Biology Commons^™

Evaluation Of Anti-Migraine Drugs In An In Vivo Rat Model Of Chronic Migraine, Shannon Nicole Stiles

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Approximately 2% of the US population is affected by chronic migraine (CM). CM is a recurring, neurological disorder characterized by painful headache, along with autonomic, gastrointestinal, and other somatic symptoms. Prolonged sensitization of the trigeminal system, which is implicated in CM, is comprised of peripheral primary trigeminal ganglion neurons that provide sensory innervation of the head and face and second order neurons in the spinal trigeminal nucleus (STN). The goal of my study was to evaluate anti-migraine drugs for their ability to inhibit ongoing peripheral and central sensitization of trigeminal nociceptors. An in vivo animal model was used to determine …

Examination Of The Cytotoxicity Of Carboxyl Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes On Escherichia Coli, Brittany Linn Twibell

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The growing use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in industrial and consumer products raises important questions about their environmental fate and impact on prokaryotes. In the environment, CNTs are exposed to a variety of conditions (e.g. UV light) that could lead to decomposition and changes in their chemical properties. Therefore, the potential cytotoxic effect of both pristine and artificially aged carboxyl functionalized single-walled CNTs at neutral and acidic conditions on Escherichia coli K12 was analyzed using a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, which also allowed monitoring of non-lethal growth effects. However, there were no observable MIC or significant changes in growth …

Medicinal Plants Of Turmic Valley (Central Karakoram National Park), Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, Sher Wali Khan, Qamar Abbas, Syed Najmul Hassan, Hawas Khan, Azhar Hussain

Journal of Bioresource Management

This study was undertaken to enumerate the medicinal plants of the area, find out the conservation status, and record the folk knowledge from the inhabitants of Turmic Valley during 2011-2013. The valley is located in the Rondo division of the District Skardu on the Northeastern side of the Indus River. The detailed information about the local flora regarding medicinal uses was collected from the local herbal healers (Hakeems) and other knowledgeable people. Locally used herbs of the area prevent and cure the people from various diseases such as joint pains, bronchitis, flu and fever, lowering blood pressure, constipation, …

Physico-Chemical Variables And Fish Parasites Of River Neelum Azad Jammu And Kashmir, Pakistan, Nuzhat Shafi, Javed Ayub, Tasleem Akhtar

Journal of Bioresource Management

The physico-chemical parameters and the fish parasites of the River Neelum were studied at three sampling sites, i.e., Pattika, Tali Mandi, and Domail. Water temperature and rate of flow of water were significantly higher at Domail than Pattika and Tali Mandi. ANOVA showed that dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, inorganic suspended solids, and organic matter of the bottom mud kept on fluctuating and showed a significant difference between three selected sites. Although, these variables showed variations, they remained within tolerable limits set by WHO. Three species of potentially harmful parasites, i.e., Dactylogyrus vastator, Procamallanus laevionchus, and Argulus foliaceus were …

Assessment Of Fusariotoxins And Toxigenic Potential Of Fusarium Spp. In Maize Grains Collected From Pakistan, Nafeesa Qudsia Hanif, Iffat Tahira, Salma Khatoon, Kishwar Sultana

Journal of Bioresource Management

A total of 65 maize grain samples (Zea Mays L.) collected from cold and hot climatic zones of Pakistan lead to isolation of 10 Fusarium supposing deep freezing method. Occurrence of fusarium spp. was high (75%) in cold climatic zones as compared to hot zones (25%). Fumonisins were recorded in both climatic zones, though their incidence was higher in hot climatic zone (range 4,379-9,990 μg/kg). Incidence of A and B trichothecenes was higher in cool climatic zone. Zearalenone (ZON) with mean level 500 μg/kg was positive in only 10% samples of hot climatic zone. Furthermore, co-contamination of fusariotoxins …

Assessment Of Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Activity Of Justicia Californica, Nabeela Shafique, Rizwana Aleem Qureshi

Journal of Bioresource Management

The present study focused on the exotic plant species Justicia californica, which is a native species of California. Phytochemicalanalysis was performed, which showed the presence of alkaloids, aminoacids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phlobatannins, and tannins in the root extract of J.californica, whereas amino acids, carbohydrates, and tannins were present in leaf and stems extract. In roots, 9.46%, and in leaf and stem, 13.35% flavonoids were found. Phenolics were found to be key phytochemicals, playing a role in antioxidant activity, which are about 8% in the sample of roots and 11.4% in the extract of leaf and stems. The DPPH assay, …

