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Spatial Sequestration Of Misfolded Proteins In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Sarah Rolli, Emily M. Sontag

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Properly folded, functional proteins are essential for cell health. Cells sustain protein homeostasis, or proteostasis, via protein quality control (PQC) mechanisms. It is currently hypothesized that a breakdown in proteostasis during ageing leads to the accumulation of protein aggregates in the cell and disease. Sequestration of misfolded proteins into PQC compartments represents one branch of the PQC network. In neurodegenerative diseases, certain proteins form abnormal protein deposits. Which PQC compartments house misfolded proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases is still being investigated. It remains unclear if sequestration of these misfolded proteins is toxic or protective to the cell. Here, we review …

Summer Food Habits Of Myotis Leibii In The Central Appalachians Ecoregion And Comparison To Similar Studies, John O. Whitaker Jr., Virgil Brack Jr., James D. Kiser Jr.

Virginia Journal of Science

Food habits of Myotis leibii, Eastern Small-footed Myotis, were studied during summer in the Central Appalachians Ecoregion. Moths were 70.0% of the diet by volume and were in 97.7% of samples (percent frequency). Beetles, flies, and spiders comprised much of the remaining diet. Percent volume and percent frequency metrics produce similar results. These data and past studies indicate this bat eats a relatively low-diversity diet centered on terrestrial-based arthropod prey across a broad geographical area, irrespective of season, sex, or age. The presence of spiders in the diet may indicate gleaning.

The Effects Of Ionizing Radiation On Domestic Dogs: Ancestry And Genetic Structure Of Free-Roaming Dog Populations In Chernobyl, Ukraine, Gabriella Jean Spatola

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is concerned with the effects of ionizing radiation on domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) which were commonly used as laboratory subjects during the era of atomic bomb testing (1950s - 1980s). Early laboratory studies on radiation effects in dogs provided important foundations of knowledge for research that has more recently shifted to natural populations exposed to ionizing radiation from nuclear accidents. A unique group of free-roaming dogs reside in an environment polluted by radioactive contamination deposited during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, providing one such opportunity to study the effects of ionizing radiation on dogs …

Retinal Organoids Derived From Rhesus Macaque Ipscs Undergo Accelerated Differentiation Compared To Human Stem Cells, Antonio Jacobo Lopez, Sangbae Kim, Xinye Qian, Jeffrey Rogers, J Timothy Stout, Sara M Thomasy, Anna La Torre, Rui Chen, Ala Moshiri

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

PURPOSE: To compare the timing and efficiency of the development of Macaca mulatta, a nonhuman primate (NHP), induced pluripotent stem cell (rhiPSC) derived retinal organoids to those derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

RESULTS: Generation of retinal organoids was achieved from both human and several NHP pluripotent stem cell lines. All rhiPSC lines resulted in retinal differentiation with the formation of optic vesicle-like structures similar to what has been observed in hESC retinal organoids. NHP retinal organoids had laminated structure and were composed of mature retinal cell types including cone and rod photoreceptors. Single-cell RNA sequencing was conducted at …

Release Rates Of Typhlodromus Athiasae Porath And Swirski (Acari: Phytoseiidae) To Control The Two-Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus Urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) On Apple Seedlings Under Greenhouse Conditions, معدلات إطلاق المفترس Typhlodromus Athiasae Porath And Swirski (Acari: Phytoseiidae) للسيطرة على الأكاروس الأحمر ذو البقعتين Tetranychus Urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) على غراس تفاح ضمن شروط البيوت البلاستيكية, Ibrahem Sakr, Majeda Mofleh, Abd-Ulnabi Basheer, Hamza Dahiah

