Biology Commons^™

Opportunistic Pathogenic Bacteria Colonize Thorns Of Native Rio Grande Valley Plants, Felicia A. Charles, Sergio Cepeda, J. Andrew Mcdonald, Kristine L. Lowe

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Thorns serve as mechanical defenses of plants against herbivory. However, plant thorns harbor microorganisms that are potentially pathogenic. These pathogens may be transferred to herbivores and other animals and provide an additional defense for the plants. Thorns from 5 plant species native to the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas were collected and used to isolate bacteria colonizing the thorn surface. Thorns, leaves and stems of plants were visualized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to observe any bacteria on the plant surface. Isolated bacteria were tested for their ability to grow in aerobic versus anaerobic environments, to produce hemolysis, carbon …

Arthropod Abundance And Diversity In Street Trees Of South Texas, Usa, Alexis Racelis, Ann T. Vacek, Carol Goolsby, John Brush, John A. Goolsby

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

In urban areas, street trees provide a variety of ecological services, including biodiversity conservation. In this study we examined arthropod diversity on native and non-native street trees sampled during the fall of 2010 and spring of 2011 in McAllen, Texas, one of the most rapidly growing urban areas in the country. Eighty-eight street trees were sampled by removing arthropods from the lower canopy foliage using a hand held vacuum. Arthropods were collected into nylon bags, identified to order, and counted by morphospecies. Overall, street trees supported a significant and diverse population of arthropods: a total of 1,971 arthropods were collected, …

Mitigating Predatory Ants Promotes Establishment Of Biological Control Of Arundo By Arundo Scale In The Cattle Fever Tick Quarantine Zone, A. Velez-Bonner, W. L. A. Osbrink, D. W. Thomas, Kenneth R. Summy, A. T. Showler, A. Perez De Leon, John A. Goolsby

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Ant collection, identification, and control experiments were conducted to improve the establishment of the arundo scale, Rhizaspidiotus donacis, a biological control agent of Arundo donax, an invasive weed in the riparian habitats along the Rio Grande in Texas. Observational studies indicated R. donacis immatures are preyed upon by a variety of predator insects, especially ants. A survey of the principle ant species was made at sites along the Rio Grande with Arundo donax to help direct biological control strategies. We conclude that uses of ant baits can effectively control the common ant species found in these habitats and improve the …

Tuning Of Alternative Splicing - Switch From Proto-Oncogene To Tumor Suppressor, Aleksandra Shchelkunova, Boris Ermolinsky, Meghan Boyle, Ivan Mendez, Michael Lehker, Karen S. Martirosyan, Alexander V. Kazanksy

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

STAT5B, a specific member of the STAT family, is intimately associated with prostate tumor progression. While the full form of STAT5B is thought to promote tumor progression, a naturally occurring truncated isoform acts as a tumor suppressor. We previously demonstrated that truncated STAT5 is generated by insertion of an alternatively spliced exon and results in the introduction of an early termination codon. Present approaches targeting STAT proteins based on inhibition of functional domains of STAT's, such as DNA-binding, cooperative binding (protein-protein interaction), dimerization and phosphorylation will halt the action of the entire gene, both the proto-oncogenic and tumor suppressor functions …

Constitutive Type Vi Secretion System Expression Gives Vibrio Cholerae Intra- And Interspecific Competitive Advantages, Daniel Unterweger, Maya Kitaoka, Sarah T. Miyata, Verena Bachmann, Teresa M. Brooks, Jessica Moloney, Oscar Sosa, David Silva, Jorge Duran-Gonzalez, Daniele Provenzano

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) mediates protein translocation across the cell membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, including Vibrio cholerae - the causative agent of cholera. All V. cholerae strains examined to date harbor gene clusters encoding a T6SS. Structural similarity and sequence homology between components of the T6SS and the T4 bacteriophage cell-puncturing device suggest that the T6SS functions as a contractile molecular syringe to inject effector molecules into prokaryotic and eukaryotic target cells. Regulation of the T6SS is critical. A subset of V. cholerae strains, including the clinical O37 serogroup strain V52, express T6SS constitutively. In contrast, pandemic strains …

Small Molecule Inhibitors Of Bacillus Anthracis Protective Antigen Proteolytic Activation And Oligomerization, Alexander N. Wein, Brian N. Williams, Shihui Liu, Boris Ermolinsky, Daniele Provenzano, Ruben Abagyan, Andrew Orry, Stephen H. Leppla, Michael Peredelchuk

