Biology Commons^™

The Skin Microbiome And Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Gail Hillary Lantaca Enriquez

Master's Theses

Skin microbiota is associated with disease activity in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). A common treatment for CTCL, narrowband ultraviolet B (nbUVB) phototherapy, has shown to shape the skin microbiome in association with disease improvement in other skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis. To assess the effect of nbUVB phototherapy on the skin microbiome, we performed a longitudinal analysis of skin samples of CTCL patients receiving nbUVB. We found that the treatment led to increased bacterial diversity and reduced abundances of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus lugdunensis, both bacteria known to be pathogenic. These findings imply that nbUVB treatment changes the skin …

Mechanisms Underlying Age-Associated Exacerbation Of Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease, Amit Prabhakar, Meetu Wadhwa, Rahul Kumar, Prajakta Ghatpande, Aneta Gandjeva, Rubin M. Tuder, Brian B. Graham, Giorgio Lagna, Akiko Hata

Biology

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare but severe form of pulmonary hypertension characterized by the obstruction of pulmonary arteries and veins, causing increased pulmonary artery pressure and leading to right ventricular (RV) heart failure. PVOD is often resistant to conventional pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatments and has a poor prognosis, with a median survival time of 2–3 years after diagnosis. We previously showed that the administration of a chemotherapy agent mitomycin C (MMC) in rats mediates PVOD through the activation of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2) kinase protein kinase R (PKR) and the integrated stress response (ISR), resulting …

Impacts Of Stormwater And Land Cover On The Abundance, Transport, And Composition Of Anthropogenic Litter In Urban Watersheds, Bailey Austin Schwenk

Master's Theses

Anthropogenic litter (AL; trash) is defined as any manufactured item that ends up in the environment. AL consists of many different materials including glass, metal, and plastic, the latter of which typically represents a dominant constituent and has been a major focus of research. Plastic litter and other AL types are pervasive to all types of ecosystems, are persistent in the environment, and are increasing. Rivers are a major conduit transporting AL to oceans. However, rivers also retain and transform AL. More research is needed to understand AL dynamics within rivers, which will improve global models of AL movement and …

Pattern, Process And The Evolution Of Sexual Dimorphism In Three-Spine Stickleback Fish Gasterosteus Aculeatus From Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Katie Van Dame

Master's Theses

Males and females of a species often differ from one another in phenotype—a phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism. Sexual dimorphism is most often attributed to sexual selection. However, sexual dimorphism also derives from natural selection when resource competition generates disruptive selection favoring specialization on different resources, resulting in niche partitioning and the evolution of dimorphism in traits related to competition. Sexual dimorphism may be an important route to increased individual fitness (i.e., more resources, more survival). For example, ecologically driven divergent selection between sexes may derive from differences in their environments, resulting in the evolution of dimorphism in traits related …

Prospective Exploratory Evaluation Of Cepheid Xpert Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Host Response Cartridge: A Focus On Adolescents And Young Adults, Marva Seifert, Donald G. Catanzaro, Michael Gracia, Naomi Hillery, Sabira Tahseen, Faisal Masood, Uzma Majeed, Rebecca E. Colman, Rehan Syed, Antonino Catanzaro, Timothy Rodwell

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background. An accurate, rapid, non-sputum-based triage test for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) is needed. Methods. A prospective evaluation of the Cepheid GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis Host Response cartridge (Xpert- MTB-HR), a prototype blood-based host response mRNA signature assay, among individuals presenting with TB-like symptoms was performed in Pakistan and results were compared to 3 reference standards: Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, bacteriological confirmation (Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and/or culture positivity), and composite clinical diagnosis (clinician diagnosis, treatment initiation, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, and/or culture positivity). Analyses were conducted both for the entire study cohort and separately in the adolescent and young adult cohort (aged 10–24 years). …

Leaf Anatomy, Morphology, And Water Potential Of Ipomoea Brasiliensis, Croton Punctatus, And Hydrocotyle Bonariensis Growing On The Dunes Of Sapelo Island, Georgia, Thomas E. Hancock, Joseph Watson, Micah Burks

