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Old Dominion University

2005

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Articles 1 - 30 of 56

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Prospects Of Kenaf As An Alternative Field Crop In Virginia, Harbans L. Bhardwaj, Charles L. Webber Iii Oct 2005

Prospects Of Kenaf As An Alternative Field Crop In Virginia, Harbans L. Bhardwaj, Charles L. Webber Iii

Virginia Journal of Science

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), a warm-season annual plant, has shown potential as an alternate source of fiber in the United States. Although preliminary research has indicated feasibility of kenaf production in Virginia, production details are lacking. Field experiments were conducted during 1995 and 1996 to determine optimal row spacing and fertilizer needs, and to compare available kenaf cultivars. Although results indicated that differences in dry matter yields from four row spacings (30, 60, 90, and 120 cm) and four rates each of N, P, and K fertilizers (50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) were not …

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Fish Consumption Patterns Of Populations In Vicinities Of Lake Kastoria And Lake Pamvotis, Greece, Eugene G. Maurakis, David V. Grimes, Dimitra Bobori Oct 2005

Fish Consumption Patterns Of Populations In Vicinities Of Lake Kastoria And Lake Pamvotis, Greece, Eugene G. Maurakis, David V. Grimes, Dimitra Bobori

Virginia Journal of Science

Objectives are to establish fish consumption patterns of populations in vicinities of two lakes (Kastoria and Pamvotis) in Greece for use in the assessment of risks associated with consumption of fishes in these agri-chemically impaired lakes. Parameters measured were demographics (i.e., gender, age, weight, education level, occupation, residency), freshwater fish eating frequency, species and sizes of fishes consumed, and fish consumption habits [i.e., quantity, parts, and preparation method). All annual mean site-specific consumption rates of the four gender-age class sub-populations surveyed in vicinity of Lake Kastoria (avg. range= 0.103-0.29 kg/day) exceed those of Greece (0.066 kg/day), EU (0.068 kg/day), Spain …

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Characterization Of Pfiesteria Ichthyocidal Activity, Andrew S. Gordon, Harold G. Marshall, Sandra E. Shumway, Kathryn J. Coyne, Alan J. Lewitus, Michael A. Mallin, Parke A. Rublee Oct 2005

Characterization Of Pfiesteria Ichthyocidal Activity, Andrew S. Gordon, Harold G. Marshall, Sandra E. Shumway, Kathryn J. Coyne, Alan J. Lewitus, Michael A. Mallin, Parke A. Rublee

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Letter to the Editor regarding article: Drgon, T., et al. 2005. Characterization of ichthyocidal activity of Pfiesteria piscicida: Dependence on the dinospore cell density. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71:519–529

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Chromosomal Localization Of The Islet Neogenesis Associated Protein (Ingap) Gene In Syrian Hamster By Tyramide Signal Amplification-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (Tsa-Fish), Sallie A. Smith Oct 2005

Chromosomal Localization Of The Islet Neogenesis Associated Protein (Ingap) Gene In Syrian Hamster By Tyramide Signal Amplification-Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (Tsa-Fish), Sallie A. Smith

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Diabetes mellitus is a group of conditions characterized by hyperglycemia due to an inability to produce or properly utilize insulin. The majority of cases fall into two categories, Type I and Type 2. Type I results from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells of the islets. The beta cells are the exclusive source of insulin and the patient becomes entirely dependent on exogenous insulin to survive. Patients with Type 2 are distinguished by insulin resistance, a condition that develops due to the inability of the body to effectively use the insulin being produced. The β-cells gradually lose their ability to …

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Natural And Synthetic Viniferins Associated With The Grapevine Disease Young Vine Decline, David Michael Mcginnis Oct 2005

Natural And Synthetic Viniferins Associated With The Grapevine Disease Young Vine Decline, David Michael Mcginnis

