Biology Commons^™

The Avian Thrombocyte Is A Specialized Immune Cell, Farzana Ferdous

All Dissertations

Thrombocytes are the most abundant circulating cells next to red blood cells in avian blood. Avian thrombocytes are homologous in function to mammalian platelets. Avian thrombocytes and the mammalian platelet are widely recognized contributors to inflammatory responses upon stimulation with various microbial stimulants. However, some observed responses of the avian thrombocyte depart from a standardized model ascribed to innate cells. To help unravel the role of thrombocytes in innate immunity, and possibly adaptive immunity, first we examined the surface features of chicken thrombocytes. Chicken thrombocytes constitutively express transcripts for different Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that are crucial for the innate immune …

Redox Proteomic Identification Of Hne-Bound Mitochondrial Proteins In Cardiac Tissues Reveals A Systemic Effect On Energy Metabolism After Doxorubicin Treatment, Y. Zhao, Sumitra Miriyala, L. Miao, Mihail I. Mitov, David M. Schnell, Sanjit Kumar Dhar, J. Cai, J. B. Klein, Rukhsana Sultana, D. Allan Butterfield, Mary Vore, I. Batinic-Haberle, Subbarao Bondada, Daret K. St. Clair

Toxicology and Cancer Biology Faculty Publications

Doxorubicin (DOX), one of the most effective anticancer drugs, is known to generate progressive cardiac damage, which is due, in part, to DOX-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elevated ROS often induce oxidative protein modifications that result in alteration of protein functions. This study demonstrates that the level of proteins adducted by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a lipid peroxidation product, is significantly increased in mouse heart mitochondria after DOX treatment. A redox proteomics method involving two-dimensional electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry and investigation of protein databases identified several HNE-modified mitochondrial proteins, which were verified by HNE-specific immunoprecipitation in cardiac mitochondria from the …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Kalandars And Captive Bears In Pakistan, Thomas P. Rooney, Kendra C. Millam

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

In 2013, the Bioresource Research Centre (Islamabad, Pakistan) conducted a comprehensive census of the remaining dancing and bear-baiting bears in Pakistan. This involved locating and counting the actual involved bears and bear keepers (kalandars), collecting detailed socio-economic data from the bear-keepers, and identifying attitudes and key drivers behind this livelihood. This report summarizes the findings from the census, reveals relationships in the data that are not immediately apparent, and identifies potential leverage points for ongoing campaign efforts.

Fty720 (Fingolimod) Provides Insight Into The Molecular Mechanisms Of Multiple Sclerosis, Madelyn Elizabeth Crawford

Pursuit - The Journal of Undergraduate Research at The University of Tennessee

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a prolonged immune- mediated inflammatory response that targets myelin. Nearly all of the drugs approved for the treatment of MS are general immunosuppressants or only function in symptom management. The oral medication fingolimod, however, is reported to have direct therapeutic effects on cells of the central nervous system in addition to immunomodulatory functions. Fingolimod is known to interact with sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors, and the most widely- accepted theory for its mechanism of action is functional antagonism of the receptor. This review examines significant neuromodulatory effects achieved by functional antagonism of the …

Investigating The Viability Of Two Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia Isolates After Air-Drying, Samantha Lane, Joanna Brooke

DePaul Discoveries

Abstract

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a water-borne infectious bacterium that is found in both clinical (hospitals) and non-clinical environments. This human pathogen is commonly recovered from respiratory tract infections. A recent study at a hospital in Taiwan suggested that dry patient charts can serve as a vehicle of transmission of this bacterium⁷. As S. maltophilia is not commonly isolated from dry surfaces, this current study tested the hypothesis that this pathogen can remain viable for some time on a dry surface. This study was designed to determine how long S. maltophilia could remain viable after air-drying by observing …

White-Tailed Deer Are A Biotic Filter During Community Assembly, Reducing Species And Phylogenetic Diversity, Danielle R. Begley-Miller, Andrew L. Hipp, Bethany H. Brown, Marlene Hahn, Thomas P. Rooney

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Community assembly entails a filtering process, where species found in a local community are those that can pass through environmental (abiotic) and biotic filters and successfully compete. Previous research has demonstrated the ability of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to reduce species diversity and favour browse-tolerant plant communities. In this study, we expand on our previous work by investigating deer as a possible biotic filter altering local plant community assembly. We used replicated 23-year-old deer exclosures to experimentally assess the effects of deer on species diversity (H′), richness (SR), phylogenetic community structure and phylogenetic diversity in paired …

Characterizing The Response Of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Species To The Application Of A Phage Cocktail, Steven Liu

