Digital Commons Network^™

Natural Plasmodium Infection In Monkeys In The State Of Rondônia (Brazilian Western Amazon), Maisa S. Araújo, Mariluce R. Messias, Marivaldo R . Figueiró, Luiz Herman S. Gil, Christian M. Probst, Newton M. Vidal, Tony H. Katsuragawa, Luiz H. Pereira Da Silva, Luiz S. Ozaki

Study of Biological Complexity Publications

Background

Simian malaria is still an open question concerning the species of Plasmodium parasites and species of New World monkeys susceptible to the parasites. In addition, the lingering question as to whether these animals are reservoirs for human malaria might become important especially in a scenario of eradication of the disease. To aid in the answers to these questions, monkeys were surveyed for malaria parasite natural infection in the Amazonian state of Rondônia, Brazil, a state with intense environmental alterations due to human activities, which facilitated sampling of the animals.

Methods

Parasites were detected and identified in DNA from blood …

Whole Brain And Brain Regional Coexpression Network Interactions Associated With Predisposition To Alcohol Consumption, Lauren A. Vanderlinden, Laura M. Saba, Katerina Kechris, Michael F. Miles, Paula L. Hoffman, Boris Tabakoff

Study of Biological Complexity Publications

To identify brain transcriptional networks that may predispose an animal to consume alcohol, we used weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Candidate coexpression modules are those with an eigengene expression level that correlates significantly with the level of alcohol consumption across a panel of BXD recombinant inbred mouse strains, and that share a genomic region that regulates the module transcript expression levels (mQTL) with a genomic region that regulates alcohol consumption (bQTL). To address a controversy regarding utility of gene expression profiles from whole brain, vs specific brain regions, as indicators of the relationship of gene expression to phenotype, we …

Comparative Cardiac Toxicity Of Anthracyclines In Vitro And In Vivo In The Mouse, Stefano Toldo, Rachel W. Goehe, Marzia Lotrionte, Eleonora Mezzaroma, Evan T. Sumner, Giuseppe G. L. Biondi-Zoccai, Ignacio M. Seropian, Benjamin W. Van Tassell, Francesco Loperfido, Giovanni Palazzoni, Norbert F. Voelkel, Antonio Abbate, David A. Gewirtz

VCU Health Publications

Purpose

The antineoplastic efficacy of anthracyclines is limited by their cardiac toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of doxorubicin, non-pegylated liposomal-delivered doxorubicin, and epirubicin in HL-1 adult cardiomyocytes in culture as well as in the mouse in vivo.

Methods

The cardiomyocytes were incubated with the three anthracyclines (1 µM) to assess reactive oxygen generation, DNA damage and apoptotic cell death. CF-1 mice (10/group) received doxorubicin, epirubicin or non-pegylated liposomal-doxorubicin (10 mg/kg) and cardiac function was monitored by Doppler echocardiography to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO) both prior to and …

Intracellular Function Of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist In Ischemic Cardiomyocytes, Elena Vecile, Aldo Dobrina, Fadi N. Salloum, Benjamin W. Van Tassell, Antonella Falcione, Edorado Gustini, Samuele Secchiero, Sergio Crovella, Gianfranco Sinagra, Nicoletta Finato, Martin J. Nicklin, Antonio Abbate

VCU Health Publications

Background

Loss of cardiac myocytes due to apoptosis is a relevant feature of ischemic heart disease. It has been described in infarct and peri-infarct regions of the myocardium in coronary syndromes and in ischemia-linked heart remodeling. Previous studies have provided protection against ischemia-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 receptor-antagonist (IL-1Ra). Mitochondria triggering of caspases plays a central role in ischemia-induced apoptosis. We examined the production of IL-1Ra in the ischemic heart and, based on dual intra/extracellular function of some other interleukins, we hypothesized that IL-1Ra may also directly inhibit mitochondria-activated caspases and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Synthesis of …

Subcutaneous Administration Of D-Luciferin Is An Effective Alternative To Intraperitoneal Injection In Bioluminescence Imaging Of Xenograft Tumors In Nude Mice, Ashraf A. Khalil, Mark J. Jameson, William C. Broaddus, Theodore D. Chung, Sarah E. Golding, Seth M. Dever, Elisabeth Rosenberg, Kristoffer Valerie

