Biology Commons^™

Neuroprotective Effects Of (-)-Epigallocatechin 3-O-Gallate (Egcg) On L-Methyl-4- Phenyl-L,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine (Mptp) And Hydrogen Peroxide (H2o2) Stressed Pc 12 Cells, Elizabeth M. Appert

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Despite the fact that Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, much of its etiology and pathogenesis remains to be discovered. The main pathological feature of PD is the progressive death of specific dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the brain. Oxidative stress induced cell death has been hypothesized as one mechanism responsible for PD pathogenesis.

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a reactive oxygen species (ROS) that has been implicated in PD as a by-product of dopamine (DA) degradation. 1 -methyl-4-phenyl- 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) has been shown to produce a Parkinsonian syndrome via an oxidative stress induced …

Do Arthropod Prey Alter Behavior When Exposed To Different Combinations Of Sensory Cues From Predators?, Kelly I. Pniewski

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

How animals respond to predatory threats is influenced by the kinds of sensory cues from predators they are able to detect. Because sensory information is transduced through the environment, both that and the animal’s physiology may determine how animals are capable of reacting and are important variables when considering their behavioral responses. In this study I tested the effects of visual, chemical and seismic predator cues on how prey react to predatory threat. Four species of arthropod prey animals were tested; German cockroaches, Blatella germanica (Blattodea: Blattellidae), House crickets, Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllinae), Pill bugs, Armadillidium vulgare (Oniscidea: Armadillidiidae), and …

Sequencing The Plasmid In Synechococcus Sp. Iu 625 And Identification Of Stress Responsive Genes, Anna Slusarczyk

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Cyanobacteria increased their attention after the breakthrough that they are responsible for the development of Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (FHAB). Cyanotoxins created by cyanobacteria impact aquatic biota and humans. Synechococcus sp. IU 625 [SIU 625) is one of the cyanobacteria that are blamable for the production of algal blooms. Due to its uncomplicatedness to culture, it has been used as a potential environmental pollution indicator, especially for heavy metal contamination.

Many EPA targeted metals such as Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu etc. have been considered. In this study, large plasmid was under investigation. Plasmid isolation of 5. IU 625 …

The Effects Of Transfusion On Blood Composition And Characteristics After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Christopher Keith Johnson

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Transfusion has been associated with increased morbidity and short- and longterm mortality after cardiac surgery. However, the physiological effects of transfusion in this setting are poorly described. This study aimed to examine the effects of transfusion on blood composition and characteristics after cardiac surgery.

1,134 patients underwent an isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery with no post-operative complications. Of these, 407 (35.8%) patients received a transfusion. Propensity-matching was used to generate a balanced cohort of 636 patients. 26 variables from standard blood tests were retrospectively collected. A repeated measures analysis of variance test was used to examine how these variables …

The Relationship Between Ectomycorrhizae And Metal Contamination In An Urban Brownfield, Jessica Marta Evans

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This study examined ectomycorrhizal and plant relationships in contaminated soil in situ to determine the interactions between these three factors. Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) were identified by physical morphotyping followed by sequencing of ribosomal DNA. Plant productivity was assessed through Leaf Area Index (LAI) measurements taken from May through August of 2012 and 2013. Changes in EMF community composition and plant productivity were observed based on their position on the metal contamination gradient. While EMF composition changed depending on the level of metal contamination, none of the ectomycorrhizal species consistently outcompeted other species in the highly contaminated environments. Cenococcum geophilum was …

Analysis Of The Population Structure Of Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Using Multilocus Sequence Typing, Christian Huhn, Christina Winter, Timo Wolfsperger, Nicole Wüppenhorst, Katja Strašek Smrdel, Jasmin Skuballa, Miriam Pfäffle, Trevor Petney, Cornelia Silaghi, Viktor Dyachenko, Nikola Pantchev, Reinhard K. Straubinger, Daniel Schaarschmidt-Kiener, Martin Ganter, Matthew Aardema, Friederike D. Von Loewenich

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium that replicates in neutrophils. It is transmitted via tick-bite and causes febrile disease in humans and animals. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is regarded as an emerging infectious disease in North America, Europe and Asia. However, although increasingly detected, it is still rare in Europe. Clinically apparent A. phagocytophilum infections in animals are mainly found in horses, dogs, cats, sheep and cattle. Evidence from cross-infection experiments that A. phagocytophilum isolates of distinct host origin are not uniformly infectious for heterologous hosts has led to several approaches of molecular strain characterization. Unfortunately, the results of …

