Life Sciences Commons^™

Longitudinal Peripheral Blood Transcriptional Analysis Of A Patient With Severe Ebola Virus Disease., John C Kash, Kathie-Anne Walters, Jason Kindrachuk, David Baxter, Kelsey Scherler, Krisztina B Janosko, Rick D Adams, Andrew S Herbert, Rebekah M James, Spencer W Stonier, Matthew J Memoli, John M Dye, Richard T Davey, Daniel S Chertow, Jeffery K Taubenberger

Articles, Abstracts, and Reports

The 2013-2015 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone was unprecedented in the number of documented cases, but there have been few published reports on immune responses in clinical cases and their relationships with the course of illness and severity of Ebola virus disease. Symptoms of Ebola virus disease can include severe headache, myalgia, asthenia, fever, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and hemorrhage. Although experimental treatments are in development, there are no current U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines or therapies. We report a detailed study of host gene expression as measured by microarray in daily …

Biophysical Studies Of Hairpin Polyamides With Broad-Spectrum Activity Against High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses, Carlos H. Castaneda

Dissertations

Human papillomavirus is a small dsDNA virus that infects mucosal and cutaneous epithelial tissues. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is the main etiological agent in the development of cervical cancer worldwide. Although prophylactic vaccines against HPV are available, these preventative measures are type-specific and are ineffective against existing infections. Thus, there is a pressing need for antiviral drugs with a broad-spectrum activity against HPV to eradicate existing infections, no matter the subtype.

Our group and collaborators have synthesized an extensive library of novel N-methylpyrrole/N-methylimidazole (Py/Im) hairpin polyamides (PAs) with broad-spectrum activities against three prevalent oncogenic-HPV types (HPV16, …

Improved Supervised Classification Of Accelerometry Data To Distinguish Behaviors Of Soaring Birds, Maitreyi Sur, Srisarguru Sridhar

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Soaring birds can balance the energetic costs of movement by switching between flapping, soaring and gliding flight. Accelerometers can allow quantification of flight behavior and thus a context to interpret these energetic costs. However, models to interpret accelerometry data are still being developed, rarely trained with supervised datasets, and difficult to apply. We collected accelerometry data at 140Hz from a trained golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) whose flight we recorded with video that we used to characterize behavior. We applied two forms of supervised classifications, random forest (RF) models and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) models. The KNN model was substantially …

With Or Without Nutrients, Sponges Are Boring: The Effects Of Eutrophication On Bioerosion, Amber D. Stubler, John M. Carroll, Christopher M. Finelli

Biology: Faculty Presentations

Eutrophication, largely due to coastal development and human activities, is an ongoing issue for coastal ecosystems. Excess nutrients can impact ecosystem processes, promote the occurrence of algal blooms, and decrease the overall water quality. One process that may be impacted by eutrophication is the biological breakdown of carbonate material, or bioerosion. Correlative evidence suggests that bioeroding sponges increase in size and abundance along nutrient gradients, leading to increased bioerosion rates. However, there have been no experimental studies investigating the direct effects of increased nutrients on sponge bioerosion rates. To determine whether sponge bioerosion of carbonate material is enhanced under eutrophied …

Not A Fun Threesome: The Prevalence, Impact And Interaction Of Boring Sponges And Pea Crabs On Oysters, John M. Carroll, Jessica C. Watts, Christopher M. Finelli, Daphne Munroe

Biology: Faculty Presentations

The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, provides a number of ecosystem services and is an important commercial fishery species along US East and Gulf Coasts. Unfortunately, their populations have declined dramatically, due to overharvest, habitat loss, and disease. As both oyster restoration efforts and aquaculture of oysters continues to increase throughout their range, it is important to consider the impacts of a number of potential oyster pests, including the boring sponge Cliona spp. and the pea crab Zaops (Pinnotheres) ostreum on oyster populations. Both of these pests have been demonstrated to reduce oyster growth, condition, and in some instances, reproductive output. …

