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Articles 1 - 24 of 24
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Development Of Molecular And Cellular Imaging Tools To Evaluate Gene And Cell Based Therapeutic Strategies In Vivo, Jixiang Xia
Development Of Molecular And Cellular Imaging Tools To Evaluate Gene And Cell Based Therapeutic Strategies In Vivo, Jixiang Xia
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Molecular imaging modalities are important tools to evaluate the efficacy of gene delivery systems and cell-based therapies. Development and application of these modalities will advance our understanding of the mechanism of transgene expression and cell fate and functions. Physical gene transfer methods hold many advantages over viral vectors among gene therapeutic strategies. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of biolistic (“gene gun”) gene targeting to tissues with non-invasive bioluminescence imaging (BLI) methods. Plasmids carrying the firefly luciferase reporter gene were transfected into mouse skin and liver using biolistics, and BLI was measured at various time points after transfer. With optimized DNA …
Novel Copper Loaded Core-Shell Silica Nanoparticles With Improved Copper Bioavailability Synthesis, Characterization And Study Of Antibacterial Properties, Pavithra Maniprasad
Novel Copper Loaded Core-Shell Silica Nanoparticles With Improved Copper Bioavailability Synthesis, Characterization And Study Of Antibacterial Properties, Pavithra Maniprasad
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
A novel core-shell silica based antimicrobial nanoparticle was synthesized. The Stöber silica shell has been engineered to accommodate copper. Synthesis of the core-shell Cu-silica nanoparticle (C-S CuSiNP) involves preparation of base-hydrolyzed Stöber silica “seed” particles first, followed by the acid-catalyzed seeded growth of the Cu-silica shell layer around the core. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed monodispersed, spherical shaped nanoparticles with smooth surface morphology. Characterization of particle size distribution in solution by the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) technique was fairly consistent with the electron microscopy results. Loading of Cu to nanoparticles was confirmed by the SEM-Energy Dispersive X-Ray …
The Effects Of Urbanization On Cypress (Taxodium Distichum) In Central Florida, Lisa A. Mccauley
The Effects Of Urbanization On Cypress (Taxodium Distichum) In Central Florida, Lisa A. Mccauley
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Urbanization is accelerating in the United States and is contributing to fragmentation of natural habitats, causing changes in species composition and declines in native species. Human population growth in Orlando is typical of growth in the southeastern United States and throughout the range of cypress (Taxodium distichum). Orlando has numerous isolated cypress wetlands, called cypress domes, and many remain among the current urbanized area. This makes Orlando ideal to study the effects of urbanization on cypress domes. Specifically, I tested how urbanization and its effects on fragmentation, hydrology, and fire regime) affected (a) the numbers and spatial pattern of cypress …
Indirect Estimates Of Gene Flow And Its Conservation Implications In The Striped Newt (Notophthalmus Perstriatus), Sarah Elizabeth May
Indirect Estimates Of Gene Flow And Its Conservation Implications In The Striped Newt (Notophthalmus Perstriatus), Sarah Elizabeth May
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This study used indirect methods to estimate patterns of gene flow in a rare salamander species, the striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus). First, we used combined genetic and ecological methods to determine whether populations that appear to exist in two regions separated by 125 km, exhibited genetic and ecological distinctness such that the regions demarcate separate conservation units. Using mtDNA (cyt-b), we found that haplotypes were shared between localities within each region but none were shared between regions. Niche-based distribution modeling revealed significant differences in the ecological setting between the two regions. In combination, the absence of evidence for recent genetic …
Expression And Functional Evaluation Of Exendin 4 Fused To Cholera Toxin B Subunit In Tobacco Chloroplast To Treat Type 2 Diabetes, Ramya Nityanandam
Expression And Functional Evaluation Of Exendin 4 Fused To Cholera Toxin B Subunit In Tobacco Chloroplast To Treat Type 2 Diabetes, Ramya Nityanandam