Arab Journal of Arid Environments المجلة العربية للبيئات الجافة

A study was conducted at the Biological control studies and Research Centre -BCSRS (Damascus University /Syria) during 2013 - 2014. The effectiveness of the predatory mite Typhlodromus athiasae Porath and Swirski (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a suppressive agent of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), was evaluated on apple seedlings at release rates 1:10, 1:20 1:40 predator:prey and no predaceous mites serving as control under greenhouse conditions. The ratio of 1:10 predator:prey reduced T. urticae populations significantly after one week of release with the highest density of T. athiasae occurring in 6th week, and kept them at low …

A Biological Study Of Grapevine Powdery Mildew Caused By Erysiphe Necator Schwein In Sweida Province, Southern Syria, دراسة بيولوجية للفطر Erysiphe Necator Schwein المسبب لمرض البياض الدقيقي على الكرمة في محافظة السويداء جنوبي سورية, Fawaz Azmeh, Walid Naffaa, Nujoud Alimad

Arab Journal of Arid Environments المجلة العربية للبيئات الجافة

Grapevine powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe necator Schwein. is one of the most important fungal diseases of the grapevine all over the world. Due to the lack of local studies about the source of primary inoculum at the beginning of the season and the progression of the disease during the season, the aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of grapevine powdery mildew and its biology on four local varieties cultivated in Sweida province (Syria) during 2015 and 2016. The results showed that E. necator survived as mycelium in grapevine dormant buds during winter to form "flag shoots" …

Targeting The Side-Chain Convergence Of Α-Helical Hot Spots To Design Small-Molecule Mimetics Disrupting Protein-Protein Interaction, Zhen Wang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

α-Helix accounts for the largest class of protein secondary structures and plays a key role in mediating protein-protein interactions (PPIs). Small-molecule α-helix mimetics mimic the structural features of α-helical hot spots and offer a powerful tool to unravel complex signaling networks and mitigate aberrant PPIs. In this dissertation, the side-chain conformational convergence of α-helical hot spots was disclosed, and insights into the side-chain convergence were exploited to instruct the design of small-molecule α-helix mimetics. The first chapter of this dissertation provides an overview of the characteristics of α-helical hot spots and current strategies to design small-molecule α-helix mimetics. In chapter …

Exploring The Structure And Activity Of Metallo-Tetracyclines, Shahedul Islam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Copper as a key component of electron transport chain of eukaryotes is an essential transition metal ion. Copper homeostasis in mammals complex and tightly regulated. Its strong reactivity together with binding with biologically important chemicals can have important repercussions in human health and overall environment. Tetracycline as one of most abundantly used antibiotic of the world has become abundant in the environment as well. Herein in this dissertation we take the journey to explore the complexation of tetracycline with metals in the environment and the intricate interaction between copper and tetracycline by investigating their oxidative behavior once they are complexed. …

Volume 2, Chapter 19-3: Bryophyte Defenses Against Bacteria, Janice M. Glime

Bryophyte Ecology Subchapters

No abstract provided.

Religiousness And Health Locus Of Control In Polish Physical Education Students, Monika Guszkowska, Anna Kuk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this research was to determine relationships between religious commitment and health locus of control (HLC) for the group of students of the University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland, including gender and study faculty differences. Material/Methods: Full-time students (n = 247) of the Warsaw University of Physical Education were investigated. Religious Commitment Scale (RCS) and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) were used. Results: Few and weak relationships between religious commitment and health locus of control were found; they were stronger within the group of male and physical education students. Cluster analysis by the Ward …

The Diagnostic Value Of Attributes From An Optimum Set Of Variables For Explaining An Outcome In Powerlifting At The Junior Level, Lukasz Plociennik, Igor Rygula, Tomasz Dancewicz, Krzysztof Łukaszuk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The sport of powerlifting has been extensively studied, but there is lack of information on an optimum list of features that explain performance in 19–20-years-old contestants. Therefore, the study aimed at two research objectives: (1) to determine a minimum set of attributes contributing the most information to an outcome; (2) to develop a biometric model describing the sport result. The study group (n = 30) consisted of athletes (aged 19.38 ±0.84) competing in powerlifting. Two methods for collecting information were used: observation and a diagnostic survey. Analytical methods comprised the multiple regression and Hellwig’s method. An analysis revealed that the …