Bay Scallops: The High Resolution Canary In The Highly-Fertilized Coal Mine, Jessica L. Carlton, Lorie E. Williams, John M. Carroll, Steve T. Tettelbach, Bradley J. Peterson, Aswani K. Volety, Elizabeth S. Darrow

Biology: Faculty Presentations

As human populations increase in watersheds, the Peconic Bay estuary (NY) has experienced increased nitrogen (N) loads, resulting in eutrophication. Stable isotopes can be used as indicators of anthropogenic N sources such as wastewater and fertilizer, and potentially be used to track source-specific N inputs through time. We hypothesized that Peconic Bay scallops (Argopecten irridians) could be proxies for these environmental changes through assimilation of organic matter from surrounding water into their soft tissue and shells. We examined nitrogen stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N) from whole soft tissue and shell of scallops collected throughout the Peconic. A strong correlation was …

Restoration By Transplantation: Using A Filter-Feeding Gastropod, Crepidula Fornicata, To Rehabilitate Great South Bay, New York: Preliminary Surveys, Nicole L. Kleinas, Bradley J. Peterson, Stephen T. Tettelbach, John M. Carroll

Biology: Faculty Presentations

Coastal biogenic habitats provide a plethora of ecosystem services that enhance the commercial and recreational value of the system. Specifically, shellfish beds play a critical role in improving water quality, creating complex habitat for other commercial species, and serving as a trophic resource for surrounding nutrient-poor habitats. Great South Bay, New York, was historically one of the most productive estuaries in the nation, yet commercial shellfisheries have collapsed here due to overharvest. These filter-feeding shellfish species, in particular hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria, once provided important ecosystem services, including top-down control of phytoplankton blooms. Overharvest of clams has led to …

Five New Species Of Chrysina Kirby (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae), David C. Hawks

Insecta Mundi

Five new species of Chrysina Kirby (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) are described from Costa Rica, Panama, and Mexico: Chrysina falcifera Hawks, C. galbina Hawks, C. juxtaprasina Hawks, C. paulseni Hawks, and C. sagacita Hawks.

Lysine Residues Of Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 Affect The Replication And Transcription Activatormediated Lytic Replication Of Kaposi’S Sarcomaassociated Herpesvirus/Human Herpesvirus 8, Tianzheng Zhang, Ying Wang, Li Zhang, Bin Liu, Jinhui Xie, Charles Wood, Jinzhong Wang

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection goes through latent and lytic phases, which are controlled by the viral replication and transcription activator (RTA). Upon KSHV infection, the host responds by suppressing RTA-activated lytic gene expression through interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF-7), a key regulator of host innate immune response. Lysine residues are potential sites for post-translational modification of IRF-7, and were suggested to be critical for its activity. In this study, we analysed the 15 lysine residues for their effects on IRF-7 function by site-directed mutagenesis. We found that some mutations affect the ability of IRF-7 to activate interferon (IFN)-a1 and …

Ixodes Brunneus (Acari: Ixodidae) From Two Bird Hosts: A New Michigan Tick, Richard S. Keith, Brenda S. Keith, William C. Scharf, Sarah A. Hamer

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The tick Ixodes brunneus Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) is reported for the first time in Michigan from two bird hosts at two locations in the lower peninsula. All stages of this tick exclusively feed on birds, and are primarily known from the southern U.S., although abundant records occur from northern states. The role of this species as a vector of pathogens is discussed.

First Report Of Leptomantispa Pulchella (Banks, 1912) (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) From Iowa, Edwin L. Freese, Paul K. Lago

The Great Lakes Entomologist

An adult specimen of Leptomantispa pulchella (Banks) (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) was collected in southeast Iowa. Published records indicate the species is present in southwestern Canada and much of Central America, but this is the first published report of this species from Iowa.

Feeding Records Of True Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) From Wisconsin, Supplement, Andrew H. Williams

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In order to understand any animal and its habitat requirements, we must know what it eats. Reported here are observations of feeding by 27 species of true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) encountered in various habitats in Wisconsin over the years 2003–2014. This is the first report of Anasa repetita Heidemann (Coreidae) from Wisconsin.

