Life Sciences Commons^™

Editorial: Murine Models Of Leukemia And Lymphoma, Christine E. Cutucache, Pierluigi Porcu

Biology Faculty Publications

Murine models serve as an effective way to mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironmental interactions that take place in patients with leukemias and lymphomas. Specifically, leukemias and lymphomas rely heavily on the surrounding stroma and tissue microenvironmental cytokine and chemokine signals to ensure survival and expansion of tumor cells. Finally, leukemic cells migrate thanks to signals from varying regions of the host, furthering the progression and severity of disease. It is therefore impossible to fully understand such a dynamic relationship between tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment, and the events to transformation in leukemias and lymphomas without an in vivo, …

Lifestyle And Vascular Risk Effects On Mri-Based Biomarkers Of Alzheimer’S Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Middle-Aged Adults From The Broader New York City Area, Lisa Mosconi, Michelle Walters, Joanna Sterling, Crystal Quinn, Pauline Mchugh, Randolph E. Andrews, Dawn C. Matthews, Christine Ganzer, Ricardo S. Osorio, Richard S. Isaacson, Mony J. De Leon, Antonio Convit

Publications and Research

Objective To investigate the effects of lifestyle and vascular-related risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on in vivo MRI-based brain atrophy in asymptomatic young to middle-aged adults.

Design Cross-sectional, observational.

Setting Broader New York City area. Two research centres affiliated with the Alzheimer’s disease Core Center at New York University School of Medicine.

Participants We studied 116 cognitively normal healthy research participants aged 30–60 years, who completed a three-dimensional T1-weighted volumetric MRI and had lifestyle (diet, physical activity and intellectual enrichment), vascular risk (overweight, hypertension, insulin resistance, elevated cholesterol and homocysteine) and cognition (memory, executive function, language) data. Estimates of …

Bayesian Prediction Intervals For Assessing P-Value Variability In Prospective Replication Studies, Olga A. Vsevolozhskaya, Gabriel Ruiz, Dmitri Zaykin

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

Increased availability of data and accessibility of computational tools in recent years have created an unprecedented upsurge of scientific studies driven by statistical analysis. Limitations inherent to statistics impose constraints on the reliability of conclusions drawn from data, so misuse of statistical methods is a growing concern. Hypothesis and significance testing, and the accompanying P-values are being scrutinized as representing the most widely applied and abused practices. One line of critique is that P-values are inherently unfit to fulfill their ostensible role as measures of credibility for scientific hypotheses. It has also been suggested that while P-values …

Validation Of A New Rapid Hybridization Buffer For Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization With A Review On The Kinetics Of Dna Hybridization, Christine O'Connor

Honors Scholar Theses

Abbott Molecular recently developed the rapid Vysis IntelliFISH Hybridization Buffer for use in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays. The hybridization step in a standard FISH assay requires an overnight incubation, thus the turnaround time for a patient result is at least 24 hours. The IntelliFISH buffer was designed to reduce hybridization time of probes to target DNA to about two hours, allowing the entire assay to be performed in a single day. A review of methodologies and commercial products has highlighted the importance of hybridization kinetics to a successful FISH assay. The purpose of the research was to investigate …

Identification And Quantification Of Cyanide And Its Metabolites In Lemur Urine, Jeremy Peralta

Student Theses

Cyanide is a chemical compound that contains the monovalent groups of carbon and nitrogen. This substance is considered a rapidly acting deadly chemical. However, some animals such as lemurs consume food products that are known to contain elevated levels of cyanide without major consequences. The mechanism by which the lemur can handle this high exposure to cyanide is unknown. In this study, we developed and validated two analytical methods for the determination of cyanide and two metabolites, thiocyanate and 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA) in lemur urine. The method was applied to 47 authentic lemur urine samples collected from 4 different species …

Genetic Analysis Of The Major Capsid Protein Of The Archaeal Fusellovirus Ssv1: Mutational Flexibility And Conformational Change, Eric A. Iverson, David A. Goodman, Madeline E. Gorchels, Kenneth M. Stedman

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Viruses with spindle or lemon-shaped virions are rare in the world of viruses, but are common in viruses of archaeal extremophiles, possibly due to the extreme conditions in which they thrive. However, the structural and genetic basis for the unique spindle shape is unknown. The best-studied spindle-shaped virus, Sulfolobus Spindle-shaped Virus 1 (SSV1), is composed mostly of the major capsid protein VP1. Similar to many other viruses, proteolytic cleavage of VP1 is thought to be critical for virion formation. Unlike half of the genes in SSV1, including the minor capsid protein gene VP3, the VP1 gene does not tolerate …

