Digital Commons Network^™

Optogenetic Stimulation Of Drosophila Heart Rate At Different Temperatures And Ca2+ Concentrations, Yuechen Zhu, Henry Uradu, Zana R. Majeed, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

Optogenetics is a revolutionary technique that enables noninvasive activation of electrically excitable cells. In mammals, heart rate has traditionally been modulated with pharmacological agents or direct stimulation of cardiac tissue with electrodes. However, implanted wires have been known to cause physical damage and damage from electrical currents. Here, we describe a proof of concept to optically drive cardiac function in a model organism, Drosophila melanogaster. We expressed the light sensitive channelrhodopsin protein ChR2.XXL in larval Drosophila hearts and examined light‐induced activation of cardiac tissue. After demonstrating optical stimulation of larval heart rate, the approach was tested at low temperature …

Long-Term Trend Analysis Of Precipitation And Air Temperature For Kentucky, United States, Somsubhra Chattopadhyay, Dwayne R. Edwards

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Variation in quantities such as precipitation and temperature is often assessed by detecting and characterizing trends in available meteorological data. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term trends in annual precipitation and mean annual air temperature for the state of Kentucky. Non-parametric statistical tests were applied to homogenized and (as needed) pre-whitened annual series of precipitation and mean air temperature during 1950–2010. Significant trends in annual precipitation were detected (both positive, averaging 4.1 mm/year) for only two of the 60 precipitation-homogenous weather stations (Calloway and Carlisle counties in rural western Kentucky). Only three of the 42 temperature-homogenous …

Blockade Of Astrocytic Calcineurin/Nfat Signaling Helps To Normalize Hippocampal Synaptic Function And Plasticity In A Rat Model Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Jennifer L. Furman, Pradoldej Sompol, Susan D. Kraner, Melanie M. Pleiss, Esther J. Putman, Jacob Dunkerson, Hafiz Mohmmad Abdul, Kelly N. Roberts, Stephen William Scheff, Christopher M. Norris

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Publications

Increasing evidence suggests that the calcineurin (CN)-dependent transcription factor NFAT (Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells) mediates deleterious effects of astrocytes in progressive neurodegenerative conditions. However, the impact of astrocytic CN/NFAT signaling on neural function/recovery after acute injury has not been investigated extensively. Using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) procedure in rats, we show that traumatic brain injury is associated with an increase in the activities of NFATs 1 and 4 in the hippocampus at 7 d after injury. NFAT4, but not NFAT1, exhibited extensive labeling in astrocytes and was found throughout the axon/dendrite layers of CA1 and the dentate …

Unique Features Of A Global Human Ectoparasite Identified Through Sequencing Of The Bed Bug Genome, Joshua B. Benoit, Zach N. Adelman, Klaus Reinhardt, Amanda Dolan, Monica Poelchau, Emily C. Jennings, Elise M. Szuter, Richard W. Hagan, Hemant Gujar, Jayendra Nath Shukla, Fang Zhu, M. Mohan, David R. Nelson, Andrew J. Rosendale, Christian Derst, Valentina Resnik, Sebastian Wernig, Pamela Menegazzi, Christian Wegener, Nicolai Peschel, Jacob M. Hendershot, Wolfgang Blenau, Reinhard Predel, Paul R. Johnston, Panagiotis Ioannidis, Robert M. Waterhouse, Ralf Nauen, Corinna Schorn, Mark-Christoph Ott, Frank Maiwald, Subba R. Palli

Entomology Faculty Publications

The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during the past two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce in addition to widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses of the C. lectularius sequenced genome (650 Mb) and 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide a comprehensive representation of genes that are linked to traumatic insemination, a reduced chemosensory repertoire of genes related to obligate hematophagy, host-symbiont interactions, and several mechanisms of insecticide resistance. In addition, we document the presence of multiple putative lateral gene transfer events. Genome …

Grain Sorghum (Milo) Production In Kentucky, Carrie Ann Knott, Edwin L. Ritchey, James R. Martin, Chad Lee, Doug Johnson, Carl Bradley, Sam Mcneill

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) (Figure 1) can be used for a variety of purposes including animal feed, unleavened breads, cakes, wallboard, starch, dextrose, brooms, ethanol, high quality wax, and alcoholic beverages. Grain sorghum produced in Kentucky is most commonly used for animal feed and was first grown here in the 1920s. Although acreage in Kentucky has fluctuated considerably over the years, yields have generally exceeded the national average since the 1970s (Figure 2), indicating that grain sorghum is an option for producers interested in diversifying grain crop operations.

