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2018

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Articles 91 - 120 of 3206

Full-Text Articles in Biology

Phylogenetic Taxon Definitions For Fungi, Dikarya, Ascomycota And Basidiomycota, David S. Hibbett, Meredith Blackwell, Timothy Y. James, Joseph W. Spatafora, John W. Taylor, Rytas Vilgalys Dec 2018

Phylogenetic Taxon Definitions For Fungi, Dikarya, Ascomycota And Basidiomycota, David S. Hibbett, Meredith Blackwell, Timothy Y. James, Joseph W. Spatafora, John W. Taylor, Rytas Vilgalys

Biology

Phylogenetic taxon definitions (PTDs) are explicit, phylogeny-based statements that specify clades. PTDs are central to the system of rank-free classification that is governed by the PhyloCode, but they can also be used to clarify the meanings of ranked names. We present PTDs for four major groups: Fungi, Dikarya, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota.


A Critical Analysis Of Bumblefoot: Care And Preventative Measures In Captive Penguins, Jamie A. Wolanin Dec 2018

A Critical Analysis Of Bumblefoot: Care And Preventative Measures In Captive Penguins, Jamie A. Wolanin

Honors Projects

Bumblefoot is a progressive and sometimes deadly infection that afflicts penguins living in human care. The most prominent cause of the disease is the extended amount of time that captive penguins spend standing in comparison to their pelagic and wild counterparts. For years, facilities have treated bumblefoot with surgery and antibiotics. However, this approach is palliative rather than preventative and has become problematic as bacteria develop stronger resistance to antibiotics. To address the behavioral abnormalities underlying the onset of bumblefoot, zoos and aquariums should utilize environmental enrichment. Many forms of environmental enrichment, including the relationship penguins have with their keepers …


Review: Using Physiologically Based Models To Predict Population Responses To Phytochemicals By Wild Vertebrate Herbivores, J. S. Forbey, T. T. Caughlin Dec 2018

Review: Using Physiologically Based Models To Predict Population Responses To Phytochemicals By Wild Vertebrate Herbivores, J. S. Forbey, T. T. Caughlin

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

To understand how foraging decisions impact individual fitness of herbivores, nutritional ecologists must consider the complex in vivo dynamics of nutrient–nutrient interactions and nutrient–toxin interactions associated with foraging. Mathematical modeling has long been used to make foraging predictions (e.g. optimal foraging theory) but has largely been restricted to a single currency (e.g. energy) or using simple indices of nutrition (e.g. fecal nitrogen) without full consideration of physiologically based interactions among numerous co-ingested phytochemicals. Here, we describe a physiologically based model (PBM) that provides a mechanistic link between foraging decisions and demographic consequences. Including physiological mechanisms of absorption, digestion and metabolism …


Effects Of Parafluvial Flows On Interstitial Ammonia And Freshwater Mussels In The Buffalo National River, David Alan Johnson Dec 2018

Effects Of Parafluvial Flows On Interstitial Ammonia And Freshwater Mussels In The Buffalo National River, David Alan Johnson

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Freshwater mussel populations and distributions have declined over the past several decades in the Buffalo River, Arkansas. Among many possible causes, this study tested the hypothesis that ammonia concentrations in parafluvial flows through gravel bars might be high enough to impair the survival and growth of juvenile mussels. Ammonia, pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen were measured in interstitial and water column samples from gravel bars to test for possible longitudinal gradients. Samples were taken along 3 large bars at locations within the Buffalo National River, at approximate bi-weekly intervals between June and September of 2010. Water sample ammonia concentrations were …


Phosphate Removal And Recovery Using Immobilized Phosphatebinding Proteins, Kaushik Venkiteshwaran, Nilisha Pokhrel, Faten Hussein, Edwin Antony, Brooke K. Mayer Dec 2018