Scorpions Of The Horn Of Africa (Arachnida: Scorpiones). Part Xii. Pandinurus Hangarale Sp. N. (Scorpionidae) From Somaliland And A Review Of Type Locality And True Distribution Of Pandinurus Smithi (Pocock, 1897), František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, Tomáš Mazuch, Ahmed Ibrahim Awale, Jana Štundlová, František Šťáhlavský

Euscorpius

Pandinurus hangarale sp. n. from Somaliland is described and fully complemented with color photos of live and preserved specimens, as well as its habitat. Hemispermatophore of P. hangarale sp. n. is illustrated and described. In addition to the analyses of external morphology and hemispermatophores, we also describe the karyotype of P. hangarale sp. n. (2n=120). Known localities of Pandinurus smithi (Pocock, 1897) are compiled; the type locality is not in Somaliland but in Ethiopia (Turfa) and in reality it is probably an endemic of Ethiopia.

Assessing Preservation Priorities Of Caves And Karst Areas Using The Frequency Of Endemic Cave-Dwelling Species, Eugen Nitzu, Marius Vlaicu, Andrei Giurginca, Ioana N. Meleg, Ionut Popa, Augustin Nae, Ştefan Baba

International Journal of Speleology

Endemic and rare species as bioindicators of habitat vulnerability were used to develop protection and management plans for biotope prioritization (mainly islands habitats, lava tubes or groundwaters). Due to their narrow distribution, the endemic species (species confined to a restricted geographic area) are more susceptible to ecological disequilibrium and habitat loss than the widespread ones. Consequently, endemics become endangered in the context of ecological disturbance caused by anthropogenic pressure, making them suitable candidates to assess environmental preservation needs. Taking into consideration that most of the stygobitic and troglobitic species are endemic and confined to specific karst areas, based on their …

Survey Of Trap Contents Of Four Species Of Bladderworts (Utricularia) From Harlow Lake In Marquette, Mi., Jenna Happach

Conspectus Borealis

No abstract provided.

Smokejumper Obituary: Dickey, Leas D. (Redding 1961), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

American Society Of Parasitologists Newsletter, Volume 39, Number 2, Fall/ Winter, 2017, Scott L. Gardner

American Society of Parasitologists: Newsletter

Fall/Winter 2017 issue of the ASP newsletter.

Forecasting The Spread And Invasive Potential Of Apple Snails (Pomacea Spp.) In Florida, Stephanie A. Reilly

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Forecasting the potential range of invasive species is a critical component for risk assessment, monitoring, and management. However, many of these invasive species are not yet at equilibrium which can be problematic for many modelling approaches. Using the climate matching method, MaxEnt, a series of species distribution models (SDMs) and risk analysis maps were created for select apple snail species in Florida: Pomacea canaliculata, P. diffusa, and P. maculata. Apple snails, freshwater gastropods in the family Ampullariidae, are native to South America and were introduced to the United States via the pet trade approximately 40 years ago. …

Optimization Of Parameters For The Densification (Pelletization) Of Cereal Crop Residues And Feasibility Study Of Pellet Plant Development In The State Of Arkansas From Economic Perspective, Shyam Thapa

Student Theses and Dissertations

Conventional cereal crop residues, namely, rice (Oryza sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is very abundant and readily available widely. It has been a nuisance to agronomic producers to manage these immense “so-called wastes”. The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) promulgated by the United States and The EU’s renewable energy directive mandated the substantial incorporation of renewable energy in their final energy consumption. These led to the increase in R&D’s on biomass and bioenergy products in the United States as well. Hammer mill grinds of different cereal crop residues, rice, wheat, and corn, sieved …

Automated Classification Of Dolphin Echolocation Click Types From The Gulf Of Mexico, Kaitlin E. Fraiser, Marie A. Roch, Melissa S. Soldevilla, Lance P. Garrison, John A. Hildebrand

C-IMAGE Publications

Delphinids produce large numbers of short duration, broadband echolocation clicks which may be useful for species classification in passive acoustic monitoring efforts. A challenge in echolocation click classification is to overcome the many sources of variability to recognize underlying patterns across many detections. An automated unsupervised network-based classification method was developed to simulate the approach a human analyst uses when categorizing click types: Clusters of similar clicks were identified by incorporating multiple click characteristics (spectral shape and inter-click interval distributions) to distinguish within-type from between-type variation, and identify distinct, persistent click types. Once click types were established, an algorithm for …

Reduced Vertical Displacement Of The Center Of Mass Is Not Accompanied By Reduced Oxygen Uptake During Walking, Shane R. Wurdeman, Peter C. Raffalt, Nicholas Stergiou

