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Impact Of Cadmium Stress On Soil Virus Reproduction And The Persistence Of Viruses Under Abiotic Conditions, Zhibo Cheng

Doctoral Dissertations

Soil viruses are ubiquitous and greatly impact the structure and function of soil microbial communities, with their effects modulated by various environmental factors. This study investigates the inactivation of naturally occurring soil viruses in sterilized soil, as well as the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) nutrient availability on the population dynamics of virus-host communities in agricultural soil.

Lab-scale slurry and unsaturated experiments were performed to examine virus inactivation in the absence of host bacteria in sterilized soil. In slurry experiments, virus abundance declined by over 90% after 10 days of incubation. The addition of …

Detection And Observed Correlations Of Statin And Beta-Blocking Pharmaceuticals In West Virginia Surface Waters And Ichthyofauna, Joseph W. Kingsbury

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Within this thesis the source, presence, and the estimated ecotoxicological effects of cardiovascular medicines, specifically statins and beta-blockers are described within the Buckhannon, Tygart Valley, and West Fork Rivers of West Virginia. Included within this thesis is a general introduction providing key background information and relevant research related to the source, presence, and known toxicity of statins and beta-blockers. Following the general introduction there are 3 distinct chapters. Chapter 1 focuses on the estimated demographic based source loadings and the surface water concentration characteristics of statins and beta-blockers within the three rivers. Chapter 2 investigates the effects of statins and …

Aluminum Reproductive Toxicity: A Summary And Interpretation Of Scientific Reports, Robert A. Yokel

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Publications addressing aluminum (Al)-induced reproductive toxicity were reviewed. Key details were compiled in summary tables. Approximate systemic Al exposure, a measure of bioavailability, was calculated for each exposure, based on the Al percentage in the dosed Al species, Al bioavailability, and absorption time course reports for the exposure route. This was limited to laboratory animal studies because no controlled-exposure human studies were found. Intended Al exposure was compared to unintended dietary Al exposure. The considerable and variable Al content of laboratory animal diets creates uncertainty about reproductive function in the absence of Al. Aluminum-induced reproductive toxicity in female mice and …

Sensitivity Of Quagga Mussels (Dreissena Rostriformis Bugensis) To Cyanobacteria At Multiple Life History Stages, Anna Boegehold

Wayne State University Dissertations

Quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) originate from brackish waters of the Ponto-Caspian area and are nuisance invasive species in North American and European freshwaters. Their invasion has caused major economic and ecological damages in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Through selective filter feeding, quagga mussels have promoted the growth of cyanobacteria. Harmful cyanobacteria blooms have the potential to produce toxins, which can be toxic to humans and wildlife. Although quagga mussels can increase the prevalence of cyanobacteria blooms, it is unknown how they are physiologically affected by cyanobacteria and understanding these dynamics can be useful in the management of this invasive …

Multigeneration Effects Of Chronic Exposure To Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis), Andrea Yammine

LSU Master's Theses

The goal of this study was to examine potential adaptation within two generations of Gulf killifish exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) while also investigating the use of mucus as an effective and non-lethal alternative to determine concentrations of 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and vitellogenin (VTG) of F. grandis. Multiple biomarkers were used to assess adaptation within these fish, such as lysozyme (enzyme critical in innate immunity), and 11-ketotestosterone and vitellogenin (endocrine hormones often affected by PAHs).

Mucal concentrations of 11-KT and VTG were determined and evaluated for effectiveness through comparative assays with blood plasma. This method was then applied to …

Consequences Of Developmental Lead (Pb2+) Exposure On Reproductive Strategies In Drosophila, Elizabeth Kathleen Peterson

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Anthropogenic lead (Pb) pollution is ubiquitous in the environment and a risk factor for both human and wildlife health. Pb exposure has the potential to alter reproductive strategies with respect to mate choice and reproductive output. This could be especially deleterious if these changes disrupt adaptive behavioral and reproductive life history strategies. Therefore, the overall aim of this body of work was to examine the consequences of developmental Pb exposure on reproductive strategies, using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. In all experiments, D. melanogaster were reared from egg stage to adulthood in either control or leaded medium and were …

Female Reproductive Impacts Of Dietary Methylmercury In Yellow Perch (Perca Flavescens) And Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Abigail Rachael Debofsky

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to evaluate the effects of dietary MeHg exposure on female teleost reproduction and phenotypically-anchor gene dysregulation in adult yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) in order to establish relevant biomarkers relating exposure and subsequent reproductive effects. Yellow perch were used in the study for their socioeconomic importance within the Great Lakes basin, and their significance to the food web. Utilization of zebrafish allowed for a detailed analysis of the molecular effects of MeHg and established its relevance as a model for other fish species. MeHg exposures at environmentally relevant levels were done in zebrafish for …

Does Bisphenol A Induce Superfeminization In Marisa Cornuarietis? Part I: Intra- And Inter-Laboratory Variability In Test Endpoints, Valery E. Forbes, Henriette Selck, Annemette Palmqvist, John Aufderheide, Ryan Warbritton, Nadine Pounds, Roy Thompson, Norbert Caspers

