Function And Expression Of Ribonucleotide Reductase-Encoding Genes In Flavobacterium Johnsoniae,
2022
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Function And Expression Of Ribonucleotide Reductase-Encoding Genes In Flavobacterium Johnsoniae, Hunter Scott Doheny
All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects
Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) are essential enzymes that are involved in DNA synthesis. While this makes them ideal targets for antiproliferative drugs, most known RNR targeting agents are nonspecific. This poses a problem when considering antimicrobials, but several groups of bacteria have RNRs that utilize unique mechanisms that could be exploited if fully understood. One such bacteria, Flavobacterium johnsoniae, has the gene for a class Id RNR with a novel activation mechanism. Class Id RNRs belong to the aerobic class I RNRs and seem to have a unique metallocofactor and activation mechanism involving superoxide and manganese. The goal of this research …
Antibacterial Activity Of Commiphora Molmol (Myrrha) Against The Yeast,
2022
Long Island University
Antibacterial Activity Of Commiphora Molmol (Myrrha) Against The Yeast, Mohammad Hassan Alshehri
Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-
Commiphora molmol (myrrha) is widely used as a traditional medicine around the globe against inflammatory diseases. It is also considered to be effective as anti-fungal, anti-cancer and anti-oxidant agent. The minimum inhibitory concentration, bactericidal activity and heat stability of antibiotic component in myrrha oil extract has been investigated. The MIC was determined in nutrient free buffer and in nutrient rich peptone glucose buffer. The results showed that MIC was 0.6% in nutrient free buffer as no growth was shown by cells, whereas, in peptone glucose media a slight increase in cell count was seen. It can be concluded that it …
Multilevel Computational Investigation Into The Dynamics And Reaction Mechanisms Of Non-Heme Iron And 2-Oxoglutarate Dependent Enzymes,
2022
Michigan Technological University
Multilevel Computational Investigation Into The Dynamics And Reaction Mechanisms Of Non-Heme Iron And 2-Oxoglutarate Dependent Enzymes, Shobhit Sanjeev Chaturvedi
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Computational chemistry methods have been extensively applied to investigate biological systems. This dissertation utilizes a multilevel computational approach to explore the dynamics and reaction mechanisms of two groups of enzymes belonging to non-heme Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) dependent superfamily – histone lysine demethylases from class 7 and ethylene forming enzyme (EFE). Chapter 2 uncovers the role of conformational dynamics in the substrate selectivity of histone lysine demethylases 7A and 7B. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the two enzymes revealed the importance of linker flexibility and dynamics in relative orientations of the reader (PHD) and the catalytic (JmjC) domains. Chapter …
Further Investigation Of The Initiating Mechanism Of The Type I Collagen Glomerulopathy,
2022
Missouri State University
Further Investigation Of The Initiating Mechanism Of The Type I Collagen Glomerulopathy, Matthew James Freese
Graduate Theses/Dissertations
The progressive accumulation of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins in the renal mesangium results in fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis, and eventual renal failure. Mice deficient in integrating α2(I) collagen into the type I collagen structure, termed Col1a2-deficient mice, model kidney fibrosis through the condition Type I Collagen Glomerulopathy, because homotrimeric type I collagen accumulates extracellularly in the mesangium of renal glomeruli. Accumulation of homotrimeric type I collagen compresses blood vessels in glomeruli, which reduces filtration, increases pressure, and results in fibrosis. Picrosirius red (PSR) staining was used on Col1a2 deficient and wildtype mice to evaluate collagen deposition. Histological evaluation and …
Exosomal-Long Non-Coding Rnas Journey In Colorectal Cancer: Evil And Goodness Faces Of Key Players,
2022
Heliopolis University
Exosomal-Long Non-Coding Rnas Journey In Colorectal Cancer: Evil And Goodness Faces Of Key Players, Nehal I. Rizk, Ahmed I. Abulsoud, Mohamed M. Kamal, Dina H. Kassem, Nadia M. Hamdy
Pharmacy
Exosomes are nano-vesicles (NVs) secreted by cells and take part in cell-cell communications. Lately, these exosomes were proved to have dual faces in cancer. Actually, they can contribute to carcinogenesis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, metastasis and tumor microenvironment (TME) of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). On the other hand, they can be potential targets for cancer treatment. CRC is one of the most frequent tumors worldwide, with incidence rates rising in the recent decades. In its early stage, CRC is asymptomatic with poor treatment outcomes. Therefore, finding a non-invasive, early diagnostic biomarker tool and/or suitable defender to combat …
