Life Sciences Commons^™

Foxo Factors’ Ability In Binding To And Inducing Tcf7 In Glioblastoma Cells, Stephanie Oyervides

Theses and Dissertations

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive astrocytoma tumor type with a poor prognosis and limited immunotherapeutic options for those inflicted. Stem gene expression of this cancer indicates a direct relationship with the transcription factors, Forkhead box subfamily O (FOXO-1, -3 and - 4). These transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved, partially redundant. They are involved in diverse and fundamental biological processes such as cell survival, stem cell homeostasis, cell fate determination, cell cycle maintenance, metabolism, and apoptosis. Increasing evidence suggests interconnectivity between the WNT Pathway and FOXO transcription factors; however, the mechanism and full extent to which these interactions play a …

Oxytocin As A Possible Vegf Inhibitor For Treatment Of Diabetic Retinopathy, Daira Yepez

Theses and Dissertations

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss largely driven by the overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which promotes neovascularization and vascular permeability in the retina. Current treatments, primarily anti-VEGF injections, inhibit the effects of VEGF once it has been secreted but can be ineffective in a certain subset of patients. Recent studies suggest that oxytocin (OXT), a neuropeptide mainly known for its roles in reproduction and social bonding, may downregulate VEGF expression. This study aimed to investigate whether OXT influences VEGF secretion in the human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) …

Investigating The Role Of Metallothioneins In Fungal Iron Homeostasis, David Eap

Theses and Dissertations

The pathogenic fungi Aspergillus fumigatus requires metals to survive and infect humans, but metal overload can be detrimental. Metallothioneins (MTs) are small, cysteine-rich proteins that alleviate metal toxicity by binding excess metals (typically Zn or Cu) for storage or delivery. A recent report indicates that the Fe-S cluster binding glutaredoxin GrxD and the putative Cu-MT CmtA were interacting under high iron conditions in A. fumigatus. We hypothesize that this MT may have a role in binding iron or Fe-S clusters under iron overload conditions to prevent iron toxicity. We also aim to characterize this new MT by determining its …

Circannual And Kinship Cues Shape Reproduction And Epigenetic Aging In Peromyscus, Kim Tuyen Huynh Dam

Theses and Dissertations

Evolutionary success is defined by the ability of a species to adapt and survive across many generations. This success is not determined by any single attribute but rather includes the entrenched, complex system that could be associated with biological rhythms, reproductive strategies, and regulations of epigenetic and genetic components. By using closed Peromyscus colonies as a model and by coupling mathematical modeling, analyses of breeding records, epigenetic studies, and in vitro and in vivo experiments, this dissertation aims to discover how Peromyscus adjusts to the internal and external pressures to ensure their survival and preserve evolutionary fitness in controlled environments. …

Exploring The Ancestry And Mutational Signatures Of Free-Breeding Dogs From Chernobyl And The Galápagos Islands, Gabriella Jean Spatola

Theses and Dissertations

Two free-breeding dog populations, one in Chernobyl, Ukraine, and the other on the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, exist on opposite sides of the globe, yet both hold unique scientific potential to further our understanding of free-breeding dog population dynamics and evolutionary processes related to their environments. In the following studies, blood samples from more than 400 individual Chernobyl dogs were collected and their genomes were analyzed alongside over 1500 purebred and 200 global free-breeding dogs, describing genetic relationships and the extent of admixture with purebred migrants. Importantly, the sampled Chernobyl dogs had long-term exposures to ionizing radiation because of the 1986 …

Hybrid Penstemon Flowers: Colors, Pigments, And Detectability & Experimental Teaching: Evaluating The Impact Of Active Learning, Josh Thomas Edward Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

Shifts to different primary pollinators are often accompanied by changes in suites of floral traits. Understanding how and why these floral adaptations evolve is a central goal in evolutionary biology. Within the genus Penstemon, the transition from bee-pollinated to hummingbird-pollinated flowers is a common evolutionary pattern. These pollinator shifts have caused several closely related species to exhibit distinct pollination syndromes. One example of this evolutionary phenomenon can be seen within the sister species P. eatonii (hummingbird-pollinated) and P. laevis (bee-pollinated). These two species form several hybrid zones, in which hybrid individuals exhibit colors resembling both parental species, along with a …

