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A Phylogenetic Analysis Of Leptogorgia Virgulata And Leptogorgia Hebes In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Samantha Silvestri

Theses and Dissertations

The use of genetics in recent years has brought to light the need to reevaluate the classification of many gorgonian octocorals. In 2017, Poliseno et al. conducted a comprehensive, phylogenetic study of the genus Leptogorgia and found that it, too, was in need of taxonomic revision. To expand on their study, 25 samples representing two Leptogorgia species—L virgulata and L. hebes —from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) were examined. Ten novel, complete mitochondrial genomes were sequenced using Next Generation sequencing and 24 novel mtMutS sequences were obtained from both species. The phylogenies reconstructed from these sequences indicate the …

Co-Infection Of Zika And Dengue Virus In Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes, Felicia Vazquez

Theses and Dissertations

The term co-infection describes an event when multiple pathogens infect a single host. For vector-borne diseases, a vector may become co-infected by feeding either on a single host that has multiple pathogens or feeding multiple hosts, each of which may be infected. Co-infection in non-vector hosts has been shown to influence immune response and eventual outcome of disease, and is likely to have a similar impact on vector species. With multiple vector-borne diseases circulating in South Texas, the potential for co-infection exists. We examined when mosquitoes are infected with one virus and subsequently infected with another. We hypothesized that the …

Arabidopsis Thaliana Transformed With Streptanthus Farnsworthianus Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (Sfmtp1) Or The Native A. Thaliana Metal Tolerance Protein 1 ( Atmtp1) Cdna And The Effects On Sod Enzyme Activity Upon Nickel Treatment, Selina Urbina Fernandez

Theses and Dissertations

Superoxide Dismutase enzyme activity was analyzed in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, a non-accumulator weed plant species of the Brassicaceae family, that was transformed with Streptanthus farnsworthianus Metal Tolerance Protein1 (SfMTP1) or A. thaliana Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (AtMTP1 ). The transgenic A. thaliana was exposed to a 12 day treatment of 100 ?M Nickel Acetate in 1/10 X Hoaglands solution in hydroponics. Analysis of Super Oxide Dismutase activity determined that transgenic A. thaliana transformed with the AtMTP1 cDNA and treated with 100 µM Nickel showed a significant increase in Super Oxide Dismutase activity compared to A. thaliana …

Local Delivery Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Osteogenesis-Inducing Microrna For Bone Tissue Engineering Applications, Marco Antonio Arriaga

Theses and Dissertations

Bone is capable of regenerating autonomously when the injury is small (< 2.5 cm), however, large (> 2.5 cm) or insufficiently vascularized defects require intervention to repair. The overall goal of this project is to contribute towards the development of novel strategies to aid bone tissue regeneration by delivering mesenchymal stem cells expressing microRNAs that induce expression of the runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). It was determined that porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds fabricated to have a higher surface area to volume ratio (SVR) (> 80) compared to lower SVR (< 80) were hydrolyzed at a higher rate. Scaffolds fabricated with 80 vol. %/300–500 µm porogen were optimal for cell colonization as higher absorbance of metabolized MTT was detected compared to other scaffold types. From the subset of 5 miRNAs tested, miRNA-26a, miRNA-196 and miRNA-218 demonstrated higher upregulation of RUNX2 gene expression and calcium mineralization and thus, are promising candidates for bone tissue regeneration.

Effects Of Invasive Nilgai Antelope (Boselaphus Tragocamelus ) Browsing On Black Mangrove (Avicennia Germinans) In South Texas: A Study On Microenvironmental, Physiological, Structural, And Reproductive Parameters, Tianna Picquet

Theses and Dissertations

Mangroves are important for coastal systems because they provide habitat for fish and bird species, mitigate erosion, and create an area for carbon sequestration. Along the Gulf of Mexico, at the southern tip of Texas, recent observations have shown that A. germinans stands (the dominant species in Texas) are being browsed on by invasive nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus). The antelope were introduce to the south Texas region via King Ranch in the 1930’s and have since significantly increased in population and distribution. Previously thought to be grazers, B. tragocamelus were captured on camera utilizing A. germinans as a …

Midguts, Microbes, And Mosquitoes: An Analysis Of The Microbiomes Of Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus, Flor Alicia Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Experiment 1: Mosquito microbiomes are influenced by the environment and diets of mosquitoes. There is great variability within and among mosquito populations with few microbe inhabitants being well established among mosquitoes of similar species and environments. By understanding the potential variation in midgut microbiomes in lab and wild populations, we may assess the effect that microbiomes have on vector competency.

