Synthesis, Characterization And Antibacterial Activity Of Silver Embedded Silica Nanoparticle/Nanogel Formulation,
2011
University of Central Florida
Synthesis, Characterization And Antibacterial Activity Of Silver Embedded Silica Nanoparticle/Nanogel Formulation, Roseline Menezes
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The antibacterial property of silver (Ag) has been known since ancient time. It is reported in the literature that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit improved antibacterial properties in comparison to silver ions of equivalent metallic Ag concentration. Such improvement in antibacterial activities is due to the high surface area to volume ratio of AgNPs (which facilitates interaction with the bacterial cells), increased release of silver ions and direct intra-cellular uptake of AgNPs leading to localized release of Ag ions. To date, over 300 consumer products containing AgNPs are available in the market and the inventory is rapidly expanding. The antibacterial efficacy …
Expression And Functional Evaluation Of Exendin 4 Fused To Cholera Toxin B Subunit In Tobacco Chloroplast To Treat Type 2 Diabetes,
2011
University of Central Florida
Expression And Functional Evaluation Of Exendin 4 Fused To Cholera Toxin B Subunit In Tobacco Chloroplast To Treat Type 2 Diabetes, Ramya Nityanandam
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been steadily increasing around the globe. Glucagon like peptide (GLP-1), a powerful incretin increases insulin secretion in a glucose dependent manner. But GLP-1 is subjected to rapid enzymatic degradation (half-life: 2 min in circulation). The commercially available GLP-1 analog, exenatide has a longer half life with potent insulinotropic effects (about 2.4 hr) which requires cold storage and daily subcutaneous injections. In this study, exendin 4 (EX4), lizard derived GLP-1R agonist, was expressed as cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-fusion protein in chloroplasts of tobacco to facilitate transmucosal delivery in the gut by utilizing the …
Expression Of Trichoderma Reesei Beta]-Mannanase In Tobacco Chloroplasts And Its Utilization In Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis,
2011
University of Central Florida
Expression Of Trichoderma Reesei Beta]-Mannanase In Tobacco Chloroplasts And Its Utilization In Lignocellulosic Woody Biomass Hydrolysis, Pankaj M. Agrawal
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lignocellulosic ethanol offers a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuels. One among the major limitations in the lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis is unavailability of efficient and environmentally biomass degrading technologies. Plantbased production of these enzymes on large scale offers a cost effective solution. Cellulases, hemicellulases including mannanases and other accessory enzymes are required for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. β- mannanase catalyzes endo-hydrolysis of the mannan backbone, a major constituent of woody biomass. In this study, man1 gene encoding β-mannanase was isolated from Trichoderma reesei and expressed via the chloroplast genome. PCR and Southern hybridization analysis confirmed the site-specific …
Identification And Characterization Of Equine Rotaviruses In Southern Ireland,
2011
Department of Biological Sciences, Cork Institute of Technology, Cork, Ireland
Identification And Characterization Of Equine Rotaviruses In Southern Ireland, Crystal Cronin
Theses
Group A Rotaviruses(GARVs) are enteric pathogens which induce acute gastroenteritis in infants, neonates and the young of many animal species. During a 4 year study (2005-2009), 64 fecal samples from symptomatic foals, from several counties, in the south of Ireland, were molecularly characterized to determine the VP& (G type), VP4 (P type), and NSP4 antigenic specificities. Globally, G3 [P12] and G14[P12] are recognized as the predominant equine GARV strains. Twenty-two samples (34.38%) were found to contain G3 viruses, while 21 samples (32.81%) contained G14 viruses. In this study, there was a distinct increase in the incidence of mixed infections circulating …
Characterization Of Pregnancy Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy In Rats,
2011
Eastern Kentucky University
Characterization Of Pregnancy Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy In Rats, Patricia Holden
Online Theses and Dissertations
During pregnancy, an increase in blood volume occurs to compensate for fetal development, resulting in cardiac hypertrophy. For the majority of women, this physiological cardiac hypertrophy resolves following pregnancy. Prolonged cardiac hypertrophy can lead to heart failure. We propose that by studying the biochemical mechanisms that mediate healthy cardiac remodeling associated with pregnancy, we will gain a better understanding of mechanisms involved in pathological cardiac hypertrophy. To determine the biochemical changes that occur during pregnancy induced cardiac remodeling, we subjected rats to timed matings and collected morphological and biochemical data from not pregnant, 19 days pregnant, and 24 hours postpartum. …