Mesquite (Prosopis Juliflora): Livestock Grazing, Its Toxicity And Management, Kainaat William, Laila Jafri

Journal of Bioresource Management

Prospis juliflora is an invasive tree native to Northern South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It has been used as a folk remedy for catarrh, cold, diarrhea, dysentery, excrescences, flu, hoarseness, inflammation, measles, sore throat, and in the healing of wounds. Its antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, antitumor, and anthelminitic activities are also reported and it contain phytochemicals such as flavonols, alkaloids, tannins, ellagic acid, glycosides, steroids, and various phenolic compounds. It is reported to be used as feed for cattle worldwide. Low intake of this plant doesn’t affect the health of cattle but excessive intake is harmful and can cause …

Growth Inhibiting Effects Of Three Different Plant Extracts On Tribolium Castaneum (Herbst) (Tenebrionidae: Coleoptera), Javed Iqbal Dr, Ghulam Jilani, Muhammad Aslam

Journal of Bioresource Management

Petroleum ether, acetone and ethanol extracts of neem, sweet flag, and turmeric were evaluated for their growth inhibiting effects on the Tribolium castaneum at the application rate of 1000, 500, 250 and 125 μg/g food media. Petroleum ether extracts showed the lowest number of larvae produced (34.00) in 1000 μg/g neem extract. Acetone extract of sweet flag showed minimum and significantly lower number of larvae produced (8.00) at 1000 μg/g, whereas ethanol extracts of turmeric showed minimum numbers of larvae (106.30) at 1000 μg/g application rate. Maximum inhibition ratio of pupation was found as 81.18 % at 1000 μg/g dosage …

Review: Contribution Of Biotic Agents Of Pakistan In World Agriculture, Mohammad Irshad

Journal of Bioresource Management

Biological control has attained immense significance. Biological control is not unknown. It has a past history of successes. Natural control consists of two major components: environmental factors (abiotic) and natural enemies (biotic). Integrated Pest Management or Crop Management is considered a valuable tool in food security. It has not only been used in Pakistan but also Pakistani biotic agents have been used elsewhere in the world giving substantial economic control. These have been mainly used in the USA. With World Trade Organization protocols in operation, biological control will be of much significance. Import and export of natural enemies will be …

A Review: Antifungal Potentials Of Medicinal Plants, Ghulam Murtaza, Muhammad Mukhtar, Aysha Sarfraz

Journal of Bioresource Management

Medicinal plants have been widely used to treat a variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases. According to an estimate, 25% of the commonly used medicines contain compounds isolated from plants. Several plants could offer a rich reserve for drug discovery of infectious diseases, particularly in an era when the latest separation techniques are available on one hand, and the human population is challenged by a number of emerging infectious diseases on the other hand. Among several other ailments, fungal infections are posing a great threat to the mankind, as a large number of people suffer from fungal infections worldwide due …

Use Of Dna Barcoding To Control The Illegal Wildlife Trade: A Cites Case Report From Pakistan, Attika Rehman, Sana Jafar, Naeem Ashraf Raja, Javed Mahar

Journal of Bioresource Management

Illegal wildlife trade is a great threat to the conservation efforts made worldwide to save wildlife species and their parts. Use of molecular methods, including DNA barcoding, is gaining acceptance to detect cross-border movement of endangered species. Here we report the utility of DNA barcoding in the detection of smuggling of an endangered turtle species from Pakistan. The consignment labeled as “fish meat” was intercepted at a Pakistani port and was tested for its source using DNA Barcoding with fish-specific primers. Sequences from the samples from this consignment matched (99%) with those from Lissemys punctata (Indian flap-shelled turtle), a species …

First Report: Hyphomycetous Fungi From Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Kishwar Sultana, Asmaul Husna, Gulshan Irshad, Mah Noor

Journal of Bioresource Management

The saprophytic hyphomycetous fungi: Beniowskia sphaeroidea, Graphium putredinis, Phaeoisaria clematidis, and Tilachlidium ramosum were recorded in Rawalpindi from 2008 to 2010. These were studied in the laboratories of PMAS-Arid Agriculture University campus Rawalpindi.