Georgia Journal of Science

Barrier islands are a common geological feature found along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States. Researchers have historically described barrier islands, and in particular dune habitats, as being physically controlled. Dune plant species experience high surface temperatures, low water-holding capacity of the substrate, sand movement, salt aerosols, high solar irradiance, and saltwater overwash. In this study, we investigated characteristics of three common plant species growing on the dunes of Sapelo Island, Georgia to understand how they survive and apparently thrive in the harsh, transient, and dynamic environment. Specifically, we examined leaf size, leaf thickness, stomatal frequency, internal …

Length-Weight And Length-Length Relationships For Common Fish And Invertebrate Species In The North Inlet-Winyah Bay Estuarine System, South Carolina, Usa, Catherine A. Friedline, Matthew E. Kimball, Bruce W. Pfirrmann, In Cha, Kayleigh B. Wolstenholme, Ryan J. Rezek

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Establishing accurate weight-length relationships (WLR) and length-length relationships (LLR) is critical for effective fisheries management and ecological research. This study updates these essential metrics for commonly found fish and shrimp species in the North Inlet-Winyah Bay estuarine system, South Carolina, addressing gaps where previous data were unavailable, outdated, or sourced from other regions. Our research analyzed 7,874 specimens from 20 species across thirteen families, collected through trawl samples and bi-weekly seines from November 2022 to December 2023. The findings demonstrate robust WLRs with high coefficients of determination. Similarly, the LLRs confirmed reliable conversions between different length measurements. This study not …

Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) At Croft State Park In Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Jonathan J. Storm, Amelia R. Scollon, Melissa A. Storm, Briget C. Doyle

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

A Triumph Of Conservation: The University Of South Carolina Aiken’S Bluebird Trail, Alyssa Godfrey, Emory Owens, Quinn Schreiber, Michelle L. Vieyra

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) was once an endangered species, with over 90% of its population declining in the early 1900s (Ritchison, 2000). These birds play a crucial role in regulating insect populations and maintaining the safety of food sources, making them important both economically and environmentally. Eastern Bluebirds are proof that conservation efforts work, as they are now a species of least conservation concern in the United States. Since 2020, undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina Aiken have collaborated with the South Carolina Bluebird Society to establish and monitor 31 nesting boxes across the main campus …

Striatal Beat Frequency Interval Timing Model With Microgravity Stressor, Jason Michael Fitzgerald, Sorinel Oprisan

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

The Striatal Beat Frequency (SBF) model of interval timing uses frontal cortex (FC) neural oscillations to record the state of the brain at the reinforcement time Tc during fixed interval (FI) procedures in the long-term memory (LMEM). The state of the FC oscillators at any given time is stored in a short-term memory (SMEM) buffer. The SBF model uses the spiny neurons of the basal ganglia (BG) as coincidence detectors to produce beats between the content of the SMEM and LMEM. Across multiple species that can perform interval timing, there are two invariant properties: (a) the timing is precise, and …

Growth And Mobility Of Physella Acuta Under Individual And Combined Acetaminophen And Salinity Exposure, Rhea Wilder, Jason Doll, Daniel Elias

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Global climate change, driven by rapid population growth and anthropogenic activities, presents an urgent challenge to aquatic ecosystems. Salinity intrusion threatens water quality and availability for human and wildlife populations. At the same time, due to the demand for pharmaceuticals, these pollutants are increasingly detected in freshwater environments, with acetaminophen being one of the most prevalent. This research analyzed the individual and combined effects of salinity (2.5 g/L) and acetaminophen (488 μg/L) on Physella acuta. Overall, we observed reduced snail movement under elevated salinity and no effects on growth or movement with acetaminophen alone or in combination with salinity. …

Examination Of Oncogenic Effects Of Environmental Pollutants, Andrew Ackerman, Matthew Behling, Brock Earley, Janay Vacharasin

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

Chemical byproducts produced by surrounding industrial complexes have polluted the local estuaries of Georgetown, South Carolina for several decades¹. Previous studies completed by the EPA and SCDNR showed that the estuaries contained carcinogenic pollutants released from the local manufacturing plants¹. One of the mentioned pollutants was dioxins which are produced during the paper bleaching process². Dioxins are highly toxic compounds that have various carcinogenic effects on the organisms that inhabit the area. These previous studies were conducted over thirty years ago. Therefore, a current study to determine if chemical byproducts are contaminating local estuaries …

Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Resource Recovery Plan 2023- 2043 (Phase 1), Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Resource (PDSR) includes over 60 demersal scalefish species. The resource is accessed by the Pilbara Trap Managed Fishery, Pilbara Fish Trawl (Interim) Managed Fishery, and the Pilbara Line Fishery (PTMF, PFTIMF & PLF respectively) as well as the recreational and charter fisheries.