The Incidence Of Type-1 Diabetes In Nod Mice Is Modulated By Restricted Flora Not Germ-Free Conditions.,
2011
Scripps Research Institute
The Incidence Of Type-1 Diabetes In Nod Mice Is Modulated By Restricted Flora Not Germ-Free Conditions., Cecile King, Nora Sarvetnick
Journal Articles: Regenerative Medicine
In the NOD mouse, the incidence of type-1 diabetes is thought to be influenced by the degree of cleanliness of the mouse colony. Studies collectively demonstrate that exposure to bacterial antigen or infection in the neonatal period prevents diabetes [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], supporting the notion that immunostimulation can benefit the maturation of the postnatal immune system [11]. A widely accepted extrapolation from this data has been the notion that NOD mice maintained under germ-free conditions have an increased incidence of diabetes. However, evidence supporting this influential concept is surprisingly limited [12]. In this …
Bio-Functionalized Clay Nanoparticles For Wound Healing Applications,
2011
Wright State University
Bio-Functionalized Clay Nanoparticles For Wound Healing Applications, Christopher Anthony Vaiana
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Wound healing is a complex, multi-step process that can be summarized into three stages, namely hemostasis and inflammation, proliferation, and finally tissue remodeling. Battlefield wound healing demands rapid hemostasis using clotting or cauterizing agents to immediately limit blood loss, but this occurs at the expense of proper tissue repair beyond hemostasis. Layered silicate clays such as kaolin and montmorillonite (MMT) have been previously shown to induce blood clotting due to their ability to form charged interactions with clotting factors. The charge characteristics of sodium MMT (Na-MMT) also enable functionalization with active biomolecules. Herein we first functionalize three types of alumoinosilicate …
Interrogation Of The Distal Gut Microbiota Of Healthy Adolescents And Those With Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
2011
Wright State University
Interrogation Of The Distal Gut Microbiota Of Healthy Adolescents And Those With Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Laura J. Rigsbee
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
The human-associated microbiota has been the focus of much current research, with the microbiota inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of particular interest. These organisms play many roles in human health and well-being. However, shifts in the composition of the intestinal microbiota have been associated with diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer. Several recent studies have reported on the distal gut microbiota composition of healthy adults and those with IBS, while there is a lack of studies devoted to adolescents. This study utilized a custom-designed Affymetrix Microbiota Array capable of detecting 775 phylo-species of intestinal bacteria …
Functional Metabolomics' Enhances Assessment Of Tissue Dysfunction As Demonstrated In A Rat Model Of Sub-Acute D-Serine Exposure,
2011
Wright State University
Functional Metabolomics' Enhances Assessment Of Tissue Dysfunction As Demonstrated In A Rat Model Of Sub-Acute D-Serine Exposure, Isaie Sibomana
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
We describe a methodology that combines urinary metabolomics with a tissue-specific stressor administration to enhance assessment of tissue function. Kidney function in rats was mildly compromised with a sub-acute dose of D-serine and stressed with furosemide. NMR-based metabolomics analyses showed no detectable effects due to D-serine alone; but furosemide or D-serine + furosemide groups, classified separately from each other, and from control. Furosemide alone caused a ca. 2-fold increase in glucose, lactate, choline, and a 30% decrease in TCA intermediates (p≤0.05). D-serine suppressed these effects and produced a 1.7-fold increase in a p-phenolic acid-derivative of tyrosine (PAdY) relative to control …
Structural And Functional Alteration Of Full Length Pparα And Lxrα By Fatty Acids And Their Thioesters,
2011
Wright State University
Structural And Functional Alteration Of Full Length Pparα And Lxrα By Fatty Acids And Their Thioesters, Madhumitha Balanarasimha