Forage News [2016-02], Department Of Plant And Soil Sciences, University Of Kentucky

Forage News

• Successful Heart of America Grazing Conference
• Special Forage Seminar to be held March 8th at UK
• Kentucky Represented in American Forage and Grassland Council Awards
• How could Mild Winter Affect Alfalfa Insects?
• Forage News Quote of the Month - "Feeding Seed is a Bad Idea"
• Kentucky Alfalfa Awards Given at Heart of America
• American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Meeting
• Heart of America Grazing Conference Highlight: The Secret Ingredient of Clover: Biochanin A and Isoflavonoids
• Featured Publication: Inoculation of Forage Legumes

Drought Risk Management For Beef Cattle Farms, Stephen F. Higgins, Lee Moser, Kylie Schmidt

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

One of the most challenging aspects of owning and operating any farming operation is dealing with uncertainty. Uncertainty on the farm comes in many forms; livestock health, feed prices, fuel prices, market prices, and weather to name a few. Over the past decade, the prevalence and impact of drought on agriculture has dramatically increased, thus adding further uncertainty to farmers’ decision-making processes. Drought and the associated loss of productivity is a real risk scenario that all farmers must face. With this inherent risk, one must protect their farm and the environment it impacts through a sound decision-making process that factors …

Analogous Cellular Contribution And Healing Mechanisms Following Digit Amputation And Phalangeal Fracture In Mice, Lindsay A. Dawson, Jennifer Simkin, Michelle Sauque, Maegan Pela, Teresa Palkowski, Ken Muneoka

Biology Faculty Publications

Regeneration of amputated structures is severely limited in humans and mice, with complete regeneration restricted to the distal portion of the terminal phalanx (P3). Here, we investigate the dynamic tissue repair response of the second phalangeal element (P2) post amputation in the adult mouse, and show that the repair response of the amputated bone is similar to the proximal P2 bone fragment in fracture healing. The regeneration-incompetent P2 amputation response is characterized by periosteal endochondral ossification resulting in the deposition of new trabecular bone, corresponding to a significant increase in bone volume; however, this response is not associated with bone …

Dietary Supplementation With Organoselenium Accelerates Recovery Of Bladder Expression, But Does Not Improve Locomotor Function, Following Spinal Cord Injury, Carolyn A. Meyer, Ranjana Singh, Mackenzie T. Jones, Chen-Guang Yu, Ronan F. Power, James W. Geddes

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center Faculty Publications

Selenium is an essential element required for activity of several antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase. Because of the critical role of the antioxidant system in responding to traumatic events, we hypothesized that dietary selenium supplementation would enhance neuroprotection in a rodent model of spinal cord injury. Rats were maintained on either a control or selenium-enriched diet prior to, and following, injury. Dietary selenium supplementation, provided as selenized yeast added to normal rat chow, resulted in a doubling of selenium levels in the spinal cord. Dietary selenium reduced the time required for recovery of bladder function following thoracic spinal cord injury. …

Human Igg1 Antibodies Suppress Angiogenesis In A Target-Independent Manner, Sasha Bogdanovich, Younghee Kim, Takeshi Mizutani, Reo Yasuma, Laura Tudisco, Valeria Cicatiello, Ana Bastos-Carvalho, Nagaraj Kerur, Yoshio Hirano, Judit Z. Baffi, Valeria Tarallo, Shengjian Li, Tetsuhiro Yasuma, Parthasarathy Arpitha, Benjamin James Fowler, Charles B. Wright, Ivana Apicella, Adelaide Greco, Arturo Brunetti, Menotti Ruvo, Annamaria Sandomenico, Miho Nozaki, Ryo Ijima, Hiroki Kaneko, Yuichiro Ogura, Hiroko Terasaki, Balamurali K. Ambati, Jeanette H. W. Leusen, Wallace Y. Langdon, Michael R. Clark, Bradley D. Gelfand, Jayakrishna Ambati

Ophthalmology and Visual Science Faculty Publications

Aberrant angiogenesis is implicated in diseases affecting nearly 10% of the world’s population. The most widely used anti-angiogenic drug is bevacizumab, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that targets human VEGFA. Although bevacizumab does not recognize mouse Vegfa, it inhibits angiogenesis in mice. Here we show bevacizumab suppressed angiogenesis in three mouse models not via Vegfa blockade but rather Fc-mediated signaling through FcγRI (CD64) and c-Cbl, impairing macrophage migration. Other approved humanized or human IgG1 antibodies without mouse targets (adalimumab, alemtuzumab, ofatumumab, omalizumab, palivizumab and tocilizumab), mouse IgG2a, and overexpression of human IgG1-Fc or mouse IgG2a-Fc, also inhibited angiogenesis in wild-type …

