Biology Commons^™

A Kid's Guide To Infectious Disease, Abby Carroll

Honors Theses

A Kid’s Guide to Infectious Disease is an educational illustrated book intended for young pediatric patients, ages three to five. This project was inspired by my personal interests, involvement at the University of Mississippi, and experience as a medical assistant. Over the past couple of years, I have had the opportunity to work as a medical assistant, interacting with many pediatric patients and their families at HealthPointe Primary Care. As a pre-physician assistant student studying biology, I was inspired to create a resource for these kids by both my classes at the University of Mississippi and my passion for pediatric …

Beyond The Bench: Redefining Research Impact In Society, Nouran Amin

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

The following essay reports on the reflective experiences of the author’s time completing a certificate program “Advancing Graduate Research Impact in Society” offered by Purdue University’s Office of Community Engagement in Fall 2023. It begins by narrating the author's journey as a Muslim woman in STEM spaces, highlighting the lack of relatable role models and the ensuing dissonance between aspirations and prevailing narratives. Through introspection, the essay progresses to examine the paradox of publicly funded but inaccessible science, which often fails to engage with community needs and priorities. The essay underscores the importance of inclusivity and diverse representation in scientific …

The Effect Of Dha On Myo-Inositol Levels In Lymphoblasts Derived From Patients With Bipolar Disorder, Katherine Pierre

Honors Theses

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by recurring episodes of mania and depression. Bipolar I disorder is accompanied by severe episodes of mania and depression, while bipolar II disorder is characterized by a milder form of mania. It has been hypothesized that currently approved treatments for this disorder, lithium and valproic acid, exert their therapeutic effect by decreasing myo-inositol levels intracellularly. However, these treatments may lead to undesired side effects, creating a need for safer treatments. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats that have been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of bipolar disorder.

To investigate …

Elucidating The Role Of Astrocytes In Norepinephrine Neuromodulation, Katheryn Bry Lefton

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Norepinephrine, a wakefulness-associated neuromodulator, profoundly reshapes neural systems, from synaptic circuits to behavior. Through decades of research, a substantial catalogue on the effects of noradrenergic signaling on behavior and networks has been generated. How norepinephrine remodels synaptic circuitry is widely thought to underlie the larger changes in neural networks and behavior, highlighting the need for a more thorough understanding of the circuit effects of norepinephrine neuromodulation. However, the mechanistic details of the norepinephrine on synapses are still unclear. In recent decades, a large body of work has shown that norepinephrine acts not just on neurons, but on glial cells including …

New Species And Records Expand The Checklist Of Cellular Slime Molds (Dictyostelids) In Jilin Province, China, Zhaojuan Zhang, Liang He, Yuqin Sun, Zhuang Li, Yingqun Yang, Chao Zhai, Steven Lee Stephenson, Xiangrui Xie, Yu Li, Pu Liu

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Dictyostelids represent a crucial element in the protist community, and their abundant presence in Jilin Province underscores their indispensable role in biodiversity conservation. In the present study, a resource survey of dictyostelids used random sampling to collect 28 soil samples from five localities in Changbai Korean Autonomous County, Jilin Province. In addition, a compilation of dictyostelid species reported from Jilin Province was developed, based on a thorough review of the literature. The survey yielded fifteen isolates of dictyostelids, comprising six species from four genera. Notably, two new species (Dictyostelium longigracilis sp. nov. and Dictyostelium macrosoriobrevipes sp. nov.) were described using …

Exfoliated Hydrotalcite-Transition Metal Complex Composite For Eco-Friendly And Efficient Catalytic Degradation Of 4-Nitrophenol, Sidra Khan, Najma Memon, Saima Q. Memon, Yilmaz Yurekli

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Nitrophenols are notorious aquatic organic contaminants found as degradation products of various parent compounds, including pesticides and industrial chemicals that persist in the environment and must be removed. Catalytic degradation is one of the feasible routes to clean the contaminated water systems, however, environmental contamination with catalysts is also widespread. Herein, we report an environmentally friendly catalyst based on composited Fe-Schiff’s base with exfoliated layered double hydroxides (LDH) of aluminum and nickel (hydrotalcite). The composite showed agglomerated pleated LDH structures sheathed with Fe(III)SB. Nitrogen adsorption isotherm data exhibited improved surface area and narrow pores patterns for composite as compared to …

