Biology Commons^™

Cryptococcus Neoformans Serotype Groups Found In Clinical And Environmental Isolates, John Clauson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast responsible for severe meningoencephalitis. The importance of epidemiological studies on cryptococcosis has increased since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. C. neoformans exists in two varieties containing four serotypes, C. neoformans var. neoformans (serotypes A and D) and C. neoformans var. gattii (serotypes B and C). Locally C. neoformans var. neoformans has been associated with pigeon feces during those months having an average temperature of 64.2°F j(17.8°C) and above. Clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans obtained from regional hospitals and environmental samplings, respectively, have been grouped into their variety status utilizing canavanine-glycine-bromthymol blue …

The Ratio Of Heinz Body Formation In Different Hemoglobin Zurich Subjects, Yenya Hu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Hemoglobin Zurich is a hemoglobin anomaly that results when one amino acid (histidine) is substituted by arginine at position 63 in the beta chain of hemoglobin molecules [β 63 His—Arg]. When Hemoglobin Zurich individuals are exposed to sulfonamide medication, their hemoglobins denature and subsequently form Heinz bodies which attach to the surface of the plasma membrane.

Four Hemoglobin Zurich family members were the subjects of the current study. They included a splenectomized female subject, non-splenectomized female and male subjects, and a non-splenectomized female member without Hemoglobin Zurich as the control. The results collaborate that splenectomy increases the number of erythrocytes …

A Modified Scheme For The Isolation And Enumeration Of Bacteria In Municipal Sewage Sludge, Kelly Ball

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Because of the potential health hazards associated with the use of sludge for agricultural purposes, Dudley et al (1980) published a scheme for the routine analysis of bacteria in municipal sewage sludge. In this study, the Dudley et al scheme (1980) was modified by updating some of the procedures. Aerobically digested sludge generated by the Bowling Green Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bowling Green, Kentucky, was analyzed using the modified scheme. Sludge samples were collected once every two months over a one-year period from October 1989 to August 1990.

Egg yolk-free tryptose sulfite cycloserine agar in conjunction with the revewrse CAMP test …

Thermal Properties Of Some Lipid Components Of Cell Membranes, Lihua Wei

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Phospholipids are the major structural components of the lipid portion of biological membranes. The study of the thermal properties of these phospholipid provides a systematic understanding of the relationships between the chemical structures and functional properties of phospholipid molecules in artificial and biological membranes. This study examined the thermal behavior of phospholipids in the solid state using DSC and TG coupled with FITR. The phospholipids were found to have phase transitions below the melting point. Egg-yolk lecithin had four transitions below its melting point; sphingomyelin had two phase transitions below its melting point. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine had complex phase transitions. …

The Effects Of Adjacent Cell Fusion And Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure On Viral Plaque Formation With Herpes Simplex Virus Type I, Rebecca Conner

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In mammalian cell-virus systems, it has been observed that damage caused by exposure of the cell to ultraviolet radiation (UV) will result in an increase in viral plaque development rate. This phenomenon is termed the Large Plaque Effect (LPE). Apparently, viral plaque development increases at a faster rate for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) when it is assayed on certain UV-irradiated mammalian cells. The consequence of this increase in plaque development rate is that viral plaques appear larger on irradiated monolayers of cells when compared to plaques that developed on unirradiated cellular monolayers.

The cause of the LPE is not yet …

A Preliminary Investigation Of The Effect Of Storm Events On The Concentration Of Volatile Organic Compounds In The Lost River Cave System, Warren County, Kentucky, Francis Michael Cretella

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Samples of cave water were analyzed for volatile organic compounds during four separate storm events. The major compounds detected were toluene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, methylene chloride, and 1,1-dicloroethane. Minor compounds detected were trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, 1,1-dichloroethylene, and ethylbenzene. These compounds were detected in varying amounts at each of the three study sites. During a storm event, the levels of each contaminant changed significantly at all three sites studied. Two effects were observed when a storm event occurred. The first effect was the dilution of the volatile organic compounds during the storm event. These effects were related to the amount of rainfall and …

A Bacteriological And Chemical Analysis Of Nonpoint Source Pollution In A Karst Aquifer Bowling Green, Kentucky, Wayne Green

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Monthly water samples collected from four sites in the Lost River Groundwater Basin, a shallow karst aquifer in the Bowling Green-Warren County area of Kentucky, represented samples from sites receiving conduit and diffuse flow. All sites were severely contaminated with bacteria, and on some occasions the surface water criteria for some heavy metals were exceeded.

