Biochemistry Commons^™

A Gender-Based Comparison In Health Behaviors And State Of Happiness Among University Students, Rehana Rehman, Amara Zafar, Aleena Mohib, Mukhtiar Baig

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: The presence of good healthy behaviors among university students is imperative for their future life. This study aimed to compare positive health behaviors and state of happiness between the two genders of Bahria University (BU), Karachi, Pakistan.
Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at BU, Karachi, Pakistan. A total 813 students participated in this study. The healthquestionnaire, adapted from Health and Behavior Survey and the Subjective Happiness Scale, was used to assess self-reported happiness. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22.
Results: Overall self-reported health behaviors were found to be more prevalent in females as …

In Vitro Label Free Screening Of Chemotherapeutic Drugs Using Raman Micro-Spectroscopy: Towards A New Paradigm Of Spectralomics., Zeineb Farhane, Haq Nawaz, Franck Bonnier, Hugh Byrne

Articles

This overview groups some of the recent studies highlighting the potential application of Raman micro-spectroscopy as an analytical technique in preclinical development to predict drug mechanism of action and in clinical application as a companion diagnostic and in personalised therapy due to its capacity to predict cellular resistance and therefore to optimise chemotherapeutic treatment efficacy.

Notably, the anthracyclines, Doxorubicin and Actinomycin D, elicit similar spectroscopic signatures of subcellular interaction characteristic of the mode of action of intercalation. Although Cisplatin and Vincristine show markedly different signatures, at low exposure doses, their signatures at higher doses show marked similarities to those elicited …

Rescue Of Neocortical Circuit Deficits With Modified Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Sb623, In A Rat Model Of Photothrombotic Stroke, Alexander Urry

Yale Day of Data

The following poster characterizes the effects of a novel stem cell line on treating the neural circuit deficits resulting from stroke.

Electron Transfer To Nitrogenase In Different Genomic And Metabolic Backgrounds, Saroj Poudel, Daniel R. Colman, Kathryn R. Fixen, Rhesa N. Ledbetter, Yanning Zheng, Natasha Pence, Lance C. Seefeldt, John W. Peters, Caroline S. Harwood, Eric S. Boyd

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Nitrogenase catalyzes the reduction of dinitrogen (N₂) using low-potential electrons from ferredoxin (Fd) or flavodoxin (Fld) through an ATP-dependent process. Since its emergence in an anaerobic chemoautotroph, this oxygen (O₂)-sensitive enzyme complex has evolved to operate in a variety of genomic and metabolic backgrounds, including those of aerobes, anaerobes, chemotrophs, and phototrophs. However, whether pathways of electron delivery to nitrogenase are influenced by these different metabolic backgrounds is not well understood. Here, we report the distribution of homologs of Fds, Flds, and Fd-/Fld-reducing enzymes in 359 genomes of putative N₂ fixers (diazotrophs). Six distinct lineages …

Implications Of Monomer Deformation For Tetrel And Pnicogen Bonds, Wiktor Zierkiewicz, Mariusz Michalczyk, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

A series of TF₄ and ZF₅ molecules (T = Si, Ge, Sn and Z = P, As, Sb) were allowed to engage in tetrel and pnicogen bonds, respectively, with NH₃, pyrazine, and HCN. The interaction energies are quite large, approaching 50 kcal mol^-1 in some cases. The formation of each complex is accompanied by substantial geometrical deformation of the Lewis acid to accommodate the approaching base. The energy associated with this monomer rearrangement is the largest for the smaller central atoms Si and P, where it exceeds 20 kcal mol^-1. The total reaction …

Chemical Characterization Of Fine Particulate Matter Emitted By Peat Fires In Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, During The 2015 El Niño, Thilina Jayarathne, Chelsea E. Stockwell, Ashley A. Gilbert, Kaitlyn Daugherty, Mark A. Cochrane, Kevin C. Ryan, Erianto I. Putra, Bambang H. Saharjo, Ati D. Nurhayati, Israr Albar, Robert J. Yokelson, Elizabeth A. Stone

