Digital Commons Network^™

Genetic Correlations And Genome-Wide Associations Of Cortical Structure In General Population Samples Of 22,824 Adults, Edith Hofer, Gennady V. Roshchupkin, Hieab H.H. Adams, Maria J. Knol, Honghuang Lin, Shuo Li, Habil Zare, Shahzad Ahmad, Nicola J. Armstrong, Claudia L. Satizabal, Manon Bernard, Joshua C. Bis, Nathan A. Gillespie, Michelle Luciano, Aniket Mishra, Markus Scholz, Alexander Teumer, Rui Xia, Xueqiu Jian, Thomas H. Mosley, Yasaman Saba, Lukas Pirpamer, Stephan Seiler, James T. Becker, Owen Carmichael, Jerome I. Rotter, Bruce M. Psaty, Oscar L. Lopez, Najaf Amin, Sven J. Van Der Lee, Qiong Yang, Jayandra J. Himali, Pauline Maillard, Alexa S. Beiser

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Cortical thickness, surface area and volumes vary with age and cognitive function, and in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Here we report heritability, genetic correlations and genome-wide associations of these cortical measures across the whole cortex, and in 34 anatomically predefined regions. Our discovery sample comprises 22,824 individuals from 20 cohorts within the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortium and the UK Biobank. We identify genetic heterogeneity between cortical measures and brain regions, and 160 genome-wide significant associations pointing to wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β and sonic hedgehog pathways. There is enrichment for genes involved in anthropometric traits, hindbrain …

A Telescope Gwas Analysis Strategy, Based On Snps-Genes-Pathways Ensamble And On Multivariate Algorithms, To Characterize Late Onset Alzheimer’S Disease, Margherita Squillario, Giulia Abate, Federico Tomasi, Veronica Tozzo, Annalisa Barla, Daniela Uberti, Michael W. Weiner, Paul Aisen, Ronald Petersen, Jack R. Clifford, William Jagust, John Q. Trojanowki, Arthur W. Toga, Laurel Beckett, Robert C. Green, Andrew J. Saykin, John Morris, Leslie M. Shaw, Zaven Khachaturian, Greg Sorensen, Maria Carrillo, Lew Kuller, Marc Raichle, Steven Paul, Peter Davies, Howard Fillit, Franz Hefti, Davie Holtzman, M. Marcel Mesulam, William Potter, Peter Snyder, Tom Montine, Ronald G. Thomas, Michael Donohue

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Genome–wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed a plethora of putative susceptibility genes for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with the sole exception of APOE gene unequivocally validated in independent study. Considering that the etiology of complex diseases like AD could depend on functional multiple genes interaction network, here we proposed an alternative GWAS analysis strategy based on (i) multivariate methods and on a (ii) telescope approach, in order to guarantee the identification of correlated variables, and reveal their connections at three biological connected levels. Specifically as multivariate methods, we employed two machine learning algorithms and a genetic association test and we considered …

Long-Term Change In Physiological Markers And Cognitive Performance In Type 2 Diabetes: The Look Ahead Study, Owen T. Carmichael, Rebecca H. Neiberg, Gareth R. Dutton, Kathleen M. Hayden, Edward Horton, F. Xavier Pi-Sunyer, Karen C. Johnson, Stephen R. Rapp, Adam P. Spira, Mark A. Espeland

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Context: The effects of physiological improvements on cognitive function among persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are not fully understood. Objective: To determine whether improvements in physiological markers (body weight, blood sugar control, and physical activity) during intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) are associated with enhancements in cognitive function in older adults with T2DM. Design: Multisite randomized controlled trial. Setting: Academic research centers. Patients or Other Participants: Participants were aged 45-76 years, with T2DM. Intervention: The Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) study, a randomized, controlled clinical trial of ILI. Main Outcome Measure: Two to 3 cognitive assessments were …

