Life Sciences Commons^™

Predicted Suitable Habitat Declines For Midwestern United States Amphibians Under Future Climate And Land-Use Change Scenarios, Brock Struecker, Joseph Milanovich

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

With current declines of vertebrate taxa meeting or exceeding those of historic mass extinction events, there is a growing need to investigate the main drivers of losses. Two of the main drivers of declines are global climate and land-use changes, both affecting multiple groups of taxa. Amphibians are at great risk from these two drivers of change and investigations into the impact of future change could assist with the formation of conservation plans to mitigate losses. Forecasting changes in suitable habitat with ecological niche modeling serves as a useful tool to begin to understand how species may respond to anthropogenic …

Developmental Nonlinearity Drives Phenotypic Robustness, Rebecca M. Green, Jennifer L. Fish, Nathan M. Young, Francis J. Smith, Benjamin Roberts, Katie Dolan, Irene Choi, Courtney L. Leach, Paul Gordon, James M. Cheverud, Charles C. Roseman, Trevor J. Williams, Ralph S. Marcucio, Benedikt Hallgrímsson

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Robustness to perturbation is a fundamental feature of complex organisms. Mutations are the raw material for evolution, yet robustness to their effects is required for species survival. The mechanisms that produce robustness are poorly understood. Nonlinearities are a ubiquitous feature of development that may link variation in development to phenotypic robustness. Here, we manipulate the gene dosage of a signaling molecule, Fgf8, a critical regulator of vertebrate development. We demonstrate that variation in Fgf8 expression has a nonlinear relationship to phenotypic variation, predicting levels of robustness among genotypes. Differences in robustness are not due to gene expression variance or …

Inhibitory Or Excitatory? Optogenetic Interrogation Of The Functional Roles Of Gabaergic Interneurons In Epileptogenesis, Hui Ye

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Alteration in the excitatory/inhibitory neuronal balance is believed to be the underlying mechanism of epileptogenesis. Based on this theory, GABAergic interneurons are regarded as the primary inhibitory neurons, whose failure of action permits hyperactivity in the epileptic circuitry. As a consequence, optogenetic excitation of GABAergic interneurons is widely used for seizure suppression. However, recent evidence argues for the context-dependent, possibly “excitatory” roles that GABAergic cells play in epileptic circuitry. We reviewed current optogenetic approaches that target the “inhibitory” roles of GABAergic interneurons for seizure control. We also reviewed interesting evidence that supports the “excitatory” roles of GABAergic interneurons in epileptogenesis. …

Clinical And Genome-Wide Analysis Of Cisplatin-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy In Survivors Of Adult-Onset Cancer, M. Eileen Dolan, Omar El Charif, Heather E. Wheeler, Eric R. Gamazon, Shirin Ardeshir-Rouhani-Fard, Patrick Monahan, Darren R. Feldman, Roebrt J. Hamilton, David J. Vaughn, Clair J. Beard, Chunkit Fung, Jeri Kim, Sophie D. Fossa, Daniel L. Hertz, Taisei Mushiroda, Michiaki Kubo, Lawrence H. Einhorn, Nancy J. Cox, Louis B. Travis

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

No abstract provided.

Non-Sister Sri Lankan White-Eyes (Genus Zosterops) Are A Result Of Independent Colonizations, Sushma Reddy, Nelum Wickramasinghe, V. V. Robin, Uma Ramakrishnan, Sampath S. Seneviratne

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Co-occurrence of closely related taxa on islands could be attributed to sympatric speciation or multiple colonization. Sympatric speciation is considered to be rare in small islands, however multiple colonizations are known to be common in both oceanic and continental islands. In this study we investigated the phylogenetic relatedness and means of origin of the two sympatrically co-occurring Zosterops white-eyes, the endemic Zosterops ceylonensis and its widespread regional congener Z. palpebrosus, in the island of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a continental island in the Indian continental shelf of the Northern Indian Ocean. Our multivariate morphometric analyses confirmed the …

Utilizing Modular Labs In Human Anatomy And Physiology: Lessons Learned From A First Time Experience, Jennifer Zitzner

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Anatomy and physiology laboratory experiences build upon concepts that are presented in the lecture part of the course. Our anatomy and physiology laboratory class meets weekly for approximately three hours and includes a compilation of activities that are to be completed during the laboratory period. While exercises are built off of topics presented in lecture and predominantly hands-on in nature, many students were not taking advantage of the self-directed learning experiences, especially those employing anatomical models. Some students were content to simply take photographs of models with their cell phones and complete only the graded portions of the laboratory assignment …

Kinematic Difference Between A Biological Cell And An Artificial Vesicle In A Strong Dc Electric Field – A “Shell” Membrane Model Study, Hui Ye