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Fine particulate matter (PM2:5) was collected in situ from peat smoke during the 2015 El Niño peat fire episode in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Twenty-one PM samples were collected from 18 peat fire plumes that were primarily smoldering with modified combustion efficiency (MCE) values of 0.725-0.833. PM emissions were determined and chemically characterized for elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), water-soluble OC, water-soluble ions, metals, and organic species. Fuel-based PM2:5 mass emission factors (EFs) ranged from 6.0 to 29.6 g kg1 with an average of 17:36:0 g kg1. EC was detected only in 15 plumes and comprised 1% of PM mass. …

Nepal Ambient Monitoring And Source Testing Experiment (Namaste): Emissions Of Particulate Matter From Wood-And Dung-Fueled Cooking Fires, Garbage And Crop Residue Burning, Brick Kilns, And Other Sources, Thilina Jayarathne, Chelsea E. Stockwell, Prakash V. Bhave, Puppala S. Praveen, Chathurika M. Rathnayake, Robiul Md Islam, Arnico K. Panday, Sagar Adhikari, Rashmi Maharjan, J. Douglas Goetz, Peter F. Decarlo, Eri Saikawa, Robert J. Yokelson, Elizabeth A. Stone

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The Nepal Ambient Monitoring and Source Testing Experiment (NAMaSTE) characterized widespread and under-sampled combustion sources common to South Asia, including brick kilns, garbage burning, diesel and gasoline generators, diesel groundwater pumps, idling motorcycles, traditional and modern cooking stoves and fires, crop residue burning, and heating fire. Fuel-based emission factors (EFs; with units of pollutant mass emitted per kilogram of fuel combusted) were determined for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), inorganic ions, trace metals, and organic species. For the forced-draft zigzag brick kiln, EFPM2.5 ranged from 12 to 19gkg-1 with major contributions from OC (7%), sulfate …

Distinct Properties Underlie Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcation In A Novel Electron Transfer Flavoprotein Fixab From Rhodopseudomonas Palustris, H. Diessel Duan, Carolyn E. Lubner, Monika Tokmina-Lukaszewska, George H. Gauss, Brian Bothner, Paul W. King, John W. Peters, Anne-Frances Miller

Chemistry Faculty Publications

A newly recognized third fundamental mechanism of energy conservation in biology, electron bifurcation, uses free energy from exergonic redox reactions to drive endergonic redox reactions. Flavin-based electron bifurcation furnishes low-potential electrons to demanding chemical reactions, such as reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia. We employed the heterodimeric flavoenzyme FixAB from the diazotrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris to elucidate unique properties that underpin flavin-based electron bifurcation. FixAB is distinguished from canonical electron transfer flavoproteins (ETFs) by a second FAD that replaces the AMP of canonical ETF. We exploited near-UV–visible CD spectroscopy to resolve signals from the different flavin sites in FixAB and to …

Investigating Biomass Burning Aerosol Morphology Using A Laser Imaging Nephelometer, Katherine M. Manfred, Rebecca A. Washenfelder, Nicholas L. Wagner, Gabriela Adler, Frank Erdesz, Caroline C. Womack, Kara D. Lamb, Joshua P. Schwarz, Alessandro Franchin, Vanessa Selimovic, Robert J. Yokelson, Daniel M. Murphy

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Particle morphology is an important parameter affecting aerosol optical properties that are relevant to climate and air quality, yet it is poorly constrained due to sparse in situ measurements. Biomass burning is a large source of aerosol that generates particles with different morphologies. Quantifying the optical contributions of non-spherical aerosol populations is critical for accurate radiative transfer models, and for correctly interpreting remote sensing data. We deployed a laser imaging nephelometer at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory to sample biomass burning aerosol from controlled fires during the FIREX intensive laboratory study. The laser imaging nephelometer measures the unpolarized scattering phase …

Expansion Of The (Bb)>Ru Metallacycle With Coinage Metal Cations: Formation Of B-M-Ru-B (M= Cu, Ag, Au) Dimetalacyclodiboryls†, Bennett J. Eleazer, Mark D. Smith, Alexey A. Popov, Dmitry V. Peryshkov

