Life Sciences Commons^™

Technology Aiding In Neonatal Lung Developmental Care, Megan Kirk

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this paper, old as well as new technological findings to decrease premature infant mortality are reviewed. This paper discusses fetal development throughout pregnancy from conception to full-term status as well as fetal lung development specifically from conception until full-term status. Several ideas to rapidly develop and mature fetal lungs are discussed such as mothers ingesting artificial surfactant supplements, either independently or coupled with antenatal corticosteroids, as well as intra-amniotic instillation prior to 28 weeks gestational. Drawbacks regarding these two are mentioned as well such as the fetus’s lungs not being mature enough to use the artificial surfactant leading into …

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Of Apixaban Using Chromogenic Kits, Brooke Vogel

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Apixaban is a novel oral anticoagulant that prevents clotting by directly inhibiting Factor Xa in the coagulation cascade. Due to its different pharmacokinetics, previous standards for testing anticoagulant concentrations are ineffective at measuring apixaban. In this study, Hyphen Biomed Biophen Direct Xa Inhibitor and Biophen Heparin chromogenic kits from Aniara Diagnostica were used along with a NanoDrop™ One/One^C Microvolume UV-Vis Spectrophotometer to see if either of these kits provide acceptable precision and accuracy for the quantification of apixaban in plasma samples, as well as if there is a significant difference in these two kits at varying concentrations of apixaban. …

The Effects Of Caffeine On Jumping Performance And Maximal Strength In Female Collegiate Athletes, Benjamin Burke, Kyle Travis, Henry Lang, Jeremy Gentles, Kimitake Sato, Caleb Bazyler

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: Caffeine has long been used to enhance athletic performance. The research regarding caffeine’s effects on strength and power performance is lacking, especially in female athletes. Purpose: To analyze the acute effects of caffeine on jumping performance and maximal strength in female collegiate athletes. Methods: Eight female collegiate athletes performed two testing sessions separated by one week. Using a double-blind approach, athletes randomly received 6 mg/kg of body mass of caffeine (CAF) or a placebo (PLA). Following 60min of quiet sitting and a standardized warm-up, athletes were tested on measures of squat jump height (SJH) and peak power (SJPP), countermovement …

Modification, Verification Of Sequence And Optimization Of Expression Of P297f An Inactive Mutant Of Flavonol Specific Glucosyltransferase From Grapefruit (Cp3gt), Sarah Fox

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Citrus fruits are widely consumed and can offer various health benefits. One enzyme found in grapefruits, Citrus paradisi flavonol specific 3-O-glucosyltransferase (CP3GT), catalyzes the addition of glucose to one specific flavonoid class and at only one site. These flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites that can be used in a variety of plant functions including signaling and protection. The only class of flavonoids that CP3GT glucosylates is flavonols, and this specificity is of interest to study for potential benefits in biotechnology and enzyme modeling. In order to study this enzyme and its structure, a variety of mutants were created using site-directed …

Levels Of Parp1-Immunoreactivity In The Human Brain In Major Depressive Disorder, Aamir Shaikh

Undergraduate Honors Theses

MDD is a severe and debilitating disorder that is associated with a growing global economic burden due to reduced workplace productivity along with increased healthcare resource utilization. Furthermore, depression markedly enhances the risk for suicide, mortality that is especially worrisome given that 30% of depressed individuals have an inadequate response to current antidepressants. This inadequacy of antidepressants necessitates the discovery of a better understanding of the pathobiology of MDD. Most current antidepressants work through monoamine neurotransmitters, and their relative efficacy in depression led to the now dated monoamine-deficiency hypothesis. The limited usefulness of antidepressants has led to a reinvigorated search …

The Effects Of Total Body Proton Irradiation On Mouse Myometrium, Lillith Bulawa

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The boundaries of human space exploration continue to expand with new technology and discoveries making it even more important to investigate the effects of space on biological systems. Although humans have explored space in small increments, reproductive studies must be conducted to determine if stable short- or long-term residences for humans can exist in space. This study explored the effects of whole-body proton radiation on uterine smooth muscle known as the myometrium. Two types of mice utilized in this study were C57BL/6 and B6.129S6Cybbtm1Din/J NOX2 knockout mice. C57BL/6 mice are standard laboratory mice that were used to represent the wildtype …

The Effects Of Farnesol, A Quorum Sensing Molecule From Candida Albicans, On Alcaligenes Faecalis, Savannah Hutson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Quorum sensing molecules have become a recent focus of study to learn if and how they can be used, both on their own and in conjecture with current antimicrobial methods, as a means of bacterial control. One such quorum sensing molecule is the sesquiterpene alcohol, Farnesol, which is synthesized and released by the fungus, Candida albicans. In most in-vivo cases, our laboratory has shown that Alcaligenes faecalis overtakes C. albicans, preventing its growth. However, as a way to counteract this inhibitory effect, Farnesol may be one way that Candida has found to fight back. In this study, we …

