Genetics and Genomics Commons^™

The Use Of Social Media And The Impact Of Support On The Well-Being Of Adult Cystic Fibrosis Patients, Margaret Anne Faust

Theses and Dissertations

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, life-limiting autosomal recessive condition disorder of Caucasians. CF is a chronic condition that requires daily treatment of symptoms, the stress of which can have mental health consequences. Due to the potential for cross contamination of bacterial infections, individuals with CF are discouraged from meeting in person and must find other venues to receive support. Social media provides the opportunity for individuals with CF to communicate and provide support. We hypothesized a positive correlation between the patients' health-related quality of life and the amount of time spent on CF-related social media sites. We expected …

Parental Satisfaction And Teacher Perspectives On Inclusive Education Of Students With Asperger Syndrome: An Educational Tool, Hannah Warren

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate parental satisfaction and anxiety regarding the high school educational experiences of their child with a previous diagnosis of Asperger syndrome (AS), as well as educators' understanding of the diagnosis and what information they deemed important to know about the student. The goal of this study was to develop an educational tool that would aid in initiating communication between parents of a student with AS, or with a new diagnosis of high-functioning autism (HFA), and their teachers. This would be an additional resource of use to pediatric genetic counselors that frequently see families regarding a …

I Wish I Had Known This!: Impact Of Age On Life Choices And Testing Satisfaction For Brca1/2 Mutation Carriers Who Underwent Genetic Testing By Age 25, Sarah Elaine King

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To examine if BRCA1/2 mutation carriers who received their positive genetic test result by age 25 were satisfied with their decision to undergo genetic testing and with the choices made regarding family planning, surveillance, and surgery. Methods: 72 participants recruited via social media completed a survey hosted by SurveyMonkey.com. Sixty-three met study criteria and were asked 40 quantitative and qualitative questions designed to assess family planning, surveillance, and surgery needs of young BRCA carriers, which included a six question Satisfaction with Decision Scale. Results: Regardless of age, participants were very satisfied with the decision to undergo genetic testing. Recommendations …

Parents' Dreams For Their Young Adults With Down Syndrome: What Resources Are Needed To Achieve Them?, Julianna Elise Hudnall

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to identify the goals parents have for their young adult sons and daughters with Down syndrome, the factors that help to achieve those goals, and parents' perceived barriers to successful attainment of those objectives. While many supports are readily available to youths with Down syndrome in primary and secondary school, many of these supports disappear as these individuals transition into adulthood. When combined with the inherent challenges of emerging adulthood, significant gaps in resources become evident for this population. In order to identify areas in need of improvement, this study surveyed parents of post- and peri-transitional young …

Phenotypes And Variants In Cases Submitted For X-Linked Intellectual Disability (Xlid) Gene Panel Testing, Michael J. Friez

Theses and Dissertations

Intellectual disability (ID) refers to reduced cognitive function, apparent before the age of 18, that negatively affects a person's learning and adaptive capacity. Approximately 1-3% of the population is affected with ID, males more than females, and most in the mild-to-moderate range. ID creates financial, logistical and psychosocial challenges for affected persons and their families and caregivers. It is estimated that up to 50% of ID has a genetic cause. Molecular genetic diagnosis may help in obtaining services and has important implications for family members, but can be elusive. Genes causing ID are known to be over-represented on the X …

Walking The Edge With Controversial Use Of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (Pgd): Opinions And Attitudes Of Genetic Counselors, Kristen Everton

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study explored opinions and attitudes of genetic counselors regarding three controversial applications of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD): PGD for early-onset Alzheimer, use of embryos that are BRCA positive after PGD revealed no disease-free embryos to be available, and PGD to select against a variant of unknown significance (VUS) for Marfan syndrome. Methods: Genetic counselors were contacted through the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) electronic mailing list. Inclusion criteria required that a participant was currently practicing as a genetic counselor, was a member of the NSGC, and has counseled patients about PGD. Twenty-nine participants volunteered to participate and …

