Life Sciences Commons^™

Translation Elongation Factor 1a Facilitates The Assembly Of The Tombusvirus Replicase And Stimulates Minus-Strand Synthesis, Zhenghe Li, Judit Pogany, Steven Tupman, Anthony M. Esposito, Terri Goss Kinzy, Peter D. Nagy

Plant Pathology Faculty Publications

Replication of plus-strand RNA viruses depends on host factors that are recruited into viral replicase complexes. Previous studies showed that eukaryotic translation elongation factor (eEF1A) is one of the resident host proteins in the highly purified tombusvirus replicase complex. Using a random library of eEF1A mutants, we identified one mutant that decreased and three mutants that increased Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) replication in a yeast model host. Additional in vitro assays with whole cell extracts prepared from yeast strains expressing the eEF1A mutants demonstrated several functions for eEF1A in TBSV replication: facilitating the recruitment of the viral RNA template …

Kinematic Changes Of The Tennis Forehand Ground Stroke As Post Contact Ball Speed Increases, Merrill D. Funk

Theses and Dissertations

Neuromuscular and kinematic patterns during the tennis forehand have been studied extensively. However, no one has evaluated potential upper-extremity kinematic changes during the forehand as ball speed increases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in shoulder and trunk kinematics as forehand ball speed increased, in an attempt to better understand how kinematics may promote forehand ball speed. Peak trunk rotation angle, shoulder horizontal abduction/adduction and internal/external rotation angle, and corresponding angular velocities were measured between initial backswing and ball contact during forehands that were performed at three different speeds (50%, 75%, and 100% of maximal post-impact ball …

The Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Drugome And Its Polypharmacological Implications, Sarah L. Kinnings, Li Xie, Kingston H. Fung, Richard M. Jackson, Lei Xie, Phillip E. Bourne

Publications and Research

We report a computational approach that integrates structural bioinformatics, molecular modelling and systems biology to construct a drug-target network on a structural proteome-wide scale. The approach has been applied to the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), the causative agent of one of today’s most widely spread infectious diseases. The resulting drug-target interaction network for all structurally characterized approved drugs bound to putative M.tb receptors, we refer to as the ‘TB-drugome’. The TB-drugome reveals that approximately one-third of the drugs examined have the potential to be repositioned to treat tuberculosis and that many currently unexploited M.tb receptors may be chemically druggable …

Computational Biology, Harvey Greenberg, Allen Holder

Mathematical Sciences Technical Reports (MSTR)

Computational biology is an interdisciplinary field that applies the techniques of computer science, applied mathematics, and statistics to address biological questions. OR is also interdisciplinary and applies the same mathematical and computational sciences, but to decision-making problems. Both focus on developing mathematical models and designing algorithms to solve them. Models in computational biology vary in their biological domain and can range from the interactions of genes and proteins to the relationships among organisms and species.

Distribution Of Zooplankton Densities Associated With The Florida Current And Subsurface, Amy Hirons, Jonathan Shenker, Alexander Soloviev

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Proceedings, Presentations, Speeches, Lectures

No abstract provided.

Genetic Evaluation Of American Shad Alosa Sapidissima Restoration Success In James River, Virginia, Aaron Aunins

Theses and Dissertations

The American shad Alosa sapidissima has experienced severe declines throughout its native range due to habitat degradation, fragmentation, and over-fishing. Hatchery supplementation is often used for stock restoration, but the effects of supplementation on population structure and genetic diversity are rarely assessed. This study employed molecular markers to evaluate how supplementation of the James River American shad population with Pamunkey River origin larvae since 1994 has impacted genetic diversity and population structure. Population genetic parameters of other major Chesapeake Bay tributaries (Susquehanna, Rappahannock, Potomac, and Nanticoke) also were characterized. Prior to stocking, the James and Pamunkey populations exhibited subtle genetic …

Evaluation Of Metabolic Stress Between Jumping At Different Cadences On The Digi-Jump Machine, Thomas S. Lyons, James W. Navalta, Zachary J. Callahan

International Journal of Exercise Science

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that healthy adults achieve a minimum of thirty minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise five days per week. While cycling, walking, and jogging are commonly observed methods of achieving these recommendations, another option may be repetitive jumping. The purpose of this study was to examine the metabolic responses between repetitive jumping at a cadence of 120 jumps per minute (JPMs) vs. 100 JPMs when utilizing the Digi-Jump machine. Twenty-eight subjects completed two jumping trials, one at 120 JPMs and one at 100 JPMs. Subjects jumped until volitional exhaustion, or for a maximum …

