Life Sciences Commons^™

Re-Contacting Cancer Genetic Counseling Patients: Expectations Of Patients And Physicians, Zoe Elizabeth Siegel

Theses and Dissertations

The landscape of cancer genetic counseling and testing is rapidly evolving. Genetic testing technology is improving, management guidelines are evolving, and genetic testing options are expanding. These frequent updates to the components of cancer genetics have increased the complexity of managing patient care over time. In particular, this raises questions on the duty to re-contact patients as new information becomes available. This study explored healthcare providers’ duty to re-contact through the interests and expectations of patients, including which circumstances warrant re-contacting, which healthcare provider is responsible for re-contacting the patient, and the preferred method of re-contacting. Physicians’ opinions on whether …

Assessing The Effects Of The Mud Snail, Ilyanassa Obsoleta, On The Benthic Microalgal Community In A Pristine Saltmarsh, Miranda Gore

Theses and Dissertations

Saltmarshes are among the most productive ecosystems globally. At North Inlet estuary, South Carolina, about one third of the primary production comes from benthic microalgae. During the tidal cycle, mobile microalgae vertically migrate through the upper 3 mm of sediment. At low tide, algae are vulnerable to a variety of grazers, including the mud snail, Ilyanassa obsoleta, which is abundant in tidal creeks. Many species of intertidal snails have been shown to significantly alter the community structure and density of microalgae within the sediment. The purpose of this study was to determine how I. obsoleta affects the benthic microalgae community …

Enhancing The Efficacy Of Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitors By Genetic Modulation Or Pharmacological Inhibition Of Bone Marrow Derived Cells In The Tumor Stroma, Nikeya Lashanna Tisdale

Theses and Dissertations

The impact of tumor associated stromal cells in tumor formation, progression, and response to therapy has led to a paradigm shift in cancer therapy. For many years, tumors were considered as a mass consisting only of actively proliferating cancer cells and therapies were design to target these cells. However, research in the last two decades has shown that tumors are not only comprised of a heterogeneous population of neoplastic cells, but they are also comprised of and infiltrated by a heterogeneous population of non-tumor cells that contribute to tumor progression and potentially affect the efficacy of tumor-directed chemotherapies. Tumors are …

Extant Crinoidea (Echinodermata) Of Singapore, Charles Messing, Teresa S. Tay

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

The crinoid fauna of Singaporean waters now includes approximately 39 nominal species belonging to six families, all in Order Comatulida. Seventeen of the 22 species collected during the Singapore Strait Biodiversity Workshop (May-June 2013) were previously known from the area. Of the remaining five, Cenometra bella (Colobometridae) is definitely a new record for Singapore, while the taxonomic status of the other four is uncertain. Seventeen additional species, collected almost entirely in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, were not represented in the 2013 survey.

Divergent Activity Of The Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Receptor Gene Promoter Among Genetic Lines Of Pigs Is Partially Conferred By Nuclear Factor (Nf)-Kb, Specificity Protein (Sp)1-Like And Gata-4 Binding Sites, Emily A. Mcdonald, Jacqueline E. Smith, Rebecca A. Cederberg, Brett R. White

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Binding of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to its receptor (GnRHR) on gonadotropes within the anterior pituitary gland is essential to reproduction. In pigs, the GnRHR gene is also located near a genetic marker for ovulation rate, a primary determinant of prolificacy. We hypothesized that pituitary expression of the GnRHR gene is alternatively regulated in genetic strains with elevated ovulation rates (Chinese Meishan and Nebraska Index) vs. standard white crossbred swine (Control).

METHODS: Luciferase reporter vectors containing 5118 bp of GnRHR gene promoter from either the Control, Index or Meishan swine lines were generated. Transient transfection of line-specific, full length, deletion …

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20e) Primary Response Gene E75 Isoforms Mediate Steroidogenesis Autoregulation And Regulate Developmental Timing In Bombyx, Kang Li, Ling Tian, Zhongjian Guo, Sanyou Guo, Jianzhen Zhang, Shi-Hong Gu, Subba Reddy Palli, Yang Cao, Sheng Li

