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The Effects Of Apoe On Olfactory Neuron Plasticity In Mice, Ikemefuna T. Nwosu

Masters Theses

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a lipid transporting protein, is a major risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that apoE is expressed at high concentrations in the olfactory nerve (ON) and around the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (OB) and that the apoE levels in these regions increase substantially following lesioning of the source of the olfactory nerves, the olfactory epithelium (OE). However, the mechanism(s) underlying the contribution of apoE to neuronal functioning and developing AD are not clearly understood. To investigate and better clarify the role of apoE in nerve regeneration, I examined the presence and …

Leptodactylus Fragilis (Brocchi): White-Lipped Thin-Toed Frog, Miriam M. Heyer, W. Ronald Heyer, Rafael O. De Sá

Biology Faculty Publications

Adult Leptodactylus fragilis are small. The head is longer than wide, 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 laterally expanded and range from lightly gray speckled to darkly pigmented. Male snout is spatulate; female snout is rounded. Male forearms are not hypertrophied and males lack asperities on the thumbs and chest. The dorsum is spotted or blotched with dark markings, which are often chevron-shaped and sometimes confluent. The supratympanic fold is dark brown. A pair of dorsolateral folds …

Beaver Home Ranges And Movement Patterns On The Embarras River Watershed In East Central Illinois, Randall P. Havens

Masters Theses

The beaver (Castor canadensis) is an ecologically and economically important species that has been much studied and exploited during its long association with humans (Bradt 1938, Hodgdon 1978, Novak 1987, Muller-Schwartze and Schulte 1999). Beavers have been described as ecosystem engineers and a keystone species because of their ability to physically modify, maintain, or create wetlands thereby controlling resources used by other organisms and altering the physical state of the environment (Jones et al. 1994). They are capable of impacting the local environment through dam construction, selective tree harvest, and den construction. For example, beaver dams impact stream hydrology, nutrient …

The Generation Of Novelty: The Province Of Developmental Biology, Scott F. Gilbert

Biology Faculty Works

A response to Michael Ruse's "Forty Years A Philosopher Of Biology: Why EvoDevo Makes Me Still Excited About My Subject".

Investigations Of Rhizobium Biofilm Formation, Nancy Fujishige

Biology Faculty Works

The development of nitrogen-fixing nodules of the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis, especially the early stages of root hair deformation and curling, infection thread formation, and nodule initiation, has been well studied from a genetic standpoint. In contrast, the factors important for the colonization of surfaces by rhizobia, including roots-an important prerequisite for nodule formation-have not been as thoroughly investigated. We developed conditions for analyzing the ability of two fast-growing rhizobia, Sinorhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, to produce biofilms on abiotic surfaces such as glass, plastic microtiter plates, sand and soil as a prelude to characterizing the genes important for aggregation …

Impaired Glutamate Transport In A Mouse Model Of Tau Pathology In Astrocytes, Deepa V. Dabir

Biology Faculty Works

Filamentous tau inclusions in neurons and glia are neuropathological hallmarks of tauopathies. The discovery of microtubule-associated protein tau gene mutations that are pathogenic for a heterogenous group of neurodegenerative disorders, called frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome-17 (FTDP-17), directly implicate tau abnormalities in the onset/progression of disease. Although the role of tau pathology in neurons in disease pathogenesis is well accepted, the contribution of glial pathology is essentially unknown. We recently generated a transgenic (Tg) mouse model of tau pathology in astrocytes by expressing the human tau protein under the control of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter. …

Feather Mites Are Positively Associated With Daily Survival In Cliff Swallows, Charles R. Brown, Kathleen R. Brazeal, Stephanie A. Strickler, Mary Bomberger Brown

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Feather mites (Acari: Astigmata) have been reported to be parasitic, commensal, and even mutualis-tic on the birds that serve as their hosts. We investigated whether there was a relationship between number of feather mites (Pteronyssoides obscurus (Berlese, 1885)) on the wing and daily survival of cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Vieillot, 1817)) during the breeding season at 12 nesting colonies in Nebraska in 2005. Survival of birds with known mite loads was monitored by mark–recapture, and survival models with and without a linear effect of mites were compared with the program MARK. For adult swallows, mites were positively associated …

Taxonomy And Biogeography Of The Freshwater Crabs Of Tanzania, East Africa, Sadie K. Reed, Neil Cumberlidge