Otolaryngology Publications

Currently, intraperitoneal (IP) injection of D-luciferin is the preferred method of providing substrate for bioluminescence imaging (BLI); however it has a failure rate of 3–10% due to accidental intestinal injection. The present study evaluates the quality of BLI after subcutaneous (SC) injection of D-luciferin and demonstrates the effectiveness of SC injection in anatomically disparate tumor models. Mice bearing luciferase-expressing tumors underwent BLI after SC or IP injection of D-luciferin. The average time to maximal luminescence was 6 min (range 5–9 min) after SC injection and 8 min (range 5–8 min) after IP injection. Within 7 minutes of injection, SC and …

The Role Of Tumor-Associated Macrophages In Tumor Vascularization, Chunqing Guo, Annicole Buranych, Devanand Sarkar, Paul B. Fisher, Xiang-Yang Wang

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

Tumor vascularization is a highly complex process that involves the interaction between tumors and their surrounding stroma, as well as many distinct angiogenesis-regulating factors. Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) represent one of the most abundant cell components in the tumor environment and key contributors to cancer-related inflammation. A large body of evidence supports the notion that TAMs play a critical role in promoting the formation of an abnormal tumor vascular network and subsequent tumor progression and invasion. Clinical and experimental evidence has shown that high levels of infiltrating TAMs are associated with poor patient prognosis and tumor resistance to therapies. In …

The Krüppel-Like Factor 2 And Krüppel-Like Factor 4 Genes Interact To Maintain Endothelial Integrity In Mouse Embryonic Vasculogenesis, Aditi R. Chiplunkar, Benjamin C. Curtis, Gabriel L. Eades, Megan S. Kane, Sean J. Fox, Jack L. Haar, Joyce A. Lloyd

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

Background Krüppel-like Factor 2 (KLF2) plays an important role in vessel maturation during embryonic development. In adult mice, KLF2 regulates expression of the tight junction protein occludin, which may allow KLF2 to maintain vascular integrity. Adult tamoxifen-inducible Krüppel-like Factor 4 (KLF4) knockout mice have thickened arterial intima following vascular injury. The role of KLF4, and the possible overlapping functions of KLF2 and KLF4, in the developing vasculature are not well-studied.

Results Endothelial breaks are observed in a major vessel, the primary head vein (PHV), in KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos at E9.5. KLF2-/-KLF4-/- embryos die by E10.5, which is earlier than either single …

Krüppel-Like Factor 2 Is Required For Normal Mouse Cardiac Development, Aditi R. Chiplunkar, Tina K. Lung, Yousef Alhashem, Benjamin A. Koppenhaver, Fadi N. Salloum, Rakesh C. Kukreja, Jack L. Haar, Joyce A. Lloyd

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is expressed in endothelial cells in the developing heart, particularly in areas of high shear stress, such as the atrioventricular (AV) canal. KLF2 ablation leads to myocardial thinning, high output cardiac failure and death by mouse embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) in a mixed genetic background. This work identifies an earlier and more fundamental role for KLF2 in mouse cardiac development in FVB/N mice. FVB/N KLF2−/− embryos die earlier, by E11.5. E9.5 FVB/N KLF2−/− hearts have multiple, disorganized cell layers lining the AV cushions, the primordia of the AV valves, rather than the normal single layer. By …

Targeted Apoptotic Effects Of Thymoquinone And Tamoxifen On Xiap Mediated Akt Regulation In Breast Cancer, Shashi Rajput, B. N. P. Kumar, Siddik Sarkar, Subhasis Das, Belal Azab, Prasanna K. Santhekadur, Swadesh K. Das, Luni Emdad, Devanand Sarkar, Paul B. Fisher, Mahitosh Mandal

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is constitutively expressed endogenous inhibitor of apoptosis, exhibit its antiapoptotic effect by inactivating key caspases such as caspase-3, caspase-7 and caspase-9 and also play pivotal role in rendering cancer chemoresistance. Our studies showed the coadministration of TQ and TAM resulting in a substantial increase in breast cancer cell apoptosis and marked inhibition of cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Anti-angiogenic and anti-invasive potential of TQ and TAM was assessed through in vitro studies. This novel combinatorial regimen leads to regulation of multiple cell signaling targets including inactivation of Akt and XIAP degradation. …

Fyn Kinase Is Required For Optimal Humoral Responses, Natalia S. Chaimowitz, Yves T. Falanga, John J. Ryan, Daniel H. Conrad

