Biology Commons^™

Systematics Of The Rhinolophus Landeri Complex, With Evidence For 3 Additional Afrotropical Bat Species, Bruce D. Patterson, Terrence C. Demos, Laura Torrent, Amanda L. Grunwald, Cecilia Montauban, Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans, Molly M. Mcdonough, Carl W. Dick, Michael Bartonjo, M. Corrie Schoeman, Multiple Additional Authors

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Roughly a third of all horseshoe bat species (Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus) are found in Africa, where a recent continent-wide genetic survey suggested the presence of both undescribed and apparently invalid species. Here, we focus on the R. landeri species complex and the recent elevation of R. lobatus Peters, 1852, to species rank. That action created ambiguity in the taxonomy of East African members of the group—are both R. landeri Martin, 1838, and R. lobatus sympatric in East Africa or is another, unnamed species present there? Here, we refine genetic, morphological, and behavioral characterizations of R. landeri and its erstwhile synonyms with …

Assessing Two Methodologies To Protect Stored Rice From Insect Infestation, Md Naim Uddin

Student Theses and Dissertations

Rice can be infested with various insects during storage. Long-lasting insecticide netting (LLIN) can be a good barrier for insects if LLIN can be employed to air vents in rice mills. However, accumulated dust from milling practices could impact LLIN efficacy. Two experiments were conducted, in one experiment, lesser grain borer (LGB), Rhyzopertha dominca (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) exposed to LLIN for 1 and 10 min and assessed mortality after 1 h and 1 week. In another experiment, maize weevil (MW), Sitophilus zeamais [Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)] exposed to the same LLIN and examined knockdown after 24 h. LLIN demonstrated higher mortality …

Montane Molluscs: Factors Affecting Snails And Their Trematodes Throughout The Mountain Regions Of Arkansas, Taylor Michelle Fiedor

Student Theses and Dissertations

Spatial processes across both broad and fine scales are important for understanding ecosystem function. Broad-scale spatial processes can be defined as elevational, latitudinal, or longitudinal processes whereas fine-scale spatial processes represent movement and dispersal among habitat patches. Historically, studies on freshwater snail distributions have focused on fine-scale processes with secondary consideration given to spatial sampling. Species inventories for freshwater snails are outdated because historically snail species descriptions were based on shell morphology, which is highly plastic. In Arkansas, it is estimated that there are 36 freshwater snail species, but this estimate does not account for shell plasticity and does not …

Elevating Microrna Levels By Targeting Biogenesis With Steric-Blocking Antisense Oligonucleotides, Mallory A. Havens, Anthony J. Hinrich, Frank Rigo, Michelle L. Hastings

Biology Department Faculty Articles

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression, and their dysregulation is linked to cancer and other diseases, making them important therapeutic targets. Several strategies for targeting and modulating miRNA activity are being explored. For example, steric-blocking antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) can reduce miRNA activity by either blocking binding sites on specific mRNAs or base-pairing to the miRNA itself to prevent its interaction with the target mRNAs. ASOs have been less explored as a tool to elevate miRNA levels, which could also be beneficial for treating disease. In this study, using the PKD1/miR-1225 gene locus as an example, where miR-1225 is located …

Genotypic And Phenotypic Characterisation Of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (Abu) Isolates Displaying Bacterial Interference Against Multi-Drug Resistant Uropathogenic E. Coli, Ciara Kenneally, Craig P. Murphy, Roy D. Sleator, Eamonn P. Culligan

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Escherichia coli can colonise the urogenital tract of individuals without causing symptoms of infection, in a condition referred to as asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU). ABU isolates can protect the host against symptomatic urinary tract infections (UTIs) by bacterial interference against uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). The aim of this study was to investigate the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of five ABU isolates from midstream urine samples of adults. Comparative genomic and phenotypic analysis was conducted including an antibiotic resistance profile, pangenome analysis, and a putative virulence profile. Based on the genome analysis, the isolates consisted of one from phylogroup A, three from …

Biology Department Publications: 2014, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2014. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2017, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2017. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2009, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2009. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Synergistic Inhibition Of Hiv-1 Regulatory Function Using A Dual Expression Shrna Plasmid, Christine Sanderson, William H. Jackson

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

HIV infection of CD4⁺ T Helper lymphocytes results in a gradual loss of immune competence, which ultimately leads to development of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-1 expresses two regulatory proteins, Tat and Rev, which act to upregulate viral transcription and facilitate mRNA transport enhancing the rate of translation. Inhibition of Tat and Rev have been shown to block virus replication. Therefore, Tat and Rev represent critical key points in the virus replication cycle. This study investigated the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) to inhibit these proteins using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs). For this, plasmids expressing shRNAs targeting …

