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Early Lqt2 Nonsense Mutation Generates N-Terminally Truncated Herg Channels With Altered Gating Properties By The Reinitiation Of Translation, Matthew R. Stump, Qiuming Gong, Jonathan D. Packer, Zhengfeng Zhou

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) result in long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2). The hERG gene encodes a K+ channel that contributes to the repolarization of the cardiac action potential. We have previously shown that hERG mRNA transcripts that contain premature termination codon mutations are rapidly degraded by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). In this study, we identified a LQT2 nonsense mutation, Q81X, which escapes degradation by the reinitiation of translation and generates N-terminally truncated channels. RNA analysis of hERG minigenes revealed equivalent levels of wild-type and Q81X mRNA while the mRNA expressed from minigenes containing the LQT2 frameshift …

Isoform-Specific Dominant-Negative Effects Associated With Herg1 G628s Mutation In Long Qt Syndrome, Matthew R. Stump, Qiuming Gong, Zhengfeng Zhou

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

Background: Mutations in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene 1 (hERG1) cause type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2). The hERG1 gene encodes a K+ channel with properties similar to the rapidly activating delayed rectifying K+ current in the heart. Several hERG1 isoforms with unique structural and functional properties have been identified. To date, the pathogenic mechanisms of LQT2 mutations have been predominantly described in the context of the hERG1a isoform. In the present study, we investigated the functional consequences of the LQT2 mutation G628S in the hERG1b and hERG1aUSO isoforms.

Methods: A double-stable, mammalian expression system was developed to characterize …

Anoxia Tolerance During Vertebrate Development - Insights From Studies On The Annual Killifish Austrofundulus Limnaeus, Jason E. Podrabsky, Claire L. Riggs, Jeffrey M. Duerr

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

No abstract provided.

Increasing Lipophilicity Of Redox Active Ruthenium Complexes As A Means To Enhance Cytotoxicity And Reduce Animal Toxicity, Nagham Alatrash

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses - Archive

The dinuclear and monomeric ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes [(phen)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(phen)2]Cl4 (P) and monomer [(phen)2Ru(tatpp)]Cl2 (MP) are promising candidates for anticancer drug development in terms of the observed anti-tumor activity in mouse models. These complexes contain the redox-active tatpp bridging ligand which seems to be the critical component for biological activity. Ruthenium complexes containing the tatpp ligand have been shown to cleave DNA with an inverse dependence on the [O2], exhibit selective and good cytotoxicity towards a number of cultured malignant cell lines, and have tolerable acute toxicity in mice. Significantly, the animal toxicity of P and MP is significantly less than simple …

Ruthenium(Ii) Polypyridyl Complexes As Potential Anticancer Drugs: Synthesis, Characterization, Cell Permeability And Investigation Of Their Hypoxia-Selectivity, Yanling Chen

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses - Archive

Research on biological activity of ruthenium polypyridyl complexes (RPCs) continues to attract interest as these complexes have shown promising anti-cancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. The mononuclear RPC, [(phen)₂Ru(tatpp)]²⁺ (MP) and the related dinuclear complex [(phen)₂Ru(tatpp)Ru(phen)₂]⁴⁺ (P) have been shown to both intercalate with DNA and show potentiated DNA cleavage under anaerobic and reducing conditions¹ ² as well as show good selectivity and cytotoxicity towards malignant cell lines in vitro and tumors in vivo. Both complexes contain the redox-active tatpp ligand which is thought to be the essential component for the observed biological activity. This thesis is focused …

Design, Microfabrication And Characterization Of A Microheater Platform For Studying Dna-Surface Interactions, Annas Javed

Electrical Engineering Theses - Archive

The past few decades have witnessed significant research towards developing DNA biosensors and gene chips. These devices obtain sequence-specific DNA information in a faster, simpler and cheaper manner compared to traditional hybridization assays. Miniaturization of DNA handling and processing devices has contributed significantly towards this effort. Despite the large amount of work in this research direction, much more needs to be understood about the fundamental interactions of DNA and other biological macromolecules with their microenvironment, particularly with inorganic surfaces. For example, a basic understanding of thermal interactions of DNA with surfaces may help develop novel strategies for probing, purifying and …

Antimicrobial Properties Of Citric Acid Based Polymers, Lee-Chun Su

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

A series of citric acid derived polymers synthesized in our lab were investigated and compared for their physiochemical and antimicrobial properties. We selected citric acid based polymers since citric acid is a product of natural metabolism. These polymers are not only biocompatible but also possess an antimicrobial effect. In polymer synthesis, citric acid (CA) provides profound functional groups available for binding and crosslinking to allow the controllable crosslinking degrees of polymers. A number of citric acid based polymers has been synthesized and studied for their chemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics for use in various biomedical applications. Since bacterial infections became …

Development Of A Measurement System For Quantifying Ultrasound Field Distribution Of Different Transducers, Jayanth Kandukuri

