Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences

PDF

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Series

Keyword
Publication Year
Publication

Articles 1 - 30 of 739

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Differentiation Activates Mitochondrial Opa1 Processing In Myoblast Cell Lines, Harpreet Kaur, Omar Carrillo, Iraselia Garcia, Isaiah Ramos, Shaynah St. Vallier, Patrick De La Torre, Alma Lopez, Megan Keniry, Daniela Bazan, Jorge Elizondo, Robert Gilkerson Sep 2024

Differentiation Activates Mitochondrial Opa1 Processing In Myoblast Cell Lines, Harpreet Kaur, Omar Carrillo, Iraselia Garcia, Isaiah Ramos, Shaynah St. Vallier, Patrick De La Torre, Alma Lopez, Megan Keniry, Daniela Bazan, Jorge Elizondo, Robert Gilkerson

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mitochondrial optic atrophy-1 (OPA1) plays key roles in adapting mitochondrial structure to bioenergetic function. When transmembrane potential across the inner membrane (Δψm) is intact, long (L-OPA1) isoforms shape the inner membrane through membrane fusion and the formation of cristal junctions. When Δψm is lost, however, OPA1 is cleaved to short, inactive S-OPA1 isoforms by the OMA1 metalloprotease, disrupting mitochondrial structure and priming cellular stress responses such as apoptosis. Previously, we demonstrated that L-OPA1 of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts is insensitive to loss of Δψm via challenge with the protonophore carbonyl cyanide chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), but that CCCP-induced OPA1 processing is activated upon …


Microeukaryote Metabolism Across The Western North Atlantic Ocean Revealed Through Autonomous Underwater Profiling, Natalie R. Cohen, Arianna I. Krinos, Riss M. Kell, Rebecca J. Chmiel, Dawn M. Moran, Matthew R. Mcilvin, Paloma Z. Lopez, Brianna A. Alanis, Eric W. Chan, John A. Breier Aug 2024

Microeukaryote Metabolism Across The Western North Atlantic Ocean Revealed Through Autonomous Underwater Profiling, Natalie R. Cohen, Arianna I. Krinos, Riss M. Kell, Rebecca J. Chmiel, Dawn M. Moran, Matthew R. Mcilvin, Paloma Z. Lopez, Brianna A. Alanis, Eric W. Chan, John A. Breier

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Microeukaryotes are key contributors to marine carbon cycling. Their physiology, ecology, and interactions with the chemical environment are poorly understood in offshore ecosystems, and especially in the deep ocean. Using the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Clio, microbial communities along a 1050 km transect in the western North Atlantic Ocean were surveyed at 10–200 m vertical depth increments to capture metabolic signatures spanning oligotrophic, continental margin, and productive coastal ecosystems. Microeukaryotes were examined using a paired metatranscriptomic and metaproteomic approach. Here we show a diverse surface assemblage consisting of stramenopiles, dinoflagellates and ciliates represented in both the transcript and protein fractions, …


Short-Term Hiit Impacts Hdl Function Differently In Lean, Obese, And Diabetic Subjects, Lin Zhu, Julia An, Thao Luu, Sara M. Reyna, Puntip Tantiwong, Apiradee Sriwijitkamol, Nicolas Musi, John M. Stafford Aug 2024

Short-Term Hiit Impacts Hdl Function Differently In Lean, Obese, And Diabetic Subjects, Lin Zhu, Julia An, Thao Luu, Sara M. Reyna, Puntip Tantiwong, Apiradee Sriwijitkamol, Nicolas Musi, John M. Stafford

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Introduction: High density lipoproteins (HDL) exert cardiovascular protection in part through their antioxidant capacity and cholesterol efflux function. Effects of exercise training on HDL function are yet to be well established, while impact on triacylglycerol (TG)-lowering has been often reported. We previously showed that a short-term high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program improves insulin sensitivity but does not inhibit inflammatory pathways in immune cells in insulin-resistant subjects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate HDL function along with changes of lipoproteins after the short-term HIIT program in lean, obese nondiabetic, and obese type 2 diabetic (T2DM) subjects.