Recommendations For Daytime, Evening, And Nighttime Indoor Light Exposure To Best Support Physiology, Sleep, And Wakefulness In Healthy Adults, Timothy M Brown, George Brainard, Christian Cajochen, Charles A Czeisler, John P Hanifin, Steven W Lockley, Robert J Lucas, Mirjam Münch, John B O'Hagan, Stuart N Peirson, Luke L A Price, Till Roenneberg, Luc J M Schlangen, Debra J Skene, Manuel Spitschan, Céline Vetter, Phyllis C Zee, Kenneth P Wright

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Ocular light exposure has important influences on human health and well-being through modulation of circadian rhythms and sleep, as well as neuroendocrine and cognitive functions. Prevailing patterns of light exposure do not optimally engage these actions for many individuals, but advances in our understanding of the underpinning mechanisms and emerging lighting technologies now present opportunities to adjust lighting to promote optimal physical and mental health and performance. A newly developed, international standard provides a SI-compliant way of quantifying the influence of light on the intrinsically photosensitive, melanopsin-expressing, retinal neurons that mediate these effects. The present report provides recommendations for lighting, …

Amphiphilic Cyclic Peptide [W4Kr5]-Antibiotics Combinations As Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Agents, Eman H. M. Mohammed, Sandeep Lohan, Rakesh K. Tiwari, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Linear and cyclic amphiphilic peptides, (W₄KR₅) and [W₄KR₅], were evaluated as antibacterial agents against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including four multi-drug resistant strains and the corresponding four non-resistant strains. Cyclic peptide [W₄KR₅] showed higher antibacterial activity than the linear (W₄KR₅) counterpart. Cyclic [W₄KR₅] was subjected to combination (physical mixture or covalent conjugation) with meropenem as a model antibiotic to study the impact of the combination on antimicrobial activity. A physical mixture of meropenem and [W₄KR₅] showed …

Pocket2drug: An Encoder-Decoder Deep Neural Network For The Target-Based Drug Design, W T. Shi, M Singha, G Srivastava, L M. Pu, W T. Shi, M Brylinski

Faculty Publications

Computational modeling is an essential component of modern drug discovery. One of its most important applications is to select promising drug candidates for pharmacologically relevant target proteins. Because of continuing advances in structural biology, putative binding sites for small organic molecules are being discovered in numerous proteins linked to various diseases. These valuable data offer new opportunities to build efficient computational models predicting binding molecules for target sites through the application of data mining and machine learning. In particular, deep neural networks are powerful techniques capable of learning from complex data in order to make informed drug binding predictions. In …

Astrocyte-Secreted Chordin-Like 1 Regulates Spine Density After Ischemic Injury, Elena Blanco-Suarez, Nicola J Allen

Department of Neuroscience Faculty Papers

Ischemic injury occurs when the brain is deprived of blood flow, preventing cells from receiving essential nutrients. The injury core is the brain region directly deprived and is surrounded by the peri-infarct area, the region with recovery potential. In the peri-infarct area neurons undergo acute loss of dendritic spines, which modifies synaptic plasticity and determines neuronal survival. Astrocytes can be protective or detrimental to the ischemic injury response depending on the specific stage, yet we lack clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Chordin-like 1 (Chrdl1) is an astrocyte-secreted protein that promotes synaptic maturation and limits experience-dependent plasticity in the mouse …

Geometry Unites Synchrony, Chimeras, And Waves In Nonlinear Oscillator Networks, Roberto C. Budzinski, Tung T. Nguyen, Jacqueline Crossed D Signoàn, Ján Mináč, Terrence J. Sejnowski, Lyle E. Muller