A Phylogenetic Examination Of The Primary Anthocyanin Production Pathway Of The Plantae, James Campanella, John V. Smalley, Maureen E. Dempsey

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Anthocyanin pigments aid in reproduction and provide ultraviolet protection to land plants. We have examined the phylogenetic relationships among the five primary enzymes responsible for producing anthocyanin pigment in its three major forms. Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR), anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), Flavonoid 3'glucosyltransferase (F3GT), flavonoid 3'hydroxylase (F3'H), and flavonoid 3'5' hydroxylase (F3'5'H) are responsible for the final steps in anthocyanin pigment production. Results: We were interested in how conserved the anthocyanin pathway genes may be among land plants, and evolutionarily how far back into the plant lineage anthocyanin production may be traced. The DFR, ANS, F3GT, and F3'H genes date back …

Molecular Identification Of A Fungal Pathogen Batrachochytrium Dendrobatidis And Its Impact On Amphibians In Urban Landscaping Districts Of New Jersey, Tin-Chun Chu, Meiyin Wu, Lauren Pohren, Bobak Haghjoo, Christina Soman, Lee H. Lee

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

In urban landscape, amphibians face many challenges in order to sustain their populations, such as road mortality and infection of pathogenic Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Bd infection has been reported to cause significant mortality; however, its current distribution in the state of New Jersey remains unknown. In spring, amphibians emerge from their wintering group and migrate to nearby breeding ponds or vernal pools. Their migration pathway is often intercepted by the dense network of human transportation which leads to extirpation. This study aims to investigate potential mortality caused by human transportation and the infected rate of Bd fungus on the amphibian …

Effects Of Ph On Glia Proliferation And Apoptosis, Jodie Lee Kunkel

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the highest-grade glioma and the most malignant form of astrocytoma (Brat and Mapstone, 2003; Hjelmeland and others). Diagnosis of GBM carries a prognosis of less than 14 months after diagnosis, despite surgical intervention, radiation, and chemotherapy (Hjelmeland and others). Unfortunately, the prognosis of GBM has remained unchanged over the last thirty years, even with abundant resources devoted to research (Barres, 2008). GBM tumors have a low intracellular pH that results in increased levels of proliferation and decreased levels of apoptosis. As a result, astrocytes, the cell type responsible for GBM, have been cultured and evaluated to …

Behavioral Response Of N. Spring Peepers (Pseudacris Crucifer) To A Common Road De-Icer, Nacl, Kara Lindstrom

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Amphibians are highly susceptible to environmental degradation in the form of pollution and are therefore considered an indicator for pollutants. Amphibian populations have been on the decline in recent years and possible causes have been subject of much recent research. One possible contributor to the decline is the effect of the use of road de-icing salts on the availability of viable habitat choices. Road salt, primarily NaCl, is one of the leading contributors of chloride in aquatic environments in northern climates. Salt from road run-off has the ability to affect amphibians directly by causing a reduction in offspring fitness, resulting …

Antioxidant Effects Of Selenium Upon Exposure To Zinc And World Trade Center Particulate Matter In Prokaryotic And Eukaryotic Systems, Jagruti Patel

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The antitoxic effect of selenium on zinc has been evaluated in different levels of living organisms. The growth was observed under various concentrations of zinc chloride as well as zinc chloride (ZnCl₂)/Selenium dioxide (SeO₂) using direct count and turbidity method while morphology and DNA is studied by performing DAPI stain. In prokaryotic Synechococcus sp. IU 625 (SIU 625), the growth was very similar to the control at the concentrations of lOmg/L, but reduced at 25mg/L while 50mg/L ZnCl₂ was lethal dosage and hence inhibited the growth completely. Morphological study indicated that the cells become longer …

Learning And Phototaxis In Belostoma Flumineum, Kaitlin Ann Garvey

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Learning allows organisms to adjust their behavior to adapt to a changing environment. The premise of this study was to investigate the capacity for learning in the giant waterbug, Belostoma flumineum Say (Heteroptera: Belostomatidae). As part of these experiments, I was able to identify an apparent directional phototaxis and to use it as motivation in an operant conditioning study. Belostoma flumineum and has been observed to exhibit negative directional phototaxis. The first two parts of this study suggest that B. flumineum has a statistically significant preference for shadowed over illuminated areas, as well as a preference for black substrate over …

