Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Institution
-
- University at Albany, State University of New York (4)
- Georgia Southern University (2)
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (2)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (2)
- University of South Florida (2)
-
- Virginia Commonwealth University (2)
- Cal Poly Humboldt (1)
- Eastern Illinois University (1)
- Georgia College (1)
- Jacksonville State University (1)
- Old Dominion University (1)
- University of Louisville (1)
- University of Mississippi (1)
- University of New Mexico (1)
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1)
- Utah State University (1)
- Western Michigan University (1)
- Western Washington University (1)
- Publication
-
- Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024) (4)
- Doctoral Dissertations (2)
- Electronic Theses and Dissertations (2)
- Masters Theses (2)
- Theses and Dissertations (2)
-
- USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2)
- All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023 (1)
- Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations (1)
- Biology ETDs (1)
- Biology Theses (1)
- Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses (1)
- Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects (1)
- Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects (1)
- Graduate Theses and Dissertations (1)
- Honors College Theses (1)
- Honors Theses (1)
- Theses (1)
- WWU Graduate School Collection (1)
Articles 1 - 26 of 26
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Molecular Studies On The Interactions Between Biomphalaria Snails And Schistosoma Mansoni, Lijun Lu
Molecular Studies On The Interactions Between Biomphalaria Snails And Schistosoma Mansoni, Lijun Lu
Biology ETDs
Biomphalaria snails serve as vectors for Schistosoma mansoni, a trematode causing human schistosomiasis. Control of Schistosoma mansoni involves chemotherapy of affected people, but new control methods built on improved understanding of schistosome-snail interactions are needed. My dissertation applies molecular and bioinformatics approaches to understand such interactions. Chapter 1 shows that significant differences exist among Biomphalaria species in Africa with respect to their ability to support schistosome development. Chapters 2 and 3 reveal the transcriptional responses of Biomphalaria glabrata susceptible (SUS) or resistant (RES) to Schistosoma mansoni. Chapter 2 identifies a new family of snail immune factors, the AIG …
Functional Investigations Of Proteins And Enzymatic Toxins From Full-Length-Enriched Cdna Of Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus Horridus), Joshua Osula
Theses
Snake Venom is a highly modified form of saliva, contains hundreds of zootoxins, necrotoxins, cytotoxins, neurotoxins, and mytotoxins, all of which are primarily made up of mostly proteins, polypeptides, and other components such as enzymes, lipids, and carbohydrates. Although snake venom is known for its harmful effects, it has also had a positive impact in scientific discovery and medicine. Some toxins from snakes function to inhibit pain, and this means they can be very effective analgesics. For instance, crotalphine is considered a 14-amino-acid-peptide that has a disulfide bond and shows analgesic properties through TRPA1 desensitization. This …
Functional And Physiological Role Of Extra-Hypothalamic Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Neurons In The Nucleus Of The Hippocampal Commissure In Regulation Of Stress Response, Hakeem Kadhim
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) neurons located within the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are known to be involved in regulation of stress responses. Recently, CRH neurons were identified above the PVN within the nucleus of the hippocampal commissure (NHpC) that located in the septum. We hypothesized that CRH neurons in the NHpC play a critical role in the stress response due to their rapid activation and could be a part of the traditional hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The dissertation addresses the role of 1) CRH expressing neurons in the NHpC compared with those within the PVN utilizing two different stressors, food deprivation (FD) …
Statistical Approaches Of Gene Set Analysis With Quantitative Trait Loci For High-Throughput Genomic Studies., Samarendra Das
Statistical Approaches Of Gene Set Analysis With Quantitative Trait Loci For High-Throughput Genomic Studies., Samarendra Das
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Recently, gene set analysis has become the first choice for gaining insights into the underlying complex biology of diseases through high-throughput genomic studies, such as Microarrays, bulk RNA-Sequencing, single cell RNA-Sequencing, etc. It also reduces the complexity of statistical analysis and enhances the explanatory power of the obtained results. Further, the statistical structure and steps common to these approaches have not yet been comprehensively discussed, which limits their utility. Hence, a comprehensive overview of the available gene set analysis approaches used for different high-throughput genomic studies is provided. The analysis of gene sets is usually carried out based on …
A Gene Expression Profile Associated With Successful Cns Axon Regeneration In Xenopus Laevis, Jamie L. Belrose
A Gene Expression Profile Associated With Successful Cns Axon Regeneration In Xenopus Laevis, Jamie L. Belrose
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Background: The South African claw-toed frog, Xenopus laevis, is uniquely suited for studying differences between regenerative and non-regenerative responses to CNS injury within the same organism, because some CNS neurons (e.g., retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush (ONC)) regenerate axons throughout life, whereas others (e.g., hindbrain neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI)) lose this capacity as tadpoles metamorphose into frogs. Tissues from these CNS regions (frog ONC eye, tadpole SCI hindbrain, frog SCI hindbrain) were used in a three-way RNA-seq study of axotomized CNS axons to identify potential core gene expression programs for successful CNS axon regeneration.