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Grapevine disease has been thc subject of intense research amongst viticulturists over the last few decades, especially during the 1990's. There has been discoveries that suggest grapevine disease is commonly caused by fungal pathogens. One of the most common fungi that the vine may become infected by is known as Botrytis cinerea. B. cinerea is capable of attacking the grapevine which in turn will lead to bunch rot in the grape clusters. This disease has been researched in great detail during the past several years and is one of only few microorganisms that have actually been identified. Phaeoacremrmium chnlmydospnrum …

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Phytoplankton Development Within Tidal Freshwater Regions Of Two Virginia Rivers, Harold G. Marshall, Lubomira Burchardt Jul 2005

Phytoplankton Development Within Tidal Freshwater Regions Of Two Virginia Rivers, Harold G. Marshall, Lubomira Burchardt

Virginia Journal of Science

Phytoplankton composition and the range of seasonal patterns of abundance are presented for the tidal freshwater regions in two Virginia rivers based on data accumulated monthly from 1986 through 1999. Diatoms dominated the flora during spring, summer, and fall, whereas, other taxonomic categories were more representative when the river flow rates decreased, allowing for a more stable water system and increased residency time within this tidal region during summer and early fall. This summer/fall period was associated with increased water temperatures, higher productivity rates and chlorophyll levels, increased total phytoplankton abundance and species diversity. The major components of the summer …

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Bats Of Skydusky Hollow, Bland County, Virginia, Virgil Brack Jr., Richard J. Reynolds, Wil Orndorff, Joe Zokaites, Carol Zokaites Jul 2005

Bats Of Skydusky Hollow, Bland County, Virginia, Virgil Brack Jr., Richard J. Reynolds, Wil Orndorff, Joe Zokaites, Carol Zokaites

Virginia Journal of Science

During the period 22 November 1999 – 11 October 2001, winter hibernacula surveys, spring staging/autumn swarming surveys, and summer surveys for bats were completed in caves of Skydusky Hollow, Bland County, Virginia. During winter, 12 caves were entered and 16,185 bats counted: 235 Myotis sodalis (Indiana bat), 14,475 Myotis lucifugus (little brown myotis), 12 Myotis septentrionalis (northern myotis), 7 Myotis leibii (eastern small-footed myotis), 1,441 Pipistrellus subflavus (eastern pipistrelle), and 15 Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat). Myotis sodalis hibernated in thermally stable areas of 7 -9 ̊C. The largest concentration of M. lucifugus (n = 4,280) hibernated in an area …

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The Small Mammals Of Isle Of Wight County, Virginia, As Revealed By Pitfall Trapping, Robert K. Rose Jul 2005

The Small Mammals Of Isle Of Wight County, Virginia, As Revealed By Pitfall Trapping, Robert K. Rose

Virginia Journal of Science

In a study conducted in mid-winter, pitfall traps were used to assess the small mammal communities on 14 grids set in open habitats in Isle of Wight County in eastern Virginia. In all, 136 shrews of three species and 103 rodents of five species were trapped. Least shrews (n=110) comprised 46 percent of small mammals and 80 percent of shrews. Eastern harvest mice (n=62) were the most common rodents. Reproduction was detected only in pine voles and southern bog lemmings. The majority of small mammals of the region were trapped during this month-long study.

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Interannual Variation Of Stratification In Lower Chesapeake Bay, Christopher S. Katzenmiller Jul 2005

Interannual Variation Of Stratification In Lower Chesapeake Bay, Christopher S. Katzenmiller

OES Theses and Dissertations

Stratification in the water column can prove to be an important indicator to the state of the water column and ecosystem. The focus of this research is to evaluate trends in stratification in the Lower Chesapeake Bay. Detailed analysis was performed on a 14 year data set to study interannual variation in the region of study. Potential energy anomaly was used to quantify stratification. Potential energy anomaly is the amount of energy required to mix a water column. It is determined from the vertical density structure of density. Potential energy anomaly is the departure of potential energy from climate conditions. …

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Variation In The Fluorescence Of Green Fluorescent Protein In Various Strains Of Escherichia Coli, Paul R. Letellier Jr. Jul 2005

Variation In The Fluorescence Of Green Fluorescent Protein In Various Strains Of Escherichia Coli, Paul R. Letellier Jr.