Experiment 2: Mosquito midgut microbes are essential for development and may influence the vector competency. Native and non-native strains of the midgut inhabitant, Cedecea, were introduced to laboratory colonies of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes to help elucidate …

Biogeography And Natural History Of Tiger Moths And Spongillaflies Of Intermountain North America With Experimental Studies Of Host Preference In The Lichen-Feeder Cisthene Angelus (Insecta: Lepdioptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae And Neuroptera: Sisyridae), Makani Layne Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

The Intermountain West is comprised of impressive land formations, numerous ecoregions, and a unique biota. The area has many flora and fauna that have been investigated, but the region is generally considered undersampled when it comes to insects. However, I propose the matter to be a lack of shared experience in identifying key insect species and the underutilization of professional and personal collections. These impediments are highlighted by two insect groups in the Intermountain West: spongillaflies and tiger moths. Spongillaflies can be difficult to recognize for the general entomologist and have rarely been recorded in the Intermountain West. My colleagues …

Environmental Conditions In San Martin Lake: Effects Of Eutrophication In An Estuary Associated With The Laguna Madre, Wendy L. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

San Martin Lake is a shallow water Estuary in the lower Laguna Madre off the Port of Brownsville Shipping channel. It is influenced both by incoming tides and waste water runoff both from local farms and the Brownsville water treatment plants. The resulting mixture of eutrophic water and incoming sea water creates the perfect mix for a potential algal bloom. This study looks at the nutrient levels and environmental conditions in the main basin of the estuary to establish baseline levels and to observe the rate of nutrient clearing being accomplished in this environment. As sport recreation in the area …

Effects Of Life History And Brain Size On Cognition And Behavior: Studies On Prey-Searching In The Spider Pholcus Phalangioides, Joseph Kilmer

Theses and Dissertations

There is tremendous diversity in body size across animals, including many examples of derived miniaturization. A reduction in body size is accompanied by a reduction in brain size, which is predicted to lead to limitations in cognition, but we have yet to find empirical evidence indicating what these limitations might be. I used a behavioral assay common in web spiders to explore this topic. I observed spiders as they searched for prey that they recently captured and lost. This assay has the advantage of being easily quantifiable while reflecting a spider’s evaluation and memory of lost prey. I conducted a …

Embryology And Wing Development In A Dragonfly (Tramea Onusta), Valeria M. Casas

Theses and Dissertations

Most phylogenetic research within the insect phylogeny is focused on higher order taxons. Therefore, to better understand insect wing and flight origin, genetic studies on more primitive insect orders is necessary. Odonata, the order including dragonflies, is one of the earliest insect taxa to develop wings. Hox genes are highly conserved regulatory genes involved in embryonic development of organisms. Hox gene expression studies in insects allow improved insight of body plan development including wings. Embryonic development of dragonfly, Tramea onusta, was analyzed at various developmental stages. Developmental genes Antennapedia, Distal-less, Ultrabithorax, abdominal-A, Abdominal-B, engrailed, Cadual, engrailed 2, Wingless, nubbin, …

Nannochloris Sp. And Oocystis Sp. Algae Exposed To Osmotic Stress For Increased Lipid Production For Use In Biofuels, Laura M. Chavez

Theses and Dissertations

Algal biofuel research is important due to the potential need for replacement of non-renewable fossil fuels and a changing global climate. Under stress, algal cells tend to increase neutral lipid production, which are a suitable source for biofuels. The goal of this study was to subject Nannochloris sp.. and Oocystis sp. algal cells to osmotic stress by modifying sucrose and salinity levels in different treatment medias.