Bears In Pakistan: Distribution, Population Biology And Human Conflicts, Fakhar -I- Abbas, Zahid Iqbal Bhatti, Jibran Haider, Afsar Mian

Journal of Bioresource Management

We conducted questionnaire based interviews (n = 1873) of respondents coming from 258 localities about bear tracts in northern parts of Pakistan in 2012-2014 to study Himalyan brown (U. arctos isalbellinus) and Himalayan black (U. t. laniger) bears. Brown bears were more frequent in northern latitudes (northern Chitral, Ghizer, Gilgit and Skardu), while black bears were widely distributed in southern latitudes (Battagram). Both brown and black bears are present in central latitudes (Astor, Diamir, Kohistan and Mansehra). We identified 34 populations of brown bears; a large population in the Deosai Plateau and small to very small …

Method, Composition, And Kit Useful For Treatment Of Alzheimer's Disease, Steven Estus, Manasi Malik, James Simpson

Biology Faculty Patents

The presently-disclosed subject matter includes methods for treating Alzheimer's disease in a subject. The subject can have Alzheimer's diseases, can be identified has being at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease, or both. The method can comprise administering a composition that includes a CD33 inhibitor, which may include a CD33 antibody. In some embodiments the composition can further comprise at least one additional component useful for treating Alzheimer's disease. The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes compositions and kits for treating Alzheimer's disease in a subject.

Eph-Ephrin Signaling And The Role Of Efn-4 In Caenorhabditis Elegans Nervous Systems Development, Alicia Schwieterman

Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses

Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands are required for multiple aspects of nervous system development including axon outgrowth, synaptic plasticity, and the formation of topographic maps in the visual system. The Caenorhabditis elegans ephrin-A, efn-4, has a defined role in hypodermal patterning but its role in nervous system development is not well understood. We find that loss-of-function mutations in efn-4 lead to suppression of axon branching in C. elegans model of X-linked Kallmann syndrome, a human genetic disorder that presents with loss of sense of smell and failure to undergo spontaneous puberty. In addition, efn-4 mutants have …

Nutrient Addition Effects On Tropical Dry Forests: A Mini-Review From Microbial To Ecosystem Scales., J S. Powers, K K. Becklund, M G. Gei, S B. Iyengar, R Meyer, C S. O'Connell, E M. Schilling, C M. Smith, Bonnie G. Waring, L K. Werden

Biology Faculty Publications

Humans have more than doubled inputs of reactive nitrogen globally and greatly accelerated the biogeochemical cycles of phosphorus and metals. However, the impacts of increased element mobility on tropical ecosystems remain poorly quantified, particularly for the vast tropical dry forest biome. Tropical dry forests are characterized by marked seasonality, relatively little precipitation, and high heterogeneity in plant functional diversity and soil chemistry. For these reasons, increased nutrient deposition may affect tropical dry forests differently than wet tropical or temperate forests. Here, we review studies that investigated how nutrient availability affects ecosystem and community processes from the microsite to ecosystem scales …

Gene Expression During The First 28 Days Of Axolotl Limb Regeneration I: Experimental Design And Global Analysis Of Gene Expression, S. Randal Voss, Alex Palumbo, Radha Nagarajan, David M. Gardiner, Ken Muneoka, Arnold J. Stromberg, Antony T. Athippozhy

Biology Faculty Publications

While it is appreciated that global gene expression analyses can provide novel insights about complex biological processes, experiments are generally insufficiently powered to achieve this goal. Here we report the results of a robust microarray experiment of axolotl forelimb regeneration. At each of 20 post-amputation time points, we estimated gene expression for 10 replicate RNA samples that were isolated from 1 mm of heterogeneous tissue collected from the distal limb tip. We show that the limb transcription program diverges progressively with time from the non-injured state, and divergence among time adjacent samples is mostly gradual. However, punctuated episodes of transcription …

The Myb36 Transcription Factor Orchestrates Casparian Strip Formation, Takehiro Kamiya, Monica Borghi, Peng Wang, John M. C. Danku, Lothar Kalmbach, Prashant S. Hosmani, Sadaf Naseer, Toru Fujiwara, Niko Geldner, David E. Salt

Biology Faculty Publications

The endodermis in roots acts as a selectivity filter for nutrient and water transport essential for growth and development. This selectivity is enabled by the formation of lignin-based Casparian strips. Casparian strip formation is initiated by the localization of the Casparian strip domain proteins (CASPs) in the plasma membrane, at the site where the Casparian strip will form. Localized CASPs recruit Peroxidase 64 (PER64), a Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homolog F, and Enhanced Suberin 1 (ESB1), a dirigent-like protein, to assemble the lignin polymerization machinery. However, the factors that control both expression of the genes encoding this biosynthetic machinery and its …

