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Gametophytic Selection For Early Maturity In Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill), Mark Lawrence Crispi

Doctoral Dissertations

The feasibility of applying low temperature as a screen for selecting early gametes during pollination of tomato flowers was investigated. Pollen germination and tube growth on solidified agar were evaluated at 8, 15, or 25 C after 6, 12, 18, or 24 hours of incubation for two early-, two intermediate-, and two late-maturing tomato cultivars. Pollen from early cultivars showed superior germination and tube growth at 25 C, whereas pollen germination and tube growth of late cultivars were greatest at 15 C. Pollen germination and tube growth of the two early and two late cultivars were evaluated at three (three …

Expression Of The Murine Ornithine Decarboxylase Gene In Transgenic Nicotiana Tabacum Var Xanthi, Richard Anthony Descenzo

Doctoral Dissertations

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), arginine decarboxylase (ADC), and S-adenosyl-methionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) are the three key regulatory enzymes for polyamine (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) biosynthesis. In order to gain more insight into the relationship between polyamine metabolism and other physiological processes, research was undertaken to obtain increased putrescine biosynthesis in tobacco by overexpression of a murine ODC cDNA.

Both a full-length and a truncated murine ODC cDNA were cloned into a binary expression vector containing the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. Using standard leaf-disc transformation procedures, transgenic tobacco plants containing either the full length or the truncated ODC cDNA were obtained. …

Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis Of Magnetotactic Prokaryotes, Peter A. Eden

Doctoral Dissertations

Of the many diverse forms of magnetotactic bacteria found in nature, very few have been isolated in axenic culture. Consequently, it has not been possible to address by conventional microbiological techniques the extent of phylogenetic conservation of magnetotaxis among prokaryotes. Modern methods of DNA amplification combined with nucleotide sequence analysis were considered, at the inception of this study, to provide a means of addressing phylogenetic relatedness among magnetotactic bacteria in the absence of axenic cultures. Analysis was made of the 16S ribosomal RNA of Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum strain MS1 and Bilophococcus magnetotacticus, to initiate phylogenetic characterization of magnetotactic organisms. These freshwater …

Environmental And Biological Factors Affecting Tissue Composition Of Marine Macrophytes, Zhanyang Guo

Doctoral Dissertations

The tissue nitrogen and phosphorus composition of 59 marine macrophytes from the Great Bay Estuarine System, NH-Maine and adjacent coast is affected by a variety of environmental and biological factors; by contrast, tissue carbon is more consistent. The overall mean CNP ratio of these plants was 612:29:1, which deviated significantly from that previously recorded for phytoplankton.

The C:N:P ratios within seaweeds were more closely related to functional forms than phylogenetic relationships. Brown algae had higher C:N ratios than green and red algae. This pattern primarily resulted from the very high C:N ratios within thick bladed and coarsely branched species, which …

Neuropathology And Behavioral Impairments Following Pyrithiamine-Induced Thiamine Deficiency: Protective Effects Of Glutamate Antagonist Mk-801, John Kenneth Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations

Thirty-six male rats were extensively pretrained on a spatial delayed non-matching to sample (DNMTS) task at 0 sec, 3 sec, 4.5 sec, and 6 sec retention intervals. They were matched by performance and assigned to one of four treatment groups: pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency (PTD), pair-fed control, pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency plus injections of glutamate antagonist MK-801 (PTD + MK-801), or pair-feeding and MK-801 injections. After 16 days of treatment and three weeks recovery, subjects were tested again on nonmatching to sample. Performance was initially assessed at a 3-sec delay for 400 trials, and then memory delay was varied for 100 trials …

Genetic, Physiological And Anatomical Analyses Of A Wilty Mutant In Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill, Cv Large Plum), Karen Elizabeth Rasmussen

Doctoral Dissertations

Large Plum', a tomato cultivar carrying a wilty mutation (LP-wilty), was characterized genetically, physiologically, and anatomically. Inheritance, complementation, and mapping studies of LP-wilty were performed. The mutation was found to be inherited as a single dominant gene, distinct from other wilty alleles, and was mapped to the long arm of chromosome six.

