Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of Moulting On Muscle Fibre Characteristics Of The Yabby, Cherax Albidus, Tina Marie Lamey

Theses : Honours

In order to grow, crustaceans must shed their exoskeleton in a process known as "moulting'. Although this process is short and intermittent, it remains dominant over the life of a crustacean. Physiological changes in the period between moults (intermoult) are comparatively quiescent as opposed to the periods directly before and after the actual moult, known as premoult, and postmoult respectively (West, 1997). Moulting is associated with distinct physiological changes including the breakdown of muscle (Musgrove and Geddes, 1985). This muscle breakdown, known as atrophy is the diminution in size of the actual muscle mass and is very specific, occurring to …

Examination Of Signals Involved In Dexamethasone Induced Apoptosis In Nb2 Lymphoma Cells, Suhas Badarinath

Theses and Dissertations

Consistent with previous studies, we demonstrated that dexamethasone (Dex) caused cytolysis/apoptosis in log phase Nb2 lymphoma cells, while prolactin (Prl) inhibited this effect. The Nb2 model was used to investigate the mechanisms of apoptosis control with the aid of immunocytochemistry (ICC). We established with absorption the specificity of staining due to Fas, Fas Ligand, Bcl-2, and Bax antibodies (the specificity of anti-p53 could not be verified). Dex-induced cytolysis/apoptosis was detected in synchronized (G⁰/G¹) cells after 6 and 8 hours of Dex exposure. A novel, computerized technique was used to quantitate the proportion of cells immunostained for the signals of interest …

Circadian Rhythms And Melatonin Receptors As Sources Of Individual Variation In Reproductive Photoresponsiveness, Sean Bradford Majoy

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Archaeal Aminoacyl-Trna Synthesis: Unique Determinants Of A Universal Genetic Code?, Michael Ibba, A. W. Curnow, J. Bono, P. A. Rosa, C. R. Woese, D. Söll

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

No abstract provided.

Lateral Hypothalamic Nmda Receptor Subunits Nr2a And/Or Nr2b Mediate Eating: Immunochemical/Behavioral Evidence, Arshad Khan, Margarita C. Curras, Jennifer Dao, Faizi A. Jamal, Rishi K. Goel, Elizabeth R. Gillard, Stefany D. Wolfsohn, B. Glenn Stanley

Arshad M. Khan, Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

Uptake Of Dissolved Free Amino Acids By Northern Quahogs, Mercenaria Mercenaria, And Its Relative Importance To Organic Nitrogen Deposition In Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, Michael A. Rice

Michael A Rice

Studies were undertaken to determine the relationship between size of northern quahogs Mercenaria mercenaria and the rate at which they transport aspartic acid. Quahogs ranging from 25 to 103 mm valve length were collected in Narragansett Bay and placed in seawater aquaria (27 ppt, 20 deg C) and allowed to pump actively. Uptake experiments were carried out using 1 umol/L C(14) radiolabeled aspartic acid. Aspartate transport rates in umol/h can be related to valve length by the allometric equation with a = 24.32 and b = 0.905 when valve length is in mm. In May 1990, near bottom samples of …

Regeneration Of Hair Cell Epithelia In The Chick And Salamander, Kenneth Detwiler

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The acousticolateralis sensory system is characterized by a specific receptor cell type called the sensory hair cell and is found in all vertebrates. There are two types of hair cell sensory epithelia based on location: those of the inner ear, such as the organs for hearing and balance, and the lateral line system located within the epidermis. In mammals, including humans, loss or damage of the hair cells of the auditorysystem results in permanent hearing loss. However, this is not the case with birds and amphibians. Amphibians, with a lateral line system, are capable of replacing lost or damaged hair …

The Role Of Gap Junctions In Congenital Diseases Of The Heart, Scott Henry Britz-Cunningham

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. Gap junctions are thought to have a crucial role in the synchronized contraction of the heart and in embryonic development. Connexin43, the major protein of gap junctions in the heart, is targeted by several protein kinases that regulate myocardial cell-cell coupling. We hypothesized that mutations altering sites critical to this regulation would lead to functional or developmental abnormalities of the heart.