The treatment containing the lowest salinity (15 ppt) and no sucrose yielded the highest lipid fluorescence/cell in Nannochloris sp.. cells (0.00142 ± 0.00044) on day 2 while the treatment containing highest salinity (35ppt) …

Questing Activity Of Cattle Fever Tick Larvae, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus (Acari: Ixodidae): Environmental Influences And Implications For Control In South Texas, Brenda Leal

Theses and Dissertations

Questing ticks ascend stems, leaves, or rocks, extend their front legs, and wait poised for attachment to a passing host. Ixodid ticks have four developmental stages. Because ticks detach and molt between stages most ticks require three separate hosts to complete their lifecycle. Three-host ticks quest for a new host between each stage, whereas a few specialist tick species remain on and thus require only a single host. These one-host ticks only quest for hosts as larvae. As much as 90% of the life cycle may consist of questing when hosts are scarce. Most of the literature on questing relates …

Differential Migration Of Cd4+ And Cd8+ T Cells During An Immune Response, Jacob Parrott

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

DIFFERENTIAL MIGRATION OF CD4+ AND CD8+ T CELLS DURING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE

by

Jacob Parrott

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2018

Under the Supervision of Professor Douglas Steeber

Lymphocyte migration is critical for recognizing pathogenic challenges in a timely manner and generating effective, rapid immune responses. Lymphocyte numbers in secondary lymphoid tissues such as lymph nodes are rapidly and dramatically increased during an immune response. Lymphocytes use specific adhesion molecules and intracellular signaling cascades to migrate and enter secondary lymphoid tissues under resting conditions. It is not clear if the same migration and/or entry pathways are utilized when secondary lymphoid …

Survey Assessment Of Community Knowledge And Prevention Of Chagas Disease And Its Vector In Hidalgo And Cameron Counties, Adam Dennis Wiejaczka

Theses and Dissertations

Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, kills thousands of people annually and is the dominant cause of infectious myocarditis worldwide. Kissing bugs are vectors that carry T. cruzi . and are found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV). There is no vaccination nor cure for Chagas. The best mechanism of prevention is to control vector infestations. Little research is available regarding the level of understanding local communities have about Chagas.

Our goal was to test the knowledge of several communities in the LRGV on Chagas disease. Our hypothesis states that local communities do not have sufficient …

Trichomonas Vaginalis Cytoadherence Is Modulated By Oxidative Stress, Magali Ayala

Theses and Dissertations

The adherence of Trichomonas vaginalis to the human urogenital tract is a prerequisite for the pathogenesis of the infection. This multifactorial process is modulated by environmental factors such as iron, estrogen, temperature and pH and specific receptor/ligand interactions. During natural infections, the anaerobe T. vaginalis is exposed to oxygen resulting in oxidative stress. This environmental change may alter trichomonad cytoadherence to the ectocervical tissue. Therefore, it was hypothesized that changes in the redox status of T. vaginalis may modulate cytoadherence levels. Results showed that oxidative stress reduces levels of trichomonad cytoadherence to HeLa cells by > 50% when exposed to 150 …

Investigating The Role Of Nuclear Foxo3 In Pten-Null Glioblastomas, Lilia Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

The PI3K pathway activates AKT, leading to inactivation of FOXO transcription factors. Loss of PTEN results in constitutive inactivation of tumor suppressor FOXO. There is increasing evidence that FOXO resides and promotes transcriptional activity in the nucleus despite high PI3K output within certain advanced cancers and embryonic stem cells. Here, we investigate the regulation and roles of FOXO transcription factors in glioblastoma and basal breast cancer. First, we built and published genetic models to investigate the roles of FOXO transcription factors in cancer cell lines for glioblastoma (U87MG). We examined the function of FOXO transcription factors using these genetic models …

Genetic Basis For Elevated Rheumatic Heart Disease Susceptibility In Samoa, John Bowen Allen

Theses and Dissertations

Rheumatic heart disease is an inflammatory heart disease that affects millions of people around the world. Especially high rates of the disease can be found in Oceania, including the island nation of Samoa. Genetic studies of immune response genes have provided insight into a possible genetic link to increased susceptibility to rheumatic heart disease, including the genes that code for the toll-like receptor (TLR) protein family. One of the functions of TLR proteins is to recognize the presence of bacteria via identification of bacterial flagella. My evaluation of a Samoan family identified a variant in the TLR-5 gene that would …

Morphology Of The Olfactory Apparatus In Leptocephalus Larvae, Molly Ann Wightman