Of the total 334 bacterial colonies identified 92.1% were verified as Escherichia coli by the API20E system. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratum accounted for 2.10% of colonies; Citrobacter freundii for 0.30% Klebsiella pneumoniae for 0.90%; Klebsiella oxytoca, 0.90%; Citrobacter amalonaticus 0.30%; Enterobacter cloacae, 1.20%; …

The Effect Of Orally Administered Butylated Hydroxytoluene On Herpes Simplex Keratitis, Donald Carson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Some studies have reported in vitro inactivation of membrane enveloped viruses by Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). This study investigates the effect of orally administered BHT on primary infections of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) using rabbit corneas as the assay system.

Assigned levels of BHT were incorporated into the diet of New Zealand White rabbits with HSV-1 McKrae strain on the corneal surface of the eyes. The degree of infection was measured by a subjective assay. Rabbits receiving BHT in their diet consistently experienced lower levels of infection. The interpretation of this data is that orally administered BHT can be an effective …

Binding Activity Of The Tubulin-3h-Colchicine Complex, Menjor Tino Unlap

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Microtubules, isolated from bovine brain, were used to study the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the tubulin-³H-colchicine complex and the polymerizing ability of this complex to intact and disrupted microtubules. Dissociation of this complex was observed upon ultraviolet irradiation and continued to progress as exposure time increased. The binding of this complex to intact microtubules prior to irradiation did not seem to enhance its stability to ultraviolet radiation. There was a significant difference observed at the 0.05 level between the binding of the tubulin-³H-colchicine complex to microtubules in mechanically disrupted and control samples. Statistically, there was …

The Influence Of Livestock Feed Size On Feed Consumption By Starlings (Sturnus Vulgaris), Daniel Twedt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Ground meal and 4 sizes of pelleted feeds (3/16, ¼, 3/8 and ½ inch diameters) were offered to captive Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris, Linnaeus) to determine the minimum feed size they were unable to consume in significant amounts. The ground meal, 3/8 and ½ inch diameter pellets substantially decreased feed consumption compared with 3/16 and ¼ inch diameter pellets. Additionally, ½ inch pellets were consumed substantially less than ground meal or 3/8 inch pellets. Supplemental feed was require to prevent mortality among Starlings offered only ½ inch pellets.

Two pellet sizes, the 3/16 inch pellet which was readily consumed by …

Sunset As An Orientational Cue For A Nocturnal Migrant, The White-Throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia Albicollis), James Pauly

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The possibility that nocturnal migrants use sunset as an orientational cue was explored in the White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) between 1 April and 24 April, 1981. Orientation tests were run on the roof of the biology building at Western Kentucky University when birds were assumed to be in the proper physiological condition for migration. Birds exposed to only nighttime skies, birds isolated from all visual cues, and birds exposed to both daytime and nighttime skies did not exhibit the northward directional preference appropriate for the season tested. However, White-throated Sparrows exposed only to sunset and tested in the absence …

A Floristic Survey Of The Vascular Plants Of Barren County, Kentucky, George Pryor Johnson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A floristic survey was made of the vascular plants of Barren County, Kentucky. A total of 1190 specimens were collected which represent 603 species, 351 genera and 103 families.

The Asteraceae had the largest number of species of any family, a total of 85. The next largest families were Poaceae and Fabaceae, with 54 and 35 species, respectively. The genus Carex was represented by 24 species, the largest number for any genus.

A description and discussion of the vascular flora of specific sites as well as the county in general is given. An annotated list of species is also presented.