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) was first identified in the jellyfish Aequorea victoria and generated interest due to its ability to noninvasively tag and visualize cells, cellular structures, and cellular proteins. Furthermore, the expression of green fluorescent protein in Esherichia coli cells as a tool for reporting gene expression and promotor activity has become important in the understanding of gene regulation. Expression of the gfp gene was found to vary depending on the strain of E. coli possessing the gfp gene. As a result of this fluctuation in fluorescence, gene expression and hence promotor activity may be difficult to detect or …

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Recruitment In Degraded Marine Habitats: A Spatially Explicit, Individual-Based Model For Spiny Lobster, Mark J. Butler Iv, Thomas W. Dolan Iii, John H. Hunt, Kenneth A. Rose, William F. Herrnkind Jun 2005

Recruitment In Degraded Marine Habitats: A Spatially Explicit, Individual-Based Model For Spiny Lobster, Mark J. Butler Iv, Thomas W. Dolan Iii, John H. Hunt, Kenneth A. Rose, William F. Herrnkind

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Coastal habitats that serve as nursery grounds for numerous marine species are badly degraded, yet the traditional means of modeling populations of exploited marine species handle spatiotemporal changes in habitat characteristics and life history dynamics poorly, if at all. To explore how nursery habitat degradation impacts recruitment of a mobile, benthic species, we developed a spatially explicit, individual-based model that describes the recruitment of Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) in the Florida Keys, where a cascade of environmental disturbances has reconfigured nursery habitat structure. In recent years, the region has experienced a series of linked perturbations, among them, seagrass die-offs, …

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Morphological And Molecular Defects In Zebrafish Embryos (Danio Rerio) After Chromated Copper Arsenate Exposure, Kerry Jean Lee Apr 2005

Morphological And Molecular Defects In Zebrafish Embryos (Danio Rerio) After Chromated Copper Arsenate Exposure, Kerry Jean Lee

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

This investigation identified the morphological defects caused by different concentrations of chromium, copper, and arsenic (CCA) on the developing zebrafish embryo; in addition to defects caused by the three combined components (complete CCA). A change in the DNA of the developing embryos in response to the three components of CCA and complete CCA was also determined. Early Dania rerio embryos were cultured for five days with various concentrations of CCA components and complete CCA. Morphological defects were assessed with light microscopy and DNA fragmentation was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Embryonic exposure of D. rerio to sub lethal concentrations of …

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Developing And Optimizing Conditions For Single Cell Genetic Analysis, Susan Adele Gitlin Apr 2005

Developing And Optimizing Conditions For Single Cell Genetic Analysis, Susan Adele Gitlin

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) allows for couples to obtain genetic information at the embryo stage, therefore preventing lethal genetic diseases in their offspring. A recent multi-center study determined a 17% amplification failure rate overall and a 3.4% misdiagnosis rate (ESHRE PGD consortium steering committee, 2002). Experiments presented here were conducted to decrease those rates by optimizing single cell sensitivity and specificity of PGD techniques. Primer extension preamplification (PEP) was used after initial amplification failure, followed by gene specific PCR. Reamplification experiments yielded 54% amplification rates using blastomeres that previously failed amplification. In the clinical trial, four of six blastomeres were …

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The Antitumor Agent, Arglabin-Dma, Preferentially Induces Apoptosis In Human Colon Tumor Cells, Sung Wook Kwon Apr 2005

The Antitumor Agent, Arglabin-Dma, Preferentially Induces Apoptosis In Human Colon Tumor Cells, Sung Wook Kwon