Methods: All individuals …


Diet Modification Reduces Pain And Improves Function In Adults With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review, Karen Stanfar, Corey Hawes, Mina Ghajar, Laura Byham-Gray, Diane R. Radler Aug 2024

Diet Modification Reduces Pain And Improves Function In Adults With Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review, Karen Stanfar, Corey Hawes, Mina Ghajar, Laura Byham-Gray, Diane R. Radler

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

The effect of dietary modifications on pain and joint function in adults with osteoarthritis (OA) is an emerging area of study. This systematic review aimed to evaluate if adults with OA who consume diets with a higher proportion of plant phenols and omega-3 fatty acids would have less pain and improved joint function than those with a higher proportion of saturated fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids and refined carbohydrates.

Methods

Database searches of CINAHL (EBSCO), Clinical Trials (NIH-NLM), Cochrane Library (Wiley), Dissertation & Thesis Global (ProQuest), Embase (Elsevier), Medline (OVID), PubMed (NLM), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Sciences (Clarivate) for …


Investigation Of The Pangas (Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus) Cultivation Sustainability In Cages At The Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest Of Bangladesh, Mrityunjoy Kunda, Md. Abu Kawsar, Diponkor Adikari, Sakib Tahmid Rishan, Ahmed Harun-Al-Rashid, Debasish Pandit Aug 2024

Investigation Of The Pangas (Pangasianodon Hypophthalmus) Cultivation Sustainability In Cages At The Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest Of Bangladesh, Mrityunjoy Kunda, Md. Abu Kawsar, Diponkor Adikari, Sakib Tahmid Rishan, Ahmed Harun-Al-Rashid, Debasish Pandit

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Determining the most appropriate stocking density for a specific fish species in an ambient condition is essential for successful cage aquaculture in terms of profitability which is mainly governed by growth. The current study was conducted to ascertain which stocking density gives the best result of widely cultured species in cage aquaculture, pangas (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus), at swamp forest environment of Ratargul Freshwater Swamp Forest, Bangladesh in terms of growth, production and economic return. Fish were reared for 93 days at three stocking densities, namely 30, 40 and 50 fish/m3 which were denoted as FSD30, FSD40 and FSD50, respectively, …


Robust Hydropower Planning Balances Energy Generation, Carbon Emissions And Sediment Connectivity In The Mekong River Basin, M. Tangi, Rafael Schmitt, Rafael M. Almeida, S. Bossi, Alexander S. Flecker, F. Sala, A. Castelletti Aug 2024

Robust Hydropower Planning Balances Energy Generation, Carbon Emissions And Sediment Connectivity In The Mekong River Basin, M. Tangi, Rafael Schmitt, Rafael M. Almeida, S. Bossi, Alexander S. Flecker, F. Sala, A. Castelletti

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

We present a framework for strategic dam planning under uncertainty, which includes GHG emissions mitigation as a novel objective. We focus on the Mekong River Basin, a fast‐developing region heavily relying on river‐derived ecosystem services. We employ a multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm to identify strategic dam portfolios for different hydropower expansion targets, using process‐related and statistical models to derive indicators of sediment supply disruption and GHG emissions. We introduce a robust optimization approach that explores variations in optimal portfolio compositions for more than 5,000 state‐of‐ the‐world configurations, regarding sediment origins and trapping and GHG emissions. Thus, we can rank dam projects' …


Road Mitigation Structures Designed For Texas Ocelots: Influence Of Structural Characteristics And Environmental Factors On Non-Target Wildlife Usage, Anna Rivera Roy, Kevin W. Ryer, Md. Saydur Rahman, John H. Young Jr., Richard J. Kline Jul 2024

Road Mitigation Structures Designed For Texas Ocelots: Influence Of Structural Characteristics And Environmental Factors On Non-Target Wildlife Usage, Anna Rivera Roy, Kevin W. Ryer, Md. Saydur Rahman, John H. Young Jr., Richard J. Kline

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Roads negatively impact wildlife through habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat connectivity, and wildlife-vehicle collisions, thus road mitigation structures, such as wildlife crossing structures (WCS), wildlife guards (WG), and fencing are commonly used to address this issue all over the world, including in the United States. In South Texas, such structures were built or modified along a State Highway in an effort to address road mortality for the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and non-target wildlife species. The goal of this study was to examine temporal changes in wildlife interactions with WCS and WG during and after their construction and …