Isolation And Identification Of Yeasts From The Barren River, Richard Vanenk

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Barren River was sampled twice monthly for one year to obtain data on aquatic yeasts. Sites upstream and downstream of the Bowling Green sewage plant, as well as the sewage effluent, were sampled to ascertain if the effluent had any effect on the yeast population of the river. Sporadic yeast counts were obtained which averaged 40 CFU/ml for the effluent, while the river averaged 15 CFU/ml. A total of 318 yeasts were isolated and identified during the study, including 16 different genera with Cryptococcus being the most common. Cryptococcus laurentii occurred most frequently of the 67 different species identified. …

Ecotypic Differentiation Of Andropogon Virginicus L. In Relation To Strip Mine Spoil Banks, Valina Kay Hurt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Reciprocal plantings of populations of broomsedge, taken from an abandoned strip mine and from an abandoned farm plot in south central Kentucky, on strip mine spoil and abandoned field soil resulted in patterns of populations differentiation. Clonal plantings of populations from strip mine habitats and old field development appeared equal in height and biomass when grown on old field soils in both field trials and growth chamber studies. Populations when planted in strip mine soils in field trials and controlled growth experiments. Later flowering in strip mine populations may be a key to survival strategy in the harsh microclimates of …

Some Aspects Of The Ecology Of Larval Fishes In Rough River Lake, Kentucky, Greg Allen Kindschi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In Rough River Lake, Kentucky, some aspects of the ecology of larval and juvenile fishes were investigated from April – August, 1978. Larval fishes were collected weekly from the upper reaches of the lake from the surface and bottom, during daylight and dark periods.

Twenty-three species and three categories of unknown larval and juvenile fishes, represented by 177,119 individuals, were collected. White bass and logperch larvae were the first to appear on April 15 with surface water temperatures of 18.5 C. Gizzard shad larvae dominated net collection while Lepomis spp. were the second most abundant. Larvae were primarily concentrated …

The Early Life History Of The White And Black Crappie In Rough River Lake, Kentucky, Gary Overmann

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Crappies spawned in Rough River Lake from April 29 to July 9. Larvae were first collected on May 3 when the lake temperature reached 17 C. A total of 7369 crappie was taken from may 3 to August 1. The maximum number of crappies occurred from May 30 to June 20. The developmental chronology was described for specimens 4.75 mm to 29 mm total length. Meristic characters averaged 10.8 for preanal myomere count, 21.1 for postanal myomere count, 31.9 for total myomere count and 0.62 for preanal length to postanal length ratio. Densities of larvae were low early in the …

Synergistic Effects Of Wavelengths Of Ultraviolet Radiation On Capacity In A Mammalian Cell-Virus System In Vitro, Bobby Cobb

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The synergistic effect between each of two minor contaminating UV wavelengths has been studied. The TC-7 host cell-capacity system was used. The macromolecular damage induced in monolayers of cell cultures as the result of exposure to UV radiation was measured by determining the ability of irradiated cells to support the replication of Herpes simplex virus. The macromolecule involved has been shown to be DNA and the damage is probably due to the formation of thymine dimers plus some undefined chromosphore associated with the DNA of the cell.

Preliminary experiments showed that low exposures of germicidal radiation are less effective in …

Quantitative And Qualitative Analysis Of The Periphyton Of Sloan’S Crossing Pond, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, Judith Orser

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Periodic collections were obtained from Sloan’s Crossing Pond, Mammoth Cave National Park, for one year to analyze, quantitatively and qualitatively, the periphyton community and determine patterns of periodicity. Productivity was measured by dry and ash-free dry weights and chlorophyll a content.