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Arglabin-DMA, an analog of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), reportedly inhibits farnesyltransferase (FTase) directly by competitively blocking the binding of Ras protein and its posttranslational modification, as suggested in previous studies. But, the mechanisms by which Arglabin-DMA inhibits tumor growth in vivo and in vitro are still relatively poorly characterized. To determine the mechanism by which this drug inhibits tumor growth, the effects of Arglabin-DMA in two human colon tumor cell lines (mutant K-ras HCT 116 and wild-type ras HT-29) were explored on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle kinetics in vitro. In cell viability studies, we showed that Arglabin-DMA …

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The Defensin Gene In Dermacentor Variabilis And Ixodes Scapularis, Katherine Corbett Seguin Apr 2005

The Defensin Gene In Dermacentor Variabilis And Ixodes Scapularis, Katherine Corbett Seguin

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

In response to microbial challenge, invertebrates rely on their innate immune response to recognize and destroy harmful pathogens. One of the primary proteins produced by the response and that has been observed in many invertebrates, including insects, mussels, and ticks, is defensin. These proteins are responsible for forming pores in the membranes of invading microbes thereby destroying them. This study examined the gene coding region for defensin in two important tick disease vectors, Dermacentor variabilis and Ixodes scapularis. PCR amplification of the genes from tick chromosomal DNA resulted in the amplification of a 225 base pair amplicon. Sequencing of …

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Mechanisms Of Cell Death Initiated In Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase Expressing Colon Tumor Cells Treated With Ganciclovir And Ucn-01, Christina Elizabeth Ahn Apr 2005

Mechanisms Of Cell Death Initiated In Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase Expressing Colon Tumor Cells Treated With Ganciclovir And Ucn-01, Christina Elizabeth Ahn

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Metastatic colon carcinoma is the second leading cause of death from malignancy in the United States, and development of more effective treatments is essential. Heterologous expression of Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase (HSVtk) in combination with the prodrug, ganciclovir (GCV), has shown great promise for the genetic therapy of many cancers, but most patients have had only a partial or minimal response to the therapy. After screening a panel of two drug combinations, our laboratory has shown that the combination of GCV and the protein kinase inhibitor UCN-01 (7-hydroxystaurosporine) enhances tumor cell death more effectively than either drug alone. However …

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Feeding Behavior And Conditioning In Two Heterotrophic Dinoflagellates, Todd A. Egerton Apr 2005

Feeding Behavior And Conditioning In Two Heterotrophic Dinoflagellates, Todd A. Egerton

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Growth and abundance of heterotrophic dinoflagellate predators are generally attributed to the availability of algal prey. Several species of dinoflagellates feed on a wide variety of food types including fish. However the actual feeding preferences of dinoflagellates have been much less studied. In the few studies that have been carried out on dinoflagellate feeding preference, none have looked at possible factors that may affect preference. I conducted three experiments on the toxic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida and the related unnamed species Cryptoperidiniopsis brodyi which, (1) calculated the feeding preferences between algal Rhodomonas prey and fish blood cells and identified factors that …

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Can Otolith Elemental Signatures Record The Capture Site Of Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus Eleginoides), A Fully Marine Fish In The Southern Ocean?, J. R. Ashford, C. M. Jones, E. Hofmann, I. Everson, C. Moreno, G. Duhamel, R. Williams Jan 2005

Can Otolith Elemental Signatures Record The Capture Site Of Patagonian Toothfish (Dissostichus Eleginoides), A Fully Marine Fish In The Southern Ocean?, J. R. Ashford, C. M. Jones, E. Hofmann, I. Everson, C. Moreno, G. Duhamel, R. Williams

CCPO Publications

Otolith chemistry has been successfully used to reconstruct the environmental history experienced by estuarine-dependent teleost fish, including movement between estuaries and coastal areas. However, application has been more limited in species exposed exclusively to oceanic waters, where gradients in physical and chemical properties are less extreme. To test whether otolith elemental signatures record spatial information in an oceanic species, we sampled otoliths from Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and used an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) coupled to a laser ablation system to target the outer otolith edges corresponding to the period immediately before capture. Using multivariate analysis …