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Abstract

The generation of antigen-specific antibodies and the development of immunological memory require collaboration between B and T cells. T cell-secreted IL-4 is important for B cell survival, isotype switch to IgG1 and IgE, affinity maturation, and the development of germinal centers (GC). Fyn, a member of the Src family tyrosine kinase, is widely expressed in many cell types, including lymphocytes. This kinase is known to interact with both the B cell and T cell receptor (BCR and TCR, respectively). While Fyn deletion does not impair the development of immature T cells and B cells, TCR signaling is altered in …

Clinical And Experimental Immunomodulation, Lenin Pavón, Hugo Besedosky, Oscar Bottasso, Rogelio Hernández, Marco Velasco, Roger Loria

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

The inflammatory response is modulated by the concentration of soluble mediators and the coordinated action of different types of immune cells. Furthermore, basic and clinical research has demonstrated that the immune response is regulated by several factors such as: the chemical nature and the concentration of antigen; the route of administration; the cell type involved in the antigen presentation to their specific lymphocytes; and the presence of antibodies and/or immune complexes among other mechanisms.

More recently, it has been described that other signaling molecules like neurotransmitters and hormones can also modulate the immune response. Over time, this information has enabled …

Ifn-Γ Rα Is A Key Determinant Of Cd8+ T Cell-Mediated Tumor Elimination Or Tumor Escape And Relapse In Fvb Mouse, Maciej Kmieciak, Kyle K. Payne, Xiang-Yang Wang, Masoud H. Manjili

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

During the past decade, the dual function of the immune system in tumor inhibition and tumor progression has become appreciated. We have previously reported that neu-specific T cells can induce rejection of neu positive mouse mammary carcinoma (MMC) and also facilitate tumor relapse by inducing neu antigen loss and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we sought to determine the mechanism by which CD8+ T cells either eliminate the tumor, or maintain tumor cells in a dormant state and eventually facilitate tumor relapse. We show that tumor cells that express high levels of IFN-γ Rα are eliminated by CD8+ T …

Hiv Protease Inhibitors Disrupt Lipid Metabolism By Activating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress And Inhibiting Autophagy Activity In Adipocytes, Beth S. Zha, Xiaoshan Wan, Xiaoxuan Zhang, Weibin Zha, Jun Zhou, Martin Wabitsch, Guangji Wang, Vijay Lyall, Phillip B. Hylemon, Huiping Zhou

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Background

HIV protease inhibitors (PI) are core components of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), the most effective treatment for HIV infection currently available. However, HIV PIs have now been linked to lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia, which are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Our previous studies have shown that HIV PIs activate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and disrupt lipid metabolism in hepatocytes and macrophages. Yet, little is known on how HIV PIs disrupt lipid metabolism in adipocytes, a major cell type involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome.

Methodology and Principal Findings

Cultured and primary mouse adipocytes and …

Cpg And Interleukin-15 Synergize To Enhance Ifn-Γ Production By Activated Cd8+ T Cells, Dustin Cobb, Siqi Guo, Ronald B. Smeltz

Microbiology and Immunology Publications

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) regulates the development and maintenance of memory CD8⁺ T cells. Paradoxically, we previously reported that IL-15 could enhance CD8⁺ T-cell responses to IL-12, a proinflammatory cytokine required for optimal priming of effector CD8⁺ T cells. To expand the physiological relevance of these findings, we tested IL-15 for its ability to enhance T-cell responses to bacterial CpG. Expectedly, CpG enhanced the production of IFN-γ by CD8⁺ T cells polyclonally activated with anti-CD3. However, addition of IL-15 to CpG-stimulated cultures led to a striking increase in IFN-γ production. The effect of CpG and IL-15 was also …

Menorah Review (No. 78, Winter/Spring, 2013)

Menorah Review

After the Shoah: Blackmail, Vengeance, and the Death of the Future -- Assessing Jewish Worship in the United States -- Books in Brief: New and Notable -- Claude Lanzmann's Shoah Revisited -- Israel's Leaders An Inside View -- Mission in the Diaspora: Simon Dubnov's Jewish Autonomism -- Saul And David -- The Rambam Project: Code, Marshal, Hegemony, Sanctity Of Life And Gender in the Mishneh Torah -- Valuing Cultural Differences

Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Bulletin Courses [2013], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of undergraduate courses for 2013-2014.

