Bacterial Fingerprints,
2014
Brigham Young University
Bacterial Fingerprints, Kristilyn Rogers, Dr. Ron W. Leavitt
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Bordetellosis, or turkey coryza, is a highly contagious respiratory disease in poultry caused by Bordetella avium. Turkey growers worldwide are concerned with this disease which results in millions of dollars in losses annually to the turkey industry. Bordetellosis is readily transmitted through close contact with those already infected, or by exposure to contaminated litter or water. Infected turkeys experience, among other things, stunted growth and a predisposition for other infectious diseases. The mortality rate for bordetellosis is less than 10%. However, morbidity rates can reach 80-100% in young poults. Moreover, with concurrent infection of B. avium and Escherichia coli …
Random Mutagenesis In Phob: A Proposed Study Of The Effects Of Mutations In Phosphate Regulation,
2014
Brigham Young University
Random Mutagenesis In Phob: A Proposed Study Of The Effects Of Mutations In Phosphate Regulation, Chad C. Lowe, Dr. William R. Mccleary
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Within the prokaryotic cell, the intake of essential nutrients is continuously regulated by intracellular mechanisms. When fundamental nutrients become scarce, cellular stress responses are activated to enable the cell to survive in a harsh environment. Recent studies have shown a two-component regulatory mechanism which enhances Escherichia coli intracellular phosphate uptake in a phosphatepoor environment (5). This system, called the Pho system, consists of a sensor (PhoR) and an activator (PhoB). When environmental phosphate is limited, PhoR becomes autophosphorylated and in turn phosphorylates PhoB (4). The phosphorylated PhoB recognizes and binds to a consensus sequence called the “pho box” and …
Effects Of Reverse Transcriptase And Protease Inhibitors On Lymphoid Tissue Viral Load In Murine Retrovirus Infection,
2014
Brigham Young University
Effects Of Reverse Transcriptase And Protease Inhibitors On Lymphoid Tissue Viral Load In Murine Retrovirus Infection, Eric R. Griffiths, Dr. Greg Burton
Journal of Undergraduate Research
During HIV infection, blocking viral replication has drastic effects on HIV immune complexes maintained on follicular dendritic cells (FDCs): HIV immune complexes quickly drop off FDCs to undetectable levels (1). This was a remarkable and unexpected finding since FDCs typically preserve trapped antigen for months to years. Furthermore, mice have been shown to carry infectious viral immune complexes on FDCs for periods of over nine months in the total absence of viral replication (2).
Measles Virus And Its Interactions With Follicular Dendritic Cells,
2014
Brigham Young University
Measles Virus And Its Interactions With Follicular Dendritic Cells, Michael J. Lloyd, Dr. Gregory F. Burton
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Measles virus continues to be a major cause of death in most third-world countries and a considerable threat to the health of every country. Infection with measles is thought to be associated with the fatal, late-infection disease subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) (3). It is thought that Measles virus is retained by the body following infection until it mutates, crosses the blood-brain barrier to infect and destroy brain tissue, killing the host.
A Comparative Study Of The Efficacy Of A New Immunoassay Of Deoxythymidine Kinase,
2014
Brigham Young University
A Comparative Study Of The Efficacy Of A New Immunoassay Of Deoxythymidine Kinase, David K. Walburger
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The ability to follow a cancer’s aggressiveness and response to treatment throughout the disease’s course is critical in treatment programs. The tumor markers used as indicators have not been able to consistently do this. Thymidine Kinase, an enzyme linked with cellular proliferation, has been shown to be persistently elevated in almost all cancer serums, and corresponds well with disease stage in breast cancer patients. It has also been shown that TK levels in serum, as well as in tumors, decrease drastically after treatment; subsequent rises are indicative of disease recurrence. Currently, TK levels are measured by radionucleoside phosphorylation assays. There …
Susceptibility Of S49 Lymphoma Cell Membranes To Hydrolysis By Secretory Phospholipase A2 During Early Phase Of Apoptosis,
2014
Brigham Young University
Susceptibility Of S49 Lymphoma Cell Membranes To Hydrolysis By Secretory Phospholipase A2 During Early Phase Of Apoptosis, Darin V. Allred, Kim L. O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Apoptosis is a term used to describe a programmed method of cellular suicide. This programmed cell death is a normal and very important feature of the maturation of an organism. The body uses it to tightly control the number of divisions of all types of cells in order to eliminate excess cells and develop properly. For example, our fingers are separated because embryonic cells that once joined them died during development.