Environmental Influences On Expression Of Virulence- And Survival-Associated Genes And Epigenetic Modifications Of Dna In Vibrio Vulnificus, James W. Conrad
Environmental Influences On Expression Of Virulence- And Survival-Associated Genes And Epigenetic Modifications Of Dna In Vibrio Vulnificus, James W. Conrad
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Vibrio vulnificus is an autochthonous inhabitant of warm, brackish coastal waters and is an opportunistic pathogen that causes the highest mortality of all seafood-related illnesses (1). These fatal infections are generally caused by the clinically-associated vcgC/16S rRNA type B genotypes within the biotype I group (2–5). However, the reasons for the heightened infectiousness of the clinically-associated strains over environmentally-associated ones remains elusive, as no unique clinically-associated virulence genes have been identified through genomic sequencing or other strategies. DNA methylation may contribute to regulation of virulence by affecting gene transcription, and was investigated in the highly virulent V. vulnificus strain CMCP6. …
Degradation Of Transcriptional Repressor Atf4 During Late-Phase Long-Term Potentiation, Spencer Smith
Degradation Of Transcriptional Repressor Atf4 During Late-Phase Long-Term Potentiation, Spencer Smith
Biology Theses
Maintenance of long-term synaptic plasticity requires gene expression mediated by cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB). Gene expression driven by CREB can commence only if the inhibition by a transcriptional repressor ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4; aka CREB2) is relieved. Previous research showed that the removal of ATF4 occurs through ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated proteolysis. Using chemically induced hippocampal long-term potentiation (cLTP) as a model system, we investigated the mechanisms that control ATF4 degradation. We observed that ATF4 phosphorylated at Serine-219 increases upon induction of cLTP and decreases by about 30 min thereafter. Proteasome inhibitor β-lactone prevents the decrease in ATF4. We found that …
Exploring The Connection Between Acid Exposure And Virulence In Listeria Monocytogenes, Minghao Li
Exploring The Connection Between Acid Exposure And Virulence In Listeria Monocytogenes, Minghao Li
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023
Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive food-borne pathogen that is widely dispersed in the environment and can cause listeriosis with high fatality rates when consumed in contaminated food products. They are capable of growing over a wide range condition. Listeria is also able to tolerate adverse conditions which allows the bacterium to survive in unfavorable environments. The ubiquitous nature of L. monocytogenes makes it difficult to eliminate from food systems. One major problem in the food industry is the survival of L. monocytogenes under sublethal low pH-environment since organic acids are widely used as food decontaminants. Prior research has suggested that …
Changes In Gene Expression Profiles In Müller Glia Following Exposure To An Α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist, Megan L. Stanchfield
Changes In Gene Expression Profiles In Müller Glia Following Exposure To An Α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist, Megan L. Stanchfield
Masters Theses
Previous studies from this lab have determined that dedifferentiation of Müller glia (MG) occurs after application of an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, PNU-282987 (PNU), to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in adult rodents. This study was designed to explore the role of the HB-EGF/Ascl1/Lin28a signaling pathway in MG dedifferentiation to retinal progenitor cells. RNAseq was performed on MG following contact with RPE-J cells treated with PNU-282987. Up- or down-regulated genes were compared with published literature of MG dedifferentiation that occurs in lower vertebrate regeneration or with transcript profiles during early mammalian development. Between 8-12 hours, up-regulation was observed in …
Transcriptome Studies On The Toxicity Of Silica Nanoparticles, Shih-Yi Hsu
Transcriptome Studies On The Toxicity Of Silica Nanoparticles, Shih-Yi Hsu
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Nanotechnology enables more precise harmony in health condition via reducing the dosage amount, improving the delivery of hydrophobic drugs, more specific targeting to the cancerous sites, and so on. Nevertheless, issues regarding the toxicity of nanotechnology have begun to call for attention several decades later after the innovation of nanotechnology. Tools about risk management of nanotechnology have been developed, but recently not much evidence recognizes the toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) except for some animal studies, which demonstrated organ damage after the exposure to NPs. Toxicogenomic approach refers to the method utilizing gene expression to evaluate the chemical toxicity. Databases as …
