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Permissiveness Of Selected Cell Lines To Equine Arteritis Virus: Establishment, Characterization, And Significance Of Persistent Infection In Hela Cells, Jianqiang Zhang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

A major goal of this research was to evaluate a variety of cell lines for theirpermissiveness to equine arteritis virus (EAV) infection and then identify the mechanismthat restricts EAV infection in certain cell lines. The cell lines BHK-21, RK-13, andC2C12 were found to support productive infection with EAV strain VBS53, whereasHela, Hep-2, and L-M cell lines exhibited limited susceptibility to infection with thisvirus. In the course of the study, it was found that the Hela cell line became moresusceptible to infection with EAV strain VBS53 after extended serial passage. Therespective cell lines were referred to as Hela High (passage 170-221) …

The Intersection Of Filial Piety And Cultural Dissonance: Intergenerational Exchanges Among Khmer Families In The United States, Denise Clark Lewis

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

In this thesis I describe Khmers negotiations of circumstances surrounding the disassembly, reconstruction, and redefinition of Khmer identity from their homeland in Cambodia to a traditional Khmer village recreated in the United States. Using a framework derived from a constructivist perspective, I have placed processes of negotiation and identity transformation within the lived context of Khmers lives. Thus, a holistic understanding of the interrelatedness of multiple changes in Khmerness is made possible. Ethnographic data collected between 1997 and 1999, through participant-observation and interviews, inform this study. Findings from this study reveal three levels of identity transformation as told by members …

Genetic Regulation Of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Numbers In Mice, Ying Liang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) transplantations are widely used for the treatment of hematological and non-hematological disorders in clinic. Successful transplantation requires sufficient number and efficient homing of HSCs. Many studies have focused on developing an effective strategy to expand functional HSC population. Some regulatory molecules have been recently shown great promise for controlling the amplification of HSCs. In these dissertation studies, I first aim to identify gene(s) and their allelic variants contributing to strain-specific difference in HSC numbers between C57BL/6 (B6, low) and DBA/2 (D2, high) mice by using a classic forward genetic approach. Firstly, 3 quantitative trait loci (QTL) …

Developmental Fmri Study: Face And Object Recognition, Ann D. Gathers

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Visual processing, though seemingly automatic, is complex. Typical humansprocess objects and faces routinely. Yet, when a disease or disorder disrupts face andobject recognition, the effects are profound. Because of its importance and complexity,visual processing has been the subject of many adult functional imaging studies.However, relatively little is known about the development of the neural organization andunderlying cognitive mechanisms of face and object recognition. The current projectused functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify maturational changes inthe neural substrates of face and object recognition in 5-8 year olds, 9-11 year olds, andadults. A passive face and object viewing task revealed cortical …

Microelectrode Array Studies Of Normal And Disease-Altered L-Glutamate Regulation In The Mammalian Central Nervous System, Brian Keith Day

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

L-glutamate (Glu) is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Monitoring extracellular Glu is critical to understanding Glu regulation to discriminate physiological and pathological roles. To overcome the limitations of previous in vivo extracellular Glu studies, we developed Glu selective microelectrode arrays with better spatial and temporal resolutions than commonly used techniques like microdialysis. We used these microelectrode arrays to characterize basal and potassium-evoked Glu neurotransmission in the normal rat brain. We then investigated disease-related Glu alterations in a rat model of Parkinson's disease and normal Glu regulation in young and aged rhesus monkeys. In the normal …

Identification And Characterization Of Contact Sites Between Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone And The Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor, Johann Sohn

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) comprises an ?? subunit and a ?? subunit,whereas the FSH receptor consists of two halves with distinct functions, the N-terminalextracellular exodomain and C-terminal membrane associated endodomain. FSH initiallybinds to exodomain, and the resulting FSH/exodomain complex modulates the endodomainand generates signal. However, it has been difficult to determine which subunit of FSHcontacts the exodomain or endodomain, and in what orientation FSH interacts with them.To address these crucial issues, the receptor was Ala-scanned and the hormone subunitswere probed with photoaffinity labeling with receptor peptides corresponding to the Nterminalregion of the exodomain and exoloop 3 of the endodomain. The …

