goal of our research was to find a cancer treatment that was both effective and cancer specific, sparing immune and normal tissues. We evaluated the efficacy of a combinatorial treatment using the glycolytic inhibitor 3-bromopyruvate and the fatty acid metabolism inhibitor fenofibrate in cancer, immune and normal tissue cells lines. Treatment of the human breast cancer MCF-7 with 3-bromopyruvate and fenofibrate resulted in increased cell death and decreased colony formation. In the immune cells known as peripheral blood mononuclear cells our combinatorial treatment displayed less toxicity than the traditional chemotherapy doxorubicin. Our combinatorial treatment displayed greater toxicity than doxorubicin towards an established breast cell line MCF- 10A, described in the literature as representing normal breast cells. We have shown for the first time a synergistic relationship between 3-bromopyruvate and fenofibrate.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013556
Subject Headings: Breast--Cancer--Treatment, bromopyruvate, Fenofibrate, MCF-7 Cells
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ANTI-DNA ANTIBODIES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS.
Creator: Cavallo, Michelle Fay, Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Two novel methodologies were developed for purification and functional (DNA hydrolytic) assessment of anti-DNA antibodies of IgG isotype from patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Earlier protocols for purification and analysis of antibody hydrolytic abilities were lengthy, laborious, and potentially disruptive to antibody function. Purification protocols failed to capture all four IgG subclasses and produced multiple bands outside the range of IgG on electrophoretic separation....
Show moreTwo novel methodologies were developed for purification and functional (DNA hydrolytic) assessment of anti-DNA antibodies of IgG isotype from patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Earlier protocols for purification and analysis of antibody hydrolytic abilities were lengthy, laborious, and potentially disruptive to antibody function. Purification protocols failed to capture all four IgG subclasses and produced multiple bands outside the range of IgG on electrophoretic separation. Hydrolysis assays were discontinuous increasing the likelihood of introducing error and making them better suited to analysis of endpoint kinetics rather than reaction kinetics. A two-step, affinity-based purification protocol was developed which utilized magnetic Dynabeads to capture serum components with binding affinity for a thymine 20mer followed by capture of the antibody components of this initial anti-T 20mer serum fraction using Protein G. A fluorescence-based method for real-time, continuous analysis of anti-DNA antibody hydrolytic activity utilizing hydrolysis probes was developed and used to characterize abzyme reaction kinetic parameters. Anti-DNA antibodies demonstrated significantly different Vmax and Km values in the hydrolysis assay (p <0.001) when compared with a DNAse I control.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013363
Subject Headings: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Anti-DNA antibodies, DNA antibodies, Antibodies, Catalytic, Autoantibodies--Analysis, Antibodies--isolation & purification
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Impact of Pharmacological Targeting of Abnormal Tumor Metabolism with 3-Bromopyruvate on Dendritic Cell Mediated Tumoral Immunity.
Creator: Lang, Kevin, Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Studies have shown that tumor cells are susceptible to pharmacological targeting of their altered glycolytic metabolism with a variety of compounds that result in apoptosis. One such compound, 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP), has been shown to eradicate cancer in an animal model. However, no studies have shown whether the apoptotic fragments resulting from 3-BP treatment have the capacity to elicit an immunogenic cell death that activates dendritic cells, the primary antigen presenting cell in the...