Symposium

Project Summary: The application of bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections is known as phage therapy, which takes advantage of bacteriophage’s natural ability to infect and lyse bacterial hosts. Phages have been shaped by billions of years of evolution to be highly specialized deliverers of bactericidal agents to the cytoplasm of their target bacteria. Ever since discovery of bacteriophages in 1915, phage therapy was recognized as a potentially powerful tool for eliminating bacterial infections. The effectiveness of phage therapy can be increased by creating a mixture of multiple phages to target a wider variety of bacterial strains. Furthermore, phage therapy has …

Association Between Symptomatic Vulvovaginal Candidiasis And Hiv Rna Levels In Plasma And Genital Secretions Among Women On Haart, Teke Apalata, William H. Carr, Benjamin Longo-Mbenza, Willem A. Sturm, P. Moodley

Publications and Research

Background. Genital tract (GT) inflammation plays a major role in HIV transmission. We aimed to determine the association between symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and HIV RNA levels in plasma and GTs of HIV-infected women on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Method. Women with VVC on HAART were recruited from a primary healthcare clinic in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, between June 2011 and December 2011. VVC was diagnosed clinically, supported by Gram staining and culture of genital secretions. HIV RNA load was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. CD4+ counts were obtained from patients’ medical records.

Results. Plasma HIV RNA …

Octopamine Neuromodulation Regulates Gr32a-Linked Aggression And Courtship Pathways In Drosophila Males, Jonathan C. Andrews, Maria Paz Fernàndez, Qin Yu, Gregory Patrick Leary, Adelaine K. W. Leung, Michael P. Kavanaugh, Edward A. Kravitz, Sarah J. Certel

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Chemosensory pheromonal information regulates aggression and reproduction in many species, but how pheromonal signals are transduced to reliably produce behavior is not well understood. Here we demonstrate that the pheromonal signals detected by Gr32a-expressing chemosensory neurons to enhance male aggression are filtered through octopamine (OA, invertebrate equivalent of norepinephrine) neurons. Using behavioral assays, we find males lacking both octopamine and Gr32a gustatory receptors exhibit parallel delays in the onset of aggression and reductions in aggression. Physiological and anatomical experiments identify Gr32a to octopamine neuron synaptic and functional connections in the suboesophageal ganglion. Refining the Gr32a-expressing population indicates that mouth Gr32a …

Interactions Between Human Neutrophils And Mycobacterium Smegmatis : A Comparative General Analysis., Irina Miralda

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Mycobacteria smegmatis is an abundant soil and water inhabitant with which humans are continuously in contact. Despite the fact that it is typically considered non-­‐pathogenic, a few rare cases of M. smegmatis-­‐caused infections have been reported and it has been shown that M. smegmatis is able to modulate inflammatory responses in macrophages. Neutrophils are the innate immune system’s first line of centralized defense against invading microbes, especially the frequently encountered M. smegmatis. However, very little information is known of the mechanism by which neutrophils eliminate environmental bacteria. In this study, the hypothesis that M. smegmatis regulates neutrophil functional responses, and …

The Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes, Pugio: Hypoxic Influences On Embryonic Development, Christensen C. Javier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Grass shrimp,Palaemonetes pugio, can survive in brackish waters and estuarine ecosystems despite the frequent oscillations and fluctuations in salinity, temperature and oxygen. AdultP. pugiohave the ability to osmoregulate (Romney and Reiber 2011), change cardiac parameters to tolerate temperatures (not yet published, Mika and Reiber) and oxyregulate (Guadagnoli and Reiber 2013). Manipulation of cardiac parameters allows for these methods of regulation. However, cardiac contraction and internal convection of oxygen do not occur until later stages of embryonic development. Studies focused on these morphological and physiological advantages may provide further understanding of the regulatory mechanisms within grass shrimp embryos, larvae and adults. …

Life History Tradeoffs And The Costs Of Reproduction In Arizona Bark Scorpions (Centruroides Sculpturatus), Michael Marie Webber

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Tradeoffs in life history evolution result from conflicts in the time and energy that can be simultaneously invested in activities such as growth, reproduction, and survival. Reproduction is an energetically costly activity for organisms, and is known to elicit alterations in the daily activity patterns of individuals. I investigated reproductive tradeoffs in the Arizona Bark Scorpion,Centruroides sculpturatus. To better understand the nature of tradeoffs in this species, I examined the influence of reproductive state on the predatory efficiency and thermal preference of reproductive females. Further, I examined the influence of reproductive activities (i.e. gestation) on the ability of reproductive females …

Photobiostimulation In C. Elegans As A Model For Low Level Light Therapy, Michael J. Spoto, Daryl D. Hurd