Morphometry And Average Temperature Affect Lake Stratification Responses To Climate Change, Benjamin Kraemer, Orlane Anneville, Sudeep Chandra, Margaret Dix, Esko Kuusisto, David M. Livingstone, Alon Rimmer, S. Geoffrey Schladow, Eugene Silow, Lewis M. Sitoki, Rashid Tamatamah, Yvonne Vadeboncoeur, Peter B. Mcintyre

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Climate change is affecting lake stratification with consequences for water quality and the benefits that lakes provide to society. Here we use long-term temperature data (1970–2010) from 26 lakes around the world to show that climate change has altered lake stratification globally and that the magnitudes of lake stratification changes are primarily controlled by lake morphometry (mean depth, surface area, and volume) and mean lake temperature. Deep lakes and lakes with high average temperatures have experienced the largest changes in lake stratification even though their surface temperatures tend to be warming more slowly. These results confirm that the nonlinear relationship …

The Behavioral Response Of Culex Erraticus To Different Snake Odors, Lindsey E. Wells

Honors College Theses

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is an arbovirus that can cause fatal infections in humans and horses. Unfortunately, the transmission mechanisms of this virus are still largely unknown. Culex erraticus displays a strong potential for serving as a vector of EEEV because of its indiscriminate feeding pattern and abundance in areas with the highest prevalence of infection. However, Culex erraticus is incapable of over-wintering the virus, yet EEE recurs each spring. Snakes may play an important role in over-wintering the virus, and certain snake species may be infected more frequently than others. This study was conducted to determine if Culex …

Inferring Pathway Dysregulation In Cancers From Multiple Types Of Omic Data, Shelley M. Macneil, William E. Johnson, Dean Y. Li, Stephen R. Piccolo, Andrea H. Bild

Faculty Publications

Although in some cases individual genomic aberrations may drive disease development in isolation, a complex interplay among multiple aberrations is common. Accordingly, we developed Gene Set Omic Analysis (GSOA), a bioinformatics tool that can evaluate multiple types and combinations of omic data at the pathway level. GSOA uses machine learning to identify dysregulated pathways and improves upon other methods because of its ability to decipher complex, multigene patterns. We compare GSOA to alternative methods and demonstrate its ability to identify pathways known to play a role in various cancer phenotypes. Software implementing the GSOA method is freely available from https://bitbucket.org/srp33/gsoa …

Reformed Approach To The Interactions Of Science And Religion (Cont'd), Tony N. Jelsma

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"The relationship between faith and science is not just a scientific or theological topic."

Posting about conflicts between science and religion from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/a-reformed-approach-to-the-interactions-of-science-and-religion-contd/

Degradation Of Bunker C Fuel Oil By White-Rot Fungi In Sawdust Cultures Suggests Potential Applications In Bioremediation, Darcy Young, James Rice, Rachael Martin, Erika Lindquist, Anna Lipzen, Igor Grigoriev, David Hibbett

Biology

Fungal lignocellulolytic enzymes are promising agents for oxidizing pollutants. This study investigated degradation of Number 6 "Bunker C" fuel oil compounds by the white-rot fungi Irpex lacteus, Trichaptum biforme, Phlebia radiata, Trametes versicolor, and Pleurotus ostreatus (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes). Averaging across all studied species, 98.1%, 48.6%, and 76.4% of the initial Bunker C C10 alkane, C14 alkane, and phenanthrene, respectively were degraded after 180 days of fungal growth on pine media. This study also investigated whether Bunker C oil induces changes in gene expression in the white-rot fungus Punctularia strigosozonata, for which a complete reference genome is available. After 20 days …

Reformed Approach To The Interactions Of Science And Religion, Tony N. Jelsma

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

"Sometimes, despite our best theological and scientific study, religion and science still seem to be in conflict."

Posting about the interactions between religion and science from In All Things - an online hub committed to the claim that the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for the entire world.

http://inallthings.org/a-reformed-approach-to-the-interactions-of-science-and-religion

Discovery And Confirmation Of Novel Serum Biomarkers Diagnosing Alzheimer’S Disease, Tyler Mower, Dr. John Kauwe

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains challenging to diagnose, especially early disease. Useful serum AD biomarkers would be of great utility in clinical settings and in drug development efforts. We used a novel serum proteomic approach to interrogate the lowmolecular- weight proteome for AD biomarkers.