Gap Junction Mediated Mirna Intercellular Transfer And Gene Regulation: A Novel Mechanism For Intercellular Genetic Communication, Liang Zong, Yan Zhu, Ruqiang Liang, Hong-Bo Zhao

Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery Faculty Publications

Intercellular genetic communication is an essential requirement for coordination of cell proliferation and differentiation and has an important role in many cellular processes. Gap junction channels possess large pore allowing passage of ions and small molecules between cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that can regulate gene expression broadly. Here, we report that miRNAs can pass through gap junction channels in a connexin-dependent manner. Connexin43 (Cx43) had higher permeability, whereas Cx30 showed little permeability to miRNAs. In the tested connexin cell lines, the permeability to miRNAs demonstrated: Cx43 > Cx26/30 > Cx26 > Cx31 > Cx30 = Cx-null. However, consistent with a uniform …

Picking Apples Off The Grazing Tree: How Far Can We Extend The Grazing Season Profitably?, Greg S. Halich

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Will grazing more and feeding less hay always increase profitability? There are many cases where cattle farmers could graze more days profitably. I would guess that more than half the cattlemen in Kentucky and the region could find ways to do so. But the statement is not universally correct and we need to evaluate the specific situation to determine if increasing grazing days will pay off.

Grazing Corn To Maximize Late Summer And Fall Gains, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Eric Vanzant

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Corn is a warm-season grass with a growth pattern dependent on temperatures. Warmer temperatures accelerate growth while cooler temperatures slow maturation. Thermal time is often referred to as Growing Degree Days (GGD) and calculated as GGD = ((Max Temp – Min Temp)/2) – 50 when calculating in Fahrenheit (Nielsen, 2012). In the upper transition zone, corn thrives and is the major planted crop. The warmer temperatures of the summer months combined with adequate precipitation allows this crop to be a potentially high yielding crop.

Native Warm-Season Grasses: Naturally Adapted Productive Pastures, Pat Keyser

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The series of severe droughts between 2007 and 2012 resulted in substantial decreases in cattle numbers – and enterprises – in our region. Some of the impact of these droughts may have been offset if producers in the region had reliable, drought-resilient summer forages. For all of the benefits of tall fescue, it was never meant to provide our summer forage. After all, it is a cool-season grass. What we have been learning about toxicosis in recent years further emphasizes the value of having alternative forages available during summer months.

How Diversity Extends The Grazing Season At Dogwood Farm, Debby Dulworth

Kentucky Grazing Conference

This article was previously published in Cow Country News.

Cattle are a valuable resource these days, in ways that most people, consumers and producers alike, haven’t yet realized. Putting some other resources into making the change for a better grazing system makes sense, especially here in Kentucky, where grass has, in the past, been the basis of a healthy and expansive economy. Grass can once again be the basis for a healthy economy, if enough people with the vision to see its possibilities get involved and make it happen. A truly healthy economy begins with good human health and …

Grazing Alfalfa: Producer Perspective, Bob Hall

Kentucky Grazing Conference

Scott County native Robert (Bob) Hall, Jr. is a man of many hats. He and his wife Bonnie have embarked on many ventures on their farm including sheep, hogs and tobacco. Hall was born and raised on the farm outside of Georgetown, where he currently resides and operates a stocker operation. Some may recognize Hall for the feed mill he purchased in the 1960’s known as Hallway Feeds. Early in the Mill’s history over 90 percent of their sales were to dairy producers. Now 95 percent of company’s sales go to the equine industry. Hallway Feed is sold and distributed …

'Lacefield Maxqll' Novel Tall Fescue, Timothy D. Phillips

Kentucky Grazing Conference

The goal of deploying novel endophyte strains in tall fescue varieties has been to achieve forage yields, stress tolerance, and persistence similar to toxic endophyte tall fescue varieties (mainly ‘Kentucky 31’ endophyte infected with the common toxic endophyte strain), but with the superior animal performance results seen with endophyte-free tall fescue varieties or other non-toxic forage species (orchardgrass, alfalfa, etc.). In addition to better stand persistence, less weed encroachment has been reported in novel endophyte (and toxic endophyte) tall fescue varieties compared to their endophyte-free versions (Rudgers et al., 2010; Bouton et al., 2002). The improved competitive ability of endophyte-containing …

