Cell and Developmental Biology Commons^™

Effects Of Ef-24 And Cisplatin On Cancer, Renal, And Auditory Cells, Denis Hodzic

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cisplatin is a chemotherapy drug effective against several forms of cancer, but can also cause serious side-effects, including nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Curcumin, a natural plant compound, can increase cisplatin’s anti-cancer activity and counteract cisplatin’s deleterious effect on the auditory and renal systems. Unfortunately, curcumin exhibits poor bioavailability, which has promoted interest in the development of synthetic curcumin analogs (curcuminoids) that are soluble, target cancer, and do not cause side effects. This study investigated whether the curcuminoid (3E,5E)-3,5-bis[(2-fluorophenyl) methylene]-4-piperidinone (EF-24) increases the anti-cancer effects of cisplatin against a human ovarian cancer cell line (A2780) and its cisplatin-resistant counterpart (A2780cis), while preventing …

Transposon Mutagenesis In Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis, John P. Bannantine, Denise K. Zinniel, Raul G. Barletta

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

While transposon mutagenesis has been developed for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map), relatively few laboratories have adopted this important genetic tool to examine gene function and essentiality. Here we describe the construction of a Map transposon library using the Himar1 mariner transposon, but concepts can also be applied to the Tn5367 transposon, which has also been used by our group. Delivery of the transposon is by a temperature-sensitive phagemid, ϕMycoMarT7, and plating transductants requires patience and specialized media due to length of incubation required to observe colonies. Several transposon mutants obtained from these libraries have been tested in vaccine and …

Streptococcus Agalactiae Strains With Chromosomal Deletions Evade Detection With Molecular Methods, Isabella A. Tickler, Fred C. Tenover, Scott Dewell, Victoria M. Le, Rachel N. Blackman, Richard V. Goering, Amy E. Rogers, Heather Piwonka, Brittney D. Jung-Hynes, Derrick J. Chen, Michael J. Loeffelholz, Devasena Gnanashanmugam, Ellen Jo Baron

Biology Faculty Publications

Surveillance of circulating microbial populations is critical for monitoring the performance of a molecular diagnostic test. In this study, we characterized 31 isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus [GBS]) from several geographic locations in the United States and Ireland that contain deletions in or adjacent to the region of the chromosome that encodes the hemolysin gene cfb, the region targeted by the Xpert GBS and GBS LB assays. PCR-negative, culture-positive isolates were recognized during verification studies of the Xpert GBS assay in 12 laboratories between 2012 and 2018. Whole-genome sequencing of 15 GBS isolates from 11 laboratories revealed …

Spinal Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 Regulates Painafter Peripheral Trauma, Maral Tajerian, J. David Clark

Publications and Research

It is well documented that pain chronification requires a host of plastic mechanisms at the spinal cord (SC) level, including alterations in neuronal and glial structure and function. Such cellular plasticity necessitates the existence of a plastic extracellular matrix(ECM). Here, we describe a key role for ECM remodeling in the regulation of chronic pain following peripheral injury. Three weeks following tibia fracture in mice, we show increased levels of MMP8 in the SC. Furthermore, we show that the pharmacological or genetic down regulation of MMP8 ameliorates the pain phenotype observed after injury. These results delineate an extracellular mechanism for pain …

The Role Of Ash1l During Human Neurodevelopment, Anna Bagnell

Senior Theses

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with defects in neuronal connectivity and are highly heritable. A significant proportion of ASD cases are of complex genetic etiology; complexity which might reflect the impact of gene-environment interactions. However, there is a gap in our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the gene-environment interaction in autism complex etiology. Genome wide association studies in large ASD cohorts identified high risk variants associated with autism in genes that regulate histone modifications and remodel chromatin. These findings highlight the relevance of chromatin regulatory mechanisms in the pathology of ASD. Changes in Histone H3 methylation have been …

Study Of The Effects Of Silver Ions And Silver Nanoparticles On Embryonic Development, Martha Sharisha Johnson

Biomedical Sciences Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the study of the toxicity of metal nanoparticles (NPs) and their ions on the development of zebrafish embryos, aiming to understand unique biological effects of NPs and ions, and design new in vivo assays to characterize the toxicity of these metal NPs and metal ions. Currently, the underlying molecular mechanisms of biological effects of nanomaterials are partially understood. Some studies assume that the toxic effects of NPs can be attributed to the release of their ions. We investigate the effects of silver NPs (Ag NPs) and silver ions (Ag+ ions) on the embryonic development of zebrafish …

Arterial Distribution Of The Human Aorta: An Examination Of The Evolutionary, Developmental, And Physiological Bases Of Asymmetry., Brandon Oddo, Cooker Storm

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The study of anatomy contends that “form follows function”; a disciplinary theme purporting that anatomical structures (i.e., cells, tissues, and organs) have a shape that serves its proper function. With this in mind, it is unclear why human arterial distribution off the aortic arch is asymmetrical, while the corresponding venous anatomy is symmetrical. We investigated the evolutionary, developmental, and physiological bases for the asymmetry of aortic arch branches in humans. First, we investigated the cardiovascular anatomy of ancestral species to determine if, and at what level, anatomical divergence (from aortic symmetry to asymmetry) occurs. Second, we examined the formation of …

