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Loss Of 4e-Bp1 Function Induces Emt And Promotes Cancer Cell Migration And Invasion Via Cap-Dependent Translational Activation Of Snail, Weijia Cai, Qing Ye, Qing-Bai She

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

The cap-dependent translation is frequently deregulated in a variety of cancers associated with tumor progression. However, the molecular basis of the translation activation for metastatic progression of cancer remains largely elusive. Here, we demonstrate that activation of cap-dependent translation by silencing the translational repressor 4E-BP1 causes cancer epithelial cells to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is associated with selective upregulation of the EMT inducer Snail followed by repression of E-cadherin expression and promotion of cell migratory and invasive capabilities as well as metastasis. Conversely, inhibition of cap-dependent translation by a dominant active mutant 4E-BP1 effectively downregulates Snail expression and suppresses …

Proteolysis And Lactobacillus Fermentation Effects On The Isoflavones Biotransformation And Removal Of Anti-Nutritional Factors Of Soy Bean, Li-Jung Yin, Hsueh-Ming Tai, Hui-Hung Lee, Shann-Tzong Jiang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

To investigate the effects of proteolysis and Lactobacillus johnsonii (LAB) fermentation on the removal of anti-nutritional factors and isoflavones biotransformation, soy bean was hydrolyzed by Bacillus subtilis YJ1 proteases and cellulases and further fermented with Lactobacillus johnsonii. Increases in soluble proteins, peptides, free amino acids, daidzin and genistin (p < 0.01) were observed after 10 hr hydrolysis at 50°C. Although no further increases in soluble proteins and peptides (p < 0.01) were observed after 24 hr Lactobacillus johnsonii fermentation in both 5-L and 120-L fermentors, substantial transformation from daidzin and genistin to daidzein and genistein was obtained (p < 0.01). Most of the anti-nutritional factors such as stachyose, raffinose, glycinin and β-conglycinin were not detected, suggesting that the hydrolysis and further Lactobacillus johnsonii fermentation could effectively remove the anti-nutritional factors and transform most of isoflavones into aglycones.

Morphology And Function Of The Drinking Apparatus In Hummingbirds, Alejandro Rico-Guevara

Doctoral Dissertations

My research aims to answer the questions: How do hummingbirds feed? And, how do the mechanics of feeding define the limits and adaptive values of feeding behaviors? I meticulously study every step of nectar capture and ingestion. My dissertation chapters are organized following a morpho-functional and feeding sequence approach: 1) Feeding Apparatus Morphology; with emphasis on the understudied morphology of the tongue grooves and bill tongue coupling. 2) Tongue Tip Dynamics; how hummingbird tongues entrap nectar. 3) Tongue Grooves Functioning: how the tongue acts as an elastic micropump while collecting nectar. 4) Bill Tip Mechanics; internal bill structures that aid …

An Evaluation Of The Clark County Wetlands Park Volunteer Program, Stephanie Holguin, Riley Kelley, Aaron Manfredi, Michael Mcquatters

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background

Student evaluation team, M.A.R.S. Consulting Group (M.A.R.S.), conducted an evaluation of the Clark County Wetlands Park (CCWP) Volunteer Program from April 2014 through August 2014. The pre-assessment consisted of a qualitative analysis of the organization’s educational programs, tremendous growth in and establishment of facilities throughout 2013 and 2014, staff responsibilities, and volunteer programs. As a result of this pre-assessment, M.A.R.S. determined that an evaluation of the current volunteer program would have the most impact on the organization.

Purpose

The primary purpose of this evaluation is to provide Wetlands Park staff with suggestions and recommendations based on the identified needs …

Reshare An Operational Ontology Framework For Research Modeling, Combining And Sharing, Mohammad Al Boni

Theses and Dissertations

Scientists always face difficulties dealing with disjointed information. There is a need for a standardized and robust way to represent and exchange knowledge. Ontology has been widely used for this purpose. However, since research involves semantics and operations, we need to conceptualize both of them. In this thesis, we propose ReShare to provide a solution for this problem. Maximizing utilization while preserving the semantics is one of the main challenges when the heterogeneous knowledge is combined. Therefore, operational annotations were designed to allow generic object modeling, binding and representation. Furthermore, a test bed is developed and preliminary results are presented …

