Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignancy driven by over 200 different cytogenetic abnormalities, giving rise to eight different subtypes, each identified as having a unique prognostic outcome and response to treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia describes specific subtypes and is widely used to treat and diagnose AML. However, the current WHO classification system is based primarily on treatment outcomes for adult patients. In recent years, the incorporation of genetic and molecular testing has aided in the identification of several distinct subtypes that are not yet recognized by the WHO classification system. One key genomic driver in some cases of AML is the internal tandem duplication (ITD) within the gene that codes for the FMS-like tyrosine kinase receptor-3 (FLT3). Pediatric AML patients with FLT3-ITD consistently have high relapse rates and low overall survival rates, which may be improved by intensifying and specifying treatment regimens. Despite increasing research showing the prognostic significance of FLT3-ITD AML and development of FLT3 inhibitors, this cytogenetically unique form of AML with a distinctly poor prognosis in children is not mentioned in the current WHO classification. The authors suggest the need for inclusion of FLT3-ITD as a distinct entity in the WHO classification due to its prognostic effect in pediatric AML in particular. Though advancements have been made in the understanding and treatment of FLT3-ITD AML, the application of current and future research will be limited without the inclusion of FLT3-ITD as a distinct entity.

With new developments for the use of copper, such as coated copper sulfates as algicides, it is important to understand both the acute and chronic toxicity impacts of copper on native aquatic fauna. Crustacean physiology is very sensitive to pollution of freshwater systems from anthropogenic sources; as such, crayfish are key bioindicator species. We tested the impact of chronic low exposure of cupric sulfate (5.0 lg/L) for 30 days on the hepatopancreas, gills, and tail muscle tissues of Cambarus georgiea. The relative dry organ mass (% total body mass) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the tail muscle of the exposed group, compared to the control group. Tissue concentration of copper (lM/g dry mass) was also significantly higher in the tail muscle of the exposed group, compared to the control group. This finding is different to the current literature in other species of crayfish and crustacea, which have found that acute exposure to copper leads to accumulation in the hepatopancreas and gills, rather than in tail muscle. C. georgiea is endemic to the hypoxic altitudes of the Blue Ridge Mountain Province, therefore, we suggest that this species likely evolved to sequester copper in the tail muscle in order to prioritize the functional demands of the hepatopancreas and gills within its natural habitat.

Invasive species threaten the health of native species by establishing in non-native habitats and outcompeting native species. The Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area (CMSWA) is 30,000 acres of native prairie and waterfowl habitat that is dedicated to the management of waterfowl and barrens habitat. Invasive species present in this area are inhibiting this management. Needlegrass (Hesperostipa spartea) and spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii) are two species that thrive in the CMSWA. Needlegrass is native to this area and is a key species for reintroduction, while spotted knapweed is an invasive species. The objective of this study was to document and analyze the locations of both species to determine if they prefer the same habitat types and identify possible sites of reintroduction for needlegrass and areas of vulnerability to invasion by spotted knapweed. Locations of both species were recorded and, using MaxEnt a species distribution model, the key environmental predictors of the locations of both species were identified. Results show that needlegrass habitat suitability was highest within 500 m of the nearest road, in the south-central and north-central areas of the CMSWA, away from the nearest major road, in sand/gravel, and igneous, metamorphic, and volcanic bedrock. Habitat suitability for spotted knapweed was highest at a slope of 20 degrees or steeper, within 500 m of the nearest road, in the southern part of the CMSWA, and at an elevation of 950 feet and greater. These results can help with management of both species on this property and beyond.

A majority of the college population uses mobile devices on a daily basis. Furthermore, sleep quality in undergraduate students tends to be overlooked, yet it is an essential aspect of college academic life. All mobile phones have a default backlight when in use. The light itself resides in the blue-light wavelengths. We aim to identify particular aspects of sleep quality and the association with smart-phone use, as influenced by red-light filters on the screen (opposite side of the blue-light spectrum). Apple iPhones have a feature called “Night Shift Mode”, which changes the lighting on the screen, shifting to a softer red color from the default blue color backlight, at appropriate and respective times of the day. Previous literature has analyzed the relationship between alertness and blue light on screens, but there is limited research addressing red light usage as an aid to sleep quality. We predicted that the switch between blue light to red light will increase the quality of sleep, by eliminating the increase in alertness associated with blue light. We followed “wake peaks” (number of disturbances during sleep recorded) and the number of hours of sleep as our dependent variables and controlling variable, respectively. Results suggest that there is no significant positive correlation between the implementation of red-light spectrum colors as the backlighting and the increase in the quality of sleep. Additionally, there was no significant change in the duration of sleep time with the implementation of red-light spectrum colors as the backlighting. This suggests that there may be other variables accounting for variations in sleep/wake cycles and sleep quality in addition to the retinal stimulation and increased alertness associated with blue light.

Over 10% of the 260 million tons of plastic produced each year ends up in Earth's oceans. Despite worldwide efforts to limit plastic waste, many organisms have already been exposed to plastic waste for prolonged periods. Plastic degradation releases biologically active compounds (e.g. bisphenol-A (BPA)). Studies have demonstrated that BPA can affect brain development and function, but little is known about its impact on physiological activity or brain function. The aim of this research is to assess the effect of BPA on olfaction in order to understand how BPA might affect marine organisms that are critically dependent on olfaction for survival. Operant conditioning was used to train two groups of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) to detect the scent of lemon juice. Rats in the experimental group received water containing 0.05 mg/kg/day of BPA for five weeks, and then 0.10 mg/kg of BPA for nine weeks. Performance variables measured included sensitivity, scent discrimination, and memory. Data analysis with a general linear mixed model found a small significant difference (based on p-value) in performance between the two groups of rats before BPA administration, and a stronger difference in scent discrimination afterward. After BPA administration, repeated measures tests found significant differences within the experimental group in the rats' ability to remember the target scent. These preliminary results suggest a need for expanded testing. If these results are then confirmed, we recommend additional research examining the effects of plastic waste on the olfactory capabilities and survival of terrestrial and marine species in their native habitats.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a serious health concern. Increasing numbers of bacterial infections are unresponsive to traditional antibiotics. Various plant extracts have been demonstrated to contain ingredients that enhance the potency of conventional antibiotics. This study used the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method to investigate the antibacterial properties of extracts of peppermint (Mentha piperita), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), when applied alone or in combination with the conventional antibiotics bacitracin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, or penicillin against three common human pathogens: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All tests were performed in triplicate. Zones of growth inhibition were measured in millimeters and compared statistically using two-sample Student's t-tests. Results indicate that thyme extract partially reverses the resistance of E. coli to bacitracin and penicillin. Additionally, peppermint extract shows synergistic activity when combined with ciprofloxacin against P. aeruginosa, while green tea extract shows synergistic activity with erythromycin against P. aeruginosa. In addition to these positive results, several antagonistic combinations were also identified. These data both confirm previously published studies and demonstrate novel interactions between these plant extracts and antibiotics. Further research into this relatively unexplored field could lead to the development of naturally derived medicinals that enhance the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics.