Life Sciences Commons^™

The Measurement Of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme In Human Serum, Andrew P. Kenny

Theses

The measurement of angiotensin converting enzyme using the substrate FAPGG was investigated with a view to optimising its performance. It was found that a 100 mnol/l triethanolamine-HCl buffer gave a significantly higher absorbance change then the existing TRIS-HCl in the method. As this buffer has not been previously described in the measurement of ACE it was decided to introduce this buffer into a kinetic procedure and evaluate the modified method. The reference interval for the triethanolamine Method was determined by measuring the ACE activity on 200 serum from blood donors and a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the SACE activity of male and female donors was observed.

The modified method was found …

Robert J. Boxer Papers, Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections

Finding Aids

This collection consists of various drafts and the finished manuscript of Robert J. Boxer's 1997 textbook, Essentials of Organic Chemistry. Materials span 1988- 1997 and also include correspondence with publishers, including contracts.

Find this collection in the University Libraries' catalog.

Rna Base-Amino Acid Interaction Strengths Derived From Structures And Sequences, Brooke Lustig, S Arora, R L. Jernigan

Brooke S. Lustig

We investigate RNA base-amino acid interactions by counting their contacts in structures and their implicit contacts in various functional sequences where the structures can be assumed to be preserved. These frequencies are cast into equations to extract relative interaction energetics. Previously we used this approach in considering the major groove interactions of DNA, and here we apply it to the more diverse interactions observed in RNA. Structures considered are the three different tRNA synthetase complexes, the U1A spliceosomal protein with an RNA hairpin and the BIV TARTat complex. We use binding data for the base frequencies for the seryl, aspartyl …

Complexes Between Nascent Polypeptides And Their Molecular Chaperones In The Cytosol Of Mammalian Cells, Daryl K. Eggers, W. J. Welch, W. J. Hansen

Daryl K. Eggers

Folding of newly synthesized proteins in vivo is believed to be facilitated by the cooperative interaction of a defined group of proteins known as molecular chaperones. We investigated the direct interaction of chaperones with nascent polypeptides in the cytosol of mammalian cells by multiple methods. A new approach using a polyclonal antibody to puromycin allowed us to tag and capture a population of truncated nascent polypeptides with no bias as to the identity of the bound chaperones. In addition, antibodies that recognize the cytosolic chaperones hsp70, CCT (TRiC), hsp40, p48 (Hip), and hsp90 were compared on the basis of their …

Complexes Between Nascent Polypeptides And Their Molecular Chaperones In The Cytosol Of Mammalian Cells, Daryl K. Eggers, W. J. Welch, W. J. Hansen

Faculty Publications, Chemistry

Folding of newly synthesized proteins in vivo is believed to be facilitated by the cooperative interaction of a defined group of proteins known as molecular chaperones. We investigated the direct interaction of chaperones with nascent polypeptides in the cytosol of mammalian cells by multiple methods. A new approach using a polyclonal antibody to puromycin allowed us to tag and capture a population of truncated nascent polypeptides with no bias as to the identity of the bound chaperones. In addition, antibodies that recognize the cytosolic chaperones hsp70, CCT (TRiC), hsp40, p48 (Hip), and hsp90 were compared on the basis of their …

The Drosophila Melanogaster Rad54 Homolog, Dmrad54, Is Involved In The Repair Of Radiation Damage And Recombination, Rolf Kooistra, José B. M. Zonneveld, Anja De Jong, Jan C. J. Eeken, Chris J. Osgood, Jean-Marie Buerstedde, Paul H. M. Lohman, Albert Pastink

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The RAD54 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae plays a crucial role in recombinational repair of double-strand breaks in DNA. Here the isolation and functional characterization of the RAD54 homolog of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, DmRAD54, are described. The putative Dmrad54 protein displays 46 to 57% identity to its homologs from yeast and mammals. DmRAD54 RNA was detected at all stages of fly development, but an increased level was observed in early embryos and ovarian tissue. To determine the function of DmRAD54, a null mutant was isolated by random mutagenesis. DmRAD54-deficient flies develop normally, but the females …

A Study Of Biochemical And Haematological Variables With Performance In Showjumping Horses, Darren B. Simmons

Theses : Honours

This honours project examined the biochemical and haematological changes induced by exercise in the showjumping horse to determine whether a relationship exists between these values and performance. To complete this study 7 geldings and 1 stallion who were considered competition fit by their trainers were subjected to 2 forms of exercise. The first phase of this study involved an incremental exercise test performed at the Byford City Council horse training facility. The horses were cantered/galloped around a 1300m all weather training track at velocities of 6, 8, 10, and 12 m/sec for a duration of 2 minutes for each workload. …

Description Of Tadpoles Of Three Species Of Scinax (Anura: Hylidae), Rafael O. De Sá, Rocjard Wassersig, Arturo I. Kehr

Biology Faculty Publications

Larval morphological characteristics have been used to cluster species of Scinax in seven species groups and to support the monophyly of some of these groups. However, our present knowledge of Scinax tadpoles is incomplete; currently, tadpoles of only 21 of the approximately 80 recognized species have been described. Herein, we describe and illustrate the external morphology and oral disc characteristics of larval Scinax berthae, S. nebulosa, and S. boesemani. The presence of a "labial arm" supporting the P3 tooth row in S. boesemani, and its absence from S. nebulosa, is discussed in the light of our limited knowledge of tadpoles …

Choline Acetyltransferase And Carnitine Acetyltransferase Activity In Human Spermatozoa During Capacitation, Lisa A. Eccles

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

The regional distribution of ChAT activity in human spermatozoa is altered during in vitro capacitation and it correlates with the fertilizing potential of sperm.

