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Full-Text Articles in Biology

Infection Rates And Distribution Of Trypanosoma Cruzi In Triatomine Insects From Several Public Parks Of Starr, Hidalgo And Cameron Counties, Carlos Guzman Jr. Aug 2015

Infection Rates And Distribution Of Trypanosoma Cruzi In Triatomine Insects From Several Public Parks Of Starr, Hidalgo And Cameron Counties, Carlos Guzman Jr.

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi and is a major public health concern in many areas of the world, including the United States. The disease is transmitted by insect vectors known as kissing bugs from the subfamily Triatominae. While the majority of studies focus on domestic and peri-domestic collections, this study collected insect vectors from state parks in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. PCR analysis was done to obtain infection rates for collected insects, and a morphological examination was done to check insects for gender. In total 18 insects were captured with 12 of the captured insects …


Exploration Of Nickel Tolerance And Hyperaccumulation In Arabidopsis Thaliana Transformed With Streptanthus Polygaloides Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (Spmtp1) Cdna, Madeleine K. Sano Aug 2015

Exploration Of Nickel Tolerance And Hyperaccumulation In Arabidopsis Thaliana Transformed With Streptanthus Polygaloides Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (Spmtp1) Cdna, Madeleine K. Sano

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study evaluated the role of hyperaccumulator S. polygaloides Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (SpMTP1) in conferring Ni tolerance and accumulation in the non-accumulator Arabidopsis thaliana. Analysis for Ni content in transgenic Arabidopsis transformed with SpMTP1, following a 12-day treatment of 100 µM Ni, showed a significant increase in Ni concentration in comparison to the wild-type Arabidopsis and empty vector transformed plants. Exposure of transgenic Arabidopsis to nickel also resulted in a coordinated increase of antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and catalase) activities in the transgenic Arabidopsis, suggesting that increased activities of these oxidative stress response (OSR) proteins may be …


Analysis Of Variables Related To Corridor Use By Ocelots And Bobcats In South Texas, Sarah E. Nordlof Aug 2015

Analysis Of Variables Related To Corridor Use By Ocelots And Bobcats In South Texas, Sarah E. Nordlof

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Biologists estimate that less than 50 endangered ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) remain in the United States, restricted to two small populations in Cameron and Willacy Counties located in deep south Texas. Conversely, bobcats (Lynx rufus) are abundant in south Texas; however, two of the biggest threats to both species are vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation. To mitigate these threats, the installation of wildlife crossings has been proposed to decrease the number of road mortalities, and wildlife corridors have been suggested as a useful tool for providing increased habitat connectivity. However, research on ocelot use of corridors and wildlife crossings in Texas …


Characterization Of Oxidative Stress Response Proteins In Metal-Tolerant And Metal-Sensitive Brassicaceae Plant Species, Luis M. De Santiago Aug 2015

Characterization Of Oxidative Stress Response Proteins In Metal-Tolerant And Metal-Sensitive Brassicaceae Plant Species, Luis M. De Santiago

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In this study the expression of oxidative stress response (OSR) proteins in nonaccumulator and hyperaccumulator plant species of the Brassicaceae family were characterized. Oxidative stress was induced via nickel treatment and proteins were characterized through western blotting and image analysis. Statistical analysis indicated that the nonaccumulator species Arabidopsis thaliana significantly decreased catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), copper/zinc-dependent superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD), iron-dependent SOD (FeSOD), manganese-dependent SOD (MnSOD) and metal tolerance protein 1 (MPT1) expression in response to Ni-treatment. The hyperaccumulator species Thlaspi montanum variety montanum displayed either no significant change or a significant increase in OSR regulation following Ni-treatment with the …


Ecosystem Services Of Urban Trees And The Impacts Of Urbanization, Jorge E. Cantu Aug 2015

Ecosystem Services Of Urban Trees And The Impacts Of Urbanization, Jorge E. Cantu

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The University of Texas- Pan American has conducted a complete survey of campus trees in partial fulfillment of the requirements for membership in the International Society of Arboriculture Designation of Tree Campus USA. This tree inventory was accomplished with the help of students whom were trained by faculty and foresters. Other than the completion of the tree inventory, this thesis had two main goals; 1) valuate the ecosystem services provided by campus trees 2) create a unique service learning project that other institutions can model. According to our calculations, the trees on campus have sequestered 568,652 kg of CO2, avoided …