Fate Of Antimicrobials And Antimicrobial Resistance Genes In Simulated Swine Manure Storage, Stacey R. Joy, Xu Li, Daniel D. Snow, John Gilley, Bryan L. Woodbury, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The behavior of three antibiotics (bacitracin, chlortetracycline, and tylosin) and two classes of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), tet and erm, were monitored in swine manure slurry under anaerobic conditions. First-order decay rates were determined for each antibiotic with half-lives ranging from1 day (chlortetracycline) to 10 days (tylosin). ARGs were monitored in the swine manure slurry, and losses of approximately 1 to 3 orders of magnitude in relative abundance were observed during the 40 day storage period. First-order degradation profiles were observed for chlortetracycline and its corresponding resistance genes, tet(X) and tet(Q). Tylosin was degraded to approximately 10% …

Global Analysis Of Chlorella Variabilis Nc64a Mrna Profiles During The Early Phase Of Paramecium Bursaria Chlorella Virus-1 Infection, Janet M. Rowe, Adrien Jeanniard, James R. Gurnon, Yuannan Xia, David D. Dunigan, James L. Van Etten, Guillaume Blanc

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

The PBCV-1/Chlorella variabilis NC64A system is a model for studies on interactions between viruses and algae. Here we present the first global analyses of algal host transcripts during the early stages of infection, prior to virus replication. During the course of the experiment stretching over 1 hour, about a third of the host genes displayed significant changes in normalized mRNA abundance that either increased or decreased compared to uninfected levels. The population of genes with significant transcriptional changes gradually increased until stabilizing at 40 minutes post infection. Functional categories including cytoplasmic ribosomal proteins, jasmonic acid biosynthesis and anaphase promoting …

Dynamic Attachment Of Chlorovirus Pbcv-1 To Chlorella Variabilis, Irina Agarkova, Brigitte Hertel, Xinzheng Zhang, Les Lane, Alexander Tchourbanov, David D. Dunigan, Gerhard Thiel, Michael G. Rossmann, James L. Van Etten

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Chloroviruses infect their hosts by specifically binding to and degrading the cell wall of their algal hosts at the site of attachment, using an intrinsic digesting enzyme(s). Chlorovirus PBCV-1 stored as a lysate survived longer than virus alone, suggesting virus attachment to cellular debris may be reversible. Ghost cells (algal cells extracted with methanol) were used as a model to study reversibility of PBCV-1 attachment because ghost cells are as susceptible to attachment and wall digestion as are live cells. Reversibility of attachment to ghost cells was examined by releasing attached virions with a cell wall degrading enzyme extract. The …

Characterization Of A Dual-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv-1) Strain Derived From The Prototypical X4 Isolate Hxbc2, Shi-Hua Xiang, Beatriz Pacheco, Dane Bowder, Wen Yuan, Joseph Sodroski

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor usage and tropism can be modulated by the V3 loop sequence of the gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein. For coreceptors, R5 viruses use CCR5, X4 viruses use CXCR4, and dual-tropic (R5X4) viruses use either CCR5 or CXCR4. To understand the requirements for dual tropism, we derived and analyzed a dual-tropic variant of an X4 virus. Changes in the V3 base, which allow gp120 to interact with the tyrosine-sulfated CCR5 N-terminus, and deletion of residues 310/311 in the V3 tip were necessary for efficient CCR5 binding and utilization. Thus, both sets of V3 changes allowed …

Live Siv Vaccine Correlate Of Protection: Immune Complex-Inhibitory Fc Receptor Interactions That Reduce Target Cell Availability, Anthony J. Smith, Stephen W. Wietgrefe, Liang Shang, Cavan S. Reilly, Peter J. Southern, Katherine E. Perkey, Lijie Duan, Heinz Kohler, Sybille Muller, James Robinson, John V. Carlis, Qingsheng Li, R. Paul Johnson, Ashley T. Haase

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Principles to guide design of an effective vaccine against HIV are greatly needed, particularly to

protect women in the pandemic’s epicentre in Africa. We have been seeking these principles by

identifying correlates of the robust protection associated with SIV_mac239Δnef vaccination in the

SIV-rhesus macaque animal model of HIV-1 transmission to women. We have identified one

correlate of SIV_mac239Δnef protection against vaginal challenge as a resident mucosal system for

SIV-gp41 trimer antibody production and neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-mediated concentration of

these antibodies on the path of virus entry to inhibit establishment of infected founder populations

at the …

High Prevalence Of Early Childhood Infection By Kshv In A Minority Population In China, Yifei Cao, Veenu Minhas, Xiaohua Tan, Jin Huang, Baodong Wang, Meiyi Zhu, Yuan Gao, Tingting Zhao, Lei Yang, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