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Ultrasound has been widely used in many fields, such as nondestructive examination and medical imaging. Ultrasound is mostly characterized by its pressure and, dynamic pressure wave can be considered to be the foundation of ultrasound physics and imaging techniques. It is thus important for understanding ultrasound pressure properties to that of ultrasound intensity. Moreover, there are many applications that require mainly characterizing ultrasound pressure field (instead of intensity field alone). Therefore, reconstruction of an ultrasound pressure field is highly desirable not only for education but also for research. There may be some commercially available systems that can be used for …

A Comparative Approach To Elucidating The Physiological Response In Symbiodinium To Changes In Temperature, Elizabeth S. Mcginty

Biology Dissertations - Archive

Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems, and play a large role in the functioning of oceanic and coastal ecosystems. They are currently declining around the world, largely due to the effects of climate change and local anthropogenic issues. Temperature stress in particular has been associated with significant coral mortality over the last 30 years due to adverse effects on the relationship between reef-building corals and their algal endosymbionts from the genus Symbiodinium. Periods of elevated temperature have led to the phenomenon of coral bleaching, a disruption of the symbiosis that is characterized by the loss of the …

The Effects Of Mine Land Reclamation Of Herpetofaunal Communities, Jayme L. Walton

Biology Theses - Archive

Succession describes the process of community change over time after a disturbance. Understanding these processes allows ecological restoration projects to take advantage of natural community trajectories. Reclamation efforts often "jump-start" succession to restore anthropogenically disturbed land and water features to their former state. This is often accomplished by seeding for desired species or planting tree seedlings. One way of gauging whether reclamation was successful is to compare floral and faunal communities of reclaimed land with that of nearby land that was not disturbed. Most such studies have focused on plant and bird species while few have looked at the effects …

Cell Permeabilization And Inhibition Of Voltage-Gated Ca²+ And Na+ Channel Currents By Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields, Vasyl Nesin, Angela M. Bowman, Shu Xiao, Andrei G. Pakhomov

Bioelectrics Publications

Previous studies have found that nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) exposure causes long-term permeabilization of the cell plasma membrane. In this study, we utilized the whole-cell patch-clamp method to study the nsPEF effect on currents of voltage-gated (VG) Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ channels (I_Ca and I_Na) in cultured GH3 and NG108 cells. We found that a single 300 or 600 ns pulse at or above 1.5-2 kV/cm caused prolonged inhibition of I_Ca and I_Na. Concurrently, nsPEF increased a non-inactivating leak current (I_leak), presumably due to the formation of nanoelectropores or larger …

Aggregation And Law, Eric A. Posner, Ariel Porat

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

If a plaintiff brings two claims, each with a 0.4 probability of being valid, the plaintiff will usually lose, even if the claims are based on independent events, and thus the probability of at least one of the claims being valid is 0.64. If a plaintiff brings two independent claims, and neither of them alleges misconduct sufficient to justify a remedy, the plaintiff will usually lose, even if the claims jointly allege sufficient wrongdoing to justify a remedy. Thus, as a general rule, courts refuse to engage in what we call factual aggregation (the first case) and normative aggregation (the …

Daniel Mickel Gift Bolsters Furman United Program, Furman University

Furman Magazine

No abstract provided.

Financial Controls And Counter-Proliferation Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction, Nikos Passas

Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law

No abstract provided.

Similar But Different: Comparative Perspectives On Access To Water In Australia And South Africa, Louis J. Kotze, Rebecca Bates

Water Law Review

No abstract provided.

Alternative Strategies For Addressing The Presence And Effects Of Pharmaceutical And Personal Care Products In Fresh Water Resources, Gabriel E. Eckstein, George William Sherk

Water Law Review

No abstract provided.

United States V. Donovan, 661 F.3d 174 (3rd Cir. 2011), John Lahner

Water Law Review

No abstract provided.

Pawnee Well Users V. Wolfe: The Natural Successor To Vance V. Wolfe, Johna Varty

Water Law Review

No abstract provided.

Reflecting On Measured Deliberations, Nicholas A. Robinson

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

“Environmental law is essential for the protection of natural resources and ecosystems and reflects our best hope for the future of our planet”. This declaration, made by participants at the Rio+20 World Congress on Justice, Governance and Law for Environmental Sustainability, reflects the maturing of environmental law around the world. Usually implicitly, but often explicitly, the deliberations at Rio+20 in June 2012 addressed the dual needs for more effective implementation of existing environmental norms and enacting further laws to stem global degradation of the environment. Rio+20 recommended that, in the autumn of 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) act …

Regulatory Takings And Property Rights Confront Sea Level Rise: How Do They Roll?, John R. Nolon

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Under the Beach and Shore Preservation Act, the State of Florida is authorized to conduct extraordinarily expensive beach renourishment projects to restore damaged coastal properties. The statute advances the State’s interest in repairing the damage to the coastal ecosystem and economy caused by hurricanes, high winds, and storm surges. The effect of a renourishment project conducted under the statute is to fix the legal boundary of the littoral property owner at an Erosion Control Line. Plaintiffs in Walton County v. Stop the Beach Renourishment, Inc. claimed that the statute took their common law property rights to their boundary, which would, …

