Biology Commons^™

The Appearance Of Endothelium In Small Arteries After Treatment With 5-Fluorouracil. An Electron Microscopic Study Of Late Effects In Rabbits, M. Cwikiel, J. Eskilsson, J. B. Wieslander, U. Stjernquist, M. Albertsson

Scanning Microscopy

Cardiotoxicity is an unexplained toxic manifestation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Its possible mechanism could be a direct cytotoxic effect on the vascular endothelium. We have tested this hypothesis in an experimental study in rabbits, using scanning and transmission electron microscopic evaluation of endothelium in small arteries (the central artery of the ear). The perfusion fixation method at physiological pressure and temperature was used. Both local and systemic effects of 5-FU on endothelium were studied 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days after in vivo treatment with 5-FU. Fifteen rabbits were used and five additional animals served as controls. The following parameters …

Impact Of The Incubation Medium On The Endothelium Of Autologous Vein Grafts: Damage Scoring By Scanning Electron Microscopy, M. A. Konerding, M. Knocks, H. -R. Zerkowski

Scanning Microscopy

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of different incubation media on the morphology of the endothelium of great saphenous vein grafts and establish a suitable scoring system for the evaluation of damage caused by these media. Fifty specimens of saphenous veins from ten patients during elective aorto-coronary bypass surgery were used. Ten specimens served as controls; the others were assigned to test groups and exposed to heparinized whole blood, Bretschneider's HTK, human albumin or Ringer's solution. Specimens exposed to heparinized blood showed only slight morphological alterations, whereas the other three mediums caused severe damage. Thus, heparinized …

Spiral Structures In The Wall Of The Hepatic Venous System In The Dog, Shigenori Okada, Yoshikuni Ohta

Scanning Microscopy

Unique spiral structures, located in the wall of the hepatic venous system in the dog, were examined in the central veins and the hepatic venous branches, utilizing microvascular corrosion casting and freeze-fracture technique in scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of tissue sections. The whole hepatic venous system was divided into 4 portions: the central, sublobular, collecting and branches of the hepatic veins. The central vein was spindle-shaped with several compressions. Removing the endothelial cells of the central vein, pathways of venous sinusoids were like a labyrinth. In the sublobular veins, spiral structures distinctly appeared as the diameter increased. …

Microprobe Analysis Of Element Distribution In Rabbit And Dog Erythrocytes As Examples Of "High" And "Low" Potassium Cells, H. R. Catchpole, M. B. Engel

Scanning Microscopy

The concentrations of Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K and Fe were determined by microprobe in near 100% hematocrit suspensions of rabbit and dog erythrocytes prepared by freezing and drying. These cells are representative, respectively, of "high" potassium, "low" sodium, and "high" sodium, "low" potassium cells. Water contents of the cells were the same, as were, approximately, the levels of Cl, S and Fe. Rabbit P was nearly double that of the dog. For the rabbit, the cell Na/K ratio was 0.21 and for the dog 15.4, illustrating the major diffusible electrolyte difference between these two types of cell. The …

Apoptosis And Red Blood Cell Echinocytosis: Common Features, Alexei B. Chukhlovin

Scanning Microscopy

Apoptosis of nucleated blood cells induced by oxidants and/or reactive oxygen species is accompanied by the typical membrane pathology. Meanwhile, red blood cell (RBC) membrane. is a popular object for studying appropriate cytotoxic effects. Scanning electron microscopy provides a reliable tool for detecting the oxidative changes in RBC shape and size. Transition of normal discoid erythrocytes to crenated forms (echinocytes) is often induced by the same factors which cause apoptosis of blood cells, e.g., ionizing radiation and other reactive oxygen intermediate-inducing agents, exogenous oxidants, in vitro aging conditions, cytosolic calcium increase, etc. Moreover, the biochemical membrane alterations in oxidant-induced echinocytosis …