Entomology Faculty Publications

The temporal control mechanisms that precisely control animal development remain largely elusive. The timing of major developmental transitions in insects, including molting and metamorphosis, is coordinated by the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). 20E involves feedback loops to maintain pulses of ecdysteroid biosynthesis leading to its upsurge, whereas the underpinning molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Using the silkworm Bombyx mori as a model, we demonstrated that E75, the 20E primary response gene, mediates a regulatory loop between ecdysteroid biosynthesis and 20E signaling. E75 isoforms A and C directly bind to retinoic acid receptor-related response elements in Halloween gene promoter …

Sialylation And Cardiomyocyte Complex N -Glycosylation Protect Against Dilated Cardiomyopathy And Heart Failure, Wei Deng

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the third most common cause of heart failure, often associated with arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death if not controlled. Metabolic and/or environmental factors, such as alcohol abuse, obesity, diabetes and Chagas disease, alter glycoprotein glycosylation, can lead to DCM. Inherited genetic disease, such as the human congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), causes multi-system manifestations including DCM. Non-congenital changes in glycosylation are also occurred in humans with and in animal models of DCM and heart failure. However, mechanisms responsible for glyco-dependent DCM are not understood. Here we sought to investigate the impact of sialylation and N-glycosylation …

Commodity Trading Room Comes On-Line At Unl, Larry Van Tassell, Fabio Mattos, Jeff Peterson

Cornhusker Economics

Commodity markets are central to Nebraska抯 economy. The study of agricultural marketing concepts, tools and strategies as they relate to risk management for agricultural producers, commodity merchandisers, processors and other traders are essential for students seeking a career in the agribusiness industry.

Vector Competence Of Aedes Aegypti In Transmitting Chikungunya Virus: Effects And Implications Of Extrinsic Incubation Temperature On Dissemination And Infection Rates, Sophiah Mbaika, Joel Lutomiah, Edith Chepkorir, Francis Mulwa, Christopher Khayeka-Wandabwa, Caroline Tigoi, Elijah Oyoo-Okoth, James Mutisya, Zipporah Ng'ang'a, Rosemary Sang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Background: Aedes aegypti is a competent arthropod vector of chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The rate at which the virus disseminate in the vector is limited by temperature of their environment which can be an important determinant of geographical and seasonal limits to transmission by the arthropods in the tropics. This study investigated the vector competence of Ae. aegypti for CHIKV at ambient temperature of 32 and 26 °C (Coastal and Western Kenya respectively) reared at Extrinsic Incubation Temperature (EIT) of 32 and 26 °C that resembles those in the two regions. Methods: Ae. aegypti eggs were collected from coastal and Western …

Sexually Dimorphic Adaptation Of Cardiac Function: Roles Of Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid And Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors, Jun Qin, Yicong Le, Ghezal Froogh, Sharath Kandhi, Houli Jiang, Dong Sun, An Huang

NYMC Faculty Publications

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are cardioprotective mediators metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) to form corresponding diols (DHETs). As a sex-susceptible target, sEH is involved in the sexually dimorphic regulation of cardiovascular function. Thus, we hypothesized that the female sex favors EET-mediated potentiation of cardiac function via downregulation of sEH expression, followed by upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Hearts were isolated from male (M) and female (F) wild-type (WT) and sEH-KO mice, and perfused with constant flow at different preloads. Basal coronary flow required to maintain the perfusion pressure at 100 mmHg was significantly greater in females than males, and …

U.S. Drought Monitor, June 28, 2016, Eric Luebehusen

United States Agricultural Commodities in Drought Archive

Drought map of U.S. for June 28, 2016 (6/28/16) plus: U.S. crop areas experiencing drought (map), Approximate percentage of crop located in drought, by state (bar graph), Percent of crop area located in drought, past 52 weeks (line graph) for: Corn, Soybeans, Hay, Cattle, Winter wheat.