Measurements were taken of stomatal conductance, root conductance, shoot water potential, and leaf water potential for 'Large Plum' and normal plants. Results suggest that both stomatal conductance and root conductance rates are reduced in the wilty mutants. In addition, shoot and leaf water potentials are more negative in …

Genetic Transformation Of Industrial Species Of Bacillus And Clostridium, Gregory Andrew Birrer

Doctoral Dissertations

The relationship between growth rate and competence for genetic transformation in B. subtilis 168 was investigated. B. subtilis grown in chemostat cultures expressed competence at a relatively rapid growth rate of 2.5 h (mass doubling time, t$\sb{\rm d}$). Since the literature suggested competence normally occurred at slower growth rates in batch cultures, B. subtilis was grown in a biomass recycling fermentor and extremely slow growth rates were examined for the expression of competence under carbon/energy limitation. No additional peaks on the number of competent cells were detected. However, major metabolic manifestations were observed at the growth rate where competence is …

Metabolic And Morphologic Differentiation In Escherichia Coli And Clostridium Beijerinckii, Robin Ann Ross

Doctoral Dissertations

The focus of the studies is the relationship of the growth rate and differentiation in bacterial genera. The first system is a division mutant of Escherichia coli which produces chromosome-less cells only after a mass doubling time of 20 h is reached. I determined that this unique growth-rate dependent division phenotype is caused by a mutation mapping within 1 min of the minB operon. This mutation is proposed to be in the topologic regulator of MinE activity. We also conclude that guanosine tetraphosphate interacts with this regulator to inhibit MinE activity at the cell poles.

The second system was Clostridium …

The Effect Of Co-Culture Systems From Non-Reproductive Origins On The Development Of Superovulated And In Vitro Fertilized Bovine Embryos., Hak-Nam Kim

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The objective of this experiment was to compare in vitro development of bovine embryos obtained from superovulation and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in two unique monolayer co-culture systems, bovine fetal spleen cell monolayers (BFS) and chick embryo fibroblast monolayers (CEF). To test the possible harmful effects of these co-culture systems, 225 murine morula-stage embryos were cultured for 72 hours with these monolayers. The percentage of hatched embryos was 62.7% in culture medium alone, 76% in BFS and 57.3% in CEF. BFS and CEF did not induce any detectable harmful effect on these developing murine embryos. When 60 transferable morula-stage bovine …

Comparative Overwintering Capabilities Of Africanized And European Honey Bees., Jose Damaso Villa

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The potential of tropical Africanized honey bees to survive through winter was investigated to predict their possible geographical range and density in the United States. Experiments were conducted in cold rooms, at high elevations in tropical mountains, and during a winter season in Germany. The performance and survival of isolated groups of workers and of intact Africanized colonies were compared with those of European origin, and in some experiments, with those of hybrid crosses. In cold rooms, groups of 40 g of Africanized workers exposed to air currents at 15$\sp\circ$C aggregated in different positions and in tighter conformations than European …

Metabolic Pathways Associated With Glycogen Storage In Chronically Active And Normal Skeletal Muscle., Robert James Talmadge

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

To determine the pathways used for glycogen synthesis in chronically active and normal muscle, muscles from C57B1/6J dy$\sp{\rm 2J}/$dy$\sp{\rm 2J}$(dy$\sp{\rm 2J}$) mice were evaluated biochemically and histochemically. The gastrocnemius muscle (GAST) of the dy$\sp{\rm 2J}$ mouse, a chronically active muscle, contained twice as much glycogen and lactate as control GAST. The dy$\sp{\rm 2J}$ triceps muscle (TRI), which is not chronically active, showed no elevation in glycogen content. An intraperitoneal injection of $\sp{14}$C-lactate resulted in increased incorporation of $\sp{14}$C into glycogen by dy$\sp{\rm 2J}$ compared to control GAST. Both normal and dy$\sp{\rm 2J}$ GAST incorporated $\sp{14}$C into glycogen in an in …

Factors Responsible For The Differential Growth Of Brucella Abortus In Bovine Trophoblasts., Luis Ernesto Samartino

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The interactions of bovine chorionic membrane explants (CAMs) as well as three different bovine trophoblastic cell lines with Brucella abortus were evaluated. The ability of B. abortus to infect and grow within the cells of these CAMs and within these cell lines was measured. In addition, prostanoid and hormone production by the trophoblastic cells after infection with B. abortus was measured. Internalization of B. abortus within the cells of CAMs derived from placentas from both 3-month-gravid cows and 7-month-gravid cows was similar. By 24 hours post-inoculation B. abortus replication in 7-months-derived CAMs was significantly greater than the replication occurring in …

Effects Of Chronic Administration Of Phenylbutazone On Reproduction In The Mare., Mareth Ellsworth