Loss Of Mitochondrial Dna Causes Decreased Cell Viability, Alan M. Herrera Aug 2015

Loss Of Mitochondrial Dna Causes Decreased Cell Viability, Alan M. Herrera

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Mitochondria are an organellar network involved in cellular bioenergetics and apoptosis, and dynamically balance their organization between fusion and fission events. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA combine to encode polypeptides for the complexes of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in the mitochondrial inner membrane, which generate a transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) to synthesize ATP. Loss of ΔΨm causes mitochondrial fission, which appears to be associated with the progression of apoptosis, a critical cell death mechanism that allows tissue homeostasis, developmental sculpturing, and the removal of unwanted cells. Using cultured human cell models of decreased ΔΨm (both genetic mtDNA-depleted ρ 0 and pharmacological …


Species Identification And Habitat Assessment Of The South Texas Siren, Taylor C. Lafortune Jul 2015

Species Identification And Habitat Assessment Of The South Texas Siren, Taylor C. Lafortune

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

At least one species of siren is endemic to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, yet very little is known about the populations of the region. Texas Parks and Wildlife refers to the populations of Siren spp. in South Texas as the “South Texas siren (large form Siren sp. 1),” and recognizes these populations as a threatened species, yet their current population status remains unclear. The species identification of the South Texas siren has been hampered by similarity in morphology across species, and by the lack of complete siren genetic sequences in the NCBI GenBank database. In addition to species …


Development Of A Dna Barcoding Reference Library For Identification Of Medicinal Plant Materials Used In The Rio Grande Valley Of Texas: A Representative Case Study Using Arnica (Asteraceae), Hector G. Aguilar De Alba Jul 2015

Development Of A Dna Barcoding Reference Library For Identification Of Medicinal Plant Materials Used In The Rio Grande Valley Of Texas: A Representative Case Study Using Arnica (Asteraceae), Hector G. Aguilar De Alba

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

DNA barcoding is a technique that uses a short DNA fragment to identify a specimen to the species level. This technique is essential in situations where a lack of distinguishing morphological characteristics makes identification impossible. In the Río Grande Valley a variety of herbal supplements are cheap, readily available and sold as “Arnica” with no information to identify the contents. The appearance of dried and shredded material suggests that a variety of plant species are involved, belonging to the family Asteraceae. Arnica montana, also part of Asteraceae, is found in Europe and has anti-inflammatory properties used to externally treat bruises …


Functional Analysis Of The Mms19 Gene In Carica Papaya, Jorge A. Trujillo Jul 2015

Functional Analysis Of The Mms19 Gene In Carica Papaya, Jorge A. Trujillo

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

All organisms face DNA-damaging radiation in the form of UV light and must have mechanisms to repair or undo damage. Plants being stationary organisms must cope with damaging UV rays in a molecular fashion and so have developed many forms of resistance. MMS19 is implicated in DNA repair indirectly as a nuclear encoded gene that binds onto protein assembly complexes in the cytosol. A mutant within the SunUp variety of Carica papaya has a large deletion for MMS19 and presents a diminutive phenotype. Deficient DNA repair mechanisms will shunt cells out of the natural cell cycle and reduce cell proliferation …


Restoring Semi-Arid Thornscrub Forests: Seeding Growth And Survival In Response To Shelter Tubes, Grass-Specific Herbicide, And Herbivore Exclosures, Krysten Noelle Dick May 2015

Restoring Semi-Arid Thornscrub Forests: Seeding Growth And Survival In Response To Shelter Tubes, Grass-Specific Herbicide, And Herbivore Exclosures, Krysten Noelle Dick

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis is a compilation of two studies, which I have called ‘chapters.’ The first chapter, “Restoring Semi-Arid Thornscrub Forests: Seedling Growth and Survival in Response to Shelter Tubes, Grass-Specific Herbicide, and Herbivore Exclosures,” was a large study involving multiple techniques used to improve revegetation success, and the second chapter, “Shelter Tube Effects on Microclimate and Seedling Growth in Semi-arid Thornscrub Forests,” focused on the use of shelter tubes in semi-arid forest revegetation. These studies were concurrent evaluations of restoration efforts in thornscrub forests of South Texas. Revegetation is a common effort used to restore forest ecosystems that have been …


