Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effects Of An Animal Experience On State Anxiety In Female College Students, Angela Golio

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Simulated Storm Passage On The Behavior Of Whitespotted Bamboo Sharks, Chiloscyllium Plagiosum And Golden Shiners, Notemigonus Chrysoleucas, Jordan A. Healy

Honors Theses

Environmental changes during a storm can affect animal behavior; for example, tagged sharks leave shallow waters during tropical storms. While changes in shark behavior during storm passage have been documented, there have been no experimental tests to determine which environmental parameters are responsible. In this study, we experimentally manipulated two environmental cues: barometric pressure, and thunder sounds, to determine their effect on whitespotted bamboo sharks, Chiloscyllium plagiosum, and golden shiners, Notemigonus crysoleucas. Elasmobranchs do not have a swim bladder to detect pressure change; therefore, we used golden shiners to compare the reaction of a fish with a swim bladder. The …

The Effects Of Human Approach On Sanderling Foraging Behavior, Anne Hobdy, Eric Rosch

Honors Theses

During low tide, sanderlings (Calidris alba) forage on small invertebrates in the sand of the intertidal zone. As a result, these common shorebirds frequently come into contact with humans who visit the beaches for a variety of activities, such as fishing or jogging. Here, the effects of three different approach types (undisturbed, passive, and aggressive) on sanderling foraging behavior were examined to help understand how human activities may be affecting their ability to search for food. At two local beaches, locomotory rate was recorded in addition to obvious changes in initial behavior. Treatments were defined as follows: 1) …

O-Glcnacylation Of Hif-1Α Protein In Human Breast Cancer Cells, Joshua D. Dolsen

Honors Theses

Cancer is an insidious disease that, if not caught in time, can cause devastating effects on the human body, especially if it metastasizes. It is important to note that each cancer behaves and develops differently based on its location in the body and the cellular characteristics constitute the instance of the disease. However, the development of cancer can universally be characterized by the acquisition of different hallmark abilities that promote disease progression. Proteins known as hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) can influence progression through these hallmarks, but primarily provides cancer cells with the ability to alter its metabolism to survive and further …

Studies On Luminescent Gold And Platinum Nanoclusters For Biological Sensing And Catalysis, Richard Covington

Honors Theses

Nanoclusters are small nanoparticles that usually range around a micrometer in diameter. Gold Nanoclusters are known for their unique size and surface qualities and do not share metallic properties with nanoparticles or their respective bulk material. Some metal nanoclusters show high fluorescence and can be synthesized with protein mediation. Nanocluster formation depends on a number of variables, including temperature, pH, and type of reducing agent. This experiment was done to begin to understand how these variables may affect synthesis and what exactly they are. Pure Wild Type CSP-1 protein was induced, transformed, and purified in order to mediate gold and …

The Upright Go Wearable Posture Device: An Evaluation Of Postural Health, Improvement Of Posture, And Salivary Cortisol Fluctuations In College Students, Alexandra Lauren Elliott

Honors Theses

Health professionals consider improper posture as a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pain, and additional health issues. The chief aim of my study was to investigate links between poor posture and health, particularly in college students. To collect data regarding postural health, I distributed an exploratory survey to Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BISC 207) students at the University of Mississippi in Spring 2018. Students reported significant concern with quality of personal posture and significant experience with negative side effects of poor posture. Results demonstrated a need for postural education, leading to phase 2 of my experiment, the evaluation …

Neuroprotection With Novel Anti-Oxidant And Cannabinoid-Based Small Molecules, Jacqueline R. Mcgrath

Honors Theses

Neurodegenerative diseases are caused by various underlying mechanisms within the nervous system. Excitotoxicity is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases, and is produced by over excitation of glutamate receptors on neurons, ultimately leading to cell death. Protein aggregates and oxidative stress have also induced neuronal cell death that lead to many neurodegenerative diseases as well. Many compounds isolated from plants have shown protective ability against these underlying toxicity mechanisms. In this study, we tested several cannabinoid and anthyocanin-based small molecules protective abilities against excitotoxicity. We found several compounds that protected against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. We also tested …

Bacteria In Salt Pans Along The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Lauren A. Lawson

Honors Theses

Salt pans form in shallow depressions in the ground where salt water evaporates leaving a hypersaline environment remaining. These pans become flooded during extremely high tides and as time progresses, this additional salt water is evaporated leaving behind more salt deposits. Marine salt pans can provide habitat for halophilic microorganisms and provide an interesting environment for study as conditions can change with both sediment and water depth. Towards the surface of sediment in salt pans, oxygen is still available, however, deeper sediments have limited oxygen availability and are likely anaerobic. Deeper sediments can also have higher salt concentrations so may …