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

"Evolution Of Afrotropical Freshwater Crab Lineages Obscured By Morphological Convergence" , Savel R. Daniels, Neil Cumberlidge, Marcos Pérez-Losada, Saskia Ae Marijnissen, Keith A. Crandall

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Intra-Guild Compensation Regulates Species Richness In Desert Rodents: Reply, J. R. Goheen, Ethan P. White, S.K. Morgan Ernest, J. H. Brown

Biology Faculty Publications

Null models have had a long and contentious history in community ecology (Connor and Simberloff 1979, Harvey et al. 1983, Gotelli and Graves 1996, Graves and Rahbek 2005). Much of this debate has arisen because multiple strategies for null models can be used to address a particular question of interest, and the present exchange is no exception. To assess constancy in species richness through time in a desert rodent community, Nichols et al. (2006) have proposed a Markov Chain model as an alternative to the random-walk model we developed (Goheen et al. 2005). While both null models simulate stochastic local …

A Comparison Of The Species-Time Relationship Across Ecosystems And Taxonomic Groups, Ethan P. White, P. B. Adler, W. K. Lauenroth, R. A. Gill, D. Greenberg, D. M. Kaufman, A. Rassweiler, J. A. Rusak, M. D. Smith, J. R. Steinbeck, R. B. Waide, J. Yao

Biology Faculty Publications

The species-time relationship (STR) describes how the species richness of a community increases with the time span over which the community is observed. This pattern has numerous implications for both theory and conservation in much the same way as the speciesarea relationship (SAR). However, the STR has received much less attention and to date only a handful of papers have been published on the pattern. Here we gather together 984 community time-series, representing 15 study areas and 9 taxonomic groups, and evaluate their STRs in order to assess the generality of the STR, its consistency across ecosystems and taxonomic groups, …

Intra-Guild Compensation Regulatesspecies Richness In Desert Rodents: Reply, J. R. Goheen, Ethan P. White, S.K. Morgan Ernest, J. H. Brown

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Offspring/Clutch Size Tradeoff In Mammals, E. L. Charnov, S.K. Morgan Ernest

Biology Faculty Publications

The Smith‐Fretwell model for optimal offspring size assumes the existence of an inverse proportional relationship (i.e., trade‐off) between the number of offspring and the amount of resources invested in an individual offspring; virtually all of the many models derived from theirs make the same trade‐off assumption. Over the last 30 years it has become apparent that the predicted proportionality is often not observed when evaluated across species. We develop a general allometric approach to correct for size‐related differences in the resources available for reproduction. Using data on mammals, we demonstrate that the predicted inverse proportional relationship between number of offspring …

Loss Of Escape-Related Giant Neurons In A Spiny Lobster, Panulirus Argus, Sandra Y. Espinoza, Lana Breen, Nisha Varghese, Zen Faulkes

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

When attacked, many decapod crustaceans perform tailflips, which are triggered by a neural circuit that includes lateral giant interneurons, medial giant interneurons, and fast flexor motor giant neurons (MoGs). Slipper lobsters (Scyllaridae) lack these giant neurons, and it has been hypothesized that behavioral (e.g., digging) and morphological (e.g., flattening and armor) specializations in this group caused the loss of escape-related giant neurons. To test this hypothesis, we examined a species of spiny lobster, Panulirus argus. Spiny lobsters belong to the sister taxon of the scyllarids, but they have a more crayfish-like morphology than scyllarids and were predicted to have escape-related …

Vomeronasal Sensory Neurons From Sternotherus Odoratus (Stinkpot/Musk Turtle) Respond To Chemosignals Via The Phospholipase C System, Jessica H. Brann, Debra A. Fadool

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

The mammalian signal transduction apparatus utilized by vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) in the vomeronasal organ (VNO) has been richly explored, while that of reptiles, and in particular, the stinkpot or musk turtle Sternotherus odoratus, is less understood. Given that the turtle's well-known reproductive and mating behaviors are governed by chemical communication, 247 patch-clamp recordings were made from male and female S. odoratus VSNs to study the chemosignal-activated properties as well as the second-messenger system underlying the receptor potential. Of the total neurons tested, 88 (35%) were responsive to at least one of five complex natural chemicals, some of which demonstrated …

A Switch From Polyandry To Serial Monogamy: Results From A Three Year Tagging Study Of Horseshoe Crabs In Long Island Sound, Jennifer Mattei Ph.D., Paul Goodell, Christine Depierro, Meghann Burke

