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2007

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Articles 3301 - 3330 of 3598

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

A Peroxisomal Acyltransferase In Mouse Identifies A Novel Pathway For Taurine Conjugation Of Fatty Acids., Sarah-Jayne Reilly, Eithne O'Shea, O'Byrne James, Stefan Alexson, Mary Hunt Jan 2007

A Peroxisomal Acyltransferase In Mouse Identifies A Novel Pathway For Taurine Conjugation Of Fatty Acids., Sarah-Jayne Reilly, Eithne O'Shea, O'Byrne James, Stefan Alexson, Mary Hunt

Articles

A wide variety of endogenous carboxylic acids and xenobiotics are conjugated with amino acids, before excretion in urine or bile. The conjugation of carboxylic acids and bile acids with taurine and glycine has been widely characterized and de-novo synthesized bile acids are conjugated to either glycine or taurine in peroxisomes. Peroxisomes are also involved in the oxidation of several other lipid molecules, such as very long chain acyl-CoAs, branched chain acyl-CoAs and prostaglandins. In this study we have now identified a novel peroxisomal enzyme called acyl-CoA:amino acid N-acyltransferase (ACNAT1). Recombinantly expressed ACNAT1 acts as an acyltransferase that efficiently conjugates very …

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Peroxisomes Contain A Specific Phytanoly-Coa/Pristanoyl-Coa Thioesterase Acting As A Novel Auxiliary Enzyme In Alpha-And Beta-Oxidation Of Methyl-Branched Fatty Acids In Mouse, Maria Westin, Mary Hunt, Stefan Alexson Jan 2007

Peroxisomes Contain A Specific Phytanoly-Coa/Pristanoyl-Coa Thioesterase Acting As A Novel Auxiliary Enzyme In Alpha-And Beta-Oxidation Of Methyl-Branched Fatty Acids In Mouse, Maria Westin, Mary Hunt, Stefan Alexson

Articles

Phytanic acid and pristanic acid are derived from phytol, which enter the body via the diet. Phytanic acid contains a methyl group in position three and therefore cannot undergo b-oxidation directly, but instead must first undergo a-oxidation to pristanic acid, which then enters b-oxidation. Both these pathways occur in peroxisomes, and in this study we have identified a novel peroxisomal acyl-CoA thioesterase, named ACOT6, which we show is specifically involved in phytanic acid and pristanic acid metabolism. Sequence analysis of ACOT6 revealed a putative peroxisomal targeting signal at the C-terminal end, and cellular localization experiments verified it as a peroxisomal …

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Chlamydia Trachomatis Detection In Cervical Preservcyt Specimens From An Irish Urban Female Population, Helen Keegan, Fergus Ryan, Alison Malkin, M. Griffin, Helen Lambkin Jan 2007

Chlamydia Trachomatis Detection In Cervical Preservcyt Specimens From An Irish Urban Female Population, Helen Keegan, Fergus Ryan, Alison Malkin, M. Griffin, Helen Lambkin

Articles

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cervical Chlamydia trachomatis infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in urban women undergoing routine cervical cytological screening and to investigate the relationship with age, cytology, smoking status and concurrent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Methods: A total of 996 women (age range 16–69 years) attending general practitioners for routine liquid-based cervical smear screening in the Dublin area were recruited in the study of prevalence of C. trachomatis. Informed consent was obtained and liquid-based cytology (LBC) specimens were sent for cytological screening. DNA was extracted from residual LBC and tested …

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The Bioaccumulation Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Marine Species From Irish And Surrounding Waters, Brendan Mchugh Jan 2007

The Bioaccumulation Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Marine Species From Irish And Surrounding Waters, Brendan Mchugh

Doctoral

The presence of anthropogenic pollutants throughout all compartments of the marine environment have been of international concern for a number of decades. While a great number of datasets documenting “absolute” concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in a variety of marine biota are available, bioaccumulation, biomagnification and the fate of these compounds in the marine food web or marine ecosystem is often not possible. This thesis reports various analytical methodologies employed to determine levels of a wide scope of persistent organic pollutants in marine biota and traces the flow of carbon and nitrogen isotopes through the marine food web, ultimately applying …