Phosphate Removal And Recovery Using Immobilized Phosphatebinding Proteins, Kaushik Venkiteshwaran, Nilisha Pokhrel, Faten Hussein, Edwin Antony, Brooke K. Mayer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Progress towards a more circular phosphorus economy necessitates development of innovative water treatment systems which can reversibly remove inorganic phosphate (Pi) to ultra-low levels (<100 μg L−1), and subsequently recover the Pi for reuse. In this study, a novel approach using the high-affinity E. coli phosphate binding protein (PBP) as a reusable Pi bio-adsorbent was investigated. PBP was expressed, extracted, purified and immobilized on NHS-activated Sepharose beads. The resultant PBP beads were saturated with Pi and exposed to varying pH (pH 4.7 to 12.5) and temperatures (25–45 °C) to induce Pi release. Increase in …


Multiple Environmental Stressors Induce Complex Transcriptomic Responses Indicative Of Phenotypic Outcomes In Western Fence Lizard, Kurt A. Gust, Vijender Chaitankar, Preetam Ghosh, Mitchell S. Wilbanks, Xianfeng Chen, Natalie D. Barker, Don Pham, Leona D. Scanlan, Arun Rawat, Larry G. Talent, Michael J. Quinn Jr., Christopher D. Vulpe, Mohamed O. Elasri, Mark S. Johnson, Edward J. Perkins, Craig A. Mcfarland Dec 2018

Multiple Environmental Stressors Induce Complex Transcriptomic Responses Indicative Of Phenotypic Outcomes In Western Fence Lizard, Kurt A. Gust, Vijender Chaitankar, Preetam Ghosh, Mitchell S. Wilbanks, Xianfeng Chen, Natalie D. Barker, Don Pham, Leona D. Scanlan, Arun Rawat, Larry G. Talent, Michael J. Quinn Jr., Christopher D. Vulpe, Mohamed O. Elasri, Mark S. Johnson, Edward J. Perkins, Craig A. Mcfarland

Faculty Publications

Background

The health and resilience of species in natural environments is increasingly challenged by complex anthropogenic stressor combinations including climate change, habitat encroachment, and chemical contamination. To better understand impacts of these stressors we examined the individual- and combined-stressor impacts of malaria infection, food limitation, and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) exposures on gene expression in livers of Western fence lizards (WFL, Sceloporus occidentalis) using custom WFL transcriptome-based microarrays.

Results

Computational analysis including annotation enrichment and correlation analysis identified putative functional mechanisms linking transcript expression and toxicological phenotypes. TNT exposure increased transcript expression for genes involved in erythropoiesis, potentially in response to …


Patterns Of Genetic Structure In The American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius): Influence Of Distance And Migration And Implications For Monitoring And Management, Michaela Brinkmeyer Dec 2018

Patterns Of Genetic Structure In The American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius): Influence Of Distance And Migration And Implications For Monitoring And Management, Michaela Brinkmeyer

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Genetic structure is useful for inferring patterns of selection, gene flow and connectivity, and can define management units that aid in interpretation of spatially-specific trends and species management. American kestrels (Falco sparverius) are a widespread, generalist species with fully migratory, partial migrant, and resident populations. In many parts of their range, kestrels show evidence of declining population trends; however, it has been difficult to identify threats to kestrels because of differences in regional trends. We used a genome-wide sequencing approach to investigate the genetic structure of American kestrels, test hypotheses about the processes that influence genetic structuring of …


Direct And Indirect Effects Of Invasive Cirsium Arvense On Pollination In Southern Appalachian Floral Communities, Jesse Daniels Dec 2018

Direct And Indirect Effects Of Invasive Cirsium Arvense On Pollination In Southern Appalachian Floral Communities, Jesse Daniels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Invasive plants can alter pollination dynamics in invaded communities by disrupting patterns of pollinator visitation, pollen transfer dynamics (conspecific [CP] and heterospecific [HP]), and reproductive success. The direction of invasive effects (competitive, neutral, and facilitative) may be partially determined by spatial scale and species’ floral traits. Here, we investigated pollinator visitation, CP and HP receipt, and pollen tube growth for species in a C. arvense present community and non-present community at two scales. At the community-level, the effect of C. arvense on pollinator visitation varied among species. Floral symmetry seemed to explain this variation. At the floral neighborhood-level, we found …