Differential Gene Expression Between Two Developmental Stages Of The Gené'S Organ In The Cattle Fever Tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus, Jason P. Tidwell May 2015

Differential Gene Expression Between Two Developmental Stages Of The Gené'S Organ In The Cattle Fever Tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus, Jason P. Tidwell

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The southern cattle fever tick (SCFT), Rhipicephalus microplus, is considered the most economically important ectoparasite of livestock worldwide and ranks sixth among the most pesticide resistant arthropods globally. This single-host hard tick is a vector of the infectious agents causing bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. The estimated impact of these SCFT-borne diseases on the livestock industry in the world is $7 billion annually. This project focuses on the Gené’s organ and addresses the need to identify novel targets that can serve as the basis for sustainable SCFT control strategies. Wax secreted by the Gené’s organ protects tick eggs from desiccation, bacterial …


The Role Of Oxidative Stress In The Rotenone Model Lymnaea Stagnalis, Homero L. Cantu May 2015

The Role Of Oxidative Stress In The Rotenone Model Lymnaea Stagnalis, Homero L. Cantu

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, characterized by progressive depletion of dopamine (DA). Rotenone, a common pesticide, can induce PD like symptoms in animal models. The goal of this thesis is to quantify the levels and effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in brain tissue of the common neurobiological gastropod model, Lymnaea stagnalis, after treatment with Rotenone. The results show that rotenone causes a behavioral deficit and increases ROS production, especially superoxide. Furthermore, glutathione was depleted and protein carbonyl formation increased. These results are consistent with findings in human PD and the high levels of ROS …


Correlation Of Amyloid Beta And Spatial Learning And Memory Deficits On A Thy1-App Mouse Model For Alzheimer's Disease, Amber Lynn Betz May 2015

Correlation Of Amyloid Beta And Spatial Learning And Memory Deficits On A Thy1-App Mouse Model For Alzheimer's Disease, Amber Lynn Betz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The McGill-Thy1 APP mouse is a triple transgenic model of Alzheimer disease, which has the mutant amyloid precursor protein to synergistically over-produce amyloid beta plaques. These mice exhibit visuo-spatial learning impairment at 3 months of age and memory impairment at 10-13 months of age in the Morris water maze. To extend these findings mice at 3, 5, and 7 months of age were tested on the Barnes maze. Non-Transgenic and Transgenic mice showed improvement during acquisition. However, 3 month and 5 month McGill Thy1- APP mice showed impaired acquisition learning while 7 month showed a learning and memory deficit compared …


Restoration Strategies To Migrate Shrub Encroachment Into Coastal Prairies, Erick Mark Verderber May 2015

Restoration Strategies To Migrate Shrub Encroachment Into Coastal Prairies, Erick Mark Verderber

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Shrub encroachment into grasslands is a phenomenon facilitated by fire suppression, climate warming, and overgrazing of grasses by cattle, and if left unmanaged, can alter ecosystem structure and function. In this study, I compare the effectiveness and cost/benefit of various restoration strategies (prescribed fire, mechanical, and chemical) used singly and in different combinations at decreasing two shrubs, honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.), and promoting growth and survival of gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae (Trin.) Merr. ex Hitchc.), the dominant coastal prairie grass within the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge-Bahia Grande Unit in deep south Texas. …


Characterization Of Continuously Oscillating Neurons (Cons) Of The Medial Septum Of Rats, Nadia Noel Carreon May 2015

Characterization Of Continuously Oscillating Neurons (Cons) Of The Medial Septum Of Rats, Nadia Noel Carreon

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Theta oscillation is the largest extracellular synchronous signal that can be recorded from the mammalian brain. It is known to influence information retention in the hippocampus, which plays a key role in declarative memory, recognition memory, working memory, and spatial memory. The theta oscillation field frequency is between 3 and 12 Hz and is present during exploratory behavior and sleep in rodents. Theta rhythm in the hippocampus is postulated to be produced by the rhythmical activity of pacemaking cells in the medial septumvertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca (MS-vDBB). Previous work in our laboratory demonstrated the existence of …


