Life Sciences Commons^™

Cytotoxic Compounds From Invasive Giant Salvinia (Salvinia Molesta) Against Human Tumor Cells (Abstract), Shiyou Li, Ping Wang, Guangrui Deng, Wei Yuan, Zushang Su

NCPC Publications and Patents

Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is one of the most noxious invasive species in the world. Our bioactivity-guided fractionation of ethanol extract of giant salvinia led to the isolation of 50 compounds. Of the six new compounds (1–6), salviniol (1) is a rare abietane diterpene with a new ferruginol-menthol coupled skeleton and both salviniside I (2) and salviniside II (3) are novel benzofuran glucose conjugates with unique 10-membered macrodiolide structures. Sixteen abietane diterpenes (1, 7–17, and 19–22) demonstrated in vitro activities …

Mutational Analysis Of The Rotavirus Nsp4 Enterotoxic Domain That Binds To Caveolin-1, Judith M. Ball, Megan E. Schroeder, Cecelia V. Williams, Friedhelm Schroeder, Rebecca D. Parr

Faculty Publications

Background: Rotavirus (RV) nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) is the first described viral enterotoxin, which induces early secretory diarrhea in neonatal rodents. Our previous data show a direct interaction between RV NSP4 and the structural protein of caveolae, caveolin-1 (cav-1), in yeast and mammalian cells. The binding site of cav-1 mapped to the NSP4 amphipathic helix, and led us to examine which helical face was responsible for the interaction.

Methods: A panel of NSP4 mutants were prepared and tested for binding to cav-1 by yeast two hybrid and direct binding assays. The charged residues of the NSP4 amphipathic helix were changed …

Project Report No. 68, Observed Growth And Yield Of Loblolly Pine Plantations In East Texas, Dean W. Coble, Katherine Pendergast

Informal Project Reports

Forestland in east Texas occupies about 12.1 million acres with 2.9 million acres (24%) classified as pine plantations on private land. Pine plantations are typically managed to produce timber, so information is needed to make informed management decisions. Growth is one piece of information that managers often rely upon in their decision making process.

Curcumin-Free Turmeric Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory And Anticancer Activities: Identification Of Novel Components Of Turmeric (Abstract), Bharat Aggarwal, Wei Yuan, Shiyou Li, Subash C. Gupta

NCPC Publications and Patents

Abstract attached

Multitargeting By Turmeric, The Golden Spice: From Kitchen To Clinic (Abstract), Subash C. Gupta, Bokyung Sung, Ji Hye Kim, Sahdeo Prasad, Shiyou Li, Bharat Aggarwal

Faculty Publications

Abstract attached

Sfa Gardens Newsletter, Summer 2013, Sfa Gardens, Stephen F. Austin State University

SFA Gardens Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Decades-Long Social Memory In Bottlenose Dolphins, Jason N. Bruck

Faculty Publications

Long-term social memory is important, because it is an ecologically relevant test of cognitive capacity, it helps us understand which social relationships are remembered and it relates two seemingly disparate disciplines: cognition and sociality. For dolphins, long-term memory for conspecifics could help assess social threats as well as potential social or hunting alliances in a very fluid and complex fission-fusion social system, yet we have no idea how long dolphins can remember each other. Through a playback study conducted within a multi-institution dolphin breeding consortium (where animals are moved between different facilities), recognition of unfamiliar versus familiar signature whistles of …

Triterpenoid Saponins From Eryngium Yuccifolium ‘Kershaw Blue’ (Abstract), Ping Wang, Wei Yuan, Guangrui Deng, Zushang Su, Shiyou Li

Faculty Publications

Abstract attached

Comparing Aggression Levels In Jack Dempsey Cichlids Based On Variation Of Haitat Structure, Johnne' Beaty, Bethany Sobray, Rachael Greer

Undergraduate Research Conference

Jack Dempsey cichlids, Rocio octofasciata, are native to South America and known for their aggressive behaviors. These fish are popular in freshwater aquariums, but can act aggressively towards other fish. In many species of fish individuals may behave aggressively to defend resources and the decision to defend these resources depends on factors such a habitat complexity (Oldfield 2011). Cichlids thus need ample room to maintain individual territories. Behavioral patterns in other species of cichlids have observed that the establishment of territories is constantly changing (Dijkstra et al. 2009). Individuals use information such as habitat complexity to adapt to environments, even …

Establishing The Learning Effect Of Repeated Wingate Anaerobic Tests, Erin Thompson, Natalie Schaeffer, Eric T. Jones, Malcom T. Whitehead

Undergraduate Research Conference

The Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) is a recognized and well established tool used to measure power output, muscular endurance, and fatigue. While litreature involving WAnT is plentiful, research addressing training effects within WAnT is limited. Previous studies have addressed changes in power output during repeated trials, however, to our knowledge multiple repeated trials over time to establish optimal learned effect has not been addressed. Past published studies using WAnT have incoporated various familiarization trails to account for the learned impact on performance (1, 2, 4). If an optimal number were established to produce a learned response the validity of future …

Effects Of Weaning Strategy On Growth And Stress In Beef Calves, D L. Warden, M E. Brown, E G. Brown