A Study Of The Polymicrobial Inhibitory Interactions Between Alcaligenes Faecalis And Staphylococcus Aureus, Blakeley Griffin

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Members of the Staphylococcus genus are found as a part of normal microflora in humans and can commonly be found on the skin or in the nasal cavity. However, these microorganisms can cause serious and life-threatening opportunistic infections when there is a break in the physical barrier of skin. These infections have become difficult to treat as resistant strains emerge, particularly Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA has become a commonly acquired nosocomial infection which is difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics of the blactam class. Even Vancomycin, a last resort antibiotic, has been ineffective on some infections. Furthermore, …

Microbiome Diversity And Differential Abundances Associated With Bmi, Immune Markers, And Fecal Short Chain Fatty Acids Before And After Synbiotic Supplementation, John Sterrett, W Andrew Clark, Michelle Chandley

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The gut microbiota and its metabolites – namely short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) – interact with the digestive, immune, and nervous systems. Microbiota with disrupted composition are highly associated with obesity, gastrointestinal symptoms, and chronic inflammation. Levels of SCFAs in the feces can represent dynamics of the microbiota, and they represent one mechanism by which the microbiota interacts with its host. This study aimed to further our understanding of associations between microbiota bacterial diversity and SCFAs, immune markers, BMI, and GI symptoms and to identify bacteria that are differentially abundant in different BMI groups and with synbiotic supplementation. Data (SCFAs, …

The Effectiveness Of A Fitness Mentoring Program On Life Skills In At-Risk Youth, Delaney Dunlap

Undergraduate Honors Theses

BACKGROUND: The Aspire program is an eight-week program for troubled youths around the Canberra, Australia community that is run by former Canberran of the year and Canberra Raiders Captain Alan Tongue. The program aims to build self-esteem, develop social skills, help teach the effects actions have on others, understand how practice and hard work provide support, give purpose in life, and teach other practical, lifelong skills. During the program, Alan uses a combination of various activities including fitness, teamwork, discussion, writing, and self-reflection to help youth see their potential. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the lasting …

Investigating The Behavioral Response Of Lampsilis Ovata To Various Salinity Conditions, Victoria Good

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Pocket-book mussel, Lampsilis ovata, is a native freshwater bivalve species that is endemic to North America. The salinity tolerance of this species is of interest because anthropogenic salinization events and climate change factors threaten their natural freshwater habitats. Furthermore, the invasive freshwater bivalve species Corbicula fluminea has been shown to display significant salinity tolerance, which may lead to negative competitive interactions with native freshwater bivalve species if the salinization of freshwater habitats exceeds thresholds beyond which native species can effectively cope. It was hypothesized that L. ovata would be sensitive to salinity conditions above 1 g/L and respond …

Effects Of Nicotinamide Riboside And Beta-Hydroxybutyrate On C. Elegans Lifespan, Jeffery Peters

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The nicotinamide riboside (NR) form of vitamin B₃and the ketone body ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) are two of the most promising natural compounds yet identified for the treatment of aging and aging-related diseases. Forms of vitamin B₃are precursors for the synthesis of the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(H)) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP(H)). In aged cells levels of NAD⁺decline, decreasing metabolism and decreasing activity of protective sirtuin protein deacetylases. In aged cells NR, but not more common forms of vitamin B3, boost NAD⁺levels. BHB is naturally produced by the body when individuals fast …

Second Messenger Cyclic-Di-Gmp Regulation In Acinetobacter Baumannii, Justin Deal

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Over time, “superbugs,” or bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics, have become a great concern in modern medicine. Viable alternates are currently being looked into as effective and safe ways to prevent or treat infections caused by these superbugs. One such method is through the utilization of the second messenger molecule cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) that has been shown to regulate phenotypes within other bacteria that may control surface colonization in Acinetobacter baumannii. Through a series of experiments, the active enzymes that create c-di-GMP - diguanylate cyclases - and break down c-di- GMP - phosphodiesterases - have been inactivated in …

Temporal Factors Affecting Foraging Patterns Of A Diurnal Orb-Weaving Spider, Micrathena Gracilis (Araneae: Araneidae), Mitchell Davis Long