Faculty Publications

In this work, we introduce a novel approach for the selective assembly of heterometallic complexes by unprecedented coordination of coinage metal cations to strained single ruthenium–boron bonds on a surface of icosahedral boron clusters. M(I) cations (M ¼ Cu, Ag, and Au) insert into B–Ru bonds of the (BB)–carboryne complex of ruthenium with the formation of four-membered B–M–Ru–B metalacycles. Results of theoretical calculations suggest that bonding within these metalacycles can be best described as unusual three-center-two-electron B–M/Ru interactions that are isolobal to B–H/Ru borane coordination for M ¼ Cu and Ag, or the pairs of two-center-two electron B–Au and Au–Ru …

Pi Tetrel Bonds, And Their Influence On Hydrogen Bonds And Proton Transfers, Yuanxin Wei, Qingzhong Li, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The positive region that lies above the plane of F2TO (T=C and Si) interacts with malondialdehyde (MDA), which contains an intramolecular H‐bond. The T atom of F2TO can lie either in the MDA molecular plane, forming a T⋅⋅⋅O tetrel bond, or F2TO can stack directly above MDA in a parallel arrangement. The former structure is more stable than the latter, and in either case, F2SiO engages in a much stronger interaction than does F2CO, reaching nearly 200 kJ mol−1. The π‐tetrel bond strengthens/weakens the MDA H‐bond when the bond is formed to the hydroxyl/carbonyl group of MDA, and causes an …

Lack Of Association Of Statin Use With Vitamin D Levels In A Hospital Based Population Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients, Khalida Iqbal, Najmul Islam, Iqbal Azam Syed, Naseema Mehboobali, Mohammad Perwaiz Iqbal

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To investigate the relationship of statins (drug given to reduce serum levels of LDL-cholesterol) on vitamin D levels of Pakistani type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in a hospital in Karachi.
Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, 312 consecutive patients with type 2 DM (219 males and 93 females, age 22-70 years) were recruited with informed consent. A questionnaire was administered to find out whether they were statin users or non-users. Serum was analyzed for concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D [25(OH)D] and other related biomarkers such as serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, phosphate and calcium using kit methods. Multiple Linear …

Functional Interactions Of Tau, Pin1, P53 And Mrna 3′ Processing Factors In Non-Neuronal Cells, Jorge E. Baquero

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

ABSTRACT

mRNA 3’ end processing, an essential step in eukaryotic RNA metabolism, regulates the steady-state levels of different mRNAs and contributes to the cells rapid response to stress. Studies have described potential contributions of mRNA 3’ end processing to numerous human diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore, the main purpose of this dissertation is to further elucidate some of the roles of disease-related factors Pin1, p53 and tau in the regulation mRNA 3’ end processing in non-neuronal cells under different cellular conditions, including during the DNA damage response (DDR).

The results from Chapter II show that the prolyl …

Mechanisms For Survival And Drug Resistance In Cancer Cells, Matthew B. Utter

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

PART I

Prostate cells are hormonally driven to grow and divide. Typical treatments for prostate cancer involve blocking the hormone androgen from activating the androgen receptor (AR) and thus inhibit growth and proliferation of the cancer. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) can lead to the selection of cancer cells that grow and divide independently of androgen receptor activation. Prostate cancer cells that are insensitive to androgens commonly display metastatic phenotypes and reduced long-term survival of patients. In this study, we provide evidence that androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells have elevated phospholipase D (PLD) activity relative to the androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells. PLD …

Cloning And Spatiotemporal Expression Of Xenopus Laevis Apolipoprotein Ci, Jyotsna Sridharan, Tomomi Haremaki, Daniel C. Weinstein

Publications and Research

Apolipoprotein CI (ApoCI) belongs to the Apolipoprotein superfamily, members of which are involved in lipid transport, uptake and homeostasis. Excessive ApoCI has been implicated in atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease in humans. In this study we report the isolation of Xenopus laevis apoCI and describe the expression pattern of this gene during early development, using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and whole mount in situ hybridization. Xenopus apoCI is enriched in the dorsal ectoderm during gastrulation, and is subsequently expressed in sensory placodes, neural tube and cranial neural crest. These data suggest as yet uncharacterized roles for ApoCI during early vertebrate …

