Digital Commons Network^™

Thermal Fluctuations Of Haemoglobin From Different Species: Adaptation To Temperature Via Conformational Dynamics, A. M. Stadler, C. J. Garvey, A. Bocahut, S. Sacquin-Mora, I. Digel, G. J. Schneider, F. Natali, G. M. Artmann, G. Zaccai

Faculty Publications

Thermodynamic stability, configurational motions and internal forces of haemoglobin (Hb) of three endotherms (platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus; domestic chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus and human, Homo sapiens) and an ectotherm (salt water crocodile, Crocodylus porosus) were investigated using circular dichroism, incoherent elastic neutron scattering and coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations. The experimental results from Hb solutions revealed a direct correlation between protein resilience, melting temperature and average body temperature of the different species on the 0.1 ns time scale. Molecular forces appeared to be adapted to permit conformational fluctuations with a root mean square displacement close to 1.2 Å at the corresponding average …

Silencing Of Host Genes Directed By Virus-Derived Short Interfering Rnas In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Xunyang Guo, Wan Xiang Li, Rui Lu

Faculty Publications

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) processed from viral replication intermediates by RNase III-like enzyme Dicer guidesequence-specific antiviral silencing in fungi, plants, and invertebrates. In plants, virus-derived siRNAs (viRNAs) can target and silence cellular transcripts and, in some cases, are responsible for the induction of plant diseases. Currently it remains unclear whether viRNAs are also capable of modulating the expression of cellular genes in the animal kingdom, although animal virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to guide efficient silencing of host genes, thereby facilitating virus replication. In this report, we showed that viRNAs derived from a modified nodavirus triggered potent silencing of homologous …

A Brief Compilation Of Documents 722.23.6790021 Ag – 700.24.6790021 Ag, Rachel Zavecz

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Social Information Changes The Brain, Russell D. Fernald, Karen P. Maruska

Faculty Publications

Social animals live in complex physical and social environments requiring them to attend and rapidly respond to social and environmental information by changing their behavior. A key social influence is rank or status, a ubiquitous element in animal societies. Rank typically regulates access to reproduction and other resources, among other consequences for individuals. Because reproduction is arguably the most important event in any animals' life, understanding howreproduction is regulated by social status and related physiological factors can instruct our understanding of evolutionary change. This article reviews evidence from a model social system in which reproduction is tightly controlled by social …

Characterization Of Cell Proliferation Throughout The Brain Of The African Cichlid Fish Astatotilapia Burtoni And Its Regulation By Social Status, Karen P. Maruska, Russ E. Carpenter, Russell D. Fernald

Faculty Publications

New cells are added in the brains of all adult vertebrates, but fishes have some of the greatest potential for neurogenesis and gliogenesis among all taxa, partly due to their indeterminate growth. Little is known, however, about how social interactions influence cell proliferation in the brain of these fishes that comprise the largest group of vertebrates. We used 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to identify and localize proliferation zones in the telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, and rhombencephalon that were primarily associated with ventricular surfaces in the brain of the African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni. Cell migration was evident in some regions by 1 day …

Amp-Activated Protein Kinase Stimulates Myostatin Expression In C2c12 Cells, Arun K. Das, Qi Yuan Yang, Xing Fu, Jun Fang Liang, Marcio S. Duarte, Mei Jun Zhu, Grant D. Trobridge, Min Du

Faculty Publications

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a master regulator of energy metabolism in skeletal muscle; AMPK induces muscle protein degradation but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Myostatin is a powerful negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass and growth in mammalian species. We hypothesized that AMPK stimulates myostatin expression, which provides an explanation for the negative role of AMPK in muscle growth. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that AMPK stimulates myostatin expression using C2C12 cells as a model. Activation of AMPK by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β- d-riboruranoside (AICAR.) dramatically increased the mRNA expression and protein content of myostatin in C2C12 myotubes, and …

A Stress Inducible Sumo Conjugating Enzyme Gene (Sasce9) From A Grass Halophyte Spartina Alterniflora Enhances Salinity And Drought Stress Tolerance In Arabidopsis, Ratna Karan, Prasanta K. Subudhi

