Digital Commons Network^™

Examining Population Structure Of Cismontane And Desert Populations Of Zebra-Tailed Lizards (Callisaurus Draconoides) Using Mitochondrial And Nuclear Intron Dna., Lauren Nicole Morrison

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Callisaurus draconoides, also known as the Zebra-Tailed lizard, belongs to the family Phrynosomatidae family (Pianka, et al. 1972). C. draconoides is a widespread desert lizard found western North America. In California, this species can be found in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. There are currently several populations that reside in the San Bernardino basin on the cismontane side of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges. These mountain ranges have the potential to have isolated the cismontane populations from their typical desert ranges. In addition, geological passes have the potential to serve as migration corridor between the Deserts and cismontane regions. The …

Qualitative Assessment Of Human Embryonic- And Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Neural Stem Cells Under Cgmp Methods, Michelle Hernandez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Neural stem cell therapies represent a promising tool for the development of regenerative medicine and are being tested in clinical trials for several neurological disorders. However, the clinical applicability of stem cell therapies is dependent on the implementation of current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) to ensure the quality, safety, and consistency that stem cell products need to meet FDA regulatory requirements. As such, there is a need for a shift to xeno-free methodologies so experimental conditions are cGMP compliant. The purpose of this study is to test a GMP compatible production method to generate multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) from …

Determining The Effects Of Glycocalyx Modifications On The Electrophysical Properties Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Rominna E. Valentine Ico

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have gained popularity in clinical trials due to their multipotent differentiation characteristics, ability to secrete bioactive molecules, migrate into diseased or damaged tissues, and their immunosuppressive properties. HMSC cultures are heterogeneous, containing stem cells, partially differentiated progenitor cells, and fully differentiated cells. One of the major challenges with hMSCs therapeutic potential is the inability to select specific cell subpopulations due to an insufficient number of biomarkers. Often the biomarkers used, like those for fluorescence-activated cell sorting, are not sufficient to define hMSCs because they overlap with other cell types. Consequently, there is a need to …

Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers Not Associated With Neurologic Compromise Among Mild Cognitively Impaired Reverters With Parkinson's Disease, Cameron Ryczek

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor (e.g. tremors) and non-motor symptoms (e.g. cognitive impairment). PD patients' change in cognitive functioning can be observed using the following classifications: cognitively intact, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia (PDD). MCI has many subtypes, one of which is MCI reversion which is defined as those with MCI at one time point reverting to cognitively intact later. While there is limited research into the utility of MCI reversion and its relationship with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in PD, this study will begin to elucidate this relationship. To this end, data from …

Early Development Of C3ar1-Targeting Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells For The Treatment Of Glioblastoma Multiforme, Cameron Fraser

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most aggressive type of glioma, demonstrating extremely low long-term survival despite modern therapies. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells have shown extreme levels of success in the treatment of B cell lymphomas through persistent anti-tumor activity. Prior research has demonstrated the therapeutic potential in targeting the C3a-C3aR1 pathway as it acts in an autocrine loop, maintaining the proliferation and survival of cancer stem cells within the tumor. Here, we reorient the treatment to target C3aR1 for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. In order to achieve this, Jurkat immortalized T cells will express various chimeric antigen receptor designs …

Utilizing Crispr Cas9 To Visualize Dopamine Receptors In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Lauren Michelle Velasquez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter with imperative implications in many functions including movement, reward, and cognition. Studying the pathways of dopaminergic neurons at multiple levels allows us to understand the ways in which these systems can go wrong. We study dopamine in a model system such as the worm Caenorhabditis elegans because of its relatively simple and well-characterized nervous system. DA is involved in regulating chemosensory behaviors in worms. The purpose of this research project is to definitively answer the following question: Are the dopamine receptors DOP-1 and DOP-4 expressed in chemosensory neurons? Previous reporter assays show that neither of …

Hsp70 And Hsp22 As Toxicity Bioreporters In Drosophila Melanogaster, Zakkary Hudson

