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Articles 1 - 21 of 21
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Deeply Rooted: The Story Of Congaree National Park, Taylor Karlin
Deeply Rooted: The Story Of Congaree National Park, Taylor Karlin
Senior Theses
This photo-essay book was written to fulfill requirements for completion of a senior thesis project to graduate with honors from the South Carolina Honors College. Its purpose is to promote the enjoyment and preservation of the Congaree National Park by educating the public on the historical and ecological significance of the land and the many activities it has to offer. Despite its proximity to downtown Columbia, there remains a lack of public awareness about the park and the amazing activities and opportunities it has to offer. I have compiled information and pictures that will best depict the unique qualities of …
Vulnerable Species In A Changing Climate: The Genomic Response Of Antarctic Notothenioid Fishes To Predicted Oceanic Conditions As A Model Of Physiological Plasticity And Adaptive Capability, Troy James Huth
Theses and Dissertations
In its fifth report in 2014 the IPCC reinforced the contribution of anthropogenic CO2 to global climate change predicting widespread and significant changes to the global climate over a relatively short time scale. The polar regions, including the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica, were identified as ecosystems that may experience the most rapid and severe changes. As the Southern Ocean is one of the coldest and most oceanographically stable regions on earth, the endemic fauna likely have no alternative habitats available for migration. Further compounding the challenge these species will face is the substantial degree of adaptation to the extreme cold …
Establishing The Microcrustacean Daphnia As A Model System For Research On Aging, Charles Andrew Shumpert
Establishing The Microcrustacean Daphnia As A Model System For Research On Aging, Charles Andrew Shumpert
Theses and Dissertations
Aging is a ubiquitous process pertaining to all biological systems around the planet. Although much has been learned from studies so far on the molecular mechanisms that lead to aging, a complete understanding of a healthy life span and longevity still eludes us. In this dissertation, we will examine the use of a freshwater microcrustacean Daphnia as a model system for studies on the biology of aging. The Introduction chapter presents a review of the general molecular alterations associated with cellular and organismal aging, and discusses the core model organisms currently used to study the aging process. The introduction chapter …
The Effects Of Elevated Circulating Levels Of Lipocalin 2 On Liver Metastasis Of Colorectal Cancer, John Gerard Bonapart
The Effects Of Elevated Circulating Levels Of Lipocalin 2 On Liver Metastasis Of Colorectal Cancer, John Gerard Bonapart
Theses and Dissertations
In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. In 2015, approximately 143,000 new cases will be diagnosed and 50,000 deaths are predicted. Liver metastasis is the major cause of death. To understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of liver metastasis, we used an orthotopic mouse model of CRC liver metastasis that recapitulated all stages of tumor growth and metastasis to perform whole genome microarray analysis to identify genetic changes in the liver microenvironment in response to primary tumor growth in the cecum. We identified lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) …
Regulation Of Stress Response And Innate Immunity By DsRna-Binding Proteins Pact And Trbp, Lauren S. Vaughn
Regulation Of Stress Response And Innate Immunity By DsRna-Binding Proteins Pact And Trbp, Lauren S. Vaughn
Theses and Dissertations
An integral aspect of innate immune response to viral infections is the ability to detect non-self molecules to initiate antiviral signaling via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). One subset of these receptors are cytoplasmic receptors that contain double stranded (dsRNA) binding domains, which allow them to identify non-self dsRNA produced during a viral infection and mount a protective cellular response. PKR is a dsRNA-activated eIF2α kinase that is a key regulator of cellular antiviral and stress response pathways. Activation of PKR’s catalytic activity requires binding to one of its activators, viral dsRNAs or the cellular protein PACT (PKR activator). Although PACT …