Biology Faculty Publications

Part of an ongoing population study of the North American Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus, in Long Island Sound was completed during the 2003 – 2005 spawning seasons at Milford Point, in Milford, CT. Horseshoe crabs range more widely throughout Long Island Sound than expected and exhibit weak site fidelity. Animals originally tagged in Milford were found as far west as Stamford and as far east as Clinton, CT. during the 3 year study. Out of 522 female horseshoe crabs tagged in 2004 only 4 came back to spawn again at Milford Pt. in 2005. The sex ratios of tagged and …

Response Of Plethodon Cinereus To Chemical Cues From Different Numbers Of Conspecifics, Loren M. Hurst, Geoffrey R. Smith

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Modulation Of The Serotonin Reuptake Transporter In Raw264.7 Macrophages, Sienna Marie Arenas Malubay

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role as both a neurotransmitter and animmune modulator. The serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) clears the extracellular space of 5-HT, which decreases the effects of 5-HT on target cells. This study demonstrated that the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line expresses SERT function, measured by assays of 3H-5HT uptake. The 5-HT uptake in RAW264.7 macrophages was more than 10-fold that of peritoneal macrophages, indicating that these cells are an excellent model for studying regulation of the SERT. Activation of macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased SERT activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and Western blots indicate that the …

Genetic Variation Among Geographically Disparate Yellow Perch Broodstock Populations, Chandler Brooke Givens

Theses and Dissertations

As a prelude to strain selection for domestication and future marker assisted selection, genetic variation revealed by microsatellite DNA was evaluated in yellow perch, Perca flavescens, from four wild North American populations collected in 2003-2004 (Maine, ME; New York, NY; North Carolina, NC; and Pennsylvania, PA), and two captive populations (Michigan, MI; Ohio, OH). For the loci examined, levels of heterozygosity ranged from He = 0.04 to 0.88, genetic differentiation was highly significant among all population pairs, and effective migration ranged from low (Nem = 0.3) to high (Nem = 4.5). Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg 1equilibrium was regularly observed indicating significant …

Transforming Growth Factor-Β1 (Tgf-Β1) Induces Mast Cell Apoptosis, Farnaz Norozian

Theses and Dissertations

Mast cells are potent effectors of the inflammatory response, playing an important role in atopy, bacterial immunity, and animal models of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease. Hence controlling mast cell numbers and responsiveness is essential for preventing inflammatory disease. This work demonstrated that the cytokine TGF-β1 is a potent inducer of mast cell apoptosis, a finding that was consistent for cultured mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells, peritoneal mast cells, and human mast cells. Cell death appeared to be the result of TGF-mediated repression of IL-3 receptor expression and function, leading to mitochondria1 damage and activation of an apoptotic cascade …

Disinfection Of Swine Wastewater Using Chlorine, Ultraviolet Light And Ozone, John J. Macauley, Zhimin Qiang, Rao Y. Surampalli, Melanie R. Mormile, Craig D. Adams

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Veterinary antibiotics are widely used at concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to prevent disease and promote growth of livestock. However, the majority of antibiotics are excreted from animals in urine, feces, and manure. Consequently, the lagoons used to store these wastes can act as reservoirs of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. There is currently no regulation or control of these systems to prevent the spread of these bacteria and their genes for antibiotic resistance into other environments. This study was conducted to determine the disinfection potential of chlorine, ultraviolet light and ozone against swine lagoon bacteria. Results indicate that a chlorine …

Molecular Population Genetics Of The Atlantic Sand Fiddler Crab, Uca Pugilator, Along The Atlantic Coast, David A. Weese

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Author's abstract: The Atlantic sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, is an extremely abundant fiddler crab found along the eastern and Gulf coast of the United States. Fiddler crabs have a life cycle with an obligatory planktonic larval phase of 30-90 days, which might be expected to lead to widespread larval dispersal and consequent genetic homogeneity over considerable distances. However a large amount of morphological and behavioral variation is found between northern and southern populations along the eastern coast. This study was undertaken to determine the population genetic structure of U. pugilator and to determine whether these differences may have a …

Angiotensin Ii And Aldosterone Increase With Fasting In Breeding Adult Male Northern Elephant Seals (Mirounga Angustirostris), Rudy M. Ortiz, Daniel E. E. Crocker, Dorian S. Houser, Paul M. Webb