Undergraduate Research Conference

Traditionally, calves are abruptly separated from their cows at approximately 205 days of age to prevent the calf from nursing. This process is commonly known as weaning. Weaning is very stressful for calves not only because of the separation from their dam, but also because of the change in their diet. When calves are weaned stress may result in behavioral changes, such as increased vocalization, pacing, loss of appetite and thirst. Stresses due to weaning may result in a weakened immune system which increases the risk for infection and disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate various weaning …

Using Landscape-Scale Habitat Suitability Modeling To Identify Recovery Areas For The Louisiana Black Bear (Ursus Americanus Luteolus) In East Texas, Dan J. Kaminski, Christopher E. Comer

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Runoff Of Silvicultural Herbicides Applied Using Best Management Practices, Matthew W. Mcbroom, Jeff Louch, R Scott Beasley, Mingteh Chang, George G. Ice

Faculty Publications

Nine small (2.2 to 2.9 ha) and four large (70 to 135 ha) watersheds in East Texas, USA, were instrumented to compare herbicide runoff under different silvicultural systems with best management practices (BMPs). Two treatments were evaluated: conventional, with clearcutting, aerial herbicide site preparation, and hand-applied banded herbaceous release; and intensive, in which subsoiling, aerial fertilization, and a second-year aerial herbicide application were added. Herbicides were applied as operational tank mixes. The highest imazapyr concentration found in stream water was 39 mg L^‑1 during the first storm after application (23 days after treatment, DAT) and in-stream concentrations …

Sfa Gardens Newsletter, Spring 2013, Sfa Gardens, Stephen F. Austin State University

SFA Gardens Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Stream Water Quality And Quantity Effects From Select Timber Harvesting Of A Streamside Management Zone, Luke Sanders, Matthew W. Mcbroom

Faculty Publications

A naturally regenerated, even aged, mixed pine/hardwood, streamside management zone (SMZ) was selectively harvested in May 2006. The 27.8 ha SMZ buffered an intermittent headwater stream draining a 98 ha watershed. The harvest complied with Texas, USA best management practices (BMPs) by maintaining a minimum SMZ width of 15 m on either side of the channel, retaining a minimum basal area (BA) greater than 11.47 m² ha^-1, and minimizing forest floor and stream channel disturbance. No changes in soil bulk density were measured with only a slight increase in bare soil. No changes in water quality or …

Crowdsourcing With Arcgis Online For Natural Resources Management, Yanli Zhang, Matthew W. Mcbroom, Jason Grogan, Paul R. Blackwell

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Flavonoids And 3-Arylcoumarin From Pterocarpus Soyauxii (Abstract), Zushang Su, Ping Wang, Wei Yuan, Shiyou Li

NCPC Publications and Patents

No abstract provided.

Chemical Constituents From The Fruit Body Of Chlorophyllum Molybdites, Zushang Su, Ping Wang, Wei Yuan, Shiyou Li

NCPC Publications and Patents

A new glycoxyuracil and 15 known compounds were isolated from the fruit body of Chlorophyllum molybdites. The structures were determined from their NMR and MS data and by comparison with literature data. Compounds 2–5, 10–11, 13, and 15–16 were isolated from the genus Chlorophyllum for the first time. Compounds (1–9) did not show cytotoxicity against two human cancer cell lines, A549 and Panc-28 (GI50 > 50 μM).

Evaluation Of Electrostatic Particle Ionization And Biocurtain™ Technologies To Reduce Air Pollutants From Broiler Houses, Sheryll B. Jerez, W Faulkner, K. D. Casey, M S. Borhan, R. A. Smith

Faculty Publications

The continuing growth of poultry production, along with the increasing urbanization of rural areas, is leading to more odor-related complaints from neighboring communities and more scrutiny from policy makers. It is, therefore, in the best interest of poultry producers to look at control methods for abating odors. Previous studies have shown that substantial amounts of volatile and odorous compounds are adsorbed and transported by dust particles. Thus, by reducing the amount of dust emitted from poultry facilities such as broiler houses, odor may be reduced as well. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two commercially …

Accuracy Assessment Of Perimeter And Area Calculations Using Consumer-Grade Gps Units In Southern Forests, Daniel Unger, I-Kuai Hung, Yanli Zhang, Jeffrey Parker, David Kulhavy, Dean W. Coble

Faculty Publications

Field foresters have long required a method of accurate measurement of perimeter and area during forest management activities. Perimeter and area assessments that can be derived from individual waypoints collected via global positioning system (GPS) units can be an expensive endeavor. A question of concern for practicing foresters is as the cost of GPS units increase does the accuracy of waypoints and any derived perimeter and area assessments also increase? This research evaluated whether the dynamic collection of waypoints using consumer-grade GPS units ranging from $50 to $700 provide a sufficient level of accuracy for the calculation of perimeter and …

Studies On Water Resources In Forested East Texas, Matthew W. Mcbroom

Faculty Publications

Intensive silvicultural practices have the potential to negatively impact water resources. The effectiveness of forestry best management practices in minimizing potential water resources impacts should be evaluated. The purpose of this study is to conduct urgently needed research on water quality and quantity problems in forested East Texas.