Methods. Connexin43 DNA from 25 normal subjects and 30 children with a variety of congenital heart diseases was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Mutant DNA was expressed in cell culture and examined for its effect …

Bird Use Of Riparian Vegetation Along The Truckee River, Califonia And Nevada, Suellen Lynn, Michael L. Morrison, Amy J. Kuenzi, Jennifer C. C. Neale, Benjamin N. Sacks, Robin Hamlin, Linnea S. Hall

Great Basin Naturalist

The Truckee River in California and Nevada is subject to diverse water regimes and a corresponding variety of flow rates. Original riparian vegetation has been altered by these variable flow rates and by a variety of human uses resulting in loss of native riparian vegetation from its historic extent. We conducted bird surveys along the Truckee River during spring 1993 to (1) determine relationships between birds and the present vegetation; (2) determine the importance of different vegetation types to sensitive bird species that have declined recently in the western United States due to competition from exotic plant species, cowbird ( …

Comparison Of The Emg Activity Of The Supraspinatus And Infraspinatus Muscles During Various Closed Chain Exercises, I-Chen Lin

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Advantages of closed chain exercises used in the lower extremity have been well documented. However, the effects of closed chain exercises on the upper extremities have not been studied very much. Thus, the purpose of this research is to analyze the EMG activity of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and compare the relative amounts of activities by performing different isotonic closed chain exercises and an open chain exercise in normal subjects. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles in 1 o healthy subjects were studied with fine wire, intramuscular, electromyographic electrodes while performing 5 closed chain exercises and a D2. open chain …

Gap Analysis Of The Vegetation Of The Intermountain Semi-Desert Ecoregion, David M. Stoms, Frank W. Davis, Kenneth L. Driese, Kelly M. Cassidy, Michael P. Murray

Great Basin Naturalist

A conservation gap analysis was conducted for the Intermountain Semi-Desert ecoregion to assess the representation of land-cover types within areas managed primarily for biodiversity objectives. Mapped distributions of plant communities were summarized by land-management status categories. The total amount of land permanently protected in the ecoregion is

Winter Macroinvertebrate Communities In Two Montane Wyoming Streams, Christopher M. Pennuto, Frank Denoyelles Jr., Mark A. Conrad, Frank A. Vertucci, Sharon L. Dewey

Great Basin Naturalist

Macroinvertebrate communities were examined on 4 winter dates over a 4-yr period in 2 high-altitude Rocky Mountain streams to document overwintering assemblages potentially experiencing spring acid pulses. Taxa richness values were comparable to other published lists for alpine and montane stream systems despite the fact that most literature reflected summer collections. Mean benthic density ranged from 1406 to 19,734 organisms/m², and drift rates ranged from 0 to 1740 organisms/100 m³. Benthic collections showed higher taxa richness than drift collections while the Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera occurred in greater proportions in drift than in benthos. The Nemouridae (Plecoptera), …

Characterization Of The Biological Functions Of Human Recombinant Zona Pellucida Protein 3, Yu Wen Juan

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Recombinant human zona pellucida protein 3 (rhZP3), expressed. isolated and purified from PA-1 cells, is characterized for its biological activity and the role in the signal transduction pathway. Characterization of the biological activity of rhZP3 was detected by hemizona assay and immunofluorescence staining of acrosome reaction The results indicated that rhZP3 exhibited an inhibition in the binding assay (HZI 43.6 +/-3.3; n = 9; 30 ng/mL rhZP3) and induction of acrosome reaction (198.6% +/- 77.2% increase from baseline; n = 29; 30 ng/mL rhZP3). It was further confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy that there was no difference in morphology …

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (Lif): Murine Preimplantation Embryo Development, Implantation Rates, And Skeletal Development, Michael Hayes Mitchell

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine which demonstrates perplexing physiological effects. It has been demonstrated that LIF is essential for implantation in mice. Little is known relating to the manner by which LIF effects pre-implantation and post-implantation development. The objectives of this project were to determine the effects LIF on pre-implantation development, to determine the effects that it may have on implantation rates, successful pregnancy rates, and resorption rates, and to determine the effects that LIF has on the skeletal development of mice. For the embryo transfer experiments, embryos were exposed to test compounds in the transfer medium …

Analysis Of Serotonin And Postural Instability In Parkinson’S Disease, Sandra Kuniyoshi

