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A High-Content Multiplexed Screening Platform For The Evaluation And Manipulation Of Force And Fatigue Of Adult Derived Skeletal Muscle Myotubes In Defined Serum-Free Medium, Christopher Mcaleer
A High-Content Multiplexed Screening Platform For The Evaluation And Manipulation Of Force And Fatigue Of Adult Derived Skeletal Muscle Myotubes In Defined Serum-Free Medium, Christopher Mcaleer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The overall focus of this project has two parts: First, was to develop a protocol utilizing serum-free media formulations and defined plating and culture techniques to create functional in vitro myotubes derived from adult skeletal muscle satellite cells. The second was to manipulate the inherent muscle parameters such as force output and fatigue of these myotubes by employing exercise regimes or by small molecule application. The importance of serum-free medium use for in vitro cultures is becoming increasingly important in creating functional systems that can be validated for drug testing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also, the study …
Identifying Inundation-Driven Effects Among Intertidal Crassostrea Virginica In A Commercially Important Gulf Of Mexico Estuary, Joshua Solomon
Identifying Inundation-Driven Effects Among Intertidal Crassostrea Virginica In A Commercially Important Gulf Of Mexico Estuary, Joshua Solomon
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Sea level rise and changing storm frequency and intensity resulting from climate change create tremendous amounts of uncertainty for coastal species. Intertidal species may be especially affected since they are dependent on daily inundation and exposure. The eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica is an economically and biologically important sessile intertidal species ranging from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. Declines and changes in distribution of oyster populations has forced commercial harvesting to spread from subtidal to intertidal reefs. We investigated the potential responses of intertidal C. virginica to sea level rise, and the response of larval settlement to sedimentation which is …
Acute Pro-Inflammatory Immune Response Following Different Resistance Exercise Protocols In Trained Men, Adam Wells
Acute Pro-Inflammatory Immune Response Following Different Resistance Exercise Protocols In Trained Men, Adam Wells
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The successful regeneration of muscle tissue is dependent upon the infiltration of phagocytic CD14++CD16- monocytes that support the proliferation and differentiation of myogenic precursor cells. Physiologically, the magnitude of the cellular response following resistance exercise is dictated by the level of receptor expression on the plasma membrane of the monocyte, as well as the secretion of their cognate ligands from tissue resident cells. However, it remains unclear whether the innate pro-inflammatory immune response varies with different resistance training protocols, and how it may impact recovery and the muscle remodeling process. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to examine temporal …
Testing For Isolation In Florida Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) Using Phylogenetics And Population Genetic Structure, Alexa Trujillo
Testing For Isolation In Florida Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) Using Phylogenetics And Population Genetic Structure, Alexa Trujillo
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Molecular data are useful in determining if populations are isolated and for species delimitation. Researchers and managers currently recognize five subspecies of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Florida, based largely on perceived geographic isolation due to the island ranges of four subspecies. In this study, I provide the first estimate of phylogenetic relationships and population divergences within Florida raccoons using a molecular dataset. I analyze the mitochondrial control region, cytochrome b gene, and eight nuclear microsatellite loci to test two hypotheses: 1) the five, morphologically and geographically-defined subspecies of raccoon in Florida represent genetically distinct populations and (2) due to differing …
Synthesis And Characterization Of Core-Shell Zinc Silica Nanoparticles And Zinc Silica Nanogels For Agricultural Applications., Megan Berroth
Synthesis And Characterization Of Core-Shell Zinc Silica Nanoparticles And Zinc Silica Nanogels For Agricultural Applications., Megan Berroth
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Plant pathogens are a serious problem facing the agricultural industry today. Current methodologies use copper based biocides as the main form of defense. Unfortunately this can lead to damaging environmental effects and increased rates of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, antimicrobial activity of multiple alternative zinc-based nanoformulations were tested against three important plant pathogens: Xanthomonas alfalfae, Pseudomonas syringae, and Clavobacter michiganensis. Xanthomonas sub species cause Citrus canker, a devastating disease that affects millions of citrus trees worldwide while the latter two affect tomato crops. Materials synthesis was completed and the resulting nanoformulations were characterized by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron …
Membrane Topology Of A Broad-Spectrum Resistance Factor Responsible For Lipid Modification In Enterococcus Faecium., Jesse Harrison
Membrane Topology Of A Broad-Spectrum Resistance Factor Responsible For Lipid Modification In Enterococcus Faecium., Jesse Harrison