Macromia Alleghaniensis (Odonata: Macromiidae): New For Michigan, With Clarifications Of Northern Records, Julie A. Craves, Darrin S. O’Brien

The Great Lakes Entomologist

An Alleghany River Cruiser, Macromia alleghaniensis Williamson (Odonata: Macromiidae), collected in Cass County, Michigan on 18 June 2014, represents the first record of the species for the state, as well as the northernmost unequivocal record in North America. Other records north of 40° latitude are clarified and discussed.

Occurrence Of Treehopper (Hemiptera: Membracidae) Bycatch On Purple Panel Traps And Lindgren Funnel Traps In Pennsylvania, With New State Records, Lawrence Barringer

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Surveys for invasive insects in Pennsylvania conducted from 2009-2013 captured large numbers of native treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae). These were collected using Lindgren funnel traps and purple prism traps totaling 1,434 specimens in eight tribes, 20 genera, and 57 species. As a result of this work Pennsylvania now has four new published species records: Heliria gibberata Ball 1925, Palonica pyramidata (Uhler 1877), Telamona projecta Butler 1877, and Telamona westcotti Goding 1893. With proper site selection Lindgren funnel traps may be able to capture ten to hundreds of treehoppers in a single season, especially within the Smiliinae: Smiliini and Telamonini.

Infrared Lighting Does Not Suppress Catch Of Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) In Pheromone-Baited Monitoring Traps, C. G. Adams, P. S. Mcghee, J. R. Miller

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Video cameras are increasingly being used to record insect behaviors in the field over prolonged intervals. A nagging question about crepuscular and nocturnal recordings is whether or not infrared light emitted by such cameras to illuminate the scene influences the behaviors of the subjects or study outcomes. Here we quantified catches of male codling moths, Cydia pomonella (L.), responding to sex pheromone-baited monitoring traps illuminated with infrared, red, white, or no light. No statistically significant differences were found between any of these treatments.

Gallery Characteristics And Life History Of The Ambrosia Beetle Trypodendron Betulae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) In Birch, Richard A. Roeper, Michael Allen, Teresa Hutchinson, Corrina Quidot, Mark Bunce

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Trypodendron betulae Swaine distributed attack entrance holes uniformly over the surface of standing stressed sub-canopy birch trees. Male and female pairs constructed galleries consisting of an entrance tunnel about 20 mm in length and then primary and secondary lateral tunnels averaging between 16 and 23 mm in length into the sapwood. Egg niches were constructed in the lateral tunnels after the symbiotic fungus was established in the galleries. Larvae enlarged the niches into cradles. Pupae and eventually teneral adults developed in the cradles. The sex ratio of resulting progeny adults was approximately one to one, and they emerged from galleries …

Decline In Relative Abundance Of Hippodamia Convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) In Fall Shoreline Aggregations On Western Lake Superior, Wayne P. Steffens, Ryan P. Lumen

The Great Lakes Entomologist

In the 1970s, migratory coccinellid aggregations on western Lake Superior shorelines consisted of over 90% Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville. In 2014, the alien Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) accounted for over 80% of shoreline coccinellid aggregations and H. convergens declined to less than 10% of the total. Additional work is needed to elucidate the extent and cause of the decline of H. convergens in western Lake Superior shoreline aggregations.

Occurrence Of A Gynandromorphic Bombus Bimaculatus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) In Southeastern Ohio, Malisa R. Spring, Katy S. Lustofin, Mary M. Gardiner

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Herein, we introduce the first reported case of gynandromorphy in the bumblebee Bombus bimaculatus (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a relatively common North American species found east of the Mississippi River. The specimen was collected in Marietta, Ohio as part of a bee diversity assessment project for Washington County. Gynanders exhibit discrete male and female characters in a single individual. We discuss the potential causes of gynandromorphy exhibited by this specimen, which has differing antennal segments (12 and 13), facial maculation, abdominal hair coloration, and the presence of a corbicula – secondary sex characters that are characteristic for the genus Bombus.

