Biology Commons^™

The Chemotactic Response Of Neutrophils To Components Of The Sera Of Mice Infected With Trichinella Spiralis, Sara Lynn Youngman

Dissertations and Theses

Neutrophils accumulate around Trichinella spiralis larvae encysted in skeletal muscle cells of the host. The magnitude of the neutrophil infiltration follows a pattern relating to the stage of infection of T.spiralis. This study was performed to determine if there are factors chemotactic for neutrophils present in the sera of mice infected with T.spiralis, and if present, to compare the chemotactic potential of sera from several time points during the infection. Female MRL++ mice hosted the T.spiralis infection and provided neutrophils for all experiments. The chemotactic potentials of sera were tested by placing 150 ul of serum collected …

Effect Of Ototoxic Drugs On The Amphibian Auditory System: Injection Of Gentamicin Sulfate Into Anuran Otic Capsules And Recovery Of Thresholds, Michael Patrick Brown

Dissertations and Theses

Hair cell trauma from aminoglycosides, which may lead to permanent loss of hair cells in mammals, was studied physiologically in frogs by measuring an auditory evoked potential (AEP) in Rana pipiens. The AEP was evaluated in order to measure threshold shift (TS) and recovery from TS after the administration of the aminoglycoside antibiotic, gentamicin. To obtain an AEP, chronic electrodes were implanted into the cranium near the cochlear nucleus. The frogs were then exposed to frequency-specific narrow band "clicks" which included a single period 1 kHz sinewave, and a computer synthesized high frequency and low frequency click. Amphibians have two …

Phytoplankton In Mt. St. Helens Lakes, Washington, Cynthia Fay Baker

Dissertations and Theses

Phytoplankton communities in fifteen lakes in the Mt. St. Helens area were surveyed to assess the abundance and species present. Eleven of the lakes were inside the blast zone of the 1980 eruption and four were located outside the blast zone as a comparison. The hypothesis is that lakes will cluster together based on the algal species present and that some algae will be correlated with certain environmental conditions. A cluster analysis was performed to determine if the lakes would group together based on algal abundance. There did not appear to be any distinct clustering among the study lakes, but …

Zooplankton Community Structure In Lakes Near Mt. St. Helens, Wa, Larry Duane Scharnberg

Dissertations and Theses

Eighteen lakes around Mt. St. Helens (MSH) were sampled for zooplankton from September '92 until September '94. Samples were enumerated and identified to the species level in most cases. Standard deviation and t-tests were performed to determine the precision of enumeration methods and replication of duplicate tows. Palatability indexes based upon predator preferences were developed and coupled with length-frequency analyses as indicators of predation pressure. The weighted means of the summer samples were then subjected to cluster analysis in an attempt to categorize lakes with respect to zooplankton community structure. Lastly, the community compositions and abundances of MSH lakes were …

The Biogeochemistry Of Lakes In The Mount St. Helens Blast Zone, Victor Lee Menting

Dissertations and Theses

Dilution and ash weathering are the most important processes controlling the ion chemistry of lakes in the Mount St. Helens blast zone. Gibbs' models indicated total dissolved solids were decreasing as a result of dilution from high precipitation and runoff and the lakes plot in the rock weathering dominated region. Plots of theoretical dilution curves indicated a decline in ion concentrations as a result of dilution. Ion concentrations followed the exponential decline predicted by the dilution curve, although concentrations were higher than predicted by the curve. Increased concentrations were a result of the rapid weathering of ash in basins and …

Investigations On Glycolipid Production By Pseudomonas Putida Grown On Toluene In Batch And Continuous Culture Conditions, Keith Foorest Dockery

Dissertations and Theses

Utilization of toluene by Pseudomonas putida as its sole carbon and energy source affects morphology, outer membrane protein composition, and glycolipid production. Two strains of P. putida were found to utilize toluene and to coexist in continuous and batch culture. The two strains were designated translucent and opaque, based upon their readily identifiable coloration when grown on Luria agar. The translucent strain was the dominant strain in continuous culture conditions. The outer membrane proteins of P. putida were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When toluene is the carbon and energy source, the trend in protein composition was …