Animal Habitat Utilization And The Impacts Of Small-Scale Disturbances On Vegetation Within Larch Forests In Northeastern Siberia, Aaron Phillip White Apr 2015

Animal Habitat Utilization And The Impacts Of Small-Scale Disturbances On Vegetation Within Larch Forests In Northeastern Siberia, Aaron Phillip White

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Boreal forests support a variety of animals distributed across a matrix of habitat patches including forests of different ages and stand densities. These forests occur at high latitudes where cold and moist conditions favor ground layer dominance by mosses and slow decomposition rates, resulting in a thick soil organic layer (SOL) comprised primarily of decomposing mosses and roots. However, limited information is available on how animal use varies across habitat types in northeastern Siberia. Boreal forests of this region are unique because they are comprised of a single deciduous conifer, Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi). These forests also occur on a …


Preliminary Transcriptome Analysis And Homeobox Gene Isonlation For Tomocerus Minor (Entomobryomorpha: Tomoceridae), Alejandro Alaniz Dec 2014

Preliminary Transcriptome Analysis And Homeobox Gene Isonlation For Tomocerus Minor (Entomobryomorpha: Tomoceridae), Alejandro Alaniz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Collembola, or “springtails,” are small, edaphic arthropods classified as Entognatha; a group traditionally included as part of Hexapoda and sister-group to the true insects. However, some genetic studies suggest that they may instead have derived from a separate crustacean lineage rather than from a proto-Insecta lineage. The unique abdominal structures that develop on the collembolan ventral abdomen appear to be appendicular in origin – atypical to the canonical, appendage-less insect abdomen ground plan. I developed culture and embryo fixation protocols for; and sequenced and analyzed a multi-stage embryo transcriptome for Tomocerus minor (Collembola: Entomobryomorpha). This analysis annotated 14,417 distinct genes, …


Resaca Ecosystem Development: Colonization And Succession Of The Macroinvertebrate Community, Leah M. Mcintosh Nov 2014

Resaca Ecosystem Development: Colonization And Succession Of The Macroinvertebrate Community, Leah M. Mcintosh

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Freshwater wetlands in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas are locally known as resacas. Resacas are remnants of the Rio Grande River channel that were cut off by sedimentation and erosion of river banks. Many are maintained as permanent wetlands through intermittent water pumping from the river; and provide valuable habitat for fish, invertebrates, migratory birds and a diverse floral community in the semi-arid environment of South Texas. Three resacas in different stages of ecosystem development were studied, including one from day zero after re-flooding. The objectives were to document the colonization process of the re-flooded resaca and the …


A Comparison Of Fish Communities Over Different Reef Configurations In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Catheline Y. M. Froehlich Nov 2014

A Comparison Of Fish Communities Over Different Reef Configurations In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Catheline Y. M. Froehlich

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

High fishing pressure and limited natural habitat characterize the otherwise barren northwestern Gulf of Mexico. South Texas lacks extensive research of local natural and artificial reefs, and few studies report fish community and sportfish analysis of different reef densities. To alleviate this lack of data, fish abundances were monitored at different reef configurations in the PS-1047 Reef, 13 km off Port Mansfield, Texas, where 4000 concrete culverts were placed in 2011. Four culvert categories (CC1: 1-30 culverts, CC2: 31-70 culverts, CC3: 71-120 culverts, and CC4: 121-190 culverts in a 30-m radius), natural reefs and bare areas were sampled. Species abundances …


Recruitment Patterns Of Juvenile Fish At An Artificial Reef In The Gulf Of Mexico, Rachel Noel Arney Oct 2014

Recruitment Patterns Of Juvenile Fish At An Artificial Reef In The Gulf Of Mexico, Rachel Noel Arney

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In 2011, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department deployed 4,000 culverts as an artificial reef off Port Mansfield, TX to serve as habitat for sport fish species in the Gulf of Mexico. The aim of this study was to assess juvenile fish recruitment at particular culvert densities among the reef. Standard monitoring units for the recruitment of reef fish (SMURFs) were used in this study and acted as sampling devices. SMURFs were placed at thirteen sampling stations among four different reef patch densities and sampled repeatedly from 2013-2014. Culvert densities included stations with: zero culverts, 1-50 culverts, 51-100 culverts, and …