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Models Of Density‐Dependent Genic Selection And A New Rock‐Paper‐Scissors Social System, Barry Sinervo, Benoit Heulin, Yann Surget-Groba, Jean Clobert, Donald B. Miles, Ammon Corl, Alexis Chaine, Alison Davis Jan 2007

Models Of Density‐Dependent Genic Selection And A New Rock‐Paper‐Scissors Social System, Barry Sinervo, Benoit Heulin, Yann Surget-Groba, Jean Clobert, Donald B. Miles, Ammon Corl, Alexis Chaine, Alison Davis

Biology Faculty Publications

We describe new ESS models of density regulation driven by genic selection to explain the cyclical dynamics of a social system that exhibits a rock-paper-scissors (RPS) set of three alternative strategies. We tracked changes in morph frequency and fitness of Lacerta vivipara and found conspicuous RPS cycles. Morphs of Uta and Lacerta exhibited parallel survival-performance trade-offs. Frequency cycles in both species of lizards are driven by genic selection. In Lacerta, frequency of each allele in adult cohorts had significant impacts on juvenile recruitment, similar to mutualistic, altruistic, and antagonistic relations of RPS alleles in Uta. We constructed evolutionarily stable strategy …

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The Cytomegalovirus Homolog Of Interleukin-10 Requires Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activity For Inhibition Of Cytokine Synthesis In Monocytes, Juliet V. Spencer Jan 2007

The Cytomegalovirus Homolog Of Interleukin-10 Requires Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activity For Inhibition Of Cytokine Synthesis In Monocytes, Juliet V. Spencer

Biology Faculty Publications

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) has evolved numerous strategies for evading host immune defenses, including piracy of cellular cytokines. A viral homolog of interleukin-10, designated cmvIL-10, binds to the cellular IL-10 receptor and effects potent immune suppression. The signaling pathways employed by cmvIL-10 were investigated, and the classic IL-10R/JAK1/Stat3 pathway was found to be activated in monocytes. However, inhibition of JAK1 had little effect on cmvIL-10-mediated suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway had a more significant impact on TNF-α levels but did not completely relieve the immune suppression, demonstrating that cmvIL-10 stimulates multiple signaling …

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Estimates Of Genetic Parameters For Racing Times Of Thoroughbred Horses, Bülent Eki̇z, Ömür Koçak Jan 2007

Estimates Of Genetic Parameters For Racing Times Of Thoroughbred Horses, Bülent Eki̇z, Ömür Koçak

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for racing times, which are needed for a selection program of Thoroughbred horses in Turkey. The racing records used in the study were obtained from the Turkish Jockey Club. The trait used in the study was racing time for racing distances of 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, and 2400 m. The data from each racing distance were analyzed separately. Genetic parameters were estimated by REML procedure using the DFREML program. Estimates of heritability ranged from 0.177 to 0.353, depending on the racing distance. …

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Pigmentation Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) With Carotenoids From Marigold Flower (Tagetes Erecta) And Red Pepper (Capsicum Annum), Hakan Murat Büyükçapar, Mahmut Yanar, Yasemen Yanar Jan 2007

Pigmentation Of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) With Carotenoids From Marigold Flower (Tagetes Erecta) And Red Pepper (Capsicum Annum), Hakan Murat Büyükçapar, Mahmut Yanar, Yasemen Yanar

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The effects of diets including various natural carotenoid sources and synthetic astaxanthin on the pigmentation and growth of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. Rainbow trout weighing about 111 g were fed diets containing 1.6%, 2.4% and 3.2% marigold flower; 4.4%, 6.6% and 8.8% red pepper; 100 mg kg^{-1} synthetic astaxanthin; and a control diet for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, synthetic astaxanthin provided the highest carotenoid accumulation in the fish flesh (6.42 mg kg^{-1}) in the groups. This was followed by red pepper (5.78 mg kg^{-1}) and marigold flower (5.59 mg kg^{-1}), each of which included …