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Background

Cellular biomechanics can be manipulated by strong electric fields, manifested by the field-induced membrane deformation and migration (galvanotaxis), which significantly impacts normal cellular physiology. Artificial giant vesicles that mimic the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane have been used to investigate the membrane biomechanics subjected to electric fields. Under a strong direct current (DC) electric field, the vesicle membrane demonstrates various patterns of deformation, which depends on the conductivity ratio between the medium and the cytoplasm. The vesicle exhibits prolate elongation along the direction of the electric field if the cytoplasm is more conductive than the medium. Conversely, the …

New Genera And Species Of Fossil Marine Amioid Fishes (Actinopterygii, Holostei) From The Late Cretaceous Agoult Locality In Southeastern Morocco, Mark V. Wilson, Alison M. Murray, Terry C. Grande

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The document is Terry C. Grande's (et al.) abstract in the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 77th Annual Meeting Program and Abstracts.

Thermal Environment And Microhabitat Of Ornate Box Turtle Hibernacula, Joseph Milanovich, Brock Struecker, Stanislaw A. Warcholek, Leigh Anne Harden

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Box turtle populations are under significant threat from historic and current alterations of land-use where remaining populations often occur in remnant patches of suitable habitat surrounded by a heterogeneous mixture of anthropogenically altered, unsuitable habitat. Ornate box turtles Terrapene ornata are a prairie-dependent species, are considered Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and are Endangered or Threatened within many US states. Since their range exists largely in northern latitudes, aspects of hibernacula are particularly important for winter survival. How box turtles select hibernacula within prairies is likely of great importance to better understand which microhabitats …

Draft Genome Sequence Of Escherichia Coli K-12 (Atcc 29425), Catherine Putonti, Kathleen C. Engelbrecht, David W. Koenig, Alan J. Wolfe

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

A draft genome sequence for Escherichia coli ATCC 29425 was investigated. The size of the genome was 4,608,319 bp, with an observed G+C content of 50.68%. This assembly consisted of 80 contigs, with an average coverage of 122.2×, including one contig representative of the complete genome for the temperate phage P1.

Draft Genome Sequence Of Escherichia Coli K-12 (Atcc 10798), Catherine Putonti, Daniela Dimitrova, Kathleen C. Engelbrecht, David W. Koenig, Alan J. Wolfe

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Escherichia coli ATCC 10798. E. coli ATCC 10798 is a K-12 strain, one of the most well-studied model microorganisms. The size of the genome was 4,685,496 bp, with a G+C content of 50.70%. This assembly consists of 62 contigs and the F plasmid.

Draft Genome Sequence Of Micrococcus Luteus (Schroeter) Cohn (Atcc 12698), Catherine Putonti, Evan Cudone, Laurynas Kalesinskas, Kathleen C. Engelbrecht, David W. Koenig, Alan J. Wolfe

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The actinobacterium Micrococcus luteus can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Here, we report the 2,411,958-bp draft genome sequence of the type strain M. leuteus (Schroeter) Cohn (ATCC 12698). Characteristic of this taxa, the genome sequence has a high G+C content, 73.14%.

Draft Genome Sequence Of Staphylococcus Epidermidis (Winslow And Winslow) Evans (Atcc 14990), Catherine Putonti, Laurynas Kalesinskas, Evan Cudone, Alan J. Wolfe, Kathleen C. Engelbrecht, David W. Koenig

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Here, we report the draft genome sequence for the type strain Staphylococcus epidermidis (Winslow and Winslow) Evans (ATCC 14990). The assembly consisted of 2,457,519 bp with an observed G+C content of 32.04%. Thirty-seven contigs were produced, including two putative plasmids, with a 296.8× coverage and an N₅₀ of 180,848 bp.

Draft Genome Sequence Of Enterococcus Faecalis Atcc Baa-2128, Catherine Putonti, Laurynas Kalesinskas, Evan Cudone, Kathleen C. Engelbrecht, David W. Koenig, Alan J. Wolfe

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

While a part of the native gut microflora, the Gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecalis can lead to serious infections elsewhere in the body. The draft genome of E. faecalis strain ATCC BAA-2128, isolated from piglet feces, was examined. This draft genome consists of 42 contigs, 12 of which exhibit homology to annotated plasmids.

Draft Genome Sequences Of Two Atcc Staphylococcus Aureus Subsp. Aureus Strains, Catherine Putonti, Laurynas Kalesinskas, Evan Cudone, Kathleen C. Engelbrecht, David W. Koenig, Alan J. Wolfe

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Draft genome sequences for Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus Rosenbach ATCC 14458 and ATCC 27217 strains were investigated. The genome sizes were 2,880,761 bp and 2,759,100 bp, respectively. Strain ATCC 14458 was assembled into 39 contigs, including 3 plasmids, and strain ATCC 27217 was assembled into 25 contigs, including 2 plasmids.