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Of the over 80,000 chemicals used commercially in the United States, few have had sufficient safety and toxicological information collected. To further reduce animal usage, methods that will lessen reliance upon traditional animal toxicology testing and increase the usage of alternative, high throughput toxicology screening methods are being explored. One such method is the utilization of biomarkers and bioreporters in model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster. The biomarkers, HSP22 and HSP70 have been successfully utilized in various studies involving Drosophila melanogaster bioreporter constructs to evaluate chemical toxicity. In this study, both an in vivo and in vitro HSP22 and …

Attack Of The Clones: Elucidating The Role Of Clonality In The Invasion Success Of Carpobrotus Edulis, Eduardo Luis Cruz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Transcriptomics is a modern technique in genomics that utilizes RNA sequences to get a snapshot of genetic expression. This is a powerful tool in non-model species lacking a reference genome. Thus, the application of comparative transcriptomics has the potential to help us elucidate the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate species invasion. Carpobrotus edulis is a prolific and widespread invasive succulent plant belonging to the Aizoaceae family. A native to South Africa, this species has become a dominant invader of many Mediterranean coastal areas. In this study, we leveraged the use of RNAseq to investigate evolutionary changes among invasive populations. RNA-seq data …

Potential Fitness Trade-Offs Of Elevated Esterase Activity Associated With Insecticide Resistance In The Mosquito Culex Quinquefasciatus, Timothy Schulte

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

One of the current major issues in the control of vector-borne disease is resistance to insecticides. Resistance to one or more insecticides has appeared in over 580 different arthropod species. Widespread resistance has led to the field of Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM). The goal of IRM is to develop insecticide-use strategies that prevent or slow down the evolution of resistance. Computer models have shown that more effective IRM strategies rely on the assumption that resistance carries a fitness cost in the absence of insecticide use.

In the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus resistance to certain organophosphate insecticides is caused by an increased …

Early-Exercise Effects On Mice Tendon Remodeling, Miles Valencia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Tendons connect and transmit energy between muscles and bones and play a key role in movement. Tendon remodels by breaking down and absorbing tendon components including collagen fibers and elastin while replacing them with newly formed tendon. These processes can be influenced by short- and long-term factors such as exercise and aging; the magnitude of influence on tendon remodeling remains unclear. I researched the effects of maturation and exercise on tendon remodeling using a mice colony artificially selected for high voluntary wheel running called high-runner mice. Control and high-runner linetype mice were separated into 2 age cohorts that started training …

Neonatal Islet-1+ Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell-Derived Exosomes And Their Functional Ability To Regulate Proliferation, Lourdes Ceja

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Heart failure affects many people around the world and can lead to disease progression and death. Consequently, new stem and exosome-based therapies are needed to address this major health issue and to provide therapeutic options that will improve outcomes for the increasing number of patients with heart disease. Stem cell-derived exosomes have captivated researchers’ attention over the past couple of years based on their functional role in cellular signaling which highlights the vital component of the secretome of stem and progenitor cells. Since neonates have significantly enhanced regenerative ability, we hypothesized that exosomes isolated from Islet-1+ expressing neonatal human cardiovascular …

The Knowledge, Attitude, And Practices Of Birth Control Methods Amongst Undergraduate College Students, Andrea Galeas

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: The lack of proper Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of birth control methods can put one at risk for a sexually transmitted disease or unplanned pregnancy when engaging in sexual activity. There are many factors as to why birth control often gets overlooked, such as lack of knowledge, cultural norms, and misinformation which can impact where and how one accesses birth control.

Methods: This study employed quantitative research methods. The emphasize of this study was to concentrate on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of birth control methods amongst college students. Data for this study was collected from three courses at …

Burden Of Food Insecurity Among College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Saba Sami

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Food insecurity is lack of access to proper nutrition for an individual to obtain a healthy lifestyle. The goal of this research is to determine the frequency of food insecurity among college students at a four-year college institution during COVID-19 pandemic in association to mental and physical health status.

Methods: This study was conducted among college students using cross-sectional study method. All data were collection virtually and kept anonymous. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 28 with (p<.05), denoting significance.