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) and liver X receptors (LXR) are known to play important roles in fatty acid metabolism, interact with each other, and function as heterodimeric partners. Although previous studies indicate that PPARα is activated by long chain fatty acyl-CoA thioesters (LCFA-CoA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids, little is known about the effects of these ligands on the function or interaction of PPARα and LXRα. In this study, hPPARα and hLXRα were shown to directly interact by circular dichroism, fluorescent binding assays, and co-immunoprecipitation. Further experiments suggested that although fatty acids resulted in small structural changes, they significantly altered binding …
Molecular Mechanisms Of Poly [Adp-Ribose] Polymerase-1 In Hiv-1 Infection,
2011
University of Texas at El Paso
Molecular Mechanisms Of Poly [Adp-Ribose] Polymerase-1 In Hiv-1 Infection, Daniel Reyes
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is a cellular enzyme involved in genome stability and transcriptional regulation. The role of this protein in HIV-1 infection is largely controversial. Some reports indicated a fundamental role of PARP-1 in HIV-1 DNA integration and results from other laboratories do not support these conclusions. An important characteristic in all these experiments is that the HIV-1 target cells that were used express, in addition to PARP-1, the functional homologue PARP-2. We evaluated the role of PARP-1 in the chicken B lymphoblastoid cell line DT40. These cells naturally lack PARP-2 and support the early steps of HIV infection. …
Identification And Characterization Of Fkbp52-Specific Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Prostate Cancer,
2011
University of Texas at El Paso
Identification And Characterization Of Fkbp52-Specific Inhibitors For The Treatment Of Prostate Cancer, Johanny Tonos De Leon
Open Access Theses & Dissertations
Steroid hormone receptors require the ordered assembly of various chaperone and cochaperone proteins in order to reach a functional state. The final stage in the receptor maturation process requires the formation of a mutimeric complex consisting of Hsp90 dimer, p23, and one of several large immunophilins. Studies conducted previously demonstrated that the large immunophilin FKBP52 acts to potentiate glucocorticoid, androgen, and progesterone receptor signaling pathways. The aim of these studies was to identify and characterize FKBP52-specific inhibitors that would not only serve as tools for the pharmacological analysis of FKBP52-receptor interactions, but may also lead to novel drugs with significant …
The Specific Role Of The Mll Cxxc Domain In Mll Fusion Protein Function,
2011
Loyola University Chicago
The Specific Role Of The Mll Cxxc Domain In Mll Fusion Protein Function, Laurie Ellen Risner
Dissertations
The MLL gene was first identified because it is involved in chromosome translocations which produce novel fusion proteins that cause leukemia. The CXXC domain of MLL is a cysteine rich DNA binding domain with specificity for binding unmethylated CpG-containing DNA. The CXXC domain is retained in oncogenic MLL fusions, and is absolutely required for the fusions to cause leukemia. This project explored the role of the CXXC domain by introducing structure-informed point mutations within the MLL CXXC domain that disrupt DNA binding, and by performing domain swap experiments in which different CXXC domains from other proteins, including DNMT1, CGBP and …
Wee1 Is A Biological Target Of The Mir-17-92 Cluster In Leukemia,
2011
Loyola University Chicago
Wee1 Is A Biological Target Of The Mir-17-92 Cluster In Leukemia, Sonia Susan Olikara
Master's Theses
MicroRNAs are noncoding RNAs that bind to the 3' untranslated region of their mRNA targets, which causes downregulation of target gene expression. Previous studies have shown that the miR-17-92 cluster, which encodes six miRNAs, is overexpressed in leukemias arising from chromosomal translocations of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene. In the present study, prediction algorithms identified WEE1, a kinase that inhibits cell cycle progression, as a possible target of five of the six miRNAs. Through luciferase reporter assays, we found that miR-17, miR-20a, and miR-18a specifically target nucleotides 465 to 487 of the 3' UTR of WEE1, while miR-19a and …
Notch-1 Specifically Activates Erk1/2 In Multiple Breast Cancer Subtypes,
2011
Loyola University Chicago
Notch-1 Specifically Activates Erk1/2 In Multiple Breast Cancer Subtypes, Allison Schuyler Rogowski
Master's Theses
Notch-1 is a cell fate regulatory protein and a potent breast oncogene. Notch-1 and its ligand Jagged-1 are over-expressed in human breast cancers that are associated with poor overall survival (Reedijk, Odorcic et al. 2005). Deregulated Notch signaling may contribute to tumorigenesis by increasing proliferation, inhibiting differentiation, and preventing apoptosis (Miele, Golde et al. 2006). The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is a critical cell signaling pathway that has been implicated in the development and progression of cancer (Hanahan and Weinberg 2000). Four major MAPK pathways are involved in both cell growth and apoptosis. The regulation of these pathways is …
