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Sensory Spinal Interoceptive Pathways And Energy Balance Regulation, Heike Münzberg, Hans Rudolf Berthoud, Winfried L. Neuhuber Dec 2023

Sensory Spinal Interoceptive Pathways And Energy Balance Regulation, Heike Münzberg, Hans Rudolf Berthoud, Winfried L. Neuhuber

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Interoception plays an important role in homeostatic regulation of energy intake and metabolism. Major interoceptive pathways include gut-to-brain and adipose tissue-to brain signaling via vagal sensory nerves and hormones, such as leptin. However, signaling via spinal sensory neurons is rapidly emerging as an additional important signaling pathway. Here we provide an in-depth review of the known anatomy and functions of spinal sensory pathways and discuss potential mechanisms relevant for energy balance homeostasis in health and disease. Because sensory innervation by dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons goes far beyond vagally innervated viscera and includes adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and skin, it …


Amazonian Mixed-Species Flocks Demonstrate Flexible Preferences For Vertical Forest Structure, Charles P.J. Coddington, W. Justin Cooper, Cameron L. Rutt, Karl Mokross, Bruna R. Amaral, Philip C. Stouffer, David A. Luther Dec 2023

Amazonian Mixed-Species Flocks Demonstrate Flexible Preferences For Vertical Forest Structure, Charles P.J. Coddington, W. Justin Cooper, Cameron L. Rutt, Karl Mokross, Bruna R. Amaral, Philip C. Stouffer, David A. Luther

Faculty Publications

How species interact with human-disturbed environments is a central focus of conservation biology. Within disturbed landscapes, regenerating forests have potential to provide habitat for forest species, especially as increasing amounts of primary forest are lost. As secondary forest regenerates beside primary forest, it increases habitat heterogeneity. However, relatively little is known about the influence of habitat heterogeneity on space use. In this study, we analyzed the topography and vertical vegetation structure of regenerating forest, small forest fragments, and undisturbed rainforest in the central Amazon to determine (1) how these structural characteristics influence understory mixed-species flock space use and (2) how …


Modeling Of Cryopreservation Pathway Operation At An Aquatic Biomedical Stock Center For Zebrafish, Sarah Bodenstein, Fidan Abdullayeva, Joy M. Murphy, Zoltan M. Varga, Terrence R. Tiersch Dec 2023

Modeling Of Cryopreservation Pathway Operation At An Aquatic Biomedical Stock Center For Zebrafish, Sarah Bodenstein, Fidan Abdullayeva, Joy M. Murphy, Zoltan M. Varga, Terrence R. Tiersch

Faculty Publications

Aquatic biomedical model organisms play a substantial role in advancing our understanding of human health, however, comparably little work has been directed towards developing dependable, high-throughput storage programs for valuable genetic resources. The Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) has developed a standardized cryopreservation pathway and stored thousands of genetic lines in their repository for use by the biomedical research community. This has yet to be replicated in other facilities, and an overall repository-level pathway has never been analyzed for aquatic species. To encourage repository development for other biomedical models and to improve the ZIRC storage process and system, this study …


Leslie Paul Kozak, Phd (1940-2023), Eric Ravussin, Sven Enerback, Robert Koza Dec 2023

Leslie Paul Kozak, Phd (1940-2023), Eric Ravussin, Sven Enerback, Robert Koza

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.


Body Shape Perception In Men And Women Without Obesity During Caloric Restriction: A Secondary Analysis From The Calerie Study, Maci M. Jacobson, Alexis M. Gardner, Camilla E. Handley, Michael W. Smith, William F. Christensen, Chad R. Hancock, Paule V. Joseph, Michael J. Larson, Corby K. Martin, James D. Lecheminant Dec 2023

Body Shape Perception In Men And Women Without Obesity During Caloric Restriction: A Secondary Analysis From The Calerie Study, Maci M. Jacobson, Alexis M. Gardner, Camilla E. Handley, Michael W. Smith, William F. Christensen, Chad R. Hancock, Paule V. Joseph, Michael J. Larson, Corby K. Martin, James D. Lecheminant