Faculty Publications

Background: SUMO (Small Ubiquitin related Modifier) conjugation is a post translational regulatory process found in all eukaryotes, mediated by SUMO activating enzyme, SUMO conjugating enzyme, and SUMO ligase for the attachment of SUMO to its target protein. Although the mechanism for regulation of SUMO conjugation pathway genes under abiotic stress has been studied to certain extent, the role of SUMO conjugating enzyme in improving abiotic stress tolerance to plant is largely unexplored. Here, we have characterized a SUMO conjugating enzyme gene 'SaSce9' from a halophytic grass Spartina alterniflora and investigated its role in imparting abiotic stress tolerance.Results: SaSce9 gene encodes …

Human Nad(P)H:Quinone Oxidoreductase Type I (Hnqo1) Activation Of Quinone Propionic Acid Trigger Groups, Maria F. Mendoza, Nicole M. Hollabaugh, Suraj U. Hettiarachchi, Robin L. Mccarley

Faculty Publications

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase type I (NQO1) is a target enzyme for triggered delivery of drugs at inflamed tissue and tumor sites, particularly those that challenge traditional therapies. Prodrugs, macromolecules, and molecular assemblies possessing trigger groups that can be cleaved by environmental stimuli are vehicles with the potential to yield active drug only at prescribed sites. Furthermore, quinone propionic acids (QPAs) covalently attached to prodrugs or liposome surfaces can be removed by application of a reductive trigger stimulus, such as that from NQO1; their rates of reductive activation should be tunable via QPA structure. We explored in detail the recombinant human NAD(P)H:quinone …

Irradiation Induced Fluorescence Enhancement In Pegylated Cyanine-Based Nir Nano- And Mesoscale Gumbos, Chengfei Lu, Susmita Das, Paul K.S. Magut, Min Li, Bilal El-Zahab, Isiah M. Warner

Faculty Publications

We report on the synthesis and characterization of a PEGylated IR786 GUMBOS (Group of Uniform Materials Based on Organic Salts). The synthesis of this material was accomplished using a three step protocol: (1) substitution of chloride on the cyclohexenyl ring in the heptamethine chain of IR786 by 6-aminohexanoic acid, (2) grafting of methoxy polyethylene glycol (MeOPEG) onto the 6-aminohexanoic acid via an esterification reaction, and (3) anion exchange between [PEG786][I] and lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiNTf 2) or sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT) in order to obtain PEG786 GUMBOS. Examination of spectroscopic data for this PEG786 GUMBOS indicates a large stokes shift (122 nm). …

Hemisphere-Scale Differences In Conifer Evolutionary Dynamics, Andrew B. Leslie, Jeremy M. Beaulieu, Hardeep S. Rai, Peter R. Crane, Michael J. Donoghue, Sarah Mathews

Faculty Publications

Fundamental differences in the distribution of oceans and landmasses in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres potentially impact patterns of biological diversity in the two areas. The evolutionary history of conifers provides an opportunity to explore these dynamics, because the majority of extant conifer species belong to lineages that have been broadly confined to the Northern or Southern Hemisphere during the Cenozoic. Incorporating genetic information with a critical review of fossil evidence, we developed an age-calibrated phylogeny sampling ∼80% of living conifer species. Most extant conifer species diverged recently during the Neogene within clades that generally were established during the later …

Faculty Senate Resolution 12-09, Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical College

LSU Faculty Senate Publications

Faculty Senate Resolution on graduate faculty membership for faculty with 100% LSU AgCenter appointments, adopted on October 2, 2012.

Hsv-1 Latent Rabbits Shed Viral Dna Into Their Saliva, James M. Hill, Nicole M. Nolan, Harris E. Mcferrin, Christian Clement, Timothy P. Foster, William P. Halford, Konstantin G. Kousoulas, Walter J. Lukiw, Hilary W. Thompson, Ethan M. Stern, Partha S. Bhattacharjee