Neuroscience Institute Publications

One of the simplest mathematical models in the study of nonlinear systems is the Kuramoto model, which describes synchronization in systems from swarms of insects to superconductors. We have recently found a connection between the original, real-valued nonlinear Kuramoto model and a corresponding complex-valued system that permits describing the system in terms of a linear operator and iterative update rule. We now use this description to investigate three major synchronization phenomena in Kuramoto networks (phase synchronization, chimera states, and traveling waves), not only in terms of steady state solutions but also in terms of transient dynamics and individual simulations. These …

Growth Performance Parameters Of European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax) Cultured In Marine Water Farm And Fed Commercial Diets Of Different Protein Levels, Basma Saleem, Ola Orma, Amr Abd El-Wahab, Tarek Ibrahim

Mansoura Veterinary Medical Journal

Objective: To evaluate the growth performance and whole-body composition of growing E. Sea bass cultured in marine water farm and fed commercial fish diets containing 42.3% to 39.60% crude protein (CP) and 17.4 % to 17.8 % fat. Design: Randomized controlled study Samples: Five ponds out of the 8-ponds open marine water farm of 12 Feddans were used. Procedures: Each pond (120 m length x 40 m width x 1.5 m depth) stocked with 5500 growing E. Sea bass of about 25 g initial mean body weight. Fish feeding and management were followed up for 6 months (June to November …

Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase 2 (Got2) Reverse Reaction Could Act As A Possible Relief Valve For Mitochondrial Substrate Overload Induced By Glucocorticoids, Humza Pirzadah

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Natural Phaeosphaeride A Derivatives Overcome Drug Resistance Of Tumor Cells And Modulate Signaling Pathways, Victoria Abzianidze, Natalia Moiseeva, Diana Suponina, Sofya Zakharenkova, Nadezhda Rogovskaya, Lidia Laletina, Alvin A. Holder, Denis Krivorotov, Alexander Bogachenkov, Alexander Garabadzhiu, Anton Ukolov, Vyacheslav Kosorukov

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

n the present study, natural phaeosphaeride A (PPA) derivatives are synthesized. Anti-tumor studies are carried out on the PC3, K562, HCT-116, THP-1, MCF-7, A549, NCI-H929, Jurkat, and RPMI8226 tumor cell lines, and on the human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line. All the compounds synthesized turned out to have better efficacy than PPA towards the tumor cell lines listed. Among them, three compounds exhibited an ability to overcome the drug resistance of tumor cells associated with the overexpression of the P-glycoprotein by modulating the work of this transporter. Luminex xMAP technology was used to assess the effect of five synthesized compounds …

Predation In Many Dimensions: Spatial Context Is Important For Meaningful Functional Response Experiments, Steven A. Juliano, Jonah A. Goughnour, Geoffrey D. Ower

Faculty Publications – Biological Sciences

For simplicity and to minimize variation, functional response experiments frequently use environments of simple physical structure and small size. Less attention is paid to similarity of the experimental environment to the natural environment where predation occurs. Assumptions about predator and prey use of space are often implied in the choice of experimental environment. We illustrate how these assumptions may affect conclusions with an experiment testing how arena size affects a functional response. Toxorhynchites rutilus preyed upon larval Culex restuans in containers differing in volume by 15x, but spanning a similar range of prey/liter. The most plausible Type II model included …

Neuroscience And Criminal Justice: Time For A "Copernican Revolution"?, John S. Callender

William & Mary Law Review

The main purpose of this Article is to argue for a fundamental change in the conceptual orientation of criminal justice: from one based on concepts such as free will, desert, and moral responsibility, to one based on empirical science. The Article describes research in behavioral genetics, acquired brain injuries, and psychological traumatization in relation to criminality. This research has reached a level of development at which the traditional approach to criminality is no longer tenable and should be discarded. I argue that mental health legislation provides a model that could be adapted and applied to offenders.

