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Assessment Of Carbon Nanoparticle Exposure On Murine Macrophage Function, Raquel M. Suro

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

There is growing concern about the potential cytotoxicity of nanoparticles. Exposure to respirable ultrafine particles (2.5uM) can adversely affect human health and have been implicated with episodes of increased respiratory diseases such as asthma and allergies. Nanoparticles are of particular interest because of their ability to penetrate into the lung and potentially elicit health effects triggering immune responses. Nanoparticles are structures and devises with length scales in the 1 to 100-nanometer range. Black carbon (BC) nanoparticles have been observed to be products of combustion, especially flame combustion and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have been shown to be found in both …

Resident Fish Community Impacts On Stocked Rainbow Trout Ecology In 15 Eastern Washington Lakes, Kevin Mahoney

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

"The principal purpose of this research was to analyze the effects of resident fish communities and lake habitat on energy source use and trophic position of stocked rainbow trout. Stable isotope analysis was used to accomplish this goal, with stable carbon isotope ratios indicating the source of carbon, pelagic or littoral, in each species' diet and stable nitrogen isotope ratios determining species' relative trophic positions. The research was conducted in 15 eastem Washington State lakes, all stocked with rainbow trout for sport fishing purposes. I found wide confidence intervals around the % estimated littoral carbon in most of the lakes. …

Effects Of Reactive Oxygen Species On Life History Traits Of Caenorhabditis Elegans, Samson William Smith

Dissertations and Theses

Evolutionary life history theory predicts that tradeoffs among fitness-related phenotypes will occur as a result of resource limitations and/or physiological constraints. Such tradeoffs are defined as the cost(s) incurred on one component of fitness (e.g., reproduction) by the increased expression of another fitness-related trait (e.g., longevity). Only recently have researchers begun to investigate the mechanistic bases of life history tradeoffs. A recent proposal is that reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a central role in shaping life history traits and tradeoffs. Research on disparate animal taxa has highlighted strong correlations between oxidative stress resistance and fitness-related life history traits, for example. …

Externally-Expressed Fluorescence Across Sexes, Life Stages, And Species Of Spiders, Erin Brandt

Dissertations and Theses

Although all spiders possess fluorophores in their hemolymph, the expression of external fluorescence is much more restricted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in externally-expressed fluorescence between sexes, life stages, and species of spiders. To approach this question, we developed novel instrumentation to capture fluorescence with photographs of our specimens. We paired these fluorescence measurements with spectrometer measurements to attempt to determine the role that fluorescence plays in the overall coloration in spiders. The study was divided into four sections. First, we examined how fluorescence varies in sexes and life stages in Misumena vatia, an ambush predator …

Leptodactylus Pentadactylus, Miriam M. Heyer, W. R. Heyer, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Adult Leptodactylus pentadactylus (Figure 1) are large, the head is about as wide as long, and the hind limbs are moderately long (Table 1; Heyer and Thompson [2000] provided definitions of adult size and leg length categories for Leptodactylus). Male vocal sacs are not visible externally or are moderately expanded as a single sac. Sexually active males usually do not have hypertrophied forearms (the largest male examined, 195 mm SVL, has very weakly hypertrophied forearms), only the largest males have a single small to moderate size black spine on each thumb. No males have chest spines. Dorsolateral folds are …

The Development And Morphology Of Zebrafish After Embryonic Ethanol Exposure, Frances Lee

Honors Theses

Maternal consumption of alcohol may subject the fetus to fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FAS or FASD). FAS/D is a public health problem, and affected children are defined by varying degrees of irreversible mental retardation, physical defects, behavioral issues, and vision problems from prenatal alcohol exposure (Riley et al. 2011). Recent studies on FAS have looked towards animal models, such as zebrafish, Danio rerio, that exhibit homologous physical and behavioral effects of alcohol (Bilotta et al. 2004). I exposed zebrafish embryos to low doses of ethanol (0.5% v/v or 1% v/v) in either chronic (at least 8 …

Feeding Behavior Of Nestling Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia Sialis) In East-Central Illinois, Amanda Lamb

Masters Theses

I observed feeding of nestlings in Eastern Bluebirds in nest boxes in east-central Illinois. Provisioning rate of males and females were compared and early observation periods (younger nestlings) were compared with late observation periods (older nestlings). I also compared the average food size brought to the nestlings by males and females and during early and late observations. No significant differences were found between average food sizes throughout the study. In addition, food size was not significantly correlated with mean nestling weights within a brood. However, males had significantly fewer confirmed feedings than females for the last observation period. In addition, …

Multi-Partner Interactions In Corals In The Face Of Climate Change, Koty H. Sharp, Kim B. Ritchie