Pathological And Immunocytochemical Changes In Chronic Calcium Oxalate Nephrolithiasis In The Rat, R. De Water, E. R. Boeve, P. P. M. C. Van Miert, C. P. Vermaire, P. R. W. A. Van Run, L. C. Cao, W. C. De Bruijn, F. H. Schroder

Scanning Microscopy

In the present study, we exposed rats to a crystal-inducing diet (CID) consisting of vitamin D3 and 0.5% ethylene glycol (EG), and we investigated histologically the kidney damage induced by the deposition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. After 28 days, 50 % of the animals had renal CaOx crystals, of which 60% also had small papillary stones. Most crystals were present in the cortex. The occurrence of these crystals coincided with morphological and cytochemical changes: glomerular damage, tubular dilatation and necrosis, and an enlargement of the interstitium. The number of epithelial and interstitial cells positive for the proliferating cell nuclear …

Adenosine Modulates Synaptic Plasticity In The Superior Cervical Ganglion Of The Art., Rollin Y. Hawkins

Theses (Pre-2016)

N/A

Two Erroneous, Commonly Cited Examples Of "Swordfish" Piercing Wooden Ships, Harry L. Fierstine, Oliver Crimmen

Biological Sciences

No abstract provided.

Touch-Plate And Statolith Formation In Graviceptors Of Ephyrae Which Developed While Weightless In Space, Dorothy B. Spangenberg, Elisa Coccaro, Russell Schwarte, Brian Lowe

Scanning Microscopy

Ultrastructural studies of the statocysts and touch-plates of graviceptors (rhopalia) of Aurelia ephyrae revealed that (1) touch-plate hair cells are present; and (2) cytoplasmic strands from the hair cell bases extend from the neurite plexus to touch similar strands from the lithocytes. This close association of hair cell neurites and statocysts may have important implications regarding the transmitting and processing of positional information with respect to the gravity vector.

Graviceptors of ephyrae which developed while weightless in microgravity were compared with controls at the ultrastructural level. We found that hair cells of ephyrae which developed in microgravity had fewer lipid …

Ion Beam Induced Charge Microscopy Of Integrated Circuits, M. B. H. Breese

Scanning Microscopy

The ion beam induced charge (IBIC) microscopy technique has recently been developed as a means of imaging the depletion regions of working microelectronic devices beneath their thick metallisation and passivation layers. IBIC microscopy is analogous to electron beam induced current microscopy but has the advantages of a larger analytical depth, lower lateral scattering of the incident focused MeV ion beam and negligible charging effects. These characteristics enable IBIC to image small, buried active device regions without the need to remove the surface layers prior to analysis. The basis of this new technique is outlined and the applications for integrated circuit …

Lectin-Cytochemistry Of Experimental Rat Nephrolithiasis, W. C. De Bruijn, R. De Water, E. R. Boeve, P. R. W. A. Van Run, P. J. Vermaire, P. P. M. C. Van Miert, J. C. Romijn, C. F. Verkoelen, L. C. Cao, F. H. Schroder

Scanning Microscopy

Lectin reactivity in epithelial apical cell coats of normal rat kidneys was compared to that from animals subjected to crystal inducing diets (CID). The aim was to see whether the absence of lectin reactivity in cell coats is related to intratubular calcium oxalate crystal retention. In normal rat kidneys, after a pre-embedding procedure, it was observed that at the ultrastructural level, reactivity was present but that the lectin specificity for the various parts of the nephron might have to be reconsidered. There was heterogeneity between the epithelial cells with respect to the presence of coat material in the tubular cell …

Atomic Force Microscopy Of Dna, Nucleoproteins And Cellular Complexes: The Use Of Functionalized Substrates, Yuri L. Lyubchenko, Robert E. Blankenship, Alexander A. Gall, S. M. Lindsay, Ottavio Thiemann, Larry Simpson, Luda S. Shlyakhtenko

Scanning Microscopy

Progress towards rapid and simple characterization of biomolecular samples by scanning probe microscopy is impeded mainly by limitations of the current approach to sample preparation. We are working on approaches based on chemical functionalization of mica. Treatment of mica with aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES) makes the surface positively charged (AP-mica) and able to hold DNA in place for imaging, even in water. We have shown that AP-mica is an appropriate substrate for numerous nucleoprotein complexes as well. The AFM images of the complex of DNA with RecA protein are stable and indicate a structural periodicity for this filament. AP-mica holds strongly …

The Effects Of Prophylatic Protocols Of Exercise And Tamoxifen On The Induction And Growth Of Estrogen Dependent And Independent Rat Mammary Tumors, Robert H. Doepke Jr.

