The Role Of Rad51 And Its Paralogs In Dna Damage Response In Quiescent Cells Exposed To Solar Simulating Uv Radiation, Angitha Radhakrishnan Nair

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Rad51, and its five paralog proteins Rad51B, Rad51C, Rad51D, XRCC2, and XRCC3, are crucial in homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Prior studies have extensively shown the roles of Rad51 in the S/G2 phase, but its role in the G0/G1 phase is still unclear. Our lab focuses on studying the role of Rad51 and its paralogs in quiescent cells. RT-qPCR and western blots helped us understand the expression of Rad51 paralogs in proliferating and quiescent keratinocyte cells. Using a pharmacological inhibitor of Rad51, we found that Rad51 promotes quiescent cell survival after exposure to UV radiation. Like Rad51, …

Determinants Of Bat Activity And Habitat-Use At Runkle Woods And Huffman Metropark, Ohio, Heidi E. Orloff

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North American bats are an excellent control of pests as most are insectivorous feeders. They face numerous threats including habitat loss, anthropogenic development, disease (White-nose Syndrome), and potentially artificial light at night (ALAN). It is important to track species populations and habitat-use to determine the magnitude of effects from these threats. Acoustic monitoring has proven a useful and non-invasive method for tracking bat populations. In my research, I conducted stationary acoustic surveys of bat activity at Wright State University’s Runkle Woods and nearby Huffman MetroPark during the summers of 2023 and 2024. I recorded bat calls in three different habitats …

Comparative Impact Of Canagliflozin Versus Pioglitazone On Biomarkers Of Diabetic Kidney Disease In Db/Db Mice, Siri Chandana Minikuri

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Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), primarily through dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), characterized by elevated Ang II which promotes vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, and renal fibrosis, along with increased urinary shedding of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which can exacerbate the imbalance of RAS and tubular injury. Previous studies demonstrated that rosiglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist, attenuated hyperglycemia, glycosuria, albuminuria, and decreased urinary ACE2 shedding in db/db mice, suggesting a RAS-mediated renoprotective mechanism. Building on this evidence, the current study compared the renal effects of pioglitazone (a PPAR-γ agonist) and canagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) in …

The Role Of Fbxl16 In Regulating Erk3 Stability And Cell Migration, Seth Charles Murdock

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Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) is a member of the atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. While ERK3’s role in promoting cell migration and invasion in multiple types of cancer has been well-documented, its activation and regulation remain poorly understood. Unlike other typical MAPK proteins, whose activation is regulated via the phosphorylation of an upstream kinase, ERK3 is regulated through its abundance, as it is constitutively phosphorylated when present in the cell. While USP20 has been established as a deubiquitinating protein that stabilizes ERK3 by preventing its degradation, both TRIM21 and FBXW7 have been identified as E3 ligases that target …

The Role Of Base Excision Repair In Dna Damage Responses In Human Keratinocytes Exposed To Solar Simulating Uv Radiation, Mobolaji Eniola Alabi

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Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the most prominent source of exogenous UV damage to DNA. UV directly causes damage by forming UV photoproducts, including pyrimidine-pyrimidone (6-4) photoproducts ((6-4) PPs), which significantly distort the helical structure of DNA and interfere with transcription and replication processes. The only known repair process of these photoproducts in human cells is nucleotide excision repair (NER). However, a recent study reported an APE1-dependent base excision repair (BER) of a subset of UV photoproducts. The study showed that deletion or inhibition of APE1, PARP1, NTH1, XRCC1, and FEN1 led to a 2-fold increase in sensitivity …

Characterization Of Atr Kinase Function In Quiescent Keratinocytes Exposed To Solar Simulating Uv Radiation, Mohamed Sameer Cholakkathody

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This study examines the role of Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase in quiescent human keratinocytes exposed to solar-simulated UV radiation (SSL). The ATR inhibitor VE-822 did not significantly affect cell viability in the absence of UV exposure, showing that ATR kinase activity is not essential for quiescent cell survival in the absence of additional genotoxic stress. After SSL exposure, ATR inhibition did not impact acute cell viability but reduced the cells’ long-term ability to proliferate. Western blot analysis demonstrated that VE-822 potently suppressed phosphorylation of ATR target proteins KAP1 and CHK2 in a dose-dependent manner after SSL exposure, confirming strong …

Impacts Of Salinity And Drought On Growth And Carbon Sequestration In Acorus Americanus And Carex Scoparia, Eleora L. Mantle