Localization Of Sip470, A Plant Lipid Transfer Protein In Nicotiana Tabacum, Shantaya Andrews Dec 2018

Localization Of Sip470, A Plant Lipid Transfer Protein In Nicotiana Tabacum, Shantaya Andrews

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

SABP2-interacting protein 470 (SIP470), a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP), was discovered in a yeast two-hybrid screening using SABP2 as bait and tobacco leaf proteins as prey. SABP2 is an important enzyme in systemic acquired resistance that converts salicylic acid to methyl salicylate. Localization studies are an important aspect to understanding the biological function of proteins. nsLTPs are generally considered apoplastic proteins and has been localized intracellularly and extracellularly. Transient expression shows highest expression of SIP470-eGFP at 2 days post infiltration into Nicotiana benthamiana. Confocal microscopy showed localization near the periphery of the cell. Subcellular localization using differential centrifugation showed …


Parameter Estimation And Optimal Control Of The Dynamics Of Transmission Of Tuberculosis With Application To Cameroon, A. Temgoua, Y. Malong, J. Mbang, S. Bowong Dec 2018

Parameter Estimation And Optimal Control Of The Dynamics Of Transmission Of Tuberculosis With Application To Cameroon, A. Temgoua, Y. Malong, J. Mbang, S. Bowong

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

This paper deals with the problem of parameter estimation and optimal control of a tuberculosis (TB) model with seasonal fluctuations. We first present a uncontrolled TB model with seasonal fluctuations. We present the theoretical analysis of the uncontrolled TB model without seasonal fluctuations. After, we propose a numerical study to estimate the unknown parameters of the TB model with seasonal fluctuations according to demographic and epidemiological data from Cameroon. Simulation results are in good accordance with the seasonal variation of the new active reported cases of TB in Cameroon. Using this TB model with seasonality, the tuberculosis control is formulated …


A Phylogenetic Analysis Of Leptogorgia Virgulata And Leptogorgia Hebes In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Samantha Silvestri Dec 2018

A Phylogenetic Analysis Of Leptogorgia Virgulata And Leptogorgia Hebes In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Samantha Silvestri

Theses and Dissertations

The use of genetics in recent years has brought to light the need to reevaluate the classification of many gorgonian octocorals. In 2017, Poliseno et al. conducted a comprehensive, phylogenetic study of the genus Leptogorgia and found that it, too, was in need of taxonomic revision. To expand on their study, 25 samples representing two Leptogorgia species—L virgulata and L. hebes —from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) were examined. Ten novel, complete mitochondrial genomes were sequenced using Next Generation sequencing and 24 novel mtMutS sequences were obtained from both species. The phylogenies reconstructed from these sequences indicate the …


Mechanisms Of S1p-Induced Endothelial Barrier Enhancement, Natascha Guimarães Alves Dec 2018

Mechanisms Of S1p-Induced Endothelial Barrier Enhancement, Natascha Guimarães Alves

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Excessive microvascular permeability is a serious complication involved in traumatic injury and inflammatory diseases. Alcohol intoxication can exacerbate the physiological derangements produced by microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction in such disease conditions. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has known endothelial barrier-protective properties, and has been shown to ameliorate microvascular leakage in a model of combined alcohol intoxication and hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR). However, whether the barrier-protective properties of S1P extend to endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is unclear. The mechanisms of S1P-induced barrier protection during alcohol intoxication or HSR are also unknown. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that …


Mastering Mycological Mysteries With Explorations Of Harpellales Associated With Culicidae And Other Dipterans In Idaho, Michael Mccormick Dec 2018