Productivity was lowest during the winter months and highest between July and September. Dry weight showed a range of 3.0-243 mg/m­²/day, the peak occurring in August. Ash-free dry weight also reached its annual peak in August at 92 mg/m²/day. Chlorophyll a followed the pattern of dry weight except its peak was obtained in July at …

The Effect Of Spleen Cells From F1 Hybrid Mice Undergoing A Graft-Versus Most Reaction Upon The Humoral Immune Response Of Parental Mice, Elizabeth Schmidt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Mice undergoing a graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) exhibit a surppressed immune response. Cells responsible for this suppression have been found to be localized in the spleen. Thus, in this research, a study was made to evaluate the effect of spleen cells from F­₁ mice undergoing a GVHR upon the humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytea (SRBC) in parental mice. An attempt was made to create an experimental model involving the transfer of suppressor cells in vivo. Parental BALB/c spleen cells were injected into (C57BL X BALB/c)F₁ hybrids to induce a GVH disease. Ten or twenty days later, spleen …

An Analysis Of The Heavy Metal Content Of The Scales Of Several Fishes In Southwestern Kentucky, Thomas Dahl

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Scales of the stoneroller, Campostoma anomalum (Rafinesque), common shiner, Notropus cornutus (Mitchill), and the bluntnose minnow, Pimephales notatus (Rafinesque) were analyzed by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry to determine levels of cadmium, calcium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc. Metal concentrations were determined seasonally and relationship established between scale metal content and environmental water metal levels.

Calcium, iron manganese and zinc were found in all samples analyzed. Cadmium, copper, lead and nickel were not observed in measurable quantities.

Metal concentrations varied interspecifically, but most showed little fluctuation in response to increased metal content of the water. Elemental composition of …

The Induction Of Thy -1.2 Antigen Expression In Murine Bone Marrow Cells Incubated In Vitro With Immune Serum, Terry Knight

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Adult BALB/c mice were immunized with C57BL/6 spleen cells first on day 0 and again on day 8 of the experimental procedure. Serum was collected from these animals on day 0 (before the first immunization), day 4, day 8 (before the second immunization), day 12, and day 16. Two groups of normal BALB/c bone marrow cell suspensions were incubated with the experimental immune sera: and one of the groups of cell suspensions was subsequently incubated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Following the incubation steps, both groups of cell preparations were assayed for their ability to absorb the activity of the anti-Thy-1.2 serum. …

The Wavelength Dependence Of Ultraviolet Enhanced Reactivation In A Mammalian Cell-Virus System, Leslie C. James

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the wavelength region 230 nm to 302 nm on the ability of an irradiated mammalian cell to reactivate UV-irradiated mammalian virus was tests. An action spectrum for radiation enhanced reactivation (RER) Is presented. The shape of the action spectrum points to a combined nucleic acid protein target for UV radiation effects on this cellular parameter. An analysis of the results of others involving the biochemical and photobiological events involved in the RER does not allow the identification of the macromolecule which is the major contributor to this effect. Studies involving an analogous phenomenon …

The Effect Of Cv-1 Cell Geometry On The Ultraviolet Radiation Sensitivity Of Mammalian Cells In Vitro, Daniel J. Knauer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The effect of cell geometry on the radiosensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light has been studied in the CV-1 host cell-capacity system. In this system the macromolecular damage incurred by monolayers of cells cultures as the result of exposure to UV radiation is monitored by testing the ability of irradiated cells to support the replication of Herpes simplex virus. The target molecule has been shown to be DNA and is centrally located

Mammalian cells have an absolute requirement for Mg⁺⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ in order to remain attached to artificial substrata. To test the effect of cell geometry on UV …

Radioprotection Of Oral Cavity Structures By S-2-(3-Aminopropylamino) Ethyl Phosphorothioate (Wr-2721), Ronald King

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Studies reporting a high concentration of WR-2721 in mouse salivary glands led to our studies of possible radioprotection of these glands by this drug from ionizing radiation. Oral effects of radiation in the presence of WR-2721 were studied in mice and dogs. Histological evaluation of mouse salivary glands irradiated with 1000 rads of ⁶⁰Co showed essentially no difference between control and experimental animals. Almost full regeneration of the serous salivary components occurred by 6 months in both groups and neither group had changes in the mucous glands. The use of higher doses of radiation in the mouse was prevented …

Population Dynamics And Tackle Catch Susceptibility Of The Smallmouth Buffalo, Ictiobus Bubalus (Rafinesque), In Rough River Lake, Kentucky, Alan Waite

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The population of the smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus (Rafinesque), was studied in Rough River Lake, Kentucky, from July, 1974, through June, 1975. A total of 758 individuals were collected with 587 being marked and returned.