The Rio+20 Process: Forward Movement For The Environment?, Ann Powers

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This commentary summarizes the events at the recent UN Conference on Sustainable Development, commonly referred to as Rio+20, noting both the role of official national delegations and the diversity of non-state parties that were involved in a variety of venues at and around Rio+20. It sketches the background of sustainable development efforts, maps the road from the original 1992 Rio Earth Summit to the 20th anniversary gathering, and comments on the Conference’s outcomes and their implications for international law and legal institutions. In answer to the much debated question of whether the Rio+20 was a success or a failure, or …

Sea-Level Rise And Its Impact On Vulnerable States: Four Examples, Ann Powers

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This article first examines the physical, cultural, and economic backgrounds of four vulnerable states—Tuvalu, Seychelles, Maldives, and Bangladesh—and discusses the extent to which each might be affected by sea-level rise. It then considers, in turn, the legal implications of the current rules on maritime delimitation under UNCLOS for the states, along with their efforts to adapt to sea-level rise.

Hot, Crowded, And Legal: A Look At Industrial Agriculture In The United States And Brazil, David N. Cassuto

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

Over the last sixty years, industrial agriculture has expanded in the United States and throughout the world, including in Brazil. Any benefit this expansion has brought comes at significant environmental and social costs. Industrial agriculture is a leading contributor to global climate change, air and water pollution, deforestation, and dangers in the workplace. This Article discusses the impact of industrial animal agriculture in the U.S. and Brazil. It also examines the laws pertaining to industrial agriculture in both countries and provides a comparative analysis of the two legal regimes. Finally, this Article concludes with the observation that although the price …

The Evolution Of The Brazilian Regulation Of Ethanol And Possible Lessons For The United States, David N. Cassuto

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

The oil shocks of the 1970s propelled the search for alternative fuel sources by oil-dependent countries. The United States and Brazil–then the two largest producers and consumers of ethanol in the world – focused intensely on biofuels as a substitute for oil, while other countries – such as Japan and European Union members – focused more on nuclear energy and other methods of power generation. However, from the 1980s onward, climate change emerged as a significant concern. This new focus on climate change revived the discussion about the need for alternative energy sources. In addition, during the 2000s, oil prices …

Christopher Carlton, Petitioner/ Appellant, Shalanda Brown, And The Adoption Center Of Choice, Inc., Respondents/ Appellees : Brief Of Appellee The Adoption Center Of Choice, Inc.

Utah Supreme Court Briefs (1965 –)

Appeal from a Final Order of the Fourth Judicial District Court, The Honorable Steven L. Hansen

Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Meredith Fairbanks, David Bowran, Geraldine Pasqual

Bulletins 4000 -

Agriculture contributes 15.5 per cent of Australia’s emissions (Figure 1), largely due to methane, from ruminant livestock digestion, nitrous oxide from soils and carbon dioxide from fossil fuel use (Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2011; ABARES 2011).

This bulletin identifies current ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Australian agriculture.

Sheep: The Simple Guide To Making More Money With Less Work - Cereal-Sheep Zone Of Australia, Bob Hall, Mark Ferguson, Mandy Curnow, Andrew Thompson

Animal production and livestock published reports

The national sheep flock is a mere 40% of the size it was at its peak in the early 1990s. Some would say that it is on the verge of losing its critical mass for survival into the future. Others would see it already as a niche market industry, especially in regards to wool.

Farmers in a recent survey gave two key reasons for either quitting sheep or reducing the flock size: “sheep do not pay” or “the work involved in sheep is unacceptable”. We believe that sheep do pay — and they don’t have to be hard work.

The …

Rethinking The New Public Health, Lindsay Wiley

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

This Article contributes to an emerging theoretical debate over the legitimate scope of public health law by linking it to a particular doctrinal debate in public nuisance law. State and local governments have been largely stymied in their efforts to use public nuisance litigation against harmful industries to vindicate collectively-held, common law rights to non-interference with public health and safety. The ways in which this litigation has failed are instructive for a broader movement in public health that is only just beginning to take shape. In response to evolving scientific understanding about the determinants of health, public health advocates are …

The New Illegitimacy: Winning Backward In The Protection Of The Children Of Lesbian Couples, Nancy Polikoff

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

No abstract provided.

Custody Rights Of Lesbian And Gay Parents Redux: The Irrelevance Of Constitutional Principles, Nancy Polikoff

Scholarly Articles in Law Reviews & Journals

Disputes over custody and visitation can arise when a marriage ends and one parent comes out as gay or lesbian. the heterosexual parent may seek custody or may seek to restrict the activities of the gay or lesbian parent, or the presence of the parent's same-sex partner, during visitation. A gay or lesbian parent's assertion of constitutional rights has not been an effective response to such efforts. that is not likely to change. Advocates for gay and lesbian parents have argued forcefully for a nexus text, permitting consideration of a parent's sexual orientation only when there is evidence of an …