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Proceedings Of 2010 Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

This conference was planned and conducted as part of the state water resources research annual program with the support and collaboration of the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Kentucky Research Foundation, under Grant Agreement Number 06HQGR0087.

The views and conclusions contained in this document and presented at the symposium are those of the abstract authors and presenters and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government or other symposium organizers and sponsors.

Efficient Activation Of Reconstructed Rat Embryos By Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors, Robin L. Webb, Kirk A. Findlay, Michael A. Green, Tina L. Beckett, M. Paul Murphy

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Background

Over the last decade a number of species, from farm animals to rodents, have been cloned using somatic cell nuclear transfer technology (SCNT). This technique has the potential to revolutionize the way that genetically modified animals are made. In its current state, the process of SCNT is very inefficient (<5% success rate), with several technical and biological hurdles hindering development. Yet, SCNT provides investigators with powerful advantages over other approaches, such as allowing for prescreening for the desired level of transgene expression and eliminating the excess production of undesirable wild-type animals. The rat plays a significant role in biomedical research, but SCNT has been problematic for this species. In this study, we address one aspect of the problem by evaluating methods of activation in artificially constructed rat embryos.

Principal Findings

We demonstrate that treatment with a calcium ionophore (ionomycin) combined with a variety of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors is an effective way to activate rat embryos. This is in contrast to methods developed for the mouse embryo, which tolerates much less specific chemical treatments. Methods developed to activate …

Dopamine Neuron Stimulating Actions Of A Gdnf Propeptide, Luke H. Bradley, Josh Fuqua, April Richardson, Jadwiga Turchan-Cholewo, Yi Ai, Kristen A. Kelps, John D. Glass, Xiuquan He, Zhiming Zhang, Richard Grondin, O. Meagan Littrell, Peter Huettl, Francois Pomerleau, Don M. Gash, Greg A. Gerhardt

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Neurotrophic factors, such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), have shown great promise for protection and restoration of damaged or dying dopamine neurons in animal models and in some Parkinson's disease (PD) clinical trials. However, the delivery of neurotrophic factors to the brain is difficult due to their large size and poor bio-distribution. In addition, developing more efficacious trophic factors is hampered by the difficulty of synthesis and structural modification. Small molecules with neurotrophic actions that are easy to synthesize and modify to improve bioavailability are needed.

METHODS AND FINDINGS: Here we present the neurobiological actions of dopamine …

Effects Of Uvb-Induced Oxidative Stress On Protein Expression And Specific Protein Oxidation In Normal Human Epithelial Keratinocytes: A Proteomic Approach, Marzia Perluigi, Fabio Di Domenico, Carla Blarzino, Cesira Foppoli, Chiara Cini, Alessandra Giorgi, Caterina Grillo, Federico De Marco, D. Allan Butterfield, Maria E. Schininà, Raffaella Coccia

Chemistry Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The UVB component of solar ultraviolet irradiation is one of the major risk factors for the development of skin cancer in humans. UVB exposure elicits an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are responsible for oxidative damage to proteins, DNA, RNA and lipids. In order to examine the biological impact of UVB irradiation on skin cells, we used a parallel proteomics approach to analyze the protein expression profile and to identify oxidatively modified proteins in normal human epithelial keratinocytes.

RESULTS: The expression levels of fifteen proteins - involved in maintaining the cytoskeleton integrity, removal of damaged proteins …

Use Of Parthenolide Derivatives As Antileukemic And Cytotoxic Agents, Peter A. Crooks, Craig T. Jordan, Xiaochen Wei

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

To view this abstract, please download this patent.

A Monomeric Variant Of Insulin Degrading Enzyme (Ide) Loses Its Regulatory Properties, Eun Suk Song, David W. Rodgers, Louis B. Hersh

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) is a key enzyme in the metabolism of both insulin and amyloid beta peptides. IDE is unique in that it is subject to allosteric activation which is hypothesized to occur through an oligomeric structure.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: IDE is known to exist as an equilibrium mixture of monomers, dimers, and higher oligomers, with the dimer being the predominant form. Based on the crystal structure of IDE we deleted the putative dimer interface in the C-terminal region, which resulted in a monomeric variant. Monomeric IDE retained enzymatic activity, however instead of the allosteric behavior seen with wild …

Molecular Evidence For A Functional Ecdysone Signaling System In Brugia Malayi, George Tzertzinis, Ana L. Egaña, Subba Reddy Palli, Marc Robinson-Rechavi, Chris R. Gissendanner, Canhui Liu, Thomas R. Unnasch, Claude V. Maina

Entomology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Filarial nematodes, including Brugia malayi, the causative agent of lymphatic filariasis, undergo molting in both arthropod and mammalian hosts to complete their life cycles. An understanding of how these parasites cross developmental checkpoints may reveal potential targets for intervention. Pharmacological evidence suggests that ecdysteroids play a role in parasitic nematode molting and fertility although their specific function remains unknown. In insects, ecdysone triggers molting through the activation of the ecdysone receptor: a heterodimer of EcR (ecdysone receptor) and USP (Ultraspiracle).