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Protective antigen (PA), lethal factor, and edema factor, the protein toxins of Bacillus anthracis, are among its most important virulence factors and play a key role in infection. We performed a virtual ligand screen of a library of 10000 members to identify compounds predicted to bind to PA and prevent its oligomerization. Four of these compounds slowed PA association in a FRET-based oligomerization assay, and two of those protected cells from intoxication at concentrations of 1-10 μM. Exploration of the protective mechanism by Western blot showed decreased SDS-resistant PA oligomer on cells and, surprisingly, decreased amounts of activated PA. In …

Land Snails In Ephemeral Pools At Ottine Swamp, Gonzales County, Texas, Frank J. Dirrigl, Robert H. Mohlenbrock

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

We found five species of terrestrial land snails in dried ephemeral pools at Ottine Swamp, Palmetto State Park, Gonzales County, Texas. We recorded four species previously known (Anguispira stronglyodes, Mesomphix friabilis, Olygyra orbiculata, and Rabdotus dealbatus) and added a new occurrence (Mesodon thyroidus) to the list of species in the park.

Se encontraron cinco especies de caracoles terrestres en los fondos secos de unos charcos efímeros en Ottine Swamp, Palmetto State Park, en el condado de Gonzales, Texas. Registramos cuatro especies conocidas anteriormente (Anguispira stronglyodes, Mesomphix friabilis, Olygyra orbiculata y …

Responses To Predator Recognition Odors In Marmorkrebs, Loren Samantha Beard

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Marmorkrebs is a parthenogenetic crayfish with no indigenous populations. They have been introduced in several countries and could become an invasive species. Individuals introduced in Germany had longer, sharper spines, suggesting an adaptation to predators via developmental plasticity. This was tested by exposing juveniles to the odor of a fish during development and comparing them to controls. Subsequent spine length or sharpness did not differ. Other crayfish detect predators via an alarm cue, hemolymph, and exhibit avoidant behavior in response. I hypothesized that Marmorkrebs would also treat hemolymph as an alarm cue. The behavior of adult crayfish exposed to food, …

Characterization Of A Serine/Threonine Phosphatase Encoded By Mg_207 Of Mycoplasma Genitalium, Mario A. Martinez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Mycoplasma genitalium is a bacterium with no cell wall and the second smallest free-living organism. It is an intracellular parasite that causes urethritis in men and women. Symptoms of infection in women can be missed and include vaginal malodor and discharge, painful urination and sexual intercourse. M. genitalium infection is a serious, though preventable and treatable, infection. Recently, due its notable characteristics, many studies have revealed an enormous amount of genetic and structural information on this bacterium. Furthermore, many of its genes have been characterized. The uncovering of roles of genes involved in signal transduction via phosphorylation and dephosphorylation mechanisms …

Environmental Flows Recommendations Report. Final Submission To The Environmental Flows Advisory Group, Rio Grande, Rio Grande Estuary, And Lower Laguna Madre Basin And Bay Stakeholders Committee, And Texas Commission On Environmental Quality, Hudson R. Deyoe, David Buzan, Jude A. Benavides, Carlos Marin, R. J. Edwards, W. Pulich Jr.

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

No abstract provided.

Short Lesson Plan Associated With Increased Acceptance Of Evolutionary Theory And Potential Change In Three Alternate Conceptions Of Macroevolution In Undergraduate Students, Joel K. Abraham, Kathryn E. Perez, Nicholas Downey, Jon C. Herron, Eli Meir

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Undergraduates commonly harbor alternate conceptions about evolutionary biology; these alternate conceptions often persist, even after intensive instruction, and may influence acceptance of evolution. We interviewed undergraduates to explore their alternate conceptions about macroevolutionary patterns and designed a 2-h lesson plan to present evidence that life has evolved. We identified three alternate conceptions during our interviews: that newly derived traits would be more widespread in extant species than would be ancestral traits, that evolution proceeds solely by anagenesis, and that lineages must become more complex over time. We also attempted to measure changes in the alternate conceptions and levels of acceptance …

Anti-Invasive And Anti-Adhesive Activities Of A Recombinant Disintegrin, R-Viridistatin 2, Derived From The Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus Viridis Viridis), Sara E. Lucena, Ying Jia, Julio G. Soto, Jessica Parral, Esteban Cantu, Jeremy Brannon, Kristina Lardner, Carla J. Ramos, Agustin I. Seoane, Elda. E. Sánchez