From calculations made using poison population sample data, population size was estimated to be between 150,00 to 225,000 adult fish or 29 to 44 fish per acre. Scales were studied to determine age and through back calculation, the total length of each fish at the time of each annulus formation determined. Ten year ciasses were observed with the majority of the fish in age groups …

Effects Of Photoperiod, Temperature And Preconditioning On The Molt Cycle Of Samples From A Michigan Population Of Orconectes Immunis (Hagen), Robert Van Hoff

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Immature Orconectes immunis were obtained from Michigan in August, 1973, and July 1974 to determine the effects of photoperiod and temperature on the molt cycle of the crayfish and to test the effects of preconditioning on this species at a cold (7C) temperature from 45 to 90 days. Two sets of 3 experiments were conducted, each involving photoperiod, temperature and preconditioning. The first experiment of each set was initiated within a day after bringing the animals from the field, the subsequent two experiments of each set being initiated at 45-day intervals thereafter.

There were significant responses to photoperiod among the …

Lethatlity Of And Elicitation Of Protective Antibody By Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Attc 17803, Richard Carlucci

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The LD₅₀ of Vibrio parahaemolyticus ATCC 17803 for 13- to 18-g male mice, strain ICR, as determined by the 50% endpoint method, was found to be an estimated 7 x 10⁷ CFU, when administered intraperitoneally in 0.5 ml of 24-h broth culture, O. D. 0.5 at 650 nm, diluted to 10^-0.72.

The elicitation of protective antibody by this bacterium in male New Zealand White rabbits was demonstrated by testing control, baseline, and hyperimmune rabbit sera for their protective effect against 2 LD₅₀ of the bacterium administered intraperitoneally in 13- to 18-g male mice, strain ICR. …

Cause And Control Of A Common Market Disease Of Lettuce, William Palmore

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Head lettuce, Lactuta sativa var. capitata, is susceptible to a number of economically important diseases, the most frequent being russet spot, rib discoloration, and vascular browning (28), which have been shown by Ceponis and Friedman (7) to be caused by Pseudomonas marginalis. Pseudomonads are common plant pathogens and cause such diseases as halo blight in beans (20), bacterial blight in soybeans (20), and bacterial wilt of the bird-of-paradise (27) and tobacco (24).

Plants that develop symptoms similar to russet of lettuce are oats, infected by Pseudomonas cichorii, and tobacco infected with Pseudomonas tobaci (34). In general, russet symptoms …

Description And Seasonal Variation In Incidence Of A New Species Of Myxosporidian Parasite (Class Myxosporidea) Of The Bluegill Sunfish, Lepomis Macrochirus Rafineque, In Kentucky, Stephen Bayes Crider

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A new histozoic myxosporidian parasite (Class Mysoxporidea), Myxobolus meglitschi sp. nov., infecting young-of-the-year and yearling bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus Raf., from Shanty Hollow Lake, Warren County, Kentucky was described. Phenology was investigated from January 20 to December, 1969.

The magnitude of infection varied seasonally in bluegill. Incidence was highest in July and August (43.92) in host populations, declining, but not disappearing from September to December 20, 1969. The infection exhibited a yearly mean incidence of 22.318.

The pattern of distribution of cysts on hosts varied seasonally. During periods of low incidence cysts were confined primarily to a postanal area below …

The Effect Of Two Growth Retardant Chemicals, Cycocel And B-Nine, On Certain Nitrogeneous Components In Barley Seedlings, Linda Kinser

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Certain chemicals are known to inhibit growth in many plant species. These chemicals possess a common trait, the ability to inhibit stem elongation by suppressing the activity of the subapical meristematic region (11). These growth retardants have been extensively studied during the past several years in an effort to determine the biochemical mechanism responsible for reduction in plant height. The characteristic effect of these chemical retardants on the growth pattern has been described as producing plants with shorter, thicker stems and broader, darker green leaves. Tolbert, however, noted that although plants treated with the plant growth retardant, Cycocel, (2-chloroethyltrimethlammoniumchloride) and …