Show moreStudies have shown that tumor cells are susceptible to pharmacological targeting of their altered glycolytic metabolism with a variety of compounds that result in apoptosis. One such compound, 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP), has been shown to eradicate cancer in an animal model. However, no studies have shown whether the apoptotic fragments resulting from 3-BP treatment have the capacity to elicit an immunogenic cell death that activates dendritic cells, the primary antigen presenting cell in the immune system. Immunogenic cell death is critical to eliciting an effective adaptive immune response that selectively kills additional target cells and generates immunological memory. We demonstrated that 3-bromopyruvate induced apoptosis in a number of different murine breast cancer cell lines, including the highly metastatic 4T1 line. The dying tumor cells stimulated immature dendritic cells (DCs) of the immortal JAWS II cell line to produce high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-12, and increased their expression of key co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86. The activated dendritic cells showed increased uptake of fragments from dying tumor cells that correlated with the increased levels of calreticulin on the surface and release of high group motility box 1 (HMGB1) of the latter following 3-BP treatment. Additionally, the anti-phagocytic signal CD47 present on breast cancer cells was reduced by treatment with 3-bromopyruvate when compared to the levels on untreated 4T1 cells. 3-BP treated breast cancer cells were able to activate dendritic cells through TLR4 signaling. Signaling was dependent on both the expression of surface calreticulin and on the extracellular release of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) during the process of immunogenic cell death. Killing by 3-BP was compared to mitoxantrone and doxorubicin, among the few chemotherapeutics that induce immunogenic cell death. 3-BP killing was likewise compared to camptothecin, a compound that fails to induce immunogenic cell death. Importantly, 3-BP did not markedly decrease the levels of the key peptide presenting molecule MHC I on DCs that were co-cultivated with dying tumor cells. Treatment of the highly aggressive triple negative BT-20 human breast cancer cell line with 3-BP also induced an immunogenic cell death, activating human dendritic cells in vitro.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004834
Subject Headings: Apoptosis., Cellular signal transduction., Cell death., Breast--Cancer--Treatment., Carrier proteins., Cancer--Molecular aspects., Biological interfaces.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Ascidian Styela plicata As a Potential Bioremediator of the Brown Tide Pelagophytes Aureoumbra lagunensis and Aureococcus anophagefferens.
Creator: Klarmann, Phyllis A., Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: A brown tide bloom of the pelagophyte Aureoumbra lagunensis caused significant impacts to north Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in 2012-2013, including seagrass die-offs, fish kills, and reduced growth and grazing of ecologically important bivalves. There is potential for another pelagophyte, Aureococcus anophagefferens, to expand into this system. Filtration rates (FR) of the pleated tunicate Styela plicata exposed to Aureoumbra lagunensis and Aureococcus anophagefferens were measured against...
Show moreA brown tide bloom of the pelagophyte Aureoumbra lagunensis caused significant impacts to north Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in 2012-2013, including seagrass die-offs, fish kills, and reduced growth and grazing of ecologically important bivalves. There is potential for another pelagophyte, Aureococcus anophagefferens, to expand into this system. Filtration rates (FR) of the pleated tunicate Styela plicata exposed to Aureoumbra lagunensis and Aureococcus anophagefferens were measured against exposure to a control alga (Tisochrysis lutea) in order to determine its potential use as a bioremediator against these harmful algal blooms (HABs). In addition, whether S. plicata might serve as a vector of HABs was studied by culturing fecal deposits. Short-term exposure to HABs significantly reduced FR, whereas long-term exposure indicates comparable cell removal compared to the control. Vector potential of S. plicata was inconclusive. Results warrant further research to determine whether S. plicata can acclimate or respond to HAB conditions over time.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004513
Subject Headings: Algal blooms -- Florida -- Indian River Lagoon, Cyanobacterial blooms -- Toxicology, Estuarine ecology, Indian River Lagoon (Fla.) -- Environmental aspects, Marine bioremediation, Marine ecology, Marine pollution, Water quality biological assessment
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THE TRIFECTA: A NOVEL COMBINATORIAL THERAPY SPARES IMMUNE CELLS WHILE INDUCING IMMUNOGENIC CELL DEATH IN HUMAN MAMMARY ADENOCARCINOMA AND MOUSE MAMMARY CARCINOMA.
Creator: Motii, Youssef, Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: According to U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics, about 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. Chemotherapeutics that are used on patients currently often lead to tumor resistance, bone marrow suppression and cachexia. This study evaluated a novel combination of three non-mutagenic compounds for their effectiveness against mammary tumor cells, toxicity towards immune cells, ability to provoke the expression of immunogenic cell death (ICD) markers, and killing...