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Recent research has explored the possibility that increased sea-surface temperatures and decreasing pH (ocean acidification) contribute to the ongoing decline of coral reef ecosystems. Within corals, a diverse microbiome exerts significant influence on biogeochemical and ecological processes, including food webs, organismal life cycles, and chemical and nutrient cycling. Microbes on coral reefs play a critical role in regulating larval recruitment, bacterial colonization, and pathogen abundance under ambient conditions, ultimately governing the overall resilience of coral reef systems. As a result, microbial processes may be involved in reef ecosystem-level responses to climate change. Developments of new molecular technologies, in addition to …

Trends In The Marine Aquarium Trade: The Influence Of Global Economics And Technology, Andrew L. Rhyne, Michael F. Tlusty

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The marine aquarium hobby is a global industry with trade chains on six continents. This industry is undergoing rapid changes in hob byist preferences that are in part driven by global economies and technology. In an effort to better assess the past trends and help provide insight into future growth and demand, we assessed three different trade data sources, the United States-State of Florida Marine Life Landings, CITES stony coral imports, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s Law Enforcement Information Systems import data for ‘live rock’. Data for the past 10 years were analyzed and a clear trend of …

Cationic Amphiphilic Drug-Induced Autophagosome Accumulation Is Due To Autophagosome Sequestration Within Vimentin Intermediate Filament Networks Resulting In Prolonged Autophagosome Half-Life, Miriam Devorah Kleinman

Wayne State University Dissertations

Accumulations of autophagosomes and non-esterified cholesterol are

observed in several cell lines derived from lysosomal storage diseases,

including Niemann Pick Type C (NPC). The relationship between

autophagosome accumulation and lysosomal non-esterified cholesterol is

unclear. Exposure of murine hepatoma 1c1c7 cultures to the cationic

amphiphilic drugs (CADs) U18666A, imipramine and clozapine caused

lysosomal non-esterified cholesterol and autophagosome accumulation.

Measurement of LC3-II conversion in the presence of lysosomal inhibitors

bafilomycin A1 and NH4Cl, degradation of long-lived proteins, and

colocalization of GFP-LC3 and LAMP1 indicated an increase in

autophagosome synthesis without compensatory increase in clearance.

Autophagosome synthesis was blocked using 3-MA to monitor …

Biology Department Newsletter, No.2, Sacred Heart University

Biology Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Chrysaora Quinquecirrha Polyps In Barnegat Bay, Nj, Monica Katherine Buesser

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Sea nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) have become abundant in the estuaries of the Mid- Atlantic States. Their ample numbers are an indicator of a disturbed ecosystem. Various factors have been attributed to the rise in numbers of sea nettles including eutrophication, overfishing, global warming, construction and species introduction. Bamegat Bay is a highly eutrophic system with excess nitrogen and organic carbon arriving in the bay via runoff and watershed waste inputs. Many commercial fisheries in Bamegat Bay have ceased to exist and the remaining fisheries are dwindling. An overabundance of medusae and polyps will further impact fisheries since jellyfish compete with …

Pcr Amplification And Dna Sequence Analysis Of The Ss-Actin Gene From A Scyphozoan Jellyfish (Chrysaora Quinquecirrha), Lorraine Malkowitz

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The scyphozoan jellyfish Chrysaora quinquecirrha (CQ) is becoming a major pest of Eastern bays and waterways due to changing environmental conditions, including the warming of inlet waters, man-made plastic bulkheads and reduced plant life which serve as havens for their predators. Their increasing numbers warrants investigations into population control of these animals. Therefore any information about them may help in understanding and eventually controlling jellyfish blooms.

ß-actin is a ubiquitous cytoskeletal protein that has many essential functions. The protein and nucleotide sequences are highly conserved across all species, yet the number, size and sequences of the introns are highly variable. …

Expression Of Suppressor Of Cytokine Signaling 2 (Socs2) During Optic Nerve Regeneration In Xenopus Laevis, Rupa Priscilla Choudhary

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The optic nerve and other central nervous system (CNS) axons tend to lose their capacity to regenerate following an injury in adult amniotes, but these axons are able to regenerate throughout life in anamniotes. The long-term goal of my study is to identify molecular mechanisms responsible for the retention of this regenerative capacity. Specifically, I will examine the role of the gene Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 2 (SOCS2) in the successful regeneration of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons of the South African claw-toed frog, Xenopus laevis, after injury.

