Life Sciences Commons^™

Transcriptome Approach For Identifying Potential Biomarkers For Endocrine Disruption Due To Crude Oil Exposure Using Killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus)., Frank J. Zadlock Iv

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, is a common fish model in aquatic toxicology. However, little is known in this organism about how endocrine disrupting compounds, (EDCs) including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), impact the reproductive status from a molecular standpoint. The objective of this project is to apply high throughput sequencing to F. heteroclitus testes to examine the molecular mechanisms that impair reproduction when exposed to crude oil. First, a crude oil exposure experiment was conducted. Following exposure, semi-quantitative PCR was performed to detect changes in gene expression of the following genes known to respond to EDCs: gonadal aromatase (CYP19a), vitellogenin …

In Vivo Characterization Of The Drosophila Mrna 3’-End Processing Core Cleavage Complex: Poly(A) Mrna & Histone Mrna 3’-End Processing, Daniel Michalski

Dissertations

A core cleavage complex (CCC) consisting of CPSF73, CPSF100 and Symplekin is required for co-transcriptional 3’ end processing of all metazoan pre-mRNAs, yet little is known about the in vivo molecular interactions within this complex. The CCC is a component of two distinct complexes, the cleavage/polyadenylation complex and the complex that processes non-polyadenylated histone pre-mRNAs. RNAi-depletion of CCC factors in Drosophila culture cells causes reduction of CCC processing activity on histone mRNAs, resulting in read through transcription. In contrast, RNAi-depletion of factors only required for histone mRNA processing allows use of downstream cryptic polyadenylation signals to produce polyadenylated histone mRNAs. …

1967 - California Ranchos And Farms; 1846-1862, Including The Letters: Of John Quincy Adams Warren Of 1861, Being Largely Devoted To Livestock, Wheat Farming, Fruit Raising And The Wine Industry, Paul W. Gates.

Miscellaneous Documents and Reports

Published in 1967, the book, containing letters of John Quincy Adams Warren, was edited by Paul W. Gates who describes the importance of early agriculture in California. Gates writes about the complications created by the Mexican land grants and the beginning development of irrigation. He examines the early American period of California husbandry and beginnings of commercial farming. Gates provides detailed information concerning California ranchos and farms, summarizing livestock, grain, fruit and wine industries during the 1850s. The 1861 John Quincy Adams Warren letters included in the book were written by Warren throughout his travels in Southern California, the Bay …

Smokejumper Obituary: Clark, Lawrence Ray (Idaho City 1951), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

P02. Production Of A Protein Subunit Vaccine For Mannheimia Haemolytica In Lettuce Chloroplasts, Coby K. Martin

Western Research Forum

The cattle industry worldwide is ravaged by bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a bacterial disease caused by Mannheimia haemolytica. We have designed a chimeric protein subunit vaccine against M. haemolytica based on recent evidence demonstrating the protective potential of antigens against a virulence factor, leukotoxin, in addition to a surface lipoprotein. Plant-based production of this protein vaccine provides a safe and inexpensive alternative to traditional production methods. Plant-base production also supports the use of an edible vaccine that will deliver antigens to pharyngeal tissues to provide local immunization against M. haemolytica to prior to its progression into the lungs. Chloroplasts …

P08. Unravelling Organelle Genome Evolution Architecture Using Rna-Sequencing Data, Matheus Sanita Lima, David Roy Smith

Western Research Forum

Background: Mitochondria genomes vary from 11 Mb to 6 kb, while plastids can vary from 1 Mb to 30 kb. Non-coding DNA accounts for most of this size variation, but the mechanistic and evolutionary reasons for that are still unknown. Next generation sequencing has generated unprecedented amounts of genomic and transcriptomic data that can be used for organelle genome evolution studies. However, most of these data is used only for the study of cell nucleus. Therefore, I decided to use these untapped data source to investigate the transcription of organelle genomes in plastid-bearing protists.