Theses and Dissertations

Leptocephalus larvae are a unique larval form that unites the Elopomorph fishes. This larval form has morphological and cellular characteristics that differ from most other teleost fishes. The visual system of leptocephali rod-dominated retinas, leading to poor photopic vision and low visual acuity that would hinder feeding on planktonic prey. Recent studies indicate they feed marine snow, which is composed of mucilaginous materials, bacteria and plankton. Their low visual acuity raises the question of how these organisms find this gelatinous food source in the wild. I hypothesize that these larval fishes use chemoreception in order to find marine snow, and …

Biotic Filtering In Endophytic Fungal Communities, Kevin Daniel Ricks

Theses and Dissertations

Plants can be colonized by complex communities of endophytic fungi. This thesis presents two studies, both of which investigate biotic filtering in endophytic fungal communities. Chapter 1. Endophytic fungi can be acquired horizontally via propagules produced in the environment such as in plant litters of various species. Given that litters from different plant species harbor distinct endophytic fungal communities and that endophytic fungi may be dispersal-limited, the structure of the endophytic fungal community of a given plant may be determined by proximity to particular inoculum sources. Community assembly may also be affected by biotic filtering by the plant. Therefore, a …

Determining The Relationship Between Aging And Oxidative Stress In A Drosophila Melanogaster P38 Kb Framework, Aleksandra J. Majewski

Theses and Dissertations

Aging is inevitable for all organisms and can be characterized by degeneration of tissue, adecrease in motor function, and impaired stress response. In humans, it is often accompanied by an increased propensity for age related diseases. While all adults experience biological aging (senescence) not all adults experience age-associated disease. Thus, we claim these are not normal prospects of aging. Although the implications of aging are well understood, the molecular underpinnings for these processes remain elusive. As advances in medical science have been successful at prolonging lifespan, they concurrently extend the amount of time spend in diseased states. If we wish …

Assessment And Mapping Of The Milwaukee Estuary Habitat, Brennan Dow

Theses and Dissertations

Rivermouth regions such as the Milwaukee Harbor, are the habitat interface between watersheds and the Great Lakes proper, and can host a large diversity of fishes. To facilitate an ecosystem approach management strategy, I developed a layered map that includes bathymetry, side scan sonar images, shoreline substrate classifications, and initial data of aquatic vegetation and centrarchid spawning locations. The 60 km perimeter of the study area consisted of 59% hardened shoreline. Ground truthing of substrate classifications via Ponar grabs or video had about 95% accuracy for fine and rocky boulder substrates. Rocky fine was the most inaccurate classification (35%), but …

Plumage Ornaments Signal Male Physiological Quality In Common Yellowthroats, Amberleigh E'Vaughn Henschen

Theses and Dissertations

Elaborate ornaments are thought to honestly signal quality to potential mates. These ornaments may signal a variety of physiological processes that affect health and fitness. I examined the relationship between ornaments and physiological quality in a bird, the common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). Male common yellowthroats have two plumage ornaments, a black (eumelanin-based) mask and a yellow (carotenoid-based) bib. Males with larger masks are preferred by females for both extra-pair and social mates. I found that both the mask and the bib of male common yellowthroats honestly signal their ability to resist oxidative stress. Males with larger masks and more colorful …

Interactions Of Viral And Cellular Helicases, Megan Josephine Corby

Theses and Dissertations

The innate immune system is a part of the first line of defense against virus infection. An important subset of the innate immune system consists of a group of intracellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) which recognize conserved features of bacteria and viruses and initiate an interferon response. The RIG-I like receptors (RLRs) are PRRs that bind to RNA viruses (such as hepatitis c virus) and signal through the adaptor mitochondrial anti-viral signaling protein (MAVS).

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small enveloped RNA virus that belongs to the flaviviridae family of viruses. HCV infects hepatocytes and can cause a persistent …

Regional Distribution, Non-Invasive Detection, And Genetic Diversity Of The Black-Spotted Newt (Notophthalmus Meridionalis), Evan A. Bare

Theses and Dissertations

The Black-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus meridionalis ) is one of three a salamander species native to Gulf Coast prairies of Texas and Mexico, with respective state and federal protections. This species has been neglected by the scientific community despite concerns of dramatic population declines and a globally endangered status, with the most recent work being conducted in the early 1990’s going unpublished. This study presents the most recent examination of the species providing probabilistic distribution maps, descriptions of three novel populations, assessments of surveying techniques, and the first known examination of intrapopulation genetics including the first documented genetic examination of …