Results: In the study there were a total of 98 participants who were being analyzed. All the participants were …

Identification Of Sall4 Expressing Islet-1+ Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell Clones, Andrea Gabrielle Monteon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The utilization of cardiac progenitor cells (CPC) has been shown to induce favorable regenerative effects. While there are various populations of endogenous CPCs in the heart, there is no consensus regarding which population is the most ideal for cell-based regenerative therapy. Identifying an Islet-1+ (Isl-1+) early-stage progenitor population with enhanced stemness, multipotency and differentiation potential would be beneficial for regenerative therapy. Spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) plays a role in embryonic development as well as proliferation and expansion of hematopoietic progenitor cells. We hypothesize that SALL4 will be co-expressed in Isl-1+ cardiac progenitor cell clones isolated from human cardiac tissue …

The Role Of The Erbb Signaling Pathway In Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell-Based Repair, Christopher Ramos

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Adult mammalian hearts lack self-renewal and proliferative capabilities necessary for cardiovascular regeneration. Current treatments using cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) for cell-based repair do not restore cardiac function in patients who experience a myocardial infarction (MI). Our laboratory has been studying Islet-1+ neonatal CPCs as a promising candidate for cell-based repair due to their ability to significantly improve cardiac function after MI in sheep. The current study addresses the hypothesis that the ERBB pathway is linked to the Hippo-pathway to activate YAP1 by the involvement of an autocrine loop that upregulates neuregulin (NRG). In our sheep model of MI and cardiovascular …

Investigation Into The Evolution Of Heterogeneity Within Secondary Replicons And Their Maintenance In Genus Variovorax, Christopher Ne Ville

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Approximately 10% of all bacterial genomes sequenced thus far contain a secondary replicon. This considerable genetic reservoir contains many potentially mobilizable elements, allowing for the formation of many unique secondary replicons. This property of bacterial populations vastly increases the genomic diversity available to species that effectively take up and maintain these replicons. Members of the genus Variovorax have extensive heterogeneity in genome architecture, including sequenced isolates containing plasmids, megaplasmids, and chromids. Using available Illumina data on the NCBI database, we have completed these assemblies using 3^rd generation sequencing methods on 17 members of this genus. We have sequenced, assembled, …

Elucidating The Modulatory Role Of Dopamine In The C. Elegans Chemosensory Ash Neuron, Cory Kunkel

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The neurotransmitter dopamine regulates chemosensory avoidance behavior in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Avoidance behaviors are mediated by the polymodal ASH nociceptive sensory neurons, and behavioral avoidance of stimuli detected by ASH is less robust when dopamine signaling is impaired. We are investigating the neural response of the ASH neurons to various stimuli; our investigation includes the behavioral and physiological responses from the ASH neurons as dopamine signaling is manipulated to better understand the effects of dopamine on these sensory neurons. We hypothesize that dopamine plays a regulatory role on the ASH neurons, lessening the response of the ASH …

Application Of Real-Time Detection System In Epidemic Prevention, Haoyu Wang

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The number of confirmed cases of the covid-19 virus have skyrocketed since November 2019. Now researchers are beginning to realize that due to the continuous change in the mode of virus transmission, it is too slow to rely on outdated news from the government. This project focused on solving the following question: How can we use a cost effective real-time regional diagnosis to slow down the spread of the virus and save more lives? .This project developed a real-time monitoring system model that had four main modules: (1) the data receiving, processing and transmission module, (2) the real-time analysis module, …

Population Structure Of A Federally Endangered Plant (Astragalus Jaegerianus Munz, Fabaceae) With Limited Range Using Microsatellites, Sueann Neal

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Studies on population genetics examine the relationship and effects of population structure, migration, gene flow and demographic history, and are therefore important in the conservation of endangered species. Astragalus jaegerianus, a critically federally endangered species found in a geographically restricted range is investigated to determine population structure and genetic variation. Previous research on A. jaegerianus focused on DNA sequence data for cpDNA and nrDNA showed no variation. Further research on A. jaegerianus utilizing AFLP’s on the whole genome indicated substantial gene diversity and population structure consistent with geographically widespread species. AFLP research is a cost-effective process to identify levels …