Study Of The Brain Anatomy Of Three Extinct Marsupials: Thylacinus Cynocephalus, Thylacoleo Carnifex, And Silvabestius Johnnilandi, Francisco Garcia

Honors Program Theses and Research Projects

Marsupials are pouched mammals that today are mainly found in Australasia and South America. Marsupials have proven to be quite intriguing to evolutionary biologists who note how some marsupials resemble placentals in anatomy due to convergent evolution, with both marsupials and placentals filling similar niches in their respective environments. As of today, studies interested in marsupial brain evolution have published descriptions of cranial endocasts for several species of marsupials, with the number of descriptions seeing a massive boost over the last 20 years with the arrival of CT imaging technology. However, no comprehensive study of brain evolution in marsupials has …

Genome Size Influences Plant Growth And Biodiversity Responses To Nutrient Fertilization In Diverse Grassland Communities, Joseph A. Morton, Carlos Alberto Arnillas, Lori Biedermann, Elizabeth T. Borer, Lars A. Brudvig, Yvonne M. Buckley, Marc W. Cadotte, Kendi Davies, Ian Donohue, Anne Ebeling, Nico Eisenhauer, Catalina Estrada, Sylvia Haider, Yann Hautier, Anke Jentsch, Holly Martinson, Rebecca L. Mcculley, Xavier Raynaud, Christiane Roscher, Eric W. Seabloom, Carly J. Stevens, Katerina Vesela, Alison Wallace, Ilia J. Leitch, Andrew R. Leitch, Erika Hersch-Green

Michigan Tech Publications

AU Experiments: Please confirm that all heading levels are represented correctly comparing diploids with polyploids and in single : grassland sites show that nitrogen and/or phosphorus availability influences plant growth and community composition dependent on genome size; specifically, plants with larger genomes grow faster under nutrient enrichments relative to those with smaller genomes. However, it is unknown if these effects are specific to particular site localities with speciifc plant assemblages, climates, and historical contingencies. To determine the generality of genome size-dependent growth responses to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization, we combined genome size and species abundance data from 27 coordinated grassland …

Studies Of Media To Maximize The Expression Of Bacterial Metalloprotease Genes As Potential Therapeutics For Human Alzheimer’S Disease, Uday Kiran Chigurupati

Honors Capstones

This study investigates the potential of bacterial metalloprotease genes as therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The research focuses on Pseudomonas 20ei1 (P. 20ei1), a bacterial species isolated from lagoon water, which contains pitrilysin genes that share similarities with human insulysin. Six pqqL-related genes were identified in P. 20ei1 for this study. The research methodology involved bioinformatic studies, bacterial cell culture in various media, RNA extraction, purification, and cDNA synthesis. Quantitative PCR analysis was performed to analyze gene expression levels in different cDNA samples. The bacteria grown in the medium with insoluble phosphate has shown higher expression of selected genes …

Exploration In Cell Growth: Rac3 And Its Effect On Ewing Sarcomas Tumorigenic Properties, Allie Woods, Samuel De La Cruz, Catherine Garcia, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

Multiple experiments were conducted to measure the effectiveness of certain genes on cell growth. In the exploration of this process, RAC3 acted as the target gene and was applied to both SOX18 overexpressing and normal expressing cells (control). RAC3 is a gene that typically controls the intercellular signaling pathway of a cell. This means it helps with the movement of cells and allows for migration.The purpose of these experiments were to determine how the gene RAC3 would work when introduced to carcinogenic cells, specifically Ewing Sarcoma. Typically, RAC3 acts as a messenger for the cell, but when in conjunction with …

The Effect Of Knockdown Of Gene Kit On Sox18 Gene Expression Through The Jak2/Stat3 Signaling Pathway Within An Ewing Sarcoma Cell, Samantha Aragon, Cristina Herrera, Felicity Rodriguez, Riley Smith, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer that affects children & adolescents. Common treatments include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, yet individuals have a poor survival rate and often develop side effects from treatment, including fertility issues, secondary cancer, heart problems, and growth abnormalities.1SOX18 is a gene identified to aid in cell proliferation and cell differentiation, leading to the development of several cancers, such as gastric, bladder, and lung cancer.2,3 SOX18 resides in the JAK2/STAT3 pathway as a regulator, along with another gene named KIT that instigates the formation of the cell signaling pathway.4KIT is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase, which instigates cell …

