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Comparison Of Soil Chemistry And Microbial Communities That Inhabit The Rhizosphere Of Native And Non-Native Grasses Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Jacqueline Valencia

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Non-native grasses can modify the soils they invade. This study investigated microbial variation among native and non-native grasses in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. We hypothesized that rhizospheres of non-native grasses would support a higher density of microorganisms; therefore microbial communities of invasive plants would exploit more carbon sources than those of native plants. A second hypothesis stated that Streptomyces bacteria from the rhizosphere of non-native grasses would be better competitors. Samples of grasses, and soil from their respective rhizospheres were obtained in Arroyo City, TX. Results indicated a higher bacterial colony density, total activity and number of substrates utilized …

Biocompatibility Of Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers (Epns) With Nih 3t3 Cell Line And Interaction Of Quercetin With Different Flavonoids: Induction Of Phase Ii Enzymes In Vitro Cancer Cell Lines, Brenda S. Benavides

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Part I: In this study Electrospun nanofibers, Elasthane™ 55D, Elasthane™ 75D, Biospan®, Hydrothane™ and Lycra® were evaluated for their biocompatibility to be artificial tissue substitutes using NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. A colorimetric based MTT dye reduction assay demonstrated that EPNs did not stop cell growth in vitro. Additionally, fluorescence confocal microscope images verified that cell adhesion occurred in the nanofibers, and cell growth on the EPNs over two weeks period was confirmed by DNA quantification.

Part II: This section of the thesis is focused on evaluation of chemopreventive properties of various phytochemicals by induction of Phase II enzymes. The interaction of …