Biological Characterization Of 3-(2-Amino-Ethyl)-5-[3-(4-Butoxyl-Phenyl)-Propylidene]-Thiazolidine-2,4-Dione (K145) As A Selective Sphingosine Kinase-2 Inhibitor And Anticancer Agent, Kai Liu, Tai L. Guo, Nitai C. Hait, Jeremy Allegood, Hardik I. Parikh, Wenfang Xu, Glen E. Kellogg, Steven Grant, Sarah Spiegel, Shijun Zhang

Medicinal Chemistry Publications

In our effort to develop selective sphingosine kinase-2 (SphK2) inhibitors as pharmacological tools, a thiazolidine-2,4-dione analogue, 3-(2-amino-ethyl)-5-[3-(4-butoxyl-phenyl)-propylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione(K145), was synthesized and biologically characterized. Biochemical assay results indicate that K145 is a selective SphK2 inhibitor. Molecular modeling studies also support this notion. In vitro studies using human leukemia U937 cells demonstrated that K145 accumulates in U937 cells, suppresses the S1P level, and inhibits SphK2. K145 also exhibited inhibitory effects on the growth of U937 cells as well as apoptotic effects in U937 cells, and that these effects may be through the inhibition of down-stream ERK and Akt signaling pathways. K145 also significantly …

Through And Beyond The Barbie: 3 Themed Lesson Sequences, Rabeya Jalil

Middle School Resources

This lesson sequence will facilitate students to collaborate, explore and experience themes that they can personally relate to on a deeper and meaningful level. The purpose of this unit is to foster a safe and creative environment for early adolescents of 11 – 14 years (7-8th grades) to explore their personal identities, their gender, their socio-cultural beliefs, their values, through critical thinking, self-reflecting, and art making. Through engaging in a conversation and exploratory dialogue to deconstruct the layers that form identity and culture, using both in the traditional and digital media (collage, printmaking, drawing, digital photography, video, Scratch programming software, …

The Influence Of Hypoxia And Ph On Bioluminescence Imaging Of Luciferase-Transfected Tumor Cells And Xenografts, Ashraf A. Khalil, Mark J. Jameson, William C. Broaddus, Peck Sun Lin, Seth M. Dever, Sarah E. Golding, Elisabeth Rosenberg, Kristoffer Valerie, Theodore D. Chung

Neurosurgery Publications

Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is a relatively new noninvasive technology used for quantitative assessment of tumor growth and therapeutic effect in living animal models. BLI involves the generation of light by luciferase-expressing cells following administration of the substrate luciferin in the presence of oxygen and ATP. In the present study, the effects of hypoxia, hypoperfusion, and pH on BLI signal (BLS) intensity were evaluated in vitro using cultured cells and in vivo using a xenograft model in nude mice. The intensity of the BLS was significantly reduced in the presence of acute and chronic hypoxia. Changes in cell density, viability, and …

Suicidal Risk Factors Of Recurrent Major Depression In Han Chinese Women, Yuzhang Zhu, Hongni Zhang, Shenxun Shi, Jingfang Gao, Youhui Li, Ming Tao, Kerang Zhang, Xumei Wang, Chengge Gao, Lijun Yang, Kan Li, Jiangguo Shi, Gang Wang, Lanfen Liu, Jinbei Zhang, Bo Du, Guoqing Jiang, Jianhua Shen, Zhen Zhang, Wei Liang, Jing Sun, Jian Hu, Tiebang Liu, Xueyi Wang, Guodong Miao, Huaqing Meng, Yi Li, Chunmei Hu, Yi Li, Guoping Huang, Gongying Li, Baowei Ha, Hong Deng, Qiyi Mei, Hui Zhong, Shugui Gao, Hong Sang, Yutang Zhang, Xiang Fang, Fengyu Yu, Donglin Yang, Tieqiao Liu, Yunchun Chen, Xiaohong Hong, Wenyuan Wu, Guibing Chen, Min Cai, Yan Song, Jiyang Pan, Jicheng Dong, Runde Pan, Wei Zhang, Zhenming Shen, Zhengrong Liu, Danhua Gu, Xiaoping Wang, Xiaojuan Liu, Qiwen Zhang, Yihan Li, Yiping Chen, Kenneth S. Kendler, Jonathan Flint, Ying Liu