Faculty Publications

Background: Rabbits latent with HSV-1 strain McKrae spontaneously shed infectious virus and viral DNA into their tears and develop recurrent herpetic-specific corneal lesions. The rabbit eye model has been used for many years to assess acute ocular infections and pathogenesis, antiviral efficacy, as well as latency, reactivation, and recurrent eye diseases. This study used real-time PCR to quantify HSV-1 DNA in the saliva and tears of rabbits latent with HSV-1 McKrae. Methods. New Zealand white rabbits used were latent with HSV-1 strain McKrae and had no ocular or oral pathology. Scarified corneas were topically inoculated with HSV-1. Eye swabs and …

Spike Phase Locking In Ca1 Pyramidal Neurons Depends On Background Conductance And Firing Rate., Broicher T, Malerba P, Dorval Ad, Borisyuk A, Fernandez Fr, White Ja

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Long-Term Survival Of Anoxia Despite Rapid Atp Decline In Embryos Of The Annual Killifish Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Jason E. Podrabsky, Michael A. Menze, Steven C. Hand

Faculty Publications

Embryos of the annual killifish Austrofundulus limnaeus can survive for months in the complete absence of oxygen. Survival of anoxia is associated with entry into a state of metabolic dormancy known as diapause. However, extreme tolerance of anoxia is retained for several days of post-diapause development. Rates of heat dissipation in diapause II and 4 days post-diapause II embryos were measured under aerobic conditions and during the transition into anoxia. Phosphorylated adenylate compounds were quantified in embryos during entry into anoxia and after 12hr of aerobic recovery. Rates of heat dissipation were not affected by exposure to anoxia in diapause …

Lsu Research Fall 2012, Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical College

Research Magazine

LSU Research is published annually by the Office of Research & Economic Development, Louisiana State University.

Ultraconserved Elements Anchor Thousands Of Genetic Markers Spanning Multiple Evolutionary Timescales, Brant C. Faircloth, John E. Mccormack, Nicholas G. Crawford, Michael G. Harvey, Robb T. Brumfield, Travis C. Glenn

Faculty Publications

Although massively parallel sequencing has facilitated large-scale DNA sequencing, comparisons among distantly related species rely upon small portions of the genome that are easily aligned. Methods are needed to efficiently obtain comparable DNA fragments prior to massively parallel sequencing, particularly for biologists working with non-model organisms. We introduce a new class of molecular marker, anchored by ultraconserved genomic elements (UCEs), that universally enable target enrichment and sequencing of thousands of orthologous loci across species separated by hundreds of millions of years of evolution. Our analyses here focus on use of UCE markers in Amniota because UCEs and phylogenetic relationships are …

Louisiana Agriculture Fall, 2012

Louisiana Agriculture

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Corn Hybrids Expressing Cry1f, Cry1a.105, Cry2ab2, Cry34ab1/Cry35ab1, And Cry3bb1 Against Southern United States Insect Pests, M. W. Siebert, S. P. Nolting, W. Hendrix, S. Dhavala, C. Craig, B. R. Leonard, S. D. Stewart, J. All, F. R. Musser, G. D. Buntin, L. Samuel

Faculty Publications

Studies were conducted across the southern United States to characterize the efficacy of multiple Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) events in a field corn, Zea mays L., hybrid for control of common lepidopteran and coleopteran pests. Cry1F protein in event TC1507 and Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 proteins in event MON 89034 were evaluated against pests infesting corn on above-ground plant tissue including foliage, stalks, and ears. Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 proteins in event DAS-59122-7 and Cry3Bb1 in event MON 88017 were evaluated against the larvae of Mexican corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera zeae Krysan and Smith, which occur below-ground. Field corn hybrids containing Cry1F, Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2, …

Lifetime Of Combustion-Generated Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals On Zn(Ii)O And Other Transition Metal Oxides, Eric Vejerano, Slawo Lomnicki, Barry Dellinger

Faculty Publications

Previous studies indicated that Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) are formed in the post-flame, cool zone of combustion. They result from the chemisorption of gas-phase products of incomplete combustion (particularly hydroxyl- and chlorine-substituted aromatics) on Cu(ii)O, Fe(iii) 2O3, and Ni(ii)O domains of particulate matter (fly ash or soot particles). This study reports our detailed laboratory investigation on the lifetime of EPFRs on Zn(ii)O/silica surface. Similarly, as in the case of other transition metals, chemisorption of the adsorbate on the Zn(ii)O surface and subsequent transfer of electron from the adsorbate to the metal forms a surface-bound EPFR and a reduced metal …

