Digital Commons Network^™

Minimum Criteria For Dna Damage-Induced Phase Advances In Circadian Rhythms, Christian I. Hong, Judit Zámborszky, Attila Csikász-Nagy

Dartmouth Scholarship

Robust oscillatory behaviors are common features of circadian and cell cycle rhythms. These cyclic processes, however, behave distinctively in terms of their periods and phases in response to external influences such as light, temperature, nutrients, etc. Nevertheless, several links have been found between these two oscillators. Cell division cycles gated by the circadian clock have been observed since the late 1950s. On the other hand, ionizing radiation (IR) treatments cause cells to undergo a DNA damage response, which leads to phase shifts (mostly advances) in circadian rhythms. Circadian gating of the cell cycle can be attributed to the cell cycle …

An Investigation Of Cardiac Dynamics And Substrate Metabolism In An Animal Heart Failure Model, Anna Stanhewicz

Senior Honors Projects

Heart failure (HF) is a condition in which the working heart is unable to meet the blood flow demands of the body. It is the leading cause of early death in the United States and is a progressive, debilitating disease that presently, can only be detected in late, irreversible stages. The progression of HF is complex and poorly understood, involving a number of molecular mechanisms. It is characterized by a complex of symptoms including cardiac hypertrophy and a shift in myocardial substrate utilization, all leading to reduced pumping efficiency of the heart and decreased systemic blood flow. In HF, the …

Enhancing Bacterial Expression Of Mammalian Gprotein Coupled Receptors The Creation Of A Proteorhodopsin‐Bovine Rhodopsin Chimera, Chauncey Brown Jr.

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Bovine (cow) rhodopsin is a 7‐transmembrane (7TM), lightabsorbing protein located in rod cells. It is activated by the photoisomerization of retinal, a Vitamin A derivative. This light‐triggered reaction activates the G‐Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR), resulting in a signaling cascade within the cell. When previously cloned in an E. coli expression vector in the Braiman Lab, bovine rhodopsin expression was not successful, possibly due to E. coli’s lack of recognition of the foreign Nterminus portion of the protein, which may be a prerequisite for proper folding and insertion into the membrane. Our proposed solution is to create a chimera protein, replacing …

A Study Of A Proposed Molecular Mechanism For Idiopathic Cases Of Hypertension: Detection Of Aldosterone-Receptor Complex At Period Homolog 1 (Per1) Promoter Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (Chip), Brent Colin Turner

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Hypertension severely affects the quality and quantity of life of those afflicted with the disease. In most cases where the cause is known, hypertension is due to an abnormally high sodium condition; however, the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. This phenomenon is particularly detrimental to patients considered to be non-dippers, experiencing no nocturnal dip in blood pressure. A proposed molecular mechanism for the relationship between dipping and sodium concentration involves the regulation of the circadian gene Period 1 homolog (Per1) by aldosterone and was studied by using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). This technique results in an enrichment of the …

An Examination Of Body Composition Measurement Methods In Children, Robert Kaplan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction . Body-composition methods include underwater weighing (UWW), skinfold thickness (SKF), bioelectrical impedance (BIA), and the BOD POD. Although these techniques are used routinely, each has its inherent limitations, especially in children. Purpose . The purpose of this study was to examine the various methods of body composition in children. Methods . The body composition of 7 boys between the ages of 12-14 (13.1 +/- 1.1 years) was determined using the BOD POD, UWW, SKF, and BIA. Results . Percent body fat estimated from the BOD POD (21.9 +/- 7.8%BF) was not significantly different than the estimated percent fat from …

Exercise-And Hypoxia-Induced Anaerobic Metabolism And Recovery: A Student Laboratory Exercise Using Teleost Fish, Bernard Rees

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Anaerobic metabolism is recruitedin vertebrates under conditions of intense exercise or lowered environmental oxygen availability (hypoxia), typically resulting in the accumulation of lactate in blood and tissues. Lactate will be cleared over time after the reoxygenation of tissues, eventually returning to control levels. Here, we present a laboratory exercise developed as part of an upper-level vertebrate physiology class that demonstrates the effects of exercise and hypoxia exposure on blood lactate in fish and the subsequent decrease in lactate during recovery. Typically, the results obtained by students demonstrate that both treatments cause significant increases in blood lactate concentrations (two to three …

Characterization And Differentiation Of Peripheral Blood Derived Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells, Hari Satya Shankar Addagarla

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Stem cells are populations of undifferentiated cells that are found in most tissues and act as precursors for regeneration and maintenance. In the future, they could provide promising therapies for diseases which are to date incurable. Our lab developed a novel cell line from the peripheral blood of adult transgenic green fluorescent protein swine and designated them as Peripheral Blood Derived Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells (PBD-MAPCs). In this study we characterized the mRNA and protein expression profiles of PBD-MAPCs before and after neural differentiation and investigated the potential of PBD-MAPCs to differentiate into myocardial or neural lineages in vitro. We …

Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facilty 2008 Annual Report, Issue 7, Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility

Biomechanics Annual Report

April 2008 - March 2009

This issue features Announcements, Featured News, Nonlinear Workshop, Projects, Collaborations, Visitors, Awards, Publications, and Support.