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Postural instability is one of the most debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and the best clinical prognostic indicator of progressive disease. Significant differences in neuropathology, neurochemistry, response to L-dopa therapy and stereotactic surgery as well as prognosis have been identified in subtypes when patients with predominant postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD)/Type B were differentiated from those with predominant symptoms of tremor and rigidity/Type A. Postural instability is resistant to the therapeutic effects of L-dopa, despite its continued efficacy on other Parkinson’s symptomatology, implicating the nondopaminergic mechanism of postural instability in Parkinson’s disease. Patients with significant postural instability and gait …

A Kinematic And Kinetic Analysis Of First, Fourth, And Fifth Positions In The Classical Ballet Method, Mary Sue Hill

Masters Theses

The problem of the study was to compare electromyography (EMG) responses, ground reaction forces, and torques on female college-age dancers' knees in selected positions. Subjects were 18 female dancers, aged 18 to 30 years, with 6 subjects from each of three levels: Ballet Technique I, II, and III. The rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis were analyzed in a grande plie in three positions, (1) first, (2) fourth, and (3) fifth, with two phases: (1) eccentric, and (2) concentric. No differences in force or EMG data were found for the concentric phases of the three positions. Significant differences were …

The Role Of Glycoconjugates In Mediating Human Fertilization And Induction Of Fetomaternal Tolerance, Manish S. Patankar

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Using the hemizona assay (HZA), a in vitro sperm-egg binding assay, we show that specific glycoconjugates known to inhibit immune cell interactions mediated by the selectins, potently block human sperm-egg binding. The selectin ligand sialyl Lewis^x inhibits sperm binding in the HZA by 60% at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. Our data indicates that glycodelin-A, a endometrial glycoprotein known to block sperm-egg binding in the HZA at low concentrations expresses unusual fucosylated lacdiNAc type glycans. The fucosylated lacdiNAc type sugars have been previously shown to be 15-20 fold more potent ligands of E-selectin. Glycodelin-S a seminal plasma glycoform of …

The Second Messenger Camp Elicits Eating By An Anatomically Specific Action In The Perifornical Hypothalamus, Elizabeth R. Gillard, Arshad M. Khan, Rickinder S. Grewal, Bara Mouradi, Stefany D. Wolfsohn, B. Glenn Stanley

Arshad M. Khan, Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

Randomly Amplified Polymorphic Dna Analysis (Rapd) Of Artemisia Subgenus Tridentatae Species And Hybrids, E. Durant Mcarthur, Joann Mudge, Renée Van Buren, W. Ralph Andersen, Stewart C. Sanderson, David G. Babbel

Great Basin Naturalist

Species of Artemisia (subgenus Tridentatae) dominate much of western North America. The genetic variation that allows this broad ecological adaptation is facilitated by hybridization and polyploidization. Three separate studies were performed in this group using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Fifty-seven 10-mer primers generated nearly 400 markers from genomic DNA obtained from leaf tissue. These studies were (1) a measure of the variability of plants within and between populations and between subspecies using 5 A. tridentata ssp. wyomingensis populations, 2 A. cana ssp. cana populations, and 1 A. cana ssp. viscidula population; (2) an examination of the hypothesis that …

Cloning And Characterization Of A Novel Ion Channel, Jung-Ha Lee

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Immunocytochemical Study Of Apoptosis Signaling In Nb2 Lymphoma Cells, Angelo P. Guanzon

Theses and Dissertations

In the absence of mitogen, administration of Dexamethasone (Dex) induces apoptosis, or programmed-cell death in the Nb2 lymphoma cell. Addition of prolactin (Prl), on the other hand, blocks this effect. As a model for apoptosis, we were able to investigate this Dex-Prl interaction by means of a morphological approach: one that could be visualized under a light microscope. This approach allowed us to achieve several aims. First, we were able to develop a method of cell quantification befitting a morphological study based upon the hemacytometer. Second, with Trypan Blue exclusion, we were able to verify Dex/Prl-responsiveness in the Nb2 cells. …

Ethanol Preference In Peromyscus: An Association With Compromised Ethanol Metabolism, James Scott Lowman

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Eating Induced By Perifornical Camp Is Behaviorally Selective And Involves Protein Kinase Activity, Elizabeth R. Gillard, Arshad M. Khan, Bara Mouradi, Omkar Nalamwar, B. Glenn Stanley

Arshad M. Khan, Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

Per-Mile Premiums For Auto Insurance: Nber Version, Aaron S. Edlin

Aaron Edlin

No abstract provided.