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Phenylbutazone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that acts by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins are associated with crucial aspects of reproduction. In 5 experiments, mares were used to test the effects of phenylbutazone on reproduction. In all experiments, treatment was 2 g phenylbutazone or 10 ml physiological saline intravenously(control). In Experiment I, 9 mares were phenylbutazone-treated for 180 consecutive days and teased. Ovaries were palpated and cyclicity was verified by circulating progesterone concentrations. Thirty-six cycles were evaluated. Mares were then divided into treatment and control groups. Estrous mares were artificially inseminated. Non-surgical embryo collection was performed 7 to 8 days post-ovulation. …

Pretest Development For Gifted Biology Students, Paulette B. Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Public education has redirected concern for the education of a subpopulation within the public schools which have special needs rooted in their innate abilities to excel in selected areas. That subpopulation identified as gifted students has traditionally been approached with a variety of attitudes and teaching methods which may or may not have fully addressed the student's unique talents. The implementation of a comprehensive program of gifted education within the school system isa renewed commitment to provide appropriate education for this subpopulation of gifted learners and as such involves different teaching methodologies. The utilization of an individualized learning program which …

Systematics Of Rudbeckia Subgenera Macrocline And Laciniata (Asteraceae: Heliantheae: Rudbeckiinae)., Patricia Blackwell Cox

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Rudbeckia, a North American genus, consists of approximately 21 species of annual and perennial herbs. Rudbeckia is separated into three subgenera (i.e. Laciniata (n = 19 (18)), Macrocline (n = 18) and Rudbeckia (n = 19)) based on morphological, cytological, chemical, and phylogenetic data. The present research includes a systematic study of subgenera Laciniata and Macrocline. Also included is a phylogenetic analysis of the coneflower genera (Dracopis, Echinacea, Ratibida, and Rudbeckia). Subgenus Laciniata contains Rudbeckia laciniata, which is composed of five morphological and geographical overlapping varieties. These include var. ampla, var. bipinnata, var. digitata, var. heterophylla, and var. laciniata. Twelve …

Isolation And Characterization Of Macrophage Inhibitory Compounds From Mycobacterium Paratuberculosis., Murray Elison Hines Ii

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Fractions exhibiting activity detrimental to the killing function of activated bovine monocyte/macrophages towards Candida albicans were obtained from Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Active fractions were initially derived by ultrasonication of bacterial samples followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, heat precipitation, acid precipitation and alkali treatment. Two different fractions that exhibited marked inhibition of macrophage killing ability were derived and partially characterized. Novel methodology was developed to accomplish the task of lysis and fractionation of mycobacteria utilizing the Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD) technique that appeared to be much more efficient and is certainly less time consuming and less …

Comparative Inflorescence And Floral Development In The Asteraceae. (Volumes I And Ii)., Elizabeth M. Harris

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Floral and inflorescence development of 39 species of Asteraceae and four additional species representing possible outgroups were examined with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Taxon choice was designed to include representatives of 12 of the 12 to 18 tribes recognized in the large, morphologically diverse family. Although floral ontogeny has provided phylogenetically useful characters in other plant groups, no similar studies have been applied to solve phylogenetic problems in the Asteraceae. The necessary live material was collected in several ways: from natural populations throughout North America, from the worldwide collections of several botanical gardens, grown from seed, or from cultivated …

Nuclear Transplantation: Intracellular Release And Extracellular Influx Of Calcium In Response To Electrofusion Pulse And Its Effect On Murine Oocyte Activation And Embryonic Development., Lee F. Rickords

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The transplantation of early embryonic cell nuclei into oocytes in which the maternal chromosomes have been removed is a method by which multiple offspring of the same genotype can be produced. One critical factor required for successful development of nuclear transfer derived embryos is inducing the release of the recipient ooplasm from meiotic arrest (activation). This is accomplished during fusion of the two cells. The DC electrofusion pulse used to fuse the two cells together also activates the recipient ooplasm to resume meiotic events, however, the efficiency of electrofusion pulse induced activation remains low. It is known that activation of …

The Differential Effects Of Either X-Irradiation Or Thermal Stress On The Two Major Cell Types Of The Blastocyst Stage Murine Embryo., Joe Steve Capehart