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Comparison Of Aquatic Life Depicted In Illustrations And Plaster Casts Of The Punt Relief From The Temple Of Hatshepsut At Deir El-Bahari, Emily Lord, Eugene G. Maurakis Jan 2005

Comparison Of Aquatic Life Depicted In Illustrations And Plaster Casts Of The Punt Relief From The Temple Of Hatshepsut At Deir El-Bahari, Emily Lord, Eugene G. Maurakis

Virginia Journal of Science

The primary objective of this study is to document differences between image characteristics of two sources (illustrations in Naville, 1898; and images in the cast of the relief at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) of the Punt relief from the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahri. Our second is to compare cast images to photographs of the original relief. Characteristics of 30 species in the illustrations were described and compared to descriptions of the corresponding 30 species photographed from the cast at VMFA. The number of differences and similarities were recorded for each pair of corresponding icons and used …

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The Role Of Feeding Behavior In Sustaining Copepod Populations In The Tropical Ocean, J. D. Wiggert, A. G. E. Haskell, G.-A. Paffenhofer, E. E. Hofmann, J. M. Klinck Jan 2005

The Role Of Feeding Behavior In Sustaining Copepod Populations In The Tropical Ocean, J. D. Wiggert, A. G. E. Haskell, G.-A. Paffenhofer, E. E. Hofmann, J. M. Klinck

CCPO Publications

A fundamental question regarding marine copepods is how the many species coexist and persist in the oligotrophic environment (i.e. Hutchinson’s paradox). This question is addressed with a stochastic, object-oriented Lagrangian model that explicitly simulates the distinct foraging behaviors of three prominent tropical species: Clausocalanus furcatus, Paracalanus aculeatus and Oithona plumifera. The model also individually tracks all prey cells. Each particle’s motion combines sinking, turbulent diffusion and active swimming when applicable. The model successfully simulates observed size partitioned carbon uptake rates. Based on the model results, the wide-ranging translational ambit employed by C. furcatus is best suited for the acquisition …

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Iron In The Sargasso Sea (Bermuda Atlantic Time-Series Study Region) During Summer: Eolian Imprint, Spatiotemporal Variability, And Ecological Implications, Peter N. Sedwick, T. M. Church, A. R. Bowie, C. M. Marsay, S. J. Ussher, K. M. Achilles, P. J. Lethaby, R. J. Johnson, M. M. Sarin, D. J. Mcgillicuddy Jan 2005

Iron In The Sargasso Sea (Bermuda Atlantic Time-Series Study Region) During Summer: Eolian Imprint, Spatiotemporal Variability, And Ecological Implications, Peter N. Sedwick, T. M. Church, A. R. Bowie, C. M. Marsay, S. J. Ussher, K. M. Achilles, P. J. Lethaby, R. J. Johnson, M. M. Sarin, D. J. Mcgillicuddy

OES Faculty Publications

We report iron measurements for water column and aerosol samples collected in the Sargasso Sea during July-August 2003 (summer 2003) and April-May 2004 (spring 2004). Our data reveal a large seasonal change in the dissolved iron (dFe) concentration of surface waters in the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study region, from ∼1-2nM in summer 2003, when aerosol iron concentrations were high (mean 10 nmol/m-3), to ∼0.1-0.2nM in spring 2004, when aerosol iron concentrations were low (mean 0.64 nmol/m-3). During summer 2003, we observed an increase of ∼0.6nM in surface water dFe concentrations over 13 days, presumably due to …

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Comparison Of Phytoplankton And Autotrophic Picoplankton Populations Over A 24-Hour Period From A Pond's Surface And Subsurface Waters, Harold G. Marshall, Lubomira Burchardt, Elżbieta Wilk-Woźniak Jan 2005