Multi-Generational Effects Of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure On Gene Expression In Liver Tissue, Kayla Lovitt
Multi-Generational Effects Of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure On Gene Expression In Liver Tissue, Kayla Lovitt
Honors Theses
Cannabis is the most commonly used, cultivated, and trafficked illicit drug worldwide. Increased availability and acceptance of cannabis and cannabinoid-containing products provide the necessity for understanding how these substances influence aging. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to concentrations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (0.08, 0.4, 2 µM) during embryonic-larval development, the effects on aging were measured 30 months later and in the offspring of the exposed fish (F1 generation. We observed results indicating a biphasic and hormetic effect. Treatment with the lowest concentration of THC significantly increased egg production, while higher concentrations resulted in impaired …
Comparative Genomics Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Samia Ismail
Comparative Genomics Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Samia Ismail
Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
As of 2017, vascular diseases contributed to 23.1% of all deaths in America. To address the need for more effective and sustainable treatment options for these ailments, stem cell differentiation and implantation has emerged as a viable alternative to standard bypass and graft insertions. A completely autologous treatment can be achieved by extracting adult stem cells, differentiating them into vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and then reimplanting these cells at the affected tissue site. This study aims to investigate the efficiency of the VSMC differentiation from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) by comparing 4 cell lines of untreated hMSCs with …
Developmental Regulation Of Sirtuin Genes In Broiler Chicks, Heather L. Winter
Developmental Regulation Of Sirtuin Genes In Broiler Chicks, Heather L. Winter
Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects
No abstract provided.
Investigating The Toxicology Of Intramuscular Injected Cnt-Ab In Mice Followed By Microwave Hyperthermia., Conner Clark
Investigating The Toxicology Of Intramuscular Injected Cnt-Ab In Mice Followed By Microwave Hyperthermia., Conner Clark
Honors College Theses
The advent of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has led to a wide range of research in various fields including cancer therapy for targeting specific localized and site-specific treatment. Carbon nanotubes bound to tumor specific antibodies (Ab) offers specific treatment for cancer cells without affecting surrounding tissue. This treatment makes use of infrared absorptive properties of nanotubes to incinerate both the nanotube and its associated tumor in vivo. We seek to affirm the initial results of CNT in cancer therapy by investigating the toxicological effect in mice injected with CNT-Ab followed by microwave hypothermia. After 1-week post-injection, mice were sacrificed followed …
Pthr1/Sox9 And Idh1/Idh2 Relative Expression In Primary Chondrocyte And Chondrosarcoma Cells Under The Synergistic Influence Of Inducible Hypoxia And Extracellular Acidosis, Kostika Vangjeli
Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations
Cartilage cells (Chondrocytes) grow in rather unique environmental conditions in the human body. Cartilage is avascular tissue and lacks innervation. Its main source of nutrients is derived from the synovial fluid and/or perichondrium. Consequently, these cells must survive and thrive under hypoxic and acidic stressors. Published data suggests that there are a multitude of genes affected from either one of these two stressors or both. However, these factors are frequently overlooked in cartilage research, and results are reported in either normoxia/pH=7.0 conditions, or they only account for one of the conditions. The scope of this study is to examine how …
Characterizing Adaptive Non-Coding Changes In The Regulation Of Human Gene Expression, Jason Pizzollo
Characterizing Adaptive Non-Coding Changes In The Regulation Of Human Gene Expression, Jason Pizzollo
Doctoral Dissertations
Differential patterns of gene expression contribute to phenotypic differences between species. Understanding evolutionary changes in gene regulatory elements can help explain traits that separate humans from closely related species. Here, in two separate studies, we investigate gene expression and gene regulatory differences between humans our closest living evolutionary relatives, chimpanzees, in the context of uniquely human traits: increased susceptibility to epithelial cancers and neural developmental and functional processes that underlie our increased cognitive capacity. Using genomic methods to study gene expression and open chromatin, we compare human and chimpanzee responses to a serum challenge, an assay that that mimics patterns …