Investigating The Immunomodulatory Effects Of Cdk8/19 Inhibitor Senexin631 In A Her2-Positive Breast Cancer Model, Stephen O'Rourke

Theses and Dissertations

HER2-positive (HER2⁺) breast cancer is aggressive and often develops resistance to anti-HER2 therapies. CDK8 and CDK19, transcription-associated cyclin-dependent kinases (tCDKs) in the Mediator complex, are dysregulated in HER2⁺ breast cancer, correlate with poor survival, and support transcriptional escape driving therapeutic resistance. Previous studies Previous studies in immune-deficient models demonstrated that CDK8/19 inhibition (CDK8/19i) reduces pro-tumor macrophages (M2Φs), but its role in immune-competent tumors and innate immune–mediated tumor control remains unclear. Since HER2⁺ tumors are often immunogenic and anti-HER2 therapies rely on innate immune activation, reprogramming immunosuppressive M2Φ toward an M1Φ-like phenotype could enhance antitumor immunity. We hypothesized that CDK8/19i modulates …

Novel Approaches To Combat Neuro-Degradation: Investigations Of Two Supplemental Strategies Aimed At Improving Warfighter Performance, Blaine Lints

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the efficacy of two distinct nutritional supplementation strategies for improving physical and/or cognitive performance under stress. The first study investigated the effects of 150 mg caffeine plus 150 mg theacrine ingestion in tactically trained individuals. Results indicated that the combination of caffeine and theacrine was associated with significant improvements in reaction time, accuracy, and measures of ocular control following high-intensity interval (HII) exercise. The HII exercise protocol consisted of ten repetitions of 60s high-intensity intervals (≥90% maximal oxygen uptake [VO_2max]) followed by 120s low-intensity intervals (~40% VO_2max) on a treadmill. These benefits were …

Investigating Mechanisms And Day-Level Factors That Influence Children’S 24-Hour Movement Behaviors, Hannah Parker

Theses and Dissertations

Twenty-four hour movement behaviors (i.e., physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep) are associated with health outcomes, chronic disease (obesity, type 2 diabetes), and mortality. Most literature evaluating children’s 24-hour movement behaviors has focused on static person-level demographic information such as age or biological sex. Relatively less work has examined the variable factors that change day to day, such as environment or context. The Structured Days Hypothesis (SDH) suggests that when children are in structured environments, they have healthier movement behaviors compared to less structured environments where children have more discretionary time to engage in obesogenic behaviors. Besides school/childcare, …

Modeling The Interaction Between Pain And Movement: Insights From Brain Activation Patterns And Context-Dependent Emotion In Chronic Low Back Pain, Pradeep Kumar Sahu

Theses and Dissertations

In persons with chronic pain, fear or anxiety related to movement is a well-established model under the biopsychosocial framework that explains in part, the chronicity of symptoms commonly reported by individuals with chronic low back pain (cLBP). This dissertation aimed to further understand the link between the context-dependent emotion network in the brain and movement in two separate studies using brain functional MRI and autonomic nervous system indices. Aim 1sought to investigate the brain functional connectivity linking brain regions involved in context-dependent emotion and movement while cLBP participants moved their back inside the scanner by performing a modified trunk bridging …

Cytidine Triphosphate Specifically Modulates Parb-Mediated Dna Compaction: Insights From Single-Molecule Analysis And Parb C-Terminal Lysine Mutagenesis, Lois Akosua Serwaa

Theses and Dissertations

ParB is a central player in bacterial chromosome segregation, and cytidine triphosphate (CTP) is known to modulate its DNA compaction activity. This study explored whether CTP’s regulatory effect is due to specific molecular interactions beyond its known CTP-binding pocket. Using single-molecule flow-stretching and TIRF microscopy, we showed that CTP significantly reduces DNA compaction by wild-type Bacillus subtilis ParB, while ATP has no effect, supporting the hypothesis that CTP acts through specific recognition rather than general charge. CTP’s modulatory effect persisted across C-terminal domain (CTD) lysine mutants. Compaction was reduced in wild-type and K255A but abolished in K252A and K259A. The …

Contributions Of Citizen Science Data To Butterflies Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Akane Jazmyn Benitez