METHODS AND FINDINGS: We report the cloning and characterization of a B. malayi EcR homologue (Bma-EcR). Bma-EcR dimerizes with …

Distinct Evolutionary Histories Of The Dna-A And Dna-B Components Of Bipartite Begomoviruses, Rob W. Briddon, Basavaprabhu L. Patil, Basavaraj Bagewadi, Muhammad Shah Nawaz-Ul-Rehman, Claude M. Fauquet

Plant Pathology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Viruses of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) have genomes consisting of either one or two genomic components. The component of bipartite begomoviruses known as DNA-A is homologous to the genomes of all geminiviruses and encodes proteins required for replication, control of gene expression, overcoming host defenses, encapsidation and insect transmission. The second component, referred to as DNA-B, encodes two proteins with functions in intra- and intercellular movement in host plants. The origin of the DNA-B component remains unclear. The study described here was initiated to investigate the relationship between the DNA-A and DNA-B components of bipartite begomoviruses with a …

Kentucky River Watershed Watch: A Summary Of Volunteer Water Quality Sampling Efforts In The Kentucky River Basin From 1999 To 2009, Malissa Mcalister, Madhu Akasapu, Ben Albritton, Lindell Ormsbee, Dan Carey

Kentucky River Watershed Watch

No abstract provided.

A Conceptual Framework Of Information Requirements For Scientists Using Human Biological Samples, Sujin Kim

Information Science Faculty Publications

Introduction. This study was undertaken to develop an information requirement framework for scientists who use biological samples and related data in their research.

Method. A self-reporting questionnaire completed by 137 respondents was used to collect data regarding demographics, bio-sample management, bio-sample use and requirements, data requirements, and work and research-related roles and activities.

Analysis. Descriptive and TwoStep Cluster analyses were used to analyse the survey data necessary for developing a framework of information requirements.

Results. Two groups of biomedical scientists (clinical group and basic scientist group) were formed by their distinct characteristics. A conceptual framework of information requirements for bio-sample …

Growing Alfalfa For Wildlife, Don Ball

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa has long been recognized as a superb forage crop, which is why it is widely grown for dairy cattle, horses, sheep, and many other types of domesticated forage-consuming animals. Reasons for its popularity include wide adaptation, excellent nutritive value, good yield potential, perennial growth habit, a long growing season, and the fact that (in association with Rhizobium bacteria) it is a nitrogen-fixing legume that does not require periodic applications of nitrogen fertilizer.

Mitochondrial Phylogenomics Of The Bivalvia (Mollusca): Searching For The Origin And Mitogenomic Correlates Of Doubly Uniparental Inheritance Of Mtdna, Hélène Doucet-Beaupré, Sophie Breton, Eric G. Chapman, Pierre U. Blier, Arthur E. Bogan, Donald T. Stewart, Walter R. Hoeh

Entomology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) is an atypical system of animal mtDNA inheritance found only in some bivalves. Under DUI, maternally (F genome) and paternally (M genome) transmitted mtDNAs yield two distinct gender-associated mtDNA lineages. The oldest distinct M and F genomes are found in freshwater mussels (order Unionoida). Comparative analyses of unionoid mitochondrial genomes and a robust phylogenetic framework are necessary to elucidate the origin, function and molecular evolutionary consequences of DUI. Herein, F and M genomes from three unionoid species, Venustaconcha ellipsiformis, Pyganodon grandis and Quadrula quadrula have been sequenced. Comparative genomic analyses were carried out on these …

Methods And Kit For Determination Of Prostacyclin In Plasma, Sylvia Daunert, Michael Poon, Urvee Desai, Sapna K. Deo

Chemistry Faculty Patents

A solid-phase immunoassay for 6-keto-Prostaglandin F_1α, the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin (Prostaglandin I₂) is disclosed. Prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator with anti-platelet and anti-proliferative properties is an effective treatment for primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with scleroderma and scleroderma-like syndrome. Levels of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F_1α can be directly correlated with levels of prostacyclin. Therefore, 6-keto-Prostaglandin F_1α has become the indicator of choice to measure prostacyclin levels. The single step immunoassay for 6-keto-Prostaglandin F_1α uses the bioluminescent protein, aequorin as a label. Analyte-label conjugates were constructed by linking the carboxyl group of …

Systematic Overrepresentation Of Dna Termini And Underrepresentation Of Subterminal Regions Among Sequencing Templates Prepared From Hydrodynamically Sheared Linear Dna Molecules, Sherri L. Schwartz, Mark L. Farman

Plant Pathology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Analysis of fungal genome sequence assemblies reveals that telomeres are poorly represented even though telomeric reads tend to be superabundant. We surmised that the problem might lie in the DNA shearing conditions used to create clone libraries for genome sequencing.