The PDSR is managed in accordance with the North Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource Harvest Strategy (Harvest Strategy). The sustainability objectives of the PDSR are set out in the Harvest Strategy and monitored via the use of an indicator species approach, whereby the status of key species is considered representative of the status of the …

A Framework For Modeling The Impacts Of Adaptive Search Intensity On The Efficiency Of Abundance Surveys., Laura Jiménez, John R Fieberg, Michael Mccartney, Jake M Ferguson

Biology Faculty Publications

When planning abundance surveys, the impact of search intensity on the quality of the density estimates is rarely considered. We constructed a time-budget modeling framework for abundance surveys using principles from optimal foraging theory. We link search intensity to the number of sample units surveyed, searcher detection probability, the number of detections made, and the precision of the estimated population density. This framework allowed us to determine how a searcher should behave to produce optimized density estimates. Using data collected from quadrat and removal surveys of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in central Minnesota, we applied this framework to evaluate potential …

Louisiana Graduate Network In Applied Evolution (Lagniappe): 2023-2024 End-Year Report, Kristina Little, Samuel B. Robison, Bret Blackmon, Andrew R. Burns

Reports

The Louisiana Graduate Network in Applied Evolution (hereinafter; LAGNiAppE) was funded by a grant awarded through the National Science Foundation (NSF 22-506), as part of the Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates in Biological Sciences (RaMP) grant program. The LAGNiAppE program provides training and mentorship to cohorts of recent college graduates from underrepresented groups interested in advancing their knowledge and research skills in evolutionary biology. Social Research and Evaluation Center (SREC) at Louisiana State University conducted the evaluation of LAGNiAppE, assessing program implementation and impact. The evaluation team at SREC employed a mixed methods design that included online surveys for scholars …

Consequences Of Local Conspecific Density Effects For Plant Diversity And Community Dynamics, Joseph A. Lamanna, Stefan A. Schnitzer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Conspecific density dependence (CDD) in plant populations is widespread, most likely caused by local-scale biotic interactions, and has potentially important implications for biodiversity, community composition, and ecosystem processes. However, progress in this important area of ecology has been hindered by differing viewpoints on CDD across subfields in ecology, lack of synthesis across CDD-related frameworks, and misunderstandings about how empirical measurements of local CDD fit within the context of broader ecological theories on community assembly and diversity maintenance. Here, we propose a conceptual synthesis of local-scale CDD and its causes, including species-specific antagonistic and mutualistic interactions. First, we compare and clarify …

Individual-Based Modelling Of Adaptive Physiological Traits Of Cyanobacteria: Responses To Light History, Mohammad Hassan Ranjbar, David P. Hamilton, Michael L. Pace, Amir Etemad-Shahidi, Cayelan C. Carey, Fernanda Helfer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Adaptive physiological traits of cyanobacteria allow plasticity of responses to environmental change at multiple time scales. Most conventional phytoplankton models only simulate responses to current conditions without incorporating antecedent environmental history and adaptive physiological traits, thereby potentially missing mechanisms that influence dynamics. We developed an individual-based model (IBM) that incorporates information on light exposure history and cell physiology coupled with a hydrodynamic model that simulates mixing and transport. The combined model successfully simulated cyanobacterial growth and respiration in a whole-lake nutrient enrichment experiment in a temperate lake (Peter Lake, Michigan, USA). The model also incorporates non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) to improve …

From Turf To Turf: Fungal Invasion Of Ascocoryne Turficola In A Northern Michigan Bog, Evan L. Coscarelli-Trott

All NMU Master's Theses

This is the first paper to report Ascocoryne turficola Boud. 1905 (Helotiales: Ascomycota) within the United States. It is an obligate bog fungus native to Europe and Siberia, where it is extremely rare across most of its range. A. turficola appeared at Lily Pond Bog in Marquette, Michigan (87.47º W, 46.59º N) in 2019, almost contemporaneous with anecdotal reports in Minnesota and Ontario. Since 2019, the Lily Pond population has exploded and become the dominant fungus in this bog but has yet to spread to similar bogs nearby. This species is adapted to long distance dispersal and carries the potential …