S-Metolachlor Phytotoxicity In Sweetpotato, Issah Alidu Abukari

Theses and Dissertations

S-metolachlor is an effective herbicide used to control/suppress annual grasses, nutsedges and several broadleaf weeds in sweetpotato. However, a decline in storage root quality and yield has been reported under certain environmental conditions. Information is limited on the effect of S-metolachlor application followed immediately by rainfall on sweetpotato growth and development under different temperatures, as well as the optimum application time. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate sweetpotato responses to interactive effects of S-metolachlor, temperature and rainfall, and to determine S-metolachlor optimum application time. A sunlit, controlled environment experiment was conducted to investigate sweetpotato response to S-metolachlor …

Occurrence Of Invasive Mammals And Native Carnivores In Northern Patagonia, Mariela Gisele Gantchoff

Theses and Dissertations

The study of biological invasions is important to management and conservation. I assessed the occurrence of invasive mammals and native mesocarnivores in northern Patagonia. Invasive species had varying responses to anthropogenic disturbance, and were differentially influenced by environmental and anthropogenic factors. Invasive species were also a substantial part of native mesocarnivores diets and appeared to influence their temporal activity, but not occupancy. Overall, I observed high spatial and temporal overlap between native carnivores and coexistence seemed facilitated by diet. Humans had both a positive and negative influence in this community, being responsible for the introduction of invasive species and possibly …

White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) Population Dynamics In A Multi-Predator Landscape, Jared Fitzgerald Duquette

Theses and Dissertations

Indices of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) abundance in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan suggested the population declined 40% from the previous 5 year mean following 2 consecutive severe winters in the mid-1990s and has not since increased in population size. I collected estimates and assessed biological and environmental covariates of survival and recruitment of fawns (< 1 year old) and age-specific reproductive and survival rates of adult females (> 1.6 years old) in the southwestern Upper Peninsula of Michigan from 2009–2011. Reproduction did not appear to regulate population growth, as 92 percent of females were pregnant. Annual survival of adult females was 70 percent across years, but poorer annual survival of fawns …

Wintering Waterfowl Use Of Delta National Forest, Mississippi, Thomas Gilbert Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Bottomland hardwood forests provide forage and other important resources for wintering and breeding waterfowl in the Southeastern United States. My objective was to conduct an initial investigation of possible influences of habitat features, flood events, and human disturbance on relative abundances of wintering ducks in Delta National Forest (DNF), Mississippi. I surveyed 65 wetlands in DNF 17 times from November 2012 to March 2013 and analyzed abundance data from wood ducks (Aix sponsa), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), gadwalls (Anas strepera), and hooded mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus). Waterfowl abundance varied by species but generally increased during major flood events and on wetlands having …

Consumer Willingness To Pay For Environmental Impacts Of Fresh Tomato Production, Mckenzie Crabtree Maples

Theses and Dissertations

In a world with diverse consumer preferences, it can be challenging for producers to determine marketing strategies and production practices that maximize their profits while meeting consumer demand for fresh products. Consumers could be willing to pay for products that reduce environmental impact, but producers must know whether these changes will pay off. This study estimated consumers’ willingness to pay for specific environmental factors pertaining to fresh tomato production using a choice experiment survey. This study found that Southeastern consumers are willing to pay a price premium for specific environmental factors: water conservation, reduced pesticide residue, fewer miles between production …

Effects Of Prenatal Testosterone On Ventral Tegmental Area Dopamine Neurons In Sheep Model For Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Casey Jean Steadman

Theses and Dissertations

Female sheep exposed to excess testosterone (T) in utero display symptoms similar to those observed in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Prenatal T-treated ewes display masculinized sexual behavior and increased food-reward seeking behavior. A neural substrate critical for these goal-directed behaviors is the dopaminergic system in the ventral tegmental area. We have recently shown that in adult ewes dopamine expression in the VTA is increased by prenatal T exposure. In this thesis, I tested the hypothesis that alterations of the VTA dopamine system by prenatal-T are caused via activation of androgen (AR) and/or insulin receptors (IR). Analysis of immunohistochemical …

Efficacy Of Gras Antimicrobial Compounds And Modified Atmosphere Packaging In Reducing Salmonella, Campylobacter And Spoilage Organisms On Poultry Meat, Divek V T Nair

Theses and Dissertations

The antimicrobial efficacy of carvacrol, trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and thyme oil (0.5, 1, 2 and 5% v/v) was evaluated against Salmonella on turkey breast cutlets as 2 min dip treatments at 4°C. Carvacrol revealed maximum efficacy against Salmonella on turkey cutlets and was selected for 30s and 60s dip treatments at 4°C. Only 5% carvacrol was effective and exhibited 1.0 and 1.8 log CFU/g reduction of Salmonella with 30s and 60s dip treatments, respectively. However, carvacrol showed synergistic activity with carbon dioxide in modified atmosphere packaging (95% CO2/5% O2) against Salmonella and Campylobacter and caused 1.0-2.0 log CFU/g reductions with lower …