Ultrafine Carbon Nanoparticles Activate Inflammasome Signaling And Cell Death In Murine Macrophages, Alexander Soloniuk, Hadley Lamascus, Jay Brewster, John Mann

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Carbon black (CB) is the primary nanoparticulate component of air pollution from fossil fuel combustion. This work examines the cellular impact of ultrafine carbon (carbon black, CB) nanoparticles, that range in size down to 30 nm, upon murine macrophages. The size analysis of the carbon black nanoparticles was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. RAW246.7 macrophage cells were exposed to CB doses ranging from 50 – 200 ug/ml in complete media. Analysis of cell survival over time revealed elevated rates of significant nuclear degradation and cell lifting after 48 hours of exposure, and in …

Investigating The Role Of The Chromosome 19 Microrna Cluster In Human Trophoblast Differentiation And Infantile Hemangioma, Ezinne Francess Mong

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Trophoblast differentiation and invasion is essential for normal implantation and establishment of the maternal-fetal interface, which allows for proper nutrient exchange and support of the fetus. For this to occur, cytotrophoblasts must undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition and differentiate into migratory and invasive extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) that invade the maternal decidua and myometrium. Trophoblast differentiation, migration and invasion is highly regulated by a complex network of signaling pathways, adhesion molecules and transcription factors and is important for the remodeling of maternal spiral arteries from low flow, high resistance to high flow, low resistance vessels to allow optimal perfusion of …

Pathological Changes In Microvascular Morphology, Density, Size And Responses Following Comorbid Cerebral Injury, Zareen Amtul, Jun Yang, Ting-Yim Lee, David F. Cechetto

Anatomy and Cell Biology Publications

Aberrations in brain microcirculation and the associated increase in blood-brain-barrier (BBB) permeability in addition to neuroinflammation and Aβ deposition observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and ischemia have gained considerable attention recently. However, the role of microvascular homeostasis as a pathogenic substrate to disturbed microperfusion as well as an overlapping etiologic mechanism between AD and ischemia has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we employ temporal histopathology of cerebral vasculature in a rat model of β-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity and endothelin-1 induced-ischemia (ET1) to investigate the panorama of cerebral pathology and the protein expression on d1, d7, and d28 post-injury. The …

Kinase Suppressor Of Ras 1 And Exo70 Promote Fatty Acid-Stimulated Neurotensin Secretion Through Erk1/2 Signaling, Stephanie Rock, Xian Li, Jun Song, Courtney M. Townsend, Heidi L. Weiss, Piotr G. Rychahou, Tianyan Gao, Jing Li, B. Mark Evers

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Neurotensin is a peptide hormone released from enteroendocrine cells in the small intestine in response to fat ingestion. Although the mechanisms regulating neurotensin secretion are still incompletely understood, our recent findings implicate a role for extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1 and 2 as positive regulators of free fatty acid-stimulated neurotensin secretion. Previous studies have shown that kinase suppressor of Ras 1 acts as a molecular scaffold of the Raf/MEK/extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1 and 2 kinase cascade and regulates intensity and duration of extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1 and 2 signaling. Here, we demonstrate that inhibition of kinase suppressor of Ras 1 attenuates …

Exposures To The Environmental Contaminants Pentachlorophenol (Pcp) And Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (Ddt) Increase Production Of The Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine, Interleukin 1-Βeta (Il-1Β), In Human Immune Cells, Tamara J. Martin, Jaquel Maise, Sahra Gabure, Margaret M. Whalen

Chemistry Faculty Research

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), are organochlorine environmental contaminants found in human blood at very significant levels (as high as 5 µM for PCP and 260 nM for DDT). Cancers of the blood (lymphoma and myeloma) and kidney as well as others have been associated with exposure to these contaminants. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and is involved in stimulating cell proliferation. High levels of IL-1β are associated with inflammatory diseases and tumor progression. Previous studies showed that PCP and DDT at certain concentrations were able to stimulate secretion of IL-1β. This study shows that the increased …

Cell Differentiation And Proliferation During Brain Development, Sarah Maxson

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

During brain development, cells can proliferate and differentiate into either neuronal or glial cells. Neuronal cells are capable of sending signals, while glial cells function to provide nutrients and structural support. The ratio of these cell types can give insight into brain function in comparative studies among species and in studies of phylogenesis and pathology. In order to complete this project in neuroscience, a new technique called the isotropic fractionator was utilized to estimate a neuronal vs. non-neuronal cell count of the rodent brain. Brains ranging from age postnatal day 1 to postnatal day 23 were dissected into 4 regions …

Conserved Glycine Residues Control Transient Helicity And Disorder In The Cold Regulated Protein, Cor15a, Oluwakemi Sowemimo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

