Life Sciences Commons^™

Elucidation Of Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Tumor Necrosis Factor (Tnf) Release From Mast Cells, Tolulope Eunice Ayo

Dissertations

Mast cells are one of the major producers of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and mast cell-derived TNF (MC-TNF) is associated with pathological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and allergic asthma. However, the molecular machinery underlying TNF release from mast cells has been unclear, despite the conserved nature of exocytosis. To delineate the exocytic machinery required for TNF release from mast cells, we systematically dissected the exocytic fusion machinery (e.g., Munc13, Munc18, and VAMP families) expressed in mast cells, using a combination of CRISPR-dependent knockout, RNA interference, confocal microscopy, lentiviral rescue experiments, and cell-based assays. Out of the …

Biometric Assessment Of Spotted Seatrout (Cynoscion Nebulosus) From Recreational And Commercial Fisheries In Mississippi, Usa, Nimah Folake Osho-Abdulgafar

Master's Theses

Quantitative stock assessments for Mississippi’s Spotted Seatrout use length-, age-, and sex-composition data from fishery-independent sources as proxies to estimate biostatistical characteristics of fisheries harvests due to lack of sector-specific data. In Chapter 2, I examined the age, length, and sex composition of Spotted Seatrout from three fishery-dependent sectors. Between April and December 2023, I collected 210 fish (n = 19, 124, and 67 from private, charter, and commercial sectors, respectively). The length ranged between 373-535mm, 285-523mm, and 345-568mm TL, with mean ± SD lengths of 453 ± 51mm, 393 ± 57mm, and 442 ± 53mm TL, respectively. Age ranged …

Development Of A Flow Cytometry Method For The Identification And Enumeration Of Enterococcus Faecalis, Riza Magbitang

Master's Theses

A multi-color flow cytometry method coupled with fluorescent staining was developed to detect and quantify E. faecalis concentrations in coastal waters as an alternative to the traditional membrane filtration method. The developed method was used to characterize E. faecalis during batch growth and yielded consistent results across the various physiological states of the cells. Additionally, the application of propidium iodide (i.e., a viability stain), afforded the method the ability to differentiate between cells with intact and compromised cell membranes, which raises the potential of quantifying cells that are in viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) state. Initial field test using natural seawater samples spiked …

Uncovering Novel Small Regulatory Rna In Protostome, Sweta Khanal

Dissertations

Small RNAs play pivotal roles in post-transcriptional gene regulation across diverse phylum of protostomes. In this study, we investigate the functional significance of atypical miRNAs, mirtron miR-1017 in Drosophila. Through ectopic expression in neuronal cells, we demonstrate that miR-1017 extends lifespan by targeting its host transcript, acetylcholine receptor Dα2, and influencing its splicing. This novel trans-regulatory function suggests a mechanism for mirtron evolution, highlighting the interplay between splicing and post-transcriptional regulation. Additionally, we profile small RNA populations in the polychaete developmental model Capitella teleta, shedding light on the small RNA landscape in annelid worms. Our analysis reveals a rich …

Genetic Analysis Of Global Sawfish Populations, Kylie Faulkner

Honors Theses

Family Pristidae contains five of the most critically endangered elasmobranch species: Anoxypristis cuspidata, Pristis pristis, Pristis pectinata, Pristis zijsron, and Pristis clavata. The species of this family have suffered drastic population declines and range reductions due to historic patterns of overexploitation, accidental entanglement, and habitat disruption. The conservation of this taxa has been historically complicated by taxonomic uncertainty, as similar morphologies across species make them exceedingly difficult to identify. A morphological and genetic comparison of sawfish specimens collected globally was conducted in 2013, which supported a reduction in the number of described species from seven to …

Effects Of Cogongrass Invasion On Soil Biota And Nutrient Loads In A Longleaf Pine Savanna, Jordan Werneth

Honors Theses

The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem, characterized by its namesake pine species and diverse community of understory vegetation, is a hotspot of biodiversity in the southeastern United States. The longleaf pine savanna is differentiated from other longleaf systems through the combination its unique assemblage of herbaceous understory vegetation, wide-open canopy, and distinct hydrogeological composition. Longleaf pine ecosystems, including savannas, are facing significant decline from their historic range due to anthropogenic interference including fire suppression, habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and the introduction of invasive species such as cogongrass (Imperita cylindrica).

Cogongrass, a nonnative grass species introduced to the …

The Effects That Dietary Intake And Cardiorespiratory Fitness Has On Insulin Resistance In Adults, Trinady Moore

Honors Theses

Insulin resistance can impair bodily responses to insulin and the uptake of glucose within the human body. This imparity has many consequences and can more commonly cause Type II Diabetes.¹ This study focuses on how different lifestyle modifications can be used to combat the sensitivity to insulin within the body. The sample included forty-one adults whose ages varied from 18 to 35 years old. The participants completed a VO2max test, blood glucose test, and a 31- item food frequency survey. These tests and survey questions revealed the correction between the participants’ age, blood glucose levels, VO2max score, and diet …

Mate Choice Between Two Species Of Topminnows From Dissimilar Hybrid Zones, Chloe Davis

Honors Theses

Understanding the origins of reproductive isolation between closely related species is foundational to evolutionary and ecological research. Recent reviews have documented contemporary hybridization between a large portion of species. A greater knowledge of reproductive isolation and its components are vital to expanding conservation efforts for threats such as those to species persistence and community processes. However, there is a lack of clear understanding of how isolating mechanisms evolve throughout many systems where hybridization is prominent. Individuals within the Fundulus notatus species complex (F. notatus, F. olivaceus, and F. euryzonus) readily hybridize at many contact zones replicated throughout their …

Design, Synthesis, And Optimization Of Allosteric Inhibitors Of Hiv-1 Integrase, Krunal H. Patel

Dissertations

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection remains a global health crisis, necessitating the development of innovative antiviral strategies. During the integration step, HIV-1 integrase (IN) interacts with viral DNA and the cellular cofactor LEDGF/p75 to effectively integrate the reverse transcript into the host chromatin. Recently, a novel class of antiretroviral agents called Allosteric Inhibitors of HIV-1 Integrase (ALLINI) compounds has emerged as a promising avenue in the fight against HIV-1. While originally designed to inhibit IN-LEDGF/p75 interactions, these compounds have been shown to also impact late-stage viral maturation severely through IN multimerization. Induction of IN multimerization interferes with …

Molecular Characterization Of Stress Response In Western Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera), Faizan Tahir

Master's Theses

Honey bees are incredibly important for the reproduction of flowering plants and the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. However, they face various stressors such as pesticides, pathogens, habitat loss, and climate change. Extensive research has been conducted to understand how bees respond to these stressors. Scientists have discovered that honey bees exhibit complex physiological and behavioral responses to stress at individual and colony levels. Stress can have a significant impact on their immune function, foraging behavior, and reproductive success (Decourtye et al., 2010). Understanding bee responses to stress is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, honey bees are vital for the pollination …

Salinity Tolerance Of Flowering Rush, Butomus Umbellatus, Andrew Coomes

Master's Theses

Flowering rush is an invasive aquatic plant in North America that causes deleterious effects to native ecosystems. There are two cytotypes, a triploid and diploid, and multiple genotypes contained within the diploid cytotype currently established in the U.S. Despite its presence in river drainages connected to estuarine areas, documentation on the salinity tolerance of flowering rush is scarce. Currently, information is limited to anecdotal reports suggesting intolerance to saline conditions. A better understanding of the osmotic tolerance of this species is essential to providing insight into its’ invasive range and better inform management efforts. These studies investigated vegetative propagule germination …

The Assessment Of Autonomic Function In Young Adults With An Elevated Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome, Ta'quoris Newsome

Master's Theses

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex medical condition defined by the co-occurrence of multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. Despite the well-defined profile of autonomic function in individuals with MetS, autonomic function in those with an elevated risk of developing MetS remains unclear. Our study aimed to shed light on the progression of cardiometabolic disease and its impact on autonomic function. To investigate, twenty participants, ten of whom were classified as having an elevated risk of developing MetS based on identification of risk factors using NCEP ATP III criteria, completed a two-visit study protocol. In the second visit, spontaneous cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity …

Effects Of Dissolved Oxygen And Ph On Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) Growth, Karina D. Ledezma

Honors Theses

Coastal ecosystems, known for their abundant natural resources and role in environmental processes, are facing challenges posed by climate change, pollution and anthropogenic activities. Among these challenges is the expansion of hypoxic zones, characterized by low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, which poses a significant threat to benthic organisms and oyster fisheries. This research investigates the interaction between hypoxia and pH dynamics, intensified by freshwater input, and the biomineralization of Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). To explore these dynamics, experimental trials were conducted in 24 tanks, simulating normoxic, hypoxic, and fresh hypoxic conditions, to assess the impact of hypoxia on …

Ncaa Di Student-Athletes’ Understanding Of And Attitudes Toward Mental Performance Services, Allison Rudisill

Honors Theses

Mental performance services are designed to assist student-athletes with psychological challenges affiliated with performance (McHenry et al., 2022). Currently, only 65 NCAA DI athletic institutions employ a psychological provider, with only 23.2% of those being mental performance consultants (MPCs; Jones et al., 2022). As student athletes are aware of the mental demand of sport (Bemiller & Wrisberg, 2011) and the NCAA begins to bring awareness to the importance of the mental well-being of the athlete (NCAA Transformational Committee, 2023), it is important to understand student athletes’ attitudes toward these services. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to learn about …

The Impact Of Differing Instability Devices On Postural Sway Parameters, Kacey Wallace

Honors Theses

Single-limb balance training is an integral part of preventing and rehabilitating lower extremity injuries. Practitioners use instability devices to provide a progressive overload to an individual during single-limb balance training sessions. Previous investigations have shown that when using instability devices, differences may or may not exist in postural sway parameters during use depending on the specific devices being assessed. Thus, this investigation sought to examine differences between a commonly used foam pad and a novel instability device (block) in measures of postural sway.

This experiment consisted of 22 healthy individuals with no history of lower extremity injury and neurological disorders. …

The Effects Of Prescribed Fire On Microbial Biomass Abundance In Longleaf Pine Ecosystems, Sarah K. Borne

Honors Theses

One of the most diverse ecosystems, longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) habitats comprise only a small fraction of the habitat they once spanned in the Gulf Coastal Plain Region of the Southeastern United States. To preserve longleaf pine ecosystems, proper prescribed burning techniques and ecosystem management are essential for preventing high intensity wildfires and increasing species diversity. Little is known about the effects of prescribed fires on carbon levels, nitrogen levels, and microbial biomass in longleaf pine forests. These components are crucial for determining how well burned areas are recovering at a microbial level compared to unburned areas. The …

Understanding The Functional Role Of Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma Americanum) Threonyl-Trna Synthetase In Reproductive Fitness, Anza Ali

Honors Theses

Introduction: Transfer RNA synthetases are a family of enzymes that catalyze the addition of amino acids to their corresponding transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and play an essential role in protein synthesis. Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that rely on prolonged feeding periods to complete their life cycle on a vertebrate host. Tick tRNA synthetases help the tick in continuous protein synthesis for efficient blood feeding and reproductive fitness, thus presenting a potential target for developing new tick control strategies. Studies have been conducted assessing the functionality of different tRNA synthetases such as Valine-tRNA synthetase, Asparagine-tRNA synthetase, Lysine-tRNA synthetase, and Leucine-tRNA synthetase …

Examining The Effects Of Food Supply On Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) Larval Performance And Settlement Potential In Delaware Bay And Mississippi Sound, James C. Klein