Methods: I mapped the transcriptomes over …

P18. Backstroke Start Performance: The Impact Of Using The Omega Backstroke Ledge, Gordon E. Barkwell, James P. Dickey

Western Research Forum

Background: FINA recently approved use of the “backstroke ledge” (Omega OBL2) to improve backstroke start performance in competition, but its performance has not been thoroughly evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare starts performed on a flat wall to those performed with the OBL2, and to identify factors that contribute to better start performance. Methods: Ten elite backstroke swimmers performed three flat-wall and three OBL2 starts. Horizontal impulse, vertical impulse, takeoff velocity and takeoff angle were calculated from the force plate data. Entry distance, time to 10 m and start of hip and knee extension were recorded using …

P17. P3b Event-Related Potentials Show Changes In Varsity Football Players Due To Accumulated Sub-Concussive Head Impacts, Jeffrey S. Brooks, James W. Thompson, James P. Dickey

Western Research Forum

BACKGROUND: Concussion has been a focus in football at all levels of participation. However, there is a growing appreciation that repetitive sub-concussive impacts may have more significant effects on overall neurological health than the isolated diagnosed concussions that have been the focus of recent research. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the number of head impacts that players experience throughout the season and their P300 evoked potential.

METHODS: Canadian university football players (n=45) were separated into three groups based on player mass and position/skill (small-skilled, big-skilled and big-unskilled). Groups were separated into low and high …

P23. Elucidation Of The Signaling Pathway Of Mertk, Kyle Taruc

Western Research Forum

Background

Mer Tyrosine Kinase (MERTK) is a receptor which mediates efferocytosis – removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytes such as macrophages. MERTK plays a critical role in homeostasis, with mutations in MERTK associated with the development and progression of atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol-laden plaque in the sub-arterial space. Indeed, one MERTK allele is associated with 66% (heterozygous) to 75% (homozygous) protection from atherosclerosis, while other alleles and SNP’s pre-dispose to atherosclerosis and autoimmunity. Complications resulting from atherosclerosis, including heart attack and stroke, are currently the second leading cause of mortality in Canada. Despite the importance of MERTK in atherosclerosis …

P24. The Birds And The Beats: Perception Of A Beat In An Avian Model, Brendon Samuels

Western Research Forum

Background: Beat perception is a complex cognitive skill that enables humans to “feel” the beat in music, and is an essential component of synchronization of behavior and dance. The mechanisms in the human brain that facilitate beat perception are not entirely understood, and have only been studied thus far using non-invasive techniques. Some animals, such as songbirds, also seem to be able to detect a beat in rhythms, though this has never been formally tested independent of motor synchronization.

Methods: An operant experiment is used to assess if European starlings, a type of songbird, are capable of categorizing …

P27. Acute Impact Of An Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Stimulus On Human Neurophysiological Function - Magnetophosphene Perception, Cadence M. Baker

Western Research Forum

Background: Magnetophosphenes are classified as colourless, flickering lights that are perceived with closed eyes in the dark, and upon exposure to a magnetic field (MF). Uncertainties exist involving the MF threshold for magnetophosphene perception.

Methods: Forty subjects will be enrolled in this experiment aiming to provide a frequency-response curve of magnetophosphene perception under MF exposure. Subjects will sit in a whole head MF exposure device wearing a 64-channel MRI-compatible EEG cap. Subjects will be exposed to a MF with a frequency of 5-300 Hz, in the form of an increasing flux density ramp (increasing magnetic field flux density from 0-100 …

P30. Optimizing Current Steering In Deep Brain Stimulation For Treating Parkinsonian Axial Motor Symptoms, Daphne Hui

Western Research Forum

Background: The proposed study will investigate deep brain stimulation (DBS), of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) to improve gait dysfunctions in advanced Parkinson’s Disease (PD). DBS requires implantation of electrodes into the brain that contain contacts where current traverses to stimulate neurons. Imprecise electrode implantations are inherent in surgical implantation; thus, contributing to the elusiveness of DBS on gait.