Changes In Proteins Associated With Nitrogen Fixation And Iron Nutrition In The Marine Cyanobacterium Trichodesmium, Karen Marie Elardo

Dissertations and Theses

This investigation tested the hypothesis that iron, as a micronutrient, will affect proteins in Trichodesmium and therefore affect nitrogen fixation. Changes in proteins that are a result of iron enrichment were compared to naturally occurring diel changes. Alterations in the iron protein of nitrogenase were compared to nitrogen fixation rates using the acetylene reduction technique. The observed changes in proteins were compared in Trichodesmium colonies from the Caribbean Sea and the Sargasso Sea.

Trichodesmium colonies were monitored for protein and iron content over a diel period on two cruises. The changes in protein and iron content in Trichodesmium colonies were …

A Comparison Of Neutrophil Migration In The Mouse In Response To Infection With Three Species Of Trichinella, Jon Darin Prulhiere

Dissertations and Theses

The Genus Trichinella is currently thought to consist of 8 separate species. Several methods have been used to help differentiate these. In this study the ability of three of these species, T. spiralis, T. pseudospiralis, and T. sp. 3 to independently infect MRL++ mice was compared at 5, 7, 11, 18 and 20 days post infection (dpi) with the hope of discovering new distinguishing characteristics. Of interest was the development of inflammation through the accumulation of neutrophils associated with larvae of Trichinella in mouse skeletal muscle. This was evaluated with routine histological stains, endogenous peroxidase staining and immunohistochemical …

The Dna Sequence Required For The Maximal Transactivation Of The Vp5 Gene Of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, Shin Chen

Dissertations and Theses

A regulatory element involved in the transcriptional activation of the major capsid protein (VP5) of herpes simplex virus type 1 was identified and characterized in this research project. Gel mobility shift assay with nuclear extracts from both uninfected and HSV-1 infected HeLa cells identified two major protein-DNA complexes involving the VP5 promoter. No viral specific complex found. DNase I and orthophenanthroline-Cu⁺ footprint analyses in the same laboratory revealed that the two complexes involve a single binding site, GGCCATCTTGAA, located between -64 and -75 bp relative to the VP5 cap site. To determine the function of this leaky-late binding site …

Chlorophyll Characterization Of Three Mistletoes And The Chloroplast Ultrastructure Within Aerial And Endophytic Tissues Of Phoradendron Juniperinum, Wesley Emanuel Dubbs

Dissertations and Theses

The aerial shoot pigments of three epiphytic mistletoes and their hosts were examined and the results were found to concur with earlier reports. Emphasis was placed on the mistletoe Phoradendron juniperinum. Absorbance spectroscopy indicated a very similar ratio of pigments in both the aerial tissue of the mistletoe and its juniper host. Spectroscopic examination found the presence of chlorophyll in the endophytic tissue of the genus Phoradendron for the first time. Total chlorophyll concentrations of the endophytic tissue of Phoradendron juniperinum were found to be approximately 10% that of aerial shoots. However, chlorophyll a/b ratios of endophytic tissue were …

Investigations Of Factors Affecting The Transcriptional Regulation Of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Βγ (Leaky-Late) Genes, Rosemary Ann Lown

Dissertations and Theses

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a virus commonly causing cold sores in humans, however, virulent infections are known to produce debilitating encephalitis and death.

HSV-1 transcription is carried out by the host cell RNA polymerase II in a tightly regulated temporal cascade. The first genes transcribed, the a genes, are activated in the absence of viral DNA synthesis. Transcription of the other temporal classes, the β, βγ, and γ genes is dependent upon the protein products of the a genes for activation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute to this rigid regulation …

A Study Of Understory Plant Recovery After A Forest Fire In The Columbia River Gorge, Mark Alan Pittsenbarger