Expression And Functional Characterization Of Mtp Genes From Arabidopsis Thaliana In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Yessica E. Cerino Aug 2014

Expression And Functional Characterization Of Mtp Genes From Arabidopsis Thaliana In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Yessica E. Cerino

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In this study the functional characterization and overexpression of Metal Tolerance Protein (MTP) cDNA were evaluated using a transgenic yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) model system as a preliminary means for the characterization of metal tolerance conferred by putative Group III MTP genes from Arabidopsis thaliana. Metal disc assays for nickel, zinc, cobalt and cadmium treatments were performed to measure the tolerance imparted to yeast by the MTP cDNAs. Statistical analysis from zinc and cadmium assays showed AtMTP1 imparted the highest zinc tolerance in yeast, while AtMTPB1 imparted the highest cadmium and cobalt tolerance. However, AtMTPA2 and AtMTPB produced a decrease in …


Management Of Silverleaf Whitefly, Bemisia Argentifolii Bellows And Perring (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Using Non-Crop Companion Plants In Organically-Managed Cantaloupe Systems In South Texas, Ruth Renee Colyer Aug 2014

Management Of Silverleaf Whitefly, Bemisia Argentifolii Bellows And Perring (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Using Non-Crop Companion Plants In Organically-Managed Cantaloupe Systems In South Texas, Ruth Renee Colyer

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Field trials in three separate phases of research were carried out from March, 2010, to August, 2012, to determine the effects of inter-cropping cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) with select non-crop companion plants in an effort to develop organic production strategies for melons in South Texas without the use of pesticides. A research program was designed and initiated to assess the effects of the companion plants and their ability to: 1) attract insect pollinators, and 2) repel or suppress pest species without affecting beneficial natural enemy complexes. The hypotheses were: 1) that organically-managed cantaloupe systems grown with non-crop companion plants …


Isolation And Characterization Of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (Pcb) Degrading Bacteria Isolated From A Pcb Contaminated Reservoir In Donna, Tx, Sergio Cepeda Jul 2014

Isolation And Characterization Of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (Pcb) Degrading Bacteria Isolated From A Pcb Contaminated Reservoir In Donna, Tx, Sergio Cepeda

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The Donna Irrigation System (DIS) located in Donna, Hidalgo County, TX, was confirmed to be contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 1993 and remediation of the site will be attempted in the future. The need to isolate novel PCB degrading bacteria for bioremediation has been an active area of research in recent decades; thus, it was hypothesized that a variety of microorganisms able to degrade PCBs could be isolated from sediments taken from the DIS. Two genes of the PCB degradation pathway, bphA1 and bphC, were detected in 43 bacterial isolates grown from DIS sediments using molecular and culture-based methodology, …


Rates Of Evolution And Point Mutations Of Bacterial Plant Pathogens Compared To Bacterial Vertebrate Pathogens, Alejandro Cantu May 2014

Rates Of Evolution And Point Mutations Of Bacterial Plant Pathogens Compared To Bacterial Vertebrate Pathogens, Alejandro Cantu

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The relationship between a pathogen and its host is a constant interaction; as the host evolves defense mechanisms to protect itself from the pathogen, the pathogen will evolve in order to evade them. During this evolutionary process, the genomes of bacterial pathogens can change due to different selection pressures exerted by the immune system of their respective hosts. This study aimed to determine how differences in selection pressures affect the evolution of plant and vertebrate pathogens. The focus of this study was to analyze population level changes in conserved genes, as well as species level changes in the Type III …


Distribution And Abundance Of Anopheles Spp. In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, Norma Hermelinda Martinez Dec 2013

Distribution And Abundance Of Anopheles Spp. In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, Norma Hermelinda Martinez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study investigated the relationship between Anopheles abundance, collection sites and environmental variables in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, South Texas. In addition, species composition in the Lower Rio Grande Valley was determined in 2011. A total of 6772 female mosquitoes were identified to six genera and 27 species. The most prevalent genera collected were Culex (53.9%), Ochlerotatus (25.6%) and Aedes (13.6%). Anopheles mosquitoes were collected using resting boxes during summer 2012 at multiple locations along the Lower Rio Grande Valley. ArcGIS was used to identify land cover characteristics and nearest water sources at mosquito collection sites. Estero Llano Grande …