COR15A is a cold regulated disordered protein from Arabidopsis thaliana that contributes to freezing tolerance in plants by protecting membranes. It belongs to the (LEA) Late Embryogenesis Abundant group of proteins that accumulate during the later stage of seed development and are expressed in various parts of the plant. During freezing-induced cellular dehydration, COR15A transitions from a disordered structure to a mostly α-helical structure that binds and stabilizes chloroplast membranes when cells dehydrate due to freezing. We hypothesize that increasing the transient α-helicity of COR15A under normal conditions will increase its ability to bind and protect chloroplast membranes when cells …

Functional And Transcriptomic Characterization Of Carboplatin-Resistant A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cell Line, Tamara Viscarra, Kurt Buchegger, Ignacio Jofre, Ismael Riquelme, Louise Zanella, Michel Abanto, Alyssa C. Parker, Stephen R. Piccolo, Juan Carlos Roa, Carmen Ili, Priscilla Brebi

Faculty Publications

Background

Ovarian cancer is a significant cancer-related cause of death in women worldwide. The most used chemotherapeutic regimen is based on carboplatin (CBDCA). However, CBDCA resistance is the main obstacle to a better prognosis. An in vitro drug-resistant cell model would help in the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying this drug-resistance phenomenon. The aim of this study was to characterize cellular and molecular changes of induced CBDCA-resistant ovarian cancer cell line A2780.

Methods

The cell selection strategy used in this study was a dose-per-pulse method using a concentration of 100 μM for 2 h. Once 20 cycles of exposure to …

Biochemical And Proteomic Approaches To Determine The Impact Level Of Each Step Of The Supply Chain On Tomato Fruit Quality, Robert T. Madden

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fresh fruits and vegetables (FFVs) are the most frequently wasted foods because of their perishability and handling requirements. However, there is a lack of information on how much each step of the supply chain impacts FFVs quality, particularly on tomatoes, and what measures need to be taken for an immediate and effective impact on waste reduction. There is also no information on how the supply chain affects the proteome of the tomato and what proteins are differentially regulated by the most impactful steps of the supply chain. The objectives of the work presented on this thesis were to evaluate the …

Environmental Transmission Of Toxoplasma Gondii: Oocysts In Water, Soil And Food, Karen Shapiro, Lillian Bahia-Oliveira, Brent Dixon, Aurélien Dumètre, Luz A. De Wit, Elizabeth Vanwormer, Isabelle Villena

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that can cause morbidity and mortality in humans, domestic animals, and terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. The environmentally robust oocyst stage of T. gondii is fundamentally critical to the parasite's success, both in terms of its worldwide distribution as well as the extensive range of infected intermediate hosts. Despite the limited definitive host species (domestic and wild felids), infections have been reported on every continent, and in terrestrial as well as aquatic environments. The remarkable resistance of the oocyst wall enables dissemination of T. gondii through watersheds and ecosystems, and long-term persistence in diverse …

The Drosophila Neuroblasts: A Model System For Human Ribosomopathies, Sonu Shrestha Baral

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation describes the use of Drosophila neuroblasts (NBs) to model human ribosomopathies; the overall goal is to understand why specific stem cell and progenitor cell populations are the primary targets in nucleolar stress as seen in the ribosomopathies. Chapter 1 provides an overview of relevant literature. Chapter 2 describes nucleolar stress in Drosophila neuroblasts as a model for human ribosomopathies. For this, we induce nucleolar stress by using the UAS-GAL4 system to express RNAi that depletes Nopp140 transcripts, and we also employ homozygous, CRISPR-Cas9-generated Nopp140 gene disruptions with a systemic null phenotype (Nopp140-/-). Embryonic lethality was observed …

Unified Methods For Feature Selection In Large-Scale Genomic Studies With Censored Survival Outcomes, Lauren Spirko-Burns, Karthik Devarajan

COBRA Preprint Series

One of the major goals in large-scale genomic studies is to identify genes with a prognostic impact on time-to-event outcomes which provide insight into the disease's process. With rapid developments in high-throughput genomic technologies in the past two decades, the scientific community is able to monitor the expression levels of tens of thousands of genes and proteins resulting in enormous data sets where the number of genomic features is far greater than the number of subjects. Methods based on univariate Cox regression are often used to select genomic features related to survival outcome; however, the Cox model assumes proportional hazards …

Does Family Communication Matter? Exploring Knowledge Of Breast Cancer Genetics In Cancer Families, Deborah Himes, Sarah H. Davis, Jane Lassetter Phd, Rn, Neil E. Peterson, Margaret F. Clayton, Wendy C. Birmingham, Anita Y. Kinney

Faculty Publications

Purpose: Knowledge of breast cancer genetics is critical for those at increased hereditary risk who must make decisions about breast cancer screening options. This descriptive study explored theory-based relationships among cognitive and emotional variables related to knowledge of breast cancer genetics in cancer families. Methods: Participants included first-degree relatives of women with breast cancer who had received genetic counseling and testing. Study participants themselves did not have breast cancer and had not received genetic counseling or testing. Data were collected by telephone interviews and surveys. Variables analyzed included numeracy, health literacy, cancer-related distress, age, education, and the reported amount of …