Valery E Forbes

It has been claimed that bisphenol A (BPA) induces superfeminization in the freshwater gastropod, Marisa cornuarietis. To explore the reproducibility of prior work, here we present results from a three-laboratory study, the objectives of which were to determine the mean and variability in test endpoints (i.e., adult fecundity, egg hatchability, and juvenile growth) under baseline conditions and to identify the sources of variability. A major source of variability for all of the measured endpoints was due to differences within and among individuals. With few exceptions, variability among laboratories and among replicate tanks within laboratories contributed little to the observed variability …

Does Bisphenol A Induce Superfeminization In Marisa Cornuarietis? Part Ii: Toxicity Test Results And Requirements For Statistical Power Analyses, Valery E. Forbes, John Aufderheide, Ryan Warbritton, Nelly Van Der Hoeven, Norbert Caspers

Valery E Forbes

This study presents results of the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on adult egg production, egg hatchability, egg development rates and juvenile growth rates in the freshwater gastropod, Marisa cornuarietis. We observed no adult mortality, substantial inter-snail variability in reproductive output, and no effects of BPA on reproduction during 12 weeks of exposure to 0, 0.1, 1.0, 16, 160 or 640 μg/L BPA. We observed no effects of BPA on egg hatchability or timing of egg hatching. Juveniles showed good growth in the control and all treatments, and there were no significant effects of BPA on this endpoint. Our results …

Effects Of Husbandry Parameters On The Life-History Traits Of The Apple Snail, Marisa Cornuarietis: Effects Of Temperature, Photoperiod, And Population Density, John Aufderheide, Ryan Warbritton, Nadine Pounds, Sharon File-Emperador, Charles Staples, Norbert Caspers, Valery E. Forbes

Valery E Forbes

These experiments are part of a larger study designed to investigate the influence of husbandry parameters on the life history of the apple snail, Marisa cornuarietis. The overall objective of the program is to identify suitable husbandry conditions for maintaining multigeneration populations of this species in the laboratory for use in ecotoxicological testing. In this article, we focus on the effects of photoperiod, temperature, and population density on adult fecundity and juvenile growth. Increasing photoperiod from 12 to 16 h of light per day had no effect on adult fecundity or egg hatching and relatively minor effects on juvenile growth …

Does Bisphenol A Induce Superfeminization In Marisa Cornuarietis? Part I: Intra- And Inter-Laboratory Variability In Test Endpoints, Valery E. Forbes, Henriette Selck, Annemette Palmqvist, John Aufderheide, Ryan Warbritton, Nadine Pounds, Roy Thompson, Norbert Caspers

Valery Forbes Publications

It has been claimed that bisphenol A (BPA) induces superfeminization in the freshwater gastropod, Marisa cornuarietis. To explore the reproducibility of prior work, here we present results from a three-laboratory study, the objectives of which were to determine the mean and variability in test endpoints (i.e., adult fecundity, egg hatchability, and juvenile growth) under baseline conditions and to identify the sources of variability. A major source of variability for all of the measured endpoints was due to differences within and among individuals. With few exceptions, variability among laboratories and among replicate tanks within laboratories contributed little to the observed variability …

Does Bisphenol A Induce Superfeminization In Marisa Cornuarietis? Part Ii: Toxicity Test Results And Requirements For Statistical Power Analyses, Valery E. Forbes, John Aufderheide, Ryan Warbritton, Nelly Van Der Hoeven, Norbert Caspers

Valery Forbes Publications

This study presents results of the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on adult egg production, egg hatchability, egg development rates and juvenile growth rates in the freshwater gastropod, Marisa cornuarietis. We observed no adult mortality, substantial inter-snail variability in reproductive output, and no effects of BPA on reproduction during 12 weeks of exposure to 0, 0.1, 1.0, 16, 160 or 640 μg/L BPA. We observed no effects of BPA on egg hatchability or timing of egg hatching. Juveniles showed good growth in the control and all treatments, and there were no significant effects of BPA on this endpoint. Our …

Effects Of Husbandry Parameters On The Life-History Traits Of The Apple Snail, Marisa Cornuarietis: Effects Of Temperature, Photoperiod, And Population Density, John Aufderheide, Ryan Warbritton, Nadine Pounds, Sharon File-Emperador, Charles Staples, Norbert Caspers, Valery E. Forbes

Valery Forbes Publications

These experiments are part of a larger study designed to investigate the influence of husbandry parameters on the life history of the apple snail, Marisa cornuarietis. The overall objective of the program is to identify suitable husbandry conditions for maintaining multigeneration populations of this species in the laboratory for use in ecotoxicological testing. In this article, we focus on the effects of photoperiod, temperature, and population density on adult fecundity and juvenile growth. Increasing photoperiod from 12 to 16 h of light per day had no effect on adult fecundity or egg hatching and relatively minor effects on juvenile growth …