Dissertations and Theses

Between October 9, 1991 and October 16, 1991 a fire burned 577 hectares in the Columbia River Gorge near the west end on the Oregon side. All of the area burned consisted of second growth Pseudotsuga menziesii and the accompanying understory. This was the first disturbance of this magnitude in this part of the Columbia River Gorge since 1902. The purpose of this study was to examine the pattern of understory recovery in the first two years following the fire. This study also sought to learn: 1) how Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings are recruited into the population, 2) how quickly the …

Extracellular Matrix Proteins Of The Nurse Cell Capsule In Trichinella Spiralis Infections, Mary Louise Taylor

Dissertations and Theses

The infectious first-stage larvae of the nematode Trichinella spiralis is an intracellular parasite of altered skeletal muscle. Invasion of the muscle cell initiates a series of morphological changes in the host muscle cell which ultimately results in a specialized unit called the nurse cell. The completed nurse cell consists of a collagenous capsule, matrix of altered sarcoplasm, and a circulatory rete.

The purpose of this study was to determine the types of collagen present in the nurse cell capsule. Additionally, the presence of the glycoproteins, laminin and tenascin was determined. This study also sought to demonstrate the location of the …

Relationships Between Avian Diversity And Vegetational Parameters In Forested Patches Of The Tualatin Mountains, Oregon, Jerry Sexton Fugate

Dissertations and Theses

The effect of contiguous forested habitat area on local avian diversity and species richness in the Tualatin Mountain area of northwestern Oregon was investigated. Observations of eight forested stands representing seven area values (1, 2, 7, 14, 18, 24 and 40 hectares) were made during the spring and summer of 1991 and 1992. The variables measured were chosen in an attempt to show possible relationships between vegetation factors, spatial patterns and bird communities. Kendall's rank correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. Avian species richness and diversity were significantly correlated with forest stand (patch) size. The only significant correlation …

Evidence For The Eutrophication Of Selected Coastal Dunal Lakes: Historical Comparison Of Indices For Nutrient Enrichment, Steven Gregory Dagget

Dissertations and Theses

Three coastal Oregon dunal lakes, Mercer Lake, Munsel Lake, and Woahink Lake, were studied in an effort to determine if eutrophication has occurred since initial studies were conducted in 1938 and to determine each lake's current trophic status. Data collected in 1991 and 1992 for phytoplankton primary productivity; chlorophyll a; phytoplankton species, biovolumes, and densities; nutrients; optical characteristics; and dissolved oxygen were compared with historical data sets. Additional data for zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and other relevant limnological data were used to more completely characterize each lake.

Phytoplankton primary productivity measurements indicate that biological productivity has increased at each lake …

Studies On The Role Of Cellular Factor, Yy1, In Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Late Gene Expression, Xuehui Liu

Dissertations and Theses

The herpes simplex virus 1 (HSVl) VP5 gene codes for the major viral capsid protein. Understanding of the mechanism of how the VP5 gene is regulated in host cells will help us to understand the molecular action of the HSV 1 life cycle and its interplay with the host cell gene expression machinery (transcription and translation). This may ultimately provide scientific bases for both better prevention and cure of HSV 1 caused diseases. Previous work from Dr. Robert L. Millette' s laboratory has indicated that a 164 base pair region of the VP5 promoter gene could activate the transcription of …

Recovery Of Marsh Vegetation At Malheur Lake Following An Extended Flood, Sherry Vlasta Spencer

Dissertations and Theses

Water levels of Malheur Lake in southeastern Oregon fluctuate widely with seasonal and cyclic climatic changes. Seven years of severe flooding from 1978 to 1984 produced the highest water levels in recorded history and covered almost all marsh vegetation. Seven years of drought followed the flooding, and by 1992 the water level had dropped to the lowest point in nearly 60 years. A survey of vegetation colonizing the lakeshore as flood water receded was conducted from 1989 to 1992 to describe the reestablishment of marsh vegetation. Six transects were placed in three different ecological units of the lake. Frequency and …

The Influence Of Trichinella Spiralis Infection On Heat Shock Protein 72 Production In Mrl++ Mouse Intestinal Cells, Lisa Ann Kilejian