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Objective: To examine body shape perception in 218 adults without obesity or history of eating disorders during caloric restriction (CR). Methods: Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) is a 2-year, randomized clinical trial using a 2:1 assignment (CR, 25% reduction in calories; Control, typical diet). For this secondary analysis, we examined perceived body shape using the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Analyses of BSQ scores are reported by group, over time, by sex, and by BMI. Data for body fat percentage, symptoms of depression, food cravings, maximal oxygen consumption, and stress were analyzed for their association …


Acute Exercise Increases Nk Cell Mitochondrial Respiration And Cytotoxicity Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Under Hypoxic Conditions, Eunhan Cho, James Stampley, Rachel Wall, Rachel Matthews, Elizabeth Zunica, Justin C. Brown, Neil M. Johannsen, Brian A. Irving, Guillaume Spielmann Dec 2023

Acute Exercise Increases Nk Cell Mitochondrial Respiration And Cytotoxicity Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Under Hypoxic Conditions, Eunhan Cho, James Stampley, Rachel Wall, Rachel Matthews, Elizabeth Zunica, Justin C. Brown, Neil M. Johannsen, Brian A. Irving, Guillaume Spielmann

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Purpose Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive, highly metastatic malignancy with high recurrence rates. Hypoxia is a hallmark of the TNBC tumor microenvironment, which promotes tumor growth while impairing natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic functions. Although acute exercise improves NK cell function under normoxic conditions, the effect of exercise on NK cell cytotoxic functions under hypoxic conditions mimicking O2 tensions observed in solid tumors is unknown. Methods The cytotoxic functions of resting and postexercise NK cells isolated from thirteen young inactive healthy women were assessed against breast cancer cells expressing different levels of hormone receptors (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) under …


Weight-Independent Effects Of Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery On Remission Of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Mice, Christopher L. Axelrod, Ingeborg Langohr, Wagner S. Dantas, Elizabeth C. Heintz, Bolormaa Vandanmagsar, Shengping Yang, Elizabeth R.M. Zunica, R. Leigh Townsend, Vance L. Albaugh, Hans Rudolf Berthoud, John P. Kirwan Dec 2023

Weight-Independent Effects Of Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery On Remission Of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Mice, Christopher L. Axelrod, Ingeborg Langohr, Wagner S. Dantas, Elizabeth C. Heintz, Bolormaa Vandanmagsar, Shengping Yang, Elizabeth R.M. Zunica, R. Leigh Townsend, Vance L. Albaugh, Hans Rudolf Berthoud, John P. Kirwan

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Objective: Obesity is a driver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and interventions that decrease body weight, such as bariatric surgery and/or calorie restriction (CR), may serve as effective therapies. This study compared the effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) and CR on hepatic function in mice with obesity and NAFLD. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet to promote obesity. At 16 weeks of age, mice were randomized to sham surgery (sham), RYGB, or CR weight matched to RYGB (WM). Body weight/composition, food intake, and energy expenditure (EE) were measured throughout treatment. Liver histopathology was evaluated from …


The Use Of Precision Diagnostics For Monogenic Diabetes: A Systematic Review And Expert Opinion, Rinki Murphy, Rinki Murphy, Kevin Colclough, Toni I. Pollin, Jennifer M. Ikle, Pernille Svalastoga, Kristin A. Maloney, Kristin A. Maloney, Cécile Saint-Martin, Janne Molnes, Paul W. Franks, Stephen S. Rich, Robert Wagner, Tina Vilsbøll, Kimberly K. Vesco, Miriam S. Udler, Tiinamaija Tuomi, Arianne Sweeting, Emily K. Sims, Jennifer L. Sherr, Robert K. Semple, Rebecca M. Reynolds, Maria J. Redondo, Leanne M. Redman, Richard E. Pratley, Rodica Pop-Busui, Wei Perng, Ewan R. Pearson, Susan E. Ozanne, Katharine R. Owen, Richard Oram, Viswanathan Mohan, Shivani Misra, James B. Meigs Dec 2023