Master's Theses

Oyster population maintenance and growth require sufficient larval stocks capable of timely development, growth, and successful metamorphosis, whereby larval performance and settlement potential determines the capacity for a larval cohort to effectively establish into an existing population. Exogenous factors influencing larval performance include temperature, salinity, and particularly food supply. Regarding food, a sufficiently abundant and nutritionally balanced diet composed of protein, lipids, and carbohydrates is critical for successful metamorphosis. The influence of exogenous factors on Crassostrea virginica settlement potential were examined in Delaware Bay and Mississippi Sound by incorporating in situ environmental conditions and food supply metrics into a well-established …

Short-Term Temporal Trends Of A Coral Reef In Samana (Dominican Republic): The Value Of A Permanent Monitoring Program To Identify Drivers Of Rapid Change, Aldo Croquer, Someira Zambrano, D. Yasmín Evangelista-Perez, Samuel King, Sergio Guendulain-Garcia, Maria F Villalpando, Rita Sellares-Blasco

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Permanent monitoring programs are valuable to identify drivers of ecosystem trends. For example, in 2021, we reported the first record of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (sctld) along the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, affecting major reef—building coral species with a prevalence above 30%. However, a few sites such as Carenero remained unaffected by sctld for almost 2 years. The average coral cover in this site was about 18—25% (mean 18.3% ± sd 1.5), and disease prevalence did not exceed 7% in the coral community. During the first quarter of 2022, a few colonies (

A Preliminary Investigation Of Adherence To Shell Length Regulations And Adaptive Capacity Of The Turneffe Atoll Queen Conch (Aliger Gigas) Fishery, Belize, Elsa M. K. Brenner, Vincent Sollitto, Vincent Baribeau, Rebecca Branconi, Paul Simonin

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.

Lessons From An Iconic Grouper: Sex, Science, And Serendipity, Yvonne J. Sadovy De Mitcheson

Gulf and Caribbean Research

From a common little damselfish and spectacular grouper aggregations, to disappearing reef fishes and the dark side of the international seafood trade, my journey has passed through a fascinating and worrying period of change in the way we view and treat our oceans. Although much of my career has been in the Indo—Pacific, I focus here mainly on my professional ‘roots’ in the Caribbean and on the Nassau Grouper Epinephelus striatus, a species that kept me curious, taught me patience, never to assume and always to stay hopeful. This fish is almost an obsession; why can we not better safeguard …

Antibiotic Resistance In A Coastal River In Mississippi, Usa – Potential Drivers, Shuo Shen, Wei Wu, Eric A. Saillant, Darrell Jay Grimes

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major sources of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water bodies. Most studies on the impact of WWTPs on antibiotic resistance have focused on freshwater systems, with little information on coastal and estuarine waters with variable salinity. This study monitored seasonal levels of ARGs at the effluent and downstream of the Pascagoula— Moss Point WWTP in the lower Pascagoula River, a coastal river in southeastern Mississippi, USA. Surface water samples were collected seasonally at upstream, outflow, and 3 downstream sites from February to November 2016. Bacterial resistance to sulfamethazine, tetracycline, and …

Nekton Community Responses To Living Shoreline Restorations In Alabama, Shelby Kuck, Christopher Grant, Matheus De Barros, Alexandra Rodriguez, Ronald Baker

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.

Braving The Elements: Loss Of Metals From Mardi Gras Beads Due To Handling And Weathering, Thomas O. Carmichael, Ruth H. Carmichael

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The largest Mardi Gras celebrations in the U.S. are found along the Gulf of Mexico coast. With increasing awareness of and concern for environmental and human health risks due to pollution from Mardi Gras celebrations, there is a need for studies to quantify potential harms. We conducted a 2—part study to determine whether use—related handling and weathering of common Mardi Gras beaded necklaces results in loss of potentially harmful metals to the environment at levels of ecological or human health concern. Our data indicate that weathering and use—related handling can cause metals to be shed from the metallic coating of …

An Aggregation Of The Pandalid Shrimp, Heterocarpus Ensifer, On Deep Reef Habitats Of The West Florida Slope, Eastern Gulf Of Mexico, Steve W. Ross

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Heterocarpus ensifer A. Milne—Edwards (1881) (Crustacea: Pandalidae), armed nylon shrimp, is widely distributed in the western and eastern North Atlantic Ocean. In the western Atlantic this shrimp occurs from off North Carolina to Brazil and in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), western Bahamas, and Caribbean Sea at depths of 170—885 m. Despite its widespread occurrence, ecology or biology information for this species are sparse, and in situ observations of abundance, behavior and habitat preferences are particularly lacking. During extensive submersible and ROV observations on and near deep—reefs in the north—central and eastern GOM, a remarkably large aggregation of H. ensifer …

Seasonal Abundance Of The Nudibranch Dondice Jupiteriensis On The Colonial Hydroid Eudendrium Carneum, Erika Molina, Daniela Gutierrez-Andrade, Samantha Schlegel, Julia Piper, Louis J. Ambrosio, Michael L. Middlebrooks

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Benthic colonial hydroids often serve as a host to a large variety of invertebrate taxa. The colonial hydroid Eudendrium carneum Clarke, 1882 is host to a variety of epifauna, including the recently described nudibranch Dondice jupiteriensis García—Méndez & Valdés, 2022. Like many species of heterobranch sea slugs, little is known about the natural history and population biology of D. jupiteriensis. Here we describe a year—long study recording the population density and size structure of D. jupiteriensis on E. carneum colonies in Tampa Bay, FL USA. We found that the D. jupiteriensis population persists year—round but is the densest during …

Stable Isotope Analysis Of Manatee Vibrissae To Investigate Individual Patterns Of Resource Use In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Levette Tucker, Mackenzie L. Russell, Elizabeth E. Hieb, Ruth H. Carmichael, Carl S. Cloyed

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.

Advancing The Blue Economy Through Sustainable Mariculture: The Prospect Of Pearl Oyster And Sponge Cultivation In St. Vincent And The Grenadines, Kevin Antonio Providence

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The Blue Economy is estimated to be worth over USD 2.5 trillion annually, or almost 3% of the world’s GDP in 2020. St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in the Caribbean region has a vast and rich marine space that is underutilized. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of pearl oyster and sponge farming to advance the country’s Blue Economy through sustainable mariculture. A qualitative approach was applied, using a literature review and thematic analysis of data gathered through semi—structured interviews and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders. Among several species evaluated, the result of the study revealed that …

Stable Isotope Analysis Of Antipatharian Diets From The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Keir J. Macartney, Victoria Salinas, Zachary Rivera, David Hicks

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Antipatharians, or black corals, form a key component of the benthic fauna found throughout the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). In the northwestern GOM, they are a common member of the communities found on the natural relic coral—algal banks known as the South Texas Banks as well as on artificial reefs. They are known to provide important habitat for many ecologically and economically important species in the area but are relatively understudied. Here we present a study on their trophic ecology using stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen from 2 species, Antipathes atlantica and Stichopathes luetkeni from a mesophotic artificial …

Benthic And Epibenthic Invertebrate Assemblages Associated With Estuarine Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Differ Between Native And Invasive Plants, Marissa Hall, Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, Bethany Kiley, Ashley Mcdonald, Taber Faurie, Zoey Hendrickson, Anna Reimer, Samantha Smith, Charles Martin

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Estuarine submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) provides vital habitat for macroinvertebrate communities that support diverse food webs and subsequent ecosystem services. Invasive SAV, however, has the potential to alter estuarine food webs through competition with native SAV, resulting in different associated biological communities. In the Mobile-Tensaw Delta (Alabama, USA), the invasive Eurasian milfoil, Myriophyllum spicatum, is fast becoming the dominant SAV, out-competing native SAV such as wild celery, Vallisneria americana. This study investigated the above- and belowground macroinvertebrate assemblages associated with these SAV habitats. We found significantly different assemblages between the SAV, with V. americana supporting more even and …