Red Harvester Ant, Pogonomyrmex Barbatus, Nests Impact Soil Compaction But Not Temperature In Peri-Urban Habitats Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Geovanni Hernandez, Hannah J. Penn, Richard Cano, Lilly Victoria Elliott-Vidaurri, Robin A. Choudhury Jul 2024

Red Harvester Ant, Pogonomyrmex Barbatus, Nests Impact Soil Compaction But Not Temperature In Peri-Urban Habitats Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Geovanni Hernandez, Hannah J. Penn, Richard Cano, Lilly Victoria Elliott-Vidaurri, Robin A. Choudhury

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Ants are vital ecosystem engineers that can influence soil properties, subsequent soil processes, and associated biota via underground nest construction. Harvester ants consume seeds and are often found in arid areas. They frequently alter the soil chemistry and bulk density of the soils in and around their nest sites. Many species of harvester ants also intentionally remove vegetation around their nest openings, which creates cones or discs of bare soil that may further alter soil temperatures. However, much of the work to study the impacts of harvester ants on soil properties has occurred in shrubland and grassland settings rather than …


Future Climate Doubles The Risk Of Hydraulic Failure In A Wet Tropical Forest, Zachary Robbins, Jeffrey Chambers, Rutuja Chitra-Tarak, Bradley O. Christoffersen, L. Turin Dickman, Rosie Fisher, Alex Jonko, Ryan Knox, Charles Koven, Lara Kueppers Jul 2024

Future Climate Doubles The Risk Of Hydraulic Failure In A Wet Tropical Forest, Zachary Robbins, Jeffrey Chambers, Rutuja Chitra-Tarak, Bradley O. Christoffersen, L. Turin Dickman, Rosie Fisher, Alex Jonko, Ryan Knox, Charles Koven, Lara Kueppers

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Summary

  • Future climate presents conflicting implications for forest biomass. We evaluate how plant hydraulic traits, elevated CO2 levels, warming, and changes in precipitation affect forest primary productivity, evapotranspiration, and the risk of hydraulic failure.
  • We used a dynamic vegetation model with plant hydrodynamics (FATES-HYDRO) to simulate the stand-level responses to future climate changes in a wet tropical forest in Barro Colorado Island, Panama. We calibrated the model by selecting plant trait assemblages that performed well against observations. These assemblages were run with temperature and precipitation changes for two greenhouse gas emission scenarios (2086–2100: SSP2-45, SSP5-85) and two CO2 levels (contemporary, …


Melanaphis Sacchari/Sorghi Complex: Current Status, Challenges And Integrated Strategies For Managing The Invasive Sap-Feeding Insect Pest Of Sorghum, Alejandro Vasquez, Joseph Belsky, Neetu Khanal, Heena Puri, Devi Balakrishnan, Neelendra K. Joshi, Joe Louis, Glenn Studebaker, Rupesh Kariyat Jul 2024

Melanaphis Sacchari/Sorghi Complex: Current Status, Challenges And Integrated Strategies For Managing The Invasive Sap-Feeding Insect Pest Of Sorghum, Alejandro Vasquez, Joseph Belsky, Neetu Khanal, Heena Puri, Devi Balakrishnan, Neelendra K. Joshi, Joe Louis, Glenn Studebaker, Rupesh Kariyat

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner;Hemiptera: Aphididae), sugarcane aphid (SCA), is an invasive phloem-feeder found worldwide with a wide host range of economically important plants including sorghum and sugarcane. Given its high reproductive capacity and ability to rapidly spread over long distances, SCA presents challenges for effective control, leading to substantial economic losses. Recent studies have identified two multiloci SCA genotypes specialized in feeding on sugarcane (MLL-D) and sorghum (MLL-F) in the USA, which raises concerns as the USA is the second largest sorghum-producing country. This has encouraged research towards identifying these two biotypes where some research has stated them as two species; …


Review Of The Life History And Conservation Of Federally Endangered Plant Species Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Usa, Beth A. Middleton, Elizabeth A. Gonzalez, Emily J. Lain, Benito Trevino, Christopher A. Gabler, Jerald T. Garrett, Brenda Molano-Flores, Janice Coons, Laura M. De La Garza, Teresa Patricia Feria-Arroyo Jul 2024