De-Coding The Impact Of Evolved Changes In Gene Expression And Cellular Phenotype On Primate Evolution, Trisha Zintel
De-Coding The Impact Of Evolved Changes In Gene Expression And Cellular Phenotype On Primate Evolution, Trisha Zintel
Doctoral Dissertations
The goal of the dissertation work outlined here was to investigate the influence of proximal processes contributing to evolutionary differences in phenotypes among primate species. There are numerous previous comparative analyses of gene expression between primate brain regions. However, primate brain tissue samples are relatively rare, and my results have contributed to the pre-existing data on more well-studied primates (i.e. humans, chimpanzees, macaques, marmosets) as well as produced information on more rarely-studied primates (i.e. patas monkey, siamang, spider monkey). Additionally, the primary visual cortex has not previously been as extensively studied at the level of gene expression as other brain …
Interspecific Gene Flow Potentiates Adaptive Evolution In A Hybrid Zone Formed Between Pinus Strobiformis And Pinus Flexilis, Mitra Menon
Theses and Dissertations
Species range margins are often characterised by high degrees of habitat fragmentation resulting in low genetic diversity and higher gene flow from populations at the core of the species range. Interspecific gene flow from a closely related species with abutting range margins can increase standing genetic diversity and generate novel allelic combinations thereby alleviating limits to adaptive evolution in range margin populations. Hybridization driven interspecific gene flow has played a key role in the demographic history of several conifer due to their life history characteristics such as weak crossability barriers and long generation times. Nevertheless, demonstrating whether introgression is adaptive …
Identification And Analysis Of Genes With Differential And Tissue-Specific Expression In Poplars, Bailey Mitchell
Identification And Analysis Of Genes With Differential And Tissue-Specific Expression In Poplars, Bailey Mitchell
Masters Theses
Poplars have become one of the most frequently studied plant species for their applications in biotechnology, commercial benefits, and ecological importance. Microarray analysis is commonly used to analyze differential gene expression in many organisms. Investigations have examined differential gene expression and performed functional analyses on a single tissue or organ within poplar trees or a closely related set of tissues and organs, but usually do not broadly analyze gene expression across a large number of tissues and organs in poplar. This thesis work aims to generate data on the most differentially expressed genes for the major groups of tissues and …
Transcriptomic Profiling Of Postmortem Prefrontal Cortex And Nucleus Accumbens From Chronic Alcohol Abusers., Eric S. Vornholt
Transcriptomic Profiling Of Postmortem Prefrontal Cortex And Nucleus Accumbens From Chronic Alcohol Abusers., Eric S. Vornholt
Theses and Dissertations
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a debilitating psychiatric illness that develops from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While it is well documented that AUD is heritable, the shift from recreational alcohol use to abuse/dependence is poorly understood. In this dissertation, using postmortem brain tissue from individuals with alcohol dependence (AD), we profiled the genome-wide expression of circular RNA (circRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA) to better understand the impact of gene expression on the development of AUD. To achieve this, we performed two independent studies that explore transcriptome differences between AD cases and controls. The first of …
The Role Of Progesterone Receptor In The Postnatal Development Of The Dentate Gyrus And Episodic-Like Memory, Andrew James Newell
The Role Of Progesterone Receptor In The Postnatal Development Of The Dentate Gyrus And Episodic-Like Memory, Andrew James Newell
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
The hippocampus is a critical structure for the encoding and retrieval of declarative memories in humans, including episodic-memories. In rodents the steroid hormone receptor progesterone receptor (PR) is expressed in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus during the postnatal period, a key stage in development of DG cytoarchitecture and connectivity. During the first postnatal week, the main cortical input to the hippocampal circuit, the perforant path, innervates the molecular layer (MOL) of the DG and forms temporary initial synaptic connections with pioneer neurons. By the third postnatal week, long-term synapses have been established with granule cells, the principle neurons …