Methods: The proposed investigation will divide current between two contacts to receive 0, 30, 50, 70, or 100% of current, to find the best combination to improve gait. Gait changes associated with fractional combinations will be visually assessed with clinical scales, and …

P31. Assessing The Long Term Effects Of Perceived Predation Risk On The Avian Brain, Lauren E. Witterick

Western Research Forum

Predators affect prey populations not only through direct killing, but also through the perception of predation risk. Responding to predator threats is critical for prey survival, however perceived predation risk can have lasting effects ranging from individual changes in neurobiology up to the population level. My research focuses on the lasting effects of predator ‘fear’ on the avian brain. I will be using auditory playbacks to manipulate predation risk in black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) in acoustic isolation and brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) in large outdoor aviaries. Lasting behavioural changes have been found in black-capped chickadees one week after …

P32. Altered Sensory Processing In Response To Novel Dreadd-Induced Inactivation Of Gaba In Pedunculopontine Tegmental Nucleus, Niveen Fulcher

Western Research Forum

Niveen Fulcher¹, Cleusa De Oliveira², & Susanne Schmid^1,2

¹Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario

²Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario

Altered sensory processing in response to novel DREADD-induced inactivation of GABA in pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus

Background: Sensory processing deficits are associated with certain psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sensory filtering and sensorimotor gating are evolutionarily conserved preattentive responses that filter and block redundant sensory stimuli that would otherwise overwhelm our brains. To date, underlying mechanisms of these deficits are undefined. Prepulse …

P34. The Effects Of Standing Desks On Classroom Performance Of University Students, Siobhan Smith

Western Research Forum

Background:

It is well established that there are many health risks associated with prolonged sedentary time.¹ Unfortunately, research conducted on university students is limited but yet they experience excessive periods of sitting time during class and while studying.

Methods:

Recently, we investigated the effect of sitting, dynamic sitting, and standing desks on classroom performance of university students.² Participants performed three 3-minute classroom simulations, one for each of the three desks. The order of the desks and simulations were randomized. Each of the simulations included a different typing and memory task.

Results:

Results showed no significant difference in the …

P35. Investigating The Effect Of Maternal Immune Activation On Sensory Filtering, Social Behaviour And Attention, Faraj Haddad

Western Research Forum

Background

Altered brain development is associated with many neuropsychiatric disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Environmental insults can interfere with neurodevelopment, and a prominent example is maternal infection during pregnancy. Epidemiological studies show that children born to mothers who were infected during pregnancy display a higher risk of developing ASD and schizophrenia, and this effect is mainly due to the maternal immune response. Polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid (Poly I:C) is a double stranded RNA molecule that mimics viral markers and elicits an immune response. When injected in pregnant rodents, this model produces offspring that exhibit core symptoms of ASD and …

The Impact Of Various Predator Perceptions On Stress Response And Spatial Memory In Birds, Chlöe S. N. Carter

Western Research Forum

The Impact of Various Predator Perceptions on Stress Response and Spatial Memory in Birds

Background

This project will explore the impact of environmental stressors on the cognitive abilities of birds. Predator perception has been demonstrated to elicit a stress response by elevating stress hormones which can alter the behaviour of birds. The aim of this study is to observe if chronic stress from differently perceived threats of predation in an individual’s environment will lead to differences in the spatial memory abilities in two species of birds. I predict that chronic stress resulting from predator stimuli will impair the bird’s performance …

Pulmonary Surfactant Fortified With Cath-2 As A Novel Therapy For Bacterial Pneumonia, Brandon J. Baer

Western Research Forum

Background: Bacterial pneumonia is a leading cause of death worldwide, with high mortality rates persisting even after antibiotic treatment. Current treatments for pneumonia involve administration of antibiotics, however after the bacteria are killed they release toxic substances that induce inflammation and lung dysfunction. Host defense peptides represent a potential solution to this problem through their ability to down regulate inflammation. However, effective delivery to the lung is difficult because of the complex branching structure of the airways. My study addresses this delivery problem by using exogenous surfactant, a pulmonary delivery vehicle capable of improving spreading of these peptides throughout the …

The Effects Of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (Iugr) On The Pulmonary Surfactant And Lung Injury, Reza Khazaee

Western Research Forum

The Effects of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) on the Pulmonary Surfactant and Lung Injury