Analysis Of Herbicide Treatment Effectiveness On Common Reed (Phragmites Australis) Of Delaware Bay Salt Marshes, Laura Rosa Ruggeri

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Management of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., or common reed, an invasive species within the Delaware Bay, U.S. has been ongoing since 1994 as part of the Estuary Enhancement Program (EEP) for Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG). Phragmites is known to alter the habitat by creating a monoculture, increasing sediment trapping, and decreasing water circulation resulting in decreased biodiversity. Herbicide treatment at EEP Phragmites-dominated sites began as a means to mitigate for loss of nekton species resulting from operations of the Hope Creek-Salem Generating Station once-through cooling system. Using ArcGIS, effectiveness of herbicide treatment was compared at two of …

A Ranavirus-Related Mortality Event And The First Report Of Ranavirus In New Jersey, Kirsten Monsen-Collar, Lisa Hazard, Paola Dolcemascolo

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Insertionmapper, A Pipeline Tool For The Identification Of Targeted Sequences From Multidimensional High Throughput Sequencing Data, Wenwei Xiong, Limei He, Yubin Li, Hugo K. Dooner, Chunguang Du

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: The advent of next-generation high-throughput technologies has revolutionized whole genome sequencing, yet some experiments require sequencing only of targeted regions of the genome from a very large number of samples. These regions can be amplified by PCR and sequenced by next-generation methods using a multidimensional pooling strategy. However, there is at present no available generalized tool for the computational analysis of target-enriched NGS data from multidimensional pools.Results: Here we present InsertionMapper, a pipeline tool for the identification of targeted sequences from multidimensional high throughput sequencing data. InsertionMapper consists of four independently working modules: Data Preprocessing, Database Modeling, Dimension Deconvolution …

Model Of Gene Expression In Extreme Cold - Reference Transcriptome For The High-Antarctic Cryopelagic Notothenioid Fish Pagothenia Borchgrevinki, Kevin T. Bilyk, C. H.Christina Cheng

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Among the cold-adapted Antarctic notothenioid fishes, the high-latitude bald notothen Pagothenia borchgrevinki is particularly notable as the sole cryopelagic species, exploiting the coldest and iciest waters of the Southern Ocean. Because P. borchgrevinki is a frequent model for investigating notothenioid cold-adaptation and specialization, it is imperative that " omic" tools be developed for this species. In the absence of a sequenced genome, a well annotated reference transcriptome of the bald notothen will serve as a model of gene expression in the coldest and harshest of all polar marine environments, useful for future comparative studies of cold adaptation and thermal …

Studies On The Cnidocyst Of The Atlantic Sea Nettle, Chrysaora Quinquecirrha, Ivonne Lozano

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Jellyfish envenomations have increased drastically in recent years and have been known to cause a wide variety of reactions to the victim. These reactions can be as mild as minor skin irritation to the extreme of death. Many research groups have studied the wide variety of toxins contained within these organisms trying to understand the underlying mechanism that causes these dramatic changes noted to both the physiology and viability of cells. With no clear method for cnidocyst (nematocyst) extraction or lysis, these toxins cannot be recovered entirely, which would hinder research on potential mechanisms of action of the proteins found …

Pcr Amplification And Dna Sequence Analysis Of The 45s Ribosomal Dna Cassette Of Chrysaora Quinquecirrha, Caitlin Michelle Burns

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The recent overpopulation of jellyfish occurring in the Barnegat Bay of New Jersey has been of growing concern. One prolific species, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, has been the subject of genetic research to determine the relatedness amongst populations and therefore determine its spread. In this study, a partial nucleotide sequence of the 45S ribosomal DNA cassette from C. quinquecirrha genomic DNA of Barnegat Bay was identified and compared to other cnidarian species. Approximately 44.8% of the cassette was identified, 3465 bp total. A partial 18S rDNA sequence was generated of 1772 bp (96% total). Complete ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, and ITS2 sequences were …

The Effect Of Temperature On The Reproductive Success Of Male Waterbugs (Belostoma Flumineum), Michael Philip Dmytriw

