Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Osteopontin Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms On Bull Semen Quality, Chance L. Williams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Two groups of bulls were utilized to evaluate if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the Bos taurus OPN gene (GenBank accession # AY878328.1) promoter region were related to bull semen quality variables as evaluated by computer assisted semen analysis (CASA). Group 1 consisted of 19 Angus and Balancer bulls, ranging in age from 5 to 8 years, which were collected weekly during a 2-month period (July 15, 2010 through September 19, 2010). Group 2 consisted of 16 Brahman influenced (1/8 to 3/16 Brahman) bulls, mean age = 1.1 ± 0.1 year, that were collected monthly for a 7 month period …

Ozark Highland Cunaxidae (Acari: Prostigmata): Descriptions And Keys To Genera Found To Occur In The Region And A New Phylogenetic Hypothesis For The Family, Michael Joseph Skvarla

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fourteen genera of Cunaxidae (Acari: Prostigmata) are reported from the Ozark Highlands for the first time. Descriptions, diagnoses, and illustrated keys to genera and world species are given. Five new species are described and illustrated and an additional 6 known species are recorded from the region. The first rigorous phylogenetic hypothesis for Cunaxidae is presented. Based on morphology, it suggests the current subfamilial classification scheme does not reflect the evolutionary history of the family. Unfortunately, bootstrap values and resolution are low, suggesting the need for further indepth molecular analyses.

Stability And Sensory Properties Of Rice Bran Peptide Fraction Incorporated Orange Juice, Mirna Georges Khairallah

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Functional foods offer consumers added benefits beyond the sole nutritional content of the food. Food companies are aggressively seeking new and cheaper sources of functional ingredients. Kannan et al. (2008) characterized anticancer peptides and peptide fraction from rice bran. However, information about their application and stability in food is lacking. In this study the stability of the peptide fraction in water at pH 7.2, at pH 3.5, and in orange juice was studied. The effect of the addition of the peptide fraction on the quality parameters of orange juice including sensory was also assessed. The results showed that the peptide …

Effects Of Ergot Alkaloids And Antioxidants On Bovine Sperm Motility, Ryan James Page

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The studies that comprise this thesis were performed in an attempt to identify and eliminate stressful conditions that may lead to infertility in the male bovine. The first project was performed to determine if ergot alkaloids directly affect bovine sperm motility. Percentage of motile spermatozoa was affected (P = 0.015) by a three-way interactions between time, concentration, and alkaloid. Ergotamine and dihydroergotamine decreased (P = 0.01) sperm motility in a concentration and time dependant manner and ergonovine had a minimal effect on overall sperm motility. The number of static spermatozoa also was affected (P < 0.01) by a three way interaction and increased as ET and DHET concentrations increased. Percentages of progressively motile and rapidly motile spermatozoa decreased (P < 0.01) in a two way interaction between alkaloid and concentration. Overall, sperm motility was decreased by ET and DHET. Furthermore, the qualities of motility as represented by progressive, rapid, path velocity (VAP), progressive velocity (VSL), track speed (VCL), beat frequency (BCF), lateral amplitude (ALH), straightness (STR), elongated, and area were decreased by those alkaloids. These data verify that ergot alkaloids commonly found in toxic tall fescue are detrimental to bovine spermatozoa. In the second study two antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid) were added to bovine sperm culture media and cryopreservation extender. The antioxidant capabilities of these two vitamins could help reduce free radical production and help preserve sperm viability. There was an interactive effect between ascorbic acid concentration and storage method on the bovine sperm motility characteristics: motile, progressive, rapid, track speed (VCL), and straightness (P < 0.05). A bull by ascorbic acid interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for motile, progressive, rapid, path velocity (VAP), progressive velocity (VSL), and VCL characteristics. Alpha tocopherol had no affects on sperm motility characteristics. Lipid peroxidation was affected (P < 0.01) by bull and ascorbic acid. Malondialdehyde concentrations for ascorbic acid treatments (0, 5, 10, 20 mM) were 3.25, 4.2, 2.96, and 2.15 ìM respectively. Results from the second study indicate that the addition of ascorbic acid may reduce sperm motility, but help prevent lipid peroxidation.