Insights Into Expression, Cellular Localization, And Regulation Of Supernatant Protein Factor, A Putative Regulator Of Cholesterol Biosynthesis, Elzbieta Ilona Stolarczyk

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

SPF (Supernatant Protein Factor) is a cytosolic protein that stimulates at least two enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway: squalene monooxygenase and HMGCoA reductase. The mechanism of action has not been established but may be related to lipid transfer between intracellular membranes.

There are three human genes for SPF: SEC14L2 (SPF1), SEC14L3 (SPF2) and SEC14L4 (SPF3). The present study differentiates these closely related genes by evaluating their tissue-specific and relative expression levels. SPF1 mRNA was found to be most abundant in liver, mammary gland and stomach. SPF2 showed negligible expression in all tissues tested; SPF3 expression pattern was similar to …

Successful Implementation Of Inquiry-Based Physiology Laboratories In Undergraduate Major And Nonmajor Courses, Giovanni Casotti, Loretta Rieser-Danner, Maureen T. Knabb

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Different Resistance Exercise Methods On Post-Exercise Blood Pressure, Daniel Rodriguez†, Marcos D. Polito‡, Reury F.P. Bacurau‡, Jonato Prestes‡, Francisco L. Pontes Jr‡

International Journal of Exercise Science

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the post-exercise blood pressure (BP) responses to two different methods of resistance exercise (RE, traditional multiple set and tri-set). Young adult men (n = 30, 19.6 &#; 0.7 years old; 76.0 ± 2.7 kg; 178.2 ± 6.7 cm; 90.5 ± 5.8 MBP) with six months of previous experience in RE were selected. The volunteers were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 10, each group): non-exercised control group (CON); multiple set group (MS); and a tri-set group (TRI). The TRI group performed three consecutive exercises (3 sets of 10 repetitions with …

Modeling The Daily Activities Of Breeding Colonial Seabirds: Dynamic Occupancy Patterns In Multiple Habitat Patches, Andrea L. Moore, Smruti P. Damania, Shandelle M. Henson, James L. Hayward

Faculty Publications

We constructed differential equation models for the diurnal abundance and distribution of breeding glaucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens) as they moved among nesting and non-nesting habitat patches. We used time scale techniques to reduce the differential equations to algebraic equations and connected the models to field data. The models explained the data as a function of abiotic environmental variables with R2=0.57. A primary goal of this study is to demonstrate the utility of a methodology that can be used by ecologists and wildlife managers to understand and predict daily activity patterns in breeding seabirds.

Investigating And Modeling Possible Mechanisms By Which Healthy Cell Membranes Become Resistant To Hydrolysis By Secretory Phospholipase A2, Jennifer Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) behaves differently toward the membranes of healthy cells compared to those of damaged or dying cells. The enzyme catalyzes rapid and sustained hydrolysis of compromised cells consistent with a simple catalytic mechanism. In contrast, when healthy cells are incubated with sPLA2, they become resistant to hydrolytic attack as manifest by three unusual observations: First, hydrolysis is transient and represents only a small fraction of the total membrane phospholipid content. Second, subsequent addition of sPLA2 fails to generate additional product. Third, the apparent potency of the enzyme to cause the membrane to be refractory is much greater …

Effect Of Mulberry Lees Addition On Dough Mixing Characteristics And The Quality Of Mulberry Toast, Jean-Yu Hwang, Wen-Chieh Sung, Yung-Shin Shyu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study evaluated the effects of 10%-30% mulberry lees addition on the dough mixing characteristics and the quality of mulberry toast. Farinogram shows the addition of 30% mulberry lees had the shortest departure time and weakest gluten strength. Peak viscosity, pasting temperature and final viscosity of Rapid Visco Analyser pasting profiles decreased as the addition of mulberry lees increase. Dough with 10% and 20% lees addition had a similar dough expansion rate to that of the control. However, the fermentation rate of the dough with 30% mulberry lees was obviously much slower. The ice-melting onset temperature, peak temperature and enthalpy …

Optimization Of Therapeutic Strategies For Organophosphate Poisoning, Gregory G. Seaman