Spread Of Pathological Tau Proteins Through Communicating Neurons In Human Alzheimer's Disease, Jacob W. Vogel, Yasser Iturria-Medina, Olof T. Strandberg, Ruben Smith, Elizabeth Levitis, Alan C. Evans, Oskar Hansson, Michael Weiner, Paul Aisen, Ronald Petersen, Clifford R. Jack, William Jagust, John Q. Trojanowki, Arthur W. Toga, Laurel Beckett, Robert C. Green, Andrew J. Saykin, John Morris, Leslie M. Shaw, Enchi Liu, Tom Montine, Ronald G. Thomas, Michael Donohue, Michael Donohue, Sarah Walter, Devon Gessert, Tamie Sather, Gus Jiminez, Danielle Harvey, Matthew Bernstein, Nick Fox, Paul Thompson, Norbert Schuff, Charles Decarli

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Tau is a hallmark pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, and animal models have suggested that tau spreads from cell to cell through neuronal connections, facilitated by β-amyloid (Aβ). We test this hypothesis in humans using an epidemic spreading model (ESM) to simulate tau spread, and compare these simulations to observed patterns measured using tau-PET in 312 individuals along Alzheimer’s disease continuum. Up to 70% of the variance in the overall spatial pattern of tau can be explained by our model. Surprisingly, the ESM predicts the spatial patterns of tau irrespective of whether brain Aβ is present, but regions with greater Aβ …

Fam222a Encodes A Protein Which Accumulates In Plaques In Alzheimer’S Disease, Tingxiang Yan, Jingjing Liang, Ju Gao, Luwen Wang, Hisashi Fujioka, Michael W. Weiner, Norbert Schuff, Howard J. Rosen, Bruce L. Miller, David Perry, Paul Aisen, Paul Aisen, Arthur W. Toga, Gustavo Jimenez, Michael Donohue, Devon Gessert, Kelly Harless, Jennifer Salazar, Yuliana Cabrera, Sarah Walter, Lindsey Hergesheimer, Karen Crawford, Scott Neu, Lon S. Schneider, Sonia Pawluczyk, Mauricio Becerra, Liberty Teodoro, Bryan M. Spann, Ronald Petersen, Clifford R. Jack, Matthew Bernstein, Bret Borowski, Jeff Gunter, Matt Senjem

Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid plaques and progressive cerebral atrophy. Here, we report FAM222A as a putative brain atrophy susceptibility gene. Our cross-phenotype association analysis of imaging genetics indicates a potential link between FAM222A and AD-related regional brain atrophy. The protein encoded by FAM222A is predominantly expressed in the CNS and is increased in brains of patients with AD and in an AD mouse model. It accumulates within amyloid deposits, physically interacts with amyloid-β (Aβ) via its N-terminal Aβ binding domain, and facilitates Aβ aggregation. Intracerebroventricular infusion or forced expression of this protein exacerbates neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction …

Influence Of Energy Removal Rate On The Quality Of Minced Meat From Undersized Crawfish During Frozen Storage, Franklin Bonilla, Vondel Reyes, Alexander Chouljenko, Bennett Dzandu, Subramaniam Sathivel

Faculty Publications

Abstract: Undersized crawfish have little economic value and are often discarded. Producing crawfish minced meat (CMM) from undersized crawfish and using an appropriate freezing technique may enable an economically viable market. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the energy removal rate using two techniques, cryogenic freezing (CF) and air blast freezing (BF), on CMM’s quality during frozen storage. CMM was separated into two batches; one batch was cryogenically frozen with liquid nitrogen and the other batch was frozen with an air blast freezer. CMM batches were frozen and stored at − 18 °C. They were …

Muscadine Or Amla Extracts Standardized To Ellagic Acid Content Ameliorate Glucolipotoxicity Associated Β-Cell Dysfunction Via Inhibition Of Il-1Β And Improved Insulin Secretion, Srikanth Earpina, Karen Mcdonough, Millicent Yeboah-Awudzi, Kristina J. Cook, Sita Aggarwal, Jack N. Losso

Faculty Publications

Glucolipotocixity induces IL-1 β secretion which impairs pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion. Ellagic acid and urolithin A have strong anti-inflammatory effect on cells. Muscadine and amla are very good sources of ellagic acid. The present study examined the effect of ellagic acid, ellagic acid-rich muscadine or amla extract, or urolothin A on inflammation in β cells under glucolipotoxic conditions. Rat NIT-1 β cells were incubated in glucolipotoxic conditions (33.3 mM glucose, 250 μM palmitic acid or 33.3 mM glucose + 250 μM palmitic acid with or without ellagic acid, ellagic acid-rich muscadine or amla extracts standardized to its ellagic acid content, …