Estimation Of Genetic Parameters For Hair Shedding Score And Relationship To Performance In Angus, Charolais, And Hereford Dams, Samuel Randall Plank

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives were to determine the association of hair shedding to performance in beef cattle and estimate genetic parameters for hair shedding scores. Dams were observed for shedding and given a score of 1 to 5. The month of first shedding (MFS) was determined when a female reached an average shedding score of 3.25 or less. Performance data included calf bw and d205wt and were considered as a trait of the dam. Hereford dams with a MFS of March weaned calves 18.37 + or - 8.85 kg heavier than dams with a MFS of June (P < 0.01). Angus dams with a MFS of March had calves with bw 7.75 + or - 1.64 kg greater than dams with a June MFS (P < 0.001). The heritability estimate for MFS was 0.11 + or - 0.06. Timing of hair shedding may have an influence on growth performance for certain breeds.

Evaluation Of Different Dietary Supplements For Cattle Consuming Ryegrass Baleage, Lanna Victoria Durst

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were to evaluate nutrient digestibility and CP retention of steers fed ryegrass baleage supplemented with hay or soybean hull pellets. Crossbred steers (n=12, BW 247 plus or minus 20.8 kg) were halter broken, and placed into individual metabolism crates for a total of 10 days. All 12 steers had ad libitum access to ryegrass baleage and were allotted to 3 supplements 1) no supplement; 2) soybean hull pellets; 3) hay, with 4 steers per treatment group. Supplements were fed at 0.25% of steer body weight. Sample collections were for 7 days following a 3 day …

Upgrading Bio-Oil And Pretreated Bio-Oil By Hydroprocessing In A Continuous Packed-Bed Reactor, Divya Reddy Parapati

Theses and Dissertations

Bio-oil obtained by the fast pyrolysis of biomass has the potential to serve as source of alternative liquid fuel for both power generation and transportation fuel. Bio-oils are comprised of oxygenated compounds, due to the presence of a high percentage of these oxygenated groups bio-oil possesses negative properties such as low heating value, low volatility, thermal instability, corrosiveness, immiscibility with fossil fuels and a tendency to polymerize over time. Bio-oils have been converted to both boiler and transportation fuels in laboratory and demonstration projects. However, the available technologies have not proven commercially viable. Therefore, the main objective of this study …

Teacher Ratings Of A Daily Behavior Report Card With Or Without A Treatment Integrity Measure, Meagan Boyd Medley

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined teacher perceptions of an intervention including a daily behavior report (DBRC) with a measure of treatment integrity present (Experimental Group) and without a measure of treatment integrity present (Control Group) The study was conducted in an analog (i.e., vignettes) online format with teacher participants from a southeastern school district. Each participant was presented with a vignette describing a student with problem classroom behaviors, a summary functional behavior assessment, and a sample behavior intervention plan including a DBRC. Only the Experimental Group was then presented with a direct observation measure of treatment integrity correlating to the DBRC. All …

In Vitro And In Vivo Assessment Of Platelet Function In Healthy Dogs During Low-Dose Aspirin Therapy, Jillian Marie Haines

Theses and Dissertations

Low-dose aspirin therapy in dogs inconsistently inhibits platelet function, termed ‘aspirin resistance’. There are no established diagnostic tests that can predict aspirin resistance in dogs prior to therapy. Platelet function was evaluated in healthy dogs prior to and during low-dose aspirin therapy using turbidimetric and impedance aggregometry, PFA-100, and urine 11-dehydro-thromboxane-B2 concentration. Following a washout, platelet-rich plasma from the dogs was incubated with aspirin and evaluated via turbidimetric aggregometry. After aspirin, the majority of dogs were classified as ‘aspirin responders’ with 81% responding after 7 days. Platelet dysfunction was not consistent in all dogs at all times. Compared to turbidimetric, …

Linking Individual Biological Outcomes To Resource Use, Christopher Ryan Ayers

Theses and Dissertations

Minimum resource requirements support population persistence; however, ecologists and conservationists often want to identify factors that improve biological outcomes of animals. The population-level approach common in wildlife-resource studies limits our ability to draw inferences about the importance of resources and other factors by failing to link them with individual fitness. Measuring individual-based biological outcomes and resource use helps determine variation in mechanistic relationships between animal fitness and behavior. I suggest using direct metrics of resource use such as food consumption and distance traveled, to avoid errors with estimating resource availability. I summarize these concepts in an analytical framework for modeling …