Psychiatry Publications

The relationship between suicidality and major depression is complex. Socio- demography, clinical features, comorbidity, clinical symptoms, and stressful life events are important factors influencing suicide in major depression, but these are not well defined. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the associations between the above-mentioned factors and suicide ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempt in 6008 Han Chinese women with recurrent major depression (MD). Patients with any suicidality had significantly more MD symptoms, a significantly greater number of stressful life events, a positive family history of MD, a greater number of episodes, a significant experience of …

Clinical Features Of Patients With Dysthymia In A Large Cohort Of Han Chinese Women With Recurrent Major Depression, Wenqing Wu, Zhoubing Wang, Yan Wei, Guanghua Zhang, Shenxun Shi, Jingfang Gao, Youhui Li, Ming Tao, Kerang Zhang, Xumei Wang, Chengge Gao, Lijun Yang, Kan Li, Jianguo Shi, Gang Wang, Lanfen Liu, Jinbei Zhang, Bo Du, Guoqing Jiang, Jianhua Shen, Ying Liu, Wei Liang, Jing Sun, Jian Hu, Tiebang Liu, Xueyi Wang, Guodong Miao, Huaqing Meng, Yi Li, Guoping Huang, Gongying Li, Baowei Ha, Hong Deng, Qiyi Mei, Hui Zhong, Shugui Gao, Hong Sang, Yutang Zhang, Xiang Fang, Fengyu Yu, Donglin Yang, Tieqiao Liu, Yunchun Chen, Xiaohong Hong, Wenyuan Wu, Guibing Chen, Min Cai, Yan Song, Jiyang Pan, Jicheng Dong, Runde Pan, Wei Zhang, Zhenming Shen, Zhengrong Liu, Danhua Gu, Xiaoping Wang, Xiaojuan Liu, Qiwen Zhang, Yihan Li, Yiping Chen, Kenneth S. Kendler, Jonathan Flint, Zhen Zhang

Psychiatry Publications

Background

Dysthymia is a form of chronic mild depression that has a complex relationship with major depressive disorder (MDD). Here we investigate the role of environmental risk factors, including stressful life events and parenting style, in patients with both MDD and dysthymia. We ask whether these risk factors act in the same way in MDD with and without dysthymia.

Results

We examined the clinical features in 5,950 Han Chinese women with MDD between 30–60 years of age across China. We confirmed earlier results by replicating prior analyses in 3,950 new MDD cases. There were no significant differences between the two …

Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Neuronal Activation In The Paraventricular And Dorsomedial Hypothalamus Depends On Ambient Temperature, Samuel P. Wanner, Kyoko Yoshida, Vladimir A. Kulchitsky, Andrei I. Ivanov, Kazuyuki Kanosue, Andrej A. Romanovsky

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome is associated with either fever or hypothermia, but the mechanisms responsible for switching from one to the other are unknown. In experimental animals, systemic inflammation is often induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To identify the diencephalic and brainstem structures involved in the fever-hypothermia switch, we studied the expression of c-Fos protein, a marker of neuronal activation, in rats treated with the same high dose of LPS (0.5 mg/kg, intravenously) either in a thermoneutral (30°C) or cool (24°C) environment. At 30°C, LPS caused fever; at 24°C, the same dose caused profound hypothermia. Both fever and hypothermia were …

Interneurons In The Mouse Visual Thalamus Maintain A High Degree Of Retinal Convergence Throughout Postnatal Development, Tania Seabrook, Thomas E. Krahe, Gubbi Govindaiah, William Guido

Anatomy and Neurobiology Publications

Background

The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the mouse thalamus has emerged as a powerful experimental system for understanding the refinement of developing sensory connections. Interestingly, many of the basic tenets for such developmental remodeling (for example, pruning of connections to form precise sensory maps) fail to take into account a fundamental aspect of sensory organization, cell-type specific wiring. To date, studies have focused on thalamocortical relay neurons and little is known about the development of retinal connections onto the other principal cell type of dLGN, intrinsic interneurons. Here, we used a transgenic mouse line in which green fluorescent …

Microglial Activation Decreases Retention Of The Protease Inhibitor Saquinavir: Implications For Hiv Treatment, Shannon Dallas, Michelle L. Block, Deborah M. Thompson, Marcelo G. Bonini, Patrick T. Ronaldson, Reina Bendayan, David S. Miller

Anatomy and Neurobiology Publications

Background

Active HIV infection within the central nervous system (CNS) is confined primarily to microglia. The glial cell compartment acts as a viral reservoir behind the blood-brain barrier. It provides an additional roadblock to effective pharmacological treatment via expression of multiple drug efflux transporters, including P-glycoprotein. HIV/AIDS patients frequently suffer bacterial and viral co-infections, leading to deregulation of glial cell function and release of pro-inflammatory mediators including cytokines, chemokines, and nitric oxide.

