Life Sciences Commons^™

An Analysis Of Vegetation And Environmental Parameters At Mitigated Wetland Sites Located In The Upper Scioto River Drainage Basin, Central Ohio, Desiree L. Lawson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The construction of wetland mitigation sites to compensate for authorized losses is necessary under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Many mitigation sites have been determined to be unsuccessful. Monitoring of sites is necessary to determine if functions of natural wetlands have been replaced. Six mitigation sites in the Upper Scioto River watershed in central Ohio were chosen for study. Representative transects were established beginning in uplands adjacent to the wetlands (old field, OF), running through areas characterized by seasonal inundation (seasonally pooled, SP) and ending in permanent pools of inundation characterized by little or no vegetation (permanent pooled …

Natural History And Sexual Dimorphism Of The Eastern Hellbender, Cryptobranchus A. Alleganiensis, Robert Makowsky

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Eastern Hellbender’s natural history and morphology was examined. Field studies were done to examine the efficacy of different techniques (focusing on capturing larva) and diet analysis. Lab studies were done to determine if any sexual dimorphism exists in hellbenders using simple measurements (and ratios) and if this dimorphism could be used to reliably determine gender. Field studies were inconclusive due to the inability to find a reliable sample because of record rainfall. Lab studies revealed that a dimorphism does exist for one ratio (TG/TL, P=.048) and for several measurements. These measurements alone were not applicable for determining gender. …

Renal Basolateral Transport Of Glucuronides And Other Organic Anions In Rat In Vitro Models, Sarah L. Miles

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Glucuronidation is a common Phase II biotransformation reaction that increases the hydrophilicity, and thus elimination, of toxins, xenobiotics, and endogenous compounds. Previous studies suggest that the kidney can secrete glucuronide conjugates, but the renal transport mechanisms for glucuronide secretion have not been determined. Based on the chemical nature of glucuronide metabolites, it is hypothesized that organic anion transporter (OAT) proteins along the basolateral membrane of the renal proximal tubule promote renal accumulation of glucuronide conjugates. The purpose of this study was to develop a rat renal proximal tubule model which demonstrates OAT activity and by which the contribution of OAT …

Hk-2 Cells As A Human Model Of Glucuronide Transport, Eliza E. Robertson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Glucuronidation is primarily a pathway of detoxification in most species, but many glucuronide conjugates are associated with toxicity. Numerous drugs are excreted in the urine as glucuronide conjugates. Being organic anions, it is likely that glucuronides are secreted into the urine by organic anion transporters found in renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs). Some drugs that are metabolized by glucuronidation have been shown to cause renal toxicity, yet little is known about the renal handling of glucuronide conjugates. It is hypothesized that glucuronides are transported into renal PTCs by an organic anion transporter (OAT) on the basolateral membrane of the cell. …

Altered Phosphorylation Of [Beta]-Catenin In Glucocorticoid Treated 235-1 Rat Pituitary Tumor Cells, Susie K. Saunders

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Beta-catenin is an essential cell adhesion and signaling protein, associated with high prolactin levels in rat pituitary tumor cells. It has been shown that phosphorylation affects the location and activity of b-catenin. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3-b) is a serine-threonine kinase that phosphorylates b-catenin on N-terminal residues, targeting it for proteasomal degradation. Studies have shown that C-terminal tyrosine phosphorylation decreases the association of b-catenin with cadherin. In 235-1 rat pituitary tumor cells, our lab has shown that the glucocorticoid analog dexamethasone (Dex) decreases the half- life of b-catenin while increasing the activity of GSK3-b. The current study was undertaken to examine …

The Ecology And Natural History Of The Northern Leopard Frog, Rana Pipiens Schreber, In West Virginia, William Bradley Sutton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to gather ecological and life history data for the Northern Leopard Frog, Rana pipiens Schreber, in West Virginia. In Chapter 1, natural history data, such as morphometrics (larval and adult), dorsal coloration, and emergence time were recorded. In Chapter 2, it was discovered that Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas ssp. skin infections affecting R. pipiens could be identified using BIOLOG analysis. The scope of Chapter 3 was to analyze habitat partitioning between 3 sympatric anurans (R. pipiens, R. catesbeiana, and R. clamitans melanota). The following habitat partitioning gradient was discovered. Rana …

Semi-Biosynthesis Of Dna Nanostructures, Aoune Barhoumi

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Nanotechnology refers to all technologies aiming to build objects, make measurements, and carry out processes on the nanometer length scale. In particular molecular nanotechnology exemplifies the so-called "bottom up" approach, which is briefly defined as the ability to build useful nanostructures with molecular precision, such as molecular machinery. Such capability for controlling matter at the molecular scale has always been the dream of scientists.

All living things are nanofoundries. Billions of years ago, nature perfectly provided all living things with the most accurate biological nanotechnology systems. Cellular internal dynamics, communicative resonance in protein conformational states, viruses as microreplicators, nanoscale life …

The Natural History And Morphology Of The Eastern Cricket Frog, Acris Crepitans Crepitans, In West Virginia, Kimberly Ann Bayne

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Two subspecies of cricket frogs, Acris crepitans blanchardi and Acris crepitans crepitans, historically have occurred in West Virginia. The range of Acris c. blanchardi, Blanchard’s Cricket Frog, begins along the Ohio River extending into West Virginia. The Eastern Cricket Frog, Acris c. crepitans, is found in counties located in the eastern panhandle. The Eastern Cricket Frog is a species of great concern. Two sites where Acris c. crepitans historically occurred, two sites that never contained A. c. crepitans, one historical site that currently has A. c. crepitans, and two new sites that have A. c. crepitans were studied by auditory …

Use Of An Artificial Pond And Marshes By Amphibians And Reptiles In West Virginia, Vanessa A. Dozeman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A farm pond approximately 40 years old located in Wayne County, West Virginia was studied to determine the ingress and egress of amphibians and reptiles. In addition to the pond, 2 small marshes were also examined. The study extended from February 2003 to November 2003. The pond is approximately 36 m long and 38 m wide and is located on a south-facing hillside at 202 m in elevation. A drift fence composed of landscaping cloth was constructed to completely encircle the site. At every 5.15 m, funnel traps were positioned on both sides of the fence. Traps were checked daily …