Identification And Characterization Of The Human Herpesviruses 6a And 6b Genome Integration Into Telomeres Of Human Chromosomes During Latency,
2011
University of South Florida
Identification And Characterization Of The Human Herpesviruses 6a And 6b Genome Integration Into Telomeres Of Human Chromosomes During Latency, Jesse Herbert Arbuckle
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
While the latent genome of most Herpesviruses persists as a nuclear circular episome, previous research has suggested that Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) may integrate into host cell chromosomes, and be vertically transmitted in the germ-line. Because the HHV-6 genome encodes a perfect TTAGGG telomere repeat array at the right end direct repeat (DRR) and an imperfect TTAGGG repeat at the end of the left end direct repeat (DRL), we established a hypothesis that during latency, the HHV-6A and HHV-6B genome integrates into the telomeres of human chromosomes through homologous recombination with the n(TTAGGG) viral repeats, and …
Development Of An Elisa For Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus That Can Differentiate Infected From Vaccinated Horses,
2011
University of South Florida
Development Of An Elisa For Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus That Can Differentiate Infected From Vaccinated Horses, Andrea Bingham
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) causes a fatal mosquito-borne virus that is vaccine preventable for horses. The conventional serological tests measure antibodies to the structural proteins of EEEV which are also found in the vaccine. This makes it difficult to differentiate infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA). Detection of antibodies to non-structural proteins (NSPs) is a theoretical strategy that would allow you to survey natural infections among vaccinated populations. This test would also allow for more accurate representations of the natural infection rate, vaccination rate, and help identify vaccine failures. The potential uses of the NSPs of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus …
Multivariate Anti-Inflammatory Approaches To Rescue Neurogenesis And Cognitive Function In Aged Animals,
2011
University of South Florida
Multivariate Anti-Inflammatory Approaches To Rescue Neurogenesis And Cognitive Function In Aged Animals, Sandra Antonieta Acosta
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Aging is considered the number one risk factor to develop neuropathologies such as memory loss, senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease. Neurodegenerative diseases tend to start during adulthood, and aggravate over time, making them difficult to prevent and to treat. In the Unites States, demographic studies by U.S. Bureau of the Census have determined that our aging population of >65 years is expected to increase from the present 35 million to 78 million in 2030. This would result, not only to an increase of …
The Role Of Brca1 Domains And Motifs In Tumor Suppression,
2011
University of South Florida
The Role Of Brca1 Domains And Motifs In Tumor Suppression, Aneliya Velkova
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Individuals that carry deleterious mutations in the breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) have much more elevated risk to develop breast and/or ovarian cancer than the individuals from the general population. The BRCA1 gene product has been implicated in several aspects of the DNA damage response, but its biochemical function in these processes has remained elusive. In order to probe BRCA1 functions we conducted a yeast two-hybrid screening to identify interacting partners to a conserved motif (Motif 6) in the central region of BRCA1. In this dissertation, we report the identification of the actin-binding protein Filamin A (FLNA) …
From Dna To Protein: A Study Of Genomic Instability Candidate Genes During Zebrafish Development,
2011
University of South Florida
From Dna To Protein: A Study Of Genomic Instability Candidate Genes During Zebrafish Development, Kristine Griffett
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The zebrafish, Danio rerio, is a type of freshwater minnow often used to model human diseases including cancer, anxiety and aging diseases. The overall biology of zebrafish is strikingly similar to that of humans, allowing these fish to be used for drug discovery and toxicology studies for preclinical trials. In this study, zebrafish embryos were used to identify and characterize several candidate genes within two known regions of genomic instability on chromosome 18 and chromosome 4. This fish that were used in this study had been previously classified as genomic instability (gin) mutants due to increased incidence of somatic mutation …