Methods Development In Biological Mass Spectrometry: Applications In Small Molecule Research And Proteomics, Taufika Islam Williams

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Technological developments have enabled mass spectrometry (MS) to evolve asone of the most versatile, sensitive and widely used analytical methods. Key areas ofresearch in biological MS include the development of analyte-selective MSmethodologies, along with the design of MS compatible separation technology. Analytesof interest range from small, biologically active molecules in disease progressionresearch, to macromolecules such as proteins, in proteomics investigations. Advances inthese areas are vital to maintaining the level of sophistication that has become thebenchmark for MS analyses.Mass spectrometry has found a permanent station in disease progression studies,particularly in biomarker discovery. This is especially true for Alzheimer's disease (AD),a condition …

Gene Regulatory Networks Of Agl15 A Plant Mads Transcription Factor, Cong Zhu

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Plant embryogenesis is an intriguing developmental process that is controlled by many genes. AGAMOUS Like 15 (AGL15) is a MADS-domain transcriptional regulator that accumulates preferentially during this stage. However, at the onset of this work it was unknown which genes are regulated by AGL15 or how AGL15 is regulated. This dissertation is part of the ongoing effort to understand the biological roles of AGL15. To decipher how AGL15 functions during plant development, a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) approach was adapted to obtain DNA fragments that are directly bound by AGL15 in vivo. Putative AGL15 targets were isolated, and binding and regulation …

Simulation Of Low-Re Flow Over A Modified Naca 4415 Airfoil With Oscillating Camber, Vamsidhar Katam

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Recent interest in Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have revived research on the performance of airfoils at relatively low Reynolds numbers. A common problem with low Reynolds number flow is that separation is almost inevitable without the application of some means of flow control, but understanding the nature of the separated flow is critical to designing an optimal flow control system. The current research presents results from a joint effort coupling numerical simulation and wind tunnel testing to investigate this flow regime. The primary airfoil for these studies is a modified 4415 with an adaptive actuator …

Xeric Limestone Prairies Of Eastern United States, Patrick Joseph Lawless

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Xeric limestone prairies (XLPs) are open, nonforested communities dominatedby native, C4 perennial grasses. In eastern United States, they occur on shallow, rockycalcareous soils in various physiographic provinces from Missouri and Pennsylvaniasouth to Arkansas and Georgia. Floristic, vegetation, and physical environmental datawere collected from 18 XLPs in Kentucky and used in conjunction with data collected inother studies to provide a synthesis for XLP vegetation in eastern United States and acomparison of this vegetation type with limestone cedar glades and deep-soil barrens.XLPs occur on 33 soil series in five orders (Alfisols, Mollisols, Ultisols, Inceptisols, andVertisols) and on limestone, dolomite, and calcareous shale …

Characterization Of Pollutant Response In Teleosts With Varying Degrees Of Pollutant Sensitivity, Benjamin Frederick Brammell

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A), a xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme found in allvertebrates, is highly induced following exposure to a number of organic contaminants.Several populations of teleosts residing in highly contaminated areas have been found toexhibit resistance to the toxic effects of contaminants, a condition characterized byreduced expression of CYP1A.Within this work I demonstrated that expression of CYP1A mRNA, protein, andactivity in caged rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was an effective biomarker ofpolychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination. Furthermore, through the use of bothlaboratory and field studies, I demonstrated that several species inhabiting a PCBcontaminated site exhibited either acquired (Ameiurus natalis) or natural (Lepomiscyanellus) resistance to …