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From the late 18th century until the 1980s, Ohio lost close to 90% of its wetlands. Despite increased efforts to maintain what is left, many freshwater marshes are still being degraded due to pollutants, such as road salt, and the impacts of climate change. This study sought to understand how both road salt and drought could impact the health and carbon sequestration of two wetland species, Acorus americana and Carex scoparia, to better understand tolerance. To do this, both species were separated into groups and subjected to varying salt concentrations and drought conditions. After 9 weeks of treatment, plants were …

Distinct Forms Of Myotonia In Pharmacologic And Genetic Mouse Models At Room And Body Temperature, Rola Benammar

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Myotonia congenita (MC) is a genetic disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ClC-1 chloride channel, leading to muscle hyperexcitability and symptoms of transient stiffness and weakness. Work in hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HKPP), a disorder with overlapping clinical features, has shown that myotonia can arise from two distinct mechanisms: a sustained form and a transient post-stimulus form, which have opposite temperature dependence. In HKPP, sustained myotonia worsens at elevated temperatures, whereas transient myotonia is exacerbated by cooling. This study tested whether these two mechanisms also contribute to myotonia in MC. Ex vivo force recordings were performed in extensor digitorum longus …

Determining The Genetic Population Structure Of The Endangered Scirpus Ancistrochaetus Using Genomic Sequences, Kayci Johnson

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Wetlands are biodiverse ecosystems across the world, and they are being lost at alarming rates due to fragmentation and anthropogenic stressors. Many wetland plants are endangered or threatened due to wetland decreasing numbers. Scirpus ancistrochaetus is an endangered wetland species in the northeastern United States. It is most commonly found in lowlands and forested ecosystems. In this study, I used 105 polymorphic loci obtained from double-digest restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq), a conservation genetics tool, to determine conservation units, gene flow, kinship, and isolation-by-distance patterns. Discrete populations were identified in New England and the southern part of the species’ …

Screening Of Suppressor Mutants That Confer The Suc22 S239f Mutant Cells Resistance To Hydroxyurea, An Inhibitor Of Ribonucleotide Reductase, Sairam Pasam

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Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is a key enzyme for the biosynthesis of dNTPs for DNA replication and repair. It is composed of a large subunit, Cdc22, and a small subunit, Suc22, in the fission yeast S. pombe. We have recently reported a suc22-S239F mutation in the small subunit of RNR, causing replication stress and hypersensitivity to hydroxyurea (HU), an inhibitor of RNR. Interestingly, this mutation does not sensitize the cell to acute treatment with HU, which mainly generates replication stress, suggesting that the mechanism of HU sensitivity in the suc22-S239F mutant remains to be fully understood. To better understand the cell-killing …

Benthic Algal Biomass And Productivity Across Depth Gradients In Lakes Michigan And Erie, Ahmed Ogidan

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Benthic primary production is poorly quantified in the Laurentian Great Lakes relative to phytoplankton-based production. We measured benthic chlorophyll and benthic primary productivity on soft sediments and Dreissena shells along depth gradients in Lakes Erie (2024) and Michigan (2025) during EPA Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative cruises. We measured benthic chlorophyll fluorometrically and estimated benthic primary productivity using non-invasive oxygen exchange incubations. We used PAM fluorometry to characterize photosynthetic-irradiance relationships on mussel shells and sediments in Lake Michigan. In Lake Erie, sediment chlorophyll ranged from 20 to 150 mg m⁻², with highest values in the central basin. In Lake Michigan, …

Characterization Of An Unknown Mutant C3 With A High Level Of Endogenous Replication Stress In Fission Yeast, Neha Singh

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To maintain genome stability, which is essential for cell proliferation and survival, cells rely on cell cycle checkpoint pathways to deal with perturbed DNA replication or replication stress. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe serves as a powerful model organism for studying checkpoint mechanisms because its fundamental cellular processes are highly conserved in higher eukaryotes. During a genetic screening for mutants affecting genome integrity, we identified a novel mutant called C3 that exhibits a unique phenotype. Unlike wild-type cells, where phosphorylation of the checkpoint mediator Mrc1 is typically observed only in response to exogenously induced replication stress, such as the treatment …

Characterizing The Microvesicle Particles From Keratinocytes Stimulated With Multiple Stressors, Muslima Begum

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Many types of environmental and physical stressors act upon the skin and can initiate inflammation, systemic effects, and even damage to internal organs. Recent studies have identified that these harmful events are driven by the release of subcellular microvesicle particles (MVPs), an inflammatory process promoted by the glycerophosphocholines-derived lipid mediator, Platelet-activating Factor (PAF). These harmful effects are driven by the release of MVPs, a process promoted by the inflammatory lipid mediator, PAF. We have previously demonstrated that exposure of human HaCaT keratinocyte and mouse skin to stressors such as thermal burn injury, ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, and topical photodynamic therapy …