Sources And Therapeutic Strategies Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Regenerative Medicine,
2022
The British University in Egypt
Sources And Therapeutic Strategies Of Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Regenerative Medicine, Mohamed M. Kamal, Dina H. Kassem
Pharmacy
During the past decade, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have made their mark as a potential weapon in regenerative medicine. Since their first isolation by Friedenstein in the late 1970s of the last century, MSCs have opened new avenues in the field of regenerative medicine. The main fascination about MSCs lies in their ease of isolation and large ex vivo expansion capacity, as well as demonstrated multipotency and immunomodulatory activities. Basically, several reports have proved that MSCs isolated from different sources possess different characteristics and potentials. In addition, the mechanisms by which these cells can help regenerate tissues and treat several …
Protumorigenic Effects Of Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain-Like Protein In Cholangiocarcinoma Cells,
2022
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
Protumorigenic Effects Of Mixed Lineage Kinase Domain-Like Protein In Cholangiocarcinoma Cells, Nattaya Duangthim
Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a heterogeneous malignancy of bile duct system, has the highest incidence in Thailand. CCA is one of the leading causes of death which has low 5-year survival rate from 5% to 10% in advanced stages due to the difficulty of diagnosis in early stage and lack of effective therapies. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis of CCA development and progression is urgently needs and will lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets and strategies. Mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) was identified as a key effector in a novel regulated necrosis or necroptosis pathway. Recently studies have …
Characterizing The Relationship Of Lgl1 And Akt In Migration Of Murine Neural Stem And Progenitor Cells,
2022
Humboldt State University
Characterizing The Relationship Of Lgl1 And Akt In Migration Of Murine Neural Stem And Progenitor Cells, Natalie Pedicino
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
Asymmetric cell division and migration are critical for neural stem cell differentiation and brain development. When these processes are dysregulated in neural progenitor cells (NPCs), developmental defects and diseases like glioma can result. Lgl1 is a tumor suppressor gene that was first characterized in Drosophila neuroblasts (Strand et al., 1994). It is best known for its regulation of asymmetric cell division through its association with the Par complex. The PI3K/AKT signaling cascade is involved in cellular migration and is also regulated by Par signaling. Unpublished data from the Sprowles laboratory suggests a potential role of Lgl1 in migration and other …
Ero1Α Promotes Tumorigenesis In Egfr Driven Nsclc,
2022
West Virginia University
Ero1Α Promotes Tumorigenesis In Egfr Driven Nsclc, Brennan D. Johnson
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is a pulmonary malignancy most commonly associated with smoking, or exposure to asbestos or Radon. Approximately, 1.6 Million deaths occur each year due to lung cancer. Lung Cancer is categorized by two main types, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and NSCLC. NSCLC accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases and is subdivided into three sub-categories: Adenocarcinoma, the most common and leading cause of death in the United States; Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), and Large Cell Carcinoma. Though NSCLC treatment regimens have shown increasing clinical benefit over the last two decades with targeted therapies. …
Amelioration Of Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Dysfunction In Diabetes Mellitus: Delving Into Specialized And Non-Specific Therapeutics For The Ailing Heart,
2022
West Virginia University
Amelioration Of Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Dysfunction In Diabetes Mellitus: Delving Into Specialized And Non-Specific Therapeutics For The Ailing Heart, Andrya Jean Durr
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Morbidity and mortality of the diabetic population is influenced by many confounding factors, but cardiovascular disease (CVD), remains the leading cause of death. Mitochondrial dysfunction is central in the development of cardiac contractile dysfunction, with decreased mitochondrial bioenergetic function, increased dependence on free fatty acid utilization, and a decrease in glucose utilization having been shown to contribute to contractile dysfunction. Strategies targeting the amelioration of mitochondrial bioenergetic function are attractive for limiting diabetes-induced heart failure, and preserving health-span. The goals of this dissertation were to assess two mitochondrial-centric approaches for the amelioration of mitochondrial and cardiac contractile dysfunction in diabetes …