Dissertations and Theses

The production of Heat Shock Protein 72, the inducible form of the highly conserved 70 kilodalton heat shock protein family, was investigated in MRL++ mouse intestine during the two weeks of a Trichinella spiralis infection. Within hours of an oral infection using the encysted Trichinella spiralis found in the diaphragm of an infected mouse, the larvae are released from the cyst in the stomach. They travel to the intestine and burrow into the epithelial layer of the intestine. The jejunum is the primary site of the intestinal phase of trichinosis. This stage of infection in the jejunum was the focus …

Cytogenetics Of Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) Species Native To Oregon, Jill Yeatman Turner

Dissertations and Theses

Evidence of hybridization, known to occur in the genus Delphinium (Ranunculaceae ), has recently been discovered among certain Delphinium species native to Oregon. This issue was investigated by cytogenetic analysis of four native species of Oregon, D. trolliifolium, D. menziesii, D. pavonaceum and D. leucophaeum, and an unidentified purple delphinium, which is possibly a hybrid. Although many species in this genus are karyotypically similar, any variations found among the karyotypes of these Oregon species might be used to identify parental chromosomes in the purple delphinium (proposed hybrid). Meiotic analysis was used to detect structurally heterozygous homologues that …

Development Of A Semi-Synthetic Medium Supporting Adherent Growth In Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci, Abbas Sadeghi

Dissertations and Theses

A semi-synthetic medium for use in determining adherent growth with Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus was developed. Production of an adherent biofilm was dependent upon the presence of hematin in the growth medium. Clinical strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis were tested for production of an adherent biofilm in trypticase soy broth, the semi-synthetic medium and the hyperalimentary nutrient solution used in the neonatal hospital unit. An adherent biofilm was obtained when Staphylococcus epidermidis was cultured m hematin supplemented hyperalimentary solution. Growth in the hyperalimentary nutrient solution diluted with fetal calf serum showed the same growth rate as when the nutrient solution …

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials In Anuran Amphibians, Marc Brandon Carey

Dissertations and Theses

In this study, I looked at the effects of sound level, temperature and dehydration/hypernatremia on the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) of four species of anuran amphibians (Rana pipiens, Rana catesbeiana, Bufo americanus and Bufo terrestris). The BAEP was used because it allowed me to monitor both the peripheral and central aspects of auditory nervous function simultaneously and over a long period of time.

Three Dimensional Mammalian Skull Morphology, Suzanne Louise Krippaehne

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis deals with archiving morphological data utilizing a three dimensional coordinate system. Morphological reference points are archived via rectangular position coordinates, rectangular position vectors, and spherical position vectors. The concepts of translation trajectories, translation vectors, and relative position vectors are developed. Analysis of three dimensional coordinate data utilizing translation trajectories and translation vectors is described. In order to test the methodology developed, the method is applied to an analysis of harbor porpoise, Phocoena phocoena L., skull morphology. (Key words: morphology, ontogenetic trajectories, allometry, position coordinates, position vectors, translation trajectories, translation vectors, relative position vectors, and harbor porpoise).

The Morphology, Physiology, And Fine Structure Of A Toluene-Oxidizing Strain Of Pseudomonas Putida, Barry Clayton Anderson

Dissertations and Theses

The role of microorganisms in the degradation of xenobiotics in the environment is well established. Bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas are particularly well adapted to the degradation of hydrocarbons, aromatics, and numerous other natural and introduced substrates. We have isolated a strain of Pseudomonas putida, designated PC2P15, that uses toluene, phenol, benzene, and a number of other substrates as its sole sources of carbon and energy.