Study Of The Incorporation Of Date Stone Powder On Technological And Rheological Characteristics Of Common Wheat Flour, Djilali Bouhadi, Hamza Belkhodja, Zouaoui Benattouche, Abderrahmane Remil, Ahmed Hariri

Journal of Bioresource Management

The fortification of bakery products with bioactive and functional substances is the main focus of food sciences. These nutrients include date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and their byproducts. This work aims to illustrate the effects of using date components in bakery products and to determine how these effects affect the products' technological, rheological, and sensory qualities. To achieve this purpose, date powder was introduced in bread making procedure with different rates (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 %). Then, the physicochemical, sensorial and rheological characteristics was determined. In terms of bread qualities, date powder improved the volume and form …

Harnessing Natural Medicine As A Resource For Socioeconomic Development, Eneojo Ogu, Martins Emeje, Munira Abdullahi

Journal of Bioresource Management

Natural medicine is currently gaining global acceptance among the developed and developing countries of the world due to its low toxicity, high efficacy and cost effectiveness. Developed countries are devising medicinal systems that require the use of medicinal plant products and resources. Thus, a marked increase in world demand for medicinal plant resources has emerged in the recent years and that has provided a great opportunity for medicinal plants exporting nations to expand their economy shares in this sector. Despite the Nigeria immense socio-economic promise, the country is in critical need following the fact that the multidimensional poverty rate is …

Phytochemical Screening And Medicinal Properties Of Caralluma Fimbriata And Moringa Oleifera, Ammara Tariq, Anum Ashfaq, Kalsoom Sughra, Ayesha Hameed

Journal of Bioresource Management

The research was intended to evaluate the medicinal properties of Caralluma fimbriata and Moringa oleifera, as these plants are well known for their therapeutic activities. Qualitative analysis of the phytochemical components of these plants was used to identify the existence of potentially useful therapeutic compounds. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of extracts were assessed and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated using the DPPH assay and the protein denaturation inhibition assay, respectively. The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition tests were utilized to determine the plant extract's effectiveness as an antidiabetic agent. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of medicinally beneficial compounds …

Women's Involvement In Fisheries Co-Management Of The World's Largest Desert Lake, Turkana, Kenya, Maurice O. Ogoma, Judith C. Koskey

Journal of Bioresource Management

Despite their significant presence in the fisheries workforce, women's roles are often less recognized compared to men's. This study investigated the participation of women in beach management units (BMUs) and fisheries activities in Lake Turkana, the world’s largest permanent desert Lake. Data were collected from 200 women respondents across eight purposively sampled BMUs, focusing on gender representation, leadership roles, participation in fisheries activities, factors influencing participation, and strategies for promoting gender equity. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to provide an in-depth understanding of women's involvement in fisheries activities. Findings indicated that while gender representation aligned with Kenya's constitutional one-third gender …

Evaluation Of Microbial Contamination In Tube Well And Filter Water Of Lahore And Treatment With Copper Nanoparticles, Khadeeja Moazzam, Sumaira Mazhar

Journal of Bioresource Management

Water contamination is a global issue and different techniques are being devised to reduce water contamination. Among these techniques, use of nanoparticles for water purification is an efficient and cost-effective method with minimum or no side effect. Metal nanoparticles are known for their antibacterial activity against various pathogens. Synthesis of these nanoparticles using green synthesis methods minimizes the harmful effects while ensuring their antibacterial activity. Therefore, in the present work, it was aimed to evaluate the microbial contamination in water samples collected from different tube wells and filter plants located in different areas of Lahore, Pakistan for the isolation of …

Raw Milk Collection Diversity And Determinants Of Physicochemical And Microbiological Quality In Algerian Small Farms, Nasria Benamara, Houari Yerou, Hamza Belkhodja, Toufik Madani

Journal of Bioresource Management

Milk sector in Algeria presents lasting supply instability and its development policy has not achieved the expected results. The interest in developing local dairy production therefore has been a priority for public authorities. Our work aims to analyze raw milk collection diversity at the GIPLAIT dairy in Tizi (Mascara) and assess their physicochemical and microbiological quality. The typology of raw milk collection was determined from upstream, the farm to the dairy processing factory. The quality of the milk was determined by carrying out both physicochemical analyses (pH, Dornic acidity, butter content, protein content, density and total dry extract) and microbiological …