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Snake venom disintegrins inhibit platelet aggregation and have anti-cancer activities. In this study, we report the cloning, expression, and functional activities of a recombinant disintegrin, r-viridistatin 2 (GenBank ID: JQ071899), from the Prairie rattlesnake. r-Viridistatin 2 was tested for anti-invasive and anti-adhesive activities against six different cancer cell lines (human urinary bladder carcinoma (T24), human fibrosarcoma (HT-1080), human skin melanoma (SK-Mel-28), human colorectal adenocarcinoma (CaCo-2), human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) and murine skin melanoma (B16F10)). r-Viridistatin 2 shares 96% and 64% amino acid identity with two other Prairie rattlesnake medium-sized disintegrins, viridin and viridistatin, respectively. r-Viridistatin 2 was able to …

Presentation Tips, Zen Faulkes

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Giving a talk? This short book offers lots of bite-sized tips and tricks to make your next presentation better. The book is divided into three sections: "Planning what to say" on organizing your thoughts and approach; "Planning what to show" on designing slides; and "The talk itself" on the delivery on the day.

Effectiveness Of Pan Trapping As A Rapid Bioinventory Method Of Freshwater Shoreline Insects Of Subtropical Texas, Frank J. Dirrigl Jr.

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Pan trapping proves to be an effective method for field surveying insects, especially Diptera. This manuscript examines the effectiveness of the method for the rapid bioinventory of freshwater shoreline insects. Pan traps at ground level, above ground, and elevated and of different colors were evaluated for their ability to attract and capture insects. Abundance (n), taxonomic richness (T), and hierarchical diversity indices (H′) allowed for the determination of efficacy among methods. Yellow pan (n = 141, T = 10, H′ = 1.15) and elevated yellow pan traps (n = 113, T = 5, H′ = 1.18) were most effective at …

Early Embryology Of The Insect Oligotoma Saundersii (Embiidina) Using Targeted Genes As Developmental Landmarks, Omar Doria

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Embiidina, or "webspinners", is a small, sexually dimorphic, polyneopterous insect order and is the only order to spin silk throughout their life cycle. Unique morphological features and the phylogenetic position of Embiidina make it an attractive subject for study of the evolution and development of the insect body plan and the origin of novel morphological features. Oligotoma saundersii is easily cultured and a viable laboratory organism. It has a fairly standard short-germ embryogenesis process requiring 453 hours at 28°C with progressive development beginning in the anterior region. Preliminary work on targeted developmental genes has yielded small portions of seven genes. …

Assessment Of Oxidative Stress Gene Expression In Brassicaceae Plant Species Using A Real-Time Pcr Method, Florestella Ruiz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Many plant species in the Brassicaceae plant family possess the ability to accumulate heavy metals. One challenge in using these hyperaccumulator plants for phytoremediation is that they are slow growing and often have a low biomass. This is a limitation should they be utilized for phytoremediation. However, the mechanisms by which hyperaccumulators tolerate heavy metals are of interest as these characteristics can be engineered into a plant species that is more suited for use in phytoremediation. Therefore, modification of oxidative stress response (OSR) gene expression in Brassicaceae species has become of great interest. Oxidative stress gene induction in both non-accumulator …

Accurate Spectral Measurements And Color Infrared Imagery Of Excised Leaves Exhibiting Gaussian Curvature From Healthy And Stressed Plants, Christopher R. Little, Kenneth R. Summy

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

No abstract provided.

Antibiotic And Bacteriocin Sensitivity Of Listeria Monocytogenes Strains Isolated From Different Foods, Evrim Gunes Altuntas, Deniz Kocan, Serap Cosansu, Kamuran Ayhan, Vijay K. Juneja, Luis A. Materon

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

This study aimed to determine the antibiotic and bacteriocin sensitivity of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from animal derived foods. With disc diffusion assay, all fourteen L. monocytogenes strains were suscepti-ble to the antibiotics, including penicillin G, vancomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, erythromycin, gentamicin and trime- thoprim. However, the percentages of fosfomycin and streptomycin resistances were 92.9% and 7.1%, respectively. Multiple resistances were not observed among the tested strains. The results of well diffusion assays showed that all strains were inhibited by the cell-free supernatant of a bacteriocin-producing strain, Pediococcus acidilactici 13, with the inhibition zones ranging from 16.00 to 24.50 mm. …

Phenotypic Characterization And 16s Rdna Identification Of Culturable Non-Obligate Halophilic Bacterial Communities From A Hypersaline Lake, La Sal Del Rey, In Extreme South Texas (Usa), Kristen Phillips, Frederic Zaidan, Omar R. Elizondo, Kristine L. Lowe