Comparison Of Phytoplankton And Autotrophic Picoplankton Populations Over A 24-Hour Period From A Pond's Surface And Subsurface Waters, Harold G. Marshall, Lubomira Burchardt, Elżbieta Wilk-Woźniak

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Phytoplankton abundance and composition relationships within the surface layer changed over short time periods (4-6 hours) in comparison with more constant associations at 2 cm below the surface. Both strata had a diverse algal flora (>50 taxa), but no distinct neuston assemblage characterized the surface layer algal composition over the 24-hour study. The similarity between the two strata indicated the floral composition of the surface layer came from the water column algae below the surface. Chlorophytes, diatoms, cyanobacteria, and cryptophytes represented the most abundant algal categories for both strata with a total mean phytoplankton abundance of 3,566 cells ml …

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Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields: A New Stimulus To Activate Intracellular Signaling, Stephen J. Beebe, Karl H. Schoenbach Jan 2005

Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields: A New Stimulus To Activate Intracellular Signaling, Stephen J. Beebe, Karl H. Schoenbach

Bioelectrics Publications

When new technologies are introduced into the scientific community, controversy is expected and both excitement and disappointment enrich the lives of those who initiate the new ideas. It becomes the mission of the “inventors” to embrace the burden of proof to establish their ideas and convince the skeptics and disbelievers who will undoubtedly temper their enthusiasm and test their patience. While open mindedness is generally a scientific motto, those who review patents, manuscripts, and grants do not always readily practice it, even when the evidence is convincingly presented; old ideas and concepts often die hard. So it has been and …

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Simulations Of Nanopore Formation And Phosphatidylserine Externalization In Lipid Membranes Subjected To A High-Intensity, Ultrashort Electric Pulse, Q. Hu, R. P. Joshi, K. H. Schoenbach Jan 2005

Simulations Of Nanopore Formation And Phosphatidylserine Externalization In Lipid Membranes Subjected To A High-Intensity, Ultrashort Electric Pulse, Q. Hu, R. P. Joshi, K. H. Schoenbach

Bioelectrics Publications

A combined MD simulator and time dependent Laplace solver are used to analyze the electrically driven phosphatidylserine externalization process in cells. Time dependent details of nanopore formation at cell membranes in response to a high-intensity (100kV∕cm), ultrashort (10ns) electric pulse are also probed. Our results show that nanosized pores could typically be formed within about 5ns. These predictions are in very good agreement with recent experimental data. It is also demonstrated that defect formation and PS externalization in membranes should begin on the anode side. Finally, the simulations confirm that PS externalization is a nanopore facilitated event, rather than the …

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Benthic Fisheries Ecology In A Changing Environment: Unraveling Process To Achieve Prediction, Mark J. Butler Iv Jan 2005

Benthic Fisheries Ecology In A Changing Environment: Unraveling Process To Achieve Prediction, Mark J. Butler Iv

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Marine fisheries and the ecosystems that sustain them are increasingly beset by environmental deterioration, and the problem is particularly acute in coastal zones where human Populations are increasing. In the best of circumstances, fishery managers are faced with the multiple, often conflicting, demands of resource users, politicians, and scientists when considering strategies for resource management. A further challenge is that management decisions must be made against a backdrop of a deteriorating environment and the shifting status of coastal ecosystem integrity. Traditional tools for single-species management may be inadequate in these settings. Furthermore. the necessary empirical data to appropriately parameterize models …

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A Defensin-Like Gene Expressed In The Black-Legged Tick, Ixodes Scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), Wayne L. Hynes, S. M. Ceraul, S. M. Todd, K. C. Seguin, Daniel E. Sonenshine Jan 2005

A Defensin-Like Gene Expressed In The Black-Legged Tick, Ixodes Scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae), Wayne L. Hynes, S. M. Ceraul, S. M. Todd, K. C. Seguin, Daniel E. Sonenshine