Aerobic And Anaerobic Changes In Collegiate Male Runners Across A Cross-Country Season, Cory W. Baumann, Thomas J. Wetter

International Journal of Exercise Science

The purpose of this study was to assess the physiological characteristics of trained NCAA Division III male runners across a competitive season of cross-country. Eight male distance runners (age 20.6±1.4 y) were administered a battery of aerobic and anaerobic laboratory tests at the beginning and end of an 8-10 week racing season. Aerobic testing included maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), running economy (RE), ventilatory threshold (VT) and the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). Anaerobic testing consisted of the vertical jump (VJ) and the Wingate test. Final testing revealed anaerobic Wingate peak power significantly declined (11.8±1.1 to 10.7±1.0 W·kg-1) (P = …

Effect Of Single Set Dynamic And Static Stretching Exercise On Jump Height In College Age Recreational Athletes, Jeffrey C. Murphy Dr., Elizabeth F. Nagle, Robert J. Robertson Dr., Jean L. Mccrory Dr.

International Journal of Exercise Science

This study examined the effects of single set dynamic and static stretching on vertical jump height and hip and knee range of motion in a sample of college age recreational males. Forty-two males (aged 18-24) healthy, physically active volunteers participated as subjects in this investigation and were randomly assigned to one of three groups (1 set of 20 seconds dynamic stretch, 1 set of 20 second static stretch, or control). The knee and hip range of motion, sit and reach, and jump height were measured before and after the treatment condition. The same measures were performed on the control group …

Challenging The Accuracy Of A Single-Test Lactate Threshold Protocol In Collegiate Rowers, Erica A. Soma, Michael M. Lockard, Stasinos Stavrianeas

International Journal of Exercise Science

Elite rowers use lactate threshold (LT) estimates as a basis for training intensity in order to achieve the greatest training volume. For convenience, LT is usually determined in a maximal LT/VO_2max test. This simultaneous test is problematic because it requires a large power increment, which may not give the most accurate LT. PURPOSE: To challenge the validity of a simultaneous LT/VO_2max test to estimate LT in rowers. METHODS: Collegiate rowers (n=20, 16F and 4M, age 19.3±1.3 years, height 171.5±7.1 cm, weight 70±14 kg, VO_2max 44.6±5.5 ml•kg^-1•min^-1) performed two LT tests. Participants completed an …

Racial/Ethnic Differences In Bone Mineral Density Of Young Adults, Linda D. Wilkin, Tristan D. Sims, Matthew C. Jackson, Bryan L. Haddock

International Journal of Exercise Science

An estimated 1.5 million people suffer a bone disease-related fracture every year. Most work investigating bone mineral density (BMD) focuses on post-menopausal females but a report from the Surgeon General in 2004 stated that of particular concern are men, racial and ethnic minorities, poor individuals, individuals with disabilities, and individuals living in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to examine the racial/ethnic differences in bone mineral density of young adults and to investigate any correlations with variables suggested to influence BMD. BMD was assessed at a younger age than most studies based on the assumption that osteoporosis is …

The Association Between Soft Drink Consumption And Body Fat In Females Age 16 To 24, Megan M. Costello, Kate A. Heelan, Deborah A. Mowry, Bryce Abbey

International Journal of Exercise Science

American soft drink consumption (SDC) has increased since the 1960’s surpassing all other kinds of beverage consumption. In recent years, the scientific literature has suggested that SDC has been linked to the rising epidemic of obesity in children and adolescents. However, there is lack of information in scientific literature on the effects of SDC on body fat (BF%) in young females. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between SDC and BF% in young women, ages 16-24 years. Sixty-six females were asked to complete a 3-day food record, food frequency questionnaire, and an assessment BF% by dual-energy …

An Investigation Of Lower-Extremity Functional Asymmetry For Non-Preferred Able-Bodied Walking Speeds, John Rice, Matthew K. Seeley