Show moreAccording to U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics, about 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. Chemotherapeutics that are used on patients currently often lead to tumor resistance, bone marrow suppression and cachexia. This study evaluated a novel combination of three non-mutagenic compounds for their effectiveness against mammary tumor cells, toxicity towards immune cells, ability to provoke the expression of immunogenic cell death (ICD) markers, and killing in 3D tumor models. Methotrexate (MTX), 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), and wogonin (WGN) were combined at doses well below their EC50 values yet effectively killed human and mouse breast cancer cells. The combination inhibited cancer cell colony formation and induced a high degree of cell death in multiple malignant tumor cell lines. Importantly, the combination did not significantly inhibit the viability of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), even when employed at 3X the concentration that killed cancer cells. In marked contrast, low-dose doxorubicin, a common therapeutic for breast cancers, significantly decreased PBMC viability and increased the percentage of cell death. Our novel combinatorial therapy (Trifecta) elicited the significant expression of three ICD hallmarks: calreticulin surface expression, ATP secretion, and HMGB-1 release. In all cases, Trifecta elicited an equal or greater degree of ICD-marker expression compared to doxorubicin, a known inducer of ICD. We show significant efficacy of Trifecta against human and mouse mammary 3D tumor models grown in Matrigel® ECM-complex containing culture medium, and reaffirm the marked resistance of tumorspheres towards the conventional chemotherapeutic doxorubicin. The effectiveness of Trifecta in an acceptable surrogate model for mouse studies bodes well for translation of our findings to the clinic. In conclusion, Trifecta has proven highly effective against tumor cells grown either as monolayers or tumorspheres, without significant cytotoxic effects towards proliferating immune cells. Furthermore, treatment with this combination elicits ICD, which has the potential to prime an adaptive immune response against tumor cells and prevent future relapse. The drugs chosen for our combination target metabolic pathways that cancer cells are heavily dependent upon and do not interact with or induce mutations in DNA. These properties place Trifecta at the forefront of developing anticancer therapies.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013606
Subject Headings: Cancer--Treatment, Breast--Cancer, Methotrexate, Deoxyglucose, wogonin
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: INTERFERON INDUCTION BY CHANNEL CATFISH VIRUS INFECTION IN FISH CELL CULTURE.
Creator: KHAN, NASRULLAH, Florida Atlantic University, Hartmann, James X., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Interferon (IFN) production has been studied in fish cell cultures using channel catfish virus as an inducer. Two established cell lines, brown bullhead (BB) and walking catfish gill cells (GlB) were compared for their IFN releasing capacity with two virus strains, ATCC5 (wild) and v60 (vaccine) type. IFN was assayed by the plaque count method in BB cells using ATCC5 as challenge virus. The IFN, as an unpurified culture fluid, was found to be: stable over a wide range of pH 2-10; heat stable...
Show moreInterferon (IFN) production has been studied in fish cell cultures using channel catfish virus as an inducer. Two established cell lines, brown bullhead (BB) and walking catfish gill cells (GlB) were compared for their IFN releasing capacity with two virus strains, ATCC5 (wild) and v60 (vaccine) type. IFN was assayed by the plaque count method in BB cells using ATCC5 as challenge virus. The IFN, as an unpurified culture fluid, was found to be: stable over a wide range of pH 2-10; heat stable at 37 C for one hour; nondializable; resistant to Rnase and Dnase action; susceptible to trypsin, pepsin, and protease degradation; nontoxic to cells and unable to inactivate virus directly. Thus, the product has fulfilled most of the basic criteria for it to be classified as interferon. This study indicated that all four cell/virus interferon products caused a plaque reduction of approximately 90-97% in a homologous system.
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Date Issued: 1981
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14063
Subject Headings: Channel catfish virus disease, Interferon inducers
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A.Studies on an ldiotype Specific Dendritic Cell Vaccine. B.Association of Lupus Calcinosis with Calcifying Nanoparticles.
Creator: Keating, Patricia, Florida Atlantic University, Hartmann, James X., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Systemic lupus erythrematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of anti-DNA antibodies. The primary goal of this study was to activate T cells with specificity toward lupus B cells presenting anti-DNA antibody idiotopes on their surface. Monocyte derived dendritic cells were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy donors and lupus patients. Affinity purified anti-DNA antibodies were obtained from lupus patients' plasmas. The efficacy of different carrier...