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Status Predics Tumor Agressivenss, Chemoresistance And Invasiveness In High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer, Linda Sanderman

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (HGSOC) is one of the deadliest gynecological diseases in the United States ranking fifth in cancer deaths among women. Approximately 22 thousand new cases are expected to occur in the year 2020, and unfortunately, it is estimated that 14 thousand women will succumb to the disease; the incidence to death ratio, 64%, remains high despite current research. Current treatment includes debulking surgery followed by combinatorial chemotherapeutics with platinum-based and taxol-based compounds. But despite aggressive surgery and standard-of-care chemotherapeutics, 80% of patients will experience a recurrence and only 15-30% of those with recurring disease will respond …

The Development Of An H1 Embryonic Stem Cell Line To Study The Role Of The Oncogenes Lmo1 And Mycn In Human Neuroblastoma Formation, Vincent Quiroz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Neuroblastoma (NB) is an extracranial tumor that affects the nervous system and accounts for approximately 650 – 800 cases diagnosed per year in children under the age of 5 (www.cancer.org/cancer/neuroblastoma/about/key-statistics.html). NB occurs at a relatively rare rate of 10.2 per million children under 15 years old but accounts for 12-15% of pediatric cancer death because patients with high-risk NB (HRNB) have 5-year survival rates between 40-50%(Brodeur, 2003; Park et al. 2010). Developmental biology research has recognized neural crest cells (NCC) as the progenitor cells of NB, as tumors form in the trunk NC derived sympathetic nervous system (Dupin, 2013; Simões-Costa …

Geographic Population Structure And Taxonomic Identity Of Rhinichthys Osculus, The Santa Ana Speckled Dace, As Elucidated By Nuclear Dna Intron Sequencing, Liane Raynette Greaver

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Rhinichthys osculus (Cyprinidae), the speckled dace, is the most widely distributed freshwater fish in the western United States. The southern California populations of R. osculus are identified as the Santa Ana speckled dace (SASD), though the SASD has not yet been formally recognized as a distinct taxon. Current mtDNA analysis performed in the Metcalf Lab has shown a reciprocally monophyletic relationship among three California regions; southern, central coast, and Owens Valley. Similarly, microsatellite genotyping has shown significant levels of geographic population structure. The purpose of this study was to provide nuclear DNA sequence data to determine the taxonomic status of …

Isolation Of Caldatribacterium (Op9) And Investigation Of Its Potential Interactions With A Novel, Co-Cultivated Thermodesulfobacterium Species, Toshio Alvarado

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Atribacteria (OP9), candidate phylum with no representatives in pure culture, is found in various anaerobic environments worldwide. “Caldatribacterium”, a lineage within Atribacteria that is predicted to be a strictly anaerobic sugar fermenter based on cultivation-independent genomic analyses, is currently being maintained in lab enrichment cultures with fucose as its sole growth substrate. Metagenomics and 16S rRNA gene tag sequencing indicated that the fucose culture was a co-culture of “Caldatribacterium” and an uncultivated member of the genus Thermodesulfobacterium. Due to failed attempts to isolate “Caldatribacterium” by dilution-to-extinction and plating, it was hypothesized that “Caldatribacterium” is dependent in some way on the …

Using Single-Cell Sorting, Fish And 13c-Labeling To Cultivate And Assess Carbon Substrate Utilization Of ‘Aigarchaeota’ And Other Novel Thermophiles, Damon Kurtis Mosier

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

‘Aigarchaeota’, a deeply branching lineage in the domain Archaea with no cultivated representatives, includes both thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microorganisms that reside in terrestrial and marine geothermal environments. The ‘Aigarchaeota’ consists of at least nine proposed genus-level groups that have been confirmed via 16S rRNA sequencing, with ‘Aigarchaeota’ Group 1 (AigG1) being the focus of this study. Based on cultivation-independent genomic data available from several AigG1 members in Great Boiling Spring (GBS), NV, and Yellowstone National Park, 22 different types of growth media were designed and tested for their ability to support growth of AigG1. One of these cultures, G1-10, was …

