Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology Journal

Bacterial Filtration Abilities of Mycelium as a New Gauze Substitute: A Research Protocol

Amy Shi, Lisa Zhu, Yebin Jang, Carrie Chu — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Climate change is escalating the demand for wound dressings which are produced from non-sustainable materials such as cotton and synthetic fibres. Mycelium presents a promising biodegradable and renewable substitute for gauze material, which could help reduce the negative impact of the medical textile industry on the environment. Mycelium extracted from Ganoderma tsugae exhibits healing properties for the skin, making it an appropriate gauze, but its ability to prevent bacterial infections is not well understood. This study seeks to experimentally investigate the ability of mycelium to filter bacteria from infecting third-degree burn wounds in comparison to a woven cotton gauze and a non-woven Acticoat gauze. No gauze, loosely woven gauze and impermeable gauze will be used as controls. It is hypothesized that a mycelium dressing would significantly affect the bacterial filtration efficiency because previous studies have shown mycelia to be effective at air filtration.

Methods: The mycelium gauze will be made from the mycelium root network of the fungus Ganoderma tsugae. Third-degree burns will be introduced on mice followed by an assessment of the bacterial filtration efficiency of each dressing type. During a 28-day period, bacterial samples from the wound will be obtained and plated for cell counting analysis. Wound healing abilities and gauze porosities will also be measured.

Results: It is anticipated that the mycelium gauze will result in the highest bacterial filtration efficiency due to the material’s filtration ability and tissue repair mechanisms. It is also expected that the mycelium gauze will result in improved wound healing as it promotes cell growth.

Discussion: ANOVA will be used for a comparative assessment of bacterial filtration efficiencies among the different gauze types to indicate significant differences.

Conclusion: The findings from this research could serve as the foundation for potential mycelium gauzes with enhanced functionality in hopes of contributing to the advancement of environmentally conscious medical textiles.

From Pain to Pleasure - Investigating the Role of Islam in Alleviating Pain and Enhancing Pleasure in Self-Identifying Muslim Undergraduate Students: A Research Protocol

Saeeda Kuvadia — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: The current research protocol investigates the role of Islam in the experience of pain and pleasure, exploring whether religious priming has any capacity to transform a painful experience to a pleasurable one in undergraduate students. The purpose is to assess if religious beliefs can facilitate cognitive reappraisal, making painful stimuli less distressing and potentially enjoyable.

Methods: The study will consist of 100 self-reported Muslim undergraduate students from Canadian Universities. Participants’ religiosity levels will be assessed prior to the study. Participants will be exposed to electrical stimulation under two conditions: religious priming and control priming. Facial electromyography (fEMG) activity in the zygomaticus major (associated with pleasure) and corrugator supercilii (associated with pain) will be recorded. Subjective ratings of pain (via the Visual Analogue Scale) and pleasure (via the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale) will also be collected. A within-subjects counterbalanced design will be employed, and statistical analyses will compare the fEMG activity and subjective ratings between the two priming conditions.

Results: Religious priming will be associated with increased pleasure on a physiological level (i.e., increased zygomaticus major activity) and self-report basis compared to control priming. Religious priming will be also associated with decreased pain on a physiological level (i.e., decreased corrugator supercilii activity) and self-report basis compared to control priming. These effects will be moderated by religiosity levels.

Discussion: The observed effects suggest that religious priming may facilitate cognitive reappraisal, allowing for the reinterpretation of painful experiences as pleasurable. This finding advocates for the utilization of religion as a potential tool for hedonic regulation.

Conclusion: The current study fills a critical gap by empirically demonstrating that religious priming can transform painful experiences into pleasurable ones, an area with limited prior research. These findings offer promising implications for pain management and emotional well-being. Future research should consider comparing diverse religious contexts, broaden measurements beyond fEMG, and explore underlying mechanisms further.

Unraveling the Enigmatic Potential of the Brain: Exploring Neuroplasticity's Role in Brain Health and Therapy

Pranavi Bandaru, Mithusan Sivarajah — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Neuroplasticity, a cornerstone of contemporary neuroscience, refers to the brain’s intrinsic ability to reorganize its structure and function in response to experience, learning, and environmental stimuli. This dynamic adaptability highlights the brain’s capacity for growth and repair, providing critical insights into the mechanisms underpinning neural development, rehabilitation, and lifelong cognitive flexibility.

History: Spearheaded by notable scientists, the concept of neuroplasticity rose to prominence in the 20^thcentury, forging a novel understanding of neuroscience. In 1949, Donald Hebb proposed that neurons activated together during memory recall are bound to connect, establishing the Hebbian theory and laying the foundation for modern neuroplasticity studies. Furthermore, neuroscientist Michael Merzenich advanced the understanding of neuroplasticity’s dynamic and perpetual nature and its relation to cognitive functioning.

Fundamental Concepts: Synaptic plasticity and cortical remapping are cornerstone mechanisms of neuroplasticity. Synaptic plasticity is the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time in response to activity, playing a crucial role in learning and memory processes. Studies suggest that synaptic plasticity is the initiating mechanism for cortical remapping, which is the reorganization of neuronal connections in the cerebral cortex. This reorganization underlies the adaptive behaviours observed during sensory experiences, specifically optimizing sensory processing to better adjust to changes in response to environmental stimuli.

Current Research: Current research investigates cognition, psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders particularly using advanced neuroimaging techniques to visualize complex neural networks. Additionally, avenues of research investigating invasive methods such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), cognitive training and hypoxia induction, along with non-invasive methods such transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), low-intensity focused ultrasound stimulation (LIFUS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), offer promising therapeutic interventions. Research also focuses on encouraging recreational activities and identifying pharmacological remedies, intending to develop more effective therapies with fewer side effects.

Future Implications: Neuroplasticity has far-reaching implications for education, clinical therapy, and cognitive enhancement. However, challenges persist, including deciphering individual variability in neuroplastic responses and optimizing interventions to maximize positive outcomes. Addressing these challenges promises to unlock new frontiers in harnessing the brain’s adaptive capacity for improved cognitive function, ultimately paving the way for interventions tailored to individual neuroplastic profiles.