Soy Hulls: More Than Just A Feed Supplement, Glen E. Aiken, Michael Flythe

Kentucky Grazing Conference

There is approximately 35 million acres of tall fescue in the USA, with most of this acreage being utilized in hay meadows and grazed pastures in a region between the temperate northeast and subtropical southeast and commonly referred to as the Fescue Belt. Popularity of the grass is due to its productivity, persistence, and low cost of management. Unfortunately, a fungal endophyte that infects most plants of tall fescue produces ergot alkaloid toxins that cause a toxicosis in cattle and other grazing livestock. Fescue toxicosis may reduce reproductive performance of cow herds and weaning weights, and reduce post-weaning weight gain …

The Secret Ingredients Of Clover: Biochanin A And Isoflavonoids, Michael Flythe, Glen Aiken, Isabelle Kagan

Kentucky Grazing Conference

It is well known that the value of clover is in nitrogen. Clovers fix their own nitrogen so that an input of nitrate fertilizer is not required. Furthermore, they are rich in protein-nitrogen, and can be used to meet the protein requirements of ruminants. Clovers also contain a class of chemicals called isoflavones, and we have recently discovered evidence that the isoflavones positively influence the way that ruminants digest protein.

Estrogen Receptor Alpha (Esr1)-Dependent Regulation Of The Mouse Oviductal Transcriptome, Katheryn L. Cerny, Rosanne A. C. Ribeiro, Myoungkun Jeoung, Chemyong Ko, Phillip J. Bridges

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) is an important transcriptional regulator in the mammalian oviduct, however ESR1-dependent regulation of the transcriptome of this organ is not well defined, especially at the genomic level. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate estradiol- and ESR1-dependent regulation of the transcriptome of the oviduct using transgenic mice, both with (ESR1KO) and without (wild-type, WT) a global deletion of ESR1. Oviducts were collected from ESR1KO and WT littermates at 23 days of age, or ESR1KO and WT mice were treated with 5 IU PMSG to stimulate follicular development and the production of ovarian estradiol, and the …

A Comprehensive Behavioral Test Battery To Assess Learning And Memory In 129s6/Tg2576 Mice, Andrea Wolf, Björn Bauer, Erin L. Abner, Tal Ashkenazy-Frolinger, Anika M. S. Hartz

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Transgenic Tg2576 mice overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) are a widely used Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse model to evaluate treatment effects on amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology and cognition. Tg2576 mice on a B6;SJL background strain carry a recessive rd1 mutation that leads to early retinal degeneration and visual impairment in homozygous carriers. This can impair performance in behavioral tests that rely on visual cues, and thus, affect study results. Therefore, B6;SJL/Tg2576 mice were systematically backcrossed with 129S6/SvEvTac mice resulting in 129S6/Tg2576 mice that lack the rd1 mutation. 129S6/Tg2576 mice do not develop retinal degeneration but still show Aβ accumulation …

Genome-Wide Transcriptomic And Proteomic Analyses Of Bollworm-Infested Developing Cotton Bolls Revealed The Genes And Pathways Involved In The Insect Pest Defence Mechanism, Saravanan Kumar, Kanakachari Mogilicherla, Dhandapani Gurusamy, Krishan Kumar, Prabhakaran Narayanasamy, Padmalatha Kethireddy Venkata, Amolkumar Solanke, Savita Gamanagatti, Vamadevaiah Hiremath, Ishwarappa S. Katageri, Sadhu Leelavathi, Polumetla Ananda Kumar, Vanga Siva Reddy

Entomology Faculty Publications

Cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, is a major insect pest that feeds on cotton bolls causing extensive damage leading to crop and productivity loss. In spite of such a major impact, cotton plant response to bollworm infection is yet to be witnessed. In this context, we have studied the genome-wide response of cotton bolls infested with bollworm using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Further, we have validated this data using semi-quantitative real-time PCR. Comparative analyses have revealed that 39% of the transcriptome and 35% of the proteome were differentially regulated during bollworm infestation. Around 36% of significantly regulated transcripts and 45% …

Imaging Tumour Cell Heterogeneity Following Cell Transplantation Into Optically Clear Immune-Deficient Zebrafish, Qin Tang, John C. Moore, Myron S. Ignatius, Inês M. Tenente, Madeline N. Hayes, Elaine G. Garcia, Nora Torres Yordán, Caitlin Bourque, Shuning He, Jessica S. Blackburn, A. Thomas Look, Yariv Houvras, David M. Langenau

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Cancers contain a wide diversity of cell types that are defined by differentiation states, genetic mutations and altered epigenetic programmes that impart functional diversity to individual cells. Elevated tumour cell heterogeneity is linked with progression, therapy resistance and relapse. Yet, imaging of tumour cell heterogeneity and the hallmarks of cancer has been a technical and biological challenge. Here we develop optically clear immune-compromised rag2^E450fs (casper) zebrafish for optimized cell transplantation and direct visualization of fluorescently labelled cancer cells at single-cell resolution. Tumour engraftment permits dynamic imaging of neovascularization, niche partitioning of tumour-propagating cells in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, emergence of clonal …