Stealth Carbon Nanotubes: Strategies To Coat Carbon Nanotubes To Prevent Opsonization And Improve Biodistribution, Nalinikanth Kotagiri

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have recently been in the limelight for its potential role in disease diagnostics and therapeutics. Even before these medical applications can be realized, there is a need to address issues like opsonization, phagocytosis by macrophages and sequestration to liver and spleen for eventual elimination from the body. We believe coating CNT with biocompatible and opsonin resistant moieties will not only help CNT in traversing the blood stream to reach the target organ, but also improve biodistribution tremendously. We set out to achieve this by firstly identifying a new compound, mAmp, which is a fluorescent derivative of the …

Analysis Of Rice Blast Resistance Genes In The National Small Grains Collection (Nsgc), Moytri Roychowdhury

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Identification of blast resistance genes in rice germplasm is one of the most important activities of rice breeding programs in worldwide. The objective of this research was to characterize two major blast resistance genes, Pi-z and Pi-b, in selected rice germplasm. A simple sequence repeat DNA marker, AP5659-1 linked to the Pi-z gene, and a Pib dominant marker derived from the Pi-b gene were first used to screen a rice core collection consisting of 1700 accessions estimated to represent 70% of the genetic diversity of rice in the US National Small Grains Collection. There were 131 rice germplasm accessions with …

Protein-Lipid Interactions: Influence Of Anchoring Groups And Buried Arginine On The Properties Of Membrane-Spanning Peptides, Vitaly V. Vostrikov

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Designed transmembrane peptides were employed for investigations of protein-lipid interactions by means of oriented solid-state deuterium NMR spectroscopy using isotope-enriched alanine residues. Using the model GWALP23 sequence (GGALW(LA)6LWLAGA) as a host peptide having single interfacial tryptophan anchor residues, the effects of different guest mutations were explored. Replacements of glycine residues 2 and 22 to positively charged lysine or arginine on both termini had little influence on the peptide average orientation. Conversely, glycine to tryptophan substitutions had profound effects, manifested in the increased dynamics and altered tilt direction of the peptide. While the charged residues at the peptide termini did not …

The Effects Of Ovariecotomy On Neuropeptide Y Neurotransmission In Skeletal Muscle Arterioles, Kirk Wendell Evanson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of chronic estrogen supplementation on NPY neurotransmission in gastrocnemius first-order arterioles (G1A) of adult female rats. Female rats (4 mo; n = 30) were ovariectomized (OVX) with a subset (n = 15) receiving an estrogen pellet (OVE; 17β-estradiol (4μg / day)). Following conclusion of the treatment phase (8 weeks), red G1A were excised, placed in a physiological saline solution (PSS) bath, and cannulated with micropipettes connected to albumin reservoirs. A sampling port was placed immediately below the vessel to assess NPY overflow. The contralateral red G1A was homogenized in PSS …

The Role Of Albino3 And The Lipid Environment In Chloroplast Signal Recognition Particle Targeting, Nathan Lewis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Signal recognition particles (SRPs) in pro- and eukaryotes function in cotranslational targeting of nascent poplypeptides to an SRP receptor at the target membrane. A unique chloroplast SRP (cpSRP) functions post-translationally to direct light-harvesting chlorophyll-binding proteins (LHCPs) to the receptor cpFtsY at the thylakoid membrane for LHCP insertion in a process involving the integral membrane protein Albino3 (Alb3) and requiring GTP. Work here focuses on understanding cpSRP targeting events at the thylakoid membrane, specifically those involving Alb3 and the lipid environment.

We show an interaction between the novel cpSRP subunit cpSRP43 and the soluble, stromal-exposed C terminus of Albino3 (Alb3-Cterm). We …

Mitigation Of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex: Interactions Of Physiology, Immunology, Nutrition And Management, John Thomas Richeson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A series of experiments were conducted to determine the effects of on-arrival vs. delayed respiratory vaccination and exposure to persistently infected bovine viral diarrhea virus challenge on health, gain performance, and physiological and immunological measurements in newly received stocker cattle. Two experiments evaluated timing (d 0 vs. 14) of respiratory, clostridial, or both vaccinations in newly received stocker calves during stress-induced immunosuppression. In Exp. 1, calves receiving 14-d delayed vaccination of a pentavalent modified-live respiratory virus (MLV) vaccine had greater ADG during the 42-d receiving period and antibody titers against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis on d 42; however, morbidity rate did …

Characterization Of Polyphenolics In Cranberry Juice And Co-Products, Brittany Lynn White

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Historically, cranberry juice has been consumed to prevent urinary tract infections. These and other health benefits, including reduced risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease, are believed to be due to the presence of polyphenolics, specifically flavonoids. Cranberry pomace is the by-product of cranberry processing which consists of seeds and skins. This research focuses primarily on the effects of processing on the flavonoid composition of cranberries and cranberry pomace. First, the concentration of flavonoids during juice processing was evaluated. It was determined that anthocyanins were degraded readily compared to other flavonoids, and a significant amount of flavonoids were retained in the …