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Background

La Sal del Rey ("the King's Salt") is one of several naturally-occurring salt lakes in Hidalgo County, Texas and is part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The research objective was to isolate and characterize halophilic microorganisms from La Sal del Rey. Water samples were collected from the lake and a small creek that feeds into the lake. Soil samples were collected from land adjacent to the water sample locations. Sample salinity was determined using a refractometer. Samples were diluted and cultured on a synthetic saline medium to grow halophilic bacteria. The density of halophiles was …

Cyperus Albostriatus (Cyperaceae) New To North America And Fimbristylis Cymosa (Cyperaceae) New To Texas, David J. Rosen, Richard Carter, Alfred Richardson, Ken King

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Cyperus albostriatus is reported as a naturalized component of the North American flora based upon recent collections from Harris County, Texas. Fimbristylis cymosa was recently collected from Padre Island in Cameron County and is reported new to the Texas flora

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Se cita Cyperus albostriatus como un componente naturalizado de fa flora de Norte América basados en colecciones recientes en el condado de Harris, Texas. Fimbristylis cymosa se coleco recientemente en Padre Island en el condado de Cameron )' se cita como nueva para la flora de Texas

The Direct Role Of Enzyme Hydrolysis On Ammonium Regeneration Rates In Estuarine Sediments, Afonso C. Souza, Tamara K. Pease, Wayne S. Gardner

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Benthic ammonium (NH4 +) regeneration in coastal marine sediments has a fundamental role in nitrogen (N) cycling and N supply to primary producers. Nitrogen regeneration involves benthic microbial mineralization of organic-N, which, in turn, depends on protein hydrolysis. These processes were examined in Aransas Bay (Texas, USA) sediments by monitoring NH4 + evolution as a function of enzyme activity in controlled sediment slurries. Casein and tannic acid were added to evaluate the direct role of aminopeptidase on NH4 + production and the effects of a polyphenolic enzyme inhibitor, respectively. Casein additions increased the NH4 + concentration from 19 ± 0.3 …

The Study Of The Parasitic Fauna In Sciaenops Ocellatus, Lower Laguna Madre, Texas, Veronica Abrigo

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Parasitological investigations provide information on ecosystem health because parasite prevalence and abundance are influenced by biotic and abiotic environmental changes. This survey classified the parasitic fauna of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, in the Lower Laguna Madre, TX. Fish (n = 239) were collected from four study sites (May 2005 - June 2006). Parasite identification consisted of digenean and monogenean trematodes, cestodes, larval nematodes, copepods, and protozoans. Parasite prevalence and host length was positively correlated from South Bay (r=0.473), Port Isabel (r=0.533), Arroyo(r=0.314), and Port Mansfield (r=0.630). Significant differences (p<0.001) between zone and parasite prevalence from Arroyo site indicated a higher prevalence of protozoa and monogeneans and reduced prevalence of digeneans. Statistical analyses indicated the greatest difference between Port Isabel and Arroyo sites ( divided by 2= 48.195; p<0.001; df= 14), and the least difference between South Bay and Arroyo sites ( divided by 2= 20.847; p= 1.06; df= 14).

Characterization And Antibiotic Resistance Profile Of Staphylococci In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Diana E. Trevino

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Staphylococci from part of the natural flora of humans and some, like Staphylococcus aureus, appear to be evolving antibiotic resistance. The Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) is an area of interest due to its proximity to the US/Mexico border where antibiotics could recently be purchased without prescription. Two libraries from community association (CA-S) and environmental association (E-S) have been collected and the staphylococci isolated. We hypothesize that their SCCmec type, which aids the staphylococci in antibiotic resistance, will not display classically defined association schemes and will surface in many species of staphylococci. This study generates antibiotic resistance profiles via antibiotic …

A Moderate Elevation Of Circulating Levels Of Igf-I Does Not Alter Erbb2 Induced Mammary Tumorigenesis, Robert K. Dearth, Isere Kuiatse, Yu-Fen Wang, Lan Liao, Susan G. Hilsenbeck, Powel H. Brown, Jianming Xu, Adrian V. Lee

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Background

Epidemiological evidence suggests that moderately elevated levels of circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are associated with increased risk of breast cancer in women. How circulating IGF-I may promote breast cancer incidence is unknown, however, increased IGF-I signaling is linked to trastuzumab resistance in ErbB2 positive breast cancer. Few models have directly examined the effect of moderately high levels of circulating IGF-I on breast cancer initiation and progression. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of circulating IGF-I to independently initiate mammary tumorigenesis and/or accelerate the progression of ErbB2 mediated mammary tumor growth.