Effects On The Synthesis Of Starch Stearate By Regulating The Lipase Activity In Ionic Liquids, Su Anxiang, Dai Feiyun, Yu Mengfei, Tang Xiaozhi

Food and Machinery

Effects of lipase activity regulation in ionic liquids on synthesis of starch stearate were investigated in the present study. The results showed that degree of substitution of starch stearate increased with increasing water activity and the amount of hydrated salts. When water activity reached 0.61, the amount of addition was 80%, the degree of substitution reached maximum value of 0.111. The catalytic capability of enzyme is sensitive to pH values, and the highest degree of substitution could be obtained when the lyophozyme in a buffer solution with pH 7.1,when proper additive quantity of lyophozyme was 10.4%. The lipase that lyophilized …

Study On Isolation And Preliminary Identification Of Endophytic Fungi In Trollius Chinensis, Lu Jun, Qin Peizhen, Shan Qiji, Li Zhonghai

Food and Machinery

Fresh plants of T. chinensis collected from Inner Mongolia were used to isolated the endophytic fungi from their roots, stems and leaves after superficial disinfection. According to the morphological characteristics observation and microscopy examination, 6 endophytic fungi strains were isolated from the T. chinensis, including four strains from the leaves, one from the stems, and one from the roots. All the separated fungi strains were identified as penicillium genus (Pinicielium).

Study On Precision Modeling Of Globoidal Cam In Filling Machine, Yu Jianwu, Shu Xin, Luo Hong, Long Xiaobing, Liao Zhiyuan

Food and Machinery

In order to solve the problems and low accuracy modeling in globoidal cam designing as well as instability during high-speed filling, the mathematical model of profile surface of the globoidal cam was set up based on filling requirements and motion relationship between globoidal cam and indexing plate. The segmentation modeling is applied to create 3D solid model of globoidal cam. Surface analysis, inference inspection and kinematic analysis are studied for the created 3D model of globoidal cam, and the results showed that a high modeling accuracy was obtained, which may meet the design requirements of globoidal cam device for high-speed …

Performance Simulation Study On Reciprocating Cutter, Wu Yutang, Luo Shuqiang, Yang Mingjin, Jiang Meng

Food and Machinery

Based on the analysis on the working principle of the reciprocating cutter, the cutting performance of the cutter was simulated by Matlab to realize numerical simulation.. Taking the missing region rate and repeated cutting region rate as the cutting performance evaluation standards for the cutter, the effects of different cutting parameters on the cutting performance of the reciprocating cutter were studied, such as cutting edge height, forward speed of the cutter, front axle width and crank angular velocity. By range analysis and analysis of variance, the key factors were determined, which affecting the cutting performance of the reciprocating cutter and …

Study On Numerical Simulation Of Whirling Sedimentation Process Based On Cfd Technology In Whirlpool Separator, Chen Yusheng, Wang Yue, Dong Wenyong, An Jiayan

Food and Machinery

The whirlpool separator, which is a typical solid-liquid separation equipment, is one of the requested equipment in beer brewing. This study conducted by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology examined the feed tube angles of 0～25° on the separation effect of whirlpool settling vat in order to find swing settlement regularity in the process. Results showed that, under the same feeding condition, the sedimentation effect could be improved by increasing incident angle within a certain degree. Nevertheless, increasing the incident angle to further degree would reduce the settlement effect. The result provides reference for structure design and optimization of whirlpool separator.

Experiment And Analysis Of Method On Stripping Off Green Husk From Ripened Walnuts By Pressing, Liang Jinsheng, Cao Jujiang, Wu Dongze

Food and Machinery

Based on the analysis of disadvantages of the green-husk walnuts stripping methods and the characteristics of ripened walnuts, the pressing test was carried out, and pressure-deformation figure of ripened green husk walnut was mapped. By analysis of test data, the breakdown pressure and the corresponding compression of the ripened walnut green husk and shell were determined. Based on the significant difference on breakdown pressure between the green husk and shell, and the state of green husk rupture and separation by pressing, the method of stripping off green-husk by pressing is put forward. These results provide the basis for new equipment …

Study On A New Type Of Continuous Belt Rice Steamer, Hou Yaru, Liu Yude, Liu Yongxin

Food and Machinery

A new prototype of continuous belt rice steamer was proposed. Firstly, an introduction of working principle was made, and then by experiments and calculations, the parameters for steaming and cleaning processes were obtained respectively. The problems were also illustrated, such as running speed in steaming, how to controlling of the rice softness, and the operation of the spray system. Experimental results showed that the newly presented rice steamer had numerous benefits, such as simplified structure, fewer breakdown proportion, less service requirements, adjustable output, integration of cooking and cleaning,etc, which make it fit the concept for modern product design.