Theses and Dissertations

Citizen science-provided insect data inherently exhibits variability in accuracy. In the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), butterfly occurrence reporting is predominantly reliant on citizen science contributions. My research compared fieldwork conducted monthly over a year to occurrence records submitted by visitors at the National Butterfly Center and in Mission, Hidalgo County, Texas. I hypothesized that butterfly occurrences at the Center would be maximized during the fall and minimized during winter and summer months. My research findings revealed that butterfly taxa richness is contingent upon the following factors: 1) the impact of citizen science submitting reports, and 2) monthly butterfly activity …

From Differentiation To Disease: Cyclin C Directly Coordinates Transcription And Mitochondrial Dynamics, Alicia Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Organelle crosstalk is essential for coordinating cellular responses to various external cues, including stress and differentiation. Two key organelles, the nucleus and mitochondria, engage in extensive crosstalk to manage responses to a range of environmental and developmental signals. Complex processes such as stem cell differentiation and neuronal development rely on organelle crosstalk. Both processes integrate changes in gene expression with cytosolic and organellar remodeling. However, it remains unclear how these two complex processes are coordinated to achieve the desired outcome. This project concentrates on cyclin C (CCNC), a component of the Mediator Kinase Module (MKM), and its role in directly …

Integration Of Mechanism-Driven Computational Modeling And Public Data Resources For Chemical Toxicity Assessment, Elena Chung

Theses and Dissertations

Regulatory toxicology depends primarily on animal testing, which limits throughput, mechanistic interpretability, and applicability to human-relevant endpoints. This dissertation presents computational approaches that integrate publicly available bioactivity data with machine learning to support chemical safety evaluation. Oral carcinogenicity was modeled using curated chemicals from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) and activity data from over 1,900 PubChem assays. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models trained on statistically prioritized assays demonstrated strong predictive performance and were applied to rank the carcinogenic potential of more than 16,000 compounds. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated using a hybrid modeling approach that combined structural …

Gardenia Jasminoides Extract As A Potential Neuroprotective Agent In An In Vitro Tauopathy Model, Inas Birekdar

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by the selective loss of neurons in various brain regions, leading to cognitive dysfunction. Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein accumulate within neuronal cells leading to cell death. The development of effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) remains a significant challenge, with neuroprotection emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy to slow disease progression and preserve cognitive function.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the potential neuroprotective effect of Gardenia jasminoides fruit extract, which contains geniposide, a biologically active compound known for its neuroprotective properties, in mitigating Tau hyperphosphorylation in …

Predicting Single-Leg Eccentric Hamstrings Strength In Aging Athletes Using Diagnostic Ultrasound- And Survey-Derived Parameters, Lee J. Hinkle

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Eccentric hamstring strength declines with age and contributes to mobility limitations. Although Nordbord testing quantifies eccentric strength, few studies have examined it in older adults, and none have predicted strength performance on this test using ultrasound or survey- based measures. Methods: We recruited 122 senior athletes (60 female) at the 2024 Huntsman World Senior Games. Ultrasound-derived cross-sectional area (CSA), echogenicity, and subcutaneous fat thickness, along with demographic and activity data, were used to predict single-leg peak force using Bayesian regression. Models were sex-stratified, and predictors were selected using leave-one-out cross-validation (LOO IC). Results: In males, CSA, age, leg side, …

The Exaggerated Blood Pressure Response To Activities Of Daily Living And Exercise Is Dependent Upon The Fitness Of People With Hypertension, Joseph D. Larsen

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Determine if the previously reported exaggerated systolic blood pressure response to daily activity and moderate exercise amongst hypertensive adults could be accounted for by differences in fitness. Methods: 30 normotensives adults (15 low fitness control (LFC) and 15 high fitness control (HFC)) and 15 unmedicated adults with ambulatory hypertension (HTN) participated in this study. Participants completed 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Lactate Threshold (LT) and estimated ����̇O2max were determined for each participant. A week later, blood pressure was measured while participants completed 5-minute bouts of treadmill exercise at fixed absolute intensities (2.5 mph 0% and 12% grade) and …

Computational Advances For Single-Cell Proteomics, Hannah Boekweg

Theses and Dissertations

The overarching goal of biologists is to characterize biological systems. When the workings of a system are understood, they can be fixed, broken, preserved, mimicked, and even replicated. The field of proteomics seeks to characterize systems through the lens of proteins. Proteins are referred to as the 'workhorse' of the cell to illustrate that they perform most functional tasks within the cell. These tasks are highly varied, including enzymatic activity, structural support, transport, storage, cell signaling, gene regulation, immune response, and more. Proteomics has been instrumental in new biological discoveries by characterizing the functional state of cells. A new area …