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been steadily increasing around the globe. Glucagon like peptide (GLP-1), a powerful incretin increases insulin secretion in a glucose dependent manner. But GLP-1 is subjected to rapid enzymatic degradation (half-life: 2 min in circulation). The commercially available GLP-1 analog, exenatide has a longer half life with potent insulinotropic effects (about 2.4 hr) which requires cold storage and daily subcutaneous injections. In this study, exendin 4 (EX4), lizard derived GLP-1R agonist, was expressed as cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-fusion protein in chloroplasts of tobacco to facilitate transmucosal delivery in the gut by utilizing the …
A Solid Phase Assay For Topoisomerase I Interfacial Poisons And Catalytic Inhibitors, Vidusha Cyril
A Solid Phase Assay For Topoisomerase I Interfacial Poisons And Catalytic Inhibitors, Vidusha Cyril
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
We report a mechanism based screening technique to rapidly identify eukaryotic topoisomerase I targeting agents. The method is based on genetic tagging of topoisomerase I to immobilize the enzyme on a solid surface in a microtiter well format. DNA is added to the wells and retained DNA is detected by Picogreen fluorescence. Compounds that result in an increase in Picogreen staining represent potential topoisomerase interfacial poisons while those that reduce fluorescence report catalytic inhibitors; therefore, the solid phase assay represents a „bimodal‟ readout that reveals mechanisms of action. The method has been demonstrated to work with known interfacial poisons and …
The Innate Anti-Hiv-1 Activity Of Human Seminal Plasma, Julie A. Martellini-Moore
The Innate Anti-Hiv-1 Activity Of Human Seminal Plasma, Julie A. Martellini-Moore
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a global pandemic over the past few decades, with new infections and related deaths in the millions each year. There is no cure in sight for HIV-1 infection, and there has been little progress in developing an efficacious vaccine. Heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 remains the principal mode of transmission throughout the world and thus measures, such as topical vaginal microbicides, to prevent infection of the female reproductive tract are actively being explored. Recent trials of topical vaginal microbicides have shown that their interaction with the mucosal surfaces of the female reproductive tract as well …
Surface Entropy Reduction To Increase The Crystallizability Of The Fab-Rna Complex, Priyadarshini Palaniandy Ravindran
Surface Entropy Reduction To Increase The Crystallizability Of The Fab-Rna Complex, Priyadarshini Palaniandy Ravindran
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Crystallizing RNA has been an imperative facet and a challenging task in the world of RNA research. Assistive methods such as Chaperone Assisted RNA Crystallography (CARC), employing monoclonal antibody fragments (Fabs) as crystallization chaperones have enabled us to obtain RNA crystal structures by increasing the crystal contacts and providing initial phasing information. Using this technology the crystal structure of [delta]C209 P4-P6 RNA (an independent folding domain of the self-splicing Tetrahymena group I intron) complexed to Fab2 (high affinity binding Fab) has been resolved to 1.95 Å (1). Although the complexed class I ligase ribozyme has also been crystallized using CARC …
Identification Of Fabrics Likely To Collect And Disperse Fel D 1, Mary Janice Jones
Identification Of Fabrics Likely To Collect And Disperse Fel D 1, Mary Janice Jones
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Individuals sensitive to domestic cat allergen Fel d 1 experience a variety of symptoms including eye irritation, respiratory irritation, asthma, and severe respiratory distress. Fel d 1 is a protein produced in the saliva and on the skin of domestic cats. Previous studies have demonstrated that Fel d 1 adheres to clothing, upholstery, and human hair and has been found in non-cat environments in levels high enough to cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. In a general sense, two very different approaches have been adopted to study Fel d 1. One area of the literature focuses on the molecular biology …
The Effects Of Age On Reproduction In A Citrus Root Weevil Diaprepes Abbreviatus, Heather R. Chasez
The Effects Of Age On Reproduction In A Citrus Root Weevil Diaprepes Abbreviatus, Heather R. Chasez
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Understanding the factors influencing mate choice is a major focus of sexual selection. Many factors are potentially involved, including age of the individual. The good genes model and the youth advantage model both make predictions about the effect of age on mate choice. Under the good genes model older mates would be the more preferable due to their proven high survivability. The “youth advantage” model, predicts that young to intermediate age males would be more advantageous as mates because of a decrease in sperm quality and the possibility of increased germ-line mutations in older animals. I examined the effects of …