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Chondroma In A Dog, Rifki Haziroğlu, Hasan Bi̇lgi̇li̇, Kübra A. Teri̇m Kapakin Jan 2007

Chondroma In A Dog, Rifki Haziroğlu, Hasan Bi̇lgi̇li̇, Kübra A. Teri̇m Kapakin

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

An 11-year-old female terrier brought to our clinic was diagnosed with chondroma located on the caudolateral side of the right distal humerus. During the clinical examination of the dog, swelling and lameness were observed on right forelimb. Following the operation, the subject had no lameness after removing the mass. Postoperative follow-up was done by phone with the owner of the patient in 6th and 12th months, and no lameness and swelling in the region was reported. The tumoral mass was removed easily from underlying tissue without any attachment during the operation. The tissue sample from the specimen was routinely processed …

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Isolation Of Salmonella Spp. In Camel Sausages From Retail Markets In Aydın, Turkey, And Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr) Confirmation, Gökben Özbey, Fi̇li̇z Kök, Adi̇le Muz Jan 2007

Isolation Of Salmonella Spp. In Camel Sausages From Retail Markets In Aydın, Turkey, And Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr) Confirmation, Gökben Özbey, Fi̇li̇z Kök, Adi̇le Muz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

A total of 100 camel sausage samples from different retail markets in Aydın, located in southwest Turkey, were examined for the presence of Salmonella spp. by culture method. After sausage samples was preenriched in buffered peptone water and incubated 18-20 h at 37 °C. were transferred to Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth and Selenite broth, respectively, and incubated at 42 and 37 °C, respectively. After 24 and 48 h of incubation, one loopful from each of the enriched broths was streaked onto plates of Salmonella-Shigella agar and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. A 572-bp fragment of …

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Histopathological Changes After Transplantation Of Stored Osteochondral Allografts Into Articular Cartilage Lesions In Dogs, Zbigniew Adamiak, Wojciech Brzeski Jan 2007

Histopathological Changes After Transplantation Of Stored Osteochondral Allografts Into Articular Cartilage Lesions In Dogs, Zbigniew Adamiak, Wojciech Brzeski

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to evaluate histopathological changes in the recipient site after transplantation of stored osteochondral allografts into articular cartilage defects in 8 dogs. In all dogs a single osteochondral allograft was transplanted into articular cartilage lesions. The results of the completed surgeries include a 12-month follow-up study. It was found that the stored osteochondral allografts were very firmly connected to the recipient tissue and no arthritis changes were noted.

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Seroepidemiology Of Equine Influenza Virus Infection In Turkey, Veysel Soydal Ataseven, Janet Mary Daly Jan 2007

Seroepidemiology Of Equine Influenza Virus Infection In Turkey, Veysel Soydal Ataseven, Janet Mary Daly

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of equine influenza infection in Turkey, measured using the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. Serum samples were obtained from 623 equids aged older than 4 years from 5 different geographical regions in Turkey during the years 2003-2005. Antibodies against equine influenza virus (EIV) were found in 194 (31.1%) of the 623 sera. Seropositivity rates were detected as 41.8% (171/409), 12.8% (11/86), and 9.4% (12/128) in horses, mules, and donkeys, respectively. The data revealed that EIV circulates in Turkey at a relatively high rate. Differences in seropositivity rates in Equidae from different …

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Accidental Poisoning From Lantana Camara (Cherry Pie) Hay Fed To Ostriches (Struthio Camelus), Ross G. Cooper Jan 2007

Accidental Poisoning From Lantana Camara (Cherry Pie) Hay Fed To Ostriches (Struthio Camelus), Ross G. Cooper

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

No abstract provided.