Management Of Glyphosate Resistant Palmer Amaranth In Bollgard Ii Xtendflex" Cotton, Daniel Zachary Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments were conducted to evaluate efficacy of dicamba, glufosinate, and glyphosate on Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.). Residual control was evaluated after dicamba was applied alone and in combination with fomesafen, fluometuron, acetochlor, and prometryn. Postemergence efficacy of dicamba, glufosinate, and glyphosate on different size Palmer amaranth was also evaluated. In addition, combinations of dicamba, glufosinate, and glyphosate were evaluated for efficacy on Palmer amaranth as well as spray coverage and spray droplet size as affected by various spray nozzles. Lastly, tolerance to dicamba, glufosinate, and glyphosate of cotton cultivars containing Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ technology was examined. Dicamba exhibited …

Identification Methods And Chemometric Analysis Of Mammalian Volatile Biomarkers, Shamitha Asoka Dissanayake

Theses and Dissertations

The ultimate goal of this research is to provide a low cost, efficient, reproducible, quantitative, non-invasive screening method to diagnose diseases at an early stage through identification of volatile biomarkers of disease. Progress has been made in the areas towards development of an analytical system that can provide a rapid and specific assay for above mentioned Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). (i) Methods have been designed for the collection, concentration, identification and quantification of volatile biomarkers. (ii) Advanced signal processing evaluation of data has tentatively identified key VOCs patterns with breath and body odor. (iii) Novel absorbent coatings have been studied …

Impact Of Parthenogenetic Development On Egg Albumen Characteristics And Subsequent Fertilization Success In Chinese Painted Quail, Priscila Santa Rosa

Theses and Dissertations

Parthenogenetic development (PD) in Chinese Painted quail decreases hatchability and increases early embryonic mortality. The objectives of this study were to determine if PD alters egg albumen ions, gases, and pH (virgin and mated hens) as well as the success of subsequent fertilization in mated quail and if egg storage and incubation temperature increase PD. In virgin hens, PD altered albumen characteristics over incubation. In fact, albumen from mated and virgin hens exhibiting PD showed similar albumen characteristics, and these characteristics were similar to early dead embryos in mated hens. Also, mated hens selected for parthenogenesis had less sperm holes …

Nuclear Her4 Mediates Acquired Resistance To Trastuzumab And Is Associated With Poor Outcome In Her2 Positive Breast Cancer, Sn Mohd Nafi, D Generali, G Kramer-Marek, M Gijsen, Et Al

School of Biomedical Sciences

The role of HER4 in breast cancer is controversial and its role in relation to trastuzumab resistance remains unclear. We showed that trastuzumab treatment and its acquired resistance induced HER4 upregulation, cleavage and nuclear translocation. However, knockdown of HER4 by specific siRNAs increased trastuzumab sensitivity and reversed its resistance in HER2 positive breast cancer cells. Preventing HER4 cleavage by a γ-secretase inhibitor and inhibiting HER4 tyrosine kinase activity by neratinib decreased trastuzumab-induced HER4 nuclear translocation and enhanced trastuzumab response. There was also increased nuclear HER4 staining in the tumours from BT474 xenograft mice and human patients treated with trastuzumab. Furthermore, …

Sustained And Transient Reward Effect On Cognitive Control In Schizophrenia: The Relevance Of Negative Symptoms, Yu Sun Chung

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is characterized by severe cognitive impairments and amotivation, generally referred to as negative symptoms, including anhedonia and/or avolition. Amotivation tends to exist in prodromal patients and persist over the illness course regardless of successful antipsychotic medications, which are known to reduce positive symptoms, including hallucination and delusions (e.g., (Horan, Blanchard, Clark, & Green, 2008; Tarbox et al., 2013). Importantly, amotivation is a promising predictor for later social functioning in SCZ, even after accounting for patients' cognitive impairments (e.g., (Evensen et al., 2012; Faerden et al., 2010). Despite this crucial impact on functioning outcome in SCZ, to date, no …

Serotonergic Signaling Pathways That Suppress Amyloid Beta In Mouse Models Of Ad, Jonathan Robert Fisher

All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is one of the most devastating things one can hear. This terrible disease robs people of their ability to remember cherished events as their brains become riddled with beta amyloid plaques. Alzheimer's is especially terrifying because there currently are no effective treatments for slowing or stopping the disease. However, recent research has shown that plaque formation is correlated to concentrations of amyloid beta. This discovery suggests that limiting amyloid beta production could potentially halt the disease. One promising avenue for slowing amyloid beta production is serotonergic signaling.