Linkages Among Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Matter, Dissolved Amino Acids And Lignin-Derived Phenols In River-Influenced Ocean Margins, Youhei Yamashita, Cédric G. Fichot, Yuan Shen, Rudolf Jaffé, Ronald Benner
Linkages Among Fluorescent Dissolved Organic Matter, Dissolved Amino Acids And Lignin-Derived Phenols In River-Influenced Ocean Margins, Youhei Yamashita, Cédric G. Fichot, Yuan Shen, Rudolf Jaffé, Ronald Benner
Faculty Publications
Excitation emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) is commonly used to investigate the dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM). However, a lack of direct comparisons with known biomolecules makes it difficult to substantiate the molecular composition of specific fluorescent components. Here, coincident surface-water measurements of EEMs, dissolved lignin, and total dissolved amino acids (TDAA) acquired in the northern Gulf of Mexico were used to investigate the relationships between specific fluorescent components and DOM biomolecules. Two terrestrial humic-like components identified by EEM-PARAFAC using samples obtained from river to offshore waters were strongly linearly correlated with dissolved …
Assessing The Synergistic Effect Of Caffeine And Sugar On Cognitive Performance In Undergraduate Students, Sandra P. Urquiza, Michelle Vieyra
Assessing The Synergistic Effect Of Caffeine And Sugar On Cognitive Performance In Undergraduate Students, Sandra P. Urquiza, Michelle Vieyra
Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science
Working independently, both caffeine and sugar provide benefits to attention and memory. However, there is sparse literature on the synergistic effects on improved cognitive performance between caffeine and sugar when taken together. This study explored the dynamics between caffeine and sugar when consumed under ordinary conditions – as a cup of coffee. Twenty-four undergraduate students (15 women and 9 men) were asked to complete a baseline cognitive test, and one of the three variables was given at random in the form of a cup of coffee: decaffeinated with sugar, caffeinated with no sugar, and caffeinated with sugar. The remaining two …
Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Neurodegeneration Is Independent Of The Ryanodine Receptor In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Lyndsay E.A. Young, Daniel C. Williams
Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Neurodegeneration Is Independent Of The Ryanodine Receptor In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Lyndsay E.A. Young, Daniel C. Williams
Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science
Despite the significant impacts on human health caused by neurodegeneration, our understanding of the degeneration process is incomplete. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a genetic model organism well suited for identification of conserved cellular mechanisms and molecular pathways of neurodegeneration. Studies in the worm have identified factors that contribute to neurodegeneration, including excitotoxicity and stress due to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Disruption of the gene unc-68, which encodes the ryanodine receptor, abolishes excitotoxic cell death, indicating a role for calcium (Ca2+) signaling in neurodegeneration. We tested the requirement for unc-68 in ROS-mediated neurodegeneration using the …
Precise Repair Of Mping Excision Sites Is Facilitated By Target Site Duplication Derived Microhomology, David M. Gilbert, M. Catherine Bridges, Ashley E. Strother, Courtney E. Burckhalter, James M. Burnette Iii, C. Nathan Hancock
Precise Repair Of Mping Excision Sites Is Facilitated By Target Site Duplication Derived Microhomology, David M. Gilbert, M. Catherine Bridges, Ashley E. Strother, Courtney E. Burckhalter, James M. Burnette Iii, C. Nathan Hancock
Faculty Publications
A key difference between the Tourist and Stowaway families of miniature inverted repeat transposable elements (MITEs) is the manner in which their excision alters the genome. Upon excision, Stowaway-like MITEs and the associated Mariner elements usually leave behind a small duplication and short sequences from the end of the element. These small insertions or deletions known as “footprints” can potentially disrupt coding or regulatory sequences. In contrast, Tourist-like MITEs and the associated PIF/Pong/Harbinger elements generally excise precisely, returning the genome to its original state. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying these …