New Records Of Native And Non-Native Bark And Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) In Illinois, Charles Helm, Brenda Molano-Flores

The Great Lakes Entomologist

From 2009–2012, we conducted surveys with Lindgren funnel traps for native and non-native bark and ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in northeastern Illinois. During this study, we collected a total of 10,194 bark and ambrosia beetles representing 50 species in 28 genera. Ten scolytine species not previously reported to occur in Illinois were collected during this survey. Three of these new records are species not native to North America, including Cyclorhipidion bodoanum (Reitter), Cyclorhipidion pelliculosum (Eichhoff), and Hylastinus obscurus (Marsham). Native species reported from Illinois for the first time include: Anisandrus obesus (LeConte), Dryocoetes autographus (Ratzeburg), Hylocurus spadix Blackman, Pityophthorus …

Comments On A Major Range Extension Of The Little-Known Acrocera Bakeri (Diptera: Acroceridae), Derek A. Woller, Sandor L. Kelly, Daniel K. Young

The Great Lakes Entomologist

The spider fly Acrocera bakeri Coquillett, 1904 (Diptera: Acroceridae) is reported as a new state record for Wisconsin. This is a major range extension, because this rarely-encountered species was previously known only from the western U.S., specifically Arizona, California, and Nevada. The taxonomic history of the species is briefly discussed and hypotheses are offered for its unexpected presence in Wisconsin.

Detection Of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) Infestations With Sticky Traps, Jeffrey G. Fidgen, Mark C. Whitmore, Jean J. Turgeon

The Great Lakes Entomologist

We deployed sticky traps underneath the crown of eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière, to assess their sensitivity at detecting crawlers (1st instar nymphs) of the non-native hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae). We found these traps more sensitive at detecting infested trees with low densities of A. tsugae than branch-tip sampling with pole pruners. We observed two peaks of crawler abundance at all sites: these peaks likely represented the timing of the progrediens and sistens crawler stages of A. tsugae. Deployment of sticky traps in treated and high-risk stands may prove useful at detecting residual and new …

Ecological Traits Fail To Consistently Predict Moth Species Persistance In Managed Forest Stands, Keith S. Summerville

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Species traits have been used as predictors of species extinction and colonization probabilities in fragmented landscapes. Thus far, trait-based analytical frameworks have been less commonly employed as predictive tools for species persistence following a disturbance. I tested whether life history traits, dietary traits, and functional traits were correlated with moth species persistence probabilities in forest stands subjected to varying levels of timber harvest. Three harvest treatments were used: control stands (unharvested since 1960), shelterwood cut stands (15% canopy removed), and patch cut stands (80% standing bole removed). Logistic regression models were built to assess whether species persistence probabilities were a …

Observations Of Xyleborus Affinis Eichhoff (Coleoptera:Curculionidae:Scolytinae) In Central Michigan, Richard A. Roeper, Mark A. Bunce, John E. Harlan, Richard G. Bowker

The Great Lakes Entomologist

Xyleborus affinis Eichhoff colonized wind thrown timber in the moist floodplain habitats of Central Michigan. Single adult females constructed a complex gallery system consisting of phloem–sapwood interface tunnels and sapwood tunnels. An average of 24 progeny adults and a sex ratio of 14 females to 1 male were found in mature galleries after the first of September.

European Springtails Orchesella Cincta (L.) And O. Villosa (L.) (Collembola: Entomobryidae): Vagabond Species Of The Nearctic Region, Catherine L. Smith, John K. Moulton, Ernest C. Bernard

The Great Lakes Entomologist

North American specimens of the European invasive springtail Orchesella cincta (L.) were compared to several published European haplotypes in a phylogenetic framework using likelihood methods based on a portion of cytochrome oxidase II (cox2). Our analyses provide direct evidence of at least two distinct introductions of this invasive to North America from different regions of Europe. Additional introduction events cannot be ruled out because detection is limited by extremely low sequence divergence among populations inhabiting different regions of the continent. Orchesella villosa (L.), another invasive from Europe, is another candidate for multiple introductions. Herein we include the cox2 sequence from …