This dissertation presents evidence for a direct sequence …

Epithelial Immunization Induces Polyfunctional Cd8+ T Cells And Optimal Mousepox Protection., Adam R Hersperger, Nicholas A Siciliano, Brian C Dehaven, Adam E. Snook, Laurence C. Eisenlohr

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Faculty Papers

We assessed several routes of immunization with vaccinia virus (VACV) in protecting mice against ectromelia virus (ECTV). By a wide margin, skin scarification provided the greatest protection. Humoral immunity and resident-memory T cells notwithstanding, several approaches revealed that circulating, memory CD8(+) T cells primed via scarification were functionally superior and conferred enhanced virus control. Immunization via the epithelial route warrants further investigation, as it may also provide enhanced defense against other infectious agents.

3d Scanning Methodology To Characterize Surface Area And Envelope Volume Of Poultry, Livestock, And Equine, Emile Joseph Koury

Theses and Dissertations

Broiler birds have drastically increased in size over the past few decades through improvements in genetic selection. Physical measurements such as surface area, volume and physical dimensions are needed information in the construction of animal facilities and developing management guidelines. The objective of this study was to develop a three-dimensional scanning methodology to characterize surface area and envelope volume of poultry, livestock, and equine using a commercially available 3D digitizer system. The digitizing system used phase shift moiré to capture images of three test cylinders, four fiberglass animal models, and a live broiler bird. These images were spliced into physical …

American Black Bear Distribution And Density In Missouri, Clay Michael Wilton

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding species’ distribution, density, and sources of bias in population estimates is critical for reliable conservation strategies. I assessed American black bear distribution, density, and abundance in southern Missouri. Using anecdotal occurrence data, I demonstrated support for a northward trend in extent of occurrences over time and a positive correlation between bear distribution and human–bear incidents. I also used GPS telemetry and camera traps to investigate detection biases in DNA hair snare methods and tested efficacy of two sampling designs for estimating density using spatial capture-recapture models. Results demonstrated that detection probability decreased following a negative asymptotic relationship with decreasing …

Botulinum Associated With Visceral Toxicosis Of Catfish: Investigation Of A Viral-Vectored Heavy Chain Subunit Vaccine And Development Of A Zebrafish Bioassay, Kamalakar Chatla

Theses and Dissertations

Visceral toxicosis of catfish (VTC) is a sporadic, often devastating disease in catfish aquaculture, caused by botulinum neurotoxin serotype/E (BoNT/E). The median lethal dose of BoNT/E for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fingerlings is 13.7 pg/fish. The diagnosis of VTC is suspected if clinical signs and lesions are produced when affected serum is injected into sentinel-catfish and confirmed if this effect is neutralized with BoNT/E antitoxin. However, the assay is complicated in diagnostic cases by small serum samples from affected fish, lack of standardization and availability of small catfish (~10g). Therefore a zebrafish (~0.4g) bioassay for VTC diagnosis was tested and …

Effect Of Branding Gulf Oysters On Consumer’S Willingness To Pay, Sarah Acquah

Theses and Dissertations

Within the East coast and West Coast oyster market, oysters are generally marketed using product attributes and brand name. However the Gulf oyster market does not involve branding. Using choice experiment method and online survey data, the study estimated the effect of branding Gulf oysters on Gulf and Non-Gulf consumers’ willingness to pay. Alternative-specific conditional logit, Nested logit and Alternative-specific multinomial probit methods of analysis were used to investigate the Independence of Irrelevant Alternative assumption made about consumers. Pooled and scaled models were used to analyze the identified data categories from which consumers were found to share the same oyster …

Effect Of Supplementing Heat Stressed Dairy Cows With Electrolytes On Milk Yield, Composition, And Blood Metabolites, Carlos J. Cabrera

Theses and Dissertations

This study was done to examine the effects of supplementing electrolytes to heat stressed transitioning cows on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield (MY), and blood metabolites. Overall, 104 Holstein and Jersey cows were utilized from August to September, 2012, and from August to November, 2013. Control (CON) cows were fed standard TMR and E+ cows received the same TMR plus 170 g of Bovine BlueLite. The DMI, MY and composition, rectal temperature, and respiration rate were monitored daily; while blood metabolites, body weight, condition score and frame size (withers height, hip height, and heart girth) were measured weekly. The …