When Life Gives You Lemons: Comparing Two Diffusion Methods For A Psychological Screening Tool In The Medical Field, Jessica Tran

Honors Theses

E.M. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Theory is used to explain the process of how an idea or technology gains momentum and spreads through a particular population. The result of the diffusion is called adoption, meaning that over time the group has changed their initial behavior (i.e. using the new technology, purchasing and performing new behavior, etc.). There is considerable evidence for successful use of this theory in various fields. The study investigates the theory using a new psychological screening technology. A solicitation to hear information about the tool was presented to 19 physicians who were separated into two randomized groups, …

Cloning, Expression, And Purification Of Fadk And Its Application In Coa-Rna Capture, Jon-Michael L. Stork

Honors Theses

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an important enzyme cofactor involved in acyl transfer reactions. Recently, CoA and its various thioesters were found to exist at the 5’ end of RNA molecules. Although the function of these molecules is still unknown due to difficulties in their isolation, their existence at the 5’ RNA end reveals potentially novel biological roles of RNA. We are exploiting the broad substrate tolerance of the medium chain fatty acid-coenzyme A ligase (FadK), hypothesizing that this enzyme will accept biotinylated medium chain fatty acid substrates, creating biotin-tagged CoA-RNA. This modified CoA-RNA can later be captured using streptavidin affinity …

Changes In Salivary Antimicrobial Protein Concentrations In Response To Maximal Exercise In Collegiate Swimmers, Katelyn Hardin

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Dna Damage Response Gene Ddr48 Regulates Sterol Synthesis Genes To Confer Antifungal Resistance To The Pathogenic Fungus Histoplasma Capsulatum, Gabriella Reyes

Honors Theses

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungal pathogen that is endemic to the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi river valley regions. The fungus grows as a mold at environmental temperatures (25C) and transforms into a unicellular yeast upon inhalation by a mammalian host (37C). The mold to yeast shift is required for pathogenicity in host organisms, where the potentially fatal disease, histoplasmosis, can present. This study aims to characterize the DNA damage response protein DDR48 and the role that it plays in combating cellular stressors in H. capsulatum. We found that DDR48 is expressed strongly in the mold phase but expressed only …

Age-Related Tick Infestation Patterns In Springtime Migratory Passerines, Matthew Dunning

Honors Theses

To test the hypothesis that younger migrants are more prone to arrive at stopover sites on the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico with ticks than adult migrants, 2177 migratory passerines were screened for ticks at Gulf Coast sites in Texas and Louisiana. Fifty eight (2.7%) were infested with ticks with 28 (1.3%) being young birds and 30 (1.4%) being adult birds. The body condition of the birds was assessed to determine if tick infestation had negative consequences and if the severity of consequences varied between ages. I found no relationship of age with the prevalence of a tick …

The Incorporation Of Lipids Into The Cellular Membrane Of Salmonella, Betsy H. Redfern

Honors Theses

Salmonella is a gram negative, facultative anaerobic food borne pathogen and is the leading cause of deaths related to food borne illnesses. In order to establish an infection successfully, Salmonella must be able to survive in the presence of various stressors that it encounters, namely changes in pH, oxygen availability, osmolarity and bile. Previous research has shown that exposure to bile causes a shift in fatty acid composition in the cell membrane of the enteric bacterium Enterococcus faecalis. Thus, this led to the hypothesis that Salmonella incorporates fatty acids into its cellular membrane following exposure to bile and thereby protects …

The Acute Effects Of Artificially-Sweetened Beverages On Cardiovascular Health, Adria Mulligan

Honors Theses

Consuming artificially-sweetened beverages instead of sugar-sweetened beverages is becoming increasingly popular among those who want to lose weight, have medical conditions that prohibit intake of sugar, or want to improve overall health. However, little research has been conducted on the repercussions of the intake of these diet drinks, specifically on how they affect the cardiovascular system. The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of artificially-sweetened beverages on cardiovascular health. Eight participants with no pre-existing heart conditions underwent two separate appointments, one where they consumed a 12 oz. water and one where they consumed a 12 oz. …