Effects Of Conalbumin Bound Iron On The Growth Of Salmonella Paratyphi B And Salmonella Thompson, John Nicholas Mason

Dissertations and Theses

I have investigated the possibility that specific conalbumin (ovotransferrin) iron saturation levels enable less virulent strains of Salmonella to become more virulent. Iron starved cells of two pathogenic Salmonella strains, S. paratyphi B var. java and S. thompson, were cultured in iron limited media at 3 different iron conalbumin saturation levels. Results indicate that strains differ significantly at both low and high iron saturation conalbumin. These differences depict a growth advantage for S. paratyphi B which correlates with reports by the Centers for Disease Control that S. paratyphi B was 3 times more frequent in blood isolates than S. …

The Physiology And Molecular Biology Of Iron Nutrition For Cyanobacteria, Nancy Walters Unsworth

Dissertations and Theses

In addition to nitrogen and phosphorus, iron is an essential nutrient for oceanic primary productivity. Unlike nitrogen and phosphorus however, negligible amounts of iron are supplied to surface waters through recycling or mixing but instead from the limited and sporadic input of aeolian particulate. The low concentration of iron that becomes biologically available from the dust places a serious constraint on the heavily iron-dependent processes of photosynthesis and nitrate reduction which affect primary productivity. As much as 47% of the total oceanic primary productivity can be attributed to cyanobacteria making them critical organisms in the biogeochemical cycles. This thesis addresses …

An Analysis Of The Ph Tolerance And Substrate Preference Of Isolated Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria From Bufo Marinus And Rana Catesbeiana, Jeffrey Mark Duerr

Dissertations and Theses

The concept of maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂ max) implies that there is a limit to the amount of oxygen that can be consumed by an organism in a given time. Many attempts have been made to delineate exactly what factor or factors are limiting to VO₂ max. Current models focus on the steps over which oxygen must traverse in order to get from the ambient air to the mitochondria. However, no model has addressed the issue of whether or not carbon dioxide flux may impose a limit to VO₂ max. Impedance of carbon dioxide flux may have …

Macroinvertebrate Drift Abundance Below Bonneville Dam And Its Relation To Juvenile Salmonid Food Habits, William Douglas Muir

Dissertations and Theses

There is a paucity of information concerning the invertebrate food resources available to juvenile salmonids in the Columbia River as they migrate seaward. Construction of mainstream dams has altered the temperature cycle, flow regime, and substrate which indigenous invertebrates were adapted to. Studies on how the macroinvertebrate community has adapted to these alterations have been neglected. This study was undertaken to help fill this void.

Macroinvertebrate drift samples were collected over a three year period in the Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam. Samples were collected with a D-ring plankton net fished on the bottom for one-half hour. Two sites …

Biogeography And Species Density Distributions Of Tasmanian Mammals, Jerry E. Bevers

Dissertations and Theses

Separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait, Tasmania has acted as an island preserve maintaining large populations of many mammalian species presently uncommon, rare, or extinct on mainland Australia.

There are few studies of Tasmanian mammal distributions. Recent distributional maps, based on information from surveys and mammal specimens, allowed for an investigation of the species density distributions of the terrestrial mammals of Tasmania. Compilation of species' distributional information into species density distributions provides an overview as to which areas may provide the most significant habitat for the greatest number of species; what geographic variations may influence species distributions; and …

The Electrokaryotype And Molecular Characterization Of Trypanosoma Cervi Isolates Using Recombinant Dna Techniques, J. Lindsley Bennett

Dissertations and Theses

The distribution of trypanosomes infecting wild ruminants of North America has only recently been investigated. Many isolates have been mensurally studied and were determined to be conspecific with Trypanosoma cervi. Widely divergent forms exist however, between host species and seasonally within a host. To determine the validity of all inclusions in the taxon and the extent of intraspecific variability, trypanosome isolates of moose, reindeer, antelope, muledeer, Roosevelt Elk and two discrete transplant populations of Rocky Mountain elk were characterized and differentiated using recombinant DNA techniques.

The Effect Of Plant Growth Regulators On The Growth Of Closterium Moniliferum, Cynthia Lehua Warnock Christensen

Dissertations and Theses

Physiologic responses to Gibberellic Acid (GA), 1-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), Benzylaminopurine (BAP), and Abscisic Acid (ABA), suggest that Closterium moniliferum has the ability to utilize these plant growth factors. The growth promoters NAA and GA both increased growth when added to the media. The cell division regulator BAP (a synthetic cytokinin). also had a promotive effect on growth. Abscisic acid was found to be inhibitive to growth.