The Double-Edges Role Of Copper In The Fate Of Amyloid Beta In The Presence Of Anti-Oxidants, Hui Ye, Jing Yang, Xueli Zhang, Yiying Zhu, Emily Lenzowski, Yanli Tian, Can Zhang, Markus Hardt, Chunhua Qiao, Rudolph E. Tanzi, Anna Moore, Chongzhao Ran

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The biological fate of amyloid beta (Aβ) species is a fundamental question in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. The competition between clearance and aggregation of Aβs is critical for the onset of AD. Copper has been widely considered to be an inducer of harmful crosslinking of Aβs, and an important triggering factor for the onset of AD. In this report, however, we present data to show that copper can also be an inducer of Aβ degradation in the presence of a large excess of well-known intrinsic (such as dopamine) or extrinsic (such as vitamin C) anti-oxidants. The degraded fragments were identified …

Exploring The Diversity Of Bacillus Whole Genome Sequencing Projects Using Peasant, The Prokaryotic Assembly And Annotation Tool, Jonathon Brenner, Laurynas Kalesinskas, Catherine Putonti

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The persistent decrease in cost and difficulty of whole genome sequencing of microbial organisms has led to a dramatic increase in the number of species and strains characterized from a wide variety of environments. Microbial genome sequencing can now be conducted by small laboratories and as part of undergraduate curriculum. While sequencing is routine in microbiology, assembly, annotation and downstream analyses still require computational resources and expertise, often necessitating familiarity with programming languages. To address this problem, we have created a light-weight, user-friendly tool for the assembly and annotation of microbial sequencing projects. The Prokaryotic Assembly and Annotation Tool, Peasant, …

Two New Genera Of Songbirds Represent Endemic Radiations From The Shola Sky Islands Of The Western Ghats, India, Sushma Reddy, V. V. Robin, C. K. Vishnudas, Pooja Gupta, Frank E. Rheindt, Daniel M. Hooper, Uma Ramakrishnan

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

A long-standing view of Indian biodiversity is that while rich in species, there are few endemics or in-situ radiations within the subcontinent. One exception is the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, an isolated mountain range with many endemic species. Understanding the origins of the montane-restricted species is crucial to illuminate both taxonomic and environmental history.

A Review Of Neogene And Quaternary Pikes Of Southeastern Europe And A New Species From The Early Pleistocene Of Nogaisk, Ukraine, Terry C. Grande, Oleksandr M. Kovalchuk, Mark V. H. Wilson

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The fish genus Esox (Teleostei, Esocidae) has been recorded from thirty late Miocene, Pliocene, and Pleistocene localities where forty-one bone-bearing strata are exposed in the territory of Ukraine, Russian Federation, and Republic of Moldova. From eight localities the genus is reported or described for the first time. A detailed description and morphological analysis of the currently available osteological material demonstrates the presence of four species in the studied area: (i) Esox sibiricus (late Miocene–early Pliocene); (ii) Esox moldavicus (early Pliocene–early Pleistocene); (iii) Esox nogaicus sp. nov. (early Pleistocene, Calabrian); (iv) Esox lucius (early–middle Pleistocene). The Northern Pike (Esox lucius …

Deformation But Not Migration And Rotation – A Model Study On Vesicle Biomechanics In A Uniform Dc Electric Field, Hui Ye, Austen Curcuru

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Background: Biological cells migrate, deform and rotate in various types of electric fields, which have significant impact on the normal cellular physiology. To investigate electrically-induced deformation, researchers have used artificial giant vesicles that mimic the phospholipid bilayer cell membrane. Containing primarily the neutral molecule phosphatidylcholine, these vesicles deformed under evenly distributed, strong direct current (DC) electric fields. Interestingly, they did not migrate or rotate. A biophysical mechanism underlying the kinematic differences between the biological cells and the vesicles under electric stimulation has not been worked out.

Methods: We modeled the vesicle as a leaky, dielectric sphere and computed …

Sensitizing Leukemia Stem Cells To Nf-Κb Inhibitor Treatment In Vivo By Inactivation Of Both Tnf And Il-1 Signaling, Peter W. Breslin, Jing Li, Andrew Volk, Jun Zhang, Joseph Cannova, Shaojun Dai, Caiqin Hao, Chenglong Hu, Jiewen Sun, Yan Xu, Wei Wei, Sucha Nand, Jianjun Chen, Ameet Kini, Jiang Zhu, Jiwang Zhang

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

We previously reported that autocrine TNF-α (TNF) is responsible for JNK pathway activation in a subset of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient samples, providing a survival/proliferation signaling parallel to NF-κB in AML stem cells (LSCs). In this study, we report that most TNF-expressing AML cells (LCs) also express another pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL1β, which acts in a parallel manner. TNF was produced primarily by LSCs and leukemic progenitors (LPs), whereas IL1β was mainly produced by partially differentiated leukemic blasts (LBs). IL1β also stimulates an NF-κB-independent pro-survival and proliferation signal through activation of the JNK pathway. We determined that co-inhibition of signaling …