Science Scholars

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a developing therapeutic technique that has been gaining recognition in the scientific community in recent years. Previous experiments performed in LLLT research projects have been primarily mammalian and cell culture based. These experiments have produced results showing accelerated tissue repair. In this experiment, we introduce a new model, Caenorhabitidis elegans, a free-living soil nematode, to be used in LLLT research by testing the effects of exposure of the organism to various wavelengths and intensities of light commonly used in LLLT. C. elegans was shown to respond to photobiostimulation when exposed to specific wavelengths of …

Strad Pseudokinases Regulate Axogenesis And Lkb1 Stability, Biliana O. Veleva-Rotse, James L. Smart, Annette F. Baas, Benjamin Edmonds, Zi-Ming Zhao, Allyson Brown, Lillian R. Klug, Kelly Hansen, Gabrielle Rielly, Alexandria P. Gardner, Krishnaveni Subbiah, Eric A. Gaucher, Hans Clevers, Anthony P. Barnes

Faculty Publications - Department of Biological & Molecular Science

No abstract provided.

Piwi Homologs Mediate Histone H4 Mrna Localization To Planarian Chromatoid Bodies, Labib Rouhana, Jennifer A. Weiss, Ryan S. King, Phillip A. Newmark

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The well-known regenerative abilities of planarian flatworms are attributed to a population of adult stem cells called neoblasts that proliferate and differentiate to produce all cell types. A characteristic feature of neoblasts is the presence of large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules named chromatoid bodies, the function of which has remained largely elusive. This study shows that histone mRNAs are a common component of chromatoid bodies. Our experiments also demonstrate that accumulation of histone mRNAs, which is typically restricted to the S phase of eukaryotic cells, is extended during the cell cycle of neoblasts. The planarian PIWI homologs SMEDWI-1 and SMEDWI-3 are …

Table Of Contents, Michele Harmon

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Dose Dependent Effects Of Caffeine On Cognitive Performance And Neuronal Activation, Stephan Albrecht, Helen Morris, Michelle Vieyra

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Many students assume that the more caffeine you drink, the better your cognitive performance. Over-consumption of caffeine has many negative effects, so if there are no dose related cognitive benefits to large amounts of caffeine, then college students should limit their intake. This study looked at whether ingesting a medium dose (200 mg) versus a lower dose (100 mg) of caffeine improved short term memory as measured by Flanker and n-back tests, compared to a control group. In addition, we looked at whether larger doses of caffeine produced a difference in neuronal activation during these tests as measured by functional …

Fourier Analysis Of Phase Resetting Curves Of Neural Oscillators, Robert A. Raidt, Sorinel A. Oprisan

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

We investigated the impact of changes in biologically relevant control parameters, such as the shape of an external perturbation or the conductance values of an individual model neuron, on the shape of the phase resetting curve (PRC) of that neuron. For that purpose, PRCs were generated for groups of Morris-Lecar (ML) model neurons with different conductance values but similar firing periods (within 0.005ms) using external rectangular, triangular, or trapezoidal perturbations of varying areas. These PRCs were numerically described and analyzed as a series of coefficient values using a Fourier Discrete Sine Transform (DST). We found that changes in the shape …

Wolves Facilitate The Recovery Of Browse-Sensitive Understory Herbs In Wisconsin Forests, Krystle Bouchard, Jane E. Wiedenhoeft, Adrian P. Wydeven, Thomas P. Rooney

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

We asked whether wolf re-colonization would facilitate increased growth and reproduction of three browse-sensitive plant species. We hypothesized plant size and the proportion of reproductive individuals would be lowest in areas with no wolves, intermediate where wolves had been present for 4-6 years, and highest where wolves had been present for 12-13 years. Two plant species exhibited significantly greater reproduction where wolves were present for 12-13 years. Mean leaf size of indicator plants was significantly greater in areas where wolves were present for 12-13 years, as compared with that in areas where wolves were not present or were present for …

Tossing The Coin For Half Life, William L. Romine

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Science (And Pseudoscience) Of Dna Profiling, Dan E. Krane

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

2013 Annual Meeting Program

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Role Of Msa In Immune Evasion, Persistence, And Protease Regulation In The Human Pathogenic Strains Of Staphylococcus Aureus, Maria Deepa Basco

Dissertations

Opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus on entering the host can stay colonized at the foci of infection or evade the immune system to disseminate to other sites. In this study we investigated the regulatory influence of the modulator of sarA (msa) on immune evasion and host persistence, employing the hospital-acquired strain S. aureus UAMS-1 and community-acquired strain S. aureus USA300 LAC. In the murine sepsis model, mutation of the msa gene in LAC showed no change in dissemination of infection; however, in UAMS-1 a decrease in microbial load was observed in the lungs. Differential regulation by the msa gene was …