Curcumin Potentiates The Function Of Human Α7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Expressed In Sh-Ep1 Cells, Eslam El Nebrisi, Lina T. Al Kury, Keun-Hang Susan Yang, Petrilla Jayaprakash, Frank Christopher Howarth, Nadine Kabbani, Murat Oz

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Effects of curcumin, a biologically active ingredient of turmeric, were tested on the Ca²⁺transients induced by the activation of α₇ subunit of the human nicotinic acetylcholine (α₇nACh) receptor expressed in SH-EP1 cells. Curcumin caused a significant potentiation of choline (1 mM)-induced Ca²⁺ transients with an EC₅₀ value of 133 nM. The potentiating effect of curcumin was not observed in Ca²⁺ transients induced by high K⁺ (60 mM) containing solutions or activation of α₄β₂ nACh receptors and the extent of curcumin potentiation was not altered in the presence of …

Analysis For Science Librarians Of The 2017 Nobel Prize In Physiology Or Medicine: The Life And Work Of Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, And Michael W. Young, Neyda V. Gilman

Library Scholarship

Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael Rosbash, and Michael W. Young are the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Laureates, having earned the award for their “discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm.” They identified the genes involved in the circadian rhythm mechanism and explained how all of the different pieces of the mechanism work together. These discoveries explain how the biological cycles of Earth’s organisms correspond to the rotation of the planet, acting as an inner clock. Their research also provides further opportunities to continue learning about the role of circadian rhythm and its relationship to human health (Nobelprize.org …

The Potential Of Achiral Sponge-Derived And Synthetic Bromoindoles As Selective Cytotoxins Against Panc-1 Tumor Cells., Nicholas Lorig-Roach, Frances Hamkins-Indik, Tyler A. Johnson, Karen Tenney, Frederick A. Valeriote, Phillip Crews

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Faculty Scholarship

Our quest to isolate and characterize natural products with in vitro solid tumor selectivity is driven by access to repositories of Indo-Pacific sponge extracts. In this project an extract of a species of Haplosclerida sponge obtained from the US NCI Natural Products Repository displayed, by in vitro disk diffusion assay (DDA) and IC

Audiobook Of A World From Dust, Ben Mcfarland

Faculty Open Access Books

A World From Dust is a popular science book about the chemical sequence behind the evolution of creation.

It’s about how geology, biology, and chemistry worked together over billions of years, providing a hidden order under the random flow of genes and lava and water.

It’s about the chemical job that each element takes up in life, and how that job is predictable from its place on the periodic table.

It can be told as the story of many elements: how iron and sulfur gave a spark of life; how manganese was a key for oxygen; and how copper and …

Examination Of Orthologous Genes (Mrub_2518 And B3728, Mrub_2519 And B3727, Mrub_2520 And B3726, Mrub_2521 And B3725) Responsible For Abc Phosphate Transporters In Two Species M. Ruber And E. Coli, Margaret Meyer, Dr. Lori Scott

Meiothermus ruber Genome Analysis Project

In this project we investigated the biological function of the genes b3725, b3726, b3727, b3728 and Mrub_2518, Mrub_2519, Mrub_2520 and Mrub_2521 (KEGG map number 02010). We predict that these genes encode the components of a Phosphate ABC transporter: Orthologous genes Mrub_2518 (DNA coordinates 2565359..2566438) and b3728 encodes the periplasmic phosphate binding component; Orthologous genes Mrub_2519 (DNA coordinates 2566499..2567485) and b3727, and Mrub_2520 (DNA coordinates 2567496..2568326) and b3726 encode for the two transmembrane proteins; Orthologous genes Mrub_2521 (DNA coordinates 2568338..2569159) and b3725 encode for the ATP binding protein within the cytoplasm. Within the two species, M. ruber and E. coli, …