The Genotoxicitv Of 1.4-Dioxane Using The Single Cell Gel,
2014
Brigham Young University
The Genotoxicitv Of 1.4-Dioxane Using The Single Cell Gel, Edward Harris
Journal of Undergraduate Research
1.4-Dioxane (DX), a common ingredient in solvents for oils, waxes and many other organic compounds, has an undetermined genotoxicity. It has been reported to be both a nongenotoxic (Salmonella and Cl-IO chromosome aberration assays) and a genotoxic compound (1). Previous experiments carried out indicate that Sherman strain and Sprague-Dawley rats receiving 0.1% to 1% DX in drinking water develop hepatic/renal damage and hepatocellular and nasal carcinoma respectively (4,7). In this preliminary study, the single cell gel assay was used to determine possible DNA damage caused by DX. Human Raji Burkitt’s lymphoma cells were grown In the presence of various concentrations …
Quantum Interstate Phase Differences And Multiphoton Processes: Application To Multi-Level Models Of Time Dependent Energy Absorption,
2014
Brigham Young University
Quantum Interstate Phase Differences And Multiphoton Processes: Application To Multi-Level Models Of Time Dependent Energy Absorption, John Sutton Welch
Journal of Undergraduate Research
During the last year I have examined numerical solutions and analytical approximations of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for quantum systems with two, three and four levels which are perturbed by a classical sinusoidal field, I have been particularly interested in understanding the meaning and effects of the quantum phase on probability changes within the quantum system and have recently submitted my findings to the Journal of Chemical Physics and plan to present a poster of this and current work at the American Chemical Society meeting next April in Anaheim, California.
Mapping Of The Immune Response Gene(S) Controlling Susceptibility To Murine Experimental Orchitis,
2014
Brigham Young University
Mapping Of The Immune Response Gene(S) Controlling Susceptibility To Murine Experimental Orchitis, Randall Roper
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The research project I proposed entailed mapping the gene or genes that control susceptibility to Murine Experimental Orchitis by using a large backcross population of 110 animals. These animals have been generated by obtaining an Fl population from the susceptible SJL mice and resistant B lO.S mice and crossing the susceptible Fl population with disease resistant BlO.S mice. Through the use of a histological report of the susceptibility of the large backcross population to Experimental Allergic Orchitis, and the use of microsatellite and RAPD markers to identify distinguishing polymorphisms, the gene may be linked to a specific chromosome of the …
Ancient “Gene-Ology” Leads To Improvements In Ancient Dna Ex· Traction Methods And Pcr Amplication Techniques,
2014
Brigham Young University
Ancient “Gene-Ology” Leads To Improvements In Ancient Dna Ex· Traction Methods And Pcr Amplication Techniques, Blake C. Ballif
Journal of Undergraduate Research
During the past decade, the development of ancient DNA research has left modern science seemingly on the verge of breaching the barrier between the world we live in and the ancient past. Archaeologists, anthropologists, and molecular biologists alike have become increasingly more aware of the understanding that can be gleaned from genetic studies of ancient populations and extinct species. Although ancient DNA has remarkably been isolated and amplified from organisms hundreds, thousands, and even millions of years old 1·3, these breakthroughs represent in most cases a single ancient individual or animal with important yet modest amounts of data. In order …
Influence Of Ultrasonic Stimulation On The Antibiotic Action Of Gentamicin Against Group D Streptococci,
2014
Brigham Young University
Influence Of Ultrasonic Stimulation On The Antibiotic Action Of Gentamicin Against Group D Streptococci, Mark S. Miller
Journal of Undergraduate Research
During the Winter Semester of 1994, I was able to work with three members of the genus Streptococcus: S. pneumoniae, S. agalactiae, and S. faecalis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the antibiotic gentamicin (an aminoglycoside which inhibits protein synthesis) against the three species were determined. The MIC of S. pneumoniae was 9-12 ~g/ml, 48-50 ~g/ml for S. agalacliae, and 25 ~g/ml for S. faecalis. Though I labored to pinpoint a more exact concentration for each species, experimental variables resulted in the MIC ranges indicated above.