Co-Extinction In A Host-Parasite Network: Identifying Key Hosts For Network Stability, Tad Dallas, Emily Cornelius
Co-Extinction In A Host-Parasite Network: Identifying Key Hosts For Network Stability, Tad Dallas, Emily Cornelius
Faculty Publications
Parasites comprise a substantial portion of total biodiversity. Ultimately, this means that host extinction could result in many secondary extinctions of obligate parasites and potentially alter hostparasite network structure. Here, we examined a highly resolved fish-parasite network to determine key hosts responsible for maintaining parasite diversity and network structure (quantified here as nestedness and modularity). We evaluated four possible host extinction orders and compared the resulting co-extinction dynamics to random extinction simulations; including host removal based on estimated extinction risk, parasite species richness and host level contributions to nestedness and modularity. We found that all extinction orders, except the one …
Essential Oils From Apple Mint (Mentha Suaveolens) And Passionflower Fruit (Passiflora Incarnata): Studies On Cognition, Coordination, And Chemical Components., Evelyn F. Patrick *, Jessie Bowers *, Shannon Read *, Brett R. Lackey, Christine Murphy, Sandra L. Gray
Essential Oils From Apple Mint (Mentha Suaveolens) And Passionflower Fruit (Passiflora Incarnata): Studies On Cognition, Coordination, And Chemical Components., Evelyn F. Patrick *, Jessie Bowers *, Shannon Read *, Brett R. Lackey, Christine Murphy, Sandra L. Gray
Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science
Plant essential oils (EO) are used as perfumes, lotions and air fresheners because of their pleasant aromas, but EO also have the ability to elicit changes in mood and behavior. These activities are influenced by the mode of administration and by multiple signaling pathways. The EO aromas from organically grown apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) and passionflower fruit (Passiflora incarnata) were assessed for their effects on cognition and coordination. Participants completed two tasks designed to test working memory and bimanual task efficiency in rooms infused with apple mint, passionflower fruit or control EO. Bimanual coordination was assessed using the Intercept2 program …
The Effects Of Suspended Sediment On Japanese Medaka (Oryzias Latipes) And Mosquitofish (Gambusia Affinis) Metabolism, Brandy L. Bossle, Ruben R. Goforth, Shem D. Unger, Olin E. Rhodes Jr.
The Effects Of Suspended Sediment On Japanese Medaka (Oryzias Latipes) And Mosquitofish (Gambusia Affinis) Metabolism, Brandy L. Bossle, Ruben R. Goforth, Shem D. Unger, Olin E. Rhodes Jr.
Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science
Sedimentation is recognized as a significant environmental stressor in aquatic ecosystems and high amounts of suspended sediments (SS) in streams are known to negatively affect aquatic organisms. In particular, it has been hypothesized that many fish species mayexhibit increased respiration rates when exposed to elevated SS. To evaluate this hypothesis, we evaluated the acute response (3 hour exposure) of two small, freshwater fish species exposed to high suspended sediment loads using experimental respirometry chambers which measure oxygen consumption as a proxy of metabolism. Our results indicate that Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) did not exhibit a significantly greater oxygen …
Understanding Phylogenies: Constructing And Interpreting Phylogenetic Trees, Joseph L. Staton
Understanding Phylogenies: Constructing And Interpreting Phylogenetic Trees, Joseph L. Staton
Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science
Interpretation of phylogenetic trees is fundamental in understanding the relationships between organisms, their traits or characteristics, their ecology and even their genomic and developmental biology. As trees appear more often in basic texts, many students, and even their teachers, clearly understand little of how they are constructed and even less about what can be inferred from them about the history of the representatives analyzed. Not only are these trees a source of confusion on what they do tell us, often non-specialists infer things wrongly or, worse, others misuse them in an attempt to negate the validity of evolutionary theory. In …
The Rise Of Carbon Nanoscience In South Carolina, Apparao M. Rao
The Rise Of Carbon Nanoscience In South Carolina, Apparao M. Rao
Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science
No abstract provided.