The Use Of Precision Diagnostics For Monogenic Diabetes: A Systematic Review And Expert Opinion, Rinki Murphy, Rinki Murphy, Kevin Colclough, Toni I. Pollin, Jennifer M. Ikle, Pernille Svalastoga, Kristin A. Maloney, Kristin A. Maloney, Cécile Saint-Martin, Janne Molnes, Paul W. Franks, Stephen S. Rich, Robert Wagner, Tina Vilsbøll, Kimberly K. Vesco, Miriam S. Udler, Tiinamaija Tuomi, Arianne Sweeting, Emily K. Sims, Jennifer L. Sherr, Robert K. Semple, Rebecca M. Reynolds, Maria J. Redondo, Leanne M. Redman, Richard E. Pratley, Rodica Pop-Busui, Wei Perng, Ewan R. Pearson, Susan E. Ozanne, Katharine R. Owen, Richard Oram, Viswanathan Mohan, Shivani Misra, James B. Meigs

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Background: Monogenic diabetes presents opportunities for precision medicine but is underdiagnosed. This review systematically assessed the evidence for (1) clinical criteria and (2) methods for genetic testing for monogenic diabetes, summarized resources for (3) considering a gene or (4) variant as causal for monogenic diabetes, provided expert recommendations for (5) reporting of results; and reviewed (6) next steps after monogenic diabetes diagnosis and (7) challenges in precision medicine field. Methods: Pubmed and Embase databases were searched (1990-2022) using inclusion/exclusion criteria for studies that sequenced one or more monogenic diabetes genes in at least 100 probands (Question 1), evaluated a non-obsolete …


Increased Lipogenesis Is Important For Hexavalent Chromium-Transformed Lung Cells And Xenograft Tumor Growth, James T.F. Wise, Kazuya Kondo Dec 2023

Increased Lipogenesis Is Important For Hexavalent Chromium-Transformed Lung Cells And Xenograft Tumor Growth, James T.F. Wise, Kazuya Kondo

Faculty Publications

Hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is a known carcinogen and environmental health concern. It has been established that reactive oxygen species, genomic instability, and DNA damage repair deficiency are important contributors to the Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis mechanism. However, some hallmarks of cancer remain under-researched regarding the mechanism behind Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis. Increased lipogenesis is important to carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis in multiple types of cancers, yet the role increased lipogenesis has in Cr(VI) carcinogenesis is unclear. We report here that Cr(VI)-induced transformation of three human lung cell lines (BEAS-2B, BEP2D, and WTHBF-6) resulted in increased lipogenesis (palmitic acid levels), and Cr(VI)-transformed cells had an increased …


Painted Playgrounds For Preschoolers’ Physical Activity And Fundamental Motor Skill Improvement: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Of Effectiveness, E. Kipling Webster, Maura M. Kepper, Sanjoy Saha, Robbie A. Beyl, Chelsea L. Kracht, Jessica St Romain, Amanda E. Staiano Dec 2023

Painted Playgrounds For Preschoolers’ Physical Activity And Fundamental Motor Skill Improvement: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial Of Effectiveness, E. Kipling Webster, Maura M. Kepper, Sanjoy Saha, Robbie A. Beyl, Chelsea L. Kracht, Jessica St Romain, Amanda E. Staiano

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: Preschool children are not meeting recommended levels of physical activity (PA) nor are they proficient in fundamental motor skills (FMS), which are the foundation for PA. As such, interventions are needed to increase PA and FMS in young children. This trial examined the effects of an environmental (“painted playgrounds”) and capacity-building (written toolkit) intervention on child FMS, PA, and sedentary behavior at early childhood education (ECE) centers and examined feasibility. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, four ECE centers were randomly assigned to an intervention group or wait-list control. For intervention centers, stencils were spray painted adjacent to playgrounds …


Low Sodium Availability In Hydroponically Manipulated Host Plants Promotes Cannibalism In A Lepidopteran Herbivore, Luis Y. Santiago-Rosario, Ana L. Salgado, Diego Paredes-Burneo, Kyle E. Harms Dec 2023