RESULTS: A shotgun strategy was used to sequence and assemble circular and linear cosmid DNAs sheared using conditions typical for a genome project. The DNA sheared in circular form assembled into a single sequence contig. However, the linearized cosmid produced an incomplete assembly because the two DNA termini, though greatly overrepresented in the clone library used for sequencing, were …

Methods To Impair Hematologic Cancer Progenitor Cells And Compounds Related Thereto, Craig Jordan

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

Primitive or progenitor hematologic cancer cells have been implicated in the early stages and development of leukemia and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders, including acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL). Interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain (IL-3Rα or CD123) is strongly expressed on progenitor hematologic cancer cells, but is virtually undetectable on normal bone marrow cells. The present invention provides methods of impairing progenitor hematologic cancer (e.g., leukemia and lymphomic) cells by selectively targeting cells expressing CD123. These methods are useful in the detection and treatment of leukemias and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. Also provided are compounds useful …

Genomic Profiling Of Messenger Rnas And Micrornas Reveals Potential Mechanisms Of Tweak-Induced Skeletal Muscle Wasting In Mice, Siva K. Panguluri, Shephali Bhatnagar, Akhilesh Kumar, John J. Mccarthy, Apurva K. Srivastava, Nigel G. Cooper, Robert F. Lundy, Ashok Kumar

Physiology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle wasting is a devastating complication of several physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the loss of skeletal muscle mass in various chronic diseases. We have recently reported that proinflammatory cytokine TWEAK is a major muscle-wasting cytokine. Emerging evidence suggests that gene expression is regulated not only at transcriptional level but also at post-transcriptional level through the expression of specific non-coding microRNAs (miRs) which can affect the stability and/or translation of target mRNA. However, the role of miRs in skeletal muscle wasting is unknown.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To understand the mechanism of action of …

A Novel Epimerase That Converts Glcnac-P-P-Undecaprenol To Galnac-P-P-Undecaprenol In Escherichia Coli O157., Jeffrey S. Rush, Cristina Alaimo, Riccardo Robbiani, Michael Wacker, Charles J Waechter

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Escherichia coli strain O157 produces an O-antigen with the repeating tetrasaccharide unit alpha-D-PerNAc-alpha-l-Fuc-beta-D-Glc-alpha-D-GalNAc, preassembled on undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (Und-P-P). These studies were conducted to determine whether the biosynthesis of the lipid-linked repeating tetrasaccharide was initiated by the formation of GalNAc-P-P-Und by WecA. When membrane fractions from E. coli strains K12, O157, and PR4019, a WecA-overexpressing strain, were incubated with UDP-[3H]GalNAc, neither the enzymatic synthesis of [3H]GlcNAc-P-P-Und nor [3H]GalNAc-P-P-Und was detected. However, when membrane fractions from strain O157 were incubated with UDP-[3H]GlcNAc, two enzymatically labeled products were observed with the chemical and chromatographic properties of [3H]GlcNAc-P-P-Und and [3H]GalNAc-P-P-Und, suggesting that strain O157 …

Neural Network Model For Instruments That Store And Retrieve Sequential Information, Philip W. Landfield, Olivier Thibault

Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences Faculty Patents

A method and design is provided for distributing and storing sets of temporally ordered information in a systematic and sequential fashion. This method is based on a model of how the brain functions in the distribution and storage of temporally ordered memories, but it can also be applied to the design of new biological, electronic or optical devices. These devices may be used in the testing and development of new therapeutic drugs, in the detection of toxic agents or impaired performance, or in the development of new industrial and consumer devices in which the orderly storage of sequential information is …

Epoxyketone-Based Immunoproteasome Inhibitors, Kyung Bo Kim, Yik Khuan Ho

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Patents

An efficient new route for the preparation of dihydroeponemycin, an active eponemycin derivative, is provided, which includes the synthesis of the intermediate compound, a hydroxymethyl-substituted enone. In addition, a method is provided for synthesizing inhibitors, which includes PI′-modified analogues. These analogues selectively bind to a major immunoproteasome catalytic subunit LMP2 and inactivate its proteolytic activity in a method of treating diseases, including myeloma and other cancers, Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

What About These Children? Assessing Poverty Among The ‘Hidden Population’ Of Multiracial Children In Single-Mother Families, Jenifer Bratter, Sarah Damaske

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

Capturing the conditions of children of color living in single-parent families has become more complex due to the growing presence of interracial households. This analysis assesses the size and poverty status of single-female headed families housing multiracial children. Using data from the 2000 Census, we find that 9 percent of female-headed families house either children who are classified with more than one race or are classified as a single race different than their mother’s compared to only 3 percent of married couple families. Logistic regression analyses assessing the odds of poverty status for families finds that being a multiracial family …

