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Characterization Of A Conserved Chromosome Breakpoint At 10q21.3 In Human And 10b5.1 In Mouse: Possible Role In Cancer., Jamie Riemann Senft Jan 2004

Characterization Of A Conserved Chromosome Breakpoint At 10q21.3 In Human And 10b5.1 In Mouse: Possible Role In Cancer., Jamie Riemann Senft

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Genetic regions that are consistently altered in cancers of both mice and humans indicate regions of the genome that are good candidates for harboring genes that are critical in the development of cancer. Nearly identical breakpoints were identified at 10q21.3 in human melanoma and at the homologous 10B5.1 region in mouse lung adenocarcinoma. A previously hypothetical gene was located within the minimal breakpoint region. The gene was characterized and identified as an immediate early gene with increased expression in several of the tumor cell lines.


Pasture Forage Quality In West Virginia, Edward Barrow Rayburn, Rodney M. Wallbrown, Edward C. Prigge Dec 2003

Pasture Forage Quality In West Virginia, Edward Barrow Rayburn, Rodney M. Wallbrown, Edward C. Prigge

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

WVU-Extension fact sheet


Pharmaceutical Quality Performance Of Folic Acid Supplements, Islam Rasem Younis Dec 2003

Pharmaceutical Quality Performance Of Folic Acid Supplements, Islam Rasem Younis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The vitamin folic acid has received considerable attention in the 1990s because of its preventative role against diseases such as neural tube defects, cardiovascular diseases, and psychiatric illness.;A primary concern is the pharmaceutical quality, potency, and efficacy of commercially available folic acid products and label claims. The results showed that there has been significant progress since the 1990's in the improved quality of commercially available folic acid products in meeting USP standards.;Products were also tested in physiologically relevant solutions. Most notably, all the tested products failed to release more than 75% of the active ingredient in 60 minutes in simulated …


Ecology And Management Of Raccoons Within An Intensively Managed Forest In The Central Appalachians, Sheldon F. Owen Dec 2003

Ecology And Management Of Raccoons Within An Intensively Managed Forest In The Central Appalachians, Sheldon F. Owen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The raccoon (Procyon lotor), a generalist meso-predator, is commonly found throughout the eastern United States. Many researchers have examined the ecology and spatial requirements of raccoons in agricultural and wetland areas of the mid-western and southeastern United States. However, no studies have quantitatively examined raccoon habits in the forested central Appalachians and their response to forest management. During the fall of 2000 through the spring of 2003, I monitored the spatial movements and den site selection of raccoons within an intensively managed forest.;I investigated the occurrence of raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) in raccoons (Procyon lotor) within my study area. I …


Fungi Associated With Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra ) Acorns, Dawn M. Washington Dec 2003

Fungi Associated With Northern Red Oak (Quercus Rubra ) Acorns, Dawn M. Washington

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Poor regeneration of northern red oak is widespread in the central hardwood region. A two-part study was conducted to determine what fungi are associated with and cause cotyledon discoloration of northern red oak acorns. The field study determined that simulated small mammal notching, surface sowing, time, and site all play a significant role in the amount of cotyledon discoloration in acorns as well as the number of acorns with discoloration. However, germination rate was only affected by site and surface sowing, while seedling vigor ratings were actually higher when acorns had discolored cotyledons. The five species of fungi isolated most …


Temporal Control And Response Strength In A Free -Operant Psychophysical Procedure, Lori M. Lieving Dec 2003

Temporal Control And Response Strength In A Free -Operant Psychophysical Procedure, Lori M. Lieving

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of the present experiments was to examine the relation between timing and response strength. Pigeons responded on a two-component multiple schedule consisting of the free-operant psychophysical procedure, in which trials lasted 50 s. During the first 25 s of each trial, responding on the left key was reinforced according to a variable interval (VI) schedule of reinforcement. During the second 25 s of each trial, responding on the right key was reinforced according to a VI schedule of reinforcement. In Experiment 1, responding in one component was maintained by a VI 30-s schedule (rich component) and responding in …


Impacts On Terrestrial And Streamside Herpetofauna By Mountaintop Removal Mining In Southern West Virginia, Jennifer Mravintz Williams Dec 2003

Impacts On Terrestrial And Streamside Herpetofauna By Mountaintop Removal Mining In Southern West Virginia, Jennifer Mravintz Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mountaintop removal mining, a mining technique used in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and nearby states, converts mature forests to grassland and shrub-pole habitats. I sampled terrestrial herpetofauna using drift fences with pitfalls and funnel traps from 2000--2002 to evaluate habitat use of unmined native habitat (intact forest), mined habitat (reclaimed grassland, reclaimed shrub-pole habitat, and fragmented forest), and early successional off-mine habitats that were created by other types of disturbance and were structurally similar to reclaimed grasslands and reclaimed shrubpole habitats. I searched transects in valley fill and reference streams from 2001--2002 to evaluate impacts of valley fill …