Chemical Ecology, Population Dynamics And Insecticide Susceptibility Of Lesser Mealworm Alphitobius Diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Narinderpal Singh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a serious, cosmopolitan pest present in poultry production facilities, where it slows down weight gain in chicks, carries disease–causing organisms, and causes damage to poultry insulation. The first study estimated that the lesser mealworm densities in poultry litter applied to pastures were 3.5, 2.2 and 0.4 million larvae, adults and pupae, respectively, per hectare in Savoy, Arkansas. The repercussions of these adult beetles are that they often disperse to and reinfest poultry houses with the potential to vector disease to poultry, and disperse to invade human dwellings resulting in litigation. The …

The Antimicrobial Activity Of Cold Pressed Terpeneless Valencia Orange Oil At Cold Temperatures, Sean Jeffrey Pendleton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research was undertaken to identify an antimicrobial for use during chilling in beef processing, including periods of temperature abuse, as well as to evaluate membrane filtration as means to remove essential oils from bacteria to prevent further antibacterial action. Cold pressed terpeneless Valencia orange oil was examined in combination with various temperatures (37°C, 10°C, and 4°C) to determine its antimicrobial activity against various strains of bacteria. The strains were tested using a ninety-six well microtiter plate method, with or without membrane filtration. The compound 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride was used as a growth indicator. Serial, two fold dilutions …

Kinematic And Electromyographic Description Of Baseball And Softball Catching, Hillary Ann Plummer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The catcher is actively involved, defensively, in every pitch that is thrown during the duration of a baseball or softball game. Because catchers play such an active role, the outcome of the game can be decided on their ability to keep base runners from stealing and advancing into scoring position. The ability to throw out a stealing runner is a necessary skill that catchers must possess in order to be successful at their position. To keep a base runner from stealing catchers have the option of throwing down to second base from either their stance or their knees. Despite the …

The Effects Of A Lumbopelvic Hip Complex Conditioning Program On Dynamic Knee Valgus In Female Tennis Players, Katelyn Marie Roling

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Female athletes have a four-to-six times greater risk of sustaining a lower extremity injury than their male counterparts (Hewett, 2000). One explanation for the discrepancy in injury rates is increased dynamic knee valgus angles caused by neuromuscular imbalances of the lumbopelvic hip complex (LPHC). The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing a LPHC conditioning program improved neuromuscular deficiencies. Seven female collegiate tennis players competitive at the NCAA Division I level volunteered for the study (19.7 + .95 years, 167.3 + 7.4 cm, and 60.72 kg + 6.71 kg). The subjects participated in a 16 week LPHC conditioning …

Intraspecific Variation In Two Cosmopolitan Myxomycetes, Didymium Squamulosum And Didymium Difforme (Physarales: Didymiaceae), Katherine Elizabeth Winsett

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The myxomycetes (plasmodial slime molds or myxogastrids) are one of three groups considered to be true slime molds (class Eumycetozoa sensu Olive 1975). Two vegetative states--amoebae and plasmodia--along with a spore-producing fruiting body characterize the life cycle of the myxomycetes. These organisms are associated with decaying plant material and are found in all terrestrial habitats worldwide. A number of species are considered cosmopolitan, being found worldwide, where they are associated with a diversity of microhabitats and substrates. A review of the literature, including molecular investigations in all three groups of slime molds, is presented, and this is followed by four …

Factors That Influence The Adoption Of Agricultural Conservation Programs In Northwest Arkansas, Edison Anthony Froelich

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A survey was developed and administered to agricultural producers in Northwest Arkansas in order to better understand producer awareness of, application for and participation in six federal and state conservation programs available in Arkansas: the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, the Arkansas Revolving Loan Program, the Arkansas Nonpoint Pollution Management Program , the Arkansas Soil Nutrient and Poultry Litter Application and Management Program, and the Surplus Poultry Litter Removal Incentives Cost Share Program. Survey results found that less than half of the sample was aware of any one of the programs. A logit model was developed …

Applications Of Site-Specific Recombination Systems In Transgene Expression And Marker Gene Removal, Mehmet Aydin Akbudak