Monitoring Wildlife Guards And Crossing Structures On A Divided Highway In South Texas, Tiffany C. Cogan

Theses and Dissertations

To mitigate ocelot (Leopardus pardalis albescens ) road mortality, Texas Department of Transportation installed fencing, wildlife road crossing structures (WRCS, n = 5), and wildlife guards (WG, n = 18) on divided State Highway 100 in Cameron County, Texas. During construction, active infrared (AIR, n = 24) and passive infrared (PIR, n = 24) cameras were side-by-side at WRCS (n = 6) and WG (n = 6). Community composition was significantly different (p = 0.0001) between camera types with AIR cameras detecting a more diverse and abundant community. Wildlife community was significantly different (p = 0.0002) between three WRCS …

Progress And Potential Of Two Biological Control Agents Of The Invasive Giant Reed (Arundo Donax L.), Madeline Marshall

Theses and Dissertations

Biological control, or the use of natural enemies for pest management, may the best long-term option for managing the invasive Arundo donax , a noxious weed dominating riparian habitats globally and along the Rio Grande River. This work reports on the progress and potential of two arundo biological control agents permitted for release in Texas and Mexico. The arundo wasp, Tetramesa romana, released in 2009, is having significant impacts as reported from various field locations around the world, described here using standard exit hole counts. The highest density levels were found in Texas (introduced range) compared to relatively low …

Species Delimitation Among Southeastern Us Oxyloma (Gastropoda: Succineidae), Marco A. Martinez Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

The Succineid genus Oxyloma found throughout Canada and United States contains approximately 15 described species whose criterion for differentiation is considered unreliable. As a first step towards understanding the evolutionary history and revising the taxonomy of North American Oxyloma, we have sampled four species found in eastern North America (O. salleana, O. subeffusa, O. effusa, and O. retusa) from their type localities. We used mitochondrial COI, and nuclear LSU sequences with samples found across their range and members of the family to produce a phylogenetic hypothesis of evolutionary relationships and test species boundaries. Molecular phylogeny and species …

A Phylogeographic Analysis Of Black Coral (Antipatharia) On Artificial And Natural Reefs In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Heather Otte

Theses and Dissertations

NOAA's Islands in the Stream concept (IitS) of designating networks of marine protected areas as refugia in the Gulf of Mexico depends on genetic connectivity. Isolated habitats like those proposed by the IitS occur naturally off the Texas coast where hard-bottom structures protrude from mudflats, offering a small-scale study of the IitS feasibility. Two sequences, mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA and nuclear internal transcribed spacer, were used to build haplotype networks of Antipatharians (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia), corals with planktonic larvae that can act as a proxy for connectivity of other organisms. Two species showed no significant genetic differentiation or pattern of genetic …

Metabolic Dysregulation: An Investigation Of The Role Of Foxo3 In Gluconeogensis In Pten-Null Glioblastomas, Victor Fanniel

Theses and Dissertations

Many processes are regulated by the Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) pathway in the cell including cell survival, metabolism, and apoptosis. Increased activation of the PI3K pathway is a hallmark of many cancers which can be oftentimes attributed to the mutation of PTEN, which encodes an enzyme that performs the reverse reaction of PI3K. When PTEN is null-mutated, this creates a constitutively active PI3K pathway and constitutively active AKT. Since AKT phosphorylates conserved residues on FOXO transcription factors to mark them for nuclear export, this renders FOXO inactive. However, new research has provided evidence that FOXO is still present in …

Influence Of Natural And Anthropogenic Light Levels On Female Preferences In Eastern Gray Treefrogs (Hyla Versicolor), Victoria Underhill

Theses and Dissertations

Chapter 1: While the influence of environmental variables, particularly temperature and rainfall, on the breeding behavior of amphibians is widely recognized, relatively few studies have addressed how the moon affects amphibian behavior. Yet, the lunar cycle provides several rhythmic temporal cues that animals could use to time important group events such as spawning, and the substantial changes in light levels associated with the different moon phases may also affect the behavior of nocturnal frogs. Using seven years of field observation data, we tested for lunar effects on the reproductive activity of male and female Eastern gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor). We …