Potential Field Theory And Its Applications To Classical Mechanical Problems, Shannon Rae Stillwagon Dec 2003

Potential Field Theory And Its Applications To Classical Mechanical Problems, Shannon Rae Stillwagon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Advances in many scientific fields are expected to come from work in nanotechnology. Engineering at nano-scales presents novel problems that classical mechanics cannot solve. Many engineers are uncomfortable designing at this level because classical or continuum mechanics does not apply and quantum mechanics is said to apply in a tangible way. There are unique opportunities to contribute to the design, controls, and analysis of systems that are particularly suited to mechanical engineering. Within the derivations of classical mechanics are assumptions that limit its use to bulk engineering. These assumptions are examined to determine what principles can be extended to smaller …


Distributed Dispatchers For Partially Clairvoyant Schedulers, Kiran S. Yellajyosula Dec 2003

Distributed Dispatchers For Partially Clairvoyant Schedulers, Kiran S. Yellajyosula

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This work focuses on the empirical evaluation of distributed dispatching strategies on shared and distributed memory architectures for hard real-time systems. The dispatching model accommodates process parameter variability and analyzes the effect of variable execution times.;Hard real-time systems are modeled in the E-T-C scheduling framework and dispatched if a valid schedule exists. We examine the dispatchability of Partially Clairvoyant schedules of different sizes and varying deadlines under reasonable assumptions. The effect of scaling up the number of processors used by the dispatcher is also studied. The results validate the superiority of the distributed strategies over sequential dispatching and scalability of …


Evaluating Runoff Water Quality And Ammonia Volatilization In Three Turkey Litter Application Methods, Michael Dale Shamblin Dec 2003

Evaluating Runoff Water Quality And Ammonia Volatilization In Three Turkey Litter Application Methods, Michael Dale Shamblin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Poultry litter is an important nutrient source in crop production. However, the traditional practice of broadcasting poultry litter on the soil surface could result in nutrient losses in runoff as well as substantial ammonia volatilization losses, which could adversely affect both the environment and agricultural productivity. This research compared nutrient runoff (natural and simulated) losses on 1 m x 2 m plots and ammonia volatilization from different turkey litter application methods (broadcast, surface-banded, incorporated band, and control) applied in triplicate. No significant differences were observed between any of the treatments in any of the runoff constituents measured. Over three runoff …


Soil Characterization, Classification, And Biomass Accumulation In The Otter Creek Wilderness, Jamie Schnably Dec 2003

Soil Characterization, Classification, And Biomass Accumulation In The Otter Creek Wilderness, Jamie Schnably

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study evaluated soils of the Otter Creek Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest. Thirteen sites were sampled and analyzed according to landscape position: three terrace soils (T), four ridgetop soils (R), three sideslope soils with argillic horizons (SSA), and three sideslope soils with cambic horizons (SSC). At each site, one pedon was described and sampled, and biomass data were collected. Standard chemical and physical properties, clay mineralogy, extractable sulfate and sulfated adsorption capacity were analyzed. The SSA soils had the highest pH, the most diverse vegetation, and the highest base saturation. These soils had a low risk for acid …


Seasonal Movements Of Yellow-Phase American Eels ( Anguilla Rostrata) In The Shenandoah River, West Virginia, Stephen D. Hammond Dec 2003

Seasonal Movements Of Yellow-Phase American Eels ( Anguilla Rostrata) In The Shenandoah River, West Virginia, Stephen D. Hammond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

American eels undergo extensive upstream migration in Atlantic coastal river systems. Few studies, however, have focused on movements of large yellow-phase American eels near dams in upper watersheds of Atlantic coastal rivers. We examined relationships between stream flow, water temperature, and lunar phase, and movements of radio-tagged yellow-phase American eels (518--810 mm TL) near Millville hydroelectric dam in the lower Shenandoah River, West. Movements of yellow-phase American eels differed among seasons. Water temperature and stream flow were associated with upstream migration during spring. Downstream movements during fall corresponded with decreasing water temperatures and darker nights near the new moon. Localized …


Aquaculture-Related Stress On Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) And Arctic Char (Salvelinus Alpinus), Christopher D. Nelson Dec 2003