Inflammation Enhances Il-2 Driven Differentiation Of
Cytolytic Cd4 T Cells,
2014
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Inflammation Enhances Il-2 Driven Differentiation Of Cytolytic Cd4 T Cells, Aspen M. Workman, Ashley K. Jacobs, Alexander J. Vogel, Shirley Condon, Deborah M. Brown
Nebraska Center for Virology: Faculty Publications
Cytolytic CD4 T cells (CD4 CTL) have been identified in vivo in response to viral infections; however, the factors necessary for driving the cytolytic phenotype have not been fully elucidated. Our previously published work suggests IL-2 may be the master regulator of perforin-mediated cytotoxicity in CD4 effectors. To further dissect the role of IL-2 in CD4 CTL generation, T cell receptor transgenic mice deficient in the ability to produce IL-2 or the high affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2Rα, CD25) were used. Increasing concentrations of IL-2 were necessary to drive perforin (Prf) expression and maximal cytotoxicity. Granzyme B (GrB) expression and killing …
Candida Albicans Als5p Amyloid In Host-Microbe Interactions: A Ceanorhabditis Elegans Study,
2014
CUNY Graduate Center
Candida Albicans Als5p Amyloid In Host-Microbe Interactions: A Ceanorhabditis Elegans Study, Michael Bois
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Candida albicans, a dimorphic fungus and an opportunistic pathogen, possesses a myriad of adherence factors including members of the agglutinin-like sequence (Als) family of mannoproteins. The adhesin Als5p mediates adhesion to many substrates, and is upregulated during commensal interactions, but is downregulated during active C. albicans infections[1]. An amyloid forming core sequence at residues 325-331 has been shown to be important for Als5p function, because a single amino acid substitution at position 326 (V326N) greatly reduces Als5p-mediated adherence[2]. We evaluated the role of Als5p in host-microbe interactions, using Caenorhabditis elegans as a host model and feeding them Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing …
Deletion Of The Human Cytomegalovirus Us17 Gene Increases The Ratio Of Genomes Per Infectious Unit And Alters Regulation Of Immune And Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response Genes At Early And Late Times After Infection,
2014
Wayne State University
Deletion Of The Human Cytomegalovirus Us17 Gene Increases The Ratio Of Genomes Per Infectious Unit And Alters Regulation Of Immune And Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response Genes At Early And Late Times After Infection, Stephen James Gurczynski, Subhendu Das, Philip E. Pellett
Immunology and Microbiology Faculty Research Publications
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) employs numerous strategies to combat, subvert, or co-opt host immunity. One evolutionary strategy for this involves capture of a host gene and then its successive duplication and divergence, forming a family of genes, many of which have immunomodulatory activities. The HCMV US12 family consists of 10 tandemly arranged sequence-related genes in the unique short (US) region of the HCMV genome (US12 to US21). Each gene encodes a protein possessing seven predicted transmembrane domains, patches of sequence similarity with cellular G-protein-coupled receptors, and the Bax inhibitor 1 family of antiapoptotic proteins. We show that one member, US17, plays …
Role Of Peripheral Immune Response In Microglia Activation And Regulation Of Brain Chemokine And Proinflammatory Cytokine Responses Induced During Vsv Encephalitis,
2014
Old Dominion University
Role Of Peripheral Immune Response In Microglia Activation And Regulation Of Brain Chemokine And Proinflammatory Cytokine Responses Induced During Vsv Encephalitis, Christina D. Steel, Kimberly Breving, Susan Tavakoli, Woong-Ki Kim, Larry D. Sanford, Richard P. Ciavarra
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
We report herein that neuroinvasion by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) activates microglia and induces a peripheral dendritic cell (DC)-dependent inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS). VSV neuroinvasion rapidly induces multiple brain chemokine and proinflammatory cytokine mRNAs that display bimodal kinetics. Peripheral DC ablation or T cell depletion suppresses the second wave of this response demonstrating that infiltrating T cells are primarily responsible for the bimodal characteristics of this response. The robust infiltrate associated with VSV encephalitis likely depends on sustained production of brain CCL19 and CCR7 expression on infiltrating inflammatory cells. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Transcription Upregulation Of Hiv By Fdc,
2014
Brigham Young University
Transcription Upregulation Of Hiv By Fdc, Nathan R. York, Dr. Gregory R. Burton
Journal of Undergraduate Research
The search to understand Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the progression of the disease that it causes, AIDS, has led scientists to delve further and further into the intricacies of viral mechanics. Although not considered living organisms by many scientists, these entities manage to find ways to enter, replicate, and thrive within the cells of their hosts. As we study any one particular virus, insights into many viruses can be gained.