The Effects Of Ewing Sarcoma Through The Overexpression And Knockdown Of Transcription Factors Sox18 And Stat1, Victoria Castillo, Melany Cervantes, Nicole Robles, Terry Jo Shackleford

Cell and Molecular Methods

SOX18, a transcription factor with a DNA-binding HMG domain, plays a critical role in regulatory processes linked to cancer progression. Exhibiting oncogenic properties, SOX18 has been linked to various cancers, where it promotes tumor growth by enhancing cell invasion, uncontrolled proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis through dysregulated signaling pathways. STAT1, a protein crucial for immune system regulation, is prominently expressed in immune-associated tissues like the lymph nodes, and bone marrow, suggesting it could play a role in tumor growth. Ewing Sarcoma (EWS), an aggressive cancer that targets bone and soft tissue, carries a high mortality rate of 90% without treatment …

Deciphering Immune Suppression Mechanisms Of Primary And Metastatic Breast Cancer, Seunghyun Lee

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized cancer treatment, receiving FDA approval for various previously incurable cancers. In breast cancer, the combination of pembrolizumab (an anti-PD-1 antibody) with chemotherapy has become the standard-of-care for early-stage (Keynote-522) and advance-stage (Keynote-355) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Unfortunately, over 30% of TNBC patients fail to respond to the combined chemo-immune therapy treatment, and the causes are unknown. Furthermore, ICB has demonstrated poor results in hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. While it is well-established that breast cancer cells can evade immune responses, the specific mechanisms driving immune evasion remain unclear. Thus, deciphering the immune system's role in …

Transcription And 3d Chromatin Organization Interplay At Sub-Kilobase Scale, Hannah Harris

Theses & Dissertations

Nuclear compartments are prominent features of 3D chromatin organization, but sequencing depth limitations have impeded investigation at ultra fine-scale. CTCF loops are generally studied at a finer scale, but the impact of looping on proximal interactions remains enigmatic. Here, we critically examine nuclear compartments and CTCF loop-proximal interactions using a combination of in situ Hi-C at unparalleled depth, algorithm development, and biophysical modeling. Producing a large Hi-C map with 33 billion contacts in conjunction with an algorithm for performing principal component analysis on sparse, super massive matrices (POSSUMM), we resolve compartments to 500 bp. Our results demonstrate that essentially all …

Black Grouper (Mycteroperca Bonaci) Neurocranium, Nicholas Burchett, Kelsee Rotering, Marissa Rosas, David Kerstetter, Derek Burkholder

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Spatiotemporal Patterns In Orbicella Faveolata Wound Regeneration As An Indicator Of Colony Health, Alexander G. Wheeler

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Anthropogenic (e.g. damage from anchors, scuba divers, tissue sampling) and natural disturbances (e.g. predation, storm damage) can result in wounding of live tissue on coral colonies. Wounding has been shown to detract from a common resource pool, increasing disease susceptibility and impairing coral growth and reproductive activity. Regeneration not only varies between species, but also between conspecifics in the same location. A colony’s capacity to regenerate tissue can be an indicator of a colony’s condition and resilience. Understanding the physiological and environmental factors that affect tissue regeneration alongside the ultimate impact of sampling (disease and predation correlations) are needed for …

Epigenetic Mechanisms And Senescence In Aging And Cancer, Alla Karpova

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Aging is marked by the progressive decline of cellular and organ function. This process often manifests through DNA damage, epigenomic alterations, telomere shortening, and metabolic or mitochondrial dysfunction. As DNA damage and other stressors accumulate, cells take measures to prevent malignant transformation. One such measure is cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest that halts the growth of pre-malignant cells. When cells are unable to enter senescence due to high levels of genomic alterations, they typically undergo apoptosis or necrosis. However, if mutations affect key driver genes, allowing cells to evade death, they may become malignant, continuing to …

Investigating The Relationship Between Population Density Surrounding An Airport And The Number Of Wildlife Strikes Per Operation., Alexandra E. Rowe, Daniel Alves, Evan Park, Brooke Wheeler, Vivek Sharma

Aeronautics Student Publications

This study compared the relationship between population density surrounding an airport and reported wildlife strikes per operation. A very weak correlation with no statistical significance was determined which emphasizes the need for future research on wildlife mitigation strategies and understanding wildlife patterns.