Aquaculture-Related Stress On Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) And Arctic Char (Salvelinus Alpinus), Christopher D. Nelson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent expansions in aquaculture characterize it as one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. agricultural sector. Expansion has been facilitated by increased production of many important aquatic species including catfish, salmon, trout, tilapia, shrimp, oysters, and crawfish. West Virginia aquaculture, also an expanding industry, is currently characterized by small-scale, widely dispersed farms. To facilitate future expansion of aquaculture in West Virginia, focuses on product quality as well as production efficiency, identification of limiting factors and investigation into new or alternative management techniques are needed. Objectives of this project were to determine the effects of nitrite and carbon dioxide …


Enhancing Quality And Extending Shelf Life Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) By Vitamin E Supplementation And Post-Harvest Antimicrobial Intervention, Nalini Kamireddy Dec 2003

Enhancing Quality And Extending Shelf Life Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) By Vitamin E Supplementation And Post-Harvest Antimicrobial Intervention, Nalini Kamireddy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rainbow trout were fed a control (191 mg/kg) or the control diet supplemented with 5000 mg alpha-tocopherol/kg. Fish were sampled at 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 weeks of feeding; at each week fillets were evaluated at 0, 7, and 14 d. Supplementation increased fillet alpha-tocopherol content, and TBARS value were not affected. A feeding by storage time interaction was observed for fat content, psychrotrophic counts, cook yield, and shear force. For antimicrobial intervention, fillets were not treated or were dipped in water, 50 ppm ASC, and 1000 ppm ASC for 30 s. Fillets were stored at 1--2°C for …


Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) Movement And Habitat Use In A Headwater Stream Of The Central Appalachian Mountains Of West Virginia, Marisa Nel Logan Dec 2003

Brook Trout (Salvelinus Fontinalis) Movement And Habitat Use In A Headwater Stream Of The Central Appalachian Mountains Of West Virginia, Marisa Nel Logan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are the only salmonid native to the Appalachians. They are a resilient species, populating small, low productive streams. Although such streams have historically been abundant in the Appalachians, brook trout populations have been threatened due to habitat degradation such as logging and acidification of waters. The objective of this study was to evaluate brook trout habitat use, home range, and movement patterns in an Appalachian headwater stream during spring and more specifically high flow events. I implanted brook trout with radio tags and tracked their movement for approximately 30 days during late spring 2002 and early …


Population Level Dynamics Of Grasshopper Sparrow Populations Breeding On Reclaimed Mountaintop Mines In West Virginia, Frank K. Ammer Dec 2003

Population Level Dynamics Of Grasshopper Sparrow Populations Breeding On Reclaimed Mountaintop Mines In West Virginia, Frank K. Ammer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

During 2001 and 2002, I surveyed three mountaintop mining/valley fill (MTMVF) complexes in southern West Virginia to determine vegetation characteristics important to nest site selection and to estimate nest success for Grasshopper Sparrow populations inhabiting these complexes. I also performed genetic analyses to assess overall population structure, mating system, parentage, kinship, and gender of individuals comprising these populations. A total of 415 grasshopper sparrows were captured and systematic searches of study plots produced 75 active nests. Nest survival for 2001--2002 breeding season (33%) is comparable to survival rates previously reported in the literature. Nest survival rates decreased with increased reclamation …


Metallothionein Isoform 3 Expression In Human Bladder Urothelium, Seongmi Park Dec 2003

Metallothionein Isoform 3 Expression In Human Bladder Urothelium, Seongmi Park

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The third isoform of metallothionein, MT-3 is shown to have a restricted pattern of tissue distribution with expression confined to the neural tissue. Previous work done by this laboratory has shown that MT-3 is not expressed in the normal bladder but is over-expressed in bladder cancer with levels correlating to the type and grade of tumor. Recently, a new bladder epithelial cell line UROtsa has been characterized that does not express the MT-3 gene and may serve as a useful in vitro model system of the normal human urothelium. The goal of this study was to see the effect of …


On The Contribution Of Mmp-2 And Mmp-9 To The Postnatal Cerebellar Corticogenesis, Albert E. Ayoub Dec 2003

On The Contribution Of Mmp-2 And Mmp-9 To The Postnatal Cerebellar Corticogenesis, Albert E. Ayoub

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The development of the cerebellar cortex is dependent on orchestrated cell-cell, cell-matrix interactions, as well as intrinsic genetic programs. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade ECM molecules and are involved in neuronal migration, process extension, and synaptic plasticity. The current study investigated (1) the developmental expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and (2) the effect of blocking the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by a specific inhibitor on the histogenesis of the cerebellar cortex. Cerebella were collected from rat pups every three days starting at postnatal day 3 (P3) until P25---a period equivalent to the third gestational …