Review Of The Life History And Conservation Of Federally Endangered Plant Species Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Usa, Beth A. Middleton, Elizabeth A. Gonzalez, Emily J. Lain, Benito Trevino, Christopher A. Gabler, Jerald T. Garrett, Brenda Molano-Flores, Janice Coons, Laura M. De La Garza, Teresa Patricia Feria-Arroyo

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

This review aims to summarize information critical to the conservation of the federally listed endangered species of South Texas, which occur along the border of Texas and Mexico. This paper describes the characteristics, habitat, population status, distribution, life history, threats, and restoration of endangered plant species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, which includes Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo, and Starr County. Seven federally listed species are considered including Ambrosia cheiranthifolia, Asclepias prostrata, Astrophytum asterias, Ayenia limitaris, Manihot walkerae, Lesquerella thamnophila (syn. Physaria thamnophila), and Thymophylla tephroleuca. An eighth species, Physostegia correllii is under consideration for federal listing by the U.S. …


Valorization Of Seafood Waste For Food Packaging Development, Zhijing Zhan, Yiming Feng, Jikai Zhao, Mingyu Qiao, Qing Jin Jul 2024

Valorization Of Seafood Waste For Food Packaging Development, Zhijing Zhan, Yiming Feng, Jikai Zhao, Mingyu Qiao, Qing Jin

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Packaging plays a crucial role in protecting food by providing excellent mechanical properties as well as effectively blocking water vapor, oxygen, oil, and other contaminants. The low degradation of widely used petroleum-based plastics leads to environmental pollution and poses health risks. This has drawn interest in renewable biopolymers as sustainable alternatives. The seafood industry generates significant waste that is rich in bioactive substances like chitin, chitosan, gelatins, and alginate, which can replace synthetic polymers in food packaging. Although biopolymers offer biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, their films often lack mechanical and barrier properties compared with synthetic polymer films. This comprehensive review …


The Fishing Cat: New Insights On Distribution In The Northern Sector Of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, Rupesh Maharjan, Rama Mishra, Jhamak Bahadur Karki Jul 2024

The Fishing Cat: New Insights On Distribution In The Northern Sector Of Chitwan National Park, Nepal, Rupesh Maharjan, Rama Mishra, Jhamak Bahadur Karki

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus (Bennett, 1833) is an elusive and medium-sized feline species with distinguished marking patterns on their head and body separating them from other feline species. Despite being distributed widely among diverse geographic locations, their abundance has declined due to significant habitat loss and human disturbances. There exists a substantial research gap regarding their abundance and distribution in Nepal. In this article, we presented the updated documentation of the fishing cat distribution in the northern sector of Chitwan National Park through our species-focused camera trapping survey. The study was carried out between April and May 2021 with a …


Asynchronous Movement Patterns Between Breeding And Stopover Locations In A Long-Distance Migratory Songbird, Theodore J. Zenzal Jr., Andrea Contina, Hannah B. Vander Zanden, Leanne K. Kuwahara, Daniel C. Allen, Kristen M. Covino Jul 2024

Asynchronous Movement Patterns Between Breeding And Stopover Locations In A Long-Distance Migratory Songbird, Theodore J. Zenzal Jr., Andrea Contina, Hannah B. Vander Zanden, Leanne K. Kuwahara, Daniel C. Allen, Kristen M. Covino

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The species-specific migratory patterns and strategies of many songbirds remain unknown or understudied, as research in animal ecology is biased toward the breeding period, with the fewest studies on the migratory period across taxa. Identifying large-scale spatiotemporal migratory patterns is challenging, as individuals within a species may vary in their migratory behavior and strategies. The Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) is a Nearctic-Neotropical migrant that is relatively well studied during the breeding season, but its species-wide migratory patterns remain understudied. Our aim in studying Yellow Warbler movement ecology was to characterize temporal migration patterns during fall migration. We sought …


Invertebrate Diversity From Deep Wells Of The Southern Boundary Of The Edwards Aquifer Of South-Central Texas, Kathryn E. Perez, Valentin Cantu, Vanessa Saenz, J. Randy Gibson, Patricia Duncan, Benjamin T. Hutchins Jun 2024

Invertebrate Diversity From Deep Wells Of The Southern Boundary Of The Edwards Aquifer Of South-Central Texas, Kathryn E. Perez, Valentin Cantu, Vanessa Saenz, J. Randy Gibson, Patricia Duncan, Benjamin T. Hutchins