In China, KSHV seroprevalence varies considerably among different regions and ethnicities. But in Xinjiang province, located in the northwestern China, there is a very high seroprevalence of KSHV in adults of Kazak and Ughur ethnicities. However, KSHV prevalence in children and the risk factors associated with the acquisition of infection are currently not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of KSHV infection, identify associated socio-economic or behavioral risk factors and the humoral immune response among children in this population. This is a cross-sectional study (N=178) to screen children and their caregivers from Xinjiang for total …

Risk Factors For Early Childhood Infection Of Human Herpesvirus-8 In Zambian Children: The Role Of Early Childhood Feeding Practices, Kay L. Crabtree, Janet M. Wojcicki, Veenu Minhas, David R. Smith, Chipepo Kankasa, Charles D. Mitchell, Charles Wood

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Background—Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection in early childhood is common throughout sub-Saharan Africa with prevalence increasing throughout childhood. Specific routes of transmission have not been clearly delineated, though HHV-8 is present in high concentrations in saliva.

Methods—To understand the horizontal transmission of HHV-8 within households to children we enrolled for cross-sectional analysis, 251 households including 254 children, age two and under, in Lusaka, Zambia. For all children, plasma was screened for HHV-8 and HIV-1 and health and behavioral questionnaires were completed. Multi-level logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess independent factors for HHV-8 infection in children.

Results—Risk factors for HHV-8 infection …

Turnip Crinkle Virus Coat Protein Inhibits The Basal Immune Response To Virus Invasion In Arabidopsis By Binding To The Nac Transcription Factor Tip, Teresa Donze, Feng Qu, Paul Twigg, T. Jack Morris

Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications

Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) has been shown to interact with a NAC transcription factor, TIP, of Arabidopsis thaliana, via its coat protein (CP). This interaction correlates with the resistance response manifested in TCV-resistant Arabidopsis ecotype Di-17. We report that failure of a mutated CP to interact with TIP triggered the corresponding TCV mutant (R6A) to cause more severe symptoms in the TCV-susceptible ecotype Col-0. We hypothesized that TCV regulates antiviral basal immunity through TIP-CP interaction. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that the rate of accumulation of R6A was measurably slower than wild-type TCV over the course of an …

Global Changes In Mineral Transporters In Tetraploid Switchgrasses (Panicum Virgatum L.), Nathan A. Palmer, Aaron J. Saathoff, Brian M. Waters, Teresa Donze, Tiffany M. Heng-Moss, Paul Twigg, Christian M. Tobias, Gautam Sarath

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L) is a perennial, C4 grass with great potential as a biofuel crop. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms that control mineral uptake, distribution, and remobilization will benefit sustainable production. Nutrients are mobilized from aerial portions to below-ground crowns and rhizomes as a natural accompaniment to above-ground senescence post seed-set. Mineral uptake and remobilization is dependent on transporters, however, little if any information is available about the specific transporters that are needed and how their relative expression changes over a growing season.Using well-defined classes of mineral transporters, we identified 520 genes belonging to 40 different transporter …

Understanding The Chemical Gymnastics Of Enzyme-Catalyzed 1’-1 And 1’-3 Triterpene Linkages, Stephen A. Bell

Theses and Dissertations--Plant and Soil Sciences

Squalene synthase (SS) is an essential enzyme in eukaryotic systems responsible for an important branch point in isoprenoid metabolism that leads to sterol formation. The mechanistic complexity of SS has made it a difficult enzyme to study. The green alga Botryococcus braunii race B possesses several squalene synthase-like (SSL) enzymes that afford a unique opportunity to study the complex mechanism of triterpene biosynthesis. SSL-1 catalyzes presqualene diphosphate (PSPP) formation, which can either be converted to squalene by SSL-2 or botryococcene by SSL-3. A rationally designed mutant study of B. braunii squalene synthase (BbSS) and SSL-3 was conducted to understand structure-function …

Dna From Chewed Vegetation: A Noninvasive Collection Strategy For Golden-Handed Tamarins (Saguinus Midas), Jennifer E. Humphreys

All Master's Theses

Noninvasive genetic sampling was first used in wild animals more than two decades ago, although since that time there have been advancements in both sampling strategies and amplification technology [Hoss et al., 1992; Taberlet and Bouvet, 1992]. Feces, hair, and urine are examples of biomaterials that are collected noninvasively [Beja-Pereira et al., 2009]. These materials provide clear advantages over the more invasive DNA sampling techniques such as blood collection; researchers can study nonhuman subjects without contacting, disturbing, or even seeing them. This advantage becomes greater in habitats disturbed by human activities such as agriculture or mining. The Republic of Suriname, …