International Journal of Exercise Science

Functional asymmetry is an idea that is often used to explain documented bilateral asymmetries during able-bodied gait. Within this context, this idea suggests that the non-dominant and dominant legs, considered as whole entities, contribute asymmetrically to support and propulsion during walking. The degree of functional asymmetry may depend upon walking speed. The purpose of this study was to better understand a potential relationship between functional asymmetry and walking speed. We measured bilateral ground reaction forces (GRF) for 20 healthy subjects who walked at nine different speeds: preferred, +10%, +20%, +30%, +40%, -10%, -20%, -30%, and -40%. Contribution to support was …

Riding Position And Lumbar Spine Angle In Recreational Cyclists: A Pilot Study., Samantha J. Schulz, Susan J. Gordon

International Journal of Exercise Science

This pilot study investigated the reliability of an inclinometer to assess lumbar spine angle in three different cycling positions, and explored the relationship between lumbar spine angle and riding position, anthropometry, bike measures and low back pain (LBP).

Cyclists were recruited from two cycle clubs. Anthropometric variables and bike set-up were measured before participants’ bikes were secured in a wind trainer. Cyclists then adopted three positions for riding, upright on the handlebars, on the brake levers and on the drops, according to a random allocation. The angle of the lumbar spine was measured, using an inclinometer, at zero minutes and …

Type Of Encouragement Influences Peak Muscle Force In College-Age Women, Ruth M. Amagliani, John K. Petrella, Alan P. Jung

International Journal of Exercise Science

Purpose: To investigate if the type of encouragement during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) had an influence on peak muscle force in strength-trained versus untrained collegiate women. Methods: Eleven strength-trained (20.4 + 1 yr) and twelve untrained (20.8 + 1 yr) women participated in three, five-second MVICs of seated knee extension. The three trials consisted of verbal only encouragement, verbal + visual encouragement, and verbal + pain avoidance encouragement. In all three trials, the participants received the same verbal encouragement. Trials were counterbalanced to minimize any possible order effects. A repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze data. Any …

Exercise Science Academic Programs And Research In The Philippines, Norberto Madrigal, Josephine Joy Reyes, Jeffrey Pagaduan, Reil Vinard Espino

International Journal of Exercise Science

In this invited editorial, professors from leading institutions in the Philippines, share information regarding their programs relating to Exercise Science. They have provided information on academic components such as entrance requirements, progression through programs, and professional opportunities available to students following completion; as well as details regarding funding available to students to participate in research, collaboration, and specific research interests.

Dnmt1 Stability Is Regulated By Proteins Coordinating Deubiquitination And Acetylation-Driven Ubiquitination, Zhanwen Du, Jing Song, Yong Wang, Yiqing Zhao, Kishore Guda, Shuming Yang, Hung Ying Kao, Yan Xu, Joseph Willis, Sanford D. Markowitz, David Sedwick, Robert M. Ewing, Zhenghe Wang

Chemistry Faculty Publications

DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is the primary enzyme that maintains DNA methylation. We describe a previously unknown mode of regulation of DNMT1 protein stability through the coordinated action of an array of DNMT1-associated proteins. DNMT1 was destabilized by acetylation by the acetyltransferase Tip60, which triggered ubiquitination by the E3 ligase UHRF1, thereby targeting DNMT1 for proteasomal degradation. In contrast, DNMT1 was stabilized by histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and the deubiquitinase HAUSP (herpes virus–associated ubiquitin-specific protease). Analysis of the abundance of DNMT1 and Tip60, as well as the association between HAUSP and DNMT1, suggested that during the cell cycle the initiation …

Halo Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry: Design, Instrumentation, And Performance, Miao Wang

Theses and Dissertations

New ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) instrumentation, the toroidal IT and halo IT, were developed to meet the significant growth in on-site analysis applications. The miniature toroidal IT mass analyzer was operated with radio frequency (RF) trapping voltages of 3 kVp-p or less. Despite its reduced dimensions, it has roughly the same ion trapping capacity as conventional 3D quadrupole ITs. Unit-mass resolved spectra for n-butylbenzene, xenon, and naphthalene were obtained. The desired linear mass scale was obtained using conventional mass-selective instability scan combined with resonance ejection. The halo IT was also based on toroidal trapping geometry and microfabrication technology, consisting …

Endogenous Sirnas And Noncoding Rna-Derived Small Rnas Are Expressed In Adult Mouse Hippocampus And Are Up-Regulated In Olfactory Discrimination Training., Neil Smalheiser, G Lugli, Jyothi Thimmapuram, E.H. Cook, J Larson