Alternations Of Nmda And Gabab Receptor Function In Development: A Potential Animal Model Of Schizophrenia, Monica Bolton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder that affects up to 3% of the world population. The behavioral symptoms are categorized into positive and negative symptoms, which appear during late adolescence/early adulthood. Unfortunately, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of the disease are poorly understood. Several hypotheses exist to explain mechanisms contributing to these behavioral alterations. One model proposes that a reduced function of the NMDA glutamate receptor on specific GABAergic interneurons may be responsible for deficits in schizophrenia. Post-mortem investigations provide evidence of reductions in both glutamate and GABA-related proteins in patients with schizophrenia. Further, GABAergic interneurons that are activated …

Regulating Rsma Expression In Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Sean D. Stacey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacillus, commonly infects immunocompromised individuals and uses a variety of virulence factors to persist in these hosts. The posttranscriptional regulator, RsmA, plays a role in the expression of many virulence factors in P. aeruginosa. RsmA up regulates virulence factors used in colonizing hosts. However, regulation of rsmA is not well elucidated. Transposon mutagenesis was performed on P. aeruginosa containing a transcriptional rsmA-lacZ fusion to answer this question. Mutants were screened via β-galactosidase assay and transposon insertions identified via arbitrary PCR. A probable MFS transporter, we named mtpX, was one significant transposon mutant identified. …

Studies On Tracheorelaxant And Anti-Inflammatory Activities Of Rhizomes Of Polygonatum Verticillatum, Haroon Khan, Muhammad Saeed, Hassan Mehmood, Najeeb-Ur Rehman, Naveed Muhammad, Ikram-Ul Haq, Nadeem Ashraf, Kamal Eldin H El-Tahir, Anwar Gilani

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: The present study describes the tracheorelaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of Polygonatum verticillatum which may support its medicinal use in hyperactive airway complaints and inflammatory disorders.
Methods: The tracheorelaxant activity of crude extract of the rhizomes of P. verticillatum (PR) was assessed in isolated guinea-pig tracheal tissues immersed in tissue organ bath filled with Tyrode's solution and a continuous supply of carbogen gas (95% O2 and 5% CO2). The contractile and relaxant responses of the tissue were measured using isometric transducers coupled with Power-Lab data acquisition system. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, while the …

Ernest Everett Just, Phd: Pioneer In Ecological Developmental (Eco-Devo) Biology, Katelyn M. Williams, Bryan A. Wilson, Wendi G. O'Connor, Monte S. Willis

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Ernest Everett Just, a pioneering American biologist, discovered the fundamental role of the environment in the development of embryos. His work led to the creation of the area of biology known as ecological developmental (Eco-Devo) biology. However, both his work and the context of his scientific contributions are not widely known. His work covered a diversity of fields of biology, including marine biology, cytology, and parthogenesis (asexual reproduction where growth and development of embryos occur without fertilization). His findings provided important concepts in developmental biology that are used to this day. Specifically, he demonstrated the importance of the cellular cytoplasm …

Associations Between Alcohol Consumption And Fasting Blood Glucose In Young Adults, Julie Ann Lucca

Master's Theses

Current research shows moderate alcohol consumption is associated with decreased risk of diabetes and excessive consumption or binge drinking can cause insulin resistance and diabetes. In 2010, diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United Statesand was responsible for significant health complications: blindness, kidney failure, and limb amputations, and is a large national economic burden. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) is a tool used to help diagnose diabetes. Abnormally high FBG, ≥100 mg/dl, is indicative of diabetes and pre-diabetes. Few studies have observed diabetic prevalence among young adults or college students. Studying young adults can help provide added …

Effect Of Coconut Oil On Ulcerative Colitis In The Mouse Model, Pranav Chandra Alok

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease of the colon or large intestine that causes inflammation and ulceration of the inner lining of the colon and rectum. In patients with ulcerative colitis, the body’s immune system overreacts and the body mistakes food, bacteria or other internal materials in the colon for an invading substance. The immune system attacks the material, thus irritating the colon. Limited knowledge of inflammatory conditions coupled with a narrow range of therapeutic options necessitates investigating the role of natural products. This study describes the effect of natural coconut oil on chemically-induced acute and chronic disease in …

Influence Of Genetic Variation On Birth Defects In Caenorhabditis Elegans, Daniel Robert Kepple

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

In my Renee Crown Honors Capstone project, I studied how genetic variation influences birth defects that cause death in C. elegans embryos. I performed high-throughput hatching assay experiments of recombinant inbred advance intercross lines of C. elegans. These lines are genetically distinct from each other. I found significant variation in birth defects causing embryo death in these recombinant inbred advanced intercross lines. My results give evidence that gene interaction may play a significant role in causing birth defects resulting in death. My data also provides a starting point for studies making statistical arguments linking these birth defects to specific …