The Guardian Of The Genome : Regulation Of The Enhancer Networks Governing The P53-Mediated Stress Response, Allison Catizone
The Guardian Of The Genome : Regulation Of The Enhancer Networks Governing The P53-Mediated Stress Response, Allison Catizone
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
After fertilization in vertebrates, cells work to build organs, tissues and begin to rapidly differentiate and proliferate. This process is the orchestration of finely tuned signals and perfectly timed gene expression patterns. The first step in gene expression, transcription, is governed by proteins known as transcription factors (TF). TFs are responsible for binding to DNA, altering chromatin structure, and driving activation of other genes based on the organism’s needs. Once the process of development is complete, organisms shift their resources to maintaining homeostasis. Humans regularly encounter outside stressors such as UV radiation, pollution, allergens, and drugs. Cells also accumulate mutations …
Group Ii Introns : Evolution, Structure And Function, Xiaolong Dong
Group Ii Introns : Evolution, Structure And Function, Xiaolong Dong
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Group II introns are mobile, self-splicing ribozymes found in bacteria, archaea and eukaryotic organelles. They are widely believed to be the progenitors of the eukaryotic spliceosomal introns and retroelements. Yet many structural and evolutionary aspects of group II introns remain elusive. Indeed, while group II introns are the putative forerunners of spliceosomal introns in eukaryotes, they are notably absent in the nuclear genomes and a large portion of prokaryotes. Furthermore, although the architecture of a post-catalytic group II intron holoenzyme containing both the RNA and the bound intron encoded protein (IEP) has been solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the interactions …
Neurodegenerative Modeling: Tau Protein, Degradative Pathways, And Gene Expression Profiling Of Human Ipsc-Derived Neural Precursors And Differentiated 3-D Neural Sphere Versus 2-D Monolayer Cultures, Kyle H. Anthoney
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
Human induced pluripotent stem cells offer a model for human brain development and disease by differentiation into brain organoids; however, current neural culture systems lack the microenvironment, neuronal circuits and connectivity, vascular circulation, and immune system that exist in vivo. After differentiation and development of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types within two formats of cell cultures, we can visualize and recapitulate in vivo protein accumulation, gene expression, and degradative processes such as autophagy. Using RNA extraction, purification methods and reverse transcription I compared traditional monolayer cultures and novel 3-D neural sphere cultures via gene expression analysis. This analysis indicated …
Plasticity And The Impact Of Increasing Temperature On A Tropical Ectotherm, Adam A. Rosso
Plasticity And The Impact Of Increasing Temperature On A Tropical Ectotherm, Adam A. Rosso
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organisms may respond to climate change through behavior, genetic adaptation, and/or phenotypic plasticity. Tropical ectotherms are thought to be especially vulnerable to climate change because most have a narrow range of thermal tolerance while living close to their upper thermal tolerance limits. Additionally, many tropical species live in closed-canopy forests, which provide homogenous thermal landscapes that prevent behavioral compensation for stressfully warm temperatures. Finally, tropical ectotherms are thought to have decreased capacity for phenotypic plasticity because they have evolved in thermally stable environments. We tested gene expression patterns and phenotypic plasticity in the Panamanian slender anole by a) measuring changes …
Codon Bias And Mrna Folding Stability: Two Natural Controls Of Protein Expression Dynamics, Anastacia Wienecke
Codon Bias And Mrna Folding Stability: Two Natural Controls Of Protein Expression Dynamics, Anastacia Wienecke
WWU Graduate School Collection
Introduction: Connections between genetic variation and trait variation are complex and dynamic; the critical link between the two is gene expression variation. Though proteins are the functional products of most genes, the relative ease and throughput level of various measurement approaches has meant that gene expression is typically studied via transcript-level rather than protein-level techniques. Recent studies however, suggest that certain genetic factors act post-transcriptionally to modify rates of protein synthesis, making transcript levels imperfect indicators of protein levels. A gene’s bias for ‘optimal’ codons (i.e., its codon bias) and a gene’s mRNA folding stability appear to be two such …