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Aminoacylphosphatidylglycerol synthases (aaPGSs) are integral membrane proteins that use aminoacyl-tRNAs as substrates to catalyze the addition of amino acids to phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in the cytoplasmic membranes of bacteria. Addition of amino acids to PG decreases the net negative charge of the membrane, conferring resistance to various classes of antibacterial agents (i.e., cationic antimicrobial peptides, beta-lactams, glycopeptides, and lipopeptides) and protecting the cell against osmotic stress and acidic conditions. aaPGS homologs are found in a variety of clinically relevant microorganisms, including Enterococcus faecium, which is increasingly found to be the etiologic agent of antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections. Although the broad distribution of …
Development Of Human And Rodent Based In Vitro Systems Toward Better Translation Of Bench To Bedside In Vivo Results, Bonnie Berry
Development Of Human And Rodent Based In Vitro Systems Toward Better Translation Of Bench To Bedside In Vivo Results, Bonnie Berry
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Prospective medicinal compounds progress through multiple testing phases before becoming licensed drugs. Testing of novel compounds includes a preclinical phase where the potential therapeutic is tested in vitro and/or in animal models in vivo to predict its potential efficacy and/or toxicity in humans. The failure of preclinical models to accurately predict human drug responses can lead to potentially dangerous compounds being administered to humans, or potentially beneficial compounds being kept in development abeyance. Moreover, inappropriate choice in model organism for studying disease states may result in pushing forward inappropriate drug targets and/or compounds and wasting valuable time and resources in …
Functional Identification Of Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (Nts) Barosensitive Neurons: Effect Of Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (Cih), Jenya Kolpakova
Functional Identification Of Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (Nts) Barosensitive Neurons: Effect Of Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (Cih), Jenya Kolpakova
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia (CIH) is a model used to study obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Previously, we showed that baroreflex control of heart rate (HR) (baroreflex sensitivity) is reduced in CIH rats. While afferent function and HR in response to vagal efferent stimulation are enhanced, the effect of CIH on the central components, in particular NTS, is still not completely understood. F344 rats (3-4 mo) were exposed either to CIH or room air (RA) for 35-50 days. Following CIH exposure, rats were anaesthetized with Ket/Ace. Using single-unit extracellular recording technique, we recorded NTS barosensitive neurons in response to arterial pressure (AP) …
Genetic Structure And Demographic Analysis Of Key Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus Clavium), Vicki Villanova
Genetic Structure And Demographic Analysis Of Key Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus Clavium), Vicki Villanova
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Recent improvements in genetic analyses have paved the way in using molecular data to answer questions regarding evolutionary history, genetic structure, and demography. Key deer are a federally endangered subspecies assumed to be genetically unique (based on one allozyme study), homogeneous, and have a female-biased population of approximately 900 deer. I used 985bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and 12 microsatellite loci to test two hypotheses: 1) if the Moser Channel is a barrier to gene flow, I should expect that Key deer are differentiated and have reduced diversity compared to mainland deer and (2) if isolation on islands …
Differential Expression Of Proteins Involved In Vldl Trafficking Causes Reduced Vldl Secretion In Male Ames Dwarf Mice, Faisal Ahmed Moinuddin
Differential Expression Of Proteins Involved In Vldl Trafficking Causes Reduced Vldl Secretion In Male Ames Dwarf Mice, Faisal Ahmed Moinuddin
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been recorded as the number one cause of death worldwide, accounting for 32% of total deaths annually. More than two-thirds of all CVD cases are associated with atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fats and other substances causing plaque formation in the interior walls of major arteries. This leads to narrowing of the lumen and hardening of the arteries, ultimately resulting in angina, heart attack and/or stroke. Studies have shown that the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and associated CVDs is strongly linked to elevated secretion of liver-specific lipoproteins called very-low-density-lipoprotein (VLDL). VLDLs are crucial lipoproteins responsible for …
Evaluation Of Intestinal Microbial Diversity And A New Antibiotic Regimen In Crohn's Disease Patients, Karel Alcedo
Evaluation Of Intestinal Microbial Diversity And A New Antibiotic Regimen In Crohn's Disease Patients, Karel Alcedo
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory bowel disease involving Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Other microorganisms such as adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) have also been proposed in CD association. To date, only one study investigated both MAP and AIEC simultaneously using peripheral blood but not in affected intestinal tissues. A standardized and effective antibiotic therapy against MAP and/or AIEC is needed for better treatment. Three antibiotic drugs – Clarithromycin (CLA), Rifabutin (RIF), and Clofazimine (CLO) have been used to treat CD patients suspected with MAP infection. However, the outcome has been controversial. The treatment dosage is high, the …