Dietary Feedback Effects And Gender Differences In Stages Of Change For Fat And Fiber Intake Behavior, Janis M. Boury Dec 2003

Dietary Feedback Effects And Gender Differences In Stages Of Change For Fat And Fiber Intake Behavior, Janis M. Boury

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The stages of change (SOC) model has addressed changes people make to important habits such as smoking or diet. This study had three purposes (a) examining the influence of cultural role expectations for males and females on decisional balance (DB), (b) examining changes in stage assignment following feedback for the hidden nutrients of fat and fiber, (c) comparing the effects of feedback and tailored messages on change in fat and fiber intakes.;This study was an experimental control group design with 273 participants at baseline, 235 at intervention, and 197 at post-intervention. Most participants had some college. Baseline included general and …


Partnerships Of Nonprofit Organizations And Business For The Development Of Community Social Welfare Activities: The American Experience, Roger A. Lohmann Oct 2003

Partnerships Of Nonprofit Organizations And Business For The Development Of Community Social Welfare Activities: The American Experience, Roger A. Lohmann

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Partnerships between traditionally non-profit social services (the theme of the conference), funded by various donative arrangements and subsidized by government contracts, and any type of commercial business ventures are still relative rare in the mainstream of U.S. social work today. We can identify three distinct positions on the question among scholars in the U.S. today: A general management perspective found in business schools, a public affairs perspective found in schools of public administration, and two perspectives among social workers. The vast majority of those social work have undoubtedly never heard of this issue. Yet, a very small portion of social …


Late Embryonic And Fetal Mortality In The Ewe, Alison Brown Dixon Aug 2003

Late Embryonic And Fetal Mortality In The Ewe, Alison Brown Dixon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Timing and factors associated with late embryonic and fetal loss in the ewe were examined with ultrasonography. In study one, pregnancy diagnosis and counts of embryos were conducted on days 25, 45, 65, and/or 85 of gestation and compared to lambs born at term. Preliminary results indicated that more potential offspring were lost during fetal development than during late embryonic development. Approximately 18% of ewes experienced late embryonic and fetal loss and 20% of embryos or fetuses were lost from day 25 to term. Losses of potential offspring were continuous throughout gestation and approximately 3% of embryos present on day …


Bone Fracture Toughness Of Estrogen Deficient Rabbits, Matthew S. Smith Aug 2003

Bone Fracture Toughness Of Estrogen Deficient Rabbits, Matthew S. Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Bone mass is commonly used as an indicator of fracture risk. It has been shown in numerous studies that bone loss causes increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. It has also been shown that 50% of patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures have the same bone mass as normal age matched controls. Thus, bone mass alone is not the only indicator of bone quality and ability to resist fracture.;The objective of this study was to qualitatively assess bone's mechanical and histomorphometric changes with drug treatment, and estrogen deficiency, using fracture toughness, femoral neck fracture and histomorphometric analysis in an …


Human Health Effects Of Fatty Acids In Beef, Marcella S. Whetsell, Edward Barrow Rayburn Aug 2003

Human Health Effects Of Fatty Acids In Beef, Marcella S. Whetsell, Edward Barrow Rayburn

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

WVU-Extension fact sheet


Effluent Characterization Of Flow-Through Aquaculture Operations In West Virginia, James H. Cunningham Aug 2003

Effluent Characterization Of Flow-Through Aquaculture Operations In West Virginia, James H. Cunningham

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In order to reduce pollutant loading nationwide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), working in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is in the process of developing effluent management guidelines and standards for private and public aquaculture operations. The purpose of this study is to provide industry, State, and Federal stakeholders with baseline effluent water quality data specific to West Virginia flow-through facilities, in an effort to help concerned parties make informed decisions regarding impending regulations and to examine the potential to increase production, based on effluent pollutant load and permit limitations.;WVU-CEE researchers examined both large and small-scale …


Evaluation Of Regulated Emissions From Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles In The South Coast Air Basin, Thomas M. Buffamonte Aug 2003

Evaluation Of Regulated Emissions From Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles In The South Coast Air Basin, Thomas M. Buffamonte

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

It is important to know how heavy-duty diesel vehicles affect the air quality in the United States. Twenty-five heavy-duty diesel vehicles in the CRC E55/59 Phase I study were tested on the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), AC50/80 and the Heavy Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck (HHDDT) Schedule using the West Virginia University Transportable Emissions Laboratory (TransLab). Every vehicle in the CRC E55/59 Phase I study was tested at 30,000 lbs. (Unladen) and 56,000 lbs. (Laden) on the HHDDT, except for one tanker truck that was tested at 45,000 lbs (Laden). Also, the first thirteen vehicles in the study were tested on …