Low Sodium Availability In Hydroponically Manipulated Host Plants Promotes Cannibalism In A Lepidopteran Herbivore, Luis Y. Santiago-Rosario, Ana L. Salgado, Diego Paredes-Burneo, Kyle E. Harms

Faculty Publications

As an abundant element in the Earth’s crust, sodium plays an unusual role in food webs. Its availability in terrestrial environments is highly variable, but it is nonessential for most plants, yet essential for animals and most decomposers. Accordingly, sodium requirements are important drivers of various animal behavioural patterns and performance levels. To specifically test whether sodium limitation increases cannibalism in a gregarious lepidopteran herbivore, we hydroponically manipulated Helianthus annuus host plants' tissue-sodium concentrations. Gregarious larvae of the bordered patch butterfly, Chlosyne lacinia, cannibalized siblings when plant-tissue sodium concentrations were low in two separate experiments. Although cannibalism was almost non-existent …


Dna Methylation Is Differentially Associated With Glycemic Outcomes By Different Types Of Weight-Loss Interventions: An Epigenome-Wide Association Study, Xiaoxiao Wen, Helena Palma-Gudiel, Guanhong Miao, Mingjing Chen, Zhiguang Huo, Hao Peng, Stephen Anton, Gang Hu, Ricky Brock, Phillip J. Brantley, Jinying Zhao Dec 2023

Dna Methylation Is Differentially Associated With Glycemic Outcomes By Different Types Of Weight-Loss Interventions: An Epigenome-Wide Association Study, Xiaoxiao Wen, Helena Palma-Gudiel, Guanhong Miao, Mingjing Chen, Zhiguang Huo, Hao Peng, Stephen Anton, Gang Hu, Ricky Brock, Phillip J. Brantley, Jinying Zhao

Population and Public Health Science Faculty Publications

Background: Alterations in DNA methylation (DNAm) have been reported to be a mechanism by which bariatric surgeries resulted in considerable metabolic improvements. Previous studies have mostly focused on change in DNAm following weight-loss interventions, yet whether DNAm prior to intervention can explain the variability in glycemic outcomes has not been investigated. Here, we aim to examine whether baseline DNAm is differentially associated with glycemic outcomes induced by different types of weight-loss interventions. Methods: Participants were 75 adults with severe obesity who underwent non-surgical intensive medical intervention (IMI), adjustable gastric band (BAND) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (n = 25 each). …


African Bovid Tribe Classification Using Transfer Learning And Computer Vision, Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo, Juliet Brophy, Gregory J. Mathews, Marcos Pizarro-Monzo, Enrique Baquedano Dec 2023

African Bovid Tribe Classification Using Transfer Learning And Computer Vision, Manuel Domínguez-Rodrigo, Juliet Brophy, Gregory J. Mathews, Marcos Pizarro-Monzo, Enrique Baquedano

Faculty Publications

Objective analytical identification methods are still a minority in the praxis of paleobiological sciences. Subjective interpretation of fossils and their modifications remains a nonreplicable expert endeavor. Identification of African bovids is a crucial element in the reconstruction of paleo-landscapes, ungulate paleoecology, and, eventually, hominin adaptation and ecosystemic reconstruction. Recent analytical efforts drawing on Fourier functional analysis and discrimination methods applied to occlusal surfaces of teeth have provided a highly accurate framework to correctly classify African bovid tribes and taxa. Artificial intelligence tools, like computer vision, have also shown their potential to be objectively more accurate in the identification of taphonomic …


Digital Archives: How Western Newspapers Frame Our Remembrance Of The Gezi Park Protest, Nihar Sreepada, Ahmet Aksoy Dec 2023

Digital Archives: How Western Newspapers Frame Our Remembrance Of The Gezi Park Protest, Nihar Sreepada, Ahmet Aksoy

Faculty Publications

We analyze the coverage of the Gezi Park protests by two major Western newspapers - The New York Times and The Guardian - through the lens of media framing, rhetoric, and collective memory. We argue that these digital archives frame Turkey's Gezi Park protests as a challenge to an authoritarian government by promoting the themes of unrest as a conflict of ideologies, oppression of citizens, and the park as a site of memory. In a concluding section, we focus on the significance of digital archives as repositories of collective memory and the role of media framing in shaping these reconstructions …