Effect Of Application Timing On Efficacy Of Site Preparation Treatments Using Chopper® Gen 2™, Andrew W. Ezell, Jimmie L. Yeiser, D. K. Lauer, H. E. Quicke

Faculty Publications

Chopper® GEN2™ is a new imazapyr product for use in forestry site preparation. A single treatment (32 ounces of Chopper® GEN2™ per acre) was applied at three timings on three sites (Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia) to test the effect of application timing on treatment efficacy. Hardwood control was excellent for all applications. Pine growth varied by site, but all treatments resulted in excellent pine growth. Pine stem volume was 5 to 10 times greater in treated plots as compared to untreated plots.

Modeling Thinning In East Texas Loblolly And Slash Pine Plantations, Dean W. Coble

Faculty Publications

A new thinning model was proposed for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (P. elliottii Engelm.) plantations in east Texas. The new model follows the index of suppression methodology introduced by Pienaar (1979). It was implemented in a new whole stand growth model for loblolly and slash pine plantations in east Texas (Coble 2009). The new thinning model performed similarly to existing Pienaar-type models for east Texas and the Southeastern United States across a range of site quality. The predicted basal area development consistently approached the unthinned counterpart, which is consistent with results from other studies. The new …

Fifth-Year Pine Growth Response To Woody Release Treatments In Young Loblolly Plantations, Andrew W. Ezell, Jimmie L. Yeiser, L. R. Nelson

Faculty Publications

Across the South, many forest land managers may opt to use mechanical site preparation, especially when soil treatments are deemed appropriate. While these mechanical treatments may be highly effective at addressing a particular soil problem or debris issue, they are typically less effective at control of competing vegetation. In these scenarios where pines are planted, a woody release treatment using herbicides is usually applied at the end of either the first or second growing season. The purpose of these applications is to provide long-term control of the woody competitors with typically short-term control of any herbaceous species on the site.

Influence Of Translocations On Eastern Wild Turkey Population Genetics In Texas, Christopher E. Comer, Warren C. Conway, Gary Calkins, Sabrina Seidel, Randy Deyoung, Jason Hardin

Faculty Publications

Between 1979 and 2006, over 7,000 eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) from 16 states were translocated to east Texas in an attempt to restore a stable, huntable population. Although current populations are stable in some areas and a spring male-only hunting season was opened in 1995, turkey density in the region remains low and large areas of apparently suitable habitat are not occupied. The longterm effects of the extensive translocations and current levels of connectivity among various populations are unknown. We used microsatellite DNA analysis to assess the influence of translocations on current genetic structure and gene flow in …

Using Gis-Based, Regional Extent Habitat Suitability Modeling To Identify Conservation Priority Areas: A Case Study Of The Louisiana Black Bear In East Texas, Christopher E. Comer, I-Kuai Hung, Gary Calkins, Dan J. Kaminski, Nathan Garner

Faculty Publications

State and federal recovery plans mandate that priority areas for future population expansion be identified within the historical range of the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus). Despite the presence of potentially suitable habitat in east Texas and expanding populations in adjacent states, quantitative estimates of regional habitat suitability do not exist. We developed a regional extent habitat suitability index (HSI) model in a geographic information system (GIS) to evaluate year-round habitat requirements for black bears in the 43,530-km2 south black bear recovery zone in southeastern Texas. We measured hard and soft mast production, understory vegetation density, and tree den …

What Do Genetics Tell Us About Eastern Wild Turkeys In The Pineywoods?, Christopher E. Comer, Sabrina Seidel

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

[6]-Gingerol: A Novel At1 Antagonist For The Treatment Of Cardiovascular Disease (Abstract), Qing Liu, Jinjin Liu, Haili Guo, Shengnan Sun, Shifeng Wang, Yanling Zhang, Shiyou Li, Yanjiang Qiao

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Seasonal Variation In Offspring Sex Ratio In The Snowy Plover, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Warren C. Conway, David A. Haukos, William P. Johnson

Faculty Publications

The Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus) is unique in being a determinate layer of an odd modal clutch size and in having a variable mating system in which female brood desertion occurs regularly. These traits make determining Snowy Plover offspring sex ratios important not only for long-term population stability, as the species is of conservation concern, but also for application to sex allocation theory. In this study, we determined Snowy Plover offspring sex ratios, examined differential costs of producing male and female offspring, and evaluated sex ratio variation in relation to maternal condition, habitat condition, and time during the …

Stereo Photo Series For Estimating Natural Fuels In The Netherlands Volume 2: Dunes Region, Brian P. Oswald

Faculty Publications

The photo series are collections of photos and associated field data representing a region of The Netherlands. Volume I includes vegetation types in the Veluwe Region, including Heather, Grasslands, Beech/Hardwoods, Scots Pine, and Douglas-fir. Volume 2 includes dune vegetation types on the island of Texel, plus a site on the mainland near Haarlam. For each vegetation type, sites were sampled with varying fuel loads. The description of the sites consists of a wide-angle site photo, supplemented with field data on the various fuel loads and vegetative layers. The photo series is an important ecological tool to assess landscapes by analyzing …