Methods

We crossed heterozygous …

Monitoring Atrazine-Degrading And Atrazine-Tolerant Bacterial Populations In Lower Rio Grande Valley Agricultural Canals Using Quantitative-Pcr And Internal Atza Primers, Ibdanelo Cortez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The research hypothesis was that atrazine-degrading bacteria would be detectable during the planting and rainy seasons with their populations dissipating during non-planting and dry seasons in 2010-2011. Atrazine concentration was detected in March, May, June and August for all canals with June having the highest average concentration of 0.77ppb. Gene atzA abundance was detected from June through August with July samples having the highest gene abundance of 250.6 (pg). Tolerant bacterial densities were detectable from March through June. Atrazine concentration and population abundance were not statistically different during planting and non-planting, rainy and dry seasons, although there was a trend …

Phylogenetic Analysis Of Serine Proteases From Russell's Viper (Daboia Russelli Siamensis) And Agkistrodon Piscivorus Leucostoma Venom, Pattadon Sukkapan, Ying Jia, Issarang Nuchprayoon, John C. Pérez

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Serine proteases are widely found in snake venoms. They have variety of functions including contributions to hemostasis. In this study, five serine proteases were cloned and characterized from two different cDNA libraries: factor V activator (RVV-V), alpha fibrinogenase (RVAF) and beta fibrinogenase (RVBF) from Russell's viper (Daboia russelli siamensis), and plasminogen activator (APL-PA) and protein C activator (APL-C) from Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma. The snake venom serine proteases were clustered in phylogenetic tree according to their functions. KA/KS values suggested that accelerated evolution has occurred in the mature protein coding regions in cDNAs of snake venom …

Comparison Of Soil Chemistry And Microbial Communities That Inhabit The Rhizosphere Of Native And Non-Native Grasses Of The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Jacqueline Valencia

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Non-native grasses can modify the soils they invade. This study investigated microbial variation among native and non-native grasses in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. We hypothesized that rhizospheres of non-native grasses would support a higher density of microorganisms; therefore microbial communities of invasive plants would exploit more carbon sources than those of native plants. A second hypothesis stated that Streptomyces bacteria from the rhizosphere of non-native grasses would be better competitors. Samples of grasses, and soil from their respective rhizospheres were obtained in Arroyo City, TX. Results indicated a higher bacterial colony density, total activity and number of substrates utilized …

Color Polymorphism Of Sand Crabs, Lepidopa Benedicti (Decapoda: Anomura: Albuneidae), Unnam Nasir, Zen Faulkes

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Sand crabs (Lepidopa benedicti) are highly specialized digging animals that spend the vast majority of their adult life submerged in fine sand. The carapace color of L. benedicti varies from gray to white. Given that the environment in which they live is uniform and dark, most of the functional scenarios to explain color variation seem unlikely to apply. Carapace color has a bimodal distribution, indicating that it is better characterized as a polymorphism than simply as normal variation. Gray crabs are larger and more common than white ones. Crabs mostly swim ventral-side up, which suggests that countershading does …

A Phylogenetic Assessment Of Breeding Systems And Floral Morphology Of North American Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae), J. Andrew Mcdonald, Joshua R. Mcdill, Debra R. Hansen, Beryl B. Simpson

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

A phylogenetic investigation of 68 species and two varieties of tropical and temperate North American Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) using sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) with parsimony and Bayesian analyses revealed multiple origins of autogamy. By assessing breeding systems and floral morphological characters in the context of this phylogeny, we estimate 16 independent origins of autogamy and 4 subsequent reversions to xenogamy. Transitions to autogamy are associated with reduced pollen-ovule ratios, decreased anther-stigma distance, and small flower size. Although the relationship between floral traits and breeding systems has been described in previous studies, this is the first investigation …

Techniques To Facilitate The Acquisition Of Accurate Spectral Measurements And Multispectral Imagery Of Plant Foliage Under Artificial Lighting Conditions, Yuridia Patricia Gandy, Ashish Mamachen, Adarsh Mamachen, Jonathan Lieman, Michael W. Persans, Jason Parsons, Elamin E. Ibrahim, James H. Everitt, Christopher R. Little, Kenneth R. Summy

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Spectral measurements obtained in the laboratory under artificial lighting sources have been used for many years to develop spectral ‘libraries’ for various soil types, rocks and minerals, and other inanimate features occurring on or near the earth’s surface. Quartz halogen lamps have been shown to emit all of the electromagnetic (EMR) wavelengths required for the acquisition of quality multispectral imagery, and various techniques have been developed to facilitate the acquisition of accurate spectral measurements using such artificial lighting sources. Our objectives in this study were to evaluate the several factors of critical importance in obtaining accurate spectral measurements for plant …