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Isolation And Characterization Of Rhizobia Bacteria From Midwest Soils, Jr Loya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Symbiotic bacteria, known as rhizobia, can colonize the roots of legume plants and then convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form by the host through the process called biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Many of these bacteria produce other plant-growth-promoting benefits, such as nutrient acquisition, phytohormone production, and the modification of plant stress responses. Agricultural inoculants made from these bacteria have helped reduce the need for man-made nitrogenous fertilizers, known causes of pollution and eutrophication. There are additional benefits in developing bacteria inoculants local to regional soils. The ability to survive and compete in Midwest soil and climates present an opportunity …

Investigating Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Turmeric And Rosemary Oil Against Staphylococcus Aureus, Aishwarya Tripathi

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

This study investigates the antimicrobial efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) against Streptococcus aureus, with a comparative analysis to phenoxyethanol, a widely used synthetic preservative. The growing consumer demand for natural cosmetic formulations have intensified the search for plant-derived alternatives to synthetic preservatives. Turmeric and rosemary oil were selected based on their documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this research was to evaluate whether these natural agents can serve as effective preservatives in topical gel formulations, either individually or in combination, and how their efficacy compares to phenoxyethanol.

Eight gel-based formulations were …

Of Mice And Men: The Regulation Of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Latency In Mouse And Human Neurons, Paige N. Canova

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) establishes latent infections in sensory neurons, from which HSV sporadically reactivates, often due to external stress and other stimuli. Latency and reactivation are commonly studied using in vivo and ex vivo models in a variety of hosts, as well as in vitro models including primary mouse neurons and neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The criteria for authentically modeling HSV latency include the ability to easily manipulate host genetics and biological pathways, as well as mimicking the immune response and viral pathogenesis in human infections. Presently, there remains a pressing need for …

Broiler Breeders Today: Feather Development And Nutrition, Justina Caldas

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

The broiler industry in the US has observed a consistent decline in fertility and hatchability, particularly the past 5 years. There are numerous managerial and nutritional approaches to optimize the pullet and subsequent mature broiler breeder, and these proceedings focus on feathering. Moreover, these proceedings examine the quantity and quality of broiler breeder plumage as affected by both pullet and hen nutrition.

Near-Infrared Hemicyanine And Bodipy Sensors For Monitoring Mitochondrial Viscosity In Live Cancer Cells, Drosophila Melanogaster Larvae, And Adpkd Kidney Tissue, Joseph Peters

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Two near-infrared fluorescent sensors, sensor A and sensor B, were synthesized and characterized. Sensor A was a hemicyanine derived structure, and sensor B was a BODIPY derived sensor. The sensors were tested to measure their ability to monitor viscosity, and sensor A was used to monitor viscosity in live cells. Both sensors were found to be effective in monitoring the viscosity level through optical measurements with glycerol. Sensor A was found to be successful in monitoring mitochondrial viscosity in HeLa MBA-MD-453 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. It was also successful in monitoring viscosity in Drosophila melanogaster larvae as well as …

Patient Handling Interventions And Their Role In Reducing Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Healthcare Workers, Ashley L. Hawke

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prominent among healthcare professionals, especially those who perform manual patient handling tasks. Assistive devices (e.g., slider sheet, gait belt, mechanical lift) have been used for patient handling. However, the effectiveness of these devices in reducing MSD risk factors is varied. Additionally, the relationship between healthcare workers’ acceptability of patient handling devices and organizational policies that facilitate or hinder widespread implementation is not well understood. The goal of my dissertation was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing patient handling devices and their role in mitigating MSD risk among healthcare workers. For Study 1, I conducted a …

Leveraging Epigenomics And Transcriptomics To Develop High-Dimensional Biomarkers Of Neuroinflammation, Steven C. Pike

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Neuroinflammation is a critical physiological phenomenon implicated in most neurological disorders, either as a cause or a consequence of pathology. Our understanding of neuroinflammation is limited by the inability to directly profile the cells of interest. Thus, developing biomarkers of neuroinflammation is clinically urgent as we know neuroinflammation correlates with patient outcomes and treatment success. The recent advances in “omics” technologies, particularly epigenomics and transcriptomics, provides the opportunity for high-dimensional profiling of biospecimens for potential biomarkers. Within this dissertation, I demonstrate that biomarkers obtained from “omics” platforms can detect neuroimmunological phenomena in clinical and preclinical settings. In chapter one, DNA …