A Survey Of Heavy Metals In Water, Soil And The Surrounding Plants In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Erving W. Morelius Dec 2013

A Survey Of Heavy Metals In Water, Soil And The Surrounding Plants In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Erving W. Morelius

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Heavy metal pollution of the environment in recent years has become a major issue of importance for both human and environmental health. Samples were investigated for the potential pollution of the area as it is a vital produce producing area. During the study plant, soil and water samples were collected from the Donna Reservoir and Canal System to test the concentration of various heavy metals. The heavy metals tested included both potentially toxic and micronutrients in the samples which included arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, nickel and sulfur. During the study, a sixty day sampling period was used to …


Decomposition Patterns And Nitrogen Dynamics Of Black Mangrove (Avicennia Germinans)Leaf Litter In Disturbed Estuaries Linked To The Lower Laguna Madre, Texas, Mario Alberto Marquez Nov 2013

Decomposition Patterns And Nitrogen Dynamics Of Black Mangrove (Avicennia Germinans)Leaf Litter In Disturbed Estuaries Linked To The Lower Laguna Madre, Texas, Mario Alberto Marquez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Estuaries are among the most productive aquatic systems in the world but are subject to both anthropogenic and natural disturbances. With increasing environmental concerns, efforts have become commonplace in assessing the status and trends of environmental conditions. In this study, an assessment of ecosystem status of various estuaries affected by different disturbances, was attempted through the examination of key functional processes such as leaf litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics during decay. Three estuaries located along the Brownsville Ship Channel near the southern terminus of the Lower Laguna Madre in Texas were studied. The overlying goal of this study was to …


Thorns Of Native Lower Rio Grande Valley Plants Are Colonized By Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria, Felicia A. Charles Aug 2013

Thorns Of Native Lower Rio Grande Valley Plants Are Colonized By Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria, Felicia A. Charles

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Epiphytic pathogenic bacteria on the thorns of native LRGV plants may provide a defense mechanism for the plants. To test this, plant thorns were collected from LRGV plant species and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated in thioglycollate medium. Tests were performed to characterize the bacterial cultures. The 16S rRNA gene was sequenced to allow for species identification. Sixty-nine bacterial cultures were isolated, including gram-positive and gram-negative cell types. All utilized a variety of carbon sources for nutrients and 23% of isolates displayed hemolysis. Bacterial identification included members of the genus Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, and others. Most were opportunistic pathogens. …


Examination Of Dietary Habits And Fruit And Vegetable Intake In A Chronic Disease Program, Qian Kuang Aug 2013

Examination Of Dietary Habits And Fruit And Vegetable Intake In A Chronic Disease Program, Qian Kuang

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The AHB program is a chronic disease prevention program which provides resources for community health centers along the U.S.-Mexico border. Healthy dietary habits and fruit/ vegetable intake play important roles in maintaining human health. Eight factors were used to evaluate the success of the AHB program. Another twenty factors were considered to predict dietary habits and fruit/vegetable intake status. Chi-square and multinomial logistic regression were used to study their correlation. Results from analysis showed that factors like birth country, employment, diabetes, baseline HbA1c, limited by problems, overall program quality, group, and program duration were correlated to the dietary habits, and …


Sfmtp1 And Spmtp1 Cloning And Expression In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae: Potential For The Genetic Engineering Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, Elyssa Rae Garza Jul 2013

Sfmtp1 And Spmtp1 Cloning And Expression In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae: Potential For The Genetic Engineering Of Arabidopsis Thaliana, Elyssa Rae Garza

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

To evaluate metal tolerance conferred by the overexpression of Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (MTP1) in transgenic non-accumulator plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, a model system was developed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing either SfMTP1 cDNA, from the metal tolerant plant Streptanthus farnsworthianus, or SpMTP1 cDNA, from the hyperaccumulator Streptanthus polygaloides. Nonquantitative RT-PCR showed constitutive expression of MTP1 in both plant species. Alignment of SfMTP1 and SpMTP1 protein sequences shows a gap in SpMTP1 in a variable histidine region known to affect metal transport. Disk assays revealed SfMTP1 cDNA imparted greater Ni tolerance to yeast than SpMTP1 cDNA; however, SpMTP1 showed higher …