Removal Of Fluoroquinolones From Water Systems Employing Rice Husk Composited Sponges Via Nanoadsorption, Dalia Kanaa

Theses and Dissertations

A novel nanocomposite of polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde (PVF) sponge loaded with green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) and referred to as (NP-PVF) was fabricated as a potential adsorbent of ciprofloxacin from water. A simple mechanical foaming process was used to synthesize the adsorbent. Rice husk extract was used to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) for its phytochemicals as reducing agents. A facile and low-energy-dependent extraction method was used that did not require the use of high-temperature annealing. The synthesized nanoparticles showed a maximum UV absorption at 347 nm, which corresponds to a 3.58 eV band gap energy. FTIR confirmed the successful …

Exploring The Relationship Between Country Socioeconomic Characteristics And Electronic Waste, Keliiakekaipuka Aria Mccomber

Theses and Dissertations

Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing and most hazardous waste streams globally. Despite efforts to improve global e-waste management, 77.7 percent of e-waste remains improperly disposed of, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where environmental and health risks are greatest (Baldé et al., 2024). This study evaluates whether national socioeconomic, cultural, and governmental characteristics can predict three key e-waste outcomes: generation per capita, formal collection rates, and resulting burden per capita. Using data from 2015-2022 for 127 countries, we applied mixed effects models incorporating variables such as GDP, Human Development Index, institutional integrity, financial openness, and …

Acute Effects Of Blood Flow Restriction During Low-Load Exercise And Recovery On Blood Flow And Performance, Shay B. Richards

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Use of blood flow restriction (BFR) during strength training with light loads has been used to induce similar muscular benefits as traditional strength training with heavy loads. Safe and effective recommendations for the use of BFR relies on an understanding of how different methods of BFR alter blood flow during rest and exercise. The purpose of this study was to compare blood flow during exercise and recovery between continuous BFR (CONT), intermittent BFR (INT), and no BFR (NBFR) as a control. Methods: 16 participants (8 male, 8 female) participated in this study on three different days, separated by at …

Stepping Into Motherhood: Pregnancy-Induced Changes To Foot Structure And Biomechanics, Lauren R. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women have an elevated risk of developing lower limb musculoskeletal disorders, likely due to the rapid increase in body mass and joint laxity. While a few studies have evaluated changes in static foot posture due to pregnancy, it is unclear if body mass or joint laxity is the primary driver. Additionally, how pregnancy affects the mechanics of the foot during dynamic movements is still not understood. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the foot's response to pregnancy. First, we examined foot tissue characteristics across pregnancy, specifically plantar fascia (PF) stiffness, length, and thickness. Additionally, we …

Exploring Soft Polymeric Nanoparticles For Targeted Biomolecule Delivery In Plant Cells, Mohammad Rashid

Theses and Dissertations

Safe and efficient agricultural practices require innovative technologies. Nanotechnology offers promising solutions for advancing plant agriculture by enabling the targeted delivery of biomolecules such as agrochemicals and nucleic acids. This study focuses on developing a safe nanotechnological approach for delivering molecules of interest into plant cells. We investigated the ability of four types of polymeric nanoparticles such as Polyethylene glycol N, Nʹ-dibutylethylenediamine (PEG-DB), Polyethylene glycol 2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethyl-amine (PEG-PY), Polyethyleneimine (PEI), Arabinoxylan (AX)+, and Zein+ to form conjugates with plasmid DNA (pDNA). Our findings confirm that plant-derived cationic nanopolymers, AX+ and Zein+, effectively bind negatively charged pDNA (pGFPGUSPlus) carrying a GFP reporter …

Assessing Illegal Take Of Sea Turtle In Bocas Del Toro, Panamanian Caribbean, Daniela Carolina Rojas-Cañizales

Theses and Dissertations

In Bocas del Toro, Panama, sea turtles were exploited for generations to supply local, national, and international markets. Today, sea turtle species are globally protected by different laws, and Panama is no exception. However, the use of sea turtles in Bocas del Toro and local perceptions regarding the consumption of these reptiles are unknown. Accordingly, during May of 2024, I conducted twenty-five semi-structured interviews with key informants selected by targeted and snowball sampling. Sea turtle consumption persists, and there is a clandestine network to sell turtle meat and derived products in Bocas del Toro. This study provides the first assessment …