Examining Consumers’ Perceptions Of And Attitudes Toward Digital Fashion In General And Purchase Intention Of Luxury Brands’ Digital Fashion Specifically, Yanbo Zhang, Chuanlan Liu, Yanru Lyu Dec 2023

Examining Consumers’ Perceptions Of And Attitudes Toward Digital Fashion In General And Purchase Intention Of Luxury Brands’ Digital Fashion Specifically, Yanbo Zhang, Chuanlan Liu, Yanru Lyu

Faculty Publications

Digital fashion may instill transformative power into the fashion industry as it can simultaneously deliver fashionability and sustainability. Renowned for their innovativeness and creativity, luxury brands embrace digital fashion and achieve market success, indicating the future of digital fashion. This research aims to empirically investigate consumers’ general perceptions and evaluations of digital fashion and to specifically examine consumers’ purchase intention of luxury brands’ digital fashion. A total of 214 responses were collected from a U.S.-based research company’s consumer panel. Data were analyzed by using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that the general attitude toward digital fashion is influenced …


Calorie Restriction Modulates The Transcription Of Genes Related To Stress Response And Longevity In Human Muscle: The Calerie Study, Jayanta Kumar Das, Nirad Banskota, Julián Candia, Michael E. Griswold, Melissa Orenduff, Rafael De Cabo, David L. Corcoran, Sai Krupa Das, Supriyo De, Kim Marie Huffman, Virginia B. Kraus, William E. Kraus, Corby K Martin, Susan B. Racette, Leanne M. Redman, Birgit Schilling, Daniel W Belsky, Luigi Ferrucci Dec 2023

Calorie Restriction Modulates The Transcription Of Genes Related To Stress Response And Longevity In Human Muscle: The Calerie Study, Jayanta Kumar Das, Nirad Banskota, Julián Candia, Michael E. Griswold, Melissa Orenduff, Rafael De Cabo, David L. Corcoran, Sai Krupa Das, Supriyo De, Kim Marie Huffman, Virginia B. Kraus, William E. Kraus, Corby K Martin, Susan B. Racette, Leanne M. Redman, Birgit Schilling, Daniel W Belsky, Luigi Ferrucci

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

The lifespan extension induced by 40% caloric restriction (CR) in rodents is accompanied by postponement of disease, preservation of function, and increased stress resistance. Whether CR elicits the same physiological and molecular responses in humans remains mostly unexplored. In the CALERIE study, 12% CR for 2 years in healthy humans induced minor losses of muscle mass (leg lean mass) without changes of muscle strength, but mechanisms for muscle quality preservation remained unclear. We performed high-depth RNA-Seq (387–618 million paired reads) on human vastus lateralis muscle biopsies collected from the CALERIE participants at baseline, 12- and 24-month follow-up from the 90 …


An Intersection Of Science & Art: Vitrification Approaches And Open-Fabricated Tools For The Biomedical Model Sea Hare, Aplysia Californica, Allyssa M. Oune Nov 2023

An Intersection Of Science & Art: Vitrification Approaches And Open-Fabricated Tools For The Biomedical Model Sea Hare, Aplysia Californica, Allyssa M. Oune

LSU Master's Theses

The California sea hare (Aplysia californica) is an important biomedical model for molecular neurobiology, electrophysiology, learning, and memory due to their well-mapped and large neurons and well-characterized learning capabilities. The National Resource for Aplysia (NRA, University of Miami) maintains large stocks of live animals and relies on regular shipments of wild-caught individuals to maintain genetic diversity. This is labor and cost-intensive, and environmental changes could alter the availability of wild animals increasing the need to preserve this genetic resource. One solution is vitrification, ultra-fast cooling which produces an amorphous glass that minimizes damage to cells. Aplysia californica presents …


Optimizing Virulence And Understanding The Endophytic Colonization Of Metarhizium Spp. In Sweetpotato For The Control Of Cylas Formicarius Elegantulus (Summers), Santosh Bhandari Nov 2023