Understanding The Invasion Of Florida's Intertidal Crassostrea Virginica Reefs By Non-Native Marine Invertebrate Species, Ethan Fletcher Nash
Understanding The Invasion Of Florida's Intertidal Crassostrea Virginica Reefs By Non-Native Marine Invertebrate Species, Ethan Fletcher Nash
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Predicting the locations of new biological invasions has become a high priority for biologists as well as trying to predict if newly introduced species will become damaging to native ecosystems. Reefs of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica in Mosquito Lagoon, Florida have been highly disturbed in recent years resulting in dead reefs (piles of dead, disarticulated shells) some of which have been restored. I conducted oyster reef surveys for non-native invertebrates to determine if disturbance on these oyster reefs might assist invasion by two species, Mytella charruana and Perna viridis, recently introduced to the southeastern coast of the United States. …
Variability Of Carbon Stock In Florida Flatwoods Ecosystems Undergoing Restoration And Management, Kathryn Elizabeth Becker
Variability Of Carbon Stock In Florida Flatwoods Ecosystems Undergoing Restoration And Management, Kathryn Elizabeth Becker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The global community is struggling with mitigating the effects of widespread habitat loss and degradation; the effects of which are being further magnified in the face of global climate change. Quality natural habitat is becoming increasingly limited and atmospheric carbon levels continue to rise. Therefore, land managers responsible for multiuse management are often faced with the dilemma of managing ecosystems for biodiversity, as well as optimizing ecosystem services such as carbon storage and sequestration. However, some management techniques used to meet these objectives may yield conflicting results, specifically, the management tool of prescribed fire. Fire is crucial in maintaining species …
Biophysical Characterization Of The Membrane Binding Domain Of The Pro-Apoptotic Protein Bax, Pranav Garg
Biophysical Characterization Of The Membrane Binding Domain Of The Pro-Apoptotic Protein Bax, Pranav Garg
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The BCL-2 family of proteins tightly regulates the delicate balance between life and death. The pore forming Bax is a pro-apoptotic member belonging to this protein family. At the onset of apoptosis, monomeric cytoplasmic Bax translocates to the outer mitochondrial membrane, forms oligomeric pores thereby letting mitochondrial cytochrome c enter the cytosol and initiate the apoptotic cascade. The C-terminal "helix 9" is thought to mediate the membrane binding of BAX. A 20-amino acid peptide corresponding to Bax C-terminus (VTIFVAGVLTASLTIWKKMG) and two mutants where the two lysines are replaced with Glu (charge reversal mutant, EE) or Leu (charge neutralization mutant, LL) …
Impact Of Land Management On House Mice And Red Imported Fire Ants, Jesse R. Abelson
Impact Of Land Management On House Mice And Red Imported Fire Ants, Jesse R. Abelson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Understanding of mechanisms that limit the abundance and distribution of species is central to ecology. The failure of mechanisms to regulate populations can result in population outbreaks. There have been two outbreaks of house mice in the past decade in central Florida. In my study, I examine the efficacy of landscape management in the form of mowing and plowed soil barriers to limit or prevent outbreaks of house mice in a former agricultural area. House mouse populations were highly variable, but were unaffected by mowing or plowed soil barriers. Red imported fire ants were ubiquitous in the study area regardless …
Adaptive Responses Of Branchial Morphology To Hypoxia In The Neotropical Electric Fish Genus Brachyhypopomus, Leilani B. Pathak
Adaptive Responses Of Branchial Morphology To Hypoxia In The Neotropical Electric Fish Genus Brachyhypopomus, Leilani B. Pathak
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Many tropical aquatic environments worldwide are characterized by intermittent or prolonged hypoxia (low dissolved oxygen). Nevertheless, many tropical freshwater fishes are able to inhabit these challenging environments via a range of morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations. Brachyhypopomus is a diverse genus of weakly electric fishes represented by 28 known species distributed from Panama to Argentina. 17 species are restricted to permanently normoxic habitats (blackwater rivers and terra firme streams), eight species are restricted to seasonally or perennially hypoxic habitats (whitewater floodplains of large tropical rivers or permanent swampy habitats), and three species are eurytopic (occur in both seasonally hypoxic and …