Recursive Behavior Recording: Complex Motor Stereotypies And Anatomical Behavior Descriptions, Nathaniel Bobbitt
Recursive Behavior Recording: Complex Motor Stereotypies And Anatomical Behavior Descriptions, Nathaniel Bobbitt
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
A novel anatomical behavioral descriptive taxonomy improves motion capture in complex motor stereotypies (CMS) by indexing precise time data without degradation in the complexity of whole body movement in CMS. The absence of etiological explanation of complex motor stereotypies warrants the aggregation of a core CMS dataset to compare regulation of repetitive behaviors in the time domain. A set of visual formalisms trap configurations of behavioral markers (lateralized movements) for behavioral phenotype discovery as paired transitions (from, to) and asymmetries within repetitive restrictive behaviors. This translational project integrates NIH MeSH (medical subject headings) taxonomy with direct biological interface (wearable sensors …
Does The Journey Matter More Than The Destination? The Contribution Of Geospatial And Local Conditions To Invasive Pomacea Maculata Distribution Across Ranchland Wetlands, Steffan Pierre
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Geospatial characteristics such as isolation and avenues of connectivity influence an invader's pattern of dispersal and distribution. However many examinations of invasion success ignore the contribution of dispersal to patterns of invasion and focus only on the local environmental/habitat factors. This study examines the interaction of geospatial characteristics, that may influence dispersal, and local environmental factors, that may govern successful occupation, on the likelihood of invasion (invasability) of wetlands within an agriculturally modified landscape. I examined the current invasion of seasonal wetlands in south-central Florida ranchland by non-native apple snails (Pomacea maculata (Ampullariidae)) as a model system for understanding this …
A Binary Approach For Selective Recognition Of Nucleic Acids And Proteins, Evan Cornett
A Binary Approach For Selective Recognition Of Nucleic Acids And Proteins, Evan Cornett
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The design of probes for the selective recognition of biopolymers (nucleic acids and proteins) is a fundamental task for studying, diagnosing, and treating diseases. Traditional methods utilize a single component (small molecule or oligonucleotide) that binds directly to the target biopolymer. However, many biopolymers are unable to be targeted with this approach. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to explore a new, binary approach for designing probes. The binary approach requires two components that cooperatively bind to the target, triggering a recognition event. The requisite binding of two-components allows the probes to have excellent selectivity and modularity. The binary …
Genetically-Programmed Suicide Of Adrenergic Cells In The Mouse Leads To Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Impaired Weight Gain, And Symptoms Of Neurological Dysfunction, Aaron Owji
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (Pnmt) catalyzes the conversion of noradrenaline to adrenaline and is the last enzyme in the catecholamine biosynthetic pathway. Pnmt serves as a marker for adrenergic cells, and lineage-tracing experiments have identified the embryonic heart and hindbrain region as the first sites of Pnmt expression in the mouse. Pnmt expression in the heart occurs before the adrenal glands have formed and prior to sympathetic innervation, suggesting that the heart is the first site of catecholamine production in the mouse. The function of these Pnmt+ cells in heart development remains unclear. In the present study, we test the hypothesis that (i) …
Quantifying The Effects Of Boat Wakes On Intertidal Oyster Reefs In A Shallow Estuary, Donna Campbell
Quantifying The Effects Of Boat Wakes On Intertidal Oyster Reefs In A Shallow Estuary, Donna Campbell
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
There have long been concerns about the negative impacts of recreational boating activity in the Indian River Lagoon system (IRL), especially in Mosquito Lagoon (ML), the northernmost part of the IRL. My research is focused on the impacts of boat wakes on intertidal reefs formed by the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. There has been a 24% loss of oyster habitat in ML since 1943, where natural oyster reefs have been replaced by dead oyster reefs which do not serve the same ecological function. While there is anecdotal and correlative evidence that this loss is a result of boat wakes, no …
Fmf Assay For Assessing Vaccine Generated Antibodies In A Biomimetic Manner, Vipra Dhir
Fmf Assay For Assessing Vaccine Generated Antibodies In A Biomimetic Manner, Vipra Dhir
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Traditional functional assays such as hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and micro-neutralization (MN) assays have been routinely used for assessing the vaccine response, since influenza vaccine has been administered in people (1940). Such assays are not always predictive regarding the protection conferred by the influenza vaccine and are not able to monitor neutralization related to stem region of influenza hemagglutinin responsible for virus membrane fusion in the endosomes. In order to study Influenza vaccine response in a more biomimetic manner and overcome the deficiencies of the traditional functional assays, we developed a fluorescent membrane fusion assay (fMF). The assay uses viruses labeled …