Contents And Changes Of Main Fatty Acids In The Linseed Oil, Lu Yinjie, Hao Liping, Guo Yuxuan

Food and Machinery

The composition and contents of the main fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) in the linseed oil. The changes of the main fatty acids and peroxide value in the linseed oil during the storage were analysed by ccelerated oxidation method. The results showed that five kinds of main fatty acids are included in linseed oil, namely linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, and 53.6% of them was linolenic acid. With the extension of storage time, the contents of every kind of unsaturated fatty acids in linseed oil decreased, showing a linear relevance to …

Research On Effects Of Chicken Eggshell Dark Spots On Chicken Egg Storage, Zhang Mingrong, Ye Jinsong, Zhang Zili, Li Xinyang, Wang Chengcheng, Cai Yunqiong

Food and Machinery

The egg shells with different dark spots coverage (0%, 10%, 30%, 60%) were selected to study the influence of dark spots on the eggs’ storage properties. The quality indexes of eggs including freshness indexes (weight loss, relative density, yolk index, egg white pH value, Haugh unit, etc.) and microbial indexes(total bacterial counts, E. coli, mold, Salmonella, etc.)were analysed during storage. The results showed that the rate of freshness declined and microbial growth of dark spots eggs were faster than those normal. Morover, with the increase of egg shell dark spots coverage, the freshness declining and the microbe growing became faster …

Structure-Activity Relationship Of Nf-Κb Inhibition From Resveratrol Analogues, Liu Lianxin, Liu Yu, He Weiping

Food and Machinery

Based on the NF-κB inhibition data provided by literature, the descriptors of 17 resveratrol analogues were obtained though the iterative method for optimization, according the approach of quantifying substituent and substituted positions. The Qantitative Structure-activity Relationship model was built up by using multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that the sequence of substituents to inhibit the activation of the oncogenic transcription factor NF-κB was -OH ＞-Naphthyl ＞-CF3 ＞-MeO ＞-Me2N ＞-F, and the NF-κB inhibition of 3th substituted position was greater than the one of 4th substituted position, and the inhibition of 4th substituted position was greater than the one …

Comparing Antioxidant Activity Of Pepper Seeds Oil In Vitro Produced By Different Process, Liu An, Luo Song, Li Qiguang, Yang Xindi, Xu Dandan, Xiao Wenjun

Food and Machinery

The antioxidant activity in vitro experimental model method is adopted, with control of Vc and V_E, a comparative study of supercritical CO₂ extraction and petroleum ether extraction and supercritical CO₂ extraction after degumming and bleaching of three kinds of process technology for preparation of pepper seed oil antioxidant activity.The results show that the reduction ability of pepper seed oil and the hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion free radicals and H₂O₂ scavenging rate from high to low process followed by supercritical fluid extraction after degumming and bleaching, supercritical fluid extraction, petroleum ether extraction, DPPH free …

Technological Optimization Of The Preparation Of Corn Resistant Starch By Microwave-Enzymatic Method, Niu Chunyan, Tang Yuanfa

Food and Machinery

The corn starch was used to determine the optimum technological conditions of corn resistant starch by microwave-enzymatic method. The optimal conditions were got by orthogonal experiment analyses, and we found the content of resistant starch was highest and reached to 28.4%, when treated under the following conditions, i.e. 25% of Starch slurry mass fraction , 800 W of microwave power, 240 s of microwave heating time, and cooling storage for 20 h at 4 ℃. Our study might provide a new clue for the preparation of resistant starch and make benefit for the application for starch industry in the future.

Research Progress Of Open Food Refrigerated Display Cabinets, Wu Xuehong, Wang Chunxu, Li Weiping, Zhang Jun

Food and Machinery

Refrigerated display cabinets as the terminal device of the food cold chain logistics play an important role in ensuring the food quality and safety. In this paper a brief overview of recent progress is presented in the open food refrigerated display cabinets from the aspect of air curtain performance, the environment temperature and humidity, the structure optimization of the cabinet body, the problems of evaporator frosting and defrosting, the system energy saving and the application of phase change materials for cool storage, et al. Analyzes the related factors on velocity field and temperature field distribution of food refrigerated display cabinets, …

Present Situation And Future Prospect Of Aerobic Solid-State Fermentation, Liu Jingran, Li Guanhua

Food and Machinery

Aerobic solid-state fermentation, with a long history, has played a pivotal role in human society. In this paper the development history, the advantages and the application fields of aerobic solid-state fermentation were introduced. Moreover, the recent research achievements of solid state fermentation bio-reactor and other auxiliary technologies were summarized. In end of the paper, the future development of of aerobic solid-state was also prospected.