Optimizing Virulence And Understanding The Endophytic Colonization Of Metarhizium Spp. In Sweetpotato For The Control Of Cylas Formicarius Elegantulus (Summers), Santosh Bhandari

LSU Master's Theses

In the United States, control of the sweetpotato weevil [SPW, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers)] occurs through quarantine and regular use of chemical insecticides. However, an overreliance on chemical control may lead to resistance. Entomopathogenic fungi have potential to act as an alternative to chemical control. In this study, we assessed four different strains of Metarhizium isolated from soil collected in Louisiana (Mp-K048, Ma-K056, Mr-K082, and Mr-K101) and compared them to a well-known licensed strain (Mb-ARSEF 1095) for virulence against C. formicarius elegantulus. Results suggested that Mp-K048, Ma-K056, and Mr-K082 …


Investigations Of Emerging Zoonotic And Vector-Borne Viruses At The Juncture Of Environmental, Human, And Animal Health, Erik A. Turner Nov 2023

Investigations Of Emerging Zoonotic And Vector-Borne Viruses At The Juncture Of Environmental, Human, And Animal Health, Erik A. Turner

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Reemerging and emerging zoonotic viruses are some of the most important public and One Health threats facing the world. Understanding the transmission dynamics of these viruses is vital to reducing the disease burden, and one of the key aspects to these transmission systems is the environmental vertex of the One Health triangle. SARS-CoV-2 has only recently emerged as a global public health threat, and within 4 years, over 700 million cases have been reported. As a novel pathogen, many aspects of transmission, including environmental fomite transmission and disinfection, were initially a glaring gap in knowledge. Additionally, while chikungunya virus (CHIKV) …


Mirna As Systemic Mediators For Environmentally Persistent Free Radical-Induced Cardiovascular Dysfunction, Ankit Aryal Nov 2023

Mirna As Systemic Mediators For Environmentally Persistent Free Radical-Induced Cardiovascular Dysfunction, Ankit Aryal

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Air pollution is consistently linked with elevations in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its mortality. Particulate matter (PM) is a pivotal factor in air pollution-associated CVD. PM containing environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFR) forms from the incomplete combustion of organic wastes. These products adhere to particulate matter carrying redox-active transition metals on its surface. To enable systematic research of the health impacts of EPFR, our colleagues developed a combustion method to produce EPFR-containing PM that closely resemble urban PM and validated their use for typical laboratory settings. We exposed mice to laboratory generated EPFR through whole-body inhalation and investigated their dose-dependent …


The Structures And Functions Of Offices Of Academic Affairs: A Case Study, Ryan Thomas Landry Nov 2023

The Structures And Functions Of Offices Of Academic Affairs: A Case Study, Ryan Thomas Landry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study sought to describe how offices of academic affairs (administrative offices supporting provosts) at public, research-intensive universities in the United States are structured and what kind of work these offices do. There is a dearth of scholarly literature on the topic, indicative of an overall lack of knowledge about these organizations. From a practical standpoint, I intended for this study to contribute to the body of knowledge of higher education administration with hopes that it provides helpful insights to administrators as they consider organizational design. Using the theoretical framework of modern organization theory, I employed an embedded case study …


Using Machine Learning To Measure Changes In Immunity Due To Climate Change In The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda, Nathaniel T. Haulk Nov 2023

Using Machine Learning To Measure Changes In Immunity Due To Climate Change In The Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda, Nathaniel T. Haulk

LSU Master's Theses

Object detection is a recent development that allows for the detection of multiple objects in photographs. Numerous machine learning algorithms have been developed for object detection. Here we sought to determine which algorithm performed best when relating to an organism's health and immunological response. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major agricultural pest causing millions of dollars in damage to farmlands across the globe. With their recent spread into Africa and Asia, the need for understanding how best to control population outbreaks via biocontrol has increased. While viruses are a major biocontrol agent for controlling insect pests, we …


Relation Between Fine And Gross Motor Skills And Observation Of Sociocultural Factors Across The First Year Of Infancy, Erika Garcia Mora Nov 2023

Relation Between Fine And Gross Motor Skills And Observation Of Sociocultural Factors Across The First Year Of Infancy, Erika Garcia Mora

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The development of independent arms-free sitting, which frees an infant’s arms to explore objects in their environment (Soska & Adolph, 2014) is observed to propagate an increase in the frequency of manual and manipulatory actions (Marcinowski, et al., 2019; Mlincek, et. al., 2022). Active object exploration provides the infant with more sensory information of the fundamental characteristics of objects in their environment. Thus, this dissertation examined the quality and quantity of object exploration across seated postures.