Insights Into Enzymatic Manipulations Of Nucleic Acids, Rashada Corine Alexander

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation details three studies dealing with the manipulation of nucleicacids. In the first investigation, each of the four natural nucleobases were analyzed for theability to serve as a universal template at the ligation junction of a T4 DNA ligasereaction. This resulted in the first instance of sequence-independent ligation catalyzed byany DNA ligase. Although all of the nucleobases display universal templatingcapabilities, thymidine and guanosine provided the most effective results. In addition,lowered MgCl2 and ATP concentrations, as well as the inclusion of DMSO, also aided inthe sequence-independent ligation reported here. In the course of these studies, currentmethods of removing urea from …

Effects Of Weight Loss On Visceral Adiposity And Metabolic Adaptations In Diabetic Versus Non-Diabetic Women, Elizabeth C. Konz

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity increases the risk for the development of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other co-morbid conditions. Type 2 diabetes also is often associated with excessive visceral abdominal fat. Weight loss in obese individuals decreases the risk for developing the co-morbid conditions. Individuals with type 2 diabetes often have a greater difficulty in controlling these complications compared to individuals without type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate adherence to a medically-supervised low-energy diet (LED) weight loss program and changes in body composition and metabolic parameters after weight loss in women with and without type 2 diabetes. …

Biosynthesis Of Trans-2-Hexenal In Response To Wounding In Strawberry Fruit And Interaction Of Trans-2-Hexenal With Botrytis Cinerea, Kyung Myung

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Intact strawberry fruit did not produce detectable t-2-H which is derived from -linolenic acid (18:3). However, in response to wounding by gentle bruising, strawberry fruit emitted t-2-H with the largest quantity produced within 10 min following injury. The level of total lipid 18:3 in the fruit increased two-fold in response to wounding whereas free 18:3 declined slightly (about 30%). At 10 min following wounding, fruit exhibited a 25% increase in 13-lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, which leads to the production of 13-hydroperoxyoctadecatrienoic acid (13-HPOT) from 18:3. The activity of hydroperoxide lyase (HPL), which catalyzes formation of cis-3-hexenal (c-3-H), the precursor of t-2-H, …

Analysis Of Oligonucleotide Array Experiments With Repeated Measures Using Mixed Models, Hao Li, Constance L. Wood, Thomas V. Getchell, Marilyn L. Getchell, Arnold J. Stromberg

Statistics Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Two or more factor mixed factorial experiments are becoming increasingly common in microarray data analysis. In this case study, the two factors are presence (Patients with Alzheimer's disease) or absence (Control) of the disease, and brain regions including olfactory bulb (OB) or cerebellum (CER). In the design considered in this manuscript, OB and CER are repeated measurements from the same subject and, hence, are correlated. It is critical to identify sources of variability in the analysis of oligonucleotide array experiments with repeated measures and correlations among data points have to be considered. In addition, multiple testing problems are more …

Tsc2 Modulates Actin Cytoskeleton And Focal Adhesion Through Tsc1-Binding Domain And The Rac1 Gtpase, Elena Goncharova, Dmitry Goncharov, Daniel J. Noonan, Vera P Krymskaya

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) 1 and TSC2 are thought to be involved in protein translational regulation and cell growth, and loss of their function is a cause of TSC and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). However, TSC1 also activates Rho and regulates cell adhesion. We found that TSC2 modulates actin dynamics and cell adhesion and the TSC1-binding domain (TSC2-HBD) is essential for this function of TSC2. Expression of TSC2 or TSC2-HBD in TSC2-/- cells promoted Rac1 activation, inhibition of Rho, stress fiber disassembly, and focal adhesion remodeling. The down-regulation of TSC1 with TSC1 siRNA in TSC2-/- cells activated Rac1 and induced loss of …

Intimate Partner Violence And The Justice System: An Examination Of The Interface, Carol E. Jordan

Office for Policy Studies on Violence Against Women Publications

Women entering the court system face a challenging experience, in part, because a courtroom can be an intimidating and difficult place for any person, and in part because women victimized by crimes in which the offender is known to them face distinctive difficulties when they seek the court’s remedies. The interface is also made more challenging for women as the literature offers disparate findings as to the efficacy of criminal justice responses and civil remedies. This article briefly explores the unique characteristics of intimate partner violence cases that influence the interface of these victims with the court system.Areviewis provided of …