Differential Lead Accumulation In Brassica Juncea, Brassica Rapa, And Lactuca Sativa And Evaluation Of Ground Level Barriers To Prevent Lead Contamination Of Produce Grown In Raised Beds, Celine Vera Richard

LSU Master's Theses

High lead (Pb) contamination of soils is a threat to human health. Urban area soils are frequently contaminated with lead from settling of gasoline exhaust, brake dust, and lead paint on homes, old playground equipment, etc. Exposure to soil-lead occurs by ingestion or inhalation and poses an elevated risk for young children. Indirect ingestion can occur through the food chain through activities such as growing certain vegetables with an ability to tolerate and accumulate lead in edible tissues. Many university extension systems recommend growing vegetables in raised beds as a reasonable reduced risk option for avoiding lead accumulation in garden …

Experiences Of Transgender Men Who Joined National Pan-Hellenic Council Sororities Pre-Transition, Sydney Epps

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) - affectionately known as The Divine Nine - are places of support and leadership development for students. However, these groups espouse traditional gender role themes that align with sexual orientation and gender rigidity. This paper explores how four NPHC members negotiate their identity as both nonbinary or transgender, and Greek. Using the narrative inquiry approach, the researcher will explore how sorority members who no longer identify as cisgender women are treated post-gender transition by other sorority members.

A Decade Review Of Triphosgene And Its Applications In Organic Reactions, Moshood O. Ganiu, Binod Nepal, Joshua P. Van Houten, Rendy Kartika

Faculty Publications

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd This review article highlights selected advances in triphosgene-enabled organic synthetic reactions that were reported in the decade of 2010–2019. Triphosgene is a versatile reagent in organic synthesis. It serves as a convenient substitute for the toxic phosgene gas. Despite its first known preparation in the late 19th century, the upward surge in the development of organic reactions using triphosgene interestingly began only three decades ago. Despite the relatively short history, triphosgene has been proven to be very useful in facilitating the preparation of a vast scope of value-added compounds, such as organohalides, acid chlorides, isocyanates, carbonyl …

The Effects Of In Utero Exposure To Aerosols Generated By Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems In Neonatal And Adult Offspring, Kerin M. Cahill

LSU Master's Theses

Recently, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have become increasingly popular alternatives to cigarette smoking and are perceived as “safe” substitutes. The effects that these devices have on healthy adult lungs are still not fully understood, much less the effects on vulnerable populations such as expectant mothers and neonates. In an effort to better understand the potentially detrimental outcomes that gestational usage may have on both mothers and offspring, we conducted mouse studies on in utero exposures to both, third generation (“box mod”) ENDS aerosols and fourth generation (“pod mod”) JUUL aerosols. In exposures using the box mod device, in utero …

Molecular Mechanisms Of Boron Toxicity Tolerance In Plants, Guannan Wang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Boron toxicity is a worldwide agricultural problem that limits crop productivity and quality. However, our understanding on the genetic responses and adaption mechanisms to boron toxicity in plants is very limited. To address this gap in our knowledge, I compared boron stress-sensitive model, Arabidopsis thaliana and its stress-adapted relative Schrenkiella parvula to study how plants respond and adapt to excess boron at physiological, genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic levels.

The overall project goal involved integration of multi-omics datasets to develop genome to phenome interpretations. To achieve this, I developed a python package, GOMCL, to facilitate the extraction of biologically meaningful information …

Deep-Ultraviolet Laser Ablation For Biomolecular Analysis, Oluwaremilekun Omowunmi Lawal

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

New sampling and ionization techniques were developed using a deep-ultraviolet (DUV) laser at 193 nm wavelength for analysis of large biomolecules. A micrometer spatial resolution DUV laser ablation and capture system was constructed to sample tissue biomolecules. The spot size measurements of the focused beam showed that subcellular spots with ca. 2 μm diameter can be readily achieved with this wavelength. To demonstrate the extraction of tissue biomolecules with the DUV laser, regions of tissue sections were ablated and captured for offline proteomic and genomic analysis. The proteomic studies revealed that the tissue proteins were ejected without fragmentation and that …