Dental Remains Of Pachyportax (Bovidae) From Late Miocene Deposits Of Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan, Saira Ashfaq, Muhammad Rizwan, Maryam Mushtaq, Umar Naveed Saqib, Sheraz Khan, Hifza Zahid, Muhammad Arshaid, Tabassum Nawaz

Journal of Bioresource Management

The upper Dhok Pathan Formation is characterized to newly found Pachyportax fossils from Late Miocene outcrops in the Hasnot region. The discovered dental remains of Pachyportax include upper and lower molars. Based on morphometry, the examined tooth material was identified, and the specimens were categorized as Pachyportax latidens and Pachyportax nagri. A well-known example is Pachyportax latidens, but Pachyportax nagrii stands out due to its rare fossil record from the middle Siwaliks. Potwar Pleateu is the most productive region for the deposition of vertebrate fossils (Pilbeam et al., 1979; Badgley et al., 2008). Bovids in open environments are …

Bioresource Management Via Least Cost Feed Formulation For Red Tilapia (Oreochromis Sp.): Application Of Linear Programming Technique, Boudjema Kamel, Redhouane Benfares, Affaf Kord, Toufik Milla, Belkacem Guenachi, Lynda Frai, Rachida Itcher, Hocine Kherzane

Journal of Bioresource Management

The method of linear programming (LP) was utilized to determine the relationship between the composition of nutrients of each ingredients, specifications for raw materials, cost and requirements for nutrients of the red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), in order to define: (1) least cost ration formulation, (2) least cost diet, (3) minimum price of producing a particular diet after meeting a number of requirements. The resulting LP models were solved using the simplex algorithm. Therefore, our results show that, formulated feed had high protein content (31.92 %), Lipid (2.53), Moisture (9.10 %) and Ash (9.00 %). The utilization of diet …

Economic Analysis And Profitability Of Honey Production And Marketing In Cross River State, Nigeria, Joseph A. Ugbe, Tee T.N., Ancha P.U

Journal of Bioresource Management

The significance of honey in the socio-economic livelihoods of rural and semi-urban populations is paramount, as it tackles issues such as unemployment, income, and ecosystem preservation. The decrease in the timber industry has caused numerous individuals who rely on forests for their income to be without jobs, making it difficult to find other ways to make a living. This study examines the economic analysis and profitability of honey production and marketing in Cross River State, Nigeria, over 5 years (2017-2021) for sustainable forest management. Six hundred and eighty-four (684) respondents were selected from three ecological zones in the state using …

The Nutritional And Biotechnological Potential Of Amaranth: A Versatile Plant For Health And Sustainability, Zeliha Selamoglu, Muhammad Yasir Naeem, Yaira Rakhmetova, Tulkinzhon Gaipov

Journal of Bioresource Management

The amaranth plant, originating from Central and South America, was a staple food for ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and Inca. Today, it is cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions, including Africa, Asia, and North America. Belonging to the Amaranthaceae family and comprising approximately 60 species, amaranth is valued for its adaptability to various soil and climatic conditions. This versatile crop is a nutrient-dense food source with a diverse chemical composition and numerous bioactive compounds, particularly in its seeds. Naturally gluten-free, amaranth is ideal for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It provides a complete profile of essential amino …

A Review On Wolbachia- A Viable Alternative To Control Aedes-Born Arboviral Diseases, Fatima Khizar, Iqra Mushtaq, Hafsa Masud, Muhammad Sajjad Sarwar

Journal of Bioresource Management

The endemic geographic ranges of mosquitoes are expanding due to various anthropogenic activities including rapid international travel and trade, urbanization, deforestation, and global warming. Hence, Aedes-borne arboviral diseases like dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, or Zika infections would cause severe future outbreaks in non-endemic regions of the world. This threat to global public health highlights an urgent need for the development of efficient and effective mosquito control strategies. To date, a large number of mosquito vector-control strategies have been developed. Each of them has its strengths and weaknesses but the use of intracellular, endosymbiotic reproductive parasitic bacteria named Wolbachia pipientis …

Ethephon Application And Nitrogen Optimization Through Foliar Urea For Okra Production, Muhammad Usaid, Muhammad Yaisr Ali, Ihsan Ul Haq, Sajid Ali, Huzaifa Ihsan, Arslan Rafique, Kalim Ullah, Khalid Nisar, Khan Badshah, Mian Muhammad Huzaifa, Muhammad Shoaib Muteezai