Karyotyping As A Method To Verify Phylogenetic Relationships Among The Enneacanthus Species, Ophelia A. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The Enneacanthus genus consists of three species of freshwater fish endemic to eastern North America: E. obesus (Banded Sunfish), E. gloriosus (Blue Spotted Sunfish), and E. chaetodon (Black Banded Sunfish). Previous studies using molecular data suggest that E. obesus and E. gloriosus are more closely related, with E. chaetodon as the most distantly related species in the genus. This study investigates the phylogenetic relationship among the Enneacanthus species, using karyotype characteristics - chromosome number, morphology and fundamental number - as comparative metrics. Chromosome spreads were obtained from scale and gill epithelium samples collected between 1993 and 1994. Prepared slides …

Caspases Protect Against Hyperglycemia Induced Necroptosis-Like Cell Death In Brain Endothelial Cells, Aleena S. Mathew

Theses and Dissertations

Acute diabetes characterized by high spikes in blood glucose levels in association with severe hyperglycemia can lead to an increased risk of ischemic stroke in the brain. To better understand high blood glucose levels, hyperglycemia, in the brain we explored its effects on endothelial cells. Endothelial cells line the inner walls of blood vessels and are directly impacted in hyperglycemia. Brain endothelial cells are a major component of the blood brain barrier (BBB) which tightly regulates the brain’s microenvironment. The type of cell death such as apoptosis, caspase dependent, or necroptosis, caspase independent, can exacerbate diabetes associated complications. There is …

Effects Of Energy Drinks On Crayfish Physiology, Melyna Sweeney

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Energy drinks have become the drink of choice among many college students due to the rush of energy it provides via the megadose of caffeine (Vercammen et al. 2019). Because of their newfound popularity, there is much research to be done about the effects on human physiology. Energy drinks are known to increase endurance in muscles of rat subjects (Imagawa et al. 2009) and stimulate enhanced “alertness” (Smit & Rogers, 2002). The purpose of this research was to uncover the potential effects that energy drinks have on metabolic rate and/or stress responses in crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), with the …

Distinct Odorant Receptor Response Patterns To Aliphatic Odorants In Freely Behaving Mice, Claire A. De March, Patrick Breheny, William B. Titlow, Hiroaki Matsunami, Timothy S. Mcclintock

Physiology Faculty Publications

In mammals, odors are encoded by a combinatorial code determined by the pattern of responses across hundreds of odorant receptors expressed monogenically and monoallelically in olfactory sensory neurons. The compositions of these receptor response patterns are largely unknown and overlap between them has yet to be explored. Activity-dependent reporter gene expression in freely behaving S100a5-tauGFP mice allowed capture of activated olfactory sensory neurons and identified 168 receptors responsive to moderate concentrations of 1 or more of 12 aliphatic (5 to 8 carbons) ketones, alcohols, and carboxylic acids. These 12 response patterns are remarkably different, with only 19% of the receptors …

Feeding- And Light-Cycle Synergistically Regulate Mouse Blood Pressure Daily Rhythm Via Bmal1-Dependent And Independent Mechanisms, Tianfei Hou, Wen Su, Aaron Chacon, An-Hsuan Lin, Zhenheng Guo, Ming C. Gong

Physiology Faculty Publications

Cardiovascular health requires the orchestration of the daily rhythm of blood pressure (BP), which responds to changes in light exposure and dietary patterns. Whether rhythmic light and feeding can modulate daily BP rhythm directly or via modulating intrinsic core clock gene Bmal1 is unknown. Using inducible global Bmal1 knockout mice (iBmal1KO), we explored the impact of rhythmic light, rhythmic feeding, or their combination on various physiological parameters. Daily rhythms of BP, heart rate, and locomotor activity were monitored via radiotelemetry, while food intake patterns were tracked using the BioDAQ system. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and energy expenditure (EE) were assessed …

Estrogen Receptor-Mediated Effects Of Resveratrol On Muscle Function, David Ayi-Bonte