Identification Of Epitopes On Ricin Toxin's Enzymatic Subunit (Rta) Critical For Eliciting Neutralizing Antibodies And Protective Immunity, Joanne Marie O'Hara

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Ricin toxin's enzymatic subunit (RTA) is a 267 amino acid RNA N-glycosidase that selectively depurinates eukaryotic ribosomal RNA and arrests protein synthesis. The crystal structure of RTA revealed that the protein assumes three distinct folding domains (FD). Residues within FD1 and FD2 form RTA's active site pocket and are proposed to interface with ribosomal proteins, while FD3's primary function is to associate with ricin's B subunit (RTB). In this study I sought to identify the regions of RTA that are important in eliciting toxin-neutralizing antibodies (TNA), as this information is critical for current efforts to develop RTA-based subunit vaccines. I …

The C. Elegans Rna-Binding Protein Gld-1 Recognizes Sequence, Structure And Context Information To Repress Translation Of Its Mrna Targets, Jung Hoon Doh

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Considering the general suppression of transcription during late oogenesis and early embryo development, post-transcriptional control of maternal mRNAs by RNA binding proteins emerges as an important mechanism in controlling late oogenesis and early embryo development. The C. elegans germline offers an ideal system to understand such processes. GLD-1 (GermLine Development defective) is a maxi-KH motif containing RNA binding protein, which controls many different stages during the C. elegans germline development from decision over germ cell proliferation vs. meiosis entry to production of mature gametes, suggesting that GLD-1 likely controls many mRNA targets. gld-1 mutants have variable germline defects, the major …

Micropatterned Electrospun Nanofibrous Substrates As Scaffolds For Engineered Salivary Glands, David Alexander Soscia

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The salivary gland is a complex organ exhibiting a branching, 3-dimensional structure made up of acinar (saliva-producing), and ductal (saliva transporting and modifying) epithelial cells. The high surface area of the gland allows it to efficiently provide the mouth with saliva, maintaining oral cleanliness and comfort. Salivary gland hypofunction, a significant clinical problem often caused by the autoimmune disease Sjögren's syndrome or head and neck radiation for cancer patients, affects millions of Americans and is characterized by a loss of function of salivary gland acinar cells. Chronic xerostomia, or dry mouth, arises as a result of salivary gland hypofunction and …

Expression And Purification Of The K2p Family Of Ion Channels, Drew Barber

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The KCNK (two-pore-domain K+ channel) family of potassium channels are the most widely expressed potassium channels in mammals. They are expressed in numerous organs including the brain, heart, adrenal glands, and kidneys. There are fifteen members of this family which can be further divided into six sub groups. These proteins can act as leak channels, setting the rest membrane potential of electrically excitable cells. Due to their function as modulators of excitability these proteins are under control from numerous different chemical and physical signals which include oxygen tension, pH, lipids, mechanical stretch, and neurotransmitters. These channels are not as well …

Experimental And Molecular Studies Of Bryophyte Dispersal On Alpine Summits, Sean Charles Robinson

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

A review of bryophyte dispersal studies over the last sixty years revealed that the role of gametophytic fragments in bryophyte population dynamics has not been adequately addressed. In this dissertation, I investigate the dispersal potential of wind blown bryophyte fragments on Adirondack alpine summits using a combination of field and laboratory methods.

Habitat Associations And Occupancy Modeling Of Marsh Birds In The Hudson Valley Region Of Eastern New York, Lauren Jorgensen

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Populations of many North American marsh birds have declined over the past few decades, a trend commensurate with declines in wetland habitat area. Substantial declines in populations of breeding marsh bird species in New York State are associated with declines in wetland habitat area due to urbanization. The objective of this study was to examine what habitat and landscape features increase the probability of occupancy for nine target marsh bird species in New York State. This research was conducted in the Hudson River Valley region of Eastern New York, a region which is characterized by varied topography and geology, a …

Detection And Epidemiological Patterns Of Drug Resistance Mutations In Nys Plasmodium Falciparum Clinical Malaria Specimens, Jennifer L. Conaway

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Plasmodium falciparum is a human-infective parasite that causes the most severe form of malaria. Resistance to a wide spectrum of antimalarials has been documented in this species, and single strains may be resistant to several drugs. A new technology, pyrosequencing, has been shown to be useful for the rapid detection of SNPs involved in drug resistance. It can be used in a clinical setting and readily detects new mutants, which frequently appear in this species due to strong selection for antimalarial resistance. In this study, a pyrosequencing protocol was developed to identify mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum genes Pfcrt, Pfdhps, …

Agriculture In New York State : Farm Size And Its Implications To Farmland Protection And Biodiversity Conservation, Julianna Marie Potter

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

In the United States there are 939 million acres of land held by ranchers and farmers. Conservation of this agricultural landscape is critical to the protection of biodiversity. Management of agricultural land is also associated with the success of biodiversity protection efforts in protected areas, including parks and preserves, as well as outside protected areas. Sustained viability of the New York farming sector will enhance and secure biodiversity on farmland, as viable farms will remain part of the landscape.