Journal Articles

The six determinants of gait proposed that the goal of gait is to minimize vertical displacement of the body’s center of mass (CoM) with the objective to optimize energy expenditure. On the contrary, recent investigations suggest that reduced vertical displacement leads to an increase in energy expenditure. However, these investigations had the included subjects deliberately changing their gait, which could bias the endpoint measures. The present study investigated the effect of reduced vertical displacement of the CoM on oxygen uptake and walking economy without imposing altered gait patterns. This was accomplished by having subjects walk on a curved treadmill and …

Insights Into The Molecular Roles Of Zika Virus In Human Reproductive Complications And Congenital Neuropathologies, Rajendra Ghardbaran, Latchman Somenarain

Publications and Research

The recent upsurge in the association of congenital neurological disorders and infection by the Zika virus (ZIKV) has resulted in increased research focus on the biology of this flavivirus. Studies in animal models indicate that ZIKV can breach the placental barrier and selectively infect and deplete neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs) of the developing fetus, resulting in changes of brain structures, reminiscent of human microcephaly. In vitro and ex vivo studies using human cells and tissues showed that human NPCs and placental cells are targeted by ZIKV. Also of concern is the impact of ZIKV on human reproductive structures, with the potential …

Traf3 Negatively Regulates Platelet Activation And Thrombosis, Rui Zhang, Guoying Zhang, Binggang Xiang, Xiaofeng Chen, Lijang Tang, Shaojun Shi, Yani Liu, Xun Ai, Ping Xie, Zhenyu Li

Internal Medicine Faculty Publications

CD40 ligand (CD40L), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, binds to CD40, leading to many effects depending on target cell type. Platelets express CD40L and are a major source of soluble CD40L. CD40L has been shown to potentiate platelet activation and thrombus formation, involving both CD40-dependent and -independent mechanisms. A family of proteins called TNF receptor associated factors (TRAFs) plays key roles in mediating CD40L-CD40 signaling. Platelets express several TRAFs. It has been shown that TRAF2 plays a role in CD40L-mediated platelet activation. Here we show that platelet also express TRAF3, which plays a negative role in …

Analysis Of Heart Muscle Tissue For Detection Of Fluorescently Labeled Cells In Conventional- And Frozen-Section Tissue Preparations, Lena Anna Mitchell

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Forage Selection And Habitat Architecture As Drivers Of Small Mammal Community Dynamics In An Arid, Nutrient Limited, Highly Stochastic Ecosystem, Jennifer Darby Noble

Biology ETDs

In the Northern Chihuahuan desert, grassland and shrubland co-occur as separate stable states under similar climatic conditions. In this bottom up (resource driven) system, the magnitude and timing of precipitation events drives primary production which varies from year to year and season to season. Climate change is predicted to alter precipitation regimes, and increase aridity, facilitating shrub encroachment which results in increased landscape heterogeneity and a decrease in plant biodiversity. These changes will likely result in a restructuring of small mammal communities.

We used long-term data on precipitation, primary production, and abundances of small mammals in adjacent grassland and shrubland …

Structural Insights Into The Potency Of Sk Channel Positive Modulators, Young-Woo Nam, Razan Orfali, Tingting Liu, Kunqian Yu, Meng Cui, Heike Wulff, Miao Zhang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels play essential roles in the regulation of cellular excitability and have been implicated in neurological and cardiovascular diseases through both animal model studies and human genetic association studies. Over the past two decades, positive modulators of SK channels such as NS309 and 1-EBIO have been developed. Our previous structural studies have identified the binding pocket of 1-EBIO and NS309 that is located at the interface between the channel and calmodulin. In this study, we took advantage of four compounds with potencies varying over three orders of magnitude, including 1-EBIO, NS309, SKS-11 (6-bromo-5-methyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-oxime) and …

A Record Of Nomada (Nomada) Colorata From Illinois With A Suggested Host Species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), John K. Bouseman

The Great Lakes Entomologist

(excerpt)

Nomada colorata (Anthophoridae)was described by Mitchell (1962) on the basis of the holotype female from Michigan and two female paratypes from Michigan and New York.

New Distribution Records For Ophiogomphus Howei (Odonata: Gomphidae), K. J. Tennessen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

New distribution records establish Ophiogomphus howei as a resident species in Wisconsin. Kentucky, Maine, and Minnesota are added as new state records for this seldom-encountered gomphid dragonfly. Larval habitats appear to be undisturbed rivers 10-200 m wide, with sand and gravel sub-strates.

New Records Of Leaf-Feeding For Adult Diabrotica Barberi (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Louis S. Hesler

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The first records of leaf-feeding on Iva xanthifolia (marsh elder) and Helianthus annuus (common sunflower) by adult Diabrotica barberi are reyorted. During September 1992, beetles were observed feeding on leaves 0 these plants, despite the availability of alternate flowering hosts. Beetles confined to clip cages in the laboratory fed readily on leaves of I. xanthifolia and H. annuus but not on those of Solidago missouriensis (goldenrod).