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study examined the invertebrate fauna from three deep wells located at the Uvalde National Fish Hatchery in south-central Texas. These wells provide a water source from geological strata of the southern boundary of the Edwards Aquifer ranging in age from Lower Cretaceous to Recent. Forty-seven collections, sampled on a continuous basis from November 2020 to January 2022, produced a total of 738 specimens comprising 15 different species. These collections reveal a diverse crustacean assemblage along with dominant numbers of the stygobiotic snail Balconorbis uvaldensis. This study provides a preliminary survey for future investigations of unidentified crustacean species as …


A Pilot Study On Particulate Matter Concentrations From Cooking And Its Effects On Indoor Air Pollution In A Mexican American Household In Mission, South Texas, Usa, Sai Deepak Pinakana, Carlos Garcia Patlan, Esmeralda Mendez, Amit U. Raysoni Jun 2024

A Pilot Study On Particulate Matter Concentrations From Cooking And Its Effects On Indoor Air Pollution In A Mexican American Household In Mission, South Texas, Usa, Sai Deepak Pinakana, Carlos Garcia Patlan, Esmeralda Mendez, Amit U. Raysoni

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

This pilot study focuses on particulate matter (PM) while cooking in a South Texan household. Dishes such as Beef, Burger, Fish, Chicken, Egg Sandwich, and Hotdog were prepared. Indoor PM levels were compared with outdoor PM levels. A DustTrak DRX was used to monitor the PM released during the cooking process. PM2.5 levels were highest while cooking beef, 162.79 + 209.62 μg m−3. Hot Dog preparation resulted in the lowest PM2.5 concentration of 27.72 + 5.58 μg m−3. Indoor PM2.5 levels were observed to be greater in contrast to outdoor levels when compared to the outdoor levels (96 words).


Using Bayesian Multispecies Models To Evaluate Fish And Invertebrate Detection Probability And Distribution In The Hypersaline Bahia Grande Tidal Basin, Roy M. Ulibarri, Catherine M. Eckert, David Hicks, David Montagne, Brandon Jones, David R. Stewart Jun 2024

Using Bayesian Multispecies Models To Evaluate Fish And Invertebrate Detection Probability And Distribution In The Hypersaline Bahia Grande Tidal Basin, Roy M. Ulibarri, Catherine M. Eckert, David Hicks, David Montagne, Brandon Jones, David R. Stewart

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective

In 2000, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge acquired the Bahia Grande (Texas) management unit, a space that had lain barren and arid for 70 years. A large cooperative partnership launched a restoration project to replenish the basin and recover its original tidal hydrology. In 2005, the construction of a pilot channel successfully restored water throughout the basin, and plans to eventually widen the channel were developed. Our study aims to evaluate an estuarine habitat restoration by assessing ecological drivers and the impacts on species diversity.

Methods

We evaluated species richness, detection/occupancy rates, and species–habitat relationships, and we estimated …


Biotechnology For Sustainable Materials: Innovating Today For A Greener Tomorrow, Shashi Kant Bhatia, Saurabh Bhatia, Maria Eugenia Inda-Webb, Konstantina Kourmentza, Tae Seok Moon, Vijai Singh, Vishal Ahuja, Jingbo Li, Sanjeet Mehariya, Jikai Zhao May 2024

Biotechnology For Sustainable Materials: Innovating Today For A Greener Tomorrow, Shashi Kant Bhatia, Saurabh Bhatia, Maria Eugenia Inda-Webb, Konstantina Kourmentza, Tae Seok Moon, Vijai Singh, Vishal Ahuja, Jingbo Li, Sanjeet Mehariya, Jikai Zhao

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.