Show moreSystemic lupus erythrematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of anti-DNA antibodies. The primary goal of this study was to activate T cells with specificity toward lupus B cells presenting anti-DNA antibody idiotopes on their surface. Monocyte derived dendritic cells were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy donors and lupus patients. Affinity purified anti-DNA antibodies were obtained from lupus patients' plasmas. The efficacy of different carrier proteins, conjugated to lgG, was evaluated, and KLH found to be the most efficient for antigen uptake. The cognate dendritic cells were evaluated for their capacity to activate autologous T cells, and generate a Th1 mediated response which was evaluated by proliferation assays and interferony secretion. During the vaccine study a patient presented with panniculitis, CREST syndrome and a calcinotic exudate. A secondary goal of my study was to analyze this exudate. Calcifying nanoparticles were isolated in lymphocyte culture medium. They were characterized by Von Kassa staining for hydroxyapatite, solubilization by the calcium chelating agent EDT A, and light and scanning electron microscopy. A novel method was developed, using a specific monoclonal antibody, to analyze the calcifying nanoparticles. This method allowed for an approximate quantification of the particles. These particles increased in numbers when incubated for different time periods, and their numbers were decreased when incubated in the presence of minocyclin. Concomitantly, the panniculi in the patient underwent remission with long term antibiotic therapy. CNPs were also obtained from fetal bovine serum and human plasma samples from both lupus patients and healthy donors. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors and lupus patients were analyzed in vitro for their reactivity when incubated in the presence of a biofilm, generated by the calcifying nanoparticles. Viability, proliferation, and co-stimulatory marker up-regulation were determined in the presence or absence of the particles. Osteopontin was found highly expressed in the supernatants of the cells grown with CNPs. Microarray of the mononuclear cells of a healthy donor and a lupus patient incubated in the presence or absence of CNPs was performed, and the results coincided with those determined in vitro.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000865
Subject Headings: Systemic lupus erythematosus--Molecular aspects, Systemic lupus erythematosus--Immunological aspects, Cell surface antigens, Autoimmune diseases--Research, Monoclonal antibodies--Diagnostic use
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Studies On Means to Enhance the Effectiveness of Dienogest in the Therapy of Endometriosis.
Creator: Tran, Kimberly, Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that affects one in ten women, where ectopic endometrial cells grow outside of the uterus. Lesions are estrogen dependent but progesterone resistant due to decreased progesterone receptor activity. This study investigated whether a combination of dienogest, a synthetic progesterone, and calcitriol, vitamin D’s active form, had an additive or synergistic effect in the therapy of endometriosis. Experiments were conducted on immortalized endometriotic...
Show moreEndometriosis is an inflammatory disease that affects one in ten women, where ectopic endometrial cells grow outside of the uterus. Lesions are estrogen dependent but progesterone resistant due to decreased progesterone receptor activity. This study investigated whether a combination of dienogest, a synthetic progesterone, and calcitriol, vitamin D’s active form, had an additive or synergistic effect in the therapy of endometriosis. Experiments were conducted on immortalized endometriotic epithelial (12Z) and stromal (22B) cell lines. Results revealed that the combination therapy effectively inhibited cell viability in spheroids, limited proliferation, and reduced cell migration in cell monolayers of lipopolysaccharide- induced cells. Concentrations of prostaglandin E2, a key inflammatory cytokine, were measured from the supernatants of 12Z cells. The combination did not alter CD44 and progesterone receptor levels on the surface of 12Z cells. Further testing in a mouse model is necessary to determine the efficacy of the combination in vivo.
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Date Issued: 2023
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014262
Subject Headings: Endometriosis--Treatment, Dienogest, Calcitriol
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Effectiveness of KBU2046, Calcitriol, Dienogest and N-Butyrate or Their Combinations on Immortalized Endometriotic Epithelial Cells.
Creator: Adejola, Afeez, Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Endometriosis is a chronic disease that causes endometrial tissues to migrate and grow outside the uterus and is often associated with pain and infertility. The growths are estrogen-dependent but progesterone-resistant due to the lack of progesterone receptors. In the U.S., estrogen deprivation is the primary approach to treating the disease, which often leads to severe consequences such as osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms. KBU2046 is a chemical analog of genistein that has been shown to...