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Serum Biochemical Changes In Experimental Gambian Trypanosomosis. Ii. Assessing Hepatic And Renal Dysfunction, J. N. Abenga, V. O. Anosa Jan 2007

Serum Biochemical Changes In Experimental Gambian Trypanosomosis. Ii. Assessing Hepatic And Renal Dysfunction, J. N. Abenga, V. O. Anosa

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Serum biochemical changes were assessed to determine hepatic and renal function in 4 vervet monkeys experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, the causative agent of sleeping sickness in West and Central Africa. Parameters examined included serum bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and cholesterol levels. Significant increases in the total bilirubin and BUN levels occurred from the second week post-infection (PI) (P Keywords: Serum biochemistry, trypanosomosis, human, monkeys

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The Prevalence Of Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato In Ixodes Ricinus Ticks In The Sinop Region Of Turkey, Turabi̇ Güneş, Serpi̇l Kaya, Ömer Poyraz, Aynur Engi̇n Jan 2007

The Prevalence Of Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato In Ixodes Ricinus Ticks In The Sinop Region Of Turkey, Turabi̇ Güneş, Serpi̇l Kaya, Ömer Poyraz, Aynur Engi̇n

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks, which are the primary vectors of this spirochete, as well as to investigate the effect of I. ricinus population density on the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. Ticks were collected by blanket dragging in 13 different forest regions of Sinop, Turkey, and its vicinity. Ticks were identified under a stereomicroscope. I. ricinus (n = 334), I. hexagonus (n = 5), Rhipicephalus spp. (n = 10), Dermacentor spp. (n = 7), and Hyalomma spp. (n = 5) were collected. Direct immunofluorescence was …

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The Effects Of Fermented Soybean Meal On Growth Performance And Immune Characteristics In Weaned Piglets, Xin Liu, Jianlei Feng, Zirong Xu, Yaping Lu, Yuanyuan Liu Jan 2007

The Effects Of Fermented Soybean Meal On Growth Performance And Immune Characteristics In Weaned Piglets, Xin Liu, Jianlei Feng, Zirong Xu, Yaping Lu, Yuanyuan Liu

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on growth performance and immune characteristics of piglets. In all, 60 crossbred piglets (Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire) were allocated to 2 dietary treatments; 3 replications of 10 pigs were used for each treatment, and all piglets were weaned at 35 days and fed for 23 days. The results showed that average daily gain (ADG) improved (1.44% vs. 1.36%) in piglets fed the FSBM diet and feed gain ratio (FGR) decreased by 5.56% (P < 0.05) compared to the controls (soybean meal treatment). The level of serum IgG decreased 27.2% (P < 0.01) in piglets fed FSBM. Lymphocytes from whole blood had a lower proliferative response to concanavalin A (ConA) (P < 0.01) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the splenocytes of piglets fed FSBM also showed lower proliferative response to ConA (P < 0.05) and LPS (P < 0.01). The results indicated that FSBM was beneficial to growth performance and decreased the immune response to soybean protein in piglets.

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Determination Of Clostridium Perfringens Toxin-Types In Sheep With Suspected Enterotoxemia In Kars Province, Turkey, Hali̇l İbrahi̇m Gökce, Oktay Genç, Mahmut Sözmen, Gürbüz Gökçe Jan 2007

Determination Of Clostridium Perfringens Toxin-Types In Sheep With Suspected Enterotoxemia In Kars Province, Turkey, Hali̇l İbrahi̇m Gökce, Oktay Genç, Mahmut Sözmen, Gürbüz Gökçe

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The study was designed to determine the types of Clostridium perfringens and their toxins in sheep with suspected enterotoxemia in Kars province. For this purpose, 260 dead sheep with suspected enterotoxemia and 35 clinically healthy sheep (controls) of different ages and breeds were used. Intestinal contents of each sheep were collected and used to determine alpha, beta, and epsilon toxins of C. perfringens using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the latex agglutination test (LAT). Based on ELISA and LAT, 220 (84.61%) and 152 (58.46%) sheep, respectively, were positive for C. perfringens toxins. In contrast, 40 (15.38%) sheep were toxin-negative based …

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Effects Of Long-Term Exposure To Low Salinity On The Brackish-Water Amphiurid Brittlestar Ophiophragmus Filograneus (Lyman, 1875) From The Indian River Lagoon System, Florida, Richard L. Turner Jan 2007

Effects Of Long-Term Exposure To Low Salinity On The Brackish-Water Amphiurid Brittlestar Ophiophragmus Filograneus (Lyman, 1875) From The Indian River Lagoon System, Florida, Richard L. Turner