Mastering Mycological Mysteries With Explorations Of Harpellales Associated With Culicidae And Other Dipterans In Idaho, Michael Mccormick

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Presented is the first field survey and laboratory-based study focused on Harpellales gut fungi found in Culicidae (mosquito) larvae collected from various parts of Idaho. Overall, 34 sites were sampled ranging from urban storm drains and irrigation puddles to pristine stream-side puddles. These sites yielded 17 different species of mosquitoes and three previously described species of gut fungi. Three species of mosquitoes were the first recorded observations as hosts of the following gut fungi: Culiseta alaskaensis was infested with Zancudomyces culisetae (from Renwyck Creek), Culex tarsalis with Smittium culicis (from Cottonwood Creek), and Ochleratus sp. with Smittium minutisporum (from Bear …


Methanogens, Plausible Extraterrestrial Life Forms On Mars, And Their Tolerance To Increasing Concentrations Of Illite Clay, Chandler Kern Dec 2018

Methanogens, Plausible Extraterrestrial Life Forms On Mars, And Their Tolerance To Increasing Concentrations Of Illite Clay, Chandler Kern

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Methanogens, some of Earth’s most primitive prokaryotic organisms, are candidates for possible life forms capable of inhabiting Mars. Specifically, four different species (Methanobacterium formicicum, Methanococcus maripaludis, Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanothermobacter wolfeii) were analyzed for their tolerance to the presence of illite clay. Illite is a crystalline mineral that has been identified from regions of Mars’s surface. Results indicated that all four species grew with some success in the illite at different concentrations. This experimentation with methanogens’ abilities to survive and reproduce in the presence of illite allows for a more accurate understanding of the potential capability of microbial …


The Effect Of The Zika Virus On Rna Stress Granule Components, Nina Williams Dec 2018

The Effect Of The Zika Virus On Rna Stress Granule Components, Nina Williams

Biological Sciences

In recent years, Zika virus (ZIKV) has taken over mainstream media. It captivated the world with the images of microcephaly babies born to infected mothers and the appearance of Guillain-Barré syndrome emerging from infected adults. ZIKV is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. This virus is composed of a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome that belongs to the Flaviviridae family. Our long-term goal is to understand the mechanisms in which the virus subverts the host organism’s translation machinery by modulation of RNA stress granules (SGs). Stress granules are RNA-protein complexes found in the cytoplasm that form when the cell is exposed to …


Local Delivery Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Osteogenesis-Inducing Microrna For Bone Tissue Engineering Applications, Marco Antonio Arriaga Dec 2018

Local Delivery Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Osteogenesis-Inducing Microrna For Bone Tissue Engineering Applications, Marco Antonio Arriaga

Theses and Dissertations

Bone is capable of regenerating autonomously when the injury is small (< 2.5 cm), however, large (> 2.5 cm) or insufficiently vascularized defects require intervention to repair. The overall goal of this project is to contribute towards the development of novel strategies to aid bone tissue regeneration by delivering mesenchymal stem cells expressing microRNAs that induce expression of the runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). It was determined that porous polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds fabricated to have a higher surface area to volume ratio (SVR) (> 80) compared to lower SVR (< 80) were hydrolyzed at a higher rate. Scaffolds fabricated with 80 vol. %/300–500 µm porogen were optimal for cell colonization as higher absorbance of metabolized MTT was detected compared to other scaffold types. From the subset of 5 miRNAs tested, miRNA-26a, miRNA-196 and miRNA-218 demonstrated higher upregulation of RUNX2 gene expression and calcium mineralization and thus, are promising candidates for bone tissue regeneration.