Regional immunoreactivity in human spermatozoa as assessed by fluorescent immunocytochemistry was compared with ChAT and CaAT activity determined by enzymatic methodologies. Increasing proportions of sperm exhibited ChAT immunoreactivity along the equatorial region with a concomitant decrease in ChAT reactivity in the midpiece. Also, competitive studies with unlabeled ChAT blocked the equatorial region labeling; the unlabeled CaAT blocked staining along the midpiece region of the tail, suggesting some cross-reactivity of the ChAT antiserum with the CaAT enzyme. …

Abnormalities In Post-Translational Processing Of Platelet Rap 1b In Niddm: A Possible Cause Of Platelet Hyperactivity And Cardiovascular Disease In Diabetes, Elizabeth Ann Hall

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Post-translational processing is critical for the appropriate subcellular localization and function of platelet G-proteins. The majority of the platelet responses to agonists are mediated through specific receptor/G-protein complexes. Therefore, G-protein activity is central to "normal" platelet activity (i.e. aggregation). We have shown that Simvastatin, the in vivo inhibitor of HMG CoA Reductase and therefore isoprenoid synthesis, inhibits the post-translational processing of specific platelet G-proteins and alters platelet responses to agonists. These results show the importance of post-translational processing of G-proteins to platelet activity. Altered post-translational processing of specific G-proteins may explain platelet hyperactivity and the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease …

Nest Box Use, Reproductive Success, And Nestling Growth Of American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius) Nesting Along The Coastal Plain Of Georgia, Walter Roy Shuford

Legacy ETDs

In an attempt to increase breeding populations of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) in Georgia, 402 nest boxes were erected in the Coastal Plain of Georgia beginning in 1994 through the spring of 1996. Nest box occupancy averaged 8% in 1996 and 9.7% in 1997, two fold the average in 1995. Occupancy at Fort Gordon military base averaged 27.5% (28 of 102) in 1996 and 29 4% (30 of 102) in 1997 Nest box use in all other areas averaged 13% (4 of 300) in 1996 and increased to 3% (9 of 300) in 1997. Clutch sizes for nests …

Acute And Chronic Exposure To Lead: Cellular And Behavioral Effects On The Pond Snail Helisoma Trivolvis, Virginia T. Bennett

Legacy ETDs

The focus of this study is on the effects of lead on Helisoma trivolvis, a pulmonate pond snail. Many species of molluscs are being used as bioindicators of environmental toxins. To provide a background for the reader, a brief history and description of the Phylum Mollusca (at the class level) is presented in Chapter 1. A second chapter (Ch. 2) is concerned with lead and its effects. A synopsis of past and present studies that show the interaction between lead and molluscs is given in Chapter 3, then two experimental chapters follow. The first experimental chapter (Ch. 4) is …

Small Miracles: Propagation Efforts Using Plants In The Family Hamamelidaceae, Martha Sasser Joiner

Legacy ETDs

Attempts were made to propagate five species in the family Hamamelidaceae by softwood cuttings or seeds. Local populations of witch-hazel Hamamelis virginiana L. and sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua L. supplied cuttings and seeds of these native American species. Cultivated plants of dwarf witch-alder Fothergilla gardenii Murray were used initially for cuttings. Later, three native populations of this species were located and cuttings were obtained from them. Also, for seed propagation studies, seeds of F. gardenii were obtained from the North Carolina Botanical Garden and seeds were obtained from cultivated plants of two Asian species, winter hazel Corylopsis sinensis Hemsley and Chinese …

Direct Measurement Of Diffuse Double-Layer Forces At The Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interface Using An Atomic Force Microscope, Kai Hu, Fu-Ren F. Fan, Allen J. Bard, Andrew C. Hillier

Andrew C. Hillier

The forces between a silica probe and an n-type TiO2 single-crystal electrode were measured using an atomic force microscope in an aqueous electrolyte solution. These interactions were a strong function of the solution pH, the presence of specifically adsorbed anions, and the TiO2 electrode potential. For a series of pH values, a strong electrostatic repulsion was seen at high pH and decreased as the pH was reduced. At pH values below 5.5, the interaction became attractive. A series of force measurements between SiO2 and n-type TiO2 showed a repulsive interaction when TiO2 was held at negative electrode potentials, which transformed …