The Correlation Between Physical Activity And Grade Point Average, Asia Mccoy

Honors Theses

The correlation between grade point average (GPA) and physical activity has typically been researched in adolescents, but not a lot of research has focused on traditional college students. Previous research in adolescents has shown mixed outcomes, but there is still evidence that a positive correlation exists between physical activity and GPA. It is also believed that adolescents who are physically active tend to have better academic outcomes than their non-active counterparts as they mature. The primary purpose of our study was to examine the correlation between GPA and physical activity in students attending the College of Education and Human Sciences …

Electronic Cigarettes: Addiction And Physiological Effects Within Adolescents And Young Adults, Matthew Pastrana

Honors Theses

In recent years, different organizations such as the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released statements and plans regarding the use of, and possible health risks of electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, mods, vape pens, etc. Data released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse stated that teenagers in grades 8-12 are smoking e-cigarettes but have not smoked cigarettes before. In addition, 66% of those teenagers reported that the liquid they are smoking are “just flavoring” (NIH 2016).

According to the ACS, although electronic cigarettes are …

Identification Of Blood Biomarkers Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In Collegiate Football Players, Amy Turner

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Interactions Of Fentanyl With Gp120 In The Central Nervous System, Meagan Buchanan

Honors Theses

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has affected more than 75 million individuals worldwide. HIV not only affects the peripheral system through the targeting of T cells, but also causes adverse effects in the central nervous system. Individuals suffering from HIV often experience neuropathic pain and are prescribed opioids to combat the chronic pain. Along with the increase of opioids prescribed to HIV patients, the number of deaths related to the synthetic opioid, fentanyl, has increased drastically. Drug abuse and HIV are interlinked epidemics; individuals who are HIV positive and referred to as “NeuroAIDS.” The HIV envelope protein, gp120, has been …

Checklist Of The Vascular Flora, Restoration Plans, And Educational Interpretive Signs For A Remnant Prairie At The Lakewood Memorial Cemetery, Hinds County, Mississippi, Olivia Shelton

Honors Theses

A floristic survey was conducted on the eastern margin of the Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery, located between Jackson and Clinton, Mississippi, near the western edge of the Jackson Prairie ecoregion. From soil map data and preliminary observations of the landform and flora, the eastern part of the cemetery was hypothesized to be remnant prairie now mostly covered by exotic grasses (pasture) and woodland. Plant specimens were collected, identified, and preserved in the herbarium of The University of Southern Mississippi (USMS). The survey yielded 119 species of vascular plants, of which 98 (82%) were native and 21 (18%) were non-native. Indicative …

Characterizing The Central Hemodynamic Response To Orthostasis: Influence Of Sex, Fitness And Body Composition, Benjamin Schreck

Honors Theses

Inter-individual responses to orthostasis (i.e., ability to maintain consciousness in the upright posture) exist. However, few studies provide insight into the potential mechanisms for this variation. The purpose of this thesis project was to explore individual differences (i.e., sex, fitness, and body composition) on the central hemodynamic response to a modified head-up tilt table test (HUT). Fourteen volunteers with an average age of 22±1 years and an average body mass index (BMI) of 8±1 kg/m² underwent assessments of pulse wave analysis, heart rate variability, and perfusion determination via near-infrared spectroscopy over the gastrocnemius muscle while supine, followed by a …

The Importance Of Rnd-Type Efflux Pumps In The Interactions Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa With 4-Methoxybenzaldehyde, Sanchirmaa Namjilsuren

Honors Theses

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common hospital-acquired pathogen and is often associated with high mortality rates due to the development of multidrug-resistance. Antimicrobial plant-derived (phyto-) aldehydes present a promising alternative to antibiotics due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and low propensity to trigger resistance. However, two main problems preclude the widespread application of these compounds: chemical instability and low antimicrobial efficacy. The ongoing collaboration between the Mavrodi and Patton labs at USM has recently addressed the problem of chemical instability by incorporating plant aldehydes into polymer materials called Pro-Antimicrobial Networks via Degradable Acetals (PANDAs). Thus, this study aimed to address the …

Transformation Of Model Organisms With Munc13-1 For Subcloning And Protein Harvesting, Grace Dittmar

Honors Theses

Exocytosis is the process by which cells release various molecules into the extracellular space. This mechanism is accomplished by membrane fusion, in which the membrane of the transport vesicle and that of the cell itself fuse to create one continuous membrane, allowing the release of the molecules inside the vesicle. A family of proteins, known as SNARE proteins, is responsible for facilitating membrane fusion. SNARE proteins form a complex between the vesicle membrane and the plasma membrane. For various cells, such as mast cells and neurons, exocytosis is essential to carry out their vital functions. Various accessory proteins are known …