Midguts, Microbes, And Mosquitoes: An Analysis Of The Microbiomes Of Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus, Flor Alicia Martinez Dec 2018

Midguts, Microbes, And Mosquitoes: An Analysis Of The Microbiomes Of Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus, Flor Alicia Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Experiment 1: Mosquito microbiomes are influenced by the environment and diets of mosquitoes. There is great variability within and among mosquito populations with few microbe inhabitants being well established among mosquitoes of similar species and environments. By understanding the potential variation in midgut microbiomes in lab and wild populations, we may assess the effect that microbiomes have on vector competency.

Experiment 2: Mosquito midgut microbes are essential for development and may influence the vector competency. Native and non-native strains of the midgut inhabitant, Cedecea, were introduced to laboratory colonies of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes to help elucidate …


Effects Of Invasive Nilgai Antelope (Boselaphus Tragocamelus ) Browsing On Black Mangrove (Avicennia Germinans) In South Texas: A Study On Microenvironmental, Physiological, Structural, And Reproductive Parameters, Tianna Picquet Dec 2018

Effects Of Invasive Nilgai Antelope (Boselaphus Tragocamelus ) Browsing On Black Mangrove (Avicennia Germinans) In South Texas: A Study On Microenvironmental, Physiological, Structural, And Reproductive Parameters, Tianna Picquet

Theses and Dissertations

Mangroves are important for coastal systems because they provide habitat for fish and bird species, mitigate erosion, and create an area for carbon sequestration. Along the Gulf of Mexico, at the southern tip of Texas, recent observations have shown that A. germinans stands (the dominant species in Texas) are being browsed on by invasive nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus). The antelope were introduce to the south Texas region via King Ranch in the 1930’s and have since significantly increased in population and distribution. Previously thought to be grazers, B. tragocamelus were captured on camera utilizing A. germinans as a …


Contemporaneous Radiations Of Fungi And Plants Linked To Symbiosis, François Lutzoni, Michael D. Nowak, Michael E. Alfaro, Valérie Reeb, Jolanta Miadlikowska, Michael Krug, A. Elizabeth Arnold, Louise A. Lewis, David L. Swofford, David Hibbett, Khidir Hilu, Timothy Y. James, Dietmar Quandt, Susana Magallón Dec 2018

Contemporaneous Radiations Of Fungi And Plants Linked To Symbiosis, François Lutzoni, Michael D. Nowak, Michael E. Alfaro, Valérie Reeb, Jolanta Miadlikowska, Michael Krug, A. Elizabeth Arnold, Louise A. Lewis, David L. Swofford, David Hibbett, Khidir Hilu, Timothy Y. James, Dietmar Quandt, Susana Magallón

Biology

Interactions between fungi and plants, including parasitism, mutualism, and saprotrophy, have been invoked as key to their respective macroevolutionary success. Here we evaluate the origins of plant-fungal symbioses and saprotrophy using a time-calibrated phylogenetic framework that reveals linked and drastic shifts in diversification rates of each kingdom. Fungal colonization of land was associated with at least two origins of terrestrial green algae and preceded embryophytes (as evidenced by losses of fungal flagellum, ca. 720 Ma), likely facilitating terrestriality through endomycorrhizal and possibly endophytic symbioses. The largest radiation of fungi (Leotiomyceta), the origin of arbuscular mycorrhizae, and the diversification of extant …


Arabidopsis Thaliana Transformed With Streptanthus Farnsworthianus Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (Sfmtp1) Or The Native A. Thaliana Metal Tolerance Protein 1 ( Atmtp1) Cdna And The Effects On Sod Enzyme Activity Upon Nickel Treatment, Selina Urbina Fernandez Dec 2018

Arabidopsis Thaliana Transformed With Streptanthus Farnsworthianus Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (Sfmtp1) Or The Native A. Thaliana Metal Tolerance Protein 1 ( Atmtp1) Cdna And The Effects On Sod Enzyme Activity Upon Nickel Treatment, Selina Urbina Fernandez