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Site Specific Recombination systems, such as FLP-FRT and Cre-lox, have been successfully used for site-specific gene integration and marker-gene deletion in plant systems. They are very useful tools in the integration of single-copy full-length transgene cassettes into the genome because the transgene integration via conventional methods often generate multi-copy locus. Such complex locus containing direct and inverted repeats of full-length and truncated copies of the transgene cassette generate aberrant RNA resulting in gene silencing. Therefore, for stable gene expression, a single copy transgene locus is preferred. However, even single copy locus sometimes succumbs to gene silencing. Although the mechanism is …

Analysis Of The Response Of Medicago Truncatula Calcium Oxalate Mutants To Abiotic Stress, Wayra Gabriela Navia-Gine

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Calcium oxalate crystals are found in most plant species. In Medicago truncatula wild-type A17, crystals accumulate in leaves along the secondary veins and the only role attributed to them so far is defense against chewing insects. Calcium oxalate deficient (cod) mutants were isolated in M. truncatula; the cod mutants include cod5, which completely lack crystals in the leaves and cod6 that accumulates fewer and smaller crystals compared to A17. We analyzed gene expression in the cod mutants and A17 using GeneChip® Medicago Genome Arrays and found important differences in transcriptome between the three genotypes. In particular, we found a gene …

Tryptophan Anchored Peptides In Lipid Bilayer Membranes: Control Of Peptide Orientation And The Phase Behavior Of Cholesterol-Containing Ternary Lipid Mixtures, Johanna Maria Rankenberg

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Model WALP peptides and "next generation" WALP-derived hydrophobic model peptides were employed to discover principles that govern protein-lipid interactions in biological membranes.

Ternary cholesterol-containing lipid mixtures were examined in the presence of WALP peptides of different lengths (acetyl-GWW(LA)_nLWWA-ethanolamide, with n between 3 and 8). Deuterium NMR spectra from labeled lipids reveal that WALP peptides may stabilize lipid ordered "raft" domains and therefore promote lipid phase separation, albeit to a minor extent. The results depend upon whether dioleolyl- or diphytanoyl-phosphatidylcholine is present as the fluid lipid component.

Several WALP peptides were modified to remove anchoring Trp residues from one …

Efficient Separation And Sensitive Detection Of Listeria Monocytogenes Using Magnetic Nanoparticles, Microfluidics And Interdigitated Microelectrode Based Impedance Immunosensor, Damira Ashimkhanovna Kanayeva

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Listeria monocytogenes continues to be a major foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning and sometimes death in immunosuppressed people and abortion in pregnant women. Nanoparticles have recently drawn attentions for use in immunomagnetic separation techniques due to their greater surface area/volume ratio and better stability against sedimentation in the absence of a magnetic field. Interdigitated microelectrodes and microfluidics make material transfer more efficient and biological/chemical interaction between the surface and solution phase much quicker. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) with a 30 nm diameter were functionalized with rabbit anti-L. monocytogenes antibodies via biotin-streptavidin bonds and then amalgamated with target bacterial cells …

Characterization Of Neuronal Groups Regulating Sexual And Agonistic Behavior In Male Chicken (Gallus Gallus), Jingjing Xie

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The study aimed to understand the neuronal regulation of male sexual and agonistic behavior in broiler breeders. First, brain structures associated with sexual and agonistic behavior were identified by mapping Fos expression. The ventromedial subnucleus of medial portion of bed nucleus of the stria teriminalis (BSTM2) was specifically activated by male courtship behavior. The medial preoptic nucleus (POM) and lateral septum (SL) were associated with both sexual and agonistic behaviors. The bed nucleus of the pallial commissure (NCPa) and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were closely related to stress. Second, Fos-ir neurons were phenotyped by double labeling Fos with aromatase (ARO) …

Pharmacokinetic Evaluation Of The Blood: Tissue Relationship In Poultry: Screening For Antibiotic Residues In Chicken Muscle, Ixchel Reyes Herrera

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

During their life, humans are exposed to numerous substances that are naturally present in the environment or that are the result of man made processes, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides and veterinary drugs. Some of these substances can leave residues in food products and possibly expose consumers to their potential toxic effects. To address these problems extensive regulatory efforts are devoted to prevent, detect and control these substances from reaching the food supply. However, given the vast diversity of food products that requires monitoring and the immense diversity of potential chemical contaminants, the need for an efficient and …

Biogeography And Microhabitat Distribution Of Myxomycetes In High-Elevation Areas Of The Neotropics, Carlos Alonso Rojas-Alvarado