Mechanisms Of Alpha]-Synuclein-Induced Neurodegenertaion In Parkinson's Disease And Stroke, Cherine Belal
Mechanisms Of Alpha]-Synuclein-Induced Neurodegenertaion In Parkinson's Disease And Stroke, Cherine Belal
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder affecting one million Americans. Despite its social and economic impact, the pathological cascades that lead to neuron dysfunction and degeneration in PD are poorly understood. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated as an initiator or contributing factor in neurodegenerative diseases including PD. The ER is an organelle central to protein folding and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Perturbations of these functions result in ER stress and upregulation of ER stress proteins, of which some have been implicated in counteracting ER stress-induced cell death. The mechanisms that lead to ER stress and how ER …
Expression Of Trichoderma Reesei Beta]-Mannanase In Tobacco Chloroplasts And Its Utilization In Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis, Pankaj M. Agrawal
Expression Of Trichoderma Reesei Beta]-Mannanase In Tobacco Chloroplasts And Its Utilization In Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis, Pankaj M. Agrawal
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lignocellulosic ethanol offers a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuels. One among the major limitations in the lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis is unavailability of efficient and environmentally biomass degrading technologies. Plantbased production of these enzymes on large scale offers a cost effective solution. Cellulases, hemicellulases including mannanases and other accessory enzymes are required for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. β- mannanase catalyzes endo-hydrolysis of the mannan backbone, a major constituent of woody biomass. In this study, man1 gene encoding β-mannanase was isolated from Trichoderma reesei and expressed via the chloroplast genome. PCR and Southern hybridization analysis confirmed the site-specific …
Stable Expression Of Tuberculosis Vaccine Antigen In Lettuce Chloroplasts, Priya Saikumar Lakshmi
Stable Expression Of Tuberculosis Vaccine Antigen In Lettuce Chloroplasts, Priya Saikumar Lakshmi
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is one of the leading reasons of death by an infectious bacterial pathogen. The development of TB vaccines has been recognized as a major public health priority by the World Health Organization. In this study, a potential candidate antigen, ESAT-6 (6 kDa early secretory antigenic target) was fused with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). Transplastomic lettuce plants were generated expressing these fusion proteins. Site-specific transgene integration into the chloroplast genome was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis. In transplastomic leaves, expression levels of fusion protein (CTB-ESAT6) varied depending upon …
Applications Of Airborne And Portable Lidar In The Structural Determination, Management, And Conservation Of Southeastern U.S. Pine Forests, Claudia De Mendonca Costa Synek Listopad
Applications Of Airborne And Portable Lidar In The Structural Determination, Management, And Conservation Of Southeastern U.S. Pine Forests, Claudia De Mendonca Costa Synek Listopad
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Active remote sensing techniques, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), have transformed the field of forestry and natural resource management in the last decade. Intensive assessments of forest resources and detailed structural assessments can now be accomplished faster and at multiple landscape scales. The ecological applications of having this valuable information at-hand are still only being developed. This work explores the use of two active remote sensing techniques, airborne and portable LiDAR for forestry applications in a rapidly changing landscape, Southeastern Coastal Pine woodlands. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of airborne and portable LiDAR, the tools used to extract …
Synthesis, Characterization And Antibacterial Activity Of Silver Embedded Silica Nanoparticle/Nanogel Formulation, Roseline Menezes
Synthesis, Characterization And Antibacterial Activity Of Silver Embedded Silica Nanoparticle/Nanogel Formulation, Roseline Menezes