Methods

To better define the role of inflammation in decreased HIV drug accumulation into CNS targets, accumulation of the antiretroviral saquinavir was examined in purified cultures of rodent …

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate And Professional Programs Bulletin Courses [2013], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of professional and graduate courses for 2013-2014.

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate And Professional Programs Bulletin [2013], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Graduate and professional programs bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2013-2014. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs.

Cyanine 5.5 Conjugated Nanobubbles As A Tumor Selective Contrast Agent For Dual Ultrasound-Fluorescence Imaging In A Mouse Model, Liyi Mai, Anna Yao, Jing Li, Qiong Wei, Ming Yuchi, Xiaoling He, Mingyue Ding, Qibing Zhou

Medicinal Chemistry Publications

Nanobubbles and microbubbles are non-invasive ultrasound imaging contrast agents that may potentially enhance diagnosis of tumors. However, to date, both nanobubbles and microbubbles display poor in vivo tumor-selectivity over non-targeted organs such as liver. We report here cyanine 5.5 conjugated nanobubbles (cy5.5-nanobubbles) of a biocompatible chitosan–vitamin C lipid system as a dual ultrasound-fluorescence contrast agent that achieved tumor-selective imaging in a mouse tumor model. Cy5.5-nanobubble suspension contained single bubble spheres and clusters of bubble spheres with the size ranging between 400–800 nm. In the in vivo mouse study, enhancement of ultrasound signals at tumor site was found to persist over …

A Macrophysiological Analysis Of Energetic Constraints On Geographic Range Size In Mammals, Salvatore J. Agosta, Joseph Bernado, Gerardo Ceballos, Michael A. Steele

Biology Publications

Physiological processes are essential for understanding the distribution and abundance of organisms, and recently, with widespread attention to climate change, physiology has been ushered back to the forefront of ecological thinking. We present a macrophysiological analysis of the energetics of geographic range size using combined data on body size, basal metabolic rate (BMR), phylogeny and range properties for 574 species of mammals. We propose three mechanisms by which interspecific variation in BMR should relate positively to geographic range size: (i) Thermal Plasticity Hypothesis, (ii) Activity Levels/Dispersal Hypothesis, and (iii) Energy Constraint Hypothesis. Although each mechanism predicts a positive correlation between …

Characterization And Generation Of Male Courtship Song In Cotesia Congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Justin P. Bredlau, Yasha J. Mohajer, Timothy M. Cameron, Karen M. Hester, Michael L. Fine

Biology Publications

Background

Male parasitic wasps attract females with a courtship song produced by rapid wing fanning. Songs have been described for several parasitic wasp species; however, beyond association with wing fanning, the mechanism of sound generation has not been examined. We characterized the male courtship song of Cotesia congregata (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and investigated the biomechanics of sound production.

Methods and Principal Findings

Courtship songs were recorded using high-speed videography (2,000 fps) and audio recordings. The song consists of a long duration amplitude-modulated “buzz” followed by a series of pulsatile higher amplitude “boings,” each decaying into a terminal buzz followed by a …

Estimation Of Cpg Coverage In Whole Methylome Next-Generation Sequencing Studies, Edwin Jcg Van Den Oord, Jozsef Bukszar, Gabor Rudolf, Srilaxmi Nerella, Joseph L. Mcclay, Lin Y. Xie, Karolina A. Aberg

Biomarker Research and Personalized Medicine Publications

Background

Methylation studies are a promising complement to genetic studies of DNA sequence. However, detailed prior biological knowledge is typically lacking, so methylome-wide association studies (MWAS) will be critical to detect disease relevant sites. A cost-effective approach involves the next-generation sequencing (NGS) of single-end libraries created from samples that are enriched for methylated DNA fragments. A limitation of single-end libraries is that the fragment size distribution is not observed. This hampers several aspects of the data analysis such as the calculation of enrichment measures that are based on the number of fragments covering the CpGs.

Results

We developed a non-parametric …