Browsing by Author "Nguyen, Nicholas"
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Item How Phenolic Based Compounds can be increase productivity in the Pharmaceutical Industry(2020-09-29) Nguyen, NicholasDrug development is a strenuous, expensive, and time-consuming process in the US. In recent years, pharmaceutical productivity has decreased, resulting in a lower number of new drugs being synthesized every year. It is important that pharmaceutical companies continue to innovate and create new drugs and not stagnate on old methods and processes, although this has proven difficult as the cost and time for developing a drug has increased. A potential solution to increase the diversity and productivity of the pharmaceutical industry could be the shifting of resources and research in developing more drugs based on phenolic compounds. These compounds are composed of phenols with at least one hydroxyl group. Comparisons were drawn between drugs developed from traditional reactions and sources to drugs of similar purpose that were based on phenolic compounds. Furthermore, a litany of sources about the drug development process was explored, in order to examine how this potential shift of course could be immensely beneficial. Overall, drugs created from phenolic compounds have been shown to have the same efficacy and effectiveness as traditionally produced drugs, with a myriad of benefits, namely in the areas of cost, toxicity, and ease of creation. Drugs from phenolic compounds can be a viable source of innovation and a way for the pharmaceutical industry to develop cheaper and more easily tested drugs.Item Lactobacillus reuteri as an enhancer of milk production via the hypothalamic-pituitary axis(2018-10-18) Nguyen, NicholasThe microbiome has been shown to influence the secretion of the hormone oxytocin. Milk production depends on the ability of the pituitary to secrete prolactin and oxytocin. Lactobacillus reuteri, a Gram-positive gut symbiont, is of particular interest due to its association with presence of oxytocin neurons. PL/J and QSi5 mice were compared to determine the relationship between intestinal hypertrophy, the abundance of L. reuteri, and the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Microscopy of H&E stained tissue sections were used to compare intestinal villus length in non-parous controls and lactating females. FISH was used to quantify L. reuteri in paraffin sections prepared from PBS-flushed proximal small intestine (SI). Serum oxytocin concentrations in blood collected from females at day 10 of lactation was measured by ELISA. There appears to be greater L. reuteri in PL/J than QSi5 with both strains showing significant decreases as lactation progresses. Concentrations of serum oxytocin for both strains are similar. Increase in SI weights of QSi5 with progression through pregnancy and lactation is likely due to the lengthening of the villi. However, other factors may be involved as PL/J exhibited increasing villi lengths with little change in overall proximal SI weight through pregnancy and lactation. This project was completed with contributions from Darryl L. Hadsell, PhD, from the Baylor College of Medicine, Childrens Nutrition Research Center.Item Modeling Air Pollution's Effect on Residents Living Near Major Roads(2017-10-12) Nguyen, NicholasItem The Use of Vitamin D In Preventing Preeclampsia In Pregnant Diabetic Patients(2022) Hoffman, Kaley; Kurtz, Charity; Nguyen, NicholasIncreasing vitamin D supplementation from the average 400 IU found in prenatal vitamins to over 400 IU in pregnant diabetic patients helps to reduce the risk for preeclampsia.