Family Change And Poverty In Appalachia, Daniel Lichter, Lisa Cimbulak

University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Discussion Paper Series

The current economic and political climate provides a vivid contrast with the circumstances of the 1990s, when the passage of the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) ushered in welfare reform during a period of unprecedented economic expansion and job growth (Blank 2002; Ziliak 2009). This legislation sought to “end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage.” Among PRWORA’s goals were to reduce out-of-wedlock births and encourage the formation of two-parent families. For most states, much of the initial emphasis on self-sufficiency was placed on “work first” programs (i.e., …

50 Years For The Uk College Of Medicine, F. Douglas Scutchfield Md

Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health Presentations

No abstract provided.

Status Of Credit For Prior Learning (Cpl) At The University Of Kentucky For 2008 & 2009 Official Cohorts, Randolph Hollingsworth

Undergraduate Education White Papers

This paper explores the college readiness levels of University of Kentucky's incoming first-year students, especially in preparation for success in UK's STEM majors.  Attention is paid to the statewide standards using ACT sub-scores in English, Reading and Mathematics, as well as the students’ scores from nationally recognized assessments (e.g., Advanced Placement scores). Evidence regarding a significant number of our entering cohorts for 2008 and 2009 (first time first-year, full-time, degree-seeking) who bring in credit for prior learning (CPL) is examined, and the paper discusses briefly how CPL affects their placement in their fall semester courses.

The Role Of Cuticle, Fatty Acids, And Lipid Signaling In Plant Defense, Ye Xia

Theses and Dissertations--Plant Pathology

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is initiated upon recognition of specific microbial effectors by cognate plant resistance proteins and immunizes distal tissues of plants against secondary infections. SAR involves the generation of a mobile signal at the site of primary infection, which then translocates to and activates defense responses in the distal tissues via some unknown mechanism(s). This study shows that an ACYL CARRIER PROTEIN 4 (ACP4), GLABRA1 (GL1) and ACYL CARRIER BINDING PROTEINS (ACBP) are required for the processing of the mobile SAR signal in distal tissues of Arabidopsis. Although acp4, gl1 and acbp plants generate the mobile signal, …

Mir-107 Is Reduced In Alzheimer's Disease Brain Neocortex: Validation Study, Peter T. Nelson, Wang-Xia Wang

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Faculty Publications

MiR-107 is a microRNA (miRNA) that we reported previously to have decreased expression in the temporal cortical gray matter early in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we study a new group of well-characterized human temporal cortex samples (N=19). MiR-107 expression was assessed, normalized to miR-124 and let-7a. Correlation was observed between decreased miR-107 expression and increased neuritic plaque counts (P< 0.05) and neurofibrillary tangle counts (P< 0.02) in adjacent brain tissue. Adjusted miR-107 and BACE1 mRNA levels tended to correlate negatively (trend with regression P< 0.07). In sum, miR-107 expression tends to be lower relative to other miRNAs as AD progresses.

A Policy And Intervention For Overweight Children And Adolescents, Kimberly K. Mcclanahan, Marlene B. Huff, Hatim A. Omar

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

The global epidemic of childhood and adolescent overweight has become a major public health concern. Not only are these youth more likely to become obese adults, and thus more prone to obesity-related diseases than their non overweight peers, they are also likely to suffer emotional and social effects associated with overweight. Overweight in youth has been linked to depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, negative body image, and stigma. It appears to be bi-directional in nature, with overweight sometimes predicting certain psychological effects and psychosocial issues sometimes predicting overweight. Effective assessment and treatment of psychological and mental health issues in overweight …

Testing Of Interactions Between Coal Ash Leachates And Rock Materials For Mine Backfill Evaluations, Colin R. Ward, David French, Leanne Stephenson, Ken Riley, Zhongsheng Li

Coal Combustion and Gasification Products Journal Archive

A series of laboratory-based leaching tests has been developed to evaluate the chemical interaction between ash, water and different mine-site rock materials, as a basis for assessing the potential environmental impact of using coal ash as backfill in coal mines. Two different test protocols were used: a two-stage serial batch testing program in which leachate from representative ash samples were allowed to interact separately with relevant rock materials under laboratory conditions, and a single-stage mixed batch testing program in which 50:50 mixtures of the same ashes and rock samples were extracted with water following a similar procedure to leaching tests …

On Why The Dental Therapists' "Movement" In The United States Should Focus On Children--Not Adults, David A. Nash

Oral Health Science Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Making Changes: Generic Drug Labeling And The Case Against Federal Preemption, Lesley A. Stout

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Environmental Groups Challenging Offshore Drilling As Explained In Center For Biological Diversity V. United States Department Of The Interior, Katherine L. Huddleston

Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Law

No abstract provided.