Experimental design: A discovery study used sera from 58 any-stage AD cases and 55 controls analyzed by capillary liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Promising biomarkers were retested in a second, blinded confirmatory study (AD cases=68, controls=57). Several biomarkers replicated and multi-marker sets were modeled.

Results: The initial study found 59 potential AD biomarkers. Thirteen recurred in more …

Seasonal Dynamics And Micro-Climatic Preference Of Two Alpine Endemic Hypogean Beetles, Stefano Mammola, Elena Piano, Pier Mauro Giachino, Marco Isaia

International Journal of Speleology

Hypogean beetles generally live in stable environments, characterized by constant temperature and high relative humidity. Changes in the underground microclimatic conditions generally induce local migrations of the beetles through the hypogean environment in search of suitable microhabitats. We studied the seasonal dynamics and the micro-climatic preference of two Alpine endemic hypogean beetles - Sphodropsis ghilianii (Coleoptera, Carabidae) and Dellabeffaella roccae (Coleoptera, Cholevidae) - in the hypogean complex of Pugnetto (Graian Alps, Italy). We surveyed the two species for one year, using baited pitfall traps and measuring temperature and humidity along the two main caves. We used logistic regression mixed models …

Shell Neurons Of The Master Circadian Clock Coordinate The Phase Of Tissue Clocks Throughout The Brain And Body, Jennifer A. Evans, Ting-Chung Suen, Ben L. Callif, Andrew S. Mitchell, Oscar Castanon-Cervantes, Kimberly M. Baker, Ian Kloehn, Kenkichi Baba, Brett J.W. Teubner, J. Christopher Ehlen, Ketema N. Paul, Timothy J. Bartness, Gianluca Tosini, Tanya Leise, Alec J. Davidson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Daily rhythms in mammals are programmed by a master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN contains two main compartments (shell and core), but the role of each region in system-level coordination remains ill defined. Herein, we use a functional assay to investigate how downstream tissues interpret region-specific outputs by using in vivo exposure to long day photoperiods to temporally dissociate the SCN. We then analyze resulting changes in the rhythms of clocks located throughout the brain and body to examine whether they maintain phase synchrony with the SCN shell or core. Results: Nearly all of the 17 …

Traversing Swanton Road, 20th Ed., James A. West

Academic, Government & Associated Organizational Research Resources

Situated at the northwest end of Santa Cruz County and occupying circa 30 square miles of sharply contrasted terrain, the Scott Creek Watershed concentrates within its geomorphological boundaries, at least 10-12% of California's flora, both native and introduced. Paradoxically, the use/abuse that the watershed has sustained over the past 140+ years, has not necessarily diminished the biodiversity and perhaps parallels the naturally disruptive but biologically energizing processes (fire, flooding, landslides and erosion), which have also been historically documented for the area for +60 years. This is an early edition of an extensive document by James A. West. Please visit the …

Tissue Specific Reactions To Positional Discontinuities In The Regenerating Axolotl Limb, Malcolm Maden, Daima Avila, Molly Roy, Ashley W. Seifert

Biology Faculty Publications

We investigated cellular contributions to intercalary regenerates and 180^o supernumerary limbs during axolotl limb regeneration using the cell autonomous green fluorescent protein marker and exchanged blastemas between white and green fluorescent protein animals. After distal blastemas were grafted to proximal levels tissues of the intercalary regenerate behaved independently with regard to the law of distal transformation; graft epidermis was replaced by stump epidermis, muscle-derived cells, blood vessels, and Schwann cells of the distal blastema moved proximally to the stylopodium and cartilage and dermal cells conformed to the law. After 180^o rotation, blastemas showed contributions from stump tissues which …

Fuels And Fires Influence Vegetation Via Above- And Belowground Pathways In A High-Diversity Plant Community, Paul R. Gagnon, Heather A. Passmore, Matthew Slocum, Jonathan A. Myers, Kyle E. Harms, William J. Platt, C.E. Timothy Paine

Biology Faculty Research

1. Fire strongly influences plant populations and communities around the world, making it an important agent of plant evolution. Fire influences vegetation through multiple pathways, both above- and belowground. Few studies have yet attempted to tie these pathways together in a mechanistic way through soil heating even though the importance of soil heating for plants in fire-prone ecosystems is increasingly recognized.
2. Here we combine an experimental approach with structural equation modelling (SEM) to simultaneously examine multiple pathways through which fire might influence herbaceous vegetation. In a high-diversity longleaf pine groundcover community in Louisiana, USA, we manipulated fine-fuel biomass and monitored the …