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Biology by Robert H. Doepke, Jr. on May 6,1996.

A Correlative Study Of An At-Risk Population And Low Birth Weight/Infant Mortality In A Northeast Oklahoma City Community, Estacia D. Thrower

McCabe Thesis Collection

Studies show that numerous and complex variables influence pregnancy outcomes and infant mortality rates. These variables include demographic, medical, physical, environmental, behavioral, and attitudinal factors and prenatal care. Improving the health of mothers and infants is a national challenge. In 1987, more than 3.8 million infants were born in the United States. Of these, 38,408 died before their first birthday. Although the infant mortality rate is at an all-time low, the pace of progress has slowed. According to Dr. Robert Deppen of the Oklahoma State Health Department, "In 1992, Oklahoma ranked 29th in the United States for infant mortality and …

Isolation From Soil Microorganisms That Are Inhibitory To Wheat Seeding Pathogens, Kynita Wilson-Humphrey

McCabe Thesis Collection

Many diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi are responsible for the ruin of a great number of crops annually. At present, many of these crops are being treated for diseases by synthetic or man-made chemicals. Some of the chemicals have been proved to have adverse effects on the environment, including humans and animals. Very few non-chemical means are available to farmers at this time to control these pathogens. This is due to the fact that many of the means of control have little effect against the pathogens or diseases. This research attempts to isolate microorganisms from the soil which …

The Influence Of Bull Exposure And Bull Presence On Postpartum Reproductive Physiology And Behavior Of High-Producing Dairy Cows, Milan P. Shipka

Biology

Bull exposure has been shown to hasten the onset of estrous cyclicity in postpartum beef cattle but has not been examined in high producing dairy cattle. This investigation was carried out to examine effects of bull presence on postpartum reproductive characteristics in dairy cattle. Forty-five multiparous dairy cattle were randomly allocated into three groups at the time of calving. Treatments consisted of no bull exposure (NBE), twice daily bull exposure (2xdBE), and continuous bull exposure (CBE). Estrus detection was carried out for all groups for one-half hour twice daily following milking. Systemic progesterone (P₄) was determined from blood …

Reproductive Ecology, Population Genetics, And Clonal Distribution Of The Narrow Endemic: Mirabilis Macfarlanei (Nyctaginaceae), Jennifer L. Barnes

Biology

I examined the reproductive biology and population genetics of the narrow endemic, Mirabilis macfarlanei (Nyctaginaceae) Constance and Rollins, from the Snake and Salmon Rivers in Idaho and Oregon. The results of this study provide further evidence for the proposed effects of rarity on plant reproductive systems and population genetics. Breeding system results indicated that M. macfarlanei is self-compatible, but requires a pollen vector for fertilization. Seed set was not pollen limited, but may be resource limited during others. The major floral visitors were long-tongued bees such as Anthophora spp. and Bombus spp., unlike other species of Mirabilis, which are …

Mortality And Behavior Of Prairie Falcons During The Fledging-Dependence Period, Mary E. Mcfadzen

Biology

The primary focus of my research was to determine the magnitude and causes of mortality of Prairie Falcons (Falco mexicanus) during the fledging-dependence period. In 1992 and 1993, I radio-tagged nestlings prior to fledging and monitored their survival until they emigrated from the study area. Additionally, I quantified parental behavior during the nesting period as well as other factors that have been shown to influence subsequent survivorship. Of the 152 radio-tagged nestlings, 47 died prior to dispersal from their natal territories. Mortality rates were consistent between years, 28% in 1992 and 34% in 1993. The magnitude of mortality …