Down-Regulation Of Hiv-1 Receptors And Inhibition Of Hiv-1 Entry By Prostratin Treatment,
2014
Brigham Young University
Down-Regulation Of Hiv-1 Receptors And Inhibition Of Hiv-1 Entry By Prostratin Treatment, Richard Turley, Dr. Richard A. Robison, Dr. Gregory F. Burton
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Due to recent findings that HIV replication can persist even with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), it has become increasingly necessary to develop new therapies that can be used as adjuncts with HAART, to combat HIV infection. One possible alternative strategy is to block infection by down-regulation of the cell receptors needed for viral entry. Amara, et al. proposed that HIV coreceptor down-regulation by stromal cell derived factor 1-a (SDF-1a), the physiological ligand of CXCR4, blocks infection of target cells by X4 strains of HIV-1 (1). Mack, et al. demonstrated that Aminooxypentane-RANTES (a derivative of RANTES, one of CCR5’s physiological …
“Herceptin (Trastazumab) Causes Cardiotoxicity In Breast Cancer Patients With Prior Cardiac Trauma”,
2014
Brigham Young University
“Herceptin (Trastazumab) Causes Cardiotoxicity In Breast Cancer Patients With Prior Cardiac Trauma”, Rick Whitehead, Dr. Kim L. O'Neill
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In 1998, approximately 10 million women reached the age of 50 years, at a rate of 5,000 women per day. Based on the age incidence data for breast cancer, this means that, within the next ten years, 296,000 women will be affected annually with breast cancer. Because of the tremendous growth in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, new strategies will be required to treat this “baby boomer” explosion.
A Molecular Approach To Answering An Anthropological Question Concerning Burial Customs In An Ancient Egypt Population,
2014
Brigham Young University
A Molecular Approach To Answering An Anthropological Question Concerning Burial Customs In An Ancient Egypt Population, Jamey Tolman, Dr. Scott Woodward
Journal of Undergraduate Research
Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have allowed us to gain knowledge about the ancient populations of the world. A team of BYU students and faculty has excavated a group of bodies, dating from 200 B.C. to 400 A.D., found in the Fag El Gamous cemetery in Egypt. A major observation from the excavations has been that the earlier, or lower burials, in the cemetery are buried with their heads to the east. As you move up in the cemetery, to more recent dates, a distinct change occurs in the orientation of the burials. The bodies are placed with their …
Synergistic Effects Of Vitamin C And Vitamin K3 In The Widr Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cell Line,
2014
Brigham Young University
Synergistic Effects Of Vitamin C And Vitamin K3 In The Widr Human Colon Adenocarcinoma Cell Line, Jeffery Sivert Tessem, Dr. Byron K. Murray
Journal of Undergraduate Research
In recent years in both clinical and experimental research the benefits of vitamins as anti-cancer agents have been described. Derivatives of vitamin C have been shown to “diminish the tumor mass in inoperable tumor patients” as well as cause degeneration of hepatocellular carcinoma in rats due to direct cytotoxicity to the tumor cells (1). Vitamin K3 has also been shown to induces DNA damage, reduced expression of c-myc, and caused apoptosis in human T-lymphocyte Jurkat cells, and other effects have also been seen in other cell lines (1). Studies have been done using these two vitamins in conjunction on …