Cheminformatics Application In The Phytochemical And Biological Study Of Eucalyptus Globulus L. Bark As A Potential Hepatoprotective Drug, Khaled Nematallah, Sahar Elmekkawy, Maha Abdollah, Mohamed Elmazar, Essam Abdel Sattar, Meselhy R. Meselhy

Pharmacy

Natural products are considered as a good source of antifibrotic agents, but identifying and isolating bioactive molecule(s) is still challenging. Fortunately, numerous computational techniques have evolved to save time and efforts in this field. The aim of the current study was to utilize several cheminformatics software to study the chemical and biological features of the bark of Eucalyptus globulus cultivated in Egypt. Sirius software, with the aid of online databases, was used to process liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) chemical profiling and predict precise molecular formulae, chemical classes, and structures. Accordingly, 37 compounds were tentatively identified, including 15 reported here for …

Ghost Mitochondria Drive Metastasis Through Adaptive Gcn2/Akt Therapeutic Vulnerability, Jagadish C Ghosh, Michela Perego, Ekta Agarwal, Irene Bertolini, Yuan Wang, Aaron R Goldman, Hsin-Yao Tang, Andrew V Kossenkov, Catherine J Libby, Lucia R Languino, Edward F Plow, Annamaria Morotti, Luisa Ottobrini, Marco Locatelli, David W Speicher, M Cecilia Caino, Joel Cassel, Joseph M Salvino, Marie E Robert, Valentina Vaira, Dario C Altieri

Department of Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

Cancer metabolism, including in mitochondria, is a disease hallmark and therapeutic target, but its regulation is poorly understood. Here, we show that many human tumors have heterogeneous and often reduced levels of Mic60, or Mitofilin, an essential scaffold of mitochondrial structure. Despite a catastrophic collapse of mitochondrial integrity, loss of bioenergetics, and oxidative damage, tumors with Mic60 depletion slow down cell proliferation, evade cell death, and activate a nuclear gene expression program of innate immunity and cytokine/chemokine signaling. In turn, this induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), activates tumor cell movements through exaggerated mitochondrial dynamics, and promotes metastatic dissemination in vivo. In …

Live-Dead Assay On Unlabeled Cells Using Phase Imaging With Computational Specificity, Chenfei Hu, Shenghua He, Young Jae Lee, Yuchen He, Edward M Kong, Hua Li, Mark A Anastasio, Gabriel Popescu

Open Access Publications

Existing approaches to evaluate cell viability involve cell staining with chemical reagents. However, the step of exogenous staining makes these methods undesirable for rapid, nondestructive, and long-term investigation. Here, we present an instantaneous viability assessment of unlabeled cells using phase imaging with computation specificity. This concept utilizes deep learning techniques to compute viability markers associated with the specimen measured by label-free quantitative phase imaging. Demonstrated on different live cell cultures, the proposed method reports approximately 95% accuracy in identifying live and dead cells. The evolution of the cell dry mass and nucleus area for the labeled and unlabeled populations reveal …

From Aristotle To Wunderkammer: The Development Of Entomology And Insect Collections, Erica E. Fischer

Grand Valley Journal of History

This paper analyzes the development of insect classification and the shift from the realm of the amateur naturalist to professional scientific pursuit. While earlier historians of science have explored the field of entomology in specific eras, this paper explores continuity and change in the study of insects and natural history collections from the ancient world to the 20^th century. Period entomology texts, modern entomology and history of science journals, entomological displays and preserved specimens, and histories of entomology reveal that, though entomology developed as a private pursuit for the wealthy, it came to represent an ideal starting place for …

Development Of Zinc Oxide/Hydroxyapatite/Poly(D,L-Lactic Acid) Fibrous Scaffold For Tissue Engineering Applications, Victoria Padilla-Gainza, Heriberto Rodríguez-Tobías, Graciela Morales, Antonio Ledezma-Pérez, Carmen Alvarado-Canché, Raúl Loera-Valencia, Cristóbal Rodríguez, Robert Gilkerson, Carlos Trevino De Leo, Karen Lozano