Signal Transduction: Rhomantic Interludes Raise Blood Pressure, Andrew P. Somlyo

Jama S. Coartney

No abstract provided.

Whole Body I=In Vivo Vascular Compliance In Two Amphibians, Bufo Marinus And Rana Cate, Todd Micheal Hoagland

Dissertations and Theses

The mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP), vascular compliance (C) and unstressed volume (USV) were measured in Bufo marinus and Rana catesbeiana, using an in vivo preparation. Capacitance curves were constructed by varying total vascular volume and then measuring MCFP. These capacitance curves enable the extrapolation of USV and the measurement of vascular compliance. The MCFP, C, and USV were 8.6 ± 0.2 (mmHg), 3.7 (ml· mmHg-1 · kg- 1 ) and 2.5 (ml), respectively, in B. marinus. The MCFP, C, and USV were 9.5 ± 0.1 (mmHg), 2.2 (ml· mmHg-1 · kg- 1 ) and 14.2 (ml), respectively, …

Effect Of Cocaine On Rabbit Renin Angiotensin System: Cocaine Detection In Adult And Fetal Tissue And Adult Plasma Using Ion Mobility Spectrometry, Barbara Belinda Guinn

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) was used to detect cocaine and/or the metabolite ecgonine methyl ester (EME) in tissue and plasma samples from male, maternal, and fetal New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. EME was consistently detected in all adult plasma samples 5 minutes after the injection of cocaine hydrochloride (cocaine•HCI, 2 mg/kg). EME was also in the liver, kidneys, testicles, and ovaries. Five minutes after the injection of cocaine•HCI, the male arterial pressure (MAP) increased from a mean control value of 79 ± 3.2 mmHg to 88 ± 4.1 mmHg, and the pCO₂ increased from a control value of28 ± …

Interaction Of Acth And Estradiol In The Regulation Of Growth, Differentiation, And Steroidogenic Maturation Of The Baboon Fetal Adrenal Gland, Maria Gomez Leavitt

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

The present study determined whether the growth of, as well as ACTH receptor and P-450 enzyme messenger ribonucleic acid and/or protein levels in the baboon fetal adrenal are dependent upon fetal pituitary ACTH during mid and late gestation and the mechanism by which placental estrogen modulates ACTH actions. Administration of betamethasone (3mg/day) to baboon mothers on days 60-99 of gestation and to the fetus (0.6 mg/, n = 4) or to the fetus (0.6mg) and mother (6 mg/ml; n = 4) every other day between days 150-164 of gestation (term = 184 days) decreased (P $53β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-isomerase (3β-HSD(+)ctochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase, …

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase And Growth Factor Regulation Of Flow-Mediated Vascular Remodeling, David Anthony Tulis

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

This study was designed to characterize structural remodeling of male Wistar rat mesenteric arteries exposed to elevated blood flow in vivo for 1, 3, or 7 days. A series of arterial ligations induced blood flow increases in ileal and second-order branch arteries compared to same animal control vessels. Neither mean carotid nor local mesenteric arterial pressures changed significantly pre- to post-ligation. The primary flow-mediated force in both vessels was shear stress with possible involvement of acute stretch-induced wall stress in the ileal artery. Significant luminal expansion and medial wall hypertrophy occurred in the ileal and second-order arteries in a time-dependent …

Genomic Diversity In Staphylococcus Aureus, Bret Max Barton

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Staphylococcus aureus chromosomal DNA from 125 methicillin-resistant and 10 methicillin-sensitive clinical isolates was digested with rare-cutting restriction endonucleases and subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Thirty-nine distinct genomic macrorestriction patterns (GPs) were identified using SmaI; 29 of these patterns are from methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).

A dendrogram showing percent similarity among the patterns was constructed which revealed the considerable genomic diversity of the collection even though the isolates had been obtained during outbreaks. The majority of the MRSA formed one broad group with two outbreak subclasses. However, 8 of the 29 MRSA GPs (28%) were diverse.

Digestion with Csp …