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The first objective of this investigation was to determine if either X-irradiation or thermal stress exerted differential effects on the two major cell types of the blastocyst stage murine embryo. Results of this study indicate that X-irradiation dosages of 0 rads, 500 rads, 600 rads, 700 rads, 800 rads, 900 rads or 1000 rads had no effect on the ability of treated embryos to either hatch or develop into trophoblastic outgrowths (P $<$.05). In contrast, X-irradiation treatment over the levels tested did have a detrimental effect on the ability of embryos to develop into trophblastic outgrowths possessing an ICM region (P $>$.05). X-irradiation over the levels tested had no effect on the mean two-dimensional outgrowth surface areas ($\mu$m$\sp2$) (P $>$.05). However, X-irradiation was found to have a …

The Evaluation And Comparison Of Aquatic Methodology For Measurement Of Bacterial Population Dynamics And Grazing Activity In Diverse Aquatic Ecosystems., Richardus F. Kaswadji

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Observations and experiments were conducted to evaluate methodologies for measuring aquatic bacterial population dynamics and grazing activity in ecologically dissimilar ecosystems. Samples were taken from Auke Bay, AK, the Mississippi River at Plaquemine, LA, the Terrebonne Bay estuary, LA, and the Mississippi River plume. Four methods were compared for measuring bacterioplankton growth and grazing mortality rates: dilution, filtration, antibiotic, and the Servais et al. (1985) procedures. The dilution method appeared to be the best among those compared. Among all sites, bacterial density ranged from 0.02 to 10$\sp6$ ml$\sp{-1}$, and bacterial growth and grazing mortality rates, estimated using the dilution method, …

Functional Morphology Of Gustatory Centers In The Brain Of The Channel Catfish, Ictalurus Punctatus., Charles Franklin Lamb Iv

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Gustatory nuclei in the isthmic region of the metencephalon and in the posterior diencephalon of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, were examined anatomically and electrophysiologically. Neurons in the superior secondary gustatory nucleus (nGS) responded to taste and tactile stimulation of large peripheral receptive fields (RFs) that often included the epithelia of the oropharyngeal cavity and whole extraoral body surface. Taste responses to amino acids and nucleotides were dose-dependent, with detected thresholds from micromolar to millimolar concentrations. The RF organization within the nGS did not display the somatotopy present in the medullary gustatory nuclei. Anatomical labeling of secondary gustatory fibers showed …

The Structural Organization Of Photosystem Ii Polypeptides., William Robert Odom

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The structural organization of Photosystem II polypeptides has been investigated using the protein crosslinking reagent 1-ethyl-3-(dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC), and a library of mono- and polyclonal antibodies. The first phase of this research was to generate the antibody probes against specific PS II polypeptides. A murine monoclonal antibody, FQC3, was characterized. It recognized the D2 protein of Spinacia oleracea L. The second phase of this research utilized antibodies against D1, D2, CPa-1, CPa-2, Cyt b$\sb{559}$, 33 kDa manganese stabilizing protein (MSP), 24 kDa extrinsic protein, and the 17 kDa extrinsic protein to identify PS II subunits crosslinked by EDC. Several intra-complex crosslinked …

Factors Controlling The Distribution Of The Black Mangrove, Avicennia Germinans L., In A Louisiana Mangal/Salt Marsh Community., Charles Stuart Patterson

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Mangroves are intertidal, halophytic trees limited to the tropics and subtropics because they are not cold-tolerant. In coastal Louisiana (29$\sp\circ$ N latitude), the black mangrove, Avicennia germinans, is the only mangrove found because Avicennia is the most cold-tolerant of mangrove genera. Avicennia intergrades with salt marsh cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, with 3 observed zones: an Avicennia zone, a transition zone, containing both Avicennia and Spartina, and a Spartina zone. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine why A. germinans does not occur in the Spartina zone within a mangal/salt marsh ecotone. Three studies investigated the following zone differences in: (1) …

Timed Daily Thermopulses Alter The Circadian Hormonal Regulation Of Glucose And Lipid Metabolism., Christopher Joseph De Souza

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Studies were made in Syrian hamsters and Holtzman rats to examine roles for circadian rhythms in the control of body fats stores. Baseline and circadian rhythms of plasma insulin varied seasonally in the Syrian hamster. Baseline concentrations of the hormone were almost 4 times greater in scotosensitive female hamsters held on short daily photoperiods when they were fat than in lean animals at other seasons and other photoperiodic schedules. Additionally, plasma insulin levels in fat hamsters, but not in lean animals, peaked at light onset when lipogenic responsiveness to insulin is greatest. The circadian rhythms of plasma insulin are not …

Pcr Amplification Of Chlamydial Momp Genes: Detection, Sequence Analysis And Evolution., Bernhard Kaltenboeck