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Sexual selection theory predicts that the sex that shows a greater parental investment in the offspring should be limiting to the reproductive success of the opposite sex. Males of the giant waterbug Belostoma flumineum exhibit greater parental investment than females by providing all of the parental care for the eggs, which are firmly attached to their dorsal surface. While male backspace availability can be limiting to female reproductive success, it has previously been found to be more limiting during the spring than during the fall, due to newly emerged males being able to breed more quickly than newly emerged females. …

Solubilization Of Sirolimus In Aqueous Solution Through Complexation With Metal Ions, Ralph A. Falen

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Sirolimus is one of the most successful immunosuppressant drugs available but it has an extremely low solubility in water that dramatically limits its oral bioavailability to approximately 20%. This study is aimed to increase solubility of Sirolimus in aqueousolutions through complexation with a metal ion. Using computer modeling and UV absorbance spectroscopy, it was demonstrated that 1) Sirolimus interacts with AJ³⁺,Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ , Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ ; 2) this interaction decreases UV light absorbance of Sirolimus measured at ^=280 nm; 3) a previously reported value of solubility of Sirolimus in water is underestimated; …

An Examination Of The Effects Of Land Use And Land Cover On Macroinvertebrate Communities At Two Landscape Scales, Tanya Sulikowski

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Macroinvertebrate community composition and differing patterns of land use/ land cover (LULC) were assessed in three watersheds of northern New Jersey. A total of six 40-m reaches were sampled in the agriculturally dominated Wallkill, the urbanized Rockaway and the forested Flat Brook. Qualitative observations and scorings of ten habitat factors commonly associated with stream health and water quality were made at each site. These Habitat Assessments resulted in the two Flat Brook sites being rated as “optimal” and the remaining four sites being rated as “suboptimal”. The 2007 NJDEP Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) dataset was used to determine percent urban, …

Effect Of Black Tea Extract On Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Infection Of Cultured Cells, Anthony Cantatore, Sade D. Randall, Daniel Traum, Sandra Adams

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to determine if black tea extract (BTE), consisting primarily of flavanol compounds called theaflavins, could inhibit herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) infection in cultured A549 (human epithelial) and Vero cells.Methods: The effect of BTE both on A549 and Vero cultured cells and on HSV-1 was assessed by using phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy, and cell viability and proliferation assays. After establishing the maximum non-cytotoxic concentration of BTE, A549 and Vero cells and HSV-1 virions were treated with varying concentrations of BTE, respectively. A549 and Vero cells were infected with HSV-1 with green fluorescent …

Genome Of The Long-Living Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn.), Ray Ming, Robert Vanburen, Yanling Liu, Mei Yang, Yuepeng Han, Lei Ting Li, Qiong Zhang, Min Jeong Kim, Michael C. Schatz, Michael Campbell, Jingping Li, John E. Bowers, Haibao Tang, Eric Lyons, Ann A. Ferguson, Giuseppe Narzisi, David R. Nelson, Crysten E. Blaby-Haas, Andrea R. Gschwend, Yuannian Jiao, Joshua P. Der, Fanchang Zeng, Jennifer Han, Xiang Jia Min, Karen A. Hudson, Ratnesh Singh, Aleel K. Grennan, Steven J. Karpowicz, Jennifer R. Watling, Kikukatsu Ito

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Background: Sacred lotus is a basal eudicot with agricultural, medicinal, cultural and religious importance. It was domesticated in Asia about 7,000 years ago, and cultivated for its rhizomes and seeds as a food crop. It is particularly noted for its 1,300-year seed longevity and exceptional water repellency, known as the lotus effect. The latter property is due to the nanoscopic closely packed protuberances of its self-cleaning leaf surface, which have been adapted for the manufacture of a self-cleaning industrial paint, Lotusan. Results: The genome of the China Antique variety of the sacred lotus was sequenced with Illumina and 454 technologies, …

The Effects Of Chromium On Cellular Viability And Chromium Tolerant Gene Expression Within Synechococcus Sp. Iu 625, Richard Garrett

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Heavy metal contamination in the environment is always a big concern. Many microorganisms have developed metal tolerant /resistant mechanisms to survive in such environment. Cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. IU 625 (S IU 625) formerly known as Anacystis nidulans have been used an indicator for studying many EPA targeted heavy metals such as Zn+2, Cu+2, Hg+2. This microorganism has been reported to have resistant mechanisms to mercury and zinc. In this study, in silico analysis was used to determine the pANL plasmid-mediated chromium resistant genes of Synechococcus sp. IU 625. DOOR and STRING were used to determine the operons and identity potential …