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis linnaeus (Acari: Ixodidae) is an important vector of microbial pathogens. Knowledge of the tick's innate immune response, particularly defensin and other antimicrobial peptides, is important for understanding how microbes survive in this tick. A defensin gene (slnA) from I. scapularis was obtained by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using mRNA extracted from tissues of female ticks. RT-PCR indicated the gene was expressed in the midgut, haemocytes, and fat-body, although no evidence of a peptide was found. Sequencing a cloned cDNA fragment revealed a 225 bp open reading frame encoding a 74 amino acid pre-prodefensin, including …

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Defensin In Ticks: Molecular Characterization, Expression, And Role In Innate Immunity, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Wayne L. Hynes, Shane M. Ceraul, Michelle Todd Jan 2005

Defensin In Ticks: Molecular Characterization, Expression, And Role In Innate Immunity, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Wayne L. Hynes, Shane M. Ceraul, Michelle Todd

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

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Host Blood Proteins And Peptides In The Midgut Of The Tick Dermacentor Variabilis Contribute To Bacterial Control, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Wayne L. Hynes, Shane M. Ceraul, Robert Mitchell, Tiffany Benzine Jan 2005

Host Blood Proteins And Peptides In The Midgut Of The Tick Dermacentor Variabilis Contribute To Bacterial Control, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Wayne L. Hynes, Shane M. Ceraul, Robert Mitchell, Tiffany Benzine

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Antimicrobial midgut proteins and peptides that result from blood digestion in feeding American dog ticks Dermacentor variabilis (Say) were identified. Midgut extracts from these ticks showed antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus, regardless of whether they were challenged with peptidoglycan, blood meal components, rabbit blood, Bacillus subtilis, Escherischia coli or Borrelia burgdorferi. However, no peptide band co-migrating with defensin was found in midgut extracts from the challenged ticks. Partial purification of the midgut extracts using C18 Sep Paks and gel electrophoresis showed the presence of 4 distinct bands with rMW 4.1, 5.3, 5.7 and 8.0 kDa identified …

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New Species Of Amphipod Crustaceans In The Genera Tegano And Melita (Hadzioidea : Melitidae) From Subterranean Groundwaters In Guam, Palau, And The Philippines, Thomas R. Sawicki, John R. Holsinger, Thomas M. Iliffe Jan 2005

New Species Of Amphipod Crustaceans In The Genera Tegano And Melita (Hadzioidea : Melitidae) From Subterranean Groundwaters In Guam, Palau, And The Philippines, Thomas R. Sawicki, John R. Holsinger, Thomas M. Iliffe

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Three new species of Tegano are described, two from caves on Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines, and one from a cave on Peleliu Island, Palau. Sriha vagabunda from Sri Lanka is reassigned to the genus Tegano based primarily on the high degree of similarity between Sriha vagabunda and species of Tegano and the fact that these species exhibit a great deal of variation in the reduction of the mandibular palp. A new species of Melita with characters intermediate between those defining the genera Abludomelita, Melita, and Paraniphargus is described from a spring on Guam. The characters of the new …

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Population Dynamics Of Oryzomys Palustris And Microtus Pennsylvanicus In Virginia Tidal Marshes, Christopher P. Bloch, Robert K. Rose Jan 2005

Population Dynamics Of Oryzomys Palustris And Microtus Pennsylvanicus In Virginia Tidal Marshes, Christopher P. Bloch, Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Oryzomys palustris (marsh rice rat) and Microtus pennsylvanicus (meadow vole) cohabit coastal marshes in the mid-Atlantic US. Both were live-trapped for 23 months at two tidal marsh sites in Virginia to assess their demography near the margins of their distributions. In the presence of dense vegetation, population dynamics of the two species were seasonal and positively correlated, with densities declining through the winter. At the more sparsely vegetated site, densities of both species were lower, and densities of M. pennsylvanicus were negatively correlated with those of O. palustris. Patterns of reproduction differed between the species. O. palustris was reproductively …

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