Structure And Dynamics Of Phospholipid Vesicles And The Dependence On Nanoscale Interactions With Molecules Of Varying Complexity, Lakshapathy Widanelage Judith Upeka De Mel

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, molecular interactions and changes imposed by nano-scale structures on phospholipid vesicles were investigated. 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) were used as the model system. Understanding changes of the bilayer structure, interfacial properties, lipid dynamics, and self-assembly, allows bridging relationships between biological cell membrane structure and dynamics to cellular functionalities. For example, membrane curvature changes are linked to membrane protein functions, although the exact mechanisms of control are not yet understood. Moreover, the knowledge gained from vesicle models allows exploring novel strategies for drug delivery applications. To achieve this, DOPC LUVs were synthesized and characterized by a …

Sexually Dimorphic Oxytocin Receptor-Expressing Neurons In The Anteroventral Periventricular Nucleus Regulates Maternal Behavior, Kaustubh Sharma

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin is involved in the regulation of social behaviors, including social recognition, pair bonding, and sex-specific parental behaviors in a variety of species. Oxytocin triggers these social behaviors by binding to oxytocin receptors (OXTR) in various parts of the brain. Oxytocin-induced sex-typical behavior, therefore, suggests a sexual dimorphic distribution of OXTR in the brain. In recent years, the oxytocin system in the brain received tremendous attention as a potential pharmacological target for treatment of many psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and even sex-specific psychiatric disorder like postpartum depression (PPD). An important problem and a …

Ferric Uptake Regulator (Fur) Reversibly Binds A [2fe-2s] Cluster To Sense Intracellular Iron Homeostasis In Escherichia Coli, Chelsey R. Fontenot, Homyra Tasnim, Kathryn A. Valdes, Codrina V. Popescu, Huangen Ding

Faculty Publications

© 2020 Fontenot et al. The ferric uptake regulator (Fur) is a global transcription factor that regulates intracellular iron homeostasis in bacteria. The current hypothesis states that when the intracellular “free” iron concentration is elevated, Fur binds ferrous iron, and the iron-bound Fur represses the genes encoding for iron uptake systems and stimulates the genes encoding for iron storage proteins. However, the “iron-bound” Fur has never been isolated from any bacteria. Here we report that the Escherichia coli Fur has a bright red color when expressed in E. coli mutant cells containing an elevated intracellular free iron content because of …

Quantifying Structure And Variation In Complex Phylogenetic Data, Genevieve Geraldine Mount

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Identifying the source and structure of variation in nature is crucial to understanding fundamental aspects of evolution. Despite a recent plethora of genetic and morphological data, many interesting questions about the relationships between different groups remain unresolved. My dissertation evaluates three approaches for identifying and quantifying the variation within phylogenetic datasets. Characterizing variation within datasets and across analytical methods gives insight into biologically interesting characters, unusual evolutionary processes, and areas for model improvement.

Network-based community detection approaches offer a powerful tool to describe variation in phylogenetic signal across the genome (i.e., gene tree variation). In Chapter 2, I investigate the …

Evolution Of Green Blood In New Guinea Lizards: Phylogenomics, Biogeography, And Comparative Genomics, Zachary Rodriguez

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Non-model organisms with evolutionary novelties and complex distributions can provide valuable insight into the mechanisms underlying biological diversity. Green blood is one of the most unusual vertebrate physiologies and has repeatedly evolved in lizards from the megadiverse island of New Guinea. An unusually high concentration of the toxic green bile pigment biliverdin causes the green coloration of these lizards' blood, muscles, and bones. This dissertation uncovered the complex history of this novel trait (Chapter 2), identified protein-coding sequences that underlie green blood in lizards (Chapter 3), and explored evolutionary processes that drive genetic diversity in high-elevation lizards. To accurately trace …

Function, History, And Ecology In The Exceptional Radiation Of Murine Rodents, Jonathan Allen Nations

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Life’s diversity is not spread evenly across all lineages, and this unevenness is thought to be due, in part, to a few interwoven factors: biogeographic history, the evolution of successful functional traits, and the ecological opportunity these traits afford. My dissertation focuses on the evolution of a species-rich and morphologically diverse clade of mammals, the murine rodents (Murinae; Muridae; Rodentia) to address 1) morphological adaptations associated with niche transition to arboreality 2) the effect of repeated ecological transitions on murine diversification, and 3) the role of atypical ecological niches in the assembly of hyperdiverse communities. My dissertation has revealed that …