Study Of Natural And Modified Green Tea Polyphenols; Gtp, Ltp, Egcg, And Egcg-Stearate On Spore Germination, Biofilm Formation And Synergistic Effect On Antibiotics, Umme Habiba

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In a world where microorganisms outnumber humans, the need for novel antimicrobial agents is crucial to human health. Multi-drug resistant strains of microorganisms have caused a worldwide crisis. Recent research studies on antimicrobials are centered on natural compounds. Natural resources such as green tea have been studied for the past several decades for their antimicrobial, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory and numerous other beneficial properties. This particular study focuses on the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTP) and their derivatives, Lipophilic Tea Polyphenol (LTP), Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and Epigallocatechin gallate Stearate (EGCG-Stearate) as antimicrobial agents, antibiotic synergism agents, inhibitors of spore formation and …

Examining Mitochondrial Genetic Diversity In A Population Of Eastern Hognose Snakes (Heterodon Platirhinos) In Cape Cod, Ma, Stephanie R. Parelli

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The Eastern Hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) is a relatively poorly studied species found in the eastern half of the United States from southern New England and Ontario south along the Atlantic coast to Florida and west to Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. In the Northeastern part of their range they are considered to be a species of regional conservation concern by the Northeast Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee. They are protected by conservation measures in the states of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and are listed as endangered by the state of New Hampshire. The purpose of …

Qpcr Detection Of Early Life History Stage Chrysaora Quinquecirrha (Sea Nettles) In Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, Dena Restaino

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The sea nettle, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, has become abundant in estuaries of Mid- Atlantic States and frequently blooms in warm summer months. Various factors have been attributed to the increasing localized appearance of sea nettles and other jellyfish including eutrophication, overfishing, global warming, construction and species introduction. Despite its abundance and frequent distribution within estuarine systems, very little work has been done to detect and quantify the early life history stages of this organism. Larval stages of C. quinquecirrha can now be detected and quantified using a qPCR assay specific for the 16S rDNA locus of the mtDNA of C. quinquecirrha. …

Generation Of A Transgenic Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Expressing The Transcriptional Repressor Inducible Camp Early Repressor (Icer), Theodora Tsatsos

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) has been known to moderate cAMP antiproliferative actions. It has ovarian- specific properties and its gene product has been shown to act as a tumor suppressor. It has been previously shown that ICER has been targeted for expression in the ovaries via a transgenic mouse model to create an increased level of ovulation. In this paper, we cloned the following ovarian-specific promoters: CYP19A1, FSH, ZP3, and GDF9. Plasmid DNA was constructed with the aforementioned ovarian specific promoters using a three-fragment vector construction method and EGFP was used as a marker to follow whether plasmid DNA …

Evaluation Of Different Methods For Detection And Enumeration Of Indicator Organisms In Water Bodies Of Northern New Jersey, Alexandra Peri

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Bodies of water, particularly those used for drinking or recreation, are monitored for many different types of pollution. One type that causes especial concern is fecal contamination from humans and other mammals. Bodies of water affected by fecal contamination may harbor bacteria and viruses that can threaten human health. Identifying the source of such microbes is the first step towards eliminating the contamination, and making the body of water usable again. Fecal pollution is typically identified through the detection of indicator organisms, which are present in feces in large numbers. Examples of such organisms include total coliforms, and subsets of …

Evolution Of Sindbis Virus With A Low-Methionine-Resistant Phenotype Is Dependent Both On A Pre-Existing Mutation And On The Methionine Concentration In The Medium, Victor Stollar, Virginia Mensah, Sandra Adams, Mei Ling Li

Department of Biology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

SVlm21 is a mutant of Sindbis virus which was isolated by serial passage of virus in mosquito cells maintained in low-methionine medium; it therefore has a low-methionine-resistant (LMR) phenotype. This phenotype requires mutations at nts 319 and 321; these mutations result in Arg to Leu and Ser to Cys changes at positions 87 and 88 respectively in the viral methyl transferase, nsP1. To better understand the genesis of SVlm21, we carried out serial passages of viruses having only one of these amino acid changes, but in mosquito cells maintained in normal methionine-medium. Whether the passage was begun with SV319 or …