Cyber Center Publications

We previously proposed that endogenous siRNAs may regulate synaptic plasticity and long-term gene expression in the mammalian brain. Here, a hippocampal-dependent task was employed in which adult mice were trained to execute a nose-poke in a port containing one of two simultaneously present odors in order to obtain a reward. Mice demonstrating olfactory discrimination training were compared to pseudo-training and nose-poke control groups; size-selected hippocampal RNA was subjected to Illumina deep sequencing. Sequences that aligned uniquely and exactly to the genome without uncertain nucleotide assignments, within exons or introns of MGI annotated genes, were examined further. The data confirm that …

Nucleosome Structure Incorporated Histone Acetylation Site Prediction In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Chen Zhao, Hui Liu, Youping Deng, Tieliu Shu

Faculty Publications

Background

Acetylation is a crucial post-translational modification for histones, and plays a key role in gene expression regulation. Due to limited data and lack of a clear acetylation consensus sequence, a few researches have focused on prediction of lysine acetylation sites. Several systematic prediction studies have been conducted for human and yeast, but less for Arabidopsis thaliana.

Results

Concerning the insufficient observation on acetylation site, we analyzed contributions of the peptide-alignment-based distance definition and 3D structure factors in acetylation prediction. We found that traditional structure contributes little to acetylation site prediction. Identified acetylation sites of histones in Arabidopsis thaliana …

Evaluation Of Immunogene Therapy Using A Plasmid Encoding Il-15 Delivered By Electroporation In A 3d Tumor Model And A Mouse Melanoma Model, Bernadette Marrero

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Melanoma is an aggressive disease with few effective treatment options. Non-toxic, anti-tumor therapies and prophylactic approaches are currently being investigated to identify treatment options that will control and remove late-stage melanoma.

The overall goal of this project was to establish an effective delivery method for a plasmid encoding human interleukin (phIL-15) into mouse melanoma cells (B16.F10) using the gene transfer technique electroporation (EP)¹. The EP delivery phIL-15 was optimized using an in vitro 3D tumor model. The purpose was to translate these IL-15 delivery conditions into an in vivo mouse melanoma model to study IL-15 signal transduction and …

Identifying Functional Relationships Within Sets Of Co-Expressed Genes By Combining Upstream Regulatory Motif Analysis And Gene Expression Information, Viktor Martyanov, Robert H. Gross

Dartmouth Scholarship

Existing clustering approaches for microarray data do not adequately differentiate between subsets of co-expressed genes. We devised a novel approach that integrates expression and sequence data in order to generate functionally coherent and biologically meaningful subclusters of genes. Specifically, the approach clusters co-expressed genes on the basis of similar content and distributions of predicted statistically significant sequence motifs in their upstream regions.

Global Protein Interactome Exploration Through Mining Genome-Scale Data In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Feng Xu, Guang Li, Chen Zhao, Yuhua Li, Peng Li, Jian Cui, Youping Deng, Tieliu Shi

Faculty Publications

Background

Many essential cellular processes, such as cellular metabolism, transport, cellular metabolism and most regulatory mechanisms, rely on physical interactions between proteins. Genome-wide protein interactome networks of yeast, human and several other animal organisms have already been established, but this kind of network reminds to be established in the field of plant.

Results

We first predicted the protein protein interaction in Arabidopsis thaliana with methods, including ortholog, SSBP, gene fusion, gene neighbor, phylogenetic profile, coexpression, protein domain, and used Naïve Bayesian approach next to integrate the results of these methods and text mining data to build a genome-wide protein interactome …

Simple Sorghum Grain Quality Evaluation Procedures, Janet Taylor, John R.N. Taylor

INTSORMIL Presentations

Most Appropriate Sorghum Grain Quality Criteria Identified

•High tannin/non-tannin

•Hardness

•Germinability

•Grain purity

•Grain color

Tannin, hardness, germinability and grain purity have been accepted as draft ICC (International Association for Cereal Science and Technology) standard methods.