Draft Genome Sequences Of Four Corynebacterium Amycolatum Strains Isolated From Female Urine Samples, Alex Kula, Grace Chilton, James Damaso, Yusef Golzar, Fatima Rushnaiwala, Helen Appleberry, Alan J. Wolfe, Catherine Putonti

Biology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Corynebacterium amycolatum is an emerging pathogen of the urinary tract. Here, we present the draft genomes for four strains isolated from urine collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic female participants.

The Seat Of Singular Gene Choice: Dissecting The Role Of Odorant Receptor Enhancer Elements That Lead To Mammalian Olfactory System Expression, Alessandro M. Rosa

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Odorant receptors (ORs) were first identified in 1991 and the initial data strongly suggested that ORs were part of a large superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors. Within a few years of the discovery of the OR superfamily, it became clear that each OR allele was exclusively expressed in olfactory sensory neurons (OSN), and that this singular expression leads to cellular identity. Many studies over the past thirty years have sought to unlock the mysteries of the mechanism for monoallelic and monogenic OR gene activation and expression in OSNs, however no definitive model for singular gene expression has emerged.

Using a series …

Autophagy And Meiotic Fidelity In C. Elegans, Kaitlin E. Kosinski

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved multi-step recycling process in which cellular material is enclosed in the double membrane-bound autophagosome, which fuses with the lysosome to degrade its contents. Autophagy is essential for development and cellular adaptation to environmental or intracellular stress and is an important regulator of germline stem cell homeostasis in the model nematode C. elegans. We sought to determine if autophagy is important for genome stability during meiosis and found that the core adult C. elegans autophagy genes bec-1, atg-7, unc-51, and atg-18 were all required for proper meiotic development of oocytes. Loss of these …

The Influence Of Environmental Change On Genetic Diversity Across Spatial And Taxonomic Scales, Connor M. French

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The spatial distribution of genetic diversity is of interest to biodiversity scientists and conservationists and is a fundamental metric of biodiversity. Genetic diversity patterns across spatial and taxonomic scales contain information about population and assemblage dynamics that can convey their resilience to environmental change. Ectotherms are especially linked to their environments and may be especially sensitive to fluctuations in the environment over time. Herein, I investigate global and regional patterns of genetic diversity in two groups of ectotherms, insects and lizards, to understand the relationship between environmental change and genetic diversity, from populations to assemblages. Overall, my research aims to …

Repurposing Bt-11 To Treat Alzheimer’S Disease: Exploring The Glutathione-S-Transferase Lancl2 As A Target, Emily Birnbaum

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Approximately 99.6% of potential Alzheimer’s drugs fail, thus developing successful drugs is a high priority. The failure at developing successful drugs relates to the complex nature of the disease itself. Many components act together to trigger a cascade that ultimately results in neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction associated with the disease. In building a multiplex model of Alzheimer’s it is important to understand its specific biological mechanisms. One of these key pathological mechanisms is neuroinflammation. Understanding the pathways involved in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s is an urgent need, as it poses a promising avenue for future effective therapeutics. Specifically, as many investigational …

Variability In Associations Among Seabirds And Marine Mammals: Causes And Consequences, Samantha A. Monier

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Marine predators today face multifaceted stressors from changing climate to changing prey availability, and these changes are occurring at unprecedented speeds. Any alteration to a species’ environment has the potential to disrupt social networks and thus, how animals obtain and transfer information. Interspecific social interactions in the form of local enhancement and facilitation are a critical, but not yet well-understood, component of seabird foraging; of immediate concern is that anthropogenic changes may be altering the quantity and quality of positive species interactions, with consequences for the species involved.