Khazaee R¹, McCaig LA², Hardy D¹, Yamashita CM², Veldhuizen, RAW²

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology¹, Western University, London, ON, Canada. Lawson Health Research Institute², London, ON, Canada

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is defined as severe lung dysfunction that occurs after an insult to the lung such as an infection. The lung dysfunction in ARDS is due to alterations to surfactant, a lipid-protein mixture coats the inside of the lung and …

The Soy-Derived Peptide Lunasin Inhibits Invasive Potential Of Melanoma Initiating Cells, Chris Shidal, Jun-Ichi Inaba, Kavitha Yaddanapudi, Keith R. Davis

Plant Pathology Faculty Publications

Lunasin is a 44 amino acid peptide with multiple functional domains including an aspartic acid tail, an RGD domain, and a chromatin-binding helical domain. We recently showed that Lunasin induced a phenotype switch of cancer initiating cells (CIC) out of the stem compartment by inducing melanocyte-associated differentiation markers while simultaneously reducing stem-cell-associated transcription factors. In the present study, we advance the hypothesis that Lunasin can reduce pools of melanoma cells with stem cell-like properties, and demonstrate that Lunasin treatment effectively inhibits the invasive potential of CICs in vitro as well as in vivo in a mouse experimental metastasis model. Mice …

Using Yoga To Reduce Stress And Bullying Behaviors Among Urban Youth, Erin E. Centeio, Laurel Whalen, Erica Thomas, Noel Kulik, Nate Mccaughtry

Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies

Background/Purpose: Obesity and secondary conditions continue to disproportionally affect the health of children living in urban areas. Studies show that a lack of resources and physical activity-unfriendly communities discourage 60 minutes of daily activity, including strengthening exercises, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using Social Ecological theory, the purpose of this study was to examine the multi-level influences of a yoga-based intervention on urban, inner city youth. Method: Using a mixed-methods design, ninety-three 3 - 5^th grade students at five urban elementary schools participated in a ten-week yoga intervention. Analysis/Results: RM-ANOVA results …

Editorial: Platelet Secretion, Brian Storrie, Sidney W. Whiteheart

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Computational Predictions Of Β-Hairpins Containing Bulky Dehydroamino Acids, David W. Kastner, Ankur Jalan, Steven L. Castle

Library/Life Sciences Undergraduate Poster Competition 2017

Bulky α,β-dehydroamino acids (ΔAAs) can improve the proteolytic stability of peptides that contain them, presumably by altering the shape of the backbone of the peptide and by stabilizing folded states through their rigidifying effect. The stabilizing effects of ΔAAs that contain at least one hydrogen atom at the β-carbon are well-known, but the role of bulky ΔAAs that contain fully substituted β-carbons in the stability of larger peptides is less explored. To better explore the conformational contribution of α,β-dehydroamino acids in β-hairpins we performed NMR-based structural calculations to confirm our experimental observations. We used the simulated annealing program CYANA to …

Linkage Mapping And Comparative Genomics Of Red Drum (Sciaenops Ocellatus) Using Next-Generation Sequencing, Christopher M. Hollenbeck, David S. Portnoy, Dana Wetzel, Tracy A. Sherwood, Paul B. Samollow, John R. Gold

C-IMAGE Publications

Developments in next-generation sequencing allow genotyping of thousands of genetic markers across hundreds of individuals in a cost-effective manner. Because of this, it is now possible to rapidly produce dense genetic linkage maps for nonmodel species. Here, we report a dense genetic linkage map for red drum, a marine fish species of considerable economic importance in the southeastern United States and elsewhere. We used a prior microsatellite-based linkage map as a framework and incorporated 1794 haplotyped contigs derived from high-throughput, reduced representation DNA sequencing to produce a linkage map containing 1794 haplotyped restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) contigs, 437 anonymous microsatellites, …

Carbon Sequestration By Australian Tidal Marshes, Peter I. Macreadie, Q. R. Oliver, J. J. Kelleway, Oscar Serrano, P. E. Carnell, C. J. Ewers Lewis, T. B. Atwood, J. Sanderman, J. Baldock, R. M. Connolly, C. M. Duarte, Paul Lavery, A. Steven, C. E, Lovelock