Additionally, the literature claiming that infants raised in low-income households having fewer resources for effective development is being countered by considering a more holistic …


Containerized Satsuma Mandarin Production Under Protective Screens As A Management Strategy, Anna Timmerman Nov 2023

Containerized Satsuma Mandarin Production Under Protective Screens As A Management Strategy, Anna Timmerman

LSU Master's Theses

Many of the world’s citrus growing regions are experiencing challenges related to citrus greening, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) caused by the presumed bacterial agent Candidatus Liberibacter spp. HLB is vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) and through propagation of infected citrus material. HLB impacts tree health as well as fruit development, ripening, and quality of the resulting citrus fruit, often leading to an unmarketable product. Producers are growing citrus in high density orchards underneath protective screening material that excludes the Asian citrus psyllid, preventing new HLB infections. Four ultra-high containerized tree spacings of 2 feet …


Shifting Taxonomic And Functional Community Composition Of Rivers Under Land Use Change, Kai Chen, Stephen R. Midway, Brandon K. Peoples, Beixin Wang, Julian D. Olden Nov 2023

Shifting Taxonomic And Functional Community Composition Of Rivers Under Land Use Change, Kai Chen, Stephen R. Midway, Brandon K. Peoples, Beixin Wang, Julian D. Olden

Faculty Publications

Land use intensification has led to conspicuous changes in plant and animal communities across the world. Shifts in trait-based functional composition have recently been hypothesized to manifest at lower levels of environmental change when compared to species-based taxonomic composition; however, little is known about the commonalities in these responses across taxonomic groups and geographic regions. We investigated this hypothesis by testing for taxonomic and geographic similarities in the composition of riverine fish and insect communities across gradients of land use in major hydrological regions of the conterminous United States. We analyzed an extensive data set representing 556 species and 33 …


The Future Of Cyanobacteria Toxicity In Estuaries Undergoing Pulsed Nutrient Inputs: A Case Study From Coastal Louisiana, Sibel Bargu, Matthew Hiatt, Kanchan Maiti, Paul Miller, John R. White Nov 2023

The Future Of Cyanobacteria Toxicity In Estuaries Undergoing Pulsed Nutrient Inputs: A Case Study From Coastal Louisiana, Sibel Bargu, Matthew Hiatt, Kanchan Maiti, Paul Miller, John R. White

Faculty Publications

Harmful cyanobacteria blooms (cyanoHABs) are a global phenomenon, especially in calm, warm, and nutrient-rich freshwater and estuarine systems. These blooms can produce various potent toxins responsible for animal poisoning and human health problems. Nutrient-rich freshwater pulsed into estuaries affects turbidity, water temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations and ratios at irregular intervals, creating a highly dynamic habitat. However, the underlying processes that lead to the selective development of cyanoHABs for certain species and the fate of their toxins are still uncertain. This paper draws upon the rich body of research available for one such system, the Lake Pontchartrain Estuary, Louisiana, to …


Limnological Response Of Las Curias Reservoir, San Juan, Puerto Rico: Successful Management Of The Invasive Aquatic Fern, Salvinia Molesta, Xavier A. García-López, Jorge R. Ortiz-Zayas, Rodrigo Díaz, Aurelio Castro-Jiménez, Charles F. Wahl Nov 2023

Limnological Response Of Las Curias Reservoir, San Juan, Puerto Rico: Successful Management Of The Invasive Aquatic Fern, Salvinia Molesta, Xavier A. García-López, Jorge R. Ortiz-Zayas, Rodrigo Díaz, Aurelio Castro-Jiménez, Charles F. Wahl