Open Access Master's Theses

Artemis missions are set to send the next man and the first woman back to the moon and enable long-term missions on the lunar surface. However, exposure to lunar gravity has significant physiological effects characterized by loss of muscle mass, weakness and decreased bone density. Nutraceutical countermeasures such as Resveratrol (RSV), a naturally occurring polyphenol, have been identified as promising strategies to preserve musculoskeletal health; however, its pleiotropic effect hinders our ability to identify the primary cellular pathways through which it delivers its benefits. Furthermore, its efficacy in simulated lunar gravity is unknown. Based on the benefits observed with RSV …

Mercury Concentrations, Health, And Marine Food Consumption Across Four Eastern Caribbean Populations: Insights From A Novel Community-Based Study, Russell Fielding, Catherine Brown, Jessica Dutton, Martin S. Forde, Heather Harewood, Lisa Hunt, Catherine Macdonald, Cameron Mewhirter, Vincent Reid, Madison Smith, Holly Taylor, Katelyn Zimmerman

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Mercury (Hg), as an environmental pollutant, can have harmful effects on human health. A common way that people are exposed to Hg is through seafood consumption. This project was designed to investigate Hg exposure through seafood consumption and its health effects among adults in 4 Caribbean countries: Barbados (n = 117), Grenada (n = 90), St. Lucia (n = 126), and St. Vincent & the Grenadines (n = 77). We applied a novel, community—based method, which involved recruiting and paying local barbers and hairstylists to collect hair samples from their clients who consented to join the project as participants. Participants …

The Role Of Post-Cloacal Gland Biofluorescence In Male-Male Communication In Plethodon Cinereus, Kasey Watterson

Masters Theses

Biofluorescence is increasingly recognized as a potentially important form of visual communication across a wide range of taxa, yet its ecological and behavioral function remains largely untested in many terrestrial species. In the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), fluorescence is a sexually dimorphic trait most strongly expressed in males, particularly around the cloacal region and ventral side of the tail, areas that are often displayed during territorial contests and courtship. Rival males also direct behaviors like cloacal investigation toward these fluorescent regions, suggesting a potential signaling function. Since fluorescence is often displayed during territorial contests, I hypothesized that fluorescence in male …

Cloning, Expression, And Characterization Of Collagen Galactosyltransferases From Human, Sponge, And Sea Walnut, Jeong Seon Kim, Tingfei Chen, Botao Zhang, Tristin M. Miller, Marisa E. Gilliam, Houfu Guo

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Collagen is an extracellular matrix protein conserved across animals and viruses, with its function regulated by post-translational modifications of lysine residues. Specifically, certain lysine residues in collagen are hydroxylated to form hydroxylysine, which serves as an attachment site for hydroxylysine-linked glycosylation. This glycosylation process is initiated by collagen galactosyltransferases from the GT25 family, also known as GLT25D or COLGALT proteins. Despite their biological importance, efficient methods for expressing and isolating GLT25Ds have yet to be fully developed, and the biochemical mechanisms underlying their function still need to be better understood. To address this, we performed sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses …

Perceptions Of Plant-Based Meat And Cultured Meat Within The Northern Great Plains Region, Donald Chase Stehly

Dissertations and Theses

Conventional meat consumption derived from livestock farming is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation on our planet. Substituting conventional meat products with “meat alternatives” such as plant-based meat or cultured meat would drastically decrease greenhouse gas emissions, reduce land and water pollution, and decrease land and water usage. However, it is necessary to first gauge how people feel about eating plant-based meat and cultured meat before it is possible to discern the magnitude of environmental benefits that occur with a significant dietary change such as this. By administering a questionnaire to over 400 participants …

The Role Of Chronic Activity-Based-Anorexia In Drug-Paired Environmental Preference, Abby Bendixen

Behavioral Neuroscience Honors Papers

Anorexia nervosa (AN) has one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric disorders. This disorder, and other eating disorders, have features that overlap with substance use disorder (SUD), including reward sensitivity, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of chronic, restrictive eating disorders on the development of cocaine-paired environmental preference. Seven-week-old female rats were induced to a model of chronic activity-based-anorexia (ABA) and underwent conditioned place preference (CPP) testing to examine cocaine-paired environmental conditioning. The activity patterns of rats that underwent chronic ABA were not consistent with previous studies inducing chronic ABA in …

Investigation Of Rna-Binding Protein Expression Changes In The Hippocampus Following Doxorubicin And Cyclophosphamide Treatment, Lijie Chen