Effect Of Prebiotics On Lactobacillus Acidophilus Growth And Resulting Ph Changes In Skim Milk And A Model Peptone System, D. W. Olson, K. J. Aryana

Faculty Publications

The effect of Raftiline® GR, Raftiline® HP-Gel, and Raftilose® P95 prebiotics on growth curves of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-K and resulting pH changes in skim milk and a model system consisting of 0.1% peptone was investigated. Skim milk (100mL) and 0.1% peptone (100mL) each containing either 1% or 3% Raftiline® GR, Raftiline® HP-Gel, or Raftilose® P95 prebiotics were autoclaved, cooled to 37°C, and inoculated with 0.132mL of L. acidophilus LA-K. Both the growth of L. acidophilus and the changes in pH were followed for 16h at 37°C. The growth was determined by measuring the optical density (turbidity) at 600nm. …

F12rs Sgb No. 4 (Election Code), Pace

Student Senate Enrolled Legislation

A BILL

To amend the Student Government Election Code

Centromere Remodeling In Hoolock Leuconedys (Hylobatidae) By A New Transposable Element Unique To The Gibbons, Lucia Carbone, R. Alan Harris, Alan R. Mootnick, Aleksandar Milosavljevic, David I.K. Martin, Mariano Rocchi, Oronzo Capozzi, Nicoletta Archidiacono, Miriam K. Konkel, Jerilyn A. Walker, Mark A. Batzer, Pieter J. De Jong

Faculty Publications

Gibbons (Hylobatidae) shared a common ancestor with the other hominoids only 15-18 million years ago. Nevertheless, gibbons show very distinctive features that include heavily rearranged chromosomes. Previous observations indicate that this phenomenon may be linked to the attenuated epigenetic repression of transposable elements (TEs) in gibbon species. Here we describe the massive expansion of a repeat in almost all the centromeres of the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys). We discovered that this repeat is a new composite TE originating from the combination of portions of three other elements (L1ME5, AluSz6, and SVA-A) and thus named it LAVA. We determined that …

Pyrosequencing-Based Analysis Of The Microbiome Associated With The Horn Fly, Haematobia Irritans, Azhahianambi Palavesam, Felix D. Guerrero, Andrew M. Heekin, Ju Wang, Scot E. Dowd, Yan Sun, Lane D. Foil, Adalberto A. Pérez De León

Faculty Publications

The horn fly, Haematobia irritans, is one of the most economically important pests of cattle. Insecticides have been a major element of horn fly management programs. Growing concerns with insecticide resistance, insecticide residues on farm products, and non-availability of new generation insecticides, are serious issues for the livestock industry. Alternative horn fly control methods offer the promise to decrease the use of insecticides and reduce the amount of insecticide residues on livestock products and give an impetus to the organic livestock farming segment. The horn fly, an obligatory blood feeder, requires the help of microflora to supply additional nutrients and …

Creating 3d Web-Based Game Environment Using Bim Models For Virtual On-Site Visiting Of Building Hvac Systems, Zhigang Shen, Landu Jiang, Kevin Grosskopf, Charles Berryman

Faculty Publications

A web-based 3D game project was presented in this paper to demonstrate the process of using building information modeling (BIM) to create an interactive 3D on-line 'Green' training environment. The system architecture, the implementation process and major components of this virtual training environment were discussed. Existing studies on BIM-based collaborations mainly focused on local-file-sharing approach using proprietary applications. Limited research focused on using BIM as an online gaming platform to create a web browser-based interactive 3D virtual environment for collaboration, learning and/or training. The gap was partially caused by the lack of understanding how to implement a BIM-based game in …

Effects Of Small-Scale Dead Wood Additions On Beetles In Southeastern U.S. Pine Forests, Kier D. Klepzig, Michael L. Ferro, Michael D. Ulyshen, Matthew L. Gimmel, Jolie B. Mahfouz, Allan E. Tiarks, Chris E. Carlton