Biology Department Publications: 2005, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2005. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2011, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2011. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2007, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2007. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2022, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2022. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2018, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2018. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2020, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2020. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2006, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2006. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2016, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2016. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2019, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2019. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2012, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2012. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2015, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2015. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2010, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2010. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2013, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2013. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2023, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a non-comprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2023. It indexes those publications available through PubMed and Scopus, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Biology Department Publications: 2008, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2008. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Elucidating The Role Of Glut3 In Glioblastoma Invasion And The Tumor Microenvironment, Sarah Elizabeth Williford

All ETDs from UAB

GBM is characterized by aggressive growth and therapy resistance, with a median survival of 14 months despite treatment. Brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs), as a subset of stem-like GBM cells known for their invasiveness, therapy resistance, and immune evasion. BTICs have increased GLUT3 expression, which is correlated with poor patient prognosis. This study identifies a novel role of GLUT3 in GBM invasion, distinct from its canonical function in glucose uptake and glycolysis, as well as a mechanism by which GLUT3 contained in exosomes promotes monocyte migration. Our data show that blocking phosphorylation of GLUT3 at T492, abolishes its pro-invasive phenotype, …

Drug Resistance Mechanisms Of Trichomonas Vaginalis, Keonte Graves

All ETDs from UAB

Trichomonas vaginalis is a facultative anaerobic parasitic protozoan and the main causative agent of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection, trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis affects both men and women but is more commonly observed in women. The majority of infections are asymptomatic, but those with symptomatic infections often experience malodorous and discolored vaginal discharge, pruritis, dysuria, and/or dyspareunia. T. vaginalis infections have been associated with multiple adverse health outcomes including an increased risk of acquiring HIV and other STIs, infertility, adverse birth outcomes, and cervical cancer. The only current FDA-approved treatments come from the 5-nitroimidazole class of drugs (metronidazole, tinidazole, and …

Investigating The Role Of The Static And Hyperviscous Mucus Defect On The Development Of Bacterial Infection In The Cystic Fibrosis Rat, Mikayla Murphree-Terry

All ETDs from UAB

INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF THE STATIC AND HYPERVISCOUS MUCUS DEFECT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BACTERIAL INFECTION IN THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS RAT MIKAYLA MURPHREE-TERRY GRADUATE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES - MICROBIOLOGY ABSTRACT Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease caused by mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, resulting in dysfunctional CFTR. In the lungs, CFTR dysfunction results in dehydrated mucus that is adherent to epithelia. In the gut, thick mucus can mix with feces to form an obstruction, known as distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS). Additionally, CF mucus has a higher percentage of solids. The main solid component of …

Biology Department Publications: 2021, Sam Lindgren

Biology Department Bibliographies

This document is a noncomprehensive list of publications made by graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and faculty members in the Biology Department in 2021. It indexes those publications available through major databases, and serves as an archival record of the Department’s robust scholarly contributions.

Is The Local Environment More Important Than Within-Host Interactions In Determining Coinfection?, Adam Zvanut Hasik, Jason T. Bried, Daniel I. Bolnick, Adam M. Siepielski

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

• Host populations often vary in the magnitude of coinfection they experience across environmental gradients. Furthermore, coinfection often occurs sequentially, with a second parasite infecting the host after the first has established a primary infection. Because the local environment and interactions between coinfecting parasites can both drive patterns of coinfection, it is important to disentangle the relative contributions of environmental factors and within-host interactions to patterns of coinfection.
• Here, we develop a conceptual framework and present an empirical case study to disentangle these facets of coinfection. Across multiple lakes, we surveyed populations of five damselfly (host) species and quantified primary parasitism …

Drivers Of Microparticles Abundance In Freshwater Fish And Macroinvertibrates, Elizabeth Kazmierczak

Master's Theses

Anthropogenic microparticles (MP) (i.e., particles < 5 mm) are defined as materials of manufactured origin found in the environment. They are widespread and a rapidly emerging global contaminant. MP include microplastics (< 5 mm), as well as other microfibers or particles, which can be synthetic, semi-synthetic and non-synthetic. Rivers are a critical source of plastics to oceans, and MP within rivers are retained in part though biological processes, including ingestion. MP ingestion by freshwater biota varies by proximity to point sources (e.g., wastewater treatment plants; WWTP), overall environmental concentrations, and trophic level and functional feeding groups, but few studies have examined these factors together. In our first study we examined fish collected in the North Shore Channel of the Chicago River to determine MP abundance within organisms. We then compared trophic position (i.e., δ15N) and proximity to a WWTP. With all species combined, MP concentration were not significantly different across study sites, but stable isotopes increased downstream. Considered individually, MP abundance relative to WWTP proximity varied by species, which we attributed to habitat preference and mobility. In a second project, we collected macroinvertebrates from three different watersheds in North America and compared the abundance of MP in macroinvertebrates to concentration within the environment (i.e., water column, surface, and benthic). Functional feeding groups were a significant predictor in the amount of microparticles found in macroinvertebrates. Additionally, the concentration of water column microparticles showed a positive relationship with all macroinvertebrate’s microparticle abundance. Results will aid in understanding the ecological impacts of MPs on aquatic food webs and the pathways in which they can enter.