Theses and Dissertations

The National Preparedness Vision requires the U.S. be prepared to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from all hazards associated with a chemical attack. Results of this study demonstrate that we cannot protect service members and first responders as required following a nerve agent attack. The research presented herein aimed to construct a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to determine optimal therapeutic strategies for organophosphate (nerve agent) poisoning. The constructed model integrated organophosphates and two antidotes, atropine and oximes. Model results reasonably mirrored literature data and anecdotal observations of organophosphate poisoning. Results suggest a symptoms-based dosing strategy of atropine and …

Methods For Detection Of Matrix Metalloproteinases As Biomarkers In Cardiovascular Disease, Viorica Lopez-Avila, Juliet Spencer

Biology Faculty Publications

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components like collagen, fibronectin, and laminin. While this activity is important for normal development, morphogenesis, and wound healing, deregulation of MMP activity has been implicated in a number of cardiovascular diseases, including congenital heart defects, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. MMPs are good potential diagnostic indicators of cardiovascular disease, but current detection methods are time consuming and quite laborious. This review will discuss MMP biology, current methods for detection of MMPs from patient samples, and potential new developments in multiplexed analysis of MMPs.

Impact Of Stressing A Pen Mate On Physiological Responses Of Growing Pigs, Brent Koonce, Elizabeth B. Kegley, Doug Galloway, Jason Apple

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Crossbred barrows and gilts (n = 36), weighing 16.59 ± 2.1 kg, were used to test the effects of stressing a pen mate on the physiological responses of growing pigs. Pigs were randomly allotted to 6 groups after stratifying according to gender, litter origin, and body weight. Dominance order was determined within each group, and 1 to 3 d prior to the stress treatment the most- and least-dominant pigs within a group were fitted with indwelling catheters in their vena cavas. Over 3 d, groups were either: 1) isolated from audile and visual contact with stressed pigs in a separate …

The Use Endocrine Markers To Predict And Monitor Performance In Strengh [Sic] And Power Activities, Jason B. Winchester

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Hormones are typically considered to be chemical messengers, which are designed to be released from specific cells where they are carried to their target tissues for binding to receptors. It is this binding of a hormone molecule to its specific receptor which allows for an action to occur (Hadley and Levine 2006). Testosterone is the predominant androgen in the majority of mammalian species and is largely responsible for regulation of reproduction and maintenance of sexual function. In addition, in adult mammals, T has multiple other roles including the growth of muscle and bone, hematopoesis, blood coagulation, development and regulation of …

When Does Nitrate Become A Risk For Humans?, David S. Powlson, Tom M. Addiscott, Nigel Benjamin, Kenneth G. Cassman, Theo M. De Kok, Hans Van Grinsven, Jean-Louis L'Hirondel, Alex A. Avery, Chris Van Kessel

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Is nitrate harmful to humans? Are the current limits for nitrate concentration in drinking water justified by science? There is substantial disagreement among scientists over the interpretation of evidence on the issue. There are two main health issues: the linkage between nitrate and (i) infant methaemoglobinaemia, also known as blue baby syndrome, and (ii) cancers of the digestive tract. The evidence for nitrate as a cause of these serious diseases remains controversial. On one hand there is evidence that shows there is no clear association between nitrate in drinking water and the two main health issues with which it has …

Role Of Vegf-C In Proliferation And Migration In A Cancer Model, Emily Marie Benke

Theses and Dissertations

Head and neck cancer ranks high among the most common cancers world wide. In addition, there is a high recurrence rate, as well as a high prevalence of loco-regional tumor spread. Among many factors contributing to metastasis is vascular endothelial cell growth factor C. VEGF-C is primarily an inducer of new lymph vessel formation, typically during embryogenesis; however, some advanced cancers show a significant increase in VEGF-C expression, suggesting a role in metastasis. In the current study, the effects of VEGF-C expression were tested in HN12 cells, which are highly metastatic and known to express high levels of the chemokine …

Caffeine Consumption Patterns And Beliefs Of College Freshmen, Gary Eugene Mcilvain

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Recently, energy drinks that contain high caffeine content without any age restrictions for purchase, have been introduced into the U.S. market. Caffeine consumption in the U.S. has increased dramatically, resulting in an increase in emergency room visits and calls to poison control centers. This increase in energy drink consumption, along with the traditional coffees, teas, and soft drinks that people consume regularly, have pushed caffeine consumption to new highs in a multi-billion dollar market.