The Indirect Effects Of Large-Scale Insecticide Spraying On Populations Of Echinacea Angustifolia Dc (Asteraceae) In The North Dakota Badlands, Heidi Kristine Leuszler

Biology

Broad-spectrum insecticide spraying for the control of grasshoppers may have a detrimental effect of native pollinators of western rangelands. Many rangeland plants depend upon such pollinators for successful reproduction. Pollinators also transfer genes between plants via pollen, and pollinator movement between plants is related to pollinator density; thus insecticide application may alter gene movements in a plant population. This study uses a common forb, Echinacea angustifolia, to examine the potential negative effects of insecticide application on gene movements. I first determined the breeding system of E. angustifolia and specifically whether an insect vector is required for reproduction. Flowers set …

Migration Trend And Morphometric Characteristics Of Northern Harriers During Autumn Migration At Cape May Point, New Jersey, Christopher W. Schultz

Biology

There were two primary objectives of this thesis. The first was to test the validity of sampling raptors during autumn migration for the purpose of monitoring trends in populations. The second was to describe morphometric characteristics of northern harriers (Circus cyaneus) during autumn migration in coastal New Jersey and revise the key for sexing and aging harriers captured on the east coast of North America. Harriers were concurrently, but independently, counted and captured during autumn migration at Cape May Point, New Jersey, from 1976 through 1995. All data were standardized to the same 83-day annual study period and …

Reconnecting The Sciences, John Eggebrecht, Raymond Dagenais, Don Dosch, Norman J. Merczak, Margaret N. Park, Susan C. Styer, David Workman

Faculty Publications & Research

During the last three years at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, we have been working on a partial reconstruction of Whitehead's "one subject matter," a course reconnecting biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, and physics into an Integrated Science program.

The Effects Of Temperature And Rain On The Metabolism Of The American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius), Glenn R. Wilson

Biology

The change in metabolism of birds exposed to rainfall is poorly understood. I measured the rate of oxygen consumption (VO₂) using open-flow respirometry of four male and four female American kestrels (Falco sparverius) during the breeding season at ambient temperatures (T_a) of 5, 10, 15, and 25°C in air without rainfall and then at low (2.5 cm⋅h^-1) rainfall and high (6.1 cm⋅h^-1) rainfall. Trial order was analyzed as a covariate because kestrel responses appeared to decrease in intensity during the 14-wk study period. The VO₂ increased 12.65% at low …

Effects Of Copper On Oxidative Stress And Growth Of Pseudomonas Putida, Tiffany Marshall

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Oxygen is an essential compound in all aerobic systems; however, it can also take part in toxic reactions involving active oxygen species (AOS) and transition metals. Most of the time, antioxidant enzymes act as defense mechanisms and keep the production of AOS to a minimum. However, if the defense mechanisms are not adequate, damage may occur and possibly lead to the breakdown of biomolecules such as DNA, lipids, and proteins that are vital to both simple and complex organisms. Oxidative damage could also be a contributing factor to many human pathological conditions including, aging, atherosclerosis, carcinogenesis, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, …

No Evidence Of Linkage Between 35 Genetic Markers And The Spider Lamb Syndrome Gene In Sheep, Sarah Thornell South

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Spider Lamb Syndrome (SLS) is a semi-lethal congenital disorder affecting the Suffolk and Hampshire sheep breeds. The clinical manifestations of the syndrome include severe skeletal and muscular abnormalities with long, fine-boned legs, curvature of the spine and nasal septum, minimal muscling and severe muscle atrophy. The affected animals have a difficult time walking and most lambs do not survive past the first six months of life. A single autosomal recessive gene causes the disorder. Researchers believe the SLS gene arose as a single source mutation in a popular Suffolk blood line in the 1970s. Heterozygous carriers of the SLS gene …

Root Colonization By Pseudomonas Putida: The Role Of Catalase And Superoxide Dismutase Isozymes, Tawnya Lynn Bowles

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The fluorescent soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida is an aggressive root colonizer (1) that offers benefits to the host plant by suppressing soilborne pathogens and enhancing plant growth (12,13). Upon introduction in the field through seed inoculation, certain isolates of P. putida have the potential to act as an effective biological control agent (3). P. putida has also been shown to promote the growth of potatoes, sugarbeets, and radishes (13). Fluorescent pseudomonads are effective in protecting plants against pathogens such as Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, a fungus that causes the root disease of wheat called take-all (13).