H2ax Deficiency Is Associated With Erythroid Dysplasia And Compromised Haematopoietic Stem Cell Function, Baobing Zhao, Timothy L. Tan, Yang Mei, Jing Yang, Yiting Yu, Amit Verma, Ying Liang, Juehua Gao, Peng Ji

Toxicology and Cancer Biology Faculty Publications

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal disorders of haematopoiesis characterised by dysplastic changes of major myeloid cell lines. However, the mechanisms underlying these dysplastic changes are poorly understood. Here, we used a genetically modified mouse model and human patient data to examine the physiological roles of H2AX in haematopoiesis and how the loss of H2AX contributes to dyserythropoiesis in MDS. H2AX knockout mice showed cell-autonomous anaemia and erythroid dysplasia, mimicking dyserythropoiesis in MDS. Also, dyserythropoiesis was increased in MDS patients with the deletion of chromosome 11q23, where H2AX is located. Although loss of H2AX did not affect the early stage of …

Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum) Fermentation By Clostridium Thermocellum And Clostridium Saccharoperbutylacetonicum Sequential Culture In A Continuous Flow Reactor, Noelia M. Elia, Sue E. Nokes, Michael D. Flythe

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The study was conducted to evaluate fermentation by Clostridium thermocellum and C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum in a continuous-flow, high-solids reactor. Liquid medium was continuously flowed through switchgrass (2 mm particle size) at one of three flow rates: 83.33 mL h⁻¹ (2 L d⁻¹), 41.66 mL h⁻¹ (1 L d⁻¹), and 20.833 mL h⁻¹ (0.5 L d⁻¹). The cellulolytic phase was initiated by culturing C. thermocellum (63 °C, 24 h). The temperature was decreased (35) and C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum was inoculated. When metabolism decreased (96 h), the temperature was increased (63 °C; 24 h) …

Novel Endophyte Varities: What's The Difference?, S. Ray Smith, Timothy D. Phillips

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Over the past few decades forage producers have seen several major changes in varieties of tall fescue. From the days of Kentucky 31 being the predominant variety, the first change was the development of endophyte-free tall fescue varieties. For many growers, these have been useful additions, especially when coupled with rotational grazing to reduce the risks of overgrazing, and practices that eradicate existing stands of KY-31 and preventing the reintroduction of endophyte infected KY-31. However, these endophyte-free varieties often lacked the persistence of Kentucky 31 and disappointed many early adopters. In the 30 years since the first generation of endophyte-free …

Tall Fescue: Past, Present, Future, Garry D. Lacefield

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Tall fescue is a native of Europe. The exact date of its’ introduction into the United States is not known, but likely came as a contaminant in meadow fescue seed from England prior to 1880 (Figure 1). Tall Fescue was an entry in the National Herbarium Collection in 1879 and was grown in plots in Utah, Kentucky and Maryland (USDA) in 1880. In 1916, tall fescue plants were identified in Pullman, Washington with some of these plants taken to Corvallis, Oregon in 1918. Selections out of this initial planting was released in 1945 as the variety Alta.

Tall Fescue Endophyte-Animal Relations: Cutting Edge Research And Implications, Glen E. Aiken

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

Many cattle producers in Kentucky manage tall fescue as their perennial forage base. Tall fescue has served cow-calf producers well because of its productivity and persistence with minimal management. Like most things, however, “you must take some bad with the good.” The agronomic traits we like so much about tall fescue can be attributed to a fungal endophyte that infects most fescue plants. Without the endophyte, the grass is no longer productive and tolerant of environmental stresses (dry weather, low fertility, and grazing). Unfortunately, the endophyte also produces ergot alkaloids that cause a toxicosis in cattle, which costs the U.S. …

Foreword [2016], S. Ray Smith, Krista Lea

Forage Symposium at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Convention

No abstract provided.

Vaccines And The Looming Threat Of Syphilis, Charles T. Ambrose

Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics Faculty Publications

During the past several decades, syphilis has increased in the US and explosively so in China and Russia.While most current cases can be cured by penicillin or second line antibiotics, strains of the syphilis spirochete (Treponema pallidum) resistant to the latter have emerged.And the potential of strains to acquire resistance to penicillin via plasmids has recently been recognized.The 36 million-plus undertreated cases of syphilis in the world represent metaphorically a vast global 37°C incubator allowing exchange of antibiotic resistant genes among the human-borne bacteria and theoretically permitting the emergence of penicillin resistant strains.None has yet been identified but …