Effects Of Fast And Slow-Wilting Soybean Genotypes On Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Growth And Development, Jessica Ayala, Alejandro Vasquez, Devi Balakrishnan, Evelyn Madrigal, Justin George, Rupesh R. Kariyat May 2024

Effects Of Fast And Slow-Wilting Soybean Genotypes On Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Growth And Development, Jessica Ayala, Alejandro Vasquez, Devi Balakrishnan, Evelyn Madrigal, Justin George, Rupesh R. Kariyat

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soybean (Glycine max) is the most important plant protein source, and Fall Armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda) is considered a major pest. This study aimed to examine the impact of FAW feeding on soybean accessions that vary in their water use efficiency (WUE) traits, by examining FAW growth and life history parameters along with plant growth response to pest damage. Soybean accessions were grown in a greenhouse and exposed to FAW larval feeding for 48 h at three different soybean growth stages: V3, R3, and R6. The growth and development of the FAW and soybeans were monitored. Results showed …


Eviction-Driven Infanticide And Sexually Selected Adoption And Infanticide In A Neotropical Parrot, Steven R. Beissinger, Karl S. Berg May 2024

Eviction-Driven Infanticide And Sexually Selected Adoption And Infanticide In A Neotropical Parrot, Steven R. Beissinger, Karl S. Berg

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Significance

Infanticide and adoption are puzzling forms of sexual conflict and cooperation, respectively. However, both may be explained by sexual selection, where an individual later reproduces with the parent whose offspring it killed or adopted. While sexually selected infanticide is well known, evidence for sexually selected adoption is anecdotal. Our long-term study of a parrotlet in Venezuela found infanticide attacks were mostly enacted by nonbreeding pairs attempting to evict parents from their nests to usurp the cavity. Infanticide attacks occurred less often at nests where a parent died, and adoption by stepparents was as common as infanticide. Becoming an adoptive …


Skimming Genomes For Systematics And Dna Barcodes Of Corals, Andrea M. Quattrini, Luke J. Mccartin, Erin E. Easton, Jeremy Horowitz, Herman H. Wirshing, Hailey Bowers, Kenneth Mitchell, María Del P. González-García, Makiri Sei, Catherine S. Mcfadden May 2024

Skimming Genomes For Systematics And Dna Barcodes Of Corals, Andrea M. Quattrini, Luke J. Mccartin, Erin E. Easton, Jeremy Horowitz, Herman H. Wirshing, Hailey Bowers, Kenneth Mitchell, María Del P. González-García, Makiri Sei, Catherine S. Mcfadden

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Numerous genomic methods developed over the past two decades have enabled the discovery and extraction of orthologous loci to help resolve phylogenetic relationships across various taxa and scales. Genome skimming (or low-coverage genome sequencing) is a promising method to not only extract high-copy loci but also 100s to 1000s of phylogenetically informative nuclear loci (e.g., ultraconserved elements [UCEs] and exons) from contemporary and museum samples. The subphylum Anthozoa, including important ecosystem engineers (e.g., stony corals, black corals, anemones, and octocorals) in the marine environment, is in critical need of phylogenetic resolution and thus might benefit from a genome-skimming approach. We …


Year-Round Co2 Emissions From The Drawdown Area Of A Tropical Reservoir: Strong Seasonal And Spatial Variation, Ícaro Barbosa, José R. Paranaíba, Sebastian Sobek, Sarian Kosten, Rafael M. Almeida, Vitor Duque, Natália Mendonça, Nathan Barros, Raquel Mendonça May 2024

Year-Round Co2 Emissions From The Drawdown Area Of A Tropical Reservoir: Strong Seasonal And Spatial Variation, Ícaro Barbosa, José R. Paranaíba, Sebastian Sobek, Sarian Kosten, Rafael M. Almeida, Vitor Duque, Natália Mendonça, Nathan Barros, Raquel Mendonça

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Highlights

  • Drawdown areas emitted 80% of reservoir CO2 with just 1/5 area.

  • Emissions from reservoir shorelines near forests were greater than from areas near grassland.

  • CO2 emissions increase with the distance from the water.

  • Estimates of reservoir drawdown CO2 flux vary by ∼ 300 % across the seasons examined here.

  • There was no discernible difference in CO2 emissions between day and night-time.

  • A significant increase in CO2 fluxes was observed 30 min after a rewetting event.