Development Of An Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay Capable Of Detecting Antibodies Specific To The Cytomegalovirus, Rachel Bird

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The cytomegalovirus (CMV) is capable of causing serious illness and death in immunocompromised individuals. The objective of this research is to develop a method of detecting antibodies against CMV. This has lead to the development of an Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) that is capable of detecting CMV or anti-CMV antibodies. The process in the development of such an assay involves; 1) the purification of Hyperimmune Rabbit Serum containing anti-CMV antibodies, 2) determination of the appropriate concentrations necessary to provide a clear and concise response to the test, and 3) testing of monoclonal antibodies to determine their specificity towards the …

Phylogenetic Studies Of The United States Bluetongue Viruses And Characterization Of The Viral Vp4 Protein, I-Jen Huang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is transmitted by arthropod vectors and causes bluetongue disease with serious economic loss in many regions of the world. The replication mechanism of bluetongue virus is still not clear. To have a better understanding regarding the viral replication, the function of each individual protein has to be identified. This study used molecular biology techniques to investigate the function of the inner core protein VP4.

The M1 genes of United States bluetongue virus serotypes-2, -10, -11, -13, and -17 were cloned and sequenced. The length of each of the five M1 genes is 1981 nucleotides. The coding region …

Clp-C3a, A New Cyclic Lipodepsipeptide From Pseudomonas Syringae, Kwang-Hee Kim

Biology

Cyclic lipodepsipeptides (CLPs), a new class of antifungal agents, are produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae. To find novel CLP members, bacterial fluorescent isolates from different plant sources were screened for CLP biosynthetic genes syrB and syrD using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analyses. A positive isolate, strain C3, isolated from a cherry tree was virulent on immature cherry fruits, possessed the hypersensitivity/pathogenicity gene, hrpZ, and was grown in supplemented potato broth. Purification of a CLP from strain C3 was performed by acetone extraction, XAD-2 column chromatography, and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC …

Reference Levels Of Plasma Cholinesterase Activity From Autumn Migrant Sharp-Shinned (Accipiter Striatus) And Cooper's (Accipiter Cooperii) Hawks, Daniel H. Kim

Biology

Detecting exposure to anticholinergic pesticides involves measuring levels of cholinesterase (ChE) activity. There are few published values for plasma ChE activity from wild avian species, yet reference levels of ChE activity are vital for nonlethal bioassays to determine exposure to carbamate or organophosphate pesticides. I used plasma samples from 102 sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus) and 45 Cooper's hawks (A. cooperii) captured during autumn migration to establish reference levels of cholinesterase activity. I evaluated the use of a spectrophotometer (SPEC) and 96-well optical microplate reader (MPR) for determining plasma cholinesterase activity from migrating hawks. The SPEC was …

Effects Of Insecticide Spraying For Grasshoppers On The Reproductive Success Of Three Prairie Plant Species In Western North Dakota, Suzanne Digiacomo

Biology

Grasshopper control is often accomplished through application of broad-spectrum insecticides that may also affect many non-target arthropods. To assess whether these insecticides reduce pollinator numbers and hence plant reproductive success, three forb species were examined. Potentilla fruticosa and Calylophus serrulatus were sampled before, immediately after, and approximately one week after spraying. The seed number for both species declined marginally but significantly immediately after spraying. The average weight per achene was significantly lower in spray sites for Potentilla fruticosa, but no significant interaction of time by spray was found for either species. Also, for two germination characters there was no …