While we know these interactions are not immutable, less is known about …

Establishing A Murine Model Of Malaria-Associated Acute Kidney Injury And Demonstrating The Contribution Of Extrinsic Apoptosis To Tubular Necrosis, Johanna Bensalel-Lyampe

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Malaria-associated acute kidney injury (MAKI) is a form of severe malaria (SM), which is usually caused by Plasmodium falciparum infection. Until recently, the impact of this particular complication of SM was severely underestimated and research in this area has been neglected. There is in fact a high prevalence (40-60%) of MAKI in SM patients and the associated risk of mortality and development of comorbidities is high. Furthermore, pediatric patients that recover often develop long-term complications such as chronic kidney disease or neurocognitive defects. The need for adjunctive therapies and early diagnostic biomarkers specific to this SM complication is critical but …

Effects Of Brca1-Mediated Ubiquitination Of Hur On Rna Metabolism In Breast Cancer, Devorah Mincha Natelson

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

BRCA1, a gene encoding for the tumor suppressor protein BRCA1, is involved in DNA repair as well as many other important cellular processes. BRCA1, together with BARD1 (BRCA1 Associated RING Domain 1) also functions as an E3 ubiquitin (Ub) ligase. BRCA1 mutation in the RING domain, which is responsible for E3 ligase activity, is associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer. Despite extensive research on the activities of BRCA1, the E3 ligase activity and implications of this activity in cancer are not well understood. This dissertation examines the ubiquitination of the RNA binding protein Human antigen R (HuR) by …

Antioxidant, Photoprotective, And Cytotoxic Activities Of Tristaniopsis Merguensis Leaf Fractions With Molecular Docking Study Of Potential Fraction, Boima Situmeang, Respati Tri Swasono, Tri Joko Raharjo

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Through experimental along with molecular docking techniques of potential fraction, this study intended to evaluate the essential phytochemical elements of Tristaniopsis merguensis leaflets as well as potential antioxidant, photoprotective, along with cytotoxic activities. The DPPH and ABTS tests were used to evaluate the antioxidant efficacy of the n-hexane (HPF), ethyl acetate (EPF), and methanol (MPF) fractions. Using an in-vitro solar protection factor (SPF) assessment, the photoprotective ability of T. merguensis components against UV damage was examined. Subsequently, invitro cytotoxic research were carried out against MCF-7 cell line (breast cancer line) assay. This was followed by molecular docking stimulation testing against …

Antibiotic-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria In A Local Wastewater Treatment Plant In North Georgia, Nou Moua, Lindsay Mccuen, Sarah White, Swapna Bhat, Margi Flood, Jeanelle Morgan

Georgia Journal of Science

Antibiotics are some of the most essential lifesaving drugs currently available to us against infectious diseases. Several pathogens are developing resistance to these drugs and many have become resistant to multiple antibiotics. Such multi-drug resistance is becoming a global issue and has been found in many environments including wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this study, we sampled a local WWTP for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This WWTP is in North Georgia and runs directly into Lake Lanier, which is the main source of drinking water for the Atlanta area as well as a popular spot for water recreation. We obtained treated and …

Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Behavioral Phenotypes Are Not Underscored By Different Gut Microbiomes, Paul A. Ayayee, Ryan Y. Wong

Biology Faculty Publications

Although bold and shy behavioral phenotypes in zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been selectively bred and maintained over multiple generations, it is unclear if they are underscored by different gut microbiota. Using the microbiota–gut–brain concept, we examined the relationship between gut microbiota and the behavioral phenotypes within this model animal system to assess possible gut microbe-mediated effects on host behavior. To this end, we amplified and sequenced 16S rRNA gene amplicons from the guts of bold and shy zebrafish individuals using the Illumina Miseq platform. We did not record any significant differences in within-group microbial diversity nor between-group community …

Using Origami And Shrinky Dinks To Create Active Learning Activities To Tackle Two Microbiology Concepts: Cell Structure Differences And Operon Regulation, Manuela Tripepi, Hannah M. Schapiro

College of Life Sciences Faculty Papers

This paper presents two low-cost hands-on activities designed to enhance student understanding and address the pedagogical challenges faced by microbiology professors in teaching concepts related to cell structure and gene regulation. In the first activity, we used Shrinky Dinks and Jeopardy-style game questions to explore the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Students have to collect pieces and physically build their cell models. The second activity uses origami organelles sets from Edvotek to illustrate the regulation of gene expression in the lac and trp operons, incorporating mutation scenarios for analysis. The intended audience comprises undergraduate students in microbiology, including biology, …