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Sensitive detection and differentiation of the bacterial genus Chlamydia (C.) was accomplished using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and phylogenetic relationships among chlamydiae were inferred from DNA sequences of amplified major outer membrane protein (MOMP) genes. DNA of strains of C. psittaci was efficiently amplified using primers homologous to nontranslated regions of the MOMP genes (ompA). Portions of these reactions were reamplified using one different primer specific for an internal ompA sequence. Primary amplification products were differentiated by restriction analysis. Degenerate, inosine containing oligonucleotide primers homologous to terminal translated regions amplified DNA fragments of all chlamydial MOMP genes. Partial ompA …

Conceptus-Derived Immunosuppressive Factors And Their Role In Fetal Allograft Protection., Terri Lynn Roth

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

The role of conceptus-derived immunosuppressive factors in protecting the fetal allograft was investigated by first examining the immunosuppressive activity derived from ovine, caprine and hybrid conceptus trophoblast tissue. Medium conditioned by 20 day-old conceptus trophoblast tissue from each species suppressed sheep and goat lymphocyte proliferation (P $$.05) between the immunosuppressive effects of the three media on either sheep or goat lymphocytes. In subsequent studies, horse conceptus-conditioned medium (HCCM) derived from embryos at days 9, 15 and 26 of gestation, suppressed mitogen-stimulated horse lymphocytes (P $<$.001). HCCM maintained its suppressive activity following heating and repeated freeze-thawing. Using microconcentrator centrifugation, it was determined that the suppressor factor(s) was $>$100,000 MW. HCCM was tested in donkey and goat lymphocyte cultures and proved capable of …

The Rhodobacter Capsulatushema Region: Nucleotide Sequence And Functional Analysis., John Joseph Eckert

LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses

Most of the effort to elucidate the mechanism of oxygen-mediated regulation of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis in Rhodobacter capsulatus has focused on the first step in the biosynthetic pathway, the condensation of glycine with succinyl-CoA to form $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid. This reaction, in R. capsulatus, is catalyzed by $\delta$-aminolevulinate synthase, the product of the hemA gene. In order to facilitate further study of the hemA gene and its product, its nucleotide sequence was determined. The open reading frame encoding $\delta$-aminolevulinate synthase was determined to be 1,206 base pairs, encoding a 50,491 Da polypeptide of 401 amino acids. The DNA sequence was compared with …

The Search For Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome On Human Chromosomes 1 And 8., Kimberly Kay Comeau

Student Work

Branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder in which affected individuals may have conductive, sensorineural or mixed hearing loss, preauricular pits, structural defects of the outer, middle or inner ear, fistulas and cysts of the second bronchial arc and renal anomalies ranging from mild hypoplasia to complete agenesis. There is wide variation in expression of the syndrome and not all symptoms are present in all carriers of the gene. Less frequent systems (e.g. lacrimal duct stenosis) have been described.

Dicotyledonous Rosettes Of Eastern Nebraska: Descriptions And Key., Phillip David Moore

Student Work

The purpose of this study is to provide descriptions of keys to the identification for the dicotyledonous rosettes of eastern Nebraska. Rosettes are defined as herbaceous, terrestrial, acaulescent cluster of leaves. Vegetative descriptions are provided for 113 species pf 56 genera. A key to the species, based on the descriptions, is provided for identification of the taxa. Field collections were made from October 1988 through July 1990, with most specimens collected from August through November 1989. Specimens were pressed and dried using commonly accepted herbarium techniques. Voucher specimens are deposited at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Herbarium (OMA). Rosettes …

Electrophysiology, Cell Calcium, And Mechanisms Of Hepatocyte Volume Regulation, Walid E. Khalbuss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The electrophysiologic technique (Reuss, L., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:6014, 1985) was modified to measure changes in steady-state hepatocyte volume during osmotic stress. Hepatocytes in mouse liver slices were loaded with tetramethylammonium ion (TMA$\sp{+}$) during transient exposure of cells to nystatin. Intracellular TMA$\sp{+}$ activity (a$\sp{\rm i}\sb{\rm TMA}$) was measured with TMA$\sp{+}$-sensitive, double-barreled microelectrodes. Loading hepatocytes with TMA$\sp{+}$ did not change their membrane potential (V$\sb{\rm m}$), and under steady-state conditions a$\sp{\rm i}\sb{\rm TMA}$ remained constant over 4 min in single impalements. Hyperosmotic solutions (50, 100, & 150 mM sucrose added to media) and hyposmotic solutions (sucrose in media reduced by …