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Australia’s tidal marshes have suffered significant losses but their recently recognised importance in CO2 sequestration is creating opportunities for their protection and restoration. We compiled all available data on soil organic carbon (OC) storage in Australia’s tidal marshes (323 cores). OC stocks in the surface 1 m averaged 165.41 (SE 6.96) Mg OC ha − 1 (range 14 – 963 Mg OC ha − 1). The mean OC accumulation rate was 0.55 ± 0.02 Mg OC ha − 1 yr − 1. Geomorphology was the most important predictor of OC stocks, with fluvial sites having twice the stock of OC …

Lingnan Gardeners Newsletter (No. 28) = 嶺南彩園通訊 (第28期), Lingnan Gardeners, Kwan Fong Cultural Research And Development Programme, Lingnan University

Lingnan Gardeners Newsletter 嶺南彩園通訊

Chive Flowers 韭菜花

Edgar Lehr, March 10, 2017, Charlie Schlenker

Interviews for WGLT

Charlie Schlenker from WGLT interviews IWU Professor of Biology Edgar Lehr. Lehr and his research partner Rudolf von May discovered a new species of frog, formally described as Pristimantis attenboroughi, during an expedition in the Peruvian Andes.

Photographs of Pristimantis attenboroughi can be found at the links below.

Genome Sequencing Of The Sweetpotato Whitefly Bemisia Tabaci Med/Q, Wen Xie, Chunhai Chen, Zezhong Yang, Litao Guo, Xin Yang, Dan Wang, Ming Chen, Jinqun Huang, Yanan Wen, Yang Zeng, Yating Liu, Jixing Xia, Lixia Tian, Hongying Cui, Qingjun Wu, Shaoli Wang, Baoyun Xu, Xianchun Li, Xinqiu Tan, Murad Ghanim, Baoli Qiu, Huipeng Pan, Dong Chu, Helene Delatte, M. N. Maruthi, Feng Ge, Xueping Zhou, Xiaowei Wang, Fanghao Wan, Yuzhou Du, Xuguo Joe Zhou

Entomology Faculty Publications

The sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a highly destructive agricultural and ornamental crop pest. It damages host plants through both phloem feeding and vectoring plant pathogens. Introductions of B. tabaci are difficult to quarantine and eradicate because of its high reproductive rates, broad host plant range, and insecticide resistance. A total of 791 Gb of raw DNA sequence from whole genome shotgun sequencing, and 13 BAC pooling libraries were generated by Illumina sequencing using different combinations of mate-pair and pair-end libraries. Assembly gave a final genome with a scaffold N50 of 437 kb, and a total length of 658 Mb. …

The Effectiveness Of A 4-Week Yoga Intervention On The Activation And Timing Of Transverse Abdominis And Lumbar Multifidus, Pain And Functional Disability Among Healthy And Low Back Pain Participants, Tamara Sagadore

Theses and Dissertations

Low back pain (LBP) poses a significant long-term health problem and requires the exploration of complementary alternative medicines, such as yoga. LBP patients often present with a delay in the onset of contraction of core musculature, which is necessary to stabilize the spine in dynamic movements. The aim of this study was two-fold. First, it was to determine the effectiveness of a 4-week yoga intervention on the timing of muscle activation and activation ratio of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and lumbar multifidus (LM) muscles among all participants. Second, it was to determine the effectiveness of a 4-week yoga intervention on …

Human Head Orientation And Eye Visibility As Indicators Of Attention For Goats (Capra Hircus), Christian Nawroth, Alan G. Mcelligott

Social Cognition Collection

Animals domesticated for working closely with humans (e.g. dogs) have been shown to be remarkable in adjusting their behaviour to human attentional stance. However, there is little evidence for this form of information perception in species domesticated for production rather than companionship. We tested domestic ungulates (goats) for their ability to differentiate attentional states of humans. In the first experiment, we investigated the effect of body and head orientation of one human experimenter on approach behaviour by goats. Test subjects (N = 24) significantly changed their behaviour when the experimenter turned its back to the subjects, but did not take …