Butterfly Peacock Bass (Cichla Ocellaris), Samuel K. Zellefrow, David Kerstetter, John Nichols

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Progerin Can Induce Dna Damage In The Absence Of Global Changes In Replication Or Cell Proliferation, Liza A. Joudeh, P. Logan Schuck, Nina M. Van, Alannah J. Dicintio, Jason A. Stewart, Alan S. Waldman

Faculty Publications

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic condition characterized by features of accelerated aging, and individuals with HGPS seldom live beyond their mid-teens. The syndrome is commonly caused by a point mutation in the LMNA gene which codes for lamin A and its splice variant lamin C, components of the nuclear lamina. The mutation causing HGPS leads to production of a truncated, farnesylated form of lamin A referred to as "progerin." Progerin is also expressed at low levels in healthy individuals and appears to play a role in normal aging. HGPS is associated with an accumulation of genomic DNA …

Understanding Tuberculosis Transmission And Progression: A Prospective Cohort Study Of Index Cases And Close Contacts In Moldova, Rehan R. Syed, Donald G. Cantazaro, Naomi Hillery, Valeriu Crudu, Elena Tudor, Nelly Ciobanu, Alexandru Codreanu, Maryam Kheirandish Borujeni, Antonino Cantazaro, Timothy Rodwell

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objectives

This study aims to determine the progression rate, risk factors and timeline for the progression from exposure to active tuberculosis (TB) in a high-risk population. Using a prospective cohort in the Republic of Moldova, we investigated pulmonary TB disease progression among close contacts of patients with TB in a low-burden country with high rates of drug-resistant TB.

Methods

Close contacts of patients with newly diagnosed TB were recruited and monitored to evaluate for progression rates to active TB. Data collected included demographic information, medical and exposure history, and clinical samples. Follow-up clinical evaluations of close contacts were conducted at …

Consistency And Flexibility Of Character In Free-Ranging Male African Elephants Across Time, Age, And Social Contexts, Caitlin E. O’Connell-Rodwell, Jodie L. Berezin, Colleen Kinzley, Patrick T. Freeman, Monica N. Sandri, Dustin Kieschnick, Timothy C. Rodwell, Mariana Abarca, Virginia Hayssen

Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Post-dispersal male African elephants (Loxodonta africana) live within complex social networks. To quantify the consistency of male elephant character (or personality) within these networks, we employed behavioral repeatability analysis tools across social and environmental contexts. We collected behavioral data from thirty-four individually-identified male elephants at the same waterhole over five field seasons (2007–2011) in Etosha National Park, Namibia. Using repeatability models to assess ten behavioral categories, we found five behaviors (affiliation, aggression, dominance, self-directed anxious, and self-directed comfort) were consistent at the individual level. Some of these behaviors were also repeatable, depending on social context. In particular, the …

Glutamate Receptors At The Zebrafish Neuromuscular Junction, Trenton Randall

Honors College Theses

Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, but at the neuromuscular junction, that role is taken by acetylcholine. However, during embryonic development, non-cholinergic receptors, including those for glutamate, are also present at the NMJ, which are not maintained unless used. These receptors can still form functional circuits, as evidenced by a process called neurotransmitter respecification, in which a neuron changes which neurotransmitter it releases, and is accompanied by the upregulation of the corresponding receptor by the muscle. This process has been observed in frogs and in rats. We predict that zebrafish also exhibit this neurotransmitter plasticity. To assess …

The Challenges Of Diet Generalism In A Microbial Predator, Dictyostelium Discoideum, Shreenidhi Perukkaranai Madabhushi

