Browsing by Author "Siddiqui, Raima"
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Item Influence of Sex and Stress on Perineuronal Nets in the Prefrontal Cortex(2020-09-29) Khan, Ali Raza; Perez, Emma C.; Siddiqui, RaimaThe effects of exercise have been known to provide significant changes in the brain, as determined from physiological evidence of neurogenesis, vascularization, dendritic complexity and more. When juxtaposed with sedentary subjects, these changes are proved to be beneficial as the experiments in human and animal models reveal enhanced cognition and stress resilience. Recently, certain structures in the brain have been under the spotlight. Amongst the convoluted wiring of the brain are proteins in the extracellular matrix that have a role in neuroplasticity, which is the ability for the brain to heal and rearrange certain connections in response to the environment. These protein structures, perineuronal nets (PNNs), have also been discovered to play a critical role in development. They are therefore acknowledged as unique and significant in relation to physiology and pathology. Here, we focus on tissues from the sedentary subjects that went through developmental exercise in a prior experiment, measuring the quantity of PNNs and recognizing the pattern between sexes and chronic restraint stress (CRS).Item Topical Mast Cell Stabilizer Cromolyn Sodium Reduces Post-burn Hypertrophic Scars in the Female Red Duroc Pig(2020-09-29) Siddiqui, RaimaPainful, motion-limiting hypertrophic scars (HTS) form subsequent to protracted wound healing in patients with severe full-thickness burns and pose difficult treatment challenges. Newer evidence points to mast cells (MC) as important regulators of intricate signaling cascades during the initiation and progression of post-burn scars. Previous investigations have demonstrated increased mast cell densities in burn wounds and during the formation of HTS.1,2 Mast cells release a wide array of mitogenic cytokines and potent proteases that contribute directly to myofibroblast differentiation and excessive proliferation in burn wounds; further prolonging fibrotic pathology.3 Cromolyn sodium (CS) is an FDA-approved mast cell stabilizer known to inhibit degranulation and has been successfully used to relieve detrimental symptoms associated with mast cell activation. Here, we show that CS may be an effective conjunctive therapy to prevent pathological fibrosis following severe burn injury. This project was completed with contributions from Jayson W. Jay, Anesh Prasai, and Amina El Ayadi from the University of Texas Medical Branch.