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The antibacterial property of silver (Ag) has been known since ancient time. It is reported in the literature that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit improved antibacterial properties in comparison to silver ions of equivalent metallic Ag concentration. Such improvement in antibacterial activities is due to the high surface area to volume ratio of AgNPs (which facilitates interaction with the bacterial cells), increased release of silver ions and direct intra-cellular uptake of AgNPs leading to localized release of Ag ions. To date, over 300 consumer products containing AgNPs are available in the market and the inventory is rapidly expanding. The antibacterial efficacy …
Biology, Ecology And Control Of The Invasive Channeled Apple Snail, Pomacea Canaliculata, Christina M. Trexler
Biology, Ecology And Control Of The Invasive Channeled Apple Snail, Pomacea Canaliculata, Christina M. Trexler
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Invasive species are detrimental to native biotas worldwide. Recently, Florida was invaded by a freshwater snail (Pomacea canaliculata) native to Argentina. This snail is a serious pest of rice crops in Asia, but little is known about its interactions within Florida ecosystems. Possible competitive exclusion of the native congener (P. paludosa) is a concern because it is the almost exclusive prey of the federally endangered Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). My research consisted of three parts. First, to identify possible methods to control P. canaliculata in the egg stage, I experimentally evaluated the effects of photoperiod, substrate availability, and food …
Evolutionary Relationships Among Staphylococci And The Prevention Of Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Colonization, Ryan Paul Lamers
Evolutionary Relationships Among Staphylococci And The Prevention Of Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Colonization, Ryan Paul Lamers
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Staphylococcus is a significant cause of human infection and mortality, worldwide. Currently, there are greater than 60 taxa within Staphylococcus, and nearly all are pathogenic. The collective potential for virulence among species of Staphylococcus heightens the overall clinical significance of this genus and argues for a thorough understanding of the evolutionary relationships among species. Within Staphylococcus, aureus is the most common cause of human infection, where nasal carriage of this bacterium is a known risk factor for autoinfection. The predisposition to infection by nasal carriers of S. aureus, and the ease with which strains are transferred between individuals, suggests that …
The Sheddase Activity Of Adam10/Adam17 On Cxcl16 Increases Proliferation And Survival Of Colorectal Cancer Cells, Tamu C. Talton
The Sheddase Activity Of Adam10/Adam17 On Cxcl16 Increases Proliferation And Survival Of Colorectal Cancer Cells, Tamu C. Talton
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
CXCL16 is an interferon-inducible chemokine of the CXC-subfamily and functions as an adhesion molecule, when membrane bound, and a chemoattractant when soluble. Upregulation of cell associated CXCL16 (cCXCL16) in colorectal cancer is associated with increased tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and good prognosis. ADAM10 and ADAM17 are metalloproteinases responsible for cleaving CXCL16, releasing soluble CXCL16 (sCXCL16) and contributing to proliferation and migration of mesangial cells, in kidney inflammatory disease. We hypothesize that cCXCL16 is a substrate for ADAM10 and ADAM17 cleavage in colorectal cancer, releasing sCXCL16, which mediates cell proliferation. To this end, we first identified CXCL16 in the human colon carcinoma …
Modeling Carbon Allocation, Growth And Recovery In Scrub Oaks Experiencing Aboveground Disturbance, Troy J. Seiler
Modeling Carbon Allocation, Growth And Recovery In Scrub Oaks Experiencing Aboveground Disturbance, Troy J. Seiler
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Allocation of assimilated carbon amongst plant metabolic processes and tissues is important to understanding ecosystem carbon cycles. Due to the range of spatio-temporal scales and complex process interactions involved, direct measurements of allocation in natural environments are logistically difficult. Modeling approaches provide tools to examine these patterns by integrating finer scale process measurements. One such method is root:shoot balance, where plant growth is limited by either shoot activity (i.e. photosynthesis) or root activity (i.e. water and nutrient uptake). This method shows promise for application on frequently disturbed systems which perturb aboveground biomass and thus create imbalances in root and shoot …