The Role Of An Rna Binding Protein Hnrnp K During Axon Development And Regeneration In Xenopus Laevis, Yuanyuan Liu

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Coordinated synthesis and assembly of the cytoskeletal network contribute significantly to morphological changes during axon outgrowth. Previous studies demonstrated that heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), an RNA binding protein, binds to the 3'-untranslated regions of all neurofilament triplet subunits, the most abundant components of the axonal cytoskeleton. These findings raised the hypothesis that hnRNP K post-transcriptionally mediates the coordinated expression of axonal cytoskeletal components. In my thesis, I test this hypothesis during both axonal development and regeneration.

Experimental Studies Of The Multitrophic Effects Of Anti-Herbivore Defense In Three Pine Barrens Shrub Species, Elizabeth R. Coffey

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Plants produce numerous chemical defense compounds in response to herbivory. Induced chemical defenses potentially influence soil dynamics by changing the nutrient ratio of the leaves, which are seasonally shed and contribute to the soil, or by affecting the detritus community through leaching of chemicals in the root zone. Manual clipping was utilized in this study to induce chemical compounds with the goal of examining the secondary effects of induced plant defenses. I removed 25% of the mass of fifteen plants of three different plant species in the Albany Pine Bush annually for two consecutive years. I then compared the soil …

Gld-1 Represses Its Puf Mrna Targets Prior To/At Initiation Of Translation In The C.Elegans Germline, Gautham Sarathy

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The C.elegans germline offers an ideal system to study posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression as it is a major mechanism through which the control over gene expression is achieved. GLD-1 (defective in GermLine Development) is a maxi-KH motif containing RNA binding protein that controls various aspects of germline development from decision over germcell proliferation vs. meiotic entry to the production of mature gametes suggesting that GLD-1 likely controls many mRNA targets.

Effects Of Lead Exposure On Synaptic Function, Shoily Parveen Khondker

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Abstract

An Unbiased Approach To Identify Genes Involved In Development In A Turtle With Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination, Jena L. Chojnowski, Edward L. Braun

Natural Sciences Faculty Publications

Many reptiles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). The initial cue in TSD is incubation temperature, unlike genotypic sex determination (GSD) where it is determined by the presence of specific alleles (or genetic loci). We used patterns of gene expression to identify candidates for genes with a role in TSD and other developmental processes without making a priori assumptions about the identity of these genes (ortholog-based approach). We identified genes with sexually dimorphic mRNA accumulation during the temperature sensitive period of development in the Red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta), a turtle with TSD. Genes with differential mRNA accumulation in response to …

A Multi-Year Survey Of Meiofaunal Abundance From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico Continental Shelf And Slope, Stephen C. Landers, Frank A. Romano Iii, Paul M. Stewart, Steve Ramroop

Research, Publications & Creative Work

This 3-yr (2007–09) survey documented meiofauna abundance across the northern Gulf of Mexico on the continental shelf and slope from south Texas to south Florida. Sediment samples were collected from depths ranging from 29 to 509 m (average = 132 m) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admistration ship Gordon Gunter during the annual fall small pelagics fish-sampling cruise. A total of 259 sediment samples from 99 ShipekH grabs were analyzed. Meiofauna were isolated from the sediment by sieving (63-mm sieve) and concentrating the organisms via LudoxH centrifugation. Each year the two dominant animal groups were nematodes and copepods, followed …

Five Nuclear Loci Resolve The Polyploid History Of Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) And Relatives, Jimmy K. Triplett, Yunjing Wang, Jinshun Zhong, Elizabeth A. Kellogg

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Polyploidy poses challenges for phylogenetic reconstruction because of the need to identify and distinguish between homoeologous loci. This can be addressed by use of low copy nuclear markers. Panicum s.s. is a genus of about 100 species in the grass tribe Paniceae, subfamily Panicoideae, and is divided into five sections. Many of the species are known to be polyploids. The most well-known of the Panicum polyploids are switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and common or Proso millet (P. miliaceum). Switchgrass is in section Virgata, along with P. tricholaenoides, P. amarum, and P. amarulum, whereas P. miliaceum is in sect. Panicum. We have …

Introducing Environmental Toxicology In Instructional Labs: The Use Of A Modified Amphibian Developmental Toxicity Assay To Support Inquiry-Based Student Projects, Roger Sauterer, James R. Rayburn

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Introducing students to the process of scientific inquiry is a major goal of high school and college labs. Environmental toxins are of great concern and public interest. Modifications of a vertebrate developmental toxicity assay using the frog Xenopus laevis can support student-initiated toxicology experiments that are relevant to humans. Teams of students formulate hypotheses, perform experiments, analyze data, and present their results. By performing experiments to investigate the toxicity of household chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or agricultural chemicals, students will gain an appreciation of the environmental effects of improper disposal of common chemicals and industrial or agricultural run-off.