The Impact Of Oxygen On The Intracellular Survival Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Amber N. Coats

Honors Theses

Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular pathogen that is responsible for the foodborne disease listeriosis. In order to invade host cells and establish an infection, this pathogen must travel through the gastrointestinal tract where it is exposed to a variety of stressors, including low pH, bile, and variations in oxygen concentrations. These stressors necessitate this organism’s ability to sense and respond to its environment. Previous research has shown that bacteria use two-component systems to sense and regulate genes needed for improved survival in stressful environmental conditions. The goal of this study was to determine if the expression of the putative oxygen …

Fate Of Ingested Rna In The Two-Spotted Spider Mite, Obrie D. Scarbrough

Honors Theses

RNA interference, or RNAi, is a gene regulation mechanism that uses small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) to silence the expression of certain genes. The application of RNAi has been extended to insect pest control. The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is a persistent agricultural pest that tends to develop pesticide resistance at an alarming rate, making it a perfect candidate for RNAi technology development. It was hypothesized that unique sRNAs could be isolated from RNA soaked spider mites, and new synthetic RNAs could be synthesized to elicit greater knockdown than was achieved in previous studies. To perform this research, a small …

Potential Relationships Between Lower Extremity Structural Alignment And Toe Angle During Static And Dynamic Activities, Mark Britt

Honors Theses

Background: The influence of lower extremity structural alignment on foot progression angle (FPA) and toe-out angle (TOA) has been measured, however foot structure has not been included in this analysis. No studies to our knowledge have assessed the influence of lower quarter structure on standing toe-out angle or during dynamic tasks such as squatting. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the potential influence of longitudinal arch angle (LAA) and weight-bearing dorsiflexion in addition to passive hip internal rotation (HIR) and thigh foot angle (TFA) on the following activities: standing TOA, FPA (walking TOA), forward arm squat TOA, …

Yield Stress Analysis With Dv-Iii Rheometer, Leah Margaret Cook

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to understand the behavior of everyday substances (toothpaste, lotions, ect.) and chemicals through the analysis of yield stress. By measuring the flow properties of these products, one can determine the stability, uses, and other properties of a substance. Yield stress is experienced everyday from squeezing a tube of toothpaste, to stirring a batch of cake batter, or canning products in a factory. Yield stress along with viscosity helps us predict the behavior of chemicals, cosmetics, and food that we handle daily. Yield stress, torque, and strain values were measured with a DV-III Rheometer and …

Deducing The Reproductive, Behavioral, And Learning Effects Of Developmental Cannabinoid Exposure In Zebrafish, Marisa L. Kutchma

Honors Theses

With the spreading legalization of marijuana, it is important to investigate the effects of two of its active ingredients—Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC and CBD differ in that THC exerts psychoactive effects, while CBD does not. Thus, CBD is renowned for its analgesic effects in treating a variety of ailments, for example, childhood drug-resistant epilepsy. In addition, there is an increase in reports of prenatal CBD usage. As it is increasingly used, research has fallen far behind the proliferation of CBD and more needs to be done, particularly in the developmental realm. This study utilizes a developmental origins of …

Time Course Effects Of Repetitive Social Defeat Stress On A Prefrontal Cortex-Dependent Cognitive Flexibility Task, Shaffer Hannah

Honors Theses

Stress is known to change the structure and function of the brain in animals and humans as well as their behavior. It has a high correlation with the development of psychiatric disorders as well. We looked to investigate how repetitive intermittent social defeat stress using the resident-intruder paradigm in rats affected a cognitive flexibility task. The task used was a set-shifting protocol known to be associated with the function of the prefrontal cortex. Measurements on the task were taken intermittently between social stress sessions to determine short-term effects and 10 days after the last social stress session to measure long …

The Meaning Of Song Type: Exploring Behavioral Responses Of Field Sparrows To Three Simple Song Types, Eliza Foli

Honors Theses

The frequency, rate, and overall quality of a male’s song may indicate the singer’s physical quality, either as a threat or as a potential mate, and are used for species recognition. However, the degree to which a song must differ acoustically to communicate different information about the singer remains unclear. Analysis of male field sparrow simple song recorded in southwest Michigan revealed three structurally distinct clusters of simple song that differ in frequency characteristics. We hypothesize that songs in each cluster convey information about the singer and that receivers respond more strongly to songs more similar to their own song. …