Monitoring Heart Rate In Drosophila Larvae By Various Approaches, Sameera Dasari, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Monitoring Carbon Dioxide Production By Drosophila Larvae, Robin L. Cooper, D. Nicholas Mcletchie

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Monitoring Activity Of Drosophila Larvae: Impedance & Video Microscopy Measures, Ann Simone Cooper, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Divergent Effects Of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Γ Agonists And Tumor Necrosis Factor Α On Adipocyte Apoe Expression, Lili Yue, Neda Rasouli, Gouri Ranganathan, Philip A. Kern, Theodore Mazzone

Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications

ApoE is expressed in multiple mammalian cell types in which it supports cellular differentiated function. In this report we demonstrate that apoE expression in adipocytes is regulated by factors involved in modulating systemic insulin sensitivity. Systemic treatment with pioglitazone increased systemic insulin sensitivity and increased apoE mRNA levels in adipose tissue by 2-3-fold. Treatment of cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes with ciglitazone increased apoE mRNA levels by 2-4-fold in a dose-dependent manner and increased apoE secretion from cells. Conversely, treatment of adipocytes with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α reduced apoE mRNA levels and apoE secretion by 60%. Neither insulin nor a peroxisome …

Methods And Apparatus For In Vivo Identification And Characterization Of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques, Pedro Moreno, Robert A. Lodder, William O'Connor, James E. Muller

Internal Medicine Faculty Patents

Methods and apparatus for analyzing the chemical composition of vulnerable plaques with an intravascular catheter having a near-infrared light source, a fiber-optic probe, a mechanism for directing the light from the light source into a blood vessel, and detectors for detecting light reflected or scattered by the tissue. The light source may be a tunable laser, and may transmit an incident beam having a wavelength ranging from 1400 to 4100 nm. A computer may be included to receive and process the spectral data in the analysis of the vulnerable plaques. A catheter system may be configured to provide near-IR spectrometric …

Two Drosophila Suppressors Of Cytokine Signaling (Socs) Differentially Regulate Jak And Egfr Pathway Activities, Jason S. Rawlings, Gabriela Rennebeck, Susan M.W. Harrison, Rongwen Xi, Douglas A. Harrison

Biology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The Janus kinase (JAK) cascade is an essential and well-conserved pathway required to transduce signals for a variety of ligands in both vertebrates and invertebrates. While activation of the pathway is essential to many processes, mutations from mammals and Drosophila demonstrate that regulation is also critical. The SOCS (Suppressor Of Cytokine Signaling) proteins in mammals are regulators of the JAK pathway that participate in a negative feedback loop, as they are transcriptionally activated by JAK signaling. Examination of one Drosophila SOCS homologue, Socs36E, demonstrated that its expression is responsive to JAK pathway activity and it is capable of downregulating …

A Subset Of Liver Nk T Cells Is Activated During Leishmania Donovani Infection By Cd1d-Bound Lipophosphoglycan, Joseph L. Amprey, Jin S. Im, Salvatore J. Turco, Henry W. Murray, Petr A. Illarionov, Gurdyal S. Besra, Steven A. Porcelli, Gerald F. Späth

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Natural killer (NK) T cells are activated by synthetic or self-glycolipids and implicated in innate host resistance to a range of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens. Despite the immunogenicity of microbial lipoglycans and their promiscuous binding to CD1d, no pathogen-derived glycolipid antigen presented by this pathway has been identified to date. In the current work, we show increased susceptibility of NK T cell–deficient CD1d^−/− mice to Leishmania donovani infection and Leishmania-induced CD1d-dependent activation of NK T cells in wild-type animals. The elicited response was Th1 polarized, occurred as early as 2 h after infection, and was independent from …

Southeastern Law Librarian Fall 2004, Seaall

Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Growth Of Stygobitic (Orconectes Australis Packardi) And Epigean (Orconectes Cristavarius) Crayfishes Maintained In Laboratory Conditions, Ann-Simone Cooper, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