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Previous studies on salinity tolerance of Ophiophragmus filograneus have documented its ability to acclimate to a wide range of salinities in the laboratory and to acclimatize to short-term natural reductions in salinity. In all cases, salinities below 10% were lethal within a few weeks of exposure. Recent long-term changes in hydrology have exposed a dense population of O. filograneus in the Banana River lagoon to 3 yr of salinities between 10% and 20%. The burrowing response of animals subjected to acute exposure was tested in the present study at salinities of 8, 10, 12, 14 (ambient), 19, and 24%. After …

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Strategies For Odor Coding In The Piriform Cortex, Jessica H. Brann, Shari R. Saideman, Matthew T. Valley, Denise Wiedl Jan 2007

Strategies For Odor Coding In The Piriform Cortex, Jessica H. Brann, Shari R. Saideman, Matthew T. Valley, Denise Wiedl

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

No abstract provided.

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Assessing Ethnorelative Pedagogical Preparedness In Pete Programs, Joe W. Burden Jan 2007

Assessing Ethnorelative Pedagogical Preparedness In Pete Programs, Joe W. Burden

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Previously, multicultural education literature has highlighted the increase of ethnically diverse students' growth in American public K-12 schools (Articles & McClafferty, 1998; Ladson-Billings, 1994). On the other hand, the literature reveals that many teachers are failing to appropriately exhibit culturally relevant pedagogical competence to accommodate the growth of students of color in American schools (NCDTF, 2004). Oftentimes, this contributes to the development of pre-service teachers that lack culturally relevant pedagogical preparation to teach students of color in American K-12 schools (Burden, Hodge, O'Bryant & Harrison, 2004; Ambrosio, Seguin, & Hogan, 2001). Thus, this study sought out to better understand how …

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Analysis Of The Impact Of Fish Imports On Domestic Crawfish Prices And Economic Welfare Using Inverse Demand Systems, Young-Jae Lee Jan 2007

Analysis Of The Impact Of Fish Imports On Domestic Crawfish Prices And Economic Welfare Using Inverse Demand Systems, Young-Jae Lee

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study is mainly intended to determine quantitatively the economic effects of crawfish imports on the domestic crawfish industry. Inverse demand systems are used to estimate the price and scale flexibility as an indicator for the effects of imports on crawfish domestic price. A variety of algebraic forms for empirical consumer allocation models have been developed. Economic theory, however, does not provide the necessary fundamental criteria to choose ex ante among the alternative specifications. Bartern (1993) and Brown, Lee, and Seale (1995) examined a family of inverse demand systems, showing that the integrated demand system, in its own right, has …

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Effect Of Age, Body Condition, Pregnancy And Lactation On Circulating Leptin Concentrations In Beef Cattle, Glen Talmage Gentry, Jr. Jan 2007

Effect Of Age, Body Condition, Pregnancy And Lactation On Circulating Leptin Concentrations In Beef Cattle, Glen Talmage Gentry, Jr.

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential role of leptin in bovine reproduction. In Experiment 1, mean circulating leptin concentrations of postpartum cows were not affected by exogenous dexamethasone treatments. In Experiment 2, mean leptin concentrations were not correlated with female age or body weight but were positively correlated with body condition scores of beef cattle. Leptin concentrations were higher in 1 year old heifers (8.9 ng/ml) compared with 2 year old cows (6.0 ng/ml), but heifer leptin concentrations were not different than 4 to 6 year old cows (8.0 ng/ml) and cows ≥7 years of age …

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The Influence Of Morningglory (Ipomoea Lacunosa), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania Exaltata), And Johnsongrass (Sorghum Halepense) On Reproduction Of Rotylenchulus Reniformis On Cotton Gossypium Hirsutum L. And Soybean Glycine Max. (L.) Merrill, Michael John Pontif Jan 2007

The Influence Of Morningglory (Ipomoea Lacunosa), Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania Exaltata), And Johnsongrass (Sorghum Halepense) On Reproduction Of Rotylenchulus Reniformis On Cotton Gossypium Hirsutum L. And Soybean Glycine Max. (L.) Merrill, Michael John Pontif