Incorporation Of Lignin In Natural And Synthetic Biomaterials To Alter Mechanical And Biochemical Properties For Enhanced Wound Healing, Jorge Alfonso Belgodere

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

It is estimated that chronic, non-healing wounds affect more than 6.5 million Americans annually, with an estimated healthcare cost beyond $14 billion. Here, we attempted to create composites of natural (collagen type I or gelatin-methacrylate) or synthetic (poly(ethylene glycol) polymers incorporating a natural plant component, lignin, to combat the costs and limitations current wound healing methods face. Three-dimensional matrices of collagen type I (Col I) are widely used in tissue engineering applications for its abundance in many tissues, bioactivity with many cell types, and excellent biocompatibility. Inspired by the structural role of lignin in plant tissue, we found that sodium …

Identification Of Novel Host Genes Required For Antiviral Immunity And Viral Genome Replication In C. Elegans, Fei Meng

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

RNA interference (RNAi) is a wide-spread gene silencing mechanism that control diverse biological functions and triggered by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) processed from the viral genome or its replication intermediates. Mechanistic studies of antiviral RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans has led to the identification of several critical factors involved in the process. As a result, whether antiviral RNAi requires additional novel genes remains to be an open question.

Viruses are intracellular parasites that rely on host products for reproduction. Disrupting their interaction with host factors can significantly compromise their replication and keep them under control. Thus, identification of host genes …

Liminal Liberation: Courtesans And Embodied Anxieties In Sixteenth-Century Venice, Mandonesia Carter

LSU Master's Theses

Invectives against the courtesan—a more educated, erudite, and socially elite version of the ordinary prostitute—were commonplace in early modern Venice. A metropolitan center by the sixteenth century, Venice had become one of the most tolerant cities in Europe, allowing the courtesan to rapidly rise far past her social standing. The courtesan, through strategic self-fashioning and self-promotion, blurred the boundaries of gender roles, class roles, and the conventional social hierarchy. This precipitated attacks from critics seeking to provide clarity of the courtesan’s place and protect the interests of their patriarchal society. This thesis examines representations of the sixteenth-century Venetian courtesan in …

Insecticide Resistance Management Approaches And Naturally Derived Toxicants For The Control Of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera Frugiperda, Sarah Mccomic

LSU Master's Theses

Spodoptera frugiperda, the fall armyworm (FAW), is a major agricultural pest causing billions of dollars in damage annually to staple crops. Agricultural losses stemming from this pest continues to increase as resistance to commercialized insecticide classes evolves and spreads. Considering this, novel chemistries with new modes of action as well as novel resistance management strategies need to be developed to achieve continued control of FAW populations. This project consisted of two main goals. First, we aimed to develop a neurophysiological assay to enable a more precise understanding of pyrethroid and organophosphate resistance at the level of the nerve. We …

Methods For 1,2-Cis-Selective O-Glycosylation And Synthesis Of An A. Baumannii Lipooligosaccharide Core Disaccharide, Ashley Fulton

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the formation of organic thin films on gold surfaces and synthesis of oligosaccharides. Chapter one, is a brief introduction on the utility of thin films, as well as ways to characterize thin films, as well as, a report on the attempt to form organic thin films on Au(111) surfaces using photoredox catalysis.

Glycoconjugates on cell surfaces serve as important mediators of intercellular recognition, adhesion, and viral infection. Due to the significant role that glycoconjugates play on the surface of cells, oligosaccharide synthesis is of great interest. Chapter two, is an extensive review of oligosaccharide synthesis, its …

Synthesis And Investigation Of Amphiphilic Polypeptoids For Environmental And Biological Applications, Tianyi Yu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Polypeptoids are an emerging class of peptidomimetic polymers featuring N-substituted polyglycine backbones. Polypeptoids are cyto-compatible and backbone degradable, making them appealing to many biological applications. When the highly polar polyamide backbone is coupled with non-polar aliphatic side chains, polypeptoids can be considered as facial amphiphiles. Without extensive hydrogen bonding along the backbone, the conformation of polypeptoid is largely controlled by the N-substituent structures. The hydrophobicity-lipophilicity balance of polypeptoids can be readily tuned with the N-substituent structures as well as the molar ratio between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments in their copolymers. In view of these combined attributes, …