Cross-Sectional And Longitudinal Associations Of Neighborhood Characteristics With Inflammatory Markers: Findings From The Multi-Ethnic Study Of Atherosclerosis, Aydin Nazmi, Ana Diez Roux, Nalini Ranjit, Teresa E. Seeman, Nancy S. Jenny

Food Science and Nutrition

We investigated cross-sectional associations of neighborhood deprivation, problems, safety, and cohesion with circulating levels of fibrinogen, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein (n=5370) and longitudinal associations with changes in IL-6 over a 3–4 year period (n=946). In cross-sectional analyses, higher levels of neighborhood deprivation and problems were associated with higher levels of all three inflammatory markers, whereas higher levels of safety were associated with lower levels. Fibrinogen remained associated with all neighborhood characteristics except cohesion and IL-6 remained associated with safety after adjustment for race and SES. In longitudinal analyses, higher levels of neighborhood deprivation and problems, and lower levels of safety …

Egf Receptor Kinase Activity Is Required For Gap Junction Closure And For Part Of The Decrease In Ovarian Follicle Cgmp In Response To Luteinizing Hormone, Rachael P. Norris, Marina Freudzon, Viacheslav O. Nikolaev, Laurinda A. Jaffe

UCHC Articles - Research

The meiotic cell cycle in mouse oocytes is arrested in prophase, and then restarted when luteinizing hormone (LH) acts on the surrounding granulosa cells. The granulosa cells keep meiosis arrested by providing a source of cGMP that diffuses into the oocyte through gap junctions, and LH restarts the cell cycle by closing the junctions and by decreasing granulosa cell cGMP, thus lowering oocyte cGMP. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is an essential step in triggering LH-induced meiotic resumption, but its relationship to the cGMP decrease in the follicle is incompletely understood, and its possible function in causing gap junction …

Mhc Class I And Tcr Avidity Control The Cd8 T Cell Response To Il-15/Il-15rα Complex, Thomas A. Stoklasek, Sara L. Colpitts, Henry M. Smilowitz, Leo Lefrançois

UCHC Articles - Research

IL-15 operates via a unique mechanism termed transpresentation. In this system, IL-15 produced by one cell type is bound to IL-15Rα expressed by the same cell and is presented to apposing cells expressing the IL-15Rβ/γC complex. We have shown that administering soluble IL-15Rα complexed with IL-15 can greatly enhance IL-15 activity. We now show that the naive CD8 T cell response to exogenous IL-15/IL-15Rα complex is MHC class I dependent. In the absence of β2 microglobulin, naive CD8 T cells scarcely proliferated in response to IL-15/IL-15Rα complex, whereas memory cells proliferated, although to a lesser extent, compared with levels in …

The Decade Of The Dendritic Nmda Spike, Srdjan D. Antic, Wen-Liang Zho, Anna R. Moore, Shaina M. Shor, Katerina D. Ikonomu

UCHC Articles - Research

In the field of cortical cellular physiology, much effort has been invested in understanding thick apical drites of pyramidal neurons and the regenerative sodium and calcium spikes that take place in the apical trunk. Here we focus on thin dendrites of pyramidal cells (basal, oblique, and tuft dendrites), and we discuss one relatively novel form of an electrical signal (“NMDA spike”) that is specific for these branches. Basal, oblique, and apical tuft dendrites receive a high density of glutamatergic synaptic contacts. Synchronous activation of 10–50 neighboring glutamatergic synapses triggers a local dendritic regenerative potential, NMDA spike/plateau, which is characterized by …

Water And Fertilizer Influence On Sorghum Grain Quality For Traditional Beer (Dolo) Production In Burkina Faso, S. Palé, S. J.B. Taonda, B. Bougouma, Stephen C. Mason

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

In the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso, grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is the major cereal crop used to produce the traditional beer called dolo. Grain sorghum grain samples collected in 2004 and 2005 from experiments combining five water management techniques and four fertilizer treatments in a randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement of treatments were analyzed for the physicochemical properties of raw grain, and quality of malted grain. Water management techniques were allocated to main plots and fertilizer treatments to subplots. The objective was to determine the best combination of water management technique and …

Intsormil, Mamourou Diourté, Elvis A. Heinrichs

INTSORMIL Scientific Publications

INTSORMIL est géré par l’Université de Nebraska-Lincoln qui joue le rôle de chef de file d’un accord de coopération liant l’USAID à des associés pour cinq ans.

La vision globale d’INTSORMIL consiste à améliorer la sécurité alimentaire, accroître les revenus agricoles et améliorer l’activité économique dans les pays à grande production des sorgho/mil en Afrique et en Amérique centrale (carte ci-contre).