Theses and Dissertations

Superoxide Dismutase enzyme activity was analyzed in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, a non-accumulator weed plant species of the Brassicaceae family, that was transformed with Streptanthus farnsworthianus Metal Tolerance Protein1 (SfMTP1) or A. thaliana Metal Tolerance Protein 1 (AtMTP1 ). The transgenic A. thaliana was exposed to a 12 day treatment of 100 ?M Nickel Acetate in 1/10 X Hoaglands solution in hydroponics. Analysis of Super Oxide Dismutase activity determined that transgenic A. thaliana transformed with the AtMTP1 cDNA and treated with 100 µM Nickel showed a significant increase in Super Oxide Dismutase activity compared to A. thaliana …


Evidence For Divergent Patterns Of Local Selection Driving Venom Variation In Mojave Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Scutulatus), Jason L. Strickland, Cara F. Smith, Andrew J. Mason, Drew R. Schield, Miguel Borja, Gamaliel Castañeda-Gaytán, Carol L. Spencer, Lydia L. Smith, Ann Trápaga, Nassima M. Bouzid, Gustavo Campillo-García, Oscar A. Flores-Villela, Daniel Antonio-Rangel, Stephen P. Mackessy, Todd A. Castoe, Darin R. Rokyta, Christopher L. Parkinson Dec 2018

Evidence For Divergent Patterns Of Local Selection Driving Venom Variation In Mojave Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Scutulatus), Jason L. Strickland, Cara F. Smith, Andrew J. Mason, Drew R. Schield, Miguel Borja, Gamaliel Castañeda-Gaytán, Carol L. Spencer, Lydia L. Smith, Ann Trápaga, Nassima M. Bouzid, Gustavo Campillo-García, Oscar A. Flores-Villela, Daniel Antonio-Rangel, Stephen P. Mackessy, Todd A. Castoe, Darin R. Rokyta, Christopher L. Parkinson

Publications

Snake venoms represent an enriched system for investigating the evolutionary processes that lead to complex and dynamic trophic adaptations. It has long been hypothesized that natural selection may drive geographic variation in venom composition, yet previous studies have lacked the population genetic context to examine these patterns. We leverage range-wide sampling of Mojave Rattlesnakes (Crotalus scutulatus) and use a combination of venom, morphological, phylogenetic, population genetic, and environmental data to characterize the striking dichotomy of neurotoxic (Type A) and hemorrhagic (Type B) venoms throughout the range of this species. We find that three of the four previously identified …


High-Frequency Temperature Variability Mirrors Fixed Differences In Thermal Limits Of The Massive Coral Porites Lobata, Daniel J. Barshis, Charles Birkeland, Robert J. Toonen, Ruth D. Gates, Jonathon H. Stillman Dec 2018

High-Frequency Temperature Variability Mirrors Fixed Differences In Thermal Limits Of The Massive Coral Porites Lobata, Daniel J. Barshis, Charles Birkeland, Robert J. Toonen, Ruth D. Gates, Jonathon H. Stillman

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Spatial heterogeneity in environmental characteristics can drive adaptive differentiation when contrasting environments exert divergent selection pressures. This environmental and genetic heterogeneity can substantially influence population and community resilience to disturbance events. Here, we investigated corals from the highly variable back-reef habitats of Ofu Island in American Samoa that thrive in thermal conditions known to elicit widespread bleaching and mortality elsewhere. To investigate the relative importance of acclimation versus site of origin in shaping previously observed differences in coral tolerance limits at Ofu Island, specimens of the common Indo-Pacific coral Porites lobata from locations with differing levels of thermal variability were …


Extreme Cold Consistently Reduces Seedling Growth But Has Species-Specific Effects On Browse Tolerance In Summer, Peter W. Guiden, Brian M. Connolly, John L. Orrock Dec 2018

Extreme Cold Consistently Reduces Seedling Growth But Has Species-Specific Effects On Browse Tolerance In Summer, Peter W. Guiden, Brian M. Connolly, John L. Orrock

Biology Faculty Scholarship

Premise of the Study

Extreme weather events can injure plants, causing decreased survival. However, we may underestimate the ecological importance of extreme events if they have strong sublethal effects that manifest after several months. We tested the hypothesis that late-winter extreme-cold events decrease the ability of woody plants to grow and tolerate stem removal in summer.