Journal of Bioresource Management

To mitigate the environmental impact of excessive urea use, this study investigates the foliar application of urea and ethephon as a more efficient alternative to soil application, aiming to optimize nitrogen use while sustaining the growth and yield of okra. The research was conducted using a randomized complete block design with two factors, replicated four times. Factor A included ethephon levels with a control (E0 = Control, E1 = 150 ppm, E2 = 250 ppm, E3 = 350 ppm), while Factor B comprised two urea levels and a control (U0 = Control, U1 = 1%, U2 = 2 %). The …

An Analysis Of Moth Diversity In Garbhanga Reserve Forest, Basistha, Assam, India, Golphina Ahmed, Arup Nama Das, Lupamudra Borah, Rezina Ahmed

Journal of Bioresource Management

The Garbhanga Reserve Forest, located on the south-western side of Guwahati City, covers an area of about 117 km2 and borders the foothills of Meghalaya (26°05´36˝N and 91°44´57˝E). Despite the constant threat of exploitation due to its proximity to the rapidly developing city, this area hosts a diverse ecosystem of moths and butterflies. In a study conducted over one year from January 2022 to December 2022, a total of 140 moth species were documented, with the majority belonging to the Erebidae family (46 species) and 1090 individuals, followed by the Crambidae family (31 species) and 704 individuals. The dominance of …

Determination Of Manganese Concentration In Forages, Soil, Sewage Water Of Three Suburban Areas Of Sargodha, Pakistan, Iqra Anwar, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Kafeel Ahmad, Naila Riaz, Faiza Zubair, Asma Ashfaq, Muhammad Fahad Ullah, Farzana Siddique, Ijaz Rasool Noorka, Abid Ejaz, Maloofa Manzoor, Umbreen Bibi, Hafiza Memona Nazir, Saif Ullah

Journal of Bioresource Management

For irrigation of soil utilization of wastewater has risen significantly in the past few years. This wastewater often have large amount of trace elements and heavy metals, many of which are non-essential and harmful to living organisms such as plants, animals, and humans. In Pakistan, particularly around suburban areas, it is common to use this polluted water for growing vegetables. When such water is used for irrigation over an extended period of time, toxic substances can accumulate in the soil, potentially causing toxicity to plants and degrading soil quality. The samples analyzed in the study were prepared using the wet …

Green Synthesis Of Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles From Leaves Extract Of Cassia Fistula And Evaluation Of Their Antimicrobial Activities, Anum Sadiq, Muhammad Shahbaz, Ayesha Shahbaz, Badra Younis, Shmsa Manzoor, Syeda Sabahat Fiaz

Journal of Bioresource Management

The fields of biotechnology, pharmacy, agriculture, and health could all benefit greatly from advances in Nano science and nanotechnology. The synthesis, characterizations, and antibacterial qualities of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles made using Cassia fistula leaves in a green synthesis procedure are the main objectives of this work which was carried out between September 2021 and June 2022. Four methods were used to analyse the structure of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: FTIR, XRD, and SEM. According to FTIR research, TiO2 exhibited stretching vibrations at 1500–1600 cm-1 and a UV absorption peak between 250 and 400 nm. Nanoparticle diameters ranged from 145.6 to …

Evaluating The Current State Of Evolution Acceptance Instruments: A Research Coordination Network Meeting Report, M. Elizabeth Barnes, Rahmi Q. Aini, James P. Collins, Ryan D.P. Dunk, Emily A. Holt, Jamie Jensen, Joanna R. Klein, Taya Misheva, Louis S. Nadelson, Michael J. Reiss, William L. Romine, Andrew Shtulman, Amanda L. Townley, Jason R. Wiles, Yi Zheng, Sara E. Brownell

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Hundreds of studies have explored student evolution acceptance because evolution is a core concept of biology that many undergraduate biology students struggle to accept. However, this construct of “evolution acceptance” has been defined and measured in various ways, which has led to inconsistencies across studies and difficulties in comparing results from different studies. Many studies and essays have offered evaluations and perspectives of evolution acceptance instruments, but publications with a focus on consensus building across research teams is still needed. Further, little attention has been paid to how evolution acceptance instruments may be interpreted differently by students with varied religious …

Interspecific Selection In A Diverse Mycorrhizal Symbiosis, Megan A. Rúa, Jason D. Hoeksema

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Coevolution describes evolutionary change in which two or more interacting species reciprocally drive each other’s evolution, potentially resulting in trait diversification and ecological speciation. Much progress has been made in analysis of its dynamics and consequences, but relatively little is understood about how coevolution works in multispecies interactions, i.e., those with diverse suites of species on one or both sides of an interaction. Interactions among plant hosts and their mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) may provide an ecologically unique arena to examine the nature of selection in multispecies interactions. Using native genotypes of Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), we performed a common …