Intramuscular Anabolic Signaling And Endocrine Response Following Different Resistance Exercise Protocols In Trained Men, Adam Gonzalez
Intramuscular Anabolic Signaling And Endocrine Response Following Different Resistance Exercise Protocols In Trained Men, Adam Gonzalez
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway appears to be the primary regulator of protein synthesis and growth. While resistance exercise paradigms are often divided into hypertrophy (HYP) and strength (STR) protocols, it is unknown whether these protocols differentially stimulate mTORC1 signaling. The purpose of this study was to examine mTORC1 signaling in conjunction with circulating hormone concentrations following a typical lower-body HYP and STR resistance exercise protocol. Ten resistance-trained men (24.7±3.4y; 90.1±11.3kg; 176.0±4.9cm) performed each resistance exercise protocol in a random, counterbalanced order. Blood samples were obtained at baseline (BL), immediately (IP), 30 minutes (30P), 1 …
A Socio-Economic Assessment Of Marine Turtle Eco-Tourism, Kendra Cope
A Socio-Economic Assessment Of Marine Turtle Eco-Tourism, Kendra Cope
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Marine turtles have historically contributed to economic activity through consumptive harvest for food, tools, and decorative objects. Only recently have they begun to benefit humans economically through non-consumptive roles, primarily as a focal point of educational eco-tourism. In recent years, the annual number of turtle walks conducted around the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) has risen. This expansion contributed to a statistically significant increase in attendance from 2,162 in 2001 to 3,047 participants in 2014. I examined the regional economic impacts of marine turtle eco-tourism around the ACNWR using social surveys and an economic impact analysis tool. IMPLAN, an …
Synthesis And Characterization Of Antimicrobial Non-Color Forming Silica-Silver Nanocomposite, Joshua Bazata
Synthesis And Characterization Of Antimicrobial Non-Color Forming Silica-Silver Nanocomposite, Joshua Bazata
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Silver has been utilized for its antimicrobial properties for thousands of years in a variety of fields, extending the shelf life of food and water, rendering eating utensils sanitary, and more recently in biomedical applications such as silver based antiseptic creams. While effective as an antimicrobial agent at very low concentrations (µg/mL), silver imparts a strong color to objects it is incorporated into, due to its high plasmonic efficiency. The goal of this study was to determine if incorporating silver nanoparticles into a silica matrix could reduce or eliminate the plasmonic signal, while retaining the antimicrobial effects of the silver …
Modeling And Analysis Of A Three-Species Food Web With Facilitated And Intraguild Predation, Joshua Castro
Modeling And Analysis Of A Three-Species Food Web With Facilitated And Intraguild Predation, Joshua Castro
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Biotic interactions are known to shape natural community assemblages and biodiversity. Positive interactions such as facilitation have recently received attention in ecological food webs. Mechanistic models have improved our understanding of these complex food web interactions. Here, focus is given to a three-species food web system with a beach dune natural community in mind. In the last decade, there has been a series of studies investigating intraguild predation between two major loggerhead sea turtle nest predators, North American raccoons and Atlantic ghost crabs. Studies have also highlighted that ghost crab predation assists raccoons in finding nests (i.e., facilitated predation). However, …
The Effect Of Landscape Variables On Adult Mosquito (Diptera:Culicidae)Diversity And Behavior, Caitlyn Debevec
The Effect Of Landscape Variables On Adult Mosquito (Diptera:Culicidae)Diversity And Behavior, Caitlyn Debevec
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Diseases vectored by mosquitoes cause millions of deaths each year. In modern times Florida*s disease risk has been reduced due to efforts to lessen the prevalence of mosquitoes through habitat modification of non-adults. With emerging diseases (i.e. Dengue and Chikunguya) encroaching into Florida from the Caribbean, this traditional approach may not be enough. Alternatively, we can better understand the ecology of how disease works in an ecosystem. One possible way is through the Dilution Effect, which states that the more species that are in a system the lower the chance for zoonosis. This project models mosquito diversity across regions, land …
The Effect Of Training Volume And Intensity On Improvements In Muscular Strength And Size In Resistance-Trained Men, Gerald Mangine
The Effect Of Training Volume And Intensity On Improvements In Muscular Strength And Size In Resistance-Trained Men, Gerald Mangine
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The magnitude of improvements in muscular strength and size are influenced by the volume and intensity of a resistance training program. While it is clearly advantageous for resistance-trained individuals to utilize programming specific to these goals, it not clear which is more important. Therefore the purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effect of focusing on training volume versus intensity on changes in muscle size and strength. Changes in muscular strength and size were examined in 29 resistance-trained men following 8 weeks of resistance training. Participants were randomly assigned to either a high volume (VOL, n = 14, …