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) appears to contribute significantly to osmoregulation of fasting northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) pups; however, RAAS has not been characterized in fasting adult seals. Therefore, this study examined the contribution of RAAS to water turnover rates in fasting adult male northern elephant seals. Blood samples were obtained twice during their breeding fast at an interval of 6.5 wk, and water efflux rate was estimated by isotopic dilution during the same period. Serum electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻) and osmolality were unaltered between the two sampling periods, indicating ionic and …

Characterisation Of Cell Types In Abalone (Haliotis Spp.) Tissues Using Immunohistochemical Techniques, Leanne Harris, Nuala O'Byrne-Ring, Helen Lambkin

Articles

The increasing popularity of abalone as a seafood delicacy has led to the rapid development of abalone aquaculture worldwide. The commercial and economic importance of this industry has resulted in an increasing interest in the biology of this particular shellfish genus. In this study we focus on the identification of structural, functional and proliferative proteins in two species of abalone shellfish, Haliotis discus hannai and Haliotis tuberculata. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that react with proteins in vertebrate and invertebrate tissues were selected and applied to abalone tissues. Cross sections of whole animals were analysed using avidin–biotin immunoperoxidase staining protocols. In …

Generality Of Vertebrate Developmental Patterns: Evidence For A Dermomyotome In Fish, S. H. Devoto, W. Stoiber, C. L. Hammond, P. Steinbacher, J. R. Haslett, M. J.F. Barresi, S. E. Patterson, E. G. Adiarte, S. M. Hughes

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

The somitic compartment that gives rise to trunk muscle and dermis in amniotes is an epithelial sheet on the external surface of the somite, and is known as the dermomyotome. However, despite its central role in the development of the trunk and limbs, the evolutionary history of the dermomyotome and its role in nonamniotes is poorly understood. We have tested whether a tissue with the morphological and molecular characteristics of a dermomyotome exists in nonamniotes. We show that representatives of the agnathans and of all major clades of gnathostomes each have a layer of cells on the surface of the …

Adding Species Diversity To A Reconstructed Prairie Using An Incremental Approach, Amy L. Carolan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Plant species diversity in reconstructed prairies is extremely low when compared to that of prairie remnants. In this experiment I am testing the feasibility of increasing the abundance of native forbs in a reconstructed prairie using an incremental approach. The site chosen for this experiment is one that consists of five species of thirty-year old prairie grasses along with 23 species of native prairie forbs that were overseeded in 1999.

I hypothesized that forb diversity could be increased in an established grassland using an incremental approach, and that mowing would amplify the success of the planting. To test these ideas …

Comparative Phylogenomics Of Clostridium Difficile Reveals Clade Specificity And Microevolution Of Hypervirulent Strains., Denise Drudy

Articles

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of The Herbicide Atrazine On Human Liver Cells, Erin R. Powell

Honors Program Theses

Atrazine is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States, in particular for maize crops. This herbicide is very effective against weeds. However, it has also been associated with many harmful health effects in non-target organisms such as amphibians and mammals. One of the non-target effects of atrazine may be to act as an endocrine disruptor in different cells. To study the endocrine system effects of atrazine in human cells, a human liver cell line (HepG2) was used. In this study, we determined the effects on growth of HepG2 cells after exposure to increasing concentrations of this …

Ltr Retrotransposon Evolution In Wild Sunflowers, Kaitlin Marie Stimpson

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Transposable elements are DNA sequences that are able to move from place to place in the genome, and in some cases, make copies of themselves and reinsert back into the genome. Transposable elements are divided into three classes based on their method of transposition. Class I elements transpose by an RNA intermediate, and these include L TR (long terminal repeat) and non-L TR retrotransposons. Class II elements relocate in the genome without duplication. Interestingly, class III elements entirely lack genes and rely on products of other elements for transposition. Transposable elements are no longer considered unusual or unique components of …

Influence Of Fructose On The Mechanisms For Ethanol-Induced Hypertriglyceridaemia, I. Onyesom

Tanzania Journal of Science

Twelve adult albino rabbits with an average weight of 1.42 kg were purchased and divided equally into the normal saline, ethanol and ethanol+fructose-treated groups. The ethanol-treated group orally received 1.5 g (40%) ethanol/kg body weight as single daily dose, while the ethanol +fructose-treated animals also received the same ethanol dose, but were given in addition, 0.25 gfructose/kg body weight after about 10 min of the ethanol administration. The normal saline-treated rabbits were given the equivalent amount of normal saline in lieu of ethanol. The animals were exposed to these various treatments along with their usual feeding pattern for a regular …