Effect Of Oxidative Modification By Peroxyl Radical On Functional Properties Of Rice Protein, Wu Wei, Wu Xiaojuan, Cai Yongjian, Liton G

Food and Machinery

Peroxyl radical which derived from thermal decomposition of different concentration of 2, 2’-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) was used to oxidize rice protein, and effect of oxidative modification by peroxyl radical on functional properties of rice protein was investigated. The results indicated that rice protein carbonyl content increased as concentration of AAPH increased, which indicated that incubation with AAPH lead to oxidation of rice protein. As the concentrations of AAPH increased, absolute value of zeta potential, solubility, water holding capacity, foaming properties, emulsion properties of rice protein decreased, and oil holding capacity increased. Absolute value of zeta potential of rice protein …

Effects Of High Pressure Homogenization On The Functional And Physicochemical Properties Of Rice Protein, Zhang Jing, Ding Fang, Zou Qingqing, Lu Ning

Food and Machinery

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of different homogenization pressure (0～120 MPa) on the functional and physicochemical properties of 4% rice protein. The results showed that with the increase of pressure, the solubility of rice protein significantly increased (P<0.01), and reached the maximum at 120 MPa, which was 82.09 μg/mL; emulsifying activity index first increased and then decreased, and reached the maximum at 80 MPa, which was 14.82 m²/g; and the emulsifying stability index decreased. Under the treatment of pressure, particle size of rice protein decreased, with the changes of ionic bond insignificant (P>0.05), hydrogen bond, and hydrophobic interaction and the contents of sulfhydryl and disulfide bond insignificantly changed (P<0.05), and suggested the three dimensionalstructure of rice protein was affected by high pressure homogenization.

Screening For Afb1-Contaminated Corn By Specific Gravity Method, Luo Xiaohu, Qi Lijun, Fang Wenmiao, Wang Ren, Wang Li, Shen Yuxian, Chen Zhengxing

Food and Machinery

Aimed at the severe contamination of AFB₁ in corn, effect of specific gravity separation on AFB₁-contaminated corn has been investigated. In this study, air volume, longitudinal gradient and amplitude have a significant influence on separation results. With air volume 6 000 m³/h, longitudinal gradient 7°, amplitude 15 mm, different levels of contaminated corn were separated with specific gravity. AFB₁ concentrations in obtained heavy corn were decreased by 21.2% and 38.4% respectively compared with the materials. The ratio of light corn and broken percentage of corn was moderate. As the specific gravity equipment is very …

Factors Affecting Antioxidant Activities Of Proteins, Zhu Zhenbao, Wang Yanfei, Yi Jianhua

Food and Machinery

The effects of protein concentration, temperature, heating time, salt ions and their concentration, and pH on the antioxidant activities of proteins including peach kernel protein isolates(PKPI), soy protein isolates (SPI), whey protein isolates (WPI), casein(CA) were investigated by deterrnining their DPPH free radical scavenging capacities, and taking 6-Hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox) as the control. The results showed that at the concentrations of 0.05～2.00 g/100 mL, the antioxidant activities of these proteins increased with the increase in the concentration; Temperature had different effects on proteins’ antioxidant capacities with PKPI, WPI, CA, and SPI obtaining the best antioxidant activities at 40, 40, 30 …

Dynamic Changes Of Volatile Components In Whey During Traditional Brewing Processing, Li Hongzhen, Yun Jianmin, Jia Yali, Zhao Fengqin, Zhao Xiaorui, Qi Qianya

Food and Machinery

Volatile compounds in whey sample in different stages during traditional brewing processing were analyzed by headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS—SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC—MS) technique. The results indicated that 59 kinds of volatile components were identified，including alcohols, olefins, aldehydes and ketones, esters, acids. Totally 24, 29, 34, 34 and 36 kinds of volatile components were identified in whey samples fermented for 0, 24th, 48th, 72th, and 96th hours, respectively. Among them, twelve volatile compounds were common to the five samples. With the fermentation, the amounts of volatile components were increased, and esters were newly detected. The relative contents of …