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Myxomycetes are a group of amoeboid organisms with the capacity of forming fruiting bodies that resemble some macrofungi. The ecology and global distribution of species within the group have been studied only during the last half century. For this reason, a number of questions regarding the nature of the interactions that exist between myxomycetes and their environment still lack the empirical evidence required to obtain complete answers. In the Neotropical region, species assemblages have been moderately well studied, but their biogeography and macroecology have received little attention. In high-elevation areas of this region, the situation is especially precarious, due the …

The Role Of Multiple Ccaat-Binding Factors In Candida Albicans Gene Expression, Lashall Lynn Bates

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The CCAAT-binding factor is a heterooligomeric transcription factor that is evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes. In yeast, the DNA-binding component that interacts with the CCAAT consensus sequence in promoters consists of the subunits termed Hap2p, Hap3p and Hap5p. In yeast and fungi, a fourth subunit, Hap4p, is required for regulating gene expression. The goal of this research is to understand the function of the Candida albicans CCAAT-binding factor and how it relates to virulence and pathogenicity. C. albicans is a human opportunistic pathogen responsible for a variety of mucosal and systemic infections that result in significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in …

Characterization And Functional Regulation Of Bioactive Peptides In Avian Macrophages And Heterophils, Lakshmi Kannan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Oligopeptides and low molecular weight polypeptides play central roles as effectors and signal transducers acting as hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors, toxins, and antimicrobial factors that are important for the survival of the organism. Owing to the ubiquitous involvement of peptides in many key regulatory processes, we have been interested to identify native peptides in different cells and tissues and understand their functions. To conduct our studies, we used avian macrophages and heterophils as models of specialized cells which constitute central components of innate immunity. These studies involved (a) qualitative identification and characterization of the peptides associated with high intensity mass …

Applications Of Variable Number Tandem Repeat Genotyping In The Validation Of An Animal Medical Model And Gene Flow Studies In Threatened Populations Of Reptiles, Candace D. Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

We used variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) to validate the chicken as a human medical model for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. We identified seven regions on four chromosomes and interrogated for VNTR markers that significantly associate with Pulmonary Hypertension Syndrome/ascites. In those regions, we identified 7 candidate genes; AGTR1, ACE, p38MAPK, SST, 5HT2B, NET1, and CALM3 for further analysis as significantly contributing QTL for ascites/PHS. We also used variable number tandem repeats to measure gene flow and gather evidence for multiple paternity in a population of Timber rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus. We were able to verify 1 VNTR that can be used …

Evaluation Of Best Management Practices To Reduce Nutrients Runoff In Watersheds In Arkansas, Hector German Rodriguez Diaz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

There are many non point sources (NPS) of pollution issues across the state of Arkansas. Each region of the state has different concerns. Many watersheds have been included in the Arkansas's 2008 303(d) list for NPS impairments with sediment and nutrients being the primary causes of concern. This research hypothesized that there are no cost or net returns risks when adopting best management practices (BMPs) to control nutrients runoff and that selection, timing, placement and cost have no impact on the implementation of BMPs. Using two priority watersheds, the L'Anguille River and the Lincoln Lake, as examples, the environmental benefits …

The Membrane Interface Of Chloroplast Signal Recognition Particle-Dependent Protein Targeting, Naomi Jane Marty

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A novel signal recognition particle (SRP) found in the chloroplast (cpSRP) works in combination with the cpSRP receptor, cpFtsY, to facilitate the post-translational targeting of a family of nuclear-encoded thylakoid proteins to the Alb3 translocase in thylakoid membranes. Work here focused on understanding events at the membrane that take place to ensure targeting of the cpSRP-dependent substrate to Alb3. Specifically, we sought to understand the structural and functional role of membrane binding by cpFtsY, a protein that exhibits the ability to partition between the membrane (thylakoid) and soluble (stroma) phase during protein targeting. We also sought to understand whether a …

Preparation, Separation, Purification, Characterization And Human Cell Line Anti-Cancer Evaluation Of Rice Bran Peptides, Arvind Kannan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bioactive compounds are revolutionizing the nutritional and medicinal world with their inherent disease-fighting properties. A wide range of functional groups fall under the category of imparting health benefits. Compounds from both animal and plant origins have been generated as bioactive agents that have opened up new vistas for alternative medicine and natural healing. For example, in a debilitating disease like cancer, these compounds can act to suppress or delay the underlying pathology over and above the conventional treatment strategies involving drugs or chemotherapy. In other words conventional and invasive therapy, although still considered appropriate at certain stages of cancer, their …