The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the amount of caffeine consumed by a sample of freshmen students at Marshall University, (2) their beliefs …

Effects Of An Inserted Endoscope On Chyme Movement In Small Intestine – A Theoretical Model, V. P. Srivastava

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

The effects of an inserted endoscope on chyme movement in small intestine (gastrointestinal tract) have been investigated. The flow of chyme is induced by a progressive wave of area contraction along the length of intestinal wall under long wavelength approximation. It is found that the chyme movement is significantly influenced due to the presence of the endoscope. The pressure drop assumes lower values for higher values of the endoscope radius for small flow rates but the property reverses with increasing flow rates. The friction forces at intestinal wall and endoscope possess character similar to the pressure drop for any given …

Vertebrate Osmoregulation: A Student Laboratory Exercise Using Teleost Fish, Bernard Rees

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Anaerobic metabolism is recruited in vertebrates under conditions of intense exercise or lowered environmental oxygen availability (hypoxia), typically resulting in the accumulation of lactate in blood and tissues. Lactate will be cleared over time after the reoxygenation of tissues, eventually returning to control levels. Here, we present a laboratory exercise developed as part of an upper-level vertebrate physiology class that demonstrates the effects of exercise and hypoxia exposure on blood lactate in fish and the subsequent decrease in lactate during recovery. Typically, the results obtained by students demonstrate that both treatments cause significant increases in blood lactate concentrations (two to …

Bio Buzz Newsletter, Issue 1, November 2007, Department Of Biology

Biology Buzz Newsletter

Denison University, Department of Biology newsletter for 2007.

American Society Of Parasitologists Newsletter, V. 29, No. 3, Fall 2007, Scott Lyell Gardner

American Society of Parasitologists: Newsletter

An issue of the American Society of Parasitologists' quarterly newsletter, also called the Journal of Parasitology Newsletter.

Amp-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase Activity And Phosphorylation Of Amp-Activated Protein Kinase In Contracting Muscle Of Sedentary And Endurance Trained Rats, Denise Hurst

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to examine activity of AMP-activated protein kinase kinase (AMPKK) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in muscles from control (C) and endurance trained (T) rats. Rats were trained 5 days/wk, 2 hr/d for 8 wks at a final intensity of 32 m/min up a 15% grade with 30 second sprints at 52 m/min every 10 min. Gastrocnemius muscles were stimulated in situ in T and C rats for 5 min at frequencies of 0.4/sec and 1/sec. Gastrocnemius LKB1 protein, a putative component of the AMPKK complex (LKB1, STRAD, and MO25), increased approximately 2-fold in response to training. …

Hper Biomechanics Laboratory 2006 Annual Report, Issue 5, Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility

Biomechanics Annual Report

This issue features Peripheral Arterial Disease and Geriatrics Research Update, Lab Expands with New Personnel, Labor on NIH Grant Is, “Gratifying Labor” States Dr. Stergiou, Federal Grant On Cerebral Palsy: Joint Venture Demonstrates Progress, Evolution of Wireless Gait Analysis, Innovations of Robotic Assisted Surgery Research, Incorporating Virtual Reality, Events in the Lab, Dr. Stergiou Awarded Outstanding Graduate Mentor , Collaborations in Orthopedics, The Media Features Efforts in HPER Biomechanics Lab , Other Continuing Collaborations, Other Exciting News, Publications for 2006 and The 2006-2007 HPER Biomechanics Laboratory.

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V03n4, Winter 2007, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--Focus on an Institutional Member

--120th Annual Meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science

--GLOBE Activities for You and YOUR Students

--Committee on Committees and Elections Report to the Iowa Academy of Science Membership

--Financial Statement

--New Member Referral Program Report

Role Of Calcium And Nitric Oxide Synthase (Nos) In Brain Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Vidya Nag Nukala

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

Mitochondria are essential for promoting cell survival and growth through aerobic metabolism and energy production. Mitochondrial function is typically analyzed using mitochondria freshly isolated from tissues and cells because they yield tightly coupled mitochondria, whereas those from frozen tissue can consist of broken mitochondria and membrane fragments. A method, utilizing a well-characterized cryoprotectant such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), is described. Such mitochondria show preserved structure and function that presents us with a possible strategy to considerably expand the time-frame and the range of biochemical, molecular and metabolic studies that can be performed without the constraints of mitochondrial longevity ex vivo …

A Dialogue On Interdisciplinary Collaboration To Bridge The Gap Between Plant Genomics And Crop Sciences, P. C. Struik, Kenneth G. Cassman, M. Koornneef

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

In the future, more food needs to be produced with increasingly scarce natural resources. Genomics can play a key role in accelerating yield gains because it helps to improve our understanding of genetic traits and assists in breeding for better crop performance. The scientific muscle of genomics attracted tremendous research investments, but the efficiency with which these investments are paying off is still low. How can we accelerate the application of molecular genetics to our understanding of crop physiology and subsequently to crop improvement? The missing link is a more detailed understanding of the effects of gene function on crop …