Faculty Publications

Pitfall traps were used to sample beetles (Coleoptera) in plots with or without inputs of dead loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) wood at four locations (Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas) on the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. The plots were established in 1998 and sampling took place in 1998, 1999, and 2002 (only 1998 for North Carolina). Overall, beetles were more species rich, abundant and diverse in dead wood addition plots than in reference plots. While these differences were greatest in 1998 and lessened thereafter, they were not found to be significant in 1998 due largely to …

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity And The Subsequent Response To Chronic Stress Differ Depending Upon Life History Stage, Christine R. Lattin, Carolyn M. Bauer, Robert De Bruijn, L. Michael Romero

Faculty Publications

The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is modulated seasonally in many species, and chronic stress can alter HPA functioning. However, it is not known how these two factors interact - are there particular life history stages when animals are more or less vulnerable to chronic stress? We captured wild house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in Massachusetts during six different life history stages: early and late winter, pre-laying, breeding, late breeding, and molt. At each time point, we tested HPA function by measuring baseline and stress-induced corticosterone (CORT), negative feedback in response to an injection of dexamethasone, and maximum adrenal response through an injection …

Formation And Stabilization Of Combustion-Generated, Environmentally Persistent Radicals On Ni(Ii)O Supported On A Silica Surface, Eric Vejerano, Slawomir M. Lomnicki, Barry Dellinger

Faculty Publications

Previous studies have indicated environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are formed when hydroxyl- and chlorine-substituted aromatics chemisorbed on Cu(II)O and Fe(III)2O3 surfaces and were stabilized through their interactions with the surface metal cation. The current study reports our laboratory investigation on the formation and stabilization of EPFRs on a Ni(II)O surface. The EPFRs were produced by the chemisorption of adsorbates on the supported metal oxide surface and transfer of an electron from the adsorbate to the metal center, resulting in reduction of the metal cation. Depending on the temperature and the nature of the adsorbate, more than one type of …

Correlated Evolution Of Beak Morphology And Song In The Neotropical Woodcreeper Radiation, Elizabeth Perrault Derryberry, Nathalie Seddon, Santiago Claramunt, Joseph Andrew Tobias, Adam Baker, Alexandre Aleixo, Robb Thomas Brumfield

Faculty Publications

Mating signals may diversify as a byproduct of morphological adaptation to different foraging niches, potentially driving speciation. Although many studies have focused on the direct influence of ecological and sexual selection on signal divergence, the role of indirect mechanisms remains poorly understood. Using phenotypic and molecular datasets, we explored the interplay between morphological and vocal evolution in an avian radiation characterized by dramatic beak variation, the Neotropical woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptinae). We found evidence of a trade-off between the rate of repetition of song syllables and frequency bandwidth: slow paced songs had either narrow or wide frequency bandwidths, and bandwidth decreased as …

Adipogenesis, Kelesha Sarjeant, Jacqueline M. Stephens

Faculty Publications

Adipose tissue is an important site for lipid storage, energy homeostasis, and whole-body insulin sensitivity. It is important to understand the mechanisms involved in adipose tissue development and function, which can be regulated by the endocrine actions of various peptide and steroid hormones. Recent studies have revealed that white and brown adipocytes can be derived from distinct precursor cells. This review will focus on transcriptional control of adipogenesis and its regulation by several endocrine hormones. The general functions and cellular origins of adipose tissue and how the modulation of adipocyte development pertains to metabolic disease states will also be considered. …

A Conserved Two-Component Regulatory System, Pids/Pidr, Globally Regulates Pigmentation And Virulence-Related Phenotypes Of Burkholderia Glumae, Hari Sharan Karki, Inderjit Kaur Barphagha, Jong Hyun Ham

Faculty Publications

Burkholderia glumae is a rice pathogenic bacterium that causes bacterial panicle blight. Some strains of this pathogen produce dark brown pigments when grown on casamino-acid peptone glucose (CPG) agar medium. A pigment-positive and highly virulent strain of B.glumae, 411gr-6, was randomly mutagenized with mini-Tn5gus, and the resulting mini-Tn5gus derivatives showing altered pigmentation phenotypes were screened on CPG agar plates to identify the genetic elements governing the pigmentation of B.glumae. In this study, a novel two-component regulatory system (TCRS) composed of the PidS sensor histidine kinase and the PidR response regulator was identified as an essential regulatory factor for pigmentation. Notably, …