Tungsten Is Essential For Long-Term Maintenance Of Members Of Candidate Archaeal Genus Aigarchaeota Group 4, Joshua Robert Reyes Dimapilis

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Aigarchaeota, a deeply branching archaeal lineage with no cultivated representatives, is found in geothermal and hydrothermal systems worldwide and consists of at least 9 genus-level groups, each predicted to have diverse metabolic capabilities. This candidate archaeal phylum is part of the TACK superphylum, members of which possess eukaryotic-signature proteins, thus suggesting that they may represent evolutionary steps along the way to the genesis of the first eukaryotic cells. Cultivating members of Aigarchaeota would elucidate how eukaryotes arose in evolutionary history and provide biotechnological applications. Aigarchaeota Group 4 (AigG4), one genus in Aigarchaeota, was previously found to be abundant in corn …

Developing A Low Cost Biological Additive Manufacturing System For Fabricating Gel Embedded Cellular Constructs., Justin Stewart Minck

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Organ transplantation has made great progress since the first successful kidney transplant in 1953 and now more than one million tissue transplants are performed in the United States every year (www.organdonor.gov/statistics-stories, 2015). However, the hope and success of organ transplants are often overshadowed by their reputation as being notoriously difficult to procure because of donor-recipient matching and availability. In addition, those that are fortunate enough to receive a transplant are burdened with a lifetime of immunosuppressants. The field of regenerative medicine is currently making exceptional progress toward making it possible for a patient to be their own donor. Cells from …

Warm Stratification Increases Germination Of Dendromecon Rigida And Ehrendorferia Chrysantha, Cesar Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

We explored the seasonal factors that might play a role in triggering germination of Dendromecon rigidaand Ehrendorferia chrysantha.D. rigida and E. chrysantha have been found difficult to germinate using common greenhouse techniques, Keeley and Fotheringham successfully germinated both species after storing their seeds in the field over a year and treating them with smoke. Identifying the specific seasonally changing factors that stimulated germination could have implications for understanding germination requirements for these and other hard-to-germinate chaparral species.

Dendromecon rigidaand Ehrendorferia chrysanthaare part of the Papaveraceae family and both are found in the chaparral environment in …

Food Insecurity Among South Asian Immigrant Communities In The Inland Empire Of Southern California, Farhan Danish

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Food insecurity amongst South Asian Americans is a major public health issue. The South Asian American (SAA) community is the third largest Asian community in the United States. Despite this fact, very few specific studies have been conducted to investigate the food needs and barriers that exist within the SAA community so as to successfully help them improve dietary habits.

Methods: This study utilized a mixed methods convergent parallel design, where both qualitative and quantitative methods were conducted and analyzed separately and compared and contrasted at the end.

Results: The results of this study demonstrate that ethnic grocery stores …

Effects Of Life-Long Wheel Running Behavior On Plantar Flexor Contractile Properties, Alexander Nicholas Beechko

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Aging in skeletal muscle is characterized by a loss in muscular performance. This is in part related to the direct loss of muscle mass due to senescence, known as sarcopenia. With age, skeletal muscles lose force production, contractile speed, and power production. The force velocity relationship of muscle is a product of force production and contraction speed, both of which decline with age; however, the mechanisms and trajectory of this decline are not well understood. Exercise has positive effects on muscle, and thus may assist in maintaining performance in old age. However, few long-term studies have been performed to examine …

Health Disparities Among South Asians: Is Food Insecurity The Missing Link?, Valentina Chawdhury

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Objective: Food insecurity among South Asians in the US is a public health issue. Food insecure adults face a plethora of adverse outcomes and research shows that individuals with ancestral origins from South Asia have a higher susceptibility rate for cardiovascular disease after migrating to urban environments. As such, the goal of this study was to research possible barriers South Asians face when creating cultural dishes in the US.

Methods: This was a convergent parallel mixed-methods analysis to understand how South Asians feel about food insecurity. Pricing and availability of cultural food items were obtained from South Asian and Western …