Dissertations and Theses

This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI) following doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide treatment in a rat model, revealing three significant alterations in hippocampal tissue: selective downregulation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) (21% decrease, p=0.0298), compromised astrocytic network integrity evidenced by reduced GFAP-positive area in cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) (24%, pB=0.026) and dentate gyrus (DG) (19%, pB=0.027) regions, and elevated cellular senescence marker p19Arf specifically in DG (69%, pB=0.033) and CA3 (27%, pB=0.024). The inverse relationship between hnRNPA1 reduction and p19Arf elevation suggests a potential mechanistic link between RNA dysregulation and senescence induction, with pronounced vulnerability in …

Toxin-Like Proteins In The Venom Of Drosophila Parasitoids, Lady V. Cardenas

Dissertations and Theses

The figitid parasitoid wasps of Drosophila are gaining importance in agriculture due to their ability to kill the resilient soft-fruit pest Drosophila suzukii. Their success and infection strategies vary, and the mechanisms underlying these differences are largely unknown. Some of their venom proteins have been shown to be important in suppressing host defense. Here, we report that Ganaspis brasiliensis, a parasitoid of D. suzukii survives well on Drosophila yakuba, a host species with a strong cellular immunity, and infected flies are unable to mount a strong immune response. To predict possible toxin-like proteins in Ganaspis venoms that might suppress cellular …

International Society Of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Β-Hydroxy-Β-Methylbutyrate (Hmb), John A. Rathmacher, Lisa M. Pitchford, Jeffrey R. Stout, Jeremy R. Townsend, Ralf Jäger, Richard B. Kreider, Bill I. Campbell, Chad M. Kerksick, Patrick S. Harty, Darren G. Candow, Brandon M. Roberts, Shawn M. Arent Ph.D., Cscs*D, Fissn, Facsm, Fnak, Douglas S. Kalman, Jose Antonio

Faculty Publications

Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) bases the following position stand on an analysis of the literature regarding the effects of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB). The following 12 points have been approved by the Research Committee of the Society: 1. HMB is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine that is naturally produced in both humans and other animals. Two forms of HMB have been studied: Calcium HMB (HMB-Ca) and a free acid form of HMB (HMB-FA). HMB-FA appears to lead to increased appearance of HMB in the bloodstream when compared to HMB-Ca, though recent results are mixed. 2. …

Effect Of Forage Allocation On Steer Performance When Grazing Cereal Rye, Shelby L. Davies-Jenkins, Abigail M. Sartin, Daren D. Redfearn, Mary E. Drewnoski

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Cereal rye is the most common cover crop planted today. With its good winter tolerance and rapid spring growth during a gap in perennial pasture productivity, it is an attractive forage source in early spring. Unfortunately, optimum stocking rates and how they are related to forage biomass availability are unknown. The study objective was to understand the effect of forage allowance on steer performance when rotationally grazing fall-planted cereal rye in spring. Stocking rate was negatively correlated with pounds of forage offered. Surprisingly, amount of forage offered related to average daily gain. Growing steers grazing cereal rye …

Strategies Affecting Performance And Profitability Of May-Born Steers, Dempster M. Christenson, Jacki A. Musgrave, Richard N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study compared the performance and economic outcomes of differing backgrounding and feedlot systems in May-born yearling steers. We hypothesized reduced supplementation with adequate forage availability while backgrounding weaned steers will yield a similar carcass with greater profitability. It was hypothesized yearling steers backgrounded on pasture before finishing in feedlot would have a more valuable carcass that is more profitable than steers that enter the feedlot immediately. Weaned steer calves were backgrounded with ad libitum hay and 4 lb/d supplement in drylot or on pasture with 1 lb/d supplement. As yearlings, half of each backgrounding group immediately …

Impact Of Feeding Distillers Grains Compared To New Fractionated Distillers Grains (Solbran) On Feedlot Cattle Performance And Enteric Methane, Debora G. Sousa, Rebecca L. Mcdermott, Mitchell M. Norman, James C. Macdonald, Rick Stock, Ryan A. Mass, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study evaluated feeding wet or dry traditional distillers grains with wet and dry fractionated distillers (Solbran) fed at 40% of diet DM compared to a corn control diet on enteric methane emissions and performance. Compared to the control, there was no difference in carbon dioxide production, but there was an increase in methane production in the steers fed fractionated distillers compared to conventional distillers. Feeding steers traditional or fractionated distillers grains increased consumption, increased gain, but improved conversions only for steers fed WDGS, while steers fed the other distillers grains had worse or the same feed …