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Several studies have investigated the ecological factors that affect behavior in Micrathena gracilis, a diurnal orb-weaving spider that forages on flying insects during the day. However, none yet have considered how the temporal distributions of prey and predator occurrences shape their daily behavioral rhythms, especially web construction, which involves a heavy energetic investment well in advance of potential nutritional benefit. Recently, several orb-weaving spider species have been shown to exhibit a variety of abnormal rhythms, suggesting that circadian clock-controlled rhythms may play an unexpected role in behavioral evolution. Despite the appearance of significant insect abundance in the evenings, M. gracilis …

Ctrp3 And Alcoholic Liver Disease In Female Mice, Callie Root

Undergraduate Honors Theses

C1q TNF Related Protein 3 (CTRP3), is a cytokine that is primarily secreted from adipose tissue, which classifies it as an adipokine. Our previous research has shown that CTRP3 prevents alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD) in male mice. However, even when accounting for confounding factors such as absolute and relative alcohol intake, females are more sensitive to the effects of consumption compared to male mice. Therefore, the goal of this project was to determine whether CTRP3 prevented ALD in female mice. Methods: Female wild type (WT) and female CTRP3 transgenic over expressing (Tg) mice were fed an ethanol containing liquid …

Gut Pathophysiology In Mouse Models Of Social Behavior Deficits, Kyla Scott

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) encompass neurodevelopment disorders characterized by atypical patterns of development that impact multiple areas of functioning beginning in early childhood. The etiology of ASD is unknown and there are currently no preventative treatment options. Gastrointestinal symptoms are commonly associated comorbidities. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a multidirectional communication chain that connects the central and enteric nervous system that relates brain function to peripheral intestinal functions. Changes within this axis have been postulated in ASD. For example, the “leaky gut theory” proposes that chronic inflammation is linked to alterations in the bacterial profiles of the gut microbiome and subsequent …

Characterization Of The Broad-Spectrum Inhibitory Capability Of Alcaligenes Faecalis And A. Viscolactis Against Potential Pathogenic Microorganisms, Andrew Fuqua

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The recent rise of multidrug resistant microorganisms has grown from an isolated concern to a massive public health crisis. It has become imperative that scientists look for new ways to combat this issue. Due to the selective pressures of competition, bacteria and other microbes possess a host of defenses and weapons designed to exploit vulnerabilities in other microorganisms. Consequently, the study of these systems and microbial interactions has much to reveal in the search for novel antimicrobial treatments. Previous research from our laboratory has discovered that both Alcaligenes faecalis and Alcaligenes viscolactis, two rarely studied and generally non-virulent bacteria, …

Synergistic Inhibition Of Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Using A Possible Klebsiella Secreted Bacteriocin With Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic, Andrew Robbins

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Due to the increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, it is now important to begin the search for novel means of defending against such resistant infections. Enterobacteriaceae is a clinically relevant family of bacteria that has shown extensive resistance to many antibiotics, especially after biofilm formation. Inhibitory poly-microbial interactions within this family have been observed. It is known that Citrobacter freundii (CF) growth is significantly inhibited by Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) through a secreted protein. In this study, the potential KP bacteriocin was screened for its inhibitory effects on CF at various phases of biofilm development. The suspected KP bacteriocin …

Subcellular Localization Of Tobacco Sabp2 Under Normal And Stress Conditions, Sanjeev Das

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Subcellular Localization of Tobacco SABP2 under Normal and Stress Conditions

Salicylic acid (SA), a phytohormone, plays an important role in plant physiology. SA mediated innate immune pathway is an important pathway for plant immunity against pathogens. Plants resisting pathogen infection synthesize higher levels of Methyl Salicylate (MeSA), which is then converted to SA by the esterase activity of Salicylic Acid Binding Protein 2 (SABP2). The high level of the converted SA leads to enhanced pathogen resistance. The study of subcellular localization of a protein is critical in explaining its potential biochemical functions. SABP2 tagged with eGFP was expressed transiently in …

Effects Of Non-Photic Zeitgebers On The Circadian Clock In The Common House Spider, Parasteatoda Tepidariorum (Araneae: Theridiidae), Mattea Garmany, Darrell Moore, Thomas C. Jones

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Circadian rhythms are endogenous cycles that control physiological and behavioral changes that can be affected by environmental factors which allow most eukaryotic organisms to synchronize their daily activities with the 24-hour day. Parasteatoda tepidariorum,the common house spider, demonstrates a short-period circadian clock averaging 21.6 hours when left in constant darkness, yet they are able to entrain to a 24-hour light cycle. We tested whether these spiders were able to use non-photic Zeitgebers to entrain to the 24-hour day. Periodic presentation of food and disturbance were not found to be effective cues for the spiders’ entrainment. A few individuals were clearly …