Factors Influencing Participation In The Beef Quality Assurance Program Of The West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, Sara D. Peacock Aug 2003

Factors Influencing Participation In The Beef Quality Assurance Program Of The West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, Sara D. Peacock

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to participation in the West Virginia Beef Quality Assurance program. This study explored barriers and encouragers that affected involvement in educational programs offered by the West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. The population consisted of 387 West Virginia Beef Producers from the West Virginia Young Sire Performance Evaluation Program mailing lists. The sample consisted of 85 producers randomly selected from the accessible population and 85 responses to the survey were completed. It was found that the average BQA farmer had a higher net income from their farming practices and had …


Dietary Patterns, Exercise Behaviors And Osteoporosis Knowledge Of College Women At West Virginia University, Jamie Sutton Deem Aug 2003

Dietary Patterns, Exercise Behaviors And Osteoporosis Knowledge Of College Women At West Virginia University, Jamie Sutton Deem

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study was conducted to describe the dietary patterns, exercise behaviors and osteoporosis knowledge of college women at West Virginia University. One hundred forty-one women were recruited (ages 18--27). Mean intake of nutrients including calcium (860 +/- 369 mg/day) was reported. Calcium intake was significantly lower than the recommendation (1000 mg/day; p < 0.0001). Mean reported exercise time was 54.4 minutes/day. This was significantly greater than the recommendation of 30 minutes/day (p < 0.01). Osteoporosis knowledge was measured by questionnaire. The majority of participants were able to identify 7/14 risk factors. A T-test indicated that individuals who answered osteoporosis risk factor questions correctly had higher intakes of calcium, but were still significantly below the recommendation (p < 0.001). Results indicated that exercise time was significantly higher in individuals who answered osteoporosis risk factor questions correctly (p < 0.001). These results suggest that college women do not have adequate intakes of calcium or knowledge of osteoporosis for prevention of the disease.


Raptor Assemblage, Abundance, Nesting Ecology, And Habitat Characteristics Under Intensive Forest Management In The Central Appalachian Mountains, Rebecca D. M. Smith Aug 2003

Raptor Assemblage, Abundance, Nesting Ecology, And Habitat Characteristics Under Intensive Forest Management In The Central Appalachian Mountains, Rebecca D. M. Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Raptor abundance and diversity were examined in three treatments (20-, 40-, and 80-yr harvest rotations) on an industrial forest in the central Appalachian Mountains. I conducted diurnal broadcast surveys, compared nocturnal survey protocols, examined habitat characteristics at two spatial scales (564 m and 1000 m buffers), and described nesting ecology (including prey composition) of 3 species of diurnal raptors. I detected 17 species and found no significant differences in abundance among treatment for all raptors. Forest-dwelling species were detected more often than edge-dwelling species and Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) was the most abundant species. Using a Barred Owl vocalization survey …


Genetic, Metabolic, And Histopathological Studies Of Particle -Associated Respiratory Alterations, Mohamed Mohamedy Ghanem Aug 2003

Genetic, Metabolic, And Histopathological Studies Of Particle -Associated Respiratory Alterations, Mohamed Mohamedy Ghanem

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) form a superfamily of enzymes crucial for the oxidative metabolism of a wide variety of endogenous and exogenous (xenobiotic) compounds. Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) is a member of the CYP1A subfamily that is involved in pulmonary carcinogenesis. CYP1A1 metabolizes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), such as benzo[a]pyrene in cigarette smoke into DNA-binding reactive metabolites resulting in gene mutation and carcinogenesis. Silicosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) are two pulmonary diseases associated with occupational exposure to silica and coal dust (CD), respectively. Most coal miners are smokers or ex-smokers and epidemiologic studies of coal dust carcinogenesis are confounded by the …


Epileptiform Bursting In The Disinhibited Neonatal Cerebral Cortex, Jason Eric Wells Aug 2003

Epileptiform Bursting In The Disinhibited Neonatal Cerebral Cortex, Jason Eric Wells

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The cerebral cortex, which include the neocortex and hippocampus, is an elaborate neuronal network communicating mainly through glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Glutamate, operating via AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptors excites neurons, and operating via metabotropic glutamate receptors can either increase or decrease the excitation in the neuronal network. GABA, operating through GABAA and GABAB receptors, inhibits the mature neuronal network, and GABAA receptor blockade in the adult cerebral cortex leads to epileptiform bursts. In contrast, in the neonatal cerebral cortex, GABAA has been proposed to function as an excitatory neurotransmitter, and glutamatergic synapses are claimed to be underdeveloped. It …