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Microplot studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of cotton (LA. 887), soybean (Pioneer 96B21), and three endemic weed species, pitted morningglory (Ipomoea lacunosa), hemp sesbania (Sesbania exaltata), and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), on reproduction of the reniform nematode, (Rotylenchulus reniformis). Over two microplot trials the co-culture of cotton with any of the three weeds suppressed numbers of reniform nematode juveniles in soil. When grown singly, reniform nematode reproductive values after 60 days on cotton averaged 69.0, while those for morningglory, hemp sesbania, and johnsongrass averaged 42.0, 23.5, and 18.0, respectively. Reproductive values for cotton co-cultured with morningglory averaged 38.7. Those …

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Detection Of West Nile Virus Activity In Male And Female Mosquitoes, And Evaluation Of Host-Utilization Patterns Of Mosquitoes, In East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Andrew James Mackay Jan 2007

Detection Of West Nile Virus Activity In Male And Female Mosquitoes, And Evaluation Of Host-Utilization Patterns Of Mosquitoes, In East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, Andrew James Mackay

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT Host utilization patterns of female mosquitoes, and WNV infection rates in male and female mosquitoes, were examined in East Baton Rouge Parish to identify potential vectors of West Nile virus (WNV). A total of 244,374 female mosquitoes were collected between November 2002 and October 2004 and tested by viral isolation. Additionally, 131,896 female mosquitoes were tested by VecTest in 2003, and 167,175 female mosquitoes were tested by RT-PCR in 2004. West Nile virus was isolated from 17 of 36 mosquito species assayed by virus isolation, WNV antigens were detected in 9 of 27 species tested by VecTest, and WNV …

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Assessing Physical Function In Bilateral And Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients., Tiina Tuulia Garrison Jan 2007

Assessing Physical Function In Bilateral And Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients., Tiina Tuulia Garrison

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The general objective of this dissertation was to investigate physical function in osteoarthritis (OA) and total knee replacement (TKA) patients. First, a validation study was performed to evaluate the validity of the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP10) test in knee OA awaiting TKA. The CS-PFP10 scores were compared to the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC), The Knee Society’s Clinical Rating System (KSS), and the Short Form 36-item health survey (SF-36) physical function scores. It was hypothesized that at least moderate associations between the CS-PFP10 test scores and the WOMAC, KSS, and SF-36 scores in TKA candidates …

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The Influence Of Controllability On College Women's Efficacy And Attributions In Physical Activity, Julie Franks Gill Jan 2007

The Influence Of Controllability On College Women's Efficacy And Attributions In Physical Activity, Julie Franks Gill

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

There is evidence that individuals’ attributional patterns are important determinants of behavior. Controllability had been identified as an influential dimension of causal attributions. When individuals believe their actions have an effect, or control, on the outcome of an event, they are more likely to engage in a behavior. Contingency of feedback can be used to manipulate perceptions of controllability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of controllability on causal attributions, efficacy, and performance in an exercise setting, using a design that accounts for explanatory styles. It was hypothesized that non-contingent outcomes on an initial task would …

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Spatial Econometric Analysis Of Agglomeration Economies Associated With The Geographical Distribution Of The U.S. Biotech Industry, Pramod Reddy Sambidi Jan 2007

Spatial Econometric Analysis Of Agglomeration Economies Associated With The Geographical Distribution Of The U.S. Biotech Industry, Pramod Reddy Sambidi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation analyzed spatial agglomeration economies associated with the geographical distribution of the U.S. biotech industry. Three location issues associated with the biotech industry were addressed in the study. The first study utilized a Bayesian spatial tobit model and examined the overall and regional differences in factors affecting the location of the U.S. biotech industry. The second study examined the inter- and intra-industry spatial association of biotech related research and development (R&D) and testing facilities across all contiguous U.S. counties employing a Spatial Two-Stage Least Squares model. Finally, the interdependence between different subsectors of the U.S. biotech industry was analyzed …