Drosophilidae (Diptera) Collected In Spring In Michigan, Henretta Trent Band

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Drosophilids in mid-Michigan overwinter in a preadult stage. One hun- dred twenty-two individuals (84 f, 38 m) representing 14 species were collected over bait in April and May 1992. All appeared recently emerged and had entire wings. This agrees with earlier reports in Michigan and Massachusetts that Drosophila affinis group species overwinter as preadults. Among the species overwintering as preadults in Michigan, Drosophila affinis, D. algonquin, D. athabasca, D. robusta, D. falleni and D. recens have been found to overwinter as adults in New York Latitude and climate may play a role in drosophilid overwintering stage.

Distinguishing Nymphal Instars Of Mesovelia Mulsanti (Heteroptera: Mesoveliidae), J. E. Mcpherson, Steven J. Taylor

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The five nymphal instars of Mesouelia mulsanti can be separated by the number of rows of setae on the second abdominal tergum. Fifth instars can be separated from younger instars and from each other by the degree of development of the external genitalia.

Movement Of Adult Colorado Potato Beetles, Leptinotarsa Decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), In Response To Isolated Potato Plots, Michael A. Caprio, Edward J. Grafius

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Mark recapture techniques were used to determine Colorado potato beetle movement in circular arenas with isolated plots of potatoes at each ordinal direction. Post-diapause beetles aggregated on one or a few of the plants in one of the plots for each release, but not on the same plants in different releases. Differences in plant attractiveness were therefore not likely responsible for the aggregatory behavior. Aggregations were probably a result of either coordinated movement from the release site to the plants or an aggregatory signal with a range of at least 15 m. Summer adults did not aggregate on plants. Correlations …

Interaction Between Visual And Phonotactic Orientation During Flight In Magicicada Cassini (Homoptera: Cicadidae), Thomas E. Moore, Franz Huber, Theo Weber, Ulla Klein, Cornelia Back

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Visual and phonotactic orientation often occur simultaneously in diurnal cicadas. and these animals generally have their largest sensory elaboration in eyes and hearing organs. Phonotactic orientation occurs principally during flight. Males and females of Magicicada cassini commonly perform low- altitude « 5 m) and short-distance « 15 m) flights in their natural habitat at flight speeds of 3 to 6 m/s. During flight, the long body axis is tilted 10° to Q , head upward. Wing beat frequencies of tethered animals at 24° to 26°C averaged 28.8 Hz. Body temperature in the field for flying individuals aver- aged 4.6°C above …

Dytiscidae And Noteridae Of Wisconsin (Coleoptera). Iv. Distribution, Habitat, Life Cycle, And Identification Of Species Of Agabini (Colymbetinae), William L. Hilsenhoff

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Adults of 24 species of Agabus and 10 species of Ilybius were collected in Wisconsin over the last 32 years. Keys and notes on identification are pro­vided to facilitate identification of adults of these species and six others that may occur in Wisconsin. Agabus larvae were separated from those ofIlybius by the more posterior position of the dorsal seta of the basal setal whorl on the urogomphus, the number and location of srines on the metatarsi, and the presence of long setae on the last abdomina segment of most species. Information on distribution and abundance in Wisconsin, habitat. and …

The Distribution Of Three Broadly Sympatric Species Of Symmerista Moths (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae) In The Great Lakes And Midwest Regions Of The United States., Julian P. Donahue

The Great Lakes Entomologist

All three superficially inseparable species of Symmerista known to occur in eastern North America are sympatric in, and reach their western limit of distribution in, the southern Great Lakes and Midwest Regions of the United States. In this region two of the species also reach their southern limit of distribution (S. canicosta reaches its southwestern limit in North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Kentucky, and North Carolina; S. leucitys reaches its southwestern limit in North Dakota, Missouri and Kentucky). The third species (S. albifrons) reaches its northwestern limit in Michigan and Wisconsin. All three species are here documented …

Use Of Ethanol-And-Turpentine-Baited Flight Traps To Monitor Pissodes Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) In Christmas Tree Plantations, L. K. Rieske, K. F. Raffa

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Pissodes nemorensis and Pissodes strobi are major pests of pine production in eastern North America. Ethanol-and-turpentine baited traps were used here to monitor weevil populations in a Scotch pine Christmas tree plantation in Wisconsin. Baited pitfall traps were ineffective in trapping either weevil species. However, baited flight traps at 0.8 and 1.6 m above ground effectively captured flying weevils of both species, 70% of which were P. nemoren­sis. Females of both species were more attracted than males to the ethanoll turpentine baits. Significantly more female P. nemorensis and total P. nemorensis were trapped at a height of 0.8 m …