Abstract

A growing body of literature points to drawdown areas as important sources of atmospheric CO2 within reservoirs. Yet seasonal and temporal patterns of …


Continuous Mowing Differentially Affects Floral Defenses In The Noxious And Invasive Weed Solanum Elaeagnifolium In Its Native Range, Alejandro Vasquez, Alexa Alaniz, Robert K. Dearth, Rupesh R. Kariyat Apr 2024

Continuous Mowing Differentially Affects Floral Defenses In The Noxious And Invasive Weed Solanum Elaeagnifolium In Its Native Range, Alejandro Vasquez, Alexa Alaniz, Robert K. Dearth, Rupesh R. Kariyat

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

In weeds, disturbance has been found to affect life history traits and mediate trophic interactions. In urban landscapes, mowing is an important disturbance, and we previously showed that continuous mowing leads to enhanced fitness and defense traits in Solanum elaeagnifolium, Silverleaf Nightshade (SLN). However, most studies have been focused on foliar defenses, ignoring floral defenses. In this study we examined whether continuous mowing affected floral defenses in SLN using mowed and unmowed populations in South Texas, their native range. We found flowers of mowed SLN plants larger but lighter than unmowed plants. Additionally, flowers on plants that were mowed …


Toward A Coordinated Understanding Of Hydro-Biogeochemical Root Functions In Tropical Forests For Application In Vegetation Models, Daniela F. Cusack, Bradley O. Christoffersen, Chris M. Smith-Martin, Kelly M. Andersen, Amanda L. Cordeiro, Katrin Fleischer, S. Joseph Wright, Nathaly R. Guerrero-Ramírez, Laynara F. Lugli, Lindsay A. Mcculloch Apr 2024

Toward A Coordinated Understanding Of Hydro-Biogeochemical Root Functions In Tropical Forests For Application In Vegetation Models, Daniela F. Cusack, Bradley O. Christoffersen, Chris M. Smith-Martin, Kelly M. Andersen, Amanda L. Cordeiro, Katrin Fleischer, S. Joseph Wright, Nathaly R. Guerrero-Ramírez, Laynara F. Lugli, Lindsay A. Mcculloch

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Tropical forest root characteristics and resource acquisition strategies are underrepresented in vegetation and global models, hampering the prediction of forest–climate feedbacks for these carbon-rich ecosystems. Lowland tropical forests often have globally unique combinations of high taxonomic and functional biodiversity, rainfall seasonality, and strongly weathered infertile soils, giving rise to distinct patterns in root traits and functions compared with higher latitude ecosystems. We provide a roadmap for integrating recent advances in our understanding of tropical forest belowground function into vegetation models, focusing on water and nutrient acquisition. We offer comparisons of recent advances in empirical and model understanding of root characteristics …


Health-Promoting Benefits Of Lentils: Anti-Inflammatory And Anti-Microbial Effects, Rachel Alexander, Abdullah Khaja, Nicholas Debiec, Alex Fazioli, Mary Torrance, Mohammed S. Razzaque Mar 2024

Health-Promoting Benefits Of Lentils: Anti-Inflammatory And Anti-Microbial Effects, Rachel Alexander, Abdullah Khaja, Nicholas Debiec, Alex Fazioli, Mary Torrance, Mohammed S. Razzaque

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

This paper describes how lentils (Lens culinaris species) can positively affect health by reducing inflammation, providing antioxidants, and displaying antimicrobial properties. Lentils are rich in proteins, essential amino acids, minerals, and fibers, making them a valuable source of nutrition, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Lentils have many health benefits, including positive effects on diabetes management, support for cardiovascular health, and antioxidative properties. The antioxidative properties of lentils, attributed to their phenolic content, and their ability to inhibit inflammation-related enzymes are also discussed. We discuss the potential of lentils as a dietary tool in promoting immunity, reducing disease burdens, …


Detection And Monitoring Of Plant Pathogens And Pests, Walter F. Mahaffee, Lindsey D. Thiessen, Kevin M. King, Robin A. Choudhury Feb 2024

Detection And Monitoring Of Plant Pathogens And Pests, Walter F. Mahaffee, Lindsey D. Thiessen, Kevin M. King, Robin A. Choudhury

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.