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Chromosomal Stability And Epigenetic Modifications Of Fibroblast Cells Used For Nuclear Transfer, Angelica Maria Giraldo Gomez Jan 2007

Chromosomal Stability And Epigenetic Modifications Of Fibroblast Cells Used For Nuclear Transfer, Angelica Maria Giraldo Gomez

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Investigations into the importance of the nuclear integrity of the donor cell prior to nuclear transfer (NT) are limited. In Experiment 1, the proliferative characteristics, chromosomal stability and level of histone phosphorylation in cell lines established by explants and enzymatic dissociation at different population doublings (PDs) were investigated. The cells divided at a constant rate and cell cycle length increased only at the end of the proliferative stage. The level of aneuploidies was high and remained elevated throughout the study independent of the technique used to establish the primary culture. High levels of multinucleated cells and abnormal spindle configurations were …

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Effects Of Cryopreservation And Constituents Of Semen Extenders On Mitochondrial Function Of Bull Spermatozoa, Abdulhakeem Hashim Eljarah Jan 2007

Effects Of Cryopreservation And Constituents Of Semen Extenders On Mitochondrial Function Of Bull Spermatozoa, Abdulhakeem Hashim Eljarah

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of semen extender constituents and cryopreservation on bovine spermatozoal mitochondrial function. Three yearling Holstein bulls were used. Two ejaculates per bull were collected and pooled on a weekly basis for five weeks and extended in four treatments: 1) sodium citrate egg yolk extender with antibiotics (lincomycin, spectinomycin, gentamicin and tylosin); 2) ¡°1¡± with glycerol; 3) ¡°2¡± without antibiotics; and 4) ¡°1¡± without antibiotics. Each was divided into portions for analyses before freezing and after cryopreservation. The pre-freeze and thawed semen were transferred to a 37¡ãC water bath, the same assays were performed. In experiment 1, …

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Equine Obesity-Related Hyperleptinemia, Nan Killen Huff Jan 2007

Equine Obesity-Related Hyperleptinemia, Nan Killen Huff

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Plasma leptin concentrations in obese adult horses have been shown to vary widely, and horses tend to fit into two groups: low leptin (<10 ng/mL) and hyperleptinemic (10 to 50 ng/mL). Observations over time revealed that the hyperleptinemic condition was consistent, possibly indicating a relatively permanent underlying cause. Based on these observations, three experimental approaches were used to further study equine obesity-related hyperleptinemia. The first experiment determined the prevalence of hyperleptinemia among postpartum, lactating mares, evaluated its consequence on their re-breeding success, and investigated correlations between leptin levels in lactating and non-lactating mares. Postpartum mares (n = 198) and non-foaling mares (n = 31) were categorized based on their leptin status: normoleptinemic or hyperleptinemic. Leptin in the lactating mares averaged 4.8 ng/mL, and 11 of the 198 (13%) displayed hyperleptinemia. Leptin in the non-lactating mares averaged 7.5 ng/mL, with 9 mares (29%) displaying hyperleptinemia. Of the 198 lactating mares bred, 81% became pregnant; there was no effect of leptin status on re-breeding success. To study one possible cause for hyperleptinemia in well-fed horses, a second experiment explored polymorphism(s) within exon 2 of the equine leptin gene. The DNA from five hyperleptinemic and five normal mares of high body condition was used to analyze exon 2 of the leptin gene for polymorphisms. Based on the 10 mares tested, there was no polymorphism in exon 2 of the equine leptin gene; therefore, polymorphism is not a likely explanation for the high vs. low leptin difference. The third experiment explored the possible effects of hyperleptinemia on the endocrine and immune systems. Endotoxin was given to mares and geldings to investigate the role and/or regulation of leptin in the pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Of the endpoints measured, only platelet count differed between normal and hyperleptinemic horses. Endotoxin infusion caused the expected pro-inflammatory cytokine and endocrine responses, but leptin status was not a significant factor for any endpoint. It is concluded that hyperleptinemia in mares is not associated with polymorphism in exon 2 of the leptin gene, does not affect re-breeding rates of foaling mares, and does not alter the endotoxin-induced responses of the endocrine and immune systems.

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