Methods

Seedlings from four temperate tree species (Abies balsamea, Pinus resinosa, P. strobus, Quercus rubra) were acclimated to winter conditions in growth chambers, and experienced 1 week of warm temperatures before being exposed to one of three 24-h extreme-cold …


The Role Of Tumor Suppressor Dear1 In The Acquisition Of Mammary Stem/Progenitor Cell Properties, Uyen Le Dec 2018

The Role Of Tumor Suppressor Dear1 In The Acquisition Of Mammary Stem/Progenitor Cell Properties, Uyen Le

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in America. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), one of the earliest pre-invasive forms of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), has a 30-50% risk of progressing to IDC. Understanding the mechanisms regulating progression from DCIS to IDC would help identify biomarkers to stratify patients at higher risk of progression or metastasis. Cumulative literature suggests the earliest phase of dissemination from the primary tumor is driven by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. DEAR1 is a tumor suppressor gene which is mutated, undergoes loss of heterozygosity in breast cancer, and is downregulated in DCIS …


Biogeography And Natural History Of Tiger Moths And Spongillaflies Of Intermountain North America With Experimental Studies Of Host Preference In The Lichen-Feeder Cisthene Angelus (Insecta: Lepdioptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae And Neuroptera: Sisyridae), Makani Layne Fisher Dec 2018

Biogeography And Natural History Of Tiger Moths And Spongillaflies Of Intermountain North America With Experimental Studies Of Host Preference In The Lichen-Feeder Cisthene Angelus (Insecta: Lepdioptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae And Neuroptera: Sisyridae), Makani Layne Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

The Intermountain West is comprised of impressive land formations, numerous ecoregions, and a unique biota. The area has many flora and fauna that have been investigated, but the region is generally considered undersampled when it comes to insects. However, I propose the matter to be a lack of shared experience in identifying key insect species and the underutilization of professional and personal collections. These impediments are highlighted by two insect groups in the Intermountain West: spongillaflies and tiger moths. Spongillaflies can be difficult to recognize for the general entomologist and have rarely been recorded in the Intermountain West. My colleagues …


Characterization Of Sip68 For Its Role In Plant Stress Signaling, Saroj Chandra Lohani Dec 2018

Characterization Of Sip68 For Its Role In Plant Stress Signaling, Saroj Chandra Lohani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Glucosyltransferases catalyze the transfer of glucose molecules from an active donor to acceptor molecules and are involved in many plant processes. SIP68, a tobacco glucosyltransferase protein, is a SABP2-interacting protein. It was identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen using SABP2 as bait and tobacco proteins as prey. SABP2, converts methyl salicylate to salicylic acid (SA) as a part of the signal transduction pathways in SA-mediated defense signaling. Subcellular localization is a crucial aspect of protein functional analysis to assess its biological function. The recombinant SIP68 tagged with eGFP was expressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana and observed under confocal microscopy. Fluorescent …


Sip-428, A Sir2 Deacetylase Enzyme And Its Role In Biotic Stress Signaling Pathway, Bal Krishna Chand Thakuri Dec 2018

Sip-428, A Sir2 Deacetylase Enzyme And Its Role In Biotic Stress Signaling Pathway, Bal Krishna Chand Thakuri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

SABP2 (Salicylic Acid Binding Protein 2) plays a vital role in the salicylic acid signaling pathway of plants both regarding basal resistance and systemic acquired resistance against pathogen infection. SIP-428 (SABP2 Interacting Protein-428) is a Silent information regulator 2 (SIR2) like deacetylase enzyme that physically interacts with SABP2 in a yeast two-hybrid interaction and confirmed independently by a GST pull-down assay. We demonstrated that SIP- 428 is an NAD+ dependent SIR2 deacetylase enzyme. Transgenic tobacco plants silenced in SIP- 428 expression via RNAi showed enhanced basal resistance to microbial pathogens. Moreover, these SIP-428-silenced lines also exhibited a robust induction of …