Aspen Stands Enrich Bird Communities Following A Wildfire In A Montane, Mixed Conifer Forest, Cody Q. Lane

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Fire is a major ecological force in most terrestrial systems, but the responses of animal communities to fire vary markedly across ecosystems due to variability in fire regimes and vegetation communities. Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is unique within coniferous forests of western North America for its ability to regenerate following wildfire via vegetative resprouting. As managers employ techniques to restore fire regimes and conserve declining aspen forests, it becomes important to understand how aspen alters postfire communities. Our objectives were to (1) assess how aspen interacted with fire severity and years since fire to influence avian species and …

Positive Allosteric Modulation Of Glun1/Glun3 Nmda Receptors, Mia Ruth Johns

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are ionotropic glutamate receptors that mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS) where they play critical roles in normal and pathological brain functions and neurodevelopment. While the glutamate/glycineactivated GluN2-containing NMDA receptors (GluN1/GluN2) have been extensively studied, the physiological roles and pharmacology of glycine-activated GluN3-containing receptors (GluN1/GluN3) remain less understood. Although GluN1/GluN3 receptors exhibit unique functional properties and play distinct roles in neuronal development and synapse maturation, studies of their precise roles in neurophysiology and circuit function are impeded by limited availability of GluN3-selective pharmacological tools. This study describes UCM-A86, a novel GluN3-selective positive allosteric …

Small Mammal Population Dynamics And Torpor Use In A Changing Subnivean Environment, Derik Butts

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Despite global temperature increases, winter soil surface temperatures in some northern regions might actually be getting colder due to diminishing snowpacks exposing the soil surface to ambient winter conditions. Small mammal species in northern temperate areas often utilize a microclimate beneath the snow, known as the subnivium, to escape harsh winter conditions. Exposure to winter conditions without the subnivium as a buffer could cause small mammals to experience physiological stress and population declines. In this thesis, I explore the impacts of a declining subnivium from two complementary perspectives. In chapter 1, we used a structural equation model (SEM) to test …

“What’S Supp” Developing An In Vitro Model For Healthy Oral Biofilms, Alex Labossiere

Open Access Dissertations

The study of oral plaque has largely been influenced by the study of pathogens. Here in Chapter 1, I will discuss how this pathogenic focus has been dominant until the onset of microbiome research and begin to explain microbiomes in the context of supragingival plaque in homeostatic communities. From there we will then discuss the possible roots where dysbiosis may arise from plaque to cause disease and ways in which we can study healthy supragingival plaque by in vitro models.

In chapter 2, I will discuss molecular commensalism and how it can be viewed as a tool to further understand …

Ischemia-Induced Cytoskeletal And Nuclear Disruptions Drive Neuronal Death And Dysfunction: Insights Into The Connection Between Stroke And Dementia From In Vitro And In Vivo Models Of Stroke, Emily Potts

Open Access Dissertations

Stroke and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) represent two of the leading causes of neurological disability worldwide, and their prevalence is expected to rise as the global population ages. Although stroke is traditionally viewed as an acute vascular event, a growing body of evidence suggests that transient ischemic injury can trigger lasting cellular disturbances that increase neuronal vulnerability to later neurodegeneration. Understanding how ischemic stress alters neuronal structure and function, and how these changes may overlap with pathways implicated in ADRD, is an emerging focus for stroke and neurodegenerative researchers. This dissertation addresses these questions through an integrated combination …

Nanotube Spectral Fingerprinting And Machine Learning For Optimized Bioimaging/Sensing And Disease Detection Applications In Als, Rodrigo Monroy Lopez

Open Access Master's Theses

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) possess unique physicochemical and optical properties that make them ideal candidates for biomedical imaging, biosensing, and disease diagnostics. This thesis explores the potential of SWCNT-based spectral fingerprinting combined with ML (Machine Learning) algorithms to optimize bioimaging, disease detection and prediction, with a specific focus on differentiating between healthy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lymphoblastic patient samples. By functionalizing SWCNTs with single-stranded DNA, we enhance their stability and target specificity, enabling their application in serum patient samples.

A comprehensive spectral analysis of DNA-SWCNTs was conducted using near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy and other characterization techniques, including UV-Vis-absorption spectroscopy. The …