Determining The Role Of The N- And C- Terminin In Localizing Tcl.Rhoj To Cellular Membranes, Brooke Tader

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for BSU Honors Program

Dark-Adapted Fluorescence And Stomatal Conductance After Dcmu (3-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-Dimethylurea)) Exposure On Malva Parviflora Plants, Piueti Maka, Mia Bryant, Isabelle Sarwono

Featured Research

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the disturbance effect of indirect exposure to DCMU (3-[3,4-dichlorophenyl]-1,1-dimethylurea), a popular herbicide, on dark adapted fluorescence and stomatal conductance in Malva parviflora plants. We utilized a test site exposed to sunlight and free from other external interference. Two main apparatuses were used to collect data; stomatal conductance was measured by a leaf porometer, and dark-adapted fluorescence (Fv/Fm) was measured using a Pulse Modulated Fluorometer. Our data yielded significant comparison results for dark-adapted fluorescence (P0.05). Additionally, observations six days after disturbance showed a drastic presence of hollyhock rust (Puccinia malvacearum) and …

Photoprotection Adaptiveness In Native (Lupinus 
Succulentus) And Invasive (Malva Parviflora) Heliotropic Plants, Joseph Davidson, Cameron Juarez, Collin Scott

Featured Research

Addressed here is the question of whether invasive heliotropic plants can adapt better than native heliotropic plants, to conditions in which their solar tracking capabilities are hindered. In order to test this, a heliotropic species native to Southern California (Lupinus succulentus) was compared to a weedy heliotropic species invasive to Southern California (Malva parviflora). We hypothesized that the photoprotection mechanisms of M. parviflora would adapt better to being restrained as it is an invasive species and it was more abundant in the area. Values of Fv’/Fm’ and qN were measured in order to compare the efficacy …

Reflectance, Transmittance, And Absorbance Values In Salvia Apiana
 Result In Better Performance Than Salvia Mellifera In Drought- Like Conditions, Haley Bekins, Caroline Boone, Kristen Hardin

Featured Research

Salvia apiana, due to the physically lighter color and thickness of the leaves, will have higher reflectance values, lower transmittance values, and lower absorbance values than Salvia mellifera. These measurements exemplify characteristics of a better adapted species for droughts, and then the absorption values can be used to calculate more information on the species like ERT. We measured transmittance and reflectance of six leaves from randomly selected plants of both species through the use of an integrating sphere. After obtaining the R and T value of each plant, we calculated the leaf absorbance,α. This was done by using the …

A Comparative Study Of Adults Vs. Resprouts’ Stomatal Conductance And Xylem Water Potential In Malosma Laurina, Lauren Dam, Brinna Lee, Sarah Dahlberg, Stephen Davis

Featured Research

The purpose of this study is to compare the stomatal conductance and xylem water potential between adults and resprouts of Malosma laurina growing at the Drescher Campus at Pepperdine University. Our data suggest that stomatal conductance and xylem water potential of adult and resprout M. laurina are not significantly different (p = 0.09312, p = 0.7064 respectively), implying that M. laurina at that study site has had sufficient time to recover from the drought due to the increased levels of rainfall.

Data Descriptor: A Resource For Assessing Information Processing In The Developing Brain Using Eeg And Eye Tracking, Nicolas Langer, Erica J. Ho, Lindsay M. Alexander, Helen Y. Xu, Renee K. Jozanovic, Simon Henin, Agustin Petroni, Samantha Cohen, Enitan T. Marcelle, Lucas C. Parra, Michael P. Milham, Simon P. Kelly

Publications and Research

We present a dataset combining electrophysiology and eye tracking intended as a resource for the investigation of information processing in the developing brain. The dataset includes high-density taskbased and task-free EEG, eye tracking, and cognitive and behavioral data collected from 126 individuals (ages: 6–44). The task battery spans both the simple/complex and passive/active dimensions to cover a range of approaches prevalent in modern cognitive neuroscience. The active task paradigms facilitate principled deconstruction of core components of task performance in the developing brain, whereas the passive paradigms permit the examination of intrinsic functional network activity during varying amounts of external stimulation. …