Faculty Publications

The anthropogenic deterioration of aquatic ecosystems affects water resources due to agricultural malpractices, pollution from domestic septic tanks, recreational activities, and poor watershed management, among other factors. This study examines the management of Las Curias Reservoir, San Juan, Puerto Rico, after the 2016 arrival of the invasive aquatic fern Salvinia molesta. In September 2019, a community-led initiative introduced the Cyrtobagous salviniae weevil, an effective biological control agent for S. molesta, and commenced a mechanical removal campaign using an aquatic harvester. Limnological sampling (September 2019 to September 2022) and drone flights were employed to measure physicochemical and floating plant cover changes, …


A Membrane Protein Of The Rice Pathogen Burkholderia Glumae Required For Oxalic Acid Secretion And Quorum Sensing, Asif Iqbal, George Nwokocha, Vijay Tiwari, Inderjit K. Barphagha, Anne Grove, Jong Hyun Ham, William T. Doerrler Nov 2023

A Membrane Protein Of The Rice Pathogen Burkholderia Glumae Required For Oxalic Acid Secretion And Quorum Sensing, Asif Iqbal, George Nwokocha, Vijay Tiwari, Inderjit K. Barphagha, Anne Grove, Jong Hyun Ham, William T. Doerrler

Faculty Publications

Bacterial panicle blight is caused by Burkholderia glumae and results in damage to rice crops worldwide. Virulence of B. glumae requires quorum sensing (QS)-dependent synthesis and export of toxoflavin, responsible for much of the damage to rice. The DedA family is a conserved membrane protein family found in all bacterial species. B. glumae possesses a member of the DedA family, named DbcA, which we previously showed is required for toxoflavin secretion and virulence in a rice model of infection. B. glumae secretes oxalic acid as a “common good” in a QS-dependent manner to combat toxic alkalinization of the growth medium …


Community-Wide Correlations Between Species Richness, Abundance And Population Genomic Diversity In A Freshwater Biodiversity Hotspot, Jamie R. Bucholz, Garrett W. Hopper, Irene Sánchez González, Taylor E. Kelley, Colin R. Jackson, Ryan C. Garrick, Carla L. Atkinson, Jeffrey D. Lozier Nov 2023

Community-Wide Correlations Between Species Richness, Abundance And Population Genomic Diversity In A Freshwater Biodiversity Hotspot, Jamie R. Bucholz, Garrett W. Hopper, Irene Sánchez González, Taylor E. Kelley, Colin R. Jackson, Ryan C. Garrick, Carla L. Atkinson, Jeffrey D. Lozier

Faculty Publications

Understanding patterns of diversity across macro (e.g. species-level) and micro (e.g. molecular-level) scales can shed light on community function and stability by elucidating the abiotic and biotic drivers of diversity within ecological communities. We examined the relationships among taxonomic and genetic metrics of diversity in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae), an ecologically important and species-rich group in the southeastern United States. Using quantitative community surveys and reduced-representation genome sequencing across 22 sites in seven rivers and two river basins, we surveyed 68 mussel species and sequenced 23 of these species to characterize intrapopulation genetic variation. We tested for the presence of …


Adipocyte Stat5 (Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription 5) Is Not Required For Glucocorticoid-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction, Innocence Harvey, Allison J. Richard, Tamra M. Mendoza, Jacqueline M. Stephens Nov 2023

Adipocyte Stat5 (Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription 5) Is Not Required For Glucocorticoid-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction, Innocence Harvey, Allison J. Richard, Tamra M. Mendoza, Jacqueline M. Stephens

Division of Basic Science Faculty Publications

Excess glucocorticoid (GC) signaling in adipose tissue is a key driver of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, but underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) signaling in adipocytes has also been implicated in the progression of similar metabolic disturbances. Although STAT5 has been shown to interact with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in many cell types including adipocytes, the relevance of the STAT5/GR complex has not been investigated in adipocytes. Adult male and female adipocyte-specific STAT5 knockout (STAT5AKO) and floxed mice were given corticosterone (CORT) or vehicle in their drinking water for 1 …