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Organisms vary widely in their diet breadth, ranging from specialists that feed on few resources to generalists that feed on many. Specialists have honed their ability to catch and process specific prey, but generalists must deal with prey that differ in nutritional quality and defensive mechanisms. Have generalist predators overcome costs associated with consuming multiple prey species or do they experience costly trade-offs when handling different prey? Generalist predators also live in environments that vary in the type and abundance of prey species. How do generalists navigate this variation in prey abundance and profitability and seek out their preferred prey? …

Trend And Awareness Of E-Cigarettes Among Students In A Private College In Sabah Malaysia, Vitalis Ronald Eden, Hazrina Hamid, Sreemoy Das, Regidor Iii Dioso

AUIQ Complementary Biological System

Objective: This study aims to investigate the trend and awareness of e-cigarette use among students in a private college located in Sabah, Malaysia. Research Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a private college in Sabah. A self-administered questionnaire was adapted and distributed to 300 randomly selected students regardless of their e-cigarettes vaping status. IBM SPSS Statistic 27 was utilized to analysed accumulated data. Results: A-245 students participated in the study with a response rate of 81.6%. Majority of the respondent were female (69.8%), Bumiputera Sabah (72.2%), Diploma students (90%) aged 22-25 years’ old. The study revealed that almost all …

Survey And Comparative Analysis Of Pollinator Diversity, Abundance, And Foraging Activity Of Diptera And Hymenoptera In Selected Habitats Of South Texas, Melissa Villarreal

Theses and Dissertations

With the declining bee population, non-bee pollinators can serve as an alternative source for pollination. Diptera is a potential source of untapped pollinator resources based on their abundance and visitation rate, but they are understudied in the field of pollination ecology. This study aimed to characterize the pollinator community in selected areas of South Texas. It focused on the Diptera and Hymenoptera families to compare their diversity, relative abundance, foraging behaviors, environmental influences, and vegetation associations. Active sampling and line transect were used in the survey to sample the Hymenoptera and Diptera communities to their family taxonomic rank. Statistical analyses …

An In-Depth Investigation Into Yersinia Pestis Phages: Isolating A Yersinia Pestis Phage From Soil And Constructing A Comprehensive Phylogenetic Analysis Of Known Yersinia Pestis Phages, Jacqueline Chavez

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague, has become increasingly resistant to many antibiotics; therefore, alternatives such as phage therapy are necessary. Phage therapy uses combinations of bacteriophages or phages, which are viruses that only infect bacteria. However, phages—especially Y. pestis phages —are severely understudied. Thus, this research has sought to specifically isolate a phage from soil that infects Y. pestis. There were 146 samples that were collected from across the US, focusing on those with reported cases of plague. These samples were enriched with Y. pestis to maximize the amount of potential phage that target Y. pestis. …

Red Grouper (Epinephelus Morio) Neurocranium, David Ferreiro

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Comparing Metabolism And Hypoxia Tolerance Of Native And Non-Native Florida Freshwater Fishes In Climate Change Scenarios, Benjamin A. Share

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

As climate change brings rising water temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations to freshwater bodies, it has become increasingly important to understand how this will affect ecosystems with established non-native or invasive species. Fishes of the family Cichlidae are the most pervasive non-native fishes in the Everglades and may increase their range further north under a changing climate. To better understand potential invasibility and competition with native fishes, the metabolism and hypoxia tolerance of non-native Blue Tilapia Oreochromis aureus was compared to native Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus when acclimated across a range of seasonal and projected temperatures. Intermittent-flow respirometry was …

High-Severity Wildfires Alter Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Foraging Assemblage Structure In Montane Coniferous Forests And Grasslands In The Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, Usa, Jonathan Knudsen, Robert Parmenter, Theodore Sumnicht, Robin M. Verble

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

High-severity wildfires create heterogeneous patterns of vegetation across burned landscapes. While these spatial patterns are well-documented, less is known about the short- and long-term effects of large-scale high-severity wildfires on insect community assemblages and dynamics. Ants are bottom-up indicators of ecosystem health and function that are sensitive to disturbance and fill a variety of roles in their ecosystems, including altering soil chemistry, dispersing seeds, and serving as a key food resource for many species, including the federally endangered Jemez Mountain salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus). We examined the post-fire effects of the 2011 Las Conchas Wildfire on ant communities in the Valles …