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Characterization Of A Novel Interactor/Substrate For The Pro-Apoptotic Serine Protease Omi/Htra2, Valerie Anne Stratico Jan 2004

Characterization Of A Novel Interactor/Substrate For The Pro-Apoptotic Serine Protease Omi/Htra2, Valerie Anne Stratico

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

OmiHtrA2 is a highly conserved mammalian serine protease that belongs to the HtrA family of proteins. Omi shares homology with the bacterially expressed heat shock protease HtrA, which functions as a protease at higher temperatures and a chaperone at lower temperatures. Additionally, Omi shares sequence similarity with the mammalian homologs L56/HtrA1 and PRSP/HtrA3. Omi was first isolated as an interacting protein of Mxi2, an alternatively spliced form of the p38 stress-activated kinase, using a modified yeast two-hybrid system. Omi localizes in the mitochondria and in response to apoptotic stimuli the mature form of this protein translocates to the cytoplasm. In …


Molecular Typing Of Mycobacterial Isolates Cultured From The Tissue Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease) Patients, Leanne M. Adams Jan 2004

Molecular Typing Of Mycobacterial Isolates Cultured From The Tissue Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease) Patients, Leanne M. Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The role of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) in the etiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including Crohn's Disease (CD), has been investigated. The fastidious characteristics and cross reactivity of MAP with other members in Mycobacteria have produced significant challenges in their detection and identification. In this two year pilot study, an array of three PCR molecular assays based on the detection of sequences from the16S rRNA, IS1245, and IS900 genes, belonging to members of the MAC, have been developed and optimized into a common protocol to be used as a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool regarding M. …


Leaf Area Index - Relative Density Relationships In Even-Aged Abies Balsamea - Picea Rubens Stands In Maine, Robert Justin Derose Jan 2004

Leaf Area Index - Relative Density Relationships In Even-Aged Abies Balsamea - Picea Rubens Stands In Maine, Robert Justin Derose

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Relationships between leaf area index (LAI) and relative density (RD) were examined in even-aged stands of Abies balsunzen (L.) Mill. and Piceu rubens Sarg. Twelve sites distributed across the Acadian forest in Maine were used to test conformance to three hypothesized models of LA1 over RD: A) constantly increasing LA1 over increasing RD, B) constant LA1 with increasing RD, or C) decreasing LA1 with increasing RD. Multivariate ordination suggested young, precommercially thinned (PCT), high-siteindex (SI) A. balsamea stands should be analyzed separate from older, unspaced (NOPCT), lower-site P. rubens stands. All-sided A. balsamea LAIs ranged from 6.2 - 14.8 over …


Population Genetics Analysis Of The Grass Shrimp Palaemonetes Pugio Using Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism, Melody A. Flowers Jan 2004

Population Genetics Analysis Of The Grass Shrimp Palaemonetes Pugio Using Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism, Melody A. Flowers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about the genetic structure of grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio, populations or the effects the parasite Microphallus turgidus has on it. The objective of this study was to determine the amount of genetic diversity of the shrimp populations based on locality and parasite load. In order to examine the genetics of P. pugio, shrimp DNA was extracted and scanned using single stand conformation polymorphism. Results revealed P. pugio populations are highly conserved among localities. This suggests a significant amount of gene flow is taking place. Results also indicate there is no correlation between the most common host haplotype …


The Prevalence Of The Q-Fever Agent Coxiella Burnetii In Ticks Collected From An Animal Shelter In Southeast Georgia, John H. Smoyer Iii Jan 2004

The Prevalence Of The Q-Fever Agent Coxiella Burnetii In Ticks Collected From An Animal Shelter In Southeast Georgia, John H. Smoyer Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author's abstract: Q-fever is a zoonosis caused by a worldwide-distributed bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Ticks are vectors of the Q-fever agent but play a secondary role in transmission because the agent is also transmitted via aerosols. Most Q-fever studies have focused on farm animals but not ticks collected from dogs in animal shelters. In order to detect the Q-fever agent in these ticks, a nested PCR technique targeting the 16S rDNA of Coxiella burnetii was used. A collection of 450 ticks from the animal shelter were screened via nested PCR and 144 (32%) were positives. The positive PCR products were also …


Influence Of Diets Formulated To Increase The Supply Of Ketones Or Ketone Precursors On The Carbohydrate Status And Performance Of Transition Dairy Cows, Jeffrey Michael Defrain Jan 2004

Influence Of Diets Formulated To Increase The Supply Of Ketones Or Ketone Precursors On The Carbohydrate Status And Performance Of Transition Dairy Cows, Jeffrey Michael Defrain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research to date has focused on increasing the supply of glucose precursors in transition dairy cows to reduce ketosis. Ketones and ketone bodies represent energy sources for body tissues; therefore, conserving blood glucose for lactose synthesis in the mammary gland. This led to the hypothesis that transition cows might benefit from diets formulated to stimulate rumen epithelial ketogenesis or dietary ingredients supplying ketone precursors. A series of experiments were conducted to study the impact of diets formulated to increase the supply of ketones (via feeding lactose, glycerol, or an alphaamylase enzyme preparation) or ketone precursors (feeding Ca soaps of longchain …