A Rationally Designed Antimicrobial Peptide From Structural And Functional Insights Of Clostridioides Difficile Translation Initiation Factor 1, Elvira Alanis, Faith Aguilar, Niaz Banaei, Frank B. Dean, Alexa Villarreal, Miguel Alanis, Karen Lozano, James M. Bullard, Yonghong Zhang Feb 2024

A Rationally Designed Antimicrobial Peptide From Structural And Functional Insights Of Clostridioides Difficile Translation Initiation Factor 1, Elvira Alanis, Faith Aguilar, Niaz Banaei, Frank B. Dean, Alexa Villarreal, Miguel Alanis, Karen Lozano, James M. Bullard, Yonghong Zhang

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

ABSTRACT: A significant increase of hospital-acquired bacterial infections during the COVID-19 pandemic has become an urgent medical problem. Clostridioides difficile is an urgent antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogen and a leading causative agent of nosocomial infections. The increasing recurrence of C. difficile infection and antibi­otic resistance in C. difficile has led to an unmet need for the discovery of new com­pounds distinctly different from present antimicrobials, while antimicrobial peptides as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics have attracted growing interest recently. Protein synthesis is an essential metabolic process in all bacteria and a validated antibiotic target. Initiation factor 1 from C. difficile (Cd-IF1) …


Comparative Analysis Of A Secondary Metabolite Profile From Roots And Leaves Of Iostephane Heterophylla By Uplc-Ms And Gc-Ms, Diana V. Navarrete-Carriola, Alma D. Paz-González, Lenci K. Vázquez-Jiménez, Erick De Luna-Santillana, María A. Cruz-Hernández, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Gildardo Rivera Feb 2024

Comparative Analysis Of A Secondary Metabolite Profile From Roots And Leaves Of Iostephane Heterophylla By Uplc-Ms And Gc-Ms, Diana V. Navarrete-Carriola, Alma D. Paz-González, Lenci K. Vázquez-Jiménez, Erick De Luna-Santillana, María A. Cruz-Hernández, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Gildardo Rivera

School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Iostephane heterophylla is a traditional Mexican medicinal plant and is an important source of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. The aim of this work was to conduct a comparative analysis of secondary metabolites of different roots and leaf extracts of I. heterophylla from two zones in Mexico using ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). Twelve secondary metabolites from roots were identified in the leaves. Five new molecular weight secondary metabolites not previously reported were found. Six bioactive metabolites were quantified (quercetin ≤0.151 mg/mL in root and ≤0.041 mg/mL in leaf; hesperidin …


Salmonella In The Environment: A Review On Ecology, Antimicrobial Resistance, Seafood Contaminations, And Human Health Implications, Mohammad Maruf Billah, Md Saydur Rahman Feb 2024

Salmonella In The Environment: A Review On Ecology, Antimicrobial Resistance, Seafood Contaminations, And Human Health Implications, Mohammad Maruf Billah, Md Saydur Rahman

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Salmonella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria that is responsible for numerous food poisoning outbreaks worldwide. With 93.8 million food-borne illnesses and 155,000 fatalities annually, it has emerged as a significant global public health issue. There are currently more than 2,500 distinct Salmonella serotypes, and more than half of them are associated with Salmonella enterica. An increasing global public health concern for humans and animals is antimicrobial resistance by Salmonella species worldwide. Salmonella infections can be lethal; conditioned with an increased prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains in the future. The emergence of MDR Salmonella serotypes is considerably …


Therapeutic Potential Of Snake Venom: Toxin Distribution And Opportunities In Deep Learning For Novel Drug Discovery, Anas Bedraoui, Montamas Suntravat, Salim El Mejjad, Salwa Enezari, Naoual Oukkache, Elda E. Sanchez, Jacob Galan, Rachid El Fatimy, Tariq Daouda Feb 2024

Therapeutic Potential Of Snake Venom: Toxin Distribution And Opportunities In Deep Learning For Novel Drug Discovery, Anas Bedraoui, Montamas Suntravat, Salim El Mejjad, Salwa Enezari, Naoual Oukkache, Elda E. Sanchez, Jacob Galan, Rachid El Fatimy, Tariq Daouda

School of Medicine Publications and Presentations

Snake venom is a rich source of bioactive molecules that hold great promise for therapeutic applications. These molecules can be broadly classified into enzymes and non-enzymes, each showcasing unique medicinal properties. Noteworthy compounds such as Bradykinin Potentiating Peptides (BPP) and Three-Finger Toxins (3FTx) are showing therapeutic potential in areas like cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and pain-relief. Meanwhile, components like snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMP), L-amino acid oxidases (LAAO), and Phospholipase A2s (PLA2) are paving new ways in oncology treatments. The full medicinal scope of these toxins is still emerging. In this review, we discuss drugs derived from snake venoms that address …