This study reports on maintenance and growth of the cave crayfish, Orconectes australis packardi, and the epigean crayfish, Orconectes cristavarius, with laboratory conditions for 1 and 2 years. The O. a. packardi survived well compared to the O. cristavarius in captivity. The poor survival of the epigean species was probably due to unsuitable conditions. The epigean as well as the cave crayfish molted and grew in captivity, but without any significant difference in molt frequency between species. In the first year, total body length was obtained to assay growth, whereas in the second year the more accurate measure …

Vertical Wall Loads In A Model Grain Bin With Non-Axial Internal Inserts, Marek Molenda, Michael D. Montross, Jozef Horabik, Sidney A. Thompson

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A study was conducted to estimate the degree of load asymmetry in a bin with non-axial internal inserts. Internal inserts in the form of an annulus segment were attached to the wall, and their influence on vertical wall loads during centric filling and discharge in a model bin were measured. Wall and floor loads were measured in a corrugated-wall model grain bin with a diameter of 2.44 m and a height of 7.3 m filled with soft red winter wheat to a depth of 6.7 m (height-to-diameter ratio of 2.75). Tests were conducted with inserts that extended circumferentially 30°, 60°, …

Insulin Sensitivity Following Agent Orange Exposure In Vietnam Veterans With High Blood Levels Of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin, Philip A. Kern, Sufyan Said, William G. Jackson Jr., Joel E. Michalek

Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications

Our objective was to determine whether insulin sensitivity was related to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Air Force veterans of Operation Ranch Hand, the unit responsible for spraying Agent Orange and other herbicides in Vietnam from 1962 to 1971, and comparison veterans who did not spray herbicides were included. We measured insulin sensitivity (S_I) using a frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test in a matched study of 29 matched pairs of veterans and a quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) based on fasting glucose and insulin in 71 matched pairs. No group differences were …

Similar Promotion Of Abeta1-42 Fibrillogenesis By Native Apolipoprotein E Epsilon3 And Epsilon4 Isoforms, David Sweeney, Ralph Martins, Harry Levine, Jonathan D. Smith, Sam Gandy

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

The apolipoprotein E epsilon4 allele contributes to the genetic susceptibility underlying a large proportion (~40-60%) of typical, sporadic Alzheimer disease. Apolipoprotein E deficient mice made transgenic for human apolipoprotein E epsilon4 accumulate excess cerebral amyloid when compared to similarly prepared mice expressing human apolipoprotein E epsilon3. Therefore, it is important to search for relevant interactions(s) between apolipoprotein E epsilon4 and Abeta in order to clarify the biological role for apolipoprotein E epsilon4 in Alzheimer disease. Using a thioflavine T (ThT)-based assay, we have investigated the effects of native human apolipoprotein E isoforms on the kinetics of Abeta fibrillogenesis. No obvious …

From Biomedicine To Natural History Research: Est Resources For Ambystomatid Aalamanders, Srikrishna Putta, Jeramiah J. Smith, John A. Walker, Mathieu Rondet, David W. Weisrock, James Monaghan, Amy K. Samuels, D. Kevin Kump, David C. King, Nicholas J. Maness, Bianca Habermann, Elly Tanaka, Susan V. Bryant, David M. Gardiner, David M. Parichy, S. Randal Voss

Biology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Establishing genomic resources for closely related species will provide comparative insights that are crucial for understanding diversity and variability at multiple levels of biological organization. We developed ESTs for Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) and Eastern tiger salamander (A. tigrinum tigrinum), species with deep and diverse research histories.

RESULTS: Approximately 40,000 quality cDNA sequences were isolated for these species from various tissues, including regenerating limb and tail. These sequences and an existing set of 16,030 cDNA sequences for A. mexicanum were processed to yield 35,413 and 20,599 high quality ESTs for A. mexicanum and A. t. tigrinum, respectively. Because the …