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Scaffolds based on polymeric fibers represent an engaging biomedical device due to their particular morphology and similarity with extracellular matrices. The biggest challenge to use fibrous materials in the biomedical field is related to their favorable platform for the adhesion of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, their optimum performance not only depends on their bioactive potential but also on their antimicrobial properties. The aim of this work was the design of antimicrobial (zinc oxide, ZnO) and bioactive (hydroxyapatite, Hap) fibrous materials using poly(D, L-lactic acid) (PDLLA) as the polymer fiber substrate. Fiber based composite scaffolds were developed using the Forcespinning® technique. For …

New Tetra-Dentate Schiff Base Ligand N2o2 And Its Complexes With Some Of Metal Ions: Preparation, Identification, And Studying Their Enzymatic And Biological Activities, Khitam J. Nabhan, Amer S. Mahdi, Basim H. Al-Zaidi, Ahmad H. Ismail, Zaizafoone N. Nasif

Baghdad Science Journal

In present work, new tetra-dentate ligand, titled 3,5-bis ((E)-5-Bromo-2-hydroxy benzylidene amino) benzoic acid (H3L), was prepared via an acid-catalyzed condensation process. New four metallic ligand complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions, were also prepared from the refluxing of equivalent moles. Ligand's structure and its complexes; were confirmed by numerous characterization methods, including Ultraviolet-Visible, Infrared, Mass Spectrometer, 1H and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra, atomic absorption, magnetic moments, and molar conductivity measurements. The results of the spectroscopic analyzes proved that the prepared ligand acts as tetradentate bi-ionic ligand and it was bonded to the metal ions by two nitrogen …

Sex-Specific Aging In Animals: Perspective And Future Directions, Anne M. Bronikowski, Richard P. Meisel, Peggy R. Biga, James R. Walters, Judith E. Mank, Erica Larschan, Gerald S. Wilkinson, Nicole Valenzuela, Ashley Mae Conard, João Pedro De Magalhães, Jingyue (Ellie) Duan, Amy E. Elias, Tony Gamble, Rita M. Graze, Kristin E. Gribble, Jill A. Kreiling, Nicole C. Riddle

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Sex differences in aging occur in many animal species, and they include sex differences in lifespan, in the onset and progression of age-associated decline, and in physiological and molecular markers of aging. Sex differences in aging vary greatly across the animal kingdom. For example, there are species with longer-lived females, species where males live longer, and species lacking sex differences in lifespan. The underlying causes of sex differences in aging remain mostly unknown. Currently, we do not understand the molecular drivers of sex differences in aging, or whether they are related to the accepted hallmarks or pillars of aging or …

Anty 418:.01: Evolution And Genetic Variation In Human Populations, Meradeth H. Snow

University of Montana Course Syllabi, 2021-2025

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Placebo Administration On Immune Mechanisms And Relationships With Central Endogenous Opioid Neurotransmission, Alan Prossin, Alisa Koch, Phillip Campbell, Geoffroy Laumet, Christian S Stohler, Robert Dantzer, Jon-Kar Zubieta

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Behavioral conditioning and expectation can have profound impact on animal and human physiology. Placebo, administered under positive expectation in clinical trials, can have potent effects on disease pathology, obscuring active medications. Emerging evidence suggests placebo-responsive neurotransmitter systems (e.g., endogenous opioid) regulate immune function by manipulating inflammatory proteins including IL-18, a potent pro-inflammatory, nociceptive cytokine implicated in pathophysiology of various diseases. Validation that neuroimmune interactions involving brain μ-opioid receptor (MOR) activity and plasma IL-18 underlie placebo analgesic expectation could have widespread clinical applications. Unfortunately, current lack of mechanistic clarity obfuscates clinical translation. To elucidate neuroimmune interactions underlying placebo analgesia, we exposed …