The Effects Of Morphine, Thc, And Lsd On Synaptic Plasticity Of The Ventral Tegmental Area, Michael Von Gunten

Theses and Dissertations

The brain is an intricate network of neurons that communicate via synapses. Synaptic plasticity, which is the ability to strengthen or weaken synaptic connections, plays a key role in learning, memory, and reward learning. Disruptions to synaptic plasticity play a central role in addiction, particularly in brain circuits involved in reward and motivation. The mesolimbic reward system, which includes the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and its dopaminergic projections, is a primary target of drugs of abuse, including opioids and cannabinoids. However, the physiological consequences of combined exposure to opioids and cannabinoids and the potential for psychedelics to reverse drug-induced neuroadaptations …

The Role Of Cephalic Mechanosensory Bristles In Flight Initiation Of The Oleander Hawkmoth, Daphnis Nerii, Maitri Manjunath

Theses and Dissertations

During flight, insects sense air movement past their bodies via sensory bristles distributed all over their body. These bristles provide mechanosensory feedback to their nervous system, thereby modulating wing motion to cope with ambient wind conditions. In many insect systems including locusts, moths, etc., flight can be rapidly initiated by stimulating a set of bristles called cephalic bristles on their head. Rapid initiation of flight requires diverse, distributed flight-related reflexes to be simultaneously activated.

Thus, we hypothesized that cephalic bristles directly and simultaneously trigger diverse flight-related reflexes. We tested this hypothesis using the Oleander hawkmoth, Daphnis nerii, as our study …

Application Of Bioinformatic Tools To Tuberculosis Surveillance At The Arkansas Department Of Health, Brian Scott Delavan

Theses and Dissertations

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health threat in Arkansas. Great strides have been made over the past fifty years to reduce the number of TB cases in Arkansas. However, the rate of TB cases has remained steady since 2010. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, from 2012 through 2023 the TB Case rate per 100,00 population was between 2.0 and 3.1. To continue Arkansas’ drive towards elimination of TB in Arkansas, defined as one TB case per million residents, new data analysis tools are needed. This project employs multiple bioinformatic tools to analyze TB cases and latent tuberculosis infections …

Evaluating Simulated Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper (Hemiptera: Membracidae) Damage In Cotton (Malvales: Malvaceae) And Identifying Conducive Environments, Reece Starnes Butler

Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluated the effects of simulated threecornered alfalfa hopper (TCAH), Spissistilus festinus (Say), damage in cotton and aimed to identify environments that may contribute to an increase in TCAH injury. During the 2023 and 2024 growing season, simulated TCAH damage was imposed at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% at the three and six leaf growth stage. Agronomic data included plant heights, node counts, and plant mapping, which was collected throughout the growing season, while lint yield was recorded at harvest. Damaged plants exhibited reduced plant heights and node counts, with an increase in nodes above cracked boll …

Effects Of Different Forms Of Dietary Zinc On Weaned Steers When Fed Prior To Weaning, Christopher Lane Addison

Theses and Dissertations

Zinc (Zn) is crucial for many life sustaining processes within the body. Additional Zn is known to be beneficial during certain periods of increased stress. Weaning is one of the most stressful periods of beef calves’ lives. Due to this it was hypothesized that additional zinc in an organic form would increase weight gain and immune response compared to additional zinc in an inorganic form or no added zinc. No differences were found for ADG, Th score, IgG concentration, or mineral concentration among treatments. However, there was a novel and unexpected finding when there was no difference found in preweaning …

Taking Flight: Utilizing Unmanned Aerial Systems To Sample Insects In Soybean, William "Covey" Lockhart

Theses and Dissertations

Insect scouting in soybean is a labor-intensive task but is needed throughout the season to minimize losses. When soybeans are tall, soils are wet, or soybeans are planted in narrow rows, walking through these fields can be difficult. To overcome these limitations of manual sampling, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sampling platform was developed that can collect insects in a sweep net attached to the bottom of a UAV. This system has been named the “Drone Insect Net Sampling System” (DINSS). Previous research with this system has shown positive correlations to traditional manual sampling methods. To improve this system, modifications …