Regulation Of Mpcs And Kat8 During Adipogenesis And Nutritional Regulation, Jasmine Burrell

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity is a global epidemic characterized by an expansion of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue, composed of adipocytes and a stromal vascular fraction, is an endocrine organ that regulates whole body homeostasis. Obesity leads to the dysregulation of adipocytes and is often associated with increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases such as Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Understanding the mechanisms by which adipocyte function and development are regulated is crucial. Mitochondrial pyruvate carriers (MPCs) are transmembrane proteins that transport pyruvate from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix to generate acetyl CoA. Although MPCs have been studied extensively, their roles in adipocytes are …

Self-Reported Health Without Clinically Measurable Benefits Among Adult Users Of Multivitamin And Multimineral Supplements: A Cross-Sectional Study, Manish D. Paranjpe, Alfred C. Chin, Ishan Paranjpe, Nicholas J. Reid, Phan Q. Duy, Jason K. Wang, Ross O'Hagan, Artine Arzani, Arsalan Haghdel, Clarence C. Lim, Vwaire Orhurhu, Ivan Urits, Anh L. Ngo, Benjamin S. Glicksberg, Kathryn T. Hall, Darshan Mehta, Richard S. Cooper, Girish N. Nadkarni

Faculty Publications

Objective Multiple clinical trials fail to identify clinically measurable health benefits of daily multivitamin and multimineral (MVM) consumption in the general adult population. Understanding the determinants of widespread use of MVMs may guide efforts to better educate the public about effective nutritional practices. The objective of this study was to compare self-reported and clinically measurable health outcomes among MVM users and non-users in a large, nationally representative adult civilian non-institutionalised population in the USA surveyed on the use of complementary health practices. Design Cross-sectional analysis of the effect of MVM consumption on self-reported overall health and clinically measurable health outcomes. …

Centrifugal Microfluidic Platform For Solid-Phase-Extraction (Spe) And Fluorescence Detection Applications, Yong Zhang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Solid phase extraction (SPE) is a widely used method to separate and concentrate the target molecules in liquid mixture. Traditional SPE has to be conducted in the laboratory with professional equipment and skilled operators. The microfluidic and 3D printing technology have opened up the opportunity in developing miniaturized automatic instruments. The main contribution of this research is to integrate the SPE process on a novel centrifugal platform. Various valves are applied on the platform to help control the aqueous sample and reagents in the cartridge.

First, a centrifugal microfluidic platform was built for automatically detecting trace oil pollution in water. …

Boxwood Dieback: Molecular Detection, In-Vitro Fungicide Efficacy, And Host Susceptibility For Managing A New Emerging Disease Caused By Colletotrichum Theobromicola, Harleen Kaur

LSU Master's Theses

Boxwood (Buxus spp. L) is one of the most common and widely planted perennial ornamentals in both home gardens and commercial landscapes. Grown for its evergreen, dark green foliage, boxwood cultivation dates back to 4000 BC in Egypt. Although considered hardy, boxwood is susceptible to several plant pathogens. Recently reported boxwood dieback, a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum theobromicola, has been spreading at an alarming rate within the United States. Boxwood dieback consists of symptoms that resemble to those caused by Phytophthora root rot, Volutella blight, and some abiotic disorders and can be easily misdiagnosed in nurseries and …

P-Cresol Biogenesis During Bioremediation Aimed At Stimulating Chlorinated Solvent Dehalogenation, Alexis Gathings

LSU Master's Theses

The broad goal of the research described in this thesis was to better understand the potential for biologically mediated production of p-cresol in groundwater at a Superfund site located in south Louisiana. Previous literature reports that microorganisms known to carry out the transformation from L-tyrosine to p-cresol occur in diverse environments.

In the research described in this thesis, studies were conducted utilizing groundwater from the Superfund site during the course of enhanced in situ bioremediation practices aimed at stimulating reductive dehalogenation of chlorinated solvent contamination. Microbial communities established with groundwater sampled from the Superfund site were observed to …