Patterns Of Selection Amongst Dengue Virus Serotypes And Efficacy Of Computational Epitope Prediction Applications, April Christina Hall South
Patterns Of Selection Amongst Dengue Virus Serotypes And Efficacy Of Computational Epitope Prediction Applications, April Christina Hall South
Theses and Dissertations
Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne virus of global concern that leads to infections with symptoms ranging from high fevers and headaches to death. Current estimates place almost half the world’s population living in areas that are at-risk for infection by dengue and that area continues to expand over time. There are four distinct serotypes of dengue (DENV1, DENV2, DENV3, and DENV4). Disease severity from dengue infection is significantly worse if there is a secondary infection by a heterotypic serotype. The problems of increased severity with secondary infection as well as host immune response evasion by the virus itself have …
The Evolutionary Biology Of Vision In Daphnia, Christopher S. Brandon
The Evolutionary Biology Of Vision In Daphnia, Christopher S. Brandon
Theses and Dissertations
Eyes have attracted the attention of evolutionary biologist since the field’s infancy. In On the Origin of Species, in fact, Darwin famously remarked on the proposition that natural selection could engineer the eye, saying “[it is] absurd in the highest possible degree.” Though, he goes on to explain, beautifully and simply, how his theory of evolution by natural selection could produce such an organ. Indeed, eyes are remarkable examples of complex information acquisition systems that have evolved from simple beginnings. Eyes allow animals to extract environmental information from light, which informs physiological and behavioral responses to resources, predation, and mates. …
Potential Range Expansion Of The Invasive Lionfish In The Western Atlantic Ocean, Brian Grieve
Potential Range Expansion Of The Invasive Lionfish In The Western Atlantic Ocean, Brian Grieve
Theses and Dissertations
Lionfish (Pterois volitans) are an invasive, predatory fish native to the reefs of the Indo-Pacific. In the mid-1980s, lionfish were introduced off the coast of Miami, FL and have since transformed many of the reef ecosystems throughout the Western Atlantic Ocean. Although lionfish are found year-round as far north as Cape Hatteras, NC, they are confined to the warm Gulf Stream during winter months. Seasonal inshore expansion is possible in the summer, and further poleward expansion is limited by cold bottom-water temperatures in winter. Here, I use an ensemble of 17 different climate models to project lionfish habitat by the …
Tipping The Balance Of Double-Strand Break Repair In Cells Modeling Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, Andrew Robert Patrick
Tipping The Balance Of Double-Strand Break Repair In Cells Modeling Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, Andrew Robert Patrick
Theses and Dissertations
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome is disease of highly accelerated aging. In addition to appearing physically old mere months after birth, patients suffer from maladies typical of the elderly, including heart attack and stroke, two factors which contribute to an average life expectancy of 14 years. The source of progeria has been identified as progerin, a defective variant of nuclear lamina protein lamin A. Progerin has also been found natively in healthy cells (concentration increasing with age), and is known to adversely affect nuclear morphology and chromosomal integrity. This thesis sought to investigate the effect of progerin upon which pathways were favored …
Species Responses To Climate Change And Environmental Heterogeneity: A Multi-Focal Approach, Megan Riley
Species Responses To Climate Change And Environmental Heterogeneity: A Multi-Focal Approach, Megan Riley
Theses and Dissertations
Changes in global climate trends have the potential to influence diverse ecosystems at multiple levels of organization, from the species to the community. Changes in other environmental variables, such as those resulting from pollution and habitat modification, also have the potential to impact species fitness and alter species interactions. This dissertation employs a multi-focal approach to investigate species responses to two main topics: climate change and environmental heterogeneity. To investigate the first topic, this work focuses on the climate change-induced range expansion of the mangrove tree crab Aratus pisonii into novel salt marsh habitats. It investigates latitudinal patterns of life …
Tp53 And Hras Influence On Hpv16 E7 Expression In Hpv16-Transformed Human Keratinocytes, Nella Christie Delva
Tp53 And Hras Influence On Hpv16 E7 Expression In Hpv16-Transformed Human Keratinocytes, Nella Christie Delva
Theses and Dissertations
Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. HNSCC affects regions of the upper aerodigestive tract such as the lip, tongue, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. About 25% of all HNSCC cases and up to 65% of Oropharyngeal Carcinoma (OPC) cases are positive for HPV DNA. African American patients, especially males, present primarily with HPV-negative HNSCC. HNSCC’s that are HPV-positive tend to be HPV-active at initial presentation: these cancers contain HPV DNA and express HPV RNA. However, recurring HPV-positive cancers of the head and neck are more often inactive: these tumors contain HPV DNA, …
Map Kinase Signaling In Plant Responses To Biotic Stress, Carlton James Bequette
Map Kinase Signaling In Plant Responses To Biotic Stress, Carlton James Bequette
Theses and Dissertations
Plants must be able to perceive and properly respond to a multitude of environmental conditions and produce appropriate cellular responses for optimal growth and reproduction. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation cascades are critical components of signal transduction networks that mediate cellular responses to a wide range of both biotic and abiotic extracellular stimuli. This thesis presents an investigation of three novel aspects of MAPK signaling, the role of MAPKs in the regulation of cell death, the organization of MAPKs in a multi-protein complex, and the negative regulation of MAPKs by MAPK phosphatases. In tomato, three MAPKs play an essential role …