Origins Of The Classical Gene Concept, 1900–1950: Genetics, Mechanistic, Philosophy, And The Capitalization Of Agriculture, Garland E. Allen

Biology Faculty Research

In the period of “classical genetics” (roughly 1915–1950), the common view of the gene was mechanistic—that is, genes were seen as individual, atomistic units, as material components of the chromosomes. Although it was recognized early on that genes could interact and influence each other’s expression, they were still regarded as individually functioning units, much like the chemists’ atoms or molecules. Although geneticists in particular knew the story was more complex, the atomistic gene remained the central view for a variety of reasons. It fit the growing philosophy of mechanistic materialism in the life sciences, as biologists tried to make their …

The Use Of Dna Sequencing To Discover Novel Pathogens Of Aquatic Invertebrates With Focus On Mosquitoes (Culicidae), Dale Robert Jansons

All Master's Theses

The use of DNA sequencing to discover fungal pathogens of aquatic invertebrates, including mosquito larvae, was explored. Mosquito-borne diseases kill millions of people every year, mostly children. One method used to control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases has been to use mosquito-killing fungi to reduce mosquito populations. Locating and identifying pathogens of mosquitoes can be difficult, but with phylum specific primers, novel pathogens can be found, identified, and compared to known isolates without rearing mosquitoes, setting baited traps for pathogens, or culturing microbes associated with mosquito larvae. Mosquito larvae and other aquatic invertebrates were subjected to PCR and DNA sequencing …

A Course-Based Research Experience: How Benefits Change With Increased Investment In Instructional Time, Christopher D. Shaffer, Consuelo J. Alvarez, April E. Bednarski, David Dunbar, Anya L. Goodman, Catherine Reinke, Anne G. Rosenwald, Michael J. Wolyniak, Cheryl Bailey, Daron Barnard, Christopher Bazinet, Dale L. Beach, James E.J. Bedard, Satish Bhalla, John Braverman, Martin Burg, Vidya Chandrasekaran, Hui-Min Chung, Kari Clase, Randall J. Dejong, Justin R. Diangelo, Chunguang Du, Todd T. Eckdahl, Heather Eisler, Julia A. Emerson, Amy Frary, Donald Frohlich, Yuying Gosser, Shubha Govind, Adam Haberman, Amy T. Hark, Charles Hauser, Arlene Hoogewerf, Laura L.M. Hoopes, Carina E. Howell, Diana Johnson, Christopher J. Jones, Lisa Kadlec, Marian Kaehler, S. Catherine Silver Key, Adam Kleinschmit, Nighat P. Kokan, Olga Kopp, Gary Kuleck, Judith Leatherman, Jane Lopilato, Christy Mackinnon, Juan Carlos Martinez-Cruzado, Gerard Mcneil, Stephanie Mel, Hemlata Mistry, Alexis Nagengast, Paul Overvoorde, Don W. Paetkau, Susan Parrish, Celeste N. Peterson, Mary Preuss, Laura K. Reed, Dennis Revie, Srebrenka Robic, Jennifer Roecklein-Canfield, Michael R. Rubin, Kenneth Saville, Stephanie Schroeder, Karim Sharif, Mary Shaw, Gary Skuse, Christopher D. Smith, Mary A. Smith, Sheryl T. Smith, Eric Spana, Mary Spratt, Aparna Sreenivasan, Joyce Stamm, Paul Szauter, Jeffrey S. Thompson, Matthew Wawersik, James Youngblom, Leming Zhou, Elaine R. Mardis, Jeremy Buhler, Wilson Leung, David Lopatto, Sarah C.R. Elgin

Faculty Publications

There is widespread agreement that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs should provide undergraduates with research experience. Practical issues and limited resources, however, make this a challenge. We have developed a bioinformatics project that provides a course-based research experience for students at a diverse group of schools and offers the opportunity to tailor this experience to local curriculum and institution-specific student needs. We assessed both attitude and knowledge gains, looking for insights into how students respond given this wide range of curricular and institutional variables. While different approaches all appear to result in learning gains, we find that a significant …