Transitions Between The Steps Of Group Iic Intron Forward And Reverse Splicing And Integration Into Dna,
2022
West Virginia University
Transitions Between The Steps Of Group Iic Intron Forward And Reverse Splicing And Integration Into Dna, Claire Mae Smathers
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Group II introns are ancient ribozymes capable of self-excision and mobility into new genomic locations. As the ancestors of both the eukaryotic spliceosome and eukaryotic retroelements, these simple RNA machines serve as excellent models for understanding the mechanisms of both gene splicing and retroelement activity in eukaryotes. Although group II introns have been studied for decades, knowledge of the most unique and arguably evolutionarily relevant class of group II introns, IIC, is limited. Our knowledge is especially limited in terms of understanding how IIC introns mediate the transition between the two transesterification steps of forward splicing and reverse splicing into …
Getting To The Root Cause: The Genetic Underpinnings Of Root System Architecture And Rhizodeposition In Sorghum,
2022
West Virginia University
Getting To The Root Cause: The Genetic Underpinnings Of Root System Architecture And Rhizodeposition In Sorghum, Farren Smith
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)
Plants are some of the most diverse organisms on earth, consisting of more than 350,000 different species. To understand the underlying processes that contributed to plant diversification, it is fundamental to identify the genetic and genomic components that facilitated various adaptations over evolutionary history. Most studies to date have focused on the underlying controls of above-ground traits such as grain and vegetation; however, little is known about the “hidden half” of plants. Root systems comprise half of the total plant structure and provide vital functions such as anchorage, resource acquisition, and storage of energy reserves. The execution of these key …
Determining The Effects Of Chemical Exposure On Hepatocyte Mitochondrial Networks And Cell Viability,
2022
Central Washington University
Determining The Effects Of Chemical Exposure On Hepatocyte Mitochondrial Networks And Cell Viability, Bethany Eaton
All Master's Theses
Mitochondria are cellular organelles that are becoming more recently studied. One of their main functions is the production of energy through cellular respiration, which is crucial to cell life. However, they are also associated with numerous disease states. It is hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS), largely produced in mitochondria, induce oxidative stress and affect mitochondrial morphology along with cell viability. This study compares chemical exposure of menadione, an ROS producer, and phthalates (plasticizers) on two mouse hepatocyte cell lines to determine the effects they have on mitochondrial morphology and cell viability. Three experiments were performed to analyze the effects …
Development Of Novel Pyridazine Derivatives And Drug Delivery Systems Against Dengue,
2022
Georgia Southern University
Development Of Novel Pyridazine Derivatives And Drug Delivery Systems Against Dengue, Janae A. Culmer
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
The lack of approved vaccines, medications and treatment regimens has significantly contributed to the rapid spread of mosquito-borne viruses such as Dengue and Zika virus. The complex immunopathology of these viruses presents limitations for the development and implementation of a definitive, safe and effective approach to combat infections.Previous research has demonstrated that vector control strategies such as the elimination of larval habitats, larviciding with insecticides, the use of biological agents and the application of adulticides have been unsuccessful in the reduction of viral transmission leading to the need for the continued development of antivirals. This research proposes an approach for …
Epigenetic Buffering In Introduced House Sparrows,
2022
Georgia Southern University
Epigenetic Buffering In Introduced House Sparrows, M. Ellesse Lauer
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Epigenetic buffering, as an environmentally induced increase in variance of epigenetic states that increases phenotypic variation to buffer populations against decreased fitness, may be a factor that resolves the genetic paradox of introduced species. DNA methylation is a molecular mechanism that could facilitate epigenetic buffering by changing in response to environmental stress. Therefore, epigenetic buffering can be detected through increased variance in DNA methylation in novel or heterogeneous environments. Introduced house sparrows (Passer domesticus) have well-documented phenotypic changes with low genetic diversity, high epigenetic diversity, and high variance in DNA methylation that provide a characteristic signature of epigenetic buffering. …