Show moreEndometriosis is a chronic disease that causes endometrial tissues to migrate and grow outside the uterus and is often associated with pain and infertility. The growths are estrogen-dependent but progesterone-resistant due to the lack of progesterone receptors. In the U.S., estrogen deprivation is the primary approach to treating the disease, which often leads to severe consequences such as osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms. KBU2046 is a chemical analog of genistein that has been shown to effectively inhibit the motility of prostate cancer cells with no toxicity to normal cells or estrogenic activity (Li Xu et al., 2010). This in vitro study showed that KBU2046 at 10μM significantly decreased the viability of 12Z cells to 27% and 34% at 24 hours and 48 hours posttreatment, respectively. At 48 hours post-treatment, micromolar concentrations of the combinations of KBU2046 with dienogest or calcitriol effectively decreased the viability of 12Z cells to 16% and 58.9%, respectively. KBU2046 with sodium butyrate decreased viability to 7.7%, but millimolar concentrations of the latter were required. KBU2046, in combination with calcitriol, synergistically decreased the migration and colony formation of the 12Z cells to 19.3% and 45.7%, respectively. KBU2046 and Calcitriol-treated 12Z cells are slower to the recovery of growth following treatment. KBU2046 and calcitriol decreased the secretion of PGE2 to 6.5% and 16.7%, respectively, while ethanol and the combinations of ethanol and DMSO increased the secretion of PGE2 to 83.8%, and 63.2%, respectively. In conclusion, a combination of KBU2046 and calcitriol at micromolar concentrations markedly inhibited the migration and growth of endometrial cells while decreasing the secretion of a key inflammatory molecule. In vivo studies with mouse models are needed to evaluate using a combination of KBU2046 and calcitriol for endometriosis therapy and whether millimolar plasma concentrations can be safely achieved by dietary means.
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Date Issued: 2024
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014426
Subject Headings: KBU2046, Calcitriol, Dienogest, Sodium butyrate, Endometriosis
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Effects of Melatonin and Calcitriol on Endometrial Cells in Culture.
Creator: Larsen, Holland, Hartmann, James X., Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: Endometriosis is an inflammatory metastatic disease that affects the endometrium of one in ten women. Endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus causing severe discomfort and pain. This disease is estrogen dependent, driving the invasion and migration of endometrial lesions to form the ectopic uterus. Due to the hormonal imbalance of increased estrogen, there is progesterone resistance leading to a decrease in progesterone receptors. This study determined if the combination of Melatonin, a...
Show moreEndometriosis is an inflammatory metastatic disease that affects the endometrium of one in ten women. Endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus causing severe discomfort and pain. This disease is estrogen dependent, driving the invasion and migration of endometrial lesions to form the ectopic uterus. Due to the hormonal imbalance of increased estrogen, there is progesterone resistance leading to a decrease in progesterone receptors. This study determined if the combination of Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone, and Calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, had a synergistic or additive effect on the growth and migration of endometrial cells. The experiments utilized the immortalized endometriotic epithelial (12 Z) cell lines to conduct cell viability, wound closure, and clonogenic growth and growth curves. Results revealed that a combination of Melatonin and Calcitriol had an additive effect in reducing cell viability, inhibiting migration, and decreasing proliferation.
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Date Issued: 2024
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014396
Subject Headings: Endometriosis, Melatonin, Calcitriol, Endometrium
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (30)	+ -
HBOI Faculty Contributions (2)	+ -
FAU Undergraduate Student Research (2)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University Patents (1)	+ -

Monoclonal antibodies (4)	+ -
Calcitriol (3)	+ -
Billfishes (2)	+ -
Bioremediation (2)	+ -
Breast--Cancer--Treatment. (2)	+ -

Cancer--Molecular aspects. (2)	+ -
DNA antibodies (2)	+ -
Dienogest (2)	+ -
Endometriosis (2)	+ -
Estuaries (2)	+ -
Fishes--Immunology (2)	+ -
Sailfish (2)	+ -
Systemic lupus erythematosus (2)	+ -
Systemic lupus erythematosus--Molecular aspects (2)	+ -
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