Co-Infection Of Zika And Dengue Virus In Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes, Felicia Vazquez Dec 2018

Co-Infection Of Zika And Dengue Virus In Aedes Aegypti And Aedes Albopictus Mosquitoes, Felicia Vazquez

Theses and Dissertations

The term co-infection describes an event when multiple pathogens infect a single host. For vector-borne diseases, a vector may become co-infected by feeding either on a single host that has multiple pathogens or feeding multiple hosts, each of which may be infected. Co-infection in non-vector hosts has been shown to influence immune response and eventual outcome of disease, and is likely to have a similar impact on vector species. With multiple vector-borne diseases circulating in South Texas, the potential for co-infection exists. We examined when mosquitoes are infected with one virus and subsequently infected with another. We hypothesized that the …


The Effect Of Dietary Fat On Behavior In Mice, Madeline R. Keleher, Rabab Zaidi, Kayna Patel, Amer Ahmed, Carlee Bettler, Cassondra Pavlatos, Shyam Shah, James M. Cheverud Dec 2018

The Effect Of Dietary Fat On Behavior In Mice, Madeline R. Keleher, Rabab Zaidi, Kayna Patel, Amer Ahmed, Carlee Bettler, Cassondra Pavlatos, Shyam Shah, James M. Cheverud

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Purpose Obesity is linked to cognitive dysfunction in humans and rodents, and its effects can be passed on to the next generation. However, the extent of these effects is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a prenatal maternal high-fat diet and an individual high-fat diet in inbred mice. Methods We varied maternal diet and offspring diet to test the hypothesis that a high-fat diet would increase anxiety, reduce activity levels, and impair nest-building. First, we fed a high-fat (HF) or low-fat (LF) diet to genetically identical female Small (SM/J) mice and mated …


Genomics And Development Of Lentinus Tigrinus: A White-Rot Wood-Decaying Mushroom With Dimorphic Fruiting Bodies, Baojun Wu, Zhangyi Xu, Alicia Knudson, Alexis Carlson, Naiyao Chen, Sam Kovaka, Kurt Labutti, Anna Lipzen, Christa Pennachio, Robert Riley, Wendy Schakwitz, Kiwamu Umezawa, Robin A. Ohm, Igor V. Grigoriev, Laszlo G. Nagy, John Gibbons, David Hibbett Dec 2018

Genomics And Development Of Lentinus Tigrinus: A White-Rot Wood-Decaying Mushroom With Dimorphic Fruiting Bodies, Baojun Wu, Zhangyi Xu, Alicia Knudson, Alexis Carlson, Naiyao Chen, Sam Kovaka, Kurt Labutti, Anna Lipzen, Christa Pennachio, Robert Riley, Wendy Schakwitz, Kiwamu Umezawa, Robin A. Ohm, Igor V. Grigoriev, Laszlo G. Nagy, John Gibbons, David Hibbett

Biology

Lentinus tigrinus is a species of wood-decaying fungi (Polyporales) that has an agaricoid form (a gilled mushroom) and a secotioid form (puffball-like, with enclosed spore-bearing structures). Previous studies suggested that the secotioid form is conferred by a recessive allele of a single locus. We sequenced the genomes of one agaricoid (Aga) strain and one secotioid (Sec) strain (39.53–39.88 Mb, with 15,581–15,380 genes, respectively). We mated the Sec and Aga monokaryons, geno-typed the progeny, and performed bulked segregant analysis (BSA). We also fruited three Sec/Sec and three Aga/Aga dikaryons, and sampled transcriptomes at four developmental stages. Using BSA, we identified 105 …