Biomimetic Synthesis Of Palladium Nanoparticles For Catalytic Application,
2022
Georgia Southern University
Biomimetic Synthesis Of Palladium Nanoparticles For Catalytic Application, Emily A. Groover
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
The synthesis of palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) using materials-directed peptides is a novel, nontoxic approach which exerts a high level of control over the particle size and shape. This biomimetic technique is environmentally benign, featuring nonhazardous ligands and ambient conditions. Nanoparticles are extremely reactive catalysts, boasting a large surface-to-volume ratio when compared to their bulk counterparts. The rational design of these nanoparticles using peptides has been very successful in aqueous environments, but no research has been done to apply it in organic systems. As such, the biomimetic synthesis of Pd NPs in an organic system is here investigated, with ethanol …
Investigating The Main Protease (Mpro) Of Sars-Cov-2 As A Potential Drug Target,
2022
University of New Hampshire
Investigating The Main Protease (Mpro) Of Sars-Cov-2 As A Potential Drug Target, Valerie Giovina Pascetta
Honors Theses and Capstones
The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed the lives of roughly 6.2 million people worldwide as of May 2022. The virus’s main protease (Mpro ) has been identified as an attractive drug target due to the critical role it plays in the viral life cycle. The roughly 34 kDa Mpro cleaves functional viral polypeptides out of two long polyproteins at conserved cut sites, allowing them to fulfill their role in processes like transcription and replication. Here, we have studied the enzymatic activity …
Production And Biological Activities Of Oligo Pectin From Early Immature Fruit Of Durio Zibethinus L.,
2022
Faculty of Sciences
Production And Biological Activities Of Oligo Pectin From Early Immature Fruit Of Durio Zibethinus L., Aunchiya Pitaksa
Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)
Early immature durian (EID) fruits, 30-45 days after anthesis with 6-12 cm in length, are considered agricultural waste from cultivation. It is known that durian rinds of mature fruits contain pectin, but there have been no reports on the pectin content of early immature durian (EID) fruits. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the pectin content in EID fruits. We extracted pectin from EID fruits using distilled water at different temperatures (25°C, 50°C, and 75°C) for 1 h to investigate pectin content. Instrumental analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR), confirmed the presence …
Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects Of Auricularia Polytricha Extracts On Bisphenol A (Bpa)-Induced Microglial Cell Activation And Reduction Of Hippocampal Cell Damage,
2022
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences
Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects Of Auricularia Polytricha Extracts On Bisphenol A (Bpa)-Induced Microglial Cell Activation And Reduction Of Hippocampal Cell Damage, Chanin Sillapachaiyaporn
Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)
Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, it has been reported that BPA can activate neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is a brain pathology that involves the high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). An excessive TNF-α expression could result in neuronal cell death and subsequently lead to neurodegeneration. Auricularia polytricha (AP) is an edible mushroom with several medicinal properties. Herein, the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of AP extracts against BPA-induced BV2 microglial inflammation were investigated. Hexane (APH) and ethanol (APE) extracts of AP inhibited BPA-induced neuroinflammation in BV2 cells by reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. …
Purification And Activity Assay Optimization Of Bacterial Catalase From Psychrobacter Koprana,
2022
Rollins College
Purification And Activity Assay Optimization Of Bacterial Catalase From Psychrobacter Koprana, Sydney Willis
Honors Program Theses
To date, catalase protein from bacterial species is not the most widely used commercial catalase. Catalase, the enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide in most living organisms, is an invaluable enzyme in the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries. In 2019, a novel species of a psychrotolerant bacterium was discovered in Cold Harbor, NY. This species, Psychrobacter koprana, exhibits highly active catalase. Preliminary data from activity assays demonstrates that P. koprana catalase has the same activity as commercially available catalase. After purification and activity assay optimization, the activity of this catalase has the potential to be more active than other easily …
